A Beginner’s Guide to PC Computing
If you are one of the very few people that don’t own a computer welcome to a new and often mysterious world of ones and zeros we call computing. If you are about to invest in your first computer, here are a few tips from the professionals.
Define your Needs
This is the first step when looking to buy a computer; you might, for example, be a writer who mainly uses Ms Word, with some web surfing and sending and receiving emails, in which case a medium-spec machine is all you need. If, on the other hand, you are a video editor or graphic designer, then you need a very powerful machine with a lot of RAM and a fast video card.
Understanding the Components
While no one expects you to be an expert, you should understand what the major components do and with lots of free resources online, you can gain an insight into the inner workings of a PC. If anything goes wrong, there’s always affordable computer repairs in Melbourne from a local expert, that is, if the computer no longer has a warranty. The major components include the CPU, the solid-state drive, RAM chips and video card, all of which are connected to the mainboard.
Type of Computer
You really do have choices; the good old desktop PC, which is the gamer’s favourite, a laptop that can be used anywhere, or a tablet that is as thin as a magazine and very powerful. The vast majority of people opt for the laptop, as this offers computing power and portability, which is essential these days. Weighing in at around 2kg, a business laptop is all you need if you are a freelance digital nomad and Apple make the best, with the Mac Air Pro standing out. Here is a good blog about the laptop as a learning tool, which is recommended reading for all.
Operating System
Obviously, a computer needs an operating system (OS) to run, which might be Apple’s iOS, or Microsoft’s Windows 10 and when you buy the computer the OS software licence is included, so you are good to go. Any software you install must be fully compatible with the OS, so always check before buying software, otherwise it won’t run on your machine.
Learning by Doing
As you start to use your computer, your knowledge will increase; learn how to create folders and files and store them in various directories, how to copy and paste and how to navigate the control panel where you find all the settings. If you find yourself needing to use a specific program, then you will learn about it by simply using it and trying out features, which leads to a higher level of competency.
There are some great deals online and it is easy to compare makes and models, which is a good way to find out the best deals and you might want to consider taking out extra warranty, which could cover you for up to 3 years. As you become more experienced, you might decide to upgrade both hardware and software, which might lead to investing in a more powerful computer.