More Than a Test Score

Not sure what PC to get for college? Notebook, Mini or Desktop? Does your major or usage matter?  Should you just get what your friend has? Here are 6 factors to consider when choosing the perfect PC.

A few things to consider:

Major – Some majors may require extra processing power like engineering, graphic design,

computerscience, architecture, etc.  A high performance notebook or desktop is the best fit.

Screen Size – Do you use your PC to play games, watch movies, or just prefer a larger screen to write papers, etc?  Then a desktop or larger screen laptop is probably best.

Mobility— Minis and notebooks are made to be portable for students on the move.  They come in a wide range of sizes and in light or ultra-portable models with extended battery life options.

Usage – If you just use your PC for email, the internet and writing papers an everyday laptop might be all that’s needed.  If you download lots of music, games and video then a desktop or high performance laptop is a better choice.

Price—Sometimes a desktop is less than a notebook, however, with a notebooks all-in-one design, you won’t have to buy a monitor and keyboard separately.   Mini’s are budget priced but you’ll get less processing power and a smaller screen.

Ergonomics—Generally desktops lend themselves to better ergonomics.   A desktop’s adjustable monitor, full-size keyboard and position helps minimize strain on the eyes, neck, back, wrists and hands. Notebooks can also be set up with a docking station, external monitor, keyboard and mouse.

So now that you know all how do you figure out what’s right for you?

- HP’s PC Matchlab app on Facebook gives you a custom recommendation in less than a minute.

- Call our US based advisors for help 800-632-8251.  They will listen to your needs and your budget and   answer any technical questions.

- Or go with our most popular notebooks for students the Envy 14 (with Beats), Pavilion DV6 or DV7 (high performance), or DM4 (ultra-portable).

Be sure to get your education discount by registering at HP Academy or asking for it when calling.  Enjoy exclusive savings on PCs, printers, and a wide variety of accessories

With so many universities offering online degrees — and the idea of earning one from home so appealing — many are eager to explore the option for themselves.  But before you sign up, here are a few questions you should ask about earning your degree online.

Is the program accredited? If you’re unsure about an online program’s accreditation, check out the agency that provides it.  Be aware that some online accreditation agencies are not legitimate.

How long will it take to earn a degree? You need to understand the specific requirements of any college program and the length of time it will entail.  Are required courses offered at will?  On a rotating basis?  By semester?  Annually?  Can you work at your own pace or are there multiple deadlines?

Will credits transfer? Check with traditional colleges and universities you might consider to find out if your online credits will transfer — even if you don’t anticipate a change now.

What resources are available? Find out now if the institution offers resources and support beyond the online class.  Many reputable distance learning centers provide programs to help you succeed.  Ask what they are before you begin.

How much will it cost? Are scholarships and financial aid available? You want to be financially prepared for the costs of your degree.  Don’t forget to include hardware, software, technology fees, and other costs into your budget.  Be wary of deals that seem too good to be true.

Who are the faculty and what is their experience? Make sure your online professors are qualified and able to help you meet you learning objectives.

Is there a brick and mortar campus? While not necessary, it may set your mind at ease if your online school is affiliated with — or a branch of — a reputable college that you can visit.  Another benefit is that you can likely use its facilities (libraries, recreational center, etc.) just as resident students do.

Online education is a viable and convenient option for many.  You need to be willing to do some research to make sure the institution you choose is reputable and will fit your personal goals; the effort will be well worth your time and will give you the peace of mind that you’ve chosen the right program.

Apple’s stock is volatile, consumers are furious, and yet the controversy surrounding “Antenna-Gate” doesn’t seem to be hurting sales.  The more relevant story here, however, is how some Taiwanese animation company’s version of the ordeal went viral.  Only a passing familiarity with the story is enough to overcome the language barrier.  Here’s the vid, in case you haven’t seen it:

What did you think of their animation style?  Do you think Apple should recall the iPhone4?

Share your thoughts below.

Parents:

Are you computer shopping for your college-bound kid?  If so, read this article to avert disaster.  Here are four precautionary measures to consider:

Backup Services & Devices – Viruses can damage or destroy crucial files like term papers and other important documents.  Online backup sites like Carbonite and Norton Online Backup automatically back up files and protect them online for about $5 a month.  A flash drive or pocket media drive can also be used to back up files and start at under $20.

System Recovery DVD – Windows encourages you to create a “recovery” disc that will allow you to reboot from that DVD in the event your operating system has a problem. Unfortunately, many people don’t take that extra step. When you order your new PC, you can often order the recovery DVD included with your purchase for under $20. It’s a one-time, inexpensive add-on that will more than pay for itself when you have a problem.

Extended Warranty – No matter how careful you are — accidents happen.  You can fully protect your HP PC from damage and drops with an extended warranty.  HP can arrange shipping for home or campus for necessary repairs.

CompuTrace LoJack for Laptops – Crime is an issue on every campus, and CompuTrace is the Lo-Jack for your computer.  Once a student reports their computer stolen, CompuTrace will track that computer once it connects to the internet and contact local police to alert them to the stolen device.

HP Academy has a ‘peace of mind’ bundle on sale now through September 28, just in time for back-to-school.  It includes a  2yr HP Care Pack Accidental Damage Protection Services with LoJack for Laptops (product code on website HC688B).  You can save up to 54% when purchasing an HP Compaq, G-series, Pavilion, TouchSmart, or Envy laptop.

HP Academy provides exclusive education discounts on PC’s, printers, and a wide variety of supplies and accessories including many of the products mentioned here.  HP Academy also has experts standing by to help you choose your PC.   Call 800-632-8251 today for a great deal on a computer, and the peace of mind that your investment is protected.

Do you love music? Do you love FREE music? Then you are going to really enjoy the following five social networking music sites. Not only can you listen to music for free on your computer, but there are some great features on these websites allowing you to share your music with others and be exposed to some singers & bands you may not be familiar with. Check out each of these sites below.

1. Pandora: Discover new music, listen to some old favorites, and connect your account to your Facebook profile. Pandora is easy to use and one of the most used music sites out there. Enter an artist or song title and Pandora will choose music similar to what you like, then it’ll save your music taste as “stations” so you can come back and listen again later.
2. Last.fm: With a large collection of music, videos and images, Last.fm will feed you information on just about any band–well-known or unsigned. You can connect with other users with similar interests and it even has a feature where you can track the most listened to artists and songs from your iPod or computer.
3. MeeMix: Similar to Pandora and Last.fm, MeeMix is an internet radio station that enables you to share your music taste with others through their site and other sites like Twitter, Facebook, and email.
4. Maestro.fm: Not only can you do nearly everything the other sites can on Maestro.fm, but you can also store your own digital music library and share playlists. Have a friend across the country who you think would like this new band you found? Maestro.fm makes it really easy to share your new favorite music.
5. Worldsings: More of a focus on music videos, Worldsings still enables you to create your own profile page and connect to other users all while streaming free music videos. An extra perk is that you can vote for your favorite artists and have the chance to win cash prizes.

If you are a huge music fan then maybe you might be interested in studying recording arts. If you want to study recording arts then you definitely need to check out LA Recording School.

Enjoy these great sites where the music is always humming and at no extra cost! Find out more about each one of these great sites by going to the original article here.