ProtonMail is currently the worlds largest secure email service which offers end-to-end encryption and lots of other great security-based features to keep your communications private.
Is Proton Mail Safe and Secure?
ProtonMail is based in Switzerland with some of the strictest privacy laws, with end-to-end encryptions, no one except you and the recipient can view your emails. The great thing is, you can even send encrypted emails to non-ProtonMail users too! Also, two-factor authentication is built in as an additional layer of protection and is a really secure way of preventing third parties from being able to access data while it’s being transferred between systems or devices, so you can rest assured that no one will be snooping through your inbox or intercepting your correspondence.
Why switch to Proton Mail?
If you’ve got an email account with a mainstream provider, chances are it doesn’t use end-to-end encryption. The big difference between a secure email service like ProtonMail and a standard email service such as Gmail, BT or Outlook is that it provides a lot more security and privacy for its users.
Spam
Proton Mail uses a smart spam detection system to automatically filter messages to your Spam folder or inbox and custom folders. ProtonMail are constantly improving their spam filtering system, but like any email provider some spam messages may slip through their filters, and some legitimate messages may be mislabelled as spam.
Anonymity
Another great thing about ProtonMail is the fact that it allows you to get complete anonymity if you want it. You don’t even need to input any personal data when you create your account, so your privacy will be completely protected. And by default, ProtonMail doesn’t track IP addresses, so there’s no information that an outsider could use to tie you to that account. That way, you know your emails are completely private.
ProtonMail Free
The free account comes with 1GB of storage. This isn’t loads, but it’s enough if you like to keep your inbox clean and aren’t sending or receiving hi-res images or videos. Since you can always see how much space is left, you can easily manage how it’s used or upgrade to ProtonMail Plus for more storage. The free account is also capped to 150 emails a day which, for 9 out of 10 people, is more than enough.
ProtonMail Plus
The premium email plan offers more premium features and some additional organization and productivity tools for £2.94 a month (€3.49). This includes 15GB of storage, unlimited messages a day, 10 Email addresses, support for one custom domain email is also available if you want to use a personalized email address instead of a ‘@protonmail.com’ one. Also, the plus plan will include contact groups, email client support, auto-reply and catch-all email functions.
Proton Unlimited
The unlimited comes with unlimited featured from the entire Proton product line. 500GB of storage, 15 email addresses, unlimited folders, unlimited messages per day, 3 custom domain email addresses, priority support and access to Proton calendar, proton drive and proton VPN. All for £6.73 a month (€7.99).
When Apple released the iPhone 11, 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max along with iOS 13.1, an ‘Important Display Message’ on all iPhone 11 and newer models would appear after third-party display and battery repairs.
Screen replacement message:
It's a well-known fact that Apple is not a fan of ‘the right to repair’ and will try to discourage third party repairs on their iPhones as much as possible. After Apple introduced the iPhone 11 models, along with iOS 13.1, a warning message “Unable to verify this iPhone has a genuine Apple display” would appear after third party screen repair. However, this will not affect the use of the phone, as much as Apple would like you to believe it would. A lot of repair shops use cheap quality copy screens but this message would also show up even if a brand-new genuine Apple screen was taken from a brand-new iPhone. Apples ‘scare tactic’ notifications aim is to try and make you use Apple for repairs, and pay much more as a result, however, third party screen replacements do not affect the phones use, you can safely ignore the message and continue to use the phone as normal. Eventually, it will only be viewable in the settings.
Battery replacement message:
If you replace the battery in the newest iPhones, a message indicating you need to service your battery appears in Settings > Battery, next to Battery Health. The “Service” message is normally an indication that the battery is degraded and needs to be replaced. The message still shows up when you put in a brand-new battery. Apple is locking batteries to their iPhones at the factory, so whenever you replace the battery yourself even if you’re using a genuine Apple battery from another iPhone it will still give you the “Service” message. The only way around this is paying Apple money to replace your iPhone battery for you, at a much higher cost. It is worth noting that third part repair battery replacements do not affect the phones use, you can safely ignore the message and continue to use the phone as normal. Eventually, it will only be viewable in the settings.
