Help when buying a Laptop, what to look out for!

As with most electrical products, knowing exactly what to buy can be very difficult especially with computers. Laptops, Netbook, Tablets, Ultra mobiles are all increasing in performance power, becoming faster and faster for an ever increasing demanding software. This means that technology can be out of date within no time after buying your brand new computer. This is not designed to go into minute detail on what every aspect of computers are, but rather explain just enough to get you started with some ideas of what to look out for. So here are a few tips on what you should be looking for when buying.

Before going over the most important aspects to look for in each computer there is one tip that if there's anything you should take away from reading in this blog it is this; Don't buy for just today, buy for the future! Too many times have I talked to customers that aim to buy a laptop with minimal specs because it will do what they need for now, they're also the first to complain that their laptop is too slow. An OK computer today might not be an OK computer in a couple of years. In fact there’s a chance it will be struggling by that time. If it means spending £50/$80 extra for a far superior computer, do it. Even if it means you only get another 12 to 18 months of good life out of the laptop it's going to be worth it before taking another plunge into buying another machine.

Processing power.
This is the most important part of your computer. It's the brains of your system, and the better this is the better the overall performance of your computer will be. The two most available processors are AMD and Intel. While Intel are usually faster, AMD are becoming more and more popular as a good priced product for what you get for your money. Intel's processors range from the Celeron, Pentium, i3, i5, i7. The AMD processors start from the AMD Sempron or Neo, AMD Turion, AMD Phenom (I apologise for the names, gees, why not call it 5, 10 and 20???) The graph below shows the difference between what applications can be run on each of the different processors. AMD Sempron is equivalent to Pentium, Turion to i3, Phenom to i5/i7.

Personally an Intel i3/i5 of AMD Turion should be enough for the average laptop or computer buyer.

RAM

Random access memory or memory works hand in hand with the processor, it allows programs to be stored here so the information can be processed quicker. Simply put, more RAM equals quicker processing, as long as the RAM amount is equally as good as the processor. There is no point of having a poor processor with lots of RAM. The amount of memory you should be looking for the average computer should be 3 or 4 GB. Anything less is again going to be outdated quickly. 

Hard Drive

The hard drive is the total amount of memory that is available for the computer. It will store all the programs, your work, films, music, everything. This was once the most important aspect of a computer, there was no point in having very little memory as you would have difficultly doing anything with the computer if you couldn't store many programs on it. However hard drive memory is now cheap, if your computer is running low on memory you can always buy a portable hard drive. As a tip I would personal put as much of your files on a portable hard drive, this can aid in keeping the computer running smoothly for as long as possible. I would be looking for at least 250 GB of hard drive in my computer, and if you do store a lot of files (documents, movies, music) then look for at least 500 GB.

Graphic Card

This can get complicated, there are many different cards on the market. However there are two different types of graphic card, dedicated and integrated. Integrated are normally part of the RAM, while dedicated are separate processors designed just for graphic. If you’re using your laptop for gaming or editing you will need a dedicated graphics card.

Wireless Card

The wireless card will determine the range your laptop or computer will be able to wirelessly connect to a router. These either come in g class, the most basic. n and n300. The n300 combines good range with the connections speeds into 300Mb/s. This would be ideal for a laptop as hopefully within the next few years broadband speeds will soar with the integration of the fibre optic cable throughout the country.

Other things to take into account.

Screen size

HDMI port - to connect to a TV.

Battery Life.

Hope these tips will help finding the right computer for you that little bit easier. Any more information please leave a comment for us to get back to you.

   

The NEW Samsung D8000, hot or not...

In the wake of the release of the new Samsung D8000 is about to be released onto the UK market.  And after the success of the C8000, what have they done this time round to seduce you into its beauty.  There is no doubt that yet again this will be one of the best looking TV's on the market, but has it improved? What have they added? What have the taken away? and is it going to be the best TV this year?

Well, I think its pretty safe to say that it is definitely better than its predecessor, with a full internet web browser, 5 millimeter screen surround, built in wireless, and new style 3D glasses, it will be challenging the likes of the Panasonic V30, Sony HX923 and the new LG nfinia range.  With all of these improvements surely its not all good?

The built in web browser, and WiFi are for me the best improvements on the D8000,  however I think Samsung may have missed a bit of a trick, the new sleek and stylish 3D glasses use Bluetooth rather than the glasses of the  predecessor using infra-red.  This in turn means that the two differing types of glasses are not compatible with the different generations of TV.  Last years glasses will not work with the D8000 and the new glasses will not work with the C8000. This risks angering people who unaware that buying cheaper glasses over the internet will not work with there new TV.

As previously mentioned the style of the D8000 is remarkable I will be extremely surprised if I speak to anyone that doesn't like the look of it, because to be fair they'd be wrong.  They have taken the perspex edging away, and gone for a more c7000-esq design with a rounded finish, still in silver, with an almost invisible frame at only 5 mm big.  If there is a better looking TV this year then I think I might marry it.

