Six useful and inexpensive computer upgrades

It’s easy to let years go by without reviewing your computer system, even though it provides critical support to your business. As your computer is probably the most indispensable part of your business, it is important to consider computer upgrades.

Giving your computer a performance boost will have positive effects on productivity and motivation levels.

Here’s a guide to six computer upgrades that can help you to make the most of your machine.

Note that although the following computer upgrades are generally inexpensive, it pays to always check compatibility and other technical details before buying. The prices I’ve given are indicative only.

1. Upgrade your RAM

More RAM means more work space

The more RAM (Random Access Memory) your computer has, the larger the work space inside it. Like a physical work space, the more room you have, the more stuff you can lay out and work on all at once.

Without enough RAM, every time you move from your email, to the document you are writing, to the web page you are referencing and back again, your computer has to spend time shuttling stuff back and forth between the work space and the storeroom. i.e. your hard disk.

Most computers are sold with insufficient RAM. If you are running Windows XP, you should have at least 1Gb (gigabyte) of RAM. With Windows Vista, go for 2Gb. If you work with graphics or large documents, double these figures.

Prices vary depending on your computer. Typically 1Gb of RAM will cost less than $100 for a desktop computer, more for laptops.

2. Increase hard disk space

Get extra storage via a second or larger hard disk

The hard disk is where all your documents, photos, music, and programs are “saved”. I try and keep about 10Gb of disk space free at all times. If your computer runs out of hard disk space, it can stop working altogether.

If you have a laptop, consider replacing the internal hard disk with a larger one. 100Gb 2.5” hard disks can be had for just over $100.

You can also move your less frequently used files onto an external USB hard disk to free up some space. A 320Gb 3.5” unit will set you back around $250.

If you have a desktop computer (i.e. a large box that sits on or under your desk) you can have a second hard disk added inside the case. A 250Gb 3.5” hard disk costs less than $100.

Programs like Photoshop and Illustrator can utilise the second hard disk as a “scratch disk” when working with huge graphics files, giving you a performance boost.

You can also use your second hard disk to store your backups.

3. Get a bigger screen

A large screen saves time by reducing scrolling

The more of your document you can see, the less you have to scroll and the faster you can work.

A $400 22” LCD monitor (1680x1050 resolution) comes close to showing you two full A4 pages at actual size and without scrolling.

For less than $300 you can get a 17” or 19” LCD (1024x1280 resolution) that pivots. This physically rotates the screen 90 degrees to give you a full vertical A4 page.

4. Set up a docking station

A laptop dock makes getting away easy

If you use a laptop and have lots of stuff hooked up to it like a monitor, mouse and speakers,, a docking station can make leaving your desk easier.

You connect everything to the docking station and dock your laptop onto it. When it comes time to leave the house, you simply undock the laptop in one step and walk out. The cables stay connected to the station, which means you don’t have to fiddle about disconnecting them.

5. Invest in a spare battery

A second battery lets you stay out longer

If you use a laptop and are on the road a lot, get a spare system battery to double your on-road time. Some manufacturers also offer an extended capacity system battery.

Some laptop designs even let you replace the DVD drive with a second battery.

6. BlueTooth information to your phone

BlueTooth enables you to see information on different devices

For example you can set up your BlueTooth-capable phone to automatically synchronise its address book with email programs such as Outlook. You may need a USB BlueTooth adaptor for your computer, but typically these only cost around $70.

You can now view, add or change a contact on either device and it all magically syncs up. No more trying to maintain two separate contacts lists.

When I had to replace a lost phone last year, I just had Outlook sync all my contacts to the new phone.

Have you made any of these computer upgrades recently? What impact has it had on your business? Let us know via a comment.

Zern Liew is a thinking designer who uses his creative problem solving skills to help clients build beautiful businesses.

12 comments | Add your own 1 2 | Next» View all»

Thanks Zern, very useful info. Last year I invested in a huge monitor and it was the best productivity boost I could have made. As someone who sits on the computer most of the day it has made such a huge difference - for example you can be researching a website and writng a document without having to flick between the two. Peter Crocker from Flying Solo | Read my articles
Zern, I love your articles! A large monitor also discourages excess use of paper (though not sure of its effect on the environment). One of my clients actually has two monitors on her desk, and the mouse jumps from one screen to the next which can be useful - though not sure how you set it up. My IT guy has also told me I should ditch the free internet connection that BIGPOND supply, and buy a better connection for $20, and my internet speed will increase by 30%... Heather Smith from Brisbane
I love my 24" monitor - I can see documents actual A4 size side by side. Great for graphics. I have 2 installed large hard drives on each of my computers - I also move files regularly to removable drives when projects are complete.
Today I purchased a fantastic upgrade tool that enlarged my system partition. http://www.partition-tool.com/ My first drive is divided into two partitions. The second drive is just one normal partition. As I had plenty of space on the first drive on the second partition, I decreased that partition. Which then gave the system C partition an extra 50G space, making it 90G. Really important as it's where all my programs reside. All my graphics files use the second hard drive as the scratch disc, which makes them run fast and smooth. I run defrag regularly also to keep the files in order. Karen from Springwood
Zern, Great article. I am a fan of the dual monitor video card - one computer, two monitors. Great for when you have research on one screen and then report writing on the other one. Kate Tribe from Tribe Research, Sydney | Read my articles
Zern, I find your last suggestion the most useful. I have a Nokia E50 to which I download my schedule and task lists. It can do email in a pinch but that's not much fun on such a tiny phone. A very nice feature on this phone is the ability to lock it from a distance with a prearranged SMS message if you accidentally leave it somewhere.
Another really useful gadget is the memory stick. For around $40 you can have 4GB of data hanging from your key ring. You can even run programs from a memory stick of this size. Great for presentations. Doyle from Port Lincoln
From one thinking designer to another, well done Zern, another fab article!! Dan from shoeboxcreative.com

12 comments | Add your own 1 2 | Next» View all»

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