{"id":47,"date":"2006-03-23T12:30:46","date_gmt":"2006-03-23T12:30:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.garfnet.org.uk\/cms\/what-computer-should-i-buy\/"},"modified":"2024-12-06T03:05:54","modified_gmt":"2024-12-06T03:05:54","slug":"what-computer-should-i-buy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/garfnet.org.uk\/cms\/2006\/03\/23\/what-computer-should-i-buy\/","title":{"rendered":"What computer should I buy?"},"content":{"rendered":"<blockquote><p><em><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>Editor&#8217;s note: this was written back in 2006, and it is hopelessly out-of-date.<\/strong><\/span><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><strong>Trouble is that today one is spoilt for choice, manufacturers claims are often difficult to understand or substantiate and prices are tumbling so quickly that no sooner than you take your PC home, you see the same model, with more extras, selling for twenty quid less than you just paid for yours! <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>For most users, there are two basic choices: a &#8220;desktop&#8221; or a &#8220;laptop&#8221; PC. Laptops are smaller, more portable and more convenient for people on the move. The downside is that you pay roughly half as much again as you would pay for a desktop for any given specification.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Note: This article considers only IBM-compatible PC&#8217;s running either Linux (or M$ Windows if you must!) Apple Macintosh is out the scope of this article.<\/li>\n<li>Also this is a very generic overview. Some folks have greater needs than others and this should be considered just a <strong>general<\/strong> guide.<\/li>\n<li>Linux is now a very real alternative to M$ Windows for many users. Ubuntu Linux in particular now provides a stable user-friendly computing environment. It is also free! Best of all, it requires much less computing resources than Windows Vista. This means it will run effectively on much cheaper machines. In fact we just bought several IBM Lenovo Laptops for just \u00a3300.00 each and replaced the slug-like Microsoft Vista with Kubuntu. They have proven to be excellent!<\/li>\n<li>Ubuntu &amp; Debian Linux will run quite happily on 500MB of RAM. So will Windows XP. However, Windows Vista is <strong>much<\/strong> more resource-hungry and 1GB should be considered an absolute minimum.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Desktop PC\u2026<\/h2>\n<p>For those who are considering the purchase of a new desktop computer and who want good value for money, we believe the following draft specification offers plenty of bangs per buck!<\/p>\n<table cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"2\" border=\"1\" class=\"mtr-table mtr-tr-th\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"17%\" data-mtr-content=\"Component\" class=\"mtr-th-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\"><strong>Component<\/strong><\/div><\/th>\n<th style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"59%\" valign=\"top\" data-mtr-content=\"Specification\" class=\"mtr-th-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\"><strong>Specification<\/strong><\/div><\/th>\n<th style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"25%\" valign=\"top\" data-mtr-content=\"Approximate Cost*\" class=\"mtr-th-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\"><strong>Approximate Cost*<\/strong><\/div><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"17%\" data-mtr-content=\"Component\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\"><em><strong>Processor<\/strong><\/em><\/div><\/td>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"59%\" data-mtr-content=\"Specification\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\">Intel Pentium (or AMD equivalent) 2400 MHz or better.<\/div><\/td>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"25%\" data-mtr-content=\"Approximate Cost*\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\">\u00a0<\/div><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"17%\" data-mtr-content=\"Component\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\"><em><strong>RAM<\/strong><\/em><\/div><\/td>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"59%\" data-mtr-content=\"Specification\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\">At least 512MB (Linux or Windows XP) 1024 MB (Windows Vista).<\/div><\/td>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"25%\" data-mtr-content=\"Approximate Cost*\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\">\u00a0<\/div><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"17%\" data-mtr-content=\"Component\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\"><em><strong>Hard Disk<\/strong><\/em><\/div><\/td>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"59%\" data-mtr-content=\"Specification\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\">80 gigabyte or greater.<\/div><\/td>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"25%\" data-mtr-content=\"Approximate Cost*\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\">\u00a0<\/div><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"17%\" data-mtr-content=\"Component\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\"><em><strong>Floppy disk<\/strong><\/em><\/div><\/td>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"59%\" data-mtr-content=\"Specification\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\">Standard 3.5\u2033( 90mm). (Many regard the standard floppy disk as too small to be any use. However they usually only add a few quid to the price of a PC and are probably still worth fitting.)<\/div><\/td>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"25%\" data-mtr-content=\"Approximate Cost*\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\">\u00a0<\/div><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"17%\" data-mtr-content=\"Component\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\"><em><strong>CD ROM<\/strong><\/em><\/div><\/td>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"59%\" data-mtr-content=\"Specification\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\">If cost is an issue then buy a DVD compatible \u201ccombo\u201d type that reads &amp; writes CD\u2019s and reads DVD\u2019s. Better, buy a DVD rewriter. This will read and write both CD &amp; DVD. If you specify a DVD rewriter make sure it writes all \u201c+R\u201d, \u201c-R\u201d &amp; \u201cDL\u201d type DVD\u2019s.