Spring Buyer's Guide: PC Prices Get Cheaper, But Complexity Grows
If you're in the market for a desktop PC this spring, there's good news and bad news. The good news is that you can buy a lot of computer for a surprisingly small sum. The bad news is that you have to take more factors into account than ever.
Your new desktop computer, in many cases, will be asked not only to run productivity programs and get you online, but to hook up to a constellation of other devices, such as digital cameras, camcorders and portable music players. And it will have to withstand mounting security threats.
WALL STREET JOURNAL VIDEO
Memory should be the most important consideration when buying a desktop PC, says Walt.
So here's my annual spring buyer's guide to desktop PCs. As always, my advice is aimed at mainstream users doing the most common tasks. 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 Windows computer, with a monitor, for well under $500 after rebates. Three different chain stores this week were advertising an entry-level eMachines model for $339, after rebates, with a monitor and printer. It was decently equipped, with an 80-gigabyte hard disk. And for $60 more, you could double the memory and add a DVD recorder. Midrange Windows models with better features are $500 to $1,000. Even some Media Center models are under $1,000.
Windows or Mac: Because they are beautifully designed and so far haven't attracted viruses or spyware, Apple Computer's Macintosh models are getting more consideration than they have in years from Windows users. You can now buy a full-fledged, decently equipped Mac, called the Mac Mini, for just $499. It doesn't include a keyboard, mouse or monitor, but it can use the ones you already have on your old Windows machine. Doubling the memory adds $75.
Apple's iMac G5 models, starting at $1,299, are an even better choice. They use a powerful processor called the G5, and they have a brilliant built-in flat-panel screen. The Mac does everything a typical user needs at least as well as a Windows computer, and it's about to get a major new upgrade of its operating system, which already bests Windows in some respects.
But switching to the Mac isn't right for every user, and it requires buyers to master new software, some of which must be bought separately. Plus, the cheapest Windows PCs still cost less. So most Windows owners will likely stick with Windows.
Security: If you do go with Windows, you will need to immediately install an array of security programs. These include a firewall, an antivirus program, an antispyware program and an antispam program. For a full list of my recommendations for Windows security add-ons, take a look at
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. Insist on 512 megabytes, especially if the PC's main memory is shared with the video system, as it often is on low-priced models.
Hard disk: Even very cheap PCs now offer 60 or 80 gigabytes of hard-disk space, and 250-gigabyte disks are offered in costlier models. Get as much hard disk as you can, especially if you plan to store a lot of music or video content.
Processor: Processor speed is overrated. On Windows machines, any Intel Celeron or Pentium microprocessor chip, or any AMD microprocessor, regardless of speed, will do fine at the most common computing tasks.
Device connectors: For connecting music players, cameras and other peripherals, get a PC with plenty of USB 2.0 connectors, including at least one on the computer's front. If you have a camcorder that can't use USB, you'll need an extra high-speed port called 1394, or FireWire.
Memory-card slots: Look for a model with slots that accept the various types of memory cards used by digital cameras, PDAs and music players.
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.
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 17-inch flat panels now cost less than $300. Many 19-inch models can be had for $400 or less.
Mass storage: Look for a CD-RW drive that lets you record your own CDs for playing music, storing photos or 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 is designed to be operated with a remote control from across the room to play music and videos, view photos and watch TV. But be careful with the cheapest of these machines. They may omit the TV, and even the remote.
Brands: All Windows desktops are similar, but unless you're a techie, stick with names like Hewlett-Packard, Dell, Sony, Gateway and eMachines. For greater control over your configuration, buy on the Web.
One more thing -- my most important tip: Don't let a salesperson talk you into more, or less, machine than you need. If you're confused at the store or Web site, walk away until you can get the answers you need to make an informed purchase.
