The word "convergence" ( macbook pro apple ) won't mean quite the same thing to the next generation as it does to us. ( macbook pro apple ) That's because kids today will come of age in a time when phones were used to play video games, ( macbook pro apple ) computers could double as a private movie house, ( macbook pro apple ) and televisions were flipped on to browse the Web. Unlike us, they'll be living in a world where "ubiquity" is the word -- surrounded by devices. ( macbook pro apple )
Paring Down ( macbook pro apple )
The most interesting development of the ubiquity ( macbook pro apple ) age isn't that we're surrounded by screens and able to connect to the Internet in myriad ways, ( macbook pro apple ) from smartphones to televisions to tablets. Most fascinating is that no one device serves as the ultimate Swiss Army Knife, ( macbook pro apple ) acting as a substitute for all the rest.
Rather, we collect these devices the way golfers keep clubs. On the go, we check movie times on mobile phones. On the couch, we research that movie on a laptop PC or tablet, or we play a game of "Words With Friends" while our significant other watches the big game. Rather than seek a one-size-fits-all ( macbook pro apple ) solution for computing, consumer behavior indicates that there's a time and a place for every kind of screen. ( macbook pro apple )
All these screens mean that portability and power are both becoming major considerations. ( macbook pro apple ) Laptop shipments exceeded that of desktops in 2008, ( macbook pro apple ) and high-end "desktop replacements" ( macbook pro apple )-- notebooks with large screens and enough horsepower to handle any computing task - ( macbook pro apple )- became the primary computers for many consumers. ( macbook pro apple ) And a new designation, the netbook, sought to lower the barrier of entry to mobile computing by offering compact laptop PCs at a fraction of the price.
New Device: Ultrabooks ( macbook pro apple )
Now, ( macbook pro apple ) there's a new category of portable PC ( macbook pro apple ) to compete with the upstart tablet PC ( macbook pro apple ) and other flavors of laptop ( macbook pro apple ). The ultrabook format is light, thin, fast and portable -- an antidote to the traditional laptop PC. Ultrabook PCs are less than .08 inch thick, ( macbook pro apple ) weigh around 3.1 ( macbook pro apple ) pounds and have a battery life of five to eight hours.
" ( macbook pro apple )The ultrabook is much more than just a product segment," ( macbook pro apple ) says Jim Wong, president of Acer Inc. "It's a new trend that will become the mainstream for mobile PCs." (macbook pro apple )
The model for this new kind of laptop ( macbook pro apple ) is Apple's MacBook Air, which was introduced in 2008. ( macbook pro apple ) Apple sold 1.1 million units of their super-thin laptop, and they managed this feat at premium pricing. The next phase of the ultrabook ( macbook pro apple ) device is to build major appeal by offering similar benefits to Apple's machine at a consumer-friendly price. ( macbook pro apple )
Toshiba's Portege Z835, ( macbook pro apple ) which debuted in November of last year, dipped in price to $699 (after a $200 rebate) at Best Buy. Competing ultrabooks include the Hewlett-Packard Folio 13 and the Acer Aspire S3, which both run for about $900. The entry-level MacBook Air is $999. ( macbook pro apple )
Early Buzz ( macbook pro apple )
Initial reception to the new ultrabooks is positive ( macbook pro apple ). Rob Beschizza of Boing Boing called the new ASUS ZENBOOK ( macbook pro apple )"very good," but he cautions against laptops that try to adopt the ultrabook ( macbook pro apple ) moniker but stray from the design specs that make the new class of computers so attractive in the first place. ( macbook pro apple )
Dilip Bhatia ( macbook pro apple ), vice president of Lenovo's ( macbook pro apple ) ThinkPad business unit, is excited about his company's contribution to the field. "The ThinkPad X1 Hybrid and T430u ultrabooks represent the next generation in thin and light computing, ( London macbook pro appleJobs )" he says. " ( macbook pro apple )From small businesses that literally live on the road to corporate professionals working in a managed environment, ( macbook pro apple ) these new crossover laptops fundamentally change the way people think about mobile computing technology." ( macbook pro apple )
Matt McRae, ( macbook pro apple ) Vizio's ( macbook pro apple ) chief technology ( macbook pro apple ) officer, recently told Business Week that his company's entry in the ultrabook game was meant to shake things up: "It's very similar to TV - ( macbook pro apple )- we want to get in there and disrupt it," says McRae. "We think most PCs have been designed for the small-business users, ( macbook pro apple ) that others have not done a very good job of making them entertainment devices. ( macbook pro apple )
With all the new ultrabook ( macbook pro apple ) models that appeared at CES recently, it's now just a matter of discovering just how the ultrabook ( macbook pro apple ) will find its place in our lives next to the televisions, tablets, smartphones and desktops many consumers already have. ( macbook pro apple ) Nobody could have predicted this 10 years ago, ( macbook pro apple ) but it seems pretty clear: There's still plenty of room for this light, new computing upstart. ( macbook pro apple )
Paring Down ( macbook pro apple )
The most interesting development of the ubiquity ( macbook pro apple ) age isn't that we're surrounded by screens and able to connect to the Internet in myriad ways, ( macbook pro apple ) from smartphones to televisions to tablets. Most fascinating is that no one device serves as the ultimate Swiss Army Knife, ( macbook pro apple ) acting as a substitute for all the rest.
