Which computer system should I get? 

There are almost an infinite number of options when selecting a computer, based on all the different options on hardware, peripherals, systems, office and application software. 

And selecting the one most appropriate to yourself should be based on,
-   potential return (benefits minus cost)
-    available finance
-    functional requirements
-    performance
-    resilience

and this will require an indepth evaluation and assessment, but this article will hopefully give you a few pointers.

Computer systems can either be:
-                       standalone
-                       networked.

 If you are going to have more than one user working concurrently then it is important to look at the networked system options because the users can then share software, data and peripherals such as printers and modems.

The drawback of networks are that they are more complex and sharing of systems and peripherals means that you may have one single point of failure; on the otherhand synchronising data across standalone systems can be very difficult especially if the systems are highly volitile.

 A computer system is made up of hardware, systems and applications.

 Hardware

 The hardware covers the:

 -                       processor (motherboard, video cards, sound cards, CPU, Hard Disks, RAM, CD, DVD, etc)
-            peripherals, including   printers, scanners, CCTV, modems.

 and type of work will dictate the size and type required of each.

 System Software

 This covers Operating System, etc.

The most widely used Operating System to day is Windows which comes in multiple forms, including 2000, CE and Millennium; but there are also operating systems which may be applicable for your business, including Linux, Mac and UNIX. 

Application Systems

 This covers the systems which you will use; including

-                       Word processing
-                       Spreadsheets
-                       Desk Top Publishing
-                       Email
-                       Fax
-                       Internet browsers
-                       Scheduling
-                       Accounts
-                       Stock control
-                       Etc etc.

Again, there are many options and the correct one will depend on:
-                       business requirements and resulting saving of using the new system(s)
-                       proposed method of use
-                     quality, availability and cost of  support, where applicable

Applications are categorised as Office tools (WORD, EXCEL, PUBLISHER, etc) or business applications for accounting, payroll, stock control, etc. Business Applications can be bought as ‘Off the Shelf’ packages or can be developed as customised (also known as bespoke) solutions.

Again, there are many benefits for both package and bespoke solutions, and many preconceptions can be wrong.