Hi everyone,
I am an avid user of computers and I have always found that when buying computers no one can really explain the differences between the options available. I am writing this review more on the point of view of the needs of an individual and current state of technology.
SPEED and NEED OF COMPUTERS
There was a time when computers were slow. When given a command they will stop, think and then after a long while give an answer. Since then it was therefore always considered that a faster computer is better. Since last year and a half or so this is not true anymore. The development of hardware has come to a stage where the AVERAGE USER CAN NOT REACH THE LIMIT Of hardware.
What I mean is the following:
I have a celeron 600 MHz machine with 32 MB RAM and I can use Windows ME(not XP of course but that is a big bloated whale) Play songs, Watch DVDs, VCDs, use it for all office/accounts application and typically do everything else with a resonable speed. Of course there are speed freaks who want Everything within a blink of an eye but then nothing can ever be good enough for them.
THIS MEANS:
This means that if you are planning to buy a computer, It does not matter if you take a Celeron instead of a Pentium. You may save some milliseconds on some days but that is it. Your computer may start a couple of second faster but then you will never notice.
This means More RAM( more then 128/256) will give faster speed and program loading but then it will have no real savings in terms of speed.
HDD are now available are 40 GB which is really huge and cant be used to the fullest extent. 40 GB is a hugh space given that you have an option of writing CDs in five minutes. The issue now is more of Organization of your music/files/stuff then of storage space.
CD ROMs have reached their fastest limit long time back and so have CD writers(with under 5 minutes). DVD players are getting faster but you can still see a DVD on a 1x drive( I do) so what is the point?
Bigger Monitors are still better and this is one area where bigger is still better.
Basic speakers are acceptable but if you want an HIFI then it is a completely different discussion.
All in all, paying more for faster and latest stuff gives a marginal and nominal advantage at best.
WHOM SHOULD YOU BUY IT FROM
Making computers is a cottage industry where assembling it takes no more then some screws. You have a wide range of suppliers from big name MNCs to local assembler. Everyone claims that MNCs give’better’ computer. I see them as no different then assembled EXCEPT looks and feel(keyboard etc).
Buying computers is rather easy but to get service is damn difficult and hence I feel the decision of buying must be based on service and NOT price.
An home/average user will have far more issues on the software side then hardware side and this is where it is necessary that you get a good service. Everyone agrees that MNCs are worst in their service department but then brand name is an irrational love.
SITUATION TODAY
I thought I should list out the market situation as prevailing in the first week of March 2004 to have an idea of the prices for assembled computers.
As of today Celerons are being quoted at 18000 and P IV 2.0 at 20500/=.
The breakdown is
-Celeron 1.7 Ghz 2750( 3 year warranty)
-Motherboard Gigabyte/HIS 2700/2550( 2 year warranty)
-Samsung 40 GB Polaris HDD 7200 RPM 2850/=(3 year warranty)
-cabinet dual fan with power 1000 onwards
-Memory 256 DDR RAM 1750/=
-CD ROM 1000/= Cd writer about 2200/=
-15 inch samsung monitor samsung/LG around 4700/=
-17 inch samsung/LG around 7900/=( 2 year warranty)
All in all an assembler will not make more then 2000 rs per system and that is worth the service for an year. Actually the only important point is to make sure he extends the warranty he gets on parts for the ENTIRE time. This is why I prefer samsung HDD which are under warranty for three years.
I am looking forward to comments.