Peter Gitundu asked:




One thing for sure is that no one can live without air. This days it has become the same with computers for most people cannot do without them for they depend entirely on them. Also almost everyone uses a computer on his daily activities even without the desktops or the new in town the laptop notebook computer, hell even a mobile phone is a small computer.

Working is now being done anywhere one chooses because these computers are convenient enough that they can be carried to any place anytime and they perform the same kind of work as the fossils desktops. The immense desktops are slowly becoming extinct even though they get work done, they lack portability.

The combination of internet freedom and the portable laptop notebook computer has given us the ability to venture into anything that we desire at any part of the world with no limits. Business institutions are offering internet access as a way to get more.

The notebook computers come with handy a bag making them even more convenient because the hassling of a bag or the expense is already covered. If you are wondering about your entertainment I would say don’t worry. This is due to its one of the many added advantages of a DVD option. A working mate of mine was posted to a very remote area why there was no cable. As he went he bought himself the notebook computer just out of curiosity. That night we chatted on the messenger as he watched a moving, I also discovered that it had a rechargeable battery!

The laptop notebook computer is a plain illustration that goes to explain of how our future would be. To any person in thought of owning a computer I would advice on a notebook computer and there would be no regrets.

Angela

Titus Hoskins asked:




How To Choose the Best Student Laptop?

Merchants are singing those three magic words again,
‘Back to School’ and the fallout is everywhere!

Just as you’re getting your deep dark pre-cancerous tan
going — you hear those words — and it spells the end
of summer. Once again we are bombarded with advertising,
featuring the latest in ‘teen ware’ ‘school ware’ and
‘metal detector ware’. Kidding!

Is it just me or does it seem this year there is a lot
more ‘Back to School’ advertising for notebooks and laptops?
They seem to be everywhere… on TV, radio, and online.

Laptop ads are everywhere. Why is this?

Well, notebooks have come down in price, they have become
more affordable, even for the modest student. Laptops have
also come down in size, making them ideal for that school
napsack, or dormroom. They have also become tougher
and sturdier… better equipped to meet the hard/wear/tear
that students give it.

With notebook technology changing every two years or
so; notebooks can now handle most tasks students throw
their way. These advanced notebooks can do the job. They also
present a much stronger entertainment value to students, they
can handle better graphics and gaming, but most students
try to keep parents in the dark about this factor as they
plead for a new laptop for college or school. All this
pleading is further fueling the demand for laptops.

Then there is a little thing called the Internet. Throw
in a wireless connection and the student laptop is coming
into its own. Big Time!

The Internet has become a second teacher/parent/counselor
to most students. God help us all! But it has also become
a priceless source of the collective knowledge on this planet;
frightening but true. The Internet is an invaluable source of
knowledge for any high school/college student.

Not having ready access to all this knowledge and information
will put any student at a disadvantage with his peers.
It’s a very competitive world, in high school, in college and
in the future job market; every student should have an even
playing field.

That’s where the little notebook computer enters stage right!

Laptops or notebooks have quickly become a school necessity.
When? How? Why?…

It’s the perfect learning tool for students:

* very portable, you can carry them anywhere, class, cafe,
dorm, home…

* very convenient, you can take notes in class, type up assignments, print assignments, communicate home, access the Internet…

* very tough, many newer notebooks are designed to withstand a good pounding and keep on computing, ruggerized for sturdy use…

* very powerful, notebooks or laptops are catching up to their desktop cousins in computing speed, hard drive storage and
performance…

* very affordable, prices have dropped and are falling even further, laptops are now outselling desktop PCs so this price will drop even further, there’s a whole slew of used and refurbished laptops hitting the market…

If you’re a parent, student, or guardian; here are some of the factors you should consider when buying the best student laptop or notebook:

* size, it must be small, lightweight and very portable, fit comfortably under the arm or in that backpack

* sturdy, it must be tough, sturdy, ruggerized, and able to take more than one hard knock because students are students

* connections, wireless connections should be offered, the Internet is such a valuable tool in itself – a student should be able to access it anywhere. Most notebooks have these connections but check — a printer port, a 56Kbps-modem, a VGA port for an external monitor, and should have at least one USB port for external keyboard/mouse, digital cameras, drives, and MP3 players

