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Repair or Replace: How to Ensure Computer Reliability
By John Taylor
John Taylor, owner of PC Geeks in Frisco and Allen, shares inside information to help you make informed choices about your system.
Technology is a hungry beast, right? Everything about top-of-the-line computer equipment is expensive and needs regular maintenance to get your money back out of it.
If you're like most people, you're heavily dependent on desktops or laptops, routers, modems, smart phones, and other devices that require connectivity.
Computer and office supply superstores have added "computer repair" to their list of services in an effort to reach this frustrated market. On one hand, they want to be able to address consumer issues like virus removal and damaged DC jacks in laptops. Neglecting these concerns is bad business and a downright foolish business decision.
On the other hand, it's a great way for them to make an add-on sale and boost credit line requests in-store. There's no initial downside for a big box store to offer computer repair.
Technology is constantly improving and constantly evolving. It's no secret that most Americans want to possess the latest, greatest Mac and PC systems and their vast array of add-on components. Capitalizing on that drives computer superstores to get the latest devices in front of as many people as possible. To a big box store, computer repair is merely an effective lure to reach consumers who've been putting off a potential purchase.
Things are changing in our homes and businesses, however, and new purchased aren't always the wisest choice. Without realizing it, millions of Americans are replacing their existing Mac and PC systems when they could be restored, repaired, upgraded, and optimized at a fraction of the cost of that big shiny new computer they were talked into.
When to Repair Instead of Buy
Virus and malware issues are no easy matter, and serious software damage often exist even after their removal. More is needed than an easy anti-virus purchase and installation. Thorough system cleaning and repair can help to locate and remove data miners and key loggers responsible for identity theft and spying. Sometimes a fresh installation of the operating system is needed. While this may sound expensive to complete, it's actually very affordable when specialized, trained technicians who are familiar with the latest threats and prevention methods are on the job.
On the job experience is a big differentiator, but the higher employee turnover rate typical of big box stores can mean insufficient training and experience to get the job done right the first time. A lack of experience often leads to unnecessary purchases of equipment that could have easily been repaired for a much smaller price.
Data Recovery is another area where consumers are frustrated. What they really want is their data found and restored. What they often hear is "Your hard drive is beyond repair, but we can replace it." The truth is: data can often be recovered. There is expense involved in specialized or forensic data recovery, but depending on the data's importance, that expense may be a godsend to a business owner or even to a person who truly wants the data retrieved. "Your data is lost," is an unacceptable answer.
People inevitably spill something on their computer, and assume it's even completely destroyed. In most circumstances, that is not true. If the DC jack has been ruined, or our computer has suffered a significant impact, don't just automatically assume that you just lost hundreds or thousands of dollars.
DC jacks, desktop and laptop repairs, and even broken LCD screens can often be fixed quite reasonably, and consumers at both residential and business levels everywhere should consider whether or not their older system requires complete replacement, or if a repair would solve the issues. In today's economy, it's important to know your local computer repair company. The computer repair company that also includes pick-up, delivery, and in-home services will often offer service at a much higher level, with attention to detail, than larger brands are willing or able to deliver.
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