Laptop Service - Online Security Tips Best Practices

Keeping your laptop safe from online threats requires some preventative and active controls. Follow these general tips to keep your laptop and the valuable data safe and secure.

1. Install Anti-virus Software

Anti-virus software is designed to identify, neutralize and eradicate viruses that can harm your laptop, destroy your data, or exploit vulnerabilities that give spammers and fraudsters access to your accounts and personal data. Choose a good quality, anti-virus program such (Norton Security, Karspersky Security, or Webroot Security. Be careful when you download a program and make sure it is from a reputable site that you trust or go to the manufacturer's website. To be effective, update the anti-virus software regularly to get the latest virus definitions (best practice is to set it up for automatic updates-this way you will not forget and always will be protected). Most commercial anti-virus programs have the automatic update feature and we recommend that you use it. For your convenience, schedule scans to run when you are not using the laptop, because the resources it takes to run a scan can slow you down your system.

2. Step: Turn on the Firewall

A firewall protects your notebook from Internet traffic entering in or information leaking out. You can use two firewalls (Hardware) and stack them up to increase the security level. Also the level of traffic allowed should be set to "recommended" or HIGH if you so please. There are software firewalls that can be also used such ZoneAlarm and Webroot Firewall, but while anti-virus software scans emails and files, a firewall acts as a guard dog, keeping your system safe from unauthorized entry. It also blocks communications to and from your laptop. To ensure the highest protection, it's best to use both a firewall and anti-virus/spyware software.

3. Install Anti-spyware Software

Spyware and adware can cause a variety of things like annoying pop-ups and browser crashes, the installation of unexpected toolbars or icons, redirects to inappropriate sites, keys that don't function, random error messages, browser freezing and sluggish performance. These types of malware are installed on your computer without your consent, and can monitor and in some cases control your laptop. To lower the risk of infection, use anti-spyware and adware software such Norton Security, Karspersky Security or Webroot Security Essentials. We recommend using at least two different programs for broader security and coverage.

Tips for safer surfing the WWW:


•Use a firewall, anti-virus and anti-spyware software and keep it up-to-date
•Keep your operating system, browser and other software up-to-date and patched
•Don’t open email attachments or click on an email link from unknown senders ("Use Common Sense")
•Scan all email attachments and downloads with anti-virus software
•Don’t download and install programs of unknown origin or innapropriate sites
•Disable Java, JavaScript, and ActiveX if possible
•Scan and Backup critical data often to CD/DVD or External Hard Drive (USB-SATA)
•Perform regular maintenance on your computer like disk cleanup, defragmentation, and system scans
•Create a boot disk in case your computer is damaged or compromised
•Protect your PC-Host file with security essential software or by editing policies correctly.

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Concise of Lake Orion has Computer Trouble Shooting Skills that Includes Fixing the Client as Well

by Concise Computer

As the computer repair center for Oakland, Wayne and Macomb Counties, Concise maintains a client list that resembles the “who’s who” in the Michigan small business community. They are good, and they are growing out of their digs in Bloomfield Hills.

One of the reasons that Concise is so well respected in their industry is because they take the time to explain and teach at the same time. Let’s face it, the information highway has its own language today. Computer techies have always had a vernacular that tended to exclude the rest of the non-techie world. Making things worse for us non-techies today, is the next layer of computer- speak: abbreviations of all the words that we had no clue about from the beginning.

The staff at Concise will now lead the pc tech support field by offering a series of articles with those definitions of words from the computer tech support world. This is the first offering in what Concise hopes will be a long series of definitions from the computer tech speaker.

HONEYPOT

Wikipedia defines a HONEYPOT in computer speak, as a trap set to detect, deflect, or in some manner counteract unauthorized attempts to obtain use of information systems.

A HONEYPOT consists of a computer, data, or a network site that appears to be part of a network. But, the Honeypot is actually an isolated and unprotected deadend which appears to a hacker as valuable information.

Simply put, a HONEYPOT is a seductive decoy. It lures the attacker into a harmless area of your system where it could be isolated, detected, and hopefully discovered by cyber police.

Another use of the Honeypot is to isolate spam. Spammers abuse vulnerable resources such as open mail relays. Some system administrators have created honeypot programs that masquerade as these decoy resources to discover spammer activity. There are several capabilities that honeypots provide to the administrators and the existence of such seductive bait systems makes abuse more difficult or risky for the spammer. Honeypots can be a powerful countermeasure to abuse from those who rely on very high volume abuse (e.g., spammers). These honeypots can reveal the apparent IP address of the abuse and provide bulk spam capture (which enables operators to determine spammer's URLs and response mechanisms).

HONEYNETS

Two or more honeypots on a network form a HONEYNET. Typically, a HONEYNET is used for monitoring a larger and/or more diverse network in which one honeypot may not be sufficient. Honeynets and honeypots are usually implemented as parts of a larger computer trouble shooting system. A HONEYFARM is a centralized collection of honeypots and analysis tools.

The next visit from a Concise Computer Consulting technician should go smoother. And, when the topic turns to setting up a Honeyfarm for your small business’s computer system, you will immediately understand that you are not about to purchase a bunch of bee hives.

Concise Computer Consulting services the small and medium sized business community as well as residential homeowners. Concise offers every kind of on site computer service: laptop repair service, online pc repair, pc tech support and computer trouble shooting. Concise also offers Remote access configuration, Virtual Private Networks (VPN), Web site design, Server Administration, and Preventive maintenance in the metropolitan Detroit area. In addition, Concise diagnoses, installs, and manages both wired and wireless Local Area Networks, and even resells computers, laptops, and servers for Dell and IBM.


When you are experiencing computer problems, the time and money lost in productivity grows by the minute. Give us a call if you are having technology troubles and let us get you back up and running ...often within hours.

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Buying a Used Laptop Computer Versus Purchasing a Refurbished Unit

When considering the purchase of a new computer, Dave decided it may be wise to check into a pre-owned one. Dave actually was in the market for a used laptop and found many of them for sale at very reasonable prices. He soon discovered that many of these were simply sold "as is" and could include equipment that would not have much of a shelf life left. Dave really did his research and found that there are now companies that exist who are in the business of leasing computer equipment to large corporations and this leasing usually includes routine maintenance and timely upgrades.

At the end of the lease a lot of these same corporations choose to enter a new agreement that includes new equipment so that they can maintain state-of-the-art technology at all times. That means that the previously held computers are returned to the leasing company where they are usually offered for sale to someone who is looking for a great deal and are thinking of buying a second-hand computer. These companies offered much more peace of mind to Dave and he decided to eventually buy a refurbished laptop that suited him perfectly. Following are the four main influences in the decision that Dave made:

1. He found out that each and every previously owned notebook computer this company sold was subject to a comprehensive inspection. This check-up included a thorough cleaning and an evaluation that diagnosed any defects the machine might have. He discovered that each processor that was returned to the leasing company was checked over to inspect the CPU, the memory, and the hard drive.

2. At the time of the inspection any defective part on the notebook computer was either repaired or replaced guaranteeing that the next owner would receive a machine that was in good working order. Buying something that he knew would arrive as good as new went a long way with Dave. He felt it was worth a little extra money for that reassurance and it was still a long way from the price of a new one.

3. Dave also found out that this company was willing to work with him, find out what his computer needs were and then do the upgrading to make it customized to fit his requirements. For instance, he asked them to install extra memory and he wanted state-of-the-art video and audio cards as well. He found this much to his liking and felt he was receiving great customer service.

4. The main selling point though was the fact that he was able to receive a warranty on anything that went wrong with the notebook computer for one full year. In his mind, Dave felt this was adequate insurance that he decided made it on a level playing field with buying a new one. He knew that an individual could never make the promise of a warranty and he determined that the company he was dealing with had confidence in their product and the repair work that had been done on his pre-owned notebook computer.

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The Variety of Styles Available of a Laptop Desk or Laptop Table

With the advent of the laptop computer comes the need to use them in comfort. Using a laptop on a chair or in bed often leads to neck and back strain, but by using a laptop table or laptop desk, much of this can be avoided. Take a look at the two basic designs available to find what would work best for you.

In the last 10 to 15 years, a new piece of furniture has been developed to fill a new need in the market place, and that is a laptop desk or a laptop table. In some ways this piece of furniture reminds me of a lap board or breakfast tray. But the variety of styles of a laptop desk is way more deluxe, and sometimes quite different than either of these other items.

