Keep Food and Drinks Away from the Laptop

OK, people often eat and drink while using their laptops, so its really not practical to advise anyone to stop this practice. A simple example is the Wifi equipped coffee shop, which is a very common place for people to drink coffee as well as work on their laptops. Obviously these people are probably going to continue drinking coffee and eating pastries or sandwiches while they work. So the advice here is simply to keep food and drinks to a safe distance if it’s possible and convenient. Try not to, for instance, put your cup of coffee right on the laptop by the fingerpad or just next to it. Move it a few more inches off to guard against the possibility of spills. Eat your sandwich over a plate, again, if possible, rather than over the keypad so that crumbs don’t fall on it. These are common sense items, and sometimes it seems like too much can be made of them, but do your best along these lines.

Avoid Extreme Temperatures

Try not to leave your laptop on the porch in 100 degree weather or in an unheated garage in sub zero temperatures. Though the laptop may be able to withstand these shifts, most electronics works best in moderate temperatures and could be damaged by overly extreme temperature conditions. Also, if you are taking the laptop from one temperature extreme to another, such as from the 100 degree day indoors to room temperature, give the laptop time to acclimate to the new temperature before turning it on.

Wipe of Keys and Screen

You’ll want to periodically wipe off the keys and the screen, which will get dusty and greasy fairly quickly. The keys may get greasy even faster by your using the laptop with greasy fingers, so try to wash your hands before using the laptop if possible, especially if you’ve been eating something like French fries or you’ve been working on the car.

Don’t Leave Laptop in the Car

Here’s another one that is not written in stone, but is a good thing to make a habit of. Leaving the laptop in the car has a number of hazards such as high temperatures and theft. If you must leave the laptop in your car, try not to leave it in plain sight through the windshield or windows, especially either in high crime areas or on hot summer days. Putting it in the trunk, in a box, or even wrapped up in a blanket can be good preventative measures if you do need to leave the laptop in your vehicle.

Power Cord Care and Safety

Yanking the power cord, rolling over it with chair wheels, stepping on it a lot, and handling it roughly are all not advisable. Treat the cord gently both because you don’t want to damage it and because being electrical it could be dangerous and give you a shock.

Observe these simple suggestions as much as possible and reasonable, and you’ll be safeguarding your laptop for future use.

Guest post by:

Matt Waltts is a financial adviser, have worked for various finance staffing agencies around the world. Loves everything related to accounting, specially the principals. You can find him doing accounting work at office and when free doing research work.

When it comes to high end gadgets, laptops and mobile phones are the first in line. Manufacturers from all over the world are competing neck to neck against each other using unimaginable features that have captured the heart of many technology enthusiasts. If you are the type of person who loves to travel, a laptop is your easiest means of communicating with the world. But most of all they are compact so you can take it almost anywhere you go. In case you are planning to buy one, here are laptop reviews of the top three most wanted laptops of 2011:

3rd – Alienware M15x

Alienware M15x is one of the most in demand laptop of 2011. Do not be fooled by its unchanged appearance because its high memory capacity and speedy functions, it is practically a gaming gadget on the go. It has up to 8GB RAM, Core i7 processor, Nvidia GTX460M graphics and a great HD 15.6 display. For under $1,200, you can have all these.

2nd – HP Envy 17

HP envy 17 is one of the most likable of all laptops. It is speedy. It is compact. It is made from the highest quality. And most of all, it comes with very low price-tag. While Apple Mac Book focuses on improving its internal components, HP is developing similar path at a very affordable price. It has up to 4GB of RAM, Core i5 ori7 processor and dual hard drives. The HP Envy 17 also happens to have the best and highest quality sound system of all.

1st – MacBook Air

MacBook Air is one of the priciest laptops of all but it has sleek and compact design. You can practically carry it just about anywhere. If this has captured your attention, MacBook Air can do even more than just that, since this is produced by a company with the highest reputation, it is also very durable and speedy. It comes with i5 or i7 processor and more than 8 hours battery life. You may want to read more laptop reviews for more information about MacBook Air.

gScreen SpaceBook Dual Screen Laptop

How many screens do you need to get a job done? For people who spend most of their time in front of the computer (I am talking about work), desktop real estate is an important factor. For some, there is even the need for dual screens.

Personally, I am totally content with a 13-inch screen. I’d even work on a 10-inch one every now and then. Anything much bigger than 13 inches, though, I get dizzy. I can’t even imagine having two screens. I’d be totally distracted. But that’s just me.

For those of you who absolutely needs two screens, gScreen might have the laptop of your dreams. Dubbed the SpaceBook, this new laptop is supposed to be the solution for laptop users who need two screens even when on the go. The main marketing point for the SpaceBook is the fact that you can go wherever you need to and not have to lug around another screen (which is virtually impossible, I think).

And how do you get dual screens on a laptop? The solution gScreen opted for: one screen slides behind the other.

There are two options for dual screen junkies. First, there is the SpaceBook 17 i54G. With this configuration, you get two 17-inch 1920 x 1080 HD LED-backlit displays; an Intel i5-560m 2.66 GHz processor; 4GB of DDR3 RAM; Nvidia GeForce GTS 250M 1GB Discrete CPU; a 500 GB 7200 RPM hard drive; and a DVD player/burner. This configuration will set you back a whopping $2395, half of which you have to pay up front as a down payment.

The second SpaceBook is the SpaceBook 17 i7 8G. The difference between the two configurations lies in the processor and the memory. This one has the Intel i7 Quad-740qm 1.73 GHZ processor and has 8GB DDR3 RAM. All the other specs remain the same, but of course the price goes up to $2795.

The dual screen factor may be impressive, but you might want to bear in mind that it comes at a cost. Aside from the price, think about 10 pounds of hardware that you have to carry with you. Then again, it may be worth it for some, and if that is you, go pre-order now for free shipping in the USA and Canada.

Samsung Series 9 Laptop

The other day, I was walking around the mall when a huge display caught my eye in what usually is an open space. Samsung was holding a special exhibit, and special it was! The Series 9 laptops have been the talk of the town for a while now, although I don’t know too many people getting their hands on one. It seems, though, that Samsung has struck gold with this series, making their thin laptops a feasible alternative to Apple’s MacBook Airs. And if expanding the line is anything to go by, then Samsung has really done a good job with the initial offerings.

The news is that there are new 13.3-inch versions which are part of the Series 9 laptops. First comes the NP900X3A-B01US, which comes with an Core i5-2467M CPU, 4GB of RAM, and a 128GB solid-state drive. This configuration will cost you a nice $1,349.

If the 128GB storage is not enough for you (understandably, if the laptop is going to be your main computer, that storage space needs to be bumped up), then the next model might be more to your liking – the NP900X3A-B02US. It has similar specs to the previous laptop, except that the SSD is 256GB. The price tag for this configuration is $1,649.

Now for the big boy – the NP900X3A-A05US. This laptop has a Core i7-2617M, 6GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD – all for $2,049.

Of course, it is to be expected that the additions to the line up includes smaller sized laptops. The Samsung Series 9 is also welcoming two new laptops in the 11-inch models. The NP900X1B-A02US has a Core i3-2357M processor, 2GB of RAM, and a 64GB SSD. The price is $1,049.

The other option is the NP900X3A-A01US, with the same processor as above, but more RAM at 4GB and more storage space at 128GB (SSD as well). This is priced at $1,249.

My first thoughts – beautifully sleek, but disappointingly pricey. Why would I want to go for these laptops if they are not way cheaper than the MacBook Airs? Then again, for people who want the look without leaving Windows, these laptops are perfect. Another thing going for these laptops is the material used to make the case – duralumin, which is supposed to be twice as strong as aluminum.

Watch out for their release next month, although I hear some stores are already offering them on a pre-order basis.

Via

HP ProBook 6560b

These days, we have to admit that many people purchase laptops (and other gadgets for that matter) with the word “bling” in mind. While that may be a sweeping statement, we cannot deny the fact that looks do play a large part in making the decision to purchase a new laptop. I would go as far as to say that this is one reason that Apple continues to attract many new – and returning – customers.

If you are looking for a laptop without looks or flashiness in mind, however, there is one feasible alternative: the HP ProBook 6560b. This laptop was seemingly created with no nonsense business purposes in mind. One look at the HP ProBook 6560b, and I think that you will agree with me. There really isn’t much to remark about the laptop’s look – it isn’t fugly, but it is not beautiful as well.

