Dorchester Computer Repair Blog

It’s no surprise that the evolution of the computer has gone from PC to laptop to netbook and that as these devices get smaller what they can do changes with their size. With the advent of the latest addition called the netbook, it’s a good idea to get an overview of the kind of remote computer support you can get from each before you make any purchases.

First of all it’s important to understand what the netbook is and what it does as opposed to a laptop. This smaller version of the laptop is designed primarily to surf the Internet and is not designed to be used as a workstation or as a full entertainment center.  Although the evolution of this new device might make it more compatible for these purposes down the road, as it stands now the laptop is still the machine favored by business people on the go.

Smaller Keyboard

The purposes of the netbook are reflected further in its design when you look at the keyboard.  Most of these devices have a small keyboard there really would be of no use to a business person or even someone trying to blog from a remote location. Of course the screen size is also smaller although the netbook does come with the array of USB ports so they can handle external helpers. Still it’s important to remember her that even a person with average size hands would have a hard time typing for any length of time with one of these smaller netbooks.

And of course that’s to say nothing of the touchpad on the netbook.  With the smaller keyboard comes a smaller touchpad and limited capabilities there if of course the kind of remote computer support you’re looking at includes a functional keyboard.

Screen Size.

Although there are variations from model to model, the screen size on a netbook is always smaller than a laptop, although the resolution can be brought up on some models to a respectable level.  While this isn’t to say that the netbook is a bad choice, it’s important that people are aware of the limitations of the smaller version of the laptop and don’t purchase one thinking it offers the kind of portability in a business environment that its larger cousin does.

Finally, you need to take a look at the memory that a netbook offers as opposed to the larger notebook. Generally the playing field is little more level here with both the bigger and smaller versions starting out with 512 MB, so regardless of the one you pick you’ll almost always want to upgrade to 1 GB and above.

Tags: Dorchester Computer Repairs, Dorchester Laptop Repair, Laptop Repair Dorchester

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When most people consider doing an upgrade to their existing PC buying a new graphics cards often seems the way to go but there are some considerations you need to take into account because if you get these wrong you may waste your money.

What Do You Use Your Computer For

Before you go diving straight in it would be a sensible idea to assess your actual needs, for example do you play games?. Are you a casual games player that perhaps prefers to save money and buy older or second hand games, or do you want the latest and greatest?

If the majority of your games tend to be older titles then you simply will not need a high end high memory card and will be better suited with a budget card especially in an older system. Surprisingly one consideration you need to take into account is your current processor speed. Exercise caution before making a purchase. If you processor is older then it simply may not have the power necessary to drive a newer card and your purchase will have been in vain.

Does Your Motherboard Support The Card Type?

You need to keep in mind as well these cards are not universal. That means not all of the ones you buy will be compatible with your system. This can be due to a number of differing reasons but the main one will probably the slot type which could be either PCI, AGP and Pci-e so make sure which one is in your system.

Is There Enough Memory In Your Computer?

In a lot of cases upgrading your computer graphics will mean a computer memory upgrade too!

Graphics cards will be available with different gpu’s and varying amounts of memory, and if your Pc only has a small amount of RAM then you will run into a big snag as there will be insufficient memory to allocate to your system hardware and installation will either fail or your computer will end up slower than before.

Is Your Power Supply Good Enough?

The larger the card the more power they will generally draw from your power supply so you need to take this into account as well, the older the power supply the smaller it may be, and it may only be around 200w or there abouts, so depending on on the number of other pieces of hardware you have attached, this may lead to excessive power drain which can lead to computer instabilities. Also take note thatmany a majority of the newer cards may need an additional direct power connection so open your case and make sure that a spare connector is not only available, but is also long enough to reach the card.

Is There Enough Space In My Case?

Sometimes a cases internal layout can cause space problems when fitting a new graphics card or the layout out of the main board may simply not be conducive for larger cards and a newer card will simply not fit!

The new generation of cards often have multiple GPU’s or large amount of memory so the tend to be a lot longer than previous cards. Equally many will have larger fans to keep then cool as they work harder so check in your case to make sure there is enough space above and below the graphics slot.

A graphics card upgrade is worth the effort but you do need to take account of the above considerations, but if you have an older AGP based motherboard and want to play the latest games then you may be better investing in a new computer. As with most technical things it is best to take advice from your local Dorchester computer repairs provider who will be best suited to help.

Tags: Computer Upgrades Dorchester, Dorchester Computer Repairs

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Author: Samuel Nielsen

Article: Whether in a personal or business setting, a person will come in contact with large amounts of digital data that needs to be stored in a secure place. With increasing amounts of emails, documents, presentations, graphics, etc, the likelihood of losing important information is increased if the data is not stored properly. Safe data storage is a must and is crucial in any setting.

A user should take the time to analyze the many options available for data storage and choose the solution that works best for them. Decide what is important and base your decision on what works best for your situation. Things to consider include; how quickly does the information need to be accessed? How often will the data be used? Will the data need to be stored on site or at a more secure remote location?

When you can answer these questions to your satisfaction, you will be in a better position to choose the best data storage option for your individual needs. Sometimes the choice is obvious, but a mistaken choice can lead to trouble in the future. The types of data storage available can include flash memory, external hard drives, online storage, and network attached storage devices.

