What are the best tools and resources for hardware support technicians?

1 Online Courses

One of the easiest and most affordable ways to learn new skills or refresh your existing ones is to take online courses. There are many platforms that offer courses on various topics related to hardware support, such as CompTIA A+, Network+, Security+, Cisco CCNA, Microsoft MTA, and more. These courses can help you prepare for industry-recognized certifications, which can boost your resume and credibility. Some of the online platforms that offer hardware support courses are Coursera, Udemy, Lynda, Pluralsight, and edX.

2 Books and E-books

Another way to expand your knowledge and skills is to read books and e-books on hardware support topics. Books and e-books can provide you with in-depth information, practical examples, and tips and tricks from experts. You can also use them as reference materials when you encounter a problem or need to refresh your memory. Some of the books and e-books that you can check out are CompTIA A+ Certification All-in-One Exam Guide, Troubleshooting and Maintaining Your PC All-in-One For Dummies, Upgrading and Repairing PCs, and The Hardware Hacker.

3 Blogs and Podcasts

If you prefer to learn from bite-sized and engaging content, you can follow blogs and podcasts that cover hardware support topics. Blogs and podcasts can keep you updated on the latest news, trends, and innovations in the hardware industry. They can also offer you insights, opinions, and advice from experienced hardware support professionals. Some of the blogs and podcasts that you can follow are The PC Doctor Blog, Hardware Asylum, Hardware Canucks, The Hardware Show, and The PC Perspective Podcast.

4 Forums and Communities

Another great way to improve your skills and learn from others is to join forums and communities that are dedicated to hardware support. Forums and communities can provide you with a platform to ask questions, share solutions, get feedback, and network with other hardware support technicians. You can also find useful resources, tutorials, guides, and reviews on various hardware devices and tools. Some of the forums and communities that you can join are Tom's Hardware, Tech Support Forum, Reddit's r/techsupport, Spiceworks Community, and TechRepublic Forums.

5 Tools and Software

Finally, one of the best ways to enhance your skills is to use tools and software that can help you perform your tasks more efficiently and effectively. Tools and software can help you diagnose, test, monitor, optimize, and secure your hardware devices and systems. They can also help you automate, backup, restore, and recover your data and settings. Some of the tools and software that you can use are Hardware Monitor, Speccy, CrystalDiskInfo, Driver Booster, CCleaner, Malwarebytes, and EaseUS Todo Backup.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?