BASIC (Less than KD400/-)
A great start for people on a tight budget. Basic systems can help with everything from balancing your checkbook to educating your pre-schoolers. 

MID-RANGE (KD400-KD525)
Perfect for homes and home offices. From personal and business software to basic games, these systems can meet a diverse array of needs. 

HIGH-END (More than KD525)
Games and graphics? No problem! Gamers and artistic types, find a system with the speed you need.

Will my new PC be obsolete by next year?
Depending on the system you buy, the hardware and software should remain current for two years. Think of computer years as dog years. One computer year = 7 human years. Even though computer technology changes rapidly, you can prolong the life of your system by purchasing the fastest processor, most memory and largest hard drive you can afford. Incremental upgrades will also help your PC last. Upgrade the operating system when a new version comes out then upgrade the processor and/or memory when your system starts to slow down. If any upgrades require more technical talent than you have, a AL-SARRAF CUSTOMER SERVICES is always available to help you out. 

How much RAM do I really need?
The more RAM (Random Access Memory -- the PC's short-term memory), the faster the machine will run and the more applications you can have open at once. 32MB will let you open two or three applications. 64MB is a must for high-end action adventure games, or downloading large graphics, video and music files. 128MB will make everything run much faster. You will also want at least 8MB of video RAM for any high-end graphics work. For games, you'll also need to get a 3D Video Card with at least 16MB of video RAM. For high-end gaming performance, opt for 32MB of video RAM. 

Do I need to purchase a system with a "software bundle?"
Bundles can be a great value because they often come with a large amount of software. Just keep in mind that some of the software may be "light" or trial versions, so you should always check the packaging carefully. 

Do I really need a backup system?
A good backup system can save you money over the long run. If you have a hard drive disaster, backups can be your best friend, even allowing you to recover from a virus hit. While tapes and Zip drives are the most common media for backup, recordable/rewritable CDs are also becoming popular. You can use your backup media for archiving data as well. For instance, if you create large graphics or need to store last year's customer data for easy retrieval, a backup system is the perfect solution. 

Should I build my own or buy a pre-configured system?
Build only if you're technologically savvy. By building a system you can get the exact components you want, but you are also responsible for configuration and tracking down obscure hardware conflicts that might crop up. If you build it yourself, you'll have to purchase the operating system and other software separately. Generally speaking, if you plan to dismantle your old machine or erase the hard drive before you sell it (or even put the hard drive in your new machine) you can use your current OS and software. Check user licenses for details. Because of the great bundle specials available, pre-configured systems may be less expensive, while still offering great tech support options and pre-loaded software. 

What modem speed do I need?
Make sure your system has a modem installed. Its top speed should be at least 56K. Although you may be considering DSL or another high-speed option, it's always best to have a modem for back-up. If you use a DSL or cable modem, you'll also need a Network Card to facilitate communication between your service and your PC. 

Do I need to splurge on a brand name system?
Most brand name equipment is more expensive than comparably equipped generic boxes. However, you may find that most brand name systems include superior software bundles, are better supported and come with a longer and more comprehensive warranty. Before you decide which is right for you, ask yourself a few questions. What kind of warranty is included? Do they offer on-site service? Is that important to you? How quickly can the manufacturer get new parts to you? How long is the warranty, and what does it cover? At CompUSA we service what we sell, and will service your computer even if you didn't buy it from us. We are an authorized service center for a number of major computer brands. 

Today's PCs offer lots of bang for your buck. Practically any PC you choose will have enough processing power, RAM, hard drive storage and graphics capabilities to surf the Web, manage your finances, run educational software and use standard business applications. However, a faster processor, more RAM and more storage will allow you to do more, faster. The higher the megahertz (MHz) of a PC, the faster the machine will run. For basic home use, any 350MHz+ will perform fine. 

Keep in mind, as computers become more sophisticated, files are getting larger. Video clips, photographs and sound files take up a lot of space. The larger your hard drive, the more room you'll have to store all those scanned images, downloaded music files, etc. Most people fill up their hard drive much faster than anticipated, so think BIG!

