How to choose computers for your business
With thousands of different options available, choosing
computers for your business can be an intimidating experience. The
type of computer you get will depend on your business and factors
ranging from how much time you expect to be working at it to how
portable you need it to be.
Your basic requirements
- If you're starting your business from home, it's
worth getting a computer specifically for the
business. Computers are generally a business' most
important tool, and kicking your children off when they're in the
middle of a game because you have an urgent email coming through
may not go down very well.
- Whether you're buying a computer for yourself or ones for your
employees, chances are they'll be in use for eight
hours or more each day, so make sure the computer is
robust enough to be able to cope with that level of use. If you're
buying a laptop, investing in a separate keyboard and monitor to
use in the office will not only improve posture, but also subject
it to less of a battering.
- Although you can get bespoke computers, these are generally
more expensive and unless your business has very specific needs,
not worth the money. Instead, invest in good computers
made by a well-known, reliable manufacturer:
Hewlett-Packard, Dell, Acer, Toshiba and Samsung are all reliable
and have good customer service to back up the warranty if something
goes wrong.
- One of your most important choices will be whether
to buy a laptop or a desktop computer. While a laptop
offers you flexibility, a desktop will is sturdier and will have a
higher capacity, so it'll probably last longer. Choose a laptop for
employees if they expect to be working on the move a lot or if they
will be making lots of presentations to clients. Office-based
workers should be fine with a desktop: they're cheaper and better
for posture.
- The Mac vs PC debate has been raging
for decades, but the difference is essentially the price and what
you expect to get out of them. Macs are sometimes up to twice as
expensive as their PC equivalents, but are generally considered to
be faster, longer-lasting and more reliable. If your business
involves working with or manipulating images, film, music or games,
consider buying a Mac - but if the most you'll need your computer
for is word processing and the odd spreadsheet, a PC will do.
What to look for
- Screen size is an important factor
when you're buying computers. Screens are measured diagonally, from
the top right-hand corner to the bottom left-hand corner. Generally
speaking, the larger the screen, the better it is for eyesight and
posture.
- Memory, usually known as RAM (random access memory)
affects how quickly your computer switches between
programmes. The higher the RAM, the faster your
computer will be - but anything over 2 gigabytes (GB) is probably
superfluous unless you plan to use the computer for hi-end
gaming.
- A computer's processor determines how quickly it
operates. The speed is measured in gigahertz (GHz) -
look for something over two GHz, or look at the specifications of
the software you use to determine how much power you need. It's
worth noting if you're using the computer to make films, graphics,
music or games, you might want something more advanced.
- As software becomes more advanced, the demand for more disk
space is growing - so look for a computer with as much
storage space as possible. Go for something with
160GB or more - and remember, if you run out, you can always
supplement it with an external hard drive.
Checklist
- It's worth getting a computer specifically for your
business
- Computers are in use constantly, so make sure the one you buy
is sturdy and reliable
- If you're buying a laptop, invest in a separate keyboard and
monitor
- Macs are widely considered more reliable and more powerful than
PCs
FAQ
If I buy some PCs and some Macs, will
they work together?
Connectivity has changed since the days of yore, and now Macs and
PCs should work in relative harmony. However, you might find
yourself buying extra copies of some software - check on the side
of the box to make sure it's compatible with both systems.
Jargon buster
Monitor: The computer screen
Hard drive: The storage space on your computer. You
can supplement this with external hard drives
Resources
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