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Criteria For Selecting A Computer System

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31 views2 pages

Criteria For Selecting A Computer System

Uploaded by

wambuidorcas261
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Criteria for Selecting a Computer System

1. Hardware considerations
i). Processor type and speed
The price of a computer is dictated by the type of microprocessor installed and its clock speed. A
good computer must have high processor speed of over 4GHz

ii). Memory capacity


Should have a sufficient memory to handle the heavy applications that require a lot of memory
space in order to run. A computer with at least 128MB of RAM is recommended. Memory
capacity dictates the operating system and the application that can run efficiently on the
computer.

iii). Warranty
The hardware bought must have a warranty cover and must be guaranteed for a specific period of
time. Warranty is an agreement between the buyer and the seller that spells out terms and
conditions of, after selling a product in case of failure or malfunction
A good warranty should cover the following:
o Duration e.g. six months, one year, etc. the least warrant period should be at least 1 year.
In most cases, the longer the warranty the better the hardware.
o How comprehensive is the warranty? Does it cover all the parts of a computer?
o Whether the warranty offer onsite support, so that you don’t need to take the computer
back to the seller / manufacturer in case something goes wrong.
o Call-out response and liability agreement e.g. how long should the supplier take to repair
a fault or replace the product and if he/she delays who bears the cost.
o Preventive maintenance for example regularity of service at intervals etc.

iv). Cost
The cost of computers is related to the size and additional components that may come with the
computer. The cost depends on:
- Its processing capability
- Whether it is branded or a clone. Branded computers are more expensive than their
equivalent clones because of the reliability and good after sale services
- Its size – portable computers are more expensive than desktops because of the superior
technology involved to manufacture smaller computer components without losing
performance abilities.
Do market survey from magazines, newspapers and electronic media or visit a number of vendors
to compare prices to enable you purchase genuine components at a reasonable cost.

v). Upgradeability and compatibility


Buy a computer than can easily be upgraded to accommodate emergent technologies. NB: You
upgrade an existing computer when you either add to it a new device or memory or when you
replace one or more of the computers processor or peripheral device with its faster equivalent.
E.g.
- Replacing a 1GHz processor with a 2.4 GHz processor, a 1oPPM laser printer with a
16PPM laser printer
- Increasing RAM from 64MB to 128MB, 10GB hard disk drive with 20GB.
Some older computers cannot support large had disks or USB devices in the market today, hence
difficulty in upgrading them because smaller hard disks are no longer in circulation.

vi). Portability
Look for a computer that you carry with you in case you wish to access your computer and files
wherever you are. Smaller devices enhance portability.

vii). User needs


Focus around the main reasons for buying the computer system e.g. a point of sale (POS)
terminal is most suitable for record transactions in the supermarket.

1
Other considerations
- Monitor
Your choice of monitor may depend on size, resolution and technology used to make it. Currently
flat panel displays are replacing CRTs.
- Multimedia capability
Is the combination of video, audio, text and images to provide interactive, creative and effective
way of producing and communicating information. Multimedia system should have speakers,
CD/DVD drive, sounds card and SVGA monitor. Also a software that supports multimedia
capability.

2. Software Considerations
1. Authenticity
This is genuineness, validity or legitimacy of an item. Software is an intangible product, and it’s
quite easy to pirate software (make illegal copies of software). When purchasing software, get the
original software that will be supported by the developer’s license and certificate of authenticity.
This is because some people illegally produce pirated copies which are an offense.

2. Documentation
It includes user manuals, trouble shooting and installation guides as well as on-line help. A good
software product must be accompanied with these documentations.

3. User needs
It must meet users need e.g. if the user needs to type documents most often would go for a word
processor.

4. User friendliness
This is how easy the users can be able to operate the computer. The ease of use of a program will
(most likely) influence whether the user will prefer it or not.

5. System requirements
Are basically the hardware specifications required to run a particular program and are usually
indicated on the package e.g. you need a minimum of 16MB of RAM to run an Access Dbase,
but 32MB is recommended. The system requirements will usually include the amount of Ram,
Hard disk space, monitor type, processor type and peripheral.

6. Cost
Software tend to be more expensive than the hardware. The cost of acquiring software product
must be carefully considered before acquiring it against the benefits that it is likely to bring. The
cost of software is a major contributing factor in deciding whether to purchase it or not. It is
usually cheaper to purchase general purpose software if it can meet the users need.

7. Compatibility and system configuration


Software compatibility refers to the ability of a computer to run the software depending on the
system setup (configuration). The new package should read and process files created by the
existing package. When upgrading software, the upgrades are backwards compatible e.g. Ms
Access 2000 can convert MS Access 97 files to Access 200 format and use them. It often does
not work the other way round e.g. Ms Access 2000 file cannot be opened in Access 97.
Therefore, a software product must be compatible with the existing hardware, operating system or
application programs and should be readily upgradable.

8. Portability
Software portability refers to ability of a program to be copied or installed in more than one
computer. Data is said to be portable if it can be transferred from one application to another in
electronic form. Most software’s in the market are portable.

9. Reliability
Good software must be reliable and secure

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