Q. What desktop computer would be suitable for a teenage girl? Please give links. It can be Mac or PC.
Thanks!
Thanks!
A. PC is better, here is why... ( Dell Inspiron $499- $849) http://www.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/inspndt_530?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs for everyday stuff... Dell XPS for very heavy gaming.. http://www.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/xpsdt_420?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs OR http://www.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/desktop-xps-625?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs )
PC=Variety of specs, options, quality, prices, vendors, support
Mac=One vendor, limited options, still more expensive. Look below for more information..
Contrary to belief, Macs are not better quality. Apple also has been changing suppliers to try to "lower the price" and thus lowering quality. Even with the lower prices, Macs still cost more, they spend a higher percent of budget trying to make it look pretty, and marketing.
Today, Macs use the same hardware as PCs. Why spend extra to get the same CPU chips, graphics cards and OS X isn't as secure as you think.. Look below.
WINDOWS ADVANTAGES:
Aprox 90% of the market is Windows. Most PCs include windows already pre-installed.
1) A number of websites still require Internet Explorer to view and IE for Mac Stinks (it is really ies4osx which is the Windows IE version running really buggy on OS X and illegal if you don't have a legitimate copy of Windows, too many problems with it).
2) More supported peripherals (printers and other things you hook into the computer) on Windows.
3) Many more games
4) Like the Dock on OS X (Mac)? google/yahoo rocketdock, objectdoc.
Install at least Free Versions of Avira AntiVir, Avast, Comodo Firewall on the Vista.
LINUX ADVANTAGES:
1) Install Linux, and then get tons of software for free.Update software easily and automatically. (Checking a checkbox in either two ways to install (Add/Remove or Synaptic Package Manager), search for something you want, check a box and click apply)
2) Like the Mac OS X effects? go yahoo/google COMPIZ FUSION. It can do just about any cool effect a Mac can do and more...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4Fbk52Mk1w
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3gkX9HDfEE (there is no flickering when you use it like on the video, not sure why the person has the flicker)
3) Like the Mac OS X Doc? google/yahoo Cairo Dock, avant window navigator.
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3rf5q_cairo-dock-mac-os-x-leopard-dock-on_tech
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0hzi22g2DE
4) It is faster/MORE SECURE. Surf the internet and even run some windows programs with Wnehq/Crossover..
LINUX OS
If you are worried about viruses, spyware, security, Try Linux (it is free), I have included some information about Linux and links so you are not lost if you decide to try it.
Easily turn your system into a Dual booting computer with Linux, fast, safe and secure, easy to use (contrary to belief). You then get the best of both worlds (Windows with all of its supported products, freely go online without the worry)
Installing Linux in general is very simple and much more secure than OS X(Macintosh) and free.
Also, most Linux distributions have a LiveCD which means you can try without installing...
UBUNTU, KUBUNTU, FREESPIRE, PCLINUXOS, etc.. all have live CDS.
All you have to do is..
A) to download .iso file off the internet from the Linux website
B) burn the .iso file to a CD or DVD (Make sure your burning software can burn an ISO or get InfraRecorder http://infrarecorder.org/ )
C) restart the computer with the CD in the drive
D) As computer is restarting, press on F12 Key a bunch of times to get a boot menu
E) Select the option to boot from CD or DVD.
Click on this link and follow instructions up to the point of "Once the system has started up...", (the rest is how to backup windows) for an easy picture guide for steps A-E above http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/use-ubuntu-live-cd-to-backup-files-from-your-dead-windows-computer/
For easy instructions on setting up Dual Boot http://apcmag.com/how_to_dual_boot_windows_xp_and_linux_xp_installed_first.htm
ANOTHER QUICK NOTE: People have been able to run OS X on a PC since the PC and Mac use the same hardware. This is not legal and I would not recommend it for security and legal reasons, the purpose is to show that there is nothing special about the MAC.
A)Price...
