Baham Laboratories Online :
Your Source for REAL Computer
Tech Support!
Home
/ Services /
Contact Info /
Computers
The Cheap PC Mistake
updated October 2008
Several PC distributors advertise personal computers on television, while touting low cost PCs for everyone. Even though for many a sub-$1000 PC will suit the household, check those specs twice before pulling out your checkbook This especially goes for computers priced under $600. The last thing you want to do, as a PC buyer, is to have to invest more money into that "new" PC while it's still got that "new computer smell". Here is a short list of items that any PC buyer should ask before purchasing a new PC:
Does the system have enough RAM (memory)?: Currently many people with 2 year old PCs, are often times still wondering if they'll ever fill up that 80 to 120 gigabyte hard drive, but that's separate from the RAM (Random Access Memory) used by the system to keep things running quickly. (Data is read off of the hard drive and into RAM to be sent to the processor, thus having more RAM helps increase the amount of data that can be sent to your system's main computational device). Many computer manufacturers who sell systems at sub $500 prices often cut costs to attract buyer by "stiffing" you on the amount of RAM in a system. Currently, any new computer should have at least 1024MB (or 1.0 GB) of RAM! Even though you can get away with running Windows Vista Home Edition with 512MB of RAM, it's best to be prepared for the future. Running Windows Vista and having less than 1.0GB of RAM is unacceptable (and your new computer will run very slowly).
Does the system have a fast enough processor?: Even if you are looking for a Basic, or Budget PC, don't let the speed of the PC's processor drop under 2.4 GHz with a dual core CPU. A PC maker who sells a PC with a processor under that, is selling you a computer part from the company's surplus from several months ago (or even a year ago). Once again, let's not try to have you shopping for an upgrade in six months.
Does the system have a CD or DVD Recorder?: Writing CDs isn't just for making that ultimate mix of songs to listen to on the way to work in the morning. Data CDs and DVDs have pushed the floppy disk into extinction (which is long over due). Sure you can backup a few typed documents to a floppy, but what if you've just designed the awesome PowerPoint presentation with sound and video effects, or you've just tried out your new digital camera by taking 120 photos? Suddenly the mighty floppy disk is not so mighty. Floppy disks also tend to wear out faster than Optical media (CDs and DVDs), especially if you take good care of those CDs by putting them in cases or holders. Many good quality CD-R and CD-RW (re-writable) discs can easily see up to 60+ years of usage, whereas the mighty floppy is lucky to celebrate a birthday in tack if it's in constant use. With today's media becoming larger in data size, I'd recommend that any new PC purchased have a Dual Layer DVD+/-RW drive. Even if you're not regularly writing up to 8.5 GB of data on a Recordable DVD, it'll be good to already have one when you need it in the near future.
Is the monitor included?: When you see that $399 PC in the store, make sure that price includes the monitor, unless you're planning on using your current one. Many times the " too good to believe" price does not have the monitor included in the the advertised total.
Is there any software on it besides Windows?: I've known many friends, family , and clients to have purchased new PCs without first checking to see if there's any software on the system. (Remember: Windows only boots and runs the computer, it does not include a full functional office software package). A new system can be priced very cheap without Microsoft Office (with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc), without an Anti-Virus solution, or accounting software. Back in the early 1990's, people would buy computer systems based on how much software was included in the deal. Today, in a rush to keep making computer systems cheaper, PC distributors may only install "Trial Ware," Trial software you can try out for 15-90 days and then purchase.
|
Case Study A certain brand name $348 PC in the store at a certain large retail store known for always having low prices contained the following description of included software: Microsoft Internet Explorer, Cyberlink PowerDVD , Apple QuickTime, RealPlayer, BigFix, Microsoft Encarta Online, Microsoft Office 2003 Student and Teacher Edition (Trial), CyberLink Power2Go, Google Toolbar, Microsoft Windows Media Player 10, Adobe Acrobat Reader 7, AOL 9.0 (with 6 months membership included), Microsoft Money 2006, Microsoft Works 8.5, Microsoft Digital Image Starter Edition 2006 (Trial), Napster 3.0 (Trial), Wal-Mart Digital Photo Studio, Wal-Mart Music Download Service, McAfee Internet Security Suite (90 days subscription) Obviously a lot of the text in this description was included to make the list longer. Not only does it include software that most people would want to use on a regular basis as "trial" versions, but also lists items that are included with Microsoft Windows. Internet Explorer, and Media Player 10 are included with any purchase of Windows XP with Service Pack 2. Apple Quicktime, RealPlayer, Google Toolbar, Adobe Acrobat Reader 7, and Napster are all downloadable from their respective websites for free. But my personal favorite is AOL 9.0 with 6 months free membership. In August of 2006, the AOL division of Time-Warner announced that it will be switching to an Ad-based format (to a website like Yahoo for example), and will phase out it's dial-up Internet service. |
Software Continued: For some people this may be okay, however the purchase prices aren't always shown until you're ready to purchase. Several users find out on the 31st day of a 30 day trial that their word processor is unusable unless the office suite is purchased online for approximately $350. (Not a good feeling if you're in the middle of trying to print that report you've worked on for the last two weeks.) It's best to include all the software you'll need when purchasing a computer. Often times the software has already been discounted when it's included in the PC's price. Keep in mind that in the retail stores the prices of software are NOT discounted, the packages are sold are full price.
Is the system a "too cheap"?: No I'm not trying to be funny. Sometimes systems that are too good to be true are. Many are designed with components that are more likely to fail ( and the seller is trying to get rid of them). Just be sure to have that 3 year warranty in writing at the time of purchase if you insist on buying one.
If you have further questions, feel free to e-mail me directly here.
--Steve