Did Santa or a loved one give you a new computer or other electronics for christmas? So now what to do with the old one(s)? You recycle them ofcourse!
If you were fortunate enough to get a new computer, VCR, television under the tree, you may be left with the delimma of what to do with the old one.
A1-Computers encourages people to recycle their old electronics rather than throwing them away in the landfill. Did you know that many of the components can be manufactured into other things? Recycling companies can grind down computer parts and turn them into sheets of aluminum, car parts, and any number of other new products.
They will do a lot better being recycled than dumped in a landfill somewhere. The pieces in it, the metals and the wires especially in PC`s. They have things that can be reused and rebuilt. . .
To read the rest of this article on recycle your computer and to find out how you can recycle your computers visit the above link.
Tuesday, December 27, 2005
Sunday, December 25, 2005
Apple Owns the iPod
By Eddie Miller
Munster, a leading analyst, said that within five years, Apple could release an iPod with one terabyte of storage - that's almost 17 times the maximum amount of iPod storage Apple currently offers. Munster realistically images an iPod device that can store literally hundreds of full length, high quality videos on top of songs and pictures. A price range for this beast? It is currently predicted to be around $500.
Get an iPod shuffle Personalized with Free Engraving Exclusively at the Apple Store
Other speculatory items include things such as an iPhone, which would basically be an iPod cell phone. Indeed, this option is a very feasible one, one that Apple is expected to take due to its interest in expanding into the mobile phone market. More Mac programs expanding the use of the iPod and other peripherals for it are also expected.
Needless to say, the future of the iPod looks like a bright one indeed. There is really only one way that it appears it can head from here, up.
Official iPod Store: New iPod models in stock. Buy from Apple, get free shipping
For more information on computer accessories visit our website. Be sure to check out our computer accessories directory near the bottom of the page for our recomended online resoruces to get the best deals on your next computer and accessories.
About the author:
UK MP3 are the UK's foremost MP3 player shop and review site. We write accurate, unbiased reviews of all the MP3 players we stock, and have a large number of customer reviews
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eddie_Miller
MP3 Audio
Everyone knows that Apple owns the mp3 business. Their genius little iPod device has consumers worldwide spinning with each new release due to a plethora of features packed into pure quality. Due to this, it is only natural that analysts would make predictions as to what the next big move by Apple might be for its iPod line of products. However, this prediction definitely comes at a surprise.
Munster, a leading analyst, said that within five years, Apple could release an iPod with one terabyte of storage - that's almost 17 times the maximum amount of iPod storage Apple currently offers. Munster realistically images an iPod device that can store literally hundreds of full length, high quality videos on top of songs and pictures. A price range for this beast? It is currently predicted to be around $500.
Get an iPod shuffle Personalized with Free Engraving Exclusively at the Apple Store
Other speculatory items include things such as an iPhone, which would basically be an iPod cell phone. Indeed, this option is a very feasible one, one that Apple is expected to take due to its interest in expanding into the mobile phone market. More Mac programs expanding the use of the iPod and other peripherals for it are also expected.
Needless to say, the future of the iPod looks like a bright one indeed. There is really only one way that it appears it can head from here, up.
Official iPod Store: New iPod models in stock. Buy from Apple, get free shipping
For more information on computer accessories visit our website. Be sure to check out our computer accessories directory near the bottom of the page for our recomended online resoruces to get the best deals on your next computer and accessories.
About the author:
UK MP3 are the UK's foremost MP3 player shop and review site. We write accurate, unbiased reviews of all the MP3 players we stock, and have a large number of customer reviews
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eddie_Miller
Thursday, December 22, 2005
The Best Rated Laptops Of The Year
By Garry Allen
The best rated laptop award changes not only from year to year, but it can and does change just as quickly from month to month.
Heck, with the major players out there like Dell, IBM, Compaq and HP just to name a few, competition is absolutely fierce!
But one thing is for sure.
This years best rated laptops all seem to have one thing in common. They are all called Apples!
Apple has taken this honor from several leading computing and electronics magazines, and the trend in sales seem to suggest that consumers are feeling the same way about them, as well.
Laptops such as the apple powerbook and ibook have helped apple stand tall among the major players in the computing world.
In 2004 alone, apple announced that it had an overall net income growth of 300 percent. That equals to a profit of $295 million in the last quarter. And if you are a stock holder that certainly must put a smile on your face. I know it does for me, and a number of my friends.
Single computer model sales are also showing the same trend. For instance, the ipod desktop version disappeared off the shelves at the rate of 4.5 million per year. The imac tripled its sales!
Apples share of the international market may still be lagging behind, though. Dell still has top honors with 18 percent of the world market. HP comes in a close second with 16 percent. And in a distant third, IBM brings in 6 percent of the share.
Apple can put a dent in those figures though with the press they have been getting lately. In fact, apple won the 2004 Readers Choice award for the brand with the most impact on an international scale. It had beat out Google, which had been the winner of this award for two years running.
No matter what awards for best rated laptops or what percentages of the world market that apple acquires over the next few years, you can be rest assured that apple will continue to put out the innovative products that they are known for.
Just take a look at the software that is featured on apples laptops and desktop computers. Such admiration of application design as iphoto and itunes make apple so popular just because these programs are so useful and yet they are so easy to use.
See if you can say that about the software that comes standard with most other mp3 players or digital cameras. It's this powerful but symplistic design that makes apples some of the best rated laptops available today.
One other point I would like to make. In 2006, we will see Apples with intel chips instead of the current IBM chips. Will this improve the performance of the apple laptops and computers, I don't think so, at least not right away. But it will possibly help apple to grow and expand in the market.
In the future, I believe you will see vast improvements in performance with this change making apple computers and laptops even better than what's available today.
For information on purchasing a cheap laptop visit our website. Be sure to check out the Laptop Directory for our recomended online resources to get the best deals on your next laptop.
Get free information, articles and reviews for all your computing needs at http://www.best-rated-laptops-and-computers.info.
The best rated laptop award changes not only from year to year, but it can and does change just as quickly from month to month.
Heck, with the major players out there like Dell, IBM, Compaq and HP just to name a few, competition is absolutely fierce!
But one thing is for sure.
This years best rated laptops all seem to have one thing in common. They are all called Apples!
Apple has taken this honor from several leading computing and electronics magazines, and the trend in sales seem to suggest that consumers are feeling the same way about them, as well.
Laptops such as the apple powerbook and ibook have helped apple stand tall among the major players in the computing world.
In 2004 alone, apple announced that it had an overall net income growth of 300 percent. That equals to a profit of $295 million in the last quarter. And if you are a stock holder that certainly must put a smile on your face. I know it does for me, and a number of my friends.
Single computer model sales are also showing the same trend. For instance, the ipod desktop version disappeared off the shelves at the rate of 4.5 million per year. The imac tripled its sales!
Apples share of the international market may still be lagging behind, though. Dell still has top honors with 18 percent of the world market. HP comes in a close second with 16 percent. And in a distant third, IBM brings in 6 percent of the share.
Apple can put a dent in those figures though with the press they have been getting lately. In fact, apple won the 2004 Readers Choice award for the brand with the most impact on an international scale. It had beat out Google, which had been the winner of this award for two years running.
No matter what awards for best rated laptops or what percentages of the world market that apple acquires over the next few years, you can be rest assured that apple will continue to put out the innovative products that they are known for.
Just take a look at the software that is featured on apples laptops and desktop computers. Such admiration of application design as iphoto and itunes make apple so popular just because these programs are so useful and yet they are so easy to use.
See if you can say that about the software that comes standard with most other mp3 players or digital cameras. It's this powerful but symplistic design that makes apples some of the best rated laptops available today.
One other point I would like to make. In 2006, we will see Apples with intel chips instead of the current IBM chips. Will this improve the performance of the apple laptops and computers, I don't think so, at least not right away. But it will possibly help apple to grow and expand in the market.
In the future, I believe you will see vast improvements in performance with this change making apple computers and laptops even better than what's available today.
For information on purchasing a cheap laptop visit our website. Be sure to check out the Laptop Directory for our recomended online resources to get the best deals on your next laptop.
Get free information, articles and reviews for all your computing needs at http://www.best-rated-laptops-and-computers.info.
5 Things You Can Do With Flash Memory
Got flash memory cards? They aren’t only for your digital camera. Probably the coolest yet overlooked ways to use your flash memory card is as floppy drive replacement. Think about it, a flash memory card is really a form of storage disk.
Most notebook computers today don’t come with a floppy drive anymore. I’ve personally been in situations where I needed to share a file with someone and haven’t been able to because they handed me a floppy disk.
