© 2013 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Chapter 4A Choosing the Right Computer

© 2013 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Chapter 4AChapter 4A

Choosing the Right ComputerChoosing the Right Computer

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Learning ObjectivesLearning Objectives4.14.1 Briefly explain the process of choosing a Briefly explain the process of choosing a

computer configuration to purchasecomputer configuration to purchase4.2 4.2 Describe the three basic categories for data Describe the three basic categories for data

storage devices, and explain the relevance storage devices, and explain the relevance of of each category for a new computer each category for a new computer configurationconfiguration

4.3 4.3 Identify three ways that you can acquire a Identify three ways that you can acquire a new new computer, and briefly discuss pros and computer, and briefly discuss pros and cons of cons of each methodeach method

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Determining Computing NeedsDetermining Computing Needs• Yourself as a computer user:Yourself as a computer user:

– Casual or heavy userCasual or heavy user– One task or a variety of tasksOne task or a variety of tasks– Power userPower user– Business userBusiness user

• Technology already Technology already used in your used in your environment environment

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Determining Computing NeedsDetermining Computing Needs• Existing devices/programs Existing devices/programs

that must be compatiblethat must be compatible– PrintersPrinters– Video cameraVideo camera– Hard drivesHard drives– USB devices USB devices – Wired vs. wireless networkWired vs. wireless network– Software Software

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Reviewing RequirementsReviewing Requirements• Optimal device typeOptimal device type

– Game consolesGame consoles– Mobile devicesMobile devices– Tablet computersTablet computers– Conventional PCs Conventional PCs

• Operating systemOperating system• CPUCPU• RAMRAM• StorageStorage• GraphicsGraphics

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CPUCPU• If the CPU is a : If the CPU is a :

– High priority: at least four cores (High priority: at least four cores (quad-core processorquad-core processor))– Medium priority: dual-core processorsMedium priority: dual-core processors– Low priority: single-core processorsLow priority: single-core processors

• Electric frequency measured in gigahertz (GHz)Electric frequency measured in gigahertz (GHz)– High and medium priority: fastest processor you can affordHigh and medium priority: fastest processor you can afford– Low priority: speed is less importantLow priority: speed is less important

• Major manufacturers: AMD and IntelMajor manufacturers: AMD and Intel

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RAM and MonitorRAM and Monitor• RAM:RAM:

– Look for at least 2 gigabytesLook for at least 2 gigabytes– Medium or high priority: 4 gigabytes will meet most needsMedium or high priority: 4 gigabytes will meet most needs– LatencyLatency: : Delay between request and completed taskDelay between request and completed task

• MonitorMonitor– Video and photo editors should place a high priority on Video and photo editors should place a high priority on

both image quality and sizeboth image quality and size– Gamers should focus on response rateGamers should focus on response rate– To watch full-screen movies, consider a wide-screen To watch full-screen movies, consider a wide-screen

monitormonitor

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GraphicsGraphics• If graphic performance is a:If graphic performance is a:

– Low priority: use the video output from the on-board Low priority: use the video output from the on-board processorprocessor

– Medium priority: Consider upgrading to a card that has Medium priority: Consider upgrading to a card that has more memory and a faster graphics processormore memory and a faster graphics processor

– High priority: Add at least one video card to handle the High priority: Add at least one video card to handle the processing loadprocessing load

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Networks and PeripheralsNetworks and Peripherals• Networking hardwareNetworking hardware

– Standard hardware: a wired connection to a location Standard hardware: a wired connection to a location network and the Internetnetwork and the Internet

– Standard in mobile devices: wireless networking hardwareStandard in mobile devices: wireless networking hardware– Wireless capability can be added with an internal card or Wireless capability can be added with an internal card or

an external USB antennaan external USB antenna• USB portsUSB ports• Other types of peripheralsOther types of peripherals

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Case and Power SupplyCase and Power Supply• Case:Case:

– Always a low priority relative to Always a low priority relative to price and performanceprice and performance

– More choices if you build your own More choices if you build your own computer computer

• Power supply:Power supply:– Generally a standard featureGenerally a standard feature– Converts AC power into precise Converts AC power into precise

amounts of direct current amounts of direct current – Monitors and regulates the power it Monitors and regulates the power it

providesprovides

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Storage Devices and OptionsStorage Devices and Options• Hard disk drives Hard disk drives • Optical drives Optical drives • Removable media Removable media

