EMachines T3104 - 256 MB RAM User Manual

Buying a New Computer October 6, 2005 1 BUYING A COMPUTER Sources Circulars in the (Sunday) papers J&R Computer World (downtown) PC

Buying a New Computer October 6, 2005 10 MONITORS Monitors basically come in two types: • CRT (big box) monitors • LCD flat-screen monitors Box

Buying a New Computer October 6, 2005 11 PERIPHERALS Keyboard This will come with your new computer at no charge. You can buy a fancier one for $2

Buying a New Computer October 6, 2005 12 printer, meaning much more frequent cartridge replacement. Recommended brand: HP. Problem brands: Eps

Buying a New Computer October 6, 2005 13 USB PORTS USB ports are essential for adding peripherals to your computer (mouse, printer, DVD-ROM drive,

Buying a New Computer October 6, 2005 14 SOFTWARE Microsoft Office (MS Word, Excel, etc.) Microsoft Word is the one program that’s almost essentia

Buying a New Computer October 6, 2005 15 http://www.adobe.com/ and click the “Get Adobe Acrobat Reader” button. It’s often pre-installed at the fact

Buying a New Computer October 6, 2005 16 CONNECTING TO THE INTERNET Almost everyone wants to connect to the Internet, and you do this through an I

Buying a New Computer October 6, 2005 17 • Ties up your telephone line. • Some minor problems connecting at peak times, along with some unexplaine

Buying a New Computer October 6, 2005 18 • Little down time. If you have a problem, Time Warner is extremely helpful on the phone and they’ll corre

Buying a New Computer October 6, 2005 19 EXAMPLE #1

Buying a New Computer October 6, 2005 2 computers sold (good track record) and Gateway and Compaq desktops and laptops are the most problematic with

Buying a New Computer October 6, 2005 20 EXAMPLE #2

Buying a New Computer October 6, 2005 21 EXAMPLE #3 EMACHINES T3104 Specifications CPU: AMD Sempron™ 3100+ Processor (64-bit) (256KB L2 cache, 1.

Buying a New Computer October 6, 2005 22 2-Button Wheel Mouse, Amplified Stereo Speakers Dimensions: 14.25"H x 7.25"W x 16.00"D Port

Buying a New Computer October 6, 2005 23 THE CHECKLIST Here’s some critical questions I’d confirm via telephone when ordering a computer. Even if

Buying a New Computer October 6, 2005 24 □ What software is bundled (comes automatically installed) with this machine? (Make sure you get MS Word &a

Buying a New Computer October 6, 2005 3 DESKTOP VS. LAPTOP Desktop  Takes up space, ugly cables, etc.  Can be attached to a big wide monitor.

Buying a New Computer October 6, 2005 4  Keyboard much harder to use than a desktop monitor, especially if you grew up using a typewriter.  At h

Buying a New Computer October 6, 2005 5 PROCESSORS (=BRAIN OF COMPUTER) The processor (“chip”) is always called the brain of the computer, but ma

Buying a New Computer October 6, 2005 6 RAM The RAM (random access memory) is the memory the computer is going to use while it’s actually in ope

Buying a New Computer October 6, 2005 7 HARD DRIVE (=STORAGE UNIT) The hard drive (sometimes written “HD”) is the actual storage unit that’s going

Buying a New Computer October 6, 2005 8 DRIVES Floppy disc These used to be standard on every Mac & PC, but they’re rapidly disappearing on M

Buying a New Computer October 6, 2005 9 DVD drive The DVD drive is just like a DVD player that attaches to your television. Insert DVD, watch DVD