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When it comes
to buying a new computer, or having one built for you, I can
tell you that one built from individual parts will typically
last longer and give you less hassles than one you buy from
the store. Of course, just like with buying a car, there are
anomalies. But for the most part that's true. Why? Well
because when you buy a new computer it comes pre-loaded with
tons of stuff you'll probably never ever use because the
company you get it from (i.e., Dell, Gateway, HP, etc.) get
paid to put all that Trialware on the system. They don't
care if you never use it.
But besides
that, our only real recommendation is this:
Whatever you
get, make sure it has an Intel processor--not AMD. I'm not
saying AMD isn't any good, but considering the old adage
"you get what you pay for" just keep in mind that AMD
processors are cheap for a reason. Let me tell you a story:
Way back when
I started this company, one of my very first customers
called me with a problem he couldn't figure out. The problem
was different from most. He actually did his research. He
researched all the RAM, CPU, Motherboard, Video card
combinations he wanted and purchased everything that was all
guaranteed to be compatible with all the parts he ordered.
But when he went to install Windows, it would crash at all
different times. Sometimes during the installation,
sometimes during the boot-up sequence, sometimes in
Windows--all at totally varying times. So I recommended to
him to try different combinations of different hardware. Oh,
and by the way--the only thing about all this that stayed
the same was that he was using different AMD processors.
There really wasn't anything we could have done any
different.
So after
about 3-4 different hardware combinations I finally
suggested to try the Intel CPU and motherboard and let's
just see what happens. So he did his research to find out
which one he wanted, and brought all the parts to me. I'm
sure you've figured out what happened, right? The very first
install of Windows, the very first boot, the very first
loading of Windows--all went flawlessly. Why is this you may
ask? Have you ever heard of "Wintel?" Basically the
"marriage" of Windows and Intel. Microsoft writes all their
versions of Windows around the Intel processor. The AMD
processor actually has to have a driver that loads in
Windows to make it work right in Windows. So if you follow
my thought, why not just use the original CPU the code is
actually written for and that way any potential conflicts
just won't happen? Makes sense, doesn't it?
Ok, so now
that you know that story, there's a few choices when it
comes to Intel processors. And it also depends on whether or
not you're buying a laptop. But for now, remember the word
"Duo." They have both "Duo" and "Dual" processors. You'd
think they'd be the same since both mean "two" but that's
not the case. Just make sure whichever want you get has a
"DUO" or better processor. "Or better" could mean a
"QUAD" processor (yes, essentially four processing cores
built into one physical processor) or the latest i7, but
that one is really new...and very expensive.
As far as
hard disk space and RAM is concerned, get at least 3GB of
RAM though 4 or more would be better. Same for the hard disk
size. You may say "I don't need 500gb" but the thing is, you
may not need it right now. You might actually find a
use for it later on. So as long as it has an Intel "Duo"
processor or better, then get everything else the best you
can afford. Otherwise you'll be wishing you had later.
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