Repair, Don’t Replace: Upgrade Your Kids’ Back-to-School Computer on a Budget!

As the back-to-school season approaches, parents everywhere are gearing up to equip their kids with the latest gadgets for a successful academic year. Although computers are an essential tool for school, the costs associated with buying a new laptop or desktop can be overwhelming—especially with all the other back-to-school expenses. 

Fortunately, there’s a more economical solution to make sure your child has a reliable computer for the coming school year. If their old laptop or desktop is running slow (or having other issues), why not repair their current computer instead of purchasing a brand-new device? It’s a cost-effective way to get their tech in top shape without breaking the bank!

The Benefits of Repairs and Upgrades vs. Replacement

Have you been trying to weigh the pros and cons of purchasing a new computer? Here are several reasons repairs or upgrades might be the way to go:

  • Save Money: Repairing or upgrading a computer is a budget-friendly choice compared to buying a brand-new one. New laptops or desktops can be pricey, especially high-end ones. Repairs or upgrades, however, are a fraction of the cost—and they allow you to get the most out of your initial investment!
  • Get That Speed Back: Over time, computers can slow down and become less responsive due to outdated hardware or software. The good news? Upgrading features like the hard drive, RAM, or graphics card can give your child’s computer a major boost and make it feel like new again.
  • Made Just for Them: Repairing or upgrading a computer lets you personalize it to fit your child’s needs and preferences. Whether they need more storage space, increased processing power, or specific features for gaming or academic tasks, repairs, and upgrades offer the flexibility to have a computer tailored to their needs.
  • No Learning Curve: If your child is already used to their computer’s setup, software, and settings, why start over with a new one? Repairing or upgrading their current computer keeps things familiar and avoids any “Which button do I press now?” moments.
  • Preserve Their Memories: When you replace a computer, transferring all those precious photos, apps, and settings to the new device can take forever, and sometimes, things can get lost along the way. Repairing or upgrading your child’s current computer means all their cherished memories and settings stay safe and sound, just the way they like it.
  • No Need to Start Over: When it’s time to replace a computer, there’s a chance you might need to get all-new equipment or software licenses to make everything work together. With repairs or upgrades, you can hold on to your existing equipment and software—plus, save some hard-earned cash along the way.

Let Tech Shack Help You Cut Down Your Back-to-School Budget 

At Tech Shack, we understand the importance of saving money without compromising on quality. We’re committed to providing you with cost-effective solutions that will make a real difference in your child’s academic journey, including:

  • Computer Upgrades: Does your child’s computer need more storage or extra processing power? Our custom upgrades cover everything from RAM to graphics cards. 
  • General Repair and Maintenance: Has your child been experiencing issues like slow performance or random crashes? With over 15 years of experience, we can quickly address any problem—and we use only premium parts for long-lasting results!
  • Brand Name Troubleshooting and Repair: Did you buy a brand name computer online that’s not working right? We offer diagnosis and repairs for a wide range of popular brands.
  • New and Used Computers and Components: Have you decided your child really does need a new desktop or laptop? We carry an impressive selection, including new and used systems, custom desktops, and small components like power supplies and flash drives.

At Tech Shack, we’re all about giving your child’s computer a new lease on life—without the hefty price tag. Whether it’s speeding things up, adding more storage, or customizations to make it their very own, we’ve got your back! Call us today at (864) 722-5155, stop by the shop, or schedule an appointment online. 

How to Secure Your Online Accounts with Two-Factor Authentication

As you likely know, it’s imperative to protect yourself online. Specifically, you need to secure your online accounts. The best way to do this is with two-factor authentication. Also referred to as “two-step verification,” this type of protection will give you an extra layer of security on the off chance that your password is stolen. Once you set up two-factor authentication, you can sign into your account with your password and your phone. 

Not sure how to set up two-factor authentication? Keep reading! The skilled and friendly team at Tech Shack has put together a “to-do” list to assist you.

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To start, open up your Google Account. Then, find the navigation panel, search for “Security,” and select it when you find it. Under “Signing in to Google,” select “Two-Factor Verification,” followed by “Get Started.” From there, follow the on-screen steps. 

Once you’ve turned on two-factor verification, you must complete a second step to verify it’s actually you when you sign in to your account. To further protect your account, Google will ask you to complete a specific second step.  

Please note that if your account is through work, school, or some sort of group, the steps listed above may not work. In this case, you will need to contact your administrator for assistance.

