Posts for June 2012

Mid-range business laptops reviewed

We’ve just published a bunch of laptop reviews on the IT Donut. But we’ve taken a slightly different approach to your average review site. Instead of getting our hands on each laptop ourselves, we’ve combed the web for trusted reviews, then distilled the information into a need-to-know review specifically aimed at smaller companies.

All the laptops we’ve looked at are capable enough to be your main computer, and small and light enough to carry with you regularly. Prices vary, but you’re looking at a minimum of about £500 for a usable specification. We’ve recommended which model to go for in each individual review.

So, if you’re in the market for a new laptop, here are the five we’ve looked at, and the sort of situations they’re good for:

Are you in the market for a new business laptop? What are the most important things on your shopping list?

• What to look for in a business computer
• 2012 ultrabooks: lightening the load in your bag?
• Protect your data with laptop encryption 

Will you have to upgrade to Windows 8?

If you decide to use it, this is what Windows 8 will look like.

Windows 8. It’s the forthcoming new version of Microsoft’s overwhelmingly dominant operating system. Due for release in the autumn, it looks designed to bridge the differences between tablet and desktop computers. So, will it retain the features you’re used to, and what will it do for businesses?

If your business still uses Windows XP, Microsoft’s decade-old operating system (and still one of the best it’s ever created), you’ll need to pay special attention to Windows 8. That’s because Microsoft will stop offering security updates for Windows XP in April 2014, pretty much forcing you to upgrade to either Windows 7 or 8.

On the one hand, Windows 7 (the current version) is tried and tested. But Windows 8 is likely to last longer overall – and will offer new features that could benefit your business.

For starters, Windows 8 is aiming to be all things to all users. It aims to bridge the current gap between tablet and desktop computers. As an operating system, you’ll be able to run Windows 8 on a desktop computer, a laptop, a netbook, or a tablet.

Since it combines both a desktop and tablet functions, the question is whether they will all integrate and work together seamlessly. I’ve taken a look at a preview version of Windows 8, and these are the biggest changes I’ve seen so far:

• No more ‘Start’ button. Instead, you’ll be relying on the Windows Metro screen (pictured) which contains ‘tiles’ you can swipe and tap to launch applications.
• Your desktop isn’t so central. Instead of being at the heart of Windows, the desktop will be just another app that you can run from the Windows Metro screen.
• It’ll start faster. Finally, Windows 8 should put an end to those long, frustrating waits to get up and running at the start of the day.
• You’ll have some learning to do. The interface of Windows 8 is going to be substantially different to what’s gone before. Expect a steep learning curve.
• It’ll be good for touchscreens. The new interface is designed for touchscreens, so it should be easy to use by swiping, tapping, pinching and zooming the screen.
• It could be distracting. The home screen can contain newsfeeds, tweets, Facebook updates … all the things that you want to close down when you’re trying to focus.

However, one thing you can rely on is that you’ll still be able to use your favourite productivity tools like in-house software, spreadsheets, accounting software, word processors and graphics software. They should all run faster in Windows 8, too.

• Useful Windows keyboard shortcuts
• Mac or PC for business?
• Are tablet computers right for business?

Kelly Smith has worked in the IT support industry in Kent for several years and has seen the constantly changing face of technology first hand and its effects on business. She currently works for Barton Technology.

Coming soon: dodgy domains and useless URLs

Good grief. The world of domain names looks like it’s about to become much more confusing.

You might remember that about a year ago, ICANN (the organisation that manages domain names around the world) decided that we needed some new domain name extensions to go along with .com, .co.uk and the like. It wanted to pave the way for domain names ending in things like .microsoft, .google, .web or .anythingatall.

Sounds confusing? That’s because it is. There’s already a bewildering array of domain names available out there, from .co and .biz to .info and .xxx. You rarely see companies using them because most businesses realise that a .com or .co.uk is their best bet.

Sure, it’s irritating that professional domain name traders have bought up lots of the best addresses. In fact, you could argue that’s played a part in creating false demand for new domain extensions.

But no matter. It’s happening. New domain extensions are coming soon. There have been over 1,900 applications for the things, mainly driven by big businesses who see a branding opportunity (.amazon, anyone?) and investors who see an opportunity to profit.

