Tag: computer service San Diego

How to Buy Refurbished Laptops? 7 Key Tips

Do you need to source high-quality laptops for your staff? Are you tight on budget? If this is the case with you, what are your options?

You might be thinking of purchasing new equipment from the local retail store. However, investing in brand-new laptops can be more expensive than necessary if you don’t need all the bells and whistles.

Instead, it’s wise to buy refurbished laptops at wholesale prices. These laptops work similarly to the new laptops and cost less per unit. Moreover, if you want to develop a budget-friendly gaming PC, you will even find a professional gaming PC builder recommends investing in a refurbished laptop.

However, you might be concerned whether a refurbished laptop is up to your standards. Doing a thorough check will make sure you are getting a good deal. So, in this article, we will discuss a few essential tips to getting a high-quality, well-functioning refurbished laptop.

Tips to buy the best refurbished laptop

Examine Input and Output Components

First, you must examine the refurbished laptop’s input and output components. The following are things you must check before buying a refurbished laptop:

USB, earphones, and HDMI ports: Take a clean flash drive to test the ports.
Screen: You can go online and look for tools designed to check if the laptop’s screen has any dead pixels. Before testing the screen, press F11 to enter full-screen mode.
Keyboard: Check all keys and see whether they work.
Speakers and audio jack: Wear earphones and play audio with a good range to examine whether the speakers and audio jack function properly.
Touchpad and touch screen: Observe the smoothness of touchpad and touch screen.
Camera: Check whether the refurbished laptop has a camera app for the webcam and examine its resolution.
Facial recognition: Examine the reliability of facial recognition technology.
Connectors: Examine whether the connectors are tightly fastened and in good condition.

If any of the listed input and output components look like they will break soon, shift to another refurbished laptop.

Check the Reviews

You can easily find several honest and insightful consumer reviews when browsing online. Before you invest in any refurbished laptop, it’s wise to scroll through the review section. Look for the patterns in both positive and negative reviews of the computer.

Focus on specific comments addressing the following:

Purposes: Can the laptop be used for work, video or photo editing, etc.? In addition, check whether the gaming PC builder recommends using the particular refurbished laptop you are interested in for gaming.
RAM and processing speed: How fast does the system’s RAM run, and how well can a user multitask on the device?
Storage space: Does the laptop have enough storage space to store all your applications, files, or documents?
Build quality and overall user experience.
Quality rating of the system.

Verify OS Installed in Refurbished Laptop

Regarding the refurbished laptop’s operating system (OS), you should get the device with the latest OS pre-installed. In addition, make sure that the operating system is genuine and not a pirated version so that the system runs appropriately.

Here mentioned are the steps to check if your Windows is genuine:

Look for ‘Activation’ in the Start Menu and tap the ‘Activation Settings.’
Check whether the activation state is ‘Active,’ indicating ‘Windows is activated via a digital license…’ which can be linked to your product key or Microsoft account.’
The activation is a built-in process in Windows that could instantly help verify OS originality.

Check if the Refurbisher Replaces Batteries

The battery life of a refurbished laptop can make or break your investment. Typically, a batter in the laptop loses its longevity as time passes, gradually decreasing how long it can hold a charge. For instance, if a battery in a brand-new laptop typically lasts 10 hours, depending on use, it can gradually decrease to the point where a full charge might last 3 to 4 hours.

If a used laptop is refurbished, you should check whether the computer service San Diego provider replaces the old batteries before listing the laptop for sale. A reliable refurbisher will always test the used laptops’ batteries and not sell a device with a battery that holds less charge. In addition, don’t buy a refurbished laptop from a refurbisher who doesn’t guarantee battery replacements for faulty or old batteries.

Check the Year the Refurbished Laptop was Released

The year the refurbished laptop was initially released can be crucial information. For instance, you can perform cost analysis. You should pay less for a computer over five years old than the same device that is two years old.

In addition, the release year is vital because it will address the model of the laptop’s generation processor. For example, a 2017 Dell XPS 13 will not have the same capabilities as a 2020 Dell XPS 13, regardless of whether both models look identical and have the same amount of RAM.

