Finding The Best Laptop Accessory

Are you a laptop lover? Someone your shopping for is the notebook toter? Well find below some great ideas on where to purchase some great accessories. A1-Computers--

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Where can you find that gift for the laptop owner in your family? I have found that the best gift for anyone who really is into something, like his or her laptop, a good accessory is a great gift. So for that laptop lover in your family, think about a laptop accessory to give for a gift. It is a toy and tool all in one for the person that seemingly has everything he wants. So where do you find that perfect laptop accessory for your family member or friend? There are a number of places you can look for one. Check the internet, computer stores, and department stores to find what you are looking for a price you like.

The first place you should go when trying to find that perfect laptop accessory is the internet. The internet is such a great source for all shopping, but it is especially good for finding computer accessories. There, you will be able to look at the laptop accessory you are considering, read reviews about it from others who have bought the product, and even have it sent to either your home or directly to the person for whom you are buying it. All in all, the internet may be not only your first, but also your best destination for finding the perfect laptop accessory to give next time there is an occasion.

The next option you have as far as seeking out that laptop accessory that will wow the laptop lover in your family is your local computer store. Electronics and computer stores often carry many accessories in addition to the computers and laptops they have in stock. There, you will be able to talk in person to an expert who can tell you what laptop accessory will be the best to get for your friend or relative. They will also be able to tell you how to install it, whether or not it is compatible with the laptop your recipient is using, and obviously how much it is going to cost you. It may be a great way for you to really get informed about and go ahead and purchase the laptop accessory you need.

Thirdly, you can always check your local department store to see if they have a laptop accessory that will work for your friend. Many stores are now carrying the accessories even if they don't carry the laptops or PCs themselves. You may not get the expert advice you will get from a computer store, but you will likely get a better price since there is no salesman needing a commission. Your laptop accessory price may also not be as good as what you will get online, but there will probably be a better return policy and you can actually see the product and hold it.

No matter what you decide on, a good laptop accessory will likely please your friend or relative to no end. He or she will greatly appreciate the ability to further customize and enjoy the laptop that he or she is so into. It is like a toy for them, but likely with a very useful and practical side as well. So, no matter where you pick up that laptop accessory, just make sure you do your research and get what works best for your situation.

For information on purchasing a cheap laptop Be sure to check out the Laptop Directory for our recomended online resources to get the best deals on your next laptop and accerssories.

If you would like to view more of my articles on laptop accessories, please feel free to visit my website on computer accessories!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christopher_Luck

Parts of a Laptop: Batteries, Screen and CPU

The parts of a laptop and what makes it work; screen, mobile CPUs, media types, ac cord, and batteries. A1-Computers--

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Electronics and computers are very popular today so it is no surprise that more and more people are getting them. And as technology advances, electronics are becoming smaller and smaller and also portable. This is where we get laptops, or notebook computers.

Laptops use batteries to run the computer so you can make it mobile. You can take it anywhere you go. But there are other components aside from just batteries that are needed to make the laptop work. In case you don’t already know, we are going to go over the parts of a laptop and what makes it work.

Screen:
It seems obvious but your laptop is also going to need a screen. The screen is the display that will show what you are doing on the computer while you are surfing the Net, using word processing or more. In the early days of laptops, they had very dim and hard to read screens but now they are bright and even come in wide screen and more. There are different options when it comes to your displays. You can go with dual-scan or active matrix.

Mobile CPUs:
But you already know there is more to the laptop than the display. The way the computer actually runs is going to be very important to your usage. You need a mobile CPU to make the computer actually run. Mobile CPUs use less power and they keep the machine fro overheating which is very important with laptops.

Media Types:
Laptops usually come with modular, or swappable, bays that allow you to remove the floppy drive, DVD drive and even the hard drive. There are many reasons why this is convenient for you. For example, if you use different media for storing data, you can easily switch back and forth between media types.

AC Cord:
The laptop is powered by an AC cord. This power supply allows the laptop to plug into a wall and a simple ordinary plug in. This makes it easy to plug your laptop in almost anywhere you go. The only downside is that many contain the power brick that can get in the way if you are working in a very small space. If this is a problem for you, you can look into more compact devices that will help you when you are working in a smaller space.



