ICT Assignment Part 3

For this part of the assignment we were asked to write a report explaining the factors we would need to consider when buying a computer for this course.

In my opinion computers are an integral component for this course. Technology is a huge part of this course not only for ICT and Multimedia Design but we need it for all our other modules too.

Having purchased a new laptop in September this year for this course I considered these factors:

1. Price- Everyone knows that most students are strapped for cash so an affordable price is essential but at the same time you want value for your money so it is important to find a computer that has all the features you need for a reasonable price.

2. Portability- a laptop is ideal for students as they can easily transport it from home to college and vice versa, while still having the power and storage of a regular P.C.

3. Memory- good memory storage is really a really important factor to consider when buying a computer. You have to decide what you need your computer to store, whether it be tons of music, pictures and videos, which would require a lot of memory space, or if you just need your computer for college work.

4. Processor- the better the processor the faster your computer will perform so this would be a vital point I would consider when buying a laptop, there is nothing more frustrating than a slow computer.

5. Operating System- everyone has their own personal preferences when it comes to the operating system, some people prefer Windows XP others prefer Vista. I personally prefer XP as I find it easier to operate than Vista.

6. Software- Not all computers contain the software you need in the price given, you may need to purchase the software separately, which can be very expensive. So you should make sure that your computer contains software you would need such as Microsoft word, PowerPoint etc. that are essential for this course.

7. Security Software- Many things we download off the internet have harmful viruses that can completely infect your computer and destroy important files, so it is important to have protection against such viruses. A good security package like Norton Antivirus or Bulldog Antivirus software is quite expensive but in the long run it’s worth it.

8. External Optical Drive- some computer systems do not contain a CD or DVD drive which I think is important to have. You should make sure you have one on your computer that you intend to buy or you will have to buy an external drive which would cost more money.

9. Battery Life- I would want a long battery life for my computer so if I was on the go and didn’t have my charger with me my battery wouldn’t die quickly. Also charging your laptop constantly is a waste of electricity, if you use your laptop all the time and are charging it all the time your electricity bills will be higher.

10. Wireless Connectivity- as a student I am always using the internet for researching for assignments. Wireless internet would be better for me as I am always on the go and hate wires hanging everywhere.

11. Speakers- as part of this course YouTube is used a lot for psychology related videos, so speakers are essential, some laptops don’t include speakers so you would have to buy them separately. I would make sure they were built into the laptop rather than buy them separately and have to plug them in all the time which would be a hassle.

A good website to see various factors to consider is www.dell.ie. This site lets you virtually build your own computer.