A similar equipped PC is much cheaper to purchase than Mac. Lets use Dell (but you can compare with another PC Brand if you like)
**(LAPTOP)
Dell Inspiron Laptop $849 dropped to $799
15" Screen
CPU: (upgrade to) 2.1GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
Graphics: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100
Memory: 3GB 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM
Hard Drive: 320GB Serial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm
Optical Drive: Blu-ray Disc Combo (DVD+/-RW + BD-ROM) - WRITES DVDS,CDS, READS Blue-Ray Disks
Macbook $1349 just dropped to $1224
13" Screen (SMALLER)
CPU: 2.1GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (SAME)
Graphics: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100 (SAME)
Memory: (upgrade to) 2GB 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM (LESS RAM)
Hard Drive (upgrade to) 250GBSerial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm (SMALLER HARD DRIVE)
Optical Drive: (DVD-ROM/CD-RW) - (Writes CDs, DVDs, cannot read Blue-Ray) (WORSE AND 1/2 SPEED)
**(DESKTOP)
PLEASE NOTE: I'm comparing Apple Mac's vs Dells best deal. If you decide that you must have an all-in one. The Dell all-in-one has more ram, wireless keyboard and mouse and equivalent to $400 for free making the Imac still more expensive when you upgrade the Imac to try to match. Personally I don't think the All-in-Ones are a good choice, and consider them overpriced, lack expandability and repairs both more expensive and require the entire computer.
PS: Apple knows that they must make Macintosh look different than PC so all Macs except the Mac Pro will not have a tower option. Apple's low end lacks expandability but it makes the Mac "look different", if Mac had a tower for low-end, more people would realize the similarities between the two.
Dell: (Right Now) Specs Below costs $809
CPU: 2.4 GHZ Dell Inspiron QUAD (4 Processor) CORE
SCREEN: 20inch Screen
MEMORY: 3GB Ram
HARD DRIVE: 500 GB hard Drive
OPTICAL DRIVE: 16x DVD/CD Read/Writer
GRAPHICS: (upgrade to ) ATI Radeon HD 2400 PRO 128MB
The Best Deal Mac is not the Mac Mini since it has no monitor, keyboard, mouse, very skimpy on options and setup... IMac is better price than the Mac Mini.
IMac ($1400)
CPU: 2.4 GHZ DUAL (2 Processor) CORE (SLOWER CPU)
SCREEN: 20inch Screen
MEMORY: (upgrade to) 2GB Ram (LESS RAM)
HARD DRIVE: (upgrade to ) 500 GB hard Drive
OPTICAL DRIVE: 8x DVD Reader/Writer (1/2 speed)
GRAPHICS: ATI Radeon HD 2400 PRO 128MB
**END OF DESKTOP
B) SECURITY:
Mac OS X was hacked in 2006 under 30 minutes, and hacked within 2 minutes in a contest in 2008. Linux and Vista were not able to be hacked until another day when restrictions were lowered.
All macs are standardized with Cameras, if your system gets hacked, the hacker would more likely be able to turn on your camera.
Please Note: All OS's have vulnerabilities.
C) VIRUSES
The argument that OS X has less viruses is true, but that is against XP, BUT Mac OS X has viruses (which is significantly on the rise), a friend of mine has a virused Mac. As more users use Macs, more viruses will come out for it. Especially when users think "they are safe".
Viruses on Mac are rising significantly.
Google/Yahoo Mac Viruses
D) WINDOWS LICENSE is discounted with PCs
You do not pay the full price, for instance Dell -> you pay $50 or less for Vista Home Premium If you buy a Mac and want Vista, you pay full price.
E) EXPANDABILITY & REPAIR...
Repairs are more expensive than PCs since the IMac, Mac Mini are compact units, and Apple charges a premium for their services. Some repairs can be done by another repair service but the compact design of the computer causes problems.
With an IMac, if the problem is with the monitor, the whole computer would have to be brought in.
IMac and Mac mini lack expansion.
F) PROBLEMS
Sample of problems: Overheating Macbooks, OS X- not responding to keyboard, some units with 16bit screens, etc. Apple statistics are misleading since Mac users with problem machines are more likely to go out and buy a new computer than PC users. Apple is lowering prices which means you can expect lower quality than in the past. Apple had switched the manufacturers producing parts. OS X also has problems slowing down.
