Merry Christmas from Homeland Secure IT

Christmas is almost upon us!

Hope you have your shopping done by now, and if not, well, it’s not too late to order a notebook, netbook, desktop or tablet computer from Homeland Secure IT!

We offer sales of all major brands of computers and components such as HP, Dell, Lenovo, Toshiba, Acer, NexLink, Asus, Samsung and more. Whether it is a business computer or one for your personal uses, we have something for you or the person on your list you have forgotten about not found the perfect gift for!

Orders placed are generally here at our Greenville office the next business day before lunch at no additional charge!!!!

We will be closing on Friday, December 23rd so our staff can spend time with their families, and we will be in the field on a server deployment on Monday, December 26th, however, we *WILL* be available for emergency calls should you need us!

HP ProBook 4530s Notebook

Last week we had to cut the cord and let our baby girl go off to college… That was more difficult than I care to relate to you in a blog post!

One of the items on our task list was to secure a quality notebook that she could probably use for the four years she is in school.

Being obsessive-compulsive, I started comparing every notebook that was available to me that fit the specs I had determined (Keep in mind that Homeland Secure IT offers HP, Dell, Toshiba, Acer, Lenovo, Nexlink and more for sale). This was an overwhelming job!

Once I had narrowed it down to a handful of machines, with the proper specs and within the target price range, one notebook stood out.

It was the HP ProBook 4530s, and more specifically the XU015UT#ABA, based around the Intel Core i3, with 4 GB of RAM, 320GB HDD, DVD-Writer w/LightScribe, 802.11n wi-fi, gigabit network, Intel 3000 graphics, Bluetooth 3.0, built-in webcam & mic, Microsoft Windows Home Premium, memory card reader, even a biometric fingerprint reader, and more.

There’s lots of expansion available besides the card reader and connectivity, through the 4 USB ports (1 is USB 3.0), VGA and HDMI video outputs and an ExpressCard/34 port.

With its 15.6″ LED display, it is easy on the eyes, and uses a minimal amount of power. It is also fairly light for such a big notebook at 5.5lbs. The finish is “pretty” and the build is sturdy.

The outstanding 6+ hour battery life was what sealed the deal.  And I tested it several times over after we got it to see just what the battery life was, and as advertised, it was on the nose, and better when using battery saving technologies like letting the screen darken when on battery.

This model is available at Staples currently for $579.oo, and amazingly enough, Homeland Secure IT can match their price, which is surprising since they buy in large quantities.

It comes with Microsoft Office Starter 2010, so all you need to purchase is a product key card (PKC) to enable the full versions of Microsoft Office, available at a minimal additional cost.

Whether you get the HP 4530s from us, or someone else, I don’t believe you can go wrong. Check one out!

For more information about notebook computers in the Greenville / Upstate SC area, either for yourself or your business, please call 864.990.4748 or email info@homelandsecureit.com

Here’s a question for you all…

Why is the apparent rate of hardware failure higher with Apple Mac products than with Microsoft Windows based products?

Homeland Secure IT’s typical client is a Windows based small or medium business, and a little less than 5% of those businesses and individuals have Apple Mac products that we support as well. A larger number have iPads and iPhones, but I won’t touch on those in this blog, I’ll focus on the Apple Mac desktops and notebooks.

So far this year, we have seen a higher rate of component failure in Mac products than we have in all the hundreds of PCs and Servers we support that are from various manufacturers such as Dell, HP, Lenovo, Toshiba, NexLink, etc.

We have had a slew of Macs with total hard drive failures.  Western Digital (WD) seems to comprise the majority of those drives as I recall.  Not just one model in particular, but notebooks and desktops.

We also have had Mac power supply and video card issues.

All these problems totally cripple the computer in all but a few cases, and labor is much more intensive on many of these products than they are on a typical Windows based PC.

For instance, you should try removing the power supply from a big G5 Mac. This is not a 15 minute procedure like it is on those Windows based computers. And have you priced one of these power supplies? We can get some outstanding power supplies for a typical PC for less than 60 dollars. Not the case with the Apple power supply at all.

A hard drive replacement in an HP desktop is physically accomplished in 10 minutes, and to reload Windows 7, patch it all up with updates, apply all support software like Adobe and Java products will take another 30-40 minutes.

On an Apple iMac 20″ with the black plastic back, you have to pull the front screen cover off with appropriate suction cups, take the LCD panel out, transfer mounting components and temp sensors to the new drive, load the OS and updates… We’re talking about nearly twice as long, and those who rush this job or attempt it at home end up scratching the screen covers, breaking LCD panels or damaging cables that go to them.

But I digress…  Let’s get back to the original question. Why are Apple Mac products failing at a higher rate than inexpensive Windows based PCs?  If only 5% of our business is comprised of Apple products, why are those 5% of machines exceeding the failure rate of the less expensive Windows alternative machines?

