How Do I Choose the Best Laptop Car Charger?

Choosing the best laptop car charger is a matter of examining a few simple options and selecting the one that best suits a person’s needs. Some chargers are made for a specific brand of computer and plug directly from the car’s cigarette lighter into the back of the machine. Power adapters that convert the 12-volt direct current (DC) coming out of the cigarette lighter into 110-volt alternating current (AC) are also available. Two- or three-pronged plugs can be plugged directly into these adapters.

One option for a laptop car charger is to purchase a power cord that plugs directly from the cigarette lighter of the car into the laptop computer. Each brand of computer uses a power cord with different specifications, so it is important to select an adapter that is made to be used with the computer. This type of laptop car charger it a good option for a person looking to charge one computer or a couple computers of the same brand. These chargers will only supply one computer with power at a time.

Universal adapters that come with a set of attachments that accommodate most brands of computers are also available. Though they can charge many types of computers, they can still only power one computer at a time. A universal laptop charger or a brand-specific laptop car charger are both relatively inexpensive options.

A power adapter is another way to charge a laptop from a car’s cigarette lighter. These devises are designed to convert 12-volt DC power into 110-volt AC power. The computer’s usual charger can then be plugged directly into the adapter, eliminating the need for a laptop car charger. This is a good choice for someone who wishes to charge more than one type of electronic device from the road.

Some power adapters are made to accommodate one or more plugs at the same time. Charging two computers at once or a computer and a phone at the same time will require an adapter with at least two plugs. Computers, phones, cameras and other electronics can all be charged from a power adapter.

There are power adapters with a variety of different output levels. Reading the power requirements of the laptop is the first step in choosing the right charger. It is very important that the output of the adapter fall within the computer’s acceptable range because a lower or higher output could damage the computer. The price for power adapters ranges significantly. While price is not always indicative of quality, it’s a good idea to check product reviews to determine if a bargain adapter is worth the initial savings.


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What is a Power Bank?

What is a Power Bank?

A Power Bank is a mobile charger can be charged in advance for later phones, tablets or laptops to recharge. A Power Bank is a handy gadget that you can charge your electric devices without a power socket. This is useful if you're on the road for example.

How do you charge a power bank?

A Power Bank you can charge by connecting it to a power outlet. Most Power Banks use USB powered. This means that a power bank, like a smartphone, iPad or GPS system is charging by connecting it to a USB charger (which comes standard with most smartphones and tablets) or those with an often USB cable to connect to a computer. Power Banks, suitable for charging laptops are often charged by a supplied adapter. Solar Power Banks are in addition to the standard method of charging (USB or adapter) also charged by a solar panel that is part of the Power Bank.
What can you recharge with a power bank? And how do you charge anything?
What you charge is used depends on the type of power bank with a power bank. So we distinguish Laptop Power Banks and USB Power Banks.

USB Power Bank

With a USB Power Bank you can charge all products which are recharged through a USB connection. Connect the cable for charging your smartphone or tablet to the power bank and he usually starts automatically recharge. In another Power Banks you have to press a button and charging starts. Before you can charge with a Power Bank, Power Bank must first have been charged anything. Most Power Banks have convenient LED lights that indicate whether and how far it is charged.
For most Banks Power cables and connectors are supplied with which you can charge the Power Bank and most smartphones, tablets, cameras and game consoles can recharge.

Laptop Power Bank

Laptop Power Bank is charging through it (often with included adapter) to connect to the mains. With the included adapter and connecting pieces is virtually connect any laptop. Look in the product description or a Laptop Power Bank is also suitable for your laptop.

How does a power bank?

In a Power Bank are one or more lithium-ion cells. This lithium-ion cells function much the same as normal rechargeable batteries and charging through a USB connection or through a mostly supplied adapter / cable.

How long does a Power Bank with?

