Product Description
Bring your computer literacy course back to the BASICS. COMPUTER LITERACY BASICS: A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO IC3 provides an introduction to computer concepts and skills, which maps to the newest Computing Core Certification (IC3) standards. Designed with new learners in mind, this text covers Computing Fundamentals, Key Applications, and Living Online — everything your students need to ace the IC3 exam, and finish the course as confident computer users.Kindle textbo… More >>

Computer Literacy BASICS: A Comprehensive Guide to IC3, 3rd Edition

Firstly see my recent articles regarding reviews for cash 4 laptop sites to gain an understanding of what you should be looking for, but briefly the ease of navigation and gaining a updated quote are the main factors to look for, there may be personal selections that you wish to look for, but doing your homework on the site before you sell your used laptop will provide the confidence if it is the first time you have tried to sell a used laptop online. Check the sites blog and brief history – most reputable sites will have easy access to this and their privacy policy from their homepage, so providing you select the right site selling your used laptop online is, as I said, quick and easy.

Also if you sell your used laptop to a well established company then you can be sure to find out what you would like to know before you trade, the market leaders have been trading since 2002, and a great example of the industries way forward in recycling, trading and selling used laptops with them. There are some newer sites that are appearing online, some of which I would tend to avoid due to reviews I have read on forums and blogs, it would be unfair to name them, but I am sure that when doing your homework you will discover some of the negative sides to some of the other sites – this is something that is a real rare factor with the site I will guide you to shortly.

Now, the warm heart feeling – how can you gain a warm heart just by selling your used laptop? – Simply because by selecting a site such as www.cash4laptops.com when you sell your used laptop to them you can be assured that firstly you have prevented an addition to the e-waste crisis that the planet is facing and avoided many plastics and toxins being deposited into the ground and secondly, your old laptop that you consider as trash can be, and will be transformed into a refurbished laptop for somebody less fortunate than ourselves to benefit from. So, you get cash for participating in such a fantastic scheme – enough to warm anyone’s heart and create a smile – so, sell your used laptop, create smiles, and warm your heart.

First we need to create a ‘desktop shortcut’ for the icons we want to place in the taskbar. Right click on the icon to get a menu. Choose ‘create desktop shortcut’. A desktop shortcut should now appear in the desktop.

The second step is to remove the original icons from the desktop. To remove icons from the desktop right click anywhere on the desktop. A menu will appear, scroll down to the bottom of the list and click on ‘Personalize’. This will open the ‘Personalize’ panel.

Along the left side of the panel is a menu. Click on ‘Change desktop icons’, which is second down on the list. Uncheck all the boxes and click apply. Now all the original icons should have disappeared from the desktop. leaving you with just the shortcuts.

The final step is to move the desktop shortcuts to the taskbar. To do this you need to bring back the ‘quick launch toolbar’ to the taskbar.

Follow these instructions:
Right click the taskbar, choose Toolbars / New Toolbar. Enter: 
%userprofile%AppDataRoamingMicrosoftInternet ExplorerQuick Launch in the folder selection box.
Turn off the “lock the taskbar” setting, and right-click on the divider. Ensure “Show text” and “Show title” are unchecked and the view is checked “small icons”.
Using the dividers arrange the toolbar ordering to your preference and when your ready lock the taskbar.

Now you can drop the desktop short cut icons into the right side of the taskbar which will leave your desktop empty and free of clutter.

If at any time you wish to remove an icon from the taskbar, just right click on the icon and select ‘delete’ or ‘unpin from taskbar’.

Remember you are only deleting the shortcut not the original icon.
I hope you have found this article useful and enjoy the benefits of having a clear desktop.

