10 Things You Should Know About Laptops

IT managers have a lot of choices when it comes to outfitting their end users with notebook PCs. Rather than locking into one type of laptop for uniformity’s sake, however, why not ascertain a department’s or employees’ specific needs and build from there

Protect Sensitive Data Through Encryption

The mobility that laptop PCs afford has done great things for the enterprise, but laptop loss and theft are constant risks. Notebook encryption must be a priority when outfitting one employee or an entire de

Battery Life Is Key

Measure the importance of battery life against other factors. Sometimes, getting the most battery life means going with a heavier laptop. Today’s popular ultra-portables may use smaller batteries to shave off pounds. Extend batte

Lighter Isnt Always Better

Going lighter may be the wave of the future, but it isnt without its drawbacks. Toshiba is scheduled to release a 1.72-pound notebook in its Portege R500 series, but it won’t come with an optical drive. Other ultra-light

Consider Internet Connections

Are you buying notebooks equipped with 802. 11n draft wireless? Though the final version of this IEEE standard is still pending, most vendors are expecting approval in the not-too-distant future. Gear based on this stan

Rugged Good Looks

Consider the conditions in which the mobile PC will be used. Will the system be used in conditions more extreme than you’d find in a typical office environment? It might not be feasible to outfit an entire fleet of users with rugge

Keep On Track

Laptop-tracking software is another way to keep track of your mobile fleet. Laptop-tracking software works by sending configuration and tracking information, usually via e-mail, to the software manufacturers servers when the laptop in

Solid-State Drives Are Built for Speed

Solid-state drives substitute spinning plates with the sort of Flash memory that cameras and MP3 players use. These drives can add $500 to the cost of your overall laptop but can increase machine speed by 20 pe

When Bells and Whistles Are Requirements

When looking for a laptop for end users whose jobs depend on their ability to create and display sophisticated multimedia presentations, seek out a notebook PC with multiple Flash card readers that can immedi

No One-Size-Fits-All Displays

If you are replacing your companys tower desktop units with notebook PCs but will still be using a desktop monitor in conjunction with the mobile systems, it’s probably best (and most cost-effective) to go with a mobil

Maximize Your System’s Performance

Notebook PCs demand proper maintenance to keep system performance high. Defragging and scanning the hard drive, as well as adding memory, keep notebooks fast. Also consider swapping out hard drives running at 5,400

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