The most obvious technology upgrade is computers. It also may be the least necessary.

Even three-year-old Pentium IIs with mere 300 megahertz CPUs are sufficient for the vast majority of business uses. Purchasing a $5,000 top-of-the-line new computer simply for the gratification of having a Pentium IV, 2.5-gigahertz, fully-equipped hot rod rarely makes sense, especially if added horsepower brings no improvement in productivity or profitability.

Computer consultant Mary Koller of Systems Operation Services uses a non-technical rule of thumb to determine a client’s upgrade needs. “When I’m training someone, I see how long it takes to come up on the screen,” Koller says. “How much do you want to pay the person to wait?”

If you’re staring at computer screens waiting for customer reports to generate or cash disbursement journals to refresh, a faster processor or, more likely, additional RAM, might be needed.

A general guideline is to make sure your computer specs comfortably exceed minimum software requirements. Great speed improvements can often be achieved by adding RAM, which is more affordable than ever. For less than $70 you can add 128 megabytes. More than pumping up CPU performance, an increase in RAM should be noticeable using most software, particularly huge memory hogging applications.

Experts advise, however, that if you need a new computer or if you’re adding computers for new employees, it’s unwise to go too cheaply. Just as you should shy away from the top of the line, avoid the bargain basement.

Don’t give in to the temptation of ultra-low-priced sales at the local computer superstore. Bottom-dwelling prices often reflect a hodgepodge of second-tier components cobbled together to undersell more standard brands. It’s penny-wise and pound-foolish.

Major computer manufacturers are reputable and stand behind their equipment. More importantly, almost all of them—Gateway, Dell, Hewlett Packard—offer tightly coordinated systems designed precisely for particular tasks.

When a game developer needs a high-powered multimedia system, major manufacturers have a configuration ready. If computers are used primarily to track customer databases and payroll, a configuration suited for those tasks is ready too.

If you go with established computer manufacturers, you’re less likely to buy more than you need and very likely to get all that you need. You’ll also get an integrated system designed to work optimally as is, without tinkering or modification.

Another option is to weigh whether the slightly higher price is worth purchasing laptop computers rather than desktops. Consultants insist that if your staff spends time out of the office, laptops greatly enhance productivity. Sitting on a desk, a battery-driven laptop can become an outlet-powered desktop just as capable in the office as on the road.