[tips]Picking a computer at a good price

What's the guide going to be about?
In here I'll show you a few things to look for in a decent computer and how to get the best price.

PART A: What do you need?

Before you set out to buy a new computer, you're going to want to ask yourself what exactly you plan on using it for. Here are a few examples of common uses for a computer, and a generic overview of what you'll need. I'll cover the whole bit later on in the guide in more detail:
-Emails and basic surfing (go with a basic PC, they're cheap and you get what you pay for)
-Heavy browsing [large sites, flash, streaming, downloading] (same thing, go with a basic PC, but this will need a good internet connection, probably the minimum would be around 1.5mb/s download and 350kb/s upload)
-Graphic, movie, picture editing [media stuff] (I would go with a Mac; their support for graphics is great, and some of the software designed for Macs for editing is phenomenal)
-Gaming (go with a PC since it's more compatible with games, but step it up to a high class PC, you might want to consider making your own)

PART B: Decided? Alright now let's look at the hardware and software *fun!*
In this section I'll show you general specifications to what you'll need and what you would normally pay for.
Basic browsing:
Processor:
-Intel Celeron M, D, or normal, 1.4GHz+
-Intel Pentium 4, 1.2GHz+
-AMD Athlon/Sempron 1.4GHz+
Operating System:
-Windows Vista Home Basic/Premium
-Windows XP Media Center Edition (2005/64)
-Windows XP Home
Hard drive:
-40GB+
RAM:
-256MB+
Video Memory:
-64MB+
Laptop or desktop?
-Laptop
Cost:
-$500-$800 CAD
Heavy browsing:
Processor:
-Intel Pentium 4/HT Technology 2.4GHz+
-AMD Athlon/Sempron 2.6GHz+
Operating System:
-Windows Vista Home Premium
-Windows XP Media Center Edition (2005/64)
-Windows XP Home/Professional
Hard drive:
-80GB+
RAM:
-512MB-1GB+
Video Memory:
-64MB+
Laptop or desktop?
-Desktop
Cost:
-$500-$900 CAD
Media:
Processor:
-G5 2.8GHz+
-Intel Core 2 Duo 2.2GHz+
Operating System:
-Mac OS X
Hard drive:
-250GB+
RAM:
-1GB+
Video Memory:
-256MB+
Laptop or desktop?
-Desktop
Cost:
-1000$-1300$ CAD
Gaming
Processor:
-Intel Core 2 Duo 2.2GHz+
-Intel Core 2 Quad 1.8GHz+
-Intel Pentium D 3.0GHz+
-AMD Turion x2 2.4GHz+
Operating System:
-Windows Vista Home Premium/Ultimate
-Windows XP Media Center Edition (2005/64)
-Windows XP Professional
Hard drive:
-250GB+
RAM:
-1GB+
Video Memory:
-256MB+
Laptop or desktop?
-Desktop
Cost?
-$800-$1300 CAD

Tip:
Vista is horrible for anything. If you can, get Windows XP Media Center Edition, and if not that, then Windows XP Professional. Vista is still unstable and is good for nothing.

Tip2:
Building your own machine is always better; you can sometimes save up to half the price of a pre-built computer if you buy all your parts separate and build it on your own.

Tip3:
Brand new isn't always as good as refurbished; many machines may have only been used once or twice before being tossed out, and refurbished basically means that they've been put back into a "good as new" shape. I've always gone with refurbished PCs, and one of them still works after a solid 7 years.

 

really nice guide, i really like the different specs for he different uses. maybe add a little colour tho its a lil bland

 

wow very nice guide.. even though i bought my computer a long while ago and aint planning to buy a second one its a good choice of a topic for a guide so good job... 10/10!