How to Choose the Right Computer Equipment

By Ed Dalton

Which equipment you should buy depends critically on the types of software you intend to use.

If you only want to do word processing, for example, then it might be just fine to buy a friend's computer from several years back, or to buy the least powerful of the new computers that are currently on the market.

The situation changes if you want to do Web browsing, graphics, run multimedia software, or play computer games.

For Web browsing, or vector graphics (drawing) programs, you could probably buy something in the middle range of what is available new.

Faster graphics programs (such as Photoshop) and 3D action games are the most resource hungry, so if you are going to be running these you should buy something toward the high end of what is available.

Even so, it rarely pays to buy the very highest level. For example, if the fastest processor is 450 MHz, you will generally pay a lot more for it than for a 333 MHz processor, and you might not even notice the difference in performance.

If the computer has a 56K-baud modem built in, you should check to see whether it supports Flex or X2. These are two competing standards, and they are not compatible. Some Internet Service Providers (ISPs) support Flex, and some support X2. If the modem is a V.90 type, it will work with either standard. If you are buying a new 56K modem, buy a V.90 type and then you won't have to worry about changing ISPs.

You should also consider what software comes bundled with the computer. For most new computers, the bundled software comes at very little extra cost, so if you can use it, it represents a saving compared with buying the software separately.

If you are buying your first computer, or if you are still confused by all the options available, the best thing is to seek the advice of a friend who seems to know a lot about computers and who has very little trouble with his or her own computer.

Alternatively, read some trade publications that discuss computers of the type you are considering. A good free computer magazine is Computer Currents, available in many news racks, and also online at www.currents.net.

The preceding material was written by Ed Dalton. These are the opinions of the author, not the opinions of eBay, and therefore eBay does not validate the accuracy of or endorse these opinions.