If you already own a card or a digital camera, chances are you already have the necessary equipment to read the card and transfer files to and from them. If you don’t it’s easy. Get yourself a flash memory card reader – they are so inexpensive these days you can even pick one up free after rebate if you watch the deals. Hookup it up to your computer and pop in the card. It will show up on your computer as a new drive. When you’re ready to save data to it, just drag and drop. It’s no different than a regular floppy or hard drive. Once you see in this light there is a whole bunch of things you can use your flash memory card for and here are 5 ideas for you.
1. Use as a greeting card: Hey there’s always an occasion around the corner. If you’re already thinking of sending a CD greeting card – use your flash memory card instead. With the large storage sizes you can afford to have multimedia in your ecards too and when that person gets tired of it, the card itself is a gift for their computing convenience. As if that wasn’t enough, you can probably get by with less postage too.
2. Use as media storage: One of the best things about flash memory cards is how much its small physical size can pack in. With memory sizes up to several Gigabytes, you could use it to store your media like video clips, picture clips, audio files and just about any downloadable content. Its small size also makes it highly portable without taking up valuable space on your notebook computer hard drive.
3. Sharing files or transferring files from one computer to another: If you need to do this often, here’s a quick tip. Carry with you a USB card reader. Many of them are very compact and no heavier than your cell phone. Doing this has advantages over carrying a flash memory drive. Flash memory cards are smaller and a tiny catalog of cards can offer you much more memory than a flash drive. Better carry two things than a bunch of drives.
4. Build yourself an ebook library: Are you a book worm? One tiny flash memory card can store a lot of ebooks since most text based files are smaller than media files. You can store whole libraries of ebooks in various topics either on one card or dedicate one for each topic you are interested in. Again, they are easy to share and very portable – you’ll never run out of reading material again even when on the road.
5. Run small software from it: Yes, there are tiny software that don’t need to be installed and can run from the card itself. This is particularly helpful when you’re using someone else’s computer. Now you can carry your software with you too.
Now that you know – gather up those flash memory cards and start using them. Just because your new camera isn’t compatible with it doesn’t mean you should let it go to waste and the best part is, you won’t have to worry about obsolete cards anymore.
Most notebook computers today don’t come with a floppy drive anymore. I’ve personally been in situations where I needed to share a file with someone and haven’t been able to because they handed me a floppy disk.
If you already own a card or a digital camera, chances are you already have the necessary equipment to read the card and transfer files to and from them. If you don’t it’s easy. Get yourself a flash memory card reader – they are so inexpensive these days you can even pick one up free after rebate if you watch the deals. Hookup it up to your computer and pop in the card. It will show up on your computer as a new drive. When you’re ready to save data to it, just drag and drop. It’s no different than a regular floppy or hard drive. Once you see in this light there is a whole bunch of things you can use your flash memory card for and here are 5 ideas for you.
1. Use as a greeting card: Hey there’s always an occasion around the corner. If you’re already thinking of sending a CD greeting card – use your flash memory card instead. With the large storage sizes you can afford to have multimedia in your ecards too and when that person gets tired of it, the card itself is a gift for their computing convenience. As if that wasn’t enough, you can probably get by with less postage too.
2. Use as media storage: One of the best things about flash memory cards is how much its small physical size can pack in. With memory sizes up to several Gigabytes, you could use it to store your media like video clips, picture clips, audio files and just about any downloadable content. Its small size also makes it highly portable without taking up valuable space on your notebook computer hard drive.
3. Sharing files or transferring files from one computer to another: If you need to do this often, here’s a quick tip. Carry with you a USB card reader. Many of them are very compact and no heavier than your cell phone. Doing this has advantages over carrying a flash memory drive. Flash memory cards are smaller and a tiny catalog of cards can offer you much more memory than a flash drive. Better carry two things than a bunch of drives.
4. Build yourself an ebook library: Are you a book worm? One tiny flash memory card can store a lot of ebooks since most text based files are smaller than media files. You can store whole libraries of ebooks in various topics either on one card or dedicate one for each topic you are interested in. Again, they are easy to share and very portable – you’ll never run out of reading material again even when on the road.
5. Run small software from it: Yes, there are tiny software that don’t need to be installed and can run from the card itself. This is particularly helpful when you’re using someone else’s computer. Now you can carry your software with you too.
Now that you know – gather up those flash memory cards and start using them. Just because your new camera isn’t compatible with it doesn’t mean you should let it go to waste and the best part is, you won’t have to worry about obsolete cards anymore.
Lynn Chan simplifies computing and computer care issues for new notebook computer owners. Start protecting your investment, with a free notebook computer care tutorial
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lynn_Chan
Wednesday, December 21, 2005
How to Refill Your Ink Cartridge and Recycle It
We should all be recycleing our ink cartridges in one way or another for the earth's sake, also for our own health! A1-Computers--
The best way to re-fill an ink cartridge is to buy an ink re-filling kit. This can be bought from any online store selling ink cartridges. Along with this kit you would be provided with the necessary tools along with a set of instructions on how to go about filling-the-empty-ink-cartridge.
Here are a few simple instructions that could be followed to refill your cartridge and it’s not very complicated.
1. Draw the ink of any one colour with the help of the syringe provided in the re-fill kit. Ideally, this should be done over the sink. This is to make sure that even if some of it spills over no documents, clothes etc. gets ruined. The amount of ink each printer holds usually varies depending upon its manufacturers. For Example, in most Epson printers the black cartridge holds about 17ml of ink and the colour cartridges hold approximately 8ml. Please refer to the instructions on your refill kit to check how much ink should be injected into the cartridge.
2. A small hole needs to be made on top of the cartridge (Could be done with a ball point pen), one for each colour chamber. The hole should be at the top of the cartridge near the label. The needle should be pushed into the hole and the ink injected slowly. If the ink is not injected slowly, it could result in foaming and air bubbles could be formed. If this happens, the re-filled cartridge might not be able to print.
Caution: If this happens, hold the cartridge over a waste paper basket upside down and swing upwards and stop suddenly. This could rectify the problem. If it doesn’t then you could clean the ink heads with cleaner or try soaking the heads. This could remove any dry ink that is clogging the ink heads and allow the ink to flow freely again.
3. The re-fill holes need not be sealed, as there are already breather holes on top of the cartridge.
4. Any ink that is left over in the syringe can be returned to the bottle. The syringe needs to be cleaned with water and dried properly before using it for another colour. It might be handy to use different syringes for different colours.
5. Once the refilled cartridge is placed back in the printer, run the cleaning cycle 1 to 3 times. If there is any gap in printing, the cycle could be run a few more times till the problem is rectified.
Before placing the refilled cartridge back into the printer, you could hold it upside down just to make sure ink is not dripping out of the sponge.
Here are a few things that must be kept in mind before re-filling a cartridge
1. The cartridge needs to be refilled before it is completely empty. If this is not done, the cartridge can dry out completely and get clogged.
2. It might be a good idea to place the refilled cartridge into the printer and leave it alone overnight so that the pressure in the cartridge can stabilize.
3. While making the holes at the top of the cartridge, to inject ink, please make sure you do not hit it too hard or it might crack open the cartridge and make it worthless. It might also make a hairline crack and allow some air in, which in turn would dry the ink out prematurely.
4. Some of the newer models of printers have a green chip in their cartridges. Looking at the cartridge closely one can spot this chip. They are usually known as “Intellidge” cartridges. The chip keeps track of the ink levels in the cartridge and notifies the computer when the ink levels are low. A resetting chip can be used to reset the memory on the chip. With the help of this chip, the printer recognizes the cartridge as being full and allows the refilled cartridge to print.
A refill kit is considerably cheaper than a new cartridge and obviously promises more than just one re-fill. It is therefore, easier on the pocket, keeps us from adding more useless plastic to the environment and increases the life of a cartridge.
A re-fill kit typically contains:
1. Bottles of Ink
2. A bottle of cleaning solution
3. A 2 part syringe
4. A users manual
Something to look out for before buying refilled cartridges
There are some cartridges sold with the “Single Use Only” tag. It is illegal to refill these cartridges with any other ink. This is usually found in Lexmark cartridges. If these cartridges are sent for refilling or refilled cartridges are bought, technically one could face legal charges for doing so. The cartridges that are not marked “Single Use Only” usually come at a higher price.
For such cartridges Lexmark offers a 20% reduction in price if the customer agrees to send the cartridges back to Lexmark.
This does not mean that using refilled cartridges is illegal in any way. All one needs to watch out for is whether the maker has prevented a third party refilling for their own cartridges. This can be understood easily by looking out for any labels such as “Single Use Only”. If there is no such obvious label, it is absolutely all right to go ahead with refilling the empty ink cartridges.
For more information on computer accessories visit our website and surf around this blog.
