How to Protect Your Laptop from Theft

<h1 style="font-size:20px;margin:0.25rem 0px;padding:0px 0px 0.5rem;border-width:0px 0px 1px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-color:rgb(204,204,204);color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px">You can protect your</span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> </span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px">laptop</span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> </span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px">from a disastrous theft by taking a few precautions. Here are some helpful hints and suggestions on things you can do ahead of time to help prevent theft or recover your laptop if it goes missing.</span><br> </h1><ul class="level-one" style="padding:0px 1rem;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:16px"><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> <b>Mark your laptop.</b> It helps with the recovery of a stolen laptop if you've marked it by either engraving it or using a tamper-resistant asset tag. You can use an engraving tool to literally carve your name and contact information on your laptop, or even write your name inside the laptop, for example, on the back of some removable door, or inside the battery compartment. Use a Sharpie or other indelible marker.</p> </li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"><b>Avoid using an obvious laptop carrying case. </b>Instead, use a nondescript, soft laptop case or a backpack.</p> <div class="imageBlock" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;width:535px"><img alt="Use a nondescript laptop case to deter potential thieves." height="375" src="http://media.wiley.com/Lux/83/79283.image0.jpg" style="vertical-align: bottom; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; max-width: 100%; height: auto !important;" width="535"><div class="imageCaption" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px"> Use a nondescript laptop case to deter potential thieves.</div></div></li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"><b>Register the laptop and itssoftware. </b>Be sure to send in your laptop's registration card, as well as the registration for any software you're using. If the laptop is then stolen, alert the manufacturer and software vendors. Hopefully, if someone using your stolen laptop ever tries to get the system fixed orupgraded, the company cares enough to help you locate the purloined laptop.</p> </li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"><b>Be mindful of your environment. </b>When you're out and about with your laptop, you must always be mindful of where it is and who could have access to it. For example, when you're dining out, put the laptop in its case beneath the table. If you need to leave the table, either take the laptop with you or ask your friends to keep an eye on it for you.</p> </li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"><b>Use your laptop's universal security slot (USS). </b>Your laptop should have a hole or slot into which you can connect a security cable.</p> <p class="child-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">Any cable or security device threaded through the USS cannot be removed from the laptop; only the cable itself can be cut (or unlocked) to free the laptop.</p> </li></ul>

How to Protect Your Laptop from Theft

You can protect your   laptop   from a disastrous theft by taking a few precautions. Here are some helpful hints and suggestions on things y...

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How to Protect Your Laptop from Theft

<h1 style="font-size:20px;margin:0.25rem 0px;padding:0px 0px 0.5rem;border-width:0px 0px 1px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-color:rgb(204,204,204);color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px">You can protect your</span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> </span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px">laptop</span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> </span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px">from a disastrous theft by taking a few precautions. Here are some helpful hints and suggestions on things you can do ahead of time to help prevent theft or recover your laptop if it goes missing.</span><br> </h1><ul class="level-one" style="padding:0px 1rem;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:16px"><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> <b>Mark your laptop.</b> It helps with the recovery of a stolen laptop if you've marked it by either engraving it or using a tamper-resistant asset tag. You can use an engraving tool to literally carve your name and contact information on your laptop, or even write your name inside the laptop, for example, on the back of some removable door, or inside the battery compartment. Use a Sharpie or other indelible marker.</p> </li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"><b>Avoid using an obvious laptop carrying case. </b>Instead, use a nondescript, soft laptop case or a backpack.</p> <div class="imageBlock" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;width:535px"><img alt="Use a nondescript laptop case to deter potential thieves." height="375" src="http://media.wiley.com/Lux/83/79283.image0.jpg" style="vertical-align: bottom; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; max-width: 100%; height: auto !important;" width="535"><div class="imageCaption" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px"> Use a nondescript laptop case to deter potential thieves.</div></div></li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"><b>Register the laptop and itssoftware. </b>Be sure to send in your laptop's registration card, as well as the registration for any software you're using. If the laptop is then stolen, alert the manufacturer and software vendors. Hopefully, if someone using your stolen laptop ever tries to get the system fixed orupgraded, the company cares enough to help you locate the purloined laptop.</p> </li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"><b>Be mindful of your environment. </b>When you're out and about with your laptop, you must always be mindful of where it is and who could have access to it. For example, when you're dining out, put the laptop in its case beneath the table. If you need to leave the table, either take the laptop with you or ask your friends to keep an eye on it for you.</p> </li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"><b>Use your laptop's universal security slot (USS). </b>Your laptop should have a hole or slot into which you can connect a security cable.</p> <p class="child-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">Any cable or security device threaded through the USS cannot be removed from the laptop; only the cable itself can be cut (or unlocked) to free the laptop.</p> </li></ul>

How to Protect Your Laptop from Theft

You can protect your   laptop   from a disastrous theft by taking a few precautions. Here are some helpful hints and suggestions on things y...

