Awal mulanya berawal dr tugas kul yg berhubungan dengan internet administration dimana setiap orangnya di haruskan untuk membuat artikel di internet baik menggunakan blog maupun situs dan tugas ini di beri penilaian dengan kriteria artikel yg di buat dapat menempati posisi teratas di Search engine.
Bayangkan saja sudah banyak alamat web yg terdaftar di search engine dan tidak menutup kemungkinan persaingan untukmmenempati posisi teratas terjadi...
So.. keyword (katakunci) "Server Ins001" yg bisa membantu menempati posisi tersebut karena keyword "Server Ins001" terbilang jarang di gunakan orang lain... ini termasuk trik SEO
Warning: Persaingan tetap tejadi karena yg melaksanakan tugas ini g hanya 1 orang melainkan > 1
10 November 2008
08 November 2008
Server Ins001
Search engine adalah salah satu fasilitas vital dari internet untuk menjelajahi lautan informasi yang begitu luas. Bayangkan saja, hanya dalam waktu beberapa detik ia dapat menyuguhkan ribuan bahkan jutaan alamat web (URL) yang memuat informasi berkaitan dengan kata kunci (keyword) yang Anda cari. Bisa Anda bayangkan, berapa juta orang yang mengakses Google setiap harinya, dan berapa juta keyword yang harus dilayani selama 24 jam non stop. Setiap user pada umumnya bertujuan mencari informasi yang mereka butuhkan secepat mungkin. Jika Anda saat ini telah memiliki website, atau baru saja menyelesaikan sebuah website tentunya ingin agar informasi yang Anda sediakan di web mudah dicari orang. Sehingga yang perlu Anda ketahui sekarang adalah bagaimana mengoptimalkan website Anda agar dapat terlisting dengan baik pada search engine.
Dalam hal ini saya sebagai pemilik blog ini di berikan ekperimen (Tugas Kuliah) untuk memuat informasi berkaitan dengan kata kunci “Server Ins001″ agar dapat dikenali oleh search engine
Apa sich “Server Ins001″?
Server ini di gunakan oleh lab agict (Alzaytun Global international Computer) di mana tempat lab kuliah saya
28 January 2008
Upgrade Your Notebook's Hard Drive
Ready to upgrade your notebook's storage capacity or drive speed?
As I mentioned last week, notebook users are more likely than desktop PC users to fill up their hard drives, simply because notebook hard drives are smaller in physical size and consequently in capacity. And with notebooks--because of space limitations imposed by their form factor--you don't have the same options for adding additional drives. Last week's newsletter, with tips on how to maximize your notebook's existing hard drive, is archived online.
If you've tried cleaning up and archiving unnecessary apps and data, and you're still running low on storage space, it's probably time for a new hard drive. But the upgrading process isn't without some "gotchas." Here are some things you need to know.Know Your Warranty
Before you do anything, check your notebook's warranty. You may void the warranty if you replace an original part, such as the hard drive, yourself. When in doubt, call the notebook maker's support line. You may learn that you will void your warranty unless you buy the replacement hard drive from your vendor. The tech support rep may even offer to guide you through the process over the phone. Be aware, though, that the notebook maker may not offer the best price for a replacement hard drive.Know What You've Got
Next, collect all the specs on your current notebook hard drive, so that you can pick an appropriate replacement.
For example, it's important to know the capacity so that you can gauge your future needs. You'll also want to know who manufactured the drive so that you can contact the manufacturer to find any of the facts that aren't listed on the drive itself.
Other very important facts to know:
Form factor. You'll find 2.5-inch hard drives in almost all full-size notebooks; subnotebooks may have 1.8-inch drives.
Height. The most common are 12.5 mm and 9.5 mm.
Interface. Newer notebook drives are often serial ATA.
The rotational speed (such as 4200 rpm) is less important, although you may be able to improve your performance by choosing a replacement that spins its disks at a faster rate, such as 5400 rpm or 7200 rpm.
If you can't find the info you need on the drive itself, note its model number and ask your notebook vendor or check the drive manufacturer's Web site.Consider Upgrading the Speed
Increasing hard drive capacity is the primary reason most people upgrade. But you might also want a faster hard drive.
The majority of notebook hard drives in use today have rotational speeds of 4200 or 5400 rpm. Newer models, often found in gaming notebooks, rotate at 7200 rpm. Upgrading from a 4200-rpm hard drive to a 5400- or 7200-rpm drive should give you a nice overall system performance increase. Indeed, a sluggish hard drive is often the primary culprit in poor notebook performance, says Simon Blackstein, senior network engineer for MicroMenders, an IT service organization in San Francisco.
However, a faster hard drive may also drain your notebook's battery more quickly and generate a bit more heat. So are the tradeoffs worth it? If you plan to frequently edit video, play high-end games, or run large database searches, definitely. Otherwise, you may want to stick with a 5400 rpm drive.Can You Do the Job Yourself?
Increasingly, notebook manufacturers are making it easier to remove and replace an internal hard drive. Physically, the entire process may take just a few minutes, requiring not much more than removing a screw, sliding the old drive out, and popping in the new one. Before you attempt this, though, check your notebook's documentation to get a sense of what's involved. If you don't feel comfortable following the instructions in the manual, you might want to hire someone for the job.
Of course, just physically swapping the drive isn't all there is to it. You'll need to move your OS, apps, and data over to the replacement. If you're not an upgrade sophisticate (or even if you are), consider using a product designed to facilitate the process, such as one of Apricorn's hard-drive upgrade kits, which vary in price from $39 to $289, depending on what's included and the interface you want to use for the transfer. (Apricorn also offers PC Card-based solutions.)
Here's how it works if you buy a complete hard-drive upgrade package: The new notebook hard drive arrives housed in an external drive enclosure. You attach the new drive to your notebook via a USB 2.0 port (for optimal performance) and install the data transfer software on your notebook. The software turns the external hard drive into a mirror image of your notebook's existing internal drive, transferring all your files, applications, and settings, according to Apricorn.
When the transfer is complete, remove the old drive from your notebook and the new drive from the external enclosure. Then you swap the two drives, popping the new drive into your notebook and inserting the old drive into the external enclosure. The end result is that you'll have a new hard drive in your notebook with all the settings, files, data, and applications intact from your old drive. And you can now use your old drive as an external drive for archiving or other purposes.
You may want to do yourself a favor and stop by Apricorn's online hard drive configurator first; you'll find offerings of compatible hard drives for popular notebook models. (Note: I haven't personally tested Apricorn's upgrades.)Do Your Homework
Of course, you'll want to shop around for the best prices on internal notebook hard drives. Some places to look include the following:
As I mentioned last week, notebook users are more likely than desktop PC users to fill up their hard drives, simply because notebook hard drives are smaller in physical size and consequently in capacity. And with notebooks--because of space limitations imposed by their form factor--you don't have the same options for adding additional drives. Last week's newsletter, with tips on how to maximize your notebook's existing hard drive, is archived online.
If you've tried cleaning up and archiving unnecessary apps and data, and you're still running low on storage space, it's probably time for a new hard drive. But the upgrading process isn't without some "gotchas." Here are some things you need to know.Know Your Warranty
Before you do anything, check your notebook's warranty. You may void the warranty if you replace an original part, such as the hard drive, yourself. When in doubt, call the notebook maker's support line. You may learn that you will void your warranty unless you buy the replacement hard drive from your vendor. The tech support rep may even offer to guide you through the process over the phone. Be aware, though, that the notebook maker may not offer the best price for a replacement hard drive.Know What You've Got
Next, collect all the specs on your current notebook hard drive, so that you can pick an appropriate replacement.
For example, it's important to know the capacity so that you can gauge your future needs. You'll also want to know who manufactured the drive so that you can contact the manufacturer to find any of the facts that aren't listed on the drive itself.
Other very important facts to know:
Form factor. You'll find 2.5-inch hard drives in almost all full-size notebooks; subnotebooks may have 1.8-inch drives.
Height. The most common are 12.5 mm and 9.5 mm.
Interface. Newer notebook drives are often serial ATA.
The rotational speed (such as 4200 rpm) is less important, although you may be able to improve your performance by choosing a replacement that spins its disks at a faster rate, such as 5400 rpm or 7200 rpm.
If you can't find the info you need on the drive itself, note its model number and ask your notebook vendor or check the drive manufacturer's Web site.Consider Upgrading the Speed
Increasing hard drive capacity is the primary reason most people upgrade. But you might also want a faster hard drive.
The majority of notebook hard drives in use today have rotational speeds of 4200 or 5400 rpm. Newer models, often found in gaming notebooks, rotate at 7200 rpm. Upgrading from a 4200-rpm hard drive to a 5400- or 7200-rpm drive should give you a nice overall system performance increase. Indeed, a sluggish hard drive is often the primary culprit in poor notebook performance, says Simon Blackstein, senior network engineer for MicroMenders, an IT service organization in San Francisco.
However, a faster hard drive may also drain your notebook's battery more quickly and generate a bit more heat. So are the tradeoffs worth it? If you plan to frequently edit video, play high-end games, or run large database searches, definitely. Otherwise, you may want to stick with a 5400 rpm drive.Can You Do the Job Yourself?
Increasingly, notebook manufacturers are making it easier to remove and replace an internal hard drive. Physically, the entire process may take just a few minutes, requiring not much more than removing a screw, sliding the old drive out, and popping in the new one. Before you attempt this, though, check your notebook's documentation to get a sense of what's involved. If you don't feel comfortable following the instructions in the manual, you might want to hire someone for the job.
Of course, just physically swapping the drive isn't all there is to it. You'll need to move your OS, apps, and data over to the replacement. If you're not an upgrade sophisticate (or even if you are), consider using a product designed to facilitate the process, such as one of Apricorn's hard-drive upgrade kits, which vary in price from $39 to $289, depending on what's included and the interface you want to use for the transfer. (Apricorn also offers PC Card-based solutions.)
Here's how it works if you buy a complete hard-drive upgrade package: The new notebook hard drive arrives housed in an external drive enclosure. You attach the new drive to your notebook via a USB 2.0 port (for optimal performance) and install the data transfer software on your notebook. The software turns the external hard drive into a mirror image of your notebook's existing internal drive, transferring all your files, applications, and settings, according to Apricorn.
When the transfer is complete, remove the old drive from your notebook and the new drive from the external enclosure. Then you swap the two drives, popping the new drive into your notebook and inserting the old drive into the external enclosure. The end result is that you'll have a new hard drive in your notebook with all the settings, files, data, and applications intact from your old drive. And you can now use your old drive as an external drive for archiving or other purposes.
You may want to do yourself a favor and stop by Apricorn's online hard drive configurator first; you'll find offerings of compatible hard drives for popular notebook models. (Note: I haven't personally tested Apricorn's upgrades.)Do Your Homework
Of course, you'll want to shop around for the best prices on internal notebook hard drives. Some places to look include the following:
- Apricorn
- Computer Giants
- Drive Solutions
- NewEgg.com Did You Upgrade?
Have you upgraded your notebook's hard drive? If so, tell me about your experiences.Mobile Computing News, Reviews, & Tips
Are laptops the new desktops? They can be, with the right tweaks. Columnist Kirk Steers offers tips on maximizing your notebook by upgrading the hard drive, memory, and keyboard.
Got an old Dell notebook or desktop you no longer need? The company announced it will offer free recycling for all Dell-branded products beginning in September. Previously, Dell's free recycling program was offered only to consumers who purchased a replacement Dell product.
Three tempting new smart phones have become available recently: the Treo 700p, the Sidekick 3, and Motorola's Q. Which one is right for you? Columnist Grace Aquino put all three to the test. Her take? The Treo 700p is an expensive office workhouse; Sidekick 3 improves on its predecessors and is the best bet for those primarily interested in IM and e-mail; the Motorola Q is long on style but suffers from the inelegant Windows Mobile operating system.
Is there a particularly cool mobile computing product or service I've missed? Got a spare story idea in your back pocket? Tell me about it. However, I regret that I'm unable to respond to tech-support questions, due to the volume of e-mail I receive.
10 Things Every Mobile User Should Know
Make your next gadget-laden journey as painless and productive as possible
Want to minimize the hassle of juggling two carry-on bags? The smartly designed, wheeled Victorinox Coliseum Wheeled Overnight Brief ($399) features an external pocket big enough to hold a laptop bag, plus a capacious interior for clothes, reading material, and other items. You can get it from retailers like .
