Category Archives: Laptop

Toshiba Qosmio X775-3DV80: Quality Product From a Quality Company

Toshiba Qosmio X775-3DV80

There are not a whole lot of choices when it comes to picking a new gaming laptop these days. Everyone I’ve talked to has said the same thing over and over again, “alienware is the way to go”, but if you’re looking for an alternative to the Alienware series, then the Toshiba Qosmio X775-3DV80 is possibly the best alternative. The Qosmio X775-3DV80 comes with: the Intel® Core™ i7-2670QM processor, A 17.3″ widescreen, 8GB DDR3 1333MHz of memory, a 1.25TB: 500GB (7200rpm, Hybrid 4GB Serial ATA) + 750GB (5400rpm, Serial ATA) hard drive, and the 1.5GB GDDR5 NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 560M 3D Vision graphics card, among other things.

Toshiba has traditionally been the company you go to when you want quality piece of equipment at an affordable price; always producing great electronics and providing excellent customer service. Now with Toshiba offering a competitive gaming laptop on their website, they seem to provide the best all around buying experience. It has always been my experience that the best products that I buy or the best companies to buy from are the ones with the best customer service, and from personal experience I can say that Toshiba has come through time and time again. Being able to buy a quality gaming laptop from Toshiba is awesome. It’s not to discredit any other companies out there but some people just prefer a pleasant experience when buying things. Seems like a simple concept but it does get overlooked.

Customer service aside, having the latest hardware for high performing laptops is a must when thinking about a new gaming laptop; most notably is the graphics card. The 1.5GB GDDR5 NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 560M (3D Vision) graphics card is one of the most (if not the most) high performing card offered my NVIDIA. Now the 3D Vision option is up to you. I have yet to play in 3D vision online but I can only assume that it’s pretty sweet. I don’t know if I would be able to handle it though. If you’re like me, during online play I’m spending most of my concentration on what’s coming around the corner or what my FPS are. I think the 3D vision would be lost on me but then again, gaming laptops have excellent video quality for movies and streaming and such. I might have to give it a shot (no pun intended).

Quality product from a quality company, the Toshiba Qosmio X775-3DV80 is a great all around purchase for a new gaming laptop.

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The Razer BLADE: Gaming Laptops May Never Be the Same

If you are looking for the latest greatest thing in new gaming laptops then you might be interested to know that RAZER is coming out with the latest answer to the gaming laptop community. The Razer Blade claims it will be the world’s first “true gaming laptop”. I was a bit skeptical at first but then I took a closer look. Most of the hardware offered by Razer is pretty standard in performance laptops with the exception of a couple of things. They are offering a Next generation NVIDIA™ discrete GPU (GT 555M) with 2GB dedicated GDDR5 of video memory and Intel’s 2nd Generation Core i7 processor, but the thing that is going to making this the world’s first true gaming laptop is The Razer Switchblade UI Interface

The Razer Switchblade UI Interface is a revolutionary LCD panel and keyset that is completely customizable. There are an infinite number of commands and combination of commands that you can set on the 10 dynamic adaptive keys with the matching icon overlays for whatever particular game you are playing. The panel below the keys is capable of two modes: one mode that displays in-game information for quick and easy access to certain commands that are need to optimal game play; and a second mode that functions as a super sensitive multi-touch panel for the gamer that relies on his/her senses rather than waiting for reactions. The fact that this LCD touch screen is completely customizable is awesome.

I’m definitely one of those gamers that has to have his buttons set in the right way in order to tear it up online. This is a brilliant idea by Razer to come up with something that will make the user more involved with their own laptop. Having a configuration that is not only optimal for online game play but something that is comfortable and innovative is a step above the rest. I can see this laptop setting the standard of new gaming laptops. Any gamer will tell you, the best way to succeed at any video game, or any kind of competition, is to have the most up-to-date equipment. Not only that, but having the where-with-all to know how to use your equipment to achieve it’s maximum potential. If the Razor Blade can give you the slightest edge, in that respect, then it is definitely worth a shot. Now the Razer Blade isn’t out quite yet I believe a release date has yet to be reached. I will most definitely keep you posted.

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How Is Apples IOS 6 Passbook App Going to Change the Electronic Wallet World?

How is Apples iOS 6 Passbook App Going to Impact Other Electronic Wallets?

Apple has entered the smartphone wallet business with a new application in iOS 6 called Passbook; a prelude to what might soon become a fully-fledged electronic wallet. With the Apple brand behind it, it is expected that all aspects of mobile payments, ticketing, and discounts will change forever.

