Hijack: Clean Your Computer

Author: Pushkar

Hijack This is a program that will produce a textual output of all the applications and settings set up on your computer which could be involved in mal ware attacks, such as spy ware or BHOs. It's frequently used by tech support staff to help diagnose software problems, and by technical computer users to solve their own problems.
Once you have downloaded and produced a Hijack This log (the easy part), you must learn how to read it. Each section in the log is designated by an identifier, a two or three letter/number combination at the beginning of the line, which tells you what the line means.
The "R" sections (R0, R1, R2, and R3) specify Internet Explorer specific settings. Since Internet Explorer is a frequent target for Browser Hijacker Objects, this is frequently one of the most important sections. Lines beginning with R0 are related to Internet Explorer Search settings, R1 is for the "search functions," R2 is not used, and R3 is the URL search hook for when an entry is typed in the address bar with no protocol designator.
As you move in to the "F" sections, you may see some entries you don't understand. The majority of the "F" sections are for .in settings, which are no longer frequently used by regular software, but can still be used by spy ware to attempt to hide it's start up time, or leverage an extra "early" control.
N1-4 are the same as the "R" sections, except with reference to Netscape-compatible browsers, such as the popular Mozilla Firefox for more help go to www.viral-toolbar-builder.com.O1 corresponds to your HOSTS file, while the HOSTS file is a very complex and in-depth topic that could warrant an entire article of it's own, each entry in here makes domain names act as "aliases" for IPs: this can be used to hijack popular websites, such as Google or anti-virus update domains.
O2 (and O3, to an extent) are your BHOs, "Browser Helper Objects," frequently mislabeled as Browser Hijacker Objects, since that is what they are commonly used for. Googling these BHOs can help you identify what they are.
O4 covers everything in the Windows Registry's start up section. Anything in this section is run at boot time or visit to www.scripts-to-sell.com.O5-9 are security related settings such as administrative lock down.
O10 are "Winsock Hijackers," again, a very in-depth topic that could be covered by volumes of articles, however, overall, these are "bad," and should be looked in to.
The remainder of the “O” sections is fairly rare, as they correspond to high level settings which are not established on most systems, and rarely used by malware. You can look these sections up in the Hijack This manual.

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Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/computers-articles/hijack-clean-your-computer-654518.html

A Cisco Training Course

Author: John B Mayall
Rapid and trustful communication systems have become a norm in the modern world. For this reason, people are increasingly dependent on communication tools like the internet and the telephone which are the two major branches of the communication industry.

The telephone allows you to talk directly to anyone in any part of the world be it your friends, family or your clients. It is not only quick it is quite dependable too. This is such an important tool that now it has become one of the basic necessities in every home and business. Businesses depend quite a lot on this mode of communication and their life would get stranded without connectivity through a telephone.

The internet has also capture the world by storm through its ability to provide super fast and consistent means of communication. The amazing factor to the internet is all the applications that it offers for communication can be accomplished with very low cost. People can keep connected with other people through emails and chat.

The modern times has seen another advance in the field of communication by providing the latest communication tool, the Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) or the Internet Voice. This is very similar to talking over the regular telephone but it is much more advanced. This has become so popular in the modern times that people are seriously contemplating eliminating the use of the regular telephone and switching over entirely to the VoIP system.

VoIP is far superior to the conventional telephone in that it provides many more features and advantages which the latter cannot even dream about. VoIP is through the internet and the voice signals are converted into digital format and then transmitted to the other person. The digital format of the voice signals ensures that there is no loss of voice quality and the communication is quicker and crystal clear as compared to a regular telephone conversation.

A great attraction that VoIP provides is the cost factor. Using this system, a person can make long distance calls to any other place in the world at a very low price or even for free. When compared to calls made long distance over the regular telephone, the communication is much faster, clearer and much cheaper when using the VoIP service. So, you will end up with lesser bills over the month in comparison to using the regular telephone line.