* technical specs, it should have enough RAM, storage space (hard drive) and computing speed to do any job the student can throw at it

* battery life, make sure your student notebook has a reasonable battery life, 5 hours or more

* price, it should be reasonably priced, refurbished laptops may be an option for those on a strict budget

However, some words of wisdom, students or parents shouldn’t skimp
too much — if you’re spending 10′s of thousands on an education, you
should also provide for the best possible equipment in the form of a sturdy,
lightweight high performance laptop. Besides, a high quality laptop will
last for years… just imagine your son or daughter writing their resumes on
it after they have finished college… keep this image in your mind as you go
about buying that perfect student laptop.

Cheryl

Peter Lockson asked:




Although millions of people own PC laptop computers, most do not have a full understanding of the evolution involved. Technology has changed dramatically over the years. Because of this, people now have incredible options whether for work, school, play, online gaming, research, design, and so on.

While the desktop computer was very popular for a long time, with the development of laptop computers or notebook computers, people can also enjoy more versatility and mobility. These computers are smaller, lighter weight, less expensive, and more portable, changing the world of computers as it was once known.

One of the greatest advantages of laptop computers over desktops is size. Many people think because a laptop is small, the display screen is hard to see but in truth, many are designed with 17-inch screens! These computers also have webcams, built-in keyboards and mouse, batteries that can provide hours of offline use, and much more. While all of these are great benefits, the fact that PC laptops provide portability is definitely a huge plus. For instance, a person that travels for business, heads off to college, goes on vacation, or needs a computer while away from home or office can do whatever they need using the laptop. The system would run on battery power and then to recharge, simply plug it in to a standard electrical outlet at the airport, hotel, etc.

As far as the thickness of today’s PC laptop computers, the normal range is from.07 to 1.5 inches, making them easy to handle. These computers are also designed in various sizes such as 10×8 or 15×11 inches, with monitors of 13-inches to 17-inches, respectively. Interestingly, some monitors are even larger. Then, to keep components such as the keyboard, monitor, and mouse protected, laptop computers are designed with a flip style, making it easy to open and close. Even the weight of laptop computers is impressive, many 12 pounds or less, obviously, adding to the portability benefit.

PC laptop notebooks were first developed during the 1970s but since that time, manufacturers have listened to what consumers want and changed design and technology to accommodation. Interestingly, the concept of having a portable computer was the brainchild of Alan Kay in 1972. At that time, Kay worked for Xerox PARC and began to think how great it would be to have a system capable of going where people go, which resulted in the launch of the Dynabook. Nine years later, a variety of laptop computers was created for public use in the form of the Epson HX-20 or Osborn 1. Although computers were now portable, they also cost thousands of dollars and were extremely heavy.

Initially, laptop notebooks had a price tag of $4,000 to $8,000 and again, they were hard to carry because of weight. Today, people can purchase a laptop for less than $700, and one that weighs 12 pounds or less! This means that computers such as this are much more efficient, making them even more valuable. Now, while notebook computers offer so many benefits, some things need to be considered before buying. As an example, some laptops have compatibility issues in that for international standards, the buyer might have to invest more money for a processor, hard drive, PC cards, and a variety of peripherals. Even though some issues with interchangeability exist, the bottom line is that PC laptop computers are still a great investment.

Michele

Susan Ganor asked:




Laptops have now replaced desktop computers to a great extent. People prefer notebooks or laptops for its portable, compact and mobility factor. You have the convenience of carrying them wherever you go so that you can continue with your work on the road.

But the only drawback of laptops is its battery life. Most standard laptops have a battery life of 2 to 2.5 hours and after that they need to be recharged with the help of a power supply which can be done only at home or office or wherever an electric supply is available.

But the point of traveling with your laptop is to give you maximum usage but the battery does not permit you to work for more than a couple of hours. The manufacturers are thinking of developing laptops using fuel cells that would last for several days or even weeks with a single charge. But this concept will materialize somewhere in the future. And these devices are not going to be cheap for sure.

Until then, laptop manufacturers have come up with a great alternative to extend your laptop’s battery life for several hours. It is called an external laptop battery. These batteries can either be lithium-ion or NiMH, but the more popular ones are the Li-on batteries.

