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Tech Tips
4 Ways You Can Tell It's Time For a New PC
Deciding
when to replace your office PCs with new ones is usually a difficult
decision. You want to control your operating expenses, but at the
same time, want your business to benefit from reliable,
high-performing machines that can run the latest programs. If you
are unsure about what to do, here are four things that indicate it
is probably time for a new computer.
1. Your PC is four
years old - If you cannot afford to have your PC break down or sit
in the repair shop for a day or two, budget to replace your PC every
three or four years. This replacement schedule does not guarantee
that you never have a problem, but it could protect you from
experiencing major component failures. Replacing your PC every four
years also provides an opportunity to easily upgrade to improved
software − such as Windows Vista and Office 2007− because PC makers
will preload the programs on your new machine.
2.
Your PC is slowing down - Many things can cause a computer to run
slowly, which can erode productivity over time. By removing
unnecessary programs that load at start up, deleting old files from
your hard disk, scanning for viruses and spyware, and tweaking other
operating system settings, you might improve your computer's
performance to a level you can live with.
However, it may
also be the case that the programs you now run simply push the
limits of the processing capabilities of your system. Insufficient
memory, slow hard drive speeds, and an ancient CPU may prevent your
system from keeping up with demands you place on it, particularly
when you use multiple applications at the same time. Some of these
components can be upgraded, but if you compare the overall cost of
upgrading to what a new machine might cost, investing in a new PC is
often the smarter option.
3.
Your PC makes unusual noises - Computers typically make some noise.
Cooling fans, CD-ROM drives and hard drives can all make a low hum
or soft whirring when they operate. These sounds are not a cause for
concern. If you start to hear clicking noises, loud humming or
thumping noises, your hard drive is likely going bad. Back up your
data and consider whether you want to replace the hard drive or, if
other things are not working well, the entire computer.
4.
You cannot run the software you want - New software programs demand
more from computers and an older computer may not meet the optimal
hardware requirements. For instance, if security is a top priority
in your organization, you may want to run the Windows Vista
operating system, which includes enhanced security among its many
impressive features. However, Windows Vista requires more memory and
a faster processor than previous versions of Windows. To help you
figure out if your current computer can run Windows Vista, Microsoft
also provides an online service that evaluates your PC system to see
if it meets its system requirements.
Tech Tip Source:
Microsoft Web Site
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