Thursday, May 17, 2007

Top 5 Wireless Laptop Adapter Cards

Wireless laptop adapter cards are necessary for mobile workers to take advantage of hot spots and Wi-Fi Internet access in hotels, airports and train stations. Working on the road is much easier when you can connect to the Internet or company network using a wireless laptop adapter.

1) Linksys WPC54G Wireless-G Notebook AdapterWireless laptop adapter card is compatible with all versions of Windows and has a one year warranty. Wireless G cards can work with both B and G networks which provides mobile users with the best connection options. This wireless laptop adapter card comes with a setup wizard to assist you in installation.

2) D-Link DWL-G650 AirPlus Xtreme G Wireless CardBus AdapterWireless laptop adapter card works with Win98 or later operating systems. It comes with a setup guide and software CD. D-Link offers a three year warranty and 24/7 toll-free customer support.

3) Proxim Orinoco 11a/b/g ComboCard GoldAn easy to install wireless laptop adapter card which comes with a 3 year warranty. The combo card enables you to connect to any wireless network you may encounter while traveling. This network card works well up to a distance of 200ft in wireless G mode. It provides fast throughput of more than 20Mbps in 802.11g mode. This wireless laptop adapter card is well suited to the needs of mobile workers.

4) Airport Extreme CardMobile Mac users can also enjoy the benefits of wireless connectivity while on the road with this wireless laptop adapter card. This wireless laptop adapter card operates on the 802.11g standard and is backward compatible with the 802.11b standard.

5) SMC SMC2835W EZ Connect GCompatible with both Wireless G and B standards, this wireless laptop adapter card can handle bandwidth-intensive applications such as web conferencing. It comes with a setup CD which will install the software automatically. It will operate up to 1,155 feet according to the manufacturer. It also supports both WEP encryption and Wi-Fi Protected Access(WPA).

credit by : Catherine Roseberry, mobileoffice.about.com

Monday, May 14, 2007

Choosing a notebook computer

Step 1: choose your screen size
Step 2: look for mobile processors and wireless capability
Step 3: decide how much memory and hard drive space you need
Step 4: add the right accessories

Step 1: choose your screen size

Notebook PCs feature LCDs that use active matrix technology (also called Thin Film Transistor, or TFT) to create bright, crisp colors and a fast refresh rate. TFT comes in three formats:
• XGA (Extended Graphics Array): 1024 X 768 resolution (786,000 pixels)
• SXGA (Super Extended Graphics Array): 1280 X 1024 resolution (over 1 million pixels)
• UXGA (Ultra Extended Graphics Array): 1600 X 1200 resolution (nearly 2 million pixels)
The size and quality of the screen is one of the biggest factors in a notebook's price, so carefully consider your needs and balance them against your budget.
If you want the freedom to roam around the house, go down to the local coffee shop, or take an occasional business trip, a notebook with a 15” or 17” screen is the way to go. These make great replacements for desktop PCs, and many feature widescreen aspect ratios, similar to many LCD and plasma TVs. This wider aspect ratio is perfect for watching DVDs and working on multimedia projects. The larger screen will be more comfortable for daily use, but will make your notebook heavier and may drain the battery faster.
Smaller, lighter notebooks are great for frequent travel, or as a companion to your desktop model. Weight will be crucial if you are toting your notebook around campus or through airports every day. Versions with 12" or 13" screens can weigh as little as four or five pounds. The smaller display may not be as easy on the eyes, but your notebook case will be much easier to carry.

Step 2: look for mobile processors and wireless capability Mobile processors such as the Intel® Pentium® M and AMD Sempron™ offer more power in a smaller package as well as longer battery life. Some processors even determine which parts of your PC need the most power and shut down the ones you're not using. These power-saving features are especially helpful when you're on the road and don't have access to an outlet.
Most notebooks also come with built-in wireless capability, perfect for getting online when you’re not at your desk. You'll find public-access hotspots in places like college campuses, coffee shops and airports. You can even create a wireless network in your home and check email in the living room or browse online recipes in the kitchen.

Step 3: decide how much memory and hard drive space you need

Random Access Memory (RAM) is the working memory in your PC. After the processor, RAM is the second biggest factor in overall system speed. As your computer runs programs and works with data, it uses RAM to process the program information. The more memory you have, the faster you will be able to load, print and download your files. To play games or surf the Internet you'll want to start with at least 512MB of RAM. Consider upgrading to 1GB of RAM if you multi-task or work with large files.
Need to know more about Random Access Memory? Look into: The importance of RAM.
The hard drive provides storage for your computer's programs and frequently-used data. Most hard drives today are rated in gigabytes (GB). Not to be confused with RAM, your hard drive is permanent storage for your data. Programs, images, music files and data take up a lot of space on your hard drive, so make sure you start with plenty of room. If you plan to use gaming software or multimedia applications, you'll want the largest hard drive that fits your budget.
Learn more before you choose: Getting the right hard drive.

