Ever since the emergence of the iPad as a major technology product, the
question has been asked: laptop or tablet? Is a laptop even necessary when
tablets can perform so many of the same functions? Are we truly living in the
post-PC era? The answer is, it depends. Every person uses their technology a bit
differently, and some can indeed get by with a tablet alone. But don't go
assuming that the days of the laptop are numbered. While some can make do with a
tablet, there are some compromises required for the tablet-only lifestyle that
some users can't make. To help you figure out which device is right for you,
here are a few of the best features of each.
Laptops
Laptops, like desktop PCs before them, have a built-in benefit over
tablets, and that benefit is power. As a rule, laptops have more powerful
processing hardware, allowing for a wider range of uses, faster performance and
better multitasking. Laptops can easily handle common tablet uses—like Web
browsing and media streaming—and then go significantly further, with uses
ranging from simple data entry to complex tasks like photo and video
editing.
And while games may be a significant part of any app store, serious PC
gaming is worlds away from Angry Birds and Cut the Rope, relying on faster
processors and discrete graphics processing to crank out complex rendered
environments at resolutions and frame rates that tablets can't touch. Even a PC
gaming tablet like the Razer Edge Pro can't match the raw performance offered by
the likes of the MSI GX70 3Be-007US, our Editors' Choice for entry-level
gaming.
Joining the processing hardware is storage. Where tablets may boast
anywhere from 16 to 128GB of storage space, the average laptop offers 500GB or
more. Even the slimmest laptops featuring smaller SSDs—like the Apple MacBook
Air 11-inch (Mid 2013)—offer at least 128GB, starting where tablets top out. Add
in features like optical drives for DVD or Blu-ray discs, card slots for
full-size SD cards, and USB-connected flash drives and portable drives, and you
can have mountains of data at your fingertips.
There's also the question of form factor. Laptops have the benefit of
having a keyboard and mouse built-in, allowing you to do all of the typing and
mouse-related work you would do on a desktop. Touch screens don't offer the same
level of granular control that a mouse and cursor does, while on screen
keyboards are really only fit for entering short bursts of text, such as a
status update or a tweet. A physical keyboard is a must for entering long blocks
of text, and a mouse is far more efficient than a touchscreen for frequent
swapping of windows, clicking of links, and general mousing around. This is even
more important in the workplace, where those very tasks may make up the bulk of
your day.
Then there's the question of ports and peripherals. While both laptops and
tablets have an ecosystem of accessories and devices around them, laptops—with
their broadly compatible USB ports, HDMI outputs, and other features—work with a
universe of accessories that don't need to be tailored to a specific device, but
will work with most any properly equipped PC. From mice and keyboards to webcams
and storage devices, laptops are the easy choice.
Bottom line: If you need to do serious work, need powerful processing or
multitasking, or need compatibility with a specific accessory or storage device,
there's no good alternative to the laptop. Tablets can fulfill some of these
needs some of the time, but when it's time to get things done, the laptop still
reigns.
2013年8月29日星期四
link storage volumes to the Home windows VM
Delight in working Windows or Linux applications with your Mac? Which is
proper in Parallels Desktop’s wheelhouse, and version nine, which debuted on
Thursday, provides much more functions for the virtualization program. But
though this system is at present accessible being an update for current
consumers of Parallels Desktop 7 or eight, the entire model won’t go on sale
right up until future 7 days.
Among the most important new capabilities of Parallels Desktop nine is optimized aid for cloud storage expert services like iCloud, Dropbox, Google Drive office professional plus 2010 retail pack, Microsoft’s SkyDrive, and even more. You'll be able to sync files among your Mac and your Home windows virtual device with out possessing the files duplicated, thus saving you cherished disk place. And speaking of sharing characteristics between your Mac and Windows VM, there’s now just one Safety Center for applying a complimentary protection computer software subscription for both your Mac and Windows VM.