First, there is the basic "tray" style laptop table, great for using while sitting in a chair or propped up in bed (or lying down if it has a tilting, adjustable top). Much more comfortable than balancing your computer on your lap. There are a lot of different designs just within this subcategory of laptop tables. I have seen some where a portion of the table is adjustable, tilting up at various angles to make using your laptop more convenient. This is great for relieving neck and back strain, making you, as the user, more comfortable. Usually next to the adjustable part of the table is a flat area for using your mouse. Some even have a built in mouse pad. The leg height on most models is also adjustable. I have seen this style in wood, metal and composite plastic, and also in a variety of price ranges. A few I have seen have very sleek and stylish lines and others are very utilitarian. Most are quite light and some even fold away for easy storage. Though this style is designed for use with a laptop computer, it can be used for a variety of other activities such as homework, crafts, reading and meals.

A variation of the four legged tray, is a pedestal that has a base board that you can slide under your leg to keep the tray firmly in place. These also usually have adjustable height and tilt.

Probably the more innovative design has been the mobile laptop desk. These often have lockable casters so that you can easily move the desk to where you are working and then lock it in place. The height is fully adjustable and most have a tilting portion for the computer. This part will have a small ledge to stop the computer from sliding off the desk top. I have even seen some that have a small shelf on the bottom, which could be used for a printer. There is usually a single pedestal leg which has other legs coming off of it with the casters. These are usually very low to the floor, that way they can slide under a chair allowing easier access to the work space. Many I have seen with the adjustable tilt, will tilt in either direction, which allow for left or right hand access and use of the laptop desk. Some designs have two adjustable table top areas, one for the laptop and the other for the mouse, this is great for ultimate adjustability and compatibility for the user. This style also comes in a variety of material, including metal and wood, and often a combination of both.

So, if you have a laptop, consider getting a laptop table or a laptop desk because regardless of the style that you use, most offer the same benefits: they keep the heat off your lap, the computer stays cooler on a harder surface, they allow you to work more ergonomically, most have adjustable height and tilt which results in less strain on your neck and back. With benefits like these, a laptop desk or table will allow longer periods of use and will make your time more productive. Also, with such a large variety of styles available, you are bound to find one that is perfect for you.

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Are Apple Laptops Innovative?

by Lacy

Apple notebooks have created a niche for themselves in the laptop industry. What makes Apple laptops different from others in the market? In short, it is Apple’s high-end features, cutting-edge technology, innovative ideas, and creative design. With these, they can meet all your computing needs while on the move. This makes these creatively-designed laptop computers, the first choice among laptop buyers worldwide.

You can find a wide range of Apple laptop computers that suit your requirements at Portable One, a systems integrator and reseller of mobile computing products. I bought an Apple MacBook Air from Portable One and am pleased with it.

This cute-looking notebook has a 13.3-inch display. Don’t go by the size and doubt its capabilities. These computers are made from a single-piece of aluminum that makes it lighter and thinner. You can easily carry it in your briefcase or backpack. The NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics processor is a big plus point to the laptop. To give the best quality other notebook PCs might drain your battery dry. But, the Apple MacBooks provide you better performance without draining the battery. You can watch your favorite videos or play 3D games even on the move.

If you are looking for a slightly bigger version, opt for the Apple MacBook Pro. Both 15-inch and 17-inch MacBook Pro laptops have ultra thin, high-resolution LED backlit displays for excellent picture quality. You will see the difference when you start using the new multi-touch trackpad in the Apple MacBooks. The trackpad that also works as a button helps you to click just anywhere you want to. All you have to do is press the trackpad. Read Apple’s online tutorial on MacBooks’ and learn all the interesting ways to use your trackpad efficiently with your fingers. It’s like magic, you will love it!

Make every moment count with any one of these powerful Apple laptops wherever you go!

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Low Cost Laptops- Now a Reality

by Adam Jaylin

The invention of laptops has given a different connotation to the term ‘notebooks’. Perhaps one of the most useful devices in the world, the status of laptop has changed from a luxury to that of a necessity. Laptops have become part of our daily requirements like mobile phones for the simple reason that they can be carried around without any obvious hassle.

The only advantage that the laptop has over a desktop personal computer (certainly a more powerful and reliable machine) is the laptop computer’s mobility. Business travellers and executives can move around with their laptops that contains precious data and information. A student can work on assignments or study notes even while relaxing in a park! But earlier the price of these sleek and high-tech machines was a big obstacle in actually laying hands on them. Today this equation has changed.

There are various options and outlets to buy cheap laptops, which are very much usable and affordable. Various online laptop and computer retailers have made buying a laptop for incredibly cheap price easier than commenting on England’s performance in Euro 2008 qualifiers! One can either buy decent low cost new laptop computers or if one wants it really cheap then second hand cheap laptops are also available in the outlets online and in the actual brick and mortar stores in the high street.

The internet buyer is getting more and more aware and knows how to find the best deal in the vast world of web. With special deals that offer students lucrative cashback if they purchase a laptops are allowing students to buy laptops with relative ease. Even in case of school, quite a few institutions are giving students laptops to help them do their work. This is good for the future as the younger generation will shape the world of tomorrow and the sooner the get familiar with technology, better is it for the world of tomorrow.

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New Laptops Coming your Way!

by Raisa Raima

It's been more than a decade since laptop computers or notebooks have been ruling the market. Just a few years back, laptop computers or notebooks were truly a luxury item, at prices almost twice than those of desktop computers. But with the advent of technology, prices were slashed, and nowadays a laptop is commonplace.

Laptops are compact and visually pleasing because they allow you the convenience of taking your work with you. There are numerous reasons to invest in a laptop. For students, this means that you can have your computer with you in class or at the library. For professionals, working at home - or even during your daily bus or train commute - becomes easy.

Laptops bring an array of benefits like that of wireless internet access to easy mobility. Wireless services are starting to be available in public places such as libraries, college campuses, and even some coffee cafes. Laptops computers and notebooks offer you the convenience of connecting to the World Wide Web wherever you might be.

Everyone dreams of owning a supercomputer – a computer that can do anything we want at the ultimate speed. What if we could have one that was the size of a laptop? IBM might have just got the breakthrough they need to make this dream come true. Only time will tell whether we can own this or not, but as of now this dream is still to take the shape of reality.

Purchasing these laptops has also become easy. With online shopping, you can choose from a huge variety of products and can also avail special discounts and offers.

In the coming future we could expect more efficient and easy to use laptops than we have already seen. In a few years we may see a new era of laptops that run a hundred times faster and can hold much more information than the present ones.

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Buying Laptops Online

by reza desita

Laptops are gaining popularity because Laptops is offered with enhanced features that cater to both your personal and business requirements. Laptops are generally preferred by business executives and traveling professionals as they are handy and easy for operation while on the move. Laptop offers excellent portability, convenience and performance in one small package. You can accessorize your laptop computer to make it functional as a desktop computer

Shopping online for laptops is quick, easy and very convenient. There are various laptop brands available. While you browse you will come across many laptop models from many leading companies. Online shopping offers you a great chance to do some serious comparison shopping before you buy. With growing competition there are many low price laptop computers which can fit most budgets. Online stores offer very competitive pricing. You can compare all the different prices and stores before you buy. Free shipping and coupons are offered by many online retailers and notebook manufacturers. You can also get great deals, offers and discounts if you shop online.

Online shopping makes it convenient for everyone to buy their laptop no matter where they live. It will not only be more convenient but you will also have a wider selection, better pricing, and all the reviews and customer feedback you will need to make a wise decision. Many online stores have customer feedback and reviews which are extremely helpful.

Finding and configuring your perfect laptop will be much simpler if you do it online. The size of the laptop computer varies in each category and the cost differs according. Online shopping offer a wide variety and also give you option of comparing various laptop computers across brands. If you're thinking about buying a laptop consider buying it online. It gives everyone the same deals.

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Get The Facts About Wireless Laptops

by David Stone

Laptops give you unbelievable portability for all of your computing needs, but as the need for communication grows more each day you need a computer that will keep you in touch. There are many options for portable computing. Laptops now come in many different sizes to match your specific needs.

