Computer Forensics Questions, Essay Example

You have been selected by your department to chair a committee that will select new personal computer hardware. What should be considered in this purchase and why?

Important factors to consider when purchasing personal computer hardware are “the motherboard, the supported CPU, bus speed, supported RAM, form factor, built-in sound/video/LAN.” (“Basics of Personal Computer Hardware”). The CPU is the brain of the computer and should be distinctly research before commencing a purchase. AMD and Pentium 4 are the leading CPU’s on the market at present. RAM is the amount of memory the computer can hold and a significant amount of memory ranges from 512 MB to 1 GB. A good hard drive is also essential to the operation of your personal computer hence you should seek to invest in the top manufactured hard drives such as Seagate, Maxtor or IBM.

If you are considering using your PC through wireless internet only you may want to spend a little extra and invest in a wireless- N or wireless- G computer. Jumpers should be considered for those people who plan to over clock their computer. There should be a very clear BIOS jumper and all motherboards should have USB ports.

You might want to consider if your PC is capable of adding extra memory if you plan on storing a lot of information. Again the individual need of the PC owner should come into play when accessing the buying decision. The latest processors run a speed of about 3.6 GHz and depending on how fast you need your computer to be should depend on which PC you will purchase. Another common consideration should be the average time of the battery life of your laptop if purchasing a mobile computer. There are some laptops that can work without a formal charge up to six hours. The typical low priced computer sustains a charge up to three hours.

You are now to select the internet service provider that will be used. What are some of the choices available and which would you select? Support your choice.

The most important factor to consider when deciding on an internet service provider is accessing your individual needs. You may be one to send a lot of emails, or you may be one to surf the web. You may need an internet provider to run your small business. If you need a variety of services from your computer you might choose broadband service which is serviced through a network interface card (NIC) or Ethernet connection. You may choose a T-1 line if you expect to use the internet heavily and have a lot of business transactions being conducted online. Often cable companies and telephone carriers offer package deals for cable, phone and internet if cost is an issue.

Not many people use dial up ISP anymore but the service is available for those who do not mind slower surfing and have a smaller budget. The time required to download sites is tremendously long hence this sort of service is not recommended for the avid internet user.

There are still some internet providers out there that do not offer free wireless or no wireless connection which can be quite inconvenient for users that require mobility and quietness to work. One of these providers is Cox Communications in Louisiana. You must purchase your own wireless modem if you desire the wireless connection. This is a considerable factor to examine when considering your ISP.

There is some additional money left for purchasing miscellaneous services. Which services would you procure and why?

It would certainly be advantageous to purchase a 24 hour technical assistance plan for all hardware, software and internet provider services if they are not covered under the regular service plans. It can be quite frustrating for you internet services or computer to go down when you most need access to it. You may want to purchase an extended warranty on your computer if you plan to keep it over two years. The typical manufacturer warranty lasts for only one year. An additional one year warranty can be purchased directly through the manufacturer for approximately $100.00.

Another miscellaneous product that personal users enjoy is a built in web cam. The picture is much clearer than those extrinsic manipulated cameras hooked to a PC. An additional video card and additional memory can be purchased with your home PC. Again depending on the individual’s particular use for the PC will determine what miscellaneous items are best suited for the purchase. A computer should be replaced every three years if used very often to keep up with technological upgrades.

References

Basics of Personal Computer Hardware (2009) Retrieved December 28, 2009 from, http://www.build-your-own-computers.com/pc-hardware-basics.html