Practically all companies today are apprehensive on the flow of the market and for Lenovo, taking another crack at a faltering marketing in the desktop division seems to be a move that will certainly draw varied criticism on the timing of its market penetration efforts towards the desktop computing sector.
Apparently, the risk is quite high. No one knows what the future of the desktop computing industry will hold. But with their fingers crossed, apparently Lenovo is banking on a turn for the better any time soon, making a move that most companies would save for later when something clearer sets forth.
Lenovo which bought the PC division of IBM in 2004, has been a prominent figure in the laptop market. With its brand, its association with IBM is something that has carried it towards strides in better business. But as far as desktop computing is concerned, it can really be seen as something as starting once again from scratch.
To kick off their campaign, they have introduced into the market the IdeaCentre K210 Desktop last June 30 towards the consumer desktop market outside of China. But the weird thing about it all is that while other large computer companies are shifting towards mobile solutions, Lenovo is moving towards the opposite direction.
From a strategical management standpoint, you may call it catering towards the remaining customers in the desktop industry. For sure there is still a wide open market for it. But the question is on whether this investment will pay off. Perhaps Lenovo has seen something that other have not. Only time will tell if the investment risk will indeed reap dividends.
Source
Written by PC Freak on July 2nd, 2008 with no comments.
Read more articles on 1354 and 1426 and 1429 and 1673 and 169 and 2065 and 2157 and 401 and 544 and Business and Contributors and Desktop and Desktops and News and computers and lenovo and notebook.
Wireless hotspots are changing the way people work. These wireless local area networks (LANs) provide high speed Internet access in public locations as well as at home and require nothing more than a notebook PC with a wireless card. From coffeeshops to restaurants, airports to hotel lobbies, hotspots are ubiquitous. They are the de facto connection method for travelers and remote workers to access the Internet, their e-mail, and even their corporate networks.
Hotspots range from paid services, such as T-Mobile or Boingo, to free connections at your local coffee shop or library. But they all have one thing in common: These are all open networks that are vulnerable to security breaches. And that means it’s up to you to protect the data on your PC. Here are a few tips to make working in public locations more secure.
1. Try to choose more secure connections. It’s not always possible to choose your connection type—but when you can, opt for wireless networks that require a network security key or have some other form of security, such as a certificate. The information sent over these networks is encrypted, which can help protect your computer from unauthorized access. The security features of different networks appear along with the network name as your PC discovers them.
2. Make sure your firewall is activated. A firewall helps protect your mobile PC by preventing unauthorized users from gaining access to your computer through the Internet or a network. It acts as a barrier that checks all incoming information, and then either blocks the information or allows it to come through. All Microsoft Windows operating systems come with a firewall, and you can make sure it’s turned on.
To activate the Windows XP Firewall
1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel. display:none
2. In Control Panel, double-click Network Connections. display:none
3. In the Network Connections window, under Network Tasks, click Change Windows Firewall Settings. display:none
4. In the Windows Firewall dialog box, on the General tab, ensure that On is selected. display:none
To activate the Windows Vista Firewall
1. Click Start and then click Control Panel. display:none
2. In Control Panel, select Network and Internet. display:none
3. Under Windows Firewall, click Turn Windows Firewall on or off. display:none
4. Ensure that On is selected.
3. Monitor your access points. Chances are, there are multiple wireless networks anywhere you’re trying to connect. These connections are all access points, because they link into the wired system that gives you Internet access. So how do you make sure you’re connecting to the right one? Simple by configuring your PC to let you approve access points before you connect.
Configure Windows XP Access Points
1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel. display:none
2. In Control Panel, double-click Network Connections. display:none
3. In the Network Connections window, right-click Wireless Network Connection, and then click Properties. display:none
4. In the Wireless Network Connection Properties dialog box, on the Wireless Networks tab, make sure that the Use Windows to configure my wireless network settings check box is selected. display:none
5. Under Preferred networks, make sure that the name of the network that you want to connect to is highlighted, and then click Advanced. display:none
6. In the Advanced dialog box, click Access point (infrastructure) network only, and then click Close. display:none
7. Click OK. display:none
Configure Windows Vista Access Points
Windows Vista takes the guesswork out of connecting to hotspots because you are automatically prompted to approve new connections. In addition, after you approve a connection, you assign it a profile for future use.
4. Disable file and printer sharing: File and printer sharing is a feature that enables other computers on a network to access resources on your computer. When using your mobile PC in a hotspot, it’s best to disable file and printer sharing because when enabled, it leaves your computer vulnerable to hackers. Remember, though, to turn this feature back on when you return to the office.
Disable file and printer sharing in Windows XP
1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel. display:none
2. In Control Panel, click Security Center. display:none
3. In the Security Center window, click Windows Firewall. display:none
4. In the Windows Firewall dialog box, click the Exceptions tab. display:none
5. On the Exceptions tab, under Programs and Services, clear the File and Printer Sharing check box and then click OK. display:none
Disable file and printer sharing in Windows Vista
1. Click Start and then click Control Panel. display:none
2. In Control Panel, select Network and Sharing Center. display:none
3. Under Sharing and Discovery, turn File Sharing and Printer Sharing to off.
5. Make your folders private. When the folders on your mobile PC are private, it’s more difficult for hackers to access your files.
