Wednesday, 24 June 2015

The Best Computer For Graphic Design

Since Desktop Publishing (DTP) came out in the eighties, graphic designers have been utilizing computer technology. This has pushed all graphic designers to become competent with computer hardware at the very least.

What is Desktop Publishing (DTP)? In the 1980s, it was a common term applied to digital publishing systems. These systems were developed to replace large, pre-press, specialist design and compositing systems.

Graphic designers rely heavily on computers whether these are Windows PCs or Apple Macs. Whichever computer a graphic designer chooses to use, he/she will opt for the best computer that he/she can purchase. Graphic designers will rarely choose cheap computer hardware.

Back in the eighties, Macs were the only choice for designing and printing. Almost all design layout and graphics software was developed for Macs only or even if the software could be used in Microsoft Windows PC, it was much more reliable on a Mac.

Additionally, at that time, Macs were associated with the different technologies used in the prepress and Windows PC was just not a practical choice. Today, modern versions of Mac OS X and Windows allow graphics designers to use design software either in a Mac or PC - they are no longer forced to choose one over the other.

Many graphic designers are not IT experts and making a decision on which computer to buy can be quite daunting. Of course, if money is not a problem, the decision would simply be to buy the most expensive Apple Mac or Windows PC. But most designers cannot afford to do that. In fact, some creative professionals have budgets for second hand equipment only.

What really matters to these graphic designers are issues that regular computer users do not even have to think about. These are printer color accuracy, monitor calibration, hard disk speed and external storage devices for gigabytes of data.

Recent studies show that the top 5 computers for graphic design are a mix of Macs and PCs and both laptop and desktop computers fall in this category. But just like any product that a consumer buys, it really is the personal preference of the designer whether he/she will use a desktop computer or a laptop. The important thing is that the user/graphic designer has the appropriate software for the type of computer that he/she wants to purchase.

The Top 5 computers for graphic design are:

Mac Pro Desktop

The Mac line of computers is still widely preferred by most graphic designers. According to Apple, the latest Mac Pro features the all new quad-core Intel Xeon "Nehalen" processor which makes the job of a graphic designer much easier. Apple states further that the new Mac Pro is up to 1.9 times faster than its predecessor. Each processor has an integrated memory controller that allows the processors to have faster access to stored data in the computer's memory, with memory latency decreased by up to 40 percent. This feature will save a lot of time for designers when they do their work.

MacBook Pro Laptop

The MacBook Pro Laptop comes in 13, 15 and 17 inch sizes. It has high-performance NVDIA graphics and LED backlit display which makes editing graphics easier and clearer. This latest model has battery power that lasts up to 8 hours (on 17-inch version). It is powered by the Intel Core 2 Duo processor.

Dell Studio XPS Desktop

The Dell Studio XPS Desktop features the Intel Core i5 and i7 processors. If you plan on working with intensive video or 3D editing, you can have an upgrade to the 16GB Dual Channel DDR3 SDRAM. But its base 3GB memory will enable you to edit photos, create vector or raster designs with ease. Its high-definition ATI graphics card creates clear, precise and flawless graphics - just what a graphic designer needs.

Toshiba Qosmio Laptop

The Toshiba Qosimo is an affordable solution to your graphic design needs. It is powered by either the Intel Core i7 or i5 processor making it easier to create flawless graphics. It has a high-end NVIDIA GeForce graphics card, which ensures that you can clearly see every pixel and frame that you edit. It has a 6GB DDR3 1066MHz memory and a 1GB GDDR5 discrete graphics memory.

HP Pavilion Elite Desktop

The HP Pavilion Elite Desktop is an affordable computer. It is powered by either an AMD Athlon or an Intel Core processor that ranges from an X4 630 quad-core (Athlon) to an i7-980X six-core Extreme Edition (Intel). All HP Pavilion Elite Desktop computers come with genuine 64-bit Windows 7 for the latest technology. Memory ranges from 4GB up to 9GB which guarantees smooth and effortless run of the high-end graphics that you use.

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A branding strategy article by Scotts DIGITAL - Top digital marketing company in Singapore and globally. Contact Scotts DIGITAL @ +(65) 9388 0851 or email to admin@scottsdigital.com for more information on how to brand your website in Google and generate more clients for your business.

