Real Estate IDX Blog

Just started working on a Brand New Laptop from Best Buy for a client.  It simply amazes me that I can take a laptop from the box and it needs worked on from the start.

If you buy a laptop or computer make sure you do a windows update and get the computer caught up on new software and patches to the operating system.

This one needed 19 updates and 179 megs of info right out of the box.

Sickening isn't it?

Here is what you need to do to save money and avoid getting ripped off at the computer store.

DO NOT BUY THE GEEKS PACKAGES at Best Buy.  It is seriously a rip off. And many of the computers already have warranties so you don't need to waste your money on that either.

Turn on the computer and set it up and connect it to the Internet.

Click on Start > Programs > Windows Update

Do the custom update option and it will find more software you need for the entire computer and all the parts inside.

Do that several times until it doesn't have any more updates.  Sometimes updates cause more updates.

Then go to the Control Panel > Add / Remove Programs

Un-install the extra stuff you don't need.  Microsoft office if you don't plan on using it. All the games you won't need.  AOL stuff and other things that are put on the machine at the factory.

FREE Antivirus Software

AVG Anti-virus - http://free.avg.com/ww.homepage-appf8- You don't need to pay for anti-virus software

Spy ware and computer cleaning Software that is FREE...

• Spybot Search and Destroy - http://www.spybot.info/en/index.html - Runs all the time and helps protect you from Trojans and Spyware and Malware
• Lavasoft Adaware - http://www.lavasoft.com/products/ad_aware_free.php Run often it helps protect you from Trojans and Spyware and Malware
• CCleaner - www.ccleaner.com - Run this to clean out the junk in your computer.  Run Weekly

DO NOT LET THEM BULLY YOU INTO BUYING A WARRANTY OR ANY OF THEIR SOFTWARE.  They will tell you that they are the only ones who can do this for you and that theirs is the best and put some serious pressure and fear into it to sell you on the fact you need this useless service from them.   

And NEVER PAY THEM TO CLEAN UP YOUR COMPUTER AND "PRE-CONFIGURE" OR "CUSTOMIZE IT FOR YOU before it leaves their store.

You can do it yourself and save $300 bucks or more.

Last note:  I want to know about your experience in computer stores like Best Buy to see if you are treated as poorly as my client who brought me this computer.  You won't believe what they told her to get her to buy their extra service and warranties. Thankfully she didn't buy the stuff from them, but after 2 days she still feels upset about how she was treated. They were even so bold to say that her tech couldn't do it and she was making a huge mistake. 

That is a really poor way of doing business... presuring someone who knows very little about computers into something she can do on her own.