Finding the right computer for you can be a difficult task. There are so many types of computers, from basic to extremely advanced; desktop, laptop and in between. So how to even begin?
The first thing to consider is the kind of operating system, OS, you want. At the moment there are basically only two possibilities for OS, either a PC or a Mac. PC operating systems use Microsoft Windows in most cases. The advantages of using Windows is that there are many programs and applications compatible with Windows and almost all hardware have drivers which work with Windows.
On the downside the Windows OS is a high maintenance system needing protection from viruses, adware, spyware and malware. And you might need a more powerful computer if you want to use the latest Windows OS, Vista.
Macintosh OS have fewer compatible programs and applications, but the numbers are increasing all the time. Macs are easy to use, and become infected with viruses to a much lesser extent. A big disadvantage is that the Mac OS is compatible only with Apple products and can be a problem when working with hardware drivers.