In case the universe hasn’t made it obvious enough to people who haven’t upgraded their software systems in the modern age, Google Chrome is no longer supporting Windows XP. Google announced earlier in the year that Chrome would support Windows XP only through the end of 2015. Starting in January of 2016, they would be on their own in terms of updates and security fixes. Users of all outdated systems were strongly encouraged to update to a more recent, if not the most recent Microsoft or Apple system. More security and better updates and support are the obvious reasons for people to switch. Likewise, an increased vulnerability to malware and viruses were the potential negative consequences of doing nothing. Seems like an easy decision, but of course humans do love to procrastinate.

Earlier in November, Google Chrome announced the end of their support, not just for the antiquated Windows XP, but also for Windows Vista, Mac OS 10.6, 10.7 and 10.8 which are also no longer supported platforms by either Microsoft or Apple. All updates and security fixes will end for these platforms even though users can continue to use them.

Windows XP is quite old as systems go. It’s been around since its 2001 launch and many people still use it. In fact, Windows 8.1 only recently overtook XP and Windows 7 is still the most widely used operating system.

One reason many people are still be using XP, and other outdated systems, may be because they haven’t upgraded their hardware recently either. AGT Computers can help with both of these issues. We can recommend new hardware and software and get you updated to the most current versions. Make sure you get up to speed so you can continue to download music and movies and use the web free from worry of infections from malware and viruses.

We are a one-stop shop for repairs to laptops, desktops, tablets and smartphones. AGT Computers, Ltd. serves Blackpool, Lancashire, Fylde, Lytham and the surrounding areas with cloud storage, cyber security and system upgrades. We are a Microsoft Silver Partner for Small and Midmarket solutions and can work with you to meet all of your personal computer or company’s IT needs.

According to energy studies, as much as 1.5 percent of all the electricity used globally goes to power and cool data centers. If you’ve ever been in a room full of servers on a hot summer day, you know they can generate a lot of heat. Not only is this energy that is lost, it requires additional energy to cool those servers down so they don’t overheat. Not to worry, the tech nerds at Nerdalize Radiator UK are on the case with free heat and data storage options combined in one device.

The Dutch startup company has developed what they call the eRadiator, which uses the heat from hardworking servers to warm residential homes. Even if you don’t need a server in your home for your own personal use, you can still have one installed and take advantage of this recycled resource. Companies benefit from this symbiotic relationship by freeing up space and lowering the energy costs of cooling server rooms.

One of the beauties of the eRadiator is, it doesn’t even look like a server. It doesn’t quite look like a traditional radiator either.  It has been designed to be unobtrusive and to blend into the rest of the homes decor. The best part of the eRadiator is, it’s free heat for homeowners and free data storage the company. Creating this win-win situation also benefits the environment. The eRadiator innovation is still in the testing stage, and its practicality hasn’t been firmly established. If it does indeed generate enough heat to significantly lowers monthly heating costs, we could see a worldwide proliferation of this ingeniuos device. If not, it was certainly a noble effort.

Have questions about servers, Nerdalize Radiator UK, software or other tech devices? Call AGT Computers, Ltd today. We provide solutions to cloud storage, cybersecurity and data management. We are also a repair shop servicing laptop, desktops, tablets and smartphones. AGT Computers serves the Blackpool, Lancashire, Fylde, Lytham and surrounding areas with cloud storage, cyber security and system upgrades. We are a Microsoft Silver Partner for Small and Midmarket solutions and can work with you to meet all of your personal computer or company’s IT needs.

Animal dissection can make one squeamish to say the least. Even for the heartier human specimens among us, cutting into the bone, tissue and organs of tiny, fury animals is enough to put us off our supper. The chemicals alone can get our guts churning. Consider our vegetarian and vegan friends who are morally opposed to eating animals, much less slicing them up with sharp surgical tools. Solving this problem is just another example of how the latest advances in technology can be used to solve problems. Whether you think cutting up critter cadavers is an ethically challenged proposition, or you believe it necessary for the advancement of science, it is science itself that may eliminate this nasty need altogether.

For the founders of US company, Necropsynth, 3D printing offered a solution to the inherent problems of animal dissection in the classroom. When co-founder, Bart Taylor got his first 3D printer it wasn’t long before he figured out a practical application for it. He thought by replicating animal tissue, he could offer science labs a way to teach anatomy without wasting animal life. Bart founded the company with his wife Tara to offer schools a less expensive, more humane way to teach science. A rat specimen in the States may cost a school as much at $12 per rat, whereas a 3D printed rat costs as little as $2 per.

