choosing the right hardware
buying a new computer
How much will it cost?
Currently you could spend around $1800 on a new computer depending on specifications or extra capacity required. There are cheaper models available but they are likely to be based on older or cheaper technology and will therefore have a shorter useful life than a more expensive one.
What do you get for your money?
At present, for around $1800, you should be able to get a computer with the following features which will be sufficient for ordinary office use:
| Feature |
What it means |
|
3.0 GHz P4 processor |
Refers to the processor speed of the computer. For most tasks you will not notice much difference between 3.0 and 3.4 GHz.
You will also have a choice between Intel and AMD processors and both are a good buy. Intel make the budget Celeron and widely-advertised Pentium 4. AMD make the budget Duron and the Athlon. All these, including the budget versions, could meet your day-to-day needs. The only thing is that a Celeron or Duron processor is likely to be slower than a Pentium 4 or Athlon especially when multitasking devices and running heavy applications. The best advice is to buy the most powerful processor you can afford. That way you will have an investment for the future. |
|
1 GB of memory |
With 1 GB of memory you will be able to run more than one software application at a time and switch between them. If you can't stretch to 1 GB you should buy a computer with at least 512 MB of memory. Any less than 512 MB and the latest software, like Microsoft Office, may run slowly. |
|
80 GB hard disk space |
This refers to how much space there is available in which to store information. New machines are now usually sold with a hard disk of at least 40 GB and often 80 GB. Hard disks always seem to fill up quicker than expected so it's worth buying more space than you think you will need. |
|
1.44 MB floppy disk drive |
Many machines are not sold with floppy disk drives any more so make sure you say you want one if you need one. |
|
CD/DVD drive (16x DVD+/-RW) |
Most software is supplied on CD and some larger packages on DVD. A DVD drive can read both CDs and DVDs and now comes included with many PCs. A DVD RW DVD drive also means you can make CDs or DVDs for backups. |
|
56K modem and network card |
If you think you will be using dial-up to connect to the internet, choose a machine with a 56K data/fax modem. You can also use this to send and receive faxes. If you plan to use broadband you will need a network card. Most PCs these days have one included, but be sure to check. |
|
Windows XP professional (Service Pack 2) software |
Buy a machine with this software installed. The cheaper version of Windows XP called "Home Edition" does not allow as much flexibility for networking and is not suggested for use by organisations with more than one PC. |
|
17 inch TFT flat screen monitor |
It's good to buy a machine with at least a 17 inch TFT (flat screen) monitor, preferably 19-inch. A brand name monitor will provide noticeably better quality than the cheap monitors sold with budget machines and is worth paying extra for. |
|
Speakers |
Speakers are often included in the price. Some monitors may have them built in. They are needed for computers to make noises other than beeps and are especially worthwhile if you need to use multimedia applications or voice recognition systems. |
Further Tips
- You may want to look at spending a little extra on a separate graphics card if it's not built into your computer. This is important if you will be doing a lot of work with graphics software such as Photoshop.
- Don't choose a machine simply because it comes with free software. Many are cut down versions of the full software (e.g. Microsoft Works is a cut down version of Office) which may not meet all your needs.
Choosing the best way of buying computers
Below are four common ways of buying computers and some tips for deciding which way might be best for you depending on your needs and situation.
- Buying direct over the phone, via the internet, or from the manufacturer or mail order company by placing your order, providing your credit card details and waiting for the delivery.
Buying direct is a popular option because it's quick and cheaper, but don't expect much discussion about your particular needs. But if you're clear about exactly what you want, the mail order option would be good for you. Be aware though that mail order after-sales support is usually available via phone only and therefore is limited. But this may not be an issue if you have other IT support available to you.
- Going to a computer dealer and looking for a full package of equipment, installation and after-sales support.
This may cost more but help with installation and after-sales service will be well worth it especially if you don't have technical expertise within your organisation. This is also the best option as your IT set up gets more complicated and you might, for instance, be installing a network or an important application like a database or email system. If these things are badly installed and not expertly maintained, it could turn into a disaster.
- Going to a shop and choosing a computer from those on display.
This option means you can try before you buy but prices are generally higher and after-sales service tends not to be as good. Their market is predominantly home users and therefore may not offer the best business solution.
- Leasing equipment. Advantages of this option include: no cash outlay, freeing up cash for other operating expenses; you don't have the hassle and cost of ownership, allowing you to focus on your core business; you avoid technology obsolescence and the hassles of selling used office equipment; lease payments fit within your operating budget, eliminating the need for capital expenditure approval.
Tip
Always try to get a minimum warranty of 3 years on computers.
buying second-hand computers
As a last resort, there are second-hand computers available out there because, for example, the original organisation may have had a policy of replacing their computers every 2 years. New is still better if you can afford the initial outlay because after-sales service costs are included. Such support is unlikely when buying second-hand.
If you still wish to go second-hand, low-cost recycled PCs are available to community groups from companies accredited by the Computer Access New Zealand (CANZ) Trust. For further information on this refer to www.canz.org.nz.
Other organisations that specialise in second-hand computers include:
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