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JR Lang asked:


Here are 9 ways to prevent your laptop from theft as well as an explanation of laptop security devices that ensure your laptop and data are protected. The main attraction of laptops is their portability and mobility. It is great to be able to take your computer with you and use it anywhere. But with these benefits comes a risk of theft. Obviously theft is more likely to happen when an object can be picked up and carried away. Laptop security devices are important to prevent your laptop from being stolen as well as to prevent the data from your laptop being retrieved and used in the event that your laptop is a victim of theft.

9 WAYS TO PREVENT LAPTOP THEFT

1. Don’t use computer bags, while these maybe fashionable and comfortable they make it obvious that you are carrying a laptop. Try using a padded briefcase or suitcase instead.

2. Make sure your laptop is always with you. Do not check laptops in with your luggage while traveling. Never leave your laptop in your car in plain sight or any valuable objects for that matter. There has been a recent increase of car burglaries stemming from people leaving valuables in plain sight. Lock all valuables in the trunk.

3. Never leave access numbers or passwords in your carrying case. Keeping your password with your laptop is like keeping the keys in the car. Without your password or important access numbers it will be more difficult for a thief to access your personal and corporate information.

4. Keep your eye on your laptop. When you go through airport security don’t lose sight of your bag. Hold your bag until the person in front of you has gone through the metal detector. Many bags look alike and yours can easily be lost in the shuffle.

5. Avoid setting your laptop on the floor. Putting your laptop on the floor is an easy way to forget or lose track of it. If you have to set it down, try to place it between your feet or against your leg (so you’re always aware it’s there).

6. Use a screen guard when in public. This prevents people from looking over your shoulder and seeing sensitive information. This is especially helpful when you’re traveling or need to work in a crowded area.



7. Do not leave your laptop unsecured in your hotel room. Things sometimes tend to get “lost” in hotel rooms and are never secure. If you must leave your laptop in the room then use a security cable to attach it to a stable object, such as the desk or bedpost. Another good thing to do is leave the “do not disturb” sign on the door.

8. Make sure that everything that can be labeled is labeled with the name of the individual or organization that owns it, and ensure that these labels are conspicuous. The potential theft value of a laptop or peripheral is reduced greatly when additional work is required to remove the identifying marks. Conspicuous identity labels also significantly increase the risk of a potential thief being caught in the act of theft.

9. Buy a laptop security device. The next section details some options for laptop security devices.

LAPTOP SECURITY DEVICE:

Laptop Cable:

One of the most inexpensive and effective laptop security devices is a cable. Very much like a bicycle lock, this cable attaches to your laptop and allows you to lock it to a stationary object. The cable makes it much more difficult for someone to steal your laptop.

Laptop Tracing Programs:

These programs will report the location of a stolen laptop. They work when the laptop connects to the Internet, and can report the laptop’s exact physical location. Some tracing programs include CyberAngel and ComputracePlus.

Motion Sensors and Alarms:

Unexpected loud noises make people wake up and take notice, something that aspiring thieves find very discouraging. Laptop security companies realize this and have created alarms for portable computers.

While the signaling mechanism of an alarm system is usually the same, the triggering mechanisms are both varied and specialized. There are products available that create a “maximum separation zone” around the user and the laptop. The idea is that if the user moves out of range of the device, or the laptop is moved out of range of the user, the alarm will sound. Thus, if someone tries to steal or remove the laptop, the alarm will sound, drawing attention to the theft.

LAPTOP SECURITY DEVICES THAT PREVENT DATA ACCESS:

Security measures available in order to prevent access to data on your laptop in the event that it is taken.

Set a BIOS password:

Most laptops offer protection by allowing the owner to set a boot password. Typically most will prompt the user three times to enter a password, then refuse to boot if there are three failures.

Set a Login Password:

Set a login name/password that way in order to successfully login in to a laptop, the user must provide that information. If the login entered is incorrect, the operating system will refuse to allow entry.

Encryption:

One of the best laptop security devices are file encryption programs, which, encrypt files on your laptop. A private unlock key is provided to the user, and as long as your private key is kept safe, no one but you and your intended recipients will be able to view your data.

Biometric Fingerprint Readers:

Another great laptop security device is the Biometric Reader. The idea behind biometrics is to use the uniqueness of certain features of a user, such as retinal pattern, fingerprints, and even typing characteristics, to accurately identify and authorize persons. This type of laptop security device would provide a hardware level of authentication that would require authentication before the machine would even boot up.

Jamie Quint asked:


With coming of days, along with the soaring need for cell phones, laptops are also becoming an apparent must have. Business professionals, students, office goers, site workers are becoming growingly dependant on technology, and are always seeking mobility when it comes to their computing/entertainment needs. This is best delivered by modern day laptops.

As newer ones are very elegantly designed, users are always on the look out and are careful about not getting get a scratch on the surface of their precious laptop, whereas some users wish their laptop stands out from the others in terms of looks. Adhesive stickers are now readily available to cater to these laptop problems.

What are Laptop Adhesive Stickers?

Adhesive stickers for your laptop are a great solution to protect the surface of your laptop from dust, unwanted scratches, and accidental spills. Moreover, if you are considering giving your laptop a new appearance, a designer adhesive laptop sticker is just what you need! It helps to uplift the total look of your laptop, and gives it a unique furthermore radical makeover.

