Buying a Computer
For Idiots
Topics to be Covered
Types of computers
Computer brands
What kind of
computer best suits
you?
Computers For Every Need
Supercomputers
Workstation Computer
Really fast, really
expensive computers
used by sciencey-types
A computer used for
software development,
used by engineers and
other nerds
Personal Computer
A computer used by
your average
consumer on a day-today basis
Laptops
Desktops
Non-portable PC’s
with a lot of hard
drive space and a lot
of RAM.
Portable computers
with a decent
amount of RAM and
hard drive.
Tablets
Notebooks, Netbooks
Extremely light and
portable, but with less hard
drive and memory than
desktops.
Computer contained
within a single
touchscreen device.
Highly portable but with
limited capabilities.
“RAM” stands for Random Access
Memory. It is used to hold
information for applications that are
currently being used, for ease of
access and rapidity.
Pros and Cons of Various Brands
Acer/Gateway
If you’re looking for
a cheap computer,
Acer is for you. This
company offers
aggressively priced
laptops, but at a
price. Problems
often occur with
them.
Dell/Alienware
Dell has an enormous
variety of computers, all
with different uses, specs
and features. With Dell,
some people love it and
others hate it.
Alienware is almost
universally loved by all
who use it. It comes with
tons of customizable
features. It is primarily
used for gaming.
Hewlett-Packard
HP comes with excellent multimedia performance. It has
nice overall visual appeal. However, it doesn’t come
without its share of complaints. Reliability is often a big
issue.
Toshiba
Also sometimes called,
“Toshitba”. In theory,
Toshiba has great
potential. However,
most consumers think
otherwise, due to no
end of problems and no
help from support.
Most hate it, others
despise it. Few like it.
Lenovo
For the most part,
Lenovo receives
positive reviews from
customers. According
to an online review, it
has excellent build
quality, best in class
ergonomics and helpful
tech support.
Asus
Asus offers some of the best-looking computers
around. Other than that, there isn’t much else
to be seen. Slightly worse than average, there is
a lot of improvement to be done.
Apple
By far the most well
rounded computer brand on
the market. Apple offers
highly reliable computers
that almost never have
issues. Their design is sleek
and compact, and apple
offers a helpful technical
support system. The only
major flaw: they are CRAZY
FREAKING EXPENSIVE
People who own an excess of apple
products are known as “hipsters”. Hipsters
usually possess an iPhone, a Macbook, and
sometimes iPads. Hipsters are easily
identifiable by their hornrim glasses,
scarves, knitted sweaters and ugly leather
shoes. To see a hipster in its natural
habitat, go to your local Starbucks.
What kind of computer best suits you?
Augustus wants to buy a
computer. We are going to help
him decide what kind to get.
 He is a hardcore gamer
 He has nothing else to spend his
money on
 He lives in his mother’s basement
 #nolife
 He likes the option to customize
Alienware
Andrea needs a new laptop and
wants to fit in with her hipster
friends. Can we help her kill two
birds with one stone?
 She is a wannabe hipster
 She has tons of money
 She likes starbucks
Macbook
Cletus is a hillbilly who doesn’t
believe in birth control. He decided
he should “git one o’ them
newfangled gadgits”. Let’s help him
out.
 He has 16 children
 He sells homemade moonshine for a
living
 He was recommended to get a laptop
from his brother-cousin
If you’re seriously considering buying a computer,
ask a professional. Not us.
Websites used:
http://www.laptopmag.com/mobile-life/asus-brand-rating-2012.aspx
http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~fgandon/lecture/uk1999/computers_types/
http://compreviews.about.com/
http://reviews.cnet.com/laptop-reviews/?filter=1000036_3808730_
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_RAM_used_for
http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/R/RAM.html
And google images for the pictures.