My Laptop Won't Charge

My laptop won't charge the battery, even if:

• I hold the battery joint at all possible angles.
• It shows that it's charging.
• The battery is a new one.

Chances are, your laptop is a dupe of all the above three, for mine certainly was. Laptops are a pain sometimes, I tell you. The first few months foist upon you a glimpse of heaven. However, it is after a while, that, slowly and gradually, moments of annoyance become much frequent. Either the battery goes off, or the display vanishes. Either the power cord loosens, or the keyboard doesn't respond. Don't you just hate technology, sometimes? I've had my share of upshots with technology, when my laptop won't charge even a bit, and eventually, I'd conclude that I, repel computers. Nevertheless, if your folktales anywhere resemble mine, following is an extract of my experiences with a laptop battery not charging even a bit, no matter how much you knock yourself out.

Laptop Not Charging: Possibilities and Solutions

For a long time, for reasons I saw in retrospect, even after constant attempts, when my laptop won't charge its battery, I had no other option but to execute a postmortem examination of my widget. A laptop's battery life is fairly notorious, and considering that, I unscrewed every part of my laptop, formulated my own guide of laptop battery troubleshooting, took out the battery, put it in again, and charged it again. Nope, I wasn't successful. Without losing my calm, I plugged the power on and off, countless times, but still, my laptop won't charge when plugged in. To tell you the truth, one of the biggest issues with laptops is not always within the laptop.

Your power cord could be the biggest enemy to your device. Have you tried replacing your laptop battery charger? If not, give it a try just once for it's extremely cheap. Chances are, your device might start getting back to life, for the biggest issue with battery chargers lies with the cord. Sometimes, unnecessary cuts or faults in the power cord are the sole reason for yourlaptop charger not working, and thus, they almost convince you that your laptop is no more operational. Replacing your old charger with a new one might just solve your problem.

Another possibility that I can think of is an issue with the battery. If you've used the laptop for quite a while, and think that it has been overused or overcharged for it's culpable of deterioration, perhaps, it's time to chuck the old battery out, and replace it with a new one. Unlike power cords, batteries might be a little expensive. However, you have no other option considering this case of a laptop plugged in but not charging, or do you? Get a new battery for your laptop, and you'll be exhilarated to see how a battery works and performs so well!

In the rear, if you're dead sure that there isn't a single issue with your battery or the charger, perhaps, you should get your laptop serviced from a computer repair shop. Many a times, your device requires professional assistance, for a layman isn't always cognizant of the bits and nuances of technology. Those professionals might detect your laptop's inability to recognize battery charging, or may point out fault at the power charging hub. This is not always a pricey alternative, for your widget, sometimes, requires technical support and attention.

Laptops and computers require delicate handling for their hardware is prone to unlikely deterioration. Times when the device starts signaling 'battery low' every split-second, and no proper solution works in favor, you know you require proper laptop battery care. Recognize the root of the problem, don't panic, and get proper assistance. Trust me, that's exactly what I used to do, during those instances when my laptop won't charge, for crying out loud.

By Veethi Telang

Which Laptop should I Buy

Due to a wide range of brands offering a variety of laptop models having different features and latest functions, laptop computer buying has become one of the most difficult tasks. Due to the versatility and variety of laptops, they have been normally divided into categories such as student laptops, gaming laptops, office laptops or notebook computers, desktop replacement laptops, and so on. If you take a look at the top ten best laptops for college students, office professionals, and gamers; you will find several models from Sony, Dell, HP, Lenovo, Toshiba, etc. Which laptop should I buy? If this is bothering you, the following basic laptop buying guide will help you.

Which Laptop Should I Buy for College Use?

If you are a student planning to buy a laptop model suitable for doing college projects, you need to consider some important things. A very crucial requirement for a laptop to be suitable for college is that it should be light enough to carry and also small. As you would require to take your laptop to different places, a lightweight and small one would be the best bet. Coming to the technical configuration; a college laptop should ideally have about 1.8 GHz processor speed, a hard drive of anywhere from 120 to 160 GB capacity, and 512 MB or 1 GB RAM. It should also have a screen size from 13 to 14 inch, a card reader for additional memory transfer, and a longer laptop battery life.

• Sony VAIO VGN-FW140E/H
• HP Pavilion dv4-1275mx
• Asus Eee PC 1000HE
• Toshiba Satellite Pro U400-S1001X

Which Laptop Should I Buy for Home Use?

