Most veteran PC gamers know exactly what they want in a gaming laptop, and those who have the time and money have probably already built their dream computer themselves, but if you are a little newer to the field, a little more fond of the smaller notebook footprint, or a little less comfortable with a do-it-yourself computer, you need to be armed with these basic facts before purchasing your gaming laptop.
The three most important components for any high-end laptop are the processor, RAM and graphics card. Since you are building a gaming rig, you will want to focus on your graphics card first and foremost. Make sure you load up the video memory with at least 256MB and remember to select a notebook that has a dedicated graphics card. Integrated graphics simply cannot handle any modern, 3D gaming.
The next most important component is your processor. Dual-core CPUs are the hottest thing out right now. Ideally, you want to stay within the top two or three fastest dual-core CPUs, in terms of processor speed, that are currently available at the time of your purchase. This will ensure that your notebook is fully optimized for all of today's latest 3D games.
The third most important factor in the speed of your laptop is RAM. You will need at least 1GB to safely play most 3D games without any memory bottlenecking, although most hardcore gamers opt for 2GB or more just for the added punch and/or bragging rights.
The fourth and final tip would be to go with 7200rpm hard drives, as these will definitely speed up load times by adding some extra horsepower to your gaming machine.
With recent advancements in mobile technologies, laptops are now becoming more and more popular in the gaming community, as the prospect of a portable gaming rig that can produce desktop-like performance on the go is something that appeals to all gamers. Just remember to follow these four simple guidelines to ensure that your laptop will be able to meet or exceed all of the hardware requirements for your gaming sessions.
This article may be republished freely as long as this copyright notice and box of resource links are included at the bottom.
Copyright © 2007 MALIBAL, lLc
Showing posts with label laptop. Show all posts
Showing posts with label laptop. Show all posts
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Friday, July 22, 2011
How To Select The Best Gaming Laptops
Most veteran PC gamers know exactly what they want in a gaming laptop, and those who have the time and money have probably already built their dream computer themselves, but if you are a little newer to the field, a little more fond of the smaller notebook footprint, or a little less comfortable with a do-it-yourself computer, you need to be armed with these basic facts before purchasing your gaming laptop.
The three most important components for any high-end laptop are the processor, RAM and graphics card. Since you are building a gaming rig, you will want to focus on your graphics card first and foremost. Make sure you load up the video memory with at least 256MB and remember to select a notebook that has a dedicated graphics card. Integrated graphics simply cannot handle any modern, 3D gaming.
The next most important component is your processor. Dual-core CPUs are the hottest thing out right now. Ideally, you want to stay within the top two or three fastest dual-core CPUs, in terms of processor speed, that are currently available at the time of your purchase. This will ensure that your notebook is fully optimized for all of today's latest 3D games.
The third most important factor in the speed of your laptop is RAM. You will need at least 1GB to safely play most 3D games without any memory bottlenecking, although most hardcore gamers opt for 2GB or more just for the added punch and/or bragging rights.
The fourth and final tip would be to go with 7200rpm hard drives, as these will definitely speed up load times by adding some extra horsepower to your gaming machine.
With recent advancements in mobile technologies, laptops are now becoming more and more popular in the gaming community, as the prospect of a portable gaming rig that can produce desktop-like performance on the go is something that appeals to all gamers. Just remember to follow these four simple guidelines to ensure that your laptop will be able to meet or exceed all of the hardware requirements for your gaming sessions.
This article may be republished freely as long as this copyright notice and box of resource links are included at the bottom.
Copyright © 2007 MALIBAL, lLc
The three most important components for any high-end laptop are the processor, RAM and graphics card. Since you are building a gaming rig, you will want to focus on your graphics card first and foremost. Make sure you load up the video memory with at least 256MB and remember to select a notebook that has a dedicated graphics card. Integrated graphics simply cannot handle any modern, 3D gaming.