http://www.tuaw.com/2008/08/01/apples-quality-dwindling-my-macbook-pro-sob-story/
http://news.softpedia.com/news/Microsoft-Finds-Irony-in-Mac-OS-X-Getting-Hacked-Before-Vista-SP1-82135.shtml
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13506_3-10020263-17.html
http://infosecurity.us/?p=4005
http://blogs.chron.com/techblog/archives/2008/07/malware_authors_take_aim_at_growing_number_of_1.html
http://www.macsimumnews.com/index.php/archive/poll_have_you_noticed_an_increase_in_malware_viruses_etc_on_your_mac/
http://www.ubuntu.com/
http://www.kubuntu.org/
http://www.freespire.org/
http://www.pclinuxos.com/
http://distrowatch.com/
http://polishlinux.org/
http://www.desktoplinux.com/
http://xwinman.org/gnome.php
http://xwinman.org/kde.php
http://www.linuxalt.com/
http://screencasts.ubuntu.com/
http://www.linuxfoundation.org/en/OpenPrinting/
http://www.avast.com/
http://www.free-av.com/
http://www.personalfirewall.comodo.com/
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/SwitchingToUbuntu/FromMacOSX
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/SwitchingToUbuntu/FromWindows
Google/Yahoo OS X on PC
PC=Variety of specs, options, quality, prices, vendors, support
Mac=One vendor, limited options, still more expensive. Look below for more information..
Contrary to belief, Macs are not better quality. Apple also has been changing suppliers to try to "lower the price" and thus lowering quality. Even with the lower prices, Macs still cost more, they spend a higher percent of budget trying to make it look pretty, and marketing.
Today, Macs use the same hardware as PCs. Why spend extra to get the same CPU chips, graphics cards and OS X isn't as secure as you think.. Look below.
WINDOWS ADVANTAGES:
Aprox 90% of the market is Windows. Most PCs include windows already pre-installed.
1) A number of websites still require Internet Explorer to view and IE for Mac Stinks (it is really ies4osx which is the Windows IE version running really buggy on OS X and illegal if you don't have a legitimate copy of Windows, too many problems with it).
2) More supported peripherals (printers and other things you hook into the computer) on Windows.
3) Many more games
4) Like the Dock on OS X (Mac)? google/yahoo rocketdock, objectdoc.
Install at least Free Versions of Avira AntiVir, Avast, Comodo Firewall on the Vista.
LINUX ADVANTAGES:
1) Install Linux, and then get tons of software for free.Update software easily and automatically. (Checking a checkbox in either two ways to install (Add/Remove or Synaptic Package Manager), search for something you want, check a box and click apply)
2) Like the Mac OS X effects? go yahoo/google COMPIZ FUSION. It can do just about any cool effect a Mac can do and more...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4Fbk52Mk1w
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3gkX9HDfEE (there is no flickering when you use it like on the video, not sure why the person has the flicker)
3) Like the Mac OS X Doc? google/yahoo Cairo Dock, avant window navigator.
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3rf5q_cairo-dock-mac-os-x-leopard-dock-on_tech
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0hzi22g2DE
4) It is faster/MORE SECURE. Surf the internet and even run some windows programs with Wnehq/Crossover..
LINUX OS
If you are worried about viruses, spyware, security, Try Linux (it is free), I have included some information about Linux and links so you are not lost if you decide to try it.
Easily turn your system into a Dual booting computer with Linux, fast, safe and secure, easy to use (contrary to belief). You then get the best of both worlds (Windows with all of its supported products, freely go online without the worry)
Installing Linux in general is very simple and much more secure than OS X(Macintosh) and free.
Also, most Linux distributions have a LiveCD which means you can try without installing...
UBUNTU, KUBUNTU, FREESPIRE, PCLINUXOS, etc.. all have live CDS.
All you have to do is..
A) to download .iso file off the internet from the Linux website
B) burn the .iso file to a CD or DVD (Make sure your burning software can burn an ISO or get InfraRecorder http://infrarecorder.org/ )
C) restart the computer with the CD in the drive
D) As computer is restarting, press on F12 Key a bunch of times to get a boot menu
E) Select the option to boot from CD or DVD.
Click on this link and follow instructions up to the point of "Once the system has started up...", (the rest is how to backup windows) for an easy picture guide for steps A-E above http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/use-ubuntu-live-cd-to-backup-files-from-your-dead-windows-computer/
For easy instructions on setting up Dual Boot http://apcmag.com/how_to_dual_boot_windows_xp_and_linux_xp_installed_first.htm
ANOTHER QUICK NOTE: People have been able to run OS X on a PC since the PC and Mac use the same hardware. This is not legal and I would not recommend it for security and legal reasons, the purpose is to show that there is nothing special about the MAC.
A)Price...
