The Fall Buyer's Guide: Things to Keep in Mind When Choosing a PC
It's time for my annual fall buyer's guide to desktop computers, and this year, security is a paramount issue, especially if you're buying a Windows machine. More than ever, Windows buyers need to make sure that they equip their new machines with an array of tools to fend off attacks and malicious software.
As always, my advice is aimed at mainstream users doing common tasks such as word processing, Web surfing, e-mail, personal finance, simple home photo and video editing, digital music and basic games. Hard-core gamers or folks doing massive video production need bigger, faster computers than those specified here.
You should be able to get a bare-bones, name-brand Windows computer for $400 to $600, without monitor. Windows models with more features start at $600 to $700. Media Center models, with built-in TVs, are usually $1,000 and up. Apple's Macintosh models start at $799, but the new, powerful iMac G5, with a built-in flat panel screen, starts at $1,299.
Windows or Mac: Most buyers will go with Windows PCs. But Apple's new iMac models are an excellent choice. Not only are they beautifully designed, but they also use a powerful processor called the G5, and their prices are actually lower than those for comparable Windows machines. Best of all, users of the current Mac operating system haven't encountered any viruses.
The main downside of the Mac is that it requires buyers to acquire and master all new software. Much of this comes bundled on the computer, but most people will have to spend at least $150 for a Mac version of Microsoft Office, which can handle files created in the Windows version.
If you choose Windows, make sure you wait for a machine that has the new SP2 version of Windows XP, which closes some of the operating system's most egregious security holes.
Security: Even on a brand-new Windows machine, you should immediately obtain an arsenal of security programs, and keep them updated. One recent test showed that a brand-new, unprotected Windows machine became infected with viruses in just 20 minutes on the Internet.
You should have a firewall, an antivirus program, an antispyware program and an antispam program. The built-in Windows firewall and Windows' new Security Center aren't enough to protect you. Most PCs come with a trial version of antivirus software, but pay for the full version when the trial ends. For a full list of my recommendations for Windows security add-ons, see:
http://ptech.wsj.com/archive/ptech-20040916.html.Most of this isn't needed on a Mac, but Mac buyers may want to get an antivirus program, because the Mac isn't invulnerable.
Memory: Memory, or RAM, is the most important factor in computer performance. You can get by with 256 megabytes, but I suggest 512 MB. Ask whether the PC's main memory is shared with the video system. If the memory is shared, you should buy extra.
Hard disk: A 40-gigabyte hard disk is the minimum these days, but you can get up to 160 gigabytes in midrange models. Top models now have at least 200 GB.
Processor: For mainstream computing tasks, the slowest processor on the shelf will usually be enough. On Windows machines, Intel processors with model numbers in the 500s will do fine. AMD processors are just as good. On Apple desktops, I recommend a G5 processor.
Digital connectors: Buy a computer with several USB 2.0 connectors, including at least one on the front of the computer or in the keyboard or monitor. If you have a video camera that can't use USB, you'll need an extra high-speed port called 1394, or FireWire.
Memory-card slots: Try for a model with built-in slots that accept the various types of memory cards used by digital cameras, PDAs and music players.
High-speed Internet: Get a built-in Ethernet networking connection, necessary for high-speed Internet connections via cable modems and DSL lines.
Video system: Cheaper PCs use something called "integrated video." But the best route is to invest in a PC with a separate video card and dedicated video memory. Try for at least 64 megabytes of video memory.
Audio system: If you're a music fan, spend extra for a subwoofer and good speakers.
Monitor: Flat-panel screens are best for most uses. The 15-inch flat panels now cost less than $300. Many 17-inch models can be had for $400 or less, and 19-inch models start below $600.
Mass storage: Look for a CD-RW drive that lets you record your own CDs for playing music or for backing up or exchanging files. If you do a lot of home video or photos, you may want to invest in a DVD recording drive.
Media Centers: A Windows Media Center PC has a built-in TV and uses a special version of Windows XP that can be operated with a remote control from across the room to play music and videos, view photos and watch TV. This fall, some cheaper Media Center models will be sold without TVs, but with remote-control capability.
Brands: All Windows desktops are similar, but unless you're a techie, stick with names like Hewlett-Packard, Dell, Sony, Gateway and eMachines. Apple is the only brand on the Mac side.
It's fine to buy at a retail store, but it's easier to customize a model -- and sometimes get better prices -- on the Web, where most manufacturers let you buy directly.
