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How To Choose the best Student Laptop?

Merchants are singing those three magic words again, 'Back to School' and the fallout is everywhere!

Just as you're getting your deep dark pre-cancerous tan going -- you hear those words -- and it spells the end of summer. Once again we are bombarded with advertising, featuring the latest in 'teen ware' 'school ware' and 'metal detector ware'. Kidding!

Is it just me or does it seem this year there is a lot more 'Back to School' advertising for notebooks and laptops? They seem to be everywhere... on TV, radio, and online.

laptop ads are everywhere. Why is this?

Well, notebooks have come down in price, they have become more affordable, even for the modest student. laptops have also come down in size, making them ideal for that school napsack, or dormroom. They have also become tougher and sturdier... better equipped to meet the hard/wear/tear that students give it.

With notebook technology changing every two years or so; notebooks can now handle most tasks students throw their way. These advanced notebooks can do the job. They also present a much stronger entertainment value to students, they can handle better graphics and gaming, but most students try to keep parents in the dark about this factor as they plead for a new laptop for college or school. All this pleading is further fueling the demand for laptops.

Then there is a little thing called the Internet. Throw in a wireless connection and the student laptop is coming into its own. Big Time!

The Internet has become a second teacher/parent/counselor to most students. God help us all! But it has also become a priceless source of the collective knowledge on this planet; frightening but true. The Internet is an invaluable source of knowledge for any high school/college student.

Not having ready access to all this knowledge and information will put any student at a disadvantage with his peers. It's a very competitive world, in high school, in college and in the future job market; every student should have an even playing field.

That's where the little notebook computer enters stage right!

laptops or notebooks have quickly become a school necessity. When? How? Why?...

It's the perfect learning tool for students:

* very portable, you can carry them anywhere, class, cafe, dorm, home...

* very convenient, you can take notes in class, type up assignments, print assignments, communicate home, access the Internet...

* very tough, many newer notebooks are designed to withstand a good pounding and keep on computing, ruggerized for sturdy use...

* very powerful, notebooks or laptops are catching up to their desktop cousins in computing speed, hard drive storage and performance...

* very affordable, prices have dropped and are falling even further, laptops are now outselling desktop pcs so this price will drop even further, there's a whole slew of used and refurbished laptops hitting the market...

If you're a parent, student, or guardian; here are some of the factors you should consider when buying the best student laptop or notebook:

* size, it must be small, lightweight and very portable, fit comfortably under the arm or in that backpack

* sturdy, it must be tough, sturdy, ruggerized, and able to take more than one hard knock because students are students

* connections, wireless connections should be offered, the Internet is such a valuable tool in itself - a student should be able to access it anywhere. Most notebooks have these connections but check -- a printer port, a 56Kbps-modem, a VGA port for an external monitor, and should have at least one USB port for external keyboard/mouse, digital cameras, drives, and MP3 players

* technical specs, it should have enough RAM, storage space (hard drive) and computing speed to do any job the student can throw at it

* battery life, make sure your student notebook has a reasonable battery life, 5 hours or more

* price, it should be reasonably priced, refurbished laptops may be an option for those on a strict budget

However, some words of wisdom, students or parents shouldn't skimp too much -- if you're spending 10's of thousands on an education, you should also provide for the best possible equipment in the form of a sturdy, lightweight high performance laptop. Besides, a high quality laptop will last for years... just imagine your son or daughter writing their resumes on it after they have finished college... keep this image in your mind as you go about buying that perfect student laptop.

check out some of the top rated laptops for students here: Notebook For Students

Copyright 2005 Titus Hoskins Click here for a Free Desktop Calendar & Planner,
compliments of the author and DATEwise. This article may be freely distributed if
this resource box stays attached.

The FM modulator or FM transmitter is a device used to play your plug-and-play satellite radio receiver through your vehicles FM stereo. FM transmitters can also be used to play other digital audio devices like iPods, CD and MD players.

Normally second choice to an audio cassette adaptor because of sound quality, the FM modulator is still a very quick and simple way to get your plug-and-play satellite radio receiver working in your vehicle.

Although sometimes only used if all else fails, the FM modulator at least provides an option for listeners who not audiophiles, want an easy way to hook up their receiver, or simply do not have a built-in cassette player in their vehicle.

Enough degrading these devices; there are probably thousands of satellite radio listeners out there who will tell you that they experience good reception using an FM modulator. However, there is no doubt about it, an FM modulator, if used, can and will on occasions degrade the quality of audio output from your plug-and-play satellite radio receiver.

An FM modulator converts the audio signal from the plug-and-play receiver into an FM signal, which is then transmitted over an unused FM frequency or station selected by the listener. The limitations of the FM frequency band mean this in no way represents what the signal actually sounds like.

There are two types of modulator available; wireless and hardwired.

The wireless modulator is built-in to a power adaptor that plugs into the cigarette lighter socket, the docking station or cradle that houses the plug-and-play receiver, or, more recently, the plug-and-play receiver itself. The receivers audio output is transmitted over the air to an unused FM frequency.

The wireless modulator is convenient, easy to install and configure, but broadcasts only a very short-range signal prone to fading and with interference; comparatively weaker compared to a hardwired modulator.

The hardwired modulator is placed in between the vehicles stereo unit and antenna. The modulator connects directly into the stereos FM antenna socket to provide a better frequency response and a signal with less interference that is less lightly to fade.

It is recommended that a hardwired modulator be installed professionally, as it requires a connection to the antenna socket on the rear of the vehicles stereo and to the electrical system, all located behind the dashboard.

The amount of interference, static and fading you experience, using either of these devices, depends on where you are geographically located in the US, quality of the in-built tuner or broadcast and the type of modulator installed in your vehicle.

For example, somebody living in a major metropolitan area, using a wireless modulator, will no doubt experience poor reception along with the frequent and often debilitating interference from other radio stations.

With regard to sound quality, the wireless modulator rests at the bottom of the pile with the hardwired version above it. However, depending on circumstances, hardwired modulators can be as good as cassette adaptors if not better.

For more information please visit: http://www.the-satellite-radio-advisor.com

This article may be freely reproduced so long as the above resource box is included in its entirety.

Jonathan Dalton: admin@the-satellite-radio-advisor.com

The first time I enter the concert hall I am greeted by an explosion of sensory input, Indian music fills the room, hundreds of people are milling about and there is a small marketplace at the back of the hall with devotees selling a wide variety of spiritual products to eager buyers. All the activity reminds me of the fabulous chaos of india and for a moment I forget I am actually at the manhattan Center in the middle of nyc. Everyone is gathered for one purpose, to have a chance to be in the in the presence of what many consider a living saint.

I find myself once again visiting the hugging saint Amritanandamayi, Ammachi or Amma as she is also called. Being familiar with the environment I feel at home but I am curious as to what my friend Bill, who I brought for the first time and who is not familiar with anything similar to this, will experience.

The evening starts with a simple program. Amma speaks of the virtues of unconditional love and generosity, leads a group with the chanting of bhajans or devotional songs and guides us for a short meditation. The hall is surprisingly quiet considering it is a full house, but it is not to last for long. Once the program ends, darshan is announced. The sanskrit word darshan means, to see and it is most commonly used as having the vision of the divine. In this case darshan includes the practice of patience, a lot of it, since most people will wait for several hours to embrace Amma. I am told that around 3000 people will get a hug that night since there are a limited number of tickets distributed. The following night is a special night called Devi bhava where no one is turned down, and more than 4000 people are expected to attend. A small crowd compared to darshans in india where gatherings of over 25,000 are not uncommon.

I wonder how it is possible for a human being to greet so many people. I walk towards the front of the hall to watch. There is a lot of activity around Amma and it is hard to see, but I occasionally get glimpses of her smiling and hugging each person that comes forward. She seems full of energy and greets every individual with utmost attention and care, with a wide smile. There are no rests, no restroom breaks, for many hours on end. Where does her energy come from? I wonder.

Mata Amritanandamayi was born in South india on 1953 with the name Sudhamani. Biographers describe her early life as challenging but stress Sudhamanis remarkable ability to remain at ease, joyful and generous no matter what the situation was. Since her teens she would enter trance like states for hours at a time. As a young woman she would spend sleepless nights after a full days work to chant and meditate. In time villagers began to take notice that there was something special in the young woman and her popularity began to spread. Within a few years, Amritanandamayi went from servant of her own modest family in South india to one of the most recognized and prominent saints of india today.

While waiting for darshan, videos on the big screens recount some of the philanthropic work Ammachi has established. The scope of her charitable work is impressive. Some of the projects, mostly in india, include three hospitals, orphanages, a hospice, a University, and GreenFriendsan organization to protect the environment.

Along with other contemporary women saints in india, Ammachi has led a revolution in equality. Being a woman is still not easy in conservative india and the spiritual leader drew criticism in the beginning by embracing everyone who came to her, including men of all ages. Amma was the first to consecrate female priests in india, and her teachings stress the equality of all human beings. In her address to the United Nations in 2002 she said: Which eye is more important, the left or the right? Both are equally important. It is the same with the status of men and women in society Men and women have to support one another. Only in this way can we maintain the harmony of the world

It is 3 a.m. We have been waiting for over seven hours and it is finally our turn to meet Amma for a hug. I am filled with anticipation and cant believe my friend Bill patiently waited for so long. What will he experience I wonder? After getting his embrace ahead of me, his face looks flushed and a little disoriented though beaming with a smile. As I approach, my mind is racing: Should I say something? How long should the embrace last? Then she hugs me firmly, I feel my face on her chest and my hands around her waist. My mind is still racing. Embarrassed, I ask myself: Is this appropriate? When is a good moment to pull back? And suddenly as Amma rocks me with brisk but gentle movements and whispers to my ear, MA, MA, MA, my mind stops. I feel at peace as I am being enveloped by. nothingness, It is like holding a vast vessel of emptiness but paradoxically it is completely alive, loving and vibrant.

As I sit down, feeling little euphoric and energized, Bill narrates his experience, which is uncannily similar to what I felt. And over time I sense the meeting touched my friend and myself deeply, and was a catalyst to some clear and wonderful transformation. The mystical wisdom reminds us how we are all interconnected and like a pebble hitting a pond, every action one takes ripples out and affects everyone around us. It is estimated that Amma has hugged over 12 million people all over the world; thinking of this I am humbled and awed, and I feel such respect for her, her people and everyone else who through their being and actions are making this world a divine place to be.

Vidura Barrios www.innersplendor.com

Vidura Barrios is the president and founder of Inner Splendor Media, music label that produces high quality content for yoga, meditation and relaxation. Releases by inner splendor include Chanting Om, Tibetan Singing Bowl and Classical Indian flute by the popular series music for Deep Meditation. Vidura has contributed to various publications including Fit yoga, Latina and NY times magazines. To learn more about Inner Splendor please visit http://www.innersplendor.com and http://www.apsari.com