How to Buy a Computer
Some Sage
Advice:
(Apologies to Macintosh and UNIX people - I am limiting this to IBM-PC types at this time.)
If you are considering buying a better computer or maybe you need a second computer for your business,
here is some advice that will get you more for your money. An important tip on buying a computer is not
to buy more than you need, especially in a business. As a computer consultant and Web Site Designer, I
do most of my work on a 586 computer. Even a 486 can keep up with most of what I do. Seriously
consider what the computer will be used for, before you decide what type of computer you
need.
Don't buy a computer that has a slim line case (very small and not very high) if you can. They generally use
a proprietary motherboard which makes it difficult to upgrade and may cost you extra in the long run. Buy
a computer with a standard size case -- it will cost you less to upgrade it.
Now here's the breakdown of what hardware you need in a new computer:
- CPU
type and speed is an important criteria for your next computer, don't be fooled
into thinking that you have to buy a Pentium II computer:
- For ordinary office applications, surfing the web, and basic computer games, a Pentium
class processor running at 120 MHz or above should prove adequate.
- If the software you are running is disk intensive (does it read and write to the disk files a
lot?), then a 120 or 133MHz 586 or Pentium computer will probably be satisfactory for your
needs. What is really needed is a faster hard disk drive. I suggest getting one of the new SCSI
III drives (Small Computer Systems Interface) that transfer at up to 40MB a second. You may
spend from $300 to $500 more for your SCSI III hard drive and a new controller card, but you
will save from $750 to $1000 if you bought a low-end Pentium II computer with slower EIDE
hard drive technology instead.
- Folks involved in 2D graphics, cutting edge gaming, Desk Top Publishing, or the like
should consider a Pentium or Pentium II class processor that runs at 200 MHz or better and has
an MMX instruction set.
- Professionals that need to do CAD, 3D modeling, engineering modeling, or other power
applications should consider the fastest processor they can afford. The Pentium Pro is
optimized for 32-bit applications and doesn't do well with older 16-bit applications so it's best
used with those power applications and for network servers if MMX is not needed. The
Pentium II is newer and I've not tested it enough to know it's limits but it appears to run both
16-bit and power 32-bit applications well and has MMX for those that need it.
- Memory
is another area of concern. Most applications will run acceptably on a
computer with 16 Mb of RAM, but you will be happier with 32. If you're running more than one or
two major applications or multitasking many applications at once then 32Mb is necessary. Windows 95 can't effectively use more than 64 MB, so if you are
running high-end 32 bit software that can, you should consider running it under Windows NT or OS/2 Warp using a Pentium Pro
or Pentium II for maximum performance.
- Hard Disk Storage
needs may widely. While most office computers will never even
fill up a 2 GB hard drive, home users often have more demanding needs. Many games will take away
that disk space 50 MB at a time, and there is always space being taken with graphics, swap files, temp
files, sound files, clip-art and just plain junk. For the home user, 2 GB is beginning to push the
comfort limit and 4 GB would be a wiser choice.
- If you need more storage than that, consider installing a SCSI III adapter that will allow
you to chain up to 7 or 14 devices. SCSI III allows faster disk access and less CPU resources
than EIDE for a performance boost. You'll find more types of devices can be used with SCSI
like Scanners and faster Tape Drives in addition to Hard Drives, Removable Drives, CD-ROMs,
DVD, Optical, etc. Note that SCSI drives are more expensive than EIDE dives, however.
- The keyboard and the monitor are two things you should never buy too
cheap.
- The keyboard should be of good quality and comfortable to use. Don't forget the pointing
device (mouse, trackball, etc.)
- The monitor should have a large enough screen size for what you plan to do. Don't settle
for a monitor less than 15" (measured diagonally) and get the largest and best you can afford.
These are your eyes folks. Personally I would opt for a 17" for general use and a 19-
20-21" if you do a lot of graphic-intensive work. Some monitor screens are very hard to read.
Always test the monitor you expect to purchase to see if it's "easy" on your
eyes.
- Get a video card that is widely supported, like the Matrox Millenium series, for
every-day use. The newer 3D cards are for the gamers and CAD people to figure out as they are in a
constant state of flux and different applications support different cards.
- Don't forget about incorporating a backup technology to your new computer. You
can get removable drives, optical technologies, or tape cartridge drives depending on your needs. If
you will be exchanging lots of information with other computers you might want to get the same
type for all by using an external SCSI device. Then you only need to put a SCSI controller card in
each computer and can swap the external drive between them.
- Stay away from parallel port devices. They are limited by the speed of a parallel port,
which can be 20 times slower than SCSI, and you may have problems connecting several
devices to one parallel port.
- Modem
standards are stabilizing now. In 1998 you should be safe buying a 56Kbps
modem. Most telephone lines can't go that fast and the Federal Government currently limits your
speed on those that can to 53Kbps. 56Kbps technology only allows high-speed in one direction and
uploading is at the lower speeds (28.8Kbps or 33.6Kbps.) Unless you need a 56Kbps modem right
now just get a 33.6Kbps. There are other options (ISDN, xDSL, cable modems, satellite, etc.) but
none is universal at this time so if you have a special requirement talk with your consultant.
