5 Tips For Buying The Right Laptop Computer

It's easy to be intimidated by all the laptop models on the market today. There are literally dozens and dozens in every price range.

The key to finding the right one for you is to step back and consider exactly how you plan to use your laptop. When you define what you need before you go shopping, buying the right machine becomes much easier.

Here are 5 basic factors to consider:

1. SIZE

In the world of mobile computing, size definitely matters. The size of a laptop affects two key areas: portability and display size.

If you're always on the go and will be using your computer only in short bursts, a so-called ultralight will save you some shoulder strain.

On the other hand, if you're going to spend hours in front of your laptop, a larger display may be in order.

Today, some laptop displays exceed 17 inches, rivaling the display size of many desktop systems. The down side is that these monsters can easily weigh three times as much as an ultralight.

2. HARD DRIVE

Speaking of size, what about the size of the hard drive? One way to approach this issue is to ask yourself the following question:

Will this be my primary computer, or will it supplement my desktop system?

If the former, you should look for a bigger hard drive - 60 GB or more.

If the latter, you may be able to make it with a 20-30 GB hard drive.

But even this isn't absolute.

If, for example, you plan to copy a huge MP3 library from your desktop system to your laptop to make your music library portable, you'd be well advised to err on the side of too big.

3. MEMORY

In determining the right amount of system memory, or RAM, take a look at the ways in which you intend to use your laptop:

If your needs are somewhat mundane - email, spreadsheets, word processing, etc. - 256 MB of RAM should be plenty. This is a common configuration for many laptops, so it means you probably won't need to spend extra for more RAM.

On the flip side, if you're an aspiring mobile digital photographer or videographer, you should stuff your laptop with as much RAM as it can hold.

In fact, exactly how much RAM your laptop can hold may in part drive your purchase decision. Applications for editing and manipulating multimedia content are notorious resource hogs.

4. NETWORK CONNECTIONS

Thanks in no small part to the Internet, computing in the 21st century relies heavily on being connected:

Connected to the Internet, connected to a corporate network, connected to a wireless network, connected to a home network, connected to an online service.

Your life will be easier if you buy a laptop that includes built-in means to connect to them all.

5. PRICE

If you're considering a laptop, you're probably wondering how much money you'll need to spend.

A few years ago, you'd be hard-pressed to find one for under $2,000. Today, there are plenty of laptops to be had for under $1,000.

What's more, most of the major manufacturers offer a variety of financing options.

Laptop prices have come down, to be sure. However, a laptop still represents a fairly major purchase for most people.

If you take the time to search for a laptop that meets your specific needs, you should get many years of use and enjoyment from this important investment.

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Ten Tips to Safeguard Your Laptops

The following is a list of tips to help safeguard your laptop while traveling or conducting business.

1. Never leave your laptop unattended. Keep your laptop in your physical possession at all times and pay particular attention at the following locations: airports, hotels, car rental agencies, offices, restaurants, college campuses, restrooms, payphones, libraries, bars, hospitals, conferences centers, train stations and bus terminals.

2. Record your laptop's serial number, make and model information in your purse or wallet so if your computer is stolen, the information will be readily available when you file a police report.

3. Disguise your carrying case. By carrying your laptop in a case designed specifically for computers, you alert thieves to the fact that you are carrying something valuable. Instead, consider carrying your laptop in an ordinary piece of luggage, satchel, briefcase or other inconspicuous bag.

4. Lock it up! Use computer- locking cables to secure your laptop to a desk or table.

5. Etch, engrave or permanently mark your computer with your name and phone number. You might also consider placing several of your business cards inside carrying case pockets.

6. Never place a computer in checked luggage.

7. Identify your carrying case in some unusual way. Brightly colored tape, yarn or tags will help you to locate your bag in the event it comes up missing. When traveling, you might also consider affixing something brightly colored to your actual laptop ( in light of new security measures at airports, travelers are required to remove their laptops from their cases at security checkpoints).

8. If your laptop must be left in your car, store it in the trunk of the vehicle prior to arriving at the final destination.

9. Regularly back up information. Make sure you store this information separately in case your computer is stolen.

10. Report it stolen as soon as possible. In the event that your laptop is lost or stolen, make sure you report it missing to your employer and local authorities as soon as possible. This will help to speed up the recovery process.

Now You See It, Now You Don't: Preventing Laptop Computer Theft

When Irwin Jacobs, chief executive and founder of Qualcomm Inc. had his laptop stolen from a journalism conference in September 2000, it shed light on a growing problem.

Other recent events have focused national attention on the laptop security issue, consider the following:

o In July 2001 the Federal Bureau of Investigation reported that 184 laptops had been stolen or lost. At least one and possibly as many as four contained classified information.

o In April 2001 the British Defense Ministry reported 205 laptops missing since 1997, most of which contained classified materials.

o In February 2000 a laptop computer with "highly classified" information disappeared from the U.S. State Department. Then, in May 2000 two more laptops were reported missing from the U.S. State Department.

While technology has made laptops smaller, easier to store and transport, it has also made them easier to conceal and steal. It's the convenience that has made the laptop computer so popular and the information vehicle of choice for business people throughout the world.

.The computer itself is a valuable asset and one that should be protected, but it can be replaced, however, the information stored on it in many cases is not replaceable and of greater value to competitors if compromised. A thief can get a few thousand dollars for a top of the line laptop, but he can get a whole lot more for a company's marketing plans.

High Risk Locations

A high percentage of laptops are stolen from the office. FBI officials estimate as much as 75 percent of laptop thefts are committed by insiders, individuals who are expected to be on the premises. For example, employees, delivery people and janitors all have access to the grounds and buildings and have opportunities to steal unprotected laptops.

In one case, Canadian authorities apprehended a man believed to have stolen 20 to 30 laptops from an office building over a span of a few weeks. The suspect would enter the building dressed as a maintenance employee, load computers onto a dolly and exit the building. He performed this routine so often, that building employees believed he was actually a member of the maintenance staff.

According to a USA Today article, heightened airport security as a result of the September 11 terrorist attack has caused an increase in the number of lost laptops at airport checkpoints. . The problems stem from new procedures that require passengers to remove their laptops from their cases and put them through x-ray machines. They either forget to pick them up or grab a stranger's laptop by accident. It becomes more problematic for travelers who are singled out for magnetic wand searches and may be separated from their valuables on the conveyor belt for extended periods of time.

Business travelers should also pay close attention to their laptops when at the following locations:

*Hotels

*Train Stations

*Bus terminals

*Car rental agencies

*Conference Centers

*Restaurants

*Restrooms

*Payphones

Always remember, laptop theft can happen anyplace, at any time.

Laptop Theft Prevention Tips

Employees

o Disguise your laptop. By carrying your laptop in a case designed for computers, you alert the thieves you have a laptop. Carry your laptop in an ordinary piece of luggage, satchel or other inconspicuous bag.

o Record the laptop serial number, make and model information. Keep this information in your purse or wallet so if your computer is stolen, the information will be readily available when you file a police report.

o Never leave your laptop unattended in a public place.

o Use computer-locking cables to secure the computer to a desk or table

o Never place a computer in checked luggage.

o If a laptop must be left in the car, store it in the trunk of the vehicle prior to arriving at the final destination.

o Identify your carrying case in some unusual way to make it stand out from all other bags. An unusual color, colored tape or yarn or exceptionally large or brightly colored tags attached to the bag will help you immediately locate the bag and give police probable cause to stop and question the carrier.

o Also consider taping colored paper or placing a large tag on the front of you laptop to avoid accidental mix-ups at the x-ray machine.

o Regularly back up information and store it separately in case your computer is stolen.