The next most important component is your processor. Dual-core CPUs are the hottest thing out right now. Ideally, you want to stay within the top two or three fastest dual-core CPUs, in terms of processor speed, that are currently available at the time of your purchase. This will ensure that your notebook is fully optimized for all of today's latest 3D games.
The third most important factor in the speed of your laptop is RAM. You will need at least 1GB to safely play most 3D games without any memory bottlenecking, although most hardcore gamers opt for 2GB or more just for the added punch and/or bragging rights.
The fourth and final tip would be to go with 7200rpm hard drives, as these will definitely speed up load times by adding some extra horsepower to your gaming machine.
With recent advancements in mobile technologies, laptops are now becoming more and more popular in the gaming community, as the prospect of a portable gaming rig that can produce desktop-like performance on the go is something that appeals to all gamers. Just remember to follow these four simple guidelines to ensure that your laptop will be able to meet or exceed all of the hardware requirements for your gaming sessions.
This article may be republished freely as long as this copyright notice and box of resource links are included at the bottom.
Copyright © 2007 MALIBAL, lLc
Sunday, January 2, 2011
What's a USB Hub?
Since the mid 90's we have seen the birth and growth of a connective technology called Universal Serial Bus (USB). Originally designed to connect computers and telecoms equipment, it has slowly become the primary means of connecting a whole host of other devices and has made significant contributions to today's IT world.
The sheer number of USB products on the market today is just staggering, from mice and keyboards, modems, external hard drives to USB fans, lights and coffee cup warmers! Most external computer related devices today connect to a computer via a USB port. So it's no wonder that before long, most computer users find themselves wondering what to do when the USB ports (sockets) on their computer are all used.
There are two solutions to the problem, constantly plug and unplug connectors when swapping between USB devices, or invest in a simple, low cost device called a USB Hub. A USB Hub is a small unit with two or more USB ports, which plugs into an USB port on your computer, allowing you the freedom to connect more USB devices without disconnecting others. Expanding the number of USB ports of your computer in this way not only saves wear and tear on your USB ports and connectors, but also puts and end to all that clambering around behind your PC! Generally speaking, there are four types of available:
1. Internal USB PCI Card
An internal PCI USB Card needs to be installed by opening up the case of your PC and inserting a card into a vacant PCI slot on the motherboard, this type of USB expansion is not advised unless you are familiar with working with and inside computers. If you have the older USB1.1 and upgrade to USB2.0, your version of Windows will also need to be updated so that your PC can support USB2.0 functionality.
2. USB Hub (Non Powered)
An external non-powered USB Hub is a cheap and simple device that plugs directly into one of your computer's existing USB ports and that's all there is to it. These are usually very compact and so make ideal solutions for mobile users with laptops and for desktop users.
Be aware that some USB devices require a small amount of power through the USB port, usually mechanical devices such as printers, scanners, digital cameras and so on. This type of USB Hub may not be able to supply adequate power to these devices especially if you are using a few USB devices together.
3. Powered USB Hub
An external Powered USB Hub is also compact and plugs directly into one of your computer's existing USB ports, so again there is no need to open up your computer to install it. The only difference is that the Powered Hub comes with a separate power supply that must be plugged into the mains socket, supplying the power to all the USB ports on the hub allowing ANY type of USB devices to function properly.
Most Powered Hubs come with a sensible length of USB cable allowing the Hub itself to be positioned in a more accessible place e.g. on top of your computer or on your desk, making plugging and unplugging USB devices much easier. This makes the Powered Hub the all round best solution for desktop computer users.
4. USB PC Card
If you use a Laptop and are on the move, you have an additional choice to the USB Hub, the USB PC Card also known as the PCMCIA USB Card. This device slots into the PCMCIA slot/port found on the side of a Laptop and instantly provides two extra USB ports without using up any of your existing USB ports on the Laptop.
This is the most popular solution for mobile Laptop users. When buying a suitable external USB Hub, consider the location of your computer's USB ports. If they are located at the back of your computer or in an awkward position, you can make your life so much easier by using a USB Hub that comes with a USB extension cable, or by buying a separate USB extension cable. This allows the USB Hub to be positioned to a more accessible place for plugging and unplugging your USB devices.
