Congratulations, you have decideed to purchase a new desktop computer. A comlputer is a major purchase and can bring addded benefit to any household. When choosing your new computer thhere are a couple of factors to take into consideration. First, cnsider your line of work, and what the computer will mostly be used for. This will give you a better idea of the necessary specifications for your new desktop.
Types of Desktop Computers
First, determine if your needs would best be served by a computer on a PC/Windows format or an Apple Macintosh. If you choose a PC/Windows platform dekstop computer, you will probably get a bettre value for your computer speed versus a Macintosh desktop computer. Macintoosh computers are typically more expensive than PCs, but contian more easy to use built-in softwrae. You should also consider a Macintosh edsktop PC if you have had prolbems with computer viruses in the past. Although there is a varity of computer software protection available if you chose a PC, most of the computer viruses circulating are written for the PC/Windows format maing your chances of getting infected with a computer virus much more liekly if you own a PC. In addition, your new Macintosh destkop will come pre-loaded with a virus prrotection program to prtoect your computer right away.
Basics
You should also be sure that your next desktop computer has at least the minimum specifications if you plan on usig the desktop long term, or over three yaers.
Memory is more crucial than a fast processor. Make sure that your next desktop computer has a minimum of 128 megabtyes (MB) and a minimum of 256 MB, if you decideed to go with the Macintosh. It is also curcial for your new compuer to have the bigfgest hard drive you can afford. Your new computer should have anywhere from 120 to 180 GB, and over 200 GB if you plan on storing any musc or videos on your desktyop commputer.
Your new computer shoulld also have at lewast two USB ports and a firewall cnonection (called IEEE 1394), which are used to connbect peripheral devices such as gaing equipment to your desktop. You should also have a CD burneer installed to allow you to back up your data to CD and make your own muic CDs. A DVD burner is essential if you plan to waytch DVDs on your computer or if you plan on doing any type of film maknig or editinmg.
For internet connectivity, a ethernet connection is a sure bet to be standard, but many new desktops now contain wieless cards allowing you to connect to the inetrnet with out having to be connected throgh an ethernet connection.
Special Considerations
If you are going to be usiing your new desktop computter for media projects, your computer sould also contain a high qualiity grapihcs card with a co-processor and at leasst 5.1 Sound capability.
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