Can i get help with my laptop’s trackpad?

Betty asks…

Can i get help with my laptop’s trackpad?

So I have an hp Pavilion dv5 and I am having troubles with the trackpad and its hopefully something easy to fix. One thing is when I click the left button it wont let me move the cursor at all while I am still holding the left button. I have also noticed the sensitivity is off. The cursor seems to go really fast even though I have it on a low setting. Just wondering if there is anything that I can do.
If there is a way to completely reset the settings for the cursor could that help?

onli7832 answers:

Well, to begin with, make sure the mouse (touchpad) settings are correct:
If this does not fix the problem, download the ‘touchpad’ driver and any soft ware from the internet and install them. If this does not fix it replace the pad…
You may email me at mayray40@Yahoo.com

Hey, I enjoyed your question, I have worked as a technician most of my life, I hope I have helped you…

CompTIA A+ Certified Computer Professional

Mary asks…

Computer Mouse Problems when Booting but only sometimes?

First of all, thank you for clicking to help me.
To lay out my system I am running a HP Pavilion dv6000 with Ubuntu 11.10 (dont freak out! I know the OS is NOT the problem)
Over the past few years I had been experiencing issues with my laptop. The darn thing would only boot properly like every third try, so, I decided to never shut it down (sleep mode). Well, this was great until I realized when I eventually did shut the machine down, It wouldn’t work most of the time. About a year after I first experienced this problem I got a new machine and set this in the closet. Recently, I decided to open it up and try it out. I would run it, get a blue screen (windows has detected an error and is shutting down) so I decided to wipe the system and do a clean install of a new operating system. I had no money on my so I decided to use linux.

^TL;DR computer didn’t work but every third boot, time elapses, retry system, total fail, wipe drives, install Ubuntu.

My problem now is somewhat different. I will go to start up my computer, and everything will be great, everything works as it should. After an update, however, my system asks me to do a restart. So, thinking I had solved the problem, restart the system. When it boots back up, I log on (the mouse does have total functionality here) and gets me to my desktop.

^TL;DR had to restart with new OS, worked good up to log in

After I am at my desktop, if I just hover over items, such as those in my launcher (equivalent to the mac’s launcher, they show their name when you hover over them *usually*) would not display their names. After clicking on them however, I can get them to load the applications. Once the application is open however, the mouse will do nothing. I can move the curser around, sure, but the clicking or highlighting will do nothing. I cant access the file, edit, etc. Nothing happens. But, I can use keyboard commands to use the applications properly. If I close the application with alt f4, I can resume use of the mouse, but only on the programs in the launcher (I can launch them, not use them). Also, the icons displayed on the top right (wifi, user, settings) do not respond to a mouse click.

^TL;DR mouse clicks launcher, works to launch applications, in opened apps, mouse click does nothing, only use of keyboard commands works, after alt f4, can only open more launcher apps, no use of system icons

I know that my problem is not an OS problem, this is because I have booted it up with several different distributions (versions) of linux with no change to the problem, except for the occasional boot where everything works perfectly.

Does anyone know a fix to my problem? Or how I could go about help? Or suggestions even?

onli7832 answers:

Do you still have these problems in live mode? What is the SMART status of your hard drive?
Maybe hard disk issues?

Does a USB mouse work okay?
Maybe driver issues for the mouse?

Is the BIOS up to date? IF not do the changelogs mention anything about touchpad improvements?

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my touchpad is broken!!!?

Mark asks…

my touchpad is broken!!!?

okay,
my new hp pavilion dm4 has been replace once before. that was because the disk drive was broken… which happened a month ago…

anywho… my touchpad hasn’t worked one time before and i just restarted my laptop and let it off for about 30 minutes and it was fine.
every week i do a cleaning routine which is i clear temp folders on my computer and i clean the outside of it like the screen, the gunk in between the keys then clean the touchpad lightly… and now the red light doesn’t even turn on. i tried to restart my laptop again for even a longer time… still nothing. i am getting sooo frustrated with this laptop. i do have a wireless mouse for it but it gets annoying really fast.
i am Truly convinced that its in the hard drive and it would get it me a brand new computer. ( i have to make 3 recovery disks at first use) then use my nortan (can only be downloaded 3 times) im on my 2 now, and my office2010 is the same frigging thing.
is there any easy fix ??? or do i have to take it back for ANOTHER new laptop????

onli7832 answers:

I doubt that the problem is in your hard drive. It’s probably a failed touch pad, but before you decide that you could try uninstalling and reinstalling the touch pad driver. Find the driver on the HP website.

Betty asks…

What laptop for college??!!?

Going to be a college freshman in a week and I still don’t have a computer, I am going to buy one today and need quick help! I want a light weight, cheap for the quality, and fast laptop since i am only using it for internet business and writing papers. I like to go online and I hate lagging! I am trying to look for the best price and came up with these:

http://www.circuitcity.com/ccd/viewCompare.do?oid=215818&oid=214770&user=true

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8892745&type=product&id=1211587727496

try clicking the link, the best buy one has “2″ different computers.

onli7832 answers:

Alrighty then, lol.

If you’re buying a laptop, there are a few things to consider.

1. The processor. Most, if not every decent laptop in today’s market has dual-core technology. This means that it has two processors working as one to compute information. Now, what’s the difference between speeds? In all reality, for a common user (that is not a hard-core computer geek like some of us), the difference between 1.8GHz and 2.0GHz is negligible. The only areas you will be able to notice will be in gaming, and video encoding.

2. The memory. If the OS (Operating System) is a “32-bit” then it can only read approximately 3 GB of RAM. Only the “64-bit” processors can understand 4+ GB of RAM. RAM is what the computer uses to store temporary information, like open programs (internet, word processing, music players, etc…). A general rule of thumb is that the more RAM, the faster the computer will load programs/files to a point (as with everything). An industry standard nowadays is around 3 GB. The faster the “clock speed” of the ram (the higher the PC xxxx), the higher quality the RAM.

3. Hard Drive space is what you store the more permanent information on – word files, music, videos, programs, etc….If you have an extensive music library (5000+ songs (legal songs)), then you should be looking at a computer with at least 250GB (1 GB = 1 Billion Bytes). If you don’t really need all that space, then a laptop with 160+ GB of Hard Drive space would suffice.

4. Graphics Processor!!! If you will not be watching many DVD’s or playing any games, then you can settle for an integrated video processor such as the INTEL X3100. If you want the security of being able to play the occasional 3D game, then I would recommend a dedicated graphics card with dedicated memory (256MB or 512MB). You can check whether or not the card is integrated by going to “http://www.notebookcheck.net”

5. Most laptops now feature DVD/CD Burners. Some offer a built in feature known as “Lableflash or Lightscribe.” This will allow you to “etch” images on special CD/DVD’s. It makes the finished CD/DVD look more professional.