An external laptop battery can give varied results depending on its make and capacity. Most external batteries are quite affordable. You can purchase them for $120-$150 which can give you up to 2-3 hours of extra battery life.

The more expensive ones have the capacity to give battery life of 7 to 10 hours and cost anywhere from $300-$500. Now you need to choose a battery according to your requirements. If you frequently travel long distances and constantly need your laptop for business purposes, you would have to invest more and buy an external battery that gives you longer battery life. But if you do not use your laptop that often while on the road then a battery with a couple of hours of lifespan should suffice your requirements.

Although most external laptop batteries are compatible with all laptop models, there are few notebooks that need a specific type of external battery. So look out for the battery that is compatible with your laptop. Many laptops need specific voltage for charging, so adjust the voltage of the external battery to the laptop’s voltage as most of the batteries come with multiple voltage settings to cater to diverse laptop models.

The external laptop battery is a sleek and a lightweight device. They do not weigh more than 3.5 pounds. This makes it a very friendly device to carry along with your laptop. They easily fit into any laptop bag, briefcase or purse. Like any battery, external batteries too need proper usage so that it can give you maximum benefits for many years.

Sue

Alan Jacobson asked:




Mini notes are notebooks and laptops that are half the size of traditional machines, but incredibly powerful and ultra-portable. They are exploding in popularity in four markets:

- Rural areas around the globe that are cut off from new sources of information such as updated textbooks and up-to-the-minute news turn to these devices to solve these problems.

- Many poor areas have both the above problem and also the problem of families not being able to afford a full fledged computer.

- Consumers in the U.S., Japan, and elsewhere often have computing needs that are much less than what a large and expensive computer delivers. Groups such as children, stay at home parents, and senior citizens may want something easy, cheap portable, and light. Mini notes are perfect.

- Many families in wealthier countries are finding that they need almost one computer to every family member. However, to save space and money, and for maximum convenience, they buy one or two large models and the rest are mini-laptops or mini-notebooks.

What has happened over the past few years to truly make mini laptops and mini notebooks so popular is that manufacturers no longer have to strip down a lot of the functionality of a larger model to get to a price and size that attracts the consumer. In fact, most of the current mini notes have the functionality of the fully powerful notebooks and laptops of just a few years ago. They have a screen much larger than a mobile phone or PDA, though slightly smaller than a full sized laptop.

The target price for 2010 many manufacturers have for mini notes is below $100. They also hope to bring their weight below a pound (they are currently only about a pound and a half). Whether a consumer wants to access e-mail, watch video, listen to MP3s, browse the internet, take pictures and video, or learn from a virtual textbook, mini notes are already revolutionary even before they take these exciting future steps.

For the more technologically minded, here is a brief synopsis of the features of the technology involved with mini notebooks and mini laptops:

- Built-in Devices: Wireless LAN antenna, Bluetooth antenna

- Dimensions (average): Width 6-7 in, Depth 5- 6 in, Height 1-1.4 in, Weight 1.5-1.75 lbs

- Processor: Intel A110 / 800 MHz

- Operating Systems: Varied, but include Windows products such as Vista

- Software: Many possibilities including standard Office products, photo and video editing, financial, etc.

- Cache Memory: Installed Size usually around 512 KB

- RAM: Installed Size .5-1 GB

- Hard Drive: 20-60 GB

Mini notes, mini-laptops, and mini-notebooks will continue to evolve, but don’t wait. Very powerful, ultra-portable, and inexpensive models are already available from major manufacturers.

Stacy

Matthew Richard Kerridge asked:




There seems to be a general amount of confusion regarding what exactly a “notebook” is in comparison to other kinds of portable computers. Unlike netbooks, which are a recent emerging kind of portable PC with a distinctly different role to play, notebooks have been around for a while and are now almost indistinguishable from standard laptops. The two terms are, in fact, often used as synonyms today.

The term “notebook” was coined around 1989 to describe emerging lines of smaller laptops that were about the size of a typical A4 paper notebook. The first two to fit the original label were the NEC UltraLite notebooks and the Compaq LTE line of systems, with the IBM ThinkPad arriving a couple of years later to really popularize the form factor. Laptops before then (and many since) were usually wider, taller, and thicker, with the laptops of today being so to fit extra goodies into the system, increase airflow to cool really powerful processors, or to simply have a larger, eye catching screen (or all of the above, as the case sometimes is).