The sheer number of USB products on the market today is just staggering, from mice and keyboards, modems, external hard drives to USB fans, lights and coffee cup warmers! Most external computer related devices today connect to a computer via a USB port. So it's no wonder that before long, most computer users find themselves wondering what to do when the USB ports (sockets) on their computer are all used.
There are two solutions to the problem, constantly plug and unplug connectors when swapping between USB devices, or invest in a simple, low cost device called a USB Hub. A USB Hub is a small unit with two or more USB ports, which plugs into an USB port on your computer, allowing you the freedom to connect more USB devices without disconnecting others. Expanding the number of USB ports of your computer in this way not only saves wear and tear on your USB ports and connectors, but also puts and end to all that clambering around behind your PC! Generally speaking, there are four types of available:
1. Internal USB PCI Card
An internal PCI USB Card needs to be installed by opening up the case of your PC and inserting a card into a vacant PCI slot on the motherboard, this type of USB expansion is not advised unless you are familiar with working with and inside computers. If you have the older USB1.1 and upgrade to USB2.0, your version of Windows will also need to be updated so that your PC can support USB2.0 functionality.
2. USB Hub (Non Powered)
An external non-powered USB Hub is a cheap and simple device that plugs directly into one of your computer's existing USB ports and that's all there is to it. These are usually very compact and so make ideal solutions for mobile users with laptops and for desktop users.
Be aware that some USB devices require a small amount of power through the USB port, usually mechanical devices such as printers, scanners, digital cameras and so on. This type of USB Hub may not be able to supply adequate power to these devices especially if you are using a few USB devices together.
3. Powered USB Hub
An external Powered USB Hub is also compact and plugs directly into one of your computer's existing USB ports, so again there is no need to open up your computer to install it. The only difference is that the Powered Hub comes with a separate power supply that must be plugged into the mains socket, supplying the power to all the USB ports on the hub allowing ANY type of USB devices to function properly.
Most Powered Hubs come with a sensible length of USB cable allowing the Hub itself to be positioned in a more accessible place e.g. on top of your computer or on your desk, making plugging and unplugging USB devices much easier. This makes the Powered Hub the all round best solution for desktop computer users.
4. USB PC Card
If you use a Laptop and are on the move, you have an additional choice to the USB Hub, the USB PC Card also known as the PCMCIA USB Card. This device slots into the PCMCIA slot/port found on the side of a Laptop and instantly provides two extra USB ports without using up any of your existing USB ports on the Laptop.
This is the most popular solution for mobile Laptop users. When buying a suitable external USB Hub, consider the location of your computer's USB ports. If they are located at the back of your computer or in an awkward position, you can make your life so much easier by using a USB Hub that comes with a USB extension cable, or by buying a separate USB extension cable. This allows the USB Hub to be positioned to a more accessible place for plugging and unplugging your USB devices.
Monday, December 27, 2010
repair your laptop easy and by your self
Take care of your laptop battery and ensure that it will be ready to work properly when you need it most. Some general tips for laptop care from LaptopRev.com include: avoid extreme temperatures, don’t leave a laptop outside in cold weather or leave it in a hot car. Cold batteries can’t create very much power and hot batteries will discharge very quickly. Use electrical power when available to keep battery charged. Don’t let your laptop go for long periods of time without using the battery.
1. Smaller Is Better
Consider an ultraportable or thin-and-light rather than a desktop replacement laptop. Smaller displays use less power. Going with a hard drive that runs at 4200rpm uses less power than a hard drive running at 540
2. Power Control
Use as little power as possible by adjusting laptop settings. Use the Power Options to set to the laptop to go inactive after a set amount of time. Set adjustments so that the display goes off first, then hard the hard drive stay active a bit longer and store the system content’s to the RAM.
