Easy Steps to Buying the Right Personal Computer for Your Small Business

June 1998

Whether you're riding high on the euphoria of launching your own business or ready to move your mature small company to the next level of productivity, shopping for a personal computer (PC), can feel a lot like hitting a wall. The wall seems about three stories high and a mile wide — row upon row of PCs boasting every variation of MHz, VRAM and VGA. This many choices can be overwhelming to the small-business owner who plans to do big things with a PC — like run a business, make money and provide great customer service.

To make sure you buy the right PC for your small business, it helps to be a knowledgeable shopper. The first step is to get a grip on your goals. The Basic PC, built for basic capability and limited flexibility and expandability, may prove acceptable for the small-business buyer who expects to do simple letter writing and basic accounting. But if you have your sights set on accomplishing a variety of office computing tasks simultaneously such as, designing professional-looking sales brochures, creating convincing customer presentations, and building exciting Web sites, you'd do better to equip your business with a high-performance PC that's powered by the Intel® Pentium® II processor.

Investing in the Right Processor
The Pentium II processor is available at several different speeds, each of which caters to a distinct small-business profile and budget. For small-business professionals who are true PC enthusiasts, a top-of-the-line PC with the latest technology and high-performance design represents the best choice. These run on the most advanced 350MHz and 400MHz Pentium II processors and are most appropriate for activities such as high-end desktop publishing, graphically intensive Web site development, 3-D modeling, video editing applications and CAD and engineering packages. Making an investment of about $2,500 in a system that supports this high-end functionality empowers small businesses to get more done in less time.

For small businesses that operate more in the mainstream, a performance PC based on the 333MHz Pentium II processor is a smart choice. It has plenty of power for multitasking, so you can shift gears between today's demanding office productivity suites (such as Microsoft Office*), Web browsing and specialized business applications as quickly and easily as you change the many hats you wear as a typical small-business owner. This full-featured platform delivers all the performance and flexibility you'll need to create visually stimulating marketing materials, run multimedia applications and communicate via the Internet with your customers and suppliers. At today's great prices, a PC of this caliber is a cost-effective investment of about $1,300-2,400.

For first-time small-business buyers who know for a fact that they'll have limited computing needs and won't require future expandability, "Basic PCs" built with the Intel® Celeron® processor may be an acceptable solution. Based on the same core technology used in Intel's higher-performance Pentium II processors, the 266MHz Celeron processor meets the core performance and affordability requirements that are common to some new small-business and home users. A Basic PC today sells for less than $1,200 — a very affordable business investment.

Other Considerations
Once you determine which microprocessor best serves your needs — today and in the future — you'll need to consider a few other PC system components, like hard drive size, monitor, keyboard, modem and memory.

After you decide on the system that's best for you, your last step is choosing a reputable source for your purchase. One option is a retail computer store, which is likely to offer a selection of systems from various PC manufacturers. Some PC manufacturers also offer computers via direct mail order, including the convenience of purchasing online. Another option is local computer resellers who offer systems and provide networking support and additional computing services for small businesses. Consult your Yellow Pages directory and look under "computer dealers" for listings in your area.

Wherever you decide to purchase your PC, make sure the system you select displays the Intel Inside® logo. It's a good sign that you're making a safe investment in proven technology.

For more information about technology solutions for small businesses, visit Intel's small-business Web site at www.intel.com/business/small/.

* Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.