The Cheapest, Most Colorful and Fun Computers

Laptop computers are not only convenient, powerful, and user friendly, but they are also affordable and available in many colors. Some of the cheapest laptop computers are comparable to the most expensive if you shop wisely. Why waster your money on an expensive model when you can get the same speed and memory in a less expensive laptop.

"The waste of money cures itself, for soon there is no more to waste."

Famous Quote about money by M.W. Harrison

With the availability of cheaper laptops one could purchase a computer that is versatile enough to use anywhere in the house and durable enough to take on vacation.

You can also be the most stylish with one of the colored laptops that are now on the market. These colored laptops come in a wide array of colors. If you can't find the color or style you like, there are companies that will custom paint your computer in any color you desire. They are available in metallic and pearl finishes and high gloss or matte. Your company or school logo can be blasted on the cover.

"A merry heart does good, like medicine..." Proverbs 17:22

I encourage you to add a little humor to the work day monotony by downloading some funny computer wallpaper. Imagine, as a stressed colleague walks into your office or cubicle, and he or she sees a humorous picture or cartoon. It would certainly lighten their load and bring a little smile to their face and add some fun and creativity to the working environment.

"The purest and most thoughtful minds are those which love color the most." John Ruskin (1819-1900) British journalist, novelist and poet.

Are you tired of gun metal grey? Finally, someone had designed colored laptops! You are now able to stand out from the crowd by choosing one of the new beautifully colored laptops that are on the market today. Most of the major brands, Dell, Gateway, and of course the Mac's are all available in a variety of colors. And, if you have an older model, there are companies that will colorize it for you.

Be a wise shopper, save money, get the most for your buck when you buy the cheapest laptop on the market. Don't forget about style, look for a laptop that shows off a little pizzazz with a colored laptop. When your new laptop arrives, download some funny computer wallpaper to "make your heart merry" as well as your co-workers.

Managed Services and the Intractable WLAN

I have in the last few years done some intensive WLAN bootcamps. My clients included administrators, technicians, engineers, sales personnel and hobbyists. My observations along the way included the sometimes aberrant theory involved in wireless networking. The immense sometimes seemingly insignificant knowledge base demands a dedication to RF theory that stymied both seasoned networkers and beginners. Many a time I was challenged as to the relevance of the dispensed information to the job requirement. As the student migrated to the advanced subject areas like wireless security, it all starts coming together. Confluence after confusion I call it.

As a student pursuing the Certified Wireless Networking Engineer qualification I am once again climbing that steep hill of WiFi knowledge. One only has to attempt to study the IEEE 802.11 drafts to quickly conclude that managing WLANs requires exceptional knowledge and forebearance. The almost blur like improvements and manufacturer race to capture market share has to some extent created a conundrum of acronyms. In a very short time from the very first wireless CWNA exam to the the fourth I have seen removals and add ons in the subject content. The standards have evolved to include an alphabet soup of 802.11s. Gone are the days of understanding basic RF math, defining hidden node and identifying multipath. Today's WLAN student is faced with QoS, Spectrum Management, VOIP, a deluge of analysis tools, location-based system tracking systems, DSCP tagging, RSN networks, just to mention a few. The rapidity of enhancements is overwhelming. The leaders in wireless certifcation, Planet 3, has moved chameleon-like to stay current. I do not envy Mr. Devin Aken, Mr. Scott Williams and Mr. Joshua Bardwell, Mr. Criss Hyde and all the other dedicated people at Planet 3 on their mission.

Now, having some information on the state of wireless networking and having spoken to implementers and designers alike, I am skeptical about WLAN as a remotely managed service. A major issue with WLANS is interoperability. Some manufacturers have their own proprietary way of implementation. Algorithms are guarded secrets in some instances, some deviate from the standards completely. As was recently stated by Mr. Devin Akin, white papers are morphing into sales documents. The leaders in WLAN installs are Cisco, Aruba Networks and Symbol Technologies with Cisco claiming about 60%, Aruba about 10% and Symbol 6%. I read recently where one MSP questioned Cisco's Managed services platform and its multi-vendor support. As a WLAN designer one would strongly suggest uniformity. In reality, this rarely is the case. I am seeing companies partnering to provide platforms. Verizon and AT&T has made their individual choice of IP partners. Symbol/Motorola has their own Customer Interaction Center (CIC). The dilemma is compounded when we address security. Cisco PEAP vs Microsoft PEAP, RADIUS support, handoff algorithms, WPA vs WPA2, EWGs, and the list goes on and on.

The WLAN MSP has a lot to consider and overcome to provide a top rated service. The provider must be aware that the WLAN is far more than Access Points and controllers with many laptops. It involves VPN technology, authentication devices, biometrics and very soon convergence with WiMAX and RFID devices. The potential for profit is huge but should not be taken lightly. One area that is definitely in need of management for the mobility infrastructure is health and manufacturing. A report undertaken by TeleChoice and commissioned by Brightwater Systems identified healthcare, financial and manufacturing as the leading deployers of mobility networks. My last visit to the emergency room of a New York hospital was almost a visit to the Enterprise. Wireless devices were everywhere. Yes, WLANs present a great opportunity for the MSP but it must be a thoroughly planned endeavor.

Gaming Laptops - Why RAM Is Mission Critical?

RAM or Random Access Memory is critical to gaming laptops. Mainly because the more RAM you have on your laptop or computer, the higher the performance level you can achieve. Higher RAM will increase your enjoyment and let you play even the most challenging 3D games.

Besides the CPU (Central Processing Unit) RAM is probably the most vital element you will have in your laptop or computer. Just as you can't have enough money, so too you can't have enough RAM. The more the merrier. The more RAM you have, the faster your computer will perform.

Most serious gamers know their RAM. They know the difference between static and dynamic RAM. Many can even tell you how SIMM, DIMM and SO-DIMM memory modules are different from each other. Plus, they would all know the importance of VRAM or VideoRAM to the operation of their gaming laptop. Most of all, they know their Graphics Cards or GPUs (Graphics Processing Units).

First, you should realize, RAM is probably the best known form or type of computer memory. Second, RAM is very important in how well your computer can perform the tasks you call upon it to do. The more RAM you have, the more computer tasks and programs you can run at one time.

Nor should you make the mistake that only gamers are concerned about getting enough RAM; professionals who work with heavy graphics such as video editors, architects, layout artists, website designers... are also keenly aware of the importance of having enough RAM to get the job done.

Keep in mind, computer technology is advancing at a blistering rate and is constantly changing. Overseeing all these industry standards and technology is JEDEC, which acts like a regulating body for the semiconductor industry. Hey, someone has to keep track of all these forms of RAM!

Basically, you have two kinds of RAM - Static RAM (SRAM) which is faster and more expensive than Dynamic RAM (DRAM). Just as their names suggest, Dynamic RAM is constantly refreshing and is slower and less expensive than Static RAM.

Static RAM is primarily used for cache such in your CPU's speed-sensitive cache.

What confuses most people is the whole range or types of Dynamic RAM, with more in development as we speak. Complicating the matter even further, is the development of RAM for laptops which need smaller and more compact memory modules.

Here are some types of RAM you may or may not have seen or heard of:

FPM DRAM -- which stands for "Fast Page Mode Dynamic Random Access Memory" and was the original form of DRAM. It has a maximum transfer rate of approximately 176 MBps to L2 cache; and if you're wondering what is level 2 cache, this is cache located outside the processor chip. Level 1 refers to internal cache in the processor.

EDO DRAM -- which stands for "Extended Data-out Dynamic Random Access Memory" and is around 5% faster than FPM DRAM. Transfer rate is at about 264 MBps to L2 cache.

SDRAM -- which stands for "Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory" is very common in today's computers. Transfer rate maxes out at around 528 MBps.

DDR SDRAM -- which stands for "Double Data Rate Synchronous Dynamic RAM" is similar to SDRAM but has higher bandwidth, allowing for greater speeds. Transfer rate to L2 cache is around 1,064 MBps.

DDR2 SDRAM -- which stands for "Double-data-rate Two Synchronous Dynamic RAM", operates the external data bus twice as fast as DDR SDRAM.

DDR3 SDRAM -- which stands for "Double-data-rate Three Synchronous Dynamic RAM" and is an improvement over DDR2 SDRAM. DDR3 allows for chip capacities of 512 megabits up to 8 gigabytes, which gives you the maximum memory module size of a whopping 16 gigabytes.

Memory Modules

RAM modules are mounted on printed circuit boards to be used in personal computers. First, you had SIMMs (single in-line memory modules) which were gradually replaced by DIMMs (dual in-line memory modules). The main difference between them: SIMMs have a 32-bit data path and DIMMs have a 64-bit data path. Now for notebooks, you have SO-DIMMs (small outline dual in-line memory modules) which are smaller and more compact memory integrated circuits.

Of course, like everything in life, there are radically different forms of RAM such as RDRAM which stands for "Rambus Dynamic Random Access Memory". This was designed by Rambus and has a high speed data bus nicknamed the Rambus channel. Likewise, you had Rambus in-line memory module (RIMM) and for laptops you had SO-RIMM.

