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Oct
16
Do you need to replace your current desktop computer?
Filed Under hardware, new computer purchase, purchase advice | 2 Comments
Is it time to replace your computer? Not sure if you want to go the laptop route?
I love my laptop computer, but there are times when I want to sit at my desk and see everything on the big screen. This is especially true when I’m working on an article or document for a customer – that extra screen space of a 19″ flat panel monitor makes the job easier.
Computers are moving out of the dusty basements and into the living areas of many homes. Unfortunately the traditional computer is a bit unsightly. Face it, computers don’t blend in very well and they take up a honking chunk of space. If you don’t have the space (or just don’t want to look at the ugly big box all the time) and want the size and luxury of a large monitor, look to what I’m calling the mini computers. They have all the advantages of a big box computer but a fraction of the size.
Acer has one of note at the moment - the Acer ASL100-ED403. It’s small – 2.4″w x 9.8″ d x 7.9″ h in size. A
dd a nice 19″ monitor and you have the perfect system for a home office or internet cruiser. I don’t think it would be the best for gaming – I read the power supply is relatively light weight, so if you have a family member who is a hard core gamer, look elsewhere. This system won’t do for big games.
The computer, despite it’s size, is a heavy weight with a 2.1 Ghz processor, 1 gig of ram, Nvidia graphics (adjustable to 256 megs), 250 meg harddrive and more. For those who don’t speak geek, this translates into a fast and powerful machine. A bit of overkill for the average user, but better too much than not enough.
I doubt it is the most upgradeable system because of its small size, a bit of a drawback, but many home users shouldn’t be too worried about that. Most of my home and home office customers rarely need system upgrades. The basic out of the box computer is more that enough.
The computer runs Vista already, take it home and it’s ready to run. Pick out the right monitor and you will have a great system. Shop around for the best price – in Toronto at the moment the best price is Best Buy for $699 + taxes, the monitor is extra. If you have a nice flat panel monitor, use it, you don’t have to purchase a new one.
Oct
15
Need a word processor but on a strict budget?
Filed Under purchase advice, software, word processor | Leave a Comment
Not everyone has the cash on hand to go out and buy a word processor. They can be down right pricey – a stand alone copy of Word runs in the hundreds of dollars. The going price of $300 might as well be a $1000 – its still out of reach for many home budgets.
There are some options for you.
You can opt for Corel’s Word processing suite – Word Perfect. The home addition costs around $120 – depending upon how many stores you are willing to shop to get the best deal. It is fully MS Word compatible and will provide you with all the word processing tools you need. If you’ve only used MS Word, you will have to learn a few new tricks – things aren’t in the same place. Don’t worry, the programs are much the same so the learning curve won’t be very high.
If you aren’t a fan of Corel, or don’t want the hassle of learning a slightly different program then Microsoft has 3 low cost options for you.
The first is a stripped down word processor called MS Works. With Works, you get a modest word processor, a spread sheet application, data base software and some other toys to tinker with. It comes with all the basic tools and is a great package for anyone who simply needs to write letters and documents. It is fully compatible with it’s big brother MS Word and MS Excel. Look to spend approx. $69.00 again depending upon where you purchase it. I’ve seen it as low as $59.00.
If you want more from your processor, templates to play with, and full blown Word, then you should purchase MS Works Suite. Along with the full version of Word, you get Money, Encarta, Street and Maps, and digital image editing software. You choose which options to install and which to leave out. This option runs around $150.00. If you look for an earlier edition of Works, you should be able to save even more money. I’ve seen previous year’s versions on for as low as $111.00. There is nothing wrong with last year’s model. I’m still working with Word 2002 and I have no plans of changing until I purchase a new laptop. Unless of course Microsoft, in a fit of madness, sends me Office Professional for free. Works Suite for XP requires 256 megs of ram, so check how much memory you have before committing to the latest version. An earlier version might fit the bill if you are on an older computer.
Home users are lucky – for a little more you can now purchase a modest Microsoft Office package called Microsoft Office Home and Student Edition for as little as $180.00. Yes this is the real deal, Excel, Word, Power Point and the powerful Outlook with its excellent calendar. Check your system before purchasing this – It requires XP with service pack 2, and 256 megs of ram + 1.5 gigs of harddrive space. Your monitor resolution needs to be set to 1024×768 or higher or things don’t look quite right. If you are working with an older computer and/or monitor, this might be too much for it and you’ll see huge slowdowns in your computer’s performance. If you are running on just 256 megs of ram, go for one of the lesser options – you’ll just end up being hopelessly frustrated with the bottlenecks.
The choice is up to you and your budget. All four offer proper word processing tools – dictionaries, spell check, formating etc. Its simply a matter of which suits you the best. Shop around, the prices I offer were from 2 sources Staples and Best Buy. You might be able to purchase the software on sale so keep your eyes open. Don’t be afraid to ask for an earlier version. Sometimes they are lurking around the shelf somewhere.
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