Sourcing Computers
The Three Different Flavors Of Computers: By Alexander and Alan
There are so many options when it comes to buying a new computer, it is more difficult than ever before to buy a laptop. Modern computers have so many new options and features, you must do your research and compare which features will be beneficial to you. When doing research, you should first decide how you plan to use your computer. Deciding if your computer will be used for work, homework, video editing, photo editing or even gaming, will allow you to decide on what your budget is, and what kind of a computer you should buy. There are many options, but the 3 companies we will be focusing on are: Apple with their Mac computers, Google with their Chrome systems and Windows based PCs.
Google Chrome Systems:
A Google Chrome system, like a Chromebook, is great if your budget is small, and you are just using the laptop to just check your emails, chat online, social media and do simple things on the internet. If you have a child, and they are going to do schoolwork and surf the web, Chromebooks are great because they are more resistant to malware. But Chromebooks also have their downsides. Chrome Systems are not the best if you are trying to do more power intensive computing tasks, like video editing. If you do decide to get a chromebook, we recommend getting one with at least 4GB of ram and 16GB of storage. ()
Windows PCs:
Windows is one of the most well-known, and widely used computer operating systems. Windows is widely regarded as one of the most flexible operating systems. If you plan to use your computer for work, a windows system would be your best bet. Windows is very compatible with standard office programs, like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Additionally, if you are looking to play video games on your computer, we also recommend a Windows system, because of its extensive compatibility with many different games. The flexibility that comes with a Windows system also allows for more opportunities for malware to sneak into your computer. A good antivirus is essential for keeping yourself safe online. When you are looking to buy a windows computer, if you are planning on doing office work, buy a system with at least 2 cores, 8 GB of ram, and 120 Gb of storage. If you are planning to edit photos, edit videos, or play video games on your computer, you should have at least 4 cores, 16 Gb of ram, and 500 Gb of storage.
Apple Computers:
Our final computer manufacturer is Apple, with their line of Mac computers. One of the main perks of the Apple ecosystem is its compatibility with other Apple devices, and its ease of use. Apple offers many different configurations of computers, ranging from budget friendly, to a professional powerhouse. One main area that sets Apple apart from the competition is that Apple makes their own computer chips for their devices. As a result, Apple laptops have a much longer battery life, as opposed to their competitors. Additionally, Apple computers are much faster, and have a better price to performance ratio than the competition. Another strength of Apple computers is content creation. If you edit videos, create music, or edit photos, Apple computers are a good choice. The only area Apple computers are deficient in is gaming. Apple’s computer chips are designed with heavy content creation or light office work in mind. As a result, video game performance suffers. If you are looking for a small, budget friendly Apple desktop, The M1 Mac mini is a good choice. If you need a laptop for office work, and to watch videos on, the MacBook air is a better choice. Finally, if you need a content creation workhorse, we recommend the MacBook Pro with the M1 Pro chip.
Refurbished Computers: By Alexander & Ryan
The only area that we haven't covered is sourcing a very budget friendly system, that is still capable of doing light office work. If your computing needs fit this profile, and your budget is small. We recommend looking at factory refurbished computers. Factory Refurbished computers are preowned machines that have been checked by the manufacturer for issues and defects, and if none are present, the computer gets cleaned up, and re-marketed as refurbished. If you are in the Denver area, check out Action Computers, they are one of the best sources for refurbished computers, in the Denver area.
Another program that has been helping those experiencing internet inequality, PCsforPeople, has distributed over 150,000 refurbished personal computers since 1998. Along with the device, qualifying members receive unlimited 4G LTE internet connection and mobile hotspot for the incredible price of $15 per month.