电脑售价下滑，但更令人眼花缭乱
如果今年春季你到台式电脑市场上逛一逛，就会发现喜忧参半的消息扑面而来。好消息是很多电脑的价格低得惊人，坏消息是要考虑的因素也比以往多得多。
一般说来，一部新的台式电脑不但要预装高性能的软件，可以上网；还要有许多接口，可以连接数码相机、摄像头和便携式音乐播放器等诸多设备；还要能够对付层出不穷的安全挑战。
下面就是我对今年春季进行年度采购的买家们的建议。和往常一样，我的建议针对最广泛也最普通的主流买家。游戏玩家，或者需要处理大量视频文件的人需要容量更大、速度更快的电脑，而不是我在这里特别介绍的类型。
购置一台具备Windows基本架构的电脑，加上显示器，折扣后的售价也远远不到500美元。三个品牌的连锁店本周都在推销基础配置的eMachines型号主机，附带显示器和打印机，优惠价仅为339美元。这套电脑的配置相当完备，硬盘容量为80G。加上60美元，就可以将内存扩大一倍，并附带一个DVD刻录机。中档价位，有更多功能的Windows配置的电脑售价在500美元到1,000美元之间。甚至有一些不足1,000美元的Media Center款式。
Windows还是Mac：由于外观设计赏心悦目，而且至今尚未吸引病毒或者间谍软件的攻击，苹果电脑公司(Apple Computer)的Macintosh在许多Windows用户心目中的地位提高了不少。现在，一套配置齐全的Mac，俗称Mac Mini，售价仅为499美元。这其中并不包括键盘、鼠标或者显示器，但你可以利用家中旧的Windows电脑的这些配件。内存提高一倍需加75美元。
苹果电脑的iMac G5起价1,299美元，是个更好的选择。它的微处理器是更强大的G5，还有漂亮的内置平板显示屏。对一位普通买家来说，Mac的性能至少可以和Windows匹敌，而且它的操作系统很快就要进行一次重要升级。这套操作系统本来就已经在个别领域击败了Windows。
但换用Mac并不是每一位买家的恰当选择，它需要用户掌握新的软件适用技术，有些软件还需要另外添置。再说，最便宜的Windows个人电脑还是比Mac售价更低。所以大多数Windows用户可能还会继续购买基于Windows的电脑。
安全：如果你决定继续使用Windows，那就需要立即安装一批安全程序，包括防火墙、杀毒程序、反间谍软件程序和分捡垃圾邮件的程序。我对Windows附加安全软件的全套建议都列在这个网址上:
http://ptech.wsj.com/archive/ptech-20040916.html。
这其中大部分软件对Mac来说都用不著，但Mac用户可能也想装一套杀毒程序，因为Mac也并非坚不可摧。
内存：内存，也称RAM，是决定电脑性能最重要的因素。最好还是选用512M内存，尤其是显示系统要占用电脑内存时，在不少低价电脑中一半就采用这种方式。
硬盘：现在，即使最便宜的电脑也有60G，或者80G的硬盘空间，部分型号的硬盘甚至高达250G。尽可能选购硬盘最大的型号，尤其是你要存储大量音乐或视频内容时。
处理器：对微处理器速度的强调未免有点过度了。对Windows系统来说，英特尔(Intel)的赛扬(Celeron)或奔腾(Pentium)，或者高级微设备(AMD)的微处理器，不论运行速度如何，它们任何一款都足以满足普通电脑操作的大部分要求。
设备接口：要想连接音乐播放器和数码相机等外设，就要买一台拥有足够USB 2.0接口的电脑，至少一个接口在主机前面。如果你的摄像头不能使用USB接口，那就需要附加一个高速接口，称为1394或者FireWire。
存储卡插槽：买一款有很多插槽，适用于数码相机、个人数字助理(PDA)和音乐播放器等各种存储卡的电脑。
显示系统：便宜的电脑往往配置所谓的“内置显卡”，但最好的做法还是买一台有独立显卡，或者专用显存的电脑。
音频系统：如果你是个音乐迷，最好还是花钱添置一套性能良好的独立声卡和扬声器。
显示器：大多数情况下，平板显示器都是最好的选择。现在17寸平板显示器的售价还不到300美元，许多19寸平板显示器的价格也只有400美元，甚至更低。
大容量存储器：买一个CD-RW驱动器，可以自行刻录CD来播放音乐、储存照片、备份或者交换文件。如果你要编辑很多家庭录像或者照片，最好还是添置一台DVD刻录机。
媒体中心：Windows媒体中心电脑的设计主旨是，让用户可以在另一个房间遥控电脑来播放音乐或者视频文件，观赏照片，或者看电视。但要谨慎挑选那些最便宜的款式，它们也许省掉了看电视的功能，甚至连遥控也砍掉了。
品牌：所有的Windows台式电脑都差不多，但除非你是一个科技迷，否则还是选购惠普(Hewlett-Packard)、戴尔(Dell)、索尼(Sony, 又名:新力公司)、Gateway和eMachines这些品牌。如果希望对电脑配置有更大的自主权，就去网上买。
还有一事──也是我最重要的提示：别让销售员的三寸不烂之舌搅乱你的计划，买下比你的所需更多或者更少配置的电脑。如果你在店里或者网上挑花了眼，就走开一会儿，直到想清楚你到底要买什么。
