In modern laptops, there are several types of drives (sometimes 2 are installed at once, for example, under the system – SSD, under documents – HDD). A little more about them below.

HDD (hard disk drive)

HDD (hard disk drive) is the most common discs today. All information on such a medium is contained on magnetic disks (plates) located in a sealed case. The magnetic head, quickly moving through them, reads and writes information (by the way, it is because of it that there is a slight grinding and noise when the HDD is working).

Currently, HDDs are outperforming SSDs in terms of speed, but they are much cheaper than them. Therefore, most often resort to combined use: for Windows, you can buy a small SSD drive of 60-100 GB, and for the rest of the HDD, 1-2 TB.

SSD (Solid-state drive)

An SSD (Solid-state drive) is like a “big” flash drive, so it has no moving parts (which means there is no noise, rattling, they do not heat up so much, and are less afraid of a shock). However, they have a serious drawback: their cost is several times higher (at least for now)! In addition, their resource of use is limited: you can write/erase only a certain number of gigabytes.

SSHD (Solid-state hybrid drive)

SSHD (Solid-state hybrid drive) – is a magnetic hard disk in which a small solid-state drive is integrated.

All data is stored, as well as on a hard disk – on magnetic plates, but frequently used information is loaded into specials an area (in the cache memory, a kind of small SSD) for faster access to it. All this works in automatic mode, therefore, the user does not need any complex settings.

SSHD is intended to be something between SSD and HDD, providing high speed, coupled with a large amount of data.

But they have some disadvantages:

• firstly, they are inferior to SSDs in speed, and not much outperform HDDs;
• secondly, the amount of cache memory in them is usually 8 GB ÷ 32 GB – which is clearly not enough for all the data to which fast access is required.

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The computer has long moved from luxury items to the category of the most important technical means. With its help, business is conducted, blocks of necessary information are transmitted at any distance, communication is made with relatives and friends who are in another part of the globe.

Regardless of the purpose for which you are going to buy a computer, you should take it question very seriously, because such equipment is not cheap, and you will use it for many years. Therefore, when choosing a PC should take into account all the nuances – from the manufacturer to the characteristics of each component.

What is better – a PC from the manufacturer or assembly of the device from individual components?

There are several ways to get a new computer. The simplest of them is to purchase a factory assembly. The computer assembled by the manufacturer is usually characterized by the excellent assembly, reliability, and quiet operation.

Those who are buying a computer not the first time, prefer to assemble the device from components. In this case, there are also two options.

Independent assembly. But today it does not save money. You can do it if you have the appropriate knowledge and skills. Moreover, it should not be a superficial knowledge of what parts ensure the operation of the PC, but professional knowledge of the characteristics that must have each component, the compatibility of certain parts, and confident assembly skills, excluding the possibility of involuntary damage to details.

Otherwise, you not only risk overpaying by buying certain components several times, but you are also unlikely to be able to ensure the reliable and productive operation of your computer, which can be achieved only by assembling the most balanced system.

With the necessary experience, when self-assembling a PC, you can achieve the maximum value for money. But it is better to trust professionals.

Professional assembly to your order. The most suitable option if you do not have the necessary skills. But at the same time, you still need to be extremely careful, trust the assembly to a person or company that has a good reputation. You must clearly explain to the professional what responsibilities will be assigned to the future computer. so that he understands what the characteristics of the device are fundamental for you. For example, a processor that fully satisfies the universal PC is absolutely not suitable for a computer for gamers who prefer modern games.

In both cases, the advantage of assembling a computer is the ability to get a device that fully meets your expectations without spending extra money. But there is a downside to this solution, which depends on both the quality of the assembly itself and the performance of the assembled device, from the professionalism of the specialist who conducted the assembly. However, most buyers who know how to choose a PC prefer to assemble a computer than to buy a ready-made unit.

The financial side of choosing a PC

Computer technology today is represented by a huge variety of devices with different characteristics, which are in a wide price range. Depending on the cost of computers can be divided into several groups, each of which is represented by computer technology capable of solving certain problems.

