This article explains how you can
have a fully reliable computing experience, escape all computer repair hassles
and expenses forever, and save a ton of money too.
The Problem
You're in the middle of a big
project for an important client, with a deadline looming, and your computer
starts acting funny. And then it dies. You already know what happens next.
Confusion. Delays. Errands. Stress.
Repair technicians. Working on an unfamiliar computer. Embarrassing excuses to
the client. And of course, an unexpected and unwelcome repair bill. Geez, what
a hassle!
Are you ready to leave this part of
your computing life behind, once and for all forever? Are you ready to save
some money doing it too?
It's easy, let's go for it!
The Solution
Buy cheap used computers, instead of
expensive new ones. Yes, I know, it sounds nuts at first, but it really does
work. Here's how. We can buy 3 used computers for significantly less than we'd
pay for one new computer. Computers depreciate in value dramatically over just
a few years, even though they may still be perfectly suitable for most user's
routine daily needs.
As example, I'm typing this article
on a 10 year old $79 used Mac. 79 bucks! It does 98% of everything I want to do
to make my living online, and the other 2% doesn't really matter. Because I'm
paying only $79 for my computer, I can easily afford to buy a couple of them.
This is how we leave the land of computer repairs behind forever.
When lightning recently knocked out
the network card on the computer I was using, I didn't panic, grind my teeth,
or call a repairman. I just set the dead computer aside, and booted up one of
the back up machines. Downtime, less than 2 minutes! No sweat, no swearing,
still smiling.
The Secret Strategy For Safety
A key part of our safe and reliable
computing lifestyle is to keep all of our files on an external hard drive,
which is faithfully backed up to a 2nd external hard drive.
When one computer gets sick, we can
simply reconnect the external hard drive containing our files to a another
computer, and keep right on working. We can afford two external hard drives
with the money we won't be spending on a new computer. Or maybe we have a few
extra hard drives on hand already.
A Money Saving Solution
What's really cool is that having a
stress free computing lifestyle actually costs less than buying a new computer.
Buying one new computer costs somewhere between $500 and $2000. And then we
have ONE computer. If something happens to that one computer, we've got
problems.
Buying 3 used computers at $100 each
costs $300. Now if something happens to our computer, we don't have a problem.
Instead, we have 2 spare computers, sitting right under our desk, ready to go
to work for us on a moment's notice.
So the question for us as computer
shoppers is: Do we want an unreliable computer setup for $500 - $2000? Or a
fully reliable computer setup for $300?
But, Aren't New Computers More
Reliable?
I know, that's what I thought for
years too. It sounds logical, but it's just not how the computer industry
works. Remember, that big impressive brand name company you bought your
computer from didn't make your computer. They assembled it, from parts they've
bought from all kind of companies you've never heard of, from all over the
world.
And the computer makers just don't
have the time to test each part installed in each machine. They ship the new
machine to you and me, and let us test it. Do you want this job? Is this why
you bought a computer? Nope, me neither.
What I've learned after buying
dozens of new and used computers over the last 15 years is that there isn't
really any difference between new and used computers in terms of reliability.
Sometimes we get lucky, and sometimes we don't, no matter what we buy.
How To Buy A Used Computer
The ideal way to buy a used computer
is from a local friend you trust. But, that option isn't always available. The
next best option is to buy used computers from companies who specialize in
selling used computers, and who offer a 30 day warranty.
Here are some tips on buying from
companies who sell used computers.
1) Do some Net research on the
company first. If the seller is a bad actor, it shouldn't be hard to find
complaints online. Visit forums for the kind of computer you want, and ask for
advice.
2) Once you find a seller of used
computers who treats you right, be loyal to them. Resist the temptation to shop
around because somebody else might be $5 cheaper. You're already saving a ton
of money by not buying a new computer, be happy with that.
3) Buy the oldest computer that
still meets your needs. By "your needs" I don't mean every cool
feature you've read about somewhere. Be realistic, how do you actually use your
computer on a day to day basis? Remember, the older the computer you buy, the
better of a deal you'll get.
Is This For You?
This strategy won't work for
everybody, because some of us really do need the cutting edge features found
only on the newest computers. But for most of us, full reliability, a hassle
free experience, and saving money, is a more important feature than the latest
whiz bang gadget gizmos found on the new machines.
Buy cheap used computers. Once you
get used to not having computer problems, you'll never go back.
Phil Tanny is a programmer who would
like to give you the Link-To Tool, a FREE word of mouth marketing widget you
can add to your site in seconds. The Link-To Took makes it easy for your
visitors to give your site free word of mouth advertising.