Archive for the ‘Best Desktop Computers’ Category
The Reinvented Commodore 64-Bringing Back a Lost Time
It was 1982 when the Commodore 64 initially came into existance. It rapidly became one of the best selling units of the decade. Surprisingly the Commodore 64 was bought by over 2 million people a year for a consistent TEN years. For many this device brings them back to their childhood and represents the inception of the desktop computer age. Many will be excited to hear the Commodore 64 has been reinvented and rereleased with a practical twist.
When the first Commodore 64 was released it boasted a whopping total of 64 kilobytes of total storage capacity. Also coming equipped with a audio card as well as a video card it is a desktop that stood out from the gang from other desktops of the time. Unfortunately, despite the company’s massive success, heavy competition from IBM and Apple compounded by a considerable number of poor business choices,Commodore International was forced to file bankruptcy in 1994.
Plenty will be excited to hear the Commodore trademark was bought last year by a entrepreneur named Barry Altman with the dream of reviving the iconic PC that began the computer revolution. Times have changed by leaps and bounds since the original design with everything placed into the keypad. Over the years design ideas have completely drifted away from the keyboard computer. Upon first word getting out about the return of a redesigned Commodore 64 email signups for further info and updates have made it obvious that there is a huge market for this classic.
While this may not be one of the best desktop computers according to critics the actual fact is that people are clamoring to get their hands on their old desktop once again with a modern twist. Of course many people wish to know how near to the original the new units are. Plenty will be excited to know that special attention has been paid to even the tiniest details to save as much of the original chassis as possible. Even special attention has been paid to the keyboard keys to save the original keyboard click sound as well as the first curve and shape of the keys.
While Windows isn’t the main operating program the new Commodore is designed so that Windows can actually be utilized. The new Commodore 64 is fitted with its own operating system which includes the ability to choose a Windows boot option at the beginning which for many is a great perk. Many also will be happy to hear that all of the original 8 megabit games that came with the first Commodore 64 are accessible in moments of firing up the new Commodore.
Alex has been working as a PC analyst and critic for over a decade. He is now retired composing occasional writeups as well as blogging on topics like how to find the most optimal desktop computer deals as well as opinions on refurbished desktop computers.
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Acer Aspire Revo – The Benefits Of A Nettop
The desktop and laptop market are saturated with so many brands that it’s difficult to keep track of who offers what and with what level of quality. Dell is a leading brand and offers many different options and are known for their customizable setups, while Acer are primarily known for their laptops. However, what might not be so well known is that Acer also produced a line of desktop computers known as nettops, which have somewhat of a different focus demographic. The Acer Aspire Revo is a nettop looking to impress, though not with portability and especially not with power.
What Is A Nettop?
Nettops are basically desktops. They’re low-powered and have a low rate of energy consumption. The main benefit of a nettop is that it’s very small as the case fits to the motherboard. This makes it exceptionally small in comparison to traditional desktop computers. Furthermore, the Aspire Revo utilizes NVIDIA’s ION technology, which emphasizes reduced energy consumption as well as brilliant performance for such a device.
Aspire Revo’s Specifications
The Aspire Revo is designed for non-intensive tasks, such as browsing the web, watching videos and other generic tasks. Because of this, it was developed with the Intel Atom 230 1.6GHz processor inbuilt, as well as only 1GB of RAM. Combined with Windows XP, the first Aspire Revo, the R1600, is showing its age. However, with the latest models, the R3600 and R3610, Windows 7 and has been implemented, along with a hardware boost.
This upgrade in software also came with an upgrade in hardware. Both models are provided with the Intel Atom 330 processor, which is a dual-core processor also clocked at 1.6GHz, like its predecessor. The R3600 provides 2GB of RAM and a 320GB hard drive, while the R3610 provides 4GB of RAM and a 500GB hard drive. These nettops are much more capable of multi-tasking and being used for more intensive tasks that the R1600.
NVIDIA’s ION platform is to be thanked for a lot of the performance from these nettops. It provides 64-bit processing as well as DirectX 10 support in the form of the NVIDIA 9400M graphics card installed. While only in the budget range in terms of power, it’s definitely a leg-up from traditional integrated graphics solutions. NVIDIA’s familiarity with the graphics world will no doubt result in the implementation of DirectX 11 with future products of ION.
Andrew Johnson is an expert in desktop PC products. If you would like further information regarding varieties of Acer Aspire Revo or are looking for a trusted desktop PC retailer please visit ebuyer.com
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Should I Buy Any Bundled Software With My Desktop Computer?
It is worth asking if you should buy any bundles software with your desktop computer as you will be asked when you purchase, and you could get a discount with your new desktop computer. A further question to ask before considering this is what do you intend to use your computer for? It is often a matter of shopping around and looking out for what is available.
The first thing to look at is the operating system that your computer comes with, whether it is a Mac or a PC. Software that is bundled with your computer should be compatible with it for example office programs for word processors, spread sheets and so forth.
However, this may not be the case if you are building the computer from scratch or using an operating system like Linux. In some cases there may be open source programs available for download that do the equivalent task without the need for the program itself.
Where it becomes complicated is if you purchase a computer every three or four years. Legally, you cannot reinstall the same software under the Original Equipment Manufacturer license. It may be cheaper in the long term to purchase a retail version of the software bundle. Like any other service, comparing prices from different retailers will give you an idea of what is available.
The crucial thing to bear in mind is what kind of software you want and why you want it. Certain packages may come with Powerpoint, which is a very useful tool if you want to give a presentation. This tool seems to be best for students, lecturers and other professionals that want to give presentations. If you are not sure, it is worth asking to see if this comes with the package.