The requirements of a home use laptop computers are completely different from that of a college laptop. A home laptop is also sometimes referred to as a desktop replacement laptop. Since you are going to use it as a replacement to a desktop computer, it has to be one with a bigger screen and the latest entertainment features. The standard features in home use laptops are 2.26 GHz or more of processor speed, 1 to 3 GB RAM, a hard disk capacity of 160 to 320 GB or more, and a graphic card. The standard screen size of home use laptops should be between 15 to 21 inches. Note that the features in desktop replacement models might be quite similar to those of gaming laptops. Not to miss the very essential graphic cards like NVIDIA or ATI or audio cards.

• Dell Precision M6500
• Sony VAIO VPCF13AFX
• Dell Studio 17
• HP Envy 17

Which Laptop Should I Buy for Office Use?

When it comes to office use laptop computers, the size of the model needs to be not too small or not too big. A good screen size for an office laptop is 17 inches. You also need to have top notch specifications owing to the laptop use in your office work. For example, a photographer's or a video editor's laptop would definitely have the best configuration for speed, data storage, and reliability. Standard office laptops can have a configuration of 3 to 4 GB RAM, a hard drive of 320 to 500 GB data storage, 3.2 GHz or more processor speed, and most preferably a graphics card for official presentations. However, an office laptop may even have a lower configuration if its use is not that extensive.

• Lenovo ThinkPad T510 - 4384-GEG
• HP ProBook 6555b
• Compaq Presario CQ61-406SA
• Samsung R530-JA09DE

Laptop accessories play a very important role in enhancing the usability of laptops meant for their respective purposes. While buying laptops, make sure you get most accessories such as USB flash drives, external hard drives, webcam, USB mouse or keyboard, and so on. The battery life is also to be thought of when choosing from the best laptops. This is because more the features, lower tends to be the battery life. I hope this article has really helped those wondering 'which laptop should I buy'.

By Stephen Rampur

Laptop Buying for Dummies

The portability and convenience is what makes laptops preferable to desktop computers. Once touted as a luxury, competition has forced the prices of these machines down, and these days there are even affordable laptops under $200. Gone are the days when only the rich could afford laptops, in today's times, even the common man can afford one. And with the world slowly moving to a digital format, buying a laptop has almost become a necessity. Thankfully laptop manufactures have recognized this and there are lots of options available should you want to buy a new laptop. From New, refurbished, used, choices are many, and, to be honest, confusing. For the average user or housewife, who don't understand the highly technical terms like processor speed, RAM, etc, this can not only be a nightmare, but an easy chance to get ripped off as well. Laptop buying for dummies is a guide that will help you decide what you want, and the best option with regards to your requirement and budget.

Points to Consider Before Buying a Laptop

1. Requirement
2. Processor
3. Storage
4. RAM
5. Expansion Ports
6. Graphics
7. Connectivity Options
8. Size/ Screen/Weight

Requirement
This is the first thing you need to look for when buying a laptop. What is your laptop going to be used for? If you are just going to be using the Internet, and a little multimedia, it does not make sense to go in for an expensive laptop, loaded with features you are not going to use. Decide what your requirement is before considering the rest of the options. Though it is natural that you might want the best, the $ difference may change your mind. For everyday tasks like surfing the net, listening to music, watching movies, etc., a basic laptop should do.

Processor
The processor makes a big difference in computing, and usually it is better to go in for a better processor at a slightly higher cost, than risk saving money here and ending up with an outdated processor a few months down the line. Intel is undoubtedly the leader in processors and going for an Intel processor is the best bet. You should know where to draw the line though, as processors can get to be pretty expensive, and you probably don't need that much fire power. For basic use, an Intel core i3 is the best bet, which can be stretched to core i5 if you want something better. Intel's core i7 should only be gone if you seriously need the extra power, as it will set you back quite a bit. Heavy gaming, serious multimedia or graphics work, etc, are some of the instances where you could justify going in for the core i7. For home use, the core i3 is the best and recommended.

