Laptop Computers and Software

KEEP YOUR COMPUTER SAFE WITH THE TOP ON SECURITY

2011-12-05T05:38:00.000-08:00

While laptops offer incredible convenience, they also carry a number of unique security risks. You'll need an anti-malware package that doesn't eat up too much power, complete wireless security and anti-theft measures to protect the physical machine. Look here for articles to help with these topics.
Physical Security

A laptop's greatest strength is also its weakness. The superior mobility of a laptop means that it can go anywhere you go, but it can also disappear in a glance. Laptops are easy to steal and fairly easy to sell, which means that you have to have some type of physical security setup. You can have two different levels of security for your laptop: preventative and recovery.
For the preventative side, you're mainly looking at fancy locks. Most laptops now offer a special security slot which is firmly secured in your laptop's frame. You can place the end of the cable into the slot and twist it to secure the end in place. The other end of the lock can then be looped around something sturdy and locked into place.This offers the benefit of making it much harder to just grab a laptop and run.
There are a number of different types of laptop locks, so you'll need to do a little shopping around. Bright Hub has a nice compliation of reviews for laptop locks. Just check the link to read it.
On the other side, you may also want to see the different software available for laptop recovery and protection. There are a few different options available which offer GPS location services for stolen laptops. With these programs, you can report a stolen laptop to the service, which causes them to turn on the software's alert. If it logs on again, then they'll be able to track it down. This is a great way to recover fenced laptops. Some programs also feature next options. A few can use built-in webcams to take pictures of the thief, and its even possible for the software to make the laptop simulate a screen failure and then send out SOS messages.
Obviously you have a number of choices for your security software. We have a full review of this field of software, written by me, in this overview of physical laptop security software.
Data Security
Besides the physical loss of your laptop, you also need to have a plan in place to protect your data in the event of theft. One of the worst things that can happen after the loss of a laptop is that you will be hit right afterwards with fraud. If you have your laptop set up to remember passwords and payment information, then they can easily rack up huge bills or even steal your identity. They can also gather information from your private emails and programs, which could even cause a corporate crisis if you've done any private business on your laptop.
The point is that you should really set up a good program that would protect your data from physical theft. We have another fine article that reviews a number of anti-theft programs, along with several programs that offer remote deletion in the event of theft.
Wireless Security
Of course, you need to protect your information too. Wireless connections are as fickle things. They're incredibly useful for getting online while you're on the go, but note that you're effectively communicating by shouting in a crowded room. Unlike your home network, wireless networks can suffer from eavesdropping and other hacking efforts.
There are steps that can be done to make the communication less open. To drag the metaphor forward, you can figure out ways to just whisper your information or move your conversation into a private room. Things like encrypted wireless setups and SSL offer enough protection to keep you safer. If you'd like a more comprehensive overview of ways to keep your wireless Internet secure, then follow the link.
Malware Protection
Malware is a fairly standard threat that you'll need to be able to handle online. Malware can do a variety of different tricks to your computer. Different types have been known to log your keystrokes, steal general information, fill up your hard drive, bombard you with pop-ups or generally harass you and worsen your computing experience. You shouldn't have any real trouble with it if you have some basic protection in place though.
The best news is that there are plenty of free options for anti-virus and anti-malware support. Most of these software packages are of a very high quality, and basically of the same quality as most paid options. For more information abotu the plethora of options available for your malware protection, you can look at this selection of reviews.

WAYS TO BACK UP YOUR LAPTOP

2011-12-02T09:02:00.001-08:00

Hard-drive crashes, spilled coffee, and thieves can obliterate the precious data on your laptop. Your best defense is to back it up. External hard drives, DVDs, CDs, or even "the cloud" are great ways to protect your data.

