The Four-eyed Journal » HP

Quick Tips on Choosing a Laptop

jhay — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 02:31:54 +0000

Though I only have used a laptop for less than three weeks, the fact that I’m the resident “geek” at the Lasallian Community Development Center has led me to being asked by one of our faculty members:

“What laptop should I buy?”

Since, I’m no expert, I based my answer upon my years of tinkering, repairing and upgrading desktop PCs, the guides I’ve read all over the net, the advice given by my fellow geeks and common sense.

Laptops are getting cheap nowadays and there are various ways of getting one, legally I mean. But that’s another story altogether, to help answer the question, I asked her another set of questions:

“What are you going to use the laptop for?”

As with desktop computers, the answer to this question will greatly influence your choice of which laptop computer to buy. If you’re going to use it for office or paper works, as the faculty who asked me would, then an entry-level to mid-level laptop would suffice. These laptops would be running on Celeron/Centrino/ Pentium M processors with 1GB of RAM, 60-120GB of hard drive space, shared video memories plus the standard compliment of both wireless (Wi-Fi) and wired LAN adaptors, dial-up modem, USB ports etc.

Most major brands* like HP-Compaq (Presario C573, C702TU, V3120, C765TU), Asus (A3A, A8H, X51R), Acer (ASPIRE 3624NWXCI, TRAVELMATE 2423N, TRAVELMATE 2428 NOTEBOOK, ASPIRE 3683NWXMI, TRAVELMATE 2441NWXCI) have these kind of laptops for under Php30,000.00

If you’re a “power user” doing heavy graphics manipulation, audio/video editing and gaming, going up to the level of laptops that run on dual core Pentiums and their AMD counterparts, 120GB hard drive space should be standard with 2GB of RAM is the way to go. Of course a dedicated graphics card is a must.

However, be prepared to shell out not less than Php30,000.00 on these notebooks.

“How big do you want your laptop to be?”

Gadgets are getting lighter, smaller and more compact with each new generation. So laptops with screens bigger than 17 inches is HUGE. Common nowadays, as I’ve observed, are 12-14 incher’s. Of course there’s the latest craze of UMPCs or ultra portable notebooks with screens as small as 7 inches, yes it’s the original Asus Eee PC 701 with all of its newest bigger sisters like the Eee PC 900 and from the competitors of Asus. However, these UMPCs are designed to be “secondary” or backup notebooks not really for everyday work.

Size does matter because lugging around a huge, bulky and heavy laptop is no different from dragging your desktop computer complete with table and chair where ever you go.

“How much is your budget?”

This is ultimately, the deciding factor when it comes to buying a laptop, or any other gadget out there for that matter. Especially in these hard-pressed times of rising costs of living (fuel, food, electricity etc), getting the most value out of your hard earned money is a must. Unless you really could afford it. Why not go for a MacBook?

If you don’t have cash, you could always use your credit card or as I’m seeing to be getting quite common nowadays, ask a friend of yours to card it for you. Just make sure you’ll not run away with it, else you could face some lawsuits.

Others who have relatives outside the country ask them to buy the laptop instead and just ship it over or hand-carry it when they return home. It’s much cheaper compared to buying one locally plus they have a wider selection of brands and models abroad.

Other factors

Additional questions like, “brand new or second/third-hand?” also comes to mind. Nothing beats a shiny brand new laptop so be extra careful when choosing to buy a second/third-hand notebook. Getting it cheap doesn’t necessarily mean it’s worth it. Worse, when the thing proves to be in a bad shape, you end up spending more for repairs plus the hours of frustration and disrupted productivity. That’s if you don’t get scammed in the first place.

Another question would be, “a MacBook or not?” Of course the question, “Can I afford it?” immediately comes to mind. I admit that MacBooks are cool and sexy, heck I drool for one. These machines are also top of the line. But besides the price factor, you also have to consider switching to a new working environment, because it’s stupid to replace OS X with any version of Windows just so you can power it up and start working on it right away. Because 99% of the time, just like my elder faculty friend, you grew up in a Windows world where everything literally starts with the Start button.

Linux as your OS would be a good alternative, and nothing else could beat that FREE price tag. Ubuntu and its flavors are getting hugely popular nowadays and it will continue to do so. However, just like opting for a MacBook, or once your budget allows it, switching from a Windows-based environment to a completely different one, though it has its own set of unique rewards and advantages, could really take its toll on you and your workflow. So really think about it.

In the end, each of us would have our own set of reasons, needs and preferences which will guide our choice of which laptop to go for. Whatever it is that rings your bell, I hope I have helped in any way to fine tune that bell so that you’ll end up with the laptop that will meet most of your needs, satisfy your wants and not really punch a hole in your wallets or empty your bank accounts.

*Units cited were based on available models for sale in the Philippines via PC Corner.