Rather, we collect these devices the way golfers keep clubs. On the go, we check movie times on mobile phones. On the couch, we research that movie on a laptop PC or tablet, or we play a game of "Words With Friends" while our significant other watches the big game. Rather than seek a one-size-fits-all ( macbook pro apple ) solution for computing, consumer behavior indicates that there's a time and a place for every kind of screen. ( macbook pro apple )
All these screens mean that portability and power are both becoming major considerations. ( macbook pro apple ) Laptop shipments exceeded that of desktops in 2008, ( macbook pro apple ) and high-end "desktop replacements" ( macbook pro apple )-- notebooks with large screens and enough horsepower to handle any computing task - ( macbook pro apple )- became the primary computers for many consumers. ( macbook pro apple ) And a new designation, the netbook, sought to lower the barrier of entry to mobile computing by offering compact laptop PCs at a fraction of the price.
New Device: Ultrabooks ( macbook pro apple )
Now, ( macbook pro apple ) there's a new category of portable PC ( macbook pro apple ) to compete with the upstart tablet PC ( macbook pro apple ) and other flavors of laptop ( macbook pro apple ). The ultrabook format is light, thin, fast and portable -- an antidote to the traditional laptop PC. Ultrabook PCs are less than .08 inch thick, ( macbook pro apple ) weigh around 3.1 ( macbook pro apple ) pounds and have a battery life of five to eight hours.
" ( macbook pro apple )The ultrabook is much more than just a product segment," ( macbook pro apple ) says Jim Wong, president of Acer Inc. "It's a new trend that will become the mainstream for mobile PCs." (macbook pro apple )
The model for this new kind of laptop ( macbook pro apple ) is Apple's MacBook Air, which was introduced in 2008. ( macbook pro apple ) Apple sold 1.1 million units of their super-thin laptop, and they managed this feat at premium pricing. The next phase of the ultrabook ( macbook pro apple ) device is to build major appeal by offering similar benefits to Apple's machine at a consumer-friendly price. ( macbook pro apple )
Toshiba's Portege Z835, ( macbook pro apple ) which debuted in November of last year, dipped in price to $699 (after a $200 rebate) at Best Buy. Competing ultrabooks include the Hewlett-Packard Folio 13 and the Acer Aspire S3, which both run for about $900. The entry-level MacBook Air is $999. ( macbook pro apple )
Early Buzz ( macbook pro apple )
Initial reception to the new ultrabooks is positive ( macbook pro apple ). Rob Beschizza of Boing Boing called the new ASUS ZENBOOK ( macbook pro apple )"very good," but he cautions against laptops that try to adopt the ultrabook ( macbook pro apple ) moniker but stray from the design specs that make the new class of computers so attractive in the first place. ( macbook pro apple )
Dilip Bhatia ( macbook pro apple ), vice president of Lenovo's ( macbook pro apple ) ThinkPad business unit, is excited about his company's contribution to the field. "The ThinkPad X1 Hybrid and T430u ultrabooks represent the next generation in thin and light computing, ( London macbook pro appleJobs )" he says. " ( macbook pro apple )From small businesses that literally live on the road to corporate professionals working in a managed environment, ( macbook pro apple ) these new crossover laptops fundamentally change the way people think about mobile computing technology." ( macbook pro apple )
Matt McRae, ( macbook pro apple ) Vizio's ( macbook pro apple ) chief technology ( macbook pro apple ) officer, recently told Business Week that his company's entry in the ultrabook game was meant to shake things up: "It's very similar to TV - ( macbook pro apple )- we want to get in there and disrupt it," says McRae. "We think most PCs have been designed for the small-business users, ( macbook pro apple ) that others have not done a very good job of making them entertainment devices. ( macbook pro apple )
With all the new ultrabook ( macbook pro apple ) models that appeared at CES recently, it's now just a matter of discovering just how the ultrabook ( macbook pro apple ) will find its place in our lives next to the televisions, tablets, smartphones and desktops many consumers already have. ( macbook pro apple ) Nobody could have predicted this 10 years ago, ( macbook pro apple ) but it seems pretty clear: There's still plenty of room for this light, new computing upstart. ( macbook pro apple )
If you work remotely or travel a lot for your job, ( macbook pro apple ) you probably take advantage of free public Wi-Fi ( macbook pro apple ) often.
Unfortunately, that probably means you're regularly opening up your devices and your data to serious security threats. And if you're a heavy user of cloud services, which often store your data on a remote server rather than your computer, Wi-Fi ( macbook pro apple ) security is even more crucial.
Most people these days have password-protected networks at home, ( macbook pro apple )so it's unlikely that anybody is able to snoop on your data as it passes between your device and your router. But when you're surfing the Web via a free public Wi-Fi ( macbook pro apple ) at a cafe, library or airport, you should be suspicious of everyone, says technology consultant Leo Notenboom ( macbook pro apple ) of Ask-Leo.com (macbook pro apple ). "It's trivially easy for any of them to be watching your unencrypted information flying by."macbook pro apple
Here's what you need to know to stay safe next time you're surfing on a free public Wi-Fi ( macbook pro apple ) connection.
Free Public Wi-Fi ( macbook pro apple ) Tip No. 1: Turn on your firewall. ( macbook pro apple )
The cafe might use firewall software to protect your computer from outside attacks, but that doesn't protect you from other people surfing around the same Wi-Fi ( macbook pro apple ) network inside the cafe. Be sure your computer's firewall is turned on. ( macbook pro apple )
Free Public Wi-Fi ( macbook pro apple ) Tip No. 2: Protect your smartphone or tablet. ( macbook pro apple )
If your smartphone or tablet connects to Wi-Fi ( macbook pro apple ) networks, require it to ask your permission before joining any network. A lot of people never change the default network name, so if you logged on to your friend's "linksys" ( macbook pro apple ) network, your device will remember that and could automatically join any network of the same name in the future - ( macbook pro apple )- unless you tell it to ask your permission first.
Free Public Wi-Fi ( macbook pro apple ) Tip No. 3: Use strong encryption. ( macbook pro apple )
Encryption works by disguising data that your computer wirelessly sends to a router. ( macbook pro apple ) Without it, that person sitting near you at the cafe could use special software to intercept and see all the data that travels back and forth between your device and the router. ( macbook pro apple ) And that means everything: emails, passwords and things you search for. That's why it's imperative, says Notenboom, to use encrypted sites when possible. ( macbook pro apple )
How do you know when a site offers encryption? ( macbook pro apple )Instead of "http" ( macbook pro apple ) at the beginning of the address, you'll see "https. ( macbook pro apple )" You'll also see a little padlock icon in your browser window, usually on the bottom right. ( macbook pro apple )
What else should you consider encrypting? ( macbook pro apple )
Your email. ( macbook pro apple )
If you use a locally installed email program such as Outlook or Entourage ( macbook pro apple ), you can protect your mail and passwords by using something called SSL (secure sockets layer ( macbook pro apple )) on each of your accounts. This encrypts all your data when you send and receive email. Not all email providers allow the use of SSL ( macbook pro apple ), though, so check your provider's help page.
