Big Enough and

Fast Enough?

By Peter Coloyan

Well, this article’s title doesn’t refer to your brain, literally, but to your computer’s brain. If you are one of the estimated 50%-plus of travel agents who indicated at the recent CRUISE-A-THON in Seattle that their computer is more than four years old, the answer is probably an emphatic “No!”
In a world where computer technology and capabilities double every six months, on average, consider where you are with your current hardware. If you have a four-year-old desktop or laptop, based on “entry level” models available at each time, you are probably using less than 1% of the “PC Power” — the combined product of processor speed, hard drive space and RAM (Random Access Memory) — as you could have today...for less money!

Consider what is available now from Dell (my suggestion for anyone updating and upgrading their hardware) for entry level — their Dimension desktop — and what was available four years ago:

Total “PC Power” advantage for 2005: 6 x 8 x 4 = 192X+++. The +++ refers to the fact that all the new components are better quality and, internally, run at faster speeds, have better accessibility, and integrate better than their 2001 counterparts. Additionally, 2005 entry level desktop package models have fast CD/DVD drives, ethernet and wireless cards pre-installed and larger monitors than 2001.
And the best part — the price! The exact 2005 model described here is available from Dell currently at $299 (at dell.com/tv) after a $75 instant rebate.
The exact model I described for 2001, which is currently in my home office acting as a file server, was $499 from eMachines, with a slower CD-only drive, 56K modem card and 15-inch monitor.

Upgrade Your Laptop
The advantages are even bigger when you decide to upgrade your mobile computing — your laptop — to current technology.
Total “PC Power” advantage for 2005: 6 x 9 x 8 = 432X+++. Additionally, the 2005 entry level laptop model has CD burner / DVD drive, ethernet and wireless cards pre-installed.
This current configuration, described here, for 2005 is priced at an unbelievable $499 after $150 rebate from Dell (at dell.com/tv) and is far superior to top of the line laptops available in 2001 that retailed for $3,000 to $4, 000. I know, I have one!

The laptop model I described for 2001 cost me $1,299 but was not adequate for me at that time. I returned it and upgraded to a $3,200 laptop that fell short of the features on today’s $499 laptop model. (My 2001 desktop, by the way, besides being a file server for my home network, would work wonderfully as a doorstop or maybe an anchor for my 20-foot Bayliner!)
The bottom line is that upgrading to current computer technology IS affordable, and highly suggested! And 95% of your software (if you have a four-year-old computer) will work with a new system.
So, supersize your “brain,” modernize your hardware, emphasize your technology and you will realize more success!

Peter Coloyan has been in the travel industry for over 20 years. He embraced the Internet at its beginning and has flourished with it. He currently writes on, as well as edits, over 100 travel-related Web sites.