Want to minimize the hassle of juggling two carry-on bags? The smartly designed, wheeled Victorinox Coliseum Wheeled Overnight Brief ($399) features an external pocket big enough to hold a laptop bag, plus a capacious interior for clothes, reading material, and other items. You can get it from retailers like .
- An iPod (and other portable USB storage devices) can hold computer files, Outlook data, Internet Explorer favorites, desktop wallpaper, and in some cases, applications. Connect the iPod to a borrowed PC, and voil--it's like having access to your own computer. Later, sync the
- iPod with your PC back home. The ($30) and ($30) utilities each provide this capability.
- charges $2 per month plus 15 cents per page to forward faxes as PDF files in e-mail.
Raise your chances of being reunited with a lost laptop by registering it with . You'll receive a sticker to put on your notebook, informing others of a reward for its return. To contact you, the finder dials the toll-free number on the sticker or goes to the StuffBak Web site. A $6 sticker provides two years of free return service. - You should always take a grounded (three-prong) extension cord with at least three outlets so you can recharge multiple gadgets; blank CDs, for transferring files to another PC or burning tunes to play in the rental car; an RJ-11 phone cord, because you never know when you'll need one; an ethernet cable, for the same reason; and your AC adapter, with airline and car power adapters.
- Before booking a flight, head over to . Charts reveal which seats on domestic and international flights have the greatest width and pitch and provide in-seat power ports.
On the Road
- The free Google Maps for Palm, BlackBerry, and other smart phones shows nearby businesses, gives directions, and delivers real-time traffic info (in 30 U.S. markets).
- Most Bluetooth phones (and some others) include data-modem capabilities, enabling you to use your phone to connect your laptop to the Web wirelessly. Check with your carrier for a connection kit and compatible data plan.
- If there's no hotspot at the airport, you can often connect through a lounge. With a you gain admission into 500 lounges in some 300 airports. Standard membership is $99 per year plus $24 per visit. Also, some clubs now offer $50 day passes.
- Listing more than 120,000 hotspots worldwide, is the place to go when you're sniffing around for a Wi-Fi connection. And its Hotspot Helper software ($25 per year; free ten-day trial) lets you locate hotspots offline, too.
- Some hotel rooms still offer only wired broadband access. But a portable router--such as Apple's AirPort Express ($129) or Linksys's Wireless-G Travel Router ($100)--lets you create your own wireless network, so you're not shackled to the uncomfortable guest-room desk.
ViewSonic VLED221wm 22-Inch LCD Monitor
Though the attractive specs and smooth design of this LCD monitor are impressive, its premium price will turn off most people
ViewSonic's 22-inch wide-screen VLED221wm is the world's first sub-$1000 LCD monitor with LED backlight technology, which delivers an evenly bright screen and a wide color gamut.
The VLED221wm, which should be available in late February, offers a 12,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio that allows the display of impressive blacks; provides great color reproduction due to its ability to represent up to 118 percent of the NTSC color gamut; has a 1680 by 1050 native resolution; and boasts a 5ms response time. At $800 (as of 1/29/08), the VLED221wm costs more than double the price of the HP w2207, currently our highest-ranked 22-inch display.
The cleanly designed VLED221wm has a thin, glossy, deep-black bezel. Most glossy bezels collect fingerprints and dirt, making the monitor look as if it were part of a CSI crime scene. The VLED221wm, however, proved smudge and fingerprint resistant, despite my repeated attempts to dirty it up. The built-in stereo speakers blend nicely and unobtrusively into the bezel, too. Though the display tilts, it does not swivel or pivot. In the user-friendly OSD (on-screen display) menu, you can adjust the color settings, the brightness and contrast, and the audio volume by using the up, down, and select buttons on the front of the display.
Sound quality was lacking. In my informal audio-quality tests, the high frequencies were too high, and the lows lacked the punch that a stand-alone speaker system would provide. While the tinny sound won't please audiophiles, it is satisfactory if low background music is all you want.
In image-quality tests performed by the PC World Test Center, we were surprised to see the VLED221wm fail to outperform all of its cheaper, non-LED-backlit competitors. Nevertheless, it didn't score poorly, ranking fourth in our graphics tests overall and sixth in our text-clarity tests. This display produced better-quality images than 18 other 20- and 22-inch displays we looked at.
While viewing a scene from Star Wars II: Attack of the Clones, I noticed that the colors seemed inaccurate, but a quick tinkering with the color-temperature settings fixed the problem. Afterward the on-screen colors were bright and clear, not oversaturated. Red lasers shot from starfighters looked so brilliant and intense that they reminded me of images from Mitsubishi's Laser HDTV, which exhibits the latest in display technology and, in a demo, showed the brightest colors I've ever seen.
Though ViewSonic packed a lot of high-end features into the VLED221wm, the impressive specs did not produce a huge image-quality boost in our testing. This monitor is best suited for a movie buff, for a multimedia/graphic designer who needs to see a wide gamut of bright colors, or for any tech enthusiast with money to burn. For the price, though, $800 would be better spent on a larger LCD monitor, or even a dual-monitor setup.
ViewSonic's 22-inch wide-screen VLED221wm is the world's first sub-$1000 LCD monitor with LED backlight technology, which delivers an evenly bright screen and a wide color gamut.
The VLED221wm, which should be available in late February, offers a 12,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio that allows the display of impressive blacks; provides great color reproduction due to its ability to represent up to 118 percent of the NTSC color gamut; has a 1680 by 1050 native resolution; and boasts a 5ms response time. At $800 (as of 1/29/08), the VLED221wm costs more than double the price of the HP w2207, currently our highest-ranked 22-inch display.
The cleanly designed VLED221wm has a thin, glossy, deep-black bezel. Most glossy bezels collect fingerprints and dirt, making the monitor look as if it were part of a CSI crime scene. The VLED221wm, however, proved smudge and fingerprint resistant, despite my repeated attempts to dirty it up. The built-in stereo speakers blend nicely and unobtrusively into the bezel, too. Though the display tilts, it does not swivel or pivot. In the user-friendly OSD (on-screen display) menu, you can adjust the color settings, the brightness and contrast, and the audio volume by using the up, down, and select buttons on the front of the display.
Sound quality was lacking. In my informal audio-quality tests, the high frequencies were too high, and the lows lacked the punch that a stand-alone speaker system would provide. While the tinny sound won't please audiophiles, it is satisfactory if low background music is all you want.
In image-quality tests performed by the PC World Test Center, we were surprised to see the VLED221wm fail to outperform all of its cheaper, non-LED-backlit competitors. Nevertheless, it didn't score poorly, ranking fourth in our graphics tests overall and sixth in our text-clarity tests. This display produced better-quality images than 18 other 20- and 22-inch displays we looked at.
While viewing a scene from Star Wars II: Attack of the Clones, I noticed that the colors seemed inaccurate, but a quick tinkering with the color-temperature settings fixed the problem. Afterward the on-screen colors were bright and clear, not oversaturated. Red lasers shot from starfighters looked so brilliant and intense that they reminded me of images from Mitsubishi's Laser HDTV, which exhibits the latest in display technology and, in a demo, showed the brightest colors I've ever seen.
Though ViewSonic packed a lot of high-end features into the VLED221wm, the impressive specs did not produce a huge image-quality boost in our testing. This monitor is best suited for a movie buff, for a multimedia/graphic designer who needs to see a wide gamut of bright colors, or for any tech enthusiast with money to burn. For the price, though, $800 would be better spent on a larger LCD monitor, or even a dual-monitor setup.
LG Super Blu BH200 Dual-Format HD Player
The BH200 offers two high-def formats in one player, but its price is too high
LG Electronics made a splash earlier this year with the first set-top high-def video player that could play both Blu-ray and HD DVD movies; however, critical missing features kept that model from being a home run. The new $999 Super Blu BH200 rights its predecessor's wrongs by fully implementing the HD DVD spec, so you can properly view the fancy menus and extra content to be found on an HD DVD disc. It also adds support for audio CD playback and for upscaling standard-definition DVDs to 1080p.
The more I used the BH200, the more I liked its design. It's sleek and stylish, with a black finish and soft-touch buttons on the front (moved from their former, confounding placement on top). A clean, easy-to-follow on-screen interface makes using the player a breeze.
The player's specs are solid. It fully supports the Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD specifications, and the recently implemented Blu-ray Bonus View picture-in-picture functionality. This allows you to watch the talking head of a director superimposed over the movie, for example. It can also handle decoding Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio in-unit, or pass those audio signals to an audio receiver in bit-stream format. We have not yet formally lab-tested the player's image quality; check our Web site for the results and a full PCW Rating when that information becomes available.
My one noteworthy complaint: The player is pokey with some discs--at startup, when identifying whether you've inserted a Blu-ray or an HD DVD disc, when changing chapters, or when navigating disc menus. Some discs have more pauses during navigation than others--and some have no issues at all. Load times for Blu-ray and HD DVD versions of the same movie appeared comparable on the handful of titles I timed: for example, 2001: A Space Odyssey required 44 seconds to be identified as a Blu-ray Disc, and another 19 seconds to get to the FBI warning; the HD DVD version required the same amount of time to be identified as an HD DVD, and another 21 seconds to reach the FBI warning.
Blu-ray Discs that were heavy with BD-Java (such as Cars and Ratatouille) seemed to suffer slight pauses more often than less complicated Blu-ray titles. And all HD DVDs I loaded had a sluggish response when accessing their advanced menus. This problem might be due to the player's HD DVD implementation: Although the BH200 does qualify for the HD DVD logo by fully supporting that spec, it does so by using its own, LG-written software for handling the advanced menus. By contrast, the Toshiba HD DVD players are using HDi, Microsoft's implementation of HD DVD's advanced menus.
Although the BH200 certainly breaks down the barriers between Blu-ray and HD DVD, LG is charging a high premium for the convenience of having both formats in one box. Personally, I think the premium is just too high, especially considering that you can buy a Blu-ray Disc player and an HD DVD player together for significantly less.
LG Electronics made a splash earlier this year with the first set-top high-def video player that could play both Blu-ray and HD DVD movies; however, critical missing features kept that model from being a home run. The new $999 Super Blu BH200 rights its predecessor's wrongs by fully implementing the HD DVD spec, so you can properly view the fancy menus and extra content to be found on an HD DVD disc. It also adds support for audio CD playback and for upscaling standard-definition DVDs to 1080p.
The more I used the BH200, the more I liked its design. It's sleek and stylish, with a black finish and soft-touch buttons on the front (moved from their former, confounding placement on top). A clean, easy-to-follow on-screen interface makes using the player a breeze.
The player's specs are solid. It fully supports the Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD specifications, and the recently implemented Blu-ray Bonus View picture-in-picture functionality. This allows you to watch the talking head of a director superimposed over the movie, for example. It can also handle decoding Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio in-unit, or pass those audio signals to an audio receiver in bit-stream format. We have not yet formally lab-tested the player's image quality; check our Web site for the results and a full PCW Rating when that information becomes available.
My one noteworthy complaint: The player is pokey with some discs--at startup, when identifying whether you've inserted a Blu-ray or an HD DVD disc, when changing chapters, or when navigating disc menus. Some discs have more pauses during navigation than others--and some have no issues at all. Load times for Blu-ray and HD DVD versions of the same movie appeared comparable on the handful of titles I timed: for example, 2001: A Space Odyssey required 44 seconds to be identified as a Blu-ray Disc, and another 19 seconds to get to the FBI warning; the HD DVD version required the same amount of time to be identified as an HD DVD, and another 21 seconds to reach the FBI warning.
Blu-ray Discs that were heavy with BD-Java (such as Cars and Ratatouille) seemed to suffer slight pauses more often than less complicated Blu-ray titles. And all HD DVDs I loaded had a sluggish response when accessing their advanced menus. This problem might be due to the player's HD DVD implementation: Although the BH200 does qualify for the HD DVD logo by fully supporting that spec, it does so by using its own, LG-written software for handling the advanced menus. By contrast, the Toshiba HD DVD players are using HDi, Microsoft's implementation of HD DVD's advanced menus.
