Editor’s Note: In November’s column Kate takes the lead and outlines what’s really important to know – and check out – when buying your next computer, be it a laptop or desktop model.
By Kate Thresher and The Team at POST Computers
prime@pocosys.com
Buying a new computer can be a daunting task, especially if you aren’t computer savvy and know exactly what you are looking for. Having the option to go down to the local computer retailer and speak with a salesperson can take a lot of the pressure off, but how would you know if what they are selling you is really what you need?
I decided to test out the thought that the sales people at my local big box computer store have a certain amount of training and knowledge when it comes to pairing computer with person – and explaining the options.
Under this premise, I went to get my grandmother a computer. I told the salesperson that I was looking for a desktop computer that my 70 year old grandmother could use to write some documents, do her email, and go online. Before I knew what was happening, numbers were being thrown at me at such a pace that I was having a hard time keeping up. Core i5 processor at 3.2 gigahertz, 8 gigabytes of DDR4 RAM at such-and-such a speed, with a 1 terabyte hard drive rotating at however many rotations per minute, blah blah blah.
Now, I know what he was talking about, but all I could think about was “what in the world is this going to mean for my poor grandmother?”
If you were hazing out reading through that, I completely understand. That’s where we come in. Here’s the lowdown on how to decipher all those numbers and figure out what’s important.
Computer buying basics
There are four main practical parts of a computer that vary from machine to machine. These four parts are all the average person needs to pay attention to.
The operating system: At this point in time, for PC users, there is one choice with two flavors: Windows 10 Home and Windows 10 Professional. Like it sounds, Windows 10 Home is for home use only, and Windows 10 Professional is for the business environment. Windows 10 Professional can be used at home, but Home should never be used for businesses.
The processor: This one is a little bit more complicated, but the easiest way to think about it is horsepower.
The brand “Intel” makes three mainstream processors: i3, i5, and i7. The higher the number, the more horsepower you get.
Intel i3 processors are great for people who use the computer for basic Internet and word processing, with the occasional game like Farmville and Solitaire. Think of it as a 6 cylinder engine, great for running errands around town with the occasional highway travel. The i5 processor is one step up. This is your 8 cylinder engine for those who like to travel on the highway quite a bit. People who need this processor multitask, run a business, go to school, or take care of the bookkeeping for a club, church, or charity. The i7 is for the few and far between who run heavy programs on their computer like CAD or special games like STEAM and World of Warcraft. Think of this as that truck that you buy to tow the camper. The brand AMD runs under same concept, but with different names.
RAM: An acronym for Random Access Memory, RAM is basically your desk space. The more RAM you have, the larger your desk, the more you can do at one time.
If you are a heavy multitasker, and like to have a few Internet tabs open, your email going, and a Word document or two up and running, RAM is going to be your friend. Even with that amount of work going at once, most people only need 8 gigabytes of RAM. Those who like to focus on one task at a time can get away with 4 gigabytes. Anything more than 8 gigabytes is overkill for most, though some programs and games may recommend more.
Hard Drive (or Solid State Drive): The hard drive or solid-state drive in a computer has to do with overall storage. You can think of this as your filing cabinet. The more data you have, the bigger your storage needs to be.
It seems straightforward, but storage space can be deceiving. Most files are very small; documents tend to be less than a megabyte and pictures less than a gigabyte. Though most computers now come with 1 terabyte hard drives, most people never end up using that much space and could get away with far less.
Functionally, hard drives and solid-state drives are exactly the same – they serve the same purpose. The difference is in mechanics and performance. Hard drives are very similar to records and record players in the sense that they have a spinning disk and a data reading head. Solid state drives have no moving parts and are thus known to be a little more reliable and measurably faster.
We like to think of a solid-state drive as a “turbo booster” due to the extra speed it provides. Though unnecessary for most, they can be quite fun.
Bottom line – go prepared
Buying a computer is just like buying a car – brush up on the basics, keep in mind what you need, take a friend, and, if possible, opt for a small store that is looking out for your best interest.
POST Computer Systems has been serving the Western Mass. community since 1992. Started in a basement in Wilbraham, the company continues to grow year after year thanks to the strength of their service department and the continued support from the local community.
If you have any questions or concerns, or to request a future Prime article topic, please reach out to the crew at POST Computer Systems by emailing: prime@pocosys.com
