We do list notes with most systems that suggest worthwhile upgrades and other special information. Should you later need more RAM or disk space, each could be affordably and easily upgraded during the useful lifetime of this computer. We rarely upgrade processors, though, because experience has shown that by the time people need such an upgrade, it's usually more cost-effective and efficient to purchase a new computer. In the PC-compatible world, the Intel Pentium line of processors is no longer the only game in town. Consider also systems based on the AMD Athlon and Intel Celeron.
Zip disks are physically about the same size as a floppy and are an ideal replacement.
DVD drives are slowly replacing CD-ROM drives as standard equipment. If DVD costs extra, you needn't consider it a necessity unless your work involves multimedia content creation. Monitor size and quality. 17-inch monitors have become the standard minimum size. Note that many manufacturers offer more than one choice of monitors at the same size, giving you the option of choosing a higher-quality model at extra cost.