Dump Your Desktop And Get One of These

The HP Pavilion dv9000t laptop has arrived and it comes packing plenty of punch. With the latest Intel Core 2 Duo processor, dual 100GB hard drives, 17 inch glossy display, and to top it all off, a HD-DVD drive that plays the latest high definition movies, though not at the highest resolutions.

This 7.8-pound HP notebook not only has power, but it looks good as well. With a shiny black finish on the outside and silver on the inside, this system can handle just about anything from multitasking office work to music, photos and playing DVDs. The 2.16GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T7200 processor, has no problem doing all of the above simultaneously, without any glitches to audio or video.

Navigating around the dv9000t is very easy. The large touch pad makes for easy scrolling, and the scroll bar makes scanning large documents a breeze. The QuickPlay multimedia buttons activate the DVD player and multimedia features, as well as starting or stopping movies or music.

Sound from the Altec Lansing speakers was very clear coming through, but cranking the volume right up made the sound a bit fuzzy, with the best option being to stick around the midrange for the best sound.

This HP computer comes with a 1.3-megapixel webcam that delivered good quality pictures, but had some trouble with videoconferencing and live video coming through a bit blurry.

The dv9000t has a 2.16-GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor that delivers good performance without being stunning. Combined with a Nvidia GeForce Go 7600 graphics card with 256MB of video memory, this system is a very solid performer.

Battery life was pretty good at 2 hours and 40 minutes with the Wi-Fi on. The wireless networking performed strongly with 13.4 Mbps at 15 feet, and 11.5 Mbps at 50 feet. There are also plenty of ports to this system, with four USB ports, FireWire, VGA, S-Video out, two headphone ports and a mic port.

There is a nice amount of software that comes with this system, including Corel Paint Shop Pro X, HP's QuickPlay Direct 2.1, Photosmart Premier 6.0, Intuit Quicken New User Edition 2006, Microsoft Office Trial 2003, Money 2006 and Muvee autoProducer DVD edition with Burning 5. There is also a trial version of Norton Internet Security 2006. There is the standard one year warranty with this machine, and one year of 24/7 toll free tech support, as well as email assistance and real time chat online.

Overall, this system is a good desktop replacement with HD-DVD. Along with the built in webcam, the QuickPlay functions and affordable price, the HP Pavilion 9000t will not let you down.

How to Keep Your Laptop Out of Thieves' Hands

So there you are, rushing to catch a plane. You've got an important presentation on your laptop, along with sensitive company and personal information. And then, suddenly, it's gone.

Either you've lost it, or it's been stolen.

Airports and hotels are favourite places for thieves. Laptops disappear from both and that's bad enough. But often, irreplaceable data has gone with them. According to Safeware, an insurance agency specialising in insuring high-tech equipment, in the US alone 591,000 laptops vanished in 2001.

None of this has to happen to you. But you have to be extra careful today. With the increased security at airports, losing track of a laptop is easier than ever. Here are six guidelines to help you avoid seeing your notebook PC disappear - or, if it does, help you find it or get a quick replacement.

Tips for Getting Through Security Checks

Oddly, some airports have collected stacks of laptops. They're left behind by harried passengers in security areas. Most are reclaimed eventually. But some people never come back for their machines.

Obviously, you've got to allow yourself plenty of time when you fly. When I travel, I carry my laptop in a backpack. There's lots of room in there, and it's inconspicuous. I see fashionable businesspeople carrying laptops in expensive cases. They're asking for trouble. Those cases say, "Laptop! Laptop! Steal me!"

Security people most likely will want to check the laptop. If possible, handle it yourself, rather than having them do it.

Don't be afraid to speak up. You don't need your machine damaged.

Be sure your battery is charged. The security people may well want to turn on the machine. Most important, don't let it out of your sight. This becomes especially difficult if you are selected for a random head-to-toe check.

Once on board your flight, put the computer - safely stowed in your bag - under the seat in front of you. Try to avoid putting it in the overhead bin. Others will have more access to it there.

Have Sensitive Data? Encrypt It

If you have sensitive information on your computer, consider encrypting it. If you have Windows XP, you already have the tools needed. While the thief has your machine, these extra steps will make it much more difficult to access the laptop's data.

Encryption will protect your business secrets, but it won't retrieve your data. To do that, you've got to back up your information to another computer. If you run your own server, you can easily upload files to it.

You don't have to back up everything on the laptop. Just copy the files you will need to the server. If your laptop should be stolen on your trip, you may be able to borrow a computer at your destination and download your important files. Finding time for backups is a pain, I know. But they can save you.

Make Your MP3 Player do Double-Duty

If you don't have a server, or don't want to back up to it, take a look at MP3 players. Some today have huge hard drives. They are easily hooked to a laptop through the USB or FireWire ports. The data can then be copied to the MP3 player. These things can copy any data, not just MP3s.

Trace a Stolen Laptop's Location

If your laptop does get stolen, wouldn't it be great if the system could do the high-tech equivalent of phoning home? There are programs that will report the location of a stolen laptop. They work when the laptop connects to the internet.

Security experts also say that engraving your name on the computer is helpful. That will make it more difficult to sell on so thieves may look elsewhere.

Set a System Password

Every road warrior should protect their laptop with a start-up password. This way, a system password prompt will appear each time you start your business computer before Windows even begins to load. It will prohibit any access to the computer at all.

To create a system password, you'll need to access your computer's setup utility (also known as BIOS settings, which stands for "Basic Input/Output System"). Typically you do this by pressing Delete, Esc or F1 as soon as you turn on the computer. Check the manual though, as some computers are different.

Consider Laptop PC Insurance

If your laptop is expensive (and aren't they all?) you might want to insure it. Some homeowners, renters and business insurance policies don't cover computers, and if they do, there may be many conditions attached.

Today's laptops are ripe targets for thieves. If you follow these basic guidelines along with some good common sense, you won't have to give yours up.

Introducing the New Blackberry 8800

POWERFUL AND FAST

The BlackBerry 8800 delivers fast processing and downloading thanks to its high-speed processor and T-Mobile's EDGE network. With it, managing e-mail and using the web while on-the-go is a great experience.

SAME OUTSTANDING E-MAIL

Stay connected with robust e-mail functionality. Not just for Internet e-mail, but a more secure, encrypted solution for corporate e-mail. The BlackBerry 8800 even sends and receives your corporate e-mail virtually instantly - you don't have to sync up at your desktop. View e-mail attachments away from your desk so information is always at your fingertips.

ENHANCED PREMIUM PHONE FEATURES

The BlackBerry 8800 comes with a speakerphone and a dedicated mute button ... not to mention integrated Bluetooth technology. Speaker Independent Voice Recognition (SIVR) makes dialing from your Contacts list hands-free. Newly added is a built-in media player to enjoy your favorite songs and videos, with a stereo headset. And like other BlackBerry devices, it is a quad-band world phone that keeps you connected during travel abroad.

Hardware

64 MB flash memory; 16MB SRAM, plus MicroSD expansion memory card

Large and bright color high-resolution display (320 x 240 pixels, TFT)

Quad-band world phone: GSM 850/900, DCS 1800, PCS 1900

312 MHz processor

PC-style 35-key QWERTY keyboard and trackball navigation

Supports GPRS/EDGE Class 10

USB 2.0 port

Removable/rechargeable lithium ion battery

Features

Integrate up to ten corporate e-mail accounts

EDGE-enabled for fast web browsing and attachment viewing

HTML Web browsing

Send and receive text, instant and MMS messages

Integrated Bluetooth technology

Speaker Independent Voice Recognition (SIVR)

Music and video multimedia player

Built-in GPS and TeleNav GPS Navigator

For a limited time WirelessBuy.com is offering the new 8800 at a special introductory price of $50 with new T-Mobile voice and data service. To qualify for this promotion you must contact their sales team at 1-800-761-0018.

