Q: Is (I’ve removed the name of the online computer fixing business) a good/legitimate group to work on software repair problems? — Bill Bryson
A: I removed the name because it is impossible for me to know for sure if that specific business is legitimate or not. But I did do something that I recommend to anyone who is considering doing business with an unknown firm — I put the name of the business and googled. What I found didn’t look good and I told Bill that. But I’ll still not mention the name of the business here, since it would be unfair to do that without more reporting on my part.
The reason I’m using this question is to make two points. Check out the prospective business as best you can. But more importantly, be leery of relying on any company that fixes a computer without ever seeing it — doing all the work online. Even the legitimate ones aren’t as effective as taking the machine into a real computer repair company. Fixing a computer can be a little like fixing a Toyota, sometimes you have to be there to open the hood.
I like to think of myself as frugal and cautious, but my friends tell me that I am just cheap.
Being careful with money makes sense for me. I spent most of my working career as a newspaper reporter. Newspapers are not known for overpaying their employees. So, for most of my life, my personal finance plan was designed to make sure my retirement house wasn’t a cardboard refrigerator box with a river view.
I don’t think I am unique in my desire to manage my limited funds. Most of us try to save money as best we can. And that includes when we buy home computers and the accessories that go with them. While prices have actually dropped during the time I’ve used computers, the expense can still be significant for many of us.
Today we’ll look at ways to keep on computing but spend less money doing it.
Don’t try to keep up
The temptation, when buying a computer, is to get the most powerful computer you can afford. After all, your reasoning goes, everything will work better with a hot rod of a computer.
There is a realistic place in the marketplace for super fast computers. But they’re over-kill for what most of us do. Even the least expensive computers on the shelves today will do a fine job for browsing the Web, managing finances, sending email, editing pictures and even playing a few games.
My advice is aimed at people who use a computer in that way. If you are designing a nuclear submarine in your basement, you may truly need a top-of-the-line machine. Those folks can tune out and go back to worrying about how they’ll get the sub out of the basement when it’s finished. For the rest of us, the sweet spot is finding a machine in the middle of the pack as far as power. It’s sort of like ordering wine at a restaurant; the best bargains are usually in the middle of the price range.
And if you are really squeezing every penny, consider a factory refurbished computer. If you go to the websites of the major manufacturers, you’ll often find computers like that. They’ve been returned — sometimes for no good reason. Once back at the manufacturer they are checked out and repaired, if a repair is necessary. That sort of personal attention often results in a computer that is more reliable than a brand new machine.
Dell, for instance, has what it calls the “Outlet Home” on its website. And you’ll find refurbished machines there. I offer that as an example of what I’m saying, not as a recommendation for or against buying there. Just make sure the seller is using the term accurately and that the computer was refurbished at the manufacturer.
Cut printing costs
In a given year most of us spend more on ink than we did for the printer we own. I’ve heard of people who actually just buy another cheap printer when the supply of ink that came with their printer runs out. I don’t recommend that but I do understand the pain. If buying by weight, you’ll pay more for the ink for your ink jet printer than gold.
Consider buying a laser printer. It will probably cost more to purchase than an ink jet. But it’s much more economical when it comes to the cost you pay for each printed page. Obviously those who do more printing will save more by switching to a laser printer. If you just print a few pages a month, there’s no need to worry about this.
Several sources say that the cost per printed page with an ink jet is about 20 cents with an ink jet and about 8 cents with a laser. I have no way of verifying those numbers but they offer a rough guide to potential savings.
I suggest that you keep track of how much printing you are doing and then run the numbers based on those price differences. If the savings are substantial, consider switching.
Do some of it yourself
If you take a computer into the repair shop to get new memory chips or to replace a hard disk, the costs can mount up fast. For many people, that is an expense that makes sense — after all, most people don’t try to fix their microwave oven.
But some of my readers are capable of those simple chores. For them opening up the computer case is a lot better than opening the wallet. Just spend some time researching how to do it and then spend even more time making sure you can do it. After all, a botched job at home can end up costing you more than having the work professionally done.
Consider my tips for saving money. Even if your bank account is healthy, it’s smart to get the most for your computing dollar.
