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A lot of people work with computers these days, and most that do have found a setup that works adequately for them – but for someone just getting into using them computers can be a bit intimidating. On top of there being countless computer manufacturers, there is an endless amount of different types of computers and computer accessories, so finding the best products for you can sometimes be a daunting task. If you are a computer novice who is just starting out, reading this article will help you learn the basics you need to know before heading to the store. After you are done, you should do some additional research, including asking people whether you can try out doing work on their computer. This will prepare you to save money and get something that will be well-suited to your needs. (Never let a salesman take advantage of your naivete.)

 

To begin, let’s first define what is meant in this article by the term ‘computer’ (since historically the word has been used to mean many different things). We will be looking specifically at consumer-grade computers which are operated using a keyboard and a mouse – some of these have touchscreen capabilities similar to tablets, but tablets are generally less powerful and designed more for entertainment. (Laptops also fall under this general category, but instead of a mouse they are operated using a touchpad.) Interesting fact: one of the first meanings for the word computer was someone who solved mathematical problems by hand.

 

When a computer isn’t a laptop, it is called a ‘desktop computer’ and needs an external screen or ‘monitor’ – unless it is an ‘all-in-one’ computer (such as an iMac) that has an internal one. All computers nowadays for the most part have WiFi (wireless Internet) built into them. If they do not, then you’ll have to use an Ethernet cable. If your computer does not have enough USB ports to support the number of peripherals that you are using, you can buy a ‘USB hub’ to increase its number of ports.

 

For run-of-the-mill, “boxy” computers that run a version of Windows, there are two routes you can go: pre-built or custom-made. Pre-built just means all of the computer’s components are assembled by the manufacturer so you don’t have to do the work yourself, but occasionally that means they will skimp on some parts and later on you might not be able to upgrade it. Custom-made means you pick all of the components, assemble them yourself, and then manually install the OS (operating system). Building a computer yourself can be tricky, but each of the components come with instructions for what to do and there are plenty of resources that can help you through the process.

 

The component that is the main workhouse inside of a computer is the CPU (central processing unit). It is responsible for running the OS and turning input (instructions from you the user) into output (new information). Another term for CPU is ‘processor.’ Processors can have multiple cores – separate miniature CPUs that can each do calculations in tandem. The exact CPU you want is dependent on many factors, primarily being: a) what you are trying to do, b) how fast you would like it to go, and c) how much money you have to spend on your computer overall. If you are going to be using your computer to do something sophisticated and complicated (say video editing) you most likely will want a CPU that has more than one core; this will let it accomplish multiple tasks simultaneously. If only speed is an issue for you than you’ll probably want a faster processor. CPUs’ speeds are calculated by how many times they process one-million individual computations in a second, or MHz.

 

If you have a powerful enough CPU and you don’t plan on having your computer generate too many complex images/videos, then you won’t need the next most important component in a computer, which is its GPU (graphics processing unit). GPUs are similar to CPUs but their architecture is specialized to allow them to create detailed images quickly. Both CPUs and GPUs need cooling systems to enable them to operate quickly and for long periods of time – even with a cooler, it is possible for you to cause a computer chip to overheat and break by giving it too many tasks to accomplish at once, or one task that is too difficult. Regular cooling systems consist of a fan and a ‘heat sink’ (a series of metal coils which direct heat away from the chip). More involved cooling systems rely on circulating liquid, or by having your computer’s components submerged in mineral oil.

 

Coming in third on the list of importance is RAM (random-access memory). As opposed to a ‘hard drive,’ which is a data storage device that has to be read by your computer each time in order for its data to be used, RAM stores data in a way that lets your computer access it immediately, over-and-over. You can think of the hard drive as being long-term memory and RAM being short-term memory – long-term takes longer to remember but you have more of it, short-term is quicker to remember but you have less. A computer generally has magnitudes more space on its hard drive(s) than on its RAM.