How long a Power Bank anything can charge depends on the ability of the Power Bank. The output specified in mAh indicates how powerful a power bank. The greater the power, the longer the Power Bank is able to charge something. Or a power bank a phone, tablet or laptop partially, completely or multiple times can charge, is also dependent on the ability of the device you are trying to charge. For example, a digital camera has a limited capacity, a phone in a somewhat larger capacity and tablets and laptops have very much power. To answer the question of how long a power bank will last and how often you can charge your phone or tablet, you should know how powerful the battery in your gadget. Roughly you can share the power of the power bank by the ability of your gadget. The result is the absolute maximum number of times you can charge a product. Because the Power Bank needs energy to charge something and lose over time energy is the real power is often lower.

How long does it take to recharge a power bank?

How long it takes to recharge a power bank depends on the capacity of the Power Bank. So it takes longer to charge a power bank which has a great ability as a power bank with a limited capacity can be quickly recharged. Many Power Banks have handy LED light that indicates when the power bank is full. However, it is wise to let the Power Bank a few hours in the charger when the LED light indicates that it is full. Stronger Power Banks can allow for the first time the best overnight in the charger, so you're sure it is fully charged.


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Your phone wireless charging with Qi technology

What is Qi technology?
Qi technology is the new standard used worldwide for wireless charging. Many great brands such as Samsung, LG and HTC, are already using the technology. This technique was developed by Wireless Power Consortium . Qi is pronounced as 'chi'.
Wireless charging means that your phone and the charger no longer need to be connected to a cable. You can place it just on the charging pad and it automatically charges. The charger itself often must still be plugged in.
There are now already power banks with this technology. These can so easily take and when the power bank is charging needs no cable here.
The technology has already been used in the Oral-B toothbrushes. Also, almost all smart watches using this method of charging.

How does the wireless charging with Qi technology?

Qi technology uses induction. There are two coils, one receiver (eg your phone) and 1 transmitter (the charger). The transmitter radiates a magnetic field. The receiver has just such a coil is that the magnetic field again this revenue stream. This stream is then transported to the battery / battery from your phone.
At the first Qi-technology, it was possible to charge a device within a range of 5 mm from the charger.
The new technology makes it all possible to recharge a device within a radius of 4 centimeters. Even more devices with the new technology can be simultaneously charged with only one charger.

Will this technology replace the cable?

Wireless charging could in principle replace the cable. However, we think that this is going to last long.
At this moment, the Qi technology can only load. Exchanging data between your phone and computer. This can be via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi but this works in practice is often not as easy as a cable.

Which phone is capable of wireless charging?

We have created a special page which we will update regularly. Here is a list of all phones that are capable of wireless charging.
Can my phone wireless charging?
What's for sale for wireless charging?
At present, to obtain, there are 3 types of products:

• l Power Banks with Qi technology
• l Chargers / charging pad
• l Receivers

What should I buy to recharge wirelessly?

If you want to charge wirelessly you need to know if there is a Qi receiver is in your phone. This is what phones have this.
There is a receiver in your phone? Then you just need a charging pad or a power bank with Qi technology purchase. This will work flawlessly.
Does your phone still does not have a receiver but this one is available for your phone? Then you need a receiver and a charger / power bank buying.
If your phone is not suitable to charge wirelessly? You can always buy a charging path with micro USB / lightning output. These are suitable for any iPhone / Android phone.

How do I place a wireless receiver in my phone?

A wireless receiver is very easy to place in your phone. On the picture below you can see how to do it.
How to install a wireless receiver?

1.  Open your phone
2. Remove the sticker of the wireless receiver
3.  Place the receiver on the battery so that the iron pins falling on each other
4. Rub over there as well and make sure the wireless receiver is tight
5. Close your phone again
6. Now your phone is ready to charge wireless

Do you have a phone that is not suitable for wireless charging and you bought a wireless charger with Lightning / micro USB connector bought you can place it on the inside or outside of your phone. Make sure that the receiver cable taut passes your phone.


