Buying Guide: Laptop Cooling Pads

/in /by

 

 

Silver Macbook Pro Beside Black IphoneWhen your laptop has serious things to do, it tends to overheat quickly. Heat buildup can damage your laptop and heat can even cause your laptop to become volatile. This may lead to permanent damage. Using a cooling pad will be a good idea in order to prevent weakened performance.  What should you look for in a cooling pad? Does buying a cooling pad with multiple fans ideal? Follow this guide to get that suitable cooling pad for your laptop.

  • Portability vs. Durability.

Getting a cooling pad depends on your lifestyle. Because this brand is famous, you will probably buy it immediately. No, what is your laptop’s activity? Is it a desktop replacement? If it is a yes, you might want a more durable one. Metal or aluminum cooling pads would be better than the plastic ones. If you are travelling a lot, then, the plastic cooling pad is perfect. Choose a cooling pad that is lightweight and portable. If your laptop is always on-the-go, consider a slim cooling pad that you can easily carry with you.

  • Performance.

You should NOT get the cooling pad with the most fans. The number of fans does not matter. What does matter? The cubic feet per minute (or the CFM) of a cooling pad is a significant component that you should look for. The amount of air a cooling pad can disseminate is calculated in CFM. A cooling pad with a high CFM is better choice to cool your laptop compared to a cooling pad with multiple fans that has a lower CFM. When deciding which cooling pad to get, do not go for the pad with multiple fans. Always choose the one with the higher CFM.

  • Power Source.

Some cooling pads are powered independently and some are powered via USB port. Attaching a USB-powered cooling pad means you are losing a port. Find a cooling pad with an extra USB port so that you do not have to worry about the bargain. Well, there are other cooling pads that have optional adapters for dedicated power, but it would be a hassle for you. It will be another bulky accessory that you need to carry around.

  • Heat Spots.

Every laptop is different. You have to know the areas that heat up quickly and find an adequate cooling pad for it. No matter how expensive your cooling pad is, if it does not address the heat spot, your cooling pad is useless. It is important to get the suitable cooling pad for your laptop and not because it is a popular choice.

 

Protect your laptop from more potential damage. Other habits you should avoid are: using your laptop in the sun, leaving your laptop in the car, and placing your laptop on your lap. Do not leave your laptop behind especially if you are going to be away for a long period and you will let it sit in a hot car. If it is in direct sunlight, move it. Laptops may shut down and refuse to function if they arrive at a dangerous level of heat.

Five Ways to Cool Your Computer

/in /by

Woman in Swimming Pool It is time for summer. Is your desktop computer suffering from the rising temperature? I am sure your computer has fans that can remove the hot air. Electronic devices produce heat when they are working, and your computer is no exception. If the temperature gets intolerable, it can deal a lot of serious damage to your computer. Follow these tips to keep your computer cool. Most of the tips are very easy to do, and definitely cost-effective so you do not have to worry about your PC overheating ever again.

  • Clean your computer.

Believe it or not, cleaning actually helps. Simply take care of it. Keep it away from dust and dirt because those two are your number one enemy. Constantly clean your computer  especially the fans. If the fan is dirty, it will not be able to eradicate the heat. Get rid of the dust, dirt, and any other debris that is congesting your vents. It will slow down your fan and when the fan slow, your computer will suffer. Set a time once a week perhaps. Turn off your computer, unplug, open your case, and do some actual cleaning. It will not cost you a penny!

  • Clean your area.

It is not enough to clean your computer. I know you are probably busy and there are all sorts of papers, notes, and clutter surrounding your computer. You need to clean those up and keep them away from your computer’s exhaust ports. Nothing should be near your ports. Your clutter can block the air vents .

  • Move your computer.

Give your computer some space. If it is situated in a place near a wall, it is better to give it some breathing room. Sufficient air flow is important. If you put your computer in an attic, it will be prone to damage than a computer in the living room. It is in a scorching hot environment and in a closed space. There should be some space between your computer and the wall. Please do not put your computer in a place where it will be exposed to the blazing sun. Keep it away from the window too.

  • Do not open your computer.

Some people say that it would be better if you open your computer’s case. No, do not follow that advice. Yes, it may sound logical to do that, but you are endangering your computer more. It is susceptible to more dust and dirt. We all know that is the number one cause why your computer is overheating. Moreover, the computer cases are made to handle situations like increase in temperature. You are not helping your computer when you open the case.

  • Upgrade your computer’s fan.

