| The desktop computer has become just another | | | | A microtower is a space-saving alternative that is |
| appliance you use every day. Replacement sales--not | | | | usually less expensive. All-in-one computers, such as |
| first-time purchases--now drive the computer market. | | | | the Apple iMac, have no tower; everything but the |
| Fully loaded desktops selling for less than $800 are | | | | keyboard and mouse is built into a small case that |
| common, even among established brands. | | | | supports the monitor. Apple's Power Mac line of |
| WHAT'S AVAILABLE | | | | computers has a tower. Apple's newest model, the |
| There are dozens of companies vying to put a new | | | | Mac Mini, has a space-saving design that puts |
| desktop in your home. Dell, eMachines, Gateway, | | | | everything but the monitor, keyboard, and mouse in a |
| Hewlett-Packard (which merged with Compaq in | | | | case about the size of a hardcover book. An |
| 2002), IBM, and Sony all make machines that use | | | | "entertainment PC"--one with a TV tuner built |
| Microsoft's dominant Windows operating system. | | | | in--comes in a case that is more like an audio or video |
| eMachines, recently merged with Gateway, specializes | | | | component, made to fit in with other |
| in budget-priced Windows models. Apple is the sole | | | | home-entertainment devices. |
| maker of Macintosh models. Small mail-order and store | | | | A mouse, a small device that fits in your hand and has |
| brands cater to budget-minded buyers. | | | | a "tail" of wire that connects to the computer, moves |
| Price range: $400 to $3,000. | | | | the cursor (the pointer on the screen) via a rolling ball |
| IMPORTANT FEATURES | | | | or a light sensor on its underside. Alternatives include a |
| The processor houses the "brains" of a computer. Its | | | | trackball, which is rolled with the fingers or palm in the |
| clock speed, measured in gigahertz (GHz), determines | | | | direction you want the cursor to go; a pad, which lets |
| how fast the chip can process information. In general, | | | | you move the cursor by sliding a finger; a tablet, which |
| the higher the clock speed, the faster the computer. | | | | uses a penlike stylus for input; and a joystick, used to |
| But not always, since different chip families attain | | | | play computer games. |
| different efficiencies. Manufacturers of Windows | | | | Most computers come with a standard keyboard, |
| machines generally use 1.6- to 3.8-GHz processors | | | | although you can also buy one separately. Many |
| with one of the following names: Intel's Pentium or | | | | keyboards have CD (or DVD) controls to pause |
| Celeron, or AMD's Athlon or Sempron. Celeron and | | | | playback, change tracks, and so on. Many also have |
| Sempron are lower-priced processors that equal | | | | keys to facilitate getting online, starting a search, |
| higher-priced chips in many respects. Intel now assigns | | | | launching programs, or retrieving e-mail. There are also |
| "processor numbers" to its chips, de-emphasizing clock | | | | wireless keyboards that let you move about as you |
| speed. Apple's Macintosh machines use 1.25- to | | | | type. |
| 2.5-GHz PowerPC G4 or G5 processors, which are | | | | Multimedia computers for home use feature a |
| manufactured by IBM. Apple has announced that they | | | | high-fidelity sound system that amplifies music from |
| will begin a transition to Intel processors in 2006.The | | | | CDs or downloaded music files, synthesized music, |
| system architecture of some families of chips allows | | | | game sounds, and DVD-movie soundtracks. Speaker |
| them to be as fast as or faster than others with higher | | | | systems with a subwoofer have deeper, more |
| clock speeds, so speed comparison by the numbers | | | | powerful bass. Surround-sound systems can turn a |
| can be misleading. | | | | PC into a home theater. Some computers come with |
| All name-brand computers sold today have at least | | | | a microphone for recording, or one can be added. |
| 256 megabytes (MB) of RAM, or random access | | | | PCs come with a modem to allow a dial-up Internet |
| memory, the memory the computer uses while in | | | | connection. Parallel and serial ports are the traditional |
| operation. Video RAM, also measured in megabytes, is | | | | connections for printers and scanners. Universal Serial |
| secondary RAM essential for smooth video imaging | | | | Bus (USB) ports, seen on all new computers, are |
| and game play. | | | | designed to replace parallel and serial ports. FireWire or |
| The hard drive is your computer's long-term data | | | | IEEE 1394 ports are used to capture video from digital |
| storage system. Given the disk-space requirements of | | | | camcorders and other electronic equipment. An |
| today's multimedia games, digital photos, and video files, | | | | Ethernet port or wireless network card lets you link |
| bigger is better. You'll find hard drives ranging in size | | | | several computers in the household to share files, a |
| from 40 to 300 gigabytes (GB). | | | | printer, or a broadband Internet connection. An S-video |
