No More Than the Sum of Its Parts

What to look for in some key PC components:

* Central processing unit. It contains the microprocessor, the “brains” of the computer. IBM-compatibles operate on the 8086-80486 family of microprocessor chips (386, 486, for short) or the new Pentium chip by Intel. Chips’ processing speeds are expressed in megahertz. The higher the number, the faster the computer’s response to instructions.

Experts’ recommendations: nothing less than a 386, since older machines cannot run many of today’s newest programs, with a minimum of 25 megahertz. Also, look for a “DX” processor rather than an “SX” to run mathematical spreadsheets.

* Random access memory, or RAM. This is where the computer stores programs and files in use. Storage capacity is expressed in megabytes, with one megabyte able to store a million characters. Most systems, though, can have memory added through single in-line memory modules, or SIMMs, that plug into a computer. The more memory, the more data can be used at one time and the faster a computer works.

Recommendation: nothing lower than four megabytes, especially for those planning to use Windows software.

* Hard disk drive. It stores all software programs and data even when the PC is turned off, like a computer data warehouse.

Recommendation: a minimum of 105 megabytes, though the average for most models today is in the 200-megabyte range.

* Floppy disk drive. This allows PC users to read or save data from other computer sources stored on floppy disks.

Recommendations: It would be ideal to have two floppy disk drives--one for 5 1/4-inch floppies and one for 3 1/2-inch floppies. But if you have to choose just one, pick the one for the smaller floppies, since they have become the industry standard.

* Monitor. It houses the screen on which information is displayed.

Recommendations: a minimum 14-inch screen, though larger screens are better for spreadsheet programs. A “super VGA” and non-interlaced screen is best for the eyes.

* Keyboard and mouse. Both are used to give commands to the computer.

Recommendation: whatever feels comfortable.

* Modem. This allows computer data to be carried over phone lines and is necessary for connection to on-line information services such as Prodigy or CompuServe. Many modems also have faxing capabilities. The faster the modem, the less time it takes to transmit data and the lower your phone bill.

Recommendation: a minimum 2,400-baud modem, though many experts say it is wiser to invest in faster 9,600- and 14,400-baud modems.

* Printer. It transfers computer-generated text and pictures to paper. The least expensive is the dot-matrix, which creates characters by printing a series of dots. A laser printer, which uses a laser beam to transfer images, is the most expensive but offers the highest quality.

Recommendation: If you need letter-quality results, stick with a laser printer.