At ElpaTech we are happy to help if you are in need of assistance before you take the decision to buy. We understand that buying a computer is a major commitment, so we want to guide you through the process as much as possible.

To help you, we have compiled a list of frequently asked questions and hope they come in useful to you. If you have anything else you would like to enquire about, then please feel free to get in touch with us. Full details are on the contact us page.

Click on the question to read our answer

What payment methods do you accept?

Regrettably are no longer able to accept credit/debit card payments as we cannot absorb the costs of doing so. It is unfair to those who do not pay by this method.

For our local clients, we can accept bank transfers and cash on collection/delivery for customers in the Andover area. Contact us for more details if you wish to use one of these methods.

Can I choose a different case to the one advertised?

Yes. If you contact us before ordering we can offer you a range of different cases at varying prices.

Do you sell PCs with AMD processors?

Regretfully not. All of our spares and testing is suited to the Intel range of chips, and we have always found them to be overall more reliable than AMD.

How do I protect my computer from viruses and spyware?

On our PCs with Windows 11, basic Windows Defender comes as standard. However, we highly recommend premium protection from our partner, Malwarebytes, and we would be very happy to discuss this with you.

What if I want to buy a PC without a keyboard and mouse (for example)?

If you would like one of our PCs but without certain peripherals listed on the product page, then then please contact us for a quote.

What do the specifications mean on your product pages?

Unfortunately it is necessary to use a certain level of jargon to accurately describe what we sell.

Processor (CPU) speed is measured in gigahertz (GHz) and, generally, the higher it is the better.

Memory and disk space are measured in gigabytes (GB) and, generally, the higher it is the better.

DDR is the name of the technology through which your computer temporarily stores the files, programs and other data for rapid access while it is working on them. This is known as computer's RAM.

These are just a few examples, purely for illustrative purposes. They are simplifications in order to aid understanding, and so may miss out other considerations, but if you wish to know more or discuss your requirements please contact us.

Do your disk drives actually supply the stated storage space?

It is a common complaint amongst PC buyers that you never get what you have supposedly paid for when it comes to hard drive space. This is (mostly) because the manufacturers of hard drives consider a gigabyte to be 1 billion bytes exactly, rather than what Microsoft operating systems call it, a rather unmemorable 1,073,741,824 bytes!

The consequence of this to the customer is a confused muddle. Retailers always tell you what the manufacturer says is the capacity of the hard drive - but the operating system will tell you something else. For example, a 500 gigabyte drive in Windows (though not Ubuntu) will be reported as something in the region of 465 gigabytes.

How do I connect everything when it arrives?

If you are unfamiliar with connecting the peripherals of a computer then we will assist you. Give us a call and we'll guide you through the setup.

What are your warranty terms?

In addition to all statutory rights under English law, we offer a minimum one year return to base warranty on our computers, subject to there being no evidence that the machine has been tampered with by an unqualified technician.

This warranty covers all hardware from defects, and guarantees that your system software (if applicable) will be delivered to you in working order. It does not cover any modifications you make to the system.

Will my PC match the picture?

In most cases your PC will look the same as the photo, however, on occasion stock levels of particular case designs run out, and when this happens we will replace it with a model of similar looks and quality.

Do you offer bulk order discounts?

If you wish to buy five or more systems then we may be able to negotiate a cheaper rate. Contact us for more details.

What is Ubuntu?

Ubuntu is an alternative operating system that is completely free. It is based on Linux, but is far more user-friendly and supports a great variety of systems. It has an interface similar to Windows, making it easy to pick up.

You can find out more about Ubuntu on their web site: https://www.ubuntu.com