Needle-free injections thanks to HP printing technology

jhay — Sun, 16 Sep 2007 15:23:31 +0000

Despite the pricey ink cartridges, I am a solid HP fan. Their printers are among the best in terms of print quality, if not printer reliability. In terms of usability, HP printers are also among the easiest to setup, install and use.

HP printers may have been the subject of criticism because of the health hazards they may cause, it seems that their makers, HP has decided to make up for this pitfall and actually do something that will benefit almost anyone health-wise.

Just recently, HP technology will no longer just print images by squirting microns of it on paper but it will also deliver life-saving drugs in almost the same manner. “Print” them on the patient’s skin instead of using the dreaded syringe.

HP has signed a licensing deal to allow its printing technology to be used to give injections to humans.

The technology uses micro-needles embedded in a patch which puncture the outside layer of the skin and insert the drug.

Skin patches are already used for some drugs, like nicotine replacement, but many drugs cannot penetrate the tough outer surface of the skin.

The patch was developed at HP Labs but is being taken to market by Irish company Crospon which will pay royalties to HP.

“This industry-first skin patch invented by HP allows Crospon to offer a superior drug delivery platform for doctors and patients,” said John O’Dea, chief executive at Crospon.

Imagine that, because in essence, the patches will be like printers that were shrinked down to size and ‘printing’ medicine right through your skin. This then eliminates the need for syringes and needles that are not only scary at first glance, but are more prone to being contaminated and being passed on to others as in the case of illegal drug addicts.

Then again, if this new innovation picks up and its usage becomes widespread drug abusers may simply use the skin patches to get their daily dose of illegal substances. Since there are no more needles and syringes, catching them red-handed would be much difficult. But hey, if this innovation can be abused, I’m sure another form of technology will be used to combat it.

Bonus HP goodness

As an added treat, mypapit has a quick guide on how to get the HP Officejet 5680 working smoothly with Ubuntu Linux like sending fax for example.

And like him, I would recommend you get an HP printer the next time you’re going to get a new one.

Lifespans of HP Deskjet printers

jhay — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 03:33:57 +0000

Things have not been good for me since the blogparteeh07, first is the still crappy Globelines broadband connection, now it’s my HP Deskjet 3745 ink-jet printer. What happened to it?

Well, it’s broken. For reasons still unknown, the printer just refused to put on its led light indicating its readiness to put into paper the digital incarnations of papers I need to pass school, get Sining Bayan moving along and other personal effects, not to mention my siblings’ schoolworks, and my father’s office work.

Power surge? Overheating? Broken wires inside? Fake inks? Hell no, I’m just clueless.

This has happened before, also with an HP deskjet printer, in particular the Deskjet 3325 which I bought last 2003, it was my very first HP printer. It was a good printer, I loved its simplicity, usability, the print quality, it’s relatively low price, okay not the expensive ink cartridges but hey, I loved that HP printer. Sadly we had to say goodbye to it last 2006 after a year and three months of service. I could say the same good points about the HP 3745, until it broke down of course.

Rummaging inside my room for the receipt for the Deskjet 3745, hoping the warranty is still in effect but unfortunately it expired last year, the printer was with me for 1 year and 2 months, just a month-short of my earlier Deskjet 3325. Hmmm….wait a minute. Don’t I see a pattern here?

Let’s check.

HP Deskjet 3325
Date of purchase: January 18, 2003 Price: Php2,650.00
Expiry: March 2005
Length of service: 1 yr + 3 mos.
Cause of death..err.. expiry:

According to the technicians at TCA SM-DasmariÃ±as, an IC chip inside was fried and there’s no way it could be repaired.

What happened when or before it broke down:

I was in the middle of a printing job then suddenly it stopped printing. The LED light switched off and the print heads stuck in the middle of the page. No smell of something burnt, not even a spark, nothing; it just died.

HP Deskjet 3745
Date of purchase: June 26, 2005 Price: Php2,350.00
Expiry: January 29, 2007
Length of service: 1 yr + 2 mos.
Cause of expiry:

No official word yet, I still have to take it to the repair shop.

What happened when or before it broke down:

I was about to turn it on for a print job but it didn’t. I unplugged the power cord from the adapter several times, still it didn’t worked. Unplugged and replugged the USB cable still it didn’t work. Again no scent of something burnt, no puff of smoke, no sparks; nothing.

Two printers from the same company, from the same model line, same price range, practically the same components and parts breaking down in exactly the same manner and after the same life span.

What could we conclude from these observations?

HP printers, just like most of today’s electronics are “consumables” once they break down, it’s cheaper to just get a replacement rather than take it to the shop for repairs that would only add a short lease on its lifespan. Add to this the pricey repair costs, the human aggravation, transporting the printer to the shop and then back; well you get the picture.

Speaking of getting things, I believe it’s time to get a new printer. Another HP printer? Or maybe a Cannon?

Hmm….any suggestions?