Storage
Storage is another point that you must keep in mind before buying a laptop. Unlike desktops, there is no scope for expanding the storage in laptops. Replacing the HDD is a possibility, but that voids the warranty, in addition to loss of data, creating back-ups, etc. In short, though possible, it is not recommended. To save yourself from running out of space, buying a laptop with high storage is the best option. 500GB is not unreasonable, though a 320GB HDD is ideal. Again, depending on what you are using the laptop for makes a difference. Video editing, graphic designing, video converting all take up huge amounts of memory, and even 500 GB will not be enough. On the other hand, if you are just going to be surfing everyday, downloading a few songs, a few movies, pictures of your loved ones, etc, then a 320GB HDD is just fine. No recommendations here, as I firmly believe the more the better. Seagate is a good HDD option, as is Western Digital and Hitachi.

RAM ( Random Access Memory)
This is the most important part you need to look for in a laptop, as this is what the smooth running of your laptop depends on. As a rule, don't buy anything with less than 2GB RAM. Prices have dropped, and 2GB is not only affordable, but standard as well. Again, most laptops come with only 2 RAM slots, so decide in advance how much memory you will need. More memory is always a better deal, as it never goes waste. 4GB is the best bet, and it is more advisable to use 2 × 2 GB RAM sticks, as compared to a 1 × 4 GB RAM stick. Going over 4GB is not recommended unless you are using heavy editing applications. Also note that if you go over 4GB you will need a 64bit Operating System to make full use of it. (More on this later). Kingston and Transcend are two of the reliable RAM options available.

Expansion and I/O Ports
While this is not absolutely necessary, it is a good to have a few expansion ports on your laptop. Look for a laptop with a minimum of 3 USB ports at least. Try not to consider less than 3 USB ports, unless you are getting a very good deal in terms of price or any other factor. As almost all accessories are USB based, it is necessary to have at least 3 so you are not reduced to looking for a USB hub to solve your problems. With the world going hi-fi, it is also advisable to have an HDMI out port on your laptop, should you want to watch your hi-def movies on a big screen. The IEEE port can be skipped, and if a HDMI port is present, the Svideo poet can also be skipped. Also look a card reader option.

Graphics
As it becomes very difficult and expensive to upgrade a laptop after buying, it is advisable to include a graphic card in your configuration. For those who are into heavy gaming or editing, a high end graphic card with 1GB DDR5 memory will be ideal. For normal everyday use, a 512MB graphic card will be more than sufficient. Though most, or in fact nearly all laptops come with on board graphics, it is best not to use those, and include a dedicated graphics card for the same. Graphic cards can be expensive, so choose wisely before you purchase one. Recommendations would include the NVIDA and ATI lineup, any card with 512 MB RAM is fine. This can be dropped if your budget does not cover it, but is not advised.

Connectivity Options
Choose a laptop that has WiFi and bluetooth connectivity options built in. These are both necessary and will allow you to use the Internet with the various wifi spots available in your vicinity. Both technologies have become so affordable that it is now possible to say not to consider laptops that do have these connectivity options. If budget is a problem, and the lack of one of these options makes a considerable difference in the price, then you can opt out of the bluetooth option. Never consider a laptop without wifi, unless the exact things you are looking for are in a model without wifi. Even then it is not advisable to buy. Infrared is outdated and can be safely skipped.

Size/Weight/Screen
Size makes a difference in the price, the portability, and the customization possible. Laptops in the 12-13 inch (screen size; diagonal) size are usually more expensive than the 14 to 15 inch models. Laptops with heavy customizations are usually not only more expensive but bigger and heavier as well. To stay in the affordable price range, a 15 inch model is the best, and a matt screen is recommended too. Matt screens cut out on the reflection and glare, making it possible to use the laptop in various setting. Glossy screens have lots of reflection and glare, but are more vibrant than matt screens. Also keep in mind that being a laptop, the weight should not be too much to cut out on the portability factor. Test the laptop for weight, and decide what is comfortable before buying one.

Laptop Buying For Dummies - Additional Tips

Other than these main points there are some other things you need to keep in mind while buying a laptop. One of the most important of these other things is the battery backup. Depending on your configuration the laptop battery life will change, but you should go in for a laptop that has at least a 2 hour battery back up, regardless of the configuration. Considering that very few people go in for the best of everything, this is a reasonable estimate, and even if you max out all the above options, something close to the 2 hour mark is advised. The other thing you need to check for is the durability, the laptop should not be too delicate with flimsy casing or parts. For the rugged users, magnesium alloy casing is an option, but will add to the price. Warranty is another aspect that you should keep in mind, try and subscribe to the longer warranty plans if available. There are laptops that offer 2 years warranty, and these are better option than the rest.

