Some Expensive Mac Myths
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Howard DeAlvarado

Expensive Mac MythsMacs are easy to use, reliable and stylish. There are however some myths about Macs that can cost people a small fortune. What I would like to address here is why a lot of Mac users end up getting rid of their old computers way before they should.

Here are some myths I’ve heard:

“Macs don’t break. It’s just outdated”.

Generally speaking Macs are higher quality than most PCs. Of course they are also 2 to 3 times more expensive. However Macs do break, even fairly new Macs. If your Mac is slowing down or giving you errors it may not be because it’s outdated. It could just be in need of some minor repairs.


“I’m outside of the warranty and it’s too costly to fix”.

If you are basing this off of a quote from a Mac store, shop around. Parts and service directly from Apple are very expensive. You may be able to find a local computer repair service willing to professionally fix your Mac for less than half of what the Mac store quoted you.


“I need to have the latest version of the Mac OS”.

Apple releases OS updates fairly regularly and strongly encourages users to buy new computers. Before you run out and buy a new Mac simply to have the “latest and greatest” ask yourself two questions. 1. Does my current Mac still meet my needs? 2. Is my purchased software and hardware (printers, copiers, etc.) going to work with the new Mac OS?

For example: Say you paid about $600 for an older version of a professional photo editing software (like Photoshop) that works well for you. That version may not be compatible with the new Mac OS. So you are then forced to buy a new version in order to use it on your new computer. There is also the possibility you may not like the new version of the software.

Here’s another example: You bought a very expensive color printer that you need for your business. It works very well and will probably last you years to come. You then buy a new Mac only to find out the manufacturer has not released a new driver for the current Mac OS and it will be several months or even a year before they do. Your printer is now useless until the driver update is released.

It’s quite possible that some planning and a simple repair to your old Mac can save you from tons of headaches and hundreds (or even thousands) of dollars in costs.

I recommend that if it turns out that you do need the latest version of the Mac OS, try upgrading your computer first. More memory or a new solid state drive can breathe new life into your Mac. Chances are you paid a pretty penny for your Mac. It should serve you well for a long time. Treat it like an investment rather than a fashion statement.

Remember you can always give us a call. Advice is always free.

Is Windows 10 really free?
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Howard DeAlvarado
Is Windows 10 really free?

Who doesn’t like free stuff? For Windows users there is a lot of free software out there. Today it seems like there’s a lot more bad than good. Free software often means they want something in return. Our personal information, search history or maybe just payment for the full version later. So when Microsoft tells its Windows users that it is going to give away Windows 10 to everyone that has Windows 7 or 8, you have to ask yourself; what’s the catch?

Microsoft has been talking about offering Windows as a service but hasn’t specified what the term “service” means.

 windows-trap

Typically it would mean paying monthly or annually, the way Office 365 is now offered. In other words, you don’t actually own the software and if you stop paying, it could stop working.

Despite this, back in January (2015) Microsoft’s Executive VP of Operating Systems Terry Myerson said Windows 10 would be free to anyone who had Windows 7 or 8 and would continue to keep it current for the lifetime of the device at no additional charge.

Doesn’t that sound like Microsoft is contradicting itself? If Windows 10 is supposed to be a service that you pay for then why are they giving it away for free? Why does Microsoft want you to have Windows 10 so badly? Here’s a theory: the Windows Store.

There is one thing that Microsoft envies about Apple. The App Store. It has generated over $25 billion in revenue for Apple (mobile apps included). As of Windows 8, Microsoft has implemented it’s own app store on the PC, but since Windows 8 has been a flop it has only seen limited success. So, how can Microsoft get everyone to start using the Windows Store? Give away Windows 10 which is pretty much just a fixed version of Windows 8.

Well, what if everyone upgrades to Windows 10 and people still don’t use the Windows Store? The internet is chock full of websites that offer software directly from the company’s website to your computer via download. Will Microsoft put a stop to that somehow? I have a feeling that may be their next step, or at the very least, they will try to discourage Windows users from doing so.

In the meantime Windows 7 and 8 users have a choice to make and a year to make it. Do we upgrade to Windows 10 or stick with what we have? My suggestion is to reserve your copy of Windows 10 for now but don’t upgrade until Microsoft gives us some answers. Microsoft needs to clarify what it means by “Windows as a service”. We need to know if we will be charged for other Windows 10 features and end up with some kind of limited version of Windows 10. Will we be forced to use the Windows store in Windows 10? Is there any reason at all to upgrade besides getting a better version of Windows 8?

