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Why You Should Try to Fix Your Computer Problem Yourself

Fixing Your Own PC Will Save You Money

Saving money is probably an obvious advantage of fixing your own computer.

Getting your computer serviced at a local shop will usually run you from $40 to $90 USD per hour or more. Some are less expensive but that’s not the norm.

Remote computer support options are typically cheaper but they can only help fix some software related problems and are useless in cases where hardware is to blame.

If you fix your computer problem yourself, you can completely avoid what might end up being a several hundred dollar bill.

No matter what your financial situation, free is a pretty good deal. That’s a lot of money you can save by investing some time in trying to fix it yourself.

You Don’t Need Expensive Tools to Fix Your Own Computer

Many people think that they have to buy lots of expensive diagnostic hardware and software to fix a computer.

This is absolutely not the case. Expensive tools do exist but they’re usually used to help computer repair services test or solve things quickly or in bulk.

Chances are you already have 95% of the physical tools you would ever need to fix any computer problem in your toolbox or garage.

Computer repair services also use many software diagnostic tools to determine what might be wrong with a computer but most of the very best ones they use are available for free online!

Also, while there are a number of reasons why owning a second computer, or at least having temporary access to one, could help a lot when you need to fix yours, it’s not always necessary.

Your “smaller” computer – aka your smartphone or tablet – is often a huge help, at very least as a research tool.

You’ll Probably Be Back Up and Running Faster

You might be thinking to yourself at this point that surely it’ll take days or weeks to learn enough to repair your own computer and that it won’t be worth the trouble. You need your computer working right now, right?

First of all, unless you’re lucky, after you drop your computer off at the repair shop you’ll likely be waiting at least an entire day, usually longer, before you’ll be able to pick it back up.

You are your only client when you’ve become the repair person yourself so my guess is that you can get on it a bit more quickly.

Secondly, you might be surprised to know that most common problems are solved by relatively simple steps. The more time you spend looking for solutions to computer problems online the more you’ll see that this is true.

Finally, and I really want to stress this one, you don’t need to learn to solve every computer problem to solve this computer problem. A knowledgeable computer repair person has a lot of experience and education and can solve a multitude of problems with ease.

You don’t need to reach this level of knowledge about repairing computers.

You need to solve your single problem as quickly as possible. Well written, easy to follow troubleshooting information online will get you that.

You Know More Than You Think

If you’re having trouble using the mouse, keyboard, or screw driver then you might have a problem repairing your computer. Otherwise, you’re only a step-by-step troubleshooting guide away from solving pretty much any computer problem you might see.

If you can think logically, follow instructions in order, and ask questions when you’re not sure about something or don’t understand, then you should feel confident enough to try to fix your own computer problems before you even think about paying someone else to.

How to Fix a Slow iPad

Is your iPad running slow? Does it seem to get bogged down after a few hours? While this is more common with older iPads that don’t have the processing power of the new iPad Air line and iPad Pro tablets, even the newest iPad can bog down. There are multiple reasons why an iPad may begin running slow, including an app having issues or simply a slow Internet connection. Luckily, this is often easy to fix.

First: Quit Out of Your Current App

One common reason for an iPad to start chugging along is an issue with the app itself rather than the iPad. If you experience an app that is running slower than normal, it may sound logical to click the home button to close the app and then relaunch it. However, clicking the home button doesn’t actually close out of the app. It suspends the app, which basically keeps it frozen in the background.

Some apps even continue running in the background. These are commonly apps that stream music like Pandora, Spotify or the Music app that comes with the iPad.

If your problem is mainly with a single app, we’ll want to quit out of it using the task screen. This will properly shut the app down and purge it from memory, allowing you to launch a ‘fresh’ version of it. Please note that you can lose unsaved work by quitting out of the app. If it is currently working at a task, it can be best to wait until the app finishes the task before proceeding.

While in the task screen, it is a good idea to close out of any apps that are playing music. It is unlikely they are causing a problem, and even if the app is streaming the music from the Internet, it shouldn’t use up enough of your bandwidth to matter. However, closing out of the app won’t hurt and will ensure the app isn’t impacting anything.

