What’s the difference between a “Consumer PC” and a “Business PC?” Quite a lot, actually. These are industry insider terms that denote the quality and price of a Windows computer. While all Macs are built with high-quality internal components, with the PC market, some Windows PCs are quite high quality, while others are made with cheaper components. 

How can you tell the difference? It’s usually evident in the model name of the computer. For example, with Dell, the “Inspiron” computers are less expensive, lower quality machines, while their “Latitude” cost more, but have higher quality components and are more likely to last longer and more reliably.  Most computers sold at retail stores like Best Buy are Consumer machines, while Business machines are typically purchased directly from the manufacturer. 

​Business Machines:

• Made with higher quality internal components for better reliability in the long run.
• For laptops, a better quality speaker, keyboard, trackpad, and more durable outer case.
• Higher quality webcam and microphone
• Typically costs ~$200 more than a similar specced “Consumer” machine
• Access to extended warranty from the manufacturer that may include higher quality tech support or on-site repairs in the comfort of your home or business

Consumer Machines:

• Made with lower quality internal components and less reliable. 
• May be less durable than a “Business” machine
• May make compromises in various aspects of the machine such as the Wi-Fi chip, keyboard, mouse, or webcam.
• Warranty may include lower quality outsourced warranty technical support and require you to complete a lengthy mail-in process for warranty repairs.

Here at Asheville Digital Lifestyle, we want to set you up for long term success. We have seen several clients have frustration after purchasing a lower quality machine that did not work well, so when making a recommendation, we always recommend a Business machine for maximum reliability and enjoyability of your technology. With our White Glove New Computer Service, we can even take care of the purchasing and setup process for you! 

Verizon has just announced that they are selling AOL & Yahoo to a private equity financial firm. While these beleaguered tech brands have exchanged hands multiple times over the years, they were most recently owned by a well-known, publicly-facing company, which put a certainly amount of responsibility on Verizon to do right by the customer's of these venerable brands. Now that ownership is being taken by a private equity firm, we can expect to see a degradation of services from these companies, whether it's more problems with the classic "AOL" app that many are used to, or the email addresses tied to these accounts including "Bellsouth" and other email accounts that were integrated into Yahoo's portfolio years ago. 

Our recommendation? Don't wait for these services to get worse, as that is what usually happens after this kind of acquisition. Now is a great time to switch providers to a more reliable company, whether it's Apple, Microsoft, Google, or a more privacy-centric email service like FastMail

We recommend restarting your computer at least once per week, or more often if your computer is exhibiting strange behavior. This applies equally to Mac and Windows PCs. 

When we help people troubleshoot strange computer problems, inevitably we find that folks who have not restarted their computers in weeks or even months tend to have a lot more strange behavior on their computers. Why is this?

• Computers that are not restarted regularly are often unable to install basic system updates that lead to better performance and reliability
• Restarting your computer also restarts all of your apps and program that run in the background. It is a really healthy process for your machine.
• Restart your computer prior to a session with Asheville Digital Lifestyle to ensure we can maximize the use of time for our session.

What about restarting smartphones, tablets, printers, wi-fi routers, and other technology? They need it too sometimes, though typically not as often as computers. Still, restarting any of your devices is the first step you should perform before spending time on other troubleshooting measures.

Would you like to stream what's on your phone onto your TV screen? Roku has released a new player for only $40 that includes Airplay support to easily stream your Mac, iPhone, or iPad onto your TV screen. This is especially useful for older TVs that do not already include Airplay support. Head to your local computer store to check it out, or learn more at this link.
​

Have you checked out these important components of computer maintenance lately? The beginning of the year is a great time to double-check your tech and make sure it’s in shape to serve you all year long.
 
Are you up to date? Some technology updates itself, but many devices require your assistance.
 
Drivers and firmware

• Computer operating system and drivers
• WiFi router operating system
• Printer firmware updates

 
Technology Health

• Hard drive check
• Backup systems for computer and smartphone
• Is your computer still supported by the manufacturer?

 
Don’t wait for unpleasant surprises. Contact Asheville Digital Lifestyle for your maintenance check today.

Give the gift of compassionate, effective tech help and teaching! We offer gift cards! Gifts cards start at $85, which provides a 30-minute remote help session – the right length for a conversation to help a loved one purchase a new computer. Does your loved one need a computer checkup? That is perfect for a 1-hour session ($130).  And of course, don’t forget that we offer a free 15-minute phone consultation for anyone you would like to introduce to us. 

Ready to order a gift card? Send us an email, let us know if you would prefer a digital or physical gift card (mailed to you USPS), and the amount, and we will take care of it for you. 

Are you curious about our pricing policy? Feel free to check it out at this link. ​

While Fitbit is the best known wearable technology to track your steps, heart rate, and other measurements of fitness, we have been testing the Whoop fitness system over the past year.

It’s great for people who are trying to do more than accumulate steps, as it uses the concepts of Strain and Recovery to give you recommendations based on how your body is reacting (based on quality of sleep, resting heart rate, and heart rate variability).

We have been using Whoop for the last year, and found that it has inspired more workouts, better sleep, and better habits for health. Unlike Fitbit, the Whoop band does not have a screen, but displays all fitness information on your smartphone. It’s not for everyone, but it is a revelatory device that really helps you to hone in on fitness goals.

Photo by Whoop.com

Wanting a new computer? Wait for prime season
We keep an eye on the computer industry and convert that knowledge into practical advice for you.  Considering a new computer purchase? Market inventory is currently low due to the back-to-school rush of buying computers. However, we are entering the prime season for manufacturers to announce their latest computers, in plenty of time for the holiday season. ​