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DAVE GUSSOWComputers are evolving into many homes' media centers, so PC shoppers are focusing more on music, games and other entertainment capabilities.
Buying a computer used to be all about speed. Consumers wanted the most gigahertz for the buck.
But having the fastest computer on the block is no longer the main consideration. Almost any new computer has enough oomph for the average user. In fact, Intel, the giant chipmaker, began downplaying speed when it renamed its chips this year to more generic terminology: the 300, 500 and 700 series.
Instead, computer manufacturers are emphasizing how the machines will be used, particularly for entertainment and streaming audio, video and photos around the house on wireless networks.
Big hard drives will store lots of digital music, photos and videos, and CD and DVD burners make entertainment portable.
For those interested in more basic functions, even low-end computers easily will handle word processing, e-mail and surfing the Web.
Unlike the roaring high-tech '90s, when advances in computers seemed to be occurring every other week, changes have slowed. Now, deciding when to buy no longer carries the uncertainty of wondering when the next big thing will make the purchase obsolete.
"I don't know that the PC market, in its current incarnation, will ever be as exciting as it was five or eight years ago," said Stephen Baker, an analyst with NPD Techworld, a market research company.
Indeed, Baker says consumers may give more thought to buying a new digital television this holiday season than whether they need to buy a new computer.
But while speed has diminished as an issue for buyers, some of the traditional considerations have remained constant over the years. Today, as much as ever, consumers need to think about how they plan to use their system and how they might use it in the future. And today, as much as ever, it's wise to budget for as much capacity as possible to have a computer that remains capable of ever-more intense uses in the years ahead.
For those in the market, the computer landscape looks familiar, from prices to configurations. The average price of a desktop PC running Windows was $722 in September, according to NPD Techworld, up $17 from a year earlier. Notebooks averaged $1,376, compared with $1,358 a year ago.
Low-end Windows machines start around $400, without a monitor. The new line of Windows Media Center PCs start at less than $1,000 and go up to about $2,000. Apple's Macintosh models start at $799, and the iMac G5, an all-in-one model with a flat-panel screen, starts at $1,299.
Here's a guide to what to look for in computers for the most common tasks. Serious gamers and people who do tasks that require more horsepower, such as graphics work or audio and video management, will want to bump up almost everything.
PROCESSOR: Intel has added functions to its chips, including audio and video capabilities. The new categories for the Intel chips are the low-end 300 series for the Celeron chip, the 500 series for the Pentium 4 and the 700 series for the high-end Pentium 4 Extreme Edition. The 500 should handle most tasks for home users, including music, videos and photos, although the 300 will save some extra bucks and still do the basics.
Though Intel de-emphasized the processing speed, computer manufacturers still tell consumers how fast the processor works. And even the pokiest of processors today should be sufficient for basic tasks.
MEMORY: Random access memory, or RAM, is the most important feature for computer performance. For Windows XP, 256 megabytes is the minimum, 512 is our recommendation and more is even better, particularly if you plan to do heavy-duty functions such as video editing or gaming.
HARD DRIVE: Storage is a big deal. Not only have programs become bloated with code, but music, photos and videos also take up a lot of space. Most PCs will come with at least a 40-gigabyte hard drive, and it's not unusual to see systems with 160 or 200 gigabytes. It again depends on how you're going to use your system. But if a lot of music, photos and video are in your plans, a hard drive of 160 gigabytes or more is a good idea. It's best to get a hard drive that runs at 7200 RPM.
Buy what your budget can handle and know that adding another hard drive if needed isn't difficult or expensive.
MONITORS: Flat-panel monitors give the best view, but cost more than traditional cathode ray tube, or CRT, models. A 15-inch flat-panel monitor can cost less than $300, 17-inch models around $400 and 19-inch around $600. A CRT takes up more space and weighs more, but can cost as little as $130 for a 17-inch model. If you have the money, go for the flat panel.
CONNECTORS: Most new printers, scanners and other peripherals connect to computers now through Universal Serial Bus, or USB, which as its name implies is a one-type-fits-all connection. Look for machines with as many USB 2.0 (the latest edition) connectors as possible. A nice convenience factor on many new machines is having some of these in front of the tower or on keyboards. Some camcorders may require a Firewire connection, another type of high-speed port also known as IEEE 1394.
MEMORY-CARD SLOTS: Another feature found on more machines is slots for memory cards from digital cameras, MP3 music players and personal digital assistants, which make it easy to transfer data. Because of the variety of memory cards used in those devices (compact flash, secure digital and XD, to name a few), make sure the card reader in your new PC will handle the type of cards you use.
INTERNET CONNECTION: For a cable or digital subscriber line (DSL) high-speed connection, you'll need an Ethernet connection. Most computers still come with a dialup modem, too. Many notebook computers have built-in wireless capability.
VIDEO: Low-end computers use what are called integrated components that pack multiple functions into one device. They also can share memory with the system, and getting separate components is better. A video card with at least 64 megabytes of memory is a minimum, particularly if you do a lot of photo or video editing.
AUDIO: If the computer has replaced your home stereo, you want good speakers, with subwoofer, and a separate sound card as well.
BURNERS: Making music and video discs is getting to be quite a pastime for many people. Some computers come with combo drives that play DVDs and burn CDs. The single drive will likely save a few bucks, but you might be happier with two drives, particularly if you copy CDs or make a lot of backup discs.
NOTEBOOKS: If you want mobility, entry-level models of Windows or Apple machines can be had for less than $1,000. Maybe the biggest part of the purchase price is the size of the screen. The more screen you want, the more you'll pay. Almost all notebook computers come with built-in wireless capabilities for easy networking.
BRANDS: Where and what to buy is always an issue. First-time buyers (are there many still out there?) may be more comfortable with a name brand such as Apple, Dell, Gateway or Hewlett-Packard. Low-end systems may skimp on warranties, so check what's covered and for how long.
Buying an off-the-shelf system at a store also is convenient, but make sure the system has enough memory and an adequate hard drive. If you want to upgrade something like memory, ask how much it will cost.
The best deals and configurations are likely to be found online, where it's easier to customize a system to your specifications.
SECURITY: In these times, protecting your computer, particularly Windows, is crucial. Most computers come with at least trial versions of antivirus software. Don't forget to upgrade when the free period expires. Windows XP has a firewall, though the original is not as good as the updated version in Service Pack 2. The free Zone Alarm firewall does a good job.
Dave Gussow can be reached at 727 771-4328 or gussow@sptimes.com