GUIDELINES FOR PC PURCHASE PROJECT
Using the criteria below each student will collect 3 advertisements from 3 different retailers, from either newspapers, magazines, circulars, or the Internet. You can use any Internet site such as Dell or Compaq, where you will be allowed to customize your system, or you can do your own price shopping. The advertisements should be submitted along with 3-6 page, double spaced, font size 12, regular margins, report containing the following criteria. You will need to provide a price breakdown, and a detailed description of the software and hardware, for 3 compatible computers that could be used in your endeavor, and then, your selection of the best of those 3 systems and an explanation of why it is better. Your selection of the best computer for your project should be based only on functionality and price, not on the popularity of the computer system.
The report should also include a table which can be done in Word or Excel, showing the comparisons of the systems (including specifications and costs). An example of a table is given below with the 3 retailers and the different components. You may add more components to your table.
The following parts should be included in this paper. Emphasis should be given to the Purpose, Software and Hardware sections. This is where you specify why you are buying a computer (it can be made up as long as you are consistent throughout), what kind of software and kind of hardware you need to fulfill your purpose. You then include the cost and a summarization of which system you are purchasing in the end.
I. Purpose
Why am I buying this computer? What will I use it for, or what function will it serve me? Be specific and detailed.
II. Software
What software do I need to accomplish the tasks that I have outlined in the purpose. Include both system and application software that you will have to include. Make sure that you are aware of the software specifications and requirements for your system.
III. Hardware
What Hardware platform will run the software that have been identified in the above section. Discuss the configurations of the systems that you are selecting your system from. What do you need in terms of the processor, memory, and peripheral devices? Consider if the system is upgradable in the future.
IV. Cost
Set up a budget about $1000 for Hardware, $300-400 for Software
V. Conclusion
Sum up which configuration out of the 3 that you are buying and why.
Example of a table.
Configuration Computer retailer #1 Computer retailer #2 Computer retailer #3
Brand and type of Computer
Operating System
Monitor (Size)
RAM (GB)
Hard Drive (GB)
Processor Brand
Processor Speed (GHZ)
Software
Peripheral Devices
(printers, speakers, web cam, etc., scanner)
Antivirus software
Firewall (software or router with built-in firewall)
Price
Table examples of 2 different systems
Dell Inspiron 560 ($842)
PROCESSOR Intel® Pentium® dual-core E5700(3.0GHz,2MB L2,800MHz)
MONITORS Dell IN1920 18.5″W HD Monitor,18.5 Inch VIS, VGA only
VIDEO CARD Integrated Intel® GMA X4500 Graphics
MEMORY 4GB DDR3 SDRAM – 4 DIMMs
HARD DRIVE 640GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache™
KEYBOARD Dell USB Entry Keyboard
MOUSE Dell USB Optical Mouse
Speakers Logitech X-140 Stereo Speaker System
SOUND CARD Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio PCI Express Sound Card
Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio
PRINTER Dell V313 Printer – Print, Copy, Scan
Wireless Card AE1000 Linksys High-Performance Wireless-N 300Mbps USB Adapter
OPTICAL DRIVE 16X DVD+/-RW Drive
MEDIA READER Dell 19 in 1 Media Card Reader
OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64Bit, English
OFFICE SOFTWARE Microsoft® Office Home and Student 2010
SECURITY SOFTWARE McAfee SecurityCenter, 15-Months
HP P6670 Series ($968)
Processor Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-540 dual-core processor [3.06GHz, 512KB L2 + 4MB shared L3 cache, DMI 2.5GT/s]
Memory 4GB DDR3-1333MHz SDRAM [2 DIMMs]
Hard drive 750GB 7200 rpm SATA 3Gb/s hard drive
Monitor HP s1931a 18.5-inch Diagonal HD Ready Widescreen Monitor
Graphics card 1GB ATI Radeon HD 5450 [DVI, HDMI, VGA adapter]
Sound Card Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio
Keyboard and Mouse HP USB keyboard and optical mouse
Speakers HP USB 2.0 stereo speakers
Primary optical drive LightScribe 16X max. DVD+/-R/RW SuperMulti drive
Networking Wireless-N LAN card
Front Productivity Ports 15-in-1 memory card reader, 2 USB, audio
Operating system Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
Office software Microsoft(R) Office Home and Student 2010
Security software No additional security software
HP Printers and All-in-ones HP Deskjet 3000 Printer
Helpful Web sites
http://www.computershopper.com/
http://www.ebay.com/gds/Desktop-PC-Buying-Guide-/10000000177635637/g.html (March 17,2014)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?ie=UTF8&docId=1000863131
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/computers/buying-guide.htm (last updated May 2014)
Here are some additional helpful tips:
Suggestions when Buying a PC
1. Determine what applications you will use on your computer. This decision will guide you as to the type and size of computer.
2. Choose your software first. Some packages run only on Macintosh computers, others only on a PC. Some packages run only under the Windows operating system. In addition, some software requires more memory and disk space than other packages. Most users will want at least word processing and access to the Internet and World Wide Web.
3. Be aware of hidden costs. Realize that some additional costs are associated with buying a computer. Such costs might include as cable modem or DSL, computer furniture, consumable supplies such paper, reference manuals on specific software packages, and special training classes you may want to take. Depending on where you buy your computer, the seller may be willing to include some or all of these in the system purchase price.
4. Buy equipment that meets the Energy Star power consumption guidelines. These guidelines require that computer systems, monitors, and printers reduce electrical consumption if they have not been used for some period of time, usually several minutes. Equipment meeting the guidelines can display the Energy Star logo .Consider buying from local computer dealers or direct mail companies. Each has certain advantages. The local dealer can more easily provide hands-on support, if necessary. With a mail-order company, you usually are limited to speaking to someone over the telephone. Mail-order companies usually, but not always, offer the lowest prices. The important thing to do when you are shopping for a system is to make sure you are comparing identical or similar configurations.
5. Use a spreadsheet or table, such as the own shown to compare purchase alternatives. Use a separate sheet of paper to take notes on each vendor’s system and then summarize the information on the spread sheet System Cost Comparison Worksheet
6. Consider more than just price. Do not necessarily buy the lowest cost system. Consider intangibles such as how long the vendor has been in business, its reputation for quality, and reputation for support.
7. Do some research! Talk to friends, coworkers, and instructors. Ask what type of system and software they bought and why. Would they recommend their system and the company they bought it from? Are they satisfied with their software? Most periodicals have frequent articles that rate systems and software on cost, performance, and support issues. Check out the Web sites of different system manufacturers for the latest information on equipment and prices.
8. Look for free software. Many system vendors include free software with their systems. Some even let you choose which software you want. Free software only has value, however, if you would have purchased it if it had not come with the computer.
9. Buy a system compatible with the one you use elsewhere. If you use a personal computer at work or at some other organization, make sure the computer you buy is compatible. That way, if you need or want to, you can work on projects at home.
10. Consider purchasing an on-site service agreement. If you use your system for business or otherwise are unable to be without your computer, consider purchasing an on-site service agreement. Many of the mail-orders vendors offer such support through third-party companies. Agreements usually state that a technician will be on-site within 24 hours.
11. Use a credit card to purchase your system. Many credit cards now have purchase protection benefits that cover you in case of loss or damage to purchased goods. Some also extend the warranty of any products purchased with the card. Paying by credit card also gives you time to install and use the system before you have to pay for it.
Avoid buying the smallest system available. Studies show that many users become dissatisfied because they did not buy a powerful enough system. Plan to buy a system that will last you for at least three Years. If you have to buy a smaller system, be sure it can be upgraded with additional memory and devices as your system requirements grows.
