Latest Laptops Articles

How To Give Your Notebook A New Look?

Tue, 19 May 2009 12:53:15 -0700

If want to give your laptop a whole new look that is unique from the others, laptop skins are the perfect deal for you. With this, you can instantly change the appearance of your laptop without much hassle.

Laptop skins are adhesive vinyl stickers that stick to your computer laptop and add some color to an otherwise dull gray cover. There's no reason you have to settle for boring. A laptop skin can be customized with any photo or graphic you choose.

There are wide array of designs to choose from when it comes to laptop skins. You can have something like a picture of your favorite celebrity, sports icon, and rock band. One can also choose a theme like nature, abstract or industrial.

Laptop skin is a good way of promoting your business or company. It's like your own billboard of some sort. All you need to do is to include your company logo or website in the design and people will definitely see it. Notebooks with laptop skins will definitely be head turners. Laptops skins are really a good way to advertise.

A lot of people have concerns about laptop skins being permanent. A laptop skin is easily removed and leaves no residue. Installation is easy, only taking a minute, and your laptop will have a cool new look to it.

The life of your laptop skin would greatly depend on how often you bring your laptop with you each time you go out. Normally, a laptop skin can last up to 6 months and can last longer if you keep your laptop safe inside its case and not between your armpits. Careful handling of your laptop can strengthen the life of your laptop skin.

You might be wondering what kind of computers laptop skins can work with. You can apply them to any really, from dell and hp to mac. It's not an issue of the brand, the only really concern is the actual laptop size. And since laptop skins can be made for up to a 17" screen, it's easy to scale down or trim where needed.

Laptop skins will add a new layer to the housing of your laptop, which means added protection to your precious gadget. It is like armor for your laptop. And if you don't like the design anymore you can easily remove it so your laptop will have its original look out of the box. Again this is a hassle free procedure.

So what are you waiting for? Customize your notebook with laptop skins today!

When To Buy A Refurbished Laptop

Tue, 19 May 2009 04:26:16 -0700

You don't always have to buy a brand new laptop. If you are getting a lap top for a child, you might be worried that they will not take care of it properly. They might drop them and not be as careful with it as they should and thus you don't really want to spend a whole lot. Going the route of getting a refurbished laptop is the way to alleviate your fears as you will be spending less and still getting a quality laptop that will get the job done.

Are refurbished laptops too much of a risk to buy? Many people have that questions when they don't want to pay for a brand new laptop. The word "refurbished" brings with it a lot of confusion as to what exactly it means and this prevents many people from ever buying one.

Refurbished means that the laptop has most likely been returned for any number of reasons. Once a computer is returned by a purchaser, the store then sends it back to the manufacturer who will see what is wrong and fix it. Many times the problem is a real minor one such as something being wrong with the screen. After it is repaired the laptop is shipped back to the store where it is then sold as "refurbished". What this means is that a refurbished laptop is not new but can very well be in "like new" condition. You can often get good deals on these computers which are practically new.

Generally, if you buy a refurbished laptop, you want to make sure it comes with a full warranty in case something goes wrong. You never know what went wrong the first time to make it refurbished and it could be as little as a scratch on the case. But if you do buy anything that is refurbished you need to get that warranty.

You can be confident that refurbished computers have been tested and gone over by the manufacturer. They have no reason and will lose more money if they send it back out without being fixed. Your school aged child doesn't need the most expensive laptop but just something to help with the schoolwork. For this type of use, refurbished laptops are a great choice and the risk is minimal. To find refurbished laptops, you can go online to a site like Ebay where you will find hundreds of them and all from the top companies. This is where many companies sell their laptops to the highest bidders and it is where you might be able to get a great deal.

Remote PC Support - How The Internet Fixes Everything

Sat, 16 May 2009 13:19:46 -0700

Remote computer support is required if you're unable to get in-person PC help, you want someone to fix your computer problems ASAP, or you don't have cash to afford expert at home computer repair.

In this post, I'll speak to:

-What is remote PC support?

-How do I find the best remote laptop support technicians?

-How can I leverage free online support options?

What is remote PC help?

This basically happens via online or phone channels - you need an internet connection, preferably high-speed, cable, ISDN, etc.

Remote computer support demands conferencing a computer technician to take over your Mac or PC and fix the issues as if they were sitting right there in front of your PC.

