Aug 25, 2006 09:32 PM
15876 Views
(Updated Dec 25, 2006 04:27 PM)
Why do I recommend HP ?
Because, if you are ever stuck anywhere, at least you are assured of their nation wide service and support network.But the first thing to do is to make a backup of the OS (Operating System) before you do anything else.
They may not provide you with on site warranty for home users, but they have a good online support site that has answers to most queries. They do provide onsite warranties to offices and corporates.
For educational institutions they depute thier staff for onsite support and troubleshooting - which is normally expected with these young nerds going all out with their blue tooth devices and spreading viruses like the Dengue fever.
Similarly, DELLand TOSHIBAtoo have a very credible and reliable service and support network that one can bank on. Alas, its all online and only a '9 to 5 Monday to Friday' telephonic helpline. Besides that, they just ask you to go online and hope to resolve your query through your own expertise at searching for your problem through their commonly asked questions page.
I have observed that most problems are virus based and start off with the bluetoothenabled laptops/notebooks that are very susceptible to such insane invasions of their privacy by uncaring uncouths who get a thrill out of wiping off someone's hard work.
But, Bluetooth has become indispensable these days...You would need bluetooth to be truly mobile when computing on the go. Bluetooth(or the erstwhile infrared also known as-IRDA Port) would enable you to hook on to your cell phone's GPRS network on the move.
The best GPRSamongst the GSM service provider's is AIRTEL prepaid. WHY ? - Simply because it is also the cheapest - Just Rs.7/- per day is all you pay for this service. Send an sms MO to 121 to activate GPRS on your airtel mobile. Then send an sms ALLto 1257 from your airtel mobile and you will recieve the settings from AIRTEL to access their services. Next you load NOKIA PC Suite (if you are using a NOKIA Handset) and the drivers are setup to access your internet through your mobile to your laptop/notebook - Truly wireless and marvelous !
HP also has a dedicated website for service and support to most commonly faced problems and their newer models sport a very sensible partition the 'd' drive that can be used to back up or recover your laptops/notebook's features without causing you a nightmare or rushing off to find an engineer.
Alternatively they recomend that you create a backup of the operating system by writing it on 3 DVDs or 11 CDs. These days the backup restore CDs/DVDs are not provided along with your purchase.
Trust me, if you know a bit of computing, you can do all that and more. Its a breeze .. Just follow their instructions to the t and you are saved some misery and more.
Some manufacturers do not even pre-load the Windows operating system to make their offerings more attractive. They just come with DOS or at most Linux.
Beware of hidden costs like Installations, Delivery, Packaging and Forwarding (specially DELL) and for applicable taxes like VAT, and excise. Clarify the fine print before signing on any dotted line.
Other problems that creep up are usually due to the innumerous free programmes and applets downloaded by curious users who click on the links provided on some websites. These then eat their way into your gullible hard drives and become permanent residents which show off their true colours in the form of a slower machine and sluggish feel to your computing needs.
Some of these really avoidable programmes are Incredimail, the yahoo toolbar, hotmail toolbar,the various smileys that you see dotting all over so many websites, the so called free anti-virus programmes that beseech you to allow them to scan your hardrive for trojan horses. Trust me, they themselves are the biggest trojan horses.
Most of the notebooks/laptops come bundled with limited validity anti-virus programmes like NORTON (one of the biggest and most trusted names but also the one that can slow your machine down) and McAfee but the truly free version is the one that can be downloaded from https://grisoft.com and is also more well known as AVG antivirus free edition.This particular one can be updaed daily from the net for free.
Otherwise all these machines are actually made by just 7 manufacturers all over the world and just the badge and the make up is what makes them different from each other.
All the components are either Chinese or Taiwanese or Korean. All replaceable parts and no one's the wiser.
One can pay a fortune for the Sony VAIO or hang out with the economical Acerand the like. HCLtoo would not be bad - only if they'd spice up their service network and back up their machines with some passion instead of callousness.
Most of the users use their machines for communications ( read e-mail) and for forwarding junk mail and jokes and adult pictures - so its very easy to catch some one else disease (virus) and get infected. Hence, it is a good idea to have a genuine Windows XP pre loaded that can be updated from time to time.
If you can tweak your machines, then I would definitely recommend the Linux operating software.Not only is it totally free, it can be customised to your comfort.
Happy Computing !
I'll be adding more soon..
Regards
Raja
P.S. : Do leave me your wise cracks and feedback, dudes !
