Computer Notebooks

10 Solid Reasons To Make Your Next PC A Notebook

noreply@blogger.com (Paweł) — Thu, 03 May 2007 12:21:00 +0000

Notebook computers are becoming very popular. They seem to be popping up everywhere: on tv shows, on airplanes, in movies, or in your friend's lap. These sleek little machines are invading our daily lives like never before... and the invasion has just started. Find out why they have become so popular with their users and why your next PC should probably be a notebook computer.

It is estimated that over 42 million computer notebooks will be produced this year. And that number is said to be growing by 20% each year. So what's driving the demand for these devices, what's making them so popular?

It's more than just the next tehno fad, notebook computers offer some very practical solutions to our computing requirements and needs. There are some real solid reasons why they have become so popular among their users. These are the same reasons why you should consider making your next PC purchase a notebook or laptop computer.

So if you need convincing, here are those 10 solid reasons why you should consider buying a notebook computer:

1. Size. This is one situation where size really does matter. It's the main reason you should consider buying a notebook or laptop in the first place. You want a PC that will fit neatly in your hand to take to your next office meeting, you want a convenient laptop to take to class or you want a notebook for your next cross country business trip.

Notebooks come in a variety of sizes to match your needs or purpose. They are categorized or grouped accordingly:

Tablet PC (smallest) Size of a paper tablet or notepad, less than 3 pounds.

Utra Portable (small), around 11" x 10", less than 1.3 inches thick, less than 4 pounds.

Thin and Light (mid-size), around 11-14" x 11", 1 to 1.4 inches thick, from 5 to 7 pounds.

Desktop Replacements (largest), more than 13" x 11", more than 1.5 inches, more than 7 pounds and up.

As you can see there is a great range of sizes so you should have no trouble finding a notebook computer to satisfy your needs. Just match the notebook size to the main purpose or use of your notebook and you can't go wrong.

2. Portability. Probably the second, if not the most important reason you're considering buying a notebook or laptop. You want a PC that's portable and lightweight. One that you can take anywhere; to class, to meetings, on business trips or from room to room in your home.

This freedom of movement -- taking your office or vital data along on your business or personal travels is the main selling point of the notebook computer. The portability factor is one you should seriously consider -- do you need a portable computer for your home, work or just for pure enjoyment.

3. Performance. Not too long ago, notebooks or laptops were viewed by many as second class computers when compared to the performance and speed of the mighty desktop PC. Distance cousins discreetly allocated to the sidelines.

But things have changed! Although still not on par with the desktop, thanks to the next generation notebook chipset, Intel's New Sonoma Platform, many notebooks come very close to providing the performance level of a desktop PC. Many notebooks, especially the desktop replacements, already have impressive technical specs that would shame most ordinary desktops. Some of these desktop replacements even use desktop processors or CPU's.

With hard drives up to 100GB or more at (7,200rpm), with RAM up to 2MB in some cases, and supported with Intel Pentium 4's, at 3.4GHz or more --- most notebooks are very capable of handling almost all computing applications and functions with ease. They can do the job.

4. Connections. We live in a wireless world. The notebook will do for computers, what the cell phone did for the telephone industry -- make our communications wireless. Being constantly connected to your friends, your business or your family does have a certain appeal that can't be denied. The notebook computer will give you this wireless connection.

Most notebooks now come with WI-FI (Wireless Fidelity), also known as 802.11 a/b/g, with the ability to stay connected no matter where you are. As more and more businesses such as hotels, restaurants, and airports offer these 'hot spots' or WI-FI service to their patrons, easy connections will become commonplace.

5. Function. There are certain functions that are unique to the notebook computer. The tablet PC provides a convenient device for note taking and data gathering that's not practical on a desktop computer. For business professionals such as doctors, lawyers, real estate agents...these tablet notebooks do very practical 'in-the-field' chores or tasks. Other notebooks are very useful for powerpoint presentations at meetings and other gatherings.