<\/div><\/td>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"25%\" data-mtr-content=\"Approximate Cost*\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\">\u00a0<\/div><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"17%\" data-mtr-content=\"Component\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\"><em><strong>Keyboard<\/strong><\/em><\/div><\/td>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"59%\" data-mtr-content=\"Specification\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\">\u201cWin 95\u2033 type with special \u2018Windows\u201d key. Linux users may prefer an electronically identical but visually slightly different keyboard featuring a \u201cpenguin\u201d key instead of a \u201cWindows\u201d key.<\/div><\/td>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"25%\" data-mtr-content=\"Approximate Cost*\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\">\u00a0<\/div><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"17%\" data-mtr-content=\"Component\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\"><em><strong>Mouse<\/strong><\/em><\/div><\/td>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"59%\" data-mtr-content=\"Specification\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\">Choose one that you find comfortable.<\/div><\/td>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"25%\" data-mtr-content=\"Approximate Cost*\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\">\u00a0<\/div><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"17%\" data-mtr-content=\"Component\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\"><em><strong>Monitor<\/strong><\/em><\/div><\/td>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"59%\" data-mtr-content=\"Specification\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\">17\u2033 XGA or better (0.26mm dot pitch) 1024\u00d7768 pixels resolution or better.<\/div><\/td>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"25%\" data-mtr-content=\"Approximate Cost*\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\">\u00a0<\/div><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"17%\" data-mtr-content=\"Component\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\"><em><strong>Sound Card<\/strong><\/em><\/div><\/td>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"59%\" data-mtr-content=\"Specification\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\">16 bit SoundBlaster compatible.<\/div><\/td>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"25%\" data-mtr-content=\"Approximate Cost*\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\">\u00a0<\/div><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"17%\" data-mtr-content=\"Component\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\"><em><strong>Speakers<\/strong><\/em><\/div><\/td>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"59%\" data-mtr-content=\"Specification\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\">Mains powered speakers.<\/div><\/td>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"25%\" data-mtr-content=\"Approximate Cost*\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\">\u00a0<\/div><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"17%\" data-mtr-content=\"Component\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\"><em><strong>Case<\/strong><\/em><\/div><\/td>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"59%\" data-mtr-content=\"Specification\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\">Tower case leaving 5.25\u2033 &amp; one spare 3.5\u2033 slot.<\/div><\/td>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"25%\" data-mtr-content=\"Approximate Cost*\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\">\u00a0<\/div><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"17%\" data-mtr-content=\"Component\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\"><em><strong>Operating system<\/strong><\/em><\/div><\/td>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"59%\" data-mtr-content=\"Specification\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\">If you want to use Windows, then at the moment you will probably want to use Windows XP Professional instead of\u00a0 Windows Vista. Vista is very resource hungry and quite buggy. You should also ask if the PC you want to buy is capable of running Linux instead? Most modern computers are. If you don\u2019t want Windows then ask the supplier if he will supply it without Windows and reduce the price accordingly.\n<p>Ubuntu Linux and most of the software that runs on it is FREE! Using Linux instead of M$Windows and OpenOffice.org instead of M$ Office could save you a lot of money.<\/p><\/div><\/td>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"25%\" data-mtr-content=\"Approximate Cost*\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\">\u00a0<\/div><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"17%\" data-mtr-content=\"Component\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\"><em><strong>Network Card<\/strong><\/em><\/div><\/td>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"59%\" data-mtr-content=\"Specification\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\">PCI auto-switching 10\/100 megabits per second with RJ45 connection.<\/div><\/td>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"25%\" data-mtr-content=\"Approximate Cost*\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\">\u00a0<\/div><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"17%\" data-mtr-content=\"Component\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\"><em><strong>Modem<\/strong><\/em><\/div><\/td>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"59%\" data-mtr-content=\"Specification\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\">56k BPS internal fax modem \u2013 unless your PC will get internet access via a local area network or a broadband router. If you need more information about configuring a home or office broadband solution are welcome to attend one of our <a title=\"DEOSS Moodle broadband course\" href=\"http:\/\/www.deoss.org\/moodle\/course\/view.php?id=8\">Setting up Broadband<\/a> courses.