P.C Trendz: Personal Computer or Portable Computer? Explore the options!!

In the 1940s when the pioneering computers were invented, they would take the size of a room. Nobody would foresee at that moment that such a big machine would attain the size of a book and take a gigantic market share in all technological devices. Around 1970s the computers took shape of Desktops which could fit on a table desk and were called P.Cs: Personal Computers. They were followed by another type of P.Cs: Portable Computers or laptops which had mobility, rechargeable battery and could do all the functions of Desktops. It is recently in 2000 that the sale of Laptops outran the sale of Desktops. Since then the laptops have evolved into various forms like Notebooks, Netbooks and tablets.

If you are probable buyer you’ll have to choose from a lot of options, as the options increase so does the requirement of skills to select the right one; the one that can really help you and is worth the bucks. Computers are something we don’t buy every day, unless of course you run a business of computers.

Let us try to understand in this post what the different names mean and what your options are when you are looking forward to own one, at the end of it the decision is yours!:

Desktop:

A Desktop is a Personal Computer which can fit on a table desk; is mostly stationary and can work with ease with various peripherals and accessories. Such a device has higher upgradability features than compared to other I.T devices and are supposed to be less complicated to repair. Previous desktops worked with CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) display monitors, which is the technology used to make T.V screens. The TrendZ of replacing these CRT monitors with LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) monitors is now catching up. LCDs are smarter in looks, take little space on the desk and are easily rotatable in most cases.

All in One:

They were the desktops which would appear like a CRT monitor and would contain inbuilt CPU (Central Processing Unit) and inbuilt speakers. There were too many things stuffed in the main monitor and the monitor was the central controlling point for all the functions. Hence, they were difficult to repair and upgrade; such a device didn’t become much popular than, but later became inspiration for the next generation innovations which works on the same concept and which we shall read further.

Laptops:

Laptops are mobile Personal computers which are portable and hence also rechargeable. A laptop can perform all the tasks of a regular desktop and can work smoothly with most of the accessories. Laptops essentially have foldable screens and are roughly between 16 to 11 inches in size. As time passed laptops evolved into more mobile and portable devices but compromising some functions. However that’s what evolution means, the lizard lost the legs to become a snake.

Notebooks:

Notebooks are laptops, mostly smaller than 11 inches and resemble the laptops in functions. In fact they accomplish all the tasks of a desktop including burning DVDs, but have smaller displays and keyboards than ordinary laptops. The notebooks are sort of connecting links between the laptops and the netbooks which evolved later.

Netbooks:

As the world is becoming more and more digital and internet friendly; much of the files and digital matter is now downloaded or uploaded. The CDs and DVDs which are time consuming to burn and less resistant to scratches are losing the popularity and are now preferred with other accessories like memory cards, flash disks and external hard disks. The netbooks sacrificed the optical (CD/DVD) drives to gain smaller size barely accommodating the keyboard. They also made a compromise with the processing speed by not accommodating the ordinary and widespread processors but they’ll be worked upon in future. The netbooks are meant for the generation which spends much time on internet and hence had enhanced connectivity options. Most of them come with WiFi, Bluetooth, Ethernet ports and USB ports. CDs and DVDs can still be used on these devices with the aid of External DVD writers. Such a decision was made to make them more portable, smaller and cheaper.

Tablets:

As the Netbooks sacrificed the utility of CDs and DVDs the tablets sacrificed the utility of keyboards. Though the previous models had much smaller keyboards, the latest models have touch screen for typing and hence are much more slate like and almost work in one flat dimension; meaning that there is no foldable screen but there is a flap jacket to protect the screen. Such devices have their own special operating systems and may not do certain functions like connecting with printers and certain applications necessary for office use. In these devices the display screen itself is the device just like the old inspiring “All in One” computers, one such example is iPad. With time these tablet P.Cs are improvising to be able to work with printers using wireless technologies and are working forward to be more helpful in office environments.

As this post is drafted and many a enthusiastic probable buyers are searching through the markets for more options; the ambitious businessmen and innovative scientists are working towards ideal devices which are similar to mobile phones and can do all the functions of a full- fledged Desktop computer, such devices may be named “Palmtops”.

Tips on buying Computers / Laptops in East Africa

Though most of the tips and tricks of buying a good Computer or a laptop are same as buying from any other place in the world, buying a machine in East Africa may need some extra precautions, which we will try to bring forward in this post. Going through the details in this blog may help you to make a wise choice.

·         What are your requirements?