A similar equipped PC is much cheaper to purchase than Mac. Lets use Dell (but you can compare with another PC Brand if you like)
**(LAPTOP)
Dell Inspiron Laptop $849 dropped to $799
15" Screen
CPU: (upgrade to) 2.1GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
Graphics: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100
Memory: 3GB 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM
Hard Drive: 320GB Serial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm
Optical Drive: Blu-ray Disc Combo (DVD+/-RW + BD-ROM) - WRITES DVDS,CDS, READS Blue-Ray Disks
Macbook $1349 just dropped to $1224
13" Screen (SMALLER)
CPU: 2.1GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (SAME)
Graphics: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100 (SAME)
Memory: (upgrade to) 2GB 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM (LESS RAM)
Hard Drive (upgrade to) 250GBSerial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm (SMALLER HARD DRIVE)
Optical Drive: (DVD-ROM/CD-RW) - (Writes CDs, DVDs, cannot read Blue-Ray) (WORSE AND 1/2 SPEED)
**(DESKTOP)
PLEASE NOTE: I'm comparing Apple Mac's vs Dells best deal. If you decide that you must have an all-in one. The Dell all-in-one has more ram, wireless keyboard and mouse and equivalent to $400 for free making the Imac still more expensive when you upgrade the Imac to try to match. Personally I don't think the All-in-Ones are a good choice, and consider them overpriced, lack expandability and repairs both more expensive and require the entire computer.
PS: Apple knows that they must make Macintosh look different than PC so all Macs except the Mac Pro will not have a tower option. Apple's low end lacks expandability but it makes the Mac "look different", if Mac had a tower for low-end, more people would realize the similarities between the two.
Dell: (Right Now) Specs Below costs $809
CPU: 2.4 GHZ Dell Inspiron QUAD (4 Processor) CORE
SCREEN: 20inch Screen
MEMORY: 3GB Ram
HARD DRIVE: 500 GB hard Drive
OPTICAL DRIVE: 16x DVD/CD Read/Writer
GRAPHICS: (upgrade to ) ATI Radeon HD 2400 PRO 128MB
The Best Deal Mac is not the Mac Mini since it has no monitor, keyboard, mouse, very skimpy on options and setup... IMac is better price than the Mac Mini.
IMac ($1400)
CPU: 2.4 GHZ DUAL (2 Processor) CORE (SLOWER CPU)
SCREEN: 20inch Screen
MEMORY: (upgrade to) 2GB Ram (LESS RAM)
HARD DRIVE: (upgrade to ) 500 GB hard Drive
OPTICAL DRIVE: 8x DVD Reader/Writer (1/2 speed)
GRAPHICS: ATI Radeon HD 2400 PRO 128MB
**END OF DESKTOP
B) SECURITY:
Mac OS X was hacked in 2006 under 30 minutes, and hacked within 2 minutes in a contest in 2008. Linux and Vista were not able to be hacked until another day when restrictions were lowered.
All macs are standardized with Cameras, if your system gets hacked, the hacker would more likely be able to turn on your camera.
Please Note: All OS's have vulnerabilities.
C) VIRUSES
The argument that OS X has less viruses is true, but that is against XP, BUT Mac OS X has viruses (which is significantly on the rise), a friend of mine has a virused Mac. As more users use Macs, more viruses will come out for it. Especially when users think "they are safe".
Viruses on Mac are rising significantly.
Google/Yahoo Mac Viruses
D) WINDOWS LICENSE is discounted with PCs
You do not pay the full price, for instance Dell -> you pay $50 or less for Vista Home Premium If you buy a Mac and want Vista, you pay full price.
E) EXPANDABILITY & REPAIR...
Repairs are more expensive than PCs since the IMac, Mac Mini are compact units, and Apple charges a premium for their services. Some repairs can be done by another repair service but the compact design of the computer causes problems.
With an IMac, if the problem is with the monitor, the whole computer would have to be brought in.
IMac and Mac mini lack expansion.
F) PROBLEMS
Sample of problems: Overheating Macbooks, OS X- not responding to keyboard, some units with 16bit screens, etc. Apple statistics are misleading since Mac users with problem machines are more likely to go out and buy a new computer than PC users. Apple is lowering prices which means you can expect lower quality than in the past. Apple had switched the manufacturers producing parts. OS X also has problems slowing down.
