{"id":114,"date":"2014-06-22T17:07:02","date_gmt":"2014-06-22T12:37:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/it.iam-afghanistan.org\/?p=114"},"modified":"2016-09-19T11:45:37","modified_gmt":"2016-09-19T07:15:37","slug":"buying-a-new-computer-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/iam-afghanistan.org\/it\/buying-a-new-computer-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Buying a new computer"},"content":{"rendered":"

One way to do this is to get IAMtech to buy it for you. \u00a0If the computer is to be owned by IAM then you must get us to do it for you<\/strong> (please see I need a new computer<\/a>). \u00a0But what if you want to buy a personal computer for yourself? \u00a0How do you make the right choice when there are so many confusing options available?<\/p>\n

The best thing you can do to start is to find a computer\u00a0that you want your new computer to be as good as or better than. \u00a0Maybe this is your old computer or maybe this is a friend’s computer. \u00a0This step is important because it is so hard to buy a computer and you don’t want to waste money buying something more portable but slower than what you are used to. \u00a0Once you have found your example computer you need to start it into the BIOS settings. \u00a0On most computers this is done by pressing the F2 key repeatedly as soon as you turn it on (If it reaches a Microsoft logo screen with any moving “time passing” indicator then you are too late – try again (by turning the PC off now and on again)). \u00a0Note that on some newer keyboards to press the F2 key you actually have to hold down an FN key that is near the left CTRL key – this is because designers have apparently decided that people don’t use function keys enough and instead they’ve given those keys other purposes.<\/p>\n

Once you are into the BIOS you need to find out the Processor model. \u00a0Write down the full details about the processor (CPU) so that you don’t have to come back if you get it wrong (or even easier, photograph it with a camera or your phone!). \u00a0Then go to this benchmarking website<\/a>\u00a0where they have compared almost all common processors using typical machine configurations that they are shipped with. \u00a0The site has a search function but I find it easier to press CTRL-F and use the search function of my browser. \u00a0Type in the model of the processor and search for it. \u00a0Once you find it there is a number at the start of the line it is on – this is the number that is important to you. \u00a0The benchmark number of the processor of any computer you want to buy must be better (smaller) than this or you will be frustrated that it is a slower computer. \u00a0For example, the computer I’m sitting in front of now has a ‘Intel Celeron 1005M’ processor. \u00a0The benchmark number for this processor is 273. \u00a0I therefore would want to get a processor that was better than this (lower benchmark number). \u00a0Note that this list is updated over time so the benchmark numbers will change, so you need to look up your processor again if you download a new copy of this list.<\/p>\n

When you are shopping take a copy of this list in a searchable electronic form – like your mobile phone or a tablet computer and you are going to have to look in the BIOS of every computer you are interested in. \u00a0It sounds troublesome but it is less trouble than buying a slower computer and being unhappy about your wasted money for the next 5 years. \u00a0Having bought several computers this way I’m now very happy with the outcome. \u00a0Having known other people who did not buy computers this way who are very disappointed with what they bought I highly recommend you consider this approach.<\/p>\n

Now that you know how to find a machine that is fast enough the only remaining question is your budget – how much do you want to spend? \u00a0That I can’t help you with.<\/p>\n

I highly recommend you buy a computer running FACTORY ORIGINAL WINDOWS. \u00a0Without the factory original windows you will not have all the genuine drivers provided by your PC manufacturer and it may not work as it should. \u00a0Please proceed to our article about checking if a computer has a genuine windows installation<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Things that you might want to consider in new computers:<\/p>\n