Features of Adhesive Stickers for your Laptop

Adhesive stickers for laptops are not your conventional stickers and are often referred to as ‘laptop skins’. Adhesive stickers for laptops are offered in an array of different shapes & sizes, which are carefully designed to cover the entire top surface of your laptop. Adhesive laptop stickers are the best stickers if you are looking to personalize your darling laptop, as they are available in a wide variety of styles, illustrations and even materials!

Manufacturers of Adhesive stickers for laptops ensure a perfect fit, since sizes of these adhesive stickers are based on the actual dimensions specified by laptop manufacturers. This means that you can unworriedly purchase your laptop skin appropriate for your laptop right off the shelf, and stick it on to your laptop. Adhesive stickers for your laptop can even be custom designed containing your own initials, or even your company’s name. Choose from regular plastic or even leather resin for your custom made Adhesive laptop sticker.

Advantages of Using Adhesive Stickers for your Laptop

• Adhesive stickers for laptop serve to provide a unique get up for you laptop. With thousands of designer illustrations and styles to choose from, you can go for any look your heart desires. You can even have your custom laptop skin made to order. A number of companies even offer to put a photo of your choice or your own design on your custom laptop skin

• Protection is very important when it comes to your valuable laptop. Adhesive stickers for laptops help to protect the surface of your laptop from dust and unintended spills and scratches, and keeps it looking like new.

• Adhesive stickers for your laptop are easily to buy, and are available in shops and a range of computer accessory websites. You can even order adhesive stickers for you laptop from the manufacturer’s website. All laptop skins are guaranteed to be a perfect fit. Just take some care while ordering, and specify your correct laptop model.

• Laptop Adhesive stickers are made of especially designed, and can be removed and re-used a number of times.

bloom media asked:


Most people love a good bargain and there’s always a deal to be had on electrical items such as cheap laptops. Simply by shopping around, looking for special offers and asking the right questions you can get hold of cheap laptops at an even further discounted rate.

Cheap laptops need just as much thought and consideration when it comes to use, maintenance and storage as the most expensive laptops on the market. After all, it’s not really a bargain if two weeks after your purchase you drop the laptop and smash it! Below are four top tips for looking after cheap laptops (and indeed laptops of all prices!)

1)      Let your laptop breathe

Don’t be tempted to use your laptop when it’s still inside your laptop bag, even if you’re on the move and in a rush! Using a laptop in its bag (or even resting a laptop on a cushion on your knees) can cause heat to build up through poor air circulation. If you often use your laptop on the go then try to rest it on the table on trains or you could create a small platform to sit in your laptop box to help aid air circulation.

2)      Keep your laptop warm

Just like people, cheap laptops can feel the cold and chilly weather conditions and this can be potentially dangerous to your laptop. Don’t be tempted to leave your laptop in your car boot over night in winter (or any time of year as it’ll be much more secure inside) as cold conditions can actually freeze your laptop. You should also keep your laptop free from damp conditions so be especially careful in rooms where condensation can build up in cool weather.

3)      Store your laptop safely

Cheap laptops and more expensive ones both need to be stored correctly. Don’t leave your laptop on the floor, even for a minute. Warm laptops can be very enticing to pets such as cats to make a bed on and all the bright buttons can allure children to your laptop with sticky fingers and spilled drinks. Obviously leaving laptops on the floor can result in them being stood on and completely broken in one step. Make sure your laptop stays safe and store it on a desk (not the kitchen table) or keep it safe in a sturdy laptop bag.

4)      Travelling tips

If you travel with a laptop then invest in a proper laptop bag. No matter how little you pay for cheap laptops, if they’re not carried in a bag designed for laptops they are much less likely to survive being dropped. When travelling on flights, keep your laptop with you at all times as checking it in can mean it gets battered about with the rest of the luggage, or stolen or lost, which if you use your laptop for business purposes can be devastating. All laptops have varying functions and facilities, whether they’re cheap laptops or more pricy ones, so make sure you are familiar with how your laptop works before you take it on a long trip with you. Getting to a foreign country and not knowing how to turn the wireless function on or how to access your emails could be a disaster.

Always keep your eyes peeling for bargains when investing in cheap laptops but once you have yours, don’t forget to treat it with the same respect as if it was twice the price!

Schreiberistic asked:


Laptop backpacks and laptop tote bags are quite popular today, considering the need for office goers, teenagers and almost every other person to use secure laptop gear for their precious notebooks. If you happen to use a common laptop bag for storing your laptop, it might fulfill the need for laptop protection but may not be comfortable for you to carry the laptop for prolonged time. Hence, in times such as these the best alternative would be to use laptop backpacks.

Today trendy backpacks for laptops are ergonomically designed to ensure the backpack does not put any strain on your spinal cord. Laptop backpacks designers work in collaboration with specialized neck injury and spinal cord doctors, orthopedic biomechanics and sports biomechanics that ensure the laptop backpacks do not bring about any health hazards to laptop backpack users. Backpacks give you the ability to keep your hands-free and free you from the worry about shoulder ache due to carrying the laptop case on one shoulder.

