Desktop vs Laptop - Which is better?

There had always been some form of debate regarding getting a desktop or a laptop. There had even many calls to the IT support desks of various companies simply inquiring about this issue. It seems that people can't fully decide if they would want the ease, power, and reliability of a desktop or if they would go for the sleek, portability of the laptop.

If you are one of the people who is stuck in this kind of dilemma, then you would probably appreciate a list of the various sticking points that you should look into before you decide to get a laptop or a desktop.

Here is a short list of the qualities that you need to look into:

Portability:

If you would want to have a more portable device, then laptops are definitely a much better choice than desktops. Because of their size and form factors, it would be much easier to lug around the laptop as compared with the desktop.

You should try to fit your work tasks to match your need. If you are on IT support and would need to go around the office to check on various issues, then perhaps a laptop is the better choice. However, if you are in a desk job and would just need to type out a few documents here and there, then a desktop may be sufficient.

Repairs and replacement parts:

Another factor when deciding between a desktop or a laptop is the ease of repairs or the replacement of parts. Usually, desktops are much easier to find replacement parts for as more PC repair shops would have the components available.

On the other hand, laptops would usually have their own dedicated stalls or shops if ever you would need computer repair services. You may have to call a specific company's IT Support hotline before you can get your computer serviced.

Cost:

Lastly, you should consider the cost. A desktop vs. laptop comparison would often yield that for the same power, specifications and components, a desktop is significantly cheaper. This is primarily due to the cost associated with portability.

Another consideration with regards to cost would be the computer repair situations. As mentioned above, repairing a desktop is usually much cheaper and easier than having to fix a laptop.

However, if you would not be using the computer for power intensive purposes, then a laptop may eventually be more cost efficient as it may be able to save on electricity charges.

My internet is running slow - How To Speed it up quickly and easily Read more: http://www.articlesbase.com/operating-systems-articles/my-internet-is-

If your computer is running slow it can be very frustrating and annoying problem but there are steps that everyone can take to fix this problem. There is one problem though that many people run into and do not know what is causing it. If you find the internet is running slow but your computer is running fast there are some easy steps to resolve this problem quickly.

#1 Upgrade your network drivers

Nearly all computers these days connect via a DSL line. This requires the use of the network connection on your computer. If the drivers for your network card are out of date, corrupt or the wrong ones your internet connection can slow down dramatically.

The first thing you should do is to run windows update to see if there are any updated drivers for your network card. To do this go to the windows start menu and run windows update from there. If there are no updates go to the manufacturers site and check there. The last step if the drivers are current is to remove and reinstall them in case they have corrupted.

#2 Empty the cache and temporary internet files and data.

As you spend increasing amounts of timer on the internet your PC stores in its internet cache. As the amount of files increase your internet can slow right down and if any of these files are infected with malware it can cause real problems.

To get rid of these unwanted files do the following.

1. Start internet explorer.
2. Open the tools menu at the top of the screen and then go to internet options and delete browsing history.
3. Reset internet explorer.

#3 Set internet explorer back to its default settings. Over time settings change and these can result in your internet running slow. These settings can also be change by malware. Here is how to do this.

1. Start Internet explorer.
2. Go to tools, then options then go to the advanced tab.
3. Click on the reset advanced settings.

#4 Run a system optimizer and scanner

If you still find your internet connection running slow run a system optimizer and scanner which is designed to optimize all your settings for the best possible performance. This will scan windows and the registry for malware or spyware causing your problems and then stop then. Then it will optimize your computer to run faster and will help stop your internet running slow.

Tips to Fix Windows XP Shutdown Problem

You are done with your computing and click the Shut Down button. But it takes long time to complete the shutdown process. You are wondering what to do? Well, Windows XP slow shutdown is a very common problem and there are various reasons for which this problem occurs. It might be related to hardware or software. In order to fix the issue, first you need to find the root of the problem and deal with it accordingly. You can get help from a reliable operating system support provider to fix this issue.

If you find the slow shutdown problem is due to software, you can easily fix it. But if it happens due to hardware, then resolving it might not be that much simple. Given below are some of the useful tips to fix Windows XP shutdown problem.

In many cases, it is seen that the problem occurs due to bad sectors & file system damage. To cope with this problem, you need to run the 'Chkdsk' or 'Scandisk' function from the XP recovery CD. Alternatively, you can type the 'CHKDSK /R' command in command prompt for resolving this issue. To avoid slow shutdown problem, you must run defragmentation and CHKDSK function on a regular basis. They will help you to maintain good health of the hard drive.

