How to Care For Your Laptop

Make sure a “bargain”computer can meet your expectations.

There are many desktop and laptop computers at bargain basement prices in stores and in online stores, such as eBay and Amazon. But be careful, some aren't the good deals they appear to be after careful examination. There are cases when an affordable refurbished laptop may be a better alternative than one of the new under-powered systems.
Here's a shopping tip that you should use when you examine that bargain you have uncovered in your shopping exploits: Some computer manufacturers have replaced dual-core processors with single-core Pentium and Celeron processors to reduce costs in the face of the sluggish economy. Several manufacturers have begun offering lower-priced desktops and laptops that on the surface look like full-performance systems. But many of these models use the less powerful and less costly Atom processors that are found in small, inexpensive netbook, or mini notebook computers. If you grab one of those "bargains" there is a good chance you will find yourself frustrated by their sluggishness when you try to surf Web sites that have a lot of media content, watch videos, or play 3D games. It doesn't matter if you plan to run Windows Vista or the new Windows 7, Microsofts new operating system, the higher-performance processors will almost always outperform lower-performance processors such as the Atom.
The bottom line is when looking for your main desktop computer, or your primary laptop computer for general purpose computing, stay away from computers with single core processors such as some Atom and Celerons, and less than 1GB of memory. If you are looking for a low cost Netbook, mini notebook computer, choose a model that uses an Atom processor and has 1 or 2GB of memory, and at least a 160GB hard drive. Refurbished netbook computers with Atom processors are currently an excellent buy if you are looking for a second portable computer.

The old saying 'you get what you pay for" is true when buying computers. If the price is too good to be true there is usually a reason, and it frequently is the type of processor that is under the covers. Do your homework as you shop, and make sure you understand what kind of a processor is in the new or refurbished computer you are buying.

How do Wireless Laptops Work?

Wireless laptop computers are the hottest selling products considering the fact the Netbooks and mini notebook computers are the top sellers for the past two years. Almost all new portable computers sold today have built in wireless capability. A frequently asked question from new users is "how do wireless laptops work"? The simplest way to understand how wireless laptops work is to compare their operation to the common cordless telephone used in most homes. Wireless laptop computers work as radio receivers and transmitters, transmitting RF (Radio Frequency) waves through the air, just as a portable telephone does. As an example when you go to a cafe, airport, or anywhere else that has a Wi-Fi hotpot your laptop communicates with a transmitter/ receiver much the way a two way radio would. Wireless signals are in the 2.4Ghz radio spectrum which means that the distance they can travel is limited to approximately 120 feet indoors and a little farther in the outdoors. The antenna for the "transmitter and receiver" is in the wireless laptop computers case or in some instances on the PCMCIA card or USB adapter inserted in the laptop, if the laptop is older and doesn't have built in wireless capability. Radio transmission in the 2.4Ghz range is "line of sight" and doesn't penetrate metal walls etc. You can use wireless laptop computers between rooms where you have a wireless router connected to a PC which is connected to the Internet and the walls are not of metal materials. Wireless laptops are usually set up to communicate with security enabled codes between a "hotspot" or home router so that a password must be used. In many public places the "hotspot" is "open" so that anyone with a wireless laptop can access the Internet. Be aware that when you use an open 'hotspot" your communication is not secure, and could be monitored by someone else with the appropriate level of technical knowledge and monitoring software.

$200 Laptops

It is not impractical or foolish to think that purchasing $200 laptops is a poor decision.  In the past we have focused on laptops under $300 and laptops under $100.  The $200 laptops market is a spot where it is possible to buy new $200 laptops of the small laptop configuration called a netbook, or to buy used or refurbished laptop notebook computers that have attractive specifications and good performance. A good example of affordable laptops are used DELL Latitude laptops. If we focus on a used Dell Latitude C640, as an example we can find them for $200 on eBay.  If we want to spend a little over $200, a fully loaded DELL Latitude C640 can he purchased for under $300.  This DELL model is highlighted because it represents a model that was manufactured in large quantities and thus there are many of them in the used or refurbished laptop computer market. Other DELL models that are availble in large quantities are refurbished DELL Inspiron models.Since it is reasonable to expect that with good care, a laptop will have a life of 6 to 8 years, buying $200 laptops will give you a product that will last for several years to come.  Considering the fact that a laptop loses about 50 percent of it's value in the first year, buying $200 laptops is a prudant decision if you need to save money.

