Got a New Device? Here’s the Essential Tech Prep You Can’t Afford to Skip

It's tons of fun getting a new device. Whether it's a new desktop, laptop or phone: the thrill of getting it home and opening the box is great. We know, we love technology too. It even has its own version of new car smell! Once you get it home though, there are a number of things that need to be done before it's really usable - beyond snapping it up with a new case or mousepad.

The sellers like to say it's ready to use straight from the box - and it is - except not quite the way you need it to work. They'll all turn on, look for WiFi, and sure, you can type...but rather like when you buy a new fridge, simply turning it on isn't enough - it's still empty and you're still hungry. A few minutes now to prep your new device will save you time, stress, and quite possibly money.

Today, we're talking vital tech prep for new devices:

Security Updates and Fixes

From the factory to your hands, that device has been in the box for at least a month. In the world of security, that's an eternity. During that time on the shelf, new viruses have come out and new software weaknesses have been discovered. Fortunately, new updates to combat these problems were also created, they just haven't been downloaded to your device yet. We can make sure your essential software is up-to-date and set to stay that way. That way, you know your device is safe to go online.

Data Transfer from Old to New

Some people want to transfer everything from one device to another, others like to have a fresh start and keep the old device as a back. We can either transfer your data entirely or just the things you use. For computers, we can even turn your old hardware into an external drive that you can plug into your new computer and grab files as required.

Setting up Hardware

If your new device is a computer, you'll need to hook it up with other devices like a printer or webcam. These tasks that should be plug-and-play can sometimes send you loopy, especially when you've got a plug mismatch or incompatible drivers. We can help get you set up, with everything tested and working.

Setting up Email and Software

This is one people commonly forget and then struggle with. Email clients in particular, need special configuration to connect properly. Quite often, we find people are stuck only able to receive, with overflowing unsent mail that won't go anywhere! We'll get all your personal software and connections up and going.

Setting up the Network

While tapping in a WiFi password is easy enough, it doesn't mean your browsing is secure, or even as fast as it could possibly be. We can quickly determine which connectivity method will be best for your device and your needs, and hook you up with fast, robust security measures.

Lockdown Privacy & Permissions

Whether you have children and are looking to provide a safe online experience, files you'd prefer to keep private, or simply want to set up "profiles" for each user to have their own login, we can quickly get you new device configured to meet your needs.