The modern laptop - an essential device in modern living
The Laptop and the communications revolution
Design and look are vital elements of any modern lifestyle product in the eyes of many consumers today, and this is evidenced in the sleek look and feel of their technology and multimedia devices. Modern digital cameras are triumphs of style and practicality, MP3 players and iPods barely resemble their ancestor the cassette Walkman, while mobile phones are increasingly coming to resemble something from a science fiction movie rather than the traditional telephone. The same is true of the evolution of the laptop computer, a portable PCs change from being heavy and cumbersome suitcase-sized inconveniencies to being stylish, lightweight and incredibly portable lifestyle aids. The modern business laptop for example no longer weighs in at twenty pounds or so, meaning that you need to be a gym member just to carry one about with you. Today’s models are streamlined and styled to suit the modern consumer’s demand for design and form, just as all their other multimedia and tech kit is. Portability is key as well as the look and feel of the device, and manufacturers understand this well – witness a satellite laptop which weighs in at under two kilos, perfect for anyone to take with them on their daily life, whether in a work environment, travelling abroad on holiday or just as their main communication device for keeping up with the world and in touch with their friends. There are numerous aspects of modern life which now rely on laptops to allow people to fit both work and leisure into their busy schedules.
Quality and affordability
The march of technology has meant that the price of the components required to produce high specification laptops has come down dramatically. This is great news for the consumer and user since they are now able to afford a high-spec laptop which includes all the various elements that they want in a device. Nobody is excluded from purchasing high-quality laptops any longer, they are no longer the exclusive preserve of businesspeople and programmers, and indeed many schoolchildren are now benefiting from being able to do their homework on the move while also keeping in touch with their friends via social networking sites like Facebook and Bebo. The portable PC has become a device synonymous with all aspects of digital living, including operating as a gaming laptop. This means that kids of all ages can use their device as the mechanism for hooking up with friends (and total strangers!) online to play games ranging from role play through to strategy and casino games like poker or blackjack. This high quality at reasonable and non-exclusive prices has allowed manufacturers to drive great levels of product innovation, culminating in the development of the netbook PC, the ultimate in tiny portability in laptops. Netbooks are mini notebook PCs which weigh in at less than one kilo and are around the size of a paperback book, meaning that they can slip unobtrusively into the average handbag or shoulder bag. Netbooks are the perfect laptop solution for simple browsing and emailing on the move and can be popped out and used anywhere there is a wireless connection.
Help and advice
Among the chief concerns of people who are thinking of investing in a new portable PC is that of post-sales service and laptop support, which is perfectly understandable. The attitude of the modern technology user is that of enablement, i.e. they want the device to do all the things that they expect it to while not needing to know quite how the laptop works. This approach is known in technology circles as the ‘under the hood’ approach, and the analogy with the motor car works quite well. You need your car to get you from place to place but you don’t necessarily need to know all of the ins and outs of the engine. The same is true for laptops, you just want to know that you will be able to browse the web quickly and easily, send email, manage your multimedia and files and generally have a pleasant and uncomplicated user experience. This is where manufacturers can really add value to their laptop ranges, by offering great levels of product support and after-sales service and advice, both online via FAQs sections and bulletin boards as well as by customer service direct telephone lines. If you are a fist time user and feel something of a novice when it comes to getting the most out of your new portable PC, there are experts on hand to help. Say for example you want to connect your digital camcorder to the device and edit your home movies, then there will be a specialist available to walk and talk you through the process.
A myriad of uses
The evolution of the technology user’s daily life has informed the development and progress of laptop technology, meaning that the modern device has so many uses that it has become an essential part of everyday living. Many users today utilize their laptops to keep in touch with friends and family through email and social networks, to keep abreast of the news and also to manage their multimedia. With downloading of music and movies now being at an all-time high, having a specialist multimedia machine as your home laptop can let you enjoy all the benefits of downloading and file-sharing through a fast broadband connection. Screen sizes vary, so movie buffs can buy widescreen laptops which enhance their film watching experience, while music fans can find machines with enormous sized hard drives, allowing them to store thousands of songs in digital MP3 format. There is still a market for bulky desktop PCs, but the advantages which laptops have over their larger sister machines today mean that portability is key, and there is no real difference in terms of size, storage, monitor quality, sound, or any of the other elements which used to differentiate a laptop from a desktop machine. If you want to manage your life on the move, to carry your entire world with you wherever you go, and have access to your movies, memories, music, friends, family and every other little aspect of your way of life, then modern laptops can offer you the perfect solution to your needs.