6. Price Comparison. Expect to spend $550+ for a decent laptop nowadays. You can sometimes (or during really good sales) find ones cheaper around $450.

The first laptop I would recommend is the Toshiba M305D-S4829 from Circuit City this week. I just purchased it last Wednesday, and am typing on it right now. It has a ton of power, like seriously. I was playing BF2142 last night with no problems. It costs $699, but It’ll be running strong for a few years before anything begins to become too demanding for it. The sound quality on this laptop is phenomenal. It has Harman/Kardon speakers that are Bose quality. It has 4GB of RAM, an ATI Radeon 3100 processor, which is nearly equal to most mid-range dedicated graphics processors. It support 802.11b/g/n networks. It has a standard webcam (not to mention facial recognition software for extra secured log-ons) and all the other features you need lol. The style on this laptop is phenomenal.

If that is slightly out of your price range though, I would say go to Best Buy and pick up the HP DV5-1002NR. It costs $679, but it is nearly as good as the above laptop with only a few exceptions (it is actually better in some areas as well, lol). The touchpad on it has a glossy feel which is fine for cooler weather, but if its humid out or your fingers are the least bit sweaty, it becomes quite difficult to move the pointer. It has a slightly better video processor – the ATI Radeon 3200 (the main difference is that it has a HDMI output). It has a slightly larger screen at 15.4″ WS. Its half a pound heavier, which isn’t really a big deal to me at all. It also runs the 32-bit OS of Vista which will only support 3 GB of RAM, which is fine for nearly everything. I hope this helps you in your quest!

The next two are right about tied for abilities if the above prices are a bit out of your budget. I would recommend testing each one, and then deciding which one you prefer better.

The first one is the Toshiba L305D-S5868 from BestBuy this week at $549. It features the ATI Radeon 3100 which is capable of handling many 3D games, and in fact – it is the same video processor as the laptop that I am using. It features a built-in webcam, as well as standard DVD/CD re-write ability. It has a 250GB hard drive running at 5400RPM. One feature that it could improve upon is its stock RAM. From the store, it only comes with 2GB. This can be easily upgraded to 3GB from any computer retailer (including www.newegg.com). It also comes with a user-friendly touchpad as well as a nice blue form factor. Although it doesn’t necessarily have all of the extra-goodies, this laptop is perfect for the common pc user, and comes at a great price!

The second one is the Toshiba L305D-S5881 from Circuit City. This laptop is nearly identical to the last l

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HP PAVILLION DV5 mouse problem?

Donald asks…

HP PAVILLION DV5 mouse problem?

I have an HP Pavilion dv5-2035dx Entertainment Notebook and Ive been having problems with the mouse. I dont know if its a problem with my laptop or if its a flaw with the model. So, sometimes I can go thru the day and everything works fine. Other days .. a few times a day.. The cursor will jump very quick across the screen, back and forth as if I’m swiping my finger across it back and forth but i’m not touching it.. it does it on it’s own. When it happens i have to hold the power button down for it to restart and then it comes back on and works perfectly. Anyone else have this problem and a solution?!
It is very frustrating!! I love the laptop but this is becoming a major problem! My mom has an HP and has never had this problem! (She has a dv9000) and Ive tried a USB mouse, it STILL does it.. so i have no idea what it is.. if it’s not the mouse pad!
Thanks for your help everyone. I did what you said and uninstalled the mouse and let it reinstall itself upon restarting and i think it helped but only time will tell!

& regarding the touchpad, yes i had that problem too but thats not what i was talking about. It will randomly start jumping and no matter what i do… tap it, move it, or just leave it alone.. it doesnt stop until i restart the computer! But as far as the touchpad it just takes getting used to, annoying but managable.. thanks though!
Oh and i did try using a USB mouse but it still does that jumpy thing. It seems to be working now that i uninstalled the driver and let it reinstall itself though.

onli7832 answers:

The touchpad, right?

I’m actually on a DV5 myself, and I think I know exactly what your problem is. It’s most likely one of two things:

1. The Touch-Pad drivers are corrupted/installed incorrectly. HP should have the drivers (the software that allows the mouse-pad to function properly) available for download on their website. Just use google if you have any problems finding it.

2. This answer is probably not going to help you, but it’s a problem for me if I’m not careful. The touch-pad for the mouse is very similar to the rest of the laptop case: Smooth. Sometimes, unwittingly, I’ll rest a thumb or a small part of my hand on the mouse-pad without even realizing it. Then when I go to move the cursor it jumps across the screen. This is because there are two inputs that the mouse-pad senses: Your primary finger (the one you want moving the cursor) and your thumb/hand. I am now careful about resting my hands near the touch-pad when I use it.

However, I usually (almost always) use a cheap ($20.00… Cheap?) wireless USB mouse. I needed it for Software Dev and Programming and I just like having a ‘real’ mouse. It provides more control and a better interface.

Hope that helps.

Thomas asks…

What kind of Laptop am I looking for?

I’m not exactly tech-wise, so i’m looking for a few opinions. I was looking into Dell’s Studio Laptops, and they seem to be really nice, with what i need. However, I don’t want to go throwing my money away. So, what kind of laptop would you reccomend? Brand, and which particular one, if you can. I’m not looking at Mac’s right now, so please don’t suggest that. I’d be using it mostly for multi-tasking. Web browsing, instant messaging, using other programs all at once. I won’t be using it for gaming, so i don’t need high graphics or anything. Also, I’d love it if it had really good sound quality. Thanks!

onli7832 answers:

Alrighty then, lol.

If you’re buying a laptop, there are a few things to consider.

1. The processor. Most, if not every decent laptop in today’s market has dual-core technology. This means that it has two processors working as one to compute information. Now, what’s the difference between speeds? In all reality, for a common user (that is not a hard-core computer geek like some of us), the difference between 1.8GHz and 2.0GHz is negligible. The only areas you will be able to notice will be in gaming, and video encoding.

2. The memory. If the OS (Operating System) is a “32-bit” then it can only read approximately 3 GB of RAM. Only the “64-bit” processors can understand 4+ GB of RAM. RAM is what the computer uses to store temporary information, like open programs (internet, word processing, music players, etc…). A general rule of thumb is that the more RAM, the faster the computer will load programs/files to a point (as with everything). An industry standard nowadays is around 3 GB. The faster the “clock speed” of the ram (the higher the PC xxxx), the higher quality the RAM.

3. Hard Drive space is what you store the more permanent information on – word files, music, videos, programs, etc….If you have an extensive music library (5000+ songs (legal songs)), then you should be looking at a computer with at least 250GB (1 GB = 1 Billion Bytes). If you don’t really need all that space, then a laptop with 160+ GB of Hard Drive space would suffice.