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How to Save Power on a Laptop

1.Be sure to make the brightness of your computer to the lowest setting that is comfortable. To do this, look for a purple "Fn" button on the keyboard (usually next to the left ctrl key, sometimes the key has blue lettering instead of purple). After you've found the "Fn" button, quickly search for another key with a purple or blue sun with an up or down arrow(usually on the arrow keys or on one of the F1-F12 keys). Now while holding "Fn" press the button with the purple/blue sun and a down arrow. (Please note some computers do not have an Fn button so if your computer does not have an Fn button in that case, just simply use one of the F1-F12 keys alone)

2.Turn off all background programs that are not needed because they take up processor space which will use more battery.

3.Check that bluetooth and/or wireless adapter is off (if it's built in).

4.Be sure to eject any discs out of your CD or DVD drive if you do not need them. The disc will still be spinning inside and consumes a ton of energy.

5.If you are running very low on power, or are watching a DVD, your laptop may have a way to turn off the LED lights (Power light, hard drive activity light, etc.). Check your owners manual to see how.

6.Unplug any USB devices you are not using (iPods, Flash Drives, External USB mice, etc.). Many of these devices draw power from your USB port, up to 500mA (about a half an Amp) and 5 volts. It adds up quickly depending on how many you have plugged in.

7.When you are not going to use your laptop for a short time, put it into standby or sleep mode. This will only leave dire essential components in the computer running such as the memory. And allow you to resume working on your computer quickly.

8.When you are not going to be using your laptop for an even longer time, put it into hibernate(Shift+Standby Button) mode. It will have the same effect as turning the computer off, but it will allow you to go back to working on your laptop just like in standby and uses little to no power from the battery.

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How do I Choose the Best USB Laptop Charger?

A Universal Serial Bus (USB) laptop charger is a device you can use to charge other electronic devices through a laptop. You can plug a USB laptop charger into the USB port on your computer and then plug your cell phone, audio devices and other types of electronics into it. To choose the best charger, you may look for one that is lightweight, compact, and durable. Compatibility is important as well, and you may do well to look for one that will work with your laptop and a wide range of devices. Additionally, you may prefer to purchase a charger that includes a plug for a wall outlet and can be used with electrical outlets in numerous countries.

One important thing to consider when you want to purchase the best USB laptop charger is the experience of others. Often, review websites post consumer reviews written by people who have purchased and used chargers. By reading these reviews, you can learn which models are likely to work as expected and last for a significantly long period of time and which ones are likely to break easily, prove difficult to use, or fail to work altogether. While you may not want to make a decision based entirely on the results of consumer reviews, they can help you avoid purchasing a poorly designed product.

Size may also prove important when you are trying to choose the best laptop USB charger. Many people consider the smaller USB chargers better. You can carry a small USB laptop charger in a laptop bag or other type of container along with your laptop. Additionally, size may make a difference when it comes to using the adapter. If you will need to use it in a cramped space, smaller may again equal better.

You may also consider compatibility when you are trying to choose the best USB laptop charger. While you may want a charger that is compatible with your laptop, you may also want one that works with other devices. For example, you may want one that also works with portable audio devices, cell phones, and other devices you frequently use.

It may prove convenient to have a USB laptop charger that can be plugged into a wall outlet as well as your laptop. In such a case, you may prefer to purchase a charger that can be used worldwide. For example, you may find a laptop adapter that is compatible with electrical outlets in your country as well as numerous others.

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How to Protect Your Laptop From Summer Heat

Want to use your laptop outside in the heat of the summer? Here are some tips for doing it without damaging your laptop.

1.Work along with rest. Notebook also need to pay attention to rest, after long time using, the temperature of notebooks will rise a lot. In the break, you could hold the laptop on the mode of dormant / sleep / standby, etc., take notebook for a rest.

2.Keep the outlet flow smooth. Do not let anything block the outlet when you are using the notebook, particularly not to use notebook on the soft bed or mattress. In addition, it’s a very good idea to clean the outlet, laptop heat sink, fan and other parts before the summer comes.