From expensive and feature-rich software like Captivate to free tool like Camstudio, there are hundreds of applications to do the screen recording. What should be the right desktop recorder that can satisfy your needs? It depends. Users may have different needs and uses. Here are some major factors which can be considered in selection of desktop recorders:

System Requirements:

What desktop application you can take is according the platform you are using. There are desktop recorders for Windows (XP, Vista, or Window 7), Mac OS X (10.4 and 10.5), or Linux which you can choose from. Browser-based desktop recording tools like ScreenToaster can work on almost all the system platforms,

Usability:

Usability is a term used to denote the ease with which people can employ an application in order to achieve a particular goal. A good desktop recorder should be usable, useful, and accessible for users even they are newbies. Most feature-rich desktop recorders tend to be difficult to learn, often giving too many setting options and overwhelming displays in the application interface. More user-friendly elements should be concerned in designing a desktop recorder. A smart application should make our work easier but not harder.

Flexibility:

What kind of options does the tool have for recording and editing? Pause in recording process is required if something unexpected happened or if you need to prepare some necessary items. Additional desktop recording can be added to the current recording, and multiple recordings can be integrated as one in some desktop recorders. Also editing feature is important. It enables users to do further editing after recording, so it is possible to add callouts to explain the demos better.

Sound recording:

Most desktop recorders allow audio to be recorded simultaneously with the screen capture, but only a few of them provide the audio editing and audio rerecording features. User may make some mistakes in the narration recording, so an audio editor can be good for them to edit and modify the recorded audio. And they can preserve the video recording and just record the audio again.

Publishing Format:

Almost all desktop recorders allow users to save their files in multiple compression formats. How the video is compressed greatly affects video quality and size. AVI, WMV, EXE, and SWF are the popular formats in desktop recording.

File Size:

Besides the compress method, the recording frame rate and image quality also impact the File size of the recording. And publishing the recording as Flash movie makes it a smaller file.

According to the areas mentioned above, desktop recorder DemoCreator can be a good desktop recorder for many users who want to make software tutorials and website demo videos. Usability enhancements make it easier to record, edit and publish the desktop recording. With a unique screen recoring system, DemoCreator capture the activity of computer desktop with audio in real time. There is a library of objects such as Flash animation, highlight boxes, and clickable buttons for users to decorate the recording. Users can enhance the demonstration by adding the objects to make the illustration explicit. Another outstanding feature is DemoCreator can publish video tutorials compliant with SCORM or AICC for LMS.

DemoCreator can be a good desktop recorder for you. However, the one which fits your needs is what you want. So try to figure out your needs and get what you want.

Desktop computers might not be as flashy as laptops these days, but the larger, stationary computers still provide plenty of power and value for your money. Laptops might be flashier, but a good desktop computer still provides a few things that a laptop never can, such as an easy-to-upgrade system. When shopping for a desktop computer, it’s important to focus on these categories: Accessories, cost, display, future needs, operating system, and usage expectations.

Accessories

One of the best things about a desktop computer is the wide variety of accessories you can use with them. Most computers now include drives for burning DVDs and CDs; if you want an older floppy disk drive, you might have to add it later, as very few new computers include such drives. If you plan on doing a lot of digital photography or digital video work, you’ll want to make sure the desktop has all of the connectors you need, whether it be FireWire or memory card slots. Finally, most desktops have Ethernet cards now, but some don’t have dial-up telephone jacks; if you need a dial-up modem, make sure the desktop model you choose has one.

Cost

Desktop computers range from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars, depending on the components and features included. Before you begin researching desktops, you’ll want to make sure you set a realistic budget … and then stick to it, no matter how tempted you are by some of the high-end models. If you’re looking to cut some corners on costs, you can save money by choosing a model with a low-end graphics card, as long as you aren’t planning to use the desktop for extensive video editing or gaming. Two areas where we would not recommend trying to skimp and save money are with the processor and the hard drive. Purchasing the fastest processor and the biggest hard drive that will fit into your budget will give your desktop computer the greatest longevity. Finally, even if you’re looking to save a lot of money, it’s tough to recommend buying a used computer; new desktop computers can be found very inexpensively these days, and you’ll have the full warranty option.

