I know Windows Vista is not exactly news (it came out eleven days ago if you didn’t notice), but I did come across something that is.? It is an opportunity for you to test drive Windows Vista to try out some of the new features and get a feel for the “new” (insert some sarcasm here) interface.? You can test drive it at:
For some of us (like me), it will be the only way for me to try it until I get a new laptop.? Mine doesn’t quite meet the system requirements.? Sigh.? Guess I will have to start convincing the wife…. what a great valentines day present!
Marc
In most cases when you are buying a laptop online (either new or used), chances are that you will get the notebook shipped to you.
Usually it is shipped in a box with bubble wrap or those foam wormies or some combination thereof. Now, when you pay for your shipping, you have the option to insure it. I would definitely suggest it.
Let me tell you a story about the value of insuring a laptop purchased online:
A few years ago, I bought a laptop online on ebay. At this time it was my second laptop that I bought on there and I was confident that I would get what I paid for it. The total cost for the notebook and some accessories including shipping and insurance was $1250. I waited patiently until the package arrived to try out my new baby.
When the packaged was delivered, I madly opened it. Plugging the laptop in and turning it on, there was a problem. A big problem. The screen, which according to the auction ad was good, was visibly damaged. Damaged to the point where I could see it. Do you think I was happy with my damaged $1200 investment No. I made a quick call to the shipping company complaining that my package arrived damaged.
They had to send someone out to verify that my package was indeed damaged as well as verify that it was packaged appropriately. After a couple of weeks of corresponding back and forth between the shipping company and the person I bought the laptop from, eventually I received a cheque for $1200.
Had I not used the insurance, I would have had a broken laptop. So make sure, if you do buy online, purchase shipping insurance. You won’t regret it.
Have you ever wished that you could bring more than one computer on your trip? Maybe you use windows to do your work, but on your downtime you like playing a game that only works in windows 98. Maybe you still even use DOS from time to time, but it doesn’t make sense to install it on your laptop. How about that website you are working on, wouldn’t it be handy to bring along a linux server so that you don’t have to depend on having an internet connection? I have the solution for you, and you should try it.
I don’t know if you’ve heard about virtualization software, but there have been numerous articles in papers and on websites lately. It is not a new invention (I have been using it since 2002 - and it has been around before that!), but it allows you to better use your computers resources by “splitting” it into a number of virtual machines that behave just like an actual computer - but don’t require a wall outlet. This technology can allow you to bring along as many computers as you’d like - depending on the speed of your processor, the amount of RAM you have and the hard drive space you have. Check this screenshot as an example:
This not only saves you power, but gives you the versatility of the different operating systems at your fingertips. Also, for testing purposes, it is safer, because the virtual machine is a closed system, therefore, you don’t screw up your own computer.
I would suggest giving virtualization a try - it has worked very well for me over the years (and saved me money on power), and it is now available for free. The products available to try are:
1. Microsoft Virtual PC
This product comes in two flavours: one for the Mac and one for Windows. They are currently in the beta testing stages for the 2007 version which you can try out for free. This product is the one I use and I have been very happy with it.
2. VMWare Server
A very good offering. They have this free version, and paid versions up to enterprise level virtualization. Very highly recommended.
3. Parallels Workstation
I just recently read alot of reviews on this product and it seems that it is good. I haven’t taken much time to try it out but it seems ok. The catch is there is only a paid version.
I can get eight virtual machines on 2 GB of RAM. That would make nine computers (eight virtual and one real) that can fit in a laptop bag - let me know how it works out for you!
Recently, I decided I wanted to upgrade the RAM (random access memory) in my laptop. Digging out my manual, I found that I could install up to 1.0 GB of RAM in the laptop. So, I went to the store and purchased two 512 Mb sticks of PC3200 DDR RAM SoDimms for my laptop.
Returning home, I installed the RAM in the bottom of the computer. Make sure you read your manual to find out where to put the RAM and how to install it. Once I had installed the RAM, I went to start the computer.
Nothing happened…..
Checking to make sure I installed it properly, nothing happened again. I made a quick call to the computer store where I purchased the memory, and after talking to them, they let me know that you need to have the exact speed of RAM that is matched to your motherboard. So, in my case, the new PC3200 RAM was not the same as my old PC2100 RAM. Arggh! So, make sure that you keep this in mind when upgrading the RAM on your laptop:
Make sure that your new RAM matches the speed of the current RAM in your laptop when upgrading.
