Monday, August 27, 2007

Desktop Computer - Reviews

Reviews of desktop computers are an ideal way to get information about the latest available desktop computers. The reviews include hardware details and specifications of a particular product. It tells the features and qualities of a particular desktop computer. It also specifies the advantages and disadvantages of a specific product. There are ratings, test reports, and photos of computers along with reviews.

Reviews of desktop computers are available on the net. There are a number of websites that give specific reviews. The users have to subscribe with certain sites to read their reviews. Another possible way to get reviews is from magazines and publications that contain information about computers. Some among them are PC World, PC Magazine, Business Week, and Maximum PC. Computer is an advanced field with quick and sudden changes. The computer sites and magazines also change accordingly and they are filled with new products and components with advanced technology. Therefore be alert, reviews also change every now and then.

You will find reviews of desktop computers of different brands and different manufacturers. Some reviews give importance to a particular brand or a particular manufacturer. Some reviews focus on expensive models and some others on inexpensive models. Some reviews discuss only about budget models. Reviews are mostly from consumers who have prior experience with a particular model.

Reviews of desktop computers are necessary to evaluate desktop computers before taking a final purchase decision. As desktop computers perform well and are popular, most people tend to buy these computers. People with ready money are also confused as to which computer to buy. With reviews, individuals get all required information about the product that is in demand in the market. They can get information about price and can compare various products.

Desktop Computer provides detailed information on Desktop Computers, Cheap Desktop Computers, Custom Desktop Computers, Used Desktop Computers and more. Desktop Computers is affiliated with Flat Screen Computer Monitors.

Know New Laptop Technology

Laptop or notebook computer technology is advancing at a blistering speed. Ferrari fast. So fast that by the time you purchase your new laptop, it's probably already obsolete or out of date. A sobering thought considering the hefty prices you have to pay for a high-end laptop.

But laptop technology is changing so fast new innovations are coming on stream as you read this article. There is a whole new generation of notebook technology every two years or less. Therefore, unless you buy or upgrade your laptop each year you're falling behind what these sleek little powerhouses can now deliver.

And unless you're already in Geek Heaven, keeping track of all these new technologies and innovations can be quite a chore. Figuring out the right Graphics chipset that works best with the right CPU and the best Data buses is a major feat. And now that everything is being Doubled -- dual core, dual graphics -- it's entering the realm where Einstein would be amused, even on a bad hair day!

What's the ordinary laptop buyer to do?

What you really have to keep in mind are the outcomes of all this new technology. Basically, these new technologies have made laptops smaller, faster and more powerful. With every new improvement the laptop is closing the gap between its main rival -- the desktop computer.

Notebook computers are now out-selling desktops for the first time in history. Laptops are replacing the old desktop computer, whose days may just be numbered. It won't be long before laptops are also out-performing them as well.

Some major computer makers are taking note of this trend towards more powerful, smaller computers. Even the desktop computer is morphing! Just look at the sleek design of the new Apple iMac G5, gone is the bulky tower, in its place is a well designed desktop computer that's almost a laptop!

For the ordinary computer user keeping abreast of all these new technologies and inventions can be a major chore if you're considering buying a laptop in the next little while. As you approach the smiling salesperson in your favorite tech store, here's a few bits of new notebook technology you might want to have in your possession so you won't look like a complete neophyte. Hey, where technology is concerned, we have all been there, done that.

In order for you to tech-proof your next laptop purchase, here's a quick run down of some recent Notebook Developments:

Sonoma Chipset

The new Sonoma Platform, Intel's next-generation Centrino Chipset is already on the market. Members of the Sonoma club are growing daily - Sony, IBM/Lenovo, BenQ, Dell, Samsung, Acer, and Toshiba... another 80 or 90 'Sonoma-endowed' products will be released very shortly.