VoIP provides other advantages too. Let us suppose you require a PBX in your organization. If you purchase one to be used with your regular telephone line, it will be quite expensive. But, if you purchase one and use it over the VoIP system, it will be much cheaper and highly consistent. The functioning of the PBX system is similar in both the modalities but if the PBX is used with the VoIP system, it will be through the internet rather than through the telephone line.

VoIP is easily obtainable in today's times. You can find many service providers marketing the services on the internet who will provide business VoIP. But, if the purpose is to install VoIP system at home or if your intention is to make VoIP a career path, you will have to learn about setting up the VoIP system.

Installing a VoIP system is taught by Cisco Training Courses which has several such courses, one of them the Asterisk VoIP Hosted PBX.

If you opt for this course, you will be provided with all the training materials you will require to understand the process of setting up a VoIP system in any kind of setup. VoIP is beneficial for residential and business purposes. But, Asterisk VoIP Hosted PBX is more suitable for big organizations in meeting their communication needs.

Cisco provides all relevant information about the various VoIP PBX systems that are available and their utility. Using the Asterisk VoIP Hosted PBX, one can integrate all the phone lines in the organization into a single channel for communication that uses the internet to route the calls.

IP PBX is a powerful tool for communication within any office setup. Using this piece of hardware, the entire organization's communication needs can be met and easily regulated.

If you are intending to take up VoIP as a career path, you need to contemplate about Cisco VoIP Training Courses. The advantage this course provides is the hands-on experience using the Asterisk VoIP Hosted PBX. VoIP is definitely a good career path what with the amount of popularity it is gaining by the day and the pace at which it is eliminating the need for regular telephones.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/computers-articles/a-cisco-training-course-654616.html

Lf Radio Ntp Servers: How to Decode the Dcf-77 Time Broadcast

Author: David Evans
The DCF-77 radio time and frequency transmission is broadcast from Mainflingen near Frankfurt, Germany. The DCF-77 signal can be used by timing equipment to provide a precise time reference. Computer timing equipment, such as NTP server systems, which provide an accurate time reference for computer networks can utilise the broadcast as an accurate external source of time. This article describes how the DCF-77 signal can be decoded to provide an accurate time reference for NTP servers and other computer timing applications.

Before describing the format of the transmission, it's worth mentioning a little about the history of the transmitter. The German National Standard time and frequency radio broadcast, call sign DCF-77, has been in operation since 1959. The broadcast is currently maintained by T-Systems, a sub-division of the German Telecoms company Deuche Telecom. Precise timing information for the broadcast is generated from caesium atomic clocks maintained by the German National Physics Laboratory. The transmittor has a power rating of 50W, which can be received up to 1900 km from Frankfurt. Reception can easily be obtained throughout much of central and northwestern Europe. The transmission is broadcast as an amplitude-modulated, pulse-width encoded data signal. Precise timing information is continuously broadcast, repeated each minute. Data is transmitted as a series of 59 pulses, one pulse each second. Each pulse represents a data bit, either a binary one or binary zero. A one hundred millisecond pulse represents a binary zero, while a two hundred millisecond pulse represents a binary one. The pulses can be decoded at the end of the minute into date and time information.

Timing information is represented in the DCF-77 transmission encoded in Binary Coded Decimal format. Data bits are encoded into the transmission as follows. Data bits 1 to 14 are reserved for future enhancements. Bit 15 indicates the transmitter in current operation - primary transmitter or backup transmitter. Bit 16 represents the announcement of daylight saving change. Bit 17 indicates whether daylight saving is currently in use. Bit 18 indicates standard time and is the inverse of bit 17. Bit 19 indicates that an imminent leap second is to be inserted. Bit 20 indicates the start of time and date information. Bits 21-27 represent BCD encoded minutes. Bits 29-34 represent BCD encoded hours. Bits 36-41 represent BCD encoded day of month Bits 42-44 represent BCD encoded day of week Bits 45-49 represent BCD encoded month of the year. Bits 50-57 represent BCD encoded year. Finally, a number of parity bits are inserted into the encoded data as follows. Parity bit 28 covers bits 21-27. Parity bit 35 covers bits 29-34. Parity bit 58 covers bits 36-57.

