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.

My current laptop is the HP Pavilion dv6; my daughter purchased two of these laptops on Black Friday in 2009, after waiting in line at Staples for hours, one for herself and one for me, as an early Christmas gift. Priced at $199.00, this was a steal for this machine and well worth the long wait in line.

This Pavilion model is top of line and looks classy with a dark bronze finish with the signature HP swirl designs. It has a 15.6 inch screen, and weighs about 6 pounds which makes it easy to take just about anywhere. The keyboard on the lap top is full size so it is very easy to type on, unlike the net book that this little prize replaced. The touchpad is the HP ClickPad with the technology to turn it on and off, which is great, because I prefer my trackball and my daughter prefers the touch pad. This laptop is also equipped with a built in web cam, a DVD drive, wireless LAN card, an onboard card reader that reads most of the external memory cards available today, built in speakers along with an earphone jack and a microphone jack. This model has four USB slots, two located on each side, which is great to connect peripheral hardware, such as my trackball or my iPod cord needed to charge my iPod and sync with iTunes. On the inside it is equipped with an Intel Core i3 processor (2.40GHz) and Windows 7 64-bit operating system, which runs any of my frequently used programs superfast. We are both college students and use Microsoft Office programs often, like Word, Excel and Power Point, along with iTunes. The video quality is great, as a long time desk top user I never knew that a lap top could provide this high quality video. I have watched DVD movies on my laptop along with many episodes of my shows from the internet.

Another plus that came with this laptop is the LightScribe technology that allows you to label a DVD or CD by etching the title you select or create yourself right on to the disc, a special LightScribe disc is required to take advantage of this feature. My only complaint with this laptop is the battery life and the AC adapter. The battery is a standard 6-Cell 55WHr Lithium-Ion Battery but it never lasts for more than two hours tops and the AC adapter connections appear to wear over time, sometimes it takes three or four tries to get the AC Adapter to show that is charging the battery, it appears to be a problem with the connection to the computer itself or between the box that joins the two cords. We are in the process of looking into getting the battery in mine replaced or the AC adapter, whatever the charging problem results to be.

Overall a great machine and well worth the money! I would recommend this to anyone.

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!

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.

1. Look at sales ads for local electronics stores – Often overlooked, check the ads before you shop. Most stores come out with new sales ads on a weekly basis. It’s a good idea to look at these sales ads for at least a month to get an idea what is considered a “good price” for the laptop you want. By investing time in looking at these ads you’ll find the sales patterns of the stores and will figure out which is the best notebook to buy for your needs.

2. Search online for the lowest prices on laptops/notebooks – There are some great websites that offer really cheap notebooks and electronics at discounted prices. Often times people are most successful in getting some great prices on laptops on the internet because there is such vast competition and there are so many more options than at local stores. Mini notebooks are a great item to buy online.

3. Keep your eye out for computers on clearance – Often times you can find certain on clearance at local electronic stores or on the internet. One drawback to this is that the product is probably discontinued. Be sure you are still able to have warranty coverage even though it is a clearance item.

When purchasing a laptop/notebook on sale, discount, or clearance always be sure that you are purchasing a quality warranty with it. You will often find that the computer has a warranty through the company that makes the laptop. This is great to pay attention to because it will further save you money from having to purchase an additional and expensive warranty from the store. If you find yourself spending a lot of money on warranty through the store it is almost as if you are not saving any money at all from the sale.

Purchasing a laptop/notebook does not have to be a difficult or expensive process. With the right preparation and product research you can find a quality laptop/notebook at a fantastic price.

HP is a favorite around here, not just by us, but our readers as well. Here’s some coupon codes that will save you money when you order a, HP laptop: