Choosing the best computer for business can be very confusing as there are so many choices available in any computer store. The specifications for each machine on offer are all listed but, to the layman, it doesn’t help all that much. The fear is of choosing a computer that will not be powerful enough to cope with the tasks it is expected to handle.
The possible choices confronting the computer buyer include the following:
- The CPU to power the computer
- The desired amount of volatile or RAM memory
- The amount of hard drive storage
- The operating system
- The screen
- Portable or desktop
- Who to buy it from
The CPU
The choice of central processing unit (CPU) used to be an important factor in choosing the best business computer but they have now become so much more powerful that the entry-level is now more than adequate for normal business use. The computer I use for business, for example, is powered by a CPU which was launched in 2007 and copes very well with word-processing, web browsing, medium-heavy duty image processing and running my business accounting package.
The current Intel Core i3, Core i5 and Core i7 CPUs and their mobile equivalents are now all more than good enough for the job. The only exceptions to this would be users like hardcore gamers, video editors and other creative professionals, who would need the fastest processors they could get.
RAM Memory
RAM is the volatile memory used by computers while they perform calculations. This is the one component which can make the most perceived difference to a computer’s performance and, unfortunately, it is also the area which most often needs to be upgraded. Many computers these days are still sold with 2 GB of RAM but it is more than worth it to get that upgraded to 4 GB. Small Netbooks can get by with 2 GB but it worth adding more to a computer which is to run business applications on a regular basis.
Hard Drive Storage
Programmes and data are stored on the computer’s hard drive and, once again, the entry-level size is now more than enough for most business uses. Hard drives get bigger every month but I would say that anything over 500 GB in size would be fine. I have routinely added a second hard drive to all my desktop computers to give me space to back up the important programmes and data from my main hard drive. The 500 GB suggestion does, once again, not apply to the creative professional who might need many times that amount of space.
Operating System
The operating system (OS) is a set of programs which run the computer, link it to its peripherals, handle the storage of files, and all the other nuts and bolts activities which go to make up the computing experience. The choice of operating system might possibly be dictated by outside circumstances such as the requirement to be able to run a particular business software package. If you had access in your immediate circle to expert support on a particular system, such as Linux or Apple Mac OS, it might also sway you in that direction.
Most other people would probably be well-advised to choose the latest version of MS-Windows which is not only the most common but also extremely good. It is definitely not the most adventurous choice but it is by far the easiest to find people who know how to fix it, when things go wrong.
The Monitor
Most LCD monitors these days would be considered fine for business use and the choice would depend to a large extent on personal preference and the available budget. The monitor should look good to your eye and you can’t go too far wrong by picking the one that you like. Most monitors will be pretty colour-accurate but may need to be calibrated if used by photo and repro professionals.
Desktop or Portable
The choice of a desktop or laptop will depend very largely on whether the computer has to be mobile or not. Modern laptops are powerful enough to be a viable choice as best business computer, providing you take the increased risk of breakage or loss into account. The ideal, of course, would be having one of each or, at least, having a full size screen, keyboard and mouse to use with your laptop in the office.
Who to Buy From
One of the most important choices to make when buying a computer is who you are going to buy it from. When buying a computer for leisure, there may be a case for buying one assembled from randomly chosen parts by the teenager next door, but that definitely won’t work for a machine that you are going to do business with. Rather choose a name-brand computer from a large computer store or tech retailer.
To Sum Up…
When on the lookout for the best business computer for your purposes, I don’t think you can go wrong by buying a name-brand computer from a major retailer providing that it has at least 4 GB of RAM memory, 500 GB of hard drive storage, or more, a screen that looks good to your eye, and a good mouse and keyboard.