Although the BH200 certainly breaks down the barriers between Blu-ray and HD DVD, LG is charging a high premium for the convenience of having both formats in one box. Personally, I think the premium is just too high, especially considering that you can buy a Blu-ray Disc player and an HD DVD player together for significantly less.
Puget Systems Gaming Computer
This extremely well put together but pricey power desktop PC is for users who appreciate attention to detail
Users who want loads of expansion room, along with great performance and overclocking features, will love Puget System's Gaming Computer, despite its daunting price tag of $5765 (as of January 3, 2008).
The PGC comes with Intel's latest Extreme processor (the 45nm 3-GHz QX9650) and two sticks of 1066-MHz DDR3 RAM totaling 2GB. Strapped to the CPU is a Puget Hydro CL1 liquid cooler, whose radiator connects to a large exhaust fan situated where a power supply would normally be. The power supply occupies the lower back of the case, a unique arrangement that contributes to one of the neatest interiors we've ever seen.
Another contributor to interior tidiness is Antec's wonderful P182 case which provides 11 drive bays. Blue LED-lit fans, a dark-blue cold cathode lighting tube, and the copper heat exchange components of the Asus P5E3 Deluxe SLi motherboard look great when seen through the clear side panel.
The Puget Systems Gaming Computer's overall score of 124 on our WorldBench 6 Beta 2 test suite translates into a word score of Superior, but the system's performance fell off in such large-file-intensive tasks as using Nero 7 Ultra edition to create disc images. The most likely explanation for the drop-off is that the PGC we reviewed didn't combine two hard drives in a striped array; instead, it relied on a 150GB, 10,000-rpm Western Digital Raptor hard drive and a separate 1TB, 7200-rpm Hitachi hard drive. The system's gaming scores were excellent, thanks to its 768MB nVidia GeForce 8800 Ultra graphics board.
Other elements in our test configuration were an 18x Asus DVD-rewritable drive, and a wireless Logitech M-RBA97 mouse and Y-RAH72 keyboard. All are serviceable, but at this price I'd have liked something a little snazzier. Still, this is a good system for users with deep pockets and a taste for elegant assembly.
Users who want loads of expansion room, along with great performance and overclocking features, will love Puget System's Gaming Computer, despite its daunting price tag of $5765 (as of January 3, 2008).
The PGC comes with Intel's latest Extreme processor (the 45nm 3-GHz QX9650) and two sticks of 1066-MHz DDR3 RAM totaling 2GB. Strapped to the CPU is a Puget Hydro CL1 liquid cooler, whose radiator connects to a large exhaust fan situated where a power supply would normally be. The power supply occupies the lower back of the case, a unique arrangement that contributes to one of the neatest interiors we've ever seen.
Another contributor to interior tidiness is Antec's wonderful P182 case which provides 11 drive bays. Blue LED-lit fans, a dark-blue cold cathode lighting tube, and the copper heat exchange components of the Asus P5E3 Deluxe SLi motherboard look great when seen through the clear side panel.
The Puget Systems Gaming Computer's overall score of 124 on our WorldBench 6 Beta 2 test suite translates into a word score of Superior, but the system's performance fell off in such large-file-intensive tasks as using Nero 7 Ultra edition to create disc images. The most likely explanation for the drop-off is that the PGC we reviewed didn't combine two hard drives in a striped array; instead, it relied on a 150GB, 10,000-rpm Western Digital Raptor hard drive and a separate 1TB, 7200-rpm Hitachi hard drive. The system's gaming scores were excellent, thanks to its 768MB nVidia GeForce 8800 Ultra graphics board.
Other elements in our test configuration were an 18x Asus DVD-rewritable drive, and a wireless Logitech M-RBA97 mouse and Y-RAH72 keyboard. All are serviceable, but at this price I'd have liked something a little snazzier. Still, this is a good system for users with deep pockets and a taste for elegant assembly.
The Cost of Notebooks
Are notebooks still more expensive than desktops?
Portability has traditionally come at a premium. Because of the extra expense involved in miniaturizing components, notebooks have often cost more than desktop PCs with equivalent performance.
But notebook prices have been dropping. The average price of a laptop today is about $1000, compared to $1250 in 2004 and $1640 in 2001, according to the Wall Street Journal. Of course, desktop PC prices keep falling too.
So the question is: How do notebook and desktop prices compare now? Do you still pay more for portability?
To find out, I used an admittedly unscientific approach (although I think I came up with some useful comparisons): I informally compared prices and features for desktop PCs and notebooks. At Dell's Web site, I compared what $600 would buy in a desktop to what I'd get for the same amount of money in a notebook. At Hewlett-Packard's site, I tried as best I could to match a notebook's specs to a $1200 desktop, to see how much the notebook would cost. Here's what I learned.
Desktop PC: Dell's new Dimension 5150 is available preconfigured for $579, and I added a monitor for $50, bringing the total to $629. For that money, I got the following.
Notebook: A $599 preconfigured Dell Inspiron 2200 included these components.
Bottom line: I should get much more performance with the desktop system; both the processor and the optical drive are faster. In addition, the desktop has a larger hard drive and better video and audio chips. The Dell Web site didn't provide any information on the Inspiron's video and audio chips; judging from the notebook's product manual, the 2200's video and audio specs are adequate but not as good as what the Dimension 5150 desktop offers.
Desktop PC: I configured the $799 base model HP Pavilion D4100y, pumping it up to $1239. Here's what I ended up with.
Notebook: HP's Pavilion Dv4000 multimedia notebook starts at $849. I customized it to match the D4100y's specs, as best as I could; it's not always an apples-to-apples comparison. The notebook's price tag ended up at $1728, about $500 more than the desktop PC. Here are the specs.
Bottom line: Even though the notebook cost $500 more than the desktop PC, it lagged behind in performance potential and storage capacity. For example, the D4100y's dual-core processor and 250GB, 7200-rpm hard drive are big improvements over the Dv4000's Pentium M chip and 100GB hard drive, which runs at a sluggish 4200 rpm.
No matter how you look at it--comparing desktops and notebooks in the same price range, or seeing how much it costs to try to match a notebook's specs to a desktop's--the result is the same. Portability still comes at a premium.
Does this mean that next time you need a new computer, you should get a desktop PC instead of a notebook? If you're constantly on the go with your notebook, the answer is easy: No.
But some mobile professionals may fall into a gray area. For instance, do you carry a notebook outside the office only on occasion--say, once every two months, for a few days at a time? If so, you may want to hold onto your current notebook for travel purposes and buy a zippy new desktop for your office. And if you travel less frequently, you might be able to live without a notebook entirely, using a smart phone or wireless PDA instead.
The downside to using two computers is having two computers to maintain. You've got to buy and run antivirus, anti-spyware, and firewall software on two computers; keep the operating systems updated and patched; defrag both hard drives; and so on. Nonetheless, having a backup in case one computer fails is a nice perk.
Of course, you'll need to keep data--such as e-mail and Microsoft Outlook contacts--synchronized between your two computers. Fortunately, you've got lots of options for doing that. Read "PC Syncing Tips" for more on this. For a review of low-cost notebooks, see "Solid $500 Laptops."
Speaking of notebook prices, Dell recently added a new low-price model to its premium XPS line. The XPS M140 costs only $999, has a 14.1-inch wide-screen display, weighs 5.5 pounds, runs on Intel's Pentium M 740 processor, includes 512MB of DDR2 memory, and has a 40GB hard drive.
As you may have heard, Apple's iPod Nano can be easily scratched. Fortunately, protective cases and covers are beginning to trickle out. WaterField's new $22 iPod Nano case fits snugly, is available in five colors, and has a strap to secure your earbuds.
WaterField also makes a compact, all-purpose iPod Gear Pouch with four well-cushioned inside pockets for cables, earbuds, arm bands, power supplies, and such. The pouch comes in two sizes, small ($29) or large ($35).
The Palm Treo and Research In Motion BlackBerry aren't the only keyboard-enabled PDA/phone hybrids around. New competitors have arrived or are on the way from HP, Motorola, and Nokia. PC World "Dialed In" columnist Grace Aquino got her digits on the new contenders.
Nokia's E61 earned kudos for the ability to handle Voice over IP and global roaming, with support for GSM networks in Asia, Europe, and South America. The E61 will be available in the first quarter of 2006. Read Grace's review for details on all three smart phones.
Is there a particularly cool mobile computing product or service I've missed? Got a spare story idea in your back pocket? Tell me about it. However, I regret that I'm unable to respond to tech-support questions, due to the volume of e-mail I receive.
Portability has traditionally come at a premium. Because of the extra expense involved in miniaturizing components, notebooks have often cost more than desktop PCs with equivalent performance.
But notebook prices have been dropping. The average price of a laptop today is about $1000, compared to $1250 in 2004 and $1640 in 2001, according to the Wall Street Journal. Of course, desktop PC prices keep falling too.
So the question is: How do notebook and desktop prices compare now? Do you still pay more for portability?
To find out, I used an admittedly unscientific approach (although I think I came up with some useful comparisons): I informally compared prices and features for desktop PCs and notebooks. At Dell's Web site, I compared what $600 would buy in a desktop to what I'd get for the same amount of money in a notebook. At Hewlett-Packard's site, I tried as best I could to match a notebook's specs to a $1200 desktop, to see how much the notebook would cost. Here's what I learned.
Desktop PC: Dell's new Dimension 5150 is available preconfigured for $579, and I added a monitor for $50, bringing the total to $629. For that money, I got the following.
Notebook: A $599 preconfigured Dell Inspiron 2200 included these components.
Bottom line: I should get much more performance with the desktop system; both the processor and the optical drive are faster. In addition, the desktop has a larger hard drive and better video and audio chips. The Dell Web site didn't provide any information on the Inspiron's video and audio chips; judging from the notebook's product manual, the 2200's video and audio specs are adequate but not as good as what the Dimension 5150 desktop offers.
Desktop PC: I configured the $799 base model HP Pavilion D4100y, pumping it up to $1239. Here's what I ended up with.
Notebook: HP's Pavilion Dv4000 multimedia notebook starts at $849. I customized it to match the D4100y's specs, as best as I could; it's not always an apples-to-apples comparison. The notebook's price tag ended up at $1728, about $500 more than the desktop PC. Here are the specs.
Bottom line: Even though the notebook cost $500 more than the desktop PC, it lagged behind in performance potential and storage capacity. For example, the D4100y's dual-core processor and 250GB, 7200-rpm hard drive are big improvements over the Dv4000's Pentium M chip and 100GB hard drive, which runs at a sluggish 4200 rpm.
No matter how you look at it--comparing desktops and notebooks in the same price range, or seeing how much it costs to try to match a notebook's specs to a desktop's--the result is the same. Portability still comes at a premium.
Does this mean that next time you need a new computer, you should get a desktop PC instead of a notebook? If you're constantly on the go with your notebook, the answer is easy: No.
But some mobile professionals may fall into a gray area. For instance, do you carry a notebook outside the office only on occasion--say, once every two months, for a few days at a time? If so, you may want to hold onto your current notebook for travel purposes and buy a zippy new desktop for your office. And if you travel less frequently, you might be able to live without a notebook entirely, using a smart phone or wireless PDA instead.
The downside to using two computers is having two computers to maintain. You've got to buy and run antivirus, anti-spyware, and firewall software on two computers; keep the operating systems updated and patched; defrag both hard drives; and so on. Nonetheless, having a backup in case one computer fails is a nice perk.
Of course, you'll need to keep data--such as e-mail and Microsoft Outlook contacts--synchronized between your two computers. Fortunately, you've got lots of options for doing that. Read "PC Syncing Tips" for more on this. For a review of low-cost notebooks, see "Solid $500 Laptops."
