So, you’re thinking of treating yourself to a new computer this Christmas?
“Plan before you purchase. Prepare before you use”
Plan:
This new computer is something you are going to use often over the next three years (the average lifetime of a computer). Don’t make a drive-by purchase.
For a Windows based computer, avoid the specials that include Windows Home Premium. Rather, look for a computer with Windows 10 Professional – which includes some extra features suitable for Small Businesses.
Avoid Windows 11 if possible, it’s not quite ready yet.
Make sure it has at least 8Gb of RAM (16Gb is better)
Check it has a physical network connection if you need one – many small laptops only have WiFi by default
Check there are enough USB ports for your needs.
If possible avoid a shiny display screen and go with a mat finish to reduce glare.
Get a solid state drive (SSD) it will help a lot with speed.
Prepare:
These following steps can take a couple hours to perform, but if you don’t do them right away then you can create troubles down the road. Resist the impulse to just “dive right in” and set the groundwork first. These items are what we do as part of preparing a new computer for our customers. Taking the time up front can avoid disaster later.
Update
Run manufacturer updates for security and compatibility
Run Windows updates but avoid the prompt to update to Windows 11
Crapware
Crapware is the affectionate term we use to describe all the additional tools, utilities, and games that manufacturers like to add to your computer these days. They want their brand in front of your face. Often these utilities are set to replace the Windows utilities that do the same thing. For instance, Lenovo laptops like you to use their utility to connect to wireless access points on their laptops. This is an added layer and can cause confusion. Avoid these utilities and uninstall as many as you can unless they are something specific to your hardware.
Protection
Install your Antivirus software as soon as possible. Some reports have shown that a new computer attached to the Internet can get infected within 3-4 minutes of connection. That’s a bad way to start.
Remove McAfee if preinstalled.
Get protection available from Shaw, Rogers, or Telus,
Or, install Webroot, Avast, or Kaspersky
Attach your Peripherals
Again, prior to installing software or adding data, attach your printer, scanner, mouse, tablet, iPod, and whatever else you have that you may need. Get these drivers working and now your base platform is set. Windows 10 is pretty good at automatically determining and loading drivers as needed, but be sure you have your disks ready or know where the support site is for each device.
Map your standard drive letters to your external USB drives or shared folders, attach to or share out your printers as they were before.
Install Programs
Now is the time to install the additional programs you need to use.
Enjoy!
Yes, it takes a while to go through the list and provide the foundation and protection, but trust me you’ll appreciate it in the future. We perform these steps for every new computer for our customers so that we know they receive a stable, fully working, and protected computing tool – and that’s what we all want, right?!
