Now you may find this an odd title for this article but indeed it covers many things. It all started when I was sorely tempted to buy an Apple iPad 2. This came about as two members of my family regularly extolled the virtues of their iPhones and their iPads.

So began a period of reflection when I looked at my three Windows type computers and wondered whether it was time for a “sea change”. This led to a long period of investigation and ended up with me trying out one of their iPads. I was indeed impressed and sorely tempted. With the demise of Steve Jobs and the media’s recognition of his important contribution this nearly tipped me over the edge. One should not overlook Bill Gates and his contribution to the development of the PC, DOS and Windows operating systems. History may well judge him by his recent philanthropy in helping those less fortunate rather than his work with computers.

Then, in the cold light of day I made a decision. While I loved the touch screen and all its features I decided to stick with what I knew. I was happy and comfortable with PCs. So, no iPad for me!

Now let me tell you about my current crop of PCs. I have a desktop, a notebook and a netbook. All are no longer than three years old. The desktop and the notepad have dual –core processors, 4 Gb of Ram and work superbly with Dragon Naturally Speaking et al. The netbook, the most recent edition — it’s only two years old — has an Intel Atom N280 CPU (now superseded) and 2 Gb of Ram. Compared with the other two PCs it is a bit sluggish but never-the-less fills my requirements when I travel away from home. Its small size and portability makes up for its lesser specifications. Some could well say why not take a break and leave the computer home and this is the advice I often hear from my partner who feels I spend too much time on the computer.

I digress! Well after that momentous decision of keeping clear of Apple products I decided I’d follow up my interest in the new Second Generation Intel chips. This includes the Intel Core i7, Intel Core i5 and Intel Core i3. All reports indicated these new chips are a huge leap forward in processing.

Maybe, this was the way to go – buy a new notebook with the latest chips. So, this lead to my search for that new machine.

My specifications were relatively simple – an Intel Core i5  CPU, 4Gb Ram (upgradable to 8 Gb) (Note: Dragon works even better with plenty of grunt) and a large hard drive (min. 300 Gb). Various brands were checked – ASUS, Toshiba, Medion Mikeyo (this is sold in Australia by ALDI stores), MSI and finally HP.

I settled on the latter, given four of my computers – three notebooks and one desktop have been HP/Compaq machines. Better to stick with a product that has been reliable.  

Once I made the decision I then began my search for a new notebook within my means. I settled on an HP Pavilion g series machine. The machine I chose met all my requirements – Intel Core i5 CPU, 4 Gb RAM, 640 Gb Hard Drive, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth et al.

Its large screen and well-resourced – three USB ports, a HDMI port (this was one feature I really wanted as I could hook my computer up to my big LCD TV screen) a card reader just to name a few.

You can see the specs of the chosen machine HP Pavilion g series, courtesy of Piriform’s Speccy. Speccy is a useful little tool for checking up the hardware on your computer. If you haven’t downloaded Speccy think about it. It is a valuable tool for checking your computer’s specification.

Speccy's Assessment

An earlier tool Belarc Advisor is also useful. This tool builds a detailed profile of your installed software and hardware, network inventory, missing Microsoft hotfixes, anti-virus status, security benchmarks, and displays the results in your Web browser. Both Speccy and Belarc Advisor are handy information gatherers!

HP’s Support Assistant also provided me with a snapshot of the computer’s specifications. 

Specs displayed using HP Support Assistant

 Setting up my new notebook was a breeze. My next task was vital; it involved creating a set of Recovery Disks courtesy of HP’s Recovery Manager. With all software, including the  operating system pre-installed, it is essential to make a set to safeguard your computer. After this was completed – it was a slow process – I was installed my suite of favourite programs – Office 2010, Snagit, Picasa and, of course, Dragon Naturally Speaking.

My next task was to remove Norton ignoring its kind offer for a 30 day trial. In its place I installed Microsoft Security Essentials quick smart before venturing onto the Internet. When I did I got a shock as regular updates were proposed by Windows Update. In all there were 89 updates. This took some time so I left the computer to its own devices. Thus, well and truly updated, it was time to start serious use of this new machine. To say I was impressed with its features is an understatement. I am revelling in my new fast technology.

One of my first tasks was to try out Dragon. The internal microphone built into notebooks and netbooks has never been “much chop”, but in my HP it excelled itself and enabled me to use Dragon without having to wear those uncomfortable but necessary microphone headsets. There was an unexpected bonus too as the inbuilt speakers gave out reasonable sound.

Enough said!  I’ll leave it there!

“The time has come,” the Walrus said, “to talk of many things. . .” was posted on Everything Microsoft - Latest Microsoft News, Guides, Reviews & Themes. If you are not reading this content in an email newsletter, it is being used without permission.

It is ages since I’ve written a blog about Windows 7. Well, after this hiatus I decided to draw Windows 7 News & Tips readers attention to four useful little tools available from a website called Piriform. Its web address is as follows: www.piriform.com

They are:

• CCleaner
• Defraggler
• Recuva
• Speccy

Note: I’ve already dealt with Speccy in a previous blog. See “Ever wanted to check your Computer’s Hardware Components” Published 01/07/2010.

When you access Piriform’s website check out the four applications as per the illustration below:

Piriform 1

After you do that a larger screen opens providing details about each application. For more information just click the button labelled More Info. On the other hand if you want to take a punt on the program click the button labelled Download. I am sure you will find these applications of value.

