Buying a New Computer
OK, What do I buy?
Now that you're willing to pay for quality (I hope), let's look at what you should look for.
NOTE: These suggestions generally apply both for desktops and for laptops.
Specifications for computers change all the time. I'm going to try to be a general as possible here. My recommendations are in italics.
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo, I5 or I7: The processor is the brains of the outfit. That about says it all. I am a fan of Intel pocessors. AMD has hit a rough spot lately; they're cheaper, but Intel has been running away from AMD in terms of speed, power and efficiency. AMD has provided enough competition to keep Intel's prices down, though. Pay some attention to the speed of the processor, i.e. 1.6Ghz. This has gotten harder to compare to previous processor specs because the new processors run at slower speed, yet are more efficient, beating out Pentium 4 processors at higher speeds. This spec is now less important than other components in the system. Another issue is how much L2 Cache is onboard. Buy as much as you can. Buy what you can afford.
Memory (RAM): 2 Gb (Gigabytes) minimum (for Vista): Memory is where the computer handles the activities that are currently going on. Programs that are open and running are loaded into memory. The more memory you have, the more efficiently your programs will work. For Vista and Windows 7, you will want at least 2 Gb. If you will be using XP, you need at least 1 Gb. Buy as much as you can afford.
Hard Drive: Buy what you can afford. Hard Drives are relatively cheap today. There's not much more to say. Laptops tend to have lower capacity drives than desktops. Laptop drives are also usually slower (5400 RPM) as opposed to desktops (7200 or 10000 RPM). This has a huge bearing on performance, if you are going to demand more from the laptop, like video, pictures audio processing or gaming. With most desktops, you can also add a hard drive later for more capacity. Or you can add an external drive. These are great for backups, or for getting large blocks of data, like photos, off your computer for storage. Buy what you can afford.
Optical Drive (CD or DVD): DVDRW: CD or DVD burners are also cheap today. These will write to CD or DVD discs, and are another good way to get files off your machine for safekeeping. CDs hold 700Mb of data, while DVDs hold 4.7 Gb (single layer) or 8.5 Gb (dual layer). This means that 1 single layer DVD will hold just a little over 6 CDs worth of data. A DVD burner will also burn CDs. You will also need to read DVDs, since newer, larger programs, like Office 2007 and even Windows Vista come on DVDs. DVDRW
Monitor: LCD (19" or greater): There's no question in my mind that by today's standards, a large LCD monitor is the way to go, if not two of them. LCDs take up less space on the desk, they put out less heat, and there's no flicker. If a computer you're thinking about buying doesn't come with an LCD monitor included in the package, I'd look elsewhere. LCD (19" or greater)
Video Card: NVIDIA or ATI seperate (discrete) video card: I prefer to stay away from any video card that states that it is integrated or where the System Memory (RAM) is shared. Shared memory means that part of the System Memory is allotted to processing video, and of the 2Gb of RAM you bought, only 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 of it is being used for system memory. Better to have a seperate card and let the memory on the card do its own processing.
This decision comes down to whether you think you may work with photos, video, or anything else that might place more of a demand on your system than checking email. If you decide to delve into deeper things with your computer in the future, and if you save money in the short term, you'll be miserable. NVIDIA or ATI not shared
Sound Card: Anything you want: It used to be that onboard sound was garbage, and if you wanted any decent sound at all, you had to have a seperate sound card. This is no longer the case. Unless you are an audiophile, or a serious gamer, I'm OK with onboard sound.
Mouse: Optical (laser): I've cleaned my last mouse ball... Have you used a mouse that started acting erratically; the cursor jumps around, or it doesn't move responsively at all? Most likely, it was an older mouse with a ball, and the ball got dirty. Get a laser (optical) mouse, and you'll never have that problem again. I also use a cordless mouse, so I never have to fight the cord anymore. Optical (laser)
Networking / Modem: Ethernet (NIC) card, modem if needed: You need a way to connect with the outside world. If you don't plan on using dial-up, don't buy a modem. But do make sure that a new machine has a Network Interface Card (NIC). This is the jack that looks like an overgrown phone jack. You may not need it now, but you will later. Most computers will have this jack built in, not on a seperate card. That's fine. Ethernet (NIC) card, modem if needed
Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS): This thing has saved me many times. This is a battery backup that your computer is plugged into. When power goes out, or even fluctuates, the battery kicks in, keeping the computer on so you can gracefully shut it down. Worth every penny. Get one. Popular brands are APC and Belkin. Note that this is NOT a surge protector, like a power strip. You need the battery to allow you to shut down normally.
Insurance: If you get a laptop, they are more susceptible to damage from carrying, opening and closing the monitor and dropping. Weigh the cost of insurance against how clumsy you sometimes are.