The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is the most important part of your computer. It is probably the most expensive, too! If you have the money, it might be better if you do consider upgrading your CPU’s fan. If you have more extra money, you can also get a case fan. Most case fans are in the front and back of your computer. These can help in keeping the other components – graphic cards, memory – in your computer cool.

Four VPN Softwares You Need to Know

/in /by
privacy codes

How to protect your online identity?

When you use a public internet connection, it has a lot of restrictions. Most probably, you will not be able to access specific websites. When you travel to certain countries with heavy  censorship, these programs will definitely help you out. For example, in China, YouTube is not accessible. They have their own streaming sites like youku.com, iqiyi.com, and le.com. For whatever reason, you can now access various websites with the aid of these softwares.

  • UltraSurf

Price: FREE. Download it here!

UltraSurf is a lightweight and portable software. There is no need for any installation for you to be able to use it. You just have to double click it once the download is complete. You do not have to go through complicated procedures and most importantly, no registration is required. If you are sharing a computer, whether at home or at work, UltraSurf is a convenient program that will help you bypass restrictions and censorships. Save it in your flash disk and you can easily surf the web wherever you are.

  • Cyber Ghost VPN

Price: FREE. Get it here! Paid version starts at $2.5 per month.

The free version of Cyber Ghost will still get you to surf anonymously, but it will contain ads. If it annoys, you have the option to upgrade your subscription. Plus, the upgraded version is faster and it will allow you to use 5 devices simultaneously. If you only have one device, the free version is not bad. You will still be able to access streaming websites, torrent anonymously, and access basic websites like Facebook, Twitter, and other essential websites.

  • Spotflux

Price: FREE. Get it here! Monthly subscription starts at $4.99.

Like Cyber Ghost VPN, Spotflux has a paid version. The free version has a limited access to all its features, but it is a cross-platform application. Spotflux guarantees you that it will work on every device. It is available for Windows, Mac OS, iOS, and Android. Just download and install. After, you can now enjoy the internet like you always do. Installation is fast and easy. Spotflux will take care of the configurations by itself so you do not have to worry about anything.

  • Tor Browser

Price: FREE. Download it here!

Tor is a free software – yes, 100% free – that will help you protect your privacy. Tor browser prevents others to learn about your location and internet activity. It allows you to connect to various news sites, instant messaging clients, or  any websites that are blocked by your local Internet service providers. Because it is totally free, the downside of Tor is that it is slower than the paid softwares.

 

Now, you can browse with caution. These softwares are helpful especially when dealing with sensitive topics. You can talk to other people and also protect your online identity. Whether you are doing an e-commerce transaction, or just surfing for interesting articles, no one will know from where you are connecting, who you are, and any other personal details. Internet privacy is important. It concerns all of us. These programs cannot solve all anonymity problems. To protect yourself, be careful on what you share online. Do not share every detail of your life online.

More Awesome Web Browser Alternatives

/in /by
browsing the computer

You would not believe these browsers exist!

When it comes to web browsers, you do not have to limit your choices among Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Opera, and Safari. They are not the only choice out there. Read this list because these browsers are  definitely worth a try. Additionally, when a browser is considered as an ‘alternative’ it is not tantamount to being  just a second rate browser. These browsers will certainly meet the user’s needs. Do you want a browser great for your Flash-based games? Are you always downloading videos and music files? Do you spend most of your time browsing the internet?

  • Coowon Browser

Price: FREE. Get it here!

If Ice Dragon is Firefox based, Coowon is a Chrome based browser.  You can still utilize your existing extensions or download a new one at the Chrome web store. This browser is great for gamers especially those Facebook games, where you need to constantly check your progress from time to time. You can automate a game task with help of a bot. You just need to download a your preferred bot in the Coowon AppCenter and keep it working in the background while you do your own thing. Coowon also has a Record & Play feature; you can easily record your game and share it with your friends. You can even control the game with a gamepad instead of a keyboard. The marvelous thing about Cowoon is that you can speed up (or slow down) the game time of any game that is running in Flash.

  • Baidu Browser

Price: FREE. Get it here!

For multimedia addicts, Baidu is the perfect browser for them. Baidu has a built-in screenshot tool. You do not have to constantly press Print Screen and paste it on MS Paint. You can easily share images with this tool. The most fascinating feature of Baidu is its online video downloader. It is not just any downloader because you can actually choose the quality of your download. If it is just for mobile devices, you can choose a low resolution video. It does not end there because you can also download MP3 audio files. Baidu will not be too difficult to use because it is a Chrome based browser. All Chrome extensions should work fine, and Baidu is available for Windows desktop, Windows phone, and Android devices.