No doubt, it will become the Platform standard for many high-end notebooks. Actually, it won't make or mean that much difference to the ordinary Joe/Jane who just want a notebook or laptop for web surfing, word processing and e-mail. Notebooks with the Sonoma Platform will be just a little bit faster and have a little better battery life.

But for Mobile Professionals and Notebook Fanatics (they do exist)... there's a lot of good things delivered or capable of being delivered with this new Centrino Chipset. First, wireless connections will be easier with the integrated tri-mode 802.11a/b/g, already dubbed by some as the 'wireless trinity'! This will make it easier to stay connected no matter where you are.

Improved performance will be experienced because the new Pentium M's have a 533MHz frontside bus, supported with up to 2GB of DDR2 DRAM, Serial ATA Hard Drive, and PCI Express, plus improved integrated graphics, including Intel's Hi-Def Audio. All are possible with the Sonoma Platform.

PCI Express

PCI(Peripheral Component Interconnect) Express is a new standard for expansion cards that comes in different versions. Presently, we have the x16 and x1 lanes, which will be followed by x4 and x8 versions. It offers increased bandwidth for example, x1 lane offers 500MB/sec instead of just 133MB/sec for PCI.

All computers, including laptops have different buses, (collection of wires) that transmit data from one component to another.

Of course, in an ideal world, all the data in your computer should move thru just one BUS - however, most experts agree it's not likely to happen unless we start over and build a computer system from scratch. For now we have to rely on different internal buses to move the data around, the PCI Express is a great improvement and will make your laptop faster.

Graphics Card

These are always improving. A Graphics Card handles the graphics or visuals on your notebook. If 3D graphics and games is a pastime, you will want to buy the highest quality system. Some of the higher end products are: ATi Mobility Radeon 9800, X800, and FireGL V3200 or Intel's Graphics Media Accelerator 900.

If you can, go with a NVIDIA GeForce Go 6800 graphics card or for the real game diehards - wait for the debut of NVIDIA GeForce Go 7300 that features NVIDIA's TurboCache technology.

Gamers will be aware of NVIDIA SLI technology, ATI's CrossFire and Hyperthreading. All new stuff that's bringing the gaming experience up to a higher level of perfection that would even be worthy of a Spielberg or a Lucas Production. Not really, but it's getting there.

64 Bit Laptops

Most systems today run on the 32 Bit System. Keep in mind, the major difference between a 32-bit and a 64-bit system is the amount of memory that they support. Around 4 GB for 32-bit and 8 GB and up for the 64-bit. Right now -- Intel, Apple, and AMD all offer 64-bit systems.

Do you need all this memory? No, for the average laptop user it amounts to overkill. However, if you're interested in gaming, desktop publishing, or the graphic arts you will benefit from 64-bit technology.

Dual Core Notebooks

Two is better than one!

Dual core laptops are now on the market. The gaming industry is the starting point for many of these advanced systems. For example, the British Laptop maker Rockdirect now produces Xtreme 64, a gaming laptop with AMD’s new dual core Athlon 64 X2 processor. This same laptop also sports the ATI Mobility Radeon X800 XT graphics card that features 16 pixel pipelines, an industry first for notebooks.

The major producers of dual-core chips are Intel and AMD. The Intel dual-core processor has hyperthreading (HT), the two cores are divided into four virtual CPU units. Is all this needed? Again, if you're into heavy graphics or gaming, it's something you should consider and explore further.

Built-in Cellular Modem

Most high-end laptops now come with an integrated tri-mode 802.11a/b/g for wireless WI-FI connections.

Some recent models, like the Sony's New Ultra-Portable VAIO VGN-T350P, are raising the bar; it has the world's first 'Built-in Cellular Modem'. You can use your cell phone to connect to the Internet. This may be a great advantage since finding a 'Hot Spot' in some parts of the world can still be difficult.

The Avant-Garde: LumiLED Display

Be on the look-out for LED monitors in the near future. The brightness, colors and backlighting technology in LED monitors will be quite different from LCD displays.

