Buying A ComputerBuying A ComputerBy: Evan CloudBy: Evan Cloud

How to Buy Your Own How to Buy Your Own Microcomputer System Microcomputer System

Four Easy Steps in Buying a Four Easy Steps in Buying a ComputerComputer

• Step 1Step 1-What needs do I want a computer to serve?-What needs do I want a computer to serve?

• Step 2Step 2

--How much $ do I have to spend?How much $ do I have to spend?

• Step 3Step 3--What kinds of software will best serve my needs?What kinds of software will best serve my needs?

• Step 4Step 4

--What kind of hardware will best serve my needs?What kind of hardware will best serve my needs?

What Needs do I want a What Needs do I want a Computer to serve?Computer to serve?

• What do I want a computer system to What do I want a computer system to do for me today?do for me today?

• What will I need it to do for me in What will I need it to do for me in another year or two?another year or two?

NeedsNeeds

• Writing Papers, letters, or memosWriting Papers, letters, or memos

• Business ApplicationsBusiness Applications

• Record KeepingRecord Keeping

• Graphic presentationGraphic presentation

• Online information or the internetOnline information or the internet

• Video GamesVideo Games

How much $ do I have to How much $ do I have to spend on a computer system?spend on a computer system?

• How much money am I prepared to How much money am I prepared to spend on a computer today?spend on a computer today?

• How much am I willing to spend in How much am I willing to spend in another year or two?another year or two?

BudgetBudget

•How much can I spend???How much can I spend???• Under $500Under $500

• Up to $1000Up to $1000

• Up to $1500Up to $1500

• Up to $2000Up to $2000

• Or aboveOr above

What kind of software will best What kind of software will best serve my needs?serve my needs?

• What kind of software will best serve What kind of software will best serve my needs today?my needs today?

• What kind will best serve my needs What kind will best serve my needs in another year or two?in another year or two?

SoftwareSoftware

• Word ProcessingWord Processing• Spreadsheet-ExcelSpreadsheet-Excel• Database-AccessDatabase-Access• Presentation Graphics-PowerpointPresentation Graphics-Powerpoint• Browsers-Internet explorerBrowsers-Internet explorer

• System softwareSystem software– Windows 98Windows 98– Windows 2000Windows 2000– Windows XPWindows XP– Mac OSMac OS– UNIXUNIX

What kind of hardware will What kind of hardware will best serve my needs?best serve my needs?

• What kind of hardware will best serve What kind of hardware will best serve my needs today?my needs today?

• What kind will best serve my needs What kind will best serve my needs in another year or two? in another year or two?

HardwareHardware

• Figure what you need forFigure what you need for– MicroprocessorMicroprocessor– MemoryMemory– MonitorMonitor– Floppy Disk DrivesFloppy Disk Drives– Optical Disk drive (CD-Rom)Optical Disk drive (CD-Rom)– Hard disk driveHard disk drive– Portable ComputerPortable Computer– PrinterPrinter

Places to LookPlaces to Look

• Some great places to look areSome great places to look are– HP-CompaqHP-Compaq– DellDell– AppleApple

Remember the 4 Q’s to askRemember the 4 Q’s to ask

• My NeedsMy Needs

• My BudgetMy Budget

• My SoftwareMy Software

• My HardwareMy Hardware