Technology And Computer|

You have just got your hands on the best gaming console, it plays the best games in HD, it plays Blu-ray movies and you can store your music and photos on it so what possibly could be better than that? On the list of most impressive aspects of the PlayStation 3 can be that it allows users to load another operating system. Loading Linux on a PlayStation 3 is basically equal to installing it as a subsequent operating system on a standard Computer. This would be ideal as an extra PC in the bedroom or different room in the house. It is quite a straightforward process to install a linux operating system onto your ps3.

Once you have installed linux on PS3 you will be able use your ps3 as a personal computer. You can run an emulator which will allow you to install a windows operating system. You will be able to play more files than before on your PlayStation 3 You will be able to utilize more advanced movie players for any films you may have downloaded You will also be able to play PC games and applications simply.

Linux, similar to Windows, is an operating system in constant advancement. Linux is used for a myriad of computers, and some of them you might not have guessed. Linux is quickly getting ever more accepted because more people consider it. Linux may be a personal computer operating system (OS) that was created during the early ’90s at the University of Helsinki. Installing Linux also lets you utilize the PlayStation three like a standard personal computer which can be useful anyway. Your PlayStation 3 Slim, after loading Linux, will become a very capable and reasonably good desktop computer. Loading Linux on a PlayStation 3 is nothing new. In 2002, Sony Computer Entertainment published a PlayStation 2 Linux kit that allowed individuals to change their PS2 gaming system into a personal computer without voiding the guarantee and rendering it absolutely legal.

Linux will be the only mainstream operating system to be ported to your PlayStation 3 and distributions include Fedora, OpenSUSE, Ubuntu as well as Yellow Dog Linux. Consumers can operate Linux on the games system so as to access a general computing atmosphere. Loading Linux on any video game console has forever been a thing of much interest. Installing a foreign operating system on the video games system is no tiny chore, so you have every right to be proud. Now you can make your PS3 into a powerful PC and possess the true potential of the PlayStation 3 slim games console.

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With the rapid pace of technological developments, nothing has become as ubiquitous as the computer. Everyone’s got one. And they are used for all manner of endeavour, by people of all walks of life. So, do you simply buy the computer that someone’s selling? Or do you do some homework and figure out what detailed specifications are going to make some difference to you?

At Myshopping.com.au you can compare the prices of a wide range of different computers from different vendors and of different specifications. This guide will help you find what you’re looking for.

Mac or Windows (PC)

At the outset, you need to decide what you are going to use the computer for. This will help you make the fundamental decision of whether you should go Mac or PC. Although, with the advent of the dual core processor (an Intel chip now used by Mac) the differences are narrowed a little, there are still some choices that can help you favour one system over another. Historically, Mac computers have a reputation for greater stability that comes from a more robust operating system than Windows based computers. Largely for this reason, Macs have been the computer of choice for the graphic design industry, the music production industry and the video production industry. This has prompted the software manufacturers to make professional software packages for these disciplines that favour the Mac operating system. Although they have packages supporting the Windows operating system, they are often less capable.

Consequently, if you are engaged in these industries and need your computer for this type of work, you should consider Mac. Mac computers appear to attract fewer viruses and software malfunctions than do Windows based PCs. On the down side, there has always appeared to have been limited software support for Mac systems.

Another decision that may guide your choice is the aesthetics of the computer. If you have limited available space, there is nothing quite like the iMacs or the mini Macs for space saving. iMac’s all-in-one desktop units are compact and complete with all the connectivity you need. However, the look of other brands may be more to your taste, with many models available in compact packages and modern colour schemes to suit practically all dÊcor. Now that you’ve made that basic decision, you can start comparing the apples with apples.

The Components of Your Computer

The two factors that determine the price of your computer are size (yes it does matter) and speed. Either or both of these two dimensions are a factor of practically every component that makes up the machine. Naturally the highest price tags go with the combination of biggest and fastest.

