Guide to Smart Windows 11 Settings to Boost Your Productivity

Technology is fast, and in no time, our gadgets get outdated. According to data from Statista , consumers replace their devices about every 2-3 years. Still, it can be tricky to determine when an upgrade is needed. Upgrading your device isn’t just about having the latest gadget. An up-to-date device is safer and more efficient. This article will help you in spotting the signs that your gadget needs replacement. We will talk about seven signs that it is time to get a new one. 7 Signs It’s Time for a Device Upgrade It can be hard to tell when you need a new device, especially if you feel the current one is working fine. There are a few ways to tell your device is outdated, from slow loading times to lack of storage. Here are 7 signs it’s time for a device upgrade: 1. Is Your Device Slow and Laggy? Slow performance is a major indicator. If your device takes an eternity to boot up, that might be a sign to get an upgrade. Apps that take too long to open can be really frustrating. Slow internet access could mean your gadget is getting older. Most of us use our phones, computers, and tablets for day-to-day activities. A slow device makes texting, sending emails, managing calendars, and doing work more difficult. If you can save time in your day with work and personal tasks, the cost of an upgrade may be worth it. 2. Frequent Freezing and Crashing Does your device freeze often? Crashes are another bad sign . If you see the spinning wheel a lot, your device might be struggling. These issues mean your device can't keep up with today's demands. Freezing and crashing can impact your productivity. Imagine working on a document on your computer and losing everything when it crashes, or taking 20 minutes to type a simple email. This is why it’s important to have an up-to-date device. 3. How’s You Battery Life? Battery problems are a clear upgrade sign. If your device dies quickly, it's a red flag. Needing to charge multiple times a day is not normal. A healthy device should last most of the day on one charge. Check to see if your battery is swollen. This is a safety hazard and should be dealt with immediately. If your device often overheats, the battery may be malfunctioning. These are some pretty serious issues that, in most cases, mean it's time for a new device. 4. Is Your Storage Always Full? Running out of space all the time? That's a good indication that an upgrade is due. It is frustrating when you can't install new apps. Constantly deleting photos and files is a pain. More storage is one great reason to upgrade. 5. Are You Missing Out on New Features? New devices boast cool new features. If your device can't get the latest updates, you're missing out. Newer models often boast better cameras and screens. They also have faster processors and more memory. Age plays a huge factor in device performance. Most smartphones last around 2-3 years, and laptops, perhaps 3-5 years. If your device is older than this, then it might be time for an upgrade. Older devices struggle with new software and apps. 6. Are Repairs Costing Too Much? Repairing old devices can be costly. If the repair costs are high, upgrading may be wiser. Sometimes, the repair costs are almost equal to a new device. In such cases, it is often better to buy a new one. Since older devices usually go for less on the market, repair costs can add up quickly. For example, if you break the screen on your iPhone X, it can cost more than £230 to repair it. An iPhone X can be purchased for around £135. These repair costs are more than the value of the actual device. If you’ve had it for a while, you may have paid closer to £700 at the time of release. When you combine what you spent on your current device with any repair costs, you’ll notice it’s much better to upgrade. 7. Does Your Device Support the Latest Software? Older devices often can't run new software. This may be a security risk and also means you miss new features. Consider upgrading if your device can't update to the latest OS. Old software has security holes in it. Your data can easily be compromised by this kind of threat. Most hackers usually attack those gadgets operating on older, obsolete systems. This is why it’s important to keep your devices updated . If you keep an old device around, your data becomes vulnerable. You won’t be protected by the latest security patches. A new device running on the latest update is the safest option. Ready for a Fresh Start? If you have been noticing these signs, then that is probably the time for an upgrade. The new device will make your digital life easier, more fun, and a bit safer. Think about your needs and budget in choosing a new device. Don't wrestle with an older, slower device; upgrade to one that will serve you much better. Your increased security and productivity will thank you in the future. If you need help choosing a new device, contact us today.

Device storage decides how many applications, photos, and files you can retain on your device. When you run out of storage, it can affect your productivity and device performance. But finding the right storage amount isn’t always easy. We can underestimate what we need or get too much storage. This guide will help you figure out how much storage is actually needed. What is device storage? Device storage refers to space on the phone, tablet, or computer. The device storage stores all your data such as apps, photos, videos, and documents. When you fill up your storage space, you can no longer save videos and documents. In that case, you would need to pay for additional storage or get a new device. There are two major types of storage: Internal Storage: This is a built-in device. It can't be removed, and is usually faster compared to external storage. External Storage: This includes SD cards and USB drives, which can be added or removed. They give you more space but may be slower. Different devices come with various storage options. Let's look at some common ones: Smartphones: Most smartphones start at 64GB. High-end models can have up to 1TB. iPhones don't have SD card slots. Many Android phones do. Tablets: Tablets typically range from 32GB to 256GB. Some have slots for memory cards if you need more space. Laptops : Laptops tend to contain 128GB to 1TB of storage. You can generally upgrade that later. Desktops : Desktop computers can have really large storage. 1TB to 4TB is common. You can easily add more if needed. How Much Storage Do You Really Need? It can be difficult to know how much storage you really need. Many people get too much or too little storage. Your storage needs depend on how you use your device. Let's look at some common user types: Basic Users If you mostly browse the web and use simple apps, 64GB might do the job. This is enough for: Email Social media Light photo taking Average Users For people who take lots of photos and use many apps, 128GB to 256GB works best. This covers: Many apps Photo libraries Some video storage Power Users Video editing Large game libraries Huge photo collections Professional Users Some jobs need even more space. 1TB or more is common for: 4K video production Large datasets Professional photo editing How Can You Manage Device Storage Better? You can optimise your storage to avoid running out of space. Here are some tips; Use cloud storage: Services like Google Drive or iCloud can store your files online and save device space. 65.2% of people use cloud storage as their primary storage. Delete unused apps: Remove apps you don't use. They take up space and might slow down your device. Clear cache regularly: Many apps store temporary files. Clearing these can free up space. Use streaming services: Stream music and videos rather than download them. That saves a lot of space. What Takes Up The More Storage? Some things use more storage than others. Here are the biggest storage users: Videos : Videos are space hungry. A 1-hour 4K video can take up 7GB or more. Photos : Photos take less space compared to videos. However, they accumulate rather fast. 1000 high-quality photos may take up 5GB. Games: Modern games are huge. Some can be over 100GB each. Apps: Most apps are small. But some, like editing tools, can be very large. What to Do If You Run Out of Storage? If you run out of space, you can add more storage by using SD cards or an external drive. This is a great option instead of buying a new device. If possible, change your device for one with higher storage. An upgrade will give you more space internally. You can also put more files in the cloud with cloud storage solutions. Some popular options are Google Drive and Dropbox. This frees up more space on your device. How to Choose the Right Storage for Your Next Device When buying a new device, keep in mind how many photos and videos you take, how many apps or games you download, and whether you work with big files. Choose a device that will have enough storage for your needs. It's better to have too much than too little. Now you are aware of much more about device storage. You can make a better choice for your next device. Your needs may change over time, so it’s usually wise to get more storage than you think you need.  Do you still have questions about device storage? Contact us for personalised advice. We are here to help you find the right device with just the right amount of storage.