Laptops Now

7 Tips for Buying a Cheap Laptop

2011-07-02T02:37:00.000+01:00

Buy a cheap laptop with older technology

Rapid advance in technology makes it meaningless to buy the latest technology at a high price. When laptop with wireless capability first came to the market, a unit with this technology can cost up till US$2500. Now after 2 years, you can get a relatively fast centrino laptop for less than US$1000.

Buy used or refurbished laptop

The depreciation of a laptop value is so high, that after one year in the market, a laptop can easily lose half its value. So if you are looking for a cheap laptop, look for one which is close to one year old. Not all used laptop are in bad condition. You will be surprised to find that some used laptops are still in good condition because their owners are power users or gamers.

Buy laptop from power users or gamers

I like to buy electronic gadgets including laptops from hard core power users or gamers. Let me share with you why. Gamers or power users usually require the latest and most powerful technology to run their games or power hungry applications. They often will not settle for second best. They also have the tendency to chase after the latest technology. So after one year, they will be bored of what they have and will look to sell off their laptops so that they can buy a new one. Now if you are looking to buy cheap laptops with up to date technology and you happen to have friends who are gamers, do ask them if they are looking to sell off their laptops. Who knows, maybe you can buy a good and cheap laptop from them.

Scan through gaming forums and local gaming community

if you do not already have friends who like to play computer games, then scanning through gaming forums on the internet is another way to get good and cheap deals for used laptop. Internet makes it easy for you to do this. Go to google.com and start searching for gaming forums. Visit each and everyone and see if they have a Trading Section. You will definitely find many posts from gamers looking to sell their gaming laptops.

Scan through local bulletin boards

Do scan through local bulletin boards near you for cheap deals on laptop. Students or even companies do offer their used computers or laptops for sale when their studies or projects end. I personally had gotten a few good deals for my family and friends.

Look for cheap laptop with at least 512mb memory

This is especially important for used laptop. If the processor speed is slow, then having more memory can compensate for the lack in speed. In fact, the size of memory plays a big part in determining how fast a laptop runs an application. Just by increasing the memory size, you can see a huge difference in speed. A cheap laptop with at least 512mb memory can run most non graphic intensive application easily.

Get cheap laptop from reputable manufacturer

This is very important because if you are buying used laptop, then the chances of requiring servicing is higher than a new laptop. So if you buy from a reputable manufacturer, you will save a lot of trouble and time if your laptop does require servicing.

Charles Wee owns and runs http://www.cheaplaptopguide.com, a website that provides useful content on sourcing and buying of cheap laptops and discount laptops. He also runs a free blog hosting service at [http://www.bloggerhaven.com]

The Process of Locating Cheap Laptops

2011-06-29T21:45:00.000+01:00

As laptops tend to be expensive, finding cheap laptops is a goal of many individuals and businesses. The price of a good laptop can cost close to 1, 000 dollars or more. The cost would depend on the functions and model of the laptop. Fortunately, there are many arenas where inexpensive laptops can be discovered, and these include: the Internet, online auction sites, factory outlet stores, the Sunday classifieds, and word of mouth.

For starters, a solid place to find cheap laptops is the Internet. A person can enter phrases including the word laptop along with cheap and all of cheap's synonyms into one of the search engines. The end result will be a listing of sites that have laptops at discounted prices available.

On online auction sites, a person can find listings from sellers who wish to sell their laptops. As sellers tend to want to perform better than other sellers on the auction websites, they will sell their laptops for the lowest price possible. All a buyer needs to do is type the word laptop into the search box on an auction site, and a list of all the sellers who are selling laptops will appear. It can very well be the case that a buyer will have several options to choose from in this instance, which is excellent.

Another area where inexpensive laptops can be purchased are factory outlet stores. These stores offer items at prices that are much less than those at retail chains. Items that tend to be more expensive like computers and other electronic devices tend to be hot items at these outlets.

The Sunday classifieds then to be another prime area to locate laptops that are offered at discounted rates. Items for sale are listed in print and online editions of newspapers, and the Sunday section tends to contain more advertising overall. It is thus worth the effort to see if any laptops are listed for sale in the Sunday paper.

Word of mouth recommendations from family members or friends are also great ways to find out if any cheap laptops are available. Relatives and friends may either be able to tell a potential buyer what stores are good to buy cheap laptops at, or they may even know someone directly who offers discounted computers. There is no harm in a buyer's mentioning to others that he or she is looking to buy a laptop; it is possible that by doing so, a hot lead to an inexpensive laptop can be the end result.

Despite laptops being expensive in general, there are venues where inexpensive laptops fortunately can be located. These include: the Internet, online auction sites, factory outlet stores, the Sunday classifieds, and word of mouth.

It's easy to buy consumer electronics online these days. With so many online retailers offering great prices and offers, you might just get lucky with your purchase. If you would like more information about types of cheap laptops or are looking for a reputable computer retailer please visit http://www.ebuyer.com

Cheap New Laptops - Three Of The Best

2011-06-28T07:57:00.000+01:00

I realize that "cheap" is in the eye of the beholder. Not only that -- the laptops in this article might not even be as cheap as something you could get off eBay or even as inexpensive as a refurbished laptop.

But, face it: new laptops are almost always going to be more expensive than the equivalently configured desktop PC because of the need for miniaturization of the components. And laptops have to use different (more expensive) technologies to maximize battery life.

Bottom line: you're going to pay more for a laptop; or you're going to get less laptop for your dollar compared to a desktop PC.

That said, these three laptops -- Sony VAIO, HP Pavilion, and Dell Latitude -- are all solid buys in a range of prices that is very competitive for brand new equipment. And they come from decent companies and offer you a range of features as well.

Let's get started...

Sony VAIO N170GT

The nice thing about this Sony model is that it doesn't have a lot of junky frills on it. It is a clean looking design that is stylish, too. The screen is very bright, yet you don't get a lot of glare. The speed and performance is okay -- nothing to brag about, but for the price it's not bad. The battery is good for probably around four hours. That's enough to watch a movie if you're on a plane flight, but again -- nothing to write home about.

On the downside, this laptop uses an older Intel Core Duo processor. This processor comes with integrated graphics, which means that the performance is not to be that great. But again, you're not paying a lot of money, relatively speaking, or this laptop. If you're going to install Windows Vista on this machine you're going to want to upgrade the memory.

Overall, this model of Sony's VAIO gives you a good price, but doesn't give you a really powerful processor. But the laptop looks great and it's very stylish and attractive. If looks count and you want to save some bucks, this is a great machine. Brand-new, out-of-the-box this model will set you back about $1100 plus tax and shipping.

HP Pavilion dv6205us

This laptop is part of the HP Pavilion DV6000 series, and it is designed to appeal to the mass market. It is a very stylish laptop with a shiny finish -- designed to appeal to the same customers who might consider a Sony or an Apple laptop. It's got a series of high-end components and multimedia features at a price that's lower than the comparable Dell laptop.

For example, this laptop has some pretty nice stereo speakers from Altec Lansing. They're located above the controls. But be aware that if you close the top the sound gets can get muffled. This laptop also has a 1.3 megapixel WebCam built right in, as well as two microphones. There is a row of buttons above the keyboard that launches different features like the media player, volume-control and playback. The keys look nice, but they make a really annoying beeping sound when you press them (and you can't really turn that off either).

This laptop weighs a little over 6 pounds, which makes it lighter than the comparable Dell laptop. When you add the AC adapter it brings the whole thing up to a little over 7 pounds.

The screen is 15.4 inches wide, with a kind of a shiny finish that makes colors very bright and vibrant, although it gives the appearance a bit of a glare in bright sunlight or next to a window.

The keyboard is very comfortable. The touchpad has an on-off button. This is very cool because it keeps your cursor from flying off in the wrong direction if your hand passes over the touchpad while using an external mouse. This laptop has a decent number of ports including a FireWire port, a VGA port, S-video and 3 USB 2.0 ports. You also get a microphone jack and two headphone jacks.

As far as processors go, you have a couple of choices. You can do a 1.86 GHz Celeron or a 2.0 GHz Core Duo. This laptop can be configured for up to 2 GB of RAM, and it'll work with hard drives of up to 200 GB in capacity.

Bottom line: it's got lots of entertainment features, you can configure it lots of different ways and it is very affordable. Brand-new out-of-the-box, you can get one for as little as $600-$800 plus tax and shipping.

Dell Latitude D600

The D series laptops from Dell use the Pentium M which comes in 1.3GHz, 1.4GHz, and 1.6GHz speeds--all paired with Intel's new 855PM chipset. You can this laptop with between 128MB - 2GB of fast 266MHz DDR SDRAM. It also comes with a faster 40GB hard drive, or a choice of 20GB, 30GB, and 60GB drives running at slower speed.

It's got a 32MB ATI Mobility Radeon 9000 graphics chip. There are a number of swappable modules for the single internal bay, including CD, DVD, CD-RW, DVD/CD-RW, floppy, a second hard drive, or a second battery.

The average-sized, 14.1-inch screen isn't super. But it comes with a pretty good 1,400x1,050 native resolution. (You can also save a few bucks by opting for the 1,024x768 display instead.)

It's very fast, and it includes an integrated wireless antenna that is of the dual-band type. This means that if you are within range of a Wi-Fi hotspot that runs either "b" or "g" wireless protocols, this laptop will be compatible with either protocol. It also has built-in Bluetooth.

On the downside, this laptop is part of the D-series notebooks for Dell which means it will not be compatible with C-series Dell laptops. This means that if you have a C-series docking station, you're out of luck. And if you have media modules that are for another C-series notebook you'll have the same limitation.

Overall, this is a very thin and light notebook computer at a fantastic price -- $400, plus tax and shipping.

Conclusion

No matter how you define "cheap," these three laptops give you a great value.

For more info on Cheap New Laptops, visit Ara Rubyan's PC Laptops Super Center.

Ara Rubyan is computer networking specialist with over ten years of experience in design, implementation and maintenance. He is a certified A+ Hardware tech, a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer, and a Master Certified Novell Engineer. He also has over 10 years of experience in training design and delivery and has been developing web based training for more than 10 years. His background in training coupled with his IT knowledge means that you can rely on his advice and insight.

Libraries are a Scary Place...For your Laptop: Tips for Protecting your Laptop on Campus

2011-06-27T07:35:00.000+01:00

Picture this, it's finals week and you are in the midst of your second straight all-nighter in the library studying for your last two finals. As your eyes struggle to stay open, you decide to leave your desk up in the library stacks and go across the street to the local 24-hour café to grab another coffee.

After a double shot latte and a short conversation with your friends you venture back to your desk in the corner of the stacks to discover your laptop missing. You're now regretting the decision to leave your books, notes and laptop out at that great spot in the stacks.

You ask around to see if anyone saw what happened, but everybody was too focused on their studies to notice someone stealing a laptop. You run to the front of the library, but all you see are the same mass of students cramming.

A terrible epiphany dawns upon you and you realize that your laptop is gone! Not only are all of your school materials gone, but all of your personal files on the computer are now in the hands of someone else.

University Laptop Theft Trend

Computer and data security has been a serious issue on college campuses due to the size and, technology of college networks and the increasing portability of student computers and other school materials. According to MSNBC, "Universities have become attractive targets for hackers who are taking advantage of the openness of the schools' networks, their decentralized security and the personal information they keep on millions of young adults." (1)

More students than ever are becoming portable by bringing their laptops to class and the library to study outside of their rooms, especially with the increase in wireless technology all across campuses.

Students with laptops across campuses are walking liabilities with the data stored on those computers. No space is safe, even within minutes after leaving a laptop in a shared environment, such as the library or common room.

In December 2006, two University of Alaska Fairbanks basketball players were convicted of stealing laptops from campus apartments. Laptop thieves can sell not just your laptop, but also the data they find on your machine as well.

What Does the Typical Student keep on their Laptop?

Laptops have become such a burden for students because of the magnitude of personal information that is stored on them. With the amount of information and the sensitivity of documents compiled on these machines, a lost laptop is even more dangerous than losing your wallet.

The majority of documents stored on a laptop are school files such as class notes, essays and class assignments. A thief could take these documents and plagiarize work for themselves, or sell the work to other students.

Other students choose to store passwords on the hard drive or on the web browser. Since most web browsers allow users to store passwords and just click "login" at most sites, most college students just simply choose the lazy option. They save all of their passwords in the browser without ever clearing them. Once the laptop is out of your hands; thieves can login to online accounts like email, blogs, favorite shopping sites or online banking without even having to crack your passwords.

The last batch of files that could be accessed on a stolen laptop are personal files such as journals, photos, and music. Private documents such as journals and photos are troublesome to lose not only because of your personal attachment to them but also because they could even be used for something as horrific as blackmail.

No matter what type of file it may be, if a hacker gets full access to your laptop it could be serious to you on many levels. You not only have to replace the stolen machine, but depending on the data saved on it, you may be faced with years of credit monitoring and worrying about identity theft.

How Can You Protect your Laptop?

Laptop theft is at its prime right now on campuses across North America. Colleges aren't able to police every WiFi spot on campus, so students need to be proactive. Here are some tips to help secure your laptop and data as you progress through your collegiate years

Never leave your laptop out of your sight if you are outside of your room, house or apartment. While this is a heavy burden for students who take their laptops all around campus, it is still the absolute best option. If you bring your laptop to the library, bring a friend and have him/her look it over while you step away to use the restroom or grab a snack.
Consider engraving your name on the back side of your laptop next to the battery. Engraving your name will do little to avoid your computer being taken, but it will help substantially in getting your computer back.
Install remote laptop security (RLS) for your laptop, RLS allows a user to access his/her laptop remotely if the computer is stolen and access/delete all important files before the thief has the chance to access them. This gives you the chance to remotely access your protected files and deny access to the laptop thief.

Students have begun relying on their laptops for nearly everything surrounding their school lives. Protecting their laptops has become absolutely imperative. Although laptop theft will never be stamped out, students have a number of solutions available to them. By taking some simple precautions, they can ensure that their next trip to the library with their laptop is not their last.

End Notes

1. Associated Press, "Universities vulnerable to ID thieves." MSNBC 12/18/2006

2. 12/21/2006 www.msnbc.msn.com.

Nathan Kully is an employee at Essential Security Software, Inc., a provider of email and document security solutions for small businesses and accounting professionals, in Bellevue, WA. He is also a contributing editor to the The Techknowbizzle.com [http://www.techknowbizzle.com]. Nathan is currently a student at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY, where he is studying Applied Economics and Management.

Laptop Buying Guide - Ten Most Important Factors to Consider

2011-06-25T15:21:00.000+01:00

I have faced this question several times in the past from my friends, office colleagues, relatives and also those networked with me through various social networking websites and online communities. They ask me how to choose a laptop computer that will perfectly meet up their needs. And invariably I initiate dialog by asking this question - What is the purpose of this purchase? What do you expect it to do? And based on the responses so far I have received I would like to classify the purpose of purchasing a laptop under four broad categories and I believe a laptop, being more personalized in nature in comparison to its Desktop counterpart, you can not expect it to satisfy multiple intersecting purposes of every individual at your home or work place. After all, like your Mobile Phone - a laptop is basically engineered to meet up personal needs. But anyway, as you are so determined to procure your new laptop, so, please read on to have some guideline, which have helped my friends in making a decision.

Based on the requirements of the end users we may classify needs under four different categories:

1) For High School/College students

2) For Official Use - mostly for official correspondences, business presentation with little Internet Use.

3) Mostly for accessing Internet for online communications, chatting, emailing etc.

4) Heavy duty operations - A laptop for performing heavy-duty operations - which includes processing of multi-media applications gaming, graphics design etc. - expected to be acting as a desktop replacement in the truest sense.

Irrespective of your specialized need you should be made aware about few basic concepts that constitute the backbone of any laptop, and you will also learn their effects on your choice. Here are the details:

1) Processor: Today's laptops support wide range of processors including Intel Core 2 Duo, Intel Celeron M, AMD's Turion X2, and so on. Matter of fact is that the price of a laptop largely depends on the processor it supports. As such, Intel Core 2 Duo processor series like T7200/7300/T7400/T7500 is highly recommended for a laptop to be used as a desktop replacement, or for running high-end multimedia applications, or to have a joyful gaming experience; whereas, laptop with Intel Celeron Processor is priced moderately and good for running office applications. For laptops, which feature AMD processors, are both reasonably priced and optimized for reasonable processing speed. And because of the price benefit without compromising efficiency much these are my recommendations for school/college children, and these models are also good for accessing Internet. In a nutshell, if you feel that you need a laptop with heavy-duty processing capacity then only investment in rather costly processor worth. Otherwise, there is no point in such investment.

2. Installed Memory: Besides processor, this is the second major factor, which differentiates the price and efficiency of a laptop and this is the installed memory. Most modern laptop supports DDR2 Memory, and though 1GB is good enough for processing office documents, or for running those applications required by school/ college students, and even great for browsing Internet but for Windows Vista you need to have a minimum of 2GB memory. As such it is so common to find a laptop with even up to 3 - 4 GB memory but there is no point in investing that much unless you have some reason for doing so. Also, you can almost effortlessly upgrade laptop memory anytime later.

There is a word of caution:
Check well to confirm the amount of installed memory. It has come to my notice that few retailers brand a laptop model as 'up to 4GB memory capacity', whereas actual memory physically installed in that model may be 1GB only. Obviously, you have the flexibility to add extra 3 GB memory anytime but presently what you get is 1 GB. So, you need to know the amount of memory physically installed in a laptop.

3. Hard Disk Space: Space is no more a problem unless you have planned to save all your Music/ Movie collections in your precious laptop Hard Drive. Laptops with 80GB to 160 GB space is a reasonable choice for all purposes. Though for school/college students you may consider to keep the storage capacity on the higher side to accommodate enough room for those massive sized music/movie files.

4.Screen Size: Once again this is one parameter that is to be considered with precision for laptop to be used as a replacement for desktop counterpart. You will do better going for 17" to 19" inch screen size, whereas, 14" to 16" screen size will keep the laptop portable without compromising its usability; but laptop with 13.3" or Less screen size are often referred to as Ultra Portable model obviously you can travel really light and travel freely while carrying the set with you. And laptop with screen size 10" or less, termed as Netbook, offers more flexibility in terms of portability but may not be the best option if you want to use it for presentation purpose!

5.Portability and Weight: This is something rather overlooked often while selecting a laptop model; and this is the factor that is not at all important for a laptop that is more likely to be placed on a table top for the most of its lifetime. However, if you plan to move a lot carrying the laptop with you consider models that are designated as Ultra portable. From my experience, I know, carrying 7 lbs. + weighed laptop is not a very exciting experience in the long run. Ultra portable model weighing less than 2.5 lbs is the best alternative to consider.

6.Battery: Current laptops utilize lithium ion batteries, with more recent models using the new lithium polymer technology. Typical battery life for standard laptops is two to five hours for light-duty operations. Once you have chosen a particular model, read for reviews on that model, take a scrap paper, and note down end users' feedback on battery performance if you need to rely on battery more. This is the best way to learn about battery performance of any laptop model. You may not rely on Manufacturers' claims in this issue at least.

7.Networking and Connectivity: It is desirable for every modern laptop to have support for various connectivity interfaces like Ethernet Card, built-in 802.11 a/b/g/n and Bluetooth connectivity, and to have built in modem. Besides, a laptop that features Expansion Ports like USB 2.0 ports (minimum three in number recommended), DVI, RJ-45, RJ-11, and Cable Lock Slot etc. offers better flexibility in terms of its usage.

8.Built-in components: For laptops to be used for Internet access, browsing, online networking or communications, or for playing multimedia files, or for gaming purposes the one that comes with built-in stereo speakers with microphone, and a Webcam is a good choice. In particular Webcam is very essential for online communications.

9. Graphics Card: Besides, for avid gamers, or the individual who wants to run graphics applications, it is always the best option to select a model that incorporates NVIDIA or ATI graphics card.

10. Warranty: And finally, it is desirable to invest on a laptop model that come with a legitimate warranty coverage provided by the Manufacturer.

So, my conclusion is that instead of being trapped by feature-rich expensive models, try to address your needs at the first instance and try to keep a balance between your requirements and available features without exceeding the limit of your budget while purchasing a new laptop.

Author, John Rice, is the editor of a popular online shopping magazine, http://fancy-shoppe.com, which integrates coupons from renowned online retail stores.

For a comprehensive list of coupons on top selling laptop models, please visit: http://fancy-shoppe.com/cat/all/Laptops.html

This article is free for distribution for any/all purposes, provided the content of the Author Signature is kept intact.

How The Accessories Can Enhance The Benefits Of Laptop

2011-06-23T15:21:00.000+01:00

Laptop! It is the most wonderful creation of science. Laptop has brought the whole world into your lap. Now whether you are in home or in office or anywhere in this huge world, you can access your PC everywhere. Laptop allows us free movement as it is portable as well as can be operated on battery and without internet cable. Laptop can be crafted further with the extravagant use of laptop accessories. Accessories are essential in both new and used laptops. Used laptop accessories enhance the quality of operability of your laptop. Do you want to know about the used laptop accessories? Let me give you a hint on how to embellish your laptop with the used laptop accessories.

Used laptop accessories have many functions. You should use used laptop accessories also to prevent it from any damage. Laptop is a slim and sleek object which is highly delicate and need special care to be taken. As large are the varieties of model of laptops as large are the numbers of various laptop accessories. Let us start with the most common laptop accessory. It is the laptop leather bag. Laptop leather bags are the most popular stuff for laptops. These bags are in various colors and sizes. These bags are designed on the basis of the different models of laptops. Laptop leather bags act as a shell that protect the laptop from any sever injury that may be caused either by coming in contact with dirt, dust or by mishandling. Besides laptop leather bags there are fancy laptop cases. The laptop cases can beautify your laptop as look further.

Mouse, keyboard, cable and speakers are some other range of accessories that can be used in your used laptop. The use of these accessories can augment the performance of laptop further. Let say, if you select the right type of speakers in your laptop, then it can amplify your amusement while watching a movie or playing a video game. Laptop accessories have given a new name to the entertainment. Laptop accessories also encircle the cleaning products that are used for cleaning your laptops. You can find a pro-cleaning kit for your laptop. Web cams are another laptop accessory. This helps you to see each other while interacting with a person over the net provided there is a web cam in the other end too. Adapter, though, is considered as one of the most important laptop accessory. There are also travellers adapter. This allows you to access and use your laptop while traveling. This sets you free from the worries that your laptop may get exhausted of the charge. Use memory stick laptop accessories. This memory stick can enhance your laptop memory and allows you to explore the various areas.

There are lot many laptop accessories that can be used according to your desires and needs. What you have to do is to identify your need and add wings to it with the use of used laptop accessories.

Victor Epand is an expert consultant for computers, laptops and software. When shopping for used computers, used laptops and used software, we recommend you shop at only the best online stores for used backup software, used laptop accessories software, used laptop accessories software, affordable used laptop accessories software.

Pimped-Out Gaming Laptops! Powerful Gaming Laptops Built Your Way

2011-06-22T12:48:00.000+01:00

In our fast paced and technology savvy society we only want the best when it comes to the top gaming experience. The latest in the highest performance gaming experience however comes from

a source you probably won't be expecting.

In general the most serious of gamers are considered to be a very demanding group of people. They know their computers inside out and they know what they want from them but did you know that many of these serious gamers are opting for laptops over desktops?

Things have really changed in the world of laptops. There have been some major developments in not only the way that laptops are constructed but also the technology that is placed in them. Quad processors are now available in gaming laptops but what really has broken the gaming barrier is the introduction of SLI technology which makes hooking up two or more Graphics Cards or GPUs possible within laptops. Throw in much more RAM at higher speeds and you have the formula for higher performance gaming in a smaller package.

This new technology has now made the laptop nearly or as powerful as your desktop PC; so it's no wonder that more and more gamers are switching from their desktop PC in favor of a laptop. These laptops aren't just any laptops however; they are specifically built, pimped out if you like, to be able to run and play games better than your standard laptop or desktop computer.

Gaming laptops are the elite; they are the top of the line laptops for all of your gaming needs. The reason for this is that these laptops are built to perfection and not only that, they can also be built and tailor made to fulfill everything that you need to have the ultimate machine when it comes to your gaming laptop.

Custom building a laptop to meet a certain specification is what many gamers are now choosing over buying a standard laptop that simply meets the requirements needed; these gamers want to take it a step further. They want to, in essence, produce their own blueprints for what will be the best gaming machine on the market.

If you're ordering a gaming laptop from some of the gaming specialist like Alienware, Rock in the UK, or even a local HP or Dell XPS rig; and you can config or order the amount of RAM, type of Processors and most importantly, the type of GPU or Graphics Card you want in your gaming laptop. Obviously, the more cash you're willing to spend, the more 'pimped-out' your gaming laptop will be.

It has only been in recent times that laptops have shown what potential they have to be the best of the best in the computer world. They are powerful mobile machines that are made to feature

vital components to make the laptop the fastest, sharpest and brightest it can be; it makes a laptop the perfect gaming machine.

Whatever your gaming habits are you are able to pimp out a laptop to make a gaming monster to rival others. You can design your own gaming system and then have it custom built by experts. When you design your gaming laptop there are certain considerations that I'm sure you are already aware of, that you will need to include in your gaming laptop to make it the best it can be.

You will be looking at getting the fastest processor, largest amount of RAM and best resolution. Not just any laptop will do for a gamer; you need what is essentially considered to be a powerhouse that can handle the intense graphics of some of the best 3D games that are on the market today. So you need to keep in mind the fact that you are unable to upgrade the graphics card in many laptops so when you are custom building your ultimate gaming laptop it is highly important that you buy a laptop with the fastest graphics card that you can; the latest DirectX graphics cards are highly recommended. Most gamers go with high-end NVIDIA or ATI GPUs which usually gives them the best performance.

If you are a gamer who is looking into what makes up the best gaming laptop I suggest that you take it one step further like many people already have done, and get your gaming laptop custom

built. This way you get the best of all worlds. You get a fast processor, high quality graphics card and a large amount of RAM.

Custom building laptops is what you need if you want the best from your gaming laptop. So get your gaming laptop specs figured out now and get them sent out to the laptop manufacturers. Ordering your custom gaming rig online is easy and fast to do and you will be gaming with the best of them in no time!

....
The author runs a handy online Laptop Guide featuring the latest top gaming notebooks: Best Gaming Notebooks To learn more about finding the right gaming laptop for you, try here: Top 5 Gaming Laptops

New Laptop Technology You Need To Know (Before Buying Your Next Laptop)

2011-06-20T23:59:00.000+01:00

Laptop or notebook computer technology is advancing at

a blistering speed. Ferrari fast. So fast that by the time

you purchase your new laptop, it's probably already

obsolete or out of date. A sobering thought considering

the hefty prices you have to pay for a high-end laptop.

But laptop technology is changing so fast new innovations

are coming on stream as you read this article. There is a

whole new generation of notebook technology every two years

or less. Therefore, unless you buy or upgrade your laptop

each year you're falling behind what these sleek little

powerhouses can now deliver.

And unless you're already in Geek Heaven, keeping track

of all these new technologies and innovations can be

quite a chore. Figuring out the right Graphics chipset

that works best with the right CPU and the best Data buses

is a major feat. And now that everything is being

Doubled -- dual core, dual graphics -- it's entering

the realm where Einstein would be amused, even on a

bad hair day!

What's the ordinary laptop buyer to do?

What you really have to keep in mind are the outcomes

of all this new technology. Basically, these new

technologies have made laptops smaller, faster and more

powerful. With every new improvement the laptop is closing

the gap between its main rival -- the desktop computer.

Notebook computers are now out-selling desktops for

the first time in history. Laptops are replacing the

old desktop computer, whose days may just be numbered.

It won't be long before laptops are also out-performing

them as well.

Some major computer makers are taking note of this

trend towards more powerful, smaller computers.

Even the desktop computer is morphing! Just look at

the sleek design of the new Apple iMac G5, gone is the

bulky tower, in its place is a well designed desktop

computer that's almost a laptop!

For the ordinary computer user keeping abreast of

all these new technologies and inventions can be a

major chore if you're considering buying a laptop

in the next little while. As you approach the smiling

salesperson in your favorite tech store, here's a

few bits of new notebook technology you might want

to have in your possession so you won't look like a

complete neophyte. Hey, where technology is concerned,

we have all been there, done that.

In order for you to tech-proof your next laptop

purchase, here's a quick run down of some recent

Notebook Developments:

Sonoma Chipset

The new Sonoma Platform, Intel's next-generation Centrino

Chipset is already on the market. Members of the Sonoma

club are growing daily - Sony, IBM/Lenovo, BenQ, Dell,

Samsung, Acer, and Toshiba... another 80 or 90

'Sonoma-endowed' products will be released very shortly.

No doubt, it will become the Platform standard for many

high-end notebooks. Actually, it won't make or mean that

much difference to the ordinary Joe/Jane who just want a

notebook or laptop for web surfing, word processing and

e-mail. Notebooks with the Sonoma Platform will be just

a little bit faster and have a little better battery life.

But for Mobile Professionals and Notebook Fanatics (they

do exist)... there's a lot of good things delivered or

capable of being delivered with this new Centrino Chipset.

First, wireless connections will be easier with the integrated

tri-mode 802.11a/b/g, already dubbed by some as the

'wireless trinity'! This will make it easier to stay

connected no matter where you are.

Improved performance will be experienced because the

new Pentium M's have a 533MHz frontside bus, supported

with up to 2GB of DDR2 DRAM, Serial ATA Hard Drive, and

PCI Express, plus improved integrated graphics, including

Intel's Hi-Def Audio. All are possible with the Sonoma

Platform.

PCI Express

PCI(Peripheral Component Interconnect) Express is a new

standard for expansion cards that comes in different

versions. Presently, we have the x16 and x1 lanes, which

will be followed by x4 and x8 versions. It offers increased

bandwidth for example, x1 lane offers 500MB/sec instead of

just 133MB/sec for PCI.

All computers, including laptops have different buses,

(collection of wires) that transmit data from one component

to another.

Of course, in an ideal world, all the data in your computer

should move thru just one BUS - however, most experts agree

it's not likely to happen unless we start over and build a

computer system from scratch. For now we have to rely on

different internal buses to move the data around, the

PCI Express is a great improvement and will make your

laptop faster.