Mac aficionados can now advantage from the number of Apple-like characteristics in their Windows virtual devices, too. One example is, there is assist for Mountain Lion’s Energy Nap function on Retina MacBook Execs and MacBook Airs, letting you retain your Home windows virtual machine’s apps up-to-date even though your pc is sleeping. Also, you'll be able to now use the three-finger-tap in Windows apps to look up phrases in OS X’s Dictionary, link storage volumes to the Home windows VM by way of Thunderbolt and FireWire, and print into a PDF in your Mac desktop ideal from any Home windows application.
Also current is enhanced aid for Windows 8 and eight.one, together with the return in the genuine Get started menu, along with the ability to operate contemporary UI applications in a window, somewhat than just fullscreen. Enhancements into the Digital Equipment wizards simplify setting up a new VM, even though you do not have a DVD drive with your Mac; there is also greater help for connecting to an external keep an eye on whilst functioning Parallels Desktop in fullscreen method, and editable keyboard shortcuts help it become less difficult for consumers to tweak their Home windows set up.
Parallels Desktop is at the moment out there as being a $50 improve for current consumers of Parallels Desktop 7 or eight; those who bought Parallels Desktop eight on or soon after August fifteen can upgrade at no cost.
New buyers, nonetheless, could have to attend until September 5, when they can pick the application up for $80. A student version will run $40, when the Swap to Mac Version, which integrate added tools emigrate from a Pc to your new Mac, prices $100. Also provided with Parallels Desktop 9, to get a minimal time only, is actually a absolutely free six-month trial subscription towards the company’s not too long ago launched Parallels Access, which lets you accessibility your Mac applications from your iPad.
Among the most important new capabilities of Parallels Desktop nine is optimized aid for cloud storage expert services like iCloud, Dropbox, Google Drive office professional plus 2010 retail pack, Microsoft’s SkyDrive, and even more. You'll be able to sync files among your Mac and your Home windows virtual device with out possessing the files duplicated, thus saving you cherished disk place. And speaking of sharing characteristics between your Mac and Windows VM, there’s now just one Safety Center for applying a complimentary protection computer software subscription for both your Mac and Windows VM.
Mac aficionados can now advantage from the number of Apple-like characteristics in their Windows virtual devices, too. One example is, there is assist for Mountain Lion’s Energy Nap function on Retina MacBook Execs and MacBook Airs, letting you retain your Home windows virtual machine’s apps up-to-date even though your pc is sleeping. Also, you'll be able to now use the three-finger-tap in Windows apps to look up phrases in OS X’s Dictionary, link storage volumes to the Home windows VM by way of Thunderbolt and FireWire, and print into a PDF in your Mac desktop ideal from any Home windows application.
Also current is enhanced aid for Windows 8 and eight.one, together with the return in the genuine Get started menu, along with the ability to operate contemporary UI applications in a window, somewhat than just fullscreen. Enhancements into the Digital Equipment wizards simplify setting up a new VM, even though you do not have a DVD drive with your Mac; there is also greater help for connecting to an external keep an eye on whilst functioning Parallels Desktop in fullscreen method, and editable keyboard shortcuts help it become less difficult for consumers to tweak their Home windows set up.
Parallels Desktop is at the moment out there as being a $50 improve for current consumers of Parallels Desktop 7 or eight; those who bought Parallels Desktop eight on or soon after August fifteen can upgrade at no cost.
New buyers, nonetheless, could have to attend until September 5, when they can pick the application up for $80. A student version will run $40, when the Swap to Mac Version, which integrate added tools emigrate from a Pc to your new Mac, prices $100. Also provided with Parallels Desktop 9, to get a minimal time only, is actually a absolutely free six-month trial subscription towards the company’s not too long ago launched Parallels Access, which lets you accessibility your Mac applications from your iPad.
2013年8月18日星期日
Nokia 'Amber' Update Rolling Out to Lumia Smartphones
Nokia is rolling out its "Amber" update for Lumia smartphones, which adds
"a wide range of new and improved features and apps," the firm said.
That includes the Nokia Glance Screen with the standby clock (left) and an improved imaging experience.
"Lumia Amber builds upon the latest update for Windows Phone 8 from Microsoft," Nokia said in ablog post. "In itself, this provides a number of significant additions: a new FM radio player and improvements to Xbox music and the Internet Explorer browser."