 

The HandStands MPX Gear Notebook Backpack is a good choice for people from all walks of life. Whether you are a businessperson, college going student or a backpacker, laptop Backpack Carrying Case will be ideal for you and your tastes irrespective of you using it as a laptop messenger bag, laptop tote bag or laptop computer bag. Laptop accessories providers and travel accessories manufacturers know the necessity of the laptop back user to be comfortable whenever they use laptop backpacks.

Laptop backpacks are a great choice as luggage when you are on the go. If you are a businessperson, you might have noticed people carrying all types of laptop cases and laptop carriers when they come for conferences. Laptop backpacks, notebook backpack bag and laptop computer cases are some of the many laptop accessories designed for sustaining all seasons. Tailored from durable thick nylon keeps the heat and water from the laptop, while the specially padded notebook backpacks have secure interiors to cushion the laptop from jerks. So, whether it is interior or exterior, your laptop computer will be secure in either case.

Other than accommodating the laptop computer, the laptop backpack also has enough room for your iPods, MP3 players as well as headphones. Store water bottles or even cell phones in the same back, without the fear of water dripping into the interior of laptop backpacks.

 Well-tailored and designed yet cheap notebook backpack carrying case make mobile computing easier for you. However, you still need to ensure there are no severe damages to the laptop due to any extreme conditions. Avoid placing laptop backpack on hard surfaces. Rest assured, you won’t have to worry about your laptop computer and keeps your hands free… literally!

laptop asked:


Today we will look at an exciting ultra-compact portable computer optimized for today’s life and travels. The DELL Inspiron XPS system based on Intel Merom processor proved an excellent solution. Read more in our review!

The life of a truly modern man is like a train that is steadily speeding up from its station towards an unknown destination. It is getting faster and faster every moment, and there’s no stopping or even pausing this process. Living at a high speed, the modern man regards time as a great value. Some people are even dreaming about extra hours in the day that would sum up into extra days monthly. To avoid floundering in such unreal dreaming, you can put to good use those hours that you’d just waste otherwise. You only need a portable digital companion, a notebook computer.

There is, however, a list of minimum requirements this digital companion must comply with to satisfy its owner. The notebook must be light and small, yet easy to work with. It must have high-performance but economical components so that it could last long on the dell xps m1210 battery. A large selection of wireless interfaces would also be welcome in a traveling notebook. A good graphics subsystem might also come in handy so that the user could relax a little at some game.

You think it’s impossible? Not at all! The Dell Inspiron XPS M1201 is a vivid example of that. Depending on the configuration, this 12” cutie (it easily fits within the dimensions of the A4 paper format and thus into any briefcase or bag) can satisfy any person who is spending much of his life traveling. Appearances are often misleading, and a cursory glance over the Inspiron XPS M1210 won’t disclose to you the fact that this notebook has one of the most advanced of today’s mobile CPUs coupled with a rather powerful graphics subsystem. Not all notebooks marked as XPS M1210 have a discrete graphics solution on board, though. There is a version that has a tremendous computing power but is weak in 3D and gaming applications because it uses the integrated graphics core Graphics Media Accelerator 950.

It’s the latter version of the notebook that we’ve got for our tests. The Dell Inspiron XPS M1210 is based on a Merom-core CPU with the Core micro-architecture. The Merom differs from the previous core Yonah in a few respects. First, the Intel Core 2 Duo T7600 has a 4MB L2 cache. The execution pipeline is almost the same length in all CPUs with the Core architecture, yet it is longer by two stages in the Core 2 Duo. The most notable improvement is the support of Intel’s 64-bit extensions to the x86 architecture and the so-called Intel Wide Dynamic Execution that means that the CPU core now has more decoders and execution units. The processing of SSE and floating-point instructions has been accelerated. With all these innovations, the Merom core has a typical heat dissipation of 34W as opposed to the Yonah’s 31W. The rest of the components of the Napa platform are left unchanged and the CPU socket will remain the same until the upcoming transition to the Santa Rosa platform.

The stickers they put on the notebook case are the same too, except that the Intel Core 2 Duo Inside sticker now has the number 2 that stands for Merom. The Centrino Duo logo doesn’t allow telling which exactly CPU resides inside the notebook.

Our tests will show how such crucial parameters of notebooks as battery life and performance have been affected by the technical innovations. But first we’ll examine the Dell Inspiron XPS X1210 carefully from all the sides. We’ll also take an ASUS W5F notebook as an opponent to the Inspiron. The notebook from ASUS has a similar hardware configuration, but a different CPU with a different clock rate. The Inspiron XPS M1210 is based on a Merom-core processor with a frequency of 2.33GHz while the ASUS W5F has a Yonah-core 2.0GHz CPU (it is the highest CPU frequency among all the Intel Core Duo processors we’ve ever tested in our labs).

Design and Ergonomics

The first thing you become aware of in the Dell Inspiron XPS M1210 is its smooth outline. The front part is rounded off a little, giving the notebook a very neat appearance. The lid is coated with black plastic and has a silvery band with the name of the series near the display hinges. On the front panel there is a small chromium-plated ledge to make it easier for you to lift the lid up. The sides of the lid are by half painted silver to match the top part of the notebook’s body. The rest of the body is painted black.