External Hard Drive: Use an external hard drive, usually connected via USB, such as the Samsung S2 1 TB Ultra Portable Hard Disk Drive.
Hard drives are spacious, inexpensive, and easy to connect to multiple machines. And they're portable, so they can travel with your laptop. But like internal hard drives, external drives are mechanical devices, and they can fail. It rarely happens, but when it does, stored data can be gone in an instant.
CDs: Burn backups onto CD-R or CD-RW media.
CD media is inexpensive and easy to store offsite; you might even put them in a safe deposit box. And since your laptop is sure to have a CD burner, it's convenient to back up your files whenever necessary.
CDs are good for backing up important documents, but with only up to 700 MB of storage space, you may want to consider other options for larger files like your music and movies. It's also a good idea to store them in a safe, cool place to avoid losing them or making them susceptible to damage from heat and scratches.
DVDs: Store backups on recordable DVD media.
Because DVDs are relatively large (up to 4.7GB to 8.5GB, depending on format), they're a great way to back up photos, music and videos. DVD-RW drives are common in newer laptops and the software that came with the burner makes it easy to format and use those high-capacity discs. But be warned: Writing a big batch of files to a DVD can be a slow process, and DVDs are just as susceptible to damage as CDs.
Cloud Services: Backing up to an Internet-based provider.
When you back up to "the cloud" you're really uploading your files to an Internet-based storage provider who will keep them safe in a data center. Usually automated, these set-and-forget services never run out of space and can back up data in real time, so you're always covered. Even if your house burns down, your data will be safe. You will have to pay a monthly service fee, and not everybody is comfortable leaving their data in someone else's hands. And if the provider goes out of business, retrieving your files could be a hassle.
Whether you're backing up to the cloud, a drive or a disc, Samsung's Recovery Solution 4 makes it easy to back up your laptop with little more than a mouse click. Though some of these options are more convenient than others, any of them will store data - and that's the most important thing. So make a choice and stick with it. Think of backing up your data as critical basic maintenance, like brushing your teeth.

Tips on Buying Cheap Laptop Computers And Notebook Computers

2011-11-25T06:05:00.001-08:00

http://gainmoneyfast.com/-71496.htmTips on Buying Cheap Laptop Computers and notebook computers

Laptops are computers that are small in size, and easy to lug around. They differ from Desktop machines in that they are manufactured so that the keyboard and the mouse are incorporated in the body of the laptop. Cheap laptop computers have lower prices and are therefore more affordable. The cover has the LCD screen or monitor built right into it. They have a notebook like design and can be held on the lap easily while typing or surfing hence the name. Laptop computers are also referred to as notebook computers.

They are easily operated and are the ideal computer for a person who does not have money to buy the complex, more expensive feature laden laptop computers.It is important that one should first research and know where there are low priced laptop computers. This information is available on websites and adverts on journals and live media. A person can buy a discount laptop computer and then sell it when they have enough funds to buy a better one. Cheap laptops are usually helpful in situations like sudden workloads and additional staff.Where to buy cheap laptop computers

All deals on maunatex.com laptops are usually priced depending on the features they have. These include speed, memory and the brand. A person looking for a cheap laptop computer should forfeit some features that are not very necessary in a laptop. The operating system installed also matters when one is looking for cheap laptops for sale. Though one would prefer a cheap laptop, they should ensure that the one they get gives them good value for money. Buying a cheap laptop does not make a person inefficient since the laptop can be upgraded.

Laptops can be cheap in terms of maintenance too. There are laptops that use less energy than others. All laptop computers that have internal batteries that store charge for long periods of time. Such batteries are good for laptops that are purchased for outdoor activities.

Keep in mind that discount laptops may come with a cheap laptop battery also so you may want to consider the brand name of the laptop battery in your purchase. Solar charged laptops are also good when one is trying to save on energy costs. Such laptops have low speed and memory. The brand of laptops also matters. This is because laptop manufacturing companies have different ways of making their laptops and there are those that are more durable and faster than others.

When buying cheap laptops one should try and save money as much as possible. This can be done by online purchases. One should take advantage of places where there are laptop discounts and exempted costs. There are some laptop stores that offer free shipping (like Maunatex.com) and this too is an added advantage. A warranty is also very important and should be taken into consideration when looking for cheap laptops.

BUYING A LAPTOP

2011-11-25T05:01:00.000-08:00

Buying Guide

Laptops

If you're looking for a powerful laptop with a potent feature set—a large display, a discrete graphics card, a full-size keyboard, and the latest processor—consider a desktop replacement.
Under $220

PROCESSOR

When you’re choosing a CPU, configure your notebook with a powerful processor such as Intel's Core 2 Duo or AMD's 64-bit Turion 64 X2. For maximum power (and longevity) from a mobile CPU, strongly favor the Core 2 Extreme if it's an option. Some large desktop-replacement systems can be configured with Core 2 Duo, Core 2 Quad, and Core 2 Extreme desktop processors. While these speedy chips are a great choice for increased performance, be aware that they often run hotter and drain battery power faster than mobile processors.
See Best Prices for processors