Large or small screens are the biggest factor affecting the size of a laptop. Extra options like media drives and larger batteries will add overall weight to laptops. The current trend for any traveler is to get the smallest computer that will get the job done. Airports have wireless internet access available, so a wireless network or wi-fi card is a good option. Large screens used to be popular but strict travel regulations have caused many people to get smaller screens. This will make the computer easier to deal with at security check points.

Major reasons for the trend in "less is more" with laptop computers, is that they have become simply more of a tool and less of a novelty. Most basic computers are very capable in running any business application and have the necessary options for general use. Basic laptops have also dropped in price dramatically. The options have become the expensive part as competition grows fierce to have the lowest priced computer available. People are now buying computers more frequently with less options because it is more cost effective that buying the newest technology. Fast processors and large hard drives start out very expensive and quickly become standard features on basic laptops. You can keep more up to date by getting a new laptop every two years instead of getting the newest technology and trying to make it last for 4 years. Anyways, most laptops show a performance loss after about two years if the hard drive is not defragmented and formatted. It may not sound cheaper to buy a computer more often, but it also what you buy. Doing a little shopping around and assessing what you really need in a computer can save you the money that you need to buy one more often.

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A Beginners Guide to Laptop Shopping

by Blair Stephens

So, you have decided you wish to purchase a laptop computer. The convenience and the technology are certainly tempting but when you visited the Dell site and the HP site, the various laptop options seem expensive and confusing. What is the difference between memory and hard drive space? What size screen or what screen resolution do you actually need? How long should a battery last and do you actually need the latest and greatest Window's release?
Shopping for a laptop without knowing the facts about the options out there can make the buying process painful and frustrating. Additionally, you may buy more laptop than you need on impulse. Many people are convinced to buy a new, high tech laptop when they could be happy with a far less expensive refurbished notebook or used laptop for less than half of what a new machine might cost. What you need to do is assess your needs and then make smart decisions.
First step back a moment and think about your computing needs. If your laptop is for your summer home and will only be used an hour here and there for a few months or if it will sit in your extra bedroom and get minimal use, or if you just need a machine to handle e-mail and browsing the web, then you don't need the latest and greatest laptop technology.
You need to consider and decide what applications you will be running. E-Mail and browsing are included with the Operating System, but word processing and spreadsheet programs are usually not. Microsoft Word often must be purchased separately and is expensive. Here are some of the applications you may want to consider and the technical resources they will require.
* Word Processing - Word processing requires a minimal CPU (Central Processing Unit), since you cannot type faster than a very old Pentium 90.
* E-mail - Email applications will also require a minimal CPU, minimal RAM (Random Access Memory) and your internet connection speed will not matter, unless you are sending or receiving very large files (photos).
* Browsing Web Pages - Internet browsing requires minimal CPU, 64MB RAM performs ok, but 128MB will be better. The speed at which you are connecting to the Internet is more important than the speed of the CPU. For example, a 56K dial up modem is slow and DSL or cable modem connections are at least ten times faster.
* Online and Computer Gaming - You should review the Minimum Systems Requirements of the games you play the most. Some games require a very fast CPU (2 GHz, lots of RAM (maybe 2GB) and a specialized graphics chip while others may not. If you are interested in participating online, you'll have another set of requirements to meet as well in terms of internet connectivity.
* Music - Music does not require much in the way of computing resources. The amount of storage depends upon how many songs you have. The average song takes about 5MB, so 300 songs would be 1.5GB.
* On-line Shopping - This in essence is just like browsing the web. You should have at least 128MB. The CPU is not as important as your connection speed (56K modem is much slower than DSL or Cable).
* Database Applications or Personal Finance - Simple database applications like Goldmine or other sales applications do not usually need much in the way of CPU or Hard Drive space. Again check the Minimum Systems Requirements of your application. A very complex or large database (like QuickBooks) might need a large hard drive and a very fast CPU.
Overall, your communications link to the internet is going to be an important factor in your laptop choice. As discussed, 56K modems are slow by today's standards and cable or DSL are much faster. It is also quite easy and inexpensive to add Wi-Fi (wireless internet access) if you have cable or DSL and a Wi-Fi card can be added inexpensively to most laptops.
If you do not have an Internet Service Provider you need to sign up for one. Many people choose the local telephone company for DSL access or go with a national service, like AOL or EarthLink for dial up. Call your local cable company for rates on access through a cable modem.
If the laptop will mostly stay in one place, then the size is not that important. Obviously, newer laptops are lighter and often more portable, and the weight will change depending on the size of the screen you choose. If you will be moving it around a lot then check out the size, the weight and perhaps the battery life. Some of the newer laptop can hold a charge for five or six hours, but it various considerable and you need to carefully check the specifications and how they determine the charge time. Additionally, if you are traveling extensively, carrying a prohibitively heavy laptop computer can be incredibly inconvenient.
In many instances, your first step will be your own budget assessment. Think about how long you will keep the laptop and how much use it will get. Spending $1000 might make sense if you us it 2-3 hours every day and will keep it for three years. That is $3.00 a day, which seems very inexpensive for a valued tool. On the other hand if the budget is $300 and you are only browsing the web and doing e-mail then an older refurbished laptop would be fine. As with any technology, figure out what you need and what you can pay before doing your research and making a decision. Refurbished laptops and used laptops can be a great buy and you'll have the tool you need without spending more than you should.

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Tips on Buying a New Laptop

by johnxuster

Laptop computers have been around for years now and are quickly gaining popularity. This is mainly because it is nice to have a computer wherever you go and not have to lug around a bulky monitor and tower. It is so easy to do business and know that just because it is a laptop does not mean that it cannot do the same things that a desktop computer can do. Therefore, if you are looking to buy a new laptop computer there are a few things you need to consider before hand.

When you are looking at a laptop on a store shelf you may want to know how much it weighs and how big it is. There should be a tag to tell you all the information you need to know but if there isn't you should ask for help by a store employee. You will want to make sure that its size and weight will fit in fine with your life. If you travel a lot you will want something lighter but if you do not plan on carrying it around all the time the weight shouldn't be an issue.

Are you looking for a specific brand or specific specs for your new computer? There are many different brand name computers out there on the market today such as Dell, HP, Acer and Toshiba. All of the brands are excellent but some can be more expensive than others. Also you will want to make sure that the computer you choose have the specs you need. If you plan on saving a lot of pictures or videos you will need a big hard drive, if you plan on playing games you will need great graphics, etc.

Before you rush out to the store or jump online you will want to know how much you are willing to spend on your new laptop. You need to create a budget allowing a few hundred more just in case you find the one you want and it is more than you thought you were spending. You should be prepared to spend anywhere from $400 and up for a good laptop. Just a tip, building your own laptop will cost much more than just buying a pre-built computer.

Last but not least, make sure that a laptop is what you really want. Many people go looking for the perfect laptop only to find that it is a desktop they need instead. Desktops are known to have higher specs than laptops but most people like laptops because you can take them anywhere with you. Just be absolutely sure you know exactly what you want before you spend the money on a laptop just to find out you needed something different.

Now you should be ready to go out and buy or stay home and order online, which is where you are likely to get the best deals. Make sure you shop around before you hand over any money, you do not want to buy a laptop for $700 only to find out it was $600 at a different store or website.

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Advantages of Notebook Computers Over Desktop Computers

by Pooja Lapasia

Computer usage has increased over the years. Now it has become a mandatory requirement in most professions. Students are also increasingly dependent on computers for their project and research work. The desktop computer is known for its all-rounded performance, higher configuration compatibility and relatively cheaper pricing. On the other hand notebook computers have an advantage for its compactness and mobility factors. Though both these forms of computers are known for their uniqueness and serve different audience but the notebook computers have the ability to eclipse over desktop computers.

Technological advancements are welcomed but they are respected when they can be mobilized. Desktop computers have been made smaller through laptops while retaining most traits. Any notebook computer can perform the tasks of a basic desktop computer and it can be enhanced as per the user wishes. Earlier it wasn’t possible to upgrade a laptop but now with increased innovations, a laptop’s RAM (Random Access Memory) can be enhanced up to 4 GB for enabling superior performance. Notebook computers are expensive as they integrate all the components of a desktop computer into one compact machine.