More info:
- Apple Is Discouraging Screen Repair with an iPhone 11 “Genuine” Warning
- Apple Will Now Warn If Your Screen Is Not 'Genuine' After Repair
- iPhone 11 and 11 Pro Will Show Warning if Non-Genuine Apple Display is Used for Repairs
Your device will track the battery percentage starting from a full battery at 100%, steadily and naturally dropping to 0% number by number. However sometimes your device won’t show the accurate battery percentage, for example, have you ever experienced your phone jumping from a high battery percentage to a low battery percentage instantly (50% to 1%)? You may also experience unexpected shutdown?
This is where battery calibration comes in, doing this at least once a month can ensure your phone always displays the correct battery percentage.
Please note: It is important to know that calibrating your battery will not make a battery last longer, this is because all lithium batteries degrade over time with age due to repeated charging cycles.
Here’s how to calibrate your device:
Step 1 – Let the battery drain past 0% until the device naturally shuts down.
Step 2 – Make sure there is no charge left (try turning it back on a few times to discharge leftover current).
Step 3 – Plug the device in to charge (make sure you use a genuine charger purchased from the manufacturer or authorised cable).
Step 4 – If your device turns on, shut it down and let it charge fully while it is powered off (once it has reached 100%, leave it for a further two hours).
Step 5 – Turn on the device (with charger still plugged in).
Step 6 – Unplug charging cable once the device has booted fully.
More useful links on battery calibration:
iFixit - Battery Calibration
Gadget Hacks - Calibrate any Android phone
Apple Dystopia - How to Calibrate an iPhone battery
Everyone should be using antivirus software on your devices to protect against malware and phishing attacks. But there and now fear that Vladimir Putin could turn one of the most popular Russian antivirus software into a tool of war. As the Russian President continues the invasion of Ukraine, there are worrying signs that the battle could shift from ground troops to cyberattacks.
European governments have already warned that Kaspersky could potentially be used by the Russian government to hack websites and systems. The German agency says the Russian government could use Kaspersky’s IT infrastructure “as a tool for attacks against its customers.” Kaspersky has also been blacklisted by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission, adding its name alongside Huawei and ZTE as companies that are deemed a threat to national security. But as official warnings increase, experts have mostly chosen to remain silent on whether it is safe to keep using Kaspersky antivirus.
Although Kaspersky's headquarters are in Russia, it is a multinational company. As a company, they are registered in the UK and all of the company's data gets processed in Switzerland. However, Kaspersky does still have links to the Russian State Intelligence, although, it is not a direct link in the sense that Kaspersky is owned by the Russian Government.
Kasperskys response The Kaspersky company responded to the BSI advisory with an English-language statement of its own, arguing that the BSI warning was "made on political grounds" and that Kaspersky "does not have ties to the Russian or any other government."
"We believe that peaceful dialogue is the only possible instrument for resolving conflicts," the Kaspersky statement added. "War isn't good for anyone."
"Kaspersky, the long-time partner and contributor of BSI and German cybersecurity industry, was given mere hours to address these bogus and unfounded allegations," Eugene Kaspersky wrote. "This is not an invitation for dialogue — it is an insult."
"Not having Kaspersky in Germany will not make Germany or Europe safer," he added. "We consider this decision to be unfair and outright wrong."
"This war is a tragedy that has already brought suffering to innocent people and repercussions across our hyper-connected world," Eugene Kaspersky concluded. "The global cybersecurity industry that has been built on the basis of trust and cooperation to protect the digital links connecting us with each other may well be its collateral damage — and thus leave everyone even less safe."
It's down to you to decide AJ I.T Services still thinks that Kaspersky is regarded as one of the best, if not thee best antivirus software available today, and is one of the top information-security companies overall. Its researchers are among the best in the world, and the company exposes Russian state-sponsored hacking campaigns as often as it does American ones.
Yet the reality is that Kaspersky still has most of its operations in Moscow and has numerous Russian government agencies as clients. Installing Kaspersky software creates an unnecessary risk for any Westerner involved in highly sensitive matters, and, now that war has come to Ukraine, perhaps for everyone else too. Time will tell, it's down to you to decide if you want to continue to use Kaspersky.
"What's my password", "What's the password for this?", "I can't remember my password".
