Clients of my design practice often ask for advice on computers. There are so many stores, brands, models, options and specifications.

It is easy to get carried away with a computer, especially when you go to a store and are confronted by all those different units. Many sales people will tell you about the importance of having the fastest processor, the biggest drive, the most memory etc. Ask yourself “what am I going to use the computer for?”.

From my experience most people use a computer for the following:

• Sending & receiving email
• Browsing the internet
• Online banking, shopping etc.
• General work processing
• Basic finance
• Viewing photos
• Listening and downloading music

Given the typical use of a computers most people do not require the latest, fastest, biggest and best computer available.

For most home users, I recommend an Apple Mac computer. There are many Mac vs PC arguments out there and it really is a personal choice. Macs are reliable, secure, simple-to-use and offer fantastic value for money right out of the box – Macs just work.

I own and use both Mac and PC computers. Originally a Mac user, I moved to the PC platform to use specialised software that is only available on PC. After being frustrated with my Windows computer I returned to the Mac operating system and am extremely pleased. What’s more, the newer Macs can now run Windows if required. You can now have the best of both worlds – Why buy a PC?