Purchasing a Computer Research Project

PURCHASING A COMPUTER RESEARCH PROJECT

Format:

• Length                   4 – 5 pages, excluding illustrations and bibliography
• Margins                1.5” top, 1" left, right, and bottom
• Spacing                 double-spaced for normal text, single-spaced for long quotes
• Font Size               10 - 12 point
• Font Styles            Times New Roman or Calibri
• Illustrations          welcome if of good quality
• Cover Sheet          optional but suggested – should include topic, course ID, student name, and date.

Attribution:

All works and illustrations used in your paper must be cited; this means crediting the source where you found the information you used to support your work. If you fail to give credit for copyrighted information you present as your own work that constitutes plagiarism, and will be penalized by a zero for the project.

Citing Sources:

• Works used – This is the source material you used to support your research project.
• Works consulted – You probably looked at many sources before you located usable material, and you deserve credit for this research. Your work will be considered for credit for works consulted; list your preliminary sources as consulted works.

Steps to follow:

5. collect three advertisements from a computer magazine, catalog, or search from the Internet
5. Include a table showing comparisons of the 3 computer systems.
5. Write a page or two comparing the three systems. Discuss the differences as well as similarities.
5. Decide which advertisement is the best computer to buy
5. Write a page or two defending your choice.
5. There will be a power point presentation to be presentenced the last week of class detailing your paper.

Consider the following:

1. Purpose:  Think about what tasks you want to accomplish with your computer. Why do you need a computer? What will you be working on? This will help you determine the type and size of the computer you need to purchase.
2. Software:  Which software do you need in order to accomplish the tasks you have outlined in step 1.Review the software available or Test the software in school or else where. Decide on the version--Mac or Windows. Always read the small print on the software package. Find out how much RAM, hard disk space, and speed GHZ is required to install the software.
3. Hardware:  What hardware platform will run the software that you have identified in the above questions? Decide how much RAM, hard disk, and GHZ is required. Decide if you need any peripheral or hardware devices, such as a modem, printer, scanner, fax machine, or microphone. Consider whether or not you want the system to be upgradeable in the future.
4. Cost:  Set up a budget about $1500 for hardware, $ 500 for software.

• Determine what applications you will use on your computer.  This decision will guide you as to the type and size of computer.
• Choose your software first.  Some packages run only on Macintosh computers, others only on a PC. Some packages run only under the Windows operating system.  In addition, some software requires more memory and disk space than other packages.  Most users will want at least word processing and access to the Internet and World Wide Web.
• Be aware of hidden costs.  Realize that some additional costs are associated with buying a computer.  Such costs might include an additional telephone line or outlet to use a modem, computer furniture, consumable supplies such as floppy disks and paper, floppy disk holders, reference manuals on specific software packages, and special training classes you may want to take.  Depending on where you buy your computer, the seller may be willing to include some or all of these in the system purchase price.
• Buy equipment that meets the Energy Star power consumption guidelines.  These guidelines require that computer systems, monitors, and printers reduce electrical consumption if they have not been used for some period of time, usually several minutes.  Equipment meeting the guidelines can display the Energy Star logo. Consider buying from local computer dealers or direct mail companies.  Each has certain advantages.  The local dealer can more easily provide hands-on support, if necessary.  With a mail-order company, you usually are limited to speaking to someone over the telephone.  Mail-order companies usually, but not always, offer the lowest prices.  The important thing to do when you are shopping for a system is to make sure you are comparing identical or similar configurations.
• Use a spreadsheet, such as the own shown above to compare purchase alternatives.  Use a separate sheet of paper to take notes on each vendor's system and then summarize the information on the spread sheet System Cost Comparison Worksheet
• Consider more than just price.  Do not necessarily buy the lowest cost system.  Consider intangibles such as how long the vendor has been in business, its reputation for quality, and reputation for support.
• Do some research; Talk to friends, coworkers, and instructors; Ask what type of system and software they bought and why.  Would they recommend their system and the company they bought it from?  Are they satisfied with their software?  Spend some time at the library or on the Internet reviewing computer periodicals.  Most periodicals have frequent articles that rate systems and software on cost, performance, and support issues.  Check out the Web sites of different system manufacturers for the latest information on equipment and prices.
• Look for free software.  Many system vendors include free software with their systems.  Some even let you choose which software you want.  Free software only has value, however, if you would have purchased it if it had not come with the computer.
• Buy a system compatible with the one you use elsewhere.  If you use a personal computer at work or at some other organization, make sure the computer you buy is compatible.  That way, if you need or want to, you can work on projects at home.
• Avoid buying the smallest system available. Studies show that many users become dissatisfied because they did not buy a powerful enough system. Plan to buy a system that will last you for at least three years. If you have to buy a smaller system, be sure it can be upgraded with additional memory and devices as your system requirements grows.