Graphics Card

These are always improving. A Graphics Card handles the

graphics or visuals on your notebook. If 3D graphics and

games is a pastime, you will want to buy the highest

quality system. Some of the higher end products are:

ATi Mobility Radeon 9800, X800, and FireGL V3200 or

Intel's Graphics Media Accelerator 900.

If you can, go with a NVIDIA GeForce Go 6800 graphics

card or for the real game diehards - wait for the debut

of NVIDIA GeForce Go 7300 that features NVIDIA's TurboCache

technology.

Gamers will be aware of NVIDIA SLI technology, ATI's

CrossFire and Hyperthreading. All new stuff that's

bringing the gaming experience up to a higher level of

perfection that would even be worthy of a Spielberg or

a Lucas Production. Not really, but it's getting there.

64 Bit Laptops

Most systems today run on the 32 Bit System. Keep in mind,

the major difference between a 32-bit and a 64-bit system

is the amount of memory that they support. Around 4 GB for

32-bit and 8 GB and up for the 64-bit. Right now -- Intel,

Apple, and AMD all offer 64-bit systems.

Do you need all this memory? No, for the average laptop

user it amounts to overkill. However, if you're interested

in gaming, desktop publishing, or the graphic arts you will

benefit from 64-bit technology.

Dual Core Notebooks

Two is better than one!

Dual core laptops are now on the market. The gaming industry

is the starting point for many of these advanced systems.

For example, the British Laptop maker Rockdirect now produces

Xtreme 64, a gaming laptop with AMD's new dual core Athlon 64

X2 processor. This same laptop also sports the ATI Mobility

Radeon X800 XT graphics card that features 16 pixel pipelines,

an industry first for notebooks.

The major producers of dual-core chips are Intel and AMD.

The Intel dual-core processor has hyperthreading (HT), the

two cores are divided into four virtual CPU units. Is all this

needed? Again, if you're into heavy graphics or gaming, it's

something you should consider and explore further.

Built-in Cellular Modem

Most high-end laptops now come with an integrated

tri-mode 802.11a/b/g for wireless WI-FI connections.

Some recent models, like the Sony's New Ultra-Portable

VAIO VGN-T350P, are raising the bar; it has the world's

first 'Built-in Cellular Modem'. You can use your cell phone

to connect to the Internet. This may be a great advantage

since finding a 'Hot Spot' in some parts of the world can

still be difficult.

The Avant-Garde: LumiLED Display

Be on the look-out for LED monitors in the near future.

The brightness, colors and backlighting technology in LED

monitors will be quite different from LCD displays.

The Forerunner in this field is NEC's SpectraView LumiLED,

and will offer a much better image and color.

Keep your eyes peeled.

On the Horizon:

19 or 20 Inch Laptop Screens

There is a rumor, only a rumor, that Dell is coming out

with a 19-inch laptop in early 2006. There is also buzz

that LG-Philips has a 20-inch LCD panel which could easily

be used by laptop makers if they want to explore this

market area. Andre the giant will be pleased!

Conclusion

Of course, there are many more laptop innovations in

the pipeline but they're beyond the scope of this article.

Just keep all these new technological notebook changes in

mind when you're checking out your next laptop. Maybe,

just maybe, most of these won't already have been replaced

by something new by the time you buy your next laptop.

But don't bet your Google Stocks on it!

The author has a modest website on Bizware Products for eMarketers. As part of that site he runs an Online Notebook Guide for Laptop Enthusiasts. Notebook Buyer's Guide Copyright ? 2005 Titus Hoskins. This article may be freely distributed if this resource box stays attached.

Keeping Your Laptop Safe and Secure

2011-06-19T18:08:00.000+01:00

When people think of computer security they think of things like Trojan Horses, viruses, spyware, worms and other nasty things that hackers can send to you over the internet. No matter how many blocks you have in place, or how many firewalls you erect, though, there is a type of security that you are probably forgetting when it comes to your laptop.

With huge numbers of people using laptops both at home and at work, and the rising number of people taking their laptops with them on trips to anywhere from the coffee shop down the street to the next continent over, there is an important security issue also on the rise. The theft of laptops is at a record high, and once a thief has your computer safely in his hands, he has all the time in the world to crack the rest of your security or take your computer apart to sell the pieces.

Keeping your laptop safe is not just an issue of internal security and regular checkups (though these things are important), but also of physical security and making sure that your computer does not leave your possession.

Security at Work and School

With the theft of laptops on the rise, the job of protecting them has become big business. If you bring your laptop to work, then it is important to keep it secure at all times. Especially in a busy office with many people coming and going, a two-minute bathroom break can mean the loss of a couple of thousand dollars worth of technology, and a lot of data.

For a laptop on your desk in the busy office place, there are several options for keeping your laptop tied down and in place no matter what. One of these methods is attaching your laptop to a security cable to stop casual theft. These cables can only be released with a key or code, and keep others from lifting your laptop when your back is turned.

If you bring your laptop to work, but do not use it the entire time you are there, if you are a student or parent concerned about others accessing your computer, or if you foresee being away from your desk for a period of time, locking your laptop in a file cabinet or desk drawer can be ideal. If these options are not available, a laptop locker will keep others away from your valuable tool. Mount the laptop locker under your desk, in the trunk of your car, on the wall, or in the closet to prevent theft and unwanted access.

For a laptop that many people may need to use or have access to, and one that is not supposed to go anywhere, ever, then a tie-down bracket is the option to keep your computer safe. Popular with libraries and hotels, these brackets protect your laptop usually whether open or closed, but will not allow the laptop to be removed. These are also good for computers that can be in danger of falling from things such as store displays, car mounts, and laptops on hospital carts.

For schools or companies that provide laptops for special use to many people at once, a lockable laptop cart is idea. The cart provides room for fifteen to thirty laptops at once. These carts are constructed to be both mobile and extremely difficult to break into. When not in use they should be kept in a locked room for additional security, however even if someone gets one of these carts, it will be virtually impossible to conceal.

If despite your best precautions your laptop is lost or stolen, having installed a stealth signal program or other tracking program means that your laptop can call out for help. Report your laptop as lost or stolen, and your computer will begin transmitting its location to a control center. These control centers can then help you retrieve your lost computer, hopefully before any damage is done.

The best security you can offer your computer is keeping your eye on it at all times. If you choose to bring it with you anywhere, do not leave it alone unless it is under lock and key. People are tempted to set their bags on the floor and doze in waiting rooms or airports, but it only takes a second to lose your valuable investment and all of your data.

Security Online and in Networks

Don't think that just because your computer is locked up from theft makes it perfectly safe, either. Information you keep stored on your computer such as bank data, passwords, credit cards, and other sensitive information make a tempting target for hackers and identity thieves. The best security for your personal information is to not save it on your computer anywhere, ever.

It may not just be your data that thieves are after, either. Once they have established a connection, they can come back again and again to make use of your fancy processor and your internet connection to attack other computers and hide their own activities. These intruders get in through email viruses and weaknesses in existing programs, and often install programs to keep their access to your computer open. It is hard to tell that your computer has been invaded, but keeping your connection secure is vital.

There are things that everyone should know, and most people don't think about. Do not, for example, open an attachment from someone you don't know. If possible, avoid opening the emails, too. If you do open attachments, make sure they are scanned for a virus first. Infected friends can inadvertently send viruses on to you.

Visiting innocent web sites can also provide entry points into your computer. If you think of the internet as one big room, any program listening can hear your conversation (the data you exchange) and interpret it. Do not think that your computer is talking directly to the computer on the other end of the line. Your conversations/information are relayed through computer after computer until it reaches its destination. Programs can be installed to encrypt the information you send out over the internet to protect you from this mode of invasion.

Password protection is key, as is backing up your work every so often. That way even if you are infected with a dangerous virus, you can possibly format or use another method to wipe it away. Passwords should also be strong, containing letters and numbers, and not your own personal information like birth dates. You should also rotate passwords, not using the same one twice.

Anti-virus programs should be installed and updated frequently. They should also be used to actively scan for viruses on a regular basis to keep your computer or laptop as safe as possible. You should also make sure to keep your system updates with all the latest patches available, since they may help close a back door that an intruder could take advantage of.

A firewall program is not the same as an anti-virus program, but it is just as important. A firewall means that no one gets into your computer without your knowledge or permission. A person or program attempting to access your computer from a remote location will not be allowed through unless you specifically enable them.

There is a lot here to remember, and a lot of information to process. Following the advice outlined here, however, and searching regularly for new security measures and updates will help to protect your computer and all of the information stored on it. Safety, after all, is the key.

You may use this article in its entirety if this resource box stays attached.

For more interesting articles on laptops, batteries, accessories, and laptop reviews, go to http://www.cheap-laptops-guide.net

Laptop Memory Upgrades - How to Install Them Yourself

2011-06-17T18:36:00.000+01:00

How to install SODIMM laptop memory be this in your laptop, notebook, sub-notebook or netbook (as these all apply here).

Is this for me?

There is often a false misconception amongst the public that installing laptop computer memory is something only a true qualified professional should do. I think it is important to finally let this age old myth rest. While it is true that most aspects of technically challenging a laptop computer from a hardware perspective are difficult, thus something a standard computer user should not attempt, upgrading laptop computer memory is not one of them. The latter is actually a fairly easy process to follow, and certainly one that can be performed by the vast majority of computer users providing they follow some simple yet useful advice.

The necessary tools and/or parts and other considerations

Before you can attempt installing a new laptop memory upgrade you need to prepare some tools and parts as well as choose an appropriate place to carry out the procedure. I will assume you already have a laptop computer ready destined for an upgrade.

The most important of course is that you have purchased a new compatible laptop memory upgrade and thus are in possession of these laptop memory modules. Should this not be the case you should purchase this from a source of your choice and once done revisit this article.

Secondly, you will need a small Philips head screwdriver. These normally come in sets of six or so of varied sizes, there is a high chance you already own these somewhere in your garage and/or DIY toolbox. Thirdly, it is best that you have an anti-static wristband. This is because laptop computer memory is sensitive to static damage. You can purchase this cheaply online, simply search for the term and it will be an easy, quick and cheap buy. If for some reason you cannot purchase an anti-static wristband find something made of metal around your house. This could be a metal lamp, a metal table leg or even a metal screwdriver. This will be used to discharge any static built up within your body, just to be on the safe side and prevent damaging your laptop computer memory modules.

Fourthly, you may wish to prepare a piece of cloth on which to later rest your laptop computer on to prevent scratching its surface. This is optional but given that most people will prefer to keep their laptop in tip top condition it is worth a mention.

Once you have all the above take a moment to think about where (i.e. what room) in your house (or otherwise) you can carry out the upgrade procedure. It is recommended this room has a hard surface on which to rest your laptop, a good light source, a means for you to sit down comfortably and also somewhere that is free from moist or dust, or any other environmentally hazardous occurrence.

The general procedure

Upgrading SODIMM laptop computer memory is actually fairly simple and if you convince yourself to have a go, you will soon likely become a follower of this belief.

Having all the above named parts, tools, and location ready, the first thing to do is to locate the laptop computer memory bay cover on your laptop computer. Most laptop computers have this on the underside so flip it upside down (this is where the aforementioned piece of cloth may come in handy) and have a look there. Modern laptop computers normally have a few bays on the underside, one of which will hold the laptop computer memory modules. Either unscrew each one in turn to find this out the manual way, or consult your laptop's user manual for a quick clue.

Once inside you will either see one or more vacant slots in which to insert your laptop memory upgrade or all slots full. Depending on the outcome, you may need to first extract one or more existing laptop computer memory modules. You can do this by pulling in an outwards direction on the clips located at either side of each module. Once done, these will cause the corresponding laptop computer memory module to release ready for you to grab and pull out. Remember that before touching it you should either be wearing an anti-static wristband, or you should touch something made of metal that is earthed - in both cases to discharge your body of any static.

Next, unpack your new laptop memory upgrade and insert each module one by one (should you have more than one) into the memory slots. Do note the latch placement on the laptop computer memory module itself. Be sure to align it with the memory slot. Insert the module at an angle of about 45 degrees until the pins (usually gold plated) are barely visible. Now press down on the module until it clips into place. You will hear this happen, after which the laptop computer memory module will be securely installed.

Repeat the above process for the number of modules your new laptop memory upgrade contains. You may need to modify the above procedure slightly depending if your laptop requires installing modules in pairs (i.e. in very old laptops or newer laptops that support dual channel operation).

After you have successfully followed the above installation, replace the laptop computer memory bay cover in its rightful place and screw it back using the same screw(s) it was held in originally.

Last but not least, turn your laptop the right way up and turn the power on. You can either go into its BIOS to check whether the new laptop computer memory is detected (this normally requires you press a key such as Del, F2, F12 etc. depending on the type of BIOS immediately after powering it on) or wait until the Operating System loads. If you do not see the expected amount of physical memory installed, be sure to check whether you fully inserted the laptop computer memory modules. If for example one is slightly loose, its capacity will not be detected. In rare cases you have been delivered memory that is faulty, otherwise known as DOA (Dead-On-Arrival).

In summary

Be sure to extract the most important traits of the above information. The commonly heard assumption that installing SODIMM laptop computer memory is something only a true qualified professional should perform is a myth. The fact of the matter is that you can perform this procedure yourself and thus save money and time. The only limiting factor to the above is to first make sure you have all the necessary parts, tools and last but not least appropriate location to do so. You should also remember to ground yourself to prevent any possible static damage to the laptop computer memory modules themselves. Do this either by wearing an anti-static wristband or regularly touching something made of metal that is earthed.

Above all don't become a victim of various computer services outlets that try and talk you into the complexity of this procedure and as is very convenient for them, charge you a hefty premium for their service.

If you are planning on upgrading your laptop's memory and need help then visit the Laptop Memory Upgrades website or Laptop Memory Upgrades Guide for advice.

Laptop Essentials! Five Basic Accessories to Think About

2011-06-16T01:55:00.000+01:00

Everybody, it looks like, has a laptop today, and if you don't have one, you most likely are thinking of buying one. As if it's not difficult enough to choose from the many types and brands of laptops out there, you are also confronted with the many accessories that are available for one to. Of the overwhelmingly large amount of accessories out there, it can be certainly overwhelming to figure out what you really need for your laptop. Clearly, it is completely dependant upon your needs and plans with your computer, but there are five essentials you may want to consider to start with first.

Laptop Essential 1: If you are planning to use your laptop at home with any kind of regularity, you will want to consider getting an external keyboard and pointing device (mouse). Why? Well, believe me, if you have ever tried typing on a laptop for any more than an hour, then without a doubt you know that your neck, shoulders, and wrists can start to feel wiped out, to say the least. Well, the solution is to buy an external keyboard, which you can plug into the back of your laptop, as well as a mouse. And if you use your laptop in the office you can raise the screen up with books or risers of some sort to make looking at the screen a little more ergonomic. Of course you can also purchase accessory swivel stands for your laptop as well if you want them.

Laptop Essential 2: When your home you will most likely want to connect other peripheral devices to your laptop, like a printer, maybe a DVD player, or even a CD burner. This can create a lot of clutter with all the wires you need to plug in and unplug if you want to take your laptop out of the house or move room to room or even take it to the office. So to resolve this problem, you will absolutely love a docking station.

Now a docking station basically turns your laptop into a desktop computer when you're home and when you're ready to take it away, you simply slip it out of the station and off you go.

Another alternative along the same lines is a port replicator, which has computer ports. You connect your external devices to the replicator and then to your laptop. When you want to move your laptop, you simply detach the one port replicator, rather than each external device.

Laptop Essential 3: Now this isn't as exciting as some of the other accessories, but I assure you, you will be thankful you have it, and that is an external hard drive. It's certainly not going to make your day, and it certainly won't throw any excitement in your life, but the morning you wake up and your laptop won't start will be the day you are overjoyed that you decided to get that external hard drive.

Here's a little tip to go along with your new external hard drive: never pack your backup drive and your laptop in the same case when going on a trip, keep them separated. If you happen to lose your bag with both the backup drive and the laptop in it, you're going to have a really bad day!

Laptop Essential 4: This little device will allow you to hook up everything you need. So make sure you go out and get yourself an external USB hub. Desktop computers sometimes come with several USB ports, some with as many as 8 or 9. But, laptops since they are smaller, often only have a couple of USB ports. USB hubs will usually have four or more ports that will connect through one of your laptop's USB port making them very easy to use to hook up multiple USB devices.

Laptop Essential 5: You need to think about the worst thing that can happen with your laptop. Now you probably bought your laptop so you can work out of the office, or your home, or wherever you need to, right? Well, since you will be out and about, you will definitely want to think about insurance for your laptop. The manufacturer's warranty usually doesn't cover anything beyond parts, and an extended warranty will certainly not cover theft, though it may cover you for breakage or fire.

Finally, there are literally thousands of different accessories available for your computer. Of course some you might need and others you won't. It really depends on what your plans are for your laptop as well as where you plan on using it. Nevertheless, these five things are indispensable to making your laptop as functional to you as possible. While there may be some variation to what you need, most of these items will be valuable to anyone who owns a laptop, no matter how you expect to use your portable computer.

Garry Allen is a successful Webmaster and publisher of Best-Rated-Laptops-and-Computers.info. Providing you with more information on computer technology and answering the question what's the best rated laptop [http://www.best-rated-laptops-and-computers.info/Best_Rated_Computer_Laptops.html] that you can research in your bathrobe on his website.

Cheap Laptop Computers: The Untold Story

2011-06-14T20:29:00.000+01:00

Getting in to the groove of buying the cheapest laptop in the market is quite fun and simple. Many succumb to this great deal due to numerous reasons: they have a tight budget to follow, they would just give it as a gift to their children who most often than not break things a lot or owns a company and would like to give each employee a laptop to increase efficiency. Such reasons tend to bring a long line of consumers in a store that posts cheap laptops for sale signs on their windows.

Cheap laptop computers do give the equal benefit of high quality laptops in providing services to its owner. It is the owner's discretion to whether or not such computers suffice the void there is in their needs regarding such technological advances. But how can one be sure on the good quality that a cheap laptop presents and not only be fooled or lured by the big cheap laptops for sale sign?

Here are some of the most important things that consumers must first know before getting their money to a computer auction or gadget store:

One, you must take careful analysis on the core processor of the laptop. This is the computer or laptops independent processing unit. Cheap laptop computers, of majority, contain single core processor. With a single core processor, the laptop reads and executes actions in one single brain. Compared with high quality and expensive new versions of laptop computers, they mostly contain two processors which accordingly work as a separate unit. One reads while the other executes. This increases the performance feature of the computer or laptop. If a sale offers a laptop that contains two core processors, be mindful that there would be a catch at the end. Two core processors do cost addition bucks to be added and don't usually go with a cheap laptop of less than $400.

Two, another thing to be mindful of is the Random Access Memory (RAM) of the laptop computers. RAM is considered to be the memory of the laptop that acts on a short - term basis. With this short - term memory feature, you may access previously saved information without going to dig deeper into the hard drive of the computer itself. Usually cheap laptops come with a 2GB RAM. Although having increase in RAM number is good, the RAM of cheap laptops already provides adequate memory to be able to do tasks using it. Again, if it contains a higher number of RAM with the lowest price in the market, there is a catch that could lead you being fooled in the end.

Three, check the reliability and build quality. Do not expect to get cheap laptops or cheap gaming laptops with exquisite build model and is 100% reliable. This is quiet near to impossible. This is due to the fact that both consumers and companies play to be at fault in this scenario. As the demand of cheap laptops increases due to the consumers, the manufacturers try to, as much as possible, cut down on few things from the laptop so that it could be sold for a lower price. Thus, one should not be that picky yet one should not settle for a laptop has a questionable construction. Try to stick to brands that are pretty much credible and whose reputation have been built and attested for by the consumers themselves. Do not be deceived by the lowest priced laptop in the market. Staying on one's budget and keeping this tip in mind can get you to survive living with a laptop that although not built exquisitely in a perfect shell is good in performing the tasks for the longest duration possible.

Four, do check out the size and battery life of the laptop. Most cheap laptops that are put in the market play a devious trick on its consumers. These laptops are made to have low price among the rest but offers the short battery lifespan. There are also those that do offer a long battery life but has a low or inefficient processor which eventually eats up almost all of the battery life. This is such well planned trick to be fell for by amateur laptop consumers. One important note to actually keep in your list is this, most laptops that are priced near or at $600 contain a battery life of three hours. Exceptions to such are the following: Acer Aspire line, Dell M101Z and Toshiba T235D which can give up to five hours or more of battery life. Also, cheap portable laptops usually offer display resolution similar to the larger 15.6" models. With such feature, other tricky cheap laptops offer a compresses equal number of pixels onto a smaller display resolution which gives a smaller view of the text. This is not the best cheap laptop that one would purchase, especially when he or she has poor eyesight.

Buying cheap laptops, whether the typical typing, researching and reading purpose laptops or those cheap gaming laptops, can never give you everything that you aspire compared with buying a higher priced and quality laptop. Still, one a good quality from these cheap laptops is better than none at all. With these tips and strategies on hand, one can buy the cheapest laptop there is without being tricked in compromising the quality that each of these cheap laptop offers. So be wise, be confident, for it is only then that a low - cut priced but good - usage - quality laptop can land in your hands.

Learn more about cheap laptop computers and some useful tips in buying cheap laptops computers.

Wholesale Laptops

2011-06-12T22:37:00.000+01:00

Purchasing wholesale laptops is an income saver to a buyer. With the great popularity of laptops in business and entertainment, wholesale laptops have also become popular. Retailers, institutes, industry related establishments, and professional business users purchase bulk amount of laptops from wholesalers. Wholesale laptops are available in various sizes, styles and brands. In the laptop business, the wholesalers act as middlemen between the shopkeepers and actual manufacturers.

A wide range of wholesale laptops are available according to the taste of the customers. But the main thing behind the process of wholesale is that the purchaser must take a pre-requisite number of laptops in the bargain. In addition to the surplus varieties of laptops, the wholesale laptop manufacturers have plenty of refurbished machines that are sold at affordable prices. With a large number of different distributors working within the computer industry and electronic market, manufacturers often tend to sell laptops wholesale.

Buying laptops in bulk quantities at discount will require a better understanding of the PC industry and wholesale trade. Manufacturers and wholesalers mark different prices on their products depending on how many machines are sold at one time or a specific period. Before purchasing wholesale laptops in bulk amount, you have to make sure that all laptops are in a working condition. You can check its configurations, memory and software that are installed already in the laptops.

Purchasing laptops wholesale is very affordable than retail. Many wholesale laptops companies sell a wide selection of refurbished laptops and used laptops at wholesale prices. Some of the popular laptop models are Toshiba, Dell, Sony, IBM, Compaq and Apple laptops. Some large companies offer wholesale discount up to 70% of the original price for resellers, distributors, and business customers.

Surfing the Net will assist you to get an idea about recent laptop models and best prices available from different suppliers. Wholesale laptops are available through some popular web sites such as Amazon.com and Ebay.com. Price comparison engines help you to get a good estimate for the laptops you need. But this plan is only possible if you have a good knowledge about what you are expecting from a laptop. It will dramatically reduce a lot of effort and time required for searching cheap laptop.

Laptops provides detailed information on Laptops, Cheap Laptops, Used Laptops, Refurbished Laptops and more. Laptops is affiliated with Laptop Hinge Repair [http://www.e-LaptopRepair.com].

Student Laptops - What You Need to Know Before Buying?

2011-06-10T22:57:00.000+01:00

If you're considering buying a laptop for a student, here are some factors or features you might want to examine before plunging down your hard earned cash. These are some basic elements all great student laptops should possess or have which will make your chosen laptop more suitable for a student.

So here are some things you should consider when buying a student notebook or laptop:

1. Sturdy

The student environment can be harsh and unpredictable so you will need a sturdy, tough laptop. You might even consider a ruggedized notebook if the laptop is to be used under really extreme conditions. Just make sure your chosen laptop can take the bumps and drops associated with the student environment.

2. Portable

The student laptop should be very portable with good battery life if it is to be used in the classroom. It should also be sleek and small so it can fit neatly under the arm or in a backpack. Laptops are getting more and more compact so finding a laptop to meet your needs should not be difficult. Just make sure it has sufficient wireless connections as the Internet is now a valuable tool in any student's life.

3. Performance

Performance must meet your needs. Choose a laptop that offers sufficient performance and power to carry out all your computing tasks. Again, laptops have greatly increased in performance and are now almost parallel with desktop PCs. But check the Processor (CPU), RAM, Hard Drive and OS (Operating System) on your chosen laptop to make sure they will meet all your student's needs.

4. Economical Laptops

Economics always plays a part in any student's life so you have to shop around and find a good quality cheap laptop. Again, with laptop prices steadily falling, finding a good affordable laptop should not be a problem. Don't rule out a used or refurbished laptop as they are usually very

inexpensive.

5. Theft and Security

Laptop theft and security should be high on your mind when buying a student laptop. Fortunately, many laptops now come with a lot of security measures such as fingerprint entry or even face recognition software as seen in the latest Lenovo laptops. Also, you should check into other security measures such as the Anti-Theft software like LoJack that can track and locate your laptop or computer thru the IP address once the stolen laptop is used to access the Internet.

Now here are some points you should consider when buying any type of laptop, student or otherwise:

1. CPU Processor

Central Processing Unit or Processor is important in any laptop or PC. Check to see how much power and speed you have; most laptops now come with Intel's Dual Core Processors which should give even the most demanding student enough performance.

2. RAM

RAM or Random Access Memory is an important element in your laptop. It will usually determine

(along with the CPU & Hard Drive speed) how fast your laptop will perform. The more RAM you have the better, but note 32 bit systems can only use up to 4 GB of RAM and 64 bit systems can use 8 GB or more.

For running Windows XP, Microsoft recommends 128MB as the minimum RAM requirement, again

more is better. For Mac OS X systems you will need a minimum of 128 MB but for optimal performance try 512 MB. Linux will work nicely on a system with only 4 MB of RAM. For Windows Vista - Microsoft recommends at least 1 Gig of RAM but many users have reported that 2 to 3 Gigs of RAM makes Vista run smoother.

3. Graphics Card or GPU

If a student will be handling a lot of heavy graphics (video gaming aside) with their studies then the type of Graphics Card you buy will be important. If you can afford it go with a high end GPU such as those offered by NVIDIA and ATI. Dual graphics cards would be another option for

optimum graphics performance.

4. Display

Display in a student laptop is also important. Many students prefer a slate or convertible display which makes it easy for note-taking. Even tablets should be considered if note-taking is the main purpose of your laptop. Otherwise make sure the display is crisp and large enough to suit your needs.

5. Value for Money

It does pay to shop around and make sure you get great value for your money. Comparison shopping is one of the best ways to do this; just make sure you're getting good value for the laptop you're buying. Compare CPUs, RAM, Hard Drives and Performance to see how much you're paying for each feature.

The "Cool Factor"

In conclusion, you should consider all the factors listed above before buying your student laptop and it will make your task much easier. However, if you're a parent buying a laptop for your student son or daughter you probably already know from past experiences that there is always an "unwritten cool factor" in anything they use! To avoid disappointment, consult with your offspring about what type of laptop they would appreciate having. If it is something they really like, they will take better care of it and protect it as if their life depended upon it. Besides, why waste money on something they won't even use.

So don't rule out a cool high end Apple laptop or even a high end gaming laptop such as those from Alienware. High end laptops are more expensive but they also offer the best performances of any laptop you will consider, as long as the aforementioned offspring has been sufficiently weaned off video gaming to get their school work done. Happy laptop hunting!

For more information on Buying Notebooks and Laptops at Bargain Prices for students Click Here: Laptops for Students
Or here: Best Gaming Notebooks
Copyright ? 2008 Titus Hoskins. This article may be freely distributed if this resource box stays attached.

Cheap Laptops: Are They Worth The Money?

2011-06-09T08:49:00.000+01:00

Remember last year when a sale featuring laptops priced

at $500 caused a stampede in one store. What a difference

a year makes!

Laptop prices have been steadily dropping, falling below

those stampede prices in some cases. As productions costs

come down and the marketplace is flooded with all makes of

laptops, you can expect laptop prices to drop even further.

No news there, most products come down in price eventually,

electronic products are no different. Actually, they seem

to come down in prices more rapidly.

This is written by someone who bought a $1000 VCR -- now you

can get the same VCR for under a hundred bucks. If you can get

anyone to buy it. For that matter, do they sell VCRs anymore?

Technologies change all the time.

Have you bought a TV lately? You may have been surprised

at the different ones ( Plasma, LCD, Rear Projection )

and just look at the prices on the old fashion TVs, they

have become downright cheap, compared to what they once

were.

When one technology is replaced with another you can

usually find some nice discounts and cheap prices.

Many consumers confuse the word cheap with poor quality,

don't make the same mistake. In most cases, you're still

getting a high quality product; just at a lower price.

There is a similar thing going on with laptops or

notebook computers. A few years ago, compared to

buying a PC, buying a laptop was very expensive.

Now laptop prices have fallen. New technologies

have come on stream, most notably the new Intel

Duo processor. Rightly or wrongly, it makes a lot

of older laptops somewhat obsolete. But these older

laptops are still high quality products that you may

be able to purchase at a cheaper price.

But the million dollar question remains -- are cheap laptops

worth your hard earned money?

Yes and no.

As a prudent shopper you have to be careful and know exactly

what you're purchasing. A cheap laptop that will break or not

perform up to our expectations is not cheap - just a waste of

your hard earned money.

So you have to be careful and play it safe, always go with

a high profile laptop maker. HP, Sony, Apple, Toshiba,

Dell, Panasonic... many of these companies do sell inexpensive

laptops. They also sell perfectly fine refurbished laptops

that you should also consider if you're interested in buying

a cheap laptop.

Many of these big name laptop makers do offer special deals

and discount coupons. Many good quality laptops can now be

bought for well under $1000. No matter what type or kind of

laptop you buy or from whom, always check the warranties and

know exactly what is covered should you run into problems with

your newly purchased laptop.

Value for Your Money

However, you must always try to get the best value for

your money. You must comparison shop and look closely at

what you're getting for your hard earned cash.

Look at the processing speed, look at the amount of

RAM, look at the graphics and visuals/display, try

out the feel and touch of the keyboard and touchpad

-- do they meet or perform to your satisfaction?

