Shop for a computer that will answer you needs

At one time ..sometime ago.many experts suggested that buy as much computer as you can afford. That should now no longer be said. Computers drop in price all the time. Today, prices have gotten to be so inexpensive that many people can afford good computers that will do what you want.

The main question you need to ask yourself is "what will I use this computer for." Keep in mind that there today many uses which are not really required to survive even today. However, there are many things a computer provides that more and more people could not do without. They can be used for sending email, writing letters, making movies, manipulating digital pictures, creating websites, playing games, talking to someone long distance (audibly and through text), banking online, purchasing items online, researching online and many more tasks.

Once you figure out how you will use the computer, decide what software you absolutely need to start. Look at the requirements to run this software. While looking at the requirements keep in mind that buying a little more computer in the way of requirements will probably help you run your software faster.

Does this software require a PC (Windows operating system) or Macintosh? In most cases, it will require PC unless you will be doing high level graphic or video manipulation. However, keep in mind that Macintosh compatible software will be less readily available and usually more expensive. You will also be able to find more free software for the PC. Also take into account that the PC currently has an easier to learn operating system then it did 15 years ago. Today the ease in using either a Macintosh or PC is virtually the same. However, many people are still loyal Macintosh users and you may desire to become one also.

Let's look at the software requirements more closely. If looking at software in your local store, you will usually find "System Requirements" information somewhere on the box (likely on the back or side). For software that is compatible with both Windows and Macintosh operating systems, there should be information listed for both.

Example:

Duo Core Intel or equivalent - This requirement talks about an internal main component of computer known as the computer processor (central processing unit - cpu). It is actually very small compared to the rest of the computer, however, it is the main pc part where all the processing happens. "Equivalent" listed above would refer to other processors such as ones made by Advanced Micro Devices (AMD).

Windows Vista, Windows 2000, Windows XP - These are names of Microsoft operating system software (software that makes the computer work). The best and newest is Windows Vista (Home or Professional). In most cases, you will be fine with the "Home" version unless you get into networking pc's on a large scale.

1 GB RAM (1.5 GB recommended) - This is memory used by the processor store processing data on-the-fly when the computer is on. This memory does not store data after the computer is turned off.

800 MB available disk space - This refers to available hard drive disk space. New hard drives today (coming with the computer or bought separately in stores) will have gigabytes of storage. 1000 MB equals 1 gigabyte (1GB). New hard drives available will increase in capacity as technology changes. Currently (2008), you can get hard drives with 80, 120, 160, 200, 500 etc. gigabytes of storage. Unless you create videos or audio, a 160 gigabyte hard drive will take a long time to fill up.