What do you look for in a computer?

Artashes

Artashes

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When buying a laptop/desktop, what are the TOP 3 specifications that you look for (that are the most important for you)?
 
Value for money is my mantra.

If I can get 70% of the performance of the high end solutions at 30% of the price, that's what I want. I'm not a gamer, so the other 30% of extra performance don't matter to me. Not being a gamer means I can almost disregard the video card.

An easily and highly overclockable CPU would interest me. I'd not go crazy with it, try to beat records, put advanced cooling systems in place etc., but I want to go for an extra performance boost at minimum cost and risk.

The motherboard is also pretty important in my book. It has to get good reviews if I'm to trust it. The hard disk and internal memory come next. I care about them, but I'm not ready to pay a lot for them. I can sacrifice some disk space size for speed though.

All that is for desktops. I don't care for laptops yet.

Just my way of viewing things.
 
First and foremost I look at speed capabilities. Then I look to see what software programs come with the computer and the warranty that either the store or manufacturer (or both) provides.
 
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Laptops/Computers are very affordable these days. You can get one with decent storage and memory for almost half the price of what you can get couple of years back.

But, to answer your question, for me I would go for

1. Processor Speed
2. RAM Capacity
3. Storage Space

CD/DVD drives are not necessary. :D
 
Pretty much the same for me

Speed, ram and disk size are my first three priorities but I also want something that can be easily upgraded, customized, etc. Some cheap machines don't have much capability in that area.
 
Speed is my first, followed by ram and then that it has no major known issues. The last laptop we bought has a known issue with the power plug where it plugs into the laptop. We spent 15% of the cost of the laptop to purchase and replace the plug portal and the plug itself (which shorted itself grounding out in the plug socket). Everything else can be dealt with by waiting, watching and using special deals or codes.
 
Great answers.
I guess for me, Processor and RAM are two critical statistics. Also weight as I like working in the library sometimes.
However, top 3rd would be the screen size.
 
thats depends upon the task for which i am going to buy a new computer...if its for gaming purpose than its should be more realistic and so on..!!
 
I choose laptops. For me it's size, speed and RAM (and cost if we can have a 4th)

Size: I do not care for DVD or BluRay as I rarely use them. I dont even think I have used my DVD drive on my current laptop that is over 2 years old now. Waste of weight and space :) I like laptops to feel like you are not going to break your foot if you drop it. Something that can be stored in a small case and easily carried around.

Speed: Slow computers bug me... so it needs to be quick.

RAM: Need plenty of that as it helps with the second point.

Cost: You can get killer deals these days, so although cost is a factor it's not that much because you can get my top 3 points for a good price these days.
 
The Top 3 Specifications that i look for in buying a pc are:

1. Higher Processor
2. Higher Memory
3. Higher Video Card
 
When buying a new computer well any computer for that matter

I look first at its speed.
Then Graphics capability, Ram Type of card onboard or add-on card
CPU is it removable? can it be upgraded? if so how far?
then the RAM of the CPU and bus speed of the CPU. make sure the bus speed matches the Ram speed dont need any bottlenecks.
Then the Company if its an PB,Dell,Gateway I'll turn my nose up at it. I perfer custom built computers.
Then the Cost how much can I get as Cheaply as possible.
 
I like my computers like my women,
Fast, Easy And most of all Cheap.

But serriously though,
Ive been building my own Gaming machines now for quite some time.
and i know its an age old argument but i will have to choose AMD everytime when it comes to a gaming rig.

Also i would prefure to use Crucial RAM yes they can be expensive but never had any problems with them.

I used to say Nvidia for graphics cards but its getting closer toward using ATI Mainly because their cards are getting so much better.

But most of all it has too be cooled well and it has to be efficant in what it does.
 
I'm not very hardware knowledgable when it comes to computers yet (I'm only software-knowledgeable) so for myself I pretty much go with whatever people generally say is good, whatever is fastest, the largest, and the best quality, and the best I can afford. Oh and I won't be going to Vista for a while - even though I like how it looks compared to XP (Even though I like XP).
 
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