Toshiba PA3729U-1BRS Laptop Battery Review
The Toshiba PA3729U-1BRS battery is designed to work with some of Toshiba’s most popular models, which includes the Satellite series, such as the P500, P505, and P505D. It is also compatible with the Qosmio X500 and X505 Series machines. As with many laptop batteries, the fact that the single battery is designed to be compatible with multiple models means lower manufacturing costs and therefore lower costs for the consumer.
The Toshiba PA3729U-1BRS is a 6-cell rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery. It is held in place by a slider, making it easy to remove and replace very quickly and easily. In fact, using multiple batteries for extended battery life is very convenient, as users can swap in a fresh battery when the first is running low, and the affordable price of the PA3729U-1BRS makes buying an additional battery easy on the wallet.
The battery measures 0.9 by 3.8 by 8.2 inches, and weighs only 0.8 pounds. Its light weight makes it a great fit for the portable design of the Satellite and Qosmio series of laptops, keeping the weight down, which will appeal to travelers and other users who value mobility. Output voltage is 10.8V x 4000 mAh.
Total battery life is rated from 2 hours and 30 minutes to 3 hours and 20 minutes, depending on usage. Recharge time is around 4.5 hours, though this can also vary according to usage and also according to the model of laptop.
Overall, the Toshiba PA3729U-1BRS is a solid laptop battery that provides a lot of power in a compact and lightweight design. Its low price and easy installation makes it ideal for users who want to carry around an extra battery for extended life, and its fast recharge times ensure a quick turnaround before putting the battery back to work.
Most Important Things To Look For When Shopping For A New Laptop
Shopping for a laptop has become more complicated over the last few years. There are now more form factors, sizes, operating systems, and other features and upgrades than ever. Let us take a look at some of the most important things to look for to help you find the perfect laptop to suit your needs.
Decide on a Platform and Form Factor
First, you will want to decide whether to go with a Windows-based machine, a Mac, a Linux-based machine, or even a mobile device that supports software such as Android. Also decide what size and form factor you would like, whether it be a traditional laptop, a compact netbook, or a tablet device.
Operating System
If you are choosing a Mac, you have only one option for an operating system: OS X. If you are looking for a Windows machine, however, you will have a choice of different Windows versions designed for differing needs. Most users will be fine with Windows 7 Home or Home Premium, but make sure you don’t need any of the advanced features of other versions before purchasing.
Hard Drive
Users who generally store a lot of files, such as photos and music, will want to ensure they have enough hard drive space. Users who download a lot of movies and shows from iTunes and other sources will want to make sure they have even more space.
Processor and Memory
Intel processors tend to be the fastest on the market at this time. Check reviews to see how the performance of your potential laptop compares against others in its class, and make sure it has at least 4 GB of RAM if you plan to do any photo-editing, gaming, or other high-end applications.
Extras
Lastly, make sure the laptop has the extras you need, such as enough USB ports for your devices, a DVD burner or Blu-Ray player, or a Webcam if you plan to do videoconferencing.
Shopping for a laptop doesn’t have to be a daunting task. With a little preparation and research, you can ensure that you get the best laptop for your specific needs.
Top Causes of Overheating in Laptop Computers
An overheating laptop can not only damage the laptop and its internal components, leading to costly repairs, but in extreme cases, it can even cause burns and other safety concerns. For these reasons, it is a good idea to take a few precautions to keep your laptop or notebook running as cool as possible. Here are a few of the top causes of overheating in laptop computers, and a few ways to prevent or resolve them.
Dust
When a laptop overheats, it is most likely caused by dust or other obstructions preventing air from flowing in and out of the laptop. Laptops generally have a cooling system that relies on a fan circulating air into and out of the laptop, and taking heat with it. When there is dust, dirt, or another obstruction blocking the vents, the heat can collect and cause the machine to overheat. Use a can of compressed air to gently blow the dust out of any vents you have access to, or have a repair shop clean out your laptop professionally to resolve this issue.
Malfunctioning Fan
As mentioned above, the fan is responsible for circulating cool air into the laptop, and blowing hot air out. If the fan starts to malfunction, heat can collect and cause the laptop to overheat. If you suspect your fan is malfunctioning, search for a replacement part and instructions online, or take it to a professional repair shop to have the fan replaced before it causes more damage to your laptop.
Poor Heat Sink
In many cases, the heat sink for the CPU of the laptop can become dislodged, no longer providing adequate cooling. In other cases, poor design provides inadequate cooling for the laptop. If you suspect your CPU is overheating, check with the manufacturer as many have implemented recalls of laptops due to design defects which caused overheating. You may be eligible for a free repair or replacement.
Taking a few moments to prevent overheating in your laptop can save you costly repairs and downtime in the future. By following the suggestions above, you can help your laptop to run cooler and more efficient for many years to come.
What Causes Toner Streaks on a Printed Page?
Arguably the most common printer error, aside from the almighty paper jam, is the streaked page. It happens all the time it seems, and you can never quite tell when it will start, or exactly why it’s happening. However, there are a few typical causes that for the most part can be taken care of at home and only cost you that one bad page.
As toner cartridges get used, paper dust and toner can collect and settle beneath your toner cartridges. This can accumulate until it becomes big enough to begin to stick to pages as they route through your machine. Once this dust is attached to your page, it passes through the printer’s fuser rollers as normal and comes out the other side. Unfortunately, the fusers finalize the process of the toner dust settling on the page and in doing their job, fuse that dust onto your page, creating a streak or smudge effect.
To remedy this, you can typically remove the toner cartridge, or cartridges if it applies, and wipe them down, as well as the interior of your machine. For best results, take a vacuum inside your printer and around your removed cartridge, then go in with dry, lint-free cloth and wipe up any remaining dust or particulate. When doing this, also check each cartridge for possible leaks or spillage. A toner leak is much more worrisome a problem however and typically requires professional repair. Additionally, a cartridge leak can compromise much more of your machine than simply a streaked page.
If the toner in your machine has begun to spill or leak, the toner can get onto the transfer rollers. These rollers do exactly what it sounds like they do, they transfer the toner onto the page, ideally in the computer designated format. However, if toner is spilling onto those rollers, it will be directly place onto the page, ruining your print.
In many cases, if there are no signs of trauma or spillage, shaking the toner or directly replacing the cartridge will fix the problem. If this recurs often or is not fixed by replacing the toner, contact a printer repair technician for further assistance.
Laptop Fan Failure
The laptop fan is an integral part of any laptop. Laptops create an enormous amount of heat and excessive heat can cause components to fail. Combine that with the fact that laptops are getting smaller and more compact, and there is even less room for air to circulate. All of these factors make the laptop fan or fans an even more important component. Since the laptop fan is such an important part of a laptop, it is wise to know the signs of a failing laptop fan.
1. Overheating
Almost every laptop will heat up somewhat under heavy use. In most cases, you will hear the fan begin to spin faster and make more noise when this occurs. If your laptop begins to get excessively hot and the fan does not appear to be spinning faster, it may be failing.
2. Strange noises
If you hear strange whining or grinding noises, the source could be a failing laptop fan. In some case, the bearings of a fan wear out or lose their lubrication, and the result is a noisy or grinding fan. You should replace it immediately.
3. Laptop locking up
If your laptop freezes or locks up, especially when performing a processor-intensive task, it could mean a laptop fan failure. Excessive heat is one of the primary causes for computer freezes. If this problem persists, try replacing the laptop fan.
4. Fan keeps running
In some cases, the laptop fan may continue to run and run at full speed, even when the laptop is not hot enough to warrant it. This can also be a sign of a failing fan, as it is not responding to the laptop’s signal to lower the fan speed.
Replacing a laptop fan can be a simple job or a very complex one depending on your laptop model. Some fans are easy to access, while some require a lengthy disassembly process. You can check around in search engines for replacement instructions specific to your model to take some of the mystery out of replacing your laptop fan.