What Is Phone Unlocking And How Do Unlock My Phone?

Unlocking your phone has many benefits. I am going to list a number of them. But the dominant one is the price of the phone bills and internet charges.

On the high street, the internet, TV or radio, you must have heard about the different network providers (like Orange or O2) always competing with each other, to get you to sign up with there network. One company will give you one offer, the other another and basically they just keep battling out to be the top network so they can receive the most profit.

So anyway, if you have your phone unlocked, it means that you are free to use any network instead of just one network. This means if you want to sign with a better deal than you already have then you are free to do so.

Another benefit of unlocking your phone , which would apply to most people, would be if you were on holiday. Supposing you were lost and you needed to know where to go, then you could phone someone if you were out of credit. How? You could ask someone with a phone to use their sim card on your phone to make the call (obviously you would pay them for the call though, would you?). And because your phone is unlocked, you would need to match up your sim card with someone else's.

If your phone is unlocked, the network you go to might provide special offers. For example if you are an out-and-about person, who loves films, Orange have 2 for 1 cinema tickets when you top up at least £10 with them that month. Or you can also get 50% free minutes with special deals on your network provider.

However with all good things, as many people know, always comes a bad thing. And you guessed it : price. The price of unlocking your phone is probably the only thing that will put you off. It costs usually around £10-20 for the shops (say Carphone Warehouse) to unlock your phone within 20 minutes. However it will save you money in the long run. You can chop and change between networks when ever you like which is really useful.

Better Way to Shop For Used and New Laptops Or Notebook Computers?

Is there a better way to shop for a laptop or a notebook computer apart from physically going to a computer store?

Of course, there is still the old fashioned and classical way of referring to a thick catalog, which may span several volumes. But in this age of technology and instant fulfillment of needs and wants, there is nothing better than shopping online.

Running through the offers for the best computers we have in mind will easily take us several hours of pure browsing through a tonne of offers from many of the online stores. Owing to the sheer volume of manufacturers and the unending production of new models year after year, we are hard pressed to catch up with all the latest models and the designs and features .

Whenever we shop online, it would ease our search and makes our shopping easier if we bear in mind several important points as we shop:

1. Prepare a shortlist of the models we are interested in. This shortlist should be based upon another list of our requirements or specifications in terms of power, speed, and most importantly cost of the laptop or notebook computer.

2. Consider the balance between size and lifespan. Where the laptop has a small size, the smaller footprint will mean less space to dissipate heat, which is not conducive to a longer life span of the machine.

3. Consider the balance between size and speed of the laptop. Where the size of the laptop is smaller, we generally have a smaller speed because of the heat factor again.

4. Are you using the notebook or laptop for online gaming? If so, a smaller size is less preferred because the screen is smaller, and the small size may not allow a more powerful graphics card.

Finally and the most important thing to check is that of the purchase price, measured against all the qualities that we know of the laptop we want to buy. If we have to keep to budget, then we need to consider other alternatives such as purchasing refurbished notebook computers or laptops where we do not have sufficient funds.

So is there a better way to shop online? Indeed, a better way to shop online is to do a comparison features list of the laptops we have seen and are interested in. By comparing the laptops or notebook computers, we can identify real gems of value for many laptops which continue to carry value but which are released into the second-hand or refurbished market because their owners were upgrading them to newer models. These can be purchased through eBay stores or auction sites.

Why Get Your Phone On Contract?

Contract phones:

Usually lasting around 12 or 18 months, contract phones are basically phones that will give you a certain number of minutes and texts (or sometimes referred to as "caller credits"), for either 12 to 18 month period. When you buy a phone on contract, you are agreeing to pay a certain sum of money to that company each month for the allocated number of texts and minutes. Why is this beneficial you may ask? This will be explained in the next paragraph.

Mainly people who deal with businesses and own a business buy phones on contract as this is the most suitable option for them. They will usually purchase between 600 - 1500 mins per month and about 500 - 1200 texts. As you can imagine, this will be a lot more expensive than the other types of contracts you sign with but it is reasonable for them because that is how much they need communication devices. This means they don't have to waste time topping up their phone every so often and as many business people will tell you, in business - time is everything.

In the long run it turns out to be a lot cheaper than the original price of pay-as-you-go minutes. Pay-as-you-go is as I described above - you are not fixed to a contract, but it is annoying having to top-up all the time. Contract phones are generally cheaper because along with the reduction in the cost of the minutes, you will usually get a phone thrown into the deal. In addition to that, the phone you received is yours to keep after the contract expires. So if you were to buy the Nokia N95 today you could possibly save about £200 - 300 if you bought it on contract.

You will save even more money sometimes because you can buy your phone on contract and receive a "FREE GIFT" too. A "FREE GIFT" is basically a free gift that you get for purchasing that phone with those amount of minutes and texts. They can vary from Microsoft's Xbox 360's and Nintendo's Wii to the Sony PlayStation 3 and the Apple 80 GB Ipod. You will never come across a "FREE GIFT" for a pay-as-you-go phone in your life.

These are the 3 main advantages of your phone on contract and there are many more (e.g. receive bonus minutes, texts, internet credits etc.). I hope from this article you have learned a few benefits about buying phones on contract and save yourself about £100 - £500 on your next purchase of a contract phone.

Thank You for reading this article.

3 Criteria You Must Adopt to Buy a Quality Laptop Or Notebook Computer For Mobile Computing

Laptops or notebook computers are being built upon technology that is advancing at a rapid speed. While they are getting smaller and smaller, they are considered costly products because there is a limit to how low prices can drop where the technology to build them is improving all the time and hi tech research and development costs money.

Generally, the improvement in laptops have been targeted at narrowing the gaps between what laptops can do and what its closest cousin, the desktop computer can do. In fact, the bulk of developments in laptop technology has been concentrated on not only narrowing the gap between the performance of laptops and the desktop computers, but in some cases it has been to develop laptops that have functions and capacities that far exceed those of desktop computers.

This has led to a newer trend among computer users. Many are opting for laptops rather than the desktop computers as laptops fall in price, narrowing the price difference between a cheaper desktop computer and a laptop.

Together in this fast developing technology, the desktop computer is also trying to find its place in competing with laptops. It is no wonder that we see most desktop computers also shrinking in terms of size for its newer models, with the concept that their smaller footprints will present the same if not better computing power and saving of space and less heat generated.

What would you look out for in your quest to get the best laptop for yourself, seeing that there is so much in common between laptops and desktop computers?

Here are just three important developments that you can adopt in selecting your laptop in differentiating them between the laptop and the desktop computer.

1. The use of dual Core laptops or notebook computers

Dual core systems are considered advanced systems, with dual core chips built by Intel and AMD. Dual core systems allow for fast and heavy graphics computing, and for most purposes will meet your needs for computing speed and also for heavy gaming where realistic graphics are required. They also come with better graphics card such as the ATI Mobility Radeon X800 XT graphics card.

2.Wireless Modem and Cellular Phone Modem

With hot spots being established for wireless connectivity, and where the need to use a cell phone or mobile phone where such hot spots are not available, the feature of a cellular phone modem in a laptop will ensure you can be connected either by wireless modem or by the cellular phone modem. This is very useful for mobile computing.

3. Sufficient Battery Life

Look at the battery life provided with your laptop. As you will be moving around with the laptop, sufficient battery life of 2 hours or more will be reasonable for most cases. You really do not want to find your computing use to be interrupted abruptly when the battery runs out in the middle of an important computing session.