3.Artificially block up the notebook. It brings better air circulation for the bottom of the notebook and takes the heat away faster. If using a laptop for a prolonged time, put something under the notebook with copper, steel and some material that can help heat sinking. Be sure to pay attention to maintaining notebook stability when blocking up the laptop.

4.Keep ventilation. In the summer, be sure to keep the room's ventilation while using laptop computer. Good ventilation makes good notebook cooling.

5.Cooling base. Now there are a lot of dedicated notebooks cooling base in the market, you can choose according to their needs, enhance the laptop's heat sinking.

6.Use the laptop in a air-conditioned room as much as possible. In the wild summer, laptops not only enjoy their own comfort in air-conditioned environments, but also can solve notebook cooling environment.


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What are Laptop Batteries?

Laptop batteries are the remote power source for all types of laptop computers. They are what make laptops so mobile. Though laptops can be used without a battery, they are not nearly as convenient and lose a substantial amount of effectiveness. Laptop batteries have evolved over the years to become much more functional and durable than their predecessors.

In most cases, modern laptop batteries are lithium-ion batteries. They have good power to weight ratios and are more durable than many other types of rechargeable batteries. Laptop batteries made from lithium-ion also have no memory effect, meaning they do not need to be fully charged in order to have a full charge the next time.

Over the years, there have been many types of laptop batteries. In the beginning, mobile computing used AA batteries as its power source. This quickly went out of style when rechargeable batteries came onto the market, such as nickel cadmium and, later, nickel metal hydride. These were good predecessors to the current technology and represented a great improvement over acid batteries, but had some problems. They had to be fully charged every time and lost their ability to recharge after a while.

Eventually, even lithium ion batteries need to be replaced, just like all laptop batteries, but they do last substantially longer than earlier technologies. As laptop batteries age, they lost their ability to hold a charge because the resistance within the battery increases. Many manufacturers will recommend replacing laptop batteries with one specifically made by, or authorized by, the manufacturer of the computer.

How long laptop batteries last depends on the situation. Laptops that receive heavy use will need new batteries nearly every year. Others may find batteries last two years or longer before needing a replacement. Eventually, a laptop battery will become so diminished in its ability to hold a charge it will not be able to power the computer at all.

One of the newest features in laptop batteries is the rapid charge feature. Many times, charging a laptop will take hours. These new batteries are said to be able to recharge up to 80 percent of the battery's capacity in only one minute. Of course, these rapid-charge batteries do cost more and may not last as long as traditional batteries, but the benefits may outweigh any diminished capacity, especially for business users who depend on the computer's mobility on a daily basis.

How do I Choose the Correct Laptop Charger?

Finding the correct laptop charger is not a difficult or overly inconvenient process. All it takes is a little research. The information you need to make the right choice can be easily found on your laptop, your old charger, or on the charger to be purchased. The best part about finding the right product is that manufacturers make the choice easy. The information is usually on the charger’s case or in the description, if shopping online.

The best option in finding the correct charger for your laptop is to go to the source. Go to the manufacturer that made the computer and find the charger there. Online stores may be the best option in this case because they usually carry a greater selection than physical stores. Once at the store, look for the charger that came with your computer. This way, you will be sure to find the correct one.

If, for some reason, you are unable to go to the manufacturer’s store or are unable or unwilling to get the charger shipped to you through online stores, you can go to a computer or electronics store. When looking at the laptop chargers available, take the time to look at the computer models the charger you are looking at is compatible with. This information should be listed on the packaging. If your specific computer model is on the list, then the charger will work for you computer. If it is not, find another charger.

You can also find out what type of charger your laptop takes by looking on the bottom of the laptop. In order to ensure that you get the correct replacement parts for your computer, the manufacturer stamps product specifications (specs) on different laptop parts. There are several stamps, but you should look for the one that says “AC adaptor” or something similar. Find the model number and write it down — that is what you should be looking when buying a replacement. This information can also be found by looking at your old charger and in the documentation that came with your laptop.