Flash memory thumb drives are small and portable devices that allow a user to store and access files and programs quickly and easily. Most are set up with programs that can emulate a hard drive so a user can work with the programs and bookmarks they need without packing an entire computer around. The downside is the limited amount of memory the offer.

An external hard drive will increase the storage capacity and still offer convenience and portability to the user. With an external hard drive the user can transport large files or connect it to a computer to back up an entire hard drive. Most users prefer using an external hard drive only when backing up large files, such as video files, since continuous use can get tiresome.

Another option is a relatively recent addition to the storage industry, and that is online storage options. This involves backing up data to an off-site location through the Internet. This allows a user to access the data from any computer, but can be a little slow depending on the connection being used.

There is also network attached storage that is most often used by businesses that need a data storage solution that can easily be accessed by multiple users. This is often done by using multiple hard drives in a single array so the solution can be scaled to meet a growing businesses needs. Many companies also include an automated redundancy backup to help ensure the safety of sensitive data.

Some data storage options work best for business use while others may be more appropriate on a personal level. If you take the time to evaluate all your data storage options you will have a better chance at finding what works best for you. There is a data storage and backup solution for you no matter what your needs call for.

With a variety of options for <a href=’http://www.dell.com/us/en/enterprise/enterprise/storage/ct.aspx?refid=storage&s=biz&cs=555′>data storage</a> it is best to explore your needs and examine which <a href=’http://www.dell.com/us/en/enterprise/enterprise/disk-backup/cp.aspx?refid=disk-backup&s=biz&cs=555′>data backup</a> solution will work best for you.

Tags: Computer Repairs Dorchester, Data Backup Dorchester, Data Storage

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Quite often many heavy internet users find themselves suffering from what appears to be very slow internet connections, but is the problem a slow connection or is it perhaps a problem on your computer?

The best way to check is to rule out the obvious first so try doing a speed check on your connection. This is simple and straight forward, just type in “broadband speed check” on any search engine and you will get a list of results you can use.

If this is OK next step is to check your system for virus (make sure you have an up to data virus checker). If this is ok also check for malware and adware as in many instances this will not get pick up by antivirus checkers alone.

If you subsequently find you have a virus that you cannot remove or perhaps your system is clear but still very sluggish contact your local computer repair company for further help.

Tags: Slow Internet

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The decision on whether to use an external storage drive versus an internal storage drive with your PC or device can be difficult. It is not just an aesthetic decision, but rather one that should be based on your needs versus the pros and cons of each type of drive. Go to data storage uk for more information.

The first thing you should consider when you begin looking for a new storage device is, no matter what kind will be whether you need or want an internal or external device. They each have their own sets of pros and cons, so it is important to be educated on each.

The first, and most obvious, benefit of an external hard drive is that it is easier to set up and get started with, especially if you are a computer novice. In most cases, it is a matter of simply plugging in the proper power source and USB cables, installing the proper drivers (which your computer will often lead you through), and you are ready to start using your external storage drive. This is really the best way to go if you are not confident or at all interested in messing around with the wires and cables inside your desktop or laptop.

A second, and perhaps less obvious benefit of the external memory drive, is that they are much easier to share between different users. Most of the USB/FireWire hard drives available today are “plug and play.” This set up makes it simple to move the drive from one machine to another, since you simply unplug the drive from one machine and plug it into another. You can, then, more easily transfer files from home, to work, to school, or to a friend. The value of the convenience alone may be worth it to you, depending on your individual situation. Refer to data storage for more information.

On the other hand, the downside of an external storage drive is that they are certainly slower than internal ones. Internal drives usually are connected to the computer through IDE/ATA busses, which are what support higher data transfer seeds than USB busses, which is how most external storage drives are connected. Also, in a simple manner of cost, since external drives generally have their own casings, they are often more expensive than internal drives.

As a general rule, internal drives are both faster and less expensive than their external counterparts. The biggest, perhaps most obvious, drawback of the internal storage devices is installing them. So, if you decide to go the internal route, look for a package that includes with it all of the cables and hardware required for installation. You will also want something that has a manual that is illustrated and easy for you to understand. In addition, good installation software can make or break it. If the package is a good one, even the most novice PC user will be able to install in internal drive.

Another advantage of internal storage drives is the price. As a rule, the greater the capacity of the media involved with the storage device, the cheaper the price per megabyte, but obviously the price is higher per device. Either way, since internal storage devices do not require their own casing, they run cheaper than their external counterparts.

The disadvantages to internal storage drives are more on par with their convenience. With most internal storage drives you lose the ease of user changing. You will have a much more difficult time removing an internal drive and transferring it to another person’s computer. Of course, if you are using a laptop, such convenience is a little less necessary.

There are obviously a number of factors to take into account when making the decision between internal or external storage solutions. You must figure out what kind of access speed you need, how much backup storage you will need, overall storage needs both now and in the future, how much security and privacy you need, and a number of other memory factors. The thing is that in the end, you will do fine whether you select an internal storage drive or an external storage drive. Storage devices are more affordable than ever with more space available than ever. So make an educated guess at what is best for you and go for it, you really can’t go wrong either way. Visit data storage for further information.

Tags: Data Storage

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