Let's face it, passwords, for most people, are a nightmare! Every online account requires one and it can be a an inconvenience trying to remember what your passwords are. Even if you can find your old scribbled password book, this doesn't take away from the fact that most of your passwords are most likely not secure enough to keep up with todays standards of online account safety. Everyone knows the number one rule with passwords is to NOT use the same password twice, we are all guilty of reusing passwords and we did this for convenience, but now we can have secure passwords and the convenience together by using a password manager.
It's time to ditch that old handwritten scribbled password book and get a password manager!
Password managers store your login information for all the websites you use and help you log into them automatically. With a password manager, you only need to remember ONE master password which will grant you access to all your other encrypted passwords in the password managers database. Because password managers sign you into your accounts automatically, this now frees you up to change your weak passwords into seriously strong passwords.
For example, millions of people around the world have had messages sent to them from an apparent friend on Facebook and WhatsApp asking for money and more. Inevitably, you will also get targeted by crooks, thieves and scammers, AKA cyber-criminals, if you don't take control of your weak passwords. This is why investing in a password manager should be a top priority!
AJ I.T Services recommends Dashlane. Click the video below for a more in depth look:
AJ I.T Services Dashlane review
Dashlane remains one of the top password managers on the market in 2022 and still stands out with an excellent list of features with airtight security. Dashlane has, for years, topped the list of the best password manager and it's east to see why. It's packed with features and uses an airtight security model to keep your data safe.
Features:
Dashlane has, in a way, always aspired to be more than a password manager. It has several unique features that other password managers don't offer. All the basics are accounted for, Dashlane is easy to use with the browser extension/ add-on (pictured below) and has a snappy autofill feature which will automatically log you in to your accounts, autofill your name and other personal info upon filling out an application or auto filling your payment details online, saving you to reach for your card all the time! The other good thing about the autofill is that it automatically captures passwords as you log in to websites. Dashlane also supports multi-device sync on paid plans, secure notes and unlimited password sharing.
Dashlane's most unique feature has to be the automatic password changer, weak passwords can become unhackable secure passwords in seconds, automatically!
Dark Web Monitoring and Password Health:
As the video above states, Dashlane is more than just a password manager. Dashlane also has a password health check-up which provides a more accurate look at how secure your passwords are. The password health page shows weak, reused and compromised passwords, and then uses that information to give you an overhaul health score. It's great for checking up on your accounts but the mean reason for this is help you make your passwords more secure. Compromised passwords are detected by Dashlane's dark web monitoring, which will monitor up to five email addresses for you. It will search for any data breaches related to your added emails and notify you. Dashlane also offers a VPN as part of its premium plans.
Mobile App
Like any good password manager should, Dashlane offers mobile apps for iOS and Android. Testing on Android, everything went off without a hitch. After logging in, the app immediately synced my account and autofill worked right away. Autofill is the main purpose of the mobile apps, but Dashlane includes most of the features of the desktop web browser extension too. Dark web monitoring and the VPN are available on mobile, as is the password health screen.
My Verdict
Dashlane is still as impressive as it has always been and remains a great password manager choice. It's more user friendly application look compared to other options and extra features that most other password managers don't support make Dashlane a top choice pick for AJ I.T Services. I have personally been using Dashlane since 2018, and in that time, I have tried other password manager and always find myself reverting to Dashlane straight away. Remember, difficult passwords make a hackers life difficult!
With Dashlane's Free, Premium and Family plan options, why not give it a try and you can save 20% for yearly payment plans!
Get Dashlane - Pricing, Premium, and Free Trial Plans | Dashlane
More info:
What Makes Us Great | Dashlane
How Our Password Manager Works | Dashlane
Pricing, Premium, and Free Trial Plans | Dashlane
Find out if your data has been breached | Dashlane
Personal Tips (dashlane.com)
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) protects your connection while you're using the internet by establishing a secure connection between you and the internet. This disguises your IP address and makes your browsing private and ensures your internet service provider doesn't track you. This means your internet service provider won't be able to see what websites you visit or anything you do online.
Best VPN Service AJ I.T Services recommends Surfshark. Surfshark has long been an excellent and popular VPN service, and no wonder. It's competitive price and unlimited simultaneous connection all look very attractive! It also has a generous unlimited devices policy, making Surfshark the only VPN service that provides this service letting you hook up as many devices as you'd like with one subscription! The network has 3,200+ servers distributed across an impressive 160+ locations in 65 countries. Surfshark was a finalist at Cybersecurity Excellence Awards in 2020 as Cybersecurity Company of the year. Surfshark also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee!