The manufacturer put its logotype into the center of the lid.

Before opening the notebook, you can take note of the three connectors in its front part. One is a microphone input and the other two are identical headphones outputs. Not a very common solution, this allows enjoying the multimedia capabilities of the Inspiron XPS M1210 battery together with your friend while on a plane, for example.

Above those connectors there is a block of multimedia buttons highlighted in blue when the notebook is turned on. These buttons include (from left to right):

* Mute On/Off

* Volume Down

* Volume Up

* Play/Pause

* Previous Track

* Next Track

* Stop

We don’t think these buttons are really necessary for an ultra-compact model unless you are going to use it as a player. Due to the small size of the notebook, you will almost surely touch the multimedia buttons unintentionally with your wrists while you’re using the touchpad.

The display lacks a lock as is typical of notebooks of that form-factor. Mechanisms built into the hinges press the lid down to the notebook’s body, and you have to exert some strength to lift it up. The color scheme is all silvery inside, including the magnesium case, keyboard, touchpad, and the screen bezel. There are rubber pads on that bezel for softer contact between the display and the notebook’s body. Centered beneath the display is the Dell logotype.

The Dell Inspiron XPS M1210 may come with an optional 1.3-megapixel web-camera that can turn around by 180 degrees. It resembles the one installed on the ASUS W5F. Our notebook didn’t have that camera, though.

Besides the manufacturer’s logo, there are two sonorous stereo speakers on the bezel, below the display. They are covered with grids and are directed right at the user. This placement is good because the speakers won’t get obstructed with anything.

The display hinges stick out of the notebook’s body, allowing you to unfold it by even more than 180 degrees as is shown in the following photograph:

The Dell Inspiron XPS M1210 is equipped with a widescreen 12.1” display with a max resolution of 1280×800 pixels and an aspect ratio of 16:10 (WXGA). The horizontal viewing angle seems to be large, but the vertical one is narrow even visually. The glassy coating of the display makes colors more saturated (Dell TrueLife technology), but also produces flares under improper lighting and reflects every well-lit object behind your back.

We measured the brightness and contrast of the notebook’s display using a Pantone ColorVision Spyder with OptiCAL version 3.7.8 software. We selected the highest possible brightness setting before this test but it would become much lower when the notebook switched to its battery, automatically enabling power-saving measures. The measured values of brightness are high, but the contrast ratio isn’t:

AC power source:

* 110.1cd/sq.m brightness, 27:1 contrast ratio

DC power source:

* 90.9cd/sq.m brightness, 27:1 contrast ratio

The notebook’s keyboard consists of 84 silvery-colored keys with a soft movement and a somewhat rough surface. The Arrow keys are lowered below the keyboard’s baseline to reduce the risk of your pressing them unintentionally. The Fn button is located at the bottom left of the keyboard, next to the Ctrl key, which is in the corner. This is convenient for people who are used to shortcuts like Ctrl+C or Ctrl+V. Numeric buttons and two Windows keys are available: the Context Menu key is over one key on the left of the spacebar and the Windows Logo is on the right of the spacebar. The functional buttons are smaller than others. PgUp and PgDn are placed under the Enter. Home, End, Insert and Delete are in the same row with the functional buttons (you should press them along with Fn to access their additional functions). The letters are painted in black; the functional keys are blue.

Testbed and Methods

The notebook’s hard drive was formatted in NTFS before the tests. Then we installed Microsoft Windows XP Professional SP2 with DirectX 9.0c, system drivers (from the included disc), and Windows Media Encoder 9.0 with Windows Media Player 9.0. We also installed Windows Media Player 10.0 for such tests as PCMark 2005 and SYSMark 2004 SE.

The following settings were used for the tests:

* Power-saving services – Off

* Audio subsystem – Off

* Network services – Off

* Maximum screen brightness

* Maximum display resolution (1440×900)

* Windows Taskbar is Unlocked

* Windows Taskbar hides automatically

* Classic Desktop theme

* No background image on the Desktop

* No screensaver

* Low security level

* Pop-ups blocking disabled

There were two exceptions: we returned to the Windows XP desktop theme for PCMark 2005 since the program required that. And for SYSMark 2004 SE to work normally, we had to roll each parameter back to its default (as they are set right after you install Windows).

Two power modes were used. First, we selected the Always On power mode for maximum performance and the shortest battery life. Then we switched to the Max Battery mode for the maximum battery run-down time.

Our tests:

1. Performance benchmarks: synthetic (SiSoftware Sandra 2005, SiSoftware Sandra 2007, PCMark 2004 1.3.0, PCMark 2005 1.2.0), office and multimedia (SYSMark 2004 SE, Business Winstone 2004, Multimedia Content Creation Winstone 2004), and games (3DMark 2001SE Pro, 3DMark 2003 3.6.0, 3DMark 2005 1.2.0, 3DMark 2006 1.0.2, Quake 3, Quake 4, Unreal Tournament 2003)

2. Battery life tests (Battery Eater Pro 2.60)

There are three test modes in Battery Eater:

* Classic (the system is under a high and evenly distributed load)

* Reader’s test (the pages are browsed through each 15 seconds)

* Idle mode

We used the first two modes as they are in Battery Eater, but in the Idle mode (when the test utility doesn’t put any load of its own on the notebook) we played a DVD movie.