Employers

o All laptops should be permanently marked or engraved with inventory or serial numbers so they can aid in recovery if found by the police. Check with the manufacturer regarding appropriate marking locations and warranty criteria prior to marking.

o Conduct scheduled inventories of laptops periodically.

o Proper documentation should be maintained for all laptops. Records could include the type of equipment identifiers such as make, model and inventory or serial numbers, an equipment assignment date, and the employee responsible for the laptop.

o Some companies utilize electronic asset tracking technology. Employers can tag laptops with a small electronic transponder. If an employee attempts to leave the building with the computer, the system records the time, date and exit used. Some systems can also give security the ID of the employee taking the equipment.

o Access to the area where laptops are stored when not assigned should be limited to a select few individuals.

o The limited access storage area should be situated away from high traffic areas.

o Access should be controlled to areas such as offices where employees utilize laptops. This can also be accomplished through the use of ID card systems.

o Some companies have established policies making employees responsible for the loss of a laptop if they do not follow company policy for safeguarding it. Communicate the policy in writing and get a signed statement of acknowledgement.

o Employers have also been known to require employees to purchase their laptops, reasoning that employees will better care for them.

o Provide employees with loss prevention and security awareness training. E-mails, brown bag luncheons, new hire orientations security awareness literature/posters and video presentations are all excellent vehicles for getting the word out.

o Provide employees with adequate secure storage areas for their laptops such as locked security closets, cabinets and lockdown devices at desks and workstations.

Laptop Security -Where'd My Laptop Go?

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

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

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

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

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

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

For example:

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

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

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

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

1) Securing the actual laptop

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2) Data Security

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

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

Here are the steps you should take:

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

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

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

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

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

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

3) Getting your laptop back.

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

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

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

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

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

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

© Steve Freedman, Archer Strategic Alliances 2005 All Rights Reserved

Thin Clients Benefits Are Excellent Options for Computer Homeschools - Just A Suggestion

Wireless Consulting and Solution Providers have always been important to African American small businesses and now after several years of having the most technologically advanced homes in our neighborhood, we are beginning to realize that our neighbors could benefit from the same technology in educating our children. With the future our African American children are facing being dependent on computers and broadband access it is critical to have the proper tools for our children to have the confidence necessary to face the future.

Psyche. There is a very good friend that is a Wireless Solution Provider in Chicago, whose wife "suggested" that he share his expertise with a neighbor who had been visiting his family's computer homeschool. Well after one thing led to another he finally enabled about 18 African American computer homeschools in the Chicago area, thus becoming a African American homeschool resource for wireless.

This little story is related because while I myself was working in Chicago for 4 years, he came to me for assistance in selecting a networked computer system that would be affordable for his clients. I had success with using thin client computers before with African American owned small businesses, networking them through a small server and then upgrade them to an additional firewall for full strength protection. He tried this with one family and for around $1700 they received 2 thin pc's and a server, they were excited to say the least. The thin pc benefits kept working for him and his clients over and over again when creating a computer homeschool.

Now I begin to work in North Texas and my sister "suggests" to me that I consult for a African American single mom in Dallas. *Side note... for those who perhaps may be uninformed about my use of the word "suggest" let me share with you how an African American woman "suggests" anything to men. First she will begin by asking you to handle a certain situation and if you don't respond correctly (never have, never will, women are smarter) the next level of the speech will be at a volume that will make the suggestion clear.

Back to the benefits of thin client and how they make an excellent option.

Thin clients have no CD drive, floppy drive, and don't look for a hard drive because it's on the server the actual workhorse of the network. The point is that it is 'thin' and most of the really hard work is done by another computer with all the bells and whistles as it needs them to 'manage' the thin pc's. That alone saves you money, and when it comes time to upgrade (and you know it's coming), all your processing power is actually in the server that manages your network.

Even if you do have to replace one of your thin pc's, it costs $500 or less and a full blown fat desktop starts at $900 on up. Installing thin client networks are a breeze, setup the server and load it with the software you need to use, plug in the wireless thin client pc's and go for it! Lower upfront costs, easy to upgrade and install makes this a better option for today's computing homeschool.

Wifi Hotspot Locations For Sale - Is That A Good Thing?

Recent companies have been advertising wifi hotspot locations that are 'turnkey' (they can run themselves), and only cost between $13,000 and $20,000 to start. Is that good?

First of all, if it's so turnkey then why aren't they just popping off wifi hotspot locations left and right for themselves, is it their newfound generosity that has them 'sharing' the opportunities they have available. I'm not knocking the possibility of some companies to provide a business model, like in the restaurant business where they allow you to own a branded franchise for an initial investment in order to spread out locations in a more easier return on investment. However, wifi locations normally have an additional service or product that acts as an anchor for customers to come in and use the benefit of wi-fi to connect to the Internet through broadband high speed access. Starbucks and Hilton Hotels are prime examples of a business model that has customers coming in for a service or product and then using wifi access as a secondary product/service.

Secondly, the potential for wifi hotspots cannot be limited to a cookie-cutter system that will fit everyone, after all if that were the case the other auto makers wouldn't be in business and we would still be driving 'Model T' Fords. Not to mention the fact that if you open a business with only wifi access as the only product/service available and then the community, town or city where your business is located decides to wirelessly enable the public transportation system like in the southern California city of Cerritos; guess what - your business just got knocked the flip out.

African American small business people have resources, and some may believe those resources are unlimited. But if you shell out $20,000 for a new business and after 6 months get locked out of your client base by a larger business or business model, you have lost more than your investment. A wifi business is not something that can be advanced as able to stand on it's own in the present day. In the example above the city of Cerritos is delivering wifi along with it's transportation system, which should probably increase ridership as people will opt to ride and check their email or just finish up a project as they go to work or to shop.

Look carefully at starting to use wifi in your business, research and see if there is a potential for competition to knock you client base out of the ballpark. Even then, when is your competition going to implement their wifi access and see if you have time to enhance your wifi service with coupons or other attractive services that may not be available to your competition. Wifi access will become a very powerful business asset in the coming year and more so in the future. Now is the time to get your feet wet, just check out your options in order not to get drowned out of business.

We can help give you your freedom back...and a whole lot more. M.D.T.G.

How To Buy The Perfect Student Laptop

If you are like most student's, money isn't exactly growing on trees. Choosing the right laptop can be a matter of saving yourself a lot of heartache and money at the same time.

In this article I am going to over the most common uses that a student has for a notebook as well as talk about the most important components you should have for these uses.

Most student's will list the obvious things that a laptop is needed for; stuff like word processing, e-mail etc. The reality is that today's student's are using computers more than ever for a lot more. The average student's list may look something like this:

- Word Processing

- E-mail

- Internet

- Music Downloads

- Possible Video Editing

- And More...

Every one of the above can now be part of the student's functions when using a notebook. You may or may not need some of the above, so I will also go over that below.

Let's go over the 5 most important notebook components for today's student.

CPU - In short, the CPU basically evaluates and executes commands given to it. So a faster CPU will be able to execute commands quicker, right? Yes, but having the latest Intel or AMD chip is definitely not needed. Depending on your memory and operating system you can get by just fine on a 1.0GHZ processor, or even less. Most of the newer systems come with more than 2.0GHZ, and you may want this if you are doing any video editing or something that requires faster processor speeds.

Memory - The amount of memory that your prospective notebook features has a big impact on how fast applications will load, and generally how fast your computer will run. For this reason, memory is one of the most popular computer upgrades available. Newer machines will come with at least 256mb of RAM (memory), but if you are going to be using Windows XP I highly recommend getting more. You can get by running 256mb of memory while using Windows XP, but it will slow.

I remember when I replaced my 256mb stick of RAM for 512 megabytes -- It felt like a totally new computer. If you are on a very strict budget stick with 256mb. If you need more, either find a laptop that already carries 512+ megabytes of RAM or get a RAM upgrade. Getting a memory upgrade actually isn't that expensive.

Hard Drive - If you are the type of student that loves having a lot of music files or videos, you are going to want a bigger hard drive. Getting at least a 60 gigabyte hard drive would be the perfect solution in this case. If you aren't going to be downloading music all the time or putting big files on your notebook, than 40 gigabytes or lower will work fine. Most new laptops come with at least a 40 gigabyte hard drive.

CD-RW - This is probably one of the most used parts on a student's notebook, hands down. If you download music and want to transfer it to a CD, you are going to need a CD burner. If you want to burn DVD's you are going to have to go one step further and get a DVD-RW drive. If you don't need any of these functions, having a normal CD or DVD reader drive will work great.

