big news notebook

Asus EEE PC 1008HA

2009-06-05T01:10:00.000-07:00

Asus's next netbook might make you look twice. It's sexy, it's white--but it's not a Mac.

It's thin, sleek, and light, and at least one Macworld editor is eyeballing it with interest. Nevertheless, the ASUS Eee PC 1008HA
netbook is no MacBook. Asus seems to be spitting out new additions to its netbook line faster than I can count. (Who can forget the Asus Eee PC 1000HE, the Asus Eee PC 1000H 80G XP, and the Asus Eee PC T91? It ain't easy, since all three came out in the past six months or so.) Nevertheless, the company's designers continue to find ways to refine their machines. The proof is in this new $420 (as of May 26, 2009) netbook.

Under its frosty exterior, the system sports up-to-the-minute netbook innards: an Intel Atom N280 CPU, 1GB of RAM, a 160GB hard drive, Bluetooth, 802.11n, and a three-cell battery (we're still awaiting battery life test results from the PC World Test Center).

The keyboard is 92 percent of full size, with a good layout, and it feels big and comfortable. The buttons were firm and large enough to type on easily. Even the metallic mouse-button bar was reasonably secure--and I especially like Asus's treatment of the touchpad. Instead of using dainty trim or a different material to indicate that you're within the strike zone, this model incorporates tiny bumps. As aresult, the netbook looks as though it has a mild rash. But more to the point, it feels really good. Navigating Web sites was a piece of cake.

To accommodate the 1008HA's thin-and-light design, Asus had to drop a few ports--and in the process it made an interesting design move: In a hidden compartment on the underside of the netbook sits a VGA adapter dongle. When you need it, you simply pop it out and plug it into the mini-USB port on one side of the machine. This clever move retains the functionality while reducing the size, and it minimizes the chance of losing dongles. (Another smart tactic is evident in the Sony VAIO P netbook, which sneaks the VGA dongle onto its power supply...but I digress.) Otherwise, on the 1008HA you'll find the usual retinue of connection options hiding behind flaps: an ethernet hookup, two USB ports, an SD Card reader, and headphone and microphone jacks.

As for the 10.1-inch screen, it looks sufficiently sharp and crisp at its native 1024-by-600-pixel resolution. (You can scale this setting higher in an emulated mode.) Colors pop when you tilt the display at just the right angle--as is the case with most laptops and netbooks. Also typically, the screen's glossy coating will leave you squinting when you try to view it in broad daylight.

How does it perform? It falls right in the zone for netbooks. Scoring a little on the high side, it ranks a 38 in PC WorldBench tests (the average, to date, hovers around 35). So obviously, you're fully covered on your basic office documents and Web surfing needs.

I was also happily surprised to discover that this thin-and-light machine was able to hang in for just under six hours in battery tests. Well above the average...and earning it a nod for your next cross-country flight.

Considering its price, size, style and performance, it doesn't take a genius to figure out that the ASUS Eee PC 1008HA
is a sleek, solid netbook choice and definitely worth a look.

by pc world

Acer - The Top Third Player

2009-05-20T04:28:00.001-07:00

Formed in 1976 brand Acer is ranked third among computer giants with largest market share after Hewlett Packard and Dell. The company operates in a wide domain of offerings which includes desktops, laptops, PDAs, servers and storage, displays, peripherals and e-business services for business, government, education, and home users. Acer is best known for its desktops and laptops.

On one hand where Acer markets its desktops under a common series called Acer Aspire, its range of notebooks is more defined and well segmented to serve specific market. The notebook collection includes well known names such as Acer TravelMate, Acer Gemstone, Tablet PC series, Acer Aspire series, Acer Aspire Timeline series, Acer Extensa series, Acer Ferrari series, Netbook and Aspire One. Apart from desktops and notebooks, Acer also covers a good market for its consumer products such as PDAs with S and N series, Acer Altos series for servers and storage devices, Digital cameras and LCD TVs. Acer e300 series Travel Companion is Acer's brand for automotive navigation systems. In addition to this are workstations under the name Acer PICA.

Recently Acer has launched many new products. It has added three new beauties to its Netbook and ultra portable range. Gateway LT20 and Gateway LT30 are multi touch Netbooks weighing 2.62 pounds and possessing Wifi and 3G capabilities. Adding to this is Acer's new ultra portable Aspire one. Under its light weight notebooks it has unfurled Acer Aspire 3935 and Gateway EC series. These two are a perfect merger of style and capabilities but are very pricy models. Among its new Nettops and low power all-in-one desktops are Acer AspireRevo, eMachines EZ1600 and Acer Aspire Z5600. You can call these multimedia machines due to their features like integrated graphics platform, TV tuner and DV/Blu-Ray combo drive.

Apart from this Acer these days is also in news for launching Android based smartphones in September. It is anticipated that after the launch of this phone Acer would be the holder of 5 % of total market for smartphones by the year 2010. The phone will operate on Android's operating system which is open source and based on linux. After the launch of this phone Acer would be in competition with companies like HTC, Samsung, LG and Motorola. Out of these HTC is already out with its Android based smartphone. The rest of them is still in planning.

By Vinnit Alex

Pink Laptops - Acer Aspire One AOA150-1690 8.9-Inch Pink Netbook

2009-05-20T04:16:00.000-07:00

Although it is of general consensus that Asus is the pioneer of mini-laptops/netbooks, Acer is slowly but steadily establishing itself as formidable competitor for the Asus Eee series. The Acer Aspire One AOA150-1690 8.9-Inch netbook was one of the best-selling netbooks last year and shows no signs of decline in 2009. Here is a quick review of this model in Pink.

There are only a handful of laptop manufacturers out there that produces pink laptops. Even if they do, the shade of pink that is use is always quite distinct from other models. The pink Acer Aspire One AOA150-1690 8.9-Inch netbook boasts a darker shade a pink. It is not a completely pink laptop as the frame around the scree, the sides and the keyboard, is white in color. The outer casing has a slightly glossy pink surface with the Acer logo discreetly etched on one of the corners.

