• AMD Phenom II X6 1035T Processor
• 8GB RAM; USB 2.0: 2 Top Tray, 2 Front, 4 Back; DVI and HDMI Video Outputs; eSATA; RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet; Microphone Input; Headphone Input
• 1TB Hard Drive; 16x CD/DVD Burner (DVD+/-RW) with Double-Layer Write Capability
• 1GB ATI Radeon HD 5450 Graphics; Dell USB Keyboard and Mouse Included
• Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium (64-Bit); Microsoft Office Starter 2010

Product Description
Powerful processors, media organization and stunning visual effects bring your ideas to life on the Studio XPS 7100 – a superior powerhouse at an affordable price.Amazon.com Product Description
A superior powerhouse at an affordable price, the Dell Studio XPS 7100 desktop PC in piano black (model s7100-3011NBK) will help you unleash your creativity with an AMD six-core processor, high-performance ATI Radeon HD graphics, and 8 GB of installed RAM–perfect… More >>

Dell Studio XPS s7100-3011NBK Desktop

• 12.1-inch WXGA (1280 by 800) Wide Screen LCD Monitor
• Powered by 1.2GHz Intel Core Duo
• Has 1 GB RAM and 60 GB hard drive
• Microsoft Windows XP Professional

Product Description
The Dell Latitude D420 is a 12.1in ultra-portable notebook designed to succeed both the Latitude X1 and the Latitude D410. In an effort to simplify its ultra mobile product line Dell has merged several traits from each of these two retired models to create the new D420. Specifically the D420 adopts the X1′s wide-aspect screen and ultra-low voltage processor while maintaining the D410′s aesthetic appeal and full-sized keyboard. In addition the D420 continues Dell’s t… More >>

Dell Latitude D420 12″ Laptop Core Duo 1Ghz 2GB RAM

• Ultimate & Extremely Powerful PC Featuring the Intel 2.6
• DVD/CD Play both DVD’s and CD’s
• 40GB Hard Drive, Integrated Sound and Lan
• All Dell Drivers Installed, Ready to use out of the box.
• Windows XP Pro Pre-Loaded! COA

Product Description
Dell Optiplex GX270SFF Desktop computer The OptiPlex GX platform is designed for business and individuals that are focused on affordable pricing coupled with top-level performance. This Dell Optiplex GX270 SFF desktop PC comes running an Intel Pentium 4 2.8GHz HT processor, 512MB of DDR memory, a Large 40GB hard drive, DVD/CD Play both DVD’s and CD’s, Keyboard/Mouse and Integrated LAN. It’s perfect for the web and office programs. The Dell OptiPlex GX270 provides th… More >>

Dell Optiplex GX280 Desktop Computer

• 1.6GHz AMD Athlon 2650e processor with 512KB cache
• 4GB DDR2 SDRAM
• 750GB, 7200 RPM hard drive; 8x DVD+/-RW
• Integrated ATI Radeon HD 3200 Graphics; HDMI output
• Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium (64-Bit) operating system

Product Description
The Zino HD is a low cost, ultra small form factor desktop that packs a punch. Using AMD processor technology, it has the ability to perform with ease for everyday use.Amazon.com Product Description
At just 5 x 3.5 inches, Dell’s zino HD desktop PC will fit anywhere in your home–on your desk, in your entertainment center, or in the kitchen. And with a sleek and contemporary Piano Black finish, it won’t look out of place. With a 750GB hard drive and HDMI p… More >>

Dell Zino HD iZHS-2932NBK Desktop

• Dual-core processors allow your laptop to split tasks between two separate processor cores so that they can share the load
• Additional software installed such as spreadsheet and word document programs, online user’s guide and more!
• 2048mb/2GB of memory will improve performance and help extend the useful life of your system as you run software applications
• Internal wireless card – This allows you to connect to any wireless hotspot
• Internal Network card – This allows you to connect to a High speed DSL / Cable internet modem