<\/div><\/td>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"25%\" data-mtr-content=\"Approximate Cost*\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\">\u00a0<\/div><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"17%\" data-mtr-content=\"Component\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\"><em><strong>USB<\/strong><\/em><\/div><\/td>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"59%\" data-mtr-content=\"Specification\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\">At least two USB version 2 sockets.<\/div><\/td>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"25%\" data-mtr-content=\"Approximate Cost*\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\">\u00a0<\/div><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"17%\" data-mtr-content=\"Component\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\"><em><strong>FireWire<\/strong><\/em><\/div><\/td>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"59%\" data-mtr-content=\"Specification\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\">If you intend doing any digital video work, then a FireWire card is almost essential.<\/div><\/td>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"25%\" data-mtr-content=\"Approximate Cost*\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\">\u00a0<\/div><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"17%\" data-mtr-content=\"Component\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\">\u00a0<\/div><\/td>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"59%\" data-mtr-content=\"Specification\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\">All the above\u2026<\/div><\/td>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"25%\" data-mtr-content=\"Approximate Cost*\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\">\u00a3350.00<\/div><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2>Laptop PC\u2026<\/h2>\n<p>Laptops have many &#8220;lifestyle&#8221; advantages over their bigger desktop cousins. But remember you are paying roughly half as much again as a desktop PC for a similar specification. You pay for the compactness. You can of course save money by lowering your specification. However this can prove to be a false economy. For a laptop to be as useful as a desktop, it needs to be as well specified.<\/p>\n<table cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"2\" border=\"1\" class=\"mtr-table mtr-tr-th\">\n<tbody>\n<tr valign=\"top\" align=\"left\">\n<th style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"17%\" data-mtr-content=\"Component\" class=\"mtr-th-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\"><strong>Component<\/strong><\/div><\/th>\n<th style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"59%\" valign=\"top\" data-mtr-content=\"Specification\" class=\"mtr-th-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\"><strong>Specification<\/strong><\/div><\/th>\n<th style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"25%\" valign=\"top\" data-mtr-content=\"Approximate Cost*\" class=\"mtr-th-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\"><strong>Approximate Cost*<\/strong><\/div><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr valign=\"top\" align=\"left\">\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"17%\" data-mtr-content=\"Component\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\"><em><strong>Processor<\/strong><\/em><\/div><\/td>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"59%\" data-mtr-content=\"Specification\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\">Intel Pentium or AMD equivalent 1000 MHz or better.<\/div><\/td>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"25%\" data-mtr-content=\"Approximate Cost*\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\">\u00a0<\/div><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr valign=\"top\" align=\"left\">\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"17%\" data-mtr-content=\"Component\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\"><em><strong>RAM<\/strong><\/em><\/div><\/td>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"59%\" data-mtr-content=\"Specification\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\">At least 512MB (Linux or Windows XP) 1024 MB (Windows Vista).<\/div><\/td>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"25%\" data-mtr-content=\"Approximate Cost*\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\">\u00a0<\/div><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr valign=\"top\" align=\"left\">\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"17%\" data-mtr-content=\"Component\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\"><em><strong>Hard Disk<\/strong><\/em><\/div><\/td>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"59%\" data-mtr-content=\"Specification\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\">60 gigabyte or greater.<\/div><\/td>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"25%\" data-mtr-content=\"Approximate Cost*\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\">\u00a0<\/div><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr valign=\"top\" align=\"left\">\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"17%\" data-mtr-content=\"Component\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\"><em><strong>CD ROM<\/strong><\/em><\/div><\/td>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"59%\" data-mtr-content=\"Specification\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\">If cost is an issue then buy a DVD compatible \u2018combo\u2019 type that reads &amp; writes CD\u2019s and reads DVD\u2019s. Better, buy a DVD rewriter. This will read and write both CD &amp; DVD. If you specify a DVD rewriter make sure it writes all \u201c+R\u201d, \u201c-R\u201d &amp; \u201cDL\u201d type DVD\u2019s.