how to choose the right one

 

 

Using your new PC

Take a moment to reflect on the kind of applications you want to install on your new computer, as this will help you decide what features your system will need.

If you intend to perform basic tasks - surfing the web, sending emails, running the software as Microsoft Office Word - then the good news is that most computers, even end budget market will be able to meet its needs.

An entertainment PC can handle basic jobs, too, but can also be used to watch TV and movies, listen to music, play games, maybe music and video file sharing on a home network. These systems require a little more in the way of material power as a larger to store all your music and movies, as well as a large screen, a good sound card and speakers, but need not be too expensive hard drive. Many PC entertainment are all-in-one PC today.

All-in-one PCs are popular

If you want to play the latest games with the best possible performance, then you'll need a gaming PC. This can be much more expensive, as not only will you need a quality screen, a good sound card and speakers, but you'll also require a powerful graphics card, fast hard drive and a decent processor.
And if you're not a gamer, but need to run some heavy-duty software - editing HD videos, say - then you'll need a high-end performance PC. This should include a powerful CPU, plenty of memory, and a large, fast hard drive, so expect a sizeable bill. But you may not need the large screen or powerful graphics card of the entertainment or gaming systems, which will help to keep prices down a little.

Netbook, laptop or desktop?

With the basic applications of your new computer resolved, it's time to think about the type of system that might be appropriate: a netbook, tablet, laptop or desktop?

Netbooks are compact notebooks with small screens (typically 10 to 12 inches), and components that are more about saving battery life than delivering raw power. So expect a slow CPU, only a little RAM (1 to 2GB, usually), no DVD drive, not too much hard drive space, and so on.
This is all that you need for basic web browsing, emailing and similar tasks, though. Their small size makes netbooks extremely portable (most are only around 1-1.5kg), battery life is usually very good at 4 to 10 hours, and you can buy some great systems from as little as £249. Our articles on the best laptop, and best Windows 8 tablet and best Windows 8 laptop will tell you more.

Both PC and Mac laptops are available

Laptops can seem bulky by comparison to their tiny netbook cousins: they might be more than twice the weight, with larger screens, and more powerful CPUs, which means battery life may struggle to reach 3 hours in some cases.
Of course they can also handle much more powerful applications, though. If you'll be spending hours typing on the system then you'll appreciate the larger keyboard. The built-in DVD drive makes it easier to install software and create backups, and high-end laptops can even deliver very acceptable gaming performance.
Again, we've a guide to suit everyone: The best cheap laptop focuses on budget systems, while our article on the best student laptops and the best 13" laptops cover a wider range of systems.
The best gaming laptops guide reveals that you buy mobile gaming performance for as little as £599, while the more general Which laptop should I buy? article walks you through the buying process and explains how to make sure you get the right system for you.
If you don't need a computer you can carry around, though, a desktop will be your best option. These are larger, but deliver more power for your money, and are generally much easier to upgrade or reconfigure. So if you decide you need better gaming performance, say, you can just buy another graphics card at a later date, something that won't be possible at all with most netbooks or laptops.
But if you've already got a list of preferred PC manufacturers then it might be more interesting to think about the hardware that your new computer should include - and there's plenty to consider.

Desktop PCs are still available from many vendors

Technical specs

In the past, one of the first questions to ask about your new PC has been how much memory you'll need. These days, though, even many budget PCs come with 4 or 6GB of RAM.
If you're short of cash and only want to run very basic programs, perhaps to browse the web or send emails, then you might just about get away with 2GB. Maybe. But opting for 4GB will help to improve your system's performance, even here, so avoid skimping on memory if you possibly can.

• Best monitor: 10 top displays reviewed and rated

If you're buying a more high-end system, though, you might also want to consider the type of memory it should include to deliver the best results. Our article on How to buy RAM will tell you more.

It's important to get the right memory

This is a similar situation with hard drives. If you buy a budget PC (about £ 400, for example), then look for the highest capacity you can afford; recommended at least 750 GB, although even many budget PCs now include 1TB disks

If you have more money to spend, but worth paying more attention to the technical details. Read How to buy the best new hard drive for a solid foundation in the basics. And if you have a big budget, then the SSD (SSD) offer the best performance at all, whether the capacity is low. Our guide to the best SSD or SSD will give you more information.

To help you choose between a hard drive and a solid state drive, take a look at our guide SSD vs HDD: which is better?

Then, of course, is the question of processor your computer, it's the best CPU? The good news is that even the cheapest computers now with two CPU cores, essentially separate processors that allow you to perform multiple tasks simultaneously. But even if money is tight, look for something with more cores, if possible: something like Core Intel i3-530 or AMD Athlon II X4 640 offers decent performance at an affordable price.
processorThe CPU is the brain of your computerWhile we've hopefully covered most of your concerns here, there may be one or two other issues you want to consider.
If you aim to play the latest games on your computer, for instance, the choice of graphics card will be critical. Let us help you out with our guide to the best graphics cards in the world today.
And whatever you're doing on your system, a quality LCD monitor will be crucial - so be sure to read our guide to the technical details you really need to know before you buy a monitor.
It's a lot to consider, then, but doing your homework now will really pay off later. And that's because understanding the features you need (and the ones you really don't) will both save you money and help you choose the best PC that will serve you well for years to come.
Which, of course, is the best news of all, because your systems' extended life means you won't have to go computer shopping again for a long, long time.