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Technology

Technology continues to evolve at a rapid rate. Newer technology is always right around the corner, but this should not deter you from buying the system you need now.
Spend as much as you can comfortably afford. The more you invest, the longer your system will remain viable.
Unless you have specific needs, you do not need to acquire the absolutely highest level of current technology. On the other hand, saving a few dollars by buying low on the technology curve is a false economy.
Technical specifications are not the whole story. Make sure that you are investing in decent quality components and construction, and that you will be able to get service for your system from the manufacturer or vendor should the need arise.

Having your own system is a great convenience, but many people just use the computers available in public labs.
When buying a new computer you will often be given two or more choices of Operating System. We have put together this guide to help you determine which operating system is right for you.

System Targets

Technology continues to evolve at a very rapid pace, but a system that meets or exceeds the targets outlined below should serve general needs for at least three years. Systems at the bottom of the current product line are often available at considerable savings, but will have a shorter useful lifespan.

Some minimum targets for a decent system that can run contemporary software are outlined below. You should be able to buy systems that meet these targets for less than $600. With the fast pace of innovation, particularly in processor speed, any recommendation for a specific level of system will soon be out of date. These guidelines are current as of early 2005.

• Contemporary Pentium-class processor or equivalent for Windows systems;

PowerPC (G5 or G4) for Macintosh computers

• 1024 MB of memory (RAM)
• 20-GB (gigabyte) hard disk
• A monitor that can display at least 1024 x 768 resolutions in 16-bit color
• CD-ROM, CD-RW, DVD, DVD-R, or Blue Ray drive
• Ethernet interface or modem for connecting to the a network

Further details about these recommendations...

• Processor (CPU) -- Speeds of 2.0 GHz and up are now common for Wintel systems, and Apple's current offerings run at 1.0 GHz and faster. (Note that processor speeds are not directly comparable between Intel and Macintosh systems.) You will pay a significant premium for the absolute latest and greatest processor technology; for most people, buying a step below the top of the curve should suffice. Upgrading the processor is generally not cost-effective; you should anticipate staying with your initial level of processor until you are ready to purchase a new machine.
• Memory (RAM) -- The amount of memory installed in your computer is one of the biggest factors in its performance. The more memory you have, the faster your software will run, the more applications you can run at once, and the easier it will be to switch between applications. Adding more memory is relatively inexpensive.

Do not skimp on memory! Prices are quite low, and additional memory will give you the most noticeable improvement in speed. 512 MB is a decent minimum for a new Windows or Macintosh system. Some systems are still shipping with 128 MB of RAM installed, and this may well suffice for your immediate needs, but moving up to 256 MB (or more) be strongly recommended.

It is particularly important to have a generous amount of memory installed in laptop or notebook computers. When a system is low on memory, disk activity will increase, draining your batteries more rapidly.

Make sure your system will allow you to add more memory later, particularly if you are buying in at just the minimum target level. It is best if your machine has free slots, so that you can add new memory modules without having to discard any of the original ones.

* Hard disk space -- New systems commonly come with drives that hold 20 GB or more. Most systems will allow you to add more disk space later, either as a second internal drive or as an external unit.
* Monitor -- You should not buy a new system with a monitor any smaller than 15", 17", and 19", screens are increasingly affordable. While you may be able to save a bit of money with a 15" display, buying into the larger screen size is recommended. Flat panel (LCD, plasma) monitors are becoming increasingly affordable. Compromising on the quality of your monitor is a bad way to save money. Note that the only way to upgrade a monitor is to buy a new one.
* CD-ROM or DVD drive -- These days a CD drive is essential, as new software is no longer distributed on diskettes. Note that the DVD drives can also read standard CD-ROMs. Some systems can also write to CD or DVD.