| So your PC is on the fritz... again. You're probably | | | | for hardware. New printers, scanners and other |
| waging that nagging question - whether to upgrade or | | | | devices may not work well on older computers. |
| buy a brand new computer. Noobie believes in the | | | | In the end, your computer's age may be the ultimate |
| four-year rule: If a computer is four years old or | | | | factor in your decision to upgrade or replace it. Certain |
| younger, it may be worth fixing and/or upgrading. If it is | | | | components in a computer like the hard drive have a |
| more than four years old, the cost to fix or upgrade | | | | limited life span, so it may not be worth pouring money |
| the unit can start to outweigh the cost of buying a | | | | into your computer when other parts of it are destined |
| brand new computer. | | | | to fail in the not-so-distant future. |
| An accurate cost analysis should factor in the benefits | | | | Signs you may need a new PC |
| of what a new computer can provide, including faster, | | | | The following are tell-tale signs that you likely need a |
| better memory and a more current operating system. | | | | new PC: |
| When it comes to older computers, there are a | | | | - Your computer is running too slow and the cost of |
| number of factors that can cause concern, including | | | | paying someone to tune it is not cost beneficial. |
| the computer's memory, operating system and overall | | | | - Your computer is producing lots of errors and/or |
| age. | | | | frequently crashing. |
| As for its memory, research exactly what kind of | | | | - Newer software does not run on your computer due |
| memory capacity will meet your needs. Then call your | | | | to minimum requirements. For example, the current |
| PC's manufacturer to see whether adding memory to | | | | version of Apple's iTunes software does not run on |
| your system is even possible. Sometimes due to | | | | Windows ME. |
| limitations on the number of memory slots you have, | | | | What to consider when buying a new PC |
| you have to lose memory to gain more. Think taking | | | | If you decide to buy a new PC, there are several |
| one step back in order to take two steps forward. | | | | factors to consider: |
| Older memory sometimes has to be paired, meaning | | | | - Do you have the original media for purchased |
| you need to buy two matching memory chips. If all this | | | | software so you can install it again on a new |
| sounds too confusing, simply call your computer's | | | | computer? Will it still run on new computer? For |
| manufacturer to get the answers you need. | | | | example, Office 2000 does not run well on Windows |
| Your PC's operating system should also be evaluated. | | | | Vista. You may have to spend additional money to |
| Microsoft stops supporting operating systems after a | | | | upgrade and/or purchase new software. |
| period of time. If you are running Windows ME, | | | | - Do you have all of your usernames and passwords |
| Windows 98 or Windows 95, you'll probably need to | | | | for subscription-based services and will they transfer |
| upgrade to a new system when your current system | | | | to the new computer? |
| stops working. | | | | - How will you transfer your existing files to the new |
| New software is also making it tougher for older PCs | | | | computer? How much time will it take? Do you know |
| to keep up, since many programs require an increasing | | | | how? Will you have to pay someone to do this for |
| amount of memory and disk space. The same is true | | | | you? Factor this into the cost of a new computer. |