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For Seniors: Laptop Buying Decisions — Which Windows?
When deciding which laptop to buy, the laptop’s operating system (such as Windows or Mac OS) is an important choice. Windows comes in many versions, unlike the Mac OS, so when considering a Windows laptop [more…]
For Seniors: Laptop Buying Decisions — Which Optical Drive?
An optical (CD or DVD) drive can play music or movies, or read data stored on the disc (a process called burning). Optical drives are typically included on laptops. An optical drive is a small drawer that [more…]
For Seniors: Difference between Laptops and Tablets
Laptops and netbooks, however similar, are quite different than tablets. The most popular tablet is the Apple iPad, although companies such as Dell, Acer, Hewlett-Packard, Samsung, and Motorola have brought [more…]
For Seniors: Laptop Buying Decisions — Which Features?
There are many features you should consider when deciding whether to purchase a laptop or a netbook. Often, it boils down to what you want to do with your new computer. [more…]
For Seniors: Laptop Buying Decisions —Processor Speed and Memory
The speed at which your laptop completes tasks is determined in great measure by your computer processor speed and the amount of memory (RAM) it has. Processor speed is measured in gigahertz [more…]
For Seniors: Laptop Buying Decisions —Internet Connection
Your laptop can connect to the Internet in various ways — wirelessly, through a broadband connection, or using a dial-up modem. The Internet connection you choose affects not only the speed but the cost [more…]
For Seniors: Install and Charge a Laptop Battery
Once you unpack your new laptop, you might need help getting it set up, such as installing and charging its battery. After installing a laptop's battery, you'll need to charge it fully before using it. [more…]
For Seniors: Managing Power on a Windows 7 Laptop
Managing battery life (the length of time it takes your laptop to run out of power) is important because without battery power, your laptop must be plugged in in order to use it. [more…]
For Seniors: Power Plans for a Windows 7 Laptop
A Windows 7 power plan can help you manage the battery life of your laptop. Windows 7 power plans have preset timings for actions such as dimming your screen or putting your computer to sleep. Managing [more…]
For Seniors: Customize a Windows 7 Power Plan
Windows 7 power plans can be customized to control precisely when the display dims or turns off, or the computer goes to sleep after a period of inactivity. By customizing a Windows 7 power plan, you can [more…]
For Seniors: Change When a Laptop Goes to Sleep
Changing how much time lapses before your laptop automatically goes to sleep can save precious battery power. Sleep is a state that uses minimal power but keeps the currently open documents and programs [more…]
For Seniors: Define Laptop Power Button Functions
You can control what happens when you press the Power button on your laptop, close its lid, or press the Sleep button (if your laptop offers one). When you perform one of these actions, you can opt to [more…]
For Seniors: Connect a Printer to Your Laptop
Connect a printer to your laptop whenever you need to print out a document or photo. To use a printer with your laptop, you have to install software — called a printer driver — and tell your laptop how [more…]
For Seniors: Connect a Wireless Printer to Your Laptop
A wireless printer connects to your laptop either through a Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connection. After connecting a wireless printer to your laptop, you can print out documents, photos, and other files. Both [more…]
For Seniors: Set a Default Printer in Windows
In Windows 7, you can set up a default printer that will be used every time you print. With a default printer set, you don’t have to select a printer each time — instead, unless you specifically select [more…]
For Seniors: Set Default Printer Preferences in Windows
Set default printer settings for your Windows printer so you don't have to select them each time you print. Your printer might offer preferences such as printing in color or black and white, printing in [more…]
For Seniors: View Documents in the Windows Print Queue
As you send documents to your Windows printer, they are placed in a queue as they wait to be printed, one by one. View documents in the print queue anytime you like, without disturbing the printing process [more…]
For Seniors: Remove a Printer from Your Laptop
If you upgrade to a new printer for your laptop, remove the old printer (and its printer driver software) to keep it running lean and mean.
To use a printer with your laptop, you have to install its printer [more…]
For Seniors: Install a Scanner on Your Laptop
Connect a scanner to your laptop, and use it to convert hard copies of information into electronic files. Before you can scan documents into your laptop, you need to install the scanner driver so that [more…]
For Seniors: Modify Your Laptop's Scanner Settings
Change a scanner's default settings in Windows 7 to make it easier to scan material using your preferred options. You use a scanner connected to your laptop to convert hard copies of information into electronic [more…]
For Seniors: Connect Speakers to a Laptop
Although your laptop might have built-in speakers, you can attach external speakers to the laptop in order to improve its sound quality. Connect laptop speakers by plugging them into the appropriate connection [more…]
For Seniors: Adjust the Volume on a Windows Laptop
Windows 7 allows you to adjust the volume on your laptop so that it's louder or softer as desired. Mute the volume on your laptop when needed, simply and easily. [more…]
For Seniors: Use Webcams
Webcams are small video cameras that can transmit your picture to somebody in an online chat, video call, or group meeting. Webcams can also be used to capture short videos for posting online or sharing [more…]
