Comparative Analysis: Different Types of Laptops

Now computers are important part of the life for many people. Computers can be different: mobile, stationary, special, universal, and so on. For a regular user, there are two major types of computers: desktop and laptop (notebook). Notebook mobility enables you to move around freely and easily while holding or using a laptop. These days, laptop manufacturers make a wide range of different types of laptops – thin/light, portable, ultra-portable, netbooks, desktop replacements, etc. The performance of current high-end notebook is sufficient for running most applications fluently.

A thin and light laptop is almost the same as regular one but optimized in terms of weight and size. These systems can vary widely in terms of their price and performance. They are able to perform most computing tasks on a certain level. They tend to perform better than the counterparts in the ultraportable category but they are smaller and more portable than regular notebooks (although may have the same LCD panel size) and large desktop replacements. These systems are designed for those people who travel a lot, who want a system that is simple and useful enough, and who are willing to sacrifice computing power for portability.

The type of mini notebook, ultraportable laptop computer (sometimes, called subnotebook) is smaller and lighter than a typical notebook. It is able to run a normal desktop operating system. Subnotebooks often have smaller LCD screens, less than 14 inches. Usually smaller size and weight are achieved by omitting ports or having removable disc drives. However, most of them can be paired with docking stations and become as fully-functional notebooks.

There are mini notebooks with a new concept, commonly called netbooks, that are less expensive than subnotebooks and optimized for use as portable Internet capable devices. Netbooks made compact as possible yet powerful enough for most common applications such as web browsers, e-mail, word processing, presentation and other simple software. ASUS EEE PC was the first of a new class of netbooks.

A few years ago it was unimaginable that notebooks could come close to the performance of desktops. Nevertheless, current top technologies allow making your notebook performance almost equal to the performance of a desktop. The notebooks that called “desktop replacement notebooks” are designed to be complete systems that have almost equivalent processing power and capability to desktop systems but in a mobile package. Current high-end desktop replacement notebooks should be capable of replacing a desktop computers in many areas soon. Their performance is getting close to desktop performance. However, their cost is greater and they are larger and bulkier than regular notebooks.

Comparing laptops and desktops, we need to note that laptop processors (CPU) differ from their desktop counterparts. The reasons for this is a limited amount of power they have to run and difficulties to provide a good temperature conditions. To do this, the manufacturers use different tricks such as CPU scaling where a processor scales its power usage (and consequently, performance) to the tasks. This presents a major challenge in balanced performance and power consumption. The less power the laptop uses, the longer the system should be able to run on batteries.

Another disadvantage of using laptops is that laptop's keyboard and mouse may be not so convenient as it is with desktop. Also an extra-big screen size may be the most important parameter for some types of works. Therefore, the desktops that have been specially designed as servers, or ones for professional video processing, complex computing, scientific research, may never be replaced by notebooks. To this end, desktop replacement notebooks may never be the same as the top-end desktops.

© Alex Smartson. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.

How to Manage your PC Power Consumption

If you are a notebook computer user, you may know the frustration of running out of battery power, sometimes, at critical moments. However, knowing how to set a proper power management is not just about extending battery life of your laptop. Configuring power management also can reduce electrical usage on your laptop and desktop computer as well. And it can lower your electric bill and save environment.

Why some users do not turn off their computers for long, even during the nights? The reasons can be different. Some people prefer to keep unfinished tasks in the same order - they leave documents and programs opened. Others prefer to start working immediately. Some users consider PC rebooting as a waste of time - often MS-Windows start-up process takes too much time. The last issue may be resolved in the future with faster computers, Solid-State Disks, and optimized operating systems. Nevertheless, it is good to have some options not to shut down computers completely in order to be able quickly to resume working.

What options do we have these days to balance power consumption and working convenience? Except screen saver mode that does not save too much energy with new types of LCD screens, there are other power saving options - “Stand By” and “Hibernate”. These two options allow users harmonically combine the convenience of smooth work and energy saving. These are also ways to prolong your notebook battery life. What are the differences between Standby and Hibernate? How to activate these modes and choose their settings correctly?