Graphics Card

Next you must know there is something called VRAM or VideoRAM. This is a type of RAM is used for video adapters or 3-D accelerators. VRAM is located in the Graphics Card and is important for high resolution and color depth, both very essential for gamers. Since true multiport VRAM is expensive, some Graphics Cards use SGRAM (synchronous graphics RAM) instead because it is cheaper. Other types of special high speed or multi-port memory include WRAM, DDR2, GDDR3 and GDDR4.

Your Graphics Card will be the heart of your gaming machine. Most gamers go for the top brands such as NVIDIA (GeForce) and ATI (Radeon) -- the higher number series card usually means higher the performance. For example, at the time of writing, Nvidia has released the GeForce 9800 GX2, which is basically dual GeForce 8800 GT in one card. This will also give you DirectX 10 Graphics. Wait a couple of months and there will probably be something faster and more powerful on the market.

If one Graphics Card is good, then two or more would be even better. That's why you have SLI (Scalable Link Interface) technology which allows for the linking of two or more video cards together to get a single output. PCI Express, is another expansion card interface format which was introduced by Intel in 2004.

How Much RAM Do You Need?

As already mentioned, the more RAM you have, the better your computer will run. You will be able to perform more tasks and do them faster if you have plenty of RAM. Actually, upgrading your RAM to a higher level will usually give you a whole new computer.

There are recommended minimum requirements if you want to run certain programs or operating systems on your PC or Laptop. For running Windows XP, Microsoft recommends 128MB as the minimum RAM requirement, again more is better.

For Mac OS X systems you will need a minimum of 128 MB but for optimal performance try 512 MB. Linux will work nicely on a system with only 4 MB of RAM.

For Windows Vista - Microsoft recommends at least 1Gig of RAM but many users have reported that 2 to 3 Gigs of RAM makes Vista a much more easier beast to handle. Vista probably needs all the good press if can get.

For Gaming Laptops: How Much RAM?

Again the more the better, gaming laptops need a lot of RAM since you have heavy video graphics and images. Serious gamers usually buy as much RAM as they can afford, choosing the fastest machines with the latest Graphics Card. Laptops with four Gigs of RAM are becoming common, with many gamers opting for 8 Gigs.

At the time of writing, what levels are we currently at in regards to laptops and RAM? Well, the new Alienware Area-51® m17x Notebook comes with the following specs: An Intel® Core(TM) 2 Extreme processor with up to 4GB DDR2 667MHz memory, sporting Dual Nvidia® GeForce® 8800M GTX. This machine also has the Killer(TM) K1 Gaming Network Card plus the ultra-life-like environments generated by the Ageia PhysX(TM) processor. You should also note that Ageia was recently (Feb. 2008) acquired by Nvidia.

Perhaps, in regards to RAM, the wisest route to take is to buy a laptop or PC where you can easily upgrade or expand the RAM if you need more memory. Changes are, wait a few months and you will probably need to increase your RAM.

Free Laptops - What's The Buzz On The Free Laptop Computer

Are you looking for free laptops?

I assume that first and foremost you are most certainly skeptical to the legitimacy of free offers in today's society, especially an expensive item such as a laptop, right? I mean who hasn't heard the saying that nothing in life is free.

Ok, but say the new school year is on the horizon and well you are strapped for cash and purchasing a laptop is out of question. What can you do?

Introducing free laptops from Gratis Internet

Gratis Internet is a Washington, D.C based referral marketing company that offers tons of free products. Offers include iPods, game consoles, digital cameras, and also free laptops it seems.

I have to admit that I was totally skeptical when I first landed on their FreeiPods.com website some time ago. One of my good friends decided to try out the process along with some of his buddies and to his and my skepticism a new iPod ended up being delivered to his doorstep about 3 months after signing up for an offer himself and completing the various requirements along with some friends.

I can now say that Gratis Internet is a company that I've personally seen actual firsthand proof regarding their legitimacy. I browsed around the net more recently and there are other testimonials to strengthen the legitimacy if you are still skeptical.

There are of course other companies out there that claim to offer free products but from personal experience I can only vouch for Gratis Internet at the moment.

So how exactly can I get a free laptop?

You can begin the process on the Gratis Internet laptops freepay website. Once you are there be sure to read all the details regarding the requirements and use your smart web surfing skills to make sure you are doing everything as required.

Take note that I haven't personally gone through the process to get a free laptop, but I am assuming that the service is legitimate based off my friends experience with the free iPod.

Here are some basic steps that you are going to be performing to get a free laptop. Please note that these steps may be slightly different for you depending on when you sign up for the service, etc. Terms and steps can change of course over time so remember once again to read everything in its entirety.

Step 1: Sign up for the service on Gratis Internet laptops freepay website. Use valid information of course and read all the details.

Step 2: Complete a marketing survey. The survey doesn't have impact on your ability to receive free student laptops.

Step 3: Once you sign up you should receive a verification email. If you did not you can go to the My Account page and click the link to send the verification.

Step 4: Sign up with one of their partners and complete an offer. (Offers typically take a few days to show up as completed on your account)

Step 5: Refer some friends and have them complete an offer. The number of referrals required varies so take note and again read any details presented.

Final Thoughts & Advice

As you see the steps above are in a nutshell what you will be going through before receiving a free laptop.

While I know it sounds pretty straight forward, do keep in mind that you will of course need some friends who are willing to sign up for one of their offers.

The number of referrals required can vary too, but if you do in deed have enough friends that are willing this won't be too bad, especially since a free laptop is the reward. I recommend that you and your friends pick an offer that you are truly interested in. For example, as of this writing Blockbuster Online is currently an offer and something many of you may be interested in.

Well folks, as you see nothing in life is truly free. Technically since you and some friends have to sign up for an offer this pretty much throws out the free in free laptop. However if all goes as Gratis Internet claims you may just receive what I prefer to call a nearly free laptop and well that is a pretty sweet bargain I have to admit.

Live, Work, Play on Mobile

Ever thought of how much more you can do with that mobile phone that you can't seem to live without? More than just calling, texting, or Internet browsing, you can also get on the mobile web yourself. Yes, you no longer have to be content with just browsing other people's mobile sites. You can create your own. But is there a need to do so? What would you get out of a mobile site aside from the social aspect? There are actually a lot of benefits from mobile web that many people still don't realize.

Going mobile means having the ability to connect and interact with people wherever and whenever, and right at the exact moment that you want. If it's numbers you want, then it's numbers you'll get. There are around twice as many mobile phone users as there are Internet-connected PC users. Mobile web can also provide location-sensitive content. Location technologies such as GPRS enable users to access location-specific information. This delivers useful information with the least effort on your part. You just can't beat mobile web when it comes to accessibility and connectivity-on-demand.

Let's say you're an artist, a photographer, or anybody who comes up with great works of art that you want to promote and sell. Or perhaps you just want to get your name around and build a nice reputation. You don't need an art gallery or a museum to hang your works. You can use your mobile site to display samples of your work, sell them through a form on your mobile site, and interact with your audience. You also won't even need a professional reviewer to write about you and your work. Get instant feedback through the comment box or the guestbook. Your audience's comments can be your strongest plug. Straight out of the horse's mouth, so to speak.

Not an artist, but a wordsmith? Then you can have your own mobile journal. Easily share stories, poems, and all your other writings. Your readers will no longer need to find a PC with an Internet connection every time they want to read your work. It doesn't matter whether they're at home, on the road, or in transit; they have access to you at any time. It's almost like they can pick your brain any time they want. More of a freelance writer than a creative writer? Then your mobile site can also serve as your mobile online portfolio. Show writing samples to prospective clients in an instant. A WAP-enabled mobile phone is all it takes.

Not really of the creative sort, but still have special interests just the same? Mobile sites are also for you. Keep fellow fans posted on the latest about your idols or favorite TV shows and movies. Gather fellow gamers or other hobbyists in a mobile community. Want to share that wanderlust and connect with fellow travelers? Get your stories of adventure and travel tips on the mobile web. You'll have the edge over other world wide web-based travel sites by being even more accessible. Travelers can easily visit your site and get information even while on the road without a PC in sight.

Mobile sites have endless benefits for just about anybody with something to say or promote. Go ahead and explore the possibilities. It's time to conquer the mobile frontier.

Never A Better Time To Go Mobile

These days, it's all about the Internet. But the Age of the Mobile has dawned and all roads lead to an emerging Golden Age. A lot of tech pundits predict an explosion of mobile technology and software, especially Mobile Web, in 2008. Mobile trend forecasts for 2008 include the rise of the mobile social networks; mobile video blogging; and mobile search. Business Week also came up with its Five Mobile Trends for 2008:

A push on data Device convergence Mobile 2.0 Femtocells Mobile Web explosion

These are not baseless predictions, as proven by developments in the field. The number of mobile phone users continue to rise rapidly each year. In the US alone, there were an estimated 200 million mobile phone users in 2007, with more expected in 2008. Mobile Web is becoming increasingly popular, brought about by faster connectivity speeds and 3G networks, providing greater access to content; the introduction of WAP 2.0, which allowed graphics and enhanced user experience; and better handset functionality leading to more data services.