Display

Depending on the desktop computer you choose, you could end up spending more on the display than on the computer itself. Large LCD screens offer great image quality, flat screens, wide-screen capabilities (16:9 aspect ratio), and lightweight units. However, LCDs are more expensive than the traditional CRT computer monitor. CRTs don’t offer wide-screen capabilities, and they are extremely bulky and heavy units. But they provide good-looking images, and you’ll save some money versus LCDs. Big displays are very handy for those who do a lot of video editing or gaming, or for those who need multiple windows open at one time. If you are going to choose an LCD monitor and you plan to watch movies or play games — anything with high-speed action — be sure you select a monitor with a low response time to avoid blurry motion problems. When shopping, be sure to know whether the desktop model you’re choosing includes a display unit with the bundle. Most stores now sell desktops and monitors separately.

Future Needs

Adding items to a laptop can be difficult, but desktops are made for upgrading and additions. And, as long as your computer has plenty of USB connectors, adding new accessories is pretty easy. When you make the initial purchase of your desktop, stick to your budget, even if you can’t afford all of the accessories you want initially. You always can add components and features to the desktop computer at a later date.

Operating System

When purchasing a computer, you’ll typically have two choices for an operating system, Windows or Macintosh. (If you’re a fan of Linux, you always can add that operating system later.) Several companies manufacture Windows-based computers, which tends to make them less expensive than Mac computers, of which Apple is the primary manufacturer. Windows computers are used in far greater numbers worldwide than Mac computers. However, with so much file sharing done via the Internet or via CDs or DVDs, you aren’t as limited as you were several years ago by making sure that your operating system matched the OS of your coworkers and friends. Mac computers seem to be stronger with video editing and other types of multimedia applications; Windows computers have long been the choice of the business world. One thing to keep in mind: Because Windows computers are more plentiful, software and hardware makers tend to focus more of their products and attention on the Windows market. Essentially, it’s tough to go wrong with either type of operating system.

Usage Expectations

Knowing how you expect to use the computer will help you when shopping. For example, if you want a smaller desktop with some portability options, you might want to choose a small-form-factor (SFF) computer. It won’t offer the expandability of a full-tower desktop case, but it does offer an advantage in smaller size and lower weight. If you want to use the unit for high-end gaming, you’ll need a high-end graphics card and a powerful, more expensive unit. If, however, you mainly want to use the desktop computer for E-mail and the Internet, you probably can survive with a low-cost unit.

If you find yourself frustrated over the technical jargon you encounter when shopping for a computer, you just need to keep a few things in mind. First, the CPU, or central processing unit, is the brains of the computer and is one area that you cannot upgrade easily later. Buy the fastest, most powerful processor you can afford. Second, don’t be swayed much by the items and software bundled with the computer. For most people, the bundled items aren’t going to meet their needs. Focus on the items you want and need. Third, buy an external backup hard drive system … and use it. After all, your personal data is more valuable than any other part of your computer.

Finally, be sure you have firewall and anti-virus protection on your computer, especially if it will be connected to a high-speed (broadband) Internet connection. Without strong protections, your computer will be a target for hackers. If you are unsure about how to set up protection, make sure you purchase the computer from a local store that can provide help for a fee. It’s better to be safe than sorry, especially when your personal data is at risk.

Comparison chart Low-end desktop computer                 High-end desktop computer

Typical cost                                                                                   less than €500                                              more than €1,000

Strong at video editing                                                                    No                                                                   Yes

Strong at gaming                                                                             No                                                                   Yes

Strong at photography                                                                    Maybe                                                           Yes

Strong at Internet usage                                                                   Yes                                                                 Yes

Strong at E-mail usage                                                                    Yes                                                                 Yes

Strong CPU power                                                                           Maybe                                                           Yes

Strong graphics power                                                                      No                                                                   Yes

Windows options                                                                                 Yes                                                                 Yes

Macintosh options                                                                          Unlikely                                                         Yes

full article at pricecy.com

Also the next beneficiary after yourself and your cash reward from the cash 4 laptop payment you receive, and after the planet, is the less fortunate – your old laptop that you consider trash can be given a second life and go on to serve somebody who is in a les fortunate position than ourselves and doesn´t see a laptop as an necessity, more as a luxury.  Since the ‘Cash 4 Laptop’ scheme started thousand have benefited in this way, and with your help, and you spreading the word we can grow this into tens of thousands, and then hundreds of thousands.

