PC Support - New PC? - a byte of help -
Buying a new PC?
A good PC is not cheap, a cheap PC may cost you more in the long run, so consider the following advice before you buy.
What do you want to use it for?
There is no such thing as a "standard" PC.
So decide whether you want to use the PC for some or all of:
office, multimedia, games,CAD etc.
Office tasks include word processing, spreadsheets and databases.
Multimedia is an over-used term by retailers but can include sound and graphics applications, DVD films, images from digital cameras and scanners etc.
Games are an obvious category, driving graphics card technology forward at breakneck pace.
CAD is a specialist use that makes large demands on the PC.
Make an allowance for what you may want to do in the next few years.
The specification
Given the uses it will be required to do, a suitable specification can be made, compatible with the current hardware range and capable of running the intended software plus an allowance for the future.
A good retailer will give good advice on what level of PC is needed for your intended use. Unfortunately, the converse can also be true. Give me a call if you want unbiased information.
Where to buy
I will outline the possible choices:
The large multinational manufacturers may sell direct or through retailers. Advertising is normally "brand awareness".
The large national retailers: some sell only their own brand, others also sell the multinational branded PCs. Normally advertise nationally.
National manufacturers, who mainly sell direct and some also have showrooms to visit. Normally advertise in PC magazines.
Small, local retailers, manufacturing in small quantity or "own branding" trade manufactured PCs, advertise in local papers.
Finally there is ourselves, the PC Support Service. We only assemble custom specification PC's from top quality components, normally for existing customers who understand and appreciate the difference.
The Consumers Association magazine, Which? and now their Computing Which? have reviewed PC suppliers for the last three years with interesting and consistent results.
PC magazines carry PC reviews, but these can concentrate on the PC submitted for review, rather than the overall picture of who consistantly manufactures good quality PC's.
The "hidden" factors
The "beige box" can hide a multitude of poor quality components, untidy assembly etc. If you are not an expert and you value quality go to one of the better suppliers. It may well cost you less in the long term.
The bundled deals Typical is the deal with the PC (including keyboard, mouse and monitor), printer, scanner, web cam/digital camera, "££'s" of software etc. In fact everything except a rabbit's foot. Before you leap at these offers,
is the marketing hype masking the quality (the old addage "never mind the quality, feel the width"). Decide whether you do want that particular printer and/ or scanner, or would a different make/model be more appropriate for your needs. Do you really want all these bundled items now? You can always buy them later when you may have a better idea of what you do need. What should you get with a new PC? In addition to the large pieces of hardware, you should also receive the software in CD-ROM form and user licences for all the pre-installed software.
This includes the Windows operating system CD and user licence. Make sure it is a proper one and not a CD-R copy! Do not accept any excuses for the real thing.
Pirate copies of Windows and expensive application software do exist. Some can look very similar to the real thing. Naturally, this should not be a problem if you go to a reputable manufacturer or retailer.
In addition to Windows, make sure you will also get all the drivers for the hardware inside the PC. When you have bought your new PC You have unpacked it, followed the instructions, connected everything together, switched it on and it's all working fine.
Before you forget, collect all those CD-ROMs that came with it (and the odd floppy disc) and license details with the product codes or CD keys and put them in a safe place.
You may not need them for a long time (hopefully) but when you do, they can be essential. Buying more software? Software applications are written to run on a PC with a certain amount of "power". Newer software normally expects faster PCs. Before you buy, make sure you know the following parameters of your PC: Check out the Hints 'n Tips page now.
Processor type and speed, e.g. PIII-800 means an Intel Pentium 3 running at 800MHz. (If you have a Cyrix processor, be aware that most of these processors use a "performance rating" number which is larger than their actual clock speed.) The recent AMD Athlons also use a similar rating method e.g.Athlon2000+
Amount of memory (RAM) e.g. 32MB or 64MB.
Hard disc free space, also expressed in MB. With larger discs, 1GB is 1000MB.
Operating system, e.g. Windows 98.
The Software package should give details (normally in small print on the side or back of the box) of the PC requirements needed by the software to install and run properly. The PC must meet ALL of these.
If you only just meet the needs, the software may only run slowly and if it is a game will probably be disappointing to use.
Any questions or problems? See the contact details below.
PC Support - Contact - a byte of help -
Knypersley, Stoke-on-Trent
Telephone: (01782) 763568
email: geoff@pcsupportuk.com
Serving North Staffordshire and South Cheshire
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