Product Care #2

You are thinking of purchasing a new system? Whether it is an Apple computer or a PC (notebook, desktop or built to order computer) PF Systems can offer you an "essentials" package to improve the safety of your computing experience. This article outlines the different options that are available depending on the type of system you purchase and your setup requirements.

If you choose to purchase an iMac or MacBook, we offer discounted pricing for the AppleCare and RAM upgrade and you can pick between the following set up options.

Our PF Systems $50 standard set up includes:

• Set up to user specifications (offsite)
• Removal of unnecessary start-up items.
• Operating System Update
• Installation of useful programs including warranty (if applicable)

Our PF Systems $100 complete set up also includes:

• Data backup and data transfer
• Onsite delivery and set up

Please note that travel is not included in the above set up options if you do not live within the Port Fairy area.

If you purchase a PC (notebook, desktop or built to order computer) we have the following "essentials" packages to choose from.

Destkop

Essentials Standard $103	Essentials Complete $170
- Kaspersky Internet Security 12 months - Belkin Surge Cube - PF Systems Standard Set Up*	- Kaspersky Internet Security 12 months - Belkin Surge Protector Outlet (4) 2M - PF Systems Complete Set Up*

Notebook

Essentials Standard $133	Essentials Complete $202
- Kaspersky Internet Security 12 months - 8GB Kingston DT100 G2 USB key - Targus Notepac CN01 15.6" (may vary) - PF Systems Standard Set Up*	- Kaspersky Internet Security 12 months - 8GB Kingston DT100 G2 USB key - Targus Notepac CN01 15.6" (may vary) - Wireless Microsoft Mobile Mouse 3500 - PF Systems Complete Set Up*

* Please refer to the PF Systems Set Up options described above.

When you purchase one of our "essentials" packages, you get 15% off your selected United Warranties Protection Plan. If you need a quote please go to our NEW and IMPROVED shop. 

We'll keep you posted.

Product Care #1

At PF Systems, we carefully select the products that we put into your hands, yet we cannot provide you with a 100% guarantee that all products are going to be flawless, and neither can the manufacturers. Thus, products come with a manufacturer's warranty which is usually between one and three years in the IT industry. If you're lucky you may even get a lifetime warranty (Corsair, for example).

At PF Systems, we do recommend that customers who purchase computers and devices take on an extended warranty if that manufacturer's warranty is only 12 months.

Apple's extended warranty is the AppleCare Protection Plan. Prices for the AppleCare vary depending on the type of product.

Apple product	Overall Protection	Price
iPhone / iPad	2 yr	$99

Apple product	Overall Protection	Price
iMac	3 yr	$268
MacBook Air / 13" MacBook Pro	3 yr	$299
MacBook Pro	3 yr	$429

Purchasing a protection plan / extended warranty is a personal matter and you need to assess whether you can afford to be without your device while it is being repaired or if you need an instant replacement etc... Ben's experience with his iPhone 3G is an example of a well spent $99 on AppleCare as he got sent 5 iPhones by Apple within the two years of the warranty (and Telstra contract) and by the 5th phone, Apple decided to offer Ben a free upgrade to a 32GB iPhone 3GS as compensation.

If you purchase a PC (notebook or desktop), PF Systems recommend United Warranties Product Care line. They offer a complete range of product care tailored to your needs, whether you purchase a notebook, desktop or built to order PC. PF Systems is an authorised repair agent for United Electrical.  Pricing depends on the value of the product and the following options are available:


Product Care

• "+1 year" (manufacturer's warranty + 1 year)
• "+2 year" (manufacturer's warranty + 2 years)
• "max 5 year" (total warranty of 5 years)

Product Care Platinum

• "+2 year" (manufacturer's warranty + 3 years - 2 years + 1 bonus year)
• "max 5 year" (total warranty of 6 years - 5 years + 1 bonus year)

So what are the features?

