Benefits of Using Computers in Education

                Computers are efficient classroom tools that can enhance education if used to benefit student learning and achievement. Integrating technology and education provides students with a global approach to learning and communicating.

1.   Significance

Computers function as a resource for teachers and students of inclusive classrooms, allowing for the diverse needs and varying ability levels of students to be met.

2.  Benefits
Educational computer games offer assisted instruction through entertaining audio-visual features that make drill and practice activities.

3.  Function
Computers can be used in a center rotation, providing differentiated instruction and tasks such as project research and creation for advanced students, remediation activities for students working below grade level, and language-learner software for ESL students.

4.   Features
Computers used in combination with Interactive Whiteboards, LCD projectors and hand-held student devices allow for student-directed learning centers, stimulating whole-class modeling and instruction, subject integration, and enhanced Internet research opportunities.

5.   Effects
 Computer software that correlates with curriculum provides teachers with ongoing student assessments and reports, creative approaches to structuring instruction, and flexibility in presenting information so students can benefit.

What are the advantages and the disadvantages of a mouse?

Advantages:
        A mouse works very well for navigating a graphical user interface, such as Windows or Mac. With additional buttons and a scroll wheel, increasingly complex functions can be done from a mouse. These include opening, closing and minimizing software; grouping, moving and deleting files; and even image editing with software like Photoshop. In my experience, a mouse is better for fine movements and adjustments than most of the alternatives.

Disadvantages:
              An external mouse requires space, making it nearly impossible to use on an airplane. A mechanical mouse needs to be cleaned regularly or it will get clogged with lint and dust. The cord on most mice can get hung up and drag, making the mouse difficult to use.

Benefits of Computer in Education

           Today, the use of computers is not restricted to only office desktops or laptops we see the use of computers all around us; be it microwave ovens, car engines, video games, telephones, watches, computers are being used in most of the appliances or gazettes that we use in our day to day living thereby making it the most important part of our lives. Education system is not an exception to the same.

             Over the past few years the growth of the computer industry has been quiet remarkable and today it is the fastest growing industry in our economy. Nowadays, many schools are equipped with computers for educating their students. Thereby making computers an integral part of education system. Teachers and professors use computers for teaching, giving presentations, assessing various data banks, maintaining database of students, communication in the form of e mails or chat, browsing the Internet and preparing students to have a competitive edge in the global job market. Computers have revolutionized the learning for students in a big way. They can watch various films on wild life, history, geography, science and encyclopedias with great sound and excellent picture quality and commentaries on Compact Disc's or DVD's.

             The use of computers and technology in education has changed the learning process of the people in several ways and helped them to enhance their education process in a very short period of time. Moreover Internet has changed the way people work by giving them an access to various information on any subject be it any product, research or any other technical information. It has also changed the way people use to communicate by overcoming hassles of the traditional mail or phone with the use of emails and chats or voice chats which are simple and very effective. Internet has also reduced the gap in the teaching process. Now with the use of internet we can have many online courses that are offered my teachers who are located across boundaries who give training through video conferencing thereby giving a personal touch to individuals who prefer to have a class room coaching but cannot afford to leave their current location.

             Thus through the use of computers schools, colleges and universities are making scientific, creative, and engineering advances to produce well qualified and highly skilled professionals.

The “Digital Roll” – A New Laptop Concept That Breaks The Mould

            Ask anyone what a laptop, a notebook, or a netbook looks like and the chances are they'll tell you it has a screen and a keypad and is sort of square shaped but maybe with rounded corners.

               Ask them to elaborate on differences between the various models and you are likely to hear about differences in thickness, whether it's light or heavy, and the sizes of the screens.

Source: Hao Hau

                 Some may come out and speak about fancy features like raised keyboards or multi card slots, data security maybe.

                Then you have those who would focus on the different colours and trims, whether it's glossy or matt what they are made of and so on.

                  The point I'm getting at here is that basically all laptops, no matter what you call them, follow the same basic bookish design with maybe a few added touches, features or specifications that differentiate them from the rest.

                 You would be pretty shocked if someone came out and said that a laptop is cylindrical or tube shaped and that it rolls up like a scroll. It might even cross your mind that they were completely mad or some alien creature from another planet.

               That just isn't an image the masses are likely to have in mind at all when you mention a laptop and yet that is exactly the design that computer scientist and designer Hao Hua has come up with.

               Ok so it's still at the conceptual stage and not a reality yet but what an exciting idea.

               According to Hao Hua the digital roll as he calls it is "the next generation laptop design". Personally, I can't wait.

             The laptop would have a flexible OLED screen, a roll-able keyboard and the straps double up as USB outlets.