Personally, I would much prefer if the netbook was in completely in pink. But then again, that may make it look too much like a toy. Don't be fooled by its casual appearance as its pretty casing bellies a host of impressive features.

For starters, it runs on Intel's Atom Processor (1.6ghz) and has 1GB of RAM (upgradeable to maximum of 2GB). This gives you more than enough processing power as the netbook runs on Windows XP home (like all other netbooks). It is wi-fi ready and comes with a web cam for video conferencing. It has a 160GB hard drive and a 3 cell battery (lasting up to 2.5 hours on a single charge). For longer battery life, you can always upgrade to a 6 cell battery.

By Troy Richards

Netbooks - Two Stylish Netbooks For a Chic Setup

2009-05-20T04:11:00.000-07:00

If there's one thing that can be held against netbooks, it is that most models are bland and boring, and rarely can you find a model that you can call stylish.

Thankfully, two netbook manufacturers have taken their cue from fashionistas and have released new stylish models that are at least one step higher than their siblings in terms of design. Creating stylish models is unavoidable - netbooks are, after all, laptop mini-me's that can be considered as fashion accessories. That said, there are two models for the stylish set:

The Dell Mini 9 netbook

Dell's Mini 9 and 12 netbooks have new casings with designs created by toy designer Tristan Eaton. If you like comic books or like the work of Peter Max, the new Dell netbooks are for you. If you already have a Dell Mini, you can have the skin upgraded from standard black to Eaton graphics for $50.

Asus Eee 1002HA

The newly-introduced Asus Eee 1002HA is similar to the Asus 1000H, except that the 1002HA sports a brushed aluminum casing, which makes it look more business-like. It is also slick looking at just one inch thick. Like most netbooks, the Asus Eee 1002HA has a ten-inch display and has a large hard drive space at 160GB. Its battery is estimated to last five hours.

While they are stylish, the new Dell Mini netbooks and the Asus Eee 1002HA lack optical drives like most netbooks, so you can forget about enjoying DVD or CD movies. The new stylish Eee PC hits stores shelves on December 1, 2009 and will be sold for $499.

By John Kessler

Mobile Computers and Their Uses

2009-05-20T04:10:00.002-07:00

Along with the fast pace of the world, technology has flourished with the invention of thousands of new devices and there have also been considerable updates and upgrades to the devices that are currently in use. Mobile Computers are nothing but remote computing devices which help the users to perform computational activities through a small display screen available in the device. The invention of these devices can be said to be the starting point of a new era which has enabled the computer users to handle their day to day chores effectively, which they were otherwise doing using their desktop computers. The new invention helps the users to be in touch with their business or organizational activities throughout 24/7 which has proved to be highly effective and profitable.

The advent of these luxury devices have not only made everyone's life easy but has also shrunk the world and made them quite compact. The specialties of these devices are that they are easily portable, do not require any cable to be connected with a network and are handy too. The wireless connection between the remotely located Internet service provider and the mobile computer is established through the wireless computing devices and battery powered communication devices. The different types of mobile computer devices include laptops or notebooks, smart mobile phones and PDAs.

A laptop or notebook is a type of mobile computer which is a smaller version of a desktop computer. Laptops are usually connected with wireless LAN or wireless WAN technology. A laptop can be used to perform all the activities that are performed by using a traditional desktop computer. As a laptop runs with a charge contained in one single battery, it is a great device in limiting power consumption. There are various types of laptops which vary in their look and utility based on the brand, configuration and their cost.

Personal digital assistants, or PDA in short, are handheld or mobile computers which are pocket-sized computing devices with a small display screen and miniaturized keyboard. They can also be operated through the touch screen user interface. PDAs are gaining in popularity because of their incredible size and their potential to perform almost all the tasks that can be performed by the traditional desktop computer. Smart phones are no less functional. They are nothing but mobile phones which also include all the features of a desktop computer. The system enables the user to access the internet and to be readily reachable by email. The invention of the mobile computers has not only made it easy for the users to readily access their personal and official documents, but has also helped to save a huge amount of time which, when used productively has helped to increase the growth of a business tremendously.

Dot Com Infoway's Mobile Application Development has come of age. With iPhone Application Development and Android Application Development added to the inventory of services.

By John Paul Williams

How to Buy a Netbook

2009-05-20T04:10:00.001-07:00

The netbook market is new, and constantly in flux. We explain what models are available to you today.

The term netbook, coined by Intel, conveys little useful information about this category of machines. Sure, they all have wireless networking, but so does every other laptop. What the term originally helped to identify was a class of small, ultralightweight, cheap-as-dirt mobile PCs.

Netbooks are tiny--usually between half and two-thirds the size of a garden-variety laptop--and they typically weigh around 2.5 pounds. With their cool, slim designs, they outclass some fancy ultraportables. And best of all, these diminutive laptops start at around $200 (in some cases $100, when purchased as part of a mobile broadband promotional deal).

But that doesn't mean a netbook is for everyone. These are basic computing devices that will meet only basic computing needs. If you're looking to do a little bit of word processing, maybe edit a few simple spreadsheets, and want to surf the Web, a netbook will suffice. But if you're looking to edit high-resolution photos or work with video, a netbook isn't for you: These systems have seriously limited processing power. You can listen to some tunes, but don't expect first-ratesound. And you might be able to watch a few online videos, but you'll be looking at a relatively tiny screen.

In determining what makes a netbook a netbook, and not an ultraportable laptop, we take several factors into consideration. Chief among them: price, size, and the CPU under its hood. But netbooks are constantly evolving, and we're now on the cusp of next-generation models. Soon, we'll see Atom processors outfitted with a discrete nVidia GPU (the Ion platform). And Intel isn't the only chip maker in the netbook space: AMD is half-stepping into the territory with the Athlon Neo CPU. The distinguishing characteristics are in flux. With that in mind, here's what you need to know when buying a netbook.