So when you are selecting a laptop for its ease of mobile computing, look at these three features above. Consider the use of fast chips or dual core chips in the laptop, consider the presence of wireless modem and the cellular phone modem and more importantly consider the battery life of the laptop. With these 3 key features, your mobile computing experience should be an enjoyable one.

What You Should Look For When Choosing An MP3 Cellular Phone

Cellular phones focus on what they are created for, communication, and usually not much else. Some brands of cellular phones offer additional features but they are not as robust as they could be if that is not the main focus of the design of the phone.

Cellular phones can hold only so much hardware, and the majority of the hardware is usually used for the communication features. If you are looking to buy a cellular phone that can also play MP3 files, then you should do a lot of research before investing in an MP3 cellular phone.

Cellular phones of today will let you take pictures, short videos, surf the web and send text messages. You can get all of these features, as well as all of the features provided with your calls, in a sleek small design that fits into your pocket. If you have a cellular phone that takes pictures, you can see that it does not take pictures as well as a digital camera. This is because digital cameras are made for digital photography only, and not much else. So the hardware in a digital camera is used to ensure that you get the best images possible. The hardware in a cellular phone on the other hand does not, so it would need a lot of extra hardware to provide this feature. Even then it would not provide the same quality as found in digital cameras.

This can be the same for a cellular phone that plays MP3 files. Although you may hear the music, the quality is not going to be as good as the quality you would get from a Hi-Fi stereo system. But don't let this dissuade you from purchasing an MP3 phone, you can find a cellular phone with high audio quality if you know what to look for.

The first thing you should check is the audio quality itself. Visit a few cellular phone stores and ask to listen to their MP3 phones before purchasing. If the sound quality is bad, look for another phone. Remember, it matters what you, the owner of the phone, think of the sound quality.

You should also know what restrictions are in place from the service you are using. Cellular phones usually come with restrictions that you won't find with typical MP3 players. Also, some cellular phones will not play MP3 format, so your songs would need to be converted to another format. When purchasing music for your cellular phone, you will sometimes find that the music store used by the service can be expensive. Some services will not allow you to add music any other way than through their music store.

Cellular MP3 phones also do not provide as much storage space as most MP3 players. If you wish to add just a few songs, then you will not find the several hundred megabytes limit a problem. If you wish to add hundreds of songs then you will have a hard time finding a cellular phone that will hold that much data.

The battery life is another thing you should consider when purchasing an MP3 cellular phone. You should get the specifications that state how long you can expect the battery to last when listening to music files continuously. If the battery is not expected to last much longer than a few hours, then you may want to consider another brand. You're sure to find a good cellular phone with acceptable qualities for your audio needs, just be sure to look for these key things before deciding on what to purchase. Listen to the phone to ensure that you approve of the sound quality, get a list of any and all restrictions, find out the cost for music in the service provider's music store, and find out the storage capability for the device and also the expected battery life when listening to your music non-stop.

Laptop Deals - Usual Pitfalls

In this article we will try to raise some basic questions that you need to ask yourself and some understanding of the lingo, that you should be aware of before buying a laptop.

Too many laptop deals to select from

If you are saying "There are hundreds of brands out there touting in some hi-tech lingo that makes no sense to me, such as Flat Panel TFT, LCD, wireless and Wi-fi connectivity bla bla"

Its impossible for an average computer literate person to cope with the ever changing computer lingo which makes the task of selecting a machine which could rightly fit the needs quite an impossible task.

Avoid Impulse Buying

Faced with such a situation, in most cases people tend to get everything they could thinking "they don't want to miss out on something useful". This is simply an impulse buying behavior and it does not solve the problem of getting the best deal, but it could actually make the situation complicated. Where you'll endup with something that carries so much unnecessary stuff that you might not ever need.

What could be done?

In most cases people seek help from sales agents, salesmen and store managers, off course they know the technology but in majority of the cases "the quality of advice you get is indirectly proportional to the commission the salesperson is about to make"

Seek help form friends and family

Your can discuss your needs with people you know and most importantly people you trust. There is always someone around you or someone they know who could give you the right advice.

Professional help

And if you think that family advice is not professional enough get yourself a few PC magazines that review the latest technology and buying trends.

Just before you select a computer

Ask yourself some basic questions

1. What are the reasons for me buying a laptop?

2. What is my budget?

3. Where can I buy one? (if you choose to buy online, there is a chance of saving some bucks but you might have to wait for the delivery)

Once you have made the purchase decision you should start collecting some baisc information on the various models and features offered by different brands.

Laptop Brands and Features

You'll find that various different series of laptops are custom built keeping in mind the needs of customers. All major laptop brands do it you need to

Basic Range of Laptops;

One basic hint to spot the basic type of laptop is by checking the processor speeds, usually laptops built with Intel's Celeron Processors or AMD's Duron are the basic ones, capable enough to do the regular tasks like checking emails, watching DVDs, CD/DVD copying and publishing, networking, browsing and music downloading.

Performance Laptops;

you can use the same hint to spot the ones built with Genuine Intel Pentium or AMD Athalon, can deliver a faster processing power to do some advanced tasks like using heavy software and databases, or even graphic rendering due to built in L2 Cache facility.

High End - Gaming and multimedia Laptops;

this particular range of laptops are built with high end processing, sometimes built with dual processors to deliver the top end performance, these laptops are suitable for the advanced users such as, Gamers, Graphic Designers, Programmers, and Networking Professionals.

What to look in a Deal

The price that you pay for a laptop is due to the various built in components and features in it plus the brand name.

The Processor or the CPU

The processor is the main component that performs virtually all of the computation and controls the behaviour of most of the other devices. The most common processors are Intel's Pentium and Celeron family and AMD's Athlon and Duron. Basically a processor's performance is measured with its "clock speed", given in Megahertz (MHz) or Gigahertz (GHz, 1GHz = 1000MHz). These are the figures that will appear in computer deals and all sorts of advertisements. So its all down to the processor mainly, the faster the clock speed, the faster the computer will be.If you would like to save some money when getting a deal try not to buy the most top-end processors which are usually priced very high.

Memory or Ram

RAM is a temporary information storage for a computer which is occupied with the information related to the task you are performing or the software you are currently using. The more Ram your computer has the better it can perform multitasking or run multiple software simultaneously.

Hard Drive or Disk Storage

Whereas the main data center for a computer where the information is stored on a magnetic device which is called the hard disk.The size of a hard drive is measured in Gigabytes (Gb) . Now it would be easy to learn the correlation between the two, the hard drive stores all your software and passes it on to the RAM when you load a software.

Monitor or Display

According to Wikipedia FT-LCD (Thin Film Transistor-Liquid Crystal Display) is a variant of Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) which uses Thin-Film Transistor (TFT) technology to improve image quality. TFT LCD is one type of active matrix LCD, though it is usually synonymous with LCD. It is used in both flat panel displays and projectors. In computing, TFT monitors are rapidly displacing competing CRT technology, and are commonly available in sizes from 12 to 30 inches. As of 2006, they have also made inroads on the television market.

Graphics Card

The purpose of a graphics card is to present information in a visual form on the monitor of the computer. The specification of the graphics card will affect the resolution that can be displayed on the monitor and the "refresh rate" of the display. The refresh rate is the number of times per-second that the screen is re-drawn - a high refresh rate produces a flicker free display.

Conclusion

The steps mentioned in the article are very simple and practical to follow, should only take a few minutes to follow but could help you avoid the usual pitfalls and buying something that fits your needs and save your precious time and money.

