About Technology

Apple Vs PC is No Longer Apples Vs Oranges!

By:amerlino

There are Mac people and there are PC people. The divide has essentially been one of taste and can be compared to the Pepsi vs. Coke divide. Mac is seen as optimal, even necessary for music compilation, video chatting and creative cool tasks of the like. Those who prefer PC are of the opinion that it is needed for serious computing and number crunching which could not be accomplished by an overpriced toy. These strong opinions have remained stagnant due to the dissimilar components being very difficult to compare. A logical comparison is now plausible due to products’ increasing similarities.


Previously, a factual comparison of fundamental characteristics was not possible due to the components being very different. Apple Macs are now migrating to Intel processors which enables a comparison of hardware. Furthermore, both manufacturer’s buy memory, hard drives and graphic cards from similar suppliers. And the operating systems are very different in style but are very similar in Internet, multimedia and productivity applications. The major difference lies in the system components designed to accomplish the same goals. PC vs. Mac components are as follows; Internet Explorer vs. Safari, Windows Media Center vs. Front Row, Photo Gallery vs. iPhoto, Backup and Restore Center vs. Time Machine.

The debate just about boils down to a matter of preference and style. Previously the price of Macs discouraged many buyers however, the playing field has leveled and prices are now similar. It is notable however, that Mac offers less of a variety so if Mac has not put together a system that will fit your particular needs than it may be more cost effective to go with a PC.

Across the great divide: MacBook Pro vs. the PC competition by Michele Thatcher is a comparison of Apple Mac Book Pro and the Acer Travel Mate 8200. The two computers were compared using eight different criteria and the following results were obtained. The Apple was more compact and lightweight. Brightness and color were more impressive on the Apple although text was crisper on the PC. The MacBook Pro also included hundreds of dollars of equivalent PC software. Acer overpowered the MacBook Pro with a profusion of ports, superfluity of slots, and competent connections. The Acer TravelMate 8200 also outran the Mac book pro on 5 out of 6 performance tests, including computer game graphics performance. The price difference was approximately 400 dollars with the Acer being less expensive. Battery life and Warrantee and Support were determined to be comparable. Since this report was published in 2006 the similarities which were already prevalent have increased.

Converting files from PC to Mac has been streamlined over the past few years with user friendly software. Programs that are found on both the PC and the Mac do not need additional software to transfer back and forth. Networking a PC and Mac is also living down it’s notoriously difficult reputation with the help of new applications. The easy conversion and competitive sales price is evidenced in it’s sales increase from 5.2% of the market share in the first quarter 2007 to 7.5% in the second quarter 2008.

The divide between the sleek, stylish cutting edge Apple Mac and the all business, efficient PC is ongoing. A logical comparison is now plausible due to products’ increasing similarities. These similarities include functionality and price coupled with the ease of conversion and networking results in an evolved perspective!

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Problem Solvers: Ten Ways to Stop Disasters Before They Start

1. Treat your PC right: Check your PC case every couple of weeks for dust buildup at the vents and fan holes. Also open the PC at least twice a year to clear out dust and debris that inevitably gets sucked inside. You'll prolong fan life and greatly reduce the risks of overheating your PC.

2. Back up your data: Invest in a rewritable DVD drive or a second hard disk--it'll let you back up data conveniently and fast. You can also use Microsoft Backup to create System State backups with all your Registry and system settings. Someday, you'll thank us.

3. Do routine disk maintenance: Windows' built-in utilities can perform routine surface scans and file defragmentation. You'll catch potential problems early, protect files from errors, and even improve performance.

4. Don't fly blind: Use Motherboard Monitor; it can read the input from temperature sensors built into a computer's motherboard, CPU, and hard drive to warn of an impending meltdown. It also monitors fan activity to alert you if a cooling fan fails.

