Smartdollars: Tips buying Computer

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Tips buying Computer

Buying a PC is a very important decision and very complex because, apart from a huge variety of components that vary almost weekly basis we have to take several small decisions, we must be careful that we do not pig in a poke, some what no one has the certainty that you will not pass by very experienced you are, but if you're going to sucker you make it easier.

This leads to a number of things that we all demand at the time of buying a new computer or replacing an old one:
*
If you're an expert not alone and if you're not, accompanying a good friend who knows far more than you and of course not party to the business.
*
Collateral, seriously. (a conversation with the clerk that we can induce not a serious site but nothing assures us seriously because they are usually good actors who know more than computer interpretation). If you have spoken ill of a place do not ever poke their noses around, even if you computer is worth half passes, at least you've been warned others not. Naturally, it requires BILL.
*
All peripherals included in the team accompanied by their drivers.
*
Requiring a formatted hard disk with nothing but buy the original software needed (or not, because it is GNU) as this ensures that we can install everything starting from a formatted hard disk, a Windows 98 boot disk and the CD itself from the Windows 9X / ME, without getting into issues or interruptions in the computer BIOS or other surprises. This will verify that the chipset has no trouble recognizing plug'n'play peripherals in the system installation, common in some AMD.
*
In the event of problems point all anomalies and messages displayed on screen in a paper and then show it to the seller and technical service.
*
Fleeing components that only run on Windows, such as software modems (mostly interns), WinPrinters, etc.. Van too slow, fail more than a gun fair and who knows maybe you have to print anything in MS-DOS or Linux end all. Even if you only use Windows do not interest you are twice as slow as an external modem and give many real configuration problems. If you opt for an internal modem finally winmodem not (there are very few) to keep you pig in a poke, it is best to say that Linux will be installed, even as a second OS and ask if you have a problem (although not true). You want to actually install and check that everything goes well, then you can leave the computer or not, depending on tastes.
*
Verify that your computer has all the ports that you must have one to one. Teams with a single serial port are undesirable, of whom or what have you not say anything.

Although computer configurations vary almost weekly I'll give you an idea of what could be a current general-purpose machine (though perhaps it is outdated in weeks):
*
Pentium 4 hipertreading: 3 Ghz or higher. The bus with a good fan, good heatsink and good thermal paste. Never Celeron, AMD does not recommend any.
*
Well designed box with fans in and out to form the ventilation circuit, also with USB inputs on the front (something really comfortable).
Flourishes such as trims for the floppy drive, CD-ROMs, etc. are very cute but plenty of problems.
*
Motherboard: good (Gigabyte. .. never VIA chipset) and without things such as integrated video cards, etc.. (unfortunately all now have integrated sound card, make sure it is disable), albeit with DUAL-BIOS, and many USB ports, 2 serial, 1 parallel, etc ... at least.
*
Memory: 1 GB DDR or more to hipertreading works best if divided into two equal modules, although this limits the possibilities for future expansion.
*
Operating system: whether they will require that the computer must have an operating system you can ask to be a Linux and, of course not charge you or a euro for him. (also serves as a 'test of professionalism' of the establishment, because if you say that is nonsense, put edges, arrogant, etc ... is because they have no idea of doing that and so is their lack of professionalism in the open , which is better to discover now that after buying when other problems arise).
*
Hard disk 160 GB or more, either, IDE or Serial ATA.
*
Monitor 17''SVGA or higher (preferably flat tube, the TFT can still give a little problem).
*
Sound Blaster Live not real problems.
*
2D/3D Graphics Card APGx8 (64Mb minimum) or higher, with MPEG-2 acceleration. The ATI and NVidia are pretty standard. Here if you can not accept an integrated graphics card under any circumstances.
*
DVD-ROM.
* Recorder DVD-ROM dual layer dual (if not dual, that is at least -R/-RW, never only + R / + RW).
* Floppy 3.5 "IDE. Today there are computers without floppy drive (even some you can not put the connector lacking internally) but you are taking opportunities to share information (a USB floppy is not a good idea). DISCLAIMS SUCH EQUIPMENT! !
*
Semi-mechanical or mechanical keyboard with cable (or membrane or wireless).
*
Ball and optical mouse cable.
*
External Modem with standard serial port connection: 56 K minimum (that connect the external serial HSP never winmodem and provides very few configuration issues as opposed to internal and external by USB).
I would not ADSL internet connection, but if you opt for it unless it is for the router.
*
PCI Network card (preferably 3COM Fast Ethernet 10/100 or RealTek)
*
Desktop Scanner USB, SCSI was better but have ceased to function in most modern motherboards. If at the end opt for one parallel, which I do not recommend for anything, at least buy yourself a printer sharer MANUAL and set the scanner as a second printer if the case.
*
Capture TV with BT878 chip to ensure compatibility with the software, especially Linux. This is optional but for the price they are worth buying from the outset.
*
Strip, but do not spend a Paxton in it, because I had two faces and one was removed by sputtering and the second with surge exploded. Simply having real and grounding switch (this is a safe for your PC if you plugged into a good land outlet bright), ideal to have at least 8 plugs.

All peripherals must be supported by linux without more stories.

If at the end I've done and if you bought an AMD put him at least as many fans, including one on front bottom of your box to the air inlet and one on the upper back to the exit so as to forms a good airflow. Care also the subject of the plate and buenecitas and memory that are not too hot

source : usuarios.lycos.es/putusoft/trucospc/buypc.htm