"InetDaemon, what computer should I buy?"
"InetDaemon, should I buy a [Dell, HP, Compaq, Lenovo, Toshiba] computer?"
"InetDaemon, which computer is the best? Dell, HP, Compaq, Lenovo, Toshiba?
What's The Best Computer?
There is no magic answer to this question. There is no 'best' brand of computers. Nobody builds computers any better than anyone else. Since there are very large variations in capability, quality and reliability in different models of the same brand, and all brands show this behavior, I've resorted to building my own computers.
Mac vs. Windows
Macs now use Intel processors and are now only about 25-30% more expensive now (as compared to years past where it was a 300-400% difference). Mac now has the ability to run a virtual copy of Windows which can run Windows applications. However, Windows applications expect real PC hardware, not the virtual hardware in the virtual engine in the Mac software.
PC applications just aren't as stable on a Mac and run slower than they do on a real, native PC. Apple finally realized that Intel processors, for the money, are faster than IBM PowerPC chips. They also figured out that going off to do their own thing and build proprietary computers wasn't profitable. Lastly, they figured out that people who just spent $2000 don't want to spend another $2000 just to fix a minor software glitch by buying a new computer.
I love the new Macs running Intel/OS X, but I'm partial to UNIX and I'm a geek, and I can spend about 30% of what I'd spend on a Mac and get a Linux box that would offer the same capabilities, including running Windows and Windows applications.
Linux vs. Windows
Unless you already are comfortable installing an operating system and drivers on your own, you shouldn't consider a Linux computer. Linux is powerful, but not as user-friendly as Windows (if such a thing can be said about Windows). You have far more options for what you can do with the computer on Linux, but there's less software you can buy off-the-shelf that will run on Linux computers.
If you do decide you want to run Linux, you should be certain that the version of Linux you choose will support the computer hardware you have installed. Linux hardware support isn't quite as good as Windows. This step alone keeps most people from installing Linux.
PC's
I've had very bad, and good experiences with every brand of computers, but there's no predicting what I'm going to get when I buy a computer. That's why I build my own computers.
Prior to the Compaq and HP merger, I preferred HP computers, but then HP stopped making PC's and let Compaq take their customer base. Compaq computers and Compaq support was some of my worst computing experiences--consistently. Since HP no longer makes their own desktops (they're actually Compaq machines) I don't recommend HP any more.
IBM Thinkpad systems were OK for the price, but you ALWAYS bought the warranty, because it always suffered some sort of hardware failure (usually the hard drive first, followed by the screen or mainboard, consistently).
Acer components have not been good to me, so any Acer product is suspect in my book.
Toshiba products have been fairly reliable, but support is a pain.
Eww, dude, you bought a Dell?!? SORRY, dude!! Expensive, so you get less power for the money, but the support is consistently good (not great).
And that's about it. Noone is 'best', brands come and go and all of the manufacturers outsource various components so reliability is never consistent across a brand name, or even a model name within a brand (except when it is consistently bad).
So what to buy?
- Decide what you are willing to spend. Even the cheapest computers can surf the Internet and do E-mail.
- If you don't need to take it home today, consider Internet shopping at Pricegrabber. Retail stores tend to be more expensive because they maintain brick-and-mortar locations. Buying online will work for you if you don't mind working on your own PC. If you're not technical and you're worried about breakdowns, a local store is a better idea and I've had good experiences with Geek Squad for support.
- Find two computers in your range and compare the features and numbers. Does the computer have one hard disk or two? One CD or DVD drive or two? Does it come with the keyboard, mouse and monitor?
Processor Speed: larger hz speeds is better
Mhz < Ghz
Processor Types: Best down to Worst
See Tom's Hardware's 2007 CPU charts to get the general idea.
Hard Disk Space: Larger numbers is better
KB < MB < GB
Memory (RAM): Larger numbers is better
KB < MB < GB
CD/DVD-ROM: Faster speeds/more capabilities is better. Listed from fewest/oldest functions to newest
- CD-R/CD-ROM
- CD-RW
- DVD (if listed with no other functions, it plays DVD's but has no recording capability)
- DVD-R
- DVD+R
- DVD+/-R
- DVD-RW
- DVD-R
- DVD+R, Dual Layer (hereafter 'DL')
- DVD-RW, DL
- DVD+RW, DL
- Avoid: UDO or UMD (proprietary, non-standard)
- Avoid: Blue Ray (proprietary, non-standard)
- Avoid: HD DVD (proprietary, non-standard)
Network Speeds: Larger numbers is better
10 Mbps Ethernet
100 Mbps FastEthernet
1 Gbps Gigabit Ethernet (1000Mbps)
Kbps > Mbps > Gbps > Tbps
Display Adaptors: Have memory and a processor
- Larger numbers for Memory is better. Video Memory should be 'on-board'
- Avoid: 'shared memory' or 'main memory' adaptors (cheaper systems)
- Larger Processor Speed numbers is better. Video cards use their own processor.
- Larger Resolution numbers is better (Resolution 1024x768 is most common)
- Greater Number of colors (color depth) is better (24-bit color, vs 16-bit or 8-bit/256 color)
- Must Have: On-board memory and lots of it.
Sound Adaptors:
- Most systems have integrated the sound card into the main board.
- More audio 'voices' or 'channels' is better.
- Surround sound/Dolby Digital sound is better
- MUST HAVE: AC97 standard
Software: More applications is better and you should have the following software already installed.
- Operating System
- Windows Vista Business/Pro
- Windows XP Pro
- Windows XP Home
- Windows 2000 Server
- Windows 2000 Professional
- AVOID: Windows ME
- Windows 98
- Windows 95
- Windows 3.1
- Anti-VIrus: Symantec/Norton, McAffee, TrendMicro are all good.
- Firewall: Symantec, McAffee, ZoneLabs ZoneAlarm are all good.
- Anti-Spyware: Symantec, McAffee, TrendMicro and ZoneLabs are all good.
- Office Productivity Software(most products to least)
- Microsoft Office 2007 Professional Plus - Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Publisher, Access, InfoPath, Communicator (more)
- Microsoft Office Professional 2007 - Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Publisher, Access, Accounting Express, Business Contact Manager
- Microsoft Office 2003 Professional - Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint and Access
- Microsoft Office 2003 Professional - Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint
- Office Home and Student 2007 - Word, Excel, PowerPoint (basic versions)
- Microsoft Office 2000 - Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint (full versions, but old)
Gotchas
TRIAL SOFTWARE ON CHEAP COMPUTERS
Be careful with lower cost computers. Look at what the vendor sells, then look for a price-point about 50% down the scale of prices. At the midpoint, software will cease to be free and will become 'trialware'--software you have to purchase after using for 30, 60 or 90 days.