A form of computer that has been around for quite a while is a tower (see Figure 1-3). A tower is one style of desktop computer that, because of its size, people keep on or near a table or desk. Typically, you keep the tower, which holds the hard drive, processor, and other brains of the beast, on the floor. You work with the computer via a keyboard and monitor that sit on the desk.
Courtesy of Dell, Inc.
Pros of the tower include space to expand various elements, such as memory, and fans that keep the computer cool while operating. To repair a tower, you open the metal case and replace parts.
Another form of desktop computer is an all-in-one. With this type of computer, the brains are stored in a casing within the monitor, so the entire computer sits on your desk or table.
All-in-ones are often sleek and modern looking, involve fewer cables, and save you from using floor space for a computer tower. However, repairing or customizing the hardware is almost impossible because opening the computer is difficult.
Both desktop towers and all-in-ones take up more surface space than a laptop computer, but if you don’t need portability in your computer or more space, a desktop may be the best choice.
A laptop is portable, weighing anywhere from 2 to 8 pounds. The monitor, keyboard, and mouse (in the form of a flat touchpad) are built into the laptop.
A laptop is sometimes called a notebook computer. Choose a laptop if you want to use your computer mainly away from home or you have little space in your home for a larger computer.
Note that if the monitor on a laptop becomes damaged, you’ll pay quite a bit for a repair, or you can hook the computer up to an external monitor. Because there is less space for fans, laptops sometimes run hot to the touch.
A two-in-one laptop (see Figure 1-4) allows you to either rotate the monitor to rest on the back of the keyboard or remove the monitor so you can use the laptop like a tablet. When you have no active physical keyboard, you have to use the touchscreen feature to interact with the laptop.
Choosing your computer’s operating system (software that runs all the programs and organizes data on your computer) will be one of your first decisions. This book focuses on computers running the current version of Windows, which is Windows 1 °Creators Update. Windows 10 is a radical departure from previous Windows operating systems, so if you opt for an earlier version of Windows, such as Windows 7, you would need to buy the Windows 7 edition of this book. Note that, depending on your Windows Update settings, updates to Windows may be performed regularly without your instigating them.
Windows 10 comes in several versions, including two versions for home and small business users:
❯❯ Windows 10 Home: Includes apps such as Music, Video, Weather, People, Camera, and more. If you consider yourself primarily a home user, you should consider this version of Windows 10.
❯❯ Windows 10 Pro: Is great for small businesses or if you work from home. This version of Windows has ultimate security features and more administrative tools.
You can buy a computer for anywhere from about $199 to $5,000 or more, depending on your budget and computing needs. You may start with a base model, but extras such as a larger monitor or larger storage capacity can soon add hundreds to the base price. The rule of thumb is to buy just as much computer as you need.
You can shop in a retail store for a computer or shop online using a friend’s computer (and perhaps get his or her help if you’re brand new to using a computer). Consider researching different models and prices online with the help of a computer-savvy friend and using that information to get the best buy. Be aware, however, that most retail stores have a small selection compared to all you can find online on websites such as Amazon.com and NewEgg.com. Additionally, retail stores sometimes carry slightly older models than those available online.
Buying a computer can be confusing, but here are some guidelines to help you find a computer at the price that’s right for you:
❯❯ Determine how often you will use your computer. If you’ll be working on it eight hours a day running a home business, you will need a better-quality computer to withstand the use and provide good performance. If you turn on the computer once or twice a week just to check email, it doesn’t have to be the priciest model in the shop.
❯❯ Consider the features that you need. Do you want (or have room for) a 20-inch monitor? Do you need the computer to run very fast and run several programs at once, or do you need to store tons of data? (I cover computer speed and storage later in this chapter.) Understand what you need before you buy. Each feature or upgrade adds dollars to your computer’s price.
❯❯ Shop wisely. If you walk from store to store or do your shopping online, you’ll find that the price for the same computer model can vary by hundreds of dollars at different stores. See if your memberships in organizations such as AAA, AARP, and Costco make you eligible for better deals. Consider shipping costs if you buy online, and keep in mind that many stores charge a restocking fee if you return a computer you aren’t happy with. Some stores offer only a short time period, such as 14 days, in which you can return a computer.
❯❯ Buying used or refurbished is an option, though new computers have reached such a low price point that this may not save you much. In addition, technology gets out of date so quickly that you might be disappointed buying an older model, which might not support newer software or hardware.
❯❯ Online auctions are a source of new or slightly used computers at a low price. However, be sure you’re dealing with a reputable store or person by checking reviews others have posted about them or contacting the online Better Business Bureau (www.bbb.org). Be careful not to pay by check (this gives a complete stranger your bank account number); instead use the auction site’s tools to have a third party handle the money until the goods are delivered in the condition promised. Check the auction site for guidance on staying safe when buying auctioned goods.