Archive for September, 2009

Short Review: Reliable Solutions with the Acer Extensa EX5620-4677

Mid-range laptop users all look forward to the latest offering that will help them get their tasks done in time. This is especially true for those in the corporate business sector, where it is important to find cost-friendly solutions that get the work done. Because of this, many companies have been eyeing the Acer Extensa EX5620-4677 laptop, a simple business computer that is on the low-end of the budget and dedicated to basic productivity expected in any office environment.

Style

For the Acer Extensa EX5620-4677 laptop, style might take a bit of a backseat if you consider all-black as something lacking in design. But truthfully, the Acer Extensa EX5620-4677 laptop actually looks a lot professional with the absence of frivolous trimmings. The sensible black case makes the Acer Extensa EX5620-4677 laptop a non-fingerprint magnet device, which means it does not need and high maintenance in order to look presentable. Opening the sturdy lid reveals yet another all-black interior, with keys that are generously sized and maximizes the left to right horizontal real estate. The track pad area of the Acer Extensa EX5620-4677 laptop is also on the generous side – you have a roomy area that lets you navigate all across your screen and feels very responsive without being too sensitive to the touch. The left and right buttons for the mouse keys are also on the soft side and quite responsive as well. A smattering of ports and connections are discreetly found all across the sides of the Acer Extensa EX5620-4677 laptop without making the entire device seem bulky.

Computing Power

One thing that is nice to note about the Acer Extensa EX5620-4677 laptop is that it has pretty good specs for a budget computer. For instance, it runs on an Intel Core 2 Duo processor with a 2 GHz speed installed, which is powerful enough to summon several programs at the same time without the task monitor of the computer lagging in CPU computing speed. The hard drive is at a respectable 120 GB – for some people the standards are on a low, but given that this is a budget device that is already acceptable (and also makes you want to prioritize work files over any other tasks, especially the personal ones). With Microsoft Genuine Windows Vista Basic as your primary operating system, you have uncomplicated Vista professionalism that will display compatibility with the movers and shakers out there.

Beautiful Screen

For all its budget marketing schemas, the Acer Extensa EX5620-4677 laptop surprisingly has a very good LCD screen. It is 15.4 inches widescreen and is nicely saturated. Colors appear to be true to its hue and it is a pleasure viewing PowerPoint presentations on it (as you might end up doing most of the time on this laptop for your clients).

Battery Life

The Acer Extensa EX5620-4677 laptop shows signs of being a budget computer in terms of the battery life, which rates at two hours and forty minutes at best. But the good thing about it is that you can always opt to purchase an extended battery later on if you really think you will need to.

Resource

Last week, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued some new rules regarding what border officials can and can’t do with your laptops and any other electronic media storage device. Despite a lawsuit from the ACLU, the rules are very similar to those put in place by the Bush administration with a few slight changes. According to the DHS website, the rules will “enhance transparency, accountability and oversight of electronic media searches at U.S. ports of entry and includes new administrative procedures designed to reflect broad considerations of civil liberties and privacy protections.”

Either way, border officials can still seize and search your laptop, MP3 player, or flash drives without warning and can look at any file on it without reason. The new rules require those performing the search to keep the item for no longer than a 30 day period and keep laptop owners informed of the search’s progress. The Association for Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE) has said they believe border officials make images of the laptops’ hard drive and return the laptops to their owners by mail, with copied files being stored for an indefinite amount of time.

In any event, if you are traveling beyond the border, there are a few ways to be prepared, just in case your laptop is seized. Chances are, if you’re traveling for business or even for pleasure, there are files on your computer that will need while on your trip. Here are some ways to avoid being stuck without important information:

• This is a no-brainer, but store your files in multiple locations. Take advantage of external drives and discs, or even an internet-based storage system such as Google Docs that will allow you to access information anytime, anywhere.
• If the information stored on your laptop is pertinent to your job, make sure you inform border agents verbally and if possible, in writing. According tot he ACTE, this will help you retain more legal rights.
• Consider a Laptop Rental. By renting a laptop and having it delivered to your destination, you’ll avoid the hassle of dealing with the issue all together, have one less piece of equipment to carry on your trip, and you won’t risk unexpected loss or damage that might occur during any type of search and seizure.

According to PCWorld, only 46 laptops have been subject to seizure in the last ten months, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry!