Now, I would not try running a business today on a computer from 1988 – there are limitations and there does reach a point when it is time to put the old computer out to pasture or recycling or save for sentimental value. I would think of computer years as similar to “dog years”. So a 5 year old computer would be 35 years. 10 year would be 70.

You can do the math and only you can decide whether your computer is still doing what you need it to do or whether it really is time to look for something new.  Check with us for affordable upgrade options to extend the life of your computer!

-roger

In the old days of CRT(picture tubes) monitors you probably could get away with using the windex on the screen, but in this day of LCD, LED, and Plasma screens, you want to be a little more careful.

Two things to keep in mind when cleaning: First, windex and other glass cleaners normally have chemicals that are too harsh, abrasive, and can even damage an LCD screen. This includes your LCD computer monitors, notebook screens, iPads, Kindles, or other message pads, iPhones, Droids, etc…

We recommend using iKlear or a similar “LCD safe” cleaner. Actually most of these cleaners are safe to clean your TV screen as well. The Second thing to keep in mind is do not “spray” directly onto your screen(I know it’s more fun). You may not see it, but over spray can get inside your computer or other device and cause major damage. Remember it only takes a small amount of moisture inside to short circuit something. The same rule would apply with notebook keyboards. Spray the cleaner directly onto your cleaning cloth and then wipe your product. Cotton micro-fiber cloths work best.

Odds are, you do spring cleaning in your home, office and car- so why not let us take care of spring cleaning on your Mac or PC?

Nuts & Bolts – $39 (A $70 Value)

• Preliminary analysis of computer, including hardware and software.
• Maintenance, upgrade and repair recommendations based on this analysis.
• Run hardware diagnostic.
• Install software updates for operating system.
• Run virus scan and install virus protection if necessary.
• Repair directory errors if applicable.
• External cleaning including screen (if applicable) and casing.

Fine Tuning – $69 (A $105 Value)

• Everything from $39 Special
• Optimize hard drive.
• Spyware/Malware scan.
• Install software updates for applications.
• Internal cleaning of dust and debris.
• Clear caches.

The Works – $99 (A $140 Value)

• Everything from $39 Special & $69 Special.
• Start-up optimization.
• Browser optimization.
• Optical drive cleaning.
• New thermal compound to improve system cooling.
• Complete hard drive scan.
• Keyboard and mouse/track pad cleaning.

Add-On Service: Drive back up, format & reload for $45.

And for those who would like regularly scheduled maintenance, we offer our Bundle It packages.  This is a brand new service from Desktop Solutions and a limited time offer.  Lock in your maintenance deal now!

Bundle It – $195 (A $280 Value)

To be performed 4 times a year.  * Services done twice annually.

• Preliminary analysis of computer, including all hardware and software.  Checking for any issues.
• Maintenance, upgrade and repair recommendations based on this analysis.
• Run hardware diagnostic.
• Run virus and malware scans as needed.
• Perform software updates for OS and applications.
• Internal and external cleaning.
• Optical drive cleaning.
• Clear caches.
• Start-up optimization.
• Repair directory errors if applicable.
• *Optimize hard drive.
• *New thermal compound to improve system cooling.
• *Complete hard drive scan.
• *Keyboard and mouse/track pad cleaning.

Bundle It On Site – $595 (A $720 Value)

• Everything from $195 Annual Maintenance.
• Good towards multiple computers.
• Up to 2 hours of on-site care, 4 times per year.
• Can be customized to fit your needs.

Spring Cleaning Offers Expire May 31, 2012.

That said, I am particularly cautious when I see all these “MacKeeper” pop-up ads online. I know some of you have purchased and installed MacKeeper and probably feel it is working fine and not a threat in any way.

I have seen a couple computers come in where the customer has installed MacKeeper to “speed up” the Mac, however it actually seemed to slow it down. One thing I noticed was you could open Activity Monitor and the MacKeeper process would not “quit” or even allow a “force quit”.

I also “Googled” MacKeeper and have found many articles and blogs where there seems to be very mixed feedback. However, the fact there is as much (if not more) negative feedback and warnings concern me enough that I personally would keep looking for a different product and not take a chance on MacKeeper.

It currently is available in Apple’s “App Store” listed as “911 Bundle”.  Just because a program is listed in the App Store does not necessarily mean that it has Apple’s stamp of approval. Currently it has only a 2 of 5 star rating from Customer Ratings… this would seem to be another flag.

