Sharp Suit | Computer Stuff

How to choose a new business laptop from Dell or Lenovo

admin — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 09:40:50 +0000

Picking out a new laptop for work can be particularly confusing. With so many options available, it’s hard to tell which model, features, and price range will best suit your needs. Customers often approach us and want to know what certain terminology means and how they should configure their laptop. I will explain the terminology you should be familiar with to purchase a laptop online from Dell or Lenovo that meets your needs.

Let’s start with a brief overview of product lines for Dell and Lenovo laptops (business-grade only).

Dell Vostro: Mid-range laptop. Runs from around $400 to $700 plus tax and shipping where applicable. XP “downgrade” available. Balance of features, build-quality, and price.

Dell Latitude: Dell’s high-end business laptop. Runs from around $600 to $1000 plus tax and shipping where applicable. XP “downgrade” available. Good build-quality and features available.

Lenovo Thinkpad SL-series: Entry-level business laptop. Solid build construction (don’t be fooled by the outdated looks!). Priced between $500 and $700. XP “downgrade” available.”

Lenovo Thinkpad R-series: Mid-range laptop with more features and options than the SL. Priced between $700 and $900.

Lenovo Thinkpad T-series: Lenovo’s (and IBM’s) long-standing flagship laptop line. The T-series has all the goodies available, along with excellent build-quality. Price varies from $800 to $1300+.

Next, I’ll introduce you to some technical terms you’ll encounter when browsing or customizing a laptop on Dell or Lenovo’s site.

Processor: What you’ll be interested in is the Intel Core 2 Duo (C2D) technology. Essentially, it can be described as two processors (cores) on one chip. There is a very noticeable speed difference from processors offered in laptops 4-5 years ago. They also run much cooler temperature-wise and more efficiently than their predecessors. If you’re wondering about the differences in the processor numbers (e.g. T7xxx versus a P8xxx), the differences are very minor. Generally speaking (leaving out the technical mumbo jumbo), as long as the processor is a Core 2 Duo over 2.0 ghz the speed will be more than adequate for office applications, web browsing, presentations, etc. Stay away from the Celeron processors as they are quite a bit slower (less cache).

Memory (RAM): Not to be confused with hard drive space (where you save files), the speed and amount of memory allows determines how much “stuff” you can have open simultaneously and how quickly programs load. These days it is advisable to have at least 2 gigabytes (gb) of ram for Windows XP and 4 gigabytes for Windows Vista. Prices for memory have dropped dramatically in recent years making these larger capacities attractive.

Hard Drive: The size of your hard drive largely depends on what kinds of files you’ll be saving,. If you’re mainly dealing with email, Excel spreadsheets, Word documents, small quanitities of PDFs, and the occasional picture, any hard drive over 60gb will suffice. If you store files such as large amounts of PDFs, video files, or a heavy amount of graphics, seek a hard drive capacity of 120gb to 250gb.

More importantly, opt for a 5400rpm speed drive. It’s typically the standard option and is a good balance between speed and battery life. 7200rpm drives are also available for an additional cost and will help with loading times in general at the expense of battery life.

Screen size/resolution: For the screen size, I generally recommend 14.1″ inches. This size gives you a nice balance of size, weight, viewability for people who take their laptop on the road. If you plan on keeping it on a desk with only the occasional moving around, you should consider 15.4″. Remember, the larger the screen, the heavier the laptop.

Additional options for a screen might include some type of glossy finish – avoid that as it creates a lot of glare in bright light environments.

As far as resolution goes, 1280×800 pixels is fairly common in recent widescreen notebooks. If your eyesight isn’t so good, stick with that. If you have good eyesight, you might want to opt for a higher resolution like 1440×900 pixels. This allows you to “fit” more on the screen at the expense of text and icons being smaller. LCDs are not like the older CRT monitors where you can change the resolution and everything will stay sharp – text will look blurry if you change an LCD’s resolution to anything other than what it’s made for. Choose wisely.

Graphics card: Another option you may encounter is a discreet versus a built-in graphics card. To keep things simple, only get the discreet graphics card option if you plan on doing a lot of 3D rendering or high-definition video playback (1080p). They cost more and sometimes are problematic. The newer built-in (non-discreet) graphics cards can easily handle DVD playback, outputting to an external monitor, and your office applications, so that is what we generally recommend to customers.

