Let's face it - not everyone is a computer expert. There are a lot of confusing terms and technology which can make choosing the perfect computer almost impossible without some expert advice. The staff at Reboot wants to make sure that every customer who buys a computer from us can do so with confidence and the knowledge that their purchase fits their needs perfectly.
For this reason, we've highlighted several key factors which you should take into account when buying a computer. They are: Processor type and speed, Memory (RAM), Hard Drive size, and Optical Drives. Knowing the basics about these important components will go a long way in making sure that the computer you buy has everything you need and nothing you don't.
Things to consider when buying a computer:
1. PROCESSOR TYPE AND SPEED
(note: the terms "processor" and "CPU" mean the same thing)
The Central Processing Unit, or CPU, is what runs (processes) instructions from programs and the operating system. Almost everything that goes on in your comput.jpg)
er passes through the CPU at some point. If the processor is not fast enough, software that you are trying to run on your PC will run slowly or not at all.
Most computers that you will find in our store or online feature Intel Pentium 4 (a.k.a. P4) or newer processors. These CPUs are rated by speed (in gigahertz, or GHz). When comparing two CPUs of the same type, this rating can be used to accurately determine the speed difference between them. Thus, a 3.0 GHz Pentium 4 processor is much more powerful than a 1.8 GHz Pentium 4 processor. Please note however that when comparing CPUs which are not the same type, the GHz rating cannot be relied upon to make an accurate comparison. For instance, a 2.4GHz AMD Athlon CPU is often as fast or faster than a 3.0GHz Intel Pentium 4 when performing the most common tasks.
Another consideration is how man "cores" a CPU has. Many computers now feature "dual-core" or even "quad-core" processors, where each core can be thought of as an individual CPU. While single-core processors still offer plenty of speed for everyday tasks, multi-core processors do offer significantly faster performance (even those with lower GHz ratings than a single-core processor).
COMING SOON: An in-depth layman's guide to modern processor types and terminology.
2. MEMORY (RAM)
The term "Memory" often leads people to mistakenly think that the amount of memory a computer has is related to how much information can be stored on it. Instead, computer memory is a temporary holding area for data which the CPU needs to have very fast access to, and is actually erased every time the machine is turned off. The computer's Hard Drive size is what determines its storage capacity. A great way to think of the difference is to compare it to an office. The Hard Drive is like your file-cabinet, it holds a lot of stuff but you have to take an item out to read it or work on it, which can be slow. Memory is like the surface of your desk - the more you have the more items you can spread out for easy and fast access, and thus the more you can be working on at the same time.
RAM comes in a variety sizes, measured in MegaBytes (MB) or GigaBytes (GB). 1 Gigabyte = 1024 Megabytes. .jpg)
Most PCs in our store have a minimum of 512 MB which is enough to comfortably run Windows XP and most common software.
If you plan on playing high-end games, watching video, manipulating photos, or using multiple applications at the same time, you should look for a system with at least 1 GB of RAM. If you plan to use your PC for word processing, e-mail, internet browsing, or small business applications, 512 MB is usually enough.
Hard drive size, measured in gigabytes (GB) is simply .jpg)
a measurement of how much information your PC can store. Smaller hard drives will get the job done if you only want to save a few documents and pictures. If you are saving a lot of music, videos, and photos on your computer, you should look for a hard drive that is 80 GB – 100 GB or more.
4. OPTICAL DRIVES
Optical drives retrieve and/or store data on optical discs like CDs or DVDs.
CD drives can play music and run applications stored on CDs.
CD-RW drives can play music, run applications stored on CDs, and burn (or record) data onto CD-R and CD-RW discs..jpg)
DVD drives can play music stored on CDs, movies stored on DVDs, and run applications stored on CDs and DVDs.
CD-RW/DVD "Combo" drives can do everything that CD-RW and DVD drives can do.
DVD-RW drives can do everything that CD-RW/DVD combo drives can do, as well as burn (record) data and movies onto discs.