Look closely at the different features and ask yourself:

do you need a wireless connection? do you need a large

hard drive? 40-80-100 gigs? do you need a DVD burner?

do you need long battery life? (if you're just using your

laptop as a desktop replacement and it will be plugged in all

the time, long battery life may not be that important).

What connections do you need? How many USB ports?

Firewire?

Keep all these features in mind when buying your laptop.

A cheap laptop isn't cheap if it doesn't give you all

the features you want. To be fully satisfied with

your purchase, your cheap laptop must have all your

requirements (things you just can't live without on your

laptop) included in that cheap price.

In other words, you must make sure you're getting good

value for your money. Make sure you're getting a high

quality laptop with all the features you need or require

in your laptop for a decent price.

Only Buy What You Need

Why buy a fully loaded laptop when you will never

use a webcam or DVD burner. Why buy a 100 gig hard

drive when you don't and will never need all that

storage space? Instead, find the features you want

and then go bargain hunting for a laptop within your

price range.

Shop Around, Shop Around, Shop Around

The Internet is an excellent place to start your

comparison shopping for a quality inexpensive laptop.

Most, if not all of the major laptop makers have online

sites where you can find some great laptop discounts

and laptop deals. Many online stores and affiliate

sites will also give you some great laptop bargains,

so shop around.

Dell is well known for its online laptop coupons

and discounts. Using Dell coupons will get you

a cheaper laptop. Many other laptop makers like

Toshiba and HP offer great online deals and discounts,

so make sure you look around before you buy

that cheap laptop.

And don't forget eBay, but be careful of what

you're buying and always thoroughly check out

the seller as well as the product. Remember

"It ain't cheap if it doesn't work!"

Still, if you're on a limited budget it pays to do

your homework and shop around. There are some great

bargains to be had, but don't be fooled by all those

low prices. Just make sure your cheap laptop has all

the features you need or can comfortably accept without

too much disappointment. Make sure your cheap laptop is

in fine working order and has a nice warranty attached

to it.

Then and only then, can you be assured that

your cheap laptop is well worth your money.

...

For more information on Buying Notebooks and Laptops at Bargain Prices Go Here: Cheap Laptops or Try Here: Dell Coupons Copyright ? 2006 Titus Hoskins This article may be freely distributed if this resource box stays attached.

Laptop For Games - How to Find Best Gaming Laptops

2011-06-07T13:01:00.000+01:00

Who are gamers ?

There are many pc gamers looking for gaming laptops. College students use it to enjoy favorite pc games. Super gamers try to find extremely powerful gaming machines to maxout high details in the latest games. Some other people just want to find a gaming laptop to handle some specific games under their budgets. Different people have the different budgets and requirements for a gaming laptop.

What are gaming laptops ?

A gaming laptop's performance is better than other laptops in playing pc games. Gaming laptops have better CPU, memory, GPU combination so usually costs more money.

How to find the best gaming laptops ?

Hardware technologies grow rapidly, it's impossible to follow all the latest updates in technologies, even for a IT guru. Some people can get references from friends who know laptops well, but most people have to figure out all by themselves. Forum post, Google and review articles are great sources to find out what laptops are good for gaming.

In fact, finding a gaming laptop is very easy. If you follow the steps I'm sure you can find a good gaming laptop to fit your need, no matter you have the any knowledge about laptop before or not.

1. Budget for the gaming laptop

The price for gaming laptops varies from less than $1,000 to $4,000 or even more in different brands. So the first thing is to find out what is the affordable price for a gaming laptop. Now the minimum price for a gaming laptop is around $650. Some laptops are more expensive than others such as MAC. Generally, the more money you spend, the better performance(or service provided) a gaming laptop will have. Let's say you have a budget of $1,400 for gaming laptop, so you can set the price range for $650 - $1,400.

2. What games you want to play with ?

It is a second important issue for buying a gaming laptop. There are 2D and 3D games. 2D games(like Starcraft, RedAlert2 ...) just needs a fast CPU and some memories to run smoothly and most laptop today will do the job. 3D games(WOW,Crysis,COD ...) require a powerful graphic card (GPU) to handle the complicated real-time calculations in the 3D games. Different graphic cards have different performances in playing different 3D games. There are two major GPU Giants there: Nvidia and ATI. Both of them have a serial models of graphic cards for different gaming requirements. If you are going to maxout all details in the latest FPS games such as Crysis, you have to get a top-level graphic card. If you feel that playing general games smoothly, and playing the latest games in low-medium effects are acceptable, there are also a bunch of medium-level graphic cards available for you to choose. Basically, the more powerful a GPU(graphic processing unit)is, the more money you will spend. By identifying your requirements you will save money. Not everyone need a super gaming machine. Don't use missiles if you just want to catch a bird.

3. Specific requirements

Everyone has his/her favorite brand. Some people like Intel CPUs while others prefer AMD. Some like Nvidia GPU while others like ATI. Some like small screen size while others prefer big screen. There are also some other choices such as size of hard drive, systems pre-installed, memory, optical drive, sound card, colors and weight. But remember that gaming capacity is your first priority. Any of your choices will be fine as long as you follow the step 1 and step 2.

4. when and where to buy

Of course you can buy a laptop anytime you like. Sometimes you save money if you choose to buy in a promotion period with some good coupons. There are also some people there will say: "I would like to wait for the price to drop down..." However, every penny you spend is worth for its value. If you have a good budget and don't want to wait too long, why not enjoying the cutting-edge technologies in latest gaming while other people are still in waiting ? There is no end answer for question "which laptop is the best for gaming?" If it is good for you, then go for it.

There are two types of laptop sellers: manufacturers(Dell,HP...) and resellers.

(Best Buy, Newegg, Circuit City, Staples...). You can buy laptops from them online or in store. Usually manufacturers provide more customization choices and resellers provide the products in 'what you see is what you get'. If you want to customize laptop with your choices, just buy it from manufacturers directly. If you are not familiar with laptop and don't know what laptop to choose, just tell agents from resellers what you want to do with the laptop and usually they will give some useful suggestions for you. Before any purchasing, you should have some basic ideas of what laptop you need. It will be greatly helpful if you do a little research on Internet by visiting laptop review sites.

Actually, finding a gaming laptop is a interesting process rather than a tough job. It is not as hard as we thought before. Every gamer can get the best gaming laptop for playing great games

http://www.laptopforgames.com is dedicated to finding powerful gaming laptops in reasonable prices, especially for college students ... This article can be free distributed as long as keep the information in the signature field.

Why Do You Need Laptop Skin For Your Notebook?

2011-06-05T17:06:00.000+01:00

Laptops are everywhere, one should need laptop like wrist watch, technology is running fast to make life easier, in today's world, Laptop is on demand. Here are some points, why you need laptop skin or laptop decal or say laptop Sticker for you notebook.

1. Make over to your laptop

This is the time to give new look to your laptop. Laptop skin is not bad idea for make over to your laptop. Go for laptop skin and give make over to your notebook. Laptop skins are easily available in the market with cheap rates. You can choose your laptop skin in minutes by surfing sites.

2. Business Identity

Laptop skins are good idea for business identity, put your logo and company name would be great push for your business identity, now a days, this idea is popular among big IT giants. Start with your own laptop and send gift to your employees and clients. Not a bad idea, huh?

3. Give unique look to your notebook

Just imagine, you will find lots of laptops same like your laptop, what is the different? You need unique identity among all like your personality. Select and design unique skin, like your lucky number and name, symbol of your hobby or profession. For example, freelance writer may select pen and paper as laptop skin

4. Laptop skin is reusable and removable

I got lots of reply with same questions; can I use laptop skin again? Is it easy to remove? They are scared about damage of laptop body after removal of skin. I will say, answer is NO. Feel free to apply laptop skin anytime you want, and you may change skin or use the same skin again and again as per your mood.

5. Easy to buy

You can buy laptop skins easily by surfing online stores, hundreds are store available with lots of varieties. Go for google.com and start your search.

6. Protection

Protection is most important for your laptop. Everyone wants laptop scratch free, clean and neat. Laptop skin is good option for you in such a case. Make sure, you may change your skin whenever you want!

7. Marketing

Use laptop skin, for your marketing purpose. You are not able to give your business card everywhere, in such a case, laptop skin is effective marketing. Laptop skin will speak for you while you are working on your laptop.

Samir Sharma is freelance writer, currently dealing with www.laptopboom.com - A free portal provides ideas for your laptop skins laptop stickers and laptop decals. Laptopboom.com also provides free laptop tips, guides and articles.

Best Laptop Backpack

2011-06-04T10:24:00.000+01:00

Laptop bags are very helpful in bringing our laptops almost everywhere. It ranges from shoulder bags, backpacks and envelope cases with handles. Among the three, laptop backpack bags are the most convenient way of carrying not only laptops but also other necessities such mp3 players, cell phones, and documents needed in work or in school. Laptop backpacks are comfortable and reasonable way to hold and protect a laptop. Very good laptops can be very expensive that's why it is very important to invest in high quality yet affordable laptop backpacks.

There are a variety of laptop backpacks available in the market. Most laptop backpacks have padded compartments, along with organizer and accessory pockets to store other valuable things needed in work or in school. Before purchasing a bag, it is important to measure the 3-way dimensions of your laptop in its closed position, and compare it to the available laptop compartment dimensions of the backpack you are eying to buy. Other considerations in purchasing a bag include the functionality of the bag, the durability, the personality of the owner and the comfort in carrying the bag.

Functionality of the laptop backpack is best assessed by asking a question, what kind of laptop backpack do I need? Do I need a bag with just a padded compartment for my laptop or a bag that consists of a padded compartment for a laptop together with other features such an organizer with storage space for media devices, mp3 player pouch and a zip way mesh water bottle holder? Laptop backpack bags available in the market address this kind of need. In browsing the web I came across this particular bag which I think is very smart, sleek and most of all functional especially to those people on the go. The Fulton bag by Mc Klein fits laptops that are 15" in size. The bag has a top-Loading Access with detachable computer sleeve that stores and protects laptops, an organizer with storage space for media devices, cell phone, business cards and pens, a MP3 or CD player pouch complete with slit for ear phones, a zip-away mesh water bottle holder and side zipper pockets for small miscellaneous items, a dual side pockets for accessories and a zippered file compartment. The great thing about this Fulton bag is the air-lift padding against the back to keep the carrier comfortable.

Another point to consider in choosing a laptop backpack is its durability. Bags should withstand not only the test of time but also the tough circumstances where we bring our bags. These circumstances include exploring the great outdoors and the harsh weather. The Cross-country by Trager Laptop bags is made in the USA and is said to be built to withstand a tremendous amount of abuse. The bag fits a 15" laptop. It is made with a combination of Ballistic and Rip stop nylon, with taped internal seams and has reinforced stress points making it a heavy-duty laptop backpack. This backpack can double up as a straight up laptop bag or a brief case with its available extra bag strap. Like other bags, Cross Country by Trager is made up of different pockets which stores a lot of things needed in work or during the trip.

Owner's personality has something to do with their choice of backpacks. Fashion conscious people would often go for chic or stylish bags that would match their personalities. Nike Womens Ultimate Victory Backpack is a backpack for teenage girls who have training and school on the mind. The bag is colored pink which shows the femininity of the owner. The bag uses sculpt fit system and has an insulated pocket for her food and beverages. It is crafted with many zippered pockets that would not only store her laptop and documents for school but also her stuff used in training sports. For those fashionables who love to travel, JanSport Hookey is the suitable backpack for them. It is engineered with a designated compartment to unzip for fast airport security scanning without removing the laptop. Other features of the bag include the deluxe organizer with layered accessory pockets and mesh zippered pocket, cord storage pocket, dual water bottle pockets, and S-curve straps with yoke style grab handles.

Lastly, the comfort of carrying the backpack should be the main concern in buying a laptop backpack. There are a lot of chic, durable and multi-functional laptop backpacks in the market but there are only a few which considers the comfort of the carrier. Among the few that I found in the net is the Lincoln Park bag by Mc Klein. The bag is made from Full Grain Napa Cashmere Leather and has an advanced, non-slip, shock absorbing neoprene Comfort Flex shoulder strap which stretches for comfort, and alleviates body strain. Another bag made for comfort is the High Sierra Swerve Laptop Backpack. The bag is great for professionals and students alike. It has lots of pockets and has a VAPEL mesh padded back panel and S-shaped Vapel mesh Airflow padded shoulder straps to add to carrying comfort.

Basically, the best laptop backpack depends on the need of the consumer. People have different opinions on what is best and suitable backpack for their lifestyle. People may consider the functionality, durability, appearance and the comfort it brings when carrying the bag, in choosing a backpack. Lots of laptop backpack is available in the market so the decision in buying one lies in the consumer's discretion.

To learn more about laptop bags or to find best laptop backpack make sure to visit our website. We offer unbiased reviews, advice, and best discounted on all laptop protection.

Refurbished Laptop FAQs

2011-06-03T04:04:00.000+01:00

Refurbished laptops are the repaired versions of faulty laptops. They are renovated by the manufacturer and the error free versions are sold in the market at a lower price through remarketing services. These are available even in the most sophisticated models.

How are the laptops refurbished?

The refurbishment of laptops is a systematic process, which differ according to the manufacturer. A thorough evaluation of the technical proficiency is done after the clean up. Damages such as scratches are also repaired. The renovated system is tested vigorously to avoid future errors.

What about the warranty of a refurbished laptop?

Most companies offer a minimum warranty of six months. It varies with the policy of the manufacturer. Extended warranty up to two years can be availed from some retailers.

What are the selection criteria for a refurbished laptop?

Refurbished laptops must be selected according to the purpose of the laptop. The reputation of the manufacturer is a major factor. The cost and warranty also has to be evaluated while selecting.

Which are the leading companies in the refurbished laptop market?

IBM, Dell, Compaq Armada, Toshiba, Panasonic, and Fujitsu are some of the leading manufacturers. Some resellers such as UsedLaptops.Com, USAnotebook.com etc are also focused in the refurbished laptop market.

What is the difference between refurbished laptops and used laptops?

Refurbished laptops are renovated faulty laptops whereas used laptops are the resale laptops. Refurbished laptops are usually rebuilt by the manufacturer. They upgrade the facilities of the laptop to the present market conditions. Used laptops are often just polished by the reseller before resale. They cannot provide the technical excellence of the refurbished laptop.

Are there any other price advantages associated with refurbished laptops?

The price of the refurbished laptops will be reasonable because of the increased competition. Apart from the attractive pricing, most of them offer discounts and promotional offers. Discounts of 5% are available for students, senior citizens and military people. Bulk purchases enjoy special discounts.

Refurbished Laptops provides detailed information on Refurbished Laptops, Cheap Refurbished Laptops, Dell Refurbished Laptops, IBM Refurbished Laptops and more. Refurbished Laptops is affiliated with Used Cheap Laptops [http://www.i-UsedLaptops.com].

Laptop Security -Where'd My Laptop Go?

2011-06-01T12:31:00.000+01:00

Laptops are lovely. They are convenient, mobile, powerful and prestigious.

They are also thief magnets. Over 400,000 laptops disappear each year, leaving their owners wondering where they went, what is happening with their data and what to do next.

Some of the laptops are just lost - left in cabs, at hotels, restaurants and at conferences and events. Many of these laptops (but not all) find their way back to their lucky owners.

Some are stolen by people - many of them co-workers, service staff or people taking advantage of a "moment of opportunity" - who just want to have a laptop.

Some are stolen by professional "Laptop Lifters" who may work in teams to steal the laptops for resale.

And others are stolen, not for the laptop itself, which may be a bonus, but for the data on the laptop's hard drive - financial or identity data or business plans or data.

For example:

QualComm's CEO had his laptop stolen while he was conducting a Press Conference. Reportedly, some of QualComm's most valuable secrets were on that laptop, unencrypted and only protected by an easily bypassed password.
A Department of State laptop containing high level information on nuclear proliferation was stolen right from State's headquarters. Two administrators were fired and other personnel were reprimanded.

Think about it - What other piece of equipment or personal possession do we routinely carry around that is worth over a thousand dollars, by itself, and may be worth thousands more in data? Why wouldn't that be attractive to thieves?

A large part of the problem is less on the hardware or software end of things, it's in the HUMAN side of things. By raising our awareness many of the vulnerabilities can be greatly lessened.

There are 3 areas of vulnerability: 1) Securing the actual laptop, 2) Securing the Data, 3) Getting the laptop back.

1) Securing the actual laptop

There are many ways to control the physical security of a laptop.

There are cable locks that can be attached to an immovable object to make it more difficult to just pick up the laptop and walk away. Although these cables can be cut with a bolt cutter, some of them are combined with an alarm that will sound if the cable is cut.

Alarms or motion detectors are also available without the cable locks. They can be set to activate whenever the laptop is moved or when the laptop is moved a certain distance away from a pocket receiver that the owner has, which also alerts the owner.

http://www.anchorpad.com, http://www.kensington.com, http://www.computersecurity.com, http://www.pcguardian.com, http://www.trackitcorp.com, http://www.minatronics.com

Use a laptop carrying bag that does not look like a laptop case. Having a laptop case that says IBM or Sony is advertising that you are carrying a highly valuable commodity. Consider using a backpack with your laptop in it in a padded sleeve. One of the prime places for laptop theft is the men's bathroom in airports and convention centers. Another prime place that laptops are stolen is at pay phones in a busy area.

Just as there are pickpocket teams, one of whom distracts you by "accidentally" bumping into you while the other steals your wallet, there are "Laptop Lifters" one of whom will accidentally spill something on you while the other walks off with your laptop. A good rule to follow is: any time there is a diversion near you, put your hand on your laptop.

People usually feel comfortable at conferences and conventions. After all, you are usually surrounded by your peers, and there are often convention staff around to provide security. Often the theft will take place on the second or third day, when IDs for entry are not being checked as stringently, and many of the attendees are NOT wearing their badges. Many times people will leave laptops unguarded on or under conference tables during breaks.

Even if it is not your laptop that is stolen, your PCMIA cards - modem or wireless connectors - can be stolen in an instant. Not only is this a loss of value, it's also a real inconvenience.

It's a good idea to engrave your company information prominently on the outside of the laptop and on its carrying case. It makes it less attractive to the thief, because it makes it easy to identify and makes it harder to sell. Having a large or conspicuously colored luggage tag securely affixed makes it less attractive because thieves like to be "invisible."

You also should be sure to send in that little registration card that came with your laptop. Sometimes a stolen laptop will be sent back to the manufacturer for repair by the person who had innocently bought it from the thief. You may get your laptop back this way.

Don't leave your laptop in your car. If it is visible, you may lose your laptop AND have to pay for the damage to your car. Rental cars are often the special target of thieves, especially at popular restaurants or shopping malls. Plus, the extremes of temperature (both hot AND cold), can either fry your laptop or freeze the LCD screen.

2) Data Security

Losing your laptop may mean you'll have to shell out $1,000 - $3,000 for a new one. Losing your data can be MUCH more serious. Many people ONLY have a laptop, so ALL of their data is on it. Plus, most people don't back up their data as often as they should.

Replacing the data can be a pain. But losing your PERSONAL data, including perhaps your Social Security number, PIN numbers, credit card info, etc can be a form of personal hell.

Here are the steps you should take:

Set a BIOS password. BIOS is the first program to load when you turn on your computer. Your laptop will not boot at all until that password is entered. Although there are ways to bypass this, (there's all kinds of info on the 'Net), it's the first in several layers of security you can institute. (See http://www.lockdown.co.uk/?pg=biospsw&s=articles to see how to set a BIOS password).

Use the NTFS file system (assuming you are using XP). NTFS has strong encryption capabilities not available in FAT or FAT32. Here are a couple of articles that might help you decide: http://windows.about.com/od/filesfoldersdisks/l/aa001231b.htm http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/maintain/convertfat.mspx

Prevent data loss through your Infrared port. Do you actually use your infrared port? Do you even know if you have one? If you do have one, your computer can be hacked into all the way across the room! A simple way to disable it is to put a piece of black electrical tape across it. (It's a little dark window, generally on the back of your laptop). Alternatively you can disable the infrared port completely. Because each laptop manufacturer has different steps, search on Google or Yahoo for "Disable Infrared Port" and add your laptop manufacturer's name to the search terms.

Back up your data before you leave your office. That way, if your laptop is lost or stolen, you have not lost your files.

Consider keeping sensitive files off your laptop hard drive. A DVD can hold multiple gigabytes of data and can be carried in your pocket. A USB storage device is also quite handy.

If you are running XP Pro, your can encrypt your data using EFS (Encrypting File System), so it will be totally unreadable without the decryption key. If you don't have the Pro version, you can purchase third party encryption software.|

3) Getting your laptop back.

So the worst has happened and your laptop has disappeared. Hopefully, you have your name and phone number on it somewhere, so it can be returned to you if it was just left in a cab.

If you've taken the right steps before it disappeared, there's a fair chance you will get it back.

Here's what you can do to increase the chance of getting it back:

There are software solutions that allow you to trace your laptop if it ever connects to the Internet. For instance, http://www.computrace.com/ will give you the IP address wherever your laptop logs on. The cost is under $50. Getting the police to go and recover your laptop is another story, however.

According to some reports, when the police cooperate, recovery is up to 90%!

All in all, the most effective preventative is user awareness. Reportedly, Arthur Andersen CPA firm not only has classes and posters on laptop (and other) security, but they also have roving security personnel who take unattended laptops, cell phones, purses and PDAs off of desks and other unsecure locations, leaving a note behind telling the hapless "victim" where to get their property back. Quite an education, and probably pretty effective in raising awareness!

Steve Freedman Archer Strategic Alliances http://helpprotectmycomputer.com

Replace Your Desktop With A Laptop

2011-05-30T21:34:00.000+01:00

Gone are the days when a businessperson needed a desktop at work, a desktop at home, and a large, cumbersome laptop for travel. With the steady march of technology come lighter, more portable laptops with higher performance than ever before. Processors are advanced enough on almost any laptop to consider completely doing away with your desktop PC altogether.

For the gamers out there, laptops have always been too slow and too far behind the technological bandwagon to consider replacing your gaming computer with one. Now, however, laptops are being designed with the gamer in mind with faster processors, bigger screens, and high end graphics.

For the student going off to school, a small, lightweight laptop means that you can take your laptop to class with you to take notes as fast as you can type (which is often a lot faster than you can write), and be sure that they will always be legible. Additionally, laptops can have planner features to help you remember when that next assignment is due, and you will never lose your notes or keep them in a disorganized pile. Even if the rest of your life is a little hectic, keeping a laptop as your new PC can help your grades considerably.

If you decide that it is worth the investment to be able to bring your laptop to work and home with you, technology is allowing for easy set-up of your laptop with a docking station that makes time-consuming plugs a thing of the past.

There are so many benefits to consider to using a laptop as your new desktop computer. These include:

1) having your work with you at all times

2) creating far more desk and floor space now that your huge tower and monitor are gone

3) the ability to work from any location with a wireless network set up

With the only negative aspects being: if you feel the need to have the most modern technology available, you will find it difficult to upgrade many laptops, and laptops are more expensive than a desktop because of the size and convenience.

Laptops for the Businessperson:

o Dell Latitude D820

o Acer TravelMate 4650

o HP Compaq nx9420 (2.16GHz, 1GB RAM)

o Apple PowerBook G4 (17-inch)

The Dell laptop is an excellent business portable, and is priced around fifteen hundred dollars. It is one of the highest rated laptops for replacement of a PC, and the reviews call it perfect for the modern businessperson.

The Acer TravelMate is a great value for the price. It has a good battery life and nice processing power with all the features a home-office user will need. The Acer costs around twelve hundred dollars, making it the least expensive laptop on this list.

The third laptop, the HP Compaq, offers corporate caliber security according to the reviews, and has a nicely sized seventeen-inch screen for ease of use for those of us who stare at computer screens all day. This model is a lot more expensive, though, running between two thousand and twenty-two hundred dollars.

Last on our list, the Apple PowerBook delivers the features and power that most users require, but at two thousand dollars is more expensive than comparable Windows laptop. Still, it is a good option for replacing your bulky desktop PC.

Laptops for the Gamer:

o Dell XPS M1710

o Toshiba Satellite P105-S921

o Toshiba Qosmio G25-AV513

o HP Pavilion zd8000

Hard core gamers will appreciate the Dell XPS, which will play the newest games at the highest settings. Running at thirty-four hundred dollars, though, this laptop does not come cheap. With all the technology packed into this case, it will at least be a long time before you need an upgrade.

The Toshiba Satellite offers lots of features for an affordable price, but will not play the most intensive games at their highest performance levels. This is still a wonderful machine, and will cost about two thousand dollars.

The Toshiba Qosmio is designed to deliver the most high-quality multimedia experience available in a laptop. The Qosmio combines TV, DVR, stereo, DVD player, and high-performance PC in one big laptop. Replace your entire entertainment system (except maybe the speakers) for anywhere from fourteen hundred to twenty-four hundred. It seems like shopping around for this model might be well in your best interests.

The HP Pavilion's price is a relief at only twelve hundred dollars, is powerful and can play many of the newer games, if not quite the newest according to reviews.

Accessories to Consider

These laptops are all wonderful replacements for the bulky desktop computer sitting in your home office right now. There are just a few more things you need to make your laptop absolutely perfect for your office or game room.

When you go on the road all you need is your laptop and power cable, but when you bring your computer back home, you might feel more comfortable using an external keyboard, mouse, and monitor. The hook-ups for these can be painful if you have to do it frequently, but a docking port takes away the stress by mirroring all the ports, plugs, and slots on your laptop.

The first accessory that everyone should consider is a docking port. Especially wonderful for business users, these ports hook up to your printer, scanner, keyboard, monitor, mouse, network cables, power source, and any other gadgets you need them to. Instead of connecting a dozen or more wires and cables every time you move your laptop, push the laptop into the docking port and one little connection brings you back online with everything you need.

The rest of the accessories suggested here are just options, so we'll be brief. An external mouse, keyboard, and monitor might make you more comfortable at your desk, and a joystick or controller of another sort might be essential to the hardcore gamers.

No matter what you are considering your new laptop for, replacing your space-eating desktop PC is a move that you will never regret. Your new laptop will be portable, powerful, and just more fun because of all the things you can do with it. Save yourself some time and effort and consider replacing your PC with a laptop.

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Laptop Buying Guide

2011-05-29T14:25:00.000+01:00

There's a fantastic range of laptop computers available to buy online, with a variety of features to suit different needs and uses. Here are some useful hints and tips about things to consider when choosing a laptop.

How to Choose a Laptop

Laptop computers - also known as notebooks - offer the same features and specifications as desktop computers but in a portable form. A laptop's portability makes it much more flexible to use than a desktop computer, and the long lasting, rechargeable batteries offer freedom and convenience.

A laptop computer consists of one unit, usually with a keyboard and hardware in one section, and a screen section connected to it, so the laptop can be opened and closed in a 'clam style' fashion. Most laptops will fit into specially designed bags and cases for added protection when you're on the move.

One of the first things to do before you start looking for a laptop computer is to decide what you want to do with it. Will you need it for studying, running a small business, for entertainment, or a combination of activities?

Features to Look for When You Buy a Laptop

It's important to remember that a laptop's uses will be largely governed by its specifications. Those specifications differ widely between the models of laptop computer available to buy online or in the shops.

Here are the features and specifications that will make a difference on your laptop:

Operating system: This is the basic software that makes use of the laptop's processing system. There are two main types of operating system - Windows, from Microsoft, and OS X, from Apple Macintosh. Both systems perform well and run most common software applications, including Microsoft Office, media players and internet browsers. Windows is the largest selling operating system in the world, but while most laptops come with Windows, OS X is popular for its graphics and publishing capabilities.

Processor: Processors are composed of chips that drive and control the laptop's functions. Intel and AMD manufacture the main types of processor. Your laptop will usually come with a powerful processor, though it's worth comparing the different types.

RAM: This is Random Access Memory, which is used to run software. Most laptops will come with at least 512 - 1024 megabytes of RAM, which is adequate for most users. Consider buying more memory if you want to run several large software programs at the same time.

Hard disc drive: This is where all your files, software applications and other data are stored. While desktop computers usually have larger hard drives, most laptop hard drives are up to 80 gigabytes in size. If you are planning to store large amounts of music, video or other data on your laptop, consider buying extra hard drive storage space

Optical drive: This is usually a combined CD and DVD drive, and is used for both playing and recording onto CD and DVD, though some laptops will be cheaper if the DVD option only plays. If you are planning on recording movies or storing large amounts of data then consider a DVD recorder drive.

Wi-Fi: Wireless Fidelity enables your laptop to connect to the internet without using wires. Wi-Fi 'hot spots' exist in many towns, so you can access the internet while you're on the move. You can buy wireless routers for your house too, so you can move around with your laptop and still remain online.

Ports: For printing, music amplification, and connecting to other devices, laptops use ports as well as wireless connections. USB ports are the most versatile, so the more of these the better. Firewire ports are ideal for camcorders, and Ethernet ports are great for high-speed internet access.

Battery: The battery life between charges determines how much usage you can get from your laptop while away from mains power. Battery life is usually up to about 10 hours, but it does vary between laptop models and depends on whether you run powerful software applications.

Screen: Screen display sizes on laptops vary from 10 inches to over 17 inches. Usually the bigger the display, the more you will pay for your laptop.

Accessories: Laptops can come with a range of accessories, or they may be available to buy separately. Accessories include: carry bags and cases - essential for protecting the laptop when on the move; speakers - to improve sound amplification; and web cams - unless your laptop has a built-in web cam, you will need to buy one if you want to use your laptop for video conferencing.

Do I Need to Buy an Extended Laptop Warranty?

Once you've decided on the specifications you require, try to keep within a set budget, and don't be distracted by features and specifications that you don't need.

Look out for laptops that include the types of software that will suit your needs. Apple Macintosh computers such as the latest Apple MacBook come with a range of useful software already installed, but can be more expensive than Windows laptops.

Before choosing your laptop, find out what type of warranty is offered with it. A warranty will cover the cost of repairs or replacements under certain conditions for at least a year. Sometimes it's worth paying extra for an extended warranty, especially if you are buying a more expensive laptop.

Online retailers hold regular sales and discounts and offer reconditioned laptop bargains, so by taking advantage of these offers and comparing laptop prices between different retailers, you might end up with a better model of laptop for your money.

Savebuckets price comparison site has searched hundreds of online shops and allows you to check different laptop models and compare prices.

