Resources Page Two

Resources: 2 of 10

Hardware Buying Tips

Where to Buy: In the tri-state area, CompUSA is the only large retail chain authorized by Apple to sell the full line of Macintosh computers. (Visit their stores in Wilkins Township near Monroeville Mall, or at Parkway Center Mall in Green Tree.) In addition, selected Best Buy stores carry the new iMac and a variety of Mac software titles. You can also purchase a new Mac directly from the Apple Online Store, or by calling any of the catalog companies listed on Page 10 of this section.

What You Need: The minimum is a computer, monitor, keyboard and mouse. (All Macs include a keyboard and mouse with the computer, and some, like the iMac, have a built-in monitor.) If you plan to browse the Internet or use email, you'll need a modem (already built into the iMac and some PowerBooks), and you'll probably want a printer, too. Last, but not least, a reliable surge suppressor is highly recommended.

As for software, Apple includes the MacOS (Macintosh Operating System), Internet Browser and Email software inside every box. Some models also include AppleWorks productivity software and a few other "bundled" titles. Before buying additional software, however, be sure to read our software buying guide on Pages 5-6 of this section.

Consider "Speed" Carefully: ALL modern computers, whether they use a Macintosh PowerPC processor or an Intel Pentium II (including the various Intel clones) are pretty darn fast. (NOTE: Intel's new Celeron processor, found inside cheaper "home" PCs, is MUCH slower than it's powerful cousin, the Pentium II.) What most people don't realize, however, is that it doesn't take a lot of processor speed to handle the basic word processing, spreadsheet and web browsing tasks that make up nearly 80% of all computer use. There are many other factors that have a much greater affect on the overall performance of your machine.

While there are, obviously, some computing tasks that demand a faster processor (Publishing professionals, multimedia authors and video producers, for example, need as much processor speed as they can get), even the slowest of today's processors can easily handle the requirements of most office and home computer buyers.

Don't be Mislead by TV Advertising: You might have seen TV commercials and magazine ads that emphasize processor speed. Based on our experience in the marketing industry, we think those ads are primarily aimed at three groups of people.

One group consists of people who are still using machines that are three or four (or even more) years old. (The last few years have seen dramatic improvements in processor performance.) Moving up to any modern processor would definitely deliver an appreciable speed increase that could increase their working productivity.

The second group consists of publishing and creative professionals who push their machines to the limits. For them, faster machines greatly enhance productivity and profitability, so extra speed is very desirable. Unfortunately for Intel, most of the users who really NEED faster performance already know the Pentium II pales in comparison to the Macintosh PowerPC G3 processor.

The third group is new buyers who don't know much about computers. They see all these ads, assume that speed is the most important concern, and buy faster machines. (Manufacturers LOVE that because faster processors cost more and generate larger profits.)

The Most Important Concerns: In our opinion, your most important concerns should be productivity and practicality. You want a computer that is practical for your current needs, skill level and budget, yet has enough power available to deal with the occasional complex task, and maintain maximum productivity throughout its anticipated life span. (The average usable life span for a Mac is a little more than four years.) For more than 80% of all computer users, even the slowest Macintosh PowerPC G3 processor (currently running at 233 MHz) should be fast enough to handle anything you throw at it for years to come.

Choose the Right Model: Assuming you're a typical office or home user who doesn't have "professional level" requirements for speed, the only real decisions you face are choosing between a Desktop or Tower model (Desktop models use less desk space, while the slightly more expensive tower models provide more internal expansion room), and selecting one or two add-on peripherals (ZIP disks, etc.)

That being said, our advice for the best long-term investment is to buy the fastest Macintosh you can afford - AFTER you've budgeted for your monitor, RAM, peripherals and software. Those are the areas where a few extra dollars will make a much greater difference in your overall productivity and satisfaction.

How to Compare "Megahertz": Most modern Macs tell you their speed right in the name. If you're considering a Desktop PowerPC G3/266, for example, the number 266 is the processor's megahertz speed. Once you have that figured out, consider the following facts when comparing computer prices:

In a "Mac-to-Mac" comparison, a 333 MHz PowerPC G3 Processor (found in top-of-the-line Macs) will provide 30-40% more real-world performance than a 233 MHz G3 (the processor inside the iMac).

In a "Mac-to-PC" comparison, a 266 MHz G3 processor outperforms even the fastest 400 MHz Pentium II! (PowerPC G3 processors outperform the Pentium II by about 50% at the same MHz speed.)

There is no realistic comparison between a PowerPC G3 and any Celeron processor. You would need 500 MHz Celeron to match the performance of a typical (266 MHz) G3 processor.

Beef up the RAM: Dollar for dollar, adding RAM (Random Access Memory) does more than anything else to increase your computer's overall performance and stability. The smallest "standard" amount of RAM in a new computer is 32 MB (Megabytes). Double it! Have your retailer install a total of at least 64 MB. And, if you have any thoughts of doing "professional" work, you'll want 96 MB or more. RAM prices have been low for the last two years, but are now starting to increase again. Expect to pay abut $2.25 per megabyte, plus installation fees.

By the way, don't forget to consider the number of RAM slots inside your machine. RAM comes in the form of small circuit boards (called DIMMs) that plug in to "slots" inside your computer. If all your RAM slots are full, you'll have to remove an existing smaller DIMM to install a larger one. Two slots is the minimum. Four is better.