Introducing Passbook

On Monday, June 11, 2024 at the Worldwide Development Conference (WWDC), Apple announced it’s very own mobile wallet application known as Passbook. Passbook is an iOS 6 app that will be fully integrated into the latest iPhone operating system. Expected to be released sometime in October it’s most likely to launch along with the iPhone 5 release. Apple provides an API to enable developers to create, manage and distribute Apple-approved boarding passes, reward cards, gift cards, incentive cards, and more in a single place. In a similar fashion to the iOS Books and Newsstand apps, Apple are providing a native platform that allows business owners to get their business and service offerings in front of iPhone users.

A Beautiful User Interface

Apple’s development of Passbook establishes a secure-standard for supporting and organising virtual tickets, store cards, coupons, and offers in the mobile iOS devices. An impressive array of features will appear at the time of the initial launch with a lot more to follow as developers start to integrate the system elsewhere. Prior to its official launch, Apple has already built an existing list of large retailers that wish to integrate the Passbook technology into existing iOS applications, such as Starbucks popular barcode payments app. More small and large businesses are expected to announce how they intend to use Passbook to their advantage closer to the launch date.

Passbook presents a great looking simple-to-use card-style user interface (UI) that updates live as the store cards or passes are used. Apple have taken care of the way that a user, and the business, interacts with the digital Passes. There are certain constraints, like the size of the Pass, or the number of fields allowed, or how the user can choose to be informed etc.. but Apple are attempting to offer a truly open system. An application that can be used by any retailer wishing to offer digital passes. There will also be a rich set of features, including time and location based information, access to prior purchasing history, and access to personal data.

Passes within the Passbook app itself are very attractive. They really feel great to look at and play with. It feels so much more 21st century than a stuffed wallet or purse full of paper and plastic. Each type of pass has a slightly different style that allows the user to quickly find the right one. For example a retail coupon has a serrated edges to graphically illustrate a discount or a movie ticket has a half-circle clipped at the top to illustrate the likeness of a ticket stub.

These Passbook standards and the API suggests Apple are creating their foundation for how they might wish to integrate their technology with Visa, MasterCard or similar payment card processing networks.

Built in Features

Passbook is a fully functioning application, and any business creating and distributing these passes can exploit the Passbook features immediately:

  • Geolocation
  • Push Updates
  • Calendar Updates

Geolocation: The pass will automatically appear when the iPhone user reaches a particular place. When the device is near a retailer, or whatever location the Pass creator chooses, a message appears on the lock screen to alert the user that they have a Pass (perhaps a discount coupon or a loyalty card) that can be redeemed. Not only is this very convenient for the iPhone user but also allows retailers the option to push offers and incentives based on a range of criteria, including that of location.

Examples:

  • A large chain coffee company delivers their loyalty card via Passbook so that it opens automatically once a user gets close to a particular store. Instant access is given to the barcode system which the user simply scans at the terminal and then they enjoy their cup off coffee. They don’t even need to type in their password to unlock the phone.
  • An electronic store ‘pushes’ a coupon the instant they arrive at the store; Passbook notifies the shopper of their current balance and the discount available.
  • A mass transit railway company issue Passbook Passes to display the number of rides or credits available, with a scannable barcode for use at the ticket office.
  • A ticketing company issues Passbook tickets which will instantly pop up at the time of the concert, and again when the device holder gets close to the venue; building up excitement and maximising audience engagement.

Push Updates: All coupons, cards and tickets come with the ability to dynamically update. Updated information can be instantly pushed to the iPhone lockscreen which then opens up the specific Pass in Passbook. The notice is pushed to the lock screen, the relevant pass then appears and the updated information is circled, with some cool animation; quickly informing the user what’s changed.

Examples:

  • An airline issues Passbook boarding passes. In the last hour they need to change departure gate, so push an update to all the Passbook boarding pass holders who quickly receive the updated notification and the Boarding Pass is automatically updated.
  • A large retail store, issues it’s loyalty cards via Passbook. When someone spends over a certain amount and they move to ‘Platinum status’, Passbook provides them a little ‘congratulation update’ and the Pass Image changes colour to indicate their new status.

Integration with Calendar and Reminders: The Pass can be tagged with a certain date and time. If activated, the reminder can appear in the user’s iOS calendar. At the appropriate time the reminder will appear on the user’s device and the can immediately go straight to the relevant Pass in Passbook.