6. Backup. The notebook or laptop can be used as a convenient backup of your vital files and programs. Often overlooked, but the notebook can provide a rather cheap and safe way to protect your sensitive data. Anyone who has had a major or total loss of their hard drives can appreciate the importance of having a safe backup system.

For those constantly surfing the net, exposing your sensitive data to all the hazards (viruses, worms, spyware, etc.) can lead to problems. Having a separate system stored on a laptop or notebook can be a good way of working around this problem.

7. Variety. Notebooks and laptops offer much more variety than the ordinary desktop PC. From a small pocket size tablet PC all the way up to a Multi-Media desktop replacement that offers TV, Stereo, CD/DVD Player, as well as a computer of course.

There is a greater range of systems to choose from; all the way from sleek custom designed notebooks to huge monster gaming laptops, there's something to satisfy most tastes. You can also buy a notebook to match your style; from IBM black to Ferrari Red. It's out there.

8. Price and Availability. Notebooks are everywhere and they're getting cheaper by the minute. Notebook prices are coming down, as more and more notebooks are sold -- the price will drop even more. They're still slightly more expensive than a desktop PC but the gap is closing fast.

Finding a seller or dealer is very easy, shopping online directly from the manufacturer or company is also becoming very popular. In addition, there are also some very good reputable online dealers that's spreading the notebook gospel. Your dream notebook is only a click away.

9.Sex Appeal. It has to be mentioned, notebook computers are sexy! There's no denying it; these sleek, svelte machine are some of the sexiest accessories this side of a Batwatch Extra. The notebook's great looks will probably be the first drawing card for many people who's considering buying a notebook. A fully functional accessory that will not only turn heads but can also do the books.

10. Last but not least, the main reason you should consider buying a notebook computer -- because you want one. Just for the convenience, portability, or the downright pleasure of owning a notebook computer. Besides, it's a proven medical fact that denying your wants or needs can be detrimental to your health.

Go treat yourself!

For More Information on Buying Computer Notebooks and Laptops Click Here:
Computer Notebook Buyer's Guide.
Copyright © 2005 Titus Hoskins of http://www.bizwaremagic.com
This article may be freely distributed if this resource box stays attached.

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Notebook or Desktop Computer, What is the Best Buy?

noreply@blogger.com (Paweł) — Sat, 28 Apr 2007 22:13:00 +0000

The idea of purchasing a personal computer may be appealing to a lot of people, however they may feel undecided as weather to go for a traditional desktop computer or for a light weight portable notebook. Several aspects should be taken into consideration as for the purposes of such acquisition. If the main purpose of buying a computer is for occasional use, regardless if it is for work or entertainment activities, one may consider buying a traditional desktop computer taking in consideration that its price is usually lower than the portable version.

The maintenance and eventual upgrade of a desktop computer is also much easier to perform and less costly. If the buyer is looking to spend the least amount of money, definitely the desktop computer models offer more choices of finding better deals weather it is used or new. One may look around the local computer stores for special deals or may consider browsing the many possibilities offered online stores.

Perhaps the greatest feature a desktop computer has is the fact that quite often it can be upgraded and personalized to suit the user needs without having to be sent back to the manufacturer. In most cases a local authorized computer store can perform the technical changes or upgrades to satisfaction. The desktop computers are meant for work and leisure as well and regardless of its configuration or how fast it can perform, it seems that it became an everyday tool of modern times.

On the other hand, if the main reason for the purchasing of a computer is portability, then in this case the notebook will be the right choice. There are several brand names available on the market offering all kinds of configurations, from very basic up to the most sophisticated and powerful late models of notebooks. After a careful research on which model will better suit your needs, then you will still have the option to choose to buy a new, reconditioned or used unit for the sake of saving some money. Keep in mind that a reconditioned laptop purchased from a computer store, usually comes will full warranty, just like as if you had purchased a brand new model but for a much less cost.

