Speed Dating a PC

This is the first post for the category “Tech Support.” It will feature any tech questions and support that will help the lost beginner.

The title may have thrown you off. This article is actually about choosing the right PC using the Speed Dating method. I used this method when I bought my laptop a year ago.

School is coming. Students are working hard to earn minimum wage. Some are saving up for University/College funds. Some are just saving up so they can get some pocket money. And then there’s you. As a teenager, you want to buy your own computer. Fact is, the computer that you already have was bought by someone else. That someone isn’t you. So, you plan to buy a PC.

After working hours and hours at that popular fast food restaurant, you finally saved up enough money to buy a PC. Now what?

Ask yourself the following questions in exact order.

1. Do I really need it? (If yes, continue)
2. What am I going to use it for? (Answers may vary)
3. Do I have the money for it? (If yes, continue)

Now that you have all the things needed – objective and cash – you may now begin to think about buying a computer!

Before you begin with the Speed Dating method, you WILL need the following:

• The money, of course…
• A little bit of PC knowledge
• Two to three hours of your day

The idea of this method is simple. Given the two to three hour time frame, you go to your nearest electronics retail store (ex. Best Buy or Future Shop etc), go to the computers section and “date” any computer that catches your eye. This is where PC knowledge comes in. Learn about its features, performance, hardware and software. Take a look at its processor, how much RAM it has (and can handle), what operating system (although most of the time it will be Windows 8, but if you get lucky, get Windows 7), and all of its specifications. List them down so that later, when looking at other PCs, you’ll be able to compare them against each other. Give yourself at least fifteen minutes per computer and switch to another one. By this rate, you’ll be able to look at eight computers in two hours. Use the last hour for figuring what you need to purchase like warranty, setup and other software. Then, use your money to buy it. Make sure you take into account all the taxes the government adds in when purchasing an electronic device.

It actually took me approximately one hour to figure out which laptop to buy. It was probably because I planned it before and did my research online. I just had to check it out myself in a demo at Best Buy to see if I liked it.

This is a great method to use when buying your first PC because not only do you gain a great PC, you also gain knowledge about the pros and cons of different types of computers.

Keep Chewing!

Apple Fanboys

I read this article from Business Insider about Apple fanboys. I know multiple Apple Seeds*, and this article seems to point out obvious things about them.

Crazy Things Apple Fanboys Believe that Aren’t Actually True

*I call those Apple fanboys Apple Seeds. It seems appropriate enough.

How does one define an Apple fanboy? There are a few things that one must have to be considered an Apple Seed. Here’s my take on it.

Apple always have the best internal hardware

This is completely ridiculous. Sure, Apple design their products to look great, but it does not necessarily mean they have the most powerful processing power ever. In fact, when most smartphones had at least an 8 megapixel camera, the iPhone 4 (in its generation) did not. Of course, Apple has come a long way since then with their iPhone 5 and all its new features like the larger size screen – approximately 10% larger… That’s about it.

Also, let’s think about how the iPhone is built. I’m pretty sure if I drop an iPhone 4S or 5, it will surely crack the screen and it’s fragile body. Plus, fixing hardware issues is so expensive with Apple. Water damage repair could cost you a maximum of $950! In conclusion, their hardware is not the best.

Apple’s “Famous” Operating Systems

I’ll give it to Apple, they have the most “user-friendly” interface and environment. It looks pretty and it works well. This does not mean that their OS is the best. Linux is increasing in popularity, Windows is still a powerhouse and the Mac OS X is following behind. Functionality wise, Windows is friendlier. In the media, Apple products are more popular. Other than that, one cannot argue that the Mac OS X is the best. It’s only better in certain aspects and situations.

Apple products are virus-free

Total misunderstanding. Apple products are as vulnerable as Windows. As Windows get their BSODs, Macs get KPs (Kernel Panic). You can fix this by reinstalling the OS or changing the logic board.

To all the Apple fanboys out there, silence.

I don’t consider myself a Windows fanboy. I consider myself a PC fanboy.

Keep Chewing!