4. Graphics Processor!!! If you will not be watching many DVD’s or playing any games, then you can settle for an integrated video processor such as the INTEL X3100. If you want the security of being able to play the occasional 3D game, then I would recommend a dedicated graphics card with dedicated memory (256MB or 512MB). You can check whether or not the card is integrated by going to “http://www.notebookcheck.net”

5. Most laptops now feature DVD/CD Burners. Some offer a built in feature known as “Lableflash or Lightscribe.” This will allow you to “etch” images on special CD/DVD’s. It makes the finished CD/DVD look more professional.

6. Price Comparison. Expect to spend $550+ for a decent laptop nowadays. You can sometimes (or during really good sales) find ones cheaper around $450.

The first laptop I would recommend is the Toshiba M305D-S4829 from Circuit City this week. I just purchased it last Wednesday, and am typing on it right now. It has a ton of power, like seriously. I was playing BF2142 last night with no problems. It costs $699, but It’ll be running strong for a few years before anything begins to become too demanding for it. The sound quality on this laptop is phenomenal. It has Harman/Kardon speakers that are Bose quality. It has 4GB of RAM, an ATI Radeon 3100 processor, which is nearly equal to most mid-range dedicated graphics processors. It support 802.11b/g/n networks. It has a standard webcam (not to mention facial recognition software for extra secured log-ons) and all the other features you need lol. The style on this laptop is phenomenal.

If that is slightly out of your price range though, I would say go to Best Buy and pick up the HP DV5-1002NR. It costs $679, but it is nearly as good as the above laptop with only a few exceptions (it is actually better in some areas as well, lol). The touchpad on it has a glossy feel which is fine for cooler weather, but if its humid out or your fingers are the least bit sweaty, it becomes quite difficult to move the pointer. It has a slightly better video processor – the ATI Radeon 3200 (the main difference is that it has a HDMI output). It has a slightly larger screen at 15.4″ WS. Its half a pound heavier, which isn’t really a big deal to me at all. It also runs the 32-bit OS of Vista which will only support 3 GB of RAM, which is fine for nearly everything. I hope this helps you in your quest!

The next two are right about tied for abilities if the above prices are a bit out of your budget. I would recommend testing each one, and then deciding which one you prefer better.

The first one is the Toshiba L305D-S5868 from BestBuy this week at $549. It features the ATI Radeon 3100 which is capable of handling many 3D games, and in fact – it is the same video processor as the laptop that I am using. It features a built-in webcam, as well as standard DVD/CD re-write ability. It has a 250GB hard drive running at 5400RPM. One feature that it could improve upon is its stock RAM. From the store, it only comes with 2GB. This can be easily upgraded to 3GB from any computer retailer (including www.newegg.com). It also comes with a user-friendly touchpad as well as a nice blue form factor. Although it doesn’t necessarily have all of the extra-goodies, this laptop is perfect for the common pc user, and comes at a great price!

The second one is the Toshiba L305D-S5881 from Circuit City. This laptop is nearly identical to the last l

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Laptop gurus: Any reason(s) why I SHOULDN’T get this laptop?

Mark asks…

Laptop gurus: Any reason(s) why I SHOULDN’T get this laptop?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834210015