http://www.tuaw.com/2008/08/01/apples-quality-dwindling-my-macbook-pro-sob-story/
http://news.softpedia.com/news/Microsoft-Finds-Irony-in-Mac-OS-X-Getting-Hacked-Before-Vista-SP1-82135.shtml
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13506_3-10020263-17.html
http://infosecurity.us/?p=4005
http://blogs.chron.com/techblog/archives/2008/07/malware_authors_take_aim_at_growing_number_of_1.html
http://www.macsimumnews.com/index.php/archive/poll_have_you_noticed_an_increase_in_malware_viruses_etc_on_your_mac/
http://www.ubuntu.com/
http://www.kubuntu.org/
http://www.freespire.org/
http://www.pclinuxos.com/
http://distrowatch.com/
http://polishlinux.org/
http://www.desktoplinux.com/
http://xwinman.org/gnome.php
http://xwinman.org/kde.php
http://www.linuxalt.com/
http://screencasts.ubuntu.com/
http://www.linuxfoundation.org/en/OpenPrinting/
http://www.avast.com/
http://www.free-av.com/
http://www.personalfirewall.comodo.com/
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/SwitchingToUbuntu/FromMacOSX
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/SwitchingToUbuntu/FromWindows
Google/Yahoo OS X on PC
How do I tell if a computer is a good deal?
Q. I need to shop for a new computer but don't know much about them and don't know how to get the most for my money. How do I shop for a comp and know if it is a good price?
Please lay this out in simple terms for me.
I plan on using my comp for:
-internet
-music-ipod, burning cds
-pics-downloanding from digital cam
know I want microsoft office.
Please lay this out in simple terms for me.
I plan on using my comp for:
-internet
-music-ipod, burning cds
-pics-downloanding from digital cam
know I want microsoft office.
A. LOLOL! There are SOO many things to compare, and what you use it for also has to be taken into consideration in making a decision. Having said that, here are the minimums that you should definitely compare:
Apple or PC (Windows based system)
Hope you know which one you prefer lol.
Hard Drive Size.
This determines how much information/data you can store on your computer. It also affects the speed at which your computer functions. How big it should be really depends on what you do on your computer. But I'd at least get 80GB just for basic applications such as Internet Exploror, Microsoft Office, etc.
Type of Processor and Processor Speed (also called CPU)
This is an important factor that determines your computer's speed. The faster the processor, the faster applications will open aand operate
The latest one from Intel is Pentium Duo 2, but Pentium D or Pentium 4 is also good if you are not looking to get the latest.
Random Access Memory (RAM)
This determines the amount of memory that you can use at once. If you have a large RAM, you can run more programs at once. This also affects the speed at which programs operate.
For surfing on the net, using Microsoft Office, playing DVD movies, etc, 512MB is sufficient. If you wanna edit videos, connect an HD camcorder, etc, then, you need at least 1GB.
DVD drive:
First of all, most of the computers come with either 1 or 2 DVD drives. 1 is sufficient if you use it just to play DVDs and/or occasionally transfer/copy files from your hard drive to a DVD disk for storage or to backup your hard drive. You may want 2 DVD drives only if you frequently make copies of DVDs. In that case, you use one drive to insert a disk that already has files/data, and the other one to insert a blank DVD disk to copy the files onto. BUT you can always copy the files once to your hard drive, take out the disk, swap it with a blank disk and copy the files from the hard drive to the blank disk.
Another thing for you to check is if the DVD drive can write or not. Some DVD drives (called DVD-R) can only READ DVDs, which means you can play DVDs on your computer but cannot WRITE or copy files onto blank DVD disks. If you wanna save your files on DVD disks, you need to get a DVD-RW drive.
Lastly, there are single layer and double layer DVD-RW drives. With a double layer drive AND a double layer DVD disk, you can store twice as much information on one disk.
If you plan on using the computer to play games, the type of video card you get, in addition to Hard Drive/RAM/CPU, really matters. If you are a music lover and need good sounds, then a sound card matters.
You may also wanna check if it comes with basic soft such as Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, Powerpoint etc.) if that matters to you.
Hope you 'd included more about how you plan on using your machine lol!
**** EDIT ******
Great!!!!! You added what you plan on doing on your computer. Yeeey! lmao!
Alright. I will lay out my suggestions for you assuming you are gettin a PC and this is ALL you use your computer for.
Hard Drive (HD): 80GB to 160GB
Processor (CPU): I only know about Intel so if you get Intel, either Pentium 4 / Pentium D 2GHz or faster, OR any of the Duo processor.
RAM: 512MB.
DVD Drive: Get a single layer DVD-RW dirve. If you keep transferring pictures onto your PC's hard drive, the HD will eventually get filled up. Then, you will want to copy them to DVDs or CDs to clear up the HD and improve HD's performance, lol.
ALL DVD-RW drives can write CDs.