- CPU: Intel Pentium 4 Processor 630 w/hyperthreading technology (3.0 GHz, 800-MHz FSB)
- Operating system: Microsoft Windows XP Home
- RAM: 256MB, on one DIMM
- Hard drive: 80GB
- Productivity software: None
- Optical drive: DVD-ROM/CD-RW combo unit
- Monitor: 17-inch LCD
- Keyboard: basic USB model
- Graphics: integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950 using main memory
- Audio: Dolby Digital 7.1 capability
- Wireless networking: No
- Dial-up modem: No
- CPU: Intel Celeron M Processor 370 (1.50 GHz, 1MB cache, 400-MHz FSB)
- Operating system: Windows XP Home
- RAM: 256MB, on one DIMM
- Hard drive: 40GB
- Productivity software: None
- Optical drive: DVD-ROM/CD-RW combo unit
- Display: 14.1-inch LCD
- Keyboard: integrated
- Graphics: information not available
- Audio: information not available
- Wireless networking: No
- Dial-up modem: Yes
- CPU: Intel Pentium D 820 with dual-core technology (2.8 GHz, 800-MHz FSB)
- Operating system: Windows XP Home
- RAM: 1GB, on two DIMMs
- Hard drive: 250GB, 7200 rotations per minute
- Productivity software: Microsoft Works, Money
- Optical drive: DVD-ROM/CD-RW combo unit
- Display: 15-inch LCD
- Keyboard: USB model
- Graphics: 256MB GeForce 6200SE with TurboCache support
- Audio: Intel high-definition audio
- Wireless networking: No
- Dial-up modem: No
- CPU: Pentium M Processor 770 (2.13 GHz), no dual-core chip available
- Operating system: Windows XP Home
- RAM: 1GB, on two DIMMs
- Hard drive: 100GB, 4200 rpm
- Productivity software: Microsoft Works, Money
- Optical drive: double-layer DVD burner
- Display: 15.4-inch wide-screen LCD
- Keyboard: integrated
- Graphics: 128MB ATI Mobility Radeon X700
- Audio: information not available
- Wireless networking: No
- Dial-up modem: Yes
Speaking of notebook prices, Dell recently added a new low-price model to its premium XPS line. The XPS M140 costs only $999, has a 14.1-inch wide-screen display, weighs 5.5 pounds, runs on Intel's Pentium M 740 processor, includes 512MB of DDR2 memory, and has a 40GB hard drive.
As you may have heard, Apple's iPod Nano can be easily scratched. Fortunately, protective cases and covers are beginning to trickle out. WaterField's new $22 iPod Nano case fits snugly, is available in five colors, and has a strap to secure your earbuds.
WaterField also makes a compact, all-purpose iPod Gear Pouch with four well-cushioned inside pockets for cables, earbuds, arm bands, power supplies, and such. The pouch comes in two sizes, small ($29) or large ($35).
The Palm Treo and Research In Motion BlackBerry aren't the only keyboard-enabled PDA/phone hybrids around. New competitors have arrived or are on the way from HP, Motorola, and Nokia. PC World "Dialed In" columnist Grace Aquino got her digits on the new contenders.
Nokia's E61 earned kudos for the ability to handle Voice over IP and global roaming, with support for GSM networks in Asia, Europe, and South America. The E61 will be available in the first quarter of 2006. Read Grace's review for details on all three smart phones.
Is there a particularly cool mobile computing product or service I've missed? Got a spare story idea in your back pocket? Tell me about it. However, I regret that I'm unable to respond to tech-support questions, due to the volume of e-mail I receive.
Tablet PC Tales
Real users talk about their experiences--bad and good
Microsoft introduced the Tablet PC platform in November 2002 to much fanfare and boasting. Nearly a year and a half later, Tablet PC sales have yet to set the world aflame.
But make no mistake: Tablet PCs have their devotees, frequent travelers who swear by the notebook alternative's flexibility, light weight, long battery life, and cool features like the ability to scrawl handwritten notes directly on the screen.
In a recent newsletter, I invited you to send me your Tablet PC stories. I wanted to know which models you're using and why. Your responses were full of effusive praise for the Tablet PC and how much easier it's made your lives. And one reader's description of how he used his Tablet PC to help a client sign and submit a legal form--from inside a parked car--is sure to be catnip to any road warrior.
But first, some background. There are two types of Tablet PCs: slates and convertibles. A slate-style device is in essence an LCD with a built-in PC motherboard and hard drive. This type of Tablet PC is most frequently used by health-care workers and others in specialized fields. A convertible device can be used like a slate or, when the screen is swiveled and raised, like a traditional notebook with a keyboard. (The display lays on top of the keyboard when it is used in slate mode.)
"I replaced a 7-pound Dell laptop with a 3-pound Motion Computing 1300 Tablet PC," writes Mark Cramer, a home inspector in Indian Rocks Beach, Florida. "I take the thing all over the place almost every day."
While Cramer appreciates the 4-pound weight loss, it's the slate-style Tablet PC's software that really makes the difference.
"The handwriting recognition is very impressive, even with no training," Cramer continues. "And my handwriting isn't that great."
Being able to write on the Tablet PC's screen with a stylus--which works like the Graffiti handwriting recognition on a Palm OS device--makes "all the difference in the world," Cramer adds. "I do a lot of training using PowerPoint. Being able to draw on the screen during a presentation is really useful."
While at a home site, Cramer uses the Tablet PC's pen-based input to fill in forms and add drawings to digital photographs that he takes during inspections. At the office, Cramer plugs the Tablet PC into its docking station, which connects it to an external monitor and keyboard. That lets him use the computer as he would a desktop PC, he says.
For more information about the Motion Computing 1300 ($1600 and up, depending on configuration), go to the Motion Computing Web site.
"I'm on my third Tablet PC and I love them," confesses Bob Trammell, director of information technology for the City of Bakersfield, California. Trammell tests Tablet PCs and other devices for possible use by the staff he supports. All the tablets he's used so far have been convertibles, Trammell says.
Trammell prefers convertibles because "it's often easier to type than to write on the screen." But he prefers using the slate mode when in meetings.
"I can take notes on the tablet instead of on paper or on my IPaq," he explains. "It's not distracting to others like typing on a keyboard would be." The slate style is also ideal on a plane or in the car, when "I'm in a cramped environment and don't have room to use it as a laptop."
Trammell's first tablet was the Hewlett-Packard Compaq Tablet TC1000 (since discontinued), which he sent back after a 30-day trial period. "Having the screen in the middle of the base unit bothered me and made it difficult to use," he explains.
Next he tried the Acer TravelMate C100. It was a "great machine," Trammell says, except that the screen was "a little hard to read in bright areas." He gave the TravelMate to his secretary.
Currently, Trammell uses a Toshiba Portege M200. "I really like it, but they don't make a dock for it, which is a disadvantage," he adds. One feature he loves is the Portege's Secure Digital card slot, which he uses to shuttle data to and from his HP IPaq. "It's much faster than connecting the two devices using Wi-Fi or by plugging the IPaq into the USB port," he explains.
Go to Acer's site to learn more about the Acer TravelMate C100 (about $1600 and up) and for purchasing information.
For more information on the Portege M200, go to Toshiba's site. Check the PC World Product Finder for the latest prices (about $2100 and up at press time).
Chris Sterns, a realtor in Irvine, California, is on his second Tablet PC. His first, the HP Compaq Tablet TC1000, proved too slow for his needs, so he upgraded to a HP Compaq Tablet TC1100 with 1GB of memory. Sterns uses the convertible Tablet PC with a wireless modem that connects him to AT&T Wireless's third-generation, high-speed Edge network.
"I'll never go back to a notebook," Sterns declares. "This baby gets a workout and gives in return."
Sterns says a Tablet PC has made his dealings as a realtor "almost paperless." Using the tablet, he makes appointments, annotates documents (such as offers and counteroffers) using digital ink, shows photos of properties to clients, and sends and receive faxes from almost anywhere.
As an example, Sterns cites an incident in which he met with a client to review a counteroffer from the property seller's agent.
"While we were driving away from the property, my client and I began discussing the terms. Once we settled on the terms and conditions, I pulled off the road, pulled out my Tablet PC, and wrote up a counteroffer on the spot."
Sterns filled out a form, which the client initialed and signed using a stylus on the Tablet PC's screen. From there, Sterns wirelessly e-mailed the signed form as a PDF attachment to the seller's agent. The result? Sterns' client got the property--and successfully negotiated $3000 off the asking price.
"Needless to say, my client was impressed and grateful," Sterns adds.
For more information on the Tablet TC1100 ($1849 and up), go to HP's Web site. For pricing, check our Product Finder.
Success stories aside, Tablet PCs aren't for everyone. For a different take, read about PC World Senior Associate Editor Richard Baguley's experience in "Review: Tablet PCs Not Ready to Replace Notebooks."
Meanwhile, a couple of new Tablet PCs recently earned fairly high marks from PC World Senior Editor Anush Yegyazarian. For details, see "Review: Tablet PCs from Gateway and Electrovaya."
I'm always eager to hear from readers who've found a way to stay connected and productive on the road--without having to lug a notebook along. If you fit that description, please drop me a note.Notebooks & Accessories
The impressive battery life and performance of Electrovaya's $2599 Scribbler SC-2010 and Gateway's $2100 M275XL illustrate how much Tablet PCs have improved since their introduction in November 2002, says PC World's Anush Yegyazarian. The Scribbler, with an impressive battery of more than 6 hours, earned 4 stars out of a possible 4 in her review. The Gateway tablet offers a large screen and good battery life, but is a bit heavy. Anush's assessment: 3.5 stars.
After living with a Tablet PC for a couple of months, PC World's Richard Baguley concluded that the devices leave something to be desired for the average computer user. Only a few applications are digital ink-enabled; the Tablet PC operating system's built-in handwriting recognition tends to be inaccurate; and editing text after it has been recognized is awkward and time consuming.
Ultimately, he found it easier to use the keyboard, so for him the advantages of a Tablet PC over a notebook seemed negligible.
"I can also see how a Tablet PC would have advantages for certain users, particularly people who spend much time inputting information into specialized software (for health care or education, for example) or those who attend meetings where typing is not allowed," Baguley concludes. "But overall, the Tablet PC just didn't make my job easier."
Pop quiz: What's the difference between 802.11a, b, and g? Answer: I have trouble keeping all that stuff straight too. Luckily, there's a handy glossary of wireless networking terms at the Wi-Fi Alliance Web site.PDAs & Gadgets
Roxio's Napster online music service, recently resurrected from legal purgatory, now allows you to drag and drop music tracks from the Napster application into more portable audio players. Previously, you could only drag and drop tunes to Samsung Electronics' YP-910GS device. Now, Napster supports 60 portable music players, including the Dell Digital Jukebox and Rio Audio's Nitrus, according to Roxio.
You thought you hated the snow? It turns out that older "always on" BlackBerry models 857 and 957 may not work in cold weather, according to The Wall Street Journal. Even worse, a cold BlackBerry may have to be manually reset before it can retrieve e-mail again.
The problem is most likely caused by static discharge created during dry winter weather, BlackBerry maker Research in Motion told the newspaper. Keeping the device in a leather holster may reduce the chances of it shutting down in cold weather, the company said. In the meantime, I suggest that you take your aging BlackBerry only where it's warm--Miami, for example.
Cold temps aside, older BlackBerry models can make for inexpensive on-ramps to the wireless Internet. Intrigued? Read my "Wireless Internet on the Cheap" column.
Okay, I won't spring another pop quiz on you. But I will tell you about a site where you can learn some new terms, such as J2ME and Plucker, to throw around at your next PDA support group meeting. PDASupport.com, a handy resource for handheld groupies, has a useful glossary.Wireless
Notice how I seem to be obsessed with glossaries this week? It hasn't escaped my attention, either. So I found another one for you, devoted to demystifying cell-phone speak. Go to CellPhoneCarriers.com to check it out.
Is there a particularly cool mobile computing product or service I've missed? Got a spare story idea in your back pocket? Tell me about it.
Microsoft introduced the Tablet PC platform in November 2002 to much fanfare and boasting. Nearly a year and a half later, Tablet PC sales have yet to set the world aflame.
But make no mistake: Tablet PCs have their devotees, frequent travelers who swear by the notebook alternative's flexibility, light weight, long battery life, and cool features like the ability to scrawl handwritten notes directly on the screen.
In a recent newsletter, I invited you to send me your Tablet PC stories. I wanted to know which models you're using and why. Your responses were full of effusive praise for the Tablet PC and how much easier it's made your lives. And one reader's description of how he used his Tablet PC to help a client sign and submit a legal form--from inside a parked car--is sure to be catnip to any road warrior.
