This is primarily a business desktop to be used for productivity and to create and edit multimedia. Once created the user needs to be able to distribute the documents and media to the outside world. Peripherals will be dictated by the required sources and output media. The software will dictate the hardware requirements. While the system does not need multiple displays or an extreme gaming graphics card, it should have the ability to multi-task, because the user will mostly likely be moving between applications. This user is also not performing complicated experimental algorithms, so while additional RAM and multiple processor cores is advisable for multi-tasking, there is a limit to this need, per Intel’s processor comparison chart.

Flickr is an example of a service below that is free and allows the desired functionality of organizing and sharing pictures and media. Microsoft Office is a suite of products that will deliver the desired word processing, spreadsheet functionality, a database, calendar, and e-mail program. When purchasing a suite there is an added benefit of interoperability that allows sharing between programs. This user is production driven and seeks to have a computer that can be expanded to receive new media and produce new media. USB is exceptionally versatile, so between USB and Ethernet this user’s needs to connect the various peripherals that exist now and in the future can be met. This PC is using proven technologies, that have existed for multiple years, and will not be overly difficult to maintain (i.e. easier to use a back-up program than a RAID).

Hardware Table

Device Category / Type / Requirement Satisfied
Input Devices / Keyboard / Required to interact with operating system and software.
Mouse / Required to interact with operating system and software.
Scanner /
  1. Take high quality digital photos and videos and download them to the PC and scan or edit photos

Webcam /
  1. Participate in online chat rooms and video conferences

Output Devices / Monitor / Required to interact with operating system and software.
Printer /
  1. Print documents to include photo quality color printing

Communication Devices / IP Phone /
  1. Participate in online chat rooms and video conferences

Storage Devices (External) / USB External Harddrive /
  1. Manage and protect the system, data, and information while working on the Internet including scanning all incoming emails, email attachments, and files downloaded from Web-based sources; firewall, virus and spyware protection; and checking websites for phishing and fraudulent activities

USB Thumbdrive /
  1. Transfer information (audio, video and photos) between PC machines

Other Peripheral Devices / CD\DVD\Blu-ray Burner /
  1. Transfer information (audio, video and photos) between PC machines
  1. Manage and protect the system, data, and information while working on the Internet including scanning all incoming emails, email attachments, and files downloaded from Web-based sources; firewall, virus and spyware protection; and checking websites for phishing and fraudulent activities

Speakers /
  1. Participate in web courses and forums and browse the web to research new audio, video and photo editing methods

Digital Camera /
  1. Take high quality digital photos and videos and download them to the PC and scan or edit photos

Surge Protector and Battery Backup /
  1. Protect the desktop PC and all components from dirty electrical power including undervoltage (brownout or blackout) and overvoltage (power surge or spike)

System Unit Features Table

Device Category / Type / Requirement Satisfied
Processor / Intel Core i5 Gen 2 /
  1. Participate in online chat rooms and video conferences

RAM / 4 GB /
  1. Participate in online chat rooms and video conferences

Adapter Cards / None
Ports / USB /
  1. Take high quality digital photos and videos and download them to the PC and scan or edit photos
  1. Transfer information (audio, video and photos) between PC machines
  1. Connect all peripheral devices you feel are required to the system unit

Audio output jacks (1/4” stereo) / Allow use of the speakers for use with
10/100/1000 Ethernet /
  1. Transfer information (audio, video and photos) between PC machines

Storage Devices / Internal Harddrive / Required to install operating system.

Application Software Table

Application Type / Application / Requirement Satisfied
Office Software / Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2010 / 1.Create documents, spreadsheets, presentations and send and receive e-mail
  1. Create a small database to store all audio, video and photo data
  1. Save documents to a pdf and other image formats
  1. Manage schedule by using an online calendar and day planner

Adobe Photoshop /
  1. Participate in web courses and forums and browse the web to research new audio, video and photo editing methods

System Software Table

System Software / Type / Requirement Satisfied
Operating System / Windows 7 /
  1. Print documents to include photo quality color printing

Utility Programs / Norton 360 /
  1. Manage and protect the system, data, and information while working on the Internet including scanning all incoming emails, email attachments, and files downloaded from Web-based sources; firewall, virus and spyware protection; and checking websites for phishing and fraudulent activities

Data back-up /
  1. Manage and protect the system, data, and information while working on the Internet including scanning all incoming emails, email attachments, and files downloaded from Web-based sources; firewall, virus and spyware protection; and checking websites for phishing and fraudulent activities

Internet Connectivity & Web Services Table

ISP / Application / Requirement Satisfied
ISP Type / Cable /
  1. Participate in online chat rooms and video conferences
  2. Create, edit and share video and audio files via emails, bulletin boards and in chat rooms

Web Services / Web Chat /
  1. Participate in online chat rooms and video conferences

Video Sharing /
  1. Create, edit and share video and audio files via emails, bulletin boards and in chat rooms

flickr. General Flickr Questions. Retrieved February 19, 2012, From

Intel. Intel Processor Comparison. Retrieved February 19, 2012, From

Microsoft Windows. Windows 7 System Requirements. Retrieved February 19, 2012, From

Microsoft Office. Office Professional Plus 2010 features and benefits. Retrieved February 19, 2012, From

Microsoft Office. Microsoft Office 2010 system requirements. Retrieved February 19, 2012, From