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Posts Tagged ‘laptops’

Overheated laptop!

Written by Jess
Tuesday, 07 August 2012 16:17
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Can you leave your laptop in the car during summer in Minnesota?

Sure, what the heck.  Also leave your cell phone and iPod on the dashboard in a full sun, large blacktop parking lot.  But only if you don’t like them much and want to damage them!

Yes, you can probably get away with short amounts of time and occasional incidents but it’s not a good long term practice.  True, the processor typically runs hotter than a car will get but there’s a reason they put fans in these contraptions.  Generally speaking electronics don’t appreciate heat.

Batteries can be affected, sometimes permanently.  LCD screens can crack.  Some technicians even report rupturing of the liquid crystal.  Maybe the most susceptible component is the plastic casing and other parts which can cause all kinds of problems.  Think warping.

This all includes putting the laptop in the trunk while driving.  Keep it inside with you and try to moderate the temperature to which it’s exposed.  Laptops are designed to operate in an environment that is somewhere between 60-78 degrees Fahrenheit.  Think office temperatures.  Better cooler than hotter.

Coming next week:  Can I use my laptop while scuba-diving?…

Happy Computing!

 

Inexpensive Technology?

Written by Jess
Tuesday, 13 December 2011 22:53
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With all the sales prices, you can see how inexpensive technology has become – reasonable PC and laptop prices and even tablets and smartphones are in the mix!  What we want you to be aware of is that the sale items from the nearby Big Box store have a lot of great deals.  But they’re geared toward the consumer market.  In business, the primary factor is reliability.  When you come into the office in the morning, does everything work the way it should and you don’t even have to think about it?

We covered the basic specs a number of weeks ago but the sales are on, and they’ll look impossible to pass up, let’s review.  You need to get:

1)      An i5 processor

2)      6GB of RAM memory

3)      500GB hard drive

4)      Windows 7 Professional

Have a great holiday season – and happy computing!

 

Buying a New Computer – Where do you start?

Written by Jess
Tuesday, 15 November 2011 17:28
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 Needs some advice on what to look for in a computer?  Here are the specs for what computers you should be buying for your business.  

 There are three things to pay attention to:

  • Processor
  • RAM
  • Video Card

 Processors are divided into three categories, Intel has made it simple: i3, i5, i7.  Always buy at least the i5.  If you’re a serious multi-tasker or graphics person, go with the i7.  You can have half a dozen programs open and it won’t slow you down.

 Minimum RAM (memory) is 4GB.  If you want to get technical, make sure you can upgrade to at least 16GB later.

 It is always recommended to buy a “dedicated” or “discreet” video card.  The label should give you a clue.  This adds to performance since it’s not sucking power away from the main processor.

 The rest?  Bells and whistles. 

 That’s it.  If you’d like more detailed advice, just call us, we’re here to help!

 Happy Computing!