AMD Radeon HD 7970

Present a short preview of the features of the Radeon HD 7970, the only one in which can reveal details in advance of the moves with which AMD will change its offer to the market in early 2012.

At the close of 2010, with the launch of the Northern Islands and the family of Radeon HD 6900, AMD introduced a first ex-design with the past with Southern Islands the distance is even more pronounced because of the big model of the architecture of the heart. After a year of stagnation for the entire field of 3D graphics, especially in the niche of products dedicated to high-end gamers and more advanced users and enthusiasts, the news that AMD has in place are really a lot.

Start from the production process with the jump from 40 to 28 nanometers that has allowed to cram into the silicon of the Radeon HD 7970 Tahiti well 4.312 billion transistors. This production technology allows the graphics processor to operate at a frequency of 925 MHz while still leaving considerable room for growth, margin will be just that the playing field on which the partners of AMD will be able to indulge themselves with the factory overclocking, so as to offer the avid gamer products higher performance than standard.In terms of memory, suggest the introduction of the controller with a 384-bit wide bus (six-channel 64-bit) supports five GDDR5 memory operating frequency of 5.5 GHz equivalent to a theoretical maximum bandwidth of 264 Gbytes / s.

Full of new architecture
With Southern Islands AMD introduces a new generation of architecture identified as self-explanatory as the Graphics Core Next present the overall scheme referring to the reading test in the next issue of PC Professional for an analysis in detail. The core architecture has 32 ​​drive bays, each of which integrates 64 stream processors for a total of 2,048. Right here w find one of the most interesting because the designers have abandoned the approach AMD Vliw5 and Vliw4, used respectively for the Radeon HD 6800 series to 6900 and for those in favor of something more flexible and less structured. A Compute Unit is organized into 4 units inside SIMD ( Single Instruction Multiple Data ), each of which contains 16 stream processors, in turn, operated by a single programmable scheduler. Alongside the SIMD units are 4 texture units and a structure of registers and cache completely redesigned for high performance not only with typical workloads of video game graphics engines, but also with multimedia applications, computing, productivity and scientific.

Performance, but always under control consumption
Among the many new features stand out the new control technologies and energy efficiency related to the placing of double-flow performance, a product of this caliber, is the first goal in the ladder of priorities. Hence that behind names such as AMD and Powertune ZeroCore lie Power monitoring and control of power supply voltages, currents, consumption, frequency and temperature without interruption while the GPU is active. The operating frequency is handled with extreme granularity so as to offer maximum performance within the parameters of maximum consumption. When the control system detects a situation of static image rather than being idle at preparation of the system here is the emerging energy-saving solutions: from 24 watts down to less than 3 watts thanks to the effective shutdown of the GPU, the maintenance of the circuit only refresh the memory controller and PCI Express. All this not only when you have one card in the PC, but also in the case of Crossfire configurations.

Choose a processor

The heart of every personal computer is its processor, which is why when you go to buy one is absolutely essential to choose one that is good and above all to make our case, first of all, though I want to dispel a myth useful to lower the price of your new laptop. When you look at the processor, avoid trying to force things out of the last model, this for a few main reasons: firstly the price, if a product has just come out of course will cost much more, then this second technological world is constantly changing then you will have the "latest model" only for a short time, do not always follow the technology, but you have to buy what you need, and finally, the latest processors will also be many times more powerful but are also those who consume more battery your laptop, so if you have to work very much avoided using the battery model very "greedy" in terms of energy consumption.

It is easy to choose a processor, the main two houses that produce them, the AMD and Intel, usually they say that Intel is more expensive while AMD are cheaper and equally-performing, the second this writer is not true Each model has its specific characteristics of both price and is therefore an AMD can pay more but be more of a handsome Intel or vice versa.

In any case, when you go to check the processor of your new laptop, without waiting to see the model on the market and release date, you must always keep an eye on two essential parameters, the number of cores and the working frequency, which is expressed in Ghz.

The Core are in short computing cores of a processor, the latest models have different core but keep in mind that, generally more cores mean more power, but it always depends on the work you do with your laptop, often In fact, we can accommodate dual-core models without problems even if they are recent.

The GHz is always in short, a way to indicate very roughly the speed, the more Ghz usually means more speed running even if this parameter also includes other values. Finally, they are also to be considered for purchase and consumption of the cache size.

With these parameters, you can definitely make you a good idea of ​​the value of the processor that fits the laptop you want to buy, of course, all this should be compared with the type of work you are doing with the laptop you buy, and mind you one thing, the final price of the product you buy depends on the processor goes up, so if you want to pay almost certainly say that you are buying a processor model with highly evolved, however, we invite you to follow the suggestions given.

Abit AN8 Fatal1ty

Description:
Based on the chipset NVIDIA NF4, Fatal1ty AN8 Abit is a good choice for those looking for performance and features. Supports processsori 64/64FX Athlon and Athlon 64 X2 dual-core technology with support for Hyper-Transport and Cool 'n Quiet . The maximum amount of RAM installed is 4 GB even though, if the four banks are installed, the memory controller integrated in CPU AMD Athlon 64 provides to automatically lower the frequency of operation up to 333 MHz . Connected to the motherboard are the board " AudioMAX "that houses the codec ALC658 and allows you to connect up to 5 jack and 2-channel S / PDIF.

This mainboard and 'cooling system has two OTES (Outside Thermal Exhaust System) to ensure good operating conditions. One of these, the OTES RAMFlow, must be mounted above the memory modules DDR to facilitate heat dissipation . However, four 40 mm diameter fans generate considerable noise and also using the control system FanEQ, supplied with the card , the minimum speed of rotation is still quite high. Moreover, the small fan that cools the chipset does not seem to excel in quality. The area of the socket of the processor is free from obstruction during assembly. The same applies to the area around the heat sink anchor system. A small negative note, however, the choice of ABIT position the floppy drive connector on the short side opposite to the motherboard socket. This can create problems during assembly. decidedly negative reviews for the choice of the location of the four SATA connectors and three USB .

Perfectly in line with the slot PCI Express 16x, these connectors are likely to be "blacked out" in a more or less part of a video card like the last generation. Shrunk spaces between the slot PCI Express PCI and the first "traditional". The ability to set values ​​of the FSB in the range between 200 MHz and 410 sets good conditions with regard to the ' overclocking . These expectations are in the ease of use of the BIOS , and a great ally, the possibility to restart the machine with settings default without resetting the BIOS settings after a launch failure, it is undoubtedly interesting. In fact the BIOS is still quite immature: the potential of the system are severely limited by the inability to fully exploit all the possibilities available to the user. The design is certainly very attractive. LED diagnostic or purely aesthetic and display, populate the AN8. Really appreciate the effect Overall, the colors chosen in the design phase are well suited to the color choices of producers closer to the needs of modders .

Benefits:
Many features.
Highest level of performance.
Good cooling system.
Design very close to the needs of modders.

Disadvantages:
Very noisy fans for cooling.
Improper positioning of the SATA and USB connectors are likely to be overshadowed by some of the latest generation video cards.
Bios immature may create some inconvenience.
Very high price.

Format
ATX (30.5cm x 24.5cm).

Chipset
NVIDIA NF4 Ultra single chip, Gigabit Ethernet and NV Firewall NV integrated.