Just like any other purchase, it is important to do a careful research to find out what exactly your needs are and what are you going to do with it. The lightweight and portable notebooks are much nicer to carry around even though they are usually more expensive. Also the lightweight models almost always have a smaller screen and a more compact keyboard than traditional models of notebooks. So, in this case if weight is not a critical issue, than you may just consider to purchase a traditional regular-model notebook as long as it meets your requirements. If you choose this later option you will certainly be saving a great amount of money.

If you are the kind of person who feels skeptical about purchasing a reconditioned computer, because it has been previously returned from the manufacturer, relax, some times there is absolutely nothing wrong with the returned unit. It may have just been a matter of model preference or some minor detail that didn`t quite match the previous owner`s preference. Keep in mind that a reconditioned notebook with a full warranty is just as good as a brand new one and maybe even better for the great discount it usually offers.

Also you may find some good deals in refurbished notebooks. Beware that the difference between refurbished and reconditioned notebooks is that the former is usually an older notebook that has been used and then reconditioned, often by a third party, and the later usually means that it had some problem, went back to the manufacturer, got fixed and now it is available at a fair discount price with full manufacturer guarantee.

The right solution for one`s computer related tasks, whether desktop or notebook, will depend mostly on one`s working or leisure needs. Search carefully for the best deals and avoid paying extra for accessories you will hardly use. Also take a look at reconditioned (full warranty) computers. The price will certainly surprise you. And the performance might too!

Roberto Sedycias IT Consultant

This article is under GNU FDL license and can be distributed without any previous authorization from the author. However the author´s name and all the URL´s (links) mentioned in the article and biography must be kept.

This article can also be accessed in portuguese language from the News Article section of page PoloMercantil

Roberto Sedycias has a bachelor degree in Business Administration and over 20 years experience in systems analysis and computer programming. Currently working as IT consultant for http://www.PoloMercantil.com.br

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Notebook Buying Tips

noreply@blogger.com (Paweł) — Sat, 28 Apr 2007 22:11:00 +0000

Why notebook became so popular? It has been estimated that notebook sales has increased an average of 20% per year in the United States alone. Among the many advantages it offers, portability is one of the main reason people end up making a purchase of it. However before any purchase is made, other features should be considered as well.

Notebook was first made available in the early eighties. Although much heavier and bulkier than today's notebooks, it had the unique portability feature that put this innovative product in a class by itself. Although not much of a commercial success then, it gave the computer industry a goal to pursue in manufacturing this item with better weight, size and performance ratio and making one of today's most wanted computer hardware.

Notebook size has got much smaller, however big enough to make one feel very comfortable in handling and operating computer related tasks. One can find it in sizes best categorized as: 1 - Tablet Pc has the size of paper tablet and weighs no more than 4 pounds; 2 - Ultra Portable is a little bigger than Tablet Pc and weighs around 4 pounds, no internal CD or DVD drive, display of 12 inches or smaller; 3 - Thin and Light is a mid-size notebook, 10-14" x 10", 1 to 1.5 thick, and weighs around 7 pounds, wireless network capability, 14-inch displays, combo CD-RW/DVD; 4 - Desktop replacement is the largest category of notebooks, more than 12 x 10" and weighs more than 7 pounds, 15-17 inches displays or larger, wireless network capability, combo CD-RW/DV.

Also an important feature one should look for is performance. Notebooks provide very close performance in comparison with traditional desktop computers, and should handle all computer related tasks with great ease. Whenever purchasing a notebook, make sure it has the latest cpu model, large ram memory and hard disk space. Notebook performance is directly related with cpu clock, ram memory and hard disk space. For these items, big is never enough.

