The Secret To Computer Services

Do I Need The Services?

So it is time to replace your laptop.  Now what?  First, consider why you want a new one and second do not buy into the rough and fluff.

If you are using your laptop for Internet, word documents and some multimedia I recommend a minimum of a dual core processor, 3 GB of ram and 320 hard drive.  Anything more is fluff.

Your salesperson may want to talk you into something more substantial for ‘the future’ but with computers so cheap more people replace their old computer for a newer, up-to-date version.  If you use your laptop for graphics or heavy-duty programs like AutoCAD, Dreamweaver or enhanced gaming then a little research at C-Net.com will help define what you need.

The hard part for you may be deciding what laptop to get.  Once you decide the fun begins.  Here is where the hard core pressure begins.  As stated in earlier posts, retailers ‘do not’ make money on the laptop itself.  They make money on accessories and the services.  Big, big money on the services.

The question is; do you need all these services?  The answer is ‘No!’

The next few posts will discuss these services and why you do not need them.

The first service available is to make the Recovery Disc.  Currently retailers are charging $29.99 to make these for you.  A salesperson may tell you these discs do not come with a computer anymore which is true; you will not find the hard discs in the box anymore.  However, this information may not come from your salesperson.  Recovery Discs are available from the manufacturer or you can make recovery discs yourself.  I didn’t lie when assisting my customers; I just stated that most people don’t make them because it is a long process.  So, if you are a procrastinator this service may benefit you.

You also may not realize a ‘recovery partition’ comes with most computers.  When you click on Computer you will see a D drive labeled Recover.  All the programs that come with your computer are stored here.  For example, when you want to recover your HP computer, tapping on F11 on restart will begin this process.  However, if your computer crashes and cannot access the hard drive these hard discs are essential to get your computer back up and running.

To make your own you will need about four DVD-R discs.  In my experience the most reliable are TDK.  I own an HP laptop so to make my recovery discs I access my programs by clicking on the Microsoft icon in the left corner and typing ‘Recovery Disc’ in the ‘Search Programs and Files’ search bar.  I click on Recovery Disc Creation and follow the prompts.  It is easy because the computer does all the work for you.

So, when a salesperson tries to scare you into buying this service, ask them about the Recovery Partition or the ability to make your own or how the discs are available from the manufacturer.

We hope he or she will tell you the truth.  Don’t hold it against your salesperson for not telling the truth up front.  It is their job to ‘sell’ these services.  It is your job to be wise.

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The definition of a chump:

a gullible person, a sucker; someone easily taken advantage of, the target of a scam.

Learn from a former salesperson and trainer how salespeople drive sales. Learn how to keep more money in your pocket where it belongs! There are two ends of every sales stick!  One end cries 'chump.'  The other end boasts 'champ.'  I know which end of the stick I want to be.  How about you?