Run CPU and GPU Tests

It’s a must to gauge the refurbished laptop’s CPU and GPU performance for an in-depth understanding of the system. You can easily find software designed to test the device’s CPU and GPU online. These applications can test all available processor cores of your CPU and GPU, grade their outputs, and help identify hardware problems.

Check the Warranty of the Refurbished Laptop

Most new laptops come with a one-year or two-year warranty or have the option to extend the warranty. When buying refurbished laptops, the warranty becomes more crucial because there is a possibility of hidden issues or faulty repairs that weren’t discovered. So, it will help if you look for a refurbisher offering a full-coverage warranty for at least six months to a year for refurbished laptops.

To Wrap up!

From battery life and discount to warranty and year of release, you should ask these necessary questions when purchasing a refurbished laptop. In addition, make sure you examine the input and output components, operating system, CPU and GPU, hard disk, and other vital details before investing in a used or refurbished laptop. Aside from the refurbished laptop, you should research the shortlisted computer service San Diego provider for reputation, reliability, and transparency to secure the best deal.

How to Buy a Used Computer Like a Pro?

When you need a computer, you might be tempted to buy a new one. However, there are many instances where you can benefit by purchasing a used one instead. For instance, you might be low on your budget; in this case, your ideal option is to get a used computer. However, buying a second-hand computer […]

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5 Reasons to buy a custom built computer

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Build a Gaming PC with PC Builder: It’s Easy

Building a gaming PC in this digital age is the best technological investment you can make. A superior quality gaming rig can last longer than your smartphone, is more versatile than your most powerful streaming box, and boasts more power than a gaming console. Whether you are recording your game, editing recorded video, or changing the settings on the latest games, a customized gaming PC is the best tool for the job.

However, building a custom gaming PC can be daunting, especially for beginners. But don’t worry; you can make the gaming PC building process much easier with a custom gaming PC builder. A PC builder can help you pick the best parts for your gaming PC and determine the final build cost.

Read further to discover how to build a gaming PC with a PC builder.

How to build a gaming PC?

Choose a Processor

A processor or CPU is the first vital component to build a gaming PC. It is your computer’s brain and significantly impacts the system build’s overall performance. Intel and AMD are two major types of processors currently prevalent in the market. You can find various models of these processors at different price points. So, it’s essential to research properly to find the best option suiting your needs.

A custom gaming PC builder can help you organize a list of processors according to their criteria. Then, you can narrow your list of processors based on the ones available in your country, type, brand, socket, price, and other criteria.

Select a Motherboard

Once you are done selecting the processor, it’s time to choose a compatible motherboard. The computer’s motherboard is the system’s foundation, and all other components are connected to it. A PC builder can provide a list of compatible motherboards. You can ask them to narrow the list based on type, price, form factor, chipset, socket type, or other factors.

Select a robust case

The case is another critical component that you need to think of. The enclosure will hold all parts of your gaming PC and is available in various sizes and styles for different PC models.

Some dimensions of computer cases are listed below:

Full-tower case: Now that these cases facilitate the most area for expansion, many custom gaming PC builders prefer them. If you intend to perform many upgrades in the future or use many graphic cards, consider getting a full-tower case.

Mid-tower case: These cases offer a nice balance between size and expandability. Mid-tower cases are big enough to accommodate almost all gaming PC components.

Mini-tower: A mini-tower case is a suitable option if you want to build a comparatively smaller gaming PC.

Choose a powerful RAM

RAM stores data on the computer. The RAM you choose for your gaming PC build will affect the speed of your system’s overall performance. A custom gaming PC builder will show you a list of all available RAM based on the type of processor and motherboard you previously chose.

RAM is available in various speeds, sizes, colors, and latencies. You can narrow down the list of RAMs compatible with your system with our help.

Tip: You should look for RAM with 16 or less CAS latency and good overclocking power to play games.

Choose a reliable storage option

Storage is another critical part of a gaming PC builder as it is where you will store all your data, including games, programs, applications, etc. You should look for two primary types of storage- SSD (solid-state drive) and HDD (hard-disk drive).

HDDs are the most common type of storage option. They are slower than SSDs but are cost-effective. HDD is suitable for gamers wanting to store a large amount of data while saving money.

