Personal Computer Recommendation

[Note: After this was published, Microsoft announced a "Pre-Release" sale on Windows 7. See the information added at the end of this post. ]

I was discussing personal computers with a unit owner who is struggling with an older PC using Microsoft’s ME (Millennium Edition) operating system. We were discussing general PC philosophy and the question was posed “Is this a good time to upgrade to a new PC”?

I do have broad experience with smaller computers and so I’m going to put my two cents here, for everyone. After reading this, if you have further questions I’m available to help with purchase decisions. The question is a topic that I have had others ask me about, and I do get involved in technology solutions.

Personal Computers are in widespread use at BLMH. I can detect five different wireless networks from my PC here at BLMH. Considering that some of these have a range of only 150 feet or so, that would indicate that there are many more I can't detect because of distance, and still others that are "hard wired" via DSL or cable routers.

PC prices have been falling and it is very possible to purchase a very good home PC for somewhere in the range of $500 to $1000. A PC in this price range will run essential productivity software, play movies and collect email and do web browsing with little effort. It may not include a printer. You can choose between a “desktop” or a “notebook” computer which is also called a “laptop” computer. Prices are currently low and there are a lot of "specials" out there. This is the doldrums for PC sales, which usually peak in the fall as students head to school and during the Christmas buying season.

There are specialty PC’s, such as “netbooks”, but these have small screens or special purposes and reduced features. I suggest you avoid them. If you are willing to spend in the high range, perhaps about $1,000 you can purchase a much faster PC which will satisfy most user’s needs and run more sophisticated games and so on. Of course, you can spend even more and purchase a PC with multiple hard drives, "clocked" CPU, liquid cooling, more RAM memory, Blue Ray DVD player, much larger screen (or screens!), etc. and so doing, run your tab up to $3,000 or even more. But for the majority of us, that is money spent unwisely and unnecessarily.

The first thing to do, is get a handle on what it is you want to do with your PC and decide the type, size of screen, etc. I suggest that anyone interested in purchasing a PC go to a PC store, and check "mainstream" offerings from manufacturer’s such as Apple, Dell, HP. You can go to a website such as PCWorld.com and do a little research, but be prepared to spend some time. They recently listed 1238 laptops in the $500 to $1,000 range and 1235 desktops in the under $800 range! I recommend a "hands on" approach so that you get a sense of the keyboard layout and of the screens. In laptops, keyboards vary quite a bit, and some are too cramped. Screen dimensions, "resolution" and characteristics do vary widely. It is true that "you get what you pay for", but there are bargains to be found, and in the $800 price range there are significant differences.

Apple PCs frequently cost more that Microsoft PCs. I won’t get into which is better or worse; I prefer not to get into “religious wars”. However, there are significant differences. Apple makes the hardware, the Operating System and many of the software applications. Other PCs are computers with a Microsoft Operating System and hardware assembled or branded by someone else (Dell, HP, etc.) and software (applications) by yet another company or companies.

Here are two links to a PCWorld website with specific information on “all purpose” laptops and Value PCs (less than $1,500).

http://www.pcworld.com/article/123678/top_allpurpose_laptops.html

http://www.pcworld.com/article/123848/top_value_desktops.html

How to Begin

Most of my comments apply to Microsoft type PCs. They are the prevalent computers for the home consumer. (Apple computers are between 7 and 8 percent of the U.S. market). Here are some things to consider.

1. Begin by deciding how you want to use your PC. That will determine the features you will be looking for, and the price.
   
2. Notebook PCs have some significant advantages as compared to a desktop PC. They are portable, and can run on AC or batteries. Having a battery means that if power is interrupted while using the PC, it will not experience a forced shutdown, but can be shutdown by the you, the user, in the manner intended.
   
3. Once you decide on an Apple or a Microsoft Windows PC, you can then determine software and connectivity issues. Or, you can check both and compare current features and your existing hardware and software.
   
4. Purchasing a new PC requires software for various tasks. Not all is included when you purchase a PC. A basic Windows PC includes sufficient software to allow you to surf the web if you have the right connections. It may include MS Works suite, but not much else. Moving existing applications from older PCs to a new Microsoft based PC may not yield the desired results, which some people call the “PC Experience”. In some cases, this may not be possible. So, in addition to the cost of the PC, it may be necessary to purchase software.
   