Socket
939

CPU Support
AMD Athlon 64/64FX, Athlon 64 X2 dual-core K8 939-pin with 2GHz system bus and Hyper Transport Technology

Memory Supported
up to 4GB DDR 400/333/266 non-ECC (Dual Channel)
Front Side Bus
400/333/266

Asus Eee 1005 HA

Well, a few days ago when I bought a netbook from Asus, the eee105HA. In fact, it all started with a mixture of the death of my notebook combined with the desire to have something portable, allowing me to use in unscheduled hours of work, school, home visits from friends and so on. Finally, after reading several reviews on, I bought one!

Well, what? The screen features LED illumination of 10.1 inches, which means a good image quality and low consumption. The disk with 160 GB, 1 GB of RAM and the rest of that "basic kit" that all laptops have. Ah yes, a detail to be taken into consideration, that even been mentioned in all the reviews I read and it's worth to note, is the keyboard (very comfortable with a good space between the keys) and touchpad, also excellent. Ok ok, a failure is to have no LED to indicate that the caps lock is enabled, but ....

This version I bought came with Windows 7 Starter edition. The first impression I got was "ugh", but after searching on the limitations, I discovered that the only significant thing that could harm me is the fact of not being able to change the wallpaper, which is no big thing, but as I need a copy of Windows for some programs without corresponding Windows, I opted to leave it in a separate partition. Before you ask me, this limitation of classical Starter Editions to only allow three opening windows has been removed from Win7SE. Oh yeah, nice detail, the asus already makes the HD partitioned so that you can install another operating system without having to delete the partition (although among the resources of seven of them is to allow you to make thumbnailing of system partitions).

I then downloaded the Ubuntu Netbook Remix 9.10 Karmic Koala . Burn the DVD, I generated the stick and then did the installation. After about 20 minutes the installation was complete. It was then just use the system and install the missing drivers, only ... oops! There was no missing driver! Yes, Ubuntu 9.10 installed and recognized ALL the devices in 1005 , including webcam, wireless, keyboard functions. Even my mini 3G modem he recognized immediately.

Well, that's it. If you are thinking of a good alternative to an effectively portable notebook, the 1005 is a great choice. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that the battery it lasts more than 5 hours! That's right! Perfect for college, where there is not always an outlet nearby

Tips on Choosing / Buying a New Laptop

 Plan to Buy New Laptop !!! Confused ??? read this to get  solution

How to choose a laptop as needed ? First read about Laptop Review of the Year , Top Bran Laptop and Check out some quick tips below:

First determine its usefulness, whether the laptop will be used to design and gaming, to develop the system, or mobile.



- If the laptop is used for the purpose of design and gaming, should you choose the specifications of the laptop with an emphasis on the Screen Size, VGA card (Video Graphics Array) and a reliable memory. If you want a laptop with a higher capacity, choose a multi-core technology and 64-bit architecture is highly recommended. For the use of  Design Graphic or Gaming, you should choose a laptop with a VGA high-power and memory (RAM) is large in order to design and game play feels more 'light'.

Screen size, This is probably one of the most important factors (apart from processor and memory) which should be kept in mind while choosing a laptop. If you are used to having a large monitor for your desktop PC, choosing a fairly large screen size for your laptop becomes even more necessary. The standard screen size of laptops these days is 15" but there are larger sizes available as well. Companies like Dell even offer 19" and 20" screen sizes for certain models. Then, there are wide-screen monitors available for laptops these days. These are especially beneficial if you like to watch movies on your laptop of if you frequently use many applications side by side.

- For developing, usually develop needed software that requires high resource. You can choose to consider a laptop with a Processor and Memory with high specification in order to balance the development of software and developing tools that will come. Multi-core technology and 64-bit architectures are also recommended.

Now, memory is one thing which is never enough. The more you have, the better it is because it is the one thing (after the system processor) which would determine how fast and efficiently your work gets done. Most systems these days come pre-loaded with 2GB of RAM but make sure you can upgrade it later. Also, it is beneficial to know how much maximum amount of memory the laptop supports so that you don't have to go through trouble when you do plan to upgrade the memory.

- For the mobile, you can emphasize the choice of battery life, laptop weight, screen size, as well as some internal features such as wifi connectivity, bluetooth, IrDA, NetworkCard, Modem.

Pick up the laptop physically in your hand to know that you are comfortable with its weight. Also, make sure that it is sturdy, solid and does not feel too heavy. Also, if possible try out the keyboard. This is quite important since you cannot change the keyboard later (unlike in a desktop), so it helps in trying out the keyboard before you actually buy the laptop.

Choose a laptop which has many expansion options. Make sure the laptop you buy has got atleast 3-4 USB2 connections and atleast one Firewire (IEEE 1394) port. USB2 and Firewire are a couple of very popular ways of connecting various devices to a laptop/desktop like digital cameras, mp3 players, cell phones, etc.

With the advent of wireless networks, it has become almost a necessity that the laptop that you buy has built-in Wi-Fi facility which will help you to surf the web once you are in a Wi-Fi enabled zone. A wireless network card, also called the 802.11 will free you from having to be wired all the time to connect to the internet. It is also beneficial to check whether the laptop has Bluetooth capability or not.

Battery This might not seem as important as other points but you will surely want to look for a laptop which gives you decent to good battery life. A battery that lasts in the long run will help you once you are mobile. If you want to use your laptop for a long duration of time away from a power source, make sure that your laptop has a battery which lasts really long. Battery life also worthy of consideration. Generally the laptop battery can last at least 2 to 3 hours without being connected to the adapter. If you want to conserve battery life, turn off functions such as WiFi or Bluetooth because these functions will increase battery consumption.

Consider after-sales service, Before buying a laptop, do not forget to consider the after sales service from service outlets (many or not easily accessible or not), availability of spare parts and resale price.

Do not choose a laptop spare parts it is difficult to find.

Simple Way Maintenance Your Computer

Maintenance Computer or Computer Care, especially the CPU will usually only be done after the complaint or damage, it is less precise. Computer maintenance should be performed regularly both on the CPU and the monitor. Actually there are some fundamental things that we often forget to do with how to care for a computer or a computer or a PC maintenance tips, which can cause damage to the computer.





Computer Hardware Maintenance section

The concentration of dust on the device in the CPU and Monitor. Especially on computers (PCs) are placed in open space. High dust concentrations will cause impaired peripheral connections on the socket. Also during the rainy season or the temperature of moist dust will absorb moisture and behaves like a conductor who can connect short (surge). It also resulted in an insulator layer on the PCB peeling causing corrosion on copper lines. If this happens, the computer maintenance will be more difficult because there is no way but to replace the peripherals.

Refrigeration, on several types of computers, especially older computers have a processor that is high enough temperature but has a way of cooling which I think is still lacking. Room temperature is ideal for the PC about 19 degrees Celsius


HardDisk space is not proportional. 80GB hard drive size is certainly not proportional if there are only 2 partitions each 40GB C and D. Whereas the use of System C is not more than 10 GB.

Installation of peripherals that are less fit or less sturdy. Usually this happens on a local PC assembly. Often means the installation of Motherboard or other peripherals with screws that are incomplete or less tight. This is often overlooked in how to care or computer maintenance tips. This can be fatal. How to install socket fitting, it also can be fatal.