It is certainly going to be interesting this year, as the TV's on the market are not just going to be judged on picture quality anymore, as they are all now expected to give you an exceptional picture anyway.  For me this is going to be the most desired TV of 2011, it ticks all the boxes and more.  People that might already have a 3D Samsung will be furious that they can't use their existing glasses, but that won't stop everyone wanting one, and why not, it's going to be brilliant.

DLNA - The future of Technology!

DLNA - Digital Living Network Alliance. Within the next couple of years those words will be a house hold name in the same way that Bluetooth is known by all. DLNA is a piece of technology that will revolutionise the way we use technology. DLNA is a univeral wireless technology. Hasn't that already been done you ask, well yes, methods of wireless technology have been around for over ten years now, people have been able to send wirelessly information such as pictures to each other but larger files have always been difficult. This is where DLNA comes into its own. In the future you will be able to connect all your electrical appliances to one another, currently it DLNA certified products include, TV's Computers, Tablets, Camera's, DVD and Bluray players, Mobile phones, Photo frames, Set top boxes, Network Storage devices, Gaming consoles with many more different technological products expected to be fully wireless within the next 12 months. Currently there are 200 companies involved in DLNA with over 9000 different products available but this is expected to rise to the hundreds of millions by 2014. DLNA is and will be compatible by all companies so there so there is no worry that half your products won't be able to talk to each other.

If your products have this logo it is DLNA certified.
So what will I be able to do with this wireless Technology?
You have just come back from holiday and want to show the family your videos and photos. Within seconds you are transmitting all your photos and videos to the TV, once you are done you will be able to send all the information to a network storage device for safe keeping, while the rest of the family are viewing your photos and films you’re on your laptop sending your pictures to facebook. All of this is possible if the products are DLNA certified and not one cable is needed between any of the devices. It will also mean that only one recording device will be needed in the future, it's possible that 4 different TV's can watch 4 different films from one storage device all at the same time. One way or another DLNA will be part of your future with the products that you will buy.

For a list of all DLNA products click here, http://www.dlna.org/products/

So what do you think of DLNA and are you currently using this wireless service? Please leave your comments below.

Budget buy's under £300.

What can you expect to get for under 300 quid, in the current market?

Well if you're not bothered about buying online you could easily pick up a full HD 32" Samsung or LG.  But many people don't trust buying online as there can be plenty of potential hiccups, with the after sales service, if the TV developed a fault etc, which isn't ideal.  Although the plus side to buying online is its probably going to be cheaper than in stores.

Say you wanted to buy from your local electrical retailer, for £300 I would be surprised if you could get a "known" brand that is full HD, there may be the odd offer somewhere and if there is I say snap there hands off.  Realistically at the minute, if the pennies are tight and you want the best for your money, I would be looking at either the Panasonic X20 Sony ex301, the Samsung C450, or the LG 320  all 32" for me the front runner would be the Samsung C450, it gives a much brighter, crisper, clearer image than the rest, and the design too holds it just in front of its rivals.  The X20 Panasonic is a close second and would probably be most peoples first choice, but not mine.

If brand doesn't bother you, (which for me, it probably should), this Christmas there were a few 42" plasma's floating about for 299 quid which to be fair is an absolute steal, the quality isn't going to be anything near that of a leading brand plasma, but for your money you are certainly getting a lot of TV.

For me if you are on a strict budget, shop around, browse the web, see if there are any ex demo TV's available at a discount price and if you can get anything with a better spec than a Samsung 32" C450 you have done alright.

Let us know if you find any bargains anywhere, we would love to know whats about.

Tips for buying a TV (March to April)

A very quick blog, with a very simple message. If you are thinking about buying a new TV any time soon you had better hurry up. I must admit there are some very good TV's about to come out, New designs, better specs, extra features. All very good. However unless money is no option and lucky you if it isn't, the new models will be costing you alot more for roughly the same picture quality. It's all great trying to buy a TV which can do 4K2 (ultra high definition), but no formats can really support that quite yet. If it's color quality you want you can't beat top end LED's or Plasma's espcially the Panasonic V/ VT20. So save your money. TV's such as the Sony nx713, hx803, lx903, Samsung c6000, c750, c680, c6900, c7000 (plasma and led) c8000, LG Infinia range, Panasonic G20, GT20, V20 VT20. These are all great TV's that can be brought at very good prices at the moment as alot of the companies are getting rid of them to make way for all the new models which will be released within the next few weeks. Again hope this helps. Ever need any advice on any TV or other technological product leave a comment and i ll get back as soon as possible.

I pad 2, Technological Revolution or Money Making Gimmick!

We are getting ever closer to the release of the I pad 2, but is the world ready for it? It has been only 11 months since the orginal I pad made an impact on the world, with respect to the computer market and equally to that of the fashion market. Some people also believe that this gap between the 2 products is too early, this review will discuss both sides of the argument.

The Spec.
The majority of you reading this will already know what the difference is between the I Pad 2 and the I Pad. Simply it is quicker, slimmer, with better graphics and new features. But thats it. From what we know there is nothing that you will not be able to do on the new I pad that you couldn't with the original, except conference calling. So is this good enough?