The Forerunner in this field is NEC's SpectraView LumiLED, and will offer a much better image and color. Keep your eyes peeled.

On the Horizon:

17 or 20 Inch Laptop Screens

There is a rumor, only a rumor, that Dell is coming out with a 19-inch laptop in early 2007. There is also buzz that LG-Philips has a 20-inch LCD panel which could easily be used by laptop makers if they want to explore this market area. Andre the giant will be pleased!

Conclusion

Of course, there are many more laptop innovations in the pipeline but they're beyond the scope of this article. Just keep all these new technological notebook changes in mind when you're checking out your next laptop. Maybe, just maybe, most of these won't already have been replaced by something new by the time you buy your next laptop. But don't bet your Google Stocks on it!

Buying of Computer - Quickguide

When it comes to buying a computer, the choices can make you dizzy. You not only have to decide between desktop computers and notebooks (also known as laptops), but you need to determine which features will work best for your needs. This is all the more difficult because technology changes so rapidly. Given that most people buy computers infrequently, what may have been state-of-the-art the last time you bought a desktop or laptop is now considered obsolete. Here, then, are some things to consider before purchasing a new computer.

Computer Desktop vs. Notebooks

Not that long ago, no one would consider using notebooks or laptops as their primary computers. After all, when compared with desktops, they didn't have much RAM, had small, less-than-crisp displays, and didn't have features like DVD players and multiple USB ports. Today, though, LCD monitors make notebook displays brighter, and multiple ports make hooking up printers a cakewalk. Because hard drives are so much bigger and RAM is so much greater, it's no longer necessary to worry that software will either overload the hard drive or slow down performance.

But just because notebooks are more powerful, it doesn't mean that they're the right choice for everyone. If, for example, you regularly work from home, you probably want a computer desktop. Bigger displays, traditional keyboards and mice, and more versatility are just some of the advantages of desktops. In addition, many people use have begun choosing computer desktops that can double as media centers. If high quality sound is important to you and your computer will have a dedicated space in your home, you probably want to choose a desktop.

Mac vs. PC Computers

Although Apple is gaining market share with notebooks, when it comes to a computer desktop, PCs still reign supreme. Making the choice between a Mac and a PC really comes down to how you will be using the computer. If you're a creative type who wants to, for example, take photos from your digital camera and create albums and slideshows, a Mac might be the right choice. Similarly, if you're interested in editing home movies or doing work with graphics, Macs rule.

On the other hand, if you or members of your family are avid gamers, you probably want to go with a PC, since most games are Windows-based and not compatible with the Mac operating system. And, while software like Microsoft Office is available for the both the Mac and PC, other software often isn't compatible with Macs.

Extras


When you're shopping for a computer desktop, you need to consider which "extras" are important to you. For example, do you need a computer that can burn a DVD? Do you need six USB ports, or will four suffice? Is a built-in webcam a must-have? Can you live without wireless connectivity? Are you willing to pay a little extra for a higher resolution LCD monitor? Is surround sound speaker output an absolute necessity?

Before you make a buying decision, it's important to understand what's available in the market, what kind of operating system you would like, and which features are important to you. When you do, you'll know that you're paying for only what you need, and will end up owning the computer desktop that's perfect for you and your family.

Basics of Computers - Part 2

CLASSIFICATION OF COMPUTER : Computers can be classified on purpose, components and size
  1. ANALOG COMPUTERS : Analog computers are computer that measures physical quantities (eg. Temperature, length, pressure, Whether reports etc...) and convert them to numeric values. It is used mainly for scientific & engineering purpose.

