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.

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.

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.

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!

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!

1. Good gaming laptop

Some of the good gaming laptops that stand out are the Alienware M series laptops, specifically the Alienware M15x laptop. It stands out due to its allocation in the series; it offers the best of both the high end and the low end models. In tests this laptop proved very formidable and could handle all the gaming that was thrown at it and over time had consistency in terms of CPU speed and processing. This was due to the machine’s astounding i7 Intel quad core processor which (if you didn’t know) is one of the top processors in the industry, definitely a plus. In addition to this, this highly awarded laptop 6 gigabytes dual channel DDR3 memory and 512 megabytes of GDDR3 GeForce graphics along with your choice of hard drive space. With this much power and graphics this computer will please any gamer. It will cost you, around $1400, but its well worth the cost when you can play games on your laptop in HD. Check a variety of gaming laptop reviews before making your decision.

2. Cheap Laptop

Not everyone has the resources to dish out $1400 on a laptop. There are some who would prefer to have a laptop to check emails, the occasional Microsoft office document, and web surfing. For this demographic, I recommend the Compaq Presario CQ62z. First of all, it’s only $400! What a deal! It comes with windows 7 and has 2 gigabytes of memory and 350 gigabytes of hard drive space, all of which can be upgraded. It has a decent AMD notebook processor which can handle simple tasks and never slow down. This laptop is definitely a favorite for many people.

3. Portable laptop

With all the things going on nowadays, there are some who prefer laptops that are portable and easy to carry around. With such laptops people don’t have to worry about carrying bigger conventional laptops. For this segment, the HP Mini 110 series really stand out. This computer is really cheap and only has a 10 inch screen and is really easy to carry around. It can do anything a normal computer can and comes with windows 7 in addition to that. It has about 1 gigabyte of memory and around 160 gigabytes of hard drive space (again, this can all be upgraded). In such a small device this is very amazing! It can do everything like a cheap computer but is smaller and easier to carry around.

4. College student laptop

College students usually get cheap laptops, but usually end up regretting this choice. In many cases, when they go to college, laptops become their TV’s, video game systems, and their home computers. With so many tasks student laptops need to be quite powerful. College is an investment, why not also invest in what you take and use their. In this section, the Apple Macbook pro is a great fit. The 15 inch model is, in most cases, the best fit. However there are 13 and 17 inch models also available. It comes with 2.53 gigahertz of processing speed 4 to 8 gigabytes of DDR3 memory based on your choice, and 256 megabytes of DDR3 memory. The hard drive space is 500 gigabytes. With such great features what else would a student need? In addition to this apple runs a college student program were college students get a free iPod with the purchase of a Mac. It costs around $1800 bucks but is well worth the costs, definitely a durable and student centered laptop.

5. Business centered laptop

There are some who use laptops for business alone. For these people I recommend the Dell fastrack vostro 3300. This laptop offers unparallel power. It comes with windows 7 and other Microsoft productivity software, a fingerprint scanner for security, and damage protection. This laptop is in the $600 laptop range and comes with great power and processing speed that comes with windows 7. It runs with the intel core I processors, has lots of available memory, and offers lots of available hardrive space, all of which is customizable. It has a 13 inch screen and is perfect.

All of these laptops are great. Check your local store ads for these notebooks on sale to save some money. I wish you luck on this journey as you search for the best laptop that fits you needs.

READER QUESTION: What gaming laptops do you like? Any others besides Alienware? If you own Alienware, what do you think of it?

Apple Macbooks

Apple dominates the laptop industry with its array of notebook computers, the pink ones being the leading choice of women. Macbooks are arguably the most efficient notebooks in circulation. Rightfully so, the graphical interface as well as the protection they provide to your files is not found in other laptops. A Mac being ravaged by malware is a rarity, more so a computer crash. In terms of style, consider yourself lucky if you’ll find an electronic gadget that’s as beautiful as a brand new Macbook. No wonder this gadget is included in most people’s wishlists.

HP Pavilion

Hewlett Packard has produced another winner with the HP Pavilion. The portable computer is equipped with a superfast processor, which makes playing online games a treat. Not only that, you can do a whole lot of functions, simultaneously, given the processor’s speed, thus improving your productivity, in case you’ll use the laptop for office or school-related tasks. The vibrant pink mixed with HP’s bold black logo is simply a treat for the eyes.

Dell Laptops

Dell comes in third place when it comes to producing amazing laptops. The notebook computers shine through with their reliability. As durable as any product in circulation, owning a Dell means you have a machine that can serve you for years. Very little is to be desired further in terms of the notebooks’ processing speed and stylish appearance. A lot of people have jumped in the Dell bandwagon, and you have every reason to tag along, with one of the best pink laptops on the market.

How to Find Cheap Pink Notebooks

If you’re stylish but are budget-conscious, you may be interested in acquiring a cheap pink notebook which is quite abundant, even more common than the expensive ones sold at computer stores and shopping centers. Finding one isn’t really the issue. The bigger challenge is, how to pull the ideal laptop from a pool of attractive choices. In truth, you will need to get down with the details, if you want to weed out not just a cheap pink notebook, but a cost-effective deal as well.

