Have Laptop Will Travel

New Breed of Low Cost Laptops to Come, Courtesy of Windows 8?

Originally posted on July 20, 2011 @ 11:31 am

ARM Laptop Chart

ARM Laptop Chart

Love it or hate it, but Windows is still the most used operating system around the world. Reasons range from convenience to price to habit to loyalty, but if rumors are to be believed, there is another reason for people to continue patronizing Bill Gates’s major software product. In the foreseeable future, we are going to see the launch of Windows 8. And while countless people are too focused on the launch of Apple’s Lion (and the MacBook Airs!) today, there is no doubt that when the time comes, Windows 8 will get its fair share of coverage.

More than the operating system, though, the rumors are also highlighting a probable consequence – the boom of a new breed of low cost laptops. No matter how you look at it, price is always a prime consideration for many buyers. We may all want the best specs, but sometimes, the price is a big hindrance.

So what is the link between the upcoming Windows 8 operating system and laptops that won’t break the bank? According to Matthew Wilkins, an analyst at t IHS-iSuppli, the reason is the ARM processors. By the year 2015, Wilkins says that around 25 percent of laptops will have the ARM processors. And guess what? Windows 8 is ARM-enabled.

Wilkins goes further and predicts that laptop manufacturers will jump into the bandwagon by making budget laptops using the new processors. By “budget” he means laptops priced below $700 – with a lot going as low as $500. While we do have these budget laptops today (at least based on the price alone), the major difference is in the processor. If – or maybe when – laptop manufacturers start using ARM processors instead of the current AMD and Intel ones, then we might just have more options for laptops that will free up more cash for other expenses.

I am not too sure about the cause and effect situation as described by Wilkins ((Source)). Is the predicted rise of new low cost laptops (running on ARM processors) because of Windows 8, or is Windows 8 going to be more popular because of the ARM processors? Maybe it works both ways, or maybe I am missing something. In any case, the most important thing is that more budget laptops are in our future.

Need Laptop Security? Consider SAFElink™ Anti-Theft Service

Originally posted on June 29, 2011 @ 11:09 am

SAFElink

SAFElink Anti-theft service

News of hacking, hackers, security breaches, and what have you has been going around for quite some time now. For sure, many an average person has had a concern or two about just how safe they are. All this hullaballoo reminds me of something I have heard from someone – “everything can be hacked, all you can do is to make it a little harder for the hackers”. Or something like that.

Of course, there is also the possibility of having your laptop stolen. Not really hacking, but still a security breach for sure. More than a security breach – think about all the data that you have in there! Unless you are meticulous about backing up your data to an external hard drive (or some other form of storage), then you just might be in danger of losing lots.

If you want to take some positive action towards ensuring that you’ve got your back covered, so to speak, then you might want to take a look at the SAFElinkTM Anti-Theft Service ((Product Page)), which has just been launched by PlumChoice ((Web site)). This company is a provider of remote technical services and aims to help users ensure that their data is protected in case their laptop gets lost or stolen.

How does it work?

The user’s laptop has to have the software, which then communicates with the SAFElinkTM servers. In case of theft or loss, the laptop is basically locked down. This prevents unauthorized access to the data contained in the hard drive. There is a way to undo the lock down, but if there is no authentication done after a certain period of time, the machine’s drive will wiped clean by the system. Obviously, this is to make sure that the data will not be accessed by unauthorized persons.

What’s great – and rather important – is that the system is highly configurable. That is, users can configure things such as files/folders which can be protected by SAFElinkTM; the period of time wherein a locked down laptop can be unlocked/authenticated; and so on.

The service also comes with a cloud-based back up system, which takes care of having a duplicate of the data and gives users the freedom to wipe the drive clean if it is ever stolen. Now we just need to trust in the security of their cloud-based back up system.

Provide Thieves a Hard Time

Originally posted on April 25, 2012 @ 6:32 am

Everyone knows how gadgets such as laptops serve as magnets for thieves especially in travel.  Traveling tends to deviate the attention of owners more than in familiar environments.  These deviations are just what the thieves are waiting for to do their thing.  Losing anything of value is one of the biggest spoilers of any trip.

The loss of a laptop while on a business trip speaks of untold inconvenience, lost opportunities, and risk of exposing trade secrets.  The same loss during a leisure trip is not preferable as well because of the risk of divulging personal information as well as having no access to a very convenient gadget used for recording and communicating.  Sometimes however, travelers invite laptop theft more than any other.  