Power Suply conditions.
It often escapes attention when we take care of the computer. On the use of long, most power supply will decrease power. Power Capacity Power Supply is inadequate and does not use Stavolt, also can damage your CPU componen. Frequent power drop / off or less power. This will cause the computer to suddenly die without process shutdown


Computer Maintenance Software section

Incompatibility of OS, Application, and the volume of data with computer specifications are used.
Frequent use of computers for heavy games. Running games on the PC will generate a lot of space-space fragment and temporary files that slow computer performance

The virus. The virus can lead to slow access to the computer and damage to systems or data. Even in extreme conditions can cause the computer to jam / hang. If it's stuck there is no other way than pressing the Restart button on the CPU. This often occurs automatically when the CPU is often die without ShutDown process which means it will shorten the life of the computer hard drive in particular. Usually the virus is transmitted through the stick and the Internet. Besides the selection of inappropriate anti-virus also can affect computer performance.

By knowing the things above, to anticipate needs to be done to care for a computer or  computer / PC maintenance tips in total as follows:

Clean the dust on the motherboard and other peripherals on the inside of the CPU with a paint brush and small to medium-size angle and narrow crevices. Perform well on Power Suply by opening the casing / box power supply first and note the solder-solderannya whether to re-soldering. Or use a high pressure air (compressor) so that peripherals completely clean of dust.

Remove and reinsert the peripheral sockets. This is to ensure a perfect connection to the connectors periphera. just once every PC maintenance.
Remember, Do not use liquid cleaning Contact Cleaner in peripheral connector sockets because of the way is wrong. Fluid Contact Cleaner is very difficult (very long) dry and it makes dust stick easily.

Notice how the installation of motherboard and other peripherals is there a screw is still lacking or lax. Complete and tighten the screw-couplers.

Customize the OS and Applications with the specifications of the computer and do not store data on the hard drive is too big. This will aggravate the performance of your PC

Make a hard drive partition that is proportional. For example 80GB Hard Disk Space Used C with no more than 5GB would be better if we created 3 partitions with 10GB for C, 35GB to 35GB for D and E. Accordingly with access to the System and data loading will be faster.

Do not use the PC for heavy games unless your computer is designed for the Game. If it's maniac game, just use the Playstation.

Use appropriate and always Antivirus Update, in the presence of antiviral always update will alleviate or tips on how to care for computer maintenance computer or PC.

Use Air Conditioning to the PC or if not possible can be compensated by way of mounting Coolling Fan Extras when the processor is too high a temperature above 36 degrees Celsius. This happens especially on old computers.

At certain times do Defragment Hard Drive to rearrange the order of the files to your computer's performance easier. But not too often ..!

Perform Reinstalling the OS and applications when necessary. Reinstallation thoroughly once in a year it's no exaggeration to refresh the entire system. especially if we want a system upgrade. (Eg from XP-SP1 to XP-SP2 or XP-SP3)

Perform the removal or Remove data or application in which if not effectively (never used)

Frequently cleaning the Temporary files, Prefetch files, Chokies files and junk files in the Recycle Bin.

1. The steps to clean Prefetch File:

Log Explorer - Go to C: / Windows / Prefetch - Select All (Ctrl-A) - Dell

2. The steps to clean Temporary Files:

Log Explorer - Go to C: / Windows / Temp - Select All (Ctrl-A) - Dell

After these two steps above do not forget to clean the garbage file2 in the Recycle Bin by right-click the Recycle Bin - click Empty Recycle Bin - Click Yes

3. As for cleaning Chokies files you can use CCleaner Software

CCleaner Freeware Software

4. Using Utility Software for repairing your computer registry

Chokies file2 will appear whenever we connect to the internet. The more we often connect to the internet ... it's a good browse, download or upload, the more files Chokiesnya. If you connect to the internet every day, clean the file Chokies at least once or twice a week.

Always Backup the data were deemed important, you can copy and paste on the CD. this is to anticipate at any time if exposed to a virus attack or fatal damage to the Hard Drive

Complete with UPS so that if a sudden power failure there is still time to save data and shutdown the computer

Do not let your computer too long unused (never turned on at all in a long time). At least a minimum of every day the computer is started about 1 s / d 2 hours. This is to warm the inside of the CPU so that the air free from moisture.

Do not expose your computer from shock, vibration and pounding especially when the computer is on, this is very dangerous because it can cause fatal damage

Do not hesitate to call a computer technician to perform maintenance on your computer, if you feel unable to do so.

Maintenance Computer or Computer Treatment in the above can be carried out regularly according to the condition of the computer and its environment. Usually computers that require immediate treatment have symptoms such as access starts to slow down, frequent jams / hangs, often scanning the C drive every time the computer is turned on, blue screen memory, applications often error or do not go according to their functions, and other things that lead users begin to feel uncomfortable with computer performance.

With the computer how to care for a total and expected performance of our computers regularly will always excellent and durable

Definition of a Chipset

The latter is a group of electronic components designed to perform a specific function. For example, a modem chipset is dedicated to receiving and transmitting data. In a PC, the chipset of the CPU includes the central microprocessor (eg Intel Pentium circuit), and electronic interfaces with all devices that will communicate with the CPU clock, memory controllers, bus, peripherals etc. 

It is an integrated circuit, which has the burden of memory management, input-output at the lowest level of operation of the computer. Intel has been a specialist chipsets attached to its processors, but other manufacturers also make as SIS. Where is the PC? A chipset for PC is on the motherboard (or mainboard motherboard). It is specifically designed for a type of microprocessor and plays an important role in the flexibility of the exchange of a single card. The overall performance of the computer thus depend largely on chipsets and that of the microprocessor . 

What is its role? Its role is to manage the flow of digital data between the microprocessor and the various components and subassemblies of components of the card mother, bus computer memory (RAM), direct memory access (DMA), Bus IDE or Serial ATA, PCI, AGP, hard disk, network, serial port , parallel port, USB , FireWire, keyboard, mouse , O , graphics card , sound card, Hyper-Threading, Front side bus, floppy drive and the input-output in general. Some chipsets may include a graphics chip or sound chip (it says Built-in ), which means it is not necessary to install a graphics card or sound card. However, it is sometimes advisable to disable them (where possible) in the BIOS setup and install expansion cards of quality in areas designated for that purpose. (The AGP bus to the graphics card and the PCI bus to the sound card) The Northbridge and Southbridge chipset is not usually consists of a single circuit, but for the older 8 and 2 in the modern circuits (Northbridge and Southbridge). 

Basically, the Northbridge is the link between the processor and memory, while the Southbridge handles the input / output (PCI and AGP, ...). All current manufacturers (VIA, NVIDIA and INTEL ULI) use the same principle: a northbridge tailored to each processor model linked to southbridges interchangeable depending on the level of desired devices. This solution does not develop a single circuit when changing the characteristic of a processor. Similarly, this solution enables the manufacture of motherboards from different ranges using different models of Southbridge.

The chipsets are the essential components of a motherboard. That is why it is important to choose a motherboard with integrated chipset recent opportunities to maximize scalability of the computer. Note that the manufacturer of the chipset may be different from the motherboard manufacturer or the microprocessor but must be compatible.