The camera gets a big boost with Amber. Nokia said it improved its algorithms for better noise reduction, color reproduction, exposure, and autofocus to phones across the Lumia lineup. "On the Lumia 920, controls to adjust the ISO settings of the camera from 800 to 3200 allow for even better low light performance," it said.
Nokia will also extend the Smart Camera app (below), which first launched on the Lumia 925, to other Lumia phones via a standalone app. As PCMag found in our initial hands on with the Lumia 925, Smart Camera is "an advanced camera app that includes many features similar to the flagship camera modes in Samsung's Galaxy S 4, like 'drama shot' and 'eraser mode,' for instance."
"Use Best Shot to find the sharpest image from a series of 10; combine several shots of people in movement into one with Action Shot; heighten the appearance of speed by blurring the background with Motion Focus; create ideal group shots by choosing the best faces from a series with Change Faces, or remove unwanted objects from your pictures," Nokia said.
There will be some differences among Lumias. The Lumia 720, 620 and 520, for example, will take six burst photos rather than 10 and they will be 1 megapixel instead of the 5 megapixels on devices with more RAM. The Smart Camera app is now available in the Windows Phone store.
Those with the Lumia 920, 925, and 928 also have access to the Nokia Pro Camera, which was introduced alongside the 41-megapixel Lumia 1020. "Pro Camera is more than just an app; it's a completely re-imagined user interface that lets you take full control of the imaging process and helps to unlock all your creative potential," according to Nokia.
Nokia has also added the Nokia Video Trimmer app for editing and YouTube with Nokia Video Upload app to the Windows Store.
Besides photo upgrades, meanwhile, the Lumia lineup is getting Glance Screen, a persistent screen that shows the time, as well as battery and charging status, when the phone is inactive. It will be available on all Lumias except the 520 and 625, which don't have enough display memory.
The feature arrived on the Lumia 925 in June. To activate, select "Display and touch" in the Settings and swipe left to "Glance." The new Droid lineup and Motorola Moto X have a similar feature, known as active display.
Nokia is also adding a few other shortcuts with Amber: flip the phone over to mute an incoming call and double tap the screen to unlock.
The Amber update will first roll out to the Lumia 920 and 820 around the globe and the Lumia 521, 810, and 928 in the U.S. Exact timing will vary by region and carrier, but Nokia said it expects the rollout to be done by the end of September.
"Your Nokia Lumia will check periodically for software updates automatically, or you can perform a manual check by going to 'Settings' -> 'Phone Update,'" Nokia said. "You can also check for the availability status of the update on our support pages."
That includes the Nokia Glance Screen with the standby clock (left) and an improved imaging experience.
"Lumia Amber builds upon the latest update for Windows Phone 8 from Microsoft," Nokia said in ablog post. "In itself, this provides a number of significant additions: a new FM radio player and improvements to Xbox music and the Internet Explorer browser."
The camera gets a big boost with Amber. Nokia said it improved its algorithms for better noise reduction, color reproduction, exposure, and autofocus to phones across the Lumia lineup. "On the Lumia 920, controls to adjust the ISO settings of the camera from 800 to 3200 allow for even better low light performance," it said.
Nokia will also extend the Smart Camera app (below), which first launched on the Lumia 925, to other Lumia phones via a standalone app. As PCMag found in our initial hands on with the Lumia 925, Smart Camera is "an advanced camera app that includes many features similar to the flagship camera modes in Samsung's Galaxy S 4, like 'drama shot' and 'eraser mode,' for instance."
"Use Best Shot to find the sharpest image from a series of 10; combine several shots of people in movement into one with Action Shot; heighten the appearance of speed by blurring the background with Motion Focus; create ideal group shots by choosing the best faces from a series with Change Faces, or remove unwanted objects from your pictures," Nokia said.
There will be some differences among Lumias. The Lumia 720, 620 and 520, for example, will take six burst photos rather than 10 and they will be 1 megapixel instead of the 5 megapixels on devices with more RAM. The Smart Camera app is now available in the Windows Phone store.