To end this laptop buying guide for dummies, let's look at a few of the options that are ideal for different users:

Laptop Guide for Dummies
Component	Average User	Advanced User	Gaming/Editing Users
Processor	Intel core i3	Intel core i5	Intel core i7
RAM	2GB DDR3	4 GB DDR3	8GB DDR3*
Storage	250 GB HDD	320 GB HDD	1 TB HDD
Graphics	512 MB DDR5	1GB DDR5	2×1GB DDR5 (in SLI)
Screen	15 inch	13 inch	17 inch
I/O Ports	3 USB, DVD Writer, Memory Card Reader	3 USB, Blue Ray Reader, DVD Writer, Memory Card Reader, HDMI out	4 USB, Blue Ray reader wirter, HDMI out, Memory card Reader
OS	WIndows 7 Basic	WIndows 7 Home Premium	Windows 7 Ultimate (64bit)

(*64 bit operating systems are needed to utilize more than 4GB RAM)

If you are looking to buy a laptop, then this guide on laptop buying for dummies should be of help to you. In the end, it all depends on how much you can afford to spend. Those with a deep pocket who are not worried where the next buck is coming from can opt for the best there is. For the others, it is important to buy a laptop computer according to what it is going to be used for. Take help from the pointers above so you don't end up being ripped off, or worse, end up with an obsolete machine just a few months later. All the best.

The configurations mentioned in this article are what the author would like to see in a real world scenario. This does not, by any means, indicate that there are laptops with similar configurations available at the time of writing this piece. Opinions and recommendations in this article, too, are the author's personal views, and should not be taken as hard and fast rules when it comes to buying a laptop.

By Abhijit Naik

Practical Tips For Buying Your New Laptop

So you want to buy a laptop but don’t know where to start. You’re not alone. Buying a new laptop can present many challenges, especially if you’re unfamiliar with laptops or notebook computers.

Over the last little while so much new laptop technology has hit the market... Intel Duo Processors, SLI, Dual Graphics... it can all be totally mind boggling to the average consumer. For the first time laptop buyer understanding all the techno jargon can be downright scary.

Mainly because a whole new generation of notebook technology comes around every two years or less - probably much less when you consider all the new advances made recently. It can even be a little overwhelming even for someone like myself who runs an online Laptop Guide and who has a keen interest in all things laptop.

Regardless of all these fancy new improvements, devices and notebook technology, you must remember you’re buying a new laptop for you and you alone. You must first decide if all this new stuff is important to you? Do you really need all this new notebook technology?

But most of all before you can consider that question you must first figure out WHY you want a laptop? Why are you buying a laptop? What chores or tasks do you want the laptop to perform?

If you just want a laptop for simple web browsing and emailing, a laptop made five years ago will do the job nicely and cost you a heck of lot less. You really don’t need a top of the line laptop unless of course, you’re keeping up with the Jones and want the latest top model of everything. But that’s moving into Dr. Phil’s territory... lets not venture there!

So what do you need the laptop for?

Do you need a lightweight portable laptop for business trips or meetings? Do you need a student notebook for classes? Or do just want a desktop replacement computer that you can easily move around in your home?

Your answer will greatly determine which type of laptop you should buy.

In my case, I needed a desktop replacement that I could easily move around my home and take on very infrequent trips or vacations. Long battery life was not a major consideration because I would mainly be using it plugged into an electrical outlet.
Besides, the laptop I wanted would be 7 or 8 pounds and I had no intentions of lugging that baby around over any great distance.

I work full time at home and do a lot of web design so I needed a solid machine with a lot of RAM. I also enjoy downloading and enjoying the occasional movie so a DVD Multi Drive and a wide screen display were important. High quality graphics and sound was also important for what I needed.

* RAM
RAM is to computer what location is to real estate. RAM or Random Access Memory is perhaps the most important factor to consider when buying your laptop or any computer.

RAM will greatly determine the speed of your laptop or computer. How fast it will process your tasks and graphics. You must make sure you have enough for your needs. You can now find many laptops pre-loaded with 1 Gig of RAM and capable of upgrading to 4 Gigs or more.

Compared to yesterday’s computers that’s a lot of RAM. If you’re not into gaming, handling large video files/editing, all that RAM is not needed but it will make your laptop run faster. Also, remember if you’re into gaming, Video RAM will be important - you need a top of the line (read expensive) Graphics Card and it will increase the cost of your laptop.

