Over the years, computers tend to slow down for a number of reasons. The first is Operating System degradation due to updates (commonly known to nerds as bit-rot) and increased demand on your computer’s components. If you would like to upgrade your computer’s components, please call us and we can discuss possible benefits of system upgrades.

Recently, we’ve received a fair number of questions about Apple’s iPad and how it stacks up against a Netbook. The question has many facets which depend heavily on how you expect to use your iPad or Netbook. In short, the iPad needs to be considered a media consumption device or a device used mainly to consume media and not create it. In the past we have relied on laptops and desktops to both create and consume media. Yet, as tech has begun to replace more aspects of our daily lives, we’ve found many scenario where we simply require instant consumption:

• Check email
• Watch a YouTube video
• Update our FaceBook Status
• Read the news paper or a book

In the above cases, the iPad is an excellent device. It is fast, less expensive than a laptop, and convenient. Yet, if you expect to create media on the iPad, we strongly suggest you consider a full laptop. Of course, you can type a quick reply to an email on the iPad, but the advertisements which depict the iPad as the easiest, most friendly composition device are simply not realistic.

If you’ve just bought an iPad and need some lessons to get started, you’re in luck! We do far more than fix your tech devices. In fact, we love to teach! An hour with us in your own home every week for a month will leave you empowered, excited and ready to begin any journey into the wonderful world of technology!

Netbook Bottom Line

Recently, we’ve been asked by a number of clients about the absolute bottom line on netbooks. That is, the most inexpensive netbook on the market which is not entirely worthless. While netbooks are not to be treated as fully featured laptops, they do provide a cost effective intermediate for teenagers, parents, and those who truly use the system for non-flash based internet browsing, email, and possibly video chat via skype. Netbooks do not usually contain the dedicated graphics power to playback flash video at full screen. Regardless of the manufacturer’s claim, few systems can reliably handle hulu, boxee, or even full screen youtube playback.

That being said, the Nerds Limited choice for bottom line netbooks is the Lenovo IdeaPad S10-3 0647-2AU 10.1-Inch Netbook.

As with all netbooks, the system will need an additional gigabyte of ram to live up to its full potential. Total price with ram is, at time of publication is $325. There are many netbooks for about fifty dollars less, none of which are worth the plastic which molds their shiny, easy-to-scratch bodies.

If you have questions regarding the iPad, netbooks or any other tech related device, please email, text, or call us.