1 © 2010 PCSwizz Computer Support.

By: Patrick “PCSwizz” Edwards

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Introduction

It is a new decade! 2010 is here, and there have been a lot of changes since you’ve last bought your computer. I

created this guide to help you purchase a new computer for the new year! Whether you need a desktop, laptop,

netbook, or even all three, this guide should better educate you as you set out to find the computer you’re

dreaming about.

Think about these questions while you read this guide:

Who is this computer for?

What will be the main use for the new computer?

How much are you willing to spend?

How soon do you want your new computer?

Do you want a laptop or a desktop?

Also keep in mind that this is a “PC” guide, so there will be no Apple help here! If you want a Mac I can’t be of

assistance to you…sorry!

However, if you are looking for a Windows-based computer then read on!

2 © 2010 PCSwizz Computer Support.

Computer Basics

Before we get into the type of computer you are looking for, let’s talk about the core parts of a computer. When

shopping for a new PC, you will come across these parts very frequently:

Processor

Memory

Hard Drive

Operating System

Here is an example:

Intel Core 2 Duo 2.6 GHz

2GB RAM

160GB HDD

ATI Radeon HD 4550 Graphics Card

24X CD/DVD Burner

Windows 7 Home Premium

Looking at this example, is this a computer you would want to buy? You see, this information really doesn’t tell you

if it’s a good computer for you without some more details. Let’s break down each part.

Intel Core2 Duo 2.6 GHz

o Intel – The number one creator of processors, or CPU(Central Processing Unit). Think of the CPU

as the engine of a car. It is the most important part of your computer because it is responsible for

translating everything you do on your computer.

o Core2 Duo – This is one of the many brands from Intel. Core 2 Duo is your mid-range CPU,

meaning it’s good for entry level computers to even some powerful computers. Core 2 Duo

means the CPU has 2 brains for super-fast processing.

Intel Celeron: Basic CPU, Least Expensive

Intel Core2 Duo: Mid-range CPU

Intel i7: High-end CPU, Most Expensive

o 2.6 GHz – This is how fast information is processed by the CPU. The higher the number, the faster

your computer will be.

Click here to compare the different Intel processors.o

o click hereNOTE: I normally buy Intel CPU computers. If you prefer AMD, .

2GB RAM

o 2GB – 2GB means 2 Gigabytes, or 2000MB of memory. Basically, when shopping for a computer,

get no less than 2GB of memory! Especially if you are getting a Windows 7 computer. Get 4GB of

memory if you are a gamer or you are the type that runs a lot of programs at once.

160GB HDD

o This is the hard drive. 160GB of hard drive space is ideal for the basic user. However, if you are

planning on downloading a lot of music and installing a lot of programs, you will want way higher

than this amount. My suggestion is getting 250GB or more to be safe.

3 © 2010 PCSwizz Computer Support.

ATI Radeon HD 4550 Graphics Card

o The graphics card is responsible for everything you see on your monitor. Movies, games, even

how Windows looks is the graphics card’s job. If you can spare the extra $$, get a computer with

a separate graphics card like this one for better performance.

24x CD/DVD Burner Drive

o A DVD burner comes standard with most computers nowadays. The 24x is simply the speed of

the burner.

So now you know, at least on the basic level, what each specification means while you are shopping for a

computer.

Monitors

Say goodbye to the old square monitors of last decade! Widescreen monitors are the most popular type of

monitor for 2010. Laptops come with a widescreen by default, but you have more flexibility with a desktop. By the

end of this section you will know exactly what makes a good monitor and which monitor is best for you!

Here is a monitor example:

19” Widescreen Monitor

1280x800 resolution

18.5-inch display area

16:9 widescreen format

5ms response time

5000:1 dynamic contrast ratio

Now let’s break each section down:

1280 x 800 Resolution

o This is the amount of pixels the monitor has. The more pixels, the sharper the monitor will

look. The “1280” is how many pixels go horizontally across the screen, and the “800” is how

many pixels go vertically. The standard resolution for HD(High Definition) is 1280 x 720. I

recommend a 1680 x 1050 or a 1920 x 1200 monitor for the best visual look!

18.5-inch Display Area

o This is the actual area that you see on the monitor. The 19” measurement is the entire

monitor. This is normal.

16:9 Widescreen Format

o This is the standard format for widescreen viewing. Remember those square monitors?

Those were 4:3. 16:9 or even 16:10 is the widescreen standard for monitors.

5ms Response Time

o This is how fast images appear on the monitor. The slower the response time, the more

likely you will experience “ghosting” on the screen. 5ms is a great speed and I recommend

getting no less.

5000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio

4 © 2010 PCSwizz Computer Support.

o The higher the contrast ratio, the better and brighter looking your monitor will be. This ratio

is fairly on the low side. There are monitors with a 10,000:1 ratio out there. Go for those!

Warranty/Customer Service

So now you have found a computer that fits your needs as well as your budget, but you need to protect your

investment. Every computer comes with a 1 year warranty. You may opt to purchase extended warranty from the

store you bought the PC from or use a credit card like Mastercard that extends the warranty for you.

As far as customer service, brands such as Dell and HP are known for taking care of their customers. However, this

does not mean that other brands such as eMachines has bad service either. Before you buy a particular brand, visit

their website. Your impression of their website should make your decision a lot easier. Here are some popular

brands’ websites:

Dell: www.dell.com

HP: www.hp.com

Acer: www.acer.com

eMachines: www.emachines.com

Sony: www.sony.com

Gateway: www.gateway.com

Toshiba: www.toshiba.com

I hope you are a more educated shopper after reading this guide! To stay updated on any other eBooks that may

become available, or if you have a suggestion on any future eBooks, be sure to keep in touch with me:

Twitter: www.twitter.com/pcswizz

Facebook: www.facebook.com/pcswizzcs

Website: www.pcswizz.com

5 © 2010 PCSwizz Computer Support.

About Me

I feel as though I was born with computers etched into my brain! I have always

been intrigued with the technology behind computers, especially once I got

my hands on an Atari back in the early 80s. When I turned 7 years old, my

parents bought me a Commodore 64 computer. Once I turned it on, there

was no looking back. I knew my career would have to entail something

dealing with computers.

Within the last 5 years, I have had over 6 computers, with my current one

being built completely from scratch by myself. You can rest assured that I

know my way around a computer. From BIOS settings to virus removal to the

new Windows 7, I have extensive knowledge that I can use to fix your

computer! I consistently keep up with the latest trends in computers, gadgets,

and video games so you won’t have to.

Thanks for reading! If you need any computer assistance, feel free to visit my website, www.pcswizz.com!

Patrick Edwards – PCSwizz Computer Support

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