So your computer’s been crashing and you’re about ready to give up with it, especially when it’s blue screening non stop. You can send it into a store if you want, but why not choose to run maintenance on it yourself? You may think you know nothing, however, this is the perfect time to hone up on your handy skills. Let yourself in on a little technological secret and choose to fix your PC up for yourself. Here’s a few reasons why it’s better to do so. 

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There’s A Huge Difference In Cost 

Sending in your computer for repairs can come with a hefty bill. If you do it yourself there won’t be any service costs, and any extras that you didn’t actually need couldn’t have been thrown in either. You know exactly what is going on, which saves both your peace of mind and your wallet. 

Costs can soar when you take in a huge tower system to a repair shop, and often prices go over the 100 mark. A lot of us can’t spare this kind of money, so it’s practical and essential we know how to run our own repairs. 

However if you need to, IT call lines are always open and usually free to use. 

Technology moves at such breakneck speed these days, it’s virtually impossible to keep up. Unless, of course, you happen to be a millionaire. While early adopters will spend a fortune on obsessively amassing ‘the latest’ gadgets and gizmos, they’re often disappointed by how seldom their new tech stays new. 

As technology rattles along at a dizzying pace, there’s been a growing subculture of tech savvy people who pine for the old products and technologies that they remember with such nostalgic fondness, and various industries have risen to answer that very specific call... to give yesterday’s technology a modern makeover. 

So check out these examples of older technology that’s totally back! If you already have any of it kicking around in your attic then you may want to brush it off. If not, you’ll be pleasantly surprised how easy to come by and affordable it is. 

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Vinyl 

There’s been a growing consensus among music aficionados that no amount of mp3 streaming or lossless digital audio can compare to the personal physical experience of buying, collecting and playing records. The industry has risen to the demands of audiophiles with this new website of Vinyl Vintage demonstrating how dedicated to the enhancement of the analogue experience the consumer electronics industry has become. 

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The Nokia 3310 

As ubiquitous in the early 00s as the iPhone is today, growing demand has led to the rerelease of this simple and beloved design classic (with a 2017 makeover of course). While the 2017 is largely similar in design to its 2000 predecessor, it’s lighter and gentler in its design with softer curves, rounder buttons and a bigger, brighter display. And yes… It still has the original, classic snake game too! 

The Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) 

Last year Nintendo released a smaller (it fits in the palm of your hand), sleeker, more compact version of this classic 1980s games console (known as the Famicom in Japan) to rapturous applause from retro gamers and children of the ‘80s. 

The original console played host to such classics as Super Mario Bros. and The Legend of Zelda and the re-released version boasts both of these and a whole lot more with 30 NES games built into its memory. As well as getting a miniaturized makeover the console also boasted clever upscaling technology and an HDMI port to ensure that the 8 bit games looked their best on modern HD TVs. 

The enormous boom has made a fortune for Nintendo and resultantly they have made plans to rerelease their equally beloved Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) in the US and UK this September. 

Super 8 video 

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The analogue resolution doesn’t stop with vinyl. Film enthusiasts have clamored for the rerelease of this popular medium (which allowed the likes of a young Christopher Nolan and JJ Abrams to hone their craft in the 70s and 80s) for years and Kodak conceded with the rerelease of the Super 8 camera alongside the Brownie and Instamatic as part of their ‘analogue revolution’ to appease film buffs and introduce digital users to the depth and image quality of celluloid.

In our current mode of society when it is nearly passe to be without a laptop computer, there is no excuse for spending an amount over your budget when it comes to making your next laptop purchase. Because laptops are so ubiquitous among business persons, students, families and professionals alike, the turnover rate of secondhand computers is rapid and ever increasing. It has never been so easy to acquire last year's laptop model for a reduced price by buying it pre owned. Consequently, though, it has never been quite so expensive to purchase a brand new laptop computer. Take advantage, therefore, of this pricing structure, you may still require to look for external funding. Payday loans can provide extra funding when buying your next laptop although you may wish to go for a model that is a year or two old. You won't be too far behind the most up to date technology, and you will be paying a price that is much less than the standard market tag.

Why Buy Secondhand?

