Disadvantage of Laptop: Hard to Troubleshoot

Before I used to purchase a laptop, one thing was going through my mind giving me doubts on whether to buy one for myself. Upgrading for desktop computers is so easy especially for those who know something on computers. You just need to know the right hardwares to purchase such as memory, processors, harddisk drives, etc.  If something goes wrong with your computer, for those who knows computer troubleshooting, they are not afraid to open the CPU, disconnect something, find the error by trial and error by listening to error beeps until they’ve successfully fixed the problem.

But for laptop users, considering the price of these expensive laptops, even computer experts would avoid opening it to find if something goes wrong. I myself try to fix my personal computer myself, but when my friend’s laptop was not working, I’ve found out that the hard disk is not detected. But instead of opening the laptop, I advised her to send the laptop to the service center since it is still under warranty. Unfamiliarity with the laptop’s structure might just result to more serious defect.

July 31st, 2007 Posted by Glenn in Articles at 2:40 am Comment Now! »

Is External HardDisk Useful for Laptops?

Is external hard disk drives useful for laptop computers? My first thought about it is you bought a laptop for portability, so isn’t an additional hardware a hassle to bring with it? Yes maybe it is, but why do we need external an hard drive in the first place?

Since laptop is not that easy to upgrade in the first place, expanding a laptop’s internal hard drive should have been planned before purchasing a laptop. So what can we do if we need more storage space? The use of an external hard drive is the easiest option. You don’t need to bring you laptop in a service center to change your current hard drive.

Laptop is mainly used to bring your needed files where ever you go. But you don’t need all the files especially pictures and movies that you have already watched everywhere you go. And external hard drives are the best options for backups. A bonus is, you may also bring it anywhere you want. 

July 29th, 2007 Posted by Glenn in Accessories, Tips, Articles at 4:09 am Comment Now! »

Tablet PC - HP tx1000 series: Just an additional feature

I’ve been reading reviews of the HP tx1000 series and most of them are good feedbacks. No complaints about its performance and design. And I myself is having a great experience using the HP tx1105au I have bought a couple of weeks ago.

But I have read reviews about this notebook and some are disappointed with its tablet pc feature. They are having a hard time using the touch screen. For the record, the tx1000 is not really a table pc. So don’t expect that it would be as easy as using a real tablet pc. The HP tx1000 series is not dependent with the use of a stylus. You may even use your own fingertips to click objects on the screen. So you don’t have to worry losing your stylus.

But the disadvantage of an stylus-independent touch screen is that you need to press harder for your action to be recognized by the notebook pc. So writing in it is a bit harder that an stylus dependent touch screen. Well, you would be used to it in a matter of time.

July 27th, 2007 Posted by Glenn in Reviews, Tablet PC at 12:26 am Comment Now! »

HP Pavillion tx1000z series

tx1000

One of the best ultra-portable notebooks created by Hewlett Packard is the HP Pavillion tx1000z. It is lightweight and can be carried anywhere you want, in work or for any destinations where you would want to watch DVD movies from your notebook PC. With its integrated touch screen (optional) and its design where the LCD can be rotated of upto 180-degrees, one highligth of the tx1000 is it can be converted into a tablet PC in an instant.

Besides its cool design, it is built with powerful specifications. Designed primarily for Windows Vista, the tx1000z is powered with AMD Turion 64 x2 dual-core processors. It has a built-in 1GB DDR that can be expanded of upto 2GB DDR. Save more entertainment or work files in its hard disk of upto 200GB storage space.

 This notebook also includes fingerprint sensor for better security. And for better communication, it has a built-in webcam and mic plus an Altec Lansing speakers. Be connected with its 802.11b/g wireless LAN or using its bluetooth, LAN card, or modem.

I would say that this is the best one I’ve browsed so far, considering the over all features (design and specifications). Of course there are lot more powerful laptops with better specifications.

July 27th, 2007 Posted by Glenn in HP, Tablet PC, Tips at 12:10 am Comment Now! »

Best Buy…Notebook or Desktop?

