The Alternative Broadcasting Online News Station

Laptop Basics

A laptop computer (also known as notebook computer) is a small mobile personal computer usually weighing from 1 to 3 kg. Laptops usually run on batteries but also from adapters which also charge the battery using mains power. Laptops are capable of many of the same tasks that desktop computers perform, although they are typically less powerful for the same price. Laptops contain components that are similar to those in their desktop counterparts and perform the same functions but are miniaturised and optimised for mobile use and efficient power consumption.

Laptops For People On A Budget

You may want a budget laptop for tasks such as word processing, internet research and email. A good source for finding budget laptops is ebay as is our site which is dedicated to providing you with information on locating cheap laptops. Look for a good 14.1-15-inch screen, a 30GB hard drive, a cheap processor such as Celeron, 256MB RAM, plus features like an Ethernet network card and a modem for use at home. This is the minimum you should be looking for in a budget laptop.

You may also want to check price comparison sites such as pricerunner.com before parting with your hard earned cash.

Suggested Budget Laptops: IBM Thinkpad T23, Dell Latitude D505, Sony Vaio FR415B, Toshiba Satellite.

Article by Ray Wilkes of http://www.cheap-laptop-info-com (For essential information on buying a cheap laptop)

There is no perfect wireless phone service, yet. This should be the first thing you should remember if you are in search for your next wireless phone service provider. The next thing you should know is that there is at least 5 or more companies providing phone service in your area and an average resident would only be able to name at least 3. These cellular companies are not any small company. They operate throughout the country with billions of dollars in revenue. These wireless phone service providers have their own nature in serving their subscribers. Each has its own unique plans, rates, discounts, phone units, costumer support service, and features.

Making a choice then does not involve a great deal of time. With a little idea of what you need for a phone and matching it with the available phone service companies would do the job.

Deciding what company to take should start from within. You should know what you want and the type of services you need.

You should determine the type of plan you want. This is the tricky part. Each cellular phone service company has its own way of naming their plans but generally, they are almost the same so you better have a clear idea of what type of plan you want. There are companies that offer personal and business plan. There are some that provide special rates on a particular plan.

Categorize yourself as a type of caller. Usually, companies have different rates for local, regional, nationwide, and roaming callers. Choosing a particular type of plan would give you several pros and cons. As was mentioned, there are yet to have a perfect cellular phone service providers so you have to settle for those that are presently available. This is an example: if you choose a local calling plan, you can get unlimited calls within the local coverage. Beyond that would require you to pay for additional rates or you cannot call outside your area at all. Some plans also have special calling rates during weekdays, midnights and daylights. Others have minute rates during daytime with unlimited rates starting midnight. For people who travel abroad, getting the roaming feature would enable them to call use their phone outside United States. This might be a bit expensive but still cheaper fore frequent travelers.

Then you select your wireless phone service provider. There are more than a hundred wireless phone service providers throughout the country. Big names are Verizon, Sprint Nextel Corporation, T-Mobile, and Cingular. Others include AT&T, BellSouth, Virgin, and more.

Armed with the idea of what you want for a phone would give you the easy task in selecting the type of phone service to take. Consider also the range of coverage. Some may operate in a particular state while others can give you good coverage anywhere in the country and others are not available on a particular area. Consider also the features of every phone service providers. Some phone companies offer identical phone unit at almost uniform price.

To make it short, choosing your wireless phone service provider would involve 5 things: the type of plan you like, the availability of that plan on the provider, the type of provider, the range of coverage the provider offers, the phone, and the features.

Robert Thatcher is a freelance publisher based in Cupertino, California. He publishes articles and reports in various ezines and provides phone service resources on http://www.about-phone-services.info

Bluetooth Basics

Bluetooth technology is nothing new, but in many respects it still seems to be more of a buzz word rather than a well understood, commonly accepted technology. You see advertisements for Bluetooth enabled cell phones, PDAs, and laptops, and a search of the Geeks.com website shows all sorts of different devices taking advantage of this wireless standard. But, what is it?