It is never a good idea to leave laptops unattended at any time.  The inattention invites thieves to take greater interest seeing the particular laptop as an easier target more than others.  It usually takes a mere amount of distraction to lose something permanently.  The presence of a laptop should be unannounced if possible particularly in crowded places and when left in the vehicle.  

At the very least, laptop owners should provide thieves a hard time if they are to put up a fight to preserve them.  Otherwise, they might as well hand over their laptops themselves.  It is also advantageous to install laptop recovery software to trace its whereabouts if actually lost. 

The loss of a laptop is far serious than the loss of a bag because of the common practice of people nowadays to store their most important data electronically.  A whole range of personal and business information can be contained in this portable gadget.  The magnitude of the loss is not quantified by the physical loss but the contents found within.

Logitech Cooling Pad N200

Originally posted on June 27, 2011 @ 9:15 am

We may all have different preferences when it comes to laptop brands, models, and specifications, but I am pretty sure that we can agree on one thing – not having a device so hot that one could fry an egg on it. While most laptop manufacturers work hard at making sure that their devices do not overheat, there certainly are instances when a HOT laptop cannot be avoided. I only need to think of playing The Sims 3, and my laptop would start smoking. Then there’s converting movie files. There are so many things that one can do to make that temperature monitor skyrocket, and one has to be careful not to hurt one’s self!

That’s why laptop stands/coolers have become rather popular, and manufacture Logitech is definitely at the top of their game when it comes to accessories. They recently announced the newest item in their laptop stand/cooler line – the Logitech Cooling Pad N200. Dubbed the “coolest laptop companion around” – no doubt pun intended – I think the N200 has two things going for it.

  • One, it has a virtually silent fan. Who wants the steady buzzing noise of a fan when you’re working on a silent laptop? Even on the higher speed (the N200 has two speed settings), the fan doesn’t make much noise. Or at least it’s not supposed to.
  • Two, it is energy efficient. As with most other laptop stands/coolers, the N200 is powered via USB. The last thing you want is to have a stand that will suck up all the juice when you’re not connected to the socket. The N200 is supposed to use minimal power, and with the 2-speed setting, you can further control just how much power it consumes.

On the other hand, I am not too convinced about the looks of the N200.
Logitech Cooling Pad N200

Logitech Cooling Pad N200 in Hand

While it does look handy enough, I am not really attracted to the N200. I am not saying it’s ugly – far from that – but it just doesn’t do it for me. Another thing is that the N200 can only accommodate laptops which are up to 16 inches. While my laptop is only 13 inches, I can’t help but think that Logitech could easily have gone to 17 inches. What does a 1-inch difference make?

In any case, the N200 looks like a viable option if you are in the market for a laptop cooling stand. It’s available on a pre-order basis on the Logitech web site for only $29.99.

LG G-Slate Is 200% Faster than iPad2?

Originally posted on July 25, 2011 @ 12:15 pm

G-Slate

G-Slate

Have you gotten yourself an iPad 2 yet? I am not going anywhere near one as I think the iPad is more than enough to suit my needs. That is, playing my silly games and occasionally surfing the Web. There is also the even rarer occasions when I use the iPad to blog or create documents. My point is, I am the kind of user who does not need a faster tablet.

If, however, you have a need for speed, then you will be excited to know that T-Mobile is touting their new tablet, the LG G-Slate. Their claims are rather bold, designed to make one’s blood quicken upon reading. A whopping 200 percent faster than Apple’s newest tablet (iPad2). An even more impressive 300 percent faster than Motorola’s XOOM. How can that not fail to impress?

But they do not stop there. They highlight what may be the deciding factor for a whole lot of people – the price. The LG G-Slate is cheaper than both the iPad2 and the XOOM. Consumers have to shell out $729 for the iPad 2 and $599.99 (on contract) for the Motorola XOOM. For the LG G-Slate, one only has to put aside $399.99 for a 2-year contract. And if you hate being tied down by contracts, then you can get the G-Slate for $599.99 – still considerably than the other options!

Given the attractiveness of the package due to the speed and pricing, the question is whether the LG G-Slate will become as popular as the current tablets in the market. In a review published by BGR ((Review)) a couple of months ago, it seems that the LG G-Slate still has a lot of catching up to do. Catching up in terms of the user interface and apps. But these are issues that have always plagued Android devices (mainly because of people who compare them to Apple devices), and still the Android camp has a strong following. On the other hand, the G-Slate is said to be very solidly built, having a high end feel – not like some cheap plastic device.

Bottomline: the LG G-Slate will be an attractive option for consumers who are not Apple fanboys. And there are more of them out there than some might think.