Laptops Simplified
2nd Edition
Published on 30. October 2012
Book
Paperback/Softback
288 pages
978-1-118-25292-5 (ISBN)
Description
Step-by-step guidance on all things laptop-related, aimed at visual learners
A little overwhelmed by the selection of laptops out there and how to get started using one? Laptops Simplified, Second Edition is here to help! Boasting a straightforward, jargon-free approach, this easy-to-navigate guide takes the fear out of exploring the subject of laptops and breaks it down to the basics. Veteran author Sherry Kinkoph Gunter demystifies common laptop issues such as finding the laptop that is right for you, setting it up, troubleshooting it, and maintaining it.
* Covers the very basics of connecting to wireless networks while away from home; working with a variety of devices such as cameras, cell phones, and extra monitors; and making sure all security precautions are in place for safe online experiences
* Features full-color screen shots and numbered, step-by-step instructions on how to get up and running with your laptop
* Includes coverage of the new Windows 8 operating system
* Shares helpful advice from a veteran author on getting the most out of your laptop
Laptops Simplified, Second Edition puts you on your way to becoming a confident and savvy laptop user!
A little overwhelmed by the selection of laptops out there and how to get started using one? Laptops Simplified, Second Edition is here to help! Boasting a straightforward, jargon-free approach, this easy-to-navigate guide takes the fear out of exploring the subject of laptops and breaks it down to the basics. Veteran author Sherry Kinkoph Gunter demystifies common laptop issues such as finding the laptop that is right for you, setting it up, troubleshooting it, and maintaining it.
* Covers the very basics of connecting to wireless networks while away from home; working with a variety of devices such as cameras, cell phones, and extra monitors; and making sure all security precautions are in place for safe online experiences
* Features full-color screen shots and numbered, step-by-step instructions on how to get up and running with your laptop
* Includes coverage of the new Windows 8 operating system
* Shares helpful advice from a veteran author on getting the most out of your laptop
Laptops Simplified, Second Edition puts you on your way to becoming a confident and savvy laptop user!
More details
Edition
2. Auflage
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Edition type
Revised edition
Illustrations
col. Illustrations
Dimensions
Height: 24.9 cm
Width: 21.6 cm
Thickness: 1.5 cm
Weight
826 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-118-25292-5 (9781118252925)
Schweitzer Classification
Content
Chapter 1 Introducing Laptops
Study Laptop Anatomy 4
Review Types of Laptops 6
Explore Microprocessors 8
Explore Power Options 9
Understanding Hard Drives 10
Understanding Types of Data Storage 12
Understanding Types of Slots and Ports 14
Chapter 2 Shopping for a Laptop
Choose an Operating System 18
Select a Microprocessor 20
Choose the Right Weight 21
Compare Monitor Display Sizes 22
Assess Graphics Capabilities 23
Determine Memory and Storage Needs 24
Compare Keyboard and Mouse Features 26
Consider Extra Features and Add-Ons 28
Chapter 3 Adding Peripherals and Accessories
Add External Storage Devices 32
Using Cooling Pads 34
Using Docking Stations 35
Add Security Items 36
Add a Printer or Scanner 37
Add Portable Accessories 38
Add Memory 39
Chapter 4 Setting Up Your New Laptop
Understanding Laptop Basic Operations 42
Connect Cables and Peripherals 43
Turn the Laptop On 45
Using a Touchpad 46
Explore a Wireless Mouse 47
Get to Know the Keyboard 48
Connect a Printer or Hardware Device from Windows 50
Chapter 5 Exploring Windows 8
Introducing Windows 8 54
Explore New Navigation Techniques 56
Log On to Windows 8 57
Get to Know the Metro Start Screen 58
Access the Metro Start Screen 59
Launch Metro Apps 60
Find an App 61
Shop for Apps 62
Work with the Charms Bar 63
Work with the App Bar 64
Access PC Settings 65
Pin Items to the Start Screen 66
Shut Down Windows 8 67
Access the Desktop 68
Get to Know the Windows Desktop 69
View Your Computer's Contents 70
Empty the Recycle Bin 71
View Mobility Settings 72
Find Help 74
CHAPTER 6 Personalizing Your Laptop
Change the Screen Resolution 78
Change Your Account Picture 80
Customize the Start Screen 82
Personalize the Lock Screen 84
Customize Start Screen Tiles 86
Add a New User Account 90
Adjust Laptop Volume 92
Chapter 7 Working with Software
Understanding Software 96
Install a Program 98
Open and Close a Program 100
Explore a Program Window 102
Resize and Move Program Windows 104
Work with Multiple Program Windows 106
Using a Ribbon 108
Using Menus, Buttons, and Lists 110
Work with Dialog Boxes 112
Create and Save a File 114
Open a File 116
Print a File 117
chapter 8 Performing Popular Software Tasks
Schedule Dates with the Calendar App 120
Find a Location with the Maps App 122
Explore Windows Accessories 124
Enter and Edit Text in WordPad 126
Format Text in WordPad 128
Chapter 9 Managing Computer Files and Folders
Understanding File Formats 134
View Files and Folders 136
Navigate Folder Windows 137
Open Files and Folders 138
Create a New Folder 140
Select Files and Folders 141
Move and Copy Files and Folders 142
Rename a File or Folder 144
Compress a File or Folder 145
Extract Compressed Files 146
Search for Files and Folders 147
Delete a File or Folder 148
CHAPTER 10 Connecting to a Network
Review a Home-based Network Setup in Windows 8 152
Connect to a Wireless Network 154
Share Files and Folders via Public Folders 156
Set Up a Homegroup 158
Share Within Your Homegroup 160
Chapter 11 Exploring the Internet
Understanding the Internet and the World Wide Web 164
Launch the Internet Explorer App 166
Launch the Desktop Internet Explorer Browser 167
Open a Web Page 168
Search the Web 169
Keep Track of Your Favorite Pages 170
Change Your Home Page 172
Chapter 12 Communicating Online
Understanding E-Mail 176
Using the Mail App 178
Add an Account to the Mail App 180
Send an E-Mail with the Mail App 182
Reply to a Message 184
Forward a Message 185
Work with File Attachments 186
Using the People App 188
Using the Messaging App 190
Explore Video Conferencing 192
Chapter 13 Working with Digital Images
View Photos with the Photos App 196
View Photos in the Pictures Library 198
View Photos with Windows Photo Viewer 200
Play a Slide Show Using Windows Photo Viewer 202
Explore Windows Live Photo Gallery 203
Import Pictures from a Camera 204
Batch-Rename Photo Files 206
Tag Photo Files 207
Auto-Adjust a Photo 208
Crop a Photo 209
Create and Publish an Online Photo Album 210
Chapter 14 Working with Audio and Video
Use the Music and Video Apps 214
Open Windows Media Player 216
Build Your Media Library 218
Listen to Music 220
Watch Video Content 222
Create and Save Playlists 224
Burn CDs and DVDs 226
Chapter 15 Managing Laptop Power
Understanding Power Management 230
Create a Power Plan 232
Adjust Screen Brightness 234
Check Battery Charge 235
Using Your Battery Efficiently 236
Control Power Button Function 238
Chapter 16 Maintaining Your Laptop
Explore the Control Panel 242
Update Your Operating System 244
Back Up Data with File History 246
Free Up Disk Space 248
Defragment Your Hard Drive 250
Chapter 17 Keeping Your Laptop Secure
Understanding Computer Security 254
Password-Protect Your Laptop 256
Set a Picture Password 258
Encrypt Your Data 262
Thwart Intruders with Windows Firewall 264
Study Laptop Anatomy 4
Review Types of Laptops 6
Explore Microprocessors 8
Explore Power Options 9
Understanding Hard Drives 10
Understanding Types of Data Storage 12
Understanding Types of Slots and Ports 14
Chapter 2 Shopping for a Laptop
Choose an Operating System 18
Select a Microprocessor 20
Choose the Right Weight 21
Compare Monitor Display Sizes 22
Assess Graphics Capabilities 23
Determine Memory and Storage Needs 24
Compare Keyboard and Mouse Features 26
Consider Extra Features and Add-Ons 28
Chapter 3 Adding Peripherals and Accessories
Add External Storage Devices 32
Using Cooling Pads 34
Using Docking Stations 35
Add Security Items 36
