Information Technology  9 / 10
PC Purchase

From the fact that you J are in this InfoTech course it is likely that you will buy a computer : in the future - if you haven’t already. Thus it is imperative that you become lucid in the language of computers. For example, you may read in the paper:

Presario 456ES
1.9 GHz AMD-Athlon processor
512 MB DDRAM
40.0 GB HD
52x MAX CD-ROM
512 KB L2 cache
64 bit graphics with direct 3D….

What does all this cyber babble mean? Through guided instruction and careful research you are about to find out…are you ready for the challenge?

Task: Your rich Aunt has decided to give you $3500 for the purchase a computer.: , monitor and printer and stuff... However, because of the nature of your life, she won't give you the money until you have created a detailed plan of your purchase. She wants you to provide details on why you chose the computer, software, and the peripherals that you want. For example, if you are going to become a publisher, you would require a high quality durable printer and some good desktop publishing software, and a high end computer with lots of RAM.

Resources: You will use information that you find at various on-line computer stores, and computer information sites.

Write up criteria: You are required to complete a written report to your aunt stating the components you are buying with supporting details why.

Read Up On The Components for Buying Tips



Try the following Addresses for Purchasing




IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU :
  1. State the brand name (company name) and the model number
  2. State attributes/capabilities or parameter details - ex, modem: speed, internal/external? printer: dots per inch (dpi) , pages per minute (ppm)…
  3. Provide a glossary of your acronyms you have used in the body of your report in list form. After each acronym write out (in brackets) the real meaning. Ex, Kbps (kilobits per second) Try these sites :
  4. State the cost. Provide an invoice of your purchase. Remember, that your money is in CANADIAN DOLLARS. If you spend AMERICAN funds, make sure that you do the proper exchange (1 US dollar = 1.6 Canadian dollars)
  5. Include tax (7% PSt and 7% GST)
  6. Provide paragraphs explaining how your purchases relates to your specific use. Ex, I bought the Xircom Realport 10/100 Ethernet PCMCIA +56Kbps v.90 modem ($510) because I am going to be a travelling salesperson - therefore I need a fast modem connection for my laptop computer.

Consider the following :

Central Processing Unit (CPU) sound card
mother board video card
hard drives and hard drive space. modem(
floppy drive < mouse 8
printer software & what bundle is provided
CD ROM Drive ; laptop?
speakers (if you need them) computer case & power supply
joy stick (if you need one) RAM capacity
microphone (if you need one) camera (if you need one)
warrenties Labour/parts - very important service support - telephone support?

Citation: Please cite the company/retailer that you are buying from and their web site(s), as discussed in class. If you have chosen any other resources please provide complete details so that I may be able to confirm the price.