Often the first thing we hear from a client is “I need this repaired.” Computer repair is what we do on a daily basis. We also take care of regular maintenance (think auto repair for your computer.) We pride ourselves in the fact that we have been doing this for about 18 years. We have seen all types of different technologies come and go. (Do you remember Divx?)

Computers have come a long way in a very short time.  In 1998 it was a big deal to have a new operating system that had just come out.  Computers were lucky to have a 16GB harddrive. 128 MB of memory was enough to handle the operating system and two or three programs at once.  We were still using dial up and the internet was still just this really new thing.  It’s now 2011, we have USB Flashdrives that are cheap for 16GB.  Most computers need a minimum of 4GB (32 times the amount of the 1998 computers) of memory to run the operating system and all the new high end graphics.  Things are evolving faster and faster.  Computers are now coming out with harddrives that don’t have any moving parts.  Solid State drives are now becoming more and more reasonable.

It is not easy to let go of things that we know even though technology is evolving faster than we can keep up.  New things are coming out every 6- 12 months.  So how do you know when it is time to let go of computer technology?  It’s not easy even from a business stand point.  Still remember, after the first 3 years you have pretty much gotten all the depreciation from new computer equipment that you can.  If it was a high end piece you might be able to stretch that out for 5 years.  If the computer starts to have problems at 2-3 years it may be time to look at something else depending on the problem.  Also remember the old adage is true even for computers, you get what you pay for.  Something cheap may be a great quick fix if you need something right away, but it is not going to be worth it to fix it because replace value is so low.

When laptops first came out they were big, bulky, and expensive.  Now, not so much.  Laptops now start at $250 for simple netbooks to just surf the internet.  Most laptops are given a 2-3 lifespan and batteries for laptops are given about a year.  If you buy a higher end laptop and it needs repaired in the first year or two, repair it.  Most laptops have a full year warranty.  If a laptop is low end and even if it’s only 2 years old, the cost of a repair could be anywhere from $90 – $180 or even more.  So why spend almost half of what the unit was worth just to repair it.  As long as your data is safe; replace the computer.

Desktops, however, tend to be a little more robust.  Their prices have not gone down as far as laptops but they also tend to have more processing power and more memory.  Overall they can do a lot of things that laptops just still aren’t quite capable of doing.  Most desktop computers start at $400.  If the desktop fails in the first 3 years it is probably worth it to repair it (as long as it’s not something intensive like a mother board issue which after the first year it gets harder to find the exact same motherboard and may have conflicts with newer hardware.)

If you aren’t sure of the value of your equipment and if it is worth it to repair or replace, I highly recommend finding a reputable computer repair person or center.  They will tell you if it’s worth it and most of them will only charge a small diagnostic fee that may be waived if repair is selected.  As always, if we can help, don’t hesitate to contact us.

For more information about repair or replace: please see Consumer Reports Magazine article “Repair or Replace It?” in the August 2011 edition. (On sale until August 1.)

With the new release of the iPhone on Verizon’s network we understand that clients may have concerns or questions.  We’d like to help to clear up some of the confusion.  We found an article that tries to take some of the confusion out of the release coming February 3, 2011.  Just as a reminder the iPhone 4 has been out for almost 9 months.  Apple is releasing a new phone in July. Now of course this doesn’t mean that a new one will be quickly coming for Verizon.  We hope that this clears some things up for people.

From Website

Please see the article shared here.

Today we are more able to be an office unto ourselves.  We can go to a WiFi hotspot and find a place to work whether it’s a coffee shop, a restaurant or even a hotel.  All these places accommodate us and make it easy to check our mail, surf the internet, and even work on projects when we have the time.  With all this ability to work on the go sometimes we forget what we need to do to keep our technology current to keep being able to work on the go.

Geeks.com has written a great quick couple of tips to make sure that your laptop will serve you anywhere you go.  If you have any questions about these items, then please don’t hesitate to contact us.  We would be happy to help answer any of your questions.

Every day new information is coming out about how new technology is hitting the market for computers.  We have always been fascinated by the idea of ever shrinking computers and putting more powerful computers into ever smaller cases.  The most recent computer to make the news is the Plug Servers.  These servers are literally plug and play computers that you can use as a file server right in your own home.  If you are more interested in a cloud approach then you can use one of these for that as well.  These are not going to be the most robust servers like your more standard Microsoft Business Class Servers or Home Servers but these give users an option to have a server when they don’t need something so large.

Geeks.com shares with us a great article about the new styles of these tiny little plug in computers.  Take a look and if you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.

Smart phones are all the rage for business owners and now with so many Operating Systems (OS) there are many different choices. It can be overwhelming on a good day. Should a business owner go with Blackberry, or an Android phone, or even a Windows Mobile, or an IPhone? Also what about when one of these OS upgrade to the next version, what happens to the phone?

You will find a link to a great article about tips on how to buy a smart phone. As with anything else, if you aren’t sure if it’ll work with your current technology, feel free to ask your computer technician.

**Please note that SeTech Support does not endorse any particular model of Smart Phone. We will make recommendations based on a customers need but we do not have alliances with any particular carrier or type of phone.

In our last post we talked about ways to buy used equipment that still has warranties etc. However, there are still good deals to be had if you want to use Craigslist, Ebay, or a local reseller. Some things to keep in mind if you choose to go this route are:

1) Plan out how the computer will be used beforehand and don’t be afraid to ask. As of this writing (July 2010), a good used 2-3 year old Windows laptop will average around $400.00 or less and a desktop will be cheaper. If you find a particular computer you like, see what a similar one is going for on Ebay to get an idea of the “street price.”

2) For Craigslist and Ebay, check the computer’s service tag (Dell) or serial number before you buy. Go to the manufacturer’s website and check for history on the computer. If you’re using Ebay, make sure the seller has a good rating (at least 99%) and go through their feedback. How easily do they handle returns, are previous customers satisfied, etc.

3) If you find one you’re interested in, look at the case on the computer. If the plastics or metal look discolored or scratched, or you have broken hinges, move on. Any external damage could mean more damage on the inside.

4) Lastly, has the drive been formatted and a fresh copy of Windows or OS X been installed and does the seller have a copy for you? From a business perspective, it’s better to start with a clean install and load only the software you have a licensed copy and need on the computer. Having a lot of extra software installed you don’t need and which may not be properly licensed or installed can cause problems later when you don’t have time for them.

If you have any doubts or concerns, contact a reputable computer consultant and they can help you walk through the process of purchasing used computer equipment or even checking out a computer you might be thinking about purchasing prior to buying it.

One thing on everyone’s mind today is saving money and one of the largest expenses for small businesses is their technology costs. As a technology company, we see the current costs and understand how quickly equipment can depreciate and become obsolete.

Buying used or refurbished is a great way to go but as a small business owner this can also be a problem. First, what has the laptop or desktop has been through? Second, is the price reasonable for a used computer? Lastly, can you be sure that this equipment isn’t stolen?

The easiest way to save money buying used or refurbished is by going to the manufacturer’s website and looking at their online outlet. Lenovo, Apple, Dell and most other vendors will have an online site for off lease, opened box, or refurbished equipment. The big advantage here is you get a computer from the manufacturer with a full warranty and clean system.

In another blog post we will be following up with the best practices to follow when purchasing a used laptop, desktop, etc. from either Craigslist or Ebay.