Cheaper is not always best
Jun 11 '00 (Updated Oct 26 '00)
When you are looking for your first computer, it is a good idea to do a little research ahead of time. Check with friends or family members that have a computer, this might help you to avoid pitfalls when choosing your first computer.
Cheaper price is not always best, and system packages ( PC, monitor and scanner and printer in one package) are not all that they might seem.
I would start with deciding what kinds of things you are going to use your computer for. Are you going to play graphic intensive games or are you going to be surfing the internet, if you are going to be using it for everyday things like financial business and writing letters.
The reason this is so important is because each of the different thins I mentioned before will make a difference in the components you will need in your computer.
Graphic Intensive games require a lot of processing power and tons of memory, special graphics cards to handle the video.The recommended processors are Intel Pentium III 600-800 Mhz and memory should be 128-256 MB SDRAM.
If you are going to surf the internet, then you need a fast processor,I recommend a Pentium III 500 and a fast modem which is how the computer connects to the internet. The memory in the computer doesn't need to be as high as in a gaming computer, 64 MB of SDRAM is plenty to surf the web, not to say more isn't better but not necessary. A good video card is a nice thing to have with all the different web pages being so graphic now a days, a 8 MB video card is more than enough for this use.
If you are not going to use the computer for the internet then skip the modem, it is a unnecessary component in the computer.
The sound system you choose for your computer will also depend what you want out of the computer, if you just want the simple program message sounds or if want the HiFi sounds of audio CD's and or awesome sounds coming from the latest video games. Sound card and speaker systems are very important to consider, at the heart of the sound system is the sound card. There are so many different choices of sound cards, Creative Labs is the best manufacturer of top sound cards. They range in price from $45.00- to over $200.00. The lower end is a basic 16 bit sound card, which will give you good sound and a low price, but if you are looking for better sound stick with a Creative Labs 64bit Awe64, this is a really good quality and great sound and a not too expensive under $100.00. Speaker systems have gotten so much better over the past couple of years, for really good quality sound you need to buy a speaker system that has a subwoofer, it makes so much difference in the sound quality.
I hope this opinion has help you in some way to make a more informed decision when going to male your first computer purchase.
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