Cheap ways to make your old tech better
Reading this on a 6-year-old iPhone 11? It’s well past the average smartphone lifespan of 2.5 years … and I’m impressed you’ve hung onto it this long. Btw, Apple typically provides iOS updates for five to six years after a model’s release.
Upgrading your laptop or smartphone is inevitable. But wait before you throw out that clunky computer. Even when a piece of tech starts showing its age, you can give it a new lease on life.
Make room for vacation photos
Most modern phones don’t have memory card slots. Expand your cloud storage to offload photos, videos and other files to free up space. Use the option built to work with your phone.
- Android friends, Google One upgrades start at $2 for 100GB.
- For iPhone, iCloud+ pricing starts at $1 for 50GB.
Pro tip: If you and the family all use iPhones, share an iCloud+ account to save some money. I do this with Barry and Ian.
Playing the oldies
Want to get Spotify or Apple Music streaming around the house? You don’t have to invest in a set of pricey wireless speakers if you’re still rocking the older wired kind.
Add a Bluetooth adapter (like this Esinkin model), and those old speakers can play anything right from your phone or computer.
Wi-Fi from anywhere
Blast internet dead zones with a Wi-Fi extender like the Netgear EX6400. Way cheaper than buying a whole new router or mesh system, so if you’re having connectivity issues, it’s a good place to start.
Increase your TV’s IQ
You can bring any TV into the streaming age as long as it has an HDMI port. Try a Google Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV Stick or Apple TV 4K to make your old box streaming-ready.
Work your workstation
Your laptop might not be speedy, but upgrading your workstation has real benefits.
- A comfortable keyboard speeds up your typing.
- A larger monitor is easy on the eyes and gives you more screen workspace.
- An ergonomic laptop stand eases strain on your neck.
PC performance booster
Feeling ambitious? Computers that freeze up and are generally slow-moving can benefit from a RAM upgrade. Tons of guides online can help you with this one, but know that it’s a little tricky, so pros only.
The simple explanation: Open up your computer, and swap out the current RAM sticks for new ones that are faster and offer more capacity. Hello, performance boost.
Play on, player
This one’s for the gamers. You can buy extra storage for both PlayStation and Xbox consoles that simply plugs in and gives you more room for your games.
The PS5 has an internal storage slot you can fit an M.2 SSD card into, too — something like the WD Black SN850. You’ll need a screwdriver, a few minutes and Sony’s instructions.
On an Xbox Series X or S, it’s even easier. The expansion slot is on the outside. Buy a compatible card like this Seagate one, and follow Microsoft’s instructions.
😂 How do you make a holy computer? You upgrade the hell out of it! (I know, I had to!)
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Tags: Amazon, Apple, Google, guides, upgrades
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