History

Before getting into the technology, the word Bluetooth is intriguing all on its own, and deserves a look. The term is far less high tech than you might imagine, and finds its roots in European history. The King of Denmark from 940 to 981 was renowned for his ability to help people communicate, his name (in English)… Harald Bluetooth. Perhaps a bit obscure, but the reference is appropriate for a wireless communications standard.

Another item worth investigating is the Bluetooth logo. Based on characters from the runic alphabet (used in ancient Denmark), it was chosen as it appears to be the combination of the English letter B and an asterisk.

Capabilities

The FAQ on the Bluetooth.org (https://www.bluetooth.org/) website offers a basic definition: “Bluetooth wireless technology is a worldwide specification for a small-form factor, low-cost radio solution that provides links between mobile computers, mobile phones, other portable handheld devices, and connectivity to the Internet.”

Just like 802.11 b/g wireless networking systems and many cordless telephones, Bluetooth devices operate on 2.4 GHz radio signals. That band seems to be getting a bit crowded, and interference between devices may be difficult to avoid. Telephones are now being offered on the 5.8 GHz band to help remedy this, and Bluetooth has taken its own steps to reduce interference and improve transmission quality. Version 1.1 of the Bluetooth standard greatly reduces interference issues, but requires completely different hardware from the original 1.0C standard, thus eliminating any chance of backwards compatibility.

The typical specifications of Bluetooth indicate a maximum transfer rate of 723 kbps and a range of 20-100 meters (65 to 328 feet - depending on the class of the device). This speed is a fraction of that offered by 802.11 b or g wireless standards, so it is obvious that Bluetooth doesn’t pose a threat to replace your wireless network. Although it is very similar to 802.11 in many ways, Bluetooth was never intended to be a networking standard, but does have many practical applications.

Practical Applications

There are a variety of products that take advantage of Bluetooth’s capabilities, from laptops and PDAs, to headphones and input devices, and even wireless printer adapters.

Many Laptops include an onboard Bluetooth adaptor to allow the system to connect to any Bluetooth device right out of the box. For laptop or desktop systems that do not have an adaptor built in, there are many USB Bluetooth adaptors available.

Bluetooth enabled PDAs allow for convenient wireless synchronization and data transfer.

Headphones can take advantage of Bluetooth for two purposes… audio playback and mobile phone communications. Using something a mobile headset with a Bluetooth enabled mobile phone allows anyone to go hands free, as well as wire free.

Logitech, and other manufacturers, also produce input devices that eliminate wires thanks to Bluetooth. You can add a Bluetooth mouse to your system, or both a mouse and keyboard. One advantage that Bluetooth wireless keyboard/mouse combinations have over the standard RF wireless keyboard/mouse combinations is range. Where most standard RF keyboard/mouse combinations have a range up to 6 feet; a Bluetooth keyboard/mouse combination will usually have a range of up to 30 feet.

Bluetooth printer adaptors make sharing a printer extremely convenient by eliminating the need for any wires or special configurations on a typical network. Printing to any compatible HP printer from a PC, PDA or mobile phone can now be done easily from anywhere in the office.

Final Words

At this point the popularity of Bluetooth might not be as large as some proponents would have hoped, but many devices are available for those interested. The cost and competition from other standards have hindered the widespread acceptance, but Bluetooth does offer a viable solution to many devices that might not have wireless connectivity without it.

Computer Geeks tech tips and computer advice

The power supply is the component that powers your devices in your computer. It powers things like the hard drive, CDROM and CPU. There may come a time when you have to replace it.

Symptoms of a power supply going bad can include random reboots, random crashes the computer not starting at all.

When replacing your power supply there are a couple of thing to take into consideration. The most important thing to do is to get the right one for your computer. Your computer will most likely use the ATX form factor. You also need to make sure you get a power supply with enough power for your computer’s hardware. 300-400 watts is sufficient for most computers. Make sure the power supply has enough power connections and the right types of connections.

