Which PC should I buy?
Buying a computer is a bewildering task. All you want is something that works and does what you want it to, but there are all these different numbers, measurements, and names for things, and you're probably wondering how you can possibly make a decision.
The first thing you should establish is whether you want a desktop or a laptop. Laptops obviously have an advantage in terms of portability, but they're at a disadvantage when it comes to cost, performance and upgrading capabilities. Desktops are the more common choice for most people due to their low cost, high performance, expandability and durability.
Another question people often ask is whether they should purchase a second hand computer or a new one. Generally speaking, hardware becomes obsolete in today's world within two or three years, so it's often redundant to spend money on a used computer. Buying a used PC is different to buying a used car in that in most cases people will use a computer until it's either completely obsolete or until the hardware begins to fail, leaving only very few decent second hand machines on the market. A new computer is almost certainly the way to go, with hardware prices being so low and value for money so high.
Other important things to factor in are the technical specifications. A large amount of RAM often means your computer can handle more tasks at once, a decent graphics card (so that you'll be able to play modern 3D games with ease) and a fast processor will enable your computer to slice through most applications with ease. Lots of hard drive space will allow you to store more documents, music, applications or movies. Other things to consider include add-ons such as DVD/CD burners or media card readers.
Operating systems are also a big part of the computer world. Most people use Windows XP, however Microsoft's new operating system, Windows Vista is quickly taking over the market. Alternative operating systems such as Macintosh OSX are also a common choice, but are only available on computers made by Apple. Linux builds like Ubuntu or Red Hat also play a significant role in the computer world, but are generally reserved only for the geekiest users among us!
Please give us a call if you ever need some assistance in purchasing a PC!
PC Security
 One of the biggest concerns of everyday computer users is whether or not their information, such as credit card details, personal files, emails, etc is safe.
With regards to online banking, bank websites use something called SSL encryption, which creates a virtual tunnel of security directly from the website to your computer, this effectively stops people from easily intercepting your information, but is not a guarantee of security.
The biggest threat to your online security is actually right at home on your personal computer. If you do not keep your computer free of things like viruses, spyware and malicious scripts such as keyloggers, then you can very easily have your information stolen.
The only way you can be sure that your computer is 100% secure is to bring in a trained professional for a detailed inspection, but there are some preventative measures you can take at home to improve your security:
- Install a firewall
Firewalls block unauthorised programs from accessing the internet, and make it more difficult for unwelcome snoopers to peek in and mess things around.
- Install an anti-spyware program
Anti-spyware programs remove known spyware infections from your computer and keep an eye on your system to ensure that re-infection does not occur.
- Practice good browsing habits
Don't visit suspicious websites or open email attachments from untrustworthy sources. This is how most people's computers become infected with malicious software.
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Gadget Of The Month
Voyager Corsair 4GB Flash Drive
This month's gadget is a Corsair "Voyager" Flash Drive. One of the highest quality drives on the market, it has an extremely sturdy and attractive casing. This tiny device can fit on your keyring and has a whopping capacity of 4 gigabytes - enough to store all the documents, programs and photos you'll ever need, as well as thousands of mp3 songs or even several movies. It can be password protected to secure your private data, it has an ultra fast transfer speed of 19mb/sec, and it's compatible with almost every computer (Macs and PC's!) with no pesky installation. Just plug it in and it's ready to go! A great addition to the technological arsenal of any computer user.
Geeks2U Technician
Of The Month
Daniel Zalcman
Daniel Zalcman studied IT at school and did work experience at a local computer repair store in Melbourne before completing a Bachelor of Computing degree at Monash University.
Since then, he has gained many years of IT experience including stints as the IT Manager for Corporate Telephone Directories, Lincolne Scott Consulting Engineers and the Association of Independent Schools of Victoria. Daniel is particularly strong in the Microsoft technologies including servers, workstations, networking, media centres and pocket PCs.
Unlike his beloved footy team, the Saints, Daniel achieves consistently excellent results - hopefully St Kilda will do so too in the not too distant future.
Your Question?
Do you have any questions about computers and technology? Maybe there's been something you've constantly wondered about but never had the right person to ask? Well, now you do - If you've got a question please send us an email and each month we'll publish a selection of questions and answers from our e-newsletter readers. Click here to send us your question!
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