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5 components to consider when buying a computer

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5 components to consider when buying a computer

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Whether you're buying a laptop, desktop or tablet computer, it's essential that you take the time to consider the device's processor, hard drive, memory, graphics card and operating system before making your purchase. These five components make up the meat and potatoes of your computer. Ensuring that you buy the right hardware can make the difference between a computer that works well and lasts a long time and one that does neither.

The Central Processing Unit, or CPU, serves as the brains of your computer. Processor speeds are measured in gigahertz, or GHz. When selecting a processor, faster is better. But faster processors are also more expensive. When deciding on a processor for your company's computers, take the time to consider what you need your processor to do. If you're planning to use the computer for run-of-the-mill office work using Microsoft Office 2013, for example, Microsoft recommends at least a 1 GHz processor. If you're planning to do more advanced, graphics-intensive work, a faster processor offers improved performance.

The hard drive is the place where files, programs and other data is stored in your computer. As of January 2014, two types of hard drives are on the market: hard disk drives and solid-state drives. Solid state drives are faster, but they are also more expensive. When selecting a hard drive, speed and size are the two most important factors to consider. If possible, aim for a hard drive with at least 1 terabyte of storage space.

Memory, also referred to as RAM, works in tandem with the CPU to determine how fast your computer performs tasks. As with most things computer-related, more is better. The quantity of RAM is measured in gigabytes. For average computing tasks, you will want a computer with at least 4 gigabytes of RAM. When selecting RAM, be sure that it's compatible with your motherboard.

Graphics Card

The graphics card handles how video is processed in your computer. When shopping for computers, you will encounter two types of graphics cards: integrated and dedicated. Integrated graphics cards are built into your computer's motherboard. Dedicated graphics cards are installed separately. In general, dedicated graphics cards are more powerful. If you're planning to edit video, play games or watch high-definition movies on your computer, a dedicated graphics card is recommended.

Operating System

As of January 2014, Windows is by far the most popular operating system in the world, running on more than 80 percent of the world's computers. You can either buy a computer with Windows pre-installed or purchase a copy of Windows yourself if you elect to build your own PC. Several open-source alternative operating systems are also available, most of which are Linux-based. All Apple computers come pre-installed with Apple's proprietary OS X operating system.

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What Are the Five Components to Consider When Buying a Computer?

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What Are the Five Components to Consider When Buying a Computer?. Whether you're buying a laptop, desktop or tablet computer, it's essential that you take the time to consider the device's processor, hard drive, memory, graphics card and operating system before making your purchase. These five components ...

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Buying a new computer is a lot like ordering a pizza: You think it's a fairly simple task until you realize how many choices you need to make.

But if your existing machine is so old it could barely run solitaire, you're probably due for an upgrade.

The good news is two-fold: there are many new exciting developments in the computer space, and there are many deals to be had over Black Friday, Cyber Monday and leading up to the holidays.

Aside from figuring out your budget, of course, the following are some questions you might want to ask yourself to help decide what's right for you.

More: Best apps to save you money over Black Friday and beyond

More: The best Black Friday deals you can get right now

More: Black Friday 2017: What to buy, what to skip

What will I use it for?

How you plan on using your new computer should dictate what kind to buy.

If you only want a computer for light tasks - such as Web browsing, reading email, and checking on social media - then you could go with modest specifications (specs), which should have a modest price, too. Something with an Intel Core i3 or i5 should be sufficient.

On the other end of the spectrum, if you're looking for a machine that can handle high-end computer games, virtual reality or video editing, you'll need to invest in a faster processor, better graphics capabilities, and more RAM (system memory). An Intel Core i7, NVIDIA graphics, and 16GB or 32GB of RAM (instead of 4GB or 8GB) is a good idea.

When it comes to storage, more and more laptops have a solid-state drive (SSD) instead of a hard disk drive (HDD), which makes these laptops thinner, lighter, faster and more energy efficient. Like the flash memory in your smartphone, SSDs are also less prone to damage because there are no moving parts.

That said, I like to say purchasing a computer should be like buying kids clothes: go a little bigger than you need today, so you can grow into it for longer-term savings. You don't want to have "buyer's remorse" by picking something underpowered, only to replace it in a year from now.

Stick with a brand you've had a good experience with, or ones your friends and family highly recommend (and critics, too).

What OS should I go with?

This question may also be tied to the "What will I use it for?" decision, especially if there's software you want to run that only works with a specific operating system (OS).

