Factors to Consider when Buying a PC or Laptop

Factors to consider when buying a PC or Laptop for my course

 

Advantages for choosing a laptop.

A laptop is portable so it is possible to carry it around.  This means you can go to a quiet place at home to work on assignments and by taking it to college you don’t need to wait for a free computer in the library.

Laptops take up less room in the home and can be stored away neatly.  This is important as homes can be small and every available space is needed.

One of the biggest advantages of laptops is that if there is a power cut the computer will not cut out as it is run on a battery.

Disadvantages for choosing a laptop

The battery has to be replaced and this is expensive.  This is a cost that students could do without having to worry about.

Laptops can be lost, dropped or stolen and this can very easily happen in college when students have so many things with them to look after.

Generally laptops do not last as long as desktops.  This means the money spent on a laptop may have to be spent again sooner than if a desktop was purchased.

 

Advantages of choosing desktop computer

A desktop is more powerful than a laptop and memory and hardware can be added enabling students to store more information than on a laptop. 

Desktop computers can have different size screens so if you prefer a larger screen this would suit better.

The computer and the screen are two separate pieces of hardware so if the computer needs to be replaced you can do that without having to replace the screen as well.

A desktop is not as easy to loose, drop or steal so it would be better for security purposes.

 

Disadvantages of choosing a desktop computer

Desktop computers take up a lot of space and this can be a problem for students especially when house sharing.

Desktop is not portable so students can only use them when at home.

Desktop is completely dependent on power supply so if there is a power cut it is possible to loose work that a lot of time has gone into.

Summary of Apple iPhone 5 Article

Summary of Article Apple iPhone 5

A lot of people post on facebook from there iPhone or smart phones.  Expectations were extremely high for the iPhone 5 and the price is high too as expected.  At 112 grams it is extremely light and lighter than most other smart phones but this makes it feel a bit toy-like.  In the past iPhone’s were heavier giving the impression of a more robust phone and even though this one is so light it does seem strong and takes up less room in a handbag or pocket.

Apple decided to keep the screen at 4 inches so it is possible to hold the phone in one had and scroll all over the screen with that same hand.  This would easier for people with long fingers as the top left hand corner is not that easy to reach.

Both the white version and the anodised black very are good but it only comes second to the HTC One S, which has micro-arc oxidised back and rounded lines.

The sapphire glass it supposed to be very durable to compliment the gorilla glass on the front on the phone.  With the phone being so light it is easy for customers to drop so Apple have tried to make it durable.  Some customers have found the anodised black version prone to scratches and even chips.  Apple have said its natural for aluminium to scratch and chip and there have also been reports of white iPhones being returned because of flaking.  When customers pay this much for a phone they would expect that it wouldn’t get damaged so easily in the first few weeks.  It would be a failure on the part of Apple if it did.  A more advanced antenna gives customers better quality connection and power.  The pin connector has changed to a new Lightening port meaning customers who already have an iPhone have to spend even more money on a new adapter.

The phone sits nicely in the palm of the hand is smooth but that makes it slippy.  As on the iPhone 4S the lock is still loose so you can hear it clicking around while the phone is shaking.  It is a very nice phone but so it should be for the price.

The look of the phone will probably be disappointing for those expecting a big change from the iPhone 4S.  Apple could have given it a look something like Samsung and LG’s OLED TV’s and this could have been a big change for the better.

There is nothing wrong with the current iPhone but maybe Apple are working on a big change for the iPhone 6? 

Apple I Phone have a Facebook page and are advertising the new model on this page but in my opinion in the current economic climate price is one of the biggest considerations designers of phones must take into account and Apple need to look at this if they want to increase sales.

http://www.techradar.com/reviews/phones/mobile-phones/iphone-5-1096004/review

 

 

Summary of Facebook Article

Summary of Article on Facebook

Researchers in Norway have developed a psychological scale to measure Facebook addiction it is the first of its kind in the world.  It is hoped it will be useful in looking at problem behaviour to do with Facebook. 

Another article suggested it might be more useful to look at addiction to social networking rather than just addiction to Facebook.  Although Facebook is also used for game playing, gambling and film watching.

The new scale is called the BFAS, short for the Bergen Facebook Addiction Scale.  Dr. Cecilie Andraessen at the University of Bergen (UiB), Norway, and colleagues asked 423 students to complete a questionnaire of self-report scales of personality, sleep, sociability, attitudes towards Facebook, and addictive tendencies.

Some of the questions asked were how much time people think about and plan using Facebook, how much they feel an urge to use Facebook, how much Facebook is used to forget about personal problems.  They were also asked if they have tried to cut down on Facebook usage but are unable to do so, are restless and uneasy when unable to access Facebook and if usage is having a negative impact on job or studies.

They found that neuroticism and extraversion related positively to the scale and conscientiousness related negatively and that this addiction is more common in younger people.  People that appeared to be anxious and insecure were more likely to be addicted as they found this type of communication easier than face to face.  Women are more likely to become addicted than men.

Dr. Griffiths a professor of gambling studies in the UK commented that studies need to be done on social networking rather than just Facebook which is only one way of social networking.  Dr. Griffiths believes a clearer picture is needed as to what exactly on social networking people are addicted to.

Dr. Griffiths says that electronic media is changing at such a fast rate that Facebook addiction just like internet addiction may be already obsolete.  So a tool that could asses social networking addiction rather than just Facebook addiction is now needed as the Bergen Facebook Addiction Scale does not differentiate between playing Farmville or messaging friends.

I think there is addictions out there that need to be addressed and Facebook seems to be the most popular social networking site even but developing something that would measure all social networking would be more valuable.  Who knows very soon something else could be in vogue and Facebook could become a thing of the past.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/245251.php

Facebook shares rise to $23 after Mark Zuckerberg told analysts the shift to mobile would be good for the company.

Facebook has not been going well on the stock market since its public offering in May.  Shares Launched at $38 but crashed  the next day and have been sitting at around $20 since.

Tips on getting used to student life!

Some tips for students on such as exams, assignments, finance and making friends.

http://www.herald.ie/lifestyle/winning-tips-for-moving-to-student-life-3205072.html

Psychology Study

Study links psychological consequences with soother sucking. 

Studies of US and French children and found that soother sucking may curb emotional delvelopment in boys. 

Heavy soother use as a child can be linked with problems in emotional maturity in adults. 

The study was carried out by Dr. Paula Niedenthal a psychologist at the University of Wisconsin.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/health/2012/1023/1224325573270.html

Sports Psychologist

Donegal's alli Ireland winning manager Jim McGuinness has been linked with managerial posts in Liverpool and Celtic.  McGuinnes is highly regarded as a GAA coach and has a degree in sports psychology!

http://www.irishexaminer.com/archives/2012/1026/ireland/mcguinness-open-on-future-212093.html