             It even has a mouse and a webcam that you can attach to your wrist. This really is computing on the go at its best.

               Hao has even put a lot of thought into the cooling system which is equally as innovative as the rest of the design.

        

             I particularly like the thought that has gone into the in-between bit that allows you to check your emails quickly without unravelling the 'laptop' entirely.

              Are we likely to see it making an appearance on the streets any time soon? Unfortunately no! But you can bet that I for one will be waiting when it does.

New Dell Precision T Series Workstations With Up To 192GB RAM

                  Dell is ready to release three new T-series workstations, including T3500, T5500, and T7500. These computers offer up to 1.5TB of storage space, an eSATA port, DisplayPort connectors and are EnergyStar compliant. The first in the line up is the T3500 that will support up to 24GB RAM. The T5500 offers a higher RAM capacity at up to 72GB. Dual sport sockets will also be included to make it possible to use dual Intel Xeons. And finally, the T7500 supports up to 192GB RAM running at 1,066MHz or 1,333MHz. This model also features dual native Gen 2 PCIe graphics card slots with support for NVIDIA SLI tech. The T3500 is expected to cost $999 while the T5500 should be priced at $1,620. Sadly, there is no info on pricing for the T7500 so far. [Newlaunches]

Sleek New Dell Studio One 19 All-in-One Desktop PC

            The room-saving Dell Studio One 19 is the latest all-in-one PC computer to hit the scene. Not yet as popular as Netbooks, the "all-in-one" computer category is growing fast, and it's easy to see why. This new Dell model has a nice slim design made of aluminum, glass, and fabric and it would fit in just about anywhere without cramping your style. Let's not forget that the Studio One 19 also has a touch screen where you can access, view, and move photos, and manage your digital media content.

              The Dell Studio One 19 All-in-One Desktop PC comes in Solid Pure White, Tuscan Red, Navy Blue, Powder Pink and Charcoal, and will be available first in Japan on March 19 in select Japan retail outlets. Customers in other countries will have to wait until later this spring. Starting price: $699.

Dell Studio One 19 features:

Innovative Software from Dell

• Easy multi-touch photo editing, slideshow creation, playlist compilation, notes, and even web browsing.
  
• Unleash creativity with You Paint finger painting software.
  
• Record videos and upload directly to YouTube with the touch of a finger.
  
• Flick to Flickr - Upload photos to Flickr to share with family and friends.
  
• Create a musical masterpiece with the multi-touch percussion center.
  

Software is optional and works with multi-touch configurations only.

Power & performance:

• Intel® Celeron, Dual Core Celeron, Pentium Dual Core, Core 2 Duo, and Core 2 Quad Core Processor options
  
• Choice of nVidia GeForce 9200 or GeForce 9400 integrated graphics
  
• Up to 4GB dual channel memory
  
• Up to 750GB HDD
  
• Slot load Optical drive
  
• 7-in-1 media card reader, six USB ports
  
• Optional integrated wireless, web camera, Blu-ray Disc
  
• Optional multi-touch capability
  
• Optional facial recognition security (with webcam)
  

Advantages the uses computer in the classroom

       Provides opportunities for "active-learning" activities in the classroom. In an e-classroom, "passive-learning" approaches such as lecturing may still be a valid approach, but can frequently be best used to introduce basic concepts that are exercised with notebook-enhanced active-learning exercises. Active learning occurs when the student becomes more engaged with the course material. The one-on-one nature of computers and the highly interactive nature of modern software or Web sites enables a high level of engagement.

             Faculty can concentrate on developing teaching methods that foster understanding of material (application, reflection, testing etc.) as opposed to using classroom time for simply transferring "knowledge" from the teachers notes to the students notes. This assumes that the class notes, or supplemental learning materials are readily available (e.g. on a Web site) prior to the class.

         Students are able to develop communication skills within class. Although students have a habit of relying on a very informal writing style with Instant Messaging, the use of the notebook computer can be used to develop professional writing skills.

          Team-based projects can be worked on within the classroom, with increased supervision from the teacher. Instead of simply disseminating knowledge, faculty can become supervisors as they watch and learn from their own students. Teams frequently work best when their initial composition is arranged by the teacher and not self-selected by the students. Many excellent books on this subject can be found in the library and the LTC.

           Students form personal hands-on experiences of concepts that are difficult or impossible to mimic in a traditional classroom. In many disciplines data analysis and interpretation is an essential but difficult concept to exercise by any means other than by computer. Many new fields are possible only through the use of such technology.

              Technology-usage skills are developed in the students within a more professional environment offered by the classroom, that is not possible in typical student accommodations. Students currently have few opportunities to exercise their computer skills in any environment other than those frequented or populated by other students.

