When I wrote the Smidgen PC laptop brand guide one of the issues which I touched upon was the overall reliability of the laptop brands as based on several sources of data. Today I want to take a closer look at overall laptop reliability in order to answer some common but typically unanswered questions. The main source [...]
What’s the best laptop brand? That is actually a very hard question to answer. While there are many detailed reviews of laptops, these can only cover the most immediate questions such as performance and design. Other important issues, like customer service and reliability, cannot be covered in the scope of a product review. This makes [...]
Core 2 Duo hasn’t been Intel’s cutting-edge processor for several years now, but if you search Amazon you can still find some inexpensive laptops that are using Core 2 Duos. You may find yourself looking at a Core 2 Duo laptop compared to a basic Core i3 laptop and wondering if the i3 is worth the extra cost.
Or perhaps you have an old Core 2 Duo laptop and were thinking of an upgrade, but you don’t want to waste your money if newer laptops aren’t that much quicker.
In either case, you need to know how the Core 2 Duo vs. Core i3 or Core i5 battle pans out. I don’t think I’m spoiling anything by saying that the newer processor (the i3/i5) is faster – but how much faster? Well, let’s find out.
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Portable technology is taking over the global market. Advertisements on the Internet, TV, and other forms of media promote the best and newest hand-held gadgets such as cell phones, TV’s, and other mobile devices. One of those devices, the handheld tablet, is gaining popularity among consumers of various ages. These devices are capable of carrying out a multitude of tasks as well as providing meaningful entertainment to prospective buyers. Many tablets have 3G or 4G capabilities and can be used with satellite ISPs, such as http://internet.clear.com.
The growing age of technology targets a population that is constantly on the go, so there are more powerful handheld devices being released to consumers from various companies on a consistent basis. The tablet is just one of those releases, but it is an elite device that has allowed consumers to compute on the go. Not only can it carry out most, if not all, the functions a normal desktop computer can, but tablets are user friendly devices. The prices for tablets vary depending on several factors such as storage space, screen size, operating system, and computing power.
Sometimes one can wonder what this world would be like without the technology in it and if it is all necessary, but it is proven that technology such as handheld tablets improve our efficiency and make our lives easier. They also provide entertainment and can help us express ourselves and stay in touch with others, as well as watch movies, send emails, read the news, write reports, and so much more. Mobile technology such as tablets have definitely transformed the way we live our lives. Thinking globally, living with no limits, and constantly moving has become a way of life.
High-end mobile technology such as tablet computers allow us to do so much more than we could ever before. They do come with a steep price, but it is well worth it based on productivity, entertainment, and the miscellaneous other tasks they perform. Take part in mobile technology today, and grab yourself a handheld tablet!
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Intel’s Core line of products, which debuted in 2009, is the current high-end option from Intel. If you buy any computer today there is an extremely good chance it will have a Core processor inside. In this article, we are going to examine the desktop versions of these products. In a later article I will explain the mobile versions found in laptops.
The Intel Core line arrived to replace the Intel Core 2 products. Yea, it’s a bit confusing, I know – but Intel wanted to reset their branding, so they reverted back to just using “Core” and then adding a suffix of i3, i5 or i7. As you may have guessed, higher numbers are better – a Core i5 is supposed to be better than a Core i3.
Currently we are on the second generation of these processors. They use an architecture called “Sandy Bridge,” but don’t expect to see that name much when shopping, as it’s a code name used by Intel internally. Instead, look for processors with a model number that starts with 2, such as the Core i3-2100 or Core i5-2500. If the model number is only three digits long, then it is not a current generation Intel Core processor, and you probably should not buy it.
One of the new features found in second-gen Core processors is an integrated graphics solution (IGP) that is now a part of the processor itself. This is called Intel HD 2000 or 3000 graphics, and again, the higher number is better. The IGP can handle older 3D games, but not stunning new titles like Battlefield 3. Don’t worry, though – the IGP automatically disables if you install a video card.
Now, let’s delve into the Core i3 vs i5 vs i7 question.
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Recently, there’s been much ado about the flooding in Thailand in the tech world. Not because lots of people are dying and millions homeless, but because hard drive prices are rising.
About 40% of the world’s mechanical hard drive production capacity is located in Thailand, and since the land there has suddenly decided things really are better under the sea, most of it has ground to a halt.
No one can predict the exact impact this will have on production for the rest of 2011 because no one knows exactly when flood waters will recede, but it is looking more likely with each passing day that Thailand production will be crippled into early 2012. Even when the flood recedes, it will take some time to repair damaged facilities, a task that is going to be further hampered by the widespread local damage. Basic services like electricity, clean water and open roadways will be hard to come by.
According to Seagate’s latest SEC filing, the company believes total industry shipments for Q4 2011 will drop from an expected 180 million to 120 million or less. That means supply will be hampered by over 30%.
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According to recent data, Toshiba is the fifth largest notebook manufacturer in the world and growing. ASUS is nipping at Toshiba’s heels, while Toshiba in turn is losing a race to catch Lenovo, the Chinese brand which took over IBM’s personal computing business almost a decade ago.
From a marketing perspective, Toshiba has always struggled, particularly in North America. There’s little cohesive thought behind the brand’s image despite their prevalence in retailers like Best Buy. That doesn’t mean that Toshiba laptops review poorly, however, or that you shouldn’t buy one. Let’s have a look at what they offer.
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The introduction of Fusion processors for desktops has come alongside a new processor socket, called FM1, and two new motherboard chipsets called A55 and A75. Of the two, only A75 is available thus far, and it’s likely the only one a consumer building his or her own PC would want in the first place. That’s because the A75 provides solid USB 3.0 and SATA 6 Gbps support, while the A55 doesn’t.
Fusion is an attractive HTPC option because of the high-quality graphics integrated in the chip, but the processor needs to be paired with a decent Micro-ATX motherboard. In this case, that’s not hard to find, because the majority of A75 motherboards make use of Micro-ATX instead of the full ATX form factor. Let’s have a look at three excellent solutions.
Simple, basic, cheap. Those aren’t exciting words, but sometimes they’re a better alternative than overpriced and complex – and besides, this is motherboards we’re talking about. They’re the pinnacle of sexy to begin with.
If you are building on a budget and don’t want or need many features, the ASRock A75M-HVS will suit you. Its main advantage is the price of $69.99, and its main feature is the fact that it will accept a Fusion processor and then turn on. Okay, that’s being a little harsh, but you won’t find super-advanced fan controls or sixty ways to overclock. What you will find is the basic features all A75 motherboards have including USB 3.0 support, Gigabit Ethernet, HDMI and one of each type of PCI slot (Express x16, x1 and vanilla).
Gamers and advanced users should steer clear of this board, but those constructing a simple media center or a home/office PC for Mother Deariest should be happy with what this board offers.
Buy the ASRock A75M-HVS on Newegg.
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