How old is your computer?
The average lifespan of a computer is 4 years so if your machine is older than that then you might start to see signs of wear and tear. Good general maintenance and cleaning will stretch its lifespan a little but after a certain time it will struggle to keep up and you will need to replace it.
 
Have you maintained your computer?
If you’ve neglected to keep on top of the maintenance and cleaning side of things with your computer then this will definitely reduce its life. Dust builds up on the components and fan can cause overheating which will damage the computer so always try to keep your computer clean and dust free.
 
Is the fan working overtime?
While a bit of heat is normal when the computer is running, significant heat and a very noisy fan indicate the computer is overheating. This could be another sign you need to look for a replacement machine.
 
Can you update it to the latest operating system?
If your computer can’t support the latest operating system then you could be in for trouble- new software will often not support older operating systems.
 
Is it running out of memory?
If you're having issues such as not being able to run two applications at the same time or your computer is sluggish and constantly crashes then you might find your computer doesn’t have enough RAM or is running out of room in the hard drive. Upgrading to more RAM or switching out the hard drive can remedy this but it might only be a temporary fix if the machine is old.
 
Is it slow to start up and shut down?
Another sign it might be time for an upgrade is if it’s taking an age to boot up or shut down your machine. Over time, computers slow down and while you might be able to improve some issues with some general maintenance or upgrading the hard drive to an SSD if the computer is too old then it is probably time to replace it.
 
Can it run the latest software programmes?
If your computer can’t run new software then that is a warning sign that it is too old and needs updating. Anti virus software providers often stop supporting older versions of your PC leaving you vulnerable to viruses and malware.
 
Is it reliable?
If you can’t rely on your computer to handle the day to day tasks then it sounds like you should be looking to replace it. Of course, there may be an easy solution that a computer specialist would be able to remedy but if it is costing you time and money then it might be worth upgrading to a newer model.
 
Would it cost more to upgrade or repair than to replace?
If the cost to repair or upgrade would be more than a new machine then the only right answer is to replace the computer. A new computer should be seen as an investment for your business and don’t forget it is a genuine business expense.

Never underestimate the value of a reliable computer for your business - if a new PC will cost slightly more than an upgrade but will save you time and mean you can get back to work quicker then it is worth taking into account when deciding whether to repair or replace. 
 
File genie can help with any concerns you have with your PC and can advise on maintenance, cleaning and antivirus protection.
 
Contact Ben for further help.

Exam results are in! I hope everyone got the results they wanted and you are all now looking forward to starting the next chapter in your life. For some that might mean heading off to college or university and as we head towards September you are no doubt going through a list of things you need to get before you start your course. Times are hard for many of us right now and it doesn’t look like it’s going to get any easier for some time, so this month I thought I’d put together some top tips when looking for gadgets and tech you need to take to uni.

If you are after some new tech to help you with your studies then take a look at this list of some of the best gadgets out now:

Laptop or computer: The pandemic accelerated the move to online learning and even though we have seen a return to in-person teaching a lot of learning may still be delivered online. This means you will probably need a laptop or computer with a webcam and microphone. There's no need to go crazy on a high spec machine if all you’ll be doing is taking notes or writing essays so shop around for a good budget option. Refurbished machines and second-hand deals are also a great option - just make sure you go to a trusted reseller and do your research before handing over any money.

External Mouse: If you go for a laptop the trackpads on them are not great for your wrists so I highly recommend investing in a separate wireless mouse.

Smartphone: I’m sure you already have one and there’s no need to upgrade just for university but I do recommend checking your tariff to make sure it will cover your needs while you are away at university.

Rocketbook: The Rocketbook is a budget friendly gadget that makes notetaking a breeze - simply write your notes with the special pen then upload your notes via the Rocketbook app to have your notes magically digitised ready to upload to your platform of choice (Dropbox, Evernote, Google Drive etc).
 