John Sollars is the managing director of Solar Electronics, which are both ink and pc peripheral suppliers based in Shropshire, UK. To access a comprehensive online shop of original and re-manufactured ink cartridges please visit http://www.mega-office.co.uk
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Sollars
The best way to re-fill an ink cartridge is to buy an ink re-filling kit. This can be bought from any online store selling ink cartridges. Along with this kit you would be provided with the necessary tools along with a set of instructions on how to go about filling-the-empty-ink-cartridge.
Here are a few simple instructions that could be followed to refill your cartridge and it’s not very complicated.
1. Draw the ink of any one colour with the help of the syringe provided in the re-fill kit. Ideally, this should be done over the sink. This is to make sure that even if some of it spills over no documents, clothes etc. gets ruined. The amount of ink each printer holds usually varies depending upon its manufacturers. For Example, in most Epson printers the black cartridge holds about 17ml of ink and the colour cartridges hold approximately 8ml. Please refer to the instructions on your refill kit to check how much ink should be injected into the cartridge.
2. A small hole needs to be made on top of the cartridge (Could be done with a ball point pen), one for each colour chamber. The hole should be at the top of the cartridge near the label. The needle should be pushed into the hole and the ink injected slowly. If the ink is not injected slowly, it could result in foaming and air bubbles could be formed. If this happens, the re-filled cartridge might not be able to print.
Caution: If this happens, hold the cartridge over a waste paper basket upside down and swing upwards and stop suddenly. This could rectify the problem. If it doesn’t then you could clean the ink heads with cleaner or try soaking the heads. This could remove any dry ink that is clogging the ink heads and allow the ink to flow freely again.
3. The re-fill holes need not be sealed, as there are already breather holes on top of the cartridge.
4. Any ink that is left over in the syringe can be returned to the bottle. The syringe needs to be cleaned with water and dried properly before using it for another colour. It might be handy to use different syringes for different colours.
5. Once the refilled cartridge is placed back in the printer, run the cleaning cycle 1 to 3 times. If there is any gap in printing, the cycle could be run a few more times till the problem is rectified.
Before placing the refilled cartridge back into the printer, you could hold it upside down just to make sure ink is not dripping out of the sponge.
Here are a few things that must be kept in mind before re-filling a cartridge
1. The cartridge needs to be refilled before it is completely empty. If this is not done, the cartridge can dry out completely and get clogged.
2. It might be a good idea to place the refilled cartridge into the printer and leave it alone overnight so that the pressure in the cartridge can stabilize.
3. While making the holes at the top of the cartridge, to inject ink, please make sure you do not hit it too hard or it might crack open the cartridge and make it worthless. It might also make a hairline crack and allow some air in, which in turn would dry the ink out prematurely.
4. Some of the newer models of printers have a green chip in their cartridges. Looking at the cartridge closely one can spot this chip. They are usually known as “Intellidge” cartridges. The chip keeps track of the ink levels in the cartridge and notifies the computer when the ink levels are low. A resetting chip can be used to reset the memory on the chip. With the help of this chip, the printer recognizes the cartridge as being full and allows the refilled cartridge to print.
A refill kit is considerably cheaper than a new cartridge and obviously promises more than just one re-fill. It is therefore, easier on the pocket, keeps us from adding more useless plastic to the environment and increases the life of a cartridge.
A re-fill kit typically contains:
1. Bottles of Ink
2. A bottle of cleaning solution
3. A 2 part syringe
4. A users manual
Something to look out for before buying refilled cartridges
There are some cartridges sold with the “Single Use Only” tag. It is illegal to refill these cartridges with any other ink. This is usually found in Lexmark cartridges. If these cartridges are sent for refilling or refilled cartridges are bought, technically one could face legal charges for doing so. The cartridges that are not marked “Single Use Only” usually come at a higher price.
For such cartridges Lexmark offers a 20% reduction in price if the customer agrees to send the cartridges back to Lexmark.
This does not mean that using refilled cartridges is illegal in any way. All one needs to watch out for is whether the maker has prevented a third party refilling for their own cartridges. This can be understood easily by looking out for any labels such as “Single Use Only”. If there is no such obvious label, it is absolutely all right to go ahead with refilling the empty ink cartridges.
For more information on computer accessories visit our website and surf around this blog.
John Sollars is the managing director of Solar Electronics, which are both ink and pc peripheral suppliers based in Shropshire, UK. To access a comprehensive online shop of original and re-manufactured ink cartridges please visit http://www.mega-office.co.uk
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Sollars
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
Build Your Own Computer
If I can do it so can you!
Im eighty-one years old and I bought my first computer six years ago. When I bought it I hardly knew how to turn it on. I consider myself still a Newbie as I have barely scratched the surface of computer technology. I have succesfully built about a dozen computers for family friends and myself. I even sold a couple of them.
Building a computer doesnt require a high degree of technical skill, however it does require a little mechanical aptitude. Building may not be the proper term, assembling would be more appropriate. Thats actually what you do, you assemle the right components then install an operating system which is the only phase of the project that requires any technical ability.
Building your own computer has several advantages, for one you can save some money. But do not get the idea that you can sell them at a profit. Theres too much competition at the low end. All the major manufacturers have budget models, most of which you can buy with substantial rebates and good warrantees You have a number of options, you can build from scratch or you can build from a barebones kit. I recommend the latter for your first attempt. You also have the choice of using all new components or using some recycled parts.
If you have a reasonably up to date PC that died ther are probably a number of parts that you can re-use, and you can buy a lot of good used components from eBay and other online sources. Refurbished computer parts are a good option.
The first thing you have to do is determine your requirements. If you're going to just surf the Internet, do e-mail and a bit of printing, go for the cheapest you can buy. You will still have plenty of capacity for simple tasks.
Next you have to decide whether to go with a barebones kit or do a complete build. Kits are recommended because generally that is the most economical way to go, and its definitely easier. Installing a mother- board can get dicey for the uninitiated. There are a lot of little wires to connect that can give you greif if they are not in the right place.
To read the rest of this article please click over to build your own computer on our website.
For all of A1-Computers Recomended computer sales-specials-coupons check out this page.
Im eighty-one years old and I bought my first computer six years ago. When I bought it I hardly knew how to turn it on. I consider myself still a Newbie as I have barely scratched the surface of computer technology. I have succesfully built about a dozen computers for family friends and myself. I even sold a couple of them.
Building a computer doesnt require a high degree of technical skill, however it does require a little mechanical aptitude. Building may not be the proper term, assembling would be more appropriate. Thats actually what you do, you assemle the right components then install an operating system which is the only phase of the project that requires any technical ability.
Building your own computer has several advantages, for one you can save some money. But do not get the idea that you can sell them at a profit. Theres too much competition at the low end. All the major manufacturers have budget models, most of which you can buy with substantial rebates and good warrantees You have a number of options, you can build from scratch or you can build from a barebones kit. I recommend the latter for your first attempt. You also have the choice of using all new components or using some recycled parts.
If you have a reasonably up to date PC that died ther are probably a number of parts that you can re-use, and you can buy a lot of good used components from eBay and other online sources. Refurbished computer parts are a good option.
The first thing you have to do is determine your requirements. If you're going to just surf the Internet, do e-mail and a bit of printing, go for the cheapest you can buy. You will still have plenty of capacity for simple tasks.
Next you have to decide whether to go with a barebones kit or do a complete build. Kits are recommended because generally that is the most economical way to go, and its definitely easier. Installing a mother- board can get dicey for the uninitiated. There are a lot of little wires to connect that can give you greif if they are not in the right place.
To read the rest of this article please click over to build your own computer on our website.
For all of A1-Computers Recomended computer sales-specials-coupons check out this page.
Saturday, December 17, 2005
Playing to Win - how to find the Best Gaming Laptop
Finding the best gaming laptop can be very frustrating at times. In fact, finding the best of any computer related products can be frustrating because the technology field is so fast paced.
One thing is for sure that whatever is top of the line today most assuredly will not be in the top in a couple of months.
As I said, the pace of technology is simply astounding. And it can also get pretty frustrating if you just bought what you thought was the king of gaming notebooks, only to have a new king appear on the market a few weeks later.
This is why it may be better to consider looking for certain qualities in a gaming computer, rather than a specific brand or model.
Models get switched out every so often.
Brands get hyped by the reporters and computer magazines one issue, only to have their reputations bashed in the next.
Instead, what I recommend is to hunt for consistent quality across the board instead of just a flash in the pixilated pan.
No matter what brand or model your considering, the best gaming laptop must first and foremost come with Intel Centrino mobile technology.
First off, these new chipsets make sure that your notebook doesn’t burn through its battery after only a few rounds of Doom III. And secondly, this mobile technology maximizes the graphic output, making images and movement appear smooth and crisp, not choppy and blurred.