Add a Printer or Scanner 37
Add Portable Accessories 38
Add Memory 39
Chapter 4 Setting Up Your New Laptop
Understanding Laptop Basic Operations 42
Connect Cables and Peripherals 43
Turn the Laptop On 45
Using a Touchpad 46
Explore a Wireless Mouse 47
Get to Know the Keyboard 48
Connect a Printer or Hardware Device from Windows 50
Chapter 5 Exploring Windows 8
Introducing Windows 8 54
Explore New Navigation Techniques 56
Log On to Windows 8 57
Get to Know the Metro Start Screen 58
Access the Metro Start Screen 59
Launch Metro Apps 60
Find an App 61
Shop for Apps 62
Work with the Charms Bar 63
Work with the App Bar 64
Access PC Settings 65
Pin Items to the Start Screen 66
Shut Down Windows 8 67
Access the Desktop 68
Get to Know the Windows Desktop 69
View Your Computer's Contents 70
Empty the Recycle Bin 71
View Mobility Settings 72
Find Help 74
CHAPTER 6 Personalizing Your Laptop
Change the Screen Resolution 78
Change Your Account Picture 80
Customize the Start Screen 82
Personalize the Lock Screen 84
Customize Start Screen Tiles 86
Add a New User Account 90
Adjust Laptop Volume 92
Chapter 7 Working with Software
Understanding Software 96
Install a Program 98
Open and Close a Program 100
Explore a Program Window 102
Resize and Move Program Windows 104
Work with Multiple Program Windows 106
Using a Ribbon 108
Using Menus, Buttons, and Lists 110
Work with Dialog Boxes 112
Create and Save a File 114
Open a File 116
Print a File 117
chapter 8 Performing Popular Software Tasks
Schedule Dates with the Calendar App 120
Find a Location with the Maps App 122
Explore Windows Accessories 124
Enter and Edit Text in WordPad 126
Format Text in WordPad 128
Chapter 9 Managing Computer Files and Folders
Understanding File Formats 134
View Files and Folders 136
Navigate Folder Windows 137
Open Files and Folders 138
Create a New Folder 140
Select Files and Folders 141
Move and Copy Files and Folders 142
Rename a File or Folder 144
Compress a File or Folder 145
Extract Compressed Files 146
Search for Files and Folders 147
Delete a File or Folder 148
CHAPTER 10 Connecting to a Network
Review a Home-based Network Setup in Windows 8 152
Connect to a Wireless Network 154
Share Files and Folders via Public Folders 156
Set Up a Homegroup 158
Share Within Your Homegroup 160
Chapter 11 Exploring the Internet
Understanding the Internet and the World Wide Web 164
Launch the Internet Explorer App 166
Launch the Desktop Internet Explorer Browser 167
Open a Web Page 168
Search the Web 169
Keep Track of Your Favorite Pages 170
Change Your Home Page 172
Chapter 12 Communicating Online
Understanding E-Mail 176
Using the Mail App 178
Add an Account to the Mail App 180
Send an E-Mail with the Mail App 182
Reply to a Message 184
Forward a Message 185
Work with File Attachments 186
Using the People App 188
Using the Messaging App 190
Explore Video Conferencing 192
Chapter 13 Working with Digital Images
View Photos with the Photos App 196
View Photos in the Pictures Library 198
View Photos with Windows Photo Viewer 200
Play a Slide Show Using Windows Photo Viewer 202
Explore Windows Live Photo Gallery 203
Import Pictures from a Camera 204
Batch-Rename Photo Files 206
Tag Photo Files 207
Auto-Adjust a Photo 208
Crop a Photo 209
Create and Publish an Online Photo Album 210
Chapter 14 Working with Audio and Video
Use the Music and Video Apps 214
Open Windows Media Player 216
Build Your Media Library 218
Listen to Music 220
Watch Video Content 222
Create and Save Playlists 224
Burn CDs and DVDs 226
Chapter 15 Managing Laptop Power
Understanding Power Management 230
Create a Power Plan 232
Adjust Screen Brightness 234
Check Battery Charge 235
Using Your Battery Efficiently 236
Control Power Button Function 238
Chapter 16 Maintaining Your Laptop
Explore the Control Panel 242
Update Your Operating System 244
Back Up Data with File History 246
Free Up Disk Space 248
Defragment Your Hard Drive 250
Chapter 17 Keeping Your Laptop Secure
Understanding Computer Security 254
Password-Protect Your Laptop 256
Set a Picture Password 258
Encrypt Your Data 262
Thwart Intruders with Windows Firewall 264