Purchasing a New Computer – FAQ
Should I upgrade my current computer or replace it?
In general, you want to replace hardware and operating systems rather than upgrade them. There are few circumstances where upgrading an existing computer makes more financial sense than replacing it. Our recommendation is to replace rather than upgrade. If you have any doubt regarding whether you should upgrade or replace, please call Keystone Tax Solutions Pro Technical Support. We will gladly answer any of your questions.
Keystone Tax Solutions Pro recommends you develop a regular computer replacement plan. The useful life of the average computer is 3 to 4 years. This assumes you are buying good quality computers using recent generation technology. If you buy computers that are below our recommended specifications, plan on replacing them every year. Keystone Tax Solutions Pro recommends you plan on replacing the oldest 25% of your computers every year to avoid large budgetary impacts.
What are the recommended System Requirements to run Keystone Tax Solutions Pro?
Currently our optimal configuration is as follows:
- Computer: Processor with a minimum PassMark score of 7500 for a transmitting computer or a minimum score of 5000 for a workstation (https://www.cpubenchmark.net/)
- Operating System: Windows 8.1 or 10 with the latest updates
- Memory: 8 GB of RAM
- Disk Space: 4 GB per tax year will be sufficient (Additional disk space may be needed if you have a large client database and utilize Paper Cut paperless office)
- USB: The computer should be equipped with USB 3.0 or higher
- Printer: HP Compatible Laser Printer (Inkjet printers are not recommended for check printing)
- Screen Resolution: 1024 x 768
- Internet Connection: High Speed Internet Connection – Microsoft Edge or the latest version of Chrome or Firefox
- USB or Flash Drive for backing up data (USB 3.0 or higher strongly recommended)
- Latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader
- Latest version of Microsoft .NET Framework
Our minimum configuration is as follows:
- Computer: Processor with a minimum PassMark score of 3000 for a transmitting computer or a minimum score of 2500 for a workstation (https://www.cpubenchmark.net/)
- Operating System: Windows 8.1 with the latest updates
- Memory: 4 GB of RAM
- Disk Space: 2.5 GB per tax year
- Printer: HP Compatible Laser Printer (Inkjet printers are not recommended for check printing)
- Screen Resolution: 1024 x 768
- Internet Connection: High Speed Internet Connection – Microsoft Edge or the latest version of Chrome or Firefox
- USB or Flash Drive for backing up data (USB 3.0 or higher strongly recommended)
- Latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader
- Latest version of Microsoft .NET Framework
Should I purchase a desktop computer or a notebook?
The answer to this question can be loaded with qualifications. In general, notebook computers use lower powered processors and slower hard drives than desktops to increase the life of the notebook’s battery. Our recommendation is to use a notebook for Keystone Tax Solutions Pro only if you are going to be taking the computer out of the office. You must accept the slower performance for the added benefit of portability.
Most Keystone Tax Solutions Pro users should be using a desktop computer. They are usually cheaper and faster than a notebook.
Which CPU is best?
While Keystone Tax Solutions Pro does not recommend specific brands or models of processors or CPU (central processing unit), Keystone Tax Solutions Pro’s staff has found a series of popular processors that it wishes you to avoid purchasing. The AMD E series of processors is found in many inexpensive desktops and laptops. But the Keystone Tax Solutions Pro staff has found it to be singularly under powered and cannot recommend you purchase a computer using this processor.
The processor you purchase should be a recent model released in the last 1 to 3 years. It should have 4 or more processor cores. Each core is a separate processor within the CPU that can perform a calculation. More cores means faster processing.
Many of the processors from AMD such as their A8 and A10 series, or FX series, or Ryzen series should be fine.
Almost any Intel Core i3, i5, or i7 processor should be fine.
If you have any question about a processor’s suitability for use with Keystone Tax Solutions Pro, we suggest checking the web site https://www.cpubenchmark.net/. This site benchmarks processors and assigns them a PassMark score. The higher the PassMark score the faster the processor.
For optimal performance of Keystone Tax Solutions Pro we recommend you use a processor with a minimum PassMark score of 7500 in your transmitting computer. We recommend you use a processor with a minimum PassMark score of 5000 in any workstation.
Which operating systems are compatible with Keystone Tax Solutions Pro?
Keystone Tax Solutions Pro will run on Microsoft Windows 8.1, Windows 10, Windows Server 2012, Windows Server 2016, or Windows Server 2019. It is not necessary to have a server operating system to run Keystone Tax Solutions Pro. In fact, Keystone Tax Solutions Pro does not recommend a server operating system for the vast majority of its customers.
Keystone Tax Solutions Pro will run on a tablet such as the Microsoft Surface Pro 3. The tablet must be running one of the supported versions of the Windows operating system. The tablet must meet the same hardware requirements that Keystone Tax Solutions Pro requires of desktops and laptops.