Conclusion

The steps mentioned in the article are very simple yet practical to follow, should only take a few minutes to follow but could help you avoid the usual pitfalls in buying something that fits your needs and save your precious time and money.

Cd Duplicators and Dvd Duplicators

CD Duplicators

The process of burning the data and other contents from a CD directly into the pre-existing media is termed as CD duplication. CD duplicators are ideal for short run & time sensitive disc duplication jobs. Our CD duplication facilities feature quality multi-speed CD duplication drive systems.

With the increased popularity and reduced cost of media, these days it is possible to offer the same level of CD duplication services to customers that need smaller quantity orders as customers which need larger quantities. CD Duplication and Replication has both cost and quality advantages.

Our CD Duplication includes the following:

·Full Color Digital Printing

·Fast Turn Times, Low prices

·Bit Level Error Verification

Requirements for CD duplicators:

·Master CD

·Electronic CD Label Art

·Non-CD Source Masters will require CD Mastering for Duplication

DVD Duplicators

DVDRs are used for the storage of data, video, audio and more, despite the current compatibility issues with recordable DVDs.

The reproduction of DVD optical media via copying is termed as DVD duplication. Content is duplicated to existing recordable DVD media. The term is used as reference to producing discs in small quantities, as opposed to large-scale replication. DVD duplicators are also ideal for short run & time sensitive disc duplication work. The new generation of DVD duplicators that we manufacture is of 'dual-format' so now our customers need not worry about the format and media to be used.

Duplication is the standard method in which smaller quantities of DVDs are usually manufactured. The process goes as: first, the DVD is loaded in the burner. Then the information is digitally extracted from the master source (may be a CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-R, DVD-R, DVD+R, or DVD+RW) and then it is transferred to the blank discs. The information then gets verified and the disc is accordingly accepted or rejected. The processes extract the information from the master source in ditto same manner. Apart from the way a disc is manufactured, another remarkable difference between a replicated disc and a duplicated disc may be the way a disc is printed. CD & DVD Duplicator helps one to produce copies of one's music and video CDs and DVDs. It is used for fast, cheap and easiest way to get the product to the market, and helps in creating digital videos easily.It can create 100s of discs in a very less time and is much cheap than expected and is essential for students pursuing a career in music and video field.

Microsoft Outlook Traveler Secret Advantage

If you want to become a better traveller, you can skip some of those how-to books penned by armchair road warriors

Instead, fire up your laptop computer and open Microsoft Outlook. Yes, I'm talking about that ever-present application that handles e-mail, scheduling and some word processing tasks.

Make the Most of Your Laptop

Odds are pretty good that you've got a copy of it installed on your laptop, and that you take your portable with you when you travel. (Regarding the latter point, a recent survey by Harris Interactive found that more than one in four laptop PC owners say their machine is one of their "most prized possessions," and nearly a third said they've regretted leaving it at home on trips and have turned around to retrieve it on at least one occasion.)

Outlook is to travellers what a paper clip is to MacGyver. It does a lot more than you think. (My apologies to those who aren't familiar with television show which had its heyday in the 1980s and '90s.)

Using Scheduling Features for a Trip

Marielle Barnes, a consultant in Bangalore, India, counts on Outlook's scheduling features to make her trip fall into place. "I use the task manager to keep my 'to-do' list in order," she says. "I organise the tasks by city, and type of function, so that items get grouped and can be easily completed in a stretch." An alternative is keeping her itinerary on a calendar or a personal digital assistant. But if the laptop is coming along for the trip anyway, why not use what you've got (especially when it has a bigger screen than a PDA)?

Robert Hanson relies on Outlook and a third-party application called Xpressions to access his e-mails from a phone - a nifty feature if you happen to leave your laptop at the hotel. "Outlook saved me from wasting money on a plane ticket by finding out the same day that I booked a non-refundable ticket that the meeting was supposed to attend was cancelled," says Hanson, from Wilmington, Del. "So I was able to cancel the flight without penalty."

Outlook has bailed me out a few times, too.

My favourite feature is the contacts manager, which has rescued me more often than I'd care to admit. How's that? I usually print a full itinerary with phone numbers before I leave on a trip. (Call me old-fashioned, but with a piece of paper you never have to worry about a low battery.) Being hopelessly absent-minded, that schedule has gone missing numerous times. Fortunately, I was able to retrieve the key addresses and phone numbers from Outlook rather than completely unpack my luggage in the middle of the terminal.

A Traveler-Friendly Upgrade

To say that Outlook has been underappreciated by the jet set in the past might be an understatement. But that is changing. Microsoft Outlook 2003 is designed even more with travellers in mind.

Here are a few of its handy features:

Find it faster. Outlook helps you make sense of all the e-mail you receive on the road. Its new Search Folders - "virtual" folders that contain views of all e-mail items matching specific search criteria - let you quickly separate the important messages from the ones you want to ignore. Search Folders also flag priority messages first, so you don't waste time reading spam. Keep junk mail out. Speaking of spam, the new Junk E-mail folder separates out most of your junk mail into a separate folder, helping to un-clutter your inbox. Work without a Net. If you use an e-mail account through Microsoft Exchange Server, you can work offline while you're out of the office or if your connection is too slow. Outlook only tries to connect to the server when you ask it to or when you choose to do so in the "Send/Receive" groups. Mine your business contacts. The new Business Contact Manager feature, which integrates with Outlook, turns your address book into a powerful tool that can create, track, and manage your business contacts, sales leads and opportunities. Perhaps the best thing about Business Contact Manager is that it's as intuitive as the old Outlook, so you don't have to spend hours reading a manual before you can use it.

Cool "Feel" to Outlook 2003

Think of the latest version of Outlook as MacGyver trading in his screwdriver for a power tool. Both gizmos worked fine, but somehow that drill just looks cooler. (Indeed, the new icons and "feel" of Outlook have my friends who use older versions or other e-mail systems drooling.)

But best of all, the Outlook 2003 with Business Contact Manager promises to make me more productive on the road.

As the publisher of a travel e-mail newsletter, I was particularly impressed with integrated features that allowed me to send personalised messages to designated contacts, with the help of List Builder. In an age when clients are less likely to accept "I was travelling" as an excuse for missing deadlines, that's something that will probably help me keep the customers I have. And maybe find some new ones.

With Outlook 2003, the learning curve is steep on a few functions - I'm still trying to figure out how to get my navigation pane to do what I want it to, for example - and users of the old Outlook will have some adjusting to do.

But it won't take long to get the hang of it. And once you do, the new Outlook will become an even bigger reason (if you need one) to bring your laptop on a trip.

Tips on Buying Cheap Laptops

e all love discussing about the latest gizmos with our fellow friends and colleagues. And, amidst our conversion, there always comes the irrevocable question as to how to buy the best technology at the price of peanuts. The laptops are the most talked about gadgets in the recent times, owing to its convenience, usability and popularity. In a developed country like UK, laptops are seeing an unprecedented growth in the recent times. So whenever you are being consulted by a fellow mate about buying a cheap laptop, you can give the following suggestions to him/her that would surely be helpful in meeting his/her requirements to buy a cheap laptop.

There are several brands of laptops that are available in the market that look equally alluring to an ordinary user. However, there are many distinctions in the different versions of laptops that are made available by different manufactures. There is no need to buy the latest model as that would most definitely come with a heavy price tag. And surely, its price would crash down within one or two years. So the suggestion is to buy a relatively stable and older model, depending upon your suitability. If you can't afford to shell money on a brand new and older version laptop, then you can as well go for second hand or refurbished laptop that would also come relatively cheaper price than the former.