It'll be nice if the deal includes Microsoft Office. But you can always purchase the package separately and install it.
Also, check how many USB ports the computer has. Many peripherals (keyboard, mouse, printer/scanner, etc) now use USB ports. Hopefully you have enough of them and you don't have to unplug any of the peripheral devices in order to hook up your digi cam or iPOD.
Good luck, hehe!
**** EDIT 2 ****
For instance, the cheapest one listed here:
http://www.dell.com/content/products/features.aspx/cto_dimene520?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs
will do. You may wanna add a monitor, get a DVD-RW drive (the cheapest one does write CDs but not DVDs), and Microsoft Office.
Again, check the number of USB ports and if you are very picky abount sounds that come out of the computer, you may want a better sound card than the default one.
Apple or PC (Windows based system)
Hope you know which one you prefer lol.
Hard Drive Size.
This determines how much information/data you can store on your computer. It also affects the speed at which your computer functions. How big it should be really depends on what you do on your computer. But I'd at least get 80GB just for basic applications such as Internet Exploror, Microsoft Office, etc.
Type of Processor and Processor Speed (also called CPU)
This is an important factor that determines your computer's speed. The faster the processor, the faster applications will open aand operate
The latest one from Intel is Pentium Duo 2, but Pentium D or Pentium 4 is also good if you are not looking to get the latest.
Random Access Memory (RAM)
This determines the amount of memory that you can use at once. If you have a large RAM, you can run more programs at once. This also affects the speed at which programs operate.
For surfing on the net, using Microsoft Office, playing DVD movies, etc, 512MB is sufficient. If you wanna edit videos, connect an HD camcorder, etc, then, you need at least 1GB.
DVD drive:
First of all, most of the computers come with either 1 or 2 DVD drives. 1 is sufficient if you use it just to play DVDs and/or occasionally transfer/copy files from your hard drive to a DVD disk for storage or to backup your hard drive. You may want 2 DVD drives only if you frequently make copies of DVDs. In that case, you use one drive to insert a disk that already has files/data, and the other one to insert a blank DVD disk to copy the files onto. BUT you can always copy the files once to your hard drive, take out the disk, swap it with a blank disk and copy the files from the hard drive to the blank disk.
Another thing for you to check is if the DVD drive can write or not. Some DVD drives (called DVD-R) can only READ DVDs, which means you can play DVDs on your computer but cannot WRITE or copy files onto blank DVD disks. If you wanna save your files on DVD disks, you need to get a DVD-RW drive.
Lastly, there are single layer and double layer DVD-RW drives. With a double layer drive AND a double layer DVD disk, you can store twice as much information on one disk.
If you plan on using the computer to play games, the type of video card you get, in addition to Hard Drive/RAM/CPU, really matters. If you are a music lover and need good sounds, then a sound card matters.
You may also wanna check if it comes with basic soft such as Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, Powerpoint etc.) if that matters to you.
Hope you 'd included more about how you plan on using your machine lol!
**** EDIT ******
Great!!!!! You added what you plan on doing on your computer. Yeeey! lmao!
Alright. I will lay out my suggestions for you assuming you are gettin a PC and this is ALL you use your computer for.
Hard Drive (HD): 80GB to 160GB
Processor (CPU): I only know about Intel so if you get Intel, either Pentium 4 / Pentium D 2GHz or faster, OR any of the Duo processor.
RAM: 512MB.
DVD Drive: Get a single layer DVD-RW dirve. If you keep transferring pictures onto your PC's hard drive, the HD will eventually get filled up. Then, you will want to copy them to DVDs or CDs to clear up the HD and improve HD's performance, lol.
ALL DVD-RW drives can write CDs.
It'll be nice if the deal includes Microsoft Office. But you can always purchase the package separately and install it.
Also, check how many USB ports the computer has. Many peripherals (keyboard, mouse, printer/scanner, etc) now use USB ports. Hopefully you have enough of them and you don't have to unplug any of the peripheral devices in order to hook up your digi cam or iPOD.
Good luck, hehe!
**** EDIT 2 ****
For instance, the cheapest one listed here:
http://www.dell.com/content/products/features.aspx/cto_dimene520?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs
will do. You may wanna add a monitor, get a DVD-RW drive (the cheapest one does write CDs but not DVDs), and Microsoft Office.
Again, check the number of USB ports and if you are very picky abount sounds that come out of the computer, you may want a better sound card than the default one.
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