Battery: The minimum I would recommend is a 6-cell battery. Generally speaking, this will give you between 2-3 hours of battery life on a laptop from Dell or Lenovo. The 9-cell battery may bulge out from the laptop a bit, but gives you more life.

Wireless card: If you have a newer wireless-N network setup, take advantage of it by getting a matching built-in wireless-N card for your laptop. It offers higher transfer rates and signal strength than the older wireless-b/g technology.

Other options to consider:

I hope that these tips have helped clarify the process of purchasing a business laptop. One of the best things you can do when purchasing a laptop is to have a list of requirements (ex. needs to run Windows XP, has to run my companies’ software, must have 3 hours of battery life) beforehand, so that you can match those requirements while you browse and configure options.

If you are located near Nashville, TN be sure to visit our site at http://www.compuways.net for all of your small business and residential computer needs.

How to choose a new business laptop from Dell or Lenovo is a post from: Sharp Suit | Computer Stuff

Different Types of Laptop Carrying Cases

admin — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 15:17:37 +0000

If you are using a lovely and highly valued laptop or notebook, you definitely need to care it and want to carry it in a case that will protect your laptop from all threats. The laptop carrying cases are perfect for traveling with your laptop around you all the time. If you dont get a good laptop case, there is greater possibility that your laptop will get hurt and damaged. Whether you use laptop in your home or you carry around, you need something which is stylish, useful and at the same time protective.Laptop carrying cases usually come in leather or nylon finishes. The nylon ones are cheap and easily degradable. The leather cases are thick and offer better protection to your laptops than nylon bags. They are also heavy and end up weight little more pounds to the overall weight of the load. The leather cases too come in different styles and finishes to meet individual needs. They are also available from brands and designer houses. The designer leather laptop carrying cases are expensive items and they at the same time are much functional.There is another category of leather designer bags called replica laptop carrying cases. They are similar in design and style to those branded and designer laptop carrying cases. But they are not genuine designer cases. It is very difficult to distinguish between them because they are made with that expertise and dexterity. You can opt for such replica laptop carrying cases if you feel that designer cases are out of your budget. There is again another kind of leather called faux leather or pleather which is lighter than leather and lightweight. The faux leather too is not durable and sturdy like leather cases. They are preferred due to their lightweight material and the glossy finish.But is you wish something different something which can really protect your laptops from all vulnerable things then go for metal laptop carrying cases. The metal laptop carrying cases off late have become popular and they are now prime choice of lots of folks due to security, protection and design they provide. Metal cases were an expensive affair few days ago but they are no longer an expensive item.

Different Types of Laptop Carrying Cases is a post from: Sharp Suit | Computer Stuff

Cash 4 Laptops Review – Make The Right Selection

admin — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 01:23:55 +0000

I would like to take a moment to review one or two Cash 4 Laptops sites, with so many websites appearing across the net I would like to try and identify the critical factors that we should consider before we trade our laptops. As with any review, this cash 4 laptops review will identify the important points that we as customers should look for and identify to find the best site available for us.

However, unlike a general review, I have found a site that seems to hold everything needed when we want to carry out a trade, or sell our old, used or broken computer therefore I will base this cash 4 laptops review around this site for you to gain an understanding of what to look for in a cash 4 laptop trade when you review sites yourself.

The first factor I personally look for in any review, and it is no different with a cash 4 laptops site, is the ease of navigation around the site, being able to find what you want, when you want is one of the most critical points. Its no use trying to utilize a site where all the information is buried, or the privacy policy and terms are hidden away without you knowing what they contain. Throughout my many reviews I have found that a site that has a clear link to its policies tends to be a more professional service with all the information available quickly and easily for any visitor to review.

Obviously when we are looking to trade our computer for cash, the next consideration is being able to review the cash 4 laptops payment and quote system and the reliability of it how personalized is the quote. Some sites offer a general quote only for you to be disappointed when you contact them others, and the better sites to look towards offer you an online quote for your personalized situation based on your machine specifications, and the condition of the laptop this is something to be aware of when you review any cash 4 laptops site.

These really are the two main factors in any cash 4 laptop site review, there may be a few more for your personal choice, but the access to the information, and an accurate quote really are the first two things to review before you launch yourself in to the cash 4 laptop trade.

As I mentioned this cash 4 laptops review was based around my findings on one site www.cash4laptops.com In my opinion the perfect site for trading in the cash 4 laptop process, after several reviews of several sites this was the only one that got a gleaming review from myself no faults here, so carryout your own cash 4 laptops review on some other sites, but use this as a comparison for sure.

