Transcript Everything You Need to Know Before Buying a Computer

Everything You Need to Know
Before Buying a Computer
Common sense talk- money saving
solutions
Dr. Jan Pittman Vanderpool
Email: [email protected]
PC (Windows) Versus Apple (MAC)
PC
Cost
X
Available Software
(Business)
X
MAC
Available Software (Home)
X
Ease of Use
X
Reliability
X
Vulnerability (viruses, etc.)
X
Desktop versus Laptop (Notebook)
Desktop
Cost (relative)
X
Performance (raw power)
X
CPU
X
Portability
Laptop
X
Screen Size & Clarity
X
Permanent storage
X
Memory
X
Definitions-Desktop
• Desktop computer-May consist of five or more
components;
– Main frame which houses the CPU, memory, permanent
storage, DVD or CD drive, video adapter, sound adapter,
Ethernet connector, keyboard, mouse, speakers and
display
– Non-portable configuration whose components may weigh
more than twenty pounds
• Review sites
– http://reviews.cnet.com/desktop-computers/
– http://www.pcworld.com/products/computers/desktops.h
tml
Definitions-Laptop (Notebook)
• Personal computers designed for mobility in five
broad categories as defined by size & weight;
– Netbook/Subnotebook: <10.5" x <1.5" x <1.3" @ <3.5
lbs
– Ultraportable: 9-11" x 8-10" x <1.5" @ 2.0-5 lbs.
– Thin and light: 11-15" x <11" x 1-1.7" @ 5-7 lbs.
– Desktop Replacement: >15" x >11" x >1.5" @ >7 lbs.
– Luggables: >18” x >13” x >1.5” @ >12 lbs.
• Review sites
– http://reviews.cnet.com/laptops/
– http://www.notebookreview.com/
Definitions-CPU
• CPU(Central processing unit)- This is the brains
of the computer and its power is generally
measured in clock speed (cpu cycles). Today’s
CPU’s clock speeds will exceed 2 GHz on
desktops and 1.6 GHz on laptops.
• Caveat-Rated clock speeds are not linear
measurements- a 3.0 GHz P4 is actually less
powerful than a 2.0 GHz Core 2 Duo
Definitions- Memory
• Memory (RAM)- non permanent storage
measured in megabytes (MB) or preferably,
gigabytes (GB). Desktops should have at least
2 GB of RAM while laptops may have 1 GB but
should have 2 GB of RAM
• Caveat- Windows XP can only recognize 3.28
GB of RAM. Anything more is wasted.
Windows 7 (32 bit) can recognize 4 GB and
Windows 7 (64 bit) can recognize 192 GB
Definitions-Storage
• Permanent Storage (Hard drive) – Unlike RAM,
data stored in permanent storage remains
after the power is turned off. Storage, like
RAM, is measured in gigabytes (GB). Desktops
should have at a minimum 500 GB of storage
while laptops may suffice with 250 GB
• Caveat- If you plan to store pictures, videos or
music, you should opt for as much storage as
possible (terabyte plus)
Definitions-Display
• Desktop display (monitor) – New systems should
have an LCD flat panel display of at least 19”
diagonal with a minimum resolution of 1280 x
1024. Higher is better.
• Laptops display – Depending upon the size laptop
the screen dimensions will vary from 7” to 19”
(too heavy) Minimum resolution of 1280 x 1024
• Caveat- The video card must have its own fast
processor and enough memory to support active
screens
Definitions-Display
•
Screen size
– The screen size is the measurement of the displayable area of the screen from the lower
corner to the opposite upper corner of the display (7”-20” notebook, 15”-30”+ desktop)
•
Aspect ratio
– The aspect ratio refers to the number of horizontal pixels to vertical pixels in a display.
Traditional displays used a 4:3 aspect ratio. Most new widescreen monitors use either a 16:10
or 16:9 aspect ratio.
•
Native resolution
– All LCD screens can actually display only a single given resolution referred to as the native
resolution. This is the physical number of horizontal and vertical pixels that make up the LCD
matrix of the display..