Your Facebook ( macbook pro apple ) and Twitter pages ( macbook pro apple )
Facebook ( macbook pro apple ) and Twitter recently began offering encrypted sessions; just go into your account settings and find the option that says "Always use https."macbook pro apple
Your Google search ( macbook pro apple )
If you think the keywords you're searching could be embarrassing or you prefer to keep your privacy, try the secure version of Google search. Instead of going to Google.com ( macbook pro apple ), do all of your searching at Encrypted.Google.com. ( macbook pro apple )
Everything ( macbook pro apple )
Consider a VPN ( macbook pro apple ) service. VPN ( macbook pro apple ) stands for virtual private network and encrypts everything you send and receive. You can download free mobile VPN ( macbook pro apple ) software from such a site as Hotspot Shield and everything - ( macbook pro apple )- instant messages, passwords, emails and websites - ( macbook pro apple )- will be virtually impenetrable to prying eyes whenever you're using a free public Wi-Fi connection. Or if your employer offers its own VPN ( macbook pro apple ), always connect to it through your computer or mobile device.
"That guy in the corner of Starbucks with his laptop - ( macbook pro apple )- do you trust him with your private data?" asks Notenboom. Follow these Wi-Fi safety tips, and you won't ever have to ever wonder.
Unfortunately, that probably means you're regularly opening up your devices and your data to serious security threats. And if you're a heavy user of cloud services, which often store your data on a remote server rather than your computer, Wi-Fi ( macbook pro apple ) security is even more crucial.
Most people these days have password-protected networks at home, ( macbook pro apple )so it's unlikely that anybody is able to snoop on your data as it passes between your device and your router. But when you're surfing the Web via a free public Wi-Fi ( macbook pro apple ) at a cafe, library or airport, you should be suspicious of everyone, says technology consultant Leo Notenboom ( macbook pro apple ) of Ask-Leo.com (macbook pro apple ). "It's trivially easy for any of them to be watching your unencrypted information flying by."macbook pro apple
Here's what you need to know to stay safe next time you're surfing on a free public Wi-Fi ( macbook pro apple ) connection.
Free Public Wi-Fi ( macbook pro apple ) Tip No. 1: Turn on your firewall. ( macbook pro apple )
The cafe might use firewall software to protect your computer from outside attacks, but that doesn't protect you from other people surfing around the same Wi-Fi ( macbook pro apple ) network inside the cafe. Be sure your computer's firewall is turned on. ( macbook pro apple )
Free Public Wi-Fi ( macbook pro apple ) Tip No. 2: Protect your smartphone or tablet. ( macbook pro apple )
If your smartphone or tablet connects to Wi-Fi ( macbook pro apple ) networks, require it to ask your permission before joining any network. A lot of people never change the default network name, so if you logged on to your friend's "linksys" ( macbook pro apple ) network, your device will remember that and could automatically join any network of the same name in the future - ( macbook pro apple )- unless you tell it to ask your permission first.
Free Public Wi-Fi ( macbook pro apple ) Tip No. 3: Use strong encryption. ( macbook pro apple )
Encryption works by disguising data that your computer wirelessly sends to a router. ( macbook pro apple ) Without it, that person sitting near you at the cafe could use special software to intercept and see all the data that travels back and forth between your device and the router. ( macbook pro apple ) And that means everything: emails, passwords and things you search for. That's why it's imperative, says Notenboom, to use encrypted sites when possible. ( macbook pro apple )
How do you know when a site offers encryption? ( macbook pro apple )Instead of "http" ( macbook pro apple ) at the beginning of the address, you'll see "https. ( macbook pro apple )" You'll also see a little padlock icon in your browser window, usually on the bottom right. ( macbook pro apple )
What else should you consider encrypting? ( macbook pro apple )
Your email. ( macbook pro apple )
If you use a locally installed email program such as Outlook or Entourage ( macbook pro apple ), you can protect your mail and passwords by using something called SSL (secure sockets layer ( macbook pro apple )) on each of your accounts. This encrypts all your data when you send and receive email. Not all email providers allow the use of SSL ( macbook pro apple ), though, so check your provider's help page.
