more advice on buying new computers

(Adapted from consumerreports.org)

There's plenty of lean, mean, and green in new computers. You'll find space-saving profiles, more powerful and efficient chips, and environmentally friendly designs. The best new computers are also security conscious, offering features designed to keep your machine and your data out of harm's reach.

Many desktop new computers are still boxy and bulky but you can also choose from among slimmer models. Smaller, more efficient laptops are also available. Netbooks have 10-to-12-inch displays and weigh about 2 to 3 pounds. They aim to be your second computer, the one you use to surf the Web and check e-mail while traveling, or a child's first system. But their small size imposes tradeoffs.

When you shop, watch out for ¿great deals" on new computers that may not be so great. Before you buy a bargain new PC at a rock-bottom price at a department store, take a closer look, because some new computer manufacturers are replacing dual-core processors with single-core Celeron and Sempron processors to reduce costs. Others are using less-powerful Atom processors in systems that otherwise look like full-blown laptops and desktops. The result, our tests show, is more sluggish performance when you try to surf media-rich websites, watch videos, or play 3D games on your new computer.

The bottom line when shopping: If you're looking for a primary new PC for general-purpose computing, avoid new computers with single-core processors, such as some Atoms and Celerons. Also make sure you get more than 1GB of memory. Of course, if all you need is a low-cost netbook for general Web surfing and e-mail, with perhaps some word processing thrown into the mix, then an Atom-based netbook with a gigabyte or two of memory and at least a 160GB hard drive should serve you fine.

Do you need a new PC?

If your old computer is sluggish, it might be time for a new PC. First try these steps to beef up its performance: Delete programs you no longer use. If that isn't enough, and the computer is no more than four years old, add 1 GB of memory. Adding memory is an inexpensive and easy way to upgrade your computer. We can do this for you at Computer PRO.

If you're running out of space on the hard drive, burn your old music, photos, and videos onto a CD or DVD and delete them off your hard drive. To gain a lot more storage space, consider adding a hard drive. (An external hard drive is one of the easiest computer upgrades that even a computer novice can perform.)

Once you've cleared all your old files and moved any files to an external hard drive, run the Disk Defragmenter that's bundled with Windows. That will help your hard drive access files faster.

If none of that works, and the computer is more than four years old, it's probably time for a new computer. Be sure to recycle your old computer, but don't forget to wipe your hard drive first. We recommend Eraser for Windows-based computers.

Windows 7 is the latest iteration of Microsoft's operating system. It costs from $120 to $200 off the shelf. Eligible college students can grab an upgrade for $30 at selected websites. Windows 7 is more stable than Vista and it's got a good number of ease-of-use enhancements. And as a bonus, you'll get a grip on those frustrating User Account Controls, because Windows 7 provides options for different levels of settings.