Replacing the power supply is a pretty easy job. Make sure you unplug the power cord first! Then you can open the case and take the power connections off of the devices and motherboard. Then you can take out the four screws on the outside back of the case and pull the power supply out from the inside. To install the new one just do the opposite.

http://www.onlinecomputertips.com/hardware/index.html

www.onlinecomputertips.com/hardware/index.html

www.onlinecomputertips.com/hardware/power_supply.html

Each camera had its own monitor. One camera, one monitor.

CCTV systems were introduced in the US and the UK during the 60s and 70s.

CCTV systems are over a thousand times more advanced than the basic camera and monitor configurations that first appeared in the 1960s. Systems from the 60s were basic, consisting of very low resolution black and white cameras connected by coaxial cable. Each camera was connected to a black and white monitor. A 16 camera configuration required 16 monitors.
New applications of camera security systems include: underground trains and stations, sports stadiums, retail stores, shopping centers, public facilities, community parks, garages and parking lots.

CCTV Technology Evolution
The basic technology evolved in the 60s. First of all, cctv switch boxes were added. A switchbox would allow the operator to switch between cameras. Operators now could see multiple camera views on one monitor. Only one camera could be viewed at a time.
The 70’s brought Multiplexers, VCRs and solid state cameras. Multiplexers allowed the screen to be broken into multiple frames on the same monitor. VCRs allowed easy recording and video distribution. Solid state cameras helped improve reliability and the integration of VCRs.

‘First generation’ CCTV technology was initially impeded by some fairly major performance related problems.

In the 80s we learned that VCR recorders had many problems. VCR recorders were temperamental. The quality of the recordings was very poor. The combination of low resolution camera images, poor quality video tapes and low tech solutions meant that grainy and unclear images couldn’t be relied on even for conclusive identification purposes.

VCR technology couldn’t allow the operator to review and record events simultaneously and it was a very time consuming process to find and review specific events.

There was no motion detection capability and no way of viewing events from a remote location.

Expensive for what you get
Even though early CCTV systems provided only relatively basic functionality and moderate performance, they were quite expensive - both in terms of the initial equipment cost and the installation. Since this is still a new growth industry, there is still a lack of qualified and skilled installers.

The Next Generation CCTV
The ‘next generation’ of CCTV system arrived in the mid 90s. The new technology was a computer based Digital Video Recorder (DVR)
DVRs allow images to be recorded at much higher resolution than previously. DVR eliminated a major problem with first generation CCTV systems – Video Tape! Worn out, forgot to change the tape, VCR recording tape.

DVRs are automatic and never require user intervention. When it is time to look at recorded images, the DVR continues to record. Images are time and date stamped and are very easy to review.
DVRs using IP (Internet Protocol) technology allow authorized remote users to view, transmit two way audio, fully control the cameras and system itself over a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN) or via the internet.
With such flexible access, the modern generation of CCTV cameras may be operated remotely from a control center or, in fact anywhere with internet access. Equally, high quality digital images may be streamed anywhere and captured at a convenient and secure location. But it isn’t only the operating platform that has developed significantly; camera technology too allows far more functionality.

Today’s generation cameras can PTZ - pan, tilt and zoom, have higher resolution options, a large variety of lenses and are also capable of operating in ‘night vision. Audio is also now part of CCTV DVR technology. An operator is now able to synchronize motion based video events with audio analysis. Two way audio transmission allows the operator to question possible intruders, give instructions to staff and to record/search/replay in both audio and visual form. Next generation DDTV DVR systems are compatible with earlier camera technology, and are scaleable, flexible and can be integrated with a broad range of other management systems, such as access control and building management systems.

CCTV has certainly come a long way since the 1960s; it’s clear that the future of CCTV is secure and that technology will continue to develop to meet the changing needs of the surveillance market.

John Beagle is a technology writer for Camera Security Now.

Notebook Computers Are Sexy!

Granted, the notebook computer may just be the
sexiest accessory this side of a Baywatch Extra!
But are they worth the extra money? Should your
next PC be a notebook or laptop computer?