The full list of possible new extensions was released recently. Here are a few that caught my eye:

• .bbc. Our world-renowned British Broadcasting Corporation has applied for this one. After all, bbc.co.uk is such a tricky address to recall and type in a hurry.
• .porn, .sex, .sexy and .adult. Oh come on, it is the internet – you must have been expecting some adult-themed domains. But wasn’t .xxx supposed to be the definitive adult domain name?
• .cymru, .wales and .scot. If you run a business in Wales or Scotland, would one of these domains interest you? There are no domains proposed for England or Northern Ireland, as far as I can see.
• .rip and .vip. Two interesting target markets: dead people and people who think they’re more important than the rest of us. I can’t see us bothering with itdonut.rip, if I’m honest.
• .app. As mobile apps have become the thing in the last couple of years, is it any surprise that 13 different bidders are vying to run this domain extension? (Perhaps surprisingly, Apple doesn’t appear to be one of them.)
• .bentley, .boots, .guardian, .sky and .nextdirect. These are just some of the big UK brands which have decided they want to take a punt on their own domain extension. But is .nextdirect really any better than next.co.uk?

If you can be bothered then you too can review the whole list of proposed domains. Make sure you look out for my personal favourite: .transformers, which Hasbro has proposed. In fact, that’s maybe the only worthwhile one of the lot.

Shopping around for a new domain name?

Or looking for a web hosting company? You can buy domains and web hosting from: 123-reg; Daily Hosting; NamesCo; Easily; 1and1; JustHost; Heart Internet; Strato Hosting; eUK Host; UK2.net.

More content on domain names:

• The domain name game
• Domain names more expensive than a year ago
• Do we need any more domain names?

Friday Donut tip: four easy ways to stay focused while you work

Do you use your time wisely? (Image: comedy_nose on Flickr)

This Friday's IT tip isn't a great shortcut or an essential way to stay secure. It consists of four simple ways to deal with all those distracting time-sinks that your computer makes so readily available. 

With new emails arriving frequently, tweets piling up, Facebook updates, instant messages and more, it can be hard to stay focused on the task at hand. You might kid yourself that by constantly jumping between different windows you're multitasking, but actually you're probably just being inefficient. Here are four strategies to help you cope:

• Go full-screen. Many bits of software - including Microsoft Word and most web browsers - have a full-screen mode, which hides everything else on your computer. If you find yourself constantly refreshing your Twitter feed, going full-screen helps you to stay with the job at hand.
• Record how your spend your time. The excellent RescueTime is a service that monitors exactly how you spend time on your computer. It'll show you how much time you waste on Twitter, or spend looking at distracting websites. And how much you spend on real work. Its results can really shame you into action!
• Keep a clean desktop. As I type this, my computer's desktop is a mess of windows. I have ten web browser tabs open in two windows, several documents in the background and some other bits and pieces. Each is a potential distraction. So don't do what I do: get into the habit of closing everything you don't need.
• Turn off new email notifications. If you're using Microsoft Outlook, its default setting is to pop up a little message every single time you get a new email. It's easy enough to switch these off, or you can just close Outlook altogether when you need to concentrate on something.

Does your productivity fall as you open more windows on your computer? How do you avoid distractions and stay focused on what's really important? Leave a comment and let us know.

Previous Friday Donut tips:

• Securing LinkedIn passwords
• Selectively delete cookies
• Three initialisms in a nutshell

Two alternative ways to do tablet computing

It’s interesting to see how tablet computer manufacturers have lined up behind the indisputable industry leader, Apple. In some ways it feels like the iPad doesn’t have many head-on competitors.

Some tablet makers have tried to be a bit canny. Knowing Apple products aren’t cheap, they’ve aimed towards the budget end of the market – offering a tablet experience without the iPad’s price. Others have changed or added features – for instance, by making the display much smaller, including a detachable keyboard or adding an extra screen.

We’ve tested two tablets recently. The first is the Archos 101 G9. Available for a little over £200, this is a 10” tablet for the cost-conscious that fits squarely into the first category. The second we tried is the Fujitsu Stylistic Q550. At around £700 it ain’t cheap, but it’s one of the few tablets you’ll find running the full version of Windows 7.

Archos 101 G9: cheap but capable

The Archos 101 G9 is no iPad in looks or build quality. It’s made of fairly flimsy plastic and feels cheap. But when you’re paying half the price of an iPad, you have to tolerate the odd compromise. And although it might be plasticky, the Archos case has some nice touches.

The screen is responsive to touches and swipes, there’s a built in slot to add an optional 3G data card (to get online via a mobile phone network), and the convenient fold-out stand props the tablet up at the right angle to read or watch. It sounds like a small thing but it makes a real difference to this tablet’s usefulness.

Sure, the charging cable is far too short (would it have killed them to make it just a bit longer?), but the battery lasts well and the screen is fairly crisp, if lacking in contrast. Maybe most importantly, this tablet has reasonable power. With a proper dual-core processor, it runs the latest version of Google’s Android operating system, allowing you to access loads of different apps and they’ll run at a decent speed.

