Understanding your Laptop configuration really helps you to make the right choice when buying a PC. It is always advisable to check the configuration of a laptop before you buy it. In this tutorial article, you will learn all about pc configuration and how to check your pc configuration to determine the right PC specification for your work. There are many ways you can check your laptop configuration in any version of windows Operating System like Windows 7, 8, 10 or even later versions. You can check them through the BIOS, through Windows Explorer, Command Prompt, etc.
Tutorial Article Content

Understanding your Pc Configuration
How to Find the Pc Configuration that Suites your Plans
How to Check the Configuration of a Computer System Using Various Methods
How to checkup and understand your Laptop Configuration
Many PC Users ask these question:

What is the configuration of a computer?
What is the system configuration?
What is the hardware configuration?
How can I see my system information?

This tutorial article answers all these questions and even more!

UNDERSTANDING YOUR PC CONFIGURATION

Before we go ahead, it is good that we explain the term COMPUTER CONFIGURATION. Computer configuration is the general make up of a computer system. In the world of ICT, whenever we mention computer configuration, we simply refer to those core components and their features that make up a computer system.

These components determine how fast or slow a pc will be and also the number and type of Operating System and Applications softwares it can run. In other words, if the size and speed of these components are high, we say the pc has a high configuration. But their size and speed are low, we say the pc has a low configuration. It is a good idea to first check and know the configuration of a computer system before you purchase it in order to know whether it suites the purpose for which you are buying it. We will be using a Windows pc for our illustrations. These core components include:

The Capacity of the Hard Drive
The Hard Drive’s Reading and Writing Speed
The RAM Size
The Processor Speed
The System Type Based on Bit, etc.

I will briefly explain each of these component and features.

The Capacity of the Hard Drive

This is the permanent storage of a computer system. Whenever we save a file, the file is stored in the hard drive. The capacity of the hard drive greatly determines the performance of the pc and the amount of files that can be stored in it. It is measured in BIT and BYTE (B). Here are some of their conversions:

8 bits is equal to 1 byte (B).
1024 byte is equal to 1 kilobyte (KB).
1024 Kilobyte is equal to 1 Megabyte (MB).
1024 Megabyte is equal to 1 Gigabyte (GB).
1024 Gigabyte is equal to 1 Terabyte (TB).
The Hard Drive’s Reading and Writing Speed

A hard drive’s reading speed refers to the rate at which a hard drive retrieves data initially saved in it. While its writing speed is the rate at which it saves data to its memory. They also determine the performance and rating of the computer system. The reading and writing speed of a hard drive most times depends on its capacity. So the higher the capacity of the drive, the higher the reading and writing speed.
The RAM Size

RAM is an acronym which stands for Read Only Memory. It is the temporary storage memory of a computer system. When we temporarily create a file, computer uses this memory to display the contents. If we eventually save the file it stores the file in the hard drive. The RAM size is also measured in Bits and Byte (B). The conversions listed above also apply here.
The Processor Speed

This is called the Brain of a computer. The processor processes raw data and transforms them into meaningful information before displaying them. It also retrieves information stored in the hard drives. The speed of the processor greatly affects the performance and determines the rating of a computer system. It is measured in Hertz (Hz). Here are some of their conversions:

1000 Hertz is equal to 1 kilohertz (KHz).
1000 Kilohertz is equal to 1 Megahertz (MHz).
1000 Megahertz is equal to 1 Gigahertz (GHz).
1000 Gigahertz is equal to 1 Terahertz (THz).

We have many types of processors. Some of them include: Single core processor, Duo core processor, Quadra core processor, etc.
The System Type Based on Bit

When we say system type, here we mean the type of bit the operating system and the processor has. Currently, we have two types of systems here. We have the 32 bit system and the 64 bit.

Almost all old computers are 32 bit systems. They are generally characterized by a low configuration. They don’t run 64 bit applications, especially complex application software. On the other hand, almost all the new computers are 64 bit systems. They run all applications, including 32 bit applications.

A desktop computer and a pc (laptop) whose configurations are the same will not have the same rating. The rating of the desktop computer will be higher than that of a pc. This is because the desktop computer will be judged as a desktop computer and the pc will be judged as a pc and so is expected to have a higher configuration.

How to Find the Pc Configuration that Suites your Plans

There are different recommended pc configurations, depending on the purpose for which you are purchasing a pc or your field. What I mean is that a pc configuration recommended for a secretary will not meet up with the recommended pc configuration for a graphics designer or an architect. A secretary’s pc’s configuration must not be very high for optimum output because the secretary works mainly on text files which do not consume much hard drive space, a lot of memory (RAM) or need a very high processor speed. But a graphics designer or an architect uses many complex softwares and works mainly on graphics or images which consume much hard drive space, need a lot of memory (RAM) and also a very high processor speed.

So the adequate or recommended pc configuration for your field of work depends greatly on the nature of the major files you will be working on. If you will be working more on text files, you don’t necessarily need a pc with a very high configuration, but if you can one with a very high configuration, better. On the other hand, if you will be working more on graphics, then you need a pc with a very high configuration. Generally when purchasing a pc, don’t purchase any 32 bit pc because they are generally characterized by a low configuration.
How to Check the Configuration of a Computer System

I explained above that the configuration of a computer system is simply the general make up of a computer system. I will now explain and illustrate how we can check pc’s configuration. As I said earlier, we will be using a Windows pc for our illustrations.
There are mainly three ways to check your pc’s configuration. They include:

Through your pc’s BIOS.
Through Windows explorer
Through the DirectX Diagnostic tool

Click http://www.microsofttut.com/2015/10/how-to-check-your-pc-configuration.html to study full tutorial articles with screenshots.

Good one