“Stand By” means that PC is ready to go once called. Your computer returns to a state of readiness when you press a key or move the mouse. It only takes a few seconds to resume a computer from Standby. Computer recovers quickly because data are stored in RAM. It is a low power consumption mode. However, energy saving is moderate because power has been cut only to hard drive and monitor. This power saving option is good for a short-term while you take short breaks. Another disadvantage is that power disappearance in this mode can cause your data loss.

Hibernate is similar to Standby and it also enables recovering your working space. It is a good state for a long-term to save energy because it allows reducing power consumption of your PC to a few watts. In this mode, data are saved to your hard disk (not RAM). So that in case of power interruption, your data are protected. On the other hand, it takes longer to recover from hibernation when you need to use your computer again.

MS Windows operating systems allow you to set various power options. These options make it easy to conserve power after a certain period of inactivity. You may create a few profiles that first switch automatically your computer into Standby mode and then after a while into Hibernate mode if no activity. To create a Power Profile in Windows XP, go to “Start“ menu, “Control Panel“, then “Power Options“. First, if you are going to use Hibernate mode, you need to activate it. Go to Hibernate tab-page and check box “Enable hibernation”. This will create a special file called “hiberfil.sys” where the data from RAM and other info will be saved.

Notebooks have extra settings relating to using battery. Also on notebook computers, you can significantly extend the battery life by setting the “When I close the lid on my portable computer” option to “Stand by” (“Advanced” tab). Note, you can switch also anytime to Standby or Hibernate mode manually. Go to “Start”, and then “Turn Off Computer”. You should see dialog with “Stand by” button. If you press and keep the Shift key, “Stand by” button changes to “Hibernate”. But do not forget, in order to see and use Hibernate option, it needs to be enabled - Hibernate does not show by default.


© Alec Smith. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.

How To Clean Laptop LCD Screen on Your Own

The laptop LCD screen is a fragile part of the laptop computer and probably one of the most expensive parts of the laptop. The best way to safeguard your laptop and its screen is to use it with a proper care. Laptop repair could cost much more than a simple regular care. So that it is better to take preventive steps to prolong the laptop screen life.

1. Make a special cleaning solution or use commercially available cleaning kit designed specifically for use on LCD screens.
   
2. If you do not use a special commercial cleaner, the ideal solution is plain distilled water. If more heavy cleaning is needed a 50:50 mix of white vinegar and distilled water can also effective.
   
3. Make the cleaning mixture and keep it in a small container nearby.
   
4. Shut down your laptop before cleaning.
   
5. Apply the solution to a very soft cotton cloth; it is better to use lint-free lens wipes instead of a cotton cloth. A large cloth is best, since it will help to reduce the risk of leaving streaks across the screen from finger pressure.
   
6. Soak cloth in the cleaning mixture, then wring it out completely. It should be damp but not wet. Wipe the computer screen down gently in long motions rather than hard circles. Dry the screen with a dry cloth.
   
7. If your screen is damage or you prefer to replace with better one, you may find third-party companies on the market that are selling laptop screens since most laptop manufacturers charge too much.
   

Things You Will Need

• Distilled water
  
• A soft cotton cloth
  

Warnings

• Do not use paper towels, tissues, or napkins - they can contain wood fibers that can scratch the screen.
  
• Use either a soft, lint free dry cloth or a commercially available cleaning kit designed specifically for use on LCD screens.
  
• Using a lint-free microfiber cloth is best, an old cloth can introduce dust.
  
• Avoid using products such as Windex because these contain ammonia and it can degrade the screen.
  
• Do not use any products that contain alcohol, ammonia, or other strong solvents. Do not use soap.
  
• Do not spray any liquid directly on the LCD screen.
  
• It is better not use tap water, especially, if the water in your area is rich in minerals.
  
• Use only enough pressure to hold your cleaning wipe on the screen. NEVER press hard, scrub, or scour when cleaning an LCD screen.
  
• If in doubt, test a small area of screen first.
  

Useful resources

• Commercial cleaning kit - link
  
• Brand new LCD screens
  

Tip :)
One of our clients recommends an alternative approach to cleaning screen from the inside. This is his testimonial, "At first I was skeptical of this screen cleaning device, but it certainly was well worth the effort and I now highly recommend it to everyone regardless of how much your screen might need it" - link to the device