Gamer systems are designed to get the highest frame rate for the dollar. Powerful processors and video cards are the staple in this category but gamers expect immersive sound and high quality monitors as well. You may find a physics processing card thrown in for that extra excitement.

3D animation systems need as many graphics pipes as they can cram onto that video card. Specialized video cards usually don’t support the latest visual effects for games, but boy can they push those polygons through the pipeline. 3d work can push the best CPU to its max with high poly scenes and test renders so look for a good CPU and lots of ram.

Software development systems are designed to facilitate efficiency. Multiple monitors have been shown to dramatically improve efficiency for software development. Fast CPUs help speed up builds, and lots of ram will help with many software development tasks. Gigabit ethernet connections will speed up loading large projects over a network. Last, and sadly often overlooked for those poor decrepit programmers is ergonomics. Can we include a nice Herman Miller chair in these specs?

Graphic arts systems need lots of stuff to make those pretty pictures. Multiple monitors can help for color checks and for viewing references while you work. Oodles of ram work nicely with a powerful CPU to run demanding programs like Photoshop, Illustrator, Painter, Quark, and others. Fast file reading and writing speed is also nice. No serious graphics machine is complete without a nice stylus for refined image work. Apple stickers allow a designer to pretend they are on a Mac, but they are optional.

Audio mixing systems need to encode, decode, read and write audio files effectively. Premium sound is an absolute must. Quick file reading and saving also comes in as a priority as well as the ability to hook up to specialized hardware.

Automotive systems are often heavily integrated with the vehicle they’re installed into. They are usually built as a rugged, small form factor system capable of running on the often dirty 12V system standard in all vehicles. Automotive systems are often very capable of a great number of tasks. Everything from integration into the sound system, GPS navigation systems, providing a media entertainment solution, even gaming will often be put on the automotive systems task list.

Entry level systems are meant to give someone the time to get into the world of computers. It makes no sense to buy a computer that will be antiquated before the user knows how to use it. Don’t expect to see any extravagant frills here. Entry level machines are right down the middle, enough to introduce someone to a wide variety of possibilities while not breaking the bank.

High performance systems will get lots of tasks done quickly. The hourglass will be a seldom seen icon with these systems. High performance systems usually are not specialized for specific tasks so crazy bank-breaking hardware like the latest $1800 video card or that 12.1 surround sound card won’t be showing up here.

PVR systems need lots of storage, premium sound and high quality video. Fast networking through gigabit ethernet also compliments their purpose nicely. We at Recommended Spec are not responsible for any social or emotional trauma that may be caused by archiving and replaying every episode of Dragonball Z or The OC on your PVR. Please record responsibly.

WarDriving Systems are often the lesser socially accepted of all computers. Concealment is a strong motivating force when it comes to a good WarDriving system. But alternately while being small a good WarDriving system must have a strong suite of tools, applications and peripherals to provide the maximum connectivity as well as analysis capability