Laptop News From HP And Apple

Summer 2011 Laptop News From HP And Apple

HP Downsizes With New Release

If the best things really come in small packages, the tech world really seems to have taken the message to heart. This is evidenced by the endless parade of super portable options that still somehow manage to deliver performance and power. One of the latest examples is the HP Pavilion dm 1-3010nr which was recently launched by Verizon.
The release is part of Verizon’s 4G service, but at a glance, it seems that this offering is a step above typical notebooks. With a 320GB hard drive, users certainly will not be lacking for space. They will get plenty of processing power from the dual-core 1.6 GHz MAD E-350 CPU. Additional features include Wi-Fi, webcam and a multi-card reader. The 11.6” display shows that it is meant to be portable, but its specs show that it meant to be a workhorse.

Users can access Verizon’s network in a number of areas. The company promises download speeds ranging from 5 to 12 Mbps. It is said to be a great tool for web conferencing. Buyers will be glad to know that there is no contract required upon purchase. The dm 1-3010nr is priced at $599.99 and the broadband service is pay as you go.

Mystery Surrounds Upcoming Apple Release

Anything that Apple does seems to get the tech world immediately interested. Currently there is a lot of interest in one of their latest products, a 15-inch laptop. This ultra-thin offering from Apple is believed to be destined to be a part of the company’s Macbook Air line. There are also suggestions that it might actually be a Macbook Pro.

Even the website dedicated to Apple news has so far not managed to unearth anything substantial on the upcoming release. This might bode well for the company that is as famous for its product launches as it is for innovation in the industry. Once it does hit the market the pre-release buzz might translate to big sales. Fans of all things Apple will have to wait for official word from the company on this one.

Dire Warning For Apple Laptop Owners

When laptop owners worry about security, the battery is probably something that wouldn’t even enter into the equation. However, as one researcher warns, the power supply of Apple laptops could be prime targets for hackers. According to reports, a security specialist named Charlie Miller has found a weakness in the system that could be exploited.

For starters, the laptop’s battery could be rendered inoperable but there are even more dangerous implications. By overriding built-in controls, hackers could cause your laptop battery to overheat and explode. As Miller explained, the program that is responsible for monitoring the battery could be hijacked. The outside user then has enough control to make the battery act inefficiently.

It has been pointed out that some batteries have internal safeguards that offer protection even if the battery is hacked. Miller plans to fully outline his findings at the upcoming Black Hat Conference held in Las Vegas from July 30-August 2011. This is a series of special briefings dedicated to the issue of computer security. The event is also staged outside the US in Tokyo and Barcelona. Attendees will also hear about Millers solution to the potential battery hacking problem. He developed ‘Caulkgun’, a patch that blocks access to the battery’s internal host.

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Google’s Laptop, Netbooks vs Tablet & Eye-Tra...

Will Google’s Laptop Make Waves?
Pretty much anything Google does gets attention in the tech arena. The introduction of the web giant’s laptop, the Chromebook, was no different. Given its roots, it is no surprise that it was designed with web surfing in mind. In December of last year the company released the product to test the market and get public feedback.

The fact is, most people perform many tasks online from shopping to banking transactions. This would explain why Google saw fit to endow the laptop with Chrome OS (not to be confused with Chrome, the web browser from Google) as opposed to the other browsing software available. Currently, official launch date is set at June 15, 2011 as Google works to correct problems that were identified.

One of the most significant problem with the laptop is the use of Google’s OS, Chrome, which utilizes cloud computing. This in the opinion of some critics is a problem in itself. It is said that the technology does not run very well on some networks. In fact, while some users are happy with the Chromebook, they have not been quick to forego Windows and Mac OS. Still, if there is one thing Google has in its favor its brand recognition. The company also has the obvious technical capabilities to sort out the problems that have been experienced so far.

Will Netbooks Lose Out to Tablet PCs?
There is no denying that netbooks came along at exactly the right time. They gave an eager public the ability to do what most of them wanted to do – simply browse the Internet. Infinitely portable, it was smaller than the laptop and carried a smaller price tag.
While they were still in the testing phase many predicted they would be the next big thing, and they were. Growth in the sale of netbooks was staggering, and figures reached over 30m million within just a few years. As with everything else in the tech industry however, it couldn’t last forever.

The current hot ticket is tablet PCs, with Apple and Motorola leading the charge. While Apple’s iPad is still the one to beat other players including HP and Dell have been coming out with impressive offerings. Netbook sales have dipped and already industry insiders are predicting doom for the once hot tech product. Much of this has come in the wake of the iPad’s rapid rise in the market. There are still some factions that insist that the netbook will continue to have devotees and new users in the years to come.