Replacing a Laptop CMOS Battery
When you begin receiving errors that your system doesn’t match the configuration, or you getting a warning in the BIOS that your battery is dead, you most likely need to replace your CMOS battery. The CMOS battery provides the motherboard just enough power to retain the CMOS settings for your laptop. If this battery dies, your machine will likely still function, but some of the stored parameters such as time and date will not be correct and any BIOS settings that are stored in CMOS would be lost also each time the computer is powered down.
Replacing the CMOS battery is not usually difficult, but the procedure can vary greatly depending on the laptop’s model. The easiest way to find specific instructions is to do an internet search for the term “service manual” and your laptop’s manufacturer and model. Often, you can find a PDF version of the service manual for your specific laptop, which will give you detailed instructions for repairs and upgrades.
Most CMOS batteries are located under the keyboard, which can require removing the keyboard. Other common locations are under the touchpad, behind the battery, and some are accessible from the bottom of the machine via a small plastic cover. While it is difficult to give detailed instructions for the multitude of laptop models on the market, here are a few guidelines for replacing the laptop CMOS battery.
1. Wear an anti-static wrist strap when disassembling any laptop. This reduces the risk of damage from static electricity.
2. Remove the battery completely and disconnect all power cables to avoid the risk of electric shock or damage to the laptop or notebook.
3. Remove the Keyboard or associated cover to expose the CMOS Battery and remove. Carefully keep track of all screws removed. Group and label them to avoid confusion when reassembling.
4. When prying ribbon cables or plastic parts apart, be gentle to avoid damaging sensitive components.
With some preparation and planning, replacing the CMOS battery should be possible for most users. If you cannot find a suitable service manual or you don’t feel confident in your abilities, it is a good idea to take it to a repair center.
Sony Laptop Keyboard
Replacing a Sony laptop keyboard is more complicated than simple upgrades like replacing RAM, but is still manageable for most users with a little experience. The first step is to find a replacement part for your Sony laptop keyboard. Many online retailers have a parts locator tool that can help you find replacement parts. Simply enter your laptop’s model number, and it will show you the parts that are compatible with your model. It is important to find the correct part for your model, as most parts are not interchangeable with multiple laptops.
The process for removing and replacing a Sony laptop keyboard varies for different models, so it is best to use a service manual for specific instructions. Often, you can find a service manual by searching online for your laptop’s model number and the term “service manual”. It is also highly recommended that you use an anti-static wrist strap when disassembling a Sony laptop, to reduce the risk of damaging sensitive components.
Here are some guidelines for the basic steps involved in replacing Sony laptop keyboards on most models:
1. Shut down the laptop and unplug the AC adapter.
2. Remove the screws from the bottom of the case, and pry the top and bottom half of the case apart carefully.
3. With some models, you will have to remove the LCD screen as well, so remove the screws holding in the screen and disconnect its ribbon cable.
4. Remove the top of the case and you should have access to the keyboard. There may be a few screws to remove, then slowly pull the keyboard up and forward. Disconnect the small ribbon cable under the keyboard and pull it out.
5. To install the new keyboard, connect the ribbon cable and reverse the disassembly process to reassemble the laptop.
6. Reconnect the battery and AC adapter and power up the laptop to test that the new keyboard is working. If so, you are finished.
Laptop Hard Drive Technology
Laptop hard drive technology continues to improve. Faster hard drives with more capacity are arriving every year, and it can be difficult to know the difference between different standards. Here is a rundown of the different laptop hard drive technologies used today.
While most desktop hard drives are in the standard 3.5″ form factor, nearly all laptop hard drives use the 2.5″ form factor. While other standards are sometimes used in the smallest laptops, the vast majority of laptops use the 2.5″ hard drive standard.
