Solid state drives: SSDs are faster than traditional hard drives in part because they don’t have any moving parts. Apple also releases several macOS updates free throughout the year. The latest version of macOS is called Monterey and was released in fall 2021. Macs can be a little more expensive than comparable PCs, but they’re less prone to most viruses and spyware (in part because there are more Windows PCs out there than Macs, making them a bigger target for hackers). Microsoft releases free updates throughout the year, adding features, fixing bugs, etc. Games tend to debut on Windows before making their way to macOS, for instance. Windows 11 adds a refreshed user interface (which now resembles macOS) and deeper integration with OneDrive, Microsoft’s cloud storage service, and is otherwise very similar to Windows 10.Ī huge assortment of software can be downloaded for the platform from Microsoft’s app store and developer websites. If it’s not, it’s a free upgrade from Windows 10. Windows 11, the latest version of Microsoft’s long-running operating system, should be preinstalled on most PCs. Unless you regularly have multiple demanding apps open at the same time, 8GB should be your target. On desktops, 8GB has become common, with 16GB or more found on higher-end devices. The more memory a computer has, the faster it is, up to a point. If you plan to watch high-definition videos or play mainstream games, the Intel Core i5 and AMD Ryzen 5 line of processors should be your starting point. If you’re looking for a very basic or budget computer to browse the web, check email, and work on Office documents, basically every processor on the market should be sufficient. Speeds can exceed 5 GHz for a desktop processor. Clock speeds typically start at around 1 GHz for a mobile processor. Generally, within a processor family, the higher the clock speed, the faster the processor. Many processors can up the speed a bit for a brief time to yield maximum performance. Processors with multiple cores can process more data simultaneously.Ĭlock speed, measured in gigahertz, along with the number of cores and other factors, determines how quickly a processor can process information. You may be able to answer a text message with your keyboard, for example, or share copy-paste data between a computer and a smartphone. But there are benefits to pairing a Mac with an iPhone or an Android phone with a PC. They’ll support the most popular software options, too, from Adobe Photoshop to Chrome, Slack to Zoom. You’ll find models on both platforms that score well in our labs. In fact, while all-in-one models with a screen tend to be aesthetically pleasing and take up less desk space, they can cost a lot more than buying a desktop computer and monitor separately. Luckily, you can find good computer monitors for reasonable prices. Some models come with a built-in display, and others require you to supply your own. You also generally get more power per dollar spent with a desktop than you do with a laptop. Staring into a monitor puts less strain on your neck than staring down into a laptop. A desktop computer can be a smart and ergonomic pick if you’re setting up a home office and aren’t worried much about mobility.
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