This section covers when you should get a new device over repairs, what to consider when selecting a device, and how to remove bloatware once you get a new device.
New Devices vs. Repair
If you are considering replacing your device due to slow performance, try to take some steps to speed it up first. You can sign up for our consultation and we will recommend some ideas to speed up your device. A poorly performing battery can contribute greatly to a device being unpleasant to use, and is very affordable to replace.
If your device is damaged or not functioning, you should try to see how much a repair would cost. A broken smartphone screen can be fairly cheap to replace, especially if it's an iPhone. Even devices that don’t seem to turn on at all may just have a loose cable inside of it. Generally if some light turns on, even if it immediately turns off again and the screen never turns on, there may be a chance of saving that device.
How to Pick a New Device
A great way to start out is to figure out the specs of your old device, and consider which aspects of that old device you were satisfied with and which need improvement. Search the name of your phone with “GSM” after it (ie. iPhone 6s GSM) and look for a website called “GSMArena”. This website lists the specs of your phone that you can compare with other phones you are considering. If you are replacing a laptop, you will need to find its model name and find a review site or manufacturer site. If you don't know how to find the model name of your current device, check out this page.
- Screen Size - Consider how satisfied you are with the existing screen size. Note that a larger screen may be more expensive and can make a phone more difficult to hold or laptop heavier.
- Storage Size - not to be confused with memory, this is the amount of space to hold your apps, games, and photos/videos. Check how much storage you are currently using and consider if you would need more. In laptops, storage may be called SSD or HDD (ie. 128GB SSD), and you generally will want a device with an SSD.
- Memory/RAM - This is like the short term memory of your device and is generally a much smaller number than storage size. In phones, memory does not matter as much, although 2GB is likely too small at this point. Note that iPhones handle small amounts of memory better than Android. On laptops 8GB is probably more than enough, though you might get by with 4GB if you only do light web browsing or Word.
- Processor/CPU - Processor names can be very confusing. In general you should look up the name of the processor with “benchmark”, and compare that with other devices you are looking at. If a device seems to be a lot cheaper than another with the same specs, you are likely overlooking the processor, as this is the most expensive component.
- Battery - Manufacturers often list battery lengths, but this is rarely accurate. Always look up reviews from real people for battery life. Larger batteries often result in heavier laptops, so consider what type of work you want to do on the go and how long you will be away from a charger.
- Weight - Especially if you walk around everywhere, the weight of a laptop can be extremely important. You shouldn’t go above 6lbs for a laptop unless you are willing to carry something very heavy, and if you want something extremely light aim for 3lbs. Weights of phones generally do not matter.
Removing Bloatware
New devices often come with software pre-installed that you might not want. Before installing your own software, look through the device and delete anything you don’t want. You can look up the name of an app if you want to know what it does before deleting it. Note that McAfee Antivirus, which is commonly installed on many laptops, should be uninstalled, as it is very insecure and is not as good as the free Windows Defender that is already included on your laptop.