A Gram of Computer Buying Advice

by Nicholas Johnson, (9 February, 2006) in features > hi, tech

If there’s one computer-related question I’m asked more often than any other by JETs, it’s definitely, “Can you help me buy a computer?” Asking me for help computer shopping is like asking a junkie to please help pick out the best heroin, so I’m always happy to offer my advice. However, since my advice is usually the same, I’ll share it here for anyone who is in the computer-buying market to consider: buy the computer you need.

I doubt I could offer a more general piece of advice if I tried, so let me go into more detail. There are currently about 1.6 million different computer models you can buy. Before you buy any of them, you need to figure out what you’re going to use your new computer for. Once you have your needs figured out, you can jot down a few features your computer must have and then go looking for a good value. The problem for many JETs, though, is matching up what they want to do with their computer to megabytes of RAM, gigahertz of processing power and all the other numbers you need to know when computer shopping.

What to look for

JETs I’ve helped all wanted their new computers to perform well in three areas: office tasks (making worksheets, planning lessons), internet tasks (writing e-mail, browsing the web) and entertainment “tasks” (keeping a digital photo or music library, watching movies). Some folks wanted more, like the ability to use their computer to make cheap telephone calls (that’s “VoIP” for those acronym fans out there), but all listed those three areas as essential. With those needs in mind, then, here’s my humble advice on what kinds of features to look for in a new computer.

• Desktop/notebook. Before you can even start thinking about features for your new computer, you need to decide what kind of computer you want, a desktop or a notebook. You can get more power for less money with a desktop, but a laptop will give you the luxury of portability. Unless you plan to do a lot of gaming or other, similarly demanding computing tasks, I’d recommend a laptop; you’ll appreciate its mobility both here in Japan and when you’re leaving/desperately trying to pack years of your life in two suitcases.
• Operating system. Macintosh or Windows is a question that can inspire the most intense nerd rage you’ve ever seen. Both major operating systems have their supporters, and rightly so. As much as die hard Mac or Windows users may hate to hear it, either operating system is fine for your basic computing needs. Go with what you’re most comfortable with. If you’ve used Windows for years, go Windows. If you spell “Microsoft” as “Micro$oft,” go Mac. If you self-identify as a rebel, you can always try Linux or another free operating system.
• Size. Assuming you opt for a notebook (as most JETs I know do), get a size that fits with how you plan to use your new computer. If you want to take your notebook to and from work every day, you’d do well to consider smaller, lighter computers that may short you on processing power but will save you back strain.
• Screen. Having a 17-inch cinema display may look sexy, but I’d actually put screen size pretty low on the list of priorities for the average JET. Unless you plan on watching a lot of movies or doing a lot of graphic design on your computer, you’ll probably find a 13-inch screen suits you just as well as the bigger options (smaller screens also equal lighter computers; handy if your system travels with you a lot). Instead, look for a bright screen with good contrast.
• Processor. Like screen size, processing power also shouldn’t be of much concern to the average JET. Making worksheets and browsing the internet won’t even come close to taxing today’s processors. Case in point: I work on a five-year-old notebook with an 800 megahertz processor all day long with hardly a complaint (and modern processors run, on average, twice as fast as the one in my computer). If you’re not planning on compiling any code or playing any 3D games, you can save money by opting for a slower processor (1.2 gigahertz will be more than enough for most).
• RAM. RAM, on the other hand, is not something you want to skimp on. Computers use RAM (random access memory) as a very convenient place to store files and applications you’re currently using, so the more RAM you have, the snappier your computer will seem. You’ll need a system with at least 256 megabytes of RAM, but opting for more (like 512 megabytes or 1 gigabyte) is the easiest way to increase your computer’s performance. If you want a lot of RAM but still want to save money, note that it’s almost always a better value to buy more RAM from a good dealer and install it yourself after you get your computer (it’s pretty easy) than to choose the factory upgrade option.
• Hard drive. Hard drives hold pretty much every piece of information on your computer, so getting a bigger hard drive means being able to store more pirated legally purchased music and movies. A 40 gigabyte hard drive will be adequate for keeping documents and modest music, movie and photo libraries on your computer; upgrade if you are an iTunes addict or can’t put down your digital camera.
• Disc drives. Basically any computer you’d think of buying will come with a CD/DVD drive already installed. Many modern computers, though, don’t ship with floppy drives, so make sure you’re getting one if you’ve been carrying your life around on disks until now. Also, upgrading to either a writable CD or DVD drive is highly recommended; how else will you make everyone a “Best of SMAP” mixed CD?
• Ports. No computer is an island. Ports let you connect your computer to the outside world. Make sure your computer comes with an ethernet port (for connecting to your work network and high speed internet), a couple of USB ports (for hooking up your printer/music player/camera) and a modem (if you still use dial-up internet service). Although it’s not technically a port, I’d also recommend getting a system with a wireless network card; wireless is the wave of the future, I hear.
• Accessories. You could easily spend a good chunk of a JET salary adding every available accessory to your new computer. Try to resist. If you think you’ll use an extra feature on a regular basis and it doesn’t break the bank, add away. For instance, if you plan on using your computer as a telephone (remember VoIP?), you might want to invest in a good headset.

Just tell me what to buy already

If you’ve read all of the above advice and are still confused about what kind of computer to get, I’m afraid I can’t be of much more help here. Computers aren’t like baseball caps; one size does not fit all. The best tip I can give you is to think about what daily tasks you would do with a new computer, then shop around for a system that will let you get those tasks done easily.

Or you can always ask me to go computer shopping with you; I don’t plan on kicking my tech habit any time soon.