Scouring the forums and blogs results in finding people with the same experiences…

This has me curious enough to track it carefully going forward, so maybe I will post a follow-up, but until then, I would love to hear your input.

If you happen to be in the Greenville or Upstate SC area and require Apple Mac service, please give us a call at 864.990.4748 or email info@homelandsecureit.com. We are less expensive than many alternatives and provide fast and reliable service!

The new look of Nexlink computers

Check out the new look for Nexlink’s computers! Same great case, with a more modern face plate…

Those of us here at Homeland Secure IT have worked with computers from every major computer manufacturer you’ve heard of, and we are partners with many great providers of computers and servers, such as HP, Dell, Lenovo, Toshiba, etc…  However, for business computers, we tend to recommend the Nexlink line of computers.

Why wouldn’t we go with a mainstream solution for every client? After all, HP has a reputation as a quality business computer supplier, wouldn’t it be a great investment for any business?

Absolutely! HP does make a quality system, however, one of the things you are paying for when you purchase that new HP system is the name. HP has worked hard to create a presence in the business market and that has cost a fortune.

Other vendors, such as Nexlink, can offer comparable desktops, servers and notebooks, without the marketing and sales expenses attached to them, allowing you the best computer for your dollar!

Furthermore, the Nexlink products are some of the highest quality we have ever worked with. They use trusted components, such as Intel motherboards and Intel processors, nothing less than the best. The support from Nexlink is outstanding, and all the business systems we sell have a 3 year warranty with next day shipping should something be needed!

Should your business be considering new computers, servers or notebooks in the Greenville / Upstate, SC area, give us a call at 864.990.4748 or email info@homelandsecureit.com and let’s discuss if Nexlink is right for you!

Dell’s Global Head of Marketing was interviewed by CIO recently and one statement made global headlines, “Apple iPad will fail in the enterprise: Dell“.

He claims that the iPad is too expensive to win in the enterprise market and that other devices may very well beat it out… Of course Dell would like to think that their own will be the “winner” in the tablet wars.

We’re seeing tons of tablets hit the streets, from the beloved Apple iPad and iPad II, to the more cutting edge Android based tablets like the Motorola Xoom and Samsung Galaxy series, but still, the businesses we work with are hesitant to embrace the technology, especially the Apple iPad, due to the expense primarily.

Some Microsoft Windows 7 based tablets are actually gaining the interest of our clients, such as those from Motion. These are hardened tablets which charge quickly, offer complete compatibility with existing infrastructure and a proven user interface.

What are your thoughts for tablets for your business? What are you using? What gets you excited?

If you are in the market for a new business computer, where do you go in the Greenville / Upstate area?

Do you go to a “big box store”? A warehouse? An office supply?

You should be aware that the “business computer” you purchase from some dealers may actually be a computer designed for home use, and not actually a business environment.

Here are a few differences between a home computer and a business computer:

• Home computers generally are designed for faster graphics (aka games) and not processes, such as multi-tasking with business applications, where you have QuickBooks, Microsoft Office and other business applications open simultaneously.
• Home computers are likely to have small power supplies, or power supplies that claim higher wattage output, when in reality, that is maximum power output, not average power output.
• Home computers may have inferior cooling systems, such as fans with bushings instead of ball bearings, possibly causing damage to the computer itself if failure should occur.
• Home computers do not have the hard drives designed for long duty cycles (being left on long periods of time), and tend to fail much quicker than their business spec counterparts.
• Home computers generally have Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium loaded by default and cannot join a corporate domain without an upgrade to Windows 7 Professional or Windows 7 Ultimate.
• Home computers have cases and motherboards that may not lend themselves to expansion (IE, adding drives, or additional cards).
• Home computers in most cases do not have long warranties (Our business class computers are sold with a 3 year warranty!).
• Support for your home computer is rarely easy to obtain. You may have to call a call center, stay on hold, then speak to someone who may not speak your language as their own primary language. Returns and replacement parts are hard to obtain sometimes. Our business computers are supported by *US* as well as the manufacturer who is reachable, speaks English, and will ship parts next business day at no additional charge.

Before you purchase your next business computer in Greenville / Upstate SC, consider comparing specifications with a computer designed from the ground up for use in a business! Will it cost more? Absolutely. Is it worth it? Absolutely!

Call us at 864.990.4748 or email info@homelandsecureit.com for more information.  We are partners with the best computer manufacturers in the world: Seneca Data / Nexlink, HP, Dell, Lenovo, Toshiba, and more!  Not only are we a computer dealer, we also service / repair business computers.

Kablooieeee

A common question that computer sales, repair, service and support people hear is, “How long will this computer last me?”