Cash 4 Laptops Review – Make The Right Selection is a post from: Sharp Suit | Computer Stuff

Laptops

admin — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 07:09:31 +0000

Are you planning to purchase a computer then think once again for your decision? Because today scenario is changing computer market is rapidly replacing with laptops (notebooks).In 1986 battery powered portable computers had 2% worldwide market share. But in 2008 more laptops were sold than desktops in USA. Earlier laptops were in niche market product and were used only by those people who generally used to work during travelling or in meetings or some professionals like photographers.

Now laptops are popular among all segments like businessmen, students, home worker, teachers and sales of laptops is increasing drastically per year because of its various unique features like portability, battery power, low weight and compatibility with latest technology.

When you purchase a laptop then there should be some points in your mind while comparing different brands like processor type, storage capacity, screen size, wireless connectivity, pricing and you should not forget to check the standard and version of additional features which varies to different brands like web cam, modem, infrared, card reader, Bluetooth, graphic card.

There are so many big players in the market which provide laptops and services related to it. And as its popularity is increasing, competition is becoming stronger among these companies. Two brands HP and Sony are among the most popular brands in notebook market. In 2001 to compete with its competitors, hp had a merger with Compaq (originally American personal computer Company).And from that time it is able to provide affordable and faster laptops.

These two brands offer different values to its customers and have good market capitalization; hp laptops are more famous for its cost effective and durability. Earlier battery back up of hp laptops was not good as compare to other brands But now they provide some attractive models with extra features and good battery back up in their premium range. The typical price range of hp laptops varies between $ 700 to 1400. Now days, HP pavilion series is quite popular in the market it provides you powerful graphics performance, data reliability and all which you want in a laptop.. Recently HP launched one model Hp pavilion dv2 which is 1 inch thin and 1.64 kg.

Sony is other player which generally does not offer its laptop range in low price but have a good brand name in quality market. You will find many models in Sony laptops which are durable and strong and also quite popular for their neat design and performance. Price range of Sony laptops varies between $1200 to 2500. Earlier Sony was not concerned for the segment which prefers the low cost notebook but recently they have directed towards cost concerned customers and launched its VAIO N series which is available in $900 and it has almost all features as other models like core due processor ,dual layer DVD burner, link port and Express card slot. There are other players also in the market like Dell, Acer, Lenovo, and Toshiba .So now when you go in market to buy a laptop then there is no need to confuse for various brands just identify your needs and check above mentioned features to have a best option.

Laptops is a post from: Sharp Suit | Computer Stuff

Secure Your Laptop

admin — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 16:32:04 +0000

Most of the words heard from those who loose their laptop are, it was here just minutes ago. It creates panic and jeopardizes your entire business affair.

Why sit and wait till the fire goes out of control.

With the invention of Ujanja Laptop Tracking System it is now possible to keep an eagle eye once your laptop goes missing from your office, car or any where you might be working on it.

Ujanja Laptop Tracking System is easy to install and absolutely does not lower the performance of your system and is compatible with most of the laptops in the market.

The system works in a very simplifies method to recover your lost laptop in the shortest time possible. Most laptop users have wireless Internet connection which is fast and connects once the laptop is turn on. Connection to the Internet via LAN is common to with majority laptop users..

By any chance your laptop happens to be stolen; the Ujanja tracking software will be in a position to record the new IP location, the ISP. This information will be sent to your cell phone via sms and an e-mail in your mail box.

Using this information it will be very easy to get back your laptop before any damage is made to the information held within the laptop.

It is important to note that only laptops installed with the Ujanja Tracking Software can be traced. If you happen to loose your laptop without the tracking software, your laptop will absolutely be declared lost.

Download the tracking software install it and secure your laptop and data. You will not have to panic or keep a straining eye on your laptop.

Secure Your Laptop is a post from: Sharp Suit | Computer Stuff

Missing Laptop: The Shock

admin — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 07:59:48 +0000

After purchasing my Ultra portable computer combined with Integrated Intel Wireless WIMAX/WIFI Link, I felt myself flying above the top. I could connect to the Internet and Local Network so easily. The compiling time of the applications I usually create was at super speed. I just could not part away with my laptop even if I was drowning.

Laptops are fast moving machines in the black market and I knew that my laptop was out for ransom even thou I had it well pinned on my office desk.

