TAKE THE MYSTERY OUT OF
buying your next computer BY ANASTASIA SLESAREVA
You’ve likely spent a good portion of the last 15 to 16 months using your computer as your primary connection to family, friends, and the world at large. During the pandemic, we developed new habits and skills, using computer software apps and programs we hadn’t even heard of before. We ordered groceries online, traveled virtually, streamed live performances, sent hundreds and thousands of emails, submitted our tax returns, and paid bills, along with a host of other tasks. Your computer or laptop may not have always behaved as expected or needed but you put aside notions of purchasing a new one, at least until now. In fact, most computers need to be replaced about every four years. Computer hardware ages and technology is advancing faster than ever. And, as we experienced this past year, our needs change, too. If your trusty desktop is no longer keeping up with new demands or if your older laptop is too bulky and slow, how do you go about selecting a new machine? Admittedly, it can seem like an overwhelming task so we reached out to local tech specialist Paul Lakis, the owner of EB Computing, Inc. in Ossining, NY to learn how to select the best computer for a variety of needs.
1. LAPTOP OR DESKTOP Consider your lifestyle and needs when deciding between a laptop or a desktop computer. They each have their pros and cons. A laptop is easy to carry and can be put away in a drawer, whereas new life can be brought to a desktop as aging internal components can be replaced. If you work or browse from multiple locations, or simply prefer a lightweight computer, look at laptops. If you have a permanent work area, a desktop can make sense. Neither option is more powerful than other, as that depends on the internal components, which are customizable. (Important tip: If you experience power outages in your area, a laptop could prove more reliable because of its built-in battery.) 2. MAC, PC OR CHROMEBOOK Finding the best computer for your needs and wants means deciding between an Apple Mac or a Windows PC (Personal Computer). Popular brands like Dell, HP, Asus, Lenovo and oth-
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ers offer different laptop and desktop models, each running the Windows OS (Operating System). Apple Mac computers all come with a version of the macOS (Macintosh Operating System), the latest one being Catalina. Consider carefully whether you’re willing to adapt to a Mac if you’ve never used one before. Same goes for Mac users who are thinking of switching to a PC. Re-training can be frustrating for users of any age because many computer habits are dependent on muscle memory, especially when using a new mouse. When it comes to security, Apple MacBooks are known to be reliable right out of the box. However, PCs can be just as malware-proof if set up properly. Don’t hesitate to look for help in this area because today’s malware, also known as computer viruses, are increasingly sophisticated and dangerous to your data. A significantly less expensive option is a Chromebook. Chromebooks look like smaller laptops but don’t have their own internal storage, meaning you wouldn’t be able to save files to the machine itself. Instead, everything on a Chromebook is saved to either Google drive or a cloud storage location such as Dropbox or Microsoft OneDrive. You would not be able to install programs on a Chromebook either. Instead, you would use apps available through Google Play Store. Chromebooks are the least powerful machines, but if you are look-
summer 2021