The storage capacity of the notebook computers was a big limitation but now even that has been considerably diminished through the usage of flash memory. This kind of memory takes up very less space and stores lots of information. Notebooks with 250 GB memory are now available in the market. Notebooks enable wireless internet access through Wi-Fi enabled hotspots and their portability adds to their major advantage. The battery backup of the notebook computer allows its usage even without dedicated power-supply. All notebooks use LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) screens which are better and brighter in viewing. Notebooks have combined host of features like finger print reading for security issues, inbuilt camera for chats and taking photos, DVD combo drive for playing all types of file formats and much more.

There are different kinds of Laptop computers available to suit varied requirements. There are the basic desktop replacement notebooks which have a large screen display with loaded features. There are gaming notebooks which are configured for hi-end games. There are designing applications based notebooks, tablet notebooks for easier portability and the low budget student notebooks. Thus a user can have defined usage and then buy the required notebook from a trusted computer store. Many online stores also offer great deals on notebook computers and accessories.

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What is Laptop Memory?

by johnxuster

Do you know what is laptop memory? and how to update our laptop memory.

Before you start taking your laptop apart looking for a place to stick some more memory, read the manual. If your laptop didn't come with a paper manual or you can't find it, most notebooks are shipped with a PDF of the manual pre-installed of the hard drive. Don't be sure that upgrading or replacing the memory will do any good before you troubleshoot the problem. The manual should describe the maximum memory capacity of the laptop, and you can easily determine how much is currently installed by checking the Windows system information (last screen in this example) or buy watching the memory report when you power the notebook up. Once you ascertain that your laptop will accept a memory upgrade, the next stop for consumer and pc technician alike is Crucial.




All the programs in a computer are temporarily stored in a device known as Memory. Memory handles multiple programs to run at the same time in your laptop computer. The performance of Laptops having a slower processor can be enhanced by the laptop memory. is available in some laptops to access data faster. Laptops have usually memory modulesthat are smaller to save space.

The performance of your laptop will be slowed down because of low memory. Therefore you need to upgrade your laptop's memory. Laptops as a rule are restricted to some extent in the capacity of the memory and upgrading may be difficult. While buying the laptop, such things should be considered so that you can plan for memory upgrate later. Similar to Desktop PCs, you can buy with the basic configuration of your laptop with upgrade possibility and later can go for extal memory whenever needed. However some experts feel that upgrades for laptops are much more limited and complicated.

There are different types of memory available and you should choose the right memory that is compatible with your laptop. The types of Memory used in laptops are SDRAM (Single data rate Synchronous RAM), SODIMM (Small Outline Dual Inline Memory Module), DDR SDRAM (Dual Data Rate Synchronous RAM) or memory modules that are proprietary.

The memory capacity you need depends on your intended use of your laptop. The software that is to be used on the laptop has to be decided. There are certain minimum requirements for using various operating systems and usually it is preferable to have more memory than the minimum requirement in question. You should have typically 512MB of memory if you want to play games or create DVDs and videos. If you wish to use Microsoft Vista, then the recommended memory will be 1 GB. You can find a minimum of two slots for using extra memory on your laptop whereas three to four slots will be available on a typical desktop. Upgrades are limited in small or compact computers. When you plan to buy additional memory for your laptop computer, you have to know the maximum memory capacity that can be handled by your laptop. You can find this information with the product manuals. Usually, laptop models having single memory configuration can easily handle the upgrades than the double memory configuration. Therefore you have to know how your laptop is configured.

If you wish to install the additional memory, you need to know some tips. As memory is a delicate part, you should take care while handling it. Ensure that your laptop is powered off from the power source. For accessing the memory modules easily, some laptops have removable panels at the bottom. After locating this panel at the bottom, use a screwdriver to open the panel. The memory modules are seated in the slots and locked with small clips at the strip ends. You can remove the existing memory by pulling the memory modules gently after unlocking the strip clips. Place the new memory module firmly into the slot and clip the module at both ends of the strips. Close the panel of the laptop back in place with a screwdriver. You can power on the laptop to check for its working with the new memory module.

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Buying A New Laptop For Those On A Budget

by Mike Gresh

If you are on a budget, purchasing a laptop computer can be a bit confusing. To begin with there are laptops which have different graphics cards, screen sizes, memory, processors, as well as all of the additional extras available.

To make the decision process even more difficult, there are new models constantly being released on the market. However, some of the newest laptop models are quite expensive, putting them out of reach for many people. The good news is that there are some dirt cheap laptops that are more than capable for what most of us want to do. Most of the high cost with laptops comes when you want the latest graphics card, best processor and extras like Blue-ray players.

When a lot of us want to buy a laptop we often search for used computers. However, refurbished models are a good alternative for finding a laptop that is like new. The benefit of buying refurbished is that you know that any faulty parts have been replaced. So you are really getting a brand new laptop for a fraction of the original price. The only pitfall is that you might not be able to find one of the newer models on sale.

No matter what your budget, a good place to begin is by always reading laptop ratings to get an idea of what models and makes are recommended. After you've found a few that you like, if they are out of your budget, search for refurbished models on Google or eBay.

You will find that gaming laptops are quite difficult to find as cheap as say laptops for students. If you are looking to play all of the latest games though, you will need to balance price with components. For instance, a good graphics card is very important for gamers, but will cost more to buy.

There are plenty of laptop makes out there, so it's pretty easy to find a laptop that has the components that you want, and has a design you like. A lot of the top names like HP will even allow you to customize your laptop computer, so you can exchange components that you don't really need for cheaper ones, and vice-versa. This also lets you design your laptop according to budget.

In order to buy a laptop computer that offers value, you should do your research. There are a lot of laptops for sale, so taking note of ratings and reviews is a good place to start.

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How to Protect Your Laptop – From Theft and Data Loss

by Jeff Snyder

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: 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.

How to Protect Your Data:

I’m sure you’ve had moments when you couldn’t locate a file that you knew you had stored on your laptop. The feeling of panic can be terrible until you find it. Imagine your hard drive failing (it happens!). You would lose all your important files – pictures, videos, everything.

Therefore, first and most important is external storage. External storage can be something as simple as a USB Flash Drive also known as a thumb drive (about the size of your thumb....) or a large external drive (about the size of an average hardcover book)

The type of external storage you select will depend on your needs. If you just keep basic files (i.e. “Word” documents or spreadsheets, etc) then a thumb drive could be enough (and they are very inexpensive) and can store up to 32 Gigabytes of data or if you are willing to pay a bit more they are larger storage capabilities available. If you plan on storing large files such as lots of photos and videos then you may need to step up in capacity with an external hard drive. They store up to 2 “Terabytes” (2000 Megabytes) of data.

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Discount Laptops

by brenda moore

Buying a laptop computer is a big investment for most people. So getting a laptop computer at a discount is high on the priority list of most folks. To get the most essential features on your discount laptop, there are a few factors that you should consider. These include the processor, hard drive space, battery life, memory, and video card.

The processor, or CPU, is going to be one of the most important components that you will consider in the performance of your laptop computer. It affects the battery life as well as power consumption, or heating. If you are going to be using your laptop heavily, then you will need to purchase a laptop with a processor that will endure the additional strain.

Another key component for your discount laptop is the amount of memory, or RAM. If you are going to be using a lot of graphics, you will require a lot more memory for your computer. The two kinds of RAM that are available are SD RAM and DD RAM. Of the two, DD RAM is considered superior. A good start for your discount laptop would be one equipped with memory of at least 3.0 MHz, 512 MB, DD RAM.

With the video card, the first thing you should check is the onboard specification. If you just going to be using your laptop for general purposes, then a video card that is integrated in the main board and uses your main RAM for video memory should be sufficient. However, if you are using your laptop computer for graphics design or for gaming purposes, then you will be disappointed with this type of video card.

One of the major considerations for your discount will laptop is the hard drive. In addition to considering the storage capacity of the hard drive, you will also need to consider the RPM (revolutions per minute) speed. RPM determines how quickly data is transferred to your processor.

These are a few things that you should keep in mind when purchasing your new laptop computer. If you are willing to be diligent with your research, you should have no problem finding a discount laptop that you will be happy with.

