Before you set out to your local computer store or log onto your favorite Web store, you should decide how much computer you are going to buy. How much computer you need depends entirely on what you intend to do with it.
Three Kinds of Users, Three Kinds of Personal Computers
If you plan to use your computer to run high end graphic design programs, or run cutting edge, 3-D computer games, digital video, or demanding multimedia applications, you are a Power User, and you will want a powerful computer.
If you plan to use your computer mainly to run the popular office and accounting programs, to send and receive e-mail, and to surf the Web; or you are buying your first family computer, which you expect to be used for games, to run educational software, and to get online, then you are more of an Average User. You will want a solid system, but nothing that will run NASA.
If you really don't need a computer to do much more than send and receive e-mails, surf the Web a bit, and run a few undemanding programs now and then, you are what you might call an Occasional User. For these kinds of activities, you can get by with a very basic machine.
Power Users
Demanding users of high end graphics and design programs and cutting edge games will want a computer that includes the following basic components
- 800-plus Mhz processor
- 128MB or more of RAM
- 10GB or larger hard disk drive
- 4.8X DVD-ROM drive
- 250MB zip drive
- 3-D sound card
- Surround sound speaker set
- 19 inch monitor
- 2-D/3-D graphics accelerator card
- 32MB video RAM
- 56.6K V.90 modem
This baby will probably cost you, but you'll never lack for the performance you need.
Average User
Most people doing most of the things most often done on a computer will be very happy with the following basic components
- 500 Mhz processor
- 64MB or more of RAM
- 8B or larger hard disk drive
- 6X DVD-ROM drive
- 3-D sound card
- Stereo speakers
- 17 inch or larger monitor
- 16MB 2-D/3-D graphics accelerator card
- 56.6K V.90 modem
Keep in mind that the hardcore gamers in your family are going to demand more of everything no matter what you bring home.
Occasional Users
Even computer manufacturers are beginning to recognize the importance of computer users who want little more from their machines that Internet access. A whole new generation of “information appliances” has been evolving for a few years now. Occasional users who still want the computer experience will be fine with the following components
- 466 Mhz processor
- 32MB RAM
- 4GB hard disk drive
- 4MB video RAM
- 15 or 17 inch monitor
- 56.6K V.90 modem
This is the computer you might want to get for grandparents who don't care much about computers, but who want to have e-mail and might occasionally surf the Web. But be sure that interest and not age is the determining factor here; I've seen many a computer shy senior take to cyberspace like a duck to water.