To summarise, the DCF-77 time transmission is a reliable and accurate source of time from NTP server systems and other computer timing applications. The signal can be generally be received indoors close to the NTP time server itself, thus reducing installations costs. Additionally, the straight-forward encoding of timing date within the transmission enables simple implementation into NTP server software. Indeed, the standard NTP server software distribution for Linux includes a reference clock driver for the DCF-77 signal.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/computers-articles/lf-radio-ntp-servers-how-to-decode-the-dcf77-time-broadcast-654552.html

Four Reasons You Need DVD Database Software

Author: Maxim Smirnov
Not many people know off-hand how many movies they have, unless they already use DVD database software that figures the total for them. Some people even have collections so large going back so many years (especially if you include videotapes!) that they might not even be able to tell you off the top of their heads if they own a specific movie. Movie buffs watch so many movies that it can be difficult to remember if they borrowed or rented the DVD or they have it somewhere in their collection.

You might be thinking, "So what?" But there are a number of great, practical reasons that anyone with a movie collection, large or small, should consider using DVD database software to keep track of their films. Let's get the least fun reason out of the way first:

You Can Estimate Your Collection's Value

Insurance and damage experts have been urging people to keep a home inventory for years, in case some sort of disaster should strike like a fire, flood or theft. You have a lot of money invested in your favorite movies, and if that collection was destroyed, it's a valid dollar addition to an insurance claim. But if you just guess, the insurance adjuster might not be convinced. DVD database software, however, shows your collection in detail, so there's no guessing.

Avoid Duplicates

If you're shaking your head in disbelief, maybe you don't know anyone who owns hundreds of DVDs and videotapes. People with large collections might not remember if they ever replaced that old video that got eaten in the VCR, or whether Aunt Hilda ever returned those DVDs she borrowed. For people who buy a lot of movies, DVD database software can make managing it (and remembering) a breeze.

Know What Your Kids Have

If you don't have kids or buy gifts for other people's kids, you can skip ahead. If you have kids who have lots of movies from purchases and gifts, you know exactly why using DVD database software to keep track of children's collections is a good idea. It's hard enough to remember lists of your own possessions, let alone all the movies your child owns. You might think you only watched that rented movie with them, and have forgotten they got it as a gift last Christmas. Now you won't have to guess or take a duplicate back to the store. They'll enjoy helping you make the list, too.

Because it's Fun

You obviously love movies, or you wouldn't be concerned with keeping track of your collection. DVD database software that's designed just for you to catalog your movies can be big fun to use. Avoid the tedious list-making software that's little more than a database, but choose the fun software that lets you enter movies with a few clicks. Then you can browse your collection and it looks as fabulous as if you were browsing an online video store, with images and details that you, as a movie lover, can appreciate and enjoy.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/computers-articles/four-reasons-you-need-dvd-database-software-654653.html

How to Choose Movie Organizer Software

Author: Maxim Smirnov
When you decide to keep your DVD collection organized by using movie organizer software, there are some questions you should ask yourself before deciding which program to buy.

How Much Do I Want to Spend?

You can download free software to make lists and keep track of any number of things, so you don't have to spend any money at all. But as with most things in life, you get what you pay for. Free movie organizer software is probably designed to organize a collection generically-you can use it to list books, for instance, or a bottle cap collection. It's just a database that's started for you-you fill in the rest.

You can probably even find free or very cheap movie organizer software, designed for a movie collection. But it's still going to be little more than a pre-set database just for movies. You can do that with any office software yourself. And it's going to take a long time to enter even an average-sized collection. You'll want to stick with titles only to keep it from becoming a time-eating project.

