CIS 100 - Buying a Computer Project

Overview

Buying a computer can be a daunting task. When you purchase a computer you have to consider many different things. You need to think about how you would use a computer. What hardware will you need? How do you decide how much processor, RAM, graphics, or disk you will need? How can you stay in budget? The real confusing thing about computers is that there are many parts, and they all affect the usefulness of the machine. In addition, each part has various types that may or may not be best for you. You should do plenty of research to determine what the best machine will be for your money.

To Do

Pretend you are purchasing a computer, and you have only $2,000.00. Report your findings in a research paper, and slide presentation.

Research Paper

Your finished research paper will contain four titled sections: (saved as WebCTID-BCP.wpd)

Section 1 (What Can I Do With A Computer):

 Answer the question; what can you do with a computer in your major while you are at Spelman and after you graduate? You should be thinking about activities that you will use the computer for (such as searching databases or drawing pictures) and therefore the kinds of application programs you will need (such as statistical software or graphics tools).

Note: this is not the time to select software; instead you are determining your needs. For example, do you need to write reports, draw pictures, design buildings, perform calculations, store/retrieve information, write music, control equipment, or plan projects.

·        This section must have a paragraph with a normal indent and at least one paragraph with a hanging indent.

Section 2 (What Computer Configuration Do I Need):

Answer the question; what parts of the computer are the most important for your goals? Here you should itemize the type of software and hardware you will need to meet the needs expressed in Section 1. For example, you may state that you need accounting software to track business expenditures and a color laser printer for reports, graphs, and charts.

For an example spreedsheet, and download the file here Base Componets.

Section 3 (What Kind Of Computer Can I Afford)

Perform a price comparison of at least three (3) computers. In gathering information, you are required to use at least one website and to actually talk to at least one salesperson on the phone or in person. This person can not be a relative.

Determine how much the hardware and software you want will cost and provide the specs within your paper. You may need to back down on your desires in order to stay within your $2,000.00 budget. For an example spreedsheet, and download the file here Cost Comparison.

·        Be sure and provide complete documentation as to where you got the information. Any prices received from a salesperson should include the salesperson's name, and report the URL of each website you use for information.

·        You must have at least one footnote in this section.

Section 4: State your computer choice, and the justification of your choice. This justification will discuss the relative importance of the different things you'd like, and why you think the computer you got is best for your needs. Make sure you connect your choice (indeed, all your choices) to what you stated earlier.

·        In this section you must cross reference some other part of your document. It may be a figure, table, chart, or section. Use the Word Cross Reference feature.

Paper format specifications

  1. Title page with author information (paper title, student name, class day and time, professor’s name)
  2. Table of Contents (TOC) follows the Title Page; use the Word Table of Contents feature.
  3. Each section should be on a separate page. Section headings should be numbered and have appropriate titles and in 12 pt. bold Times New Roman.
  4. Running Header (paper title) beginning on the first page after the TOC in the upper right-hand corner.
  5. Page numbers in the lower right-hand corner (not on the title page or TOC page).
  6. Paragraph indentation is .25 inches.
  7. Hanging indentation is 0 inches for the first line, and .75 inches for all other lines.
  8. Margins should be 1.25” left, and 1” top, bottom, and right.
  9. All images and tables should be centered with caption in 10 pt, bold, Ariel Font and text-flow on top and bottom only.
  10. Your paper citations, references, and notes must adhere to a nationally recognized standard format for your academic area (APA, CBE, Chicago, or MLA).

PowerPoint Presentation

After you have completed your project paper you are to also create a six (6) slide PowerPoint presentation that summarizes the information covered in your Project Paper.  Use the following structure:

Presentation format specifications

  1. The first slide should contain your Title Page information.
  2. The second slide should be a project introduction.
  3. Your third, fourth, and fifth slide should be a separate description of each one of your computer selections. Don't forget proper documentation of your resource.
  4. Your sixth slide should be an explanation of your final selection.
  5. Be prepared to present this PowerPoint presentation to the class at your scheduled date and time.

Turn In

Your paper must be done using Word, and your presentation using PowerPoint. Create a folder (bapc) and move your project files into it. Create a (.zip) file of your project folder (bapc) , and then upload and submit the compressed file of your project folder into the appropriate WebCT assignment for this project.

Grading Criteria

The correct formatting of your paper is worth 30 pts., the quality of the content of your paper is 40 pts., and the quality and format of your PowerPoint presentation is 30 pts., all according to the project grade sheet.

Possible Resources

The following is a short list of suggested places to find information on computers:

  1. CNET shopper, Dell, HP, Tiger Direct, Alien, Gateway, CDW, Computer Exchange, Biz Rate
  2. Visit or call Micro Center, Circuit City, Best Buy, and/or CompUSA.
  3. You can also use newspapers, magazines, and other periodicals.
Revised 02/20/2007 by IKearse