The Eye-Tracking Laptop is Now Here
It seems there is no boundary that laptop makers are not willing to shatter when it comes to tech developments. While 3D laptops are still catching on there is even more for tech lovers to salivate over. One of the hottest trends currently is the use of eye tracking laptops which is being partly driven by Lenovo, fast becoming a major player in the market.

Lenovo teamed up with Tobii Technology to reveal the new laptop at a trade show held in Germany back in March. As revolutionary as it may seem, it is actually in keeping with the direction that the industry seems to be heading. There is an increasing emphasis on moving away from typical inputs as can be seem in gaming with the introduction of Microsoft’s Kinect.

How it Works:
On the face of it, the technology works in a relatively simple fashion. A built in camera zeroes in on the user’s eyes and follow even the slightest movement. This is what Tobii is known for developing and so far critics have been impressed. When using the laptop you can do many things you would do with a mouse or keyboard; make selections, open new windows, scroll up and down or zoom in on pictures.
Originally Tobii was focused on developing the technology for people with special needs. With Lenovo’s help they hope to reach a wider audience with their products. There is also a focus in the industry on trying to reduce the incidence of repetitive motion injury.

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Reader Reviews: MacBook Pro

Today we’re introducing a new feature called Reader Reviews. We’ve invited some of our readers to share reviews of their current laptop and we’ll post them here as they come in. If you’re interested in participating, please use the contact form.

I own a 15 inch MacBook Pro with an Intel i7 processor and 8 Gigabytes of RAM. It was purchased in December of this year. I have always loved Apple’s computers, however, even I was surprised at how much I love the MacBook pro. I am somewhat of computer collector and this is the most impressive and powerful machine I have ever owned.

One of my favorite things about this machine is the keyboard. The keys are very well spaced and it feels great to type on. Also, it is back lit, which may not seem like a big deal—but once you have it, you will never want to go without it again.

The next thing that I would point out is the over-sized multi-touch track pad. Once again, I love Apple but I did not understand the level of usability that this track pad brings to the laptop. The best feature by far is the ability to scroll by dragging two fingers up and down on the track pad. Apple implements their “inertia” technology, used on the iPhone and their other touch devices, which gives scrolling a “flick” feeling. You can also move forward and back in your web browser by swiping three fingers across the track pad. Pinch to zoom also a fantastic feature. Finally, using four fingers down will show you all your open windows or up to move them out of the way to reveal your desktop.

The new uni-body case on the laptop is also a very nice plus. Most laptops have plastic bezels and will flex and eventually crack and break. The case on the MacBook Pro is machined from a solid block of aluminum.

Another plus specific to the 15 and 17 inch models is the speakers. Located on either side of the keyboard these speakers sound fantastic for on-board laptop speakers. They really bump.

In my opinion, one of the most impressive exterior hardware innovations is the MagSafe charging port. Apple really addressed a serious problem with this. The idea is that if someone trips over the power cord, it will not pull your laptop off a surface to meet its fate on the floor. It works as advertised and has already saved my laptop.

The last specification that I chose when customizing this laptop is my favorite. Most MacBook Pros feature a glossy glass cover over the LCD screen. However, I opted for the Hi-Res anti-glare screen. The screen is just like any other laptop used to be. These new glossy screens may make the laptops more aesthetically pleasing, however, they are not practical. If you are outside or just near a window, you will experience a crippling glare on your screen. I am very glad I went with the anti-glare screen.

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Buying A Laptop For Your Teen

Well, it’s that time of year again. Ads and emails are whirling around, all promising the best laptops for sale online. Shiny new netbooks are lining the store shelves, and your teenage child is begging for a laptop of his or her own. So now the question is: which laptop to buy?

With some careful shopping you can find one that suits your child’s needs, fits within your budget, and has the power to run all the newest applications. The first place you want to go are the online consumer reports sites - they will provide general feedback from consumers like you on trustworthy brands and models. Unfortunately, for the most part, the models listed on those sites will be a generation older than the current models. This is due to the fact that those sites rely on consumer feedback, and there is very little consumer feedback for the cutting edge technology that is emerging. However, they are a good place to start to get a general understanding of brands to look for and brands to avoid.

The next thing you want to do is weigh the options for the best type of laptop. From the most portable to least portable they are – netbook (such as Acer Aspire One) compact laptop (Apple AirBook, or Sony Z series), balanced laptop (Apple MacBook or HP G62t) or the “desk-top replacement” model (Apple MacBook Pro or HP Pavilion DV6z).