秋季个人电脑购买指南
现在又到了我为秋季购买台式电脑的用户提供建议的时间了，今年，安全是头号问题，特别是如果你打算购买一台Windows电脑。Windows电脑消费者比以往更需要确保他们的新机器安装一系列工具抵御攻击和恶意软件。
像以往一样，我的建议针对的是从事诸如文字处理、浏览网页、电子邮件、个人理财、简单家庭照片和视频编辑、数字音乐和基本游戏等一些普通工作的主流用户。中坚的游戏迷或者从事大量视频工作的人则需要更大更快的电脑。
你应该能够以400至600美元的价格获得一台基本的没有显示器的品牌Windows电脑。拥有更多功能的Windows电脑起价在600－700美元之间。内含电视的Media Center电脑售价通常至少为1,000美元。苹果的Macintosh机起价为799美元，功能强大的平面显示屏内置的iMac G5起价为1,299美元。
--Windows还是Mac：大多数消费者将选择Windows电脑。但是苹果的新iMac电脑是一个很好的选择。它们不仅仅外形美观，而且使用一种名为的G5的功能强大的处理器，并且它们的价格实际上低于同等Windows电脑。最大的优点是，当前Mac操作系统的用户没有受到任何病毒的感染。
Mac机的主要不足是它要求消费者购买并掌握新的软件。机器自身带有许多软件，但是大多数人将不得不花费至少150美元购买一个Mac版的Microsoft Office，以处理Windows版生成的文件。
如果你选择Windows，你一定要购买装有最新的Windows XP SP2版的电脑，因为该软件修补了该操作系统最严重的几个安全漏洞。
--安全：即使全新的Windows电脑，你也应该立即安装一系列安全软件，并及时对这些软件进行更新。在最近一个测试中，一台全新的未加保护的Windows电脑在上网仅20分钟以后就感染了病毒。
你应该有一个防火墙，一个反病毒软件，一个反间谍程序软件和一个反垃圾邮件软件。内置的Windows防火墙和Windows的新Security Center不足以保护你的电脑。大多数电脑都有一个反病毒软件的试用版，但是当试用期过后你需要付款才能得到完整版。
而Mac则基本不需要上面所述的这些软件，但是Mac消费者可能希望获得一个防病毒软件，因为Mac并不是无懈可击的。
--内存：内存是关系到电脑性能的最重要因素。你可以使用256兆的内存，但是我建议你使用512兆的内存。而且还要询问电脑的主内存是否与视频系统共享。如果共享，你需要额外购买一个内存。
--硬盘：一个40G的硬盘是现在最低的设置，但是一些中档机的配置达到了160G。高档机器现在至少达到200G。
--处理器：对于通常的运算工作，市面上所卖的最低速的处理器即可够用。在Windows电脑上，英特尔500以上的处理器已经很不错。至于苹果台式机，我推荐G5处理器。
--数字接口：购买一个有数个USB 2.0接口的电脑，其中，在电脑前端、或键盘、显示器上至少要有一个接口。如果你的数码照相机不能使用USB接口，你还另外需要一个高速1394接口或是FireWire接口。
--记忆卡插槽：电脑最好配有内置式的记忆卡插槽，适用于数码照相机、个人数字助理(PDA)和音乐播放器的各种记忆卡。
--高速上网配置：购买的电脑要有一个内置的以太网络接口，这是通过有线宽频调制解调器和数字订户线路(DSL)进行高速上网所必需的。
--视频系统：价格低廉的个人电脑使用的是一种被称为“集成视频”的系统。不过，最好选择那些有单独显卡和专用显存的电脑。显存的大小至少要在64兆以上。
--音频：如果你是一个音乐迷，可以多花一些钱在低音喇叭和好的扬声器上。
--显示器：对于电脑的多数功能而言，平面显示器是一个最佳的选择。现在15英寸的平面显示器的价格还不到300美元。许多17英寸显示器的价格也只有400美元，或是更低。19英寸显示器的价格已经开始跌破600美元。
--大量存储：电脑最好配备CD刻录光驱，这样你就可以录制自己的音乐CD，或是储存和修改文件。如果你有大量家庭录像或是照片，你可能会需要一个DVD刻录光驱。
--媒体中心：一台装有Windows Media Center的个人电脑有内置的电视功能，安装一个特殊版本的Windows XP后，用户可以使用遥控器在房间另一端控制电脑播放音乐和录像、欣赏照片和看电视。今年秋季推出的Media Center电脑较为便宜，不再配有电视功能，但仍保留遥控功能。
--品牌：所有Windows台式电脑都大同小异，不过，如果你不是一个技术专业人士，最好选择像惠普(Hewlett-Packard)、戴尔(Dell)、索尼(Sony)、Gateway和eMachines等品牌的电脑。Mac电脑只有苹果(Apple)一家可供选择。
到零售店购买电脑固然不错，不过如果选择在网上购买的话，你会更容易买到按你的要求定制的电脑，有时价格可能还更便宜，多数电脑生产商都会在网上进行直销。
