Inkjet printers are sophisticated technological devices that are typically sold at or below cost. On the other hand, ink for that bargain printer is downright expensive. That 2 ½ teaspoon cartridge of black ink for your HP inkjet printer priced at S17.89 extrapolates to $4797.00 per gallon. If you typically print only a few pages a week, more than half of that pricey ink may be consumed by print head cleaning and other maintenance cycles.
Continue readingWhen is the Right Time to Replace Your Smartphone?
If you routinely upgrade to the newest flagship model each year, your decision is almost automatic. On average, most folks now replace their phone every three years, since new features are evolutional rather than revolutionary. Older users tend to keep their phones longer. A recent survey showed that 55% of Gen Y users replace their smartphone every two years or less, but only 38% of Gen X users and 22% of Baby Boomer follow that pattern.
The average smartphone lithium ion battery lasts two to three years. If your battery will only hold a charge for a few hours, it’s time to replace the battery – if it can be replaced. User replaceable batteries are all but extinct. Professional replacement costs range from $45 to $95, but some replacements are so difficult that no one is willing to make the attempt.
Damaging your phone will often force a replacement. The cost of replacing a cracked screen out of warranty ranges from $110 to as high as $300; there may be associated hidden internal damage requiring further repairs and expenses. If you’re brave enough to consider fixing it yourself, take a look at the IFIXIT website for advice and instructions. If the repairs would exceed the residual value, a new phone is in your future.
Older devices will eventually be unable to update to the current operating system software and thus become technologically obsolete. This usually is the case by or before 5 years from the manufacturing date. If your phone’s operating system is currently several years out of date, it’s time to start shopping for a new phone.
Your service plan will be your largest expense. Begin shopping by selecting a carrier that provides reliable service in your area. Larger carriers often have excellent coverage and high speed networks, but many alternative carriers piggyback on larger networks. For instance, Straight Talk and Total Wireless use the Verizon network, often offering lower rates for the same service. Carefully estimate your data usage and select the appropriate data plan; most of us overestimate requirements and overspend.
When it’s time to buy a new phone, a highly rated model can be far less expensive than you might think. If you’re switching after just a year or two, you may be able to sell or trade in your current phone. Consider all brands; Apple and Samsung may have the most recognized names, but they are not the only companies that make terrific phones. Buying a slightly older model can save hundreds of dollars and still have more features than you really need; the latest and greatest phone may feature only minor improvements. Heavy discounts pop up shortly after the new models are announced as carriers close out older models. Comparison shop rather than selecting the most convenient location; they may be selling the same product but have significantly different prices.
If you’re a new or inexperienced smartphone shopper, you can find some solid, unbiased advice at consumerreports.org, Tomsguide.com, Lifewire.com or thewirecutter.com (search for smartphones)
The Road Less Traveled
By and large, personal computing devices are now considered a mature market. Desktops, laptops, tablets and smartphone sales are level, which usually indicates that products are being replaced as they fail or become obsolete, but are attracting few new customers. One of the more notable exceptions to that generality has been the growth of Chromebooks, especially so in the last few years.
Continue readingIf You Can’t Beat ’em, Join ’em
Netscape introduced most of major features that define a modern web browser as we know it in 1994. That same year Bill Gates announced “I see little commercial potential for the Internet for at least ten years.” Just one year later, his viewpoint had changed – as documented in a company memo: “The Internet is a tidal wave. It changes the rules. It is an incredible opportunity as well as incredible challenge.”
Continue readingTwenty Years of Community Service: SaddleBrooke Computer Club
SaddleBrooke was founded in 1987; access was via Lago Del Oro parkway, then a narrow dirt road. By 1990, the SaddleBrooke population had reached 578 and construction on the clubhouse had started. In 1993, three men sharing coffee and conversation in the new Roadrunner Grill discovered a common interest in home computers. Their occasional discussions became weekly meetings with a growing audience. Circa 1996, these became scheduled classes around a single Windows 95 PC attached to a television in space shared with the sewing club in what is now the SaddleBrooke One Arts and Crafts Center. That TV set was soon lost in a burglary, nearly putting an end to the developing organization.
Get Smart!
The latest electronic wonders selling like hotcakes are … smart speakers!
Taking advantage by seizing a long head start, Amazon leads in the United States with 70 percent of the domestic market, compared to Google Home with 24 percent and Apple HomePod at 6 percent. Facebook reportedly is developing its own version. Fifty million US homes had smart speakers at the end of 2017; this is expected to double by the end of this year. Smart speaker adoption in China is growing even faster, but uses different products. The worldwide smart speaker market grew 187 percent in the second quarter of 2018.
No Internet Connection
A few weeks ago, I found myself suddenly shopping for a new router. Initially puzzling transient “No Internet Connection” service outages became constant in a few days, and the culprit was finally readily identifiable. Router failure symptoms can include isolated wireless or Ethernet cable connection failure and marked slowing of data transmission. Rarely are there dramatic puffs of smoke or other visual indications of failure. Premature failure can be caused by excess heat, electrical surges, mechanical shock, static electricity and corrosion, but electronic devices still inexplicably fail under seemingly ideal circumstances. Warranties range from one to three years, but there is still no reliable way to predict product lifetime.
Windows 10: Three Years of Windows as a Service
Twenty years ago, 97% of all personal computers were desktops and laptops running Windows. Today, 90% of desktops and laptops run Windows, but now constitute just 36% of all personal computers. While business still runs on Windows desktops and laptops, only 15% of new tablets feature Windows and Windows phones are virtually nonexistent.
Microsoft had big expectations for Windows 10 at product launch on July 29, 2015, predicting that one billion devices would feature Windows 10 in “two to three years” since Windows 10 would work on every conceivable device.
Router Risks
On May 28, 2018 the FBI issued a public service announcement urging everyone to immediately reboot their routers in an attempt to thwart a Russian malware attack identified as “VPN Filter”. This attack can gain access to connected devices, copy your personal information and even permanently disable your router.
A Modern Never Ending Story
My laptop computer already has a completely dead battery, even though it has seen infrequent use. Originally priced at $650, it is now worth $160 in good working condition on eBay. A replacement battery is $65 and requires professional installation for an additional $100; replacing it now makes more sense than repairing. The lifespan of a laptop battery varies depending on how it’s used, but averages between 18 and 24 months. This is planned obsolescence at its finest, especially since a user replaceable battery is now a rare commodity!