Holiday buying guide for laptop computers from SofTech Computer Sales and Repair in Prescott

You’ve decided that the perfect holiday gift would be a new laptop computer. Before buying a new computer there are a number of questions you need to consider. Although it’s tempting to just go online and find the cheapest price buying one sight unseen can lead to disappointment. SofTech Computers, your local hometown computer heroes for support and sales in Prescott, brings you some tips to help with your holiday computer shopping.

Try It Out - Do some online research and then find local retailer who has the model you think you want. Pick it up and make sure it’s not heavier than you thought. Look at the screen and see how easy it is to see - maybe that 11” Chromebook may not be what you really want. Try out the keyboard and see if it has a touch and feel that you like. Try out the touchpad and see if it responds smoothly and quickly.

How Much RAM Do You Need - RAM is the memory that you use while you’re using the computer. The amount you need depends on what you will be doing with it, since video games and movies take more RAM than most business applications.

Which Processor Do Need - Most processors are predetermined by the model number. So, if you are looking for a gaming computer, you should look at the models that have the faster processing speed. If you’re going to be doing business applications, you will probably be fine with any of the current processors.

Also, you might want to think about sprucing up your current computer if it’s not too old. Accessories and more memory might just make that not-so-old computer run like new again. Maybe a full-size USB keyboard will make a laptop easier to use. A wireless mouse might make it easier than using touchpad.

Maybe a boost in the amount of memory will make those complex spreadsheets work better. With laptops, it’s advisable to trust a professional when adding memory.

Have questions? Stop in and see SofTech Computers today. We can help! If you do choose to purchase a new computer, your next hurdle is setting up the operating system, peripherals, etc. to all work together. The easiest solution is to bring it in to our pros at our Prescott computer shop, we will get everything up and running, and discuss option to help keep your computer safe and secure. Contact us at 928-443-8770 or visit our website at http://www.softechcomputers.com.

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SofTech Computer Sales in Prescott talks about the best time to buy a laptop

It’s upsetting when you’ve just bought a new laptop for over $1,000 and then you see it “On Sale” for only $779 just months later. Worse yet, you see the new and improved version for what you paid for older technology. In the world of laptops, having current technology is fleeting, as things are always changing. However, it might be nice to know when the best time is to buy a laptop. SofTech Computer repair and sales in Prescott, would like to help answer that, but part of that depends on your circumstances.

If you have a laptop that has just died, or you get a “blue screen”, or you find that the software you need to use will not run on your old system, then the time to buy the new laptop is now, because you need it to do your work.

However, if your current laptop is working OK, and the need is not critical, you may be able to save money by strategically waiting for the best time to replace it. Most of the computer manufacturers release new models a three time a year: Back to School (June to August), Holiday season (September to December) and Spring (February to April).

Some of the best prices are during the Back to School season with the student marketing frenzy. However, you can also find good deals during the Holiday season, as retailers quite often have year and inventory reduction pricing to get ready for the new year.

When deciding on the right time for you to purchase that new laptop, you have to consider both price and obsolescence. From a price perspective, you are likely to see some great deals this holiday season. Obsolescence is not as big of an issue as it once was, and normally an older model will still work for many years.

In addition to price, you also need to consider how you will be using the laptop. If you are using it just for business applications, your requirements will be quite different from someone using it for gaming. If you are unsure of what choice to make when purchasing a new laptop, stop by SofTech Computers, your local computer repair and sales in Prescott, or give us a call at 928-443-8770 to discuss your laptop needs with people who care. You can also find our website at http://softechcomputers.com.

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Gaming PC VS. Workstation - Buying a high end computer? SofTech Computer Sales in Prescott Explains

Are you a hard-core computer user that demands a machine with superior performance? With so many options for computers out there it can be confusing to determine what type of computer you should be looking for. With higher end gaming computers and business workstations leading the pack with virtually the same specs, what is the difference? SofTech Computers, retailer of custom computer systems in Prescott, brings you some valuable information to help you decide before your next computer purchase.

Let’s be clear here, we are talking about readily available Windows based standalone PCs, not completely insane gaming rigs or expensive enterprise level solutions which might cost more than $10,000! These computers can run in the range of $1,000 to $3,000 and be equipped with AMD or Intel processors.

What is the main difference of the two?