Remote PC help works best for software issues - hardware like monitors is nearly impossible to resolve through remote options.

How do I find an expert remote support technicians?

Start with Google Search. Look for the following keywords:

-remote PC support

-online desktop support

-remote PC help

-top distance computer technicians

-online PC technicians

-internet laptop help

That's just the start. When finding remote PC help options, you need to assess issues like speed of service, cost, and past clientele.

A great resource is to ask online support forums very specific questions. They will tell you how to solve most software issues, without needing to remotely let them take control of your computer.

Consider the different issues - cost, track record, and scheduling times. With all personal computer problems, you want them fixed soon! It's frustrating dealing with laptops running slowly and not knowing how to troubleshoot laptops when required.

Computer Electricity is Dirty! Always Use An Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)

Thu, 14 May 2009 00:56:49 -0700

Electricity from the outlet is dirty! Ideally, the electricity will come out of the wall at a precise voltage and a precise frequency. Technically it is feasible to have dirt free power out of an outlet, but financially, most consumers (homes and businesses) just dont want to pay that price, so power companies will not provide it. They do not have to; vacuum cleaners, fans, air conditioners, TVs, printers and light bulbs work just fine with that polluted electricity.

Recognize that computers, differently, are a good deal more picky about their electricity requirements. Some of the spikes or brownouts are just a tad too much. When that happens, the computer starts misbehaving: 1. it goes to sleep, 2. it shuts off instantly, 3. it corrupts a file or two, 4. it goes into hibernate, 5. it burns out an electronic component. The penalty may be noticeable right away or arrive on the scene at a later time; the consequences are never enjoyable. At home or at work, a computer should always be on a UPS. Laptops have their own UPS and are excluded from this requirement; they have a battery built in.

A UPS is a battery pack that continually monitors the electricity from the outlet. When the electricity from the outlet exceeds preset thresholds, such as not enough power or too much power, the UPS kicks in and takes over. Now, a surge protector is not the same mechanism as a UPS. A surge protector only protects from too high of a power from the outlet, such as surges or spikes. A UPS protects from too little power and too much power. This is imperative for a computer. A computer needs relatively dirt free power to perform suitably. The return on investment, ROI, for a UPS is good. Just consider the hassle and consequences of corrupted files and you will appreciate that every computer must have a UPS and every server an even bigger one.

Since all computers have a different power consumption, it is difficult to articulate which UPS is the right one for your computer or server. Typically you will find 300 to 700 Volt Ampere UPSs in the store. They have 300VA or something like that written on the box. It doesnt matter which one you buy. The 700 VA UPS will last at least twice as long as the 300 VA UPS if the power fails. This could mean that your computer may keep running for twenty minutes rather than ten minutes. Just recognize that these UPSs you buy at the store are the cheap stuff; they are so-called standby-UPSs.

When the power from the outlet becomes too dirty, a little switch will switch over to battery power. Some computer power supplies or motherboards cant even handle the 5 milliseconds of no power when the switch activates. For people with such finicky computers it is better to go to the website of the UPS manufacturer and look for a so-called continuous UPS. These UPSs are more pricey, but the computer is continually feeding from the battery and the outlet is continually recharging the battery.

All server rooms and any high availability hardware should always run off a continuous UPS. Oh, don't ever plug a laser printer into a UPS. The fuser, a component that fuses the toner onto the paper, needs so much power at once that it overburdens a UPS. Always plug a laser printer directly into the outlet of the wall.

Cheap factory refurbished laptops

Sun, 10 May 2009 09:49:59 -0700

As time goes by the price of laptops is continuing to come down, meaning that more people can use them for all of their personal or business needs. Even though this is great news you must still remember that a lap top requires proper maintenance like any kind of delicate equipment to make sure that it serves you for many years to come. By doing the proper maintenance you are basically extending the life of the lap top and increasing its overall security. Below are several tips as well as tactics to help you keep your lap tops running strong.

Lock you laptop: As ridiculous as this may sound, you always want to keep your laptop locked. This will prevent your personal information from being compromised and prevent people from looking at what you are working on. To do this is very simple all you have to do is press control and L to lock it. When you want to unlock it all that is required is to control, alt, delete then enter your password and it will take you to what you were working on prior to locking it.