But first, some background. There are two types of Tablet PCs: slates and convertibles. A slate-style device is in essence an LCD with a built-in PC motherboard and hard drive. This type of Tablet PC is most frequently used by health-care workers and others in specialized fields. A convertible device can be used like a slate or, when the screen is swiveled and raised, like a traditional notebook with a keyboard. (The display lays on top of the keyboard when it is used in slate mode.)
"I replaced a 7-pound Dell laptop with a 3-pound Motion Computing 1300 Tablet PC," writes Mark Cramer, a home inspector in Indian Rocks Beach, Florida. "I take the thing all over the place almost every day."
While Cramer appreciates the 4-pound weight loss, it's the slate-style Tablet PC's software that really makes the difference.
"The handwriting recognition is very impressive, even with no training," Cramer continues. "And my handwriting isn't that great."
Being able to write on the Tablet PC's screen with a stylus--which works like the Graffiti handwriting recognition on a Palm OS device--makes "all the difference in the world," Cramer adds. "I do a lot of training using PowerPoint. Being able to draw on the screen during a presentation is really useful."
While at a home site, Cramer uses the Tablet PC's pen-based input to fill in forms and add drawings to digital photographs that he takes during inspections. At the office, Cramer plugs the Tablet PC into its docking station, which connects it to an external monitor and keyboard. That lets him use the computer as he would a desktop PC, he says.
For more information about the Motion Computing 1300 ($1600 and up, depending on configuration), go to the Motion Computing Web site.
"I'm on my third Tablet PC and I love them," confesses Bob Trammell, director of information technology for the City of Bakersfield, California. Trammell tests Tablet PCs and other devices for possible use by the staff he supports. All the tablets he's used so far have been convertibles, Trammell says.
Trammell prefers convertibles because "it's often easier to type than to write on the screen." But he prefers using the slate mode when in meetings.
"I can take notes on the tablet instead of on paper or on my IPaq," he explains. "It's not distracting to others like typing on a keyboard would be." The slate style is also ideal on a plane or in the car, when "I'm in a cramped environment and don't have room to use it as a laptop."
Trammell's first tablet was the Hewlett-Packard Compaq Tablet TC1000 (since discontinued), which he sent back after a 30-day trial period. "Having the screen in the middle of the base unit bothered me and made it difficult to use," he explains.
Next he tried the Acer TravelMate C100. It was a "great machine," Trammell says, except that the screen was "a little hard to read in bright areas." He gave the TravelMate to his secretary.
Currently, Trammell uses a Toshiba Portege M200. "I really like it, but they don't make a dock for it, which is a disadvantage," he adds. One feature he loves is the Portege's Secure Digital card slot, which he uses to shuttle data to and from his HP IPaq. "It's much faster than connecting the two devices using Wi-Fi or by plugging the IPaq into the USB port," he explains.
Go to Acer's site to learn more about the Acer TravelMate C100 (about $1600 and up) and for purchasing information.
For more information on the Portege M200, go to Toshiba's site. Check the PC World Product Finder for the latest prices (about $2100 and up at press time).
Chris Sterns, a realtor in Irvine, California, is on his second Tablet PC. His first, the HP Compaq Tablet TC1000, proved too slow for his needs, so he upgraded to a HP Compaq Tablet TC1100 with 1GB of memory. Sterns uses the convertible Tablet PC with a wireless modem that connects him to AT&T Wireless's third-generation, high-speed Edge network.
"I'll never go back to a notebook," Sterns declares. "This baby gets a workout and gives in return."
Sterns says a Tablet PC has made his dealings as a realtor "almost paperless." Using the tablet, he makes appointments, annotates documents (such as offers and counteroffers) using digital ink, shows photos of properties to clients, and sends and receive faxes from almost anywhere.
As an example, Sterns cites an incident in which he met with a client to review a counteroffer from the property seller's agent.
"While we were driving away from the property, my client and I began discussing the terms. Once we settled on the terms and conditions, I pulled off the road, pulled out my Tablet PC, and wrote up a counteroffer on the spot."
Sterns filled out a form, which the client initialed and signed using a stylus on the Tablet PC's screen. From there, Sterns wirelessly e-mailed the signed form as a PDF attachment to the seller's agent. The result? Sterns' client got the property--and successfully negotiated $3000 off the asking price.
"Needless to say, my client was impressed and grateful," Sterns adds.
For more information on the Tablet TC1100 ($1849 and up), go to HP's Web site. For pricing, check our Product Finder.
Success stories aside, Tablet PCs aren't for everyone. For a different take, read about PC World Senior Associate Editor Richard Baguley's experience in "Review: Tablet PCs Not Ready to Replace Notebooks."
Meanwhile, a couple of new Tablet PCs recently earned fairly high marks from PC World Senior Editor Anush Yegyazarian. For details, see "Review: Tablet PCs from Gateway and Electrovaya."
I'm always eager to hear from readers who've found a way to stay connected and productive on the road--without having to lug a notebook along. If you fit that description, please drop me a note.Notebooks & Accessories
The impressive battery life and performance of Electrovaya's $2599 Scribbler SC-2010 and Gateway's $2100 M275XL illustrate how much Tablet PCs have improved since their introduction in November 2002, says PC World's Anush Yegyazarian. The Scribbler, with an impressive battery of more than 6 hours, earned 4 stars out of a possible 4 in her review. The Gateway tablet offers a large screen and good battery life, but is a bit heavy. Anush's assessment: 3.5 stars.
After living with a Tablet PC for a couple of months, PC World's Richard Baguley concluded that the devices leave something to be desired for the average computer user. Only a few applications are digital ink-enabled; the Tablet PC operating system's built-in handwriting recognition tends to be inaccurate; and editing text after it has been recognized is awkward and time consuming.
Ultimately, he found it easier to use the keyboard, so for him the advantages of a Tablet PC over a notebook seemed negligible.
"I can also see how a Tablet PC would have advantages for certain users, particularly people who spend much time inputting information into specialized software (for health care or education, for example) or those who attend meetings where typing is not allowed," Baguley concludes. "But overall, the Tablet PC just didn't make my job easier."
Pop quiz: What's the difference between 802.11a, b, and g? Answer: I have trouble keeping all that stuff straight too. Luckily, there's a handy glossary of wireless networking terms at the Wi-Fi Alliance Web site.PDAs & Gadgets
Roxio's Napster online music service, recently resurrected from legal purgatory, now allows you to drag and drop music tracks from the Napster application into more portable audio players. Previously, you could only drag and drop tunes to Samsung Electronics' YP-910GS device. Now, Napster supports 60 portable music players, including the Dell Digital Jukebox and Rio Audio's Nitrus, according to Roxio.
You thought you hated the snow? It turns out that older "always on" BlackBerry models 857 and 957 may not work in cold weather, according to The Wall Street Journal. Even worse, a cold BlackBerry may have to be manually reset before it can retrieve e-mail again.
The problem is most likely caused by static discharge created during dry winter weather, BlackBerry maker Research in Motion told the newspaper. Keeping the device in a leather holster may reduce the chances of it shutting down in cold weather, the company said. In the meantime, I suggest that you take your aging BlackBerry only where it's warm--Miami, for example.
Cold temps aside, older BlackBerry models can make for inexpensive on-ramps to the wireless Internet. Intrigued? Read my "Wireless Internet on the Cheap" column.
Okay, I won't spring another pop quiz on you. But I will tell you about a site where you can learn some new terms, such as J2ME and Plucker, to throw around at your next PDA support group meeting. PDASupport.com, a handy resource for handheld groupies, has a useful glossary.Wireless
Notice how I seem to be obsessed with glossaries this week? It hasn't escaped my attention, either. So I found another one for you, devoted to demystifying cell-phone speak. Go to CellPhoneCarriers.com to check it out.
Is there a particularly cool mobile computing product or service I've missed? Got a spare story idea in your back pocket? Tell me about it.
24 January 2008
Buying Laptop Means More Attention to Special Features
Special issues arise when you buy a laptop computer.
Most of the major specs I recommended two weeks ago in my annual spring guide to buying a computer hold true for laptops as well as desktops. That guide can be found at walt.allthingsd.com/guide. But buying a portable involves additional factors, so here are some tips for making laptop purchases.
First, you may want to wait to get that new laptop until later this year or early in 2008. There are a number of interesting new hardware features coming. One is called a “solid-state drive,” or SSD, which replaces the traditional hard disk with a faster drive made of memory chips like those used in digital cameras. Another is a “hybrid hard drive,” or HHD, which combines memory chips with a standard hard disk, for faster start-ups.
Also, more and more laptops will be using light-emitting diodes, or LEDs, to light up their screens — a method that promises to be both brighter and less power-hungry.
You also may want to wait for laptops with a new type of Wi-Fi wireless networking built-in. It’s called “N,” and promises to be faster and to have longer range.
For Windows Vista users, another new laptop feature coming soon is a small screen on the lid called a SideShow, which can display calendar appointments and new emails.
Even if you don’t wait, there are some features to know about that aren’t available on most desktops. One is a built-in Web camera and microphone, highly useful for making video calls and recording videos to be posted online. Another is a feature that allows you to play music, videos or DVDs without booting up Windows.
In addition, if you travel a lot, you may want something called a built-in WWAN, or Wireless Wide Area Network. This is essentially a cellphone modem that makes Internet connections over a cellular carrier.
Another key feature is a new kind of slot on the side of most laptops for add-on cards, like wireless modems. It’s called an ExpressCard slot and, confusingly, it comes in two sizes. Your old-style cards, called PC Cards, won’t fit in these new slots, so unless you want to buy new cards, you might look for a laptop that has both the old and new slots.
Battery life, weight and size remain crucial on laptops, unless you are buying a huge “desktop replacement” laptop, which will rarely leave the house or be unplugged. For everyone else, I recommend finding a laptop that offers at least three hours of battery life on a single charge, without requiring you to dim the screen so much you can’t see anything.
Most laptops cluster around the six-to-seven-pound range, which is fine for occasional travel, or for carrying between classes, or between home and office. But if you are a frequent air traveler and have the budget, shoot for a laptop that weighs four pounds or less and is small enough to use on a seat tray in coach even when the person in front of you reclines.
The most expensive laptops are at the extremes–huge, multimedia machines and ultra-portable models for hard-core road warriors. Most well-configured Windows laptops, with typical 15.4-inch screens, are between $900 and $1,500.
I find that laptops with 13.3-inch widescreen displays make a nice compromise between mobility and power. At the moment, there are very few brand-name models in that size, notably Apple’s $1,099 MacBook, which weighs 5.2 pounds; and Sony’s Vaio SZ line, which weighs 4.1 pounds but costs roughly twice as much. More 13.3-inch models are coming later this year from other manufacturers.
Finally, there’s the perennial issue of Windows versus Mac. Apple’s two laptop lines, the MacBook and MacBook Pro, are very good. They have better built-in software than any Windows laptop I’ve seen and don’t suffer from the security issues that plague Windows. And they can even run Windows software, if you need that.
But the Mac laptops lack some features that are common on Windows portables, such as slots for camera memory cards and built-in cellular modems. And the MacBook even lacks an ExpressCard or PC Card slot.
Among Windows machines, I think Sony and Lenovo make especially well-designed laptops, but almost any name brand would be fine.
Addendum: I’m happy to say there is a new, expanded and redesigned online home for all my columns. It’s at walt.allthingsd.com and access is free. It contains the current versions of the columns with the accompanying videos, plus a searchable two-year column archive and a new blog called Mossblog, which I will update occasionally.
This new column home page is part of a larger new Web site called All Things Digital, at allthingsd.com. In addition to my columns and blog, it contains technology news, analysis and opinion from journalists Kara Swisher, Katherine Boehret and John Paczkowski, and guest blogs from prominent technology figures.
My columns will still be published on The Journal’s main Web site, WSJ.com, which is available to paid subscribers and includes a much larger archive, going back more than a decade.
Most of the major specs I recommended two weeks ago in my annual spring guide to buying a computer hold true for laptops as well as desktops. That guide can be found at walt.allthingsd.com/guide. But buying a portable involves additional factors, so here are some tips for making laptop purchases.
First, you may want to wait to get that new laptop until later this year or early in 2008. There are a number of interesting new hardware features coming. One is called a “solid-state drive,” or SSD, which replaces the traditional hard disk with a faster drive made of memory chips like those used in digital cameras. Another is a “hybrid hard drive,” or HHD, which combines memory chips with a standard hard disk, for faster start-ups.