CPU

The heart of the computer is the CPU (central processing unit). You need to decide which CPU you want driving your computer. These come from different manufacturers, and the current development of the technology is called Dual Core, which means that there are two processors on the one chip. Dual Core technology delivers more performance with less energy requirements. Intel and AMD are the two leading CPU manufacturers, and they offer different products under different names.

Current processing speeds range from about 1.4 GHz (gigahertz) through to 3.46 GHz. But it is not simply just a matter of speed. There are other considerations. Mac Operating Systems have a different architecture to Windows and will perform many functions faster with a slower speed CPU. A dual core chip at 1.4 GHz will deliver a better performance that a Pentium 4 chip at 1.8 GHz. A 1.4 GH dual core chip running a Mac with OSX Tiger, will perform better than a 2.0 GHz Pentium 4 processor running Windows. You need to decide what you want your computer to do, what your major software requirements are before you decide on the CPU processor.

However, for everyday use, a processor faster than 1.8 GHz will deliver excellent performance. As a rough rule of thumb, choose a Celeron for low cost computing, a Pentium 4 for mid-range budgets, or an AMD Athlon for bigger budgets. You can compare computers based on Pentium, Celeron, Athlon or Dual Core CPUs by searching those specifications on Myshopping.com.au and finding different vendors and brands using different processors.

RAM

This is where bigger definitely means better performance. RAM is the system memory that enables the computer to use its programs and swap data between the hard drive and the program functions. It’s important to match the speed of the RAM of your computer with the speed of the CPU. The more RAM you have available for your programs to work, the faster will your computer run. Most computers today come with at least 256 M (megabytes) of RAM. But memory is a relatively cheap component, and it costs little extra to upgrade to 512 M or greater.

HARD DRIVE

The hard drive of the computer stores your program files and your data. As computers have advanced, so has the need for more capacity to operate programs and store data. People working in media fields tend to work with very large files and require large storage space. Most computers in today’s market come with a minimum of 40G of hard drive space. However, this can be upgraded (usually in 20G chunks) to as much as 200G or more. The effectiveness of your hard drive also can depend on its physical speed (5400-7200 RPM) and the speed at which it can transfer data between the computer’s RAM and the hard drive. Faster means better performance.

REMOVABLE MEDIA

You will want to have a CD-R or (CD-RW) drive installed in your computer, and or possibly a DVD or DVD-R. For reading a CD ROM, all that is required is a CD drive and for watching DVD movies, a DVD ROM drive. However with a CD-R drive, you can record your own data and music CDs, and with a DVD-R drive, you can burn files in a DVD format, allowing you to store movies and data in far greater quantities. The CD-RW (DVD-RW) drives allow you to use re-recordable media. Your decision will depend on what you want to use your media drives for and what you want to store.

Other removable media will possibly include flash card storage, which is usually plugged in via the USB ports on the computer.

MONITORS

The monitor for your computer is integral to its function and aesthetics. If you are working in graphics you may want to stay with a CRT monitor. However most bundle offers these days are supplied with LCD monitors, which have the advantages of smaller space requirements, use lower energy and offer wider screen images. However they generally are more expensive (although prices are dropping everyday), can frequently be not as bright, have limited viewing angles and sometimes require a digital interface connector.

For graphics intensive work, LCD screens do not have the same capacity to render colours in gradients as CRT monitors. Once again, size matters. Bigger screens cost more than smaller ones.

VIDEO AND SOUND

For a detailed explanation of video cards, please see the article on Myshopping.com.au dedicated to Video Cards.

The interface between the CPU and the Monitor is provided by the video card. One of the basic decisions you need to make is whether you require a 3D or 2D card. Video cards come in two different types: those that use an AGP (accelerated graphics port) on the computer motherboard and those that use the PCI bus. Data transfer rate is critical to video performance. Faster video cards use an AGP, and this proves a faster data transfer than PCI cards. Most video cards also have their own video memory installed on the card, a feature that increases a computer’s memory performance. Today, these memories are often 128M or 256M, and can be more in the higher-end cards dedicated to sophisticated video work or gaming. Video cards performance is also affected by what is known as clock speed or clock rate, cards with a faster speed offer faster performance.