There is also a tip for all of those who have just got interested in buying second hand laptops. You could buy this gadget from the gamers or power users as they install the latest and the most powerful technology in order to run their systems. Also, they are eager to dispose of their present laptop in lieu of the latest version in a laptop. So, you can search for all of your friends who are gamers and ask them if they are interested in selling their laptop.

Whenever you are searching for a cheap laptop, try to stick on to a reputed manufacturer as you would at least be assured about its credibility and life. Also, you might need to get it serviced and you can easily locate service centers of these manufactures, which can save a lot on your time. Remember, that the memory is an integral part of any computer and it is directly proportional to the speed of your laptop. So make sure that you get a laptop that has at least a memory worth 512MB in it.

Thus cheap laptops can easily be made available if you keep in mind some of these tips. And surely, you would be able to strike the best deal.

Extreme Gaming Laptops - When Is A Laptop Not A Laptop?

Extreme gaming laptops are reaching new benchmarks to

give you the ultimate gaming experience. These ever

increasing powerful machines are offering you better

performances from ever decreasing packages. Gaming laptops

are now reaching standards usually associated with high

end Desktop PCs.

But at some point even the most dedicated gamer has to

ask: when is a laptop not a laptop?

If you take the literal meaning of the word, you should be

able to fit or sit a laptop comfortably on your lap for an

extended period of time. Portability should also be another

defining feature; you should be able to easily carry your

laptop around with you wherever you go. Otherwise, why not

just buy a Desktop PC instead of a laptop?

The long standing argument has been power or performance;

you can get higher performance out of a Desktop PC

than you can get from any laptop. Maybe so, but the gap

is narrowing quickly.

Recent extreme gaming laptops are offering some very

impressive specs. Just take for example, the new Xtreme

SL8 from Rock, (a UK laptop manufacturer) and you will

see that stacking has taken on a whole new meaning.

The Xtreme SL8 is one heck of a mean-machine with ultimate

raw stacking power with Four Intel Core 2 processor cores,

Two NVIDIA 8800M GTX SLi graphics cards and Three 7200rpm

SATA hard drives. This gaming machine can crunch numbers

and offer top mobile performance benchmarks. It might even

give the old PC some serious laptop envy!

This machine supports up to 4GB DDR2 RAM (available up

to 800MHz) with DX10 graphics. Plus, you have all the high

end features such as HD-DVD Writer combo drive, TV Tuner,

Hi-res 17" WUXGA X-Glass (1920x1200) Display, Webcam, 7.1

Surround Sound Output with 4 speakers...

However all this stacking power and fully loaded features

takes up a lot of space. The Xtreme SL8 weights in at a

little under 12 pounds (5.3 kg) and around 15.5 inches

(394) mm by 12 inches (299 mm). At 2 and half inches thick

this is not your Apple Air.

Nor is it trying to be, but some comparisons has to be made

if we're classifying both of these computing machines as

laptops. The Apple Air is 3 pounds (1.36 kg) and under an

inch thick (1.94 cm) so it truly is a portable laptop with

5 hours of battery life. This is a long way removed from

the XSL8's massive credentials and massive weight, but so

too is the distance between the performances offered by the

respective laptops.

These two mobile computers were designed for two completely

different purposes; one for raw gaming power and the other

for the ultimate in portability. Each has their respective

customers but can both of them be called a laptop?

Perhaps, but the Xtreme SL8 is more or less a neatly

trimmed down packaged Desktop. Not that there is anything

wrong with that as long as you understand what you're

getting when you're buying one; you won't be sitting with

this baby on your lap for long periods or lugging it around

over long distances.

For those of us studying laptop designs (there are such

creatures in the world unfortunately) over a long period

of time, you can't help but notice how much power and

performance can now be crammed into an ever shrinking

package. Nor can you ignore the trend that Desktop PCs

are looking more and more like laptops, especially the

monitors.

Even the trademark Desktop Tower is getting slimmer and

more streamlined; there will probably come a time with

all the tower components will evolve into such small

compact entities, calling it a tower will be a gross

exaggeration.

One can plainly see, the Desktop PC days are numbered,

especially when you consider we have an inherent need

to make everything smaller and more compact. Besides

why take up all that space when you can get the same

performance in a smaller package. This is another

example where big may not necessarily be better.

The line between what is a Laptop and what is a Desktop

computer will continue to be blurred as computer makers

keep offering up what the consumer wants. At some point

in the not too distance future the two products will

probably converge into a light portable package that

can be carried anywhere. Why not just call everything

a Mobile Computer and be done with it.

But for now, gaming enthusiasts will still have a choice

when buying their ultimate gaming machine: a Desktop

PC or a Laptop such as the Xtreme SL8. However, calling

the last one a laptop is still stretching the imagination

to its limits, no matter how you define it.

Spyware Detection - The First Step To Speeding Up Your Computer

Here are a few simple tips on how to spot spyware. If you are getting an increased number of pop-ups, suddenly you find out software installed without your knowledge it might be a sign. Sometimes you hear music and voice advertisements, or your homepage gets changed to a weird site, and your search results look weird. These are all signs of a compromised system, fallen in the control of spyware, adware, trojans, hijackers or dialers.

It happens to many Internet users, unaware about the presence of spyware on their systems. And they usually do not know how to deal with the crippling annoyance of spyware infestations. They do not even know that spyware has infected their computers in the first place.

Working in a stealthy manner, spyware will find its way to your hard-drive, without letting you know about this harmful presence. You may get infected by unexpected means, such as trying to close a pop-up by clicking on the X, when in fact you are triggering the spyware itself and allowing it to infect your computer. You may even get emails that appear to come from trusted people in your address book, which upon opening will spring the spyware into action.

You can easily monitor and detect spyware, by installing detection software. Trusting your senses in detecting the spyware presence is not a safe way to deal with this issue, instead you need to turn to high-tech way of spyware detection.

Common signs as excessive pop-ups or slower internet speed should give you a clue about unwanted company. Spyware needs to run on your machine, and use resources like the internet connection which causes slow downs. If your homepage changes to a new site or you suddenly find new toolbars and add-ons in Internet Explorer, you are infected. Trying to remove the new additions or changing back settings will fail, as the spyware is programmed to monitor these settings and change them back whenever you reboot your computer.

At this point, you need to get a spyware detection program, also known as anti-spyware, and find out what's annoying you. There are many versions of the software on the internet. A spyware detection product will search your files and documents, looking into every nook and cranny, smoking out spyware lodged into your system. You need to handle this task seriously and take action against unwanted spyware, effectively cleaning your system from parasites.

Three Reasons Why You Should Buy A New Laptop

There are several reasons why you need a new laptop instead of a new desktop computer. The weight and the mobility are the main reasons why people prefer new laptop than new PC. The days of PC is already over. Since a few years ago, people have been looking for new notebook (laptop), simply because they need it.

1. Mobility

In the 20th century, most people have enough free time to be spent with their families. Now the story is different. We are getting busier and busier every day, some people even do not have enough time to go home except on Saturday and Sunday. This mean laptop is much more needed than PC. Can you bring your PC with you when you travel to outside of your town? Nope. But with laptop, you can bring it anywhere.

2. The weight

Now it's not hard to find a laptop with weight lighter than 4 pounds. Toshiba, Sony, Apple, and other laptop manufacturers try to introduce their new and light laptops to us. You can easily find more information about these laptops on the internet. Of course you won't be able to bring your PC with you if you are outside of your home but laptop is your best friend and best partner.