Product Description
This Laptop has been refurbished by a Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher. It includes an Original Genuine Licensed Windows XP Operating System with a new sealed Official Microsoft CD, and software support directly from microsoft. Beware of Software Piracy. Many other sellers offer a non-original copy of Windows XP. A non-original or counterfeit copy may leave your computer at risk and inhibit your right to critical security updates and is also illegal. This Awesome HP… More >>

Dell Latitude D620 Core 2 Duo Laptop

• Intel Pentium Dual-Core E5700 3GHz, 2MB Cache, 800MHz FSB
• 6GB RAM; USB 2.0: 2 Front, 4 Back HDMI? and VGA Video Outputs 1 Microphone, 1 Headphone Ethernet Port
• 750GB Hard Drive; 16x DVD+/-RW Drive; Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X4500HD
• 23.0″ Dell ST2321L Widescreen LED digital flat panel monitor included
• Microsoft Office Starter 2010; McAfee SecurityCenter with anti-virus, anti-spyware, firewall, 6 Months

Product Description
The new Inspiron 560 desktop is everything you want and nothing you don’t. The Inspiron 560 desktop is optimized to provide the entertainment features you need for a price you want.Amazon.com Product Description
Whether you’re surfing the web, e-mailing friends and family, downloading music and photos, or blogging about it all, the Inspiron 560 desktop PC can handle it. Powered by an Intel Pentium dual-core processor, the Inspiron 560 offers easy multi… More >>

Dell Inspiron i560-5383NBK Desktop

• Intel Pentium 4 2.8 GHz (very fast)
• 4 Gigabytes (GB) DDR RAM Memory
• 80GB Hard Drive CD/DVD Combo Optical Drive (Plays DVDs/Plays CD’s), 2.5″Floppy Drive
• 10/100/1000 LAN Networking and Internet (Cable-DSL Internet Ready)

Product Description
Dell Optiplex GX270 Desktop computer The OptiPlex GX platform is designed for business and individuals that are focused on affordable pricing coupled with top-level performance. This Dell Optiplex GX270 tower desktop PC comes running an Intel Pentium 4 2.8GHz HT processor, 512MB of DDR memory, a Large 80GB hard drive, CD Rewriteable drive, and integrated LAN. It’s perfect for the web and office programs. The Dell OptiPlex GX270 provides the perfect blend of relevant… More >>

Dell Gx270 SFF Desktop Computer, Fast Intel 2.80 GHz, 512GB DDR Memory, Large 80 HDD, DVD/CD Play both DVD’s and CD’s, XP Pro Installed

• Intel Pentium M 1.6 GHz Processor
• 30GB Hard Drive
• 512 MB RAM
• 24X CD-RW / DVD-ROM
• 14.1 in TFT active matrix, ATI Mobility Radeon 9000

Product Description
Dell Latitude D600 Pentium M Centrino 1.4 Ghz 512 MB 40GB CD-RW 14.1″ Radeon 9000 Integrated 10/100 56K Built-in WIFI Windows XP Pro (NO COA or Restore CDs) AC Adapter Battery (not tested). 30 Day SATISFACTION GUARANTEED warranty. PERFORMANCE: This laptop is very fast having a full 1.4 Ghz of processing speed and plenty of power to run most any programs. With a Pentium M Centrino processor you’ll be on the cutting edge with the latest in Laptop Processing power. EXP… More >>

Dell Latitude D600 14.1-Inch Laptop – 512MB RAM, 30GB Hard Drive

• Intel Pentium 4 3.0 GHz With Hyper Threading (very fast), 4 Gigabytes (GB) DDR RAM Memory, Gigantic 750GB Hard Drive
• DVD-RW Optical Drive (Plays and Records DVDs/Plays and Records CD’s), 10/100/1000 LAN Networking and Internet (Cable-DSL Internet Ready) 8 x USB Ports
• Original Sealed Microsoft XP, Office Suite CDs included (Open Office is Microsoft Office compatible), Anti-Spyware and Anti-Virus Programs
• High Speed Internet Ready, Audio In & Out, Headphone In, Microphone In, Windows XP CD, Application, Driver, Manual CD
• Also Includes: Power cables, Keyboard, Mouse, Speakers