Don’t worry about accepting the free Windows 10 offer for now. There’s no commitment in doing so and you have a year from the July 29, 2015 release date to actually apply the upgrade to Windows 10. Worst case scenario you can ignore the upgrade and stay with what you have now.

Of course you can always count on me to keep my ear to the technological floor so stay tuned for further updates regarding upgrading to Windows 10!

Leaving XP
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Howard DeAlvarado
Leaving XP

Leaving XPHello XP users,
I’m sure you’ve heard that Windows XP support has come to an end. As a result, your old XP system is more at risk with each passing day. You may still be very happy with XP or may feel like you have no choice but to stick with it due to some old software or a printer you have that only works with DOS or XP, so here are your options.

1)  Stay with XP:
This is definitely the riskiest option.  If you have to stick with your old software or hardware in order to keep working, it may be your only option. If that’s the case you should consider taking the computer off the internet to prevent any outside threats from getting in, or at the very least, limit your internet activity to a few, safe websites. By safe I mean websites you are familiar with and have decent security. No social, file download or email sites. The fewer the websites, the better.
Remember, this is not the best option. You should take immediate steps to transition away from whatever is keeping you on XP. Disaster may not strike right away, but it can and probably will.

2)  Try to upgrade to Windows 7:
This is something I don’t usually recommend for older PCs. It can cost several hundred dollars and in the end, doesn’t usually perform as well as a machine that was designed for newer operating systems. For a little more, you can buy a new Windows 7 or 8 machine that will perform much better.

3)  Buy a new computer:
Buying a new computer is a good option and is not terribly expensive, especially if all your software runs on Windows 7 or 8. If your software doesn’t work with newer versions of Windows you still have options. Something you can try is compatibility mode which allows older software to work on a newer version of Windows.
More work does goes into purchasing a new computer because it takes time to transfer all your files and install your programs on the new machine. However, I think this is still the best option.

About Windows 8:
Don’t let Windows 8 keep you from buying a new machine. Yes, a lot of people don’t like the interface but it can be dealt with, even changed. There are ways to make Windows 8 look and function just like Windows 7 or even XP. You can also special order a computer with Windows 7. Contact me if you have questions about this.

How do I know what version of Windows I’m using?
Simply right-click on my computer and select Properties from the menu. Under the General tab you should see info about your computer including what version of Windows you are using.

If you feel like you are stuck with XP, don’t worry. You do have options. Give me a call and we can take a closer look at your options.

Upgrading Microsoft Office. Is Office 365 for you?
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Howard DeAlvarado
Upgrading Microsoft Office. Is Office 365 for you?

Many people feel pressure from other sources to upgrade to the latest version of MS Office.  You may have just purchased a new computer for your home and your old version of Office is missing or may be too old to work on a new computer. With either scenario, you may be looking to buy Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) you should know how the Office game has changed.

Microsoft Office 365 is subscription based. The good news is you can download it right away and it’s cheaper to start. You also get upgrades to newer versions when they come out. The bad news is you will pay more in the long run because you have to pay every year. When you stop paying, it stops working. Another problem is you can’t pick and choose which applications you want. In the past you were able to only install Word or Excel if that’s all you needed. Now you download the whole thing and install it. There is not an option to be found anywhere in the download process. Less choices means it’s easier, but it also means less freedom to choose and more room on your computer.

What are your options?

If you would rather not upgrade and were only upgrading because you can’t open newer files (ie. you have Word 2000 and you want to open a Word 2007 file), there is an easy remedy. Simply install the Office Compatibility Pack.

Other users can still open your files because Office is always backwards compatible (ie. Word 2010 can open Word 2007, 2003 or older files).

If you need a newer version because you are tired of your old one or if your new computer no longer supports your old version, you can still buy a non-subscription version (anything older than 2013) online. Unfortunately, you are not going to find these older versions at a local store or direct from Microsoft. Try Amazon.com or eBay. Just make sure it says “retail box” in the description and it includes the CD.

So who is Office 365 really for?

Businesses or individuals who are dedicated to MS Office and want to use the latest software. If you buy Office every time a new version comes out, the subscription service is definitely for you. If you are buying licenses for a lot of computers it’s also for you. In these cases the subscription service will save you money.

An option for those willing to try something new:

There is also a free version of Office. It’s called OpenOffice.org (it’s also the website). It’s supported by a community of programmers and will open most Microsoft Office documents.  If your needs are simple, I recommend you try it.  It could save you a lot of money in the long run.

Questions, comments, concerns or just need help? Contact me at service@gocomputerace.com.