Computer Buying Advice for a Bioscientist

[online5661]

Hi, I am 37, a " quite old (~55yr old)" friend of mine who is a bioscientist asks me which computer is good to buy.
He used to buy laptop: toshiba, celeron 30GB, 256-RAM, CD-DVDROM, XP-Home installed, at t.price of $1650. Having quite a lot of money on hand, he was so happy to take it home but most of other people who are "computerists" said he was not "smart" at all. About computer I am completely dumb, give me some ideas so I can tell him later.

 

[bao_ho]

because he's going to run windows XP, i recommend atleast 512+256 MB of RAM.
the rest is unimportant and should be the most basic setup.

And the only way to do that and save money is at your local computer shop that can custom build a laptop.

And make sure he buys a USB memory stick also.

 

[ravenprp]

Hi there,

First of all, it's great that you're looking for advice to help your friend make a smart computer purchase. As a bioscientist, there are a few key things your friend should consider when buying a computer.

1. Processor: The processor is the brain of the computer and is responsible for carrying out all tasks. For a bioscientist, it's important to have a powerful processor, such as an Intel Core i5 or i7, to handle data-intensive tasks.

2. RAM: Random Access Memory (RAM) is the temporary storage that the computer uses to run programs. For a bioscientist, it's recommended to have at least 8GB of RAM, but 16GB would be even better for handling large datasets.

3. Storage: Your friend will likely need a lot of storage space for their work. Look for a computer with at least 500GB of storage, or consider a solid-state drive (SSD) for faster performance.

4. Operating System: Your friend should consider upgrading from Windows XP, as it is no longer supported by Microsoft and may not be compatible with newer software. Windows 10 is the most recent and widely used operating system.

5. Graphics: If your friend is working with images or visual data, they may benefit from a dedicated graphics card. Look for a computer with a dedicated graphics card, such as an NVIDIA GeForce or AMD Radeon, for better performance.

6. Portability: If your friend needs to work on the go, a laptop may be a good option. However, if they mainly work in a lab or office, a desktop computer may be a more cost-effective choice.

It's also important to consider the brand and model of the computer. Some reputable brands for bioscientists include Dell, HP, and Lenovo. It's also a good idea to read reviews and compare prices to get the best deal.

Overall, the most important thing is to find a computer that meets your friend's specific needs and budget. Don't let others' opinions sway your friend - what matters is finding a computer that works for them. I hope this helps and good luck with your friend's computer purchase!