             Students become familiar with knowledge-management skills, necessary to survive in an increasingly knowledge-centered workplace. The presence of technology in the classroom reflects the dramatic rise in the availability of readily-accessible knowledge and communication tools online in the workplace. Faculty can share their discipline-specific uses of technology such as the use of online databases.

Using Computers as a Classroom Tool

Introduction

        How can you use a computer in class work that expands the function from the computer from a tool for word processing to a resource, a communication tool, and a notetaker as well?

How does the project work in the classroom? 

            The project requires the students to apply their academic knowledge and work both cooperatively and collaboratively in designing a genetically engineered product and presenting it in a classroom seminar.

             By placing the requirements, grading rubrics, and job descriptions on the Internet, the students were given a definite reason to use computers for a reason other than word processing. The web also allowed the students to access this information at any time of day and at any computer.

          The active links I included allowed me to guide the students in their choice of jobs and in the beginnings of their research. In class, we would talk about how to determine the validity of information on the web. They learned to evaluate, determining critically if the information was sound. Once they learned the basics, they were off on their own, searching the web, following links. They began to use the computer as a research tool.

How did students communicate with one another?

          As part of this project, each student was required to have an email account. They used email to communicate by email to me and to their group members. I taught my students how they could, while searching on the Internet, open their email account. When a student found material of interest on a website, they could copy and paste the web address and the text into a new mail message and they could email themselves the information. They learned to use the computer as a communication device and as a notetaker.

           Using the computer in a guided yet independent way helped many students. The quicker students tended to delve more deeply in research on their subject than on a traditional written assignment. Students, especially those who traditionally had difficulty completing assignments, did work online and the partial results - having emails of material they could put together for a paper and presentation, spurred them onto completion.

          The students learned business, they learned science, and they learned computer skills that took them far beyond the walls of classroom. The students learned that the freedom of the internet - that anyone can set up a website - is also the bane of the Internet because it required them to critically evaluate their sources, something they don't really need to do with books in a library.

The Difference Between Notebook and Desktop Memory

Desktop PC Memory (DIMM)

 

                   There are a large number of RAM types available for desktop computer systems. The most commonly used types today are DIMMs (Dual In-Line Memory Module) and these are the small circuit boards that holds memory chips. DIMMs are standard in desktop computers, and common types of DIMMs include the following;

SDRAM- Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory
          Short for Synchronous DRAM, this is a type of DRAM that synchronizes itself with the CPU's bus. SDRAM, until recently, was the memory standard for modern PCs. When looking at SDRAM The number following "PC" indicates the speed of the system's front side bus. (example: The PC100 SDRAM is designed for systems equipped with a 100 MHz front side bus.)

DDR SDRAM- Double Data Rate Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory
            Short for Double Data Rate-Synchronous DRAM, a type of SDRAM that supports data transfers on both edges of each clock cycle (the rising and falling edges), effectively doubling the memory chip's data throughput. DDR-SDRAM also consumes less power, which makes it well-suited to notebook computers. DDR-SDRAM is also called SDRAM II. and DDRAM. DDR-SDRAM (and subsequent DD2 and DD3) as well as RDRAM are the technologies which are replacing SDRAM.

DDR2 SDRAM-Double Data Rate Two(2) Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory
                 DDR2 SDRAM is the next step up from DDR SDRAM. DDR2 SDRAM offers new features and functions that enable higher clock and data rate operations. DDR2 transfers 64 bits of data twice every clock cycle. DDR2 SDRAM memory is not compatible with current DDR SDRAM memory slots.

DDR3-SDRAM - Double Data Rate Three(3) Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory
            The third generation of DDR-SDRAM that improves upon DDr2-SDRAM by offering reduced power consumption, a doubled pre-fetch buffer, and also offers more bandwidth because of its increased clock rate.

You're SO DIMM - Notebook/Laptop Memory Is Different

              Something you may encounter is that there are more notebook(or laptop computer) manufacturers, who use proprietary memory modules. However, most commonly supported by notebook manufacturers is the SO DIMM (Small Outline DIMM), which is a smaller version of the DIMM modules that are used in desktops.

              What differentiates the notebook RAM from desktop RAM is its form factor; that is, its physical size and its pin configuration. A full-size DIMM has 100, 168, 184, or 240 pins and is usually 4.5 to five inches in length. In contrast, a SO DIMM has 72, 100, 144, or 200 pins and is smaller - 2.5 to 3 inches. There is also SO RIMM, which is similar to SO DIMM, but like DIMM/RIMM, it uses Rambus, Inc. technology and also has a different pin count.