The most common answer is, “It depends…”

Just what does it depend on? The quality of the product is of the highest importance, but even a very reliable device can have a shortened life if not maintained properly and it is very dependent upon the environment it is subjected to.

For instance, a typical business desktop workstation could have a lifespan of 3-5 years in a “typical” office environment. But take the temperature of the room it is in up a few degrees, or expose that same computer to dirt in the air, which coats internal parts and affects how well heat is dispersed and you could have a machine that lives half as long. Power issues are another killer of desktop computers. Failure to use a surge suppressor or UPS could allow harmful voltage spikes and sags to damage components.

This is exactly why you hear “It depends” so frequently. No two locations are the same, and even offices in the same building are different.

Let’s look at what MTBF means exactly.  MTBF is the common abbreviation for “Mean Time Between Failures” and is indicative of how reliable a product is. The higher the MTBF, the more reliable the device is.

MTBF is measured in hours, such as the hard drive from a two year old Apple Mac Book that is on my desk… Its MTBF is rated at 300,000 hours, which should be, what? 34 years? WOW! That’s amazing! In reality that MTBF is a theoretical number, meaning that if all goes well, the drive should live a long happy life. Well all did not go well, the drive is dead in a tiny fraction of the MTBF.

One thing to keep in mind is that business class computers almost always contain components which have a higher MTBF than their consumer counterparts. Business class computers also have 3 year warranties available, and sometimes longer, because the manufacturer understands that they used the best parts that were available for the money. Give a business class computer consideration if you are looking to replace an important workstation or notebook in the future.

One thing I can say is, regardless, be sure to backup your systems! Use either a physical backup like a USB drive, flash drive, or even better, something like our Servosity Online Backup Solution (free trial!) to protect your data. Going by MTBF is like saying that you will live 78 years because everyone in your family did. Don’t count on it.

So how long will that computer last you? It depends….

If you need assistance in selecting a new computer or repair of an existing one for your Greenville or Upstate business, please call upon us as we offer a wide selection of Seneca Data / Nexlink, HP, Dell, Toshiba, Samsung, Acer, Lenova and more! 864.990.4748 or email info@homelandsecureit.com

Printer Part Diagram

It is Monday morning and you went to print your first batch of papers for the week but that didn’t go so well. Paper has been jammed in the printer, or maybe not even picked up out of the paper tray.

What to do? Should you either replace that beast or call a printer repair technician?

Replacing the printer is going to cost a good bit of money, but will generally result in a quicker solution since your favorite office supply store may have a suitable printer in stock. Of course if you need special trays, like an envelope feeder for instance, you may be in for a wait while that is ordered in.

Many times a service provider can repair a printer by fixing a jam or clearing an error and you could be back to printing as quickly as they come and work their magic. Others, you may find yourself waiting as the printer is taken to the shop, diagnosed, parts ordered if not in stock and subsequently replaced and the printer returned to your business.

On the positive side for replacing a printer:

• New device, may operate years without further issue
• Possible better toner usage, saving you money over the life of the printer
• Could use less energy
• Possible faster printing
• Additional features, such as networking, duplex, color
• May be in stock / instant gratification
• Can depreciate it

On the negative side of replacement

• Old printer ends up in landfill if not recycled (not a green thing to do)
• May require changes to your document configurations / printer driver setups
• May not work properly with older Windows XP OS  due to lack of drivers (rare)
• May not interface the same way (Parallel / USB / LAN)
• Some custom software requires a specific printer be used
• Repair may have been cheaper

Whether you repair or replace is likely going to be based on the bottom line, just how much it will cost you, or optionally, how long it will take to complete the repair (downtime).

If you can afford the downtime, I would suggest calling a service technician to at least evaluate the potential for fixing the issue with your current printer. Some repairs are as simple as pulling a misfed/torn paper out of the machine, or unblocking a sensor. It would be a shame to chunk an otherwise functional printer in the garbage.

When should you replace? If you are working with a 150 dollar printer that you picked up from an office supply house and you don’t have a closet full of ink for that model, replace it.

If you have a 4 year old HP office laser printer with two input trays that has served you well. This is a great candidate for repair. So are any printers with multiple input trays, high capacity trays, high speed throughput, duplexing, collating or other special features.

Should you have questions, we repair / service and sell HP, Dell, Ricoh, Brother, Lexmark, Samsung and Oki Business printers in the Greenville & Upstate SC area. Please call 864.990.4748 or email info@homelandsecureit.com

The SP 4000 Notebook from Nexlink means BUSINESS

When buying a new or replacement notebook for your business, you may turn to Dell, HP, Lenovo, or Toshiba for trusted and reliable products, that is why we are partners with and offer these fine brands! However, there are some outstanding alternatives which may be of interest to your company.

