This paper outlines the configuration of a budget-friendly desktop computer system designed to support a small home gardening business. Working within a $2,500 limit, the author selects a Dell Dimension 8250 and justifies each hardware and software component, including processor speed, memory, storage drives, a multifunction printer, a digital camera, and productivity software such as Microsoft Office Small Business and Quicken 2003. The paper explains how these choices collectively enable the business owners to advertise online, manage customer records, and maintain their own financial books, arriving at a total configured cost of $2,381 before a $200 rebate.
Computers are an essential part of the success of any home business, and they are especially important when a company wants to advertise on the web. The purpose of this paper is to outline a computer system configured to meet the needs of a small gardening business. The individuals starting the business have a $2,500 computer budget and want to advertise their business on the Internet. They also want to keep their own books and be able to track customers online. The following sections define the specifications of the configured system and explain the reasoning behind each choice.
The Dell Dimension 8250 is the computer of choice for this configuration. Dell was selected because the company allows customers to build their PCs to order, enabling buyers to tailor a system to their specific needs. Dell computers have a reputation for being reliable and relatively inexpensive. At the time of configuration, Dell was offering a $200 rebate on this particular model along with other free upgrades. The computer comes with a limited one-year warranty and a one-year at-home service warranty. The configured system is ideal for a small home business that needs to advertise on the web and manage its books using a PC.
The configured computer features a Pentium 4 Processor running at 2.40 GHz with a 533 MHz system bus and a 512K L2 cache. The system memory is 256MB PC1066 RDRAM ("Select System Components"). The processor speed and available memory are critical to ensuring that the system operates quickly and efficiently. A Pentium 4 processor paired with 256MB of RAM provides solid performance for the business's day-to-day computing needs.
The keyboard features Dell's Quietkey design, which reduces the sound produced while typing. The computer also comes with a 17-inch E772 monitor and a two-button scroll mouse. Additional hardware includes a GeForce4 MX graphics card and a 56K telephony modem for Windows ("Select System Components"). While a 56K modem was included in the configuration, an upgrade to DSL or a cable modem is recommended. However, those options were excluded from the initial configuration due to the upfront costs and ongoing monthly fees they require. As an alternative, a separate dedicated phone line — which is typically less expensive than DSL or a cable modem — can allow simultaneous phone and internet use. High-speed connections also provide faster download speeds, which would benefit online advertising efforts.
The storage configuration includes a 60-gigabyte hard drive, a 3.5-inch floppy drive, and a CD-R/DVD drive. The large hard drive provides ample storage space for business files, while the rewritable CD-ROM drive allows the owners to back up photos and other business-related files. The machine also includes a digital sound card and speakers with a subwoofer ("Select System Components").
The configuration includes a Canon F80 Multifunction Printer, a USB cable, and a surge protector ("Select System Components"). The multifunction printer combines fax, print, and copy functions in a single device, allowing the business to print customer receipts and communicate with clients via fax. The surge protector safeguards the computer from power surges that could cause hardware damage. The USB cable enables the printer and other devices to connect to the computer quickly and efficiently.
"Printer, camera, and surge protection"
"Office suite, antivirus, Quicken, and AOL"
"Final price within the $2,500 budget"
Always verify citation format against your institution’s current style guide requirements.