What are the pros and cons of owning a notebook
computer? More importantly, which notebook is
best for you?

There’s no denying it — notebook computers are sexy!
Slim, svelte and lightweight; they always come across as
looking sexy, the ultimate in high fashion accessories.

Maybe sexy isn’t the most appropriate word — we
are talking about chips, hard drives and bits of metal.
But you have to admit; they do look good on just about
anybody!

However; don’t let the good looks fool you! And don’t
get blinded by all that sleek metal and flashy designs.

The notebook is one little workhorse whose time
may just have come. Growing in popularity as prices
decline, it’s definitely worth considering
when you make your next PC purchase.

All kidding aside, finding the right notebook that has
your name on it can be a daunting task!

Basically, you have to narrow it down to a few simple
steps. Then consider all your options before you make
your decision.

First, ask yourself — what types of tasks, jobs, do
you want the computer to perform? Do you want it
for traveling, business, or for use in the home?

Do you want it for simple tasks like email, web
browsing or to use as a word processor? Do you want it
for gaming, web authoring, heavy graphic work, dvd
or MP3 downloading?

Next, consider all these options and find the notebook
that best suits your needs. Remember, it’s your needs
that have to be fulfilled. Don’t let a pushy salesperson
talk you into buying something you will never need
or use.

At the same time, make sure you buy a notebook that
has all the features that will complete all the tasks
you throw at it. In other words, make sure it
can do the job!

Keep that question in the back of your head as you
read the rest of this article. Especially, keep it
in mind, as you browse thru all these sleek models and
makes of notebooks. Don’t be dazzled by all that
sexiness!

Keep your eyes on the cursor!

Keep asking yourself — what does my new notebook
computer need in order for it to get the job done?

Lets take a closer look at all the options.

First, like anything sexy; notebooks come in all
shapes and sizes.

SMALL: How small can they be?

They can be as tiny as well — the small traditional
paper notebooks — with 10-inch displays. There is
even a sub category known as Tablet PCs; these are
very small tablets where you enter the data using
a stylus. Common in certain fields, like health
care or real estate.

Up a step from there — are the ‘Ultraportables’.
You can easily take these anywhere as they fit nicely in
a handbag or carry on bag. These are used by fliers
and travelers, they are light and small with 12 inch
screens without internal CD or DVD drives. They
don’t match the performance of other larger notebooks.

LARGE: How large can they be?

They can be as big as 6 or 7 pounds or more. Over an
inch thick and come with 15 or 17-inch displays
these are often referred to as ‘Desktop Replacements’

And just as their name states — these can replace
your old desktop computer. For most purposes, these
notebooks can perform all the tasks of a regular pc,
have large screens, big keyboards, combo drives and very
large hard drives. But you have the handy option of
moving these from room to room for wireless networking,
or even for traveling.

MID-SIZE

In between these two groups; we have the business
class notebooks. These are often referred to as
‘Thin-and-lights’ — they offer the best all around
convenience of performance, portability and the
different features.

Mostly preferred by the business travelers. They
have 14-inch screens, CD-RW/DVD drives, wireless
networking, because they are so versatile, these
‘do-it-all’ notebooks or laptops are becoming
really popular.

Basic Rundown

That’s a basic overview or rundown on the different
types of notebooks. But you have to compare and
contrast the different features in a little more
detail if you want to figure out the best notebook
that’s suited for your needs.

Since there are so many types and varieties of notebooks;
not to mention so many technical requirements… buying
a notebook can sometimes be confusing. And for some
people downright worrisome!

Will the notebook you choose get the job done? Will it
be able to do the applications, or tasks you want
it to perform?

Ease your Burden — Make a Checklist!

If you don’t want to be disappointed, here’s a quick
‘CheckList’ of the features you want to check before
you buy your notebook computer.

* Processor: The heart of your notebook or computer. It
does the processing and applications. Most people prefer
Intel Pentium Processors; the higher the number the faster
it will process! Go with Pentium 4 if you can. Intel
Celeron is another choice.