Budget PC. This group is represented by computers, which cost about $500, are able to solve relatively simple tasks: work with text, simple office programs, and Internet resources, watch videos, etc. Some models of this category of computers are even able to play the games of modern creators, but only at the lowest settings, which do not provide a comfortable game.

Universal Desktops, costing up to $800. The category is probably the most popular in the modern computer market. It is represented by devices equipped with quite powerful processors and productive video cards, which determine the possibility of solving quite complex problems and use programs of fairly high capacity. In addition to solving the most complex office tasks, they are able to run modern games at medium (and some – and at the highest settings).

Gaming computers. High power devices that cost more than $800. This category includes high-performance PC, they are able to cope with the most difficult tasks and allowed play the most difficult games at maximum settings, providing the comfort of the game. Their disadvantage is the need for efficient cooling, so some models are characterized by increased noise during operation. The high cost of PCs in this category makes them less popular in the market. They are usually bought by professional gamers or those who are very fond of modern computer games.

Specialized computers. This category consists of PCs that are assembled individually for specific tasks. As a rule, they are equipped with a powerful processor, a productive video card, and several RAM cards.

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With the purchase of Affirmed Networks, Microsoft intends to offer customers in the telecommunications industry new network solutions for 5G networks that require great software and cloud capabilities. Joint decisions by teams of experts from both companies should create a new revenue stream for Microsoft.

Microsoft has announced an agreement to acquire Affirmed Networks, the international leader in virtualized mobile networks, without disclosing transaction costs.

Affirmed Networks provides mobile operators with the capabilities of its software platform, which includes access to ready-made servers to manage various network functions. This type of service is known as network feature virtualization (NFV). Such a software product is used instead of acquiring special infrastructure equipment from companies such as Nokia, Ericsson, Huawei, and Cisco Systems. This concept becomes especially relevant to the transition of telecommunications companies to 5G networks.

“Previous generations of wireless networks were based on special equipment. We believe that with software innovations and the use of widely available cloud computing platforms such as Microsoft Azure, carriers can deploy and maintain 5G networks and services more efficiently, cost-effectively, faster and more securely, ” Microsoft said.

Affirmed Networks, operating today in 76 countries, was founded in 2010, and during this period attracted more than $ 155 million of investments for its development. In its last round of financing in 2015, the company was valued at $ 600 million.

Affirmed Networks software is used in over 85 networks around the world. Among the well-known clients are such large telecommunications companies as AT&T (T), Vodafone (VOD), Telus in Canada, and the SoftBank telecommunications department in Japan.

Like other companies promoting NFV-based telecommunication solutions, Affirmed claims that its platform allows customers to buy cheaper equipment, reduce operating costs, deploy services faster, and scale their networks more easily as traffic grows.

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According to IBM researchers, these innovations and developments will determine how our world will become in the near future.

Quantum computing

Today, quantum computing is more likely a playground for researchers, but within five years they will become a familiar reality for professionals working on problems that previously seemed insoluble. Quantum computing will be mastered everywhere in universities and even (to some extent) at the high school level.

Now already, IBM researchers have successfully modeled an atomic bond in beryllium hydride (BeH2), the most complex molecule ever modeled by a quantum computer. In the future, quantum computing will solve much more complex problems, and ultimately they will surpass everything that we can do with classic machines.

Cryptography and blockchain

Most recently, IBM introduced a microchip the size of a salt granule and a cost of about 10 cents. In terms of computing power, it is comparable to computers in the 1990s. It supports blockchain technology and can serve as a data source for relevant applications.

In the near future, such tiny chips can be used as “cryptographic anchors” to track the supply of goods, control food safety, identify genuine luxury goods and so on. Buyers themselves will be able to track the entire path of the goods from production to the time of sale.

Grid Cryptography

To keep up with the times and new technologies, IBM is developing encryption methods that can surpass all existing protocols. A lot of hope lies in the method of post-quantum encryption, the so-called cryptography on lattices, that is, on complex algebraic structures.

Hacking such encryption is practically impossible, even future quantum computers will not be able to do it, IBM representatives assure. That is why this technology can be used to protect the most valuable data from hacker attacks.

