Choosing An Ultra-Portable Laptop For Your Computer Needs by Elizabeth Lord
When choosing a laptop, portability is often a key feature. When you are traveling with your laptop frequently, taking your laptop on planes and long drives makes weight (or lack of weight) extremely important. Certainly, no one wants to be carting a ten-pound monster of a laptop in and out of a... The primary components are: • CPU (Central Processing Unit) • Hard Drive • RAM (Random Active Memory) • Screen Size • Port Types • Optical Drive (CD, CD-RW, & DVD-RW) • Removable Media (like a camera memory card) • Batteries • Video Card • Touch Sensitive Mouse Pad • Wireless...

Why I Hate Computers, The Internet, and Mr. Bill by Douglas Bower
I have been meaning to write this column since the day I first bought a home computer in 1993. It probably was getting online that first prompted the desire to write this. What has been keeping me from writing this column until now is that every time I made an attempt, I would dissolve into a... With the computer I bought in Mexico, I had to buy software for virus protection, firewalls, registry cleaners, file deletion, error nuking and fixing, defragging, and more. ... It sounds, acts, and looks like what I can only imagine what a hard drive must go through when it is having cardiac...

Buying a New Computer by Bob Rankin
Someone recently asked me "I teach senior citizens in a community based free computer lab. They often ask what to look for when buying a computer, what software they need for email, basic Internet usage, word processing, etc. Many are on a limited budget. ... If you're a computer novice, wondering what kind of computer, monitor, hard drive, memory, and operating system to get... ... Hard (Drive) Decisions The hard drive is your permanent file storage. ... Summary So in a nutshell, here are my recommendations: Look for a Windows XP-based PC with monitor for around $400 Processor: 1.5...

Why Build Your Own Gaming Computer? by Nathan Holsing
The best way to get the gaming computer that you want, that will provide optimum performance is to build your own computer. If you think you do not have the technical knowledge or are not capable of building a computer you are wrong. I'm pretty certain that I could teach my mother (who has a... The Advantages To Building Your Own Computer By building your own computer you are assured of getting the highest quality because you have painstakingly researched every component. ... The truth is that manufacturers focus on selling a computer with an overall low price tag to entice people to buy.

How to Make Sure to Save Money and Headaches on Your Next Used Laptop Purchase by Jesse Harwell
Anyone who is in the retail sector of the computer business will recognize the following dilemna. Before buying, the consumer desires to know everything about the technical aspects of the laptops, rather than the practical aspects. It seems the customer will try and find out all of the technical... It would be like deciding what car you were going to buy before deciding what you needed your car to do or even thinking if you were going to drive in hot climates or do long road trips. ... You just need to be willing to ask some hard questions.

Upgrading Your PC for Non-experts by Tim Wakeling
Intro One of the big advantages of PCs over earlier types of computers is that they’re upgradable. If you get to the point where you need a faster computer, more storage space or whatever, you don’t have to buy a new PC. You can upgrade it by buying just the extra part you need. ... Hard Drive Another upgrade that can be worthwhile is a bigger hard drive. ... When your hard drive is nearly full your PC has to scamper around it trying to find empty space every time it wants to save something… and that takes time.

Building a Computer - Is it Right for You? by Ryan Griffith
The parameters used to be a little more clear. You could easily save money by building your own computer. All you needed was the basic know-how, the time and initiative, and wah-la! You had a good computer at a better price than you could buy new. But things have changed over time. ... Not only that, but I took the case and motherboard I replaced, bought some used large hard drives from a friend, and turned my old computer into a backup machine. ... It's often poorly-written proprietary software (specifically written for that computer manufacturer) and is usually infesting every nook and...

Build Your Own Computer by George W. Cannata
I’m eighty-one years old and I bought my first computer six years ago. When I bought it I hardly knew how to turn it on. I consider myself still a Newbie as I’ve barely scratched the surface of computer technology. I have successfully built about a dozen computers for family, friends and myself. ... For in-depth detailed instructions on how to do this visit the computer page on: http://caveatemptorus.com/ Often times it’s less expensive to buy all the component you require from the vendor of the kits because of shipping charges, which are part of your over-all cost.

Which Notebook Computer Has Your Name On It? by Titus Hoskins
Notebook Computers Are Sexy! Granted, the notebook computer may just be the sexiest accessory this side of a Baywatch Extra! But are they worth the extra money? Should your next PC be a notebook or laptop computer? What are the pros and cons of owning a notebook computer? ... * Hard Drive: Check if it has a fixed drive; some units have drives you can swap. ... If you're a student and need something light weight but also a little sturdy with a large hard drive (hold MP3s) you might want to check out the 'thin and light' notebooks.

Get Ahead When You Build Your Own Computer by Phil Moyers
If you’ve been kicking around the idea of building your own computer, it actually isn’t a bad idea. It’s easier than you might think, and you can probably come out with a system that gives you more kick for your money, than you’d see in retail, or those made-to-order places. ... Hard Drive. ... This is the “brain” of your computer. ... Chassis / Computer Case. ... Many times, computer manufacturers like just use a cheap motherboard that has everything, your sound, video, etc., integrated into it; you get a third-rate version of everything.