Batteries:
You know that the biggest reason why someone gets a laptop is for the mobility. The greatest part of the laptop is the ability to use the batteries and travel anywhere with your computer. You can use the AC cord just to plug it in when you need to recharge the batteries. You can also get extra batteries as backup if you will be away from a power source for a while.

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For more information on purchasing a cheap laptop visit our website. Be sure to check out the Laptop Directory near the bottom of the page for our recomended online resources to get the best deals on your next laptop.
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About the author:
Melissa Knab is the owner of Batteries Pro, Inc. which is a premier source of information about batteries. For more information, go to: batteriespro.com

How to Find Cheap Laptop Computers

Yes there are plenty of good deals on quality "cheap laptops" out there to be found, especially online. Just check out our specials, sales, and coupons page.

By Garry Allen

Ah yes, I want a laptop but I am not going to spend a couple of thousand dollars for one. Well guess what you don't have to. Laptop prices have come down dramatically over the past year alone and they will continue to do so as technology advances. But the trick here is to find good quality laptops that fit your needs at the cheapest prices available today.

I would say that there probably is a store near you right now that has cheap laptop computers. In fact, many stores already have them. The reason being, like any other new product, laptops were once considered the cream of the crop in the computer world which made them very expensive. However, all that has changed now. Laptops are a dime a dozen! The hand held digital assistants, Bluetooth cell phones and tablet pads are the new rage making laptop computers cheap.

Now, don't get me wrong, this does not mean that they are cheaply made. Thanks to the wonders of the technological cycle, laptop computers are decreasing in price as their capabilities rise. Of course, there are the latest and greatest monsters out there that are made for gaming or high powered multimedia applications and these babies still cost a pretty penny.

But for the average user, you can find cheap laptop computers that provide all the power you need and then some. Every major manufacturer out there, like Dell, HP, Compaq, Gateway, and IBM have their lower end and intermediate models that come with more than enough speed and usability.

Now here is the key to finding the right cheap computer laptop for you, and that is to figure out exactly what you need it for.

Are you going to use it mainly for surfing the web or word processing? Do you need it to work from home or mainly to save your MP3s and digital pictures?

Ok, so now you have an idea of what you want to use your laptop for. Now lets go out shopping and compare. You can visit any of the top manufacturers websites or visit your local store and find their low end or intermediate models that may suit your needs. The three top components of a computer you want to look for is the hard drive size, memory, and processor speeds and take notes of each model you find on each component and model.


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The hard drive, you can consider this the brain of your computer, this is where all your files, applications and folders are stored. If you plan on using your computer for MP3s and digital pictures your hard drive should be large since these files are usually very large. I personally would look at 80gb as minimum.

Next would be the memory, memory can be considered the thought processes of your computer. As a minimum I would look at 512mb but if you plan on using your laptop for gaming of course this should be much larger, in the area of 1 to 2gb. Now memory is used whenever a program or application is running. So the more memory you have the faster your computer can process the program.

And finally your processor, now your processor is just that it processes all the inner workings of how each program runs. The faster the processor is, the faster the program instructions are processed. Again if your looking for a laptop for gaming uses you want your processor with high speeds 2ghz or more. For other uses you can go less.

Other parts of the computer to also consider are the ports involved that can connect your computer to your digital camera or your mp3 player for example. You also want to check that your laptop has wireless and broadband connectivity. Many cheap computer laptops today already come with this but you want to make sure or you will have to pay additional, for example, a wireless card to install in your laptop to have this capability.

For more information on cheap laptops

Your #1 source for free computer and laptop tips and reviews at Best rated laptops and computers.

PC viruses hit 20 year milestone

Virus-virus-virus, no one wants one, no one wants to deal with them, but if we have a computer on-line we don't have much choice but to protect it. How long have viruses been around? A1-Computers--

The 20th anniversary of the first PC virus falls this month.


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The 20th anniversary of the first PC virus falls this month. It was during the opening weeks of 1986 that the first PC virus, called Brain, was discovered in the wild.

Though it achieved fame because it was the first of its type, the virus was not widespread as it could only travel by hitching a ride on floppy disks swapped between users.

Now 20 years after they first appeared there are more than 150,000 malicious programs in existence.

