Upgrades
is it time
to upgrade your system?
Computer technology is showing no sign of slowing down, and upgrades are becoming mandatory for some users. How do you know when you desperately need an upgrade or if the latest components being released are only for the power users and gamers among us?
Major signs that a computer needs an upgrade include:
-
Still running
Windows 95 or 98? Windows 9x is no longer available to purchase
by most retailers. Product updates (security patches, driver
updates, fixes) are not available for Windows 95 and will be
discontinued on
January 16, 2004
for Windows 98.
(Microsoft extends termination date for Windows 98 patches)
- If your current hardware is more than two years old, you are seriously limiting the productivity and usefulness of your system. While it may be fine to wait while surfing the web at home, in a business environment, wasted time is lost profit.
Minor signs that an upgrade would be beneficial:
-
Lockups and
freezes while operating under normal circumstances can be a time
wasting hazard. If a computer is near the end of its lifespan, it is
often cheaper to upgrade to a new system than to have it repaired.
With the recent hardware price drops, now is one of the best times
to upgrade.
- Upgrading parts does have it benefits as well, especially for those on a budget. Adding RAM is one of the quickest and most noticeable ways to increase productivity. A new motherboard, CPU, and RAM combo will also bring new life out of a dying system. If you can’t afford to upgrade to a new machine, increasing little by little will result in immediate improvements.