Laptops For Students Guide For Buying Refurbished Laptop Computers

Students Guide For Buying Refurbished Laptop Computers

As a student, saving money on some of the more expensive commodities is a must; purchasing refurbished laptop computers, these days, is practically a second-hand nation sort of thing. The buying decision regarding laptops for college requires some comparisons, and refurbished laptop computers provide for a relatively inexpensive alternative to purchasing new or used personal and/or portable computers. When purchasing refurbished laptop computers, it is extremely important to keep a few things in mind. Understand the pros and cons while shopping is essential.

The Benefits of Purchasing Refurbished Laptop Computers

Save Money

Buying a refurbished computer over a brand new or used computer would allow for optimal savings. Remember, although a used computer or laptop may cost less than most refurbished laptop computers, you would run a great risk, what if your used machine mal functions or, worse, dies? The safe and most money-saving alternative is purchasing one of the many refurbished laptop computers available these days.

Refurbished Laptop Computers are Low Risk Investment

When purchasing refurbished laptop computers instead of going with something new or used, you, most certainly, attain a personal portable computer that is more likely to carry the same kind of warranty a brand new machine would. You can rest assured with confidence when purchasing refurbished laptop computers because you are not throwing money away. In fact, you are minimizing your risk factor by a greater percentage than you think.  Our previous posts provide guidance in what to look for when shopping online and steps to take which will insure can return your purchase if the need arises.

The Peace of Mind that Come With Refurbished Laptop Computers

Now, with the market as saturated with products of this kind as it is, you’ll need to make sure that you get a warranty that is comparably competitive with that of a new machine. Making the right decision is crucial! As a student, worrying about a possible computer malfunction is not something you want to occur to you.  Most refurbished laptop computers offer the flexibility that is demanded of a student and the added peace of mind that comes in a form of an awesome warranty!

Quality Components in Refurbished Laptop Computers

If you take a close look at the differences between new computers and refurbished laptop computers, you may be surprised to find out that most companies will take the added step in making refurbished laptop computers carry better or higher quality repair components than most new or pre owned computers! Remember, refurbished laptop computers tend to carry excellent computer components!

As a final note, before purchasing one of the many refurbished laptop computers on the net, make sure that you perform your due diligence.  Use the web and acquire as much information about a particular model as you can. Understanding the difference in hardware and software when it comes to refurbished laptop computers is something vital. Try and get this best deal for your buck, do not compromise anything. Do not settle for some new or ordinary used computer. Buying refurbished laptop computers is the way to go.

Tips For Buying Cheap Refurbished Laptops

Many people in the market for new computers today are opting to try cheap refurbished laptops. There are both advantages and disadvantages to going down this path. Ultimately, a refurbished laptop can often both meet and exceed your expectations while costing you less money. However, it's important to beware of the potential pitfalls of a refurbished model before you make your final decision.

Starting with the advantages, the main benefit to buying cheap refurbished laptops is of course the price. You can easily knock off several hundred dollars from a relatively new model. Considering the falling prices of laptops, not everyone finds the cost savings to be worthwhile though.

There is also a misconception about cheap refurbished laptops. The general opinion of them is that they have been heavily used and are in only moderate condition. While this may be true in certain circumstances, most laptops that have been refurbished and placed back on the market are new models that were barely used at all. The majority of refurbished laptops on the market stem from returns during trial periods, incorrect orders and other situations that caused a quick ownership period. This means that the laptop you end up with is usually still in near-new condition, which makes the cost savings all the better.