• Replacement cover up to $250
• Australia wide coverage
• United Warranties come to you (and PF Systems is an agent)
• No repair costs
• Online Tracking of Repairs
• Fair Wear & Tear
• True No Lemon Guarantee (3 consecutive repairs and the device is replaced with a new item)
• Food Spoilage
• Laundry Cover
• Pixel Coverage
• Disc Scratch Protection

The Platinum Protection Plans include the following bonus features:

• Increased Replacement Up to $400
• Loan product - on selected items
• First priority dedicated 1800 line
• Data recovery (for failed hard drives)
• Bonus 1 year protection

The most popular Product Care plan is the Platinum  "+2 Year + Bonus 1 year = 3 Year" for products ranging between $751 and $1000, which retails for $139.00.

Brochures and pricing are available from PF Systems, so call in if you are interested.

Stay tuned for our second article on "Product Care", to be released next week, which will outline the new PF Systems bundles.

Apple fever at Telstra #2 // iPad2

As extensive computer users at PF Systems (or computer geeks), we have not jumped on the iPad bandwagon as the use of our computers/notebooks paired with our iPhones has proven to be an ideal combination for our business and personal needs. However, we can see why the popularity of the iPad has increased amongst home users as it allows them to do most things they used to do on their computer, and some new ones. All with increased portability, reliability and speed.

The iPad 2 is the second generation of the iPad family featuring a design that is 33% thinner and up to 15% lighter than the original iPad. It features Apple's dual-core A5 processor for faster performance and includes two cameras (a front-facing VGA camera and a rear-facing camera that captures 720 pixels HD video).

Telstra is now offering the iPad 2 with Wi-Fi + 3G on 24 month plans or on a range of attractive pre-paid data plans. So for the Santa's out there who have to deliver an iPad 2 for Christmas, you could look at the following post-paid options or at the $30 Telstra Pre-Paid micro-SIM so that your spoiled ones can enjoy their gift straight away.

POST PAID

If you were thinking about getting an iPad 2 but did not want to spend the dollars upfront, the following post paid options are now available. You will pay monthly for the data + tablet plan and will benefit from member credits.

iPad 2 16GB

Cost per Month (minimum monthly spend, including data + tablet plan and device repayments after MRO bonus for 24 months)	Monthly included data allowance for use in Australia	Minimum Total Cost over 24 months
$49 ($29 data plan + $30/month - $10 member credit)	1GB	$1176.00
$59 ($39 data plan + $30/month - $10 member credit)	4GB	$1416.00
$69 ($49 data plan + $30/month - $10 member credit)	8GB	$1656.00
$99 ($89 data plan + $30/month - $10 member credit)	15GB	$2376.00

iPad 2 32GB

Cost per Month (minimum monthly spend, including data + tablet plan and device repayments after MRO bonus for 24 months)	Monthly included data allowance for use in Australia	Minimum Total Cost over 24 months
$54	1GB	$1296.00
$64	4GB	$1536.00
$74	8GB	$1776.00
$104	15GB	$2496.00

iPad 2 64GB

Cost per Month (minimum monthly spend, including data + tablet plan and device repayments after MRO bonus for 24 months)	Monthly included data allowance for use in Australia	Minimum Total Cost over 24 months
$57	1GB	$1392.00
$67	4GB	$1632.00
$77	8GB	$1872.00
$107	15GB	$2592.00

PREPAID

If you prefer to a pre-paid option, you will need to purchase a $30 Telstra Pre-Paid micro-SIM card with an included 3GB of data to get you started. This is available from PF Systems. Data allowance is valid for 30 days and cannot be used while roaming overseas. The recharge amounts are as follows.

Recharge Amount	Effective Allowance	Data Rate per MB	Expiry
$20	1GB	2c	30 Days
$30	3GB	1c
$60	6GB	1c
$80	9GB	1c
$100	12GB	1c
$150	12GB	1.22c	365 Days

So if Santa brings you one without a plan, you can pick up a $30 Telstra Pre-paid micro-SIM card from PF Systems to get started with 3GB of data. More details.

