| With the rapid pace of technological | | | | movies, a DVD ROM drive. However with a CD-R |
| developments, nothing has become as ubiquitous | | | | drive, you can record your own data and music |
| as the computer. Everyone's got one. And they | | | | CDs, and with a DVD-R drive, you can burn files |
| are used for all manner of endeavour, by people | | | | in a DVD format, allowing you to store movies |
| of all walks of life. So, do you simply buy the | | | | and data in far greater quantities. The CD-RW |
| computer that someone's selling? Or do you do | | | | (DVD-RW) drives allow you to use re-recordable |
| some homework and figure out what detailed | | | | media. Your decision will depend on what you |
| specifications are going to make some difference | | | | want to use your media drives for and what you |
| to you? At au you can compare the prices of a | | | | want to store. Other removable media will |
| wide range of different computers from different | | | | possibly include flash card storage, which is usually |
| vendors and of different specifications. This guide | | | | plugged in via the USB ports on the computer. |
| will help you find what you're looking for. Mac or | | | | MONITORS For a detailed explanation of monitors, |
| Windows (PC) At the outset, you need to decide | | | | please see the article on au dedicated to Monitors. |
| what you are going to use the computer for. This | | | | The monitor for your computer is integral to its |
| will help you make the fundamental decision of | | | | function and aesthetics. If you are working in |
| whether you should go Mac or PC. Although, with | | | | graphics you may want to stay with a CRT |
| the advent of the dual core processor (an Intel | | | | monitor. However most bundle offers these days |
| chip now used by Mac) the differences are | | | | are supplied with LCD monitors, which have the |
| narrowed a little, there are still some choices that | | | | advantages of smaller space requirements, use |
| can help you favour one system over another. | | | | lower energy and offer wider screen images. |
| Historically, Mac computers have a reputation for | | | | However they generally are more expensive |
| greater stability that comes from a more robust | | | | (although prices are dropping everyday), can |
| operating system than Windows based | | | | frequently be not as bright, have limited viewing |
| computers. Largely for this reason, Macs have | | | | angles and sometimes require a digital interface |
| been the computer of choice for the graphic | | | | connector. For graphics intensive work, LCD |
| design industry, the music production industry and | | | | screens do not have the same capacity to render |
| the video production industry. This has prompted | | | | colours in gradients as CRT monitors. Once again, |
| the software manufacturers to make professional | | | | size matters. Bigger screens cost more than |
| software packages for these disciplines that | | | | smaller ones. VIDEO AND SOUND For a detailed |
| favour the Mac operating system. Although they | | | | explanation of video cards, please see the article |
| have packages supporting the Windows operating | | | | on au dedicated to Video Cards. The interface |
| system, they are often less capable. | | | | between the CPU and the Monitor is provided by |
| Consequently, if you are engaged in these | | | | the video card. One of the basic decisions you |
| industries and need your computer for this type | | | | need to make is whether you require a 3D or 2D |
| of work, you should consider Mac. Mac computers | | | | card. Video cards come in two different types: |
| appear to attract fewer viruses and software | | | | those that use an AGP (accelerated graphics port) |
| malfunctions than do Windows based PCs. On the | | | | on the computer motherboard and those that use |
| down side, there has always appeared to have | | | | the PCI bus. Data transfer rate is critical to video |
| been limited software support for Mac systems. | | | | performance. Faster video cards use an AGP, and |
| Another decision that may guide your choice is | | | | this proves a faster data transfer than PCI cards. |
| the aesthetics of the computer. If you have | | | | Most video cards also have their own video |
| limited available space, there is nothing quite like | | | | memory installed on the card, a feature that |
| the iMacs or the mini Macs for space saving. iMac's | | | | increases a computer's memory performance. |
| all-in-one desktop units are compact and complete | | | | Today, these memories are often 128M or 256M, |
| with all the connectivity you need. However, the | | | | and can be more in the higher-end cards |
| look of other brands may be more to your taste, | | | | dedicated to sophisticated video work or gaming. |
| with many models available in compact packages | | | | Video cards performance is also affected by |
| and modern colour schemes to suit practically all | | | | what is known as clock speed or clock rate, cards |
| dйcor. Now that you've made that basic | | | | with a faster speed offer faster performance. |
| decision, you can start comparing the apples with | | | | Cheaper computers, and laptops and notebooks, |
| apples.MacWindows XP HomeWindows XP | | | | have an integrated graphics chip included in the |
| ProfessionalThe Components of Your Computer | | | | motherboard instead of a discrete video card. |
| The two factors that determine the price of your | | | | This type of configuration is not as powerful or as |
| computer are size (yes it does matter) and | | | | fully functional as having a separate video card, |
| speed. Either or both of these two dimensions are | | | | which can allow more comprehensive gaming, the |
| a factor of practically every component that | | | | use of multiple monitors and faster and better |
| makes up the machine. Naturally the highest price | | | | rendering of images. For a computer to reproduce |
| tags go with the combination of biggest and | | | | the sounds recorded in games, movies and music |
| fastest. CPU The heart of the computer is the | | | | products it requires a sound card. Quality of sound |
| CPU (central processing unit). You need to decide | | | | can be affected by the sound card your |
| which CPU you want driving your computer. | | | | computer has installed. It's important that you |
| These come from different manufacturers, and | | | | know how you want to use the sound |
