The Right Computer for You

by Benjamin Rousch

Now that I've told you where not to shop, I'll try to help you figure out where you should buy a computer. The first task is to figure out how much power your new computer will need. Despite Tim Allen's claims, not everything needs 'more power.' You want to find a computer which has enough power to quickly run the programs you will be using, but you don't want to spend a bunch of money on excessive speed and power you don't need.

I recommend that you buy a PC, not a Macintosh. The simple truth is that Macintoshes cost more and have much less software and hardware flexibility than an equivalent PC. If you buy a Macintosh (may Bill Gates rain fire and brimstone down upon you and your kin), you're on your own.

The tricky part is figuring out what programs you will use on your new computer not only in the present, but also in the future. You don't want to have to buy a new computer every couple years if you can help it. So, the first step is to look at what you already use computers for. Do you use the campus computers just for email and word processing, or do you find yourself using the large graphics programs and surfing fancy web sites? Do you play solitaire and freecell, or do your tastes run to the extreme 3D games such as Diablo and Quake? After you figure out what you already use, try to predict what you will use once you have your own personal computer nestled snugly in your room.

If you think you are going to use your computer to write those 3 A.M. papers and for all of the procrastinations which seem to go along with them (Freecell and email), but you aren't likely to get addicted to the newest electronic RPG, you don't need a really powerful computer. The slowest new computer you can get at this time is a 166Mhz Pentium. These low-end systems generally cost between $1000 and $1200 with a monitor. Please don't pay more than $1400 for a 166Mhz computer. There are even a few 166Mhz AMD-K6 machines available. The AMD-K6 costs as much as an equivalent Pentium, and is much faster than the Intel manufactured chip. If you are going to use your computer for word processing, card games, email, and occasional web browsing, you should buy a computer with a 166 - 200 MHz AMD-K6 processor. They go for $1000 at the low end, and $1500 at the high end. These computers will be faithful to you for several years without upgrading if your computing needs do not increase too much.

On the other end of the spectrum is the computer user who uses his computer for the newest and most intense games, graphics, and programming around. Most of these people already know what to look for in a computer, but I'll give a little advice to the novice/future power-users. You want the fastest CPU you can get, but one which is also upgradeable at a reasonable price. The fastest processors out there for graphics and 3D are the Pentium IIs. The fastest I've seen is 333Mhz. If you've got the money, go for it, otherwise you should get the 266Mhz model.

There are important considerations other than the CPU speed when buying a computer. You should not buy a computer if it does not have at least: a 16x CD-ROM (or DVD), 32 Megs of EDO RAM (SDRAM is better than EDO), a 33.6k modem, a 2 Meg video card, and 2 empty expansion ports on the front of the case. If a computer you're looking at does not have one of these items, ask a Goober (someone who works on the floor of a retail store) how much it would cost to upgrade to the above specifications. Figure the new price after the upgrade and go with that in your comparisons. Another important computer component is the monitor. Do yourself a favor and get at least a 15" monitor. You'll thank me when it's 4 A.M. and your eyes are sticky from lack of sleep and an excess of Mountain Dew.

In summary, get a computer which has enough power and then some to run the programs you want to use. Make sure the system has at least the minimum components mentioned above. Shop around (try Best Buy, Office Max, Computer Renaissance, Office Mart, ABC Warehouse, and the internet), and avoid buying a Macintosh. If you're not getting a Pentium II, go with the AMD­K6 CPU. Most important: DO NOT shop at the U­M Computer Showcase. If you have questions, send me an email at brousch@umich.edu and I'll try to answer it. MR

This article was published in the 11 February 1998 edition of The Michigan Review (Volume 16, Number 7).
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