When it comes to buying technological stuffs, you have to plan. Buying spontaneously and impulsively may not be the best way. Try to make a self assessment and a check list of functions, features and specifications you may require in your device. Share them honestly with knowledgeable friends and get feedbacks. Try to do some research online and more importantly in the local market about what you can expect. Such a process will equip you with a proper vocabulary when you are discussing the purchase with the sales person and shall increase your negotiation capability. Honest expressions of your expectations and requirements and how you intend to utilize the device may make you closer to the device and service that you deserve.

If the device is meant for a single location you may buy a desktop whereas, if you have to move with it you may need a laptop/ notebook/ tablet or a palmtop. We would recommend a laptop even for stationary purpose as it will help during the power failures and load shading, which are common issues these days in the region of discussion. However, if there is more than one person sharing the same device, we would recommend desktops. As they are more heavily built, prone to less wear and tear, more readily upgradeable and somehow more secure.

·         Check for compatibility

Figure out how you are going to use your device with your other computers, gadgets and accessories. For instance if you already have a mobile phone which can connect with internet and has a blue tooth you may want to buy a device which has a Bluetooth inbuilt, such that you can use the internet from your phone and may not need to buy a modem and you can even inter-exchange files.

If you are going to use internet from a “cyber café”, “hot spot” or any other premises with wireless internet router, you should buy a laptop with WIFI options. If the device is meant for working in a network group, care should be taken to check for the different networking options and technical after sales service may be required to setup the network.

·         Consider your Profession

The profession of the buyer determines greatly the specifications required. A person working outdoors like an army man, wild-lifers or an engineer may look for a device with higher durability, sturdiness, brighter display and longer battery life. Such a device may not look quite attractive in style and may be a bit bulky but it may be more dust/weather proof.  On the contrary a person planning to use the device indoors may concentrate more on design, style and higher technical specifications.

For instance, if you are a professional Photographer, D.J/ V.J, video librarian, graphic/ art designer or a technician who is already using other devices like digital cameras, sound mixers, external DVD writers, printers or other gadgets respectively; you may think of higher configuration and better features which are above the average. Looking for bigger internal hard disks (in today’s date 500 G.B. is considered normal and 1 TB is advisable) higher processor speeds (alteast 3.0 G Hz) and good R.A.M of at least 4 GB, VGA, HDMI, S video and various USB ports with high speed DVD writers(at least 24x) may be beneficial for your smart work.

On the other hand if a person needs device for a corporate office or a bank, he may decide to leave the DVD writers, audio/video ports and USB ports, bigger internal hard disks and may opt for energy saving displays, smart designs and enhanced networking capabilities.

·         Buy the common ones

Buying the common models of devices may make it easier for the person to look for friendly help on how to use different functions and features; more importantly for getting technical help. Much of the repairing in developing nations is done by trial and error method and hence the more your device is common the more is the chance you may not struggle for service. Also the availability and prices of the spares depends on popularity of the device in such a place and can affect the process of repairing.

·         Look for the facts

Every sticker and label on the device has a meaning and indicates something. It’s on the buyer to be inquisitive enough and ask the right questions before the purchase. Instead of being appealed just by the looks it is equally important to spend some energy, time and curiosity on the functions and specifications of the device.

·         Upgrading options

It is critical to take a moment trying to research this aspect of your probable purchase. A person should ideally try to buy more durable device, which can be upgraded according to future requirements. For instance aspects like R.A.M and internal hard disks are very important for a professional laptop user and hence should be easily upgradable. We are of the opinion that the feel of comfort a user has with its device is much more important than just the look of it; such a comfort is extremely necessary if the guy is going to spend long hours working on it and many a years. Hence it’s also recommended to buy the latest device with upgradable options of important specifications such that it accompanies you down the line. This makes economic and environmental sense too.

·         Warranty

This factor is important considering that there are a few branded company sales outlets throughout East Africa; rare to find authorized service centers and even rarer to find good technicians. The vendors are helpless as they are few authorized service centers in the region and sometimes the cost encored to transport a device to get the benefits of warranties is more than the actual price of the device. However though, there are some vendors who can offer conditional or limited warranties from their sides which can be a sign of customer’s protection against company faults or manufacturer’s defects. Such a warranty may cost you a few more bucks but is worth it. It is also advisable to test the device for important functions while buying it to avoid any complications. A customer should not rely on verbal promises of warranties and should always demand for written warranties.