The Big Picture

The netbook market is new, and constantly in flux. We'll explain the options available to you today. more

The Specs Explained

Just because netbooks are cheap, that doesn't mean you have to expect poor performance. We'll guide you through the choices you need to make in order to get the most out of your mini machine. more

Netbook Shopping Tips

Sure, some netbooks are cheap. But some also cost almost as much as full-fledged laptops. Our advice well help you find the right machine at the right price.

PC World Staff

11 Cool Android Prototypes We'd Like to See

2009-05-20T04:05:00.000-07:00

The Android mobile operating system is invading not only new handhelds but a host of new portable gadgets, including laptops and media tablets.

2009: The Year of the Android Invasion?
Could 2009 go down as the year of the Android device invasion? We haven't yet seen the debut of many gadgets based on Android, Google's mobile operating system, but hopes are high.

According to a study by Strategy Analytics, global shipments of Android-based smartphones will grow a stunning 900 percent this year. That's a lot of Androids and raises the question, what can we expect? Some manufacturers say they have more Android-based handsets coming, but others are teasing us with the promise of netbooks, tablets...you name it--all based on the Android OS.

Why should you care? Android is not only a mobile OS, but can support a mobile platform (or ecosystem) on a par with the wildly popular OS that runs Apple's iPhone. (See " What Google's Mobile OS Will Do for Your Next Cell Phone.") The T-Mobile G1 Android-based phone is very similar to the iPhone in features and functions, offering a touchscreen interface, 3G wireless support, and a mobile app store, just as Apple does. Better yet, the Android OS is open-source, meaning developers are free to innovate in ways simply not possible with the iPhone's mobile OS (Apple keeps an iron-clad grip on what you can and cannot do with its iPhone OS).

Lastly, Android was developed in-part with the help of Google. And it never hurts to have the backing of heavy hitters like that.

To get a sense of what an Android takeover might be like, we've put together some Android devices still in prototype form. We aren't claiming that the Android gear we've assembled here is headed for success--or even that all of them will make retail shelves. But the lineup of candidates is interesting. Have a look.

Daniel Ionescu, PC World

Asus to Launch An Aluminum Skin Netbook

2009-05-19T06:25:00.000-07:00

What are the benefits of having a netbook with aluminum skin? Nothing, except that aluminum is chameleon-like, that is, they can take on the color of their surroundings, from the trees and the birds and the bees. And when the aluminum skin is colored deep red, dark blue and metal grey, the colors become more astounding.

For netbook fans who think these laptop mini-me's could go a lot further in terms of style, you'll be glad to know that Asus is set to launch (at the time of this writing) the Asus Eee PC 1002HAE, a 10-inch netbook that is refreshingly more elegant looking than its predecessors. This netbook model is dressed up in different aluminum colors: deep red, dark blue and metal grey.

Apart from the stylish chassis, Asus also enhance the power by using a 1.66GHx N280 Atom CPU instead of the 1.6GHz N270 in the N270 Atom CPU. Everything else about this netbook is the same as other models in the Asus Eee PC line. The 1002HAE netbook has a 10-inch (1024 x 600) LED-backlit display, 1GB of RAM and 160GB hard-disk drive, which is not bad.

It is also built with wireless Draft-N support, a card reader, and a 1.3MP webcam. This mini laptop weighs in at 1.2kg and measures 264 x 181 x 27.6mm. Thus far, Asus has only talked about releasing the model in Japan. However, the company is expected to release it in the United States and Europe thereafter. The Asus Eee PC 1002HAE sells for 49,800 Yen, or $502.

By John Kessler

Acer - The Top Third Player

2009-05-19T06:24:00.000-07:00

Every 12 Seconds a Laptop is Stolen!

2009-05-13T06:35:00.000-07:00

An FBI report issued that statement. In different report, over 12,000 laptops go missing at airports each year! And over 150 million personal files have been stolen by hackers since 2005. Also, there has been an 81% increase in stolen laptops since 2005.

Today, it is more critical to protect all your sensitive data, as well as photos on your desktop and laptop computers. Although some new computers may have installed anti-virus protection software, that doesn't stop hackers, or stolen laptops from having the data exposed. Most encryption software that is available today is easy to hack into, according to various studies.

Backing up your data will only help you know that if your hard drive crashes, you have the information on another hard drive. Yet, over 65% of computer users do not backup their data and have that issue also at risk.

Even with a secure router, hackers can easily break into your network. It's easy to find "freeware" programs on the Internet that are designed to do just that! So what is the solution? Which encryption software can stop hackers, or thieves from stealing your data?

When purchasing encryption software, look for the following: A) Manufacturer. Make sure the company has a history of developing encryption software. Who is buying and using the software. B) What level of encryption has been granted. For example, the US Government rates encryption on levels it assigns. One of the highest levels for consumer encryption is called NIST/FIPS 140-2, level 2 at 256 bits. C) The higher the bits of encryption, the more secure your data is and less likely to be hacked into. 256 is recommended. 128 bit is easily hacked and is not a good high level of software for encryption. D) Check to see if the encryption software increases the file size.

Some refer to the encryption as a wrapper. This tends to increase the size of your files and can cause problems with your system by slowing down the speed of your applications. It is best to have a compression encryption software. E) Most important, does the encryption software allow you to save just the files you want, or must you encrypt the entire hard drive. It is best to have the option to choose your files and that will keep other files on your hard drive from being exposed to potential hackers. F) Finally, will the encryption software allow you to save encrypted files onto a thumb drive, or DVD/CD. This is excellent for traveling or business trips by bringing only the files you need. It also protects your data should the thumb drive or DVD get lost or stolen.

When searching for encryption software, be careful on those that are free. If it costs nothing for the software, then it just might not be as secure as you think.

By George Carson

New MSI Wind Netbook to Hit the United States

2009-05-08T21:09:00.000-07:00

Just when you thought the United States couldn't be more flooded with netbooks, along comes the MSI Wind U123.

Previously, this netbook model was only available by pre-ordering at Amazon and other online retailers. Now it is expected to be available in retail shops across the country.

