Exploring Unknown Territory: The New Operating System Windows 10 (Part 1)

On 7/31/15 I visited a local technology store to inquire about Windows 10 and how much of their current inventory has Windows 10 installed.  One of the salespeople greeted me when I entered the computer area (which felt pretty good) and asked me how I was doing and what was I interested in this morning?  I immediately began to inquire about their stock of Windows 10 ready laptops and if he could demonstrate for me the differences between Windows 10 & Windows 8.1.  At the moment I had not yet upgraded my computer to Windows 10 so I was eager to see how it looked and what were some of the key differences (improvements) over Windows 8.1.  The salesperson showed me about 8 different things that were different between the two operating systems and immediately I was hooked.  I couldn't wait to get back home to see if my system was given the green light for the Free Windows 10 upgrade. 

After the brief demonstration, which was more than I anticipated that I would get, I was then informed that the store was still in the process of obtaining new computers and converting some of their current stock into computers with Windows 10.  So, on top of knowing the 5 Basic Components of a Computer System [a workshop that I offer], you should also know about operating systems.  Take the time to take inventory of your current computer system (desktop, laptop or tablet).

Which is the computer system you use most often (desktop, laptop or tablet)?

Make a list of the following items – the 5 basic components of a computer system:

• CPU (Central Processing Unit): How fast is your computer?
• Memory: How much memory does your computer system have?
• Storage: How much space do you have to store software applications/apps?
• Input: What components do you have to get information into your computer system?
• Output: What components do you have to retrieve/view information from your computer system?

Now let’s add the Operating System to the list.

• What is your operating system?

At the end of the day, before you make a purchase for a new computer system, research, research and more research!  Also, if you don’t or understand something, then ask someone.

More about Windows 10 in my next post!

A Newsletter for Novice & Beginner Users

TABKeys

Quarterly Newsletter on Tech(nology) Literacy

Promotional Issue

is Now Available

TABKeys will feature information on technology and computer literacy that is designed for novice and beginner users of technology and computers. Please take a look at my promotional issue of TABKeys which features articles on:

• - The five basic components of a computer system
• - Things to consider for your next purchase (of a computer system - desktop, laptop or tablet)
• - A sample computer system advertisement
• - A chart that can be used to determine which Microsoft Office package (Office 365 or Office 2013) best suits your application needs.

Promotional Issue - May 2015

Click here to view/print a copy of the entire newsletter as a PDF File

Check Out What's New @ TABTC, LLC in May 2015!

Click Here to view and/or print the PDF version of the bulletin below

Tis the Season to Purchase Computers and other Technology Gadgets

During this time of year, in the past, I was asked the following question quite a bit, "Which computer should I buy?"  Now the question is a bit different and it sounds like this, "Which desktop, laptop, or tablet should I buy?

This question used to take about 5-10 minutes to answer...now it still takes 5-10 minutes to answer...and you thought my answer was going to change, right (LOL).

The reason is that my response is still the same, however the person asking the question today has to do a bit more research to address my response...fortunately we have the Internet and Google searching to help us complete our research.

So let's take a look at my response that has not changed over time, even though technology has changed dramatically over the past 10 years.

Question:  "Which desktop, laptop, or tablet, should I buy?

Response: First ask yourself these four questions.  I know you are not supposed to answer a question with a question but it works here.

Q. 1] How much are you willing to spend (your budget) on this new piece of equipment?

Sample A. 1] I am able to spend between $400-$500 dollars on a new laptop .  I want a laptop because I need the portability of bringing it on business trips, as a tool for conducing presentations at off-site meetings and when I stop by a coffee shop for lunch

Q. 2] What is the intended reason/purpose for the purchase of this piece of equipment?

Sample A. 2] I need an updated laptop that will allow me to run the newest version of Microsoft Office.  I will be using the laptop to start my new business and to conduct meetings that will be held at the prospects/clients locations.  The laptop will need to be able to handle multiple applications open at the same time without slowing down how it works and to easily be able to pick up Free Wi-Fi connections (like at coffee shops).

Q. 3] Do you have a preferred brand that you are comfortable with purchasing this new piece of equipment?

Sample A. 3]  My preferred brand is Dell as I already have other devices from that vendor and I am comfortable from having used them at previous places of employment.

Q 4] Are you willing to invest a little research time into making an informed and prepared decision about the purchase of this new piece of equipment?

Sample A. 4] I am a person that always does research before making a decision on any investments that I make.  I check for customer comments; I check for brand/make/model rankings from customer-friendly product advocates (i.e. CNET)

You are probably saying to yourself that this seems to be a complicated response to such a simple question.  However, such a decision deserves this type of effort as the purchase of such equipment should be viewed as an investment that is being made by you toward a specific goal in mind.

For example, "I am purchasing this piece equipment for child entering into college"; "This piece of equipment will help my 5th grader do his/her homework"; "I need to be able to track my daily expenses using this MYPF Financial Tool that I just heard about"; etc...

If you treat your next technology purchase as an investment toward a particular goal or set of goals (such as the needs for the entire family), you will be pleasantly surprised by what you will get in return from your investment.