How to pick your next computer

Windows XP is officially obsolete. Since April 8, Microsoft has stopped supporting the 12-year-old operating system, which means the company will not fix any new security gaps. Those whose XP computers are connected to the Internet will be vulnerable to hackers.

In short, ditch your Windows XP computer. Unfortunately, upgrading to a newer version of Windows is probably not worth the effort, depending on the age of your hardware. Consider a new computer instead. With the variety of devices available now, your next computer does not need to be desktop-bound.

Here is our guide to the different form factors available now.

All-in-one PCs

All-in-One ASUS ET2321

Combining display and CPU into an elegant package, all-in-one computers, or AIOs, are suitable for those who still want a desktop PC experience. The relatively large screens (from 21 to 27 inches) suit both entertainment and work purposes.

They take up less desk space than desktop PCs and can be equipped with fairly beefy hardware to perform tasks such as video and graphics production. The latest models often come with touchscreens.

However, unlike with a desktop PC, you may find it practically impossible to upgrade the internal hardware.

Ultrabooks

HP TouchSmart Ultrabook

Arguably inspired by Apple's MacBook Air, the earliest ultrabooks were premium models with sleek, lightweight chassis. They now come in many configurations, with screen sizes ranging from 11 to 15 inches.

Most ultrabooks have better than average battery life as they use low-power processors.

As a result, their computing performance is not the best, though more than adequate for most users.

Their biggest selling point is their portability, which makes them suitable for those who require a PC for their travels.

Hybrids

Lenovo Yoga Pro 2

As the name implies, most hybrids can be used as tablets or as laptops. These devices are designed for the dual nature of Windows 8, which can be used on both tablets and PCs.

While there are quite a few novel hybrid designs in the market, the ones which work best are those that make use of a flexible hinge that allows the screen to rotate 360 degrees. Examples include the Lenovo Yoga Pro 2 (above) and the Dell XPS 11.

Other hybrids to consider are tablets with detachable keyboard docks that may include a built-in battery or even a secondary hard drive.

These devices are often not the best as either tablets or laptops, but they are versatile and suitable for those who just want to carry a single device.

Desktop replacements

Dell Inspiron 15 7000 Series

These are basically mobile desktop PCs. They have full high-definition screens of between 15 and 17 inches and are equipped with high-end processors and graphics chips capable of running demanding games.

They also offer upgrade possibilities, such as secondary hard drives.

While they are technically notebooks, these powerful laptops have dismal battery life. However, despite weighing between 3kg and 5kg, they are still more portable than a desktop PC.

In other words, if you are serious about PC gaming, you need one of these machines or a full desktop PC.

Tablets

Sony Xperia Z2 Tablet

A slim slate with a touchscreen, the tablet probably needs no introduction by now. After all, we are supposedly living in the post-PC era, where tablets or smartphones are the dominant computing devices.

A tablet is excellent for watching videos and browsing the Internet, not to mention there are free apps aplenty for them. But you probably need to get some accessories, such as a keyboard and tablet stand, for it to be a decent alternative to a PC.

Companies, such as Parallels, are now launching apps which let you remotely access your desktop or laptop computers on tablets.

While Android and Apple tablets are the most popular ones around, Windows 8 tablets may fit the needs of some. They offer the ability to run desktop Windows apps. Some models even include a stylus for writing notes.

vinchang@sph.com.sg

3 QUICK TIPS

1. You can still get Windows 7

New computers usually come with Windows 8 or 8.1. You should update it with the latest patch, which has several improvements for keyboard and mouse users.

But if you cannot get used to the new tile-based interface, some vendors can downgrade the operating system to Windows 7, which is similar to Windows XP.

2. Solid-state drives are amazing, but pricey

Toshiba Canvio AeroMobile Wireless SSD

The performance of these flash-based storage drives is excellent. They are much faster than the usual hard drives.

While prices have declined over the years, solid-state drives remain fairly expensive. Many vendors now offer them in their computers, though the capacities are relatively smaller due to the cost.

If you do choose a solid-state drive, you may wish to also get a network-attached storage device or, at least, an external hard drive with ample storage space to store your data.

3. Screen matters

In-plane switching or IPS displays have superior viewing angles compared with twisted nematic (TN) ones. IPS screens are often used in smartphones and tablets, where wide viewing angles are important.

But on budget laptops and all-in-one PCs, TN screens may be preferred as they cost less.

Tilt the screen of a laptop or monitor back and check if the colours become distorted. IPS screens will look mostly the same, while TN panels will look terrible, especially at more extreme angles.

This article was published on May 14 in Digital Life, The Straits Times.

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