Archive for January, 2007
January 19th, 2007 at 04:42pm
Under Laptops
By Darren Blythe
The central processing unit (CPU) is probably the most important chip in the computer. It contains the arithmetic and logic unit (ALU), so the computer can do calculations, and the control unit that controls the flow of data between the CPU and other components. There’s a lot of competition between manufacturers of processors and the speeds they offer. But the plain fact is that while it is heavily featured in the marketing literature even the slower processors (1.4 to 1.6GHz) are fast enough for most uses. Money saved on processors might more usefully be spent on memory or better graphics.
There are two things that really matter with laptop processors: the balance struck between processor power and battery consumption, and the links to mobile technology that enable you to make the most of the laptop’s portability. For the first, simply put, processors with the word mobile in their name are going to be the best choice, as in Mobile Intel Pentium 4 or Athlon XP Mobile or Turion. These use less power and run cooler (a definite plus in a laptop). For the second, Intel’s combination of processor, chipset and wireless card technologies marketed under the brand name Centrino is hard to beat. As I mentioned in my guidelines don’t be put off by lower speeds in Mobile CPUs. They work in a different way which makes them operate just as fast but at a lower MHz speed. A fine example of this is the Pentium Mobile (Centrino) 1.6 GHz which is equivalent in speed to a Desktop P4 3.0 GHz!!
If possible try to avoid laptops with desktop CPUs (usually 2.8 GHz or above without the word ‘mobile’ or the letter ‘M’ in the name). Fitting desktop components in a laptop is rarely a good idea. The excessive heat build up and power consumption will cause problems in the longer term.
This is a brief extract from our laptop buyers guide which can be found on our website at http://www.dbits.co.uk
By Dragan
January 11th, 2007 at 06:15pm
Under Laptops
By Cody Kahl
Throughout the years there have been many technologies involved with notebooks, and laptop batteries are no different. There are actually three distinct notebook battery types on the market today. Knowing the difference between them will help you decide on exactly what to get when the time comes for a purchase.
In this article I will discuss the three different laptop battery types, as well as some of the advantages each one carries.
Nickel Cadmium – NiCd batteries were actually the first rechargeable laptop batteries ever. Manufactures loved them because their cost was relatively low and they had a high output. You won’t find Nickel Cadmium batteries being used anymore, due to them being heavier and not as efficient as the newer laptop batteries.
Nickel Metal Hydride - NiMH batteries can still be found all over the place — particularly for older model laptops. The rechargeable NiMH laptop battery was a big step up for notebook technology mostly in part because they were more reliable than the NiCd batteries, and they had an even higher output. The NiMH battery was also cheaper to produce, and safer to use.
The only issue with NiMH batteries is that they can have a memory effect. Basically, if you don’t fully discharge the battery, it can remember this and leave you with a less than perfect battery output.
Lithium Ion - LiON batteries are now used in most new laptops. Unlike the NiMH battery, LiON laptop batteries have no memory effect. LiON batteries are also lighter than both NiCd and NiMH notebook batteries. Both of these advantages equal out to the Lithium Ion battery being the most popular and most expensive among the various notebook power sources.
You are probably wondering which type of battery to get. Getting a Lithium Ion battery would be the best solution, and if you have the money that is what I recommend. If you cannot afford a LiON battery or your notebook is not compatible with one, then getting a NiMH battery is the next best thing.
Cody Kahl is creator and writer of Toshiba Laptops Guide - A site dedicated to providing only the best toshiba laptop battery information.
By Dragan
January 2nd, 2007 at 04:44pm
Under Cheap Laptops
By Mark Hastings
Buying a cheap laptop for my mother’s business seemed like the correct thing to accomplish. As heavy as a laptop is, there is still more power per pound than a desktop. I still thought Ebay is the biggest place to get bargain laptops. There are some great laptop deals out there, you just have to know where to find them. Refurbished laptops are still under production warranty, which means you can get warranty assistance directly from the manufacturer. And they seem extremely affordable for the technology they offer.
Laptops feature multi-slot readers for exceptional card formats. Refurbished laptops are less than 6 months old and have very high quality standards. This procedure is impressive and the tones are clear and crisp. Laptops are in no way low quality computers. There are smaller laptop screeens out there that also have 1920 by 1200 resolution. It can be expensive when it comes time to upgrade if the laptop requires proprietary parts. There are even predictions of $398 laptops appearing on price reduction store shelves this holiday season.
As you get to know more of what you are talking about, you must decide which features are the most important to you in a laptop. Laptops have become progressively prevalent in both business and home applications. And they are offering a special price on some of their products. I still chose a laptop for those extremely infrequent vacation trips I make. The laptop could be carried around the house to update our home inventory for insurance purposes.
You may now get a laptop for below $400. Laptops are powered by midrange Intel Pentium m processors. Hence it is a good idea to buy the fastest processor you may reasonably afford. When looking for clearance and refurbished laptops, check manufacturers sites. When buying your laptop, do your research first to ensure that you get the most out of your own money.
Click here for more info Cheap Laptop
By Dragan
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