A computer is broken in the office, or it is dinosaur ancient and slow, which is almost worse than being broken. You are outside of your warranty period, so you will have to spend money to have it fixed. And while it is only a part (or two) which needs to be replaced, the parts on the market are not compatible with the computer you purchased 5 years ago. It is officially time to upgrade.

But wait….

Don’t waste time because of impulse. Running out and purchasing any computer to fix the problem may actually cause more harm. Instead, take the time to think about what you need now, so that you don’t end up with a computer that flattens the budget, or doesn’t fit your needs.

Ask yourself these questions:

Which software is absolutely critical to my business?

Every business has at least one piece of software it cannot live without. Often it involves a database of some sort. What you need to know is how much machine you need for the software you need. The more software you need, or the more in-depth that software is, the more of a machine you will probably need. More than likely today’s computers can handle yesterday’s software. Instead you may find that your older software isn’t compatible with a newer operating system.

And, if you think that upgrading your OS is an issue that doesn’t apply to you, think again. It may be more expensive to stay with Windows XP. Many companies now charge a fee to downgrade the operating system from Windows 7 to XP. With all the great features Windows 7 has to offer, you may want to also consider upgrading your OS now.

If I need to, is a more current version of the software available?

Depending on the software there may, or may not, be a newer version available. If there is, you then need to assess whether or not you can upgrade. If you run a database, upgrading one computer may require that all computers are upgraded. When that happens, servers (if you have them) need to be assessed for the same reason.

If you don’t have to worry about other computers in the office, you do have to worry about the cost of upgrading your software. Figure out the price of upgrading software to help determine your true budget for a new computer.

What about my other hardware?

If you get a new computer, will your new technology be compatible with your old technology? Just like with software, you should assess your current technologies – wireless routers, peripheral devices, etc. – to make sure they work with your new computer.

At best, be prepared for the worst case scenario. How much would it cost to upgrade your peripheral devices, if you had to buy new everything?

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Of course, the larger hidden cost to upgrading is the time you’re spending figuring out your needs, which means time away from your business. Instead, relax when it comes to your computers. Call techQuility today and allow us to take away your burden of upgrading. Before you know it you’ll be focused again on what matters most to you – your business.

New customers click here for 2 free hours of support!

Soon techQuility will also be able to help alleviate the financial burden of upgrading your computers. There is some hustle and bustle going on behind our doors, so stay tuned in the coming weeks as we reveal our exciting new services aimed to further help you achieve peace and calm with your business IT.

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About the Author: Julie Strier is a freelance writer who is interested in making technology easy to understand. To learn more about her, visit JulieStrier.com.

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