Check the vents: At least once a week you want to check the vents making sure that they are clear from debris so that your lap top can bring in cool air to keep it from over heating. To clean these vents you want to buy a can of air that you can purchase at any computer store or online.

Make sure the fan is running properly: At least once every two week you want to make sure that your fan is running properly. If you don't know how to do this you can easily check the manufactures web site or do a simple search online. This will help you to prevent major problems that can affect every thing from the hard drive or monitor if the laptop begins to overheat.

Keep your laptop away from dust: Always make sure that your lap top is kept away from dust this can clog the fan and lead to an eventual overheating of the computer. What you want to do is keep the laptop on a desk or table when you are using it and covered from dust when it is off.

Laptops are great computers, like all machines they require the proper amount of maintenance to perform reliably. By using the above tips you will be able to protect and maintain your laptop to serve you for many years to come.

Laptop Buying Guides

Wed, 06 May 2009 04:45:40 -0700

Nowadays, almost everyone is in need of a laptop. Whether you're a businessman or just a student, you need a laptop to help you get things done easier. However, you should not buy just any kind of laptop. Everyone has different needs and it is very essential for you to look for the one that would really suit you, in order for you to make the right investment for a laptop.

Choosing the right laptop brand does matter. Apple is known for having high quality laptops that last more than other laptops. Compaq brand is more on the economy side. It really comes down to how much you want to spend on your next laptop. You'd be hard pressed to find a Mac laptop under $1000, but at the same time by spending a few more hundred dollars, you can get a laptop that is more powerful and lasts longer.

Screen size is important as well, and it is very subjective. A lot of folks love laptops with large screens. Macbooks come with a 13.3" screen. Not everybody is going to able to enjoy such a small screen. Netbooks have even smaller screens. You should choose a laptop that comes with the right screen, so you can more work done without wishing you had a bigger or smaller screen.

CPU clock is another factor that you should be concerned about when buy a new laptop. You can always spend a fortune getting the latest laptop on the market, but why pay a premium when you can settle for a fairly new system that comes with enough power to help you get your work done. The same approach can be applied to RAM and hard drive. You can get as much as 8 GB ram on some laptops, but why pay more when you can get your work done with only 4 GB of Ram.

Before spending your hard earned money in buying that laptop make sure to weigh things carefully. If you want a laptop that can replace your desktop computer then go for the high performance hardware. On the other hand if your priority is portability you may go for those lighter ones with smaller screens.

Deciding to buy a laptop is really something big. You have to clear your mind about your reasons why you want to use a laptop. In this way, you will be able to choose a laptop that can suffice the amount of dollars that you are willing to spend and that it enables you to fulfill your work easily.

Warranties on Refurbished Laptops

Mon, 04 May 2009 11:37:54 -0700

Laptop warranties from the manufactures are very deceptive to say the least. It always amazes me when I purchase a new laptop what type of warranty hog-wash the computer manufactures are willing to print and distribute to the consumer.

Lets go over a warranty from a laptop I purchased last week. In the warranty the manufacture claims that the laptop is free from defects in workmanship for a period of 12 months. But goes on to say in the same paragraph that the warranty does not include failure caused by improper operation or normal wear and tear; does this mean that my teenager, who is a known abuser of the T.V., car, and stereo, who is very hard on the computer keypad will absolve the warranty?

The next issue is the battery. Most warranties plans for laptops have no warranty coverage for the battery. This particular laptop warranty covered the battery for 6 months. What happened to the 12 month warranty? Is the battery not part of the laptops main components? I know I could not use the laptop without the battery. What type of wishy-washy nonsense is the manufactures trying push down our throats?

The next paragraph of the warranty states that if you ship your laptop to the manufacturer, the warranty may be voided if the manufacturer believes the laptop was damaged due to improper packaging of the laptop. I consider myself an expert in the field of laptops, but I can never get the laptop back (perfectly) in the original box the laptop came in.

Its estimated that people who return their laptop (within 30 days) after purchase only account for 4 percent of the over-all refurbished market. The other 96 percent of refurbished laptops re-sold are between two and three years old, which the standard and extended manufactures warranties have expired.

The people who have purchased refurbished laptops are very happy with the over-all condition of the refurbished laptop, and are very happy the significant cost savings over a brand new laptop.

