Where PC means Personal Care® · February 2004 · No. 46
Why Wait?
Feature article by Bill Hibler
Technology develops these days with the speed of greased lightning. We are dazzled by what we read about the latest editions, additions and gizmos for our PCs. But the nagging quandary of what to do to stay current leaves us wondering whether we should forge ahead into the untested territories and new frontiers of computer razzle-dazzle, or wrestle with what is fast becoming our Jurassic Model for just a little longer. We often hear our customers say, "Shouldn't I wait, because I hear that XXX is about to come out?" and "I just know that as soon as I buy this, the price is going to drop."
So, why wait? There are two different issues here, the first one being the waiting question, and the second being the price drop. Here are some thoughts you may find helpful.
I once worked for an extremely bright man who insisted that all of our technology be at least a "half a generation" behind. His reasoning for not wanting to have the latest and greatest was that being at least 6 months behind the curve is almost always cost effective. We often hear the phrase "the bleeding edge of technology"– the latest and greatest invariably has some problem associated with it. Often it is tested and fixed within 3 to 6 months of the product's release. Waiting until the product's "teething problems" have been resolved is good advice.
Here are my thoughts on the price drop issue. There's a value associated with having something to use right now. You can always wait. There will always be something coming along that's faster or cheaper, it's true. What you don't know is how soon the price drop will happen, or how much. So if you need something a little faster (say, for example, for your new graphics application), or a little more disk space NOW, what you give up in NOT acquiring it now may not be worth the small difference in price by waiting 3 to 6 months.
Don't be afraid to NOT buy the absolute fastest processor that's on the market. You may pay a premium for small amounts of performance increase. For example, the performance difference between the Intel P4 2.4 GHz and the 3.0 GHz processors is about 20%. However, you pay over 40% more for the faster CPU.
So unless there is a very good reason, avoid the latest and greatest until you're satisfied that you are getting the best performance for your money. At Quidnunc, we always try to provide our customers with the best "price / performance" – in other words, the most bang for your buck!
| Want to record your music? Burn a CD? QUIDNUNC has everything you need! |
back to top
Tech Tip:
If you own a notebook computer, sooner or later it will fail to turn on. Before you spend money on a replacement battery (or a diagnostics fee at your local computer repair shop), try the following:
Turn off the computer, including unplugging the power cord. Remove the battery and let it sit for at least 60 seconds. When you replace the battery, the odds are that it will now turn on.
WHY IT WORKS: Notebook computers can slip into a "suspend" or "sleep" mode to conserve battery power.
Sometimes, they fall into a "deeper sleep" than intended (rather like some of us on occasion). At this point, the only cure is to turn the computer off and back on. Unfortunately, the computer is too suspended to even recognize the power button. The only way to get it fully turned off is to remove all sources of power, including the battery. In other words, you need to put it even more asleep in order to wake it up. I wish that worked as well for me.
| Quidnunc: the friendliest computer, software & Internet store in Seattle |
back to top
High-speed Internet Service Rates Drop
Still thinking about getting high-speed internet service? The good news is that Qwest has dropped its line rates from $21.95 to $15.00. High-speed internet can now be yours for as little as $34.95 / month. And don't forget, if you sign up for DSL service with Quidnunc, you get the first three months of Internet Service Provider (ISP) service FREE.
An Explanation to Customers: There are two components of a DSL charge – the line charge and the ISP charge. Some places combine both components on the one invoice. With others such as Quidnunc, you pay the line charge on your telephone bill, and the ISP charge someplace else. Qwest's line rate cut of $6.95 / month means that the cost of 256K service with Quidnunc is now $34.95 ($15.00 to Qwest and $19.95 to Quidnunc). Qwest has also reduced its 640K service from $31.95 to $28.00, so the cost of 640K service with Quidnunc is now $47.95 monthly) ). Included with that is our server-based spam and virus filters, up to six mailboxes, web email for when you are traveling and, of course, Quidnunc's world-class friendly customer service. Dial-up access for most of the U.S. is also available for a small additional charge.
back to top
Bill's Neat Find
Spin Station
It says on the box it's an LCD monitor stand, but it's actually a Lazy Susan. It can hold staplers, pens, stamps, and so on, and it puts everyday useful items easily within reach – a monitor stand that doubles as a desktop office supply holder.