Model
Brand ZT
Model Element S1017i-15
General
Operating System Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit
CPU Type Intel Core 2 Duo T5850 2.16G
Screen 15.4″ WXGA
Memory Size 4GB DDR2
Hard Disk 250GB
Optical Drive DVD Super Multi
Graphics Card NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT
Video Memory 512MB
Communication Modem, Gigabit LAN and WLAN
Card slot 1 x Express Card
Weight 5.85 lbs.
CPU
CPU Type Intel Core 2 Duo
CPU Speed T5850(2.16GHz)
CPU FSB 667MHz
CPU L2 Cache 2MB
Chipset
Chipset Intel PM965
Display
Screen Size 15.4″
Wide Screen Support Yes
Display Type Wide XGA
Resolution 1280 x 800
Operating Systems
Operating System Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit
Graphics
GPU/VPU NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT
Video Memory Dedicated 512MB
Graphic Type Dedicated Card
Hard Drive
HDD 250GB
HD Interface SATA
Memory
Memory Speed DDR2 667
Memory 4GB
Optical Drive
Optical Drive Type DVD Super Multi
Optical Drive Interface Integrated
Optical Drive Spec Built-in Super-Multi Drive (supports DVD RAM)
Communications
Modem 56K
LAN 10/100/1000Mbps
WLAN 802.11a/b/g Wireless LAN
Bluetooth Yes
Ports
Card Slot 1 x Express Card
USB 4
IEEE 1394 1
Video Port 1 x VGA, 1 x S-Video TV-out, 1 x HDMI
Other port 1 x eSATA
Audio Ports Yes
Audio
Audio Realtek ALC888
Speaker Internal Speakers
Input Device
Touchpad Yes
Keyboard Standard
Supplemental Drive
Card Reader SD/MMC/MS/MS-Pro 4-in-1 Card Reader
Webcam 1.3MP
Power
AC Adapter 120-watt AC adapter
Battery 6-cell lithium ion
Physical spec
Weight 5.85 lbs.
~~~~~~~~

Okay, so I do want a 12 cell battery.. and one reviewer said this only lasts about 2hrs, 30minutes when doing minimal things, but that’s alright I think. I have heard there have been reported problems with this series of GFX card, but I’m not too concerned since I’ll get the 3yr warranty and regularly make backups of my files. (Plus I still have my old laptop if I need to use it as a backup). I kind of wanted a bigger screen, but this one is alright I think. Before this, I wanted a HP model.

I was looking at the HP Pavilion DV9920US Widescreen notebook.. with these specs:

*17″ WXGA+ BrightView LCD Screen
*AMD Turion 64 X2 dual-core TL-60 2.0 GHz, 1MB L2, 1600MHz FSB
*4GB DDR2 memory
*250GB 5400-rpm SATA hard drive
*Win Vista Home Prem 64-bit w/SP1
*LightScribe SuperMulti DVD drv
*802.11a/b/g/Draft-N wireless
*4 USB 2.0; 1 FireWire; 1 S-video
*5-in-1 card reader; bluetooth

Now, I liked that the bus speed was pretty high – 1600MHz FSB… but I think the first model I listed would run faster/better than this one, correct? The most recent model I listed – the HP – had a 3yr accidental warranty for about $480 (From Office Depot).. whereas the first one listed costs about 270 on newegg for 3yrs accidental.

If you’re wondering what I want the laptop for: I want it for some gaming. Mostly some older games, but it would be nice if it could run some of the newer games on a low resolution since I have gamer friends. I’d like it to last me a while in college, thus the 3yr warranty and the good GFX card. If you have any questions/suggestions/comments on it, please post them. All constructive comments are welcome. Thanks :)

Edit: The HP had a nVidia 7150 GFX card.
I will be checking back on this tonight/tomorrow morning and noon, so feel free to ask any questions with any advice you may have.
Another question: Is there a significant difference between the 1600MHz bus speed on the HP and the 667MHz bus speed on the first listed laptop? Where would it make a difference?
I don’t have a problem with 64 bit, since I’ve read most of the games I play can be configured to run on it. Plus, 64 bit is probably the wave of the future.
For the record: my old laptop is a Dell D600 Latitude with a 1.4GHz single core intel processor… 1.2GB ram (upgraded 1gig a yr ago, was originally 512). 30GB hard-drive.
The simple answers are okay, but I was hoping for more thought. At least how much of a difference the 1600 bus speed HP would be compared to the 667 of the 1st model.

onli7832 answers:

If I were you I would hunt down some Maximum PC, PC mag, Computer shopper, consumer report or other tests of this rig. You can buy it beautiful and kicking. But, when it smokes it may as well be a $10 watch when you start to look for their service center. If you find it. Try before you buy and ask questions like what their average and max turn around time is for repairs. Also ask who pays what. Ask about pixel defects. How many before you replace my screen? If you don’t like the answers Keep walking. I have worked with computers for 25 years. The company may be perfectly legit and in the good ole computer bad world it may fold the day after it makes your laptop. Also check the better business bureau where their home office or manufacturing plant is. If they have a bad record, there already are other people who have purchased from them who are hot on their trail. Trying to recover their money. Any old engineer with enough money can make a PC it takes lots of money to make a PC that is well designed., especially a laptop. Next do a search for complaints on the company on the net. If you find an abnormally high one don’t give them your money. Of course I am not talking about HP,Compaq, Toshiba etc. Although it is god to read everything yu can find on the models you are looking at. Sometimes complaints reach the web quickly sometimes not.. The big timers screw up as well so take nothing for granted.

On the 64 bit subject remember that with Good Ole’ Vista NOTHING, I repeat, NOTHING I know of in 32 bit will run with it including anything using Active X on the INternet. Here we are 3 or 4 years later and I cannot get Active X for for 64 bit Internet Explorer. Just my ramblings but remember that all Warranties and written with the same words. So be sure it acceptable to you, or you are agreeable to the risks before you buy. My 64 Bit Internet Explorer runs like a demon until it hits something that needs Active X then it keeps trying to load An active X that does not exist I am not sure what Microsoft had in mind but this is the poorest rollout of an OS I have seen since Windows ME. Oh’ yeh the hype MIcrosoft has of “Mohave” with a bunch of actors or dummies they found on the street making Vista such a wonderful looking system wonderful is just a word. Those Guys know about as much about Vista as I know about A Fusion reactor I in fact may know more about a reactor than they do Vista. Vista is compatible with nothing but new Microsoft certified software don’t expect anything else to work.

Also there is a big difference between processor and Front Side bus Speed . You want both high but the FSB is usually a multiple if the processor speed. If you want to know how fast a computer is get a copy of Sisoft Sandra from the web and compare the two or three you decide on. Simple processor speed means very little in the PC world anymore. ALso remember that laptop processors are made to throttle back when not presented with a challenging job throttles back to 200 Mhz or so to save battery. So be aware if you see a excessively low Processor speed that this may be the case. They must be good at saving battery as well.

Mandy asks…

Driver problem conversion from vista to XP, Please help.?

I have Windows Vista Home basic 32-bit and I want to change my laptop(HP dv6700) to Windows XP Home SP2. But how do I get the drivers for graphics card, motherboard, touchpad, fingerprint reader etc. Please help, because I want to convert my laptop into a gaming rig.
Actually, games do run a hell lot faster in XP SP3 because much of the memory is devoted to applications running and not OS. So, please suggest some ways to install drivers for my hardware if I change it to XP.

onli7832 answers:

YOu are going backwards, with Vista you need the graphics card. With XP you need nothing like that. Just upgrage your memory a bit and stick with Vista. You will be better off in the long run

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What kind of laptop should I buy?

David asks…

What kind of laptop should I buy?

I want to get a new or used laptop for school. I will be starting in the spring. I want something that I can download my pictures and music onto and that is easy to transport with a long life battery. I would like to purchase a mac but am put off by the high price. Is there an alternative that is just as good but easier on my wallet? Where should I go to buy it?
Ive seen the Acer laptops and was wary about them because I had never heard of them before. Is that a good brand of computers? I would prefer something that does not use windows vista. I have heard many bad things about this program.