Rapid attack

The origins of the Brain virus are disputed. It is thought to have been created by a Pakistani software firm to help protect the software it created and sold.

The virus was discovered in January 1986 but may have been written some time before that as it used a relatively slow method to travel.

Brain was known as a "boot-sector" virus because of the area on a floppy disk it hid on. By concealing itself in this region, the virus could ensure that it would be installed every time that floppy disk was used on another computer. The Brain virus is now extinct.

Although Brain was the first PC virus, it was not the first malicious computer program. That honour goes to the Elk Cloner virus written by Richard Skrenta which infected Apple II machines.

The term computer virus dates from 1984 and was coined by US computer scientist Fred Cohen.

Since Brain first appeared, the number of viruses and other malicious programs in circulation has grown enormously. Microsoft's Windows operating system is the favourite target of virus writers.

The growth of local computer networks, e-mail and the internet has fuelled this rise and now it can take only hours for a new virus to appear and infect thousands. There are also many different types of viruses that use varying attack types to infect machines.

The reasons people write viruses has also changed.

"The most significant change has been the evolution of virus writing hobbyists into criminally operated gangs bent on financial gain," said Mikko Hypponen, chief research officer at Finnish anti-virus firm F-Secure.

This week the FBI released figures which suggest that 84% of US businesses were attacked by viruses, spyware and other malicious programs in 2005.

On average, dealing with the attack cost US businesses $24,000, said the FBI.

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As Reported on The BBC News


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Windows XP Service Pack 3 Not Due Until 2007

Windows XP Service pack, will it be out soon? It isn't looking that way. What is the hold up? A1-Computers--

By Mary Jo Foley January 17, 2006

Microsoft Corp. has gone public with a tentative date for its third service pack for Windows XP. And that date—the latter half of 2007—is considerably later than many company watchers were expecting.

Microsoft has published the due date for Windows XP SP3 (Service Pack 3) on its Windows Lifecycle Web site.

While Microsoft characterized the date as "preliminary," it is still as much as a year later than a number of customers, partners and industry analysts had been anticipating.

Last April, according to at least one Web report, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer said Microsoft was considering releasing SP3 before Longhorn (now Windows Vista) shipped.

Windows Vista is expected to ship in the second or third quarter of 2006.

Microsoft also has published "latter half of 2006" as the tentative release date for the second service pack for Windows Server 2003.

The "preliminary" due date for Windows Server 2003 SP2 (Service Pack 2) date jibes with what industry experts were expecting.

Microsoft has not made public an official list of planned fixes (and new features, if any) that will be part of either the Windows Server 2003 SP2 or Windows XP SP3 releases.

Read the full story on Microsoft Watch: Windows XP Service Pack 3: Not Until 2007

As reported on E-week.com

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Take 4 Steps To Secure Your Thumb Drive Data

USB thumb drives are a handy way to store important files. Lately, they've become a very popular way of transporting data between home computers and work or school. Unless you pay attention to security, they can create big problems.

You might know them as flash drives, key drives or jump drives. They plug into a computer's Universal Serial Bus port and can hold anywhere from 16 megabytes to a whopping 8 gigabytes of data. And they're more resilient than DVDs or CDs. (Related item: Ask Kim)

The greatest benefit of thumb drives is their portability. They slip easily into your pocket. But that's also their greatest drawback. They're easily lost or stolen, jeopardizing your sensitive data. Also, they can transfer viruses between computers.

So here are four security tips:

1. Guard it carefully

Many people are careless with thumb drives. People often leave them lying around or attach the drives to key chains. How often have you lost your keys?

Better are ones that you can attach to a cord and wear around your neck. This won't appeal to the fashion-conscious, but it helps prevent loss or theft.

Some thumb drives have cords that connect to the drive's protective removable cap. Forgo these. You want one with a cord that connects to the body of the drive.

2. Watch out for viruses

Be careful when you connect your thumb drive to shared computers. Just like floppy disks, thumb drives can easily transfer viruses.

Make sure you're only transferring data. Any computer you connect the drive to should have anti-virus software running. Of course, the virus definitions must be current. The anti-virus software should scan the drive as soon as it is connected.

If the drive isn't from a trusted source, don't connect it to your computer.

