Hardware Upgrade Tip of the Day #44


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Hardware Upgrade Tip of the Day

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*1. PROTECTING YOUR HARDWARE--PART 1 OF 2

Notebook theft continues to be a significant expense for 
corporations and individuals. You'll find there are several 
antitheft software packages; most of them involve having the 
stolen machine secretly dial out on a modem for help. However, 
if you want to protect the computer from being stolen in the 
first place, you'll need to resort to a physical security 
measure like a lock or alarm.

One new innovative alarm is the Targus Defcon 1, a palm-size 
unit that attaches to your notebook via a stainless-steel 
cable. When activated, the Defcon 1 will sound a 110-decibel 
alarm if anyone tries to remove the alarm or move the notebook.

http://www.targus.com


*2. PROTECTING YOUR HARDWARE--PART 2 OF 2

Many desktop PC security products force you use one particular 
method to secure your hardware. Read the details of any desktop
PC security product you are thinking of buying and look for 
more flexibility.

One flexible security product comes from Secure-It, which 
offers a desktop PC security package that adapts to your 
environment. The Kablitt II pack comes with a cable, lock, 
adhesive-based fasteners, and hex nut-based fasteners. With the
included parts, you can secure any desktop PC to a table, post,
or other stationary object. 

http://www.secure-it.com


*3. MOBILE HARDWARE ISSUES--PART 1 OF 3

  
Mobile computing products continue to grow in popularity. But 
computer users new to mobile products may not be aware of some 
of the differences between desktop PC hardware products and 
mobile hardware products.  

First, you should know that smart mobile users often order some 
replacement or spare parts right from the beginning when they 
buy a new PDA or other mobile device. A stylus input tool, for 
example, is generally the first thing you'll lose or break while
traveling. Having at least one spare can save you time 
and frustration.


*4. MOBILE HARDWARE ISSUES--PART 2 OF 3

Mobile device makers try to keep total product costs down 
because they want to position the product within the optimal 
price point window of $200 to $500 (chip costs, development 
costs, and other factors drive the prices up to these levels 
quickly). Thus, you'll often find companies cut corners by 
offering cheap slipcase covers for mobile devices, rather than 
hard-shell, protective covers. 

Veteran mobile computer users know hard-shell cases are vital 
for protecting your equipment from accidental damage. Almost 
everyone drops, bumps, or bangs a mobile device at some point 
during its life--and you'll reduce your chances of sustaining 
damage during these accidents if you store your device in a hard 
case. Most companies offer hard-shell cases as an option when 
you order a mobile device.


*5. MOBILE HARDWARE ISSUES--PART 3 OF 3

You're probably used to obtaining and updating software device 
drivers for your video graphics card, modem, and other hardware 
components. If you're new to mobile computing, though, you may 
not be familiar with the need to keep your mobile product's 
firmware up to date. Many mobile product makers--like the new 
pocket PC manufacturers, for example--often release firmware 
updates with bug fixes, patches, and even performance 
enhancements. Periodically check in at your mobile product 
maker's Web site and look for firmware updates in the technical
support section of the Web site.


*6. INTERNAL VERSUS EXTERNAL COMPONENTS--PART 1 OF 5

New data buses, like USB (Universal Serial Bus) and FireWire 
(aka IEEE 1394), as well as changes in PC architecture have 
changed the issues involved in choosing between internal and 
external new devices for your PC.  

First, it is still true that you will generally find internal 
devices cheaper than the same device (from the same 
manufacturer) in external form. This has to do with the extra 
manufacturing and materials involved in properly shielding the 
electronic device to meet legal standards. Thus, if you're 
working under a tight budget and you have some experience in 
installing internal hardware, consider an internal device.


*7. INTERNAL VERSUS EXTERNAL COMPONENTS--PART 2 OF 5

USB (Universal Serial Bus) devices do not come in internal 
form--there is no provision for internal components in the USB 
specification. Thus, you don't have an option to buy an internal
component if you're building a USB chain of devices. 


Do keep in mind, however, that the FireWire (aka IEEE 1394) bus 
does allow for internal devices. Unfortunately, few new PCs 
ship with FireWire capability. If you do have a FireWire-ready 
PC, consider going with a fast FireWire internal device if you 
need to save space on your desk.


*8. INTERNAL VERSUS EXTERNAL COMPONENTS--PART 3 OF 5

One of the reasons that people choose internal rather than 
external components is to save space on their desks; external 
components can quickly stack up, consuming every bit of flat 
surface in your office or cube. Unfortunately, this reality has 
prompted PC makers to shrink the size of the desktop PC itself. 
In turn, this shrinkage has left little room for expansion bays.
Thus, if you do plan to add to or upgrade your PC with 
space-saving internal components, consider buying a tower or 
minitower PC. Most desktop systems (those designed to sit on top
of your desk) offer very few if any bays for new devices.


*9. INTERNAL VERSUS EXTERNAL COMPONENTS--PART 4 OF 5

Before the advent of USB (Universal Serial Bus) and FireWire 
(aka IEEE 1394) technology, often users would choose an internal
device for high-speed data transfer. Few older PCs arrived 
stocked with an external SCSI port, and EIDE isn't available for
external devices. In the old days, most PC users had to rely on 
relatively slow parallel and serial port-based products if they 
wanted an external device.  

Not so today. Currently, at 400 mbps, FireWire is the fastest 
data bus out there. The upcoming 480-mbps USB 2.0 devices will 
be faster still. If speed is your only concern, check into USB 
2.0 or FireWire products.


*10. INTERNAL VERSUS EXTERNAL COMPONENTS--PART 5 OF 5

Consider your technical skill level before you buy an internal 
device. While installing an internal hard drive (or a modem or 
CD-ROM drive) has gotten a lot easier than formerly, it's still 
not for complete novices or the faint of heart. On the other 
hand, external components are generally designed to be plug and 
play, even if they aren't based on USB (Universal Serial Bus) 
or FireWire (aka IEEE 1394) technology.

If you have some experience with internal devices, or have a 
techie friend with some spare time, or have a phone and the time
to call for technical support--by all means go with an internal 
device; otherwise consider an easy-to-install external component.

--by Dean Andrews