Device driver problem is also another reason for which Windows XP shutdown problem occurs. Make sure all the device drivers are working properly. If you find any one of them is corrupted, it is strongly recommended to uninstall it. And then download and reinstall the driver. This will fix the issue.

Sometimes, due to systemic problems slow shutdown could occur. To deal with this problem, you can load the computer in the last known good configuration. There are other options as well. Load the Windows XP recovery disk and then run a system repair. All the corrupted or deleted files will be restored and it will solve the problem quite efficiently.

Have you uninstalled any program recently? If you find the Windows XP slow shutdown is occurring after installing the program, might be you haven't uninstalled the program properly. It is suggested to reinstall the program again and then go for a proper uninstall through control panel. The problem will be resolved.

Last but not the least, BIOS/CMOS settings problem may also lead to slow shutdown of your Windows XP computer. If you do any tampering with the BIOS and CMOS settings, then it might result a shutdown problem. In order to resolve the issue, you can take help from a computer repair expert. You may also try restoring the BIOS settings to default.

These are some useful tips to fix XP slow shutdown problem. You may consult a computer repair service provider for resolving any type of Windows XP related issues.

The Know-Hows Of Removing Malicious Spyware

You may not be able to work properly in your computer system, if there is spyware embedded in it. If you want your computer function as you would want it to, you must make all the efforts necessary to prevent your machine from being infected with malicious spyware. If there is the presence of spyware in your system, do not panic, but contact a San Francisco computer repair service soon.

Spyware can do damage to your computer by altering the programming of your operating system, decreasing the speed of your internet capability, and worst of all, stopping your system totally from functioning. All computer users must note that spyware is designed in a manner that makes it very difficult to get rid of them. It is quite common that users have to make several attempts to remove the spyware from their computer. San Francisco fix computer services can prove to be helpful. The users can also use the many programs as well as anti-spyware options that are available for removing spyware from their systems. This should take care of the computer and keep it at its functioning best.

Spyware creeping in through web activity

Most of the spyware gets on the computer when the user visits websites and reads emails. If a person wants to prevent his/her system from getting corrupted, then the user must refrain from opening websites which he/she is not familiar with. To be cautious, it will be wise not to open email attachments that unexpected; it does not matter even if the email attachment is form a friend of yours. Be extra careful, when the attachment has the .exe extension. This implies that the file in the attachment is an executable one and has the potential to cause more damage to your system.

Installing software packages

Having anti-virus software becomes essential for protecting a PC from the harmful programs. It is also true that there are many anti-virus programs which are ineffective in the detection of spyware. You will do best to rely on more than one program for detecting spyware; the spyware can corrupt an anti-spyware program in order to protect itself. Having many programs installed will mean that one program may catch a spyware that another program has failed to locate. The anti-spyware software programs that are installed must be updated on a regular basis and the system must also be scanned once in a while to keep it safe. San Francisco online tech help services can help you with scanning system and updating software programs.

Calling professionals for help

If all your attempts to remove spyware from your system has failed and you are on the verge of losing important data from your hard drive, you may contact the San Francisco hard drive recovery services. This should help you gain access to your important files. The user must provide details to the technicians on what problems the computer was facing and what steps were taken by you in fixing the issues. This should enable the technicians to serve you better.

Why So Many Gamers Are Debating What Is The Best Gaming Computer Today Read more: http://www.articlesbase.com/operating-systems-articles/why-so-many-

If you are a gamer then you know how hot and heavy the debates can get when it comes to the big questions. Questions like what is the best gaming computer will always plague us because everyone seems to have a different answer. For some of us, we want an easy laptop that we can take anywhere to game with and others want a large command station style desktop machine. The real truth is that thebest gaming computers will be a source of debates for years to come. It is not very easy to get to the bottom line because it is different for every gamer. While you may want to have a totally custom machine that even features a unique decorative paint job, this may not be what the next guy is wanting. You have choices so it is best to consider all of them. In the end, what is the best gaming computer for one person due to price may be totally unlike what someone with a good bit of cash would be willing to settle for. Stick to your own personal values and you will end up a lot more happy with things. You are going to see as you look around that the world now has tons of choices out there for you.

