Purchasing the “perfect” computer for your small business is no easy task. There are several things you need to consider:

• What will the computer be used for? Word processing? Spreadsheets? Graphics? Databases? Surfing the Net? Possibly just to retrieve e-mail?
• How much storage space will you need to effectively run all of your programs and retrieve your documents?
• Portability
• Expandability.
• Networking capability.

Even the minimum requirements for finding a computer to fit your needs are elusive, but all is not lost. There are a few things that are essential when equipping your office with new PCs: Processing speed, storage space, RAM and expandability.

If you’re planning on running Microsoft’s new Windows Vista operating system, you’re going to need a more powerful PC than if you’re staying with Windows XP. For example:

A small business PC running Windows XP may be able to get by with just 512 megabytes of RAM, 80 gigabytes of storage space and a single-core processor, such as the AMD Athlon™ 64.

Not so with Vista. Here you find yourself needing to bulk up your computer to a minimum of one gigabyte of RAM (2 gigabytes are better still), 120-160 gigabytes of storage space and a dual-core processor like the AMD Athlon 64 X2, which helps take multitasking to a whole new level.

In either case, the computer you choose needs to have a few essential components:

• Enough USB 2.0 ports to support the endlessly growing array of keyboards, mice, printers and storage devices available.
  
• A decent Ethernet networking port (with speeds of up to 1 GB/second).
  
• A multi-format CD/DVD burner that can handle everything from CD-R to dual-layer DVDs.
  
• A DVD-ROM drive or a second burner.
  
• A built-in multicard reader to handle all types of memory cards ranging from SD to memory sticks.
  

Of course, you may decide that some of your workers need notebook computers so they can work at home and on the road. In that case, you'll still need to meet the requirements listed above, and add built-in wireless networking to the mix. And you'll want to look for a dual-core processor like the AMD Turion™ 64 X2 for mobile technology; which is a dual-core processor available in today’s really efficient laptop computers.

Great resources are available to help you sort through the myriad of computing technology solutions on the market today. We found www.amd.com/compare which helps you understand the specifications of the hardware in a computer and www.amd.com/helpmedecide to connect you to desktop and laptop computers that stand to meet your small business technology needs. Happy hunting!
-- Bruce Freeman