3. Turn Down the Lights
Adjust the display brightness to a lower setting, make sure you can view the screen without squinting. You can also adjust the brightness of the display to suit the conditions you are working in.
4. Watch Your Battery Use
Keep an eye on your battery consumption and know how much power you have remaining. Use the battery power icon on the system tray or you can purchase batteries which have LED gauges on the outside of the battery itself.
5. Charging It Up
Whenever you have access to a power source, charge the battery. Before you leave on any trips, fully charge the batteries, especially if you don’t know where or when you might have access to any electrical outlets.
6. Get Another Battery
Some laptops are capable of running with two batteries. If you cannot run two batteries, check with the manufacturer to see if there are high capacity batteries available. External batteries can also be used to extend operating time.
7. Drain the Battery
The first time you use your laptop with battery power, allow the laptop battery to completely discharge. Do this at least twice and don’t try to charge the battery when it is half discharged.
8. Clean Batteries
Keep the battery and its connections clean and free of debris. Clean your battery terminals on a regular basis using a cotton swab with rubbing alcohol on the tip.
9. CMOS Battery Check-Up
The backup battery is a CMOS battery which is a secondary battery to power the clock and can drain a main battery if it is dead. Check with your User Manual or manufacturer’s web site for the location of the CMOS battery and where to get a replacement.
10. Turning It Off
Don’t run programs or devices that you aren’t using. Remove PC cards and turn off Wi-Fi software. Using your laptop to watch movies or play games will drain the battery quickly as well.
1. Smaller Is Better
Consider an ultraportable or thin-and-light rather than a desktop replacement laptop. Smaller displays use less power. Going with a hard drive that runs at 4200rpm uses less power than a hard drive running at 540
2. Power Control
Use as little power as possible by adjusting laptop settings. Use the Power Options to set to the laptop to go inactive after a set amount of time. Set adjustments so that the display goes off first, then hard the hard drive stay active a bit longer and store the system content’s to the RAM.
3. Turn Down the Lights
Adjust the display brightness to a lower setting, make sure you can view the screen without squinting. You can also adjust the brightness of the display to suit the conditions you are working in.
4. Watch Your Battery Use
Keep an eye on your battery consumption and know how much power you have remaining. Use the battery power icon on the system tray or you can purchase batteries which have LED gauges on the outside of the battery itself.
5. Charging It Up
Whenever you have access to a power source, charge the battery. Before you leave on any trips, fully charge the batteries, especially if you don’t know where or when you might have access to any electrical outlets.
6. Get Another Battery
Some laptops are capable of running with two batteries. If you cannot run two batteries, check with the manufacturer to see if there are high capacity batteries available. External batteries can also be used to extend operating time.
7. Drain the Battery
The first time you use your laptop with battery power, allow the laptop battery to completely discharge. Do this at least twice and don’t try to charge the battery when it is half discharged.
8. Clean Batteries
Keep the battery and its connections clean and free of debris. Clean your battery terminals on a regular basis using a cotton swab with rubbing alcohol on the tip.
9. CMOS Battery Check-Up
The backup battery is a CMOS battery which is a secondary battery to power the clock and can drain a main battery if it is dead. Check with your User Manual or manufacturer’s web site for the location of the CMOS battery and where to get a replacement.
10. Turning It Off
Don’t run programs or devices that you aren’t using. Remove PC cards and turn off Wi-Fi software. Using your laptop to watch movies or play games will drain the battery quickly as well.
Friday, December 17, 2010
Fully Loaded Laptops
Buying a laptop is a commitment! Once you buy it, you can’t decide to change or upgrade any part of the system, as doing so is impractical in terms of cost and time. So plan before buying a laptop, and make sure it’s a fully loaded model that is up to date.
One of the important features of a laptop is its memory. While most laptops come with a 128 MB memory, it’s wise to invest in more memory such as a system memory (RAM) of 256 MB or even better, 512 MB, for the easier running of programs under Windows ME, Windows XP, and others. After all, the more memory the merrier!
