Tag: WIndows

How much money should I spend on a Windows computer?

$200-$500 – This computer will allow you to browse the web, write documents, check email, and do other light online activities. You can do some light photo editing on it, but you will notice the lack of performance and will be limited by the small hard drive. This computer can last you as long as a more expensive computer, but after a 1-2 years, you will notice an overall slowdown.

$500-$900 – This is a sweet spot between performance, affordability, and longevity. It can handle everyday things like online browsing, emails, and word docs, as well as more graphic intensive applications like editing photos without much of a drop in performance. This computer will most likely last you 3-5 years before you notice any type of slow down. And even then, you’ll notice a smaller drop in speed vs the cheaper computer above. This is also a price point where you might find more expensive computers on sale ($1000 computer on sale for $800).

$900+ – More money spent means more performance, more longevity, and more hard drive space. This computer should set you up to have a very fast computer for at least 5-6 years, if not longer (depending on what you buy and what you want to do with it), and then when it might start slowing down, it will be even less noticeable than the medium priced computers. This computer should be able to handle anything you throw at it (media editing, online use, graphic programs, etc).

Additional Info

Laptop vs Desktop – Generally, laptops are more expensive for similar performance as their desktop counterparts, but allow for mobility. Laptops can also be hooked up to a separate keyboard, mouse, and screen if you wanted to use it both as a desktop computer and laptop.

Sales – If you’re looking to purchase a new computer, and don’t need one immediately, keep an eye out for sales during holidays and nationwide events. The Superbowl, Black Friday, Thanksgiving, Christmas, July 4th, Labor Day are just some of the dates you will see computer deals.

Want to learn more about what to look for in a new Windows computer, or want help picking out a new one? Contact the Tutor today!

Select multiple items on your computer

This is helpful when trying to manage, organize, and delete multiple files, photos, emails etc at once on your computer. There are two ways to select multiple items, one allows you to quickly select all items in a list, the other allows you to pick and choose which items in the list you want selected. Both options can be done on a Mac or Windows computer.

To select ALL items between “point A and point Z” 

  1. Single click and release on the first item in the list
  2. Then hold down the shift key on your keyboard
  3. While holding down the shift key, single click and release on the last item in the list you want selected
  4. All items between point A and Z should be highlighted and you can release the shift key

To select SOME items between “point A and point Z”

  1. Single click and release on the first item in the list
    • For Mac – Then hold down the Command Key (⌘) on your keyboard
    • For Windows – Then hold down the Control Key on your keyboard
  2. While holding down the command (or control) key, single click and release on all items between point A and point Z you want selected
    • If you select an item by accident, click on it again (while holding the command key) to deselect it
  3. Once all items are selected you can release the command key
  4. All items you clicked on between point A and Z should be highlighted