* Speed: This is how fast your computer can process data and
perform your tasks. The faster the better! Latest models get
up to a blazing 3.6 GHz.

Tip: You might also want to check the rotational speed
of your notebook’s hard disk as it can affect performance
a 5,400rpm notebook disk is much faster than a 4,200rpm
model. How fast the disk spins, will also determine the
performance level of your notebook.

* Hard Drive: Check if it has a fixed drive; some units
have drives you can swap. As for size; around 20GB for most
notebook drives. You’ll need only a 20GB or 30GB for most
tasks on your notebook. If you handle large graphics or
large amount of files (dvd, M3Ps,etc.) you need more —
50 to 60GB or higher.

Also, keep in mind, that you also have the external
drive(s) option for storing and media-burning.

* Memory: How much do you need?

RAM (random-access memory). This is what the computer
uses to run applications and data on your operating
system. It’s generally agreed that you need at least
256MB for Windows XP and Mac OS X. You will only need
128MB for other operating systems in Windows or Mac.

* CD-RW Drive: You will need a CD-ROM for installing.
And a CD-RW drive for burning your own CDs if that’s
one of the tasks you want your notebook to do.

Keep in mind another option — many notebooks can access
or use external drives for data storage, cd burning, etc.

* LCD Displays: Most have LCD screens; this is different
from your desktop CRT (cathode-ray tube) monitor but most
people are famaliar with this type of displays — it’s
commonly found in digital camera and video recorders.

* Screen Size: You have to consider what size LCD display
you want. If you’re going to be viewing a lot of pictures
or movies on your notebook — a large 15 or 17 inch would
be better suited for your needs.

Usually, LCD screens range in size from 12 inches to 17
inches (diagonal). Viewing is usually set at 1,024×768
resolution. Quality is almost standard in all these
notebooks. But check them out at your dealers if picture
quality is your main reason for buying a notebook.

Note– Fujitsu LifeBook P ultraportable series has the
smallest displays 10.6 inches. The Apple PowerBook has
one of the largest at 17-inches.

* Modems: Most if not all notebooks have 56Kbps-modems
and Ethernet connections. As well as connections (ports)
for printers, VGA for external monitor and there should
be one or more USB ports for keyboards, drives, MP3’s
and digital cameras.

* Antennas: Most notebooks have built-in antennas for
wireless networking and portability. But check before
you buy!

* Portability: Might sound like a strange question
to ask about notebooks. Not really, most notebooks are
very portable, easy to carry — what they were designed for.
However; larger notebooks like the ‘desktop replacemets’
with 17 inch screens and weighing over 7 pounds might
not be the best choice for the heavy traveler. For example
the new HP Pavilion zd8000 weights a whopping 12 lbs!

* Accessories: Lastly, you should look at some
accessories that you might need with your notebook
computer. Many come with a Docking station or port
replicator — somewhere to store and access your
computer. Check on the functions of each before you buy.

You might consider buying an extra battery; especially
if you’re buying your laptop mainly for traveling and
in the field work.

Laptop bag is another accessory you should definitely
consider buying. Again, notebooks might seem lightweight
and small but if you have lug it around all day and you’re
going to wish you had bought that carrying bag.

Now Assess Your Computer Needs?

Finally, we come to the main question that determines which
notebook is right for you. (If money is no barrier!)

WHAT DO YOU NEED THE COMPUTER FOR? WHAT JOB OR TASKS DO
YOU WANT THE COMPUTER TO PERFORM?

If you want something small to carry on a plane, or if you
travel a lot, then go with an utralight — often called
ultraportables — these are the lightest and smallest
notebooks, about the size of spiral-bound notebook and
weighing less than four pounds.

If you’re a student and need something light weight but
also a little sturdy with a large hard drive (hold MP3s)
you might want to check out the ‘thin and light’ notebooks.

If you want to replace your main desktop with something
more portable — go with a ‘mainstream’ or
‘desktop replacements’.