Read more »

Before You Buy: Finding Service and Support for Your Laptop

<h1 style="font-size:20px;margin:0.25rem 0px;padding:0px 0px 0.5rem;border-width:0px 0px 1px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-color:rgb(204,204,204);color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px">When you buy a</span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> </span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px">laptop, service and support are part of the price tag. Please don't make the mistake of shopping for the cheapest laptop in the world. You'll find it, of course! The same laptop may also have multiple prices. The price you get when you're buying directly from the manufacturer is different from the price of the same laptop you find in the Big Box store, and different still from the price in the back of the local computer flyer.</span><i style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px">Caveat emptor</i><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px">!</span><br> </h1><p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">People who overlook service and support when they buy laptops are doomed to despair. Unlike desktopcomputers, laptops contain specific, tiny, and expensivehardware. Those items aren't easily swappable components, like similar items in desktop systems. Because of that, buying from an outfit that offers personal support is important.</p> <p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">Service is the art of fixing your laptop. The best service happens when the fix-it guy comes to your home or office. Otherwise, the laptop has to be returned, either directly to the dealer or to the manufacturer.</p> <ul class="level-one" style="padding:0px 1rem;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:16px"><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> Support is best offered as a free telephone call for help when you need it.</p></li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">There's a difference between support for your laptop hardware and support for itssoftware. The software is supported by the software developer, which isn't the same company that makes the laptop hardware. Be aware of the differences before you make the call.</p> </li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">There's nothing wrong with mail-in service. Just be aware that you'll be without your "baby" for a few days while it's being fixed.</p> </li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">Some manufacturers offer you a replacement laptop while yours is being fixed via mail-in service. That's a bonus.</p> </li></ul>

Before You Buy: Finding Service and Support for Your Laptop

When you buy a   laptop, service and support are part of the price tag. Please don't make the mistake of shopping for the cheapest lapto...

Read more »

Before You Buy: Finding Service and Support for Your Laptop

<h1 style="font-size:20px;margin:0.25rem 0px;padding:0px 0px 0.5rem;border-width:0px 0px 1px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-color:rgb(204,204,204);color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px">When you buy a</span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> </span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px">laptop, service and support are part of the price tag. Please don't make the mistake of shopping for the cheapest laptop in the world. You'll find it, of course! The same laptop may also have multiple prices. The price you get when you're buying directly from the manufacturer is different from the price of the same laptop you find in the Big Box store, and different still from the price in the back of the local computer flyer.</span><i style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px">Caveat emptor</i><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px">!</span><br> </h1><p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">People who overlook service and support when they buy laptops are doomed to despair. Unlike desktopcomputers, laptops contain specific, tiny, and expensivehardware. Those items aren't easily swappable components, like similar items in desktop systems. Because of that, buying from an outfit that offers personal support is important.</p> <p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">Service is the art of fixing your laptop. The best service happens when the fix-it guy comes to your home or office. Otherwise, the laptop has to be returned, either directly to the dealer or to the manufacturer.</p> <ul class="level-one" style="padding:0px 1rem;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:16px"><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> Support is best offered as a free telephone call for help when you need it.</p></li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">There's a difference between support for your laptop hardware and support for itssoftware. The software is supported by the software developer, which isn't the same company that makes the laptop hardware. Be aware of the differences before you make the call.</p> </li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">There's nothing wrong with mail-in service. Just be aware that you'll be without your "baby" for a few days while it's being fixed.</p> </li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">Some manufacturers offer you a replacement laptop while yours is being fixed via mail-in service. That's a bonus.</p> </li></ul>

Before You Buy: Finding Service and Support for Your Laptop

When you buy a   laptop, service and support are part of the price tag. Please don't make the mistake of shopping for the cheapest lapto...

Read more »

Before You Buy: How Much Laptop Hardware Do You Need?

<h1 style="font-size:20px;margin:0.25rem 0px;padding:0px 0px 0.5rem;border-width:0px 0px 1px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-color:rgb(204,204,204);color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px">The three basic items you want to mull over when you're shopping for a</span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> </span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px">laptop</span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> </span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px">computer and trying to match its</span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> </span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px">hardware</span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> </span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px">to the</span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> </span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px">softwareyou need are</span><br> </h1><ul class="level-one" style="padding:0px 1rem;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:16px"><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> <b>The <i>microprocessor</i></b> is the laptop's main chip. It's not "the brain"; your computer's software is the brain. It tells the microprocessor what to do. You want to ensure that you get a microprocessor that's plenty fast enough to deal with theapplications you need<i>tomorrow.</i> It's worth the extra money to invest in a fast microprocessor now, which extends the useful life of your laptop by ensuring that you can run tomorrow's software before tomorrow comes. Find a laptop with the fastest microprocessor you can afford, and then buy the next-most-expensive microprocessor. You'll be thankful later.</p> </li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"><b>Memory, or RAM,</b> is where the action happens in a computer, where the work gets done. The more RAM your computer has, the happier it appears to be and the more your software will enjoy the computer. Pack your laptop with as much RAM as you can afford now. For example, if you can afford 1024MB of RAM, get it. If you can afford 2048MB of RAM, get it.</p> </li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"><b>The <i>hard drive</i></b> is the electronic closet where the laptop stores your stuff. The hard drive must have room for the computer's operating system, all the software you get and later install, all the data files and junk you collect, plus room to grow (lotsa room). Again, the software you plan on using should tell you how much hard drive space it requires on the software box.</p> </li></ul>

