Category Archives: News Articles

Rule of 4.

Our company believes in planning ahead for the future, so as a rule of thumb any computer 4 years and older in most cases, should simply just be replaced.

1) Microsoft releases a new operating system once every 4 years and halts product support for the previous operating system.
2) Hardware changes so fast that after 4 years, finding new hardware for certain computers can be a challenge, especially when dealing with big name brand computers. This rule especially comes true for laptops as parts for laptops are not as widely available as they are for desktops.
3) When it comes to replacing some hardware on a computer, the part + labor can generally cost 30-50% the cost of a new computer and sometimes in rare occasions 100% as much as a new computer.
4) It’s like a car. After 4 years things begin to just let go.
5) Software changes so fast, requiring more and more memory, or more CPU, or different types of processors that allow graphics to do certain actions, and this goes hand in hand with hardware changing and improving over time. If you have owned more than one computer in your life, have you always noticed how even though you pay someone to do a tune up to a computer, it still never feels as fast as it did when you first bought it? That is partially due to newer updated software demanding more from your computer.
6) Even though newer software like Windows updates can slow down your computer, if you don’t keep your computer up to date, you are at a much higher risk of getting a virus. It’s a catch 22 for sure.

Call us if you want to know how much it will cost to repair or replace your computer today! 910-815-0900

Greg Rogers IPM Computers

Want to back up all your data but barely know how to turn on a computer?

carbonite_logo

I use to recommend using external hard drives to people when it came to the subject of backing up their data, but over time I noticed that most people do not care to keep up with the maintenance of doing the backup process. I tried using the free windows backup program built into Windows but it is very faulty and if the person changes their password it stops working, or sometimes it just doesn’t work at all (especially with XP and older computers)

So as a much better alternative I now suggest to use Carbonite. It is an online backup solution that lets you install a simple quick program to your computer that runs 24/7. It has such a small footprint that you will forget that it is ever running. It monitors every file you tell it to monitor and it will backup the file in real time. It costs $60/year and has NO backup limit for residential clients.

Your backup worries will be over with this. When your computer crashes and burns you get 60 days to replace the computer and re-download all your data back where it came from. I have used this program to restore several computers.

Why buy custom computers instead of pre-boxed in store brands?

Everyone asks me “Well I can get a computer from xxxxx for $500, why can’t you build one as cheap as them?”
Well, to answer your question, it’s not because I don’t want to build cheap affordable computers, but simply put, quality does not come cheaply and I prefer quality over quantity. They do not go the extra mile to pick up your old computer, customize it to be exactly what you need it to be, then deliver and install it in your house, including any software and moved data that you need.

Cheap computers come with cheap parts that lack the quality testing, and the better materials it takes to make a good part.

When you buy a custom build computer you:

- Support local businesses by 1) The builder/shop and 2) the supplier that buys the parts locally
- Get a personal approach with technical support and installation of your new computer
- Get a quality computer with no bloatware 30 day trial software and other random junk.
- Get a fine tuned computer that can be tuned purely for your exact needs and desires.
- All software updates are already performed on the computer before its installed in your home (At no extra charge).

Other ways the store bought computers cut corners to get that cheaper computer to you is misleading advertising.

Important variables such as hard drive speed, cache size, and bus speeds are usually not mentioned in the computers specs or advertisements and generally are the slowest speeds possible.

You can have a 3.2GHz processor with a 1MB cache, that almost operates as fast as our custom built machines 2.4GHz with a 4MB cache. Which means your store bought computer will run slower, use more power, and run hotter than our custom built computer.

Also ask yourself, do you really need 500GB (or 1TB) of hard drive space? Do you store millions of photos or hundreds of videos or 100,000 mp3′s on your computer? If not, then why get a standard slow rotational hard drive with all that space you’ll never use when you can get a BLAZING fast solid state hard drive that is literally 800% faster in speed over the older style hard drives?!

The power supplies that come with these store bought computers are made to just barely handle exactly what came with those computers. The computers we build come with all sorts of upgrade options that increase the longevity of your computer, so they also come with power supplies that can handle anything you throw at it, and power supplies that last!

Pre-boxed computers come with a lot of proprietary parts that can only be ordered directly thru that manufacturer. Custom built computers come with parts set by a specific standard that can be replaced by just about anyone.

The license of windows that comes with these custom built computers is an OEM version which can be transferred to any other custom built computer. A store bought computer comes with a license that is only valid for that computer ONLY.

The only downside to custom built computers is the average of 5 business days wait time, and the cost, so the benefits far outweigh the downsides!

Educate yourself! Call us! Even if you choose not to buy a computer from us, we are more than willing to help you with advice in purchasing your next computer!

Tell me again why you paid for your anti virus!?

http://www.brucebnews.com/2010/09/microsoft-security-essentials-licensed-for-small-business/

I have told our clients time and time again there is no need ever to pay for an anti virus. FREE is an option when it comes to computers and the internet but you just have to know where to look. In the past we use to tell people to use Grisoft’s AVG (http://free.grisoft.com) until this year where they made various changes that has turned us off to AVG. After looking at Microsofts live one care (now called Security Essentials) for well over a year, now they offer it for free and we highly recommend Security Essentials as the free anti virus of choice. Read the article linked above for more details. BUSINESSES UP TO 10 EMPLOYEES CAN USE THIS FOR FREE!

Lets move to Hong Kong..where the internet is actually FAST..

http://corp.sonic.net/ceo/2011/03/05/why-your-broadband-is-so-slow/

 

I love how our congress knows how to even screw up the internet for our own country. Enjoy this good read. Our country is ohhh…at least 10 years in the past.

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Backing up your company data!

Dell-Micro_Data-Rotation_apr23 <— PDF White paper can be downloaded here.

We found this white document to be an interesting read for anyone who is wondering about backing up their companies data. Give it a good read and email us with any comments!

Time Warner lags behind (what a surprise…not)

Click here for main source

There are so many things wrong with this. Time Warner needs to quit acting like BP and actually spend their money advancing their hardware and coming into the year 2011 for once. It’s sad enough that North Carolina has some of the slowest internet in the country. We are always last to receive many kinds of upgrades pertaining to internet access.

On a side note, I had a Charter Communications (ew) contractor walking around my neighborhood lately so I decided to stop and talk to him to see what he was doing. Going door to door trying to win back customers. The interesting thing I found about him were the packages for internet he was offering. They offer up to 60MB download/30MB upload for $100/month NOW. BUT only to those who have fiber in their area. So it seems Charter is ahead of Time Warner in fiber. Currently we were allowed to receive 25MB download/5MB upload @ $60~/month. Which is better than the connection we currently have but is still pretty piss poor compared to everyone else.

Feel free to discuss in the comments for this blog!

Have a computer you want to get rid of?

If you have an old computer within four years of age that you are not in need of but are not sure how to safely dispose of it, give us a call. We will pick up your computer, remove all the data and set it up with a fresh install of windows. We collect these computers to donate to various places. Mostly churches. So if you are interested give us a call!

Beware of fake anti viruses!

We have seen at least 100 people in Wilmington alone who have experienced this virus! We have seen it spread via email, social networks, and simply being online, and not updating your computer with all windows updates. Windows XP users we can fix your computer from MOST variations of this virus within an hour. Windows Vista users we usually reinstall the OS. Windows 7 users we have yet to see infected by this virus. ANY 64bit Windows users we have not seen infected with this virus. Currently to date, we have only heard of 4 different viruses that infect 64bit operating systems.

Watch the video below to learn more…