Adding Wireless to Your Older Laptop

Most of the older laptops don’t include wireless facilities, it is easy to upgrade and update.
There are several ways this can be done.

Holding the card: Check the instruction manual to see whether the laptop has a built-in compartment for holding a small wireless card .if the laptop has one, then this is a good solution to upgrading the laptop.

On the transceiving end: purchase a PC Card wireless transceiver, these devices, are plug-and-play upgrades to a laptop. However using a PC Card wireless adapter, there is need to remove the card every time you turn off the machine.

Budding up to USB: Like PC Card devices, the USB-port is also a plug-and-play solution.

Invisible power loses.-vampire electronics.

 Ever wonder how much electricity household appliances use when they’re supposedly off-in “standby” or “ready” mode?

Apparently these “vampire” loads are gradually getting deeper into your wallets. For instance, computers often save power by shutting down one or more components but without turning completely off.

In 2000, researchers estimated that each year Americans spend about $4 billion just on standby power. Worse yet, some of our electronics never go into low-power mode because they are hooked to networks that require constant feedback. Desktop computers are left on all the time for this reason.

The monitor may be off, but the processor, fan, and other hardware may still be running.
What to do to avoid power loses:

• Shut your computer and printer down (all the way) when not in use.
• For the A/V system can be turned off entirely without sacrificing performance.
• Keep all cell phone chargers out of the socket when not charging the phone.

Deciding between a CRT and an LCD Monitor

 CRT and LCD, these terms describe the two basic types of monitors now available. CRT stands for cathode ray tube. The advantage of CRT monitors is that they’re inexpensive but however take up to much space, they are heavier and use more power than the LCD.
LCD stands for liquid crystal display. This is the flat-screen monitor,  LCD monitors are thin, lightweight, and energy saving. They cost more than comparable CRT monitors.
The following list highlights the features of CRTs and LCDs:
Both CRT and LCD monitors connect to the same type of graphics adapter plug on the back of your PC.Some LCD monitors rotate 90 degrees, which allows you to view them in portrait and landscape modes.The best way to judge an LCD monitor is to view only text on the screen. Don’t be fooled at the store by fancy graphics displays, which always look stunning. The true test is viewing text, not graphics.

Be sure to check the LCD in a variety of lighting situations. Some monitors cannot be seen in very bright lights. Some monitors cannot be seen from far right or left angles.

Unlike LCD monitors, most CRTs let you display graphics in a variety of resolutions and color settings. LCDs, on the other hand, typically use only a few modes to display things.

CRT monitors emit more radiation than their LCD counterparts.

Be sure to compare LCD versus CRT at the larger aspect ratios. Some larger LCDs tend to lose their color saturation, whereas larger CRTs don’t.

Don’t confuse LCD with flat-screen monitors. All LCDs are flat screen. But a few CRTs have flat picture tubes and are advertised as being flat screen. It’s not the same as having an LCD monitor, though the flat-screen CRTs display a nicer image than traditional curved-screen models.

 Note: Don’t get an LCD if you plan to play fast-action computer games! Generally speaking, LCDs are too slow to update for real-time game action.

Another area where CRT monitors are better than LCDs is in high-end graphics. A CRT monitor can better render color images than an LCD, which has a more limited range of color reproduction.

Accessorizing your Laptop

   

The computer is endlessly expandable. Check out must-have items to expand your laptop.

Spare battery: Having an extra battery doubles the time that you can use your laptop without being attached to an AC wall socket. However you should make sure that the battery you use is compatible with your laptop. Using the wrong battery in your laptop can meet with disastrous results.

 External mouse: Unlike the keyboard, you aren’t limited in your choice of an external mouse for your laptop. There is a wide range of mouse you can pick from, including the wireless mouse which is very convenient.

Theft prevention system: This can either be a cable to keep your laptop from “walking off” or one of those annoyingly loud “my-laptop-has-been-moved alarms”. Secure your laptop and no need to worry.

Full-sized keyboard: This sounds weird; you may find certain pleasure when using a laptop with a full-sized keyboard. Especially if you rely on the numeric keypad, either for numbers or cursor controls. Nothing is special is required to connect a full-sized keyboard to your laptop.
Use the USB port, or a port replicator or docking station.

USB lamp: The laptop’s LCD screen is illuminated, even in the dark you can see. But, however, most laptop keyboards are not illuminated. With the USB lamp you are able to see the keyboard and other stuff around the laptop in the dark.

Mini-vacuum: The mini-vacuum is handy for cleaning laptop, especially the keyboard. These vacuums are in most office supply stores. They do a better cleaning compared to brushes.

Laptop bag: Not forgetting the laptop bag, this makes the portability of your laptop much easier. Get yourself laptop bag.