onli7832 answers:

Alrighty then, lol.

If you’re buying a laptop, there are a few things to consider.

1. The processor. Most, if not every decent laptop in today’s market has dual-core technology. This means that it has two processors working as one to compute information. Now, what’s the difference between speeds? In all reality, for a common user (that is not a hard-core computer geek like some of us), the difference between 1.8GHz and 2.0GHz is negligible. The only areas you will be able to notice will be in gaming, and video encoding.

2. The memory. If the OS (Operating System) is a “32-bit” then it can only read approximately 3 GB of RAM. Only the “64-bit” processors can understand 4+ GB of RAM. RAM is what the computer uses to store temporary information, like open programs (internet, word processing, music players, etc…). A general rule of thumb is that the more RAM, the faster the computer will load programs/files to a point (as with everything). An industry standard nowadays is around 3 GB. The faster the “clock speed” of the ram (the higher the PC xxxx), the higher quality the RAM.

3. Hard Drive space is what you store the more permanent information on – word files, music, videos, programs, etc….If you have an extensive music library (5000+ songs (legal songs)), then you should be looking at a computer with at least 250GB (1 GB = 1 Billion Bytes). If you don’t really need all that space, then a laptop with 160+ GB of Hard Drive space would suffice.

4. Graphics Processor!!! If you will not be watching many DVD’s or playing any games, then you can settle for an integrated video processor such as the INTEL X3100. If you want the security of being able to play the occasional 3D game, then I would recommend a dedicated graphics card with dedicated memory (256MB or 512MB). You can check whether or not the card is integrated by going to “http://www.notebookcheck.net”

5. Most laptops now feature DVD/CD Burners. Some offer a built in feature known as “Lableflash or Lightscribe.” This will allow you to “etch” images on special CD/DVD’s. It makes the finished CD/DVD look more professional.

6. Price Comparison. Expect to spend $550+ for a decent laptop nowadays. You can sometimes (or during really good sales) find ones cheaper around $450.

The first laptop I would recommend is the Toshiba M305D-S4829 from Circuit City this week. I just purchased it last Wednesday, and am typing on it right now. It has a ton of power, like seriously. I was playing BF2142 last night with no problems. It costs $699, but It’ll be running strong for a few years before anything begins to become too demanding for it. The sound quality on this laptop is phenomenal. It has Harman/Kardon speakers that are Bose quality. It has 4GB of RAM, an ATI Radeon 3100 processor, which is nearly equal to most mid-range dedicated graphics processors. It support 802.11b/g/n networks. It has a standard webcam (not to mention facial recognition software for extra secured log-ons) and all the other features you need lol. The style on this laptop is phenomenal.

If that is slightly out of your price range though, I would say go to Best Buy and pick up the HP DV5-1002NR. It costs $679, but it is nearly as good as the above laptop with only a few exceptions (it is actually better in some areas as well, lol). The touchpad on it has a glossy feel which is fine for cooler weather, but if its humid out or your fingers are the least bit sweaty, it becomes quite difficult to move the pointer. It has a slightly better video processor – the ATI Radeon 3200 (the main difference is that it has a HDMI output). It has a slightly larger screen at 15.4″ WS. Its half a pound heavier, which isn’t really a big deal to me at all. It also runs the 32-bit OS of Vista which will only support 3 GB of RAM, which is fine for nearly everything. I hope this helps you in your quest!

The next two are right about tied for abilities if the above prices are a bit out of your budget. I would recommend testing each one, and then deciding which one you prefer better.

The first one is the Toshiba L305D-S5868 from BestBuy this week at $549. It features the ATI Radeon 3100 which is capable of handling many 3D games, and in fact – it is the same video processor as the laptop that I am using. It features a built-in webcam, as well as standard DVD/CD re-write ability. It has a 250GB hard drive running at 5400RPM. One feature that it could improve upon is its stock RAM. From the store, it only comes with 2GB. This can be easily upgraded to 3GB from any computer retailer (including www.newegg.com). It also comes with a user-friendly touchpad as well as a nice blue form factor. Although it doesn’t necessarily have all of the extra-goodies, this laptop is perfect for the common pc user, and comes at a great price!

The second one is the Toshiba L305D-S5881 from Circuit City. This laptop is nearly identical to the last laptop with a few exceptions. It has 3GB of RAM instead of the two in the previous model. Along with this, it has a slightly different blue form factor. The price is adjusted for the extra gigabyte of RAM – $579.99. Remember to compare the two before your purchase to ensure that the one you buy is more fitting for your likings.

If you have any questions – feel free to email/message me! Enjoy!

© Marshall 2008

Linda asks…

What’s a good laptop (specifications inside)?

What’s a good laptop that’s fairly light, medium-sized (15 inch), has a long lasting battery, plays and creates CDs and DVDs, has a large memory (mostly for storing music and reports), runs fairly fast, has multiple USB ports, and a dual core processor? I will be using the laptop for schoolwork and writing, so do I need anything else on it? Thanks.
I don’t play computer games but I will be installing a few programs (like language programs, etc.). The laptop must have Microsoft Office (Word) and the space for a lot of music.
I don’t play computer games but I will be installing a few programs (like language programs, etc.). The laptop must have Microsoft Office (Word) and the space for a lot of music.
And the budget is about $1100 and under (preferably less).

onli7832 answers:

Alrighty then, lol.

If you’re buying a laptop, there are a few things to consider.

1. The processor. Most, if not every decent laptop in today’s market has dual-core technology. This means that it has two processors working as one to compute information. Now, what’s the difference between speeds? In all reality, for a common user (that is not a hard-core computer geek like some of us), the difference between 1.8GHz and 2.0GHz is negligible. The only areas you will be able to notice will be in gaming, and video encoding.

2. The memory. If the OS (Operating System) is a “32-bit” then it can only read approximately 3 GB of RAM. Only the “64-bit” processors can understand 4+ GB of RAM. RAM is what the computer uses to store temporary information, like open programs (internet, word processing, music players, etc…). A general rule of thumb is that the more RAM, the faster the computer will load programs/files to a point (as with everything). An industry standard nowadays is around 3 GB. The faster the “clock speed” of the ram (the higher the PC xxxx), the higher quality the RAM.

3. Hard Drive space is what you store the more permanent information on – word files, music, videos, programs, etc….If you have an extensive music library (5000+ songs (legal songs)), then you should be looking at a computer with at least 250GB (1 GB = 1 Billion Bytes). If you don’t really need all that space, then a laptop with 160+ GB of Hard Drive space would suffice.

4. Graphics Processor!!! If you will not be watching many DVD’s or playing any games, then you can settle for an integrated video processor such as the INTEL X3100. If you want the security of being able to play the occasional 3D game, then I would recommend a dedicated graphics card with dedicated memory (256MB or 512MB). You can check whether or not the card is integrated by going to “http://www.notebookcheck.net”

5. Most laptops now feature DVD/CD Burners. Some offer a built in feature known as “Lableflash or Lightscribe.” This will allow you to “etch” images on special CD/DVD’s. It makes the finished CD/DVD look more professional.

6. Price Comparison. Expect to spend $550+ for a decent laptop nowadays. You can sometimes (or during really good sales) find ones cheaper around $450.