To make a folder private in Windows XP:
1. Click Start, and then click My Computer. display:none
2. In the My Computer window, double click the drive where Windows is installed, and then double click Documents and Settings. display:none
3. Double click your user folder, right-click the folder that you want to make private, and then click Properties. display:none
4. In the Properties dialog box, on the Sharing tab, click Do no share this folder, and then click OK. Repeat the steps above for each folder that you want to make private. display:none
To make a folder private in Windows Vista
Windows Vista not only makes folders private by default, but it also requires passwords for shared folders. As a result, you’re already covered! But if you want to double check, simply right click on the folder in question, and select Properties. On the Security tab, you can review the set permissions.
6. Encrypt your files. You can protect your files further by encrypting them, which requires a password to open or modify them. Because you must perform this procedure on one file at a time, consider password-protecting only the files that you plan to use while working in a public place.
7. Consider completely removing sensitive data from your notebook PC. If you’re working with extremely sensitive data, it might be worth taking it off your notebook PC altogether. Instead, keep it behind the corporate firewall and use your company’s VPN to access it when necessary. This way, you have multiple safeguards in place.
A few simple precautions can help make working in public places more secure. And by selecting the best connections and adjusting settings, you can enjoy productive and safe work sessions no matter where you are.
Tags:airports,
control panel,
firewall,
hack,
hackers,
high speed internet,
hotspot,
Internet,
Mobile,
network connections,
notebook,
password,
permissions,
Security,
security key,
windows vista,
windows xp,
Wireless,
wireless hotspots
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Written by Jason on May 19th, 2008 with no comments.
Read more articles on 1426 and 1429 and 1673 and 169 and 2065 and 2157 and 401 and Contributors and Firewall and HACK and Internet and Mobile and Password and Security and Windows Vista and Windows XP and control panel and hackers and network connections and notebook and wireless.
The
MacBook Air
is the worlds first thinest laptop brought into the market that has seen its share of very light, very capable products from other companies with the
Sony Vaio,
Lenovo, and Fujitsu, among others. Here's a look on what the
MacBook Air has to offer compared to others.
With only three pounds? 0.76 inches thick it makes it real attractive, but where is the DVD Drive? There isnt any, you need to either purchase the $99 Apple
MacBook Air superdrive, which connects via USB, or use the new Remote Disk feature to “borrow” the optical drive of another computer on your network.
Also the
MacBook Air has far fewer ports than what you'll find on some of the monstrous "desktop replacement" laptops now available: Flip down a small hatch, and you'll find three that can handle many needs. There's a headphone jack where you can plug in headphones or speakers; a USB 2.0 connection for everything from a mouse to a video camera; and a Micro-DVI adapter that can hook the machine up to one of Apple's displays when you're not on the road--or, with the help of a $19 adapter, to a projector or monitor sold by a third party. So if your thinking about several USB or if you have some FireWire devices, its going to be a little tough with this notebook.
Still, the
MacBook Air has a lot of the feel-good characteristics, the full-size keyboard feels good,
as advertised. The LED-backlit screen is sharp and readable. The machine's two gigabytes of built-in memory allows it to switch between applications, such as iMovie and iPhoto, easily. And the enormous trackpad, with support for "multitouch" gestures, is easy to pick up. However like with the
Sony Vaio, Apple has cut corners by providing lower CPU power. There is no reason why the
MacBook Air could not start at a 2Ghz CPU range, instead it sits between 1.6-1.8Ghz on its Intel core 2 Duo. Sure we dont want it to heat up, but its not going to make a difference believe me.
You can see that the
MacBook Air is not really meant for the power user, but the "Hands Free User", one that needs to be connected online with adequate power for
handling applications and lasting throughout the day with a good 5hr battery (which is not removable, lets hope it lasts), or perhaps your just the person that wants the latest and greatest, has the money ($1799USD) and doesnt mind paying for what we know is the general rule, that you pay more for slimmer size always more.
Pros:- Highly mobile light and thin design.
- Sexy, attention arresting appearance.
- Impressively solid hardware engineering.
- Leading CPU and graphics performance for its class.
- Very practical full size, illuminated keyboard.
- Bright LED backlit screen looks great and its environmentally progressive.
- Innovative multitouch trackpad features work well.
- Full featured video output options for a light mobile.
- Runs quiet and cool even when cranking.
- Very good WiFi 802.11n reception.
Cons:- No built in WWAN options.
- No FireWire or Gigabit Ethernet.
- Peripherals and connectivity limited to single USB port.
- Battery life closer to 3-4 hours; no add-on battery option.
- Remote Disc needs more work.
Here is a comparison chart from
Gizmodo. (click image to enlarge the image).
Here's the official guided tour of the MacBook from Apple
Written by PCWizKid on January 17th, 2008 with comments disabled.
Read more articles on Apple and leopard and macbook air and notebook and os x and sony vaio and ultraslim.