Now consider how much money you have invested in your movie collection, and how much you enjoy it. Also consider how it's worth finding an affordable but full-featured movie organizer program that you'll have fun using, enters movie information for you quickly and easily, and looks like an online catalog of movies, complete with DVD cover images. The convenience alone makes this type of software worth the price, but the fun factor makes it the type of movie organizer software no movie lover should be without.

How Much Time Do I Have?

If money isn't the make-or-break factor in choosing movie organizer software, then convenience should be. How many movies do you have? How long will it take you to enter just the titles into simple database software, or a database of your own making? Are you really going to want to enter all the information you'd probably like to have at your fingertips?

How much better would it be if the movie organizer software did all that for you, with a few clicks? How much time can you save? Choose full-featured software so you can spend less time organizing the database, and more time watching your movies!

Who Makes the Software?

While some people naturally find the biggest software manufacturer and choose their products without much thought, or they search online and find whatever looks okay to them, you'd be wise to consider the software company that makes the movie organizer software. Huge corporations can't compete with smaller companies when it comes to personal customer service. Is the software updated often? Are there forums so you can interact with other customers? Choose movie organizer software with all the features you want from a company that supports its products and cares about its customers, then if you do encounter a problem, you know you can find the help you need.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/computers-articles/how-to-choose-movie-organizer-software-654691.html

The Importance of Data Security

Author: A Nutt
Truly securing the data of your company and your customers is vital to business success. In today's world of identity theft and data thieves, many small companies are unfortunately ill-prepared to handle the heavy weight of the responsibility they have for this data.

Most small businesses understand the importance of providing secure storage for their customers' data. After all, they've seen the results of improper storage of data. When a company has to send out a letter to its customers informing them that their private information has been compromised, customers begin to think twice about doing business with that company.

How Do Most Businesses Compare?

Although most small business know how important it is to securely store data, they don't always have a good data storage plan in place. Some business do not understand the need for formal planning about data security. Others feel that they can protect their data with simple common sense.

Unfortunately, relying on common sense and no formal plan is a bad recipe for data storage. Storing sensitive data in a responsible, secure way requires detailed formal planning and trained professionals.

What Kind of Data Needs to Be Secure?

Securing data means understand which pieces of information need to be protected and enacting proper procedures and safeguards to keep this information safe. What type of information is high priority when it comes to data security?

- Customer Information

Securing the data of customers should be the number one priority for any business. Without customers, the business would fail. And without data security, the customers will take their business to a competing company. In today's world-wide economy, customers have many choices. Securing customer data keeps customers happy.

- Product Information

In many industries, protecting information about new and existing products is also a priority. Competing companies may be looking for a leg up and could find that help by using stolen data. Innovation is key to surviving in most businesses, and in order to protect its intellectual property, a company needs to pay attention to data security.

- Employee Information

Most companies have detailed personal information about employees, such as Social Security Numbers, addresses, telephone numbers, and employment records. It's vital to the success of a business to protect the interests of its employees. Employees are what make a company successful.

- Company Information

It is important for many companies to protect financial information and other data about the business. If accessible to unauthorized users, this information could harm the business's reputation or provide impetus for legal action against the company. Protecting company information is essential.

How Private Data Centers Provide Security

For many companies, the solution to the challenge of data security is hiring a private data center. The private data center is then responsible for providing secure storage for this important data, freeing the company to focus on other areas of business that are integral to success.

Private data centers usually have multiple layers of data security. Physically, private data center buildings usually have security guards and surveillance cameras to watch over the important data around the clock. Card key access is required for physical entry into private data centers, providing a record of who has access to sensitive information.

Many companies find that they value the peace of mind of having their data protected at a private data center. It eliminates the hassle and expense of putting proper security features in place, training existing staff, and hiring new dedicated staff. And knowing that important information is secure helps companies focus on their own products and services.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/computers-articles/the-importance-of-data-security-654748.html

DRM - The Good, The Bad And The Ugly

Author: Titus Hoskins
Digital Rights Management or DRM is used to try and deter piracy of copyright content such as digital files. With the advent of the Internet, DRM has grown in importance as manufacturers, publishers and copyright holders scramble to control how people "install, listen to, view and duplicate digital files" in order to safeguard copyright property. As you can imagine, the stakes are enormous and such piracy, these publishers argue, will lead to lost profits and declining sales, as well as hinder the whole creative process and the quality of the media itself.