One noteworthy observation – Bill's got 45 lbs of 19" CRT (a big heavy computer monitor) sitting on top of it!
Featured in this newsletter:
· Why Wait
· Tech Tip
· High-speed Internet Service
Rates Drop
· Bill's Neat Find
· Coming Soon:
Digital Imaging Department
· Review:
The Minolta DiMAGE Z1
· Purr-fect Winner
· Attention Students!
· Wireless Home Networking
· Online Store
· Tax Time
Also:
Coupons
back to top
Purr-fect Winner 6 year old Lily Lott is all lovin' smiles as she takes "Hello Kitty" Home for the Holidays |
back to top
Attention Students!
Quidnunc Becomes AER for Microsoft Products
Quidnunc is in the process of becoming an Authorized Education Re-seller (AER) for Microsoft (meaning that anyone with children in school can buy Microsoft products for a fraction of the price from us). We expect our endorsement by the end of February.
This service will be helpful to schools, and parents of students who need to purchase Microsoft products. For example, the education version of Microsoft PowerPoint will retail for under $100.
back to top
Wireless Home Networking
Quidnunc is committed to expanding its home networking section. More and more of our customers are opting to share their high speed internet connection with multiple computers in their home. Customers are especially pleased to learn how easy it is to network computers in different rooms… on different floors… with wireless technology.
back to top
Online Store
By the time you receive this newsletter, our online store should be in place. Here you will find products not available in our showroom as well as occasional special prices. Check it out at www.quidnunc.net – just point to "Products" and then click on "Online Store."
back to top
Tax Time
Do It Yourself and Save Money
Feeling taxed? Relax. Help is available with excellent tax software programs available at Quidnunc. We offer Intuit's Turbo Tax and Tax Cut by H & R Block Financial.
If you paid more than $30 to have someone do your income tax, why don't you try an experiment? Get this year's edition of Turbo Tax or some other tax preparation software. Apply it to last year's data. See how it does your taxes and just how close it is to your prepared tax return. You may be surprised at how easy the program is to use and how the results mirror (or beat!) what your paid preparer did.
| Custom-built Computers! Games! Productivity! Utilities! Modems! CD-ROM |
back to top
Coming Soon: Digital Imaging Department
You asked for it. Quidnunc proudly announces the addition of a Digital Imaging Department to our store. In response to customer requests, we are expanding our product line to include digital cameras, and a larger selection of software and supplies.
We've done considerable research into the best digital camera buys – and have now become an authorized Minolta reseller.
We are expanding our range of digital imaging software products for still photos, as well as video. For building your photograph albums, we recommend Adobe Album and Broderbund Print Shop Collection. Our digital photography supplies includes printers, photo quality papers and inks.
Quidnunc's Newsletter Designer Bronwyn Edwards Cryer was chatting with Bill Hibler about her new Digital Camera... turns out that both she and Quidnunc staff had independently researched the Digital Camera market and both came to the same conclusion. Here's a review from Bron...
The Minolta DiMAGE Z1 • 3.2 Mega Pixels
I am not technically minded and I hate reading manuals. I just wanted a camera that I could work intuitively with great results.
The DiMAGE Z1 was priced around $400 and delivers beautiful photos. Well designed, easy to hold and operate (I have small hands and I can reach everything comfortably), its functions are well labeled, the flash easily accessible, the viewfinder or image panel easy to see -- I love everything about this camera. Easy to upload pix with a USB cable and you can even shoot short video clips.
Check it out!
| Want to record your music? Burn a CD? QUIDNUNC has everything you need! |
back to top
Attention Mac users!
We received a large quantity of older productivity titles–most from Adobe. Get Photoshop 6.0 for only $89 or 5.0 for $49. How about Go Live 5.0 for $69 or Illustrator 9.0 for just $69. Go to our web site for the complete list.
Classes!
Classes are finally here. The schedule is being developed as this is being published. See the current schedule at our website.
Quick Reminders
Remember to bring in empty ink jet and laser toner cartridges. Keep them out of the landfills!
-
We will recycle old computers, printers and monitors for a nominal fee of $15/computer or monitor, and $5/printer.
|
||||||||||||||||||||