There are several things that can be done to get more life out of your current computer instead of purchasing a new one. If you like your current computer, or don't want to spend the money and effort of replacing it, here are a few ways to get more life out of your device:
Upgrade the Operating System
If you're using an old version of your computer's operating system, you might see some benefit in upgrading to a newer version. Microsoft and Apple are always working on making their operating systems better, often adding performance and - most importantly - security features. Plus, as discussed in a previous blog post, Microsoft is ending support for Windows XP, making that OS much less secure.
Certain upgrade paths for Windows let you keep all your settings and files, and sometimes even your applications. Less work is required to do these upgrades. Other times, all files must be backed up and the computer has to be wiped clean to install the new version, which takes more time, but is still more reasonable than purchasing a new computer.
Upgrade the System Drive
One of the biggest things that can be done to improve the speed of ANY computer - whether old or new - is to use a Solid State Drive (or SSD) instead of a traditional Hard Disk Drive (HDD). HDDs have disks (platters) inside them that spin at high speeds (typically 5400 or 7200RPM), and they have a part that acts like the needle of a record player and reads/writes the data on the platters. As a result, HDDs are only as fast as the spinning of these disks, and their design is inherently susceptible to damage from bumps and falls, where the "needle" could drag across the disk and kill the drive.
The newer Solid State Drives (SSDs), on the other hand, do not have any moving parts, so a bump isn't going to hurt them because there isn't anything spinning. But the primary advantage SSDs have is in how quickly they load the data stored on them. Basically they're able to load data immediately, and this does wonders for things like how long it takes to boot a computer up the first time. If you've ever turned on your computer and gone to do something while it started, you might want to think about upgrading to an SSD. Most people report load times of less than half what they used to get with HDDs. An SSD will also improve the speed at which applications load, so if you use programs like Adobe's products or even Outlook, those programs will load much faster and you won't stare at those loading screens.
Typically the migration to a SSD doesn't take too long. The main cost is that the drives are more expensive than traditional drives and provide less storage, but the prices are coming down all the time. Call or email 3TG for more information.
Upgrade the RAM
Value-wise, the best upgrade for any computer is the RAM. RAM is relatively inexpensive and easy to install, and the performance benefit can be significant. If you have 4GB of RAM or less in your computer, you should strongly consider adding to it or replacing it. If you're still running XP (which you shouldn't be, as previously discussed), 4GB is the most you can use, so that won't be an option. In general, you can't really have too much RAM, but 8GB is a good minimum these days. Contact 3TG for information on what RAM to buy.
If you'd like a primer on the difference between hard disks and RAM, check out the recent blog post I wrote here.
Scan for Problems
Lastly, a common cause of speed issues is infections and other issues. Malware can severely impact the performance of a computer, as can applications that aren't working properly. Sometimes there can be issues with the operating system that slow a system. If you sense that your computer is slower than it used to be, call 3TG for an appointment to give your computer a once-over. Think of it as a routine physical. You can call 3TG to come out for the standard hourly rate, or drop your computer off for a guaranteed $150.
If you don't think your computer is worth any of these upgrades and you're thinking about upgrading, check out the recommended systems on 3TG's product page. The companies who make these computers are in no way connected to 3TG, those are just computers that I tend to recommend most often. Feel free to call for personalized recommendations.