Cheap PCs

Cheap PCs are perfectly adequate for most home internet businesses and when you're planning what you need to get up-and-running, please don't make the mistake of thinking that you have spend hundreds of pounds or dollars on a high-end piece of kit that will exceed your requirements.

This article will give you an idea of the minimum specification that you should be aiming for when sorting out IT equipment for your new internet venture.

For normal use, you shouldn't be spending more that £400-£500 on your laptop or PC.

The big question - what will you be using it for?

My advice of buying cheap PCs applies if you'll be performing the following basic tasks:

- Writing and retrieval of emails
- Routine use of internet (ie surfing and checking your web pages)
- Creation of documents using Microsoft Word, OpenOffice or similar
- Use of basic photo editor such as Photoshop Elements
- Routine storage of photos and videos (ie domestic usage, rather than professional)

If you're intending to get heavily into video storage and editing you need to take different, more specialist advice as you will need to pay particular attention to the amount of disc space available for saved files, firewire cable options and the amount of RAM, which will need to be as high as possible.

In addition, if you're using your PC or laptop for gaming, you need to pay particular attention to graphics cards, and again, you should take specialist advice.

Cheap PCs: Laptop or PC?

The price of laptops has dropped so significantly in recent years, I can't really imagine anybody buying a conventional PC any more, unless it's important that the installation is fixed in one place.

With wireless broadband now available to most people, whether they're at home or on the move, who wants to be tied down to one place?

In the summer I produce pages for this website whilst sunning myself in the garden, but having a laptop also means that I can take my business with me on the move whilst on holiday or away on business.

So my Cheap PCs tip is to buy a laptop ... or if you like really small, a Netbook.

Cheap PCs: The jargon explained

When you buy your laptop, you'll be presented by certain key information, which may read like a foreign language to you.

Here's a simple summary of the key information that you need to be looking out for:

# Processor: The higher the number of Megahertz (MHZ) the faster the processor should be.

Tip: Look for Dual Core processors ... Quad core is probably a bit 'high end' for casual users seeking cheap PCs. Aim as high as you can get on your budget, and remember that processor and RAM work together ... so go as high as you can with both. Aim for over 500Mhz with 1MB cache as standard.

# Hard Drive Capacity: The bigger the capacity the more you can store.

Tip: 160GB is standard these days and is more than adequate for normal domestic use. Remember that you can always buy a cheap external hard drive if you need more space.

# Screen Size/Type: This is a matter of personal preference, though if you'll be using your laptop for long stretches, go for a large, clear screen that's easy on the eyes.

# RAM Memory: Stands for 'random access memory' and is the cheapest and easiest way to boost the speed of your unit.

Tip: 1GB is standard in cheap laptops nowadays, and this is perfectly adequate for routine use. However, aim as high as you can within your budget.

# Operating system: This comes pre-loaded and will usually be Windows Vista Home Premium or similar.

Tip: I personally dislike Windows Vista and opted to use Windows XP on my new business laptop. It's hard to avoid Vista, so don't be too upset if this is the only operating system that's offered with cheap PCs.

# Wireless enabled: Allows you to work cable free.

Tip: Most cheap PCs have this as standard these days ... but do check!

# Battery life: Performance is getting better and better with cheap PCs, but do take care to make sure you have a battery with some 'oomph'.

Tip: If you're planning to use your laptop wirelessly, aim for at least 2 hours battery life so that you're not encumbered by mains cables.

# Optical drives: This is a posh name for a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive.

Tip: Make sure you've got DVD access if this is important to you, though it's pretty standard these days.

# USB connections:

Tip: The more connections the computer has the more equipment you can connect e.g. printer, scanner, digital camera or extranal hard drive. Count up the items that you'll want to connect to your PC and make sure that you have enough USB connections. Aim for at least four.

Cheap PCs: Miscellaneous tips

# A PC will probably be replaced after 3 years, so remember that you're not making a purchase for life

# If you listen to music whilst working, make sure your audio sockets are located at the side or rear of your cheap PC ... cables get in the way if they're located at the front of a unit.

# Beware of companies selling you ad-ons which you don't need. See my page on Starting an internet business for tips and advice on freebies and low cost options to protect your PC.

# Don't buy product warranties. You're protected for a year ander standard consumer warranty anyway - which is long enough to determine if you've got a faulty unit - and your home or business insurance will cover many of the other 'nasties' which can hit your PC.

# I bought my own business laptop from Dell because they give you the most flexible customization options that I've been able to find. At the time of purchase, I was also able to get a Windows XP operating system from Dell laptops when everybody else was loading Vista as standard.

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