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Notebook Computer not Working?

by Mark Grey

The notebook computer, as popular as the laptop and just as useful – until either one gets broken and stops working. This is generally a huge and stressful event for the owner who has all their personal details in the hard drive and doesn´t want to let it get in the hands of the wrong people. This is now easily resolved by sending your laptop or notebook computer to a trusted source for refurbishment – giving you some quick cash in your pocket and the knowledge that all your personal details are in very safe hands.

So I mentioned computer refurbishment – why not send the notebook for repair, or put the laptop into the hands of a repair specialist? Firstly the cost, why pay out an expense for repair when you know that inevitably you will end up with a second hand machine that at some time will need more money spent on it, and on top of this we are back to the personal information concerns. The alternative to this is to send your computer whether it be a laptop, notebook -working or broken off to a professional, friendly and trusted service such as cashforlaptops.com and know that you will receive money in your pocket that can discount the price of a new notebook computer.

If you are thinking that to get cash for your notebook can´t be so easy then follow these simple steps and be prepared to be shocked with the tremendous ease and fantastic reward you will receive;

- Log on to www.cashforlaptops.com and click on the ‘get a quote’, here you will receive an accurate amount of what you are going to receive for your notebook computer regardless of it´s condition, used and broken or fully functional – there is surprise number one.

- Complete the easy to follow forms and have a packaging box sent to you at their expense, not costing you a cent to get paid for your notebook, or laptop computer – surprise number two.

- Send in your old notebook and await the check to use to discount the price of a brand new computer, and be in disbelief at how quickly your cash arrives at your door.

In fact, it is probably harder to red these instructions and this article than it is to be paid for your broken machine – but remember the notebook computer will be accepted in any condition, so even if you want an upgrade this is still a very realistic option for you. So when you are ready to say goodbye to the old and welcome in the new don´t let your notebook computer be a victim of electronic waste, help save our planet and get paid for it.

Visit www.cashforlaptops.com, get a quote for your laptop or notebook computer in any condition and get paid for doing it – a sure way of securing that new computer you didn´t think was in your price range before.

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Faster Laptop In 6 Free And Easy Steps

by Scott Pheulp

Have you ever wanted a faster laptop computer? Would you like faster computer performance without the extra cost? Don't sweat it, you don't need to spend extra money to make your laptop computer run faster. Faster computer performance is within your grasp. Here are six easy and cost free steps to make your laptop computer run faster. They are simple to do and not too time consuming either.

1) Fix Those Chopped Up Disk Files.

Ever notice that it seems to take longer and longer to open up some of your computer applications? It is not your imagination. Over time, those program files become broken up into small pieces on your hard drive. It is called disk file system fragmentation. Your laptop computer system must search the hard drive for small pieces of a file and put them back together again. This happens when the operating system can not or will not allocate enough contiguous space to store a complete file. Hence, your laptop computer performance degrades significantly when you have a large amount of disk file fragmentation.

The good news is, there is a free and easy utility to fix disk files that are fragmented. There is more good news too. It is included with all Windows operating systems. It is called Disk Cleanup tool. For example; temporary internet files, Windows temporary files, and Windows components that are not being used any more. It will also show you those programs that you have installed years ago, that are no longer used; old games, old pictures and even old videos.

3) Stop All Those Automatic Startup Programs

Stop those unneeded programs that startup automatically when your computer boots up. Just about every program that is installed on your computer, seems to want to start up when your computer starts up. This slows down your laptop computer very quickly and quite dramatically. They slow down your computer during shut downs and start ups. They also eat up valuable computer memory that you could being using for live active programs.

So go through your computer programs that you have installed one by one. Go to their program preferences or program options and uncheck automatic program startup. You can also run a free Windows utility program called " MSCONFIG " to stop some programs from automatically starting up.

4) Unclog Your Windows Registry

Everything and I mean everything, that has ever been installed or un-installed on your computer is listed in the Windows registry. Your computer registry grows like one hungry monster and never stops eating. And it never goes on a diet. It retains everything forever.

The bigger it gets the slower your computer will get. Over time, it gets so clogged up, that it even gets corrupted causing computer errors. You know, those unwanted blue screens with a bunch of numbers and letters that mean nothing to you. When it gets clogged up, some programs will even stop working. The congested Windows registry will slow down your computer constantly until you perform a clean up.

Don't wait until your computer crashes before doing a registry cleanup. The best free and safe way to clean up your computer registry is to run a free registry scanner and cleaner. You can find one that is recommended by user reviews by searching the internet.

5) Windows Vista ReadyBoost

If you are using Windows Vista, you should really look into ReadyBoost. A free utility tool included in Vista that allows you to use a USB flash drive or a memory card to act as additional memory. ReadyBoost will improve your laptop computer performance without having to add additional system memory. It does this by using your flash drive or memory card as a drive for disk cache. This is all done without having to spend more money on additional memory sticks too.

6) Clean Up Your Desktop

We are all guilty of Windows desktop clutter. Some of us have way more desktop icons than we know what to do with. Everytime I turn around another desktop icon seems to appear on my desktop. Everytime your PC starts up, it has to load all those icons and their properties into RAM, this does take time and slows your PC down. It eats up your memory and slows down your bootup speed. Delete those unused desktop icons. You will see a nice speed improvement on Windows boot-up time.

If you would like to read the extended version of this article please visit coolestcheaplaptops.com. The extended version provides more detailed instructions on how to perform these steps.

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How My Laptop Was Stolen

by Scott Pheulp

I had a laptop stolen about a year ago during a business trip. I was in my hotel room typing on my notebook when I suddenly realized the lateness, of the evening. I was already late for a date with a long time friend. I jumped up, grabbed my keys and rushed out of the hotel to pick her up. The date turned out absolutely great. However, when I arrived back at my hotel room the next morning, my door was slightly open.

My first thought was, room service was doing their thing. But to my surprise the room was empty. I quickly realized when I had rushed out of my room last night, I had failed to completely shut my hotel room door tight. Well, needless to say, my laptop computer was stolen along with some cloths and a few bucks off the top of my dresser. I felt sick at the bottom of my stomach. I had some important business files on the laptop. But lucky for me, I had a good backup of my data files, on an external USB flash drive attached to my key ring. My normal scheduled data backup was performed only a day prior to my trip. I felt a little better but really stupid.

I had lost a very expensive laptop, that was less than a year old. I was out a good $1500.00 dollars for the laptop. I called the police and made out a police report. Hotel management expressed concern and assured me they would look into it. I have not heard from them since.

A few days had gone by before my mind had started to settle down over the lost laptop. I began thinking about what I could do to prevent this from happening again. I searched the Internet for some possible solutions. What I found was a laptop lock under laptop computer security. A really simple and straight forward solution. Lock up my laptop with a security lock when ever I left it sitting alone and unguarded.

There was just no way I could watch my laptop 24 hours a day during my daily travels. I looked at several laptops locks from many stores. I decided on one that gave me the best theft protection for my money. Today I have several laptop locks. I carry one around with me in my laptop case to be used on trips. A few more securing a laptop at home and in my office.

Now this is certainly not the only solution, nor is it the best and is far from full proof. It will however, help prevent my laptop from being an easy target. And I have done something, so I can sleep a little bit better at night. Like the old saying goes, "something is better than nothing"!

Now for a short update: Lately I having been looking around for other solutions in preventing my laptop from being stolen. I have found a program on the Internet called Adeona. You install a little software program on your laptop. If it is ever stolen you can track it. The software will send back to an Internet server the physical location of your laptop. If you have a Mac it will even send a picture of the thief. You will than be able to give this information to the police, who hopefully will be able to recover your laptop. It sounds extremely promising. It is now installed on all my laptops. I only hope I will never have to put it to use!

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Cheap Laptops, a Myth?

by brenda moore

The mobility and convenience of laptops have made them a hot commodity. The explosion of WiFi access makes the laptop computer even more attractive for users who want to access their information anytime or anywhere. And for the diligent consumer, price does not have to be a limiting factor. With a little research, you are sure to find a cheap laptop that fits your computing needs.

The first thing to consider if you are searching for a cheap laptop is to consider what features are essential. In order to do this, you need to think about what you will be using the laptop for. To start the process, make a list of features that you will need and then visit some of the well-known manufacturers’ websites in order to find a model that suits your needs.

While you are making your list of features, it is important to consider the fact that laptop computers are not as easily upgraded as desktop computers. For this reason, you will need to choose a laptop that includes the features you require already integrated. A few of the things that can be upgraded on a laptop include the memory, hard drive, and optical drive.

