Common Terms to know when Shopping for a Computer

Buying a computer usually feels like a chore because the industry loves to hide behind a bunch of acronyms. If you are looking for a machine that just works without the headache, you really only need to focus on four main components. Here is the plain English version of what actually matters when you are shopping.

CPU - Central Processing Unit, or Processor

The CPU is the brain of the operation. If you see Intel Core i3 or i5, or Ryzen 3 or 5, you are in the sweet spot for everyday use. You don't need a high end gaming processor to check your email, browse the web, or watch videos. A mid range chip from the last few years is more than enough for a fast experience.  i7 or Ryzen processors are great if you're looking to do higher end photo editing, video production (with an added GPU), or CAD/CAM work.

RAM - Random Access Memory, or Memory

RAM is what allows you to have multiple tabs open in your browser or keep your email open while you work on a document. In today's world, 8GB is the bare minimum, but 16GB is the gold standard. If a computer has less than 8GB of RAM, it is going to feel sluggish no matter how fast the rest of the parts are.

SSD / HDD - Solid State Drive / Hard Disk Drive

These are your storage spaces for files and the operating system. An HDD is an old school hard drive with moving parts. They are slow, but are okay for secondary storage such as videos, photos, and music.  An SSD is a solid state drive; it has no moving parts and is significantly faster (5x+). If you buy a computer today, make sure it has an SSD. It is the single biggest factor in making a computer feel snappy when you turn it on or open a program.

OS - Operating System, Usually Windows, Linux, of macOS

The last thing to consider is the operating system. Most people are used to Windows, but it comes with a lot of extra "bloat" that slows things down over time. This is why many users are moving toward Linux. It is a lightweight alternative that stays fast, handles updates better, and is generally more secure for things like online banking.

When you are looking at a listing, don't get distracted by fancy lights or marketing speak. Check the processor, make sure there is enough memory, and insist on a solid state drive. If those three things are solid, the computer will do exactly what you need it to do.