There a few factors related to the speed of laptop hard drives. The first is the spin speed of the platters in the hard drive which store the data. The most common speed for laptop hard drives is 5400 rpm (revolutions per minute), but 4200 rpm and 7200 rpm drives are also common. Generally, the faster the rotation speed, the faster the access time for the hard drive, but a drive with a faster rotational speed will consume more power and will be more noisy during operation. These are reasons why many laptops have 5400 rpm drives instead of the faster 7200 rpm drives. The actual speed of the drive is usually measured in “access time” or data transfer rate. These ratings give buyers a comparison for which drive may perform better.
Most modern hard drives connect through either SATA or PATA (IDE) connections. PATA uses a large ribbon cable for connecting to the motherboard, and was the most common drive connection technology for many years. SATA, or Serial ATA, is a faster connection method, which also uses a smaller port and cable than PATA, making it ideal for the tight spaces of a laptop. SATA offers better access speeds than most other technologies.
A new laptop hard drive technology is emerging, called solid state, which uses flash memory instead of platters. The lack of moving parts results in lower power usage and often faster access times, but the cost of solid state drives is very expensive. As prices come down in the future, it is likely that solid state drives will become the most common technology for laptop hard drives.
Benefits of Upgrading RAM on a Laptop Computer
Upgrading the RAM on a laptop computer is one of the cheapest, quickest, and easiest upgrades to dramatically improve its performance and boot time. Here we will look at the main benefits of upgrading RAM on a laptop computer.
1. Open more programs at once
Each program that a user opens resides in RAM. The more programs that are open at once, the more RAM that is required. When the system runs out of available RAM it begins using the hard drive for storing open programs. This can seriously degrade performance of the laptop, as reading and writing from the hard drive is much slower than reading and writing from RAM. Adding more RAM allows users to run more programs at once without slowing down performance.
2. Faster processing
Many high-end software programs, such as Photoshop and video-editing software, have to process large amounts of data while editing. This data is stored in RAM during processing. If the RAM is already full or nearly full, it will require more reading and writing, which results in slower processing. Adding more RAM to your laptop allows more of this data to be stored for processing, making the programs run faster.
3. Faster gaming
Most modern computer games process a lot of information. This makes them similar to the high-end software mentioned above. Many computer games require a minimum amount of RAM for good performance, but to get the best performance from any game, it is recommended that users exceed the minimum requirements.
RAM upgrades are some of the least expensive upgrades a user can make, and it is a very quick and simple upgrade. With the low cost of most RAM upgrades, it is often a good idea to install the maximum amount of RAM that a laptop can handle to ensure the most performance boost possible from the upgrade.
Sony Laptop Motherboards – System Boards For Sony Laptops
When a Sony laptop motherboard is in need of repair, the device will refuse to boot-up, and many features will cease to function properly. Before purchasing a new system board for Sony laptops, it is high recommended to consult the user’s manual or support website, to ensure that the replacement motherboard will match the model number of the damaged one. The user manual or support site may be able to provide detailed instructions and specifications, for replacing damaged components.
Another precaution for replacing system boards in Sony laptops is get a professional analysis of the device. Often, a motherboard with apparent malfunctions can simply be caused by a BIOS that is not up-to-date. The BIOS and the system board for Sony laptops work in sync with each other, to maintain the devices proper functionality. To inspect the BIOS system before replacing Sony laptop motherboards, utilize the support website of the BIOS manufacturer, to research the most recent updates for each unit.
Excessive heat is biggest complication with all electronic devices, and is one of the leading causes of Sony laptop motherboards becoming damaged. Although it is difficult to prevent, overheating notebook’s should be carefully attended to. Users are recommended to place their notebook on a flat neutral surface, to avoid the combination of body-heat and the heat generated by laptop, from raising the Sony laptop motherboard’s temperatures above a safe level.
System boards for Sony laptops may also be overheating due to blockage of the ventilation area. This areas is usually located on the back or side of the device, and emits the hot air being produced by the Sony laptop motherboard. It is immensely important, not to block the cooling fan, and to clear it of any dust before operation. To minimize system board temperatures for Sony laptops, many users purchase an external cooling fan, placed underneath the notebook.
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