If you want something you can use at home, work and
traveling around then you need ‘thin and light.’ If you
want an ‘all-around’ ‘all-in-one’ ‘do-it-all’ notebook …
then buy a notebook of this type.

Because it’s so flexible, and covers most of your computing
needs; this is the one that’s becoming the most popular.

That’s it - JUDGMENT TIME!

You have considered most of the facts about buying a
notebook computer. Now weight your options. Think about
the tasks you will be doing with your notebook. Look at
the checklist and check out the specs. Is everything covered.
Will the one you choose — have the features to do the job?

Keep that question in your mind. It’s the most important.

If you’re considered all these points; buying the notebook
with your name on it will be just a little bit easier.

In no time at all, you may be walking around with
one of those sleek, svelte — dare we say sexy –
accessories tucked under your arm.

Titus Hoskins

—-

For An Illustrated Version of This Article Click Here: Buying Notebooks Online Guide.

Copyright © 2005 Titus Hoskins of bizwaremagic.com.
This article may be freely distributed if this resource box stays attached.

Visit http://www.bizwaremagic.com for more simple solutions to your online marketing tasks.

—-

At present the Windows Laptop and the MacIntosh Powerbook are the most preferred plaptops for people around the world. A Windows laptop has the Windows operating system installed on it while the MacIntosh Powerbook manufactured by Apple Inc. uses its own operating system. The Windows operating system is the most widely used operating system in the world. The Linux operating system, which is a open source operating system, is widely gaining popularity as it can be freely distributed. In addition, the Linux operating system is not the hacker’s paradise Windows is.

Let us compare the Windows Laptop and the MacIntosh Powerbook so that you can decide which one you would prefer.

The Windows Laptop comes in a variety of choices ranging from high-end, mid-range and ultralight laptops. A high-end laptop is preferred by those people who would like to replace their desktop machines. These machines usually have a large screen, fast processor and the maximum storage capacity. However laptops in this category weigh about 7 to 8 pounds and also include internal media devices such as CD-ROM and diskette drives. There may be a few USB ports so that you can attach external devices such as printers and digital cameras as well. A mid-range model is suitable for those consumers who would not like to shell out a fortune for their laptop. A mid-range model weighs a few pounds less than a high-range model and has a smaller screen. A mid-range model may be a little slower than a high-range model in terms of processor speeds and the options of internal media are more limited than in the high-range model. Ultralight models have the smallest display of all three and also the processor speeds are the slowest. The expansion capabilities and internal media are limited and the media devices are usually on the external side. The main advantages of ultralight models is they are easier to carry around because of their light weight and battery life is longer.

The MacIntosh or Mac are a line of laptops manufactured by Apple Inc. MacIntosh systems are usually targeted towards the home, education and the highly professional services market. The MacIntosh Powerbook is the first MacIntosh laptop powered by the Intel Core Duo processor. It has a 17 inch wide screen, but also is available in a 15 inch wide screen. The MacIntosh Powerbook is available in three configurations, the 15.4-inch model at 2.0 GHz (US$1999) and 2.16 GHz ($2499) and a 17-inch model at 2.16 GHz $2799). All three models come with the Intel Core Duo Processor and an 80GB or a 100GB or a 120 GB hard drive. USB ports a FireWire 400 port, a ExpressCard/34 expansion slot, DVI and VGA connectivity (VGA via included adaptor), optical S-P/DIF and analog sound output and inputs, gigabit Ethernet are also added in all the three configurations.

The machines run on the Mac OS 10.4 operating system which is the system developed by Apple Inc. The Powerbook also has a magnetic power connector known as Magsafe and it can detach easily when yanked to prevent the laptop from being pulled off the surface. The keyboard is backlit so that the keys are easily visible and there is also a scrolling trackpad that comes standard across the line. Extra accessories include an external USB modem as there is no internal modem available now and a TV output adaptor.
We have mentioned the basic features of the Windows Laptop and MacIntosh Powerbook. Both types of laptops are good in their own way. Weigh your needs and choose wisely.