Otherwise, you've got three main choices today: Windows, Mac and Chromebook. (Yes, there's Linux, too, but not a mainstream pick.)

Stick with the operating system you're most comfortable with. If you're not sure, or feel like a change, know that each OS has its advantages.

►Windows 10 is the most popular choice today. It's offered by nearly all the biggest computer brands - such as Dell, HP, ASUS, Lenovo, Acer and so on - plus Microsoft makes their own Surface-branded PCs, too. It's easy to use, works with the most software and hardware out of any OS, and the Windows Hello feature means you can log onto your device by simply looking at your computer's camera. Windows 10 offers multiple ways to interface with your content, whether it's a keyboard, trackpad or mouse; using a stylus pen on the screen for greater precision (often called "digital inking"); fingertips on a touchscreen; or by using your voice with the Cortana personal assistant.

► Apple's Mac family are also a popular pick. Since Apple is the only one that manufacturers Macs - like the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro - there is generally better quality control, and built with premium materials. Macs tend to last a long time (but not their chargers), though Macs cost more, on average, when compared to Windows and Chromebooks with comparable specs. Many find them easier to use than other operating systems (thought that boils down to personal preference, of course). Apple includes many of its top software for free (or a free download from the Mac App Store), plus there is a lot of software for Macs today, too.

► Powered by Google's Chrome OS, Chromebooks are generally more affordable than Windows and Macs, but there are some premium Chromebooks available, such as Google's own Pixelbook ($999), which includes Google Assistant for voice interaction. Chromebooks usually ship with popular Google apps already preinstalled, such as Gmail and Google Maps. Generally speaking, Chromebooks have modest specs, such as little local storage, but most Google apps are cloud-based anyway. Chrome OS is billed as a lean, fast operating system, designed for mostly basic tasks, and with good value.

What form factor do I choose?

If it's been a while since you shopped for a laptop, you'll notice many are incredibly thin and light, making them much easier to carry around with you to and from coffee shops, the office, school, airplanes, and so on.

Many Windows-based laptops are "2-in-1s," as they can transform from a laptop to a tablet and back again. Some 2-in-1s are called "convertibles" as they convert from laptop mode to tablet by simply bending back the screen, which is on a 360-degree hinge, and disables the keyboard in favor of tapping and swiping the screen. While less popular, other 2-in-1s are called "detachables" as the screen detaches altogether, which you can then bring with you as a tablet.

While laptops are often preferred because they're portable, stationary desktop computers might be more ideal for younger kids. Why? If you put it in a highly trafficked area of the home, you can keep an eye on where they're going online. They're usually less expensive than laptops and harder to break since they're less mobile.

Many of today's desktops are often "all-in-ones," which is when the computer is built into the back of the large monitor, so there's no tower to take up additional space. Ideal to place anywhere in a home - such as a kitchen counter, in a home office, or a teenager's room - many all-in-ones have a touchscreen and often ship with a wireless keyboard and mouse.

But if you're buying a desktop for a gamer, an all-in-one isn't as modular, since it's not so easy to update storage, memory or graphics cards. Instead, a tower setup may be best for a gamer.

As you can see, there's a lot to decide when buying a new computer - it's not a one-size-fits-all scenario - but along with how much you have to spend, ask yourself these three questions to help you whittle down your options.
Follow Marc on Twitter: @marc_saltzman. E-mail him at askmarcsaltzman@gmail.com.
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How to pick a new computer, from Chromebooks to PCs to MacBooks

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CLOSE Buying a new computer is a lot like ordering a pizza: You think it's a fairly simple task until you realize how many choices you need to make. But if your existing machine is so old it could barely run solitaire, you're probably due for an upgrade.

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10 things to consider when buying a new laptop

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10 things to consider when buying a new laptop

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Top 10 things to consider when buying computer.
When entering into the world of computers it can get very easy to get confused and loose sight of your goals and sometimes your budget. Here's the top 10 things to consider;
1. Most importantly, know what you want to use it for and set aside a realistic budget.
Your budget
The first thing that most of us are constrained to is budget so this is the first thing you should consider. We always want the best but we need to be grounded on what we can afford. So Get a budget and stick to it.

Laptop or Desktop?
The next thing you should be looking at is your requirements. Do you need a laptop or desktop? What is the machine going to be used for? Once you have done this go back to number one and see if these are compatible often they are not first time round. You either need to adjust your budget or adjust your goals to make them more compatible with each other.

