technology | ed o'connor

The Computer You Need

I can see you out there, listening intently to the salesman, nodding knowledgeably, eyes only slightly glazed. You've bought before, probably, anyway you're certainly a user, you know what you're doing. You may even have a consultant who has helped you make the best solution, or better yet, done it all for you, set it up, turned it on . . . and off you've gone, blissfully oblivious to the obvious - you've already spent $500 more than you needed to.

This grim scenario occurs all too often when business men and women eagerly purchase their shiny new computers.

The reason for the profit needlessly sliding down the drain? You really don't know what you have to have, so you end up with more than you need. Now, before you go buy, call a couple of friends with similar or larger companies and ask them what they're using. Take notes but beware - they've probably spent too much, too. So, next, take this page with you and firmly say a computer with the following is all you need.

Processor Speed: There is a lot of emphasis placed on the processor speeds of new computers. A new and faster processor chip is introduced each month. You only really need between 600 and 800Mhz. It also won't make a difference whether you buy Pentium III or an AMD chip.

Memory: In today's market, it is very economical to buy the computer with plenty of memory. Since running more than one application at a time (multitasking in the lingo) is much easier than before, you will be glad to have the extra memory. Get 128 megabytes (MB) of RAM. This will easily also handle a desktop publishing program.

Hard Drive: The slight additional cost to buy a larger hard drive is worth the money. Get at least a 10-gigabyte (GB) hard drive. This would give you plenty of room to grow and provide enough hard disk space to store what you need.

Software: Look for Windows 98SE or Windows Me, the Millennium edition. That's sufficient for all small to medium size office needs.

Additional Software: Most computer manufacturers preload various software packages that may be all you need to be productive immediately. It should come with an office suite. It may also come with a personal finance software package, such at MS Money or Quick Books, the latter which can be used by the small business person.

Monitor: The standard today is a 17" monitor. You might want to consider a LCD 'flat panel' monitor - nicer but more expensive. Storage: This is critical for businesses. Because the initial cost is low (and even if it weren't), add some type mass storage device. This will allow you to perform backups of your data in order to reduce the risk of losing precious files. Devices available include Iomega ZIP Drive or a CD writer. Modem: Your included 56K modem will be sufficient.

Networking: This capability is mandatory. You will want to connect computers together so you can share files and printers or connect to high speed Internet services such as DSL or cable service. Add a Network Interface Card (NIC) now. There's lots of bells and whistles of course . . . which you don't need. What's important is that you ask questions about what you are about to buy from someone who actually knows the answers. Make sure you know what you are buying. And be ready, in two or three years, to give the computer away, because you, and your employees, will probably find even this one to be obsolete.

Ed O'Connor co-owns PC Partners, Inc., a computer service firm in Overland Park that works with small to medium size companies as well as home computer users. Reach Ed at www.pcpartners.net or 913.498.3999