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Everything You Need to Know Before Buying a Computer

Everything You Need to Know Before Buying a Computer. Common sense talk- money saving solutions. Dr. Jan Pittman Vanderpool Email: vanderj@wlac.edu. PC ( Windows ) Versus Apple ( MAC ). Desktop versus Laptop (Notebook). Definitions-Desktop.

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Everything You Need to Know Before Buying a Computer

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  1. Everything You Need to Know Before Buying a Computer Common sense talk- money saving solutions Dr. Jan Pittman Vanderpool Email: vanderj@wlac.edu

  2. PC (Windows) Versus Apple (MAC)

  3. Desktop versus Laptop (Notebook)

  4. Definitions-Desktop • Desktop computer-May consist of five or more components; • Main frame which houses the CPU, memory, permanent storage, DVD or CD drive, video adapter, sound adapter, Ethernet connector, keyboard, mouse, speakers and display • Non-portable configuration whose components may weigh more than twenty pounds • Review sites • http://reviews.cnet.com/desktop-computers/ • http://www.pcworld.com/products/computers/desktops.html

  5. Definitions-Laptop (Notebook) • Personal computers designed for mobility in five broad categories as defined by size & weight; • Netbook/Subnotebook: <10.5" x <1.5" x <1.3" @ <3.5 lbs • Ultraportable: 9-11" x 8-10" x <1.5" @ 2.0-5 lbs. • Thin and light: 11-15" x <11" x 1-1.7" @ 5-7 lbs. • Desktop Replacement: >15" x >11" x >1.5" @ >7 lbs. • Luggables: >18” x >13” x >1.5” @ >12 lbs. • Review sites • http://reviews.cnet.com/laptops/ • http://www.notebookreview.com/

  6. Definitions-CPU • CPU(Central processing unit)- This is the brains of the computer and its power is generally measured in clock speed (cpu cycles). Today’s CPU’s clock speeds will exceed 2 GHz on desktops and 1.6 GHz on laptops. • Caveat-Rated clock speeds are not linear measurements- a 3.0 GHz P4 is actually less powerful than a 2.0 GHz Core 2 Duo

  7. Definitions- Memory • Memory (RAM)- non permanent storage measured in megabytes (MB) or preferably, gigabytes (GB). Desktops should have at least 2 GB of RAM while laptops may have 1 GB but should have 2 GB of RAM • Caveat- Windows XP can only recognize 3.28 GB of RAM. Anything more is wasted. Windows 7 (32 bit) can recognize 4 GB and Windows 7 (64 bit) can recognize 192 GB

  8. Definitions-Storage • Permanent Storage (Hard drive) – Unlike RAM, data stored in permanent storage remains after the power is turned off. Storage, like RAM, is measured in gigabytes (GB). Desktops should have at a minimum 500 GB of storage while laptops may suffice with 250 GB • Caveat- If you plan to store pictures, videos or music, you should opt for as much storage as possible (terabyte plus)

  9. Definitions-Display • Desktop display (monitor) – New systems should have an LCD flat panel display of at least 19” diagonal with a minimum resolution of 1280 x 1024. Higher is better. • Laptops display – Depending upon the size laptop the screen dimensions will vary from 7” to 19” (too heavy) Minimum resolution of 1280 x 1024 • Caveat- The video card must have its own fast processor and enough memory to support active screens

  10. Definitions-Display • Screen size • The screen size is the measurement of the displayable area of the screen from the lower corner to the opposite upper corner of the display (7”-20” notebook, 15”-30”+ desktop) • Aspect ratio • The aspect ratio refers to the number of horizontal pixels to vertical pixels in a display. Traditional displays used a 4:3 aspect ratio. Most new widescreen monitors use either a 16:10 or 16:9 aspect ratio. • Native resolution • All LCD screens can actually display only a single given resolution referred to as the native resolution. This is the physical number of horizontal and vertical pixels that make up the LCD matrix of the display.. • Contrast ratio • Basically a higher contrast ratio will mean that the screen will tend to have deeper blacks and brighter whites. • Connectors • Most LCD panels have an analog and a digital connector on them. The analog connector is the VGA or DSUB-15. The common digital interface is the DVI connector. • Stands • Many people don't consider the stand when purchasing a monitor but it can make a huge difference. There are typically four different types of adjustment: height, tilt, swivel and pivot.