5. Newer PCs have fewer communications ports, or connections. Older PCs had parallel ports for printing (25-pin connector) and serial ports for external modems (9-pin or 25-pin connectors). Older notebook or desktop PCs usually included a built in modem. Newer PCs of all flavors usually include USB communications ports, which are “Universal Serial Bus”. These permit communications with printers, modems, keyboards and mouse, scanners and even cameras and memory sticks or external hard drives. So, if you are considering an upgrade to a new PC, you may not be able to readily connect your old printer and other “peripherals”. It is possible to purchase “adapters” for USB to parallel or serial conversion. However, these don’t always work with specific printers, due to issues with the software “drivers”. That is my personal experience.
   
6. Older PCs and notebooks often included an internal telephone modem, for connection to the Internet via telephone line. Newer PCs usually include an Ethernet Port and/or a Wi-Fi wireless device. These are used for high speed connection to the Internet. However, to use them requires a special device called a “cable modem” or “DSL modem” and a high speed connection. That’s all at extra cost and is purchased from AT&T, Comcast, etc. So if you are using a telephone line to access the Internet, you will need a telephone modem in your PC or notebook computer. However, a Wi-Fi wireless connection in a laptop PC can be used at many places that provide such free Internet and email “access” for customers. For example, Borders, Panera, Starbucks, to name a few.
   
7. If you are going to use the telephone system as your Internet connection (not DSL), you either must purchase a PC with a telephone modem or, purchase one without and purchase an external USB modem. Such modems cost $30 to $50. Frequently, that is the way to go with modern laptops.
   
8. Older PCs had floppy diskette drives. Newer PCs seldom include such a drive, and so copying software from floppy to the PC hard drive is not possible. However, a portable diskette drive with USB connection for 1.4MB diskettes can be purchased at extra expense. But, software on your floppies may not be compatible with Microsoft Vista operating system, nor useable on an Apple PC.
   
9. Newer PCs include DVD drives, which can be used to load software and files into the PC, and also play DVD movies and music CDs.
   
10. Newer PCs include much larger hard drives. These are necessary for the multi-media that many people use PCs for. This includes music, photos, even movies. However, if you aren’t big on storing music or video files, you can get along for a long, long time on 100GB, so a hard drive that large or larger is more than adequate for normal home use, such a word processing, email, photos and some music.
    
11. Newer PCs usually come with Microsoft’s Vista operating system (OS). That OS is scheduled for replacement later this year or early next; Microsoft has not announced a firm release date for its latest OS, “Windows 7”. However, that is currently available in pre-release form for the adventurous. A PC purchased today will have a soon to be obsolete operating system.
    
12. Microsoft’s current OS, “Vista” was initially plagued with compatibility issues with older software. “Windows 7” is supposedly better, but we won’t know until we have the opportunity to use it. If you purchase a Microsoft Vista PC today, you may be able to purchase an upgrade to Windows 7 in the future. If that is something you intend to do, then I suggest spending a bit more for more memory, faster CPU and a separate video card. Windows 7 may require better hardware.
    
13. Minimums for a PC include at least 2GB of RAM (more is better), a reasonably fast CPU (1.7 GHz or faster), separate graphics Chip (NVidia, ATI, for example).
    
14. Newer PCs include “CD Burners” which are disk drives which read and write to CDs. Many also include “DVD Burners” which are similar and can read and write DVD disks. These are useful for making backups of user files or, if your PC has the right software (usually at extra cost), you can create DVD slide shows, movies, etc. Files can be routinely copied to the CD or DVD and the disk created can be stored in a safe place, and use to save your files and information, in the event the PC fails.

Specific Recommendations

So, where does that leave us? If you are considering purchasing a PC today, first determine how much aggravation your current PC is causing you. If you decide it is time to purchase, then these are my recommendations, today (June 22, 2009):

1. Go to a store that specializes in PCs and check the laptops and desktops that are available. Decide which you prefer, and what is your price range. You can get something for $350, but you may not be very happy with it. You are probably making a purchase that you expect to provide a pleasant experience for at least four years. With PC obsolescence and rapid aging, anything beyond that is probably a pleasant surprise. Something in the range $500 to $1000 is currently realistic (June 22, 2009). Prices do fluctuate.
   
2. Look for a PC that has at least 2GB of RAM memory, and if it is a notebook, consider an Intel Core2 Duo Mobile processor or AMD Turon or AMD Mobile Sempron processor if you want to run on battery power; these processors are designed with energy efficiency features for laptop users, to extend battery life. If you are going for a desktop, look for a “dual core” processor or better. (Note: the two major manufacturers of microprocessors or "CPUs" for personal computers are Intel and AMD. Intel controls about 80% of the global microprocessor share. AMD controls about 12%).
   
