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Build It! Buying Hardware and Software

What You Need in a Computer System (Mac or PC)

A start-up Web publisher faces many computing hardware choices. You could buy a single powerful computer to handle your writing, coding and designing needs, but it probably makes more sense to have several computers. Each can serve different functions as your site grows.

PCs and Macs

We'd like to avoid getting into a Mac vs. PC argument here, but it does bear consideration.

In many ways, Macs and PCs are similar these days. They use many of the same accessories. They have similar user interfaces and run many of the same programs. Apple’s Macintosh has taken significant steps to make sure its programs work well with its PC counterparts. If you have a PC network, a Mac can share files, use printers, connect to e-mail, open PC word-processing files and more.

Costs for both machines are similar. Without getting into a specific model comparison (you should do that for yourself), Macs usually ship with more components of higher quality and appear to be more expensive until you figure in the total cost of outfitting an identical PC. FireWire ports (to connect fast hard drives, scanners or video cameras) and iLife software (for creating and editing music, videos, photos, CDs and DVDs) come standard with most new Macs. Adding those features or their equivalents to a PC would cost hundreds of dollars more.

Software-wise, while the PC world is certainly not lagging behind, there's no penalty for being a Mac user. You can use the same tools as everyone else: Google’s Gmail service for Web based e-mail, Firefox and other new Web browsers, blog software and more.

If you decide on a PC, be aware that Microsoft Windows comes in many different varieties. Each is designed for a different market, from home users to large businesses, and each has a different set of features. Given a choice between Windows XP Home (for everyday users) and Windows XP Pro (for businesses), we recommend the Pro version. It’s more secure, takes better advantage of your computer’s resources and offers additional ways to share files and communicate with other computers. Microsoft will let you compare both systems on their Web site (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/evaluation/compare.mspx).

Whether you plan to hire an outside company to provide technical support, or you are going to be relying on a savvy volunteer, it's probably best to buy the type of computer they recommend. It does you little good to have a certain operating system if your resident computer expert specializes in a different one.

Different Users, Different Needs

Let’s assume you need the following four types of work stations. We'll leave it up to you to decide how many of each you actually need to purchase:

  • An author's computer.
  • An editor's computer.
  • A designer's computer.
  • A videographer's computer.

Author's computer

We recommend an inexpensive, portable laptop for basic word processing, e-mail and Web surfing. Wireless Internet is a plus, as it reduces configuration time and the number of cables you need to haul around.

What’s 802.11?

The standard technology for wireless Internet access is officially known as 802.11 (named by the engineers who created it). It’s more popularly known as WiFi; Apple calls it AirPort. 802.11b is an older, slower version of this standard. 802.11g is the latest, allowing connections up to 10 times faster than its predecessor. A new standard under development, 802.11n, promises to be even faster when it eventually debuts. As of this writing, we recommend an 802.11g-capable wireless internet card.

PC suggestion

  • Intel Celeron M processor.
  • XGA (1024x768) or WXGA (1280x800) display.
  • Integrated graphics.
  • 512MB RAM.
  • 30 GB HD.
  • DVD-ROM/CDRW combo.
  • Internal wireless 802.11a/b/g.

Mac suggestion

  • iBook 12" or 14".
  • 1.2 or 1.33 Ghz chip.
  • 512MB RAM.
  • 30 GB HD.
  • Combo Drive (DVD-ROM/CDRW combo).
  • AirPort Extreme (internal wireless 802.11g).

Editor's computer

This person will spend hours sitting in front of a computer. A large, high-quality screen is critical to reduce eyestrain. The editor could use some simple collaboration tools, such as instant messaging, video or audio chat, to coordinate work with other team members. The editor will also generate a significant amount of content that needs to be archived and may do some simple photo editing as well.

One processor or two?

A processor is a chip that handles the most important tasks on the average computer. Some high-end computers offer the option to install two processors instead of one, boosting the computer’s speed and power. Two processors are best for activities that require high amounts of computing power: video editing, extensive graphic design or computer animation, for example. If you don’t anticipate needing this much power on a daily basis, a single-processor computer should serve you well.

CRT vs. LCD

CRT (cathode ray tube) monitors are large TV-style screens. LCD (liquid crystal display) monitors are slim flat panels. LCDs offer better image quality, use less power, generate less heat and take up less room; CRTs are initially less expensive and are easier to color calibrate.

The pluses of DVD+R/RW

DVD+R and DVD+RW are the latest formats for recordable DVDs. They compete with the earlier formats DVD-R and DVD-RW and are designed to play flawlessly in nearly every DVD player on the market, including older models. DVD+R (for recordable) can only be burned once; DVD+RW (for rewritable) can be erased and rewritten hundreds of times.

