Key features computers should have

Key features computers should have. This is what you will want to know, before you make your computer purchase. Purchasing a computer can be a very expensive commitment. Therefore, you will want to make sure you are looking for some key features in the computers you are looking to choose from.

These features are not necessarily listed in order of importance. The main idea of this list is to give you an overall picture of what you computer needs to be an adequate computer for your everyday needs. If there are specific needs you have for your system, like high end gaming etc, you may need to check the specifications of the games to make sure you are able to meet those requirements. They are usually listed on the back of the box for the game.

#1 Speed

The speed of a computer comes from different things. However, speed is often times important for several reasons, downloads, games, uploads, and Internet use. In order to know what type of speed you will be looking at, check out what the Giga-Hertz of the processor and the other devices in the system. The recommended for a laptop is around 1.4 or higher Giga-Hertz and for desks tops you will want to look for 2.8 or higher.

#2 RAM or memory

This is the next important feature you will want to look for. If you do not have sufficient RAM, you will find that your system will run poorly and slowly. The minimum really recommended for Windows XP and Vista is at least 1024 MB, however with Vista requiring as much as it does, it really should have more.

#3 Hard drive size

It is hard to say what is best for the size of hard drive space. Depending on the operating system you are going with, you will likely want to go on the high end. The minimum you should look at for Windows XP would be 30 Giga-Bytes. However, for Vista, I would say no less than 160 Giga-bytes. In this case, bigger is better. Because if you limit your hard drive space, you are limiting what can be put onto the system. If the operating system as would Vista takes up a great deal of the hard drive, then there is no room for your own music, games or even pictures.

#4 Display

You will want to make sure that the display for your system is no less that capable of going to 1024x768.However for many systems and monitors, there is much larger and smaller variations. You will have to decide what you find most comfortable for your eyes.

#5 Network card

The network card you get will need to be able to support the type of networking and Internet connections you want to do.

#6 Video Card

The video card you get in your system really needs to be able to work into the type of use you want for your computer. Will you be doing high-end graphics, pictures, or gaming? Then the video card needs to be able to support this use. 64 MB or better is probably best if you plan on gaming.

These are just a few of the features you will want to look at for your computer purchase. However, as said above, look at what you will be using the computer for. Then be sure to match the computer features with the types of needs you will have. This will ensure that your system will do what you need.