3. Encrypt your data

If your thumb drive falls into the wrong hands, your data is fair game. So it is important to protect your files.

Encryption will "scramble" your data. It can only be unscrambled with the correct password. Encryption that is 128-bit is very secure.

Many drives come bundled with encryption features. Double-check that the encryption software is not a trial version. Otherwise, you will need to pay to use it once the trial expires.

Once you set up the encryption software, get in the habit of using it. And don't forget to create a strong password. A combination of at least eight numbers and upper- and lower-case letters is most effective. Don't use an easily recognizable word, but make sure you can remember it — without writing it down.

If your thumb drive doesn't have encryption software, you can buy additional software. Programs like File Encryption XP (www.cp-lab.com, $30), Folder Crypto Password (www.folder-password-protect.com, $20) and Folder Lock (www.newsoftwares.net, $35) can encrypt your thumb drive files.

Additionally, some manufacturers make drives with biometric fingerprint readers. A built-in scanner reads your fingerprint before granting access to the drive. This provides excellent security. Expect to pay a premium for this feature.

Drives with biometric scanners require that software be installed on the computer. This limits where you can access your thumb drive. You might find yourself in a situation where you can't access your data.

4. Back up your data

Losing your thumb drive is painful, even when the contents are protected. So, back up your data!

You should always keep multiple copies of important data. This is particularly true when the storage medium is susceptible to loss or damage. Most thumb drives are made of plastic, which isn't always durable.

For more information on thumb drives

About the Author:
Komando hosts a national radio show about computers and the Internet. To find the station nearest you broadcasting Kim's show, visit: www.komando.com/findkimonair.asp. To subscribe to Kim's free weekly e-mail newsletter, sign up at: www.komando.com/newsletter.asp.

As Reported On USA Today
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Dell recalls 35,000 batteries worldwide

We here at A1-Computers recomend Dell Computers so we thought this was important for our readers. If you have purchased a Dell Notebook between Oct. 5, 2004, and Oct. 13, 2005 and have not heard about this yet please read this news artcle.



Dell recalls 35,000 batteries worldwide
Action affects Dell notebooks sold between Oct. 5, 2004, and Oct. 13, 2005

News Story by Tom Krazit


DECEMBER 16, 2005 (COMPUTERWORLD) - Dell Inc. and the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission announced a recall of about 35,000 notebook batteries that could potentially pose a fire risk.

No injuries have been reported from the faulty batteries. Dell has received three reports of damage to tabletops and desks as a result of the problem, it said in a joint news release today with the commission. About 22,000 of the batteries were sold in the U.S.

The recall affects certain Dell notebooks sold between Oct. 5, 2004, and Oct. 13, 2005. Customers who purchased the following models are advised to visit the Dell battery program Web site to check whether they need a new battery: Latitude models D410, D505, D510, D600, D610, D800 and D810; Inspiron models 510M, 600M, 6000, 8600, 9200, 9300 and the XPS Generation 2 notebook; and Precision M20 and M70 mobile workstations. The batteries were also sold individually and provided as part of service replacements, Dell said.

Customers can also call (866) 342-0011 toll free to determine whether their notebooks have the affected batteries. Users should have the identification number stamped on the back of the battery written down before they call or visit Dell's site, the company said.

Dell will replace all the affected batteries for free, it said.

As reported on Computer World.com
DECEMBER 16, 2005 (COMPUTERWORLD)

For more information on buying a new computer visit our website. Be sure to check out our computer directory A1-Computer specials, sales, coupons, etc for our recomended online resoruces to get the best deals on your next computer.

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Nikon's Focus Turns to Digital

Nikon, the Japanese camera and precision equipment maker, said Thursday it will focus on digital photography and stop producing most of its film cameras, except for a few professional photographer products.

"Nikon will discontinue production of all lenses for large format cameras and enlarging lenses. This also applies to most of our film camera bodies, interchangeable manual focus lenses and related accessories," it said in a statement on its British website.

The company expects stock of analog products to sell out in retail distribution in the summer of 2006.

Nikon is one of the two main camera brands for professional photographers and the company said it will continue to produce and sell the F6, its flagship film model, as well as a number of manual interchangeable lenses.

