So you want to purchase a computer that screams with power and will not be obsolete in a year, but you don't want to spend a fortune on expensive, cutting-edge technology you may not need?

And you don't want to make your computer purchase only to find out that tomorrow the next generation of computers are being released, leaving your system and its components yesterday's news.

Well look no further. This column sports a no-frills, to-the-point digest of what you need to know when buying a PC in today?s market.

This article is not a technical, how-to guide on how to build a computer from scratch. Nor is it a techie's insider piece on which chipsets and motherboards to purchase, or what new bleeding-edge technologies to buy.

This guide is intended to explain which components of a computer system are the key technologies you should be paying attention to, as well as some suggestions on specific configurations for different uses.

While everyone will strike a different balance of cost, longevity, performance and utility, this guide should arm the average consumer with the knowledge necessary to make smart, educated computer decisions.

First, a note about longevity:

OK, so how long can you expect a computer system to support your needs? A good, new computer should keep you happy and productive for many years. Obviously in years two and three you may start look enviously at others, as other systems switch lanes around you -- but you shouldn?t need to use the slow lane for quite a few years.

That said, certain computing applications such as gaming, 3-D authoring, video editing and other multimedia endeavors put more stress on your hardware -- and will make you more susceptible to upgrade fever.

For the more demanding category of computer users, your system should scream for a year, confidently strut for two, but may be using a walker by Year 3 -- depending on how aggressive (and, yes, expensive) your initial computer purchase is, of course.

On the other hand, if all you want to do is write documents, browse the Web and send e-mail (pansy), then just about any computer you buy will last awhile.

The Mac vs. Wintel debate

One thing I'm NOT going to do today is wade into the touchy, divisive Macintosh versus Wintel (Windows+Intel) debate.

Certain studies prove unequivocally that a Macintosh processor outperforms its Intel competition by 200 percent, and other ?balanced lab tests? demonstrate without a doubt that a particular Intel processor more than doubles the performance of its Mac equivalent.

For the purposes of this article, I have made a decision to focus on purchasing a Wintel computer. For the average consumer, I think a ?PC? makes the most sense on balance of software and hardware selection, cost-versus-performance issues, and install base. There are certainly many legitimate and compelling reasons to purchase a Macintosh, but I think that most of them are specific to certain computer uses, preferences or affiliations.

In this computer age, when software companies such as Adobe, Macromedia and Quark -- the heavyweights in so-called art or creative applications -- publish virtually identical programs on both platforms, the old PC-for-business and Macintosh-for-creative paradigm is obsolete.

Even though Windows and Mac are both appropriate choices for business and creative applications, I think that for the average person Wintel makes more sense. Some noteable exceptions are: Publication: The Macintosh clearly is still the dominant platform in the design and publication industries Web development: A split still persists with the Mac a popular choice for graphic production, and Windows a dominant environment for Web programming and scripting. You can see this at work in many businesses, including newsrooms, where the business and technical divisons run off PCs and the design departments are Mac-dominated. High-end video and 3D: In the past five years, the multi-processor flavors of Windows have become increasingly popular for video rendering and 3-D CAD work, although professional production is still performed on both platforms. Application development: Wintel is the dominant choice of software companies when it comes to developing and programming new apps. Most programs are still developed on PCs and then ported to the Macintosh and other operating systems. Operating System: Windows 2000 (Microsoft)

For the average user, Windows 2000 is the best choice. It combines the stability, security and network-friendly aspects of NT with the GUI and consumer-friendly environment of Windows 98. No longer does one need to chose between multi-processor performance and ease-of-use.

Although new, Windows 2000 has been out long enough that hardware and software companies have adapted their applications and drivers to work with it, and patches have addressed the majority of the operating system's bugs.

If you are worried about getting the most out of your hardware or using non-mainstream components, then you may want to consider Windows 98. Since most companies continue to first write and optimizing their drivers for W98, that single-processor o/s may be a better choice for certain people (especially gamers).