3. Try the keyboards and check out the screens. As screen sizes increase, so do prices. There are a variety of screen types available. Some have a matte finish, supposedly better for text. Others have a glossy screen, supposedly better for movies. If you will have a window or bright light source behind you, you might not like the glare on a shiny screen.
   
4. If you purchase a laptop, most can use an external (full size) USB keyboard and many include a VGA port which is a small 15-pin connector, which includes a blue insert. This permits connecting much larger screens to your laptop, if you have Microsoft Vista Home Premium or better or the proper Apple PC. So you can get a beautiful, much larger screen or even use your existing one. However, each screen includes a feature called “resolution”. Older screens have coarser resolutions and don’t have those wonderful very high resolution graphics. So you might not be happy with that old screen at home.
   
5. If you purchase a PC with Microsoft Vista, consider the version called “Vista Home Premium”. It has some features that might be useful. The “Home Basic” version strips out a lot of software features and you might be disappointed. There is a version called “Vista Ultimate”, but most people don’t need all the features that it adds to the “Premium” version. For most home users there is no real benefit to adding it (at additional cost).
   
6. You can purchase a version of Microsoft Office Home and Student for as little as $100 if you catch a special sale. This normally goes for $150. It includes a good word processor (Word), a spreadsheet (Excel), presentation software (Powerpoint) and information organizer (OneNote). Or, if you have a high speed internet connection, you can download a similar product from a competitor called “OpenOffice” which is free!
   
7. Consider the standard or longer warranties. Most PCs include a 1-year warranty. Details vary. For extra cost you can purchase a longer term warranty. Some are supported by the store; if you want a repair you return the PC to them. Others are supported by the manufacturer and include either home or factory return service. Every manufacturer has different types at different costs. After the bankruptcy of Circuit City, many people are reconsidering store provided extended warranties. A typical two year warranty costs about $170 more than the one year basic warranty.
   
8. If you don’t know where to go to shop, consider Wal-mart, Costco, Sam’s Club, Fry’s, Micro Center and Best Buy when you want to look at PCs. Fry’s and Micro Center are stores that specialize in computers and entertainment. Sam’s and Costco are buying clubs which require a membership and specializes in fewer choices at lower prices. Wal-mart specializes in lower prices. Best Buy has all types of consumer electronics including PCs, TVs, etc. There are other stores, but the companies I have listed usually have a good selection of lower end as in lower cost and fewer featured PCs, which are suitable for most home users. Note: this is not a recommendation of any specific store.

If you want some help, send me an email. I can and do accompany others on technology buying trips. Click on this link: mailto:letmethinkaboutthisblog@gmail.com

Comment:
My qualifications are as follows. I have been involved in PCs and specialized computer systems for many years. I am an expert at applying technology for the purpose of empowering organizations and people. The goal is improving quality, reducing costs and improving safety. For over 30 years I have worked with computers and computer systems of various types including Unix, Microsoft, industrial proprietary systems, distributed and PC networks, etc. I write, teach and provide technology applications excellence, in which PCs and PC based systems are an integral and important component.

I am not affiliated with any PC manufacturer or retail store. I am not an employee of Apple or Microsoft, nor do I own any shares in Microsoft or Apple. However, I do own mutual funds, which do own stocks in many companies and may own Apple, Dell, HP or Microsoft shares. Nor am I compensated in any way by any software or PC manufacturer or retail store or chain.

Windows 7 Pre-Release

This info added June 29, 2009:

Microsoft announced a pre-release sale of Windows 7 to existing XP and Vista customers. According to Microsoft, "Windows 7" will be available October 22, 2009. The versions called "Premium" and "Ultimate" have a feature which will allow the user to "Run many existing Windows XP productivity applications in Windows XP Mode". For more information, go to the Microsoft website at:

http://store.microsoft.com/microsoft/Windows-Windows-7/category/102?WT.mc_id=msccomhphighlights_win7

Microsoft is also providing a free ($9.95 for shipping) upgrade to most purchasers of a new PC equipped with Windows Vista. The PC must be purchased after June 26, 2009. For more information, go to this site, or talk to your sales associate at the computer store of your choice:

http://store.microsoft.com/microsoft/Windows-Windows-Vista/category/101