For a complete list of PC chipsets, see in google . In conclusion, the chipset of a motherboard can control the exchange of information. It is often made ​​(decomposed) of two electronic components (elements), the Northbridge and Southbridge. The northbridge manages exchanges between processor, memory and video memory, and the southbridge which manages the interaction between input / output.

Tips Make Laptop Battery Stay Alive For Long Time

Find Us In BoosterBlog.Net

Do not directly use the laptop that we just bought
While new , The empty laptop battery must be charged in advance between 4-8 hours until the indicator lights show full charge ( usually light indicator is green , for certain brands may be another color ). Noteworthy is while charging , the laptop must be turned off.

Only use the laptop battery for mobile purposes
If we are using a laptop at home or at work for a long time , we should remove laptop batteries immediately and use electricity . If the battery is installed and the charger in a state of charge , it will cause battery leak rapidly. Moreover , that way can cause heat which can shorten the life of the battery


Remove the adapter when battery is full
Using a laptop with a battery attached while charging can shorten battery life

Do not let the laptop not used for a long time ( in months )
This can cause laptop batteries to lose capacity. To avoid this , try to turn on the laptop at least once a month


Remove the battery from the laptop when the laptop is not used in a long time
If we must remove the battery from the laptop , make sure we put them in a dry and cool place. Do not save your laptop battery in place with extreme temperatures or exposed to direct sunlight . This will cause damage to the battery components.


Install additional fans on the laptop
Using laptops for a long time can cause excessive heat , and the temperature of this heat can interfere the performance/battery capacity.

The Best Laptop This Year

Apple MacBook Pro Fall 2011

The good:
Incremental updates to the CPU help keep the MacBook Pro line a step above the now-mainstream MacBook Air. The trackpad and gesture controls are still the best of any current laptop.
The bad:
Unless you need an optical drive, the MacBook Air may be a better fit for most, and the Pro still lacks things we'd like to see, such as HDMI, Blu-ray, and USB 3.0.

The bottom line:
A MacBook Pro is a significant investment, especially when adding in optional upgrades. Cost aside, there's not a better choice (there are, however, some close ties) for an all-around powerhouse that will work in the home, the office, and in between.
Review:
On October 24, 2011, Apple updated the MacBook Pro line with new CPUs, larger hard drives, and new graphics options. The upgrades were very minor, and the bulk of our review of the 15-inch MacBook Pro from earlier in 2011 still stands. We've added upgrade and contextual notes below, as well as new benchmark test results.
The latest round of updates to Apple's popular MacBook Pro line were modest enough that they simply appeared on the Apple Web site with little fanfare beyond a basic press release. Rather than a generational jump as we saw in February 2011 (when the Pro moved from Intel's original Core i-series CPUs to the latest second-generation chips, formerly code-named Sandy Bridge), this is perhaps better described as minor housekeeping.
In the 15-inch MacBook Pro, we previously reviewed the more high-end of two starting configurations. That $2,199 unit had a 2.2GHz quad-core i7, whereas the $1,799 model had a 2.0GHz CPU. The biggest change is that the $1,799 model now has that 2.2GHz quad-core i7, and the $2,199 model moves up to an even faster 2.4GHz CPU. The GPU options are now a 512MB AMD Radeon HD 6750M in the lower-priced version and a 1GB AMD Radeon HD 6770M in the more expensive one. Default storage remains the same for the 15-inch models, but the 13- and 17-inch MacBook Pros have their own set of CPU, GPU, and HDD updates, the details of which are here.
Note that this time around we tested the new $1,799 15-inch MacBook Pro, whereas our previous 15-inch MacBook Pro review sample was the $2,199 version, so we're effectively looking at the same CPU in both cases.
The iconic unibody aluminum construction remains the same, as does the large glass multitouch trackpad. Thunderbolt, Intel's new high-speed powered port for data transfer and displays, remains an interesting extra, but its promise is still hypothetical, with few available Thunderbolt-compatible peripherals.
This 15-inch MacBook Pro, at $1,799, follows the usual Apple trajectory of keeping the price steady but adding faster, more powerful components. The latest round of upgrades, while not revolutionary, helps give the Pro line a boost at a time when the less-expensive MacBook Air has become such an excellent mainstream laptop that it could easily substitute for the Pro for many potential MacBook buyers who don't need an internal optical drive or bigger screen.

MacBook Air Summer 2011

The good: 
The 13-inch MacBook Air has been updated with the latest Intel CPUs for better performance and battery life. Backlit keyboards make a welcome return.
The bad: 
The 128GB SSD drive is a lot smaller than a standard hard drive. This also starts at $100 more than the 13-inch MacBook Pro.
The bottom line: 
The latest version of the 13-inch MacBook Air vastly outperforms its predecessor, and can finally be called suitable for mainstream use, instead of relegated as a niche product.
Review:
As with most Apple products, the MacBook Air has moved into an annual update cycle, taking it from the original niche product version to its new perch as Apple's mainstream laptop line. With that, we've also seen a continued mainstreaming of the system's components and capabilities over the course of three generations.
Apple's new Air models hold last year's prices, the 13-inch model starts at $1,299, but while dramatically upgrading the processing power: the new second-generation Core i5 processor in the base 11-inch and 13-inch Air is a jump of two Intel generations, going directly from the older Core 2 Duo CPUs past the first generation of Core i5/i7 chips and directly to the 2011 second-generation Core i-series.
Physically, the new MacBook Air looks and feels identical to the one from October 2010, with one important exception. Both the 11- and 13-inch models now include a backlit keyboard, a much-missed feature in the previous generation (in a CNET poll, 26 percent of readers listed a backlit keyboard as their most-wanted new MacBook Air feature).

Lenovo IdeaPad U300s

The good:
Lenovo's IdeaPad U300s is the coolest-looking of the new generation of Ultrabook laptops, and packs in a large SSD drive, USB 3.0, and more.
The bad: 
Our more expensive configuration offers no discount from a comparable MacBook Air, and leaves out some basic ports and connections.
The bottom line: Lenovo's stylish U300s Ultrabook is one of the best-looking Windows laptops we've seen and matches Apple's MacBook Air nearly spec for spec. The entry-level version is $100 less than Apple's, but that discount vanishes on the higher-end model.
Review:
Much has been made (certainly by us) of Intel's plans to promote a new "Ultrabook" laptop designation, which refers to something along the lines of an 11- to 13-inch laptop, less than 18 millimeters thick, with SSD storage, and running on current-gen Core i-series processors. Of all the Ultrabook laptops we've seen so far, the Lenovo IdeaPad U300s is the most eye-catching, with its completely flat design, booklike profile, and muted orange color (basic silver/gray is also available).
This flagship of the IdeaPad U series has a 13.3-inch display, up to a Core i7 processor (ULV), and up to a 256GB SSD, but is just 0.6 inch thick. The less expensive of two available configurations matches up with the low-end MacBook Air, with a 128GB SSD and Intel Core i5 CPU, but the Lenovo is about $100 less, at $1,195 versus $1,299. Our review unit is the higher-end model, which has a Core i7 CPU and 256GB SSD. This version is $1,595, and is virtually the same as a comparable $1,599 MacBook Air.

With the $100 discount, plus extras the MacBook lacks, such as HDMI and USB 3.0, the less-expensive U300s makes a very compelling case, especially when you factor in the excellent build quality and unbeatable keyboard. Our higher-end model is a tougher sell, and unless you're specifically tied to Windows (and don't want to dual-boot with OS X), we'd still probably recommend going with the elegant 256GB version of the MacBook Air if you have $1,600 to spend. But if you are spending top dollar on a native Windows superslim laptop right now, the IdeaPad U300s is easily one of the best.

Toshiba Portege R835-P70

The good: 
With a new Intel Core i5 CPU, sharp design, and nearly all-day battery life, the Toshiba Portege R835 is a smartly priced alternative to the 13-inch MacBook Pro.
The bad: 
Intel's integrated graphics are better than they used to be, but still not gamer-friendly, and features such as Bluetooth and mobile broadband are missing from some configs. There's no Blu-ray option (only DVD), and the speakers are somewhat anemic.
The bottom line: Excellent battery life, a light weight, and great pricing make the Toshiba Portege R835 hard to beat, even in the highly competitive 13-inch laptop category.
Review:
The Toshiba Portege R835-P56X received an Editors' Choice Award when it was first reviewed in March 2011. The review below has been updated to include comparisons to more recent competitors and to highlight the different available models of the Portege. The laptop remains a CNET Editors' Choice.
When we first reviewed the Toshiba Portege R835 in March, it earned an enthusiastic Editors' Choice Award. But that was five months ago--an eternity in PC time. Now that second-generation Intel Sandy Bridge chips are in nearly every competing laptop, how does the Portege stack up?
The answer is this: as of August 2011, the Portege R835 is still one of the best overall values in the 13-inch laptop category. In fact, as the available configurations have evolved, you may find the current iteration of the Portege to be an even better deal than the laptop was when it was first introduced. Core i5 models have been seen online and in stores for $649 to $729 during various back-to-school sales. While some of the differences between the configurations are important and some aren't (more on that below), each version still delivers a solid magnesium alloy chassis and a thin and lightweight design. And the Portege beats out the more expensive MacBook Pro on battery life (topping 7 hours), while offering some step-up features (USB 3.0, eSATA ports, integrated DVD drive) not found in many competing models in this weight and size class.
Like nearly all PCs, the Toshiba Portege is available in multiple configurations. Our review sample, the R835-P56X, was outfitted as follows:

HP Pavilion dm1z

The good: 
A solid upgrade to one of our favorite laptops, the new HP Pavilion dm1z adds Beats Audio, a better touch pad, and an updated AMD processor.
The bad: 
Benchmark scores and battery life are about the same as those of the previous dm1z, and a promised Intel Core i3 version is still MIA.
The bottom line: 
There have been plenty of 11-inch AMD-powered ultraportables this year, but HP's Pavilion dm1z was the first, and this updated version puts it back in the lead in this crowded category.
Review:
The biggest story in laptops this year has got to be the rise of the inexpensive 11-inch ultraportable. Largely replacing 10-inch Netbooks, these systems are slightly larger, slightly more expensive, and significantly more powerful, thanks to the latest Intel Core i3 and AMD E-series processors.
The first one we saw in 2011 was the HP Pavilion dm1z, which used AMD's new E-350 CPU. At the time, we said: "The first laptop to offer AMD's power-efficient Fusion platform delivers on much of its promise, combining great battery life, decent performance, and basic graphics for less than $500." Since then, many other laptops have hit the same winning price-component combo, but the HP dm1z remained near the top of our list because of its excellent overall design.
An updated version has just landed, and it's also called the HP Pavilion dm1z. The main differences are a moderately updated design and a step up to AMD's brand-new E-450 processor, along with the same Beats Audio technology found in many larger Hewlett-Packard laptops.
The processor bump didn't amount to much, as the new Pavilion dm1z performed about the same as the AMD E-350 laptops we've tested, but the design tweaks, while subtle, make for a slicker, more upscale-looking system. Keeping the price fairly steady at $444 (including a $100 "discount" from HP), there's no reason not to recommend the new Pavilion dm1z as strongly as we did the original version. HP says an Intel Core i3 version will also be available later in the year, but that may cost more, around $600.

How to Easily Download All Drivers and Laptop Computers.

How to download drivers who discussed this time Easy Learn Computer arguably very easy and very complete and very fast in the search for the driver, either VGA driver, chipset, soundcard, Card Reader, USB devices, modems, Lancard, Wifi, Laptop Driver, and others-other.

Here's How To Download All Drivers and Laptop Computers:
1. Right-click My Computer and select Properties. If the desktop does not exist My Computer, open Windows Explorer and right click on My Computer and select Properties.

2. Click on Hardware then select Device Manager

3. Once Device Manager opens, select one of the drivers who have not been installed, which is marked with a yellow question mark. Then right click on one of them for example Ethernet Controller (Lan Card), select Properties.

4. After that, came the Properties window of the device. Select the Details tab trus Click ID device. Then copy the ID of the device by pressing Ctrl + C.

5. Then, open the site www.devid.info, trus device ID paste the copied earlier in the "Enter Device Id". Then click "OK".

6. Next will come some driver options we want. Then select one. Then click the Download / Download.

7. Then download the driver by clicking jamming drivers that are on the line "FILE"

Similarly, discussion time on Easy Download All Drivers and Laptop Computers.
Good luck and good luck .....

Computer Basic

Easy Learn Computer will discuss about computers ranging from the most basic. Before going on to further yahap is useful to know the basic computer first. In this case the basic knowledge to be learned about the introduction of Hardware and Software. 

HARDWARE
Computer hardware can be divided into several parts :

     CPU (Central Processing Unit)
     Input Device
     Output Devices
     Storage Device

CPU (Central Processing Unit)

The CPU is the most important part of a computer. In it there is a lot of hardware to connect and work processes input devices and send the results to the Output Device. CPU Unit consists of: main board, processor, RAM / Memory, Power Supply, Input / Output Controller, Display Controller, Multimedia Controller, Network Controller.

• Main board

Main board serves to put the whole device controllers. Including Processor, RAM, Power Supply, I / O Controller, Display Controller and all the equipment is placed in the socket provided by the main board. Manufacturer Main board: Asus P5Series, AMPTRON, Compaq, Chip PC, Gigabyte, ECS, Dell, IBM

• Processor

Processor is the brain of the computer, such as the human brain in all commands and command results in the process by the Processor. The processor is a chip that is often called "Microprocessor" which is now the size has reached Gigahertz (GHz). The measure is a matter of the speed of the processor to process data or information. Part of Processors the most important part of the processor that is divided into three: Arithmetic’s Logical Unit (ALU) Control Unit (CU) Memory Unit (MU) The more velocity and higher processor technology, the better the performance of the computer.

Interface = Socket 370 (P-3), Socket 478 (P-4), Socket A / B (AMD), PGA 778 (Dual Core and up) For example, Intel P1, P2, P3, P4, Dual Core, AMD Duron, Athlon, etc. 

Manufacturers processors are widely circulated in the market are AMD, Apple, VIA Cyrix, IBM, IDT, and Intel.

• RAM / Memory

Random Access Memory file storage program executed by the computer functions. The greater the capacity, the more closely the process as well. My experience with the system Windows XP CPU will be very responsive to 2:00 GHz with 512MB RAM. 

