Everything You Need to Know Before Buying a Computer

1. Everything You Need to Know Before Buying a Computer Common sense talk- money saving solutions Dr. Jan Pittman Vanderpool Email: vanderj@wlac.edu

2. PC (Windows) Versus Apple (MAC)

3. Desktop versus Laptop (Notebook)

4. Definitions-Desktop • Desktop computer-May consist of five or more components; • Main frame which houses the CPU, memory, permanent storage, DVD or CD drive, video adapter, sound adapter, Ethernet connector, keyboard, mouse, speakers and display • Non-portable configuration whose components may weigh more than twenty pounds • Review sites • http://reviews.cnet.com/desktop-computers/ • http://www.pcworld.com/products/computers/desktops.html

5. Definitions-Laptop (Notebook) • Personal computers designed for mobility in five broad categories as defined by size & weight; • Netbook/Subnotebook: <10.5" x <1.5" x <1.3" @ <3.5 lbs • Ultraportable: 9-11" x 8-10" x <1.5" @ 2.0-5 lbs. • Thin and light: 11-15" x <11" x 1-1.7" @ 5-7 lbs. • Desktop Replacement: >15" x >11" x >1.5" @ >7 lbs. • Luggables: >18” x >13” x >1.5” @ >12 lbs. • Review sites • http://reviews.cnet.com/laptops/ • http://www.notebookreview.com/

6. Definitions-CPU • CPU(Central processing unit)- This is the brains of the computer and its power is generally measured in clock speed (cpu cycles). Today’s CPU’s clock speeds will exceed 2 GHz on desktops and 1.6 GHz on laptops. • Caveat-Rated clock speeds are not linear measurements- a 3.0 GHz P4 is actually less powerful than a 2.0 GHz Core 2 Duo

7. Definitions- Memory • Memory (RAM)- non permanent storage measured in megabytes (MB) or preferably, gigabytes (GB). Desktops should have at least 2 GB of RAM while laptops may have 1 GB but should have 2 GB of RAM • Caveat- Windows XP can only recognize 3.28 GB of RAM. Anything more is wasted. Windows 7 (32 bit) can recognize 4 GB and Windows 7 (64 bit) can recognize 192 GB

8. Definitions-Storage • Permanent Storage (Hard drive) – Unlike RAM, data stored in permanent storage remains after the power is turned off. Storage, like RAM, is measured in gigabytes (GB). Desktops should have at a minimum 500 GB of storage while laptops may suffice with 250 GB • Caveat- If you plan to store pictures, videos or music, you should opt for as much storage as possible (terabyte plus)

9. Definitions-Display • Desktop display (monitor) – New systems should have an LCD flat panel display of at least 19” diagonal with a minimum resolution of 1280 x 1024. Higher is better. • Laptops display – Depending upon the size laptop the screen dimensions will vary from 7” to 19” (too heavy) Minimum resolution of 1280 x 1024 • Caveat- The video card must have its own fast processor and enough memory to support active screens

10. Definitions-Display • Screen size • The screen size is the measurement of the displayable area of the screen from the lower corner to the opposite upper corner of the display (7”-20” notebook, 15”-30”+ desktop) • Aspect ratio • The aspect ratio refers to the number of horizontal pixels to vertical pixels in a display. Traditional displays used a 4:3 aspect ratio. Most new widescreen monitors use either a 16:10 or 16:9 aspect ratio. • Native resolution • All LCD screens can actually display only a single given resolution referred to as the native resolution. This is the physical number of horizontal and vertical pixels that make up the LCD matrix of the display.. • Contrast ratio • Basically a higher contrast ratio will mean that the screen will tend to have deeper blacks and brighter whites. • Connectors • Most LCD panels have an analog and a digital connector on them. The analog connector is the VGA or DSUB-15. The common digital interface is the DVI connector. • Stands • Many people don't consider the stand when purchasing a monitor but it can make a huge difference. There are typically four different types of adjustment: height, tilt, swivel and pivot.