The Wind U123 is 7 inches wide and 10.2 inches long. Like the typical netbook, is powered Intel Atom's N280 1.66GHz processor. It has a 160GB hard drive, 1GB RAM, and a 6-cell battery. It runs on the Windows XP operating system. And like other netbooks, this one is sold at the relatively low price range of $350 to $380.

Unlike other netbooks, the Wind U123's keyboard is only 20% smaller than the keyboard of a standard notebook. The keys are comfortably spaced 0.68 inches apart. ? The Wind U123 also features MSI's exclusive MSI EasyFace face identification software for added security. (No stranger can ever use your netbook while you are away.)

Unlike the MSI Wind U100, however, the Wind U123 is not a hybrid netbook. It is only shipped with a hard disk drive. While they are known for their large storage capacity, hard disk drives do not have the svelte of Solid State Drives (SSD), which can boot data up to 20% faster and are generally more reliable than hard disks. Hybrid netbooks store their operating system on the SSD and use hard disk drives solely for storing files.

Still, with the MSI Wind U123, what you get is standard netbook performance, which really means it's more than good enough for to meet your computing needs.

By Marnie Castle

AMAZON

3 Generations of Netbooks - What Next?

2009-05-08T21:06:00.000-07:00

When Asus first introduced the Asus Eee PC 701 to the world at COMPUTEX Taipei 2007, we thought that the next computing craze would be small, cheap and light mini laptops. Fellow Tawaiianese competitor Acer stepped in with it's Acer Aspire One, MSI brought out the Wind, but no big brands yet stepped in. By the end of 2008, the HP 2133 mini-note and Dell Inspiron Mini 9 were on the scene. Slowly the bigger companies have all stepped in, although still overshadowed by the Linux dominated Asus/Acer duopoly.

However, Samsung and HP both brought out great new 10 inch models putting the Tawaiianese to shame - the Samsung NC10 and HP Compaq mini 700. Toshiba arrive on the scene with its NB100 mini laptop - even Sony turned up with it's quintessential VAIO P Series 'Lifestyle PC'. They seem to differentiate themselves from the earlier models. The specs are better, Windows XP is more prominent (the Samsung NC10 came out with just Windows XP, and it was a bestseller) but the size and price has crept upwards.

Now, as even newer models are hitting the shelves such as the Samsung NC120, Acer Aspire One 751 and Toshiba NB200 with even higher specs including integrated 3G enabling internet access wherever you can get mobile phone signal - provided you have a sim card. Incidentally, a stronger partnership of 3G mobile broadband and mini laptops could show a completely new direction within the computing industry. Network providers go hand in hand with the mobile phone industry and like to provide phones for "free" on lucrative contracts. But so far the efforts to put laptops and netbooks on contract have been limited at most - yes, there are some contracts available for around £20-30 per month including a free laptop. The range is limited, and more often than not the laptops don't have embedded sim cards, so you're stuck with a clumsy USB dongle - good for sharing but not much else.

But this looks all about to change as new mini laptops in the pipeline are coming with 3G sim embedded capabilities. That means you can simply enter a sim and surf, which could mean that the laptop contract market will become suddenly a whole lot more consumer friendly. What we like to call '3G mini laptops' - the third generation - could be ready to accept any sim card, perhaps changing the face of network providers shops forever, filling out the wall space beside the familiar mobile phones and BlackBerry's.

But what else can a new mini laptops provide? New models such as the Samsung NC310, Acer Aspire One 751 and Sony VAIO P Series have sorted out some of the fundamental flaws of the earlier models - the small "cramped" keyboards and interface, reliability, battery life, operating systems and more. Coming in 2010 is the new Windows 7 operating system which will adorn later models.

So have mini laptops reached their full potential? Possibly, but there's one iconic player in the computer market that has left the world of smaller, cheaper consumer laptops claiming that they "Don't know how to make a $500 laptop that isn't a piece of junk". These are the words of Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple. Apples typically take an existing product and giving it its touch of innovation. The iPod is now market leader in the music player industry, the iPhone has revolutionised the world of mobile phones, the Mac to a smaller extent has impacted the computer market, particularly amongst graphic intensive applications. Could Apple provide the same finish to a mini MacBook?

There have been numerous rumours regarding an Apple netbook, but some more substantial evidence of a touchscreen type device combining a larger iPhone type console with the Mac operating system. Maybe Apple's entry into the market could turn the netbook market on its head.

By Ed Fry

Buying Your First Laptop

2009-05-08T21:05:00.000-07:00

Buying your first laptop can be a stressful time because there are so many options to choose from. First of all, you need to decide what kind of laptop it is that you need. Are you a student that will be using the computer for basic word processing and internet browsing? Are you a web developer that will be using much processor power for video and pictures? All these things need to go into consideration when purchasing your laptop.

Many people will agree that Macs are better for media rich applications such as Photoshop and Flash. Macs have been know to be excellent for those who need fast processing power for video. If you are editing videos more that 50% of the time, I would have to say that the majority of you will be using Macs. Mac repair is a more specialized field so you also need to take this into consideration when purchasing a new computer

On the other hand, if you just need a computer for basic browsing and word processing, a Mac might be overkill. A PC will do the job great!

There days both platforms are highly compatible. It comes down to preference. If you like the Mac OS, you should stick with a Mac. If you like the Windows OS, then stick with a PC.

Macs tend to be pricier than PCs.

These days, bottom of the line computers will be more that plenty fast for basic computing. if you need anything faster, buy the fastest computer that you can afford. It is always better to have too much power then not enough when dealing with processor hogging applications.

By Dan Kornak

How to Improve the Quality of a Laptop

2009-05-08T21:03:00.000-07:00

The working of a laptop mainly depends on a charger. Life of a laptop battery is affected by many factors. Some of them are given below and we are also telling you the tips that will surely help you a lot.

In every laptop there is an energy saving mode, you should have to take full advantage. By this you can increase or decrease the power. Two power schemes are available on your windows.

One is Laptop power scheme that reduces the use of power and increases the life of the battery. The other one is Maximum power battery scheme that also reduces the power use but the disadvantage of this scheme is, as your processing demands changes it does not adjust by itself.

