I'm Happy To Have A Brand New 17 Inch Notebook Computer

Not to long ago I got a 17 inch notebook, and I must say that I'm quite impressed with its performance and quality. Technology has really improved and therefore this notebook is so much better than the old IBM Thinkpad that I had many years ago.

In those days, laptop computers were bulky and kind of big, the screen resolution was terrible, they were even more expensive than now, and the batteries had very low life expectancy. Thankfully my new Dell 17 inch notebook is ever...
Not to long ago I got a 17 inch notebook, and I must say that I'm quite impressed with its performance and quality. Technology has really improved and therefore this notebook is so much better than the old IBM Thinkpad that I had many years ago.

In those days, laptop computers were bulky and kind of big, the screen resolution was terrible, they were even more expensive than now, and the batteries had very low life expectancy. Thankfully my new Dell 17 inch notebook is everything that my old laptop was not. It is sleek, low-profile, with many hours of battery life, and a delightful high-resolution lcd screen.

I waited very long before I finally purchased my new 17 inch notebook. Don't you find the process of buying a new computer agonizing?

The problem I think we all experience is that no matter how long you wait, the very next month after you buy whatever system you have chosen to purchase, there is always something cheaper and better at a lower price and with a better warranty. It is enough to drive you completely nuts.

Nevertheless, I knew that the convenience of a new laptop computer was worth it, and eventually I broke down and bought my new 17 inch notebook. And I am sure glad that I did. There is nothing that beats a laptop computer.

The best thing about my 17 inch notebook is how easy it makes work on the go. With the prevalence of wifi coffee houses, I can work from my 17 inch notebook from all about town.

I do a considerable amount of freelancing, so the luxury of being able to do all my work on the go, when I want, and from where I want, makes my life almost feel like a permanent vacation. And when I am done with my 17 inch notebook, I slip it into my laptop computer sleeve, and can carry it around me anywhere.

It is no burden at all, because of its light weight, and though I occasionally worry about having it stolen, or accidentally damaged, so far no harm has come to my computer. My sturdy 17 inch notebook has really revolutionized my life.

Of course, for many people, getting a new 17 inch notebook computer like I have done might be a bad idea. If you are not good at keeping track of your stuff, it is a definite no. You could easily lose your 17 inch notebook computer, along with all of your work and data, due to one careless mistake.

A Few Computer Lessons To Get You On The Right Path

If you don’t know how to use a computer at all, it’s a good idea to get a computer lesson and get started. Even just having a basic working knowledge of how to use a computer and how to use the internet will drastically increase the amount of things you can do and open a lot of doors that would otherwise be shut for you.

Indeed, if you are still working or looking for employment (i.e.; not yet retired) knowing how to use a computer will allow you to do a world of different jobs you never would have been able to before.

You are extremely limited in the kind of work you can do without any knowledge of computers, so it is well worth whatever the fees are for a computer lesson or two.

Of course, if you are reading this you probably already have at least a basic knowledge of computers because you are online right now. Even if you already know the basic skills to use the internet and some simple programs like word processors or spread sheet programs, an additional computer lesson or two can still be very valuable.

Most programs have loads of features above and beyond the more obvious ones. Word for Windows and Excel, for example, may seem pretty self-explanatory initially, but with a couple of computer lesson you can do things you never would have even dreamed before with even such standard programs.

Even operating systems, like Windows XP or the Mac OS series have loads of features and nuances that a few computer lessons can expose for you.

I took some night school classes held at a local high school on the beast of a program that is Adobe Photoshop a while back, and the computer lessons were invaluable to me. I have just begun to crack the surface of that particular program and yet I can do things with photos I never would have imagined before.

Live classes are probably the most effective way to get a computer lesson, but another thing I recommend is buying computer courses in the form of interactive CD-ROMs or DVDs to be played on your computer.

These can be done at your own convenience, in the comfort of your home, and are generally less expensive. One I recommend is ‘Video Professor’. His commercials are kind of annoying, but they are very affordable computer lessons and cover the basics for most programs you’d ever use.

Have You Seen LCD Projection TV?

Have you seen LCD projection TV? No, really. I don’t just mean a picture online or in an advertisement on a normal tube television, but have you actually seen projection TV? It really is completely different that what even the hardest of hardcore couch potatoes have ever witnessed. It is impossible to properly describe the effect of LCD projection TV, but roughly it is to normal TV what the CD is to the cassette tape. Leagues of difference, I say. It is the bee’s knees, the c...
Have you seen LCD projection TV? No, really. I don’t just mean a picture online or in an advertisement on a normal tube television, but have you actually seen projection TV? It really is completely different that what even the hardest of hardcore couch potatoes have ever witnessed. It is impossible to properly describe the effect of LCD projection TV, but roughly it is to normal TV what the CD is to the cassette tape. Leagues of difference, I say. It is the bee’s knees, the cream in your coffee, the sprinkles on your donut, the…aw, enough. Let’s cut to the chase.