3. The price and the battery life

The most negative things about laptop are its price and its battery life. However, these days laptop has much cheaper price and longer battery life. Can you imagine how effective laptop would be in the next 2-3 years? I think the price margin between laptop and PC will be almost zero in the upcoming years. If you find a PC and a laptop, both with same specification, what would you pick? Laptop, definitely. Especially if you often go to outside of your home and need a computer to help your job.

Hold Onto Your Money

It can easily happen. That laptop which is your pride and joy can easily slip out of your hands, make heavy contact with the floor and end up with a cracked screen. For many people when this happens they believe that there is nothing for it except to go out and buy a brand-new computer, and of course end up with a lot of expense. However, there is a way around it, and it is something that many people do not take into consideration, and that is to have the screen repaired. This article will look at a few pointers to help you make sure that your screen repair is done to the highest possible standard.

It goes without saying that you should really get a professional to repair your laptop screen, because otherwise the work will be substandard and you may end up paying money for no reason at all. The good news is that there are many companies and professional independent computer repair organizations who can do a great job for you. Most of these people have been trained by some of the companies that make the laptop in the first place, and will also have the tools that are needed to make sure that the repair work is done properly. However, although this can be a good choice to make, using just any professional repair organization is not to be recommended, because it is usually better to use a home from the particular company whose laptop you bought.

This may seem like an obvious thing to say, but it is better to go, say, to Toshiba if you have a Toshiba laptop to be repaired, because the company will know exactly what needs to be done. However this is something that many people do not think about, mainly because they are trying to save money, and in the process often end up spending more money than they would have done by going directly to the company and paying a higher price to have the repair work done.

One of the main things you need to check if you do decide to go to a non-company repair organization is to make sure that this company really does have experience of repairing laptop monitors and not just repairing monitors from desktop personal computers. Repairing a desktop monitor is completely different to repairing one from a laptop and so make sure that the professional really does have experience in the laptop field.

Also, make sure that anybody who repairs your screen will give you a really good guarantee, and you should look for at least three months worth of warranty in order to make sure that the screen works over that period of time. Computer screens can be fickle, and sometimes they seem to work but then can suddenly drop dead on you. If the repair work last for three months then you can usually be assured that the professional has done a proper job.

As you can see, there are quite a few things to bear in mind when you come to repair your screen, the one of the things that you always should bear in mind is that getting the repair work done would be much cheaper than having to buy a brand-new laptop, and that is something that is well worth consideration.

Backlights and Inverters

Ever switched on your laptop and thought; Hey there's nothing coming on the screen, only to notice as you move it towards you for a better look, the light catches the screen at a different angle and there's a very faint/dark image displayed? In every laptop lcd screen there's a fluorescent tube that illuminates the screen from the back (hence the term backlight) if this fails or the mechanism that starts it up fails then your display will become dark/dim to the point of being unreadable.

In my experience; in most cases it's not the backlight (the ccfl tube) that fails, but the circuitry that starts it up called the inverter, a small circuitboard that usually resides just below the lcd panel within the screen lid. As long as the particular inverter is readily available as a spare part then the repair is quite straightforward and simple, swap out the old for the new and it should be as good as new.

Sometime the backlight itself fails, the 'symtoms' are the same, dark screen, faint image etc. The repair is a little more fiddly as lcd screens are not meant to be taken apart, so changing a ccfl tube is not for the light hearted. Of course you could always change the lcd panel, but that seems like hitting a nut with a sledgehammer to break it, it'll also cost you, lcd panels are not cheap. There are companies that do swap out just the ccfl tube, if your in the UK have a search on Google for 'laptop backlight repair'.

In either case if it happens to you and you just can't give up the laptop for repair even for a few days, and you have a spare pc monitor to hand, you should be able to plug the monitor cable into the laptop and use it with that, not exactly portable but it should get you out of trouble, and allow you to finish that piece of work with the looming deadline.

Laptop Skins

The Laptop became the traveler's best friend within no time of its launch. This little devil as some prefer to call it proved to be a boon for all those starved souls who had to be content on using their brainwaves to conceive and accumulate data during the long hours of travel. The Laptop arrived and conquered the hearts of one and all with its beautifully crafted looks and the compact power it carried within it. It did not take long for the Laptop to become a common sight not only during travel but also at restaurants, malls and picnic spots. The utilities that it offered and its affordable prices have endeared Laptop to many.

My Precious. The Laptop became common and with it the human urge to create an identifiable and unique mark on the Laptop started to grow. The idea of customizing the Laptop to own taste and moods started to hold water and it wasn't long before the innovative minds came up with this amazing accessory called the skins. The skins or an external surface that can be pasted onto the exteriors of the Laptop have been extremely popular within a short span of time. These skins are available in various combinations and are even customizable.

Decoration Galore. If the revolution was started by the cellphone industry then the Computer or the IT industry drove the "customize it" drive to the pinnacle. The skins or the exterior surface of the Laptop often becomes dull and boring after some usage and roughage. The idea here is to cover up the Laptop surface with Laptop Skins which are available in thousands of color combinations and patterns.

What's more, they can even be customized as per personal taste and choice. One may look at it as a large sticker that can be pasted on the external surface of the Laptop using self adhesive surface of the sticker. These little stick-ons are made from 3M professional-grade vinyl material and are available in a glossy and matte finish. The skins have a mind boggling variety and are extremely easy to install and remove from the surface without leaving any evidence of its past existence on the Laptop surface.

Have it. Flaunt it. The trendy skins which have hit the market recently have made the Laptop very attractive from the outside (it was always beautiful from inside). These customizable Laptop Skins have revolutionized the way the Laptop is being presented to the world. The skins speak a lot about the personality and the creativeness of the person. These skins that are affordable and easily available act as a beautifying as well protective layer over the Laptop exteriors. The skins are available for all Laptops even those that are not branded.

The application is extremely easy wherein the external surface is to be cleaned thoroughly for dust and grease content. The skin may then be applied after removing the adhesive protection cover on the skin. The skin thus applied remains, beautifies and protects the Laptop as long as you don't decide to ring in a new change.

Laptop Hard Drives

The hard drive is a very important part of a laptop as it lets you store all of your work and information that is on the laptop. The size of the hard drive is what enables you to store everything you have and save it.

When your hard drive is full, your laptop will run slowly and you will not be able to save anything else. So in a way you could say that the hard drive is one of the most important parts in a laptop - the same as a desktop computer, hard drives are like the laptop's brain with all the information it stores.

When searching for new laptop hard drives online, there are many different ones to choose from. Different specifications as well as different brands so it is up to you to determine what specs you want the hard drive to have and also who you want it to be made by. Laptop hard drives are also available in different sizes, physically, as well as internally. The size you would like it to be internally is probably the most important piece of information you will need when hard drive shopping. It is mainly the size of the drive that determines the price of it, but the make of it will also have a part to play in the price. Of course it is always better to get a brand you know and trust, compared to getting something cheap and unknown.

When looking through laptop hard drives to purchase one, look for one that is slightly bigger than you need it to be, for example, if you think you only need an 80 gig hard drive, rather go for a 100 gig one. It is not really that much difference but it is not healthy for your laptop if your hard drive is too slow. Especially if you use the laptop for work purposes as it can slow your system down completely if there isn't enough space for it to "think". Think of it like you having a hard day, you feel exhausted and too tired to even think, that is what a hard drive feels like all the time if you have used up all of the space. Leave AT LEAST 20gigs free, more if you can.

Make sure you know what you are buying when you do your shopping. You have to know a bit about what you are doing because you need to make sure the hard drive will be compatible with your laptop and everything will run smoothly.

