New Christmas Computer, Part 1

For those of you that have read my thoughts here for the last, oh, one month short of 23 years, you know I do not usually do an article about purchasing new computers. There are many, many, good manufacturers and even more variables to choose from. So, this time I will give you the top 10 things I consider important when choosing a new computer for you or yours this coming Christmas season.

By-the-way, many computers are going on sale for the Christmas season right now and more in the next weeks. It would be a good time to start considering a new Windows 11 system if you may be in the market. Enjoy!

Here are 10 things you should look for in a new computer:

1. Need: What do you actually need? What will you be using the computer for? If you are just going to be using it for basic tasks like browsing the internet, checking email, and word processing, you do not need a high-powered machine. You may want to consider a Chromebook. Most times they will cost less and handle everything you need. You may also want to consider a tablet with a Bluetooth keyboard. Both of these options could suit you fine. However, if you are going to be doing more demanding tasks like gaming, graphic or video editing, you will need something with more power. The more “stressful” things you put on it the higher end computer you will need. By “stressful” on a computer it means video and movie editing need much more power.
   
   
2. OS: Well, OK, now the lion in the room. I am talking about the Windows operating system computers only. The operating system is the software that controls your computer’s basic functions. You do have other choices, like a MAC, Chromebook, Linux, and a very few others. Most users today go with Windows. A little over 69% of desktop systems worldwide, August 2023 per StatCounter.com (ghtech.site/OSstats823).
   
   
   
   

3. 

   CPU: The “Central Processing Unit” which is the brain of the computer, so it is important to get one that is powerful enough for your needs. IT does all the thinking, calculating, controlling the applications to keep them running properly. If you are not sure what CPU you need, do some research online or talk to a salesperson at a computer store. Again, more graphic intense software requires higher CPU.
   
   
4. GPU: If you plan on doing any gaming or video editing, you will need a good graphics card. The “Graphical Processing Unit” is responsible for rendering images, so a powerful GPU will give you better graphics performance. For instance, I do videos for training on my most powerful computer. The problem is it is almost 10 years old. I have updated everything but the GPU over the years and it struggles to turn out video in a quick and efficient manner.

   

5. RAM: “Random-Access Memory” which is brief storage for your computer’s programs and data. This is like your memory when given a phone number to dial. You remember it when you are using it and then it is gone. The more RAM you have, the more programs you can run at the same time and the quicker your computer will perform its operations. RAM will also be lost if you shut down your computer, or if power is removed in any other expected or unexpected way.

   

Well, it seems as though I have more things to share with you to consider if/when choosing a new computer. So, come back next week for the final six.