Computer Buying Guide

from Overstock.com

It's easy to feel overwhelmed by the whirlwind of numbers, abbreviations and technical terms when buying computer equipment. But it doesn't have to be so intimidating. Our computer buying guide will help you sort it all out, so you can shop for computers with confidence.


What you need to know
Compaq Presario 1.6GHz Dual Core Laptop Computer

One thing that is absolutely essential to understand before buying computer equipment is the difference between all those "mega" and "giga" prefixes. Each prefix means 1,000 of the prefix before it.

So a kilobyte is 1,000 bytes, a megabyte is 1,000 kilobytes, a gigabyte is 1,000 megabytes, and a terabyte is 1,000 gigabytes. The same prefixes apply to the measurement of hertz, which describes a computer's speed. Usually, a larger prefix means better performance.

With that out of the way, we can try to understand all the specifications you should pay attention to when purchasing a computer. Here is an explanation of the most important ones that make up a computer system: the processor, system memory, the hard drive, the optical drive, external ports and the network interface.

Processor

Intel Xeon 3.20GHz Processor
A computer is run by its central processing unit (CPU), much like the way a human body is run by its brain. Most computers have a processor produced by one of two companies: Intel and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD). Both offer single- and dual-core processors. A dual-core is basically two processors in one. This allows you to process multiple sources of data at the same time.

Personal computer processor speeds today are fast enough that they are usually measured in gigahertz (GHz). Processors designed for laptops normally have "M" or "mobile" somewhere in the processor's title.

System memory

A computer needs system memory to run any applications. This is called random access memory (RAM) and is measured in bytes. Most computers have more than 500 megabytes (MB) of RAM, which is usually sufficient for running most basic office programs and surfing the Web. Some have more than a gigabyte, which would be needed for playing movies and doing graphic design.

Hard drive

Western Digital Raptor SATA Hard Drive
The hard disk drive is the computer's storage shed. Any pictures or documents you save are stored on the hard drive. This is also measured in bytes. Hard drives generally have a large capacity which is measured in gigabytes (GB).

Optical drive

The optical drive is the computer's CD or DVD drive. Most optical drives display their speed with a number and an x. For example, a 24x CD-ROM is 24 times faster than the first CD-ROM that was produced.

ROM stands for "read only memory," and a CD- or DVD-ROM can only read a disk. Most computers today are equipped with drives that are also CD burners or DVD burners. These can also write data onto blank or rewritable disks. The tag "RW" will indicate if this is the case. Just remember that CD drives cannot read DVDs, but DVD drives can read CDs.

External ports

A computer's external ports allow it to connect to other devices. The most important external port today is the universal serial bus (USB) port. Most modern devices such as printers and digital cameras connect to a computer through a USB connection, so you will want a computer with multiple USB ports in easy-to-access places.

Another common port found on both desktop and notebook computers is a FireWire (IEEE1394) port for transferring larger video or image files. Variations of this port are classified from S100 and up. Ports classified with higher numbers will transfer more data faster.

Network interface

The network interface controller (NIC) allows a computer to connect through a router to a local area network (LAN) or high-speed Internet. NICs can be Ethernet or wireless. Most of today's laptops have both. An Ethernet NIC is classified as either 10/100 or 10/100/1000, offering data transfer rates of up to 100 megabits per second (Mbps) or 1000 megabits per second, respectively.

Wireless Ethernet is classified as 802.11a, 802.11b or 802.11g. You probably won't need to worry about 802.11a because it is older and rarely used. 802.11b has the longest range (about 35 meters indoors), but 802.11g is the fastest. Wireless routers make wireless Ethernet possible, so you will need to get one if you want to have wireless capabilities in your home.

Common computer questions

What is the difference between a DVD-RW and a DVD+RW drive ?

All DVDs are not the same. While DVD-RWs and DVD+RWs have the same data storage capacities, they are different formats made by different companies. Some DVD drives are compatible with both, but not all. If you have a drive that is only compatible with one, you will not be able to write or read DVDs of the other format. Just make sure the blank CDs or DVDs you purchase are the right ones for your drive. Check out Overstock.com's blank media section for great bargains on all formats.

Should I get a refurbished computer or a brand new one?

Factory reconditioned computers are perfect for those who want to save some money. They have had little use and are restored to like-new condition. A brand new computer will probably be a little more up-to-date, but for home or student use a refurbished laptop would be a great choice. Luckily, Ovestock.com has excellent deals on both types.

Where is my system recovery disk?

Some manufacturers do not include system recovery disks. If the system recovery disk is not included, often the recovery software is pre-installed on a separate partition on computer's hard drive. For more information on how to restore your operating system, please refer to the computer manufacturer.

Ideas from Overstock.com

Want a little more direction? Here are some computer suggestions for a family, student, gamer and multi-media professional.

Family computer

Your home computer will mostly be used for basic word processing, e-mail and Web surfing, so you don't need anything too fancy. A desktop computer with a 1GHz processor and 512MB or more of RAM would probably be just fine. Get one with an Ethernet NIC so you can enjoy high-speed Internet. Most also come with an internal modem for a dial-up connection. If you ever want to upgrade, check out Overstock.com's selection of computer hardware.

Student computer

A lightweight laptop with a 12- to 14-inch screen and a wireless card would be the best option for a student. Overstock.com offers huge discounts on a wide selection of factory refurbished laptops that will help you save money. You will be able to take your laptop computer from dorm to classroom to library with one of Overstock.com's many stylish laptop computer cases. Also, get a couple of USB flash drives so you can access your files and presentations in the computer lab.

Gaming computer

A powerful 3GHz desktop computer with more than 1GB of system memory and a high-end video card would be ideal for gaming. Add a gaming mouse for exceptional performance. Then check out Overstock.com's amazing deals on computer games, computer speakers and flat panel monitors.

Multi-media computer

A laptop or desktop computer with a wide screen and powerful dual-core processor would be necessary for a multi-media pro who edits video and graphics. A FireWire port is also essential for capturing video. You will want to make sure the computer has a large hard drive too. Look for excellent buys on a wide selection of external hard drives when you need extra storage space.

Now you can shop for computers with confidence. And you can relax knowing you will save time and money at Overstock.com.