Archive for August, 2007

Why Buy a New Notebook Computer

Sunday, August 26th, 2007
Your current notebook may meet your needs quite adequately when it comes to word processing and e-mail. But if you want to expand into digital photography, create your own music CDs or home movie DVDs, get into more elaborate gaming, or surf the internet in more places using broadband, it might be time to buy a new notebook. This article will explain to you some of the features to consider in buying your next notebook. It will explain: Processor, Operating System, Memory, Size and Weight, Display, CD/DVD Writer Drives, USB 2.0, IEEE 1394 Firewire, Network Interface Card (NIC), and Wireless.

Processor

The processor is the “engine” in your computer. I recommend buying a new notebook with a processor speed of atleast 2.0 GHz. You can take advantage of several new processor technologies by replacing your old system. AMD’s Turion 64 X2 mobile technology and Intel’s Core 2 Duo processors both offer significant gains in performance over previous generations. Since the processor is the “engine” of the notebook PC, these latest versions give you a much-improved experience across a wide range of activities, such as web surfing over broadband connections, 3-D gaming, printing digital photographs, and making videos and music.

Operating System

Microsoft® Windows® Vista lets you get things done, stay connected, and enjoy a variety of entertainment in a secure environment. Choose from Windows Vista Home Basic, Home Premium, Business or Ultimate. You may still have certain applications, particularly business, that are not Vista compatible . If that is the case then there is a way to be able to dual boot your computer with the option of either Vista or XP which can be found.

Memory

I recommend buying a new notebook with a minimum of 2GB of Ram. Many mainstream notebooks now offer DDR SDRAM memory, which provides much higher bandwidth, and therefore better system performance, than older SDRAM technology. You get a better PC experience regardless of which applications you use.

Size and Weight

Notebook computers come in a wide variety of sizes and weights, with most at about 14 x 10 x13 and 5-8 lbs. They range from ultraportable notebooks that weigh as little as 3.00 lbs to powerhouse desktop replacements. When choosing a new laptop, consider the ways you’ll use it most of the time. If you’re using it to replace a desktop computer, a larger, high-end notebook will give you the most versatility and expandability. A few extra pounds won’t make a significant difference if you’re moving it around your home or office. If you’re looking for something to supplement a desktop computer or if you travel a lot, consider a smaller notebook.

Display

In recent years, Active matrix (or TFT, thin film transistor) displays have become the most popular because of their bright, vivid images that can be viewed from any angle. The most common notebook screen sizes are 14.13 and 15.43, though some ultra-portable models have screens as small as 12.13 or 13.3″. The midrange screens are generally satisfactory and easy on the eyes, but if you’ll use your notebook primarily as a desktop replacement or for PowerPoint presentations on the road, choose a 15.43 or larger screen. The higher the resolution, the more information can be displayed and the sharper the definition and color. If your budget permits, shoot for a minimum of a 12.13 active matrix display capable of WXGA resolution.

CD-Writer Drive (DVD/CD-RW)

A CD-RW is great for backing up data, saving digital photos, and creating mixed-music CDs. A single CD-R disc gives you up to 650MB of storage (equal to 451 floppies). Plus, this combo drive allows you to play movies.

DVD-Writer Drive (DVD +/-R/RW)

I recommend going with a Blue Ray Drive for the High Definition DVD Drive in your new note book computer. A DVD writer and companion software let you create interactive DVD movies viewable on most DVD players or DVD-ROM drives. Edit and enhance your home videos, add music or special effects, and burn all your great content onto DVD for future enjoyment. On a single long-lasting, rewritable DVD disc you can store up to seven times more information than you can on a CD. For enhanced entertainment, choose the Lightscribe option, which allows you to label discs by burning silkscreen-quality graphics on them.

USB 2.0

Great for digital photography enthusiasts, USB 2.0 ports allow you to connect to devices such as digital cameras, scanners, and printers, and transfer files up to 40 times faster than with USB 1.1-standard devices (if the devices support USB 2.0). USB 2.0 is also backward-compatible and can be used with devices featuring USB 1.1.

IEEE 1394 (FireWire)

Want to create home movies on your notebook? An IEEE 1394 port allows you to quickly move digital videos from your digital camcorder to your notebook, where you can edit them and produce the perfect home movie.

Network Interface Card

Most notebooks now come with integrated network interface cards. Not only do these give you a direct network connection, but they let you connect to the latest modems, such as high-speed DSL and cable modems, without having to purchase or install a separate card.

Wireless

Since one of the main advantages of a notebook is being able to pick it up and go, wireless technology has become a key benefit of high-end notebooks. Wireless capability allows you to avoid continually connecting and disconnecting cables in order to access the Web, synchronize with your handheld, print a document, or use another peripheral by ensuring that your notebook is ready for the wireless world. For even more wireless flexibility, choose a Broadband wireless option to work wirelessly without the hassle of finding Wi-Fi hotspots.



By: Paul E Steinberg

About the Author:

Paul E. Steinberg is the webmaster and owner of Laptops And Computers, a computer buyers website. He guides you as an expert in the computer field, with a degree in computer technology and 20 years of hardware, software, and network experience. Visit his site for great buys on top computer brands.