Get 82% off AND 2 months FREE with the AJ I.T Services affiliate link! - https://get.surfshark.net/SHcS
Surfshark is available on Android phones and tablets, Apple devices like iPhones, iMacs and MacBooks, Windows computers and TVs!
Surfshark is more than just another VPN!
How does Surfshark compare to other VPNs? With two years of sky-rocketing brand growth, Surfshark VPN is #3 blobally by brand searches. Surfsharks CR% is also higher than the industry average with its vast features that some other VPNs lack such as the unlimited devices support, add blocker, Two-factor authentication and more!
Other reasons to give Surfshark a try!
Click here to get 82% off and 2 months FREE!
Frequently asked questions regarding VPNs
Get 82% off AND 2 months FREE with the AJ I.T Services affiliate link! - https://get.surfshark.net/SHcS
More about Surfshark - What is Surfshark: About Us, Our Product, & Our Story
Surfshark Blog - Blog: All things digital privacy & security - Surfshark
Benefits of using Surfshark - Top 12 VPN Use Cases - Surfshark
Windows 11 will start to roll out on compatible computers from 5 October, but will your Windows 10 PC be eligible for the free upgrade to the latest OS? Here's what you need to know.
Despite Microsoft claiming Windows 10 was to be the last version of Windows, on 24 June 2021, Windows 11 was officially introduced which is set to represent the biggest changes to Windows for years, with its new start menu, modern face lift, improved experience for gaming and improved security to name a few. However, not all Windows 10 devices will be supported.
Windows 11 hardware spec requirements: What are the minimum system requirements for the new OS? All current and future PCs will need the following in order to be compatible.
How to check if my PC will run Windows 11:
Microsoft released a free 'PC Health Check' tool when Windows 11 was announced, there is also a third-party alternative app. 'ReadySunValley' is available for free from the Microsoft Store and provides a detailed overview of whether your PC meets the minimum system requirements to run Windows 11. If your PC is not eligible to upgrade to Windows 11, the app will also tell you why. You can download the ReadySunValley app here.
Will my Laptop run Windows 11?
Your laptop must also meet the minimum system requirements detailed above and must also have a supported CPU. Microsoft have detailed list of supported CPU's which can be found here.
My PC can't run Windows 11:
If you find your PC does not meet the requirements to run Windows 11, don't panic. It may be because your system doesn't have some of the required features turned on. If you're not sure, you can always get an independent computer technician to help with this or discuss your options. You can continue to use Windows 10 until Microsoft ends it's support on 14 October 2025, after which, it is highly recommended you upgrade to Windows 11.
Purchase a Windows 11 PC
AJ I.T Services has put together a budget PC which is will run Windows 11, using the best and up to date hardware for better performance and reliability which will fit everyone's basic needs. This also means the hard part has been done for you, with this custom PC you'll be up and running with no compatibility issues regarding Windows 11. See details here.
Learn more about Windows 11 here.
Learn more about Windows 11 specification requirements here.
On 24 June 2021 Microsoft announced Windows 11 would not support old computer hardware. Microsoft quoted "If you’re running a computer that is 4 years old or more, Windows 11 will not run on it". Luckily, you can continue to use Windows 10 until 2025, but once support has ended, using Windows 10 becomes a huge security risk.
Because Microsoft are pushing for everyone to use up to date hardware to increase security (and sell new computers) this comes at a cost for a lot of people and, eventually, you will have to buy a Windows 11 PC once Windows 10 support ends to keep you and your data safe online.
AJ I.T Services has put together a budget PC which is Windows 11 ready, using the best and up to date hardware for the best performance and reliability which will fit everyone's basic needs. With this custom PC you'll be up and running with no compatibility issues regarding Windows 11. See details below:
Windows 11 Custom PC Specs:
- Windows 11 Pro
- Intel Quad-Core Processor
- 8GB RAM - 256 M.2 SSD
- 1TB Storage Drive
- TP Link Wireless WIFI adapter
- PC Case, Motherboard, Power Supply
- 1 Year Warranty
- 50% off servicing for the first 2 years (terms apply)
- 10% off upgrades and repairs for the first 2 years.