One of the gold mines of the mobile revolution is mobile site development. In the past, those who want to publish their own mobile sites have to hire programmers or third-party developers to set up a mobile site for them. This tends to be more expensive, especially for small-to-medium scale businesses and individuals who are hesitant to shell out money for this. Maintaining and keeping their mobile sites up to date is also another issue altogether. The good news is that recent innovations now allow ordinary users with no programming skills to create their own mobile sites - the next frontier of mobile technology. But what are mobile sites?

Mobile sites are mini-websites formatted for viewing through mobile phones and other mobile devices. Mobile site owners can use their mobiles sites and explore a new arena to promote themselves, their works or their products and services. Imagine a wide audience out there just waiting to be tapped. Mobile site owners can reach them anytime, anywhere they may be and at the exact moment that they want.

This concept has been around for some time and is more commonly termed as 'WAP sites'. However, the old WAP sites are limited to static, plain text content. The solution to this is an entirely new mobile site platform that lets users create interactive and visually attractive mobile sites that contain static pages with images and text wrapping; polls; forms; guestbook; comments; and enables file sharing. Some mobile site platforms also provide an emulator that lets users see how their mobile site will actually look like when viewed through a mobile phone. All users need to access these tools is a PC with an Internet connection. All these features have made it easier and more fun for users to create their mobile sites. The significant development of advertising on the mobile web is also another cookie to lure regular Internet site owners to finally go mobile.

There are already several mobile site providers out there so users have an increasingly larger player field. The key is to choose the best one suited to their mobile site needs. The mobile explosion is off to a great a start and it will be interesting to see how it develops and how the technology and the software will continue to evolve.

Transistors Beware! Here Comers The Memristor

Hewlett-Packard has developed a new kind of electronic device. This hybrid component is called memristor. This product was first proposed 40 years ago by Proff. Leon Chua, California. Since then it had been in the pipeline of R&D's of many companies.

These memristors has already been used in building Novel transistors and are also called as the 4th basic building block of circuits after capacitors, resistors and indicators.

It is believed that the computer built with memristors will allow it to start instantly at the same place where it was switched off; laptops will retain session even after a battery failure and mobile can last weeks without needing a charge. Not only that if two memristors are used in a configuration called crossbar latch then it can even replace transistors in devices!

This was the informative part in this article, now follows what I feel over this issue. As far as my view on this is concerned then there is only one word to describe it- fantastic! In fact we human love any technological advancement what can make us a bit lazier. And this one will not only turn us lazy but also careless. Now we can switch this computer off as and when we feel its ok; we won't even have to wait for the window to shut down.

The smaller this equipment gets the better it is, that what the manufacturers and R&D people have to say. Good for us, after all who wants a bigger component? No design engineer would love to have a bulky component in his design.

So in brief, the advantage of this component can be explained as:

Less space: since it is getting smaller and better, it would very soon overrun all other existing transistors. Faster: man, are they faster? That's not a question that should be asked. They are smaller, meaner and better!Good for us: till they help us in such trouble time, we don't mind employing them in any device.

Now the biggest question that any consumer or designer will ask is- Will they be CHEAPER?

Top 10 Tips To Traveling Safely With Your Laptop

Travel can be very tough on your laptop - you must exercise care when you will be traveling with this sensitive piece of equipment. If you are not well versed in how to ensure the safety of your computer while on the road, read on for some useful tips on keeping your machine safe.

1) Keep your laptop away from any potentially harmful items in your hotel room; for example, the magnets inside of television sets and radios.

2) Always take your laptop as a carry on item. Checking your laptop is extremely unwise - luggage is sometimes lost and rarely treated gently. If you can't take your laptop as a carry on, leave it at home.

3) On transoceanic flights, you may want to be seated near the emergency exits if possible - in a Boeing 747, there will be an outlet by these doors where you can plug in your laptop and get some work done during your flight.

4) You should take the receipt for the purchase of your computer with you if you will be taking your laptop overseas. In the event that you are searched or questioned on the way in or out of a foreign country, this may come in handy.

5) Keep in mind that electrical outlets vary from country to country - find an adapter for your computer's power cord, if needed. A travel agent or a colleague who has been to the country where you will be going before can tell you what sort of adapter, if any will be needed.

6) Charge your laptop's battery before you leave on a trip. It may take a little time to fully charge, but you will appreciate having taken this step before departure.

7) Make a complete backup of your data before leaving on a trip. A lot of people have discovered the hard way that the data contained on a computer can be far more valuable than the computer hardware. Travel can out your data at risk, so always take this precaution before you travel. Windows 200 and later versions have built in backup software - if your network lacks the capacity to back up all of your files. Then use external drives, tape backups or CD/DVD-R media.

8) Off-line storage can be used to carry important documents. While backing up your data will help you recover once you return from your trip, this backup will do you little good while still on the road. However, you can make another backup on a portable drive which can fit right in your pocket for easy portability. This way, if something should happen to your computer while traveling, you can continue your work on any available computer.

9) A lot of these portable devices also support security measures like password protection and encrypted files, so you can keep your data secure even if this disk is lost or stolen. Iomega is a top choice for people on the go. They manufacture a lot of mobile solutions, including a new USB Zip Drive which holds up to 200MB. They also manufacture a pocket drive - which is a PCMCIA card which can hold 40MB. Imitation's SuperDisk and Castlewood's Orb Drive are also great portable drive choices. Obviously, you'll want to keep these drives on you rather than in checked luggage while traveling. You can also encrypt and/or password protect these disks and have them delivered by courier to your destination for extra security.

10) People are usually the weakest link in the chain of computer security. To keep your data secure, think as if everyone is out to get your data. This will keep security at the forefront of your mind. Make sure to get into the habit of locking down your laptop with a cable when it is not in use. Try to keep your laptop in your sight at all times. While no security measure may be enough to stop a very determined thief or spy, making things difficult will generally make them move on to an easier target.

Traveling around the world safely with your laptop is possible. From the bright and sunny beaches to the long gorgeous mountain ranges, there are plenty of places that your laptop can go and with a few precautions, you will be sure to take your laptop with no problems.

The Absolute Best Methods Of Laptop Security

Laptops are not inexpensive, that is a certainty. Even a less expensive notebook computer seems quite pricey when compared to a comparable desktop machine. Unfortunately, one of the same factors which make them so attractive (portability) also makes them very easy to steal. Keeping your laptop secure is something that you must keep in mind as a laptop owner.

The losses due to theft, hacking and damage to laptop computers each year are astronomical.

You are, of course, well aware of the need to keep your laptop safe. A laptop bag, while it will keep your machine safe from scratches and dents as you carry it around, but this will hardly deter thieves. Hackers and the swarms of viruses and spyware programs out there may not be kept away by a simple firewall, no matter how good it is.

If you are a typical laptop owner, you have a lot of important data on your laptop. Work documents, personal files such as pictures, archived email and the like, all sorts of things you don't want falling into someone else's hands. Laptop security is a concern of paramount importance, and there is much more to it than just keeping someone from running off with your laptop. It is the contents of the computer that must be guarded as well; read further for some tips on keeping your computer safe.

Physical Laptop Security

Physical laptop security is the first element in keeping your laptop secure. This is basically preventing your computer from being damaged or stolen, for instance from being dropped, knocked against walls while walking and the like. Not to mention losing your computer by leaving it behind somewhere.

Keeping your laptop with you at all times is one way to ensure its security. Not only will this prevent someone from walking off with it, you won't have to worry about others whom may not be as trustworthy as you think from getting access to your computer and having it disappear. With an expensive piece of equipment containing so much personal information, it is best not to let anyone, even those you may trust, alone with your computer.

Getting a lock for your laptop bag is a smart move. One thing that is often seen in laptop theft is the thief simply removing the laptop from the bag and leaving the bag, leading the hapless owner to think their laptop is still safe and sound. A lock can at the very least, prevent this type of theft.

Another part of physical laptop security is cables and locks, which can be used to keep your computer attached to a desk so they are much more difficult to walk off with. This will deter many thieves. Locks can be used to prevent access to your computer, making it essentially useless to anyone who would steal it. These locks can be physical or software based, but can make many laptop thieves think twice about choosing your machine as a target.

Laptop Data Security

Equally important is data security. No matter what you use your laptop for; you certainly want to keep prying eyes out of your laptop. Many malicious types out there have made a hobby of disrupting people's laptops and destroying their valuable data.

In some cases, this data is stolen and used for personal gain (such as financial information and the like); in other cases they merely destroy data, making it unusable. Hackers are often people with too much time on their hands and the know how to do serious damage to your computer, but there are ways to protect yourself.

Tips to Enhance Your Laptop Security

Here are a few ways to keep your computer as secure as possible. While nothing can provide 100% protection, following these guidelines will keep your laptop a much less tempting target for thieves and hackers.

-Keep your computer locked down with cables

-Password protect your system with a login screen

-Take out insurance on your machine for fire, flood and theft

-Keep your anti-virus and anti-spyware programs updated

-Whenever possible, keep your laptop with you

If you didn't need that laptop, you no doubt would have opted for a desktop computer instead - your laptop is important to you, so do your best to keep it safe. There are measures to protect the physical and data security of your machine and it is in your best interest to protect this, one of your most prized possessions.

