FAQ 15: Choosing a Computer to Buy
FAQ: version 1.01

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Intro
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I will only cover the relevant aspects of computers in this FAQ. In summary, I will talk about: buying a computer, performance of a computer, and general uses. There are coutnless other related computer subjects I can also add (enough to write a book), but this FAQ is only meant to help you choose a good computer for your money, nothing else.

Note that since computer prices change so fast, this FAQ will not quote prices. In any case, it wouldn't be useful to everyone, since currencies and prices vary from region to region and country to country.

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Criteria for Buying a Computer
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People buy computers for different reasons, so the criterias you should value are not necessarily the same as those of others. This section will summarize the different aspects of a computer that you should consider when choosing one to buy.

This is the most important criteria for most people. You want to get as much as you can for the amount you're willing to pay. In a later section I'll explain why it is better for most people to buy cheap instead of cutting edge. My personal preference is the computers on the very low end of the price range. These computers are growing to become very popular as computer producers are constantly trying to become competitive.

A P533 might make you happy, but keep in mind that while a P533 is extremely good, it is not worth the cost for most people. After all, while a Mercedes might be a very high quality car, it is also not worth the cost for most people. Just wait two or three years if you want to buy a better computer. ;)

As the previous paragraph mentions, the best computers are always overpriced. It's mainly because the best ones are marketed towards the rich and those who make their living working with computers. So in the case of the Mercedes (or other luxury car), while the average person might think it's insane to pay $80,000 for a car, people still buy them at that price and more. So, unless you are rich, I advise getting the cheaper computers. I will elaborate on this later

This is probably the second most important for you, because most regular users of computers manage to fill up their hard drives up to capacity eventually. Most drives today allocate space in multiples of 32 kilobytes (it depends directly on the size of your hard drive; 32 kilobytes is for a 1-2 gigabyte hard drive assuming FAT16). In such a case, no matter how small a file actually is, it must take up at least 32kb of space. So, a 2 gigabyte hard drive can hold at most 60,000 small files (unless you take further measures like partition it or use FAT32). Of course, not all files are small, so this number might be anywhere from 5,000 to 20,000; it depends completely on what type of files you store on your hard drive.

It's certainly possible to allocate space in multiples less than 32 kilobytes on such a drive. If you want, you can format and partition your hard drive to do this (just make sure to keep a backup). If you don't know how to do this, don't try. ;)

Also, the later versions of Win95 and the new Win98 uses a file system known as FAT32, which allows files to take up smaller chunks of space.
Just if your curious, keep in mind that hard drive manufacturers aren't too good at math. If they say that your hard drive is 2.1 gigabytes, it is really 1.96 gigabytes. You see, they think that a kilobyte is 1000 bytes. In reality, a kilobyte is 1024 bytes. As a result, they think that a gigabyte is exactly a billion bytes. In reality, 1 gigabyte = 1.07 billion bytes. So, a "2.1 gigabyte" hard drive is really missing 150 megabytes of space. Of course, it doesn't make much of a difference until you're down to the last two hundred megabytes of space. ;)

Most people value CPU speed over the hard drive capacity. That's probably because most people are very happy with a 2 gigabyte hard drive and will probably never use half of it. Of course, people like me tend to use up 2 gigabytes, so that is why I value capacity more.

CPU speed is a good indication of the speed that a computer processes information. Sometimes it won't make any noticeable difference, like when you play minesweeper or solitaire. Other times it might make a very noticeable difference, like when you run graphics utilities or more sophisticated games. However, while everyone might prefer a P533 over a P300, the price difference is usually not justifiable. At this time, you would do fine with a P100 to a P300 (a P166 is about the most cost-effective right now, but if you have lots of spare cash, it can't hurt to get a better computer).

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Why Not Buy the Best Computer?
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You might be wondering why I advise against just buying the best computer for the average person. To demonstrate why, I will give you an example based on real life:

I buy a P133/P166. Shortly after my friend buys a P233 for twice as much.

One year later, a P233 costs just as much as a P133 did a year ago. At this rate, suppose I decide to wait another year and buy a P300/P333 for the same price as that P133.

In such a scenario, I may buy a P133 and a P300 combined for the same cost as my friend paid to buy a single P233.

In this case, his computer is better than mine for the first two years when he gets to use a P233 while I use a P133. After I buy the P300, assuming my friend doesn't buy another computer, my computer will be better than his by just about as much, say for the next two years.

I consider my situation better than that of my friend's. The combined hard drive space of the P133 and the P300 I would estimate to be three to four times that of the P233. It might be nice to have everything on a single computer, but keep in mind that the P333 alone can hold more than the P233 anyways, so anything you can do with the P233 you can also do on the P333.

Most importantly, at the time I buy the P133, my computer will meet the requirements of most programs and games. The P233 will run some of them better, but at the time I bought the P133, the difference is not so great (though after two years the difference does become more noticeable).

Of course, the reverse happens once I get the P300.

At the end of four years, my two computers combined would be worth about twice as much as the P233.

-Ramses

I write these FAQs in hopes it will benefit and educate you, so as always, feel free to correct me and add your own suggestions. You may remain anonymous or allow me to credit you with the suggestion (I will assume the former but definitely feel free to volunteer the use of your nick in the credits of the FAQ)