Used Laptop

A wide variety of options for your search on buying used laptops can be acquired from several resources. One great resource in finding and buying used laptops of good condition and quality is the Internet. As we all know, Internet is the most accessible, convenient, easiest, and fastest way to purchase item online. Buying used laptops using this resource is just a click away and instantly delivered right at your doorstep.

Another resource is buying used laptops from known brands (IBM, Lenovo, Toshiba, Dell, HP-Compaq, Neo, and Fujitsu). These brands are the trusted manufacturers of computer hardware for innovated technologies. They have their own channel sector in its online store where you can find best deals on their used laptops. These used laptops are examined and reconditioned by the manufacturer's authorized and licensed technicians for similar requirements and capability as with the new models. Some usually comes with equivalent warranty conditions and technical service support with the new models.

Associating used laptops with the new released models, the only difference is the affordability of the price. Another recommended resource is buying used laptops from third party manufacturers or resellers. These third party manufacturers and resellers usually have the same quality and pricing of offered products. Since they do similar process on thorough examinations and reconditions before offering their products. One important note that buyers needs to consider is buying only from established resellers.

As discussed above, determining budget and software applications needed are the major features to be considered in buying used laptops. After you have determined these important features, you can start searching for your desired laptop. As mentioned above, Internet is a great resource in buying used laptops. Since Internet is a wide access for various stuffs you prefer to buy. One of the best and popular site that most people visit to buy used laptops is eBay. As buyers, you need to be extra careful and keen on sellers that are tricky and suspicious. Be aware for possible uneven transactions and mischief. Before settling a transaction with the seller, be sure that you have read affirmative reviews about the seller on his or her integrity, security and smoothness of deals with other buyers of eBay. These will help you decide on buying used laptops in the site. Some buyers hate or don't prefer the hassles of bidding.

Because of this, buyers directly search for used laptops offers using available Internet search engines. Most of the popular search engines are Google, Yahoo! and Ask. Buyers just enter their keyword phrases of used laptops, reconditioned or re-manufactured laptops and in a matter of seconds a list of websites are being displayed. These lists of websites usually offer best deal on pricing and promo bundle that comes along with used laptops when purchased.

Most of the websites or vendors that offer used laptops usually provide ninety (90) days of limited warranty, which usually include hardware parts' replacements and technical service labors. External or physical cause of damages is not included or covered in this warranty as well.

Laptop Speakers

Laptops are made with their speakers embedded in the device. Many prefer the convenience of not having to deal with another external accessory. However, many find that laptop speakers are a nuisance with poor quality sound and a small variety of options. Instead, consumers turn to multimedia speakers, also called external speakers, which are the same kind that come with a regular computer. Most computer speakers are made with a lower powered amplifier that is included inside of the speaker.

The cord that attaches the speaker to the computer is called a stereo jack plug. The connection accessory usually has lime green tip so that the consumer can locate it quickly. If the computer is fairly new, many laptops do not have the regular sound card where the audio connection can be plugged in. RCA came out with a converter connector for those who do not have a typical sound card. They are typically used for large home stereo systems.

USB speakers are the hottest accessory on the market right now, but not specifically because of laptops. The USB speakers came out with the birth of the mp3 player as a way for the consumer to listen to the music on the device without headphones. The speakers come in very handy for laptops if the user does not want to have 2 large speakers to deal with. The speakers are powered at 200 milliamp s and use about half a watt of output power.

The most common brands that sell speakers are:

? Altec

? Bose

? Dell

? GE

? Harmon Kardon

? Hewlett-Packard

? Logitech

? Creative Labs

Laptop speakers vary in quality and price depending on the style of the speaker. The brand of the speaker also changes the price or value considerably. The speakers with better sound quality are surprisingly enough the smaller speakers. Unfortunately, they are also the more expensive type of speakers. The more higher advanced speakers have options to change the equalization such as the treble and bass. The more advanced speakers also have 'sub woofers', which aid the output quality of the bass. A amplifier is usually included as well.

Those who wish to have a more simple and confidential way of listening to music but do not want to use the laptop speakers may opt for headphones. They are also considered a form of speaker because they aid in the output of sound. Headphones now come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. Many of the name brand companies have been improving the headphones so that they are more comfortable around the ear. Many worries about sound affecting hearing loss has also convinced companies to make headphones that prevent sound loss. Compared to the speakers that come with the laptops, any external speaker would be a great accessory to buy.

Laptop Batteries

Here I was sitting comfortably in the business class seat of the airliner with nothing to do but look around for some amusement. Amusement it was, to find a gentleman yelling at his Laptop at the top of his voice. The batteries of his Laptop has conked off and unable to bear the letdown the person had decided to direct his outburst at the poor machine which was not even aware of all the gadgetry crammed into it. It is not uncommon to find similar situations where people even bang their Laptops in frustration because of unusual or faster or unexpected discharge of Laptop Batteries.

Laptop Batteries: The Dilemma.

The race to create the slim computer which could be carried in a case and rested on a Lap for work led to many innovative ideas on reducing the size of various accessories without decreasing the performance levels. The limitations were numerous, however, the work was done with great care and innovativeness and finally a product that fitted every requirement was launched. However, the main source of energy, the Laptop Battery has not yet fully evolved. The battery using the Lithium Ion technology wears down with active usage and repeated recharging. These facts have always been known to us however we have been helpless in the race against weight reduction and performance enhancement.

Laptop Batteries: The Best Bet.

As the Laptop works and runs at its full glory the battery starts discharging. This discharge creates heat which doesn't find proper dissipation route to the confined environment in which the battery has been housed. The heat thus collected leads to a faster discharge force thus initiating a vicious cycle of heating and discharging. Moreover repeated discharge and charging of batteries lead to dendrite formation inside the battery cells leading a reduced charge life and also battery life. NO, dipping the battery in a refrigerated environment is not a solution, infact it can be seen as a bigger problem. The problem of not knowing the exact facts leads to many such myths that ultimately conjure up to eliminate the battery.

Saving Battery Charge.

The first solution that comes to the mind is to reduce the load on the processor and indirectly the battery by closing all the programs that are running in the background but are not required for the current operation. There are several such programs that run on startup and are absolutely never used by a common user. The best solution then is to check for these set of programs and close them promptly. This will not only lead to a better battery life but also a faster Laptop.

Further, it is also advisable to let the Laptop switch over to the Standby mode whenever it is not being utilized for more than 2 minutes. This will ensure that the battery doesn't unnecessarily waste its resources on flashing data on the careen when it is not required. It is also advisable to charge the battery to its full capacity during the first 5 charges. This is directly conditioning the battery to utilize and realize its full capacity. The future recharges may not be so stringent however frequent short recharges should be avoided.

Laptop Backpacks

Many people that own laptops, do not have laptop backpacks to put them in. It is not essential but it is more convenient and much safer. It is easier to carry a laptop around with you when it is in a case. It may also be easier to take care of the laptop when it is in a case because that way you can carry it by the handle and not have to completely put it down where you could forget and walk off without it. It will also keep your precious laptop free from scratches when you are walking with it in hand. At least when it is in a backpack it will be protected from accidental damage of scraping against a wall or something.

When you are interested in purchasing a laptop backpack, know that there are many different ones available that you can choose from. Whether you know of a computer store close to you that sells the backpacks, or you want to buy it online, there is a wide variety to choose from. They range in style, size and color so you are sure to find one that suits you best.