Also, more and more laptops will be using light-emitting diodes, or LEDs, to light up their screens — a method that promises to be both brighter and less power-hungry.
You also may want to wait for laptops with a new type of Wi-Fi wireless networking built-in. It’s called “N,” and promises to be faster and to have longer range.
For Windows Vista users, another new laptop feature coming soon is a small screen on the lid called a SideShow, which can display calendar appointments and new emails.
Even if you don’t wait, there are some features to know about that aren’t available on most desktops. One is a built-in Web camera and microphone, highly useful for making video calls and recording videos to be posted online. Another is a feature that allows you to play music, videos or DVDs without booting up Windows.
In addition, if you travel a lot, you may want something called a built-in WWAN, or Wireless Wide Area Network. This is essentially a cellphone modem that makes Internet connections over a cellular carrier.
Another key feature is a new kind of slot on the side of most laptops for add-on cards, like wireless modems. It’s called an ExpressCard slot and, confusingly, it comes in two sizes. Your old-style cards, called PC Cards, won’t fit in these new slots, so unless you want to buy new cards, you might look for a laptop that has both the old and new slots.
Battery life, weight and size remain crucial on laptops, unless you are buying a huge “desktop replacement” laptop, which will rarely leave the house or be unplugged. For everyone else, I recommend finding a laptop that offers at least three hours of battery life on a single charge, without requiring you to dim the screen so much you can’t see anything.
Most laptops cluster around the six-to-seven-pound range, which is fine for occasional travel, or for carrying between classes, or between home and office. But if you are a frequent air traveler and have the budget, shoot for a laptop that weighs four pounds or less and is small enough to use on a seat tray in coach even when the person in front of you reclines.
The most expensive laptops are at the extremes–huge, multimedia machines and ultra-portable models for hard-core road warriors. Most well-configured Windows laptops, with typical 15.4-inch screens, are between $900 and $1,500.
I find that laptops with 13.3-inch widescreen displays make a nice compromise between mobility and power. At the moment, there are very few brand-name models in that size, notably Apple’s $1,099 MacBook, which weighs 5.2 pounds; and Sony’s Vaio SZ line, which weighs 4.1 pounds but costs roughly twice as much. More 13.3-inch models are coming later this year from other manufacturers.
Finally, there’s the perennial issue of Windows versus Mac. Apple’s two laptop lines, the MacBook and MacBook Pro, are very good. They have better built-in software than any Windows laptop I’ve seen and don’t suffer from the security issues that plague Windows. And they can even run Windows software, if you need that.
But the Mac laptops lack some features that are common on Windows portables, such as slots for camera memory cards and built-in cellular modems. And the MacBook even lacks an ExpressCard or PC Card slot.
Among Windows machines, I think Sony and Lenovo make especially well-designed laptops, but almost any name brand would be fine.
Addendum: I’m happy to say there is a new, expanded and redesigned online home for all my columns. It’s at walt.allthingsd.com and access is free. It contains the current versions of the columns with the accompanying videos, plus a searchable two-year column archive and a new blog called Mossblog, which I will update occasionally.
This new column home page is part of a larger new Web site called All Things Digital, at allthingsd.com. In addition to my columns and blog, it contains technology news, analysis and opinion from journalists Kara Swisher, Katherine Boehret and John Paczkowski, and guest blogs from prominent technology figures.
My columns will still be published on The Journal’s main Web site, WSJ.com, which is available to paid subscribers and includes a much larger archive, going back more than a decade.
Solid-State Drives Versus Hard-Disk Drives in Laptops
Solid-state drives outrun standard hard drives in some laptops and on some applications, but does their performance edge justify their higher price?
The idea of using flash-based storage in a notebook isn't new. Nevertheless, the high cost of flash has prevented it from replacing hard-disk drives on mainstream notebook PCs, despite some advantages in power consumption, shock resistance, and speed--until now.
As prices continue to drop, flash-based solid-state drives (SSDs) have become viable options for handling your notebook's primary storage requirements. Moreover, today's roomiest SSDs have 32GB of memory, enough to do more than satisfy basic storage needs--making them competitive with 1.8-inch hard-disk drives, which range in capacity from 30GB to 80GB. These SSDs, available from companies like Samsung and SanDisk, are lightweight (the SanDisk UATA 5000, for example, weighs 59 grams--just over 2 ounces) and can be found in portables from Dell, Fujitsu, and Toshiba.
Are they worth the extra dollars? In spite of price drops, SSDs cost $400 to $500 more than ordinary hard drives of the same capacity. To justify the price difference, SSD notebooks must demonstrate significant performance benefits over notebooks equipped with standard hard drives. To find out whether they do, we tested three pairs of ultraportable notebooks from Fujitsu and Dell.
The two test models in each pair of laptops were identically configured, except that one had an SSD, and the other a typical 1.8-inch 4200-rpm hard drive. Two of the notebooks--Dell's 6.25-pound ATG D620 ($3015 with SSD, $2815 with a 80GB hard-disk drive) and Fujitsu's 2.5-pound LifeBook P1610 ($2578 with SSD, $2029 with a 30GB hard-disk drive)-- ran Windows XP Professional. The third notebook, another LifeBook P1610 ($2548 with SSD, $1999 with a 30GB hard-disk drive) ran Windows Vista Business.
Results were mixed: In several cases, our tests bore out the advantages of SSD, in other cases, the hard-disk-based models led the way.
Results were mixed: In several cases, our tests bore out the advantages of SSD, in other cases, the hard-disk-based models led the way.
Our benchmark suite for testing system performance, WorldBench 6, Beta 2, showed no definite pattern in overall results between SSD systems and hard-disk-drive systems. For example, the two Dell ATG D620 models, packed with a 2.0-GHz Core 2 Duo T7200 CPU and 1GB of memory, each earned a mark of 76 on WorldBench 6. In contrast, the two Fujitsu LifeBook P1610 units, configured with a 1.2-GHz Core Solo U1400, 1GB of memory, and Windows XP Professional, differed in performance: The SSD version received a score of 42, while the hard-drive version received a 39.
Interestingly, the performance difference was even more pronounced in the pair of Fujitsu P1610 models running Windows Vista Business. Here, the SSD version of the notebook finished with a 36 on our WorldBench 6 beta tests, while the hard-drive version posted only a 30. The Vista-based Fujitsu system with the SSD did especially well on our Adobe Photoshop CS2 image manipulation test, besting the hard-drive version by 36 percent, and on our Nero 7 Ultra Edition disk burning test, where it outperformed its counterpart by 76 percent.
The SSDs achieved superior performance in all three pairings on only two types of applications: drive-intensive tests like our Nero 7 Ultra Edition disc burning, and WinZip 10.0 file compression tests. The SSD versions of the two Fujitsus also earned higher marks than their hard-disk doppelgangers on our Photoshop CS2 test, but on that test the hard-disk Dell outran.
the SSD Dell by 10 percent.
SSDs Rock on Hard-Drive-Intensive Tasks
We did see decisive performance wins by the SSD models on the file read and write tests that we use for our hard-drive testing. (The read and write tests consist of reading and writing folders of files, and searching for files on a drive.) On these tests, the SSD models bested their hard-drive counterparts in 11 out of 12 instances. Occasionally, the scores were close: On our Windows file search of 6.1GB of data, for example, the SDD Fujitsu Vista Business system notebook finished the test in 86 seconds, while its hard-drive-based twin finished the test in 100 seconds. Still, in most cases, the SSD models were dramatically faster. The most extreme example: The XP Pro Fujitsu finished our large-file reading and writing test in 199 seconds, far ahead of the hard drive-equipped model, which finished the test in 533 seconds.
We did see decisive performance wins by the SSD models on the file read and write tests that we use for our hard-drive testing. (The read and write tests consist of reading and writing folders of files, and searching for files on a drive.) On these tests, the SSD models bested their hard-drive counterparts in 11 out of 12 instances. Occasionally, the scores were close: On our Windows file search of 6.1GB of data, for example, the SDD Fujitsu Vista Business system notebook finished the test in 86 seconds, while its hard-drive-based twin finished the test in 100 seconds. Still, in most cases, the SSD models were dramatically faster. The most extreme example: The XP Pro Fujitsu finished our large-file reading and writing test in 199 seconds, far ahead of the hard drive-equipped model, which finished the test in 533 seconds.
Though industry experts routinely boast that flash memory consumes less power than hard drives do, our battery tests found little real-world difference between the two drive types on this measure.
The SSD version of the Dell ATG D620 lasted 5 hours, 40 minutes in our test, just 3 minutes longer than the hard-disk-equipped version lasted. The SSD Fujitsu P1610 with XP held out for 3 hours, 11 minutes--7 minutes longer than its hard-drive counterpart. And the SSD Fujitsu P1610 running Vista Business bested the hard-drive version by 9 minutes (2 hours, 26 minutes versus 2 hours, 17 minutes). The advantage in battery life boost would almost certainly increase for the SSD models if they were matched against hard-drive laptops with drives larger than the 4200-rpm components we used. The faster a disk spins, the more power is required to spin it.
Numbers don't tell the whole story about solid-state drives. SSDs also tend to be more rugged than a standard hard drive because the NAND flash memory they use lacks the moving parts found in a hard drive. Drop your notebook, and the data on your SSD will be safe--even if the notebook's screen doesn't survive unscathed. Also, unlike hard-disk drives, SSDs don't generate heat and don't produce a lot of electromagnetic interference.
Manufacturers first incorporated SSDs into ultraportable notebooks designed for people working in healthcare, insurance, and similar fields. But as prices drop and storage capacities increase, you can expect manufacturers to begin promoting SSD notebooks to a broader range of users.
Indeed, the movement toward the mainstream has already begun. This summer, Dell introduced SSD into the company's Latitude D630, D830, and D430 business notebooks, which target power business users and travelers. Choosing the SSD option to replace the standard 80GB 5400-rpm hard drive on any of these units adds $540 to its overall price. Toshiba is expected to begin introducing SSDs into select notebooks later this year, too.
Ultimately, with an SSD in your notebook, you'll see somewhat better system responsiveness, and a positive change in the way the system handles drive-intensive tasks such as reading data from and writing data to the drive, coming out of standby mode, and booting up from scratch. If you're a mobile worker who tends to bump your laptop around a little and who would benefit from performance boosts in those areas, the extra cost of having "SSD inside" might just be worth it.
The performance boost from SSD varies from notebook to notebook, but using SSD is clearly beneficial for hard-drive-intensive tasks.
The SSD version of the Dell ATG D620 lasted 5 hours, 40 minutes in our test, just 3 minutes longer than the hard-disk-equipped version lasted. The SSD Fujitsu P1610 with XP held out for 3 hours, 11 minutes--7 minutes longer than its hard-drive counterpart. And the SSD Fujitsu P1610 running Vista Business bested the hard-drive version by 9 minutes (2 hours, 26 minutes versus 2 hours, 17 minutes). The advantage in battery life boost would almost certainly increase for the SSD models if they were matched against hard-drive laptops with drives larger than the 4200-rpm components we used. The faster a disk spins, the more power is required to spin it.
Numbers don't tell the whole story about solid-state drives. SSDs also tend to be more rugged than a standard hard drive because the NAND flash memory they use lacks the moving parts found in a hard drive. Drop your notebook, and the data on your SSD will be safe--even if the notebook's screen doesn't survive unscathed. Also, unlike hard-disk drives, SSDs don't generate heat and don't produce a lot of electromagnetic interference.
Manufacturers first incorporated SSDs into ultraportable notebooks designed for people working in healthcare, insurance, and similar fields. But as prices drop and storage capacities increase, you can expect manufacturers to begin promoting SSD notebooks to a broader range of users.
Indeed, the movement toward the mainstream has already begun. This summer, Dell introduced SSD into the company's Latitude D630, D830, and D430 business notebooks, which target power business users and travelers. Choosing the SSD option to replace the standard 80GB 5400-rpm hard drive on any of these units adds $540 to its overall price. Toshiba is expected to begin introducing SSDs into select notebooks later this year, too.
