Tag Archives: Notebook

New MacBook Pros and USB C (and Thunderbolt and video, and network, and power)

The new MacBook Pros announced October 27 2016 have taken the plunge that we guessed was coming: All USB Type C ports, all the time.  (for a refresher on Type C, see our article here) Following on after the opening … Continue reading

Posted in Computer Questions and Answers, Hard Drives and SSD, Mac questions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Q. Can I get a good gaming laptop? For under $700?

First things first.  There is no such thing as a real gaming laptop – not if you mean a laptop machine that is portable, battery powered, and has game performance comparable to a desktop machine with a good graphic card … Continue reading

Posted in Computer Questions and Answers, General Computer, PC Gaming, Upgrading | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Q. How do I upgrade the hard drive in a Windows laptop?

Most modern notebook machines have hard drives that can be replaced with a larger, faster 2.5″ SATA hard drive or upgraded to a 2.5″ SATA Solid State (SSD) flash drive. Older notebooks may have 2.5″ IDE (Parallel ATA) hard drives, they can still … Continue reading

Posted in Computer Questions and Answers, Hard Drives and SSD, Windows questions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Q. Can I upgrade the processor or the graphics card in my laptop?

The short answer is No. The longer answer is that many laptops have the CPU soldered into the motherboard. Even where the CPU is socketed, the motherboard chipset and BIOS would have to specifically support the new CPU, and laptop … Continue reading

Posted in Computer Questions and Answers, General Computer, How-To, Performance | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Q. How do I install RAM in a PC Notebook?

The RAM memory in most notebook computers is user-upgradeable. Almost all notebook machines use SODIMMs (Small Outline Dual Inline Memory Modules). Part of the trick is to discover where the memory modules are located in a notebook machine. The best … Continue reading

Posted in Computer Questions and Answers, General Computer, How-To, Memory, Windows questions | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Q. How do I make my notebook battery last longer?

First of all, how old is your battery?  Batteries last from one to three years on average, and it would be expected that the capacity is down by 40 – 50% after three years.  So if you have an old … Continue reading

Posted in Computer Questions and Answers, General Computer, Mac questions, Performance, Windows questions | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Q. What RAM memory and hard drives fit my Mac PowerBook G4?

The Powerbook G4 was a revolutionary notebook when it was released, having an all-metal casing manufactured with a Titanium alloy. In Early 2003 Apple switched to an aluminum allow for the case, and introduced 12″ and 17″ models. At the … Continue reading

Posted in Computer Questions and Answers, Hard Drives and SSD, How-To, Mac questions, Memory | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Q. What Memory and Drives fit my MacBook Pro?

Apple MacBook Pro machines feature Intel processors and an Aluminum body Following is a chronological chart of all of the MacBook Pro models, the types of RAM and hard drives that can be installed. Newest machines are at the bottom. … Continue reading

Posted in Computer Questions and Answers, Hard Drives and SSD, How-To, Mac questions, Memory | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Q. What Memory and Drives fit my MacBook?

There have been a number of different MacBooks, and three different types of RAM have been used in them. The MacBook started with the White and Black Lexan polycarbonate machines. Then in later 2008, Apple switched to an alumninum unibody … Continue reading

Posted in Computer Questions and Answers, Hard Drives and SSD, How-To, Mac questions, Memory | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Q. My iBook or Powerbook battery is not charging or being recognized, yet it works fine in another machine

First you need to to a Power Manager reset PMU reset) on your machine http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1431 Then recalibrate the battery http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1490 Keep in mind that batteries last from one to three years and they steadily lose capacity.  Apple’s criteria is the … Continue reading

Posted in Mac questions | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Q. I have hooked my laptop to a TV/External monitor/Projector and it isn’t displaying anything

Have you pressed the key that controls screen mirroring?  On Toshiba notebooks it is usually Function F5, or consult your manual. On Windows 7, hit Windows-P  or right-click on the desktop and choose Graphic Properties. Or go into Control Panel … Continue reading

Posted in General Computer | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment