Archive for the ‘Cheap Laptop News’ Category

Move your face on Facebook!

Friday, July 22nd, 2011

Social networks are changing, what used to be a fun past time has now become a popular channel of communication and with increased bandwidth video offerings are becoming key. Facebook have teamed up with Skype and will soon have an icon that would allow users to have group video or a private video conversation all for free.  With 750 million viewers this is a great platform to integrate into the social mix. The company is also changing the layout of their chat system so that users can decide the amount of people they want on chat so potentially the whole family could get involved from around the globe – or maybe all our customers at MadBid.com.

The extension of the communication channels have not gone unnoticed as Google has introduced their own social networking platform +circle project – with a video chat feature called ‘Hangout’ which has caused some controversy between the internet giants. With these extra add-ons MadBid.com’s popular auction product the new Dell Inspiron Duo Touchscreen would complement any social network user.

The new Dell Inspiron Duo Touchscreen can be used as a laptop or a notepad, both with a keyboard and touchscreen functions making it ideal for users on the go or in the comfort of their home.  The last time we auctioned the Dell Inspiron Duo Touchscreen the ending price was an amazing bargain at £6.37! Allow yourself to enjoy Facebook’s free video chat service with this sought after stylish gadget. The notebook has been reviewed by Amazon users as ‘Innovative and well-made’ The auction will start 3pm on 22nd of July the RRP price is £449 but only the bids on the timer will show the end price. The Stuff have stated that it ‘has a “whoa” factor to it when you see it swivel’ so team it up with Facebook’s or Google’s new Video options and put it in action!

Click here for a little sneak peek of this new function: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAeufSkW5y4&feature=related

Click here to see the last auction closing price : http://uk.madbid.com/show/1109590-Dell-Inspiron-Duo-Touchscreen/

Apple’s got their head in the clouds!

Tuesday, June 7th, 2011

This week at the Apple World Wide Developers Conference a new cloud based storage service was revealed: iCloud. Apple’s iCloud is a new system that will automatically synchronize and backup all of your files across all your apple wireless devices. For the multidevice lifestyle we have all embraced with Apple products, this new way of storing and sharing information will revolutionize how we communicate with each other and how we interact with our devices.

iCloud will be a free service available for users to download this fall. The user will be able to automatically synchronize all their information including music, photos, documents, apps, and books to all wireless devices within range. This will create an automatic backup system similar to Google Docs and Dropbox.

By including the user’s iTunes library in iCloud, when a song is purchased on one device it will automatically be available on up to 10 other devices. So that means you can be listening to a song in a cafe, purchase it on your iPad and then go for a run later that day and listen to it on your iPod touch or iPhone without ever connecting your devices. All of the music purchased through iTunes will be automatically saved to the user’s cloud locker. For £25 a year Apple also has iTunes Match which will scan through all your music not purchased through iTunes and find a copy in their music library of over 18 million songs to replace your song with an iTunes Plus quality copy at 256 Kbps, even if your original copy was of lower quality.

Synchronizing your playlists is just one of the new features of iCloud. All your photos will also be synchronized and updated to each device immediately. With iCloud users can easily share photos and even upload directly to Facebook and Twitter from any device. It will be easier than ever to capture baby’s first beach day and send photos and video to grandma and grandpa immediately from any device.

Music and photos can take up a lot of memory on the iPhone and iPad, but Apple’s thought of that too. There will only be a rolling stream of 1,000 photos saved directly on the smaller devices at any time; the rest of the photo stream will be accessible through the cloud locker through a Wi-Fi or 3G connection. This does pose a problem for users who frequently travel in zones with weak wireless signals. It does not appear that iCloud will be able to stream music from the iTunes library, so there may only be a limited cache of songs accessible when on airplane mode.

iCloud will protect even the laziest users from losing their data. Apple does all the work for you constantly updating and syncing your data. All documents can be easily shared and edited so you are always working on the most up-to-date version no matter what device you use. Sharing and updating calendars and email accounts is another new feature. Text messages and SMS messages are also saved in your cloud locker along with saved ringtones and apps.

We all remember Mobile Me and how that system never really lived up to our Apple expectations. We at MadBid think iCloud is a very different product and will become a formidable competitor in the cloud based storage industry.

We can’t wait to try iCloud out on our Apple products this fall. Which Apple products will you be synchronizing? The benefits of cloud storage and synchronization can only really be optimized when you have more than one device to update, so why not pick up another i-something? At MadBid.com users have picked up the iPad 2 for just £2.52 and the iPhone 4 for £2.34. Those are just a few examples of the deals our users are wining every day, see for yourself.

Google Chromebook: It’s a laptop, Jim, but not as we know it

Thursday, May 26th, 2011

Google launchegoogle chromebooks the Chromebook on June 15 and although it looks just like a regular laptop, that’s where the similarities stop.