It was not long before I decided to Google a search of a cheap and less complicated way of securing my laptop. The idea I had was to be able to tack my laptop it my friends decided to play me by snatching away my laptop as I was so addicted to it that I often turned down their invitations for a hang out each Friday. This had gone to far and on the first of April I felt as if the world had come to an end when I entered my office at around 9:00 on a Friday morning.

I couldnt stand the open space where my laptop used to lie. I passed my hand above the desk as if I couldnt see that the laptop was no where to be found. I checked in the desk shelves probably I might have placed it there (what an imaginative idea).

Nothing, I called my friends hoping that they might have thought of playing the old trick on me since it was a fools day. I had to come in to terms with what each and every laptop owners once had to experience. Acknowledge a clean and smart disappearance their laptop.

Not late did I realize that my search had landed me on the Ujanja Lost Laptop Tracking System. I checked my mails on the cell phone and noticed that I had several e-mail alerts. The tracking system always sends an e-mail to you every time the laptop connects to the Internet. It was a break through. An IP address had been sent which I quickly Google and came up with an ISP of that particular IP address. With the company of a security force I was able to head straight to the location where the IP address was located. All the culprits were arrested and I got my laptop back. Not until I had gone through the normal procedure of filing a report. I could wait as most of my data was intact and no damage had been done to the laptop

Missing Laptop: The Shock is a post from: Sharp Suit | Computer Stuff

Finding a Quality Laptop at a Discount Price

admin — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 13:06:05 +0000

We all know that owning a laptop has its benefits – they offer convenience in the ability to work almost anywhere, and also enable you to carry all your work around in a compact device. So its no wonder more and more people are choosing to invest in a laptop rather than to rely on a home or workplace computer that cant be carried around. However, even with the immense benefits of owning a laptop, many consumers veer away from the prospect of purchasing one because they assume they’re all expensive. There is some truth to the notion that laptops can be pricey, as there are countless manufacturers that price their products on the higher end of the cost spectrum; but that doesnt mean that they are all expensive. There are a number of discount manufacturers who specialise in providing affordable laptops to more cost-conscious consumers. Even then, some consumers might be wary of purchasing discount laptops, with the idea that discount equates to compromised quality. However, smart shoppers will quickly find that they can easily source quality laptops and products at a fraction of the price of the high-end makes and models. They just need to prepare themselves with a bit of knowledge on what the market has to offer, and what they require in a laptop. A good way to begin your search for a laptop is to familiarise yourself with the market and its offerings. Conduct a few searches online just to see whats out there; or, stop by a specific store to see the actual products in action. While comparing features, make sure to compare prices too; but most importantly, take note of the features you think youll want in your laptop. If youve never shopped for a laptop before, it might also be worth talking to a specialist about whats available, paying particular attention to your price range. A bit of initial research will help you get the best deal, as well as ensure that you end up with a product thats right for you. Once youve looked around to see what the market has to offer in cheap laptops, compare the offerings both in features and costs, and narrow down your options based on the features you want. If you want to know more about the quality of any laptops youre considering, check to see if you can track down any reviews on the product – after all, word-of-mouth is one of the most reliable forms of referral when it comes to such products. Once youve conducted a bit of research and compared market offerings, youre sure to find a quality, discount product that offers all the benefits of owning a laptop.

Finding a Quality Laptop at a Discount Price is a post from: Sharp Suit | Computer Stuff

Lap Desk ? Ergonomic Pillow for your Laptop

admin — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 09:05:27 +0000

Lap Desk Ergonomic Pillow for your Laptop

What is a Lap Desk? Why do I need one? I will try to answer these questions in this article.

A Lap Desk is indeed as it sounds, a desk for your lap. The Lap Desk is mainly used for working with your laptop on your lap but can also be used for writing, reading, drawing and many other activities that require a flat surface to work on. The concept exists for years way before the age of the laptop computer, in the past , it was mainly used for disabled individuals to be able to read , write and eat using a table on their lap.

In todays age where mobility is the key, laptops exists in almost every home, since notebook prices are decreasing every day, it is almost cheaper to buy a laptop computer rather than the old fashioned desktop. Laptops were given their names because they were originally designed to work with on ones lap. The fact is most of todays laptop are rather heavy, tend to overheat and might be spreading radiation to some extent.

This is where the Lapdesk comes in. The Lapdesk has numerous advantages:

There are quite a bit of Lap Desk types, some are firm and some soft, some wider than others and some compact enough that they can fit right into your laptop back.

So how would one choose?