Maximum battery should only be used in the case of reading documents and if you want to take notes to the meeting. Even according to specific needs, we can customize the power scheme. It is up to us that how many custom power schemes we want to create.

Running very heavy program on your laptop would surely be a harmful thing for its battery. Watching movies daily will put heavy weight on your laptops battery and will decrease its life. But if you have a spare battery then it's OKAY.

The monitor of your system is the biggest consumer of the battery. But I have a solution. First of all find the brightness control and turn it down, it will surely add life to the battery.

People used to think that lap top battery only works less than a year. That's not true but it doesn't mean that it has a long life. You will be impressed by its performance in first year but it's a machine, wear and tear is always a matter of thinking.

Now I am going to discuss, types of a battery

Nickel cadmium Lithium-ion Battery:
Now a days you will mostly find laptops with Lithium ion battery. This cycle provides you with 300-500 charge/discharge cycles. This battery is not friendly with overcharging. If we will try to overcharge it, it sucks. Life of this battery is very badly affected by high temperature. This battery works well for a time period of 2-3 years. After that it will not completely fail but will work rather slow. Charging and discharging habits of a user will not cause as much damage to the battery as caused by exposure to elevated temperature.

Nickel-based Battery:
In this type of battery, before fully charging, it's better to completely discharge it. If it is partially discharged before recharging then the resulting capacity of the battery would be decreased.

Lithium battery has more voltage capacity than Nickel based battery. If your laptop has passed a time of 3 years, it is better to use Nickel based battery.

By Danish Muzaffar

Low Price Laptops and Notebooks Are the Perfect Affordable Mobile Computer

2009-05-08T21:01:00.001-07:00

Having your own mobile computer has never been more affordable. With the low prices of laptop and notebook computers today, having your computer with you when you need it is much more common than being stuck behind a desk with your stationary machine. The best of both worlds is having a desk that you can park your laptop or notebook at, and attach to a monitor and full sized keyboard when you are at home.

There are some places where laptops abound. The airport is one. Coffee shops are another. Oh, don't forget libraries. While we're at it, let's list fast food restaurants as well. Each day, wireless internet in food, travel, and retail locations is becoming more and more common. As a way to draw customers into their shop or kiosk, they proudly advertise that they have wireless internet available. Add a low price laptop to the picture, and now you have a mobile office that can connect to the internet, for free, in many public places.

In the past, having a laptop only gave you a way to bring your computer and your work with you. Connecting to the internet was a different story. That would usually only occur after you got back home and plugged your laptop in for a recharge. These days, not only can you access the internet in public, but many of those same internet-enable establishments also make plugging in for a quick recharge an easy possibility.

If you have been waiting to get a laptop, or upgrade to a new model, now is a great time to do so because low prices for laptops are extremely common. Sure, you can spend multiple thousands of dollars for a laptop that will do a lot more than you need it to, but by spending only five hundred dollars or less, you can get a high-quality laptop computer for an ultra low price. With the number of retail locations that welcome laptop owners with open arms, it has never been a better time to have a laptop. You can be one of those people.

When shopping for a laptop, doing so through the major internet retailers is the best way to find the largest selection and the lowest prices. It's a simple truth: virtual stores have virtual shelves and aisles. They can showcase the largest selection and offer the lowest prices because they don't have to pay the rent associated with being a brick-and-mortar retailer. Ready to save? Click here to start shopping for your next, or first, Low Price Laptop.

By Jeremy Lakota

Low Cost Laptops and Notebooks Offer High Quality For Big Savings

2009-05-08T21:00:00.001-07:00

Many of today's laptops and notebooks are not only low price, but they are also high quality. Not too long ago, buying a laptop meant that you had to spend at least one thousand dollars. In most cases, a lot more. The laptops of those days were bulky and heavy. They were missing a lot of the great features that are included as standards in today's low price laptops.

In the world of portable computers, much like the switch from CD players to iPods and other flash-drive-based music players, the past five years has resulted in the same decrease in bulkiness. Long gone are the days of lugging around a ten pound laptop that never seemed to a hold its charge for all that long. If you have been keeping away from portable computers, or even if you are currently just looking to upgrade, the low-cost laptops of today are a great place to start.

It is absolutely amazing what you can get for five hundred dollars, and sometimes even less, when buying a low-priced laptop or notebook computer. You can always spend more and get a higher quality system, but for the needs of many computer users, a low-price laptop has all of the features and speed that you need. If you are looking to save money and buy a quality laptop, consider your stars aligned.

It's important to know that you can get a low price laptop at many electronic stores, but to get the lowest price, going through a major internet retailer is your best chance. Not only for price, but also for selection. In addition, there are random specials and savings that brick-and-mortar stores just can't offer. Speaking of which, stocking a physical location full of low price laptop and notebook computers is a lot more costly than having a virtual store like that of Amazon. The result is that the brick-and-mortar store has to charge you more for the same quality system. Buying a laptop computer online isn't for everyone, but it is for many. Ready to get started? Click here to start your search for a low price laptop.

By Jeremy Lakota

Instant Hit - New 10.1-inch Mini Laptop Computer From Acer

2009-05-08T20:55:00.000-07:00

The new line of 10-inch Acer Laptop Computer - Acer Aspire One (AOD150 series) become an instant hit, right after it's debut last month. The new 10'' inch netbook is a natural extension to his predecessor Acer Aspire One 8.9''. Except for the new bigger screen, the new AOD150 has a new stylish design as well. The online mobility of this mini laptop computer is guaranteed with integrated bluetooth module and a 54g wireless LAN (Acer InviLink).

Other nice feature is that this netbook comes with a 5800mah battery. Whit that power is enough for continuous work away from the socket for up to 7 hours. The hard drive is the same 5400 rpm 160gb as on 8.9 version, with SATA interface One of the most nice features is the ultra bright 10.1'' monitor. Despite of max resolution 1024x600, the screen is very easy for the eyes, no matter how long you have to work on it. In addition to the screen Acer integrated in this mini laptop Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950, that can use shared video memory. That means that you can use some of your system ram for graphic needs.