  2. DIGITAL COMPUTERS : Digital computers are used for mathematical operations such as (eg . addition ,subtraction, letters, symbols)

  3. HYBRID COMPUTERS : The features of analog and digital computer are combined to create a hybrid computing system. The doctors to measure hearts beats SIZE mostly use hybrid computers.
All digital computer store numbers, letters and other characters in coded form. The code used to represent characters in the binary code - i.e. a code made up of binary digits or bits. Every character is represent by a string of "Os" and ""Is" - the only digits found in the binary numbering system. When data is types into a computer the keyboard convert each keystroke into a binary character code. This code is then transmitted to the computer, when the computer transmits the data to the - printer or the screen, or to the disk, each individual character is communicated in binary code. It is then converted back to the specific character while displaying or printing the data. One 'Bit1 is a short of Binary Digit. A collection of 8 bits is known as a BYTE and half of byte i.e. a collection of 4 bits is known as a NIBBLE 1 Byte = 8 Bits; 1 Kilobyte (KB)= 1024 Bytes; 1 Megabyte (MB)= 1024 KB; 1 Gigabyte (GB) = 1024 MB

Note :- Every character you type occupies 1 byte, Every Space occupies 2 bytes and every Enter you hit occupies 2 bytes.

TYPES OF STORAGE SYSTEM

1. INTERNAL STORAGE :-

RAM :- (Random Access Memory ).Where programs arid data are held during processing temporarily. Data stored in the RAM is lost when either the machine is switched off.

ROM :- (Read Only Memory). Where permanent instructions or data are held. The ROM does not require a continuous supply of power to retain it contents.

2.EXTERNAL STORAGE:-

HARD DISK : Hard disks are a collection of/ pack of diskettes, known as platters, made of aluminum, with their surface being coated with iron oxide joined together to form a cylinder. They have more storage capacity and speed than floppy disks.

Floppy Disk : Floppies are made of Mylar plastic coated with magnetic oxide. The flexible material is cut into circular pieces.5 1/4" or 3 1/2" in diameter.

The other external storage devices are Compact Disk(CD), Digital Video Disk (DVD) and Pen Drive having different storage capacities.

Basics of Computers (Part 1)

What is a computer? Computer is an electronic device with a ability to
  • Accept data
  • Input, Store and execute instruction.
  • Perform mathematical and logical operation
  • Output results according to users requirement

Like Human being computer has certain Limitation:-

  1. Cannot think on their own
  2. Task has to be described in detail.
  3. Do not learn from experience.
  4. Cannot detect or correct errors in logic or data.

HISTORY : People have always needed to count. Earlier they counted with their fingers and probably through scratch making on trees or bones or on the walls of their caves. Over the centuries the science of numbers and computing has changed dramatically. People are now able to solve very sophisticated problems, and increasingly so with the aid of computers. Today we use computers in virtually every environment. From the executive in an office to the housewife and her washing machine to the teenager recording his/her favorite television programme, computers have entered into practically every sphere of human activity. The history of computing can be traced back to Abacus (2000 BC). Used primarily by merchants, the Abacus was a mechanical device used to add, subtract, multiply and divide numbers. Centuries later, mechanically operated devices were developed. These machines could add and subtract numbers (in 1642 Blaise Pascal's Calculating Machine), as well as multiply divide numbers (in 1671 Leibniz's Calculator) A few years later Charles Babbage, referred to as the "father of computers" devised a machine (Analytical Engine) which could be "programmed" by instructions coded initially on punched cards and then stored internally.

GENERATION OF COMPUTERS :

  • First Generation Computers (1951-59) : They used vacuum Tubes as their principal component. They could store 10,000 to 20,000 characters. Magnetic Core Memory was used.
  • Second Generation Computers (1959-64) : The Second Generation Computers replaced the Vacuum Tubes with Transistors. This led to the miniaturization of Computers. The concept of Multi Programming was introduced with Second Generation Computers. The most popular Second Generation Computer was the IBM 1401.
  • Third Generation Computers (1964-70) : The Third Computers introduced integrated circuits, the equivalent of hundred and thousands of transistors on a small silicon chip. This drastically reduced the cost, size and power requirements. This technology produces powerful Mini Computers.
  • Fourth Generation Computers (1970 till now) : The LSI (Large Size Integrated) Technology with many thousand of Electronic Devices on a small silicon chip signaled the Fourth Large Number of Character could be stored and also these Computers were much faster. IBM 370 was most popular machine.

