Whatever you need your computer for, be it for work, school, surfing the internet, playing games or running your own company, it’s a big investment that needs careful consideration. Make the wrong decision and you may well find yourself having to upgrade and improve the computer later on. So before buying it is most important to ask yourself just what you really need. To help you in this, PRICERUNNER.COM have prepared some questions to think about before your purchase.

A computer for private use or for work?
If you want a computer mostly for listening to music, playing computer games and surfing the internet, the size of memory and speed of processor you need will be greater than if you need your computer purely to make calculations and write word documents for work. However, if your work demands advanced graphics and design programs there will be big demands on speed and memory to enable you to use graphics software.

Surfing the internet
To be able to surf the internet you need a computer, a telephone line, a modem, a browser and an Internet Service Provider (ISP). These days most computers already come with an in-built modem, and most now come with browsers (such as Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator) pre-installed. Software for setting up an account with an ISP usually comes pre-installed as well.

Are you a regular user of computers or a newcomer?
If you are a regular user of computers you can build your own computer set-up to meet your exact requirements, but as a newcomer to computers it is better to choose one of the many complete packages available. It is important to think about things like after-sales service, warranties and customer support, as you may need help initially setting up your machine.

Technical components:
 

CPU (Central Processing Unit)
Even the slowest processors today are far faster than the processors a few years ago. The technology is constantly improving, and today (November 2000) the quickest is an amazing 1500MHz, or 1.5GHz. The speed of the computer is expressed in MegaHertz (MHz). The recommendation for the normal user is to choose a middle range computer, as the latest technology is often very expensive while the technology at the cheaper end of the market quickly goes out of date. You should be aware that the speed of the processor is not the only factor that determines how fast the computer is, as the type of soundcard, video card, hard disk and internal memory all have a bearing on computer speed.

RAM (Random Access Memory) / Internal memory
RAM is a very important component in a computer. The more internal memory the machine has the more applications can be open at the same time. Lots of RAM can also make up for the deficiencies of other components that would otherwise slow your machine down. Most computers today come with 64 MB, which is often sufficient for a normal user. If you wish to play computer games or run advanced graphics or animation programs it's best to have 128 MB or more.

Hard disk
Deciding on the size of the hard disk for your computer is crucial, above all because it determines how much information your machine can store. A small hard disk can be close to full after the installation of your operating system and other basic programs. If you want to install many games, applications, MP3s, pictures etc., it's important to buy a computer with a big enough hard drive to meet your needs. It is actually cheaper and easier in the long run to buy a good hard drive from the offset, because you will save yourself the expense of upgrading and having to install a new one in the future. Desktop computers today usually come with 13GB or even higher. The highest on the market at the moment is an incredible 73.4GB.

Operating Systems
This is the primary program that runs on your computer. Most computers must have an operating system in order to run other programs. The operating system is required to carry out all the basic functions of the computer, such as identifying input from the mouse and keyboard, relaying output to the monitor, keeping track of files on the hard disk, and controlling devices such as disk drives and printers. All other programs must be written according to a particular operating system, so the choice of operating system determines to a great extent the various applications you can run. The most popular operating systems are Windows 95/98, NT Workstation 4.0, and Mac OS. Windows 95/98 is the OS of choice for home computers, while Workstation is more suitable for the office. Mac OS is the system used with Macintosh computers, and is particularly good for people interested in desktop publishing or creating music. There are others available, Linux being a notable example.

CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read-Only Memory)/DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disk Read Only Memory) drives
Almost all computers today have a built in CD-ROM player or DVD-ROM player and almost all-new software is bought in CD format. The speed of your new CD-ROM indicates how much faster it is than the first generation of CD-ROM players. For example a 48X CD-ROM is 48 times faster than the first generation CD-ROM player. We recommend a speed of at least 36X.

A DVD-ROM player is essentially an improved version of a CD-ROM player. The DVD-ROM drive will run CDs but can also read DVD discs. The main benefit is that a DVD disc can contain considerably more information, and with the corresponding software you can also watch films. The speed of your DVD-ROM is measured in exactly the same way as with CD-ROM players, i.e. how many times faster the player is than the first generation of players. The standard today is 4X, and that is the equivalent to a CD-ROM speed of 38X.

The size of the screen
Deciding on the size of the monitor is really just a question of preference. Naturally the larger the screen size the more expensive the unit will be. If you are planning on using the computer in conjunction with a DVD-ROM player for watching DVD films, buying a larger monitor makes sense. Monitors are nearly always supplied as part of a package when you buy a computer. The size of the screen is stated in inches and measured diagonally from corner to corner.

Chassis
The chassis is the casing of the computer. The things to consider when looking for the right chassis are: do you want the computer on or under your desk, and will you want to buy extra adapters or add-ons at a later date? Some new computers are incredibly compact, requiring little space on your desk, but you will also find little space inside the machine for installing new hardware (e.g. a new network card). Desktop means that the chassis is placed horizontally on the desk while the tower-variant stands vertical.