Computer Hardware Blog

The Essential Guide to Computer Hardware (Paperback)

by Jim Keogh & James Keogh

From the Back Cover

The easy, 100% non-technical introduction to computers and networks!

Don’t understand computers? Or Palms, or wireless phones, or digital cameras, or all those other new technologies? You’re not alone! Here’s your solution: Jim Keogh’s easy, math-free, up-to-the-minute introduction to computers and communications. Jim Keogh starts with the elementary school science you need to understand how computers and networks work. From there, you’ll follow a clear, easy path to understanding all of today’s most important new computer and network technologies—and tomorrow’s!

• How we got here: a brief, easy history of computer hardware
• A tour of the inside of your PC
• Computer hardware components: processors, memory, storage, and more
• Printers: how they work, and which one’s right for you
• Connecting to modems and the Internet
• Input: from mice and keyboards to graphics tablets and speech recognition
• All you need to know about audio: sound cards, speakers, headphones, and more
• Capturing images: digital cameras, Webcams, digital video, and scanners
• Wireless: cell phones, messaging, PDAs, and notebook PC solutions
• The computer and Internet business: movers and shakers
• What’s on the horizon: tomorrow’s technologies, tomorrow’s players

Whether you need to use technology, buy technology, manage technology, or simply understand technology, The Essential Guide to Computer Hardware is your perfect quick-start briefing!

About the Author

JAMES KEOGH was among the first to introduce PC programming nationally, in his Programmer’s Notebook column in Popular Electronics magazine, starting in 1982—only a few years after the Apple II was created in a garage. His Prentice Hall PTR books include Windows Programmer’s Notebook and C++ Programmer’s Notebook, Second Edition. Keogh chaired the e-Commerce track at Columbia University and is on the graduate school faculty at Saint Peter’s College in Jersey City, NJ, where he teaches in the MIS/MBA program.

Toshiba Satellite A215-S5802 15.4″ Laptop

Technical Details

# Bright 15.4-inch LCD stylishly accented with an onyx blue metallic LCD cover
#1.9 GHz AMD Athlon 64 X2 TK-57 dual-core processor, 120 GB hard drive, 1 GB RAM (4 GB max), dual-layer DVD drive
# 54g Realtek Wi-Fi (802.11b/g); 10/100 Ethernet; ATI Radeon XPress 1200 graphics (up to 319 MB of available memory)
# Connectivity: 4 USB, 1 FireWire, 1 VGA, 1 S-Video, 1 ExpressCard 34/54, 5-in-1 memory card reader
# Pre-installed with Windows Vista Home Premium (with Media Center capabilities)

Product Description

The Satellite A215 notebook delivers cutting-edge technology that’s built to match your lifestyle mobile and multitasking. Systems feature the latest AMD Athlon 64 X2 dual-core mobile technology and large memory for optimal performance. A 15.4″ diagonal WXGA TruBrite display shows off media from a DVD SuperMulti drive that reads and writes up to 11 formats. High-speed wireless LAN 802.11b/g lets you work cable free. Connect to your home, office, and in wireless LAN hotspots at airports, hotels and coffee shops. The spacious 120GB hard drive provides ample storage and faster speeds to make quick work of multimedia files. Packed and priced to go, it’s great for students and everyday use. 15.4 diagonal WXGA (1280 x 800) TruBrite TFT LCD display ATI Radeon X1200 with up to 319MB shared graphics memory DVD+-R/RW Super Multi Drive with Double Layer Realtek 802.11B/G Wireless 10/100 Ethernet 5-in-1 Bridge Media Adapter - MMC, SD, MS, MS Pro, xD 1 ExpressCard Slot (34/54 Slot) 4 USB 2.0, 1 Headphone out; 1 Microphone-in, 1 VGA, 1 TV-Out (S-Video), 1 IEEE-1394, 1 RJ-11, 1 RJ-45 Approximate Unit Dimensions - 14.3 (W) x 10.6 (D) x 1.55 (H) Approximate Unit Weight - 5.78lbs