Criteria For Choosing Laptop Computers

by Brian Morrison

In today's highly mobile world, PC computers are increasingly becoming must haves rather than the luxuries they once were. This is especially true for businessmen, students, and professionals who need to take their information and get their communication anytime, anywhere.

However, the actual number of brands in the market can be awfully bewildering to the beginner in the mobile computing world. Not all portables are created equal. With that said, here are the things you need to remember when considering the acquisition of computer computers.

Faster Processor

Ideally, the processor must be the swiftest in its segment to enable computing speeds that will keep abreast of your similarly fast lifestyle. Most tech geeks will recommend Intel Core 2 Duo as the swiftest in the market at present.

Higher Memory Capacity

Though 1GB is satisfactory and 2GB is better, go for 4GB if your position permits it.

You will need the additional space when your data (i.e., software, pictures, videos, documents) increase with consistent use.

You will be confused with tech-geek terminologies like screen resolution, passive/active screens and aspect proportion so the best thing to do is to test the portables till you find one that suits your viewing needs.

Longer Battery Life

Nowadays, the normal battery life is 2-3 hours although the MacBook Pro can last as long as five hours.

Wireless and Wired Mobile Connectivity

Ideally, your computer must have mobile connectivity options in both the wireless (WiFi) and wired networks. You will have more chances to attach to the virtual world when you have both options, which will make your life less complicated particularly when telecommuting.

Multi-Media Options

As such, you'll need acceptable ports to plug in external devices like a mouse and printer, a memory stick and scanner, and even your digital camera must be accommodated by your PC. And if you must consider purchasing a movie fan, you should consider buying a laptop with a built-in CD/DVD appearance of becoming more trendy. You can just about drool over their smooth, smooth and classy aesthetics that portable covers, sleeves and bags are frequently obligatory evils. And with designs in various colors, textures and prints, you may definitely find a PC that appeal to your private sense of style!

When getting a mobile PC just remember these standards and you will ultimately find your perfect laptop.

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Spam Blocker - Keep Your Laptop Computer Safe

by johnxuster

Spam is the bane of small businesses’ existence. It can not only bring viruses onto your network, but it can take over your computers and send spam to other computers. Spam Blocker enables administrators to block spam at the gateway before it ever reaches the users.

Many computer user install spam blockers or filters on their computer to help them get rid of unwanted email. These programs work by either blocking certain email addresses or filtering what is believed to be spam into another file in the email program. As spam is always changing, spam blockers and filters do not always work in getting rid of every piece of spam and sometimes real messages are blocked accidentally.

A spam blocker can use several different ways of trying to protect a computer. The first type is blacklists, where the email addresses and domain names of spammers are blocked. This system is not considered to be very effective since spammers can easily get around the system and there may be a number of legitimate emails blocked.

Another type of spam blocker is collaborate blacklists. With this type, users identify spammers and a centralized system creates a list of email addresses that users have labeled as spammers. Sometimes legitimate newsletters and other emails get blacklisted when enough individuals label them as spam instead of unsubscribing themselves.

A final type of spam blocker is a whitelist. In this system, a user sets up the email and domain addresses that he will accept email from. When an unknown email sends a message, it is blocked. The system can be labor intensive as the user must manually set up the accepted emails.

Some whitelists use an extension which sends a response back to email addresses asking them to confirm their identity. This helps identify real emails, while weeding out spammers who won’t reply. Newsletters can also get caught in this system so users need to make sure that they manually confirm all newsletters or promotional emails that they want.

Although spam blockers present some challenges in that they sometimes let spam through and sometimes block legitimate emails, they are currently some of the best ways to identify and prevent spam. Advances will continue to occur as individuals, companies, and governments work to create better ways of protecting inboxes from spam.

A spam blocker is an important tool for every computer user, even though the system remains imperfect. Spam blockers will help save you time and help protect your computer from harmful viruses.

And it impacts you in other ways. According to a recent study, the cost of spam messages to U.S. companies—in terms of productivity and the equipment, software and manpower to combat it—was upwards of $10 billion in 2004.

So the key is to stop spam before it stops you.

Our powerful Spam Blocker protects you with top-notch spam scanning and blocking at the edge of your network—before it can do damage or slow you down. Using the latest technologies, Spam Blocker transparently scans for spam, marks messages and intercepts emails. It requires no alteration of your network’s mail configuration and is constantly updated to guard against any refinements in trickery or techniques that senders create to get around other solutions.

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The Excellent Laptop Computer Desks

by johnxuster

Computer desks are specifically designed to hold the computer such as the monitor, the keyboard, the mouse, the printer, scanner and many other accessories. The monitor is located on the desk while the keyboard, mouse and others are placed in shelves or in other compartments. Computer desks are designed to have an open back so that the cables and wires will be connected to the electrical outlets. Most computer desks are made of wood. It can also be made out of different materials such as metal, fiberglass and others. But the wooden computer desks are more expensive. The sizes of these computer desks may vary but there is a standard size that is already available in the market. But if you want a larger desk then you can choose to purchase customized computer desks to suit your interior or room.

Some people would let a carpenter build computer desks but this is not the best option. Why? Basically, it is crucial because apart from the functions of the desk, it should also give ergonomic comfort. What does it mean? The monitor should not be too high or too low from the person using it. The keyboard and the mouse should also be located in the right place because this might bring discomfort after long hours of working in front of the computer.

Aside from that, the computer desks should come with an ergonomic chair to make sure that you will not feel body pain while doing computer work. Do the computer desks have small wheels at the bottom? This is also very important because sometimes, the computer is transferred from one location to another. If it has these small wheels, then moving it would not be a problem at all. So what are the different types of computer desks and office desks?

If you have a large work room, you should have at least a comfortable office desk and if you have a computer, you should think about getting a computer desk. You might think that it is expensive but actually, it is not. There are many inexpensive office desks as well as economic computer desks for your needs. You might think about putting the computer in a table and put the cpu next to it but it would look unpleasant and there might be discomforts. The mouse and the keyboard should be a little bit lower than the monitor.

Computer desks can have compartments where you could keep important documents or files. Office desks can also have cabinets or shelves so that your things can be organized in a jiffy. Selecting an office desk is not at all difficult, if you know where to look. One of the important pieces of furniture in your house could be the office desk. With it, you can work freely without thinking about where you put the necessary files you need.

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Buying a Refurbished Laptop Computer

by David Perlmutter

When considering buying a used or even a new laptop, the first thing you need to do is to determine your computing needs.

word processing
e-mail
browsing web pages
moving the laptop from home to work (weight)
gaming
on-line shopping
a database application
personal finance
is battery power important
Check out the Minimum Systems Requirements needed to do all of the your applications. They will not come with the laptop, as refurbished laptops often only include the Operating System (OS). If they don't include an installed OS, then be prepared to install it yourself. This is not for those that don't know what they are doing, so research what is involved before buying one without an OS.

Once you understand what you really need, you need to determine your budget.

Most old laptops do not have working batteries. If you need a battery, shop around to figure out how much they cost. You should know that on older laptops, batteries don't last more than an hour or two, so purchasing a new battery for the purpose of longer battery life may not be worth the expense. And by all means, stick with a name brand... IBM, Dell, Toshiba, Compaq-HP.

If you are new to computers and you want to browse the World Wide Web, you will need to obtain the services of an ISP (Internet Service Provider). There are basically two types of Internet access options: broadband (cable modem, DSL, satellite) and lowband (dial-up). Broadband is the preferred type since download speeds can range from 128kbs to 6000kbs. The faster the better, of course. But, if your budget is tight, dial-up works just fine for typical browsing and e-mail usage.

Your choice of ISP's will be dependent upon two things: budget and location. If the budget allows and you don't mind paying upwards of $35-50+ per month, you can purchase a broadband connection. However, even if money were no object, your physical location will determine what types of services are available to you. Broadband is not available everywhere (with the exception of satellite). If you have a telephone line, you can always choose dial-up. AOL's bread and butter is dial-up users. Do your research to determine what is available in your area and compare costs.

And for you gamers out there, you definitely need a reliable broadband connection. Gaming over a lowband connection can be a frustrating experience and sometimes even impossible. You will need to check out the minimum systems requirement for the games you are interested in using to make sure the CPU speed and the RAM and graphic chip requirements will support the games you wish to play.

Once you have figured out your budget and your needs and the requirements of your laptop it is time to search for the laptop of your desires.

Some people choose to search at www.ebay.com. If you do be sure to check out the seller to be sure you will have a smooth transaction.

Many people don't want the hassle of bidding, so use your favorite search engine: Google or Yahoo or MSN for the terms "used laptops" or "refurbished laptop".

An important thing to keep in mind is how will the vendor treat you should there be a problem. If you don't like their attitude or they don't pick up the phone shop elsewhere. Price is important, but if you have a problem and spent the least amount of money possible the vendor may not have any resources available to help you after you have purchased and spent your money.

If all the above seems like too much of a hassle, then buy a new computer. It will cost around $700 + but will come with a new battery and a one year warranty, although some new ones seem to have only 90 day warranties. It will also have the latest Windows XP system and an 800 number to call the vendor, should their be a problem. I'd call the 800# first before buying to get an idea what kind of support they will provide.

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When to Rent a Laptop Computer

by SONU KUMAR GARG

Most companies either lease or buy their computer equipment, but why or when should a company rent laptop or notebook computers?

Here are a few reasons to rent a laptop computer:

-If you need technology on short notice or for a short time, it is best to rent a laptop.

-If you need a large quantity of laptop computers for a training class, it is best to rent laptops.

-If your laptop computers are on back order but your staff isn't, it's best to rent laptops for immediate installation.

-If you need a wireless laptop computers for travel and all your company laptops and notebook computers are wired.
People confuse computer renting with leasing.

Renting is short term in nature and is very flexible. Leasing, like buying is a fixed arrangement.

You can extend the rental or cancel at any time with no penalty. Leases can't be cancelled without a 'severe penalty'.

Renting laptops is totally flexible, requires no capital budget and can often be accomplished with a company credit card. For most companies, renting is as easy as getting office supplies.

Rental companies have expert computer technicians who deliver, install and test your laptop rental right at your office, training room, trade show booth, seminar, convention or conference.

Rental companies have everything you need and a backup plan if something unexpected happens.

Other reasons why businesses rent laptop computers include temporary offices, traveling executives and temporary employees.

Temporary Offices
Temporary offices can be made complete with rental laptop computers, printers, copiers and fax machines. The hardware will be configured to your company specifications and installed at any remote location in the United States or Canada.

Rentacomputer.com has set up temporary offices in hotel rooms, trailers, warehouses and convention centers. Temporary offices have been set up for State and Federal Government agencies such as FEMA, the FBI and the IRS. Also legal firms, television networks covering hurricane disasters, movie studios setting up "on location", and new building construction sites, corporate mergers and takeovers.

Traveling Executives
Traveling executives won't have to carry portable laptop computers through airports or other public transportation facilities. Executives can have technology, preconfigured and tested, waiting at their final destination! Traveling with technology is one hassle that can be easily avoided by calling a computer rental expert like a Temporary Technology Travel Agent.

Temporary Employees
Temporary employees need temporary technology. By renting laptop computers you can coordinate the installation and removal of computers, printers and other technology for any period of time specified. If you hire temporary employees, hire temporary technology too.

Next time you have a temporary or special need, consider renting laptop computer technology and technical expertise.

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Features Found While Laptop Computers Shopping

by James Brown

Some of the features found while laptop computer shopping focus on size and portability. Other features that people consider beneficial is whether the laptop computer is thin enough to carry with them when they are traveling through airports. The lightweight features found in laptop computers are what made laptop computers popular to begin with, and business travelers really need this feature when they work away from the office.

Other features found while laptop computer shopping are pretty basic and to be expected, but people consider them anyway when buying a laptop computer. The number of cells in a battery will determine how long it will provide power to their laptop computer system, and they want the longest time they can get.

The most beneficial features found while laptop computer shopping are the extended warranties that are offered on laptop computers. These are insurances that will protect their investment, and people prefer this warranty feature to have a few years offered in the deal. Most laptop computers start out with a 90 day warranty but some feature offers of as much as 3 years.

Some of the fun features found while laptop computers shopping are high-end graphics and touch screens. These are luxurious features that many people feel are not necessary, but high-tech computer users love them. For a person that does video editing for a living, they pay particular attention to the video editing features that are built-in to some computer systems.

There are people that look at features found while laptop computer shopping, and think about all of the musical CDs they can copy, and how they can download music from the Internet, and transfer it to their cell phone. They look at the built-in compact disk burners and think of all the money they will save when they make copies of their own style of music that they can play in their car.

One of the most important features found while laptop computers shopping is the speed of the computer processing unit. Since this is the one piece of equipment that is not upgradeable on a laptop computer, the one that is purchased with the laptop computer model will have to suffice for the life of the product. This feature will also reduce the wear and tear on the core of the system and may extend the life cycle of the laptop computer, and affect the speed in which images appear on your laptop computer screen.

One of the features found while laptop computer shopping will determine how much memory you can upgrade some time down the road. People routinely ask what the upgrade capabilities are on a laptop computer before they ask what the operation system is that is installed on the computer system. When they ask about upgrade capabilities they are actually asking about a feature called the memory slots.

The connectivity features found while laptop computer shopping is very important for people that like to browse the Internet occasionally, and very important to those that telecommute for a living. A broadband internet connection plug-in is one way people to choose to connect to the Internet. A dial-up connection can be used, but another feature will be needed to do that, and that feature is the dial-up phone plug-in device.

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Do not Buy Any Computer Before you Read This Laptop Computer Reviews

by Muna wa Wanjiru

Today the market is flooded with thousands of laptops with different brands and different models. There are many reputed companies which are giving every thing they could to keep up the competition. Almost all the computer manufacturer is foraying into notebook markets.

Of course when you go to the market for buying laptops you get confused about which one I should opt for. Before buying laptops go through the laptop reviews and ratings. Study well for each brand and their different variants available. Look for the pricing factor and the features given. There are some factors on which one should review the laptops.

First of all plan your needs and be clear about what exactly you work required. Then the reliability is also very important. Then the performance is the main factor. Though the performance of a laptop depends on the configuration and the features but your handling and maintenance also contributes to the performance of the laptop. Then the reviews main aim is to give valued price. Of course the best and reliable laptops are well priced and will not come cheaper but laptop reviews will provide you the best of the best. Then the ‘maintenance’ factor is also very important while reviewing laptops.

The after sale support and services provided by the companies will assure the durability and hassle free working. In addition, today’s users giving portability a much importance as people are tired of those bulky and box like laptops. People need comfort combined with style and performance. So the portability is main reviewing factor. Your laptops must be upgradeable as you don’t want to discard your laptops after your needs changes. Therefore laptops with extended support always get the higher ratings. These are the basic characteristics laptop reviews are based on.

Well, now many of the laptop reviews are based on certain fixed categories like entertainment, business, educational, and home use. Some of the web sites or the forums give overall reviews for all brands and models. In addition, reviews are based on the price factor. The most reviews are done on the top five brands like HP, Dell, Acer, Apple, and Lenovo. Most famous laptop reviews are from PCworld web site, then Amazon.com, the computer magazine, and news agencies.

Some of the top models are Apple Macbook Pro MA896LLA, then the Toshiba Satellite P205, then HP DV series Sony Vaio AR series, Acer travelMate series and Dell Aspirion series. The laptop reviews are the best way to know the best laptop you can have.

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How to Choose a New Laptop Computer

by Teeny

Laptop computers are a great choice for people who travel many times every year. Compare with a desktop computer, laptop computers are smaller, lighter and more portable. The name laptop computer describes a computer that is so small that you can fit and place it on your lap to work. There are many models and brands of laptop computers to choose from either online or walk-in stores. You should research and shop around before you actually purchase your laptop computer. Fortunately, most walk-in stores also have a website for you to look at their products for convenience.

A laptop computer has most of the regular desktop components like a keyboard, mouse, cd or dvd drive, monitor, speaker. The differences are the laptop monitor will usually be mounted on the cover of the laptop, so if will be ready to display after you open the cover. A re-chargeable battery is also necessary as a power source for the laptop for traveling, it will come with an AC/DC adapter for you to charge the battery. It typically will provide a few hours of laptop usage. These are the basic components you should research and compare before purchasing a new laptop. There are many tips about laptop computer at http://www.fidetips.com for you to read.

Besides the components we mentioned, memory and computer processor or CPU of the laptop computers are also very important for the performance. RAM or random access memory is temporary memory for the computer, and the more GB or gigabytes the faster the computer is. RAM is even more critical if you create many graphic files with your laptop. Make sure you will also have a higher capacity hard disk in gigabytes to store more data files. Try to buy a laptop with a faster CPU, the measuring unit is in MHz for mega hertz. The higher the mega hertz the faster the laptop computer will be.

If the laptop is your only computer, you may also consider purchasing a docking station, which is an accessory that you can dock the laptop and make it work like a desktop computer. It usually comes with expansion slots, multiple ports, USB ports, and bays for fixed or removable drives, and it can also work with an external monitor. You should find out if the laptop computer has a good reputation for withstanding vibrations, dropping to the floor, and operate in dusty and wet surroundings. There should be many sources like a forum on the web for your research. It will definitely to research and shop around for a more pleasant laptop computer usage experience.

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How to Get a New Laptop Computer

by johnxuster

How to Get a New Laptop Computer? Before you rush and get that new computer you must first identify what reason you have for getting one. What is your purpose? You must know what your computer will be mostly used for as this will be your most basic guide in choosing what kind of computer will be right for you.

Do you understand computer basics?

This is the next thing you need to ask yourself. Do you have knowledge and information about computers to make you choose one that is right for you? You need to have the right knowledge about computer basics so that you can get the best computer you possibly could and not feel cheated with the price you got it for. Make sure you understand what is a computer processor, RAM, the speed of the graphics, the size of the hard disk and other technical stuff like this before you embark on your quest for a new computer. If you are not very familiar with computer specifics, it is best to get the help of a person who does, preferably a friend or family member.

What Operating System do you want to use?

A computer’s operating system or processor is one of the most important thing that you would need to consider when getting a computer. Today, the newest operating system used is Window’s Vista but some people may still prefer using Window’s XP. Other people may also prefer to use Macintosh computers.

What RAM size is the minimum you are willing to get?

The computer’s Random Access Memory or RAM is your computers short-term memory. The bigger memory capacity of your RAM, the more files you can store and the faster your computer can go. Generally, when you computer’s memory gets too crowded, your computer’s function also slows down. Make sure that you have at least 1 GB of memory in your computer system.

What size and speed of hard drive will you be getting?

The hard drive is where computer programs and files are stored. It is best to get a bigger and faster hard drive to ensure a better performance from your computer. It is best to get a hard drive with at least 250 GB of memory.

Now that you have answered the 5 basic questions, you are ready to get a new computer. But do not limit yourself to this. Ask more questions about the computer you would want to get. Look at the other computer parts. Would you like to get a CTR or LCD monitor? A mouse with a trackball or an optical one? A wireless keyboard or one wired to your computer? Continue to ask yourself and also get the opinion of others to ensure that you will be getting the best computer you could possibly have.

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Laptop Computer LCD Monitors

by johnxuster

Everyone who has laptop want a high quality Laptop Computer LCD monitors.

LCD monitors have become the preferred kind of monitor in the market, having higher resolutions resulting in sharper, brighter, clearer images and thus making for better viewing. There is lesser glare from LCD screen, so looking at one for a long period of time won't be too much on the eyes. Also, LCD monitors are thin and lighter than the bulky CRT monitors. A 21-inch LCD monitor will still be lighter than a 14-inch CRT one. They are therefore more convenient for handling and for use, as they don't take up so much space in a home, and can be hung on or simply pushed against a wall. And because of their weight and dimensions, you can move LCD monitors around to suit you, with the least effort.

Monitors are literally the biggest part of your computer set-up, the printer not counted. Unless of course, you have a monster of a CPU. A monitor is basically where you see everything. It's where images from your computer come out, electronically produced from the video output of your PC or laptop. Monitors are also called visual display units, and come in all sizes possible, from 12-inch to as wide as 48-inch screens. Screen measurements are determined by the distance from one corner of the monitor to another. It's through monitors that you can view pictures, watch movies, type texts, play games, browse the internet and do virtually everything else.

Older monitors made use of CRT or cathode ray tubes to project images. In recent years however, an invention called the LCD or liquid crystal display has been gaining more popularity as the monitor of choice for a lot of people. Check out the rest of Monitors.net for more information on monitors!

Widescreen monitors are fast becoming the rage, especially with those who take pleasure in having a state-of-the-art entertainment system. Widescreen monitors are also the popular choice for computer fans who enjoy, even need to be, working with vivid, large-scale images. With a widescreen monitor, images are are not just bigger, they're brighter, sharper, and overall more fun to see. Watching a movie on a widescreen monitor is almost like watching it in the movie theatre, minus the crowd. Widescreen monitors also mean less eye strain as you can look at it at eye level. Make it an LCD monitor, and you may feel like never getting off your couch again.

It's not just all about fun, either. Working with a widescreen computer monitor offers advantages such as being able see what you're doing better and allowing you to organize your virtual workspace faster, thus making your work more efficient. With widescreen monitors, you can both work and play while enjoying yourself.

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Some Top Reasons to Rent Laptop Computers

by mike pyne

Here are some main reasons for renting a laptop computer :

- All your company computers are wired and you need a wireless laptop computer for travel and seminars.

- For Seminars, meetings and expos

- Training Purposes

– For weekly or monthly training camps you can easily rent 100’s of notebook, computers and other machines.

- For temporary employees

- Temporary employees need temporary setup. By renting computers you can easily manage the installation and removal of computers, printers and other setup for any period of time specified.

Rentfusion have expert computer team who will install, and test your laptop computers right at your doorstep, training hall, trade shows, seminar, convention or conference.

We can also setup temporary offices with rental laptop computers, printers, copiers and fax machines. The hardware can be installed at many remote locations in the United States.

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Battery Tips for Laptop Computers

by bloom media

If you use your laptop regularly whilst it’s not connected to a power supply such as on public transport or in libraries or cafes, then keeping your machine charged up is vital to make sure you stay productive. There are a number of things that you can do to keep yours charged up for longer on the move so just follow the top tips below.

If you’ve just bought a new computer then you must allow the battery to charge for at least 16 hours as it helps to initialise the battery. The battery in some models will also need to be calibrated and if that’s the case then you should refer to the original manufacturer’s instructions. It’s vital for whatever model you purchase though to fully charge the battery before you use the machine. A new battery pack needs to be fully charged a few times before it can work to full capacity so don’t be tempted to use your machine before it’s ready.

It’s a good idea to fully drain and recharge your battery pack every few months as it can help the machine to run more efficiently. You may find that after doing this, certain programmes will run faster and the overall capability of your machine will be improved.

If you find that you are between meetings and you need to use your machine for a presentation or you have important documents that you need to view then you can help to conserve your battery by turning down the brightness on your laptop screen.

To help increase the life span of the battery for the short term you could also consider removing any USB devices and closing any unused software. As a rule of thumb, if you are not using it at that moment then close it down as it will only consume already depleting battery power.

No matter how long your journey is, don’t be tempted to install or play graphics intensive video games as these can really eat up a large amount of power. Although it would be a great way to spend a couple of hours, watching a DVD on an already poorly charged battery will only make your battery burn out even more quickly. If you do want to use these programmes then make sure that you think ahead and top up plenty of battery power before your journey as it’s surprising how quickly they can drain battery power.

Keep your computer cool by not covering air vents and giving them a good clean. Warm laptop computers can eat up battery power and cooler laptops are much more energy efficient.

It’s also important to bear in mind that you need to take care of your battery pack. Take care not to drop it or expose it to water or any other type of moisture. Just by following the tips above you can ensure that your battery stays topped up so that your computer can work to optimum capacity.

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Guide to Buying a Laptop Computer

by Andrew Gates

With the many different brands and models on the market, buying a laptop or notebook computer may at first seem confusing. But simply breaking down the process into a few key areas and using Myshopping.com.au to search for the most suitable features and pricing makes it much easier to access exactly the machine you're looking for.

How important to you is mobility?

Mobility in laptop computers is a combination of size, weight and battery life: how often you carry it around, and if you will be relying mainly on the notebook's battery, or whether you will access an external power source. Laptops can weigh from a little over 1 kg up to 6kg, depending on the model and features included. The screen, storage space and disc drive all affect the weight.

Battery life is shortened by bigger screens and multiple disc drives. Manufacturers advertise the weight of the laptop in their specifications, but it is important to consider whether that specification includes batteries and other peripherals such as external drives that you may be lugging around. The most common battery type is Lithium Ion (Li-Ion), which can operate for one to three hours under normal working conditions. But many power saving options available and higher celled batteries can extend the discharge time considerably. Battery life deteriorates over time however, and as your laptop ages; the discharge rate of the battery will diminish. Sometimes it is worthwhile carrying an additional battery.

Application and cost

If mobility is of a lesser concern, then battery life and weight will be less important. You may be more inclined to have a bigger processor, screen size and memory capacity. The type of work you do can affect the screen size and type that is most suitable for you. For a lighter load, and less graphics intensive applications a 12-14in screen instead of 15 or 17in widescreen will be more suitable. If, on the other hand, the graphics capabilities and size of the screen are important then the best screen you can afford will be more of a priority. It may work out cheaper to buy a basic unit and add such things as an external TV card and DVD burner when the need arises.

How much you need to spend is closely related to how you use your laptop. If you only want to access your e-mail, browse the Web and do word processing, then you can consider lower budget machines with smaller processors, screens and facilities.

A medium-level user, perhaps playing games or working in multimedia applications, will need a powerful processor, graphics controller, storage space, and a bigger screen. The more features your laptop has, the more expensive it will be. Including a DVD-burner instead of DVD-ROM, hard drive capacity of more than 40GB, a 17in widescreen screen and wireless capabilities results in a more expensive machine.

If you are not looking for high power and graphics capabilities, then you may find a suitable laptop for around $1500. The latest processor, full blown graphics capability, DVD burner, widescreen and wireless connectivity may cost over $4000. Use Myshopping.com.au to search with different price ranges.

Other key components

Having determined by what you will do with it, and how mobile you need to be that you are definitely buying a laptop, you now need to get down to the nitty gritty and find the specifications that will meet your needs. So, what to look for? Essentially, you are considering differences between the following components: display, graphics controller, memory (RAM), hard disk, removable storage, networking options, peripheral connectivity, sound and battery.

Display and Graphics

Notebooks now all feature LCD screens (Liquid Crystal Displays) presenting crisp text and reduced eyestrain. These screens display sharper text than standard CRT monitors, but are less capable of displaying well-rendered graphics. If you will be using your notebook for graphics work, it may be worthwhile having a CRT monitor to connect to. Screen sizes for notebooks range from 12.1in to 17in (widescreen). A 15in display or 15.4in widescreen alternative is the most common in notebooks today. Widescreen is quickly becoming more common, partly to accommodate playback of DVDs and also because widescreen proportions make it is more durable.

On-screen graphics are affected by both the size and type of screen as well as the graphics card. It is reasonably safe to assume that larger displays offer higher on-screen resolution. Screen brightness (measured in nits) is another specification that can vary between makes and models. Brighter screens impact less on eyes and can be more easily read in bright conditions. Some manufacturers have a glossy, reflective coating over the display improving contrast and colours. But, because it increases the reflectivity of the screen, it can show you reflected in the screen. Surface scratches may also show up more readily. Not all LCD screens have the same viewable angle, with some screens not easily viewed from a side angle.

Graphics performance in laptops is still inferior to that of desktop machines. All graphic controllers easily render 2-D images and if you don't need more from your graphics, then an integrated graphics controller is ample. However, if you want to play the latest 3-D games at a decent resolution and frame rate or you're a CAD designer, then you'll need a discreet graphics controller with a dedicated DDR video memory.

Memory and Storage

In all computers RAM chips keep the CPU efficiently fed with data or instructions from programs on the hard drive. Notebook computers now commonly use DDR SDRAM (Double Date Rate SDRAM), the default standard, and DDR2 SDRAM which is a next-generation memory type offering considerable performance and power benefits over SDRAM. Either way, when it comes to RAM, more memory is better and you should consider 256MB as the absolute minimum. Upgrading memory can achieve better performance, and quite a number of vendors offer higher RAM configurations as a 'deal sweetener' at the time of purchase. Search through Myshopping.com.au for bundled extras such as more RAM.

The hard drive provides the long-term storage and is the centre of program control. There are two critical specifications of hard disks. One is disk speed, measured in revolutions per minute (rpm). Faster disks speeds provide quicker access for loading and saving and 'file swapping'. The other is storage capacity, and drives are now available for notebook computers with 120GB capacity. If you work with large file sizes, then you will probably want at least 40GB of hard drive space. You may also want to consider the type of removable storage such as a DVD writer, removable hard disks and media or 'flash' card systems that will suit your use best.

Networking and connectivity

Laptop computers now include 56Kbps modem (RJ-11) and 10/100 Ethernet (RJ-45) connections as standard features. Some feature an Infrared port and you can use it to connect your mobile phone. Other wireless technology for connecting mobile phones, printers and PDA devices includes Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, allowing connection at certified public access points and home wireless networking. Most laptops use USB 2.0 or FireWire connection for connecting keyboard, mouse, printers, cameras and other peripherals. Nearly every new notebook will have around three USB 2.0 ports, and one FireWire port and a VGA-out port to connect an external monitor to.

Notebook computers have traditionally been able to expand their capability through simple plug-in PC Cards. Recently a new standard has emerged called ExpressCard, a smaller, faster and more portable plug-in card to provide such things as expanded video and sound capacity.

Choosing a laptop becomes much easier once you've decided on these basic requirements. You can search Myshopping.com.au to compare makes, models, prices, accessories and all the important specifications. You can also compare vendors and their prices and service.

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by Dhanu S

You’re decided to buy laptop. There are many laptops and out of them what to choose? Where to buy is the question? Online or in store? What brand? Where to find the best laptop deal or coupon?

Important parameters to consider the best laptop are Processor type, RAM, Battery life, screen size, weight, storage capacity, operating system, speed, wireless connectivity and the budget. When looking for a computer deal, you may not need to go for world thinnest laptop or fastest laptop or sexiest laptop. Give the importance to the parameters which are performance, benefits, and value for the money.

In the current version of laptops most of them are having standard features like built in webcam, DVD drive,

Additional features like Blue tooth connectivity, wireless key board, external mouse, skins, GPS navigation etc are your choice. They are comfortable, but are they value for money is the question. Look for the best laptop Computer has which the features what do you want at the least. Extra features are good to have, but is it going to benefit to is the question. If the feature is coming free, then fine, but if you need to add it with your money, then think about is it going to benefit you and value for money. Even though feature may not be needed now but is it going be useful in future, then consider it.

Dell, HP, Lenovo, Sony are having the customizable laptops. But Acer deals are found mostly in the online merchant stores only. Depending on promotion going on Dell coupons, HP Coupons, Lenovo Coupons or Sony deals will have good coupons to reduce the cost. It may starts from 10% to 45%. But 45% or 40% or rare to get. They have the best coupons like $400 off on $1300 or up, which works out better with the HP deals or Dell deals or Lenovo deals.

Computers are on sale in the office supplies shops like Office depot, Stables, Office Max or in Electronics stores like Best buy, Circuit city or traditional stores like Wal-Mart. You have online stores like Buy.com, Amazon.com, Tiger direct, New egg and many more stores.

It is difficult to find the value for money deals, by spending hours on researching to find a best deal on laptop computer in the stores or online websites by visiting them, even going to the comparison websites. Why waste your time, there are many deals and coupons websites, who does research on the deals and updates information at one place. It will be easy to watch them and when you like it, with the features and price pick it up quickly. Always the hot deals or Best deals will be there few hours. Value for money deals is built in laptop computers which come with the most necessary features and some times free accessories and software after mail in rebate.

Summary

1. Identify features you want in the laptop computer

2. Watch for deals in deals and coupons website

3. When you find the best deal, order it immediately before the deal get expires

4. After receiving the laptop, set it up and test all the features.

5. Any part is missing or not working, return it within the time period. For returning you can request free return shipping label from the online stores.

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Speed Up Laptop – 3 Quick Steps to Speed Up My Laptop Computer

by Jim Marshall

Are you wondering “why is my computer so slow”? Looking to speed up laptop computers overall performance? Well you have come to the right place. All computers and especially laptops slow down when they get a little wear and tear on them. Unfortunately instead of adjusting a few things, people believe they need to buy a new computer in order to increase laptop speed. This just isn’t true. You can actually speed up your laptop with these three quick steps. I will also recommend a program that can perform all three automatically for you. Speeding up your laptop was never this easy!

The first step is to run a disk defrag on your system. What a disk defragmenter does is increase the speed in which you can access information. Whenever your computer processes information it needs to jump from place to place and this takes time. Defragging your system allows your computer to stream information through one path. This will speed up laptop computers ability to access and run different programs.

The second step is to eliminate as many unnecessary startup programs as possible. Anytime you install a new program it will try to automatically start itself every time you power your computer on. This will dramatically slow down the speed your computer can start up or shutdown. These programs also eat up valuable RAM which causes the computer to be very sluggish. Eliminate all but the necessary programs and feel the incredible difference in your laptop processor speed.

The third step is to clean up registry congestion. This is without question the most important step you can take to speed up your laptop. As we download new or remove old programs our registries get congested with useless and redundant files. This clogs everything up and leaves you asking why is my computer slow? Getting rid of those unnecessary files will not only speed up your computer but prevent it from crashing in the future.

These are three steps you can do right now to get your computer running like it did out of the box. If you are a computer novice and want a program to do the work for you I highly recommend visiting the link below. Instead of spending hundreds on new upgrades or thousands on a new laptop, why not just optimize your computer to reach it’s peak performance for a fraction of the cost? Give it a try.

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Laptop Computers – What Makes Them Better Than Desktop Computers?

by Roberta Groche

Almost all of us would prefer using laptop computers rather than regular desktop computers. Why? Simple, because of the mobility it offers. There are actually more advantages that anyone can think of. Every user has a different experience with laptop computers and one can simply add an advantage while using it. But all of us share the same story that we are blessed with the invention of such machines.

Laptop computers offer mobility. Designed to work on batteries and direct electricity from wall outlets these are truly advantageous for someone who is always on the go. Who would want to bring a desktop on a plane? Without laptops monitoring businesses miles away would be difficult. This feature of a laptop gives us the freedom and ability to use computers anywhere. Be it in a restaurant, in a car or places we feel comfortable, we can use laptops as long as we do not disturb others and go beyond rules.

Unlike desktop computers, laptop computers are compact and may contain features that an ordinary computer set may not have. Built-in camera, speakers, Bluetooth, WiFi device, and infrared are among the features you would not normally see on desktop computers. All these features when added to a desktop computer require individual purchases and manually installation for both hardware and software.

What makes it more exciting is the processing power that laptop computers offer. Do you think laptops can give you the computing power you see while using desktop computer, considering the size and weight of a laptop? I tell! You will definitely get the same computing power. Though built in smaller sizes, architecture and components in laptops are similar to what desktop computers are made of. If Intel Core Duo can be used to run desktop computers, then it can also be used to run laptop computers. Size does actually matter, but this does not affect the performance it provides.

There may be differences with some features such as the display, but both offer good qualities. Laptop computers also save a lot of energy. Display for a laptop does not require that much electricity compared to CRT or LCD monitors for desktops. Since it’s designed to work with batteries, one can still have the convenience of working even without the presence of electricity coming from the wall outlet.Newest addition to the family of mobile computing is the ultra portable laptop or tablet. These super small and powerful computers have emerged to revolutionize computing. Providing extra convenience in mobility because of its size, this type of laptop is ideal for individuals who are also on the go. Aside from its tiny feature this comes into affordable prices that anyone can afford. Teachers wanting to use a different medium in teaching can use these devices. Buying these ultra portable laptops does not hurt someone’s budget.

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Basic Knowledge About Laptop Batteries for Laptop Computer

by johnxuster

basic knowledge About laptop batteries for laptop computerNotebook computer battery is its flexibility and stability of the fundamental, mainstream notebooks standard rechargeable battery system. Rechargeable battery system, including rechargeable batteries and power management systems. The battery is also reflected notebook an important part of portability.

laptop batteries used in three main categories: 1. Ni-Cr battery, 2. Ni-MH battery, 3. Lithium batteries; they are generally expressed as: Ni-Cd Ni-Cd, Ni-MH Ni-MH, lithium Li.

The first notebook computers are used Ni-Cd nickel-cadmium batteries, battery technology was not enough as a result of advanced nickel-cadmium batteries have a lot of the shortcomings of a headache, such as: bulky, heavy weight, the capacity of small, short life, there are memory effects. So basically the current nickel-cadmium batteries have been eliminated, the following are no longer on it in detail.

How do I identify my battery?The first information to provide would be the make and model of the equipment that you require the battery for e.g. Toshiba Satellite Pro 400, or Compaq Presario 1283. There is also usually a label on the battery, and some of the information on the label will help our sales team to identify your battery quickly.

This information includes the voltage of the battery pack (note: this is not the same as the voltage on the power supply), the capacity of the battery pack and the chemical construction of the battery pack e.g.Li-ion, Ni-MH or Ni-Cd. This information can be used to ensure the information you have provided matches the information we have about your battery. Many battery packs also have part numbers on the label; this can sometimes be used to help identify the battery.

We would suggest that it is best to have all this information written down or close to hand before you call our sales team. This will help us deal with your call in an efficient manner.

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The Laptop Computer and Its Features

by david burton

Although notebooks were designed for the busy traveling businessman always on the go, we lesser goal oriented mortals can also have fun with these latest technology items. There are other things you can do with the technology aside from making money and keeping you from getting bored:

* Surf the net on your laptop

A laptop's portability enables you to surf the net anywhere you are. On the beach, in your dorm, at your Aunt jessie's, etc. Check out the latest news on sport . Google your friend's latest boyfriend. Look for amusing video's and pictures to send home. Check out the latest trends in fashion. Look for your high school romance and start getting re-acquainted. Find new friends and meet old ones on Facebook. Go on a virtual date with someone. Find out the origin of numerous words. Chat with someone in a different timezone and in another language.

* Watch TV on your laptop

With the correct equipment, you can watch your favourite tv on your laptop instead of actually buying a television set. There are many portable high-definition tuners, receivers, and antennas available for laptops such as NetComm Banksia Digital HD USB TV Tuner, Elgato EyeTV DTT Stick and the ComPro VideoMate U3 DVB-T Stick.

* Watch home videos and listen to music on your laptop

Use your CD-ROM player and play whatever music or home video cd you have. You can also watch movies or listen to music online. You can also download music from your mp3 into your computer. If you haveReal Player installed you can get the latest music online. Another software, Kazaa, will allow you to share your music and videos with other Kazaa users.

* Edit pictures and home videos on your laptop

This is something that's both fun and can actually add to your job skills. With the many photo and video editing software out there from such big companies such as Adobe, you can actually fix your own photos or make your own movies. Microsoft's PowerPoint is probably the easiest tool you can use to create slideshows and AVPs.

* the number one use

For most of us, playing games on the laptop is really what computers were made for. The variety of games available is unbelievable from football games, to role-playing games, to I-don't-know-what-else. There are even dress-up games for kids (and kids at heart) and brain teaser games such as Sudoku. There are whole companies being built on the computer-based gaming industry alone. Online lotto is another popular game you can play on the web.

Be aware though that most virus's from the net are in downloaded games and can cause unknown applications to wreak havoc on your computer and cause it to crashdavid burton is new to technology but getting up to speed with it.

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Pointers for Choosing your Laptop Computer

by david burton

ideas for buying a laptop.

If you're thinking of buying a laptop computer there are undoubtedly some great deals to be found, but what should you be looking for when you're in the market for a updated or even your first laptop computer.

Well, it's always worth sitting down with a pen and paper and thinking about exactly what you need your new laptop computer to do. If you're simply going to use it for word processing and the odd email here and there you don't need the super fast processor and hard drive that can hold millions of files, so don't let a slick reatailer tell you otherwise that’s just going to hurt your pocket.If it's a family laptop computer you're in the market for you'll want a good all rounder. kidshave a great knack of loading games and other large applications onto a PC without you realsing. which can really effect performance for when you need it for more important things like business or your own games. So make sure you get a decent hard drive and a good amount of ram.

Regardless of the type of laptop computer you're in the market for make sure you explain to the seller exactly what you need it for ( ie is it for the home or on the road). More often than not they'll be able to show you in the right direction, but make sure you only spend an amount you're comfortable with.If you're an online shopper then there are some great deals to be found, so just make sure you conduct proper research before jumping in to make that purchase. You'll probably see a lot of adverts for the newest laptop computer on the market , Buying a laptop computer , its just like anything else , make sure you do a decent amount of research, be clear about the amount you want to spend and weigh up your options.

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Laptop Computers

A laptop computer or simply laptop (also notebook computer, notebook and notepad) is a small mobile computer, which usually weighs 2-18 pounds (around 1 to 8 kilograms) depending on size, materials, and other factors.Laptops usually run on a single main battery or from an external AC/DC adapter that charges the battery while also supplying power to the computer itself. Many computers also have a 3 volt cell to run the clock and other processes in the event of a power failure.

Laptops contain components that are similar to their desktop counterparts and perform the same functions, but are miniaturized and optimized for mobile use and efficient power consumption, although typically less powerful for the same price. Laptops usually have liquid crystal displays and most of them use different memory modules for their random access memory (RAM), for instance, SO-DIMM in lieu of the larger DIMMs. In addition to a built-in keyboard, they may utilize a touchpad (also known as a trackpad) or a pointing stick for input, though an external keyboard or mouse can usually be attached.

Laptops began from a desire to have a full-featured computer that could be easily used anywhere. Their predecessor was called the luggable. These all-in-one systems could be easily transported, but were heavy and usually were not battery powered. The CRT was one of the major reasons luggables were so large and heavy, but the use of a full-size desktop motherboard with room for ISA expansion cards was another size factor.

It was the transition to LCD and plasma displays that permitted the luggable to shrink in size and become the first real laptop, though at first still without internal batteries. Battery technology improvements and the introduction of smaller devices such as the 3.5-inch floppy disk permitted a gradually more compact and sophisticated complete portable system.

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Used Laptop Computer: Get The Basics Right

by Jérôme Dufresnes

With the economy taking a turn for the worse, buying a used cheap laptop makes more sense than ever. Most of us do not need the latest and greatest in terms of computing power. If you're a not a hardcore gamer, you would do well to check the second hand market to pick up a used laptop computer. Let's face it today's notebooks are no slouch and even the ones that are a few years old are more than up to par for 99% of what we do. Knowing this, how do you go about choosing the best used laptop for sale? It's not hard but you have to know a few things that we will discuss below.

First off, you have to take the operating system, the OS, into consideration. Windows is used on more than 90% of computers worldwide. Right now, Windows has two OS largely in use: Windows XP and Windows Vista. Windows Vista is Miscrosoft's latest OS while you can still find plenty of cheap used laptops running XP. And this may not be a bad thing as many think Windows XP is still a better OS than Vista so keep that in mind when shopping for a used notebook laptop. In any case you can always do a fresh install and change the OS if you want.

Another thing to take into consideration is the amount of RAM memory that comes with your used laptop pc .Basically the rule here is: the more the better. RAM memory plays en important part in the speed at which your computer handles tasks and to the overall feeling of speed from your used laptop. These days, try to go with 1Go and more although you can still do with 512Mo. However if you run Windows Vista, it is recommended that your used notebook has 1Go, no less. RAM is important when multitasking and it plays a bigger role in this case than a more powerful processor. Thankfully, RAM is cheaper too. If you feel your cheap used laptop is a tad sluggish, pop in an additional 1Go of RAM an watch the improvement.

These days Dual Core processors are popular although by no means do you need a monster of a processor to enjoy a good computing experience. Plenty of used laptops feature single core processors that are still more than fast enough for things like email, Internet surfing, home office tasks and the like. In conclusion, know your needs and get a used laptop computer that fits that need. Used laptops make it possible to get a decent machine at a fraction of the price, and these days, we need all the pennies we can muster.

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Top 9 Laptop Computer Safety Tips

by guxiaoxiao

Safely using your laptop will help ensure that your laptop works properly and you don't get hurt. Improper use or not being aware of safety issues can cause your laptop irreparable damage. These safety tips should be added to your weekly laptop maintenance routine and will help you stay productive and safe no matter where you are working.

1. Shut It Down
Unlike a desktop computer a laptop computer needs to be shut down when not in use. Shutting down when not in use prevents the laptop from overheating and it also needs the rents.

2. Adjusting Power Settings
Adjusting your power options will help your laptop from heating up when not in use even if for short periods of time. You can set your hard drive and display to turn off after a set time period. Another option is to set the laptop to go into standby or hibernate mode.

3. Before You Pack It Up
Make sure that you before you put your laptop into its carrying bag that it is shut down. A notebook that has been left on can melt. When enclosed in a notebook bag there is no air circulation and the results can be worse than melting. Don't find out the hard way and just be sure to turn off your laptop.

4. Vent Maintenance
Part of your weekly routine should be to inspect and clean the air vents in your laptop. Forced air dusters can be used to keep the air vents clean and free from debris. It's important to know that you should never push anything into the air vents.

5. Checking the Fan
Overheating problems can be caused by the laptop fan not working properly. Always check the laptop manufacturer's online support and your warranty information. It may be possible to download software to test your laptop fan.

6. BIOS Updates
Some laptops control the fans through the BIOS. Check online with the laptop battery compaq PPB004A, manufacturer for BIOS updates. If you aren't comfortable updating the BIOS yourself, have someone in your IT dept. or have an outside Computer Technician do it for you.

7. Avoid Lap Burn
Using a laptop desk or cooler will prevent you from being burned when using your laptop. A good laptop desk will have large enough vents for allowing air circulation between you and the laptop. Some laptop desks have additional fans which use power from the laptop itself to stay cool.

8. Soft Spots

It's a wise idea not to use any soft material as a buffer between you and your laptop. Always operate your laptop on a hard surface, preferably one that allows ventilation. Soft materials can block the airflow vents and cause it to overheat. If it is not possible to avoid using a soft surface, an optional heat sink base should be used to maintain cooling.

9. Unplug Accessories

Whenever your laptop will not be in use, even for short periods of time remember to unplug any accessories. Not only do they use power but they could cause the laptop to overheat. It's especially important to unplug any accessories before packing your laptop in its carrying case. While you may believe it will make it quicker to use, it could damage your laptop, the accessory and/or your laptop bag.

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Laptop Computer Rental: Best Solution For Short-Term Access

by Thomas Traint

Laptop computer rental are considered as the best solution for meeting challenges in business world. This strategy of renting the laptop or computer helps the people to controls their expenses. Apart from laptop rentals, people can rent garden tools, washing machines, designer handbags, big-screen TVs etc. Usually, people get confuse with computer renting and leasing. Renting is for short term and flexible in nature while leasing is buying for fixed arrangement. Depending upon the need and requirement, the company can either extend their rental term or cancel the rental terms at any time with no penalty. On other hand, leases can't be cancelled without a severe penalty.

Laptop computer rentals have been available for many years in the corporate world. In comparison with the personal items, they offer same benefits. Here are a few reasons for renting a laptop computer such as:

• It is considered as the best solution for short-term access to the latest brand-name technology

• It can be accomplished with a company credit card

• No capital expenses are required

• Offers convenience of returning the equipment

• It is availed for short notice or special occasion

• Eliminates the hassle of carrying

• Eliminates wear and tear With the growing trend of renting, now there are many rental companies who have experts or computer technicians to deliver and test laptops, right at your office or location. There are many situations when renting is considered as the alternative than buying or leasing such as:

• School – When you want to offer a short computer training program at your school or in college premises then renting a setup would save your money.

• Travel – During traveling carrying computer is sometimes difficult, particularly if you do not have a laptop. At that moment, renting a computer is considered as a wise solution. You can have configured computer, waiting for you at your destination.

• Temporary moves – In the temporary business moves, short-term settings, setting-up and quickly taking down an entire technology infrastructure is highly not easy. Therefore, renting for short period of time can eliminate your problem.Apart from laptop computer rentals, you can get other specialized equipment rented to help your deal with special projects.

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Accessories for Your Laptop Computer

by david burton

Accessories for your new laptop computer Just spent big money on another laptop?.Now you need accessories.Here are a few accessory ideas you may want to consider to make the set up complete.

1: Notebook bag

You can't very well go travelling around the world with your laptop exposed to the elements.

When it comes to laptop bags, you can spend £15 for a basic case made from less expensive materials or up to a hundred pounds on one made of quality leather.some laptops have the bag as a give-away, i find that you can get an affordable one by shopping around and not neccessarilly buying the exact one, but one that will do the job. Personally i pick one that is large enough to hold a few accessories besides.

2: Software

Did your laptop come with software? If so, did it come with the right software - the software you actually need to perform whatever tasks you require?

Don't guess you have everything you need. You'll probably need to add some software, as well as go on the net to update the software that was included.

3: A Real USB Mouse

The inbuilt touch-pad does the job. However, given the choice, most people would rather use a real mouse.

If you stop and think for a moment, you're likely to realize that many places where you'll be computing actually are suitable for a real mouse.

So one of the most useful laptop accessories you can buy is a USB mouse, keep it in your bag, and use it whenever you're able.

4: A Cat5 Ethernet Cable

Your built-in Ethernet port won't do you much good if you get to your hotel room, discover an Ethernet connection, and don't have a cable. Some hotels provide them; others don't. Always come prepared with the right cable.

5: A Standard Telephone Cable

The same holds true for your modem connection. If you don't have a cable to get you from your computer to the phone jack, you're not going to link to the net.

6: Disposable Cleansing Cloths

Over time, the display on your laptop is going to get dusty, or even grimey. You're diceing with the death of your laptop if you attempt to clean your display with paper towels and spray cleaners.

Instead, use disposable cleansing cloths. These essential laptop accessories are designed specifically to clean laptop displays and they are cheap to boot, about £2 a pack . Always have a pack on hand.

7: USB Drive

A USB drive is a storage device about the size of your thumb that plugs directly into a USB port.

Capacity-wise, they're relatively small - usually well under 100 MB. However, they're very useful for moving files quickly and easily from one computer to another, e.g., moving a PowerPoint presentation from your laptop to your business associate's laptop.

A USB drive also makes a great temporary backup medium for the really important files you create on the road.

8: Blank CD-R Discs

You've just finished your big sales presentation. Someone from the audience approaches you afterward and asks for a copy of the presentation.

You'll make a better impression if you burn them a CD of the presentation on the spot.

9: Stereo HeadsetIt's great to be able to watch DVD movies no matter where you are. Imagine watching your favourite movie at 30,000 feet.

There's just one problem.

The family in the row behind you has absolutely no interest in hearing the dialog from the latest horror movie Do yourself and everyone around you a favour. When you're watching movies or listening to music in public, use your headphones.

10: Security Device

Laptop security devices come in many shapes and sizes.

For example, most laptops include a security dock that allows you to attach your laptop to some immovable object via cable, much like you'd lock up your bike on the street.

laptop computers

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Laptop Computers - Upgrade Or Replace?

by Bruce Orr

Laptop computers are great. They offer convenience and flexibility to anyone who depends on a computer for their livelihood. They are also prone to annoying problems like the ones I've experienced lately. Here are just a few examples from the ongoing saga of my laptop:

• I had two instances of my Web browser open, along with a couple of other applications. As I ALT-Tabbed between apps, the ALT-Tab window - the one that displays all the open applications for you to move to - froze, front and center, on my screen. As I tried valiantly to work, the little window obstructed my view. When I happened to shut down one instance of my browser, the thing went away.

• I had one thin line on my monitor. It's like some pixels went missing or something. A few weeks later, another line appeared. If this keeps going, I imagine I'll lose a good portion of my screen by the end of the year.

• The battery conks out after less than 2 hours.

So, the question I'm left with is: should I upgrade my laptop or replace it?

Upgrading Laptop Computers - Pros and Potential Cons

The main benefit of upgrading is cost. Instead of paying for a brand new machine, I could just by a memory stick for a fraction of the price and hope that solves my problem. Memory is cheap. Refurbished memory is even cheaper. I know because my machine is ancient and, needing to look around for the right kind of memory, I checked a reseller.

For most people, memory upgrades are enough to boost performance, if performance is the real issue.The potential con of an upgrade is that it may not fix the problem. So I could end up spending money on memory and lots of time trying to figure out how to install it, only to discover that my problem isn't fixed.

Buying a New Laptop - Pros and Potential Cons

Money is also the main concern with buying a new laptop, but in this case, money is a "con", not a "pro". The costs of replacing technology can be significant for any business, big or small. Yes, it would be nice to have a new computer, and one that could actually handle running more than one application at a time, but is it better to take my chances on a memory upgrade? Is a new laptop affordable?

If you are in a similar situation to mine and you want an answer to that last question, here's some advice. Look closely at your current and future needs. Make sure you consider a laptop that has room for expansion, in case you find yourself in this same situation a few years from now.

Laptop computers come in a wide range of sizes, from tiny netbooks to huge desktop replacements. Take a look at the price ranges for the specs you need. It can't hurt to take a peek at the secondary market too. Used and refurbished laptop computers work as well as new ones - albeit with fewer bells and whistles due to their age.

Like all technology, laptop computers are a blessing and a curse. They make life easier, but they also make it a lot more expensive. Before you jump into a new purchase for your old laptop, be sure to research the possibility of upgrading. If you decide to buy, do your homework. Study the laptop computers on offer and choose the one that suits your work style and your budget.\

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Laptops and Laptop Computers

by David Gabbitas - UKIM

When looking for a new laptop don’t you think it would be a breath of fresh air to be told?

· This laptop is good at this, but, that one isn’t

· This laptop is cheaper because; 1. It is not a well known brand, but, its parts are just as good, or, 2. It would be great gaming laptop, emailing and social networking, as well as, homework, but, is not really great as a business laptop.

· Tell us what you expect from a laptop and we will give you the laptop that bests suits your requirements.

Whilst, admittedly, some of us are greatly interested in discovering all the specifications of every laptop we view before buying, most of us don’t care about GHz, RAM, which graphic card is incorporated or what processor the laptop runs on. What we really want to know is:

1. The size of the screen. It is a question that 9 out of 10 of us will ask.

2. Does it have a good picture? We don’t care how it does, just that it does.

3. The cost. Paramount importance for any purchase. Is a cheap laptop a “cheap” laptop and is an expensive laptop a high-end product or just expensive?

4. Can the laptop computer do what we want and as quickly as we want?

5. How big is it and how heavy is the laptop computer. This may seem like an odd question, but, if our laptop has to be carried around school, college, university or endless business meetings, it is important to know how much weight will be carried around.

6. What operating system does the laptop computer use? Is it Windows or Macintosh?

Pyramid.com supply laptop computers which are capable of providing, exactly, what is required and, if desired, can provide the specifications for their Acer Aspire 5735 laptop (a cheap computer that does not lack quality, with 4GB RAM, Intel Core 2 Duo processor), as well as, that this laptop utilises Windows Vista home edition operating system. Perhaps you would like to know the details of the latest Apple MacBook (2.4 GHz processing speed, 2GB memory) or are you more concerned with applications (comes complete with iLife 08 software for all your digital requirements). Whatever you want to discover about the perfect laptop computer to meet your needs, Pyramid.com have the answer

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Basic Information: How to Choose Quality Laptop Computer Cases?

by pisan

The following paragraphs summarize the basic knowledge about major factor that you should consider when choosing laptop case. The knowledge comes from direct experience of a person who is completely familiar with all the aspects. Heed the advice to avoid any negative surprises when you have to choose one. If you base what you do on inaccurate information, you might be unpleasantly surprised by the consequences. Make sure you get the whole story from reliable sources.

It can be said that today everyone has laptop computer, as since it is a type of computer that is very convenient to bring to anywhere and as a result its price is also expensive. In some case, laptop computer can cost two or three times expensive than desktop computers, so you have to make sure that you have a quality case to protect your laptop when you carry it from place to place. Looking for rugged and durable laptop case is not an easy job. But you may have to use it because it is very important. The environment and atmosphere today are very uncertain, your laptop may be wet in heavy rain, strong sunlight, shaking on bumpy road or any other of difficult environment including sometimes it may have been destroyed by chemical agents and so on.

There is many of ordinary laptop cases available in the market but seem that they are not the one that you want because they might not be able to protect your laptop computer. These laptop computer cases generally made by soft materials and they are designed to protect laptop computer from common accident but they may not designed to protect laptop from severe and unexpected conditions such as bumps or drops. However, please consider main factors below, which suggest about what you have to consider when choosing rugged case for your laptop computers.

Firstly, you may have to see waterproof ability. Waterproof is very important qualification for good laptop computer case. It is the basic thing that all kind of laptop case should have but good quality case should have different level of waterproof ability. The good quality ones should protect your laptop in case of you drop the bag into the water, apart from protects form rain. Secondly you should look at the material that they made from the case must be made by the materials that stand to all kind of force and impact such as crushing forces. Because sometimes, you laptop may have to face this kind of situation such as it could be squeezed in a suitcase when you travel or there might be a person step on it when you dropped the case.

Do not forget to see whether if inside of the case is properly coated neatly, this is because it helps you to protect laptop computer from inside and decrease the force that harm the computer. The materials may have to have chemical resistance in order to protect the case when touched by chemical agents. It is unnecessary to look for the case that resist to all kind of chemicals because you will find no laptop case has such a qualification, but just to make sure that it resists some kind of chemicals.Explained above is only the basic information about how to choose you laptop case, so looking for more information will help you to understand more about this issue.

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The Laptop Computer - Baby You've Come a Long Way

by John Hacking

A laptop computer, or simply 'laptop', is a small battery powered personal computer that usually weighs around 1 to 8 kilograms. These days, many office workers use their laptop as their primary source for computing using an external mouse, keyboard and monitor when in the office, and using the laptop's organic screen, pointing device and keyboard when traveling.

Laptops usually run on a single main rechargeable battery, or from an external AC/DC adapter that charges the battery while also supplying power to the computer itself. Laptop batteries usually last from between 2 and 5 hours between recharges. New battery technology due for release this year, is set to extend their useful life by factors of 3 or 4 times.

Most laptops also have a button cell battery to run the clock and store the computer's bios. In most cases, the laptop also holds an image of the main operating system that can be used to restore full functionality after a virus attack or other computing disaster.

Laptops contain components that are similar to their desktop counterparts and perform the same functions, but are miniaturised and optimised for mobile use, low weight and efficient power consumption. Typically the laptop gives less computing power per dollar because they use customised components and propriety designs to lower weight and give lower power consumption. Laptops usually have colour liquid crystal displays, and most of them use different memory modules than standard personal desktop computers.

In addition to a built-in keyboard, they may also offer users a touchpad (also known as a trackpad) or a track-ball for input, though an external keyboard or mouse can usually be attached.

The first commercially available portable computer was the Osborne 1 in 1981, which used the CP/M operating system. The Osborne 1 weighed 10.7 kgs, had a tiny 13cm CRT display, and a single density floppy disk.

Although it was large, heavy and useless compared to today's laptops, it had a revolutionary impact on business. Computing and engineering professionals were able to take their computer and data with them for the first time.

Since these early days the major developments in laptops have been focused on processing power, weight reduction, price reduction, battery life, and more recently, aesthetics.

It wasn't until the mid to late 1990s that laptop computers became common place as prices reduced and they became less burdensome to travel with. As far aesthetics are concerned, Apple's range of laptop computers are examples of brilliant industrial design combined with serious computing power.

Weighing in at less than 3 pounds, the MacBook Air is less than .77 inches thick and will run for up to 5 hours on a single charge.

The future for laptops looks promising. As industrial design and battery technology improves, laptops will get faster, smaller and lighter. The laptop will become more of an industrial strength PDA than a computer. It won't be too long until you will be able to get full computing power in a handheld device 12 x 12 cms by 8mm thick. The Apple iPhone is half-way there.

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Advancements of Laptop Computers: Easy Ways For Mobile Computing

by David Parish

Laptops were originally designed as niche products to meet special computing needs. These mini desktops distinctively targeted business leaders who are highly on the go. By using laptops, managers can take their job with them and can easily store important data they require for their transactions.

Laptop computers have become very powerful devices that have the ability to perform complicated computing tasks. It is for this reason that laptop computers are now used by almost everybody. A good number of professionals now use laptops to accomplish their job and even students are permitted by the school authorities to make use of laptops.

Looking Into the History of Laptops

NASA used the first laptop for its space missions. The first generation laptops were big portable computers and powered by a mere 340 kilobyte memory. Since these early laptops have folding display screen and portable, historians considered these early laptops as the ancestors of all modern laptops.

As the production of chip technology became sophisticated, laptop computers have become smaller. In 1981 the first book-like laptop computer was created. It includes a small folding screen, an internal modem, and floppy drive. The early generations of laptops also have computer programs installed on their system.

Development and research on computer technology accelerated in the mid 1980s. There was a need for laptops for business and individual use. Since then, laptop computers have become smaller, lighter, thinner and very powerful.

These days, you can put a typical laptop in a small brown envelope. Its weight can also be compared to standard textbook. Most laptops also have mini-hard drives that can store gigabytes of data. Processors of modern laptops have become faster and usually operate with 1 to 5 GB of RAM.

