handy checklist for buying any new computer or laptop
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Computer technology is changing so fast, buying any new computer or laptop can be a daunting task. So here's a quick Checklist of all the terms, features and factors you should check before you buy. Become an educated buyer and save.TRANSCRIPT
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Handy Checklist For Buying A New Computer or Laptop(Don't Enter That Computer Store Without It!)
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Computer technology is ALWAYS changing
Handy Checklist For Buying A New Computer or Laptop(Don't Enter That Computer Store Without It!)
http://www.laptopcomputerguide.org. .
Computer technology is ALWAYS changing
Handy Checklist For Buying A New Computer or Laptop(Don't Enter That Computer Store Without It!)
It’s HARD forconsumers to
keep up.
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Here's a checklist of quick factsto consider before you buyyour next computer.
An educated buyer will always get the BEST DEAL.
Handy Checklist For Buying A New Computer or Laptop(Don't Enter That Computer Store Without It!)
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USE THIS FAST CHECKLIST BEFORE BUYING A NEW COMPUTER OR LAPTOP:
1. What Type of Processor?
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THIS IS THE BRAND AND TYPE of processor includedin your system, such as Intel 2nd. Generationi3, i5 and i7 Processors and AMD Phenom…this is the heart of your computer;
Also called the CPU (Central Processing Unit)– it runs your computer.
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Check your processor’s speed:Measured in Megahertz (MHz) orGigahertz. It determines how fast thecomputer will perform. ** higher the processor speed faster the CPU will perform **
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1. What Type of Processor?
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Check your processor’s cache:
The amount of Cache in your computerwill allow you to work and processBigger and more Complex files withoutcrashing your system.
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1. What Type of Processor?
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More RAM Faster Computer
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2. How Much RAM?
Random Access Memory is temporary memory yourcomputer uses to run applications and data on youroperating system.
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Operating System Minimum requirements Crucial recommendations*
Microsoft Windows® 7 64-bit 2GB 4GB-8GB
Microsoft Windows® 7 32-bit 1GB 4GB
Microsoft Windows® Vista™ 64-bit 2GB 4GB-8GB
Microsoft Windows® Vista 32-bit 1GB 4GB
Windows XP Professional 512MB 2GB-4GB
Windows XP Home 512MB 1GB-3GB
Mac® OSX Leopard 1GB 2GB-4GB
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2. How Much RAM?
*32-bit Operating Systems ONLY recognizes up to 3GB of RAM,while you need 64-bit systems to take full advantage of 4GB of RAM
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3. Hard Drive Speed & Capacity
Hard Drive - Computer's primary storage area.
Hard drives space can be 100GB - 500GB – 2TB
Check rotational speed – How fast the disk spins willDetermine performance level.7,200rpm > 5,400rpm
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3. Hard Drive Speed & Capacity
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Today’s HDDs operate on high-speedserial interfaces – SATA(Serial Advanced Technology Architecture) hard drive. SATA transmits data in a serially(in a single stream) as opposed to PATA orParallel ATA which is referred to as anIDE hard drive.
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4. Graphics Card
Handles all your computergraphics, visuals and videos
Decide what your using the Computer for:
Video Gaming or Large High-resolution graphics
Requires a Dedicated Video
Card
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4. Graphics Card
New video cards use AGP(Accelerated Graphics Port) This dedicated connection comesin different speeds- 2X 4X and 8X.
To play video games and run complex multi-mediaApplications you will need a high speed AGP 8XVideo card with at least 128MB or more ofdedicated memory.
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4. Graphics Card
Most gamers prefer high-end Graphics Cards fromNVIDIA or ATI. To achieve maximum performance twoor more graphics cards can be connectedin a SLI configuration.
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5. Dedicated Video Memory
Separate from your main system memory. The main memory is shared or integrated to helpsupplement your system‘s memory when it's needed.In other systems it is completely dedicated memory.Others use a hybrid of both technologies.
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7. Shared Video Memory
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6. Video Memory
Shows how much total video memory is availableto the video chipset/card - both dedicated and shared.
The portion of your system's memorythat's shared to the graphics chipsetto perform tasks like 3D gaming.
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8. Pre-loaded Operating System
What kind of OS (Operating System) is pre-installed onthe computer. Usually this will be Windows 7 orWindows Vista. There are different versions such as:
Windows 7 Windows Vista
Windows 7 Starter Windows Vista Home Basic
Windows 7 Home Basic Windows Vista Home Premium
Windows 7 Home Premium Windows Vista Business
Windows 7 Professional Windows Vista Enterprise
Windows 7 Enterprise Windows Vista Ultimate
Windows 7 Ultimate
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9. Intel Centrino
A platform promoted by Intel which covers mainboardchipset, mobile CPU and wireless network interface inlaptop designs. Intel's Core Duo processor offers dual-coreperformance while keeping the power consumption low.