•
Contrast ratio
– Basically a higher contrast ratio will mean that the screen will tend to have deeper blacks and
brighter whites.
•
Connectors
– Most LCD panels have an analog and a digital connector on them. The analog connector is the
VGA or DSUB-15. The common digital interface is the DVI connector.
•
Stands
– Many people don't consider the stand when purchasing a monitor but it can make a huge
difference. There are typically four different types of adjustment: height, tilt, swivel and pivot.
Operating System
• Windows is the predominant operating system
found on PCs
– Windows XP-released October 30, 2001 and is
currently the most widely installed PC operating
system (est. >400 million worldwide)
– Windows Vista-released January 30, 2007 and has
been plagued by problems ever since its release
– Windows 7- released October 22, 2009
purportedly to fix all past mistakes (installed on all
new, major brand computers)
Manufacturers
• PCs are manufactured (assembled) by either 1st tier, 2nd tier or whitebox
companies (53% of all systems sold)
– 1st tier companies
•
•
•
•
HP
Dell
Toshiba
Lenovo
– 2nd tier companies
• Acer
• Sony
• Sharp
– Whitebox companies
• Your local computer store
• Caveat- Buyer beware; smaller stores may not be there when you
need them but conversely, may be able to provide you with
personalized service when you need it
Software
• Productivity-Paid
– Microsoft Office (generally does not come
included with the computer, just a 60 day trial)
•
•
•
•
•
Word-Wordprocessing
Excel-Spreadsheet
Powerpoint-Presentation
Outlook-Email
Access-Database
– Adobe Acrobat –PDF maker
– Act or Goldmine-Contact manager
Software-Free
• Productivity
– Open Office-Microsoft Office open source software from
Sun Micro Systems http://www.openoffice.org/
– Adobe Reader 9.1-read PDF files
http://download.cnet.com/Adobe-Reader/3000-10743_410000062.html
– Avira-Anti virus http://www.free-av.com/
– Antispyware- AdAware http://download.cnet.com/AdAware-Free-Anti-Malware/3000-8022_410045910.html?part=dl-ad-aware&subj=dl&tag=top5
– Registry repair-Spybot-Search and Destroy
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/spybotsd/index.html
Home Software-Pictures
– Adobe Photoshop https://www.photoshop.com/
– Web Picture Creator
http://software.informer.com/wpc/
– Flickr http://www.flickr.com/
– Shutterfly http://www.shutterfly.com/photobooks
– Snapfish http://www.snapfish.com/
Home Software-Music Catalog
• Apple iTunes
– http://www.apple.com/itunes/download/
• Limewire
– http://www.limewire.com/
• Rhapsody
– http://www.rhapsody.com/home.html
• Napster
– http://free.napster.com/
• Kazzaa
– http://www.kazaa.com/
Home Software-Movies
• Windows Movie Maker
– http://desktopvideo.about.com/lr/windows_movi
e_maker/90641/2/
• Apple iMovie
– http://desktopvideo.about.com/lr/apple_imovie/
90641/3/
• Free video editing software
– http://www.desktop-video-guide.com/top-5-freevideo-editing-software-review.html
Home Software-Music
• Audacity
– http://audacity.sourceforge.net/download/
• Wavosaur
– http://www.wavosaur.com/
• Free Digital Audio Editors
– http://www.hongkiat.com/blog/25-free-digitalaudio-editors/
Educators Discount Sites
• Online academic sites
– Academic Superstore
http://www.academicsuperstore.com/
– Viosoft http://www.viosoftware.com/index.php
– Royal Discount
http://www.royaldiscount.com/index.cfm?stateful
– Journey http://www.ccvsoftware.com/
– Needsoft http://needsoftware.com/
– Gradware http://www.gradware.com/
Wholesale sites
• Online sources where retailers shop
– Nextag http://www.nextag.com/
– Newegg http://www.newegg.com/
– Froogle http://www.google.com/products
– Ebay http://www.ebay.com/
– Geeks http://www.geeks.com/
– The Nerds http://www.thenerds.net/
• Refurbished computers
– Overstock http://www.overstock.com/