If the primary purpose of the laptop will be internet use I would suggest a netbook, however they are very limited when it comes to upgradability, and you will need an external DVD player since because of the size of the device it is impossible to put on in the netbook. You can get a good deal if you find one of these small laptops for sale. If the primary purpose will be some internet, some word processing and maybe some light gaming then the compact or so called “balanced” laptops are the way to go. The compact and the balanced models are slightly less powerful than the “desktop replacement” but they provide enough power to get most things done, usually all ship with a DVD burner and have relatively good upgradability. If the laptop is going to be used for graphic manipulation, video editing, gaming or other data intense projects then go with the “Desk top replacement” these laptops tend to be larger, but pack a big punch when it comes to what they can do, most have cutting edge processors as well as powerful graphics chips and great upgradability. A look at some gaming laptop reviews can get you started.

Now that you have decided which kind to buy, go to your local electronics store and play with them. Ignore most things the clerks tell you, nine times out of ten the people working at the stores will have a mandate to sell a certain model and that may not be the model you want to buy. Ask questions, look for their big sales on laptops, don’t be afraid to really test one of the floor models, and let you child play with it too. A thourough laptop comparison will save you money and time. Remember this is going to be a computer that travels with your child, make sure it feels sturdy, and has a good warranty. Most of all, make sure you like it, there is no sense in spending money on a laptop that may do everything you want, but you dislike the screen or feel of the keyboard. Have fun!

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How To Get The Best Deal On A Laptop

Purchasing a laptop is an important and rewarding process. If you do it right, you can find a product that fits your needs at a good price. If you do it wrong, you can wind up spending too much money on a piece of technology that does things you don’t want it to do, doesn’t do things you wish it did, or doesn’t work at all.

So, where to begin my search, what should I look for and how will I know what is the best laptop brand for my needs? I think you need to evaluate a series of questions about yourself and your computer usage to begin narrowing down the number of options. There are at least a few hundred choices, but you can quickly narrow it down once you know the following: *Apple/Mac or PC? *10-12 inch, 14-16 inch, or 17-19 inch? *Gaming or heavy video editing? *Speed and memory? *Price? *Brand? *Deals? Let’s walk through each one and by the end you should have a good sense of a few solid choices.

Apple computers are known for being slick, simple to use, beautifully designed, great for video editors, and generally expensive. PCs are known for being technically adaptable, fast, great for business, and generally affordable. Those are stereotypes that have begun changing over the years but still generally hold true.

The next major decision is size. Smaller 10-12 inch computers, also known as netbooks, make great portable devices. They work best as a secondary computer for use in web browsing, notetaking, and general work on the go. Medium sized 14-16 inch laptops are ideal for general use and can be either portable or used as a stationary computer. The screen is large enough to be comfortable but not so large as to be cumbersome. Larger 17-19 inch screens are beautiful and functional but not so portable. They’re best for graphic designers, gamers, and those who want a sleep alternative to a desktop computer that they can still unplug and pack into a suitcase.

Gaming and heavy video editing requires special features. For one, speed is a primary concern, so you’ll need a top of the line processor with lots of RAM (random access memory). You’ll also need a high end graphics card. Gaming usually happens on PCs, but video editing tends to happen on Apples.

As for speed, even those not doing heavy gaming or editing may want a zippy device which can handle multiple programs and windows running at the same time. If you tend to do 15 things at once, make sure that you opt for a faster chip with more RAM. If you are more of a simple web-browser and occasional document writer, you’ll be fine with less.

More costs more. Price is where all of these options come together. Apple is more expensive. Better chips, graphic cards, and more RAM are all more expensive. If you’re looking for the best laptop deal, a cheap 10 inch computer with full capabilities can be had for $300 dollars. An average, fully loaded 15 inch computer could be had for $700 if its a PC and $1200 if it’s an Apple. A high end, large screen gaming/graphics/business laptop could run into the $2500-4000 range. Brand choice is partly a matter of preference and partly a matter of reputation. Apples are known for being well made, so there is no concern there. PC brands with the best reputation are HP and Dell laptops, followed by Toshiba, Sony, and Acer. A newer company ASUS has been making neat devices that many people like.

Whatever brand you buy, try it out in person to see how it feels. Laptops are a very personal device and you need to like using it. Deals and checking out popular laptops for sale are the final concern. Like cars, laptops will come down in price before the next year’s new models come in. The worst time to buy a laptop is typically around the holidays or when students are going back to school. That’s when everyone buys one. A good idea is to select a few models that suit your needs and shop around for prices over a month or two. When a big sale on laptops pops up, take advantage of it. If you follow all of these tips, your laptop purchase should be a successful one.

Final thoughts: only buy the software you need. Great anti-virus software is available *free* online. Try AVG, Malware Bytes, and CC Cleaner. Microsoft Office-like applications can be had for *free* in the open source Open Office suite. Most insurance is not a great buy. The first year is always covered by warranty, and laptops rarely last more than 3 or 4. Just take good care of it and you should be ok. Good luck!

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