To close the application, you need to bring up a list of all apps that are running in the background:

  1. Double-click the home button at the bottom of your iPad.

When you press it twice in quick succession, your most recent apps are shown as cascading windows across the screen. You can navigate through this screen by swiping from left-to-right or right-to-left. The active window will have its corresponding app icon above it.

To close an individual app:

  1. Hold your finger down on the active window.
  2. Without lifting your finger from the screen, swipe toward the top of the display.

This gesture resembles “flicking” the app off the iPad. Remember: you touch the app window, not the app icon.

Reboot the iPad

Closing apps won’t always do the trick. In this case, rebooting the iPad is the best recourse. This will flush everything from memory and give your iPad a clean start.

NOTE: Many people believe the iPad powers down when the Sleep/Wake button at the top of the iPad is pressed down or when the flap of their Smart Cover or Smart Case is close, but this only puts the iPad in suspend mode.

To reboot the iPad:

  1. Hold down the Sleep/Wake button until instructions appear telling you to slide a button to power off the iPad.
  2. When you slide the button, the tablet will shut down and the iPad’s screen will go completely dark.

Wait several seconds and then boot the iPad back up by holding down the sleep/wake button again. You will first see the Apple logo on the screen and your iPad should boot up shortly. Your iPad should run more quickly but, if it starts bogging down, keep in mind the apps that are running at the time. Sometimes, a single app can cause the iPad to perform poorly.

Check Your Wi-Fi Connection

It might not be your iPad that is running slow. It might be your Wi-Fi network.

You can check the Internet speed of your Wi-Fi network by using an app like Ookla’s Speedtest. This app will send data to a remote server and then send data back to the iPad, testing both upload and download speeds.

The average Wi-Fi network in the U.S. gets around 12 megabits-per-second (Mbps), although it is not uncommon to see speeds of 25+ Mbps. You probably won’t see much of a slowdown with your connection unless it gets around 6 Mbps or less. That’s around the amount of bandwidth it takes to stream movies and video.

If you are experiencing a problem with your Wi-Fi connection, try moving closer to your router.  If the speed increases, you may need to look into boosting your Wi-Fi range. This is common in larger buildings, but even a small house can have issues.

Make Sure You Are Running the Current Version of iOS

iOS is the operating system running on the iPad. While a major update sometimes will actually slow the iPad down a little, it is always a good idea to run the latest operating system. Not only will this ensure that you have the most recent performance tweaks, it also ensures that you have the latest fixes for any security issues.

You can check the version of iOS you are running by going into your Settings app, tapping General settings and tapping Software Update. If you are new to the iPad or iOS, here’s how to upgrade to the latest version of iOS.

Install an Ad Blocker

If you are primarily seeing a slow down while browsing the web in the Safari browser but your Internet speed isn’t slow, it may be more a symptom of which pages you are browsing than the iPad itself.

The more advertisements on a web page, the longer it will take to load. And if any one of those ads stalls out, you may be left waiting for the web page to pop up.

One solution to this is to install an ad blocker. These widgets enhance the Safari browser by disallowing ads to load on the web page. They make both for easier reading and faster loading. Sites like this one make money from ads, so this is a balance you have to wrestle with.

Turn Off Background App Refresh

This one could actually save you some battery life as well as keep your iPad lean and mean. Background App Refresh allows apps to refresh their content even when you aren’t using them. In this way, Facebook might reach out and retrieve posts to your wall or a news app may fetch the latest articles.

However, this uses a little bit of your processing speed and your Internet connection, so it could the iPad to run a little slower. This usually isn’t the main cause, but if you often find the iPad running slow (and especially if the battery drains quickly), you should turn off Background App Refresh.

To turn off Background App Refresh:

  1. Go to your iPad’s settings.
  2. Select General from the left-hand navigation menu.
  3. Tap Background App Refresh.
  4. Tap the on/off slider at the top of the screen.

If you’re still experiencing slow speeds, there is one more thing you can do.

Clear Storage Space

If you are running desperately low on storage space, clearing up a little extra elbow room for the iPad can sometimes improve performance. This can be accomplished by deleting apps that you no longer use, especially games that you don’t play anymore.