Of course, to really appreciate these high-grade visuals, you need a large, potentially wide screen display. In the area of 14 or 15 inches, with wide angles and crystal clear imaging.
The extra display size may make your laptop a bit more unwieldy, but you’re there to play the computer, not lug it around.
Finally, to maximize your web gaming, you should get a laptop with the finest in wireless technology, such as Bluetooth and Wi Fi connectivity. These will add the mobile to your mobile gaming, allowing you to challenge the competition in San Diego, California and San Juan, Costa Rica.
Now when your comparing prices and models, it goes with out saying that you should maximize your hard drive space, games and graphics need alot of space. Also remember to maximize RAM memory, and processor speed as well. For all of these components are literally the backbone of any computer system, let alone the best gaming laptop.
For information on purchasing a cheap laptop visit our website. Be sure to check out the Laptop Directory for our recomended online resources to get the best deals on your next laptop.
Keep up to date with the latest information, tips, and reviews on the Best Rated laptop computers.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Garry_Allen
One thing is for sure that whatever is top of the line today most assuredly will not be in the top in a couple of months.
As I said, the pace of technology is simply astounding. And it can also get pretty frustrating if you just bought what you thought was the king of gaming notebooks, only to have a new king appear on the market a few weeks later.
This is why it may be better to consider looking for certain qualities in a gaming computer, rather than a specific brand or model.
Models get switched out every so often.
Brands get hyped by the reporters and computer magazines one issue, only to have their reputations bashed in the next.
Instead, what I recommend is to hunt for consistent quality across the board instead of just a flash in the pixilated pan.
No matter what brand or model your considering, the best gaming laptop must first and foremost come with Intel Centrino mobile technology.
First off, these new chipsets make sure that your notebook doesn’t burn through its battery after only a few rounds of Doom III. And secondly, this mobile technology maximizes the graphic output, making images and movement appear smooth and crisp, not choppy and blurred.
Of course, to really appreciate these high-grade visuals, you need a large, potentially wide screen display. In the area of 14 or 15 inches, with wide angles and crystal clear imaging.
The extra display size may make your laptop a bit more unwieldy, but you’re there to play the computer, not lug it around.
Finally, to maximize your web gaming, you should get a laptop with the finest in wireless technology, such as Bluetooth and Wi Fi connectivity. These will add the mobile to your mobile gaming, allowing you to challenge the competition in San Diego, California and San Juan, Costa Rica.
Now when your comparing prices and models, it goes with out saying that you should maximize your hard drive space, games and graphics need alot of space. Also remember to maximize RAM memory, and processor speed as well. For all of these components are literally the backbone of any computer system, let alone the best gaming laptop.
For information on purchasing a cheap laptop visit our website. Be sure to check out the Laptop Directory for our recomended online resources to get the best deals on your next laptop.
Keep up to date with the latest information, tips, and reviews on the Best Rated laptop computers.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Garry_Allen
Friday, December 16, 2005
Quick Guide to Wireless Networking
By Gary Hendricks
1. Essential Equipment
Right, let's move right along. The first thing to do in setting up a wireless home network is to get the correct equipment. These are the things you need:
Adware/Spyware Remover - Free Scan!
Wireless home networking kit
This is your basic equipment for the network. Typically, these home networking kits come with a firewalled wireless router (e.g. the immensely popular Linksys WRT54G). Some also bundle a wireless PC card for connecting laptops to the network, or a wireless USB adapter for connecting desktop PCs.
Windows installation CDs
These are required sometimes during installation of drivers, so its handy to have them around first.
Ethernet cables
These are required if you intend to mix wired PCs into a wireless network. For example, you can connect an Ethernet cable between the wireless router and a desktop PC.
2. Install the Wireless Router
Install the wireless router according to the manufacturer's instructions. Modern wireless home networking kits make this really easy. Just connect the wireless router to power supply, connect the wireless PC card to your laptop, or USB adapter (or Ethernet cable) to the desktop PC. Then insert the installation CD into one PC and start the software installation process.
As part of the setup process, you usually need to surf to a local IP address, e.g. 192.168.0.1 to setup basic parameters for the router. Most of the options can be left as default, with the exception of SSID (Service Set Identifier) and encryption settings, which are explained below.
3. Choose the Service Set Identifier
Wireless networks require a network identification code called the Service Set Identifier (SSID). When connecting devices to the network, this is the name you use to specify which network you're connecting to. Make sure you set up this parameter using the router setup page or utility.
4. Encrypt Your Wireless Network
Remember an intruder can easily gain access to an unencrypted network without too much trouble. Wireless networks these days usually use the WEP standard to set up encryption. To configure this, go to your router setup page or utility and enter the WEP security key (usually its a 128 bit hexdecimal text entry you need to key in).
Note this WEP key down. Now, go to each PC in your network. Open up the Control Panel -> Network Connections and select your wireless network connection. You need to enter the WEP key for the connection - the manufacturer's should have instructions on how to do this.
5. Sharing the Printer
If you intend to share a printer (say from your desktop), then go to your desktop, go to Control Panel and select Printers. Right-click your printer icon, and choose Properties. If there's a Shared tab in the dialog box that appears, click the tab and make sure the share option is selected.
Conclusion
Guess what? That's it! Setting up a wireless network is as simple as that. You can now easily check email, share files, or print documents from the comfort of your living room, garage or front porch! So what are you waiting for? Get busy and set up that wireless network now!
For information on purchasing a cheap laptop visit our website. Be sure to check out the Laptop Directory for our recomended online resources to get the best deals on your next laptop.
Gary Hendricks runs a hobby site on building computers. Visit his website at Build-Your-Own-Computers.com for tips and tricks on assembling a PC, as well as buying good computer components.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gary_Hendricks
1. Essential Equipment
Right, let's move right along. The first thing to do in setting up a wireless home network is to get the correct equipment. These are the things you need:
Adware/Spyware Remover - Free Scan!
Wireless home networking kit
This is your basic equipment for the network. Typically, these home networking kits come with a firewalled wireless router (e.g. the immensely popular Linksys WRT54G). Some also bundle a wireless PC card for connecting laptops to the network, or a wireless USB adapter for connecting desktop PCs.
Windows installation CDs
These are required sometimes during installation of drivers, so its handy to have them around first.
Ethernet cables
These are required if you intend to mix wired PCs into a wireless network. For example, you can connect an Ethernet cable between the wireless router and a desktop PC.
2. Install the Wireless Router
Install the wireless router according to the manufacturer's instructions. Modern wireless home networking kits make this really easy. Just connect the wireless router to power supply, connect the wireless PC card to your laptop, or USB adapter (or Ethernet cable) to the desktop PC. Then insert the installation CD into one PC and start the software installation process.
As part of the setup process, you usually need to surf to a local IP address, e.g. 192.168.0.1 to setup basic parameters for the router. Most of the options can be left as default, with the exception of SSID (Service Set Identifier) and encryption settings, which are explained below.
3. Choose the Service Set Identifier
Wireless networks require a network identification code called the Service Set Identifier (SSID). When connecting devices to the network, this is the name you use to specify which network you're connecting to. Make sure you set up this parameter using the router setup page or utility.
4. Encrypt Your Wireless Network
Remember an intruder can easily gain access to an unencrypted network without too much trouble. Wireless networks these days usually use the WEP standard to set up encryption. To configure this, go to your router setup page or utility and enter the WEP security key (usually its a 128 bit hexdecimal text entry you need to key in).
Note this WEP key down. Now, go to each PC in your network. Open up the Control Panel -> Network Connections and select your wireless network connection. You need to enter the WEP key for the connection - the manufacturer's should have instructions on how to do this.
5. Sharing the Printer
If you intend to share a printer (say from your desktop), then go to your desktop, go to Control Panel and select Printers. Right-click your printer icon, and choose Properties. If there's a Shared tab in the dialog box that appears, click the tab and make sure the share option is selected.
Conclusion
Guess what? That's it! Setting up a wireless network is as simple as that. You can now easily check email, share files, or print documents from the comfort of your living room, garage or front porch! So what are you waiting for? Get busy and set up that wireless network now!
For information on purchasing a cheap laptop visit our website. Be sure to check out the Laptop Directory for our recomended online resources to get the best deals on your next laptop.
Gary Hendricks runs a hobby site on building computers. Visit his website at Build-Your-Own-Computers.com for tips and tricks on assembling a PC, as well as buying good computer components.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gary_Hendricks
Friday, December 09, 2005
How To Take Care Of Your Laptop
Here are a few do's and don't's if you are unsure of how to take care of your new gizmo (laptop):
a. Do not put it on unstable work surfaces.
b. Do not expose it to any kind of moisture, extreme temperatures, strong electrical or magnetic fields or dirt or dusty environment.
c. Do not touch or press the display panel.
d. Before cleaning, disconnect first the AC power and remove the battery pack.
e. Before transporting it, turn it off and detach all external peripherals. This is to prevent the connectors from getting damaged.