Extra Inquiries, Better Choices

Online forums come as the preferred resources for a cheap pink notebook. People take advantage of such sites to either grab decent units or to sell off damaged property. As a consumer, you should be wise enough to ask the right questions and demand for a warranty period. Inquire about repairs and damages, so you’ll purchase a model that’s in mint condition. If possible, ask for physical inspection before payment, just to be sure you’re not being hoodwinked by the seller.

Getting through Auction Sites

In order to close a good deal, some people install bots in their computers, which place bids at the very last second of an auction, en route to bagging a cheap pink notebook. You have two options. One is reporting those sneaky individuals and the other is downloading your own bot, after reporting them. The tactic is indeed cutthroat, but remember, not everything in life is fair. You’re merely doing your part to maximize your budget.

Souped-up Refurbished Units

Instead of settling for the refurbished units sold by computer stores, you might as well ask a techie friend to assemble a pink notebook for you. You’ll have to buy the parts as well as pay for your friend’s labor. All in all, you won’t pay much for a computer that is perhaps better than most brand new units. Score some points for cost-effectiveness and a haul for friendship.

I purchased the 3G 16 GB version and the cost was $629 in addition to paying for the Internet service that is provided by AT&T. You can also purchase a limited Internet usage package for $15 a month but I think the unlimited package is the best deal. What I love about the 3G version is that you have access anywhere you go. I have been able to use this device to connect to the Internet while hiking up mountain trails. If you are looking for a device that will allow you to stay connected to the Internet then this is the one since the 3G service is built in. The webpages load fast and there is no lag which is something I love. The device also features the ability to listen to music, watch movies and play games. I also download applications from the iTunes app store and I have used the iWork programs to create presentations on the bus while traveling to work. The application also gives you the ability to store your work online which is a great feature because you can access it from any computer. What I love most about the iPad is that it does everything that the iPhone does and better so I can downgrade my phone plan and just use a basic plan. I can then use the money that I save on my phone bill to purchase a nice iPad case and some food at the store. I also love that it is light and easy to carry and I believe everyone should purchase this from the Apple store. The past Apple products include the inventions of the MacBook and iPod and if history is any indication then the iPad will evolve into something you can’t live without due to the amazing applications that are flooding the app store and making our lives easier than ever.

The iPad could be classed as a laptop, due to it’s portability, but really it is a completely new type of device. For many users it could perhaps even replace the need for a laptop at all. While more intensive users will always need the power of a laptop, for the casual computer user who just needs to surf the internet, listen to music, email friends and rearrange their photo collection, the iPad offers them a much more interactive and pleasurable user experience. There are also a good number of iPad accessories available to help you to really get the most out of your iPad.

One reason a lot of people have resisted getting touch screen devices in the past is due to the fact that a screen only input method can be limiting for a lot of people. For example, if you need to write a long email or a document for work, the multi-touch screen just isn’t going to cut it. Not to worry, the iPad keyboard dock, aside from allowing you to sync up and charge your iPad, also gives you a way to use a full sized keyboard with your iPad. This accessory is sure to be a hit with business and personal users alike.

When you are looking for your iPad’s on sale online, it is always worth considering what accessories are bundled with them. Out of the box from Apple, you pretty much just get the device and a charger, but it is worth considering what else you might need along with your iPad. These are small devices designed to be handheld so they are bound to get dropped every so often. Get your hands on an iPad case and you will give your shiny gadget the best chance of surviving in such situations. The aforementioned dock comes either with or without a keyboard and offers a great way to easy store, sync and charge your iPad. It also comes with an audio out port, which means that it will be very easy to hook up your iPad along with all the music stored on it, to a larger external amplifier and make use of it as a wonderful jukebox device.

We don’t think that the iPad will replace laptops at all, but you can be sure that they will offer an attractive alternative or complimentary device to all kinds of different users. We have already seen how the iPhone has been adopted in the medical and business world, and with the larger screen this is sure to happen even more with the iPad.

Many computer companies will refurbish computers and sell them for a discounted price. The company Apple is well known for this. These computers are sent back to the companies, fixed, wiped clean of any viruses and personal data from the previous user, and sold. Something to take into consideration is that when buying these cheap laptops, most times they are sold without a warranty. Sometimes this is a deal breaker for some people and others are okay with this. It all depends on your comfort with the brand.

Buying a slightly older model -
When looking for a computer, sometimes older is better. Many computers these days have features on them that are useful to more tech savvy people. If you are not one of these people or simply use your computer to browse the internet or simple things like that, then you don’t need the extra bells and whistles that these computers come with. The HP computer brand is a good computer to do this with. They are constantly releasing a new computer model every 4 to 6 months so if you bought an older model, you wouldn’t be as behind on the newest technology. Most times, computer stores sell the older models of cheap laptopsfor a discounted price. Take advantage of this and find a good deal on a new but, older computer, that will most likely suit you better.

When offered a rebate, use it! Nowadays, so that you will buy from their stores, most offer some sort of reimbursement program or rebate offer. They tell you that as long as you buy a computer and some accessory, such as a laptop bag or skin to cover it, they will give you a card that you can mail in to get anywhere from 50 to 200 dollars back. Most of the time this works out in your favor. You get a new model laptop, an accessory, and you end up getting it cheaper than you would before. Many computer brands such as, HP and Compaq offer this.