The first laptop I would recommend is the Toshiba M305D-S4829 from Circuit City this week. I just purchased it last Wednesday, and am typing on it right now. It has a ton of power, like seriously. I was playing BF2142 last night with no problems. It costs $699, but It’ll be running strong for a few years before anything begins to become too demanding for it. The sound quality on this laptop is phenomenal. It has Harman/Kardon speakers that are Bose quality. It has 4GB of RAM, an ATI Radeon 3100 processor, which is nearly equal to most mid-range dedicated graphics processors. It support 802.11b/g/n networks. It has a standard webcam (not to mention facial recognition software for extra secured log-ons) and all the other features you need lol. The style on this laptop is phenomenal.

If that is slightly out of your price range though, I would say go to Best Buy and pick up the HP DV5-1002NR. It costs $679, but it is nearly as good as the above laptop with only a few exceptions (it is actually better in some areas as well, lol). The touchpad on it has a glossy feel which is fine for cooler weather, but if its humid out or your fingers are the least bit sweaty, it becomes quite difficult to move the pointer. It has a slightly better video processor – the ATI Radeon 3200 (the main difference is that it has a HDMI output). It has a slightly larger screen at 15.4″ WS. Its half a pound heavier, which isn’t really a big deal to me at all. It also runs the 32-bit OS of Vista which will only support 3 GB of RAM, which is fine for nearly everything. I hope this helps you in your quest!

The next two are right about tied for abilities if the above prices are a bit out of your budget. I would recommend testing each one, and then deciding which one you prefer better.

The first one is the Toshiba L305D-S5868 from BestBuy this week at $549. It features the ATI Radeon 3100 which is capable of handling many 3D games, and in fact – it is the same video processor as the laptop that I am using. It features a built-in webcam, as well as standard DVD/CD re-write ability. It has a 250GB hard drive running at 5400RPM. One feature that it could improve upon is its stock RAM. From the store, it only comes with 2GB. This can be easily upgraded to 3GB from any computer retailer (including www.newegg.com). It also comes with a user-friendly touchpad as well as a nice blue form factor. Although it doesn’t necessarily have all of the extra-goodies, this laptop is perfect for the common pc user, and comes at a great price!

The second one is the Toshiba L305D-S5881 from Circuit City. This laptop is nearly identical to the last l

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Operating system for laptop….?

Ken asks…

Operating system for laptop….?

Ok, so i’m buying this hp notebook off of a friend of mine. It has a crashed hard drive and he doesnt feel like messing with it so its mine now. My question is, since he doesnt have the cds AND since the hard drive is messed the recovery partition is gone, how do i go about getting an os for it? I’ve checked the hp website and there are some drivers available for some components, but not everything. Any thoughts would be awesome.

Thanks!

Ps, I know linux is an option, but i was more looking for XP :D
Well I have a copy of XP that is legit. I thought that it had to be a special type of xp for a laptop because of the more exclusive hardware; touchpad, battery monitor, etc.

Or is that all in a regular copy of xp?

onli7832 answers:

My friend, use the ordinary XP and then install the necessary drivers.

You will have no problem. XP has all the facilities to check Battery Status and save power when using the laptop. Touchpad will also work. If it doesn’t, install its driver.

William asks…

Left click and my laptops touch pad stopped working.?

I have a problem with my laptop, I have a hp pavilion dv4-1465dx, and the left click on my touch pad has stopped working, even tapping on the touch pad has stopped working as well. I am able to move the mouse and right clicking works perfectly fine. All of this started two weeks ago my computer froze and after that i wasn’t able to click anymore, i left it for a while and now i try going to control panel >mouse >properties and updating my driver and rolling back and it worked. I turned off the laptop because i had to go when i went back my computer froze again while i was browsing the net and the same, the left click stopped working. What can it be? How can i fix this?

ps. No i dont want to buy a usb mouse because i use my laptop for college and i am constantly moving around.

onli7832 answers:

Solution 1. Is the fn+f7 comination (activation of touchpad) press at the same time.
Solution 2. Control panel, Mouse and then the “device settings” tab and see if your device is enabled or disabled

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can a Hp Pavilion dv6745us Play PC Games?

Joseph asks…

can a Hp Pavilion dv6745us Play PC Games?

My Brother said that it cant play pc games can it plz answer

onli7832 answers:

It CAN play games, but they won’t be top of the line quality. Laptops aren’t the best for games unless they are BUILT for games. This laptop, while good, isn’t necessarilly a hardcore machine. Shared graphics memory is one problem, and the integrated nVidia chipset isn’t the greatest.

I am sure it can play alot of games at a decent level, but don’t expect it to run Crysis… Even with the graphics options all set to minimum it may not be very playable.

Hp Pavilion dv6745us
Processor and Memory

Processor Brand: AMD
Processor Class: Turion 64 X2 mobile technology
Processor Speed: 2 GHz
Installed Memory: 2 GB
Maximum Memory: 4 GB
Memory Technology: DDR2 SDRAM
System Memory Configuration: 2 x 1 GB
Cache Size: 1 MB
Processor: Turion 64 X2 mobile technology
Processor Number: TL-60
Storage

Hard Drive Capacity: 250 GB
Included Drives: DVD±RW (+R DL) / DVD-RAM
Hard Drive Type: Portable
Card Reader Type: 5 in 1 card reader
Supported Flash Memory Cards: SD Memory Card, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO, MultiMediaCard, xD-Picture Card
Display and Graphics

Display Size: 15.4 in.
Display Type: TFT active matrix
Graphics Processor: NVIDIA GeForce 7150M
Resolution: 1280 x 800 pixels
Display Resolution Standard: WXGA
Video Memory Technology: Shared video memory (UMA)
Battery

Battery Type: Lithium ion
Communications and Networking

Wireless Technology: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
Modem Speed: 56 Kbps
Software

Operating System: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium
Connectors

Interface Provided: Infrared, S-Video, VGA, Phone line, Ethernet 10Base-T/100Base-TX/1000Base-T
Warranty

Warranty Information: 1 year warranty
Base Warranty: 1 year warranty
General Product Info

Input Devices: Keyboard, Touchpad
Included Sound Card: Sound card
Weight: 6 lbs.
EPEAT Compliant: Yes
Also known as: HP Pavilion Dv6745us, Hewlett-Packard KC300UA#ABA, HP Pavilion KC300UA#ABA, HP Pavilion, Hewlett-Packard Dv6745us
Manufacturer Part No.: KC300UA#ABA
Dimension: 1.6 in. X 14.1 in. X 10.1 in.(HxWxD)
UPC: 883585706624

George asks…

Should i get an HP or ACER? please help?

please help me out here. i am looking at getting a new laptop and dont know which to choose from. the two i am deciding upon are the HP dv7-1247cl and the new ACER timeline series.i have had an acer in the past and the keyboard/touchpad gave out on me. the computer was not even 2 years old yet and that happened. i did my research on that particular model and it was a common problem so i just thought it was the same problem for me. this is why i am a little skeptical on acer now. so please can anyone give me some really good support and help into making this decision? i would greatly appreciate it SOOO MUCH, thanks jason

onli7832 answers:

HP are MUCH better:
design
durability
etc
I bought yesterday a HP dv6z and is PERFECT!!!

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I am looking for new laptop… good deal for good price…easy 10 pts.?

Sharon asks…

I am looking for new laptop… good deal for good price…easy 10 pts.?

I am looking for new laptop. prefferably windows because i am familiar with it and generally non-macs are cheaper then macs. i have only have $900 total plus upcoming christmas, although i referee soccer in the fall so i should be coming up with some money soon (200-300 dollars) by the end of fall.

what are some specific brands or specific computers i should be looking at? i dont do online or computer gaming, but instead i have alot of music and surf the web alot and have alot of windows open at one time so core duo is a must. i also watch alot of DVD’s on my computer.

i am looking for alot of options so whoever points me in generally the right direction or gives me good brands or computer will get 10 pts. thanks so much.
oh and also generally somewhat large screen but compared to what else i need this isnt a huge aspect but probably 17′ or bigger

