Desktop Computer: Research your needs

In order to end up with the desktop computer best suited to your needs, you have to clearly understand what you are looking for and what options are available to you. This is done by researching in two areas.

Firstly, you research the market to find out what kinds of desktop computer are available, familiarizing yourself with the different features, styles and price ranges etc. Secondly, you examine your own unique requirements in a desktop computer.

Research the market: Desktop Computer essentials

The first part of the research step is to investigate just what's available in the desktop computer market. The range of options can seem overwhelming, but you can make a good start by understanding the following major features:

Processor (CPU - central processing unit): The speed of a computer's processor is determined by the clock speed, which is measured in gigahertz (GHz). The more gigahertz a processor has, the faster it will be. If the primary use of your desktop computer is going to be checking your email and surfing online, you can opt for a slower processor than if you intend to use your desktop computer for multimedia or if you plan to have several windows open and in use at the same time.

Memory (RAM - Random Access Memory): How much RAM or memory you need will depend largely on what you're going to use your desktop computer for. The amount of memory determines how fast you will be able to perform such functions as downloading and printing. If you intend to use your computer mainly for surfing the internet, you'll want a minimum of 512Mb. (The absolute minimum RAM you'll ever want to consider is 256Mb.) However, if you will be using your desktop computer for such things as games, multimedia, or working with large files and will often have more than one window open at once, opt for RAM of at least 1Gb.

The processor is the primary determinant of how fast your desktop computer will run; the second major factor is the RAM.

Hard drive: Your hard drive stores all of your information, and the bigger it is, the more programs you'll be able to down load and the more files you'll be able to save.

Monitor: Generally, you have to purchase the monitor separately from your desktop computer. The hottest monitor on the market today is the widescreen LCD, which is available in several sizes (see the 123Buyz buying guides on LCD and CRT monitors for more information).

Accessories: Desktop computers may offer numerous accessories; if the accessory you want doesn't come with the desktop package, you can add it. Accessories include keyboard, mouse, modem, speakers, and headphones.

Price: Desktop computers range in price from affordable to top-of-the-line expensive. Most computer stores have weekly sales on popular brands, so keep an eye out for those sales. It's not uncommon for computer manufacturers to offer rebates that also help reduce your costs.

Research your needs: Questions to ask yourself

Now it's time to determine what your requirements are in a desktop computer. For example, will you use the desktop computer mainly for work or for school? Will it be used just for checking email and surfing online?

You can start this process by considering the following questions - as well as any others you think of yourself - and recording your answers.

Have I used a desktop computer before?
	If you have used a desktop computer, work out what you did or didn't like about the computer. You may be looking for one exactly like it, hoping to upgrade, or even trying to avoid any particular features that you found inconvenient. Was your old computer too slow or did it run out of memory? If so consider a faster processor, more RAM or a larger hard drive.

What will I primarily use the desktop computer for?
	Your computer be might be used for work or you may use it primarily to surf the internet and check your email. You might want to use desktop publishing programs or to have the ability to edit videos on your desktop. You may want to play games. The more graphics and screen action orientated your needs, the faster your computer and graphics card need to be.

What accessories do I need?
	Accessories include webcams, keyboard, mouse, speakers, modem, graphic cards, and headphones. If you want access to the internet you will need a modem built in or external to the computer. Some desktop computer packages come with numerous accessories.

Do I want the ability to have several windows open at once?
	The more windows you have open the more memory you will use and the harder your computer will have to work.

Do I plan to use a Windows based PC or a Macintosh?
	Whilst this is a personal preference for most people, you do tend to find people who do editing work with graphics and pictures using a Macintosh. Windows is more popular for everyday computing but still great for gaming!

Where do I plan to put the desktop computer?

Desktop computers can come as upright towers, flat boxes or be built into monitor bases. Their sizes can vary greatly from compact to extra large so make sure the computer will fit the space you have picked out for it. Desktops can also be noisy (due to the operation of the cooling fans), so you many want to consider noise reduction features if the computer is to be used near bedrooms for example.

What is my budget?
	A desktop computer can cost a great deal of money if you want something fancy with lots of memory and good graphics cards for gaming. A basic model can be reasonably inexpensive to start with but you may find down the track that you need more memory and have to upgrade.

Understanding your needs is the key to a successful purchase and you can revisit your list of needs at any time during the buying process.

Once you complete this Research step, having informed yourself about the essentials of desktop computer and identified your needs, you are ready to move on to the next step: Evaluation.

Video Links

Laptop vs Desktop - Info
Should he get a laptop or a desktop? Compucrazed94 wants a desktop - its power far outweighs that of any laptop he could afford. (7m 50s)