Before You Buy: How Much Laptop Hardware Do You Need?

The three basic items you want to mull over when you're shopping for a   laptop   computer and trying to match its   hardware   to the  ...

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Before You Buy: How Much Laptop Hardware Do You Need?

<h1 style="font-size:20px;margin:0.25rem 0px;padding:0px 0px 0.5rem;border-width:0px 0px 1px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-color:rgb(204,204,204);color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px">The three basic items you want to mull over when you're shopping for a</span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> </span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px">laptop</span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> </span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px">computer and trying to match its</span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> </span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px">hardware</span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> </span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px">to the</span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> </span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px">softwareyou need are</span><br> </h1><ul class="level-one" style="padding:0px 1rem;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:16px"><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> <b>The <i>microprocessor</i></b> is the laptop's main chip. It's not "the brain"; your computer's software is the brain. It tells the microprocessor what to do. You want to ensure that you get a microprocessor that's plenty fast enough to deal with theapplications you need<i>tomorrow.</i> It's worth the extra money to invest in a fast microprocessor now, which extends the useful life of your laptop by ensuring that you can run tomorrow's software before tomorrow comes. Find a laptop with the fastest microprocessor you can afford, and then buy the next-most-expensive microprocessor. You'll be thankful later.</p> </li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"><b>Memory, or RAM,</b> is where the action happens in a computer, where the work gets done. The more RAM your computer has, the happier it appears to be and the more your software will enjoy the computer. Pack your laptop with as much RAM as you can afford now. For example, if you can afford 1024MB of RAM, get it. If you can afford 2048MB of RAM, get it.</p> </li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"><b>The <i>hard drive</i></b> is the electronic closet where the laptop stores your stuff. The hard drive must have room for the computer's operating system, all the software you get and later install, all the data files and junk you collect, plus room to grow (lotsa room). Again, the software you plan on using should tell you how much hard drive space it requires on the software box.</p> </li></ul>

Before You Buy: How Much Laptop Hardware Do You Need?

The three basic items you want to mull over when you're shopping for a   laptop   computer and trying to match its   hardware   to the  ...

Read more »

Before You Buy: What Do You Need in a Laptop?

<h1 style="font-size:20px;margin:0.25rem 0px;padding:0px 0px 0.5rem;border-width:0px 0px 1px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-color:rgb(204,204,204);color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px">Before you buy a new</span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> </span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px">laptopcomputer, you should decide on what you really need and then get a laptop that comes closest to your requirements. Laptops vary in terms of</span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> </span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px">processor</span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> </span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px">speed,</span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> </span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px">screensize, battery life, and total weight.</span><br> </h1><p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">When choosing features, remember that there is no benefit to going to extremes for features that you will not use or that bring problems with them. Also keep in mind that whatever you buy today will immediately be outdated.</p> <p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">Ask yourself these questions:</p><ul class="level-one" style="padding:0px 1rem;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:16px"> <li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"><b>Is <i>fast</i> good enough or do I need <i>super-duper turbocharged faster than fast?</i></b><i> </i>The latest and greatest microprocessors are marvelously zippy, but most laptop users may never tax them to the fullest; wordprocessors and web browsers work just fine with a CPU a step or two below the fastest processors on the market.</p> </li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"><b>Do I need a super-sized screen or will a more standard screen suffice?</b> A big screen looks great and is easier to read, but the laptop will be larger, heavier, and a few hundred dollars more expensive.</p> </li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"><b>How many hours of battery life do I really need?</b> If the longest time you anticipate being between wall outlets is two hours, don't pay for a larger-capacity battery. More power adds weight and cost.</p> </li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"><b>Am I willing to pay a big premium to get less, or can I handle an extra pound in my traveling case?</b> When it comes to size and weight, less costs more.</p> </li></ul>

Before You Buy: What Do You Need in a Laptop?

Before you buy a new   laptopcomputer, you should decide on what you really need and then get a laptop that comes closest to your requiremen...

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Before You Buy: What Do You Need in a Laptop?