It’s easy to see which apps are using the most space on your iPad:

  1. Go to Settings.
  2. Select General from the left-hand navigation menu.
  3. Tap Storage & iCloud usage.
  4. Tap Manage Storage (under the upper Storage section). This will show you which apps are using up the most storage.

You can also speed up Safari by deleting your cookies and web history, although this will cause you to log back into any websites that have saved your login information.

WHICH UNLOCK METHOD IS THE MOST SECURE FOR YOUR ANDROID?

I’m sure you’ve noticed that Android has a number of options aimed at making your device more secure. One of those features is different methods to unlock the screen: pattern, PIN, password, iris scan and fingerprint, just to mention a few. Below, we’ll explain the goal behind each one, and then you can choose the most practical unlock method for you and the most secure one for your Android.

Facial recognition

Facial recognition isn’t anything new. It first arrived on Android with the Ice Cream Sandwich version, also known as Android 4.0. This feature uses the front camera of the device to take a photo of your face and then it uses that photo as a baseline to unlock your device. It has a questionable level of security, with more cons than pros.

One of the biggest problems is that lighting has to be ideal for the front camera to be able to take a picture of your face. This all depends on the quality of the camera and how your face is placed in front of it. There’s a similar feature coming on the iPhone X, and manufacturers might repackage it and call it new, but don’t let them fool you.

Fingerprint scanner

This is my favorite option and the one I currently use on my phone. Obviously, how well it works depends on a few factors, like the quality of the sensor and its placement. Quality, in this case, means the speed that the sensor reads your finger. This varies a lot between devices, as well as its scratch-resistant surface. There are certain biometric authentication mechanisms which become faster the more you use them.

As for the placement, I prefer it on the front bottom part of the display, next to the power button, like on the Xperia line, which to me, is very practical. I’m not a fan of the ones on the back, but it’s all subjective here.

As for security, this is probably the most secure method to date. That’s because it’s quite difficult for a fingerprint reader to be easily hacked. Furthermore, the sensors are developed to recognize body heat and blood movement of the user, which means you can’t use a “dead” finger to unlock an Android.

Iris scanner

Like facial recognition, I’m still not convinced about using an iris scanner to unlock devices. It basically does the same thing as the fingerprint reader, and it requires the device to have a second, registered password in case you can’t get your phone unlocked. With the Galaxy S8 and Note 8, the fingerprint and iris scanners cannot be activated at the same time. In other words, the second unlock method needs to be a PIN or an alphanumeric password.

Recognition varies according to lighting conditions and where the user’s eye is positioned. The better readers won’t slow down when recognizing a user’s eye, even in low-light conditions.

The system that scans your iris also needs to be fully integrated into the reader so it reacts quickly and can’t be hacked. Technically, this system is on par with the fingerprint reader in terms of security but loses out when it comes to usability.

Smart Lock

Smart Lock was introduced on Android 5.0 Lollipop, and it’s been updated throughout the latest versions. I don’t really see it as a method to unlock your device but rather as a compliment to the one that you’ve already chosen. What the Smart Lock does is very simple, it unlocks – or better said, keeps your device unlocked – according to where you are, your voice, a device or a presence.

Choose your trusted locations, like your house or work, and when you get to those places, your device will be unlocked without having to use any of these methods. You can even use Bluetooth devices as trusted locations.

Currently, Smart Lock can also be set up so that it keeps your phone unlocked even when it’s in your pocket. As I said, it’s not really a method of unlocking your phone, but rather a compliment to one. Keep in mind that anyone can access your phone when you’re in one of your trusted locations, or even connected to a Bluetooth device.

PIN

A PIN is the traditional combination of numbers, and the length depends on which version of Android you have. It’s probably the main security option, distinct from the rest of the options presented here. PINs are also limited in their recovery if you happen to forget it. You’ll probably have to spend hours and hours trying to unlock your device. I use a PIN on my Android as a compliment to the fingerprint scanner.

