What Kind of Computer Should I Buy

This article will walk you through the choices you need to make and supply guidance for what to choose.

In order to talk this request properly, you need to determine what type of user you are and what extra needs you may have. Additionally, you need to determine how much you want to spend and either you would think buying a used or refurbished computer.

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What Kind of Computer Should I Buy

Readicide: How Schools Are Killing Reading and What You Can Do About It Best

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Readicide: How Schools Are Killing Reading and What You Can Do About It Overview

Read-i-cide n: The systematic killing of the love of reading, often exacerbated by the inane, mind-numbing practices found in schools.   Reading is dying in our schools. Educators are familiar with many of the factors that have contributed to the decline—poverty, second-language issues, and the ever-expanding choices of electronic entertainment. In this provocative new book, Kelly Gallagher suggests, however, that it is time to recognize a new and significant contributor to the death of reading: our schools.   In Readicide, Kelly argues that American schools are actively (though unwittingly) furthering the decline of reading. Specifically, he contends that the standard instructional practices used in most schools are killing reading by: ·         valuing the development of test-takers over the development of lifelong readers; ·         mandating breadth over depth in instruction; ·         requiring students to read difficult texts without proper instructional support; ·         insisting that students focus solely on academic texts; ·         drowning great books with sticky notes, double-entry journals, and marginalia; ·         ignoring the importance of developing recreational reading; and ·         losing sight of authentic instruction in the shadow of political pressures.   Kelly doesn’t settle for only identifying the problems. Readicide provides teachers, literacy coaches, and administrators with specific steps to reverse the downward spiral in reading—steps that will help prevent the loss of another generation of readers.

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As a normal rule, my thought is that one should get the most computer that they can afford without getting the actual top of the line.

Computer technology changes rapidly and today's super fast and capable computer rapidly becomes outdated. Unless you are concerned in swapping your computer frequently, getting a very capable current computer should hold you for at least a few years.

The very top of the line computer demands a prime in price that is generally not worth it and one level below has at least 95% of the ability of the top.

If your allocation doesn't allow for this solution, you need to be aware of the tradeoffs in varied choices that you will have to make.

Computer type selection

You should first determine if you want a laptop or desktop computer. I've discussed the issues at distance in my article entitled Desktop or Laptop? The main request is if you have the need to be mobile even though your computer will cost more and possibly have less capability.

Depending on one's finances, you may opt for used computer or for a blowout special. Great savings can be achieved by taking this route.

However, used computers gift keep challenges and the risk of early breakdown. Low priced agreement computers may be miniature in greatest ability and need to be thought about evaluated. I hope to discuss these options in greater detail in a hereafter article.

Heavy duty 3D gaming is a whole new world and generally pushes current computer technology to the limits with top of the line great and costly units and is out of the scope of this article.

Component choices

1. Processor

If money is not a pressing issue, single core computers should not be purchased. Dual core processors are more great and, for most users, any dual core processor based computer should suffice for proper activities such as word processing, email, browsing the web, watching Dvd's, doing one's finances and the vast majority of other tasks.

If you need to do heavy database querying, complex mathematical computations and number crunching or heavy encryption, you should get one of the higher end processors.

2. Operating system

Assuming a Windows Pc, the choices are between Xp and Vista. Vista assistance Pack 1 (a set of fixes to the known problems of the operating system) has not yet been officially released and the first assistance pack normally makes a big difference. My thought is that if there is a choice, Vista should be avoided until Sp1 is officially released.

If you are very well-known with Xp and don't want to struggle with studying a new operating law or you have a program that is not supported on Vista yet, Xp can do everything you need and you can invite it worry free if your seller allows for this option.

If you elect Vista, at a minimum you should not get Vista Home Basic but rather elect Vista Home Premium. For maximum Os power, Vista greatest should be chosen. The detailed options for Vista are outlined in my article Which Vista should I Use?

3. Monitor

A 17 inch monitor is probably the smallest that you should determine for. You can elect larger ones if you so desire. Some monitors come with built in speakers if that suits your needs. If you want your computer to duplicate as an entertainment center, you should think purchasing a high definition or plasma monitor. Dell has an excellent overview of their choices here

Dell Monitor Link

4. Memory

The most crucial factor in terms of computer operation is the number of memory. When you buy computer memory, a minimum of a gigabyte of high speed memory should be prime to keep today's demanding operating systems and programs. 2 gigabytes would be even better.

If one is engaged in heavy duty graphics such as Cad (Computer Aided Design) or 3D gaming, or if one is doing heavy database way or number crunching, even more memory should be added.

5. Hard Drive Size

Major manufacturers are contribution drives with 250 Gigabytes of storehouse on their bottom end computers. This should be more than adequate for most users.

6. Cd and Dvd burner

Drives that read and write to Cds and Dvds are cheap and you should specify read and write for both. Don't accept Cd read/write and Dvd read only.

Blue Ray and Hd Dvd disks can hold up to 50 gigabytes but the drives needed to use them are much more costly than proper Dvd drives. proper Dvd drives will run nearby while Blue Ray will cost nearby 0.

7. Video card

The type of card that you get depends on the type of activities that you are planning;

1. Basic user - word processing, internet browsing, email and Dvd movies

The basic level card will suffice for this. It should have at least 128Mb. 2 representative cards are the Nvidia 7300Gt and Ati 1300Xt.

2. Vista Aero User or light gaming, rich media, and normal entertainment

This ability requires mid level graphics power and a card with at least 256 Mb of its own internal memory should be purchased. A sample card would be Ati Hd2600Xt

3. Edit and view photographs in great color

A mid level card should be used for this. One example is the Nvidia 8600Gt, All cards from this level and up should have at least 256 Mb.

4. Playback Hd ability content

The card should have Hdmi outputs to attach to external displays. 2 possibilities are Nvidia 8600gt or Ati Hd2600Xt.

5. 3D accelerated games in high definition player, Cad (Computer Aided Design), video editing or high level descriptive design

3D gaming makes the many demands on the computer's video systems and the sky is the limit here. In general, the highest level card that your law will accept will supply the most satisfying experience.

The detailed options for each of these levels of action are described in my article Video Cards Demystified.

8. Sound and Speakers

The proper sound card offered by most manufacturers is fine. If you have extra requirements, the major dealers describe the advantages of the varied upgrade offerings.

Speakers task the sound of your computer. Better speakers supply subwoofers and different levels of surround sound.

9. Keyboard and mouse

Connected or wireless versions are offered. Be sure to get an visual mouse. They are much more trustworthy than a trackball mouse.

10. Media reader

These are normally listed as 15 in 1 or 13 in 1 card or media reader. This device allows you to directly get data off of a number of devices such as digital cameras, personal digital assistants (Pdas) and others.

11. Modem

If you want to send or receive faxes or join together to the internet via a phone line where high speed internet may not be available, you will need a modem.

12. Wireless network

If you plan to join together to a wireless network, you will need a wireless network card in your computer. proper network cards are built in.

Best of luck with your purchase.

What Kind of Computer Should I Buy