You send the damaged laptop back to the distributor at your expense, and then distributor sends back a check for $246.50. But the total price to buy the laptop was $400 dollars. What happened to my money?

Lets take a look. The price of the laptop was $290 dollars; they then charged a restocking fee of 15%, which brought the value down to $246.50 dollars. But you lost $110 in additional shipping costs to ship the laptop to you, and you spent another $110 dollars to ship the computer back to the distributor.

Its also very sad to see laptop distributors lying or bending the truth concerning warranties on refurbished computers. Most often I will notice a statement on their webpage that their refurbished computers come with a 30 day or 60 day limited manufacturers warranty"when in fact when you speak directly to the manufacture, they will quickly point out the manufacturers warranty has expired on a majority of the laptop series for a specific model.

But there are some very honest laptop distributors willing to tell you the truth concerning warranties, but they are few. Make certain if you buy a refurbished laptop; that it comes with a minimum of a 30 day money back guarantee, with a 100% store credit for 90 days so you can get a new laptop"just in case your computer breaks down.

If you want piece-of-mind when you buy a laptop, youre going to need a warranty service outside of the manufactures warranty. Its the only way youre going to protect yourself when buying a laptop. If you want a free 30 day, 100% money back guarantee, with a 90 day store credit to purchase a new laptop (if youre computer breaks); then our going to need a laptop distributor who is willing to stand behind their products.

And again, always get a warranty through the laptop distributor, beyond the manufacturers warranty"just in case youre refurbished laptop breaks (or any computer for that matter). Laptops are machines, and all machines break down sooner or later, so you might as well have a warranty that is on the consumer side versus the manufacturers.

Sincerely, John Roth

Protecting Your Laptop

Sun, 03 May 2009 11:57:47 -0700

Nowadays, laptop computers, commonly known as notebook computers are fast becoming popular and affordable. With this, wireless Internet is becoming rampant and more individuals are resorting to such portable devices. In fact, a lot of people choose these computers over the desktop computers. By having a laptop, people need not stay in one environment just to study or get their work done. People who use computers do have all the comfort that they can get while having a new-age computer nearby.

Laptops had become important to many people's lives. The bad thing about this is that laptops are prone to many dangers and hazards. Laptops are not really that sturdy and tough, many things can happen, things that can break and destroy this precious gadget.

Notebook computers are truly delicate and vulnerable and it is very crucial for the owners to keep their portable device protected all the time. They need to take note of every action that they do and they have to see to it that their computers are safe at all times.

The cases in which laptops are kept are absolutely safe. A laptop case will keep your laptop protected whenever you are not using it. Such laptop cases are ideal for keeping laptops in whenever these aren't being used to protect against mishaps like having things spill on them. They would prevent your laptop from getting damaged if it falls off a table or desk.

There are many laptop bags out there, from the manufacturers of the laptop itself and from 3rd party companies. So how can you tell which one is the best? The very 1st thing that you have to check is the laptop compartment. Your laptop should perfectly fit in that compartment, if it is loose, the laptop will be shaky inside and if it is so tight it will exert pressure that might break your laptop. Padding is also important. Both sides of the compartment should have one. And make sure it is thick enough. Thin padding is just like no padding at all.

Along with being created for security, laptop cases are made to be discrete and functional. Nowadays, the manufacturers are creating laptop cases that do not display the fact that you own and are carrying a laptop. A lot of these laptop cases are created to seem like bags for books or messenger bags, which typical students or on-the-go businessmen employ to bring their books and unimportant items along. A lot of them are made with extra storage space and sections which could keep books, notebooks, pens or whatever possessions its user would need to bring along with the computer. This results in one not having to use more than one bag.

Finally, cases for laptops now come in a huge selection of designs and colors; this means every owner could pick a case that shows his character. At first, majority of the makers made the cases for laptops come in gray or black but nowadays, these cases are in whatever imaginable colors and designs there are. Often, the makers also design specialized cases for individual persons.

Laptops are a big help to many people. A laptop can help organize, communicate, create, and more. A laptop is very important as it is fragile. It is not something that you can just play around with. Having a good laptop bag is a very good measure in protecting your gadget.