5. Always always read the instruction books that come with your new machine. It will provide you with more tips to keep your hardware and your software operating perfectly!
For information on purchasing a cheap laptop visit our website. Be sure to check out the Laptop Directory for our recomended online resources to get the best deals on your next laptop.
David Arnold Livingston is an entrepreneur with many years of successful business experience. For business and personal laptop computer resources, he recommends you visit:
Laptop Unlimited
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Arnold_Livingston
a. Do not put it on unstable work surfaces.
b. Do not expose it to any kind of moisture, extreme temperatures, strong electrical or magnetic fields or dirt or dusty environment.
c. Do not touch or press the display panel.
d. Before cleaning, disconnect first the AC power and remove the battery pack.
e. Before transporting it, turn it off and detach all external peripherals. This is to prevent the connectors from getting damaged.
5. Always always read the instruction books that come with your new machine. It will provide you with more tips to keep your hardware and your software operating perfectly!
For information on purchasing a cheap laptop visit our website. Be sure to check out the Laptop Directory for our recomended online resources to get the best deals on your next laptop.
David Arnold Livingston is an entrepreneur with many years of successful business experience. For business and personal laptop computer resources, he recommends you visit:
Laptop Unlimited
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Arnold_Livingston
Buying Guide for Laptops, Personal Computers, And Notebooks
Are you an executive always scurrying with your suitcase during business trips? A student always on the go trying to finish as many projects as possible to gain extra credits? Or a businessperson always meeting up with your biz partners to explore more business opportunities?
Are you any of those mentioned category of people? If so, chances are, you already are carrying what has come to be the busy person's best friend - a laptop a.k.a. a portable Personal computer. Or you're just planning to get one. If so, take some time to digest this guide on which laptop is for you and how to take care of it.
Here are the various kinds of laptops and their specifications:
1. Ultralights
As monikered, these are the lightest of all the laptops. Also known as an ultraportable or sub-notebook, if you travel a lot, you may consider acquiring this kind of laptop since it only weighs approximately 4 pounds. One drawback that an ultralight has is its not being able to contain an internal CD drive or a network card since it has to maintain its weight. This means you have to bring with you an external CD drive and port replicator. Also, ultralights come with heftier price tags compared with other kinds of laptops.
2. Notebooks
The basics of the laptop kingdom belong to the notebook kind. This type is less heavy though, weighing only about 4 to 6 pounds. Notebooks are a bit heavier than the ultralight but they offer more features. They are made with a large opening on the side for a CD drive or extra battery.
3. Standards
Like notebooks, these are considered the same as regular laptops. But they are a lot heavier than the notebooks weighing in at 6 to 8 pounds. Cost-effectiveness-wise, standards are known to give you the best value for your moolah. Big laptop manufacturers often offer discounts on this kind of laptops because of their popularity and user-friendliness.
4. Extra Large
These laptops weigh between 8 and 10 pounds. Their screen measures at least 17 inches. Living up to its name, it also has a larger keyboard compared to a standard laptop. It is for those who despise the hassle of a small keyboard. If you don't mind its weight or you really are not that much of a traveler, this kind of laptop might be the one for you. You only have to beware of its heftier price tag.
Depending on your personal preference, you might consider other factors such as the brand name, in choosing which laptop to purchase.
For information on purchasing a cheap laptop visit our website. Be sure to check out the Laptop Directory for our recomended online resources to get the best deals on your next laptop or notebook.
David Arnold Livingston is an entrepreneur with many years of successful business experience. For business and personal laptop computer resources, he recommends you visit: Laptop Unlimited
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Arnold_Livingston
Vist us tomarrow for the second half of this article titled: Do's and don't's if you are unsure of how to take care of your new laptop computer
Are you any of those mentioned category of people? If so, chances are, you already are carrying what has come to be the busy person's best friend - a laptop a.k.a. a portable Personal computer. Or you're just planning to get one. If so, take some time to digest this guide on which laptop is for you and how to take care of it.
Here are the various kinds of laptops and their specifications:
1. Ultralights
As monikered, these are the lightest of all the laptops. Also known as an ultraportable or sub-notebook, if you travel a lot, you may consider acquiring this kind of laptop since it only weighs approximately 4 pounds. One drawback that an ultralight has is its not being able to contain an internal CD drive or a network card since it has to maintain its weight. This means you have to bring with you an external CD drive and port replicator. Also, ultralights come with heftier price tags compared with other kinds of laptops.
2. Notebooks
The basics of the laptop kingdom belong to the notebook kind. This type is less heavy though, weighing only about 4 to 6 pounds. Notebooks are a bit heavier than the ultralight but they offer more features. They are made with a large opening on the side for a CD drive or extra battery.
3. Standards
Like notebooks, these are considered the same as regular laptops. But they are a lot heavier than the notebooks weighing in at 6 to 8 pounds. Cost-effectiveness-wise, standards are known to give you the best value for your moolah. Big laptop manufacturers often offer discounts on this kind of laptops because of their popularity and user-friendliness.
4. Extra Large
These laptops weigh between 8 and 10 pounds. Their screen measures at least 17 inches. Living up to its name, it also has a larger keyboard compared to a standard laptop. It is for those who despise the hassle of a small keyboard. If you don't mind its weight or you really are not that much of a traveler, this kind of laptop might be the one for you. You only have to beware of its heftier price tag.
Depending on your personal preference, you might consider other factors such as the brand name, in choosing which laptop to purchase.
For information on purchasing a cheap laptop visit our website. Be sure to check out the Laptop Directory for our recomended online resources to get the best deals on your next laptop or notebook.
David Arnold Livingston is an entrepreneur with many years of successful business experience. For business and personal laptop computer resources, he recommends you visit: Laptop Unlimited
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Arnold_Livingston
Vist us tomarrow for the second half of this article titled: Do's and don't's if you are unsure of how to take care of your new laptop computer
Make the World a Better Place with your Empty Ink Cartridges
One small change or act can change the world! Recycle ink cartridges A1-Computers--
Did you know that your empty ink cartridge can help you earn some money or fund your favorite charity simply by not throwing it away!
Very often we do not know what to do with the empty cartridges and they invariably find their way to the trashcan. Given these cartridges are made of plastic, they are not biodegradable and end up polluting the environment in various ways.
A recent study done by a US based agency the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has found that 67% of the empty cartridges are sent to landfills, 15% are burnt to ashes and a mere 18% are recycled.
If the percentages don’t look intimidating enough, here are some actual figures, every year over 400 million cartridges with a combined weight of 200 million pounds are dumped into landfills.
Recycling these cartridges is a far more useful option. Here are a few benefits in recycling cartridges can do:
1/ Help us reduce our ink bills, as recycled ink cartridges are a lot cheaper compared to new ones.
2/ This way we can help reduce pollution and reduce the amount of plastic that goes into polluting the earth.
3/ We can send them over to companies that assist charities with the profits.
Some institutions generate money by recycling cartridges
Oxfam for example can help raise money from empty ink cartridges. Visit http://www.oxfam.org.uk/what_you_can_do/recycle/toner.htm and you can read both about the work Oxfam undertakes as well as how they fund charitable work using the money generated from cartridges.
Refilling Cartridges
Refilling cartridges is good option. The replacement cartridges must be made to the exact specifications and standards of the manufacturer and not simply refilled. Just because they come cheap, you don’t want them to ruin your print quality and risk ink leakage.
Refill kits are available and they are typically very easy to use. If this option is availed they can save you up to 70 percent on the purchase cost. They can be purchased online from sites that sell ink cartridges.
A refill cartridge typically contains the component parts, ink, syringes and clips, to refill the empty cartridge with new ink. Instructions are provided with the kits to fill the cartridges. This is certainly the best way to improve the life of a cartridge as you can take of it yourself without having to pass it around.
If you would rather not refill the cartridges yourself, they can be bought from another supplier but here is a list of things you want to keep in mind while doing that.
1/ The yield needs to be checked - Which means, the estimated number of pages one cartridge can print.
2/ Density of the remanufactured cartridge - The density should be between 1.3 and 1.6. This number is derived after running a test on a number of cartridges, as testing just one will not present the accurate density.
3/ Inspection and replacement of components - The drum, wiper blade and the drum roller are the key components. They need to be checked before making a purchase.
4/ Each model of a printer uses a different toner - If the same toner is used for all the cartridges it could affect the yield without affecting the printing quality. This means, lesser number of pages printed per cartridge and hence higher cost per page.
5/ The label - Once the cartridge is remanufactured the label needs to be replaced by the supplier and the label should indicate which machine the cartridge goes into. If the label is not removed, it could be considered as copyright infringement.
