PC vs. Mac

Everyone has seen the cleaver commercials about these two computer companies. They really seem to be polar opposites. Lets take a look at these two computers and view the differences.

First, lets look at the operating systems. Microsoft's operating system is called windows. Apple's latest operating system is called Leopard. Microsoft's operating system is currently the dominant operating system in the market today. Apple's Computers have a higher price tag than Microsoft's but they tend to last twice as long and have a lot more cultural appeal. Microsoft's computers are typically used for entry level tasks such as web browsing or writing papers. Apple's computers are typically used for more advanced tasks such as video/picture editing, music production, or graphic design.

All in all they both make a great machine. It all comes down to what type of tasks you encounter in your daily life and also what your personal preference is. In my opinion, Apple is the way to go simply because of the longevity of the computer. I also enjoy the layout of the operating system.

Simple steps to make your computer go faster

There are so many aspects to computers and how to make sure that they are operating at their full capacity. Here are a few simple steps that anyone can do to give their computer a little tune up.

Step 1-click on your "My Computer" icon and right click on the C drive icon and select properties.

Your hard drive space should not exceed 80% or your speed will be affected. Delete any unwanted items in order to save space.

Step 2-If you are confident enough to take your computer apart, you can easily add some new RAM to your computer and improve its speed. In this example lets say you are adding RAM to your laptop. For most laptops, the ram is located on the bottom of the computer near the battery. You can purchase new RAM for your computer at a local retailer or online. Once you take the bottom plate off, you should be able to see the RAM that is currently installed. All you need to do is take out the old RAM and put in the new RAM and put the bottom plate back on. Your computer will automatically recognize the new hardware and run faster.

Step 3-You may not know it but your computer picks up pieces of files when you browse the Internet. These are called fragmented files. In order to defragment your computer, click on the start button and click on control panel. Once its open, click on the administrative tools icon. Once this icon is open click on the disk defragmenter tool and analyse your c drive. The tool will then let you know if the drive needs to be defragmented.

I hope these steps helped you speed up your computer!

Cool it or lose it

Some things operate better when they are warm. One example would be a car or a truck. This is completely the opposite in the world of computers. Computers will run faster and more efficiently if they remain within an optimal temperature. Generally speaking, everything in the computer world is measured in Celsius. The optimal operating temperature for a computer is 22 degrees Celsius or 71.6 degrees Fahrenheit. Running your computer too hot can result in catastrophic damage. So make sure to keep your PC or Mac cool or you'll be learning an expensive lesson.

Here is something relative....

I choose the topic of computers not only because of its endless possibilities but because it truly is something I enjoy to talk about. Oh I'm sure I already know what your thinking. I'm probably just another nerd thriving on technology, star wars, star trek, and masking tape keeping my glasses my glasses together right? WRONG! I enjoy computers because they are all about communication and productivity.

Whew-

Now that we got that out of the way, let me introduce my little tid-bit of relative information that I choose to blog about. I don't know if you remember how big computers used to be but they used to be HUGE! Not only were they absolutely ginormous but they were only used to solve simple equations that we now can solve with a small hand held calculator. Well now we have the complexity of what back then would be considered a super computer in a laptop that you can fit in your briefcase, purse, or backpack!

The device I'm referring to is of course the netbook. These devices have recently become the latest rage among laptop users. Small enough to take literally anywhere. With the competitive pricing starting at $289.00, they are quickly taking over the laptop market.

Why I chose this topic...

I chose computers because I feel that I am more knowledgeable than the average person. I enjoy upgrading them so they become very fast and versatile. I also felt like this topic is broad enough that I should have plenty to blog about all semester. Not only is there a lot of information to cover, but its constantly changing. I look forward to blogging about it.