Another feature one should look for is the dvd player. It can come in handy for entertainment purposes, enabling one to watch movies while traveling. Wireless connection is also a feature to look for in a notebook. Some notebooks feature an infrared port, which can be used to connect a mobile phone. Also there are other wireless technologies such as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, which allows mobile phone, printers and PDA to be connected at certified public and private network. The ability to have a mobile connection is definitely a plus in today's connected world.

Expansion capability for notebooks can be done thru the use of plug-in pc cards. Although there is a new standard called ExpressCard, which is smaller and faster plug-in card that provides more features for multimedia tasks.

Notebooks have certainly become an item required for one's mobile computer related tasks, whether it is used for public, private, personal or professional purposes. Its portability and small size make an attractive all around computer hardware item. For those looking for mobile computer hardware, notebooks can certainly become a good solution at affordable prices.

Roberto Sedycias IT Consultant for PoloMercantil

This text is under GNU FDL license and can be distributed without any previous authorization from the author.

This article can also be accessed in portuguese language from the News Articles section of page PoloMercantil

Roberto Sedycias has a bachelor degree in Business Administration and over 20 years experience in systems analysis and computer programming. Currently working as IT consultant for http://www.PoloMercantil.com.br

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

Buying A Notebook For College

noreply@blogger.com (Paweł) — Sun, 22 Apr 2007 10:58:00 +0000

Every year, before schools and college institutions begin their classes, students from around the country visit department stores and major electronics chains in an effort to get all those necessities that will allow them to complete successfully their studies. So, if you have recently been accepted to college and you are not exactly sure which your computing needs will be, buying a notebook computer is not a luxury purchase, but actually a necessity. In fact, anyone who has to cover frequent travel concerns, from college students to frequent business travelers, should possess a laptop, given the fact that it provides a mobile and light-weight computing experience for computer users around the world.

Recent research indicates that laptops are in fact used extensively as people need to own computer systems that are as mobile as they are. Buying an effective machine that can also be easy to carry around has increased considerably the laptop sales over the last decade, considering the lower manufacturer and assembly costs. Deals between hardware developers and software engineers have resulted in improved notebook systems that incorporate the ability of them being transferred easily from one place to another, as well as being able to compute much more than the main software functions, like reading and composing emails, operating spreadsheets, or using word processing applications. In fact, whether one needs to take work from one office location to another or do some work while onboard, today's laptops can accomplish almost any task.

But if you are still contemplating on whether or not you actually do need a laptop to perform your computer-related college work, it is useful to consider the vast capabilities of these travel-ready devices as well as your current needs and ability to operate them. Owning a highly portable workstation can provide you with entertainment, productivity and ease of use. Forget about long messy cords and mouse pads. Easy to navigate by just using your fingers, today's laptop models need no more than their rechargeable batteries or just an outlet to connect to their AC adapter and you are good to go.

Listening to music, playing games, watching videos, or writing a paper has never been easier. Laptop computers allow college students to manage their daily busy schedules instead of loosing time and effort. Some models offer screens that are only visible to the person that seats directly across them, eliminating the chances of one being able to visibly access your files and folders. Headphones and microphones, as used with desktop publishers are used to provide an efficient but considerate experience. Keep in mind that most of the available models come with software applications already in place making Internet browsing or working on a project a simple and easy process of starting up the machine. Finally, since laptop computers have become a mainstream device, many affordable models are offered in electronic superstores or are available to be ordered directly from the laptops manufacturers' websites.

Kadence Buchanan writes articles on many topics including Education, Science, and Employment

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Some Tips About Notebook Repairing

noreply@blogger.com (Paweł) — Sun, 22 Apr 2007 10:52:00 +0000

Your laptop is dead and the guarantee passed, you have several options but they depend much on at which price you bought your laptop.

To give you an idea if you have buy your laptop between 800 and 900 dollars that will cost you approximately 80 to 120 dollars to change the battery, 250 to 300$ for the motherboard, 250$ for DVD±R/RW doublelayer multi recorder combo drive.

