S-video Output port: Use your TV as Display
Have you ever tried using a Television as a display screen for your laptop? Most users purchase laptops for portability, meaning, they go for smaller sizes and lightweight, resulting to small LCD display. Why need a large LCD display that would result to heavier weight, if you could use a LCD, projector, and a TV as its display? Connecting your laptop to a TV is possible because of the S-Video output port.
You could watch saved movies from your laptop in a TV screen, meaning, small LCD size won’t prevent you from enjoying an entertainment experience. Turn your laptop into a portable DVD player. A plus is, you could enjoy browsing pictures in that huge TV screen. Instead of using DVDs or CDs, store more movies in your harddisk drive space.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
How Important is a Laptop?
How important is a laptop especially for persons like me? I’m a busy person who needs to have a lot of work done by the end of the day. I’m someone who is always on the go, work on the office, work at home, work everywhere. Yes I do have a computer at home, and I do have computers at work, but are they enough?
When I’m at the office, of course I do work related tasks. When I’m at home, I still work doing free lance jobs like computer programming. And of course, I do blogs. But how can I work if a sudden change of schedule arises? What if I need to finish a lot of work but I’m committed to attend an event out of town? It’s a nightmare!
When these kinds of things happen, I can only think of one thing. Why don’t I have my own laptop? Budget wise, maybe I’m restricted from purchasing so. But maybe the primary reason was my mentality that I’d rather upgrade my computer than purchasing a laptop. This kind of thinking was fine when I was in college, but I don’t think it is still working right for me today. Importance of a gadget is not on the gadget itself, but is in the needs of the user.
Do I Need a Laptop? Or Stick with a Desktop?
People planning to buy a new computer, either a desktop or a laptop always have the dilemma on choosing ‘what to buy’. Both desktops and laptops have advantages over the other. So the question is, ‘What suits you best?’
For me, you should first know what you need a computer for. If you plan to upgrade in the near future, then a desktop would be a better choice. If you don’t need to travel much, stick to a desktop computer. But if you need your files anywhere you go, then a laptop is the choice.
I do have a computer at home and at work, so I guess I only need a Flash drive to have my files with me always. But I’m planning to buy a laptop since I think I need to work anywhere I go. Only you could decide on what to buy. Take note of your primary reason for buying one. If you could buy both, better.
Etched Advertising on a MacBook Pro
Remember my post a couple of months ago about my plan to put up my laptop lid as advertising space? It worked okay for Sacha Chua, whom I got the idea from. She was able to sell two large blocks for her BarCampEarth event in Toronto. I wasn’t so fortunate, though. But it still seemed a good idea, especially with the prevalence of laptops today, particularly in areas with good traffic, such as cafes and conferences.
But if you don’t have a laptop, you won’t have ad space to sell, right? I guess you just have to be creative. You can get the ads and brand new laptop to boot, just like what Leah Culver did.
When Leah Culver needed a new laptop, but had no money with which to buy it, she got creative. In exchange for $150 toward the purchase of a new machine, Leah offered local companies one square inch of advertising space on the back of the MacBook. What at first looked like a feeble attempt to raise the required funds soon evolved into a successful exercise in the power of the community at large, and Leah quickly had enough cash to buy her laptop.
Of course, one consideration would be that the laptop would seem commercialized, and the ads in this case are permanent, unless you decide to cover the lid with something. But the MacBook Pro has advantages. Firstly, it has relatively more lid real estate than other laptops, with either 15 or 17 inch widescreen. Second, the casing is made of anodized aluminum, so advertisers contributing to the purchase of the computer would be more comfortable knowing their ads would be more or less permanent (a good selling factor).
[via TUAW]
Don’t Be Surprised When Your Laptop Breaks
CIO Asia has an article up exclaiming that you should not be surprised when your laptop breaks as upwards of 22% of all laptops break atleast once in four years of usage. And even more annoying, but hopefully covered by the warranty, you can expect 15% of laptops to break in the first year.
Broken screens used to be the most common laptop failure, says Leslie Fiering, research vice- president at Gartner. But manufacturers have reduced screen breakage by making the notebook casing and screen bezel more rigid, and by providing more clearance between the screen and keyboard when the lid is closed. Now motherboards are more complex. Technicians used to be able to replace parts like a network interface card, but today such parts are integrated into the motherboard. The entire motherboard must be replaced to fix one component.
So treat your laptop lightly, or don’t be surprised when it is broken.
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