54257 1488 Technology Computer Hardware Desktop Computers true Tue, 21 Oct 2008 08:15:34 -0700 /system/videos/0/57/42/05/54257.flv DIY, Instructional, tutorial, Do It Yourself, Tips, Essential Skills, Learn to, technology, tech, computer How To Choose a New Computer http://www.howcast.com/videos/54257-How-To-Choose-a-New-Computer http://www.howcast.com/videos/54257-How-To-Choose-a-New-Computer/edit approved 175 640 480 <object width="425" height="352" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" id="howcastplayer"><param name="movie" value="http://www.howcast.com/flash/howcast_player.swf?file=54257"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.howcast.com/flash/howcast_player.swf?file=54257" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="352" allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" ></embed></object> 34 QuintinBarry http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/54257/Picture_3_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.png 28512 false false false 47184 1 18 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/54257/18.jpg Jot down wanted features Jot down all the things you want to be able to do with your computer.

]]> 47185 2 21 Tip 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.

]]> 47186 3 37 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/54257/37.jpg Decide on budget Figure out how much you can spend.

]]> 47187 4 41 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/54257/41.jpg 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.

]]> 47188 5 51 Tip 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.

]]> 47189 6 63 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/54257/63.jpg Decide on laptop or desktop Decide if you want to a laptop or a desktop.

]]> 47190 7 68 Tip 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.

]]> 47191 8 87 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/54257/87.jpg 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.

]]> 47192 9 95 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/54257/95.jpg Determine needed CPU power Determine how powerful a CPU—central processing unit—you need. The more powerful the CPU, the faster the computer.

]]> 47193 10 108 Tip 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.

]]> 47194 11 114 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/54257/114.jpg Decide on needed RAM Decide how much RAM, or memory, you need. Always err on the side of more.

]]> 47195 12 123 Tip You often can save money by getting the minimum amount of memory with your system and buying a memory upgrade that you install yourself.

]]> 47196 13 133 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/54257/133.jpg 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.

]]> 47197 14 142 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/54257/142.jpg 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.

]]> 47198 15 149 Tip 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.

]]> 47200 16 160 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/54257/160.jpg 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

]]> 47201 17 160 Fact 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.

]]> 1487 117134 How To Make a Pink-Eraser Casing For Your USB Drive AssignmentGuide 9642 Wed, 14 Jan 2009 11:32:10 -0800 8 distilled ]]> 120 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/3/34/71/11/117134.flv computer, harddrive, making, constructing, projects, science, technology, storage, crafts Technology Computer Hardware Data Storage Devices 2 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/117134/Picture_5_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.png http://www.howcast.com/videos/117134-How-To-Make-a-PinkEraser-Casing-For-Your-USB-Drive 1492 127178 How To Refill an Ink Cartridge AssignmentGuide 15980 Tue, 27 Jan 2009 11:04:01 -0800 6 heroicarts ]]> 93 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/2/78/71/12/127178.flv DIY, Instructional, tutorial, Do It Yourself, Tips, Essential Skills, Learn to, technology, tech, electronics Technology Computer Hardware Printers 0 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/127178/Picture_6_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.png 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AssignmentGuide 1116 Tue, 14 Jul 2009 13:05:01 -0700 3 Truedoogie ]]> 90 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/0/62/69/20/206962.flv nintendo, wii, install, installation, videogames, system, Console, controller, cables, technology Technology Computer & Video Games Video Game Consoles 3 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/206962/Picture_2_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.png http://www.howcast.com/videos/206962-How-To-Install-a-Nintendo-Wii 1473 224217 How To Install an Xbox 360 AssignmentGuide 783 Mon, 31 Aug 2009 15:32:25 -0700 3 Asad1087 ]]> 76 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/3/34/54/23/235434.flv xbox,360,installing,setting,up,using,playing,game,consoles,video,games,hooking Technology Computer & Video Games Video Game Consoles 2 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/224217/Picture_3_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.png http://www.howcast.com/videos/224217-How-To-Install-an-Xbox-360 1500 218395 How To Restore Lost Browser Favorites and Bookmarks AssignmentGuide 1005 Fri, 14 Aug 2009 07:32:58 -0700 2 NelsonN ]]> 106 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/1/12/66/22/226612.flv bookmarks, browser, restore, find, lost, technology, internet, world wide web, browsers Technology Internet & World Wide Web Web Browsers 0 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/218395/Picture_1_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.png http://www.howcast.com/videos/218395-How-To-Restore-Lost-Browser-Favorites-and-Bookmarks 1505 239657 How To Lighten and Darken in Photoshop AssignmentGuide 381 Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:47:09 -0800 3 Equilibrio ]]> 138 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/6/48/23/27/272348.flv software,graphics,photos,pictures,adobe,photoshop,making,lighter,darker,lightening,darkening,adjusting,color Technology Graphics Software Photoshop Software 0 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/239657/LightenDarkenPhotoshop_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.png http://www.howcast.com/videos/239657-How-To-Lighten-and-Darken-in-Photoshop