How to Buy a Computer: The Basics

How to Buy a Computer: The Basics
                     
RAM (Random Access Memory):
Memory is one of the key components of a computer which is measured in megabytes. Note that 1000 MB is equal to 1 gigabyte (GB). So the more megabytes you have the better your computer works. Most computers today come with a minimum of 512 MB (about half a gigabyte) of RAM. You should try for 1 GB and more because your computer will run that much faster. Not that Windows Vista and Mac OS X Leopard operating systems require 1 GB for good performance and 2 GB to run at top speed.

Recommendation: I suggest buying at least 1 GB (1,000 MB). Remember that Windows Vista and Mac Leopard are memory hungry so I advise buying as much RAM as you can afford. Memory is the crutch of making a computer run like it should.

Insider's tip: Buy the minimum amount of memory and then purchase extra memory components called "sticks" from a site such as www.datamemorysystems.com/. This can save you up to a couple hundred dollars.

Buyer Beware: It is not uncommon for low end computers ($300 to $600) to come with low amounts of RAM. Make sure to check on the ability of your computer as it should be able to handle 4 GB.

Central Processing Unit (the brains):
The CPU handles all the calculations of the computer. For the average user, CPU speed is not as important of a gauge as it used to be. The common computer user will not need to worry about cpu speed as much as a gamer or multimedia user.

CPUs are made by either Intel or AMD and both companies have great product options. Intel controls most of the market share and costs more than AMD.
Recommendation: CPUs come in two forms: 32 bit and 64 bit. I suggest the 32-bit processors because the 64-bit processors have a lot of problems working with software programs.

Dual Core processors are all the rage right now. What's Dual core? This means that your computer has two CPUs which give the user twice the computing power. Dual core is a must for high end computer users.

Hard Drive: the storage unit
All of your personal data such as your documents, digital photos, music, and software programs are stored on the hard drive which are available in many sizes and speeds. Hard drive Storage is measured in gigabytes and computers usually come with at least 80 GB of storage.

Insider's tip: Computers can be configured with two hard drives.
Option 1: Two drives giving which can double your storage.
Option 2: One hard drive keeps an exact copy of the other drive. So if you have a hard drive fail it is not a big deal because you can run off the other drive

Recommendation: You are best getting a 120 GB drive with a speed of 5400 rpm.
Video Chipsets: graphics eye candy1
Windows Vista and Mac OS X Leopard are the new operating systems that require a lot of fancy 3-D animation that requires better graphics hardware.

You have two choices when choosing video chipsets:
1.An integrated or built in Video card right into the motherboard of the computer. If you are an average computer user than this option should work just fine.

2.ATI and NVIDIA offer video cards that produce much better graphics and can handle Windows Vista and Mac Leopard with ease. Cards by these two companies are your only option if you on gaming.
Recommendation: Check out these websites www.nvidia.com and ati.amd.com. A good rule of thumb is that the higher the model number-the better the video card.

Recommendation: Look for an Intel GMA3100 (model #) or better with the higher numbers being more advanced.

Now that you have mastered the basics of how to buy a computer, it's time for you to make some decisions. Don't worry, we are here to help!

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Computer Training School Tutorial: Know Your Instructor

 Computer Training School Tutorial:  Know Your Instructor

               

Making the decision to attend a computer tech school can be one of the best decisions of your life.  Another great decision is to tap a hidden wealth of knowledge that is right before every student at schools such as ECPI and ITT, but very few students take advantage of it.

When you're attending a computer training school, you must avoid the mentality that some other students will have - "I gotta go to school, I gotta be here, I can't wait to leave and go home".  When you're preparing for a career working with computers, you've got to take advantage of every learning experience you can get, and that includes getting to know the most valuable resource at your school - your teachers!

Your teachers have busy schedules, but it was my experience that every single time I asked for help or had questions outside of class, my teachers went the extra mile to help me.  I’m sure yours will do the same for you, but you have to let them know you want that help!

At your tech school, you must develop the skills and work ethic that you will use to succeed in the IT field.  By staying after class, working overtime in the computer labs, and getting to know your instructors,  you'll be astonished at the additional knowledge you can pick up.  Almost any good teacher is going to have real-world experience, and you need to draw on that knowledge.  Having lunch with an instructor is another great idea, as it allows you to get to know them away from the classroom.  

Part of success in any field is making contacts for the future.  You may not be in the IT field yet, but you should already be getting to know people with IT experience - and who better than your teachers?  Besides, they hear about job openings all the time from friends, and the more you stand out from the crowd, the more likely you are to be remembered for such opportunities!

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Get cheaply Computer Certifiaction Courses at ABCO Technology

Get cheaply Computer Certifiaction Courses at ABCO Technology

                

EVERY NOW AND AGAIN, WHEN THINGS aren't going quite to plan and your computer chooses the worst possible moment to crash, it's easy to feel sorry for yourself. I was doing exactly that last week, wallowing in a lake of self-pity after losing a morning's work. But after talking to Andrew Mason, the recent recipient of Cisco's Networking Academy student of the year award, I very quickly snapped out of it.

