If you're in the market for a new PC, you'll find the latest models loaded with Windows 10, the latest version of Microsoft's operating system. There’s lots to like about Windows 10: a new Start menu; Cortana, a personal digital assistant; and a Settings menu that's easier to access and use.
The latest version of Apple's Mac OS X operating system, Yosemite, resulted in an extensive facelift for the OS. The next version, El Capitan, is due out in the fall.
Laptops and even all-in-one desktops continue to get thinner and lighter. For example, as you're shopping around you'll find Ultrabooks, which are laptops with Intel-mandated standards for thinness, performance, and other features.
Here are some features you'll see in computers:
Touchscreens. Touchscreens have been available on all-in-one computers for some time. But many laptops also started getting touchscreens with the advent of Windows 8.1, which emphasized multi-finger touch controls. Windows 10, which is engineered to work on mobile devices as well as conventional computers, is likely to accelerate the trend. Computers with touchscreens do cost more, however.
The latest version of Apple's Mac OS X operating system, Yosemite, resulted in an extensive facelift for the OS. The next version, El Capitan, is due out in the fall.
Laptops and even all-in-one desktops continue to get thinner and lighter. For example, as you're shopping around you'll find Ultrabooks, which are laptops with Intel-mandated standards for thinness, performance, and other features.
Here are some features you'll see in computers:
Touchscreens. Touchscreens have been available on all-in-one computers for some time. But many laptops also started getting touchscreens with the advent of Windows 8.1, which emphasized multi-finger touch controls. Windows 10, which is engineered to work on mobile devices as well as conventional computers, is likely to accelerate the trend. Computers with touchscreens do cost more, however.
Enhanced touchpads. Most laptops also have enhanced touchpads that enable multitouch gestures.
Gesture controls. You use gesture controls by waving your hands in various ways in front of a computer's webcam, to control volume, fast-forward or rewind videos, scroll through photos, and the like. Supplied by third-party software, this capability is also popping up on some desktop computers.
Hybrid drives. These combine a traditional hard drive with a small solid-state drive (SSD). The SSD stores start-up files for fast start-up or resume, while the hard drive provides plenty of storage space.
Get in the habit of closing applications you’re not using. That will keep them from straining system resources.
Shut down your computer at the end of the day. This will clear out digital detritus (such as temporary files) and free up system memory and other resources.
If a virus scan is running, pause it until you’re finished working. Scans hog system resources, slowing everything down. Set auto scans for times you’re not using the computer. Don’t skip antivirus software entirely, because malware can really mess with your system. Also set Windows for automatic updates so that you get the latest security patches.
Delete programs you no longer use. If that isn't enough, and if the computer is no more than four years old, make sure you have at least 4GB of memory. Adding memory is an inexpensive and easy way to upgrade your computer.
If you're running out of hard drive space, burn your music, photos, and videos onto CDs or DVDs, or onto an external drive, and delete them from your hard drive. To gain storage space, consider adding a hard drive. (Adding an external drive is an upgrade even a novice can do.)
If you're using Windows, run its Disk Defragmenter utility. That will help your hard drive access files faster.
If none of that works, and the computer is more than four years old, it's probably time to replace it. See the "Recycling your old computer" section in our computer shopping tips.
Gesture controls. You use gesture controls by waving your hands in various ways in front of a computer's webcam, to control volume, fast-forward or rewind videos, scroll through photos, and the like. Supplied by third-party software, this capability is also popping up on some desktop computers.
Hybrid drives. These combine a traditional hard drive with a small solid-state drive (SSD). The SSD stores start-up files for fast start-up or resume, while the hard drive provides plenty of storage space.
Do you need a new computer?
Before you replace a sluggish computer, try these steps to beef up its performance.Get in the habit of closing applications you’re not using. That will keep them from straining system resources.
Shut down your computer at the end of the day. This will clear out digital detritus (such as temporary files) and free up system memory and other resources.
If a virus scan is running, pause it until you’re finished working. Scans hog system resources, slowing everything down. Set auto scans for times you’re not using the computer. Don’t skip antivirus software entirely, because malware can really mess with your system. Also set Windows for automatic updates so that you get the latest security patches.
Delete programs you no longer use. If that isn't enough, and if the computer is no more than four years old, make sure you have at least 4GB of memory. Adding memory is an inexpensive and easy way to upgrade your computer.
If you're running out of hard drive space, burn your music, photos, and videos onto CDs or DVDs, or onto an external drive, and delete them from your hard drive. To gain storage space, consider adding a hard drive. (Adding an external drive is an upgrade even a novice can do.)
If you're using Windows, run its Disk Defragmenter utility. That will help your hard drive access files faster.
If none of that works, and the computer is more than four years old, it's probably time to replace it. See the "Recycling your old computer" section in our computer shopping tips.
Types
Choices among computers can be confusing. New desktops can actually be as small and inconspicuous as some laptops.
Some laptops offer features and capabilities that rival those of traditional desktops.
Then there are two-in-one computers. Those are convertibles and detachables that have a full computer operating system and hardware that mimics or converts into a tablet.
Source from:http://www.consumerreports.org
Some laptops offer features and capabilities that rival those of traditional desktops.
Then there are two-in-one computers. Those are convertibles and detachables that have a full computer operating system and hardware that mimics or converts into a tablet.
Source from:http://www.consumerreports.org
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