I’ve been keeping my eyes peeled for a replacement desktop for a while now. I was meandering the computer stores shelves when I came across an Acer Aspire desktop. It was a small little thing (think two loaves of bread stacked on top of each other; it’s about 11″ x 4″). What got my attention was that it had the AMD Phenom triple-core processor and Windows Vista 64-bit. The machine looked SO smooth. It was priced right, too– on sale for $479. (The next day when I checked, it was back up to $579.)

I decided to give the machine a test drive. I have been needing a new desktop (the CD drive on the main family computer doesn’t work, and the hard drive at 40GB is stuffed to capacity at 39GB). I have the added benefit of being able to claim my purchases as tax deductions for my business since this new machine would be my main work machine (I work at home). I have to say: I am very impressed.

To the uber-geek, a triple-core processor would probably incite a yawn. But I am an “average” user. I needed a beefy machine for photo and video editing for various jobs (and the kids’ projects). A dual-core machine just wasn’t cutting it, and a quad-core is over my budget. I saw the triple-core and fell in love. The AMD performs a lot like a quad-core, it’s just a little easier on energy and is much better then the dual-core. It’s not a “green” machine, make no mistake– it still uses energy, judging by how hot it gets, as hot as an electric blanket when I push the processor. But it’s still a lighter than a quad-core.

Your computer’s processor speed and size is important. You should use the processor specs to determine what kind of computer you need. Do you use your machine for just email and basic surfing? A single-core processor will do just fine (and they cost a LOT less). But once you start getting into photo editing, digital media, watching and editing videos, you need to go up the scale; otherwise your computer will work too hard and you will find your computer lagging. I found the processor size and speed had a direct relation to my own computing habits. As I added more uses to the computer, my needs for a stronger machine grew. I used to be very budget-conscious for the first several years of computer ownership; now I am more selective. It really pays to spend $50 more on a higher end model that will last you a long time, than to constantly pinch pennies for a computer that will become outdated in 3 or 4 years. And because I use computers for everything now– banking, media, my jobs, and the children’s education– I am very choosy.

A triple-core straddles the dual-core and quad-core. I think it’s a great “average” size for most at home computer users. And I am loving the Acer AMD processor. If you’re looking for more details (a LOT more details), try Tom’s Hardware page where he thoroughly investigates the AMD Phenom triple-core processor. The data gets pretty technical, but Tom’s final conclusion is that the AMD Phenom looks like a great deal and a good upgraded processor for budget-minded people who have the need for speed.

I’ll tackle my experience with Vista 64-bit operating system next. It’s come a long way.

Tags: Acer, AMD, budget computers, processor