  • Sleipnir

Price: FREE. Get it here!

Like the previous two browsers above, Sleipnir is also a Chrome based browser, and at the same time, it has a hint of Safari. The extraordinary thing about it is its unequivocal reading experience. If you are doing a lot of reading on the internet, this is the perfect browser for you. Sleipnir ensures that you be able to see easy to read texts. Your daily internet browsing will be more clearer and beautiful with the help of Sleipner. Another advantage that Sleipner can offer you is the group tabbing. When you are browsing, your open tabs are sorted by category. You can keep all your personal accounts in the social tab. You can sort your research in the work tab. It proves to be convenient when you have more than ten tabs open at the same time. It is available for Windows, iOs, Android, and Mac OS.

Three Easy to Use File-Sharing Services

/in /by
External Storage, Memory Cards

Time to throw away your memory cards!

We live in an online world. Photo and videos are not only for personal use, but we also want it to be shared to family and friends. Now, we do not have to constantly back up our files to an external hard disk or a flash disk. Files are uploaded in the cloud and we can access these files from any device that is connected to the internet. These applications are heaven sent because we do not have to worry about losing a single file ever. We can easily retrieve files that we accidentally deleted.

  • Dropbox

Price: Basic account is FREE. Download it now! Paid services start at: $12.50.

The initial storage you will get is 2GB only, but you can easily earn more once you sync your devices, social media accounts, and files. Dropbox has been my personal favorite ever since because it offers a simple back up and sharing. I can send files to anyone even if they do not have a Dropbox application installed. I can take my documents with me. It is not secret that I read a lot of books. I use Dropbox to save all my books. Whether I am on my desktop or on my mobile phone, I still have access to my files. The great thing about Dropbox is whether I use a Mac, Windows PC, iPhone, or Android device, there is a suitable app for it. Dropbox will sync automatically to all my linked devices. If I saved a file on my mobile Dropbox, I can also access it on my desktop Dropbox, and vice versa. You will get an added 500 MB of storage space when you invite your friends, and they install Dropbox on their computer. You can invite up to 32 friends. That is a whooping 16GB of free storage!

  • Yandex.Disk

Price: FREE. Get it here! Additional storage: $1 – $10.

If you remember Yandex.Browser, you will probably recognize Yandex.Disk. They are under the Yandex brand along with a search engine, translator, and many others. Yandex.Disk offers 10GB of free storage upon sign up. You can expand by buying more storage. Take note, 1TB of additional storage is just $10 a month. Like Dropbox, you can save any file – photos, movies, audio recordings, and so on – you want and access them anywhere. Yandex.Disk is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux. You will be able to conveniently share files to your friends. The impressive feature of Yandex.Disk is that you can open and edit a file on Yandex.Disk. It  supports documents, spreadsheets, photos, and presentations. In the event that something terrible happens to your computer, you do not have to panic. Yandex.Disk guarantees you never lose a valuable file ever again.

  • Mega

Price: FREE. Visit their site! Pro services are available from €4.99 – €29.99.

Mega is indeed mega because it offers a humongous 50GB storage once you register. You may recognize its predecessor MegaUpload. Now, Mega is back with a vengeance. You can even try it without an account. If you wish to sign up, you can use their web app or their mobile app that is available in all major platforms. In addition to that, there is also a Firefox and Chrome browser extension for faster access to files. There is no limit on the file size of your uploads. Both Dropbox and MEGA have encrypted storage. Only you can determine who has access to your prized possessions.

Four Awesome Web Browsers

/in /by
browsing on laptop

What are the other great browsers out there?

When we talk about web browsers, the first thing that comes to mind is either Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome. No one uses Internet Explorer anymore . Moreover, no one talks about the other available browsers out there that are as impressive or even greater at times. I have compiled a list of alternative web browsers that will end your Chrome or Firefox dependence. No one wants to use a sluggish browser. Upgrade for the better. Trust me, these are way better.

  • Torch Browser

Price: FREE. Get it here!

Torch has a built-in torrent manager. You can search and download for torrents in your own browser. It also has a music section, where you can listen to unlimited free music. If that will still bore you, there is a game corner. You can play various casual games without downloading them. The greatest feature is its media grabber. You do not have to download other softwares, converters, or extensions. You can download video and audio files in a single click. With its built in player, you can watch the downloaded content right away. How cool is that?

  • Yandex.Browser

Price: Oh yes, it is FREE. Download it here!

