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This week, I thought I’d post a basic article on buying a new computer. Without delay, here are the top considerations:

• Mac or PC? What’s used in your office? If you’re a very basic user or perhaps a graphics pro, you’ll want to shop for something with an apple on the front. If you are like over 90% of the rest of the world, stick with a PC with a processor from Intel or AMD.
• Enough RAM? If your new machine comes with Windows Vista, make sure you’ve got at least 2GB of RAM. Importantly, consider whether the new system can be expanded beyond 2GB; with new applications rolling out every day, it’s a good idea to be ready with available space. In my opinion, RAM is far more important that processor speed in buying a computer.
• Hard Drive Space? Are you a media mogul? Meaning, do you download lots of videos or take thousands of high-res photos? If so, look for at least a 120GB drive. The good news is that storage is so cheap, if you have to, you can settle for a smaller drive and just add another one on later.
• Price Include Monitor? This is one of the reasons why I like Dell™ Home
  computers - the great deals they have usually include a great monitor in the bargain. Conversely, if you already have a monitor sitting around that you’re happy with, you can find good deals on base systems through discount retailers like www.pcmall.com
  and TigerDirect.com.
• Buy Refurbished? I know, I know - buying a refurb machine isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. But if you’re buying a second computer or a box for one of your kids to learn on, consider a refurbished desktop from a major manufacturer like IBM or Compaq. These reconditioned computers often include a full factory warranty.

So that’s it, quick and easy rules of thumb for the novice computer buyer! What am I forgetting? You tell me!

Technorati Tags: new computer, buying a computer

Browsing some of my favorite tech blogs, I came across an article from 2005 on The Six Dumbest Ideas in Computer Security by Marcus Ranum. This is the sort of IT discussion I like to see - advanced topics tackled in a way the modestly-informed reader can understand. In short, the article outlines the absurdness of:

1. The Default Permit - “…the computer security equivalent of empty calories…”
2. Enumerating Badness - “…around 1992 the amount of Badness in the Internet began to vastly outweigh the amount of Goodness…”
3. Penetrate and Patch - “…the problem with ‘Penetrate and Patch’ is not that it makes your code/implementation/system better by design, rather it merely makes it toughened by trial and error…”
4. Hacking is Cool - “….I find it interesting to compare societal reactions to hackers as ‘whiz kids’ versus spammers as ’sleazy con artists’..”
5. Educating Users - “…like ‘Penetrate and Patch’ if it was going to work, it would have worked by now. …”
6. Action is Better Than Inaction - derides “…product-purchasing decisions by reading Gartner research reports and product glossies from vendors…”

Between the lines, Ranum is saying that computer system security should be addressed through predictive systems rather than permissive & reactive technology or training. What can average at-home users take from this? Realize your computers have vulnerabilities with people dedicated to exploit them. For tech professionals, it seems to be a much more urgent message: adapt the way you think about your world or face security as an endless, sisyphean task.

Technorati Tags: computer security, Marcus Ranum

The low price of bundled desktop computers + LCD monitor continues to amaze me. Even what were formerly considered “high end” systems are now well below $2000. Take, for example, the Optima Gamer System with Intel® Dual Core Processor. The 3.6 Ghz Intel Pentium D “Dual Core” processor speaks for itself, but this powerful machine comes with a 19″ LCD flat panel monitor, 1GB DDR2 RAM, 300 GB Serial ATA hard drive, 8 USB ports & Windows XP Pro all for just $1,429.99. That’s new, my friend, not refurbished.

Interestingly, this system comes from Target, so you know you’re getting a good deal on a solid computer. For those in a hurry, the product usually ships in 2-3 days. The only “con” found for this deal? No solid reviews are available…

Technorati Tags: Optima Computers, Gamer System

If you can’t tell, Dell desktops
are among one of my favorites. Like me, they support the idea that you don’t have to pay an arm and a leg for a powerful system with lots of features. Enter the Dell Inspiron 531: until December 20, 2007, the computer system is available for just $449. “Ok,” you say, “that’s a good price and everything, but there are lots of desktops at that price point.” But this $449 comes with 2GB of RAM and a 500 GB hard drive. Yes, you will have to put up with Windows Vista Home Premium, but the combination of price, RAM and drive space make this one a winner in my book.

Here’s the official gateway to the deal:

Inspiron 531 only $449 (before tax, fees, shipping & handling) after $340 instant savings

Technorati Tags: Dell Inspiron 531

A brand of computer system I’ve often read about is Alienware. Named for the founders’ love of the hit series The X-Files, the sleek brand features a product line with advanced desktops, laptops, home entertainment systems and accessories. Alienware systems are known to be specialized for the gamer community, offering high-performance computing options like advanced liquid cooling, overclocked processors and way-cool cases.

If it’s not a name you know, the company offers the following as an introduction:

Established in 1996, Alienware® manufactures high-performance desktop, notebook, media center, and professional systems. Operating under the philosophy of “build it as if it were your own,” Alienware has earned numerous awards for excellence and has become a respected brand name worldwide with systems available direct within the United States, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand.

While this descriptions captures their go-it-alone attitude, it does bear mentioning that the former “outsider” company was acquired by Dell in 2006 and remains a wholly-owned subsidiary. That purchase didn’t squelch their competitive drive, though. As recently as October 2007, the company has launched two new services: AlienContact and AlienExchange. The former is a remote support application to help diagnose problems. The latter is a computer trade-in/trade-up offer. Neither are industry firsts, but both efforts show you this isn’t your father’s computer company.

I’ve run across to recent promotions for Alienware systems: one for a desktop and one for a laptop.

Featured Desktop Deal: NEW Area-51® ALX - Extreme Gaming Performance Desktop. This Quad Core gamer system has an Intel Core 2 Extreme processor, DDR3 memory, ATI Radeon 512MB graphics card and more. At just $150/month, you should take a look at this MONSTER system.

Featured Laptop Deal: Aurora™ m9700: Alienware’s most popular system of 2007 ready for the Holidays!. This feature-rich Alienware laptop can be had for just over $2000.

Technorati Tags: Alienware