1. All computers should be cleaned at least twice a year or more depending on your dust and even more if you smoke. 

2. You should be running windows 7 or windows 8 and if your running windows XP or earlier shame on you. Windows EP was a great operating system but it is 12 years old. 

3. Make sure your work computer is less than 5 years old. Your hard drives were not meant to last that long. A good rule of thumb is 3 years, that is right replace your computers every three years. It is much easier to replace a working computer than a dead one.

IF you have to buy a new computer here are some must haves.

1. Make sure you have a SSD drive as your Operating system drive. It will make your computer 10 x faster.

2. Monitors are so cheap right now, go for dual monitors and make sure your video card supports them.

3. Make sure you have an external hard drive as a back up.

4. Remeber a desktop is always better then a notebook. Notebooks are make for easy transport and run hotter and have more problems than a desktop.

5. Remember to look at Pump Magic 3.0 http://www.rapidappsinc.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFNI0q7YeOo

What about Window Vista?

Also what are your thoughts on apple operating systems?