I will let you know how the RAM upgrade went (with the right RAM) in a later entry. Just make sure to learn from my mistakes. 
When people go out to buy a laptop, most retailers and online shops will offer extended warranty. Some of these extended warranties include repair and replacement for owner negligence such as dropping the laptop on the floor, leaving it in the cold, and other careless acts that damage the laptop. They are a good option if the cost of replacing the notebook is “a lot of money” to you. Just a word of warning though - read the fine print.
It is very important that you read the details of your extended warranty - some are better than others. Also, some have clauses or limitations on what they cover, and some have limitations on the number of claims you can make before the warranty is void.
If you get the extended warranty from the manufacturer of your notebook, what usually do is extend the base warranty - that is they will repair the notebook due to hardware failure in the time that you purchased the warranty. Also, this type of warranty adds to your existing warranty, so if you were to purchase two years extended warranty from the manufacturer, your total warranty would be three years if the base warranty covered the laptop for a year.
Retailers on the other hand offer different types of extended warranties: some increase your coverage on the manufacturers warranty (replacement instead of repair), some extend the base warranty (similar to the manufacturers extended warranty), and some offer full replacement for the term that you purchase. Make very sure to read how the warranty you purchase works, also the terms in which the warranty applies. I know that one local retailer in my home town (which is a large national chain here in Canada) tries to get you to purchase extended warranty on any computer they sell. The catch with their extended warranty is this: it is a one time replacement. The worst part is that if your one time is for example used on day 15 that you own the laptop and it breaks again : too bad for you.
So, make sure you take the time to see what you are getting into by buying extended warranty on your notebook or laptop: it may save you from a nasty surprise later on.
Recently, I was on the Canadian Dell website customizing a laptop. This particular notebook I wanted to get 2 GB of RAM. Just as I was going to check out I noticed that the RAM was only 533 MHz but the front side bus (FSB) of the processor was 667 MHz. Finding that there was no option, I went on the live help and asked one of the Dell sales people if I could get the better RAM as an option. The response they gave me is the following:
“Sorry sir, but the motherboard does not support the faster RAM and it is not an option.”
Now you might ask what would that mean to me, right Well, by not putting the right speed RAM with the right processor, what has been created is a bottleneck. A bottleneck is a place on the computer that slows down, or hinders the machine from working at its fastest possible speed. Think of this analogy:
“You go to a motorcycle dealer and they sell you a motorcycle with four wheel drive. When you take the motorcycle home and try to use it, you realize that you can’t: the motorcycle only has two wheels.”
Needless to say I didn’t buy the laptop because it ended up that it wasn’t a very good deal. Just do yourself a favor and make sure to check that the RAM speed is the right one for your CPU.
Today, my laptop and I went on the road to do a website consulting job. When I went to put all the stuff I needed into my laptop bag, there was not enough room. You should always consider bringing these necessities when you take your laptop on the road:
1. Laptop
I know this might be a no-brainer, but there is nothing more frustrating than packing up everything, going out “with” your laptop and finding it not there.
2. Power Adapter and Batteries
The second most frustrating thing is to forget either your extra batteries (where you cannot plug in) or your power cord (if you do not have extra batteries). Lets face it: your laptop is only useful if you have power. So, definitely don’t forget the power cord or extra batteries.
3. Mouse
A mouse is something especially important should you be going somewhere to work for an extended period of time. Provided you have the space to setup on a table or desk, a mouse provides less hand strain than the pointing device provided on your notebook. Also, when doing tasks that require some precision such as image editing or CAD drawings, a mouse does a much better job than the pointing device on your notebook.
4. Notebook Cooler Pad
This accessory is especially important should you be working with your notebook all day. A notebook cooler pad is a base that plugs into your notebook via USB and pulls the heat away from the bottom of the laptop. This not only helps the laptop dissipate heat, but it also prolongs the life of your laptop. It is very important if you are working in an environment where the heat is excessive - every bit helps.
Welcome to the blog. Being the first post, I will let you know a little about me. My name is Marc, I am 28 and I live in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. I am married and have two kids.
The reason I started this blog is because I love laptops. Even as a kid, I would go to the computer store and look at laptops and think to myself that I would have one of those one day. Well, that day came about six years ago when I bought my first laptop, a Toshiba Tecra.
Fast forward to this year 2007, and I am on my third laptop. Basically what you are going to read and learn here is what you can do with your laptop, ideas on how to protect your laptop in the outside world, and whatever other useful tidbits I can share.
Marc
