If you’ve never owned a computer before, how do you know what’s the best computer for you?
The best computer for a beginner is the one that fits your budget, space, & plans. So I would shoot for a price point somewhere in the middle with moderate features. Then I’d consider a form factor that fits my space and mobility needs, and lastly, select one that can run the programs I want to use.
This assumes you know what moderate features are, you know where and how you plan to use your new computer, and the programs you want to use. If you’re still stuck, read on, and I’ll expand on that.
What Computer Should a Beginner Buy?
People decide what kind of computer they want to buy based on what they plan to use it for.
If you’re a beginner computer user, your needs are probably still fairly straightforward. You likely want to get on the web so you can watch videos, look things up, or do some banking. You’ll want to be able to do some email. And maybe use some simple office software to write a document or make simple spreadsheets.
You may or may not need a printer. To get all that done, it doesn’t take very much computer.
You would do very well with a mid-level or low-level processor, about 8GB of RAM, and a hard drive of 256GB to 512GB. If you have some ambitions in getting into digital photography, you may want a hard drive in the 512GB to 1TB range, but you would have to be taking a lot of pictures to make that worth it.
A regular hard drive works just as well as a solid-state drive, but a solid-state drive is much faster. Noticeably so. If you have some extra budget for better features, getting a solid-state drive is well worth the money.
If you need to run many programs at the same time, you may want to get 16GB of RAM. To need that, you would have to be running multiple web browsers, several office applications, and several other purpose-driven applications all at the same time. Some people find themselves needing that, but usually, it’s in a workplace setting.
The other reason for needing that much RAM is you may have an application that needs it. You should be able to check the system requirements of that program to verify what you need.
If you have a certain activity that you would like to get into, like gaming or a certain application that’s equally demanding, you should always review the system requirements. This will tell you what you need to run the software you want to use successfully.
What Operating System Should a Beginner Use?
What about Mac vs. Windows vs. Chrome OS? When it comes right down to it, the difference between them really isn’t significant from a beginner’s perspective. All three will do what’s outlined above, but the Mac OS and Windows will give you the flexibility and user experience that people are accustomed to on a computer.
Security and usability on all operating systems have jumped leaps and bounds, but all of them need an antivirus program. That being said, Chrome OS is a web-based operating system akin to Android available on Android phones and tablets. This introduces subtle differences that sometimes people find a bit challenging.
The way to choose when it comes to considering a Mac is, are there Mac applications you really want to use? Do you have an iPad or iPhone? Perhaps a Macbook? Apple devices work really great with other Apple devices, so that might be reason enough alone.
Apple products are considered more premium, and their cost reflects that. Is the price for Apple acceptable to you? When you go to the store and see them or see your friends use them, is the interface more appealing to you? If all of these things are resonating with you, then maybe an Apple product is for you.
When it comes to Windows, are you on a budget? Less expensive options in the Windows variant are available. Do you need to run software that only runs on Windows? Are you used to a Windows computer from work or previous experience? Is it possible you’ll want to play games in the future?
PCs that run Windows are typically upgradable. Do you have an interest in possibly upgrading the machine in the future? These days, the compatibility between Windows computers and other consumer products in the home computer world is excellent. In fact, you might say it’s even a bit better than Apple simply because there are a large number of home and business users.
For those curious about Chrome OS, the best way to use it is where everything is completely online. You have online storage, you use Google productivity software, and the applications you need are mostly web-based. Beyond web apps, the applications available for install are in the Google Play Store.
The Chrome OS runs like an Android tablet in computer form, so any of the apps you would like to install are available. You can browse the selection of applications available by clicking on this link here.
As you can see, it’s possible to have a good experience regardless of the operating system, but you may want to stick to Mac or Windows. Choose the one that feels right for you or that has an advantage for you over the other.
What’s a Good Price for a Beginner Computer?
A good price for a beginner computer is somewhere in the middle, but it can be whatever your budget allows. The reason for suggesting somewhere in the middle is that you don’t want to pay the lowest price and get a lemon. But, on the other hand, you also don’t need to pay the highest price and get something that exceeds your needs.
As part of this, it’s important to compare prices between computers with similar features. For example, when comparing prices, you will want to compare machines with similar amounts of RAM, similar hard drive sizes, and for laptops – similar monitor sizes. Differences here can have a big impact on price.
What are Moderate Computer Features that a Beginner Needs?
You need to pick the features that allow you to run the software you intend to use and connect the peripherals you need to get things done.
To determine that on your own, you will need to read the system requirements for all of the software and peripherals that you intend to use. Out of those specifications, the largest specified feature set becomes your minimum feature set.
For the average beginner, moderate features usually mean the following:
| Processor | Usually 3 levels available: Low or Mid-level is good |
| RAM | 8GB normally or 16GB if you know you need it |
| Hard Drive (Solid-state if you have the budget) | 256GB to 512GB unless you know you need more |
If you need certain ports to connect your devices, you can double-check that you have everything you need but most computers available today have a full host of ports included.
If you’re considering laptops, then the monitor size will be something you have to consider. The larger the monitor, the larger the laptop. The larger it is, the clumsier and heavier it is. I personally find 13″ monitors a bit too small, but I know people who love them.
Personally, I really enjoy using something in the 15″ range. I find that the benefit of a larger monitor starts to wane in comparison to the hassle once you go beyond a 15″ screen size.
What Form Factors are Available to Beginners?
There are three main form factors that a beginner getting into computers will typically consider.
The most common computer for many years was the desktop computer. It gets its namesake because it typically sits on a desk and takes up a decent amount of space. These are still popular but have been somewhat displaced by the tablet.
However, they typically have better performance since they can stay cooler and have lots of room for bigger, faster components. In addition, they use a separate keyboard, mouse, and monitor. It’s even possible to run multiple monitors relatively easily.
Laptops are the next category. They get their namesake from the fact that they’re portable and small enough to use while sitting on your lap. They include an integrated keyboard, mouse/pointing device, and monitor. Unfortunately, laptops often have trouble getting rid of heat, and as a consequence, their performance is negatively impacted.
They can still be quite powerful, but sometimes that means they’re a bit bulky and heavy. Nevertheless, they are prevalent even with those who don’t want to carry them around. Their small footprint makes them ideal for folks who don’t have the space necessary for a desktop.
Tablets are the most recent addition. They get their namesake because they have a likeness to a traditional writing tablet from antiquity. They are small, convenient, and powerful. They let people do most of the things they needed a computer for in a small, efficient package.
Aside from a few exceptions, the tablet looks like a screen with nothing attached to it. The keyboard is part of the touch screen, and the touch screen is used for all mouse functions through different gestures. The interfaces are intuitive and easy to use, making them easy to adopt.
How do I Know What I Need to Run the Programs I Want to Run?
First, find out if the software you want to run is web-based. That means it runs in a browser. If that’s the case, you don’t need to worry about it because you can easily run a browser on almost any computer.
For example, if you want to use the applications provided by Google Workspace, they run on Google’s computers, and you access them through your browser. You don’t actually install anything. Instead, you visit a website with the software running on the vendor’s computers.
If you are buying an application that you need to install on your computer, you need to check. If you buy it from a store, the vendor will write the system requirements on the box. If you buy it online, the software vendor will provide that for you on one of their product description pages. If there’s any doubt, you can search the name of the software followed by “system requirements” without the quotations, and it should come up for you.
Best of luck buying your new computer!