In order to get the best deal on a cheap laptop, it is best to shop around. So to get the most for your money, you will need to know what your desired laptop model sells for at several different places. In this way you will insure that you get the best deal when you finally decide to purchase your computer.

They are also many websites that compile lists of special coupons and discounts that apply to computers and electronics. Just visit a search engine to locate such sites and choose one that is updated frequently. If you are patient, you may find a great discount that applies to the model you want. Your patience and due diligence will be rewarded with a cheap laptop.

If you are a student or work in the educational system, this may be another means to acquiring a cheap laptop. Check with your school, college, or university to find out about any discounts that are offered. There are also websites that offer educational discounts.

Anther possible means of purchasing a cheap laptop may be an employee discount. If you work for a company that purchases or builds computers, you may be eligible for discounts.

These are only a few ways to get a cheap laptop. If you are creative and think outside the box, you should be able to come up with even more solutions.

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Avoid Laptop Health Risks - Use Laptop Accessories, Laptop Stands & Laptop Desks

by Schreiberistic

Mobile computing or laptop usage in particular has proved to be a boon for many. However, this has also been termed as the root cause for the rise in shoulder, back and neck problems. Repetitive strain injury for instance has been diagnosed to many business persons who have been using the laptop for prolonged period of time. Adjustable ergonomically designed laptop desks were something which was yet to be introduced to people back then. But, now with the changing technology, popularity, and certain health issues, many people have now turned to using laptop accessories that make it simpler to work and don’t take a toll on their health.

May it be using an Acer laptop, or an asus laptop or any other probably bet laptop, laptop computers have certain health hazards attached to it. Given below are some tips to help you maintain your health and the health of your laptop: -

• Make use of separate mouse and keyboard if possible
• Sit straight with support for your lower back
• Take frequent breaks in between for relieving tension in upper body
• Use an ergonomically designed laptop desk instead of using your lap. This will give your arms support and reduces strain.
• Use laptop stand to elevate laptop screen level in alignment with your eye level

People who use laptop computers in particular cannot adjust the keyboard placement or the screen placement. Reason why they undergo strain on their wrist, back or neck; as a solution to this ergonomically designed laptop stands and adjustable ergonomically designed laptop desks are commonly used as a remedy for people suffering from health risks like carpal tunnel syndrome, repetitive strain injury or certain musculoskeletal injuries that arise due to prolonged use of laptop. Thanks to laptop stands and laptop desks, you don’t have to change the way you sit, or sit in an uncomfortable position but instead position the laptop in an appropriate manner.

Many chiropractors in particular promote the use of laptop desks and laptop stands, as they are ergonomically designed, taking into consideration the user comfort. According to them placing notebook laptops on a portable laptop stand or portable laptop desk is the suitable way of raising the laptop level according to the suitable eye level of the user.

Notebook computer accessories for laptop notebook like the laptop stand are good for you and your health in particular. Accessories for laptop computers also contribute to the longevity of your laptop. Use laptop notebook stands for your amelioration. HandStands has been a leading manufacturer and distributor of laptop accessories which range from laptop mats, laptop stands, laptop desks as well as laptop skins and notebook cooling stands that thwart health risks and give you the much needed comfort.

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Notebook Computer not Working?

by Mark Grey

The notebook computer, as popular as the laptop and just as useful – until either one gets broken and stops working. This is generally a huge and stressful event for the owner who has all their personal details in the hard drive and doesn´t want to let it get in the hands of the wrong people. This is now easily resolved by sending your laptop or notebook computer to a trusted source for refurbishment – giving you some quick cash in your pocket and the knowledge that all your personal details are in very safe hands.

So I mentioned computer refurbishment – why not send the notebook for repair, or put the laptop into the hands of a repair specialist? Firstly the cost, why pay out an expense for repair when you know that inevitably you will end up with a second hand machine that at some time will need more money spent on it, and on top of this we are back to the personal information concerns. The alternative to this is to send your computer whether it be a laptop, notebook -working or broken off to a professional, friendly and trusted service such as cashforlaptops.com and know that you will receive money in your pocket that can discount the price of a new notebook computer.

If you are thinking that to get cash for your notebook can´t be so easy then follow these simple steps and be prepared to be shocked with the tremendous ease and fantastic reward you will receive;

- Log on to www.cashforlaptops.com and click on the ‘get a quote’, here you will receive an accurate amount of what you are going to receive for your notebook computer regardless of it´s condition, used and broken or fully functional – there is surprise number one.

- Complete the easy to follow forms and have a packaging box sent to you at their expense, not costing you a cent to get paid for your notebook, or laptop computer – surprise number two.

- Send in your old notebook and await the check to use to discount the price of a brand new computer, and be in disbelief at how quickly your cash arrives at your door.

In fact, it is probably harder to red these instructions and this article than it is to be paid for your broken machine – but remember the notebook computer will be accepted in any condition, so even if you want an upgrade this is still a very realistic option for you. So when you are ready to say goodbye to the old and welcome in the new don´t let your notebook computer be a victim of electronic waste, help save our planet and get paid for it.

Visit www.cashforlaptops.com, get a quote for your laptop or notebook computer in any condition and get paid for doing it – a sure way of securing that new computer you didn´t think was in your price range before.

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Faster Laptop In 6 Free And Easy Steps

by Scott Pheulp

Have you ever wanted a faster laptop computer? Would you like faster computer performance without the extra cost? Don't sweat it, you don't need to spend extra money to make your laptop computer run faster. Faster computer performance is within your grasp. Here are six easy and cost free steps to make your laptop computer run faster. They are simple to do and not too time consuming either.

1) Fix Those Chopped Up Disk Files.

Ever notice that it seems to take longer and longer to open up some of your computer applications? It is not your imagination. Over time, those program files become broken up into small pieces on your hard drive. It is called disk file system fragmentation. Your laptop computer system must search the hard drive for small pieces of a file and put them back together again. This happens when the operating system can not or will not allocate enough contiguous space to store a complete file. Hence, your laptop computer performance degrades significantly when you have a large amount of disk file fragmentation.

The good news is, there is a free and easy utility to fix disk files that are fragmented. There is more good news too. It is included with all Windows operating systems. It is called Disk Cleanup tool. For example; temporary internet files, Windows temporary files, and Windows components that are not being used any more. It will also show you those programs that you have installed years ago, that are no longer used; old games, old pictures and even old videos.

3) Stop All Those Automatic Startup Programs

Stop those unneeded programs that startup automatically when your computer boots up. Just about every program that is installed on your computer, seems to want to start up when your computer starts up. This slows down your laptop computer very quickly and quite dramatically. They slow down your computer during shut downs and start ups. They also eat up valuable computer memory that you could being using for live active programs.

So go through your computer programs that you have installed one by one. Go to their program preferences or program options and uncheck automatic program startup. You can also run a free Windows utility program called " MSCONFIG " to stop some programs from automatically starting up.

4) Unclog Your Windows Registry

Everything and I mean everything, that has ever been installed or un-installed on your computer is listed in the Windows registry. Your computer registry grows like one hungry monster and never stops eating. And it never goes on a diet. It retains everything forever.

The bigger it gets the slower your computer will get. Over time, it gets so clogged up, that it even gets corrupted causing computer errors. You know, those unwanted blue screens with a bunch of numbers and letters that mean nothing to you. When it gets clogged up, some programs will even stop working. The congested Windows registry will slow down your computer constantly until you perform a clean up.

Don't wait until your computer crashes before doing a registry cleanup. The best free and safe way to clean up your computer registry is to run a free registry scanner and cleaner. You can find one that is recommended by user reviews by searching the internet.

5) Windows Vista ReadyBoost

If you are using Windows Vista, you should really look into ReadyBoost. A free utility tool included in Vista that allows you to use a USB flash drive or a memory card to act as additional memory. ReadyBoost will improve your laptop computer performance without having to add additional system memory. It does this by using your flash drive or memory card as a drive for disk cache. This is all done without having to spend more money on additional memory sticks too.

6) Clean Up Your Desktop

We are all guilty of Windows desktop clutter. Some of us have way more desktop icons than we know what to do with. Everytime I turn around another desktop icon seems to appear on my desktop. Everytime your PC starts up, it has to load all those icons and their properties into RAM, this does take time and slows your PC down. It eats up your memory and slows down your bootup speed. Delete those unused desktop icons. You will see a nice speed improvement on Windows boot-up time.