The Top Tips To Protecting Your Laptop From Theft

There are a few easy steps which every laptop user should take for the security of their computer and their data. Following these steps outlined below can keep your machine and its sensitive data out of the hands of others.

Protect your operating system with a security suite such as McAfee or Zone Labs security suites. These should include a virus scanner, spyware sweeper and a good firewall. You must not neglect to do this; viruses and trojan horses can open back doors in your system for data theft and all sorts of other mischief. Having a firewall will keep your system safe from intruders/ Another important measure is disabling file and print sharing from your Network Connections portion of the XP Control Panel and be sure to keep up to date with patches and bug fixes by turning on Automatic Updates (from your Start Menu, under Programs). New patches are always in the works to keep your system's security up to date.

Tracking and recovery systems are one way to keep your computer safer. Services like ComputracePlus and CyberAngel can protect your laptop and help find it if your machine is lost or stolen - this can get you back up and running in short order. A person who unwittingly buys a stolen notebook will likely connect it to the internet - and then the machine will begin to broadcast its location, enabling it to be found quickly. The IP address is logged and traced; local authorities can use this information to locate your lost computer and get it back to you.

Tag or engrave your computer. Engraving or otherwise permanently marking the outer casing of your computer with your company name and contact information greatly increases the chances of having your computer returned if it is lost. Tamper resistant asset tags can also be used to help your computer find its way back to you if lost or stolen. Only 3% of unmarked computers are ever recovered; marking yours can deter thieves and keep your laptop from ending up on eBay or another online auction site.

Docking stations with locking cables are a way to keep your laptop safe - a staggering 40% of laptop thefts happen right in the office. Housekeepers and janitors, contractors and your own colleagues are generally the culprits. A docking station which locks to your desktop can keep your system safe. If you must leave the laptop overnight or longer, you should lock your computer in a filing cabinet and if possible, lock the office door as well.

Another commonly stolen item is any PCMCIA card left sticking out of a laptop. While not terribly expensive, it can be an annoyance to replace these cards. Eject them when not in use and lock them in a secure location.

There are a lot of other options for security measures; depending on your needs you may want to consider gadgets such as biometric ID systems (these let you use your fingerprint rather than a password), hard drive locks, even alarms and motion detectors! These solutions can be very expensive, so think carefully about whether or not you really need these measures before you buy.

Again, tracking software and services are a good idea. If your laptop can check in periodically, it will be much simpler top trace and recover your computer if it should be stolen or lost. ZTrace, CompuTrace, SecureIT and others all offer these services to companies and individuals alike.

Treat your laptop as the valuable asset that it is and don't just leave it lying around. Lock it down whenever it is not in use with cables and docking stations. Never make the assumption that no one will steal your computer; it happens all the time.

A plain carrying case for your laptop is a better idea than a high end laptop bag which obviously carries an expensive machine. Having a company logo on your bag is a dead giveaway that what you have is worth stealing. Try a padded sleeve for your laptop instead, which can then be carried in less overt ways such as in a briefcase or backpack. Finally, try locking the zippers on your bag; this will prevent people from reaching in and making off with your computer while you are looking the other way.

Microsoft LucidTouch - The Technology That Will Change Laptops Forever

Technology Innovations continue to surprise us with new and improved products to help make our lives easier and our days go smoother. Touch screen technology is one of the technologies that has emerged to help make our days go by a bit more efficiently, allowing people to access their calendars, address databases, and memo records all with just one tap of a screen. The biggest drawback about it is that sometimes, fingers get in the way of touch screen technology. This is where Microsoft's new LucidTouch technology has come to the rescue in efforts to solve this problem.

LucidTouch Technology Works in Reverse

Currently the type of touch screen technology that most people are used to has to do with pressing their finger on a point and making an application pop up. While this may seem just well and fine, there are some people who are a great deal busier than that and have to be able to do multiple things at once-including type emails and open email applications at the same time.

With LucidTouch technology by Microsoft, there is no problem with the fingers blocking the screen because the hands are behind the device. Similar to a projector screen the image of the hands is projected through the device and to your eyes, and the actual touch screen capabilities are on the backside of the device. This means no more having to hold your device in one hand and tap the touch screen with another.

The image of the user's hands can be seen through the screen, making it especially useful for games and things like navigational systems. It gives the illusion of the actual device being see-through, when really it is just the LucidTouch technology transmitting an image of the hand through the screen onto the person's eyes. This helps greatly, allowing even the busiest of people to see the screens and navigate through the screens at the same time without their hands getting in the way.

Where did Microsoft LucidTouch Technology Come From?

Many users feel that Microsoft's LucidTouch technology came from nowhere, and it really did. The touch screen being blocked by the fingers has been one of those problems that plenty of users had but few actually cared enough to speak up about, and the new technology has just emerged at the right time to make users in general that much more efficient with their phones. It makes business phones that much more easily worked and even simplifies GPS navigational devices. While the technology is sensitive to a person's touch, it is also not so sensitive that it jumps at every little tap to the screen, which is one problem with the Iphone and other phones whose whole front is a touch activated screen.

What is next for Microsoft? Only time can tell, and this LucidTouch technology has not yet entered the mainstream market. AS a matter of fact, it was only introduced and put on display for the first time at a technology show in early March 2008, so many people don't even know that this amazing technology is coming at them. In the meantime, it will surely be tweaked and redefined as time goes on, making for an even better piece of equipment once the final product rolls off of the lines-whenever that may happen to be. Are you frustrated with your touch screen phone or GPS? Look out for Microsoft LucidTouch technology in a device near you!

Top 10 Tips To Getting The Longest Life Possible Out Of Your Laptop Battery

Spending a small amount of time to extend the life of your laptop battery is well worth the investment. After all, exerting a bit of time can allow you to extend the life by a year or more, which can mean the difference between an affordable laptop and something that is requiring too much of your money in order to stay running.

1) You are first going to need to come to grips with screen brightness. In order to power the laptop when you are not plugged in and just running off the battery the laptop must power the entire computer including the monitor from the laptop. If you are willing to lower the screen brightness to the lowest setting or something similar, you can really extend the life of your battery for each charge. Lowering the screen can add several hours to your battery life for each charge.

2) You should also take some time to disable anything that is not necessary which could be running in the background. Examples can include Bluetooth software, Wi-Fi network detection and anything else that you are not actively using. These programs will make the CPU run faster which will drain your battery much faster.

3) Make sure you use the operating system's power-management features (in XP, under Power Options in the Control Panel; or in Vista, under Mobile PC in the Control Panel) to set aggressive targets for when the display will go dark - for example, after give minutes of inactivity and when the laptop should go into sleep mode. If you are not pressed for time you can set the laptop to hibernate anytime you close the lid to really increase battery life.

4) Make sure that all scheduled tasks occur when the laptop is actually plugged in. This might seem minor but a simple virus scan can take as much as an hour or more, which will require the hard drive as well as the CPU to operate at high levels during this time. The amount of time that you are spending on this can really drain a battery if you are not careful.

5) Make sure that you are limiting the multimedia usage of your computer when it is not plugged in. Listening to just a few minutes of music can significantly reduce the amount of time that your battery will last. If you are interesting is listening to music it is best to ensure that your laptop is plugged in so that you are not draining the battery significantly.

6) You should also ensure that all accessories that are not currently in use are unplugged. Most accessories will pull power from the computer itself and in the case of a laptop, this means pulling power directly from the battery. In order to maximize your battery life remove anything that you do not need at the moment. You can always simply plug it back up when you are ready to use it again without causing any harm.

7) If you are not using the wireless connection, you should also turn off the wireless port. This can allow you to really save a lot of battery power since the laptop is not forced to continuously search out a new wireless network that it can connect to. Turning it back on when needed typically only takes a few minutes and you are not going to experience a huge delay at all. Turning the port off on the other hand can save a significant amount of battery power and give you at least an additional hour on the battery.

8) If you have any PC cards in your laptop, they should be removed when not in actual use. This will once again pull power from the battery and decrease the time you can use your laptop before needing to plug it up. Since these cards are so easy to remove and insert it only takes a few mere seconds to save minutes of battery life.

9) You should also ensure that you are fully discharging your laptop battery before recharging it again. This will allow your battery to last a significantly longer period of time since it will be completely discharged and recharged, rather than shortening the battery life by repeatedly recharging a half-charged battery. Always ensure that you allow the laptop to power down on its own in order to determine exactly when the battery is fully drained.

10) As a final tip, you should always suspend your laptop rather than actually powering it down and rebooting later if you are only taking a short break. This will allow you to save the battery power required to shut down as well as reboot the computer.

If you are looking to get the longest life possible out of your laptop battery you are certainly not alone. With prices that can easily run close to $100 for a replacement it is an extremely expensive part that should be properly cared for. A small bit of prevention will allow you to really save a ton of money and ensure your laptop stays in top shape.

Getting To Grips With Wifi

Most of us have seen some of the amazing technology which we are supposedly going to be using in the future (as well as the ideas seen in sci-fi films!). But today we are living through the wifi age; however, some of us seem to have got a little left behind. When it was topical it was not available to the average user, and suddenly we are playing technology catch-up. So here is a guide to get you up to date.

