Quick question: Do you trust gas station sushi?
If so, this might not be the right article for you. If you’re the type who prefers “cheap” to “quality”, stop reading! I put years of Omnis Technologies’ IT expertise into making this list of tech brands you can trust, and not all of them are “cheap” (but they ARE all cost-effective long-term).
Included are brand recommendations for:
- Computers (desktops & laptops)
- Tablets
- Antivirus software (free & paid)
- Virus clean-up
- Software download websites
- Servers
- Routers
- Switches
- Access points
Let’s get to it!
33 Business Computer & IT Tech Brands More Trustworthy Than Gas Station Sushi
Computers (Desktops)
- Lenovo has proven time and time again that they can build a reliable machine. I personally have a Lenovo desktop and I couldn’t be any more happy with it!
- Asus has made insane strides as well within the past few years. If you are looking for a cost-effective machine, that still meets your needs, give Asus a try!
- Dell has been at the top of the IT world for a while, and they don’t plan on going anywhere anytime soon.
Computers (Laptops)
- Acer, like Asus, has made some very beneficial movements and have released a solid lineup of machines. I have an Acer Swift 3 and it’s absolutely perfect for me!
- Samsung makes more than just old flip phones. They have some very affordable machines that get the job done.
- Although I am not a fan of Apple, they have some pretty incredible Mac Books.
Tablets
- Amazon’s Fire HD tablets have proven to be reliable and rather inexpensive. P.S. My grandma has one and uses it better than me. So the functionality isn’t an issue.
- If you’re in a graphic design type role, the Microsoft Surface Pro is fast, has a lag-free touch screen, and an incredibly precise stylus.
- Apple’s iPads have been consistently high-performing, well-designed, and fantastically user-friendly.
Free Antivirus
- If you still have Windows 7, Microsoft Security Essentials works great.
- If you have Windows 10, Windows Defender is the updated version of Microsoft Security Essentials. This program will work just fine for most users.
- I don’t recommend getting a free third-party antivirus, but AVG is amongst the top brands for free software.
Paid Antivirus
- If you have a large scale operation, VIPRE is an absolutely incredible server-wide application. It protects all machines on your network, and their SMTP options keep you in the loop the moment it finds anything suspicious.
- Symantec also makes it easy to protect multiple machines at once by using Group Policy. Plus, their license renewal process is a breeze with their cloud solutions.
- Norton has proven their worth when it comes to keeping businesses safe! This is an all-around affordable and easy to use antivirus.
Virus Clean-up
- Malwarebytes takes the cake when it comes to computer clean up. I’ve stood by them for years, and highly recommend the software to everyone!
- Don’t let SUPERAntiSpyware’s odd color scheme and graphics fool you – it knows how to get into your web browser and clean out harmful files.
- Right before you call it quits, run ADW Cleaner and let it reboot your machine. ADW Cleaner has a secret formula to dig deep for well-hidden infected files.
Software Download Sites
- Downloading free software is a huge gamble. You can never be too safe. Ninite is generally trustworthy and provides quick and easy installation.
- If you want to get news on the latest tech upgrades AND get those upgrades all at once, head on over to BleepingComputer.
- If you’re more of an experienced downloader, you can probably get away with using CNET Download. If you’re not tech-savvy, use one of the other options.
Business IT Infrastructure Necessities
Servers
- Every IT person has a preference when it comes to servers. Mine just happens to be Dell EMC’s.
- Lenovo has dabbled in the server game, and they hit it out of the park. If you’re looking for a high-end server, definitely look into Lenovo.
- If you’ve been in a server room, you’ve probably seen several HPE servers. That’s no coincidence – they’re a favorite of IT experts.
Routers
- Zyxel makes an array of different routers to fit your needs AND a great security subscription at an affordable rate.
- Obviously, Dell had to stick their nose into the router field. Dell’s SonicWALL is another high-end router that offers awesome security subscriptions.
- Ubiquity’s EdgeRouter series has a very user-friendly interface. If you’re not super familiar with routers, this one is a solid choice.
Switches
- TP-Link makes an affordable and trustworthy switch for high-quality LAN connections.
- Netgear has been around for a while now, and when it comes to switches they’re in the top 5. Their ProSafe GS724T is out of this world!
- If you’re running an advanced network and lagging ports and forwarding zones etc., Cisco has your back with feature-full management switches.
Access Points
- Depending on what brand your other equipment is, this may not be your best choice. However, Ubiquity’s AP’s have made their rounds with me and earned a spot on the list.
- Zyxel Access Points are your one-stop shop. One stop as in, you only need one of them in your office to light it up with Wi-Fi!
- If you’re looking for a user-friendly, easy to customize Wi-Fi, Google has entered the game with Google Wi-Fi.
Any questions about brands or tech on this list? Give me a holler!
techsupport@omnistech.com