You can read here some reviews issued back in March when the iPad 2 was released:

Engadget: “The iPad 2 isn’t just the best tablet on the market, it feels like the only tablet on the market

WSJ/Mossberg: “Best tablet for average consumers”

Daring Fireball/Gruber: “Like last year’s iPhone 4, it seems like technology from the near future”

Apple Fever at Telstra #1 // iPhone 4S

Firstly, let's rewind back to October.

• Fri Oct. 14: iPhone 4S released
• Fri Oct. 14 (9:00am): PF Systems is organising connections for customers.
• Mon Oct. 17: hands on the iPhone 4S...  and the first iPhone 4S is ready to be delivered to our happy customer.

We have been able to provide our customers with an iPhone 4S within a time frame ranging from 1 business day to 10 business days over the last month and a half.

As a customer, why do I have to wait and how long do I have to wait?

• no iPhone 4S 64GB available at the moment
• for the iPhone 4S 16GB and 32GB, the lead time is a minimum of 3 business days, up to 1.5 week, with the iPhone 4S 16GB Black being the most likely to come in stock quickly
• the iPhone 4 8GB is still available and devices are usually in stock (available on $49 Freedom Connect plan with a Mobile Repayment Option of $3 per month or $49 Business Mobile Maximiser plan with a Mobile Repayment Option of $2.04 per month)
• at PF Systems, we keep you updated on a weekly basis on your order status.

Most importantly, how do I get an iPhone on a plan?

First of all, you need to contact us and provide us with your details. We need to know your phone number and if you are currently a Telstra mobile customer so that we can check your contract status. Once we know more about your contract details, we can discuss what your options are and get the process started. We get your details, place an order and order the phone. When the phone comes in, we contact you and organise the transfer (if you are reconnecting) or new connection and then you can come, sign the contract and pick up the phone.

All new iPhone 4S purchased through PF Systems will include a one-on-one basic setup service (30 minutes max - labour will be chargeable if time required exceeds 30 minutes).

CONSUMER PLANS

At PF Systems, we recommend you to choose a Freedom Connect Plan with an MRO (Mobile Repayment Option). See below the Freedom Connect Plan values and their corresponding monthly MRO for each device.

Freedom Connect	iPhone 4 8GB	iPhone 4S 16GB	iPhone 4S 32GB	iPhone 4S 64GB
$49 / month	$3 per month	$8 per month	$11 per month	$17 per month
$59 / month	$0 per month	$4 per month	$8 per month	$13 per month
$79 / month	$0 per month	$0 per month	$4 per month	$9 per month
$99 / month	$0 per month	$0 per month	$0 per month	$5 per month
$129 / month	$0 per month	$0 per month	$0 per month	$5 per month

What do I get with a Freedom Connect Plan? Check the details here.Look the details and call costs as well.

BUSINESS PLANS

At PF Systems, we recommend you to choose a Business Mobile Maximiser Plan with an MRO. See below the Business Mobile Maximiser Plan values and their corresponding monthly MRO for each device.

Business Mobile Maximiser	iPhone 4 8GB	iPhone 4S 16GB	iPhone 4S 32GB	iPhone 4S 64GB
$49 / month	$2.04 per month	$7.04 per month	$10.38 per month	$16.63 per month
$79 / month	$0 per month	$0 per month	$3.29 per month	$8.29 per month
$99 / month	$0 per month	$0 per month	$0 per month	$4.54 per month
$129 / month	$0 per month	$0 per month	$0 per month	$4.54 per month

Note that there is no $59 business mobile maximiser plan available for the iPhone.
What do I get with a Business Mobile Maximiser Plan? Check the details here.

SUMMARY


The iPhone 4 or 4S is not available as a subsidised handset. It is only available as an MRO (Mobile Repayment Option). The Freedom Connect Plans and Mobile Maximiser Plans mentioned above are our recommended plans as they are the new Cap plans and come with a fair amount of data for your internet usage, which is essential when using smartphones.

