1. Everything You Need to Know Before Buying a Computer Common sense talk- money saving solutions Dr. Jan Pittman Vanderpool Email: vanderj@wlac.edu

2. PC (Windows) Versus Apple (MAC) PCMAC CostX Available Software (Business) X Available Software (Home)X Ease of UseX ReliabilityX Vulnerability (viruses, etc.)X

3. Desktop versus Laptop (Notebook) DesktopLaptop Cost (relative)X Performance (raw power)X CPUX PortabilityX Screen Size & ClarityX Permanent storageX MemoryX

4. Definitions-Desktop Desktop computer-May consist of five or more components; – Main frame which houses the CPU, memory, permanent storage, DVD or CD drive, video adapter, sound adapter, Ethernet connector, keyboard, mouse, speakers and display – Non-portable configuration whose components may weigh more than twenty pounds Review sites – http://reviews.cnet.com/desktop-computers/ http://reviews.cnet.com/desktop-computers/ – http://www.pcworld.com/products/computers/desktops.h tml http://www.pcworld.com/products/computers/desktops.h tml

5. Definitions-Laptop (Notebook) Personal computers designed for mobility in five broad categories as defined by size & weight; – Netbook/Subnotebook: <10.5" x <1.5" x <1.3" @ <3.5 lbs – Ultraportable: 9-11" x 8-10" x <1.5" @ 2.0-5 lbs. – Thin and light: 11-15" x <11" x 1-1.7" @ 5-7 lbs. – Desktop Replacement: >15" x >11" x >1.5" @ >7 lbs. – Luggables: >18” x >13” x >1.5” @ >12 lbs. Review sites – http://reviews.cnet.com/laptops/http://reviews.cnet.com/laptops/ – http://www.notebookreview.com/ http://www.notebookreview.com/

6. Definitions-CPU CPU(Central processing unit)- This is the brains of the computer and its power is generally measured in clock speed (cpu cycles). Today’s CPU’s clock speeds will exceed 2 GHz on desktops and 1.6 GHz on laptops. Caveat-Rated clock speeds are not linear measurements- a 3.0 GHz P4 is actually less powerful than a 2.0 GHz Core 2 Duo

7. Definitions- Memory Memory (RAM)- non permanent storage measured in megabytes (MB) or preferably, gigabytes (GB). Desktops should have at least 2 GB of RAM while laptops may have 1 GB but should have 2 GB of RAM Caveat- Windows XP can only recognize 3.28 GB of RAM. Anything more is wasted. Windows 7 (32 bit) can recognize 4 GB and Windows 7 (64 bit) can recognize 192 GB

8. Definitions-Storage Permanent Storage (Hard drive) – Unlike RAM, data stored in permanent storage remains after the power is turned off. Storage, like RAM, is measured in gigabytes (GB). Desktops should have at a minimum 500 GB of storage while laptops may suffice with 250 GB Caveat- If you plan to store pictures, videos or music, you should opt for as much storage as possible (terabyte plus)

9. Definitions-Display Desktop display (monitor) – New systems should have an LCD flat panel display of at least 19” diagonal with a minimum resolution of 1280 x 1024. Higher is better. Laptops display – Depending upon the size laptop the screen dimensions will vary from 7” to 19” (too heavy) Minimum resolution of 1280 x 1024 Caveat- The video card must have its own fast processor and enough memory to support active screens

10. Definitions-Display Screen size – The screen size is the measurement of the displayable area of the screen from the lower corner to the opposite upper corner of the display (7”-20” notebook, 15”-30”+ desktop) Aspect ratio – The aspect ratio refers to the number of horizontal pixels to vertical pixels in a display. Traditional displays used a 4:3 aspect ratio. Most new widescreen monitors use either a 16:10 or 16:9 aspect ratio. Native resolution – All LCD screens can actually display only a single given resolution referred to as the native resolution. This is the physical number of horizontal and vertical pixels that make up the LCD matrix of the display.. Contrast ratio – Basically a higher contrast ratio will mean that the screen will tend to have deeper blacks and brighter whites. Connectors – Most LCD panels have an analog and a digital connector on them. The analog connector is the VGA or DSUB-15. The common digital interface is the DVI connector. Stands – Many people don't consider the stand when purchasing a monitor but it can make a huge difference. There are typically four different types of adjustment: height, tilt, swivel and pivot.

