What to look for in a PC

The core question is always "what do you want to be able to do?"  A simple enough question, one would think, but from that quesiton stems many decisions.  So, it is helpful to have an understanding of the primary elements of a PC in order to decipher the sales and tech jargon in a computer specification.

ProcessorThis is the brain of a PC.  Also known as a CPU, it is a little piece of silicon within the computer which performs all of the calculations, logical decisions and operations which result in, for example, Excel doing your accounts for you.  The speed of a processor is measured in gigahertz (GHz), meaning billions of hertz.  When a sales drone makes reference to a "1.8 gig CPU", he is referring to the speed at the heart of the machine.  Obviously, a bigger number means a faster processor.  So far so good.  

There is, however, a complication.  A processor can only do one thing at a time.  Even if it is lightening fast, if a computer is attempting to run several applications at once, e.g. Outlook, Word, and anti-virus program and Internet Explorer, it can result in hold ups as the processor attempts to switch from one to another application repeatedly and applications queue for processor time.

To combat this, the good people at Intel and AMD (the two main processor manufacturers) brought out "dual core" chips.  This means that there are two processors on one piece of silicon, which means that it can now do two things at once, which can result in greater efficiencies.  Most modern processors now have multiple processing cores: and the rule of thumb is that more is better.

RAMRAM is akin to a PC's short term memory.  Information is moved from permanent storage into memory, whereupon it can be accessed and modified by the processor.  When the computer is finished with the information, it can be taken back out of memory and put back into storage.  It is simple to envisage RAM as a series of many tiny addressed pigeon-holes, into which a small amount of data can be put or removed.  

RAM has two main characteristics: speed and size.  Speed is measured in megahertz (MHz) but is actually irrelevant for most people.  It comes into play for high performance systems, like server machines or for the most demanding high end gaming.  For the purposes of the average community organisation, RAM speed can be ignored.

The size of RAM is an important consideration.  Often people will ask the question: "how much RAM have you got?"  It is relevant because the more memory a system has, the less it needs to go rooting about in its hard drive, which is by far the slowest part of the machine, even for performance hard disks.  Memory size is measured in bytes.  A byte is a string of 8 ones and zeros, which translates to a single letter.  Kilobytes, a thousand bytes, were used for years to describe the size of RAM, but modern memory modules are measured in mega (a million) or even gigabytes (billions of bytes).  RAM is the single biggest factor to consider, as many modern applications demand lots of memory.  In order to run all your favourite applications at once, together with a heavyweight operating system like Windows, the more memory in a system, the better.  
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Hard DriveA hard drive, otherwise known as a hard disk, is the method of permanent data storage in a computer.  It is a thin spinning circular platter, mounted with a moveable arm a miniscule distance from its surface which contains a sensor which can read from or write to the disc.  There are several types of hard drives, the uses and different characteristics beyond the scope of this article.  Suffice to say that when purchasing a PC for a community and voluntary organisation's day to day operation, whatever standard type of hard disc comes with a PC will be perfectly serviceable!

 Like RAM, hard disks are described by speed and size.  The speed is how fast the disc spins, e.g. 7200RPM.  Again, like RAM, the speed of the hard drive is only a factor for high end high performance systems.  The size of a hard disc is also measured in gigabytes.  Modern hard drives have an astonishing capacity: gone are the days when a 40GB hard drive was considered large.  In fact, most people will never use more than a fraction of their disc space, unless they use it for music and video, both of which gobble disc space.  

In conclusion, hard discs are big enough and fast enough that one need not worry about them when purchasing for use in a community organisation.
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Operating System The operating system is the software environment in which applications, like Excel for example, operate.  The operating system is the ambassador who negotiates and translates between the hardware and the software.  Operating systems come in three main flavours.

Windows.Windows is the undisputed market dominant in the desktop PC market.   As of this writing, the current incarnation of Windows is Vista, which itself comes in various modes, tailored to the needs of the user, e.g. for home use, business use, media centre use.  Other, older, versions of Windows which are in use include Widows XP and Windows 2000.  