Product Description
This computer has been refurbished by a Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher. It includes an Original Genuine Licensed Windows XP Operating System with a new sealed Official Microsoft CD from a Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher. Beware of Software Piracy. Many other sellers offer a non-original copy of Windows XP. A non-original or counterfeit copy may leave your computer at risk and inhibit your right to critical security updates and is also illegal. SUPER FAST DELL Opt… More >>

Dell 3 Ghz. Super Fast Optiplex Pro GX 1 Computer, Gigantic 750GB Hard Drive, 4GB RAM, CDRW/DVD Combo, Intel P4 Single Core Multimedia Desktop PC, includes New Licensed Windows XP 2 Operating System and Genuine Sealed CD, SP 3

So let’s get right to it:

1. The Processor or CPU (Central Processing Unit) – This is the driving force or you could say heart in your computer. It also acts as a traffic cop to the data being processed. So the faster it is the faster data can be processed. I always recommend that you everyone purchase one or two steps up from the least available if I am custom building a computer on the Dell Site or HP’s site. If you will go to one of these sites and click on one of the computers to custom build it you will see the options that I talking about.

2. RAM or Memory – Some people get this confused with Hard Drive space. Hard Drive space is a totally separate thing and you should have much more of it. Think of RAM or Memory as your desktop or temporary storage. The bigger your desktop the more room that you will have to layout papers to view without getting up from your chair so the more RAM or Memory that you have the better but it gets expensive if you go over the mid point offered. For example at this time the mid point for most PC’s would be around 2GB of RAM or Memory. I would suggest a minimum of at least 1GB for most applications but if you are doing something like graphic/image editing applications or playing games you could need more. You should check the application that you think would be most demanding or graphical to determine what the minimum amount of RAM or Memory is recommended and I would then get more than the recommended amount for improved performance.

3. Hard Drive – This is the device that actually stores your data when you save it. Think of it as your filing cabinet or permanent storage (at least until you delete it) . You will need to determine what you will be using your computer for. For example if you will be using your computer mainly to surf the internet and save Microsoft Word Documents you probably will not need over the standard drive size (for example at the time of this writing – 80GB or 160GB is standard depending on the type/model of computer you purchase) but if you want to purchase music, save photos, or will be doing a lot of image editing on your computer you may want to invest in a bigger hard drive (for example – 250GB) or you can always get an external drive to store your work on.

4. CD/CD-RW/DVD/DVD-R/DVD-RW – What more choices?? These are CD drive choices of today and of course there is Blue-Ray which I would only recommend if you are really into burning CD’s and chances are if you are reading this you will not need that technology but you can always Google “Blue-Ray” to find out more about it if you think that you would be interested. I would recommend that you purchase the best that you can afford regarding CD drives. Below is a quick run down of what each will allow you to do:

CD – Read-only CD’s – installs most programs with the exception of programs that come on DVD discs.

DVD – Read-only CD’s and DVD’s – this would at least allow you to read/install programs from DVD disc and play DVD movies.

CD-R – Allows you to install programs from CD’s, create CD’s for music/data – you can only write to CD-R CD’s which means that you can only write to the CD once.

CD-RW – Allows you to install programs from CD’s, create CD’s for music/data/rewrite to CD-RW disc but you can only write once to CD-R disc still.

DVD-R – Allows you to install programs from CD/DVD disc, create CD-R/DVD-R CD/DVD’s for music/data/videos. You can only write once to the disc.