onli7832 answers:

Alrighty then, lol.

If you’re buying a laptop, there are a few things to consider.

1. The processor. Most, if not every decent laptop in today’s market has dual-core technology. This means that it has two processors working as one to compute information. Now, what’s the difference between speeds? In all reality, for a common user (that is not a hard-core computer geek like some of us), the difference between 1.8GHz and 2.0GHz is negligible. The only areas you will be able to notice will be in gaming, and video encoding.

2. The memory. If the OS (Operating System) is a “32-bit” then it can only read approximately 3 GB of RAM. Only the “64-bit” processors can understand 4+ GB of RAM. RAM is what the computer uses to store temporary information, like open programs (internet, word processing, music players, etc…). A general rule of thumb is that the more RAM, the faster the computer will load programs/files to a point (as with everything). An industry standard nowadays is around 3 GB. The faster the “clock speed” of the ram (the higher the PC xxxx), the higher quality the RAM.

3. Hard Drive space is what you store the more permanent information on – word files, music, videos, programs, etc….If you have an extensive music library (5000+ songs (legal songs)), then you should be looking at a computer with at least 250GB (1 GB = 1 Billion Bytes). If you don’t really need all that space, then a laptop with 160+ GB of Hard Drive space would suffice.

4. Graphics Processor!!! If you will not be watching many DVD’s or playing any games, then you can settle for an integrated video processor such as the INTEL X3100. If you want the security of being able to play the occasional 3D game, then I would recommend a dedicated graphics card with dedicated memory (256MB or 512MB). You can check whether or not the card is integrated by going to “http://www.notebookcheck.net”

5. Most laptops now feature DVD/CD Burners. Some offer a built in feature known as “Lableflash or Lightscribe.” This will allow you to “etch” images on special CD/DVD’s. It makes the finished CD/DVD look more professional.

6. Price Comparison. Expect to spend $550+ for a decent laptop nowadays. You can sometimes (or during really good sales) find ones cheaper around $450.

The first laptop I would recommend is the Toshiba M305D-S4829 from Circuit City this week. I just purchased it last Wednesday, and am typing on it right now. It has a ton of power, like seriously. I was playing BF2142 last night with no problems. It costs $699, but It’ll be running strong for a few years before anything begins to become too demanding for it. The sound quality on this laptop is phenomenal. It has Harman/Kardon speakers that are Bose quality. It has 4GB of RAM, an ATI Radeon 3100 processor, which is nearly equal to most mid-range dedicated graphics processors. It support 802.11b/g/n networks. It has a standard webcam (not to mention facial recognition software for extra secured log-ons) and all the other features you need lol. The style on this laptop is phenomenal.

If that is slightly out of your price range though, I would say go to Best Buy and pick up the HP DV5-1002NR. It costs $679, but it is nearly as good as the above laptop with only a few exceptions (it is actually better in some areas as well, lol). The touchpad on it has a glossy feel which is fine for cooler weather, but if its humid out or your fingers are the least bit sweaty, it becomes quite difficult to move the pointer. It has a slightly better video processor – the ATI Radeon 3200 (the main difference is that it has a HDMI output). It has a slightly larger screen at 15.4″ WS. Its half a pound heavier, which isn’t really a big deal to me at all. It also runs the 32-bit OS of Vista which will only support 3 GB of RAM, which is fine for nearly everything. I hope this helps you in your quest!

The next two are right about tied for abilities if the above prices are a bit out of your budget. I would recommend testing each one, and then deciding which one you prefer better.

The first one is the Toshiba L305D-S5868 from BestBuy this week at $549. It features the ATI Radeon 3100 which is capable of handling many 3D games, and in fact – it is the same video processor as the laptop that I am using. It features a built-in webcam, as well as standard DVD/CD re-write ability. It has a 250GB hard drive running at 5400RPM. One feature that it could improve upon is its stock RAM. From the store, it only comes with 2GB. This can be easily upgraded to 3GB from any computer retailer (including www.newegg.com). It also comes with a user-friendly touchpad as well as a nice blue form factor. Although it doesn’t necessarily have all of the extra-goodies, this laptop is perfect for the common pc user, and comes at a great price!

The second one is the Toshiba L305D-S5881 from Circuit City. This laptop is nearly identical to the last laptop with a few exceptions. It has 3GB of RAM instead of the two in the previous model. Along with this, it has a slightly different blue form factor. The price is adjusted for the extra gigabyte of RAM – $579.99. Remember to compare the two before your purchase to ensure that the one you buy is more fitting for your likings.

If you have any questions – feel free to email/message me! Enjoy!

© Marshall 2008

Maria asks…

What Kind of Laptop Should I Get?

I want to get a laptop.
I have a budget I’m trying to stick with. It’s $700.00 +/-.
I want it to be fairly mobile.
I don’t want it to weigh more than 7 pounds.
I need the brand to be reliable.
I want a NEW laptop.
It needs to have at least 2GB of memory and a 120GB hard drive.
Looks really don’t matter to me all that much.
Please help.
I care none about graphics or sound. There will be a little light gaming.
I will use Word, PowerPoint, etc.
Needs Webcam.
I will browse the internet.
I will do some light multitasking.
I will do a little multimedia (iTunes mostly)
I would love to buy direct if possible.

onli7832 answers:

Sure. I’ve been searching intently for the past two weeks. To be honest with you, It would help to know a little about your laptop needs.

Would you be doing ANY gaming on the computer, or watching lots of media? OR would you be using this for primarily word processing and such?

If you would like a high power one for the price, I would recommend the Toshiba M305D-S4829 from Circuit City this week. I just purchased it yesterday, and am typing on it right now. It has a ton of power, like seriously. I was playing BF2142 last night with no problems. It costs $699, but It’ll be running strong for a few years before anything begins to become too demanding for it. The sound quality on this laptop is phenominal. It has Harman/Kardon speakers that are Bose quality. It has 4GB of RAM, an ATI Radeon 3100 processor, which is nearly equal to most mid-range dedicated graphics processors. It support 802.11b/g/n networks. It has a standard webcam and all the other features you need lol. The style on this laptop is phenomenal.

If that is slightly out of your price range though, I would say go to Best Buy and pick up the HP DV5-1002NR. It costs $599, but it is nearly as good as the above laptop with only a few exceptions (it is actually better in some areas as well, lol). The touchpad on it has a glossy feel which is fine for cooler weather, but if its humid out or your fingers are the least bit sweaty, it becomes quite difficult to move the pointer. It has a slightly better video processor – the ATI Radeon 3200 (the main difference is that it has a HDMI output). It has a slightly larger screen at 15.4″ WS. Its half a pound heavier, which isn’t really a big deal to me at all. It also runs the 32-bit OS of Vista which will only support 3 GB of RAM, which is fine for nearly everything.

I hope this helps you in your quest! If you have any more questions, feel free to contact me!

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Somethings wrong with my laptop?

Paul asks…

Somethings wrong with my laptop?

It’s an HP Pavillion g7.
First the start bar dissapears whenever I bring up the internet, then the touchpad scroll function stopped working,
and now my laptop won’t turn off or even restart. I’ve had the start bar and scroll function problem before and fixed them I just can’t remember how I did it.

Im more concerned with the fact that it won’t turn off.. I had to pull the battery out to try and restart it the other day but I don’t want to do that again because when I turned it back on it was like it never turned off.. It didn’t go to the start up screen just went right to my homescreen

onli7832 answers:

Try this one first, if it doesn’t fix it try the next ones…
