Are you in the market for a computer?

Are you in the market for a computer? Purchasing a computer is no easy task and with the price of many of the devices out on the market today, you want to make sure you’re making the right acquisition. Not all computers are made the same, and unless you’re pretty familiar with computer hardware you might have a hard time determining just how unequal they are and what parts are pushing up the price. This guide will help you get a better understanding of all the necessary components that you should prioritize before you make that next computer purchase.

Desktop or Laptop?

This one is really easy, If you plan on having a steady workstation and don’t need to run around with your for-all-purposes device, consider getting a desktop and saving yourself some money. Additionally, it’s easier to change out parts and upgrade components in a desktop. If you often need your computer on the go, the choice is simple to purchase a laptop.

Know your CPU!

The simplest way to explain the processor is that it’s the brain of the computer. If you want a fast computer that boots up programs in a flash, completes tasks as soon as you start them, and doesn’t keep you waiting, then you need a strong processor. The short and simple of processors is on the number of cores and the speed (labeled in GHz) of the processor. The speed of the chip will tell you how much data it can process in how much time, so the bigger the number, the better.

Ram, the more the better

Just as the number of processor cores in a computer affects its speed and ability to multitask, the amount of Random Access Memory, or RAM, in a computer can affect just how much multitasking it can handle and how fast it will be. Nowadays most RAM is measured in gigabytes, and as is often the case, the more, the merrier. By having more RAM, your computer is able to keep more data close at hand, rather than having to go digging around through the slower hard drive for the information it needs. For basic usage on today’s standards, at least 4GB is recommended.

Hard Drive

If you plan to just have your computer and no peripherals(external hard drive,etc), you may want to opt for the biggest hard drive you can afford, since all of your files and programs will be stored on the computer. If you don’t plan to have many applications on your computer, and won’t store media on it, then you can opt for a smaller hard drive and save yourself some money. If you can handle a small hard drive but want to it be extra fast and you have the cash, consider going for a solid-state drive.

The Operating System (Mac or Windows)

The short and simple of it is that you should probably stick with what you’re familiar with, as it can be hard to adjust to a new operating system unless you’re ready to put in the work.