Buying a New Computer

Supporting Components

There are a wide variety of supporting components in every PC, but none are as critical to performance as those already mentioned. The most important of the remainder is a “recordable optical drive” for installing software, storing large files and making back-ups.

The best solution is a dual-format, 8-speed DVD drive, able to use, DVD+R/RW and DVD-R/RW disks. These are also capable of playing and recording CDs. A cheaper but less useful alternative is what’s sometimes called a “combo drive”, which is a CD R/RW recorder with DVD playback capabilities (DVD/CDRW).

Unless you want to use headphones all the time, speakers are a necessity. You can use anything from two desktop speakers to a “surround-sound” home theatre system, although whether these are driven by an onboard audio chip or a separate sound card depends on your personal needs. Onboard audio is adequate for everyday use but if you need digital input/output sockets and advanced recording features, or if you intend to use voice-recognition software, you’ll need to invest in a more advanced plug-in sound card.

For internet access you’ll need either an internal/external dial-up modem for connection to an ordinary telephone line, or a ADSL/network card if you’re going to connect to a broadband service. The use of a USB device to connect to broadband is not recommended, as they are often unstable and more troublesome.

At least 4 and preferably 6 x USB2 (universal serial bus) ports are essential for connecting external accessories such as printers, scanners and cameras, and if a couple of these ports are on the front of the case it will save you a lot of fumbling around the back of the PC in the future. Most digital video cameras download their movies to a PC via a “FireWire” port, so check there is one if you need it, whilst analogue camcorders require a “video capture card” (or a capture facility built into the graphics card). For digital still cameras, a multi-format “memory card reader” saves connecting the camera itself and running down the batteries. A memory card reader is also handy for other devices that use a memory card.

Conclusion

At the current time (July 2004), a good "all-round" PC with long-term staying power would read something like this …

2.8 GHz CPU
1Gb DDR Memory
160Gig Hard Drive 7200rpm

These essential components can be adjusted up or down to suit your pocket, and graphics and sound systems should be considered according to the way you intend to use the PC.

If you’re buying on a tight budget, go for a mid-ranged graphics and a large CRT monitor rather than an onboard graphics controller coupled with a so-so 15” TFT display. A multi-format DVD recorder will be a great asset, as will the widest range of input and output options. After all, you never know how you’ll be using your PC at this time next year.

Extra! Extra!

If you're buying a computer system from scratch you may be tempted by some of the “special offer” package deals on offer, where you get a PC, printer, scanner and even a digital camera and £1500 of software thrown in for what seems like very little extra.

Without saying there aren’t any “good deals” out there, but if you end up with a printer whose ink costs more than a new printer and a cheap camera with a plastic lens then you’ll soon be ditching them for something better. Always research any peripheral package deal before buying.

The best advice is to check that any “deal” contains branded products you can read reviews of on the internet, and that you don’t pay for anything you’re never going to use. £1500 of software is no good to you if you don’t even get a “proper copy” of Windows (the actual CD, rather than a restore disk or copy on the hard drive).

A printer is essential, even in these days of almost universal email, but lots of people can get by without a scanner. A WI-FI network card will be handy if you’re thinking of setting up a wireless home network, and splashing out on a wireless keyboard and mouse will clear your desktop of cable clutter and even let you compute from an armchair if you can see your monitor from there.