Buying a Computer

                  (The Whole Family Project)

Involve the whole family for even more Extra Credit

 Part 1 - Define the components of a computer, see list below

Part 2 - Find three newspaper, Internet, or magazine advertisements such as Computer Resource or Computer Edge  that advertise new computers.  Cut these out.  You will need to paste these to this project so that I can see the computers that you choose..

 Part 3 -  Look at the advertisements and fill in an Excel Spreadsheet comparing the components of each.  Notice that you have to list the components i.e. hard drive, etc. separate, even if included in the total cost. .   Using Part 1 as a guide, fill in Part 2   See sample below.

Add up your total cost of each.  Include tax of 7.75%.  If you order it off the Internet, what is the Postage and Delivery cost?

 Part 4   NOW -- you make your selection to buy your own computer.  You are looking for the best buy and justifying to me why it is the best buy.

Fill in the table on buying a computer.  You have $1250.00 to spend.  Don’t forget 7.75% tax.  Attach all of your ads to this assignment.

• Complete Part 3.  Tell me why you and your family chose to buy one of the computers.

• Have your parents sign Part 3, if they participated in this assignment.

HELP -- I DON’T KNOW HOW TO BUY A COMPUTER,

 LET ALONE WHAT RAM IS!

Part 1

Use all of your sources of information to tell about the computer terms listed.  You need to know these in order to buy the best computer for your needs, at home or at work.  Use all of your sources - Yourself, your friends, your parents, grandparents, neighbors, Internet, teachers, books, telephone calls to vendors, newspapers, magazines, etc.

1.    Find out what the list of words on the next page mean.  (Define them)

2.    Tell what different types of components there are.

3.    Tell why one kind is better then the other.  I.e. 5200 rpm Hard Drive vs 7200, available cache, etc. 180 GHz with 8 mg buffer, ATA /100

4.    Consider speed, cost, functionality

5.    What are the specifications?

CD-ROM            (Example)  12X, 24X - SCSI, PCI -  “Seek time” (how long it takes to find the place on the disk that you want) -- Look at the specifications, “Data rate”.  You’re looking for the things that make one better than the other and why you would prefer it and the price  

Worksheet for Part 1

Terms that you need to know about when you buy a computer and the components that accompany it.

1.  Processor

 2.  Hard Drive (Disk)

3.  Keyboard – types and differences.  What does ergonomic mean in relation to keyboards?

4.  RAM Memory - Type

5.  Monitor (Flat Screen or CRT)

6.  Modem or Network Card – Which one do you need for telephone, and which one for cable?  What’s the difference

7.  Mouse – What are the different kinds?  What makes a mouse ergonomic?

8.  Operating System – Windows 9X, NT, 2000, AppleTalk, OS3, etc.  What is it, why is it needed, what does it do?

9.  CD ROM/DVD Drive/Reader/Writer

10.  Video Card - AGP

11.  Sound Card

12.  Speakers

13.  Printer (types available)

14.  Scanner

15.  Digital Camera

16.  Software  - what allows you to word processing, play games, look up information, pay bills on-line, Internet access (Browser, Netscape, Internet Explores)  Internet Provider (AOL, Cox etc.)

Remember Office XP costs around $399. 

List Examples and the cost of each.  Do these fit into your budget?

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Warranty – A guarantee from the company that if something goes wrong on your computer they will fix that problem, or replace the part for a certain amount of time.

Explain any additional item that you think your computer should have and explain why  (

Buying a Computer

Part 2

Select 3 comparable computers from advertisements.  Cut these out, paste them to a paper, use as a resource for Part 3, and turn in with all of project.

Buying a Computer

 Part 3 

Excel Spreadsheet

Example – all three computers need to be on the same spreadsheet

Buying A Computer

Part 4

Justify what computer is your final choice and why?

Family Project - Get even more Extra Credit if done as a family!!!!!!  Parents must sign final project stating that they were involved in the project and why the computer chosen was the "Family Choice."

Lynn A. OlpsÓ  

October 2, 1998