Conclusion

Michael Dell’s team has done a good job again, coming up with an exciting ultra-compact portable computer optimized for today’s life and travels. The only significant drawback in the configuration of the Dell Inspiron XPS M1210 that we tested is the lack of a discrete graphics card that would certainly make it even more appealing. Well, the model we actually tested is quite ready for the nomadic way of life many of us have to lead. We called the ASUS W5F with its Yonah-core CPU a mobile intellectual in our earlier review, but the Dell Inspiron XPS M1210, even with its integrated graphics, is much smarter without a doubt!

This year will show us the Merom from other aspects, too. This CPU core is going to have higher frequencies and to work within the framework of the Santa Rosa platform together with an improved integrated graphics core. This sounds to us like yet another performance leap!

Highs:

* Superb ultramodern design

* Excellent performance in office applications (and not limited to them if the configuration includes a discrete graphics card)

* Abundance of wireless interfaces (including support for SIM cards)

* Exclusive TrueLife technology for better image quality

* Appealing and competitive price

* High-resolution widescreen display

* Relatively long battery life

Lows:

* Mirror-like display

* Low performance in games

* Inconvenient placement of the multimedia buttons

* Optical combo-drive

* Rather too noisy

* Dense placement of USB ports (but it’s good that there are as many as four of them here!)

hp-laptop-batteries.com asked:


One of the most common issues with laptop batteries is overheating. Not that the batteries are designed poorly or improperly but due to, in most cases, user wear and tear. While the laptop is using the AC adapter for power the battery acts as a back up in case of a loss of power or accidental unplugging. During this AC power use the battery becomes hotter than it would if being used independently. To lessen the chances of this overheating, which leads to a shorter life expectancy of the battery, keep the AC power adapter plugged in only if you need to charge the battery while using the device.

If the battery is consistently hot to the touch, remove it and allow it to cool down first making sure it is close to room temperature before reinserting it. Should the battery continue to overheat or get too hot it will probably need to be replaced. Always replace a defective battery as soon as possible as it could cause irreparable damage to the laptop in question. In addition to overheating failure to charge or hold a charge is another very common issue with laptop batteries.

First check to see if the AC adapter is securely plugged into the device; the tightness of the connection will vary form laptop to laptop but it should be held in place well. To check for a good connection look for the battery charging LED if one is present on your laptop. If it is not on wiggle the cord to see if the connection makes and breaks contact. If you notice a flickering LED light then the solution is a new adapter which is far better than needed to purchase a new battery or a new DC power jack which can be repaired by a common user with a little instruction and help.

Abha Duhring asked:


s are portable systems, it is very essential that the laptops must be placed in secure and safe laptop cases. Huge varieties of laptop cases are widely available in the market such as the leather laptop cases, aluminum laptop cases and feminine laptop cases exclusively for women.

The waterproof laptop cases

Waterproof laptop cases are counted best among other laptop cases. At times, the users who extensively commute might get caught in snow or rain and in such situations the waterproof laptop cases significantly protects the device from nay kind of damage. Even at office or home, it is possible that water or any other form of liquid might come in contact with the device and can impair your laptop, thus, to avert damage it is very essential to secure the laptop from water by using the waterproof laptop cases. The waterproof laptop cases are normally made from plastic that being highly water resistant is an ideal material for the waterproof cases. A waterproof laptop case protects laptops not only from water or moisture but also from scratches, dust, shock, damages, corrosion and heat.

The waterproof laptop cases have padded compartments so that the user can easily keep various other things as well such as binders, diskettes, lose files, business cards and pens. Also, few varieties of the laptop cases are equipped with an unseen telescopic handle or ergonomic handle. Majority of the waterproof laptop cases come with quick release straps and an integrated lock system. In addition, some laptop cases manufacturers have also introduced waterproof laptop cases with customizable fit. At the time of choosing the appropriate waterproof laptop case, the foremost thing to be considered is the size of the laptop so that the device could fit in snugly and easily. A laptop is a very delicate electronic device and has a huge risk of being damaged when transported.

So, those people who travel a lot and carry along various other things such as loose documents, binders and various other things to carry along, should certainly invest in the waterproof laptop cases as no one is sure what kind of weather you may get where you are traveling. One can buy the waterproof laptop case that has wheels attached to it or the laptop case with shoulder straps. If you are buying a waterproof laptop case make sure it is made out durable quality and has guarantee period in case of any production faults. There are various cheap laptop cases available in the market but such covers do not provide extra padded compartments, have a short life and may not fulfill the purpose of protection against water effectively.

Apart the cheap waterproof laptop cases, and discount waterproof laptop cases are also accessible in the market. These laptop cases come in various sizes, shapes, styles and designs and can be picked accordingly. Unlike the cheap waterproof laptop cases, the discount laptop cases comes in more reliable quality, have longer life and protects the device from every kind of damage. The discount waterproof laptop cases provides different compartments to carry extra stuff along the laptop such as CD’s, data cable, USB, Bluetooth and many more.