What does make it interesting is the fact that it delivers all the functionalities that a businessperson will need, plus the reliability that HP normally gives its customers. The HP ProBook 6560b is also not a fragile device – it has a magnesium-reinforced chassis, which will ensure that the occasional bang against the wall or table will not wreck it.

What I like is the keyboard, which is waterproof. If you accidentally spill coffee – or whatever your energy boosting beverage may be – on the keyboard, the water will drain off via the built-in grates. God knows how often this happens when tired humans stay up till the wee hours of the morning crunching some numbers!

And speaking of numbers, the HP ProBook 6560b has a number pad at the rightmost part of the keyboard. I don’t deal much with numbers, but when I do, I sometimes find myself wishing for the number pad in the “normal” keyboard. Then there is the choice between a large touchpad (with multi-touch support) and a pointer nub (I never got into this, to be honest).

As for performance, the HP ProBook 6560b is nothing to sniff at. You can choose from the second-gen Sandy Bridge processors – Core i3, i5, and i7. It has 4GB of RAM, which is upgradable to 16GB. As for the screen, it is 15.6 inches – a bane for eyes sore from overworking.

So if a workhorse is what you need, the HP ProBook 6560b just might be what you need.

Via The Globe and Mail

Being a defense contractor, GD-Itronix obviously had law enforcement people in mind when the idea for the laptop was conceived. Think of the military types. Think of the jumping out of planes kind of people. Think police officers who need a laptop on the field. Naturally, the last thing these people would worry about in the face of an emergency is making sure not to drop or jar the laptop. And that’s where the GD8200 comes into the picture.

This laptop has undergone so many tests that the average human being would not be able to withstand. It is meant to function under extreme conditions and can even be used after repeated “falls” on concrete floors. I can’t seem to find information on exactly what kind of material they used for the casing, but whatever it is, I sure wish that Apple would start making laptops using the same material! ;)

Specs-wise, the GD8200 is not unimpressive. It has a second generation Intel Core i7-2655LE dual-core processor which runs at 2.0GHz. This can go as high as 2.9GHz, though, thanks for Intel’s Turbo Boost 2.0 technology. The base model comes with 2GB of RAM, upgradable up to 8GB.

As for the data storage, the GD8200 has all the possible options – from the usual hard disk drives (500GB or 750 GB) to solid state drives (120GB or 256GB) to hybrid drives (500GB). And it doesn’t stop there. This laptop is not only rugged, but it has a touchscreen as well! The screen will work whether you use your finger (with or without gloves! Of course, spies have to use gloves!) or a stylus.

Next month, the GD8200 will be available for only $4,460 – base model. Now if only it weren’t such an eyesore!

Via

With so many new laptops coming out every time you turn around, it is to be expected that manufacturers are upping the game each time they announce a new release. It’s either that or sink. To be honest though, just how many times can one come up with something new and revolutionary – something that actually does make sense and benefit users?

I do not have the answer to that, but Acer’s new line of laptops will make you do a double take. At first glance, there’s really not much to say – Acer does make pretty sleek laptops and they make some of the better looking laptops out there. Dubbed the Acer Aspire Ethos, this new line of laptops does have something that I don’t believe I have seen before. A touchpad that is detachable. Now why would anyone want to have a detachable touchpad? To use as a remote, of course!

Now I haven’t the slightest idea why you would want a touchpad cum remote but if you go one step further and think “laptop and HDTV”…see where I am going here? So if you place your laptop by the TV (unless you have one of those WiDi devices), you simply have to remove the touchpad (which is impractical to use anyway in this situation) and use it as a remote. Here’s a closer look.

In the US, two models are now available – the 15-inch AS5951G and the 18.4-inch AS8951G. The smaller laptop goes for $1,399, while the larger one goes for $1,599. Pricey, no question about that but here is what you get:

• Quad-core second-gen 2.0 GHz Intel Core i7-2630QM CPU
• Nvidia GeForce GT 555M graphics with 2GB of memory
• Edge-to-edge Gorilla Glass-covered displays
• 750GB, 5,400rpm hard drive
• 4x Blu-ray drive
• Dolby-tuned stereo speakers and a bottom subwoofer

The difference is in the display and the RAM. The smaller laptop has a 1,366 x 768-pixel display and 6GB of RAM, while the larger one has a 1,920 x 1,080-pixel display and 8GB of RAM.