When you think of the ‘Cash 4 Laptop’ scheme serving hundreds of thousands, that is an incredible amount of electronic components that won´t be trashed, eliminating possibly one whole landfill that would damage the planet and environment for hundreds of years, effecting your children, grand-children and future generations – but you can help, feel at one with yourself and get paid for it by using the scheme put in place for this exact reason – the ‘Cash 4 Laptop’ Trade in program.

The process that the scheme undertakes is so simple and quick that you will for sure wonder why you have never used it before, but you have the option right now. The ‘Cash 4 Laptop’ scheme was set up in 2002 and has been growing at an incredibly fast rate – as we mentioned with thousands benefiting, but by you using and speaking of the ‘Cash 4 Laptop’ trade in program, and your efficient use of the scheme we can make this program phenomenally huge, with the benefit growing all the time – and remember the first to benefit is you, after that the chain of beneficiaries from the ‘Cash 4 Laptop’ scheme is nearly endless.

To do your part, and receive your Cash 4 Laptop payment you just need to visit www.cash4laptops.com and follow the simple 5 minute process to get the program underway – at no expense to yourself, the company pays for shipping, handling, and insurance, and even sends you the packaging to return your old laptop to them. So please remember turn your trash to cash with the Cash 4 Laptop scheme. Benefit yourself and the planet – use the Cash 4 Laptop trade in process and tell everyone you can about it.

• ISBN13: 9781592575978
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.

Product Description
Time for an upgrade. This new edition of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Computer Basics places you in charge of the computer, rather than the other way around, and focuses on software troubleshooting rather than on hardware technobabble. –Features coverage of newsgroups, message boards, and mailing lists
–Goes over the basics of personal finance programs
–Includes a chapter on networking
–Focuses on software, which means it focuses… More >>

The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Computer Basics, 4th Edition

At Myshopping.com.au you can compare the prices of a wide range of different computers from different vendors and of different specifications. This guide will help you find what you’re looking for.

Mac or Windows (PC)

At the outset, you need to decide what you are going to use the computer for. This will help you make the fundamental decision of whether you should go Mac or PC. Although, with the advent of the dual core processor (an Intel chip now used by Mac) the differences are narrowed a little, there are still some choices that can help you favour one system over another. Historically, Mac computers have a reputation for greater stability that comes from a more robust operating system than Windows based computers. Largely for this reason, Macs have been the computer of choice for the graphic design industry, the music production industry and the video production industry. This has prompted the software manufacturers to make professional software packages for these disciplines that favour the Mac operating system. Although they have packages supporting the Windows operating system, they are often less capable.

Consequently, if you are engaged in these industries and need your computer for this type of work, you should consider Mac. Mac computers appear to attract fewer viruses and software malfunctions than do Windows based PCs. On the down side, there has always appeared to have been limited software support for Mac systems.

Another decision that may guide your choice is the aesthetics of the computer. If you have limited available space, there is nothing quite like the iMacs or the mini Macs for space saving. iMac’s all-in-one desktop units are compact and complete with all the connectivity you need. However, the look of other brands may be more to your taste, with many models available in compact packages and modern colour schemes to suit practically all dÊcor. Now that you’ve made that basic decision, you can start comparing the apples with apples.

The Components of Your Computer

The two factors that determine the price of your computer are size (yes it does matter) and speed. Either or both of these two dimensions are a factor of practically every component that makes up the machine. Naturally the highest price tags go with the combination of biggest and fastest.

CPU

The heart of the computer is the CPU (central processing unit). You need to decide which CPU you want driving your computer. These come from different manufacturers, and the current development of the technology is called Dual Core, which means that there are two processors on the one chip. Dual Core technology delivers more performance with less energy requirements. Intel and AMD are the two leading CPU manufacturers, and they offer different products under different names.