How To Choose The Best Desktop Replacement Laptops

2011-05-28T03:10:00.000+01:00

Have you decided to change your old desktop PC with a brand new laptop? If so, when looking for the best desktop replacement laptops there are quite a few features to consider:

Laptop Processor

When choosing the CPU that goes with your laptop, make sure you choose a powerful processor to be able to handle anything you throw at it. The new powerful CPUs like Intel Core 2 Duo or the AMD Turion 64 X2 are some of the best picks today to include in the best desktop replacement laptops. Be advised that the higher you go on the CPU scale, the more heat will be generated by the processor, and the more you eat up from your laptop's battery life.

Laptop Memory

The system RAM on your laptop is an important feature to look after when choosing your desktop replacement. Don't go cheap when it comes to RAM, as you'll be cursing the day you bought the laptop with only a 512 MB configuration. As a standard user, your aim should be somewhere in the range of 1GB of RAM, but if you're a hardcore gamer of graphics designer, then the same aim should go much higher in the 2GB and up range.

Graphics Card

If you're a hardcore gamer then your laptop should carry one of the latest mobile graphics solutions from either nVidia or ATI. Some of the newer laptops that came out even have a dual graphics card configuration via SLI (Scalable Link Interface). As a gamer, you should never go for laptops that carry an integrated graphics card. If you're not a gamer, then a video card with 256MB of graphics memory should be enough for most applications and movie watching.

Data Storage - HDD

Some regular users don't look at the Hard Drive configuration of a laptop since they are not interested in storing large quantities of data on their computer. If you're a casual user, then your laptop should carry a hard drive somewhere in the range of 100GB.

If you do a lot of work, or just like to improve your multimedia collection, then your desktop replacement laptop should be somewhere in the 250GB - 500GB range. Some newer laptop models even carry two drives and can be configured in RAID Level 0, l or 2.

You need to make sure your hard drives have a minimum rotation speed of 5400 RPM. Some newer versions carry the 7200ROPM drives, so they get a pretty good speed increase.

High-end laptops carry the new Solid State Disk Technology, which doesn't use spinning disks to access the data stored, and are the fastest hard drives to date. These options offer the fastest booting times, they have a much lower weight to them and they are pretty resistant to mechanical shocks.

The SSD is still quite expensive, and the drives themselves offer lower storage capacity (32 - 64GB range), but have a longer life and increased speed.

Until the prices go a little lower, the traditional hard drive with spinning disks is recommended for your desktop replacement laptop.

Laptop Optical Drive

When choosing a desktop replacement laptop, you should opt for those that carry a decent optical drive, usually a DVD burner, which can write CDs and DVDs. The drives speed is in direct proportion to its price, so faster drives are more expensive. You can even go for the new Blu-Ray disc burners, but these sorts of upgrades are usually very expensive, even though they provide true HD movie playback and the ability to burn up to 50GB of information to dual layer Blu-Ray discs.

Laptop Casing

Weight is an issue when choosing a desktop replacement laptop. While some laptops carry the standard plastic case, the ones with metal cases are much more recommended since they dissipate heat a lot better and thus save a lot of battery and CPU life in the end.

Plastic is a thermal insulator, so it's not recommended on a laptop which generates a lot of heat (the ones with high-end CPUs for example).

Wireless Internet Connection

Integrated 802.11 Wi-Fi wireless networking is a feature you should be looking for in a desktop replacement laptop. Since your laptop is a portable computer, you need to ensure that the possibility of internet connection is available even on the go. If you want to increase the range of your internet connectivity, you should look for laptops which allow you to use WWAN modules, which will grant you access to the internet via cellular networks.

Laptop Screen

You should always look for the right balance between portability and screen size. Laptops can go very high in diagonal screen size, but to keep it lighter and easier to carry, opt for a standard 15.4 inch one. You should also check the picture quality if you need to use the laptop for movie watching - DVDs and Blu-Ray Discs are very high on the quality scale nowadays.

Some laptops can go to extreme screen sizes of up to 20 inches, but these aren't recommended since they are a lot bulkier than their 15.4 inch counterparts.

Also, the backlighting of the laptops screen should be LED, since the ones that carry fluorescent tubes tend to have a shorter life, are heavier and have increased power consumption.

Also, if you are looking for the desktop replacement which will allow you to make video-conferencing possible, you should look for laptops which carry a built-in webcam.

If you are looking for the best laptops to replace your desktop PC, you have to check out the best desktop replacements laptops. You will find all the information you need so that you will make the right decision when buying a desktop replacement laptop.

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2011-05-27T11:02:00.001+01:00

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Choosing An Ultra-Portable Laptop For Your Computer Needs

2011-05-26T12:57:00.000+01:00

When choosing a laptop, portability is often a key feature. When you are traveling with your laptop frequently, taking your laptop on planes and long drives makes weight (or lack of weight) extremely important. Certainly, no one wants to be carting a ten-pound monster of a laptop in and out of a car or across an airport in addition to everything else you have to carry.

Things to consider when buying an ultra-portable laptop:

o Price

o Features

o Weight of Additional Gear

o Battery life

The prices are steeper with the smaller models of notebook computers, and it increases with processing capabilities and functions such as a DVD/CD-RW drive for your data storage and playback needs, as well as a little entertainment on long trips. Your typical notebook computer packs enough punch to handle wireless networking and all the basic functions (like word processing and other simple programs) just like your desktop PC can. You also have to watch out for mobile laptops that require extra gear. Battery chargers and other cables and accessories should be factored into the weight if weight is indeed the issue for you. Battery life varies with the efficiency of the processor, so check out battery life in any reviews you read.

Best Reviewed Laptops

o Sony VAIO VGN-TX770P

o Toshiba Portege R200

o Averatec 1000

o Dell Latitude X1

Laptop manufacturers have seen the future, and are in a designing war to create the most mobile and smallest notebook computer. Product reviews place the Sony VAIO VGN-TX770P pretty firmly at the top of the list, and weighing in at just under three pounds, it certainly is portable. The VAIO has a great battery life, which is important, but is also one of the most expensive ultra-portable laptops available.

The Toshiba Portege is a little on the expensive side, but was designed with the speed and power for business travelers without the bells and whistles. The Portege does not have an internal CD/DVD drive, but keeps weight down to just over two and a half pounds.

The Averatec 1000 has a shorter battery life than the competition, but also has a much smaller price. It is the heaviest of the laptops listed here, weighing three and a half pounds, and has the largest hard drive at 80GB.

The last laptop we're mentioning is the Dell Latitude X1, which is light at 2.5 pounds, and has good battery life. It is missing a PC Card slot and an internal optical drive, but for anyone looking to travel light, it is definitely worth a look.

Components to Think About

There are several key components to a laptop that should be considered before any purchase. This is important because it is difficult, if not impossible, to upgrade many of these components in laptops. The primary components are:

o CPU (Central Processing Unit)

o Hard Drive

o RAM (Random Active Memory)

o Screen Size

o Port Types

o Optical Drive (CD, CD-RW, & DVD-RW)

o Removable Media (like a camera memory card)

o Batteries

o Video Card

o Touch Sensitive Mouse Pad

o Wireless Capability

The CPU, or central processing unit, is not upgradeable in most laptops. The CPU is high-powered enough in most laptops to function at a business level without spending extra for a more expensive chip. If you plan to watch videos or play games, however, you may need to find a computer with a faster processor. The most important factors of CPU's in laptops are the balance between processor power and battery consumption, and heat output (the less heat, the better).

The hard drive is upgradable in a unique way: if by some strange twist of fate you manage to fill up the 60 plus GB that these featured laptops come with, you can purchase portable flash hard drives to store your extra material temporarily. Portable flash drives are thinner than a pencil, just wide enough for a USB connector, and can be shorter than a man's thumb. A single GB is highly affordable, and up to ten GB are available for big spenders. Unless you are working extensively with digital media, however, this should not become a necessity.

The RAM in laptops is upgradable, and it is always a good investment to pack on the RAM. RAM is what stores data on what programs are running, helping them to continue to run.

The screen size is fixed for the most part, meaning it should be factored in to the purchase of your laptop. A smaller screen is harder to read, however if it is too big it affects portability. A fifteen-inch screen (measured diagonally) is pretty standard for a balance between size and resolution. A large screen or wide screen is advisable for watching DVDs or other video media.

The types of ports that your computer allows are important. Most laptops come standard with up to four USB ports, which are the most common types of port used today. If you have an older mouse that you intend to use with your laptop, remember to buy a USB adapter. USB ports make it much easier to connect peripheral gear.

The optical drive is a simple choice. If you do not want to use a CD drive in any of its variations, then you can find a smaller laptop for your use. If being able to store your data is important, at least look at a system with a CD-RW drive. If you need to backup a large amount of data, look for a laptop with a DVD-RW drive. This option will make your system heavier and more expensive. Some laptops also come standard with a place to insert your media card directly into the computer for fast photo access. This is only important to you if photography is part of your job.

The batteries that come with laptops now are much alike. The battery size matters less than the amount of power that the processor sucks up from it. If your laptop uses a lot of power, look into buying a spare battery so that you can switch them out when the power drops too low.

The video card is not upgradeable, so be sure that if you plan to play intensive games or watch a lot of movies you have a more powerful card. For the average business traveler, however, the card that comes standard is powerful enough.

Most laptops come with a touch sensitive mouse pad. Test it out to see if it is easy enough for you to use, and if you need the extra help then buy yourself a mouse. Just remember that you have to carry your mouse and mouse pad with you on trips.

Last up for consideration is the wireless capability. For a business traveler, it is often important to be able to network wirelessly and connect to the internet wirelessly when opportunities present themselves. A Centrino processor internally or a wireless LAN (local area network) card allow you to connect.

Hopefully this guide has given you a bit to think about before buying your next ultra-portable laptop.

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The Smarter Way to Carry Your Laptop

2011-05-25T11:40:00.000+01:00

The laptops are an excellent investment. They provide an easier way to work and play. Keeping this notebook in tiptop shape would be important for you too. Here's what you should look for in choosing a great notebook bag or case. Laptops were made for convenience. With the advent of this technology, people were able to work anytime and anywhere they feel like it, thanks to the invention of laptops.

Laptops may come in different styles and sizes. Some laptops are small and light unique to those working on the go. While other laptops are more conventional, slightly larger and heavier, which work perfectly well for those who want to file and save as much work as possible and still be able to enjoy other activities such as games in the same device.

Previously, people settled for ordinary notebook bags, and gadgets that usually comes with it. Others have even used their backpacks and bags for carrying their laptops and their other properties. It's time to stop this habit.

Carrying your laptop in inappropriate containers can be harmful to your laptop, not to mention the fact that space in your bag. To get the most out of your laptop in terms of function and warranty, you must first choose the appropriate laptop bag that meets your needs change.

There are various factors must be sought in a large laptop bag. This notebook bag should be able to ensure your safety laptop, this is the first and most crucial factors. If your bag does not have the ability to protect your laptop, it's as if you do not recover the money you've invested. Keep your laptop for as long as you want by keeping it safe and protected! A great laptop bag should always have a safety strap to keep the laptop in place. A second factor that a great laptop bag is a must have enough storage space. In storage, it is the space for all your other personal effects aside from your laptop, of course.

A regular bag will not do much good work in this process, even if your bag all day May contain sufficient storage space, it lacks specific compartments at various gadgets that can be found in laptop bags and cases. Who says you can carry your laptop in your laptop bag? Laptop bags and cases are specially designed to properly store all your gadgets and your belongings in appropriate locations without compromising the security of its main component of the notebook.

A third factor that is specific to the bags and cases is the durability of the material used. Your laptop contains most, if not all, the important files you've already accumulated in your life, either personally or professionally. It is understandable that you should keep it in a bag that is durable and can withstand all terrain, whatever the weather.

An example of such durable material is a new style laptop bag that is waterproof, perfect for moments of rain that you come unprepared. The durability of the material used for laptop bags must also include the ability to clearly separate the gadget from another. It is used to store your different commands in one bag if the mobile equipment can not prevent such factors as the friction that could ruin not only the laptop, but all other gadgets that you might wear. A laptop bag that has thick interior padding could help you achieve that goal.

The material in the laptop bag or case should be as light as possible. You are responsible enough to carry all your things, a good laptop bag does not add to the weight you could carry. If your laptop bag has straps, they must be adjustable and have a heavy amount of padding to protect your shoulders the weight you carry. Finally, the largest laptop bags and cases in the market are both stylish and functional! Not only is it fun to watch but good to use too!

As there are different laptop bags and cases to choose from, you should be able to know what designs are available there and which of them are suited to your personality and work. The most common style is the brief bag notebook bag. This type of bag offers a semi-formal means of carrying your laptop if you do not want to appear too relaxed or too professional. Another style that the basket of top-loading laptop. This bag gives you easier access to your laptop and all your other gear inside, especially useful if you have stopped going through security on your way to work and back.

The types of casual laptop bag is the backpack and laptop bag messenger style laptop. This is absolutely a discreet way to carry your laptop. If you do not want others to know these gadgets very important that you might be carrying inside, then these types of bags are the way to go. Notebook Bags stock are a good option, especially if you are constantly moving and you continue to be jostled in a crowd around with your gadgets in tow. The notebook bag stock keeps your equipment safe and protected inside despite the circumstances going on outside.

For gender specific types of laptop computer, you can choose to ladies laptop computer or laptop bags for men. If you are a woman and do not want your femininity being compromised by all those excess baggage, ladies notebook bag is perfect for you. If you are a man, on the other, and want to maintain your masculinity and professionalism, bags for laptops and men are appropriate for you. Laptop Bags also come in different sizes. It is important to know that you should never match your laptop in a bag too small. This does not provide adequate ventilation for your laptop or you can not access the laptop in it first.

This is not only fun to choose a laptop, choosing the right bag is as pleasant and should be invested in as.

http://www.bargainlaptop.org Straight forward information on buying and using laptops.

Best Laptops

2011-05-23T17:15:00.000+01:00

Best laptops are quality keeping notebooks that have the state-of-the-art technical features to cater for your business, educational, and entertainment needs. The best laptop for a user means a laptop with a good design, reliability in function, affordable to the budget, and easy to use. It assists him with a wide range of technical support to cater for his specific needs.

To withstand the competition and rapid changes in the laptop industry, manufacturers have introduced new laptops or advanced versions in each intervals. Today, the demand for laptops is fast growing. As the demand increased, the number of available models also increased. So, the user should be careful while selecting a laptop. Reviews on laptops help you to select the best in the market. Individuals can approach the Internet, which provide you with laptop models with configuration, price range, and rating.

The best laptops are well known for their innovative performances and durability. These are calculated using a number of tips related to the functionality of PCs. Screen size, portability, speed, upgradeability, memory, batteries, hard drives, hardware, and price are the major factors to determine whether a laptop is best or not. Even though laptops with different screen sizes and resolutions are available, the best notebooks feature wide screens with great resolution for good picture quality. For best gaming laptops, the minimum screen size is 15.4 inches and resolution is either XGA (1024 by 768 dots) or SXGA (1280 x 1024 dots). A best laptop is comfortable for your business meetings and trips.

Speed is another major consideration while searching for a best laptop. A high- speed processor offers the best performance. Laptops generally use memory devices of 128 MB of RAM, 256 MB RAM, or 512 MB of RAM. Laptop with memory size greater than 256 can run applications efficiently regardless of the operation system. For web surfing and occasional typing, laptop with a minimum of 256 MB RAM is used.

Best laptops always come with top quality hardware. Batteries are mainly used for supplying power to the laptop. Lithium batteries are long-life batteries. Standard DVD/floppy drives are used for best performance. Laptops cost much more than desktop computers. But compared to the functionalities, this price rate is not big.

Laptops provides detailed information on Laptops, Cheap Laptops, Used Laptops, Refurbished Laptops and more. Laptops is affiliated with Laptop Hinge Repair [http://www.e-LaptopRepair.com].

Best Business Laptops For Your Business Needs

2011-05-22T04:39:00.000+01:00

The ultimate business laptop is perfect to carry around and be unnoticed, can be used to compile quick business reports and spreadsheets, and pretty much anything that goes with a business meeting should be integrated into one of these computing machines.

It goes without saying that a business laptop should be highly connectible so you never miss an important email or can attend a web conference without physically being there. It should also allow you to access certain features which keep your business up and running, so if your business is an online business, then you will probably be accessing the social media places such as Twitter, Facebook (if you have that kind of page for your business) and many others. You will be communicating with your business partners, and since it's better to actually see who you're talking to, a nice built in webcam should do the trick just fine.

It is important you know what makes a laptop good for business and what makes a laptop a standard consumer laptop used for everyday online activities.

That being said, let's go through some features a business laptop should have:

Laptop size:

The size of the laptop is pretty important. It goes without saying that a small laptop, a 10 inch mini computing machine probably won't be capable of storing much, or actually making huge calculations some software demands. Or perform pretty well when it comes to installed software. A decent size for your business laptop should be one that suits your business. If there's a lot of data to be carried around, a decent sized laptop would probably be used to create presentations and spreadsheets. These are two things that business laptops should be able to handle. A visual representation of data is always more handy than just numbers, so make sure your portable computer can handle such tasks.

The standard size is the probably one you should go with. A 15.4 inch screen laptop is perfect if you don't know yet what you will be using the laptop for. Also, go with a laptop configuration that is a bit above the average, to make sure it can handle itself with all the types of software it can encounter.

Power - It always boils down to power

Processing power I one important aspect of any laptop, not just business laptops. Some new models carry quite the powerhouse with them, having quad-cores and whatnot. These can get a bit expensive, but if it helps your business and increase overall productivity, then you should go for it. Just remember that a big processor on your laptop will mean a big power requirement. High end CPUs tend to empty a battery much quicker than regular ones. It's the price you pay for high performance.

Portability - The laptop goes where the business takes you

A business laptop should be very portable so you can take it everywhere with you and don't perceive it as a brick you have to carry around. If the business requires only a few simple computing tasks, then the best business laptops should be the ones that are small and still carry enough processing power to handle easy tasks. Think of small sized 10 inch screen diagonal laptops which you can fit into your briefcase along with other documents you might be carrying around with you. These are not powerhouses, but they simplify the whole way you do business and can store up on a lot of information.

Connectivity - Business on the go

You want to make sure that your business laptop is highly connectible since you'll be carrying it a lot with you and you need to stay in touch with business partners or possible clients. Make sure it comes with Wi-Fi connectivity, or search for the ones that can use the mobile phone networks to access the internet. At the office you can probably use the wired connection, or, if your office is equipped with a wireless router, you can still take the laptop with you around the office and keep connected.

Laptop Looks

Get a feel for the business laptop you will be using. If it's a business laptop, then it should go nice with a suit. It should be a standard black model and should not carry any colorful distinctive marks to attract attention to it. The laptop you carry around represents the way you do business. If you would carry a pink laptop around with you, how would that impact your business credibility? This is more of an appearance feature rather than a performance one. Choose the laptop that goes with what you do, not a laptop that's in total contrast with your business ethic.

Laptop graphics capacity

When choosing the laptop for your business, you won't need to look at its graphics card. High-end graphics cards are great for gaming laptops, but if its business you are doing, it's simply not a necessity since you won't be fooling around playing games all day long.

The best laptop for business will carry a built-in graphics card which will probably be using some of the available system RAM to run properly. Make sure your laptop is stocked up on RAM before making the choice.

In conclusion, the very best business laptop is the highly portable one, which packs quite a bit of processing power and looks great when you take it with you on a business meeting. It should be easy to use and it should also improve the way you work and never act as an obstacle in the way you do business.

If you are looking for the best laptops for business you have to check out the best business laptops. You will find all the information you need to make an informed decision when buying a laptop for your business needs.

Discount Laptops

2011-05-20T19:55:00.000+01:00

Buying discount laptops is one of the means of saving hundreds of dollars needed to buy a new laptop. Generally, laptops are expensive, sometimes two times more than that of a desktop PC and are not affordable for most low budget people. For those who are looking for a cheap laptop PC with same functions of an advanced laptop, a discount laptop is the best solution. Discount laptops are cheap, smaller in size, and very suitable for business travelers and executives.

Promotional exposures, secondhand or outdated, and operational faults are the major reasons for selling laptops at a discounted price. A laptop manufacturing industry requires a comparatively large investment; so the discount on new laptops is a part of their promotional endorsement of leading manufacturers. Sometimes discount is offered as seasonal reductions. Discount from a secondary manufacturer or supplier is not ideal. Purchasing a discount laptop is also not a good idea if you are not familiar with the quality and the reputation of goods that a supplier is selling. Most of these sellers sell laptops which may be refurbished, reconditioned, or not work at all. So, the purchaser should careful while selecting a discount laptop.

To promote the sales rate and clear out the old stocks, computer manufactures and suppliers sell laptops with discounts. Launching of a new laptop technology will dramatically reduce the price of older versions; hence one can purchase these at discount rates. You can purchase a good discount laptop at less than $1000. Selecting laptops with only those features that you need will save you many dollars. Purchasing from secondhand sellers also help you to get good discount laptops.

There are many ways to purchase discount laptops. You can purchase discount laptops directly from manufacturers or from retailers. Shopping through these suppliers is an ideal option to get a notebook PC within a budget. Another source for getting discount laptops is online shopping.

Some retailers offer after-sale service for discount laptops, while online merchants will not offer services after the sale.

Laptops provides detailed information on Laptops, Cheap Laptops, Used Laptops, Refurbished Laptops and more. Laptops is affiliated with Laptop Hinge Repair [http://www.e-LaptopRepair.com].

Buying a New Laptop - What to Know, and What to Look For

2011-05-18T21:07:00.000+01:00

It's that time of year again. The summer is winding to a close and that means colder weather, leaves changing their color and schools everywhere are about to open their doors. One thing that a lot of parents (and students) are dreading is that school's are beginning to require their students own laptops to use in their classes. But fear not, for I have compiled a guide that will make buying the right laptop much easier for you. And if you're not going to school this fall, this guide should still assist you in your quest for a business or personal laptop for yourself or someone in need this holiday season.

Why are you buying a new Laptop?

Maybe you're one of the parents looking to find a laptop for their child to take to school this year, or perhaps you're looking for a system that will give you a new edge at the office. The reason you are buying your laptop is going to determine what you're going to need out of the new system. If your laptop is going to be using Computer Animated Design software for example, you're going to want a more powerful processor than if you're merely using it for Word Processing or Internet based research. Are you a hardcore gamer? Do you like editing photos or creating videos? Are you a musician looking to get some better exposure? It may be best for you to jot down every possible scenario you could see yourself using the laptop before you read the next section of the guide, to be sure you're getting everything you need out of the system.

Laptops come in all shapes and sizes.

Size does matter.

This is a feature that a lot of people overlook when buying a laptop, but the size and physical features of the laptop are arguably one of the most important. Where the processor, amount of ram, and hard drive can be upgraded and replaced as needed, features like the size of the laptop, the placement of its various input/output ports and it's weight are all things that you're realistically going to be stuck with after your purchase it. Some things to ask yourself are:

How large of a screen am I going to need?
Am I going to be carrying this laptop around a lot?
How many peripherals are going to be attached to the laptop?
Am I going to miss not having the NUMPAD on my keyboard?

The size of the screen is going to directly affect the size of the laptop, so this question is important. If you are buying this laptop to edit photos, create videos, play games or watch movies and television then you'll likely want a large screen. Keep in mind that large screen laptops are heavier, and therefor if you're going to be crossing a large campus on a daily basis you'll need to consider that as well. The number of peripherals you'll be attaching to the laptop also helps narrow down what you'll be using it for. The most important consideration is the number of USB ports you'll have, as most accessories and devices connect to a laptop using these ports. A printer that isn't wireless, a drawing tablet, a wired or wireless mouse and a USB storage drive are all examples of devices that connect via USB. If you intend on connecting your laptop up to a monitor at any given time you'll want to consider the Output connection on the laptop as well. Finally, one of the most overlooked features of a laptop is the presence or absence of the NUMPAD on the keyboard. The NUMPAD is the 16 button portion beside your arrow keys that sort of resembles a telephone. Though, it is possible to purchase a USB powered external NUMPAD for a laptop, if you're used to having one, it's best to have it attached to the laptop itself.

What makes a good Laptop?

Now that you have an idea about what you want your laptop to look like on the outside, it's time to consider what you'd like to see on the inside. If you're buying this laptop merely to use programs like Microsoft Office, an internet browser and iTunes then you're not going to need a whole lot of power from your system. Laptops on the retail market these days come equipped with Windows 7 as an operating system, and unlike their Vista counterparts a couple years back will come designed to handle running the operating system smoothly. That being said, a good benchmark to set for your system will be 4GB of RAM; preferably DDR3, A quality dual core processor (avoid the Intel Celeron series for example), and then a hard drive based off how much you plan to store on your computer. Typically hard drives from 250 - 500GB are the most commonly found on lower to mid ranged laptops, and that should be more than sufficient storage space.

If your plan is to use more intensive programs, such as Graphic Design software, Music editing software, or anything else that will create an intensive load on your system you'll want to take a closer look at your Processor. A processor that boasts dynamic performance enhancement, such as the Multithreading feature offered in the Intel i series of processors are a good choice for this. The cores of the i3-i7 processors are designed to divide tasks up into threads within each processing core, allowing your system to think it has more cores to work with, the end result being that it can force a little extra power out of your system in a pinch. Another handy feature to watch for is the size of your L2 and L3 cache. The larger the cache, the more your system is able to do without slowing itself down to access more distant memory sources, and that means quicker response times to whatever you need to access.

If you're buying this system specifically for gaming, or for High Definition multimedia or 3D modeling, you'll want to consider the Graphics Card your system will come with. For the most part, a 1GB of video memory in the graphics card should be more than powerful enough to handle whatever your needs are, but it would be wise to check the specific requirements of the game or software you're installing, and be sure that the features you need are included in the design of the card.

Finally, the battery life of the laptop could be important as well. If you plan on using the laptop in a lot of places where there are no power sources, you'll want a laptop with a longer than average battery life. And considering the average battery life of a laptop varies from 2-4 hours, this can be a very important decision for the commuting over-achiever or social butterfly.

The Hard Drive of a Laptop stores all your data.

Where to go from here?

So you've finally decided on a laptop that fits all your needs. It's the right size, has the NUMPAD on the side, doesn't weight too much and it's a sweet shade of charcoal gray. Now that you're ready to dish out on the system, it's time to consider everything else you're going to need to work at maximum efficiency.

For software, consider again what you'll be doing with your laptop. If you're ever planning to take it online by any capacity (and who isn't, these days) then you're going to want a reputable Antivirus program. One of the best right now is from a company called Kaspersky. As of this writing, it has been found to locate and quarantine/remove the largest library of malicious software of any Antivirus in the retail market. The internet security package also includes metrics to protect your personal identity online from online phishers. This can be important if you access your bank information or log into sensitive company assets over the internet.

Another must have for business and school is the Microsoft Office suite. Microsoft Office comes in many packages, and the one that is right for you depends on what you need for work. Most users will find the Home and Student offering to be enough, featuring Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. This allows you to create professional documents and resume's, organize slide show presentations, and create powerful spreadsheets. Other popular programs included in other Office suites are Outlook, a program used to organize e-mail in ways most internet services can not, and Access, a program that can create Databases for organizing and storing information on anything from sales records to your Elvis Presley collectibles. Make sure when you're purchasing a copy of Microsoft Office that it has every program you need to be successful.

Graphic designers or photography buffs will want to get their hands on photo editing software such as Adobe Photoshop. A music producer will need a program to allow them to record, edit and store music. Gamers will need to shell out for their latest digital fix, and Web Designers will likely want to purchase a license for Macromedia Flash or Adobe Dreamweaver.

What about Accessories?

So now you have a laptop and software to go with it. What else could you possibly need? Well for starters, what do you plan on carrying it in? Laptop bags come in several varieties. Slipcases for storing your system in a backpack or briefcase, messenger bags for carrying your laptop and a couple needed accessories, and larger briefcase style bags to carry your laptop along with work materials. They come in all sizes to accommodate a laptop of any size, so be sure the bag you're buying will hold the 17" wide screen your purchased.

Another accessory to add to your list is a wireless mouse. Most people (myself included) do not like the touch pad that comes with your laptop, so by plugging in a receiver into a USB port of your laptop you can replace that dodgy pad with a traditional mouse, AND you don't have to untangle 4 feet of wire first, either. Other input peripherals include a NUMPAD if your laptop keyboard doesn't have one, or a Tablet for sketching or signing documents.

If you plan on listening to a lot of music, voice chatting, or even just taking verbal notes for your to do list, you may want to consider purchasing a USB Headphone/Microphone combination. If you want to add video conferencing, or creating video blogs to that list you'll want to purchase a web camera as well. (keep in mind that many laptops come with a camera and/or mic built into the screen). If you're storing a large amount of data, or storing sensitive data you can't afford to lose, invest in an external hard drive. They store at least as much data as your laptop and can even back up your entire system on a scheduled basis. Plus, they're simple to install and can even be portable, to take with you wherever you go.

If you're going to be printing a lot and working in different areas of the house, a wireless printer is a good addition to any laptop purchase. They're no longer more expensive than their wired counterparts, and the added range and flexibility more than make up for the money spent. Make sure you weigh the cost of the printer with the cost and yield of it's ink cartridges. Typically the cheaper the printer, the costlier the ink to sustain it.

Finally, if you're not yet wireless at your home, there's no better time than now. Your laptop will come with a wireless adapter built right into it, so all you'll need to pick up is a Wireless Router. For the cost of technology, spend the extra $10 or so dollars and opt for a Wireless N system. It has a faster wireless download speed and a much larger signal range, allowing you to update your Facebook status from the bedroom, or destroy your best friends Town Hall from the comfort of your lawn chair. Keep in mind that just about any wireless router you purchase comes with at least 4 Ethernet ports so your wired desktop and/or gaming consoles can still be connected to the network as well.

Most of your accessories will connect to your laptop using a USB connection.

The Router Goes Where?

So now you've finally made your big shopping list of everything you're going to need to get back to school in style this year, and looking at the list you're starting to wonder how you're going to get it all installed, set up and be ready in time for the start of your classes. It's time for you to consider the last step of buying a new system...

Any retailers worth their salt can offer you assistance in setting up a new laptop. They'll power it on, install your hardware titles, install your printer's drivers and in some cases they can even go as far as driving to your home and setting up your wireless network. If the idea of configuring your home computer, new laptop, Xbox 360 and Ipod Touch to a single network frightens you, it may save you hours of frustration to pay and have it all professional installed and configured.