| A CD-ROM drive has been standard on most | | | | output jack lets you run a video cable from the |
| desktops for many years. Commonly supplied now is | | | | computer to a television, which lets you use the |
| a CD-RW (CD-rewriteable) drive, also known as a | | | | computer's DVD drive to view a movie on a TV |
| "burner" that lets you create backup files or make | | | | instead of on the computer monitor. |
| music compilations on a compact disc. A DVD-ROM | | | | HOW TO CHOOSE |
| drive brings full-length movies or action-packed | | | | First, decide whether to upgrade your current |
| multimedia games with full-motion video to the desktop. | | | | computer. Upgrading, rather than replacing it, may |
| It complements the CD-RW drive on midline and | | | | make sense if your additional needs are modest--a |
| higher-end systems, allowing you to copy CDs directly | | | | second hard drive, say, because you're running out of |
| between the two drives. A DVD writer will also play | | | | room for digital photos. Adding memory or a CD |
| CDs and CD-ROMs. Combo drives combine | | | | burner is usually more cost-effective than buying a |
| CD-writing and DVD-playing in a single drive, saving | | | | whole new machine. If your PC has become unreliable, |
| space. The newest in this family, rapidly becoming a | | | | your want list is more demanding, or if there's |
| common choice, is the DVD-writer, which lets you | | | | software you must run that your system is not up to, |
| transfer home-video footage to a DVD disk, or store | | | | a new PC is the logical answer. |
| as much data as six CDs. There are three competing, | | | | Consider a laptop. A desktop computer typically costs |
| incompatible DVD formats--DVD-RW, DVD+RW, and | | | | hundreds less and is easier to upgrade, expand, and |
| DVD-RAM--as well as drives that can create | | | | repair. It usually offers better ergonomics, such as a |
| dual-layer DVDs that store twice as much. Some | | | | more comfortable keyboard, bigger display, and |
| drives can write in more than one format, but all can | | | | enhanced audio. But a laptop merits consideration if |
| create a disk that will play on standalone DVD players. | | | | portability and compactness are priorities. |
| Fast disappearing is the diskette drive, where 3.5-inch | | | | Pick the right type of desktop. Most manufacturers |
| diskettes are inserted. Apple Macintoshes and a | | | | offer several lines at different price points. Budget |
| growing number of PCs don't have a diskette drive | | | | computers are the least expensive, yet they are |
| built in, because it only allows you to read or store | | | | suitable for routine work. Workhorse computers cost a |
| relatively small amounts of data. Many people use a | | | | few hundred dollars more, but are faster, more |
| CD-RW as a large "diskette" drive to transport files. | | | | versatile, and upgradable. All-in-one models have most |
| Many PCs now come with a digital camera | | | | of the components in a single case. And entertainment |
| memory-card reader that can also serve for file | | | | or media PCs include TV tuners and software that |
| transfer. You can also get external drives or use a | | | | give them the functions of a DVR. They usually |
| USB memory module that holds much more than a | | | | provide a remote control for easy operation. |
| diskette. | | | | Choose by brand. Our surveys have consistently |
| The computer's cathode ray tube (CRT) or flat-panel | | | | shown notable differences in reliability and technical |
| liquid crystal display (LCD) monitor contains the screen | | | | support among computer brands. And some brands |
| and displays the images sent from the graphics | | | | are generally more expensive than others. Those |
| board--internal circuitry that processes the images. | | | | factors could help you decide which of two similarly |
| Monitors come in sizes (measured diagonally) ranging | | | | equipped computers is the better buy. |
| from 15 to 21 inches and larger. Seventeen-inch | | | | Choose between preconfigured and custom built. You |
| monitors are the most common. Apple's eMac and | | | | can buy a PC off the shelf in a store or via the Web, |
| iMac come with built-in monitors. Its Mac Mini comes | | | | configured with features and options the manufacturer |
| without a monitor. LCD displays are now the most | | | | pitches to average consumers. Or consider purchasing |
| popular, taking less space and using less power than | | | | a desktop that you configure to order, either online or |
| CRTs. Better LCD displays can use a Digital Video | | | | in a store. When you configure a computer to order |
| Interface (DVI) connection, found on many newer PCs. | | | | online, onscreen menus typically show you all the |
| The critical components of a desktop computer are | | | | options and let you see how a change in one option |
| usually housed in a case called a tower. A minitower is | | | | affects the overall price. |
| the typical configuration. More expensive machines | | | | Copyright © 2002-2006 Consumers Union of U.S., |
| have a midtower, which has extra room for upgrades. | | | | Inc. |