Current processing speeds range from about 1.4 GHz (gigahertz) through to 3.46 GHz. But it is not simply just a matter of speed. There are other considerations. Mac Operating Systems have a different architecture to Windows and will perform many functions faster with a slower speed CPU. A dual core chip at 1.4 GHz will deliver a better performance that a Pentium 4 chip at 1.8 GHz. A 1.4 GH dual core chip running a Mac with OSX Tiger, will perform better than a 2.0 GHz Pentium 4 processor running Windows. You need to decide what you want your computer to do, what your major software requirements are before you decide on the CPU processor.

However, for everyday use, a processor faster than 1.8 GHz will deliver excellent performance. As a rough rule of thumb, choose a Celeron for low cost computing, a Pentium 4 for mid-range budgets, or an AMD Athlon for bigger budgets. You can compare computers based on Pentium, Celeron, Athlon or Dual Core CPUs by searching those specifications on Myshopping.com.au and finding different vendors and brands using different processors.

RAM

This is where bigger definitely means better performance. RAM is the system memory that enables the computer to use its programs and swap data between the hard drive and the program functions. It’s important to match the speed of the RAM of your computer with the speed of the CPU. The more RAM you have available for your programs to work, the faster will your computer run. Most computers today come with at least 256 M (megabytes) of RAM. But memory is a relatively cheap component, and it costs little extra to upgrade to 512 M or greater.

HARD DRIVE

The hard drive of the computer stores your program files and your data. As computers have advanced, so has the need for more capacity to operate programs and store data. People working in media fields tend to work with very large files and require large storage space. Most computers in today’s market come with a minimum of 40G of hard drive space. However, this can be upgraded (usually in 20G chunks) to as much as 200G or more. The effectiveness of your hard drive also can depend on its physical speed (5400-7200 RPM) and the speed at which it can transfer data between the computer’s RAM and the hard drive. Faster means better performance.

REMOVABLE MEDIA

You will want to have a CD-R or (CD-RW) drive installed in your computer, and or possibly a DVD or DVD-R. For reading a CD ROM, all that is required is a CD drive and for watching DVD movies, a DVD ROM drive. However with a CD-R drive, you can record your own data and music CDs, and with a DVD-R drive, you can burn files in a DVD format, allowing you to store movies and data in far greater quantities. The CD-RW (DVD-RW) drives allow you to use re-recordable media. Your decision will depend on what you want to use your media drives for and what you want to store.

Other removable media will possibly include flash card storage, which is usually plugged in via the USB ports on the computer.

MONITORS

The monitor for your computer is integral to its function and aesthetics. If you are working in graphics you may want to stay with a CRT monitor. However most bundle offers these days are supplied with LCD monitors, which have the advantages of smaller space requirements, use lower energy and offer wider screen images. However they generally are more expensive (although prices are dropping everyday), can frequently be not as bright, have limited viewing angles and sometimes require a digital interface connector.

For graphics intensive work, LCD screens do not have the same capacity to render colours in gradients as CRT monitors. Once again, size matters. Bigger screens cost more than smaller ones.

VIDEO AND SOUND

For a detailed explanation of video cards, please see the article on Myshopping.com.au dedicated to Video Cards.

The interface between the CPU and the Monitor is provided by the video card. One of the basic decisions you need to make is whether you require a 3D or 2D card. Video cards come in two different types: those that use an AGP (accelerated graphics port) on the computer motherboard and those that use the PCI bus. Data transfer rate is critical to video performance. Faster video cards use an AGP, and this proves a faster data transfer than PCI cards. Most video cards also have their own video memory installed on the card, a feature that increases a computer’s memory performance. Today, these memories are often 128M or 256M, and can be more in the higher-end cards dedicated to sophisticated video work or gaming. Video cards performance is also affected by what is known as clock speed or clock rate, cards with a faster speed offer faster performance.

Cheaper computers, and laptops and notebooks, have an integrated graphics chip included in the motherboard instead of a discrete video card. This type of configuration is not as powerful or as fully functional as having a separate video card, which can allow more comprehensive gaming, the use of multiple monitors and faster and better rendering of images.

For a computer to reproduce the sounds recorded in games, movies and music products it requires a sound card. Quality of sound can be affected by the sound card your computer has installed. It’s important that you know how you want to use the sound reproduction processes of your computer. If you are a musician and want to record audio, then you will want to be sure that you have excellent connectivity, good midi access and at least 16-bit (CD quality) audio reproduction. Sound cards give you the possibilities of full cinema surround sound, and the many subtle effects employed by high-end games.

Nearly every computer comes with a set of stereo speakers. However it pays to have a good listen to what you’re buying. Make sure you listen to program that you are familiar with (take your own CD along) and compare the sound in a quiet environment. Many speaker systems for computers have poor frequency response and are underpowered. For desktop use that does not involve a quality listening environment this may be satisfactory. But if you want to listen to music and watch movies for the full effect, then you need to consider buying a good quality set of speakers. Use the search facility of Myshopping.com.au to compare specifications and prices of different speaker systems.

KEYBOARD AND MOUSE

The choice of keyboard and mouse are personal choices. Sometimes it depends on what you do on your computer, whether you have formal typing skills or whether you’re a two-finger hack. Serious writers may prefer an ergonomic keyboard. Keyboards frequently have different clicks and responses to others. You may prefer an infrared cordless keyboard and mouse. You may prefer an optical mouse on which you don’t have to clean the rollers. Optical mice have no rollerball, and can be used on most flat surfaces, but they are more expensive.

CONNECTIVITY

Today, connectivity is everything. Your computer can have wireless connections to all of your peripherals: printer, scanner, and other computers. Having an onboard modem will only be really important if you are using a dial up internet connection. Broadband modems tend to be peripherals and you can connect via USB, wireless or firewire. It does pay to consider how you will connect to the internet and other peripherals. It’s not always convenient to get behind your computer to plug something in or unplug it. Some sound cards have a front face panel with all the connections you need. The USB ports on Macs are conveniently located. Many PC manufacturers haven’t caught on to the fact that it’s important for some people to easily access the connections to their computers.

To compare the different bundle offers from different brands, and to compare the different components by their specifications, search the Myshopping.com.au database for exactly the specifications you are seeking. You can compare prices and vendors, and order what you need online with a few clicks.

Just like your car, your laptop computer battery lasts longer depending on how you “drive” your laptop. Modern laptop batteries tend to last three to five hours, depending on the power needs of the computer and the programs the user runs. Few things are as frustrating as when your laptop battery suddenly won’t charge fully or stops holding its charge for as long; when this happens, you’ll probably want to buy a replacement battery.

When buying a laptop battery, you will probably only have one or two choices that fit your computer. Choose the battery with the longest life available for your computer. There are several different kinds of laptop batteries; because the technologies of each are very different, a laptop must be designed specifically for the type of battery it uses. Most laptops are only designed to use one type of battery technology.

Types of Laptop Battery

•The nickel cadmium battery, known as NiCad (pronounced “Nigh-Kad”), used to be the most common type of laptop battery. Nickel cadmium batteries couldn’t hold very much power by today’s standards, and could only be charged a limited number of times. NiCad batteries could easily be ruined by being left on the charger after they had reached full charge, or by being recharged before they were completely dead. The latter problem, called the “memory effect,” meant that if you recharged your laptop battery before it had run completely down, it would remember the point at which you put it back on the charger, and only discharge that far the next time you used it.

•The nickel metal hydride (NiMH) laptop battery was the next step up from NiCad. NiMH batteries could hold considerably more power than NiCad, but they still had something of a memory effect, although it wasn’t as pronounced. Lithium ion (Li-Ion) is the latest technology for laptop batteries; although Li-Ion batteries hold about the same amount of power as NiMH, they are considerably lighter and far superior. The Li-Ion laptop battery doesn’t have a memory effect and lasts considerably longer than its predecessors. If your laptop supports multiple types of batteries, and the Li-Ion is one of them, then you should choose the Li-Ion as the best type of battery available for your laptop.

How Increase the performance of Battery?

Regardless of which type you have, it’s important to properly care for your laptop battery, in order to get as much life out of it as possible.

•”Conditioning,” which means fully discharging and then fully charging the battery, should be done at least every few weeks, as it maintains the full capacity of the laptop battery.

