Desktop Computers Buyers Guide
Making the Right Choice
A computer has ceased to be a luxury and has become more of a necessity be it in offices, schools, homes or any other sphere. Desktop computers are the most common computers used in most places these days. It is not enough to know that you need a desktop computer and to proceed with buying it. There are various considerations you need to bear in mind prior to purchasing it. Considering various factors will help you to strike the best bargain.
Line of computers – Windows versus Mac
The primary decision that needs to be taken is the line of desktop computer that you will be using. There are basically two lines of computers that you choose from – Mac based computers and Windows based computers. Your choice between the two will depend on the kind of work that your desktop computer will be used for. The desktop computers with Mac are considered to be more stable that have strong operating systems. Tasks like graphics, video and music are better performed with the help of these Mac systems. However, besides these jobs most other jobs are better done with systems with Windows OS. The software support for Mac computers are few and far between.
Size and speed
These are two of the most important factors that need to be borne in mind while buying a desktop computer. The first factor is size and the second one is speed. The former factor is often ignored but it must be remembered that it is an important factor. The two factors – size and speed are affected by the various components that together form the desktop computer. The quality and subsequently the price of the desktop computer are greatly influenced by these factors.
Processor
The central processing unit of the desktop computer is considered to be the life of the computer. There are various different brands and types of CPUs available in the market these days. All these CPUs come with varying quality, price, technology, speed etc. However, the kind of tasks you perform with your computer would help you to determine the kind of central processing unit you need to buy. The major classifications that will be available to you are Dual Core, Celeron, Pentium and Athlon. Perform a thorough research, analyze your requirements and then buy the CPU for your desktop computer.
Memory
The speed and size are extremely important while selecting the RAM for your desktop computer. Firstly, you need to check if the speed of your RAM is compatible with the speed of your CPU. It is in the case of the RAM that you understand the importance of the size. A larger RAM is capable of performing in a better way.
Media – Irremovable and removable
The storage capacity of your hard disk drive depends on your requirements. If you work with huge files and documents you will need to invest in hard disk drives with high storage capacity. However, you can upgrade the existing capacity of your hard disk drive in case you require more storage. The speed will also determine how efficient your hard disk drive is.
Among the various removable media options you can the likes of CD reader, CD reader and writer, DVD reader, DVD reader and writer, etc. The kinds of media component(s) you buy depends on the type of media you wish you use in your desktop computer. You could even choose to use flash card storage with the help of USB ports.
Peripherals
The various peripherals of the desktop computer like the monitor, the speakers, video card, mouse, keyboard, etc. are things that require a good deal of attention. All these peripherals are available in varied qualities and types. You need to understand your requirements and your desire in order to decide what kind of peripherals you wish to opt for.
Connections
As you may be aware, a great deal of importance is associated with wireless connection, Internet and broadband these days. Invest in your desktop computer only after you have verified its connectivity, peripheral compatibility, modem, etc. Make sure you compare and contrast various models to make the right buy.
Key Features
| Key Features | | | Processor | | | Chipset | | | Display |
| | With over 1000 desktop computers on the market, key features such as Processor, Chipset & Display are important factors when buying. These features not only effect the performane and quality of the desktop computer you choose, but also the price. Shown below are price guides for a selection of desktop computers focusing on the key features: Processor, Chipset & Display. |
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| Processor | | Intel Celeron D 2.26 GHz | £147.00 | | Intel Pentium 4 2.93 GHz | £438.00 | | AMD Sempron 2 GHz | £634.00 | | Intel Pentium D 3.2 GHz | £850.00 | | Intel Pentium III Xeon 2.8 GHz | £1,518.00 | | * | Intel Pentium 4 3 GHz | £695.00 |
| | | Chipset | | VIA KM400A | £206.00 | | ATI RADEON Xpress 200 | £391.00 | | NVIDIA nForce4 | £534.00 | | ATI RADEON XPRESS 200M IGP | £706.00 | | Intel 915PM | £1,168.00 | | * | Intel 945G | £662.00 |
| | | Display | | 17 in. CRT Display | £470.00 | | 17 in. Display | £639.00 | | 19 in. | £839.00 | | 19 in. Display | £939.00 | | 24 in. Flat Panel LCD | £11,761.00 | | * | 17 in. Flat Panel LCD | £778.00 |
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* Taking into account all current desktop computers on the market the most desirable would be a desktop computer with Intel Pentium 4 3 GHz Processor, Intel 945G Chipset and 17 in. Flat Panel LCD Display.
Price Guide
| Min | £65.15 | | Avg | £772.36 | | Max | £11,760.52 |
| | Desktop Computers cost anywhere from £65.15 for a basic desktop computer with few features to around £11,760.52 for a fully featured desktop computer. |
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Brand Guide
| Popular Brands | | | Hewlett Packard | | | Aries | | | Hewlett | | | Fujitsu Siemens | | | Acer | | | Evesham |
| | The most popular desktop computers brand is Hewlett Packard. The most expensive desktop computers brand is Ultimate Sound. If you're looking for a bargain then look out for Foxconn branded desktop computers as generally they offer the cheapest desktop computers. |
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