The author makes a living in the field of research and if you have found this article useful, try clicking on his specialist resource sites, www.reviewlaptops.info and www.maclaptops.info. For other more general information on this topic and others, try this site www.important-information-online.com .

Laptop computers are one of the most desirable techie gadgets. A laptop is a portable computer that could comfortably be used while on a person’s lap – hence the name. It contains all the basic and necessary software (like Office System and Internet access) and hardware (like CD-Rom drive and Modem) features of an ordinary computer and still fits in an ordinary briefcase or backpack.

Advantages of Owning a Laptop

1. Portability.

Being portable, it can be brought along and used anywhere - school, work, vacation trips, unlike the ordinary desktop computer. This is especially handy to a person with a very hectic schedule and busy lifestyle. In this regard, a computer addict doesn’t have to be a hermit anymore! He or she can go out under the glaring rays of the sun and still hold on to the best technological breakthrough product.

2. Convenience.

It is useful for the working person, for the student, for the hobbyist, and for a computer addict too. One can take notes in class, type and print assignments and reports, access the Internet and communicate with another person on the other side of the globe. Teachers and public relations officers can make use of the laptop to give a different dimension to their presentations. Some teachers also find students are more motivated when using a laptop.

3. Size and Weight.

The dormer and studio type apartment lessee would agree that a laptop would save them more space.

4. Image.

It cannot be denied that a laptop is cool. With its sleek shape and form, it can be very eye-catching. It also gives the statement that the owner is not outdated, that he or she is in keeping with the times, and finally, computer literate.

Laptops are not that expensive anymore, but this is not the kind of item a person would shop for every other week. Each and every laptop has its own demands, requirements and features. Features you may want to look for:

1. Size and weight. Laptops are portable, but their sizes and weight still vary. To be very portable, it must be small and lightweight. They usually weigh 5 pounds. If it will be used outdoors more often, the weight should not be more than 5 pounds.

The size of the screen is also important. The usual sizes are 12.1, 13.3 and 14.4 inches. Tiny screens, as small as 8 inches, are ideal for portability, but the demands of the eyes – to have a squint-free screen – should also be considered.

2. Sturdy. A laptop must be taken care of, but it would be more ideal to have a tough and sturdy one that will be able to withstand any accidental knock or minor bump. There are models available with shock-resistant hard drive mounts. It has to be durable enough if it will be taken outdoors often.

3. Internet connection. One has to be in touch with the rest of the online community. There are wireless connections offered already. To one with budget constraints, an ordinary 56Kbps modem would do to connect to the rest of the world.

4. USB port. This should also be carefully checked out so that the laptop can be used in many more ways. There should be at least one USB port if not more, for future expansion of adding other hardware. The USB port can be used for external keyboard and mouse, but it is most useful to create connection with digital cameras, external drives, and MP3 players.

5. Battery life. The battery life of the laptop must allow the user to use and enjoy it outdoors or in areas that do not offer power resources for the public. A reasonable battery life should not be lower than 5 hours. The battery life will determine the extent of freedom that can be enjoyed with the laptop.

There are 3 kinds of batteries available.

The Lithium-ion (Li+) is usually chosen. Li+ batteries have range that can offer the best quality.

Nickel metal-hydride (NiMH) batteries are less expensive, although they do not excle in terms of battery life.

Nickel cadmium (NiCad) batteries are the ones to stay away from. They require constant recharging.

6. Technical specifications. There should be enough RAM, storage space / hard drive and computing speed. The technical specifications would depend on the most probable purpose of the laptop to the owner. If the laptop would be used for playing 3D games, it is ideal to get at least a 256 RAM. If several music or video files will be stored, a larger hard drive should be considered, 40 gigabyte is ideal.

7. Price. Finally, the laptop should be reasonably priced. There are refurbished laptops available out there for those with strict budgets but there is a way to save money and still get the ideal laptop.