•Some authorities claim that this is not necessary with Li-Ion batteries, while others maintain that it’s a good idea to condition all laptop batteries regularly, rather than simply leaving them plugged into the wall at all times.

•Your laptop battery should never be stored in an area that drops below 50ºF (10ºC) or rises above 95ºF (35ºC); this means that your laptop should not be left in the car or in a storage area that is not climate controlled.

•Also, for extended storage of six months or more, the laptop battery should be discharged to 50% capacity and removed from the computer; a battery stored for an extended period of time at full capacity may lose the ability to charge fully, while a battery stored in a fully discharged state may never be able to charge again at all.

GRAPHICS: First, the best laptop for gaming, will have the best, quickest and latest possible graphics. When considering a laptop with the purpose of gaming make sure to look for the latest graphics card as well as the quality of the graphic chipset. Also be sure to check the specs of the laptop to see if you could upgrade the graphics card on your laptop as the need arises (for most laptops this is standard).

Some of the best graphic chipsets are NVIDIA, ATi Mobility Radeon 9700, Intel’s Graphics Media, or ATi’s Mobility FireGL V3200.

The ATI Mobility Radeon 9700 graphic chipset will make your laptop perform a variety of functions, including 3D, HDTV, mobile video editing studio and graphic processor. Also the Radeon 9700 is not only a quality Graphics Card it will also give you better performance while saving battery power.

Other common graphic chipsets include, Trident S3, STMicro, 3D Labs, Matrox, and SIS.

RAM: RAM is a crucial factor in getting the best laptop for gaming. Simply put RAM, or random access memory, refers to the amount of programs you can run on your laptops without running into slow downs. 512MB of ram is optimal for the serious gamers as this will allow for the large memory needed to run graphics that are required for gaming. Basically more RAM equals a better laptop for gaming. Some laptops come with as much as 2GB of RAM! RAM is essential for running video graphics, 3D, and for gaming in general.

Laptops also have what is called dedicated video RAM (VRAM) that is memory, which usually comes with a graphics card (ATI Radeon, NVIDIA GeForce, etc…) and has its own memory in MB which includes 32MB, 64MB, and 128MB. This is a special RAM that is used by the video adapters inside the laptop and only handles graphics and visuals. VRAM is especially helpful for 3D gaming. Today NVIDIA nForce is considered as one of the best graphics card.

Overall the best option for gaming is to pick a laptop with the highest VRAM graphics card you can afford. A good way to find out what memory you might need is to refer to the back of your games or media software CD-case or manual to see the “system requirements” for the video memory requirements.

The best laptop for gaming has lots of CPU speed. Nothing is more annoying than to be in the middle of a game and have the computer freeze or crash. The processor is the computers brain or center and the quality determines how your computer will perform. The speed of a processor is presented in gigahertz (GHz}. While there are many brands and types of processors, one of the best available today is the Intel Core 2 Duo. And the best laptop for gaming has a speed of 2.4GHz or more.

As far as the hard drive goes, it is best to go with a SATA. SATA, or Serial Advanced Technology Architecture is best for laptops, it uses less power than other hard drives and is not limited to a particular clock speed. Make sure to check the hard drive speed, 7200rpm is the highest and best for for a gaming laptop.

SCREEN/DISPLAY: The screen specifications for gaming laptops play an important role. Obviously the bigger the better, a 17 inch wide screen will deliver a magnificent gaming experience. Resolution and display quality should be able to handle the graphics for 3D gaming.

While there are several display resolutions available, today the best is WUXGA, which stands for Widescreen Ultra eXtended Graphics Array and is a display resolution of 1920 by 1200 pixels (2,304,000 pixels) with a 16:10 screen aspect ratio.

So in the end the best laptop for gaming is a combination of graphics, ram, processor speed and screen display. Keeping this formula in mind when purchasing your gaming laptop will provide you with the ultimate gaming experience.

Because of these superior features gaming laptops come with a huge retail price tag. Something to consider is in a world where the Internet provides a huge arena where lots of sellers and merchants compete for your business, lots of money can be saved by avoiding retail merchants and purchasing a laptop for gaming at a discount.