<h1 style="font-size:20px;margin:0.25rem 0px;padding:0px 0px 0.5rem;border-width:0px 0px 1px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-color:rgb(204,204,204);color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px">Before you buy a new</span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> </span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px">laptopcomputer, you should decide on what you really need and then get a laptop that comes closest to your requirements. Laptops vary in terms of</span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> </span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px">processor</span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> </span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px">speed,</span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> </span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px">screensize, battery life, and total weight.</span><br> </h1><p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">When choosing features, remember that there is no benefit to going to extremes for features that you will not use or that bring problems with them. Also keep in mind that whatever you buy today will immediately be outdated.</p> <p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">Ask yourself these questions:</p><ul class="level-one" style="padding:0px 1rem;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:16px"> <li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"><b>Is <i>fast</i> good enough or do I need <i>super-duper turbocharged faster than fast?</i></b><i> </i>The latest and greatest microprocessors are marvelously zippy, but most laptop users may never tax them to the fullest; wordprocessors and web browsers work just fine with a CPU a step or two below the fastest processors on the market.</p> </li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"><b>Do I need a super-sized screen or will a more standard screen suffice?</b> A big screen looks great and is easier to read, but the laptop will be larger, heavier, and a few hundred dollars more expensive.</p> </li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"><b>How many hours of battery life do I really need?</b> If the longest time you anticipate being between wall outlets is two hours, don't pay for a larger-capacity battery. More power adds weight and cost.</p> </li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"><b>Am I willing to pay a big premium to get less, or can I handle an extra pound in my traveling case?</b> When it comes to size and weight, less costs more.</p> </li></ul>

Before You Buy: What Do You Need in a Laptop?

Before you buy a new   laptopcomputer, you should decide on what you really need and then get a laptop that comes closest to your requiremen...

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How to Find Other Computers on a Network

<h1 style="font-size:20px;margin:0.25rem 0px;padding:0px 0px 0.5rem;border-width:0px 0px 1px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-color:rgb(204,204,204);color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px">After you've connected your</span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> </span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px">laptopto a</span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> </span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px">network</span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> </span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px">and the</span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> </span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px">softwareconnections are made, the next thing to do is browse to find out which other computers are connected to the network. You can view not only which computers share the same network, but also which</span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> </span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px">resources</span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> </span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px">those other computers offer</span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> </span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px">up</span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> </span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px">for your pleasure: They can share folders ondisk</span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> </span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px">drives,</span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> </span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px">printers, and evenmodems. The only way to find out what's available is to look.</span><br> </h1><ul class="level-one" style="padding:0px 1rem;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:16px"><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> Seeing computers displayed in the workgroup window is a sure sign of success that the network is up, connected, and ready for action.</p></li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> When you don't see any computers in the workgroup window, you have a problem. Either the network cable isn't connected, or it's bad. The network interface is bad. Or, the computers don't share the same workgroup name.</p> </li></ul><h2 style="margin:0.25rem 0px 1.25rem;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:19px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">Seeing workgroup computers in Windows Vista</h2><p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif"> Choosing the Network item from the Windows Vista Start menu displays a list of networking devices available to your computer, such as what's shown below. Each icon represents another computer elsewhere on the network, specifically in your network's workgroup.</p> <div class="imageBlock" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:16px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;width:535px"><img alt="Computers sharing the same local network in Windows Vista." height="364" src="http://media.wiley.com/Lux/60/79160.image0.jpg" style="vertical-align: bottom; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; max-width: 100%; height: auto !important;" width="535"><div class="imageCaption" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px"> Computers sharing the same local network in Windows Vista.</div></div><p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">To see which resources each computer offers, click to open its icon. If that computer is sharing a folder from one of its disk drives or a printer, you see the appropriate icon listed in the window.</p> <h2 style="margin:0.25rem 0px 1.25rem;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:19px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">My Networking Places in Windows XP</h2><p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif"> To view other computers on the network in Windows XP, open the My Network Places icon, either on the desktop or from the Start menu.</p><div class="imageBlock" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:16px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;width:415px"> <img alt="Computers in a workgroup, as seen by Windows XP." height="400" src="http://media.wiley.com/Lux/61/79161.image1.jpg" style="vertical-align: bottom; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; max-width: 100%; height: auto !important;" width="415"><div class="imageCaption" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px"> Computers in a workgroup, as seen by Windows XP.</div></div><p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">The above figure shows a cozy, two-computer network that was created by simply attaching anEthernet cable between a desktop computer and a laptop. (<i>Directly</i>means no hub or switch.) Both computers show up as icons, labeled with their computer names. The Workgroup name, Cat, appears on the Address bar and atop the window.</p>

How to Find Other Computers on a Network

After you've connected your   laptopto a   network   and the   softwareconnections are made, the next thing to do is browse to find out ...

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