Your Facebook ( macbook pro apple ) and Twitter pages ( macbook pro apple )
Facebook ( macbook pro apple ) and Twitter recently began offering encrypted sessions; just go into your account settings and find the option that says "Always use https."macbook pro apple
Your Google search ( macbook pro apple )
If you think the keywords you're searching could be embarrassing or you prefer to keep your privacy, try the secure version of Google search. Instead of going to Google.com ( macbook pro apple ), do all of your searching at Encrypted.Google.com. ( macbook pro apple )
Everything ( macbook pro apple )
Consider a VPN ( macbook pro apple ) service. VPN ( macbook pro apple ) stands for virtual private network and encrypts everything you send and receive. You can download free mobile VPN ( macbook pro apple ) software from such a site as Hotspot Shield and everything - ( macbook pro apple )- instant messages, passwords, emails and websites - ( macbook pro apple )- will be virtually impenetrable to prying eyes whenever you're using a free public Wi-Fi connection. Or if your employer offers its own VPN ( macbook pro apple ), always connect to it through your computer or mobile device.
"That guy in the corner of Starbucks with his laptop - ( macbook pro apple )- do you trust him with your private data?" asks Notenboom. Follow these Wi-Fi safety tips, and you won't ever have to ever wonder.
Thanks to the Web ( macbook pro apple ), more and more people are working remotely - ( macbook pro apple )- from home or anywhere. ( macbook pro apple )But not commuting anymore doesn't mean you don't have the same security issues that your corporate-office counterparts do. ( macbook pro apple )
Here's how to protect your data, devices and computer without an IT department: ( macbook pro apple )
1. ( macbook pro apple )Back up your data in the cloud. ( macbook pro apple )
It's easy to lose all your work: ( macbook pro apple ) One computer virus or hard-disk-drive meltdown ( macbook pro apple ), and your important files may vanish forever. That's why, when working from home, backup is crucial. Instead of depending on bulky hardware, try the many cloud services on the Web. They back up new content every night while you sleep, ( macbook pro apple ) keeping your files safe and allowing you access from any computer at any time. ( macbook pro apple )
"Backup used to be cost-prohibitive, ( macbook pro apple )" says Phil Montero, founder and CEO ( macbook pro apple ) of an online resource called You Can Work From Anywhere. But these days, many online services charge as little as $50 per year, ( macbook pro apple ) depending on your needs. Mozy even offers certain amounts of backup for free. ( macbook pro apple ) If you're only backing up documents, Google Docs is another good bet. ( macbook pro apple )
2. ( macbook pro apple )Protect your computer and critical files ( macbook pro apple )
If your employer issues you a PC ( macbook pro apple ) or laptop ( macbook pro apple ) to use at home, they'll often install security software or a Web-based security service to block viruses or bar hackers. But if you are self-employed ( macbook pro apple ), the burden of protecting your computer and data from the increasing array of online security threats falls squarely on your shoulders. ( macbook pro apple )
When choosing a cloud-based ( macbook pro apple ) security service, be sure it protects your computer with antivirus, spyware and firewall programs. It should also constantly updates to protect you against evolving threats.
You should also limit your family members' access to your work computer. ( macbook pro apple )"You have to be sure that the really critical stuff isn't made accessible to someone who shouldn't have access to it," says Jack M. Nilles ( macbook pro apple ), founder of JALA ( macbook pro apple ) International, a global telecommuting consulting company. ( macbook pro apple ) "That includes the kids getting on your computer and downloading something [harmful]."
