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We’re now conveniently located near the corner of Whitcomb and Westnedge behind the Burger King. We are the upper suite in the rear of the building. If you need driving directions, please don’t hesitate to call!

Geek Easy Computers
435 Whitcomb St. UL 201
Kalamazoo, MI 49001
(269)548-TECH (8324)

Posts Tagged ‘tablet’

Travel Tips For Your Devices

Our wireless devices have become such a part of our everyday lives that it’s almost unthinkable to not take them with us on our trips. With all the hustle and bustle of traveling, it’s easy to forget that our devices need to prepare for the trip just like you do.

These are some tips to help ensure that your devices come home safely with you, and your trip is not ruined by a theft or failure.

Laptops

You don’t want to be that person forgetting his computer at a coffee shop or a victim of theft. Use these tips to keep your laptop safe while on the road.

Don’t Be A Target

Don’t advertise what you are carrying. Many experts suggest removing any computer logos from the bag as it only shouts out its expensive contents. A bag that’s not identifiable as a computer bag but still is protective of your laptop is even better. Backpack style bags are good for this. 

Tag It

Make sure your bag has tags with your name and phone number (and possibly email address), but do not include your home or office addresses or the name of your employer. You want just enough information so that you can be contacted if you are separated from your bag. This is a great tip for any baggage.

Keep Your Eye On It

Don’t lose sight of your laptop. At the airport place your laptop between your other items through the airport X-ray machine (carry-on bag, laptop, then shoes, pockets, etc.) Go through the metal detector at the same time as your computer passes the scanning machine. Don’t leave your phone or tablet unattended at public charging stations. 

Don’t Leave It

Avoid leaving your devices in your hotel room as the room may not be completely secure. If you do, put the “do not disturb” sign on the door to limit access by staff.

ID It

Write down the serial and model numbers of your devices. These are usually found on the bottom of most PCs or the backs of other devices. For Macbook/Macbook Pro users check out these tips.

Coffee Shops/Internet Cafes/Etc.

VPN

If you are going to be using public Wi-Fi networks for business or purchases, you should consider investing in a Virtual Private Network (VPN) service from a reputable security company (like an antivirus manufacturer for example). These services protect your information by establishing a single, encrypted connection to the provider that all your web browsing passes through. Just be warned that all of your web use can still be tracked by the VPN provider which is why we recommend sticking to reputable security companies.

Lock It Down

A security cable lock is a fairly cheap security device that works like a bicycle lock. You loop it around a fixed object (such as the coffee shop table), connect it to the laptop and lock it with a combination or a key. There are more advanced models with a motion sensor system and alarm. When someone moves the laptop, it will trigger the alarm, alerting you.

General Tips

These tips apply to any other devices like your smartphone, camera, tablet, etc.

Get Travel Insurance

A good travel insurance policy could be a lifesaver. Get a policy that covers theft and loss of personal items. Make sure the amount of coverage will be enough to replace your devices.

Use Theft Recovery Software

Nothing on the market is 100% fool-proof, but your chances of getting a stolen laptop or smartphone back are a lot higher if you have this type of software installed on your device. Typically, this will allow you to locate the device so you can alert the local authorities to its approximate location. Some theft recovery software works even if the thief has erased all data and installed a new operating system.

Backup Your Data

The information stored on a laptop or smartphone can be more valuable to you than the device itself. Protect that data by backing it up on an external hard drive or online cloud storage REGULARLY.

Be Aware of Your Surroundings

Be watchful of people watching you, following you, or acting suspicious. When in doubt, get to a public area or walk into a store. You don’t have to be paranoid, just be aware of what’s going on around you!

Memory

Keep external hard drives, SD cards, thumb drives, etc. separate from the devices. That way if something does happen to the device, you still have your pictures or documents safe.

The Wrap Up

In the end, nothing will ever beat common sense for helping to deter theft or loss of your electronic devices & computers. But a combination of good behaviors and security technology will give you peace of mind and let you enjoy your travels more thoroughly. Geek Easy Computers is always here to answer questions or assist with making your technology easier!

WiFi vs Wired

What’s better, wireless or wired, when it comes to internet connections? Most people would instinctively say “WiFi”. Wireless does have many advantages, and in today’s connected culture it’s fairly ubiquitous. But is it truly better? Let’s find out!

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Power Adapter/Cable Care

Everyone has been through it before. You go to charge your smartphone or your tablet, or even your laptop; you plug in your power adapter, and…. nothing happens. So you unplug it and try again. Still nothing. You wiggle the connector to make sure it’s in all the way. Nope. Your device isn’t charging. ARRRGH! WHY?

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Are Smartphones & Tablets computers? Not Quite.

Smartphones and tablets have gotten more powerful and capable over the last 5 years. Many people rely on them as their primary device to access the Internet or to consume media (stream video, listen to music). But are they really ready to replace a computer? In this article we’ll clarify the differences between computers & mobile devices, and hopefully answer any questions.


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Q & A: User Questions, Tech Answers! Year End 2017

Welcome to the 2017 edition of our “User Questions, Tech Answers”. In our ongoing mission to help make your technology easier, we like to provide you with tools and knowledge to make your computer interaction more “user friendly.” This edition will showcase some of the most popular questions asked throughout 2017, and also include some new things that we haven’t covered yet.

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The Shrinking Laptop

In our previous post “The Desktop PC – Still Relevant?”, we touched on how the industry is trending more mobile, and the sizes of the devices we use are changing. Laptops are cheaper than they’ve ever been. They are thinner and lighter than ever, and they are much more powerful than they were even a few years ago. With that being said, we’d like to delve into a few minor setbacks to the cheaper, thinner, lighter laptops of today.

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Productivity for Your Tablet

The computer is still the “king of the castle” when it comes to productivity, but more and more people are turning to mobile devices out of necessity or just because it’s more convenient than pulling out the laptop. Some of our clients regularly depend on their tablets to get work done and so have asked us for application recommendations. We thought we’d pass that information on to you!

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Is My WiFi Secure?

Many households have wireless routers, and that number is rapidly growing every day. The convenience of being able to access your wireless connection anywhere in the office or home is especially hard to resist with the surge in popularity of mobile devices such as smartphones, notebooks, and tablets.

securewifi

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Tablet vs Laptop

A subject that has come up more and more is whether or not a tablet can replace a laptop. Tablet technology has advanced in leaps and bounds over the last few years, but has it reached the point of replacing the ubiquitous laptop for everyday productivity? That remains to be seen. Let’s take a look at both sides of the debate.

tabletvslaptop

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Windows 10: A Personal Look

Windows 10. It’s the topic of almost every computer related conversation these days. Mostly because it’s a FREE upgrade for most users. The general consensus it that it is better than Windows 8 & 8.1. It’s the future of Windows and the beginning of Windows as a service. I thought I’d share my view on it from a tablet user’s perspective.
windows10

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