Ok folks, so i dont know what catagory this would fall under, but here goes. I have been dabbling in computer repairs for a little while now(mostly just minor fixes), and have been wanting to get more into the computer repair/IT field, but im starting to become discouraged about spending alot of time or money to get educated in it simply because it seems like the computer repair field is a dying career field with computers being so simplified these days, and laptops and desktops being so cheap and easy to replace. Laptops will soon be obsolete all together, and tablets and such are becoming the new thing along the the whole cloud computing thing. Just seems the industry is pushing the need for computer repair techs out of existance. So my question is this, for all the techs out there and people that are knowledgeable in this field- what is your take on this, and do u think it is still worth while to pursue a career in this field, or do u think the need for computer repair techs will no longer be there in the years to come. any input would be greatly appreciated.

Human beings can break anything and they have been breaking computers since DOS and there's still plenty of track left for this train to run on mate.

Let's consider some of the Airbus planes which have a high level of computerization and can more or less fly its self if the parameters are set correctly. However this is not always a good thing as one pilot found out when a malfunctioning chip sent the wrong information to another chip which in turn sent the plane out of control.

Now the pilot was so busy trying to find out what the problem was that it became too late to override the computer system and down they went.

A similar situation happened on another Airbus and the pilot immediately over rode the computer and flew the plane him self and saved everyone.

The point is that computer repair men/women will always exist as will car mechanics for example.

The entire planet is reliant on computers in one form or another so it's logical to assume that when they break someone has to be around to fix them.

Don't lose heart mate but carry on in this line of work as there will always be a need for it.

Laptops will soon be obsolete all together, and tablets and such are becoming the new thing along the the whole cloud computing thing. Just seems the industry is pushing the need for computer repair techs out of existance. So my question is this, for all the techs out there and people that are knowledgeable in this field- what is your take on this, and do u think it is still worth while to pursue a career in this field, or do u think the need for computer repair techs will no longer be there in the years to come.

Why should we go to work becuase the world is obviously ending in 2012.....

Joking aside, there will always be a place for the standard computer and even the laptop until the model of such physically changes. Most of the word we do now with computers has little to do with the actual hardware and more to do with the actual user experience. Cloud computing is still a marketing buzzword. To be honest the only 3 things I've seen cloud computing used for is Amazon EC2, The chromebook, and dropbox/online backup. After all their pomp and circumstance at the present time it doesnt measure up. Tablets are all about hype and oo look at the new shiney when according to sales figures they aren't selling that well. Ipads are the only model with any market traction and the fragmented android tablet market is still maturing.

A computer repair technician is not just some stuck in stone repairman plodding along. If you are doing it correctly you are a dynamic on-the-scenes multifaceted support machine. You aren't just fixing a machine you are troubleshooting the users problems, seeing what is best for them, informing them, making their lives easier. If you are the computer technicians your customers deserve you are their repairman, their advisor, and their trusted friend. They trust you above all the everyone who clamors to know everything and anything about computers. You show them the difference between a Technician and someone who knows computers.

Moving on from that, computer repair isnt about memorizing facts or knowing what wire goes where, but is more about logical thinking and problem solving. These are the skills you are learning.

When you apply for a job that uses Computer Tech skills do you know what they ask you ? Not about what systems you know or about how much money you made. But about what problems you've solved, and how you did them.

They want to hear how creative and mentally quick you are. That you know how to persevere and find new solutions to problems that might have otherwise caused a nasty and expensive repair. They want to know how you saved all of your customers data and returned to them a working system similar to what they had when you had to wipe the machine. What are your procedures? what is it that you have decided, what tools do you like to use and why.

These are skills that are useable outside of this field you are learning them for. There's a difference between someone who works as a computer repair guy and a computer technician.

Originally Posted by William

A computer repair technician is not just some stuck in stone repairman plodding along. If you are doing it correctly you are a dynamic on-the-scenes multifaceted support machine.

er


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You dont just do A to fix B.. its about serving the customer.