Big yet sleek and impressive without ostentatiousness, Toshiba has a pair of outstanding 42” LCD projection TV sets to draw the consumer’s eye. The featured Toshiba LCD TV, the 42” LCD projection TV, is but one representative of the “Diagonal Cinema Series” bunch. Just under thirty-five hundred dollars (see Toshiba.com for ordering information), this 42” LCD TV comes replete with Toshiba’s “adaptive LCD projection TV technology,” which makes feasible the addition of innumerable extensions to this LCD projection TV, thereby allowing all your favorite doodads all the benefits of it, up to and including Dolby-based sound systems.

Speaking of sound systems, have you heard the Sony projection TV line? No, I mean have you really heard of it? Well, it’s Sony and that right there says a lot. Audio has been at the heart of Sony business since time immemorial (okay, the 1950s to be precise), thereby levering projection TV sets against the competition as in other audiovisual fields.

Sony product information promises that their products will be at center of a complete audio “suite.” Stuff like Focus technology, TruBass and SRS 3-D dot the T’s and cross the I’s of the projection TV experience. It is said that good sound can save an average movie, but poor sound can ruin a great movie. If one of the prime selling points of LCD projection TV in general is the technology’s presentation of movies, Sony LCD projection TV should be a must on any serious TV shopper’s priority list. See Sonystyle.com for the entire LCD TV line, not to mention a tantalizing description of SRS WOW technology; you can rest well assured that this will warm the movie goer’s cockles.

Getting the Best Value on a Monitor

This is a brief article on the different types of computer
monitors and different monitor specifications to look at when buying a monitor.

Getting the Best Value on a Monitor.

A computer monitor, or simply a monitor, is the screen on which you view things from your computer. As you are reading this, you’re probably reading it on a monitor - either on your laptop, your desktop, or even a mobile phone or PDA. In any case, the monitor has a very important job. A good monitor should see you through several computer upgrades, so it is important to choose a good one.

There are several types of monitor - cathode ray tube (or CRT) and Liquid Crystal Display (or LCD).

CRT.

CRT monitors work by an electron gun shooting electrons down the CRT to the screen, where the electrons cause the phosphor coating lining the screen to glow. On the coating there are dots, one of each colour (red, green and yellow) - each dot is called a pixel.

CRT monitors are large and bulky but cheap. They generally need slightly more room than their screen size, so a 17" monitor will need 18-19 inches deep (size is measured diagonally).

They are not as common these days, with the more advanced LCD monitors becoming the choice for people updating their systems.

LCD.

LCD works by blocking light - specifically, they are made of two pieces of polarised glass, with a liquid crystal material between them. A light is passed through the first piece of glass, and at the same time, electrical currents cause the molecules of liquid crystal to align, allowing varying levels of light to pass through to the second substrate, creating the colours and images that you see.

Thin Film Transistor LCD (or TFT-LCD) is a type of LCD that works by arranging tiny transistors and capacitors in a matrix on the glass of the display. To turn on particular pixel, the proper row is switched on, and then a charge is sent down the correct column. Since all of the other rows that the column intersects are turned off, only the capacitor at the designated pixel receives a charge. The capacitor is able to hold the charge until the next refresh cycle.

Generally speaking, no matter how big a screen on a LCD monitor, they are usually only an inch or two deep. However, the angle at which the monitor is positioned can make it difficult to view due to fading.

Other things to consider are:
· The refresh rate, as it can help reduce eye strain - at least 60 Hz is recommended, 75Hz is ideal. This does not apply to LCD screens, as they turn each pixel off individually.

· Resolution is the amount of pixels on a screen, and together with refresh rate they decide picture quality. See what the highest resolution is at 85Hz to give you an idea of how good the picture will be. Something to note is that when resolution increases, the writing on a screen will decrease. LCD monitors only display well at the resolution at which they were designed - this is called the native resolution.

· Dot pitch is the distance between adjacent pixels - around 0.26 for a 17" monitor is good.

· Controlling the picture quality is essential - check to see how easy they are to use, so you know how to adjust contrast, brightness and alignment.

· Warranty - how long is it and do they offer an extended warranty?

· "Dead Pixel Policy" - what do they allow for? Look carefully before you decide to buy a monitor. You don’t want to be stuck with a monitor full of dead pixels that disturb your viewing on the monitor.

Knowing what you want is only half the battle of getting a good bargain on a monitor - knowing what’s what so you can go in well-armed with knowledge is the other half.

Finding the Right Computer Desktop for Your Needs

When it comes to buying a computer, the choices can make you dizzy. Here's a guide to buying the right computer for your needs.

When it comes to buying a computer, the choices can make you dizzy. You not only have to decide between desktop computers and notebooks (also known as laptops), but you need to determine which features will work best for your needs. This is all the more difficult because technology changes so rapidly. Given that most people buy computers infrequently, what may have been state-of-the-art the last time you bought a desktop or laptop is now considered obsolete. Here, then, are some things to consider before purchasing a new computer.