| the current development of the technology is | | | | reproduction processes of your computer. If you |
| called Dual Core, which means that there are two | | | | are a musician and want to record audio, then |
| processors on the one chip. Dual Core technology | | | | you will want to be sure that you have excellent |
| delivers more performance with less energy | | | | connectivity, good midi access and at least 16-bit |
| requirements. Intel and AMD are the two leading | | | | (CD quality) audio reproduction. Sound cards give |
| CPU manufacturers, and they offer different | | | | you the possibilities of full cinema surround sound, |
| products under different names. Current | | | | and the many subtle effects employed by |
| processing speeds range from about 1.4 GHz | | | | high-end games. Nearly every computer comes |
| (gigahertz) through to 3.46 GHz. But it is not | | | | with a set of stereo speakers. However it pays |
| simply just a matter of speed. There are other | | | | to have a good listen to what you're buying. Make |
| considerations. Mac Operating Systems have a | | | | sure you listen to program that you are familiar |
| different architecture to Windows and will | | | | with (take your own CD along) and compare the |
| perform many functions faster with a slower | | | | sound in a quiet environment. Many speaker |
| speed CPU. A dual core chip at 1.4 GHz will deliver | | | | systems for computers have poor frequency |
| a better performance that a Pentium 4 chip at 1.8 | | | | response and are underpowered. For desktop use |
| GHz. A 1.4 GH dual core chip running a Mac with | | | | that does not involve a quality listening |
| OSX Tiger, will perform better than a 2.0 GHz | | | | environment this may be satisfactory. But if you |
| Pentium 4 processor running Windows. You need | | | | want to listen to music and watch movies for the |
| to decide what you want your computer to do, | | | | full effect, then you need to consider buying a |
| what your major software requirements are | | | | good quality set of speakers. Use the search |
| before you decide on the CPU processor. | | | | facility of au to compare specifications and prices |
| However, for everyday use, a processor faster | | | | of different speaker systems. KEYBOARD AND |
| than 1.8 GHz will deliver excellent performance. As | | | | MOUSE The choice of keyboard and mouse are |
| a rough rule of thumb, choose a Celeron for low | | | | personal choices. Sometimes it depends on what |
| cost computing, a Pentium 4 for mid-range | | | | you do on your computer, whether you have |
| budgets, or an AMD Athlon for bigger budgets. | | | | formal typing skills or whether you're a two-finger |
| You can compare computers based on Pentium, | | | | hack. Serious writers may prefer an ergonomic |
| Celeron, Athlon or Dual Core CPUs by searching | | | | keyboard. Keyboards frequently have different |
| those specifications on au and finding different | | | | clicks and responses to others. You may prefer |
| vendors and brands using different processors. | | | | an infrared cordless keyboard and mouse. You |
| RAM This is where bigger definitely means better | | | | may prefer an optical mouse on which you don't |
| performance. RAM is the system memory that | | | | have to clean the rollers. Optical mice have no |
| enables the computer to use its programs and | | | | rollerball, and can be used on most flat surfaces, |
| swap data between the hard drive and the | | | | but they are more expensive. CONNECTIVITY |
| program functions. It's important to match the | | | | Today, connectivity is everything. Your computer |
| speed of the RAM of your computer with the | | | | can have wireless connections to all of your |
| speed of the CPU. The more RAM you have | | | | peripherals: printer, scanner, and other computers. |
| available for your programs to work, the faster | | | | Having an onboard modem will only be really |
| will your computer run. Most computers today | | | | important if you are using a dial up internet |
| come with at least 256 M (megabytes) of RAM. | | | | connection. Broadband modems tend to be |
| But memory is a relatively cheap component, and | | | | peripherals and you can connect via USB, wireless |
| it costs little extra to upgrade to 512 M or | | | | or firewire. It does pay to consider how you will |
| greater. HARD DRIVE For a detailed explanation | | | | connect to the internet and other peripherals. It's |
| of hard drives, please see the article on au | | | | not always convenient to get behind your |
| dedicated to Hard Disc Drives. The hard drive of | | | | computer to plug something in or unplug it. Some |
| the computer stores your program files and your | | | | sound cards have a front face panel with all the |
| data. As computers have advanced, so has the | | | | connections you need. The USB ports on Macs |
| need for more capacity to operate programs and | | | | are conveniently located. Many PC manufacturers |
| store data. People working in media fields tend to | | | | haven't caught on to the fact that it's important |
| work with very large files and require large | | | | for some people to easily access the connections |
| storage space. Most computers in today's market | | | | to their computers. To compare the different |
| come with a minimum of 40G of hard drive | | | | bundle offers from different brands, and to |
| space. However, this can be upgraded (usually in | | | | compare the different components by their |
| 20G chunks) to as much as 200G or more. The | | | | specifications, search the au database for exactly |
| effectiveness of your hard drive also can depend | | | | the specifications you are seeking. You can |
| on its physical speed (5400-7200 RPM) and the | | | | compare prices and vendors, and order what you |
| speed at which it can transfer data between the | | | | need online with a few clicks.Andrew Gates for |
| computer's RAM and the hard drive. Faster | | | | comparison online shopping service au. |
| means better performance. REMOVABLE MEDIA | | | | au helps you compare the different computers |
| You will want to have a CD-R or (CD-RW) drive | | | | from different brands in terms of specifications |
| installed in your computer, and or possibly a DVD | | | | and accessories. You can also compare prices |
| or DVD-R. For reading a CD ROM, all that is | | | | from hundreds of different brands and vendors. |
| required is a CD drive and for watching DVD | | | | |