Hewlett Packard is making headway in the mobile computing industry and for sure, it has ranked among the preferred laptops in the market today. You would be forgiven for thinking, after seeing all the TV advertising, that the only notebooks you can buy are powered by Intel processors. But there are AMD alternatives out there and some offer good value for money. One of the latest in HP’s Compaq business range is the AMD-powered 6715b, which offers a good set of features.

For the small business on a limited budget, the Compaq 6715b is worth looking at, as it offers a good set of features including some serious security. It all comes for a decent price, although weighing as much as it does, it may be limited in its on-the-road appeal.

The Fujitsu P8010 is a great performer when it comes to battery life, system performance, and cool temperatures. When you look at the build quality and design, it’s a completely different picture, that doesn’t stack up against older Fujitsu business notebooks. Body and chassis flex is greater than we would expect from a notebook in this price range. If you can look past the build quality, it is an excellent notebook in terms of its capabilities.

You can read the comprehensive review here.

Like many NotebookReview.com readers, I bought my notebook with college in mind. I needed something that will last me four years or more, and I also wanted something moderately powerful. Having experienced a 15.4” Toshiba Satellite with glossy screen in the family, I was deterred from getting anything 15.4” or larger. And while the glossy LCD was really nice for movies and pictures, it was too reflective for my taste.

Once I had my criteria set up, choosing the notebook was easy, since my preference of non-glossy LCDs left me with only Thinkpads and business models from HP/Compaq and Dell. After researching extensively on many of these notebooks, I was leaning more and more toward the Thinkpad R61 because of the price, build quality, and legendary keyboard. After I tried out one at a local computer store, I was sold.

I bought my R61 straight from Lenovo.com with a 10% off coupon for a total of $923 after tax. I even received $34 back from fatwallet.com.

Read more: notebookreview.com

I wrote in an earlier piece that Apple’s (AAPL) iPhone is most likely to be positioned against laptops as a convergence device that eliminates the need to have to carry around multiple devices. Frank Levinson had talked about the iPhone as a convergence device as well, a few months back.
Let’s take a look at the laptop market. HP (HPQ) is No. 1 with 20% market share, Dell (DELL) is No. 2 with 15%. At No. 3, breathing down Dell’s neck, is an unexpected Taiwanese company: Acer. They’re followed by Toshiba (TOSBF.PK), Lenovo (LNVGY.PK), Fujitsu-Siemens (FJTSY.PK), SONY (SNE), Asus, and at an unglorious No. 9, Apple.

So far, Apple’s strategy has been to sell really expensive notebooks. But with the entry of the iPhone, this could change dramatically! We get all the Apple magic, for a low price-point for laptops, although a very high price-point for a phone.

The branding of this Laptop replacement as a Phone is a clever marketing move. “Here, look, we have a phone that can replace your laptop …” Never mind that it is a very expensive phone.

I wonder how these rankings would look in 2010, if the iPhone was counted under laptops, instead of under Phones? Who could come up with a full scale Windows based covergence device? Is it even possible, given how heavy an OS Vista is? What would happen to Palm (PALM) and Research in Motion (RIMM)? Neither is a full-scale OS. Nor is Symbian. Nor, for that matter, is Windows Mobile, although it has the advantage of being integrated well into the rest of the enterprise eco-system.

Only Linux can meaningfully compete in the OS arena. Who is building the Linux-based covergence device?

Remember, the key decision that Apple has made, is to put the Mac OS on the iPhone, opening up a vast range of possibilities. The competition also needs to think OS!

by Sramana Mitra from seekingalpha.com

I remember when I first started up my brand new computer�in seconds, it booted, responding immediately at the click of a mouse and each time I pressed the crisp buttons of the keyboard. Now, a year later, I wonder why it seems like it takes forever to turn it on, open programs and files. Later did I realize that all I needed to do was simple housekeeping�to maintain my computer�s performance. Like in my home�sweep up dust bunnies, and keep it spic and span by throwing away junk. With my computer, I need to do the same�keep it running smoothly by freeing it from cyber junk.

Here are general tips on th use of laptops:

Thermal dissipation – Laptop cooling
Never use your laptop directly on a surface that prevents proper air flow, such as inside the laptop case, on a blanket or pillow. Periodicaly check that vents are not obstructed. Use a mobile cooling pad if necessary.

Battery charge – Laptop autonomy
Discharge completely your battery at least once per month.

Security – Laptop tracking
Use the CyberAngel security solution to track your laptop in case it is stolen.

Viruses
It is not enough to have an antivirus program installed. It needs to be kept up-to-date, and we recommend to update it at least once per week.

Windows Updates
Make sure that your computer downloads Window Updates periodicaly and frequently. This will enhance staibility and security of your operating system.

Carrying
Always use an apropriate carrying bag when travelling, to enhance shock absorption. Whenever you need to ship your laptop through a carrier (USPS, FedEx, UPS, etc…), always use packaging specificaly designed for laptops transit.

Shocks
Because of they are designed to maximize mobility, laptops are prone to shocks. Always turn your laptop OFF before you move your notebook from a place to another, unless it is well stabilized on a stand that is designed to absorb shocks.

Humidity
Laptops are very sensitive to humidity. Avoid liquid exposure as much as you can (water, wine, etc…).

Dust
Laptops are very sensitive to dust. Make sure the laptop is never left on a floor, but that it is always high on a table, desk, stand, etc… Check vents frequently to see if they are not obstructed.

Source: overam.com

LOS ANGELES – Santa’s lap won’t be the only one occupied this holiday season.

Sales of laptop computers surged in 2007, helping to boost the entire PC business from a weak showing at the end of 2006, according to research by market research firm IDC. Changes in the laptop landscape–including shapes, weight, sizes, and prices–mean more people the world over are finding a comfortable spot for portable computers.

Total worldwide shipment of PCs improved 16% over the previous year during the third quarter of 2007. By contrast, PC shipments during the fourth quarter of 2006 had grown only 7.9% from a year earlier.

That growth was driven strongly by enthusiasm for portables: Worldwide, portable PC shipment growth grew 33.8% in 2007, up from 26.3% growth in the previous year. Growth in the U.S. market was also overshadowed by international markets, where portable PC growth for the year was 39.7%, up from 29.1% in 2006.

In India, the third quarter of 2007 saw growth in laptop sales up more than 99% compared to a year earlier, according to Gartner. Total unit sales reached about 500,000.

Read more: forbes.com

Toshiba need little effort when it comes to making a sale for laptops today. They are an icon in the laptop industry and surely it needs little introduction and elaboration. Having seen the popularity of Apple’s very stylish but none-too-light MacBook, other manufacturers have got on the 13.3-inch laptop bandwagon; with, it has to be said, varying degrees of success. Toshiba’s foot-hold in this market sector is the Satellite U300 series.

Toshiba’s Satellite U300-134 should certainly stir things up in the 13.3-inch notebook arena as it offers stylish looks, a pretty decent feature set and reasonable battery life.

Wireless-enabled, hand-powered laptop is a relative bargain, a price nearly twice the project’s memorable nickname promised could make it harder for One Laptop Per Child to sign up international governments as customers, while less than 200 dollars for an innovative. Which the projects founders believe will cause critical thinking and creativity to blossom, those governments are expected to give the computers to children for them to keep and tinker with.

HP launches for students alike the HP 2133 Mini-Note PC a portable one. The right components for the educational sector, such as wireless connectivity, multimedia tools, communication applications, and this model will be affordable at a starting price under $500 and equipped with right components a data security, and a lightweight and a small form factor at 2.5 lbs.