Internet - Pretty much every student needs to connect to the internet. With such a wealth of knowledge available online, virtually every student is connected now a days. Pretty much every laptop you find will be able to connect to the internet in some way, but you most likely want something that will work on your campus. For this, you want your potential notebook to have a wireless internet card.

Ok, those 5 parts can't be everything to look out for, right? You are right; there are a few more things that can actually be quite important to some students.

Weight - If you are constantly carrying your laptop around campus you don't want something that will break your shoulder. If weight is important to you, look for something in the 6-7 pounds range.

Display - If you don't need something ultra big, look for a screen size of around 15 inches. Most people agree that 12-14 inch screens do not provide comfortable viewing. Bigger than 15 inch screens are nice, but also add more weight to the laptop.

One last important note before you head out and get your baby... Plug in to an outlet as much as possible. Laptops do not run on batteries forever, and you are wise to save your batteries power for when you really need it.

Taking the time to really go over what you need a notebook for and then finding something that will meet those needs will save you where it matters most -- The pocketbook.

Getting A New Laptop At A Great Price

With all the wheeling and dealing that seems to take place on the internet at all times of the day, it can sometimes get confusing just trying to find your own deal. Finding the best price on your new laptop is most likely your highest priority at this point, but there are other important factors as well.

In this article I will discuss some of the best ways to ensure that you get the ultimate price on your new beauty, as well as a few other tidbits that shouldn't be left out.

I don't know about you, but I always love to first check out prices on eBay. In fact, this is what I recommend that you do also. Head on over to eBay and see what kinds of prices are listed for your specific notebook. I am assuming you are looking for a brand new laptop, so that is what you should look for on eBay. I like to look at the "buy it now" prices, of course making sure that the price listed is for a brand new machine. Alternatively you can look at auctions that are about to end. This method will usually give you a little better indication of what your specific notebook is going for on eBay.

eBay is good to look at first, mainly because they usually have the best prices. By finding out what you can get your laptop for on eBay, you will instantly have a lowball figure that others must beat.

So what now? I recommend going over to a couple price comparison sites such as shopping.com or pricegrabber.com. What these sites do is list a bunch of merchants that are selling the specific product that you are looking for. What is great about it is that a price is listed by each merchant, as well as customer reviews of the store (merchant).

A lot of these price comparison sites will even list the shipping price, and then calculate your total cost for whatever you want... It's a win-win situation for you!

So now you are going to want to search for your specific notebook on a few price comparison sites. When the merchant listings come up, look for prices that are better than the ones you got from eBay. You will probably want to skip merchants with a bad rating, or at the most, go in and see why they are rated poorly. One more thing -- Look at the shipping price... Sometimes you can get free shipping, or shipping at a much better rate than the auctions listed on eBay, which could steer the deal away from them.

Hopefully you have found an even better deal at one of the price comparison sites online. If you want, you can even go to some of the big name computer retailers and look at their prices, (even though many of them are listed on the price comparison sites). Sometimes you can find clearances though that will beat any of the prices you have found.

One other last point -- Reliability is very important, especially with a purchase like this. For the eBay auctions you are going to want to look at the seller's feedback rating, and on the price comparison sites you are going to want to look at the merchant's customer ratings.

If you take the time to properly use the various resources that are available on the internet, you will find that getting a great deal on a new laptop is a lot easier than one might think.

Types Of Laptop Batteries

Throughout the years there have been many technologies involved with notebooks, and laptop batteries are no different. There are actually three distinct notebook battery types on the market today. Knowing the difference between them will help you decide on exactly what to get when the time comes for a purchase.

In this article I will discuss the three different laptop battery types, as well as some of the advantages each one carries.

Nickel Cadmium - NiCd batteries were actually the first rechargeable laptop batteries ever. Manufactures loved them because their cost was relatively low and they had a high output. You won't find Nickel Cadmium batteries being used anymore, due to them being heavier and not as efficient as the newer laptop batteries.

Nickel Metal Hydride - NiMH batteries can still be found all over the place -- particularly for older model laptops. The rechargeable NiMH laptop battery was a big step up for notebook technology mostly in part because they were more reliable than the NiCd batteries, and they had an even higher output. The NiMH battery was also cheaper to produce, and safer to use.

The only issue with NiMH batteries is that they can have a memory effect. Basically, if you don't fully discharge the battery, it can remember this and leave you with a less than perfect battery output.

Lithium Ion - LiON batteries are now used in most new laptops. Unlike the NiMH battery, LiON laptop batteries have no memory effect. LiON batteries are also lighter than both NiCd and NiMH notebook batteries. Both of these advantages equal out to the Lithium Ion battery being the most popular and most expensive among the various notebook power sources.

You are probably wondering which type of battery to get. Getting a Lithium Ion battery would be the best solution, and if you have the money that is what I recommend. If you cannot afford a LiON battery or your notebook is not compatible with one, then getting a NiMH battery is the next best thing.

How To Purchase A Quality Laptop Computers Case

So you finally have that new laptop you have been drooling over for the past 3 months, only there is one problem -- You don't have a case for it. You've probably already laid down over a grand for the notebook and you're telling yourself that you don't want to spend another $70 for a case. Trust me, this isn't the time to be cheap.

In this article I will go over the importance of getting a quality notebook bag, as well as what sort of features are found on quality laptop cases.

If you consider your laptop to be important or essential, then getting a good, solid case is a must. You may be wondering why... Here are just a few reasons:

- Expensive notebook should be protected properly

- Quality cases have way better outer and inner protection for your laptop

- More comfortable

- Better shoulder protection

If you still need some prodding in the direction of that super duty case maybe the next points will help. Let's go over what distinguishes the good from the bad in notebook bags.

Comfort - Quality bags have much better shoulder support than cheapies. Your notebook is going to be at least 6 pounds, probably more. Do you really want to break your shoulder just carrying the thing around? You have a lot more choice with quality aftermarket cases as well when it comes to carrying style. In the end you are going to be a lot more comfortable with something that wears well on you.

Protection - Make sure you don't drop that notebook case that came with your computer -- You may find your laptop in pieces. Quality laptop cases have great inner and outer protection. Things like reinforced corners on the outside, and air pockets on the inside... It all adds up to piece of mind. If you want, you can even find cases with single or double combo locks.

Storage - If you want to put extra files or folders into your notebook case you are going to need the space. Quite often, cheaper cases will have just enough room for a notebook and maybe a small folder if you are lucky. When buying an aftermarket case you have a lot more choice in size, and can find something that will hold everything you need it to.

Are you ready to spend a little more money and get that quality case now? Good, but before you do, let's go over a couple more things that are very important.

First, you need to think about what you will be carrying most of the time -- Chances are it isn't just your laptop. What you will be carrying will be a big part of what case you decide on. The more stuff you need to bring along in the bag, the bigger the bag needs to be.

Next, find out the dimensions of your notebook. You need to know this when buying a case. Not all laptops fit in every case, so you need to look for a case that will fit the size of your notebook. Whether you are buying a case locally or online, the main compartment size of the case should be easy enough to find.

Lastly, as you will soon find, there is more than one style of laptop case available. There are the standard cases, ones that look like actual luggage bags, and even backpack style cases. The last one has the added benefit that thieves won't think there is a notebook sitting inside.

Going over exactly what you need in a laptop case, and then purchasing a quality one won't just save your shoulders in time, but possibly your investment too.

Getting The Proper Laptop Screen Size

Are you sick of viewing everything on that small screen that your current notebook comes with? Do you want your next laptop to have screen size that you are more comfortable with? Well read on.

In this article we will take a look at all the common screen sizes found on the many various laptops currently in existence, as well as which ones may be best for you and why.