It is very important to be careful when purchasing programs online. Some open source programs are very useful and can be used effectively. An open source program is free to download and is improved on by its users. A good example is the sound editing program Audacity.
Some programs are necessary and it is important to get the right advice on it. A lot of computers now come with free built in anti virus software and this is often adequate. However, it is important to be aware of developments in anti virus programs and websites can help you find the best ones to cope with this. When installing a new anti virus program always make sure the old one is cleared and uninstalled or your computer will run a lot slower. In the case of Norton Anti Virus you may need to take it to a professional computer shop as they will have a special program to clear it from your system.
Ultimately it is important to shop around and get an idea of what a desktop will cost you. In some cases it has been known that cheaper bundles have featured software that is considerably older than the current model. Always keep an eye on comparison sites to get a clear idea of what is available and at what price. With the right information you will have the best computer for you at the best price.
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Should I Buy An Off The Shelf Desktop Computer Or Have One Built To My Specifications?
Choosing a new computer can be both exciting and daunting. What may be a great machine for someone else may not meet any of your needs. Should you purchase your desktop computer ready made from a company or store or would it be better to build it from scratch? A lot depends on what you will be using it for. Let’s look at some of the pros and cons that may help you decide where the best desktop computers fit in with what you need.
If you decide to build your own desktop computer or have a friend put one together for you, your new machine can be customized as you go along to be exactly what you want. Do you play a lot of games that require high end graphic capabilities? Or perhaps you run a business from your computer and need storage space and memory for office type programs and record keeping. You can specify these requirements as you build your computer, making it customized to your desires and needs.
But not everyone will want to approach it in this way. If building is not for you, there are many good deals out there on pre-manufactured computers. And with some research you can find the one that has all the parts and programs that you are looking for. You have even more flexibility in this area if you custom order your desktop to suit your needs.
Another factor to look at here is price. Assembling the parts as you go along may be less costly but if you are looking for something basic for simple internet surfing or email, then a simple computer with little or few bells and whistles can be purchased ready made, very inexpensively.
The ease of being able to look in a catalogue or on a shelf sticker and choose the computer you want can be very appealing when held up against the work of gathering components for a hand built computer and then having to get it all put together. And let’s not forget the peace of mind that comes with having warranties and customer service. A built at home computer will not come with all of this. You may have warranties or guarantees on the individual parts you purchase but whether they will work together in your machine can be confusing. And you will be dealing with several different companies as opposed to dealing only with the one company that you bought a ready made from.
There is a certain satisfaction from going into a computer store, picking out what you want and walking out with it. No labour involved, no searching for parts on the internet or waiting for them to come in the mail, and the customer service in the store can help you with the decision making process.
But if, in fact, you have the time and interest to build your own or have someone do it for you, you will have the satisfaction of acquiring a computer that is exactly as you want it. And if down the road a motherboard or sound card gives you trouble, it can be easily changed out without worrying that you are voiding a warranty.
So, should you buy an off the shelf desktop computer or build my own? Your computer is almost as personal to you as your fingerprint. Weigh out the pros and cons to see which best fits your style. The best desktop computer is the one that is usable to you.
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The 3 Core Components You Need to Consider When Buying a Desktop Computer
Whether you’re looking for a laptop, notebook or desktop computer, they all adhere to the same standards and as such, when providing advice for one, it applies to most personal computers. Here is a guide to buying desktop computers and what to look for when searching for the best computers to buy.
Specifications
Computers have several important specs. They all add to the computer’s performance, but some may not have as much an impact on what you do than others.
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
The primary source of speed in general tasks on a personal computer is the central processing unit (CPU). This processes all the programs you wish to run. If you wish to multi-task, such as running web browsers, media players and other program simultaneously, you may want to look at multi-core CPUs. They provide the ability to efficiently process multiple programs at once without loss in performance. The second spec you should look at would be speed, which is measured in megahertz (MHz) and gigahertz (GHz). Depending on the make, some higher speeds should be expected. Intel tends to boast higher speeds, whereas AMD has lower speeds, but better technology.
Graphics Card
For gaming, the main focus should be on the graphics card. This will deal with anything graphically-intensive and offer significant increases if it is a quality card. For this, you will want to look to either NVIDIA or AMD/ATI for a card as they are the leading competitors. The two main specs of a graphics card are core clock, and memory amount. The core clock determines how fast the graphics card is and is the most important marker of a graphics card. The memory amount will determine how often the card needs to load things like textures into it, which may cause stuttering if it needs to swap continuously.
Memory
Finally, there are two sorts of memory. RAM is the memory which the CPU sends things to be remembered temporarily. It will swap information in and out constantly as it is required by the CPU. Size and clock speed will determine it’s efficiency, generally higher in both being better. The other type is hard disk memory. This determines how much you can store on your computer. It is measured in megabytes (MB) and gigabytes (GB). Modern computers require hundreds of gigabytes to successfully multiple games, but for someone wishing to store only music and random tidbits, not videos, then a hundred at most will generally do.
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Microsoft Wired Keyboard 600 - BlackMicrosoft Wired Keyboard 600 Black MacWin USB ANB00006 Keyboards Keyboards
Microsoft Wired Keyboard 600 - BlackMicrosoft Wired Keyboard 600 Black MacWin USB ANB00006 Keyboards Keyboards
TP-Link 5-Port Gigabit Unmanaged Desktop Switch (TL-SG1005D) Plastic CaseTPLink 5Port Gigabit Switch Desktop TLSG1005D TP LINK
Microsoft Wireless Desktop 800 Keyboard and Mouse ComboMicrosoft Wireless Desktop 800 USB MacWin 2LF00021 Keyboards Keyboards