How & When To Know Its Time For A New Computer:

Some of us love and enjoy our computers so much, that we don’t want to think of having to make that inevitable investment and decision of replacing and purchasing a new computer.

In this blog section, we are going to discuss some of the hidden and obvious signs to help you determine when its time to start searching for a new computer.  Also, we will address some of the common concerns of most people have in regards to first seeking computer upgrades vs. replacing the entire unit and associated software.

PLEASE NOTE: We will address this subject in regards to a Windows based PC and Apple Macintosh computer separately as they are different in regards to possible replacement direction and reasoning.

How to know when to replace your Windows Based PC:

Its typically not that difficult to realize when its time to replace your PC.  First, rule of thumb is that any PC that is approximately 4 years old or more is either due or nearing replacement.  This is typically because of the nature of how software and hardware in a computer ages in relation to its support from manufacturers.  For example, a PC with Microsoft Windows XP Professional Edition that is 4+ years old has several obstacles in regards to upgrading vs. simply replacing the computer.  The first concern is that Microsoft typically comes out with another software release about every 3-5 years, although your PC may be upgradable, the software on it may be out of date, or worse have no more available manufacturers support.  The next concern is hardware.  If your computer has an older version of Windows or software and you wish to upgrade it but the software requires you to upgrade hardware first, then you are stuck.  You would have to purchase a newer and faster computer in order to take advantage of the new software.

The same applies for new hardware on the market as well.  For instance, if you are running a PC that has Windows 98, then just about NO hardware or software on the shelf today dating back almost to 2002 will be supported on your computer.  Hence another tell tale sign that its time to upgrade.  So in conclusion, unless a piece of hardware or software that you require specifically states that your computer cannot utilize it without proper upgrades or replacement, 4+ years is a good gauge to start contemplating a new computer from our field experiences.

How to know when to replace your Apple computer:

Apple Mac computers are a bit different in regards to when and how to replace.  One primary reason for this is because of the architecture and the difference in expense of upgrading the operating system (Mac OS) in comparison to the cost of doing the same with a Windows Based PC.  For example, Apple computers never truly upgrade the actual Mac OS as often as a Windows PC.  They more so, ad feature and software updates rather than a full software replacement such as the process of moving from Microsoft Windows Vista to Microsoft Windows 7.

In essence, its possible to have a Mac computer that is 5 years old, that still runs the software you need efficiently and with the desired level of power and speed.  There is one major variable in regards to knowing when to upgrade an Apple computer.  Recently apple retired its well known proprietary processors and adopted Intel Processors in an attempt to achieve better compatibility with the rest of the computer world.  So far, this effort is indeed working.   Unfortunately, most of the newer software and updates that Apple releases for their Mac OS software and programs requires that it be ran on an Intel based Apple Macintosh.

So, rule of thumb is, if your Mac computer is not Intel based, purchasing a newer more powerful Intel ready Mac will have some very impressive features that should make the upgrade well worth while.

Regardless of the type of computer you have, there is one other major variable to be considered when weighing the costs and gains of purchasing a new computer vs. upgrade.  While this may not apply to home or home office users in most cases, most computers on corporate networks require other additional fees and/or consulting services in order to integrate a new computer into the network to return a particular end user back to his or previous or better state of functionality.  That being said, this should be also viewed as an additional cost or investment in addition to just the hardware/software cost of a new Windows based PC or Apple Mac computer.