• Workstation PC: This computer is usually used by engineers, designers, and developers. Really anyone who works with a lot of data manipulation and processing power relying on a wide range of workloads.
• Gaming PC: This computer is used mainly for gaming, as the name implies, and is built on sheer performance and speed for a variety of tasks related to specific tasks.

Main workstation differences

Workstations are built on reliability, catering to those who make a living working on their computer, and in which the parts are designed to last as long as possible. Several differences over other computers include special RAM and hard drive configurations to limit errors with data and processing. These computers may also come with alternative power supply options to limit power failure that can result in data loss.

Other main differences include special video cards that provide professional graphics and reliability, professional versions of the operating system, special motherboards outfitted with specs that are just not needed for personal PC or gaming computer.

Main gaming rig differences

 Gaming PCs, although outfitted with impressive hardware, still has a budget in mind. These computers are usually outfitted with CPUs designed for specific tasks and lack additional processor cores used for data crunching of the workstation computers. Many times, these computers are overclocked to provide more speed during gaming, however overclocking can cause the computer to overheat requiring additional cooling equipment adding to the overall cost.

Gaming PCs are built on little more than speed. Faster RAM, hard drives, and over clocked CPUs; most other parts are included to manage and cool these devices. The parts of these computer are constantly being upgraded, and given the competitive nature of these machines and their users, you will always be upgrading to keep ahead of the competition.

The good, the bad, and the ugly

Truth be told, a quality workstation may run you a $1,000 more than a gaming computer with the same specs, however there are any things that do not appear on the spec label’s overview. Many small nuances sometimes make a workstation a far better investment for the long term and future upgradeability. Aesthetically however, prebuilt gaming PCs are often better looking than their workhorse cousins, and manufacturers of these computers tend to dress up these computers with LED lights, alien heads, or skulls to appear to their audience. Workstations are not so appealing, however a look under the hood may leave a gamer wanting to take it for a test drive.

So, without discussing specific numbers that might be obsolete next year for the gaming PC owner, what kind of computer do you need? Still haven’t made up your mind? SofTech Computers, Prescott’s custom computer shop, is here to help you decide. Stop in today to talk with out knowledgeable staff about your next computer purchase or contact us today. Call 928-443-8770 or visit our website at http://www.softechcomputers.com.

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What makes a good computer a great computer? - SofTech Computers in Prescott

Do you like to play games? Does your job involve image or video editing? How about high-
quality sound recording? If you said yes to any one of these or just want a screaming fast
computer, you might be wondering what exactly makes a computer high quality. Well, SofTech
Computers, Prescott's leading computer repair and service shop, is here to explain the
difference between okay and enthusiast hardware, and what you should choose for your needs.
Each computer has 7 main parts that can make or break a system:

Enthusiast Computers are on fire - not literally though

• The CPU - This is the main “brain” of the computer and can seriously make or break the performance of a computer. The main thing that the average consumer needs to know about processors is that having more cores and more speed means a faster computer. 4 cores is the current standard, with specialized hardware running all the way up to 16 cores.
• The Motherboard - This is where all of the stuff sits, and is one of the most common things to go bad on a computer. While there are a lot of different things that are important to a system builder like SofTech, the gist of it is that higher prices equals better lifetime and better future proofing.
• The RAM - RAM is basically short-term memory -- having too much is unnecessary, and having too little can really slow you down. Depending on the application, RAM can typically range from 4GB to 32GB or more.
• The Graphics Card/Chip - The graphics device determines how fast you can play video games, edit high quality images in things like Photoshop and videos in things like AfterEffects, as well as speeds up the entire computer a little bit. If you are doing anything besides sound recording and light web browsing, a graphics card could be right for you. These range in price from $30 to $800 depending on the application and quality desired.
• The Sound Card - A sound card can be very important for people dealing with video or audio production, as it can allow for hookups to things like high quality microphones, guitars, and pianos, as well as produce high quality audio output. If you aren’t working with studio quality sound, the built-in sound card that every computer has should be enough.
• The Storage - What type of storage device you use in your computer is the main thing that makes the difference between low end and high end. There are two types of storage: hard drives and solid state drives (SSDs). Standard hard drives are usually for lower end devices and solid state drives are generally used in high end devices... An SSD is a great addition to any computer to increase its speed and longevity. Another consideration when talking about storage is the amount. You might want to consider getting fast storage in a small quantity and slow storage in a large quantity if you edit videos or pictures, or play lots of video games. Ask SofTech Computers about how you can replace your traditional drive with a SSD today!
• The Case - Finally, the case is the thing you see on the outside. It holds your CD drive, your USB ports, and all of your other inputs and outputs. A higher quality case will also contain fans and other cooling devices that can help keep higher end or enthusiast parts cool under a large workload.

