Computer jargon can be overwhelmingly – but don’t worry, we’ll put it into plain English! Just ask us in-store, or browse the drop-down menu on the left.

Computing

Laptop or desktop – which is right for you? As we become more mobile, laptops have become the biggest selling form of computer. But many people still prefer a desktop to suit their particular needs. It basically comes down to a trade-off between weight and power, and what’s most important to you. Will you move around a lot with your computer? Do you prefer a large screen and keyboard?

Should you buy a computer for your future needs? The short answer is, no. Technology is updated at such a fast rate that whatever you’re looking at now, is likely to be re-released and improved upon in a few months time. So we recommend you buy for ‘now’ in terms of your power and storage needs, because it will be better value in the long-term.

What’s the difference between a Netbook and a Notebook? Netbooks are small and lightweight machines, ideal for ‘grab and go’ use, like checking emails or surfing the web. Notebooks have a larger screen (15.6 inch is most popular), and are more suited to work or study purposes. Notebook prices vary according to processing power, memory, storage and screen graphics.

Don’t forget – memory’s very important when choosing a computer The rule of thumb about memory is ‘the more the better’. A computer that doesn’t have enough RAM memory will run like a car with a bad cylinder. So how much memory do you actually need? Too little and you’ll have performance problems, but too much you’ll be wasting money. It’s good to look at the recommended memory requirements of the different elements that make up your computer. Firstly, what’s the software you’re likely to be using (e.g Microsoft Office 2010 recommended memory is 512 MB, Internet Explorer 8 recommends 256MB). Your operating system also has its minimum and recommended memory requirements. Thirdly, the more hardware you use (e.g printers, cameras, game controllers and other input devices), the more driver software you’ll have loaded into memory. Check the specs of each device and add up their memory requirements. Your memory requirements depend very much on what type of user you are: Casual users (web browsing, email, listening to music) need 0.5 to 1.0 GB Frequent users (above plus word processing, photo viewing, simple games, video viewing) need 1 to 2 GB Power users (above plus photo editing, video editing, real-time multiplayer online games, multitasking) need 2 to 4 GB Professional Users (high-performance gaming, large documents, high-definition video editing) need 4 to 8 GB

Processing power – it’s like the brain of your computer The processor is also known as the Central Processing Unit (or CPU). Like everything else in the computer world – the more you pay, the more you’ll get. Processor technology is also being updated very rapidly, so consider whether you really need the latest and greatest (see our ‘future needs’ question above). Back to basics –Generally the higher the GHz, the more expensive the processor will be, and the faster the PC will run. Multi core processors that have the same clock speed as a single core processor will run much faster. There are single core, dual core and quad-core currently available. There are two main competitors in the processor market - AMD and Intel. AMD makes the Athlon and Phenom processors, while Intel makes the Celeron and Pentium series of processors.

Do I need a Graphics Card for my computer? Most motherboards have integrated graphics capability, without the need for a separate Graphics Card. If you use your computer mostly for email, word processing and Web surfing, this will be enough for your needs. A mid-range graphics card is enough for most casual gamers, while gaming enthusiasts and those who do lots of 3D graphic work need a high-end card. A top-of-the-line graphics card is easy to spot - it has lots of memory, a fast processor; and attractive visual design.

Desktops

Laptop or desktop – which is right for you? As we become more mobile, laptops have become the biggest selling form of computer. But many people still prefer a desktop to suit their particular needs. It basically comes down to a trade-off between weight and power, and what’s most important to you. Will you move around a lot with your computer? Do you prefer a large screen and keyboard?

Don’t forget – memory’s very important when choosing a computer The rule of thumb about memory is ‘the more the better’. A computer that doesn’t have enough RAM memory will run like a car with a bad cylinder. So how much memory do you actually need? Too little and you’ll have performance problems, but too much you’ll be wasting money. It’s good to look at the recommended memory requirements of the different elements that make up your computer. Firstly, what’s the software you’re likely to be using (e.g Microsoft Office 2010 recommended memory is 512 MB, Internet Explorer 8 recommends 256MB). Your operating system also has its minimum and recommended memory requirements. Thirdly, the more hardware you use (e.g printers, cameras, game controllers and other input devices), the more driver software you’ll have loaded into memory. Check the specs of each device and add up their memory requirements. Your memory requirements depend very much on what type of user you are: Casual users (web browsing, email, listening to music) need 0.5 to 1.0 GB Frequent users (above plus word processing, photo viewing, simple games, video viewing) need 1 to 2 GB Power users (above plus photo editing, video editing, real-time multiplayer online games, multitasking) need 2 to 4 GB Professional Users (high-performance gaming, large documents, high-definition video editing) need 4 to 8 GB

Notebooks

Laptop or desktop – which is right for you? As we become more mobile, laptops have become the biggest selling form of computer. But many people still prefer a desktop to suit their particular needs. It basically comes down to a trade-off between weight and power, and what’s most important to you. Will you move around a lot with your computer? Do you prefer a large screen and keyboard?

