Laptops For Dummies (For Dummies (Computer/Tech))

* With a generous dash of humor and fun, bestselling author Dan Gookin shows people how to select the right machine and tackle typical laptop challenges * Laptop sales recently surpassed those of desktop machines-a trend that seems likely to continue * A must for laptop newbies as well as road warriors who need to get the most out of their machines * Covers synchronizing with the desktop, accessing the desktop remotely, coordinating e-mail pickup between two machines, wireless networking, managing power, and securing a laptop Get a move on! Learn to roam free with this guide to choosing and using a laptop Laptops come with everything you need to get going -- everything, that is, except a guide to buying and using one. This book covers portable computers from laptop to lap-bottom, with useful advice on picking one, setting it up, managing power and peripherals, going online, and hitting the road. Which one fits your lap? -- learn what to look for, what to ignore, and how to find the laptop you'll love Get acquainted -- tour your laptop and locate its buttons, disk slots, security features, and keyboard peculiarities Windows, laptop model -- test-drive Windows® on your laptop and know where to find programs, files, and network access Feel the power -- discover how to monitor your laptop's power and prolong battery life You've got connections -- introduce your laptop to a network and connect to the Internet wherever you find it Make friends with your OS -- find out how to use the latest features in Windows® 7 and other laptop-friendly operating systems and keep your laptop happy Bells and whistles, anyone? -- add a portable printer, PC Card, or USB gizmo to make your laptop more versatile Prepare for takeoff -- protect your laptop and your data when you travel Open the book and find: Translations of laptop buzzwords Regular maintenance and troubleshooting tips Steps for safely unpacking your laptop Advice on maximizing power, memory, and hard drive space Tips for strong passwords you can actually remember What the differences are between netbooks and laptops How to make phone calls and video-chat from your laptop Descriptions of ten cool laptop accessories Learn to: Make the most of the latest laptop features and capabilities Synchronize your laptop with your desktop and cellphone Set up security for mobility and social networking Beef up your laptop's memory and hard drive capacity The EPUB format of this title may not be compatible for use on all handheld devices. Cover......Page 1 Table of Contents......Page 12 Introduction......Page 22 Part I: Choosing a Laptop Just for You......Page 26 1: Sometimes You Can Take It with You......Page 28 2: Buying a Laptop Just for You......Page 42 Part II: I Have My Laptop, Now What?......Page 54 3: Out of the Box and into Your Lap......Page 56 4: Laptop Goes On, Laptop Goes Off......Page 64 5: Basic Laptop Hardware Tour......Page 86 6: Windows and Your Laptop Software......Page 108 7: Expanding Your Laptop's Universe......Page 134 8: Power Management Madness......Page 154 Part III: Between Your Laptop and the World......Page 168 9: All That Networking Nonsense......Page 170 10: Laptop to Internet, Hello?......Page 190 11: A Very Merry Modem......Page 202 12: Online Security......Page 222 13: Handy Web Browsing and E-Mail Tips......Page 234 14: The Desktop-Laptop Connection......Page 246 Part IV: On the Road Again......Page 260 15: Before You Hit the Road......Page 262 16: The Road Warrior (Or Computing in the Strangest of Places)......Page 272 17: Laptop Security......Page 278 18: Giving a Presentation......Page 290 Part V: Troubleshooting......Page 296 19: Major Trouble and General Solutions......Page 298 20: Upgrading Your Laptop......Page 310 Part VI: The Part of Tens......Page 316 21: Ten Battery Tips and Tricks......Page 318 22: Ten Handy Laptop Accessories......Page 326 23: Ten Things to Throw in Your Laptop Case......Page 332 Index......Page 338 Laptops For Dummies, 3rd Edition shows you how to use your laptop to its fullest potential, from how to purchase a laptop and what to do when you first open the box to how to keep your laptop safe and running smoothly. You will discover how to choose and purchase the right laptop for you, how to set up and maintain your laptop, customize user accounts, adding your laptop to networks, printing, and connecting to the Internet. In this updated and revised edition, find information about synchronizing with the desktop, coordinating email pickup between two machines, remote access to the desktop, networking, power management, storage, and especially laptop security. You'll find out how to: Navigate all your laptop's components Use keyboard shortcuts and a mouse Organize and manage files and accounts Print files and add your laptop to a network Properly equip your laptop carrying case with tools and resources Manage the power supply Add software tools to synchronize and update files between a laptop, a PDA, and a desktop or office server In addition to the basics, find lists of ten battery tips and tricks, ten handy laptop accessories, and ten things you should keep in your laptop carrying case in Laptops for Dummies, 3rd Edition, a convenient and handy guide! Addresses questions and problems particular to laptops--the number one choice of computer buyers, surpassing even desktop PCs--especially those involving security, networking, and coordinating the laptop with a desktop. From the time when the first computer was powered on in the early 1940s, users have craved mobility.