Laptops and Netbooks » Other

Quad Core, now Core i7 laptops.

admin — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 08:05:29 +0000

A year ago people where asking, quad core laptop or duo core laptop. Things have moved on and the current, latest and greatest, is Core i7 laptops. The Intel Core i7 is the successor to the Intel Core 2 brand. The current models still use 4 cores so it is still technically quad core laptops, but will soon utilize up to 6 cores, all of them hyper threaded.

The geek stuff.

The mobile version of the Core i7 has 6-8 MiB of layer 3 cache. It uses a uPGA-989 socket with minim feature size of 42 nm. The TDP is 45-55 W.

Take a look at this gaming benchmarks from the PC Games Hardware. The core i7 blasts its competition away.

Do you need a core i7 laptop?

They come at a price the Dell/Alienware M15x for starters will have a base price of $ 1 499. The core i7 will for now mostly appeal to gamers who are always looking to get an extra few FPU’s. The core i7 does have the advantage of very low power usage even while performing at incredible speeds. Who doesn’t want a laptop with long battery life? As software require an ever more powerfull laptop everybody will soon find themselves shopping for a core i7 laptop.

Quick overview of Core i7 Laptops available.

Dell/Alienware M15x: Core i7 CPU with Nvidia discrete graphics, 8GB of RAM.
Dell Studio 15 and Dell Studio 17: Core i7 CPU with Radeon 4000-series discreet graphics.
Asus M60J soon 2 more gaming laptops will be released The G60J and the G51J.
HP Pavilion DV8 18.4, the laptop features Core i7 and Geforce GT 230.
HP Envy 15 claimed by HP to be the fastest consumer laptop ever, need we say more.

We cant wait until the Core i7 laptops come out later this year with 6 cores. Until then enjoy these core i7 laptops.

Quad Core Laptops

admin — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 12:16:07 +0000

Dual-core or Quad-core?

admin — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 12:17:28 +0000

If you’ve been meaning to upgrade, you’d soon be confronted with the dilemma on whether to choose dual core or quad core. Is there a significant difference? Is it worth the price? Do you need it?

You can ask your resident techie who would only dazzle you with terms like cache coherency circuitry or simultaneous multithreading. Or you could ask your dad. He bought it, he thinks it’s better though he can’t give pinpoint why, and he recommends you buy one for yourself.

Let me first point out the obvious. Both are processors: a dual-core has two cores and a quad-core has four. A core is synonymous to a CPU or control-processing unit. And there are benefits and drawbacks to choosing one over the other.

Having a multi-core processor boosts multitasking. It isn’t a new concept. Several tasks — if run on the server — can be worked on by several processors enabling the system to function faster. Each processor handles a separate stream of data and as most users work on several applications at the same time, it makes sense to have more than one processor for enhanced performance. What Intel and AMD did was integrate multiple physical processors in one chip.

That’s the theory. For it to actually work, the software must be prepared to function that way. Compatibility is an issue. Software companies have to keep up with the processor industry. It takes some time for it to catch up. And that is why dual-cores outperform the quad-cores. I’m certain that a year or two from now, the quad-cores will receive all the accolades.

If you’re the type who constantly upgrades, most of your applications would probably function better with a dual-core processor. If the software that you’re using is already compatible with the quad-cores then by all means, go for it. Also take a look the more notable quad core laptops on the market at the moment.

Read about: Core i7 laptops.

HP Laptops

admin — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 15:00:48 +0000

Have you been planning to get your hands on a laptop computer all this time but just do not know what to buy? At any point, only because you want a laptop so badly, you can just choose the first laptop you see the moment you step in a computer store. While that can happen, it is always best to put some serious thought before you make a laptop purchase, not to mention, getting the best out of that well-earned cash you got right there.

Nowadays, laptop computers have grown so much popularity that a recent survey showed that there are more and more people who now owns a laptop than desktop computers. So, since you’ve found this page, allow me to introduce you to HP laptops.

For starters, HP holds a rich history of innovation which is among the most respected brands in today’s computing industry. Hewlett Packard we know as HP today was founded by two Stanford graduates William (Bill) Hewlett and David (Dave) Packard who earned their degrees in electrical engineering in 1935 and went on to establish HP as a business in 1947 and named the company after their initials with an investment of $538.