Wifi stands for wireless fidelity. This is a technology which allows users to access a network through the transmission and receiving of radio waves. Nearly all laptops and notebooks are now fitted with WiFi technology. If you are considering using an older laptop you can get adapters which will make wifi possible. Bear in mind that as more and more laptops are wifi compatible, the manufacturers will slowly phase out the adapters, so think forward and decide if that really is the sensible way forward.

If you are looking to use your laptop when you are out and about you will need to find some hotspots. These are usually in cafes, airports, hotels and other similar places. Hotspots are basically wifi networks which are open to the public. They are usually strategically placed by companies who are trying to get your business or are hoping that you will spend money with them while you are surfing the net; e.g. cafes and hotels.

So if you are sending information through the airwaves between your computer and the network is there any security or can someone simply catch your message and steal your information? Due to the location of most hotspots and the ulterior motive to get you to spend money with them, your security is not their primary concern. Wired equivalent privacy (WEP) was the original standard; this was a form of encryption. As with many security measures this was quickly and easily broken. Most wireless networks are open and hence have no encryption at all. There are, however, a few tips which may help you to maintain a level or security. Firstly you must check that your firewall if activated. The firewall monitors information getting into your computer and will try to stop anything which is known to damage or compromise your computer. Secondly, you should disable the file sharing facility which Windows offers. This facility is great on a secure network, but if you are in a public network you don't want to share your files with anyone else using the same network. Finally you can make the actually files slightly harder to access by marking the folders as private and by password protecting the documents. None of these are guaranteed to protect your data or computer from hackers or viruses, but they are all steps to help.

Hopefully this information will help any new wifi user to go out with confidence and log on to a public network. Once you start, you will suddenly find that you can work from anywhere, and work doesn't even have to know where you are! Or you can simply stay in touch with your friends and family while enjoying traveling the globe.

Toshiba Laptops - High End Notebooks

People always keep on searching computers which are loaded with various sophisticated software packages. With the invention of these amazing gadgets, one can steadily perform various works within few minutes. People these days are in fact replacing the manual labourers in various industries and firms. With these widgets the users can comfortably avail all the entertainment features like listening to favorite music and watching any video clips anytime and anywhere without any hassles. But as they are very bulky in size the Laptops have been crafted to solve all the concerns of the users.

Various models of Laptops are available in the markets these days which makes it difficult for one to decide his or her favourite gadget. In fact, the wide range of options available these days are more than sufficient to drive anyone crazy by displaying tempting statistics to influence the purchasing behaviour of a layman. However, the Toshiba laptops have readily gained momentum among the users due to their various high end features. They have actually established themselves and gained supreme position in the market. Toshiba is one of the popular brands which earned appreciation because of delivering cutting edge & scintillating notebooks that come bundled with high tech technologies.

Toshiba laptops can prove to be an ideal choice for any fashion conscious or an amateur person. Toshiba is a Japanese electronics company which has been giving quality services to the customers since 1875 and offers various stylish high end notebooks to the consumers. One can avail a model of Toshiba laptop at an affordable price from the wide range of available models. For average computer users the Satellite A60 notebooks can be a great option. The users can enjoy lots of options such as emailing, e-book reading etc at minimal rates. Then there are Satellite MX30 gadgets which would permit you to access wireless networks without any hassles. Moreover, these laptops come with Centrio processor which amazingly consumes less energy.

Among the wide variety of Toshiba laptops, one can also find Satellite A70 and P30 notebooks. These gadgets are very efficient and trendy. With these, the users can have pleasurable experience while working on heavy applications like video games and graphics design programmers etc. All the models are perfectly designed to be very user friendly and would permit you to perform your work with a carefree attitude. However, one should clearly understand his criteria before purchasing any model of laptop.

The New HP IPAQ Series

At the end of 2007 Hewlett and Packard completely changed the entire HP iPAQ line with the introduction of five new iPAQ series'. These are the 100 Classic Handheld Series, the 200 Enterprise Handheld Series, the 300 Travel Companion Series, the 600 Business Navigator Series and the 900 Business Messenger Series. These series were developed to complement the iPAQ 500 Voice Messenger Series that was launched earlier in the year.

Below you'll find a quick description of what the new series' have to offer.

The HP iPAQ 100 Classic Handheld Series is a stylish personal, compact, range of organizers; handhelds measure just ½" thick and weigh in at just over 100g. PDA's from this series do not include a phone so are designed to be companions to your mobile phone rather than replacements. The 100 series features integrated Wi-Fi networking makes it easy to access the Internet and email when within range of a Wi-Fi hotspot.

The HP iPAQ 200 Enterprise Handheld Series has been designed business and can meet specific business mobility needs. The 200 series features a larger screen than the 100 series, making it more suitable for complex applications. It benefits from additional connectivity and comes equipped with Microsoft Mobile Office. PDA's from this series are the same as the 100 series in that they do not include a phone. The 200 series also features integrated Wi-Fi networking just as the 100 series does.

The HP iPAQ 300 Travel Companion Series represent a bit of a change for HP as it is not a PDA. The 300 series is essentially a GPS unit running on the Windows CE 5.0 core Operating System with an HP-built custom user-interface.

The 600 Business Navigator Series is a range of two-in-one 3G mobile telecommunications devices with GPS navigation and personal organiser. The 600 series includes also includes a 3 mega-pixel digital camera and Wi-Fi networking and still weighs in at under 150g. The 600 series runs the Windows Mobile 6 Professional Operating System and comes supplied with a wide range of HP exclusive software applications.

The HP iPAQ 900 Business Messenger Series is similar to the 600 series but includes a QWERTY keyboard in place of the numeric telephone keypad making it ideal for those that expect e-mailing to form a large part of there telephone usage.

That's the end of the summary, I hope this has shed some light on what the new series' from HP have to offer. This is only a brief overview, please check that the device you choose has all the features you need.

A Sweet Convertible - Rugged Laptop?

Rugged convertible tablets are a laptop computer just like any other, although the screen flips around and changes to show the screen as the top so that you can write on it like a tablet of paper. And the fact that it's rugged means it's in cased in a hardened and sometimes rubber-like material so that it will withstand many of the elements such as dirt, wind, water and snow. Plus, it's made to withstand a fall from several feet without breaking or cracking or damaging your information that is stored on the HDD. The LCD screen is shatterproof.

A rugged convertible tablet is easy to carry when used out in the field or warehouse or anywhere you need a convertible tablet. They are great when you are taking inventory or to show other people what you are doing because the display screen swivels around to make a screen everyone can see or just one that sits on top of the laptop.

If you need to make a presentation, the rugged convertible tablet is a great item to make your presentations on. You can design your presentation, using charts and graphics, even use a Power Point presentation and then allow everyone sitting at a table view it. The screens are usually about 10.4" -12.1" which is pretty good size depending on what you are presenting.

Taking a rugged convertible tablet with you if you are a salesperson in the field it's a great idea because you can present to your client or talk about products and services on the go without having a bunch of paper to get confused or blown away when you are presenting outside in the elements. The rugged convertible tablet is great for when you need to show someone what you are thinking but can't get them to visualize it with your words, using the touch screen you can write or draw directly on the LCD.

Because the convertible tablets are rugged they can go anywhere you do, to a construction site where there is dirt and water and it could be dropped and not be broken because of it's magnesium housing. You can add a number of items to the rugged convertible tablets such as a removable shock mounted hard drive, touchscreen so you just touch what you need without having to use a keyboard which is ultimately hidden under the screen when the screen is turned around or an outdoor readable LCD screen so that you can make presentations or show people what is on your screen when you are out in the sunlight without having to find a shady spot or go inside because the outdoor readable LCD is made especially for the outdoor laptops and tablets.

Most rugged convertibles tablets feature Intel Core 2 Duo processors and maxing RAM at 4GB. Internal radios like GPS, WWAN and 802.11 a/b/g are also options for these machines. Fully rugged meaning the machine is MIL-STD 810F tested allowing the rugged tablet to take a beating and to put up with the every day rigors of use. Panasonic and Getac are two of the top players for ruggedized tablets. OCRuggedLaptops.com is a provided of rugged convertibles tablets, visit them to see exactly how a these machines work.

OCRuggedLaptops.com has in house experts that can help you with your rugged laptop and tablet needs.

Unmistakable Style & Outstanding Performance - The Fujitsu LifeBook Series

What exactly embodies the Fujitsu LifeBook? Are they as powerful as they are stylish? Or are they merely fancy looking gadgets for the privileged? Many users will beg to differ, as you are about to discover what sets the Fujitsu LifeBook series far apart from the competition.

Style

First of all, if you have already seen what any of the LifeBook models looks like, you would agree that it is a very stylish notebook. The attention-grabbing, high-gloss designs are sure to impress. But it does offer more than just good looks, the LifeBook series delivers outstanding performance, is packed with features, and they are designed to be light weight and capable of working in harsh environments whether it's at a construction site or in the office.

Security

The LifeBook's security and protection software are unparalleled. It offers security features such as BIOS lock, 2-password Hard Disk and LifeBook lock, Anti-theft lock slot as well as security buttons and Smartcard support for enhanced data and hardware protection. Data encryption and transaction security can be customised using the Trusted Platform Module. For even more protection, the LifeBook can come with the biometric Fingerprint Sensor so that you - and only you - will have access to your important data.

