Laptops for dummies - Dan Gookin

Get a move on! Learn to roam free with this guide to choosing and using a laptop Laptops come with everything you need to get going — everything, that is, except a guide to buying and using one. This book covers portable computers from laptop to lap–bottom, with useful advice on picking one, setting it up, managing power and peripherals, going online, and hitting the road. Which one fits your lap? — learn what to look for, what to ignore, and how to find the laptop you'll love Get acquainted — tour your laptop and locate its buttons, disk slots, security features, and keyboard peculiarities Windows, laptop model — test–drive Windows on your laptop and know where to find programs, files, and network access Feel the power — discover how to monitor your laptop's power and prolong battery life You've got connections — introduce your laptop to a network and connect to the Internet wherever you find it Make friends with your OS — find out how to use the latest features in Windows 7 and other laptop–friendly operating systems and keep your laptop happy Bells and whistles, anyone? — add a portable printer, PC Card, or USB gizmo to make your laptop more versatile Prepare for takeoff — protect your laptop and your data when you travel Open the book and find: Translations of laptop buzzwords Regular maintenance and troubleshooting tips Steps for safely unpacking your laptop Advice on maximizing power, memory, and hard drive space Tips for strong passwords you can actually remember What the differences are between netbooks and laptops How to make phone calls and video–chat from your laptop Descriptions of ten cool laptop accessories Learn to: Make the most of the latest laptop features and capabilities Synchronize your laptop with your desktop and cellphone Set up security for mobility and social networking Beef up your laptop's memory and hard drive capacity