6/ Check with the supplier if they would fix your printer if the ink bought from them causes damage to your printer. This in some cases would be an indication about the quality of ink inside the cartridges.
Potential problems that incorrectly filled cartridges can cause
Sponge filled cartridges refusing to print after re-filling. Here, the sponge is used so that it holds back the ink and it does not flow freely into the print head. The problem could arise from air bubbles trapped inside the layer of ink. This is known as a vapor lock situation. Precautions need to be taken so that this does not happen. While filling the cartridge, the syringe needs to be plunged deep into the cartridge and ink pushed out slowly till it appears on top of the sponge.
If the problem has already occurred, then try holding the cartridge with the print head pointing down on top of a waste paper basket and swing it upwards and stop suddenly. If ink appears on top of the print head, the problem is probably fixed.
The refilled cartridge does not print but a new one does
Check for vapor locking first. If that is the problem then the method described above can rectify the problem.
If this does not work, it could mean the print head or the venting path is blacked. If something is covering the venting path, try removing it. Please be careful not to increase the size of the venting path.
If it still does not work, then it possibly means that the print head openings are blocked. In this case there is not much you can do given the regular means available. However, you can try and scrub it with cotton dipped in distilled water or holding it over steam for not more than a minute. This does not happen regularly but if it does, you can refer to the printer manual and follow the instructions to clean the printer head.
Useful information
It is frequently asked if the warranty on a printer would be considered void if refilled cartridges are used. The answer is technically NO. Often the manufacturer will encourage purchase of branded cartridges and discourages the refilling but that is largely for commercial reasons. Otherwise it is perfectly all right to use refilled cartridges.
For more information on printers, ink, or other computer accessories visit our website (be sure to check out our computer accessories directory for our recomended resourses and the best deals on the internet. Also, browse around this blog for lots of great computer related information from many authors.
About the Author
John Sollars is the managing director of Solar Electronics, suppliers of inkjet cartridges and pc peripherals based in the UK. To access a comprehensive online shop of original and re-manufactured printer inks please visit http://www.mega-office.co.uk
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Sollars
Did you know that your empty ink cartridge can help you earn some money or fund your favorite charity simply by not throwing it away!
Very often we do not know what to do with the empty cartridges and they invariably find their way to the trashcan. Given these cartridges are made of plastic, they are not biodegradable and end up polluting the environment in various ways.
A recent study done by a US based agency the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has found that 67% of the empty cartridges are sent to landfills, 15% are burnt to ashes and a mere 18% are recycled.
If the percentages don’t look intimidating enough, here are some actual figures, every year over 400 million cartridges with a combined weight of 200 million pounds are dumped into landfills.
Recycling these cartridges is a far more useful option. Here are a few benefits in recycling cartridges can do:
1/ Help us reduce our ink bills, as recycled ink cartridges are a lot cheaper compared to new ones.
2/ This way we can help reduce pollution and reduce the amount of plastic that goes into polluting the earth.
3/ We can send them over to companies that assist charities with the profits.
Some institutions generate money by recycling cartridges
Oxfam for example can help raise money from empty ink cartridges. Visit http://www.oxfam.org.uk/what_you_can_do/recycle/toner.htm and you can read both about the work Oxfam undertakes as well as how they fund charitable work using the money generated from cartridges.
Refilling Cartridges
Refilling cartridges is good option. The replacement cartridges must be made to the exact specifications and standards of the manufacturer and not simply refilled. Just because they come cheap, you don’t want them to ruin your print quality and risk ink leakage.
Refill kits are available and they are typically very easy to use. If this option is availed they can save you up to 70 percent on the purchase cost. They can be purchased online from sites that sell ink cartridges.
A refill cartridge typically contains the component parts, ink, syringes and clips, to refill the empty cartridge with new ink. Instructions are provided with the kits to fill the cartridges. This is certainly the best way to improve the life of a cartridge as you can take of it yourself without having to pass it around.
If you would rather not refill the cartridges yourself, they can be bought from another supplier but here is a list of things you want to keep in mind while doing that.
1/ The yield needs to be checked - Which means, the estimated number of pages one cartridge can print.
2/ Density of the remanufactured cartridge - The density should be between 1.3 and 1.6. This number is derived after running a test on a number of cartridges, as testing just one will not present the accurate density.
3/ Inspection and replacement of components - The drum, wiper blade and the drum roller are the key components. They need to be checked before making a purchase.
4/ Each model of a printer uses a different toner - If the same toner is used for all the cartridges it could affect the yield without affecting the printing quality. This means, lesser number of pages printed per cartridge and hence higher cost per page.
5/ The label - Once the cartridge is remanufactured the label needs to be replaced by the supplier and the label should indicate which machine the cartridge goes into. If the label is not removed, it could be considered as copyright infringement.
6/ Check with the supplier if they would fix your printer if the ink bought from them causes damage to your printer. This in some cases would be an indication about the quality of ink inside the cartridges.
Potential problems that incorrectly filled cartridges can cause
Sponge filled cartridges refusing to print after re-filling. Here, the sponge is used so that it holds back the ink and it does not flow freely into the print head. The problem could arise from air bubbles trapped inside the layer of ink. This is known as a vapor lock situation. Precautions need to be taken so that this does not happen. While filling the cartridge, the syringe needs to be plunged deep into the cartridge and ink pushed out slowly till it appears on top of the sponge.
If the problem has already occurred, then try holding the cartridge with the print head pointing down on top of a waste paper basket and swing it upwards and stop suddenly. If ink appears on top of the print head, the problem is probably fixed.
The refilled cartridge does not print but a new one does
Check for vapor locking first. If that is the problem then the method described above can rectify the problem.
If this does not work, it could mean the print head or the venting path is blacked. If something is covering the venting path, try removing it. Please be careful not to increase the size of the venting path.
If it still does not work, then it possibly means that the print head openings are blocked. In this case there is not much you can do given the regular means available. However, you can try and scrub it with cotton dipped in distilled water or holding it over steam for not more than a minute. This does not happen regularly but if it does, you can refer to the printer manual and follow the instructions to clean the printer head.
Useful information
It is frequently asked if the warranty on a printer would be considered void if refilled cartridges are used. The answer is technically NO. Often the manufacturer will encourage purchase of branded cartridges and discourages the refilling but that is largely for commercial reasons. Otherwise it is perfectly all right to use refilled cartridges.
For more information on printers, ink, or other computer accessories visit our website (be sure to check out our computer accessories directory for our recomended resourses and the best deals on the internet. Also, browse around this blog for lots of great computer related information from many authors.
About the Author
John Sollars is the managing director of Solar Electronics, suppliers of inkjet cartridges and pc peripherals based in the UK. To access a comprehensive online shop of original and re-manufactured printer inks please visit http://www.mega-office.co.uk
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Sollars
Monday, December 05, 2005
Tips for Getting the Most Life Out of Your Laptop Battery
As more and more people are becoming part of the mobile workforce and using laptop or tablet PC’s battery life is often a primary concern. Today’s portable computers use lithium-ion batteries instead of older style nickel-cadmium power sources. In addition to being able to hold a greater charge, lithium is also very light weight, another important concern for portable computers.
When you are purchasing your computer investigate if a long-life battery is available. While it will add to the cost it can give up to double the usage of a normal battery. To get the most usage out of your battery you’ll need to understand a little bit about how batteries work. Each battery has a limited number of charge cycles. If your battery lasts for 4 hours and on the first day you use it for 2 hours and then recharge it fully and the next day you use it for 2 hours again and then fully recharge it again, you will have completed one charge cycle. Each battery has a limited number of charge cycles before it starts losing it’s the charge it can hold.
If you aren’t using your wireless connection to connect to the internet or network turn off the wireless connection it will extend the life of your battery. The same holds true for Bluetooth connections. Another way to extend your battery life is to lower the brightness of your monitor. Lastly bear in mind that using your portable computer to play a DVD movie uses more power than using a spreadsheet.
If you find that you are often using the computer with the battery at full charge while connected to the main power supply you may want to remove the battery. Keeping the battery fully charged while it’s at a high temperature, which is typical of conditions of a laptop that is always plugged into the main power supply, will dramatically shorten its lifespan. Discharging the battery regularly is also conducive to long battery life. Under optimal conditions laptop batteries will last 24 to 36 months, under less than optimal conditions you may shorten the lifespan down to 12 to 18 months.
To help keep your battery operating at optimal conditions try to fully discharge it once a month. Many people find it helpful to set a calendar reminder so they don’t forget. If you find your battery lasts less than 60 minutes, try fully discharging it several days in a row. Just leave your computer on overnight with no applications running. Be sure to turn off any alarm or lower power warnings that are associated with your power settings. If this fails to work you will need to replace the battery.
