Laptops For Dummies, 6th Edition

Laptops For Dummies, 6th Edition

by Dan Gookin
Released November 2015
Publisher(s): For Dummies
ISBN: 9781119041801

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Book description

The fast and easy way to get up and running with a laptop

Are you new to the world of laptops? You've come to the right place! Laptops For Dummies covers the many topics and issues unique to laptops, including synchronizing with the desktop, coordinating email pick-up between two machines, remotely accessing the desktop, networking, power management, storage, security, and more. This new edition also provides updates to cover the latest technology, current processors, and steps to update memory and hard drive capacities.

In business—while they spend most of their time in a desktop docking station—laptops are absolutely essential for providing mobility to professionals. In the home, they've begun to replace desktop PCs, as they now offer larger displays, longer battery power, and speeds equal to desktop computers. Plus, you can do just about everything with a laptop that you can do with a traditional desktop, minus the big, bulky machine and multiple cords. If you're just making the switch over to a laptop, this hands-on, easy-to-follow guide makes the transition easy!

  • Covers the latest hardware and technology updates you need to get up and running with your laptop
  • Includes updates on the new Windows 10 operating system, wireless networking, smartphone tethering, and using productivity applications on laptops
  • Walks you through everything you need to deal with add-ons, networking procedures, and connectivity and communication
  • Presents complex material in a way that makes it simple and accessible

Whether you've never logged onto a laptop or are just looking to stay up-to-date with the latest information on operating systems and software, Laptops For Dummies has you covered.

Table of contents

    1. Cover
    2. Introduction
      1. About This Book
      2. And Just Who Are You?
      3. Icons Used in This Book
      4. Where to Go from Here
    3. Part I: This Laptop Thing
      1. Chapter 1: The Portable Computing Quest
        1. The History of Portable Computing
        2. Modern Laptops
      2. Chapter 2: A Laptop of Your Own
        1. Do You Need a Laptop?
        2. Laptop Shopping
        3. Software for Your Laptop
        4. Laptop Hardware Buying Decisions
        5. Service, Support, and Warranty
        6. The Final Step: Buying Your Laptop
    4. Part II: Say Hello to Your Laptop
      1. Chapter 3: From Laptop Box to Lap
        1. Laptop Box 101
        2. Set Up Your Laptop
        3. Bye-Bye, Old Laptop
        4. What to Do Next
      2. Chapter 4: To Turn On a Laptop
        1. Turn On Your Laptop
        2. It’s Windows!
        3. What’s Next?
      3. Chapter 5: To Turn Off a Laptop
        1. End Your Laptop Day
        2. Shutdown Options and Configuration
      4. Chapter 6: Traditional Laptop Tour
        1. Around Your Laptop
        2. Those Pluggable-Innable Holes
        3. Look at the Pretty Lights!
        4. This Isn’t Your Daddy’s Keyboard
        5. This Isn’t Your Momma’s Mouse
      5. Chapter 7: The Tablet PC Tour
        1. Tablet PC Types
        2. The Tablet PC Tour
        3. The Pen Is Mightier than the Mouse
        4. Touchscreen Text Typing
        5. Windows Does the Tablet PC
        6. Special Tablet PC Software
      6. Chapter 8: Your Laptop and Windows
        1. The Big Windows Picture
        2. Windows and Your Stuff
        3. Settings and Options
    5. Part III: Out and About with Mr. Laptop
      1. Chapter 9: You and Your Laptop
        1. User Accounts
        2. The Perfect Display
        3. Removable Storage
        4. The Software Side
      2. Chapter 10: Portable Power
        1. The Battery Will Get a Charge Out of This!
        2. When the Power Gets Low
      3. Chapter 11: The Printing Chapter
        1. The Great Printer Hunt
        2. Something Needs Printing
        3. A Portable Printer for Your Laptop
      4. Chapter 12: Expanding Your Laptop’s Universe
        1. USB Expansion Options
        2. That Bluetooth Thing
        3. The Laptop Becomes a Desktop
      5. Chapter 13: O the Places You’ll Go
        1. In the Bag
        2. Flying with Mr. Laptop
        3. Café Computing
        4. In a Hotel Room
        5. Mind the Laptop’s Temperature
      6. Chapter 14: Presentation Information
        1. The Show Must Go On
        2. To Create a Better Slide Show
      7. Chapter 15: A Laptop at Play
        1. The Laptop Media Player
        2. Expand the Laptop’s Media Universe
        3. Media Sharing
        4. Laptop Phone Calls
        5. eBooks on Your Laptop
    6. Part IV: Laptop Networking
      1. Chapter 16: The Networking Thing
        1. The Big Networking Picture
        2. Make the Network Connection
        3. Break the Network Connection
      2. Chapter 17: Network Life in Laptop Land
        1. Network Configuration
        2. Your Laptop, Windows, and the Network
      3. Chapter 18: Your Files from Afar
        1. Files from Here to There
        2. Cloud Storage Synchronization
    7. Part V: Security and Maintenance
      1. Chapter 19: Internet Safety
        1. Security Central
        2. Keep Windows Up-to-Date
        3. Windows Defender
        4. Behind the Firewall
        5. Safe and Private Browsing
        6. Location Information
        7. General Security Settings
      2. Chapter 20: A More Secure Laptop
        1. The Hot Laptop
        2. Before Your Laptop Is Stolen
        3. Protect Your Data with a Strong Password
        4. Back Up Your Data
        5. The Laptop Reset
      3. Chapter 21: Laptop Troubleshooting
        1. The Universal Quick-Fix
        2. The Windows Troubleshooter
        3. Restore the System
        4. Common Problems and Solutions
      4. Chapter 22: Laptop Maintenance and Upgrading
        1. New Laptop Hardware
        2. How ’bout Some New Software?
        3. Laptop Maintenance
    8. Part VI: The Part of Tens
      1. Chapter 23: Ten Battery Tips and Tricks
        1. Don’t Drop the Battery, Get It Wet, Short It, Play Keep-Away with It, Open It, Burn It, or Throw It Away
        2. Reduce the Screen’s Brightness
        3. Power Down the Hard Drive
        4. Add RAM to Prevent Virtual Memory Disk Swapping
        5. Keep RAM Empty
        6. Guard the Battery’s Terminals
        7. Avoid Extreme Temperatures
        8. Store the Battery if You Don’t Plan to Use It
        9. Understand That Batteries Drain Over Time!
        10. Deal with the Low-Battery Warning
      2. Chapter 24: Ten Handy Laptop Accessories
        1. Laptop Bag or Travel Case
        2. Spare Battery
        3. Webcam
        4. Cooling Pad
        5. Minivac
        6. USB Lamp
        7. Full-Size Keyboard and External Mouse
        8. Privacy Screen Filter
        9. ID Card or Return Service Sticker
        10. Theft-Prevention System
      3. Chapter 25: Ten Things to Throw in Your Laptop Bag
        1. Power Cord and Brick
        2. Spare Battery
        3. Mouse or Digital Pen
        4. Screen Wipes and Cleaner
        5. Laptop Lock
        6. Removable Media
        7. Headphones
        8. Office Supplies
        9. Cables, Cables, Cables
        10. Not the End of the List
    9. About the Author
    10. Cheat Sheet
    11. Connect with Dummies
    12. End User License Agreement

Product information

  • Title: Laptops For Dummies, 6th Edition
  • Author(s): Dan Gookin
  • Release date: November 2015
  • Publisher(s): For Dummies
  • ISBN: 9781119041801