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Each month, the professionals at NetXperts2000 bring you timely articles collected from top information technology sources. Each article is summarized and referenced to provide you with up to the minute, relevant information to help you get the most from your computer and keep it running smoothly. If you have any questions about what you read here, please contact us at: info@netxperts2000.com

How to find the model that meets your needs - and your budget

Today's laptop computers are designed to perform a wide range of business and personal functions, including word processing, Web surfing, multimedia projects and gaming. Prices range from under $500 to over $5,000, depending on capabilities. With so many models to choose from, how do you choose the right laptop to meet your needs and your budget?

Start by identifying your needs:

First, consider who will be using the laptop. If you're buying it for yourself, do you travel often? If so, you'll want a lightweight version with a long battery life. Are you looking for a portable model to replace your desktop? In that case, you'll need a machine with more processing power.

If you're buying the laptop for a student, you'll need to assess their individual needs. Most schoolwork entails only word processing and Web research tasks. However, students who want to play games or work with multimedia will need a more powerful machine.

Low-end models are available for $500 or less, but most people will want something with more power. A good quality laptop will set you back between $1,000 and $1,500. A model with strong gaming capabilities can easily run over $3,000.

Intel's new Core Duo line puts two processors on a single chip for more speed. You'll also find some desktop processors, such as the Pentium 4 and AMD Athlon 64, in laptops. These models will work fine if you're always plugged into a power source. But neither would be a suitable choice if you travel a lot. They require too much power and will quickly drain your battery. In that case, your best bet is to make up for less processing power by adding more RAM.

Next, consider each of the following features:

Processor: Once you've identified your needs, you should consider choosing from among the following options : the Intel Pentium 4, the Pentium Mobile AMD Athlon 64, or the AMD Turion 64. Mobile processors are high-powered processors that extend battery life. If you travel, this will be a key factor in your choice of model.

Don't get too caught up in the numbers game. Unless you are doing serious computing, a mid-range processor will provide better value for your dollar. Apple's latest laptops, the MacBook and MacBook Pro, use Intel's Core Duo. These are the fastest Mac- based laptops yet, but you'll pay for the added speed.

Screen Size: Many laptop buyers neglect to consider screen size. Don't make the same mistake. Laptop screen sizes range from 12 to 19 inches. Smaller screens are okay for occasional use, but if you plan to use your laptop regularly, you'll appreciate a larger (read: more expensive) screen. Compare screens in the store. Your eyes will thank you.

Hard Drives: Laptop hard drives come in different speeds and sizes. Most rotate at 5,400 or 7,200 revolutions per minute. A faster hard drive is better, but it also drains the battery more quickly. Lighter, thinner laptops use slower hard drives. A 60 GB hard drive should be fine for most users. However, a student who will be storing video, photos, and music may want 100 GB or more.

Memory: Look for models with at least 512 megabytes of memory or RAM. If you can afford it, 1 gigabyte of memory is a better choice. RAM is an inexpensive way to increase computing power.

Video: Unless you'll be using your computer solely for business purposes, get one with a dedicated video card. A card with 128 megabytes of memory is usually sufficient. Serious gamers should double that.

Weight: Weight is important. However, the lighter the machine, the higher the price tag.

New or Refurbished: Your final decision is whether to buy a new or refurbished model. While new laptops come with a manufacturer's warranty, refurbished models have lots of useful life in them and sell for about 1/3 of the price of a new model. You can get a two-year-old business quality Pentium- based laptop computer with a 6-month warranty for between $500-$800 Some used computers still have the balance of the manufacturers warranty as well. Unlike new machines, refurbished models often come completely set up, with all operating system security patches and utilities already installed. If you carefully consider your needs before you buy, choosing the right laptop computer can be a breeze.

Solutions to Your Computer-Related Questions

Q: My kids set up MySpace accounts without my permission. They insist that only their friends have access to their profiles, but how can I be sure?

A: MySpace seems to have replaced the local mall as the most popular gathering place for kids. MySpace users set up a home page containing a personal photo and profile, as well as a message board and a blog spot.

To keep your kids safe, you should insist that they give you the same access as they give to their friends and other MySpace members. You should then add their MySpace page to your own Favourites menu and make it a habit to visit the site daily. Ideally, you should set up your own MySpace account so that you can watch your children's MySpace entires as a logged-in user.

Depending on the age of your youngsters, you might want to oversee how they set up their MySpace account. Privacy and security options can be set to minimize, if not eliminate, the dangers. Among the safety measures that you can put in place are: requiring that a valid e-mail address be provided before a user can be added to your child's Friends list, hiding your kids’ online status from other users, restricting other users from passing along e-mail links to download your child's photo, and restricting blog posts to people you know. You can even block music with offensive lyrics.

If you are still not comfortable with your children using MySpace, you can order their accounts closed by going to www.myspace.com and clicking on the Safety button at the bottom of the page. The site also provides links to software that can be installed that will allow you to monitor every keystroke your kids make.

Q: Is it possible to use a wireless Internet connection on a plane?

A: Yes, if you happen to be flying on an airline that offers in-flight Internet service. Check with your airline to see if they offer the service.

International carriers such as Korean Air, Lufthansa and Singapore Airlines already have wireless broadband service on many routes. Fees for use vary.

Boeing's Connexion system, which uses satellites to provide Internet access, is used by many European and Asian airlines to let passengers surf the Web and exchange e-mail on wireless laptops and devices. Some airlines are also experimenting with ground- based towers to transmit the network signal.

Last year, United Airlines was the first U.S. carrier to announce that it had received FAA approval to install wireless networking equipment on its planes. It plans to offer on-board Wi-Fi service through Verizon Airfone, if Verizon can obtain the needed frequencies for a ground-based system in a Federal Communications Commission auction.

Q: What is the Normal.dot file in Microsoft Word?

A: Microsoft Word uses two basic file types. The first is the document format (“.doc”), the default type for files created in Word. The second format is for document templates, and it uses the “.dot” extension.

The Normal.dot file is the global template that Word uses to create most new documents. The first time you use Word, the program creates its own Normal.dot file with default settings for margins, fonts and other document properties. You can change the settings of the Normal template if you don't like the default look for your documents, but changes made to this global template affect other documents based on it. (If you get a message about saving a change to the Normal.dot file, and didn't intend to make one, don't click the OK button.)

You can also create customized templates in Word for certain types of documents, such as letterheads or cover sheets. Once you have designed or modified a new document, go to the File menu, choose ”Save As” and select “Document Template” as the format. Later, when you want to create a new document based on that customized template, all of your modifications will already be in place.

Incredible Savings on Pre-Owned Laptops and Notebooks

Dell Latitude D600 Pentium 4(M) 1.4GHz/12 MB/40 GB DVD-CDROM/Wireless/14.1" screen Windows XP Professional (COA) $775

Toshiba Tecra S1 Centrino 1.4 GHZ/384 MB/40 GB DVD-CDRW/Wireless/ 15" screen Windows XP Professional (COA) $750

HP Compac NC6000 Pentium 4 1.6 GHz/512 MB/40 GB DVD-CDRW/Wireless/14.1" screen Windows XP Professional (COA) $775

All laptops are sold with the NetXperts2000 Complete Preparation Package which includes a licensed operating system and all current Microsoft security patches, Acrobat Reader, antivirus software, Macromedia Flash/Shockwave, and other utilities, as well as a NetXperts2000 6-month warranty on all hardware, except batteries.