Copyright 2006 Claire J Rottenberg
Revised May 2008

Deciding on which computer to buy can be a daunting experience, especially in today's world of constantly changing technology. But if you do a little planning and research before buying, the experience will be a much easier and better one.

So where do you start? The first thing to do is make a list of the absolute minimum requirements for your computing needs:

Memory

How much RAM (internal memory) do you need?

The amount of RAM affects the speed of your computer probably more than any other feature so it's important to pay attention to this factor. All Macintosh computers now come with at least 1 GB of RAM and this will probably be adequate if you just use your computer for basic tasks, such as word processing, receiving and sending email messages and Internet surfing. But if you plan on running memory intensive programs, such as games and graphics programs, you'll probably want to purchase a computer with more than 1 GB of RAM.

Hard Drives

How much storage (hard drive capacity) do you need?

Laptops and Mac Minis come with smaller hard drives, but all can be upgraded to larger drives. If you're planning on adding large libraries of music, videos and digital photos to your computer, you probably want to invest in as large a hard drive as possible.

Optical Drives

What kind of optical drive (CD, DVD) do you want? How fast must it be?

All Macs, except the MacBook Air, come with at least a combo CD-RW/DVD-ROM drive. This may be sufficient for your needs if you don't plan on burning either data or video DVDs. But, if you do want DVD burning capabilities, consider adding a DVD writer to your basic computer or purchasing an external DVD writer, which is often faster than an internal one.

Essential Peripherals

Do you need a display, keyboard or mouse?

If you're switching from a PC to a Macintosh computer, you might not be interested in investing in the more expensive all-in-one iMac. The low-end Mac Mini might be a better choice if you already own a good display and a USB keyboard and mouse. If you're a power user, and money is not an obstacle, the Mac Pro might be the right option for you.

Next, consider other needs you might have:

Physical Size

Is physical size of the computer an issue?

Today you have a wide range of sizes for Macs, from the incredibly small Mac Mini to the large PC-sized Mac Pro. Laptops, too, have a range of sizes from the almost weightless, incredibly thin MacBook Air to the extra wide 17" MacBook Pro. Many people don't consider size when purchasing a computer but it can be important, especially if you have limited desk space and prefer to invest money in your new computer rather than in new furniture.

Aesthetics

Do you care about aesthetic appeal?

Related to size is the aesthetic appeal of your new computer. Some Mac computers are attractive enough to add to the beauty of many living rooms. Before making a purchase, think about where you want to place your new computer. If it will be in a hidden away room, looks probably won't matter, but if you want or need to place your computer in a room visible to guests, a Mac Mini or iMac might be the choice for you.

Portability

Do you need portability?

Another important consideration is portability. Will you need to use the computer in different locations or will it be in one set location? Laptops usually come with slower processors and slower and smaller hard drives than desktops, but sometimes sacrificing the power is worth it to gain the portability.

Expandability

Do you need expandability?

If you're a power user, you'll want a computer that can be expanded with time. Most Macs can be expanded with extra RAM, but the low-end models have limited internal expandability. Naturally, adding external peripherals is much less limited, but if you want a laptop computer, you probably will not want to be adding external drives. So, if you need a laptop and also want expandability, you might prefer to purchase a MacBook Pro rather than the lower-cost but slightly less expandable MacBook.

Final Decisions

Now comes a critical factor in narrowing down your choices - cost. How much can you afford for your basic minimum requirements plus any extras you want or need, such as software or a printer?

The next step is to gather information on available Mac computers that fit your budget and needs. Go to the Apple website for your country and check the prices of all the Macs and click on the links for any Macs that fall within your budget. Print out the technical specifications for each Mac you can afford.

For the final step, read each of the technical specification sheets and compare them to the first two lists you made (basic requirements and other needs). After you've decided on the Mac that's right for you, contact your local Apple dealer or place your order online.

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