Writing a hardware recommendation for a user

Name:

Date:

Class:

Quick Questions

Shade in the A or B circle for each question.

1. Which recommendation opening names the user and the workload?

A For Mia, a video editor who exports 4K clips, I recommend the Laptop B.

B I recommend the Laptop B because it is a good laptop.

2. Which sentence gives the key specs with numbers for a gamer?

A It needs a fast GPU and lots of memory to run games well.

B It needs a GPU with 8 GB of VRAM and 16 GB of RAM to run games at 60 FPS.

3. Which sentence gives a proper reason using 'because'?

A I recommend the Laptop A because its 16 GB of RAM lets Sam edit video without lag.

B I recommend the Laptop A. It is the one I like best.

4. An office worker mostly uses email, documents and video calls. Which recommendation fits best?

A A gaming laptop with 32 GB RAM and a top GPU, because more power is always better.

B An 8 GB RAM laptop with a 256 GB SSD, because office tasks need little power and the user wants fast start-up.

5. A student on a budget needs a device for homework and costs $600 at most. Which is the better recommendation?

A A $550 laptop with 8 GB RAM and a 256 GB SSD, because it covers schoolwork and stays under budget.

B A $1,800 laptop with 32 GB RAM, because it is the most powerful one.

Match the Pairs

Draw a line connecting each item on the left to its match on the right.

Left column		Right column
1For Mia, a video editor, I recommend a laptop with 32 GB RAM because 4K clips need lots of memory.		AAn incomplete recommendation: it picks a device but gives no user, no spec numbers and no reason.
2I recommend the Gamer X laptop.		BIt does not name the user or their workload, so we cannot tell why these specs suit anyone.
3A recommendation for a gamer should name the user and give key specs with numbers.		CFor Jay, a gamer, I recommend a PC with 16 GB RAM and 8 GB VRAM because games need smooth graphics.
4A recommendation for a student on a budget should pick a device and justify it with 'because'.		DA full recommendation: it names the user and workload, gives a spec with a number, picks a device and explains why with 'because'.
5For Ella, an office worker, I recommend a good fast laptop because it is nice.		EThe specs are vague with no numbers (such as 16 GB RAM or 512 GB SSD), and the reason 'it is nice' does not link to the workload.
6I recommend a laptop with 16 GB RAM and a 1 TB SSD because it has lots of storage.		FFor Sam, a student on a budget, I recommend a $600 laptop with 8 GB RAM and 256 GB SSD because it handles schoolwork and costs less.

Definitions

hardware recommendation

Fill in the Blanks

Complete each line of code by filling in the missing parts.

Pick the Laptop X _______ it has 16 GB RAM.

____: office worker Workload: emails and documents Key spec: 8 GB RAM

A gamer needs a strong ___ for high FPS.

User: student on a budget Need: 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD, _____ $800

Video editor: pick a CPU with 8 _____

Spot the Error

Shade in the letter of the line that contains an error.

Question 1

A User: Kai, plays fast games

B Needs: 16 GB RAM, 8 GB VRAM

C Pick: Laptop A, 16 GB, 8 GB

D Why: it has 8 GB VRAM

Question 2

A User: Zoe, edits 4K video

B Needs: lots of RAM, fast SSD

C Pick: Laptop C, 32 GB, 1 TB

D Why: it fits because 32 GB RAM

Question 3

A User: Sam

B Needs: 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD

C Pick: Laptop D, 8 GB, 256 GB

D Why: it fits because 8 GB RAM

Question 4

A User: Ben, student, $700 max

B Needs: 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD

C Pick: Laptop E, $650

D Why: fits because $650 > $700

Question 5

A User: Ida, plays 3D games

B Needs: 4 GB RAM, 0 GB VRAM

C Pick: PC F, 16 GB, 8 GB VRAM

D Why: it fits because 8 GB VRAM

Answer Key

Writing a hardware recommendation for a user

Section A: Quick Questions

A — For Mia, a video editor who exports 4K clips, I recommend the Laptop B.

B — It needs a GPU with 8 GB of VRAM and 16 GB of RAM to run games at 60 FPS.

A — I recommend the Laptop A because its 16 GB of RAM lets Sam edit video without lag.

B — An 8 GB RAM laptop with a 256 GB SSD, because office tasks need little power and the user wants fast start-up.

A — A $550 laptop with 8 GB RAM and a 256 GB SSD, because it covers schoolwork and stays under budget.

Section B: Match the Pairs

For Mia, a video editor, I recommend a laptop with 32 GB RAM because 4K clips need lots of memory. → A full recommendation: it names the user and workload, gives a spec with a number, picks a device and explains why with 'because'.

I recommend the Gamer X laptop. → An incomplete recommendation: it picks a device but gives no user, no spec numbers and no reason.

A recommendation for a gamer should name the user and give key specs with numbers. → For Jay, a gamer, I recommend a PC with 16 GB RAM and 8 GB VRAM because games need smooth graphics.

A recommendation for a student on a budget should pick a device and justify it with 'because'. → For Sam, a student on a budget, I recommend a $600 laptop with 8 GB RAM and 256 GB SSD because it handles schoolwork and costs less.

For Ella, an office worker, I recommend a good fast laptop because it is nice. → The specs are vague with no numbers (such as 16 GB RAM or 512 GB SSD), and the reason 'it is nice' does not link to the workload.

I recommend a laptop with 16 GB RAM and a 1 TB SSD because it has lots of storage. → It does not name the user or their workload, so we cannot tell why these specs suit anyone.

Section C: Definitions

hardware recommendation — A written pick of a device for a named user and workload. It lists key specs with numbers and gives a reason using the word 'because'.

Section D: Fill in the Blanks

Pick the Laptop X because it has 16 GB RAM.

User: office worker
Workload: emails and documents
Key spec: 8 GB RAM

A gamer needs a strong GPU for high FPS.

User: student on a budget
Need: 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD, under $800

Video editor: pick a CPU with 8 cores

Section E: Spot the Error

D — The reason is missing the word 'because'. A recommendation must link the pick to the need, for example: Why: it fits because 8 GB VRAM.

B — The key specs must have numbers. 'Lots' and 'fast' are vague. It should say something like: Needs: 32 GB RAM, 1 TB SSD.

A — A recommendation must name the user and their workload. This line only gives a name. It should be: User: Sam, office worker.

D — The reason contradicts itself. $650 is not more than $700, and a budget student needs a price under the limit. It should be $650 < $700.

B — The numbers are too small for 3D games. A gamer needs a graphics card with video memory. It should be: Needs: 16 GB RAM, 8 GB VRAM.