Laptops for the People

7 Most Common Laptop Failures

2011-07-28T06:47:00.000-07:00

A laptop like any electronic equipment is prone to certain hardware failures. Below are the 10 most common hardware failures and ways of mitigating them.

AC Power adapter cable - This cable cuts very often especially when twisted continually.
DC jack - Everyday use of plugging and unplugging the AC power source loosens the connections.
Keyboard keys - Causes include dirt, spillages (coffee etc), misuse,
Battery pack - Constant charging and discharging of the battery reduces battery life. It's advisable to completely discharge the battery once in a while to improve it's lifetime.
LCD screen - Causes include pressure on a closed laptop. Environmental hazards like leaving the laptop in direct sunlight.
Optical Drive(s) - Accidental breakage of drive bay. Lasers have a limited lifetime before replacement is due. Also the fact that it has mechanical parts, means failure rate is higher.
Hard Disk - Like the optical drives, anything with movable parts is prone to failure unless your hard disk is made of the more expensive solid state drives

From the above it's clear that you have to take care of your laptop computer for it to last longer. No need to say but if your laptop fell from your desk, then chances are many things will fail at once.

Laptop Security Device - 10 Tips To Protect Your Laptop And Data

2011-07-01T02:31:00.000-07:00

By JR Lang

Here are 10 tips to prevent your laptop from theft as well as an explanation of laptop security devices that ensure your laptop and data are protected. The main attraction of laptops is their portability and mobility. It is great to be able to take your computer with you and use it anywhere. But with these benefits comes a risk of theft. Obviously theft is more likely to happen when an object can be picked up and carried away. Laptop security devices are important to prevent your laptop from being stolen as well as to prevent the data from your laptop being retrieved and used in the event that your laptop is a victim of theft.
10 TIPS TO PREVENT LAPTOP THEFT
1. NEVER leave your laptop or any valuables in plain sight in your car. Recently there has been an increase in car burglaries stemming from valuables being left in plain sight. Lock them in the trunk.
2. Don't use computer bags, while these maybe fashionable and comfortable they make it obvious that you are carrying a laptop. Try using a padded briefcase or suitcase instead.
3. Make sure your laptop is always with you. Do not check laptops in with your luggage while traveling. Never leave your laptop in your car in plain sight or any valuable objects for that matter. There has been a recent increase of car burglaries stemming from people leaving valuables in plain sight. Lock all valuables in the trunk.
4. Another great laptop security measure is to never leave access numbers or passwords in your carrying case. Keeping your password with your laptop is like keeping the keys in the car. Without your password or important access numbers it will be more difficult for a thief to access your personal and corporate information.
5. Keep your eye on your laptop. When you go through airport security don't lose sight of your bag while it's going through the scan or hold your bag until the person in front of you has gone through the metal detector. Many bags look alike and yours can easily be lost in the shuffle.
6. Avoid setting your laptop on the floor or the seat next to you. If you must set ti down make sure you are always aware of it by setting down against your leg or arm. Putting your laptop on the floor is an easy way to forget or lose track of it.
7. Use a screen guard when in public. This prevents people from looking over your shoulder and seeing sensitive information. This is especially helpful when you're traveling or need to work in a crowded area.
8. Do not leave your laptop unsecured in your hotel room. Things sometimes tend to get lost in hotel rooms and are never secure. If you must leave your laptop in the room then use a security cable to attach it to a stable object, such as the desk or bedpost. Another good thing to do is leave the "do not disturb" sign on the door.
9. Labeling everything possible related to your laptop is an effective security measure. Label everything with the name of the individual that owns it, and ensure that these labels are conspicuous. The potential theft value of laptops is reduced greatly when additional work is required to remove the identifying marks. Conspicuous identity labels also significantly increase the risk of a potential thief being caught in the act of theft.
10. Buy a laptop security device. The next section details some options for laptop security devices.
LAPTOP SECURITY DEVICE:
Laptop Cable:
One of the most inexpensive and effective laptop security devices is a laptop cable. Very much like a bicycle lock, this cable attaches to your laptop and allows you to lock it to a stationary object. The cable makes it much more difficult for someone to steal your laptop.
Laptop Tracing Programs:
These programs will report the location of a stolen laptop. They work when the laptop connects to the Internet, and can report the laptop's exact physical location.
Motion Sensors and Alarms:
Unexpected loud noises make people wake up and take notice, something that aspiring thieves find very discouraging. Laptop security devices exist which use alarms as a form of protection.
While the signal mechanism of an alarm system is usually the same, the triggers are different. The idea is that if the user moves out of range of the device, or the laptop is moved out of range of the user, the alarm will sound. Thus, if someone tries to steal or remove the laptop, the alarm will sound, drawing attention to the theft. Another option is to is to buy an alarm that relies on nothing more than movement of the object that it is attached to. If the object that the sensor is attached to is moved, an alarm will sound. Entering the 3-digit security code will reset or disable the alarm once the device has been recovered.
LAPTOP SECURITY DEVICES THAT PREVENT DATA ACCESS:
Security measures available in order to prevent access to data on your laptop in the event that it is taken.
Set a Login Password:
Set a login name/password that way in order to successfully login in to a laptop the user must provide that information. If the login entered is incorrect, the operating system will refuse to allow entry.
Set a BIOS password: Most laptops offer protection by allowing the owner to set a boot password. Typically most will prompt the user three times to enter a password, then refuse to boot if there are three failures.
Encryption:
One of the best laptop security devices are file encryption programs, which, encrypt files on your laptop. A private unlock key is provided to the owner, and as long as your private key is kept safe, no one but you and your intended recipients will be able to view your data.
Biometric Fingerprint Readers: Another great laptop security device is the Biometric Reader. This type of laptop security device would provide authentication at the hardware level which would require authentication before the machine would even boot up. The idea behind biometrics is to use the uniqueness of certain features of a user, such as retinal pattern, fingerprints, and even typing characteristics, to accurately identify and authorize persons.