Cheaper computers, and laptops and notebooks, have an integrated graphics chip included in the motherboard instead of a discrete video card. This type of configuration is not as powerful or as fully functional as having a separate video card, which can allow more comprehensive gaming, the use of multiple monitors and faster and better rendering of images.

For a computer to reproduce the sounds recorded in games, movies and music products it requires a sound card. Quality of sound can be affected by the sound card your computer has installed. It’s important that you know how you want to use the sound reproduction processes of your computer. If you are a musician and want to record audio, then you will want to be sure that you have excellent connectivity, good midi access and at least 16-bit (CD quality) audio reproduction. Sound cards give you the possibilities of full cinema surround sound, and the many subtle effects employed by high-end games.

Nearly every computer comes with a set of stereo speakers. However it pays to have a good listen to what you’re buying. Make sure you listen to program that you are familiar with (take your own CD along) and compare the sound in a quiet environment. Many speaker systems for computers have poor frequency response and are underpowered. For desktop use that does not involve a quality listening environment this may be satisfactory. But if you want to listen to music and watch movies for the full effect, then you need to consider buying a good quality set of speakers. Use the search facility of Myshopping.com.au to compare specifications and prices of different speaker systems.

KEYBOARD AND MOUSE

The choice of keyboard and mouse are personal choices. Sometimes it depends on what you do on your computer, whether you have formal typing skills or whether you’re a two-finger hack. Serious writers may prefer an ergonomic keyboard. Keyboards frequently have different clicks and responses to others. You may prefer an infrared cordless keyboard and mouse. You may prefer an optical mouse on which you don’t have to clean the rollers. Optical mice have no rollerball, and can be used on most flat surfaces, but they are more expensive.

CONNECTIVITY

Today, connectivity is everything. Your computer can have wireless connections to all of your peripherals: printer, scanner, and other computers. Having an onboard modem will only be really important if you are using a dial up internet connection. Broadband modems tend to be peripherals and you can connect via USB, wireless or firewire. It does pay to consider how you will connect to the internet and other peripherals. It’s not always convenient to get behind your computer to plug something in or unplug it. Some sound cards have a front face panel with all the connections you need. The USB ports on Macs are conveniently located. Many PC manufacturers haven’t caught on to the fact that it’s important for some people to easily access the connections to their computers.

To compare the different bundle offers from different brands, and to compare the different components by their specifications, search the Myshopping.com.au database for exactly the specifications you are seeking. You can compare prices and vendors, and order what you need online with a few clicks.

The desktop computer has become just another appliance you use every day. Replacement sales–not first-time purchases–now drive the computer market. Fully loaded desktops selling for less than $800 are common, even among established brands.

WHAT’S AVAILABLE

There are dozens of companies vying to put a new desktop in your home. Dell, eMachines, Gateway, Hewlett-Packard (which merged with Compaq in 2002), IBM, and Sony all make machines that use Microsoft’s dominant Windows operating system. eMachines, recently merged with Gateway, specializes in budget-priced Windows models. Apple is the sole maker of Macintosh models. Small mail-order and store brands cater to budget-minded buyers.

Price range: $400 to $3,000.

IMPORTANT FEATURES

The processor houses the “brains” of a computer. Its clock speed, measured in gigahertz (GHz), determines how fast the chip can process information. In general, the higher the clock speed, the faster the computer. But not always, since different chip families attain different efficiencies. Manufacturers of Windows machines generally use 1.6- to 3.8-GHz processors with one of the following names: Intel’s Pentium or Celeron, or AMD’s Athlon or Sempron. Celeron and Sempron are lower-priced processors that equal higher-priced chips in many respects. Intel now assigns “processor numbers” to its chips, de-emphasizing clock speed. Apple’s Macintosh machines use 1.25- to 2.5-GHz PowerPC G4 or G5 processors, which are manufactured by IBM. Apple has announced that they will begin a transition to Intel processors in 2006.The system architecture of some families of chips allows them to be as fast as or faster than others with higher clock speeds, so speed comparison by the numbers can be misleading.