Does your current notebook feel like it is five inches too small? Well it actually may be - Here are the most common laptop display sizes (in inches):

10.4 -- 10.6 -- 11.3 -- 12.1 -- 13.0 -- 13.3 -- 14.1 -- 15.0 -- 15.2 -- 15.4 -- 15.7 -- 16.0 -- 16.1 -- 17.1

You may be wondering exactly how a screens size is determined. This is done by measuring diagonally across the screen. Many people think it is done by measuring horizontally or vertically -- This is false.

So what should you be looking at for your next laptop when it comes to screen size? I wouldn't go any lower than 15.0 inches. In fact most people say that going any lower than 15.0 inches is too uncomfortable. Fortunately pretty much every new notebook being produced has a bare minimum of 15 inches for the screen size.

With this in mind, you basically have the choice of 15 inches all the way to 17 inches! What are the differences between the two, other than size? Well, some people say that a 17.1" screen makes the laptop a little too heavy for their liking. If weight is a big issue with you, you may want to go for a smaller screen.

There must be an advantage with the bigger screen then, right? Of course... You get a bigger viewing area, and most likely a better viewing experience. This is an even bigger issue if you play games, watch DVD's, or are a general multimedia user when it comes to your laptop.

There aren't a whole lot of notebooks currently being produced with 17" screens, but there are a few like the toshiba satellite P35 laptop. Simply looking at the specs of any given notebook can quickly tell you whether the screen size will suit you or not.

By taking the time to recognize your needs when it comes to a laptop screen size, you can enjoy your next laptop and leave the hassle with your old one.

Salon Marketing Using Wireless Broadband Internet Access

Our client in Chicago did, located right outside downtown too...a right competitive area. Everybody's looking for some kind of edge and we found it for them. Want to hear...the rest of the story.

Just in case your wondering it doesn't have to be a major city or suburb, because it worked in a place called Rosedale Maryland, a little ways outside Baltimore. The company owns both locations and wanted an additional way to bring in and retain clients and attract new ones.

David Eivers (great name David!), was contacted through a referral and suggested a few forward thinking additions. Since they already had a website and a DSL connection, he had them opt for a secure wireless network that their 'preferred clients' could access when inside their salon. The preferred clients would receive email updates about specials and additions to their staff and other news about the salon on a bi-weekly basis to get them started. The preferred clients would then receive free access to their wifi network when inside the salon to check email or do any other work that they needed. This created a repeat group of clients coming in for free access and to take advantage of the specials they had received via email.

It also increased traffic to their website (yipee!) and they began adding day spa products to be purchased online, an additional stream of revenue (another yipee!). The Rosedale location picked up clients looking for wifi access in the suburbs. The Chicago location being in a tech-forward looking city got ladies (and men) with their PDA's, laptops and anything else that could get wifi.

The latest and greatest news is a scheduling calendar that allows clients to request open appoints on the days and times available with an email confirmation from the newly hired digital receptionist (new position from the added revenue). Could this be your salon, increasing the sales of day spa supplies? A better way of salon marketing? Day spa marketing?

How about increasing traffic to spa resorts with aromatherapy products, health spas, hair salons and definitely your own beauty salon! The options could be like new and returning clients...endless!

Used Laptop Computer: Your Quick Purchase Inspection Guide - Part 1

Used laptop computers are everywhere these days. How can you sift through the mass of available used laptop computers to narrow your search down to the right laptop for you? Here are a few suggestions to keep in mind.

Buy from a reputable dealer

It can be tempting to pick up your local classifieds and simply choose the lowest price laptop in the newspaper and buy it from whomever. This is a mistake. Less headache and aggravation will result by buying from a reputable dealer. If something goes wrong with it right after you buy it, you'll at least have some recourse.

Quick Visual Inspection: Looking for signs of damage

One of the most common ways a laptop is damaged is by dropping it on a hard surface. Look for cracks around the corners of the laptop. You should also look for any chipped plastic around the LCD Screen.

Make sure the hinges of the LCD Screen are in good shape and aren't cracked or separating from the body of the laptop. This damage can result when someone opens the screen too far. It can also be the result of being dropped.

Examine the power supply that comes with the laptop to make sure there are no signs of overheating like a melted cord or power box. Be sure that the power cord itself is not frayed or damaged in any way. Take a look at the end that plugs into the laptop, make sure it isn't damaged. Plug it into the laptop and wiggle it around to make sure it isn't loose in the laptop. This can also indicate that the laptop has suffered internal damage.

In the next part, we'll go over some things to look for when powering up a used laptop computer for the first.

Used Laptop Computer: Your Quick Purchase Inspection Guide - Part 2

Used laptop computers are everywhere these days. How can you sift through the mass of available used laptop computers to narrow your search down to the right laptop for you? This is the second part of a series of articles designed to give you a few suggestions for your next purchase.

Assuming you've done the visual inspection mentioned in part one, you're ready to power up the laptop and do some more digging.

Laptop Operating System

Does the laptop you're looking at come with an operating system? If not, it could be difficult for you to fully test the operation of the laptop. One good alternative to a built in operating system is to download and burn a copy of Knoppix. Knoppix is a linux operating system that runs off the CD-ROM drive instead of the hard drive. This allows you to test the laptop even if it doesn't have an operating system installed. You can find Knoppix at http://www.knoppix.com

Quick Power Up Inspection

Power up the laptop if it already isn't on. Make sure to open the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive that comes with the laptop. Look for USB ports and make sure they are in good repair. Locate the vent for the CPU fan (if it has one - most do) and listen to the sound it makes. If you hear any whining or grinding sounds, beware. This may be an indication that the CPU inside has not been getting proper cooling which can definitely lead to problems down the road like random crashes, shut downs, etc...

Examine the LCD Screen

Chances are, you're going to be staring at that screen an awful lot. Make sure the colors are stable and that there are no parts of the LCD screen that are washed out or discolored.

Replacing an LCD screen is expensive. Better to find a problem with it before you buy it then afterwards.

Is the LCD screen bright enough for your needs? Some used laptops will have LCD screens that are too dim to be practical. Keep in mind that older laptops will often not be very bright in direct sunlight. They should all be bright in normal lighting conditions however.

Used Laptop Computer: Your Quick Purchase Inspection Guide - Part 4

Used laptop computers are everywhere these days. How can you sift through the mass of available used laptop computers to narrow your search down to the right laptop for you? This fourth and final article strives to give you a few suggestions for your next laptop purchase.

Wireless Connectivity

Built-in wireless used to be a luxury. More and more now though, it really should be seen as a necessity. If the laptop you're considering doesn't have built-in wireless, you should at least have an external wireless card thrown in. Connecting to the internet and your local home network is something you'll find yourself doing a lot of in the future. If you have a choice between 802.1b and 802.1g, make sure you choose the 802.1g as it has more range and greater speed.

USB Ports

How many USB ports come with the laptop? Older laptops may not have any. Some have only one. The more USB ports you can get, the more convenient it is. You should also ask if the laptop comes with USB 2.0 or the older original version 1.

Hard Drive: Choose a large one

In this day and age, anything less than 20GB is way too small. In fact, you should always choose a laptop with as large a hard drive as possible. Storage space fills up fast especially when you consider all the songs and movies people store on their laptops these days. Go as large as your budget allows.

User Computer Laptop Warranty

If you have followed my advice and are looking to buy from a reputable dealer, what kind of warranty do they offer? Don't buy a used laptop from someone that offers you no warranty of any kind. At the very least, you want to get a 30 day warranty. The more the better. You never know if the hard drive is near failure or some other catastrophic problem in near. Reputable dealers offer warranties. Stay away from anyone that doesn't offer one.

While I haven't gone over every possible thing you need to look for when purchasing a laptop, I have covered the main things that should make sure you make a used computer laptop purchase you're happy with.

Batteries for Your Laptop

With technology advancing more every day, electronics have become smaller and more mobile. This includes computers. The laptop, or notebook

computer is extremely popular these days and many people have them as backup or secondary computers or even as their main computers. The great thing about a laptop is that it uses a battery to power the unti when you are away from a power source so you can literally take your computer anywhere. But in addition to the batteries, there are other parts of the laptop computer that make it work.

You know that another important part of your

laptop is the screen. There are many different

types of screens and the screen is important since

it is the display that will show whatever you are

working gon with the computer and you may spend

many hours looking at it. Early laptop screens

were dim and dark with poor quality but they are

very improved today and even come in wide screen

and more.

However, you know that the display is not all

there is to the laptop. There are many more

important parts to the computer. The CPU is very

important because it makes your computer work.

There are mobile CPUs which keep the machine

cooler and prevents overheating. These are great

because they also use less power.

There are many great features to the laptop

computer. Most of them come with modular (or

swappable) drive bays which allow you to remove

the floppy drive, the DVD drive and the hard

drive. If you want to use different media for

storing and saving your data, it is easier than

ever to do this while you continue working. You

don't even have to shut your computer down.

The laptop is powered by AC power that plugs into

the wall. This makes it easy to charge your laptop

and charge the batteries. These typically plug

into an ordinary wall outlet. The only downside is

if you are in a confined space because many have

power bricks that take up space. If you plan on

using your laptop a lot in hotels and other close

quarters, you might want to purchase a more

compact device to make it easier.

Ultimately, the most important aspect of the

laptop is it's ability to be mobile. This is why

the batteries are so important. Most laptops come

with one or two batteries or you can purchase an

extra battery later. Most laptops batteries last

from 2-4 hours when fully charged. Depending on

the type of laptop and battery you have, it may be

more or less.

Generation Laptop

In May 2005 U.S hardware history was made.

This was the first time that laptops sold more than desktop computers in a single month. Indeed, Current Analysis, an innovative research firm headquartered in Sterling, Virginia, confirmed that laptop sales leapt to 53.3 per cent of the total PC retail market in May 2005.

Were these figures just a blip on the the computer sales radar? Let your own eyes answer that question for you - Folks using laptops are everywhere! - People checking their emails in coffee shops, students studying interactively in the classroom, business men and women compiling data reports on planes and trains.

So, what current factors contribute to the massive popularity of laptops with the computer buying public?

AFFORDABILITY

Five years ago, you could walk into a computer store with four thousand dollars, and emerge bow legged, carrying a bulky notebook computer the size of a sewing machine - about as cutting edge as grandpa's pipe and smoking jacket. Today you can pick up a Compaq NX6125 from HP, equipped with a biometric fingerprint reader, 60GB hard drive, and an AMD 64 bit Turion processor for less than $1000!

Expect prices for laptops to get even lower in the coming months thanks to intense competition between the two heavyweight processor manufacturers, Intel and AMD. Both companies have introduced mobile chips with speeds that offer desktop performance.

CONNECTIVITY

Laptops with Wi-Fi are no longer an optional luxury. At Mammoth Coffee in Newport, Ohio, more and more business owners are jostling for notebook "office space", - to the modest tune of a blueberry muffin, and a Cafe Au Lait.

Those who dine at fine restaurants at the very least expect a sensory, savory meal, set upon a table with fine silver and white table cloths; superior service; and ambient lighting. Well that's exactly what's on the menu at Trapeze restaurant in Burlingame, California,- along with wireless access service for laptops.

Wireless fidelity has moved effortlessly from the boundaries of home and office to the pristine elegance of posh restaurants. But, will the wireless laptop revolution end here?

Last Mile Communications have even greater ambitions for Wi-Fi notebooks. They hope to use the established infrastructure of the many lamp-posts dotting around merry old England to produce a network of wireless access points.

This ambitious UK company would like convert the street lights so they can be accessed via your laptop to get on the internet. Last mile would also like to put flash memory in the lights so even without accessing the web you could find information about local amenities, and emergency fire, police and ambulance services.

PORTABILITY

Laptops with performance rivalling that of desktop computers used to be knee breakers - Not any more. A stream of high quality ultralights and ultraportables have flooded onto the market in the last few months.

Acer's Red dot award winner,the Travelmate 3000 boasts a widescreen 12.1 inch panoramic display, and the notebook's compact chassis occupies less desktop space than a sheet of A4 paper - weighing just 1.4kg. The Sony T2, a sleek silver ultralight laptop, is equipped with a 60GB hard drive, 1.2GHz processor and weighs just under 1.4kg.

Too big you say? How about Toshiba's Libretto U100? This laptop weighs just 2.16 pounds, has a 1.20GHz Intel Pentium M processor, and sports a hard drive protection system.

Protect Your Laptop from Theft

Laptop computers are often stolen. They are small, easily sold, and valuable. When a laptop is stolen it is a major inconvenience at best, and if company confidential data gets into the wrong hands the results can be truly catastrophic.

Many professionals use a laptop, often transporting it between home and the office. Most travel at least occasionally with a laptop. Laptops are particularly vulnerable when traveling but are also often stolen from offices and residences as well.

These simple steps should be taken to help protect laptops from physical theft.

Use a locking cable and perhaps an alarm for your laptop, available at any computer store. I don't always lock my laptop, for example at home, but often lock it in hotel rooms and even in my private office when leaving for extended periods of time.

Carry your laptop in something other than a laptop bag, for example a briefcase or backpack. Don't make it obvious your bag contains a laptop!

Try not to leave laptops in a car. This isn't always practical, but minimize it as much as practical. Never leave a laptop, laptop case, or briefcase in plain sight in a car.

Watch your laptop carefully in airports and train stations! Certainly do not put it in checked luggage. Do not ignore or leave it alone for even a few seconds. When going through security, place it on the x-ray machine last, immediately before walking through.

Many laptops are stolen from businesses. If you don't know if it's safe to leave your laptop unattended then ask someone. A colleague once had his laptop stolen from a "secure building" at a police facility during lunch!

Don't leave your laptop or any laptop accessories visible in your hotel. In a drawer covered by clothes is a good hiding place.

If you take a bus or shuttle, hold on to your laptop. Don't put it "in back" with the other luggage.

It only takes a few seconds for a thief to grab a laptop. These simple steps will help protect your laptop, your data, and even your company from potential disaster!

How To Choose The Best Student Laptop?

How To Choose the Best Student Laptop?

Merchants are singing those three magic words again,

'Back to School' and the fallout is everywhere!

Just as you're getting your deep dark pre-cancerous tan

going -- you hear those words -- and it spells the end

of summer. Once again we are bombarded with advertising,

featuring the latest in 'teen ware' 'school ware' and

'metal detector ware'. Kidding!

Is it just me or does it seem this year there is a lot

more 'Back to School' advertising for notebooks and laptops?

They seem to be everywhere... on TV, radio, and online.

Laptop ads are everywhere. Why is this?

Well, notebooks have come down in price, they have become

more affordable, even for the modest student. Laptops have

also come down in size, making them ideal for that school

napsack, or dormroom. They have also become tougher

and sturdier... better equipped to meet the hard/wear/tear

that students give it.

With notebook technology changing every two years or

so; notebooks can now handle most tasks students throw

their way. These advanced notebooks can do the job. They also

present a much stronger entertainment value to students, they

can handle better graphics and gaming, but most students

try to keep parents in the dark about this factor as they

plead for a new laptop for college or school. All this

pleading is further fueling the demand for laptops.

Then there is a little thing called the Internet. Throw

in a wireless connection and the student laptop is coming

into its own. Big Time!

The Internet has become a second teacher/parent/counselor

to most students. God help us all! But it has also become

a priceless source of the collective knowledge on this planet;

frightening but true. The Internet is an invaluable source of

knowledge for any high school/college student.

Not having ready access to all this knowledge and information

will put any student at a disadvantage with his peers.

It's a very competitive world, in high school, in college and

in the future job market; every student should have an even

playing field.

That's where the little notebook computer enters stage right!

Laptops or notebooks have quickly become a school necessity.

When? How? Why?...

It's the perfect learning tool for students:

* very portable, you can carry them anywhere, class, cafe,

dorm, home...

* very convenient, you can take notes in class, type up assignments, print assignments, communicate home, access the Internet...

* very tough, many newer notebooks are designed to withstand a good pounding and keep on computing, ruggerized for sturdy use...

* very powerful, notebooks or laptops are catching up to their desktop cousins in computing speed, hard drive storage and

performance...