The answer is very simple, it can be said that the bigger the Lapdesk will be , the more comfortable it will be to work on. But you must remember that when buying a large Lap Desk you will lose the mobile advantage of carrying it around with you. If you intend to use your laptop mostly on the road, you might be better off choosing a more compact Lap Desk.

Most Lapdesks range from 30$ to 120$, they can easily be bought online and shipped all over the world.

Enjoy your Laptop and beware, the Lap Desk can make you addicted to working at home.

Lap Desk ? Ergonomic Pillow for your Laptop is a post from: Sharp Suit | Computer Stuff

Promotional Laptop Bags

admin — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 09:14:15 +0000

Promotional products company Personalized Laptop Sleeves announces its line of customized sleeves for laptop computers. These sleeves are among the first on the market offering the durability of neoprene and flexibility for personalization.

The Promotional Laptop Bags, constructed of neoprene, the material used for wet suits, are a big hit with clients. “These sleeves are very, very new to the market,” said Scott Fcasni of Personalized Laptop Sleeves, “and we’re excited to be among the first to offer them. Many businesses are giving their employees laptop sleeves as gifts, but they also have the added benefit of protecting their hardware investments.”

Fcasni cites two large markets that are clamoring for the sleeves: colleges (admissions and recruiting) and businesses that provide laptops for their employees. Fcasni’s top markets correspond to trends in the promotional products industry. A study by Promotional Products Association International revealed that in 2007 the education sector was the largest purchaser of promotional items.

Based on recent sales of laptops in the U.S., Fcasni’s market is likely to continue growing. According to an Interactive Data Corp. report at Computerworld.com, approximately 30 million laptops were sold in the U.S. in 2007, 35.5 million in 2008 and 41.1 million in 2009. Projected sales are: 47.5 million laptops in 2010, 54.1 million in 2011 and 61.1 million in 2012.

The economy also has had an impact on the types of promotional items purchased. “Customers are looking for items that not only showcase their brand but are functional well as Laptop Carrying Cases,” said Fcasni. “That’s why our protective laptop sleeves are a logical choice for a variety of businesses. Moreover, we make the product accessible to smaller businesses by requiring very low minimum order quantities.”

Promotional Laptop Bags is a post from: Sharp Suit | Computer Stuff

Discount Laptops – Looking For The Features That Count

admin — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 13:37:01 +0000

A little over a decade ago, hardly anyone owned a computer. Now, not only are desktop computers standard in any American household, but laptop computers are a relatively new, enduring trend because they are lightweight and portable. Many college students and businesspeople cannot imagine life without a computer notebook! So if you are ready for your laptop computer, here is small tutorial on how to find the discount laptops available.

The first step is to think about what you need from your laptop. This will by no means be the same for everyone. For example, one person may be more concerned with a laptop’s wireless connectivity while another might be more concerned with battery life. So, essentially, a laptop user and a laptop must be compatible.

However, there are many factors that determine the performance of a computer and the more of them that you can learn about, the better equipped you will be to shop around. Thus, the second step is to learn what all the technobabble means.

The discount laptops will not only have lots of memory, but they will have many other things going for them as well. A processor determines the speed of the computer, and you should choose a laptop that has more than 1.4 GHz. A laptop’s system memory, which establishes how well the computer runs and the number of different user tasks it can handle at once, should be at least 128 MB. But some laptop computer shoppers may want an even higher memory, since memory upgrades on laptop computers are not as easy as those for desktop computers.

Screen size is also important – you will be able to view more information, at a higher resolution, the larger the screen is. But as long as the computer screen is at least 12.1 inches diagonally, you should be okay. Batteries in newer discount laptops are almost always long lasting (3 to 7 hours), but if you can, buy a laptop computer with a lithium ion rechargeable battery.

The hard drive, which basically stores all the data on a computer, is probably the most glaring feature. But depending on what you are using your laptop for, the hard drive size can be as small or as large as you like.

Another important factor in buying a laptop computer is the keyboard! Because a laptop is so compact, sometimes the keys can be too small for typing. Make sure to practice typing on the laptop you’re eyeing. Also, don’t forget to look for other features like a DVD or CD drive. Maybe you want to be able to watch a movie on your next airplane flight or maybe you are up for saving money by not buying a laptop with those added bonuses.

As long as you give serious thought to what exactly you are shopping for, you can then narrow down your options dramatically and compare prices of only the discount laptops out there.

Discount Laptops – Looking For The Features That Count is a post from: Sharp Suit | Computer Stuff