May 20, 2012

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A Brief Look at the Types of Computers

Computers come in lots of different shapes and sizes. You can choose the one that is best for you based on its portability and productivity. The following is a description of each type of computer.

  • Desktop: This type of computer has been around for the longest amount of time. It is actually still a popular choice, too. This is because you can store a lot more information on a desktop. Sometimes it is also nice to have a desktop com
    Kate the Desktop Computer

    Image by Gino Carteciano via Flickr

    puter and have it set up with two computer screens.

  • Laptop: This is also a very popular choice because of the mobility that comes along with it. You can still get some pretty fast processors and memory too. The problem is that the battery life on most laptops isn’t very long and they can be heavy if you want to have a large screen.
  • Netbook: These are still being made, but they were only popular for one season. This is because tablets were released shortly thereafter. Netbooks are good for kids, though, because they have a smaller keyboard that is more accommodating to little fingers.
  • Tablet: This computer is great for people who love to use apps. It is not the best solution if you want to type, and it is focused on entertainment.
  • Smartphone: This is probably the most popular type of computer because it is the most portable. Smartphones can make calls and access the Internet.

Depending on your needs, you can purchase any of the computers listed above to accomplish your goals. In general, the smaller it is, the less productivity you get.

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Filed Under: Computers & Software, Gadgets Tagged With: , ,

When Is the Best Time to Purchase Electronic Goods?

If you are like most people, you like shopping around for the best deal. This is true whether you are purchasing clothing or electronic goods. It is especially important, however, to wait for expensive items to go on sale, like computers and TVs, so that you don’t spend more money on them than you have to. That’s why it is good to know when the best time is to purchase electronic goods.

Apple TV and Sony flatscreen TV on display at ...

Image via Wikipedia

Computers are always expensive; however, you can get a good deal if you plan on purchasing around back to school time. This is when retailers have sales on computers that are great for students. The summertime is also a great time to purchase computers because retailers have overstock and this is when new items are usually released.

TVs and other household electronics usually go on sale around Memorial Day. Each major holiday also usually sees a sale. You should always wait for a sale if you do not have to make an urgent purchase.

If you do have to make an urgent purchase, however, you should still look for coupons and promotions online before making a purchase. At the very least you should be able to find a promotional code for free shipping or something similar, no matter what time of year it is.

Knowing the best time of year to purchase electronic goods can save you a lot of money. New products always come with a premium, but you get some great deals on items that have just been replaced. Shop around for the best deal.

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How Do You Know If You Are Getting a Quality Product?

When it comes to technology, there can be a big difference between a brand name product and a knock-off. Of course, this is not always the case. So, how do you know whether you are getting a quality product if you decide to purchase a knock-off rather than paying a premium for the name brand?

There are a few things you should do before you purchase a product that is supposedly a knock-off.

  • Give it a test run. Most stores will allow you to play with gadgets before you buy them. This is a great way to determine whether it is a good product or not. If you want to purchase something that is not name brand, you should p
    Our computers II

    Image by aranarth via Flickr

    lay with both the name brand product and the knock-off so you can compare the two.

  • Read product reviews. There are lots of resources online to help you determine whether a product is good or not. Customer reviews are honest, so you can trust them.
  • Ask sales representatives what they think. There is a lot of knowledge that comes from being around electronics all the time. Sales representatives can usually answer all of your questions.
  • Make sure you can return the product if it is no good. This one doesn’t need explaining.

Just because a product is considered a knock-off, it doesn’t mean that it is not as good as the name brand product. You just have to do a bit of research to ensure that you are not buying something inferior. Use the tips above to help you decide whether to make the purchase or not.

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Top 3 Apps for Your Cell Phone

Today the phrase “There’s an app for that!” is true more often than not. Whether you want to listen to music, speak with a friend instantly (without needing to actually call the phone number) or even get directions to the local movie theater, your phone has the ability work just like a personal assistant. But with all the apps to choose from, how do you know which ones are going to be the most useful? Here are three apps that you just won’t be able to live without.