5. Activate Windows System Restore: This terrific utility for Windows Me and XP (98 lacks a similar program) takes a complete snapshot of your system's state before every significant Registry change. Should a software or hardware upgrade go bad, System Restore acts like a time machine to return Windows to its last working configuration. You can also perform manual or scheduled restores. Click Start, Programs (All Programs in XP), Accessories, System Tools, System Restore, and follow the wizard. For Windows 2000, use Backup (on the System Tools menu) to create backups, and if necessary to restore System State information (click the plus sign under 'What to restore' to find the appropriate System State check box).

6. Get an uninterruptible power supply: A UPS (about $60) acts as a backup electrical supply, allowing your computer to weather power outages. It also serves as a surge suppressor and line conditioner to shield components from spikes and dips in current.

7. Play it safe: Beta drivers (beta meaning "not yet final") can create all sorts of problems. If you opt to get the latest leaked beta driver for your graphics card, you should also download and store on your hard disk a Microsoft-verified driver.

8. Keep Windows updates coming: As ridiculous as it may seem to patch Windows every three days, some updates are critical for keeping other people out of your PC. Check updates as they arrive, and be sure to immediately install any that resolve a significant security issue.

9. Buy an antivirus program: The app runs in the background to screen incoming/outgoing traffic and clear infections. Download the latest virus profiles to keep protection current.

10. Use common sense: You can avoid a lot of potential virus exposures simply by being careful. Don't open every e-mail attachment you receive. If an attachment from a known source seems odd or suspicious, verify the message with the sender before you open it. Also be wary of Web sites you visit, since malicious sites can attempt to run nefarious Java, HTML, or ActiveX code on your computer. --M.D.

source:about.com

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High-Performance Computing On A Shoestring

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Why Does My Computer Act This Way?

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Is Notebook A Better Choice Than Desktop?

By: Roberto Sedycias

If internet made the world a global village, then we might as well say that notebooks made it a global colony. With desktops, things were a click away from us; notebook shorted the distance. Now we can carry the global colony on our shoulder. High-end technology at your lap, perhaps, we need nothing to conquer the world of convergence.

The great advantage of notebooks is that it gives us a sense of portability and mobility. Looking critically, portability is the only feature, a notebook has over desktops then why do we choose to go for a notebook? Notebooks can let you carry your work conveniently and you do not have to worry about all the wires, hardware and space required to keep a desktop. Also it's a matter of choice between work and home. You may want to work from home, when your baby or wife is ill. A notebook comes in handy then.

A notebook has a different role to play for different people, but it gives an incredible sense of freedom. Gone are the days when people walked around with pen and paper. All you need to do today to make notes it to buy a notebook. You may want to quickly write a email to a radio station, which is making noise in the name of music. You may want to sit in your neighborhood coffee shop and write a book or letter. But if you want to carry your notebook everywhere you go, you have to consider the weight of the machine too. A notebook weighs between 5 to 10 pounds; an ultralight model is even lighter. Whereas, a desktop computer, with its standalone CPU, monitor, and keyboard, weighs in at about 70 pounds. A notebook takes much lesser space too and is very convenient.

Some of the most famous notebooks are Sony Vaio, Apple MacBook, Dell Latitude, Toshiba, HP. Also there are many affordable versions of notebooks marketed by companies like Fujitsu, Panasonic, IBM, Asus and etc.

Let's look at a scenario where at a school, students are quietly seated at their desks and working on a class assignment with no teachers to guide them. It's real, and is happening in many schools around us. Now, we don't have to mourn looking at our tiny ones carrying pounds of baggage in their backs. Notebook has it all, from their books to assignment copies.

When we look at the productive side of the picture, we would promptly realize that a notebook is always a wise choice for an employer too. It makes his or her employees to achieve more productivity at work. It saves critical office space. At any crucial moment, a notebook can help you to do the work, even when you are not physically present in the office. When the traffic is high, and your boss is waiting for presentation in a conference room, a notebook comes to the rescue. A desktop PC does not give all this freedom for a good worker.