The processor is the well-know Intel Atom 1.6 ghz which has power optimization, so you can use a little power, which is critical for a longer use with standard battery. The additional features that you have on this mini laptop are: Multy card reader, three USB port for your peripherals, 1,3 web camera integrated in the top of the screen, audio and microphone jack. one 15 pin port for an external monitor and 10/100 Fast Ethernet LAN connection.

The performance of this mini laptop computer is very nice if you use it to stay connected to friend and family or just browsing the WEB. It's perfect for a student or for a world traveler. As a back up on the go machine, or just to have it in your bag without noticing it. The prices are very reasonable and with this high competition on the netbook market, we can expect them to drop around 300$ until the end of the year.

By Ray Walker Bernard

Toshiba Satellite A305-S6908 15.4-Inch Laptop - A Quick Review

2009-05-08T20:53:00.000-07:00

Due to its durability and reliability the Toshiba Satellite laptop series has been a favorite among corporate and personal laptop users for almost a decade now. Fans of Apple laptops buy MacBooks mainly due to its style and novelty reasons. Purchasers of Japanese laptop brands such as Toshiba and Fujitsu make their purchase for its performance and practicality. Here is a quick review of one of the latest models from Toshiba, the Toshiba Satellite A305-S6908 15.4-inch laptop series.

The truth is, the looks and external design of laptops play a major rule in influencing a purchase. The Toshiba Satellite A305-S6908 15.4-inch laptop has a beautiful exterior with smooth high-gloss surfaces and sleek curves. At just below $700 (at the time of writing), this little machine is a bargain. It comes with 4GB Ram and runs on a 2.0GHZ T6400 Intel processor. Its powerful insides make gaming and multitasking a breeze.

Like most laptops today, the Toshiba Satellite A305-S6908 15.4-inch laptop comes with 250GB of hard disk space. The keyboard pad and the palm rest, like the casing is kind of glossy, adding to the cool factor of this laptop. The brilliant 15.4 inch TFT display displays vivid and clear images and also has an anti glare feature that is useful for those who work with their laptops for long periods of time. One of my favorite features of the Toshiba Satellite A305-S6908 15.4-inch laptop is its sounds system. It has two Harman Kardon stereo speakers that produce amazing audio quality (for a laptop). With my previous laptops, due to the unbearable audio quality, I could never use the inbuilt speakers for long periods of time. With the new A305 it looks like I could chuck away my plug in speakers for a while.

By Troy Richards

Sony VAIO VGN-AW11M-H Laptop Review

2009-05-08T20:51:00.000-07:00

Sony VAIO AW11M/H, a HD compatible laptop, is the latest addition of Sony laptop series that intended to give computer users everything what they want. It weighs about 3.7kg and comes with an Intel Centrino 2.26GHz Core 2 Duo P8400 processor, Blu-ray drive and a standard 16:9 aspect ratio LCD screen. It also comes with 4.0 GHz RAM of memory and 320GB of hard disk capacity. This specification is more than enough to run daily tasks, store lots of media files and install many applications without worry of capacity limitation.

Sony VAIO AW11M/H has a screen size of 18.4" with 1680 x 945 pixel resolution. It gives a superb viewing and high image quality, no matter of what you are doing such as to surf internet, watch movies or play games, Sony VAIO AW11M/H is certainly able to meet all your needs. However if you are intended to play high performance games or watch HD movies, it current built-in nVidia GeForce 9300M graphics card might not be the best option. It will be more suitable to run nominal application and online usage.

Sony VAIO AW11M/H has a unique keyboard layout, like in many desktop PC, which comprise of an inline multimedia buttons that allow better user responds and experiences. It also comes with it own pre-installed multimedia software as standard. This model has a vast keyboard layout that makes the whole typing experience more comfortable. Like in desktop PC, Sony VAIO AW11M/H has a separate numeric keypad. This type of keyboard layout is one of its kinds and hasn't been seen on any other rival laptops.

The touchpad of this Sony VAIO comes in a reasonable size, despite that it might feel slightly small in size. Sony VAIO AW11M/H comes with all the standard ports for ease portability and connectivity. It has an Ethernet port, modem adapter plus 3 USB ports on the right side of the laptop. On the left side of the laptop, it has a HDMI port that allows you to connect over to the 1080i/p devices.

This new Sony laptop series is definitely at the top of it own class. If you are looking for a high quality machine with easy to use features and functions, look no further, your search are finally over, Sony VAIO AW11M/H is the ideal choice.

By Wilson Teo

AMAZON

Cheap Laptops - A Boon Or Bane?

2009-05-08T20:50:00.000-07:00

Cheap laptops/bargain laptops hits the bullseye of budget segment people. It is not wise to blindly buy cheap laptops assuming the reason the prices of components that make up the laptop have dropped and hence they are cheap. Impostors are lining up to make the best of this scenario. They try to sell $150 laptop as the one worth $400 by adding up glossy interfaces and shiny models. Since it's a tough task for a non-techie person to sort out the difference they are the easy preys. Adding to this, Microsoft has joined hands with hardware vendors to support Vista interface in 128 MB integrated graphics. This feature enabled in a lowed model misleads the naive user and they are chiseled.
To prevent this,

The buyer has to check whether the hardware supports all of these-as Pixel support-2.0,support for graphical operations, support for lighting and transforming. Few features in vista are supported if the laptop has good integrated graphics card. This again misleads naive and they assume it has a good memory. Finally they end up cramming when they install new software.

Fancy terms like AMD DUAL CORE and high resolution monitor are utilized in favor by these swindlers. DUAL CORE have equal processing power of the Centrino and the major difference is they eat up more battery. Since this is a new feature it attracts preys. High resolution monitor doesn't mean the actual high resolution but with respect to vista again.

Hence it is very important for the bargain laptop buyer to search for an honest merchant and do proper analysis to save him from buying an utter crap beautifully wrapped with jargons. Thus a few analysis and planning will definitely help you buy a better quality laptop at a cheaper price.