Why A Laptop Is A Student's Need

When you look at teenagers today, you look at technology. And, not only teenagers, it is the youngsters in general. A lot of times, you find the latest gadgets in their hands. At other times, you find them searching for spare parts, such as iPhone parts or Macbook parts, for their devices.
Technology and youth are closely bonded. Moreover, it is not just the peer pressure or being luxurious, different technical devices have become a necessity for youngsters, especially the students. One example of this is a laptop.

One knows it for sure that a laptop is stylish in the new age of computers. With one in your hand, you ultimately become a style icon; there is no doubt about it. Moreover, if all your friends at college have it, you too have to own it. This is where peer pressure dives in.

However, if you look at it from another perspective, a laptop is not just a piece to show off your luxury. Instead, it is a basic need for college students. Why? There are many reasons for it.

The first thing that explains its importance is portability. With a laptop, it is easier for students to carry their assignments and projects to their schools. They do not need discs or flash drives, neither do they have to worry about whether the college computer will work or not. They can carry their own, and continue with their projects.

Moreover, college study also includes different presentations and multimedia tasks. Here also a laptop will serve the students. They can use different applications and come up with an impressive assignment.

Being a college student, one has to spend most of the time on studying, and using IT skills for it. This requires much time spent on a computer. A personalized computer such as a laptop will always be available for these tasks.

Similarly, learning is the basic part of your college. And, not only learning, it is detailed learning that a student has to carry out. This also requires proper understanding of concepts and ample research.
For this reason, a student has to utilize all the available resources. Internet is the greatest source of information, and a laptop makes browsing easy and friendly.

As a part of a student's life, social interaction too is needed. A pupil needs to share information with other students and work on different assignments as a team. This requires data transfer and better understanding, involving a group. For all these reasons, better communication is necessary.

Moreover, social media sites are another platform where these youngsters interact. Apart from studies, they also want to take a break and enjoy latest updates and gossips.

Many pupils might also work as well as study. In that case, online classes are a great opportunity that they have. By having a laptop, they can easily attend these lectures wherever they are.
In general, there are many ways that make a laptop important for students. Technology is pacing forward and new applications are invented. These suit the students' life so that they work hard in creating a better tomorrow.

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A brand loyalty article by Scotts DIGITAL - Top digital marketing company in Singapore and globally. Contact Scotts DIGITAL @ +(65) 9388 0851 or email to admin@scottsdigital.com for more information on how to brand your website in Google and generate more clients for your business.

Saturday, 20 June 2015

Choosing Great Accessories and Add-Ons For Your Apple Mac Computer

Apple computer's ongoing technology innovations and recent market-share gains have opened a much broader range of Mac compatible accessories and peripherals than in years past. Choosing the right Apple gizmos or add-on today isn't nearly as much of a challenge as in the past. Macintosh owners had more problems finding gadgets back in the days of proprietary Apple connectors, limited driver availability, other incompatibility issues, and having to choose from a narrower list Mac supported devices.

In the past decade, Apple has made great strides in supporting and even pioneering open and industry standards. Now we're faced with almost too many choices. The majority of computer peripherals today are far more likely to be cross-platform and fully Mac compatible. But there's still differences. Apple owners tend to have a strong sense of function and aesthetic: We want gizmos and gadgets that adhere to the motto 'It Just Works.' But we also like add-ons that match and compliment our computer's design and our own sense of style, whether it's on the go with a MacBook laptop or at our desktop iMac or Mac mini.

If you're shopping for an Apple compatible All-In-One printer, webcam, wired USB device, or wireless Bluetooth computer speaker system, digital camera, scanner, hard drive or memory upgrade; some choices stand out. An online trip to the Apple Store on the web is often a good indicator of products they know by and large work well with the Mac. But there, you're likely to see and pay full list price for accessories that could be had for less nearly anywhere else.

Opt for quality peripherals over price and you'll have a better Mac computing experience in the long run. By comparison shopping wisely, you can find great deals on highly rated, top Mac accessories that will be a joy to use for years to come. Cheap, import and knock-off accessories are usually just that. An ill-fitting laptop case, lousy speakers with poor frequency response, a blurry webcam with an empty sounding microphone, a temperamental inkjet printer that jams, clogs and costs a fortune to replace the ink on will all lead to regrets and frustration.

