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Upgrading on the cheap:

Getting great hardware and software without breaking the bank. Liz Bogner AmeriCorps VISTA Coordinator Wisconsin Campus Compact-UW Stout. Upgrading on the cheap:. Thoughts on Upgrading…. Upgrading is necessary! Upgrades are faster, more secure, and easier to use than their predecessors

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Upgrading on the cheap:

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  1. Getting great hardware and software without breaking the bank Liz Bogner AmeriCorps VISTA Coordinator Wisconsin Campus Compact-UW Stout Upgrading on the cheap:

  2. Thoughts on Upgrading… • Upgrading is necessary! • Upgrades are faster, more secure, and easier to use than their predecessors • Don’t think of it as burning money—it’s an investment in security and efficiency!

  3. Thoughts on Upgrading… • Upgrading can get costly • Software should be upgraded every 2-3 years • Computers should be upgraded every 3-5 years • Monitors should be upgraded every 8-10 years • If you don’t have a flat-screen, consider getting one! • As much as that can cost… • There are plenty of resources that nonprofits can use to get upgraded for a fraction of the retail cost

  4. What should I upgrade to? • For maximum efficiency, PCs should have the following specs: • Dual-Core or Core Two Duo processor • At least 160 GB hard drive • At least 2 GB of memory • Maybe more if you are running 64-bit • Windows 7, 32 or 64-bit • Others • Flat-screen monitor • Microsoft Office 2007 or 2010 • Updated anti-virus software

  5. Desktop vs. Laptop Desktop Laptop • Pros • No battery to worry about • Parts are easy to replace if need be • Cons • Consume more space than laptops • Not mobile • Pros • Mobile • Don’t take up that much room • Cheaper • Cons • Can’t replace parts on your own • Battery life • Require accessories for maximum comfort.

  6. Costs for new equipment Desktop Laptop • Monitor • $150-$200 • Tower • $300-$400 • Peripherals • $50-150 • Desktop bundles • $350-$550 • Dell: $530 • Compaq: $380 • HP: $450 • Lenovo: $430 • Gateway: $480

  7. TechSoup: Your New Best Friend • What is TechSoup? • “providing other nonprofits and libraries with technology that empowers them to fulfill their missions and serve their communities.” • Hardware • Software • Peripheral equipment • Free online accounts • Also has webinars and tutorials available

  8. TechSoup Continued… • What can you expect from TechSoup? • Some serious discounts! • Microsoft Office 2010 Home Edition • Retail Price: $125 (3 licenses) • TechSoup price: $21 admin fee for as many computers that you receive donations for…

  9. Manufacturer Deals • HP has a rebate program which can save you in the neighborhood of $50. • Online outlets • Deals on refurbished, and scratched/dented machines • Lenovo laptops starting at $330

  10. Coupon Sites • Retail Me Not • Provides online coupon codes • Displays the rate of success of each code • Has coupons for manufacturer websites as well as stores like BestBuy.com and Amazon.com

  11. Stout Surplus • Stout’s surplus location gets laptops in every so often • Need to put your name down on a list • Machines are HP laptops which are between 1 and 3 years old and are completely wiped of any software • Sell at around $250, typically • Also has some other peripheral equipment

  12. Cutting Costs Elsewhere • Don’t compromise the machine to save money! • Look to software instead • FLOSS (Free Open-Source Software)-collaboratively-developed software which is available to the public for free • For most any software product you use, there is an open-source equivalent

  13. Open-Source Alternatives • Operating System • Unbuntu • Microsoft Office • OpenOffice • Google Docs • Adobe Photoshop • GIMP • Adobe Photoshop Express • AntiVirus • AVG Free

  14. Cutting Costs Elsewhere • Don’t buy more than you need • Save any peripheral equipment or components that are still useful • Keyboards, mice, and speakers don’t get outdated easily. • Chances are, you only need to replace your tower

  15. ANY QUESTIONS?

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