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10. Intel Centrino 2
Fifth-generation Centrino Platform(codename Montevina)which supports PenrynCore 2 Duo processors.
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11. Optical Drives
Removable drives that write and read data using lasers.Common ones: CD ROM, DVD ROM, Blu-ray ROM drives.Speed of optical drives are measured in "150kb/sec”units. Factors of "x“ are used such as 4X, 8X...
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12. 3D Gaming
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Just like the TV manufacturers, many computercompanies are trying to bring the 3Dexperience to the home. Technologylike NVIDIA’s 3D Vision turns yourPC or Laptop turns into a full-on 3D entertainment center.
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13. Screen Size & Type
Display size and type on your laptop or computer. Mostscreens are now LCD but not all. Resolution of the display:
1600×1200 UXGA, 1400×1050 SXGA+, wide screenslike 1280×768 WXGA, 1680×1050 WSXGA+ and
1920×1200 WUXGA.
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14. Native Screen Resolution
Refers to fixed pixel displays such as LCD, DLP andPlasma TVs. Native resolution is the fixed pixel displayresolution, such as 1920 x 1080 (interlaced or progressivescan) for HD or High Definition TV.
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1080
1920
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15. TFT Active Matrix Display
TFT stands for thin-film transistors and many high-endnotebook computers use (TFT) active matrix liquid crystaldisplays. Most notebooks have LCD (liquid crystal display)or LED (light-emitting diodes) screens – these are different from your desktop CRT (cathode-ray tube) monitor.
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16. Sound Card
Also known as an audio card is an independent expansionthat controls Input/output of audio signals. Importantcomponent for multimedia applications suchas video gaming, music composition...
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17. TV Tuner
Lets your computer tune TV or HDTVsignals so that you can watch livetelevision thru your PC.
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18. FireWire (IEEE 1394)
Firewire is a high speed port for largeand fast transfer of data - used with harddrives, video cameras and scanners.
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19. Ethernet Port
This lets you connect your computerto a wired Ethernet network. (Groupof computers working together.)
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20. Integrated Bluetooth
Bluetooth is a standard wireless networkingsystem which lets you connect wirelessly toyour computer's peripherals such as mouse,keyboards, headsets, printers...
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21. Integrated Wi-Fi
Integrated Wi-Fi provides wireless network access.
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22. HDCP Compliant
HDCP compliance assures the digital outputson the computer are secure and the HDCP copyprotection system is supported.
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23. Audio Output
Audio output whether mono, stereo or surroundAnd showing how many channels can be output
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24. Digital Output
A digital output allows formulti-channel digitalaudio output.
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25. Digital Input
Digital inputs lets multi-channeldigital audio outputs to be streamed.
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27. Microphone Input
A connection for a standardStereo microphone.
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26. Integrated Microphone
An integrated microphonelets you record audio intoyour computer.
28. Speaker WattageTotal wattage output of the
speakers, sometimes listedas peak power or total power.
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29. Card Reader
This is used for readingmemory cards.
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30. Component Output
This enables analog HD signals to be shown by yourPC on a compatible display.
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31. Composite Output
This shows whether or not your system supports compositevideo connections.
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32. S-Video Output
This supports S-video connections
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33. DVI Output
Provides a connector for DVI panels.
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34. HDMI
Whether or not your system supports HDMI connectivity -important for High Definition playback/visuals.
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35. E-SATA
Is a high speed data port mainly used for connecting E-SATA hard drives.
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36. Keyboard
Input device for your computer - if you're buying a laptop, check to see if it‘s a full size standard keyboard.
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37. Touchpad
An input device commonlyfound on notebook computers.Along with other input devicessuch as the Track Stick,Keyboards, and mouse.
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38. Modem
A device which allows you to transmit dataover phone lines. A fax modem lets youtransmit to another fax modem or fax machine.
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39. Remote
Some computers now have remote controls...handy if you use your computer for watching TV or DVDs.
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40. Mouse
An input device which uses handmovements and a Correspondingscreen cursor.
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USE THIS FAST CHECKLIST BEFORE BUYING A NEW COMPUTER OR LAPTOP:
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41. USB 3.0
Check your system's USB ports which are used forconnecting USB (USB 1.0, 1.1, 2.0 and 3.0) devices.
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42. VGA Output
A connector for VGA(Video Graphics Array) panels
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43. WebCam
A webcam is a simple camera that records or transmits images to your computer.
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44. Available Hard Drive Bays
An open slot inside your system where you can installextra components such as optical or hard drives. Oftenreferred to as an expansion bay. Come in two sizes- floppy drive (3.5 inches) and CD drive 5.25 inches- can handle any device of the same size.
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45. Available Optical Bays
For installing Optical Drives like the DVD drive.
