[Jeffreion]

Each tool is designed for a specific function. Hammers are made to drive a nail and spade made for digging holes. The computer is a tool designed to transmit or store the information and then do something with that information. Something is what you need to consider when buying or designing a new home computer. When buying a new computer with the purpose of use must be determined well in advance of visiting stores or browsing an online merchant. The most important question to consider when buying a computer is not how much you should spend, or who produces, but what you want to do with it. After a question is answered then you can determine what hardware and software will be needed to achieve your goals.

Some people struggle when trying to answer this question. To help determine the intended purpose primer to ask yourself what you spend the most time doing while on the computer and what you want to do but can not because your current limitations. If 90% of your time spent reading email, using social networking sites, or browsing online merchants and 10% was spent watching a movie then you will want to invest in a particular category of computer (maybe a laptop, netbook or tablet). If you want to change your media center (TV, DVD, etc.) and use your computer to watch movies or TV so that different systems should be purchased.

Individual hardware components

Buying a new computer can be a daunting task especially if you're not familiar with the individual components comprising the computer. The following is a list of common components and functions within the computer. Hardware components also affect the price of computer hardware more than other components in the pre-built systems.

CPU (Central Processing Unit)

Objectives:

The process of software instructions and do things based on those instructions. The faster the CPU instructions can be processed over a fixed period of time. CPU quantity measured by the number of available CPU (both physical chip and the "core"). CPU speed can process instructions measured in Gigahertz (GHz)

Examples of common specifications:

Intel 3.2GHz Dual Core CPU

Translate into:

Processors made by Intel, which has two "cores" running at 3.2GHz each. Effectively giving you two 3.2GHz processors.

RAM (Random Access Memory)

Used to store instructions used by the CPU. RAM is the area that the CPU can store instructions and perform calculations. Imagine a blackboard that can be used to do the math. More area for the CPU to perform calculations faster the computer can perform. This is what people see when they mention "computer memory". Quantity specified in Gigabytes of RAM, the speed at which information can move in and out of RAM is measured in Megahertz.

Examples of common specifications:

XMS CORSAIR 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12 800)

Translate into:

Two 4 Gigabyte RAM components are made by using the chipset Corsair DDR3 running at 1600MHz and shape.

Hard Disk

Hard disk is a component that actually stores all your data. Photos, emails, documents and music are examples of files that may be on your hard drive. Hard drive is also where the operating system resides. Hard drive capacity is measured in Gigabytes and drive speed is measured in RPM (rotations per minute)

Examples of common specifications:

1 TB WD Caviar Blue SATA 7200

Translate into:

Drive made by Western Digital which has a capacity of 1 Terabyte, running at 7200 RPM and use the SATA as the interface.

Many people are confused exactly how much "stuff" hard drive can hold. For example, a 1TB drive can store around. 200,000 photos or 76 hours of video or song 250,000. Hard drives are routinely oversold by the computer manufacturer for this reason. Many people end up using less than half the storage space on the drive. This is one area that can be purchased for a small and relatively inexpensive to increase at a later date.

There are many other components that together make up a computer, however, disk CPU, RAM and hard will determine the cost of computer hardware you are more than one item and another.

Types of Software

A computer is only a useful tool if we could do something useful with it. The software is designed to allow us to do something with the hardware. Something is why people use and buy a computer at all. Hardware may not look as attractive as useful to us if it can not run the software we need. Software can be grouped into two broad categories, Operating Systems and Applications.

Operating System

The operating system manages and controls the computer resources and make them available to applications. Every computer has an operating system. The most common operating system on your home computer is a version of Windows by Microsoft. Microsoft is the Windows 7 version, previous versions are still in use include Windows Vista and Windows XP. Other operating systems including Apple OS X and Linux.

Application

Application is a program that we use to make the computer do something. All applications have a "minimum system requirements" bare essential requirements where the computer must have to just run the software. Running the software on the minimum requirements will generally cause frustration with the application and the computer as a whole. The minimum system requirements may include hardware and software qualifications such as hard disk space, CPU speed, RAM amount and type of operating system. Always, always, always, check the minimum system requirements before buying software as most retailers will not accept opened software for return (unless there is some kind of physical disability with the software)

The types of applications including

The Office Suites

Microsoft Office

OpenOffice

iWork

Home Finance

Accelerate

iCash

MS Money (legacy)

Home Media

iTunes

Roxio

Small Business Management

Quickbooks

Computer Security

McAfee

Symantec

ESET

Communication Equipment

Skype

iChat

There's an app for almost every conceivable use of a computer, chances are if you are looking to solve this type of problem a person has been invented.

Putting it all together

Now that you have an understanding of the components that make up your computer to match the primary use of computers. Select the application you want to use, specify the system requirements for the application and purchase a system that meets the minimum requirements minimal.

The cost of home computers will be determined by the software that came with it and the hardware used to support the software. In the budget system retailers usually will supply the operating system, office suite software foundation and basic security. Technology hardware will be either old (6 to 12 months) or a new technology that is produced by a manufacturer "of the brand" and offer a low amount of upgradeability. The system is usually chosen by people who are looking for primary uses such as email, online shopping and home finances simple. People with primary business such as home management, online communication (Skype, iChat) and several forms of media use (listening to music, watching movies, etc.) will choose a system with a faster CPU, more RAM, hard disk space more and more upgradeability of what the budget system is provided. Home computers are built for intensive gaming, heavy use of media, in small business management or the depth of its eyes to the greatest return on investment will be using the latest and fastest hardware thus increasing their costs.

The last thing to consider when buying a new home computer is that of durability. Most hardware warranty is for one year, but many people using computers at home between 3 and 5 years before buying a new system. Extended warranties can sometimes be a good investment depends on what is covered under this guarantee, warranty costs, availability of quality computer support in your area and your budget.