Computers Are Your Future Twelfth Edition Spotlight 3: Buying and Upgrading Your Computer System...

Computers Are Your Future

Twelfth EditionSpotlight 3: Buying and Upgrading Your

Computer System

Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall 1

Buying and Upgrading Your

Computer System


Getting Started the Right Way

• Selecting a computer system requires:o Right way:

• Knowing computer terminology• Understanding the relative value of system

components• Determining software needs and the system

required to fulfill those needso Wrong way

• Buying a system based only on price• Being influenced by sales hype• Purchasing a system without prior knowledge


Notebook, Netbook, or Desktop?

• Notebookso Rival the power of a desktop machine, yet more

expensiveo Portability and size are main advantages

• Netbookso Lighter and smaller than a notebooko Longer battery life

• Desktopso Not as portable, but have more processing speed and RAMo Can have larger internal drive


Notebook, Netbook, or Desktop?

• Notebook thefto Doubled over the past yearo Often inside jobo One of the top three computer crimeso Many firms lost notebooks with sensitive data


Mac or PC?• Two main

computer system platforms:o Windows (PC)o Mac

• Users tend to be very loyal


Mac or PC?• Differences between Macs &

PCso Software

• More software is developed for PCs—more popularo Although popular packages, such Microsoft Office,

available for both

o Virtual Machine (VM) software allows Macs to run Windows software

• Examples: Parallels, Parallels Desktop, VM

o Use• PCs: Business and engineering areas• Macs: Artistic areas

o Cost—Macs usually cost moreCopyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall 7

Choosing the Right Hardware

• Hardware needed


o Processors o Memoryo Hard diskso Internal and

external driveso Monitors and video

cardso Printers

o Speakers and sound cardso Modems and network

cardso Keyboards and miceo Uninterruptible power

supplieso Notebook cooling pads


• Consider when choosing the best microprocessoro Brand o Modelo Clock speedo Number of coreso Power consumption



• Memory—the more, the bettero RAM (temporary storage)

• Allows CPU to process more instructions• Supports more applications running

simultaneouslyo Secondary cache

• Provides an additional location for memory storageo L2 and L3 cache

• Quickly accessed• Allows systems to work faster



• Hard disk storageo Relatively inexpensiveo Purchase as much as possible

• Driveso Decide on internal or externalo Should meet your needs

• CD, DVD, Blu-rayo Flash drives—an excellent supplement



• Monitorso Video card—controls the quality and resolution

of the displayo Size in incheso Display standards

• SXGA, WXGA, WSXGA, WUXGAo Interface

• AGP, PCI Express, PCI Express Base 2.1o Dot pitch—The smaller the dot pitch, the better

the display



• Printerso Color inkjeto Monochrome lasero Color lasero Multifunction (fax, scan, and print)o Wireless

• Consider:o Print quality o Speed o Cost of printer and price per pageo Associated supplies



• Speakers and sound cards o Provide full advantage of the multimedia

capabilitieso Consider higher-quality speakers if you purchase

a lower-priced computer system

• Network interface card (NIC)o Needed to connect to a network

• Wired, wireless, or both



• Keyboards and miceo Can be upgraded

to suit special needs


Ergonomic keyboard if you have pain when typing on a standard keyboard. A wheel mouse includes a scrolling wheel and programmable buttons.


• Uninterruptible power supply (UPS)o Provides power for a

short time if losto A wise investment



• Notebook cooling pado Protects from heato Can add years to the

life of your notebook

• Other items:o Backup systemo Locks


Shopping Wisely

• Base decisions on such items as:o Top-of-the-line models

vs. bargain-bin specialso Local stores vs. mail-

order and online companies

o Buying used vs. refurbished

o Name-brand vs. generic PCs


Shopping Wisely


Upgrading Your System

• Upgrading a computer systemo Consider whether:

• It will be in violation of the computer’s warranty

• You have the knowledge and skill level to perform the upgrade

• Upgrading or buying a new computer may be the most cost-effective option


Upgrading Your System

• Common upgradeso Adding an expansion board

• Identify correct type of expansion slot• Press new board into place and screw in

placeo Upgrading memory

• Purchase the type and amount of memory needed

• Ground yourself against static electricity• Install memory

• Check the Web for information


Caring for Your Computer System

• Surge protection• Purchase a UPS• Never plug a computer into

the same outlet as a refrigerator.o Refrigerators tend to cause power fluctuations



• Allow sufficient air circulation• Turn the computer off before

connecting or disconnecting cables

• Do not stretch or mash cables• Clean a computer and printer

with a damp, soft, lint-free cloth



• Cleaning monitorso For light cleaning—gently wipe the monitor

surface with a clean, soft, lint-free clotho If stronger cleaning is required:

• Unplug the monitor• Use distilled water to dampen the cloth• Wipe the monitor surface with the damp

clotho Never spray any kind of liquid directly on the

monitor



• Run a disk defragmentation utility on a regular basis

• Install both antivirus software and antispywareo Never install and run software or open

received files without checking them for viruses or spyware


Some Final Advice• Do research before buying a

computer system and results in an informed purchase.

• Research your purchase—read newspapers and magazines and search the Web.

• The more sources used—the easier it will be to make an informed decision.


All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic,

mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher. Printed in the United States of America.

Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall


Computers Are Your Future Twelfth Edition Spotlight 3: Buying and Upgrading Your Computer System...

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