<\/div><\/td>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"25%\" data-mtr-content=\"Approximate Cost*\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\">\u00a0<\/div><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr valign=\"top\" align=\"left\">\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"17%\" data-mtr-content=\"Component\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\"><em><strong>Floppy disk<\/strong><\/em><\/div><\/td>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"59%\" data-mtr-content=\"Specification\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\">Standard 3.5\u2033( 90mm). (Many regard the standard floppy disk as too small to be any use. They also add considerably to the size of a laptop. Therefore only specify one if you <em>really<\/em> need it.)<\/div><\/td>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"25%\" data-mtr-content=\"Approximate Cost*\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\">\u00a0<\/div><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr valign=\"top\" align=\"left\">\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"17%\" data-mtr-content=\"Component\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\"><em><strong>Keyboard<\/strong><\/em><\/div><\/td>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"59%\" data-mtr-content=\"Specification\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\">You generally don\u2019t get much choice here!<\/div><\/td>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"25%\" data-mtr-content=\"Approximate Cost*\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\">\u00a0<\/div><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr valign=\"top\" align=\"left\">\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"17%\" data-mtr-content=\"Component\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\"><em><strong>Mouse<\/strong><\/em><\/div><\/td>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"59%\" data-mtr-content=\"Specification\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\">ALPS or Synaptics type touch mouse.<\/div><\/td>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"25%\" data-mtr-content=\"Approximate Cost*\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\">\u00a0<\/div><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr valign=\"top\" align=\"left\">\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"17%\" data-mtr-content=\"Component\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\"><em><strong>Monitor<\/strong><\/em><\/div><\/td>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"59%\" data-mtr-content=\"Specification\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\">14.1\u2033 XGA or better<br>\n1024\u00d7768 pixels or better.<\/div><\/td>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"25%\" data-mtr-content=\"Approximate Cost*\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\">\u00a0<\/div><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr valign=\"top\" align=\"left\">\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"17%\" data-mtr-content=\"Component\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\"><em><strong>Sound Card<\/strong><\/em><\/div><\/td>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"59%\" data-mtr-content=\"Specification\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\">16 bit SB compatible.<\/div><\/td>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"25%\" data-mtr-content=\"Approximate Cost*\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\">\u00a0<\/div><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr valign=\"top\" align=\"left\">\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"17%\" data-mtr-content=\"Component\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\"><em><strong>Speakers<\/strong><\/em><\/div><\/td>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"59%\" data-mtr-content=\"Specification\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\">Built-in.<\/div><\/td>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"25%\" data-mtr-content=\"Approximate Cost*\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\">\u00a0<\/div><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr valign=\"top\" align=\"left\">\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"17%\" data-mtr-content=\"Component\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\"><em><strong>Case<\/strong><\/em><\/div><\/td>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"59%\" data-mtr-content=\"Specification\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\">Should be as robust as possible. Look for flimsy things that might snap off!<\/div><\/td>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"25%\" data-mtr-content=\"Approximate Cost*\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\">\u00a0<\/div><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr valign=\"top\" align=\"left\">\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"17%\" data-mtr-content=\"Component\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\"><em><strong>Operating system<\/strong><\/em><\/div><\/td>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"59%\" data-mtr-content=\"Specification\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\">If you want to use Windows, then at the moment you will probably want to use Windows XP Professional instead of\u00a0 Windows Vista. Vista is very resource hungry and quite buggy. You should also ask if ithe laptop you want to buy is capable of running Linux instead? Most modern laptops will run Linux very well \u2013 though there are sometimes issues with built-in wireless network cards and modems.\n<p>Ubuntu Linux and most of the software that runs on it is FREE! Using Linux instead of M$Windows and OpenOffice.org instead of M$ Office could save you a lot of money. If you don\u2019t want Windows then ask the supplier if he will supply it without Windows and reduce the price accordingly.<\/p><\/div><\/td>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"25%\" data-mtr-content=\"Approximate Cost*\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\">\u00a0<\/div><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr valign=\"top\" align=\"left\">\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"17%\" data-mtr-content=\"Component\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\"><em><strong>Network Card<\/strong><\/em><\/div><\/td>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"59%\" data-mtr-content=\"Specification\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\">Built-in auto-switching 10\/100 megabits per second with RJ45 type connection.