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How To Choose a New Computer

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• 26,329 views
• So many choices, so little… patience? That’s why we’ve cut to the chase for you. http://www.applenewsweekly.com/
• Added October 21, 2008

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This video has Easy Steps. | Show all steps » Print

You Will Need

• To know what you want your computer to do
• Time to shop
• Internet Access

• 

  Step 1.

  Jot down wanted features

  Jot down all the things you want to be able to do with your computer.

• Different programs have different system requirements, so make sure you find out the minimum requirements for the programs you want to run. In general, working with pictures and video requires a better system.

• 

  Step 2.

  Decide on budget

  Figure out how much you can spend.

• 

  Step 3.

  Decide on Mac or Windows OS

  Decide if you want to use a Mac or a Windows operating system (known as an OS). While the newest computers from Apple can run both, most people use one or the other.

• The Mac OS is better suited to graphic design, video processing, and other art-related applications, while a Windows OS is good for business use and gaming—and is generally cheaper.

• 

  Step 4.

  Decide on laptop or desktop

  Decide if you want to a laptop or a desktop.

• The main advantage of a laptop is that it’s portable. Desktops are cheaper, plus they have the capacity to be more powerful than laptops.

• 

  Step 5.

  Price added features

  Visit a computer retailer or log onto one online to see what added features you might like and how they will affect the price.

• 

  Step 6.

  Determine needed CPU power

  Determine how powerful a CPU—central processing unit—you need. The more powerful the CPU, the faster the computer.

• Most computers have CPUs powerful enough for basic tasks. The fastest processors will be significantly more expensive, so unless you really need the processing power, don’t bother.

• 

  Step 7.

  Decide on needed RAM

  Decide how much RAM, or memory, you need. Always err on the side of more.

• You often can save money by getting the minimum amount of memory with your system and buying a memory upgrade that you install yourself.

• 

  Step 8.

  Select video chipset

  Select a video chipset. People who use lots of graphics-intensive applications should spring for the best they can afford. Everyone else can skimp.

• 

  Step 9.

  Choose hard drive size

  Choose the size of the hard drive. If you mainly just email and browse the internet, you won’t need as many gigabytes as someone who does a lot of graphic design.

• Like with RAM, you can save money by upgrading the hard drive yourself. As there are different types of hard drives, make sure you know which one your computer can accept—almost every new computer accepts SATA hard drives.

• 

  Step 10.

  Choose your external hardware

  Choose the rest of your peripherals, such as your keyboard and mouse. And consider getting an extra display monitor—studies show it can increase your producti

• Today’s personal computers have roughly 20,000 times the processing power of ENIAC, the first electronic computer, which weighed more than 30 tons and filled a room the size of a tennis court.

Show comments rated greater than 10 Show comments rated greater than 5 Show comments rated greater than 0 Show comments rated greater than -5 Show comments rated greater than -10

Comments View all (8)...

Show Comment by sarge657 (Rated 4)

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Whoa!! The double monitor set up looks sick!

Reply 8 months ago by sarge657

Show Comment by tugster_productions (Rated 3)

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Woww this is by far the best video on Howcast... Great JOB keep it coming..! ~Tugster_Productions

Reply 8 months ago by tugster_productions

Show Comment by sanjay (Rated 2)

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I was hoping to see the Mac and PC guy!

Reply 8 months ago by sanjay

Show Comment by cityfeng (Rated 1)

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I like apple

Reply about 1 month ago by cityfeng

Show Comment by salsabil18 (Rated 0)

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how do they connect those moneiter like that ?

Reply 4 months ago by salsabil18

Show Comment by QuintinBarry (Rated 0)

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Hey! All you need is a video card that supports two monitors and has two vga ports or dvi. Then all you do is plug them in and your ready to go! =]]

Reply 4 months ago by QuintinBarry

Show Comment by Jonathan_M_Gunnison (Rated 0)

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If you wish to buy memory cheap I highly recommend Macsales.com for Mac and PC users.

Reply 4 months ago by Jonathan_M_Gunnison

Show Comment by tugster_productions (Rated 0)

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dude this is legit

Reply 5 months ago by tugster_productions

View all comments (8)...

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