You can also buy a universal charger. Again, to ensure you are getting one that is compatible for your laptop, check the product specs on the charger’s packaging. You can also be sure the charger will match your computer by making sure the specs for the charger and those for the laptop are the same. This includes making sure the voltage, input, and output are identical. Don’t forget to make sure the charger’s connections will fit your laptop.

5 Expansion Cards to Enhance Your PC

Your desktop computer's motherboard probably has one or more expansion card slots which you can use to add new functions, special connection ports, or powerful graphics capabilities to your computer. These expansion cards will increase the performance of your existing system.

Best Expansion Cards for PC:

Video graphics cards:

In order to play advanced PC games, run high-definition movies, or use sophisticated image-editing software on your computer, you’ll most likely need to boost the graphics processing power with a video card. Video cards take over processing 3D graphics and other video tasks, so your computer’s CPU can focus on other functions.

SCSI controller:

Your computer may not have the correct connection ports for connecting devices using the small computer system interface (SCSI), such as hard drives or certain high-speed scanners. An SCSI controller expansion card allows you to add a port for those devices.

RAID controller:

A collection of hard drives connected in a RAID configuration can share or back up data in various ways, giving you options for backing up data or increasing storage over several drives. A RAID controller expansion card gives your computer ports for multiple hard drives through high-speed connections, usually SATA cables.

USB port card:
Most desktops do have USB ports, but the version of USB they use may be too slow. You may also have more USB devices than you have ports. A multi-port USB expansion card adds high-speed ports to your computer that works faster than simple port-splitters. The latest version of USB is version 3.0, so any USB 3.0 card you install will be backwards compatible with your old USB devices and operate much faster than older ports.

TV tuner card:

If you’re setting up a home theater PC, you may want to be able to watch and record live TV broadcasts with a tuner card. Most tuner cards will include a coaxial cable connection to which you can attach an antenna or other video source. Some tuner cards will also be able to make recordings in multiple digital video formats.





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How to Charge Your USB Devices While in Your Car

Portable music, players, digital cameras and cell phones are typically powered by rechargeable batteries. You would normally charge these items through a USB cable connected to your computer or a wall adapter, but if you are on the road without your computer, you will need other methods to charge your USB devices. With the right accessories, you can charge your USB-capable devices right in your car.

Charging USB Devices:

1.USB to 12-Volt Adapter

This type of USB charger will plug into your car’s cigarette lighter slot. USB chargers have one or more USB interfaces on the other end. You can then connect your music player or other devices via the USB cable.

2.DC-to-AC Converter

Electronics are designed to use either alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC) power sources; plugging into the wrong source without a converter can damage your USB device. If your USB device requires a specific charger which requires an AC outlet, you can plug in through a DC-to-AC converter. This converter provides you with an AC outlet and converts the DC power from your car to AC power.

3.USB Interface Cable

Some USB devices require an interface cable which transfers data as well as power. An interface cable will usually have a USB adapter on one end, with the interface connector on the other. If your vehicle features a USB port on the car stereo or through the glove box, you may be able to plug in an MP3 player or other USB audio device. You can then listen to music on the device through your stereo.

4.USB Power Adapter

Laptops and other USB devices can also charge via a power adapter. One end can plug into your USB device charger – which is connected to your car – and the other end will fit the USB device’s power slot.

Device-Charging Tip

Avoid charging USB devices in your car while the engine is not running, as this will drain the battery. If possible, leave your USB device plugged in while you drive. You will be able to power your device without letting the car idle this way.

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FAQs about Your Portable DVD Player

Video entertainment should be just as portable as music, and a portable DVD player goes a long way toward making your movie library available almost anywhere. The ability to play DVDs frees you from the need to manage digital movie files, and the larger screen on a portable DVD player is a big improvement over smaller digital video players. These frequently asked questions about portable DVD players will give you a better idea of their features and your portable video options.

Portable DVD Player Questions:

What forms do portable DVD players come in?