Innovation

In 2003, Fujitsu became the first company to offer a tablet which was able to morph from a regular notebook to a proper tablet and receive hand written commands. Since then there been some innovative improvements in the use of the pen.

Pen Flicks enables you to use short gestures to quickly navigate and perform shortcuts, and you can customise your own Pen Flicks for a more natural control.

When you need to take down quick notes, you can jot it down instead of typing it out. If you like, Windows Vista hand writing recognition is able to recognise your hand writing, convert to text and insert into a document. It's even smart enough to learn your hand writing style.

Instead of using the old Print Screen function, which can only take screen shot of the whole window, you can use the Snipping Tool to draw any shape around the object to automatically cut and capture a screenshot of it. Then of course you can add handwritten notes.

In addition to their innovation, Fujitsu also has a unique SlimEdge screen frame design which provides a wider display area for pure viewing pleasure.

Added Protection from Minor Accidents

Fujitsu offers added protection against minor accidents - users don't have to worry about damage due to vibrations and shocks as it is equipped with Fujitsu's 3D Shock Sensor incorporating a 3D accelerometer. You don't have to worry about accidental spills with Fujitsu's spill-resistant keyboard. Another unique feature of Fujitsu is the black suede patches on the bottom which reduce heat.

Conclusion

When many people hear about Fujitsu, they first think of air conditioners. But make no mistake; they have fast become a leader in mobile PC due to their innovation and sophistication. From the ever so flexible LifeBook P series to the ultra portable U Series, there's a tablet PC that's perfect for you. For the user who wants the portability of a tablet PC and the processing power of a notebook, there is nothing that the LifeBook series is missing

How to Buy a Laptop Battery?

When you have finally decided to purchase s new replacement battery for your laptop you should ensure that the manufacturer has a reliable reputation. If the battery is manufactured by the maker of the laptop then you can rest assured that the battery will be reliable. However, it might come as a surprise to you that most manufacturers of laptops, even the most reputed ones do not manufacture batteries but have an ancillary unit doing so in their name. For instance, if you were to open a genuine Sony battery (not recommended) you will find that he cells inside are manufactured by Toshiba, Exide or some other battery manufacturer. So in the final analysis you are, in fact, buying third party batteries for your laptop. The third party manufacturers of laptops are also buying their cells from the same manufacturers that are supplying the so called OEMs and so is a good bet to buy your replacement battery from. Besides the lower price you will get additional benefits such as an extended warranty and replacement offers. A one year replacement warranty is a must for your replacement battery, so never settle for less.

The other thing to look for when buying a replacement battery is the type of battery. Manufacturers will use many different technologies however, for laptops there are four technologies used. These are Ni-Cad, Ni-MH, Li-Ion, and Li-Poly out of these Ni-Cad or nickel cadmium batteries are a very rare commodity and are being phased out gradually. Don't go in for a Ni-MH battery if you have a choice between this and a Li-Ion or Li-Poly battery because the Ni-MH battery weighs much more than the rest and have a lower power to weight ratio, meaning it delivers less power than its lighter weight counterparts. Li-Ion and Ni-Poly batteries are the most advanced and last longer. So try for one of these two technologies. Some laptops are designed to use the kind of battery it originally came fitted with, this means if it came with a Ni-Cad battery it must be replaced with a Ni-Cad battery. This is because the internal circuit of the battery must match the laptop hardware for optimum charging and discharging. However, this is not always the case so check with your manufacturer of the laptop if the battery can be interchangeable.

Finally you must study the power ratings of the battery you are buying. Batteries are growing smaller and the power capacity is increasing. Batteries have two ratings marked on them. One will be the voltage and the other Amperes. When buying your replacement battery buy one with the same voltage rating as the old one but try to get a battery with a higher ampere rating. This battery will have longer charge cycles.

Many batteries are rated in watt-hours. This is perhaps the simplest way to rate a battery. The wattage of a battery is calculated by multiplying the voltage by the amperage so a battery with a 14.4 volt rating and an ampere rating of 3600mAh (3.6 Amps) will have a watt rating of 51.84 watts (14.4X3.6 = 51.84).

If the power rating on the battery reads 51.84 watt-hours it means that the battery can supply 1 watt of power continuously for 51.84 hours or 51.84 watts of power for one hour or any combination of the two. No suppose your laptop runs on 17.28 watts (which is pretty unlikely) a 51.84 watt battery will power it for 3 hours. SO divide the power ratings in watts of the battery by the watts of your laptop to see how long the battery will run your laptop.

Sometimes the power ratings in volts and amps on a battery vary. For instance a laptop that runs on a Li-Ion 14.4 Volt, 3600mAh battery may be able to run on a Ni-MH battery with a 9.6 Volt, 4000mAh rating. The Li-Ion battery will be stronger even though the amperage ratings are lower. Here is why:

Li-Ion: 14.4 volts multiplied by 3.6 amps will deliver 51.84 watt hours of power and a Ni-MH battery will deliver 38.4 watt hours of power because 9.6 Volts multiplied by 4 amps will equal 38.4 watt hours. Naturally the Li-Ion battery should be your choice for a replacement battery.

Student Laptops - What You Need to Know Before Buying?

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

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

1. Sturdy

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

2. Portable

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

3. Performance

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

4. Economical Laptops

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

inexpensive.

5. Theft and Security

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

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

1. CPU Processor

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

2. RAM

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

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

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

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

3. Graphics Card or GPU

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

optimum graphics performance.

4. Display

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

5. Value for Money

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

The "Cool Factor"

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

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

Best Ultra-Portable Laptops

As Wi-Fi spots are popping up all over the country and our digital lives are becoming a 24/7 extension of our existence, many manufacturers are venturing deeper into the world of fully functional ultra-portable laptops that can be used anywhere, stored anywhere and perform whatever tasks are required of them. This, of course, poses a number of challenges to manufacturers; weight, size, ease of use, ergonomics... and how to fit all of the power the market demands into such a small chassis.

The general criteria used to determine what is an ultra-portable laptop and what is not requires that they weigh less than or about 4 lbs and that they be compact enough to be taken anywhere. Almost every manufacturer offers some version of an ultra-portable laptop, though some are better and more competitively priced than others. Dell, Lenovo, Sony, Compaq, Fujitsu, Apple, IBM, HP, ASUS and others all offer ultra-portable laptops. Below are a few picks from some of the better brand names on the market:

HP tx2000

CPU: 2-GHz Turion 64 X2 TL-60

o Display Size (inches): 12.1

o Wide Screen: Yes

o Total HD Size (GB): 160

o Min. Weight (lbs.): 4.26

o Price (at time of review): $899

This ultra-portable laptop is very well equipped for its price and offers all of the standard amenities that its larger HP counterparts have such as 3 USB ports, a dual-layer DVD burner, built in webcam and so on. Its weight puts it a little on the heavy side for an ultra-portable, but it still is quite manageable. The 12.1" screen is difficult to see if you are used to viewing a larger laptop all day, but it does have the benefit of being a convertible, which means the screen can be flipped and used as a tablet PC with ease.

Asus W5Fe-2P025E

CPU: 2-GHz Core 2 Duo T7200

o Display Size (inches): 12.1

o Wide Screen: Yes

o Total HD Size (GB): 160

o Min. Weight (lbs.): 4

o Price (at time of review):$2800

Sturdy, powerful and attractive; this ultra-portable laptop is sure to please. A handsome magnesium alloy case gives this machine a very solid feel that won't leave you scared to take it out on the road. The powerful Intel Core 2 Duo processor makes this a powerful tool for anything most business men (and woman) can throw at it. It also boasts a 2.25-by-2.75-inch "Windows SideShow LCD" that is molded directly into the lid, a very unique feature. This little screen allows you to view emails, check calendar appointments, as well as browse pictures or music, all without opening the main screen.

Sony VAIO VGN-TZ150N

CPU: 1.06-GHz Core 2 Duo U7500

o Display Size (inches): 11.1

o Wide Screen: Yes

o Total HD Size (GB): 100

o Min. Weight (lbs.): 2.7

o Price (at time of review):$2100

Weighing in at just less than 3 lbs, this ultra-portable is about as light as they come. Of course, this makes for a considerable decrease in performance, so don't expect to be running very demanding programs with this machine. Some key strengths of this laptop are its ability to play DVDs without actually booting up Windows, dual operable SD and memory stick readers, over a 5 hour run time and a stylish carbon fiber case. Though it is not a monster performer, this machine will still keep you up and running when you are out of the office.

As can be seen from these three examples, ultra-portable laptops range all over the place in terms of features and ability. This makes it very important to have a good vision in your head of what you want out of your ultra-portable laptop before you start shopping. This will allow you to get all of the features you need and avoid the ones that will just make your laptop heavier.

How to Downgrade Your Laptop From Vista to XP

Now the first question you might be asking when you read this article is 'Why would anyone want to downgrade their laptop from Vista to XP?' There are many reasons, but the most common one is speed and stability. Windows Vista is noticeably faster than Vista on the same hardware. Also, Windows Explorer crashes more often in Vista than in XP.

In this article we will take a look at how we can downgrade Vista to XP in the simplest way. There are actually a few options for doing it, so we will run through three of them here.

Option 1: Perform A Windows Recovery

One way to downgrade to XP is to perform a Windows Recovery. Now, this approach is more convenient because you don't need to wipe out your hard drive.

The flip side is that it is generally not as 'clean' as the other option (the Start from Scratch option below).

Let's look at what you need to do:

Back up your entire hard drive.

The first and most important thing to do is to back up your entire hard drive in case anything goes wrong with this process. If you have Windows Vista Business or Ultimate, there is a Complete PC Backup and Restore tool you can use. Also, make sure you leave Several free GB of hard disk space on the boot drive after performing the backup.

A safer (and my preferred) way is to copy your data onto an external hard disk. You can easily copy it all back once XP is up and running. Ensure that you back up the entire C:Users folder, which will include your Documents directory, your desktop files, plus application data such as e-mail.

Back up your entire hard drive.

The first and most important thing to do is to back up your entire hard drive in case anything goes wrong with this process.

If you have Windows Vista Business or Ultimate, there is a Complete PC Backup and Restore tool you can use.

Boot up using your Windows XP disc.

Insert your Wnidows XP disc into your optical drive and turn on the laptop. You can then press the spacebar when you see the message Press any key to boot from CD .... Now, if you don't see this message, you need to go into the laptop's BIOS setup screen and change the boot options. Your CD drive should appear before your hard drive in the boot sequence list.

Open the Recovery Console.

Once Windows XP Setup starts, you should press R on the first page and open the Recovery Console. When asked to choose a Windows installation, type 1 and press Enter.

At this point, you might be asked for the Administrator password. This is where it gets a bit tricky. If you don't know the Administrator password, you can get it this way:

* Boot back into Windows Vista * Open the Start menu, type lusrmgr.msc and press Enter * Open the C:Users folder * Double-click on the Administrator account and turn off the Account is disabled option * Open the Start menu again, type Control userpasswords2 into the Search box, then press enter * Click the Reset Password button, choose a new password, and start over

That gives you the Administrator password and you should be able to proceed with the downgrade.

Prep your hard disk for XP. Next, we go back to the Recovery Console command prompt, and type the following commands.

fixboot

fixmbr

cd

ren windows winvista

exit

Allow your laptop to restart, and boot using your Windows XP CD again. The Windows XP setup will start normally.

Move your documents. Once the Windows XP setup completes, you will have a working Windows XP operating system. However, you will need to move some files manually. Most importantly, these would be your documents, the your desktop contents, as well as any other data in Vista's redundant C:Users folder into XP's C:Documents and Settings folder. You'll also need to reinstall all your applications and device drivers, and eventually delete the abandoned C:Winvista folder.

And that's it ... if you've followed through this far, you will have downgraded Windows Vista to Windows XP successfully, without re-formatting your hard drive.

Option 2: Start From Scratch

The second way to downgrade to XP is to start from scratch. This method has the advantage of being a very 'clean' install. That is, your laptop won't be loaded with remnants of Vista, mixed up with XP. Everything in there will be pure Windows XP.

Here's how we do it:

Back up your entire hard drive.

As before, the first step to do is to back up your entire hard drive in case anything goes wrong with this process.

Just copy your data onto an external hard disk - you can copy it back once XP is up and running.

Perform a Clean Windows XP install.

The procedure here varies widely, depending on your laptop. You should consult your laptop's manual for details.

Typically, the laptop software will wipe out the hard drive and put in a preinstalled copy of Windows XP onto the drive.

This image should come with all the drivers and demo software that you got with your laptop when it was first purchase.

When the install is done, simply hook up your backup drive and copy your files back.

Option 3: Dual-Boot Configuration

Now, consider a third option. What if you have some essential application or device that simply won't work with Vista. You also don't want to downgrade to XP.

What do you do in this case? One option is to perform a dual-boot. Be warned, however, this option is an advanced option, so you should have some idea of dual-booting before you try it out.

You will be installing XP alongside Vista, so you'll need a second hard drive, or a second partition on your primary drive.

You should start off booting from a Windows XP Setup disc, then install the operating system on that second drive.

Once you have done that - DO NOT panic when Vista won't start. Just simply reinstall Vista's boot manager.

Boot off your Vista Setup disc, and click Next on the first page.

On the Install Windows page, click Repair your computer.

You'll be prompted to choose between Windows XP and Vista each time you turn on your laptop.

Conclusion

Right! I hope this article has given you some idea of how to downgrade from Windows Vista to Windows XP. The downgrade does indeed make good sense if you're having problems adjusting to Vista. However, you should also take into account that

new software is being tuned for Vista. And legacy Windows XP support will disappear very soon. In any case, if you feel the downgrade is still needed, try one of the above options. I hope they work for you!

How to Repair Your Laptop

Are you having laptop problems - is your laptop screen hard to see sometimes? Are your keys sticky, do you sometimes press a key once and it makes that key appear about three or for times. Do you have to key tapping your keys to make them stop sticking. Do you think your laptop may need a tune up? Or maybe your laptops registry maybe full. Or your laptop needs boost to speed up some of the things your used to doing. You maybe thinking about getting another laptop, but before you decide to, their are a couple of things you could do to save you a some money.

For starters you could upgrade your hard drive or simply purchase an external memory card. Also there are a couple of ways to add more memory to your laptop. You could simply do a Google search and see all the different ways you could get more memory for your laptop. Their are also a ton of sites that show you instructions and steps by step ways to install them yourself. Should you decide to take that approach. There are also some sites that give you customer service should you get confused or stuck some where or should you have a random problem with the installation or anything. Some of these services are even run all the time and never close. So you can call them anytime you want.

Their are also stores you could take you laptop to but this is usually the most expensive and you probably want to avoid this, even though it was be cheaper than having to go and buy and new laptop. Sometimes these stores are very far from where people live and they would prefer to use the internet. But once you get into the habit of repairing your own laptop. You will find that it starts to become easier each time you do it.

The New Invention in This Creative World

Whenever this word comes in your mind it is used to describe a miniature device .A small device which is user friendly, less complicated and has enhanced capabilities. If you are looking for something that is good and compatible to use then it is the best device on this planet world.

In this fast moving world, you can travel from one country to another country in less than a day. The world has become a global village .You can talk and communicate to people within seconds. You can make contacts world wide. You can discover new places and make new inventions. This world has become a technological world been controlled by small digital devices. Similar to such a device is a device called a personal digital assistant.

Personal digital assistant is the best device for a person who values time and not money. You can waste money but not time. It is more precious than money. So in order to do things within seconds you need a device which is small and can perform functions within seconds. Personal digital assistant can save both your time and money .It is a device used to organize your tasks. It is easy to handle and quick in performing functions. It offers you excellent mobile communication. It is very easy to handle. It can be used to manage information effectively and efficiently.

A PDA has an electronic version of a calculator. A PDA has group ware applications. According to sources, not many people belonging to the corporate world uses PDA's. You can't store huge amount of information on a floppy disk or a Compact Disk. You need to have a PDA for that.

Now who carries so many things in the brief case when you have all the essential things in a handheld device? If you are going in a business meeting you need to have a separate calculator, a clock, a mobile phone, an address book to write the contacts. Now a single device offers you the all these important functionalities under one system. A personal digital assistant is a small device which is easy to carry. It can be used by children, men and women. A personal digital assistant has a touch screen offer .It has a touch screen display button. You can use it anyway for any purpose. The real benefit of a personal digital assistant is that it is fast and efficient. You can retrieve data quiet easily. It is not an expensive device. Moreover the web browsing facilities are quite entertaining. It even offers fast internet connectivity.

3 Tips Working Safely Connected to a Hot Spot Wi-Fi

Growing business users connect to the Internet using connections through Wi-Fi hot spot. For them security is an essential aspect. Indeed, the hot spot is the ideal venue to carry out interceptions, to transmit viruses, or simply to take advantage of users who have computers with weak defenses.

However, the hot spot Wi-Fi can make a business trip much more productive. It has never been easier for travelers to stay in touch with his office and his home. Passengers can pay occasional service function use, time or day. Who travels frequently can activate an account with a fixed monthly. Those who prefer the free services may instead seek those available through Wi-Fi free.

Fortunately, you do not have to avoid use of the hot spot to escape to those who try to enter into your computer via wireless. Start by taking some simple precautions to increase your system defenses.

1. Disable sharing.

The share printers and files may be necessary within its own business and home networks, but should be avoided in public networks, where the unknown can see, read and write even in areas shared. To prevent this from happening in the Windows host, open the Properties wireless connection and make sure that "Client for Microsoft Networks" and "File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks" are not selected.

2. A firewall for your laptop.

By default, hosts of Windows "listen" many doors TCP and UDP port open and each represents a potential vector of attack. If you are a user of Windows XP, close these passages allowing the firewall in Service Pack 2 to ensure that your wireless connection is not defined no exception. If you use another operating system, install a firewall of others. In this sense, you may download the free programs provided by ZoneAlarm, from Comodo or Kerio. The larger company as security should consider firewalls centrally managed desktop as Sygate Enterprise Pretection Symantec or CyberArmor Firewall InfoExpress.

