Month: February 2014

Last year we commented that Office for iPad would eventually be available, but not before Office had successfully been introduced on Microsoft’s touch platforms.

However, that all seems to be changing, as rumours are circulating that Office for iPad maybe with us by July 2014. Originally codenamed Gemini, Office for iPad is apparently ready for launch and it is thought that previous Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer agreed the pre-July launch.

If this were to be the case it would be a significant change in how Microsoft views the situation. Previously, their stance has been to protect Office and bring it to their own touch based solutions first. However, this move would seem them recognise that loyal Microsoft customers are likely to operate devices from other manufacturers. How many of us work religiously on a PC all day to go home and immediately turn on our iPads for example?

If Microsoft has had a change of heart we would welcome the change and the possibilities it would bring. It would also end the longest wait for software to reach a platform in recent technology history.

Think an iPad is just what your business needs? Have a look at the iPad Air here…

Quite often potential new customers ask us what are the advantages of our offer compared to outright purchase. Our immediate response is to highlight the inclusive 3 year warranty and the cash flow benefits. For example, you can lease a new iMac, with 3 years hardware warranty plus telephone and remote support for just £10.30 + Vat per week. Compare this to having to take out over £1200 to buy the same product, and you can see that keeping the money in the business to spend on marketing and alike could make a real difference.

One of the key advantages that we often overlook when speaking to people, is that leasing is tax efficient. But what does that mean? Essentially, leasing is 100% tax-allowable. As the user you don’t actually own the equipment, the lease company does. This means that the lease payments to be written off the Profit & Loss account rather than the Balance Sheet, where a depreciating item is classed as a liability. Depending on the rate of tax you pay the saving of 20-40% of the cost of the lease repayments goes to you.

Each repayment is categorised as a lease rental and as such, is able to be written off as a business expense, thereby reducing the tax paid on your company’s profits. If you decide to buy your equipment outright, you are only allowed to write off a percentage of the total cost, meaning that you may pay more tax than if you had leased.

If you too would like to benefit from our 100% tax efficient equation call us 0121 285 0098 or email info@localhost with your requirement.

With over 170 million iPads sold since its launch in 2012, Apple’s iPad has changed the way we all do business.  There are now nearly half a million software Apps available for businesses.

So once you have established the need for the iPad in your business the big question is which one?

First of all there is size to consider. The new iPad Air is available in 16, 32, 64 or 128GB variations. We have found that whilst the iPads are bought for business reasons, a natural consequence of people using them is that they do get populated with personal photos, apps and alike. Therefore, the 32 and 64GB variations have proved to be the most popular and realistic.

The next big question is Wi-Fi or Cellular? The 32GB model the Wi-Fi version is just £4.95 + VAT per week and to add the cellular capability only adds an extra £1 + Vat per week.  So if cost is not a major consideration, then it really just comes down to your access to a Wi-Fi connection. If you are always on the move, or find yourself commuting by train, a strong case can be made for the cellular model. However, if you simply leave your Wi-Fi at home and drive to the office to connect to the network there you will probably be ok with just the Wi-Fi model.

Our iPad prices start at just £3.99 + VAT per week for the 16GB WI-Fi model and all models come with a 3 years parts and labour warranty and telephone and remote support. We also include a 3 years All Risks Insurance policy for complete piece of mind.

With discounts avaliable for multi purchase orders feel free to contact us at info@localhost or call 0121 772 592.

With HP last week announcing in the US that it will now be providing its new PCs with Windows 7 and rumours that Microsoft employees refer to Windows 8 as the new Vista is the writing on the wall for Windows 8?

It’s no secret that consumers have been slow to adopt Windows 8, as well as Windows 8.1. Windows 7 remains dominant and even though it is 12 years old, Windows XP is much more popular than anything released since Windows 7.

While Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 combined to reach double digits in marketshare, Windows 8.1′s, which was released last October, currently stands at just 3.60. Considering that this is a completely free download for Windows 8 users this has to be considered low.  Further salt is rubbed into the wound when you consider that Windows 8.1 market share is still less popular that Windows Vista, despite the fact that Vista was despised by consumers as is 8 years old.

Many commentators feel that Microsoft has tried to be too clever and make an Operating System that works on both tablet and desktop PC. Windows 9 is rumoured for release next April and it is thought that this may herald a move away from a hybrid operating system to one whereby consumers will have two distinct interfaces for desktop and tablet use.

At GEEX most of our desktop PCs come with the option of either Windows 8 or Windows 7 Professional. So if you are a massive fan of Windows 8 or just love Windows 7 we have something for you. Feel free to contact us at info@localhost or call us on 0121 285 0098.

Just over 30 years ago, on the 22^nd January 1984, Apple introduced the Mackintosh. It featured a 9 inch screen, a 3.5” Floppy Disk Drive and 128kb RAM!

The Mackintosh was launched at a time when IBM ruled the world of computing.  To put it into context the new iMac has a 1TB Hard Drive , the latest iPad Air has a 9.7” retina display and the new Mac Pro comes with 12GB RAM, that’s over 90,000 times as much memory as the first Mackintosh!

The greatest achievement of the Mackintosh was that it replaced the need to type in commands with point-and-click menus, introduced drag and drop, and launched the type of graphical user interface seen across PCs, phones, and tablets around the world today.

The video below provides a brilliant insight into how Apple has evolved over the past 30 years. If it inspires you, to get your hands on the latest Apple products, then check out our incredible lease prices here or call 0121 285 0098.

If you’re a Windows XP user, the 8^th April 2014 will be a daunting date.  This is the date when Microsoft will no longer provide technical assistance for Windows XP, including automatic updates that help to protect your PC. Microsoft will also stop providing Microsoft Security Essentials for download on Windows XP on April 8th.

That means that if you are running Windows XP, and 30% of the world’s computers do, you are at risk from a security breach. So what are your options?

Firstly, you could of course keep running with XP and there are some signs that Microsoft will continue to push the Malicious Software Removal Tool to XP machines until July 2015, providing some level of protection to its users.

Secondly, you can upgrade to the latest operating system Windows 8.1. However, there is no inexpensive way to do this and Windows 8 is potentially becoming the new Vista.

The third option, is that you could lease a brand new HP ProDesk 400 Desktop PC from GEEX, that’s runs Windows 7, from as little as £5.50 + Vat per week.  This new desktop machine from HP offers the latest Intel processors and integrated graphics. Along with 8GB RAM and a 500GB Hard Drive it is the perfect office workhorse.

So if your company is still running Windows XP and you need to upgrade your computer equipment feel free to contact us at info@localhost or call us on 0121 285 0098.