- A CD-ROM is universally needed these days. Most applications (and Operating
Systems) today come on CD-ROM so don't skip this item. What type CD-ROM drive to buy will
depend on the type of CD-ROMs you will be using. If you are going to run a lot of multimedia CD-
ROMs then you probably should get a 16X or 20X speed drive. Even an 8X will do for most uses. If
you're running applications off a CD-ROM then get the fastest that the applications can support.
Some applications on some slower computers won't run properly if the drive is too fast.
- For general-purpose Sound get a 16-bit Sound Blaster with a Wave table. Stay away
from clones as some of them are not recognized by all applications that expect a real Sound Blaster.
Those of you with special requirements, such as MIDI, Voice Operated/Dictation, Screen Reader,
Voice Mail, etc., need to talk with a consultant.
Operating System
& Software
(Again, I'm limiting myself to IBM-PC folks here.)
This is where I'm going to stray from the majority of consultants. I have a very strong bias against
Microsoft's Windows 95(98?) OS (Operating System.) You are warned!
IBM OS/2
Linux (and other 'NIX
flavors)
Windows 95 (98?)
Windows NT
Where Should I
Buy From?
Local Dealer
This is your best bet if you are a newcomer and you can find a dealer who actually will take the
time to talk with you about your needs. Ask also if he offers a money-back-if-not-satisfied guarantee and
has classes in the areas of computing you are interested in. Try to stay away from the big discount stores
with household appliances and electronics all under one roof. You'll seldom find knowledgeable
salespeople and they have an interest in selling you "what's in stock."
Mail-Order
There are two vendors that have consistently rated at, or near the top, both with Consumer's Reports and
the computer magazines -- Dell Computer and Micron Electronics . They will custom-configure a system for
you and offer optional on-site service and extended warranties along with a money-back policy and leasing
options.
Computer Show
This is a choice if you have a knowledgeable friend, or know enough about computers yourself, to allow
you to make intelligent choices about the items offered. You'll need to make a list of exactly what you
want before hand. You usually wont get a return policy if you make a mistake and purchase the wrong
item. You can usually exchange defective items as long as you can either get to the dealer's store or the
next computer show he attends.
Classified Ad
This is generally the worst way to buy a computer as most items for sale this way are not going to have any
return policy and you won't know if there's a defect until you've had it a while. Most sellers have an
inflated idea of the worth of their computers and price them way too high. You shouldn't pay over $350
for a used 486 (add $100 for a working SVGA monitor and nothing for a plain VGA one) and about $500
for a used Pentium (less monitor.)
Save with Mail
Order
Computer hardware and software are not cheap. I personally have noticed software prices are starting to
rise. I bought a software package a year ago for $80 and now the price has risen to over $200 for the
latest version of it. You may be wondering if it is safe to buy hardware or software through the mail. The
answer is, YES IT IS! But you must be careful in what you buy through the mail and from whom
you buy it. Here are some tips:
- There is no advantage of buying software at a computer store. There is very little they can offer
you except their time. The problem is that they can't learn how to use every software package they
sell, so their knowledge will be limited. You are better off buying by mail
order and using the money
you save to hire a professional to help you. You can save even more if you take the time to READ
THE INSTRUCTIONS that comes with your software. You wouldn't buy an automobile, if you
haven't learned how to drive, would you? The same holds true with computers. A large percentage of
the problems that people experience with computers is directly related to their failure to take time
to understand more about computers. The time spent learning is worth it!
- Buy small orders from a mail order company and test out how reliable they are first. Many
mail order companies have an excellent reputation.
- Choose mail order companies that have the biggest advertisements. It costs thousands of
dollars for a company to put an ad in a major magazine. They wouldn't be spending this money if
they didn't have a good business.
- Compare prices. Cut out the advertisements of a least five different mail
order companies and
then compare their prices.
- Try to stick to brand name products when purchasing something that costs more than $100. It
may cost a little more, but you probably won't end up buying a lemon.
- On the other hand, don't be afraid to try a lesser known product that is in the less than $100
range. There are many very good companies with very good products at a reasonable price.
- Try to be informed as much as possible before you buy. One good habit (especially for
expensive software) is to request FREE Demo disks of the software when they are available. To do
this, flip through all the ads in a computer magazine and order any or all the Free Demos you see
offered.
- Buying a complete computer through the mail should be done very carefully. I suggest cutting
out the ads for at least ten different mail order companies that sell complete computer systems. Then
either show them to a friend who knows a lot about computers and get his/her opinion on which is
the best deal or hire a computer consultant in your area and be willing to spend at least $50 to get his
professional opinion. The money you spend will be worth it.
- Before buying any software or hardware, see if there are any reviews of these products in a
computer magazine. Many computer magazines compare products of similar design and tell which
is the best according to their experienced opinion.
- Find a good mail order company that sells computer supplies and be willing to buy your supplies
in bulk. Buy disks 50 or 100 at a time. Buy ribbons 6 or 12 at a time. If you don't use a lot of
supplies, why not find a friend or another small business that would be willing to combine their order
with yours, so you can get the cheaper prices buy buying larger quantities.
Prepared by Peter Conrad Cumminsky, consultant, ASEE, CET, Team OS/2 (707) 987-
9484
Visit my Computer Taming web site at http://webtaming.netfirms.com.shopm1/biz/taming/
(C) Copyright 1993-1998 peterconrad@hotmail.com
