Do you take a coffee break when you open your programs in the morning? Tired of trying to push past error messages just to get through your workday? Have you seen the dreaded blue screen of death a few too many times? It may be time for a new computer. Don’t buy a cheap replacement just to get by, it most likely will cost you a lot more in the long run.

What is your time worth?  Waiting an extra minute or two with a low end, inexpensive computer steals your time!  If you are retired and a patient person, maybe this doesn’t matter but I’m willing to bet that you are a little time crunched in our hectic, fast paced world of today!

Durable products.  I’m sure you’ve noticed the quality of goods at Wal-Mart versus a standard retailer. You can go with a cheaper version of anything these days from paper towels to clothing and electronics. Big box retails are ready to take your money no matter what. So, how can you ensure you are getting a good quality product that will fit your needs and last as long as you need it?

Assess your needs upfront.  Take a minute to evaluate the essentials for your new computer. Do you need a desktop or laptop? Are you looking for increased speeds? More room for storage? Better quality graphics or compatibility? Write down the top 5 items for a wish list and evaluate the features necessary in a new computer that will meet those needs.

Desktop or laptop?  If you just need a steady workstation and you don’t travel often, think about a good quality desktop computer. Desktop computers are easier to keep cool because they have more room for hefty fans, this will add to the longevity of the workstation and help maintain the performance of your computer. In addition, tower computers are more pliable, you can change parts or upgrade components to keep your machine up-to-date. If you are searching for a perfect all-purposes device you can use on the go, consider a high quality laptop that can handle the programs you need at a speed that won’t slow you down.

Features that boost productivity. Basics of economics will prove durable goods generally come with a little higher price tag. Look for a computer that offers you a longer lifetime, something fast and durable. Get a laptop or tower computer with a solid state drive.  Solid state drives just load faster because the drive responds quicker. You will find that you spend less time waiting for your programs to load and more time productively working. A little added durability will also keep you working more often, reducing the amount of hardware failure over the lifetime of the computer. This will ultimately save you valuable time and money in the long run.

Sometimes what is cheap and easy just isn’t enough. We’ve seen it time and time again. As a matter of fact, recently, a company was looking to scale up a bit and add 6 employees. So, they received a quote for the computers they should buy and took that quote online to comparison shop. They purchased a half dozen cheap computers from an online retailer. The specs were close, isn’t that good enough? The real question is, can you really trust a group of cheap towers to keep your company running day-to-day?  The CFO was happy that they “saved” money, but how about the employees?  When the systems slow down or have issues, how much did they “save”?

Why are cheap computers just cheap?  Because they come with cheap, lower quality components inside – simply stated! 

What vendor will you call when you need warranty or manufacturer support?  Is your IT provider a partner? Will you be stuck in a public support queue with no escape from the elevator music? The partner relationships your IT provider nourishes with vendors like Dell and HP allow them to skip the long lines in the support queues. They are not waiting behind every Grandma Mary or Uncle Joe who needs to get their printer working.

Our best advice.  Evaluate what you need and invest in a more scalable higher-end solution that won’t be an expensive headache in the long run.

Interested in purchasing a new computer for your home or office? Give us a call and we will work with you to find the right fit for you.