For information on purchasing a cheap laptop visit our website. Be sure to check out the Laptop Directory for our recomended online resources to get the best deals on your next laptop.
© Copyright TabletPC.6LN.com, All Rights Reserved.
Eve Larson is the senior author for Tablet PC News and Reviews http://tabletpc.6ln.com where she provides information that help you get the most out mobile computing platforms.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eve_Larson
When you are purchasing your computer investigate if a long-life battery is available. While it will add to the cost it can give up to double the usage of a normal battery. To get the most usage out of your battery you’ll need to understand a little bit about how batteries work. Each battery has a limited number of charge cycles. If your battery lasts for 4 hours and on the first day you use it for 2 hours and then recharge it fully and the next day you use it for 2 hours again and then fully recharge it again, you will have completed one charge cycle. Each battery has a limited number of charge cycles before it starts losing it’s the charge it can hold.
If you aren’t using your wireless connection to connect to the internet or network turn off the wireless connection it will extend the life of your battery. The same holds true for Bluetooth connections. Another way to extend your battery life is to lower the brightness of your monitor. Lastly bear in mind that using your portable computer to play a DVD movie uses more power than using a spreadsheet.
If you find that you are often using the computer with the battery at full charge while connected to the main power supply you may want to remove the battery. Keeping the battery fully charged while it’s at a high temperature, which is typical of conditions of a laptop that is always plugged into the main power supply, will dramatically shorten its lifespan. Discharging the battery regularly is also conducive to long battery life. Under optimal conditions laptop batteries will last 24 to 36 months, under less than optimal conditions you may shorten the lifespan down to 12 to 18 months.
To help keep your battery operating at optimal conditions try to fully discharge it once a month. Many people find it helpful to set a calendar reminder so they don’t forget. If you find your battery lasts less than 60 minutes, try fully discharging it several days in a row. Just leave your computer on overnight with no applications running. Be sure to turn off any alarm or lower power warnings that are associated with your power settings. If this fails to work you will need to replace the battery.
For information on purchasing a cheap laptop visit our website. Be sure to check out the Laptop Directory for our recomended online resources to get the best deals on your next laptop.
© Copyright TabletPC.6LN.com, All Rights Reserved.
Eve Larson is the senior author for Tablet PC News and Reviews http://tabletpc.6ln.com where she provides information that help you get the most out mobile computing platforms.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eve_Larson
Maybe You Already Have Wireless and Don't Know It?
More and more laptops and desktop computers are coming pre-equipped with wireless networking devices -- it's so cheap that they might as well put it in, to have another thing to list in the system specifications. It is easy to tell if a desktop computer has wireless enabled. Have a look at the rear panel for a small antenna. If its there then you have wireless. Laptops a much more difficult to diagnose.
If you're anything like me, though, you probably don't even know how much memory your computers have, never mind whether any of them came wireless-enabled. When you don't know what wireless networking is, it's easy to ignore it in a computer's specifications, and never take the time to set it up and get it working. Here are some things to look for if you want to check your computer's wireless capabilities.
Intel Centrino
If your laptop came with something called 'Intel Centrino mobile technology', then it's good news for you! Computer manufacturers seem a little bad at explaining what this technology is or does, but it basically means that your laptop has wireless networking built right in, without you needing to do a thing. It is a marketing name for a combination of the Intel Pentium M processor and Intel's Pro/Wireless card.
Your computer should have a 'Centrino' sticker on it somewhere if it is Centrino enabled. If you think you might have taken the sticker off, you can check the name of your processor by right clicking the My Computer icon on your desktop (or in the Start Menu) and choosing Properties from the menu that appears. Take a look at what it says after the word 'Computer' on this screen.
If you're interested, Centrino technology also increases battery life and allows computers to be smaller. Don't worry, though, if you didn't buy a Centrino laptop -- as long as your laptop has a free card slot, installing wireless on it will be no trouble.
Desktop Computers
If you're not sure whether your desktop computer has a wireless connection, the easiest thing to do is to turn it around and look at it. If a wireless connection is present, you should usually be able to see a small aerial sticking out of the back of the computer, towards the bottom.
If there's nothing there, then it's still possible that you have a wireless device in the computer, especially if you bought it recently and you think you do. It's not a good idea to try to open up your computer just to check something, though, so you should probably try and figure it out using Windows.
Checking in Windows
Instead of fiddling around with your computer hardware to see what you've got, you can check easily enough using Windows' Device Manager. To use it, right click My Computer, and choose Manage from that menu. Now click Device Manager.
You should see a list of all the different kinds of things you can install on your computer. Take a look under 'Network adapters'. Ignore anything that says '10/100' or 'Ethernet' -- they're normal network connections, but not wireless ones. If there's anything else there, it could be a wireless device.
If you think you have a wireless device, but it has a yellow warning sign next to its name in the Device Manager, you should take a look at it to see what's wrong by double clicking its name. Windows should tell you why the device is not working at the moment, and may suggest that you go through its troubleshooter program. Do that before you do anything else.
If it turns out to be a driver problem, you should insert the drivers CD that came with your computer. Of course, as is always the way, you probably won't be able to find that CD -- but don't worry, you should be able to find drivers online. First, you should look on the website of the computer's manufacturer, and then you should try searching for the name that the wireless device had in Device Manager.
Of course, you might find after all this that you don't have a wireless device after all. Hard luck. It's better to figure that out now than to buy wireless equipment and then realise you had some already, though, isn't it? Of course, even if you did find a wireless device in one of your computers, you probably still need more. Don't worry either way -- they're getting cheaper all the time!
For information on purchasing a cheap laptop visit our website. Be sure to check out the Laptop Directory for our recomended online resources to get the best deals on your next laptop.
Researched, and Written by Tony Fitz of EntireWeb
Paid Search Engine Inclusion for just $24 / Year.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tony_Fitz
If you're anything like me, though, you probably don't even know how much memory your computers have, never mind whether any of them came wireless-enabled. When you don't know what wireless networking is, it's easy to ignore it in a computer's specifications, and never take the time to set it up and get it working. Here are some things to look for if you want to check your computer's wireless capabilities.
Intel Centrino
If your laptop came with something called 'Intel Centrino mobile technology', then it's good news for you! Computer manufacturers seem a little bad at explaining what this technology is or does, but it basically means that your laptop has wireless networking built right in, without you needing to do a thing. It is a marketing name for a combination of the Intel Pentium M processor and Intel's Pro/Wireless card.
Your computer should have a 'Centrino' sticker on it somewhere if it is Centrino enabled. If you think you might have taken the sticker off, you can check the name of your processor by right clicking the My Computer icon on your desktop (or in the Start Menu) and choosing Properties from the menu that appears. Take a look at what it says after the word 'Computer' on this screen.
If you're interested, Centrino technology also increases battery life and allows computers to be smaller. Don't worry, though, if you didn't buy a Centrino laptop -- as long as your laptop has a free card slot, installing wireless on it will be no trouble.
Desktop Computers
If you're not sure whether your desktop computer has a wireless connection, the easiest thing to do is to turn it around and look at it. If a wireless connection is present, you should usually be able to see a small aerial sticking out of the back of the computer, towards the bottom.
If there's nothing there, then it's still possible that you have a wireless device in the computer, especially if you bought it recently and you think you do. It's not a good idea to try to open up your computer just to check something, though, so you should probably try and figure it out using Windows.
Checking in Windows
Instead of fiddling around with your computer hardware to see what you've got, you can check easily enough using Windows' Device Manager. To use it, right click My Computer, and choose Manage from that menu. Now click Device Manager.
You should see a list of all the different kinds of things you can install on your computer. Take a look under 'Network adapters'. Ignore anything that says '10/100' or 'Ethernet' -- they're normal network connections, but not wireless ones. If there's anything else there, it could be a wireless device.
If you think you have a wireless device, but it has a yellow warning sign next to its name in the Device Manager, you should take a look at it to see what's wrong by double clicking its name. Windows should tell you why the device is not working at the moment, and may suggest that you go through its troubleshooter program. Do that before you do anything else.
If it turns out to be a driver problem, you should insert the drivers CD that came with your computer. Of course, as is always the way, you probably won't be able to find that CD -- but don't worry, you should be able to find drivers online. First, you should look on the website of the computer's manufacturer, and then you should try searching for the name that the wireless device had in Device Manager.
Of course, you might find after all this that you don't have a wireless device after all. Hard luck. It's better to figure that out now than to buy wireless equipment and then realise you had some already, though, isn't it? Of course, even if you did find a wireless device in one of your computers, you probably still need more. Don't worry either way -- they're getting cheaper all the time!
For information on purchasing a cheap laptop visit our website. Be sure to check out the Laptop Directory for our recomended online resources to get the best deals on your next laptop.