Webopedia Memory Category
Webopedia's terms listings and information about computer memory.

How To Install Memory
You have new memory for your computer. Now you have to install it. This chapter will guide you through the basics of memory module installation and refer you to resources that can help with problems.

How Stuff Works: RAM
Random access memory (RAM) is the best known form of computer memory. RAM is considered "random access" because you can access any memory cell directly if you know the row and column that intersect at that cell.

Installing Laptop RAM
It's not difficult to install memory into your laptop. In fact, it is a fairly straightforward process. Using a screwdriver and a little care you can speed your laptop or notebook up significantly.

How to Choose a Laptop or Notebook Computer

          Today's laptops are much more powerful than even the hottest desktop computers of yesterday. They're also lighter and much more stylish. Many people are opting out of desktop computers altogether and use a laptop for all their computer needs. If you're thinking of going this route, check out these shopping tips.

Difficulty: Moderate Instructions

1. Step 1

Read through How to Choose a Desktop Computer. The "Before you shop" points and most of "The basics" also apply when shopping for a laptop.

2. Step 2

Pick up the laptops at the store. (Ask to have them unlocked if necessary.) Choose one that feels sturdy, solid and not too heavy.

3. Step 3

Try the keyboard. Since you can't replace it (except with the exact same item), make sure you're comfortable with its touch and responsiveness. Test it on a desk and on your lap.

4. Step 4

Test the pointing device, track pad or track ball, the laptop alternatives to a mouse. Some of these can be hard to master. You'll be able to connect an external mouse, but the built-in device is more handy when you're mobile.

5. Step 5

Check if the computer's bottom gets uncomfortably hot when it's running--a problem if you actually use the laptop on your lap.

6. Step 6

Pay attention to screen size and resolution. Current liquid-crystal display (LCD) screens on laptops measure from 13 to 21 inches diagonally. Screen resolution may be as low as 800 x 600 pixels or as high as 1600 x 1200. The more pixels, the crisper the screen image. View the screen in a variety of settings: A screen that looks great in normal room lighting can look terrible in bright or dim light.

7. Step 7

Choose a laptop with at least two USB 2 connections and at least one Firewire (IEEE1394) connection. USB 2 and Firewire are very popular and fast ways of connecting iPods, digital cameras and some phones to computers.

8. Step 8

Check to see if the laptop has built in wireless capabilities, most do these days. A wireless network card (also called Wi-Fi or 802.11) will free you from having to be wired to your Internet connection (see How to Network Your Computers). Also, Bluetooth capability will let you share information wirelessly with other Bluetooth-equipped devices, such as your cell phone or personal digital assistant.

9. Step 9

Check to see if the laptop has a DVD Burner. That makes backing up documents, music files and pictures a snap because of the high capacity of the discs.

10. Step 10

Get an antitheft device. Hundreds of thousands of laptops are stolen every year. Look for cables that secure the laptop to a desk. Install software that disables a stolen laptop, or better yet, reports the laptop's location when it connects to the Internet.

Dell Studio XPS 16 is most powerful laptop

            Currently the most powerful laptop offered by Dell short of an Alienware, the Dell Studio XPS 16 is a sleek, performance-class machine. Recently, Dell refreshed the machine, adding Intel's new Core i-series processors and a more powerful ATI graphics card. However, depending on the selected options, it can also bear a hefty price tag.
Dell Home Systems$949.99

See all pricing for the Dell Studio XPS 16 (320GB HDD, 4GB)

Specifications:

• Obsidian Black
• 16" 1080p (1920x1080) RGBLED screen w/webcam
• Intel Core i7 720QM (1.6GHz/2.8GHz Turbo Mode, 6MB Intel Smart Cache)
• Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium, 64-bit
• ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4670, 1GB
• 6GB DDR3, 1333MHz (4GB + 2GB)
• 500GB 7200RPM hard drive with freefall sensor (Seagate Momentus 7200.4/ST9500420ASG)
• Intel Wireless WiFi Link 5300AGN
• Slot-loading Blu-ray Rewritable drive
• 9-cell Li-ion battery (85Whr)
• Weight: 6.3 lbs (as listed on Dell website)
• Dimensions: 15.15" (W) x 10.02" (D) x 0.95"/1.34" (front/back H)
• MSRP: $2,124

                              The Studio XPS 16 starts at $949 for a base, 15.6" model. Unfortunately, getting the 16" RGDLED screen is a bit tricky lately, since many configurations do not seem to offer it. The other available 1080p screen is the 15.6" WLED LCD.

