When choosing between a cheap, slow Pentium and a faster one, zoom in for the latter. That means a 100 MHz over a 66 MHz PC, a 166 MHz machine over a 133 MHz machine. Even if your programs run happily on a slow PC now, in an year, you will outgrow them, and the later versions would crawl.
Caution: Bleeding edge, latest-off-the-shelf machines are always prohibitively expensive. But a couple of months wait, if you can afford it, will get you the same machine at a much lower price. A speed demon on the horizon is a clear indication that a price cut is in the offing for everything else.
Your PC is as good as the operating system you run. A top-end 133/ 166/ 200 MHz Pentium with 16 MB or more RAM would mean it can any 32-bit OS well. So, while you are happy with Windows 95 on your 486 now, Microsoft is not planning any major upgrade for that. Soon, you will be looking at resource-hungry OSs such as Windows NT and OS/2. And you can run them on any of the new premium PCs.
New software, both for the home and corporate user, demands more power. Edutainment software requires audio, video, graphics and animation. A 8X CD-ROM drive and a 1 GB or higher hard disk is essential. Bloatware could chock your cheap Pentium easily.
Finally, what is the best configuration that you can lay your hands on today? Look for a 2 GB hard disk, 32 MB RAM, 2 MB VRAM, a 12X CD-ROM and a 33.6 Kbps modem. That could be your dream PC -- today. Get it now, before it becomes yesterday's.
Kanchana
It's the MNCs which have taken the lead in the premium PC segment. Compaq, IBM, Acer and HP set standards here.
The Compaq Presarios, best-sellers the world over, lead the pack. The Compaq Presario 4128 runs on a 120 MHz Pentium, with 16MB of RAM, a 1.2 GB hard disk and a 8X CD-ROM drive. This machine is priced at around Rs 1.20 Lakhs. The system has built-in speakers and recording facility. MWave multimedia audio, 3D surround speakers and microphones makes this a good choice, though not exceptionally powerful. Shell out Rs 10,000 more, and you have a fast 133 MHz machine with 16 MB RAM, 1.6 GB HDD, 8x CD-ROM drive and Spatializer 3D surround sound. The 5000 series Compaqs (Rs 78,000 approx.) are already out of the power-user league.
The IBM Aptivas can break your heart. The Aptiva 2176- x65 is priced at about Rs 1,60,000. Worth it, if you consider the Pentium 166 MHz, with a 16 MB EDO RAM, 2MB video RAM, 2.5 GBE-IDE hard disk and a 28.8 Kbps fax modem. The Aptiva 2176-x71 screams along on a 200 MHz Pentium, with 16 MB EDO RAM, 2 MB video RAM and a mammoth 3.2 GB IDE hard disk.
The Aptiva x01, running on a Pentium 100 MHz processor, is cheaper at Rs 1,02,600. The 12 MB flexible shared EDO RAM is not too little, and the MWave DSP multimedia audio makes it a good buy, though you had better count on a few upgrades.
The Wipro Acer Aspire is a stunner. You have them from a 100 MHz Pentium upwards. The rest of the specs are remarkable similar to the Compaqs.Unfortunately, the price is definitely high for the specs.
Pricewise, the PCL Thoroughbred range is placed midway between MNC and domestic PCs. The company is tight-lipped about prices, but rumours put it at 15 % cheaper than its MNC competitors. The configuration begins with a 100 MHz Pentium with 8 MB RAM, 630 MB HDD, a 6x CD-ROM drive and 14.4 fax modem. The 133 MHz Pentium version with 16 MB RAM, 1.44 MB FDD, 2 MB video RAM and a 14 monitor will cost about Rs 1,00,000.
Hewlett-Packard's high-end systems are all priced around a lakh. The HP 7130 Pavilion uses a 133 MHz Pentium with 16 MB RAM, 1.6 GB HDD, 6x CD drive and a 28.8 Kbps fax modem. With a 15 colour monitor, the price of Rs One lakh looks definitely attractive.
If you are on the lookout for alternatives, how about the local manufacturer, Zenith? Their Pentium Pro range promises to do everything that the MNC PCs do, at ridiculous prices. Just remember that Pentium Pros may not run older apps well.