Acer Aspire One Notebook

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 09:35:43 -0700

A lot of folks incorrectly assume that a small laptop is not as powerful as a full size machine. They figure there is no way that a mini laptop could hold as many features as their bigger cousins. Anyone who has ever seen or used an Acer Aspire One Mini Laptop can tell you this is one mini that is different. It may only weigh 2.78 pounds and have an 8.9-inch LCD monitor, but it still packs in a whopping 160 GB hard drive and an impressive 1 GB of memory. Plenty of function but in a small portable package.

No matter what the day demands, emails, checking the stock market, chatting with friends this little portable laptop can help you get the job done. The Acer Aspire Mini laptop gives you a simple operating system that organizes everything simply and intuitively. Work or play this mini laptop has you covered.

Battery Life- If you have ever used a laptop on the go you know they are seldom good for more than an hour or so on battery alone. The Acer Aspire is a laptop with an amazing battery life. Recently I used my laptop away from any power source only expecting to play my favorite game for a short time. Four hours later my laptop was still going strong! If that was not surprising enough once I closed the game there was still an additional hour and fifteen minutes of battery time left!

People will notice your portable machine. They even come in many colors which will make your mini laptop stand out more.

Listed below are the technical specs for the Aspire One, this should give you a clear picture of just how wonderful this mini laptop is:

Connection Ports- 2.0 USB (x 3), VGA monitor, headphone, Ethernet Accessories- Lithium ion battery- 6 cell, user manual, AC cord, USB mouse, 4 GB flash drive, Power adapter Software- Adobe Reader, McAfee Security, MS office 2007 trial version, Acer launch manager, Acer Recovery

Do you want a lightweight portable laptop that is eye catching and yet still offers the functionality you need? Look no further than The Acer Aspire Mini laptop! It will give you all you need as far as capability and function and look fantastic doing it. Whether you are meeting work deadlines or playing Runescape this is a perfect machine for doing it on the go.

How To Keep Your Laptop In Good Condition

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 08:19:29 -0700

Regardless of your intention of why you bought yourself a laptop, having one is very important not just because it is a good investment, but because of the amount of data that you can store. Additionally, when your laptop ceases to function properly, you have to spend time repairing it, thus compromising your work.

If you want to keep your laptop at its best shape read on:

1.Vent Cleaning: It is important to check the vents of your laptop at least once a week to make sure that there are no obstructions that can cripple its performance. You can purchase a can of air. Remember, poking is not the best thing to do if you want to clean the vent of your laptop.

2.Fan Functioning: If the fan of your laptop malfunctions, your laptop can end up overheating. Thus, you have to make sure that the fan is properly functioning. You can check the website of the brand of your laptop and search for a software that can help you identify whether your fan is working properly or not.

3. Surface: There should never be any obstructions in the air flow of the laptop. Always put the laptop in a hard and flat surface while it is on and running this will make air flow freely from the vents and fans. Do not put your laptop over a pillow or on your lap, this will hinder air flow and there will be a big chance that it will overheat.

4. Storage: To protect your laptop from dust, spills, and bumps buy a good quality laptop bag and not just a sleeve. In buying a laptop bag make sure that the laptop compartment is properly padded, pads should be on both sides. Before putting the laptop into a bag make sure it is completely off to avoid overheating.

5. Liquids: Any liquids should be kept away from the laptop to avoid mishaps. But if you cannot avoid it just make sure the container you are using will have a cover and cover it all the time.

6. Shocks: Make sure the laptop is well protected when you move it around, and always move it gently to avoid jarring it and breaking something.

7. Humidity: Always check the humidity of the place where your laptop is. Humidity can damage the motherboard of your laptop, as well as the screen. Never use your laptop when you are at the beach or whenever the weather is a bit humid.

8. Dust: Properly store your laptop in a bag or sleeve when not in use, this will avoid dust from getting inside the housing. Clean the keyboard and the screen weekly using a micro fiber cloth.

9. Floor- Do not put your laptop on the floor and leaving it there for a couple of hours. Someone might step on it without realizing that it is a laptop.

10. Surge Protectors: Like any other electronic device laptop must be protected from power surge. When charging it will be best to connect the charger in an automatic voltage regulator not just in those wall outlets.

These few tips should keep your laptop in good condition for years to come and enable you to get great performance from it.