Here is a link to an article that does not pull any punches in criticizing MacKeeper and even offers step-by-step instructions on how to remove it from your system.

http://applehelpwriter.com/2011/09/21/how-to-uninstall-mackeeper-malware/

So the jury is out… is MacKeeper a keeper or just a bad product?

-roger

  *Prices include installation.  Sales tax not included.  To verify your upgrade eligibility, please call or e-mail with your model and serial number. 

Aluminum MacBook 13″ 2GHz Core 2 Duo – $729

• 2GB RAM
• 160GB Hard Drive
• Superdrive
• Airport & Bluetooth
• OS 10.6.8
• Power Adapter
• 30 Day Warranty

Only a select few Apple Authorized Service Providers receive Premium Service Provider recognition from Apple.  According to Apple, “Premium Service Provider locations have demonstrated a commitment to premium service and technical excellence during the first half of 2011.”  We want to thank our customers because we could not have earned this distinction without you!!

Desktop Solutions will be closed Thursday, November 24th & Friday, November 25th for the Thanksgiving holiday.

For Christmas and New Year’s, we will be closed Friday, December 23rd, Monday, December 26th and Monday, January 2nd.

Have you heard?  Fall cleaning is the new spring cleaning – so why not let us take care of fall cleaning on your Mac or PC?

Nuts & Bolts – $39 (A $70 Value)

• Preliminary analysis of computer, including hardware and software.
• Maintenance, upgrade and repair recommendations based on this analysis.
• Run hardware diagnostic.
• Install software updates for operating system.
• Run virus scan and install virus protection if necessary.
• Repair directory errors if applicable.
• External cleaning including screen (if applicable) and casing.

Fine Tuning – $69 (A $105 Value)

• Everything from $39 Special
• Optimize hard drive.
• Spyware/Malware scan.
• Install software updates for applications.
• Internal cleaning of dust and debris.
• Clear caches.

The Works – $99 (A $140 Value)

• Everything from $39 Special & $69 Special.
• Start-up optimization.
• Browser optimization.
• Optical drive cleaning.
• New thermal compound to improve system cooling.
• Complete hard drive scan.
• Keyboard and mouse/track pad cleaning.

Add-On Service: Drive back up, format & reload for $45.

And for those who would like regularly scheduled maintenance, we offer our Bundle It packages.  This is a new service from Desktop Solutions and a limited time offer.  Lock in your maintenance deal now!

Bundle It – $195 (A $280 Value)

To be performed 4 times a year.  * Services done twice annually.

• Preliminary analysis of computer, including all hardware and software.  Checking for any issues.
• Maintenance, upgrade and repair recommendations based on this analysis.
• Run hardware diagnostic.
• Run virus and malware scans as needed.
• Perform software updates for OS and applications.
• Internal and external cleaning.
• Optical drive cleaning.
• Clear caches.
• Start-up optimization.
• Repair directory errors if applicable.
• *Optimize hard drive.
• *New thermal compound to improve system cooling.
• *Complete hard drive scan.
• *Keyboard and mouse/track pad cleaning.

Bundle It On Site – $595 (A $720 Value)

• Everything from $195 Annual Maintenance.
• Good towards multiple computers.
• Up to 2 hours of on-site care, 4 times per year.
• Can be customized to fit your needs.

Spring Cleaning Offers Expire October 31, 2011.

Five Favorite Non Apple Applications:

1) SnapMail: Great for a small to medium size office environment. We use SnapMail to quickly send each other alerts, questions, reminders, and you can even attach a file. http://www.glassbead.com/snapmail/

2) FileMaker Pro: This is a great Mac & Windows friendly database program. Great for keeping your customer database. Works well either from one shared database or they have a full server version as well. http://www.filemaker.com/products/filemaker-pro/

3) QuickBooks 2011(Mac): Intuit finally seems to include most everything a business needs and run from a Mac! In the past, the Windows version was so much better than the Mac version that most business continued using the Windows version even when the rest of their office were Mac workstations. This latest version includes multi-user capability! http://quickbooks.intuit.com/mac/

4) Toast Titanium: If you have the need to frequently burn CDs, DVDs, or even Blu-ray… you need Toast Titanium. Even just occasionally burning using Apple’s built-in disc burning software, you will soon realize how slow and frustrating it can be. http://www.roxio.com/enu/products/toast/titanium/overview.html

5) Mail Forward: Have you accumulated several email accounts over the years? Tired of jumping from webmail to webmail to keep up with them all? Mail forward can basically forward all these emails to just one email address of your choosing! http://www.sspi-software.com/mailfwd_macx.html

Let us know what your favorites are!

-roger