These stake holders believe only legitimate paying customers should have access to their media. However, many people feel this view is unfair and goes against their civil liberties. Basically, by having any artist or programmer decide how a file is used, means that you as a consumer doesn't really own the content even though you have purchased it. These are the two different views that are fueling the debate on DRM.

This debate over digital rights is far from new, since as far back as the early 20th century, people were arguing over player piano rolls! In more recent times, long before digital media was even invented, you had the same debate with audio tape and video tape recordings. However, now that the Internet has made the transfer of digital media easy and accessible anywhere; this debate has taken on a whole new significance. Mainly because the web has opened up the global mass-market, which has made copyright owners especially concerned and which prompted them to conceive of DRM.

What Exactly Is DRM & How Does It Work?

Digital Rights Management can take on many forms but usually it can be broken down into four separate stages:

Packaging - where encryption keys can be built into the software, music or movie files as part of your DRM system.

Distribution - when DRM-encrypted files are distributed to the customer, usually over web-server downloads, with CDs/DVDs or with encrypted email files.

License-Serving - this is the process where you have specialize servers to authenticate or give access to only legitimate users/customers of your DRM files.

License Acquisition - where only legitimate customers are given encryption keys to unlock the purchased files.

A real early example of DRM was CSS (Content Scrambling System) which was used to encode DVD movie files and prompting DVD makers to create only systems that didn't include certain features. Then in order to get the encryption key for CSS, the hardware manufacturer had to agree NOT to include features such as digital-out... in the process making copying any movie very difficult to do.

And Now For The Bad & Ugly

However, where there is a will, there is a way... Jon Lech Johansen, in 1999, created DeCSS to counteract CSS by bypassing any DRM restrictions. Opening up the whole debate again about downloading copyright digital material; while others argue this whole process is similar to taping off or recording your favorite TV program and passing it along to a friend.

In recent years, the whole discussion is continuing with the advent of HD-DVDs and Blu-ray discs. Likewise, another security system was created to hold any would-be pirates at bay, AACS which stands for Advance Access Content System was created by a Licensing Administration, consisting of some big brand name companies such as Disney, Microsoft, Intel, Panasonic, IBM, Warner Brothers, Toshiba and Sony. AACS is very similar to the previous CSS DRM system in that it also uses encryption keys to limit access to the HD discs. But it wasn't long before, just like the CCS system, process keys began appearing on the web, letting the before mentioned, would-be pirates access to AACS restricted content.

So far, ALL DRM systems that have been created can be bypassed and this will probably hold true for future DRM systems as well. However, there's one saving lifeline for all the companies involved, usually there is a loss of quality in many of these bypass methods. Since the main drawing card of buying a HD-DVD or Blu-ray disc in the first place is because of the superior visual quality that can be achieved; consumers may be turned off by pirated copies if it doesn't give them the quality image they're seeking.

Furthermore, because of all these bypass methods, the media industry is constantly looking for other DRM systems that can protect their property. No doubt, the debate over all these copyright issues will continue for a long time to come. And just as likely, you can be assured where there are oceans, there will be pirates and people who like pirates a whole lot.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/computers-articles/drm-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly-654763.html

Are You Looking For a Free Reverse Cell Phone Directory?

Author: Mike Hickmon
A common question that people have is whether or not a free reverse cell phone directory actually exists on the Internet. Sadly, the answer is no. If you're looking for a complete, accurate guaranteed reverse cell phone directory, than there are a small handful that do a good job.

As you look for a free reverse cell phone directory, you will find that some pseudo-directories promise to allow free cell phone lookups. The facts show that they are really just sites that allow you to lookup the carrier or issuing location of a phone number and not the owner.