  11. Operating System • Windows is the predominant operating system found on PCs • Windows XP-released October 30, 2001 and is currently the most widely installed PC operating system (est. >400 million worldwide) • Windows Vista-released January 30, 2007 and has been plagued by problems ever since its release • Windows 7- released October 22, 2009 purportedly to fix all past mistakes (installed on all new, major brand computers)

  12. Manufacturers • PCs are manufactured (assembled) by either 1st tier, 2nd tier or whitebox companies (53% of all systems sold) • 1st tier companies • HP • Dell • Toshiba • Lenovo • 2nd tier companies • Acer • Sony • Sharp • Whitebox companies • Your local computer store • Caveat- Buyer beware; smaller stores may not be there when you need them but conversely, may be able to provide you with personalized service when you need it

  13. Software • Productivity-Paid • Microsoft Office (generally does not come included with the computer, just a 60 day trial) • Word-Wordprocessing • Excel-Spreadsheet • Powerpoint-Presentation • Outlook-Email • Access-Database • Adobe Acrobat –PDF maker • Act or Goldmine-Contact manager

  14. Software-Free • Productivity • Open Office-Microsoft Office open source software from Sun Micro Systems http://www.openoffice.org/ • Adobe Reader 9.1-read PDF files http://download.cnet.com/Adobe-Reader/3000-10743_4-10000062.html • Avira-Anti virus http://www.free-av.com/ • Antispyware- AdAwarehttp://download.cnet.com/Ad-Aware-Free-Anti-Malware/3000-8022_4-10045910.html?part=dl-ad-aware&subj=dl&tag=top5 • Registry repair-Spybot-Search and Destroy http://www.safer-networking.org/en/spybotsd/index.html

  15. Home Software-Pictures • Adobe Photoshop https://www.photoshop.com/ • Web Picture Creator http://software.informer.com/wpc/ • Flickr http://www.flickr.com/ • Shutterfly http://www.shutterfly.com/photo-books • Snapfish http://www.snapfish.com/

  16. Home Software-Music Catalog • Apple iTunes • http://www.apple.com/itunes/download/ • Limewire • http://www.limewire.com/ • Rhapsody • http://www.rhapsody.com/home.html • Napster • http://free.napster.com/ • Kazzaa • http://www.kazaa.com/

  17. Home Software-Movies • Windows Movie Maker • http://desktopvideo.about.com/lr/windows_movie_maker/90641/2/ • Apple iMovie • http://desktopvideo.about.com/lr/apple_imovie/90641/3/ • Free video editing software • http://www.desktop-video-guide.com/top-5-free-video-editing-software-review.html

  18. Home Software-Music • Audacity • http://audacity.sourceforge.net/download/ • Wavosaur • http://www.wavosaur.com/ • Free Digital Audio Editors • http://www.hongkiat.com/blog/25-free-digital-audio-editors/

  19. Educators Discount Sites • Online academic sites • Academic Superstore http://www.academicsuperstore.com/ • Viosoft http://www.viosoftware.com/index.php • Royal Discount http://www.royaldiscount.com/index.cfm?stateful • Journey http://www.ccvsoftware.com/ • Needsoft http://needsoftware.com/ • Gradware http://www.gradware.com/

  20. Wholesale sites • Online sources where retailers shop • Nextaghttp://www.nextag.com/ • Newegg http://www.newegg.com/ • Frooglehttp://www.google.com/products • Ebayhttp://www.ebay.com/ • Geeks http://www.geeks.com/ • The Nerds http://www.thenerds.net/ • Refurbished computers • Overstock http://www.overstock.com/

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