The Concise Guide to Buying a New PC
Desktop computers remain the most cost-effective option available today, offering customisation to suit individual needs and easy upgradeability. Whether for home or office use, several factors should be considered before making a purchase.
Intended Use:
Consider the primary purpose of the PC. For family use or routine office tasks, entry-level PCs suffice. Look for processors like Intel Pentium, Core i3, i5, or AMD A8, A10, or Ryzen 5, with at least 8GB of RAM and 256GB to 512GB of storage.
Business Grade PCs:
Business-grade PCs offer additional security and manageability features, often with superior build quality and longer warranties, albeit at a premium price.
High-End PCs & Workstations:
Specialised tasks such as gaming, video editing, CAD/CAM, or demanding applications require high-performance PCs with powerful processors, ample memory, dedicated graphics cards, and advanced connectivity options.
PC Form Factors:
Choose from various form factors like tower, mini PC, all-in-one, or custom build, each catering to different needs regarding space, portability, customization, and expandability.
PC Performance:
Processor performance, measured by cores and clock speed, and RAM capacity are crucial for multitasking and running demanding applications. Consider Intel or AMD processors based on your usage requirements.
Operating System:
Windows 10 remains the standard, with Windows 11 gradually replacing it. macOS is ideal for Apple ecosystem users, while Chrome OS offers simplicity and speed for web-based tasks.
Storage:
Choose between HDDs and SSDs based on performance needs versus storage capacity. SSDs are faster and more reliable, while HDDs offer higher capacities at a lower cost.
Graphics Card:
For graphics-intensive tasks, opt for dedicated graphics cards, while integrated graphics suffice for routine office work and web browsing.
Connectivity:
Ensure the PC has sufficient ports for connecting peripherals and devices, with options for expansion if needed.
Add-ons & Peripherals:
Consider additional accessories like ergonomic keyboards, mice, speakers, headphones, and webcams for an enhanced user experience.
When buying your PC, then always explore a diverse range of desktop PCs from leading brands like Apple, Dell, HP, and Lenovo, with most offering convenient online ordering and next-day delivery across the UK.