Researched, and Written by Tony Fitz of EntireWeb
Paid Search Engine Inclusion for just $24 / Year.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tony_Fitz
How To Find The Ultimate Gaming Laptop!
Are you a big gamer? Love them laptotp games? Well read on to see the best bet for your next gaming laptop purchase. A1-Computers--
If you are looking to buy the best gaming laptop, it’s best to do your homework. Because the rate at which technology can change, could leave you extremely frustrated if you just purchased what you thought was the ultimate of gaming notebooks, only to see a superior one appear a month later.
That’s why it may be better to consider looking for certain qualities in a gaming computer, rather than a particular brand or model. Models get changed every so often. Brands get hyped up by the media and computer magazines, only to have their reputations slated in the next issue. Instead, hunt for reliable quality across the board.
Recently, no matter what brand or model it is, the best gaming laptop must first and foremost come with Intel Centrino mobile technology. These new chipsets make sure that your notebook doesn’t burn through its battery after only a few rounds of Doom III. All the while, this mobile technology maximizes the graphic output, making images and movement appear smooth and crisp, not broken up and fuzzy.
Of course, to accurately understand these high-grade visuals, you need a large, potentially wide screen, display. Shoot for upwards of 14 or 15 inches, with wide angles and crystal clear imaging. The additional display size may make your laptop a bit more cumbersome, but you’re there to have fun with the computer, not carry it around.
Of course, to maximize Web gaming, you should shoot for a laptop with the finest in wireless technology, such as Bluetooth and Wi Fi connectivity. These will add the mobile to your mobile gaming, allowing you to challenge the competition in San Diego, California and San Juan, Costa Rica.
When conducting your research online or your local store for a new laptop, you should be looking for the maximum hard drive space, lots of RAM memory and processor speed. After all, these components are what create the best gaming laptop.
For more information and tips on laptops visit our website and surf around this blog.
For Laptops online Please visit us at http://www.simplylaptopsonline.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_Heath
If you are looking to buy the best gaming laptop, it’s best to do your homework. Because the rate at which technology can change, could leave you extremely frustrated if you just purchased what you thought was the ultimate of gaming notebooks, only to see a superior one appear a month later.
That’s why it may be better to consider looking for certain qualities in a gaming computer, rather than a particular brand or model. Models get changed every so often. Brands get hyped up by the media and computer magazines, only to have their reputations slated in the next issue. Instead, hunt for reliable quality across the board.
Recently, no matter what brand or model it is, the best gaming laptop must first and foremost come with Intel Centrino mobile technology. These new chipsets make sure that your notebook doesn’t burn through its battery after only a few rounds of Doom III. All the while, this mobile technology maximizes the graphic output, making images and movement appear smooth and crisp, not broken up and fuzzy.
Of course, to accurately understand these high-grade visuals, you need a large, potentially wide screen, display. Shoot for upwards of 14 or 15 inches, with wide angles and crystal clear imaging. The additional display size may make your laptop a bit more cumbersome, but you’re there to have fun with the computer, not carry it around.
Of course, to maximize Web gaming, you should shoot for a laptop with the finest in wireless technology, such as Bluetooth and Wi Fi connectivity. These will add the mobile to your mobile gaming, allowing you to challenge the competition in San Diego, California and San Juan, Costa Rica.
When conducting your research online or your local store for a new laptop, you should be looking for the maximum hard drive space, lots of RAM memory and processor speed. After all, these components are what create the best gaming laptop.
For more information and tips on laptops visit our website and surf around this blog.
For Laptops online Please visit us at http://www.simplylaptopsonline.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_Heath
Sunday, December 04, 2005
Who Needs a Firewall?
Firewall, adware, spyware, what is a internet surfer to do? A1-Computers--
By Shanna Riley
You do! Read more to find out what a firewall is, how it can keep you safe, and how to get one.
A Firewall is, actually, pretty much the same as its non-tech definition. A firewall, in building construction, is set up to contain or prevent fire from traveling from one side of the wall to the other - an extra bit of protection, if you will. A firewall on your pc does, essentially, the same thing.
Seven Design Avenue describes a firewall this way:
A firewall is a safeguard utilized by many Local Area Networks (LANs) or Wide Area Networks (WANs) to protect the network from unauthorized access from the outside. They are basically gates that verify the users before they leave or enter the network by way of a User ID, Password or IP address.
bytown internet explains it another way:
A Firewall is a system which limits network access between two or more networks. Normally, a Firewall is deployed between a trusted, protected private network and an untrusted public network. For example, the trusted network might be a corporate network (ie: Queens University), and the public network might be the Internet. A Firewall might grant or revoke access based on user Authentication, source and destination network addresses, network protocol, time of day, network service or any combination of these. These settings are normally controlled by the Network Administrator.
So how can a firewall help you - the average, home user?
By giving an extra level of blocking protection against spam, viruses and other malware.
Those lucky enough to be running WinXP SP2 (that's Windows XP, Service Pack 2) already have a built-in firewall that they can use. All they have to do is turn it on. Here's how to make sure you have SP2 and your firewall turned on:
How do I know if I'm running Windows XP? Easy enough. On your Desktop, right-click once on My Computer and choose "Properties". The little window that pops up should tell you which operating system you are running. If not, you can also open My Computer and choose Help: About Windows from the taskbar at the top of the window.
Ok, I'm running WinXP - how do I know if I have Service Pack 2? The same way we just went through! Both of the ways listed above will tell you if you are running Service Pack 2 (or sp2).
Great! How do I make sure my firewall is turned on? First off, go into your Control Panel (usually found on the Start menu). Find the "Security Center" and open it up. You should see the firewall as one of the security features offered - simply make sure it's switched to "On".
I don't have Windows XP or Service Pack 2 and I have no plans to upgrade any time soon. That isn't a problem. There are other legitimate, and trustworthy firewall sites on the Internet (of course, there are some of the other kind, too!). Just poke around and Google "firewall program".
MyNetProtector.com
Free Scan!
For more computer tips visit our web-site or surf around this blog.
From homecomputersafety.com
Professional i.t. tech & geeky-girl gamer who feels her duty to warn the average user about the dangers of the Internet. Feel free to use, please link back to http://www.homecomputersafety.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shanna_Riley
By Shanna Riley
You do! Read more to find out what a firewall is, how it can keep you safe, and how to get one.
A Firewall is, actually, pretty much the same as its non-tech definition. A firewall, in building construction, is set up to contain or prevent fire from traveling from one side of the wall to the other - an extra bit of protection, if you will. A firewall on your pc does, essentially, the same thing.
Seven Design Avenue describes a firewall this way:
A firewall is a safeguard utilized by many Local Area Networks (LANs) or Wide Area Networks (WANs) to protect the network from unauthorized access from the outside. They are basically gates that verify the users before they leave or enter the network by way of a User ID, Password or IP address.
bytown internet explains it another way:
A Firewall is a system which limits network access between two or more networks. Normally, a Firewall is deployed between a trusted, protected private network and an untrusted public network. For example, the trusted network might be a corporate network (ie: Queens University), and the public network might be the Internet. A Firewall might grant or revoke access based on user Authentication, source and destination network addresses, network protocol, time of day, network service or any combination of these. These settings are normally controlled by the Network Administrator.
So how can a firewall help you - the average, home user?
By giving an extra level of blocking protection against spam, viruses and other malware.
Those lucky enough to be running WinXP SP2 (that's Windows XP, Service Pack 2) already have a built-in firewall that they can use. All they have to do is turn it on. Here's how to make sure you have SP2 and your firewall turned on:
How do I know if I'm running Windows XP? Easy enough. On your Desktop, right-click once on My Computer and choose "Properties". The little window that pops up should tell you which operating system you are running. If not, you can also open My Computer and choose Help: About Windows from the taskbar at the top of the window.
Ok, I'm running WinXP - how do I know if I have Service Pack 2? The same way we just went through! Both of the ways listed above will tell you if you are running Service Pack 2 (or sp2).
Great! How do I make sure my firewall is turned on? First off, go into your Control Panel (usually found on the Start menu). Find the "Security Center" and open it up. You should see the firewall as one of the security features offered - simply make sure it's switched to "On".
I don't have Windows XP or Service Pack 2 and I have no plans to upgrade any time soon. That isn't a problem. There are other legitimate, and trustworthy firewall sites on the Internet (of course, there are some of the other kind, too!). Just poke around and Google "firewall program".
MyNetProtector.com
Free Scan!
For more computer tips visit our web-site or surf around this blog.
From homecomputersafety.com
Professional i.t. tech & geeky-girl gamer who feels her duty to warn the average user about the dangers of the Internet. Feel free to use, please link back to http://www.homecomputersafety.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shanna_Riley
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