The first thing you will notice once you install Yandex is that you can customize your background and not just any background, it is a video background. It also has a reader mode. You can read articles easier with this feature. You can also read ebooks without downloading additional softwares. With the help of Kaspersky Lab, Yandex has an embedded protection system. It protects you from possible security threats like identity theft, DNS spoofing, and annoying pop-up advertisements. It does not end there. When your internet is as slow as a snail, Yandex will automatically turn on its data compression mode to make your browsing faster.

  • Comodo’s Ice Dragon Browser

Price: Totally FREE. Try it now!

Ice Dragon browser is a Firefox based so you do not have to worry about your existing plug-ins. It assures you of a full compatibility with Firefox plug-ins and extensions. There is also a set of dedicated social media buttons that will help you to instantly share any interesting page, or video to your Facebook, or Twitter friends. Comodo boasts that Ice Dragon is the fastest and most secure version of Firefox. With its SiteInspector feature, I would not doubt that for a second. You can also utilize the SiteInspector button to scan the web page that you are currently viewing. It will scan the page and check the site’s safety. Right after, it will give you a detailed security report.

  • Browzar

Price: It is FREE (and it is just 222kb!) Download it now!

Tired of installing and registering? Browzar is a no nonsense browser. Just download and go browse anything and everything. You can choose from three different designs – Black Theme, Silver Theme, and Windows Style Theme – and it is compatible with all the different versions of Windows. It does not store any cookies, history, temp files, passwords, and cache. It will automatically clean up when you are done browsing. It is a great browser for shared computers. You can use it on a friend’s PC, internet cafe, work PC, and practically anywhere you can think of.

Four Things You Need to Know About Podcasting

/in /by
audio devices

How to make a podcast?

A podcast is an audio file made available on the internet for people to download and listen on their mobile devices. Typically, a podcast consists of a series of downloadable audios. It like a TV series, but on audio. You will receive new installments of your podcast periodically and you can listen to them at your preferred time.

Most of the podcast subscriptions are free. It is not hard to do a podcast and it can be produced by anyone who wants to share their opinion and connect with world. You do not have to be a huge media outlet to get your content out there. Unlike the traditional radio stations, you can surely have a global audience reach. Here’s four things you need to know before starting your own podcast:

    • It is all about you. You know yourself well. Do not start to blabber about the topics you do not know. You have to choose a specific field and stick to your strengths. Just because everyone is talking about music, you feel like you also should talk about music. No, this is yours. You make it a fun experience for yourself. You can invite guests and you can talk about certain issues. You do not have to follow a certain procedure. This is your show. You can share anything the way you want it and how you want it. Skip the boring topics and talk about something that you are passionate about.

 

    • Make the necessary preparations. It does not mean when it is fun, you do not have to prepare. You do your own research and plan ahead of time. Write in advance your questions you wish to ask your guests. Your podcast should have a certain structure. With enough preparation, you give your audience quality podcasts. They do not have all time to listen so make sure it is definitely worthwhile. Podcasts should not only be enjoyable, but also worth your listeners’ time.

      •  

    • Just do it already. Often times, we are fearful on what others think. You do not have be this person or act like that person. You do not have to follow someone’s suit. Get on with it. You can start with 7 episodes first. Plan ahead so your audience will know what to expect in all your episodes. Do not make promises about something you cannot deliver. Do not copy your favorite show. Learn from them and incorporate the great points. Find something you like and do it.
  •  
    • Enhance and edit. Like I said earlier, podcasts are downloadable content. This is not a live feed so you still have time to enhance them. You can add elements like background music, or some comical sound effects. You can add as many as you like, but do not fill the whole show with sound effects. That would be silly. Edit also responses by making it louder and clearer. Enhancement is not limited to the effects. You can edit long responses like if it is being redundant. You have to make sure that the correct message gets across in a clear and coherent way.

Choosing the Right Domain Name

/in /by
Browsing on laptop

What is a great domain name?

 A domain name is an important part of your branding. It is your online identity and it is similar to choosing the right company name. A great domain name can create an impressive first impression. You have to think it through and make sure the name fits your business. What name should you prevent from using? How to choose the right domain name then? Use these tips to help you select the apt domain name.

Unique Branding
Create a domain name that is yours. Do not follow the suit of the popular websites. It should stand out over existing brands. For example, book related websites are: BookDepository.com, BookOutlet.com, Booktopia.com.au. They all contain the word ‘book’. Wordery.com definitely stands out over the generic name of its competitors.

Keep it short
The longer your domain name is the higher the risk of mistyping or misspelling it. The top websites approximately have 6 characters. Look at Yahoo.com, Google.com, Amazon.com. Try to create a website name between 6-14 characters. Keep it simple and concise. The shorter domain name is always a better choice.

