Tips on Purchasing a Personal Computer.
Get LOTS of RAM!!!
My preference is for a Desktop PC, because I seldom need the portability of a notebook or tablet PC. Also, a desktop PC is typically easier (and a lot cheaper) to repair and upgrade. But the convenience of a notebook (laptop) or tablet is easy to understand.
For now, I will mostly discuss Notebook Personal Computers (PC's)... though these rules generally also apply to desktops as well.
If you want a Windows OS (Operating System) Personal Computer, Then I'd suggest Windows 7. If you cannot find one in a store, they are still easy enough to find on-line. (See examples below.) MS Windows is a real dog (IMHO), but sometimes you gotta have it. But if not, consider Linux. And there is always the Mac OS also (by Apple).
Still lots to choose from at places like Tiger Direct.
Win-7 is the best OS that Microsoft has produced (IMHO). It does enough things different from other versions (like XP and Vista) that it can be a bit confusing at times, but for the most part they really are improvements, and can be easily adapted to. On it's initial release, Win-7 got a fair amount of praise in reviews, which is not very common with Microsoft products.
Win-8 / 8.1 has generally gotten lousy reviews, and my experience with it in supporting folks trying to adapt to it has been pretty frustrating for everyone. (So: Forewarned is forearmed.) Far more than is typical for a Win OS release, which sounds pretty bad. The main complaint I've seen is basically that they tried too hard to make it look like the interface of a hand-held device (like a mobile "Smart Phone", or a "Tablet PC"). I've had more contact with Win-8 since Jan-2014, and while I don't think it is as horrible as some people make it sound, I can see why so many people are so upset. MS did such a drastic redesign to the GUI that it has made a lot of common things hard to find. Changes like this are like "money in the bank" for the whole industry though, especially from a training and tech-service point of view. (Just a little thought bubble for you there.)
Something you have to understand is that Software is what drives the Computer Industry... and it is what forces you to have to upgrade to a new PC eventually. Buying a PC with really robust "Hardware Resources" will allow that machine to operate at a decent speed for a longer period of time... before it needs an upgrade, or all-out replacement. It is absolutely a "pay me now or pay me later" situation. It can be a tricky balance however, as the industry changes so fast. You can plan on buying a PC that will perform well for 5 years or more, but it is quite possible that in that time something far better and cheaper will appear. Best to just make a choice, grit your teeth, and stick with it.
or: Scheduled "End of Support" for current versions of the Win-OS.
End of "Extended Support"
Windows XP ... 8-Apr-2014
Windows Vista ... 11-Apr-2017
Windows 7 ... 14-Jan-2020
Windows 8 ... 10-Jan-2023
Once the "End of Extended Support" date passes, it is very difficult to safely operate that PC, especially over the Internet. Absolutely DO NOT do any Banking, Credit Card Purchases, or anything that might make you vulnerable to Identity Theft.
Barebones Kits
Another option is to buy a kit PC of new hardware, with everything but the HDD, and slip your existing Hard Disk Drive into it. This is a bit more advanced for the technically challenged to do themselves, and by the time you pay someone to do the kit transfer you could possibly buy a new PC (and OS), but it is an option to consider.
One advantage is that you could save a bit more junk PC stuff from needing to be recycled (or worse, ending up in a landfill / dump).
A bigger advantage is the reduced learning curve for transitioning to a new OS. Your time has to be a consideration here. You have to look carefully at the "Lifecycle Date" for your OS, and decide if a kit is the best option for you.
This is a favorite resource of mine for this type of product.
Other resources are available:
(Newegg and Amazon are good places to try as well.)
About Robust Hardware Resources
RAM (random access memory) is the biggest deciding factor here for the speed and longevity of a PC. The more RAM you get, the longer the PC will last (assuming no failures anywhere). Most folks with Win-7 will want at least 4GB RAM. 8GB is much better for most Win-7 versions and various hardware options. Sales people will try and sell you a 2GB RAM PC... but they want you to come back in about 2 years to buy another one too (because they know the performance of that PC will be pretty lousy by that time, and you'll want to upgrade out of sheer frustration).
Check here for Memory Limits for the MS Windows OS.
If you have to go with MS Windows, then do your homework. The above page will define memory limits for each version of the MSW-OS.
Processor Cores will determine the overall speed of the machine. The more CPU cores you have, the more instructions-per-second the machine can process (and the faster it will be). There is some debate over which versions of Windows will efficiently run on "X" number of cores. Generally speaking, a Dual-Core or Quad-Core system will be good enough for now (in 2014).
What makes older PC's run so slow?