The Chromebook is based on Cloud computing technology which is the on-demand provision of computer resources (data, software) via a computer network/internet. This enables computer users to store information off site and it gives the possibility of an almost infinite amount of storage.

Here at MadBid.com we’re excited to learn that the Goolge Chromebook will take full advantage of Cloud technology by being the first completely web based laptop – there are no files or programs stored on the computer (apart from the bare essentials) and even the software being used is online with no programmes to download.

This means that the computer will start up in about seven seconds, will never need a virus checker and if it gets damaged you won’t lose any of your files or software!

There are some downsides to this technology too, with everything being on the web it means that you constantly need to be connected to the web via Wi-Fi or some models even do 3G. Although this sounds good in principal, it does have some problems as although many places are now offering Wi-Fi and most people have it in their home, if you’re not near one of these then it’s down to 3G. 3G in the UK has pretty good coverage, but there are many black spots that the service doesn’t reach and in places like Central London where the mobile phone networks struggle with the amount of people accessing them. So this means that you won’t be able to do any work in any of these areas and unlike a standard computer there is no option to work offline.

Google are trying to get some developers to start making their online applications work offline too and they hope that the popularity of the Chromebook and the emergence of Cloud computing might encourage these developers to do so. It may mean the introduction of more subscription based software, so a user never owns the software but just pays a monthly/yearly fee to use it – this would also hopefully allow users to use the most up-to-date software available without having to pay for upgrades.

Along with all this the computers will be pretty user friendly as every time you turn it on the software will check online to see if there are updates, and it will always boot up with the latest version.  Also even if there’s a catastrophic failure, for whatever reason, it will simply reinstall itself – with no risk to your files as they are all stored online and safe!

If you’re not sure if Cloud computing is for you or you’d rather not wait until June 15 MadBid offers a large variety of Laptops such as ‘eMachines 15.6” Laptop’ which is perfect for fulfilling your entertainment and work requirements at home or on the road or if you prefer a touchscreen we have the ‘Dell Inspiron Duo Touchscreen’ – it has the ease of a touchscreen with the added feature of a keyboard too.

At MadBid.com we always try to bring you the latest technology  - why not sign up to our newsletter that announces all the latest auctions and gadgets that we offer. To subscribe:

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MadBid’s money saving shopping tips

Friday, May 20th, 2011

As the world recovers form a global recession many shoppers are looking for a bargain. Here are 6 tips from MadBid to help you save some money on everything from soup to shoes while still getting high quality products!

  1. Make a list before you go to the store and stick to it. Avoid impulse shopping as you make your way to check out. If you find something you can’t live without that wasn’t on your list, carry it around in the store for a while, and if after you have done all your other shopping you still want it, then you can decide if you should amend your shopping list.Save Money
  2. Use coupons and discounts whenever possible. Many stores have weekly newsletters and adverts where they promote sale items or offer reduced prices. Take advantage of customer rewards programs where you can earn points or get free stuff from your favourite stores.
  3. Look for factory outlets, clearance aisles, and discount racks. Also, don’t be afraid to explore the world of second hand stores or visit outdoor flea markets and car boot sales to get some gently used treasures.  Inspect your items from those areas before you purchase them to look for signs of damage. Always maintain a level of quality in your purchases and do not sacrifice that standard for price.
  4. When shopping for food buy ingredients to make your own meals instead of pre-packaged meals, or going out for dinner every night. Buy store brands instead of name brands which are usually a little lower on the shelf. Take advantage of bulk discounts, but only if you think you will use the products before they expire.
  5. Shopping online can be an easy way to comparison shop by browsing lots of different vendors.  While you find great deals online beware of some hidden costs when you shop. Shipping and handling charges can often sneak up on you, and don’t forget the value of your own time as you spend hours surfing the web researching the best values.  But with petrol prices higher than ever, you may consider the savings of ordering supplies online to be delivered to your door instead of driving to the markets.
  6. Online Auctions are a great way of saving money and getting a discount price. You have eBay, well known by most people, and you can certainly get some bargains or buy cheaper second-hand items. There are also sites like MadBid.com where items sell for 87% less than the retail price – where all items are brand new and from reputable sources. MadBid.com offers a fun way to bid for a bargain and at the same time allowing customers to walk away with top products for incredibly low prices.

We hope you have found these tips useful, but our savvy shoppers at MadBid.com always know where to go to get the best deals on brand new electronics and appliances. Our auctions sell brand new, name brand, in demand products at one-tenth of the price. Bring some fun and adventure back into your shopping quest at MadBid.com

Choosing a mid-range laptop ‘can be a tricky task’

Friday, May 7th, 2010

People in the hunt for a new laptop have been told that they need to do their research as there is so much choice available.

Phil Barker, writing for My-Laptop.co.uk, said that whatever a buyer is looking for, they should be able to find the perfect machine for their needs, ranging from an ultraportable one to a desktop replacement machine.

