Office Buyers Guide
What to consider
-
Deciding between a laptop or a desktop computer is the first step in choosing a computer that suits your office environment.
-
A desktop is more suited for larger offices that have their work limited to a desk.
-
A laptop is more suited for offices where their may not be as much space available or where workers may be required to carry their computer to different places.
-
Desktops should be considered if computer performance is important in the office.
-
Laptops should be considered if computer portability is important in the office.
Choosing a system that fits your technical requirements and budget
-
If all you require is a system that can browse the internet, write emails and occasionally use office software (such as Microsoft Word or Excel), then an entry-level computer should suffice. This is the cheapest option however it may not be suited for a professional office environment.
-
If you require a system which can run most software (especially the Microsoft Office suite) and handle all basic activities, then a mid-range computer is the perfect all-rounder PC. This is a step up from the entry-level option and should fit the requirements of most working offices.
-
If you require a system that can handle intensive programs such as audio/video editing and 3D rendering software, then a high-end computer is necessary. This PC is designed for professional offices working with high-end software where a high-level of performance is required.
The key components of a computer
CPU
-
The CPU acts like the brain. It runs all the computers programs, calculations and operations.
-
Generally, the higher the clock speed, (GHz) the faster the CPU. The more cores, the better the performance and multi-tasking capabilities.
Graphics Card
-
Generates the image on the monitor and is only necessary for gaming, media consumption, video editing, graphics design and 3D rendering.
-
The core clock and the memory size of the graphics card are the two most important factors to look at when purchasing.
RAM
-
RAM stores small amounts of data but at transfers it at extremely high speeds.
-
It is important to buy the same type & speed of RAM because mixing and matching may cause the RAM to not run at the highest speed possible.
-
Aim for at least 4gb of RAM for basic programs, 8gb for gaming and software and 16gb for intense editing and 3D rendering software.
Storage
-
An SSD will generally have high speeds but a smaller storage size while a HDD will have a high storage size but slower speeds.
-
For a desktop, pairing a Solid-State Drive with a Hard Disk Drive is the best option.
-
Look for an SSD if you want fast boot up times and faster data transfer speeds. Go for a hard drive if you want a cheaper option or for more storage but slower speeds.