Should you buy a computer for your future needs? The short answer is, no. Technology is updated at such a fast rate that whatever you’re looking at now, is likely to be re-released and improved upon in a few months time. So we recommend you buy for ‘now’ in terms of your power and storage needs, because it will be better value in the long-term.

What’s the difference between a Netbook and a Notebook? Netbooks are small and lightweight machines, ideal for ‘grab and go’ use, like checking emails or surfing the web. Notebooks have a larger screen (15.6 inch is most popular), and are more suited to work or study purposes. Notebook prices vary according to processing power, memory, storage and screen graphics.

Don’t forget – memory’s very important when choosing a computer The rule of thumb about memory is ‘the more the better’. A computer that doesn’t have enough RAM memory will run like a car with a bad cylinder. So how much memory do you actually need? Too little and you’ll have performance problems, but too much you’ll be wasting money. It’s good to look at the recommended memory requirements of the different elements that make up your computer. Firstly, what’s the software you’re likely to be using (e.g Microsoft Office 2010 recommended memory is 512 MB, Internet Explorer 8 recommends 256MB). Your operating system also has its minimum and recommended memory requirements. Thirdly, the more hardware you use (e.g printers, cameras, game controllers and other input devices), the more driver software you’ll have loaded into memory. Check the specs of each device and add up their memory requirements. Your memory requirements depend very much on what type of user you are: Casual users (web browsing, email, listening to music) need 0.5 to 1.0 GB Frequent users (above plus word processing, photo viewing, simple games, video viewing) need 1 to 2 GB Power users (above plus photo editing, video editing, real-time multiplayer online games, multitasking) need 2 to 4 GB Professional Users (high-performance gaming, large documents, high-definition video editing) need 4 to 8 GB

Printers

What’s right for me: inkjet or laser printer? This will come down to the quantity and type of work that you want to do - and obviously how much you want to spend. You also need to consider the purchase print along with the ongoing running costs. Laser printers are much cheaper to run than an inkjet, so your printing costs per page are lower. The advantage of inkjets is that they produce high quality colour prints without the capital investment of a high end colour laser. They can also be networked to other computers, and can print directly from cameras, mobile phones and data cards without even having to turn on your PC. Talk to us about your printing needs (e.g perhaps you are producing newsletters for your club or business), and we’ll help you find the best solution.

Should I get an All-in-One device (A1O)? If you have limited space in your home office, consider getting an All-in-One device. For a relatively small cost increase over the corresponding printer-only, these machines incorporate a printer, scanner photocopier and fax in one compact unit.

What the latest "e-print" technology? ePrint is a new service from HP that uses Cloud computing. It lets you print from any smartphone or computer, by sending an email from your printer’s email address. As long as you can send an email to your ePrint-enabled printer, you can print.

What’s Pictbridge technology in printers? Pictbridge is the technology that allows your digital camera and printer to "talk" to each other directly. You can print directly from the image chosen on the cameras screen, and your PC does not have to be turned on.

Printers 101: what’s DPI and PPM? Dots Per Inch (DPI) is the printing resolution or quality of the image. The higher the DPI, the smoother the image. In the early days of inkjet this was very important, but now even the cheaper machines work at a pretty high DPI. (Remember, the higher the DPI setting, the more ink you’re using). PPM is simply the Pages Per Minute your machine can produce. This will be different for monochrome and colour pages.

Gaming

New to gaming – or buying a gift for the kids? If you’re not sure where to start, just ask us in-store. The main brands are Microsoft Xbox, Sony Playstation, Nintendo Wii, or PC gaming. Nintendo tend to focus on family entertainment with their motion sensitive controllers. Xbox and Playstation tend to appeal to the 14-35 age group. The other category is PC gaming, where a high end personal computer is the host for the latest in gaming releases. You will need a console, accessories and games. There are a wide range of games for all console types and a variety of different controllers and accessories. See in store for the latest releases on consoles and games. A larger number of games now include online content, where you can play against other gamers from around the world.

Gaming basics - what’s a PS3? It’s the newest release of Sony Playstation. As well as the latest interactive video games, you can also use it to play High Definition Blu-ray Disc movies; browse the Internet and play back your digital photo, video and music collections.