bobpeers -> blog

Being one of those people that ‘knows’ about computers I often get asked if I can recommend computers to people.

I always find this very difficult for quite a few reasons.

• If they give me a budget do they actually want to spend up to the budget or do they really want the cheapest possible under the budget. I can always recommend very cheap computers but would they rather spend more and get one that is slightly more ‘future proof’.
• Understanding their priorities is very difficult. Would they rather have more RAM or is a wireless keyboard and mouse more important. If they want wireless, do they want 802.11g or are they moving large files over a network and are prepared to pay for 802.11n? They say they play games but are we talking hardcore gamer or the odd game of Solitaire?

It’s often made worse by the fact they they probably don’t fully understand what they want either, it’s just that I’m always a bit nervous recommending something that they might not approve of after they’ve bought it. In reality I know that this is very unlikely since they are far less critical than I am.

One interesting problem I have right concerns Windows 64 versions. A friend is looking to buy a gaming pc probably with and Intel E8400 processor. Having looked at the website of the company they might buy it from it’s clear that they recommend Windows 64 Bit especially since the default set-up of the computer has a whopping 8GB or RAM!. My problems are:

• With Vista 64 Bit many of his old games will not run at all since they will not be compatible with Vista, plus Vista 64 Bit requires signed drivers so many of his current peripherals just won’t work and new drivers don’t exist (nor will they ever)
• Vista 32 Bit still has compatibility problems plus only supports 4GB of RAM (see here and here for more information).
• In Denmark Windows XP 64 Bit is only available in the Professional Edition localised to the UK, it must be a Danish edition so that won’t work.
• Windows XP Home 32 Bit will work with his current games but only support 4GB of RAM. This is not a major problem but it seems like I’m going for the lowest common denominator.

Overall the situation is very confusing. I would really like to jump on the 64 Bit bandwagon since it’s they way of the future but until you can be sure all your hardware will work happily together.

I don’t want to obsolete all his games and current hardware by upgrading to Vista 64 Bit so I have no choice but to recommend a 7 year old operating system that will be officially discontinued as of June 30, 2008, not an ideal situation.