I bill for about 4 hours a day on average, and I charge $70 an hour. I mainly fix computer problems related to corrupt hard drives, RAM installation, CD/DVD ROM repair, internet connectivity issues, printer problems, audio problems, and the like.

I charge $20 just to take a look at your computer. If you decided that you want me to fix it, (after I tell you how long it will probably take) I apply that $20 to your “balance.” Most jobs take about an hour and I bill in 20 minute increments, rounding up. If I have to come to you, there is an additional $30 charge. After hours, holidays, and emergencies have an additional charge of $20 an hour.

In other words, if you want to make a living fixing PCs, you’ll need to take advantage of your potential customers’ limited time, and get paid good money to focus on their problems so they can worry about other things. Here are a few things to expect if you decide to become the neighborhood computer repair technician:

• Expect to be riddled with calls and requests for fixing computers for the rest of your natural life.
• You will get all types of customers… rich little old ladies who pay well… to [those] who will try… to squeeze the most out of you for the least possible amount of money.
• You will get customers who blame you for the remotest computer problem they get even months after you repaired their machines.
• 90% of the problems you fix will be one of these: “My computer is too slow. Please clean it up”, “Help! I got viruses invading my PC!”, “I got blue screens or other funny error message. Fix it or please reinstall Windows.”

So much more useful information available from The PC Guild.

(image from Frank Braski’s Flickr)

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$505 Intel Build

• CPU: Intel Pentium E5300 2.6GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor ($70)
• MOBO: GIGABYTE GA-EP43-UD3L ATX Intel Motherboard ($80)
• RAM: CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory ($90)
• HSF: Sunbeam CR-CCTF 120 mm Core-Contact Freezer CPU Cooler W/TX-2 ($35)
• HDD: SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 500GB 3.5″ SATA 3.0Gb/s Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive ($55)
• PSU: Antec earthwatts EA430 430W Continuous Power Power Supply ($55)
• GPU: XFX Radeon HD 4650 HD-465X-YAF2 Video Card ($50)
• DVD: Sony Optiarc DVD/CD Rewritable Drive Black SATA Model AD-7240S-0B ($30)
• Case: COOLER MASTER Elite 330 RC-330-KKN1-GP Black Computer Case ($40)

$505 AMD Build

• CPU: AMD Phenom II X2 545 3.0GHz Socket AM3 80W Dual-Core Processor ($90)
• MOBO: ASUS M2A74-AM Micro ATX AMD Motherboard ($60)
• RAM: CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory ($90)
• HSF: Sunbeam CR-CCTF 120 mm Core-Contact Freezer CPU Cooler W/TX-2 ($35)
• HDD: SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 500GB 3.5″ SATA 3.0Gb/s Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive ($55)
• PSU: Antec earthwatts EA430 430W Continuous Power Power Supply ($55)
• GPU: XFX Radeon HD 4650 HD-465X-YAF2 Video Card ($50)
• DVD: Sony Optiarc DVD/CD Rewritable Drive Black SATA Model AD-7240S-0B ($30)
• Case: COOLER MASTER Elite 330 RC-330-KKN1-GP Black Computer Case ($40)

Both builds are meant to be overclocked, to maximize the gaming power of the components. If you’re building a new PC from scratch, you may need a display, mouse, keyboard, a headset, and of course, the OS. Here are some more suggestions from tecmo:

• OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders ($140)
• Display: Acer X193Wb Black 19″ 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor ($120)
• Keyboard: Logitech Black Internet 350 USB Keyboard ($15)
• Mouse: Microsoft D66-00066 Black Wired Optical Mouse ($12)
• Speakers Logitech S-220 2.1 Multimedia Speaker System ($24)

With the above extras, you’ve got a total of $816, regardless of your processor brand loyalties. Prices are from NewEgg, are current as of this writing, and don’t include shipping or taxes.

Source

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I will admit considering the vulnerabilities of Financial Credentials as a revelation. Aside from the almost-cliche possibility of stolen credit card numbers and bank accounts details is the potential to manipulate stock trades and mutual funds on your non-consented behalf. Overlooking those is understandable, especially since many of us don’t really have the sound long-term financial planning needed to drive such investment-related online activity. That’s a pitfall I hope to remain aware if and when I decide to manage my financial future on the internet.

To be clear though, there are much more practical—and pressing—considerations. As I attempt to maintain the secrecy of my real email address, the crown jewel for any would-be identity theft, I hereby declare: You can pry my Steam collection from my cold, dead hands.

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Video: Laptop Hunters $1700 – Lauren and Sue get a Dell XPS 13

Video: Laptop Hunters $1000 – Lauren Gets an HP Pavilion

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At least that’s the findings of a study done by BrandIndex, who asked 5,000 people whether or not they believe they get good value for their money from a PC or Mac.

Apple had its highest BrandIndex rating in late winter, according to Ad Age, with a score of 70 on a scale of -100 to 100 (zero means neutral). Apple today sits at a much lower rating of 12.4.

Microsoft sat near zero in early February to a value-perception score of 46.2 presently, noted the report.

However, as noted by Tom’s Hardware, it’s also possible that the PC’s lower prices appeal more to consumers during these relatively hard economic times. Turns out Microsoft’s campaign could’ve made its debut at just the right time.

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