The Savvy Computer Purchase

Scot Gerardi

SJG Computer Associates

Phone: (908) 852-4266

Email: scot@scotfixespcs.com

http://www.scotfixespcs.com

Agenda

IntroductionWhere are we?Preliminary questions to ask yourselfProcessorsMemory: RAMHard Drive Size, SpeedLaptop Battery LifeComponents: Types of CD-DVD Drives, MonitorsPC and Mac

Considerations

1. Level of experience? Beginner Intermediate Advanced

2. Years of experience with computers?

3. Current/Future needs? Add’l apps? Games Add’l peripherals? Video or photo work?

1. Level of experience?

2. Years of experience with computers?

3. Future needs?

Questions To Ask Yourself

What am I going to be using it for?Where will it be used?Who else will be using it?What are your / their future needs?How much can you spend on this venture?What’s the trade-off between upgrading existing

PC versus “Buy new”?Desktop or laptop?

Laptop Processor ComparisonIntel AMD

Supports DDR3 Supports DDR2

Smaller Architecture 45nm Just started 45nm

Consumes less power Consumes more power

Runs cooler Runs hotter

Summary On ProcessorsCaveats, Best Practices, and Buying Principles

Pay a little more to look for an Intel chipLaptop chips are almost 1/3 slower even at the

high endSome chips are significantly faster than less

speedier chips Bus speed is not always stated

If not stated check manufacturer specs via web site

Latest MemoryDDR2:DDR3:

AdvantagesHigher bandwidth performance up to 1600 MT/secSlightly improved latenciesHigher performance at low power; longer battery life

DisadvantagesNot backwards compatible with DDR2Need a new motherboard

Desktop Laptop

Front Side Bus (FSB)

• FSB is a key limiting factor on performance of the CPU• Faster FSB matched with a faster CPU results in a

smaller ratio which leads to better performance• Example: A Pentium processor that runs at 2.4 GHz may

have an FSB speed of only 400 MHz. The CPU to FSB ratio would be 6:1. A Power Mac G5, however with a 2.0 GHz processor, has a 1.0 GHz FSB. Therefore, it’s CPU to FSB is 2.1.

Source: http://www.techterms.com/definition/fsb

Windows Operating SystemVersion 32-bit 64-bit

7 Ultimate 4 GB 192 GB

7 Enterprise 4 GB 192 GB

7 Professional 4 GB 192 GB

7 Home Premium 4 GB 16 GB

7 Home Basic 4 GB 8 GB

Vista Ultimate 4 GB 128 GB

Vista Enterprise 4 GB 128 GB

Vista Business 4 GB 128 GB

Vista Home Premium 4 GB 16 GB

Vista Home Basic 4 GB 8 GB

XP 4 GB 128 GB

Lesson!: Match your RAM with your OS; opt for a 64 bit system

Source: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa366778(VS.85).aspx

Summary on MemoryCaveats, Best Practices, and Buying Principles

Buy as much memory as you can affordChoose a computer with DDR2 or DDR3 given your

budgetThe smaller the CPU to FSB ratio the more efficient

the processor will workFaster front side bus leads to faster overall

performanceAvoid a fast processor with slow bus speed

Hard DrivesLaptop

160 to 500 gigabytes RPM: 4200, 5400, 7200 (Reads data faster) Look for SATA Interface (Serial version of IDE interface)

Latest standard & faster

Caveat: Bigger not always better Trade off speed to size

NEW! SSD – Solid State Faster but depends Up to 300 GB

Hard Drives cont’dDesktop

320 gigabytes – 1 terabyte RPM 7200: Standard for desktops . . . for now Look for SATA Interface

Caveat: Bigger not always betterTrade off speed to size

Battery Life

Choose lithium, for longer lasting lifeStandard: 2 – 5 hours and depends!Extended batteries available: Possible 5+ hoursKnow that “Standard” has 4 or 6, Extended has 9 or 12 cellsCost $50 - $ 300

CD-DVD Drives

Standard CD/DVD writerLook for a Double Layer Drive

Speeds are less relevant today

Blue Ray More expensiveSupports all standard CD and DVD formats

including Double Layer

Monitors

LCD’s for Desktops and Laptops LCD TV’s also available

Size varies:Netbooks range 9 – 12 in.Average laptop 13 -15 in.Desktop replacements, gaming 16 -18 in.

PC vs MAC

Laugh at the commercialsSame principles apply in choosingReputation, reliability, service, value reportedBoth run Windows based appsWindows 64 or 32-bit version is available together

You should choose 64-bitMACs more expensiveAll your old PC software will not run under MAC OS

unless you run WindowsPC’s get viruses, malware and spyware

Contact Info

Please contact me if I can be of service to you or answer any questions you may have

scot@scotfixespcs.com

http://www.scotfixespcs.com