Build and Design:The Dell Studio XPS 16 is a study in contrasts: sleek but large, and stylish, but bulky. The silver trim and black gloss paint make it classy without being garish in the least. Unfortunately, since the finish is high gloss, it attracts fingerprints like crazy. In addition, oil from your hands (and anything else on them) rubs off on the finish and is transferred to the screen when you close it

             The build is mostly plastic (even the metallic-looking trim), but it is reasonably robust. It creaks a bit if you grab it by the sides, but it doesn't feel like it will fall apart. Some of the trim near the screen doesn't line up perfectly, and tends to put a tiny scratch at the very bottom of the screen (hard to see unless you really look for it). The hinges are quite strong, and the screen takes a bit of effort to open. Ripples show up on the screen if moderate to heavy pressure is applied to the lid, a consequence of having such a large screen. Being a 16" machine, the Studio XPS 16 has a bit of heft, necessitating the use of two hands to carry it.

Screen :This is quite simply the best screen I have ever seen, and it has spoiled me horribly. The native resolution is 1920 x 1080 (1080p, full HD) Color saturation is extremely high (maybe a bit too high, particularly for the reds), and the contrast is excellent. While the backlighting is ridiculously bright, it has the upside of keeping the screen usable even under bright indoor lighting.

Keyboard and Touchpad:The keys are fairly flat, with a ridged shape. This permits the keys to be spaced very closely together while keeping your fingers sufficiently spaced apart. The keys have a fairly short throw and are fairly quiet unless you strike them with a fair amount of force. Pressing very firmly on the keyboard yields no discernable flex. The Studio XPS 16 lacks a numpad (unlike my E1505, it is not even embedded in the middle of the keyboard and activated by the FN key), and the Home, PgDn, PgUp, End keys are positioned just to the right of the backspace and enter keys. A nice bonus is the backlighting, which has three settings (high, low, and off).

                   The Studio XPS 16 sports touch-activated media controls above the keyboard. Their white backlighting remains on regardless of the keyboard backlighting settings, but I found it tasteful. One nitpick is that I often hit the 'eject' button by mistake when attempting to press 'Delete.' The touchpad is almost completely smooth, with just a tiny bit of texture. The buttons require very little force to press, but are recessed enough to prevent accidental clicking. Like the keyboard, they make little noise when pressed.

Difference Between Laptop and Desktop Computer

           Computer is a important part of our life now. many years ago. we are often use desk computer for our life and work for promotion. and the latest few years, computer has developed from desk computer to laptop. and get more and more portable. but do you know what is the Difference between Laptop and Desktop computer?

           It's easier for a desktop computer to have a bigger memory and to hold more RAM than a laptop computer simply because there is more space available for the storage.

            The space in a desktop computer will often allow the user to choose almost unlimited accessories and options that a laptop computer just may not have the space to hold. Things like a top speed processor, the latest state of the art sound and graphics cards, extra ports for external linking and more than enough storage space for all of the programs, music and video clips that you'll ever need.

           The extra space also comes with one more big benefit that you don't often find with a laptop - the ability to easily upgrade. This means that you can keep your machine from becoming obsolete for much longer by continually adding the latest programs, components and accessories.

             The one glaring advantage a laptop computer holds over its desktop counter part is portability. If you have a job that requires you to travel, or if you're a student living in a closet sized dormitory with three others students, a laptop computer is practically a necessity. No matter how powerful or fast your desktop computer is, you can't unplug it, take it to the subway and finish writing your report while you travel.

                Despite the common misconception that all desktop computers are more powerful than all laptops, the laptop computers of today have much better technology in them than the laptops of yesterday. You will pay more for a supper powerful laptop than you will for the same caliber desktop, but then again, the lower price of the desktop won't help you on the go.

           I think the above illustrations tell you that both types of computer can be the best, depending on situation. The key isn't between choosing one over the other, it's in choosing the best computer of the type that you choose.

               You need to get online and do some research on the different brands of computers to find what the best and most reliable machines are. There are a slew of different manufacturers producing computers today, you need to find which manufacturer is producing the best reviewed computers of the type that you have determined that you need and base your decision on those facts.

              Buying a computer from a reputable and reliable manufacturer will ensure that you get a high quality machine. This is a piece of equipment that will be a big part of your life, hopefully, for years to come; you shouldn't look to get the cheapest price if it will mean that you are sacrificing quality. Never spend your hard earned money on a machine that has gotten a host of unfavorable reviews, or on a machine that you've never heard of.

Toshiba Satellite L505-S5993 15.6-Inch Laptop

                With a large 15.6 inch widescreen monitor, large hard drive and plenty of memory, the Toshiba Satellite L505 has a lot of performance in a not-so-portable package. Ideal as a desktop replacement laptop, it offers a full range of features expected from a desktop computer, but in a laptop sized package.