MEMORY

Don't be frugal with your system's RAM—inadequate memory can drastically slow overall performance. You'll want at least 1GB, but gamers and power users should aim for 2GB or higher. As for the memory speed, 533MHz DDR2 SDRAM will support the Windows Aero interface, but we recommend 667MHz or faster for better overall performance. Some vendors may offer the option to add Intel Turbo memory to your system. These flash-memory modules, available in 512MB or 1GB varieties, reduce the time it takes for your computer to power up, access programs, and write data to the hard drive.
See Best Prices for memory

GRAPHICS

If you play games, opt for the latest graphics processor with dedicated memory from ATI or nVidia. Some newer notebooks even manage to pack two video cards in a Scalable Link Interface (SLI) configuration. If you're not a gamer, save a little money by opting for 256MB of dedicated graphics RAM, a decent mount for running Windows Vista's Aero interface. You should avoid integrated graphics.

HARD DRIVE

A 100GB drive may be plenty of space for casual users, but those who have large digital media collections, play lots of advanced games, or edit digital video should opt for 250GB or more. We’ve seen desktop replacement notebooks with drives as large as 500GB, and some can even be configured with two drives in a RAID Level 0, RAID Level 1, or RAID Level 2 configuration. Make sure each drive has a rotational speed of at least 5,400rpm; some high-end notebooks offer desktop-caliber drives spinning at 7,200rpm, though you'll pay a premium for the speed increase. In addition to standard hard drives, some vendors have introduced solid-state drive (SSD) options for their desktop notebooks. These flash-memory-based drives, which have no moveable parts, offer faster boot times, lower weight, and increased resistance to shock. This technology is currently quite expensive, however, and drive capacity is usually limited to 32GB or 64GB. Unless having the added durability and speed boost is a must, we recommend sticking with a traditional hard drive.
See Best Prices for hard drives

OPTICAL DRIVE

Look for a multiformat (DVD±RW) DVD burner, which writes to CDs as well as plus- and minus-format DVD media. The drive's write speed is a secondary consideration, and slower drives are cheaper. Several desktop replacement notebooks can be configured with a high-definition Blu-ray drive, which can play compatible HD movies and write up to 50GB of data to dual-layer Blu-Ray disc. This upgrade is pricey, however.

CASE

Don't be put off by heft and weight, because you probably won't be traveling much with a desktop-replacement notebook. Powerful components do tend to run hot, though, so ensure that the case provides proper ventilation. Note that magnesium and other molded-metal enclosures usually dissipate heat better than plastic cases do.

WIRELESS CONNECTIVITY

Integrated Bluetooth and 802.11 wireless networking (Wi-Fi) are essential features. Look for a notebook with a Wi-Fi card that supports the 802.11a, g and Draft N wireless standards. Draft N makes use of multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) technology, which reduces signal interference and provides greater range and throughput, up to a theoretical maximum bandwidth of 300Mbps. Bluetooth is also standard on many laptops, though some configurations provide it only as an option. For maximum compatibility with other Bluetooth devices, make sure your laptop supports Bluetooth 2.1 + Enhanced Data Rate (EDR). If you want to be able to get online when you’re out of range of Wi-Fi networks, look for notebooks that can be configured with a built-in WWAN module, which lets you tap into a cellular mobile broadband networks from Verizon, Sprint, or AT&T for a monthly fee.

DISPLAY

Since portability is not an issue, look for a wide-screen 15.4-inch or larger display; for crisp text and smooth DVD or Blu-ray movie playback, go with the maximum resolution available on the screen size you choose. Whether you'll be watching movies in all their letterboxed glory or merely viewing several documents at once, more screen real estate is always better. While the sweet spot for desktop replacements is 17 inches, we’ve seen screens as large as 20 inches. LCDs are still the norm, but look for notebooks with displays that use LED backlighting instead of the traditional fluorescent tubes, which offers less weight and increased power savings. Many screens now come with a reflective coating that provides a better viewing experience when watching movies. Some people don't like the reflectivity of these glossy screens, however, so be sure to check out a laptop's display in person before you buy. If you want to use your notebook for video conferencing, opt for a system with a Webcam built in to its display bezel.