Confused? Don't worry, give us a call and we'll make it easy.

iPhone 4S, iOS5 & iCloud

Iphone 4S, iOS 5 & iCloud - What you need to know

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What a tech week!

• Oct. 12 (TODAY – Global release from midnight PST) – iCloud gets turned on for users & iOS 5 is released as a FREE update on iTunes
• Oct. 14 – iPhone 4S release date

Since the announcement of the iPhone 4S on Oct. 4 and the subsequent death of Steve Jobs, Apple has received MILLIONS of pre-orders and have in fact sold out of initial supply for Oct. 14.

Telstra has been registering consumer interest for the last week and has today announced their extremely competitive iPhone Consumer Plans. PF Systems is also taking registrations of interest for our initial shipment of iPhone 4S, so if you’re nearing the end of your contract with Telstra, let us know via our website.

If you sign-up with PF Systems, we’ll also offer a free 20 minute basic setup of your iPhone valued at $33.

What do you get for you money with the iPhone 4S?

The Hardware

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The iPhone 4S is an evolution, not a revolution, over the iPhone 4. Almost identical in appearance, the real hardware changes are the geeky stuff under the hood:

A5 processor	Dual core 1.2GHz and 7x Graphics performance. Same processor as the iPad 2. Webpages and other applications will run 68% faster on the new phone. Games will run up to 7 times faster.
Dual antenna system	Implemented mostly due to “Antenna-Gate” on the iPhone 4 launch, the antenna system is split in two so that the reception is optimized between the two, making the 'death-grip' less likely to occur.
8MP camera	More advanced features, quicker to start using and support for 1080p high definition movie recording.

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Summary: same but better!

The Software

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iOS 5 has 200 new features over iOS 4 and is ramping up to be the most significant update yet. The most important features:

Siri	Only available on the iPhone 4S. For those of you who ever used the voice commands on the previous iPhones you would know that it was fairly limited. You needed to select from a short list of commands to do things such as ring someone (sometimes the wrong person) or play some music. We've found it useful and reasonably reliable. Siri promises to take things to a whole new level. You will be able to command your phone to do a large range of things using normal sentences without a pre-learned iPhone syntax. Apparently this feature is not a gimmick and is like something “straight out of science fiction”!
Social	The headline is Twitter, but this should be read ‘We were too annoyed with Facebook at the time but now we are not and there will be tighter Facebook integration, also”. iOS will make whatever you are doing easier to share on Twitter & Facebook.
Over-The-Air Updates	Your iPhone will update over WiFi/3G. No more plugging your iPhone into your computer to get it running the latest incarnation of iOS.

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Summary: Some unexpected features and some long overdue ones.

The Cloud

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iCloud is Apple’s answer to the fragmented cloud-services approach of players like Google & Microsoft. It will aim to seamlessly sync and support all your devices (iPad, iPhone, Mac, PC) without complex and error prone syncing/updating regimes. Your desktop computer is no longer the centre of your digital universe, iCloud is.

Exchange-Like	For those of you paying for a hosted exchange service which syncs your email/calendar/contacts across all your devices, you know what this is. Now, if you have an ‘@mac.me’ email address (which you get for free), you can do the same thing. You may even be able to use your @mac.me account to collect your other mail and send on its behalf as with Gmail.
Photos	Take photos and see the sequence of photos taken appear on your other devices.
iTunes	Sync your purchased music and apps over all your iCloud connected devices eg. buy things on your iPhone and see it in your iTunes on your PC and on your AppleTV. Also, although a US-only service now, iTunes Match will cost around $30 a year and will 'legalize' your entire collection of songs by integrating them into your iTunes account. So if you’re someone with many CDs and many illegal downloads, this could be your chance to come 'clean'.
Documents	Work with Apple productivity software like iWorks (and other third party apps) and access your documents where you left them on any other device.

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Summary: Excellent (in concept) if you want to be 100% Apple, but be careful about selling your soul and watch your data allowance!