Type / Interface = EDO (oldest), SDRAM, DDR1, DDR2, DDR3 (newest, fastest, cheapest)

• Power Supply

Power Supply serves as the resources used to use all the tools available on the computer. Recommendations When Power Supply for your computer is one that has great power, better computer power advantages. 

Pin Type: 12 Pin Interface (old type), 20 Pin ATX, ATX 20 Pin + 4 Pin, ATX 24 Pin + 4 Pin (Latest)

•  I / O Controller

Controller to manage devices connected to the I / O ports (Port Serial, PS2, LPT). Examples of devices that connect to the PS2 Mouse, Keyboard P2, Printer LPT.
Interface = ISA, PCI

• IDE controller and SCSI Controller

The controller is to manage the performance of the devices connected to the IDE or SCSI port. The tools are used to connect hard drives, floppy disks, CD Rom.
Interface = ISA, PCI

• Display Controller

Display Controller to produce a display to a monitor or TV. There are two types of the first on board, both are often called VGA Card. VGA has its own RAM larger capacity, greater RAM then the display on the monitor will be more subtle. VGA Card also serves to reduce load performance RAM / Memory on the use of certain 3D games, 3D video, and programs that require high-resolution graphics. 

Example RAM VGA: 16, 32, 64, 128, 224, 256, 512, 1G. 

Interface = ISA (Old Type), PCI (Old Type), AGP, PCI-Express (New) 

Manufacturer VGA: Nvidia, S3 Trio, SIS, ATI Rage Series, etc.

• Multimedia Controller

Multimedia Controller for producing sound often called a Sound Card (Sound). Sound Card Technology Today technology developed to support 3D Surround 5.1 (mean 5 speakers with 1 Central as Base 6 Channel). 

Manufacturer: Realtek, CMedia, ESS, Creative Sound Blaster. Interface = ISA, PCI

• Network Controller / Network Adapter / LAN Card

Network Controller / Network Adapter / LAN Card are used as a port that connects two or more computers. Usually used for Chat, File Transfer, Database Programs, internet access (if using a modem), Multi Player Games, etc. 

Interface = ISA, PCI


INPUT DEVICE
Device used to enter commands.

• Keyboard

This tool is to include input ASCII characters to be translated so that the system will generate an order.
Port Interface = Serial / PS2 / USB

• Mouse

This tool is a pointing device (pointer) that will help to access the computer.
Port Interface = Serial / PS2 / USB

• Scanner

This tool will convert real image into Image File (File Photo)
Port Interface = LPT / USB

• Joystick

This tool as a game controller.
Port Interface = LPT / USB


Output Devices
That tool works issued the results of a command input device.

• Monitor

To display the results of the CPU.

• Printer

As a means of printed documents. 1. Laser printers, this printer to print quality documents the approach documents have been processed in a computer. 2. Ink-jet printers, laser printers compared to New Media, the initial cost of the printer type more efficiently. 3. Dot matrix printer, this being the most preferred type ON PC era. In this type of printer, the image produced by a collection of the check point spread short distances so it looks uneven. 4. Plotter, printers use a pen set to make World Prints related engineering or architecture. 

Manufacturer : Canon, Epson, HP, Lexmark, Apollo, etc. Port Interface = LPT, USB

• Speaker 

As the sound output device. We can also use earphones.

Storage Device
That the tool serves as a place to store data in a file.

• Fixed Hard disk / Hard Disk 

Chasing placed inside the CPU, is used to store files in a very large capacity. At present, the production capacity of hard disk storage has reached more than 512 GB. 

1KB = 1024 B 

1MB = 1024 KB 

1GB = 1024 MB 

For example, file documents / letters usually only takes 200kb, 4MB MP3, Video CD 50MB / song, 700MB / CD full. 

Interface = IDE, SCSI, SATA Manufacturer: Samsung, Maxtor, Seagate

• Floppy disk Drive

Floppy disk drive is the additional storage that can be moved - moved / not fixed, including the Removable disk. Since capacity is only 1.44 MB floppy disk now abandoned and turned to flash a current capacity up to 8GB, safer and maintenance free. 

Interface = floppy interface 

Manufacturer: Panasonic, Samsung

• CD / DVD Drive

Used as a media reader CD (Compact Disk / Disk tile) or a DVD. CD / DVDRW can be used to read the CD / DVD, and burn to CD / DVD. The storage capacity of a standard 700MB CD, DVD 1 Layer 4.48 GB, 8.15 GB DVD 2 Layer. 

Interface = IDE, SCSI, SATA 

Manufacturer: Samsung, Liteon, LG, Pioneer

Other Device (Other Devices)

• Flash Disk 

Flash Disk is also included in the Storage Device, floppy disk the same function, but has a large capacity and maintenance free. My experience using a floppy disk is very uncomfortable and unsafe, because it must be protected from dust, sunlight, water, magnets, etc. A common mistake because unreadable. Flash disk capacity from 512, 1GB, 2GB, 4GB, 8GB and growing. 

Interface: USB

• Bluetooth Adapter 

This tool converts the digital data into a particular frequency radio signals to connect with other tools such as HP, other PCs, Bluetooth Mouse, Bluetooth Speaker, etc.
Interface: USB

•  TV Tuner

This tool serves to convert the RF signal (TV signals) into digital signals. With this tool for watching TV on the computer is not a problem. Usually equipped with a radio. 

Interface: PCI / USB

• External Hard Drive 

Function and capacity similar to a fixed disk / hard drive. The difference this device can be taken anywhere, because it includes the Removable Disk. 

Interface: USB

SOFTWARE
Software is a program, device drivers, and files on the computer. Namely;

• Operating System (OS)

The operating system is the software that controls the performance of the main system. In determining the OS to consider the compatibility (support for programs to third parties, as well as support for hardware), stability (Often Mistake or not), and Price Range (OS Windows XP Home Edition for dollar cost nearly 800ribu, Linux offers a free OS such as Ubuntu). 

Example OS, DOS 6.22, Windows 3.11, Windows 95, 97, 98, 2000 Server, XP, 2003, Vista, Linux Mandrage, Linux Ubuntu, Suse Linux, etc.

• Program Application

The application program is a supplemental program to support the performance of the computer. (Price Software Microsoft Office Word, Excel Access to 1.7 million). Example Applications, Office (Word, Excel, etc.), Winamp, Power DVD, Pascal, Application Games, etc.

• Device Driver 

All the hardware described above will not work without a Device Driver is installed in the Operating System. For example, the printer cannot print without a Device Driver. For Exsample : Suppose we want to install a TV tuner card installed in the PCI slot. Once the computer is turned on it will be confirmation that the new hardware found and then the computer asks Device Drivers for new hardware. This could mean that the computer wants to know what the name, the function and workings of the new hardware and ask identifier wheel / in the form of software (usually included in the package tool). After we gave the driver files in the form of software, the computer will know that the name of this tool is the TV Tuner, Brand A, mounted on a PCI-X slot, and so on. However, the operating system has been equipped with many hardware-hardware drivers that are often used in PCs. If we put a new tool to the computer then the tool is ready for use, it is called Tool Compatible. Stay updated drivers so we can work optimally. For example, flash, LX-300 Printer, Monitor.