It's also important to look at the differences between a refurbished model and a used laptop. A used laptop is typically sold straight from one person to another. It may or may not be cleaned out for space, performance and malware. Potentially there could be significant damage to the unit or the laptop itself could be very outdated. Refurbished models however have been entirely wiped clean and are in great working condition.

As mentioned though, there are drawbacks to purchasing cheap refurbished laptops. They generally revolve around potential scams and other consumer traps that could end up costing you in the long run, despite the immediate cost savings.

The first thing you have to watch out for is where you buy the laptop from. A refurbished laptop should only be purchased straight from a manufacturer, or from a highly reputable retailer. Otherwise, there is no way to ensure of the computer's authenticity, condition and value.

A second thing you have to watch for is that you have to be aware of the warranty that is coming with your model. Many manufacturers provide substantial warranties that are equal to the versions that come with their brand new models. However, in some cases the warranties are extremely short or limited. Therefore it's of the utmost importance that you find out about the extent of the warranty and coverage before making a purchase. If you follow the advice in our earlier article on tips for buying refurbished laptops online, you can be assured you have nothing to fear in buying refurbished products online.

So what's the final word on cheap refurbished laptops? For many people, they provide a great way to save some serious money, without any negative consequences. However, it's crucial that you do your homework before purchasing one for yourself. Be sure you buy one from one of the eBay dealers that has a positive feedback score and you are fully aware of the applicable warranty beforehand.

Cheap refurbished laptops can be a great investment and who needs to know your $200 laptops didn't cost double or triple that amount?

How to Remove The Personal Anti Virus Trojan From Refurbished Laptop Computers

A panic call yesterday from a neighbor describing the urgent warnings appearing on a recently acquired refurbished laptop computers screen, lead to an interesting exercise in removing an insidious Trojan.  Anyone using the Internet frequently and opening attachments of any kind be it on a desktop or laptop computer is at risk for encountering this hard to eliminate Trojan.   This Trojan masquerades as a legitimate appearing Personal Anti virus program, complete with a program Icon on the desktop, and pop-up warnings which look legitimate and ominous.  The warnings appear randomly every few minutes and when clicking on the "block" option on the popup you are taken to an Anti Virus program screen which leads you to purchase a $50 program for "full protection".  I ran Avira antivirus in the hope it would remove the Trojan but it did not find it.  After some research I determined that the program Malwarebytes Anti-Malware program would remove the Trojan.  When attempting to download Malwarebytes using Internet Explorer I was repeatedly blocked from the download by a screen indicating the site I was accessing contained dangerous material and I was blocked from any download action.  As a way around the Trojans actions on the
refurbished laptop, I used a second laptop which was not infected to download the Malwarebytes software to a USB stick. Using the USB stick on the infected laptop I installed Malwarebytes and removed the Personal Anti Virus Trojan.

I was concerned that the newly acquired refurbished laptop computer was infected on purchase but after talking to the owner determined the popup appeared after opening an attachment in an email.  He couldn't remember the exact file he opened, but the experience was a good lesson for him on cautions to used when opening attachments from someone who you don't know and trust.  I believe there are probably other Malware removal tools that will work to remove the Personal Anti Virus Trojan, but I have determined that Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is effective in removing this well designed Trojan.  You can obtain a free version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware here.

This is a reminder to use caution when opening attachments, but if you do, and find yourself with popup’s on the screen, and directed attempts to try and get you to purchase software, to resist and seek technical support either in person or on the Internet.

Don’t Pass Up Used Laptops For Sale

Used laptops represent a great buying opportunity for the buyer who knows how to find a bargain. Refurbished laptop computers are great buys because they undergo a testing and certification process by most merchants, that results in a good product at an attractive price. When looking for a bargain don't overlook a laptop that is advertised as a used laptop. Many laptop sellers describe their refurbished laptop computers as used laptops when in fact the product is refurbished and meets the standards for a refurbished product. Many refurbished laptop computers are actually "open box" or returns that are essentially new products. A product advertised as uses typically means that the product was powered on and operated for some period of time before being returned. When the product is returned it is tested, and meets the refurbished laptop criteria of the laptop merchant, and is described as a used laptop. Use caution, ask questions of the seller, and understand the criteria for returning the used laptop if it isn't satisfactory.