Mitch Edwards asked:


 

Laptops are fast becoming a necessity for professionals and students alike. Gone are typewriters, pen and papers and messy handwritings. One can easily take an office or a library anywhere he want with just a laptop.

High prices of brand new laptops however can be quite overwhelming for some people on a tight budget. So they can settle for cheaper kinds – used laptops or refurbished laptops. Used laptops are not highly recommend though, unlike refurbished laptops which are being raved on by many people today.

There are several advantages of buying Refurbished Laptop computers:

Reduced Cost: Buying refurbished laptop computers can save you 10 to 30 percent off the price of a new computer.

High Quality. Refurbished laptops go through high levels of performance standard tests at factories before they’re repackaged and sent out for selling. You are assured of a high quality laptop even though they’re refurbished.

Discounts. Usually, these refurbished laptops are offered at great discount prices for students, senior citizens, military personnel and etc. Aside from the 30 percent slash off, you can also get additional discounts!

Warranty Advantage. Oftentimes, these refurbished laptops come with longer warranty period. Normal warranties last for 1 year, while refurbished laptops can extended warranty period of up to 3 years.

Now you might be real excited to get that refurbished laptop for yourself. But wait, here are a few things to keep in mind before you buy a refurbished laptop:

First, you must check the date of the first purchase of the unit to know how old the hardware parts are – you don’t want to end up with a laptop filled with almost obsolete parts that’ll be difficult to repair or replace right? Second, you need to find out how many users the laptop had before. A laptop with 2 or more users probably will not be that good. The laptop’s condition is very important because you have to get the same kind of performance capability such as that of a new or a newer laptop. Many buyers also prefer laptops previously owned by women. Make sure that you buy a refurbished laptop from your own country so can easily reach the dealer without much hassle. Shop around till you find a good price for great quality. And lastly, make sure you buy a refurbished laptop that comes with a warranty. If the manufacturer’s warranty has already expired, the vendor then should give one. This way, you can reach the vendor if any problems, repairs or replacement arises.

Refurbished Laptops: Save on Cost, Not on Quality

Sometimes desktops and laptop computers seem to be priced real low. Descriptions of these products might include the term refurbished. Manufacturers and retailers offer refurbished systems much cheaper than normal PC and laptop costs, but are they safe to buy?

Refurbished laptops typically fall into two categories. First are the units which failed a quality control check during manufacturing. Rather than simply disposing them, manufacturers rebuild them to pass quality control checks but them sells them at discounted prices. Another kind is a rebuilt system from customer return maybe because of a certain component failure.

Refurbishment can be done by a manufacturer of a third party. While manufacturers rebuild the system with the same parts used in new laptops, third parties may use alternative parts to fix it up and get it running. These alternate parts may change the system from the original design so it is important for customers to read the specifications and compare them to the standard specs of the product.

And another type that customer will find discounted is an open box product, unlike refurbished laptops, these has not been rebuilt. The product is simply a customer return that was never opened and tested. Buyers should be very careful when purchasing any open box products.

Costs Savings

Primarily, cost savings is the one reason considered why many people purchase refurbished laptops. These are usually priced below average computer systems currently sold. But of course the reduced price is only relevant if you are looking at the same exact product. Most refurbished laptops available will typically be a bit older products that are being compared to the original suggested retail prices for the products on its first release. When looked at this way, deals may not always be the best.

When fishing for refurbished laptops, it is important to note if the model is still available for new sale. If it is, you can easily determine the price comparison. These usually have modest discounts of 10 to 25 percent off the retail prices. So long as they have similar warranties as the new ones, these can be an excellent way of having a laptop for a cheaper price.

However, customers are often tricked into paying for a unit that looks like a good deal but are actually not. This problem comes from older laptops that are no longer sold. This is where the specifications become tremendously important. Check out your prospective refurbished laptop’s specifications and try to find a comparable brand new or newer system. If you can find one, them the cost analysis of 10 to 25 percent still holds. But if you can no longer find a comparable system, search for a comparably priced system and see what you can get. In this case, customers usually will find that they can have a better, newer product for that same price.

So try to be careful when choosing refurbished laptops. Go for those refurbished by manufacturers to get real cost savings and better quality for your money.

Warranties

The key to any refurbished computer system is the warranty. These are products that typically were returned or rejected due to a defect. While that defect may have been corrected and no further problems may develop you want to make sure that some coverage is included for potential faults. The problem is that warranties are typically modified for refurbished products.

First and foremost, the warranty should be a manufacturer one. If the warranty is not provided by the manufacturer it should raise a red flag for consumers. A manufacturer warranty will guarantee that the system will be repaired to the original specifications with manufacturer parts or certified replacements can be used with the system. Third party warranties can cause major problems as replacements parts may not be guaranteed and it may take longer for the system to be repaired.

The next thing to look at is the length of the warranty. It should provide the same length as if it was purchased new. If the manufacturer is not offering the same coverage consumers should once again beware. The lower cost of the system may be the result of them not offering to support the product.

Finally, be wary of extended warranties. If an optional warranty is offered for purchase with the system, it should be a manufacturer extended warranty and not one through a third party. Also be wary of the cost for extended warranties. If the cost of the extended warranties makes the system cost more than buying it new, avoid the purchase.