Trust major brands that have a history of supporting the Apple Macintosh platform. Look to companies that specialize in innovative Apple specific, Mac compatible products designed with your exact needs in mind. Look to midrange Mac-friendly products in the Good, Better, Best spectrum to find the optimal value for your money. Be skeptical of computer magazines and gadget-freak websites that tend to feature and review expensive, high-end gear for the well-heeled customer. They're likely to feature headphones in the $150-300 range when there's some awesome iPod, iPhone, and iPad headset solutions for a fraction of that with excellent audiophile sound quality.

Apple's has built in OSX device drivers for literally hundreds of gizmos and gadgets to make installation as simple as merely plugging in many devices. Staying current with software updates to the operating system will insure smoother operation with less bugs. When supporting applications or 3rd-party drivers are needed, some vendors provide downright elegant OSX software, while others unfortunately fail to deliver a truly 'Mac-like' interface, which can negatively impact your buying experience.

Do a bit of homework before choosing the best Mac accessories for your home, business or travel needs. Hyped product announcements or press releases aren't always the best source. Online product reviews, especially those tempered with customer reviews and feedback can give you a better sense of design, function and usability in the real world where it counts.

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A brand loyalty article by Scotts DIGITAL - Top SEO Marketing company in Singapore and globally. Contact Scotts DIGITAL @ +(65) 9388 0851 or email to admin@scottsdigital.com for more information on how to brand your website in Google and generate more clients for your business.

The Best Laptops on the Market

Laptops tend to be getting extremely popular nowadays, as everyone wants to have access to a computer while on the go or even just for the benefit of having a portable device. The best laptop manufacturers have created laptops with diverse features, specifications and sizes to suit the needs of everyone. Therefore, depending on your needs and finances, you can purchase a laptop to carry out tasks quickly without disturbance even if you are traveling.

In order to find the best laptop for your business, entertainment and research purposes, you should know about some of the models on the market to get value for your money.
Here are a few options available on the market:

Compaq CQ50 100EM SI40 models can be regarded as one of the best since it offers amazing facilities and features. These include 1 GB of random access memory; Windows Vista operating system; 120 GB hard disk and excellent sound quality.

Dell Inspiron 14 features excellent features such as 4GB RAM, six and a half hours battery life, 14 inch display screen as well as Windows 7, 64 bit operating-system.

Lenovo Thinkpad R61e design boasts an Intel Celeron processor; 512 MB random access memory; 15.4 inch screen and an excellent battery life.

HP Compaq 6730b model provides 6 hours battery life; 5.4 inch display; 320 GB hard drive; Intel Core 2 Duo P8600 processor and 2GB random access memory.

Apple MacBook features Intel Core 2 Duo (2.26 GHz) processor; amazing 7 hours of battery life and Mac OS Tiger operating-system.

HP Pavilion dv2 features some of the latest capabilities such as 4 GB of RAM; built-in 512 MB HD graphics card and 320 GB hard drive.

The information above is just a highlight of a few of the laptops and notebooks which are regarded as the best models to buy these days. You can always consult a professional who can guide you to select the best gadget that will give you value for your money.

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A brand loyalty article by Scotts DIGITAL - Best SEO agency in Singapore and globally. Contact Scotts DIGITAL @ +(65) 9388 0851 or email to admin@scottsdigital.com for more information on how to brand your website in Google and generate more clients for your business.

Thursday, 18 June 2015

The Laptop Computer - Baby You've Come A Long Way

A laptop computer, or simply 'laptop', is a small battery powered personal computer that usually weighs around 1 to 8 kilograms.

These days, many office workers use their laptop as their primary source for computing using an external mouse, keyboard and monitor when in the office, and using the laptop's organic screen, pointing device and keyboard when traveling.

Laptops usually run on a single main rechargeable battery, or from an external AC/DC adapter that charges the battery while also supplying power to the computer itself. Laptop batteries usually last from between 2 and 5 hours between recharges. New battery technology is set to extend their useful life by factors of 3 or 4 times. Most laptops also have a button cell battery to run the clock and store the computer's bios.