* very affordable, prices have dropped and are falling even further, laptops are now outselling desktop PCs so this price will drop even further, there's a whole slew of used and refurbished laptops hitting the market...

If you're a parent, student, or guardian; here are some of the factors you should consider when buying the best student laptop or notebook:

* size, it must be small, lightweight and very portable, fit comfortably under the arm or in that backpack

* sturdy, it must be tough, sturdy, ruggerized, and able to take more than one hard knock because students are students

* connections, wireless connections should be offered, the Internet is such a valuable tool in itself - a student should be able to access it anywhere. Most notebooks have these connections but check -- a printer port, a 56Kbps-modem, a VGA port for an external monitor, and should have at least one USB port for external keyboard/mouse, digital cameras, drives, and MP3 players

* technical specs, it should have enough RAM, storage space (hard drive) and computing speed to do any job the student can throw at it

* battery life, make sure your student notebook has a reasonable battery life, 5 hours or more

* price, it should be reasonably priced, refurbished laptops may be an option for those on a strict budget

However, some words of wisdom, students or parents shouldn't skimp

too much -- if you're spending 10's of thousands on an education, you

should also provide for the best possible equipment in the form of a sturdy,

lightweight high performance laptop. Besides, a high quality laptop will

last for years... just imagine your son or daughter writing their resumes on

it after they have finished college... keep this image in your mind as you go

about buying that perfect student laptop.

Buying a Refurbished Dell Laptop

Dell offers a full line of refurbished laptops on their website, dell.com. Look for "Outlet Refurbished Laptops." There you will find a full range of popular models that run just as reliably as a new machine - for hundreds of dollars less than you would pay for new versions. This is because Dell refurbished laptops are inspected for "good-as-new" quality. The only differences are the red label on the bottom of the unit and a lower price.

Dell's most popular refurbished laptops are Latitude and Inspiron. The Latitude series of "notebook" computers is no longer manufactured, but is still a great buy for someone looking for an up-to-date machine. Latitude is an apt name for these models: they afford you great leeway in updating, expanding, or otherwise changing the internal workings of the computer. With its black chassis and clean lines, it is a rather "normal" looking computer. It is a middleweight unit, but sized to fit any standard laptop case, along with AC/DC adaptor, mouse, floppy and zip disks, and other accessories. The Dell Latitude C600, CPX, and L400 are the three most popular models in the line.

The Inspiron series of notebook computers is still manufactured today, with some modifications. Slightly older versions are still a great way to meet all your computer needs. Inspirons are not quite as expandable as Latitudes, but, with their jazzy black-and-silver chassis, have a distinctive look. Inspiron laptops are also a bit more affordable than Latitudes. Furthermore, Inspiron ranks among the highest performing laptops available, with famously long battery life The Dell Inspiron 1100 and 1150 are the two most common models in the line of refurbished laptops at Dell.

If you are looking to get the lowest price on a Dell laptop, look for one that uses a Celeron processor instead of an Intel. Celeron is less expensive, and also uses less battery juice, than Intel.

Laptop Support 101

Laptops are fragile tools. Because they are made to be portable, stability is often compromised. Case in point: there is a higher demand for laptop hardware repairing services than any other mobile gadgets today.

When your laptop breaks down, the first thing you will do, of course, is to check if it's still under warranty. If it is, send it to its duly authorized service center.

If it's not, well, there are a lot of laptop hardware repairing services out there. And with most of them maintaining digital shops in the World Wide Web, finding the best one for your needs will be easy. Just observe the following guidelines in determining the right laptop support service for you.

* Analyze how much damage your laptop has suffered. Some damages are repairable. Some damages are hopeless. And some damages may cost you more than what you can spend for a brand new unit. Take for example severe breakage on the LCD monitor. A hardware repairing service will charge you $250, at least! And this is not counting the applicable service fees that may be charged on your account as well. So determine beforehand if the damage is repairable, and if it is, if it will be practical to have it repaired.

* Determine their expertise. You're looking for the best hardware repairing service after all. Ask the important questions. How many clients have they served? How many units have they repaired? What is their success rate when it comes to reviving dead or damaged units? Ask for recommendations. Ask for verifiable credentials.

* Determine if your data can be salvaged. This should be the primary goal for every laptop support service. Often, the date inside your laptop is more important than the laptop itself. Always consider the hardware repairing service that can promise the integrity of your data.

* Study their rates. Compare the same with other hardware repairing services providing laptop support. Among the support centers with similar level of services, which is more budget-friendly?

* Consider their post-service guarantees. If the laptop breaks down a few weeks after the repairs they have made, can you bring it back for further service, for free? How about after a few months? Or perhaps after a year? Practicality dictates that the hardware repairing service that provides a longer guarantee should be given heavier consideration.

Because of the convenience the internet has provided, all of the guidelines enumerated above can be accomplished from the comforts of your own home. The World Wide Web is replete with laptop support websites offering hardware repairing services, but you will avoid many clicks by visiting us at The Laptop Support Community.

Wireless Keyboard and Optical Mouse - Making Computing More Convenient For The Users

No one wants to be getting entangled in a maze of wires while getting his gadgets. Everyone wants to eliminate as much cords and wires as possible from his gadgets as their elimination greatly simplifies the connections between different devices. A keyboard that connects wirelessly offers great convenience to the users. One need not sit near one's computer to use it. One can use the keyboard from a position one feels is comfortable to him, like lying in the bed.

The keyboard can be used with a computer system that supports Bluetooth connectivity. Since the keyboard does not use any wires, it does not feature any ports for USB connections. Most such present day keyboards support two way transmissions of data through radio frequency (RF) for a distance of up to 100 ft. The keyboards come especially handy in situations where one's access to his or her computer is restricted due to space constraints. But one needs to install a supporting software in his or her computer to use such keyboards.

Microsoft has released a new combination of keyboard and mouse that connect without any wires with other devices. The combination is being marketed under the brand name Wireless Entertainment Desktop 8000. The combination is the computer industry's first backlit keyboard. The gadget has specifically been designed for Media Centre PCs and can be used with both Windows Vista and Windows XP operating systems. The device features several buttons for use on Vista operating system. Many users of conventional keyboards may not know the exact functions of these buttons.

The keyboard has several dedicated buttons for multimedia control. The keyboard is backlit; it means one can also use it in areas which have dim or no light at all. There are many 'one touch' multimedia keys on the keyboard. For example, one can open up an internet browser or play a DVD on his computer with just a single touch of a multimedia key. Apple Inc. released its thinnest model of keyboard in August 2007 that can wirelessly connect to a computer. The keyboard is specifically designed for use on the company's Macintosh brand of computers. The device prevents accidental presses of Caps lock key. To activate the Caps lock function, one has to press and hold the Caps lock key for a while.

Let us now discuss some features of computer mouses as well. A computer or electronic mouse is basically a pointing device that detects motion in two dimensions relative to its position. The device's motion translates into a corresponding motion of a pointer on a display like a computer's monitor. The mechanical mouse was invented by Stanford Research Institute in 1963. The first ball mouse was developed in 1972 that used two oppositely moving rollers to detect the motion of the device. The wireless mouse was developed during 1980s.

A wireless mouse connects to the CPU of computers through Bluetooth technology. One need not keep the mouse near the computer's monitor to operate it. Nor does one need to stretch his or her hand to reach it. These mouses can work from a distance of up to 7 meters from the computer. Like other electronic gadgets, the device is susceptible to electrical and magnetic interferences. If there is a lot of electromagnetic interference in the vicinity of the mouse, its performance may be affected to a great extent.

The mouse detects its movement using photo diodes and light emitting diodes. Two versions of this mouse were released in 1980. Current models of the mouse use an optoelectronic sensor to picture its underlying surface. These mouses have special purpose image processing chips embedded in them. The chip allows the mouse to detect its motion relative to a variety of surfaces. The mouse illuminates the surface that it tracks over using a laser diode or a LED. The chip translates the movement of the mouse to a corresponding movement of a pointer on a display using an optical flow estimation algorithm.

A wireless mouse is better than optical mouse. Some more variants of electronic mouse like a laser mouse and tactile mouse are also available in the markets. Some manufactures have also developed mouses that have been stylised to sense gestures of the users. For example, a quick movement of the mouse in "X" motion would delete a picture in a drawing program. The wireless keyboard and optical mouse have made it much comfortable to work on a computer system. Most present day high end computers come equipped with wireless keyboards and optical mouses. The devices have made it possible for users to easily interact with their computers from a distance.

What Is A Bluetooth Dongle?

Bluetooth is wireless communication technology, that connects computers, mobile phones and other electronic devices, enabling them to communicate short distances.

Bluetooth makes use of 2.4ghz radio waves, just like wireless routers and wireless access points. Due to protocol standardisation, Bluetooth devices can be built by assorted manufacturers, and usually can interconnect seamlessly. Bluetooth devices which can interconnect include personal computers, GPS, PDA, and mobile phones.

How does it work? Aside from the newest laptops, most computers do not have Bluetooth capabilities. Bluetooth Dongles are small finger sized devices which plug into the personal computer USB ports. A PC can connect to nearby mobile phones, synchronising the address book using data suite software, or even Microsoft Outlook. A Bluetooth USB Dongle can even link a computer to a mobile phone, allowing the user to make hands free calls, thus eliminating the need for a special headset. Further, a Bluetooth Dongle can enable PC's to track GPS data, which makes creating travel maps a breeze, work diaries, exchanging business cards, and much more.

Advantages: Bluetooth enabled computers have the ability to transfer ringtones, files, mp3 songs, photos, and games for mobile phone. Many people prefer using a Bluetooth Dongle because it is simpler than a data cable, sleek, easy to store, and inexpensive. It has never been simpler to back up those important messages and contact lists, thanks to the wonders of Bluetooth.

Simplicity: Thanks to modernisation in Windows XP, the operating system automatically detects Bluetooth hardware, and has drivers pre-installed for many devices. On rare occasion, a quick driver installation is necessary, but the installation is quick and easy.

Connecting: To connect devices, just plug the Bluetooth USB Dongle into a free USB port on the computer. Then, switch on the mobile phone. Presto! Upon first contact, the two devices will see one another, and ask to be paired. Pairing is just a means of setting the passcode (a 4 digit number) the same on both devices. A moment later, and the secure communication link will be established.

Sexiest Windows Laptop

There are many PC laptops on the market that are very capable of running the Microsoft Windows operating system and many of them are available in compact and very stylish form factors. However, none seem to be able to compare to the super slick and ultra fashionable laptop computers that have become more than a portable computer, but also a status symbol with the internationally recognizable Apple logo. In the past, to buy one of these Apple Macbook laptops meant buying into everything that is Apple computers, including Apple's operating system. That meant fewer choices of software, especially open source and freely available software. Granted that there were many great software that ran better on an Apple system than on a PC, but the hurdles of trying to communicate with PC users or share files with PC users oftentimes turned prospective users away. But not anymore...

The new Apple MacBook computers are now better and faster ever since Apple adopted the Intel Core 2 Duo chipset that is used throughout the PC laptop market. This change in direction from Apple Computers has enabled PC computer geeks like me who have always eyed the Apple hardware to entertain the possibility of acquiring one just to run Microsoft Windows on it. The possibility of running Mac OS X on a PC laptop was also new, but why would you want to do that when the Apple hardware is a lot nicer. For me, there was no reason to own an Apple MacBook other than for vanity reasons. And that is why this article will try to give you the best of both worlds by having your Apple MacBook laptop and your Microsoft Windows operating system all at the same time. Having your cake and eating it too? I think so...

Pre-Requisites

Licensed copy of Boot Camp. Licensed copy of Microsoft Windows XP or Vista.

Installation Procedure

After setting up your Apple MacBook computer and performing all the necessary system updates, install Boot Camp. This software will create a separate partition to run your Windows operating system. Ask a computer nerd about partitions if you are unsure or uncomfortable with it. Partitions essentially create a separate area on your hard drive (hence "partition") to do anything you want such as store files or install new operating systems. After going through all the required steps, the MacBook will restart in PC mode prompting you for a Windows operating system to install. Provide it with your licensed CD/DVD of Windows and follow the on-screen instructions. You will be taken through the typical Windows installation steps that you are already familiar with (if you are a geek). You are done!

What? That's it? Yes, with the introduction of Apple Boot Camp, the process of installing a Microsoft Windows operating system on an Apple could not be any easier. Within an hour, you will be up and running with your Microsoft Windows XP or Vista on the hottest laptop on the market. Of course, there are some minor issues here and there, but they depend on the external peripherals you want to run with your new Windows MacBook and the associated drivers. There are many resources on the internet that will help you resolve these popular problems, but for 90% of users who do make the switch, you will not run into any major hurdles.

Have fun with your slick, cool, new Windows MacBook and let the whole world know how you like it.

Faster Memory For Your Laptop - Not an Issue Anymore

One of the most potent questions that haunt the mind of the computer user is whether he can use a faster memory for his laptop. The answer however is not simple. You may or may not be able to have a faster memory for your laptop. For instance, if you are using DDR memory and trying to migrate to DDR2 that is faster you will not be able to do so. The two systems are completely different and use divergent technologies for clocking.

On the other hand it will be possible for you to have a faster memory if the current memory type matches with the upgrade. The keyword is compatibility though even in such compatibility there could be veiled restrictions.

The requirements for upgrading

If you are upgrading to a compatible faster memory then the modules should have such densities that would be supported by the motherboard of your computer. If your computer presently supports 512 KB module and you are trying to have faster memory like 1024 or something higher, it may not work. This is because your computer will not be able to recognize the new system. Sometimes features in the faster memory system might also be alien to your computer and it will neither recognize nor accept them.

Simply having faster modules of memory might not work at all. Faster modules do not run faster always. If your system's motherboard does not support the faster memory then it will not give you the desired speed. Rather the computer memory may run at the slowest speed.

Why go for the faster memory modules?

At times it may so happen that the slower memory modules are going out of the market and you are left with the only option of using the faster module. Thus both on count of availability as well as that of price, the faster module may be preferable. For example, your Laptop might be supporting PC 2700 DDR as its memory but you might be getting only the 3200 DDR in market.

Moreover the memory is also a commodity for sale that has got variable prices. The type and style of the module will be changing with time and if supplies are plenty the prices could be less according to the standard principles of economy. Thus at times the non-available slower module could cost you more than the available faster memory module.

Your considerations for buying the faster memory

When you finally decide go for a faster memory module for your Laptop you should take care of certain factors.

Technology used in new memory should be compatible to older one in use.

Your Laptop system must support the new module.

Features that are not supported by your system should not be there.

Speed of your new memory module is dependent on compatibility with the current module.

You can easily enhance the performance of your Laptop by adding Laptop memory to it. However the most important thing is to get the right memory for your Laptop. If you select reliable and reputed provider then your work is half done. Such provider will also give you a number of alternative options to select your computer memory that would give you the best results at the least cost.

Gaming Laptops - Is it a Matter of Style Over Performance?

Years ago when gaming laptops first hit the market many serious gamers laughed at the whole notion of using a laptop for gaming. These first gaming laptops simply were not up to the power and performance of a gaming PC. No contest. A desktop computer simply gave you higher performance than a gaming laptop.

While that last statement is still probably true, the gap in performance has narrowed significantly in recent years. Laptops have increased in performance with the introduction of more powerful mobile dual processors or even quad processors enhanced with dual graphics cards via SLI technology.

As we go into fifth and sixth generation laptop technologies and platforms... the performance gap will soon be wiped out. Especially when you consider some gaming laptop specialists are actually giving you desktop components in a laptop. Same performance as a desktop only packaged in a laptop. However, calling these laptops is a bit of a stretch because you won't be sitting with these heavy mutant creatures on your lap for any long periods of time.

