Business computers

Office computers are workhorses in your company. Your choice of business computer will be influenced by what you want to do with it, so when buying a business PC, prepare a clear set of IT requirements before looking at specific models.

Business computer basics

The most common type of business computer is a PC (personal computer). These are made by different companies but use the same underlying technology. They can run a huge range of programs and are the type of computer most people are familiar with.

Macs are the other main option. Although popular in creative industries, they tend to be a fringe choice for general business use.

Both these types of business computer are available as:

• Desktops, consisting of a base unit, monitor, keyboard and mouse. They are designed to be set up and used in one place.
• Laptops, single, flat units which fold out to reveal a display, keyboard, and trackpad (instead of a mouse). They are designed to be used on the move.

When connected to a full-size monitor, keyboard and mouse, a laptop can do everything a desktop business computer can with the added benefit of portability. Because of this, many companies issue them as standard.

Recent years have also seen the emergence of small cheap computers called netbooks. With a very long battery life these are best used for mobile working alongside another, “main” business computer.

Key business PC features

The specification of a business computer can run to several pages, but these features have the biggest influence on performance:

• Processor. Also called the central processing unit (CPU), this drives everything a business computer does. The CPU speed, measured in gigahertz (GHz), indicates its performance. Look for at least 3GHz. Faster chips with dual or quad cores (effectively two or four CPUs in one) are useful for intensive work, like processing big databases or editing videos.
• Memory. Random access memory (RAM) is where a business computer stores data it needs to access frequently. When you run a program, the data relating to it will generally be stored in the RAM. RAM is measured in gigabytes (GB). For general business tasks – like word processing and using the internet – you need 2GB.
• Hard disk drive. The hard disk (HD or HDD) is used for longer-term storage of files. When you save something on a computer, you generally save it to the hard disk. HD capacity is measured in gigabytes, too – look for 160GB as a minimum. That’s enough space for thousands of documents and photos, or hundreds of hours of video.
• Graphics adaptor. Most office computers use basic, integrated graphics hardware to display images on the computer screen. This is fine for general work, but you may need a graphics adaptor with its own dedicated memory to handle multiple monitors and high screen resolutions.

Business computer prices

The key features listed above have the largest influence on the price of office computers, but ultimately your IT requirements will determine what you need.

Basic PCs start at £200, but tend to date quickly and need replacing sooner. Mid-range PCs are better for general business tasks like word processing and accessing the internet. They cost £300-400 and should last about three years.

High-end PCs with fast processors start at £600. They can handle intensive tasks like photo editing and large databases. These office computers may also be better suited to system upgrades.

Laptop computers cost more than their desktop equivalents – expect to pay 20 per cent extra for the same specification. Big name brands command a slight premium too.