By Thomas P

amazon store

2009-05-08T20:26:00.000-07:00

Apple MacBook MB466LL/A 13.3-Inch Laptop review

2009-05-08T20:22:00.000-07:00

Product Description

Redesigned with a precision unibody enclosure crafted from a single block of aluminum, the MacBook is thinner and lighter than its predecessor as well as stronger and more durable. But Apple didn't stop innovating with the body's design. The MacBook also includes a new 13.3-inch, LED-backlit glass display (instead of an LCD panel) and a glass trackpad that doesn't include a button (for larger tracking area) and features includes Apple's Multi-Touch technology.

Under the hood, the MacBook is powered by a powerful 2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor (with 3 MB L2 cache and 1066 MHz front-side bus), which runs applications faster and more efficiently as well as helps to reduce power requirements and save on battery life. And the MacBook features the integrated NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics processor, which delivers outstanding 3D game play with up to five times faster graphics performance than the previous generation.

It's pre-loaded with Apple's Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard operating system, which enables easy backup of your most important data via Time Machine, a redesigned desktop that helps eliminate clutter. It also comes with the iLife '08 suite of applications--including iPhoto, iMovie, Garageband, and iTunes--and the newest version of the fast-loading Safari web browser. Other hardware features include a 160 GB hard drive, 2 GB of installed RAM (which can be upgraded to 4 GB), an 8x combo Superdrive (for burning dual-layer DVDs as well as CDs), built-in Gigabit Ethernet for high-speed networking, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR (Enhanced Data Rate), and Mini DisplayPort video output (for DVI and VGA connections).

The New MacBook Design
Traditionally notebooks are made from multiple parts. With the new MacBook all of those parts with just one part--the breakthrough unibody enclosure. Every MacBook starts its life as a single block of aluminum, which is precisely machined into the basic unibody design. Another pass and the unibody takes shape. Another, and the integrated keyboard emerges. When you pick up a new MacBook you immediately notice the entire enclosure is thinner and lighter. And it feels strong and durable--perfect for life inside (and outside) your briefcase or backpack.

The standard aluminum electro-static trackpad has been replaced with a new glass Multi-Touch trackpad, which provides 40 percent more tracking area than before. Use two fingers to scroll up and down a page. Pinch to zoom in and out. Rotate an image with your fingertips. Swipe with three fingers to flip through your photo libraries. Swipe with four fingers to show your desktop, view all open windows, or switch applications. The entire trackpad surface is also a button, allowing you to both track and click virtually anywhere on the trackpad. And you can easily enable multiple virtual buttons in software, such as right-clicking.

The keyboard has also been improved, with the rigid aluminum keyboard webbing cut precisely to hold the keys, which are curved to perfectly fit fingers.

The 13.3-inch display is made of edge-to-edge, uninterrupted glass for a smooth, seamless surface and features LED backlighting for brilliant instant-on performance that uses up to 30 percent less energy than its predecessor. The ultra-thin displays provide crisp images and vivid colors which are ideal for viewing photos and movies

Intel Core 2 Duo Processor
Experience improved energy efficiency, expanded wireless connectivity, and amazing battery life with the 2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, which has a super-fast 1066 MHz front-side bus (FSB), and a large 3 MB L2 cache. (An L2, or secondary, cache temporarily stores data; and a larger L2 cache can help speed up your system's performance. The FSB carries data between the CPU and RAM, and a faster front-side bus will deliver better overall performance.)

The new hafnium-infused circuitry--which reduces electrical current leakage in transistors--conserves even more energy, giving you more time away from the wall outlet. With 3 MB of shared L2 cache, data and instructions can be kept close to the two processor cores, greatly increasing performance and allowing the entire system to work more efficiently. And, because the processor cores share the L2 cache, either can use the entire amount if the other happens to be idle.

Video Processing & Output
The new MacBook uses a graphics processor that economizes space without sacrificing battery life. The NVIDIA GeForce 9400M is great for gaming, providing up to a 5x performance boost. Enjoy faster, smoother, more responsive gameplay as you power your way through the 3D environments of Quake, Call of Duty, and Spore. The 9400M graphics processor shares 256 MB of DDR3 SDRAM with main memory.

The MacBook includes a next generation Mini DisplayPort, which delivers a pure digital signal that can drive up to a 30-inch widescreen display. The Mini DisplayPort is ultra-compact at just 10 percent the size of a full DVI connector, and is compatible with Apple's 24-inch Cinema Display. Adapters are also available for using VGA, DVI/HDMI and Dual-Link DVI displays

Hard Drive and Memory
The 160 GB Serial-ATA (SATA) hard drive (5400 RPM) quickens the pace with a higher speed transfer of data--akin to FireWire and USB 2.0. The 2 GB of PC3-8500 DDR3 RAM (two SO-DIMMs of 1024 MB) has an industry-leading 1066 MHz speed, and the RAM capacity can be increased to 4 GB.

Wireless Connectivity
The built-in 802.11n wireless networking provides up to five times the performance and twice the range of 802.11g, but it's also backward-compatible with 802.11a/b/g routers, enabling you to communicate with the a wide variety of Wi-Fi resources. It works seamlessly with the new AirPort Extreme with 802.11n. Use the built-in Bluetooth wireless technology to connect to your PDA or cell phone, synchronize addresses, or download pictures from your cell phone. You can also use a wireless headset for iChat audio chats and VoIP calls as well as quickly share files with a colleague.

Video Conferencing with Built-in iSight
Artfully placed in the glass display is an iSight camera, which enables easy video conferencing as well as allows you to snap pictures of yourself and create video podcasts. Using the iChat AV application, video conferencing is integrated into your iChat buddy list, so initiating a video conference is a breeze. iChat also lets you hold audio chats with up to 10 people and provides high-quality audio compression and full-duplex sound so conversation can flow naturally. For video podcasting, you can record a short clip using the iSight camera, then use iWeb to create a video blog entry or post your GarageBand-recorded podcast.

