Owning a personal computer, also known as a PC, is considered essential nowadays. It is also very common for you to see computers and PCs in almost every household, but all of them look very different from each other. The choices are almost overwhelming, down to the last computer part. From hardware considerations, software capabilities, and other products and services that may be more beneficial than the other, owning a PC is as complicated as it gets. It doesn’t have to be that way, however, and there are some general guidelines that you could look at when buying your first PC.
Of course, learning about how to wipe a PC and keep it running smoothly should also be on your list. Let’s give you a quick rundown on what to consider when buying your computer.
Hardware
There are a lot of things within the hardware department that you should keep in mind. From CPU, GPU, RAM, and accessories, you should at least have a general knowledge in order to pick out the best one. A central processing unit or CPU is the main brain of your PC. Make sure to learn about their capabilities and features and see which specific CPU would run best with your other options. You could also align this with your needs on a PC. This is so that you wouldn’t have to shell out unnecessary amounts of money for something that you wouldn’t even use.
You could also future-proof your PC by buying a highly capable CPU that would stand the test of time and future software development. Your graphics processing unit (GPU) is similar to your CPU, but it specializes in rendering out graphics. The same rules apply in choosing a CPU, so keep in mind your needs, wants, and compatibilities. Every other hardware falls under the aforementioned things to keep in mind, so this could be a good starting guide for you to follow.
Budget
If you have a set budget in mind, then you should also consider that along with your wants and needs. It’s not as simple as what could fit into your budget. There are a lot of ways to look at your finances, so let’s break down a few of them in order to help you with your decisions. A cheap computer may be less expensive up front, but maintenance, in the long run, could hit you hard. Shelling out a lot of money for an expensive, powerful computer could help you future-proof things, but you also have to consider other factors and variables in your life. Using installment credits or buying a computer upfront with cash should also be considered.
Brand
There are essentially two big players when it comes to the PC industry. Apple and every other company that uses Windows. There’s also Linux, but the average person would probably not be interested in the complications (yet customizability) that comes with setting up a Linux device. Apple and Windows products have notable pros and cons, and one shouldn’t always be favored over the other.
Generally, Apple is seen as more premium, more secure, and easier to use. That is not always the case, however, as there are also very premium Windows devices, Windows devices that specialize in security, and others. However, a fully integrated system that works seamlessly with the hardware is where Apple specializes. Since they have proprietary hardware and software, they could control the dynamics of their products and squeeze every bit of performance and efficiency down to the last chip.
Windows devices, on the other hand, are very customizable and diverse. However, this also brings the question of quality control, compatibility with other software, and the like.