11. Operating System Windows is the predominant operating system found on PCs – Windows XP-released October 30, 2001 and is currently the most widely installed PC operating system (est. >400 million worldwide) – Windows Vista-released January 30, 2007 and has been plagued by problems ever since its release – Windows 7- released October 22, 2009 purportedly to fix all past mistakes (installed on all new, major brand computers)

12. Manufacturers PCs are manufactured (assembled) by either 1 st tier, 2 nd tier or whitebox companies (53% of all systems sold) – 1 st tier companies HP Dell Toshiba Lenovo – 2 nd tier companies Acer Sony Sharp – Whitebox companies Your local computer store Caveat- Buyer beware; smaller stores may not be there when you need them but conversely, may be able to provide you with personalized service when you need it

13. Software Productivity-Paid – Microsoft Office (generally does not come included with the computer, just a 60 day trial) Word-Wordprocessing Excel-Spreadsheet Powerpoint-Presentation Outlook-Email Access-Database – Adobe Acrobat –PDF maker – Act or Goldmine-Contact manager

14. Software-Free Productivity – Open Office-Microsoft Office open source software from Sun Micro Systems http://www.openoffice.org/http://www.openoffice.org/ – Adobe Reader 9.1-read PDF files http://download.cnet.com/Adobe-Reader/3000-10743_4- 10000062.html http://download.cnet.com/Adobe-Reader/3000-10743_4- 10000062.html – Avira-Anti virus http://www.free-av.com/http://www.free-av.com/ – Antispyware- AdAware http://download.cnet.com/Ad- Aware-Free-Anti-Malware/3000-8022_4- 10045910.html?part=dl-ad-aware&subj=dl&tag=top5http://download.cnet.com/Ad- Aware-Free-Anti-Malware/3000-8022_4- 10045910.html?part=dl-ad-aware&subj=dl&tag=top5 – Registry repair-Spybot-Search and Destroy http://www.safer-networking.org/en/spybotsd/index.html http://www.safer-networking.org/en/spybotsd/index.html

15. Home Software-Pictures – Adobe Photoshop https://www.photoshop.com/https://www.photoshop.com/ – Web Picture Creator http://software.informer.com/wpc/ http://software.informer.com/wpc/ – Flickr http://www.flickr.com/http://www.flickr.com/ – Shutterfly http://www.shutterfly.com/photo- bookshttp://www.shutterfly.com/photo- books – Snapfish http://www.snapfish.com/http://www.snapfish.com/

16. Home Software-Music Catalog Apple iTunes – http://www.apple.com/itunes/download/ http://www.apple.com/itunes/download/ Limewire – http://www.limewire.com/ http://www.limewire.com/ Rhapsody – http://www.rhapsody.com/home.html http://www.rhapsody.com/home.html Napster – http://free.napster.com/ http://free.napster.com/ Kazzaa – http://www.kazaa.com/ http://www.kazaa.com/

17. Home Software-Movies Windows Movie Maker – http://desktopvideo.about.com/lr/windows_movi e_maker/90641/2/ http://desktopvideo.about.com/lr/windows_movi e_maker/90641/2/ Apple iMovie – http://desktopvideo.about.com/lr/apple_imovie/ 90641/3/ http://desktopvideo.about.com/lr/apple_imovie/ 90641/3/ Free video editing software – http://www.desktop-video-guide.com/top-5-free- video-editing-software-review.html http://www.desktop-video-guide.com/top-5-free- video-editing-software-review.html

18. Home Software-Music Audacity – http://audacity.sourceforge.net/download/ http://audacity.sourceforge.net/download/ Wavosaur – http://www.wavosaur.com/ http://www.wavosaur.com/ Free Digital Audio Editors – http://www.hongkiat.com/blog/25-free-digital- audio-editors/ http://www.hongkiat.com/blog/25-free-digital- audio-editors/

19. Educators Discount Sites Online academic sites – Academic Superstore http://www.academicsuperstore.com/ http://www.academicsuperstore.com/ – Viosoft http://www.viosoftware.com/index.phphttp://www.viosoftware.com/index.php – Royal Discount http://www.royaldiscount.com/index.cfm?stateful http://www.royaldiscount.com/index.cfm?stateful – Journey http://www.ccvsoftware.com/http://www.ccvsoftware.com/ – Needsoft http://needsoftware.com/http://needsoftware.com/ – Gradware http://www.gradware.com/http://www.gradware.com/

20. Wholesale sites Online sources where retailers shop – Nextag http://www.nextag.com/http://www.nextag.com/ – Newegg http://www.newegg.com/http://www.newegg.com/ – Froogle http://www.google.com/productshttp://www.google.com/products – Ebay http://www.ebay.com/http://www.ebay.com/ – Geeks http://www.geeks.com/http://www.geeks.com/ – The Nerds http://www.thenerds.net/http://www.thenerds.net/ Refurbished computers – Overstock http://www.overstock.com/http://www.overstock.com/