New computer recommendations

At least once a year, I write a short article about my current computer recommendations. The holiday season is upon us, and I haven’t written an article like this in awhile, so here goes.

In the past six months, I ask more questions than I give when approached with this question.

Scenario 1

If I find that the person has a 2-4 year old computer with Windows XP, and just thinks the computer is slow, I go with this advice:

• Add RAM to 1 GB to existing computer (cost:  less than $50)
• Reformat computer and install a fresh, clean copy of Windows and only essential software (cost:  free if the user does it, about $150 if a professional does it or $300 of Geek Squad does it)
• Add DVD Burner (cost:  $75)
• That’s it, the computer will run like a juiced track athlete again.

Scenario 2 

If the computer user asking the question has a 4-7 year old computer, maybe 256-512mb of RAM and has an interest only in card and puzzle games, email, and some light Internet or maybe some basic digital photography, I try to convince them to:

• Give up Windows, reformat the computer and install Ubuntu Linux. Great functionality. Solid, solid system. No need to be a computer security expert to keep it running. (cost:  Free if they do it, $60-90 to have a professional do it)
• Get high speed Internet if they don’t have it already

Scenario 3

Computer user absolutely, positively wants a new PC.

• IF they are flexible and open minded, I try to steer them into a cheaper Vista machine, then strip it and put Ubuntu Linux on it. Vista machines are selling so poorly, a fast machine (when Vista is removed) with 1 GB of RAM and a DVD burner can be found for as little as $400 or $500 with a 19″ flat panel monitor.
• If they are flexible, but worried about being too open minded, buy a cheaper Vista machine, buy a copy of Windows XP, then take Vista off and install XP.
• If they are flexible, open minded, and willing to invest a little more money, I suggest seriously looking at Macintosh iMac all-in-one or a Mac laptop (Macbook). Like Linux, these machines are fast, very secure, and extremely capable

Scenario 4

Computer user absolutely, positively wants a new computer AND it must be Windows.

• I explain with a lot of animation how important I think it is to stay with Windows XP and consider ordering a new machine with XP pre-installed from Dell, HP, Toshiba or a local computer maker. I recommend getting 1 GB of RAM, DVD burner, and separate video card (not on-board video).

If the user absolutely, positively wants a new computer with Windows Vista, I sigh (on the inside), then explain to them that if they want to have the best possible start with Vista they need to:

• Get at LEAST 2 GB RAM…preferably more.
• Get at LEAST a 256mb video card (NOT on-board video with shared RAM)
• Read up on how to disable 90% of the froo-froo features of Vista to aid in speed it up or get a professional to do it for them.
• Use AVG anti-virus instead of McAfee or Norton …which actually is the same advice I give for ANY Windows user.