Pattern

The pattern, or design, is a unique feature on Android phones and it’s been around for a while now. You can use it combined with the PIN if you’d like, but it really is a decent security system by itself. There’s only a certain number of times that you can try it until it locks you out for few seconds. However, on some interfaces, a certain number of wrong attempts can lead the device to erase user data.

Something else that’s curious about the pattern, and might be seen as a problem, is that your finger leaves the pattern on the display, which makes it easy for anyone to trace it. A combination of a greasy finger and a matte film will tell the world your password.

Password

A password is the oldest unlock method there is, and it’s seen as the most secure by many users. You can use any combo of numbers and letters to unlock your device. Recovery systems vary a lot but, in general, it can be just as hard to recover a password as it is a PIN.

Which method is the best to unlock your Android?

The iris scanner, Smart Lock and facial recognition are all complimentary or secondary security methods, and as of right now, they aren’t good enough to be used as the sole method of protecting your phone. This means that you’ll have to register a PIN, pattern or password as your primary option. The iris scanner has another aggravating feature as well: restriction and availability. There are only a few models on the market right now that come with this feature.

The fingerprint reader is also a complimentary feature, but it’s a feature which is available on most mid-range models, and its usability is very attractive. It also has fewer recognition errors. Nevertheless, you can count on the more traditional options, which are also the most secure, since they don’t need a second layer of protection. In terms of both practicality and security, I’d stick with the PIN, password or pattern if I were you.

FACIAL RECOGNITION: ANDROID MANUFACTURERS ARE CHASING AFTER APPLE

The iPhone X has yet to hit the market, so nobody knows how well Face ID actually works. However, buzz around 3D facial recognition is making the vast majority of Android manufacturers nervous. This is only to be expected, given what we know about how the industry works.

As the experts at KGI have found out, face recognition using special 3D sensors is the current hot topic of the smartphone industry. According to the survey, since the presentation of the iPhone X, the search queries for the new 3D sensors used for face recognition have tripled. At the same time, interest in the “traditional” fingerprint sensor – which has only been used in smartphones for four years – is also declining rapidly.

It was obvious at the time of the presentation how this would go. It’s the same old story. The face recognition technology that – remember – has been available on smartphones for years, is presented by Apple and will then be adopted by the Android manufacturers. Like the fingerprint sensor, face recognition will be seen on an increasing number of Android smartphones in the coming months. That’s not very creative, but companies feel that their hands are forced by Apple’s market power and popularity.

Technology has got to be fun

By the way, Face ID is not just about facial recognition. The Animojis introduced by Apple with the new iPhones may seem silly at first, but they show that the technology can also be used for a lot of other things, even if it’s something silly-sounding like animated animal faces with their own facial expressions. Let’s face it: if a technology does not promise the masses a bit of fun, then it won’t make a splash in the market.

However, there is another side to this story: the unfulfilled hope of a breakthrough in some technologies, such as the “under-display” optical fingerprint sensor. The Galaxy S8 was already supposed have a sensor like this, but the engineers couldn’t implement it in time for release. As a result, Samsung users have to contort their fingers in search of the poorly placed sensor on the back – a lazy compromise. Similarly, Apple wanted to include a under-display fingerprint sensor in the iPhone X in order to offer an alternative to Face ID, but also ran out of time before their release deadline.

You won’t get anywhere without OLEDs

Such newfangled fingerprint sensors would probably not be available for the mass of consumers anyway, as the technology can only be used with OLED panels. This makes it difficult to provide mass-produced solutions outside of expensive, high-end smartphones, especially as Samsung enjoys a very dominant position in this area.

But fingerprint authentication, OLEDs displays, only serve to demonstrate once again what has always been reliable in the past: Apple doesn’t set any technical records on paper, but it sets the actual market trends. No matter what the Android competition does, if Apple starts off in one direction, then the others are compelled to follow.

Apple is technically ahead this time

This will not necessarily change if Samsung succeeds in actually getting the under-display fingerprint sensor to debut on Galaxy Note 9 for the first time, as a report by Business Insider suggests. It seems that facial recognition in the Samsung devices is much less advanced and less secure than in Apple. Business Insider states that Apple has an advantage of 18 to 30 months over Samsung when it comes to facial authentication. The new fingerprint sensor would thus only be a transitional solution until Samsung can catch up to Apple’s solution – which was also the case with the introduction of Touch ID.

It’s going to work like this: Samsung does it first, then Apple will make it better later, and only then does everyone else have to have it.

What do you think? Does the Android competition really have to follow every Apple trend? Or would a little more self-confidence do good here?

All you Need to Know About QC4.0+

Last year, Qualcomm Technologies released QC4.0, the most advanced charging technology that is likely to change the charging ability of future Smartphones. At the same time, the company also released the Snapdragon 835 processor which they say will be the next generation Smartphone processor. At the moment, there is no device that supports Quick Charge 4.   The company revealed that their advanced charging technology will be available with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor.

There is one handset announced,  the Nubia Z17 however at this time there is not a QC4+ charger available.

QC4.0+ benefits

What are the benefits of Qualcomm Quick Charge 4?  Basically, QC4.0+ charges up to 15 % faster compared to previous releases. This latest technology will be also 30 % more efficient and will run up to 5-degree Celsius cooler compared to previous releases.

For instance, five minutes of charging will guarantee you more than 5 hours of battery life. Your Smartphone’s battery will attain 50 % of charge in less than 15 minutes of charging. This means that future Smartphones with Qualcomm Quick Charge 4 will charge like they are connected to two high-powered chargers. Their batteries will have increased efficiency and the Smartphone themselves will stay cooler.

Key features of QC4.0+ and how they work

Quick Charge 4 has a wide range of advanced features compared to prior releases. Here are the key features and how they work.

Battery Saver

This feature was included in this latest generation not only to provide comprehensive safety while charging but also to extend the battery’s charging cycle life. A protection feature is implemented at various stages of charging in order to keep accurate records of temperature, current, and voltage while protecting various components of the Smartphone such as connectors, cables, systems and the battery itself.

USB Power Delivery and USB Type-C

The two technologies were incorporated in QC4 adapters to ensure that there is consistent charging performance. These technologies will also ensure that one accessory supports a variety of mobile devices and charging implementations.

Intelligent Negotiation for Optimum Voltage (INOV)

Quick Charge 4 is incorporated with this latest algorithm to help your Smartphone determine the amount of power to request at a particular point. This not only maximizes charging efficiency but also enhances optimum power transfer.

Dual Charge

A second power management IC is also incorporated in Quick Charge 4. Charging your Smartphone using two power management ICs has many benefits. For instance, the charge current is divided into two which reduces charging time and promotes more efficient thermal dissipation.

This latest and the most advanced 4+ charging technology is expected to be released on the market as from next month.

How to fast charge your iPhone 8

Apple has launched the iPhone 8, it brings a line of new features and one is its ability to rapidly charge to 50%, but you don’t get a fast charger in the box.

If you bought the iPhone 8 and want the promised fast charging, the standard iPhone 8 package does not come with a fast charger, to get the advertised fast speed you need a new charger. Apple likely did this to keep packaging size smaller and also to make users buy their accessories.

What is PD charging?

There are many fast charging protocols, such as QC3.0, Pump and Apple also have their own for iPhones and iPads, if you have a few different devices, you will need a different charger to fast charge each one. There are some chargers with multi protocol, but not one charger that will fast charge everything.

PD changes all that, it is a universal charging protocol so any brand can use it. It is designed to charge fast and to unite all brands in one fast charging system. It brings the promise of one fast charger for every device.

Fast charging with the new iPhone

If you stick with Apple, the original chargers are $50, a fraction of the price of a new iPhone, but, just like their cables, they are overpriced. Alternatives are available.

Are third party iPhone PD chargers safe?

PD is open to all manufacturers, so the exact same protocol is in other chargers. Provided you grab a genuine PD charger, the performance will be identical. As this is a tech not controlled by apple, these chargers do not need to be MFI certified. However, this is only for PD chargers, you should still check all lighting cables for certification.

How to protect your phone from low battery?

A survey shows that people feel anxious and nervous when their phones have low battery.This week Banggood offers 4 ways to get rid of Low-battery anxiety.