Total: £595.00
This budget Windows 11 PC is built to future proof you going forward with performance, reliability and compatibility at the forefront. This means if you want to add more RAM, storage or other components YOU CAN. You can also pick a different size PC case at no extra cost! This PC would be ideal for home use and office use.
Customers who purchased an AJ I.T Services custom Windows 11 PC had this to say:
John McCabe - " I was looking for a replacement PC and so I gave AJ I.T Services a call. After discussing I ordered the custom Windows 11 PC. Looking online, there were cheaper options but not to the same spec. It was ready in four days with quality components and with room to upgrade if required. Will definitely go back to Aidan!"
Scott Mckilligin (Mahon Farm) - " I purchased the custom build Windows 11 PC from AJ I.T Services and would recommend Aidan. Great PC for the money and excellent service, thanks!"
Frank Duguid - " Having acquired my new Windows 11 PC from AJ I.T Services, I have to say that I am totally satisfied with the product and delighted that I took Aidan's advice to buy a custom PC as opposed to a pre-built product. This model provides everything I require and serves it’s purpose extremely well!I would also like to take the opportunity to extend my thanks to Aidan at AJ I.T Services for the excellent service he provided me!"
David Strathearn (DS Development Solutions) - "I asked AJ I.T Services to build me a PC for my business use. Now I have a very quick PC with software, back up and all 'synced' to my laptop for when I'm out and about. It all meets my exact needs and came without all the unnecessary extras you sometimes get when buying computers. Thank you Aidan for great service and for taking time to explain things to me!"
Microsoft originally described Windows 10 as ‘the last’ version of Windows but now Microsoft’s updated Windows lifecycle fact sheet states that the company will drop support for Windows 10 Home, Pro, Pro for workstations, and Pro education on October 14, 2025. This means that Microsoft will not release any more updates and security patches for Windows 10 past that date.
Microsoft have listed a new event on their website, which will take place on June 24 at 16:00pm UK time. At the event, Microsoft will highlight ‘what’s next for Windows’ which is rumoured to be the next generation of Windows. At the moment, Microsoft have not yet officially stated what the next Windows will be named, although they have been hinting it will be Windows 11.
Join us to see what's next for Windows - https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/event
As far as the Windows 10 retirement is concerned, it is likely that the last version of Windows 10 may last longer than October 14, 2025 as people often take a bit of time to upgrade from one Windows operating system to another. Microsoft will likely give extra time for people to migrate over to the new operating system, similar to what they did for upgrading from Windows 7, 8 and 8.1 to Windows 10.
This will come as disappointing news to most people who adopted Windows 10 believing they would not have to go through the hassle of upgrading, adjusting to something new and different again. However, with technology always advancing, it is important to remember that things can change, regardless of how frustrating it can be for some, it’s always for the better. A new version of Windows will include better software, improved security and improved performance over Windows 10.
When the time comes, it’s important that you take the next step and upgrade to the next version of Windows to remain up to date and secure online. AJ I.T Services can help make this process as pain free as possible for everyone.
With prices so cheap, it’s hard to convince Apple device owners to pay the price for an official lightning cable from Apple, but is the short term saving worth the long term expense? Unofficial Lightning cables, apart from being poorly constructed and incredibly unreliable can be dangerous in certain situations, this also applies to unofficial apple charging plugs.
Certified Apple chargers have a tiny authentication chip inside them which tells your device it’s Apple MFI certified. This is important, because non-certified, or knock-off, lightning cables can be very dangerous to your device.
Why are non-certified Apple chargers dangerous?
It could damage your device:
They can cause power surges in your iPhone or iPad which can damage the charging chip inside the charging port, without a functional charging port, you will be unable to charge your device. If the charging chip avoids damage, the same most likely won’t be said for your device’s battery, as non-certified charging cables can rapidly reduce the device’s battery health, even if it’s a new battery. These cables can also cause more damage internally to the device including the processor, killing the device completely.
