There are many things to remember when buying a computer. This is the absolute minimum you should get when getting a brand new computer:
http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa146/t...siccomputer.jpg Cost=$667
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There are many things you have to consider. First off, it MUST be able to support up to 4gb of ram. This computer right here is absolutely useless!!!:
http://www.dell.com/content/products/produ...s=19&l=en&s=dhsIt only has a maximum memory expansion of 2GB! That's nothing! Now, it is only $300, but when you add a decent monitor, it quickly jumps to over $600. $600 down the toilet! This is really wrong what these computer companies are doing. For example, there's a compaq computer at walmart for $549 with 2gb of ram, and then there's an HP for $599 with 3gb of ram. What they neglect to tell you is that the compaq one is maxed out! :angry: The one that's $50 more can be upgraded to 4gb while the other one is just stuck at the specs from the factory. That $549 compaq that maxes out at 2gb should be $200. That's how worthless it is. In a year or so, 2gb will be what half a gig is now......just totally useless.
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The next thing you want to consider if you're buying a more expensive computer is if you want to have a 32 bit or 64 bit OS. A 32 bit OS can only recognize a max of 3.5gb of ram, so 64 bit would be the way to go, however so many things are incompatible with 64 bit OSs even brand new! It's a dilemma let me tell you. I'm personally going to go 64 bit the next time I buy a laptop.
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Another very important thing to consider is screen size. With widescreen laptops, the difference between a 15" and a 17" monitor isn't that noticeable, but you'll sure notice it when you're trying to lug around the extra weight and balance that super huge laptop on a small table or something! Go 15" unless you really want a big screen. If you really need a big screen, go all the way and get a 19" or 21". 17" laptop screens are so stupid. <_<
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Most importantly, don't just see your PC as a tool. Remember that it WILL break. Do yourself a favor and DO NOT buy an all-in-one PC. They're super expensive and you're screwed when something goes wrong with them. You have to rely on the computer company's crappy repair service that only lasts a year or so anyways. Many of the all-in-one models cannot be serviced by everyday repair techs and must be repaired by other computers in the dell warehouse or whoever you bought it from.
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Don't get shuttleX computers or small form factors!!!!!! 99% of them, even when you pay $1000 cannot handle more than 2gb of ram.
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Make sure the DVD burner has dual layer support. This isn't so much of an issue now, but some of the lower end computers still only have single-layer burners.
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If you can go dual core, for Christs sake, do it! A lot of the cheaper computers have something like this:
Included: 2.3ghz septeron processor
+$45: Dual core Athlon64 X2 1.86ghz processor
+$119: Dual core Athlon64 X2 2.2ghz processor
+$199: Dual core Athlon64 X2 2.6ghz processor
I know you're gonna think "Now wait a minute.....the 1.86ghz processor is more money than the 2.3ghz processor! :blink: " The thing is, dual core is the future. I'm not going to explain dual core to you here, but trust me, just get the dual core processor.
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Some computers that can handle 8gb of ram automatically come with Vista home premium 32 bit. I don't know why. If you get that, you'll just have to buy a new OS when you want to upgrade. Get the 64 bit version. It won't cost you any more, but some of the PC's automatically have that selected.
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The most important piece of advice I can give you is to look on cnet.com for reviews of the product you want to buy. Just go to google and type in something like this:
Toshiba Satellite A215-S5829 cnet
You'll get the cnet reviews as the first result. It's good to know what other people who have bought the computer think about it and cnet also writes a small review themselves.
