Professional Purchase Advice

Help buying hardware and software

Need a New Computer? | Upgrading Legacy Computers
Purchasing a New Computer

Need a New Computer?

Russ doesn't build or sell computer systems or software, but he can make recommendations for hardware and software that meets your specific requirements and budget. He can ensure that your purchase is appropriate and usable.

Technology can greatly improve your productivity, but only if you have the right equipment.

Lost in the rush for high tech is the reason why the technology exists in the first place. Information.

All the technology in the world is useless if it cannot collect, store, retrieve, and manipulate information efficiently.

The Information in any IT system should have equal or greater value than the technology used in that system.
— George Andrews

Customization Services

Russ offers additional services like software installations, customization, data transfers and setup in your home or office so that you are up and running quickly and smoothly.

Call to book an appointment!

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Upgrading Legacy Computers

Many users with have very stable systems not requiring replacement. However, there may be other reasons to consider upgrading such as touch screens and useful new capabilities or even the pending obsolescence of your computer.

Your productivity has decreased or you're experiencing problems with current hardware or software.
External options such as legacy printers & scanners don't work with your current system.
You want to move to a laptop or another option such as a touch screen.
Newer technology like solid-state drives, USB 3/USB-C ports offer rapid backups or transfers.
HDMI for high-definition digital video and improved wireless connectivity are compelling reasons to upgrade.
Compatibility with your mobile devices.

Improve Productivity

The most compelling reason to upgrade is to improve productivity.

If your computer is slow or unsuitable to the tasks you're performing, we can assess whether upgrading a legacy system is the best option or if purchasing a new system will benefit you the most and provide the best return on your investment.

The biggest challenge is the pending end of support for Windows 10 combined with the significant system requirements to run Windows 11. Unless your Windows 10 computer is only a few years old you're unlikely to be able to upgrade.

Business Users Affected Most

While annoying, many home users often continue to make do with slower legacy computers.

Businesses need to consider lost productivity or downtime due to outdated hardware or software. Legacy computers can affect business revenue, especially when professional users are running demanding applications like AutoCAD, Photoshop or very large spreadsheets.

Hidden Costs

Old PCs often cost more to repair than to replace. Hindered productivity is a hidden expense.

There are hidden costs associated with keeping PCs older than 4 to 4.5 years:

They cost 59 percent more to support.

They take up to 50 percent longer to perform some tasks. Today's desktops have two times the performance of a three-year-old desktop.

There are 53 percent more security breaches.

Older PCs use 50 percent more energy.

Older PCs are seldom under warranty. Recent studies estimate the failure rate in year four is about 24 percent, twice the rate in year one.

— Texas Department of Information Resource

See Intel's How much is it costing your business to run old PCs?

You may have mitigating considerations including the need to run legacy applications or budget considerations. We can assess such requirements when reviewing your options.

Avoid Misplaced Priorities

Computer equipment should be purchased based upon its suitability to the tasks it performs.

Too often employees have to hobble along with legacy hardware running demanding software like AutoCAD and Photoshop while managers enjoy top-of-the-line hardware for minimal tasks like email.

The use of better computers as “status symbols” hurt the company's bottom line where this is true.

Extending the Lifespan of Current Hardware

If your budget won't allow you to purchase a new system, upgrading your current system with key upgrades can allow you to delay the expense of a full upgrade until it is practical.

Even if your computer is no longer fast enough or cannot run the current software, there are alternatives to purchasing a new system:

Upgrading some replaceable hardware to improve performance.
Installing a newer version of Windows (depending upon the system requirements for newer technology) and software applications.
Linux provides additional upgrade possibilities for older hardware because it often runs better than Windows on the same hardware.

Perhaps a new video card or more RAM will improve performance. A larger monitor or faster solid state hard drive with more capacity may be all you need.

Keep in mind that desktop computers are much easier to upgrade than laptops. Not all new technologies can be purchased economically as addons (if at all).

Upgrading Windows

If you're running Windows 10 on older but functional systems, time is running out. You have to consider what you're going to replace it with.

Unless you have a very recent computer, your hardware will not support a Windows 11 upgrade.
If your hardware doesn't support the new features in Windows 11, you won't benefit from them.

Before Windows 10 support expires on October 14, 2025 you will need to reassess that choice.

The option to purchase extended support for Windows 10 is a limited (and potentially expensive) option.

Microsoft's consumer ESU is US$30 (and only lasts one year).
Microsoft's corporate ESU is US$427 over three years before it ends.
0patch Updates (pronounced 'zero patch') should be more reasonable and available as long as commercially viable.

Ultimately the right solution depends upon your requirements and how important Windows is to you.

Upgrade Criteria

Newer versions of Windows will probably require new hardware so it is recommended that you look at alternatives if you wish to continue to use legacy hardware.

Windows 11 has complicated this issue because the majority of computers built for Windows 7 or 10 cannot meet the requirements.

Windows 10 Still Viable — For Now

Windows 10 continues to be a viable option for a little while longer but new computers are running Windows 11.

Older computers and Windows versions have legacy components that may no longer be maintained (they're considered obsolete by the manufacturer) making staying safe harder.
Microsoft has focused its future success on advertising rather than on selling you a new operating system every few years.

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to discuss upgrading your computer or software

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Purchasing a New Computer

Windows 11 is about the only option for you, especially if you want to stay with Windows or if you have critical hardware or software that only runs on Windows.

Windows 11 has moved further from the traditional Windows environment and has made significant changes to the Start menu and navigation.

Many new systems are particularly stingy on hard drive storage. If you don't store a lot of data on cloud systems like OneDrive or DropBox, you'll need to ensure enough onboard storage for your active files. A decent removable USB drive can suffice for extra storage and backups but is awkward to have it attached continually.

When choosing a CPU, first ask what you're going to do with it, then see how much you can budget for it after you've figured out how much you're spending on other components. While processors are important, there's no point in pairing a high-speed chip with weak graphics (unless you aren't a gamer) or a slow, spinning mechanical drive, even if it is a best hard drive. While reading about specs like clock speed and thread count is helpful, the best measure of a processor's performance comes from objective reviews, like those we write here on Tom's Hardware.
— Tom's Hardware

Alternatives to Windows may work for you if you are more flexible (Linux) or are willing to invest in new hardware and software (Mac).

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to discuss your options!