Now those specs are not something you can disregard – even if the removable touchpad seems silly to me!

Via CNET Asia

If you are a fan of Sony products, then you might want to know that the newest in the Vaio line is now available on a pre-order basis on the Sony web site. Here’s the dish on the F series laptops.

Inside, you’ll find Intel Core i7 quad core processors to make sure that you have the computing power that you want and need. Sony recommends that you run Windows 7 on the laptop, although you can always use your preferred operating system. You can choose between the 16-inch 3D display and the 16.4-inch 2D display. And yes, you read that right – the laptops are 3D compatible, allowing you the luxury of watching the latest 3D movies on Blu-ray. The selection may not be that brilliant at the moment, but 3D capability might come in handy in the future. Personally, I would opt out of the 3D functionality for now.

Moving along, other key points about the F series include NVIDIA® GeForce® graphics and S-Force™ Front Surround 3D audio. As for the battery life, the 2D models can last for 2.5 hours on default settings and only 1.5 hours on DVD playback. This is rather poor, don’t you think?

As for connectivity, it has the usual Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, plus it also has two USB 3.0 ports.

The laptops are available in four colors – glossy black, matte black, premium white, and silver.

Of course, you can configure the laptop to your heart’s content, but that probably means you will be paying more than the base price of $799.

Until now, PC has been competing with Apple and it’s approach has been its beneficial price difference. Everyone is making PC’s these days and competition is stiff which is motivating many of the Microsoft based computing systems to find cheaper and cheaper ways to produce an affordable laptop. But there’s one difference between the two computing camps, there’s only one Mac, and it’s clobbering the PC world, both in brand recognition and sales.

Intel recently asked designers to create a game changer. They wanted a better laptop that had to compete with Apple’s fashionable models, sate of the art wireless internet connective capabilities, and the fastest computing capabilities currently possible, and they want it all as thin as a Motorola Razr. Only one engineer, Ziba Design, rose to the challenge.

Ziba Design, based out of Portland, Oregon, hopes to create the next generation of computers that will finally allow PCs to recapture the top spot in the computer world. It wants to make the world’s thinnest notebook. They’re hoping to come in at less than 0.7th’s of an inch thick. This commuter, code-named Intel Mobile Metro Notebook, is hoped to be the smallest, most efficient, technological advancement in computers to date. It has to be the best to beat the Mac, apparently.

It’s up against a lot of odds and many are wondering if it will meet the challenge. Apple has many factors on its side such as: superior brand recognition, greater sales, consumer loyalty, and excellent advertising. People love the iconic Apple image and it has become a trademark in every film and media presentation. This new notebook is definitely the underdog in this fight and only time will tell if this new design will be able to compete with its Apple counterpart, the Macbook Air.

This laptop is supposed to be a continuation of Dell’s Adamo line, which has already been discontinued. This continuation, however, just might hold a lot of promise. Details are rather sparse – in keeping with the theme of doling out bits of information, I suppose – but we know that the laptop will be 15.6 inches and that the whole idea is to go for a streamlined and sleek look. As for the thickness (or thinness, maybe) of the laptop, no concrete numbers have been mentioned, although statements such as the XPS 15z will be “the thinnest laptop in its class” are being thrown around. Since we know that the Adamo was 0.65 inches thick, it is perhaps safe to assume that the XPS 15z will be thinner than that?

Also, rumor has it that the XPS 15z is built around Intel’s Sandy Bridge Core i5 and Core i7 processors. That ought to address concerns that Dell’s new offering might prove to be a disappointment in terms of performance, which was the case with the now dead Adamo.

Oh, the price? Somewhere below the $1,000 mark.

Aside from this information, Dell is being rather tight-lipped about the whole thing. You can’t really blame them, what with the extremely rough competition these days. Anyhow, see the video for yourself below.

Having seen the video and having read all the available details, would you say that Dell is successful in trying to build up hype for its ultra-thin laptop? I have to be honest and say that I found the video to be underwhelming. Sure, I’d love to see what they come up with, but only because I want to know if there is finally a worthy Windows-based laptop to compare the Mac to.