 In most cases, the laptop also holds an image of the main operating system that can be used to restore full functionality after a virus attack or other comuting disaster.
Laptops contain components that are similar to their desktop counterparts and perform the same functions, but are miniaturised and optimised for mobile use, low weight and efficient power consumption.

Typically the laptop gives less computing power per dollar because they use customised components and propriety designs to lower weight and give lower power consumption. Laptops usually have colour liquid crystal displays, and most of them use different memory modules than standard personal desktop computers. In addition to a built-in keyboard, they may also offer users a touchpad (also known as a trackpad) or a track-ball for input, though an external keyboard or mouse can usually be attached.

The first commercially available portable computer was the Osborne 1 in 1981, which used the CP/M operating system. The Osborne 1 weighed 10.7 kgs, had a tiny 13cm CRT display, and a single density floppy disk. Although it was large, heavy and useless compared to today's laptops, it had a revolutionary impact on business. Computing and engineering professionals were able to take their computer and data with them for the first time.

Since these early days the major developments in laptops have been focused on processing power, weight reduction, price reduction, battery life, and more recently, aesthetics. It wasn't until the mid to late 1990s that laptop computers became common place as prices reduced and they became less burdensome to travel with. As far aesthetics are concerned, Apple's range of laptop computers are examples of brilliant industrial design combined with serious computing power.

Weighing in at less than 3 pounds, the MacBook Air is less than .77 inches thick and will run for up to 5 hours on a single charge.

The future for laptops looks promising. As industrial design and battery technology improves, laptops will get faster, smaller and lighter. The laptop will become more of an industrial strength PDA than a computer. It won't be too long until you will be able to get full computing power in a handheld device 12 x 12 cms by 8mm thick. The Apple iPhone is half-way there.

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A brand loyalty article by Scotts DIGITAL - Top SEO Marketing company in Singapore and globally. Contact Scotts DIGITAL @ +(65) 9388 0851 or email to admin@scottsdigital.com for more information on how to brand your website in Google and generate more clients for your business.

How to Make Your Laptop Last Longer

Apple computer have recently introduced a magnetic power connector to their range of MacBooks and MacBook Pros. The idea is that if your power cable gets yanked, it just pops out and doesn't pull your laptop off the table. This is a great invention that surely should have been invented at least 10 years ago - I can't believe no one thought of such an obvious idea sooner.

Long Term Port Wear

I used to have an iBook and after 18 months the Ethernet port became a bit temperamental. The wire had to be pulled sidewise or it wouldn't connect. The port hadn't become damaged by yanking it (something that still hasn't been solved by the way), it was just worn out with normal use. I think the thing that did the damage was resting the laptop on my lap, or for that matter anywhere apart from a table. When the computer on something that doesn't remain perfectly still the cables in the back will be softly tugged with every movement. I didn't even think about it until the port failed, but I think 18 months of soft tugging is enough to wear it out.

The bad news is that the ports on your laptop can't easily be fixed. All of the ones I have opened up have the ports soldered to the motherboard. Normally a broken port means that you are going to have to buy a new machine. Even if it is still under warranty, I wouldn't be surprise if you get turned away. Broken ports are probably classed as user abuse by manufacturers - something that can't be fixed under standard warranty.

After the iBook, I got an IBM ThinkPad. To avoid running into the same problem, I made certain rules of how I was going to use my new laptop. I always try to use it at a table; this is not only is good to eliminate cable tugging, it also supports your arms which I find more comfortable. After 2 years, my ports are not showing any signs of wear - so it seems to be paying off.

Carrying the Laptop

The only thing that went wrong with my ThinkPad was the case cracking. Although it was not dropped the case cracked after around 18 months of regular use. In my opinion, I think it was partly attributable to the poorly designed plastic component and also that I often lifted the laptop with one hand. Picking up a laptop by the corner is another habit that I try to avoid; it puts unnecessary bending stresses on some of the components.