AI robots

In the next five years, with the help of artificial intelligence and robotics, one of the most important problems of mankind can be taken under control — pollution of the oceans. It is planned to introduce a network of autonomous microscopes that signal adverse effects.

We are talking about micro-robots united in the cloud and located around the world, capable of monitoring the behavior of plankton. It is plankton that is a biological sensor that characterizes the content of harmful substances in the seas and oceans. Data on the movement of plankton will allow much faster to determine changes in water composition.

Unbiased Artificial Intelligence

To prevent the bias of artificial intelligence from becoming a real problem soon, IBM is already working on systems that can be trusted. First of all, it is AI trained on data free from racial, gender and ideological prejudices.

To this end, the company’s researchers have developed a method of reducing bias, which can be used in the set of educational materials of AI. This approach will create an objective system that will not contribute to the spread of inequality, IBM researchers are sure.

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Image credit:Anders

Using Sophisticated CPU Architectures

Server hardware has offered 64-bit processors for quite some time, and Windows Server 2008 R2 is 64-bit only, supporting the performance and reliability benefits of this architecture. Windows Server 2008 R2 now supports as much as 256 logical processors in one operating-system instance, while Hyper-V can take advantage as high as 64 logical processors within the host processor pool.

Hyper-V R2 includes a brand new Processor Compatibility feature. Processor compatibility enables an online machine to maneuver among systems with processors of varying decades in the same vendor. Whenever a VM is began with processor compatibility mode enabled, Hyper-V normalizes the processor set of features and just exposes the guest to processor features that are offered on all Hyper-V enabled processors of the identical processor architecture, i.e., AMD or Apple. This enables the VM to become migrated to the hardware platform of the identical processor architecture. Processor features are “hidden” through the hypervisor by intercepting a VM’s CPUID instruction and clearing the came back bits akin to the hidden features.

Dynamic Memory

Allows clients to higher make use of the memory assets of Hyper-V hosts by balancing how memory is distributed between running virtual machines. Memory could be dynamically reallocated between different virtual machines in reaction towards the altering workloads of those machines. Dynamic Memory thus allows more effective utilization of memory while keeping consistent workload performance and scalability. Applying Dynamic Memory implies that greater amounts of server consolidation could be accomplished with minimal effect on performance. Dynamic Memory does mean bigger amounts of virtual desktop computers per Hyper-V host for VDI situations. The internet result for both situations is much more efficient utilization of costly server hardware assets, which could result in simpler management minimizing costs.

Elevated operating-system componentization

Microsoft introduced the idea of server roles to permit server managers to rapidly and simply configure any Windows-based server to operate a particular group of tasks and take away extraneous OS code from system overhead. Windows Server 2008 R2 further stretches this model with support for additional roles along with a broadening of current role support, like adding ASP.Internet within IIS 7.. Roles happen to be refined and have sets changed as clients have expressed desires for several abilities in popular situations. The Server Core installation choice is a suitable mention here with new (and far required) support for PowerShell scripting permitted by adding the .Internet Framework towards the listing of server roles supported within the Server Core installation option.

Enhanced performance and scalability for programs and services

Another key design goal ended up being to provide greater performance for Windows Server 2008 R2 running on a single system assets as previous versions of Windows Server. Additionally, Wwindows Server 2008 R2 supports elevated scaling abilities which help support more intensive

Source: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2008/en/us/R2-scalability-reliability.aspx

First off, a little bit of theory just in case you are not familiar with the term of the IP Address. An Internet Protocol address (IP address) is a special numeric number assigned to each network based device such as computer, printer or WiFi webcam participating in a computer network that uses the Internet Protocol for communication. An IP address serves two principal functions: host or network interface identification and location addressing.
The founders of the Internet Protocol designed an IP address as a 32-bit number and this version of the IP prorocol known as Internet Protocol Version 4 (IPv4). This version is widely use today. Because of the very fast expansion of the Internet and the the rapid decrease of the available IPv4 addresses, a new addressing system (IPv6), which utilizes 128 bits for the address, was developed in 1995 and is being deployed worldwide since the mid-2000s.
So how do we find the IP address of my Windows based PC or a laptop.
Very simple
If you have a Windows XP or Windows 2003 based computer below is a few steps that will help you to find your IP address:
1. Click the Windows Start button
2. Type cmd in the Open field
3. Click the OK button. After that the cmd.exe program window will open.
4. Type ipconfig in and hit the Enter key on your keyboard
5. The results on your screen should display your PC IP Address