Now its time to look at the computer.
There are many things to consider when actually buying the computer, here I will list the most important so you can choose wisely.

2. The Processor
This is the most important factor when choosing a computer nowadays and there are many factors in processor choice the main thing is that in my opinion Intel are at the moment making the best chips and their core 2 duo range is the best so go for one in this family and you will be ok.

3. RAM (Computer Memory)
Essentially, the more rams you have, the more browsers and applications you can open. 4Gb is the most basic nowadays. 8GB is the sweet spot for most people. If you are a gamer, photo or video editor, or planning to do CAD/CAM work, you need at least 16GB of Ram. Make sure you get windows vista 64bit as your operating system.

6. Hard Drive
This is the next piece you should tackle. Computers today usually come with 250GB and 750GB of space in the hard drive. As more people are storing their information online on cloud storage, you may want to rethink of buying a huge hard drive space.

Google provides the 1st 15GB of free & monthly fee of $1.99 for 100GB and $9.99 for 1 terabyte.

Mega provides free 50GB

pCloud provides free 10GB

MediaFire provides 10GB

Dropbox provides 2GB

Where to get free cloud storage;

7. Graphics
Now all computers come with some form of graphics built in. But my recommendation is to go with something a little better possibly from NVIDIA or AMD. They make your computer resolution better. AMD cards are good for mining while NVidia is good for Adobe programs.

8. Computer Software
Most computers comes with microsoft software. The latest is Windows 10.

9. Anti-Virus Software
The last thing to do with the actual computer is a good virus and spy ware package. Don't be under any illusion this is possibly the most important part of protecting your computer. It will get attacked at some point be prepared when it does.

10. Your Computer Lifeline, Internet
Finally the internet, get a good internet provider broadband at least. No computer is complete without a good internet.

I hope this list is helpful in helping you make vital decisions when buying your new computer.

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Top Ten Things to Consider When Buying a Computer

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Top 10 things to consider when buying computer. When entering into the world of computers it can get very easy to get confused and loose sight of your goals and sometimes your budget. Here's the top 10 things to consider; 1. Most importantly, know what you want to use it for and set aside a realistic budget.

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It all starts here. Check out our step by step instructional video on how to put together your own rig, either from components you've purchased individually or using one of Newegg's pre-selected PC Build Kits.

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Intel is the second recommendation I have gotten from people. Most computers I have researched including the laptops I own have Intel processors

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Intel | Data Center Solutions, IoT, and PC Innovation

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Intel's innovation in cloud computing, data center, Internet of Things, and PC solutions is powering the smart and connected digital world we live in.

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Asus is a well known parts vendor that I have had recommended to me by many of my computer savvy friends.

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ASUS is a leading company driven by innovation and commitment to quality for products that include notebooks, netbooks, motherboards, graphics cards, displays, desktop PCs, servers, wireless solutions, mobile phones and networking devices. ASUS ranks among BusinessWeek's InfoTech 100 for 12 consecutive years.

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Inspiron 17 7000 Series 17" 2-in-1 with 4 modes | Dell United States

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The first of its size, the powerful 17" 2-in-1 defines upscale, with vast screen space, discrete graphics capability and a brushed aluminum design.

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toshiba tecra® c50-c1511 15.6" diagonal widescreen laptop  | laptops | computers | us.toshiba.com

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Toshiba Tecra® C50-C1511 15.6" diagonal widescreen Laptop | Laptops | Computers | us.toshiba.com

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The Toshiba Tecra® C50-C1511 laptop features an Intel® Core™ i3 processor, total hard drive storage, and 4 GB memory.

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MacBook Pro with M3, M3 Pro, and M3 Max chips. Up to 22 hours of battery life. The world's best laptop display. Now in a new color: Space Black.

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Limitless possibilities with the HP Spectre

Need a PC that's as creative and crafty as you are? The HP Spectre x360 15t Touch Laptop is a powerful, compact PC geared up to process highly detailed graphics with a user-friendly interface.

Hardware designed for success

When it comes to computers, it's all about the hardware. The HP Spectre x360 touch laptop comes with an 8th Generation IntelⓇ Core™ i7 processor. This 4 core, 8 thread processor boasts incredible speed and power.

Considering the IntelⓇ Core™ i7-8550U is capable of reaching clock speeds of up to 4 GHz, you'll be able to process data at remarkable speeds.

Combined with the NVIDIAⓇ GeForceⓇ MX150 2GB dedicated graphics card, playing today's major video game titles or editing photos in great detail won't be a problem.