A computer system consist of Three Major Components:-

Hardware : It deals with a computer equipment that is mechanical, electrical, and electronic parts of the computer. i.e Cabinet, Keyboard, Mouse, Motherboard and many more ...

Software:
It contains programs that instruct a computer how to process data and generate required information. e.g. Operating System and Application Software like Microsoft Office, Coreldraw, Photoshop and many more ...

Human-ware : Person who operate the computer and also those who write the program i.e. - operator, programmers etc

CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT :- The heart of the computer is CPU It performs the various function with help of following components :-

  • ARITHMETIC LOGICAL UNIT (ALU) :- Performs the actual calculations such as addition, multiplication, subtraction, and comparison like greater than lesser than, equal to, positive, negative or zero
  • MEMORY UNIT (MU) :- Memory unit or main storage unit holds data, instruction (that are being interpreted and executed, the results are ready for the output)
  • CONTROL UNIT (CU) :- The control unit co-ordinates the operation of the hardware. It also co-ordinate the flow and execution of data and instruction that are feed into the memory or main storage of CPU.

PERIPHERAL DEVICES : Peripheral devices can be classified as

  • INPUT DEVICES: - It allows feed the data into C.PU. (Computer) Examples of input devices are explained below
    • KEYBOARD - It is a important input device which is use every where. The keys are same as typewriter. They are classified as follows: -A) Alphabet Keys (A to Z). B) Numeric Key (0 to 9) C) Alphanumeric keys (!@#$% ~ &*) D) Function keys (Fl, F2, F3,..... F12) E) Arrow keys (Up arrow, Down arrow, Right arrow, Left arrow) F) Special keys (ENTER, TAB, CAPS LOCK, SHIFT, CTRL, ESC, ALT)
    • MOUSE - It is a device, which can easy to operate by one hand only. It looks like a rat or mouse. It includes a three buttons & we can operate mouse through that buttons
  • OUTPUT DEVICES - The data, which we feed in computer through input device that data are displayed through, output device whenever called. Examples of output device as follows: -
    • Monitor (Screen of the computer)
    • Printer (DOT Matrix, Laser, etc.)
    • Backing Storage Devices :- Are those devices which can store data feed in by the use of input device. Some examples of backing storage devices are as below:-
      1) Hard Disk
      2) Floppy Disk
      3) Compact Disk (CD)

Printer Survey

To get a perspective of the best printers in the market, recently PC Mag conducted the Reader's Choice: Printer's Survey. After all, who better than the consumer to review which printers are the best! In the Reader's Choice survey more than 6500 printers, including color ink jets to mono lasers were analyzed.

Service levels being the new driver

According to the Reader's Survey, the top two in the list are Canon and HP respectively. While HP has always remained the favorite, Canon has moved ahead of it this year. Product features are no longer the sole yardstick of competitive edge. The new 'mantra' of success is the service levels and maintenance required.

Service levels have not been up to readers' expectations although the basic technical support is fine by them.

Printer type scores

As far as home printers go, Samsung seems to be the top on the list. Another interesting observation is that HP, which used to be the strong favorite, isn't anywhere among the top 2 in the photo printers category. In fact, Epson and Canon take the top 2 slots. HP does seem to do well in the monochrome lasers category, with a good margin. Brother and Samsung lag behind HP in this segment. Konica and Lexmark are next in line.