On the other hand, SSDs have faster read/write speeds but are more expensive than HDDs. If you are high on budget, an SSD is the right choice for building a robust gaming PC.

Add graphics card to your gaming PC

Choosing the right graphics card or GPU is crucial as it generates images on the computer screen. If you don’t use a graphics card with your gaming PC, the system will rely on the integrated graphics, allowing it to only run basic tasks and some light gaming. To enjoy a smooth gaming experience, high-resolution images, and edited videos, you must install a compatible graphics card.

Choose a PSU (power supply unit)

The PSU (power supply unit) will supply power to all the components of your gaming PC for smooth functioning. You can get your hands on two main types of PSUs- ATX and SFX. The ATX power supplies are available in a variety of wattages. Professional gaming PC builders recommend having a 500W PSU to power a mid-range gaming system and a 1000W PSU for a high-end PC.

Cooling fans and cable management

Once you are done selecting and installing all components of your gaming PC, it’s time to focus on adding cooling fans and doing cable management. CPU and graphics card generate a great deal of heat, so you must install good cooling fans in your system.

You can choose from air coolers or water coolers. The former ones are cheaper and easier to install than the latter. You can go to a professional computer service San Diego regarding cable management. An experienced computer service provider will appropriately manage cables in your system to make your build look cleaner and help with airflow.

Summing up!

Building a customized gaming PC can be a rewarding experience and give you more control over the components you install in your system. However, for individuals with no familiarity of the internal workings of a PC, building their gaming PC can be mind-boggling. If you are one of such individuals, contact us. We can make the gaming PC building process much more seamless.

We provide reliable computer service San Diego, and are available for every computer need. Our affordable solutions will meet your quality requirements. Contact us now for your computer needs.

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Signs It’s Time to Take Your Used Computer to a Repair Store

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What to Look for in a Used Gaming Computer

Are you a gamer looking into purchasing a computer? Check out what to look for in a used gaming computer with these helpful tips.

How to Buy a Used Computer Like a Pro?

However, buying a second-hand computer is usually not straightforward. There might be risks associated with different types of second-hand computers. One wrong judgment or step and your hard-earned money can vanish. So, when purchasing a used PC or computer accessories San Diego, you should find deals that provide the best bang for your buck.

That’s why we are here. Go through this guide, and you can feel confident in purchasing your next used computer.

Tips for buying a used computer

Check for Physical Damage

Sometimes it can be hard to see the cracks in the computer casing at first glance. So, take your time and check the computer for cracks carefully. If you see a major crack, the computer may have been dropped or taken a nasty hit. In addition, check the keyboard to know if all keys are working fine.

Furthermore, if you are considering buying a used laptop, check its screen carefully for scratches, as they can damage the device internally. Open and close the laptop screen to check whether the movement is smooth and noise-free.

Inspect the Ports of the Computer Case

Make sure to examine all ports of the computer case, including headphones, USB, or speaker ports. Check if they are working. If the ports are damaged, you can negotiate the price or ask to replace the required computer accessories San Diego at your local shop.

Take a Look at the Hard Drive

Even though a hard drive is not that expensive, you should look into a few specifications. The hard drive is an important computer component storing all your files.

So, take a look at the following points:

Capacity: Check the hard drive’s capacity (in GB or TB). It’s ideal to have a hard drive with 2 TB storage capacity.
Bad sector: It’s the unreadable disk sector on the disk storage unit. Make sure there is no bad sector in the hard drive.
Age: If the hard drive is older than four years, you should consider replacing it. You can lose important data with an aged hard drive.
Manufacturer: Getting a second-hand hard drive from an unknown or non-reliable manufacturer is risky. So, select a reputable shop for computer accessories San Diego.
Look at the Software

It is better to buy a second-hand computer with commonly used software like Microsoft Office installed. If the device comes with paid-for software, know its cost. It will give you an idea about the cost added to your PC.

Ask Whether You Can Get the Product Key

You need to verify whether the computer service San Diego provides a product key for Windows so that you can enjoy all the features of the Windows suite. When installing a new hard drive into your used computer, reinstalling Windows is always best. And you will need a Windows key to activate it.

In addition, ask the vendor for the license keys when installing Microsoft Office or any other paid-for software. If these keys are not provided, you might need to pay to install a new copy of the operating system or required software applications.