In addition, the manual FM10 model will continue to be available outside Europe.

Around 95 percent of Nikon's British sales are now generated by digital camera products and the firm has chosen to focus management resources on the fiercely competitive digital market.

"Demand for products that offer advanced features and extra value is continuing to grow," Nikon said.

Nikon is one of the few success stories left in the digital camera industry, generating relatively healthy profit margins while rivals such as Olympus and Fuji Photo Film continue to lose money on the business.

Quarterly operating profit at Nikon, the world's second-largest maker of digital single lens reflex cameras after Canon, came to 14.4 billion yen ($126.3 million), up sharply from 5.0 billion yen a year earlier, while sales rose 6.6 percent to 185.5 billion yen.

As reported on Wired News

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 or accessories.

Apple Unveils Intel-Powered Mac Computer

Apple unveils the new iMac with Intel Core Duo Processor. Starting at $1299. Shipping now.

At the Macworld Expo in San Francisco, Apple Computer Inc.'s CEO Steve Jobs introduced the new iMac desktop and the new Macbook Pro Intel-based powered computers, months ahead of schedule. Jobs and Intel CEO Paul Otellini unveiled the new jointly designed computers.

The new iMac desktop runs on a new Intel Core Duo processor and clocks in two to three times faster than the old iMac powered by IBM Power PC chips. The MacBook Pro will come in two models - one with a 1.67GHz Intel Core Duo processor, and the other with a 1.83GHz Intel Core Duo processor. It comes with a built-in webcam, a new MagSafe magnetic power connector that detaches easily when someone trips over the power cable, preventing any mishaps. Both models will have "Rosetta", a software application that allows all programs designed for Windows-based personal computers to run on the new Apples.

As Reported on The Manila Bulletin Online

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Discount Dell Laptops

Recent additions to Dell’s computer services division include low-cost used Dell laptop computers. These machines are generally sufficient for the Internet, e-mail, and word processing. One advantage is that, unlike other used Dell computers purchased from a friend or local computer shop, each computer stocked has received a complete inspection by certified computer technicians and has been restored and tested to like-new condition.

Dell guarantees that each used Dell GX110 computer purchased directly from them will be in perfect working condition. Dell supports this guarantee statement by providing each used Dell GX110 computer along with a 30-day replacement warranty. Also, a keyboard, mouse, and power cord are included with each purchase.

Each of these computer systems are formatted but are without an operating system but a preinstalled licensed copy of any Windows operating system is available at an additional cost. Dell also provides these in wholesale lots.

Most of these discount computers contain Pentium III - 866 MHz, 10GB+ hard drive, 128MB memory, integrated video, sound, LAN along with a keyboard, mouse, power cord.

The Dell Computer Corporation has also recently announced up to 10 percent price cuts on selected configurations of its LatitudeTM notebook. The Latitude notebooks provide manageability, reliability, and performance for business and institutional customers in networked environments.

Dell also provides excellent coupon codes that can help to save even more money on their already low priced computers, printers, monitors and accessories. In addition to Dell’s online coupon codes, they occasionally provide stackable coupons that allow the customers to use more than one coupon at a time. Stackable Dell coupons are marked to avoid confusion. Be sure to read the price points of the Dell coupons a number of times so as to qualify for an even greater discount if using the most appropriate coupon. Please study the rules and restrictions to check if they can be bought for the required purpose.

Refurbished Dell computers sold directly by Dell are excellent systems with good warranties. However, their prices tend to run a bit on the high side. Click on the button “REFURBISHED SYSTEMS” on their navigation bar to go to the Dell Outlet.

Save on your next computer purchase with these, Dell Coupons.

About the Author:
Discount Laptops provides detailed information about discount laptops, discount laptop batteries, and more. Discount Laptops is affiliated with Live Spy Cam

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jimmy_Sturo

How To Easily Optimize Windows For Better Performance

Do you have any of these computer problems?

“My system is too slow.”
“Look how much time it takes to install things.”
“My system slows down while playing games.”
“My software doesn’t function correctly.”

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(Please do these computer changes at your own risk, be sure you understand what you are doing before doing anything! A1-Computers assumes no responsibility.)