Toshiba Satellite L505-S5993 Laptop Technical Details:

• CPU: Intel Pentium T4300 dual-core 2.1 GHz (1 MB L2 cache, FSB 800 MHz)
• Main Memory: 4GB DDR2 800MHz
• Graphic system: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD with up to 1750 MB of dynamically shared memory
• Display: 15.6-inch high-definition TruBrite 1366 x 768
• Hard Disk: 500GB SATA
• Webcamera: 1.3 megapixel
• Optical Disc Drive: 8x SuperMulti DVD drive with double layer support
• Wireless Type: 802.11b/g/n
• I/O Port: 3 x USB, VGA, eSATA, Modem, LAN
• Card Reader: 5 in 1
• Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium
• Battery: 6-cell (4000 mAh) up to 2.45 hours
• Weight: 6.00 pounds (2.72 kg)
• Warranty: 1 year warranty
• Price: $579.99

              The 15.6 inch monitor is enough for everyday use. My wife owns a similar Toshiba with a screen of the same size. It is not up to the full day workloads of a desktop computer, where a much larger desktop is more comfortable. But for using a single window at a time, this is just enough. At the highest resolution the screen will accommodate a web browser with an instant messaging program or other slim window at the side. A VGA slot if available for attaching a monitor.

                   The memory is enough, 4GB will serve even the most demanding of users, and is upgradeable to 8GB, although I really don't see that as being worthwhile because the odds of actually using that much memory are very slim. If you run enough programs to fill up more than 4GB of memory then the speed of the processor will start to come into play as it will have a lot of programs to deal with.

           The processor is fast enough, but will chew on power. This is not a super low power CPU and that is reflected somewhat in the short battery life of this laptop. Nothing special, but will perform as expected for the price range.

            The 500GB hard drive is more than enough. Up to 100 DVD movies. Just remember to back up your data if you're going to use that much space. Although hard drives are pretty reliable, they are a common point of failure and are usually not recoverable. With all the information you can store on there, it means there is a lot to lose if the hard drive is damaged. The same information can also be lost due to viruses, so backup regularly. Consider an external hard drive or online storage for backup.

         802.11b/g/n wireless is always good. This offers speeds of up to 300Mb/s for the wireless connection to the router if the router supports it. There is a wired Fast Ethernet port too, which is standard and will connect nearly anywhere there is a network available.

        Rounding out the rest are three USB ports, built-in speakers, a webcam, and audio input and output.

          One little gripe though. I really don't think it's necessary to squash the 10-key numeric keypad onto the right. I would opt for a keyboard without the numeric keypad. Although the extra keys are helpful, it is pretty much expected that it won't be included on laptops because it just makes the space too squashed.

          Overall, I would recommend this for home use. It can get lugged around, but does not offer the portability of a netbook. My wife's version, with different speakers is just great. Windows 7 is a plus too.

Toshiba Satellite T135-S1307 13.3-Inch Ultrathin Laptop

                   For a pretty small chunk of change you get a relatively light and pretty fast laptop computer with a very long battery life. Combined with a 13.3 inch monitor this makes the perfect travel companion for those that need full a full-sized laptop computer for working on the move. The extra size gives the feeling of spaciousness in the system, but without sacrificing the long battery life that makes netbooks so attractive.

Here are the main features:

• 13.3 inch wide screen monitor
• 1.3GHz ultra-low voltage dual-core processor
• 500GB hard drive
• 3GB memory
• Draft-N Wifi
• Bluetooth

               The new range of ultra-low voltage Intel processors are really pushing the boundaries of low power and performance. The benefit of this is that the processors are much more efficient, allowing much longer battery times, while still allowing bigger monitors and more processing power. This means the power to use faster programs when needed, while not sacrificing usage time when on the move.

             The screen is clearly smaller than 15 inch and bigger laptops, and bigger than the 10 inch netbook screens. This middle ground is actually pretty perfect and picks up where the smaller sizes leave off and takes the best of what the larger sizes have to offer.
               
            Smaller netbook monitors are a little cramped, with the low resolution often necessitating scrolling from left to right in many applications. Larger monitors offer better resolutions, which allow normal viewing, but don't actually offer enough extra to start fitting more than one window on the screen at one time. The 13.3 inch has enough resolution to comfortably view a webpage without sideways scrolling, and it big enough for easy viewing.

            Not much to say about the 500GB hard drive. I'm always leaning towards online storage for important data. This hard drive is big enough for whatever you have, but remember that computer hard drives are one of the weakest links in the system. Although reliability is pretty awesome, please backup when necessary.

