What's Been and What's Ben

Wait a few months, like November (October 22, technically). Windows 7 and some cool (literal) new intel processors are coming out. Many people have been asking me about building a computer because I recently built a sweet computer that I will detail later. But these are the things you need to know:

• You better have a good reason for spending over 1000 dollars. 500 is enough for most people.
• Your money is best spent on a nice monitor if you plan to watch TV/movies rather that redundantly fast hardware. A good keyboard and mouse are important investments, even for laptops.
• Trackballs don’t give you carpel-tunnel and take up less space than a mouse.
• Buy a laptop, you can always leave it permanently docked. Unless you have a special desk area for a desktop set aside and already have a laptop.
• If you want a desktop I suggest you do some legwork (google) and build one yourself, it saves a lot of money and is fun. Start here at Ars Technica.
• Wait until windows 7 is released because manufactures are waiting for that until they release cool new hardware. It is a very good operating system.
• Netbooks are all most people need. They have no CD/DVD drive, have small 10 inch screens, don’t have redundant processing power, and are cheaper. I use one and probably use my computer more than you. Buy a 25 dollar USB external CD/DVD burner if you want.
• Don’t be afraid of ubuntu (linux) instead of Windows, especially if you are on a budget. Still wait a until late November for new hardware and holiday-time deals.
• Don’t buy microsoft office, just download open office, it does the same thing and is supported by Sun microsystems (a very large hardware manufacturer).
• Macs are overpriced 20-40%, but do instantly make you cool and popular. They “just work”, but so does everything else now.
• Computers are surprisingly hazardous to the environment to make, so invest in a good one if you can.
• Dell, HP, Lenovo (IBM), and Asus are generally good brands.