1.Use the Good-quality charger & charger cable

A good-quality charger & cables not only enable to fast charging but also protect your phone.

2.Solar charging can help you in outdoor

The Solar chargers don’t have built-in batteries, but they are more effective at converting solar energy to power. If you are going to clamp or other outdoor activity, the solar charger might be more suitable for you than the normal power bank for these reasons:1.It’s more portable 2.It can work sustainably as long as there is the sunshine.

3.Car Charger

A car charger is used to keep your phone juiced up when you are on the road.One function Car Charger shares the advantage of safety performance and top-level charging effect, compared to the multi function ones.

Tips for Car Charging：It’s better to start your car before your phone charging.Becuase the huge current at the car starting moment might have an impact on your phone.

4.Power bank

It’s hard to deny that a power bank is an incredible thing that saves us from the nervous and panic of low battery.There’s a massive selection on offer, catering for every need.

There are 2 tips for choosing a nice power bank from our product manager:

1.Check the brand and source of the cell.

2.Be careful to a small-size power bank with a large capacity.

5 Steps to Setting Up Your New Laptop

A new laptop or computer is like a blank slate: ready to be customized with your preferences and programs. Whether this is your first computer or your fiftieth, these 5 steps for setting up your new computer will create an important foundation going forward, with the security, most important applications, and settings to prep your laptop for full-time use.

  1. Get Rid of Bloatware

Bloatware, or software installed by the manufacturer that you don’t want (such as trial versions of picture greeting software), is less common in new computers these days–and definitely less likely to be in business computers as opposed to consumer computers.

Bloatware is still around, though, and if you want a lean, mean computing machine, you may prefer to wipe your drive of these unwanted programs. It’s easiest to do this at the start, as soon as you get your laptop.

One way to get rid of the bloatware is to just use the regular program uninstall feature in Windows’ Control Panel, but this can still leave your system with stray entries in the system’s registry. A cleanup utility like Ccleaner can more thoroughly get rid of all traces of unwanted programs. It’s free and easy to use.

Otherwise, you can wipe your laptop’s hard drive and install your operating system from scratch (provided you have the OS installation disks or you make your own for this purpose).

  1. Set Up Laptop Security

Password-protect your user accounts.

When you set up your user account(s) on the laptop, make sure you add a strong password: One that has a combination of character types and is long enough.Because laptops are more easily stolen or lost, you want to make sure anyone who finds your laptop won’t be able to access its contents.

Change the Administrator password. The default Administrator account is disabled by default in Windows 7 and Vista, but if you’re using an older version of Windows, you’ll want to change the default Administrator password (find the account under the Control Panel > User Accounts.

Install security programs. The first programs you should install on your laptop are security ones to help protect against viruses and other threats. Here are a few recommendations:

  • Antivirus/Anti-Malware: Unless you have a disk with the A/V program already, you’ll need to hop online and download then install the software. For a free option, take a look at Microsoft Security Essentials or avast! Free; both provide protection against viruses and spyware. You’ll need antivirus protection if you’re on a Mac as well; ClamXav is a free, open-source antivirus program for Macs.
  • Firewall: You should also turn on Windows’ Firewall and Windows Defender if they’re not turned on already. For more robust protection, consider a dedicated firewall that may include email scanning, adware removal, and more configurable firewall options. Comodo Firewall is a free option, but About’s Wireless/Networking site offers more top firewall picks for both Windows and Mac.
  • Laptop Recovery: Anti-theft software for laptops can help you retrieve a lost or stolen laptop–but you need to install it before you lose your laptop or it gets swiped. Prey (previously reviewed), is free laptop recovery software that has a light footprint, so there’s no reason not to install it.
  • Encryption software: For true mobile security, it’s critical you encrypt all sensitive information stored on your laptop. The open source utility TrueCrypt can create an encrypted volume on your laptop to store that important information, and it can encrypt your entire system as well.
  1. Get System Updates

With your antivirus program installed, now check for system updates.

On Windows, go to the Control Panel > System and Security to find the options to check for and install updates. On Mac, go to the Apple menu and click Software Update.