For a while thereafter, the term “notebook” was used as a term to describe smaller laptops, which were generally used by businessmen and students thanks to their lighter weight and smaller form making them easier to carry around. Thanks to this reduced size, though, notebooks were generally known for something else as well.

Due to the reduced size, notebooks were generally less powerful than their larger laptops, making them great companions alongside desktops but not good replacements for them. This differentiation has lasted until today, despite the fact that notebooks come in a variety of sizes now, making them look and feel like laptops. With heftier, more powerful laptops claiming to be capable of anything all but the most powerful desktops, it is still relatively easy to pick out the less powerful, more streamlined notebooks, even when they do have 16“ screens and DVD drives.

This means, of course, that notebooks are now situated between laptops and netbooks in terms of processing power and general usage. Where netbooks are the extreme in portability and low prices, they are also the lowest denominator in regards to processing power and storage space. Unlike netbooks, notebooks are not specifically designed just for office use and surfing the Net – they can perform almost every task that laptops and desktops can.

With notebooks and laptops converging and becoming increasingly similar, it is possible that very soon there will not be any difference between the two at all.

In closing, we would like to mention that there is one distinction between laptops and notebooks that is actually increasing at the present time: touchscreen functionality. At present, the percentage of notebooks with a built in touchscreen is rising quite rapidly. While there are laptops with touchscreen support, the function is, at least for the moment, a notebook thing.

Jim

Jeffrey Lake asked:




Introduction:
How do you make the best choice with your hard earned money when you need to buy a computer?

Brief Reasoning:
Low cost netbooks are the smallest, very light weight, easy to stow away and carry, has WIFI, networked, but is very limited and slows down when it comes to running most common large applications. Netbooks are great if all you need is a basic online connection for email and taking notes.

Some notebooks and mini-laptops are priced just above the netbook cost and a performance notebook may go 2 to 4x of a netbook cost and have larger displays, more computing power, memory, disk space, is larger to carry in a backpack, takes more power and battery life is typically a few hours. Notebooks are typically designed with a price point, to match performance with a range of moderate to good capability and may perform very well for most of today’s user application needs. A good notebook can easily do most any computing that is needed with reasonably good performance and has the advantage of complete under-the-arm computer portability and fits on top of your lap or any flat surface top.

Desktop computers range from very small to large boxes that are designed to run off AC wall power and left in a fixed location at a personal workspace-desk or area in a cabinet as an application server. Desktop costs range as low as a netbook and typically are at a lower cost than a notebook with similar capability. For the best value, one can usually find a much higher performance computer, more CPU, RAM, disk space, powerful graphics, have fast responding applications, for games, video image processing, and video phones. Overall, the desktop computer is the best choice if portability is not required.

Conclusion:
A person buying a computer today wants to use their money carefully when investing in computer technology to get the most value and have a satisfying experience and a long time benefit.
It’s clear that a performance desktop computer system is a much better choice than most laptops for fixed location applications. However if portability is mandatory and good performance is needed a more expensive notebook (laptop) is a best fit. If you need it all, high performance and portability, very light weight and small are mandatory and basic computing is fine then a buy both a netbook for the portability and a main fixed high performance desktop computer to get the best experience and benefits of fast application performance computing of from desktop and the ease of mobility with a netbook.

Donald

Jeremy Lakota asked:




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

Andrew Frain asked:




Toshiba is one of the leading producers in high quality laptop computers. Toshiba notebooks contain a variety of extremely useful features and can be bought at a very affordable price. One of the newest additions to Toshiba is the Toshiba satellite L305-s5961 notebook PC. This notebook computer specializes in providing you with the best features but giving them to you at a price that isn’t overwhelming.

This Toshiba notebook computer features a 2.0 GHz Intel Pentium T4200 dual-core processor which greatly enhances the response time of the computer. The processor also increases the computers ability to multitask so that you can download programs without having to deal with a slow internet. This Toshiba satellite laptop also comes with a 250 GB hard drive that is perfect for those of you who love to have lots of space on the computer. There is plenty of space so that you can store all of your music, photos, and movies while still having enough space for downloads. There is a CD/DVD drive that plays all of your cds and dvds perfectly. This drive also burns cds so that you can share your favorite music with your friends and family.

