22-1-09: Buying a new computer is a major task for most of us, especially when we are not familiar with all the geek terms which are often thrown at us by young and eager salespeople. I read this really terrific article in The Courier-Mail dated 19-1-09, and found it too good not to re-publish here for those people who do not see the Brisbane newspaper on a daily basis. It is very important that everybody considers the different aspects which can and will affect the new computer you are going to buy, regardless whether it is a Netbook, Notebook or a Desktop PC. Please be very careful and seriously follow the suggestions provided by the author and the advice given by those who have contributed towards the article.                                                  Right gear at the best price Working out whether to upsize or downsize requires a little research, writes Michael Lund in The Courier-Mail dated 19-1-2009. Buying a new computer is never easy. While most desktops and laptops appear pretty much the same there is a vast difference in what the competing hard-ware and software is able to deliver. That means there is a vast difference in the price. But how to know what is the best set-up to buy? For those not familiar with the latest hi-tech gear it can be confusing, especially as the technology is changing at a frenetic pace. With children heading back to school, many families are faced with the need of two or more computers in the home for study purposes. The rise of the netbook - those relatively cheaper, smaller and hence more portable laptops - has further muddied the waters with sales on the increase. Can the netbooks cope with a typical user's needs? What, indeed, is a typical user? Technology expert and writer for The Courier-Mail Ray Shaw says the most important thing for people to consider when looking for a new computer is first to work out what they actually want to use it for. That makes it easier to find the right computer at the right price that will do the job. Too often, he says, people buy a new computer only to find it lacking in power and performance when it comes to tasks such as photo or video editing. Anything that involves graphics - especially moving graphics such as video or gaming - needs a high degree of processing power. However, finding someone who can give reliable and independent advice on what to buy can be a problem in itself. Shaw confesses he is a "secret shopper" and regularly visits some of the popular retail stores to test staff on their computer knowledge and he says he is seldom impressed by what he finds. "What you get is a salesperson with very little time or expertise," he says. For anything other than basic computer needs he recommends people opt for a specialist computer outlet. By basic he means people who use a computer for simple internet, email, storing images and audio files, and using everyday office applications such as word processing, presentations and spreadsheets. "Specialists stores are quite happy to tell you the truth rather than just sell you the cheapest product," he says. Some stores can offer what looks at first like a bargain deal, but the costs can soon rise when extras are added such as accessories and a carry case. While the computer itself may be discounted, Shaw says the accessories may cost more than can be found in other stores or online. Plenty of online research - through sites such as www.shopbot.com.au - and shopping around stores can help track down the best price of certain accessories and extras, especially on cabling. Armed with that information, a better deal can be negotiated in store. Buying online also comes with difficulties as advertised offers usually ask people to consider upgrading the basic specification with costly extras. If people do not know what they are opting for they can end up with a machine not powerful enough, or expensive extras they do not need. Shaw says extra warranties should also be approached with caution as they, too, can be expensive and come with limitations on repairs and service, so the advice is to check any terms and conditions. A 12 month warranty should apply as standard anyway. The consumer group Choice has plenty of advice on what to look out for on its website at www.choice.com.au. The mobile computer repair business SuperGeek based in Loganholme, south of Brisbane, sees many of the problems people encounter after they have bought a computer. "We get callouts from people saying their system is running slow," business development manager Chris Moffat says. Moffat recommends a minimum of 1GB RAM, 250GB hard drive and a dual core processor. If people do not know what that means then he says they need to seek advice from someone who does. "It doesn't have to be expensive," he says. "You do get what you pay for, but you can get good prices out there to build a really good system." Officeworks offers a number of off-the-shelf computers from basic netbooks to high-end gaming machines. The company's computer buyer Warren Payne agrees with Moffat on the minimum specification, and recommends a more powerful processor and an extra graphics card for anything that involves image or video editing. Concorde Computers technician Ben Harper says a new computer set-up can be custom designed and cost anything from a few hundred dollars to many thousands. "Most people just use a computer