Have Laptop, Will Travel

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Have Laptop, Will Travel

• Anthony Pelaez
• Feb 11, 2003

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Our Dynamic Lifestyles
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Advantages of Laptops

• Portability
• Keeps running even when power goes out
• Presentations on the road
• Ability to keep working while travelling

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Disadvantages of Laptops

• More expensive than desktop
• Can be dropped or stolen
• Uncomfortable to work on for some people
• Smaller screen

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First You Need a Notebook
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What to look for when purchasing a laptop
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NEW or REFURBISHED
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Laptop Components

• The Processor
• Memory
• Hard Drive
• Removable Media Drives
• The Display
• Video
• Communications

• Expansion Ports
• Input Devices
• Weight
• Battery Life
• Warranty

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The Processor

• Also known as CPU or clock speed
• AMD vs. Pentium
• No slower than 1.2 GHz
• Get a laptop with the fastest processor you can
  afford
• Not THE most important component

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Memory

• Random access memory (RAM)
• Get at least 256MB of RAM
• 512MB would be ideal

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Hard Drive

• 20GB is good enough
• 40GB if you are a power/multimedia creator

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Removable Media Drives

• Get at least a CD-RW
• For entertainment purposes DVD-ROM/CD-RW combo

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The Display

• Frequent travelers 13.3 or 14.1-inch display
• Desktop replacements 15.1 inches
• Go higher if you can afford it

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Video

• Video adapter
• Depends on usage
• Gamers can get ATI or NVIDIA

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Communications

• Must have 56-Kbps modem and 100BaseT Fast
  Ethernet adapter
• Internal antennas for Wi-Fi connection The
  Wireless World 802.11b

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Expansion Ports

• Get a laptop with at least 2 USB ports
• If youre planning on doing digital video
  editing, get one with a Fire Wire port
• Get one with at least 2 PC Card slots

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Input Devices

• Touchpad versus pointer (eraser head)
• Mouse

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Weight

• Frequent travelers Less than 4 lbs
• Occasional travelers Less than 6 lbs
• Power users and desktop replacers Doesnt matter

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Battery Life

• Average battery life is 2 hours and 45 minutes
• Strong battery runtime is important

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Warranty

• Get one
• One year to three years

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Gadgets to Go
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Gadgets

• PDA
• Digital Camera
• Cell Phone
• MP3 Player with Earphones

• USB Storage Device
• Authenticator USB
• Portable Multimedia Projector
• Portable Printer

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PDA

• Unobtrusive computer friend
• Beam business cards
• Take notes
• Quick and easy access

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Digital Camera

• Record information
• Good PR
• Video conferencing
• Post cards

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Cell Phone

• Communication
• Messaging
• Voice Mail
• Can provide fax and e-mail connectivity

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MP3 Player with Earphones

• Earphones to use with laptop
• MP3 Player for entertainment purposes

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USB Storage Device

• Make sure it works with USB 2.0
• Can hold up to 256MB
• Can hold vital data under security

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Authenticator USB

• Uses biometrics
• Will not allow access even if password is
  discovered

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Portable Projector

• LCD versus DLP
• applications
• Keep it light

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Portable Printer

• Really necessary?
• Would probably need separate carrying case

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Necessities

• Power adapter for laptop
• Notebook Case or Backpack
• PDA Case
• Cable lock
• Phone cable/Ethernet cable
• PDA Cradle or Cable
• Software case
• Mouse (optical preferred)

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Notebook Cases Backpacks

• Backpack versus Case

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SOFTWARE
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Software

• Utilities Suites
• Security
• The Laptops Software
• Entertainment

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Utilities

• Keep your system clean
• Fix broken shortcuts
• Safely delete files
• Maintenance
• Customize Windows settings

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Utilities Suites include

• iolo System Mechanic 3.7 - 59
• Norton SystemWorks 2003 - 69
• VCOM SystemSuite 4.0 - 60

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Security

• Virus Scanners
• Firewalls
• Auto Saving and Backup
• Encryption and file shredding

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Virus Scanners

• McAfee VirusScan 7.0 - 60
• Norton AntiVirus 2003 - 49

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Firewalls

• McAfee VirusScan 7.0 - 60
• McAfee Internet Security 5.0 - 69
• Zone Labs ZoneAlarm Pro 3.1 - 50

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Auto Saving and Backup

• VCOM AutoSave 1.09 - 50
• Roxio GoBack 3 - 49

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Encryption and File Shredding

• Kintech Blackout Data Security 2.6 - 49

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The Laptops Software

• OS
• Office Suite
• All programs currently used
• Drivers (if needed initially)

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Entertainment

• DVDs
• Computer Games
• Audio CDs MP3s

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On the Road Again
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Airports

• Be ready to take all your stuff out especially
  the laptop
• Search for the vital ELECTRICITY
• Dont separate your stuff

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On the Plane

• Obey the Rules
• Bring an adapter to conserve electricity
• Not very much space unless you travel 1st Class

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In the Hotel

• Try to choose a hotel near a Kinkos or with a
  business center (if you must)
• If you are near a Kinkos, send your files ahead
  of time
• Hotel services such as Internet access are still
  expensive

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Overseas

• Cybercafes are ubiquitous use them
• Be careful of viruses
• Dont flaunt your equipment
• Software piracy is alive and well in some
  countries
• Be aware of hardware software laws in other
  countries
• Use the hotel or room safe for vital equipment
  and/or data

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OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

• Be prepared for inclement weather
• Create a physical and electronic checklist of
  your stuff
• Keep your laptop and your knee cool

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Finally The purpose of your mobile office is to
keep you up to date not work yourself 24 hours a
day. Get out. Have fun.
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Thank you!