Last Updated: 15/2/2007
This quick guide is intended as an aid for those considering purchasing a PC and feeling overwhelmed by the options or their lack of knowledge of computers. It is written by Spike (Dr. Michael Barlow), a senior lecturer in the School of ITEE, UNSW@ADFA.
In no way is it intended to be an exhaustive guide (indeed, that could fill an entire book) but rather to highlight a number of points any potential purchaser should keep in mind.
The guide is broken into fifteen sections which move from simple guidelines (guiding principles, and quick-pick systems) through to more detailed discussions of different aspects of a computer system (graphics cards, upgrading etc.). The first section, Guiding Principles is the most important but generic. For complete novices who don't wish to know any more, that, and the next two sections: Quick-Pick Systems and Where to Buy From? should be sufficient.
Guiding Principles
Quick-Pick Systems
Where to Buy From?
Individual Components
What’s in a CPU?.
High-End Performance
Macintosh, the Unsung Alternate
Laptops
Graphic Cards
Upgrading
Software
Operating Systems.
Getting Connected.
Further Information
Terminology
Disclaimer, History & Acknowledgements
Finally, the PC market is ever-changing. If you find that the date on which you are reading this document and the “last updated” date listed above vary by a month or more then you can expect that some particulars of the document may no longer be entirely correct.