And millions of entrepreneurs who have been waiting to invest in their businesses will receive new tax incentives to help them expand, buy new equipment, or make upgrades -- freeing up other money to hire new workers.

WHITEHOUSE: President Obama Signs Tax Cuts and Unemployment Insurance Legislation | The White House

Comparably minor hardware upgrades like more RAM or better video cards will likely make a major difference in your old system's performance.

CNN: How to squeeze the most from your computer