Computer Desktop vs. Notebooks

Not that long ago, no one would consider using notebooks or laptops as their primary computers. After all, when compared with desktops, they didn't have much RAM, had small, less-than-crisp displays, and didn't have features like DVD players and multiple USB ports. Today, though, LCD monitors make notebook displays brighter, and multiple ports make hooking up printers a cakewalk. Because hard drives are so much bigger and RAM is so much greater, it's no longer necessary to worry that software will either overload the hard drive or slow down performance.

But just because notebooks are more powerful, it doesn't mean that they're the right choice for everyone. If, for example, you regularly work from home, you probably want a computer desktop. Bigger displays, traditional keyboards and mice, and more versatility are just some of the advantages of desktops. In addition, many people use have begun choosing computer desktops that can double as media centers. If high quality sound is important to you and your computer will have a dedicated space in your home, you probably want to choose a desktop.

Mac vs. PC Computers

Although Apple is gaining market share with notebooks, when it comes to a computer desktop, PCs still reign supreme. Making the choice between a Mac and a PC really comes down to how you will be using the computer. If you're a creative type who wants to, for example, take photos from your digital camera and create albums and slideshows, a Mac might be the right choice. Similarly, if you're interested in editing home movies or doing work with graphics, Macs rule.

On the other hand, if you or members of your family are avid gamers, you probably want to go with a PC, since most games are Windows-based and not compatible with the Mac operating system. And, while software like Microsoft Office is available for the both the Mac and PC, other software often isn't compatible with Macs.

Extras

When you're shopping for a computer desktop, you need to consider which "extras" are important to you. For example, do you need a computer that can burn a DVD? Do you need six USB ports, or will four suffice? Is a built-in webcam a must-have? Can you live without wireless connectivity? Are you willing to pay a little extra for a higher resolution LCD monitor? Is surround sound speaker output an absolute necessity?

Before you make a buying decision, it's important to understand what's available in the market, what kind of operating system you would like, and which features are important to you. When you do, you'll know that you're paying for only what you need, and will end up owning the computer desktop that's perfect for you and your family.

5 Reasons to Choose a Notebook Over a Computer Desktop

Many of us are so used to working on a computer desktop that when it comes time to purchase a new computer, we don't consider other options. Today, computer notebooks - which were once called laptops - offer a number of advantages over a computer desktop. Here are just five reasons why you should take a second look at notebooks.

1. Mobility

You might be used to pulling up a chair to your computer, but it makes much more sense to pull your computer up to your chair. Laptops can certainly be used at your desk, but you also have the option of bringing them to the spot where you're most comfortable. Maybe you'd like to surf the Web in the evening out in the living room or catch up on your favorite blogs before bedtime. Notebooks with wireless connectivity can travel with you throughout your home, so you can check your email or do your Internet shopping anywhere.

Of course, notebooks also make sense for those who are on the go. Students can take laptops to class and to the library, while businesspeople can take them along while traveling. With WiFi so widely available, it even makes sense to have a notebook while on vacation. With the right notebook, it's easy to take photos with your digital camera, upload them, and email them to friends and family before you even get back home. Or you can use it to write a vacation blog and include those pictures from your digital camera.

2. Better Displays

The size and quality of computer notebook displays has improved so dramatically that there's little difference between laptops and a computer desktop. For example, you can get Apple's MacBook with a 13.3-inch LCD widescreen (1280 x 800 pixels), a 15.4-inch LCD widescreen (1440 x 900 pixels) or a 17-inch widescreen (1680 x 1050 pixels). Similarly, the Compaq Presario has a 15.4-inch display.

3. Lighter Weight

Just a few years ago, even the lightest notebook was a pain to lug around. Today, though, laptops are increasingly easy on the back. The MacBook is slightly over an inch thick and the Toshiba Portege weighs in at about four pounds. While that's still heavy compared to come of the new ultralight convertibles (Fujitsu's LifeBook U810 weighs only a pound and half), it's a significant improvement over the old seven-pound laptops.

4. Better Computing and Battery Power

Historically, two drawbacks of notebooks were their limited RAM, limited space on the hard drive, and short battery life. Times have changed, though, and laptops now have as much power under the hood as their computer desktop cousins. The MacBook, for example, has 1GB of memory (configurable up to 4 GB) and a hard drive that's configurable to 250GB. This means that your software will hum right along and you'll be able to zip through programs as quickly and as easily as you do on your desktop. Likewise, batteries in today's notebooks don't heat up and don't conk out.

5. More Features

In older laptops, the computer's size and weight limited the number and types of features available. Today, with smaller processors and other components, there's room to pack more features into notebooks. For example, the MacBook has a DVD player, built-in webcam, built-in wireless capability, two USB ports and a FireWire port, built-in microphone, and audio and digital input/output.

There are so many advantages to owning notebooks that, before you buy your next computer, it's worth your while to take one for a spin.