One solution a lot of people forget is that they can actually get systems that are used which are still very powerful. Plenty of people will buy a brand new machine every time there is the tiniest jump in tech. These are definite answers to what is the best gaming computer question because they are very well made and extremely easy to use. If you want a terrific bargain on a great machine, this is one fantastic way to go. You can find excellent bargains here. Plus, you may want to build your own machine. When a lot of people ask you what is the best gaming computer they actually are asking which configuration of parts will give them the best machine. They know they want a power house, for instance, but they do not know what the best parts to build it with could be. Focus on your favorite aspect such as the speed of play, the number of accessories you can use or maybe having a huge screen. Get your priorities down and the rest is going to be simple for you.

Today you have a ton of choices for computers you can game with. Just focus on what gives you the best results and you will be a lot happier. You can definitely find plenty that is going to make your life a lot more fun because features abound and prices can be found that are lower than average if you check sellers online.

Speed up My Slow Computer - How To Make Your PC run Faster Today

Think your computer is getting too slow to work with? Well for most of us the computer has become a part of our lives. So when the computer freezes while you are working it is not only annoying but a great hindrance to your work as well. However you don't need to replace your computer each year or when it slows down. By carrying out some easy tasks I was easily able to improve the speed of my PC which is more than 5 years old. There are several reasons for computers becoming slow. Some of the most common causes are as follows for your computer running slow.

* Too many unwanted files
* Too many programs launching at startup
* Corrupted registry information
* Malicious software such as Trojans, Viruses and Spyware
* Unwanted fonts
* Improperly uninstalled programs

Other than the ones listed above many other things also contribute to the slowness of your system. Sometimes all you need to do is empty your recycle bin regularly to remove junk files. Also regularly remove the cookies and offline files. You can easily do it through the browser you are using.

If starting up takes a lot of time then it is a sure sign that too many startup programs are running. Just type in msconfig in the Run console. There you get the option to disable start up programs, don't hesitate to disable what you think is unimportant. However it is wise not to change settings of anti-virus programs to stop your computer running slow.

The other place which needs regular maintenance is your registries. Registries contain information about your preferences and about the programs you have installed. With time due to improper removal and closing of programs these registry entries become corrupted. All you need to do is use a registry cleaner to fix those registry issues.

However it is recommended that you go through the reviews thoroughly before selecting a registry cleaner. Also take the trouble to back up the system before you employ the registry cleaner. Then if something unfortunate happens you can always get the PC to the state which it was before. So if you are having issues with your computer running slow just follow these easy steps and squeeze some more life from your PC.

Mac Or Windows - Which Operating System Is Right For Me?

The Windows platform is considerably the more dominant operating system on the market these days, but does that make it better? Apple has a monopoly over the digital music world and has revolutionized the cell phone and tablet industries, but what about their computers? Are they actually relevant and deserve your attention? The short answer is ‘yes' – if you haven't done so before, you should consider a Mac as a sincere alternative.

Microsoft made itself a household name with DOS and Windows by allowing 3rd party companies to design software and hardware for their specific platform. This resulted in a flood of products for the Windows operating system, which provided their customers near unlimited customization and potential. However, there is a major drawback with too many developers creating too many products – most components are designed without each other in mind. The resulting incompatibilities cause system crashes, data loss and incessant headache. This was true especially in the beginning, but things have improved a bit as time has passed.

Apple took the completely opposite approach. Keeping all product development in-house, everything works extremely well together but the customer can suffer as the majority of software out there is not available on the Mac. Mainstream titles such as Quickbooks, Photoshop and even Microsoft Office are available in Mac versions, but chances are that less popular titles cannot be found. It is this fact that has kept Apple computers out of the majority of the homes in the US – a lack of the software prevalence that Microsoft enjoys. This is unfortunate – in this writer's humble opinion, Apple by far has the better operating system and user experience, an incredible success mitigated by a lack of accessory. Apple is also the platform of choice for the majority of professional graphic designers and video editors.

Microsoft has grown into its dominant position by combining a powerful operating system with an expansive software market. While Windows has wide applicability, it is inherently not as stable and as well refined as Apple's OS. As evidenced by their innovations in the music, cellular and tablet markets, Apple is a company of fresh thinkers and game changers; while Microsoft's recent history appears to reflect a modus operandi of assimilation and imitation. Buyers who are interested in a reliable and competitive alternative should definitely give Mac computers a second look.

Oh, and for the record, I am a Windows user, while my wife and brother-in-law are die-hard Apple fans.