Now that almost every restaurant menu has a vegetarian option, even our science labs and classrooms can as well. While the Taylors have successfully replicated tissue, they are still working on the printing of bones and muscle.

We may not have any 3D replicas of rats here at AGT Computers, but we’d be happy to discuss all of your software, hardware and other hi-tech needs. Our list of services includes repairs to laptops, desktops, tablets and smartphones. We can help you install operating systems including the new Windows 10, as well as all relevant software updates. AGT Computers, Ltd serves the Blackpool, Lancashire, Fylde, Lytham and surrounding areas with cloud storage, cyber security and system upgrades. We are a Microsoft Silver Partner for Small and Midmarket solutions and can work with you to meet all of your personal computer or company’s IT needs.

Are you still stuck in the past using an outdated browser? If you are stubbornly, or perhaps lazily. putting off updating to the latest browser, you are missing out. Not only are you most likely dealing with poor performance issues, but you’re also putting your computer and your data at risk to security breaches. Here’s another incentive to update your browser to the current version: starting in January of next year Microsoft will end support for outdated browsers. That includes support for Internet Explorer versions 8, 9 and 10. This news means it is finally time to upgrade, and what better way to start the new year than with increased speed and security. Without this upgrade to the latest supported operating system, users will no longer be able to receive the technical support they need. Important security updates will also not be available.

Those who choose to live with their outdated browsers do so at their own peril. They put themselves at risk of being infected by malware and viruses that are far more sophisticated than their current security programs can protect against. There’s also the annoying problem of slow loading images and less choices in plug-ins and add-ons.

Microsoft, of course, would like to see all users of their products using the latest versions of IE. That means upgrading to Internet Explorer for Windows 7, Windows 8.1 and the new Windows 10 operating system. Of course, Internet Explorer isn’t the only option. Chrome has become one of the most widely used Internet browsers around, but IE has certainly come a long way in a few short years. No matter what browser you choose, do yourself a favour and take advantage of the latest version and increase your productivity and speed. The tech world moves fast enough as it is and it’s simple to get updated.

If you have any questions about getting updated to the latest version of Internet Explorer, give AGT Computers a ring. Surf the web worry free, download movies and music and backup and protect your data. We are your one-stop shop for repairs to laptops, desktops, tablets and smartphones. AGT Computers, Ltd. serves Blackpool, Lancashire, Fylde, Lytham and the surrounding areas with cloud storage, cyber security and system upgrades. We are a Microsoft Silver Partner for Small and Midmarket solutions and can work with you to meet all of your personal computer or company’s IT needs.

If you’ve been following this blog at all in the past year, then you know that here at AGT Computers, Ltd., we have been big cheerleaders for the new Windows 10 operating system. We love the new Edge browser which allows users to quickly navigate the web and make notes directly onto web pages and share with friends. We love the new personal assistant Cortana which lets users highlight web text and ask for more information. Microsoft wasn’t quite done with new innovations with the system for 2015, however, and the company will soon be rolling out Window 10 phones, hopefully starting next month. With the upcoming Windows 10 phone a new adapter will be available which will turn that smart phone into a working computer. Microsoft likes to refer to their new phone as a PC in your pocket.

With the display adapter, users can plug in a mouse and keyboard and harness the power of Windows 10 without lugging around a laptop. This portable PC enables the use of all the shortcuts you can take on a PC installed with Windows. Take your new phone, either a Lumia 950 or 906 XL, and connect it to the display dock and you are ready to use your favorite applications like Microsoft Office and Outlook.

While the new Windows 10 phones will be released in November, the Windows 10 update may take another month before it is available. Installing the update requires 8GM of internal memory and a Lumia 950 or 950 XL phone. These phones will include a 5.2 inch display and a hexa-core Qualcomm processor for the 950 and a 5.7 inch display and a octa-core Qualcomm processor for the 950 XL.

Check back for updates on these new Windows phones and until then remember that at AGT Computer, we are here to help with all of your computing needs. This includes repairs to laptop, desktops, tablets and smartphones. We can help you install the Windows 10 operating system, as well as software updates. AGT Computers serves the Blackpool, Lancashire, Fylde, Lytham and surrounding areas with cloud storage, cyber security and system upgrades. We are a Microsoft Silver Partner for Small and Midmarket solutions and can work with you to meet all of your personal computer or company’s IT needs.

A successful business is a growing business. As a company expands it begins to outgrow its current structure. This could mean that more space is needed for new employees, office equipment or inventory. It can also mean that your current computer network can no longer meet the demands of your workforce and workflow. When this happens it’s time to consider moving from a workgroup to a domain-based network.

As a small company, you may be able to survive on a peer-to-peer network. You can designate a single PC as the de facto server, but this will limit you as the number of computers in your workgroup grows. Being proactive and making the switch early will limit the growing pains your company will experience later.

It’s hard to say where the exact tipping point is — that moment when you’ve outgrown your current computer setup. Functionality and output may begin to slow before you’re even aware is happening. Generally speaking, when your workgroup has expanded beyond five computers, then switching to a domain-based network becomes an attractive option.

There are a few questions to ask when considering whether to move to a domain-based network. Does your business requires a centralised location for sharing files? Are your employees required to change passwords frequently? How competent are they at installing their own software and updates? These are all questions you need to ask when considering when to make the move to a network. Once you make the transition, you can add secondary domain controllers or backup domain controllers as the needs arises, so you can continue to grow unimpeded.

Some advantages of a domain-based network are easier updates to all computers, better management of email and an overall reduction in network traffic. This will also allow users to share calendars and inboxes and can help reduce the risk of data loss from individual PCs that breakdown unexpectedly or become corrupted by viruses or malware. Central system management though a network allows for tighter security, better communication, increased data storage and easier file sharing and password management.

At AGT Computers, we can help you transition as seamlessly as possible. We can assist your business with the installation of operating systems and servers. We can help your company backup files and utilize the cloud for data storage. We can help with cyber security, system upgrades and devise IT solutions to ensure the further growth of your company. We are a Microsoft Silver Partner for Small and Midmarket solutions and can work with you to meet all of your company’s IT needs.

It seems like it’s always been Apple vs Microsoft, but this ongoing battle between PCs and Macs has ultimately benefited all parties. Apple, Microsoft, and faithful consumers of both iconic computer companies, have come out winners in this long war of attrition. Healthy competition makes companies work harder to win the hearts and minds (and pounds) of the public. The long back and forth friction between these rival computer giants, as well as between their devoted followers, has allowed consumers to enjoy the best of both worlds.

For example, Intel® Core processors are available in products across both platforms. Memory capacity, hard drive space and stability are now very much the same between the two. There is still some ground to gain, however. While Macs are capable of running Microsoft Windows, PCs are unable to run Apple’s OS X operating system.

It has long been the stereotype that Macs were used exclusively by creative types, while PCs were strictly used in office environments for boring things like spreadsheets and PowerPoint presentations. However, with Adobe Creative Suite now available on PCs, and Office 2016 now available for Mac with an Office 365 subscription, integration has come a long way. With cloud software and storage available to both platforms, public opinion and attitudes towards the two companies have changed.

Even though Mac users have traditionally been immune to many of the viruses and malware that have affected PC users, that has changed as well, and not in a good way. Macs have become increasingly vulnerable to attacks, but with properly installed antivirus software this risk can be greatly reduced for both. It’s important to keep this software updated for best results.

For repairs, a shop like AGT Computers can easily diagnose and fix PCs. Macs, on the other hand, usually require an authorized Apple dealership to perform repairs, but even this is changing. PCs were always the better deal from a financial standpoint, but the price gap between the two has closed in recent years with Apple making more budget friendly products.

If you have any compatibility concerns with software or hardware across Mac and PC platforms, give us a call at AGT Computer Services, Ltd. Our trained staff can answer any questions you might have about those issues or about Office 365, cloud storage, cyber security or system upgrades. We serve the Blackpool, Lancashire, Fylde, Lytham and surrounding areas. We are a Microsoft Silver Partner for Small and Midmarket solutions and can work with you to meet all of your company’s IT needs.

Good news for both Mac users, Office 2016 for Mac is out now. We all know there are Mac people and PC people, and even though they won’t admit it, some of them are jealous of the better features of the other. For a long time Mac users could not get easy access to great Microsoft Office software. This was not only frustrating for them, it prevented some people from doing freelance work that required the use of programs like Excel or PowerPoint. We’ve come a long way down the road towards complete integration since then, and now we are about to take another giant step forward. The release of Office 2016 for Mac is the leap that will propel our faithful Mac friends towards a future with Microsoft Office. Office 2016 for Mac is currently available in nearly 150 countries across the globe. That includes 16 different languages and so far the response has been positive.

Recent updates to the software have provided even more improvement and now

Office 365 customers can get their versions too. Make no mistake, this is still Office. Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Excel, Word and OneNote, they’re all present and better than ever. For Mac users they have been designed and fully integrated for the Mac experience with the use of great Mac features like full screen view and Multi-touch. Office for Mac also allows for connection to the cloud for storage and use across multiple devices. This is great if you work from home or use a laptop on your way to or from the office. Document sharing tools allow you and your colleagues to work simultaneously without loss of formatting or content. Compatibility has never been better across a range of PCs, tablets and smart phones.