“You’ll also have a fantastic choice of processors, with the Intel Core i5 chip the most popular and versatile mid-range solution. With an Intel Core i5 processor, you’ll get luxury features such as Intel Turbo Boost, which offers additional performance when you need it most,” he added.

Mr Barker went on to say that mid-range laptops might not handle some of the upcoming titles, however they do come fitted with dedicated graphics cards, allowing them to also run high definition video.

Furthermore, a guide written for NotebookReview.com said the research phase of looking for a new machine is “more fun” than the purchasing.ADNFCR-2524-ID-19764080-ADNFCR

Laptop buyers ’should be aware of new processors and innovations’

Friday, April 30th, 2010

While there are no major developments in the laptop industry, people looking for a new portable machine should make sure that they look into the latest processors and graphics innovations, according to an industry expert.

Walter Mossberg, writing for the Wall Street Journal, said that Intel’s new Core series of chips are all faster and more efficient than their predecessors, with the i5 and i7 all featuring ‘turbo boost’ which improves speed when it is most needed.

“For the most common tasks – even video playback – integrated graphics, which lack their own dedicated memory, are adequate. So-called discrete graphics, which are almost like having a second processor, are more potent, especially for games,” he added.

Furthermore, Mr Mossberg added that Windows’ new operating system is now “quite competitive” with Apple’s Snow Leopard programme, with computers running the Microsoft option available for much less money.

Answering a customer query on Computer Active, one reader was advised recently to think about buying a new computer instead of just upgrading certain hardware elements.ADNFCR-2524-ID-19752940-ADNFCR

Laptop owners told of Spotify’s dominance

Thursday, April 29th, 2010

People looking to turn their new laptop into a music centre have been told that Spotify has taken a “huge step forward” in a bid to beat Apple’s iTunes at its own game, according to an industry expert.

Paul Brindley, managing director of Music Ally, said that a new update to Spotify will see it become the default media player on a computer, even for songs which are in iTunes.

He added that this could start off a cat-and-mouse battle with iTunes, with the Apple service possibly looking to do something with its future updates to offer the consumer more.

“It absolutely does set Spotify up one step ahead of iTunes. It would seem to also be setting them up to do what one might expect iTunes to do following [Apple's] acquisition of Lala,” he added.

Mr Brindley’s words came after Spotify announced a “major evolution” of its music streaming service, which includes the largest feature upgrades since it launched two years ago.ADNFCR-2524-ID-19750099-ADNFCR

Netbooks being bought by ‘the older generation’

Wednesday, April 28th, 2010

While many people think that netbooks are the preserve of school or college students, it is actually the over 35s that are dominating the market, according to new data.

Market research firm The NPD Group found that 65 per cent believe that netbooks are aimed at university students, however, people in the 18 to 24-year-old age group accounted for just 14 per cent of sales, ITBusiness reported.

Furthermore, it was found that 66 per cent of netbook sales were to people over the age of 35.

Darrel Ryce, director of The NPD Group, said that early adopters to technologies usually have more disposable income and are therefore likely to be older.

He added that the majority of people are using their netbooks to surf the internet, reply to emails and network with others.

Another reason why netbooks are proving popular, according to CNN, is because they often carry webcams, allowing people to carry out video chats over the internet.ADNFCR-2524-ID-19747218-ADNFCR

MacBook Pro line updated

Friday, April 16th, 2010

Apple has updated the MacBook Pro line with a new NVIDIA GeForce 320M graphics processor for up to 80 per cent faster graphics and a ten-hour built-in battery.

New 15-inch and 17-inch MacBook Pro models come with Intel Core i5 and i7 processors, as well as Apple’s new

    automatic

graphics switching technology that switches between powerful NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M and energy-efficient Intel HD Graphics processors.

The 13-inch MacBook Pro is available with a 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo and 250GB hard drive or with a 2.66 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo and 320GB hard drive.

“With faster processors, amazing graphics and up to three more hours of battery life, the new MacBook Pro delivers both performance and efficiency,” commented Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of worldwide product marketing.

Apple recently previewed its iPhone OS 4 software and released a beta version of the software to iPhone Developer Program members.
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Multitasking capabilities make netbook ‘better than iPad’

Tuesday, April 13th, 2010

The capability of netbooks to handle multitasking is one reason why the machines are better than Apple’s new iPad, according to an industry expert.

Abhinav Lal, writing for ThinkDigit, said that despite the announcement that multitasking will be available on the iPad by Autumn thanks to an operating system upgrade, the extra RAM in a netbook will see it handle tasks more effectively.

The expert also said that the fact that netbooks contain web cameras is another major advantage they have over the iPad, as it allows users to stay connected with friends, family and colleagues around the world.

He added: “The holy grail of inter-device connectivity, USB support will allow you to connect a variety of devices to a netbook, from game controllers to external storage devices, USB modems to printers.”

Another advantage that netbook users will have over iPad fans is the use of Flash when viewing web pages, allowing for a deeper and more graphical browsing experience.ADNFCR-2524-ID-19717813-ADNFCR