All name-brand computers sold today have at least 256 megabytes (MB) of RAM, or random access memory, the memory the computer uses while in operation. Video RAM, also measured in megabytes, is secondary RAM essential for smooth video imaging and game play.

The hard drive is your computer’s long-term data storage system. Given the disk-space requirements of today’s multimedia games, digital photos, and video files, bigger is better. You’ll find hard drives ranging in size from 40 to 300 gigabytes (GB).

A CD-ROM drive has been standard on most desktops for many years. Commonly supplied now is a CD-RW (CD-rewriteable) drive, also known as a “burner” that lets you create backup files or make music compilations on a compact disc. A DVD-ROM drive brings full-length movies or action-packed multimedia games with full-motion video to the desktop. It complements the CD-RW drive on midline and higher-end systems, allowing you to copy CDs directly between the two drives. A DVD writer will also play CDs and CD-ROMs. Combo drives combine CD-writing and DVD-playing in a single drive, saving space. The newest in this family, rapidly becoming a common choice, is the DVD-writer, which lets you transfer home-video footage to a DVD disk, or store as much data as six CDs. There are three competing, incompatible DVD formats–DVD-RW, DVD+RW, and DVD-RAM–as well as drives that can create dual-layer DVDs that store twice as much. Some drives can write in more than one format, but all can create a disk that will play on standalone DVD players.

Fast disappearing is the diskette drive, where 3.5-inch diskettes are inserted. Apple Macintoshes and a growing number of PCs don’t have a diskette drive built in, because it only allows you to read or store relatively small amounts of data. Many people use a CD-RW as a large “diskette” drive to transport files. Many PCs now come with a digital camera memory-card reader that can also serve for file transfer. You can also get external drives or use a USB memory module that holds much more than a diskette.

The computer’s cathode ray tube (CRT) or flat-panel liquid crystal display (LCD) monitor contains the screen and displays the images sent from the graphics board–internal circuitry that processes the images. Monitors come in sizes (measured diagonally) ranging from 15 to 21 inches and larger. Seventeen-inch monitors are the most common. Apple’s eMac and iMac come with built-in monitors. Its Mac Mini comes without a monitor. LCD displays are now the most popular, taking less space and using less power than CRTs. Better LCD displays can use a Digital Video Interface (DVI) connection, found on many newer PCs.

The critical components of a desktop computer are usually housed in a case called a tower. A minitower is the typical configuration. More expensive machines have a midtower, which has extra room for upgrades. A microtower is a space-saving alternative that is usually less expensive. All-in-one computers, such as the Apple iMac, have no tower; everything but the keyboard and mouse is built into a small case that supports the monitor. Apple’s Power Mac line of computers has a tower. Apple’s newest model, the Mac Mini, has a space-saving design that puts everything but the monitor, keyboard, and mouse in a case about the size of a hardcover book. An “entertainment PC”–one with a TV tuner built in–comes in a case that is more like an audio or video component, made to fit in with other home-entertainment devices.

A mouse, a small device that fits in your hand and has a “tail” of wire that connects to the computer, moves the cursor (the pointer on the screen) via a rolling ball or a light sensor on its underside. Alternatives include a trackball, which is rolled with the fingers or palm in the direction you want the cursor to go; a pad, which lets you move the cursor by sliding a finger; a tablet, which uses a penlike stylus for input; and a joystick, used to play computer games.

Most computers come with a standard keyboard, although you can also buy one separately. Many keyboards have CD (or DVD) controls to pause playback, change tracks, and so on. Many also have keys to facilitate getting online, starting a search, launching programs, or retrieving e-mail. There are also wireless keyboards that let you move about as you type.

Multimedia computers for home use feature a high-fidelity sound system that amplifies music from CDs or downloaded music files, synthesized music, game sounds, and DVD-movie soundtracks. Speaker systems with a subwoofer have deeper, more powerful bass. Surround-sound systems can turn a PC into a home theater. Some computers come with a microphone for recording, or one can be added.

PCs come with a modem to allow a dial-up Internet connection. Parallel and serial ports are the traditional connections for printers and scanners. Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports, seen on all new computers, are designed to replace parallel and serial ports. FireWire or IEEE 1394 ports are used to capture video from digital camcorders and other electronic equipment. An Ethernet port or wireless network card lets you link several computers in the household to share files, a printer, or a broadband Internet connection. An S-video output jack lets you run a video cable from the computer to a television, which lets you use the computer’s DVD drive to view a movie on a TV instead of on the computer monitor.

HOW TO CHOOSE

First, decide whether to upgrade your current computer. Upgrading, rather than replacing it, may make sense if your additional needs are modest–a second hard drive, say, because you’re running out of room for digital photos. Adding memory or a CD burner is usually more cost-effective than buying a whole new machine. If your PC has become unreliable, your want list is more demanding, or if there’s software you must run that your system is not up to, a new PC is the logical answer.

Consider a laptop. A desktop computer typically costs hundreds less and is easier to upgrade, expand, and repair. It usually offers better ergonomics, such as a more comfortable keyboard, bigger display, and enhanced audio. But a laptop merits consideration if portability and compactness are priorities.

Pick the right type of desktop. Most manufacturers offer several lines at different price points. Budget computers are the least expensive, yet they are suitable for routine work. Workhorse computers cost a few hundred dollars more, but are faster, more versatile, and upgradable. All-in-one models have most of the components in a single case. And entertainment or media PCs include TV tuners and software that give them the functions of a DVR. They usually provide a remote control for easy operation.

Choose by brand. Our surveys have consistently shown notable differences in reliability and technical support among computer brands. And some brands are generally more expensive than others. Those factors could help you decide which of two similarly equipped computers is the better buy.

Choose between preconfigured and custom built. You can buy a PC off the shelf in a store or via the Web, configured with features and options the manufacturer pitches to average consumers. Or consider purchasing a desktop that you configure to order, either online or in a store. When you configure a computer to order online, onscreen menus typically show you all the options and let you see how a change in one option affects the overall price.

Copyright © 2002-2006 Consumers Union of U.S., Inc.

For the latest information on this and many other products and services, visit www.ConsumerReports.org.

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With the advancement of technology, the world has become a small village whereby you can interact with anybody at the click of a button. There is a catch in all this, you must own a computer for you to be able to interact successfully with other people. Now, to own a computer calls for money and you may be lacking it. To resolve this particular issue, the  financial market and the sellers, and the manufacturers of computers came up with an option in which everybody in the UK can be able to own their own desktop computer. This option caters for those people who lack the finances required in the purchase of computers. It also takes care of the population who bears the bad credit tag on their shoulders. This option is known as no credit check computer financing and is available for everybody in the United Kingdom.

The no check computer financing is especially helpful to those people who find themselves with the bad credit score and they want to own their own computer. All they are required to do is provide proof of some regular employment and salary for them to get the financing being done. The lenders do not mind as long as they can be able to repay the advanced amount. The catch here lies with the interest changed on their loan amount, it is slightly higher than what is charged for a normal loan. The good thing with these loans is that, if the holder of a poor or credit record repays their loan installments regularly, their bad credit image is mended. The computer financing company’s go by many names in the UK for instance, computer financing option, computer finance UK, easy computer finance, no credit check and guaranteed computer, laptop finance.  The bottom line is that they all do the same thing, and that is advancing loans for the purchase of new or re-conditioned computers.