If you have any questions about the new Office 2016 for Mac give us a call at AGT Computer Services, Ltd. We proudly serve the Blackpool, Lancashire, Fylde, Lytham and surrounding areas with cloud storage, cyber security, and system upgrades. We are a Microsoft Silver Partner for Small and Midmarket solutions and can work with you to meet all of your company’s IT needs.

Windows 10 released! We’ve been keeping you informed about all the great new features that will be included in Windows 10 for quite some time now. It seems like a long time coming, but the release day for Windows 10 has finally come to pass. 

Microsoft has been strategic in the way they released the new system, choosing to make it available in waves, as opposed to one general release. As users get familiar with the system, it is hoped they will discover any bugs that may have previously escaped attention throughout the development stage and release process.

For those of you who have been following the AGT blog, you may already be aware that the new Windows 10 operating system is being offered for free to users of Windows 7 and Windows 8. If this applies to you, then you have one year to upgrade. Upgrading to the new operating system should be easy, but if you need assistance we are here to help.

What will the new system look like? For starters, Windows 10 is being released with a brand new browser called Edge. Surely, the name is meant to imply that it’s on the cutting edge of technology, and it certainly looks that way. Edge allows users to navigate the Web quickly, but it also allows them to write directly onto Web pages, which they can then share with their friends. Windows 10 also features Microsoft’s personal assistant and tablet interface, Cortana, which has been integrated throughout the system. Cortana allows users to highlight certain sections of Web text to provide a more thorough explanation of the content.

A new start-up menu, mail, maps and menu features should have Microsoft fans on board quickly. Users of Windows 7 and 8 will appreciate the fact that the best features of those operating systems have been incorporated into the new design. Security and safety features have also been enhanced. The new Windows system also allows for better desktop management by enabling users to create virtual desktops and have multiple screens open at once for better multitasking. Gamers will be excited to learn that Microsoft has partnered with Xbox to allow them to compete against console players and also stream games from Xbox One systems to any PC in the home that is using Windows 10.

If you have any questions about the new Windows 10 from Microsoft, call AGT Computer Services. We can help you get the operating system installed and ensure your files are backed up properly. We serve the Blackpool, Lancashire, Fylde, Lytham and surrounding areas with cloud storage, cyber security, and system upgrades. We are a Microsoft Silver Partner for Small and Midmarket solutions and can work with you to meet all of your company’s IT needs.

Summer is finally here and at AGT Computer Services, Ltd. we want to help you celebrate the season with some great deals on Antivirus Protection and Internet Security. In today’s tech savvy world, hackers have become more ingenious in figuring out ways to get at your sensitive data. Likewise, viruses and malware have become even more sophisticated in the ways in which they can attack computer systems. You need to protect yourself and data against these cyber threats and now is the perfect time to do it while saving yourself some money in the bargain.

At AGT, we are offering Panda Antivirus Pro 2015 for £24.99 and Panda Internet Security 2015 for £34.99. We are also offering free installation that can be performed remotely or at one of our locations in Blackpool, Lytham or St. Annes.

Get Panda Antivirus Pro for £24.99, with free installation, and protect yourself from cyber threats. Included in the package is antivirus protection, Wi-Fi protection, firewall protection and a special emergency rescue kit. Panda Antivirus Pro is fast and effective and once it is installed on your computer you can rest assured you will be receiving the best protection against Internet threats and malware in realtime. Also included is a bidirectional firewall that keeps your Wi-Fi network safe. Share photos and videos and surf the web worry-free. Antivirus Pro also helps protect against identity theft and other forms of on-line fraud such as phishing attacks. The rescue kit offers unlimited usage for you and your family with safe-mode computer disinfectant.

Panda Internet Security 2015 is available for £34.99 and offers the same protection as Antivirus Pro Plus but also offers on-line backups and parental control features. Safeguard data and backup those important files while protecting your family from inappropriate content.

Virus Protection	✓	✓
Firewall	✓	✓
Wi-Fi Protection	✓	✓
Parental Control		✓
Online Backup		✓
Panda Price	£32.99	£40.99
AGT Price	£24.99	£34.99

At AGT Computer Services, we can help you or your business with all your IT support and computer hardware and software needs. We also offer computer repair services at our three locations. If you live in Blackpool, Lytham, Preston, Fylde or the surrounding area, give us a call. We are a Microsoft Silver Partner for Small and Midmarket solutions and can work with you to meet all of your personal computer or company’s IT needs.