One last thing to consider as well is protecting your investment. If you're starting from scratch, you're likely spending close to a thousand dollars on your new set up, and in some cases even more than that. And though the idea of adding another expense to the already daunting list you're prepared to shell out may seem like a bad idea, the next consideration can literally save your butt in a pinch. What I'm talking about is the dreaded Extended Service Plan. Unfortunately I think that used car salesman and and commission based Electronic stores have given ESP's a bad rap. The Extended Service Plan actually exists to protect your investment from the limited warranty provided from the major electronic manufacturers.

The One Year Limited Warranty provided from companies like HP or Dell cover manufacturer's defects only. Meaning that unless the issue can be traced directly to being a flaw in the manufacturing of the product, HP or Dell will deny you any assistance or monetary compensation for the system. And believe me, they will do anything to convince you that they didn't mess up. What does that mean for you? Well, without assistance from an Extended Warranty, odds are good that you're stuck with that laptop with the dead hard drive and faulty screen.

The extended warranty however, will protect your Laptop against any and all damages and defects incurred during the life of the warranty, typically between 2-4 years. This means that if a year and a half down the road the cheap hard drive that HP placed in your laptop dies out, you can call the company that you purchased your warranty from and either get your laptop repaired, get it replaced, or get your money back (less the money spent purchasing the warranty). And in most cases, the cost of the warranty is less than even the cost of buying the replacement part, let alone the cost to have it replaced.

I hope this guide has been helpful in assisting you in purchasing not only a new laptop, but everything that you'll need to go with it. I spent a lot of time writing this from first hand knowledge, and any feedback you can provide will be most appreciated. Happy hunting, and I'll see you online!

~The Jiggins

Laptop Configuration - Understanding the Specifications!

2011-05-17T19:46:00.000+01:00

Ever been in the situation where you're out to get a laptop, and when you finally come across a selection of laptops with their configurations display you just didn't know what to make out of them? Fear not, in this guide I will reveal a few simple things which will make understanding those scary specs a lot easier.

First of all, you have to ask yourself what the purpose of your soon to be laptop is. Is it an everyday use laptop, used to write papers and just carry it around to surf the web... something like a laptop a student would require? Will it be the business machine where you keep all your sensitive information such as client names and contact information? Perhaps you like computer games a lot and decide to buy a laptop configured to run these new high demanding games. Or, maybe you just want to own a new entertainment and media portable device to satisfy your daily multimedia desires.

Each of these types of laptops has different specs to them, but since you know what you'll be using it for, here are a few basic steps to understanding what specifications work and where they are needed.

Central Processing Unit (a.k.a. CPU a.k.a. processor)

Perhaps one of the most important spec of all in a laptop is its CPU. This is the heart of the laptop where all the calculations are being done. There are several types of processors out there, in almost every price range you might think of. If you are new to hardware, you should look for something like 2 - 3 GHz in a laptop if it will be destined for everyday use (basic office tasks including Microsoft Office Suite, browsing the web, watching videos online or maybe chatting with friends). A decent single core CPU could probably handle such basic tasks flawlessly. If, however, you wish to multitask, and open up several applications to work with, then a single core processor might not handle such loads perfectly. Instead, look for the ones which say they're dual core or even quad-core configuration laptops. A laptop with a quad core configuration can go pretty high regarding the price tag, so make sure you fully understand the use of your laptop beforehand.

Newer lines of processors have the Hyper Thread technology built into them, where a single core is seen as two cores by the operating system, capable of handling two tasks at the same time per core. These can be quite useful if you know you're going to throw a heap of applications at it and expect the laptop to run perfectly. Such a configuration can be used in machines destined for graphic design, where usually 3-4 applications are being run simultaneously. It would also be handy when looking for the best gaming laptop or your new multimedia laptop if you want to experience the peak of performance and visual quality in your media crunching endeavors.

Random Access Memory (a.k.a. RAM or system RAM)

Along with the processor, the overall value of the system RAM is a very important parameter to watch for in your laptop. Think of it this way: RAM is your systems memory, the place where your operating system and all your installed applications are being run. It's fast because every little bit of information can be addressed directly, unlike the hard drive which requires the disk head to run over a place on the disk where the information is stored. RAM is the canvas of your computer system, a place where you can get the full picture of what's being run at the present time (using the same association, one could say that the hard drive is like a cassette, where if you want to hear a certain lyric, you have to fast forward to that location).

That's about enough of the free association thing. Going back to the spec itself, system RAM is something you want to have plenty of. The more RAM in a computer, the better it will run. If you're a newbie and just want a laptop that can do basic tasks, then about 1GB of RAM should be enough to run basic applications without any problems (Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, music player and even watch movies). However, if you demand more from your laptop and intend to use it like a powerhouse, your minimum aim should start at about 2GB. Up to 4GB of RAM is a good start in any graphic design computer or even a decent gaming laptop. For business laptops which could use complex applications, a good start would be in the 2-3 GB range to ensure everything runs smooth.

Just remember never to neglect this spec, since it could mean your system will be running slow if there's not enough RAM to it.

Hard Disk Drive (a.k.a. Hard Drive or Hard Disk or HDD)

The hard disk is where all your information is stored. Unlike the RAM, which gets wiped clean at each restart, the hard drive will keep all your information for later use. Now this is not such an important spec as the RAM is, but the more drive space you have, the more information you can store and take with you. If you're a media junkie, then you probably like to store a lot of music and movies on your computer to watch at a later date. In this case, you should look for a laptop with a decent HDD configuration (250 - 500 GB). Some hard drives retrieve information pretty slow since they use spinning disks to read and write information. Standard rotation speeds for laptops HDD are at about 5400 rpm (rotations per minute). These drives are pretty much obsolete if you want a laptop with that's capable of top performance. Instead of a 5400 rpm HDD, look for a better one with 7200 rpm.

A new line of hard drives has recently appeared, called the Solid State Disk or SSD. These drives don't use spinning disks as a means to store information, are way faster, more durable and lighter than regular hard drives. They do come at a price though, and with a limited storage capacity. It can become pretty clear that if you want the fastest laptop today, you'll opt in for such a storage device instead of a traditional HDD.

Video Card (a.k.a. Graphics Card)

The video card makes sure you get the image onto the screen. It can be considered an output component and it is very important to those who want serious lifelike graphics displayed onto their computer screens. With regular everyday use laptops, you can probably get away with an integrated graphics card (it's integrated into the motherboard, mind you) which uses the available RAM to run. This can be a downside to laptops which have a low RAM spec to them, since the integrated graphics card takes its share of available RAM leaving the difference available to run applications. An integrated video card is not recommended if you rely heavily on system RAM for optimal performance. Such cases include the graphics design laptop, the gaming laptop and in some cases multimedia machine.

You do want to look for a dedicated (replaceable/removable) graphics card in your laptop if you're a big gaming fan. Newer games tend to have very high system requirements, and since available RAM is not a thing you want to waste, a dedicated graphics card is the best solution to such a machine.

It should be noted that some of the newer processors that have just come out in the market do have an integrated GPU (graphics processing unit / graphics card) in them, along with the processor cores. This means you can get away with such a spec if you intend to purchase a laptop with specs designed for everyday use or ultra portability. Eliminating the dedicated graphics card from your system means your system will be lighter and you definitely want that regarding the portability issue.

Laptop Screen (a.k.a. Laptop Display)

The laptop screen is an essential part where you marvel at the rich media the computing world has to offer. There is not much to say about the display technology in this case but its size. The display size of your laptop is one essential specification you should not overlook if you really want a higher level of enjoyment when working with the thing. There is quite a variety to choose from when it comes to screen size, so you should know one thing beforehand: the larger the screen, the better the image quality will be, the lower the portability feature becomes...

If you want a highly portable machine which you'll use just to jot down information quickly, then a tiny laptop with a small screen would be enough: these can range from a mere 7 inch diagonal size to about 13.3 inches. Average laptops will carry the average laptop screen size which is known to be 15.4 inches. This is quite sufficient to be able to visualize pretty much any type of media (web pages, documents, videos and movies). For a better experience, these sizes can go up to about 22 inches. These can be quite bulky and costly machines, since they pack quite a lot of tech in them along with the large screen, thus they make excellent gaming systems or portable multimedia players.

Connectivity (a.k.a. access to the internet)

Laptops are known for being portable machines, and along with their portability, wireless technologies have been made available to allow the users to connect to the internet pretty much anywhere these days. You want to make sure you'll get access to Wi-Fi networks to stay connected everywhere you take your laptop with you. There are some new solutions which allow you to connect via cell phone networks and use the internet wherever there is mobile phone coverage.

Now that you understand the basic laptop configuration and the respective specs, you are sure to be able to make a wise decision when purchasing the laptop that's right for you.

But before you will decide which laptop will replace your old system or which notebook will be your new toy to play and work with, also consider the price and portability as deciding factors for buying the best laptop for your needs. You can't go wrong choosing one that is made by one of the top rated laptop brands 2011-2012.

5 Tips for Buying a Laptop

2011-05-15T22:51:00.000+01:00

Buying a laptop is a major investment decision. As such it is not one that you should make lightly. Below are 5 tips that will help prepare you for making the best and most well informed decision when buying a laptop.

Tip #1 Size Matters

Buying a laptop is a matter that requires some thought. Consider the size and weight of the laptop. How often will you be carrying your laptop? Your answer will help determine which size and weight will best suit your needs. If you will be carrying your laptop frequently, a lighter model will be preferable.

The keyboard is another area to consider when buying a laptop. Why is the size of the keyboard important? A larger laptop will have a slightly larger keyboard area. But keep in mind that if you worry about your fingers or wrists taking on too much stress from typing on a keyboard that is too small, you may want this to be a main factor in your purchasing decision,

Tip #2 Choose Your Mouse

A laptop it will come with a built in touch pad, an alternative to the mouse, whereby the pad is controlled by the user's finger movement. For some people, this type of pad is uncomfortable and not easy to work with. Before purchasing a laptop, determine what mouse options are available. Test each one and determine which one best meets your needs.

Tip #3 Wireless Options

Today, when many people think laptop, they think "wireless". No doubt people want to make sure that their laptop computer will be able to access the Internet with a wireless connection. Many try to account for this by ensuring that their laptop has potential upgrade options, such as room for an expandable PC card or a USB port. However, since so many laptop users are looking for wireless connections, many of today's laptops come pre-wired for wireless Internet. All you need to do is activate your wireless Internet service, and your laptop will take it from there. So depending on your needs, choose your laptop whether it is capable of expanding or if it is already configured for wireless Internet.

Tip #4 Check for Ports

Peripheral equipment will be connected to your laptop through USB ports. You will make your life much less complicated by ensuring that your laptop has adequate ports. Connecting equipment such as printers, scanners, and digital cameras will be much simpler if you have the ports readily available. If you are not sure, thoroughly read the specs for any laptop that you are considering purchasing.

Tip #5 Check Your Budget First

Finally, when buying a laptop, beware that you do not overspend. First create your budget and stick to it. When you think that you have found the laptop that you want, do not rush into it. Wait a day and check over your budget, requirements, and see if you are still as excited about the laptop in the morning, as you were when the sales clerk was showing off its specs. If you still feel that it is the laptop that you want to purchase, then go for it.

Rob Buenaventura invites you to Laptops n Notebooks 4 U, an information site focused on your laptop and notebooks needs. Find out why more and more people are replacing their desktop with a laptop or notebook computer! Before buying a laptop computer, consult [http://www.laptops-n-notebooks-4-u.com/laptop-buying-guide.html] to help you find the best laptop for you.

The Top 10 Laptop Care Tips - Dramatically Extend The Life Of Your Laptop

2011-05-13T23:45:00.000+01:00

There are several things that you should really do to take care of your laptop when you are trying to make sure it lasts a long time. From the most simple maintenance to that which requires a few minutes of your time it can significantly increase the life of your laptop and in return save you a bundle of money. With these simple and easy to follow suggestions you are sure to help you learn how to take care of your laptop like a pro.

1) Locking your notebook - This might sound unnecessary but locking your laptop will keep anyone around you from looking at what you are working on and ensure that anything private stays that way. To lock your laptop easily all you have to do is just press the Windows Key + L at the same time and it will lock your laptop. To unlock your laptop simply press Ctrl + Atl + Del and then enter your password and you will be returned back to exactly where you were previously.

2) Vent maintenance - This means you need to check all of the vents on your laptop at least once a week to ensure that they are clear and not blocked. Be sure you do not push anything into the air vents; the safest way to clean these vents typically is using a simple can of air that can be purchased at most computer supply stores.

3) Check the fan - If your fan is not working correctly you could experience some huge problems with your laptop overheating, which can cause problems with your monitor, memory or even the hard drive. To avoid this problem you need to make sure that the fan is working properly. If you are unsure whether the fan is working properly check the website for the laptop manufacturer, you can frequently find software there to use for testing purposes.

4) Keeping lap burn to a minimum - This may seem like a minor detail but when you experience it you will suddenly notice the significance of this. In order to help prevent this and ensure your laptop is getting proper airflow make sure you are using something such as a desk or similar hard surface to hold your laptop anytime you are using it.

5) Avoiding soft spots - This is a problem that is quite common for many people, if you are just sitting around on the couch you might prop your laptop up on a pillow on your lap. This may seem like a great idea but it can cause a huge problem since it can significantly restrict the airflow to fans and vents causing your laptop to heat up significantly.

6) Safely storing your laptop - While the great laptop bags that are sold are wonderful for transporting your laptop it is very important that you turn your laptop off before you actually put it into the bag. If you do not power it down you could melt your laptop or potentially catch it on fire.

7) Drinks beware - If you are thinking about getting a drink it is important to make sure that your drink is as far away from your laptop as possible. Drinks and laptops do not mix well under any circumstances regardless of what you are drinking.

8) Avoiding shocks - If you are looking to move your laptop around a bit you should always ensure that it is on a sturdy surface that will protect it from unexpectedly jostling around. If the laptop is well protected you can safely move it around, however if the laptop is not stable you should turn it off before moving it around.

9) Humidity is not your friend - regardless of the reason for the humidity, you should do your best to protect your laptop from humidity. This can cause damage to the motherboard as well as possible damage to the screen.

10) Dust is the enemy of your computer - You should always make sure that your laptop is kept away from dust; this can clog fans and even vents which will cause your laptop to heat up significantly. To help protect the laptop it is important to look for a way to protect your computer such as keeping it on a table or a desk.

Bonus) Off the floor - There is never any reason to leave your laptop on the floor even for a brief moment. While it might seem like a good place for only a moment it can create problems if you have a pet that decides to use the computer as a chew toy, or if someone accidentally steps on the laptop.

Bonus) Surge protectors are critical - This can allow you to adequately protect your computer in the event that a power surge occurs, which could damage your computer.

Bonus) Protect the screen - If you are in the habit of storing papers between the screen of your laptop and the keyboard it is possible to scratch the screen from the paper. This can create an extremely large repair bill that you would be left with. Avoid this as much as possible to ensure that your screen is protected.

Learning how to properly care for your laptop is really quick and easy, but will certainly allow your laptop to last much longer. As long as you are willing to take some basic precautions for your laptop, you are going to enjoy a lot of usage.

Best Rated Laptops Guide and Reviews

The Best Rated Laptops Guide features laptop reviews, advice on how to buy laptops (buying guide) and a host of news about the top manufacturers of laptops.

http://www.best-rated-laptops-guide.com/

How To Protect Your Laptop Against Theft & Loss

2011-05-10T19:48:00.000+01:00

Laptop theft is rampant. You have a 1 in 10 chance

your shiny new laptop will be stolen. And the real

shocker: according to the FBI 97% are never recovered.

And they should know, the U.S. Department of Justice

stated in a recent report that the FBI lost 160 laptops

in a 44 month period ending in September of 2005. If

FBI agents have trouble keeping track of their laptops,

imagine what the ordinary person is facing.

The statistics are pretty grim. A laptop is stolen every

53 seconds. Ouch!

With stats like those you have to do everything in your

power to avoid becoming a victim of laptop theft. If you

keep valuable personal or business information on your

laptop the consequences can be even more gruesome and

devastating. For laptop hardware can be easily replaced,

but your valuable information may be lost forever.

So here are...

10 Practical Ways to Protect Your Laptop Against Theft,

Loss or Misplacement.

1. Keep Your Eyes On Your Laptop

Be aware of your laptop at all times especially when

traveling. You wouldn't leave a Thousand Dollar Bill

lying around unattended would you? So watch your laptop

closely.

2. Don't Use An Obvious Laptop Bag

Carry your laptop in regular luggage that doesn't look

like it has a laptop. Don't advertise your laptop to any

would be thieves.

3. Use Visual Locks And Restraints

Use visual locks and restraints to secure your laptop and

to act as a deterrent. It won't fool hardened thieves but

most will opt for a less secure laptop. For example, you

can use a product like STOP, this system works by attaching

a specially-made security plate to your laptop. This plate

is barcoded and registered. It also carries a warning label

letting would-be cyber thieves know that the ownership of your

laptop is permanently monitored.

4. Use Passwords And Encryption

Use passwords and encryption to protect any sensitive

information on your laptop. Again, unless you use very

sophisticated encryption it won't fool the experienced

hacker or hard-core digital thief but it will slow down

and hinder the common criminal.

Set a BIOS Password for your laptop. You have to take

advantage of any security option that's on your laptop's

OS or operating system. For those using Mac OS X you can

encrypt your entire hard drive and set-up a master password

in order to view it.

Windows XP & Vista lets you encrypt files and folders. Just

right click your data, select properties, open general tab

and then advanced to check "Encrypt contents to secure data

box".

5. Use Encryption Programs Like Steganos Safe 2007

You can also try something like Steganos Safe 2007. Vital

files can be encrypted and it can even turn your USB thumb

drive or iPod into a key for unlocking your hard drive.

6. Use Anti-Theft Software Like LoJack

Use anti-theft software that can track and locate your

laptop or computer through the IP address once the stolen

laptop is used to access the Internet. Use systems like

"LoJack For Laptops". It costs around 50 bucks a year

but it may be worth that price for your peace of mind alone.

According to the info on their site they recover 3 out of 4

stolen laptops equipped with the LoJack system. It basically

places hidden and silent software that reports back the IP

address and location of the laptop once it is stolen and the

thief connects to the Internet.

7. Use Invisible Ultraviolet Markings

Use invisible ultra-violet markings so that any recovered

stolen laptops will be clearly marked as yours to the police.

Keeping track of your laptop's serial number is also a good

idea and have this number stored in a different place other

than on your laptop.

8. Try Remote Data Deletion

If you place important information on your laptop have a

remotely controlled self-destruct solution in place. Then

your highly sensitive information can be deleted remotely

after your laptop is stolen.

9. Be Prepared

Create company policies for management of your company's laptops.

Have set procedures in place for tracking and reporting of any

laptops stolen or misplaced. Be prepared for the inevitable.

10. Backup Backup Backup

Regularly backup any vital information you have on your laptop.

Most information will be useless to potential thieves but may

be extremely important to you personally or for the running of

your business.

No matter if it is through theft or simple misplacement, losing

a laptop is a painful experience, one you should avoid at all

costs. However, if it does happen to you, be assured you can

minimize the pain by having a complete backup of your laptop's

contents. In most cases, this information will be much more

valuable than the laptop itself.

For hardware can be easily replaced, your personal data and

months/years of work may take forever to recover or redo.

Sometimes it is lost forever, so BACKUP your information

regularly. Keep your laptop and its contents safe and out

of harm's way. Simply protect yourself and your laptop by

using the tips you have just read.

....
The author has a keen interest in all things laptop and runs an online: Laptop Buyer's Guide For Timely Special Savings/Deals/Coupons on Toshiba, Dell, Apple, Sony, Alienware...click here: Cheap Laptops Copyright ? 2007 Titus Hoskins. This article may be freely distributed if this resource box stays attached.

Common Problems With Laptops & Some Solutions - Liquid Spills, Cooling, Power & LCD Display Screen

2011-05-08T23:05:00.000+01:00

Fixing Common Laptop Problems

Liquid Spills on Laptop

I have repaired many Laptops exposed to accidental liquid spills. This is a recoverable condition in most cases. It is most important to respond to the cleaning up process as soon as possible (before corrosion or internal soakage occur)! Liquid intrusion can cause the following types of laptop damage:

Short circuit due to conductive nature of wet liquid (problem may clear as liquid dries)

Short circuit due to dried liquid residue

Corrosion occurs (particularly volatile with some acidic soft drinks - Coke)

Electronic components damaged by above short circuits

Possible Solution: Immediately when a spill occurs, turn off the laptop, invert the laptop and leave the unit upside down (drainage) for at least 20-30 minutes. Then, remove any attached leads, remove the power unit and battery, and allow the unit to air-dry overnight.

To remove any liquid residual: Have someone remove the keyboard assembly and perform additional cleaning. It may help to use cotton buds and distilled water to remove any contamination. Where corrosive side effects may be suspected (with coke), gently rub any suspect areas with a cotton bud dampened with CRC or WD-40. Dry the treated areas so that only a light film of the WD-40 anti-corrosive solution remains. While the keyboard is removed, use a bright light and magnifying lens to inspect areas where the liquid made contact.

Laptop randomly turns off

This is often due to:

AC power adaptor sensing an overload of power drain

Overheating processor due to a build of internal dust (clogged fan)

AC power adaptor not able to sustain normal power needs (faulty power adaptor)

Battery overheating, due to internal battery fault, or charging levels

Intermittent short circuit or open connection (check condition of power leads)

On older Laptops, the most common reason is poor cooling. Try going somewhere air-conditioned and see if that helps. Inspect the areas near the internal cooling fan; see if there is a build up of dust fibres. Easy way to check this; with the unit running, feel the flow of air from the cooling outlet(s) - is the airflow very low? If yes, and the unit is at normal operation temperature, this may indicate the internal cooling system is partially clogged.

Troubleshoot Laptop LCD Video Display problems

Here are some tips and tricks for troubleshooting and fixing laptop video problems. Video issues are very common within portable computers and with the following tips you should be able to detect and eliminate basic laptop video problems.

Laptop LCD screen has a faint image or is very dark

Look closely at the laptops LCD screen, and see if you can see a very faint image. If you can then it is possible that the Laptop's LCD lid close switch is stuck in the closed position. In this mode the backlight stays off, even with the LCD lid open. This is to conserve power when the laptop is ON with the LID closed. Check the LCD lid close switch. It is a small plastic pin located close to the back LCD hinges. Try tapping the lid switch a few times to see if you can turn on the screen backlight. If that does not help, then I would suggest to replace the FL inverter board.

Laptop LCD screen is solid white colour or garbled

Connect an external computer monitor to the laptop. If the external monitor display is fine, then you have a problem with the Laptop LCD screen or the LCD cable connection. If the external monitor image is the same as on the Laptop LCD, then it is likely to be a faulty integrated onboard video, this means replacing the motherboard of the Laptop.

A typical Laptop LCD display assembly

This is a simplified explanation of the basic components that are involved on a Laptop LCD video display problem:

LCD Connector: Video data is sent from the motherboard through to the LCD screen. A video cable also feeds voltage to the FL inverter board on the LCD panel

FL inverter PCB: This section converts the low voltage DC source to high voltage AC, as required to energise the backlight bulb. If the FL inverter PCB is faulty, the LCD screen will show a very dim image on the Laptop display screen

CCFL (backlight bulb): When the backlight bulb is working, you can see the image on the LCD screen. With some Laptops, the backlight bulb is a part of the LCD screen assembly and needs to be replaced with a complete LCD screen assembly. It requires a specialized Laptop repair workshop to replace the backlight bulb

Laptop Lid close switch: This switch is a small switch (mechanical or magnetic) that is located close to the rear display hinges. Most laptops will either hibernate or operate in standby mode when the LCD is closed. This is achieved by interfacing with the Laptop's BIOS power management software. In turn this is linked to the Windows operating system

Laptop is slow and continually shows Internet popup's

The Laptop is very likely infected with spyware. Spyware is software that hides on your computer and attempts to collect information about your activity on the internet. Spyware is sometimes transferred to your computer when you download 'unknown' free software or when you link to free music Internet programs (KaZaA, Limewire, BearShare, etc). The best method to remove and further prevent spyware is to use Spybot. Please read my Spyware Software Help Page.

Laptop is frozen, no response to keyboard or mouse, cannot Shutdown

With most Laptops I have seen that this will happen from time to time! The easy method to solve this problem is:

Disconnect the laptop power cord

Remove the battery from the laptop

Wait a short while (10 seconds)

Replace the Laptop battery into the unit

Reconnect the Laptop Power cord

Turn the Laptop on

The Laptop will start normally and be fully operational. If you were working on a Microsoft Word or Excel document at the time of the problem, then you may find that the data has been auto-recovered for you. In this case, you will be automatically prompted to view the last document you worked on when you open the Microsoft program.

Troubleshoot Laptop Hibernate and Standby problems

Power management options on laptops sometimes to cause problems. Hibernate and Standby modes are power saving modes of operations to battery powered laptops.

Hibernation is a procedure by which the working state (contents) of your work is stored to disk before the computer goes into hibernation or standby. When the Laptop is woken up, you are restored to the exact place you were before. Standby and Hibernation use a low power consumption mode, with enough power to preserve the content of such memory. This means that Laptop computer can wake up without a full restart and loss of work.

Laptop does not wake up from Standby or Hibernation

Here are my tested suggestions:

Give it time - some older Laptops may take up to 30 seconds to wake up - fully

Some Laptops have special keys or buttons for 'Wake Up' - read the manual

Press and hold the Laptops power button for five seconds or more. Some Laptops are configured to Suspend or Hibernate with a press of the power button. Holding the power button for 5+ seconds will usually reset and reboot the Laptop

As a last resort, remove the laptop battery and the power cord, wait 30 seconds, replace the batteries and reconnect the power cord

Now that the Laptop is operational, you should research the underlying problem. Typically, such problems arise from a disagreement either between the power management features of the Laptops BIOS and Windows.

A conflict with the Laptops BIOS power management and Windows power management is the most common cause of such wake-up failure. Try different settings in the BIOS to see if that might solve the problem. Look to see if the Laptops BIOS is configured to suspend the computer, and how it compares with the value configured in Windows. In most cases let Windows control the power management.

You may read further articles on computer trouble-shooting and help by visiting my website at http://www.pbcomp.com.au/

If you have a unusual computer related problem, feel free to contact me . Please supply information about the computer event, including a previous history for the computer, recent software changes, and the type of operating system; - Windows 98, 2000, XP, Vista, MAC OS9, OSX - etc!

Peter Bowey Computer Solutions
69 Sutherland Ave, Hayborough
Victor Harbor, SA, Australia, 5211
Ph: (08) 8552 8630
Fax: (08) 8552 9185
Mobile: 0414 440 575

How to Protect Your Laptop - From Theft and Data Loss

2011-05-07T13:09:00.000+01:00

The Frightening Truth:

Laptops have become one of those devices that is quickly going, and in some cases, already quickly gone from something that only techies or high level business people owned to something that even a poor college student finds a way to afford. This is simply that our lives become wrapped around these objects. Think of the cell phone. Ten to 15 years ago it was again only the techies or important business people that owned a cell phone. Now even elementary school kids have them so parents can be in constant contact when necessary.

We all have had the moment when we though we had misplaced our cell phone. Imagine losing your laptop. Not only is it a fairly significant expense, but think of the data you have on there. You probably keep a file with account numbers, you have your family pictures stored there, maybe music, movies. The list is a long one and an important one.

Therefore, make sure you follow the recommendations in this article on how to protect your laptop.

The convenience of the laptop is obvious. The computing power and versatility are equivalent to most desktop computers. With the advent of wi-fi we can be on the internet almost anywhere and be emailing, chatting, writing, surfing the net or shopping, all anywhere in the world.

Here are some daunting statistics for laptop loss from 2008:

Relevant Data Loss and Data Breach Statistics

* 1 in 10 ...laptop computers will be stolen within the first 12 months of purchase.

* 97% ...of lost and stolen notebooks are never recovered.

* 50% ...of organizations reported laptop theft.

* every 43 seconds ...a computer is reported stolen.

* every 3 days ... an information security breach is reported in the U.S.

* 82% ...of all PC's will be mobile devices by 2008, increasing 4 times as fast as PCs.

* 4,425 ...laptops reported left behind in Chicago taxis during a six month period.

* 56 million ...individuals affected by significant U.S. data security breaches, 2005.

* 1 billion ...PC users expected by 2010, up from 660-670 million today.

* 57% ...of corporate crimes are linked to stolen laptops. The latest crimes of espionage and sabotage are theft of executive personnel devices to access vital financial or personnel data. (data source: http://www.datarevoke.com)

How Much Does Laptop Loss Cost?:

That completely depends on how you look at it and who is doing the looking....

Personal Laptop:

The actual cost here is the cost of the laptop and if stolen while in the laptop bag (most often this is the case) then you've lost all your accessories as well. Not to mention possibly your wallet, MP3 player, passport (eek!). Obviously the actual cost of items and the intangible loss of items such as wallets, all your stored music, your passport, etc. are vastly different.

Business or Corporate Laptop:

Here the intangible costs can be astronomical. We have heard it on the news more than once and most of us have had it hit us directly with someone in the corporate world losing one or more laptops with critical customer data on it. The cost the hardware is only about $4000, the information carried upon it was could be worth millions..

Of course, to get to valuable proprietary information is not the reason for all laptop thefts some laptop thieves head try to quickly sell the laptop as-is. However, some data indicate that about 10 percent to 15 percent of those laptops are stolen by criminals intent on selling the data.

How to Protect Your Laptop:

With this in mind, what can we do as individuals to prevent our own personal loss?

Laptop Security Cables:

This is one of the lowest cost and one of the most effective deterrents to theft. As with most theft attempts, even a small amount of effort can make a huge difference. For this to work you need to make sure that your laptop is equipped with the appropriate feature to attach a cable. This is called a Universal Security Slot.

It is important to pay attention to what you are attaching the laptop and cable to. You sometimes have to think like a thief. If you really wanted to get that laptop could you? If you answer is yes, then you need to add more security. Consider looping the cable through a hole drilled in the lag of the desk. If you just loop it around the leg than all it takes is some one strong enough to lift the desk enough to slip the cable under the leg and whoosh! your laptop is gone...

