Intel releases SSD Toolbox 3.0 to optimize drive performance

Toolbox 3.0 provides offers secure erase to ensure data is permanently deleted

Computerworld - Intel on Thursday released the third generation of its solid-state drive monitoring and management firmware SSD Toolbox 3.0, which offers many of the same tools as previous versions but with a simpler interface.

The SSD Toolbox, which is available on Intel's website, has a simpler graphical user interface (GUI) for Self-Monitoring Analysis and Reporting Technology (SMART) technology. SMART can perform diagnostic scans of SSDs, providing drive information such as the amount of free capacity and the estimated life remaining. It also has a health scale, illustrating whether the drive is functioning optimally.

In 2009, Intel's first SSD Toolbox release was focused on optimizing the performance of its X25-M consumer-class solid state disk (SSD) drive with theWindows 7 operating system.

World’s Cheapest Indian Tablet PC at 50$

World’s Cheapest Indian Tablet PC at 50$

Aakash is the new name of India’s aspiration to produce an Indian computing device. Announced by the Minister for Human Resource Development (MHRD) on July 22, 2010 as “Sakshaat”, it was launched in New Delhi on Oct 5, 2011.

India’s aspiration to create a “made in India” computer was first reflected in a prototype “”Simputer”" that never went into industrial production. Later, the Ministry of Science & Technology launched an India designed laptop named Mobilis and that was launched by Kapil Sibal. Mobilis did not take off and the Govt of Brazil cancelled the order and blacklisted the Indian supplier.

Four years later Kapil Sibal, this time as Minister for Human Resource Development MHRD, the name India gives its Education Minister, announced a new low-cost computing and access device that was supposed to compete with One Laptop per Child, OLPC, a low-cost laptop cum tablet designed at MIT’s Media Lab and led by Professor Nicholas Negroponte with a difference. While OLPC is designed for the underprivileged younger school going children in places that lack both physical and teaching infrastructure, Kapil Sibal’s low cost computer was targeted at urban, college going students.

Things To Think About When Buying A Computer

                                                          Things To Think About When Buying A Computer                          

One of the greatest things is to get a new computer. Whether it's a laptop or a desktop, getting a new computer compares to almost nothing else. Plenty of people know the feeling of getting that new machine home, plugging it in, and firing it up.

Even if you use the same programs, and surf the same sights, they will seem fresh and new. Especially if it's been a couple of years since you've purchased your most recent computer. Because technology increases so fast, after a year or two you'll be absolutely amazed at how much faster and clearer everything seems.

But if you walk into any computer shop, you might be overwhelmed. There are so many different computers to choose from, so it can be difficult to find the one that you want. That's why it's good to get an idea of what you're after before you step into the store.

First of all, think about the computer that you're using now. What kinds of things do you like about it? For example, if you are always running out of space on your monitor, then getting a bigger monitor might be a good option. Measure the monitor that you have now, and try to decide what size would be optimal.

Another thing to consider is processor speed. Generally speaking, the higher the number that is listed as the processor speed (in gigahertz, or GHz) the faster your computer will be. This is a general rule, and it doesn't apply in every situation.

Memory is also a consideration. The more memory your computer has, the more programs you can run at once, or the more robust programs you can use. If your current computer freezes or runs slowly when you open up too many programs, take note of how much memory you currently have.

And of course, the last decision you'll need to get is whether to get a laptop, or a desktop. If you are the kind of person that likes to use your computer wherever you go, then obviously a laptop is the kind of computer you should get. However, if you have a laptop and it's been ages since you've taken it anywhere, then you might consider getting a desktop.

One of the advantages of getting a desktop is that you'll have much more room for expansion in terms of memory. You can be quite limited if you want to add memory to your laptop.

Now that you know the basics, it's time to figure out what you want, and go shopping. Have fun.

To get the finest desktop computers for sale at astonishingly affordable prices, speed on over to desktop computers for sale right now.

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How To Choose The Right Tablet PC

                                                                How To Choose The Right Tablet PC

Why would you want a Tablet PC? Before I bought my first one I was trying to figure out when I'd use it. I already had a laptop, why would a Tablet computer be anymore use? Would I be able to "retire" my laptop, and just use a tablet and desktop? I work from home some one the time, so I use a desktop when doing that as it involves a fair bit of typing, and a bigger screen is certainly of use. So, I would use mine for my work, due to lack of a keyboard and it having a smaller screen. I knew I wanted one, but what would I use it for? I think I was trying to justify buying another techno gadget.