This Toshiba laptop computer also features a 15.4 inch TFT screen that includes a high resolution and a high definition picture. With this great screen you can enjoy watching your favorite movies in high definition and the 15.4 inch screen is plenty big enough to satisfy your viewing experience. This laptop also features TruBrite technology which provides you with brighter and more colorful images. You can easily adjust the brightness and color settings to your personal preference. With all of these features the screen always appears smooth and clear. In addition to the fantastic display, this notebook computer also features stereo speakers that are built in to the laptop itself. These speakers have a very high audio quality and the sound is superb. They are perfect for playing music and can easily be used during parties and large get togethers.

The Toshiba satellite notebook computer also has great internet connection and its wireless capabilities are unbelievable. This laptop is capable of connecting to almost any wireless network in the vicinity and still gives you high performance wherever you are. It also has a great wireless range so that it can obtain a lot more wireless networks than most laptops can. This laptop also comes with many security features such as notifying you of dangerous wireless networks and keeping your computer from being hacked. With 3 USB ports you can use multiple multi media devices at once. You can plug in your printer and download music and photos from your iPod and camera at the same time.

This Toshiba notebook computer also comes preloaded with software such as Microsoft works 9.0 and Microsoft office 2007 home and student addition. With windows vista media center you can play all of your music and movies and you can even record live television. This center has all of your entertainment needs.

Connie

John K Wells asked:




Toshiba has launched a new line of Toshiba laptops in India, these laptops are pre-installed with Windows 7, and accommodate all budgets. The Toshiba laptops are equipped with the latest processors and are available in different screen sizes. Whether you are a businessman, an executive or a home/office user, Toshiba has a laptop for you. Toshiba’s core brand values – mobility, innovation and quality – are the reason that Toshiba is a popular brand for laptops in India and make it the best choice for advanced mobile computing.

The New NB200A series by Toshiba Laptops is a Mini Notebook PC. It is an ultra portable notebook PC and comes with a Full-size QWERTY raised keyboard, Touchpad, 3D Motion Sensor, LED Backlit Display, Integrated Web Camera and many more features. You can browse, email, surf & download using the NB200A. The NB 200A Series is targeted towards home, office users and professionals on the go.

The Toshiba Satellite series laptops are the perfect replacement for your desktop. They are an affordable range of laptops with a brilliant WXGA high-gloss screen 39.13 cms (15.4) and an integrated DVD Super-Multi optical drive ideal to make home videos and to burn CDs. It is also equipped with a built-in webcam and microphone for easy chatting. The Toshiba Satellite is an ideal home/office laptop.

The Toshiba Satellite Series Laptops are ideal for students, home users and anyone looking to enjoy digital media, staying productive, connecting online or casual gaming.

The protege series is ideal for the business professional, it has a unique textured leather finish making it a fashionable notebook pc; it is equipped with a High Definition Widescreen 33.8 cms (13W), touchpad, speaker grill and Chrome finish-borders giving it a sleek and stylish look.

The Protege series has a multimedia bar with 8 Feather Touch Control Buttons to enhance the notebook experience. Protege has an Eco-Utility Touch Button for better power management, Finger print Technology, Face Recognition for added security, 3D Motion Sensor for HDD Protection and integrated with HD Auto-macro Widescreen Web camera.

The Tecra by Toshiba Laptops is an ultraportable series of notebook pc that redefines true mobility for executives. It comes with a fully-loaded power-user, it has a 39.13 cms (15.4) Clear Super View (CSV) Display Screen with an integrated PCMCIA Card slot. It also offers a host of connectivity options, and has an optional docking station with a port replicator support for additional ports. Other Features include 4 USB ports, IEEE 1394 (fire wire) port, etc. The Toshiba laptop has an integrated Business Card Reader, which can intelligently scan business/visiting cards and stores details in an Address book for referrals later, making it a very efficient tool to manage business contacts. The Tecra is an ideal ultraportable notebook for business executives.

Jason