The main purpose of this exercise is for you to examine computer hardware at a consumer level. The goal is for you to understand current industry buzzwords, and be able to determine what kind of computer you might need for yourself or a friend
Do all the research necessary to buy a computer for yourself or someone in your family. If you don't currently need a computer, imagine a friend or family member has asked you to help them pick out a computer.
The process involves the following steps:
Ask the following questions (and perhaps more) about the primary user of this machine?
Based on the user needs, consider various technical specifications.
Once you've got an idea of these things, you can write out a plan based on the answers to these questions. In this plan, you'll want to start getting technical specs in place including targets for the type of processor, amount of memory, size of hard drive, and so on. You'll also need to specify a realistic upper price range.
Look online, in magazines, and in shops for machines that match the specifications you have in mind. If you can take specs in with you, sales people will work hard to match what you bring in. If you don't have specifications or your expectations are unrealistic, you are at their mercy
Write a purchase plan for yourself or someone else. Go through all the steps outlined above. Try to be realistic (I want the perfect gaming machine - money is no object is fun, but won't teach you much about compromising) See if you can find a good deal. At the end, you should recommend a specific machine from a specific vendor at a specific price, including any upgrades and peripherals you recommend.
You may turn this project in as a word processing document in Word (.doc) format. It may also be useful to create a spreadsheet comparing various machines and peripherals. If so, you can turn that in as well. Just be sure to give the word processor and spreadsheet obvious names so the grader will know they are related.