Off The Walt

As I’ve been a computer tech for many years, I get asked a lot about what type of computer to buy. Here’s a handy guide for you to run through if you don’t know what to buy:

Who to buy from?
Dell. Period.
I’ve been buying Dell machines for years. Nearly every IT professional uses them as well. The components are generally a grade above the competition and the machines are usually easier to perform maintainence on.

How much stuff do I need to buy?
If you want to do anything but the latest games and graphic design, generally the cheapest you can find. Honestly. You can get a computer these days for less than $500 that comes with a new display (aka monitor). Let’s work through a few more details though…

Windows vs Mac
I can fix both machines and they both are good and bad. Personally, I favor Windows machines. Sure, you can be trendy and buy a Mac, but look at the software you use at work and see if it’s available on the Mac platform. Unless you’re in design as a profession, chances are no. I’m a senior webdesigner and I use all sorts of art and design applications and I personally have found that they, as well as most other programs, are better on a Windows platform than a Mac. This is my personal preference, so YMMV.

Windows Platform
If you go Windows, you’ve got 3 different Operating Systems to choose from:
1. Windows XP. Venerable but trusted. Several of my machines still run XP. It’s very stable and does what most want it to.
2. Windows Vista. Shiny and good. Vista got a bad rap because manufacturers, not Microsoft, didn’t catch up. Vista had some issues here and there, but it was not Microsoft’s fault. I have a machine with Vista and it runs just fine.
3. Windows 7. 7 is rumored to be out Summer of 2009 and is essentially rebranded Vista. Honestly. Microsoft is trying to recover from the negative image Vista obtained and move forward with a new name.

32-bit vs 64-bit?
The bottom line: buy whichever is cheapest.
A slightly longer explination: the number of bits is how much information the processor can process per clock cycle (there are 16 clock cycles per second).
If you’re going to want more than 4 gigs of RAM, you’ll need 64-bit.

RAM (aka memory)
If you’re getting Windows XP, 2 gigs is fine, 4 gigs would be a bonus.
If you’re looking at Vista or 7, you will need 4 gigs minimum. 6 or 8 would really future-proof your investment.

HDD (aka hard drive or storage)
If you’re not going to get every music track, get the smallest size available. Most of my clients never use 10% of their drive. If you have internet-savvy kids, you’ll want to go larger. Most people won’t use more than 10 gigs their entire life. I’ve seen internet-savvy kids use in the thousands of gigs (basically 1 thousand gigs is called a terrabyte or TB).

Display Adapter (aka video or video card)
Are you going to play those really intense shoot-em-ups? Do you need to have 2 or more monitors? If no, whatever comes with it is just fine for you.

If you need 2 monitors, look for a "dual head" display adapter.
If you need games, look forward to spending at least the price (sometimes 2x!) of the computer’s price again on the latest and best.

Display (aka monitor)
Let’s get some terms out of the way… "Flat Screen" is not the same as "Flat Panel". The original displays (CRTs or cathode-ray tubes), when they were huge had a curved glass front. Eventually a method to have a flat piece of glass came out called "Flat Screen". Now we have these skinny little panels 1-2 inches wide. These are called "Flat Panels". They also have flat screens, but that’s not what you call it.

Why do you want a new display even though your huge old CRT display works just fine aside from that smudge no amount of Windex can get off? It’ll save you on your power bill. Not only does that huge monster cost more to power, it lets off copious amounts of heat which your A/C has to combat, costing you more money!

More programs, games and website are being designed with the 16:10 widescreen format in mind. Things won’t look right soon enough if you don’t catch up. 19" is the standard of today. If you’re buying for someone with poor eyesight, you may want to go bigger.

Software (aka applications and programs)
You don’t need to drop tons of cash to make your computer do what you want. There are tons of free games and programs out there. You don’t need Microsoft Office, you can get by with OpenOffice.org.

Conclusion
Don’t spend money if you don’t need to. You shouldn’t expect to spend more than $500 on a machine. It’s easy to spend alot but you really don’t need to.

I’m one of those people that doesn’t watch television outside of an occasional episode of Lost or America’s Funniest Videos, but I know a lot of people aren’t like me in that I constantly make sure I’m busy with something . I know I’m the one-percenter and I’m OK with that.

