Do I repair, upgrade or buy a new computer?

People ask me this question all the time and my answer is the same all the time - "It depends." Some answer, eh?

Here's what it depends on:

How do you use your system? If you use your computer for internet access, the occasional Word or Excel document any computer running XP Home with a minimum 1GHz CPU & 1 GB RAM memory will do just fine providing it is kept 'clean' and receives regular monthly maintenance. If your system meets or exceeds this specification but is running as slow as a snail in winter it most likely needs what I call “nuke & pave” servicing. What that entails is a complete reinstallation of your programs and files. First, I’ll need to  gather of all your software program discs and your Windows Product Key. After backing up all your files on a separate hard drive I “nuke” your hard drive by doing a low-level format to the drive to make sure

1. all the bad files are gone and

2. to determine if the drive is failing

I then test the system memory to see whether or not it is working properly. If all is well with the hardware I will re-install the operating system, your program files and then all of your data files. I will put the latest and what I consider to be the best of the freeware antivirus and antispyware programs onto your system. This whole process takes 3 to 6 hours to complete. I charge $125.00 flat fee to do this.

If you do a lot of photo editing as well as some video editing the above system will drive you crazy. For that type of work I recommend you use a minimum of a dual core processor (Intel or AMD) with a minimum of 2.5GHz CPU speed rating per core, 2 GB RAM memory, 512MB video card, 500w power supply and a 500GB hard drive. This type of system will cost about $5-600.00 without an operating system.

If your system has 2 or more GB of RAM, a 3-500 GB hard drive but a single core CPU you have a number of options. Consider a new motherboard, CPU and RAM or if your CPU is 2.5 GHz with 1 GB of RAM add more memory. Here’s a caveat though; today’s type of memory is called DDR2 and it is cheap. If your machine is older than two years it most likely uses DDR or SDRAM and those memory upgrades are much more costly. To add 1 GB of SDRAM is likely to cost $80 and you may not be able to add more than that. For a system using DDR RAM 2GB will cost $100 while the same 2GB of DDR2 cost $40.00. Doubling your memory will NOT double the computers speed, it will increase it but I have found unless it is a dramatic increase in memory, say from 256 MB’s to 2GB, you’re not going to be that impressed going from 512MB to 1GB. Another thing about older systems is the hard drives speed can be slow, 4500 RPM instead of today’s 7200-10,000 RPM speeds so whether or not you need the space adding a fast hard drive can significantly improve performance.

Another scenario that can signal you that an upgrade or new system is necessary is when buying a new program. Check the software box carefully to find what the minimum hardware requirements are.

Big question: How do you know what hardware your computer has? There are two programs I use all the time that will sort this out for you, CPUZ and CCleaner. Both are simple to use and easy to install and CCleaner does double duty by cleaning up your computer 'garbage' files safely. Call me for more help with these two programs.

What does it cost for a new machine? A very basic machine will cost $3-400 (depending on whether it includes Windows 7, XP Home or Vista Home Premium). This system is known as a ‘bare bones’ system will do the minimum of web surfing, office documents and email. It is made by various manufacturers (most notably eMachines and Compaq) and from white box computer makers like me.

Email me for a quote on what $300, $400, $500 & $600 will get you these days.

A new system that would allow you to do photo and video editing easily will start at $700 and can go up to $1500 depending on the speed and quality of the components. Video and photo editing software is extra. All of my ‘high’ end machines have a 3 year warranty on the hardware and labour, ask me for details 778-987-6148.