Well if you know the current prices for a new laptop it is really necessary to reflect before launching out in an expensive repairing. Firstly, well diagnose the source of the problem and if possible (but strongly recommended) get the service manual of your notebook and if you think that it's possible do it yourself. The service manual will be useful for you to have the reference of the bad part. Once you identified the part, seek on the Net in the various shop of spare parts to see whether you find your happiness...

Certain parts like the hard disks, the memories, the keyboard and the dvd are in general very easily accessible and replaceable at a reasonable price, but for the other parts you have to evaluate and think well, about time, price, and risks as sometime repairing is not absolutely the best choice.

You must avoid at all costs the spiral of purchasing expensive parts finalizing itself by the purchase of a new laptop.

And if you need more information about laptop disassembly I own laptop support many free laptop manuals and useful tips.

Hope that it can help you.

Didier Pradel is the webmaster of laptop support and The linux laptop support where you can find many useful informations, and help for your lovely laptop.

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Notebook Computer Penalties

noreply@blogger.com (Paweł) — Sun, 22 Apr 2007 10:50:00 +0000

Notebook computers can be incredibly convenient for anyone who needs to travel or work in multiple locations. While external hard drives and flash drives can be used to carry around a hug amount of data, being able to work on the same machine, one that's been configured by you for your specific needs and style, is a major attraction. And with a notebook computer you can do a little work, or watch a video, surf the net, etc nearly anywhere you go. You can't do that with an external hard drive.

Prices have dropped and performance has improved, but you are still going to have to make some compromises. Substantially more powerful and flexible desktop systems are also now available for prices that are quite a bit lower than any reasonably well configured notebook. You have to pay a premium for your notebook's portability. Notebooks are also less comfortable to use than a desktop system, though this can be corrected with an external keyboard and a mouse - but, you won't be carrying a full size keyboard around when you travel. Ergonomically, notebook computers are simply impossible without external devices. So you also incur a comfort penalty. And usually the notebooks keyboards are more compact and may not have all the keys you'd like. Finally, they are also normally configured differently than full size keyboards. This can affect your productivity to some extent.

A desktop system is usually pretty easy to upgrade - even to add additional devices to. It can also usually handle more memory than a notebook computer and run a more powerful processor. Notebook computers can be hard to upgrade and your options can be quite limited. They generally have just two memory slots and are limited to maximum of 1 to 2GB of RAM. Replacing the memory is probably the only upgrade that won't require a specialized service center.

And unlike desktop systems which are relatively easy to repair, notebook computers are not only difficult to repair and require specialized, highly trained technicians, they also require specialized parts. If they are even available. I've built 5 or 6 computer systems for myself from scratch as well as upgrading them, adding more devices, etc. It isn't all that difficult. But mess with my laptop? Not a chance. I've upgraded the memory and that's it.

So, when a desktop system goes belly up, I'll replace the mother board (or whatever component failed) - or start from scratch and build a better system and recycle the devices that are still useable. However, if my notebook computer develops a problem, I've got serious and probably expensive trouble. Almost anything that goes wrong is going to involve specialized components of one kind or another. Remember that it takes some manufacturing ingenuity combined with miniaturization to cram a reasonably capable computer into a notebook case. So if you get yourself a notebook computer, make sure there's a service center nearby or be very clear on what you'll need to do if problems develop. You might also want to double check the warranty and see what components are covered and for how long and if you might have pay anything for certain repairs during the warranty period. Then get an idea of what it might cost after the warranty expires.

Overall, there are quite a few penalties involved in buying, using and fixing notebook computers. Mobility, however, has turned out to be an overwhelming advantage far overshadowing the negatives for a great many people. And, by now, many can't even imagine living and working without a notebook computer. Would I recommend you get a notebook? Only if you need the mobility, otherwise it's not a wise use of your money. Would I give up my notebook computer? Not a chance.

Additional articles and information about notebook computers can be found at http://AltNotebooks.com

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