What an inspiring story he had to tell! Mason, 39, was long-term unemployed until he was 36. By his own admission he was a bit "down-at- heel", lacking motivation and confidence. "I was fed up," he says. "I had no self-esteem or inspiration to do anything, no goals and no dreams. When I left school, there didn't seem to be any opportunities for me. “So what changed? Mason got involved with the ABCO technology Inc, which helps local residents take advantage of employment, training, educational and volunteering opportunities through providing careers advice and practical job-search assistance. That led him to enroll at ABCO Technology Computer Training Center, where he completed a couple of IT courses and found himself getting really interested in the subject.

In November 2006, Mason won a place on the pilot Cisco Community Academies scheme in IBM and hasn't looked back. Soon after completing the Cisco CCNA associate-level certification course from ABCO Technology computer training class room, he secured full-time employment as a network administrator with Campbell Lee, an IT services business, and now deals with clients all over the world.

Cisco opened up a whole new world for me," he says. "I can't begin to describe how much I enjoy what I'm doing now - it's more than just a job, it's a career. "Without Cisco, I might be working where I am, but I would probably be the cleaner. It's helped me get a good job on a good salary and it's opened up doors for me. The Cisco course itself was very well run and challenging, particularly because it gave real-world experience in preparation for a job. And it was great that I was able to do the course near where I live.

Tony Gribben, head of public sector for Cisco in California, says: "ABCO Technology's Cisco course has a long and well-established history of using its expertise and knowledge to support and benefit local communities and help those people less able to help themselves. The networking academies project is a very important part of helping Glasgow and Edinburgh's unemployed in a way that is beneficial to the individuals and of practical value to the local economy.

We've had a hugely positive response to the programme, especially in the Los Angeles area. What it does is provide stepping-stones to get students to a level they are comfortable with. You learn at your own pace and develop skills aimed at getting you into a career in IT, but in Andrew's case, his progress has been phenomenal. His achievements far exceed what we would expect from someone with 20 years' industry experience. The Cisco academy teaches students internet technology skills, including networking, web design, cabling and Java. The curriculum covers a broad range of topics from how to build a website to more complex IT concepts such as advanced trouble-shooting. Since the programme's inception in 1997, almost 250,000 people have graduated in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America, with Cisco so far investing $250 million.

After attending just a few courses you will begin to develop strategies that can ultimately increase your office's performance drastically. The workflow design that Office allows can help you drive your company into maximum efficiency. After you graduate from a specialized course you can carry a Microsoft certified label that will assist you in gaining the positions you have always dreamed of. So why not jumpstart your new career or give yourself an edge over the competition by signing up for a Microsoft Office training course today!

If you would like to do computer training courses at ABCO Technology, then kindly free to visit our website:- http://www.abcotechnology.com/

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Online Computer Degrees, The Key To Success?

Online Computer Degrees, The Key To Success?

Computers are a vital business resource in today’s market. Where several years ago they were a helpful tool, now they are a necessity. Computers have taken an integral part in both personal and professional life. Because of this, many new computer jobs have opened up. From programming to maintenance, computer technology is here to stay. Many people who started working with computers did so in their own time and obtained a vast knowledge by independent learning. This experience can be used to earn a more formal degree and increase earning potential by obtaining an online computer degree.

Computer science, technology, information systems and programming are a few of the computer degrees available online. Online computer degrees offer the flexibility of learning from home. This can be especially beneficial to people who are already working or have family responsibilities. Time constraints can hamper these people from attending traditional classes with rigid schedules, residency and attendance requirements. An online computer degree can solve this problem by allowing people to learn at their own pace, at their own time.

Stay at home parents are ideal candidates for online computer degrees. While the children are at school, the parent can study and take courses online at their computer. They are not missing any responsibilities they have with their children and are using the free time they have to further their education. After a degree is obtained, the parent has more potential for getting employment outside the home. People with degrees generally earn more money even in an entry level position. This can allow the parent to be able to afford day care and have a second income.

Even if a parent chooses to remain home after getting an online computer degree, there are many work-from-home opportunities that are available. One can easily do freelance work in programming or systems administration with a computer degree. These jobs are high paying and have flexible hours. However, without a formal education these types of positions are hard to come by.

Most colleges and universities offer some type of online computer degree program. If there are no local colleges, a quick search on the Internet will result in many options. The majority of the work and learning is accomplished online. Occasionally, you may need to take a test at an authorized testing center. Most of these can be schedules at convenient times and work with local facilities for convenience. Generally, there is no long distance travel nor large blocks of time required.

Obtaining an online computer degree is also usually less expensive than traditional college courses. Because there is no need for a dedicated teacher and classroom facilities, the cost for teaching a student online is much less. Therefore, most online degree programs are less expensive. Many programs also allow you to pay per class as you take classes. Traditional methods have you pay for the entire semester regardless of the number of classes taken. Online classes can help you budget better for an affordable, valuable education.

Obtaining a higher education is becoming more important as people compete for jobs.

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