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