Conclusions

Refurbished laptops and desktops are one way consumers can find a good deal, but they have to be much more informed before the purchase. The key is to ask several key questions to know if it is really a good and safe deal:

Is it sold by the manufacturer or a retailer? What is the price relative to the same PC new? Is the system comparable to an equivalent priced new PC? What type of warranty comes with the PC? Who will handle warranty work?

If all of these can be answered satisfactorily, then consumers can generally feel secure in the purchase of a refurbished PC.

What are refurbished notebooks

Imagine you could buy cheap, used laptop that fits all your performance and portability needs and keeps all advantages of new notebook like good condition, warranty and technical support. That’s what refurbished laptop is.

Before being offered as reconditioned each laptop is tested, than repaired (if anything needs to be repaired), than thoroughly tested again. Each notebook is also cleaned and comes with warranty. Sometimes warranty includes battery and sometimes not, depending on seller and offered laptop.

What vast majority of people really use laptop for are simple tasks like browsing the Internet, reading and writing e-mails, word processing or working with other office applications. These do not demand cutting-edge, flashing laptop packaged with the latest technical innovations and gadgets for over $2000. Even people doing more complex tasks like programming, web development or working with CAD/CAM applications do not need it in most cases. I run my CAD software on cheap, factory refurbished Dell Inspiron 1100 laptop for under $800. Before it also used to work fine on 900MHz IBM.

Factory remanufactured laptops

There are generally two ways to buy renewed laptop. The best is to buy factory remanufactured laptop directly from its manufacturer. Almost every bigger laptop manufacturer has an outlet section in its online shop, where you can find deals on refurbished notebooks. They are reconditioned and tested by qualified manufacturer’s technicians to meet the same requirements as new items. They also often come with the same warranty conditions and technical support as for new notebooks. The only significant difference is that they are from about $100 to several hundreds dollars cheaper than the same models new. Dell, IBM and Compaq  brands currently presented on our site, all run outlet shops on their web sites.

Third party reconditioned laptops

The second way is to hunt a deal from one of countless third party laptops resellers. Buying from third party reseller, you usually get better prices for the same items. You can also find older models that are not available on manufacturers sites. Each laptop is tested, repaired if needed and cleaned to be in good, working condition. They usually come with warranty but its period rarely extends 90 days. It is also common that battery is not covered by warranty. You can find very good deals on third party refurbished laptops but be careful to buy only from respected and established resellers.

I hope this site will convince you that good laptop doesn’t need to be expensive. The articles should answer most of your questions regarding laptop parts, equipment, accessories, peripherals and upgrading issues. Sellers review should help you to learn how to find quality online resellers. It also presents detailed description of several popular online resellers, where you can find deals on reconditioned and used computers. The brand categories you see at the top of the menu contain information on refurbished laptops offers from specific brands and reviews of the most popular and common models.

 

For more information on where to buy used laptops please visit buy used laptops now.

 

 

hp-laptop-batteries.com asked:


HP Pavilion dv8000 laptop battery



Battery Type : Li-ion Voltage : 14.40V Capacity :7200mAh Dimension : 200*69.5*37.9mm Net Weight : 650g Color : Black Condition : New, High quality, Safe! List Price : US $ 100.40  You Pay : US $ 77.23



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HP PAVILION DV8000 Battery Compatible Part No:



HP 395789-001

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HP PAVILION DV8000 Battery Tips:

Lithium ion notebook batteries normally offer 300 to 500+ charge/discharge cycles over one year of useful life.After over one year, the battery will end up with very low capacity and this renders the battery unusable. As soon as the battery leaves the production line it is likely to start losing it’s capacity. So How can you make your laptop battery last a long time?



New laptop batteries generally arrive in a discharged state, so, before you use them first time, you had batter charge your hp pavilion dv8000 laptop batteries up for at least four hours.

Don’t run out of your HP PAVILION DV8000 battery. Lithium Ion laptop batteries work best when they are recharged while they still have 10 to 20% capacity remaining. So if you are using your notebook battery on your journey, try not to get in the habit of using the notebook battery until it has almost no charge.

Make sure the vents in your the laptop are not blocked and the laptop does not overheat. Extreme heat causes the increases the self-discharge rate of the battery.

When carrying the battery. Do not short circuit the terminals or store your battery pack with metal objects such as necklaces or hairpins.

Don’t use the laptop battery unless you have to! Li-ion batteries degrade or deteriorate continuously it have a life of about 300-500+ recharge cycles or about one year, the battery will end up with very low capacity and this renders the battery unusable. Many people keep their laptop plugged in all the time, that’s not good.

If your HP PAVILION DV8000 battery will not be in use it should be removed from your laptop and stored in an Anti-Static bag and in a dry, cool place. make sure it is has about 40 - 50% charge and it is highly recommended to circle it at least once a month.

Do not disassemble the HP PAVILION DV8000 battery , the contents may be corrosive and harmful for your health.

Bob Shanty asked:


A laptop is the ideal replacement for your desktop computer. The greatest advantage of a laptop is its portability. Unlike desktop computers, you can easily move a laptop around your home, carry it to work or class and take it with you when you travel. Laptops are a big investment, so before buying one, you should consider many factors like the manufacturer, performance and features.