Ultimately, with an SSD in your notebook, you'll see somewhat better system responsiveness, and a positive change in the way the system handles drive-intensive tasks such as reading data from and writing data to the drive, coming out of standby mode, and booting up from scratch. If you're a mobile worker who tends to bump your laptop around a little and who would benefit from performance boosts in those areas, the extra cost of having "SSD inside" might just be worth it.
The performance boost from SSD varies from notebook to notebook, but using SSD is clearly beneficial for hard-drive-intensive tasks.
Battery Won't Charge at All
If your computer runs normally on the AC adapter, but the battery won't charge, please try the following troubleshooting steps:
1. Check the Battery and Connections:
1. Check the Battery and Connections:
- Remove the battery from the system.
2. Look at the connectors in the bay and on the battery for signs of physical damage.
3. Check the battery charge by pressing the status button or image on the batter near the LED's.
Note:
The lights indicate the current amount of charge on the battery. If all the LED's come on when you press the button, the battery is fully charged. If fewer lights are lit, then the battery is partially charged. If any lights flash, or blink, there could be a problem with the battery.
Consult the Tell Me How guide for more information on battery LED's:
Where to find the Dell Tell Me How and User's Guides
4. Reinsert the battery; push until it locks into place and the latch snaps back to the locked position.
2. Swap Bays or Try A Second Computer:
- Some systems can run with the battery in either bay. Try swapping bays if you have one of these systems.
Click here to see a list of systems that can use the battery in either bay - If you have access to a second computer like your own, try to charge your battery in that system.
3. Flash the BIOS:
Flashing the BIOS can correct many hardware issues.
How to Flash the BIOS
4. Run the Recalibration Utility if Your System has One:
This utility runs the battery all the way down and then recharges it completely. The process takes several hours so it is best to run it overnight. Use only the recalibration program specified for your system. Using any other program could void your warranty!
- Latitude LM, Inspiron 3000 and Inspiron 3200 systems use this recalibration program:
BATRECAL.EXE - Inspiron 5000, Inspiron 7000, and Inspiron 7500 systems use this program:
I75BRCA0.EXE - Latitude LS, Latitude L400, Latitude X200, and Inspiron 2100 enable a recalibration option on the Power page of the BIOS Setup Program:
How to Enable Battery Recalibration
5. Try to charge a second battery like your own if possible.
If the second battery won't charge, the problem may be caused by the charging system in your computer.
6. If the battery still won't charge after you have done this troubleshooting, please [Reply] to this message and be sure to include the following information:Company name (if applicable):Owners Full name:System service tag:Physical address (No PO boxes, include city, state and zip code):Telephone number (with area code):A detailed description of your troubleshooting (step numbers will mean nothing to the assisting technician):
Return to Table of Contents
When to Buy a Laptop
Retailers have great sales during the holidays--but that's not the only time to get a good laptop deal.
Holiday and year-end sales can be extremely seductive. As of mid December, HP was offering $100 to $200 off its consumer laptops. Dell had cut up to $314 off its Inspiron models. And Circuit City was offering the Acer Aspire 4315-2490 for just $400.
But is this truly the best time to buy a laptop? Maybe, maybe not. Read on.
Yes, the big-box stores and e-retailers do offer choice discounts this time of year. And if you need a fast, big tax deduction before 2007 is over, this is a good time to buy.
But the fact is, you can find laptop deals anytime. I can't recall a visit in recent years to the e-commerce sites for HP, Dell, and other laptop makers in which absolutely no laptops had been discounted.
The back-to-school period is another time you'll find attractive laptop sales. According to Men's Health's Tech Guide 2008, laptop prices are lowest on average in July, August, and September.
Another good time to find deals is when a laptop model is about to be, or has just been, replaced by a newer model. When this happens, stores and e-tailers want to get rid of existing inventory to make room for updated models. It's the same principle that savvy shoppers use when buying cars: Shop in late summer, when dealers are making room for the new models arriving in autumn.
But how can you know when a new or updated model is expected--particularly from notoriously tight-lipped vendors such as Apple, who rarely announce products before they're available?
Many laptop makers introduce new models with at least some regularity. If you study the press releases in the computer maker's media archive, you may notice patterns. (A company's press releases are available to anyone online. You can often find them by clicking the About Us link on a company's home page, followed by Newsroom or Media Center, and so forth.)
For example, I noticed some patterns for Apple and Dell when studying their press release archives.
Apple: Apple tends to update its MacBook Pro laptops every eight to nine months. The first model, with a 15-inch screen, was introduced on January 10, 2006. Nine months later, on October 24, Apple announced new revised MacBook Pro models with faster processors. The line was refreshed again on June 5, 2007--eight months later.
If past activity is any indication, it's likely that Apple will revamp the MacBook Pro lineup in February or March 2008. That means if you're planning to buy a MacBook Pro, you might want to hold off until then--either to look for deals on discontinued models or to see if you'd rather have one of the new releases. Keep in mind that Apple hosts its big Macworld confab--in which it introduces new or revamped products--every January. (The 2008 conference/expo is from January 14 to 18.) New MacBook Pros may be announced at the show.
One rumor making the rounds is that Apple plans to unveil a 13-inch touch-screen laptop.
In the MacBook's short life thus far, Apple has updated the consumer laptop about every six months. The MacBook line debuted on May 16, 2006. It was updated nearly six months later on November 8, and again on May 15, 2007. As of this writing, it's been seven months since Apple's last MacBook update. This could imply that the MacBook line is overdue for a refresh, meaning you may want to hold off a purchase for the time being.
Apple's press releases don't tell the whole story, however. For example, sometime after May 15, 2007, the company bumped the top Intel processor in its MacBook line from 2.16 GHz to the 2.2 GHz currently offered. There's no mention of this upgrade--a minor one, admittedly--in any press releases I saw on Apple's site.
Dell: With far more laptop models than Apple, Dell's product introduction patterns are harder to discern. Looking through its 2005 to 2007 press releases, however, I noticed that Dell tends to introduce the bulk of its new laptops in the first half of the year.
For example, in 2005, I counted nine new laptops introduced between January 1 and June 30 and only one afterwards. In 2006, Dell introduced six new laptops before June 30 and only one after that. In 2007, the company unveiled several more models. But the bulk (12) came before the half-year mark, with the rest (7) after.
Also, I noticed most new Latitude business laptops tend to be announced during the first quarter.
Admittedly, reviewing a laptop maker's product introduction history provides only anecdotal information at best. And the best time to buy a laptop is when (a) your current laptop is simply too slow, inefficient, or is broken; (b) you have the money (or at least a sizable chunk of it); and (c) you know what you want.
As anyone who's bought a computer knows all too well, there's always something newer, faster, and cheaper on the horizon. If you're going to buy a computer, there's no way to avoid that kind of buyer's remorse.
But you may be able to time the market with a little homework. Before buying a specific laptop, try to determine when it was first announced or shipped. If it was more than, say, six months ago, you might want to hold off. Chances are, its successor is already waiting in the wings, and you may get a good deal on the laptop it will replace.
Holiday Gift Advice: Still struggling to find the perfect gift? Use PC World Shopping to browse for holiday deals. And take a look at the products you should steer clear of as holiday gifts: "What Not to Give for the Holidays, Part I" and "Part II."
Five Things We Don't Miss: Remember the Osborne-1, the first portable, self-contained PC? It weighed a mere 24 pounds--and in its day, it was considered a mobile breakthrough. If you're getting all misty-eyed about the days of tech past, take a spin through "Five Things We Don't Miss About Old-School Computing."
Wi-Fi in the Sky: JetBlue recently announced it was partnering with Research in Motion and Yahoo to offer free e-mail and instant messaging on its flights. Find out what the latest Wi-Fi offerings are from American, Alaska Airlines, and Virgin America, too.
Is there a particularly cool mobile computing product or service I've missed? Got a spare story idea in your back pocket? Tell me about it. However, I regret that I'm unable to respond to tech-support questions, due to the volume of e-mail I receive.
- Visit our for reviews and information on the current models.
- For shopping tips, read "."
- Read "" for even more ideas.
19 January 2008
Alienware m15x Gaming Notebook Now Available for Order
Alienware blasted out an email tonight inviting newsletter subscribers to have an early chance at ordering the m15x. People in our forums have been placing orders and have quoted shipping dates of February 1, 2008.
The only problem with this early launch is that only specific configurations are available and certain options are not up yet. For instance, only the silver case color and the Ripley design are currently available. The popular black color option is not available. According to reps that customers spoke with more options will show up in a couple of weeks time.
The good news is that the pricing actually seems pretty reasonable. For $2,099 you get the following configuration of the m15x:
The only problem with this early launch is that only specific configurations are available and certain options are not up yet. For instance, only the silver case color and the Ripley design are currently available. The popular black color option is not available. According to reps that customers spoke with more options will show up in a couple of weeks time.
The good news is that the pricing actually seems pretty reasonable. For $2,099 you get the following configuration of the m15x:- 15.4" WXGA+ display
- Intel® Core™2 Extreme Processors (4MB Cache, 800MHz FSB)
- 512MB NVIDIA® GeForce™ 8800M GTX
- 2GB RAM
- 320GB 7200RPM drive
- Ripley case design
- 8x dual layer cd burner / dvd burner optical drive
- Intel 4965 a/b/g wireless
Considering you get a good graphics card, fast processor, 7200RPM speedy hard drive and of course the amazing notebook design that is the m15x, this price is very much in line with competing gaming notebooks.
No word is out on when the larger m17x 17" screen gaming laptop will be available. Let's just be happy there's something to chew on for now with these new Alienware gaming laptop releases. A lot of people have been anxious to hit the order button for some time.
Visit our Alienware forum to discuss the m15x more.
No word is out on when the larger m17x 17" screen gaming laptop will be available. Let's just be happy there's something to chew on for now with these new Alienware gaming laptop releases. A lot of people have been anxious to hit the order button for some time.
Visit our Alienware forum to discuss the m15x more.
Energizer Energi To Go
Power sources while traveling can and will always be a pain in the butt to find. Airports have outlets few and far between, and trade shows are usually worse still. For the mobile device user who relies on battery power, this will frequently be the cause of much stress on the road. One option is bulking up on spare batteries, but for every device that might not be an option. The other option is a universal power source, providing both AC power and DC power from its own internal battery. Energizer's solution to this problem is the Energi To Go Portable Power Outlet.
Energizer Energi to Go Portable Outlet Specifications
- Output Continuous Power 480 watts
- Output voltage 120 volts
- Output Waveform Modified Sine Wave
- Input voltage 13.2 to 15V
- Internal Battery 4000mAh
- Average Charging Time 4 hours
- Weight: 1lb 4.5oz
Setup
Setup for the Portable Power Outlet is plugging it into a wall to charge, and nothing more. When the red charging indicator on the power switch turns off the outlet is ready to power your devices. Users also have the option of charging the device inside an automobile with the included 12v power jack. In Use
To use the Portable Power Outlet for AC powered devices, the instructions tell you to turn the device on for 5-10 seconds, and then plug in your device. This method does not work for me, and it will only turn on the AC output if I have the device plugged in while the outlet is off, then I turn it on.
When the outlet was functioning properly, it worked great for a wide range of devices. Some of the estimated runtime claims were on the high side, but it was better than nothing. Powering my Lenovo T60 notebook, it managed to operate for 50 minutes. With a Dell 1525, the runtime was better coming in at 70 minutes. With a living room lamp drawing 50w of power, it worked for just under 45 minutes.
When the outlet was functioning properly, it worked great for a wide range of devices. Some of the estimated runtime claims were on the high side, but it was better than nothing. Powering my Lenovo T60 notebook, it managed to operate for 50 minutes. With a Dell 1525, the runtime was better coming in at 70 minutes. With a living room lamp drawing 50w of power, it worked for just under 45 minutes.
17 January 2008
OLPC XO Review and Teardown
A new initiative called One Laptop Per Child has the goal of getting a low-cost, entry-level notebook into the hands of children in developing countries. This notebook is the OLPC-XO which is an extremely basic version of what we might consider a portable computer, but comes in a durable, affordable, and easy-to-use package. In this review I will cover both the internal hardware aspect of this notebook, along with a comparison of it against more common consumer notebooks.