Tips For Buying Refurbished Laptops Online

Buying refurbished laptops online is the most common way to purchase a refurbished laptop. Most brick and motor stores are focused on selling new products, and the online world has become the home for many companies selling refurbished products. A first step in selecting an online store is to find a seller that meets your comfort level. A good practice is to select three potential online sources to evaluate, and then eliminate them one by one, until you have a source that meets your requirements. When you settle on a seller make sure you look around their online store and browse what they are offering. Your selected seller should address the following:

Refurbished Laptop Descriptions: Make sure the seller has complete product descriptions, that includes complete products specifications and descriptions with a list of the items included with the laptop. If software such as Microsoft XP or Windows Vista are installed on the refurbished laptop make sure that the original software license keys are included with the product.

Product Warranties: Make sure there is a product warranty and that the terms of the warranty are spelled out completely. It is a good idea to read the terms and conditions of the warranty. If the terms are not spelled out, then contact the seller to get a copy. The minimum warranty period you should accept is a thirty day warranty with ninety days being a good compromise. If your refurbished laptop performs for thirty days to your expectation, then it is likely it will work for years to come, subject to the failures
typical of any electronic device. Be sure to understand the conditions under which you can return the product.

Customer Service: Make sure there is a customer service function that includes a live person on the other end of the phone. Look for the contact numbers and call the support line to make sure support will be available when you need it.

Integrity of the seller: Look for Better Business Bureau (BBB) seals, BizRate, or Buy Safe seals which are indicators of the sellers integrity and acceptable business practices. If the seller has a reviews section on their web site check out what others have said but be aware that a seller can write the reviews and use fictitious names to make it look like real customers have provided the comments.

Buying a Refurbished laptop on eBay: eBay is one of the best places to buy a refurbished laptop since they have built a system to ensure safe shopping with a reviews and feedback system that makes it very difficult for less than a reputable seller to survive. Look for sellers that have a large number of transactions and with high or near perfect feedback scores. Select three eBay sellers of refurbished laptops, and using the criteria described earlier, review their products and select the one that meets your needs.

In many respects buying a product online is safer than from a "brick and mortar" store because the traditional store doesn't have a feedback score on the front door. The online purchase of a refurbished laptop can be a well thought out process executed at your pace and not at end of some high pressure sale pitch. Follow these steps and you will enjoy a product purchase experience that results your happiness with a bargain price for an excellent refurbished laptop.

Refurbished Laptops Should Not be Stored In High Temperatures

It doesn't matter if you have a new laptop, or one of the refurbished laptops we sell through our eBay auctions, heat can be the death of any electronic device,and that includes refurbished laptops. The recent press reports of overheating problems with he Apple iPhone 3G are a reminder that heat is the enemy of laptop computers. During the summer, heat from the direct sunlight, or the high internal temperatures inside vehicles can cause serious damage to electrical components. If no direct damage occurs the operation of a laptop at these high temperatures is questionable. When the outside air temperature is between 80-100 degrees the internal temperature of an automobile can reach 131-172 degrees. If you store your laptop in the vehicle trunk, and then try and use the laptop immediately after taking it from the vehicle, there is a high likelihood that it will not operate properly. The new mini notebook computers or Netbooks are also at risk because they are small and can be left in beach bags, or other enclosures that can be left in the direct sunlight. The rules regarding temperature and electronics devices are the same for cellphones, digital cameras, PDA's, and laptop computers. A good rule is to let your laptop cool off before you use it, if you inadvertently leave it in the trunk or interior of an auto on a hot summer day. Treat the recently acquired new, or refurbished laptop well in respect to it's environment and it will give you years of reliable service.