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Hard Disk DrivesHard Disk Drives• Used for permanent storageUsed for permanent storage• Generally the computer’s primary storage deviceGenerally the computer’s primary storage device• If storage is a:If storage is a:

– High priority: biggest drive affordable High priority: biggest drive affordable – Less critical: 500 gigabytes to 1 terabyteLess critical: 500 gigabytes to 1 terabyte– Casual users: can go under 500 gigabytes Casual users: can go under 500 gigabytes

• Solid state drives: Use less power than a hard drive Solid state drives: Use less power than a hard drive and operate silently and operate silently

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Optical DriveOptical Drive• For multimedia, software installation, and backupFor multimedia, software installation, and backup• An optical drive that uses a laser to write to and read from a An optical drive that uses a laser to write to and read from a

plastic disk is a type ofplastic disk is a type of removable media removable media • Types of disks:Types of disks:

– CDCD– DVDDVD– Blu-rayBlu-ray

• Choosing an optical driveChoosing an optical drive– If you can afford it, include a Blu-ray writerIf you can afford it, include a Blu-ray writer– If not, choose a DVD read/write driveIf not, choose a DVD read/write drive

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Removable MediaRemovable Media• For portability and backupFor portability and backup• Includes:Includes:

– External hard disk drivesExternal hard disk drives– USB flash drivesUSB flash drives– Readers for solid state Readers for solid state

memory cardsmemory cards• Risks of portable media Risks of portable media

devicesdevices– Extremely easy to drop or Extremely easy to drop or

forgetforget– Easy to stealEasy to steal

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Building a Computer YourselfBuilding a Computer Yourself• Among the least expensive Among the least expensive

ways to acquire a computerways to acquire a computer• Greatest control over which Greatest control over which

components are usedcomponents are used• Hardest part is ensuring:Hardest part is ensuring:

– That motherboard, CPU, and That motherboard, CPU, and memory are compatiblememory are compatible

– That power supply is sufficientThat power supply is sufficient– You have all the needed You have all the needed

components and accessoriescomponents and accessories

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Buying a Ready-Made ComputerBuying a Ready-Made Computer

• Brand-name computersBrand-name computers• White box computersWhite box computers:: computers constructed by computers constructed by

the store instead of a by a major manufacturerthe store instead of a by a major manufacturer• Advantages:Advantages:

– You immediately get a working, tested computerYou immediately get a working, tested computer– Often you get a list of exact componentsOften you get a list of exact components

• The main risk is that it may not perfectly match your The main risk is that it may not perfectly match your needsneeds

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Customizing a PurchaseCustomizing a Purchase• Buyer chooses from a basic range of capabilitiesBuyer chooses from a basic range of capabilities• Price of the system changes with each selectionPrice of the system changes with each selection• System matches the buyer’s preferencesSystem matches the buyer’s preferences• Buyer can choose the computer and peripheral Buyer can choose the computer and peripheral

devices devices • Can have the complete system deliveredCan have the complete system delivered

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Support and MaintenanceSupport and Maintenance• Building your own computerBuilding your own computer

– The maker of each part typically provides a limited The maker of each part typically provides a limited manufacturer’s warranty manufacturer’s warranty

– Duration of warranties is typically short Duration of warranties is typically short • Local computer storesLocal computer stores

– Warranties may be more generousWarranties may be more generous– Local stores may offer relatively fast repair servicesLocal stores may offer relatively fast repair services

• Major retailers and online configuration companiesMajor retailers and online configuration companies– Typically sell warranty packages in addition to the Typically sell warranty packages in addition to the

computerscomputers

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Taking Your Computer HomeTaking Your Computer Home• Set up a workspace that meets the conditions for Set up a workspace that meets the conditions for

ergonomicsergonomics• Minimize power fluctuations in the power supplyMinimize power fluctuations in the power supply

– If possible, purchase an If possible, purchase an uninterruptible power supplyuninterruptible power supply, a , a unit that contains a battery backup system along with unit that contains a battery backup system along with power deliverypower delivery

• Keeping the computer clean:Keeping the computer clean:– Clean the system unitClean the system unit– Cleaning the monitorCleaning the monitor– Removing the unwanted softwareRemoving the unwanted software

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© 2013 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Chapter 4A Choosing the Right Computer