·         Be careful of Refurbished

Refurbished devices are those devices which are returned by the customers to the manufacturers as they are not satisfied with them for some reason; such devices are worked upon by the manufacturers to resale them in certain parts of the world. Sale of refurbished Computers and laptops is prohibited in Uganda, as in the long run the nation becomes dumping ground for outdated technologies and such a device may not be good for the end customer. The buyer has to make sure to check every labels and stickers on the computer as the manufacturers make sure to put stickers of refurbished on all such devices and the customer will find them if the stickers are not tempered with.

·         Cheap things are more expensive

Buying cheap may not always be a discount or bonus deal. The device may be refurbished or may have some damage. For people trying to buy second hand stuffs; they should know that the owner selling the device has anticipated the bigger complication in the machine, like getting some particular spare (mostly battery in laptops and digital cameras) and may want to sell you for so called good price saying that he is in problem and needs some money. So instead of buying cheap, followed by struggle to look for spares; we recommend to buy new and good quality stuffs even if it seems a bit expensive when buying. Again it makes a lot of economical and environmental sense.

·         Check for software

It would be wise to look for labels with serial numbers for your operating systems when you are buying the device. A licensed operating system could mean a hassle free experience with your device. Such an operating system is good for the security against viruses and other malwares and gives access to the latest updates available. When you buy a pre loaded device installed by the manufacturer you are mostly safe from counterfeits. Such a device may also contain trial versions of other software you’re your preferred antivirus.

·         Check for spares

We have seen people looking for a particular phone/laptop battery or a charger and sometimes even particular cables to use their devices. It is critical that a customer should buy those devices which are popular and widespread to ease these hassles in future. There are even those people who get gifts from their friends and relatives abroad and then may struggle to get the spares around as some of those models are not common around here.

Other non-technical factors to be considered

·         What is the budget?

Good quality is also available at affordable rates; though in its own range. Instead of reaching out too far and expanding the budgets by overwhelming loans, a person should concentrate on savings. The buyer should get a clear idea of affordable budget and precise details of the specifications he may need from the device during his work and plan to buy them accordingly.

·         Buy in “combo” deals

Combo deals means trying to buy most of the relevant things you need at the same time. For instance when you are buying a desktop computer, you may also want to buy the dust covers, mouse pad, external speakers, U.P.S and a printer along with; as you may need them in near future. Such a deal may save you some money and can get you some bonus deals.

·         Buy collectively

It is mostly advantageous and increases the customers’ negotiation capacity if they are buying in bulk and can demand better after sales service.

·         Monitor Currency exchange rates

Foreign currency mostly dollar to local currency ratios highly affect the prices of imported goods in East Africa, apart from availability. By the time one starts planning to buy any expensive device or machine it is advisable to remain updated on the currency exchange rates.

Why not Computers?

Days are gone when a young heart scratches his head on a silent river bed and wonders “Do I need a computer?”

The world is changing at much faster pace than ever before in history of evolution of mankind. We are now practically in Information Age and if radiations and signals had visible colors; the entire space around humans, in most part of the world, would be colored with a spectrum of technological radiations. The use of Digital technology and the information we transfer everyday on the 3Ws (World Wide Web) is massive. It is estimated that, the information we transfer everyday is more than 90,000 PB. Per day (1 PB or Petabyte=1 million GB-Gigabytes = 1000 TB- Terabytes).

As we have discussed in the “House Hold Electronics” section the electronics of today are now becoming “integrated”. They are now involving much of the digital applications of technology and becoming more network and internet friendly than ever before. Same is true for the Computer world; the digital knowledge is expanding its horizons to combine with other forms of technology, creating a newer “Digital world” every second.

The citizen of this new “Digital world” has to be Computer literate and should be able to access the basic information technologies, in all its varied forms, for accomplishing simple daily tasks. For instance to use the recently launched Internet T.V. a person needs to have the basic skills of using internet and transferring digital resources like photographs, videos, music and last but never the least Text. A simple testimony to this statement is a question “When did you last write a letter and sent your pictures to your friend in another country”. The answer is self explanatory. 

To dare to vision a future of “Digital world” escalates our responsibilities towards future. In a world where anything non digital may even be considered ancient; puts immense pressure on an ordinary person, to be more informed and knowledgeable about technological advances; one should be able to explore his potential using his digital talent.

Considering East Africa, other nations of Africa and the rest of developing world we have a word of wisdom in one of our blog post “Trendz in Electronics”. The more you are late to own a technological product the better you’ll get. But we should still -be prepared- for the best and the right time to begin is “now”.

So when the question arises “Why Computers?” we always answer “Why Not Computers?”