Computer Corner

Thinking about buying someone a computer for Christmas? Or maybe even for yourself? Before you plunk down several hundred dollars or some slick sales person gets you to buy more computer than you need, here are my minimum recommendations for a desktop computer. You should purchase a computer that has at least a:

Pentium IV CPU running at least two gigahertz.

The speed of your CPU (that’s the microprocessor, your computer’s “brain”) determines how fast your machine overall can run. And faster is always better, to a point. And don’t fret over Intel vs. AMD. Both are equally fine micro-chips for most users.

19 inch flat screen monitor.

Even better is 21 or 22 inches. But beyond that size, things get a little pricey.

100 gigabyte H-D (hard drive).

Your H-D is your mass storage device where all your computer programs and assorted files “live.” And some files, like video, can get quite huge. If you are into storing videos, a 200 gigabyte H-D would be better. (Windows Vista takes 15 gigabytes of space on your H-D just for itself.)

One gigabyte of RAM (random access memory).

Your computer loads all those programs you run from your H-D into your RAM, which runs much, much faster than your H-D. Microsoft recommends one gig of RAM to run Vista, but two gigs would be better.

Floppy disk drive

Remember those? You will still need this obsolete device if you have any floppy disks sitting around. This technology has been replaced by flash memory, but floppies will still be around for a few years. Incidentally, you can buy a 4 gig flash stick for around $15, which can hold the equivalent of 2,800 floppy disks!

Next time we’ll discuss what a U.P.S. is (uninterruptible power supply – we’re not talking about “Brown” here) and why you need one, especially here in Florida, the lightning capital of the world. ~

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