Mac or PC?

The first question you should ask yourself is if you are a Mac or a PC user. For those on the fence, here's a brief overview. In recent years, the distinction between a Mac and a PC has blurred. Both a Mac and a PC use the same hardware with the distinction of a chip on the motherboard that allows Mac software to run. The Mac and Windows OS were both unstable in the past, but are now reliable. Mac will run Windows with its unique Bootcamp software, increasing the available software a Mac can use. Both Windows and Mac have copied popular program features from each other. You can even modify your Windows layout to look like a Mac. Essentially, if you can do it on a PC, you can do it on a Mac and vice versa. There are, of course, some exceptions, where programs like Adobe CS4 may be more stable on a Mac. There is also the popular Final Cut Pro, which is available only on a Mac. The big difference between the two, however, is the price tag. A Mac, with the same hardware as a PC, can cost up to double. If you're on a tight budget, a Mac may not be right for you. If you've got money to spend and like the Mac design, then it may be worth a shot.

Desktop or Notebook

As technology has been progressing, the performance difference between a notebook and desktop has narrowed. Workstation graphics cards are now available in notebooks, along with some of the fastest quad core processors. The main bottleneck with a notebook is the hard drive. The obvious distinction is that a desktop hard drive can hold more data. The not-so-obvious difference is the read speed. A standard 5400rpm notebook drive can transfer 60MB/s. More expensive 7200rpm notebook drives can get up to 90MB/s. A standard desktop drive, however, can get over 100MB/s. This will affect how long it takes Windows to boot and programs to load. An otherwise fast notebook may appear slow just because of these load times. The final difference, and sometimes the most important, is that hard drives are not meant to be moved around. Dropping a notebook or carrying it around can cause damage to the hard drive that can result in loss of your data. If you do video editing, you will most likely need an external hard drive to back up all of your data. Desktops are faster, cheaper and more stable than laptops. However, laptops can still get the job done.

To Build or Not to Build?

There are a lot of great companies out there that will build a PC for you. Some specialize in making custom gaming and video editing PCs, like iBuypower and Polywell. Other companies, like Dell, HP and Sony, have less specialization but will still get the job done. All of these companies are out to make money, so it will cost more than building it from pieces. It is a lot easier, though, to have a computer assembled and delivered to your front door. If you are on a budget, there are great sites like www.newegg.com and www.pricewatch.com that will help you find the parts you need to build your computer. All new parts and PCs are covered under warranty, so if it breaks, you can always return it. Building a PC is not hard, but if you have never done it before read some tutorials first.