The OLPC is targeted towards children and built for areas with less than perfect operating conditions. It is ruggedized and very sturdy even when compared to a high-end business notebook like a ThinkPad. Almost every inch of this notebook is designed to hold up against being dropped, thrown around, or carried by itself without any case.
The design of the OLPC is very simple, yet incredibly well thought out. The notebook is shaped like a thin lunchbox, with a carrying handle on top. All edges are rounded off, and the flat surfaces of the notebook are textured for easy gripping. Screen latches are nothing like what you would find on a standard notebook, with the WiFi antennas themselves acting as the latch mechanisms.
OLPC engineers even went one step further, making the notebook very easy to repair almost anywhere. With a single small Phillips screwdriver you can tear the entire thing apart to bare components in probably five minutes. The first time I cracked my OLPC open I had it apart in about 10 minutes including the time to take pictures for each step of the process. Another interesting design feature was the inclusion of spare parts. Housed inside the handle section are a number of spare screws for the entire notebook.
Screen
The screen on the OLPC is unique in that it works in both bright and dark environments. You can view the screen in black and white in bright sunlight, and then switch back into color by turning the backlight back on. Another interesting trait of this screen is the resolution changes between modes. In sunlight mode (black and white) it has a resolution of 1200x900, and in color has 800x600.
The reason for the change in resolution is rather technical, so if you want to know more about the screen resolution I'll direct you to the display section of the OLPC Wiki article.
Compared to even the most basic budget notebook, the OLPC's screen really falls short in terms of color, viewing angles, and brightness. Just moving a hair off of a direct viewing angle, the screen looks black and white. Colors when in optimal viewing range still don't compare to any 
Specs
- Processor: 433MHz AMD Geode
- Display: 7.5" LCD 1200x900 (black and white)/800x600 (color)
- RAM: 256MB DDR333
- HD/Storage: 1GB Flash w/ SD Expansion slot
- Wireless: 802.11b/g and 802.11s Mesh
- Ports: 3 USB, Headphone, Microphone
- Battery: 3.1Ah 6.5v
- AC Adapter: 12v @1.42A, 100-240v switching
- Dimensions: 9.52 x 8.97 x 1.26"
- Weight: 3lbs 2.2oz
- Price $400 with the "Give One, Get One" program ($200 per laptop)
Build and Design
The OLPC is targeted towards children and built for areas with less than perfect operating conditions. It is ruggedized and very sturdy even when compared to a high-end business notebook like a ThinkPad. Almost every inch of this notebook is designed to hold up against being dropped, thrown around, or carried by itself without any case.
The design of the OLPC is very simple, yet incredibly well thought out. The notebook is shaped like a thin lunchbox, with a carrying handle on top. All edges are rounded off, and the flat surfaces of the notebook are textured for easy gripping. Screen latches are nothing like what you would find on a standard notebook, with the WiFi antennas themselves acting as the latch mechanisms.
OLPC engineers even went one step further, making the notebook very easy to repair almost anywhere. With a single small Phillips screwdriver you can tear the entire thing apart to bare components in probably five minutes. The first time I cracked my OLPC open I had it apart in about 10 minutes including the time to take pictures for each step of the process. Another interesting design feature was the inclusion of spare parts. Housed inside the handle section are a number of spare screws for the entire notebook.
Screen
The screen on the OLPC is unique in that it works in both bright and dark environments. You can view the screen in black and white in bright sunlight, and then switch back into color by turning the backlight back on. Another interesting trait of this screen is the resolution changes between modes. In sunlight mode (black and white) it has a resolution of 1200x900, and in color has 800x600.
The reason for the change in resolution is rather technical, so if you want to know more about the screen resolution I'll direct you to the display section of the OLPC Wiki article.
Compared to even the most basic budget notebook, the OLPC's screen really falls short in terms of color, viewing angles, and brightness. Just moving a hair off of a direct viewing angle, the screen looks black and white. Colors when in optimal viewing range still don't compare to any
standard notebook, with a very grainy and washed out feel.
Toshiba M700 Tablet PC and Concept UMPCs at CES
A few weeks back Toshiba announced the release of their newest Tablet PC, the Portege M700. This time I am bringing you some real pictures and hands-on information from the CES show floor.
Toshiba Portege M700 Tablet PC specs:
The M700 definitely has a solid design and chassis. The LED backlight screen was amazing, it really looked more like a notebook then a tablet, by which I mean no graininess. The hinge has a unique design as well that locks into place making the tablet feel more like a notebook, there was no signs of flex, just like the R400.
The touchscreen was responsive and the pen was accurate. The extended battery slice gives the M700 all day computing power and adds a little height to the machine, which also puts the tablet on a little slant when typing. The Toshiba reps even told us that the starting price is going to be a little cheaper then planned, now around $1,500.
Overall, I think Toshiba has a winner on their hands. I can't wait to get my hands on this review unit and run some benchmarks. Don't worry, the team over at TabletPCReview.com hopes this will be very soon.
Toshiba Portege M700 Tablet PC specs:
- Core 2 Duo 2.2GHz T7500 processor
- 160GB hard drive
- 1GB or 2GB RAM options
- 12.1" WXGA (1280x800) LED backlit LCD display with both touchscreen and digital pen/ink capabilities
- 802.11a/g/n, Gigabit Ethernet
- PC Card Slot
- IEEE 1394
- Integrated webcam
- Fingerprint reader
- 6-cell Lithium-Ion battery
The M700 definitely has a solid design and chassis. The LED backlight screen was amazing, it really looked more like a notebook then a tablet, by which I mean no graininess. The hinge has a unique design as well that locks into place making the tablet feel more like a notebook, there was no signs of flex, just like the R400.
The touchscreen was responsive and the pen was accurate. The extended battery slice gives the M700 all day computing power and adds a little height to the machine, which also puts the tablet on a little slant when typing. The Toshiba reps even told us that the starting price is going to be a little cheaper then planned, now around $1,500.
Overall, I think Toshiba has a winner on their hands. I can't wait to get my hands on this review unit and run some benchmarks. Don't worry, the team over at TabletPCReview.com hopes this will be very soon.
Apple MacBook Air Announced at MacWorld '08
As the rumors suggested, Apple today announced the ultraportable MacBook Air notebook. The MacBook Air is being dubbed the "world's thinnest notebook", and at 0.16" to 0.76" they aren't kidding!The Apple MacBook Air has the following specs:
- 13.3" Widescreen LED Backlit (1280 x 800)
- Intel Core 2 Duo 1.6GHz and 1.8GHz (4MB L2 cache, 800MHz frontside bus)
- 1.8" 80GB HD (same type in iPod) or 64GB SSD option
- Multi-touch trackpad
- 2GB RAM (667MHz DDR2 SDRAM)
- Intel X3100 graphics
- Magnetic latch
- 1 USB 2.0 port, Micro-DVI, Audio out (analog)
- 802.11n wireless
- Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR
- iSight camera built-in
- 37 watt-hour lithium-polymer battery
- No optical drive built-in, but SuperDrive accessory available for $99
- Dimensions: 12.8" wide, 8.94" deep, and 0.16" to 0.76" thin
- Weight: 3.0 lbs (1.36 kg)
- $1,799 price point
With only one USB port you're limited on what you can attach, but Apple obviously was space challenged with the notebook being so thin. At least you can use BlueTooth for wireless devices since that is built-in. The claimed battery life is 5 hours, no indication under what usage you get that though. The availability will be within the next couple of weeks, you can pre-order from Apple for $1,799 starting price.
More information can be found on the MacBook Air product page at Apple.com.
15 January 2008
NoteBook SAGER NP9262
Extreme NVIDIA GeForce 8800M GTX GraphicsThe world’s fastest notebook GPUs, power the ultimate DX10 notebook gaming platform. The unified architecture of the GeForce 8800M GTX GPUs provides unparalleled performance and the most realistic 3D graphics effects available on a PC. And, with NVIDIA PureVideo HD technology, you’ll experience unsurpassed High-Definition video in vivid color and superb picture clarity.
Powered By Intel® Core™ 2 Extreme Processor
Revolutionary performance for users looking for the most intense, high performance gaming experience. The Intel Core 2 Extreme processor provides exceptional performance for ultra realistic games and advanced multi-threaded digital media creation applications. This is the processor for users who want their hardware to take them to the top of their game.
NVIDIA SLI Technology Capable
A revolutionary platform innovation that allows you to intelligently scale graphics performance by combining multiple NVIDIA graphics solutions in a single system for ultra-high performance for games and other graphics-intensive applications.
Three Hard Drives with Hardware RAID 0, 1, 5 Support
Industry-leading 750GB or 500GB fault tolerance storage capacities for the ultimate mobile data storage solution providing performance, utility, and security without compromising an internal optical drive.
The unit includes an Unique Dual Programable Gaming Buttons - Two completely user definable buttons to allow ultimate control over your gaming experience.
Dual Tone High Gloss Exterior Finish - Sleek exterior design makes sure your unit looks great even when it's off.
Lenovo ThinkPad T61 14.1-inch
Standard aspect ratio business notebooks are becoming more difficult to purchase these days from different manufacturers, but Lenovo has pulled through for another generation with the ThinkPad T61. The 14" 4:3 T61 is one of the last models of its kind on the market, and it is still every bit as durable and refined as the models before it.
The Lenovo T61 4:3 14.1" notebook is offered with a wide array of options, with processors spanning from the Intel T7100 to the T7800, ram up to 4GB, hard drive up to 200GB, Intel turbo memory, Intel Wireless-N, and either the 128MB nVidia NVS 140M or Intel X3100 graphics cards.
The following are the features of the 14" T61 being reviewed:
Performance and Benchmarks
The T61 was an excellent all around performer, without any lag or delay opening programs or switching between programs. Much of this can be attributed to the amount of ram and the 7200rm hard drive which was configured with this model. Even tasks such as light gaming were possible with its business grade nVidia NVS 140M, comparable to the consumer nVdia 8400 GT.
Listed below are the standard benchmarks we run on our laptops to make it easier to compare models head to head.
wPrime is a program that forces the processor to do recursive mathematical calculations, the advantage of this program is that it is multi-threaded and can use both processor cores at once, thereby giving more accurate benchmarking measurements than Super Pi.
The Lenovo T61 4:3 14.1" notebook is offered with a wide array of options, with processors spanning from the Intel T7100 to the T7800, ram up to 4GB, hard drive up to 200GB, Intel turbo memory, Intel Wireless-N, and either the 128MB nVidia NVS 140M or Intel X3100 graphics cards.
The following are the features of the 14" T61 being reviewed:
- Screen: 14.1-inch SXGA+ (1400 x 1050) TFT Display,150 NIT, 200:1 Contrast
- Processor: 2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T7300 (4MB L2 Cache,800MHz FSB)
- Hard Drive: 100GB hard drive (Hitatchi 7k100 7200RPM)
- Memory: 1GB x2 2GB Total (PC5300, 667 MHz, DDR2 SDRAM) 4GB max memory
- Optical Drive: DVD+-R Double layer / DVD+-RW Drive
- External Ports and Slots: Three USB 2.0, one ExpressCard slot, VGA, headphone / line-out, microphone-in, modem, 1Gb Ethernet
- Wireless: WiFi (Intel 4965AGN 802.11a/b/g/n), Bluetooth 2.0 w/ EDR
- Graphics: nVidia NVS 140M (256MB)
- Operating System: Windows Vista Ultimate
- 9-cell Li-Ion battery (10.8V, 7.8AH)
- Dimensions: (WxDxH): 12.3" x 10.0/10.9" w/battery x 1.2-1.4"
- Weight: 4lbs 11.1oz, 5lbs 11.6oz w/9 cell battery (6lbs 10.3oz travel weight)
Performance and Benchmarks
The T61 was an excellent all around performer, without any lag or delay opening programs or switching between programs. Much of this can be attributed to the amount of ram and the 7200rm hard drive which was configured with this model. Even tasks such as light gaming were possible with its business grade nVidia NVS 140M, comparable to the consumer nVdia 8400 GT.
Listed below are the standard benchmarks we run on our laptops to make it easier to compare models head to head.
wPrime is a program that forces the processor to do recursive mathematical calculations, the advantage of this program is that it is multi-threaded and can use both processor cores at once, thereby giving more accurate benchmarking measurements than Super Pi.
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