Keeping up with the times.
With the success of the I pad, tablets have been the next big thing and have asserted a large market share of the commerial computer market. If 2010 was known as the year of the I pad, 2011 will be known as the year of the tablet. Apple had a 90% dominance of tablets in 2010, with Samsung being its only threat. But now Apple has to be wary of competition from Android. Android will be the operating system for companies making tablets this year. These companies include, Motorola, Samsung, Asus, Lenovo, Toshiba, HTC, and LG, to name a few. Although I believe none of these companies can rival Apple in terms of sales, Android itself may out do Apple just by strength in numbers. If it is Apple verus the world it is Apple verus Android. I personally believe it is android that has accelerated the I Pad 2 release.

Now or later?
With such a range of companies now closing in on Apple's "tablet" market, Apple have been led to a cross roads with two options. One, wait for the competition to release their tablets and make the I Pad 2 a more technological advanced piece of hardware, but risk losing their own market share. Or two; release the I pad 2 early and hope that customers will still buy, even though the competition will be significantly better in every technical aspect (graphics, features, processing power, etc). However with this option, the I pad 2 may struggle leading up to christmas. Apple decided to pick the latter of these two options and its not suprising as it has never really been the most technical of products. Before the release of the I touch, Archos already had a product out which was far more technically advanced than that of the I touch. But despite this Apple has excelled against the competition and this is again why Apple have opted for this early release. As much as Apple have good products, I believe it is Apple's fashion status that has pushed it into power. This fashion dominance, is Apples biggest strength but may one day start to become its biggest weakness.

Another Apple product!
Everyone who is anyone has Apple. If you don't have the new Apple i phone or mac, you are behind on what is cool. But with another product that keeps needing to be replaced to stay fashionable, it is becoming increasingly expensive to be an Apple fan. I'm not saying that this is unique to Apple in bringing out products that seems so close to the last release. Actually to be fair, Apple are one of the best, many companies involved in selling electrical technology will have several upgraded products throughout the year. However what is unique to apple is that their products are so advertised and sought out for their fashionable status that the world knows when a new Apple product is out, apple don't even need to advertise, everyone else does that for them. Magizines, News, your friends and family. But again this also acts as a reminder that you now own an old product that needs updating.

I personally believe this product is going to be the achiles heel for Apple. With the times we live in, with money tight, people will be more likely to spend their money on a new phone (i phone) or computer (mac) than a product that is in between. Both the i phone and mac are getting bigger and bigger and may even one day verge on the overall success of apple in terms of MP3/4 market. Portable music is Apple and no one can compete. I think the other companies know that the phone and computer markets are nearly impossible to compete with Apple. But the tablet market is still open to anyone, for now that is anyway.

So for you reading this I'm curious to know what you plan to do. For you that are Apple fans, are you planning to re buy? Can you justify paying alot of money for a product that when released with be already be behind compared to it's competitors.  Are you happy buying a better spec I Pad even though your orginal I pad is still fine. Do you make full use of your I pad or is it that it is the latest thing to buy? Please leave your comments and answer the poll. 

    

3D, should you believe the hype?

there are many questions hovering over the new 3D TV's, mainly involving "who's going to sit there wearing glasses, and watch telly?" erm, well people that wear glasses for a start...

but seriously, yeah I can see why some people wouldn't want to do it, its a fair point, and for those of you that are going to wait until they come out with out glasses, enjoy the wait.

For me if I was going to get one of the 3D TV's on the market at the minute I would only get one or two of them.  top of my list would be the Panasonic VT20.  A personal favourite, that blows the competition out the water in my opinion.  If i had to buy one 3D TV at the minute that would be the one! The GT20, a similar version to the V series, is also exceptional in 3D, this is mainly due to the PDP panels that Panasonic use.  There are plenty of TV's out there that are worth getting, now don't get me wrong, the Samsung 8000, and the Sony 803, are both brilliant, and lovely looking TV's that I would love to own.  But in 3D they seem to lack a little bit of wow factor, and although in every other aspect, I would take them hands down over the more expensive Panasonic.  But that's not why we're hear, we want the best 3D and that means looking further than nice design, or good features built into the TV.

I'm sure, and I've been told by a few people, that some of the 2011 range from a variety of brands have stepped it up a gear.  And I really hope they have, as the prices drop and 3D becomes more and more popular, the market is going to become much more competitive, as more and more content becomes available, demand is going to rise, but how many uneducated buyers are going to be unsatisfied with there purchase?  hopefully those of you who read the simple advice blogs won't fall for one of the weaker models, and be fully satisfied with your 3D TV.

all in all 3D is here and everyone is on board, its a revolutionary advancement, that might be a bit of a gimmick, but its certainly in some cases a very good gimmick, that can make or break a TV.  So why not get a 3D TV they're brilliant, and in most cases, if you want a high spec TV the chances are it's going to be 3D capable.  Go with the flow, embrace the advancement in technology and go for it.