So, now you know what all of the parts do, what do you need? Do you need a good CPU and
graphics card, but not a good sound card? Maybe you need a soundcard and a good case with
lots of inputs to hook up all of your instruments and microphones. Or maybe you want to play
video games at the highest speeds. The higher quality parts of each type equate to an overall
higher quality computer.

Whatever your needs are, SofTech Computers in Prescott – Your Local Hometown Computer
Heroes, can help you make the best decision for your money. You just tell us what you need to
do, and we can help you do that, while sticking within almost any budget. If you are looking into
getting an enthusiast computer or upgrading your own, give us a call at 928-443- 8770 or visit
our website at http://www.softechcomputers.com for more information or to get a quote on how
we can help you meet your computing needs.

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Proper precautions for keeping your laptop safe when traveling - SofTech Computers in Prescott

Most people travel light - some clothes, a couple things to do on the plane or in the car, your cell phone, and a laptop. Little do they know that bringing a laptop with you can present a lot more hazards than you might expect. From extra trouble with the TSA to hassles with Wi-Fi, it can be a real burden to bring your laptop places. Fortunately, SofTech Computers, Prescott’s hometown computer heroes, can help you make your travel experience less stressful and more what travel should be - FUN!

Airplanes - If you plan on traveling by air, you might want to consider carrying your laptop in an easy to access bag and or in the front pouch of your carry on bag. All airports in the United States now require that you put your laptop and all other large electronics in a separate container for x-ray scanning. You can save yourself a lot of hassle if you are prepared for that. Also, if you are carrying sensitive media like internal or external hard drives, solid state drives not enclosed in a metal housing, or tape drives (not cassette tapes), you should ask the TSA for an alternate screening of those items, as they are what is considered “x-ray and magnetic sensitive media”.

Cars - If you’re bringing your laptop on a trip that is particularly bumpy, like an off-roading trip or a trip where you know you’ll be going down a very bumpy road, we would like to advise you that you should not use your laptop during that time, and even go as far as consider investing in a foam case or pad of some kind that can help absorb the shock from the small bumps. These bumps can really wear on a computer and potentially cause it to die faster than expected.

Wi-Fi - Next, we would like to advise you about security when using Wi-Fi on your laptop. Only trust your friends’ and family’s Wi-Fi connection as secure. Any Wi-Fi that isn’t secure, or that doesn’t need a password to connect to is ill-advisable for anything containing personal information -- passwords, online banking, etc. You should refrain from using your laptop or any device connected to the Wi-Fi if you need to do these things. A great alternative would be using your smartphone as a hotspot, or using a Mi-Fi hotspot because, while they can be expensive, they are the most secure way to bank on the go. Or, purchase a VPN and avoid all the hassle to begin with. If you’d like to know more about VPNs and how they can help you, call SofTech Computers.

Desktops - These tips were relating to Laptops and travel, but what if you are going to somewhere for an extended trip or need to use all of the computing power of your desktop? Always keep your computer on its side, not standing up. Plus, you might want to consider bringing your computer to SofTech to travel-proof it. This constitutes making sure that everything is in place and that there is little to no movement among the parts of the computer. Overall, it is not advisable to move desktops over long distances frequently, and can seriously hurt the life of the machine.

Have more questions about travel safety when it comes to your laptop and personal information? Give SofTech Computers, your local Prescott computer repair shop, a call. We’re always available to help you and would be happy to make sure that you are travel ready. We can be reached at 928-443-8770 or you can visit our website as http://www.softechcomputers.com

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SofTech Computers explains why Prescott computer owners should be wary of anyone telling you that your computer is infected

In the course of computing, you may run across a scammer or two. These people are usually use scare tactics and lies to convince you that your computer is infected with a virus or has corrupted data. Softech Computers, your friendly Prescott computer repair store, is here to help you identify a scam and make sure that you don’t fall for this potentially costly trap.

