What you should know about Laptop Computers

Laptop computer systems keep growing in popularity because they keep increasing in performance and portability. Many companies are marketing notebooks as a replacement for desktop PCs. But so far only a few can perform at the level of a desktop system, particularly the graphics. Just follow this guide to help you to learn some of the key things you'll want to consider before purchasing your next Desktop PC or Laptop System.

Weight and Size of Laptops
Of course the size and weight is very important when you want a notebook computer. The ultra portables offer light weight and sizes. But you lose items such as optical drives. The desktop replacements have power that is equivalent to desktop systems, but they are quite bulky and heavy too. This makes them difficult to carry around. When purchasing a laptop be sure to check the weight (online it should tell you the poundage) in person just pick it up and see how it feels. Then you will know if this is a system you are willing to carry around.

The Processors (CPU)
The laptop processor still lags behind the desktop, although they make up for the lag with their energy efficiency. You should look at the purpose of the notebook processor to decide which one you will need. A replacement for your desktop PC should be a high end processor which would be rated at least 2.0 GHz or higher.

The Memory
In general laptop computers are more restricted in the amount of memory they can have, in comparison to Desktop PCs. Be sure to check the maximum amount of memory the notebook will handle and how much is already installed. You should also find out it the memory can be upgraded at home or only by a tech.

The Display
For Laptop computers you have to look at the native resolution of the screen as the size. Most people prefer a large screen but some have to large of a resolution and it makes standard fonts very difficult to see. The size of the screen will determine the size of the notebook. The newest systems with 17' screens are large and hard to carry around.

The Drive
The hard drive in laptops is straightforward but you will have to check the optical drive because it is very important. One of the cool things about the new laptops is there ability to turn into a portable DVD player. The DVD-FOM or CD-RW combo drive you can watch DVD movies on your computer or plug into your home theater system! A lot of ultra portable laptops don't include the internal optical drive to save on space. So if it is important to watch movies or videos be sure to choose the right notebook with a good internal optical drive.

The Net
Everyone, these days, of course wants to be able to connect to the Internet so look for a laptop computer which includes a built in 56Kbps modem and Fast Ethernet. If you want the ultimate of portability you should get a notebook with computer an integrated 802.11b wireless adapter.

The Battery Life
Be sure to check the laptop manufacturer’s listed battery life for the standard battery. Some will be only 30 minutes per charge! Try to find one that will last at least two hours for normal conditions. If you need longer than that look for a notebook with media bays, because they double as extra battery slots.

The Warranty
Because of the nature of the laptop, being moved around all the time they are more prone to breaking down. So look for a manufacturer warranty of at least one year. If you will be using the notebook a lot a three year manufacturer warranty may be better for you.

Thanx for reading I hope this helps in your furture purchases
Bonnie Archer

Laptops

Five Things To Consider Before Purchasing A Notebook Computer:

There Portable
Extremely lightweight typically weighing less than six pounds a notebook computer will easily fit into a briefcase. Obviously the main reason anyone would purchase a laptop is because it is portable. If you plan to use your notebook computer only in one place than you should buy a desktop computer. Why? Because of the expense, a laptop or notebook computer will cost about twice as much as a desktop that is equipped with the same components. But for those who need the portability it is well worth the cost.

Power and Speed:
Next you should consider the speed you need, or I should say 'want' in your notebook computer. As far as computing power goes, modern notebooks are almost equivalent to desktop PCs. Basically they have all the same components in them: CPUs, memory, capacity, and drives. With all this power in a small package it can get expensive! But if you are a person on the go it is well worth it.

Display Screen:
The quality of the notebook computer display screen will vary greatly. They now have flat panel technologies that will give you a non-bulky, lightweight display screen. Many laptop screens use VGA resolution, although active-matrix screens have sharper images but won't refresh, as quickly as desktop monitors will.

Power Source:
Laptop or notebook computers will run on battery packs that will have to be re-charged. However they can also be plugged in.

Warranties:
Be certain you check the warranty before purchasing a notebook computer. You should know where and how it will be repaired if something happens to it. Don't count on new/small companies' warranties because they may not be in business long. Laptops are moved around a lot so it would be a good idea to get an additional maintenance contract if it is important to always have your notebook computer working. Also, be absolutely sure you check the store return policy! Make sure it is returnable just in case, some stores have a 30-day policy but not all of them!

These are the main considerations when purchasing a notebook or laptop computer. Do you homework and know what you want. Then you will make the right purchase.

Notebook Computer

Questions To Answer Before Buying That New Computer Monitor

Aesthetics and display size are important when purchasing a new computer monitor, but here are several more very important questions to ask.

What will you use your new computer monitor for?
You should think about what type of work you will be doing on your new computer monitor. While one monitor may be great for graphics, you may not need so much for things like spreadsheets.

Where will you use your new computer monitor?
This can be a critical question. Is your space limited? If so you obviously won't want a big bulky computer monitor hogging the space you do have. If this is the case you should consider an LCD instead of a CRT because they are more compact and would definitely leave you more free space.

Here are a few things to consider when deciding between a CRT and a LCD computer monitor. Display size; with an LCD monitor the size it says will be the actual display size. On the other hand, a CRT says 19" but it will only have 18" of actual viewable screen. Resolution on a typical 19" CRT monitor can have a resolution between 800x600 to 1600x1200. But with LCD monitors the resolution is usually set and cannot be changed. If you do lower or raise the resolution it may distort the image.