First, the purpose that the laptop will serve must be properly ascertained. This will avoid purchasing laptops with expensive features that would end up being unused. Don’t buy 80 gigabyte of storage space if only 3 gigabytes will be used for documents.

Stick to your budget. There are many attractive add-ons in the computer shop like glow-in-the-dark mouse pads or wireless mouse. These may not be necessary and can add to the total cost.

Negotiate for add-on features. Lastly, it wouldn’t hurt to try to negotiate for the price. 5% off can go a long way.

David Arnold Livingston is a successful business owner and likes to stay current with technology. He recommends the resource: Laptop Unlimited

Why are there faint areas or gaps in my print out?

* Unlikely, but your paper may need changing due to its deterioration due to its age.

* Check that the type of paper you are using in your printer matches (’Media Type’) the setting in the printer software ‘Main Menu’ or ‘Print’ dialog box.

* You may need to clean the print head nozzles. These can be cleaned by employing the ‘Head Cleaning’ utility from within the printer software interface you get when you want to print or by going via the ‘Control Panel’ (found via ‘My Computer’) and selecting the printers section. After the cleaning operations are carried out by the printer, a check pattern will be printed to show that the ink cartridge nozzles are clean. If there are still poor quality areas, repeat the operation.

I have white horizontal lines appearing?

* You may need to clean the print head nozzles - see above

* If your printer has a light flashing indicating low ink levels for a cartridge, then change it.

* Check that the type of paper you are using in your printer (’Media Type’) matches the setting in the printer software ‘Main Menu’ or ‘Print’ dialog box. The colors are not what I thought they’d be?

* Clean your print head nozzles - see above

* You’ve not chosen the color option in your printer software interface. This has happened to me many times. By default, my printer software had black selected for all printing.

* Specific types of paper have one side only that can be printed on. Ensure that it is loaded correctly in your printer.

* Check that the type of paper you are using in your printer (’Media Type’) matches the setting in the printer software ‘Main Menu’ or ‘Print’ dialog box.

* What you see on your monitor will never be identical to what you get on your print out. It shouldn’t be that far out, but if it is, then you you may have a color calibration issue between your monitor and software package that you are using.

Finally;

Never buy brand name inkjet cartridges. Get what are called compatible ink cartridges. They are much cheaper and produce the same quality results. www.ink-cartridge-store.com shows you the range of such products available nowadays.

In my experience, if you use your ink cartridges infrequently, then you will find yourself having to use the cleaning utilities practically every time you do use them. So I suggest printing out a b/w and color text page (say, 200 words with black, red, blue and yellow colors) on a regular basis (once a week?) even if you are not using the printer. You will save ink in the long run as the cleaning utility will use a lot more than your weekly maintenance pages.

This article may be reproduced in its entirety provided the resource paragraph below is included and all urls kept active.

(c) Paul Curran, CEO of Cuzcom Internet Publishing Group and webmaster at Ink Cartridge Store, providing discount bulk buys and also best laser toner supplies.

Most HP and Epson printers are drop on demand printers. They use electrical pulses to fulfill requests for ink. The ink is expelled out of the print head by a bubble which forms as a reaction to being heated. Once the ink is propelled out of the cartridge, the bubble cools, contracts, and forms a vacuum of sorts, which pulls more ink into the nozzle.

HP DeskJets and BubbleJets are popular examples of printers that use this technology.

Epson printers work on the same principal with the exception of a minor twist – they use a transducer to produce the droplets in what is referred to as piezoelectric DOD.

So what about the ink – does it matter what kind you buy as a replacement?

The answer is yes, it does matter.

The ingredients that go into ink play a huge role in the quality of your printouts. All ink manufactures work to strike the delicate balance between print quality, time it takes to dry, and nozzle performance. As you might have guessed, as the print quality improves, the dry time increases.

Manufacturers have to be careful that the ink does not dry too quickly – there is the danger that it will actually dry on the nozzle. This can ruin your print head, definitely clogging up your nozzle, and reducing the print quality.

Bill Smith is an expert on printers. Read more about printer and ink at http://www.buythebestbuy.com