The loan advanced for no credit check computer financing is in two forms. There is unsecured form and secured form. For unsecured financing, the borrower is not asked to pledge any type of a security. While in the secured form, the borrower pledges an asset in order for the lender to avail the loan to them while the opposite is true. In the unsecured form, the borrower’s salary is the collateral. All in all, no credits check computer financing is the best option for every Briton who feels the need to own a computer. But before you settle on any financing agent do a thorough research so that you get yourselves the best deal.

It is fantastic that so many people still don’t know that their very own PS3 is one of the worlds best super computers. Typically folks don’t realize because they only use it to play games. But with the power of the Linux Operating System your PS3 can be 3 times as dynamic as your home PC. Even with the installation process of linux being straightforward as pie, a number of PS3 owners are nervous to take the jump.

Linux is built for computer’s but express versions can be installed on your PS3 to turn it into somewhat of an excellent computer. While you can install Ubuntu, Redhat, Kubuntu and even Fedora, the best distro to pick is Yellow Dog Linux. The reasoning being that Yellow Dog was without delay commissioned by Sony to be built for the PS3.

Sony does not make the installation process extremely user friendly but they did the best they could with it. The user will have to know where to start and where to go next. The very first thing you’ll wish to do is BACK UP YOUR FILES! Don’t do anything else before backing up your information. Even though installing Linux on your PlayStation 3 console will not erase or replace the local operating system, it will wipe out your saved games. So again, back up your data!

After you install Linux on your PS3, there will be two operating systems on your gaming console : the native GameOS and the Linux OS. The native operating system lets you play all the games by creating a channel of communication between you and the system’s hardware. So when you are playing a game, scrolling through the cross menu bar ( XMB ), listening to music or watching movies, the GameOS allows for this to happen. Linux will run on top of the GameOS which will then supply the link between Linux and the PS3 hardware.

Whatever you decide, installing Linux on your PS3 is a good idea if you need to completely customise your games console and have another entirely working home desktop computer. Doing this does not take away your PS3′s local gaming capabilities at all. Remember, Sony designed the PS3 to be capable of running Linux so don’t let this be the reason why you don’t want to install it. Above all else, have a good time with it! That’s pretty much the point of having this first-rate gaming system.
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You have just got your hands on the best gaming console, it plays the best games in HD, it plays Blu-ray movies and you can store your music and photos on it so what possibly could be better than that? On the list of most impressive aspects of the PlayStation 3 can be that it allows users to load another operating system. Loading Linux on a PlayStation 3 is basically equal to installing it as a subsequent operating system on a standard Computer. This would be ideal as an extra PC in the bedroom or different room in the house. It is quite a straightforward process to install a linux operating system onto your ps3.

Once you have installed linux on PS3 you will be able use your ps3 as a personal computer. You can run an emulator which will allow you to install a windows operating system. You will be able to play more files than before on your PlayStation 3 You will be able to utilize more advanced movie players for any films you may have downloaded You will also be able to play PC games and applications simply.

Linux, similar to Windows, is an operating system in constant advancement. Linux is used for a myriad of computers, and some of them you might not have guessed. Linux is quickly getting ever more accepted because more people consider it. Linux may be a personal computer operating system (OS) that was created during the early ’90s at the University of Helsinki. Installing Linux also lets you utilize the PlayStation three like a standard personal computer which can be useful anyway. Your PlayStation 3 Slim, after loading Linux, will become a very capable and reasonably good desktop computer. Loading Linux on a PlayStation 3 is nothing new. In 2002, Sony Computer Entertainment published a PlayStation 2 Linux kit that allowed individuals to change their PS2 gaming system into a personal computer without voiding the guarantee and rendering it absolutely legal.

Linux will be the only mainstream operating system to be ported to your PlayStation 3 and distributions include Fedora, OpenSUSE, Ubuntu as well as Yellow Dog Linux. Consumers can operate Linux on the games system so as to access a general computing atmosphere. Loading Linux on any video game console has forever been a thing of much interest. Installing a foreign operating system on the video games system is no tiny chore, so you have every right to be proud. Now you can make your PS3 into a powerful PC and possess the true potential of the PlayStation 3 slim games console.