Is Large HardDisk Space a need for Laptops?
Harddisk space is one of the major factors to be considered when purchasing or assembling a computer. Of course, this is where you would save all your files, MP3s, movies, pictures, etc. When buying a computer, my main focus is on the processor, memory (RAM), video card, and the harddisk space. But large harddisk space needed for laptop computers?
Most laptop users would have a personal computer (desktop computer) at home. They only have laptop computers for portability purpose where they can bring their work anywhere they go. For this kind of users, maybe, HDD (harddisk drive) space is just a plus when choosing laptop or notebook computers. Files are stored in computers at home, and only needed files would be stored in a laptop. For those who don’t have a desktop computer, you could still backup your files in DVDs or CDs or even the use of external harddrives which are commonly used for laptops.
So I guess, large HDD capacity is not a need for laptop computers, but of course, why not settle for the best? Large difference in HDD capacity doesn’t mean a huge difference in its price. It is not a need, but would still advice to go for the best.
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.
Added Security: FingerPrint Reader
Want to have more security for your own personal belongings? Especially gadgets containing important personal data or critical company data. There is a feature that is just right for you. Some notebook computer manufacturers now integrate Fingerprint reader into these devices. A more efficient way to secure your computer than the use of passwords, which are now easily hacked by the way.
With the use of fingerprint readers, you can prevent unauthorized access from other users trying to get data from your computer. No two persons have the same fingerprint, so if they want to access your computer, they need to get your finger first. Ouch!
Boston-Power’s Next Generation Battery
Boston-Power has unveiled its new Sonata lithium-ion batteries for notebook computers. Problems regarding battery packs have been well-known for years by laptop users. Most users find that they would need to buy at least three batteries for the first years of their notebook computer.
“Sonata features enhancements in both performance and safety; its proprietary safety features include slower chemical kinetics, novel current interrupt devices, new thermal fuses, unique pressure relief vents and safer pack configuration.”
These batteries are said to have the industry’s fastest recharge time – 30 minutes to recharge to 80 percent capacity. This would be a great advantage for users who don’t have the time. Another great thing is that these batteries have been designed to match the lifetime of a notebook computer, which theoretically means you don’t need to buy new batteries. And to top it all off, these batteries can be used with existing notebook computers.
Tools to Keep Your Laptop (and Your Lap) Cool
Heat is a problem of any hardware, not only laptops. Generation of heat is actually an indication of some inefficiency in any set-up. This is because instead of energy being turned into something productive, it is released thru heat instead. Of course, this is unless your primary aim is to generate heat–then it’s not an inefficiency, but we digress.
However, with laptops, heat is a major concern because being portable computers, users tend to use them on their laps for extended periods while on the go. That’s why they’re called laptops! Smart, huh?
Actually, this is also the reason some manufacturers have ceased to call their portables “laptops.” The heat some machines generate is just too much for comfort. Apple MacBooks, for instance, are considered very hot machines. Yes, Apple calls them “notebooks,” instead, and shuns any mention of “laptop” in marketing materials.
The new MacBook Pros and MacBooks run hot - almost hot enough to fry eggs. Indeed, Apple no longer advertises its portable computers as “laptops”, presumably fearing product liability lawsuits should someone singe their thighs.
Low End Mac reviews seven products that help cool notebook computers. The accessory reviews were done in relation to Mac notebooks that the reviewer owned, but these can also be applicable to non-Apple notebooks, as long as they are the right size and/or aspect ratio.
- Podium CoolPad. The CoolPad raises a notebook computer off the surface to give better airflow at the bottom, where excaust fans usually blow off air to dissipate heat from the computer’s internals. ($29.95)
- Targus Chillmat. The ChillMat is a fan-based cooler powered via USB. The Chillmat has two large-diameter fans that run silent. Don’t worry, the fans won’t be too noisy for comfort. ($29.95)
- Targus Notebook ChillHub. The ChullHub is like the Chillmat, but is powered by an external AC/DC adaptor, and extends your laptop’s connectivity options by acting as a USB hub. ($49.99)
- Laptop Desk and Laptop Desk Ultralite. The Laptop Desk and its Ultralite version are basically bags that convert into a mat that can be placed on your lap or on a desk to protect your body or furniture from heat by helping dissipate heat from the laptop via ventilation channels. ($29.95)
- Xpad Non-slip Laptop Cooler & Heatshield. The Xpad does not use any fans, but helps improve airflow to the bottom of your laptop by enhancing natural convection airflow.
