Friday, July 27, 2012

The Top 10 Best Laptops

Do you want to buy a laptop, but are daunted by the sheer number of choices out there? We winnow down your options to the top 10 best laptops available today.

Shopping for a laptop these days is a pretty daunting task. The sheer number of laptops available online or in a store's electronics section is enough to make your mind spin. Most people have a general idea of what their laptop should look like and what they want in terms of features, but are often intimidated by the choices available. That's where we come in.
The first thing you need to consider is what you need in the laptop. Are you looking for something to compete on the gaming grid? Then a discrete graphics card and big screen are necessary components in the laptop you choose. Are you on a limited budget? Then be on the lookout for a anything under $500 that offers at least a Core i3 CPU and 4GB of memory. If a business system is what you need, then security measures like a fingerprint reader and a TPM module are must-haves. For those who spend a lot of time on the road, then an ultrabook or an ultraportable will keep back and shoulder strain to a minimum. For those who need a system meant for watching movies, a Blu-ray player is a must-need feature.
The editors of PCMag.com test hundreds of systems each year to help you find the best laptop. There are a lot of laptops out there, from the large-screen desktop replacements to the lightweight ultraportables, and even netbooks, but all share common features. In this story, we help you narrow your choices by collecting the top 10 laptops on the market today.

FEATURED IN THIS STORY

Alienware M17x R4

$2,599 direct
The Alienware M17x R4 adds the latest Intel Core processor and Nvidia graphics to one of the best gaming laptop chassis in the business, resulting in a system that exudes performance. It's ostentatious, audacious, over the top, and, strangely enough, more affordable than rivals. Read the full review ››

Apple MacBook Pro 15-inch (Retina Display)

$2,199 direct
With an especially high-resolution screen, thin chassis, and up-to-date components, the Apple MacBook Pro 15-inch with Retina display is the new king of high-end desktop replacement laptops. Read the full review ››

Asus Zenbook Prime UX32VD-DB71

$1,299 list
The Asus Zenbook Prime UX32VD-DB71 adds a speedy third-generation Intel Core i7 processor and Nvidia GeForce graphics to the ultrabook formula. What Asus has wrought is the thinnest and lightest 1080p HD power system on the market—and the ultrabook to buy if you want to get real work done Read the full review ››

Eurocom Monster 1.0

$1,605 direct
The Eurocom Monster 1.0 is a midrange ultraportable gaming laptop that packs a lot of power into its 11-inch frame, but it could use a design makeover. Read the full review ››

HP EliteBook 8460p

$1,239 direct
The HP EliteBook 8460p isn't the most portable business laptop you can buy, but it's one of the most solid choices both literally and figuratively. Read the full review ››

HP Folio 13-1020us

$899.99 list
With a handsome design and terrific battery life, the HP Folio 13-1020us is one of the best-engineered ultrabooks you can buy for $900. Read the full review ››

Lenovo IdeaPad Y480

$1,000 street
The Lenovo IdeaPad Y480 combines quad-core "Ivy Bridge" adrenaline with speedy Nvidia graphics and an exemplary screen-keyboard combo to stir up the 14-inch mainstream laptop segment. Read the full review ››

Lenovo ThinkPad X230

$1,164 direct
The Lenovo ThinkPad X230 picks up right where the previous model left off, with performance and portability that are tops among business ultraportables. Read the full review ››

Sony VAIO E15 (SVE15116FXS)

$749.99 direct
With its latest VAIO E15, Sony brings Intel Ivy Bridge processing to entry-level desktop replacement laptops to great effect—and throws in enough extras to keep people buying when other manufacturers catch up. Read the full review ››

Panasonic Toughbook CF-31

$4,843 street
The Panasonic Toughbook CF-31 is a rugged 13-inch touch-screen laptop that shrugs off incredible abuse. Read the full review ››

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Windows 7 Install Guide on laptops

Windows 7 Install Guide

Introduction After many requests for this information, I have drafted this general guide to help.
Take note: Regardless of flavor of Windows 7 or if it is 32/64-bit that you will be installing, the steps listed here are the same. The only difference would be which product key is entered to determine which flavor of 7 is installed.

Important Information

This guide assumes a “clean” installation and not an “upgrade” from a previous OS. Ensure that you backup all of your important files (documents, music, etc) to CD/DVD/another hard drive before following these steps.
If you are using Hard Disks in a ACPI or RAID setup, you will first need to download the latest Windows 7 compatible (32-bit or 64-bit) for your particular hardware before installing clean. Check with your chipset/hard drive controllers manufactures web site for the latest drivers/information before starting.
This guide is for OEM (purchased separately from the computer) and retail versions of Windows 7. Installation instructions specific to computers with “recovery partitions” or recovery DVD’s are very different. Consult your manufactures instructions for details.
Selecting the image in the guide loads a larger version.

