With PC technology changing almost every six months, users will never be on top of computer advancement, but can upgrade their PC to improve its performance and move with the `technology times`.
"But you have to jump in somewhere and buy what you can afford at the time," says Marc Myburgh, General Manager of Upgrade Connection. "You then have a perfectly functional computer, but eventually, as your PC skills improve and you become more demanding of your PC`s response, you will want more up-to-date technology and would then look at the upgrade route."
Upgrades done on a PC are all related to increasing its performance, and people are sometimes not aware of what they can do to extend the life of their investment in PC technology.
"When your PC starts to irritate you, is slow and is struggling to load new programmes, you need to look at upgrading it," says Myburgh. "Users can upgrade power/speed, the memory, hard drive and video graphics on their current PCs, but the first avenue of upgrading should be the memory - it is also the cheapest of the upgrade routes."
Upgrading the memory (RAM) on your PC can cost between R150 and R1200, depending on the extent of the upgrade, and should make a vast improvement to the speed on your PC.
Another area of upgrading is the graphics on a PC. Your computer may have a standard graphics card, but certain professional graphics applications and games perform better and sometimes require a more advanced graphics card for increased graphics performance. Depending on the card, this upgrade can cost between R400 and R2000.
A third option would be to upgrade the standard hard drive on a PC. Users would need to upgrade this if they have no space to load new applications or games. The user can either do some housekeeping and delete applications they don`t need, or add a second hard drive for between R1 000 and R2 000.
"All these upgrades will make a vast improvement to the functioning of your PC. The cost of upgrading is a tax deduction if the computer is used in the generation of income. If the cost is relating to maintenance and repair, the total cost can be allocated in the same year. If the cost is relating to additions to the initial system then it can be allocated over three years.
"Before upgrading, it`s important to weigh up the benefits of upgrading versus buying a new computer. Upgrade Connection has trained staff that can assist in evaluating the upgradability of your PC, the cost implication and limitations to help with this decision," added Myburgh.
Other options for upgrading include the purchase of a 17-inch monitor, or replacing the mouse or keyboard. Because of the labour costs involved in repairing a mouse or keyboard, it is more appropriate to replace these items at a relatively inexpensive cost. The processor and motherboard can also be upgraded to bring you in line with the latest processor technology.
Myburgh concludes by explaining that PCs have quite stable technology with a relatively long lifespan, but some parts will usually breakdown before others. "Usually the first parts to give problems are moving components such as the stiffy or hard drive. Usually one would budget for a new PC every three years due to the advance in technology. Making use of upgrades, this could be extended to four or five years.
Upgrade Connection was launched by Incredible Connection in 1997. It is a unique computer repair business focusing exclusively on upgrades, repairs, installations and configurations for retail customers.
Upgrade Connections are situated within all five Incredible Connection stores nationwide, except for Woodmead, Sandton which is run as a separate store. The Woodmead store is also authorised as a Service Partner for Compaq and offers telephonic assistance for Incredible Connection customers on 806 8478 from 7am to 10pm Mondays to Fridays.
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