for the internet, paying the bills and keeping in contact with people overseas," he says. Such a system comes in at the lower end of the price range. Harper says, whatever the need, a custom-designed computer can be put together at comparable costs to the larger retail stores. It also has the advantage of being tailored to a user's needs. "You get a good system that's right for you and does what you want," he says. The Strathpine store sells more desktop systems than portable computers although he says the new, smaller netbooks are selling as fast as they are delivered. For students the netbooks can be ideal as a portable system for school, college and university work. The netbooks have found a market as an ideal second machine to a home desktop machine as most can easily be connected through wireless or cable to a home network. Computer prices have fallen over the years - especially on memory - but Shaw says that is partly to do with a drop in the quality of many components. Where once a computer was expected to last many years he says that is no longer the case with a typical upgrade needed within about three years. New operating systems often will not run effectively on existing computers, again forcing a need to update systems. Shaw says the decision on whether to use a Microsoft operating system or opt for rivals Apple or Linux is down to individual choice, although Microsoft is still the dominant player. Microsoft is now working on the release of a new operating system, Windows 7, with early reviews saying it is less hungry for processor power and memory than the current Vista system. Take-up for Vista has been disappointing for Microsoft with many opting to stick with XP, which is still used on many netbooks as they cannot cope with Vista. Shaw expects many users to bypass Vista and wait for Microsoft's new operat-ing system to be released late this year or early next. As for laptops, he says they come from a limited number of manufacturers, mainly in China, so many brand name computers share many basic internal components. Once hard drives and processors are added the main difference then comes down to physical external design, the software and servicing offered. His advice is to shop around for the best price and not to be swayed by a brand name. SOFTWARE Buying a new computer is one thing, loading the right software is another. But this does not have to cost you the Earth. Some software companies, including Microsoft and Adobe, try to lure students and teachers by offering generous academic discounts. Those not in academia have to pay the full price. But there is an alternative with a range of rival software available that does the same job, and is either free or available at a fraction of the cost of the big name products. Some governments and big business are even using such software as a way of cutting their business costs. The free software comes from an army of professional and amateur programmers who believe software should be accessible and affordable to all. Word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, multi-media editing, web browsers, email, anti-virus and security software, games, even whole operating systems are available. Most programs are compatible with the expensive paid software so there should be no problems swapping files with others. Many of the programs are available for download from their own website or are listed by the Free Software Foundation (www.fsf.org), run with the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation. Other directories that include free software are also available at the websites www.download.com , www.tucows.com and www.dmoz.org --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- THE Courier-Mail's computer expert Ray Shaw recommends the following setups for a new PC or laptop: "A typical user needing email, internet surfing, playing MP3s, storing photos and Office applications does not require a lot of power. A 2GHz+ processor (Intel Celeron, Dual Core or AMD), 1 to 2GB RAM, a 200GB+ hard disk and Microsoft Vista Basic would be fine. Expect to pay about $800-1500. "For a small netbook (these use a 1.6GhZ Intel Atom processor and Windows XP) with an external DVD drive expect to pay about $500-700. "For editing photos, home videos, perhaps a CAD program then more processing power is needed from a Core 2 Duo or Quad, 4GB RAM and larger, faster SATA hard disks and Microsoft Vista Ultimate X64 bit version. Get a powerful graphics processing unit (like an nVidia card with 256/512MB of its own RAM). Expect to pay $2500-3000. "For a 15.4 to 17-inch notebook expect to pay a similar amount. "For mad keen gamers then over spec everything and that means getting an Extreme Edition CPU (that can be made to run faster - called overclocking), a very expensive graphics card costing more than $1000 in its own right, a large well ventilated case (sometimes using water cooling), a very large, low refresh rate LCD screen and awesome 5.1 or 7.1 speakers and a separate sound card. Expect to pay $3000-4000, or more. "If the PC is to be used as a Media Centre then opt for a very quiet case, low profile components, Microsoft Vista Premium or Ultimate, a TV tuner, large hard disk storage and Dolby sound card. Expect to pay $1500- 3000. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Back to: HOME       Back to: Computers