When your computer starts slowing down or your gaming console constantly freezes, your first thought might be that it’s time for a replacement. While computers and consoles aren’t necessarily meant to last forever (and there are times when a replacement may be necessary), there are many reasons to keep them going for as long as they’re able with repairs and upgrades.
Cuts Down on E-Waste
Each year, consumers purchase millions of devices—but what do they do with the devices they’re replacing? Often, they’re considered obsolete and are thrown away, even if they still perform well. Technology has become a high-turnover commodity. These discarded devices are what’s known as electronic waste, or e-waste.
Computers, consoles, and other devices are made from a wide range of materials, such as silicon, glass, and iron. They also contain toxic materials that are harmful to the environment and human health, like cadmium, mercury, and arsenic. Many discarded devices eventually end up in landfills or unprotected dump sites, where these toxic materials can leach into the environment or harm workers.
Often, these discarded devices work perfectly fine or only require a repair or upgrade to get them caught up to the latest technology. Items that are truly obsolete or damaged beyond repair should always be taken to a certified e-waste recycling center to be disposed of properly.
Solid-State Drive Upgrades—Even Better Than a New Device
Whether a computer or console, a painfully slow system is frustrating to deal with! So, it’s not surprising if the idea of buying a new computer or console crosses your mind. However, upgrading your system with a solid-state drive (SSD) will actually make it run much better than anything you’d buy new.
Traditional HDDs save data using internal moving parts; they essentially have an “arm” that physically writes the information you want to save to the disk. An SDD works more like a flash drive, saving and erasing data electronically. Since there are no moving parts, SDDs are quieter, and you don’t need to worry about damaging the disk the way you would with an HDD.
Another advantage is that SSDs can instantaneously read from any location on the disk—which makes them far faster than an HDD. Defragmenting is also completely unnecessary with an SSD.
If you’ve avoided upgrading your drive because transferring the data seems daunting, let us handle it! We can transfer your data in-house from your old device to a new one or an external drive so you can start fresh on a new device.
Device Familiarity
Have you ever struggled to learn a new device or felt frustrated that a new device was so different from the one you knew and loved? Repairs and upgrades give your old device a refresh without the need to relearn how to operate it.
Maximize the Life and Enjoyment of Your Devices with Tech Shack
Despite the push to purchase the latest and greatest system, it’s often not necessary to get the performance you’re looking for. In many ways, computers and consoles are like cars—and you wouldn’t buy a new car just because the battery dies, right? It’s far less expensive to simply replace the battery. If you maintain a device and repair it as needed, it will perform well for many years.
At Tech Shack, we’re committed to helping you make the most of your technology. We offer maintenance, diagnosis, repairs, and upgrades on:
- Desktops and iMacs
- Laptops and MacBooks
- Gaming consoles – Xbox, Xbox One, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4
- Nintendo Switch
- Mobile device repair – Androids, iPhones, iPods, tablets (iPad, Verizon, and Kindle)
We also repair pro-level controllers and offer custom-built desktops! Whether your console has been overheating, your Switch has a cracked face, or your computer is displaying error codes, we’ll help you get your device running good as new. We keep most parts in stock for a quick turnaround time—generally within 3-5 days. Call Tech Shack today at (864) 722-5155 or schedule an appointment online.