Nov 06

When  it comes to computer repair you have many different options. The one most commonly chosen is going with a big box store like the geek Squad.  While at first this may seem like a good option here are a few things you may not know.

Places like the Geek Squad do not require certifications or pre-training.  You would think thye would require this for all of their computer repair tecks but that is not the case.  The field agents that come out to your home are suposed to be certified but having worked there myself I can tell you this is not true.  The other download side is the cost. While the in store service is reasonable in price having a tech come out to your house will costs you a few hundred bucks just to have them show up.  This cost is very outrageous.

A better way to go is going with a smaller local company.  Looking online or in your phone book you will find many smaller shops.Going this route is nice because if you have an issue you can actually speak with the same person who repaired your computer.  This is by far a better way to go.

Your third option which is even better is one that most people do not even know about.  Hiring a US based company to repair your computer online.  Things like virus and spyware removal, networking and all those other blue screen errors can be resolved right online.  For instance this Computer Repair site can remote into your computer and reslove just about any issue.there is no waiting in line and you can chat live with a repair tech.  No waiting days for a personal tech or hauling your computer across town just to wait a week for the repair.  By going this route you will save some major green on your computer repair job.  These guys also feature a no fix no fee policy.  This means if they can not fix it for any reason you do not pay a cent.  It’s worth bookmarking because some day you will need to use them.

written by Newshound \\ tags: , , ,

Nov 06

Many people are afraid of buying a used laptop because the don’t think it will be as reliable as a new one. Without the protection a warranty offers, this can be a rather daunting prospect. On the other hand, if you want a deal, and don't demand ultra-high performance, buying used is an excellent idea.

If you buy a new laptop, you can think of it like buying a new car. The first time you roll off the lot with the new car, it will be very shiny, and all your friends will "ooh" and "ah.” Same with the laptop. As time passes, this sense of newness will wear off.

People will start to get newer, shinier, and better cars/laptops, but you'll still be stuck with the old one. You might be tempted to sell the old laptop, buy a new one, and start the cycle all over again. However, you’ll find out soon enough that, as with a used car, you won’t get nearly the same value out of it as you would like, even though its not even that old and works fine in general.

What if you could be on the other side of this exchange, and you were the one getting the great deal on the laptop? Buying a used laptop is the same as buying a used car, and offers similiar savings. Why not let that other guy take the big depreciation hit? Of course, you have no warranty, but the price is so low that it won’t likely matter. You will still win in the end.

One of the neatest things about buying used laptops is that you can get some very inexpensive old models that are perfect for basic applications such as internet, e-mail, and office. My favorite laptop for these uses are IBM/Lenovo Thinkpads, because of their ruggedness. Buy one of these at a low price, reinstall the operating system, and you've got yourself a great little portable workstation.

If you’re a gamer, you can even get a nice little portable gaming rig. It won’t play the latest and greatest games, but with a used Alienware laptop or something similar, you can play many great classic games on the road, with a machine that doesn’t have the same crushing price tag as a new gaming laptop would.

The question is, is buying a pre-owned laptop the right choice for you? For most people, the answer to this is probably yes. Most people over inflate the risk of the laptop breaking on them, which leads to lower demand, and thus lower prices, for used laptops. You can get a nice used Apple laptop, typically quite expensive, for low prices.  If you need the best and fastest, by all means buy new, but if you’re just looking for the basics, give used a try.

written by Newshound \\ tags: , , , , , , , ,