Your Dream Machine - selecting and purchasing a personal computer - Buyers Guide

Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine, June, 2001 by Michael J. Martinez

Despite the price, the user-friendly Mac operating system, strong technology and flexible software offerings make the Apple a very compelling alternative to computers based on Microsoft Windows. In fact, Apple's substandard warranties and tech support drag down our ratings of its products. Otherwise, the Power Mac G4 desktop and the titanium G4 notebook might have won their categories.

EXTRAS THAT MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE

Compaq sells a midrange computer with a fast processor, lots of memory and a big monitor for $1,227. You can order a Dell computer with the same basic features for $1,838. The difference? The Compaq machine is basically bare bones. For the Dell, we tossed in accessories to illustrate that while the engine may be identical, the computer equivalent of in-dash CD changers and heated seats make all the difference in your experience.

Speakers: Never underestimate the value of a good pair of speakers. The vast majority of PCs we reviewed come with a decent pair. But you can buy lots more. A subwoofer can run $50, while a full set of Dolby digital surround-sound speakers can cost $180.

Optical drives: This is a catch-all term for drives that read data off optical discs. The Compaq PC has a basic CD-ROM drive that runs CD-based programs and plays music. Dell's DVD-ROM drive does all of that, but also lets you watch your favorite movie. The cost: $75 to $200. There are also CD-RW drives (costing $75 to $250) that allow you to copy files, such as music, onto specially designed blank CDs. We're starting to see more combination DVD/CD-RW drives, which cost at least $300.

Graphics card: Most computers come with at least a few megabytes of video RAM on the graphics card--that is, memory dedicated to making the display on your monitor look sharp and update quickly. The Compaq has 11 MB of RAM, while the Dell comes with 32 MB of RAM (64 MB is the maximum on the market today). Additional video RAM can make an extraordinary difference. Games take on near-cinematic quality, while movies can seem to leap off the screen. A souped-up graphics card, which is easy to install, sets you back $40 to over $300.

Monitors: We could have gotten really pricey and substituted the Dell's 17-inch monitor for one at 19 inches (an extra $140 to $290). Flat-panel monitors are terrific space savers. Recently, prices have come down, so that a 15-inch flat-panel monitor sells for just $300 more than a regular 15-inch conventional display.

--Reporter: JOSEPHINE ROSSI