Have you ever started using a brand-new computer only to discover that it is no faster than your old one? Unfortunately, this is a very common scenario, because many computer users simply do not know how to choose the right one for his or her needs. Today we will focus on PCs (sorry Apple lovers) because that’s what most businesses use.
Why is my old computer slow?
This is the key question you should ask before attempting to buy a new computer. You may assume that your computer is slow simply because it is old and that a new one will automatically be faster. This is not the case. Determine why your old computer is no longer sufficient before you attempt to find a replacement. There are four primary components to your computer which determine its speed:
1. CPU speed determines how fast your computer can perform math and other functions. The faster the speed, the faster it can compute 1 + 1.
2. Hard drive size and speed indicates the amount of permanent storage your computer has available — measured in gigabytes (one billion bytes) or terabytes (one trillion bytes). Hard drives also are rated by their speed.
3. Memory (RAM) is the amount of temporary storage space available. Memory (RAM) is essentially the same as the hard drive, except that it is exponentially faster. RAM is always erased when you turn your computer off so it cannot be used for permanent file storage.
4. Graphics card speed is a measurement of the processor which renders images on the screen.
Depending on how you use your computer, different components may be more or less important to you. For example, if you are a computer-aided design (CAD) operator, a fast graphics card is going to be very important to you. However, for the average computer user who primarily uses email and internet browsing, the graphics card speed is the least important speed-related component. The hard drive is, by far, the slowest component of your computer. Most likely, every other component of your computer is blazing fast, while the hard drive is a lumbering dinosaur. Has your computer ever frozen while the hard-drive light on your computer tower or laptop is blinking like crazy or is steady on? This happens when your hard drive is processing and prevents your computer from operating properly. In most cases, when your computer is running very slow for seemingly no reason, it is because of the hard drive. Another possibility is that you do not have enough memory (RAM). If you run out of memory (memory is very fast) then the computer starts using the hard drive for processing (your hard drive is very slow), resulting in a slow PC.
What do I look for in a new computer?
Once you determine why your old computer is running slowly, you can search for a replacement which will correct those issues. Let me save you a little time by providing you critical information that you will not hear from a computer sales representative.
1. CPU speed: Unless you have a very specific need for extra speed, any CPU out there will be fast enough for you. New CPUs are very fast — even on the most basic new computers.
2. Memory (RAM): Almost all new computers now include at least 8 GB of RAM, which is plenty for the majority of computer users — there is no need to upgrade memory.
3. Graphics card speed: For the average user, your new PC will have a sufficient graphics-card speed.
4. Hard drive: To reiterate, the hard drive is the slowest part of your computer by far. The hard drive is what you need to focus on when purchasing a new computer.
How do I choose a hard drive?
There are currently two types of hard drives: traditional platter-based hard drives and solid-state drives. Platter-based hard drives have been used for decades. They are comprised of metal discs which spin with a small needle moving around to search for data. Solid-state drives are computer chips with no moving parts.
Platter-based drives are available in very large sizes (up to a couple of terabytes), which is nice if you need to store lots of data. However, very few people will ever use that much space. Another advantage is the cost; platter-based drives are less expensive. The major disadvantage is that they are very slow.
Solid-state drives are relatively new. Although they cannot store as much data, they are much faster. Solid-state drives are typically available in sizes from 64 GB to 256 GB —a fraction of the space compared to platter drives. In addition, they are also more expensive per gigabyte than platter drives.
Conclusion: My Advice
Now that you have the technical information, here is my opinion on what to do regarding hard drives: always choose a solid-state drive. For the typical computer user buying a new computer, choose one with a solid-state hard drive built-in. If you need additional data-storage space, purchase an external hard drives. External drives are very portable and inexpensive and can compensate for the lack of space with a solid-state drive. You might have trouble finding computers with solid-state drives at your local Wal-Mart or Best Buy. However, you can order them online directly from the manufacturer, such as Dell.com or HP.com.
You will spend more money for a PC with a solid-state drive —probably a few hundred dollars more per computer. However, your computer will stay faster for a lot longer. To me it is well worth it, especially in a business environment where every minute spent waiting on the computer to work is lost productivity. You will re-coop the additional cost in increased productivity and the need to replace your computers less frequently.
Leave a comment!
You must be logged in to post a comment.