PC Upgrades
Is it time to upgrade your system?
Computer technology
is showing no sign of slowing down, and upgrades are becoming
mandatory for some users. How do you know when you desperately need
an upgrade or if the latest components being released are only for
the power users and gamers among us?
Major signs that a
computer needs an upgrade include:
-
Still running
Windows 95 or 98? Windows 9x is no longer available to purchase
by most retailers. Product updates (security patches, driver
updates, fixes) are not available for Windows 95 and will be
discontinued on
January 16, 2004 for Windows 98.
(Microsoft extends termination date for Windows 98 patches)
-
If your current
hardware is more than two years old, you are seriously limiting
the productivity
and usefulness of your system. While it may be fine to wait while
surfing the web at home, in a business environment, wasted time is
lost profit.
Minor signs that an
upgrade would be beneficial:
-
Lockups and
freezes while operating under normal circumstances can be a time
wasting hazard. If a computer is near the end of its lifespan, it
is often cheaper to upgrade to a new system than to have it
repaired. With the recent hardware price drops, now is one of the
best times to upgrade.
-
Upgrading parts
does have it benefits as well, especially for those on a budget.
Adding RAM is one of the quickest and most noticeable ways to
increase productivity. A new motherboard, CPU, and
RAM
combo will also bring new life out of a dying system. If you can’t
afford to upgrade to a new machine, increasing little by little
will result in immediate improvements.
Things to be aware
of when upgrading:
- The cheapest computers are cheap for a reason.
Many manufacturers are offering complete systems for less than
$600. These “disposable” systems use parts that are not name-brand
and therefore are not meant for multiple years of reliable use.
Spending a few more dollars will often result in less hassle as
you use grow into your new system.
- Most machines built by nationwide suppliers
come bundled with hundreds of programs to “increase your
productivity”, but instead they will generally just waste
resources and hard drive space. A custom computer is tailored to
your needs and will not have excess programs that you don’t need
or want.
Give us a call, or email
support@itsak.com to schedule
an upgrade evaluation on your existing system. |
