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When you’re in your home office, you may be working as efficiently as you can, but your computer may be slowing you down. Not to worry. Here are a few easy ways to enhance your PC’s performance. |
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Clear hard drive space |
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Your PC’s hard drive stores the critical data and files you use every day, so it’s essential that it gets some fine-tuning every now and then.
First, find out how much hard drive space you’re using.
- Click Start then click My Computer.
- Right click on your hard drive (Local Disk C) and choose Properties.
- Click on the General tab to see the amount of used and free space on your hard drive.
If your hard drive doesn’t have much free space left, your PC is struggling to keep up—and you’ll need to clear some space.
You can free up hard drive space by deleting old programs and files you don’t use, clearing out the cache, and using tools like Disk Defragmenter or Disk Cleanup. To learn more about how to clear space on your hard drive, read Keeping Your Hard Drive Healthy. |
Upgrade memory |
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| Extend the life of your PC and improve its performance by adding more memory or “RAM.” For a fraction of the price of a new PC, a RAM upgrade eliminates annoying performance lags, speeds up applications, and lets you run more software programs at the same time. |
Use external storage |
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External storage makes it easy to take large chunks of data off your hard drive to make room for the files you need immediate access to.
External storage also helps protect against data loss by giving you a convenient backup solution. Remember to back up your files regularly to keep important data safe. You can schedule automatic daily, weekly or monthly backups with your PC’s backup software.
HP offers a variety of storage choices
- HP Personal Media Drives
- HP Pocket Media Drives
- HP Media Vault
- Virtual storage via the Internet
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Add smart accessories |
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Transform your ho-hum home office into a workspace buzzing with productivity by adding a few clever accessories.
Home office essentials
- Docking station—Expand your notebook’s capabilities and help maximize your computing experience by elevating your notebook screen to eye level and connecting a variety of PC accessories using USB ports.
- Flat-panel monitor—Reduce eyestrain and save valuable desktop space.
- VoIP headset—Sound professional with a headset that filters out background noises for videoconferencing and VoIP chatting.
- Webcam—Have face-to-face virtual meetings with coworkers and clients from your home.1
- Wireless mouse and accessories—Clear the clutter of wires from your workspace, and use a wireless mouse for on-the-go computing.
- Wireless router—Wirelessly share an Internet1 connection, files, printers and more with multiple PCs in your home.
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Invest in new technology |
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If you’ve taken your PC as far as it can go, it may be time to upgrade to a new one. Below are a few powerful options that can handle whatever your workday brings.
- HP Slimline PC—big potential for small spaces
Just one-third the size of a traditional tower, the HP Slimline PC easily handles graphics-rich apps and complex spreadsheets without cramping your space.
- HP TouchSmart IQ800 series PC—your world at your fingertips
Quickly access the Internet, presentations, photos and more with easy-to-use touchscreen technology.1 Manage your daily schedule with built-in organizational tools—conveniently at your fingertips’ command.
- HP Pavilion dv5 series notebook PC—sleek and powerful
Whether you’re working in your home office, on the couch or in the airport, this high-style notebook PC strikes the perfect balance between mobility and performance.
- HP a6000 series desktop PC—multitasking made easier
This nimble desktop PC helps you skillfully manage your workday with dual-core processors for running multiple applications, plus ample memory and storage space.
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Start now |
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| Don’t let your PC or home office setup slow you down another minute. By following the advice above, you’ll be on your way to a more efficient workspace that will turn any cubicle dweller green with envy. |
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| 1Internet access required; sold separately. |
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