Step 4: add the right accessories
To take your notebook on the road:
Cases
Docking stations / mobile power
Other travel accessories
To get the most out of your notebook at home:
Wireless networking
Keyboards and mice
External drives and storage

credit by: circuitcity.com

Sunday, May 6, 2007

About Tablet PC

Tablet PCs are notebook computers with a liquid crystal display (LCD) on which the user writes with a special pen called a stylus. These pens of styli can be wireless devices or attached to the tablet PC via cords or wires. There are two basic types of tablet PCs: traditional and convertible. Traditional products are more rectangular and permit the use of X-Y coordinate logging and optical character recognition (OCR). Convertible products are thin-framed notebook computers that include a foldout keyboard.

Performance specifications for tablet PCs include maximum resolution in lines per inch and maximum sampling rate, the rate at which tablet PCs process user inputs. Accuracy, another important product specification, separates various product lines. Notebook computers that perform standard diagnostic tests can alert users about potential performance problems. Serial interfaces for tablet PCs include universal serial bus (USB), RS232, and RS422. Parallel interfaces include general-purpose interface bus (GPIB), an 8-bit standard. Tablet PCs that use special forms of transistor-transistor logic (TTL) or discrete signals are also available.

Most tablet PCs include special tablet PC software, or standard applications that are compatible with popular operating systems (OS). A basic tablet PC may include a simple word processing application. A more device may include productivity software that provides the user with the ability to schedule tasks or create spreadsheets. Reading a tablet PC comparison or performing an on-line tablet PC review is a good way to learn about product features.

There are many applications for tablet PCs. An industrial tablet PC can be used by plant workers, machine operators, or inspectors in manufacturing environments. A rugged tablet PC can be used by personnel who work outdoors (e.g., forestry, utilities, and construction), or by emergency personnel such as police officers, firefighters and paramedics. In the commercial sector, tablet PCs have become increasingly popular due to increased processor abilities and the development of languages such as Java and Python. A used tablet PC or a refurbished tablet PC is suitable for many applications.

Saturday, May 5, 2007

Apple Notebooks

With a little bit of care, you can maximize the battery life (i.e. the time your battery will run before it must be recharged) and lifespan of your notebook's battery. Most importantly, use your Apple notebook in its comfort zone for temperature (See “Keep Your Notebook Comfy”). Don’t leave it locked in a hot trunk during the summer.

Your New NotebookBe sure to fully charge your portable when you plug it in for the first time, and then run Software Update to ensure you have the latest software. Apple periodically releases updates that may improve battery performance.

Standard MaintenanceFor proper maintenance of a lithium-based battery, it’s important to keep the electrons in it moving occasionally. Apple does not recommend leaving your portable plugged in all the time. An ideal use would be a commuter who uses her MacBook Pro on the train, then plugs it in at the office to charge. This keeps the battery juices flowing. If on the other hand, you use a desktop computer at work, and save a notebook for infrequent travel, Apple recommends charging and discharging its battery at least once per month. Need a reminder? Add an event to your desktop’s iCal.

Long Term StorageIf you don’t plan on using your notebook for more than six months, Apple recommends that you remove and store the battery with a 50% charge. If you store a battery when it’s fully discharged, it could fall into a deep discharge state, which renders it incapable of holding any charge. Conversely, if you store it fully charged for an extended period of time, the battery may experience some loss of battery capacity, meaning it will have a shorter life. Be sure to store the ejected battery at the proper temperature. (See “Notebook Temperate Zone.”)

Optimal SettingYou can choose to use your Apple notebook in a way that maximizes its battery life.


  • Energy: The Energy Saver control panel offers several settings that determine power levels for your PowerBook. Your portable knows when it’s plugged in, and runs accordingly. When on battery power, it will dim the screen and use other components sparingly. If you change this setting to maximize performance, your battery will drain more quickly.

  • Brightness: Dim the screen to the lowest comfortable level to achieve maximum battery life. For instance, when watching a DVD on an airplane, you may not need full brightness if all the lights are off.

  • AirPort Wireless: AirPort consumes power, even if you are not using its features to connect to a network. You can turn it off in its control panel to save power.

  • Bluetooth Wireless: Likewise, you can turn off Bluetooth to maximize your battery life, as it also consumes power when not in use.

  • Applications and peripherals: Disconnect peripherals and quit applications not in use. Eject CDs and DVDs if not currently accessing them.

credit by: http://www.apple.com


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