This is a fear that a lot of Computer Techs have. The IT field will never go away. There will always be business that need IT personal to work on what ever requirement they have. As far as the normal Computer Tech, you just have to change as the world changes.

I see that one day laptops and such will be disposable. So you pick up working on tablets, game consoles and smart phones. Not to mention, it is hard to run a computer repair business (if that is what you are trying to do) with just residential customers. You need to get small business. If you get business then your back on track. Businesses you have to treat different than residential customers. But that have some major advantages. Because they are worried about getting back to work asap, they will give you a call and have you fix the problem. In other words they are less worried about buying a new computer because they know that if they buy a new computer they have to set it up on their network, install the programs they use, copy over all the files they need, etc. It is much better for them to hire you to come out and fix the problem.

Just remember, computers are here to stay, so there will always be jobs in IT.

Originally Posted by jbrad85

Ok folks, so i dont know what catagory this would fall under, but here goes. I have been dabbling in computer repairs for a little while now(mostly just minor fixes), and have been wanting to get more into the computer repair/IT field, but im starting to become discouraged about spending alot of time or money to get educated in it simply because it seems like the computer repair field is a dying career field with computers being so simplified these days, and laptops and desktops being so cheap and easy to replace. Laptops will soon be obsolete all together, and tablets and such are becoming the new thing along the the whole cloud computing thing. Just seems the industry is pushing the need for computer repair techs out of existance. So my question is this, for all the techs out there and people that are knowledgeable in this field- what is your take on this, and do u think it is still worth while to pursue a career in this field, or do u think the need for computer repair techs will no longer be there in the years to come. any input would be greatly appreciated.

I have a laptop. Seldom use it. It sits in the top shelf of my closet and I take it out every so often to update Avast and allow OS updates. And of course it is there when and if I need it. I have a smart phone and sometimes post things from it but find it tedious. But don't get me wrong. Love the accessibility to the internet my Smart phone gives me. Just prefer the bigger options.

Maybe the need for computer repair techs will be no longer be needed in the years to come but I don't live in the future or for the future. Could be dead tomorrow.. Try to stay in the here and now and for now I personally don't see desktops becoming obsolete and I am still going to learn everything I can because I am finding it isn't just about the technology alone, it is about the people you meet, what they know, what I can learn from them and what they can learn from me. Not even necessarily just on the technology level. That will never change.

Originally Posted by jbrad85

Ok folks, so i dont know what catagory this would fall under, but here goes. I have been dabbling in computer repairs for a little while now(mostly just minor fixes), and have been wanting to get more into the computer repair/IT field, but im starting to become discouraged about spending alot of time or money to get educated in it simply because it seems like the computer repair field is a dying career field with computers being so simplified these days, and laptops and desktops being so cheap and easy to replace. Laptops will soon be obsolete all together, and tablets and such are becoming the new thing along the the whole cloud computing thing. Just seems the industry is pushing the need for computer repair techs out of existance. So my question is this, for all the techs out there and people that are knowledgeable in this field- what is your take on this, and do u think it is still worth while to pursue a career in this field, or do u think the need for computer repair techs will no longer be there in the years to come. any input would be greatly appreciated.

I know that education is becoming expensive day by day. But still employers always give preference to those who have a training certificate in hand. They don't bother about the number of years of experience you have. So I think it's better that you take one course in computer technician. If you are worried about spending so much time and money in studies, you can look for online course also. There are many colleges offering online course in computer technician. Online courses are as such cheap, and these colleges are also offering scholarships to the students. Computer Technician : Computer Technician Financial Aid and Scholarships
So it would not put much strain on you for cost of studies. You are having a good knowledge about computer repair, a certification will act as an add on and will definitely take your career to the peak.

You appear to be very knowledgeable about these things MaryJane may I ask where you are from please?

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