Skip the lines at the Apple store and the holiday bargains and deals on new laptop computers, which won't provide discounts nearly as good as those you will find when shopping for a secondhand computer. Essentially, there is no reason to own the brand new version of the laptop from your favorite brand of electronics unless you need to be abreast of the absolute latest in technological advancement. You wouldn't necessarily get rid of your motor vehicle just because a more current version of it came out, would you? The same principle ought to apply to your laptop, if you are a savvy consumer. Barring your computer malfunctioning or growing simply too far behind in specifications and features, aim to hold on to your laptop for as long as you can in order to utilize its maximum value. Only upgrade when it is absolutely necessary, and even then make sure you recycle or trade in your old laptop computer through one of the many available programmes to get a chunk of change that can go towards your next purchase. 

Where to Buy Pre Owned Laptops

Although you may be able to try your luck posting up advertisements in your local community or searching on UK based secondhand networks for laptop computers, your best bet when hunting down a quality pre owned laptop is no doubt going to be worldwide auction leader eBay. The secondhand laptop selection on eBay runs the gamut from computers for parts to brand new, in the box laptops that have never been used. But all are priced far below what you would pay if buying the device new.  Because of the auction format of the service, you may be able to get lucky and score a deal that is unbelievable simply because you were the only bidder. Searching for the precise computer you want is made easy on eBay with their advanced search function, in which you can specify the make, model, year, hard drive capacity, speed, features and price range of the laptop that you want. Depending on how old the model of laptop you are eyeing is, and what sort of condition it is in, you may be able to get a deal in which you are paying somewhere between 20%-75% of its original price.  When shopping for laptop computers on eBay, make sure you take into account the return policy of the seller as well as their particular ratings before your purchase. Some sellers may provide you with insurance for a specified amount of time, but otherwise it is a prudent idea to take out household goods insurance on your laptop once you make your purchase, so that you are protected in case of hard drive failure, water damage, or theft.

Globe Telecom once again proves that it is the preferred Philippine telco partner of the world’s leading device manufacturers by being the first telco in the country to launch LG Mobile’s newest flagship smartphone, the LG G2, under its suite of fully-customizable postpaid plans.

Dubbed by Stuff Magazine as the “best smartphone in the world” and the “new king of Android”, LG G2 is available for free at Plan 1799 over a 24-month contract period*. The postpaid plan bundle already comes with unlimited Long Term Evolution (LTE) surfing which gives subscribers mobile internet speeds of up to 42 mbps, a monthly consumable amount for calls and texts, and one-month free subscription to Globe Gadget Care, the country’s first-ever mobile phone protection program that guarantees a worry-free experience against theft and accidental damage.

“We are honored to be the first Philippine telco to offer LG Mobile’s latest smartphone innovation in the country on the back of our undisputed postpaid leadership and device expertise,” shared Raul Macatangay, Head of Globe Postpaid. “The LG G2 and its amazing features are best paired with the Best-Ever mySUPERPLAN, the first fully-customizable and most flexible postpaid plan in the country that empowers subscribers to create a plan that fits their needs, budget, and lifestyle.”

“As our best offering yet, we made sure to make LG G2 available with Globe who has already proven its leadership in the postpaid market,” stated Lawrence Kim, vice president of LG Electronics Philippines’ Mobile Communications division. “LG G2’s consumer-based features are complemented by Globe Postpaid’s compelling offers, providing utmost benefit to subscribers.”

Inspired by the tagline “Learning from You,” the LG G2 incorporates human-inspired innovations as exemplified by the world’s first Rear Key, the only physical button on the device. Sporting a 5.2-inch Full HD IPS display and near-zero bezel, the G2 runs on the industry’s most advanced mobile chipset—Qualcomm^® Snapdragon™ 800 Processor—and contains a 3,000 mAh siO+ battery for maximum battery capacity.

The 13-megapixel Full HD camera is equipped with world-class features such as Optical Image Stabilization, 8X Digital Zoom, 9 Multi-Point Auto-Focus, and video recording capability up to 60 fps Full HD.  It also boasts of the industry’s first 24 bit/192kHz Hi-Fi sound playback for studio-quality audio. The LG G2 also integrates new and practical UX features such as KnockON, which turns the display on or off by tapping twice, and Guest Mode, which protects the owner’s privacy by displaying only pre-selected apps when guests access the phone.

To learn more about the LG G2 from Globe, visit www.globe.com.ph/postpaid and www.lgmobile.com. For regular updates, like LG Mobile Philippines on Facebook and follow @LGPhilippines on Twitter.

Source: Press Release