  1. Install Your Essential Programs and Documents

Install all the programs that you need for everyday use, including office applications and your email program (unless you use cloud-based apps for these purposes). I’ve posted a few programs on my list of essential applications, which include backup software, a password manager, and syncing programs.

Two great utilities that can save you time and make installing all your favorite apps a breeze are AllMyApps and Ninite. These app installers for Windows give you a one-click installer for popular programs like Google Chrome, Skype, VLc, and more and keep them up to date.

If you use a syncing program like Dropbox or SugarSync, setting up future computers is much easier, since your documents will automatically be synced over. Otherwise, you’ll probably need to transfer your files from your old computer to your new one. There are a couple of ways to do this:

  • Use Windows Easy Transfer, a wizard built into Windows 7 to move your files and program settings from the old computer to the new one. You’ll find it on a new Windows 7 laptop under the Start menu > Getting Started > Transfer your files.
  • You could also connect both PCs to a router (for speed, a wired connection is preferred) and then copy the folders over.
  • Or you could connect both PCs together with a crossover cable, a special type of Ethernet cable.
  1. Backup Your System and Create a Custom Install Disc

Once you’ve got everything set up the way you like, it’s a good idea to backup the entire system. Create your DVD backups or put the backup on an external hard drive and label it with the name of your laptop, the date, and something like “initial install.” This way, if you ever want to go back to a clean setup, you can restore this backup. While you’re at it, set up your automatic backups (daily, weekly, and monthly both onsite and offsite, e.g., to an external hard drive and to a cloud service).

You can also create your own “slipstreamed” Windows installation disc (DVD-R or USB stick) so in the future you can install Windows with your preferences, updated drivers, and other customizations. The RT7Lite utility can help you do this. Enjoy your new laptop!

How to Get 4G or 3G on Your Laptop

It’s increasingly becoming more important for us to have high-speed Internet access wherever we are—especially, for example, on our laptops when we’re working on the go. Mobile broadband devices allow us to tap into a wireless carrier’s 4G or 3G network from our laptops and other mobile devices for always-on connectivity. Here’s an overview of the different ways you can get 4G or 3G Internet access on your laptop.

Built-In 4G or 3G Mobile Broadband

Most of the latest laptops, netbooks, and tablets offer a mobile broadband option, where you can have a 3G or 4G card or chipset built into the laptop when you order it (for an additional cost). You’ll have to sign up for mobile broadband service, but often you’ll be able to select the wireless service provider.

  • l Pros: Convenience of having mobile wireless connectivity already set up as soon as you get your laptop (no need to install your own mobile broadband device); less obtrusive than a USB 3G or 4G laptop stick.
  • l Cons: Not transferable to other laptops or devices.

4G or 3G Laptop Stick

If you don’t already have a mobile broadband card built-in or want a separate device that you can use with more than one laptop, a 4G or 3G USB modem (a.k.a. laptop stick) is easy to install—it’s plug-and-play like most USB sticks. USB broadband modems typically cost under $100.

You can buy the laptop stick and sign up for the mobile broadband plan directly from the wireless provider or retailers like Best Buy.

  • l Pros: Can be used on different devices (e.g., switched from one laptop to another). Some laptop sticks also function as USB thumb drives for portable storage and other useful purposes.
  • l Cons: Sticks out of your laptop’s USB port; easy to misplace or lose.

3G or 4G Mobile Hotspot

Mobile hotspots can be either hardware devices like FreedomPop’s Freedom Spot or a feature on your mobile device. You connect your laptop wirelessly to the 4G or 3G mobile hotspot, much like you would connect to a wi-fi network or wi-fi hotspot. As with the other options, you’ll need to subscribe to a mobile data plan for your mobile hotspot device—or if you may need to pay an extra “hotspot” fee to use the built-in hotspot feature on your smartphone. One major advantage of a mobile hotspot, however, is that you can typically connect more than one device to it for shared mobile Internet access.

  • l Pros: Usually can connect 5 or more mobile devices at once.
  • l Cons: Have to carry around a separate device (though mobile hotspots tend to be pretty thin and small, about the size and width of a credit card).