Pandora

Listening to music for free is great, but finding an app that can guess at what other music you will enjoy is amazing. Prepaid cell phones also offer this app as it can be downloaded from the Android marketplace. You create a station based on a song or a band. From there, Pandora will continue to choose songs and give you the chance to agree, disagree, or skip.

TiKl Talk

TiKl Talk turns any cell phone into a walkie talkie, no matter what the distance is between the two parties (as long as they both have the app installed on their phones). Choose the contact, press and hold the button and speak into the phone like you would normally. The other person gets a notification that you are calling. They can ignore, or they can press and answer back.

Google Maps

Get lost a lot? Google Maps can help you navigate your way around town.  Search an address and get where you need to go quickly. No more pulling over and asking directions for you!

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3 Reasons to Use a Prepaid Credit Card

Having a credit card these days is a necessity. They are especially useful if you buy a lot of items online. Standard credit cards can get people into trouble; however, prepaid credit cards are a great idea if you want the convenience of a credit card without the chance of getting into debt.

Here are three reasons to use a prepaid credit card.

  1. The obvious benefit is that you are spending your own money, instead of using a line of credit that you may not be able to pay off at a later date. You can use the card knowing that you can only spend to the limit of the amount of money you have deposited onto it. You do not have to go into a bank to load money onto the card. You can do it from the comfort and convenience of your own home.
  2. Cards, such as Visa Prepaid Credit Cards, allow you the same level of freedom as any other credit card. You can use them in any store, restaurant, or any other type of retail outlet. You can also use them in any online store that accepts credit cards.
  3. Prepaid credit cards are more secure than credit cards. Credit card fraud is common because people can easily imitate a person’s signature. This type of fraud is less common with a prepaid credit card because they come with a pin number, which is much harder for a thief to crack than a signature.

Although these are three popular reasons to use a prepaid credit card, there are many more benefits of the very handy types of credit cards.

 

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Samsung Galaxy S: Affordable 4G Smartphone

it's real :)

Image via Wikipedia

Some of the most popular cell phones today utilize the Android platform. The platform, which is now owned by Google, has literally changed the way we use cell phones. The speed, various applications, and regular updates have made it ideal for the developers of smartphones. The only trouble is that the technology can still be a bit expensive. For those that are interested in a top-of-the-line Android phone without spending a ton of money, the Galaxy S by Samsung may be just the ticket.

The price point on this phone can be considered typical of the low- to mid-range phone. The good news is, in spite of the lower price point, the phone does not lack in functionality and features. Instead, this Android offers all of the bells and whistles needed for a mobile computing experience.

The designers of the Galaxy S knew the stars were the limit and they worked in some of the most important smartphone features. A large, 4 inch touch screen display is crystal clear and high definition. Integration with Google Chrome and 4G capability creates a robust Internet package perfect for those interested in surfing the Internet from their phone. High processing speeds, access to hundreds of thousands of applications, and an easy-to-use texting system (Swype) make the phone even better.

Anyone looking for all the power of a smart Android phone should consider the Galaxy S. All of the features and power are available in a package that doesn’t cost the moon and the stars to buy.

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Should You Purchase a Warranty When You Buy New Electronics?

Every time you go to purchase some new electronic device you are asked if you want to purchase a warranty when you are at the checkout. This is true whether you are at an actual store or trying to make a purchase online. It always seems to catch you off guard, too, which causes you to just get it. The bigger questions is, “do you really need to purchase a warranty on electronics at all?”

The answer to that question is tricky because there are so many different variables. Some people truly do need to purchase a warranty because of their clumsy or careless lifestyle, or they know that the product is going to be used by someone who may not take very good care of it, like a child.

One reason you may not want to purchase a guarantee is if you plan on replacing the item in a short period of time. For instance, computers become outdated two or three years after they are purchased, so it doesn’t make sense to buy extra long protection if you plan on replacing the item in a few years anyway.

Some electronics, however, get used on a daily basis. For instance, cell phones are carried around and get a lot of wear and tear. You should purchase cell phone insurance if you have spent a lot of money on the phone.

