From the Geek Desk Computer

Shopping Part I

by Jeremy dePrisco

As a self-described geek, I’m often approached by friends and family for advice on buying computers. Over the years, after purchasing and building my own machines, and after helping many others, I’ve come up with a script for this advice. It goes something like this. Many folks get bogged down in computer prices and specs. Take a step back and answer two simple questions:

1. What do you want to do with your new machine?

2. Specifically, what programs do you want to run?

Find the minimum specs for any programs you want to run, then work backwards from there toward possible machines. If you are mainly a business user, just about any machine on the market today is going to have the power you need for basic accounting, correspondence and social media use.

When you start thinking about more specialized uses (audio, gaming, video, programming), there are other considerations.

Let’s say that I want to do some video production for fun, clipping together family videos and travel clips to post on YouTube. I can use a number of video editors, but I’ve selected Davinci Resolve, because a powerful free version is available. The Davinci Resolve minimum requirements are: Windows 10 or later; 16 GB of system memory (32 GB for intense graphics work)

• Intel core i7 or AMD

Ryzen 7 CPU

• Integrated or discrete GPU with at least 2GB of VRAM and supports OpenCL 1.2 or CUDA 11 and the Latest driver Blackmagic Design Desktop Video 10.4.1 or later

• A fast Solid State Hard Drive (SSD) macOS 11 Big Sur or later; 8 GB of system memory (16 GB for intense graphics work)

• M1 Apple Silicon CPU (or intel core i7 on older macs)

• Integrated GPU or discrete GPU with at least 2GB of VRAM and supports Metal or OpenCL 1.2

• A fast Solid State Hard Drive (SSD)

For the sake of brevity, I am going to leave Linux out of the discussion for now. But we’ll come back to this in a future installment.

Regardless of which platform you choose (Mac or PC), there are some common threads here. More RAM is better. An SSD is highly recommended.

Digging deep into how the machine will be used will go a long way to making the proper purchase for your budget. Understanding your goals will help avoid any buyer’s remorse or problems with a machine that becomes outdated too quickly. Computers always become outdated. The name of the game is to elongate their useful life as much as possible by making good choices up front.

In my next installment, I’ll dig deeper into the specs above, and share some additional thoughts on how to make an informed purchase.

Scouts from Pack & Troop 25 recently helped honor the veterans on Memorial Day by placing American flags on the graves in Laurel and St Patrick’s Cemeteries.

Submitted photo

Cornhole Tourney in White Haven

The White Haven Sports Association will host its inaugural Cornhole Tournament on Saturday, June 17 at the Lehigh Ball Park. There will be live entertainment with “Better With Beer” performing, food, a beverage tent, and cash prizes for winners.

A History of White Haven Baseball will be presented by Irv Carter. This event is for all ages, but you must be 21 to drink, and have valid IDs to purchase alcoholic beverages. Registation will start at noon with first bags being thrown at 1. A basket of cheer will be raffled off. Sign up on Facebook. Cost is $50 per team.