Cell Phone Tethering

Tethering is where you connect your cell phone to your laptop to use your cell phone’s data service on the laptop. There are many tethering apps available to enable tethering via USB cable or bluetooth, including the popular PdaNet app.

Although many people have been able to get around additional tethering charges by jailbreaking their smartphones, most wireless providers are charging extra for the privilege of connecting your phone to your laptop.

  • l Pros: May be able to use the data plan you’re already paying for on your cell phone without extra charges (otherwise, tethering charges are between $15-20).
  • l Cons: Tethering can be slow and drain your phone’s battery more quickly.

Which option is best for you? Besides heading to a wi-fi hotspot or Internet cafe for free Internet access, tethering is the least expensive option for getting Internet access on your laptop when you’re not at home. If you have multiple devices or want to share a mobile broadband connection, a mobile hotspot makes the most sense. 3G or 4G laptop sticks are also convenient and easy to use.

What Makes a Smartphone Smart?

You probably hear the term “smartphone” tossed around a lot. But if you’ve ever wondered exactly what a smartphone is, well, you’re not alone. How is a smartphone different than a cell phone, and what makes it so smart?

In a nutshell, a smartphone is a device that lets you make telephone calls, but also adds in features that, in the past, you would have found only on a personal digital assistant or a computer–such as the ability to send and receive e-mail and edit Office documents, for example.

So, it’s essentially connected to the internet and offers personalized services as a result. (Some people think that’s so the phone can spy on you.)

But, to really understand what a smartphone is (and is not), and whether you should buy one, we’ll start with a history lesson. In the beginning, there were cell phones and personal digital assistants (or PDAs). Cell phones were used for making calls–and not much else–while PDAs, like the Palm Pilot, were used as personal, portable organizers. A PDA could store your contact info and a to-do list, and could sync with your computer.

Eventually, PDAs gained wireless connectivity and were able to send and receive e-mail. Cell phones, meanwhile, gained messaging capabilities, too. PDAs then added cellular phone features, while cell phones added more PDA-like (and even computer-like) features. The result was the smartphone.

Key Smartphone Features

While there is no standard definition of the term “smartphone” across the industry, we thought it would be helpful to point out what we here at Lifewire.com define as a smartphone, and what we consider a cell phone.

Here are the features we look at:

Operating System

In general, a smartphone will be based on an operating system that allows it to run applications. Apple’s iPhone runs the iOS, and BlackBerry smartphones run the BlackBerry OS. Other devices run Google’s Android OS, HP’s webOS, and Microsoft’s Windows Phone.

Apps

While almost all cell phones include some sort of software (even the most basic models these days include an address book or some sort of contact manager, for example), a smartphone will have the ability to do more. It may allow you to create and edit Microsoft Office documents–or at least view the files. It may allow you to download apps, such as personal and business finance managers, handy personal assistants, or, well, almost anything. Or it may allow you to edit photos, get ]driving directions via GPS, and create a playlist of digital tunes.

Web Access

More smartphones can access the Web at higher speeds, thanks to the growth of 4G and 3G data networks, as well as the addition of Wi-Fi support to many handsets. Still, while not all smartphones offer high-speed Web access, they all offer some sort of access. You can use your smartphone to browse your favorite sites.

QWERTY Keyboard

By our definition, a smartphone includes a QWERTY keyboard. This means that the keys are laid out in the same manner they would be on your computer keyboard–not in alphabetical order on top of a numeric keypad, where you have to tap the number 1 to enter an A, B, or C. The keyboard can be hardware (physical keys that you type on) or software (on a touch screen, like you’ll find on the iPhone).

Messaging

All cell phones can send and receive text messages, but what sets a smartphone apart is its handling of e-mail. A smartphone can sync with your personal and, most likely, your professional e-mail account. Some smartphones can support multiple e-mail accounts. Others include access to the popular instant messaging services, like AOL’s AIM and Yahoo! Messenger.

These are just some of the features that make a smartphone smart. The technology surrounding smartphones and cell phones is constantly changing, though. What constitutes a smartphone today may change by next week, next month, or next year.