People buy a tablet computers for many different reasons they more portable that a laptop, they are lighter, the battery lasts longer, they're easier to carry and boot up a lot faster. Have you ever sat around for several minutes waiting for a laptop to boot, when all you need to do is quickly check the football scores. You'll more than likely use your mobile phone to just hop on the WWW. With a tablet PC a the click on a switch it's available, just like a mobile, in fact you can look at a tablet PC as being like a mobile, but with a bigger screen - oh but with an inability to make phone calls of course.

Whether you're using it for business, or pleasure, they are actually far more than a mobile phone with a big screen. Most of them have a faster processor, better graphics capability. This means they are capable of running laptop type applications. Spreadsheets, word processors, any amount of productivity apps and of course games. The fact that they are so portable means they can be used as a recipe book in the kitchen, a reading book in the bedroom, or a games machine in the living room!

When it comes to choosing the right tablet PC for you, the best place to start is a budget. Decide how much you want to spend. They are available to suit any budget and you can get a cheap tablet PC for less than 70 quid. That's right, 70 quid. See our article on cheap tablet PCs for some further advice. Maybe the budget tablets are ideal for kids to use as well.

For those with a higher budget, there's obviously more choice. If you have a limitless budget (lucky you) maybe you should start with what you'll need the tablet PC for. How will you use it? What apps are you likely to run?

So far we've looked at budget, and use. In my opinion, if you have a "limitless" budget and are not too sure what you'd use it for, I'd go for an iPad every time. Before you Android lovers start sending me hate mail, there are downsides to the iPad; the reliance on iTunes, not USB, or SD memory slot, no flash - BUT, if you just want a tablet PC and have the money lying about, buy the ipad, you won't be disappointed. For those not sure of what they will actually use the tablet for Apple offer an amazing amount of apps, not all good of course!

However, for the vast majority of use, budget certainly is a concern, not only that but not everyone needs the latest whizzy, feature rich tablet computer.

Tablet PC Storage

Here's the thing, storage. Storage means something slightly different to disk space on a PC. Well, sort of. You shouldn't compare storage on tablet PC with disk space of a PC. A PC needs oodles of disk space. How much storage does a tablet PC need? Depends on how you're likely to use it. In the case of music for example, you don't need to synch your entire library, with movies you can synch the film(s) you want to watch, then leave them on your desktop when you don't want to watch them. Space management on a tablet computer has to be managed correctly, like on a mobile phone. You can't just constantly dump things on it. if you install an app you don't need or use, remove it. It's not as hard as it seems, honestly! So, in real terms your looking at a device with a maximum of 64Gb, which in PC terms doesn't sound much. With a tablet computer that has an SD slot, you can add extra storage if you need to.

Storage is different to memory and sometimes the terms get inter-twinned. Memory is the stuff that the operating system uses and is usually supplied in MB rather than GB (or at least not 10s of GB) Memory in this case would be used to make a tablet PC run quicker, so, the more the merrier if you're a bit stressed that something needs to run extremely quickly.

Tablet PC Processor

Memory can be used to make apps run quicker on a tablet PC, but the thing most people look at is the speed of the processor, and whether it's dual core etc. Processor speeds on a tablet PC don't tend to vary as much as on a desktop. Most are around 1-1.2 Ghz. A rule of thumb is that as the processor can't be upgraded you should go for the fastest you can afford. Having said that it also depends a lot of how well any particular app is written, if it's a poorly written app, no amount of memory coupled with the world's fastest processor will help!. Nvidia Tegra 2 is a popular processor on Android tablets, RIM, HP and Apple use a process specific to their own products.

Tablet PC Screen Size

Another piece of hardware that can't be upgraded on a tablet PC is the screen, don't be too alarmed through there isn't a great deal of choice in size. 10.1 inch, 9.7 inch and about 7 inch. So, maybe small, medium, and slightly larger. Just a quick note here on Android tablet PCs - if you have a 10.1 inch screen make sure it's running at least Android 3.0 (Honeycomb) as this has been optimised for the larger tablet screen, otherwise the OS actually thinks it's running on a mobile phone. This is more likely to be the case on budget tablet PCs. Have a look at our capacitive or resistive screen article just to make yourself aware of the differences.

Graham Bell is the editor of http://www.reviewtabletpc.co.uk and has been using tablet pc's for many years. Although a self confessed Apple fan, he also works with Linux as a day job, so understands the need for an "open" operating system, such as Android. They review both cheap and high end tablet computers, there's also the ability for you to right a review or comments yourself, look at tablet pc's using the compare feature. They also have a thriving Tablet PC Blog, where you can read comments and contribute yourself. Read their amusing and sometimes controversial blog you should also read their tablet computer reviews giving unbiased reviews and some good and bad comments on the devices reviews.

Graham Bell
Editor

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