Laptops For Dummies

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