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Computer Information - myOddPc
Laptop, Notebook or portable computer?
Laptop vs. Desktop
Desktop replacment laptop, (also known as desktop replacement computers).
Although Laptops are almost like desktop computers most users, (and sales man), are often to hasty at joining the two together. A laptop is not a desktop computer,...well not really anyway.
You can almost never upgrade a laptop. And if you can it will probably be more expensive, (a lot more expensive).
What this means in real term is if you have a new game coming out next year and it require a new fancy graphic card the odds are that you will be able to upgrade your desktop with the new card for a little investment whereas you will probably not be able to get a new graphic card for a laptop.
In simple terms, while desktops continue to outperform laptops at the high end, both types of systems generally offer sufficient performance for the everyday user.
Looking for a new laptop?
When looking for a new laptop you need to pay particular attention to a few items
- Hard drive - 40Gb is the minimum, always aim for double what you think you will neeed. Because you will run out of space.
- Graphic card - You must get the latest available card, look around game sites, they are usually the best to advise you when it comes to graphics.
- Sound cars - Technology does not seem to move as fast in that area, but you should get a fairly advanced card.
- USB ports - They are a must for any laptop, at least 2 USB ports, (preferably 4). Everything from your camera to your iPod will need a port. And you probably need to be able to plug them in at the same time.
- Screen size - How long will you be staring at a computer for?
- A few other points to bear in mind:
Most, (good), laptops already cover those.- Weight - The bag and the laptop should fell comfortable.
- CD drive - Also a must for any computer. A good laptop should have a DVD re-writer, (look for the DVD R/RW letters on the drive).
- Size - As a rule, the size of the laptop should be proportional to what it does.
- Processor - At least 2.4 GHz.
- 64 bit processor - Normally more expensive and not quite as widely used. But they probably will be the norm and make and 32 bit computers obsolete.
Be sure not to compromise all the other points for the sake of the processor.
The problem is to cater for future software, for example you might want to plug in your new digital camera, (the one you haven’t bought yet).
Or play music on your new iPod, (the one you didn’t think you would get).
The point is that technology is moving so fast that you need to make allowances for future developments.
<< Laptop - Introduction
<< So, still looking for a new laptop?
Sharper Image selling self-branded cellphones
2008 - 12 - 31
Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds
Many of us know The Sharper Image best as a purveyor of massaging lounge chairs (which makes their stores a must-stop location in the mall), a chronic pusher of ozone generators, and as a perennial favorite in SkyMall catalogs as we bide our time on the redeye. What we don't know The Sharper Image for, though, is its broad selection of no-name phones procured from Chinese manufacturers. We just happened to be flipping through TSI's latest catalog today and came across these four little gems, three with "The Sharper Image" proudly emblazoned across their faces. The pack includes a touchscreen equipped Chocolate knockoff (very 2006, but still quite strapping), a branded version of the AMOI N810 Windows Mobile 6 Professional device, a black slider that looks like death incarnated, and an ultra-generic silver clamshell that looks straight out of the early part of this decade. The good news is that they're all unlocked and range from a very reasonable $169.95 to $499.95; the bad news, however, is that you may have to keep your thumb over the TSI logo to keep the public mockery to a minimum.
Read - Sharper Image 101TSI
Read - Sharper Image 008TSI
Read - Sharper Image 007TSI
Read - Sharper Image 005TSI
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Texting delays a given on New Years, celebrate accordingly
2008 - 12 - 31
Filed under: Cellphones
It probably doesn't come as much of a shock to you that plenty of texting goes down midnight-ish tonight, and naturally the carriers are gearing up for just such an onslaught. Palm isn't so optimistic about the proceedings: according to a study it commissioned in the UK with lpsos MORI, 70% of people who send messages at midnight experience a delay in delivery, with places like London experience 77% delays, and 23% of Britons waiting over six hours for their text messages to arrive. Palm suggests an IM or email might be in order, and smartphone users will have better luck getting their messages delivered over the comparably unclogged data networks. Verizon seems more excited about the prospect, expecting the 284 million text messages sent last year on its network between 12pm New Years Eve and 4am New Years Day to rise to 300 million. Telstra expects to process more than 53 million messages across Australia, and will have a "small army" of techs on hand to monitor network performance. Canadians are expected to send 50 million texts this year, according to Virgin Mobile Canada, with the average canadian sending two text messages each -- double that of last year. However and wherever you party, stay safe out there -- friends don't let friends drink and text their estranged exes.Read - Palm study warns of delays
Read - Verizon predicts 300 million
Read - Canada doubles in texts
Read - Telstra's small army in Australia
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Canon said to be developing own tech for SED TV production
2008 - 12 - 31
Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment
After being hampered by habitual delays both legal and technical, it looks like the long-awaited über-tech of the display world may finally be on the cusp of reaching market, as Canon is reportedly developing a way to build surface-conduction electron-emitter display (SED) TVs without using contentious IP. Specifically, Japanese newspaper Asahi is reporting -- without citing sources -- that Canon is working on a "non-carbon" method of producing the sets that bypasses the Nano-Proprietary patents at the heart of that lawsuit. Still no hint on when we'll actually be able to install one of these models in our home theater, but the promise of unrivaled black levels, brightness, and contrast could well have us drinking the SED Kool-Aid for years to come.
[Via Bloomberg, thanks Dr. MORO]
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Please note that this website is for information only. Whilst every care has been taken to provide accurate information you should always seek the advice of a professional before attempting any repairs or making any purchase(s).
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