LCD computer monitors use less than half of the power a CRT computer monitor uses. But CRT monitors responded more quickly than LCDs. It will only be a problem when you use programs that frequently change images like some graphic software and games.

As far as the price CRT computer monitors are two to three times cheaper than LCDs of the same size. But if you buy an LCD that is 15" you have a viewing space of 15 inches. Where as the 15" CRT you have 14 inches of viewable screen.

That brings us to what size new computer monitor do you need? Generally a 17" LCD or 19" CRT will give you the most favorable and comfortable viewing area for most purposes. If you are an avid gamer or into commercial drafting or animation you may need a larger screen. Your best choice may be a CRT computer monitor when comparing the costs of the 21" models due to high costs of similar LCDS.

You've learned a lot about computer monitors now and you should have a good idea what your needs are. You are ready to start comparison-shopping. Another good idea would be to ask your friends what they use and what they like and dislike about their computer monitor.

Good luck! --


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Things you should consider before purchasing a Laptop or Notebook Computer

Five Reasons Why You May Consider Buying A Laptop Or Notebook Computer

There Portable!
Extremely lightweight typically weighing less than six pounds and easily fit into a briefcase. Obviously the main reason anyone would purchase a laptop is because it is portable. If you plan to use your notebook only in one place than you should buy a desktop computer. Why? Because of the expense, a laptop or notebook costs about twice as much as a desktop that is equipped with the same components. I know I was quite surprised myself when I started doing new computer research. But for those who need the portability it is well worth the cost.

Power and Speed:
Next you should consider the speed you need, or I should say 'want' in your laptop. As far as computing power goes, modern notebooks are almost equivalent to desktop PCs. Basically they have all the same components in them: CPUs, memory, capacity, and drives. With all this power in a small package it can get expensive! But if you are a person on the go it is well worth it.

Display Screen:
The quality of laptop display screens will vary greatly. They now have flat panel technologies that will give you a non-bulky, lightweight display screen. Many notebook screens use VGA resolution, although active-matrix screens have sharper images but won't refresh, as quickly as desktop monitors will.

Power Source:
Laptop or notebook computers will run on battery packs that will have to be re-charged. However they can also be plugged in.

Warranties:
Be certain you check the warranty before purchasing a laptop computer. You should know where and how it will be repaired if something happens to it. Don't count on new/small companies' warranties because they may not be in business long. Laptops are moved around a lot so it would be a good idea to get an additional maintenance contract if it is important to always have your notebook working. Also, be absolutely sure you check the store return policy! Make sure it is returnable just in case, some stores have a 30-day policy but not all of them!

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Computer Accessories We All Want For Our New Computer!

Printers

A computer accessory we all need. From inexpensive ink jets to monochrome and color lasers, different printers are designed to do different jobs with your computer. You will have a few choices to make when getting your new printer: price, speed, and print quality are the main ones. Ink jet printers and digital cameras are changing how we print photographs. Load your printer up with special photo inks and paper and ink jet/bubble jet printers have become one of the best options for transforming a digital image into a photograph! For speed and razor sharp text the monochrome laser printers are fantastic.

Scanner

This computer accessory is for input into your computer. Graphic designers will use a scanner often to input pictures etc. If you don't have a digital camera a scanner is the only other way to get pictures into your computer to email, manipulate, add to cards, etc.

Speakers

These are computer accessories that most computers come equipped with. But some people like 'game players' want to upgrade for surround sound. You will find many different versions and brands.

Keyboard and Mouse

These are also computer accessories that usually come with a computer system. Although most people will have to purchase new ones during the life of their computer. This is because they do not last as long as the computer system itself. Of course, it is dependent on how much you use them, how rough you are on them, and how clean you keep them.

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Should I use recycled ink cartridges?

In my opinion everyone should be using recycled ink cartridges! Why not? The quality is the same and you can get savings of up to fifty percent off. But most important is our environment! There are millions of ink cartridges bought every year and only 10-15 percent are currently recycled. Each time you finish a inkjet cartridge you can drop it at an office supply store or obtain an envelope to recycle it. Even Best Buy has a bin you can drop them into to be recycled. I use hp and with each new cartridge you get an envelope to mail your used cartridge back to be recycled, I like that, it is even pre-paid postage! So the use of recycled ink cartridges is a win win!

Will the print quality of a recycled ink cartridge be the same as a new ink cartridge?

Most manufacturers only use high quality inks, which are specifically for inkjet cartridges. They should guarantee the print quality, check the policy before purchasing.

Will I get the same number of print pages with a remanufactured cartridge?

All recycled inkcartridges have a specific amount of ink to begin their lifespan and that determines the printing capacity. Each cartridge is weighed for the correct amount of ink during processing and re-checked during quality control.

Bonnie Archer
A1-computers.net

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Is it all right if I keep printing when my ink cartridge is showing signs of running out of ink?

Just as you would not let your car run empty on gas, you also should not let your ink tank run empty. Several reasons: The Ink helps the resistors from overheating. So printing on empty can cause un-reparable heat damage to those resistors. If you use three-color cartridges and one color runs out you are risking damaging the cartridge if you continue to use it with only one tank empty! So, keep at least one extra on hand so you never have to worry about damaging your printer. And you know when you don't have extra they always run out when your daughter has a report due tomorrow and its midnight!

How do I know my ink cartridge is running low?

Many modern printers will tell you when it is running low by popping up a message on your computer screen. But if not here are two good ways to tell: white streaks or lighter than normal print or pictures. Sometimes a clogged nozzle can cause these same problems these so be sure to check that out also.


B. Archer
A1-Computers.net

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