| » Are notebooks only for people who travel a lot? |
| No. It was the intent when the first notebooks ("laptops") came out, for them to be mobile computers. Today... |
| » Can I upgrade my notebook? |
| Yes. Almost all notebooks that are sold can be upgraded in one way or another. The most common upgrade would be to... |
| » Is there any danger in leaving a laptop on 24 hours a day? |
| As long as it's in a well ventilated area, there's no danger. At least, no more danger than there would be if you... |
| » My system won't boot. What should I do? |
| Check the possible causes. If you are running on AC power (as when it is plugged into the wall socket) check to make... |
| » What does it mean to condition one's battery? |
| Over time, you may notice that your battery doesn't hold a charge as long as it used to. This may be caused by... |
| » What if the computer does not operate with a fully charged battery pack? |
| The over-current protective function in the battery pack might be activated. Power off the computer for 1 minute to... |
| » What is Centrino Technology? |
| Centrino Technology is a combination of 3 Intel components found in the same notebook. These components are:Intel... |
| » Why don't some laptops charge the battery while the unit is on? |
| This feature was taken out as it can cause memory effect on batteries. The laptop has to be turned off in order for... |
|
| Are notebooks only for people who travel a lot? |
No. It was the intent when the first notebooks ("laptops")
came out, for them to be mobile computers. Today people
find many other reasons for owning a notebook. A large
reason is still of course mobility. Business men/women,
travellers and students find that being able to easily
transport their computers has great benefits.
Coupled with a wireless internet connection, many people
love the freedom of surfing the net wirelessly and being
able to do so in a variety of areas away from their
work desks.
Students will find that a powerful notebook can replace
their desktop for almost all of their needs, while taking
up a fraction of the space. |
| Can I upgrade my notebook? |
Yes. Almost all notebooks that are sold can be upgraded
in one way or another. The most common upgrade would
be to add more RAM or a larger/faster hardrive. Optical
drives can also be upgraded in many notebooks. Some
of the more expensive, enthusiast notebooks also have
upgradeable video cards.
Many notebooks ship with 4200 rpm hard drives, these
can be a bottleneck, slowing down any processes that
rely on disc access.
As with any upgrade, always check with the manufacturer
before attempting to upgrade any components.
|
| Is there any danger in leaving a laptop on 24 hours a day? |
| As long as it's in a well ventilated area, there's no
danger. At least, no more danger than there would be if
you left your desktop computer on all day. The danger
to laptops is overheating. Because all the hardware is
in such cramped quarters, it tends to get very hot. The
bottom gets hot, so be careful where you put it. You may
even want to put it on something raised so the air can
get to the bottom. If you leave a laptop on blankets or
a bed, it will often overheat because the insulation of
the material is keeping the heat in. A tip that may help
you when you're transporting your laptop is to take out
the battery to ensure that you don't accidentally leave
the laptop on. |
| My system won't boot. What should I do? |
| Check the possible causes. If you are running on AC
power (as when it is plugged into the wall socket) check
to make sure the AC connection is good. Plug in another
appliance that you know works. Flip the wall switch on
and off. If you are running the system with battery power,
try using AC. Connect the AC adapter and plug in the notebook
computer. |
| What does it mean to condition one's battery? |
| Over time, you may notice that your battery doesn't
hold a charge as long as it used to. This may be caused
by frequent charges/drains or infrequent battery use.
It is recommended that you "condition" your
battery a few times a year to get the most out of it.
To do this, simply charge your battery to the fullest
and then disconnect the AC adapter plug. Make sure any
power saving alarms or options are disabled and simply
let your notebook run until it completely drains the battery
and turns itself off. Plug your notebook back in and completely
recharge the battery before using it. This conditioning
or "cycling" of the battery will help it retain
a fuller charge for a longer period of time. |
| What if the computer does not operate with a fully charged battery pack? |
| The over-current protective function in the battery
pack might be activated. Power off the computer for 1
minute to reset this function; then power it on again. |
| What is Centrino Technology? |
Centrino Technology is a combination of 3 Intel components found in the same notebook. These components are:
- Intel Pentium M based Processor
- Intel 855 Chipset Family
- Intel Pro/Wireless Connection
In
order for a notebook to be labelled as having "Centrino Technology",
all three components must be available in the notebook. It is a common
misconception that "Centrino" is a processor, but it is the combination
of the three components listed above. |
| Why don't some laptops charge the battery while the unit is on? |
| This feature was taken out as it can cause memory effect
on batteries. The laptop has to be turned off in order
for the battery to be charged. |