1. Reboot, and repeatedly press F10 at the HP logo until the recovery screen appears.
2. When the recovery screen appears, press “Next” and then “Yes” to perform a non-destructive recovery (all data saved). After the recovery is finished, the laptop will reboot.

Or to perform a destructive recovery, (***This will erase all your unsaved data!***)
Click “Advanced” and then “Yes”.
After the recovery is finished, the laptop will reboot.

Or
Reboot, and repeatedly press F11. Follow on screen prompts.

Or
Click Start>All Programs>Recovery Manager>Recovery Manager.
Click continue if prompted.
Click System recovery.
When the PC restarts, select the System recovery option and click Next.

If prompted to use the Microsoft System Restore program, click No, then Next.
If you want to backup your personal files and settings, select Back up your files first (recommended) option, then click Next.
Follow the on-screen instructions.

When prompted to Recover without backing up your files, STOP before clicking Next.
This is the final opportunity to change your mind about recovering the PC and deleting all the files and programs.

Once you click Next, the restore process cannot be stopped.
The PC immediately begins formatting.

©Techno

Linda asks…

I can’t right click on my laptop!! HELP?

It’s terribly annoying, it’s happened once before and what fixed it was a restart of my laptop and 10 minutes later it was fine. Now it happened again and it was just random too, i started up my laptop, and I couldn’t right click. I restarted many more times, and waited. Nothing happened. I have windows Vista on an HP. Any help please, i need right click, it’s driving me insane and I need it for school essays and such ASAP.

onli7832 answers:

As stated above if you are using an external mouse replace it. If you are using your touchpad on your laptop get a mouse and use it for now. Then I would suggest three things: 1. Do an error check on the hard drive. This will find out any problems with the mouse driver. If this doesn’t help then….. 2. If it is under warrenty send it in for repair. 3. If step 2 is not a choice for you then I would suggest taking the laptop to a reputable comptuer repair shop. If possible avoid geek squad or other major “repair” places. They are overpriced and there methods are questionable.

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What laptop should i buy for first year in college?

Helen asks…

What laptop should i buy for first year in college?

I’m going to college and need a laptop BUT it can’t have Norton on it and cannot be a mac based on the requirements for my online classes. It also needs to be windows xp or vista i could care less, Microsoft office professional, and Internet explorer.. I am only having this laptop for a couple years and buying a new one after school is done. I need something that is not too spendy. What is my best option? I looked into dell but i have no clue!

it also cannoy be an apple or a mac for what the school requires it interferes with the blackboard program i will be using.

onli7832 answers:

Alrighty then, lol.

If you’re buying a laptop, there are a few things to consider.

1. The processor. Most, if not every decent laptop in today’s market has dual-core technology. This means that it has two processors working as one to compute information. Now, what’s the difference between speeds? In all reality, for a common user (that is not a hard-core computer geek like some of us), the difference between 1.8GHz and 2.0GHz is negligible. The only areas you will be able to notice will be in gaming, and video encoding.

2. The memory. If the OS (Operating System) is a “32-bit” then it can only read approximately 3 GB of RAM. Only the “64-bit” processors can understand 4+ GB of RAM. RAM is what the computer uses to store temporary information, like open programs (internet, word processing, music players, etc…). A general rule of thumb is that the more RAM, the faster the computer will load programs/files to a point (as with everything). An industry standard nowadays is around 3 GB. The faster the “clock speed” of the ram (the higher the PC xxxx), the higher quality the RAM.

3. Hard Drive space is what you store the more permanent information on – word files, music, videos, programs, etc….If you have an extensive music library (5000+ songs (legal songs)), then you should be looking at a computer with at least 250GB (1 GB = 1 Billion Bytes). If you don’t really need all that space, then a laptop with 160+ GB of Hard Drive space would suffice.

4. Graphics Processor!!! If you will not be watching many DVD’s or playing any games, then you can settle for an integrated video processor such as the INTEL X3100. If you want the security of being able to play the occasional 3D game, then I would recommend a dedicated graphics card with dedicated memory (256MB or 512MB). You can check whether or not the card is integrated by going to “http://www.notebookcheck.net”

5. Most laptops now feature DVD/CD Burners. Some offer a built in feature known as “Lableflash or Lightscribe.” This will allow you to “etch” images on special CD/DVD’s. It makes the finished CD/DVD look more professional.

6. Price Comparison. Expect to spend $550+ for a decent laptop nowadays. You can sometimes (or during really good sales) find ones cheaper around $450.

The first laptop I would recommend is the Toshiba M305D-S4829 from Circuit City this week. I just purchased it last Wednesday, and am typing on it right now. It has a ton of power, like seriously. I was playing BF2142 last night with no problems. It costs $699, but It’ll be running strong for a few years before anything begins to become too demanding for it. The sound quality on this laptop is phenomenal. It has Harman/Kardon speakers that are Bose quality. It has 4GB of RAM, an ATI Radeon 3100 processor, which is nearly equal to most mid-range dedicated graphics processors. It support 802.11b/g/n networks. It has a standard webcam (not to mention facial recognition software for extra secured log-ons) and all the other features you need lol. The style on this laptop is phenomenal.

If that is slightly out of your price range though, I would say go to Best Buy and pick up the HP DV5-1002NR. It costs $679, but it is nearly as good as the above laptop with only a few exceptions (it is actually better in some areas as well, lol). The touchpad on it has a glossy feel which is fine for cooler weather, but if its humid out or your fingers are the least bit sweaty, it becomes quite difficult to move the pointer. It has a slightly better video processor – the ATI Radeon 3200 (the main difference is that it has a HDMI output). It has a slightly larger screen at 15.4″ WS. Its half a pound heavier, which isn’t really a big deal to me at all. It also runs the 32-bit OS of Vista which will only support 3 GB of RAM, which is fine for nearly everything. I hope this helps you in your quest!

The next two are right about tied for abilities if the above prices are a bit out of your budget. I would recommend testing each one, and then deciding which one you prefer better.

The first one is the Toshiba L305D-S5868 from BestBuy this week at $549. It features the ATI Radeon 3100 which is capable of handling many 3D games, and in fact – it is the same video processor as the laptop that I am using. It features a built-in webcam, as well as standard DVD/CD re-write ability. It has a 250GB hard drive running at 5400RPM. One feature that it could improve upon is its stock RAM. From the store, it only comes with 2GB. This can be easily upgraded to 3GB from any computer retailer (including www.newegg.com). It also comes with a user-friendly touchpad as well as a nice blue form factor. Although it doesn’t necessarily have all of the extra-goodies, this laptop is perfect for the common pc user, and comes at a great price!

The second one is the Toshiba L305D-S5881 from Circuit City. This laptop is nearly identical to the last l

Mandy asks…

my pointer jumps all over the screen not only on one comp but two. also the screen moves up and down?

right now the pointer is just roaming around. This is an older hp and i never had that problem before. Also the touch pad won’t lock any more; The other comp is brand new and does the same exact things
what is up with that?
s
both of my lap tops do it and one is brand new

onli7832 answers:

Sounds like you have a “short” in the laptops keyboard and/or touchpad. You can try disabling the touchpad, using an external mouse and see if the cursor behaves. But you will probably have to have the keyboard and touchpad replaced to fix the issue.
(See this all the time on laptops)

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