Choosing a Desktop:

Buying a desktop computer can be intimidating. Before you get buried in an avalanche of technical information, try to think about what kind of computer-users you and your household will be.

   The Basic e-Surfer
• Spends most of his or her computer time checking out websites, sending e-mail or chatting, basic photo viewing and word processing.
• We recommend a low-to-mid range computer with a dual-core processor. This should give you enough power to run most productivity applications, manage basic multimedia files and even play many of today's games. Be sure it is equipped with at least 1GB of memory and it would also be ideal to have a 128MB graphics card.
• Key upgrades or additional features to look for include: AMD Athlon 64 X2 or Intel Core 2 Duo processor; 250GB to 500GB hard drive; DVD burner; Windows Vista Home Premium operating system; 17 to 19" LCD monitor; Multi-purpose printer

  
    The Home Office Worker

• Similar to the Basic e-Surfer, but spends a lot of his or her computer time working with spreadsheets and emailing associates about deadlines and profit margins. Also spends time shopping and planning vacations online.
• We recommend a mid range computer with at least a dual-core processor. This should give you enough power for multitasking office applications and managing various multimedia files. Be sure it is equipped with at least 1GB of memory and it would also be ideal to have a 128MB graphics card. An all-in-one printer/scanner/copier/fax is a necessity for a small business. However, if your work involves graphics or some type of design work, you'll want to up the juice on almost every spec.
• Key upgrades or additional features to look for include: AMD Athlon 64 X2 or Intel Core 2 Duo processor; 250GB to 300GB hard drive; DVD burner; Windows XP Pro, Vista Home Premium or Vista Business operating system; Microsoft Office XP; 19 to 21" LCD monitor

     The Power Gamer

• Spends most of his or her computer time playing high-end computer games with eye popping visuals and intense sound.
• We recommend a high-performance computer with ideally a quad-core processor, but a dual-core processor at minimum. Look for at least 2GB of memory and a large, fast 500GB hard drive to retrieve information quickly and provide better game play. For gaming, the right graphics card is essential - Nvidia's GeForce 8800 GTX or 8800 GTS cards, or one of ATI's newer Radeon HD 2900 XT cards are your current best bets. Digital 5.1 surround sound speakers are also necessary to capture all the full rich sound gaming enthusiasts long for.
• Key upgrades or additional features to look for include: Intel Core 2 Quad or Core 2 Extreme processor; up to 4GB of 800MHz or 1,066MHz DDR2 memory; up to 1TB 7200rpm hard drive; 512MB ATI Radeon HD 2900 XT, 768MB Nvidia GeForce 8800 GTX, 640MB or 320MB GeForce 8800 GTS graphics card; Blu-ray or HD DVD player, or DVD burner; Windows Vista Home Premium or Ultimate operating system; 19 to 21" HD LCD monitor; Wireless mouse and keyboard

  
     The Home Entertainment Artist

• Spends most of his or her computer time transferring images from a digital camera, editing digital videos, downloading MP3s, burning his or her own CDs or DVDs and enjoying the multimedia in a home theater-like setting.
• We recommend a computer with a dual core processor that operates in a quiet and cool fashion. Look for at least 1GB of memory to edit photos and video and a large 500GB hard drive to store all of your multimedia files. A 256MB graphics card and SuperMulti DVD drive will provide enough juice and versatility for your viewing pleasure. If you plan to use your TV as the primary viewing display, make sure you can output video and audio from your CPU to your TV.
• Key upgrades or additional features to look for include: AMD Athlon 64 X2 or Intel Core 2 Duo processor; 2GB of memory; Analog or CableCard tuner; Built-in TV tuner; additional Blu-ray or HD DVD optical drive; Windows Vista Home Premium or Ultimate operating system; 21" or large HD LCD monitor or a direct connection to your home-theater display; Digital 5.1 surround sound speakers; Wireless mouse and keyboard; Media Center remote