Please visit http://www.shop4laptop.com/Home/security-cable-for-laptop-computer for the lowest prices and largest selection of laptop security devices.

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

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1090563

Starter Laptops - HP 620

2011-06-24T06:35:00.000-07:00

Finding an entry-level laptop can be a daunting task. There are many out there. Therefore, for our Starter Laptops series, I shall be reviews some models that I feel you can choose.

Today we start with a HP 620
Below are standard specs you should expect to find.

Intel Core 2 Duo T6670 (2.20GHz ◊ 1333MHz ◊ 2 MB L2 cache) Processor

4096MB DDR3 Memory (32bit) or 8192MB (64bit)

320GB HDD;

SuperMulti Dual Layer (fixed) DVD+/RW

15.6" LED HD Bright View display;

WEBCAM 2.0MP; Realtek 802.11b/g/n; Bluetooth 2.1; 10/100 NIC;

Windows 7 Professional 32bit or 64bit,

Office Ready,

The HP 620 is a relatively cheap entry-level business laptop, starting at prices of about USD350. However, you still get a machine with decent power and performance.From the windows ratings below, obviously graphics will not do too well on this laptop.

The HP 620 looks very business like so don't expect a lot of gloss and stuff.

I like:

the connectivity options for the HP 620: 3 USB2.0 ports, SD.MMC card reader, Bluetooth 2.1, wireless, 10/100 NIC (no gigabit ethernet :( ) and even HDMI!
The price :)
The gesture enabled touch-pad, though you need to learn how to make it work. It has moods.
The comfortable, firm keyboard (though as you will see below I have major issues with the keys themselves, not the board)
Depending on how you look at it, literally, the business grey colors and the sturdy material used to make the chassis.
Decent battery life.

I don't like:

The wireless KEY! I prefer laptops with a wireless switch not a key. Many users end up inadvertently switching the wireless off.
No keypad? Like in the HP 4510s? Why?
Similarly the position of the Media keys i.e. Vol up and down etc. Many times you can end up turning your volume down when trying to press CTRL.

Anyway, these are my opinions

Laptop versus Tablet

2011-06-17T05:09:00.000-07:00

You have made the decision to buy a new computer. Many years back, your choice was limited. But today, you can buy the age-old personal computer, or the trusty laptop computer, or the portable palmtop computer, or the flashy smartphone or the commanding tablet, remember the ten commandments came via tablet, not PC :)

And in each category there's a lot to choose from.

PC - tower or desktop, HP or Dell, Microsoft or Mac etc
Laptop - 17" or 11", HP or Toshiba etc
Smartphones - android or iPhone, blackberry or iPhone etc

Now enter the tablet: the new computer on the block. Tablets like the iPad and the Galaxy tab are the latest tech fads.

So which is better, a Tablet or a laptop?

Simply put, it all depends on your usage, your needs and your means. If you create content more than you consume content then a laptop is better for you. If you travel a lot consuming content i.e. you are the boss and the reports come to you, not from you, then the tablet will be more ideal. But the clincher is the means!
Right now, for a marginally 'low' spec computer, the tablet computer is relatively expensive as compared to the laptop.

You decide.

How to shop for products online and save at the same time!

2011-05-31T00:06:00.000-07:00

Written By: Jonathan White

Whats one of the most annoying things that you find when shopping online?
One of the most annoying things that I find when shopping online is that when I try to find a product, I have to go to a few sites before I find the product that I am looking for. Once I have found my chosen product, I then have problems comparing this merchants product against other merchants that sell the same product so that I can try to find the best deal for this individual product online.
So if you are also having problems like this when you are also trying to find a product online, then I would personally recommend that you try using some sort of product price comparison search engine/directory. The reasons for this are because these product price comparison search engines/directories list a large amount of products from a large amount of top quality merchants.
By using a product price comparison search engine/directory you can easily find and compare a product of your choice. You can do this by comparing the same product from individual merchants within the same product price comparison search engine/directory that sells the same product so that you can find the best price for your chosen product.
For example, http://www.simplysearch4it.com offers a product price comparison directory that also includes search facilities so that you can narrow down your search for a product of your choice. This product price comparison directory can be found at http://products.simplysearch4it.com where it lists over 250,000 products and is still growing daily. You can easily find products from garden equipment to housing goods. Within most product price comparison search engines/directories you can also order your results by price so that you can rank the lower priced products first followed by the highest priced products last.
As you can see, from using a product price comparison search engine/directory first, all you have to do is one search for the product that you want to buy and then you should receive a large number of results. Doing it this way is a lot quicker than going to individual merchants sites doing individual searches for the same product. If the product price comparison search engine/directory doesnt list the product that you are looking for then you can always search through individual merchants sites after using a product price comparison search engine/directory.
About the Author
Jonathan White has been involved in online marketing for over three years now and is the Webmaster of http://www.simplysearch4it.com where he also operates the product search at http://products.simplysearch4it.com where you can find and search for well over 250,000 products from a large amount of different online merchants.