Two major types of DVD players are commonly available: fold-up models and car DVD players. The difference between these two types is how your portable DVD player is connected to your vehicle. Regular portable DVD players are stand-alone devices with the player and folding screen in the same unit. Portable DVD players for cars may have one or more screens installed in car seats or the ceiling, with a separate player in the dash or beneath the seats. A normal portable DVD player has the advantage of going with you anywhere, while the portable car DVD player is easily integrated with your vehicle’s sound system. Another, less-common, portable DVD player type features a viewing screen built into a boombox or bookshelf stereo design.

Can I play Blu-ray discs on a portable player?

Some do. Portable Blu-ray players will play both Blu-ray and DVD. If the name of a product doesn’t clarify whether it plays Blu-ray, you can check the product description for the initials “BD” which stand for “Blu-ray Disc.”

How can I get better sound from my DVD player?

A separate set of speakers can really improve the sound you get from your player, usually plugging in through the headphone jack. Your portable DVD player may also come with adapter cables for your car stereo, allowing you to use car speakers for sound.

What if I want to use headphones?

Nearly every portable DVD player has at least one headphone jack; many have two. If you want to use two sets of headphones but don’t have two jacks, you can always use an adapter cable with a splitter.

How to Choose a Replacement Adapter for Your Laptop

Your laptop makes your office, your entertainment and your important files portable and convenient. You can take your laptop anywhere you go, whether you're working at home, the coffee shop or the park. One of the most important laptop accessories you can have is your laptop adapter or power cord. Your laptop needs power to keep you on the go, and a lost or broken laptop adapter can seriously slow you down. Even if you haven't lost your laptop adapter, you may want to purchase a back-up power cord to keep at home or at the office. Here are some steps to help you quickly find a replacement laptop adapter or power cord, so you can get back to work and play.

Choosing a Replacement Adapter:

Find your laptop’s model number.

You may find this number located on a sticker on the bottom or side of your laptop computer. If you can’t find it there, check your user manual or search your laptop’s built-in help program for the model number. You can also find it under your laptop’s system properties.

Find your wattage requirements.

In addition to your laptop model number, you will need to find out the voltage requirements for the laptop adapter. Laptop adapters have varying voltage (V) outputs, and using the wrong laptop adapter can damage your computer. Check your user’s manual for voltage requirements information for your laptop. The output voltage will usually be listed as DC voltage. You may also want to check for product or part numbers that are compatible with your laptop model.

Find a compatible laptop adapter.

Look for the compatibility lists in descriptions of laptop adapters you are looking at. Sometimes the compatible laptop models are listed in the product description or in a separate list. Laptop model numbers can often look similar, so make sure the model numbers match exactly. Laptop adapter and power cord product descriptions typically list the manufacturer, part number and a partial description as well. If you find an adapter with the correct output voltage, but the wrong port connector, you may be able to find port attachments that will adapt the connector to the power port on your laptop.

Common solutions to internet connectivity issues

One of the most frustrating problems many users face is that random seeming event when your computer simply will not connect to the internet. You can’t tell why, there doesn’t seem to be anything wrong, but no matter what you do, your computer just cannot seem to get online. There are however, a few common culprits that can get between you and the great wide world of web, and luckily they’re pretty easy to remedy as well.

First, do a quick cable check. If you are using a desktop computer, check the cable connections from the back of your tower, to your router (if you have one), to your modem, and finally to your wall. All connections should be tight and secure. If you’re using a laptop on a wireless connection, you should still check the cables from your router, to the modem, and finally to the wall. Also, while you’re checking your modem, check its status lights. Is it sending and receiving information? If it isn’t, you may need to contact your internet service provider.

Another simple cause of connectivity issues that happens more frequently than you’d think is actually having the wireless card enabled. Most laptops will have either a button or switch right near the keyboard to toggle the wireless card on and off. Check that this is in the “on” position. If this doesn’t fix the problem, go into your computer’s device manager and check the status of the wireless card. It may not be functioning properly, or may have been disabled manually while your wireless switch remained in the “on” position.