Know What Overclocking / Overclocking

Overclock might be a foreign language to a beginner in the field of hardware. But for those who have advanced the field of hardware, the word is a word used raw and in their daily lives. Overclock composed of two words is over and the clock, which means setup mainboard and a processor clock for VGA. Overclock can be interpreted to make the computer more quickly.

Not known since when overclocked started. Estimated overclock already started in 1985. The first computer that sold the type of PC XT with Intel processor type (8088) and made quicker work of the NEC V20 processor. Overclock starting to bloom when the Pentium processor and 486 DX Classic first. But when its overclocked processor can only be done with a jumper on the mainboard. For example, Pentium 166Mhz using jumper for reached 200MHz speed, there is little difference between 166 MHz and 200MHz, But good enough to pace that year.

The main objective is the spurring overclock a processor VGA and CPU for faster work. Currently easier to overclock with existing technology, because of the availability of the enhancements, and supported by the mainboard companies to enter the BIOS overclock system. Allow everyone makes computer with overclock.

There are also special purposes a trend after 2000, for gaming applications. Use overclocking / overclocking can cause a dramatic increase in your computer, depending on what you do overclocking. To perform overclocking you simply change the default BIOS settings, and for advanced overclocking you need to have a deeper knowledge. The more you do extremes overclocking the higher the risk, because overclocking maximize your hardware, it causes excessive heat, make sure the air system and the computer is a very good place to place your computer in a room that has air conditioning. If it is not the motherboard, processor, computer, VGA card may be burned, even though the computer has had the system automatically turns off in case of overheating. You need to remember the hardware warranty does not cover damages caused by overclocking!!! By doing overclock, a computer will be faster and more convenient to enjoy. With overclock all devices will increase. The last function is the most commonly used objective.

Hard Disk Smart with S.M.A.R.T

Through the SMART technology (Self Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology), the risk of a hard disk crash can be immediately known. So, how to anticipate and resolve issues around the hard disk? Consider the following article ini.Pada CHIP normal use, hard disk crashes are rare or damaged. Hard disk will not be damaged too suddenly. However, if your hard disk recently experienced several crashes, beware because the condition is a symptom of damage. The first thing you should do is immediately backup all important data stored in it. Once the backup data is safe too, let's "heal" the hard disk so they can be re-run normal.Beruntung, with SMART technology (Self-Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting Technology), is now able to check the hard disk itself as well as find fault. Once a serious problem occurs, it will emit a number of software alarm.Melalui diagnosis contained in the CHIP-DVD, we are ready to assist you in analyzing the status of your hard disk so that the symptoms of damage will be detected early. Meaning of the results of the analysis and the things you need to consider, described on the page right. In addition, the CHIP-DVD available hard disk surrounding a variety of software, ranging from cleaning the Windows to create backups of other reliable data.Software is Paragon System Upgrade Utilities. Unfortunately, can not provide it in the CHIP-CHIP DVD. You can buy it for U.S. $ 29.95, at www.paragon-software.com. This software is ready to save the image contains the complete system and to restore it back to the hard disk or partition and Ricek baru.Cek: Analyze your hard disk and recognize errors

At the time of your hard disk healthy or have symptoms of pain, may you know the tools contained in the CHIP-DVD named Smartmon with GSmartControl display. In Windows Vista and Windows 7, run tools with administrator rights in the context menu "Run as administrator". After loading, check first, whether the hard disk supports SMART feature. I click the hard disk are displayed and then click the "More". Check in front of "Enable SMART". If the function can not be activated, enter the BIOS and enable in sana.Apabila function analysis on the hard disk, so you click the hard disk icon and tab "Identity" will appear a new status. You can see the model name, firmware, and hardware serial number. However, the important thing is the entry "Overall health self-assessment test: Passed". If not listed "Passed" and instead displays the error report, was the backup of your data before continuing the test as most likely your hard disk bermasalah.Apabila empty column, start a quick test by selecting "Short selftest" in the menu "Perform Test | Test type", then click "Execute". The diagnosis should be ended completely by displaying the message "Completed without errors". Now it's time to do a thorough analysis to determine the condition of the hard disks in detail. Click the "Extended Self-Test" under the "Test Type". The duration of the analysis depending on size of your hard disk. On the hard disk 500 GB, the analysis process took about two hours.

Safe Harddisk

Electrical Power
Do not turn off power by unplugging the USB kaberl without going through the procedure because of the hard disk spin so fast and stop suddenly and cause the reader head will rub against the rotating disc. The result is a bad sector. Therefore, according to the procedure natikan hdd (safe remove ardware)

Avoid Conflicts / shocks
At the hdd in the circumstances to work should be put in place that static does not move or vibrate. Do not knock or fall, the more so when copying data. Because of work affecting akam head. Head that floats above the surface of the disc would be interested in or away so that the reading of data is not normal. This condition can also cause bad sectors.

Keep away from the magnet power
Keep the hdd from objects that contain magnets such as speakers, cell phones, radios etc.. This will affect the data stored on the disc. Because the existing data on the disc occurs because magnetasi process. So strong magnetic power will damage the attached data.

usage
If the hdd is used in a long time such as playing games or make hdd as a boot operating system, then work in the read write head will be even harder. It also can cause bad sectors

Timing
Frequently hdd off after 8 hours of continuous usage

Perform the defragment process
Perform periodic defragmet maybe once a month to set up space on the hdd. Use the empty space can menuyebabkan not well organized and will insert the other data. Consequently hdd work harder. Use the defrag tool that has been provided by Windows

RAM capacity
Large RAM capacity will reduce the process of swapping large files to the hard drive

Take good care of your PC

"Take good care of your PC, and it will take good care of you."

It's a nice sentiment, but reality is more like "Take good care of your PC, and it won't crash, lose your data, and cost you your job--probably." Follow these steps to stop PC problems before they stop you.

Your PC's two mortal enemies are heat and moisture. Excess heat accelerates the deterioration of the delicate circuits in your system. The most common causes of overheating are dust and dirt: Clogged vents and CPU cooling fans can keep heat-dissipating air from moving through the case, and even a thin coating of dust or dirt can raise the temperature of your machine's components.

Any grime, but especially the residue of cigarette smoke, can corrode exposed metal contacts. That's why it pays to keep your system clean, inside and out.

If your PC resides in a relatively clean, climate-controlled environment, an annual cleaning should be sufficient. But in most real-world locations, such as dusty offices or shop floors, your system may need a cleaning every few months.

All you need are lint-free wipes, a can of compressed air, a few drops of a mild cleaning solution such as Formula 409 or Simple Green in a bowl of water, and an antistatic wrist strap to protect your system when you clean inside the case.

Think Outside the Box
Before you get started cleaning, check around your PC for anything nearby that could raise its temperature (such as a heating duct or sunshine coming through a window). Also clear away anything that might fall on it or make it dirty, such as a bookcase or houseplants.

Always turn off and unplug the system before you clean any of its components. Never apply any liquid directly to a component. Spray or pour the liquid on a lint-free cloth, and wipe the PC with the cloth.

Clean the case: Wipe the case and clear its ventilation ports of any obstructions. Compressed air is great for this, but don't blow dust into the PC or its optical and floppy drives. Keep all cables firmly attached to their connectors on the case.

Maintain your mechanical mouse: When a nonoptical mouse gets dirty, the pointer moves erratically. Unscrew the ring on the bottom of the unit and remove the ball. Then scrape the accumulated gunk off the two plastic rollers that are set 90 degrees apart inside the ball's housing.

Keep a neat keyboard: Turn the keyboard upside down and shake it to clear the crumbs from between the keys. If that doesn't suffice, blast it (briefly) with compressed air. If your keys stick or your keyboard is really dirty, pry the keys off for easier cleaning. Computer shops have special tools for removing keys, but you can also pop them off by using two pencils with broken tips as jumbo tweezers--just be sure to use a soft touch.

Make your monitor sparkle: Wipe the monitor case and clear its vents of obstructions, without pushing dust into the unit. Clean the screen with a standard glass cleaner and a lint-free cloth. If your monitor has a degauss button (look for a small magnet icon), push it to clear magnetic interference. Many LCDs can be cleaned with isopropyl alcohol; check with your LCD manufacturer. Wipe your LCD lightly: The underlying glass is fragile.

Check your power protection: Reseat the cables plugged into your surge protector. Check the unit's warning indicator, if it has one. Surge protectors may power your PC even after being compromised by a voltage spike (making your system susceptible to a second spike). If your power protector doesn't have a warning indicator and your area suffers frequent power outages, replace it with one that has such an indicator and is UL 1449 certified.

Swipe your CD and DVD media: Gently wipe each disc with a moistened, soft cloth. Use a motion that starts at the center of the disc and then moves outward toward the edge. Never wipe a disc in a circular motion.

Inside the Box
Before cracking open the case, turn off the power and unplug your PC. Ground yourself before you touch anything inside to avoid destroying your circuitry with a static charge. If you don't have a grounding wrist strap, you can ground yourself by touching any of various household objects, such as a water pipe, a lamp, or another grounded electrical device. Be sure to unplug the power cord before you open the case.

Use antistatic wipes to remove dust from inside the case. Avoid touching any circuit-board surfaces. Pay close attention to the power-supply fan, as well as to the case and to CPU fans, if you have them. Spray these components with a blast of compressed air to loosen dust; but to remove the dust rather than rearrange it, you should use a small vacuum like the $12 Belkin MiniVak.

If your PC is more than four years old, or if the expansion cards plugged into its motherboard are exceptionally dirty, remove each card, clean its contacts with isopropyl alcohol, and reseat it. If your system is less than a couple years old, however, just make sure each card is firmly seated by pressing gently downward on its top edge while not touching its face. Likewise, check your power connectors, EIDE connectors, and other internal cables for a snug fit.

While you have the case open, familiarize yourself with the CMOS battery on the motherboard (see FIGURE 1). For its location, check the motherboard manual. If your PC is more than four or five years old, the CMOS battery may need to be replaced. (A system clock that loses time is one indicator of a dying CMOS battery.)

Look for Trouble
Give your PC a periodic checkup with a good hardware diagnostic utility. Two excellent choices are Sandra Standard from SiSoftware and #1-TuffTest-Lite from #1-PC Diagnostics. Go to PC World's download page to download the free version of Sandra (the full version of the application costs $35) or to download #1-TuffTest-Lite (the fully functional version is $10).

Adding and removing system components leaves orphaned entries in the Windows Registry. This can increase the time your PC takes to boot and can slow system performance. Many shareware utilities are designed to clean the Registry, but my favorite is Registry Drill from Easy Desk Software. The program is free to try and $40 to keep. Go to PC World's download page to download a trial copy of Registry Drill.

Windows stores files on a hard drive in rows of contiguous segments, but over time the disk fills and segments become scattered, so they take longer to access. To keep your drive shipshape, run Windows' Disk Defragmenter utility. Click Start, Programs (All Programs in XP), Accessories, System Tools, Disk Defragmenter. If your drive is heavily fragmented, you could boost performance (see FIGURE 2). Defragging may take hours, however. Disable your screen saver and other automatic programs beforehand to keep the defrag from restarting every few minutes.

Disk Defragmenter won't defragment the file on your hard drive that holds overflow data from system memory (also known as the swap file). Since the swap file is frequently accessed, defragmenting it can give your PC more pep. You can defragment your swap file by using a utility such as the SpeedDisk program included with Norton SystemWorks 2004, but there's a way to reset it in Windows.

In Windows XP, right-click My Computer and choose Properties. Click Advanced, and then choose the Settings button under Performance. Click Advanced again and the Change button under Virtual Memory. Select another drive or partition, set your swap file size, and click OK. Visit "Hardware Tips: Jog Your Memory for Faster PC Performance" for instructions on moving your swap file in other versions of Windows. If you have only one partition and no way to create a second one, and you have at least 256MB of RAM, disable the swap file rather than moving it: Select No paging file in the Virtual Memory settings (see FIGURE 3). If you have trouble booting, start Windows in Safe Mode and re-enable this option.

Hard-Drive Checkup
Windows XP offers a rudimentary evaluation of your hard disk's health with its error-checking utility: Right-click the drive's icon in Windows Explorer and select Properties, Tools, Check Now. (Windows can fix errors and recover bad sectors automatically if you wish.) If the check discovers a few file errors, don't worry, but if it comes up with hundreds of errors, the drive could be in trouble.

To conduct a more thorough examination, go to PC World's download page and download Panterasoft's free HDD Health utility, which monitors hard-drive performance and warns of impending disaster (see FIGURE 4). The program works only with drives that support S.M.A.R.T technology, but nearly all drives released since 2000 are S.M.A.R.T.-compliant.

Many hardware and software designers humbly assume you want their program running on your PC all the time, so they tell Windows to load the application at startup (hence, the ever-growing string of icons in your system tray). These programs eat up system resources and make hardware conflicts and compatibility problems more likely. To prevent them from launching, just click Start, Run, type msconfig, and press Enter. The programs listed under the Startup tab are set to start along with Windows. Uncheck the box at the left of each undesirable program to prevent it from starting automatically.

PC Maintenance: Four Tips for Longer PC Life
1. Keep your PC in a smoke-free environment. Tobacco smoke can damage delicate contacts and circuits.

2. Leave your PC running. Powering up from a cold state is one of the most stressful things you can do to your system's components. If you don't want to leave your PC running all the time, use Windows' Power Management settings to put your machine into hibernation rather than completely shutting down. In Windows XP, right-click the desktop and select Properties. Click the Screen Saver tab and select the Power button. Choose the Hibernate tab to ensure that hibernation is enabled, and then select a time beneath 'System hibernates' under the Power Schemes tab. (Note that this option is not available on all PCs.) Computers running older versions of Windows may or may not provide similar power-management features. Look under the Power Management icon (Power Options in Windows 2000) in Control Panel to evaluate your machine's capabilities.

While our "Busting the Biggest PC Myths" feature says that turning your PC off "does more good than harm," I find that my PCs last longer when I keep them in hibernation.

3. Don't leave your monitor running. The best way to extend your display's life is to shut it off when it's not in use.

4. Avoid jostling the PC. Whenever you move your system, even if it's just across the desktop, make sure the machine is shut down and unplugged.