First, let’s discuss the difference between a computer designed for consumers and one designed specifically for business. The most notable difference is that a computer purchased for home use will come loaded with Microsoft Windows 7 Home (either basic or premium), which will not allow your shiny new computer to join a corporate domain. The business computer will have Microsoft Windows 7 Professional loaded on it, which supports all domain functions required to associate with your corporate domain. You *can* upgrade a Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium computer to have the Professional or even Ultimate version of the operating system on it, but you will spend additional money and additional time doing so.

Lastly, the hardware design of the business computer may and likely does incorporate higher quality components, such as hard drive, displays, cooling fans, and even power supplies, which are designed with longer duty cycles in mind. The “duty cycle” is the amount of time the computer may be used. Typically a business computer will be on 24/7, or at the very least, from 8AM to 5PM Monday through Friday, while a home or consumer based system may see only a couple hours a day. A manufacturer will want to design their business based computer to outlast their warranty period for a computer that is on continuously. In the case of notebooks, a business notebook may be more robustly built to handle the abuse that a typical worker inflicts upon their systems.

What does this mean for you and your business? Simply stated, putting a computer built for home use to work at your company will function, but will it provide the user experience and the longevity of a system designed specifically for that purpose? In our experience, the odds are 50/50, and those are not enough in our favor to attempt, so we always recommend a system built for the job.

The downside to purchasing business computer systems is that the upfront costs are going to be higher. To offset some of that, you may wish to look into alternative business systems instead of the mainstream brands.

We are proud to offer Seneca Data Nexlink SP Series Notebook computers which feature Intel Core 2 Duo, Intel Pentium, Intel Core i3, i5 or i7 processors,  13.3″ or 15.6″ displays with 1366×768 resolution, webcam, Intel HM55 Express Chipset, NVIDA GeForce GT 330M 1GB graphics, full numeric keypad and a full docking station as options.

Seneca Data is a mature company with over 30 years of experience in offering solutions right here in America! We have extensive experience with Seneca Data’s Nexlink brand of custom-built desktops, notebooks, servers and storage devices. Each Nexlink platform is assembled using on the highest quality, tier-one components and undergoes rigorous testing to receive Windows (R) Hardware Quality Labs (WHQL) approval. Nexlink products consistantly offer performance, quality and reliability to Business, Government, Education, Healthcare, Enthusiast, and OEM customers nationwide.

Another advantage is that in the event of the need for customer support, we as vendors have had a pleasant experience in dealing with Seneca because they are a US based company, with technical support that speaks English! No disrespect meant to any other company, but when we are trying to do our job, adding a language barrier does not make matters easier.

The next time you need to buy a notebook, consider Seneca Data’s Nexlink SP series! We can spec one to suit your needs. We offer the full line of Nexlink products, from desktops, thin clients, tablet computers to servers! Call us at 864-990-4748 ext 201 or email info@homelandsecureit.com for more information! If you are in Greenville or the Upstate, we will come to you to evaluate your needs!

Those of you who are lucky enough to live in the Great State of South Carolina can look forward to August 6th as that starts the Sales Tax Holiday!

That’s right, starting at 12:01AM on Friday, August 6th and ending at 12:00PM on Sunday, August 8th is your chance to buy items for student use without the 6% SC State sales tax.

The catch is – the items you purchase must fit into two categories – #1 it must be for school use, and #2 it must fit the long list of appropriate products, which can be found at www.sctax.org.

Technology-wise, if you are attending a university, a technical college, or have a child in school, you can purchase an entire computer, notebook / laptop, printers, and software and get this savings. You can’t buy computer parts, such as a monitor, UNLESS you purchase that monitor at the time you purchase the computer.

This could be an awesome opportunity to save some money… Imagine if you were planning on buying a top-of-the-line computer, with a big LCD monitor, Microsoft Office 2010 and Trend Micro anti-virus, not having to pay tax could save you enough to upgrade to an even BIGGER LCD monitor for the same price as you would pay if you purchased this system today. Or, optionally, if you are like my family with two children, and you have to buy two similar systems – waiting until the SC Tax Holiday could save enough money in taxes to buy my wife dinner at Ruth’s Chris or Pomegranate which would go a long way towards calming her down over such a large expenditure.

If you are a computer / network / technology student, learning to perform computer service, network support, etc, I believe this would cover your purchase of Microsoft Windows Server, Microsoft Exchange, Cisco firewalls and security equipment as well, but please do read the information at the www.sctax.org site to make sure.  It will surely cover expensive software such as Adobe suites which students can already get a discount for the academic version, but a further 6% sure helps!

Homeland Secure IT is an authorized reseller for many outstanding computer / notebook companies such as Lenovo, HP, Toshiba, Nexlink and Dell, as well as Cisco, WatchGuard, SonicWall & Microsoft partners, so if we can help you with that next computer purchase or upgrade, let us know! We serve Greenville and the Upstate of SC…

Happy shopping!