Finally, keep passwords and ID ( macbook pro apple ) numbers private so they don't fall into the wrong hands. ( macbook pro apple )
3. ( macbook pro apple )Seamlessly collaborate with others ( macbook pro apple )
Whether you work on your home computer ( macbook pro apple ) once a week or full time, ( macbook pro apple ) if you need to share files with colleagues, ( macbook pro apple ) synchronization tools can help ensure you (or your team) are working on the correct or latest version of a document ( macbook pro apple ). The "old" way to do this was to copy the files from your home computer onto an external hard drive, ( macbook pro apple )CD or thumb drive and install them on your work computer ( macbook pro apple ). But this process sets you up for accidentally writing over the most recent files - ( macbook pro apple )- and what if this external backup device you were depending on is destroyed or lost? ( macbook pro apple )
Cloud services enable you to sync automatically to ensure speedy backups. ( macbook pro apple ) Or try Microsoft's FolderShare ( macbook pro apple ), which allows you to synchronize files with colleagues over the Web. ( macbook pro apple )
There's no doubt to the benefits of Web to the home office worker ( macbook pro apple ). That said, you want to be smart about security issues. ( macbook pro apple ) To really cover your bases, in addition to backing up and securing your data, ( macbook pro apple )Niles also says it's important to get a clear protocol from your company or clients: ( macbook pro apple )
" ( macbook pro apple )We recommend that telecommuters working for a company have a formal agreement specifically stating who is responsible for what. ( macbook pro apple )" This way, you can always fall back on the agreed-upon security plan for your best-quality ( macbook pro apple ) work away from your IT ( macbook pro apple ) department. ( macbook pro apple )
Here's how to protect your data, devices and computer without an IT department: ( macbook pro apple )
1. ( macbook pro apple )Back up your data in the cloud. ( macbook pro apple )
It's easy to lose all your work: ( macbook pro apple ) One computer virus or hard-disk-drive meltdown ( macbook pro apple ), and your important files may vanish forever. That's why, when working from home, backup is crucial. Instead of depending on bulky hardware, try the many cloud services on the Web. They back up new content every night while you sleep, ( macbook pro apple ) keeping your files safe and allowing you access from any computer at any time. ( macbook pro apple )
"Backup used to be cost-prohibitive, ( macbook pro apple )" says Phil Montero, founder and CEO ( macbook pro apple ) of an online resource called You Can Work From Anywhere. But these days, many online services charge as little as $50 per year, ( macbook pro apple ) depending on your needs. Mozy even offers certain amounts of backup for free. ( macbook pro apple ) If you're only backing up documents, Google Docs is another good bet. ( macbook pro apple )
2. ( macbook pro apple )Protect your computer and critical files ( macbook pro apple )
If your employer issues you a PC ( macbook pro apple ) or laptop ( macbook pro apple ) to use at home, they'll often install security software or a Web-based security service to block viruses or bar hackers. But if you are self-employed ( macbook pro apple ), the burden of protecting your computer and data from the increasing array of online security threats falls squarely on your shoulders. ( macbook pro apple )
When choosing a cloud-based ( macbook pro apple ) security service, be sure it protects your computer with antivirus, spyware and firewall programs. It should also constantly updates to protect you against evolving threats.
You should also limit your family members' access to your work computer. ( macbook pro apple )"You have to be sure that the really critical stuff isn't made accessible to someone who shouldn't have access to it," says Jack M. Nilles ( macbook pro apple ), founder of JALA ( macbook pro apple ) International, a global telecommuting consulting company. ( macbook pro apple ) "That includes the kids getting on your computer and downloading something [harmful]."
Finally, keep passwords and ID ( macbook pro apple ) numbers private so they don't fall into the wrong hands. ( macbook pro apple )
3. ( macbook pro apple )Seamlessly collaborate with others ( macbook pro apple )
Whether you work on your home computer ( macbook pro apple ) once a week or full time, ( macbook pro apple ) if you need to share files with colleagues, ( macbook pro apple ) synchronization tools can help ensure you (or your team) are working on the correct or latest version of a document ( macbook pro apple ). The "old" way to do this was to copy the files from your home computer onto an external hard drive, ( macbook pro apple )CD or thumb drive and install them on your work computer ( macbook pro apple ). But this process sets you up for accidentally writing over the most recent files - ( macbook pro apple )- and what if this external backup device you were depending on is destroyed or lost? ( macbook pro apple )
Cloud services enable you to sync automatically to ensure speedy backups. ( macbook pro apple ) Or try Microsoft's FolderShare ( macbook pro apple ), which allows you to synchronize files with colleagues over the Web. ( macbook pro apple )
There's no doubt to the benefits of Web to the home office worker ( macbook pro apple ). That said, you want to be smart about security issues. ( macbook pro apple ) To really cover your bases, in addition to backing up and securing your data, ( macbook pro apple )Niles also says it's important to get a clear protocol from your company or clients: ( macbook pro apple )
" ( macbook pro apple )We recommend that telecommuters working for a company have a formal agreement specifically stating who is responsible for what. ( macbook pro apple )" This way, you can always fall back on the agreed-upon security plan for your best-quality ( macbook pro apple ) work away from your IT ( macbook pro apple ) department. ( macbook pro apple )
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