Cost benefit of home computer

helpdesk 8.3

Analyzing costs and benefits for a home computer is relatively easy. The biggest thing you need to worry about is cost. Cost determines everything. If you want a super fast computer you will have to pay for it. If you want the best Office, Windows or Photoshop you have to pay for it.

choosing a computer crieteria

only steps I would use when choosing a home computer for a friend are: what they are going to use it for, cost, and do they want a desktop or laptop. I chose these for various reasons. What they are going to use it for plays into the other 2 categories. If it going to be used for games or heavy video or picture editing they will have pay more and probably use a desktop. If they are going to use a computer for basic internet and email, then you could get away with a cheaper laptop.

Analyze costs and benefits for a home computer

        I would add budget to table 8-2. Most individuals are limited by what they can purchased because of a budget. Usually this is the most important. Another criteria is the purpose of the computer. If you buy a cheap computer and then expect to do some heavy gaming you will be disappointed. This would be an intangible benefit to include frustration. I know if I am running several applications at once or doing film editing I need to have a good processor and extra memory. Just having it works when you want it to work is an important feature and that has many intangible benefits.

Activity 8-1 Assess the need for a personal computer

                I don't think that an individual that is considering a personal computer needs to consider the cost benefit analysis. they will likely be using it for just that, 'personal' use. This being the case there will not be a lot of income generated from the purchase of this computer so this does not apply as it does to a business considering purchasing one.

                I agree with looking at the economic feasibility, the budget will determine which computer and accessories are purchased. Operational feasibility needs to be looked at so that the computer purchased will meet the needs of the owner. Also, this will help so that excess money is not spent on the machine.

Anti-Spyware Utility Evaluation

Create evaluation criteria:

·         Price

·         Is Real-time monitoring available

·         Are updates readily available and are they automatic

·         Is the product user friendly

·         Is browser protection available

·         Is scheduling available

·         What Operating Systems(OS) are supported

·         What are the computer specs required for operation

Develop and Evaluate Criteria:

Criteria	Spybot Search and Destroy	Ad-Aware
Price	Free	Free
Real-time monitoring	Yes	Yes
Updates	Automatic	Automatic
User Friendly	Yes	Yes
Browser Protection	Yes	No
Scheduling Available	Yes	Yes
Operating Systems	Windows 7, Vista, XP, NT, 2000, ME, 98, 95	Windows 7, Vista, XP, 2000 Professional
Computer Requirements	300MHz or better, 128MB RAM, 100MB free space on HD	733MHz or better, RAM req’d by OS + 200MB, 300MB free space on HD

In summary, most of the free anti-spyware programs out there are very similar. In my comparison between Spybot S&D vs. Ad-Aware I would recommend Spybot S&D. They have added support for browser protection. This added support will go along with the real-time monitoring and make for the greatest protection against spyware and other malicious threats.