QAs
Mr.Q
samples_instruction.docxMI 375 - Computer Purchases (20 points)
In each of the scenarios listed below, you are asked to help select a computing device to purchase as well as three applications. (You may choose desktops, laptops, netbooks, tablets, all-in-ones, etc.) In selecting a computer, you want to buy the most possible features for the amount of money that has been allocated for the purchase... essentially, the best value. Based upon the needs of the people in each situation, help him/her find a computer to purchase. You will need to consider required RAM, hard drive size, speed, ability to be networked, storage media (Flash, USB ports, DVD or DVD-RW), as well as the applications he/she will want to run. You may want to consider factory refurbished machines as well as new ones. Choose one of the scenarios (if you work in a group, each person should work on a different scenario). (Each group will need to complete one scenario per person.)
Find a computer to recommend for each selected scenario. Use the Computer Purchase worksheet to provide details of the products you have selected (i.e. RAM, speed, storage media, hard drive size, networking capabilities, etc. Also, suggest three products that he/she should purchase based upon their plans for the computer. (You will need to consider application requirements when choosing the computer.) Then, explain your recommendations in the area indicated and suggest which items should be purchased now and which ones should be purchased later. Assume that the computers come with an operating system and MS-Works pre-installed. You may want to consider open source options. Provide the location or site addresses of the products chosen (hardware and software). There can be more than one correct response. I am looking for your justification of the decision which will demonstrate your understanding of how to choose a computer and what you need to consider. You will need to search the Web for your recommendation.
Deliverables:
Each group will complete the Computer Purchase worksheet for each selected scenario. You may fill the worksheet in using Word or print the worksheet off and write your answers in the areas provided.
Select One Scenario Per Person
Since you are purchasing for the future as well as today, you will want to purchase at least Dual Core / 64 bit processors.
Scenario 1
You work at a firm having clients scattered throughout the tri-state region. Your company has 5 employees who spend approximately 80% of their time at clients' offices. You have been asked to buy computers for these five employees. The company does not want to spend over $1,100 for each computer. (Dollar amount is for computer only. Software will be purchased at a later time.) The company will, however, spend more if the extra expenses are justified. The president of the company wants the computers to last approximately 5 years. The employees will be making presentations to clients as well as writing reports and memos. They will also need to use one other piece of productivity software based upon the type of company. Thus, if it is an CPA firm, they will choose an accounting software, a financial firm may use a finance package or statistical package, etc. Suggest three applications that would want to use and research three computers and recommend one. (You can choose the company type as well as software needed based upon their intended use.)
Scenario 2
Your friend, Bob, has just started a computer training firm and needs you to help decide what type of computers to purchase. Bob accumulated a large amount of student loans and feels that he can only afford to spend about $1,400 per computer. (Dollar amount is the total amount he has available for software and hardware per machine. He cannot teach the classes without some software.) He would like to teach Adobe Dreamweaver, Adobe InDesign, and Adobe Photoshop. (These are graphical applications thus requiring a greater amount of primary memory as well as storage.) He may not be able to purchase all of the software at one time, so suggest what software he should purchase now and the cost as well as what software he should purchase in the future and the cost. He wants the computers to last for at least 5 years. Also suggest a printer he might purchase and provide the price.
Scenario 3
Your friend is a young married person on a tight budget. He would like to buy a computer for word processing, accessing the Internet, daily home budgeting, and to run educational programs for his four year old son. (He would like to find something that would keep his son entertained on long car trips, if possible.) He has $700 to spend on this purchase. He may have to buy the software later.
Since computers become out-of-date quickly, he would like to buy a product that will last about five years. Thus, he does not have to have the absolute best product. Based upon his intended use of the computer, suggest three appropriate applications that he might wish to purchase and briefly describe the software in the memo. You may have to include the software costs in the items to be "Purchased Later" if he does not have enough money to purchase the software now.
Scenario 4
A friend at an out-of-state college is about to graduate. She has the same major and minor as you do and wishes to go into the same career. She has been given $1100 to use to purchase a computer and has spent $200 of that gift on a scanner and headset. She would like to purchase a computer that will last her about three to five years. She likes to buy and download music. Based upon her intended career and interests, what do you recommend and why? Based upon her intended use of the computer, suggest three appropriate applications that she might wish to purchase and briefly describe. (These applications can be strictly work related or you may wish to look into one music oriented software title.) She may have to buy the software later, so you may have to include the software costs in the items to be "Purchased Later."
Scenario 5
A family with two children in elementary school (girl in 3rd and a boy in 4th) would like to buy a computer to last their children through high school. The children will use the computer for writing and researching reports as well as playing games. The parents are willing to spend $600 on their system.Based upon their intended use of the computer, suggest three age appropriate applications that will be fun and educational that they might wish to purchase and briefly describe.
Scenario 6
One of your high school classmates is about to start work as a free lance graphic artist and advertisement developer. She is looking for a computer to take to clients' offices that she can use to record their product specifications, take notes during the meeting, present her final product in a presentation format, and draw ideas as they come to her for later modification. Her graphics and presentations will be quite large and require significant storage capabilities. She has $1800 to spend and is not sure what applications will come with her computer. Suggest the computer type, describe the software that comes with the machine, and based upon the purpose of the computer, suggest three more applications that she will want to purchase and include the prices.
Autodesk SketchBook
http://images.autodesk.com/adsk/files/sketchbook_pro_6_system_requirements_final.pdf
http://www.adobe.com/products/illustrator/tech-specs.html
Microsoft Office 2013
http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msca/en_CA/pdp/productID.260245200
