Buying a personal computer ...

Once you have made the decision to buy a PC, there are many aspects that you should look at very carefully. Just as in buying a car or a home entertainment system, it is not only the price that should be considered. In order to assist your decision, here is a list of points to watch for:

• Laptop, Tablet or Desktop? If your computer would be useful in places other than your workplace or home, you might want to think about a portable machine. Choose from an array of laptop or tablet computers, bear in mind that because of the highly integrated and miniaturized nature of these machines, they are likely to be more expensive than a similarly specified desktop machine. An advantage is that the operating system is included in the price, and tuned for the particular system.

• Operating System and application software: We almost take it for granted that a new computer will run Windows - but which version? Windows  7 is now available, in 5 versions, depending on your usage requirements. Tablets often run Android, an open-source operating system. Microsoft Office is the de facto application suite, and Office 2010 comes in four different versions.

• Processor: This is the heart of your new machine, and will be one of the the biggest factors affecting performance. Get the highest, fastest processor you can afford. Pentium Celerons are entry level budget processors. Pentiun-D dual-core CPU's are now standard, and Core2-Duo (and quad) and the newest Core-i processors have superseded the Pentium brand name as the next generation of Intel CPU's. Notebook processors come in Celeron as well as the specifically mobile Centrino and Centrino-Core2 Dual and Core-i, which incorporates wireless networking and low power consumption.

• Memory: RAM - Often overlooked or configured to a minimum, the amount of memory will often make the difference between a usable computer and a fancy paperweight. Windows 7 should have at least 1Gb, but will run easier with 2Gb. We recommend 2 - 4Gb with all 7 systems. As a rule of thumb : the more, the better.

• Hard Drive: The storage centre of your machine and also used by Windows for virtual memory, a larger hard drive not only gives you more room to store programmes, it is also usually faster. Check the rated access time. Hard drives start at around 250Gb, but 500Gb and larger is becoming commonplace, with SATA-3 drives reaching 3 Tb (Terabyte = 1000Gb.)
  

• Optical Drives: A CD ROM is not enough anymore - many software packages need DVD capabilities. Windows Vista ONLY ships on DVD. So ensure you have at least a DVD ROM in your system, combined with a CD Writer or DVD writer. Blu-ray drives are the latest optical standard, offering 25 - 50Gb per disc, but are currently still expensive.

• Monitor: The interface between you and your computer, the part that you will look at all day. While standard CRT screens are still available, they are largely being replaced by flat LCD or LED screens. Look for at least 18.5 inches, or 20 inches if you need more space. The graphics adapter inside the PC determines what maximum resolution can be displayed. HD screens need at least 1920 x 1200 for best results. 3D and DirectX 10 technologies are here, rendering more lifelike graphic effects. Notebook computers all use LCD displays, usually 15 or 15.4 inches diagonally. 17 inch laptops are becoming popular as desktop replacements, but sacrifice some portability.

• Casing and Power Supply: You may be happy with a minimal case when you first buy - but later on, when you need to add to your system, will you have the space you need in the case? Will the power supply be adequate? Will the internal components be easily accessible? We recommend a midi-tower with at least a 300w power supply. For network servers, a full tower gives more expansion potential. ATX power supplies give advanced power management and auto-shut off features.

• Networking: Will your computer be networked? Consider wired Ethernet or Wireless configurations. Most notebook computers now support wireless networking out of the box, but can be tricky to configure. If you need to connect to the Internet (and who doesn't?) then consider a speedy ADSL connection - either landline based or wireless, as in the case of iBurst. Dial-up modem connections are rapidly becoming obsolete. Wireless broadband (iBurst, HSDPA, 3G) are now a popular alternative to Telkom's sometimes dodgy services.

• Included Software: Are you aware that it is illegal for you to buy a computer with a formatted, bootable hard drive if you do not buy a legal operating system (usually Windows) with the machine? Beware of dealers who preload software without supplying the original disks and license agreements - they are making YOU a criminal. Can your dealer advise you on the software you need? Is he familiar with the latest and best packages available? Will he install and configure your software? Does his package include a legal, documented operating system with original CD's? - Find out.

• Peripherals: Devices like ADSL routers, scanners, sound cards and printers should be integrated with your system at the outset. Compatibility here is a major consideration. Will your peripherals meet your particular needs? Will they be properly configured to avoid conflicts in your system? Most computer problems are caused by badly matched components or inadequate installation.

• Know what you want to achieve: A computer can only be optimally configured for you if you know what you want to do with it. Discuss your aims with your dealer to be sure that you get the right options included from the start. Do some research on what software you will need to do the job you want to do. Think about how and where you will use the machine.

• Support: A critical and often overlooked aspect of PC buying - Is your dealer concerned, informed and knowledgeable about supplying you with the right machine for your needs? Is he prepared to deliver and configure your machine on your premises, and provide you with a guide to its use? Will he be available when you need help? This is a valuable service that could save you many hours of frustration. Beware of so-called dealers who want to sell you the cheapest PC as quickly as possible. A computer is an investment and a tool that will repay it's initial cost many times over if properly used. Above all, it should be enjoyable to use. So buy carefully, and have fun!