If you need an even bigger boost to your processor and graphics card, consider stepping up to the IntelⓇ Core™ i7-8705G and Radeon™ RX Vega M 4GB graphics unit.

With a slightly faster clock speed than theIntelⓇ Core™ i7-8550U, you can blast through processing large data files at blinding speeds.

The Radeon™ RX Vega M 4GB graphics unit has more than enough performance capabilities to run all of today's triple-A titles (AAA) at max settings without a hitch.

Even if you aren't a gamer, having 4GB of dedicated memory for your graphics unit is always useful when conducting video conference calls, editing videos, or watching movies on-the-go.

A sophisticated hard drive is an absolute must when purchasing a laptop. The HP Spectre x360 15t touch comes with just such a hard drive with the 256GB PCIeⓇ NVMe™ M.2 SSD.

However, you can opt for a larger SSD if you need to store a large number of applications and files.

The HP Spectre x360 15t Touch Laptop can come with a 512GB, 1TB, or even 2GB SSD, depending on your needs.

Having a solid state drive in your PC will give it an added element of durability in case your laptop becomes damaged.

Unlike HDDs, SSDs don't have a any moving parts so they're less likely to stop working or lose data after a drop.

Features that suit your lifestyle

Whether you're an avid vlogger or you need to conduct video conference calls with perfect resolution, the HP TrueVision FHD IR camera records with precision.

This front-facing camera was designed to work with the i7-8550U in perfect unison. Take selfies and record yourself playing the latest AAA titles like never before this FHD camera.

Complete with a dual-array digital microphone, whoever is on the other end of the line will be able to hear you as well as they see you.

Enjoy the incredible audio capabilities of the Bang & Olufsen speakers with HP Audio Boost found in HP Spectre x360 laptops.

Blast your favorite music while you work or listen the latest episode of that podcast everyone is talking about.

Intending to work late into the night? Enjoy the full-size, island-style backlit keyboard with an integrated numeric keypad. The intuitive design is built to ensure your success.

If you're looking for technology to bring out the artist in you, this PC comes with a stylus pen that will allow you to illustrate and craft remarkable artwork and designs.

Play games at maximum settings or watch the latest blockbusters in 4K a breathtaking 15.6-inch diagonal IPS micro-edge BrightView WLED-backlit touch screen.

If you're worried about the durability of this touch screen, rest easy knowing that it comes equipped with CorningⓇ Gorilla® Glass 4, designed to prevent cracks and fragility.

Enjoy incredible wireless capabilities this laptop has to offer with its IntelⓇ 802.11b/g/n/ac (2x2) Gigabit WiFi and Bluetooth 5 Combo.

Connecting to devices and networks has never been easier thanks to HP Spectre x360 laptop's range and wireless capabilities.

And with its ENERGY STARⓇ certified and EPEATⓇ Silver registered status, you'll save bundles on your power bill everytime you plug in. .

Security that can't be beaten

Take your data security to the next level with this laptop's fingerprint reader. Even if malware is capable of cracking your written password, it's going to have a difficult time reproducing your unique fingerprint.

The Trusted Platform Module will ensure that your data is effectively encrypted when you can't have anyone but your clients or yourself looking at it.

Theft of a PC is often the biggest concern when it comes to investing in 2-in-1 laptops. Fortunately, the HP Spectre x360 15t Touch Laptop comes with one year of Computrace LoJack for Laptops.

If you want to upgrade, Computrace theft protection is available for both two and four years as well.

Accessories designed to optimize your PC

Turn your home office into a full-blown workstation when you combine your HP Spectre x360 with a high-resolution, 4K monitor.

The HP ENVY 27 27-inch display is ideal for anyone who wants a superior monitor that can match their laptop's 4K capabilities.

The HP DeskJet 3755 All-in-One is the perfect printer for your home office. Whether you need to print, copy, or scan, this printer can do it all.

Planning to travel with your laptop? You'll need a bag to safely transport your PC without the fear of damage. The HP 15.6-inch Signature Messenger Bag is the perfect option.

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When it comes to computers, it's all about the hardware. The HP Spectre x360 touch laptop comes with an 8th Generation IntelⓇ Core™ i7 processor. This 4 core, 8 thread processor boasts incredible speed and power. Considering the IntelⓇ Core™ i7-8550U is capable of reaching clock speeds of up to 4 GHz, you'll be able to process data at remarkable speeds.