In the market for a new desktop? We probably don’t have to tell you that buying a new computer is a big decision. As an IT support company in London, we advise our clients on their tech decisions every day. And here is our guide on buying a new desktop for your office.
How Will You Use Your Desktop?
Before you even start shopping for a new computer, take some time to evaluate your needs. The desktop you buy will obviously depend on the kind of work you do. What do you use your computer for? Which assets will make your work easier or more difficult? Assessing your needs before diving in will make the process much less overwhelming.
What’s Your Budget?
This question can probably be considered in conjunction with the first. When imagining what you’ll use your new desktop for, factor in price. How much are you willing to spend? Can you get the specs you need for the price range you’ve picked? You may have to go up in price range if you want better specs, or sacrifice on features to stay within budget.
Things To Look For
You’ve assessed your needs and determined your budget. Now that you have a framework, you can start narrowing down choices by particular aspects of the computer. Here are the top 5 things to look out for.
#1 Brand
Brands offer different advantages and excel in various areas, so it can be tough to decide. You might even have your own brand loyalties. However, if you’re hesitating to pick one, look at the warranties offered. Some warranties will be better than others for similar models.
In addition, some brands include software packages with their desktop to make them stand out. If you’re interested in the software and even plan to purchase it later on, buying a more expensive unit with a software bundle could be a better route. In contrast, some brands highlight their hardware instead. It all comes down to what you value.
#2 Processor
The next thing to look at is the processor. Your processor essentially determines how fast your desktop computer will run. Most people find that middle-of-the-range processors offer the best value. Don’t go with the cheapest, lowest quality one you can find but the priciest may not be necessary either.
Again, selecting based on the processor will be in accordance with your work and your budget. If all you did with this desktop was browse the internet, you wouldn’t need a high-end processor. Since this is your work computer – and you’re hopefully doing more than just surfing the web! – you’ll probably need to run multiple software and apps. This necessitates a more powerful processor.
#3 RAM
Next is RAM (Random Access Memory) which, as the name implies, determines how much memory your computer will have. RAM is important for your work computer, especially if you plan to run several applications at once. The standard amount is 8GB.
If your work involves more creative tasks like photo or video editing, then 16GB would be more ideal. When it comes to RAM, the more you have the better, since it helps your computer run faster.
#4 Hard Drive
Your hard drive will be your desktop’s storage capacity. Most today come with between 250GB and 750GB. Again, consider what you’ll be using the computer for and if you plan to store many files, especially photo or video files.
Additionally, you might not need so much storage space if you choose to store your files in the cloud. Many service providers like Google, Microsoft, and Apple offer online storage space to users for monthly fees.
#5 Size and Weight
You’ve considered all the internal components of your new desktop. Now it’s time to look at the external. Some people prefer a bulky casing on their tower, to allow more ventilation. Others choose a smaller tower to save on space. Generally, more ventilation is always better for your desktop.
Final Thoughts
There’s a lot that goes into purchasing a new desktop! And the market has no shortage of options either. Once you put in a little research, along with our handy guide here, you’ll start narrowing your search considerably.
At Amazing Support, we want to help you be as productive as possible. Whether that’s providing IT consultancy from our North London IT support company or advising clients on IT support in St. Albans and Hertfordshire, we deliver services that bring businesses to their fullest potential.