Ink jets: The most popular ones

Ink jets, being the most widely-used printers that they are, deserve special mention. That's why the Reader's Choice survey chose to pick the top 6 favorites in this segment:

1. Canon: Canon tops the list in this category. With more than average ratings, multifunction ink jets, as well as photo printers, Canon has distinguished itself well. Another interesting aspect - less than 3% of Canon printers needed repair on average and their technical support is much superior than others. Even Canon's ink is top quality with affordable rates. Canon ink cartridges cost has a score of 4.9 out of 10, with an overall rating of 5.7.

2. HP: The overall score for HP is better than average. However their technical support still remains unpopular, in spite of their Instant support utility which maps dysfunctional printers to the call centers for instant action. The root of the problem lies in HP's support providers. HP ink is costlier and also the 3rd party ink of HP printers. Even their photopaper is costly!

3. Brother's: The quality of ink is not as good although cost of ink does not pose a major problem with consumers. Their mono lasers require minimal maintenance and have scored well. However Brother's ink and photos overall get a poor score.

4. Epson: Their first-year printers have received very good scores- an 8.2 rating. However since 2005, there's been a sharp rise in repairs needed - almost 6% of the new printers needed repair - a disturbing trend for Epson.

5. Dell: While Dell as a brand commands respect and trust, when it comes to printers, it doesn't seem to get the same level of trust. Even their web based support is below satisfactory levels.

6. Lexmark: The only saving grace for Lexmark would probably be its repair rating - a good score of 6%. Apart from this, all other aspects score poor - be it reliability, recommendation from consumers or even technical support.

Quick Guide to Printing

Before taking decision on buying a printer one should consider whether you want a color or monochrome printer. If you are not printing color or need a printer for photo prints from your digital camera then buying a monochrome printer will be cheaper and probably a better machine for your budget. A monochrome laser printer (or LED printer) will be cheaper but you also need to bear in mind that they tend to only offer a fixed printer resolution and you are unable to manipulate printing options very much if at all. If you are simply printing text however, they are a good workhorse and cheap.

Moving into the field of color printing, the rise of digital photography has in turn led to an increase in photo print quality print capabilities that can be used in the home. If you are looking for photo print quality then you should be looking at a good photo printer and one that has a comprehensive and easy to use photo studio software package for producing effects, eliminating red eye and general editing. You also need to keep a close eye on the costs of the consumables, particularly the printer ink and toner cartridges as these can be very expensive and the manufacturers expect to make their margin from these rather than the hardware. You should probably focus on a high quality ink jet machine rather than a laser printer as the reproduction quality tends to be better, though the differential is being eroded as the technology develops.

A laser printer will probably be the best option if you are a heavy user and printing hundreds of pages of text, typically with a need for a high quality print finish that customers and users expect to have from you. Laser printers also tend to be faster, have a greater printer ink yield and offer a greater degree of reliability than ink jet printers.

Whichever printer type you are going for, you should check a few things from the manufacturer first. Look at the duty cycle, which is the manufacturer's estimate of how many printed pages can be produced in a month of usage. The rule of thumb is to select a printer that has a duty cycle at least three times that of your own estimated printer usage in order to maximize the efficiency of printer use and minimize maintenance.

Another thing to check is the manufacturers estimate for total print volume, which is the manufacturers estimate of the total mileage that the printer is expected to handle. You will find that beyond this anticipated lifespan the warranty will usually be invalidated as the machine become uneconomical to maintain and repair. If you are a business user you should expect a three year life cycle for the printer but this can vary depending on your usage.

Looking at printer speeds, you need to be careful with what they are actually trying to tell you. Often the printer speed is nothing more than a measure of how fast the feeder mechanism can move the sheet of paper through the printer from the paper tray to the output tray. If printing is actually involves this can be significantly different and you need to be sure that you are actually looking at the speed with which the printer actually can print. In this instance you will be looking for the PCW ratings and the better the rating the faster the actual printing speed for a given level of quality.

Its better to buy a new Printer rather than buying both New Cartridges as the cost of both the cartridges is equivalent to get a new Desk jet/Bubble jet Printers. It has one more advantage of getting Printer warranty too.
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