A shopper's guide

Purchasing a new computer can be a difficult decision. The computer store or online ads will tout the benefits of a 64-bit processor with a dual-, triple- or quad-core processor and a couple gigabytes of memory. There are two primary CPU manufacturers: Intel and AMD. Intel has better brand recognition so it generally charges a small premium over AMD CPUs. The author focuses on CPUs for Windows-based computers because of the wide range of options available for a Windows-based operating system. A common mistake is spending a lot of money on the latest computer to do basic computing tasks. If e-mail, Web surfing and word processing are the primary uses for a computer, there's no need to invest big dollars in a performance computer. A buyer should consider other choices. The type of monitor, keyboard, mouse or trackball is a personal choice. The last thing any buyer should consider is the brand.