The new Zune 4GB digital media player is out. The 4GB model, along with the 8GB and 80GB models now give Zune fans alternatives to the popular Original 30GB model. The new 4GB player is smaller than the original at: 3.6″ Height x 1.63″ Width x 0.33″ Depth. The viewing screen is also smaller at 1.8″, (3″ screen for the 30GB Zune). The price is also a bit smaller than the 30GB model. 4GB of storage memory may sound meager when compared to the new Zune 80GB’s hard drive. 4GB is still enough memory to store 1,000 songs at 128kbs playback, 25,000 JPEG pictures or about 12 hours of video at a 512kbs playback speed. Things have certainly changed, I remember my first laptop computer, bought in ‘92 had only a 40MB hard drive – 100 times smaller than the Zune 4GB’s flash memory.
The new 4GB model comes in a variety of colors and includes ear bud headphones and covers. You will have to purchase the charger for the built-in battery separately however. The build-in FM radio feature, present on all Zune models is something you can’t get on an iPod. All Zune models support the most popular audio; (AAC, MP3, WMA, Protected WMA), and video; (WMV), playback formats.
The 4GB model provides the opportunity to get a much smaller, even more portable personal media player at a more affordable price. The trade-offs are less video viewing area and the need to down, and upload from your personal computer more often. The new touch-pad design makes browsing content much faster and easier. You don’t have to physically connect to your computer to download content if you have a wireless computer network at home. As with all Zunes, you have the ability to share songs and media and download free video selections over the wireless connectivity feature. The Social lives on.
You can access millions of songs in the Zune Marketplace. Downloading music and video is easy. there are lots of choices to download music – with Pass subscription, through Microsoft points, or a host of other online media providers and member sites. Play lists from Marketplace editors are constantly being updated and published for weekly viewing on the Zune, as well as artist biographies and stories from top music and video online magazines.
All the new Zune models and application upgrades provide consumers more choice. More choice is great and the Zune 4GB will offer some people just the right combination of ultra-portability, ease of use and features they have been looking for.
By: Mark Yarbrough
Posts Tagged ‘Laptop Computer’
How Do I Set Up My Wireless Network at Home?
February 2nd, 2010
Wireless home networks are becoming more and more popular these day. The ease of installation and the practicality of being able to surf the net anywhere in the house makes wireless home networks very attractive to internet users. Setting up a wireless home network is quite easy but you need to know some basic things about wireless networks before attempting to start the set up. You can read up more about the wireless networking protocols to help you get a better understanding of wireless networking.
To set up a wireless home network you need to have broadband internet connection with a cable or DSL modem. The common set up at home is usually that of the desk top computer being plugged directly into the modem. In this tutorial we will assume that you have a laptop that you want to connect wirelessly to the PC that is connected to the internet. You need some hardware to make this possible. First you need to have a wireless router. You also need to add a USB wireless network adapter to your desk top PC and a PC card-based network adapter for your laptop computer. For obvious reasons, it is advisable to choose the same vendor for all the additional hardware you buy. Refer to the documentation that comes with your hardware for the installation process.
When you already have all the necessary hardware installed, you can begin the set up. First you need to unplug or turn off the DSL modem then connect the wireless router to the modem. You can check the documentation that came with your hardware for assistance. When you’ve set it up your computer will wirelessly connect to your router. The next step is to configure your wireless router. With Internet Explorer you can go to your router’s configuration page.
Most of the default settings there are rather safe left alone but there are some things that you need to configure. You need to choose a unique wireless network name or SSID, this will be the name of your network. Be sure that no one around that is near you is using the same name. The next step is, if your router requires it, to provide a unique passphrase that it will use to generate some keys. Then the last step to do before you are done with configuring the router is setting your administrative password. Choose a password that is not easy to guess and not too short for security reasons. Be sure to save every setting you’ve configured. The actual steps involved in configuring these settings vary according to the kind of router you have.
The next step is to configure your laptop’s network adapter. It is easy to follow Window’s XP’s on-screen instructions for this one. Right-click the icon for wireless network in your task bar and select “View Available Wireless Networks” in the pop up menu that appears. The Wireless Network Connection window will show and there you will see the name you chose for your wireless network listed. Click Refresh network list in the upper-left corner if you don’t see your network. You will then be prompted to enter a key, this is the key that you wrote down in both the Network key and Confirm network key boxes. Click Connect. You will then see connection progress as it connects to your network. When you’re already connected you can close the Wireless Network Connection window. You’re done, you’ve set up wireless connection.
By: Pinky Mcbanon
Benefits Of A Laptop Computer For Home Business
November 13th, 2009
Laptops are often the first type of computer that anxious buyers look into. They are small and slick looking usualy light machines for the most part. Laptop computers have all the ability and function of a full desktop on a smaller scale. Their size limit’s the amount of memory they can handle but laptop computers are still very powerful machines. Today laptops can be just as useful as desktop pc’s. In today’s busy society they fit into most people’s daily lifestyles perfectly for three reasons. The top two reasons that most people use laptop computers are mobility and space efficiency. However, the benefits certainly don’t stop there.
Mobility
In today’s technology-reliant world having a computer is pretty much mandatory. Whether your laptop computer is a brand new Compaq Presario or a Dell, chances are you carry it with youand use it constantly. The mobility of laptops and notebooks allows for their users to have their important files at hand as well as the means to update those files and copy them for others to use. With the advent of wireless technology a Compaq laptop combined with Compaq wireless makes for an unstoppable media and work outlet. A flashdrive can make file transfers easy and will support the mobillity of your laptop.
This ease of mobility will serve for many different people, including those that own their own business. Business people will love the appeal of being able to work on commutes and trips. Students will have the advantage of being able to take notes in class as well as have their personal computer with them for weekend jaunts to the homestead. People who work at home doing telecommuting jobs will be able to leave the house for a cup of coffee and a change of scenery without losing any work time.
Space Efficient
Laptop computers are much smaller than a desktop computer. This being the case it is perfect for the person who does not have much room or just wants a less cluttered working area than the desktop affords. College students who live in dorms benefit greatly from this as they have limited work space and often need to use desk space for other purposes than schoolwork. People who live in smaller apartments or homes can also benefit from the small size as any space that is available can become a work space. The small size is also a plus in shared spaces as it makes it easy to store. It can be set on a shelf when not in use leaving space for tables and desks to be repurposed. Also it can very easily unhooked and locked up for safe keeping when not needed for work or play. Although a laptop may not be ideal for everyone as they are often the right choice for a variety of people. From college students, to busy professionals, to work at home moms the laptop computer can ecome an invaluable asset to their everyday lives. It can certainly make your home business easier to operate if you have a handy laptop to take everywhere you go!
By: Tom Neville