Those with the Lumia 920, 925, and 928 also have access to the Nokia Pro Camera, which was introduced alongside the 41-megapixel Lumia 1020. "Pro Camera is more than just an app; it's a completely re-imagined user interface that lets you take full control of the imaging process and helps to unlock all your creative potential," according to Nokia.
Nokia has also added the Nokia Video Trimmer app for editing and YouTube with Nokia Video Upload app to the Windows Store.
Besides photo upgrades, meanwhile, the Lumia lineup is getting Glance Screen, a persistent screen that shows the time, as well as battery and charging status, when the phone is inactive. It will be available on all Lumias except the 520 and 625, which don't have enough display memory.
The feature arrived on the Lumia 925 in June. To activate, select "Display and touch" in the Settings and swipe left to "Glance." The new Droid lineup and Motorola Moto X have a similar feature, known as active display.
Nokia is also adding a few other shortcuts with Amber: flip the phone over to mute an incoming call and double tap the screen to unlock.
The Amber update will first roll out to the Lumia 920 and 820 around the globe and the Lumia 521, 810, and 928 in the U.S. Exact timing will vary by region and carrier, but Nokia said it expects the rollout to be done by the end of September.
"Your Nokia Lumia will check periodically for software updates automatically, or you can perform a manual check by going to 'Settings' -> 'Phone Update,'" Nokia said. "You can also check for the availability status of the update on our support pages."
The problem that some XP customers have is the fact
Microsoft has reminded, cajoled, and pleaded with customers to move off of
Windows XP prior to help for its old OS expires next year. Now Microsoft warns
customers that they might be topic to “zero-day” threats for the rest of their
lives if they don’t migrate.
“The quite very first month that Microsoft releases safety updates for supported versions of Windows, attackers will reverse engineer these updates, discover the windows 7 professional retail pack vulnerabilities, and test Windows XP to determine if it shares those vulnerabilities,” he wrote. “If it does, attackers will try to create exploit code which will benefit from these vulnerabilities on Windows XP. Considering the fact that a safety update will in no way turn out to be readily available for Windows XP to address these vulnerabilities, Windows XP will basically have a ‘zero-day’ vulnerability forever.”
Zero-day vulnerabilities refer towards the way in which hackers can attack an operating technique or other code just before a patch is released, fixing the vulnerability. Since Microsoft will never patch Windows XP again following April 2014, ultimately some vulneability that affects XP will be identified.
Between July 2012 and July 2013, Windows XP was an impacted item in 45 Microsoft security bulletins. Thirty of these also affected Windows 7 and Windows 8, Rains wrote.
Rains acknowledges that some protections in XP will help mitigate attacks, and third-party antimalware software program could possibly give some protection.
“The challenge right here is the fact that you’ll under no circumstances know, with any confidence, when the trusted computing base of the technique can truly be trusted mainly because attackers is going to be armed with public information of zero day exploits in Windows XP that could allow them to compromise the system and possibly run the code of their decision,” Rains wrote.
That is the exact same argument that some have not too long ago used, claiming that hackers will “bank” their zero-day XP attacks till immediately after subsequent April, then unleash them on the unprotected herds of XP machines. As Rains notes, the sophistication of malware has only improved, meaning that your XP machine is even more vulnerable, not much less. PCWorld’s Answer Line columnist, Lincoln Spector, agrees.
The problem that some XP customers have is the fact that they’re so in enjoy using the way that Windows XP does items that they’re reluctant to migrate, especially to Windows eight. Effectively, Windows 7 machines do exist, that offer functionality equivalent to XP: here’s tips on how to obtain them.
The bottom line is this: while Microsoft stands to get from arguing that buyers need to upgrade, the truth is: they do. So should you be nonetheless on Windows XP, start contemplating a migration tactic.
http://www.windows7retailpack.com/microsoft-windows-7-professional-3264-bit-full-retail-pack-p-3527.html
“The quite very first month that Microsoft releases safety updates for supported versions of Windows, attackers will reverse engineer these updates, discover the windows 7 professional retail pack vulnerabilities, and test Windows XP to determine if it shares those vulnerabilities,” he wrote. “If it does, attackers will try to create exploit code which will benefit from these vulnerabilities on Windows XP. Considering the fact that a safety update will in no way turn out to be readily available for Windows XP to address these vulnerabilities, Windows XP will basically have a ‘zero-day’ vulnerability forever.”
Zero-day vulnerabilities refer towards the way in which hackers can attack an operating technique or other code just before a patch is released, fixing the vulnerability. Since Microsoft will never patch Windows XP again following April 2014, ultimately some vulneability that affects XP will be identified.
Between July 2012 and July 2013, Windows XP was an impacted item in 45 Microsoft security bulletins. Thirty of these also affected Windows 7 and Windows 8, Rains wrote.
Rains acknowledges that some protections in XP will help mitigate attacks, and third-party antimalware software program could possibly give some protection.
“The challenge right here is the fact that you’ll under no circumstances know, with any confidence, when the trusted computing base of the technique can truly be trusted mainly because attackers is going to be armed with public information of zero day exploits in Windows XP that could allow them to compromise the system and possibly run the code of their decision,” Rains wrote.
That is the exact same argument that some have not too long ago used, claiming that hackers will “bank” their zero-day XP attacks till immediately after subsequent April, then unleash them on the unprotected herds of XP machines. As Rains notes, the sophistication of malware has only improved, meaning that your XP machine is even more vulnerable, not much less. PCWorld’s Answer Line columnist, Lincoln Spector, agrees.
The problem that some XP customers have is the fact that they’re so in enjoy using the way that Windows XP does items that they’re reluctant to migrate, especially to Windows eight. Effectively, Windows 7 machines do exist, that offer functionality equivalent to XP: here’s tips on how to obtain them.
The bottom line is this: while Microsoft stands to get from arguing that buyers need to upgrade, the truth is: they do. So should you be nonetheless on Windows XP, start contemplating a migration tactic.
http://www.windows7retailpack.com/microsoft-windows-7-professional-3264-bit-full-retail-pack-p-3527.html
2013年8月2日星期五
Start out button, a boot-to-desktop option
Windows 8 keeps clawing its way up the market share charts, but not in the
expense of Windows 7 or Windows XP.
Based on Netmarketshare, Windows 8’s industry share now stands at five.4 %, up 0.3 percent from a month ago when it lastly surpassed Windows Vista. As soon as again, Vista’s marketplace share declined last month, this time by about 0.38 percent, to a total of four.24 %.
Meanwhile, Windows 7 and Windows XP are holding strong. In truth, Windows 7’s market place share enhanced final month by 0.12 %, and Windows XP saw a 0.02 % bump in marketplace share regardless of the looming finish of XP support by Microsoft. Both Windows 7 and XP remain essentially the most widely-used operating systems by far, with 44.49 percent and 37.19 % with the marketplace, respectively, based on Netmarketshare.
In other words, any market share that Windows eight gained last month seems to be in the expense of Windows Vista.
Even though it’s not surprising that users are eager to upgrade from the widely-panned operating system, acquiring people to switch from XP or Windows 7 might be tougher for Microsoft, specifically amongst customers who need to stick having a conventional desktop interface.
Windows eight.1 will make some concessions for all those customers, with the return with the Start out button, a boot-to-desktop option, faster access to advanced desktop functions, and a technique to prevent modern-style menus from popping up during desktop use.
But in the end, Microsoft and Pc makers must convince the masses that they require to upgrade their hardware to touch-enabled laptops, hybrids, or desktops. Less costly touchscreen devices could assist on that front, but it’ll likely be a when ahead of the market place share needle moves a lot for Windows XP and Windows 7.
Based on Netmarketshare, Windows 8’s industry share now stands at five.4 %, up 0.3 percent from a month ago when it lastly surpassed Windows Vista. As soon as again, Vista’s marketplace share declined last month, this time by about 0.38 percent, to a total of four.24 %.
