How to choose the right desktop computer

Shopping for a desk top computer can be daunting. With so many things to take into consideration, it's difficult to know how to find the right computer to fit your needs.

Before you decide on a computer, you'll need to figure out what exactly it is you want your computer to do. Some of the main reasons for computing include:

• Basic applications, such as Internet surfing and Word applications



• Gaming


• Video and music editing and burning


• Graphics

The following are a few things to take into consideration when trying to choose the right desktop computer:

Operating system
The first thing you need to decide when choosing a computer is the operating system - PC or Mac. Essentially, they'll both do the same things. Most businesses and those who need everyday computing will prefer a PC (ie, a Dell, Compaq, Gateway, etc.); in fact, 95% of people use PCs. A Mac's strong points lie in graphics and education. So figure out what your needs are and then determine what would be best for you.

RAM
The RAM, or Random Access Memory, is where the memory is stored. It is recommended that you get as much RAM as you can afford because even single applications can use a great deal of RAM. If you will be loading a lot of programs onto your computer, the more RAM the better. Aim for at least 256 megabytes if you can afford it and you plan on using it for everyday computing.

Hard Drive
Your hard drive holds the operating system, applications, and different files. This is basically the physical storage space of your computer. How much you get depends on what you plan on doing with it. Keep in mind that as far as speed goes, RAM, is what you should get the most of. As far as hard drive size, for the average user who plans on doing just regular word processing, internet surfing, and every day applications, the minimum of 40 is usually enough.

However, if you do a lot of video or audio editing or will be taking up a lot of disk space, you will need a higher-performance hard drive that holds 80 or 120 GB. You can even get a second hard drive.

Warranty
It's always a good idea to get an extended warranty for your computer. However, keep in mind that in some cases, you will have to send in your computer in order for them to fix it, and in many cases the shipping alone could cost more than it would to take it to a local shop and have it repaired.

Price
You can get a desktop computer for as little as $400 and as much as thousands. Determine your budget, and from there decide what you can get. For basic computing, such as surfing the internet and using Word, a lower-end model will be probably be sufficient for your needs. But if you plan on downloading and storing a lot of music or video files, gaming, or doing graphics, you should expect to spend closer to $1,000 to get the most out of your machine for your needs.

Choosing the right desktop computer is important, as it is a big investment. By figuring out what you will use your computer for, and then doing your homework, you'll be able to choose the right desktop for your needs.