What to Look for in a New Computer

On April 18th, 2019, systems running Windows 7 began to receive notifications for the end of life for that venerable operating system. The successor to the generally despised Windows Vista, 7 has been supported for ten years, which in technology is a very long time. Like all great software it was beloved by many, but the time has come to let it die in peace.

Those of you still using Windows 7 are likely annoyed by these prompts to upgrade, and may be wondering why it’s important to do so. Among many other reasons, the most crucial is the lack of security updates going forward. I’ve written elsewhere about the implications of this (https://www.techno-literate.com/2019/03/21/time-to-leave-windows-7-behind/), but in short, your data and Internet usage will be at risk if you continue to use Windows 7 after the end of 2019.

If you’re still using a computer that you purchased with Windows 7 preinstalled, you may find your Windows 10 experience to be sluggish. Very old computers from the last decade are definitely not powerful enough for modern software, so you may need to consider purchasing a new system. Here’s some basic information that you’ll need to know as you shop.

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Laptop or Desktop?

There are a dizzying variety of computers in all shapes and sizes, from mini PCs to laptops to tablets to tower desktops. Most people need to choose between laptops and desktops, and it’s important to keep in mind that they offer different functionalities.

Desktops are the old standard, and are most often equated with the traditional “home computer”. They come in several sizes and usually require a monitor, mouse, and keyboard, which may need to be purchased separately. An All-In-One (AIO) desktop is a computer built into a monitor, and is popular among home users. Desktops are known to be upgradeable and more easily repairable than laptops.

A laptop is a portable computer with an integrated monitor, mouse, and keyboard. While much better for carrying around than a desktop, laptops are usually less powerful due to the constraints of running on battery power and being housed in an extremely slim case. While laptops can be used in the same capacity as desktops, I recommend against purchasing one unless you’re planning to be using it for its portability.

What Should I Look for in my New Computer?

When shopping for a new computer, it’s important to look at the specifications published by the manufacturer. While your needs may require something a lot more powerful, these recommendations should be adequate for the majority of home users who desire snappy multitasking and smooth web browsing. The basic specs you need to be concerned with are standard in the industry, so here’s a simple list of what you should look for.

• CPU: Intel i3 9000-series, AMD Ryzen 5 2000-series. The Intel i3 9000-series processors are the latest iteration of Intel’s value line, and adequate for general-purpose computing. AMD has been really successful with their new Ryzen processors, and you can get more performance at a similar price point with the Ryzen 5s; these give you a good balance of processing power and price.
• RAM: At least 8 gigabytes of DDR4 memory. RAM, or Random-Access Memory, is temporary storage that enables you to multitask and run bigger applications or more tabs in your browser. I find that many budget systems still ship with only 4 gigabytes of memory, which truly isn’t sufficient these days. Try to get at least 8 gigabytes.
• Graphics: Unless you’re into gaming, don’t worry too much about the graphics capability of your computer. You can choose a system with integrated graphics or buy one with a discrete Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) for more power. Make sure your system has the right connector for your monitor (VGA, HDMI, DVI, or DisplayPort).
• Storage: Here you have to choose between an SSD or a regular spinning hard drive. Hard drives are generally cheaper per gigabyte, while SSDs provide significant boosts to boot and load times. Unless you need a lot of storage, you’ll probably have a better experience with an SSD. Try to get one with at least 256 gigabytes.
• Operating System: Windows 10, of course!

This is just a good starting point—your needs may be different. If you need some personal assistance in choosing a new computer, I would love to help! I provide 30-minute consultations for free, so give me a call whenever you’re ready to begin your transition to the next generation of personal computing.