Things have changed in five years...
Mar 31 '00
When I first got into computers around five years ago, I needed a decent computer to do what I needed it to do. The main ones were: surf the internet, write e-mail, open applications, and let my son have his games loaded on. Five years ago was a while. I bought a top of the line Packard Bell (hey, stop laughing), which ran me about $3000 dollars with everything included. This, of course, includes a monitor and a printer. I couldn't imagine using a computer without these major components, could you?
These were the components:
133 MhZ Pentium
16 MB RAM (Which I later added 32 MB, leaving me with a respectable 48 MB RAM.
4X CD-ROM
1.2 GB Hard Disk Drive (I added a Western Digital 3.2 GB for $100)
28.8 KB Modem/Fax
$3,000.00 FOR THIS COMPUTER...........FIVE YEARS AGO!! Now, that was top-of the line back then, but computers have come a long way since then, with speed and quality.
**Today's optimum computer for the common folk**
It is vital to get a computer with a Pentium III processor, since this is the best processor available. A 500 MhZ chip will do. Hard drives have really grown since the inception of them back in the early to mid 80's. Could you imagine paying thousands of dollars for a 20 MB drive?? A twenty gig drive is pretty common, especially with the growth of programs now-a-days. A 56k modem is the best modem out there, besides ISDN, DSL, and cable modems. Cable modems are available all around the country, but it is a little pricey. RAM is especially important because it is relatively cheap. 128 MB of RAM is essential, and I would try to go higher than that for added speed and response times. Go with a 40X CD-ROM or better.
For a monitor and printer, do not go overboard here. Buy a decent 17 inch monitor and a Hewlett-Packard printer. They are my personal favorite, because of their speed and quality. Also, go with a computer with USB ports. They are the new thing in computers.
I hope I helped you today with this review. Please give me feedback on your home computers. I'll catch you on the flip side!
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
leegarson
|
|
Member: Walter Garson
Location: Collingswood, NJ
Reviews written: 159
Trusted by: 60 members
|
|
|
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.