            Talking of backups, there is no optical drive on this computer, so an external DVD burner will be needed for writing and reading DVDs and CDs.

        3GB of RAM is plenty. The optional upgrade to 8GB is not worthwhile and there will be negligible, if any, performance difference. Put that money into an external DVD writer.

          Networking includes both wireless and traditional wired options. The wireless supports up to 802.11n, but is backwards compatible with b/g. Draft-N allows up to 300Mb/s connectivity and wider range than the older standards, and the RJ-45 port is a good backup just in case. Bluetooth is also included and supports microphones and stereo speakers.

           Other bits and pieces include built-in microphone, built-in webcam, three USB ports (one is dual eSATA/USB), normal laptop keyboard without numeric keypad, VGA port and HDMI video port.

           Overall this laptop hits that magic sweet spot between a netbook and a full-sized desktop replacement laptop.

Pros:

• Long battery life
• 
  
  "Just-right" sized monitor
• 
  
  Multiple networking options
• 
  
  VGA & HDMI video output

The difference between Desktop, Laptop and Notebook Computers?

             So what is the difference between a desktop, a laptop and a notebook computer? What are the good and bad qualities of each? Which one should I buy?

           These are all questions you may be asking yourself. I have created this post in order to answer your pertinent questions about desktop, laptop and notebook computers.

What is the difference between a desktop computer, a laptop computer and a notebook computer?

             The main differences between desktop computers notebook computers and laptop computers are the size, shape and  specifications.

            Desktop computers are much bigger and heavier than laptops and notebooks. They usually store more information and have more features than the other computer types. This being said, they are usually left at home and are not for quick transport. Also, desktop computers usually have all of their parts in different pieces. the main "brain" of the computer is linked to the screen, power source (it has no battery) and keyboard/mouse through wires. While desktops are bigger and not portable, many find them to be faster and easier to work with.          

             Laptop computers are designed for on the go travel. While they can be used as home computers, laptops are fitted with batteries and can be transported easily from one place to another. Laptops and notebooks are usually confused as the same thing. While they both are designed for travel, the laptop usually has graphics cards, CD writer drives, and larger (usually heavier) screens. A big question to consider when buying a computer is whether you should have a laptop or a notebook.        

            Notebook computers are often confused as laptop computers. Notebooks are light, extremely portable, and have along battery life. While popular with students and business men, notebooks have great qualities that anyone can enjoy. Notebooks are usually not fitted with graphics cards and usually have a smaller, more compact keyboard. They are ideal for homework, assignments, papers and forms. The main purpose of a notebook is functionality. It is not so much an entertainment medium as it is a project manager.

What are the good and bad qualities of each?

Desktop computers - good qualities:

* designed for heavy use and large capacity

* ideal for home office/family computer

* easier to use for most people

Desktop computers - bad qualities:

* not portable

* can take up a lot of space

Laptop computers - good qualities:

* portable and easy to set up

* compact yet capable of media play (videos, games)

* can substitute as a home computer

Laptop computers- bad qualities:

* can still be heavy if needed for constant portability

* battery life is not always very long (depending on what it's doing)

* can get bogged down

Notebook computers- good qualities

:* very light and easy to move around

* ideal for documentation and small presentations

* great for classroom or workplace environments

* long battery life

Notebook computers - bad qualities:

* not for graphic needs (video, games)

* not great for multitasking

Which one should I buy?         

             This choice depends on what you will be using the computer for. If you plan to keep it at home all the time and need a easy-to-use and efficient device, a desktop is the best choice. If you need to take it to meetings but also need to be able to create intricate graphical presentations on it, a laptop is the perfect decision. If your a student and need to take notes and homework assignments down, a powerful little notebook is right up your alley.

         It's all about your needs in a computer, finding out what you need your computer to do will help you decide on which type of computeris right for you!

How can my child avoid eyestrain?

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has provided the following helpful suggestions for making the appropriate workstation modifications to help avoid eye strain:

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  Position the video display terminal (VDT) slightly further away than where you normally hold reading material.
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  Position the top of the VDT screen at or slightly below eye level.
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  Place all reference material as close to the screen as possible to minimize head and eye movements and focusing changes.
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  Minimize lighting reflections and glare.
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  Keep the VDT screen clean and dust-free.
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  Schedule periodic rest breaks to avoid eye fatigue.
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  Keep the eyes lubricated (by blinking) to prevent them from drying out.
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  Keep the VDT screen in proper focus.
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  Consult your adolescent's ophthalmologist, as some individuals who normally do not need glasses may need corrective lenses for computer work.
  
  

Dell Precision M4500 notebook.

