Month: October 2013

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Hello Windows 8.1

Last week Microsoft made Windows 8.1 available for download in the UK. Windows 8.1 has progressively shown that the early mistakes on Windows 8 have been ironed out.

So why is now the right time to make the upgrade to Windows 8.1? Well it includes a number of new features and interface changes. The return of the desktop Start button will be welcomed by many, as will the revamped search facility and completely redesigned Windows Store.

Microsoft has also upgraded a number of the core apps that come with the operating system. The ‘Mail’ app adopts its interface whilst there is an entirely new interface for the Music app. In fact the development of Microsoft’s own Apps and those of 3rd Party developers is showing a significant improvement. The fact that Facebook launched its first Windows Store app alongside Windows 8.1 is testimony to the advancement in this area.

The good news for existing users of Windows 8 is that they will be offered Windows 8.1 as a free upgrade via the Windows Store. It will install in place over the existing operating systems and leave all Windows Store and desktop apps intact. However, those who tried out the Windows 8.1 preview will have to reinstall all their Windows Store and desktop apps after upgrading to the final version of the Operating System.

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What’s That I Hear? Office For iPad?

Evidence is growing that an iPad version of Microsoft Office will be available, but Microsoft is determined to save that touch-friendly experience for its own Windows devices.

Speaking prior to leaving Microsoft, former CEO, Steve Ballmer confirmed the existence of Office for iPad but immediately stressed that the company has no intention of allowing it to land on a competing platform first.

“iPad will be picked up when there’s a touch-first user interface,” Ballmer remarked, suggesting that Office for Windows will be where the new version will make its premiere.

According to Microsoft insiders, that sentiment appears to have been echoed by Chief Operating Officer B. Kevin Turner, who recently proclaimed the company’s intention to “own the productivity experience across all devices.”

That means that despite the huge demand for Office for iPad is still not being met and that the only way Apple users can access Office is via an iPhone-only app that requires and annual subscription to use.

For now, “touch-first” appears to also mean “Windows first,” but Microsoft isn’t giving any indication of how soon that initiative might land in the waiting hands (and fingers) of users.

Have a look at our iPad leasing here…

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News

Welcome The iPad 5 And iPad Mini 2

Today is an exciting day for fans of Apple’s iPad as later on Apple will be holding their Media Event in San Francisco, detailing the new iPad 5 and iPad mini 2.

The fifth-generation iPad has been designed to look similar to the iPad mini, adopting smaller side bezels that cut a significant amount of bulk from the tablet. As a result, it is thinner, lighter and smaller in size than the existing fourth-generation iPad

Apple’s newest iPad is expected to include a new 64-bit processor from the A7 family introduced in the iPhone 5s, and it may also include an improved 8-megapixel camera. There has been speculation that Apple may include the Touch ID fingerprint sensor that debuted with the iPhone 5s on both its revamped iPad and iPad mini, but so far no leaked images have appeared showing this feature.

It is anticipated that the iPad will be offered in both silver/white and black/space grey.

As soon as the iPad is released our website will be updated showing prices and specifications. Uniquely, we provide all of our iPads with a 3 year warranty and an All Risks insurance policy providing you with complete piece of mind.

If you are interested in the new iPad or need the current model urgently please call 0121 285 0098 or email info@localhost for more details.

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News

Lease Now, Pay January 2014

GEEX are providing this great offer whereby you can take delivery of your new Mac, PC or iPad now and your first lease repayment will not be until January 2014.

Lease repayments will be made on a quarterly basis, meaning a total of 4 payments per year, plus you get a few months grace before your first repayment. So if you take delivery of your new equipment in October you will not pay until January 2014.

When added to other advantages of leasing such as tax and cash flow it is no surprise that more companies in the West Midlands are looking towards GEEX to provide their IT equipment. With renewal options, 3 years parts and labour hardware warranties with telephone and remote support our equation is incredibly popular.

This offer is obviously subject to credit status and it applies to leases where equipment is less than £18.55 + VAT per week. With that budget you can get the most expensive MacBook Pro, or iMac; or the latest Lenovo Twist.

Feel free to contact our sales team on 0121 285 0098 or email us info@localhost to discuss your IT requirements.

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Blog

A Digital Education

Digital technology is expanding quickly in schools and head teachers are understandably keen to be at the forefront of new teaching methods. Also the attraction of long term cost savings on text books cannot be underestimated.

The dilemma facing many schools, is do they ask parents to part with £300 for a tablet, or pay for a device in instalments? Some schools are charging up to £30 a month, as they rush to keep ahead of the information revolution.

While the introduction of digital technology is lessons is popular with youngsters, parents and teaching unions are raising concerns that those from poorer backgrounds could lose out on that supposedly free state education.

Although there have been expected complaints, head teachers rightly insist pupils should be able to engage and be confident with using modern technologies.

A major concern however, is that young people may be reluctant to let their schools and classmates know that they cannot afford to lease a computer from the school, let-alone have one at home to use. If such items were given free of charge to all pupils and maintained and repaired by the school, then that would be one way of ensuring all pupils have the same equal access and opportunities without stigma.

At GEEX we fell our Operating Leases allows schools to provide just such a service. All of our iPad leases include the following as standard:

  • A  full 3 years parts and labour hardware warranty plus telephone remote support. In the event that we cannot solve a problem over the phone we will send out a replacement iPad the same day and collect the faulty one ensuring the minimal disruption to the classroom.
  • All risks insurance covering against theft, loss and accidental damage.
  • Equipment Renewal/Upgrade – our normal lease is capped at 3 years but we uniquely offer a renewal of your Apple iPads after only 2 years. You can return the old iPads and cancel the original agreement allowing you free to take a new lease on the latest iPad. You can keep the original iPads but there would be a small cost to do this which we can add to the new lease.
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Blog

Apple Takes Over Coke

Apple was crowned the most valuable brand in the world overtaking 13 year reining Coca-Cola. The iPhone creator topped the global list of valuable brands at $93.3billion.

Google came second in the list compiled by consultancy Interbrand, with Coca-Cola, IBM and Microsoft rounding out the top five.

Coke, which has become an icon of globalisation and consumer society, has been top of the list every year since it was first published in 2000. But Apple’s devotion to innovative design and Google’s almost universal popularity as the world’s number one search engine helped them surpass the 127-year-old drink for the first time.

The top 10 saw mainly brands from the U.S including Apple, Google, Microsoft, IBM, GE (6th), McDonalds which came seventh, and at 9th place Intel.

The top European brands were Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Louis Vuitton and H&M. The most valuable British brand was HSBC which occupied 32nd place.

The total value of all the brands in Interbrand’s top 100 came to $1.5trillion, 8.4 per cent higher than last year despite the continuing effects of the global financial crisis and subsequent recession.