Other Features

* Two USB 2.0 ports
* Mini DisplayPort compatible with DVI, VGA, and dual-link DVI connectors (all optional)
* 8x slot-loading SuperDrive with the following write speeds: 8x DVD±R; 4x DVD±R DL (double layer); 4x DVD±RW; 24x CD-R; 10x CD-RW
* Built-in full-size keyboard with 78 (U.S.) or 79 (ISO) keys, including 12 function keys and 4 arrow keys (inverted "T" arrangement)
* Internal omnidirectional microphone and built-in speakers
* Combined optical digital output/headphone out (minijack)
* Combined optical digital input/audio line in (minijack)
* 50-watt-hour lithium-polymer battery providing up to 5 hours of battery life
* Kensington lock slot
* Measures 12.78 x 8.94 x 0.95 inches (WxDxH) and weighs 4.5 pounds (including battery)

Apple MacBook MB466LL, A 13.3-Inch Laptop - An Honest Review

2009-05-08T20:15:00.000-07:00

Apple is always known for producing the best-designed (common opinion) laptops in the market that are more powerful and advanced than other laptops in the market. There are no such things as an 'entry level' or 'budget' computer in the Apple range. Every computer produced by Apple is a top range machine, whether in terms of price, design or performance. The Apple MacBook MB466LL/A 13.3-Inch laptop is currently one of the best selling laptops in the market. Here is a quick look at this laptop and what the buzz around it is all about.

The Apple MacBook MB466LL/A 13.3-Inch laptop sports a beautiful and sleek aluminum frame with a brilliant 13.3-inch display. It has a large track pad (40% more that previous models and is powered by a 2.0GHZ Intel processor. It comes with 2GB of RAM and can be upgraded to 4GB RAM. It has 160GB of storage and like many Apple computers, is preloaded with the Leopard operating system as well as the latest iLife Applications, Compared to the Microsoft's Vista operation system, I found Apple's applications to be a breath of fresh air.

Unlike many laptops in the market, the Apple MacBook MB466LL/A 13.3-Inch laptop comes with a LED backlit screen, that is brighter and more brilliant that other laptop screens (such as the LCD and TFT screens). The keyboard on the MacBook has back lighting, making it possible for you to use the notebook in poor lighting conditions.

I have a confession to make. I have never been an Apple fan all this while. I have been using the Windows platform for more than a decade now and have never bothered to give Apple computers a try. Even though the Apple MacBook MB466LL/A 13.3-Inch laptop has similar specs with many other laptops in the market, it cannot be denied that my new Apple MacBook is just way faster than other laptops, even with heavy multitasking (I currently have 3 laptops with similar specs). Windows operating systems tend to lag and slow down as you install more applications on the computer and use up more memory. With my new MacBook, there are no signs of any lag or reduction in performance even that I have used up more than 80 percent of the laptops memory.

By Troy Richards

REVIEWS
AMAZON

Protect Your Laptop Properly With a Custom Laptop Backpack

2009-05-08T20:14:00.002-07:00

Laptops are a lot of people's most prized possession. They are very important to students and to people who make their career from their computers. They want to take it everywhere but if they are going to carry it they are going to need something to carry it in. This is a great opportunity to use to your advantage. You can easily promote your business by using custom laptop backpacks.

Students are a great target for promotional laptop backpacks. They want protection for their laptops that is going to last a long time and be beneficial to them. When you are able to provide them with a laptop backpack, they are going to advertise your business all over town for free. It's a great deal. It is going to show off your logo easily, effectively and at an affordable price.

They are especially great for students because they can not only protect their laptop but they can also assist in carrying other school supplies such as notebooks, pens, paper, some books, etc. Any little bit helps because we know that college books are a lot bigger than the ones we had in high school.

Not only are they great for students but they also make great rewards for those special clients or those exceptional workers. A custom computer case is also a wonderful promotional tool for those traveling employees, clients, or colleagues. This allows for your company logo, name, or message to be seen anywhere around the world. They are also very professional looking which reflects the quality of your business.

There are many different styles, colors, and materials to choose from that will attract different people. The more of a variety there is to choose from, the more people you will have carrying your logo around with them. There are promotional computer bags, messenger bags which are very popular, backpacks, and wheeled bags for those people who travel often. They are multifunctional and extremely convenient because they can carry more than just a laptop. Some can carry two laptops as well as files, documents, pens, cell phones, and much more.

Promotional computer bags create a great impression of your business to other businesses and to colleagues. It constructs a bond between you and the people around you; it shows loyalty and dedication.

Using custom laptop backpacks as a promotional tool is an exceptional idea because there is such a large market for it among students and anyone who owns a laptop. They want to protect their laptops during travel as well as when it's not in use. By providing them a laptop bag personalized with your company's logo, name or event, you are helping them help you. They are getting the protection that they want while you gain the advertisement you want.

By Delina R. Cunningham

3 Simple Things Students Should Look For in a New Laptop

2009-05-08T20:14:00.001-07:00

There are several things to take into consideration when purchasing a laptop for school. Space, type of tasks, battery life, size, and price are all important components of your decision. I have had experience with several different makes of machines and I will outline here the pros and cons of each. But first, make note of these general laptop words of advice. Here are 3 easy things to keep in mind when you are making your purchase.

1. WHEN BUYING A LAPTOP, ALWAYS PURCHASE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY.
-Why always? Because things happen no matter the brand when it comes to laptops. The last thing you want is to be writing an important paper and suddenly your hard drive craps out on you, and you are stuck one month out of the warranty that it came with.

2. DON'T THINK THAT A HIGHER PRICE MEANS GREATER COMPUTING POWER
There are brands out there that will stick it to you in the form of fancy software and features that a student just doesn't need. Find a sales associate and explain the tasks you will be performing with your laptop. They should be able to fit your needs with an appropriate product within your price range.

3. DO NOT BUY FIRST GENERATION PRODUCTS.
I purchased a MacBook when they were first introduced with Intel processors. I had a laundry list of errors and hardware failures that could have been avoided if I had chosen a product that had its bugs worked out. The only thing that was pleasant about it was the customer service that apple is known for.

By Doug Cook