So Then Why Isn't There a Free Reverse Cell Phone Directory?

Once people realize there is no such thing as a free reverse cell phone directory, the big question is - why not? After all, there are plenty of free reverse lookup sites for landline numbers. So then, what's the difference?

Well, the difference is how the information is classified. Home telephone number's are considered public domain information and have been for decades. That is why no one has to ask for your permission to publish your number in the telephone book. In fact, sometimes you need to pay a fee to keep your name out of phone books (i.e., to keep it unlisted or non-published).

Cell phone numbers are generally more private. With private numbers you are billed for every call you receive, including telemarketers you don't want to talk to. That's why cell phone numbers are typically harder to track down.

Wireless 411 Phone Directory

Awhile back, there was talk about putting together a reverse cell phone directory. With this Directory, all of the different cell phone service providers would contribute their numbers, and the directory would be made available. However, the concern with regard to telemarketers and privacy caused the idea to be abandoned.

That does not mean that putting together a reverse cell phone directory is impossible. The truth is, it can be done, and has been done. This however, requires allot of effort, since the information has to be compiled manually from millions of different records. Because it requires so much work, no one has been able to offer this service for free. In addition, most reverse cell phone directory providers who charge a fee simply do not have access to complete information databases.

Finding The Best Service

There are a just few reverse phone search companies who stand out as having very comprehensive and accurate reverse phone search databases. The problem here is how to find the best reverse cell phone directory. There are many repeatable review sites that offer very detailed reviews to help you in your search for the best service. Compare a few to gauge which service will be the best. After which, you are ready to start searching.

So while there is no true free reverse cell phone directory on the Internet, there are paid search directories that can give you all of the information that you need.

I truly hope that this information was helpful. Happy searching.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/computers-articles/are-you-looking-for-a-free-reverse-cell-phone-directory-655060.html

Who Else Wants to Put Away Money?

Author: Lou Martiniano
In the last article, we talked about the terrible state of the economy and how we could save money using the Internet. In this article I want to give you more info on saving money on your everyday utilities. You're probably wondering where else can he help us save cash on.

Usually, if you're on the Internet that means you have cable TV that you view daily. This means that you are probably paying at least $130 or more per month for the privilege of using cable TV and Internet. Some of you may have digital phone service that is included in that price.

Like I said in the last article, digital phone service will save you a lot of money. Now we have an opportunity to save you even more money. Let's visit through this next opportunity step by step.

With your cable system, you probably have high speed Internet. You also decided that you wanted to load it up with the fastest high-speed cable you could get. Then you approached your cable TV provider and said, "I want all these packages". You got DVR, HBO and some of the other premium channels.

So, with your bundled service of high-speed Internet, cable TV and digital phone service, you're paying in excess of $130. I know people that are paying $160 or more for their bundled package.

I was able to make significant changes to my monthly bill so that my TV, Internet and phone bill are cheaper. I can hear it now, you're saying, "how did he do that?"

Okay, here we go. To keep this short, I'll give you the brief version of what I did.

First, I got rid of my cable TV and went to satellite TV. Number two, I got rid of cable for the Internet and went with DSL high-speed. So, with that combination, I was able to move from $160 per month to less than $100 per month. I had already switched to digital phone service so that was included.

I did add one new super item that cost me about six dollars more per month. I added a digital video telephone and boy am I glad I did that. Yes, the Internet is a little slower due to DSL but I don't miss it. Who needs all that speed? I would rather have a faster computer.

I cannot express how important it is in this current economic climate to try and save money where ever you can. If you decide that DSL or Satellite TV are not for you then maybe you should ask the millions that are currently using either or both.

The only thing I would caution you on is that you watch and keep in mind that these two services require a contract period of two years normally but if something should occur during that contract period they will try to begin that two year contract over at that point in time. So if you are aware, it is very difficult for you to get taken advantage of.