Keep Your Laptop Out of Sight:

If you are not with your laptop then it should be secured in a locked drawer or in the possession of someone you trust (for the short trip to the restroom for example). Especially if you are in a public place like an airport, bookstore, or your favorite coffee shop. Never leave your bag alone.

Some laptop cases scream "I have a laptop in here!"

Try to use a carrying case for your laptop that may be a bit beat up or at least not look like it obviously contains a laptop. This may be difficult to do but can be a real effective way to have a thief move on to the next victim without bothering your precious laptop inside your ugly bag.

Jeff Snyder is an online marketer and has a site that describes the best laptop accessories to make your time on your laptop more enjoyable and comfortable. See his site at http://www.BestLaptopAccessories.com to find the best accessories and find the best places to get them. You can also contact him at --> serrell@BestLaptopAccessories.com.

Dual Core Laptops: This Isn't Your Last Year's Laptop!

2011-05-06T12:04:00.000+01:00

The laptop world is seeing double. The next evolution in

laptops is dual-core technology. Dual-core processors are

quickly raising the laptop experience to the next level

and laptop users are benefiting from the extra boost in

performance.

Dual-core means exactly what you think it means, you have

two processors or CPUs in your laptop instead of one.

Theoretically this should mean twice the performance level

for all those multi-tasking chores we call upon our laptops

to do. However, you must have ways or technology (the

platform) to utilize and handle all this extra power. There

is some catching up to do but to keep things simple,

Hyper-Threading, PCI-Express and SLI are all ways of

harnessing or using this extra power.

With the recent introduction of the new Centrino Duo Mobile

Technology, Intel has entered the multi-core arena. All this

extra dual power and Hyper-Threading will finally put some

punch into laptops and especially gaming laptops. Now almost

on par with desktop PCs, laptops and notebooks can finally

hold their heads high when it comes to performance. This isn't

your last year's laptop!

How quickly things change, Intel expects the Core Duo chip

will be in 230 different laptop designs in the first months

of 2006. Intel also claims this Duo chip will deliver 68%

more performance over the current Sonoma processor (many

manufacturers say this will be around 30%) and reduce

battery consumption by another 28% (Giving 5 hours for

a standard battery and 10 hours for an extended cell battery).

Still, dual-core processors coupled with Hyper-Threading

technology, will and does greatly improve the multi-tasking

functions of your next laptop. The only minor hurdle, many

of today's current video games can't use all these multi-

applications features. But as more games come on stream

which can take full advantage of all this new technology,

expect your gaming enjoyment to increase. As with any new

technology there will probably be a lag time before all the

multi-applications can be applied to the majority of new

games hitting the market.

Some major laptop makers now sporting the Intel Core Duo

include Dell with its new "entertainment" Dell Inspiron e1705

line of high end laptops. HP with its Pavilion dv1000 line of

laptops, which comes with a remote and you can play CDs and

DVDs without booting up.

Nor is Intel the only player in town with a lot of chips on

the gaming table. Intel's main rival AMD has introduced

dual-core into its mobile Turion 64 X2 processors. Also keep

in mind, in recent head-to-head CNET Labs testing, AMD's Athlon

64 X2 chip performed better than Intel's desktop Dual-Core chip.

http://www.cnet.com/4520-6022_1-6410042.html

You're probably wondering, how will all this new laptop

technology be applied? And what does it mean for the average

laptop owner? What does it mean for gaming laptops?

Well, lets examine one sample notebook to see what all this next

generation technology will do for laptops. Take for example,

the Xtreme SL, a new gaming laptop designed by Rockdirect.

Rockdirect, formerly known as Rock computers, is a leading UK

laptop manufacturer who introduced some of the world's first

dual core laptops last summer (2005).

Rockdirect's latest gaming offering, the Xtreme SL has specs

or features which are rather awe-inspiring, even for the non-gamer.

It comes with an AMD Turion 64 ML-44 2.4GHz processor, sporting

1MB L2 Cache and 2 Gigs of DDR 400MHz RAM. More importantly, it

has twin NVIDIA GeForce Go 7800 GTX 256MB graphics cards with

PCI-Express and SLI (Scalable Link Interface).

SLI lets you have two graphics cards on your laptop, working in

tangent to increase or double your graphics performance and

visual quality. Throw in a 19 inch WSXGA+ X-Glass TFT Screen

and you have a perfect example of where gaming laptops are

headed with all this new technology.

For those involved in gaming, this means the ultimate gaming

experience can be best captured on a laptop with Dual-core

processors and dual graphics cards using all the latest SLI or

Hyper-Threading technology. And it is just not for gamers.

The new mobile multi-core chips are turning heads for ordinary

laptop users who want the best performance possible in their

sleek shinny new laptops or notebooks.

Besides, why should gamers have all the fun, these new

technologies will greatly benefit all laptop users. It

means a sleeker, faster, and more powerful laptop for

everyone. It also means longer lasting battery life for

your laptop, a much needed improvement. For the demanding

laptop user working in multi-media authoring, multi-tasking

with video editing, spread sheets, large graphics... these

dual core laptops offers a very capable alternative to the

bulky and oh-so stationary desktop PC.

This new multi-core technology offers ultimate performance

in a sleek, quiet package that buyers will find hard to resist.

It will draw even more potential customers into the laptop market,

looking for the ultimate in style, portability, and performance.

Dual-core laptops may just deliver the goods.

This surely is not your last year's laptop.

...
The author has an unhealthy interest in all things laptop! Including Dual Core laptops. He also owns a modest website on Marketing Tools for eMarketers. Marketing Tools As part of that site he runs an Online Notebook Guide for Laptop Enthusiasts. Gaming Laptops

Cheap Laptops For Cash-Strapped College Students (How to Find Cheap Top Quality Student Laptops)

2011-05-04T19:03:00.000+01:00

Finding a cheap laptop for college is an easy task. Laptop

prices have fallen steadily over the last couple of years

as marketplace competition heats up and production costs

come down. You can now get a laptop for under $400.

But you must proceed with caution -- as that old expression

on ancient maps stated: Here There Be Monsters!

For you just don't want any old cheap laptop; you want

a high quality machine that will offer good performance

and won't go kapoots half way through the semester. You

want a laptop that can accomplish all those student

assignments and easily handle all those MP3 and movie

downloads! In other words, the laptop you buy must be

able to get the job done.

You want a quality laptop that's relatively small and

lightweight; yet sturdy and shock proof. You will need

a laptop with a good comfortable keyboard for typing up

all those assignments. You may have to purchase a tablet

notebook if you need a laptop for a lot of note-taking

in class.

If you're buying a used or refurbished laptop you should

have it checked out by a Laptop Technician or if this is not

practical, bring along a friend who knows computers or laptops

-- there's a computer geek in every crowd.

Finding a top quality laptop at a bargain price may take

some work on your part so here are some suggestions to

make your job easier:

Try Your Friends and Neighbors

First, check around with your friends, neighbors and

colleagues -- many may have good quality laptops to sell

or even give you! Why? Many people constantly upgrade to

the latest laptop technology -- Intel and AMD have just

introduced laptops with Duo or Dual Core processors and

many laptop enthusiasts are dishing their old perfectly

good laptops for the newer faster sexier models.

(Why does that sound so familiar!)

So check around, you may be able to purchase a good

second hand laptop for next to nothing. Or in exchange

for work (lawn mowing, yard work...) or services

(baby sitting, shopping...) offered over the summer.

Try eBay

Perhaps, the cheapest high quality laptops can be found

on eBay. But again, you must check out carefully both

the product and the seller. Make sure you do your

homework and thoroughly check out the laptops before

you buy. Make sure you don't end up with a useless

monster!

Try A Refurbished Laptop

You can save a bundle by buying a refurbished laptop

directly from the major Laptop Manufacturers. These

laptops offer very good quality at much cheaper

prices. So check around for a refurbished laptop.

Try Online Bargain Stores Such as Buy.com

You may want to check out the many bargain online

stores or super sites such as BestBuy.com,

TigerDirect.com, Buy.com and the countless others.

These stores may also offer refurbished laptops,

but keep your eyes open for those monsters.

Try Amazon

Don't forget Amazon, they now sell new and used

laptops at some very competitive prices. If you

have any rich uncles or aunts (relatives) tell them

you have an Amazon Wishlist... place a wish for a good

laptop at the top. Hey, don't laugh - it happens!

Try Dell Coupons And Rebates

Recently, Dell, HP and a few other laptop makers

have come out with $400 laptops after rebates

or coupons. These are usually level entry laptops

but may be perfectly fine for students.

Don't Forget To Haggle

If you're buying a laptop from a favorite

vendor or store -- always ask for a discount

or bargain. Many times haggling will get you

a better price or some nice upgrades with

a few extras thrown in. No harm in trying.

And Keep Those Eyes Open

Purchasing a good quality cheap student laptop

can be done if you try some of the places listed

above. If you're on a very strict budget, most

college students are, you can save a lot money

by shopping around and using the advice given

here. Just keep in mind, as you open your purse

or wallet to buy that bargain student laptop,

keep your eyes peeled for any monsters that may

be lurking around.

For more information on Buying Notebooks and Laptops at Bargain Prices Click Here: Cheap Laptops Copyright ? 2005 Titus Hoskins Internet Marketing Tools This article may be freely distributed if this resource box stays attached.

Pink Laptops: Buy A Pink Laptop

2011-05-02T23:30:00.000+01:00

Pink laptops have quickly become the prominent choice in laptops for girls. Having your own pink laptop can add some flair, expression, and identity to one of your most used possessions. Almost every pink laptop computer manufacturer has pink laptops for sale - and many of them will sell a cheap pink laptop model or two. A lot of computer places also make hot pink laptops, or a pink mini laptop. The varieties out there are pretty much endless. But what if you are trying to research the upcoming purchase of a pink laptop computer?

In this hub, we will try to help you answer all of those questions and more, and help you decide which laptop is best for you and how you can go about buying a pink laptop computer.

So where do you begin when you're trying to find information and you want to buy a pink laptop? Do you go with a normal sized one or a mini pink laptop? What about prices for laptops with features like a webcam, HD screen, or Blu-Ray DVD drive? And are cheap pink laptops really the best way to go, or is it better to pay a little bit more for a laptop or notebook that will last longer and be a better deal?

Laptop Prices: Is Less More?

We all know that laptop prices, and prices for almost every technology, have come down significantly in the last few years. Some HP pink mini laptop models, and other laptops, sell for as little as $300, while others are as much as $1,000. HP doesn't quite have a free laptop but they do produce very well like models. However, let's take a look at the pros and cons of spending only $200 or $300 for a laptop.

First, don't confuse a netbook with a notebook. A netbook - also known to some as a mini laptop - can cost anywhere from $200 to $400. Pink mini laptops and pink netbooks are generally limited with features, can come with limited software packages, and some reviews complain at their size (tiny keyboards!).

If you just want to browse the internet and check email, then a netbook or mini laptop can be right for you. These laptops are very affordable and come with limited features - but who needs all that when your priorities aren't too big.

But for someone who needs their laptop for school, work, or wants to do more like use video, music, and any other added features, what can be a cheap, "cute", small laptop can cause headaches later.

What Will $800 Get You In A Laptop?

It is important to be careful and use diligence when shopping for a laptop because a lower price does not always mean a better deal: in fact, it almost always doesn't. Let's take a look at one of the middle to upper priced pink laptops and see what you can get features-wise.

One of the most popular brands among girls - the Sony VAIO - has a pink laptop that costs about $829. Compared to the cheaper netbook/mini laptop, this model (and other laptops in this price range) offers much more and will certainly last much longer. In short, you get more for your dollar.

Some of the more prominent features and specifications with this laptop are the power. The CPU is 2.13GHz.

In layman's terms, CPU size determines how fast a computer can work and how many tasks it can do all at once. The same is true with memory - a pink laptop like this has 4GB if RAM memory which will be able to handle a slew of applications including Photoshop, video making or viewing, webcam, etc. There's a DVD drive that can burn cds and dvds, a webcam and microphone for chatting with friends and taking pictures, and equipment that can handle a fast internet connection. This $800 dollar laptop also has support for HD video connections, wireless internet, Bluetooth, and a manner of other options.

Of course, there are many pink laptop notebook models to choose from and many features to choose from as well. This section is a snapshot of what $800 will buy. If you want more features and a more powerful laptop, it will cost more, while a less powerful laptop and less features will cost you less money.

Popular Pink Laptop Brands

Because of growing consumer demand for pink laptops, computer manufacturers have designed an extraordinary line of sleek pink laptops. Pink is a fabulous color that never goes out of style, and is now appreciated by men as well as women. Today's man is quite comfortable with pink accessories, it is not uncommon to see a confident, well-dressed gentleman wearing a pink tie or dress shirt, or using a pink laptop.

Your online search for pink colored laptops will lead to various companies that sell different colored laptops. Here are a few of the companies where you can buy pink laptops:

Pink Dells

A high-profile company with an impressive array of pink laptops is Dell Computers. One of the most recognized computer manufacturing companies in the world, Dell produces more pink laptops than any other company. Shoppers on a budget can find a nice pink dell laptop with all of the updated features for less than five hundred dollars.

Dell has a variety of pink laptops for the fashionista in you. They even offer what is called their Promise laptop that helps fight breast cancer. Five dollars from every purchase goes to breast cancer research. They have at least seven different choices in pink laptops in the Promise line alone, as well as a variety of other choices. They range from mini-laptops to bigger laptops with screen sizes from 9 to more than 17 inches. They have a price range of around 300 to 800 dollars. Dell laptops are known for their reliability, functionality, and sense of style.

When you visit Dell's website, you can customize the laptop that you choose with upgraded memory, a stronger hard drive, word processing, and virus protection all in the color of your choice. To add a personalized touch, various patterns can be purchased to enhance your new laptop.

Pink Sony Laptop

Another top rated laptop that is comparable to those made by Dell, HP, and Acer are the pink VAIO laptops by Sony. Sony also has several hot pink laptop Vaio models for sale on their website as well.

Sony's laptops are a trendy choice among girls. While providing a stylish choice, the functionality of these computers are top notch as well. They come with displays ranging from 11 to 15.5 inches and supply the user with a battery life that will last on long trips. Their pink laptops feature from 160 GB to more than 500 GB hard drives and range in price from around 500 to 1200 dollars. Their models offer built-in wi-fi, webcams, DVD writers, microphones, internet telephones and speakers. Many of their laptops offer Core Duo 2 processors and are Bluetooth enabled. The Sony Vaio pink laptops are especially brilliant for playing games and watching movies.

The Sony Vaio Signature Collection offers four attractive laptop computers in pink, one of them is adorned with a beautiful flower pattern. Generally costing about two hundred and fifty dollars more than the Dells or other similarly cheap pink laptops and notebooks, they are equipped with the same software and power, but may also have some benefits that are not available with Dell laptops.

While Sony and Dell both have a variety of pink laptop computers, they are also available from other computer manufacturers.

HP Pink Laptops

Does HP sell pink laptops? As previously mentioned, HP specializes in pink mini laptops. What is unique about these stylish HP mini models is that they are only one inch thick, making them extra easy to transport. Mini HP pink laptops are a great bargain for the money, with models available from around 250 to 400 dollars. Their Mini 110 Chic is known for having the largest keyboard in the industry. They offer approximately 9 and 10-inch screens, and have mouse buttons on both sides of the pad. The webcam and microphone both offer excellent clarity and they also come with a small but impressive speaker. HP also offers a variety of pink colored laptop covers to turn any laptop you own into a fashion statement.

Some customers who recently purchased HP Mini Laptops reviewed the laptops as follows: "Small and compact; fits perfectly in my book bag and weighs less than 3 lbs. The battery life that I have experienced has been awesome". On the contrary, according to shopping reviews on several websites some users have experienced slowness with their HP netbooks. This may be typical in an entry-level netbook; running lots of programs such as for video, music, and photos can require additional resources.

Update (5/10): In May of 2010 HP announced a new line of consumer laptops and notebooks, with an all-new design called "MUSE". MUSE, which stands for Materials, Usability, Sensory appeal, and Experiences, is geared towards the young and hip crowd as well as the savvy businessperson. The new Hewlett Packard laptops were designed by Tord Boontje, which is a design, firm based out of London. Among these spring 2010 laptop refreshes by HP included new HP Envys (available in pink) as well as HP Pavillion laptops. These laptops are available in 14.5 and 17-inch screens.

ASUS Pink Laptop

Asus has laptops in pink that can please both the businesswoman and the gamer. Their laptops range in size from 7 to 10 inches and range in price from approximately 300 to 500 dollars. The great thing about Asus laptops is that they are easily set up and don't require a technical manual to learn how to use. They are user-friendly units that come with an intuitive graphic interface as well as being very durable because of their shock protection feature. Speakers are set up on each side of these computer and they can be found in 2, 4, and 8GB hard drives.

It is always a good idea to be a comparison shopper when purchasing high cost items like computers. When you have researched the laptop that you want, visit three or more manufacturers to secure the best product at the best price. A little comprehensive research will help you to make an informed decision regarding price, power, and the different computer accessories when you are ready to make a purchase.

Hot Pink Laptops

Several places sell hot pink laptops for sale, namely Sony, Dell, and Asus. Let's take a look at some models:

Sony Vaio series: The E series Sony Vaios are the ultimate hot pink laptops. Starting at just $799, you'll get all the features and upgrades - pretty much more than anyone needs (like a 500GB hard drive- plenty for movies, music, games, etc).

Dell Studio: The dell studio hot pinks range anywhere from $500 to as much as $1000 considering what kind of options and features you get with your new pink laptop. The dell studios are just like any other laptop at first, except you add on a cover to the outside - in your case, a hot pink laptop cover! The covers are more like hot pink designs and patterns, as opposed to just a solid cover. Keep that in mind when shopping around.

Asus Eee PC 1008P: This 10" pink laptop definitely has one of the more stylish covers out of the cheap pink laptops out there. The processor is the same as others: 1.6ghz, though this laptop comes with 2GB of memory. Weighing only 2.4 pounds this hot pink laptop is definitely something to show off to your friends. The laptop was actually designed by Karim Rashid and is meant to be "more chic" than all the other pink laptops available. It also is only one inch thick! Comes with Windows 7, Bluetooth, and high-speed wireless, and a webcam! One thing to know is that it doesn't come with a disc drive but nowadays with Itunes and netflix and other services you won't even notice.

Other ways to "make" a hot pink laptop? Just like you can apply a cover to a school textbook, you can also put a cover on a laptop. Many places make laptop covers and NoteFashion actually sells a hot pink laptop cover for just $11. It could be a good deal if you already have a laptop computer and want to turn it hot pink while saving up for a genuine one!

Cheap Pink Laptops To Consider

Keep in mind that cheaper is not always better - however if you are looking for a simple laptop to carry out simple tasks like surfing the web, doing homework, chatting online and keeping in touch with friends, then a cheap pink laptop could be right for you. Here are a few models to consider:

Disney Netpal by Asus: This Disney pink laptop sells for about only $340 and comes with a cute Disney pink logo and pink abstract pattern on the outside. Though the laptop screen size is only 8.9 inches, the color itself "princess pink" is sure to please any girl. The laptop comes with a 1.6ghz Intel atom processor with 1GB ram and a 160GB hard drive; these specs are sure to be plenty of resources for an entry-level laptop. The laptop also comes with several security features such as website blacklisting and whitelisting for protection.

Lenovo S10-2 Pink Netbook: This laptop, though technically a netbook, is definitely a great mini pink laptop to consider. For around $350 you'll get a laptop with 6 hours of battery life - plenty of time, as well as Windows 7 starter edition, a 1.6ghz processor and 1GB memory. This laptop on Amazon happens to have a 4.5 star average review and many customers reported things like "beautiful, well built" and "pinker than it seems in the picture". You might want to definitely check out this pink laptop.

Pink Laptop Accessories

Some accessories typically purchased with a laptop or computer can include a laptop case or bag, an extra battery or hard drive for storing photos and videos, or even a photo scanner with feeder should you want to import all of your old photos into your brand new computer.

Want pink colored laptop accessories for your new notebook computer? Some places online such as Amazon or even computer manufacturers themselves (Dell, HP, Sony) may offer a pink mouse, pink travel keyboard, a pink laptop case or bag, and other pink colored accessories for your laptop.

Important Things To Keep In Mind When Buying A Laptop

Now that we've identified what $800 will buy in terms of features and specifications, it's important to cover some of the most important things that most consumers fail to always keep in mind when buying computers - and how you can help yourself when you go to buy your pink laptop. Here are the most important things to remember:

1. You get what you pay for. With laptops and computers, just like cell phones, there are certain price ranges and in each price range is a bracket of features. You definitely pay more for these extra features, and with an increased price, you also may be paying for durability and better materials (though not always). True, many manufacturers that have pink laptops on sale will have prices for slightly less, or maybe a feature compromise or two for a little lower price. Sometimes there will be rebates and sales and coupons. But the bottom line is this: you get more when you spend more.

2. The price tag on the laptop is always not the final price. While most online places offer free shipping, you can't forget tax costs, paying for a Bluetooth mouse, extra battery, extended warranty, accessories like pink laptop bags, and any extra customizations or add-ons you get. Generally speaking, you can expect your "final price" to be at least $75 more than what the price tag tells you.

3. If you want your laptop to last more than two years, buy an extended warranty. Warranty plans do cost more money but you will be glad you invested it when you drop your laptop, spill something, or the friend that you trusted accidentally knocks something over. Laptops, by nature, are mobile and portable which opens the risk for any kind of accident. Additionally, doesn't it always seem like things break just after the manufacturer's warranty ends? Nobody likes a broken laptop, and an extended warranty can help you prolong the life of yours and help get it fixed quickly if anything should happen.

4. Sometimes, patience is an important key to getting the best out of the money you have budgeted. I love instant gratification, and I know what it's like to want something now. But one responsibility of a shopper is to always do their homework when buying a laptop, and to always check prices and features.

Let's face it, salesmen have one job: to sell. Most salespeople will try and take you for granted by assuming you will buy anything that they can glorify. Naturally, companies will try to sell you products that cost the least for them to make and give them the most profit. While this isn't always the case, going into a store prepared and willing to check prices and spend extra time comparing models, you'll get a better bargain.

In Closing...

Ask yourself this: what kind of pink laptop do you need? For many, laptops and computers are not just about a want, but also about needs. If you are going to depend on your new laptop for school or work, then you'll want to make sure that you get the features and options that you need the most, even if it means paying a little extra.

Finding a laptop is not an easy decision to make because of the many choices available in the market. Now, making it a personal laptop such as option for pink laptops and with all the PDA accessories is a decision you need to make and you can do this by reading up on all the information necessary.

Best Laptops and Best Laptops Brands in 2011

2011-05-01T05:14:00.000+01:00

Laptops have become an essential accessory for work and for entertainment. But with all the laptop brands currently available on the market, finding the perfect laptop can be daunting. To help you, here is a short survey of the best laptop brands.

Acer is a Taiwan-based electronics multinational that is best known for its computer products, although it also produces other consumer electronics such as personal digital assistants and mobile phones, as well as computer-related products such as servers and storage devices. Acer was not a well-known brand in the US until 2008, when it introduced its Acer Aspire One line of subcompact netbooks to great success. At present it remains dominant in the affordable netbook market, although it has also released high-end netbook models in June 2010.

One of Acer's most popular high-end netbooks is the Ferrari One. The bright red netbook sports the distinctive "Scudetto Ferrari" logo that has come to dominate Formula One racing. Ferrari One is a high-end netbook that boasts of the following features:

? A full-size Fine Tip keyboard which provides for comfortable typing even for prolonged periods.

? An integrated Crystal Eye webcam with PrimaLite technology that ensures crystal-clear images.

? Third-generation Dolby home theater provides an exceptional viewing experience when you watch movies and other prime content on your laptop, with the best sound and picture quality.

? Full connectivity over a variety of networks, including Gigabit Ethernet, 3G and Bluetooth.

Some of the Acer's best selling models are: Acer AS5742Z-4685 15.6-Inch Laptop, Acer AS5742-7653 15.6-Inch Laptop and Acer Aspire AS5741Z-5539 15.6-Inch HD Wi-Fi Laptop.

ASUS is another Taiwan-based company that has become known as one of the most innovative in the consumer electronics market. Apart from its popular line of Eee netbooks, ASUS also produces mobile phones as well as computer components such as motherboards and servers. The Eee line was considered a pioneer since it helped launch the low-cost netbook market. Two of the most notable Eee netbook models are the 1018P and 1016P, two highly-portable laptops that are run by the Intel Atom N455 processor with highly energy-efficient performance. Other noteworthy features of these two netbooks:

? A 10.1" WSVGA glossy monitor that displays crisp, clear images whether you are surfing the net or watching a Blu-Ray DVD on your netbook.

? Long-lasting battery life of as long as 10.5 hours to ensure maximum productivity before having to recharge.

? High portability through the netbook's lightweight construction. The netbooks weigh just 2.4 pounds and have a thickness of less than one inch.

? Wireless N and Bluetooth v3.0 ensures high-speed connectivity wherever you are.

Top 3 best selling models from Asus are: ASUS N61JQ-XV1 16-Inch Versatile Entertainment Laptop, ASUS U35JC-XA1 Thin and Light 13.3-Inch Laptop and ASUS G73JW-XA1 Republic of Gamers 17.3-Inch Gaming Laptop.

Apple is one of the most famous PC brands, most notable for its Mac line as well as, more recently, the iPod, iPhone and iPad. Since its founding in 1976, Apple has grown into one of the most admired companies in the US, with a devoted customer base. Its MacBook has become one of the most iconic laptops in the industry. Here are some of its most notable features:

? A 13.3" glossy LED-backlit widescreen display that provides vivid color and exemplary image quality, with a resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels.

? The NVIDA GeForce 320M graphics processor provides a performance boost of 80% from the previous generation, delivering highly-responsive action for your gaming or viewing experience.

? The exclusive Multi-touch trackpad has no separate button, allowing you to conveniently click anywhere on its surface. And the trackpad supports Multi-touch gestures, letting you use one or more fingers to access the applications.

? Built-in connectivity features include AirPort Extreme 802.11n WiFi and Bluetooth 2.1 with EDR technology.

? Built-in iSight video camera with microphone and iChat software allows you to chat with anybody anywhere in the world or give a business presentation with excellent image and sound quality.

? Long-lasting battery life of as long as ten hours on one chage.

The best notebook models sold by Apple are: Apple MacBook Air MC505LL/A 11.6-Inch Laptop, Apple MacBook Air MC506LL/A 11.6-Inch Laptop and Apple MacBook Air MC503LL/A 13.3-Inch Laptop.

Alienware is a fully-owned subsidiary of Dell that mainly assembles third-party components into custom-made laptops and desktop computers. Their laptops are notable for supporting graphics-intensive applications such as video editing, audio editing and high-performance editing. Alienware laptops are available in 11", 15" and 17" models with featured options including NVIDIA graphic cards as well as the latest mobile Intel processors.

Three of the most wanted laptops produced by Alienware are: Alienware AM11x-826CSB Gaming Laptop, Alienware m15x-472CSB 15-Inch Gaming Laptop and Alienware m17x10-1847DSB 17 Inch Gaming Laptop.

Lenovo is a computer technology multinational based in China, which has become the fourth largest PC vendor in the world. Lenovo laptap brands include the ThinkPad, which was originally produced by IBM until Lenovo bought their personal computer division in 2005, and the IdeaPad which is entirely a Lenovo product. Lenovo laptops have gained a reputation for their excellent ergonomics, helping users avoid repetitive movement injuries, as well as stylish design. ThinkPad laptops are designed for professional users, offering 57% faster booting, Intel core processor technology and a wide range of connectivity and multi-media features, while IdeaPad netbooks are ideal for those looking for a lifestyle PC, since it offers multi-media applications and features such as OneKey theater, Dolby surround sound and high-end discrete Switchable Graphics and even 3D (with polarizer glasses included).

Top 3 best rated laptops from Lenovo: Lenovo G550 Series 2958XFU 15.6-Inch Laptop, Lenovo IdeaPad Y560 Series 064654U 15.6-Inch Laptop and Lenovo IdeaPad Y560 Series 064653U 15.6-Inch Laptop.

Sony Corporation has grown into one of the world's largest conglomerates since its founding in 1946, and is currently one of the leading consumer electronics manufacturers in the market. Sony's VAIO notebooks have become known for their luxurious designs and high performance, although their models are in the higher-end of the price range. Its EA series offers users the following exemplary features:

? A widescreen 14" display with Wireless Display technology (on selected models) that allows you to stream content onto your notebook with stunning image clarity.

? The Media Frenzy suite of applications allows you to easily organize your videos, music and photos by time and event and even get recommendations as to what to listen to or watch based on your preferences.

? Access all the applications quickly with just one push of a button, even without booting the operating system.

Sony's best selling models are: Sony VAIO VPC-EB37FX/BJ 15.5-Inch Laptop,Sony VAIO VPC-EA31FX/BJ 14-Inch Laptop and Sony VAIO VPC-EE31FX/BJ 15.5-Inch Laptop.

Toshiba is another iconic Japanese brand which is currently the fifth largest PC vendor in the world. Its Toshiba netbook line has become extremely popular among PC users for their stylishness and high functionality. Some of the features that make Toshiba netbooks extremely popular include:

? A 10.1" display that is extremely easy on the eyes and provides excellent image quality.

? A full-sized keyboard and touch pad that is very comfortable to use and allow you to easily work or surf even in the tightest of spaces.

? Extended battery life of eight to eleven hours (depending on the model).

? Exclusive features such as Hard Drive Impact Sensor to protect your netbook and PC Health Monitor to check your computer's performance.

? Eco-friendly features such as the power-saving Toshiba Eco Utility to help you monitor your battery usage, and an energy-efficient LED backlit display.

Toshiba's best noteboks models are Toshiba Satellite C655-S5119 15.6-Inch Laptop, Toshiba Satellite C655-S5118 15.6-Inch Laptop and Toshiba Port?g? R705-P41 TruBrite LED 13.3-Inch Laptop.

If you are looking for the best laptops, you have to check out best laptop brands. It will give you all the information you need so that you will make the right decision when buying a laptop.

Identity Theft: Stolen Laptop Response

2011-04-30T04:54:00.000+01:00

Encrypt, secure, prohibit or pay the price!