Also it may be wise to buy a laptop with upgradable memory - since new applications, multi windowed browsers, streaming video... of the very near future may place high demand on your laptop’s RAM.

* Dual Core Processors
CPU or Computer Processing Unit is the heart of your laptop and in this case you have Two Hearts - Intel Centrino Duo is the front runner in this area right now. However, AMD is giving Intel some stiff competition in the dual core battle with its Athlon™ 64 X2 dual core processor. Either one would be a wise choice.

* Hard Drive
The amount of space or size of laptop hard drives are steadily increasing, a 100 Gig laptop is now common. If you don’t want a lot of storage, buying a smaller size hard drive will save you money.

Many laptop experts choose the SATA hard drive with a high 5400 or 7200 RPM.

* Weight or Size
Perhaps the major reason you’re considering buying a laptop is its size or weight - otherwise you’re better of saving your money and buying a desktop computer instead. A laptop is portable, you can carry it anywhere... tuck it under your arm and cart it to class or your next business meeting. It is ideal for taking your information and work to wherever you want to go. This portability is the main selling feature of a laptop.

Obviously you must pick the best sized laptop to suit your needs. Laptops are divided into different categories, here’s a quick rundown:

Tablet PC (smallest) Size of a paper tablet or notepad, less than 3 pounds.

Ultra Portable (small) <11">13" x >11" More than 1.5 inches,
more than 7 pounds and up

Pick the size that suits your purpose and use.

* Price
Laptop prices are steadily falling, it is now possible to get a quality laptop for well under a $1000. Many are selling at the $500 - $600 range. High quality gaming laptops offered by such specialty laptop makers as Alienware, Rock, will still set you back 3 to 4 grand. Ouch!

* Warranties
Don’t overlook this factor, if you’re buying an expensive laptop, you might want to check out these extended warranties. If you do a lot of traveling, you might need to purchase insurance against thief and loss.

* A Dead Pixel Was the Only Thing I Feared!
If you can check your laptop for any dead pixels. A dead pixel will give you white spots(pixels)on your LCD display screen. Most cases you’re buying your laptop straight out of the box, booting up and finding you have dead pixels is not a pleasant experience. If you want to check your laptop screen for dead pixels, just do a search for the free ‘Dead Pixel Buddy’ software program and run it to check your laptop for dead pixels.

* Use The Internet For Information Or Even Purchase
I run a simple Laptop Guide on one of my sites and I also keep a laptop blog so I am constantly using the Internet to gather information and compare prices. You must shop around and check out the consumer reports on the different laptop makers and the different laptop products. You must also check out the service records/reputation of the major brand names.

I researched all the different laptops and found the one that met my requirements and price. I bought it in the real world at a local Computer store mainly because I wanted to examine the laptop’s graphics and keyboard in the flesh. However, I checked out all of the product’s details beforehand on this store’s online site - much easier than in a busy crowded store.

Make A List
It might prove helpful to create a list of the minimum requirements or features you want on your desired laptop:
Intel Duo
1 Gig of RAM
100 Gig Hard Drive
15 Inch Screen
4 or 5 Hours Battery Life
Burn/Write DVDs...

* Kick The Tires
Like buying anything, it is always a good idea to fully check out your purchase. Sample the laptop’s keyboard, does typing feel comfortable? Try the touchpad, is it responsive? Open your favorite programs and check the processing speed of your laptop. Bring along a DVD and sample the sound and graphics. Take note of any problems or irritations that may pop-up, in my case it was a small right shift key but this was so minor I knew I could get used to it and it didn’t stop me from buying my desired laptop.

* Research Your Laptop
Use the Internet to research your desired laptop, know exactly what components it has and know what software is already preloaded. Be careful of salespeople who will try to charge you extra for configuring or installing programs on your laptop when these programs may already be preloaded at the factory stage!

I settled on a Toshiba Satellite P100-SD3: it has Intel Duo, 1 Gig of RAM, 100 Gig Hard Drive, 17" widescreen TrueBrite Display, compatible with the new Windows Vista... it meets all my needs and I am quite pleased with my new laptop. And I will be writing a full review after I have used it for a couple of weeks... but that’s another article.

If you consider most of the simple points and check out the factors listed above then making your own laptop purchase will not only be quite painless but it may even prove an enjoyable experience. Do a little homework and you will easily find the perfect laptop for you.

By Titus Hoskins