There are plenty of other reasons why you may or may not want to purchase an additional guarantee on your electronic goods. You should analyze each situation before making the decision. This will help save money and make sure you have the protection you need.

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How to Get a Good Deal on an HDTV

Whenever a new technology bursts onto the scene, one thing’s for certain: if you want to get in at the ground floor, you’re going to need to pay a hefty price. Fortunately, once the initial hype surrounding a new product begins to die down, the prices often do the same.

HDTV enthusiasts boast of the crystal clear picture and often claim that owning such a device enhances their viewing pleasure. This is enticing, but often the assumption is that the price is prohibitive. And while it’s certainly possible to pay a lot for an HDTV, that doesn’t have to be the case. Thanks to the Internet and online coupon sites like Offers.com, it’s no longer a given that you’re going to have to pay full retail price for an HDTV.

If you’re considering purchasing a new HDTV, you’ll want to consider the following advice. It could make the difference between getting the deal of a lifetime and paying too much.

Shop Around
You could easily walk into your local electronics store and buy the first HDTV you see, but you’re probably going to pay too much if you do. Compare prices at your local stores and see who has the best deal. Pay attention to sales incentives being offered. Many times retailers will beat a competitor’s price if you bring it to their attention.

Go Online
Since online stores have lower overhead, they can often sell products for cheaper. Skip the brick and mortar stores altogether and see what you can find online. Check out comparison sites to find the best deals, and keep an eye out for coupons and special deals.

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Get a Great Deal with Refurbished Products

You usually have to pay a premium in order to have the latest and greatest technology. There is a way, however, that you can have the newest technology without spending full price. Depending on inventory levels, you can buy refurbished products from all of the major technology retailers at an extreme discount.

MSI laptop computer

Image via Wikipedia

What Are Refurbished Products?

Refurbished products are basically items that have been returned by customers, and since they have been opened, they can no longer be sold at full price. There are many different reasons why a product may have been returned, but if it was because of a faulty part, the part gets replaced so that the computer will work like new. This happens more often than you might think. The product also could have been returned if the customer decided it just wasn’t right for them.

Where Do You Find Refurbished Products?

Most companies that manufacture technology products also sell refurbished goods. For instance, Dell, HP, and Apple all have websites where you can look at current inventory levels of refurbished goods. Technology companies do not usually advertise their refurbished products on the main page of their website, however, so you will have to do some digging in order to find them. You might even have better luck by performing a search for refurbished products in a search engine.

There is nothing wrong with the workmanship of refurbished products, so you shouldn’t have any reservations about buying them. They have all been tested to ensure they work, so it is a great way to get a good deal. Look for refurbished products online.

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4 Cool Gadgets Dad Will Love

The brushed aluminum back of the iPad Wi-Fi

Image via Wikipedia

Choosing a present for your Dad can be very difficult. There are a few obvious things that should be avoided – like socks and ties – and creative gifts like pictures and photos can become more and more difficult to make impressive as you get older. So what do you do if your Dad doesn’t give you any hints?

Well, first things first, purchase using a prepaid card, so Dad doesn’t see what you’ve bought or how much it cost! Then, get browsing. If your Dad loves gadgets, you’re spoiled for choice. The market is flooded with new technology at the moment, and the only thing holding you back is your budget!

An iPad is an obvious choice. Tablet computers are all the rage, and the Apple version is definitely the favorite. From watching music to playing games and browsing the Internet, it’s just like a netbook, but with more style.

If your dad isn’t an Apple man, you could go for the Blackberry Playbook instead. This has the added benefit of being able to handle Flash, which the iPad cannot, and has an impressive processor. It’s also less popular than the Apple, so Dad will be able to show it off!

If Dad likes to look after himself, German-made skincare system SQOOM is set to be very popular, which uses a mixture of high-tech beauty techniques to make skin feel luscious and radiant.

Is Dad more nostalgic? The iCade allows you to play over 200 80′s games on your iPad, and they are seriously fun. You can also get a similar vinyl kit, which will play old records.

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