Welcome to the N-Tech Solutions Customer Newsletter for April 2008!
by Nathan Woodcock
As part of our commitment to providing an IT service that is professional, straight-talking and enjoyable we publish this newsletter every one or two months to keep in touch, have some fun and maybe even point out a few handy computer related things you didn't know. If you'd prefer not to receive this email simply click the unsubscribe link at the bottom on this newsletter. This week we're unashamedly plugging a few products we think are excellent value. VoIP Update - Now A Real Alternative!
by Nathan Woodcock
You've almost certainly heard of VoIP - using the internet to make phone calls. I've not been pushing it all that hard to be honest as I've found the quality to often be somewhat patchy. But for the past six months I've been using VoIP as my primary business phone line and have had absolutely no problems with it. This is because I changed from my original VoIP provider to GoTalk. Right now I pay $14.95 per month for unlimited calls to all Australian landlines and mobile phones (subject to fair use policy - if your usage is extremely high there is another very cheap plan). $14.95! That is my entire phone bill for calls. Now of course I still pay line rental to Telstra as I need the regular phone line for broadband and emergency calls, but I'd be doing that anyway.
VoIP is also getting cheaper to set up. If you already have broadband, getting a VoIP adapter/router (or ATA) will cost between $100 to $160 dollars, and if you want a dedicated handset I can supply a cordless phone for $30 or you can buy any kind you like. You can set it up a couple of ways, either using your existing phone handset for all calls including your normal incoming calls, or have a separate handset for the VoIP. You can even set up two VoIP accounts on a single adapter so the kids can have their own phone and number, you can have your own, and neither tie up your normal phone line. If you're interested in more information on VoIP or GoTalk give me a call - I can set you up with GoTalk and all the equipment you need. Laptops at Ridiculous Prices...
by Nathan Woodcock
Laptops are dirt cheap at the moment. You should always avoid the $600-700 cheapo specials at the large retailers (they are ridiculously slow and underpowered) but you don't have to spend much more these days to get something that will do the job, and even the more powerful laptops have come right down in price.
My favourite best value performance laptop at the moment has to be the Asus F3E-AP289P. For $1425 it comes with a Core2Duo T7500 CPU, 2GB memory, 15.4" widescreen display, 160GB Hard Drive, Lightscribe DVDRW, built-in webcam, 802.11bgn wireless, Bluetooth, Windows XP Pro (one of the last laptops with XP) and two year worldwide warranty. Add to that a bonus mobile mouse and Asus bag and it can't be beat.
My favourite budget laptop at the moment is the Lenovo (previously IBM) Thinkpad R61e 7650A42 for $960. Aside from the excellent sturdy build quality of all the R series notebooks it features a Celeron 1.86Ghz CPU, 3GB memory (yes, 3!), 120GB Hard Drive, DVDRW, 15.4" widescreen display, 8021.11bgn wireless, Windows XP Professional and a free bag. It ships with one year warranty which can be extended to three years for $150. Three Quality Second-Hand HP PC Systems
by Nathan Woodcock
I don't usually deal with second-hand systems as you can't be sure of the quality and new systems are such good value these days. However I do currently have three good quality HP computer systems (PC, LCD display, keyboard, mouse), designed for the office environment but equally suitable at home. Costing only $350 each (the XP Professional license alone is worth $250) they are a perfect first PC, second PC for the kids, or a cheap way to expand your office. Features are: HP dx5150MT Mini Tower
AMD Sempron 3000+ Processor (socket 754)
512MB DDR1 Memory
80GB Maxtor IDE HDD
CDRW/DVD Combo Drive
Onboard Gigabit Ethernet
ATI Radeon Xpress 200 Series Graphics
Onboard VGA and DVI outputs
8 USB ports (6 rear, 2 front)
1 x Parallel, 1 x Serial output (rear)
1 x PCI Express x16 Graphics slot
1 x PCI-E slot
2 x PCI slots
Built-in speakers
Windows XP Professional, fully licensed with product key sticker
HP L1506 15” LCD Monitor
1024 x 768 @ 60 Hz, 8MS response, DSUB (analog VGA)
HP Keyboard + Optical Mouse
HP Manual and original OEM software including recovery discs
The systems come with a standard 30 day warranty which can be extended to twelve months for $75.
. | Referral Bonus Promotion:
Our new referral promotion is still running and now provides a 25% discount to you and to the customer you refer, on the first hours labour. Simply pass on the contact details of friends or business associates to Nathan or have them call us direct and both of you get the discount on your next job.
More Good Deals: RUNOUT, ONE ONLY - HP P1006 Mono Laser Printer. Stylish and small, this unit is being run out at near cost price for only $175. 
Real-Life Helpdesk Calls #4352148:
Tech Support: "Tell me, is the cursor still there?"
Customer: "No, I'm alone right now."
Blast from the Past...
"On two occasions, I have been asked [by members of Parliament], 'Pray, Mr. Babbage, if you put into the machine wrong figures, will the right answers come out?' I am not able to rightly apprehend the kind of confusion of ideas that could provoke such a question."
-- Charles Babbage (1791-1871). |