HP laptops are highly customizable, ergonomically designed, and conveniently upgradeable – these are only but a few of its key features, that make most buyers enticed in purchasing these laptops. Over time, HP has diversified into delivering custom made laptop ranges to suit customer needs and tastes. While these laptops are built to last longer, they remain reasonably priced. Aside from HP’s focus to mobility, HP has also made an impressive reputation by delivering the most powerful laptops and tablet computers, powerful enough it can out perform regular desktop computers. The reliability and efficiency of HP’s after-sale support is something that its competitors have continuously struggled to match.

So the question is: what is the best laptop for you? Making sure that you have considered all the potential options and styles that would best work for you is the ultimate key on which laptop best fits you.

In making an HP laptop computer your choice, you can rest assured, that you’re not only getting your money’s worth, you are also getting the best possible product that can be custom ordered to fit your needs. You can prepare to be satisfied if not totally impressed.

Take a look at the HP Envy 15 as a good example of HP magic.

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Speed Up Your Computer – Part II

admin — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 21:15:10 +0000

In the post “Speed Up Your Computer – Part I” I discussed how to remove programs from your start-up to free up more RAM. This usually has a major impact on how the speed of your laptop compares, but sometimes freeing up memory is not enough. This is because sometimes your start-up is not the problem but your registry. Your registry is like the “mother setup” of your computer, and if your registry gets messed up your computer is usually in a lot of trouble. So how would you know if your registry is corrupted? You can check for these signs

>> Blue screens
>> Your system crashes
>> Unable to install or uninstall software
>> Slow system performance
>> Unusual error messages

Luckily there are some good software packages on the market that can help you clean up and fix your registry. I have tried a few but personally I like Registry Ease the best. Since I have been using Registry Ease I have never had to format my PC again to keep it in working condition.I strongly recommend that you give it a shot. You can download it for free by clicking on the image below.

Please let me know what type of results you got with Registry Ease by leaving your comments below.

What does your Laptop say about you?

admin — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 12:27:42 +0000

People don’t realize how much their laptops communicates about what type of person they are. I look at peoples laptops at work and in Coffee shops to profile them. Ya I know, do not judge a book by its covers, but this is not judging. It is mere categorization of people to help me relate to them in special ways. Here is the decision criterion I use. Take a look at how the users of laptops compare to each other. Please add your own in the comments below.

Male with a Pink Laptop – Don’t drop your teaspoon in the pantry. He just might want to run a virus scan on you! Or he is an out right rebel, challenging everything and everyone around him.

Chick with a Pink Laptop – Should not be common in the work place as colored laptops may be considered unprofessional by some. With the pink laptop she basically communicating the following.

1. I am deliberatly down tuning the perception that I am clever to raise my bimbo factor

2. I don’t care about tech nor understand it. I just want a pretty Laptop.

3. I am fun and take life lightly.

Toshiba Laptop – Someone that seeks no thrils nor thuses. He just want to het the job done. I have seen countless auditors with Toshibas. They love them because Toshibas are just as predictable as they are. For example Toshiba Satellite P500-S8945.

Apple Mac Laptop -If you have a Mac you are most probably a Designer,Photographer or publisher of some type. Or you like offbeat stuff and swimming against the stream. Mac Users are usually trendy folks, the type of guy that can pull of a Yellow Suit at a funeral. Macsters will almost always have some other Apple electronics like the iPod. Mac users are always very passionate about Macs and will not tolerate anyone talking down on there aluminum cased babies. Example Apple 13″ MacBook Pro

HP Laptops – You are from an older generation, still placing trust in the trusty HP calculators of back in the day. You like quality and are willing to take out some extra cash to get it. You are most likely in some kind of a profession and most probably male. Example HP Envy 15.

Sony VAIO - You completely diregard the value for money optimization excersize and go staight for the best by dishing out your hard earned cash. You have money and you want to show it. You most likely drive a luxury sedan and chances are good it is a black one.

Dell Inspiron – You are after style but like most people of your generation you are a bit cash strapped and cant go for anything over R10k. So you go for, in my opinion the best value for money on the market. ( If you optimize for style ). Example Dell Inspiron Mini 10.

Netbooks – Difficult to say at the moment. Initially developed for developing countries Netbook manufacturesrs soon found out that their biggest market is the First world. So the market is still very new and not even the big computer companies are sure with all there market research dollors at their disposal. One thing I can say about netbook users is that they are cool. Like me with my Lenevo Ideapad S10.