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46. Power Supply
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Shows the wattage of your installed power supply.
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47. Available Memory Slots
Tells you how many Memory Slots you have in yoursystem. Usually you can upgrade your RAM if thereare slots available.
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MemorySlots
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48. Available PCI Slots
These are available expansion slots for special cardssuch as video or network cards...to increase the performance or capabilities of your PC.
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PCI Slots
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49. AGP Slots
These are used to installAGP expansion Cards.
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AGP Slots
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50. PCI Express
Peripheral Component Interconnect Express, akaPCI-E is a computer expansion card interface format.Unlike the other PC expansion interfaces,PCI Express uses point-to-point serial links/lanesinstead of a bus. There are different versions –such as x16, x1, x4 and x8.
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51. Available PCI-E Slots
Available Slots to installPCI-E expansion Cards.
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PCI-E Slots
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52. What is SLI?
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"Scalable Link Interface". NVIDIA SLI technology lets youuse a couple of graphics cards together with PCI ExpressX16. SLI will speed up graphics on a single monitor bydeploying two graphics cards. Analternative system would be ATI‘sCrossFire which is a SLI-likeconfiguration using 'Master' and'Slave' cards to combine two RadeonGPUs for improved and faster graphics.
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53. Battery Life
The Lithium ion battery is found in most notebookComputers. They have a longer battery life than regularbatteries. Laptop batteries can be 4-cell, 6-cell, 9-cell... IF long battery life is important to you - get the highestnumbered cell battery. Also, it might be wise to purchasea second battery if you do a lot of traveling or'in-the-field' work.
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54. Removable Storage
Lets you read/write data to and froma removable storage. Flash Drives, CDs, DVDs, Blu-rays,Floppy disks. Handy for backups, troubleshootingor quick file transfers.
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55. Tower Size
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Check to see the dimensionsOf your PC Tower system.
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56. Pre-loaded Software
Check to see what software is pre-loadedon the computer system. This softwarewill use up the system‘s resources...you can always remove these programs.
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57. System Bus
The System Bus is measured in MHz (megahertz)and is the path which connects all the computercomponents to the processor. Higher the bus speed,faster the system will process.
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58. French/English Software
Compatible with both English and French.Some systems will have French Kits, mainlyfor the Canadian marketplace.
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59. Laptop SizeSize is more important when buying a laptop. Check
the size and weight of your laptop system – some desktop replacement laptops weight more than 10 lbs and are not really portable. There’s everything from 10 inch netbooks to 18 inch gaming laptops.
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60. Warranty for Labour & Parts
You must check the length of your warrantyfor Labour & Parts – how many years is each covered for?
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61. Extended Warranty
Many manufacturers and retail storesoffer extended warranties.
These warranties can be expensive soit is up to the Individual buyer whether ornot to purchase them.
An extended warranty is a real option – especially when you consider replacement costs and the “peace of mind “ such things supposedly brings.
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What Computer To Buy?
Buy a computer to meet your needs.
Simple email tasks & surfing the web - you don‘t need a big expensive computer. Video gaming or editing large video/graphic files require an expensive fast computer with high-end quality graphics.
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USE THIS FAST CHECKLIST BEFORE BUYING A NEW COMPUTER OR LAPTOP:
What Computer To Buy?
Buy a computer to meet your needs.
Simple email tasks & surfing the web - you don‘t need a big expensive computer. Video gaming or editing large video/graphic files require an expensive fast computer with high-end quality graphics.
Save Money – Buy What you Need
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Where To Buy Computer?
Ordering systems online is a popular choice.
Benefits of online purchase are:1) you're dealing directly with the maker 2) configure computer or laptop in the comfort of your home 3) take advantage of special online discounts and deals... Regardless of the route you take
Happy Shopping!
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For further Information on Laptop Computers TRY these handy articles:
• Which Notebook Computer Has Your Name On It?• Practical Laptop Buying Tips• Best Gaming Notebooks• Best Business Notebooks• Best Notebooks For Student• 7 Good Reasons For Buying A Laptop Online• Are Netbooks The Perfect Student Laptops?• Laptop Buyers Guide - Should You Go With An HDD or SSD?• How To Do Your Own Computer or Laptop Memory Upgrade• Know The Importance Of Computer Memory (Before Buying Your Laptop)
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• Overclocking - Higher Laptop Performance For Less Money• Cheap Laptops - Are They Worth The Money?• How To Clean Laptop Screen• Preventing Laptop Theft• Notebook Battery Guide• Notebook Terms/Glossary
© Copyright - 2006-11 All Rights Reserved. Computer BuyingChecklist www.bizwaremagic.com All products and companies mentioned within this document have their own RegisteredTrademarks such as Windows Vista®, HP®, Intel® Core™ 2, AMD Phenom™...
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