BACK

NEXT

HOME . SERVICES . HELP DESK . RESOURCES . WHY MAC . CREDENTIALS

Copyright 1998, 5-Minute Mac Consulting, Wampum, Pennsylvania, USA

Resources: 2 of 10
Hardware Buying Tips Where to Buy: In the tri-state area, CompUSA is the only large retail chain authorized by Apple to sell the full line of Macintosh computers. (Visit their stores in Wilkins Township near Monroeville Mall, or at Parkway Center Mall in Green Tree.) In addition, selected Best Buy stores carry the new iMac and a variety of Mac software titles. You can also purchase a new Mac directly from the Apple Online Store, or by calling any of the catalog companies listed on Page 10 of this section. What You Need: The minimum is a computer, monitor, keyboard and mouse. (All Macs include a keyboard and mouse with the computer, and some, like the iMac, have a built-in monitor.) If you plan to browse the Internet or use email, you'll need a modem (already built into the iMac and some PowerBooks), and you'll probably want a printer, too. Last, but not least, a reliable surge suppressor is highly recommended. As for software, Apple includes the MacOS (Macintosh Operating System), Internet Browser and Email software inside every box. Some models also include AppleWorks productivity software and a few other "bundled" titles. Before buying additional software, however, be sure to read our software buying guide on Pages 5-6 of this section. Consider "Speed" Carefully: ALL modern computers, whether they use a Macintosh PowerPC processor or an Intel Pentium II (including the various Intel clones) are pretty darn fast. (NOTE: Intel's new Celeron processor, found inside cheaper "home" PCs, is MUCH slower than it's powerful cousin, the Pentium II.) What most people don't realize, however, is that it doesn't take a lot of processor speed to handle the basic word processing, spreadsheet and web browsing tasks that make up nearly 80% of all computer use. There are many other factors that have a much greater affect on the overall performance of your machine. While there are, obviously, some computing tasks that demand a faster processor (Publishing professionals, multimedia authors and video producers, for example, need as much processor speed as they can get), even the slowest of today's processors can easily handle the requirements of most office and home computer buyers. Don't be Mislead by TV Advertising: You might have seen TV commercials and magazine ads that emphasize processor speed. Based on our experience in the marketing industry, we think those ads are primarily aimed at three groups of people. One group consists of people who are still using machines that are three or four (or even more) years old. (The last few years have seen dramatic improvements in processor performance.) Moving up to any modern processor would definitely deliver an appreciable speed increase that could increase their working productivity. The second group consists of publishing and creative professionals who push their machines to the limits. For them, faster machines greatly enhance productivity and profitability, so extra speed is very desirable. Unfortunately for Intel, most of the users who really NEED faster performance already know the Pentium II pales in comparison to the Macintosh PowerPC G3 processor. The third group is new buyers who don't know much about computers. They see all these ads, assume that speed is the most important concern, and buy faster machines. (Manufacturers LOVE that because faster processors cost more and generate larger profits.) The Most Important Concerns: In our opinion, your most important concerns should be productivity and practicality. You want a computer that is practical for your current needs, skill level and budget, yet has enough power available to deal with the occasional complex task, and maintain maximum productivity throughout its anticipated life span. (The average usable life span for a Mac is a little more than four years.) For more than 80% of all computer users, even the slowest Macintosh PowerPC G3 processor (currently running at 233 MHz) should be fast enough to handle anything you throw at it for years to come. Choose the Right Model: Assuming you're a typical office or home user who doesn't have "professional level" requirements for speed, the only real decisions you face are choosing between a Desktop or Tower model (Desktop models use less desk space, while the slightly more expensive tower models provide more internal expansion room), and selecting one or two add-on peripherals (ZIP disks, etc.) That being said, our advice for the best long-term investment is to buy the fastest Macintosh you can afford - AFTER you've budgeted for your monitor, RAM, peripherals and software. Those are the areas where a few extra dollars will make a much greater difference in your overall productivity and satisfaction. How to Compare "Megahertz": Most modern Macs tell you their speed right in the name. If you're considering a Desktop PowerPC G3/266, for example, the number 266 is the processor's megahertz speed. Once you have that figured out, consider the following facts when comparing computer prices: In a "Mac-to-Mac" comparison, a 333 MHz PowerPC G3 Processor (found in top-of-the-line Macs) will provide 30-40% more real-world performance than a 233 MHz G3 (the processor inside the iMac). In a "Mac-to-PC" comparison, a 266 MHz G3 processor outperforms even the fastest 400 MHz Pentium II! (PowerPC G3 processors outperform the Pentium II by about 50% at the same MHz speed.) There is no realistic comparison between a PowerPC G3 and any Celeron processor. You would need 500 MHz Celeron to match the performance of a typical (266 MHz) G3 processor. Beef up the RAM: Dollar for dollar, adding RAM (Random Access Memory) does more than anything else to increase your computer's overall performance and stability. The smallest "standard" amount of RAM in a new computer is 32 MB (Megabytes). Double it! Have your retailer install a total of at least 64 MB. And, if you have any thoughts of doing "professional" work, you'll want 96 MB or more. RAM prices have been low for the last two years, but are now starting to increase again. Expect to pay abut $2.25 per megabyte, plus installation fees. By the way, don't forget to consider the number of RAM slots inside your machine. RAM comes in the form of small circuit boards (called DIMMs) that plug in to "slots" inside your computer. If all your RAM slots are full, you'll have to remove an existing smaller DIMM to install a larger one. Two slots is the minimum. Four is better.
BACK		NEXT

HOME . SERVICES . HELP DESK . RESOURCES . WHY MAC . CREDENTIALS
Copyright 1998, 5-Minute Mac Consulting, Wampum, Pennsylvania, USA