With so many factors to consider, deciding which desktop PC to buy can be a real challenge. From components to software to accessories, new PCs offer a bewildering array of choices. For some folks, sifting through the large number of options can be daunting.

Try to Get What You Need
Today, almost any PC on the market can more than adequately handle such standard office chores as word processing and spreadsheets, as well as basic Internet functions like e-mail and general browsing. So for Rs. 30,000/- or less, you can get a PC that will suit most people’s needs.

If you want to edit digital video or manage a large database, however, you may need more than the basics. Typically, you won’t have to spend more than Rs. 50,000/- for a system that will suit you today and serve you well for the next few years.

The best way to pay only for what you need is to carefully consider what you want to do with your system now, and try to anticipate what might interest you next year. Specific applications call for certain types of hardware, whether at home or in the office.

When you’re ready to buy a desktop PC, try and get what you need rather than what the vendor wants you to need! Here are some recommendations for the average user’s minimum requirements. You may want this article by your side when you shop.

A 2.66-GHz Pentium 4 or Athlon XP 2800+ Processor. For everyday work, word processing, spreadsheets, and e-mail, you don’t need the latest, greatest, and most expensive processor. If you intend to buy a pc in late 2005 then go for Athlon 3200+ 64bit processor.

At Least 256MB of Memory. Anything less will slow your work, especially if you plan to use Windows XP. It is recommended that one should go up to 512MB or above.

The Right Windows. Most home and office PC users should find Windows XP Home edition a perfectly acceptable operating system. If you want to take advantage of management features such as Remote Desktop, which lets users control the computer remotely over the Internet, then one should go for the Professional edition. For users who want to create networks which have more than six computers - then I would recommend that the server should have at least Windows 2000 professional edition, as it give you more room to control the network then Windows XP.

Be Careful With Integrated AGP Graphics. Before you buy a computer with integrated graphics, ask if it has an AGP slot on its mother board. Ensure that it does because if it doesn’t, you won’t be able to upgrade your graphics chip, which I know that you would need to update although it might only be to play a game!

Subwoofers Improve Sound. Adding a sound system with a subwoofer (a large speaker that produces very low bass tones) can dramatically improve the sound quality of a home system, even if the speaker set is inexpensive. In the office, however, a booming subwoofer may trigger an uprising among your coworkers.

A Big Monitor. Unless you’re really pinching pennies, consider a large monitor. A 19-inch monitor lets you see your documents with greater definition (or at a higher resolution) than 17-inch or smaller displays. Better yet, get yourself a new 17-inch LCD monitor. It takes up less space on your desk; it’s easier on your eyes. I would recommend 21-inch monitors for designers because it gives you more updated about your progress.
A CD-RW or Recordable DVD Drive. Now that most PC manufacturers have dumped the 1.44MB floppy disk drive (although its still available), a recordable DVD or CD-RW drive is essential for data storage and transfer. Both allow you to back up important documents (700MB on a CD, 4.7GB on a DVD), share files with colleagues, and create custom audio or video CDs or DVDs. If you need to back up massive amounts of data or entire hard drives, choose the DVD option.

A 80GB or Larger Hard Drive. A 40GB hard drive is fine for simple word processing or Web browsing tasks, but you’ll likely fill that hard drive pretty quickly. Plus it’s almost obsolete. In the long run it’s best to buy more storage space than you think you’ll need. Today’s largest hard drives reach 300GB (although still not widely available in Pakistan). Unless you’re planning to use your PC as a mini server for your office database or for electronic entertainment, a drive with less capacity than that may be more cost effective. If you choose the IDE hard drive type go for the speed of 7200 rpm other wise I would recommend that you buy a 10000 rpm SATA hard drive. It gives you more data reliability and data accessibility speed.

Connectivity Up Front. Many PC casing now offer a pair of USB ports on the front bezel, so you can connect multiple peripherals without having to reach behind the case. If you have lots of gear to plug into the PC, look for systems with up-front FireWire (IEEE 1394) or USB 2.0 ports, or optical audio connectors, depending on your needs.

Graphics Cards for Novice Gamers. If you want to do some gaming, and you’re keeping an eye on the future, get a lower-level GForce4 MX board with 64MB of RAM--but read the fine print to make sure it will support next-generation DirectX games. I would recommend GForce4 MX VGA card with 128MB Ram at least for both gamers and designers as it also supports DirectX 9.0

Other Shopping Tips
PC shoppers can save money and avoid unnecessary hassle by following these tips:

Don’t Buy Extra Software. Purchase an operating system, an office suite, and an antivirus package on separate CDs. If you really you need more, look for vendors’ software bundles with many software on one CD.

Don’t Wait for Price Reductions. If you need a new PC now, don’t wait a few months to see whether prices will drop further and upper-end performance will improve. Decide when you need the system, and go for it. One more thing if your really crazy about the latest model then you’ll have to wait for 3 months or so for the prices to stabilize, because newly introduced hardware is expensive in Pakistan.

Look for Above-Average Specs. If longevity is a priority (and if you can afford it), get Something close to, but below, the current top of the line. This will extend the useful life of your PC.

Check an LCD Monitor’s
Interface. Depending on the brand or model of LCD monitor, it could have one of several different interface connectors--the part that plugs into the PC. Before you buy a monitor, make sure it works with the system you want; especially it should support an AGP VGA. Plus ensure that the LCD you buy is not too much bright as it might effect your eyes.

Upgrade at the Time of Purchase. Often, you can get a better deal on a larger hard drive or a better monitor when you first order your computer. Doubling the size of a hard drive may add very little to the cost for example you might only have to pay Rs. 1000 to 1500 for 120GB instead of a Rs. 4500 80GB hard disk
Avoid Gimmicky Keyboards. Many vendors launch fancy keyboards with extra buttons for launching apps. Save some money by choosing the cheapest and simplest option unless you have a specific need for a fancier model.

Don’t Overpay on Your Warranty. Because most PC problems tend to crop up in the first year, a one-year or 10 month warranty should be fine.

Buy From a Trustworthy Source. Above all, reduce your chances of getting a lemon: Buy from a PC maker you trust. For better prices search the market first and then use the best quotation to bargain on the prices. Also do not compromise on quality.

The writer is IT System Manager at Alternative Resource Centre. He can be contacted at zwahir@gmail.com