What kind of laptop user are you?

A home user wants all the features of a desktop PC in the form of a notebook. If you are a home user, then choose a notebook which is easy to carry and comes with the most basic computer applications. Students should opt for an affordable laptop which is light and durable. Frequent fliers need slim notebook models with long-lasting batteries. A business user should purchase a laptop with plenty of hard disk space and advanced security features while a gamer needs a fast processor and the latest graphics card.

What are the different kinds of laptop computers available?

Laptops for Entertainment:

Multimedia laptops are always more expensive and heavier than your standard model. These laptops come with a powerful processor, abundant memory and a large hard drive. You can use these laptops as a mobile DVD player, MP3 jukebox and a digital photo album. If you buy a TV tuner card, you can even use your multimedia notebook as a television set. These notebooks are ideal for PC gaming.

Laptops for Business:

Laptops especially designed for business use are ultra portable. These laptops are durable and more secure than the basic laptop. They are best suited for consumers who are always on the move. A good business laptop should offer a fingerprint reader or SmartCard support to prevent data theft. These notebooks usually have advanced computer applications and wireless capabilities, so you can work even when you are away from your desk.

Laptops for Home:

The home user typically uses a laptop for checking mail and browsing the web. These laptops perform general tasks. A high speed processor is an unnecessary luxury and tends to be wasted on most home users. Opt for a notebook with at least a 14-inch screen and a comfortable keyboard. These laptops are generally heavy, weighing more than 4 kg at times. Their average battery life is less than three hours.

What constitutes a good laptop?

Ergonomics:

If you are going to use your laptop extensively, then you need to be comfortable with the keys. Try a laptop with slightly larger keys to avoid straining your fingers from typing. Most laptops come with a touch pad or a tracking pointer instead of a mouse. If you are a PC gamer, buy a separate mouse which can keep up with the fast-paced action on screen.

Operating Systems:

The Windows XP Media Center Edition is a good operating system for entertainment laptops. It makes optimal use of multimedia features like TV tuners, radio tuners and media players. If you are a professional who prefers Apple notebooks but are concerned about compatibility, check out the dual boot models by Apple that allow you to install and run Windows as well as Mac OS X. If you prefer PCs, Microsoft Vista is an ideal alternative to Windows XP. Vista comes in several editions, including Vista Home Basic and Vista Home Premium for the home user, Vista Business for the professional and Vista Ultimate for the best of both worlds.

Memory and Storage:

All data and applications are stored in the RAM (random access memory). Many laptops commonly use 256 MB of RAM. Most business laptops and entertainment laptops come with 512 MB or more of RAM. The more RAM you buy, the more data you can store.

The hard drive stores all programs and files. For the average home user, a 20 GB hard drive will more than suffice. If you buy a laptop for entertainment or business purposes, a 60 GB hard drive will better serve your needs. Some entertainment laptops even have multiple hard drives for better performance. Hard drives come with different speeds. Most laptop hard drives have a speed of 5,400 rpm. However, faster hard drives go up to 7,200 rpm.

Display:

The size of a laptop is based on the size of the screen. Screen size starts as small as 10.6 inches and goes up to 20 inches diagonally. Most laptops have an LCD monitor. However, if you are using your laptop for CAD, a CRT monitor will serve you just as well, if not better. The screen resolution determines the crispness of your image. A 12.1 inch display uses WXGA resolutions (1,280 by 800). A 14 or 15 inch display typically uses WSXGA+ (1680 by 1,050), although a small number of notebook computers use WUXGA (1,920 by 1,200) instead.

Processor:

It is more difficult to upgrade a notebooks processor than it is to upgrade a desktop computer. For this reason, you should buy a processor with a speed that will best suit your use. Also, it is wise to choose a processor with less battery consumption. Processors with 1.4 to 1.6 Ghz are preferred by most users.

Battery:

Lithium ion batteries are commonly used in laptops. The average battery life is about 3 hours. It takes around 75 minutes to fully recharge a lithium ion battery.

Graphics Card:

A graphics card, sometimes referred to as a video adapter, is responsible for generating the images you see on a laptops display. For businessmen who need to do lot of presentations, a graphics card containing 32 or 64 MB of dedicated memory is the right choice. There are also specially designed cards for gaming. These cards are expensive and should be avoided unless you require excellent graphics.

USB Ports:

Laptop computers come with at least one USB port so that you can connect peripherals to the notebook. Recent models have a FireWire connection that lets you transfer digital information from camcorders or MP3 players.

Optical Drives:

Most laptops come with either a CD-ROM (compact disc, read-only memory), a CD-RW (compact disc, re-writeable) or a DVD-ROM (digital versatile disc, read-only-memory). The DVD+RW/+R with CD-RW is a combination drive which will read a CD or a DVD and write data to a DVD as well.

Modem:

Laptops are available with integrated modems for dial-up connections, Ethernet ports for cable internet and DSL and wireless modems for Wi-Fi connections. Many business laptops also have a cellular wireless modem so you can browse at broadband speeds with just a mobile phone signal.