Is your laptop data safe when using Wifi Hotposts??  
The BBC says NO!

BBC 1’s consumer Watchdog program this week broadcasted a show about the dangers of using free wifi access points, offered by many high street venues like McDonalds & Starbucks. Armed with their own hacker, the watchdog team set about accessing innocent users laptops who were connected to the hotspots. The hacker managed to obtain access to various systems and certain types of data. To watch the BBC program in full click on the this  link

Scary it may sound, but there are some easy ways to protect yourself when using public hotspots.  Smart Computers also offers a range of business solutions  to protect your mobile workers, please see below.

Here are some steps to protect yourself when using public wifi hotspots:

• When entering personal data see if there is SSL encryted versions of website. The site should begin with https://
• Check your folder sharing permissons and use a password protected user account
• Make sure software has all the latest updates e.g. Windows Updates
• Use updated Anti Virus software (For a FREE trial click here)
• Use  a VPN (Virtual Private Network) (Contact Us)
• Use encryted email certificates (Contact Us)

For more advice and information please contact Smart Computers on 01242 580 654

As the worlds best selling laptop manufacturer, Acer need no introduction. Their excellent value, impeccable quality and design savvy are ever present in all their notebooks and the latest addition to the hugely successful Travelmate series is no exception.

To check availability please contact us at Smart Computers or call on  01242 580654

Welcome to style, power and 15.4″s of crystal bright illumination.

Sporting a nippy 2.1Ghz Core 2 Duo processor and 2GB RAM, the 5730 empowers exceptional multitasking productivity to keep professionals on the cutting edge.

An impressive 160GB hard drive can cater for even the most storage hungry applications, while the full integrated wireless means internet on the move is already taken care of, so put your feet up and enjoy the surf.

Also included is the enhanced Acer Disk Anti-Shock Protection (DASP) technology and the new Acer ProFile design, (which combines a Magnesium Alloy Case with a state of the art, two spindle design) meaning the 5730 can withstand even the most ‘efficient’ of baggage handlers working at the airport.

Specification

• Processor – Intel Core 2 Duo T6570 / 2.1 GHz ( Dual-Core )
• RAM – 2 GB (installed) / 4 GB (max) – DDR2 SDRAM ( 1 x 2 GB )
• Hard Drive – 160GB – Serial ATA-150
• Operating System – Microsoft Windows Vista Business/ XP Professional downgrade
• Screen – 15.4′ TFT 1280 x 800 ( WXGA ) – 24-bit (16.7 million colours)
• Optical Drive – DVD±RW (±R DL) / DVD-RAM – integrated
• Graphics – Intel GMA 4500MHD
• Bluetooth – No
• Finger print reader
• Built-in webcam
• Warranty – 1 year warranty

Remote access is the ability to get access to a computer or a network from a remote location  e.g. at home, hotel or anywhere else with a internet connection.

There are many ways to achieve remote access depending on your requirements & budget.

• Remote Desktop: Work on your actual physical PC
• Remote Network: Using Virtual Private Network (VPN) to connect to your network resources e.g. Shared drives & files
• Terminal Server: Virtual desktop hosted on company Terminal Server

For more information please contact us at Smart Computers on 01242 580654

Linux Vs XP

When buying a netbook, some manufacturers give you the choice of different operating systems either Linux or XP! With Linux netbooks available for under £100, I hear you ask ‘What is the difference?’ and ‘What are the benefits?’ 

Well Linux is a free operating system or “Open Source” which means its costs hardly anything for manufacturers to use , making them far more cheaper for the likes of you and me! Due to its lower hardware requirements, the Linux OS runs quite spritely, plus it offers you a great set of pre-installed applications for all types of tasks, from internet browsing, email, graphics editing & word processing. However there a few issues.

• Unfamiliar layout/user interface
• Incompatible software
• Steep learning curve

Don’t get me wrong, Linux is great for the basic day to day tasks even for media tasks like listerning to music and watching videos. So for a cheaper system for simple online tasks, a Linux Netbook could be very suitable for a tech savvy user.

If you want to use the more familiar operating system then nothing beats the popular Windows XP Home. Already on millions of PC’s most of us have used Microsofts aging operating system. Key points about XP are:

• Familiarity with interface
• Compatible  with most software
• Compatible with most hardware
• Ease of use

The only downside to choosing XP is its a slightly more expensive choice due to licensing and hardware requirements.So if you are looking for a cheap laptop replacement for general net use, there are a lot of choices out there for you. So why not contact me at Smart Computers on  01242 580654 or email me. I’ll be happy to help you find the product suitable for your needs.