So when choosing a flavour of Windows, consider its age.  There is a trade off to be made between having a system which is proven to be reliable and having a system which is very out of date.  Vista was released in the early part of 2007.  As with all new releases, it will have had its quirks and bugs, which need to be fixed and patched.  At a year old, the main problems and unforeseen holes will have been dealt with, but work will continue during the lifespan of the product to improve and maintain it.  Windows 2000 is a reliable operating system and proved very popular, but is now eight years old, which is a long time in technology.  Also, Microsoft have no longer been producing it since 2005.  Microsoft are continuing to support XP, its successor until 2009.  

The other consideration when choosing an operating system is the demands of the OS on the computer.  Check the recommended hardware specifications from Microsoft.  And never settle for the minimum specifications listed: you want your computer to run, not limp along.  If your computer has any difficulty running the operating system, it will have lots more difficulty when it tries to also run applications.

Linux.Linux is free software.  The code behind Linux is open and available for anyone to use or adapt, which opens up a range of possibilities for software development within a community of programmers.  It is very popular amongst techies, but has yet to really catch on with mainstream computer users as it has a reputation for being difficult to use.  However, this is changing.  Ubuntu Linux is marketed as "Linux for human beings" and looks for all the world like Windows.  It also ships with a host of included free software applications covering a plethora of needs and a built in ability to find and install required software from the Internet as needed.

Mac.Macs are computers built by Apple Inc.  Strictly speaking, they are not even PCs… they are Macs, but since Apple started putting Intel processors into their computers, just like PCs, the lines have become more blurred.  And the latest Mac operating system is based upon Unix, the precursor to Linux, which blurs it even more!  Macs are sleek, trendy and if the hype is to be believed, they are much easier to use than PCs.  Macs are the machines of choice for those involved in print, video and audio pursuits.  The Mac faithful believe that everyone should use Macs and can't understand why one might not wish to.  
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Video CardThe video card is the piece of hardware which provides video signal to the monitor.  Most computers will come with integrated video built into the motherboard, which suits the needs of the average office situation.  However, your needs may be greater if you work with graphics or design.  Dedicated graphics cards can be very impressive, but are wasted unless they are used for demanding applications.

However, with the advent of Vista, more emphasis has been put on the look of the operating system, resulting in a demand for substantial graphics capability, the like of which was previously the domain of games machines!

Lastly, there is the question of multiple monitors.  Some people find multiple monitors to be a necessity for their work.  Many video cards will include two monitor outputs, the second monitor acting as an extension to the desktop.  This means that, for example, you can have your email program open on one screen, and the letter you are drafting on the other.  

ConnectivityLANDo you need to connect to a network, or get broadband?  If so, you need a network card.  Fortunately, they tend to come integrated as standard into the motherboard.

WLANDo you need to connect to a wireless network?  Wireless connectivity tends to be standard in laptops, but a desktop PC may require additional hardware.  Fortunately, "wireless dongles" are available which simply plug into a USB port.

BluetoothBluetooth is a short range radio technology, which allows the wireless connection of portable handheld devices, e.g. phones, cameras.  This facilitates the transfer of audio and video or the synchronisation of documents and calendar items.

ModemThis allows connection to the Internet via standard phone lines.   

USBUSB is the now ubiquitous, standard method of connecting your PC to peripheral devices.  It is fast and easy to connect and disconnect, the computer handling the connection and disconnection seamlessly.  It is important to make sure that any new machine has an adequate supply of USB ports for present and future needs.

PortabilityWill the machine be static or moved about the place?  Do you need to carry it with you?  Laptops are very trendy, but pound for pound, a desktop will always outperform a laptop.  Laptops must sacrifice performance for portability, so you need a more powerful laptop to get the same performance as a less powerful desktop.  Desktop PCs are also cheaper as they use standard parts and are easier to build.