External Hard Drive: Ok, so hardly an exciting gadget but I would say one of the most important. Imagine spending hours on your assignment only to lose it and have no back up.
 
Noise Cancelling Headphones: Trying to get work done in noisy student accommodation is not easy so to help you might want to invest in a pair of noise cancelling headphones. Prices vary so do shop around and try them out before you take the plunge.
 
E-Reader: Traditional textbooks are heavy so e-readers make a lot of sense. Don’t be tempted to get the latest all singing all dancing models though, the basic e-reader will help stop you getting distracted by other things because you can only use it for reading. Added bonus is that ebooks are often cheaper to buy than traditional books  too.
 
USB Drive: Like a small hard drive, USB sticks are great for transferring small amounts of data from one device to another and they are relatively cheap to buy. A handy device to have if you want to share lecture notes etc.

Student Deals
Student life can be tricky financially so take advantage of all the discounts available to you:

• Sign up for deals at UCAS
  If you are going to uni you are no doubt already very familiar with UCAS but just in case you missed it they have a handy sign up to get you great deals on all sorts of things you might want for university. Simply input your details, check the boxes for the things you are interested in and wait for the deals to arrive in your inbox!

• Search for student offers
  Sites such as Student Beans, My Uni Days, Save the Student give you access to discounts just for students on lots of brands.

Funding and Support

• Your college or university will have funding available for students who need it. If you find yourself unable to afford IT equipment you should ask your university about financial support.
• The UCAS website has a wealth of information about financial support you can claim while at university.
• Check the Government website to see if you are eligible for any other financial support to help you with your studies.
• Turn2Us has some great advice and links for help with financial aid and grants.

Shop around for the best deals and don’t panic buy! Check out Which for recommendations and tech to avoid.

If you need any help with your tech needs before you head off to college or university then contact me here.

Most of us are guilty of storing unused apps, thousands of images, emails, and texts and all this ‘junk’ results in a slower running glitchy device. A few simple housekeeping tasks can really give your smartphone a new lease of life, so we’ve put together a handy guide to help you clean up your act!

Delete Unused Apps
It's easy to forget the many apps you download to your smartphone, they just sit there in your phone, unloved and taking up valuable space. A good rule of thumb would be to delete apps you haven’t used in over a month.
It’s a great idea to organise your remaining apps into folders, making them easy to access. Put you most used apps on your homepage so they’re always right on hand. 

Have a Clearout of your Contacts
Just like when you go through your social media contacts and get rid of people you no longer connect with you should do the same with your contacts on your smartphone. Often people change phone numbers and you end up with duplicate details which makes contacting people very confusing. Go through your list carefully and delete unneeded (or unwanted) contacts.

Store and Delete Photos
All those videos and photos you take on your phone are precious memories but how often do you look at tem? Take some time to go through your photos and videos and delete anything you don’t want before storing everything else on your computer, storage device or the cloud.

Tidy up your Texts
Texts (especially ones that contain memes, pictures and videos) take up a lot of memory so it makes good sense to have a good clear out of read messages. Once you’re on top of it try to get into the habit of deleting read messages more often if you can. This includes WhatsApp, archive or delete old groups.

Location Tracking = Battery Draining
Apps that track your location will drain your phone’s battery so ensure only  necessary apps have location tracking authorised. You can check this in your settings.

Clear the Cache
The amount of time we spend on the internet on our smartphones is ever increasing which means the cache is increasing as well. This can cause your phone to run slower so it’s good practice to periodically empty the cache. Check your specific device for information on how to clear the cache and get your phone up to full speed again.

Check for Updates
Make sure your phone is running the latest version of software to ensure you have the latest security and any new features available. Keeping your phone updated will ensure it’s running at its best and give it a new lease of life!
 
Final tip- make sure you regularly clean your phone (especially the screen). A lint free cloth and lens cleaning solution will have your phone looking pristine in no time!
 
If your smartphone is in need of more technical help or you are you would like further help and advice contact us here.