Dan Knox Consulting

Hardware

 

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Hardware Recommendations


 

We are not in the business of selling PC's.  We get a quote each month from our suppliers and post the best one as a public service.   We also arrange for PC purchases for our existing clients.  For this months recommendation click here.  For previous months' recommendations, choose the Previous Winners link. 

If you are a hardware supplier and would like to quote on supplying systems to our clients, please email us and we will begin our due diligence on your company.  We will be requesting references and contacting your existing clients for reports on your service. 

Here are some tips on equipment:

  • Anything USB is the way to go!  The new and faster USB ports are even better.  Firewire, well good, has "Lost the War" to USB.
  • Intel motherboards will always run the next version of Windows without any problems.  This may not be true for other vendors.
  • Great 3D Video Cards are getting cheaper everyday.
  • Cheap mice are just that!
  • More RAM is always better (up to a point!).  Don't buy more RAM than your OS can "see" or "use"!  If your computer is running a 32-bit version of Windows it can only use 3 GB of RAM.  If you buy more than that it is just waste of money.  In order to access the additional RAM you will need to run a 64-bit version of Windows.
  • A quality case will make servicing and upgrading your computer easier.
  • You need a better reason that just being cheap to have a monitor smaller than 19 inches for a Desktop Computer.  Don't even think about using a CRT monitor any longer.
  • National venders such as Dell, HP, or Apple don't always use quality components in their computers.
  • If you need a laptop buy an ThinkPad.  If your budget can't afford an ThinkPad, you should consider getting a desktop. 
  • If you are a student please think twice or even three times about a laptop.  The chances of it being stolen are very high.
  • If you want an Apple computer, please think twice about this too.  There is a reason why Apple has such a small market share.  If you still want a Apple computer make sure you get the latest version of OSX.  By the way an iPhone is not a computer.
  • Remember a computer is not a fashion accessory.  You need a better reason to buy a computer than it is cute.  (See above references to Apple.)
  • Quality is the best thing you can buy.
  • Also never purchase a computer for your future needs.  Computers get better and cheaper everyday so buy what you need and plan and getting a new computer every 3 to 5 years.  That being said it is very cost effective to purchase a computer with quality parts.  No one should ever purchase a computer with a hard drive in it that comes with a 30 day warranty.
  • Have a backup system!  Off-site backups are best but any backup system is better than none.  Computers break and without a backup your data my be lost forever.

 

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Last modified: January 27, 2010