Why is two-factor verification so necessary? When used correctly, two-factor verification can prevent hackers from accessing your account. Two-factor verification also ensures your personal information stays private, safe, and secure. Simply put, it instantly neutralizes the risk associated with compromised passwords. If your password does get hacked or phished, it won’t be enough to give the intruder access to your account. Without the approval of the second factor, the password by itself is useless.

Interested in learning more about two-factor verification or even more ways to protect yourself online? Contact us today! We’re here to work with you.

The Top 3 Gaming Laptops of 2022

Are you a gamer? If so, you’re most likely interested in learning about gaming laptops. However, you don’t want to just learn about any gaming laptops, but the top three gaming laptops of 2022. At Tech Shack, our skilled, professional, and friendly team has put together this list for you. Take a look! 

Razer Blade 14 Tech Shack Blog

Razer Blade 14 

The Razer Blade 14 (2022) is not only well-built but also offers a sleek, compact design. Additionally, it has a large keyboard with per-key RGB backlighting, myriad ports for peripherals, and a Wi-Fi 6E wireless adapter for low-latency online gaming. If you want to stream, you’ll enjoy the Razer Blade 14’s 1080p webcam, which also doubles as a Windows Hello IR camera for facial recognition. 

The Razer Blade 14 is available in three present configurations, all of which have the same AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX CPU, 16GB of RAM, and 1 TB of storage.

ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 

Asus Rog Zephyrus G14 Tech Shack Blog

If the Razer Blade 14 is too expensive, then consider the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14. This computer offers a powerful 8-core AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS CPU. Additionally, you can choose between an AMD Radeon RX 6700S or 6800S GPU. Both of these options provide smooth gameplay in AAA titles at the display’s native QHD resolution. 

Regarding the display, you’ll enjoy a 120Hz refresh rate and a speedy response time to deliver a clear image. FreeSyn is also supported, resulting in the reduction of screen tearing. 

Lenovo Legion 5 Gen 6 15

Lenovo Legion 5 Gen 6 15 Tech Shack Blog

The Lenovo Legion 5 Gen 6 15 is great for those who are on a budget. Not only is it affordable, but this computer is 15.6 inches and allows you to configure with an AMD Ryzen 5 5600H or Ryzen 7 5800H CPU and NVIDIA discreet GPU. You’re able to get up to 32GB of memory and 1TB of storage. 

Additionally, the keyboard feels nice to type on, and for your convenience, there are plenty of ports, including six USBs, HDMI, and an Ethernet port. 

Of course, there are many other gaming laptops to choose from—great ones, even! We’ve only listed a small sample. If you’d like to discuss this further, don’t hesitate to contact us.

5 Tips for Maintaining Your Computer’s Performance

Searching for effective ways to maintain your computer’s performance? You came to the right place! At Tech Shack, our skilled, professional, and friendly team is here to help you get the most you possibly can from your computer. 

As such, we’ve put together a list of 5 tips for maintaining your computer’s performance. Take a look! 

#1 Get Rid of Unnecessary Software 

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New computers often come preloaded with a list of applications that are rarely used but take up much of the system’s resources. To free up space, delete them. Not sure which apps to delete? Click on the “Start” button and visit the “All Apps” menu to view which apps are on your computer. To uninstall applications you don’t want or use, right-click on the icon and choose the “Delete” option.

#2 Check for Viruses and Spyware 

Catching viruses on your PC is next to impossible to avoid. However, with Windows Defender software, it’s simple to find malware that may be causing issues. Additionally, third-party programs are easy to install and detect and remove spyware or viruses. 

#3 Look at Your Web Browser

Did you know that the most minor adjustments can often affect the speed of your PC? We’re referring to something as insignificant as the web browser you choose to use. However, the browser you use can actually slow down or speed up the rate at which web pages, videos, and images load. So, if you’re currently unhappy with your browser’s loading speed, consider trying an alternative.

#4 Add More RAM to Your PC

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For memory usage, Windows 10 uses less RAM than previous versions—yet, for years, increasing RAM memory has been well known, tried-and-true method. It’s easier and cheaper to add more RAM to desktop computers. Unfortunately, if you have a convertible or detachable laptop, adding more RAM may not be possible. It can even be difficult to add RAM to business and gaming laptops. Not sure how to add RAM? Take your computer to a professional. 

#5 Maybe a Startup SSD? 

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A startup solid-state drive (SSD) can help take the pressure off the processor when your computer boots up. So, if you are someone who likes to run multiple applications at one time or use photo and video editing software, then consider a startup solid-state drive. An SSD can make these programs run smoother and load faster, ultimately giving you a better performance.

Need help maintaining your computer’s performance? Contact us today! We’d love to chat with you.