Piriform 2

Four Useful Products enhancing Windows 7 was posted on Everything Microsoft - Latest Microsoft News, Guides, Reviews & Themes. If you are not reading this content in an email newsletter, it is being used without permission.

Who could have imagined over even the last ten years that the PC, a business device, would be welcomed with such open arms into the home.  That huge sections of our living rooms and spare bedrooms would be devoted to huge beige, then black, boxes.

Windows 8 is due in beta 2011 for release in 2012.  This will mark 30 years of the home computer revolution of the ZX81, ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64 and BBC Micro.  Three whole decades since Sir Clive Sinclair launched the ZX81 to such huge acclaim.  His previous home computer, the ZX80, had failed to make inroads in the home, but the £99 ZX81 was remarkable for its time.  It was the first home computer to be widely available on the high street, and the first computer that households could actually afford, with an Apple II or IBM PC costing around £2,500.

I remember fondly getting my first ZX81 and I consider myself very privileged to have been born when I was, and to have been growing up through the most exciting part of the home computer revolution.

I had initially wanted a colouring book but my parents had seen the ‘educational value’ of the Sinclair machine and were determined I was getting one.  I remember vividly the trip to WH Smith that resulted in a very bemused few days for me while I tried to come to terms with what this thing was.  Once I had it though I was hooked!

Back then you joined a camp and developed a loyalty that seemed to take on a life of its own.  If you were serious about computing you were in one of three.  Either Sinclair, Commodore or Acorn (BBC).  The Sinclair fans were the the fun people who enjoyed life on a shoestring and, at least publicly, considered the machine’s foibles endearing, even if we were all privately fuming that it took 45 minutes to load a game of Horace Goes Skiing.

The Commodore people had more money and, thus, a proper keyboard.  They clearly had the better machine but the Sinclair crowd would never let them win that argument.  The BBC crowd were the ones you knew would end up doing advanced degrees at University.  That was the way it was back then.

I was firmly in the Sinclair camp.  After my ZX81 I owned a Speccy, a Speccy+2 and a Sinclair QL.  I am one of a great many people who consider the ZX Spectrum to be one of the finest computers ever created.  It brought about the home computer revolution pretty much on its own and, consequently, was copied right around the globe.

It wasn’t until Amstrad came in with more of a business focus did things begin to change.  The Spectrum and Commodore 64 had given birth to the first generation of dedicated games consoles and that left the market open for something more serious.  Back then everybody was still talking about the paperless office, a concept we’d never really trust these days, and Amstrad brought to market products to help small businesses and individuals become more productive at home and at work.  They lit the way and showed the likes of Dell and Compaq how to produce mass-market PCs for under £500.  It was at this time that Compaq created a compatible clone BIOS for the IBM PC.  From that moment on the home computer revolution was over!

It had lasted only five short years but they were a truly exciting time.

So just how the hell does my personal nostalgia trip fit in with Windows 8 I hear you ask?  It’s actually Windows XP that started the ball rolling with this but Windows Vista and Windows 7 have both grasped the bull by both horns and Windows 8 will, I think, complete the picture.

This is the excitement we feel about how it works and operates and how we interact with the next version of Windows.  After the first PC clones began to appear we became bogged down with performance.  The important thing was the next development in technology and not the operating system itself.  Windows 95 got tongues wagging, but all too quickly the excitement died down to be replaced again by talk of the next big hardware revolution.  Finally we have OS interfaces that excite and engage people on a daily basis and that can actually maintain that level of enthusiasm.  The fact that modern hardware has for a few years now provided all that we need has obviously helped this conversation to flourish.

This revolution really started, nay exploded, in 1982 with the ZX Spectrum, BBC Micro and Commodore 64 changing the face of childhood forever.  The clones came flooding in, everyone with their own ideas.  Innovation and excitement were the order of the day and you couldn’t go anywhere or speak to anyone without the home computing revolution coming into the conversation.

It makes me remember spending Saturday mornings in my local high street electronics shops.  There were always large crowds of kids gathered around the computers.  We’d compare the different interfaces and the way the machines operated.  Each one brought something exciting to the mix but it was never the hardware that excited us.  Okay so the keyboard had a thing or two to contribute.  You either loved or hated the squidgy keys of the Speccy and most people hated the blister’inducing keyboard of the Oric 1, even though the machine itself really impressed.  Generally though it was how we interacted with the machines that made them successful or reduced their developers to tears when the receivers were called in.

Back then this was essential because, in order to own one of these machines, you had to program it yourself.  The user interface as everything.  This is where the ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64 and BBC Micro excelled.  All three had interfaces that people could actually use.

You have to have been born during a few short years in the late 1960s and early 1970s to appreciate the magic of that time.  It was truly, the most exciting period of my childhood, and something that no child born before or since will ever be able to share.

This is something we take for granted now on modern PCs.  But it’s still not always that way.  Windows 7 may offer great leaps forward in how we interact with our PCs, but any trained eye will be able to point out all the places it fails.

I can only hope, and look forward, to the way we interact with Windows 8, whatever it is, causing enough excitement to commemorate this 30th anniversary appropriately.

Windows 8 will mark 30 years since the home computer revolution was posted on Everything Microsoft - Latest Microsoft News, Guides, Reviews & Themes. If you are not reading this content in an email newsletter, it is being used without permission.