One of the very popular laptop backpacks is the Advantage Bag. The specifications of this bag are as follows:

* Versatile black in color

* Size - 16 x 12 length x 5.5 width

* Multiple pockets and sleeves

* Material - high quality leather

* Extra cushioning protection

* Renowned for its outstanding quality

All laptop backpacks are a more affordable and comfortable way to protect and transport a laptop. Laptops are normally rather pricy, so one should do anything they can to protect theirs, unless they don't mind replacing it every few months. A laptop is like an investment and it needs to be looked after to the best of your ability.

Before you but a backpack for your laptop, make sure you have the measurements correct or else you will buy this cool bag onto to discover that your laptop doesn't not fit in it. Take the measurements of the laptop in length and width when it is closed. Not all laptops are the same size, so the bags will not be either. Some laptop bags have extra compartments and other features that might make the inside of the bag smaller so you might want to take your laptop along with you when you go shopping for laptop backpacks.

Hp Laptops

A Small Beginning.

It all started when two college students, who were ardent fans and users of the computers, decide to set up a small laboratory for their research cum development of a computer printer. They succeeded and their joint venture known by the combination of their names became a household name within no time. Today we know the company as HP or Hewlet- Packard. The name evokes a sense of confidence and quality amongst the common computer users. If the Processors were changed by Intel and the Graphic interface by Microsoft it was HP that revolutionized the printers. The company has not limited itself only to Printers and has now ventured into Desktop, accessories and even HP Laptops.

The Slimmer Brother. The Laptop, also known as the slimmer brother due to its appearance vis-...-vis the Desktop computer has steadily gained prominence over time and is now an important and inseparable part of any frequently traveling computer user. The Laptop was initially slated to be operational for a limited period due to the battery limitation. However, with advancements in Battery technology and availability of better battery materials to hold battery charge it is now possible to operate a Laptop for more than 8 hours at a stretch without charging. The screen, memory and the storage space have also undergone sea change and the Laptops available today are an amazing combination of a high capacity computing processor, a gaming console and also a multimedia station I addition to the normal computer operations.

The HP Laptop.

Though Hewlet- Packard started their joint venture with an aim to create better printers, they had no options but to divert the expertise into the field of computers and accessories. The Hp series of computers are renowned for the quality and efficiency that they promise and provide. The tradition of providing a quality product has been continued with the Hewlet- Packard Laptop. The brand's laptops are not only the best in quality but they also present themselves as sturdy and reliable models that can withstand extreme environmental conditions and even shock and sprays. The Hp Laptop comes across as a machine that can perform a multitude of operation using its High frequency processors (Dual or Quad) and Memory. The Laptop tops in every parameter when compared to any other Laptop across the board.

The Advanced Computing HP Laptops.

Hewlet- Packard has always strived to improvise and provide a product that is better on performance as compared to the model that was rolled out earlier. Thus the stage is set for arrival of better, slimmer and more efficient models. The Hp Laptop combines the speed of high frequency processors, Lightening fast RAM, natural color TFT screen, Graphic accelerator card, 5.1 channel audio supports, DVD and even the Blue Ray drive, multiple USB support, Long-lasting battery and above all a solid and strong body to house these components.

The credibility that the HP Laptops have generated within a short span of entering the market is unbelievable and it indicates only towards the fact that the Laptops are one of the best.

Laptops Review

First came the Desktop then followed the first notebook. Then there was a deluge of Laptops that were so overwhelming that all humanity had drowned in it. The flood gates were opened when the advancements in technology made it possible for the companies to cram their computing gizmos into smaller and more efficient models. The Laptop, basically designed to provide the office comfort and environment to the frequent traveler, soon became a worldwide hit with every age group and profession. The Laptop had arrived and along with it the variety of choices offered by numerous companies eager to bite the Laptop bait.

The Confusion.

The average buyer, however, does not make choice immediately and tries to form an opinion regarding the Laptop to buy based upon reviews published by various agencies and individuals. The Laptop reviews that are abundantly available on the internet accurately describe the best and the worst aspects of the latest Laptops that are on the offer. These reviews also present a clear picture regarding the performance of the Laptops in various configurations, thus enabling the customer to realign his priorities as per the actual requirement and not vice versa. The confusion over the requirements stems from the fact that these mean machines are able to perform a multitude of operations and depending the most coherent operation the user defines the configuration which is most suited to him.

The Choice.

The final decision to buy a Laptop should actually be taken after a balanced view regarding the actual requirement from the Laptop has been decided. Thus a gaming or multimedia Laptop may have the same basic configuration but a totally different 3-D accelerator card or a 5.1 channel sound card depending upon the requirement. The Laptop reviews present the comparative and exact picture of all types of configurations, their effectiveness, their load on the system and of course most importantly their prices. These factors are to be carefully weighed prior tot purchasing a Laptop lest a piece of handsome configuration is delivered only to realize later and repent that the machine is an ideal choice for multimedia utilities but is useless as far as the normal Office functions are concerned.

The Final Decision.

The Laptop reviews bring about a comparison with respect to the Memory (RAM), Sound systems, Drive capabilities, LAN connectivity, Storage capacity and further enhancement options, Wi-Fi compatibility, Screen resolutions, Keyboard feature, Battery Life and utility and most importantly the capacity of the Laptop to be upgraded after a few years when better technology and components are available.

The reviews also provide an opportunity to the Laptop manufacturing companies to review the rival product and offer a better and more efficient product to the customer. The world of computers is changing very fast and the technology is moving at the speed of light. In the present scenario where new products and technologies change the face of Computers and Laptops it is always advisable to keep in touch with the latest news regarding these devices through latest and reliable Laptops reviews.

Laptop Bags

The shift from a Desktop computer to a Laptop is pretty unnerving in the initial phase, since one is used to a more conventional way of holding and operating a mouse, keyboard and even the Multimedia drives and devices. The transition from Desktop to a Laptop meant getting used to living without the regular wired connections and the CRT monitors, which were all well grounded to the earth. However, the Laptop posed a peculiar problem, that of no attachment to the ground. You had to support the device and carry it along. Just how does one carry a Laptop and for how long? A solution was within sight. To carry the Laptop in a carry case called the Laptop Bag.

The advent of Laptop bags meant that the Laptop could be carried conveniently as it could be dropped inside the bag and the bag could be slung across the shoulders. It was as easy as that. Moreover the bag provided a complete storage and transportation solution for a Laptop. The bag was sturdy and was capable of handling the shock, vibration and even temperature variations. The Laptop Bag could protect the Laptop from getting damaged during the rough weathers and also during storage at home. It even prevented the dust from accumulating over the device. All this was possible using one Laptop bag.

Taking Charge.

The Laptop bag revolutionized the way Laptops were carried world wide. From a headache it became a fashionable item almost overnight. The Laptop was no longer a tag along item which was a necessity, now even college kids starting the Laptops in their bags and flaunt it as a fashion statement. These bags made from good quality leather had enough space to hold a Laptop, its accessories (including the charging wires), office documents, cellphone, water bottle, stationery and even a pair of civvies. The Laptop bag had become a wonderful travel companion and has fast replaced the mini briefcase as a favored travel companion.

The Laptop Bag Advancements.

A look towards future indicates that as the Laptops have gone slimmer the Laptop bags have gone trendier and stronger. The material is also being developed and the newer bag material is becoming more and more strong and aesthetic. More stress is being laid on making the bag stronger without increasing the existing weight of the bag. The bags of the future will not only hold a Laptop inside but will also be able to take care of many other requirements of the owner. The Bags would be available in customized shapes, colours and models. They can be matching with your dress colours or moods.

The bag of future may also be programmed to interact with the Laptop and create an intelligent atmosphere. These advanced bags may even act as an accessory in addition to being a protecting shield of the Laptop. The bags have surely made a name for themselves and are sure to further their utility in near future.