These are some very common statements uttered by PC owners. If you are having any of these problems here are some basic tips which can help you optimize the performance of your system by optimizing your operating system.

Windows system optimization is the most basic tool which can maintain the performance of your system. You might be spending hours trying to adjust your CMOS settings, RAM frequency and even the registry setting of the windows. Well its time, you used some windows optimization tools for better performance of your system.

Disk Errors
Disk errors are most commonly prevalent in the majority of computer systems. And this is the most overlooked problem, even by computer professionals. You often escape the disk error scanning which pops up after a bad shutdown. Well if you keep on escaping the disk error scanning, chances are that your hard disk will develop bad sectors. These bad sectors will initially hamper the proper functioning of your system and then can lead to a hard disk crash.

You should make sure that you always allow the disk error scanning option to run and correct any of the disk errors on your hard disk. Once a week you should also run the 'thorough scan' disk option which scans the hard disk for errors and corrects them. You should check all the partitions of your hard drive. You can access this option by right clicking on your hard drive (c: in my computer) partitions and select proporties and then select scan disk from the tools options.

Temporary File Cleanup
Cleaning the temp folder in your windows is essential to getting rid of all the unwanted internet files. These files are also the left-overs from the programs which you have uninstalled from the system or other unwanted files. If you do not delete the contents of this temporary folder, the files could gather up to 100+ MB of useless files. Also, you should delete these files because it would help to save the hard disk as well. To delete these files select the Run option and type %temp% and press O.K. After it displays all the files, select all and delete them.

If you browse the internet with the help of explorer, the temporary cache files should be deleted from the temporary internet folder as well.

Defragmentation
Files which are stored randomly on your system tend to slow down its performance. Your system looks for the fragments of randomly distributed files from everywhere and eventually become slow. To bring back all the files of all programs together, use the windows de-fragmentation tool. This tool joins all the loose files and optimizes the performance of your window.

The Paging File
The paging file is widely known as the windows virtual memory file. This file is used by the system when the windows run short of the actual RAM. Windows keeps on increasing and decreasing the size of the page file, which in itself is not very efficient. This affects the accessibility of fragmentation of your files. You should rather define your own paging size. Select the minimum and maximum size of the virtual memory to be the same. A preferable size is about the double the RAM you have.

By following these basic windows optimization methods you can maintain good performance of your system.






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About the author:
Matt Garrett http://www.advanced-system-optimizer.com/

iPod Nano, Good Things Do Come In Small Packages

By Lance Winslow



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Have you seen the new ultra slim iPod Nano; this little cool gadget is a must have and it is not much bigger than a couple of business cards set end to end. When we all saw the first ads on the Intenet for the Innovative and High Tech iPod Nano on the various high tech gadget website, it was hard to believe, some thought is was not real at all, how could it be, where was the battery, where was the hard drive; how could this little contraption have that many songs? It seems now that most editors and personal tech writers are giving the iPod Nano the first prize for the 2005 greatest and most innovative gadgets.

The iPod Nano comes with two different options; the 2 GB version which holds about 500 songs and the 4 GB, which can hold about 1,000 songs. Of course it is not cheap, but some say it is less expensive than they thought it would be starting at $199.00 and the prices go up from there. How thin is The iPod Nano? Well it is about a thin as a number 2 pencil and as powerful as floor size juke box and then some.

It is three and a half inches by an inch and a half and weighs less than 2 ounces. The LCD screen is cool too, as it is very bright and about one and a half inches. Twelve solid hours of play for its battery life and it does have the new cool click wheel, which users love too, making it extremely easy to use. The iPod Nano has all the same ports and docking connectors like all the other iPods. And you know what? You need this in 2006.

Personalize your iPod shuffle with iTunes

For more information on computer accessories like iPods please visit our website. Be sure to check out our computer directory near the bottom of the page for our recomended online resoruces to get the best deals on your next computer accessories.

About tthe Author:
"Lance Winslow" - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lance_Winslow

Did You Get A New Computer for Christmas? You Should Recycle The Old One!

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.

Apple Owns the iPod

By 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.

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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

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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

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.

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.

Lynn Chan simplifies computing and computer care issues for new notebook computer owners. Start protecting your investment, with a free notebook computer care tutorial
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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

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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.

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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

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:

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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