 

You are probably wondering: “with all these parts in a computer, how do they all fit and work together?” The answer is a ‘motherboard.’ Motherboards are responsible for connecting all a computer’s parts so that they can speak to one another, and they also have a barebones OS on them which activates when you boot your computer up. Motherboards vary in multiple ways, including but not limited to: size, availability of connectors (or ‘slots’) for components, and compatibility with certain processors. It is often advisable to start with the motherboard first, if you are picking out parts for a custom-made computer, because that helps you keep everything under budget.

 

A component every computer needs is a PSU (power supply unit). This part provides regulated electricity to all the other components. It usually has fail safes built into it that protect your computer in case of power surges. PSUs come in different wattages; a standard computer uses about 400 watts. You can use a PSU that has a higher wattage than you need, but it makes more sense to get just the wattage you need – that way you save money.

 

For hard drives you have two options: solid state (SSD) and hard disk (HDD) drives. Solid state drives use a vast array of semiconductors to store information, and have no moving parts, whereas hard disk drives utilize a spinning disc and an articulating arm which writes/reads information onto the disc using electromagnets. Both have their advantages/disadvantages: solid state drives are faster and quiet but they generally offer less space; hard disk drives are slower and they make a noise, but for the most part they offer more space. You can put a combination of SSDs and HDDs into the same computer. Furthermore, you can utilize ‘external’ hard drives, which are regular hard drives inside of portable enclosures which can be attached to your computer using USB cables.

 

It is important to pick the right case for your computer because you want to make sure that all of the components you buy are going to fit inside of it, and you want it to have good airflow to prevent overheating. Buying a case that has a little extra space means that you can upgrade your computer more easily down the road. Also, depending on how important it is to you, you can buy a case that fits with the décor of your office or home.

 

Buying the right monitor is a matter of personal preference. Bigger screens give you more room to have more program windows visible, but they are more expensive, they take up more space on your desk, and they tax GPUs more. There are special types of monitors available, including extra-wide monitors and monitors that are curved to provide easier viewing angles. Different monitors have different ‘refresh rates,’ which is the speed at which they display a new image. A TV can be used as a monitor, but in general it is uncomfortable using one up close. You can buy wall-mounting kits for computer monitors as well as arms that let you swivel them around. Additionally, you can buy security films which go on them and restrict the angles at which one can see what is being displayed. FYI: you can attach multiple monitors to a single computer (including laptops and all-in-one computers).

 

The right keyboard is also a matter of taste. Some keyboards are ‘mechanical,’ meaning they have thicker keys that have springs attached to their underside. These are bigger, louder, and usually more expensive, but some people argue they are easier to type on because you can use them more precisely. Other keyboards are flat and small, similar to those you find on laptops. You can buy ‘ergonomic’ keyboards – keyboards which have unique designs that might help you type better and for longer. Also, you can buy waterproof keyboards (in case you ever spill your coffee).

 

Computer mice can be bought cheaply, but if you are going to be using it a lot you should spend a little more money on one. You can buy wireless mice that let you not have to worry about the cord getting caught on things, but for these you have to charge them or replace their batteries. Or, you can buy a mouse that has more buttons than the traditional two, which you can use to set up custom timesaving commands. Also, you can buy a ‘trackball’ mouse (a mouse which you don’t have to move around to move the cursor, instead you rotate a glossy ball).

 

Unless they function using Bluetooth (short range wireless communication), wireless mice and keyboards require you to plug in a ‘dongle’ (a small USB device which sends out and receives radio waves). One way you can free up a USB port is you can buy a ‘keyboard+mouse’ combo pack, which lets your keyboard and mouse work off the same dongle.

 

Finally, once you have your actual computer squared away it now becomes time to think about your workstation itself. Changes to your workstation may need to be made to accommodate your computer, like clearing away other things to make room or turning everything so that you don’t have to deal with glare. Tripping on wires may cause injury or damage to your computer, so it is prudent that you spend some time planning where your cables can go so they won’t get in harms way. If your computer is going in your home, with a long wire (or through the use of streaming) you can beam what your computer is displaying to your TV, so afterwards your workstation may then span multiple rooms.