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Computer accessories are wise investments
By BILL HUSTED
c.2009 Cox Newspapers
ATLANTA - My father was a believer in cheap suits and expensive ties. He knew accessories make the man.
Over time I've adopted his theory when it comes to computers. Nowadays, unless you're building a nuclear submarine in your basement, almost any new computer on the shelves should work out just fine.
After all, most of us use a computer to browse the Web, send e-mail, write a few letters, edit some photos and play a bit of music. So, if that's you, just walk down the aisle at the computer store and grab any brand name machine and you'll be OK. (Those building nuclear subs will need to shop more carefully.)
But, when it comes to accessories, now that's a different story.
Let's start with the way we communicate with a computer. We use the keyboard and mouse as our virtual eyes and ears. These items are more important than your choice from the endless list of processor chips and video cards available.
Most computers come with a lightweight plastic keyboard. Folks who type for a living know that nothing beats the old heavy metal original IBM keyboards. The closest you can come to those keyboards these days is a Unicomp Customizer 104 Keyboard. You can find sources for them online by using Google.
When it comes to the monitor, spend a few extra bucks and get the biggest and best you can afford. Text is easier to read and you have plenty of real estate. It makes sense to pay for a premium monitor because, unlike that computer, you won't need to replace it for years. Here's a great site with reviews in all price ranges: tinyurl.com/dzsaxm.
Your next decision involves protecting the files on your hard disk. The value of these files exceeds the worth of your computer and monitor.
To protect all that data, you need the ability to back it up. I suggest getting a big external hard disk - one that plugs into the computer's USB port. It'll come with software that can automate the task of backing up your data on a regular basis. That way if your hard disk crashes, and all of them do if you own them long enough, your precious data will be preserved. I've had good luck with external drives from Maxtor.
Next we need to find a way to protect your computer from surges in the powerline and from power outages.
Spikes of power can kill your machine, and outages are especially dangerous.
Think back to a time that power went out at your house. I'll bet that when it came back on, lights flickered, went out again, then came back on, all within seconds. That may be annoying to you, but it's a killer for your computer. That's why any computer user needs a UPS - an uninterruptible power supply.
Most of you know what a UPS is and many of you own them. But to be clear, a UPS is a big battery that is constantly charging when the power is on. When your computer is connected to it - even when the power is on - the juice to run the PC comes from the UPS' circuitry. That means you're getting clean power when the lights are on, and it also means that there is no interruption when the power goes out.
I favor the APC brand when it comes to a UPS. Just make sure you get a UPS that is big enough for your computer and the other accessories that will be connected to it. This chart on the APC Web page will help you select the right one: tinyurl.com/dfc658
Now you're looking good. Take a tip from my dad. Save a few bucks on your computer, but dress it up with some high end accessories.
You might also want to check out some nice ties.
Bill Husted writes for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. E-mail: tecbud(at)bellsouth.net.
Story Filed By Cox Newspapers
For Use By Clients of the New York Times News Service