Stop Theives Taking your Laptop

Over the last 5 years, 4 laptops have been stolen from people I know; one from a restaurant, one from a college, and two from bedrooms. Each time the owner was guilty in some way for not taking the necessary precautions. I think that the windows of your home are like a shop front for thieves; I would never keep expensive equipment that can be seen in full view from outside. It might be nice to have a view from your desk, but you should be aware not to invite break-ins.

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A branding strategies article by Scotts DIGITAL - Top digital agency in Singapore and globally. Contact Scotts DIGITAL @ +(65) 9388 0851 or email to admin@scottsdigital.com for more information on how to brand your website in Google and generate more clients for your business.

Sunday, 14 June 2015

How to Install a New Hard Drive in a Macbook Pro

Ever have a hard drive fail? I have. Here's my story:

I put my late 2009 Apple Macbook Pro to sleep late one Saturday night. Being late at night I didn't have the time, or patience to let my computer fully fall asleep and have the little light in the front blink, indicating it had gone to sleep. I jumped the gun and rotated my computer onto its right side, hard drive still spinning. A definite NO, NO, according to Apple's website. You MUST allow the hard drive disks to spin down and wait for the light to pulsate.

The next morning I awoke, ready to dive into the new website I was developing for my photography business. My Macbook Pro awoke without incident and I thought everything was ok. Then Adobe Lightroom didn't save a file I was working on. It said it needed a place to save the files I was working on. I thought to myself, "you do have a place you moron, it's called the hard drive."

I restarted as I do when things don't work right and what I saw next is seared into my mind. The terrible FLASHING FOLDER and QUESTION MARK. This means, in Apple speak, something is wrong. I would later have the Apple "Genius" tell me it was my HDD. He wanted nearly $200 with tax to fix it and still I wouldn't be able to recover my data without sending my computer into a data recovery service. NO WAY!

So, I did it myself and got all of my data back for less than $100. Here's how:

1. Order a replacement HDD from Newegg, or Amazon. I had a Seagate 500gb 2.5 SATA 7,200 rpm and so I replaced it with the same drive.

2. Also order a sled. A sled is basically a HDD enclosure, which allows you to create your own external HDD. Amazon is also a great place for these.

3. You'll also need a set of small screwdrivers, a #00 Phillips screwdriver and a T6 torx screwdriver. These are available in sets from Amazon, Best Buy, etc.

4. Place your Macbook Pro on a static-free work surface and make sure to touch something metal before touching any of the computer components. This will discharge any static.

5. Turn it upside down and remove all of the screws, taking note where they all go.

6. The hard drive is located on the bottom right, if the laptop is facing away from you. Unscrew the black mounting bracket on the top of the hard drive.

7. Pull the connecting cable from the right side of the drive, CAREFULLY.

8. Unscrew the 4 mounting screws from the drive and place to one side.

9. Unpack your new hard drive and screw in the 4 mounting screws to the new drive.

10. Attach the connecting cable to the new HDD.

11. Do up the mounting bracket.

12. Put cover back onto your Macbook Pro and replace screws.

13. Turn your computer over and press the power button.

14. Insert you Mac OS install disk. Hold down the power until the computer turns off and then press it to turn it back on while holding down the C key on your keyboard.

15. You will get the install screen for OS X. Click DISK UTILITY from the menu and select the new HDD. Select erase and create as many partitions as you want. I only use one. Name this new partition Macintosh HD.

16. You now have a formatted disk. Go back to the main menu and follow the prompts to install OS X onto your new hard drive. You have the option to install a backup from Time Machine at this point.

17. Once the OS has been re-installed, plug your sled into your old HDD and plug the USB cable into your computer. If it mounts and shows up in your finder you have a good chance of recovering some, or all of your information. Just drag your files from your old HDD onto your new one.

And that's it. Pretty simple. But there are some things to watch out for.

NOTES:

If you are backing up from Time Machine, please note that you will have to use the install disk that came with whatever OS you were last using. If you had Snow Leopard installed on your old HDD, you CANNOT restore using Leopard, or Tiger. You MUST use the Snow Leopard install disk.

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A branding strategy article by Scotts DIGITAL - Top digital agency in Singapore and globally. Contact Scotts DIGITAL @ +(65) 9388 0851 or email to admin@scottsdigital.com for more information on how to brand your website in Google and generate more clients for your business.