When is a good time to get a new computer? There are a couple basic questions that must be addressed to answer this question. Is your current computer inadequate for your needs? Better stated, will a new computer allow you to do or sustain a function that you are currently unable to do or sustain? In short, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
In a small village, the residents travel by bicycle. They have never seen cars and don’t know cars exist. They travel the village from end to end content that their method of travel is efficient, cost effective and adequate. You may think of your computer the same way. If it gets you from one end of your village to the next, ignore the newest bell or whistle released by Microsoft or Apple. You will find this to be efficient, cost effective and adequate.
Things to consider when contemplating an upgrade include repair/maintenance concerns. If the frequency of your computer freezing steadily increases you may be running software that exceeds the capacity of your computer’s memory. Upgrading your system memory is thought of as ‘a poor man’s upgrade’. Often this can do the trick.
When Windows XP was released an average computer had a 200 MHz processor, 128 MBs of RAM, and less than 20 GBs of hard drive space. Comparatively, at the beginning of Windows XP’s phase-out, 2 years ago, an average computer had a 2 GHz processor, 1 GB of RAM and a 1 TB (Terabyte) hard drive. I don’t know what all that means but it seems bigger to me. This suggests that in the 6 years Windows XP ruled the computer world, most users needed and upgrade.
Applications grew with the capability of the computers. Computer standards such as Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat, graphics software such as Corel and Illustrator began to require more memory and faster processors to operate. These are all good reasons to upgrade.
You can ask your local computer guru for better solutions for your daily needs. This brings us full circle. If you’re happy where you are, don’t go anywhere.
Your time to upgrade will probably include a need for that ‘cloud’ computing you’ve heard so much about. That technology is still being perfected if you don’t need it immediately, don’t rush out to get it.
Beware, your older XP system is being phased out. It is becoming increasingly difficult to find applications for your old computer. If you need to maintain current editions of common software such as QuickBooks, many software titles are no longer being written to be run on Windows XP. Items like this will influence your decision to upgrade.
Likewise, if you upgrade now to support the latest edition of QuickBooks or Corel Draw, that older music application you bought for your computer or your current printer may not work with the new Windows 7 operating system. Check with your computer pro to ensure the programs you use the most can be transplanted efficiently.
Now is an intriguing time in the computer world. Not all hardware and software are in perfect sync as we have enjoyed in previous years. This will take time. Keep in mind that computer needs vary with everyone. Today’s upgrade may lead to months of nightmares while the bugs are ironed out.