Avoid truncated words
Make your domain name easy to type. When you say it, people should be able to spell your domain name correctly. When names are tough to spell, people might mistype your website and you will lose potential customers. The worst thing is that they will get redirected to a totally different website. Your website visitors should be able to type your domain name without difficulty. Refrain from using u instead of you, fave or fav instead favorite, luv instead of love, and so on.

Easy to say
Not only the name has to be easy to spell, it should also be easy to pronounce. You should be able to pass it along effortlessly. If people takes awhile to understand on how to say and spell your website name, you might have to consider other options.

Make it extensible
Consider the long term plan of your business. Do not get tied into a name that will limit your brand. If you use the word ‘book’ in your domain name, make sure you will only cater to books and book related products. If you plan to sell DVDs  and other multimedia products in the future, consider all the possibilities. You can experiment on different names and if you need help in looking for remarkable available domain names, this website will definitely help you.

Check the availability
Since your domain name is a crucial part of your branding, it should also be available in the different social media websites that you will be using. Make sure that the name is available and no other business is using it. It is ideal that your website and your social media usernames are the same so that people can easily find you in all places. You can use this website to check usernames across various platforms. Certain usernames are already taken. Avoid trouble by not using domain names that already have trademarks. This is a serious note that you need to remember in order to avoid law suits and legal issues. It would be a shame to have to use another name after already launching a brand online.

Four Best Mobile Apps for Business

/in /by
Smartphones with notifications

Mobile apps that will help you work.

Who said you can only work on a desktop computer? Work is now doable on mobile. You can collaborate with your colleagues while you are on the go. As long as you are connected to the internet, these applications will help you work using your very own mobile device. This list varies from security, communication, and social networking applications.

Flowdock

Available on GooglePlay and AppStore

Price: FREE!

Flow dock is a great team chat app. You can stay connected with all your colleagues at work. The wonderful thing about it is that you can create several chat groups. There is no need for the whole team to crowd in one single channel. You can divide the chats by department (or it is really depends on you.) The people under the marketing team will not be notified about updates on the HR department and you can tag the people involved in that specific task. It is near impossible to miss an urgent chat when you focus on your designated channel. You can also integrate Twitter to it. This is an excellent choice if your business is active on Twitter. You will get notified when your scheduled tweets go live. Flowdock is perfect if your focus is social media. Best feature of all? It is free!

Hootsuite

Available on GooglePlay and AppStore

Price: FREE!

There are so many social media platforms nowadays. When you are away from your desktop computer, it is hard to keep up on the latest news. You need to download various applications on your mobile phone and you have to constantly switch from one app to another. Thank God for Hootsuite because you can now integrate your social media accounts – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn – in one place. You can stay updated and post status updates in all your accounts simultaneously. The remarkable feature of HootSuite is that you can schedule posts for Twitter and Instagram. If you want to get more of your content out there, Hootsuite is a fantastic business social networking tool.

Hotspot Shield

Available on GooglePlay and AppStore

Price: FREE with in-app purchases.

When you are always on the go and working at different public WiFi spots, security is a main concern. Hotspot Shield will take care of the WiFi security for you. You can disguise your online identity with this encryption app. You do not need to worry for hackers snooping into your business. This is a free app, but there are other features available when you choose to purchase it. Aside from keeping your mobile activities safe, hidden, and anonymous, Hotspot Shield also allows you to access blocked sites like YouTube or Netflix since it utilizes most of the bandwidth allocation.

Blue Jeans

Available on GooglePlay and AppStore

Price: You can try it for FREE.

With Blue Jeans, you do not have to worry about video conferencing. This is a universal app allows you to conduct video calls with your colleagues even if  they are using a different system like Cisco, Microsoft Lync, Skype, etc. You can host a call or join an existing conference from practically anywhere. With the free service, one conference call can have 25 participants and you can have up to 100 people if it is premium service.

© 2017. All rights reserved. Phoenix Website Design • Sitemap • (602) 388-8622
20 E Thomas Rd #2200, Phoenix, AZ 85012
Phoenix Web Design

Serving: 

Apache Junction, Avondale, Buckeye, Carefree, Chandler, Chandler Heights, El Mirage, Fountain Hills, Gilbert, Glendale, Goodyear, Litchfield Park, Mesa, New River, Paradise Valley, Peoria, Phoenix, Queen Creek, Scottsdale, Sun City, Sun City Grand, Sun City West, Surprise, Tempe, Tolleson, Wickenburg

Top Digital Marketing Agency in Phoenix