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Laptops Are Getting Smaller And Smaller

by David Fishman

When you think of portability many people believed that you would not be able to get the power and functionality as compared to a desktop system, today is not true. Desktops are the preferred computer because of the ability to add peripherals and the power are much more than a laptop, but today laptops are able to add peripherals and have the computer power and have the ability to snap into a docking station which emulates a desktop. That has now changed and laptops are becoming affordable, light weight, faster and the ability to add many peripherals via USB.

Laptop computers are great portable offices, and as technology increases and speeds of computers increase, we are seeing battery life also increase and provide longer usage time with out the need to be plugged in. An extra battery is always a wise purchase when buying a used laptop. The batteries on many systems only last for about 2 years so if you get more life out of the battery you are one of the lucky ones. Battery life varies with the efficiency of the processor, so check out battery life in any reviews you read. When looking at the weight of the laptop don't forget to add in the weight of the battery chargers and other accessories, this should be included in the weight of the laptop.

Manufactures are able to create tiny screens, even as small as 8 inches, this size screen is great for portability, but many people are finding that the fonts and images are to small and to use they need to start squinting. The size of the screen is also important. When looking at laptops look at the hinges of the screen and make sure they are strong and do not look like they would crack or separate from the laptop. Every so often you need to clean your screen and get the dust out of your keyboard, make sure you handle the screen carefully because the screen is fragile and can break easily.

Wireless is the wave of the future, so when looking to purchase a laptop make sure you get one with wireless built in. To use the wireless you will need a wireless router at home. This is always good to remember if you are using a wireless system make sure you make it secure so no one can steal your data or use your wireless system.

There is a variety of different types of memory, and it is important that you choose memory that is compatible with your notebook computer. Many computer owners don't like to upgrade because of many reasons: they do not have the knowledge, fear of voiding the warranty or ruining their computers and some people don't know what to order, or by opening the computer they might break the system and need to pay more to get it fixed. Like a lot of things in life, a computer memory upgrade seems more complicated than it actually is.

With today computers having the ability to add many peripherals be sure that the laptop comes with many USB ports to add devices like a mouse, printer, digital camera, etc.

If you are on tight budget, buying a refurbished laptop is a great idea. Many manufactures have refurbished laptops and will sell them at a reduced price which will save a lot of money. Many of the refurbished laptops even come with warranties.

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Why You Shouldn’t Miss an Acer Aspire Laptop in Your Daily Endeavors:

by Twinomugisha Charles

Acer aspire laptop is the best for a frequent traveler should buy. Most people call this gadget laptop and to most of us who are used to laptop, see is as another advanced machine other than a laptop. Generally a laptop is a potable PC i.e. a traveling computer that can perform the same duties as a desktop computer but an Acer aspire laptop in not. The best name you can call it is “Min laptop”.

This min laptop called Acer aspire is the best to travel with. It can perform Duties of bigger laptops like browsing and sending emails. But when it comes to duties like laptop gaming, this is not the best choice for you.In other places they are called netbook computers. The reason they give is that they can pick network from anywhere in the world as long as one has a connection to the internet and most of all they are portable.When it comes style and class, this Acer aspire laptop computer is the best among the best. Moving with it from place to place feels like having been at the top of the world because its weight is less than 995g and it measurement in width and length is just 249 x 29 x 170mm and that makes it one of the laptops to move with anywhere.It has the lightest battery ever and this qualifies it to be the lightest notebook. Its battery takes a lot of time to run out as this laptop is mainly made to browse the internet and sending emails.

Acer aspire laptop computer has the best keyboard that takes almost ½ of the whole laptop and with quality no compromise. Its key has the softest key pad hence making it convenient for any user in any place and moreover since this netbook is specifically made for browsing the internet and sending the mails, it loads faster than other laptops . But as technology changes day and night, there are other small notebook computer which will come to out-compete the Acer aspire laptop computer but to me, it is still the best choice for businessmen and travelers whose aim is to browse the internet and send emails. And if you are among those mentioned above, this laptop should be your next option.

Now the question remaining is how and where to get them at a good price. There are many laptop outlets in this world. It is up to you and where you are. If you are used to browsing, you can go to Google and browse for these places that sell these gadgets and it is better to compare from many outlets hence gauge the price for the best cut. A place like TigerDirect.com is one of the best outlets in the world.

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Laptop Notebook - What Defines a Laptop

by brenda moore

The laptop notebook computer is one of the greatest technological advances to come along. And you will probably find it difficult to eschew the computer if you live if the modern world, unless you are Amish. The desktop computer was a wonderful invention, but the laptop notebook computer is gaining a powerful momentum that is hard to ignore.

While people have come to use the terms laptop and notebook interchangeably to describe the portable computing devices that business owners and stay-at-home moms alike carry around, there are a few differences between the two.

A laptop computer is a portable computer that is small enough to fit comfortably in the user’s lap. They are a bit larger than their counterparts – the notebook computer. Laptop computers are normally larger to include such features as built in or removable CD ROM drives.

Most standard laptops will feature a 14 inch to 17 inch screen, a full featured keyboard, 2+ hour battery life, integrated audio system, mid to high level graphics cards, integrated modem and WiFi capabilities, and a built in or removable optical drive. Laptops offer the ability to be upgraded to some extent also.

A notebook computer is designed to be ultra-portable and ultra-lightweight. Therefore, it includes the minimal amount of features necessary to provide the greatest degree of mobility. Standard notebook computers feature 4+ hours battery life, minimal graphics system, no internal optical drive, 12 to 14 inch screen, integrated modem and network capabilities, and the smallest possible keyboard. It is also normally thinner than a traditional laptop computer.

With technology improving at such a rapid pace, though, it is now possible to include much more computing power into a smaller space. This may be one of the reasons that the line has become blurred between the laptop and notebook computers. Now, both of these mobile computing devices have simply become known as the laptop notebook.

And since the differences are so slight, there really is no harm in putting the two into the same category. Most people do not care enough to recognize the difference in the terminology anyway. They just know that they want their laptop notebook along for the ride.

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Cheap Laptop Initiative

by brenda moore

One special interest consumer group wants to provide a cheap laptop computer to the masses. This computer would be ultra-durable, brightly colored, powerful, and change the way that school children in developing countries learn.

The cheap laptop computer would cost around $100 and be tough and kid friendly. And since producing power for the laptop might be a problem for students in developing countries, the hundred dollar laptop has a hand crank to generate the operational power necessary. The Massachusetts Institute of technology has been charged with the task of creating a prototype for this computer.

Some have wondered just how useful the included wireless connections will be in places where the Internet does not exist or is too expensive. They are also been concerns about the cheap laptop computers remaining in the hands of children, despite their bright and distinctive colors.

Leaders of this cheap laptop computer project, dubbed the “$100 Laptop Initiative”, envisioned a computer that can substitute for computers, textbooks, libraries, maps, and more - all in one product.

In an effort to keep the cost down, the designers of the cheap laptop computer decided to implement “open source” software so that there are no problems with obtaining licensing fees. The computers will run on less memory in order to keep the costs down. And the designers were also able to obtain a cheap processor similar to ones used in home computers.

One of the problematic areas of creating this cheap laptop computer was the display screen. In normal laptop computers, the display screen alone can cost more than $100. But in order for this model to be effective, the designers needed to find a display that would be much cheaper, around $35. The display also needed to be versatile enough to be read vertically like the pages of the book.

Designers of the cheap laptop computer even considered colored and design with their concept. While they did not want a color that would make teenagers reject the laptops, they did want a color and design that was distinctive enough to keep the computers out of the hands of unscrupulous adults.

Designers of the hundred dollar cheap laptop computer are confident that it will be a welcome addition to education systems around the world. Some countries that have already expressed interest are Brazil and Thailand.

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Adjustable Ergonomically Designed Laptop Desk - Ideal for Home and Office

by Schreiberistic

Laptops are meant for people always on the go. People who cant help but keep in touch with work and certain work obligations even when they have to take a holiday. Personally I feel this has been one of the best things to happen to us businessmen, we don’t have to conform out office work to the four-walled cabin and work whenever we want and wherever we want.