1) Shall we begin? (Image 1.1)

After configuring the system for booting from a DVD, the Windows Setup screen appears.
At this point, Setup is loading the driver files it needs to continue with installation.

Windows 7 Install (Image 1.1)

2) Progress Bar: (Image 1.2)

The next screen is a more graphical progress bar indicating Windows 7 is still working in the background.

Windows 7 Install (Image 1.2)

3) Option Selections: (Image 1.3)

The first options you will come across are selections for Language, Time and currency format, and Keyboard layout.

Windows 7 Install Guide

Important Information

1) Shall we begin? (Image 1.1)

After configuring the system for booting from a DVD, the Windows Setup screen appears.
At this point, Setup is loading the driver files it needs to continue with installation.

Windows 7 Install (Image 1.1)

2) Progress Bar: (Image 1.2)

The next screen is a more graphical progress bar indicating Windows 7 is still working in the background.

Windows 7 Install (Image 1.2)

3) Option Selections: (Image 1.3)

The first options you will come across are selections for Language, Time and currency format, and Keyboard layout.

Windows 7 Install Guide

Important Information

1) Shall we begin? (Image 1.1)

After configuring the system for booting from a DVD, the Windows Setup screen appears.
At this point, Setup is loading the driver files it needs to continue with installation.

Windows 7 Install (Image 1.1)

2) Progress Bar: (Image 1.2)

The next screen is a more graphical progress bar indicating Windows 7 is still working in the background.

Windows 7 Install (Image 1.2)

3) Option Selections: (Image 1.3)

The first options you will come across are selections for Language, Time and currency format, and Keyboard layout.
Make your selections by using the pull down menus and press the Next button.

Windows 7 Install (Image 1.3)

4) Install Now: (Image 1.4)

Here we have the option of repairing a previous installation or “Install Now.” Since this is a clean installation of Windows 7 and not a repair, Install Now is the proper choice.
Highlight the “Install Now” button to continue to the next screen.

Windows 7 Install (Image 1.4)

5) Please Wait: (Image 1.5)

Windows 7 is working in the background. This may take several minutes depending on the system.

Windows 7 Install (Image 1.5)

6) License Agreement: (Image 1.6)

Here we see the License Agreement you must accept before continuing.
After reading the agreement, check the box next to “I accept the license terms” and select Next button.

Windows 7 Install (Image 1.6)

7) Option Selections: (Image 1.7)

Here we would be able to choose an “Upgrade” install (if running setup from a previous version of Windows, such as Vista) or a “Custom” (clean) install.
Select the whole box containing “Custom (advanced)” to continue to the next screen.

Windows 7 Install (Image 1.7)

8) Hard Drives: (Image 1.8)

This is where you can select which hard drive/partition to install Windows 7 on. Since this system only has one hard drive, only one place Windows 7 can go. Advanced options are shown in the next screen shot.
This is also where you would install drivers for your ACPI/RAID/SATA controller by using the “Load Driver” option. After the installation of the ACPI/RAID/SATA drivers, your hard drives should appear as shown on the right.
If no additional drivers are needed, select the Next button.

Windows 7 Install (Image 1.8)

9) Advanced Options: (Image 1.9)

The advanced options allow creation of multiple partitions and the option of formatting existing partitions.
After finishing your particular partition configuration that you desire, select the Next button.

Windows 7 Install (Image 1.9)

10) Installing: (Image 1.10)

Here is where Windows 7 installs major components of the OS. This process can take 10 to 60 minutes depending on the system.

Windows 7 Install (Image 1.10)

11) Reboot: (Image 1.11)

Here we see the system needing to reboot to continue installation tasks.
You can hit the Restart Now button or just allow the reboot to happen automatically after several seconds.

Windows 7 Install (Image 1.11)

12) Setup Registry Entries: (Image 1.12)

Here we see progress as Windows 7 updates the registry settings. This process may take several minutes before going to the next screen.

Windows 7 Install (Image 1.12)

13) Starting Services: (Image 1.13)

Windows 7 starts up required services at this point in the setup process.

Windows 7 Install (Image 1.13)

14) Installation Continues: (Image 1.14)

Windows 7 continues to install at this screen.