Another main feature of a laptop is its port. A port is a slot through which external material such as microphones and cameras are connected. Laptops come with a serial port, infrared, parallel, and a Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports. Most external equipment correspond with different ports, which is why there are several types of ports in a laptop. However, it is best to opt for at least two USBs, as this is fast becoming the most popular of ports.
CD-ROM drives are not a standard feature of laptops, but it is best to have one installed, as most software comes in CDs these days. Even better would be to install a DVD-ROM drive, which can be used to read CD-ROMs too. A DVD-RW drive is capable of writing and rewriting CDs and DVDs. Also, when on a lengthy trip, having a DVD drive means you can check out your favourite DVD!
Laptops come with internal modems or external PC card-based modems for ready Internet access. The majority of new laptops even come with modules for wireless networking, like Apple’s laptops which are Wi-Fi compatible.
Input devices in a laptop range from the Touchpad to the Pointing Stick. A Touchpad is located beneath the spacebar on the laptop keyboard. It is touch sensitive; use your fingers on the Touchpad to move the cursor across the screen. The Pointing Stick is a rubber nub set in the laptop keyboard, and can be used to navigate the cursor by applying pressure with your index finger, similar to using a joystick. You can also plug in a standard mouse should you feel the need to do so.
There are a staggering number of laptop brands in the market today, so choosing that perfect laptop suited to your needs is no problem at all!
The Toshiba Portege R100 is a laptop specially designed for the mobile professional. With a striking appearance, bright screen, and integrated webcam, the Sony TR3A Vaio Ultraportable Laptop is the perfect travel partner. The Sony Vaio X505 is super thin, and uses carbon-fiber for its chassis, making it shock-free and robust. The Panasonic Toughbook Y2 Ultraportable incorporates a number of computer features in a portable and durable design, and pays special attention to battery life. For an excellent Multimedia feature set and attractive design, the Dell Inspiron 700M Notebook fits the bill.
Take your pick!
One of the important features of a laptop is its memory. While most laptops come with a 128 MB memory, it’s wise to invest in more memory such as a system memory (RAM) of 256 MB or even better, 512 MB, for the easier running of programs under Windows ME, Windows XP, and others. After all, the more memory the merrier!
Another main feature of a laptop is its port. A port is a slot through which external material such as microphones and cameras are connected. Laptops come with a serial port, infrared, parallel, and a Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports. Most external equipment correspond with different ports, which is why there are several types of ports in a laptop. However, it is best to opt for at least two USBs, as this is fast becoming the most popular of ports.
CD-ROM drives are not a standard feature of laptops, but it is best to have one installed, as most software comes in CDs these days. Even better would be to install a DVD-ROM drive, which can be used to read CD-ROMs too. A DVD-RW drive is capable of writing and rewriting CDs and DVDs. Also, when on a lengthy trip, having a DVD drive means you can check out your favourite DVD!
Laptops come with internal modems or external PC card-based modems for ready Internet access. The majority of new laptops even come with modules for wireless networking, like Apple’s laptops which are Wi-Fi compatible.
Input devices in a laptop range from the Touchpad to the Pointing Stick. A Touchpad is located beneath the spacebar on the laptop keyboard. It is touch sensitive; use your fingers on the Touchpad to move the cursor across the screen. The Pointing Stick is a rubber nub set in the laptop keyboard, and can be used to navigate the cursor by applying pressure with your index finger, similar to using a joystick. You can also plug in a standard mouse should you feel the need to do so.
There are a staggering number of laptop brands in the market today, so choosing that perfect laptop suited to your needs is no problem at all!
The Toshiba Portege R100 is a laptop specially designed for the mobile professional. With a striking appearance, bright screen, and integrated webcam, the Sony TR3A Vaio Ultraportable Laptop is the perfect travel partner. The Sony Vaio X505 is super thin, and uses carbon-fiber for its chassis, making it shock-free and robust. The Panasonic Toughbook Y2 Ultraportable incorporates a number of computer features in a portable and durable design, and pays special attention to battery life. For an excellent Multimedia feature set and attractive design, the Dell Inspiron 700M Notebook fits the bill.