Listen to the Hard Drive

Power up the hard drive and listen to it to know if it makes strange noises. If the hard drive sounds like it’s grinding away or making clicking noises, you might have to replace it. If you want to buy a new hard drive, SSDs are becoming a preferred choice over mechanical ones.

Check the Cooling Fans

When examining the used desktop computer, remember to check if all the cooling fans are spinning up. If the fans are making strange noises, you can replace them as they are inexpensive.

And when considering buying a used laptop, see whether the intake passages are clean and whether you hear the fan operating after using the device for a few minutes. If you don’t hear the fan, consider playing a high-resolution video for a few minutes. If the fan doesn’t spin up, the laptop might have experienced some overheating. In such a case, you should find a computer service San Diego and get it replaced.

Check the Computer’s Overall Age

Ask the vendor for the age of the second-hand computer and if it exceeds five years, consider moving on to the next device.

The old systems usually have the aged hardware that can’t run the latest version of Windows smoothly or any other upgraded software.

Find Out About the RAM

You should know that Windows needs at least 1GB RAM to operate. However, you must select the used PC with at least 8GB RAM to avoid bottlenecking the device. In addition, bear in mind that anything less than DDR3 is very old-school.

Use the Computer for At Least 20 Minutes

Getting the used computer up to operating temperature is a good test to determine the system’s efficiency. If any hardware malfunctions when your device gets up to the operating temperature, move to the next one. You should also restart the device several times when testing it to discover hardware capabilities.

Check the Battery

When considering buying a used laptop, check how long the battery lasts without charging. If the battery drops quickly, you will have to replace it with the new one. So, factor in the cost of a new battery in the overall price of the second-hand laptop.

Final word!

Long story short, you can get quite good value for money when shopping for a second-hand computer or laptop. But buying a used PC comes with some risks. You can easily avoid such risks and get a good quality second-hand PC by considering the above mentioned things. In addition, look for a reputable and trustworthy computer service San Diego deals with used computers, computer accessories, and computer repairs. These service providers can easily provide used parts and repair services for your second-hand computers or laptops.

How to Buy Refurbished Laptops? 7 Key Tips

Do you need to source high-quality laptops for your staff? Are you tight on budget? If this is the case with you, what are your options? You might be thinking of purchasing new equipment from the local retail store. However, investing in brand-new laptops can be more expensive than necessary if you don’t need all […]

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With technology advancing faster, upgraded versions of different computer models are launched frequently. Whether due to upgraded hardware or increasing software efficiency, computers often become obsolete before being taken off the market. A desktop computer lasts approximately five to eight years, and a laptop’s average lifespan is three to five years. Even though you can […]

Risks Of Running Your PC On An Outdated Or Unsupported OS

How many times have you rescheduled or ignored the update notification of your operating system?

Too often? It is not unusual, but postponing upgrades or dealing with an outdated operating system might be more damaging than you believe.

It is easy to throw up your hands, avoid contacting computer service San Diego, and “just keep using what you’ve got,” but this can be problematic for small and medium-sized enterprises.

Businesses that have spent considerably on older versions of OS are hesitant to make another big investment unless they have achieved a credible ROI. While it appears valid, they fail to consider the cost of a system breach caused by vulnerabilities in older software.

Let’s talk about why.

Why should you not use old operating systems on your PC?

No security patches

This is the most serious issue while using an unsupported operating system.

When your program is no longer maintained, updates and security fixes are no longer available, which means you have given over the keys to an army of prospective hackers.

Without security upgrades, your systems become increasingly susceptible, increasing the risk of malware and ransomware intrusion. Furthermore, your manuals and system documentation may become obsolete over time, making it difficult for IT teams to maintain your systems.

Business process disrupted

The numerous gadgets connected to your corporate network are another harmful illustration of what is included in the risks of obsolete OS.

These devices may be more important to your business than you realize, which means a virus on one of them might create a huge business interruption. Depending on the sector, the danger in this scenario might be more severe.

So, contact a computer service San Diego and update your OS to keep your business running smoothly.

Incompatibility with third-party programs

While third-party software vendors work hard to provide the most cutting-edge and compatible applications, they can only do so much regarding outdated or unsupported operating systems.

