This new entry will provide you a guideline for buying desktops. This article was published by ZDNet. First rule that you must remember is "fine the specs that are just right". Hopefully this article could give some tips or ideas before making any decisions for buying desktop.
Find The Specs That Are Just Right
Like most consumers, you probably have an idea of how much you want to spend on a desktop. But how do you ensure that you get exactly what you need? The different shapes and sizes, wide range of configurations, and seemingly constant arrival of new and faster processors all make for a difficult decision. To help you find the right mix, we've outlined five common user types which are Family, Student, Power user, Couch potato and Business user.
Family
Although a PC can play many roles in the home, most families will be best served by a mainstream model. Spending around $1,500 (add a couple hundred dollars if you want an LCD instead of a CRT display) will net you enough power to quickly run productivity apps, view and edit vacation photos, manage MP3s, and even play many of today's games. Be sure to add a DVD burner and a large hard drive if you have a DV camcorder.
Key Features:
* Pentium 4 or Athlon 64 processor two or three rungs down from the fastest model
* 512MB of DDR memory
* 120GB or 160GB hard drive
* 128MB budget or midrange graphics card from ATI or Nvidia
* CD burner and--in many cases--a DVD-recordable drive
* 17-inch CRT or 15- or 17-inch LCD
* 2-piece or 2.1 speaker set
* Windows XP Home
* Microsoft Works Suite
Student
With college costing what it does, price is of primary concern for students and parents already footing the bill for tuition, book (and beer) money, and a PC. More students are turning to notebooks for taking notes in class and writing papers in the quad, but a desktop is still a common sight in dorms. Unless you're on the seven-year plan, a budget system should have sufficient performance and features to get you from orientation to graduation.
Key Features:
* Fast Intel Celeron D or midrange Pentium 4 or AMD Athlon XP or midrange Athlon 64 processor
* 512MB of DDR memory
* 80GB or 120GB hard drive
* 128MB graphics card from ATI or Nvidia
* CD-RW drive
* 17-inch CRT or 15-inch LCD
* 2-piece or 2.1 speaker set
* 10/100 Ethernet port for plugging into the campus network
* Windows XP Home
* Microsoft Works Suite
Power User
Serious gaming, graphic design, and video editing all require a high-class PC with an equally high price tag. Look for a fast processor, lots of speedy memory, and a top-notch graphics card (or two). If you plan to transfer and edit home movies, you'll also need a massive hard drive, a FireWire port, and a DVD burner.
Key Features:
* Intel Pentium 4 Extreme Edition, Pentium Processor Extreme Edition 840, or AMD Athlon 64 FX processor
* 1GB of DDR400 SDRAM (PC3200)
* 200GB or larger hard drive(s)
* 256MB graphics card from ATI or Nvidia, or two Nvidia graphics cards in SLI mode
* DVD-recordable drive
* 19- to 22-inch CRT or 18- to 21-inch LCD
* 5.1, 6.1, or 7.1 surround-sound speaker system
* Windows XP Pro
* Microsoft Office, DVD-authoring program, free game bundle
Couch Potato
Like your entertainment to be more passive than interactive? Then you are a candidate for a Media Center PC. You'll get a fully functional PC that can moonlight as a TV and a digital video recorder. New models with compact or all-in-one designs are great for small apartments and dorm rooms. And the software and the remote let you control entertainment features without getting off the couch.
Key Features:
* High-end (not necessarily the highest) Pentium 4 or Athlon 64 processor
* 512MB of DDR memory
* 200GB to 400GB hard drive(s)
* 128MB or 256MB graphics card from ATI or Nvidia
* TV tuner card (or ATI All-in-Wonder graphics card)
* DVD-recordable drive
* 17- to 21-inch LCD, or connect to your primary television
* Wireless keyboard and mouse
* Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 Media Extender
Business User
Graphics are less of a concern for most businesses. You'll want a system with enough power for multitasking your daily office chores, and the money you save on the graphics you can put toward a flat-panel display and a better warranty.
Key Features:
* Midrange Intel Pentium 4 or AMD Athlon 64 processor
* 512MB of DDR memory
* 60GB or 80GB hard drive
* CD-RW drive
* Integrated graphics
* 17-inch LCD
* Windows XP Pro
* Microsoft Office or Works
Article by CNet Editor
Report from ZDNet
Comments