                   The Dell Precision M4500 is the latest 15-inch mobile workstation featuring powerful Intel processors up to the Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition and Nvidia Quadro FX 1800M discrete graphics for video editing, animation, and CAD manipulation. The Precision M4500 boasts an optional 64GB SSD MiniCard for fast start up and your choice of up to a 256GB SSD or a 500GB HDD for file storage. Is this the most powerful workhorse on the market? Take a look and see if it's time for an upgrade at your office.

Our review unit of the Dell Precision M4500 features the following specifications:

• Windows 7 Ultimate (64-bit) with option for Windows XP Professional downgrade
• Intel Core i7 620M @ 2.67GHz
• 4GB DDR3 (1333MHz)
• Nvidia Quadro FX 1800M graphics (1GB dedicated memory)
• 15.6" FHD LED Back-Lit Display (1920x1080 resolution, matte screen)
• 64GB Solid State Drive MiniCard (operation system)
• 500GB (7200RPM) HDD (storage)
• Blu-ray disc drive (DVD recordable)
• Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6200 802.11a/b/g/n Half Mini Card
• 802.11 Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA), 802.11i (WPA2), Virtual Private Networks (VPN) 802.1x with EAP modes and compatible with CCX 4.0
• Dell Wireless 375 Bluetooth Module
• Integrated webcam and microphone
• Backlit keyboard
• Dell Precision ON Reader
• FIPS Compliant Fingerprint Reader and Contactless Smartcard Reader
• Weight: 6.0 lbs (with 6-cell battery)
• Dimensions: 14.72 x 1.15-1.42 x 9.96 inches (W x H x D)
• 130 Watt AC adapter
• 9-cell (90Wh) extended life battery
• 3-year basic limited warranty and 3-year next business day on-site service
• MSRP: $3,664.00 ($3,280.00 with instant savings)

Dell Precision M4500 Performance, Benchmarks and Battery Life

Build and Design

            The Dell Precision line of mobile workstation notebooks has long been a staple of corporate IT where users need the fastest multi-core processors and the most powerful discrete graphics for 3D animation, video editing, and CAD applications. Whether you're a Hollywood animator working on next year's blockbuster, or an engineer developing the next generation of communications satellites, you need extreme computing power with workstation-class certifications so you know it will work with the software you use every day.

Screen and Speakers

                Dell offers the Precision M4500 with several different 15-inch screen options with 1366x768, 1600x900, and 1920x1080 resolutions. Our review unit came equipped with the 15.6" FHD LED Back-Lit Display (1920x1080 resolution, matte screen). This 1080p high-definition display is perfectly usable both indoors and outdoors and features excellent color with rich contrast. The LED-backlit panel offers excellent brightness and we typically left the brightness set to between 50% and 70% when using the notebook indoors. The M4500 features an ambient light sensor to automatically adjust the screen brightness based on the available light, but we disabled this feature during our lab tests so that the screen brightness would remain constant.

          The one-inch stereo speakers used in the Precision M4500 provide excellent volume range with fantastic highs and midtones with a modest amount of bass. Thankfully, these speakers are located on either side of the keyboard and are positioned to direct sound up and toward the user. I can't tell you how much nicer it is to have speakers in this position rather than lap-firing speakers found on most smaller notebooks. Lap-firing speakers direct sound down at your lap or your desk and result in muffled audio. You can easily fill an office with music or the audio track from a video you've been editing thanks to the speakers on the M4500.

               The single headphone jack on the M4500 works well with the two different brands of earphones    I used during the test. No static or other noise was noticed through the jack besides imperfections in the audio source itself.

Keyboard and Touchpad.           The full-size keyboard on the M4500 features perfectly shaped keys with just the right depth to each press, perfect key spacing, and soft feedback without the loud click-clack sounds you'll often hear when typing on business-oriented notebooks.The one negative aspect to using this keyboard was the surprising amount of flex or "bounce" while typing. I could feel a significant degree of flex around the "F", "C" and "V" keys as well as the "L", ";", "'" and "." keys on the M4500 even when using modest typing pressure.

           Dell also includes a textured trackpoint/touchpoint with three additional dedicated buttons. The trackpoint movement isn't nearly as fluid as what we've seen on Lenovo ThinkPads and HP EliteBooks, but it's there if you hate using a regular touchpad.

Ports and Features

            The M4500 features an impressive number of ports and external features crammed into a 15-inch notebook. You get both a PC Card and an Express Card slot for expansion and external peripherals, three dedicated USB 2.0 ports, one combo USB/eSATA port for connecting external hard drives, DisplayPort, FireWire, and even an additional Smartcard slot. Let's take a brief tour ...