11. Operating System • Windows is the predominant operating system found on PCs • Windows XP-released October 30, 2001 and is currently the most widely installed PC operating system (est. >400 million worldwide) • Windows Vista-released January 30, 2007 and has been plagued by problems ever since its release • Windows 7- released October 22, 2009 purportedly to fix all past mistakes (installed on all new, major brand computers) • Mac OS X-current version code named Snow Leopard

12. Manufacturers • PCs are manufactured (assembled) by either 1st tier, 2nd tier or whitebox companies (53% of all systems sold) • 1st tier companies • HP www.hp.com • Dell www.dell.com • Toshiba www.toshiba.com • Lenovo www.lenovo.com • 2nd tier companies • Acer www.acer.com • Sony www.sony.com • Sharp www.sharp.com • Whitebox companies • Your local computer store • Caveat- Buyer beware; smaller stores may not be there when you need them but conversely, may be able to provide you with personalized service when you want it

13. iPad vs. Kindle From $489.00 - $829.00 From $259.00 - $489.00

14. Kindle-Fact Sheet

15. Kindle Fact Sheet cont.

16. iPadFact Sheet • Watch the iPad video • All of the built-in apps on iPad were designed from the ground up to take advantage of the large Multi-Touch screen and advanced capabilities of iPad. And they work in any orientation. So you can do things with these apps that you can’t do on any other device. • Safari • iPad is the best way to experience the web. View whole pages in portrait or landscape on the large Multi-Touch screen. And let your fingers do the surfing. Learn more • Mail • There’s nothing like the Mail app on iPad. With a split-screen view and expansive onscreen keyboard, it lets you see and touch your email in ways you never could before. Learn more • Photos • A vivid LED-backlit IPS display makes viewing photos on iPad extraordinary. Open albums with a tap. Flip through your pictures one by one. Or play a slideshow and share your photos. Learn more • Videos • The 9.7-inch high-resolution screen makes iPad perfect for watching HD movies, TV shows, podcasts, music videos, and more. Learn more

17. iPadFact Sheet cont. • Videos • The 9.7-inch high-resolution screen makes iPad perfect for watching HD movies, TV shows, podcasts, music videos, and more. Learn more • YouTube • With the YouTube app designed specifically for iPad, videos are even easier to find. And on the amazing iPad display, they’re more fun to watch. Especially in HD. Learn more • iPod • Reach out and touch your songs. View your album art full-size. iPad makes music look as good as it sounds. Learn more • iTunes • Millions of songs, thousands of movies and TV shows, and so much more. Browsing and buying are just a tap away. Learn more • App Store • You’ll find more than 150,000 apps on the App Store, and iPad can run almost all of them. Including everything from games to productivity apps. Learn more • iBooks • Reading is a joy on iPad. Text looks crisp and bright. Pages turn with a flick. And you can buy new books from the iBookstore. Just download the free iBooks app to get started.1Learn more

18. iPad fact Sheet cont. • Maps • See more of the world with iPad. Find locations easier than ever with street view, satellite view, or new terrain view — all using Google services. Learn more • Notes • With its large display and onscreen keyboard, iPad makes it easy to jot down quick notes and keep important information on hand. You can even email yourself reminders. Learn more • Calendar • Work, home, and everything in between. Your schedules are easy to read and easy to manage on iPad — even all at once. Learn more • Contacts • With Contacts on iPad, you can see much more than just names and numbers. And you can do more with them, too. Learn more • Home Screen • With just one press of the Home button, you have access to every app on your iPad. Learn more

19. iPad Fact Sheet cont. • Spotlight Search • No matter what you’re looking for, Spotlight Search can help you find it. Learn more • Accessibility • Universal access is built into iPad. So right out of the box, Apple makes it easy for people with disabilities to enjoy all that iPad has to offer. Learn more • iWork • The iWork productivity applications that you know and love on the Mac — Keynote, Pages, and Numbers — have been completely redesigned for iPad.2 So you can create great-looking presentations, documents, and spreadsheets. All using just your fingers. And while they’re easy to use, they’re also the most powerful productivity apps ever built for a mobile device. • Keynote • Create a presentation with custom graphic styles, elegantly designed themes, stunning animations and effects, and powerful new features designed just for iPad. Learn more • Pages • Pages has everything you need to put your words into beautiful documents. Including Apple-designed templates and easy-to-use formatting tools. Learn more • Numbers • Numbers includes over 250 easy-to-use functions, an intelligent keyboard, flexible tables, and eye-catching charts. So you can create compelling spreadsheets in just a few taps. Learn more