Examples:

  • An airline ticket is purchased with date exclusions and alerts are sent to the Pass owner when an available open date presents itself.
  • Someone sends his birthday invites via Passbook and using the calendar invite feature the app will allow event tickets to be pushed on to friends to accept and attend.

By combining Geolocation, Live updates and the Reminder functionality the end user can look forward to a wonderfully rich experience. And thanks to Apple’s ingenuity, the user won’t be annoyed by the little things that could ruin the experience. For example the screen doesn’t rotate when a Pass is open; so unlike when using Safari, Passbook keeps your barcode in one orientation. Also, the screen remains lit when a Pass is open; nothing would be more annoying than trying to scan your pass and the screen saver comes on! Using Passbook is a truly engaging, exciting, convenient and useful experience. So much more fun than old paper tickets, or plastic membership cards that clog up wallets.

As Apple offers advanced functionality, and developers get to integrate more impressive options, the Passbook platform will end up a spectacular system for store cards, tickets, and payment innovations.

Bar Codes

Initially Apple is introducing Passbook with the integration of 2D bar codes. This simple bar code facility allows the user to redeem the voucher and allows the retailer to confirm the validity of the Pass. Apple chose 2D bar codes, instead of the older 1D bar codes, as there were some problems with scanners recognizing 1D barcodes on an LED screen. The Pass creator can choose to generate a 2 Bar Code in any of the most popular formats; Aztec, PDF147 or QR Code.

Near Field Communication (NFC)

Despite much speculation, it doesn’t look like Apple will launch Passbook with NFC (Near-field communication) integration although longer term there seems to be light doubt that this upgrade in hardware is on its way.

When NFC is released in a next generation of Apple iPhones it will offer the ability to integrate much better with retailers existing payment processing systems. NFC systems are at present being installed at many retailers (mostly larger establishments) as part of MasterCard’s and Visa’s mandate on having a high volume of NFC and EMV transactions by the year 2014. Apple are expected to be at the front of the cue with the NFC technology once its integrated into the iOS as more of the NFC payments systems become available at merchants.

Payment Integration

It’s just a matter of time before Apple put its full weight behind the Passbook app to integrate payment card facilities. Although, given the regulation and the general complexity of the payment space, we can’t see Passbook fully substituting existing payment cards (MasterCard and Visa), but rather combine the use of both of these services.

Apple is wisely implementing a wallet app that works with existing infrastructure, rather than against. A lot of companies have tried to completely transform the mobile payment space while ignoring the incredible weight and power of the companies they were trying to do battle with; namely the banks and credit card companies. With Passbook, Apple is clever to keep these guys onside by working with them and not against. Passbook is ultimately a platform for innovation allowing any company to easily be part of the mobile payments space, without having to heavily invest in their own wallet application.

Business Opportunity

Passbook is expected to have a direct impact on all businesses involved in payments, loyalty cards, store cards, gift cards, ticketing (airlines, trains, etc.), and incentive cards. Getting ready for Passbook now couldn’t be anymore obvious for small or large business alike. History has shown us that anyone aligning themselves with the Apple eco-system benefits massively. You only have to think about how many people are going to be rushing to the store for a new iPhone 5.0 and when they want to fill their empty Passbook, where are they going to turn?

In a similar fashion to the app store, Apple aims to seed 1000s of new ideas and start-ups. Companies that are already working to learn this technology will be the first to announce and benefit from this new eco-system. If you have ambitions for developing spectacular wallet ideas, then Passbook is a perfect platform for your creativity. Businesses don’t have to overly invest in a standalone application or try to solve all the interface challenges that Apple has worked out for them.

Apple has a long standing history of shifting the direction of a companies business plans, even the most successful ones. Passbook has the potential to make dozens of products irrelevant or redundant in the near future.

Some critics have suggested that Passbook is just a basic wallet application and not a required addition to the iOS. And it seems these people are ignoring the true opportunity. History will show that the introduction of Passbook all aspects of mobile payments, ticketing, and discounts will change forever. Time to get on board.

Paul Tomes invites you to use the PassKit API for free.

You can experience Passbook for yourself by downloading sample passes onto your iOS6 iPhone. You can push updates to the lockscreen using the PassKit API. And you can create passes, design passes and even distribute passes using the Passbook API, PassKit.

To access the PassK.it API simply visit sample Passbook passes now and download the free Starbucks Pass sample.

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Save The Earth With Your Laptop

Have you ever watched Pixar’s Wall-E? It’s a great film about environmentalism. In the movie, humans had to evacuate Earth because trash was getting piled up so high that it looked like a skyscraper! Then, Robots had to come in and clean up the trash.