Health and safety implications:
The biggest reason you should not purchase non-certified Apple chargers. These chargers have a reputation for overheating, catching fire and potentially delivering a lethal electric shock to anyone at any point during their use. Some cables are so poorly insulated that users have reported being able to ‘feel’ the current running through the cable when held. A UK-based Charted Trading Standards Institute did some research into unofficial Lightning cables, the team tested 400 non-certified Lightning cables and of those, only 1% (three cables out of 400, to be exact) passed basic assessments for safety.
Why it's important to use a genuine Apple charger or MFi charger
Original or MFi cables are important because those cables have the tiny chip inside the cable that will protect your device from voltage fluctuations which, you now know, will cause a lot of damage to your device.
Are there any good alternatives which are still cheaper than Apple?
Some well-known companies such as Anker make MFi Certified Apple charging cables and plugs cheaper than Apples. Just type ‘MFi Certified Apple Charging Cables’ into Amazon or your preferred online shop.
What is MFi Certified?
Introduced by Apple in 2005, MFi Certified is short for ‘Made for iPhone/ iPad/ iPod’. It lets you know that a product has Apple’s official stamp of approval and will work perfectly with an Apple device. Apple recommends using only accessories that Apple has certified and that come with the MFi badge (pictured below).
For more information, please forward to Apples more in depth explanation about uncertified Lighting cables by clicking the following link - https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT204566
AJ I.T Services recommends having your computer serviced at least twice a year. Like cars, computers need a service and MOT too, this ensures that they are kept running efficiently and up to date keeping you safe online. PC’s and laptops also tend to gather a lot of dust and debris over time which will require cleaning, they also save unwanted files, old downloads, internet histories, and other non-essential files that fill up your hard drive and slow your computer down. Also, with so much malware and viruses on the internet, just about every computer is going to have damaged files hidden away that need to be removed.
The other benefit of having your computer serviced is that a computer support technician can spot hardware or software issues that may be causing you trouble or that might be on the verge of failure.
Most services can be carried out and finished in the same day.
In this tough economy, getting something for free is always a good thing, right? Short answer: It depends on your tolerance for risk.
Take free antivirus software as an example. It may seem like a bargain, but it’s not. Here are the issues to consider before you download or already use this particular “freeware.” First and foremost, free antivirus software doesn’t provide the comprehensive protection you need against today’s biggest online threats. So when you trust your computer, applications, files and identity to free antivirus software, it can end up costing you more in time, aggravation, and money than you ever imagined. After you install most free antivirus software, you can expect to be hit with a barrage of annoying, time-wasting pop-up alerts telling you that it only provides “basic” protection. Then you’ll receive recommendations to switch to one of the software maker’s paid security products for “complete” protection.
Another point to keep in mind: Experts agree that today’s biggest online threats come in forms that free antivirus software doesn’t stop. Threats such as rootkits, bots, keyloggers, hackers, phishing scams, and infected Web sites breeze right past most free antivirus software. These threats can pose an even bigger danger than viruses, not only to your computer and files but to your bank account as well. They can lead to a hard drive crash, system failure, or worse, identity theft. Free antivirus software is generally reactive, That means it only deals with threats after they’ve attacked and had an opportunity to do damage to your computer and files.
So what’s the bottom line? Free antivirus software simply doesn’t provide the comprehensive protection you need in today’s online world. When you add up the various costs listed above, free antivirus software isn’t free at all.
There are lots of efficient paid antivirus software on the market that will do the job. You can do some research, or you can always get an independent Computer Support Technician like myself to help you with what I recommend.
Please don't hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions.
Having a custom built PC can ensure you get the best performance to meet your budget and match your needs, whether that's for a high-end gaming rig, small office workstation or something for home use. Every PC I build are built to the best quality and offer you great value for money. There are lots of different kinds of PC's for different needs, I like to break mine down into three categories listed below:
Home and Office/ Business PCs are designed for your everyday needs. From general internet browsing and family use to a machine that is capable of completing various tasks and can play various media files.
Specialist PCs are high performance PCs designed to complete various demanding tasks and uses. For example, photo editing and graphic design in Adobe Photoshop, Video editing in Adobe Premiere Pro and more.
Gaming PCs, If you need a gaming PC that can play the latest AAA games with ease, or a PC that is VR ready, I can build a custom gaming PC for the ultimate gaming experience. I can also work to almost any budget, even if you don't want something high-end, I can also build entry level and mid level gaming PCs too.
