End-of-Support

All products have a LifeCycle.

Hardware & Software companies publish these dates years in advance.

Before you buy anything used or refurbished - check how long the system will be supported.

Here is an ongoing page that you can check http://www.colorado.edu/oit/software-hardware/software-lifecycle

MAC's & Google Chrome no longer supporting Older versions of OSx

You can check out this page http://www.apple.com/osx/how-to-upgrade/

to see if your Hardware will run the New Apple Operating System El Capitan

Here are the Customer Reviews: https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=1018109117&mt=12&ls=1&v0=www-us-osx-how-app-elcapitan

Before you try ANYTHING ... you should Always back up your system!!

You may want to check with Brown Computer Systems - they may know more easily if your old computer can handle El Capitan.

Brown Computer Systems (877) 447-9663 In Keene, Brattleboro, Bennington

Best Buy: (888) 237-8289

Mac Store in Holyoke Mall, 50 Holyoke Street, Holyoke, MA 01040, (413) 493-3878

Mon - Sat: 10:00 a.m. - 9:30 p.m. Sun: 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Current Known Support Dates:

• Windows OS http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/lifecycle (Win7 Mainstream Jan'15, All Jan'20)

• Mac OS https://it.ouhsc.edu/docs/OS-and-Office-Lifecycles-Feb-2015.pdf

• Chrome & Android OS https://support.google.com/chrome/a/answer/6220366?hl=en

• Linux https://benjamin-schweizer.de/operating-systems-lifecycle-chart.html

History https://www.cs.cmu.edu/~help/downloads/support_lifecycle/support-lifecycle.pdf

End of Life Planning for Hardware, Operating Systems, Browsers and Software.

Usually it comes down to security. If it takes more effort to support a product than it does to convert to a new product then it is time to retire that product. All product comes to an end UNLESS you can isolate it.

• Disconnect it's wireless card - this way it is a STAND-a-LONE. You can still use software installed but you can't access a network or the Internet.

• Donate it to a Preschool, School or "Alternate" High School where Internet access is not allowed.

• Use it for a dedicated purpose. Editing Pictures or Writing your Book. Each time you use a thumb drive you are putting the computer at risk - so scan the thumb drive frequently with current software.

When upgrading - or looking into upgrading ....

If you are putting in money ....

ex. Memory, paying someone to upgrade your system for you, etc.

if you are spending more than 1/5 of the cost of a new computer

it really is better to put your money toward a new system.

Think of it like a car

Because it is VERY much like a car

It has a life-span, for computers it is 5 years max, and some as few as 3 years, and for the disposable $200 tablets or Chrome Books, 1 or 2 years.

At some point putting money into an older car does not make sense.

But if you like working on old cars or working on old computers

then it is like spending money on entertainment.