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Samsung D900: Ultra Imaging From Samsung

Wednesday, August 22nd, 2007
Use of superlative words in product branding and promotion is not new and has been present in the society since the early days of advertising. However, the word ‘Ultra’ used in Samsung’s special line up of mobile phones are just appropriate to describe the ability of the mobile phones. The Samsung D900 is a part of Ultra Edition from Samsung aiming to tap the cream layer of mobile phone users. The Samsung D900 is not as thin as the Samsung D830 Ultra Edition 9.9, yet at 12.9 mm in thickness, the handset is one of the slimmest slider around. The Samsung D900 is equally light weight at just 85 grams.

The Samsung D900 is positioned as an mobile imaging device. Equipped with a massive 3.15 megapixel camera module, the Samsung D900 is at par with any mid range digital camera. High resolution imaging gets even more sharper with good quality lens and imaging aids like autofocus, digital zoom and integrated LED flash. High grade footage recording with the Samsung D900 is also an option to share special moments with those who missed them. Share them through MMS, email or even use them for picture blogging – the most happening way to share picture over the internet.

The Samsung D900 is a strong communication tool with its quad band GSM mobile network support. The stylish handset gives its user a pleasant experience of seamless voice network connectivity in countries across the whole world. You can use the Samsung D900 to connect to the cyber world without the computer. On board GPRS and EDGE technology can give you high speed data connectivity comparable to broadband. An integrated web browser, email client, document viewer – the handset has all that it takes to be your preferred business tool. The option to entertain yourself with the built in media player on the on board 3D speakers is very much present of the Samsung D900.



By: Adam Caitlin

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Types Of Notebook Computers

Wednesday, August 1st, 2007
Notebook, notebook computer, laptop, and laptop computer are different terms for a small computer, which is mobile, and weighing about 1 to 6 kg or 2.2 to 18 pounds, depending upon the model. In 1979-1980, Bill Moggridge of GRiD Systems Corp. designed one of the first laptops and named it as the GRiD Compass 1101. It featured the clamshell design where the flat display folded shut on the keyboard. In May 1983, Gavilan Computer Corp. introduced and first marketed as a laptop, known as Gavilan SC. About this same time, Sharp Corp.Ltd., announced their laptop Sharp PC-5000.

In 1989, Compaq introduced Compaq LTE, which was a laptop of a smaller size, about the size of an A4 paper notebook, and it popularly came to be known as a notebook computer or notebook. Thereafter the terms laptop and notebook began to be used interchangeably. Nevertheless, the terms, notebook and laptop are incorrect terms, as due to the heat, many laptops cannot be placed on top of the lap, and most notebooks are not the size of an A4 paper notebook. However, what manufacturers usually call as a notebook, end-users prefer to call it as a laptop; hence both the terms are used.

According to the functions and the models of notebooks, they are generally classified as: Ultraportables (screen is diagonally less than 12 inches, weight is 1.7 kg or less); thin-and lights (screen is diagonally from 12 to 14 inches, weight is from 1.8 to 2.8 kg); medium-sized laptops (screen is diagonally from 14 to 15.4 inches, weight is from 3 to 3.5 kg); and desktop replacement computers (screen is diagonally from 17 to 20 inches, weight is 4 to 6 kg).

The concept of laptop was to make a device that could use the same software of a desktop computer, but much smaller in size to enable mobility and support mobile computing (ability to use the computer while in transit). Thus, further innovations have introduced transportables (which can be moved from one place to another without supporting mobile computing); tablets (which feature touchscreens and support mobile computing); ultra mobile PCs (which are very small and compact tablet PCs); internet tablets (which support internet and mobile computing); personal digital assistants (PDAs), which are pocket-sized and support mobile computing; handheld computers, which represent expensive tablets or PDAs; and smartphone, which is a PDA or a handheld computer with cellphone integration. Over the development phases, these classifications got blurry at times, and many machines fused functionalities of other categories.

Notebooks can be used for various purposes. Commercial purposes like attending phone calls, receiving and sending emails and faxes, typing out letters and printing them, making presentations with pie and bar charts, and taking data from one place to another can be achieved by any standard notebook. However, high fliers prefer thin-and-light notebooks and for regular office work, ultraportable notebooks are preferred. Both are wireless notebooks so they can be remotely accessed. Scientific purposes are best suited with a notebook that features fast computing speed, good 2D and 3D graphics display, and a large memory, like desktop replacement notebook, and a thin-and-light notebook. Artistic purposes require animation, 2D and 3D drawings, interior & exterior designing, arranging music compositions, post-production audio-video work, etc., which can be fulfilled by desktop replacements, gaming notebooks, and mainstream notebooks.

Educational institutions normally do not prefer notebooks due to its high chance of being stolen. Additionally, they prefer that their assets do not move around within the premises in the hands of students who may be careless. However, to keep up with the times, and to be considered as techno-savvy, they do invest in notebooks. The types of notebooks best suited for educational purposes are mainstream notebooks, and desktop replacements. Students need a notebook to do projects, prepare study notes, and to play some games in their spare time. They need to take the notebook wherever they go, hence, size and weight are major considerations. The type of notebook that fulfills student needs is a thin-and-light notebook with locking facility so that they can lock it with their backpack. Most students report late submission of projects due to their notebooks being stolen.

So no matter what the purpose one might have for using a notebook, it seems that mobility will always seem to be the main reason for such a product purchase. Nowadays with so many models being offered with affordable prices, it seems that notebooks will always be a product in demand. After all it is one of the best selling computer hardware for quite some time. And that says it all.



By: Roberto Sedycias

About the Author:
This article can be accessed in portuguese from the News Article section of page www.polomercantil.com.br/notebook.php
Roberto Sedycias works for www.PoloMercantil.com.br



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