A-1: Low "Memory Resources" (RAM)... which forces the OS to use the "Virtual Memory"... which can result in more memory type data being "paged-out" to the HDD (Hard Disk Drive).
A-2: the "Fatware" (newer, bloated software) has advanced far beyond the capacity of the (older) hardware.
The above answers are brief, but this explains the main reasons why it is better to invest in the right amount of RAM when you get a new PC.
:-)
Again... Notebooks are nice for the portability, but they are expensive and difficult (if not impossible) to upgrade (as well as repair), so when it gets too slow to use (or fails), it is often easier to replace them (as they get older). Not very "Green"... but there it is. If you want that convenience, be prepared to pay for it (both financially and ecologically).
So with this in mind... by spending a bit more now, any PC (even a desktop) will be more likely to "live longer" (in terms of the hardware not getting outdistanced by the software, and getting painfully slow too soon). Where to draw the line on that "bit more" (RAM and CPU Cores) is where you have to do your homework.
Another option is to just get what you can (or want to) afford... use it for as long as you can... and then load Linux on it, and get a few more years use out of the machine (assuming there are no hardware failures). This helps with the "Green" issue. And there are plenty of Lightweight Linux Distributions out there, that can run very well on older hardware (you still need to look at the spec's though). This would be somewhat similar to getting a "Chromebook" now. (See below.)
Don't forget to consider the size... if you already have any accessories like a carry case, etc. No point in buying all that stuff all over again, if you don't have to.
Linux Drivers
One of the SNAFU's with Linux is that the overall support of devices is not as wide as for MS Windows (or the Mas OS). This mostly has to do with drivers. Pretty much all peripheral devices made (printers, WiFi adapters, etc.) will run on Linux... the questions is: "Did the manufacturer bother to create a Device Driver for it?"
In some cases a generic driver will work, but this is mostly true with name brand products that use mainstream quality parts. There are some common "chip-sets" used in devices lie USB adapters for Sound, Networking, etc., that can work with just about anything.
The bottom line is that if you decide to go with Linux, you may need to jump through a lot of hoops to get your device to work with it, or even possibly replace that device. This is more true with older equipment however, that is probably past its prime anyway.
Based on my experience so far with Linux, I'm constantly amazed at how efficiently it picks up on the hardware that is is attached to it. Which is to say that the odds are pretty good that whatever you have will work. Just be prepared with other results.
MS Windows is not perfect either. I've had driver problems with it. They are less encountered though, because (once again) Microsoft has the Lion's Share of the market, and everyone caters to them.
I recently discovered that some versions of Linux have a feature that will allow the use of Windows Drivers with it, so this could be the way around this issue.
What brand do you suggest?
I for-sure hear this question the most. The biggest factor in a Notebook (or Desktop or Tablet) is "Brand". Naturally you want something reliable, and easy to service.
As with desktops, I avoid the bigger brands... especially HP, Compaq, Gateway, and Dell. I used to think Toshiba was good, but they seem to have a lot of silly problems, like a key in the keyboard failing, or the back-light converter causing the screen to go dead.
Acer seems to be really reliable. I've seen several of these recently that have been in use a while, and they seem like very solid machines. Samsung in general seems to make good products. Sony is generally reliable.
Another route is to see what is popular... at a reliable distributor.
Some suggested places to shop on-line for a Notebook PC (or Desktop, or Tablet):
However...
If you use your notebook mostly for Internet use... especially if mostly on G-mail and Google Drive, etc... then you may want to consider a...
$250 - 11.6" Screen - 2.4# - 6.5hr battery
... they have started as low as $200
... more info
... Google support: About Chromebooks
Chromebook at Tiger Direct (they have a recycle program)
I would urge you to seriously consider a Chromebook (I'd suggest an Acer, but I have had really good experience with Samsung products too)... especially if you are concerned about costs... and if your computing needs are not very "resource intensive" (such as HD [video] streaming, editing video, heavy-duty multitasking, etc.).
Chromebooks are based on the Linux OS.
They are intended to be "Cloud" machines (strictly for Internet use)... but they have enough "Local Apps" so that you can stay busy off-line as well. The thing is, these days it is very easy to be on-line constantly, and reliably.
Be aware that you can ONLY use Google developed apps on this machine. It is NOT a traditional Linux PC, that will run any Linux app you can download off the web. This is not much of an issue though, as Google Apps covers a WIDE range of tasks... and many of them are "free".
Chromebooks are probably better than just about anything commonly on the market right now, in terms of the software not outdistancing the hardware too soon... ensuring a longer life for your money.
Have fun!
:-)