Tuesday, 30 October 2012

Jury still out on the new wave of tablet/laptop hybrids

While Apple CEO Tim Cook has been very vocal about his disdain for tablet/laptop hybrids, other computer developers are busily creating a range of new devices that combine elements of both formats. And in the next few years, anyone seeking quality computer, tablet and laptop repair in Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C. will have to make sure they choose an experienced and adaptive company that has kept up with the trends.

At the Computex Trade Show in Taipei, Taiwan, Jonney Shih, chairman for the computer company Asus, showed off a smorgasbord of new hardware – and almost everything on display involved some sort of tablet/laptop combination, reports PCMag.

Standouts include the Asus Taichi, a laptop with a second screen on the outside display that means it can act as a tablet as well as a laptop. Having a second screen on the outside of your laptop may be an offputting idea at first, but if you're worried someone will be able to see what you're working on, rest assured you are in complete control of what's visible.

Another impressive device was the Transformer book, dubbed "the world's first convertible laptop" by Asus. The laptop's screen is removable, so it instantly acts as a tablet if you want it to.

But as more computer companies experiment with these hybrids, a whole new crop of laptop repair issues are bound to develop. Technicians will have to tackle a number of problems specific to these two-in-one pieces of hardware.

Whatever your thoughts on blending these two types of computers, one thing is certain.  Whether you own a tablet, laptop or some combination of the two, you'll need a reliable resource for efficient Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C. computer repair in case your new device malfunctions.

For more information about Computer Repair Washington DC, please visit our site www.877geeksonsite.com.

Tuesday, 16 October 2012

Password security is getting slacker, study shows

While your online passwords are your key to accessing everything from your social networks to your finances, they are also a major target for cybercriminals. There are countless bots tirelessly working to generate login passwords, so it's in your best interest to make their job as difficult as possible. The last thing you want is to have to call a spyware or virus removal service in Maryland, Washington, D.C. or Virginia because a hacker has cracked your code and invaded your computer system.

But according to a study released by the University of Cambridge in England, online passwords are so lax that 1 percent of them "can be cracked within 10 guesses." Jason Bonneau, a Gates Scholar at the university, had access to 70 million yahoo accounts for his research. The source reports that password security was "low across the board," even for online bank accounts.

And while younger generations are known for being more technologically savvy, they also proved to be a bit more irresponsible in terms of password security. The study showed that baby boomers in general had much stronger passwords, even though younger generations probably have more online accounts containing personal information.

Bonneau also found that little could be done to increase the security of user-generated passwords. If websites implemented stricter guidelines, then account holders tended to simply switch to the new bare minimum. Also, even after someone's account had been hacked into, requiring virus or spyware removal, that user wasn't any more likely to come up with a better password.

The best way to protect your system from a cyberattack is by doing everything you can to keep your personal accounts secure. But if you think your system has been hacked, a quality computer repair company like Geeks On-site can provide quick and efficient spyware and virus removal in Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Virginia.

For more information about Computer Repair DC, please visit our site www.877geeksonsite.com.

Tuesday, 9 October 2012

The problem with touchscreens: a Windows 8 preview

The new Windows 8 update from Microsoft has been receiving a lot of attention since it was first announced last year. The key feature that sets this operating system apart from previous updates is its touchscreen interface, which is set to drastically change the Windows experience for users across the board.

But this much-lauded innovation still has a few wrinkles to iron out. PCWorld reports that the operating system had a number of technical difficulties at a recent consumer preview. Running on an HP TouchSmart 520 PC all-in-one desktop, the new touchscreen technology was a little too glitchy and unresponsive to elicit many oohs and ahs from preview attendees.

Using the device "could involve several flicks and touches to get the system to respond," the source states, warning that the "balky" responsiveness could push users to opt for the traditional desktop mode and forgo the new interface altogether. But braver users may decide to stick with the new technology, delayed responses and all, so computer and laptop repair companies across the board will have to brace themselves for a mass of touchscreen related questions.

Touchscreens in general can pose a whole new range of issues for users and computer repair companies in Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C. The source reports that Windows 8 should work well on computers running Windows 7, but if your desktop or laptop wasn't built with a touchscreen display in mind, it may not transition quite as smoothly as newer devices. There may be times when your computer simply won't respond to touch, making it impossible to access your files or get any work done.

If you're struggling with a touchscreen device, consult a local Maryland, Washington, D.C. or Virginia computer repair service like Geeks On-site. Our technicians can discuss your technical issues over the phone, and, if necessary, send an expert to your doorstep to fix the problem.

For more information about Computer Repair MD, please visit our site www.877geeksonsite.com.