<\/div><\/td>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"25%\" data-mtr-content=\"Approximate Cost*\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\">\u00a0<\/div><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr valign=\"top\" align=\"left\">\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"17%\" data-mtr-content=\"Component\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\"><em><strong>Modem<\/strong><\/em><\/div><\/td>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"59%\" data-mtr-content=\"Specification\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\">Built-in 56k BPS fax modem.<\/div><\/td>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"25%\" data-mtr-content=\"Approximate Cost*\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\">\u00a0<\/div><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr valign=\"top\" align=\"left\">\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"17%\" data-mtr-content=\"Component\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\"><em><strong>Wireless Networking<\/strong><\/em><\/div><\/td>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"59%\" data-mtr-content=\"Specification\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\">Should be to IEEE 802.11G standard \u2013 permitting data transfer at 54 megabits per second. More information about wireless networking can be found at my <a title=\"Setting up broadband DEOSS Moodle course\" href=\"http:\/\/www.deoss.org\/moodle\/course\/view.php?id=8.htm\">Setting up Broadband<\/a> Moodle courses.<\/div><\/td>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"25%\" data-mtr-content=\"Approximate Cost*\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\">\u00a0<\/div><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr valign=\"top\" align=\"left\">\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"17%\" data-mtr-content=\"Component\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\"><em><strong>USB<\/strong><\/em><\/div><\/td>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"59%\" data-mtr-content=\"Specification\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\">At least two USB version 2 sockets.<\/div><\/td>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"25%\" data-mtr-content=\"Approximate Cost*\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\">\u00a0<\/div><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr valign=\"top\" align=\"left\">\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"17%\" data-mtr-content=\"Component\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\"><em><strong>Firewire (IEEE1394)<\/strong><\/em><\/div><\/td>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"59%\" data-mtr-content=\"Specification\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\">If you intend doing any digital video work then a FireWire socket or a mini-DV is almost essential<\/div><\/td>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"25%\" data-mtr-content=\"Approximate Cost*\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\">\u00a0<\/div><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr valign=\"top\" align=\"left\">\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"17%\" data-mtr-content=\"Component\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\"><em><strong>PCMCIA or CardBus slots<\/strong><\/em><\/div><\/td>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"59%\" data-mtr-content=\"Specification\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\">These are not as significant as they once were. However you generally need one CardBus slot for camera card adaptors.<\/div><\/td>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"25%\" data-mtr-content=\"Approximate Cost*\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\">\u00a0<\/div><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr valign=\"top\" align=\"left\">\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"17%\" data-mtr-content=\"Component\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\">\u00a0<\/div><\/td>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"59%\" data-mtr-content=\"Specification\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\">All the above\u2026<\/div><\/td>\n<td style=\"border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" width=\"25%\" data-mtr-content=\"Approximate Cost*\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\">\u00a3500.00<\/div><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>In addition you <strong>must<\/strong> have some sort of back-up device. These are the devices we are currently using&#8230;<\/p>\n<table cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"2\" border=\"1\" class=\"mtr-table mtr-tr-th\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"width: 17%; border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" valign=\"top\" align=\"left\" data-mtr-content=\"Component\" class=\"mtr-th-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\"><strong>Component<\/strong><\/div><\/th>\n<th style=\"width: 59%; border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" valign=\"top\" align=\"left\" data-mtr-content=\"Specification\" class=\"mtr-th-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\"><strong>Specification<\/strong><\/div><\/th>\n<th style=\"width: 25%; border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" valign=\"top\" align=\"left\" data-mtr-content=\"Approximate Cost*\" class=\"mtr-th-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\"><strong>Approximate Cost*<\/strong><\/div><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 17%; border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" valign=\"top\" align=\"left\" data-mtr-content=\"Component\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\"><strong><em>External USB hard drive<\/em><\/strong><\/div><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 17%; border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" valign=\"top\" align=\"left\" data-mtr-content=\"Specification\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\">Capacity depends on your data requirement although for most users, 110GiB is more than adequate. These should connect either via USB2 or FireWire \u2013 if your computer has FireWire. The old USB 1.1 standard is generally considered too slow for backing up large datasets. Many of the principles of removable hard drives are documented in archived an article entitled \u201c<a href=\"http:\/\/www.wessex.org.uk\/dental\/articles\/2001\/twodisks.htm\">Tale of Two Hard Disks<\/a>\u201c.<\/div><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 17%; border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" valign=\"top\" align=\"left\" data-mtr-content=\"Approximate Cost*\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\">\u00a3100<\/div><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 17%; border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" valign=\"top\" align=\"left\" data-mtr-content=\"Component\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\"><strong><em>CD or DVD Rewriter<\/em> <\/strong><\/div><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 17%; border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" valign=\"top\" align=\"left\" data-mtr-content=\"Specification\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\">External USB CD or DVD rewriter (only needed if your PC doesn\u2019t already have one built in)<\/div><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 17%; border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" valign=\"top\" align=\"left\" data-mtr-content=\"Approximate Cost*\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\">\u00a370.00<\/div><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 17%; border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" valign=\"top\" align=\"left\" data-mtr-content=\"Component\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\"><strong><em>Solid state memory<\/em><\/strong><\/div><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 17%; border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" valign=\"top\" align=\"left\" data-mtr-content=\"Specification\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\">Consider something between 4 &amp; 32 GiB \u2013 this comes in many forms (and price ranges) including the \u2018CompactFlash\u2019 and SmartMedia chips used in digital cameras. This requires a card reader connected to your PC. Alternatively tiny chips that look like a door key with a USB plug on the end are widely available from most PC stores.<\/div><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 17%; border-style: solid; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;\" valign=\"top\" align=\"left\" data-mtr-content=\"Approximate Cost*\" class=\"mtr-td-tag\"><div class=\"mtr-cell-content\">\u00a310.00-\u00a3300.00<\/div><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h3>Confirm with your hardware supplier that everything you buy is&#8230;<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Fully bench tested.<\/li>\n<li>Millennium Compliant (not as important as it once was &#8211; but still worth checking).<\/li>\n<li>Windows 7 compatible &#8211; if you are planning to run Windows<\/li>\n<li>Linux compatible &#8211; this may be increasingly important as more people switch to Linux<\/li>\n<li>Supplied with all disks and documentation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>Note&#8230;<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Prices are approximate, are subject to sudden change and exclude VAT.<\/li>\n<li>This is <strong>only a guide<\/strong> and you would be well advised to spend a little time researching the matter in order to make a more informed choice.<\/li>\n<li>Generally Linux requires much less resources than Windows. Vista in particular is a dreadful resource hog.<\/li>\n<li>This whole article is probably out of date already!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>I can&#8217;t actually comment much further on Windows because I gave up using it back in 2007. However, for more information regarding Linux compatibility you might find the following sites helpful:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Linux on laptops:-<br \/>\n<a title=\"Linux on Laptops site\" href=\"http:\/\/www.linux-on-laptops.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">http:\/\/www.linux-on-laptops.com<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Linux compatibility database:-<br \/>\n<a title=\"Linux compatibility database\" href=\"http:\/\/www.linuxcompatible.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">http:\/\/www.linuxcompatible.org\/<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Editor&#8217;s note: this was written back in 2006, and it is hopelessly out-of-date. Trouble is that today one is spoilt for choice, manufacturers claims are often difficult to understand or substantiate and prices are tumbling so quickly that no sooner than you take your PC home, you see the same model, with more extras, selling&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":25758,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"_kad_post_transparent":"default","_kad_post_title":"default","_kad_post_layout":"default","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"default","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"default","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[12,6,691,18,692],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-47","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-faq","category-journal","category-linux","category-technology","category-windows"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>What computer should I buy? - GarfNet<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/garfnet.org.uk\/cms\/2006\/03\/23\/what-computer-should-i-buy\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"What computer should I buy? - GarfNet\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Editor&#8217;s note: this was written back in 2006, and it is hopelessly out-of-date. 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