When in doubt, restart your modem and your router. Sometimes, they just get stuck. Routers are notoriously sensitive machines, and the tiniest thing can throw them off. Usually, unplugging either of these devices for about 10 seconds and then plugging them back in gets them to refresh themselves, which in itself can sometimes fix whatever problem you may be having.

If none of these things work, contact your internet service provider. Many times their technicians will be glad to assist you in checking everything over, and they can double check and confirm the status of your internet service as well.

Four Easy Laptop Upgrades

When upgrading your laptop, you want to ensure you are getting the most from the upgrade while also getting the most value for your money. In many cases, you also want to make sure that the upgrade is easy enough for you to do it yourself in order to avoid paying a repair shop on top of the upgrade costs. Here we will look at four easy upgrades for your laptop that will add extra performance, storage, and convenience.

1.Memory

One of the upgrades that is likely to have the most impact on any laptop is upgrading the memory. A computer with more memory is able to run more programs at once without slowdowns and can also help you open and edit large documents more quickly. Upgrading the memory is often fairly inexpensive and easy to do, so upgrade your laptop to the maximum amount of memory supported to get the most from the upgrade.

2.Hard Drive

Upgrading the hard drive in your laptop is a great way to get more storage for your important files, but it can also provide a performance boost. Upgrading from a 5200 RPM drive to a 7200 RPM or faster drive will boost performance, or you may even consider adding an SSD for faster boot times and a huge performance boost. Make sure to backup your important data before you attempt the upgrade.

3.Battery

If your laptop is more than a year old, you may find that your battery does not last as long as it did when new. Battery capacity degrades over time, so replacing the battery with a new one is a great upgrade that will allow you to spend more time away from power outlets. Adding a second battery is also a great idea for doubling your battery life.

4.AC Adapter

An AC Adapter may seem out of place on a list of upgrades, but adding a second AC Adapter to your laptop setup can add extra convenience. Keeping an adapter plugged into the wall in your office and one at home, for example, makes it easy to quickly move from one location to another without the hassle of carrying an adapter around with you.



With these inexpensive and simple upgrades, you can add performance and convenience to your laptop experience, and almost anyone can perform these simple upgrades with a little planning and research.

Laptop Parts and Symptoms

One of the most common issues with laptop batteries is overheating. Not that the batteries are designed poorly or improperly but due to, in most cases, user wear and tear. While the laptop is using the AC adapter for power the battery acts as a backup in case of a loss of power or accidental unplugging. During this AC power use the battery becomes hotter than it would if being used independently. To lessen the chances of this overheating, which leads to a shorter life expectancy of the battery, keep the AC power adapter plugged in only if you need to charge the battery while using the device.

If the battery is consistently hot to the touch, remove it and allow it to cool down making sure it is close to room temperature before reinserting it. Should the battery continue to overheat or get too hot it will probably need to be replaced. Always replace a defective battery as soon as possible as it could cause irreparable damage to the laptop in question. In addition to overheating, failure to charge or hold a charge is another very common issue with laptop batteries.

First check to see if the AC adapter is securely plugged into the device; the tightness of the connection will vary from laptop to laptop but it should be held in place well. To check for a good connection look for the battery charging LED if one is present on your laptop.



If it is not on wiggle the cord to see if the connection makes and breaks contact. If you notice a flickering LED light then the solution is a new adapter which is far better than needed to purchase a new battery or a new DC power jack which can be repaired by a common user with a little instruction and help.

Simple Steps to Speed Up Your Laptop

Your laptop, like all computers, is likely to become a little slower the longer it is in operation. Many users think the best solution to this problem is to get a new laptop, but there are some things you can do to reclaim some lost performance and speed. Here are a few simple steps to speed up your laptop.

1. Uninstall Unnecessary Software

Over time, you will likely install many different programs on your laptop, some of which you use on a regular basis, and some of which you no longer need. Go to your Control Panel and the Programs tool to uninstall any programs you no longer use, which not only frees up more hard drive space, but can cut down on the number of programs running in the background.

