EASY PC Tech Advice
TECH ADVICE: Easy PC offers free advice that is easy peasy to grasp
I’VE started writing a weekly tech advice column called Easy PC for a local newspaper supplement. It’s directed at the technophobic and aims to encourage reader feedback and questions. Topics are related to home PC use & computing and the content is really as basic as it gets. Here’s the brief and first installment.
The home PC has evolved into what is now considered a modern-day home entertainment system. Capable of behaving like a television, home cinema, game station, work station, music player and much more, the home PC is far more capable than it has ever been before. But with all these capabilities come complexities, and there are several things to consider when investing in any form of home entertainment. This is what Easy PC plans to simplify.
BUYING A NEW PC
THERE are two options when buying a new desktop PC – having one built from scratch by purchasing all the components you want, or buying a fully built and full functioning PC from a computer store. The latter option is generally cheaper and far easier, but be careful with regards to what bulk packages are on offer – it is also an easy way for PC shops to get rid of old stock.
The biggest bonus of buying a complete PC is that it should come with the latest operating system (a saving of about R1700). Windows 7 is the latest operating system available and is by far the most user-friendly. Ask the salesman if this comes with the PC that you are interested in.
The second thing to consider is storage space. You may think that a terabyte (1000 gigs) is more than what you’ll ever need, but this size hard-drive is now considered as standard. This is where you will store all your data. Also bear in mind that newer software gets larger over time and requires more storage space.
As far as the other components are concerned, simply ensure that they are upgradable. Powerful graphics cards and RAM (memory) are mostly for gaming and advanced video and picture editing. However, having the option to upgrade will allow you to do so if you feel something is lacking.
That’s all for this week! Until next time.
Kind regards,
That Tech Guy
More Easy PC Tech Advice:
- Virus Scans
- Wires and Dust
- Good old Google
- Setting up Skype
- Legal Downloads
I like the post, but I am going to have to disagree with your comment about the Windows 7 operating system. If you are indeed aiming this at complete novices, I don’t see that they would find an Ubuntu Linux desktop OS any more difficult to learn. Besides all the arguments for running Linux (stable, fast, light on resources), is the price tag – FREE. AND it comes with a FREE office suite comparable to MS Office – which will set you back another couple hundred $$$ if you plan on using your desktop for any kind of office work. That being said its all about personal preference and choice. Do your research before committing to a product. That’s my 2c worth anyway…
Thanks Gazza, everyone’s cents counts :)
What you say is true, but having used both Microsoft and Ubuntu operating systems I still hold that Win 7 is the easiest to use. It also has a comprehensive help system for beginners and there is also the option of MS tech support to consider (which isn’t an option for those using opensource operating systems)