Computer experts opinions between desktop PC choices.?

Question

I GB memory vs 2 GB for someone who is not a gamer and only uses the PC for e-mail, internet searches, and college work - - also, hard drive: 320 GB vs 250GB.
How much is really needed for reasonable efficiency?

Windows Vista vs XP for non-networked, single person, home use.
This is a gift for a friend. I want to get enough but not pay for capacity that will not be needed. Added note - speed of internet may be limited by her connection which is in the mountains beyond cable services. Only wireless access
other than the snail paced dial up. Strength of wireless service varies from 2 to 3 bars - if this affects speed (which is another facet I do not know). Thanks and Merry Christmas.

Answer 1

aah. Here still I prefer 2GB computer with Vista because in future 2 GB will only work. nobody will care about a 1GB ram, because new upcoming future softwares will need more RAM. u know what I m sayin.

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Answer 2

If I were you I would get XP, Vista has to many bugs to get worked out, 1 gig of memory is good and a 250 gig hard drive is plenty, I would take the wireless Internet but I would ask the I.S.P or Internet service provider to boost the signal, 2 bars I think would be iffy, 3 bars is do able, hope that helped you and good luck.

Answer 3

1GB with XP 2GB with Vista. As far as the hard drive the difference between a 250GB and 320GB drive is about $15.
AS far as Vista versus XP I prefer Vista altho I have a lot of puters with both OS on them--even a Mac with OS X. New puters with enough ram are ok with Vista usually. I guess that would depend on what she would be more comfortable with which is probably XP. You can always upgrade to Vista and a lot of Vista rigs cant be downgraded to XP because of drivers etc. Her printer may not be compatible with Vista either, especially if its a Lexmark cuz Lexmark is really dragging their heels getting Vista drivers out. If shes a college girl perhaps you should consider getting her a wireless laptop unless she already has a laptop.

Answer 4

In case of Hard Disk ( HDD ) 250 GB is enough for home use. ( Use SATA to connect HDD )

If u r using Vista, the requirment is very higher than the XP


Windows Vista Home Premium / Business / Ultimate recommended system requirements,

1 GHz 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor

1 GB of system memory


if u r using Vista Home Basic,System Requirements are
1 GHz 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor

512 MB of system memory

20 GB hard drive with at least 15 GB of available space

Support for DirectX 9 graphics and 32 MB of graphics memory

40 GB hard drive with at least 15 GB of available space

Support for DirectX 9 graphics with:

WDDM Driver

128 MB of graphics memory (minimum)

Pixel Shader 2.0 in hardware

32 bits per pixel

If u have 1-2GB RAM, It will increase the system efficiency ( in the terms of speed ).

If u r using XP, U r not required this much of configure.

Go ahead and give him .....

Answer 5

1 gig is good enough for memory, 250 gig hard disk is too much you can lower the size. Windows XP home is perfect, wireless connection has bandwith capacity. Ask the isp provider for wireless connection 2 mb is goood enough.

Answer 6

short answer: Macs are in lots of cases exceedingly rapid with the aid of fact they incorporate good of the line hardware. on the comparable time even if, you ought to surely get a plenty quicker and greater effectual pc for the comparable fee. With macs, you pay for the layout, mutually as with desktops the charges are plenty greater effectual and greater precise with what they comprise long answer: velocity is relative, a mac isn't quicker than a pc or vise versa, it relies upon on the variety and specs. while it consists of desktops there are merely approximately countless quantities of variables that result a desktops layout and function, however the main issues are as follows: processor: in lots of cases intel, the form of processors (quad, duo, single), the l2 cache and the fee (in lots of cases between one million.2ghz(undesirable) and a pair of.8-3.5 (solid)) verify how solid a processor is. (it is unquestionably substantial) ram: generally neglected, it is the non everlasting memory accessible for the processor to apply. it somewhat is needed to velocity, and unquestionably upgradable. 512mb-1gb of ram is exceedingly sluggish 2gb is nice 4gb is powerful and 8gb is a lot. stressful rigidity: exceedingly trouble-free right here, the bigger it somewhat is, the greater you could in superb condition on it. 80gb is reducing it close, two hundred is nice, and adequate for many human beings, 500gb is a lot. photographs card: it is thoroughly irrelevent except you play video games. in case you dont play video games, and you dont do something like 3-D modeling, then dont situation approximately this, in any different case, the greater effectual the photographs card is, the greater effectual you video games will look, and the smoother they are going to play improve look into that, i over replied your question

Answer 7

1GB if it's XP, 2GB if it's Vista. Either hard drive would be sufficient. XP is far easier for most people but if they're a bit experienced with computers then Vista would be fine.
What about cellular internet? Other than that they would probably be stuck with satellite.

Answer 8

1 GB is fine if you use XP...which it sounds like you should.
250 GB will be more than sufficient.

Look into getting high speed satellite ISP if you are not worried about spending a little money to get it
http://www.skycasters.com/

Good luck

Answer 9

i GB of memory should do.....250GB should be plenty of space unless you're into video editing or downloading 1,000's of songs or movies...get XP cuz there are still a lot of problems with vista and it's a resource hog....2 or 3 bars should still give you full speed ...and merry xmas to you, too