Take your pick!
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Did I Choose The Best Laptop Computer
Did I choose the best laptop ?
Keys to choosing the best laptop computer :
Who is the laptop user? When choosing a laptop computer, it is important to understand who will be using it.., school student, college student, professional businessman ,office worker, etc.
Where will the laptop be used? For heavy mobile users such as college students and professionals, size, weight and battery life are very important. So when looking over the reviews and relevant specs, keep those factors in mind. The average high school student uses a laptop from room to room in their house, and have loads of access to AC power most of the time. So for these users, the factors listed above may not be as critical.
How will the laptop be used? The more mobile the user, the more durability is needed. Heavy users ie sales reps spend a great deal of time start and shutting down their laptops every day. an average heavy user will open and shut their laptop computer 5 times a day. Although that may not seem alot of wear and tear, there is also the issue of general handling. Heavy users will be traveling from location to location, in and out of cars,on and off planes etc on a constant basis. This increases the likelihood of damage to the laptop computer, via dropping, bumping and banging, drink spills on the keyboard, etc....
Should I buy a service contract for my laptop? the answer is YES. When you think about carrying around a fragile piece of electronics costing $1000 or more, the price of a typical service contract is a bargain. for a relatively small price $100 per laptop computer, its worth it to for you peace of mind.
.How much should I expect to pay for a laptop? It used to be hard to find a quality laptop under $600; however, this is no longer true. There are several companies with great offers, starting around £300. The options / upgrades you select have a large impact in what you can expect to pay. Having a list of what you want in a laptop, such as memory, speed, hard drive size, burners, etc..will help when you go shopping. Although online laptop computer manufacturers allow a great deal of customization, the general public are easily serviced with a “off the shelf” standard laptop computer.
What Laptop Brand Should I Select? the worlds your oyster in this respect with the amount of laptop computer manufactures out there,with different colours and sizes its everyones personal choice , I myself find that acer have all the features which service my needs.
Laptop computer www.discount-notebooks.net
Keys to choosing the best laptop computer :
Who is the laptop user? When choosing a laptop computer, it is important to understand who will be using it.., school student, college student, professional businessman ,office worker, etc.
Where will the laptop be used? For heavy mobile users such as college students and professionals, size, weight and battery life are very important. So when looking over the reviews and relevant specs, keep those factors in mind. The average high school student uses a laptop from room to room in their house, and have loads of access to AC power most of the time. So for these users, the factors listed above may not be as critical.
How will the laptop be used? The more mobile the user, the more durability is needed. Heavy users ie sales reps spend a great deal of time start and shutting down their laptops every day. an average heavy user will open and shut their laptop computer 5 times a day. Although that may not seem alot of wear and tear, there is also the issue of general handling. Heavy users will be traveling from location to location, in and out of cars,on and off planes etc on a constant basis. This increases the likelihood of damage to the laptop computer, via dropping, bumping and banging, drink spills on the keyboard, etc....
Should I buy a service contract for my laptop? the answer is YES. When you think about carrying around a fragile piece of electronics costing $1000 or more, the price of a typical service contract is a bargain. for a relatively small price $100 per laptop computer, its worth it to for you peace of mind.
.How much should I expect to pay for a laptop? It used to be hard to find a quality laptop under $600; however, this is no longer true. There are several companies with great offers, starting around £300. The options / upgrades you select have a large impact in what you can expect to pay. Having a list of what you want in a laptop, such as memory, speed, hard drive size, burners, etc..will help when you go shopping. Although online laptop computer manufacturers allow a great deal of customization, the general public are easily serviced with a “off the shelf” standard laptop computer.
What Laptop Brand Should I Select? the worlds your oyster in this respect with the amount of laptop computer manufactures out there,with different colours and sizes its everyones personal choice , I myself find that acer have all the features which service my needs.
Laptop computer www.discount-notebooks.net
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)