From dtv2009.gov:

At midnight on February 17, 2009, all full-power television stations in the United States will stop broadcasting in analog and switch to 100% digital broadcasting. Digital broadcasting promises to provide a clearer picture and more programming options and will free up airwaves for use by emergency responders.

So what’s that mean to you? If you have a television more than a couple years old, on 2/17/2009, you will be watching the snow channel all day long. Even in the Summer. Isn’t life wonderful?!

How can this affect you? If you have standard (analog) cable, digital cable or satellite television, you don’t have to worry about it. Note: You may still want to take advantage of this coupon program (more info below) because with times getting harder and harder, dropping subscription television is becoming a good idea. (Most people pay $1,500 or more a year!)

Be warned: Cable companies are trying to scare consumers into saying their old analog cable TV signal will not work as of February 17. This is complete fallacy. They are simply trying to get more money out of you. Do not let them do it!

How can you make sure you can still watch open-air broadcasts?
You need a converter box. Converter boxes take the newer, digital method of broadcasting and convert it into a signal older televisions can understand and then show you visually. Some people will be lucky in that they will only need the converter box, most will, even if you live in a dense population area, need a digital antenna.

The old, analog, broadcast method is onmi-directional: the signal shoots out in a circle from the antenna. Anyone within the radius, the closer the better, gets the signal.
The newer, digital, broadcast method is fixed-directional: the signal shoots out in a straight line, somewhat triangular toward the end. If you’re in the line, you win! If you’re a bit outside of the line, not so much on the win thing. This is where your digital antenna will come in handy.

Your converter box (we’ll get to that in a minute) has a small, low powered antenna, antenna that does its best, but won’t be perfect. After you get your box set up, if the signals aren’t coming in all that clearly, you’ll want to head to the store.

From dtv2009.gov:

Congress created the TV Converter Box Coupon Program for households wishing to keep using their analog TV sets after February 17, 2009. The Program allows U.S. households to obtain up to two coupons, each worth $40, that can be applied toward the cost of eligible converter boxes.

A TV connected to cable, satellite or other pay TV service does not require a TV converter box from this program.
Consumers have a variety of options. Options to explore include:

1. Keep your existing analog TV and purchase a TV converter box. A converter box plugs into your TV and will keep it working after Feb. 17, 2009, or
2. Connect to cable, satellite or other pay service, or
3. Purchase a television with a digital tuner.

Even if you don’t need a converter box right now, take advantage of the 2 coupons . You’ll have 3 months to use them. If you have to drop cable/satellite in the next 6 months, you’ll wish you took advantage of the free converter box !

Claim your two $40 coupons!

Before you get your converter box, you’ll want to do some research on what’s available. cnet offers darn good reviews on all sorts of items , including the converter boxes.
1. Check your local stores to see what models they have in stock
2. Write down the manufacturer, model and price
3. Look at cnet and see what the reviews are on the units. How noisy are they? Do they get hot? If you lose the remote, can you manually control the channel on the box itself? Will a universal remote work with it? Can you buy extra remotes?
4. Who has the best price on your favorite converter?
5. Use your coupons and buy your boxes. Consider 2 different ones – one may not work perfectly whereas the other may. This will let you know what is best for you.
6. Do this before February! Everyone will be in stores on the 18th! Don’t get caught in line, get your boxes early!

Dropping cable/satellite
There are alternatives to using cable and satellite for entertainment.
* ABC offers most of their boadcast catalog via streaming at http://abc.go.com/ . You’ll have to install a plugin to view the content, but it’s free.
* CBS offers shows as well at http://www.cbs.com/ . No plugin necessary.
* Hulu.com is my favorite spot for stuff online as it’s got shows like Heroes, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, The Simpsons, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, SNL and so much more. http://www.hulu.com/
* Podcasting is free to listen to as well. You can find several great shows, mostly audio, online for your listening and watching pleasure. Consider The Kore New Media Podcast Group for some great podcasts on funny news, music, movies, storytelling and much, much more at http://www.KoreNewMedia.com/