Bytes and Pieces
Over the next two issues I will be discussing some additions to your digital life that can make things easier, more convenient or more useful.
Laptop users
If you own a laptop and work on it regularly at home you’ll notice a few things. The screens can be a bit too small for office work, the keyboards feel cramped and some keys may be missing or do double duty, and the audio quality out of your laptops speakers may not be the best.
Adding Visual Real Estate
By adding a monitor to your setup you can increase the amount to screen space you have making working on a laptop much more enjoyable. Monitors range in size from 17 inch to 30 inches or more. There are many to choose from so what’s important? The first thing you want to look at is what is the maximum size your laptop can drive? My 13-inch Apple MacBook can drive up to a 24-inch screen while my MacBook Pro can drive over a 30-inch display.
Native resolution is the resolution that your new screen feels most comfortable displaying. LCD screens are picky about this and perform at their best only at their native resolution. If your laptop is older you will want to ensure it can provide a resolution compatible with the monitor you have your eye on.
Digital or Analogue outputs. Many new laptops allow you to choose to drive your new monitor with either a digital or analogue signal. Choose digital if your computer allows it, as everything with be just that little bit sharper.
Turn on the monitor you're thinking about purchasing and get up close. Look at the way it displays text, images, and handles quick motion. Any fuzziness here will only drive you nuts later.
Check the cords that come with the monitor. If you have a Mac you will need a VGA to Mini DVI adapter for your MacBook or a DVI to VGA for your MacBook Pro. Bring your laptop to the store and make sure it has a cord that will connect.
Adding Inputs
If you are like me you can never have enough USB ports for all your toys. Digital Cameras, iPods, Flash drives, mice and keyboards all need somewhere to attach. Both my laptops only offer two USB ports so I have added a USB hub to my desk set-up. I bought mine at The Source but you can purchase one from any good computer store. Make sure it’s powered so that you can drive your peripherals.
Power
Many of us assume that simply plugging our laptop into the wall is good enough. If you’ve ever had a power surge burn out your laptop power adapter you know its not. I recommend you plug all your computer gear into a well-protected power bar and plug that into your outlet. This does two things, first it provides great surge protection for your delicate electronics but secondly it adds plug outlets offering further places to plug in all our peripherals. Stay away from the cheapest versions and look for ones with a rated surge protection and a reset switch.
Laptop users
If you own a laptop and work on it regularly at home you’ll notice a few things. The screens can be a bit too small for office work, the keyboards feel cramped and some keys may be missing or do double duty, and the audio quality out of your laptops speakers may not be the best.
Adding Visual Real Estate
By adding a monitor to your setup you can increase the amount to screen space you have making working on a laptop much more enjoyable. Monitors range in size from 17 inch to 30 inches or more. There are many to choose from so what’s important? The first thing you want to look at is what is the maximum size your laptop can drive? My 13-inch Apple MacBook can drive up to a 24-inch screen while my MacBook Pro can drive over a 30-inch display.
Native resolution is the resolution that your new screen feels most comfortable displaying. LCD screens are picky about this and perform at their best only at their native resolution. If your laptop is older you will want to ensure it can provide a resolution compatible with the monitor you have your eye on.
Digital or Analogue outputs. Many new laptops allow you to choose to drive your new monitor with either a digital or analogue signal. Choose digital if your computer allows it, as everything with be just that little bit sharper.
Turn on the monitor you're thinking about purchasing and get up close. Look at the way it displays text, images, and handles quick motion. Any fuzziness here will only drive you nuts later.
Check the cords that come with the monitor. If you have a Mac you will need a VGA to Mini DVI adapter for your MacBook or a DVI to VGA for your MacBook Pro. Bring your laptop to the store and make sure it has a cord that will connect.
Adding Inputs
If you are like me you can never have enough USB ports for all your toys. Digital Cameras, iPods, Flash drives, mice and keyboards all need somewhere to attach. Both my laptops only offer two USB ports so I have added a USB hub to my desk set-up. I bought mine at The Source but you can purchase one from any good computer store. Make sure it’s powered so that you can drive your peripherals.
Power
Many of us assume that simply plugging our laptop into the wall is good enough. If you’ve ever had a power surge burn out your laptop power adapter you know its not. I recommend you plug all your computer gear into a well-protected power bar and plug that into your outlet. This does two things, first it provides great surge protection for your delicate electronics but secondly it adds plug outlets offering further places to plug in all our peripherals. Stay away from the cheapest versions and look for ones with a rated surge protection and a reset switch.
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