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By Rik Fairlie So why must NASCAR-quality clock speed be the defining requirement of a computer? Most users don't need blazing power because they don't push their PCs beyond basic apps such as word processing, e-mail, and Web browsing. What they do need is a machine that's easy to use, reliable, and inexpensive, not one tricked out with a multigigahertz engine. Yet even though you may not need a PC stoked with speed, you probably want one. That's because makers of computers and the processors that power them have mesmerized consumers with ads that portray a rocketlike processor as an inescapable necessity. You're led to believe that anything less simply won't meet your needs. Why we're all speed freaks Patrick Moorhead, vice president of customer advocacy for AMD, contends that mainstream buyers seek speed to avoid obsolescence and ensure that their PCs won't choke on future apps. It's an issue that 75 percent of today's shoppers worry about, he says. "Buyers consider the software that they want to run tomorrow because they want their investment to last." This is true only because the industry has programmed consumers to believe this way. Vendors have conditioned average users shopping for a PC to obsess about obsolescence and ignore the reality that they simply don't need the fastest processor. Even Moorhead admits that only white-knuckle gamers, 3D designers, and digital-video editors truly need extreme power.
In addition to ingraining a fear of obsolescence, makers of PCs and processors have conditioned consumers to believe that life-altering applications, those that require the speediest processor possible, are just around the corner. Voice-recognition technology, for example, has been plugged for years as one of the most compelling uses for ever-faster CPUs. Yet the number of people who exercise vocal control over their computers is very small. In fact, most of the features already incorporated into PCs go unused, a phenomenon Moorhead terms a technology gap. "There is an increasing gap between the innovations of technology and the relevancy of the technology," he says. "The fact that 40 percent of U.S. households don't own a PC has everything to do with relevance, not price. Users don't see a reason to buy a new PC." Moorhead views software innovations such as voice recognition as a means of turning these nonusers into buyers. "[Current computer users are] happy with the mouse and keyboard, but new users need an intelligent interface like voice recognition, an interface that will encourage the other 40 percent to buy a PC," he says.
If your computing needs are more average than advanced, keep this in mind when configuring a new system: Any processor above 1GHz should be just fine. As a rule of thumb, look for CPUs that are two or three bumps behind the current speed leader. "A 1.7GHz or 1.8GHz Pentium 4 is the sweet spot right now; that's where you'll get the most bang for the buck," Rau says. "But if you need less bang, you can still go back a bit further." Also, consider a system with the best configuration for your needs, not what computer marketers pitch. Think more about options that match your daily use and less about the processor's clock speed. For instance, more RAM or the latest graphics card may do more to put you at the top of your 3D game than the fastest possible processor. And if you're looking to maximize your Net worth, consider spending a bit less on the PC hardware and applying the savings toward broadband access. Although it's sensible to worry about the longevity of a big purchase, you should shop for a computer the way you shop for a car. Look for something that meets your specific needs and lifestyle and don't slobber over speed. Consider my Civic. Although I have no idea how swiftly its four cylinders can transport me, I know the car delivers all the features I need for safe, reliable, and fast-enough transportation. Computer makers should concentrate on providing the same kind of simple satisfaction. How much speed do you really need? Do you push your PC to the limit or rarely take it out of first gear? TalkBack to me! Read last month's Consumer Alert
• Check latest prices on Pentium 4 desktops that clock in at 1.7GHz • It's the economy, stupid; these desktops are the cheapest around • Get a notebook instead; here are the Top 5 notebooks that could replace your desktop • See who has been dropping their prices on new desktops Rik Fairlie is the editor of Computer Shopper magazine. Questions or comments? Let us know.
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