Loyal I.T. Solutions

What do I need in a business laptop or desktop computer?

Are you confused about all the choices available today when buying a new laptop or desktop computer for your business?  Shopping for a new computer doesn’t need to be hard.   Although there are many configurations and options the trick is to be clear about what you need the computer to do. 

Armed with your overall purpose in mind this series of articles will act as your computer helpdesk – supporting you  as you examine the various issues involved in selecting a new laptop or desktop computer for your business, so you can make an informed choice based on budget, portability, and performance.

What sort of Computer User are You?

To help you determine the right mix here are some examples of computer users and they type of machine they might need:

General Purpose Computer User:

You use your computer for email and surfing the web.  You use a word processor such as Microsoft Word and you may use a spreadsheet program or accounting software.  You may have photos and music stored on your computer for your personal use. You may be a home user, student or small business person.  Even though you may use your computer every day you don’t need a high performance machine.

Power Computer User:

The Power User does all the activities that a General Purpose User does but may also run processor intensive applications such as Photoshop for photo editing.  This user may need to run several applications at once or may be performing a lot of calculations.  You may also need to share information with others in your organisation.  The Power User could be a business user or a gamer and will need a machine with a faster processor, more RAM and storage and better graphics than the general purpose user.

Whether you use your computer for email and internet browsing or you use high-end graphic applications such as AutoCAD there is a laptop or desktop computer that is right for your business needs.  Because desktop PCs and laptops are made up of a number of key components that work together  it is important to consider how each of the following components will fit your need and your budget. 

• Processor Type
• Memory (RAM)
• Hard Drive Size (storage capacity)
• Screen size
• Portability – Size, form factor & weight
• Battery life
• Operating system
• Networking security
• Peripherals
• Warranty and after sales support

Tip: Take the time to list all the things you need your computer to do and think about the frustrations you may have experienced in the past. 

Now with list in hand read on to find out how to choose a processor for your desktop or laptop computer.  And remember our experienced IT Consultants are only a phone call away with expert advice help you make the right choice.