Keywords: Memory, Speed and BIG GIG
Dec 12 '00
If you're reading this review, then you're on the Internet, presumably with a computer that you actually turned on by yourself! That puts you miles and miles ahead of where I was when my husband and I bought our first computer in May 1997.
First, we evaluated our needs as a family: all of us wanted to surf the Internet. I would certainly be using it in my business as a graphic artist and writer, and our daughter would make good use of World Book and Encarta and other homework-related resources.
My daughter had been using computers at school all of her life, and my husband uses CAD-related programs in his engineering business. But none of us used one on a daily basis. As a graphic artist, I did most of my designs by hand, then had a service bureau set up the same look on high-resolution computers. My clients didn't know the difference four or five years ago -- things are different now! I have had to re-learn all I used to do by hand and translate it to one-dimensional graphics software.
Clueless Me, Clueless Husband -- We Were Happy Then
I'm married to a guy who reads Consumer Reports before he buys as much as a can opener, so you know he researched every kind of "best" computer buy possible before we actually chose our Gateway PC with a 17" Vivitron monitor (still the best I've ever had after owning four computers now). The Altec speakers that came as part of the package are superb! I love to play CDs in the CD drive as I work, because they sound so good.
But the computer itself "died" in August after giving me fits and low memory messages for months. It was 200 mhz, had a Pentium I chip and came with 32 MB. Which brings you to my first major suggestion:
Upgrade memory to capacity before you take your computer home!. For instance, if the computer you want to buy comes with 64 MB of RAM and is upgradable to 128 MB, pay the extra $60 or $70 to have them install another 64 MB right there in the store. This is so much cheaper and convenient in the long run than having to go out and buy it and install it yourself later. If you plan to run a lot of graphics programs or games on your computer, you'll want all the memory you can get.
I've bought and installed memory upgrades two or three times with my Gateway computer, and been sold the wrong kind twice! Surprisingly enough, it was not my fault, they actually sold me incorrect parts, but they installed perfectly and appeared to improve the performance of my computer without delivering the expanded memory.
When I bought a new Compaq Presario in August to replace my Gateway (I kept the wonderful Gateway monitor and speakers), I had the maximum memory installed, let them install my peripherals (scanner, printer and zip drive), and double checked to make sure that the model I was buying would accept future Ethernet cards when DSL comes to my area.
Think About What You Will Realistically Do With Your Computer
Are you really going to watch movies on your computer monitor? I guess people do that, but I'll never own a computer monitor that's as large as our biggest television screen. If you agree with me, you might not need that DVD drive.
A CD writer will be a great addition (they didn't have those when I bought my first computer) because it will save you tremendous storage space on your hard drive.
You'll want a printer, of course. A scanner is an essential for me. Those are my two most valuable peripherals. I have not ventured into the world of web cams, but I do enjoy having a digital camera that interfaces with every computer I currently use at my home and office.
If You Can't Please Everyone, Please Yourself
Most of the time, only one of you can use the computer at once. If you have kids who want to play computer games, consider giving them your old computer or buying them a decent used one. My daughter now has the second computer I bought, a 200 Mhz Packard Bell with 64 MB, for games since it outlived its usefulness for me.
If you are the primary user of the new computer you plan to buy, especially if you're using it for business, tailor it to your needs. We tried doing the "family" computer with functions for everyone, but the more entertainment programs you install, the less function you have to do what you really need to do.
Buy the best technology for the money that you can possibly afford to spend, you will extend the "life" of your new PC for a year or two until the next generation of "must have" technology comes along.
Look for lease options that look good and affordable. Believe me, I learned this when I tried to have my 3-year-old Gateway upgraded. The sales staff looked at me as if I'd grown antlers when I told them how old it was: "Oh, we really don't do much to machines that are more than a couple of years old." But if you do lease, get in the habit of storing your important information on a zip drive or CDs so you won't have to transfer it or worry about security when you trade up.
So plan to buy a new PC in two to three more years if keeping pace with advancements is important to you. Think of it as an appliance that you use heavily, all day every day.
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Epinions.com ID:
MsHooterville
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Member: Ms Hooterville
Location: Hooterville Green Acres USA
Reviews written: 596
Trusted by: 416 members
About Me:
News and feature writer, graphic designer and artist, wife and mother, small business owner.
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