Adding a little more pep to your computer setup doesn?t have to be expensive. There are many surprisingly affordable upgrades that will breathe new life into your older machine, make sitting in front of it more comfortable, or even help improve its life span.
RAM (random access memory) is the super-fast storage that your computer uses for temporary files. If you?ve noticed your computer slowing down when you have several programs or browser tabs open, you may benefit from a RAM upgrade. Consult your owner?s manual or hit a local computer repair shop for help determining which type of RAM your computer needs and how much it?s capable of using.
2. Connect more devices with a USB hub.
When you?ve connected several peripherals ? mice, keyboards, printers, and more ? it?s easy to run out of USB ports on your computer. If you?re in need of more ports to connect more devices, consider picking up a USB hub. These plug into a single USB port on your computer (and in some cases, an electrical outlet as well, to provide enough power for several devices), allowing you to connect even more gadgets to your PC. Think of it as adding a power strip for input, output, and information!
3. Upgrade your mouse.
Many people underestimate just how nice an ergonomic mouse is. If you spend any real amount of time in front of the computer, you may want to invest in a more comfortable mouse. Logitech, Microsoft, and many other companies offer great wired and wireless options under $50. Stop in to your local computer electronics retailer to test drive a few models first-hand.
If your keyboard has letters rubbed off or a few sticky keys, it might be time for an upgrade. Much like a mouse, a keyboard is an often underappreciated piece of technology, and there are lots of options that provide more functionality than the standard 104-key model that came with your computer. Many offer backlit keys and ergonomic designs, not to mention wireless or bluetooth connectivity. Some even offer additional media buttons to easily adjust your volume or control your music library.
5. Help your computer breathe better.
There are lots of sensitive components inside of your computer, and absolutely none of them like overheating. Every so often, it?s a good idea to give your computer?s cooling bits a hand and blow out all of the dust (and pet hair) that collects inside. The easiest way to do this is a cheap can of compressed air. Blowing out your computer two or three times a year can also help improve its lifespan, saving you money in the long run. If your computer?s intake fans have filters or mesh over them, take this opportunity to wipe them clean, too, so that air can flow unimpeded to cool off those toasty chips inside. If you have a cooling fan that?s starting to fail, replacements are usually less than $10.
If you need to copy large files between computers, there?s no better way than with a USB thumb drive. These tiny storage devices can hold anywhere from 1GB to 64GB of information, making transferring even the largest of files a snap.
7. Boost your USB speeds.
If speed is what you need for your USB devices, a USB 3.0 expansion card may be a good option. Installing your new card is fairly simple, but it may be a daunting task to the less technically inclined. We suggest bringing it to your local computer repair shop if you don?t feel comfortable rooting around inside of your computer. Laptop users, beware ? expansion cards can only be installed in desktop computers. Remember, in order to take full advantage of your new card?s performance, any USB devices that you plug into it must also be USB 3.0-compatible; slower USB 1.1 or USB 2.0 devices will work, but only at their lower top speeds.
8. Give your mouse hand a break.
Picking up a new mouse pad is an affordable way to make your computing experience more comfortable. A new pad will make moving your mouse around easier and take some strain off your wrist. Some pads even come with a built-in gel wrist rest for added ergonomic support.
9. Feed your computer clean power.
The best way to keep your computer running smooth for years to come is to feed it clean power. A surge protector with an uninterruptible power supply offers both additional outlets, protection from lighting strikes, and a cleaner electrical signal for your computer and other components. Your computer constantly draws power from the UPS?s internal battery, while the UPS constantly recharges the battery from the wall outlet. In the event of a brownout or power failure, your computer can run for several minutes on battery power, giving you enough time to save all of your documents and shut down the computer safely.
[Image credits: Kevin Marsh, Cal Evans, redjar, Jeremiah Hoyet]
This article was written by Jacob Bolm and originally appeared on Tecca
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