I personally enjoy taking my laptop on vacations too. Well, I know it’s a bit over the top when it comes to spending time with family, but people like me who have to be in touch with overseas clients don’t really have an option but take the mini office along wherever we go. Whether it is using my notebook desk or my notebook computer desk, I have now come up with a brilliant idea of using a laptop desk for mounting my notebook laptop whenever I am in a hotel or at home.

I am lately accustomed to using variant laptop accessories, its unbelievable how companies have come up with accessories for portable laptop desk, computer laptop desk as well as a laptop computer stand. May it be assembled or a one-piece laptop desk, notebook laptop desks have turned out to be a rage among many grown ups and teens alike. A common feature that attracts everyone is the laptop desks ability to take care of the soaring heat of the laptop whenever one is working on the laptop.

Trust me; you too are sure to love the laptop accessories and the notebook laptopdesk in particular. Gone are the days when you have to double up your computer desk to work as your computer lap desk. Now there are companies like HandStands producing laptop accessories like laptop lap desk and notebook desk that make it easier for everyone to use the laptop at all times in all seasons.

There was a point when I had to face the summer heat and the heat of the laptop. But luckily I have been saved from all that, thanks to HandStands laptop desk. I know what I say may not seem that convincing to you, but once you start using laptop desks, you will know the kind of benefits you could reap.

Laptop desk work great as portable notebook stand or portable laptop stand, giving you the chance of taking the laptop desk stand with you, whenever you have to travel. The computer laptop stand is the best option I found for taking care of my laptop. I can simply sit on the couch or bed and work on the laptop, without even taking on my lap. You will love it, I do! The height can be adjusted according to your preferences. Adjustable laptop desk, ergonomically designed laptop desk is all you could wish for, that too at a reasonable price!

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Pink Laptops Gaining Popularity

by Gill Critchley

It is hard to imagine a world without computers. Computers have come a long way from the huge machines that used to occupy the science labs in huge research facilities and military complexes; they are now the personal computers that adorn most offices and homes around the world. When the large computers were replaced by personal computers or PCs, the way the world worked changed forever due to the computers adding precision and expertise to someone’s work. They revolutionised products and services across the globe and were extremely quick at doing so. However, the advent of personal computers was not the end of the revolution, after these were laptops which were miniature versions of the PC created to enable mobile computing. Laptops were first created by the company Toshiba in conjunction with others such as Sony. They shrunk the PC parts that came with regular computers and compressed them into a portable mini-computer. These were also a bit bulky at first but nothing compared to the original computers and now laptops are ultra-thin and ultra-light while at the same time packing considerably more power than their bulky counterparts. Today, netbooks seem to be the new craze and are even smaller and more compact than today’s laptops, they are ideal for those looking for a more mobile and yet still sufficient device to browse the internet on and to compile documents. There is no telling where the computer revolution is heading next but the laptop computer is here to stay and their innovation is reaching new heights every season. A popular trend at the moment is pink laptops which seem to be attracting a lot more interest. The sensation caused by the arrival of pink notebooks in the market is no small achievement. Computer manufacturers seem to have capitalised on the love that many people, usually females, have to the colour pink. It’s not only laptops that are popular in pink however, shoes, phones, cars and MP3 players are also all very popular with pink lovers. Computer manufactures like Dell pioneered the art of allowing customers to actually order a computer directly from the warehouse. Together with this new option, they also offered customers the chance to customise their orders for their exact computing needs rather than simply being stuck with whatever the company was offering. This meant that the buyer could now request the specific memory size, screen size, resolution, hard drive size and even the colour. Pink laptops have been a popular choice thanks to pioneering techniques by companies such as Dell and many people find them very attractive to look at. Creators of the pink laptops had high school teens in mind because students have now joined the computer revolution. The computing needs of teens seem to gravitate mainly around gaming and online social networking. Gamers have given laptops, especially pink laptops, a demand that has been unprecedented since the advent of Motorola’s pink Razr phone. With this in mind, it looks as though pink gadgets will be around for a long time to come.

Nowadays, laptops are very thin and very light and are therefore ideal for carrying around with you. There is no way of knowing where the computing revolution will be heading next but it looks as though the laptop computer is here to stay. Pink notebooks have become very popular and there are now many other pink products on the market.

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Discount Laptops - Looking For The Features That Count

by John Ducharne

A little over a decade ago, hardly anyone owned a computer. Now, not only are desktop computers standard in any American household, but laptop computers are a relatively new, enduring trend because they are lightweight and portable. Many college students and businesspeople cannot imagine life without a computer notebook! So if you are ready for your laptop computer, here is small tutorial on how to find the discount laptops available.

The first step is to think about what you need from your laptop. This will by no means be the same for everyone. For example, one person may be more concerned with a laptop's wireless connectivity while another might be more concerned with battery life. So, essentially, a laptop user and a laptop must be compatible.

However, there are many factors that determine the performance of a computer and the more of them that you can learn about, the better equipped you will be to shop around. Thus, the second step is to learn what all the technobabble means.

The discount laptops will not only have lots of memory, but they will have many other things going for them as well. A processor determines the speed of the computer, and you should choose a laptop that has more than 1.4 GHz. A laptop's system memory, which establishes how well the computer runs and the number of different user tasks it can handle at once, should be at least 128 MB. But some laptop computer shoppers may want an even higher memory, since memory upgrades on laptop computers are not as easy as those for desktop computers.

Screen size is also important - you will be able to view more information, at a higher resolution, the larger the screen is. But as long as the computer screen is at least 12.1 inches diagonally, you should be okay. Batteries in newer discount laptops are almost always long lasting (3 to 7 hours), but if you can, buy a laptop computer with a lithium ion rechargeable battery.

The hard drive, which basically stores all the data on a computer, is probably the most glaring feature. But depending on what you are using your laptop for, the hard drive size can be as small or as large as you like.

Another important factor in buying a laptop computer is the keyboard! Because a laptop is so compact, sometimes the keys can be too small for typing. Make sure to practice typing on the laptop you're eyeing. Also, don't forget to look for other features like a DVD or CD drive. Maybe you want to be able to watch a movie on your next airplane flight or maybe you are up for saving money by not buying a laptop with those added bonuses.

As long as you give serious thought to what exactly you are shopping for, you can then narrow down your options dramatically and compare prices of only the discount laptops out there.

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Laptop Computers, Also Called Notebook Computers

by Bradley Ben

Leading manufacturers introduce new versions each year. So finding the top 10 laptops from this wide spectrum of the computer world is quite difficult.

Some of the latest laptops available are Gateway NX850XL, Toshiba Qosmio G35, Toshiba Satellite M65, Sony VAIO VGN-TX670P, HP Compaq Presario V5000Z, Dell XPS M170, ThinkPad T60, HP Compaq nx6110, MacBook Pro, and ThinkPad X41 Tablet.

Toshiba Qosmio G35 is the best tricked-out multimedia laptop. This state-of-the-art machine has set features of crisp display, A/V controls, built-in TV tuner, and latest audio controls.

Double-layer DVD burner is an added facility.
SONY VAIO VGN-TX5XN/B is one of the latest laptops that comes with an Inter Core processor inside. This laptop from Sony is power efficient and is available with an installed RAM size of 1 GB / 1.5 GB. Features such as a power-optimized processor system bus, Intel virtualization and enhanced SpeedStep technology make this innovative gadget a must buy.

This Sony laptop operates on the Microsoft Windows Vista Business operating system.
Dell XPS M170 is a high performance laptop with features such as top shelf processor and graphics engine, and good multimedia facilities. This model is the slimmest and fastest gaming machines in the laptop industry.

SONY Vaio VGN-AR31S is a flagship notebook from the Sony VAIO AR30-Series. It features an integrated Blue-ray Disc optical drive and can be seen as the ultimate Full HD entertainment notebook.

The huge, 17-inch double lap X-black LCD wide-screen display is HD capable. An integrated hybrid digital/analog TV tuner and a remote control ensures that users experience the ultimate in PC entertainment.

HP Compaq nx6110 is light weight, inexpensive laptop for small business. Well labeled ports and slots, long life battery, premium Pentium M processor, and 40GB hard drive provide comprehensive support for your business work. MacBook Pro, well known for its design, is one of the powerful laptops from the Apple. Two models are available in this category.

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