I'm not going to discuss the digital video telephone in this article except to tell you I love having my video. So, if you are anxious to see about it or to learn more about the digital video phone, you will just have to wait for my next article or maybe you can get a sneak peek by clicking on a link in the author's box below. See you next time.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/computers-articles/who-else-wants-to-put-away-money-609775.html

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Gaming Laptops: is it a Matter of Style Over Performance?

Author: Titus Hoskins
Copyright (c) 2008 Titus Hoskins

Years ago when gaming laptops first hit the market many serious gamers laughed at the whole notion of using a laptop for gaming. These first gaming laptops simply were not up to the power and performance of a gaming PC. No contest. A desktop computer simply gave you higher performance than a gaming laptop.

While that last statement is still probably true, the gap in performance has narrowed significantly in recent years. Laptops have increased in performance with the introduction of more powerful mobile dual processors or even quad processors enhanced with dual graphics cards via SLI technology.

As we go into fifth and sixth generation laptop technologies and platforms... the performance gap will soon be wiped out. Especially when you consider some gaming laptop specialists are actually giving you desktop components in a laptop. Same performance as a desktop only packaged in a laptop. However, calling these laptops is a bit of a stretch because you won't be sitting with these heavy mutant creatures on your lap for any long periods of time.

Regardless, laptop specialists like Alienware, Sager and Rock in the UK, are turning out these computing monsters that can easily rival the gaming desktop PC. The only thing more shocking than all that raw power and performance is the price tag. You do have to pay a hefty price for all that style and performance.

The major drawback or disadvantage of going with a gaming laptop - there's little room for upgrading. With a gaming PC, you can always upgrade to the latest technologies because there are usually slots open and space to expand... you can even upgrade to a larger monitor if you like.

However, with the gaming laptop the only things you can realistically upgrade are the RAM (memory) and the hard drive. In a gaming laptop everything is so compact and reduced in size to fit into such a small package, there's little space for upgrading. Many serious gamers dismiss owning a gaming laptop for this very reason.

The other major reason is price since you can get more power and performance in a gaming desktop PC for a cheaper price than going with a laptop. Again, the gap is closing but it's still no contest. While laptop prices are steadily falling, you can still get a better gaming rig at a lower price if you go the PC route. In addition, larger monitors are now at 24 or 25 inches on some desktop systems so laptops can't compete with the display visuals if bigger is your thing.

Then the only other question that has to be asked:

Why are gaming laptops so bloody popular?

Mainly because of the "Cool" factor. Don't laugh, these gaming rigs, especially those high priced monsters, are the essence of cool. They look spectacular and in our very shallow world looks do count. Just like many people who buy high performance sports cars more for the looks rather than for the performance; it is a matter of style over performance for them.

Then there is still the portability factor since laptops, even those 10 or 12 pound monsters, are still more mobile than a bulky PC Tower and Monitor. You can take all that "cool" style and design along with you, no matter where you go. Simply put, even though batter life is next to nil, a gaming laptop is mobile. You can take it with you and show it off.

So is it a matter of style over performance?

Not really, looks may be one factor why gaming laptops are so popular but without the high performance and extreme computing power, these systems would be dead in the water. For in the end, where gaming is concerned, performance is still king. Gaming laptops get the job done, perhaps not as cheaply as their desktop rivals, but you can usually play the latest games on these pimped-out monsters.

In the end, gamers want the performance first and the looks are secondary. But they will probably still 'show-off' all that style nonetheless, to friends and to other gamers. Even so, with gaming laptops, it is more a matter of performance over style.

The great thing about today's gaming laptops, you don't have to sacrifice one for the other. If you can afford the hefty price tag, you can have all that style plus all the performance you need, neatly packaged in your own gaming laptop.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/computers-articles/gaming-laptops-is-it-a-matter-of-style-over-performance-609399.html

PR: wait... I: wait... L: wait... LD: wait... I: wait... wait... CY: wait... I: wait... L: wait... YCat: wait... I: wait... Top: wait... I: wait... L: wait... C: wait... SD: wait...