As a consumer, PF Systems does not recommend anything other than an iPhone as Apple has continually proved its ability to deliver on its promises. We offer a full set of iPhone services including the full range of Telstra plans and configuration solutions.

All new iPhone 4S purchased through PF Systems will include a one-on-one basic setup service (30 minutes max ;))

SSDs: an explosion of speed

Solid-state hard drives have been a long time in coming to mainstream PCs. They have been kept at bay by the increasingly cheap cost of normal HDDs which have a cost per GB of less than 10c compared to over $2 per GB for SSDs. Thus, SSDs are still too expensive to store your video collection on. They are, however, a viable option to boot your operating system from. The solution is to put your Operating System on a solid-state hard disk drive and store your other stuff (documents/videos/movies) on a normal HDD. In general you'll see a 10x increase in boot-up speeds and application loads: GAME-CHANGING.

For those with an ageing laptop (especially those on Vista), a modest decrease in storage size coupled with an external drive for storage will see an exceptional improvement.

For those with a desktop, PF Systems can separate just your OS onto the SSD and you'll immediately see a 10x explosion of speed. An added benefit will be the ability to back your OS drive up to your mechanical drive regularly without the need for an external drive.

This offer is especially targeted at people with middle-aged computers (2-4 years) who are considering replacing their device due to boot-up and operational speed. Even the performance of high end current computers using a mechanical HDD will not come near the general system performance of a middle-aged computer with an SSD.

Prices are as follows for the Corsair Force Series 3 SSD:

60GB Corsair 60GB Force Series 3 SSD (R/W: 550/490 MB/s): $159 (RRP $219) - $2.64/GB

90GB Corsair 90GB Force Series 3 SSD (R/W: 550/500 MB/s): $220 (RRP $289) - $2.44/GB

120GB Corsair 120GB Force Series 3 SSD (R/W: 550/510 MB/s): $247 (RRP $339) - $2.05/GB

Labour: $49/$99 Laptop/Desktop (PFS Silver/Gold discounts apply) with 3 Year PFS warranty on parts and labour.

News, blogs, shops: how to keep up with the updates!

The internet has drastically changed the way we communicate, receive news and access information. With lives becoming busier and internet content growing exponentially, we need to filter the information we are interested in to minimise our time spent browsing or searching. This is where web syndication becomes your ally.

Here are some tools that should help you read online efficiently and not miss out on updates.

By liking a page on Facebook, you will get notified whenever the page is updated. For example, you can click on the "like" button on our PF Systems Facebook page and you will be notified whenever we post bits of news on our wall. Of course, you need a Facebook account for this one.

If you have a twitter account, you can follow people to get their tweets and news. For news updates, you can follow ABC news, Reuters news... By following companies/brands you like, you get updates on promotions, special products, new stock, one day discounts. This is handy if you don't want to miss out. You can follow us on twitter, we will share with you some tips about computer use, interesting news about technology and everything we think is worth a tweet.

If you read blogs, you can use Google Reader to subscribe to their RSS feeds. Then, you will be able to read new articles posted on all your favourite blogs from Google Reader, rather than having to go to each individual blog. In order to use Google Reader, you need a Google account. Once you sign in, on the top menu under the "more" tab, click on Reader to get started.

First of all, you add subscriptions to blogs or websites (they must have RSS feeds). Then, all the latest articles are shown in "All items". You can choose to have them displayed within a list (it just looks like an inbox with read/unread items) or if you click on expanded, you will have a view of all the full articles, just like a parent blog with all the children being your subscriptions.

You could subscribe to pfsystems.blogspot.com to be notified of our latest articles or subscribe to theage.com.au to follow the news.
Blog Lovin is another website allowing you to manage the blogs you follow. You have to create an account, log in, and then you will see all the articles from your subscribed blogs.
And don't forget that you can use Google Reader and Blog Lovin on your phone too (download the apps to read on the go).

So don't waste your time, let the news come to you.