- Keystone Tax Solutions Pro will not run on Windows 10 S.
- Keystone Tax Solutions Pro will not run on Windows RT or Windows Phone.
- Keystone Tax Solutions Pro will not run on an iPad or any iOS device.
- Keystone Tax Solutions Pro will not run on an Android device.
- Keystone Tax Solutions Pro is not designed to run on a Macintosh computer.
- Keystone Tax Solutions Pro is not designed to run on a Linux system.
- Keystone Tax Solutions Pro is not designed to run on a Chromebook computer.
How much memory or RAM do I need?
The minimum amount of RAM needed to run Keystone Tax Solutions Pro is 4GB (gigabytes). For optimal performance Keystone Tax Solutions Pro recommends 8GB. The basic rule is to buy as much RAM as you can afford. But, at the same time don’t go overboard. The performance difference between 16GB and 24 GB is minimal, and the money would probably be better spent elsewhere.
How much disk space do I need?
The amount of hard disk space used by Keystone Tax Solutions Pro will vary from customer to customer. Most Keystone Tax Solutions Pro Classic users will use approximately 1GB (gigabyte) of disk space per year of Keystone Tax Solutions Pro installed.
Customers who have an unusually large number of clients or Keystone Tax Solutions Pro Premium users who take advantage of Paper Cut to scan client documents can use a good deal more disk space. A good rule of thumb for these users might be to plan on using 3GB of disk space per year.
What type of monitor works best with Keystone Tax Solutions Pro? What is the recommended screen resolution?
Almost any monitor made in the last few years will work fine with Keystone Tax Solutions Pro. The program requires a minimum resolution of 1027 x 768. The only problems we have seen is from some laptops with lower screen resolutions.
Should my network be wired or wireless?
Office networks boil down to two types: wired and wireless (Wi-Fi). Keystone Tax Solutions Pro endorses the use of wired networks rather than wireless networks for multiple reasons.
- Reliability – Since wireless networking uses an unlicensed part of the radio band, there are many things that can interfere with the signal. Wired networks are not subject to this interference.
- Security – The radio signal of a wireless network connection leaves your physical office and can be intercepted. Wired networks are not subject to this type of interception.
- Performance – Wireless network constantly adjust their speed to match the current conditions. One moment it is running at 1 Mbps, the next it is running at 100 Mbps. Later it may not be operating at all. Wired networks offer a constant and reliable connection speed.
Wired networks can operate at different speeds. The most common speed found today is 100 Mbps (megabits per second) with 1 Gbps (gigabits per second) gaining in popularity. 100 Mbps is more than sufficient for the operation of Keystone Tax Solutions Pro. If your network speed is equal to or faster than your internet service download speed everything should be fine.
Do I need internet access to run Keystone Tax Solutions Pro?
A good internet connection is necessary for the operation of Keystone Tax Solutions Pro. “Good” is defined as a broadband connection from a reputable internet service provider that delivers the service by means of DSL, Cable, or Fiber connection. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) defined broadband to be a minimum download speed of 4 Mbps (megabits per second) download speed and 1 Mbps upload speed until recently. The FCC now defines broadband as 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload.
Keystone Tax Solutions Pro recommends a minimum download speed of 4 Mbps and a minimum upload speed of 1 Mbps. Faster is always better!
Satellite internet service should only be considered if DSL, Cable, or Fiber service is not available in your area.
Keystone Tax Solutions Pro does not recommend the use of wireless internet service providers. Wireless internet services are generally supplied by cell phone companies. Wireless internet services are subject to some of the same limitations as Wi-Fi. These include: Reliability, Security, and Performance.
Dial-up internet service does not provide sufficient speed for use with Keystone Tax Solutions Pro and should not be used.
What kind of printer works best with Keystone Tax Solutions Pro?
The best printer for Keystone Tax Solutions Pro is a black and white laser printer of moderate speed. It must be HP LaserJet compatible, but most already are. Keystone Tax Solutions Pro does not recommend inkjet printers, especially for check printing. Keystone Tax Solutions Pro does not require a color printer.
What type of security or anti-virus software should I use?
Keystone Tax Solutions Pro recommends that you run some sort of security software. We do not recommend any package or company’s software. However, we have found certain packages more problematic than others. The security software packages with which we have had the most difficulty include: WebRoot, Kaspersky, Comodo, Bitdefender and SpyHunter.
Keystone Tax Solutions Pro runs well using the free security products from Microsoft. For Windows 8.1, and Windows 10 they make Windows Defender.
Keystone Tax Solutions Pro also recommends that you run only one security package. Trying to run multiple security packages on a computer can impact performance and sometimes lead to data loss.