Meanwhile, Windows 7 and Windows XP are holding strong. In truth, Windows 7’s market place share enhanced final month by 0.12 %, and Windows XP saw a 0.02 % bump in marketplace share regardless of the looming finish of XP support by Microsoft. Both Windows 7 and XP remain essentially the most widely-used operating systems by far, with 44.49 percent and 37.19 % with the marketplace, respectively, based on Netmarketshare.
In other words, any market share that Windows eight gained last month seems to be in the expense of Windows Vista.
Even though it’s not surprising that users are eager to upgrade from the widely-panned operating system, acquiring people to switch from XP or Windows 7 might be tougher for Microsoft, specifically amongst customers who need to stick having a conventional desktop interface.
Windows eight.1 will make some concessions for all those customers, with the return with the Start out button, a boot-to-desktop option, faster access to advanced desktop functions, and a technique to prevent modern-style menus from popping up during desktop use.
But in the end, Microsoft and Pc makers must convince the masses that they require to upgrade their hardware to touch-enabled laptops, hybrids, or desktops. Less costly touchscreen devices could assist on that front, but it’ll likely be a when ahead of the market place share needle moves a lot for Windows XP and Windows 7.
Though it’s not surprising that users are eager to upgrade
Windows 8 keeps clawing its way up the marketplace share charts, but not in
the expense of Windows 7 or Windows XP.
According to Netmarketshare, Windows 8’s market place share now stands at 5.4 %, up 0.3 percent from a month ago when it lastly surpassed Windows Vista. After once more, Vista’s industry share declined last month, this time by about 0.38 percent, to a total of 4.24 %.
Meanwhile, Windows 7 and Windows XP are holding sturdy. Actually, Windows 7’s market share increased final month by 0.12 percent, and Windows XP saw a 0.02 % bump in market share regardless of the looming end of XP support by Microsoft. Each Windows 7 and XP stay by far the most widely-used operating systems by far, with 44.49 percent and 37.19 % of your market, respectively, in accordance with Netmarketshare.
In other words, any industry share that Windows eight gained last month seems to be in the expense of Windows Vista.
Though it’s not surprising that users are eager to upgrade from the widely-panned operating method, acquiring people to switch from XP or Windows 7 may be tougher for Microsoft, in particular amongst users who wish to stick with a traditional desktop interface.
Windows 8.1 will make some concessions for those customers, together with the return on the Begin button, a boot-to-desktop option, quicker access to advanced desktop functions, and also a method to protect against modern-style menus from popping up during desktop use.
But eventually, Microsoft and Pc makers will have to convince the masses that they need to upgrade their hardware to touch-enabled laptops, hybrids, or desktops. Cheaper touchscreen devices could enable on that front, but it’ll most likely be a even though just before the industry share needle moves substantially for Windows XP and Windows 7.
According to Netmarketshare, Windows 8’s market place share now stands at 5.4 %, up 0.3 percent from a month ago when it lastly surpassed Windows Vista. After once more, Vista’s industry share declined last month, this time by about 0.38 percent, to a total of 4.24 %.
Meanwhile, Windows 7 and Windows XP are holding sturdy. Actually, Windows 7’s market share increased final month by 0.12 percent, and Windows XP saw a 0.02 % bump in market share regardless of the looming end of XP support by Microsoft. Each Windows 7 and XP stay by far the most widely-used operating systems by far, with 44.49 percent and 37.19 % of your market, respectively, in accordance with Netmarketshare.
In other words, any industry share that Windows eight gained last month seems to be in the expense of Windows Vista.
Though it’s not surprising that users are eager to upgrade from the widely-panned operating method, acquiring people to switch from XP or Windows 7 may be tougher for Microsoft, in particular amongst users who wish to stick with a traditional desktop interface.
Windows 8.1 will make some concessions for those customers, together with the return on the Begin button, a boot-to-desktop option, quicker access to advanced desktop functions, and also a method to protect against modern-style menus from popping up during desktop use.
But eventually, Microsoft and Pc makers will have to convince the masses that they need to upgrade their hardware to touch-enabled laptops, hybrids, or desktops. Cheaper touchscreen devices could enable on that front, but it’ll most likely be a even though just before the industry share needle moves substantially for Windows XP and Windows 7.
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