That's what Congress and state legislators should tell Ernst & Young, Veterans Affairs and other companies and agencies that play fast and loose with our personal data.

In the last several days, major news networks and countless online news sources reported two more incidents of lost or stolen laptops containing personal data of millions of individuals. The first theft involved a laptop stolen from a Veterans Affairs employee. Follow-up reports on that theft go from bad to worse, indicating 2.2 million active-duty personnel are now at risk for identity theft [http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/06/07/vets.data.ap/index.html]. The lost data in this case includes Social Security numbers.

The second incident involved a laptop stolen from an Ernst & Young employee. That laptop contained the personal data, including credit card information, of approximately 243,000 customers of Hotels.Com who had booked rooms between 2002 and 2004. In a way, this second incident is more egregious because losing laptops is reportedly commonplace for Ernst & Young.

Nokia staff jacked by Ernst & Young laptop loss (30 March 2006)

40,000 BP workers exposed in Ernst & Young laptop loss (23 March 2006)

Lost Ernst & Young laptop exposes IBM staff (15 March 2006)

Readers amazed by Ernst & Young's laptop giveaway (4 March 2006)

Ernst & Young loses four more laptops (26 February 2006)

Ernst & Young fails to disclose high-profile data loss (25 February 2006)

According to The Register, a British technology news site, password protection was the only security available on some of the laptops lost by Ernst & Young during a prior incident, which any avid computer user knows can be easily compromised. What about the laptops more recently lost by Ernst & Young employees? Was the data contained in those laptops encrypted? Are there any company policies limiting the extent of personal data that may leave the office where presumably network security standards and firewall protection are in place? Are there any company rules prohibiting employees from leaving laptops unattended (though you would think common sense would be enough)? Or better still, are there rules prohibiting the transfer of personal data to employee laptops? I expect there aren't. If any such measures were in place, Ernst & Youngs public relations people would have plastered that all over the media to reassure clients and the public in an attempt to save the firms corporate derriere.

Ernst & Young and the VA are not the only entities that have lost laptops with personal data, and most of these entities have developed a typical response straight from the Corporate Playbook. Ernst & Young has agreed to offer Hotel.Com customers a year's free credit monitoring. Thats no compensation for someone who will have to spend potentially years clearing up a resulting bad credit history. Anyone whos been in the tenuous position of having to prove they do not owe a debt they do not owe will tell you that. If Ernst & Young created a task force to help consumers clear identity theft issues, then maybe that could be considered compensatory. If they offered to pay legal fees for anyone having to clear resulting bad credit histories, or pay state fines for prosecution of identity thieves, that might be considered compensatory. If they committed to and implemented a program to encrypt and secure the data and, in particular, prohibited downloading of personal data to portable computers in the first place, that would be considered the best move of all.

Employees of the auditing companies dont seem to care what happens to your personal data. The Register reported that, in one case, employees left laptops in an unattended conference room while they went off to lunch. You can just see how that might happen. Theyre in Miami at yet another conference. The conference is at a downtown hotel theyve been to a couple times. Theyre familiar with the hotel and the area so already they feel some sense of false security. Someones been talking for hours about converting more sales, pushing certain investments, or their companys new data recovery center that will help clients feel more secure. Anyway, the speaker stops to take a breath and everyone realizes its a good time to break for lunch. Theyre coming back to the room so, hey, why lug around those heavy laptops? Arent they coming back to the room for the second half of the conference? Do they even ask if the conference room will be locked during lunch? Of course not. Theyre company laptops. Whats a few lost laptops to a big corporation like Ernst & Young.

Maybe these irresponsible employees need a little incentive to show better judgment. Suspending reality for just a moment, wouldnt it be interesting if, any time one of these employees acted that irresponsibly, his or her Social Security number were posted on StupidIrresponsibleJerks.Com? That way they could sweat it out with the rest of us who have personal data floating out there and possibly in the wrong hands. While were at it, lets also expose the personal data of policymakers at these auditing companies who are too shortsighted to better secure your data and the companys reputation. Let them sweat it out too. At a minimum, how about if these employees immediately lost their jobs, were required to be individually named in negligence lawsuits filed by victims of identity theft, or at a minimum SIMPLY HAD TO PAY FOR THE LOST LAPTOPS? I bet wed see a decrease in stolen laptops then. Seriously people, some of these employees were so careless you can almost imagine them extending their arms and presenting the laptop to Joe Thief. Here, take it. Id give you my Windows password too, but you wont need it. I didnt bother to log off before going to lunch check out my Paris Hilton screen saver.

Most of these companies who have lost laptops with sensitive data try to pacify the public by saying the thieves are just after the hardware. Sure. Thats like telling a home burglary victim the burglar just wants your jewelry box. Hes not really interested in the $50,000 tear-drop diamond earrings you had inside. Bull. When a thief steals, every part of the stolen item has value. Everything. Even a computer illiterate thief knows there will be programs on a laptop and, if he knows whats loaded, he can better evaluate the asking price when he fences it.

Ernst & Youngs web site praises the companys network security measures in their section titled "Security and Technology Solutions." These measures may well be admirable. However, too often individuals, companies, and the public in general are so focused on stuff going over the Internet that they forget about stuff sitting in hard drives. A truly secure network focuses on data stream (information being transferred) and on data storage (information waiting to be used). In my dreams, my personal data is properly stored in a secure location, in a building with armed guards, vicious dogs, and an unfriendly receptionist. Well, I can hope. I can also hope that some of that data might also be encrypted. I realize my personal data with one institution may be stored in more than one location; for example, Building A (their main offices) and Building B (a branch office or, better still, a data recovery center). But, not in my wildest imagining would I expect that any business storing my personal data would allow it to be downloaded and stored on a laptop that an employee can take home where he does his online shopping. I know I also dont expect that the laptop with my personal data is being left unattended in a hotel conference room, a bar counter or someones car. I dont care how many financial or online banking agreements I sign. Im never consenting to anyone downloading my personal information to a laptop. No one consents to the mishandling of their personal data.

I have yet to read any banking or credit agreement that expressly states the information will be downloaded to a laptop or in any way made available to anyone outside the secured network of the financial institution. There is a vague all-encompassing comment about information sharing, but the appearance given by these institutions is that the information will be handled and shared in a secure method over an encrypted Internet connection. Everything they say about their security has to do with their firewalled and encrypted data streams. To me that means that anyone working from home and needing access to my personal data is doing that using one of the many encrypted remote access programs that are out there: for example, Windows Remote Desktop or GoToMyPC or some other Citrix product. These programs are by no means impenetrable, but they are simply a better option, utterly available and far more secure. Thats just not the case with data downloaded to laptops without encryption or adequate password protected (though passwords are simply not enough). Over the years, I have used a number of remote access programs to log into my office and work on client files. Ive even used a laptop to work downstairs on files stored on my main computer in an upstairs bedroom. The remote desktop creates a window that shows me the programs and data files on the main workstation or network server that is hosting my connection and contains what I need to see. I am NEVER required to download any data to the laptop to work remotely on it. Thats the whole point of the remote access software.

By compelling employees to log in, do the work and immediately exit the remote access program, Ernst & Young, the VA and any other entity that stores personal data minimizes the window of opportunity for your personal data to fall into the wrong hands while remaining behind an encrypted and presumably firewalled connection during the entire time that your personal data may need to be accessed. During remote access sessions, the company retains control of your information and there is oversight of the employees use of your information. Best of all, if your personal data is not needed during that particular remote access session, it never even becomes part of the encrypted data stream traveling over the Internet. This would expose even fewer people from the threat of identity theft. Think about it. Can any Ernst & Young employee work on the data of 243,000 Hotel.Com customers during one remote access session? Can one VA employee work on the accounts of 2.2 million active-duty personnel during one online remote access session? And yet, both these individuals collectively had the personal data of nearly 2.5 million people stored on their laptops and immediately available to anyone using their laptops. Why?

There ought to be a law, right? Oh, absolutely. Congress should immediately implement its own measures, including possibly levying fines against any entity that acts irresponsibly with your personal data, and should impose broader guidelines regarding access to your personal data. In 1996 Congress enacted the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulating the use of and access to personal health information and related identifying personal data, like medical record numbers and Social Security numbers contained in patient medical records. Though HIPAA caused a lot of headaches in the medical and legal communities, it validated concerns over privacy. HIPAA was still a step in the right direction even if, like most legislation, it needs to evolve to better reflect the legislative intent. Similar, legislation needs to be considered with respect to the personal data maintained by businesses and financial institutions. A person shouldnt have to get sick to protect his or her personal data, though the apparent lack of security is sure to make you sick.

Although HIPAA addressed privacy concerns, the issue of protecting personal data isnt a question of privacy; its a question of security. Protecting personal data could easily fall within the purview of Homeland Security. Personal data needs to remain secure because the casual criminal is not the only one making use of it. Whether its to raise fear or awareness, consistently our government tells us about the manner in which terrorists make use of other peoples personal data to create phoney IDs, buy cell phones, or book plane tickets. Its not a leap of logic to suggest that protecting personal data thwarts terrorist activity. A bold politician might even say failure to do so is a breach of national security. But thats going a bit too far, dont you think? Certainly, though, its conceivable that personal data has the potential of falling into the hands of someone desiring more than just an overpriced pair of shoes, hair extensions or HDTV.

Other measures offer consumers far more protection than weve been seeing. There are currently legislative initiatives in certain states that would allow their residents to place a security freeze on their credit files prohibiting any new credit or loan application to go through without the consumers authorized PIN number. The freeze would allow consumers to lock their credit and temporarily unlock it when they know they will be applying for a loan or need to make some other type of major purchase. For more on security freezes, read the June 8, 2006, Home Watch article on WomensWebWatch.Com. A link to that site is provided in the author's bio below.

Ernst & Young is not a small operation. It is a successful business with, I imagine, an exceptional track record and the ability to provide solid services or it would not be retained by so many reputable businesses. However, the best company can show poor judgment and in this case it has. To be fair, I surmise that, like all companies, Ernst & Young has careless employees and most certainly careful ones. The company as a whole may be undeserving of the resulting bad reputation its getting. On the other hand, it has not shown its done enough to curb the loss of personal data. Frankly, even the most careful employee can be overwhelmed during a crime, or overly fatigued, and become dispossessed of his or her laptop. There is little compelling reason for those laptops to contain personal data. Every entity that handles personal data needs to implement a zero-download policy and issue essentially dumb terminals to their employees (laptops just for remote access).

Too many times, these institutions forego implementing some security measures because, they argue, no measure is 100% foolproof. They claim it would not be cost-effective for them to implement measures that can be breached. Well, every one of them has already implemented security measures which are not impenetrable. Most of these places already use encrypted Internet security connections for their data streams because failure to do so in this day and age is unthinkable, right? Ive even heard that some of these places lock their doors at night so someone cant walk in and steal the CEOs favorite coffee cup. Adopting a company policy prohibiting the download of personal data to laptops is as expensive as sending around a memo about the upcoming company picnic. There is no need to download the data. Workers can still remote access the encrypted data using adequate alphanumeric passwords through a secure Internet connection behind firewalls on both sides, on the host computer and remote desktop. No, its not 100% foolproof. Thats true. My front door can be broken down, but I still lock it at night. Allowing downloads of sensitive data to laptops is the same as leaving the front door wide open.

About the Author:

N. Saco is a contributor and founder of several information web sites, including WomensWebWatch.Com [http://www.womenswebwatch.com] and WetwareSolutions.Com. Her blog is located at InternetExplorerBlog.Com [http://internetexplorerblog.com], and a copy of this article can be found there. She has a degree in Communications, focusing in critical analysis, a minor in cultural anthropology, and 20 years experience in research, writing and investigation, primarily in medical litigation support.

Best Student Laptops - Choosing The Best Laptop For College Students

2011-04-28T10:18:00.000+01:00

Going to college and you find yourself in need of a student laptop? Student laptops tend to vary a whole lot from cheap ones to really cool quad core ones (a.k.a. not so cheap ones). Finding the best student laptops isn't always an easy task. One thing to take into consideration would be what the laptop will be used for. If it will just be an accessory used to check mail, watch movies and surf the web, then those don't go that high on the price range and you could probably get away with a 400$ model. But, if the student in question will be needing a laptop to work with, or demands power from the laptop, the price can go quite high sometimes.

Depending on what area of studies the laptop will be used for, there are a few factors that need your consideration.

A laptop for someone who attends some form of social studies will mainly be used for writing papers, creating PowerPoint presentations and spreadsheets. These are the average laptops which you can find almost anywhere. They don't require a lot of horsepower to run simple programs such as Microsoft Word, PowerPoint or Excel.

If the student attends classes which require graphics work or design, then a high end laptop might be needed. If it's graphic design, then a laptop with more than one CPU core, about 3GB or RAM minimum and a decent dedicated graphic card will be needed for things to run smooth. If there's architecture involved or complex 3D rendering, then, again, some powerful CPU, a minimum of 2GB or RAM and a more than decent graphics card that's able to display a quality rendering to the very last pixel will be needed.

Another type of student laptop would be the one that is used for gaming. These laptops, like the previously mentioned ones, can go quite a lot up on the price scale, since the newest generation of games demands quite a lot from the whole computing system. A nice start is a dual core processor, with 2 GB of RAM and some of the newer models of the nVidia or ATI dedicated graphics cards. Some of the newest laptop models even feature two graphics cards in SLI configuration for ultimate graphics performance!

Before going on and purchasing the student laptop, you really have to ask yourself what it will be used for.

Portability is another issue to take into account. You don't want a bulky laptop that's extremely heavy to carry around from class to class. Its size should also be taken into consideration, since you really don't need a 21 inch screen laptop to get a paper done.

Also, the size of the laptop should also be determined by the size of the student also. If the student is of a shorter statute, then a smaller laptop would be recommended.

Baseball players or jocks could probably fit a whole 21 inch screen laptop in their bags and won't even perceive the thing as an obstacle.

Since college is a also a huge social experience, the looks of the laptops should also be considered. If you are going to study business, or marketing, then you should go with a classic black model laptop that goes with a suit.

If you are going to study art or design, then the laptop case could have the whole color palette on it for all you care. Choose something that goes with the type of person you are and the type of classes you attend.

The problem most people find themselves stuck in when choosing a student laptop is the lack of variety to choose from. Stores don't carry quite a lot of options when it comes to laptops, so you might have to be a bit more patient in your searches. For a store to carry more than a small selection of laptops, it would have to be quite a giant in the IT niche. This is where the internet comes into play, since you can compare several laptops from mega-sellers such as Amazon and choose the perfect student laptop based on your needs.

Before you jump in and purchase a laptop, you should review a few basic features for the best student laptop you should buy:

CPU - Laptop Processor

Laptop processor can vary quite a lot in speed terms, so you need to carefully choose when deciding what you should go with. A single core processor can handle quite a few tasks, such as web browsing; email access, IM chatting, movie watching and other low processing power applications. You could easily write your paper on one of these and would be happy with it.

Hard drive space- Laptop HDD

This is one difficult choice. There are people who use the basic applications they get with the laptop and don't require to store anything else on it. Then again, there are media freaks who tend to store up on everything, so they require something similar to a central library when it comes to storage space. You should start with a standard computer HDD, of 100GB, if you don't intend to store too much on it, and should go up to 500 GB if you intend to manically save everything you encounter on a daily basis.

RAM - Laptop System RAM

This, along with the processor, is the most important aspect you should look for in a laptop. Think of it this way, the more RAM you have, the faster the laptop will run, the more applications you can have open at a single time and the more work can you do in the least possible time. The less RAM you have...well... you will have to figure out how to tweak your system for best performance to go with a low RAM specification laptop.

Optical Drives

Do you intend to use your laptop as a multimedia player? Most students do, so choose a laptop that comes with an optical drive - a standard DVD burner should do just fine for starters. But if you really have a big spending budget, then choose a laptop with a Blu-Ray burner. This can ensure you could write up to 50 GB of data to a dual layer Blu-ray disk.

Wireless Connectivity

When choosing a student laptop, make sure you choose one with wireless connectivity. This is because you won't know what sort of internet connection you run across on a college campus, so a wireless connection assures you will have internet access where there's no wired connectivity.

There are of course countless small things and perks you should be looking for a in a student laptop. But keep in mind the essential features when choosing the best student laptop and all the small upgrades and perks can come at a later time!

If you are looking for the best laptops to be used by college students, you have to check out the best student laptops. You will find all the information you need to make an informed decision when buying laptops for students.

The Chic Styling of Laptop Cases

2011-04-27T03:03:00.000+01:00

How does one keep up to date with the latest fashion trends in technology, whether as a student or as a professional? To protect a laptop, a laptop carrying case is handy and essential. Laptop bags now can match the personality of the laptop owner.

While the briefcase style bags are still most popular among people who want to buy laptop bags, there are three notable developments in the laptop bag fashion department that provides owners with enough flexibility to reflect their personalities and lifestyles:

o Portable laptop sleeves or messenger bags perfect for students or individuals who are always on the move

o Bags that also have matching separate laptop sleeves

o Branded laptop bags that double as an equally stylish evening bag

Those students or young professionals in cities who are always on the run have latched themselves on to the trend of portable laptop sleeves that provide users an option of attaching a set of detachable straps provided. These have lightly-padded messenger bags that offer protection without the bulk. Laptop owners can choose to use a separate sleeve on the laptop to provide additional protection. These light laptop bags can also be used as regular everyday bags. Laptop sleeves, originally used on the laptop even when it is placed inside the laptop bag, now come with detachable straps. This allows the owner to flexibly choose to either put the laptop in the laptop sleeve inside the laptop bag, or attach a strap so as to carry the laptop sleeve as a shoulder bag on its own.

Laptop bags that also include matching, separate laptop sleeves have grown more popular today. These laptop bags are often lightly insulated. The removable sleeve that comes with it is also lightly padded to increase protection. Putting the laptop inside the sleeve is enough to have an easy time carrying the laptop as you go from one destination to another without the need for the bulky laptop bag. Moreover, the laptop bag can house the laptop even if it is not encased in the laptop sleeve.

There are alternatives to the laptop briefcase, such as fashionable totes and other bag styles that can provide laptop protection without looking bulky. These laptop totes use stylish designs and materials much like those used in other designer bags. Fine stitching, leather, and even clasps are used, such that these bags double as laptop bags and as fashionable handbags. Messenger and Baby bags from a variety of makers are perfect for this as these are naturally deep and long to suit their original function which lends itself to being a perfect tote for a laptop.

The one advantage you have in finding a bag that works well with you is that the designers probably carry laptops themselves while out and about and have based their designs within the constraints of what is functional.

For a laptop case that is as individual as it is handy, Bland recommends Hello Kitty laptop skins and for laptop totes with as much sass as class, see Juicy Couture laptop cases

Custom Gaming Laptops - Five Things You Must Consider When Building a Gaming Laptop

2011-04-25T20:06:00.000+01:00

Gone are the days when you would have been laughed at if you walked into an all-night LAN party carrying your trusty laptop and expecting to hang with the giant computer towers standing at everyone's feet. The gaming laptop computers of today sport huge, crisp LCD screens, cutting-edge video cards and full-size keyboards. Not only can these gaming laptop computers hang with the standard clunky computer tower, but they can also be ordered fully custom to meet the exact specifications of any gamer.

Since there are so many customizable components in these laptops, a standard practice has been to create what some call a "system builder." This is the page where you get to add and subtract components through drop-down menus in order to create the best gaming laptop computer for your needs and your budget. This type of page can be overwhelming to someone just starting the gaming laptop shopping process, but it is very manageable if you take it just one component at a time.

The Gaming Laptop GPU

This is the heart of a gaming laptop computer. The GPU (graphics processing unit) is a component that will make or break your gaming experience. If your GPU isn't up to snuff, your games won't play.

Without getting into specific models since they change all the time, the key is that the graphics card not share resources with the computer. A gaming laptop video card must have its own memory on board. Generally speaking, standard off-the-shelf laptops will not have this feature. The two current makers of laptop video cards are nVIDIA and ATI.

Without the Screen, You Don't Have Much

What good is a gaming laptop without a screen that can actually render your games? Now certainly, you can connect an external monitor, but if you can't actually play on your gaming laptop without that external monitor, then your laptop isn't all that mobile.

While the technology and terminology for LCDs (liquid crystal displays) could take up an entire article in itself, there are a few key points to keep in mind when choosing from available LCD options for your new gaming laptop computer: native resolution, aspect ratio, rise and fall time, contrast, viewing angle, and size.

Native Resolution. The native resolution is simply the setting at which your screen will render the clearest images. Since games are constantly in motion, slightly soft edges may not bother most gamers, but keep in mind that while this is your gaming laptop, you will likely also use it for other things like surfing the Internet. If the resolution isn't comfortable, you aren't going to enjoy using it.

Aspect Ratio. As you probably know, a movie theater screen and a TV screen have different proportions. Likewise, there are widescreen format gaming laptops and there are laptops that have a standard aspect ratio -- like that of a TV. A widescreen format gaming laptop (a 16:10 ratio) has advantages and disadvantages. Many games today do not have a widescreen mode. This means that the game may stretch across the screen and become distorted or you may run it with black bars that fill in the sides. There are ways to get around this, but if you want an out of the box perfect experience, the widescreen format may not be for you.

That said, a widescreen LCD does offer plenty of screen real estate for web surfing and other type of computer activities, and a game played in a wide format setting offers an expansive field of view. For this reason, there are some very loyal widescreen-loving gamers out there.

Do your best to find a balance between current and future technology and what your computer habits are beyond gaming. Even with its limitations, the widescreen format is found on most of the best gaming laptop computers.

Rise and Fall. The phrase 'rise and fall time' is used to describe how fast the LCD can respond to changes. In the past, LCDs have been plagued with the inability to render images as fast as computer games can spit them out. This presents a major problem for laptop gamers because if they can't see the images properly, they can't play the game properly. This lag can mean the difference between playing to win and barely playing.

Fortunately, gaming laptop LCDs have come a long way and they are only getting better. While once it was impossible to game on a laptop screen, the gaming laptop LCDs of today offer 25 milliseconds or less rise and fall time while generally off-the-shelf laptops have 40 milliseconds or less rise and fall time.

Contrast. If a gaming laptop LCD has poor contrast, that means that the black areas aren't quite as black as they should be and the white areas aren't quite as white. This is important to a laptop gamer because you have to see the game properly -- as it was intended to be seen -- in order to compete effectively. Look for a contrast ratio of 400:1 or higher in a custom gaming laptop computer.

Viewing Angle. This is an often-overlooked LCD feature, but it must be considered if you are building a gaming laptop computer. Many high quality LCDs on the market are difficult to see clearly at any angle other than straight on and at the right height. This can be a big drawback to gaming on a LCD screen because a screen with poor viewing angles won't allow others to watch the screen as you play and also hurts your view when doing something as simple as adjusting your seating, which can require you to then adjust to position of your laptop screen to see it properly again.

But gaming on a laptop does not mean that you are doomed to have poor viewing angles. There are LCDs on the market that have amazing viewing angles -- up to 120 degrees. These screens not only allow gaming onlookers, but they also allow you to use that giant, crisp screen to do things like play movies and even make presentations.

Size. In a gaming laptop computer, size is everything. Most gaming laptops are large, robust pieces of electronics. Having a machine of this stature means you also get to have a large screen. The best gaming laptop computer LCD screens out there are at least 15 inches. A crowd favorite is a 17 inch widescreen (even with the challenges that widescreens present). Largr 19 inch laptop screens are just starting to be talked about with consumers expecting to see 19 inch or even large models on the market in the near future.

The best way to really get a feel for what laptop LCDs are all about is to take a trip to a local box store and play with the LCDs on the display laptops while keeping in mind what you have read here. While these laptops are not custom gaming laptops, you can see what the sizes really look like, what different resolutions look like, and what the viewing angles truly are so you can start to develop your own preferences.

The RAM - What Type and How Much?

The RAM (random access memory) found in laptops is called SODIMM (small outline dual inline memory module). The RAM is responsible for your processing power. If you are shopping for a custom gaming laptop, you will generally be offered DDR2 RAM with the choice of how much you want in your computer. Most high-end games being released today need 1GB of RAM for optimum, lag-free game play. Some people are going with 2GB to ensure that they can run multiple applications along with the game and not experience any slow down in response time. This is a large investment and you want to be able to use this gaming laptop for some time in the future. Most custom laptops are user upgradeable, but this should be left up to professionals.

The CPU - Not Just Mobile Technology

The CPUs (central processing units) found in many custom gaming laptops are identical to those found in desktops. These chips require a great deal of cooling power, which in turn can make your laptop louder than light weight, lower power ultra portables when the fans kick on and it can become somewhat warm to the touch. Don't be alarmed by this -- it is normal. And with these desktop processors comes screaming power! Don't waste your money on the latest CPU release that likely has an inflated price tag (and that price will likely come down before long). Stick with a current CPU speed that is offered by a reputable custom gaming laptop reseller, and you really can't go wrong.

The Gaming Laptop Hard Drive

This is the final component to consider when building a gaming laptop. Laptop hard drives come in a variety of speeds and capacities ranging from 4200 to 7200 RPMs and 40 to over 100 GBs. For the most part, this is user preference. Whenever possible, go for a 7200 RPM hard drive, but if you need a capacity not offered in this speed, it's okay to go for the 5400 RPM drive. Take a look at your current computer, and buy your capacity based on this. Also keep in mind that with many custom gaming laptop manufacturers, you have the ability to upgrade or add another hard drive at a later date.

At the end of the day, gaming laptop computers are all about power. Don't expect a twelve-pound notebook with a desktop processor, numerous fans, a giant heatsink, and independent video card to last on battery power all that long. But do make sure to enjoy the jawdrops that you'll get as you walk into your regular LAN party location with your new, screaming-fast gaming laptop computer. Crack that puppy open, fire it up, and stand clear of the drool as you take on your favorite game with fellow gamers gathered around to take in the action. Gaming is not just for desktops anymore!

Laura Alter works side by side with the gaming community everyday at http://www.pctorque.com -- a recognized authority on custom laptop news and technology. Visit PC Torque to learn even more about building the best gaming laptop computer.

Please feel free to reprint as long as article and bio stay intact.

How to Buy a Laptop / Notebook Computer

2011-04-24T06:11:00.000+01:00

You want to buy a laptop do you? And looking at the vast choice available you are confused.....not to worry....heres some advice.

Before I go into details, a quick recap of processors is essential. Be aware that it is the processor (cpu) that governs the price of the laptop (along with the screen size). The two major companies manufacturing CPUs are Intel and AMD (there's Apple too but lets stick to mainstream laptops). Intel makes the famous line of Pentium processors (''Intel inside'' ting tong ting tong!). For laptops you have three main cpus available - Mobile Pentium 4 (basically a desktop P4 processor), Pentium M (low voltage cpus which enhance battery life and are specially built for laptops) and the Mobile Celeron processor (poor man's P4 cpu). Wait a minute, you say, you didnt mention the Centrino processor. That's because Centrino is not a processor - it's a technology. Centrino is a combination of 3 things - Pentium M cpu + 855 chipset + Wireless Pro (802.11b). The other company is AMD - they make really good cpus that rival Intel's cpus. Traditionally AMD cpus have had heat generation problems but lately there aren't many complaints. I would advice you to stick to Intel processors which have good re-sale value.

The next Q is....what will you use the laptop for? Are you going to use it for simple stuff - spreadsheets/word processing / internet browsing? Then go in for a Celeron CPU. If you are going to do more serious computing, intend travelling frequently and want to run the laptop on its battery, go in for a Pentium M laptop. If you need wireless access go in for a Centrino laptop or a Pentium M laptop (u can add wireless technology using a pcmcia card). If you aren't going to move the laptop around much or you want a laptop for games, get a Mobile P4 laptop. But be aware that a Mobile P4 laptop is a desktop replacement - it will be heavy and will run hot.

Now that you have the CPU decided, think about the size of the screen. 15'' is today's ''sweet spot''. But you do get smaller or bigger screens. Choose the size that fits your budget. 14'' or less is a bit too small these days unless of course you want a ultra portable (read expensive) laptop. For gamers, the bigger the screen the more fun they will have. Bigger screens are also good for spreadsheet warriors and DTP professionals.

The next item on your list is RAM (temporary memory). Most laptops come with Windows XP which needs at least 256 mb ram to run happily. I urge you to upgrade to 512 ram for best results. The more RAM you have, the better your laptop will behave. It is said that increasing your RAM is the best and cheapest way of improving performance of any computer (i.e. without changing the motherboard/cpu).

Another thing to look at is the graphics memory. You can either choose dedicated video memory or shared architecture. Dedicated memory means that your video card has its own memory and does not have to ''beg'' for memory from the system memory (RAM). A rule of the thumb - dedicated memory = fast performance. Gamers and DTP guys must insist on dedicated memory. Good graphic chips are ATI Mobility Radeon or Nvidia GeForce. The more video memory you have, the better it is. Try to get a laptop with at least 32 mb video memory. Most laptops use shared architecture these days which is a cost cutting measure (an example of shared architecture is Intel's extreme graphics). If you are not going to play serious 3D games or run heavy duty graphic programmes, shared architecture will be just fine. But make sure that you have enough system RAM (read 512) because the video memory is going to steal part of your RAM.

The hard drive capacity will be in the region of 30 gb and above. Get the maximum bang for your buck - don't fall into the ''I'll never need that much capacity'' rut. You will need all the hard drive space you are given so get the biggest capacity you can afford. For normal laptop users 40 gb is sufficient. You can easily increase hard drive space by buying an external USB 2.0 hard drive.

Battery life is very important for road warriors. Expect 3-5 hours battery life from most laptops. Mobile P4 laptop batteries will last much less. Always go in for a lithium ion battery as against a nickel hydride one.

Most laptops offer optical drives - the best value for money today is DVD-ROM + CD-RW drive. This means that you can read DVDs and read/write CDs. If you have lots of money to spend, get a laptop with a rewritable DVD drive.

Sound quality on laptops is just about acceptable for movies/songs/games - you cant go wrong with Harmon Kardon / Altec Lansing speakers.

One important factor to consider is weight. You don't want a dislocated shoulder do you? So ....the lighter the laptop, the better it is for your health! The catch is that the lighter the laptop, the more expensive it is going to be. Don't forget the AC adapter - some laptops have huge adapters which weigh a ton!

Don't ignore a floppy drive - most laptops don't have floppy drives any more. But don't worry - USB external floppy drives are cheap. Ask the salesman to give you one for free; he will oblige you if he wants to make the sale. While you are at it, ask him for a free laptop bag as well.

Get a laptop with lots of USB ports which will come in handy and will improve the versatility of your laptop. Make sure that the USB ports are USB 2 (technology which is much faster than the old USB 1.0). An external USB mouse is a must as the inbuilt pointing devices are really painful to use.

All laptops come with built in modems and usually have LAN connectivity. Some laptops offer card slots where you can read/write to memory cards (as used in cameras).

Most laptop companies offer minimum software - Windows XP and basic stuff. They won't even give you Office software. You will have to add more software yourself. To keep prices down, some companies offer Linux operating systems - unless you are seriously strapped for cash, I would advice you to stick to windows. As soon as you get your new laptop, make copies of the recovery CDs and store the original CDs safely. Carry the copies with you when travelling extensively.

Now, armed with the above knowledge dive into the market and choose the best laptop you can afford. Compaq and Toshiba make excellent laptops so check them out first. Compaq is generally cheaper than Toshiba. I used a Compaq laptop initially but later on moved to Toshiba as I found their laptops better. This is a personal choice so don't read too much into it. Compaq and Toshiba are well established in most countries so repairs are not a problem. Find out where the nearest repair centre is and keep that information handy.

A laptop is usually a long term buy - forget about upgrading laptops. So choose carefully. Check the warranty - National and International. Remember that some companies will not honour your International warranty and will tell you to take the laptop back to the country where you bought it! Make sure you clarify this point before you buy the laptop.

Take good care of your laptop. Invest in a surge protector. Don't move the laptop when it is switched on. And remember the golden rule - NEVER drink tea/coffee while working on a laptop!

I am a Merchant Navy officer living in Mumbai. When I am not sailing the high seas, I enjoy surfing the net, playing computer games, swimming, listening to music and reading books. Over the years I have picked up lots of information about computers that would be useful to non-technical people. I would love to share this information with other people and assist them in any way I can.

Cheap Laptop

2011-04-22T17:23:00.000+01:00

A laptop computer or simply laptop (also notebook computer or notebook) is a small mobile personal computer, usually weighing from one to three kilograms, depending on size, materials and other factors.

While the terms "laptop" and "notebook" are often used interchangeably, "laptop" is the older term, introduced in 1983 with the Gavilan SC. "Notebook computer" is a later coinage, which was used to differentiate smaller devices such as those of the Compaq LTE series in 1989, which were, in contrast to previous laptops, the approximate size of an A4 paper sheet.[1] Either term is often used improperly: due to heat and other issues, many laptops are inappropriate for use on one's lap, and most are not the size of an A4 sheet. Although, some older portable computers, such as the Macintosh Portable and certain Zenith TurbosPort models, were sometimes described as "laptops", their size and weight were too great for this category.

Laptops usually run on a single battery or from an external AC/DC adapter which can charge the battery while also supplying power to the computer itself.

An Acer laptop with touchpadAs personal computers, laptops are capable of the same tasks as a desktop PC, although they are typically less powerful for the same price. They contain components that are similar to their desktop counterparts and perform the same functions, but are miniaturized and optimized for mobile use and efficient power consumption. Laptops usually have liquid crystal displays and most of them use different memory modules for their RAM (for instance, SO-DIMM in lieu of the larger DIMMs). In addition to a built-in keyboard, they may utilize a touchpad (also known as a trackpad) or a pointing stick for input, though an external keyboard or mouse can usually be attached.

Categories

Terms sometimes used for subtypes of laptop computers include:

Ultraportables

Laptops with screens typically less than 12 inches diagonally and a weight of less than 1.7kg. Their primary audience is usually business travellers, who need small, light laptops. Ultraportables are often very expensive and house power-saving CPUs and almost always have integrated graphics.

Thin-and-lights

Laptops usually weighing in between 1.8kg and 2.8kg with a screen size of between 12 and 14 inches diagonally.

Medium-sized laptops

These usually have screens of 15 - 15.4 inches diagonally and a weight of around 3-3.5kg. They usually sacrifice a little computing power for smaller dimensions and longer battery life, although the length and width are usually determined by the screen size.

Desktop replacement computers

Powerful laptops meant to be mainly used in a fixed location and infrequently carried out due to their weight and size; the latter provides more space for powerful components and a big screen, usually measuring 15 inches or more. Desktop replacements tend to have limited battery life, rarely exceeding three hours, because the hardware does not optimize power efficiency.

History

Before laptop/notebook computers were technically feasible, similar ideas had been proposed, most notably Alan Kay's Dynabook concept, developed at Xerox PARC in the early 1970s.

The first commercially available portable computer was the Osborne 1 in 1981, which used the CP/M operating system. Although it was large and heavy compared to today's laptops, with a tiny CRT monitor, it had a near-revolutionary impact on business, as professionals were able to take their computer and data with them for the first time. This and other "luggables" were inspired by what was probably the first portable computer, the Xerox NoteTaker, again developed at Xerox PARC, in 1976; however, only ten prototypes were built. The Osborne was about the size of a portable sewing machine, and importantly could be carried on a commercial aircraft. However, it was not possible to run the Osborne on batteries; it had to be plugged in.

A more enduring success was the Compaq Portable, the first product from Compaq, introduced in 1983, by which time the IBM Personal Computer had become the standard platform. Although scarcely more portable than the Osborne machines, and also requiring AC power to run, it ran MS-DOS and was the first true IBM clone (IBM's own later Portable Computer, which arrived in 1984, was notably less IBM PC-compatible than the Compaq[citation needed]).

Another significant machine announced in 1981, although first sold widely in 1983, was the Epson HX-20. A simple handheld computer, it featured a full-transit 68-key keyboard, rechargable nickel-cadmium batteries, a small (120 x 32-pixel) dot-matrix LCD display with 4 lines of text, 20 characters per line text mode, a 24 column dot matrix printer, a Microsoft BASIC interpreter, and 16 kB of RAM (expandable to 32 kB).

However, arguably the first true laptop was the GRiD Compass 1101, designed by Bill Moggridge in 1979-1980, and released in 1982. Enclosed in a magnesium case, it introduced the now familiar clamshell design, in which the flat display folded shut against the keyboard. The computer could be run from batteries, and was equipped with a 320×200-pixel plasma display and 384 kilobyte bubble memory. It was not IBM-compatible, and its high price (US$ 10,000) limited it to specialized applications. However, it was used heavily by the U.S. military, and by NASA on the Space Shuttle during the 1980s. The GRiD's manufacturer subsequently earned significant returns on its patent rights as its innovations became commonplace. GRiD Systems Corp. was later bought by Tandy (RadioShack).

Two other noteworthy early laptops were the Sharp PC-5000 and the Gavilan SC, announced in 1983 but first sold in 1984. The Gavilan was notably the first computer to be marketed as a "laptop". It was also equipped with a pioneering touchpad-like pointing device, installed on a panel above the keyboard. Like the GRiD Compass, the Gavilan and the Sharp were housed in clamshell cases, but they were partly IBM-compatible, although primarily running their own system software. Both had LCD displays, and could connect to optional external printers.

The year 1983 also saw the launch of what was probably the biggest-selling early laptop, the Kyocera Kyotronic 85, which owed much to the design of the previous Epson HX-20. Although it was at first a slow seller in Japan, it was quickly licensed by Tandy Corporation, Olivetti, and NEC, which saw its potential and marketed it respectively as TRS-80 Model 100 line (or Tandy 100), Olivetti M-10, NEC PC-8201.[2] The machines ran on standard AA batteries. The Tandy's built-in programs, including a BASIC interpreter, a text editor, and a terminal program, were supplied by Microsoft, and are thought to have been written in part by Bill Gates himself. The computer was not a clamshell, but provided a tiltable 8×40-character LCD screen above a full-travel keyboard. With its internal modem, it was a highly portable communications terminal. Due to its portability, good battery life (and ease of replacement), reliability (it had no moving parts), and low price (as little as US$ 300), the model was highly regarded, becoming a favorite among journalists. It weighed less than 2 kg with dimensions of 30 × 21.5 × 4.5 cm (12 × 8.5 × 1.75 inches). Initial specifications included 8 kilobyte of RAM (expandable to 24 kB) and a 3 MHz processor. The machine was in fact about the size of a paper notebook, but the term had yet to come into use and it was generally described as a "portable" computer.

Among the first commercial IBM-compatible laptops were the IBM PC Convertible, introduced in 1986, and two Toshiba models, the T1000 and T1200, introduced in 1987. Although limited floppy-based DOS machines, with the operating system stored in read-only memory, the Toshiba models were small and light enough to be carried in a backpack, and could be run off lead-acid batteries. These also introduced the now-standard "resume" feature to DOS-based machines: the computer could be paused between sessions, without having to be restarted each time.

The first laptops successful on a large scale came in large part due to a Request For Proposal (RFP) by the U.S. Air Force in 1987. This contract would eventually lead to the purchase of over 200,000 laptops. Competition to supply this contract was fiercely contested and the major PC companies of the time; IBM, Toshiba, Compaq, NEC, and Zenith Data Systems (ZDS), rushed to develop laptops in an attempt to win this deal. ZDS, which had earlier won a landmark deal with the IRS for its Z-171, was awarded this contract for its SupersPort series. The SupersPort series was originally launched with an Intel 8086 processor, dual floppy disk drives, a backlit, blue and white STN LCD screen, and a NiCD battery pack. Later models featured an Intel 80286 processor and a 20MB hard disk drive. On the strength of this deal, ZDS became the world's largest laptop supplier in 1987 and 1988.

ZDS partnered with Tottori Sanyo in the design and manufacturing of these laptops. This relationship is notable because it was the first deal between a major brand and an Asian OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer). At the time, Compaq, IBM, Toshiba, NEC, etc. all designed and manufactured their own machines. However, after the success of the ZDS offering other relationships, like Compaq and Citizen, soon followed. At this time the quality of Japanese engineering and manufacturing in conjunction with the strength of the dollar relative to the yen (typically about 130 Yen = $1) drove most brands to suppliers in Japan. Companies such as Sanyo, Tottori Sanyo, Citizen, and Casio were all heavily involved in this business as OEMs. However, by the mid-1990s a weakening dollar and the rising viability of Taiwanese OEMs such as Acer, Quanta, Compal, Twinhead, and Chicony lead the supply base to rapidly shift from Japan to Taiwan. Additionally, brands which were more nimble and relied less on internal engineering such as Gateway, Dell and Micron began to rise quickly to leadership positions. Combinations such as Dell/Compal and Gateway/Quanta eventually became powerhouse partnerships and greatly contributed to the prominence of Taiwanese OEMs as the center of PC manufacturing from about 1995 onward.

Another notable computer was the Cambridge Z88, designed by Clive Sinclair, introduced in 1988. About the size of an A4 sheet of paper as well, it ran on standard batteries, and contained basic spreadsheet, word processing, and communications programs. It anticipated the future miniaturization of the portable computer; and, as a ROM-based machine with a small display, can -- like the TRS-80 Model 100 -- also be seen as a forerunner of the personal digital assistant.

By the end of the 1980s, laptop computers were becoming popular among business people. The NEC Ultralite, released in mid-1989, was perhaps the first notebook computer, weighing just over 2 kg; in lieu of a floppy or hard drive, it contained a 2 megabyte RAM drive, but this reduced its utility as well as its size. The first notebook computers to include hard drives were those of the Compaq LTE series, introduced toward the end of that year. Truly the size of a notebook, they also featured backlit displays with CGA resolutions (though not CGA colors).

The Macintosh Portable, Apple's first attempt at a battery-powered computerThe first Apple Computer machine designed to be used on the go was the 1989 Macintosh Portable (although an LCD screen had been an option for the transportable Apple IIc in 1984). Actually a "luggable", the Mac Portable was praised for its clear active matrix display and long battery life, but was a poor seller due to its bulk. In the absence of a true Apple laptop, several compatible machines such as the Outbound Laptop were available for Mac users; however, for copyright reasons, the user had to supply a set of Mac ROMs, which usually meant having to buy a new or used Macintosh as well.

The Apple PowerBook series, introduced in October 1991, pioneered changes that are now de facto standards on laptops, such as the placement of the keyboard, room for palm rest, and the inclusion of a built-in pointing device (a trackball). The following year, IBM released its Thinkpad 700C, featuring a similar design (though with a distinctive red TrackPoint pointing device).

Later PowerBooks introduced the first 256-color displays (PowerBook 165c, 1993), and first true touchpad, first 16-bit sound recording, and first built-in Ethernet network adapter (PowerBook 500, 1994).

The summer of 1995 was a significant turning point in the history of notebook computing. In August of that year Microsoft introduced Windows 95. It was the first time that Microsoft had placed much of the power management control in the operating system. Prior to this point each brand used custom BIOS, drivers and in some cases, ASICs, to optimize the battery life of its machines. This move by Microsoft was controversial in the eyes of notebook designers because it greatly reduced their ability to innovate; however, it did serve its role in simplifying and stabilizing certain aspects of notebook design. Windows 95 also ushered in the importance of the CD-ROM in mobile computing and initiated the shift to the Intel Pentium processor as the base platform for notebooks. The Gateway Solo was the first notebook introduced with a Pentium processor and a CD-ROM. By also featuring a removeable hard disk drive and floppy drive it was the first three-spindle (optical, floppy, and hard disk drive) notebook computer. The Gateway Solo was extremely successful within the consumer segment of the market. In roughly the same time period the Dell Latitude, Toshiba Satellite, and IBM Thinkpad were reaching great success with Pentium-based two-spindle (hard disk and floppy disk drive) systems directed toward the corporate market.

An old (1997) Micron laptopAs technology improved during the 1990s, the usefulness and popularity of laptops increased. Correspondingly prices went down. Several developments specific to laptops were quickly implemented, improving usability and performance. Among them were:

Improved battery technology. The heavy lead-acid batteries were replaced with lighter and more efficient technologies, first nickel cadmium or NiCD, then nickel metal hydride (NiMH) and then lithium ion battery and lithium polymer.

Power-saving processors. While laptops in 1991 were limited to the 80286 processor because of the energy demands of the more powerful 80386, the introduction of the Intel 386SL processor, designed for the specific power needs of laptops, marked the point at which laptop needs were included in CPU design. The 386SL integrated a 386SX core with a memory controller and this was paired with an I/O chip to create the SL chipset. It was more integrated than any previous solution although its cost was higher. It was heavily adopted by the major notebook brands of the time. Intel followed this with the 486SL chipset which used the same architecture. However, Intel had to abandon this design approach as it introduced its Pentium series. Early versions of the mobile Pentium required TAB mounting (also used in LCD manufacturing) and this initially limited the number of companies capable of supplying notebooks. However, Intel did eventually migrate to more standard chip packaging. One limitation of notebooks has always been the difficulty in upgrading the processor which is a common attribute of desktops. Intel did try to solve this problem with the introduction of the MMC for mobile computing. The MMC was a standard module upon which the CPU and external cache memory could sit. It gave the notebook buyer the potential to upgrade his CPU at a later date, eased the manufacturing process some, and was also used in some cases to skirt U.S. import duties as the CPU could be added to the chassis after it arrived in the U.S. Intel stuck with MMC for a few generations but ultimately could not maintain the appropriate speed and data integrity to the memory subsystem through the MMC connector.

Improved liquid crystal displays, in particular active-matrix TFT (Thin-Flim Transitor) LCD technology. Early laptop screens were black and white, blue and white, or grayscale, STN (Super Twist Nematic) passive-matrix LCDs prone to heavy shadows, ghosting and blurry movement (some portable computer screens were sharper monochrome plasma displays, but these drew too much current to be powered by batteries). Color STN screens were used for some time although their viewing quality was poor. By about 1991 , two new color LCD techologies hit the mainstream market in a big way; Dual STN and TFT. The Dual STN screens solved many of the viewing problems of STN at a very affordable price and the TFT screens offered excellent viewing quality although initially at a steep price. DSTN continued to offer a significant cost advantage over TFT until the mid-90s before the cost delta dropped to the point that DSTN was no longer used in notebooks. Improvements in production technology meant displays became larger, sharper, had higher native resolutions, faster response time and could display color with great accuracy, making them an acceptable substitute for a traditional CRT monitor.

Improved hard disk technology. Early laptops and portables had only floppy disk drives. As thin, high-capacity hard disk drives with higher reliability and shock resistance and lower power consumption became available, users could store their work on laptop computers and take it with them. The 3.5" HDD was created initially as a response to the needs of notebook designers that needed smaller, lower power consumption products. As pressure to continue to shrink the notebook size even further, the 2.5" HDD was introduced.

Improved connectivity. Internal modems and standard serial, parallel, and PS/2 ports on IBM PC-compatible laptops made it easier to work away from home; the addition of network adapters and, from 1997, USB, as well as, from 1999, Wi-Fi, made laptops as easy to use with peripherals as a desktop computer.

The $100 laptop

A first generation prototype of the $100 laptop

In 2005, faculty members from the MIT Media Lab including Nicholas Negroponte introduced the $100 laptop and the One Laptop Per Child project. The aim is to design, manufacture, and distribute laptops that are sufficiently inexpensive to provide every child in the world access to knowledge and modern forms of education. The laptops are to be sold to governments and issued to children by schools. These equipments, of which many prototypes have already been presented, will be rugged, Linux-based, and so energy efficient that a hand-cranking dynamo can alone provide sufficient power for operation (although this hand-crank has since been removed). Ad-hoc wireless mesh networking may be used to allow many machines to share a single Internet connection.

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How to Make Your DDR3 Laptop Memory Easier by Remembering These Simple Facts

2011-04-21T03:09:00.000+01:00

Might you be out searching for DDR3 memory for a laptop but somewhat dazzled by the display of information and misinformation out there making your laptop memory upgrade all the more tricky? If we've guessed correctly then here's a quick rundown on key facts of DDR3 laptop memory to get your on the right track.
What is DDR3 laptop memory?
DDR3 laptop memory is as of 2011 the latest memory technology to greet modern laptops. DDR3 is an evolution to its predecessor, DDR2 laptop memory, much in the same way as the latter was the successor to DDR and SDRAM laptop memory.
DDR3 laptop memory is faster than DDR2 due to doubling the data bus speed, an enhancement first introduced with DDR2. In DDR2 laptop memory the data bus speed ran at double the speed of the memory chips present on the DDR2 SODIMM memory module. DDR3 takes the same data bus, however runs it at twice its original frequency. Consequently, in DDR3 laptop memory, the data bus operates at four times the speed of the individual memory chips. In comparison to DDR2 laptop memory, DDR3 is capable of achieving the same memory bandwidth as DDR2 but in doing so only needs to run at half its frequency. This efficiency coupled with support for higher frequencies contribute to superior performance to that of DDR2 or older laptop memory.
Does my laptop really require DDR3 memory?
DDR3 memory started gaining popularity since its advent in late 2008. The type of memory for a laptop your own laptop requires primarily depends on the year it was manufactured. The build date (very often closely related to the purchase date and typically found on a sticker on its base or within its documentation) is a further indication.
A supportive indicator for identifying the type of laptop RAM your system requires is to run some diagnostic software.
A non-problematic method to find this out is to download and run software such as CPU-Z - it's a free application which can be easily found via Google. Once downloaded and launched, click on its 'Memory' tab and subsequently also the 'SPD' tab. This will inform you whether your laptop uses DDR3 memory, its specification and timings. If you notice it stating DDR2 then write down the type of DDR3, examples include PC3-6400, PC2-4200, PC3-8500 and PC2-10600. Next, write down an indication that this is the type of DDR3 memory for a laptop you need to buy.
Great, I need DDR3 memory for a laptop, but how much can I install?
DDR3 laptops support between 4GB and 16GB of RAM. Some, usually older DDR3 laptops have the memory controller featured within what's known as a northbridge chipset. Others, usually newer DDR3 laptops have a memory controller present within the CPU (Central Processing Unit) thus processor die. The exact amount supported by your laptop will depend on either - regardless whether the memory controller is external or internal to the processor.
If you would like to upgrade to the maximum supported amount and wish to find out whether this is 16GB then a quick way is to check how many SODIMM memory slots your laptop contains. If it's four (some may be located on the underneath side of your laptop, others under the keyboard) then the maximum will be 16GB. Similarly, if your laptop only supports two SODIMM memory slots then with a high degree of accuracy you can expect your laptop to support up to 8GB RAM maximum.
Also, take into account that in order to utilise more than 4GB or more of RAM, you need to be running a 64bit Operating System such as Windows XP Professional x64 (potentially problematic when running on laptops due to limited driver support), Windows Vista x64 (any edition), Windows 7 x64 (any edition) or any alternative such as a suitable release of Linux or MacOS.
I'm ready to buy, so it's i.e. PC3-8500 DDR3 I need and the rest will be problem free?
The specification of DDR3 memory for a laptop you need is whatever was reported by CPU-Z as noted above. If it stated PC3-8500 then yes, you will require DDR3 memory otherwise known as PC3-8500 DDR3. If it displayed PC3-6400 then you can still purchase PC3-8500 or PC3-10600 DDR3 in view of the fact that DDR3 computer memory is inherently backwards compatible. Meanwhile, if CPU-Z reported PC3-10600 then while you can buy and install a lower DDR3 specification (PC3-6400 or PC3-8500) this is not recommended. Doing so will cause your system to down clock the frequency at which it the memory runs, namely 400MHz for PC3-6400 or 533MHz for PC3-8500. A slower memory frequency will yield a lower memory bandwidth, which reduces computer performance.
As far as DDR3 memory for a laptop goes, you will need to buy 204pin SODIMM memory modules. A SODIMM (Small Outline Dual Inline Memory Module) is a mini type of a DIMM used in desktop computers. If you've seen a DIMM before then a SODIMM will normally be about 50% of the length of a desktop DIMM module.
For DDR3 laptops you only need to install a single SODIMM memory module for your laptop to function, however it makes perfect sense to install pairs of DDR3 SODIMM memory modules. The reasoning is quite simple. Virtually all DDR3 memory laptops support what's known as dual channel mode. In compliant laptops, dual channel mode effectively links the data paths of two memory modules (DDR3 in this case) to run them simultaneously. All read, write or copy operations performed on the memory are thus in effect run at double their original bandwidth. The net result of this is improved memory throughput - this in turn contributes to the overall performance of your laptop.
I just have to ask - can my DDR3 laptop memory upgrade go wrong?
DDR3 laptop memory upgrades are amongst the least prone to causing problems due to a straightforward trait of the industry. With the computer memory industry much settled and controlled by only a handful of big players, and thus airtight to smaller players at times all too willing to not always follow JEDEC (Joint Electron Devices Engineering Council) standards to the last "T", it's practically safe to say that all DDR3 SODIMM memory modules produced are compatible with each other.
Much the same is also true in terms of memory controllers that by the time that DDR3 appeared were tweaked to no longer cause issues when mixing single and double-sided SODIMM memory modules.
There is however one thing you'll want to keep in the back of your mind, namely for best performance always install identical DDR3 SODIMM memory modules. Via doing so you'll automatically enable what's known as dual channel mode. What is meant by identical? By identical you need to install two likewise DDR3 SODIMM memory modules that are a) the same capacity and b) also the same specification. The brand of DDR3 laptop memory isn't as significant, nevertheless if you want things to be ideal then doing so will also work well.

Find out more on DDR3 Laptop Memory including lots more on various other types of laptop memory at Laptop Memory Upgrades.

How To Secure Your Laptop

2011-04-21T01:48:00.000+01:00

Laptops are quite expensive, hence the risk of being stolen. Laptops are smaller, easy to travel with, because of these, its patronage is on the increase. Laptops because of their new processing power is a delight of most companies today.
How Do I Secure My Laptop
Laptops these days contain vital data and are greatly used for remote data access. Its security should be top priority to all users. There are three aspects to consider in securing your laptop.

Physical Security.

Security Software.

Security Consciousness.

Physical Security
Physical security involves physical barriers put in place to inhibit access to where your laptop is kept.
Such barriers, hinder the following circumstances;

Theft of your laptop.

Damage to your laptop.

Theft of information on your laptop.

Using your laptop to commit fraudulent activities.

The physical barriers should have the following features;

The ability to properly lock the entrance to where your laptop is kept.

An alarm system should be in place to notify you in case of a break in.

An inbuilt security camera (cctv) should be placed where your laptop is kept. This is to monitor your laptop.

All windows or doors must be screened to prevent prying eyes from seeing expensive information assets such as your laptop.

The ability to fasten the laptop to a non-moveable object. This is stopping a thief from carrying the laptop away.

The ability to trigger snap shots in case of a break in. These snap shots are directly targeted at the laptop.

Security Software
Access to your laptop can also be prevented using security software.
This security software prevents access to your desktop. It ensures that only the owner of the laptop has access to using the applications on the laptop.
Features of a Security Software

It must prompt the user, to enter a user name and a password.

The ability to generate audit report such as successful logins, failed logins should be an essential feature.

The user should be able to lock the screen when not in use.

Optional but also essential, the software should have the ability to beep when the screen is tampered with.

Security Consciousness
After all said and done, without security consciousness on the part of the user or laptop owner, every control put in place to deter access to the laptop would be futile.
Security Consciousness Tips

Always lock the door to your office.

Always carry your laptop with you.

If not in use put it in a safe and lock it.

Make sure when nature calls you activate the screen lock and all access doors to your office are locked.

Always keep your laptop locked in a box and in the boot of your car when driving.

Do not use your laptop in overcrowded places.

All the necessary details about your laptop must be written and stored in a safe place i.e. serial number, brand name, model e.t.c.

Insure your laptop against loss, such as damage, fire e.t.c.

Advice
Laptop security is an ongoing process. The need for regular information on laptop security is vital. The more informed you are on laptop security, the less vulnerable is your laptop to theft or damage.

To Secure Your Laptop visit [http://www.compsana.com/itsecuritytools.html] Now!
Christopher Okoh
CEO
Computer Security & Network Associates.
Website: [http://www.compsana.com]
He has written over 100 computer security articles. He also writes for computer security magazines and newspapers. I'm always happy to take on a writing job on security.

Buying a Laptop that You Can Use as a Personal Assistant

2011-04-21T00:29:00.000+01:00

Don't be surprised but buying a laptop can be even harder than buying a desktop computer. In fact, buying a computer is very straightforward. Laptops, however, are very personal stuff because it's something that you will carry around with you and sometimes act as more than just a computer for you to work on. They become a companion! That's why finding and selecting the right laptop can be very tricky.
Hard core computer gamers or people who will use their laptops for designing or video production may need more help than just reading about buying laptops. For conventional laptop users, here's something for you to digest.
The price for laptops varies drastically from brand to brand. Some laptops can cost $500 while some laptops can cost you $6,000. Some entry-level (meaning basic laptops) can be bought for between $600 and $900. If you grab a laptop off eBay or other rebate or dropshipping websites, you might get a mid-range laptop for far less than that.
Even for basic laptop users, the description and specifications for the laptop is very, very important. If you're not sure, check around and ask your friends for advice on how to buy a good laptop for the lowest price possible. You should be getting a laptop that comes with AT LEAST 512 megabytes of memory. The size of the memory ensures that your laptop can run multiple programs smoothly. As for hard drive, invest in as big a hard drive for your laptop as you can afford. Another thing that you may have to look out before you invest in the laptop is to find out how many USB ports that the laptop has. Most laptops come with at least 2 USB ports, the more the better. If you use a camera or thumb drive (disk key), this is where you insert the cable - the USB ports. You don't want to have to remove the USB cable for your printer and mouse every time you try to save pictures from your camera to your laptop! Some laptops come with slots for camera memory cards, for instance, your compact flash cards.
If you're keen on getting a Windows based laptop, the security of your laptop should be at the top of your priority lists. Windows SP2 XP should be ideal because it comes with antispam, antispyware, antipopups and antivirus programs. Some laptop retailers may offer you cheap or free programs that you can install into the laptop as a second layer protection to your laptop.
Other factors to take into account when shopping for laptops are the screen size, the life of the battery, the processor of the laptop, screen and keyboard, wi-fi networking, size and weight of the laptop.
Dakota Caudilla, journalist, and website builder Dakota Caudilla lives in Texas. He is the owner and co-editor of [http://www.laptop-source.net] on which you will find a longer, more detailed version of this article.

Dakota Caudilla, journalist, and website builder Dakota Caudilla lives in Texas. He is the owner and co-editor of [http://www.laptop-source.net] on which you will find a longer, more detailed version of this article.

Information on Used Laptops

2011-04-21T00:27:00.001+01:00

Used laptops are those that have been used by a consumer for a length of time and then they are resold for a number of reasons. Used laptops offer the potential savings of hundreds of dollars over a new laptop. Used laptops are a cheaper alternative to buying new, and are a great investment for a laptop capable of performing many tasks. Used laptops are just like used cars you need to check them out and be sure of what you are purchasing first. Used laptops are for the most part are a good value for the money.

Buying

Buying from eBay, smaller used laptop websites and other shops or the classifieds can be successful; you just need to know what to look for. Buying a used laptop allows you to pick up technology which is still in use today although it may not have the most recent operating system. Buying a refurbished laptop doesn't mean you're stuck with an outdated machine, as most of the refurbished units will be updated with some of the most current technologies today. A refurbished laptop is an excellent choice if you are not comfortable with buying a used laptop plus the do come with a warranty.

Price

A number of certified dealers trade in eBay, Amazon and Yahoo stores, offering very tempting prices for used laptops. Regardless of the brand, medium priced used laptops in the range of $500.00 to $650.00 are considered good money savers for those who do not require using the fancier laptops. You can for instance get a laptop without wireless capabilities at a better price, and you can add a wireless card to your laptop and save additional money. You should be considering used laptop or refurbished laptop which can get you most if not all the features you want, without paying full price. The brands named laptops tend to have higher prices for the same features as some of the less popular brands.

Used laptops are perfect for students doing homework, a professional that only needs to operate a few programs, or for someone who just wants to access the internet without the bulk of a desktop. They are perfect for people wanting to use a mobile computer for only a couple of applications, but still want the mobility of a laptop. Used laptops are sold for a number of reasons one of the reasons might be due to purchase of a higher configuration laptop, or might be tired of using the laptop for some time and would just like to have a newer one. Used laptops are a viable option to own a laptop at if you are on a tight budget.

By: RR Smith

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