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SPRING
2000
COMPUTERS:
WHAT A MINEFIELD |
With so much choice on the market, how can you be sure
that your hard-won budget is going on the right model?
Chris Sims, who has been building and supplying PCs dedicated to TIC needs for
four years, gives pointers on what you need to ask.
1. How fast is it?
The key to any computer is the CPU (Central Processing Unit) - the best known in
the Intel Pentium. This determines just how fast the computer can process its
data - there's nothing more frustrating that sitting waiting for it to catch up!
Don't even consider anything less than a Pentium 3 - 500 Megahertz.
2. How much memory should it have?
Memory is where you work on the data once you have called it up from the hard
disc. The more memory you have, the faster you can get at your information. Make
sure you have at least 128 megabytes of memory.
3. So what's the hard disc, then?
The hard disk is where everything is stored permanently - just like a filing
cabinet. The bigger the hard disk - 12 gigabytes is quite common - the more you
can store.
4. Do I need a floppy disk drive?
Well, these used to be important, but most new computers use CD-ROM drives now.
You can use a floppy drive as a back-up device, but the capacity is a bit on the
small side.
5. So do I need a CD-ROM drive instead?
All modern programmes are supplied on CDs, as they are so easy and quick to use,
so your computer should have a CD-ROM reader installed as standard. If you want,
you can add on a CD-ROM drive which writes as well as reads (about £150)
enabling you to save your data on to a CD. CD-ROM drives are available in
different speed ratings, which govern the data transfer rate, so with a new PC
you should look for at least a x48 speed version.
6. I've heard of tape drives, too . . .
Sometimes considered an expensive option, but consider the cost of losing all
your files! A tape drive will perform a complete back-up of your computer's Hard
Disk Drive & can be configured to do this automatically each day, after you
close down. Compare the one-off cost of £150 against the cost in time and
frustration of re-entering all your data!
7. Can I use Windows '98?
Yes, but we would recommend something a bit more robust, such as the Windows NT
WorkStation - it looks and operates like Windows 98, without the bells and
whistles, but provides a much more stable operating platform.
8. What's the bottom line?
Pentium 3 - 500MHz
128Mb Dimm (memory)
12 Gb HDD (Hard Disk Drive)
3.5 Floppy Drive
x 48 CD ROM
8Mb Graphics Card
Windows NT WorkStation
Guide price - £780 + VAT
Important options - 3ComVoice/Fax modem (internal) £ 70.00
HP Tape Back Device (internal) £150.00
CTV has been building its own-brand PCs, designed for the
needs of TICs, for four years, and this is our own entry-level specification.
Cheaper computers, or those with bundles of free software, can easily be bought
from the many retail outlets - but don't be misled. This is seldom a good basis
for making a choice of computer!
Although prices tend to fall every six months or so, that is normally because a
new CPU has been introduced. When this happens, CTV increases its entry
specification to take in the newest model, so our prices tend to remain the
same.
P.S. We'll talk about networks in the next issue!
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