Windows 7 Install (Image 1.14)

15) Another Reboot: (Image 1.15)

After initial setup is complete, another reboot is required with no user input.

Windows 7 Install (Image 1.15)

16) Starting Windows: (Image 1.16)

This is the screen you will be greeted with upon each boot. Windows 7 is starting up!

Windows 7 Install (Image 1.16)

17) First Use: (Image 1.17)

Setup is now preparing the system for initial booting. Unlike the previous screen capture, you will not see this on each boot.

Windows 7 Install (Image 1.17)

18) Video Test: (Image 1.18)

Here is where Windows 7 tests the systems video performance to see if Aero will be enabled or not. This test will only last a few minutes.

Windows 7 Install (Image 1.18)

19) Account Creation: (Image 1.19)

Here is where the initial account creation happens. This user will have full administrator privileges and automatically be logged in after setup is completed.
Enter in your user name and computer name as you would like it to be identified on the network and then select the Next button.

Windows 7 Install (Image 1.19)

20) User Password: (Image 1.20)

This screen prompts you to enter a password for the account that you just created. I highly recommend that you password your account. Enter it twice, then include a “password hint” to help remind you of what it is if you misplace or forget it. You, of course, should not enter in your actual password in this field, but a subtle reminder to jog your memory.
After this information is entered, select the Next button.

Windows 7 Install (Image 1.20)

21) Product Key: (Image 1.21)

Windows 7 now asks you to enter the product key that was included with your purchase. This key determines what features and which version will be installed on the system. 32 and 64-bit versions have the same product key.
I highly recommend to uncheck “Automatically activate Windows when I’m online”. The reason is that you only have a finite amount of times that you may activate online. After this limit is reached, you will need to call Microsoft directly to have them activate your installation. This can be a big hassle, especially when you are in a hurry to get the computer back up and running. Windows 7 will nag you every so often to activate upon logging in, but this is a minor nuisance compared to the phone call method of activating Windows 7. After verifying that everything works as you intend, you can activate and know that you could have avoided problems later on if you let Windows 7 do it right after logging in for the first time.
30 days is the intended grace period before requiring activation with retail versions, even with this method. However, you can boost that number up to 116 days using the following method:
Open up a command prompt with administrator privileges
Type:
slmgr -rearm
After a reboot, you will have an additional 30 days to ensure everything is running properly. You can perform this action up to 3 times with the current Windows 7 retail release, bringing the required activation time to 116 days, if the Software License Manager is invoked at the end of the required activation period (on the 29th day). I would recommend not waiting until the 30th day to run the command, thus 116 days total and not 120.
After this information is entered, select the Next button.

Windows 7 Install (Image 1.21)

22) Use Recommended Settings: (Image 1.22)

This is where Automatic Updates and problems and reports solutions are offered as an option. I recommend to most users to “Use Recommended Settings” here. These options can always be changed later.
Make your selection to continue to the next screen.

Windows 7 Install (Image 1.22)

23) Time and Date: (Image 1.23)

Ensure that your time zone is entered correctly and make adjustments as necessary. Also ensure the proper time is set. This information is extracted from the BIOS settings, so if the time was set correctly in a previous installation of Windows (or most any other OS), it should still be correct here.
After this information is verified, select the Next button.

Windows 7 Install (Image 1.23)

24) Network Profile: (Image 1.24)

Here, you can select the “general” security measures put in place for your particular network. Most people will want to use “Home network” for desktop installations or “Public network” for a portable system, like a laptop.
Make your selection to continue to the next screen.

Windows 7 Install (Image 1.24)

25) Network Connecting: (Image 1.25)

Windows 7 is now connecting to the network. This is where your initial IP address is acquired and internet connectivity is verified.

Windows 7 Install (Image 1.25)

26) Finalizing Settings: (Image 1.26)

Windows 7 is finally… finalizing settings. This should only take a few moments to complete.

Windows 7 Install (Image 1.26)

27) Welcome: (Image 1.27)

Not much to say here. Just wait some more.

Windows 7 Install (Image 1.27)

28) Desktop Setup: (Image 1.28)

Your initial desktop is setup here. This process will take a few moments, but only happen once.

Windows 7 Install (Image 1.28)

29) The Desktop: (Image 1.29)

Windows 7 is now finished being installed and are greeted with the desktop. It is worth noting that you did not need to log in this time, but after rebooting (or logging off), you will see the login screen and you must enter the user name and password created earlier to return to this point.

Windows 7 Install (Image 1.29)

I hope that you enjoyed reading my Installation guide.