- iLap Laptop Stand. These are designed specially for Apple notebooks. The iLap both elevats the computer to enhance airflow, and serves as a heatsink to help dissipation. (From $49.99 to $69.99)
- MacMice iBreeze Laptop Cooling Stand. The iBreeze both raises the laptop for better ground clearance and uses fans to help improve airflow. The iBreeze is designed specially for Apple notebooks though. One plus: it uses the USB plug as a passthru port, so you won’t necessarily have to use up one port in the process of using the cooler. ($29.99)
I think the basic concept is raising your laptop to provide adequiate clearance from the surface it’s being used on. Some of the older laptops I’ve owned actually had built-in stands that one can extend from the bottom to help increase ground clearance. However, this feature has been removed from most new notebooks, and hence there is still the need for laptop cooling pads.
ZeroShock Sleeves for Your Laptop
Some people are happy with keeping and carrying their laptops in the default shoulder-bags that ship with the computers. Personally, however, I’m not so satisfied with these bags that laptops come with. For one, they’re large and bulky. Secondly, while they are adequately padded, they do not always fit your laptop snugly, hence there is a tendency for damage when, say, the bag is dropped or bumped.
I prefer purchasing third-party carrying cases that offer better portability and protection, such as the Samsonite Inventure backpack I reviewed a bit earlier. Some would prefer keeping their laptops on thid-party bags that weren’t intended for laptops at all, such as in canvas shoulderbags and messenger bags.
For any preferred mode of transport or storage, laptop users can always get added protection by using shock-absorbing sleeves, such as the Shinza ZeroShock sleeve. The ZeroShock sleeve is constructed from high-resistance polyurethane, which is more commonly known to have “memory” as the material will dent after absorbing shocks and compression and will retain that shape for a few minutes before reverting to the original state.
High-resistance polyurethane does not yield to external pressure as easily as neoprene or regular polyurethane foam. By compressing slowly and expanding slowly, high-resistance polyurethane is particularly adept at absorbing impact energy. Due to high-resistance polyurethane’s impact-absorbing properties, it is most often used in medical devices, car seats, acoustic devices, fruit transport packaging, and aerospace development applications. Applying this technology to notebook cases results in an unparalleled shock-absorption/weight ratio. Translation? Better protection for your notebook with less weight to lug around.
Apparently, this type of construction works great at distributing stress across a larger surface area, primarily through the sleeve itself (and not the laptop stored inside), resulting to better laptop protection. It’s akin to the concept of body armor (made of Kevlar or other newer material) absorbing the impact of a bullet and preventing it from penetrating the armor and the body of the wearer itself.
The Shinza Zeroshock sells for approximately US$ 30 (depending on the size) online at shinza.com.
Inventure Laptop Backpack from Samsonite
Having recently bought a V2000-series Compaq, which is smaller relative to my old fullsized 14-incher ThinkPad, I thought I’d also be better off getting myself a portable carrying case. I’ not fond of carrying around my laptop in those shoulder-type leather or nylon bags that come deafult with the package. Instead, I make it a point to get myself backpacks for easier transporting, and so it wouldn’t be too obvious that I’m carrying around a notebook computer (see my article on preventing laptop theft).
For carrying around my laptop and all the junk that I usually bring with me, I have a medium-sized Echolac laptop backpack. But it’s still heavy and quite bulky, especially with the junk I tend to carry along with me (which includes cables, coin purses, keys, notebooks, some extra shirts for emergencies, a small umbrella, documents, my toothbrush, and all that).
So yesterday evening, I finally got to buy that small-ish backpack I’d been eyeing for some time now. It’s the Inventure ICT Backpack A4 039 (pictured above) from Samsonite. It’s your basic one-zipper laptop case that’s designed to carry your laptop and only the most necessary of accessories (that is your AC adaptor and perhaps some cables and USB peripherals).
The backpack is designed to accommodate small/thin 14-inch laptops and of course smaller-sized ones such as 12-inchers and, of course, sub-notebooks. The V2000 initially didn’t fit as well as expected, because while it’s a 14-incher, it’s in widescreen format, so it’s as long as a 15-inch laptop would normally be. But a little adjustment does the trick and my laptop fits although there’s not much allowance in terms of play.