20. Network Appliance $100.00 Internet access device http://www.sylvaniacomputers.com/

21. Netbooks Typical configuration • Intel Atom N450(1.66GHz) • 10.1” WSVGA • 1GB Memory • 160GB HDD $199- $459

22. Notebooks Windows PC Notebooks Apple Notebooks $899 & up $299 & up

23. Notebooks-Configuration PC Apple 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo 2GB DDR3 SDRAM 250GB Hard Drive / SuperDrive DVD±RW/CD-RW 13.3in 1280 x 800 Display / NVIDIA • 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo • 2 GB DDR3 SDRAM • 300 GB Hard Drive • DVD+/-RW-CD-RW • 15 in 1280 x 1024 Display

24. Software • Productivity-Paid • Microsoft Office-2010 (generally does not come included with the computer, just a 60 day trial) • Word-Wordprocessing • Excel-Spreadsheet • Powerpoint-Presentation • Outlook-Email • Access-Database • Adobe Acrobat –PDF maker • Act or Goldmine-Contact manager

25. Software-Free • Productivity • Open Office-Microsoft Office open source software from Sun Micro Systems http://www.openoffice.org/ • Adobe Reader 9.1-read PDF files http://download.cnet.com/Adobe-Reader/3000-10743_4-10000062.html • Avira-Anti virus http://www.free-av.com/ • Antispyware- AdAwarehttp://download.cnet.com/Ad-Aware-Free-Anti-Malware/3000-8022_4-10045910.html?part=dl-ad-aware&subj=dl&tag=top5 • Registry repair-Spybot-Search and Destroy http://www.safer-networking.org/en/spybotsd/index.html

26. Home Software-Pictures • Adobe Photoshop https://www.photoshop.com/ • Web Picture Creator http://software.informer.com/wpc/ • Flickr http://www.flickr.com/ • Shutterfly http://www.shutterfly.com/photo-books • Snapfish http://www.snapfish.com/

27. Home Software-Music Catalog • Apple iTunes • http://www.apple.com/itunes/download/ • Limewire • http://www.limewire.com/ • Rhapsody • http://www.rhapsody.com/home.html • Napster • http://free.napster.com/ • Kazzaa • http://www.kazaa.com/

28. Home Software-Movies • Windows Movie Maker • http://desktopvideo.about.com/lr/windows_movie_maker/90641/2/ • Apple iMovie • http://desktopvideo.about.com/lr/apple_imovie/90641/3/ • Free video editing software • http://www.desktop-video-guide.com/top-5-free-video-editing-software-review.html

29. Home Software-Music • Audacity • http://audacity.sourceforge.net/download/ • Wavosaur • http://www.wavosaur.com/ • Free Digital Audio Editors • http://www.hongkiat.com/blog/25-free-digital-audio-editors/

30. Educators Discount Sites • Online academic sites • Academic Superstore http://www.academicsuperstore.com/ • Viosoft http://www.viosoftware.com/index.php • Royal Discount http://www.royaldiscount.com/index.cfm?stateful • Journey http://www.ccvsoftware.com/ • Needsoft http://needsoftware.com/ • Gradware http://www.gradware.com/

31. Wholesale sites • Online sources where retailers shop • Nextaghttp://www.nextag.com/ • Newegg http://www.newegg.com/ • Frooglehttp://www.google.com/products • Ebayhttp://www.ebay.com/ • Geeks http://www.geeks.com/ • The Nerds http://www.thenerds.net/ • Mac Connection http://www.macconnection.com/IPA/Home.htm • Refurbished computers • Overstock http://www.overstock.com/