PC suggestion

  • Intel Pentium 4, AMD Sempron 3100+ or AMD Athlon 64 processor.
  • 512MB RAM.
  • 64MB AGP or PCI Express.
  • 19" or larger LCD monitor.
  • 160+ GB HD.
  • DVD +/- RW.
  • Microphone / headphones or headset.

Mac suggestion

  • Power Mac G5 1.8 (single or dual processor).
  • 512MB RAM.
  • 64MB video card.
  • 19” or larger LCD monitor. (Apple makes good displays; other manufacturers also offer less expensive Mac-compatible monitors.)
  • 160+ GB HD.
  • SuperDrive (plays and burns CDs and DVDs).

Designer's computer

Your designer will need a large screen to view photos, work with files and run multiple programs at once. Bigger screens often have better color calibration as well. If your designer is going to be producing both printed and online materials, this is critical. Design programs require more RAM than e-mail and text editing, so don't skimp on that. Designers often need better computers than programmers.

PC suggestion

  • Pentium 4 3.0GHz, Dual Intel Xeon, AMD Athlon 64 3200+, Dual AMD Opteron.
  • 2+GB RAM.
  • 21"-22" CRT + a small 15" LCD screen.
  • 128MB AGP or PCI Express video card.
  • 160+ GB HD Serial ATA. (Two hard drives are better than one; you can use part of the second drive as a “scratch disk” to accommodate the large but temporary files designers create while they’re working.)
  • DVD +/- RW.

Mac suggestion

  • Power Mac Dual 2GHz.
  • 2+GB RAM.
  • 21"-22" CRT + a small 15" LCD screen.
  • 128MB video card.
  • 160+ GB HD Serial ATA. (Again, two hard drives are preferable.)
  • SuperDrive.

Videographer's computer

Working with video demands lots of hard-drive space and a fast processor. You may not need the fastest chip on the market – the second most powerful might be a much better deal for your dollar. A videographer will also need a significant amount of screen space. On Windows machines, a good sound card is critical as well; Macs ship with high-quality sound capabilities built in.

A videographer will need to access large files quickly. Rather than rely upon individual hard drives, many videographers use a storage technology called RAID, which allows multiple hard drives to work together as one big drive. It’s a faster way to store and access information.

What is RAM?

RAM, also referred to as memory, allows your computer to run multiple programs at the same time. If you think of your computer as a desk, RAM is the amount of space you have on top of the desk to work with papers and files.

PC suggestion

  • Pentium 4 3.0GHz, Dual Intel Xeon, AMD Athlon 64 3200+, Dual AMD Opteron.
  • 2+GB RAM.
  • 23" LCD screen (or dual 20”).
  • 128MB AGP or PCI Express.
  • 2x250+ GB HD Serial ATA (possibly set up as a RAID drive).
  • DVD +/- RW.
  • A sound card from the SoundBlaster Audigy 2 family. (You can also get fancy with Digidesign’s ProTools audio editing software.)

Mac suggestion

  • Power Mac Dual 2GHz or 2.5GHz.
  • 2+GB RAM.
  • 23" LCD screen (or dual 20”).
  • 128MB video card.
  • 2x250+ GB HD Serial ATA (possibly set up as a RAID drive).
  • SuperDrive.

General Notes

Any computer connected to the Internet should go through a hardware firewall. A firewall blocks unwanted intruders from using the ports by which your computer connects to the Internet and other computers. Hardware firewalls provide protection for all computers whether or not they have software firewalls installed or activated. If you’re interested in having a wireless network, consider purchasing a wireless router that has built-in firewall capabilities.

Be sure to secure your wireless network. Outsiders can tap into wireless networks without physical access to a socket. Someone near your office or home might be able to snoop on your wireless transmissions unless you have properly secured them. Here are some tips on how to do so:

  • Enable encryption to protect the information flowing over your network. Older wireless routers use a system called WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy); newer equipment offers the safer and more effective WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) standard.
  • Change the default name, or SSID (Service Set Identifier), of the wireless network. Knowing your network’s SSID makes it easier for outsiders to get in. Most routers ship with the same default SSID from the factory. For instance, all Linksys brand routers have the SSID “linksys,” and most people don’t bother to change that name.
  • Use MAC (Media Access Control) to tell your network which wireless cards belong to your network. MAC will then block access by any wireless device it doesn’t recognize.
  • Limit the signal strength of the base station to only that which you need to cover your physical office space. Unless you plan to do a lot of wireless Web surfing while sitting on the curb outside your home or office, there’s no need to broadcast your wireless internet signal that far.

Different wireless Internet systems provide different ways to enable these options. Check the manual for your wireless router or base station for more information. For additional wireless security tips, check out About.com's article (http://compnetworking.about.com/od/wirelesssecurity/tp/wifisecurity.htm).