As written in my previous article, a personal computer is somewhat a necessity for most of us especially in the IT industry but there is always a dilema on deciding if he will be buying a traditional desktop computer or a portable notebook. I’ve read an article stating pros and cons of each side.

“If the main purpose of buying a computer is for occasional use, regardless if it is for work or entertainment activities, one may consider buying a traditional desktop computer taking in consideration that its price is usually lower than the portable version.

If the main reason for the purchasing of a computer is portability, then in this case the notebook will be the right choice.”

 A more detailed discussion could be read at their website. It still depends on the main purpose why you are buying a personal computer. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, either would be helpful. You may just need to consider practicality and quality.


July 19th, 2007 Posted by Glenn in Tips, Articles at 11:28 am Comment Now! »

My Own Notebook PC

After a long wait, and long time of browsing different models of notebook computers, I was able to choose and purchase one, the HP Pavillion tx1105au. I’ve been searching for models considering my primary purpose for buying one. Since I would be bringing it to work everyday, I chose portability over specifications. But it didn’t mean that I won’t be looking for powerful notebook computer. Of course I would still consider those specifications, but my primary factor was would it be easy to bring anywhere I go.

So far so good. Satisfied with what I’ve got. Being convertible to a table pc is a plus. I can watch DVD movies when the notebook is in table form. And what can I say, I greatly recommend this notebook model. With its cool design and powerful features, the price is very reasonable.

July 18th, 2007 Posted by Glenn in Tips at 2:03 am Comment Now! »

Fingerprint Scanner: Hard to Use

My laptop, HP TX1105au, has a built-in finger print scanner which comes as an added feature for your security. I have previously written an article about fingerprint scanner, and it does gives an added security for your computer in addition to setting passwords.

 The thing is, some fingerprint scanner, like the one installed in my laptop are too sensitive. I need to swipe my finger a couple of times for it to be recognized as a valid log in. You need the right stroke, the right weight of pressing, and the right speed of swiping your finger.

As a tip, always try to maintain your fingerprint scanner clean so dirt won’t be a factor in making scanned image blur.

July 17th, 2007 Posted by Glenn in Tips, Articles at 11:26 pm Comment Now! »

Is Vista Right for Laptops?

New laptops are specifically designed for Windows Vista. The features that it possess and functionalities of certain hardware parts works with drivers for Windows Vista. But is Vista really a good choice of OS (Operating System) for laptops?

For me, I don’t see any problem in using Vista as my OS as the specifications of my laptop minimizes the effect of high resource consumption of this operating system. This is the main point you would hear arguements on using Windows Vista, with all the animations on its user interface. It eats up a lot of computer resources, memories, CPU usage, etc. So the only problem I see is that using Windows Vista could eat up battery life.

You won’t have a problem if you’re using your laptop with available electronic sockets where you could plug your adaptor anytime. But for usage on the road, it might eat up battery life. As a work around, I try to use the classic theme of Windows when using battery mode.

July 17th, 2007 Posted by Glenn in Tips at 11:44 am Comment Now! »

Work at Home…

Most of us would say that never bring your home at work. But for some instances, especially for busy seasons, this is inevitable. Moreover, especially for IT persons such as programmers, some ideas would just pop out on your mind even if you’re doing something else other than work. And being out of the office would avoid you to apply the idea immediately since your computer and files are at the office.

This is where a laptop would be helpful for you. It may not be a necessity, but would make your life so much easier, but of course, it would depend on your nature of work. As for my personal experience, acquiring a laptop was such a great help for my work. Even at the office, I’m using my laptop as my main computer so all the files I’m working at are saved in it. So even when I’m home, I do have all my files with me where I can review every documents I need so I could prepare for the meeting the next morning. No need of spending overtimes at the office. You may be at home spending time with your family, and may just take a look at your files in your laptop.

July 17th, 2007 Posted by Glenn in Tips at 10:26 am Comment Now! »

 |