If your PC’s operating system is out of date or no longer supported, it can cause major headaches when trying to run third-party applications. Incompatible software can result in frustrating error messages, crashes, and even data loss.

Also, you may lose the ability to run third-party applications effectively.

So, if you are wondering why a particular program is not working properly or at all on your PC, it is possible that you are running an out-of-date operating system.

Luckily, solutions are available to help keep your system up to date and your third-party applications running smoothly. By working with trusted computer service San Diego and regularly updating your operating system, you can avoid the headaches of running outdated software.

Ticking time bomb

In the world of technology, few things are more frightening than a ticking time bomb slowly counting down to an inevitable explosion. Unfortunately, this is exactly what an unsupported program or operating system can become – a dangerous threat lurking within your network.

An unsupported program or operating system indicates that the vendor will no longer provide fixes for the system.

As a result, if a software defect or a security flaw is discovered, there will be no patch to address the problem. These flaws will exacerbate with time, leaving your computers as a ticking time bomb on your network. So, contact computer service San Diego to avoid a blast.

Risk of losing customer data

Unsupported operating systems are security flaws that expose not just your data but also the data of your customers.

Suppose your organization handles sensitive information or personal data (such as credit card details and medical records). In that case, a breach may be incredibly costly, and you may even be held legally accountable for the associated damages.

You might lose your data even if there is no intentional data breach. Unsupported IT gear and software can also quit working without warning, and data recovery may be impossible if this occurs.

However, one must note that not all the time the software stops working because of an outdated OS. Sometimes there might be other issues requiring professional Mac repair in San Diego.

Non-compliance penalties

You may face legal implications if your operating system is outdated.

Regulations such as GDPR, PCI, and HIPAA necessitate that your technology be serviced and updated on a regular basis. According to HIPAA, “failure to keep software up to date is deemed a HIPPA violation.”

An example of a situation where an out-of-date operating system could lead to legal implications is in the healthcare industry.

Let’s say a medical practice uses an outdated operating system that does not receive security updates. If a patient’s personal and confidential medical records are stolen due to a security vulnerability in the outdated operating system, the medical practice could be held liable under HIPAA regulations.

They will have to pay a hefty fine, burning holes in their pockets.

IoT risks

The ordinary individual nowadays connects to the internet via computer, phone, and, most likely, smart gadgets such as televisions.

Data held on all of our devices is crucial to secure, so much so that Congress has been working on laws governing what firms, governments, and technology providers can do with the information obtained by our gadgets.

As potentially malicious organizations seek after the data we generate and store on our devices, we must safeguard it with up-to-date systems.

Update your OS!

Working with the most recent, supported version of your operating system is crucial for the benefit of your staff, customers, and the general operation of your organization. However, if you are not an IT expert, it can be difficult to determine which systems are outdated.

Contact a computer service San Diego to understand what your PC needs and get the best solution.

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Signs It’s Time to Take Your Used Computer to a Repair Store

Is your old computer starting to give you trouble? Read here to know the signs that it's time for you to take your used computer to a repair shop.

What to Look for in a Used Gaming Computer

Are you a gamer looking into purchasing a computer? Check out what to look for in a used gaming computer with these helpful tips.

Tag: computer service San Diego

Tips to buy the best refurbished laptop

Examine Input and Output Components

Check the Reviews

Verify OS Installed in Refurbished Laptop

Check if the Refurbisher Replaces Batteries

Check the Year the Refurbished Laptop was Released

Run CPU and GPU Tests

Check the Warranty of the Refurbished Laptop

To Wrap up!

Related Posts

How to build a gaming PC?

Choose a Processor

Select a Motherboard

Select a robust case

Choose a powerful RAM

Choose a reliable storage option

Add graphics card to your gaming PC

Choose a PSU (power supply unit)

Cooling fans and cable management

Summing up!

Related Posts

Tips for buying a used computer

Final word!

Related Posts

Why should you not use old operating systems on your PC?

No security patches

Business process disrupted

Incompatibility with third-party programs

Ticking time bomb

Risk of losing customer data

Non-compliance penalties

IoT risks

Update your OS!

Related Posts

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