| Unfortunately, buying a computer is more like buying a | | | | Finally when you upgrade you are paying more for |
| car. Like a car a computer depreciates as soon as | | | | labour. There is a small labour charge built into every |
| you buy it. The life span of a computer is usually about | | | | new Computer. The charge is small because all the |
| 3yrs. But like a car it can last much longer. So when is | | | | parts are new and 90% of the time all the parts work |
| it time to upgrade and when is it time to buy a new | | | | together. It is also simple to put together a new |
| one? | | | | system. When you upgrade the labour charge is more. |
| You need to ask yourself "what do I want to do on | | | | This is the case because not everything is compatible. |
| my computer?" If you answer is I want to check Email | | | | Sometimes the system needs to be cleaned before it |
| and type letters and you are able to do that on the | | | | is upgrades. Sometimes while upgrading some parts |
| system you have then I would suggest a regular six | | | | stop working. For example if you upgrade memory |
| month check-up and cleaning. | | | | you may find that the new memory does not work |
| If you answer is "there is a particular program I want | | | | with the old memory. |
| to use but it needs more memory or my hard drive is | | | | If your computer is slow and outdated decide what is |
| almost full etc." Then bring it in to someone you trust | | | | important in your new computer and what software |
| and see what the cost would be to upgrade your hard | | | | do you want to run on your new computer. Once you |
| drive or memory. The problem is that sometimes | | | | get a quote on a new system ask about upgrades or |
| things snowball. You decide you want more memory | | | | downgrades. Sometimes it is only a few dollars more |
| but then realize that you also want a bigger hard drive | | | | to get a newer generation CPU or in a lot of cases |
| and then you want to upgrade your video card. Soon | | | | you can get over 100mb of hard drive space for |
| you are spending almost as much as a new system | | | | about twenty dollars more. |
| costs. You have to consider a few things. Usually older | | | | Like buying a car extra features can add up. But unlike |
| memory costs two to thee times more than the | | | | a car a lot of new computers come with lots of |
| current product. Some upgrades may make your | | | | features that onlyadd a few dollars to the total cost of |
| computer faster but may still be technology that is one | | | | the system. |
| to two years old and still may not be fast enough. | | | | |