When you purchase a computer, whether through a reseller or through a computer shop like ours, everything is paid for. Apple and Microsoft are no longer in any way affiliated with you, you don’t owe them money, and will never contact you. These companies are in the business of selling new computers, not trying to get you repair your old one.

A common tactic of scammers is to say they are from Apple or Microsoft using either the phone or a website. Many times these phone calls or websites are obviously fake. Sometimes the scammers are better than the rest and are very convincing. Remember Apple or Microsoft will never contact you!

Here are some fake things to be on the watch for:

• Trying to convince you that you have an infection, corrupted data, or malfunctioning hardware, or that you have done something illegal
• Claiming they work for Microsoft, Apple, Google, IBM, HP, Dell, the CIA, the FBI, or any other company that might help in furthering their claims
• Asking you to download software
• Asking for the ability to remote control, or “remotely fix” your computer
• Asking you to purchase something or give out your credit card

If you happen to take the bait and let the scammer connect to your computer and remotely control it, they will generally claim to run “scans” of some kind. These scans will always claim that they found some sort of problem, and proceed to attempt to charge you a far higher than standard amount of money to fix it. If you accept, you will have a program installed on your computer that will constantly collect data about you and potentially lead to identity theft. If you refuse, you will become locked out of your computer and all your data will be lost.

What can you do?

The best advice is to not call any numbers on the screen, close any browser windows that notify you of any viruses. If you have let these individuals into your computer, SofTech computers urges you to contact us today to have your computer checked out by a local specialist that you trust.

Fear not, because even if you end up (or have ended up) falling for this trap, there is some good news. At SofTech Computers, your locally owned computer repair service in Prescott, can almost always recover your data and get you back on track to a happy and safe computer experience. Give us a call at 928-443-8770 or visit our website at http://www.softechcomputers.com for more information.

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With Winter incoming, SofTech Computers in Prescott explains why your machine could be slowing down

As the weather is getting colder, you might begin to be outside less and less. With all of this newfound indoor time, you might realize you’re using your computer a significantly more. Having a slow computer this Fall/Winter could really cut down on productivity, performance, and increase aggravation. SofTech Computers, Prescott's hometown computer repair shop, is here inform you of the plethora of benefits you can experience from getting a computer tune up this Fall.

What can cause computer problems?

Your computer could be filled with junk and adware - If you’ve ever opened your web browser and seen a search engine that isn't Google or Bing, you’ve probably been the victim of adware. Often companies will try to get you to install junk programs that can ruin your computing experience and lead to some serious frustration.

Your computer could contain excess programs - If you’re like us, you probably have lots of programs that you rarely use on your computer. Well, you can’t get rid of them, can you? What if you need them again? Fear not, because we at SofTech can disable your programs for starting automatically, dramatically increasing speed and startup time, while keeping your programs on your computer for later use.

Your computer could be running out of space - Computers will store hundreds of thousands of files for quick access, but many of these files have only been used once or twice. And, to top it all off, the speed of modern computers makes it nearly pointless, as there isn’t usually a noticeable speed increase. A quick computer tune-up can free up much needed space, and even increase system performance.

Your computer could be overheating - Getting a tune-up doesn’t always mean cleaning up software, does it? Your computer can become filled with dust, and, if left long enough, can potentially cause overheating issues. Computers will slow themselves down to generate less heat and prevent damage. So if you have a dusty home (we won’t tell), you might want to consider bringing in your computer and getting it cleaned out.

Your computer could need updates - Updates can often fix annoying bugs and speed things up. But not always do they go smoothly: if an update gets stuck, your computer can be perpetually slowed down until the update goes though. By bringing in your computer for a tune-up, we can make sure that you are both current and have no stuck updates, making you more secure and speeding up your system.

Computer maintenance is the key!

As you can see, it’s definitely a good idea to bring in your computer and getting it tuned up. And, with the SofTech OnePlan, all of this cleaning, plus virus removals and all service charges on 3 computers are included for the whole year, all at one low price. That’s right, bring it to us each time you have an issue and we will fix it. What a deal! Call SofTech Computers today to find out how we can help you be more productive and have more fun on your computer. Questions? You can reach us at 928-443-8770 or visit our website at http://www.softechcomputers.com.

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