DVD-RW – Allows you to install programs from CD/DVD disc, create CD-R/DVD-R/CD-RW/DVD-RW CD/DVD’s for music/data/videos. You can rewrite to CD-RW or DVD-RW discs.

5. Do I need a floppy disk? Most people wouldn’t really need this option any more since most programs come on CD’s or DVD’s these days.

6. Video Card – This is the device that you will connect your monitor to. Most of the time you can just take the standard video card but if you intend on modified photos or playing games you may want to invest in a better video card – keep in mind that video cards also have memory so the more memory the better here also.

7. Operating Systems – Honestly at the time of this writing I prefer Windows XP Pro SP2 since there are still some issues with Windows Vista even with SP1 at this time. For example there are some issues with software and printers. If you purchase a computer from the link that I give you below you can choose to purchase most of the computers with Windows XP Pro SP2 still. Most of the computers in the store’s today will have the Windows Vista Home operating system on them. It will work and if you are just going to use the latest programs, devices and search the internet this may be the operating system that will work for you.

8. Last but not least would be that you will for sure need some type of antivirus. I would highly recommend purchasing Symantec Internet Security and understand that you must pay for the subscription each year or pay for a 24/36 month subscription in order to keep getting updates. I have so many times worked on peoples computers where their antivirus had ran out and they had gotten viruses. They didn’t even know that it had ran out because they forgot that they must update it or it seemed unimportant then I get a call because their computer is infested with pop-ups, etc.

Here are some links that are helpful if you would like to view my recommendations:

Dell Hot Offers

www.hp.com

I would highly recommend a Dell OptiPlex for PC’s or Latitude for a laptop. You can go through the Dell Hot Offers to get the best deals. The reason that I would suggest these models is that these models have a standard 3 year warranty and these are the models that are standard for business. What is the advantage? Well, the parts that would be in these model of computers would have been through the testing process and should be more reliable. For example the Inspiron, XPS, and Vistro may have later technology but that is just it these computers are more stable for business use. I can’t say that you would have any problems with the Inspiron, XPS, Vistro, or any other brand of PC that you would buy but I am just saying that the Optiplex and Latitude seem to me to be a better computer. If you want some of the later technology (for example built-in SD, Micro SD card readers, capability to watch TV from your computer, etc.) I would recommend purchasing something like the XPS or Vistro.

One more very important thing is to get the media for the operating system with the computer that you purchase or make the restore disc as soon as you get the computer since it would be necessary if you have to restore your system to factory default later.

Here is an example of a standard PC that I would have setup for a customer (remember that this is as of 04/07/2008 – in other words the prices change regularly but this will give you an idea):

Optiplex 330 MiniTower

Starting Price $1282

Instant Savings $352

SubTotal $930

This would include the following:

Intel Core 2 Duo Processor E4500 (2.2GHz, 2M, 3322T – Processor

Geniune Windows XP Pro SP2 with media Operating System

2GB DDR2 Non-ECC SDRAM, 667MHZ (2 DIMM) RAM or Memory

160GB High Reliability SATA 3.0 GB/s and 8MN Databurst Cache – Hard Drive

16X DVD-ROM SATA, Cyberlink Power DVD DVD Drive

Dell 20 inch E207FP Widescreen Flat Panel, Analog

Internal Speaker At least get the internal speaker so that you can hear the computer if you receive a beep or error

Standard Keyboard

Standard Mouse I would suggest that you purchase an optical mouse.

Microsoft Office Basic and Adobe Standard This was an additional $150 so if you don’t need it you can use OpenOffice.org to do the same thing and it is FREE

Norton Internet Security 36 month subscription If you want to use something free you can use AVG Free but I would recommend Norton over AVG personally

3 year warranty This is a standard warranty for this model computer

As I said this is as of 04/07/08 and the price I am certain will be different when you view this product and there may be even a different model number but the Optiplex and Latitude models should be available.

I hope that this does help someone out there and makes it clearer when you go to purchase a computer what you need to be looking for.