Why choose a custom PC over a pre-built PC?
Pre-built PCs. Those in favour may argue that they are more convenient because they are already built, ready to go and sometimes cheaper. That's great and 'cheaper' might be the only deciding factor in your choice but, is it worth possibly spending more money in the long run? You may need to because there are some other factors that need to be taken into consideration. A lot of pre-built PCs are usually built with low grade, low-quality components that will likely fail or cause issues and because of this, some come with short warranties or non at all. Another issue to keep in mind is future-proofing, some pre-built PCs out there might be using older CPUs and chipsets that can severely limit the upgradeability of your PC, older components can also be the reason of why the price is cheaper and the builder's profits are higher. Not to mention all the bloatware that already comes pre-installed on the PC using up the PC's resources and, in turn, slowing it down which will not aid your gaming experience or workflow in the office.
Custom-built PCs can ensure that you get the very best for your money, tailored to your needs and budget. In some cases, you might need to be prepared to spend a little more of your hard earned money and in some cases, it can be cost-effective, either way, this would ensure you get the very best hardware that is of better quality, more efficient and more reliable. Because custom PCs are built using the best parts to fit your needs, they are also built with future-proofing in mind. If you want to add more storage, more Ram, swap out a component or upgrade a component, all this can be done with greater ease than a pre-built PC because compatibility and expandability are much better with a custom PC.
Whatever your needs are, a computer is an investment, if it's for home, business or gaming use I'm sure we can all agree the last thing anyone would want is to spend a lot of money only to have to go through problems or the same process all over again in a couple of years time. This is why when it comes down to it, I would always recommend that you invest in a custom PC rather than a pre-built PC, as the advantages are just too numerous in comparison. From compatibility, future-proofing, expandability, performance and better quality components. These reasons alone are why custom PCs will always be my recommended option.
All AJ I.T Services custom built computers come with a ONE YEAR WARRANTY and also get 50% off yearly servicing, twice per year for the first two years (terms apply) and 10% off repairs and upgrades for the first two years. Servicing your computer at least twice a year, like a car, can ensure it keeps running efficiently, up to date and worry free.
Are you thinking about buying a new laptop or PC? You may want to consider having it serviced after purchasing.
Why? Well, despite what people think, when you buy a computer from a high street computer retailer, they tend to come preloaded with software called “bloatware”. The retailers argue that they put this on for your benefit, as you will automatically have the various applications conveniently on your machine, but it is worth remembering that your choice is being taken away. You should consider also that retailers might be just as motivated to increase their profits by including bloatware!
Preinstalled bloatware is very often irrelevant to the consumer and, therefore, takes up unnecessary hard drive space, uses more of the computer’s resources and slows it down.
The salesperson may try to encourage you to purchase virus and malware protection software when you buy your computer. These tend to be commission sales and there is often a less expensive and more efficient alternative software on the market. It is not as hard as you may think to get exactly what meets your requirements; if you are prepared to do some research, or you can always get an Independent Computer Technician like myself to help you.
When you purchase a computer that has been sitting in a warehouse or shop for weeks or even months, it may not be up-to-date with the latest operating system updates, which are designed to give you security patches and keep you safe online.
Having your computer serviced upon purchase may feel unnecessary; after all, you have just bought a ‘new’ computer. However, it can rid your computer of software you don’t need, check for updates and generally ensure that you have (or give) a computer that is as clean, fast and safe as possible and, most importantly, you actually know what you have on it!
If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Choosing a repair shop or someone to repair your computer, phone, tablet, or another device can be complicated. Getting the lowest price can be your first concern, but it is worth thinking about the quality of the repair on your valuable device. • When repairing your phone, tablet, computer or other devices, I use high-quality components. Some repair shops use only the cheapest aftermarket parts that are unlikely to last long, made with less expensive materials and don't work correctly.
• When I give you your device back, you will know that it has been thoroughly tested and working correctly.
• I am confident to provide you with a warranty. You may find that other repair shops are not so keen to guarantee their work.
• I know how important your digital device is to you, which is why I will only use the best parts available and spend longer, making sure it works properly. This may cost you a little more in the short term, but I believe you will find the investment well worth it.
