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April 15, 1999
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Buying a Personal Computer
Is Truly All About Memory
By WALTER S. MOSSBERG
THE PERSONAL computer is in the process of turning into a zero-cost commodity item distributed mostly to generate commerce on the Web, a razor whose underlying purpose is to sell blades.
In a couple of years, anybody who pays a significant price for a very basic PC, or any price at all, may be considered nuts. Even now, the prices keep dropping and the capabilities of low-priced PCs continue to be more than adequate for mainstream purposes. The industry is offering a bunch of attractive name-brand models in the $600 to $1,200 range and an even cheaper tier of choices from more-obscure brands at $600 or less.
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If you have a question you want answered, or any other comment or suggestion about Walter S. Mossberg's column, please send e-mail to mossberg@wsj.com.
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So here's my annual spring guide to shopping for a desktop PC. This guide concentrates on Windows PCs, because buying a Macintosh for home is much simpler: just pay $1,199 for an iMac. Your main decision will be the color.
Processor: The differences between processor brands and speeds in the mainstream PC market are among the least important issues in buying a computer today. Yet they are the key specs the industry pushes.
If you set up a pair of otherwise identical PCs and put a 300-MHz processor from AMD in one and a 400-MHz processor from Intel in another, most people couldn't tell the difference when surfing the Web, or using e-mail, word-processing and most other common software.
So my strong advice is to avoid the highest chip speeds, unless you are a very heavy-duty game player. Celeron, Pentium II, AMD K-6 and Cyrix processors are all OK. Just get one that runs at 300 MHz or faster.
WHAT ABOUT Intel's new Pentium III? Well, for hundreds of dollars extra, it offers a small amount of added horsepower, and some significant performance gains when using the few software titles and Web sites that have been specially modified for the new chip. Still, it doesn't make sense to buy one unless you are a big-time game player or do a great deal of video creation and editing.
Memory: This is the most important choice you'll make. Get at least 64 megabytes, and 96 or 128 megabytes if possible. It will make all the difference in the speediness of your PC.
L2 Cache: This is a dedicated memory bank that the processor uses to speed up its operations. It's a must. On a Pentium II or AMD chip, it should be 512 kilobytes. On a Celeron, which uses a more efficient design, 128 kilobytes is enough. Hard Disk: Try for at least a six-gigabyte size, but you can settle for four gigabytes if your budget is tight.
Internet: Make sure the PC is well set up for the Internet. Almost all now have at least a 56K phone modem and built-in Web browsers with offers of Internet access. If you plan to use a cable modem, try to buy a PC with a built-in Ethernet networking connection, because cable modems typically use such hookups.
Video System: Don't be confused by all the video terminology. Just look for at least four megabytes of video memory, which is usually separate from the PC's main memory. You'll want more if you're a gamer.
Monitor: Eyesight matters. So get at least a 17-inch model, for maybe $350 to $450. For $800 to $1,100, you can get a 15-inch flat-panel monitor -- an LCD, like the screens in laptops -- that is sharp and bright.
Mass Storage: Most PCs have a CD-ROM drive, but some boast a DVD drive that can play both CD-ROMs and DVD-ROMs, which have a much higher storage capacity. I still think there's not enough software on DVD to justify the extra cost. I do, however, like Zip drives, which for little added cost let you save and transport large files.
Ports: In addition to the usual serial and parallel ports, look for two USB connectors. This is a very important new kind of junction for add-on hardware. If you're planning to transfer a lot of video to and from the PC, look for an even faster new port called either 1394, Firewire or I-link.
Brands and Models: All PCs are similar, but unless you're a techie, I advise sticking with name brands like Compaq, Hewlett-Packard and IBM. In this group, the low end is Compaq's Presario 2286, a $599 machine with basic specs. Even though its memory is a bit low, at 32 megabytes, it's great for running America Online and doing schoolwork and basic games.
Moving up a bit, HP has a new Pavilion model, the 4455, with 64 megabytes of memory, a six-gigabyte hard disk and a 400-MHz Celeron processor, for $899. Compaq's Presario 5280, at $1,199, has 96 megabytes of memory, a whopping 12-gigabyte hard disk, a Zip drive, Ethernet for cable modems and a 433-MHz Celeron processor.
A small outfit called Microworkz has caused a stir by announcing a $299 PC called Webzter Jr. But this machine has no CD-ROM or floppy drive, and suboptimal memory and hard-disk capacities.
To get close to what you need, you have to move up to the model called just Webzter, at $499, and there are other costs. The machines aren't sold in stores, and shipping adds $75. Free phone support is offered for only two weeks.
Tear out or print out this column and take it to the store, or have it next to you when ordering from a Web site. Don't buy more PC than you need.
For answers to your computer questions, check out my Mossberg's Mailbox column in today's Tech Center |
