Computers have become an important part of our lives and not much gets done without them. Even the older generations are trying to get to grips with them so they don’t get left behind. But what should you think about when you are choosing a computer? Here is a quick guide to help you out.
Laptop or tower?
Do you remember when computers only came as towers with separate monitors and keyboards? Those days are long gone. These days it is possible to power a laptop for pretty much anything. Even tablets have enough power behind them to perform most tasks. This depends on what you need it for as towers are the more powerful and generally a great idea for gamers. Personally, I use a laptop as I (used to) travel a lot and don’t like to be stuck in one place in the house.
What systems do you need?
The type of systems that you need will vary from person to person, but you might have no idea of what you actually need. Everyone will need internet access but not everyone needs a deep learning CPU. Knowing what you plan on using it for can help massively. If you only want to use it for social media scrolling, maybe a tablet is best for you. Be wary of buying too many add ons that you won’t use as this can overload your computer.
Power usage
Computers of the past were terrible for driving up your electric bill, but over time this has changed. They still require power but they won’t increase your electric bill by a massive amount. It’s still a good idea to know what you are getting into with them. Battery life is another factor, including how quickly a laptop can take a charge.
Graphics
The graphics of the computer might mean nothing to you, but if you are playing games or creating art, you will want the finest graphics that money can buy. The quality of your graphics is dependent on a few things. The main two are the quality of your monitor and the graphics card. These two need to work together to give you the best possible experience. You can even check out the pixel size or if it is HDMI.
Memory
How much memory do you need? That is a tough question. If you want to store family photos, you might want to consider a removable hard drive. The memory in your computer might be enough to support all of your photos but if you change your computer, you run the risk of losing them. Cloud or online storage is a great way to back up those important memories online so you never lose them.
Processor
The processor is one of those things that people have heard of but aren’t too sure what they do. Generally speaking, the processor is the thing that makes the systems work together. Without a processor, your computer will not work. If you can, read up and learn about the different processors available and how they can work for you. You may be surprised at how the different ones work and how they are can be compatible.
Do your research and take your time. I tend to get 4 years out of my main computer before I notice them dragging behind in terms of technology and how quickly it advances. Take all things into consideration, look out for deals, and don’t compromise if it’s vital to your work/recreation/creativity.
On that same token, don’t overshoot if you don’t need to. I see a lot of people who are trying to get the best of the best when they really don’t need it. If you are someone who spends all their time on social media and writing papers then you really don’t need the most powerful gaming PC out there. What’s right for someone else may not be right for you so be honest with your needs and you’ll find the perfect device for you!
