By Troy Redington of Fat Wallet
We live in an era where most jobs involve using a computer, even if only for a portion of our daily routine. Not all of us are lucky enough to have an IT department, IT consultant, or even just an IT ‘guy’ (or gal) to take care of those computers. Often, small-business owners are left to fend for themselves when it comes to technology and purchasing. This can lead to blind overspending and added stress.
Here are some tips for keeping IT costs under control:
1. Be realistic about your computing needs
Sure, that 6-core, thousand-dollar processor will encode video 10 times faster than the $150 processor, but unless you’re encoding video all day it’s a waste of precious budget. You don’t need a super-computer to run office applications, browse the web, and update your status on Facebook. Onboard video and sound is perfectly fine for pretty much everything (other than gaming and 3D rendering).
2. Know which specs really matter
A computer salesperson will quote you a bunch of impressive specs, but which ones are really relevant for a small business’ needs?
The processor doesn’t matter that much for typical office use. I’m a big fan of the lower-end Intel Core 2 Duos – you really don’t need a quad core.
Hard drive space seems like a bigger deal than it really is. If you have a ton of files, chances are you’ll need a solution that involves more than your internal hard drive(s).
Memory is the spec that matters most. Go with at least 4GB.
3. Don’t be afraid of the DIY stuff
Big-box stores and the major online computer manufacturers will allow you, and actively encourage you, to upgrade components and specs during the checkout. The extra $200 they’re charging to upgrade to 4GB of memory may seem appealing, but it’s sometimes cheaper to do it yourself.
Installing RAM or a new video card is actually really easy. Not quite as easy as plugging in a toaster, but it is a similar concept. Websites like crucial.com make it easy to figure out what kind of memory you need. Processors are considerably more difficult to upgrade. I usually make all of my purchases at newegg.com.
If you’re not afraid of a little troubleshooting and wiring, you can build the entire computer yourself. Dollar for dollar, you’ll probably spend about the same, but the quality of the parts will be much better
4. Stick with the basic operating system
Yes, if you’re using a PC, you probably need Windows 7. But you don’t need Windows 7 Ultimate edition, or even the Professional edition. Windows 7 Home Premium has pretty much all of the stuff you’ll need. To see the differences, check out this Windows 7 comparison chart.
5. Use external hard drives
Adding more space to a new, or existing computer isn’t always the easiest thing. External hard drives hook up via USB and can be added to any computer. You can move them around without a problem, use them to transfer big files, or leave them in place as a way of adding hard drive space to a computer without the use of a screwdriver. Plus, when your computer crashes (and it will eventually), your important data is on an external hard drive. No data lost!
6. Shop bargain and deal sites for big discounts on computers
At Fatwallet, our (unofficial) motto is “never pay retail.” That rule especially applies to computer purchases. Members of the Fatwallet community are constantly finding and sharing the best deals they find. Plus, we have a staff member who rounds up the absolute best discounts and values and produces a weekly list on our best laptop deals page and best desktop deals page. If anything, it’s a great place to check before you make a purchase – just to make sure you’re getting a decent deal.
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In addition to working at Fat Wallet, Troy Redington is a gadget freak who writes about family, food, and technology. He enjoys long walks in the park, and pie.
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Tags: IT, May 2010 newsletter
This is what I need, thank you!!!
Errr….WOW that looks good! More information asap please