Linux interface on a Acer netbook

HP Mini

Hot of the press today is HP’s new mini netbooks. Touted to support HD playback, this little package will definitely be suitable to both business & home users.

The 1101 in black will come with either XP or Vista and is aimed at the business market. The 110 will come with either Linux or XP is aimed squarely at the home consumer.

If you are looking for a netbooks, why not contact me at Smart Computers on  01242 580654 or email me. I’ll be happy to help you find the product suitable for your needs

Techical Specs:

1.6GHz Intel Atom processor

1 or 2GB of memory

160/250GB hard drive

(250GB only with Linux) or a 32GB SSD.

Asus Eee PC 1000HE

When originally released, the EeePc looked more like a Fisher price toy but with its new professional make over, adults won’t feel embarrassed carrying this around.

Improvements have also been made to the keyboard and especially to the battery. Expect a decent 8 hours of usage!! 

If you are looking for a netbooks, why not contact me at Smart Computers on  01242 580654 or email me. I’ll be happy to help you find the product suitable for your needs. 

Technical Spec:

• Processor – Intel Atom N280 / 1.66 GHz
• RAM – 1 GB DDR2 SDRAM
• Hard Drive – 160 GB
• Operating System – Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
• Screen – 10′ TFT 1024 x 600 ( WSVGA )
• Bluetooth – Yes
• Notebook Camera – Integrated – 1.3 Megapixel
• Warranty – 2 years warranty

The NC10 is a personal favourite! Great screen, good keyboard and a excellent battery.

Technical Spec:

• Processor – Intel Atom N270 / 1.6 GHz
• RAM – 1 GB DDR2 SDRAM – 667 MHz ( 1 x 1 GB )
• Hard Drive – 160 GB – Serial ATA-150
• Operating System – Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
• Screen – 10.2″ TFT 1024 x 640 ( WSVGA )
• Graphics – Intel GMA 950 – 128 MB
• Bluetooth – Yes
• Notebook Camera – Integrated – 1.3 Megapixel
• Warranty – 1 year warranty

HP Mini note 2133

One of the only netbooks using Windows Vista. This HP netbook  stands out due to its great keyboard and build quality.

If you are looking for a netbooks, why not contact me at Smart Computers on  01242 580654 or email me. I’ll be happy to help you find the product suitable for your needs.

Technical Spec:

• Processor – VIA C7-M 1.2 GHz ULV
• RAM – 1 GB (installed) / 2 GB (max) – DDR2 SDRAM – 667 MHz ( 1 x 1 GB ) 
• Hard Drive – 120 GB – Serial ATA-150 – 5400 rpm
• Operating System – Microsoft Windows Vista Business
• Screen – 8.9′ TFT 1280 x 800 ( WXGA )
• Graphics – VIA Chrome9
• Bluetooth – Yes
• Notebook Camera – Integrated
• Warranty – 1 year warranty

lenovo S12 netbook

Those Netbooks are getting everywhere! Compact, good battery, cheap and  excellent performance.

But try and do anything else apart from the basics, like gaming or watching HD content, and you will start seeing its true colours.

However that is about to change with nVidia’s new ION chip set. Which promises to deliver even better performance using netbook components. One of the first manufacturers to show this new chipset is Lenovo’s IdealPad S12 Netbook. Available towards the end of summer you can pre-book this great looking device at Smart Computers by click here or contacting us on 01243 560 654

Technical Specs:

IdeaPad S12 Netbook

Display: 12.1 WXGA (1280 X 800) LED 200 nit, 250g
Processor: Intel Atom N270
Graphics: Intel integrated GMA 950, Nvidia ION
Memory: Up to 1GB DDR2 533 MHz
Hard Drive: Up to 160 GB SATA (160, 250, 320)
Battery Life: 3 hours with 3-cell, 6 hours with 6-cell
Weight: 1.4kg with 3 cell, 1.55kg with 6 cell
Dimensions: 292 X 216 X 22-28.9mm
Connectivity: 10/100m Ethernet, Broadcom 578M, Intel WiFi Link 5150 1X2 AGN, Intel WiFi Link 5100 1X2 AGN, Non-Intel wireless b/g, Non-Intel wireless b/g/n, Bluetooth
Other: 3 USB, 1 Expresscard slot (Intel and VIA platforms), 4-in-1 card reader, VGA, RJA45, HDMI
Software: XP Home SP3 (32 bit)