2. Disable Background Programs

Many applications, such as instant messaging clients, are set to run automatically when your system starts up. A few of these programs running in the background is not much of a problem, but more than that can cause a significant decrease in performance. Remove unnecessary programs from the Startup folder in your Start Menu as a first step. If there are still programs running in your taskbar, right-click and find Options or Settings to see if you can keep them from starting up automatically. Remember that you can always start these programs manually from your Start Menu.

3. Check for Viruses

Another culprit in lost speed and performance is the presence of a virus or malware. Use a good antivirus program to scan for and clean any viruses or malware on your system, which often run in the background and degrade your laptop’s performance. This can also save you on costly repairs.

4. Upgrade Your RAM

Although this step is a little more involved that the above steps, it is usually very easy to upgrade the RAM in your laptop and it can have a significant effect on performance. Upgrade to the maximum amount of memory your system can support in order to get the most effect.

If you follow these simple steps, you will likely see a dramatic improvement in system performance. For best results, repeat the first three steps every month or so to keep your system running as fast as possible.

How to Reduce Laptop Power Consumption

Power consumption is a leading concern of laptop users everywhere and proper use of the power utilities can lessen the load place upon the battery of the laptop. A few simple steps can be taken to preserve and conserve energy. First, if your laptop is capable of it, and it probably is, set the sleep or stand by settings to be turned on. These usually have a time set before which they will turn on. Depending upon your usage, this could be set to 5 minutes or to an hour; most average users set it to around 1/2 hour. If buying a new system choose a model with an LCD as they use less power and often have specific voltage and brightness controls to help in energy conservation.

The power utility in your laptop is the best place to start in power conservation. In Windows the path to the power utility looks something like this: Start  Settings  Control Panel  Power Options. This is the area that will allow you to set the time for the monitor to turn off as well as your hard driveand the amount of time it takes to switch to stand by. Power schemes are also available that have preset parameters like “Home/Desktop” or “Portable/Laptop.” These settings will automatically set the times for the typical laptop or home user. The provided “time” fields will be automatically filled in with the appropriate numbers and settings.

You can freely change any of these preset numbers in the selection made. For instance, if the setting shows 45 minutes to turn off the monitor you could change it to 30 minutes, an hour or whatever value you deem necessary. The average laptop can consume up to $50.00 a year in energy costs but using these simple utilities can help reduce this by half.

Static Electricity: The Computer Killer

Static electricity seems pretty harmless in everyday life. Perhaps you walk across a carpeted floor, touch a metal light switch, and get a minor shock, but this is generally nothing more than a minor annoyance. When it comes to computers, however, static electricity can be extremely harmful to the sensitive components that make up a desktop or laptop. Let us take a look at why static electricity is harmful, and what you can do to prevent damage.

Static electricity, like any electricity, is an exchange of electrons. When you rub your feet against a carpet or other material, one object is positively charged and the other is negatively charged. When you touch another object with the opposite charge of your body, or an object that is neutrally charged, the electrons flow into the new object. The voltage of static electricity can actually be extremely high, up to 12,000 volts, which sounds very dangerous. In reality, voltage is less threatening to humans than amperage, and the amperage is very low.

Computer components, however, are much more sensitive to these voltages. In fact, a component can be damaged by static electricity with a voltage as low as 400 volts, while a human won’t likely feel static electricity until it is around 3500 volts. In other words, you could damage a component with static electricity and not even know it. In some cases, the component may not fail immediately, but the static electricity weakens it and causes it to fail much sooner than it would have otherwise, and consequently leading to a repair in most cases.

The most thorough solution to static electricity damage is to use an anti-static wrist strap. These straps plug into the AC ground of a wall socket or connect to the chassis of the computer to dissipate any static that builds up. You can also use additional measures such as grounded pads to add even more protection. With a little preparation, you can avoid damaging computer components with static electricity and save yourself a lot of time and money.