Source: Wikipedia

The information provided by the Tampa IT Support company, IB Systems have been founded in 1995 and provides variety if IT related services in Tampa Bay area and a state of Florida including IT/Network Support, Cloud Migration, VDI (Virtual Desktop Infrastructure) support, Web application design, Graphic design and SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and Web Marketing.

Photo credit: Zdnet.com

Lexar Media, a leading global provider of memory products for digital media, today announced it is now shipping the Lexar® Professional Secure Digital Extended Capacity (SDXC) 133x memory card in capacities of 128GB, an industry first, and 64GB. The Lexar Professional SDXC cards are available in B&H Photo and Video, and Adorama Camera stores across the U.S, as well as on the lexar.com website.

These large capacities make Lexar Professional 133x SDXC cards an excellent choice for shooting continuous, rapid-fire images and extended lengths of 1080p high-definition (HD) video on a single, high-performance solution. Also, the Professional SDXC cards offer a Class 10 speed rating with a minimum guaranteed speed of 133x, or 20MB per second, and accelerate professional workflow by quickly transferring high-resolution images and HD video from the memory card to the computer when paired with an SDXC-enabled card reader, such as the Lexar Multi-Card 24-in-1 USB Reader.

Source: Lexar

In addition to announcing its mobile app plans, Mozy is looking for beta testers for a new feature that will synchronize files across all of a user’s computers. The Mozy Sync feature will put a single Mozy folder on each computer; any files placed in the folder are available and up-to-date between all computers running Mozy’s sync service. The feature will give users access to their files, no matter what computer they’re using.

Source: PCWorld

• A thinner and lighter iPad
• A slightly thinner screen bezel
• Flat back design and larger, stereo speakers
• A front-facing camera on the iPad 2
• A5 dual-core processor and 512MB or 1GB of RAM
• A dual-mode GSM CDMA chip inside the 3G iPad 2
• SD card slot
• Thunderbolt port
• A carbon-fiber body

Source: PCWorld

Source: PCWorld

What is a good time then?

Usually a PC or a laptop is good for 3 to 4 years after which it becomes obvious that without significant hardware upgrades it may be difficult to operate. The life span of the hard drives (these days) is a couple of years if not shorter, so you are lucky if your PC has not required any hardware replacements during the past couple of years. So, after your computer has been worked for 3-4 years it’s time to look for a good replacment.

What to buy, a PC or a laptop? It all depends on a couple of following factors:
– your computer working environment
– your work office location (office/home)
– your work habits (desk/chair/sofa/bed)
– your projects (engineering & heavy computing/graphic design/internet browsing)
– your travel frequency

I prefer a laptop, a powerful, with 15-16″ display and light. I buy the top of the line so it helps me to stay on top of the performance for good 4 years without too much upgrading.

I can work with on my laptop at my office at my desk, in my house on my bed or sofa, on the airplane or in the cab when I ma traveling. I can connect an external monitor and make my desktop 2-3 time bigger. I can take my laptop to a customer to demo a new product or a presentation. That’s why I like to have a laptop.

When to Buy? On my opinion there is a couple dates when you can save a few bucks on shopping for a computer:
– End of August – go to school sales
– End of November – Thanksgiving sales
– End of December – Christmas sales

At that time all computer manufacturers, online stores and retail stores will be running various sales and it’s time to shop for a new computer.

A couple of suggestions on brands and prices.

First of all don’t buy the cheapest item. There must be something, it’s so cheap. However, there is always an exception. Shop for a good hardware specification such as CPU type, RAM memory, hard drive, video memory and  of course the brand of the laptop is very important