It’s a powerful movie that made everyone aware of the effects that pollution and improper waste management can do to our planet. While the skyscrapers of trash may be an exaggeration in the film, at this rate, it can be true in the future!

It is up to us, laptop owners, to be more responsible in handling our devices. Right now, millions of laptops are getting discarded every day because they are obsolete or just broken. That occurs on a daily basis. Imagine then, this has been happening for so many years now that it kick - started a whole new trend in pollution, which is electronic waste.

Electronic waste, or e-waste for short, is a type of pollution that encompasses any kind of electronic devices. In short, E-waste is comprised of computers, laptops, monitors, keyboards, televisions, cell phones and even microwaves and toasters!

All of these devices contain chemicals that are very dangerous to the environment. While sitting in their landfills, they are exposed to the harsh weather, causing them to erode, which leads to a chemical leak. These chemicals aren’t only dangerous to the environment, but also to people around it.

The problem has gotten much out of hand that governments around the world have passed their own laws on how to handle e - waste! People were dying because no one took notice. All of these obsolete computer parts are just lying around waiting to kill someone.

Now, everyone is paying the price. Companies are doing the best they can to reduce waste by encouraging buyers to trade in or return their products once they are broken. It’s a good start, but it’s not enough.

Right now, people are trying to figure out the best way to recycle or trade all of that plastic and metal.

How about you? What can you do to stop humans from evacuating Earth before everyone gets buried in a mountain of trash?

If you’re going to discard your laptop, don’t just throw it in the trash can. The best you can do is to extract the parts you think can be good spare parts, such as the RAM, and use it to upgrade your computer.

Better yet, just upgrade the computer if you can! Most laptops can be customized in a way, but if it’s not possible, then buying a laptop which allows customization is good.

Everyone needs to play a part in preserving the environment. Spread the word about how much e - waste is piling up in the landfills all around the world.

Tell your friends, your parents, your grandparents and everyone else because the whole planet is all in this together. It will take a huge amount of will power to get something happening, but it’s better to start now than to start too late.

Cashforlaptops.com brings an innovative and, at the same time, greener approach to technology by giving the laptop user an opportunity to reap the financial rewards of choosing the proper way of electronic gadget disposal. Our company strictly adheres to the summary of our business principle: Reduce, Reuse, and Refurbish. Trade in laptop with Cashforlaptops.com and help reduce tech waste.

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3 Awesome Advantages of Recycling Your Laptop

3 AwesWe’d all like to make the most out of our unwanted goods. Here’s how to make the most out of your unwanted laptop…

First things first, you can make some money

Now, you may be considering paying somebody to take that battered old laptop off of your hands. After all, it’s no use to anybody… or is it? One man’s misery is another man’s fortune in the case of laptops. Even if your machine doesn’t work anymore, it still has a lot of worthy components inside that can be re-used. There are many companies out there who will happily give you a few bucks for your unwanted friend; some will even pay you quite handsomely. Have a look around the internet and you’ll see that’s the case. There’s nothing better than selling something that’s no longer needed. You’ll even have a bit of extra cash to put towards your shiny new computer.

You’ll be helping the environment

In the era when we should all be more conscious of the carbon footprint we’re leaving behind, recycling can be a satisfying experience. If you chuck your old laptop in the bin, then you’re just making a further contribution to a landfill site that’s already teeming with goods that shouldn’t really be there. Sending your laptop off to a company that offers recycling is a great way to do your bit for the environment. These companies don’t bother with landfill sites. Instead, they’ll either re-use or refurbish your old laptop, or in the worst case, take it apart and recycle the parts. Whatever they decide, you can rest assured they’ll be making the most out of your computer and helping save our precious planet at the same time.

You won’t have to worry about your data

Probably the main worry people have when disposing of their old computers is how to protect their data. Very sensitive information about us and our lives is often stored on machines nowadays. What most people don’t realise is that a simple ‘wipe’ of your hard drive doesn’t actually remove your data. It can still be retrieved with relatively little effort. There are software programs available that will erase your data properly, but usually you’ll have to pay for them. Send your laptop to be recycled and they’ll wipe all of your data for you. Instead of paying for your data to be wiped you may as well make some money and get it wiped for free.

If you’d like to recycle your laptop then a great company to use are Sell Your Laptop UK. They not only give reasonable rates for all the laptops they recycle, but they are also a social firm, founded by the charity Interact, that donate their profits and help disadvantaged people into employment.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7146758
ome Advantages of Recycling Your Laptop

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