Again, please add some more profiles in the comments below.

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3G or ADSL – Which One Should You Pick?

admin — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 13:15:57 +0000

In this modern, digital world there`s no need to be left lagging behind with a slow, clunky internet connection, and if you`ve yet to experience the true power of broadband for yourself then you`re missing out big time. For home users broadband can open up a world of entertainment and information as well as providing unification and connectivity for your whole home if you have the know how or the desire to learn. There are now many ways to stream videos and even whole movies online, and using the many social networking portals to share information and media with your friends and loved ones is made pain free by broadband. For business users the benefits of having a broadband connection in your office are huge.

You`ll be able to ease the flow of commerce and synchronise every aspect of your business life, provide a portal for you and your employees to access important files from anywhere in the world, and even use Wi-Fi internet as a way of attracting new customers to your place of business. However, landline ADSL broadband isn`t the only broadband solution available, and there`s currently a new kid on the block when it comes to broadband. That new kid would be 3G mobile broadband. There are positives and negatives for both ADSL and 3G broadband connections, which will be outlined below to in order to inform your decision.

ADSL – If you`ve got a BT landline on your property then chances are you`ll be eligible for an ADSL service. ADSL comes in many flavours, with costs varying from under £10 a month to over £40 depending on the service. The average ADSL customer will be eligible for an `up to` 8Mbps download speed, though because of the nature of the copper wire which provides the service, the further your property is from the local telephone exchange the slower the real life speed of the connection will be. However, some ISPs offer up to 24Mbps download speed in certain areas, so if you simply must go faster then ADSL is for you. Most ADSL customers will also receive a free wireless router allowing them to broadcast their interne connection over a short distance so that Wi-Fi enabled laptops and mobile devices can connect.

3G Mobile Broadband – The first major up side for 3G broadband is that there`s no need for a land line connection, all you need is to be within range of your network provider`s 3G signal. The second upside is that there`s no need to pay line rental on top of the cost of the broadband as it`s all covered in a single monthly payment. And since 3G uses a tiny mobile broadband USB dongle to connect to the internet all you need to supply is a laptop, making it hugely portable. On the negative side, not all areas are covered by 3G networks, and the speed of 3G varies between 3.6Mbps and 7.2Mbps and is also dependant on your hardware and your chosen network. Your choice between ADSL and 3G should be based on your needs, whether it`s speed and low cost or portability and availability.

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Should You buy a Netbook?

admin — Sun, 31 May 2009 13:45:02 +0000

So we are all very familiar with laptops, but what is a Netbook. A netbook is a stripped down version of a laptop that is built mainly for online applications. The reasoning behind the design of a netbook is that more and more aplications move to the internet, thus decreasing the demand for a laptop with super hardware. Why would Net aps decrease the need for power? Simple, all processes are run on the webserver so the webserver does all the number crunchung and you just use your Netbook as terminal.

How do I identify a Netbook?

Look at the price and specs. If you see a laptop that costs a fraction of a regular laptop and is about half the size. Chances are good you are looking at a “Netty”

Processor

Netbooks usually run on the Intel Atom processor, a processor designed for low powered mobile electronics like Mobile Phones and Netbooks. Don’t try and compare performance of the Intel Atom with regular processors from Intel, you will be disappointed. Some benchmark tests reported that the Atom takes up to 3 times longer to perform the same spreadsheet calculations as the bigger Intel CPU’s.

The Atom has 2 major advantages over the Bigger Intel processors and that is it’s energy requirements. A Netbook running on the Atom wil l on average have a battery life 2 to 2.5 times that of a laptop, which makes it excellent for mobile computing.

Screen Size

Netbook screen sizes range between 7 and 12 inches and has a resultion in the area of 1024×600 wich is not to bad but don’t try hooking it up to your LCD TV or flat screen monitor.

Other Hardware

Due to the space constraints of the Netbook you wil not find all the regular stuff from a laptop. No optical drive and limited ports, again just drives home the fact that Netbooks are maschinines that is designed for the Web. All Netbooks however comes out standard with WLAN adapters. Some Netbooks even has embedded 3G but be prepared to fork out a little more for this nice feature.

Operating System

Netbooks run on Windows XP, Linux and Windows Vista but XP has proven to be the best steward of these mobile machines. The reason being that Vista’s system requirements are to heavy for the little guys and Linux just scares the daylight out of the average computer user like me.

Is the Netbook Right for you?

What makes the notebook atractive is its portability and price but I am afraid if you like 3d Games, Photo Editing or Engeneering aplications the Netbook might not be right for you, on the other hand if you just like surfing the web, chilling on Facebook and chatting on Skype, the Netbook might just be the right fit for you.

The vid below has more info on the differences between a Notebook and a Netbook.

By the way, I edited and posted this blog from my Lenovo Ideapad S10. Also check out the Lenovo Ideapad S12

Lenovo IdeaPad S10 – Netbook Review

Cool Prank you can Play on your Friends

admin — Wed, 27 May 2009 13:19:57 +0000

This is one of the best pranks around. I love playing this on people when I get hold of their laptops without them knowing. Basically what I will be showing you is how to replace the Desktop with an image of the Desktop. If have written down the steps below and created a YouTube video for additional help. Enjoy!

1. Close all Windows and Aplications. You should see the desktop in front of you

2. Press the Print Screen Button. This will create an image of the desktop

3. Open Paint.

4. Hit ctrl+v or go to edit and paste. This will paste the image of the Desktop into paint

5. Save the file

6. Go back to the desktop

7. Now you will have to hide the icons on he desktop. I suggest that you just cut and paste them to some folder where you can find them in later on. The reason is that you will set the image you have just saved as the wallpaper. The computer user will see all icons but none if them will be active as they will just be part of a picture and not actual icons. The reason for hiding the icons is because the original icons will still apear and overlay the “fake” icons.

8. Right Click on the Desktop → Properties → Desktop → Browse → Select the image of the desktop that you have saved in step 5

9. You should now see an exact copy of the original desktop but it will not have active icons.

10.Now you wait for the user of the laptop to return and enjoy there fit while they try and open application from shortcuts.

Stay tuned to my blog for more Laptop Pranks

Henry Chinner

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Free Anti-virus Software.

admin — Tue, 26 May 2009 15:50:19 +0000

Ask a dozen who owns a computer or laptop what their preferred anti-virus software is, and two names are going to pop up regularly – Norton and McAfee. In fact, you can get into a heated debate with some people over those two programs. Why? Well, for a lot of those in the tech industry, they use one or the other on their company servers, so when they give advice to end users as to which is better, they tend to side with the one they’re the most comfortable using.

Now both of those programs are fine for anti-virus software in their own right; however, I prefer something that doesn’t cost me an arm and a leg to own. I don’t have a major server network, and I don’t need phone support 24/7. What I need is an anti-virus program that does what I need it to (stop bugs from getting into my system) and is cheap – or in this case, free.

That’s why I go with programs like Avast!, AVG, Panda and others. Now, out of that list, the one I personally prefer (currently) is Avast!. Why? Well for several reasons. First of all, they’re a smaller company, which means they have to try harder than the big dogs to impress me. That means they’re going to work harder at catching everything they can. Secondly, they have one of the few Anti-virus softwares I’ve ever seen that can install on an infected system without corrupting the program in the process.

I recently installed it on a client’s laptop, rebooted and discovered over 200 viruses on their computer – all of which were caught and quarantined. After the reboot completed, I let it update the virus database and ran the scanner under Windows – to find over 100 more viruses on the system. All were caught and quarantined by Avast!.

Now are these programs truly free? Not exactly (you knew there was a catch, didn’t you?). Most of them require you to register with the company, so they know who’s using it. This means they get to have your email address. Considering how many places require us to register with our email address, I don’t really consider that much of a fee – but you might. So just be aware that most will require some form of registration in order for you to enjoy your “free” software.

Another downside is that most of them require you to agree that you’re using it only for your home system and not in a company computer. That’s an important distinction and one I support fully. If you’re going to put an Anti-virus program on a company system, do it right. When you pay for it, you’re not just paying for the program, you’re paying for the support that comes with it, should anything nasty happen.

So in short, don’t let a professional box and a network guru fool you into thinking you need professional grade software for protection on your home computer. As a computer tech myself, I can assure you that free software often works as well, if not better, than the stuff you can buy in stores.

Download Avast Anti-virus here

David Gillespie