Networking In The Home

A computer for mom and mad, one for the kids, but who really wants to buy printers or scanners for each? You don't have to, if you set up a network. These days, you have a few options, and it's easier than ever.

Networking Options

Ethernet--According to Rod Scher with Smart Computing magazine, this is the most popular technology these days. With ethernet, you use cables to connect all the computers in your home. Many new computers come with an ethernet card built in, which allows all your equipment to communicate. If your computer is older, you can buy a card.

Home phone line or power line networks--With this choice, you don't have to run your cable because the wires are already there. However, you do buy a special network interface card that allows your data to travel over existing wiring. Then, you simply plug everything into the telephone or power outlets.

Wireless--Otherwise known as Wi-Fi. The computer sends and receives data through radio waves, much like a cellular phone. With this, you'll need a hub or access point along with the interface cards.

Are you looking to buy another computer? Or, do you want to upgrade from the one you already have? These days, computers are no longer a luxury. From e-mail to on-line banking for adults, they've become almost a necessity. And, if you have a child bound for college, a computer is a must. From homework, to looking up prospective colleges, computers can really make life easier.

There are many different kinds of computers on the market and finding one that's right for you and your budget can be difficult. So, when heading to the store, it's important to be armed with information, so you can make an educated purchase.

The Cost Factor

When buying a computer, a good rule of thumb is to spend only as much as you can afford. But, there's a price war going on these days among America's top computer makers, and you can get a great deal. According to Marty Sems, a writer for Smart Computer Magazine, you can find the best values on software and hardware from the biggest names. Companies like Compaq, Dell, Gateway, and Sony are now offering computers with everything you need included, for a thousand dollars or less. But, expect to pay a little more for the bells and whistles, like a DVD or upgraded graphics. Some higher-end models are going for $3,000 and up.

Select a System

The two main types of home computers are the PC, also known as IBM compatibles, and Macintosh. There are advantages and disadvantages to both. So, sit down and think about your needs and how you will be using the computer. Here is a breakdown of the two:

Macintosh

The Macintosh is generally more user friendly than the PC. Also, many parents choose to buy one for home use, since it's what many schools are using. The Macintosh is also popular for advertising and design because of the graphic software that's available.

PC

The PC is more widely used in the home and businesses. That means you'll generally find this system in the "real world." There's also more software available for the PC (but really, just how many word processors do you really want to use!) While initially inexpensive, a Windows PC could very well end up costing you more due to support costs, unless you become a computer expert.

Buying Your Computer

Once you've decided what kind of computer you want, where should you buy it? An obvious option is at major retailers. They usually offer a big variety and make life easy. You pick the computer you want, pay for it, and walk out of the store. If you're unhappy with your choice, you can generally return it easily.

Another way to get a computer is through mail order or directly from the manufacturer. While you can't actually touch the computer, like you would in a store, you can surf the Web and see what the companies are offering. The big benefit of buying direct is that you can usually customize your order. That way you get all the things you need, and you don't have to pay for options you'll never use. However, a drawback is that you'll have to wait for your order. Also, if you're unhappy with your choice, you'll have to send it back and wait for a replacement.

Finally, you can buy a no-name clone. There are many people out there who are building computers to sell locally. Like mail order, you can generally pick the components you want.

No matter where you buy your computer or how expensive it is, chances are you'll run into some technical trouble. Find out if the manufacturer has a toll free technical support number. Also, see if there's a fee for using this assistance. This can be very important if you have a problem with your computer.

Computer Components

If you're not computer savvy, you may become confused when making your purchase. Retailers will spew out terms like RAM and CPU. What do they mean? And how much do you really need? It's important to know what these parts are and what they do, so you will pick the right computer for you:

CPU

The CPU, or central processing unit, is the brain of the computer. It comes in different types and speeds, like 386, and Pentium. Here are your choices:

386

The 386 is outdated. So, don't even consider this as an option. While it can still run some basic and very old software, newer software won't run on it.

486

The 486 is next in line. It's also outdated. It will run some of the software available now, but not much.

Pentium and Pentium II

These were the top processors for some time. These CPUs are still functional and will run most software. However, it is pretty much outdated.

Pentium III

Experts say this is where you get the most bang for your buck. It's right behind the latest technology in CPUs. But because technology moves very fast, you could be buying a system that will need to be upgraded before you know it.

Pentium IV

This is basically the fastest and most powerful CPU available. Low and middle speed Pentium IV processors (from Intel) are reasonablly priced. If you go for the latest high speed chip it will be the most expensive.

Ram

Ram, or Random Access Memory is most commonly called memory. It's measured by Megabytes. This is abbreviated MB. When buying a computer, how much memory should you have? As with CPUs, the more you can afford, the better. That's because the more RAM you have, the faster your computer can perform tasks. Memory usually comes in blocks of four. You should have no less than 128 MB. Right now, it makes no sense to get less than 256MB.

Hard Drive

The hard drive is where most of your programs are stored. The hard drive is inside the computer, so you won't be able to see it. Hard drives come in many different sizes. The standard right now is 40 GB.

Floppy Disk Drive

Every computer comes with a floppy disk drive. This allows you to save information on disk, which is an easy way to transport files. Many systems are now being sold without floppy disk drives.

CD ROM Drive

Most computers now come with a CD ROM drive. This drive reads data from a CD that looks like a music CD, except it holds data instead of tunes.

DVD Drive

DVD stands for digital video disk. It will soon replace the CD.

Removable Storage

The Iomega Zip Drive is removable storage similar to a floppy drive. A Zip disk can hold about 100 megabytes of data. It's faster than an ordinary floppy drive, but slower than a hard drive.

Another product to note is a CD-RW Drive. It's a CD drive that can read and write to a CD. These are a little different from the normal CD ROM disks, but can hold the same amount of data.

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