Anne Marie is in the market for a new desktop and is keen to have a recommendation on where to look and which brands to consider.
Q. Anne Marie
I’m a senior looking for a home desktop computer. Can you help me with the following:
1. What are the best websites to research a home desktop computer.
2. Can I ask whether you prefer a PC or an Apple Mac?
3. And which desktop computer/model/brand do you prefer?
Your responses will be very helpful and appreciated.
A. Drew
I’ll jump straight into this by answering question two first. I am, and always have been, a PC person, but I can see the appeal of a Mac for many users. I personally feel that if you were to get a Mac, it would be to get a laptop, not a desktop. So, for that reason, I would highly recommend a desktop PC.
Unlike the majority of laptops, which come pre-built with only minor changes allowed, a desktop computer will be very customiseable and not come with a ‘brand’ name (unless, for example, you buy a Dell computer directly from the company). I would always insist on an Intel processor, but, other than that, feel that the majority of graphics cards, types of memory and hard drives are all interchangeable.
In terms of ‘what you need’, I would always start with looking at the packages on offer from a company called MSY and then have a look at other companies such as Harvey Norman.
The reality is, unless you are looking to watch videos in very high definition, run a professional design program, such as Adobe InDesign or Photoshop, or play top of the line games with graphics on full, the majority of systems should be suitable for your needs. The great thing about desktops is that if you purchase a computer and need something with a bit more RAM or space, it is very easy to get this upgraded.
I hope this helps. Finally, I recommend reading this article, which may really help with your final decision.