We did run into some quirks with the standard web browser. Tapping links didn’t always seem to register first time and there were a few stutters and judders that might put you off if you’re used to a smooth iPad.

In all, this is a capable tablet for the money. Although its features are geared more towards home than business users (Archos bill it as an ‘amazing multimedia’ machine for photos, videos and music), there’s no reason you can't use it for email, documents and more.

Fujitsu Stylistic Q550

Not to be confused with this Philadelphia soul group, and quite in contrast to the Archos, the Stylistic Q550 feels really solid. Fujitsu is clear that this tablet is for business users and has included a full-blown version of Windows 7, enabling you to run the exact same software as on any other Windows PC. That means no cut-down apps and no nightmares trying to view websites in an awkward mobile browser.

It also means the Fujitsu should easily integrate into your existing network without compromising security or compatibility. Further boosting its security credentials is built-in encryption and a fingerprint reader, although we’ve yet to come across anyone who actually uses the latter.

Other notable features include excellent connectivity (there’s USB, HDMI for an external display, an SD memory card slot and more), front and back cameras and a stylus, which is basically a pen you can ‘write’ on the bright, crisp screen with. This is attached to the tablet by a cord, but frustratingly there’s nowhere to tuck it when you’re not using it. It also requires an oddly-sized AAAA battery (no, that’s not a typo).

The stylus adds an interesting dimension. It’s fantastically helpful if you’re doing jobs that require pinpoint accuracy, like editing photos. But in other circumstances it doesn’t offer many advantages over your fingers. We can see how it’ll serve a niche market well. But for most people, the stylus will be superfluous.

More useful is wireless USB. Not yet available on many tablets, it lets you connect to compatible devices wirelessly. It’s ideal for giving presentations without having to plug anything in.

This tablet takes a while to start up but once it’s going performance is reasonable, especially as you’re running demanding Windows software. Strangely, there’s no sensor to rotate the display, so Fujitsu has included a button to do this manually. There’s also a button for classic Windows key combination ‘CTRL-ALT-DEL’, which hardly inspires confidence in the operating system’s stability.

Value for money trumps unnecessary features

It’s true these two tablets aren’t direct competitors, but while we warmed to the Archos for its excellent value for money, we found the Fujitsu harder to like. If you’re looking for a really portable Windows computer, you could add a dock, keyboard and display and it might do nicely. But as a tablet, it’s flawed: unless you really need the stylus or strong security tools, you’d be better off with an iPad.

More content on tablets:

• Are tablet computers right for business?
• Now is when the tablet comes of age for business
• A cheap tablet computer for business?

Can you trust your IT supplier?

If you were to list all your company’s suppliers in order of importance to the success of your business, there’s a good chance your IT supplier would be near the top. With IT playing a part in virtually every aspect of most companies, you need an IT supplier you know will be there when you need them. So, how do you find that key business partner?

In my opinion, IT services are purchased on the basis of trust. Sure, there are lots of other factors involved, but for smaller businesses the relationship is often between an IT professional and the company’s owner-manager. Establishing trust in that relationship is crucial.

I have held this view for a while and it often crops up when I am speaking to owner-managers about IT security, staff access or other sensitive matters. I’m often involved in conversations where the owner-manager is keen to ensure that staff can’t access ‘x’ or are limited in their viewing of ‘y’.

The only way a business owner will feel reassured in that sort of conversation is if they trust me as their IT supplier.

Your IT supplier can access everything

But the one thing that’s never discussed is that we have access to absolutely everything. Not just a company’s server, but all its data, all its email (past and present), every single document and probably a lot of the company’s financial data too.

Like all responsible IT suppliers, we take this very seriously. And like every responsible IT supplier, we have processes in place to ensure that access to clients’ data is strictly monitored.

Trusting advice from your IT supplier

Trust is also a factor in the advice you get from an IT professional. It’s not unusual for businesses to come to use with a very general description of a problem:

 “We can’t put our finger on anything specific, but we just get the feeling that something is not quite right...“

That’s a very broad statement and really difficult to isolate in terms of IT needs. But what that client often means is that they feel they’ve lost trust with their current IT provider. And once you’ve lost it, it’s almost impossible to get back.

In summary, ask some important questions of your IT provider to establish trust right at the start of your relationship. How long have they traded? Can they provide references? Can you talk to one of their existing clients?

Because for your business to have reliable IT systems that you can place trust in, you also need to place trust in your IT supplier – from day one.

• What to ask when choosing an IT support company
• Find an IT supplier for your business
• Get the right IT supplier contract

Craig Sharp is MD of Abussi.