Inside
Inside the Inventure is your basic laptop case fare. You have the laptop pouch itself, which is padded but not as thickly as with larger ICT cases. The pouch is still suspended inside the backpack’s body, though, so that’s good for added protection, especially when you’re setting down the case bottom-part down. There’s a document holder, which is expandable by adjusting the velcro straps. Then there are two pouches that can hold PC cards or other accessories (such as my card-reader, which is the bluish thing you see on the photo).
On the front part of the internals are a set of businesscard holders and loops for holding pens/pencils. There’s also a mesh-type pouch where you can put in all those small articles you’d rather not lose elsewhere in the case. I keep my USB flash drive and earphones here. For those who like listening to music while on the move, the case has a small hole for earphone wires.
How it fares
- Protection. I’d say the Inventure gets a 6 out of 10 for protection, as it’s the padding is not as thick as I’d personally be comfortable with. Also, since the Compaq V2000 just fits the bag snugly lengthwise without any allowance, I wouldn’t want the top part of the case to hit something hard. If I were using a 12-inch laptop, I’d probably rate the backpack higher by two points.
- Comfort.I give the backpack a 8 out of 10 for comfort. It’s light and comfortable enough. My only gripe is that the shoulder straps aren’t made of that sweat-resistant material that lets your skin breathe (which my Echolac backpack has). The part that goes to your back actuall has this feature, but the shoulder straps have this velvety material that’s soft but can get hot with prolonged use.
- Portability. The saving grace in terms of comfort would be the fact that that the case is so light and that I’m not tempted to carry around all my junk. So my back’s saved from all the aches and pains associated with carrying heavy backpacks. In this area, I give the backpack a 10 out of 10.
Overall, I give the Inventure an 8 out of 10. Average in terms of protection. Not so perfect in terms of comfort. Perfect in terms of portability.
Maxtor OneTouch III
Maxtor has released a mini version of its popular OneTouch external hard drive line.
The Titanium metallic paint finished Maxtor OneTouch III, Mini Edition weighs seven ounces (200g), and is equipped with black rubber side panels molded to fit above the housing on all sides, providing non-skid “feet” as well as added vibration protection.
According to Maxtor is the first mobile storage solution in the industry that comes fully loaded with the latest software innovations to protect and manage digital content, including automated backup, data encryption, data synchronisation and System Rollback to restore applications and operating system while keeping digital files current.
The Maxtor OneTouch III, Mini Edition includes Sync, a software feature that automatically synchronises files between two or more computer systems on the same operating platform.
The Maxtor OneTouch III, Mini Edition comes in a 60GB or 100GB capacity and connects to a Microsoft Windows 2000 or XP computer via a USB2.0 port and will be out this May.
Source: Pocket-lint
Top Ten Coolest Laptop Cases
Productdose has a list of the top ten coolest laptop cases, and there are some nice once included like the Zero Halliburton Deluxe 5″ Computer Case:
This Zero Halliburton Deluxe 5″ Computer Case is for the Jack Bauer in all of us. With an exterior styling that clearly proclaims that you’re not messing around, this bag features a clean, dark aluminum exterior and micro-cell polyurethane foam for added interior protection. A durable handle and combination lock on top ensure the security of the case’s contents, even if this thing needs to be used as a weapon.
A very interesting read. I wonder how many people use such elaborate cases for their machines?
Titan G3T Notebook Cooler
Finally, a notebook cooler that does not look like garbage mangled together. The G3T was designed with aesthetics in mind, from its curvy but efficient design, to the images of dragons on the surface.
It looks very nice, and according to Hardwarezone, it functions very well.
Apart from the sharp edges that are left exposed and therefore posing as a potential hazard for unknowing users, the Titan G3T was an efficient notebook cooler with very little for us to fault.
Basic convection cooling design is faithfully adhered to and the result was evident in its ability to really keep mercury from rising into the red zone.
If your laptop is giving you a hot lap, perhaps the time has come for you to invest in a notebook cooler such as the Titan G3T.
Product Specifications
- Rated Voltage: 5V DC
- Power Current: 0.28A
- Power Consumption: 1.4W
- Rated Speed: 2000 ± 10%RPM
- Airflow: 33.28 CFM
- Noise Level: < 23.2 dBA
- Dimension: 324.5 x 264 x 27 mm (W x D x H)
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