Processor: (Coppermine) Pentium III (Intel)

Arguably the most important component in your computer system, your choice of processor is crucial. To prolong the longevity of your system, focus on the generation of your computer's processor rather than its particular speed. For instance, it is more important that you get a Coppermine Pentium III, the current generation of P-III CPUS, than whether you get the 667 or 800 MHz version. Sure, the numerically superior flavor will give you a bit of a speed boost, but the most important factor is the feature set of the processor.

While there are faster processors out there -- such as the practically deceased Alpha by Compaq (previously Digital) -- they come with a grab-bag of software compatibility issues.

In the past year, AMD's Athlon has raised an impressive challenge to Intel's P-III (at least in terms of performance, if not fiscally). When comparing the current high-end of each (1 GHz), for the most part the Pentium III's full-speed level 2 cache gets the edge over the Athlon with its larger-but-slower L2.

I will take a moment to address the G4 Macintosh by Apple. Although, for reasons cited above, I have chosen to focus on Wintel computers, the G4 certainly screams with speed.

All the 'supercomputer' Apple hype aside, it boasts impressive performance and power. If you already have a preference for Apple's computing environment, or if you plan on working extensively with Quicktime video, the G4 may be a better choice for you (and you can stop right here).

Memory: 256MB or 512MB of PC133 SDRAM (never less than 128MB) Let?s no mince words -- Windows has always been a memory hog, and will only get worse. This is no Linux machine we?re building, so you should pour on the megabytes.

For most people, 256MB of memory will do the trick. Although, if you opt for a more consumer-oriented operating system, such as Windows 98, you can get away with 128MB. For the power computers out there who can afford it, go ahead and spring for 512MB.

Error-correcting, Rambus, Double-Data, Synchronous Dynamic -- somebody please stop the room from spinning, you say?

Unfortunately, you have chosen a poor time to buy a new computer, in terms of memory. Not only are there a handful of choices, but the industry has not settled on one yet. For awhile, it looked like Intel was going to throw their (considerable) weight behind Rambus, and all would be clear.

But with low cost of PC133 SDRAM, Rambus prices refusing to come down, and the support of the former in new Intel chipsets, it is unclear where the future lies.

While DDR memory (currently the de-facto standard for power videocards) already has strong backing by AMD and IBM, among others, and while Rambus prices are expected to drop eventually (come on, three times the price?), for now the safest bet is PC133 SDRAM.

If money is no object, you might consider paying thrice for Rambus memory.

Videocard: Matrox G450 or Hercules Prophet II 64MB

For the past couple of years, Matrox has consistently trumped the video competition for mainstream computer use (IMHO). Although it is not a 3-D demon, its feature sets and 2-D performance blow other cards away.

First, let me warn you: once you go to two monitors, you'll never go back. Whether for multi-tasking or complex interfaces such as those in Photoshop or Premier, dual monitors can make an unbelievable difference in your computer productivity.

In addition to providing dedicated memory to both VGA ports, the G450 adds a TV-out, DDR memory (which all the popular cards are wearing), optimized DVD playback and a digital display port (DVI). And while it can't stand up to the 3-D offerings from nVidia and Voodoo, it does a respectable job with gaming and other 3-D applications.

If you have a need for speed in the 3-D fast lane, then a (single monitor) alternative to the G450 is Hercules' Prophet II 64MB. An implementation of nVidia's monster GeoForce2 board, this video card trumps incredible 3-D performance with support for HDTV, TV-out and DVI-out. For many the 32MB flavor will work equally well, but hey, don?t we all need top-of-the-line performance in 32-bit color at 1600x1200 resolution?

Detailed System Configurations:

OK, by now you?re either an enlightened, prepared consumer (from having read this entire article), or you skipped directly to the end and are ready to blindly accept some recommendations.

Either way, browse below to see the Technodog?s recommendations for three different system configurations. Note: For some the following tables are dynamic, but they should be viewable by all. 0&&parent.frames.length) { d=parent.frames[n.substring(p+1)].document; n=n.substring(0,p);} if(!(x=d[n])&&d.all) x=d.all[n]; for (i=0;!x&&i