A research says that employees with notebooks work more than those companies with desktop PCs. A notebook enables you to work from anywhere, while traveling, from a beauty parlor, or while waiting for someone at a shopping mall. And the only disadvantage a notebook has is its safety, unless you doubly assure it from theft. It's easy to pick and elope for anyone at a busy commercial place. So, ensure the safety of your costly gadget that makes you feel the world is at your feet and enjoy the power of technology.

Article Source: http://myarticlezine.com

This article can also be accessed in portuguese language from the News Article section of page PoloMercantil

Roberto Sedycias has a bachelor degree in Business Administration and over 20 years experience in systems analysis and computer programming. Currently working as IT consultant for www.PoloMercantil.com.br

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How To Troubleshoot a PC That Won't Turn On

From Tim Fisher,

It's a dreadful way to start a day - you press the power button on your PC and nothing happens. Do not fear because all may not be lost! Follow these simple steps to determine why your computer won't turn on.

Note: It is very important to troubleshoot any issue beginning with the most likely and easily testable problem so be sure to follow these steps in order.

Difficulty: Average

Time Required: Anywhere from 10 minutes to a few hours depending on why the computer won't turn on

Here's How:

1. As silly as it may sound, the number one reason why a computer won't turn on is because it wasn't turned on! Before starting a sometimes time consuming troubleshooting process, make sure you've actually turned on both the computer case and the monitor using the power switches on the front of both.

2. Many computers have power switches on the power supply, located on the back of the PC's case. Check this switch, often called the rear power switch, and make sure it is turned on and that the correct voltage is set and then attempt to power on your computer again.

Tip: On is indicated by the "I" symbol and off is indicated by the "O" symbol.

3. Check for loose PC and monitor power cable connections. A loose or unplugged power cable is one of the top reasons why a computer doesn't turn on.

4. Perform a "lamp test" to verify power is being provided. Your computer isn't going to turn on if it's not getting power so you need to make sure that the power source is working properly.

5. A damaged power supply could be preventing the PC from being properly powered, an excellent reason why the PC won't power on.

Do a quick test of the power supply by holding your hand behind the power supply fan located at the rear of the case. If the power supply is working, you should feel air from within the case blowing against your hand. If not, you may need to replace the power supply.

Tip: Is the power light on the front of the computer's case on? If you've turned the power switch on but the light is off, this is another good indication that the power supply is the cause of this issue.

6. Over time, internal components and the cables that connect them can wiggle loose which can often time result in a computer unable to power on. Try reseating the following and then try to power on the PC again:
* Reseat the internal cables
* Reseat the memory modules
* Reseat the video card
* Reseat other expansion cards

7. Reseating the CPU may also be necessary but should only be attempted if the reaseating of all other components is not successful. This is due to the fact that this process is a little more involved and can run a small risk of damage to the CPU (this isn't a big concern if you're careful, so don't worry!).

8. Check for causes of electrical shorts in the computer case. This is often the cause of the problem when the computer powers on for a second or two but then powers off completely.

9. Hearing beeps? You haven't gone mad - your computer may be using a beep code to tell you exactly what's wrong! Troubleshoot the beep code and service the computer as necessary.

10. Most monitors have a small light next to the power button that can change between various colors. If the screen is blank, this light is your main source of information about the monitor.

If this light is not on at all, double-check the power switch and connections (Steps 1, 2 and 3) and also make sure the monitor cable is securely plugged in to the video card port on the back of the computer case. If the light is still off, replace the monitor. If it comes back on, try starting your PC again - a loose or unplugged monitor cable may have been the issue all along.

11. An amber or yellow power light simply means that the monitor is not receiving any information from the computer. In and of itself, this doesn't tell us much.

On the other hand, if the light is amber or yellow, the computer power light is on, and the hard drive is active (making normal sounds and hard drive activity light on the computer case is blinking), the computer is probably starting normally but the video card is not sending information to the monitor. Replace the video card.
Beep codes usually sound when a video card has malfunctioned (Step 9) but this is not always the case.

Tips:
Still can't get your PC to turn on? Let a community of PC support enthusiasts help out! Post the details of your problem in the Focus on PC Support Forums.

source: about.com

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