3. Check your connection.

Many programs wireless client - including the service XP Wireless Zero Config - automatically connect to any access point (AP) available. This can be handy in the office, but is a practice little suited to public networks. With regard to control, configure your wireless clients so that colleagues only with your permission. For example, the panel XP Wireless Network XP use the Advanced button to clear "Automatically connect to non-preferred networks" and select "Access point (infrastructure) networks only". If you use SP2, configure each "Preferred Network" in order to disable the car connection. Finally, disable these connections when not in use.

Computer Laptop Rental Reviews

You may be looking for the cheapest laptop or you may find yourself in a situation where you have to rent a laptop. Your current laptop may have to be repaired, you may need a portable laptop for a trip, or you may need to hire extra temporary help at the office. Whatever the reason it is important to read laptop computer reviews first. You want to research the company you will be renting from, read the rental agreement, and find out if the computer laptop you will be renting will meet your needs.

What are Your Needs?

If you will be renting a laptop for a temporary employee it may not need to be the newest or most powerful. A small screen laptop may be sufficient. If you are renting one to take on a business trip and you want to make a good impression on your clients, you may want it to be the latest model capable of handling all your business needs. Laptop computer reviews should be able to help you decide what model laptop to rent.

How Long Will You Need the Rental?

Will you be going on a quick two day business trip? Are you hiring a temporary employee for a month or more? Will your current computer be in the repair shop for a week or more? Will you need several computers for a special project or convention? Check online to see what the rental rates and agreements entail. You may get a better weekly or monthly rate than a daily rental rate. A less powerful or small screen laptop that also may be a bit older may be less expensive also. Is there a better rental rate if you are renting more than one computer? The rental agreement may also offer a "lease to buy" option which may be good if your temporary employee becomes permanent.

Research before Renting

All these questions need to be researched and answered before signing an agreement. By reading a computer laptop rental review online you can find out if their customers have generally been satisfied or if there were problems either with the agreement of the equipment. Read all the fine print and do research prior to renting. Will they exchange computers if the one you rented is not adequate? How quickly will they be able to do this? How much more will it add to your daily or overall rental fee?

You do not want to be in the middle of an important business meeting and find the battery is bad and the computer shuts down. If you are renting it for your temporary employee you will want them to be as productive as possible. You will want them to have the best tool to get the job done. Plan ahead whenever possible. The computer rental company may not have what you need if you wait until the last minute. This is especially true if you will need several computers. Of course this is not possible if you are renting do to a computer breakdown.

5 Laptops You Can Buy For 800

If you're out hunting for a good and cheap laptop, it is generally not an easy task. Usually, if you need to have top-notch features in a laptop, you'd expect to pay a premium. Correct? Well, not really.

In this article, we will take a look at 5 laptops under $800 which give you bang for the buck and keep you way within your computing budget. Read on and learn more ...

1. Overview

Ok, let's face it. Laptops these days don't come cheap. Whether it's a Lenovo or Apple laptop, you find that they usually run over $1000 in terms of price. However, there are cheap branded laptops out there that don't cost you a bomb and some go for even as low as below $800 in street price. We take a look at 5 of these machines now.

2. Toshiba Tecra A9-S9013

The first model of laptop we will look at is the Toshiba Tecra A9-S9013. Equipped with Intel Core 2 Duo technology, 1GB of RAM, a 15.4-inch widescreen display, a DVD writer and a 120GB hard drive, this baby retails for $800. Definitely worth looking at give the price-to-features ratio.

3. Acer Aspire 4710-2013

The Acer Aspire 4710-2013 is also another Intel Core 2 Duo laptop, and comes with 1GB of RAM, a 14.1-inch screen and 802.11g networking support. It weighs 5.5 pounds which is pretty light considering its features. A nice, basic laptop to have if you just want minimal functionality. The last we checked, the street price is only $599!

3. Dell Inspiron 1525

The Dell Inspiron 1525 is a 15.4-inch widescreen laptop that gives the perfect balance of mobility and power. You can get this unit (with all the basic trappings, including an Intel Core 2 Duo processor and Windows Vista) for a mere - get this - $499. Just visit the dell website and find out more.

4. Gateway T-6828

The Gateway T-6828 is a very decent laptop. Equipped with an Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 3GB of RAM, 802.11n connectivity, a DVD writer and 14.1-inch widescreen, the Gateway T-6828 is one of the better deals out there. You can have it for around $800 street.

5. HP Pavilion dv6500t

Ok, the street price of the HP Pavilion dv6500t is about $899, but this machine is such a hit we just had to mention it. For $899, you get an Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 2GB of RAM, a DVD writer, a 120GB hard drive, as well as an integrated 1.3-megapixel webcam. It also looks simply gorgeous.

Conclusion

I hope this article has shown you 5 laptops you can purchase for $800. The next time you're out hunting for a bargin laptop, be sure to check out one of the models above. These models are some of the best-value laptops we've seen - check them out, we're sure you will agree too.

Top 6 Ultra-Mobile PCs

You might be aware of a small revolution in the mobile computing landscape. In case you didn't know, the ultra mobile PC (UMPC) is starting to take the market by storm. Ever since the release of the ground breaking ASUS EeePC 4G, the mobile computing category of UMPC got created. The ASUS EeePC 4G was a 2.2-pound device selling at $399 - a price few laptop manufacturers can match. So if you have been considering a UMPC, this article takes a look at six of the best.

1. ASUS EeePC 4G

The first UMPC released into the market, the ASUS EeePC 4G has made a lot of waves. At 2.2 pounds, this extreme ultraportable runs a customized version of Xandros Linux, has 4GB of storage space, and a spectacular array of pre-installed software.

2. Asus EeePC 900

As the second iteration of the EeePC 4G, the EeePC 900 is priced at about $550. You get an extra 16GB SSD drive, a much wider 8.9-inch screen, and also 1GB of RAM.

3. HP 2133 Mini-Note PC

The closest competitor to ASUS has got to be HP. They came up with the HP 2133 Mini-Note PC, which retails at about $750. It has a ton of features, multiple configurations, a full-sized keyboard, and a nice aluminum alloy finish. It comes with Linux and Windows Vista versions, and is loaded with a 120GB hard drive.

4. Fujitsu LifeBook U810

Ok, in terms of price, Fujitsu LifeBook U810 is one of the most expensive machines in this list. However, it has solid specs and also gives you the option of thumb typing or touch typing on its miniature keyboard.

5. Wibrain B1H

Although a very decent response to the new UMPC market, the Wibrain B1H is not really up to snuff compared to the models from ASUS and HP. However, this UMPC has its saving graces. There is a split QWERTY keyboard, full blown pre-installation of Windows Vista, all encased in a very sexy and sleek design.

6. Raon Digital Everun L30H

You might not have heard of this brand, but it is not a bad UMPC. You get low-powered AMD parts which are decent for normal mobile computing. And price-wise, it is hard to beat, with some configurations available for as low as $499.

Conclusion

I hope this article has shown the top 6 ultra-mobile PCs out in the market. The UMPC market is still very young, so you'd expect many more models to be rolled out by Asian and US manufacturers in the near future. If you really want to get your hands on one right now, go for the Asus EeePC 900 or the HP 2133 Mini-Note PC. If you can afford to wait a while, watch this space sometime later this year as there is a slew of new models coming out.

Making a Custom Laptop

Have you ever thought of making your very own laptop? Well, its not a difficult task. The problems you will face include the selection of proper components, as well as building and assembling the machine.

In this article, we will see how we can get through the process of making your own laptop as quickly and seamlessly as possible.

1. Overview

One thing you need to take note of before you begin making your own laptop is to get a good supplier. Many computer suppliers out there provide basic, 'barebone' laptop kits that you can customize or add on, so those are the best places to start off with.

One place I've had good experience with is Puget Systems. These guys are the pros when it comes to laptop customization. You get a solid barebone system which you can customize as you like, and they will then assemble and deliver the completed system to you.

2. Basic Factors To Consider

When you build your own laptop, you have many factors to consider. The three most important things are:

Unit-specific features Size and portability Battery life

Generally, once you have decided on the components going into a laptop, it is quite difficult to expand or modify your build (unlike a desktop PC which has many expansion slots, etc.).

2. What Ports Do You Need?

One important thing is to think about the ports you will need. Do you need Firewire, USB, sound and VGA? Work out the ports you need, along with the three factors above. Then you can decide on a barebone base for your laptop.

3. Intended Usage

If you need the laptop for general office applications, you can get away with a low performance laptop. If you want to use the machine for video editing or gaming, then you need a high performance machine. Usually, that also means a larger, heavier build and shorter battery life.

4. Get Online and Order!

Once you've worked out your options, you then need to get online and buy the parts you need. Like I mentioned, Puget Systems is great for this. They build your systems very fast, have quality components, lifetime support, clean OS installations, safe packing, among other advantages.

Check them out online and customize your laptop to your heart's content. I've ordered a few laptops from them and I've had very good experiences each time.

Conclusion

I hope this article has shown you the process of making a custom laptop on your own. Essentially, it is not very effective to build each and every component on your own. I'd recommend buying a barebone system from a good manufacturer, then customize it to something that fits what you need. So until next time, happy computing!