Laptops For Dummies, 7th Edition

Laptops For Dummies, 7th Edition

by Dan Gookin
Released February 2021
Publisher(s): For Dummies
ISBN: 9781119740278

Read it now on the O’Reilly learning platform with a 10-day free trial.

O’Reilly members get unlimited access to books, live events, courses curated by job role, and more from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers.

Start your free trial

Book description

The latest on getting the most from laptops and tablets 

Not that long ago, laptops were seen as luxuries. Now they’re practically an essential for many people, and—as faster computing power and super-sharp displays make many of them the equal of a desktop—the new wave of lightweight laptops is increasingly replacing the home PC with its bulky tower and multiple cords. Plus, you can use your laptop when chilling on the couch or venturing out for a quick coffee! 

In this fully updated edition of Laptops For Dummies, bestselling tech writer Dan Gookin takes a friendly walk through everything you need to know, from the basics (if you’re new to laptops) all the way up to the latest hardware and tech updates—including the recent release of Windows 10. Along the way you’ll learn how to synchronize your laptop with other machines, coordinate email pickup across devices, and beef up your security. You’ll also learn how to 

  • Choose the right laptop 
  • Check out tablet options 
  • Troubleshoot problems 
  • Maintain and upgrade 

Whether you’re choosing a new laptop or want to maximize what you’re getting from the one you have, Laptops For Dummies has you covered, wherever you want to work—or play!  

Table of contents

  1. Cover
  2. Title Page
  3. Copyright
  4. Introduction
    1. About This Book
    2. And Just Who Are You?
    3. Icons Used in This Book
    4. Where to Go from Here
  5. Part 1: 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
  6. Part 2: 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. The 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
  7. Part 3: 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. The 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
  8. Part 4: 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
  9. Part 5: Security and Maintenance
    1. Chapter 19: Internet Safety
      1. Security Central
      2. Keep Windows Up-to-Date
      3. The Malware Scourge
      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
  10. Part 6: 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 Memory 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. External Storage
      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
  11. Index
  12. About the Author
  13. Advertisement Page
  14. Connect with Dummies
  15. End User License Agreement

Product information

  • Title: Laptops For Dummies, 7th Edition
  • Author(s): Dan Gookin
  • Release date: February 2021
  • Publisher(s): For Dummies
  • ISBN: 9781119740278