Tips about buying a new computer

Friday’s Tips and Tricks!
Things you need to know
July 25, 2008
Welcome to Friday’s Tips and Tricks! Every Friday I will send out a short note, reviewing things that are important for you to know. Reminder…if you would like to unsubscribe, there is a link at the bottom to do that.

In this issue

How long does a computer last?
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As long as you take care of your computer, it can last well over 10 years. Some computers do have major malfunctions though and they’re just not worth repairing. Can you prevent that? Not in every case. I have gone to a client’s house who has a Windows 98 machine, almost 10 years old, still running just fine. The user only needed a few slight problems fixed.

What I normally tell folks is this…once a computer starts to get over 5 years old, start saving to buy a new one. Replacing the hardware that fails can cost almost $300 with parts and labor. With a repair bill that big, it’s not worth replacing it when some new computers are $300!
What can you do to keep your computer around a bit longer?
Turn it off at night
Keep your Windows updates current
Install an Antivirus program
Move your music to an external hard drive
NOTE….Laptops seem to have a shorter life span than a desktop computer.

How much should you spend?
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Do you have an IT Budget? We discussed this a few Tips and Tricks ago….

Computers can range from $300-2500 for the same type of system, with just a few hardware changes. Do you need to spend $2500 on a new computer?

If you are a basic user, a $300-$500 desktop computer should work just fine for you. It will come with all the basic hardware and you should not need to upgrade much. If anything, you may want to upgrade the memory. For the laptop user, basic laptops are selling for under $500 at many big box shops.

NOTE: If you have special needs for your programs, then you may need to spend more money on a higher-end model computer.

What’s the deal with Vista?
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Many of my clients have been in need of an upgrade of their systems and I can’t tell you how many say, “I have heard to stay away from Vista”.

So what is the deal with Vista? Vista is the operating system that you will need to use if you’re buying a new computer. It has a different look and feel than other systems and it takes some learning to figure it out, but it’s not that different and it’s more stable than it was last year. The biggest issues people are having with Vista are that it doesn’t work well in a corporate environment. For the home user, it should work just fine. You may experience some problems with…

1.) Your printer isn’t compatible anymore (if you have a really old one)
2.) You don’t know how to use it (because of look and feel changes)
3.) Slowness (this can be changed by adding more memory)
4.) Old programs that worked on your XP computer won’t install on Vista (You will need to buy a new version or call the manufacturer and see if they have an update for Vista)

Does Call That Girl recommend using Vista? We sure do! I have been using it since January 2007 and really haven’t had any issues with it. We also offer “Vista Tweak” sessions on how to use it better to fit your needs. For what it’s worth, about half my client base has Vista and no one has downgraded back to XP yet!

Tags: Computer Repair St. Paul MN, Computer support St. Paul Minnesota, Saint Paul Computer repair

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