Starting a New Business Series – Part 6
How big and fast do you like it?
Hello fellow entrepreneurs!
Last week I wrote about using password managers to protect your secrets and improve your security. This week I’d like to change direction a little and talk about what kind of hardware you’ll need in your business, more specifically, how to choose computers for your business.
There are so many options out there, with so many marketing buzzwords, how do you choose the right equipment? Also, these days everybody seems to be a computer expert, which can sometimes be helpful, but more often than not, can lead you down the wrong path. So how do you choose the right equipment then? I’ll try to break down the most importing things to look for.
When you’re looking for a new computer, there’s really only a few things you need for success. I’ll break it down into bite sized pieces and try to keep it simple. For this article I’ll stick to regular non-Apple computers, since Apple computers have their own considerations and can work substantially differently.
Processor
This is the brain of your computer. Choose a slow processor and it will limit everything you do. There are two main kinds of processors, Intel and AMD. Which is better is like the Ford vs. Chevy debate, and is totally up to you. That being said, I personally prefer AMD processors since they typically take less power, run cooler and cost less, for similar or better performance than Intel. I regularly use both kinds though and as long as you choose one that’s fast enough, you won’t really notice a difference between them. For an Intel processor you’ll want an i7 or i9 series processor for good productivity. For an AMD processor, any in the “Ryzen” series will do very well. You could choose an older slower processor (like an Intel i5 or AMD Athlon) to save money for non-critical use, but if this will be a computer you’ll rely on every day, you’ll want the performance.
Memory (RAM)
This is like the scratch pad your processor uses to do calculations. It also determines how many programs you can have open at the same time. Without getting into the technical details, I would recommend an absolute minimum of 8GB, and preferably at least 16GB. With only 8GB and modern Windows you will run into limitations fairly quickly. Linux can go much further with less memory, but 16GB would still be my recommendation no matter what Operating System you choose.
Hard Drive
This is your main storage where all your files and documents are stored in addition to your operating system (Windows or Linux). There are two main kinds of storage, SSD (Solid State Drive) and conventional magnetic. A magnetic drive is very slow compared to a SSD, but is usually many times larger (ex. 4TB to 12TB). A SSD is many times faster than magnetic storage, but usually smaller (ex. 500GB to 2TB). SSD’s also typically cost a lot more per GB. For reference, 1 TB (Terabyte) is equal to approximately 1000 GB (Gigabytes), 1 GB is equal to approximately 1000 MB (Megabytes). If it doesn’t specifically say SSD, assume it’s a conventional magnetic drive. So how much is enough? That depends on what you’re doing. If you simply work with office documents and email, 500GB to 1TB should be plenty. If you’re doing video editing or other storage intensive tasks, then you may want to spring for 4TB to 8TB of space. Many computers (including laptops) come with two hard drives these days. One SSD (typically for your operating system) and one larger conventional drive (typically for your files). So you get the best of both worlds, speed for your operating system to be very responsive, and lots of room for all those files you like to generate. If at all possible, you should always run your operating system from a SSD. I won’t get into the technical reasons, but it’s the single biggest performance improvement you can make on a computer.
Screen Size
I want to propose one last consideration. You will potentially spend all day every day looking at your computer screen. If you choose a small low resolution screen, you may end up squinting and suffering from eye problems and headaches. If you choose a bigger high resolution (4K) screen, the fonts can be larger and smoother, causing far less strain on your eyes, allowing you to end your day without pain. I can’t stress enough how important your screen is, but it’s often the last consideration. Just like choosing a good mattress where you spend a third of your life, your eyes will thank you for choosing a nice sized high resolution screen to look at all day.
If you choose a good processor, enough memory and storage space, you should be setup for success. Always choose the right tool for the right job. Staples, Costco and Memory Express often have good computer sales. Getting a good deal feels great, but keep an eye on the specs. I typically pay extra for each computer I buy and expect it to last at least 5 years. So if you buy a cheap one, it simply won’t last as long because the software requirements steadily keep increasing, just like inflation. Paying for a premium computer up front will save you money in the long run instead of having to buy another cheap computer after a year or two. I’m writing this blog on a laptop I bought at the end of 2016, and in 2023 it’s still going strong! As long as the hardware doesn’t fail, it should still be very productive for a long time. So I suggest you buy as much computer as you can afford, so that you don’t have to do it very often. It’s a practical way of doing things that can serve you very well for years.
As usual, I want to leave you with some words of encouragement.
Dealing with all the technical things when starting your business can be exhausting. Try to make the best decision you can, with the knowledge you have at the time. As time passes your knowledge and experience will improve and you may make very different decisions in the future based on your experiences, but you still have to have those experiences. So don’t beat yourself up when something doesn’t work out. Make note of what happened and what you can do differently next time, and simple keep moving forward doing the best you can!
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Until next time,
Ernst Bergen
B.Sc. Mech. Eng.