Regardless, laptop specialists like Alienware, Sager and Rock in the UK, are turning out these computing monsters that can easily rival the gaming desktop PC. The only thing more shocking than all that raw power and performance is the price tag. You do have to pay a hefty price for all that style and performance.

The major drawback or disadvantage of going with a gaming laptop -- there's little room for upgrading. With a gaming PC, you can always upgrade to the latest technologies because there are usually slots open and space to expand... you can even upgrade to a larger monitor if you like.

However, with the gaming laptop the only things you can realistically upgrade are the RAM (memory) and the hard drive. In a gaming laptop everything is so compact and reduced in size to fit into such a small package, there's little space for upgrading. Many serious gamers dismiss owning a gaming laptop for this very reason.

The other major reason is price since you can get more power and performance in a gaming desktop PC for a cheaper price than going with a laptop. Again, the gap is closing but it's still no contest. While laptop prices are steadily falling, you can still get a better gaming rig at a lower price if you go the PC route. In addition, larger monitors are now at 24 or 25 inches on some desktop systems so laptops can't compete with the display visuals if bigger is your thing.

Then the only other question that has to be asked:

Why are gaming laptops so bloody popular?

Mainly because of the "Cool" factor. Don't laugh, these gaming rigs, especially those high priced monsters, are the essence of cool. They look spectacular and in our very shallow world looks do count. Just like many people who buy high performance sports cars more for the looks rather than for the performance; it is a matter of style over performance for them.

Then there is still the portability factor since laptops, even those 10 or 12 pound monsters, are still more mobile than a bulky PC Tower and Monitor. You can take all that "cool" style and design along with you, no matter where you go. Simply put, even though batter life is next to nil, a gaming laptop is mobile. You can take it with you and show it off.

So is it a matter of style over performance?

Not really, looks may be one factor why gaming laptops are so popular but without the high performance and extreme computing power, these systems would be dead in the water. For in the end, where gaming is concerned, performance is still king. Gaming laptops get the job done, perhaps not as cheaply as their desktop rivals, but you can usually play the latest games on these pimped-out monsters.

In the end, gamers want the performance first and the looks are secondary. But they will probably still 'show-off' all that style nonetheless, to friends and to other gamers. Even so, with gaming laptops, it is more a matter of performance over style.

The great thing about today's gaming laptops, you don't have to sacrifice one for the other. If you can afford the hefty price tag, you can have all that style plus all the performance you need, neatly packaged in your own gaming laptop.

Choosing Cheap Laptops

Because of computerization of each and every data and fall in the prizes of laptops, laptops here onwards will not be considered as a part of technocrats and rich people. Now middle class people can purchase laptops. Here we will see about Sony's NR series laptops.

Sony has changed its agenda now. Now, you can purchase Sony's electronic components without exceeding your budget. The new NR series is at the cost of $900. The VGN-NR160E/S provides consumers the Core 2 Duo feature at $829. The NR Series is available in three colors- Granite, Wenge, and Silk. The 6.2-pound body has fine textures on the lid and keyboard body and has fillet edges. It is somewhat similar to the Apple's Mac Book Pro. But NR series features 15.4 inch LCD at a resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels.

The keyboard is spacious and durable. There are two buttons above the keyboard: an S1 multi purpose, programmable key, which can be set through a pop-up window in tool bar and an AV Mode button. Four USB ports, memory card slots for memory sticks and SD cards are provided around the edges. At a fairly low price, you get a 1.5 GHz Core 2 Duo processor with 667 MHz FSB and 2MB cache and 1GB DDR2 RAM.

You won't face any problem in multitasking e.g. you are watching a DVD, browsing the Internet and booting up Paint Shop Pro simultaneously. The hard disc is a 160GB, 5,400-rpm SATA drive to avail plenty of space for your documents and multimedia.

Cheap Notebooks

With the onset of computer technology things used to be very expensive. Computers used to be for the very rich. As the technology is advancing, desktops are being faced out by the laptops or notebooks. Many companies are offering this service and the competition is very high now. This has seen a drastic lowering of the prices. Now anybody can own a notebook.

Today's technology calls for everyone to have one as there is nothing you can be able to do with ease if you do not have one. Most of the things can be done on line. Be it shopping, ordering for your favorite meal or car, booking a ticket to any place in the world or just working. Actually you don't need to look for an office job if you have a computer. Just search the many jobs available on line and apply to the ones that best suit you.

Some cheap notebooks in detail include

1. Acer Aspire 5052AWXMi:

The technical features are as follows:

* Processor: AMD Turion 64 MK-38 (2.2GHz)

* Hard Drive: 80GB

* RAM:1GB Fast DDR RAM

* Screen: 14.1" TFT Wide screen

* Optical Drive: DVD±RW Super Multi Double Layer

* Graphics: ATI Radeon Xpress 1100 integrated 3D graphics

* Wireless LAN: 802.11b/g

* Operating System: Windows Vista Home Premium

* 3 USB 2.0 Ports

* 5 in 1 Memory Card Reader

* Warranty: 1 Year Collect and Return (in Europe)

2. Toshiba Satellite L30-10X:

* Product Description - Toshiba Satellite L30-10X - Celeron M 440 1.86 GHz, 15.4" TFT

* Dimensions (WxDxH) - 35.8x 26.2x 3.7 (in cm)

* Weight - 2.7 kg

* System type - Notebook

* Built-in Devices - wireless LAN aerial, Stereo speakers

* Processor - Intel Celeron M 440 1.86 GHz

* Cache Memory - 1 MB

* RAM - 1 GB (installed) / 2 GB (max) - DDR II SDRAM

* Hard Drive - 80 GB Serial ATA-150 at 5400 rpm

* Optical Storage - DVD±RW / DVD-RAM integrated

* Display - 15.4" TFT active matrix 1280 x 800 and 24-bit (16.7 million colors)

* Operating System - Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic

* Warranty - 1 year

3. Samsung X22 Laptop:

* Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo T7300 - 2GHz (x2)

* RAM: 2048MB DDR2-667

* Hard Drive: 160GB

* Screen: 14.1" 1280x800 display

* Optical Drive: DVD±RW Super Multi Double Layer

* Graphics: ATI Radeon 2400HD 128MB

* Warranty: 2 Years

* Operating System: Windows Vista Home Premium

* Blue tooth

* WebCam

* 6-in-1 Card Reader

Get a Laptop of the Latest Brand Without Dropping a Single Penny

Most of the deals that are present in the mobile phones segment come with many sorts of attractive gifts as options. All the gifts that are available with these mobile devices fall in the realm of excellent and fantastic products and hence they have a high degree of preference among the customers today.

There are many items which are given as free gifts and most of these items are wonderful gadgets in themselves. Some examples are liquid crystal display televisions and laptops. However, the main focus of the offers that are making a difference in terms of being able to sell off the product is on laptops. Hence free laptops are now one of the most checked after items in a shopping website and the products which feature this option are generally given the first preference among customers.

What makes a laptop an attractive item among various free gifts that are normally given? The answer lies in the versatility of this machine which is able to perform many tasks of varied degrees. Hence one can watch the latest movie or get the most accurate information possible about a particular topic from the internet. One can even organise his files in a systematic manner and play the latest games which are made with the latest technology.

Most of the features that are present in a laptop give the feeling of having an answer for any kind of query and hence having a complete solution set. Therefore the user can create presentations while on the move and also have a talk about a particular venture with his associates while being on a flight. The laptop saves time and money of business people as it allows tasks to be done while going to a certain place for a business purpose. For the casual user there are always the facets available for usage in the category of entertainment and education. One can study and learn many things with the help of applications installed in a laptop. This is a machine which does everything that a personal computer can do and is portable enough to be carried around anywhere.

Most of the major contract mobile deals give free laptop as gifts and hence the user has a wide choice of options to choose from. Prominent brands like Acer, Toshiba, Compaq have their laptops being offered as free gifts along with fantastic mobile devices of market giants like Samsung, Sony Ericsson and Nokia.

Free laptops are therefore one of the major items being offered with many brands as they increase the brand identity of the company and also serve a great deal to improve the image and preference of a mobile phone brand.