Specialized Aspects of Advanced Laptops

Practically all the standard features of a desktop are available in laptops. Laptops now have fully operating removable gadgets such as DVD / CD ROM drives and burners. They also have hubs for small gadgets such as flash drives, card readers, and mobile telephony devices.

Almost all types of wired and wireless networking devices can be supported by laptops. They have ports available for modem, a network hub, WiFi connection, and satellite connection. These features are extremely useful for professionals, gamers, internetworking, and personal computing.

While videographers and journalists can also use their laptop computer to instantly edit the videos they have captured so they can easily broadcast news through the Internet. This shows the effectiveness of the laptop computer in the quick dissemination of information.

Recent Laptop Innovations

IT companies began to make Netbooks and subnotebooks in view of the fact that high-end laptop computer is too expensive for the general public. These are laptops that can be used for general mobile computing even with limited functions.

By using a Netbook, you can browse Web sites, check email, and carry out tasks online. Though the Netbook have minimum hard disk space they have enough memory speed for convenient web browsing. The Netbook can also be used for online games.

Laptop computer has opened the way for highly mobile computing. With the advancements in computer technology, you will see recent models of laptops with amazing functions.

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Small Laptop Computers - Find The Best Auction Bargains

by Roscoe Whitley

Small Laptop Computers

Searching for small laptop computes has never been easier. Lap tops computers can be found at retail stores or online, and with the main purpose of lap top computers being the ease of taking them with you... Finding decent compact laptop computers is critcal.

Because it's so easy to buy an individual PC on the internet, folks do not don't understand why people go portable PCs shopping in the standard portable PC selling environment of a bricked-in storefront in the City. At least in that location, folk know that they can see the item up front and non-public and can see what they are buying.

The reason why people go PC Computers shopping at a retail site that is found at a web address online is essentially because there are great discounts to be found there, that aren't offered by cartable PC merchants in their own hometowns. In reality, many merchants who operate online storefronts, also have stores that are made from brick, aluminum or any other building material, and they don't offer the same deductions as they do at their web stores. That is one reason why folks go computer Computers shopping by trying the net merchant locations. One individual might think it is because they'll be in a position to use repayments to get further refunds than the listed sale price that is posted on the conveyable PC on the site. The rewards people receive when they make any acquisition at an internet retailer is another excuse why people go portable PC shopping on the net.

These discount codes could give the portable computer buyer the choice to get a printer at an inexpensive. They're customarily online, and make it a point to go to the many merchants to discover what the latest crazes are in PC gaming Industry.

These portable orientated PC gaming people also like to have more than one transportable PC in their home that they can use precisely for their sped up speed demon games. No matter what your needs, having one or two small laptop computers is a plus. It's amazing how small the compact laptop computers have become. Recently I saw what was called the worlds smallest laptop computer. How they get all those components into that small of a unit and still have great speed and capacity is incredible.

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Laptop Computer Bags – How To Choose?

by shrimpsey

Laptop computer bags are everywhere, so how do I choose the right one for me? There are a few considerations when selecting a bag for your laptop

. The first and most important step is what kind of bag style suits you? Are you looking for a bag that can hold lots of things, not just a laptop? Are you looking for a bag that is only made for laptops? How about format? Are you a backpack kind of person? Do you want a designer bag? Materials are also important. There are many materials in use from ballistic nylon to plush leather. Once your mind is made up as to what kind of bag, backpack or shoulder strap, leather, nylon or other material, there are other things you need to consider.

If you go to a store to look for laptop computer bags, make sure you take your computer with you. Now this may seem obvious, but you would really be surprised at how many people go out and buy a laptop bag on impulse without even considering the size and weight of the laptop or notebook. Most bags designed especially for portable computers are size specific. What that means is you aren't going to buy the same bag for a 12 inch notebook that you would for a 17 inch unit. They are very different in terms of construction and weight and, of course, size. OK, assuming that you have the laptop with you, try it out in a variety of bags. Is there room for your charger/power supply? Is there room for other accessories? Most of the time, you'll want to bring a book, your power supply, maybe an extra battery. Make sure that you can fit all these things in without the bag looking like a lumpy mess. Also, if you are not very careful with your things or will be traveling frequently, make sure that the bag is well padded. Dropping your laptop in a bag without side and bottom cushions will almost always result in damage to your computer.

As you can see, choosing from available laptop computer bags is not as simple as picking the first bag you see and leaving. There are things that you should not do without. Keep these guidelines in mind before you shop.

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Small Laptop Computers - Bad Economy Means Better Deals For You

by Rene Alford

Laptops versus Desktop Computers!

Small Laptop Computers

What You Need to Know when choosing a PC isn't necessarily a simple call. The top firms that make laptops, are now offering a big variety to meet your wishes. One of the things that is becoming more available is small laptop computers.The smallest computer PCs come with a respectable quantity of drive space and memory. With a wireless network set up, you can carry your lap top computer along with you anywhere in the range of the network.

If you are one of the million who have given up huge desktop Computers altogether for the sleeker, lighter, more flexible PC, there are 2 things you must consider if you have not already. the portables. The solution to this problem is easy. Fasten a lockable cartable drawer to your desk to keep your small laptop computers safe. Assembled of steel, these accessories bolt to the under side of nearly any desk and make allowance for a computer to be retracted under the desktop when not in use, and locked with a key. The back of the drawer has an opening to let the Computer to be plugged in and charging overnite.

While occupying your desk, simply pull the drawer out and use the laptop right thereit creates more space on your desk. Second, back up your files. While the makers of PCs are aware of this, no piece of computerized machinery is indestructible. Third, be certain to have the mandatory accessories within easy reach. An additional USB wire is commonly good in case you would like to plug into a printer and light-weight headphones will permit you to use your personal computer anywhere ( and still hear live streaming video or DVDs ) while sorting out your privacy and without troubling others. Professionals envision that with the increased use of cartables, there'll be a rise in repeated motion symptoms and most likely disabling conditions like CTS. Computer desks, frequently called 'Laptop Carts' due to their mobility, are available on the market.

Simply, they are height-adjustable carts built to hold a portable and let the user to sit or stand while using them. They do not give the same ergonomic efficiency as a keyboard at a standard desk, but they are better than flopping down on a settee and sitting the Computer on your lap or having to reach up to type on the laptop keyboard at a regular desk. How they make these compact laptop computers so sleek is beyond me, but I'm sure glad they do.

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PC Laptop Computers - Criteria for Choosing Laptop Computers

by Yavindra Rajpaul

In today’s highly mobile world, Laptop Computers are increasingly becoming necessities instead of the luxuries they once were. This is especially true for businessmen, students, and professionals who want to take their information and get their communication anytime, anywhere. However, the sheer number of brands in the market can be very bewildering to the newbie in the mobile computing world. Not all laptops are created equal. The features, both in the physical sense and in the storage capacity, cater to different markets, different needs, and different strokes. With that being said, here are the things you must remember when considering the purchase of laptop computers.

Faster Processor

Ideally, the processor must be the fastest in its segment to enable computing speeds that will keep up with your equally fast lifestyle. Most tech geeks will recommend Intel Core 2 Duo as the fastest in the market at present. Higher

Memory Capacity

Often, it is better to opt for the higher memory capacity because you will be saving yourself the trouble of upgrades, not to mention the costs, later on. Although 1GB is sufficient and 2GB is better, opt for 4GB if your budget allows it.

Again, the higher the capacity and the faster the speed of the hard disk, the better. You will need the extra space when your data (i.e., software, photos, videos, documents) increase with constant use.

Preferred Screen Size and Resolution

When it comes to the laptop computers’ screens, you will have more leeway as it basically boils down to your preferences. You will be confused with tech-geek terminologies like screen resolution, passive/active screens and aspect ratio so the best thing to do is to test drive the laptops until you find one that suits your viewing needs.

Longer Battery Life

Your laptop will only be as good as its battery. Nowadays, the normal battery life is 2-3 hours although the MacBook Pro can last as long as 5 hours. Just remember that the more batteries your laptop has, the more expensive it becomes but the price will be worth it.

Wireless and Wired Mobile Connectivity

Ideally, your laptop must have mobile connectivity options in both the wireless (WiFi) and wired networks. You will have more opportunities to connect to the virtual world when you have both options, which will make your life easier especially when telecommuting.

Multi-Media Options

Nowadays, laptop computers are becoming an all-in-one entertainment-cum-business device. As such, you will need sufficient ports to plug in external devices like a mouse and printer, a memory stick and scanner, and even your digital camera must be accommodated by your laptop. And if you are a movie fan, you should consider buying a laptop with a built-in CD/DVD drive.

Physical Appearance

Fortunately, the physical appearance of laptops nowadays is unquestionably becoming more and more fashionable. You can virtually drool over their sleek, smooth and stylish aesthetics that laptop covers, sleeves and bags are often necessary evils. And with designs in various colors, textures and prints, you will definitely find a laptop that appeal to your personal sense of style! When purchasing a Laptop, Notebook or Netbook Computer, just remember these criteria and you will ultimately find your perfect Mobile Computer.

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