It could be that your budget just doesn’t allow you to invest in new computers for your office, or it could be that your computers are still working just fine but you want to optimise the usage and productivity you get from them. Either way, there are a couple of things that you can do to make the most of an older model PC or laptop.
Having access to all of the latest PC technology is definitely a dream position to be in, but the reality is that these days not everyone has the finances to consistently keep up with all of the latest and greatest technology and programmes that the world of IT has to offer. This is not all bad though, as many computers, with the right tweaks and a little know-how, don’t need all of the most modern bells and whistles to work like a dream.
Old computers all share a couple of common issues. There is slowness and freezing, two factors that can be signs of a deeper problem such as a crashing hard drive, and then there is the compatibility issue, something that can crop up when you are running an older version of Windows.
For the most part, the issues that you face with your older setup can be eased or completely fixed, with just a few easy tricks that you can implement yourself or have your IT guys take care of for you. These solutions will give you some breathing space, allowing you to budget for your upgrade.
Tips for Optimising Old Computers
- Use older programmes
Windows and many other programmes often require specific hardware in order to run efficiently. If you are working with an older hardware system setup, you could either struggle with slowness and freezing or you could find that programme is completely incompatible. In this case, one way to work around the issue, would be to install older versions of the programmes you need, keeping in mind that the older versions might not be supported forever.
- Use lighter programmes
Some software is really unnecessarily bloated and as such they take up so much operating space that you end up with a slow system. To get around this, you should consider installing a lighter programme, one that works just as well but which won’t slow you down.
- Use better hardware (if possible)
The most obvious way to speed things up is to use better hardware if you can. You don’t have to replace everything but it will definitely help to replace certain parts of your hardware such as hard drives and by adding additional or completely new RAM.
- Use regular maintenance
Maintenance is going to be one of the things that really gives you the edge with you older computer. Setting up a regular maintenance schedule will help you to stay on top of things and stay ahead of any problems. This will help you to ensure that the system isn’t slowed down. While it won’t make the system run like brand new, it will give the system a little speed boost.
- Use better external hardware
Using better speakers, a better keyboard and a faster mouse can actually optimise your older setup. Sometimes when your external hardware is outdated it can make it feel as though the whole computer is just not performing very well, so you’d be surprised just how much better your old computer can work when you update the less expensive stuff.
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At 24/7 IT Services, we know how to get your company setup with the best computers, the kind that are modern, fast and efficient. Our team can also help you out with managed IT support, cyber security and IT infrastructure.