Basic home systems are ideal for everything from balancing your checkbook to entertaining your pre-schoolers with educational games. If you don't get into advanced gaming or graphics, you can save money by not getting the fastest processor on the market. If you plan to bring work home from the office, make sure your system comes bundled with the same software loaded at the office. Keep in mind, all the major office suites will read and write files to programs from competing suites, although you might lose some formatting in your documents. If you don't mind learning a new suite (they all use the same basic commands) you can usually get a great deal on bundled software.

I'm a starving student! What's the least expensive option for me?
A notebook may be your best bet. Notebooks fit the college lifestyle, moving from class to class and dorm to dorm. You can take your notebook to a study group, the library, even to work! If you need a home PC, the basic intro version will do a great job of spitting out papers and surfing the web. Look for a system with a 866MHz processor and 20GB hard drive. If you're into games, you'll need to check out our high-end selection. 

I'm new to the computer world. How should I get my feet wet?
Your best bet is to get a basic computer with a good software package and an excellent support/training program. Because inexpensive PCs often have little or no service and support, you may want to budget for a technical assistance program such as Dial-a-Tech. One additional word of caution, avoid a common trick that manufacturers use to keep the price down: a very slow graphics chip on the motherboard that shares video RAM with main system RAM.

The majority of computer customers are looking for a mid-range machine. Perhaps your current system just takes too long to process information. Or your old PC has been assigned to the kids' room and you want a system that handles your personal software as easily as it handles work brought home from the office. Today's mid-range systems carry out most tasks effortlessly at a price that won't leave you canceling your summer vacation. 

What kind of system should I get for my home office?
If your home office computer does double duty, functioning as an office system by day and the family PC by night, you'll probably want to combine the best of home and office machines. Consider a Pentium III or Athlon processor and a 3D video card if you'll be playing some games or using multimedia applications. If your budget will allow, get a 17-inch monitor. You'll see more of your work, which means you'll work more comfortably and efficiently. Because you probably don't have a techie on staff in your home office, look for a solid warranty and consider investing in the Dial-A-Tech Program. You'll get more value for your money if you look for a solid software bundle with your new machine. If you have more than one person working from your home office, consider networking options for e-mail, peripherals and Internet access. 

Our family computer is ready for a step-up. What do you suggest?
Look for a home computer with fairly high-end specs: at least a 700MHz Celeron, Pentium III or Athlon CPU; 64MB or more of RAM; and at least a 15GB hard drive. You may have to venture into our higher-end models to find all the specs you need. Take a look at our color ink jet printers to accompany your system. A good ink jet can take care of everything from business documents to your children's masterpieces. Unless you have an in-house technical guru, look for a reliable warranty and consider investing in the Dial-A-Tech Program.

While the majority of business and home users can meet their needs with a basic or mid-range system, if you're a serious gamer or graphics guru, you'll need a higher-end system to achieve the speed you need. Many business users also opt for a more sophisticated system to increase productivity. 

I want my games to run FASTER! What kind of system should I get?
If you're a serious gamer, consider a system with a fast processor, 3D graphics card and superior sound. And don't bother squinting to see the players- invest in a 17-inch or larger monitor. You'll need the fastest system available to run advanced games the way they were intended. Right now, that means a 1GHz Pentium III. If you're buying an Intel machine, make sure the motherboard has a dedicated AGP bus slot for quality graphics. One last consideration: make sure your system has lots of room for expansion, with open bays and extra PCI slots. And the MOST important addition is a 3D graphics card with the hottest new chipset from 3DFX, nVidia, ATI, etc. 

I want my office to be as productive as possible. What should I look for in a system?
Your customers depend on your office system, so make sure everyone has plenty of RAM to ensure that no one wastes time waiting for the system to swap data on and off of the hard disk. You'll want to look for a minimum processor speed of 650 MHz, but keep in mind that you can get more system speed for your investment with a good video card and more memory. Lastly, you'll need a network adapter and flexible hubs to network multiple systems together. 

I'm a graphics guru. What's the best system for me?
Graphics pros need a lot of pure processing power and should get the fastest processor available. For the moment, that means a 1GHz Pentium III. You'll also need a great deal of storage space (20GB+ hard drive) because most multimedia files are quite large. Since you may need to add graphics and sound cards, look for a system with several free bays, memory and PCI slots for future upgrades. If you opt for an Intel-based machine, get a dedicated AGP slot for maximum 3D performance. Three last words of advice: Memory! Memory! Memory! Don't get stuck with less than 128MB of memory.