Chapter one.

Choosing your computer.

Many years ago I was asked to leave a well known computer retailer. Why? Because I stopped them ripping off a customer.

Whilst browsing the wares within the aforementioned computer retailer within their Worcestershire branch, I happened upon a conversation between a middle aged lady and a store assistant. The conversation went thus:

(Note: This happened about 2001. Before most, if not all, video chat software we take for granted nowadays)

Assistant: 'Can I help you madam?'

Lady: 'Yes, my daughter has recently moved to Australia, and I would like a computer so I can email her.'

A: 'And what sort of computer were you thinking of?'

L: 'I have no idea, I know nothing about computers.'

A: 'Follow me madam'

The assistant walks past most of the computers and goes to the second most expensive computer in the shop. It was labelled at £3,500 ish. (It was 2001 remember)

A: 'May I suggest this computer madam. It has (Reels of tech spec)'

L: 'Will it email Australia?'

A: 'Yes.'

L: 'It's very expensive'

A: 'Well it does have to email Australia.'

I laughed out loud at this point, and asked if I could intervene. I informed the woman that the assistant was ripping her off, and I gave her the address of an independent computer store in a neighbouring town that did computers starting at £300. She thanked me and left the store. 5 minutes later, a store manager asked me to leave and refrain from entering the store again.

I did and I haven't.

And back to today. And still I find that people have, buy or use computers that do not fit in with the way they use them.

One example are people that have spent out on a top end machine, and all they do is email and facebook. For this sort of user, a netbook would surely be better.

Another example are some laptop users. Yes I can understand the need for a small uncluttered computer. But when the laptop is sat on the desk, permanently plugged into the mains, and connected via a cable to the router rather than the wireless, I can't help think 'what is the point of that?'. Especially when shuttle pc's can be bought or build for a less than a laptop, and gives you the option for cheaper upgrades in the future. A medium use laptop would last about 5 years before it needs replacing. A mid to low range laptop would cost about £400. For less than half that, you could upgrade a shuttle PC to last another 5 years. Yes you wont have the portability, but when the laptop sits on the same computer desk in the corner for 5 years, where is the issue?

And finally, we have the over eager netbook users. Those that got one with a mobile phone contract. They push that little box to its limits. Trying to watch a youtube video, while playing a facebook game, all on a tiny 10 inch screen. These people really want to get a laptop.

So why aren't there any guides out there for what you want, need and is best for your uses?

I would suggest that people looking at buying a computer and are pretty clueless on their best option to contact me and I will suggest them something. But that would be pretty pointless as 90% of people that read blogs are seasoned computer users so would know what they want/need.

Another option for replacing a computer is upgrading them. I have been doing this for years. I have never had a top end PC, but a capable one. It still meets the minimum requirement for a lot of new games. It has 2 screens so I can multi task with ease. In fact, as I write this on the main screen, my 7 year old daughter is sat beside me, watching 'Charlie and Lola' on the other screen.

As it currently stands it has a E7700 Dual core CPU, 3 gig of ram, a BFG Tech GTX280, and 2 hard drives totalling 860 gig. And due to me upgrading it has cost less than £100 a year to get it to this spec. Most of the old parts I have kept to make into another computer for the kids. My next set of upgrades will be expensive though, I need to change the motherboard, CPU and RAM in one hit. So that will be at least £200.

Finally, a lot of people say to me 'My computer is old and slow, I need a new one.' When they do, I say to them 'give me 24 hours with the computer and £20* and I can make it work as new. They are usually surprised at how much faster a computer can be just by basic maintenance. Basic stuff that anyone can do. No matter how computer illiterate they think they are. I hope to be doing a few guides on this in future blogs.

For a rough guide of what sort of PC suits your needs, then there is only really one option. If you don't know what you need, get a cheap desktop computer. Why? If you don't know anything about computers, it is the best starting place to learn. If you want more from your computer, a desktop is cheapest to upgrade. If you find that you don't use the resources to their limit, then trust me, in 5 years you will. Then it would still be cheaper to upgrade.

Coming next: Before you switch on. 

*I never used to charge. I used to do it for free. But I kept getting people taking the piss. So I decided to charge. It worked. The people who took the piss don't ask for help any more.