Read All About IT!
The first edition of our new Newsletter – Read All About IT! – has been published. You can read it here.
Welcome to Read All About IT!
Welcome to this first, short, newsletter from Curlew Computers.
This informative newsletter will be published monthly, (or less), with the aim of keeping you up to date with the world of computers.
You can, of course, unsubscribe at any time that you wish, but I hope that you enjoy reading the newsletter and that you forward it to your friends, who may wish to Subscribe themselves!
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Windows 7 is close to retirement….
| Did you know that Microsoft will be withdrawing support for Windows 7 on 14th January 2020 – just over 4 months away now? This isn’t as terrible as it sounds, as your computers won’t suddenly stop working, but it does mean that any computers still running Windows 7, after the cut-off date, will no longer be receiving security updates, which could make them more vulnerable to malicious attacks. Also, if you are still running Windows 7, it must mean that your computer is well past its best-before date! Business grade computers are designed to work for an expected life-span of 5 years. (Many will last longer, of course, and the oldest that we have worked on recently was 19 years old. It was running Windows 98 and still working. Just! But that is very much the exception.) Old computers will definitely no longer be working as efficiently as they should be doing – and that is costing your business unknown sums of money in lost productivity & staff frustration. Replacement computers cost very little when compared to the wasted salary you are paying for a staff member to watch the twirly thing going around and around. And around….. Windows 10 was first released in July 2015, so virtually all business PCs should be running on that operating system by now. It could even be the case that your Windows 10 computers are coming to the end of their useful life soon. Talk to us about the costs of a planned replacement programme for your computers, to help with budgeting for this vital business process. |
So, how much is a new computer?
The cost of a new computer is obviously very variable, mainly depending on the specification and the manufacturer, and where you buy it from.
Business grade computers will not generally be found in one of the popular High Street shops. Such outlets are aimed primarily at the home user market, in the hope that a cheap computer will be regularly replaced. Businesses need a more reliable, longer-lasting machine. But the whole process is difficult to understand.
A High Street shop may try to sell you a computer for £399, such as this one. It’s made by Dell – one of the most reputable manufacturers. But what the shop won’t point out is that the model is a Dell Inspiron, which is Dell’s home user range. Such computers are designed to last around 3 years. It features an Intel i3 Processor, 4 GB Memory and a 1 TB standard Hard Drive.
We would be more likely to recommend for you something around the £600 figure. For that sort of money you would get a Dell OptiPlex (their business model), with an Intel i5 processor, 8 GB Memory and a 256 GB SSD Hard Drive (see this example).
The processor is far better, it has twice the memory and SSD Hard Drives are much, much faster. Yes, it has a smaller capacity hard drive, but at 256 GB it is quite large enough for the vast majority of business users.
However, the biggest difference, which isn’t spelled out in the specifications, is in the quality of the major components, such as the motherboard, as well as the overall design. With computers it is almost always the case that you really do get what you pay for.
The home user PC, at £399, should last for 3 years, or the equivalent of £133 per year.
The business user PC, at £600, should last for at least 5 years, or the equivalent of £120 per year.
Which is better for your business? Please choose wisely!
Newsletter Launch Free Offer!
As a thank you for subscribing to our new newsletter we are very pleased to offer you and your family a FREE Photoshoot with the Loud & Flashy photography studios in Ashington.
This comes complete with a large, fully retouched & printed photo. Whether you would like a family portrait or a Business Team shoot, simply contact Simon at Loud & Flashy to arrange everything.
Call 01670 813 007 or visit https://www.loudandflashy.co.uk, and mention “Curlew Computers” when booking this fantastic free offer.
(Ts & Cs: 1 voucher per family or business. Cannot be exchanged for cash. Vouchers expire 6 months after issue. Maximum size of free print is 16” x 12”. Print is unmounted and unframed. No further purchase is necessary.)
Curlew Computers is based in Northumberland, between Alnwick and Morpeth.
We offer a better level of computer support to businesses, schools, charities and home users throughout the county.
Call us today on 01670 432 324
https://computer-support.uk