SSD vs HDD

In our society where the technology landscape is constantly moving and shifting, people are always concerned with having the best new thing on the market.  So when people are talking about a new form of storage on your computer and replacing your hard-drive, it’s easy to be skeptical.  However, if you are interested in having a better experience using your computer, then an upgrade to an SSD (or Solid State Drive) may be for you. Computers used to rely on HDDs (Hard Disk Drives) as the main storage device, but SSDs are becoming more and more prevalent. HDD versus SSD

So what exactly are SSDs and HDDs?

A Solid State Drive is a storage device containing nonvolatile flash memory, and it is used in place of a Hard Disk Drive because of its speed. A normal SSD offers the largest jump in performance for a regular PC. Most people are familiar with a standard USB drive, so think of the SSD as a larger USB. An HDD, is the mechanism that controls the positioning, reading, and writing of the hard disk.  So while an SSD is like a large USB, an HDD is more like a larger floppy disk.

That comparison might be a little harsh, but still. An SSD can perform all of the functions as an HDD, but SSDs store their memory on flash chips that retain data even if there is no power on. As mentioned before, the SSD is nonvolatile, which means that the disk can be turned off and it won’t forget what was stored on it. By storing data in microchips, this prevents the SSD from requiring moving parts, which makes it more reliable. An HDD does have several moving parts, which causes it to be slower and also gives it a higher failure rate because moving parts are susceptible to wear and tear over time.

Solid State DriveThe main advantage of an SSD is the speed, because the flash memory chips used in SSD are much faster at reading data. When an HDD is crowded with data, sometimes it becomes fragmented across multiple sections. This will cause the HDD to take longer to read the data. Unlike the HDD, the SSD is able to read files simultaneously across multiple sections, which prevents fragmentation. If you are looking to improve the speed of your system, once again we can consider this a win for SSD.

The one advantage HDD does have is that it is cheaper and is still able to store lots of data. However, unless you need to store a large amount of data (and you’ll probably know who you are, if that is the case) a standard 240 GB is probably enough. Also, people may argue that the SSD is significantly more expensive. This is the case if someone wants a huge SSD, because an HDD with 1 TB of data will probably remain notably cheaper than an SSD of that size. However, the price of the standard SSD has declined in recent years, making the price difference not a major issue anymore for the average consumer who likely only needs between 120 and 480GB of storage. With an SSD, you are sacrificing a few bucks for a much more efficient and reliable system.

Comparing the two side by side, the HDD requires much more power and time to operate as opposed to the SSD. The failure rate is higher, and the price of the SSD is continuing to decline, making the price difference a non-factor compared to the past.  Given all these factors, we can see how the SSD is a clear improvement over the HDD. When it comes to finding a new computer that is “better, faster, stronger”, the Solid State Drive will turn your old computer into the new one you have been looking for.

3 biggest problems with laptops and computers

The use of electronic devices for everyday tasks, school, work, and entertainment is so ingrained in our society that it’s hard to imagine life without them. We may know that humans survived without computers and laptops for thousands of years, but in today’s world, they have become more of a necessity.

3 biggest problems with laptops and computers from LaptopMD

Due to how important laptops and computers are in our world, it’s frustrating and stressful when they break, especially if you have an upcoming deadline to meet. At LaptopMD, we have observed and analyzed what are the three most common reasons for their breakage, so that our customers can decrease the chance their computers break down again:

Overheating
One of the most common causes of damage to computers is overheating. Most people don’t realize their devices are overheating because there are no noticeable signs of a problem.

3 biggest problems with laptops and computers from LaptopMD

They only become aware of the problem when their laptop either shuts down during use or stops powering on. An inexpensive and easy way to prevent overheating is to use a laptop cooling pad.

Hard Disk Breakdown
Another common reason computers stop working is hard disk breakdown. Because there is high demand for hard drives with more space, manufacturers have sacrificed quality for the sake of quantity. This means that hard disks cause problems more often than they did in the past.

3 biggest problems with laptops and computers from LaptopMD

When buying a new laptop, consider how much disk space you really need and whether or not the device’s hard drive is of high quality.

Power Unit Problems
The third biggest problem with laptops and computers is power unit problems. A computer’s power unit is responsible for converting main AC to low voltage DC power. Without this function, computers wouldn’t be able to use the power.

3 biggest problems with laptops and computers from LaptopMD

Sudden changes in voltage can cause damage to the computer. Overheating and dropping the computer can also cause damage to the power unit.

And the last
Now that you know the three biggest problems with laptops and computers, it’s unlikely you will ever experience them because you’ll know which prevention methods to implement.

3 biggest problems with laptops and computers from LaptopMD

At LaptopMD, we hope that your device will last forever without giving you problems. However, if anything ever happens to it, we’re here to help you.

“Pokemania”

Not even Niantic or Nintendo could have anticipated the worldwide phenomenon that is Pokemon: GO! In fact, it’s the most downloaded free app from the Apple store in its history! Also, Pokemon: GO has been a very effective way of getting kids and adults to go outside and be active!

We here at LaptopMD have been caught up in “Pokemania” as well!

Be careful!!

Recently, we at LaptopMD have gotten so many iPhones with broken screens. When we asked our customers why, they answered that while playing Pokemon:GO, they accidentally drop their phones and the screens break!

While we do advise to take care of your phones, we understand that accidents happen. In order to prevent from damaging your phone be more cautious and have a fun.

One more Pokemon`s issue
Because so many customers constantly play Pokemon:GO, we have received so many questions online and in the office on how to prolong battery life. If you’re having problems figuring out how to run Pokemon:GO without tapping out your battery (and data), we can help you optimize your phone so you can get all the fun of the app without the hassle.

I`ve caught you
Pokemon:GO is also bringing communities to life! Last week, a customer rushed into our office with sparkling eyes and said, “I`ve caught you!” He told us he had just gotten one of the rarest Pokemon in the app!

We get absolute joy at seeing the phenomenal positive influence on our community and its businesses! It definitely makes our day brighter knowing that we share this passion with our customers.

Take care of yourself
We know the game is wonderful and it will only get more popular in the years to come. While the game is amazing, please don’t forget about your well-being and others!

We understand that a person can get hooked on a great game such as this, but do remember to take care of yourself and be responsible! If you are fascinated by this game as we are, you can come to our office, take a seat, drink some cold water, and if you’re lucky, try to catch some of the rarest Pokemon, too!

12 Ways To Increase Your IPhone Battery Life. Part #1

We’ve all been here…you leave the house in a hurry with your phone in hand, but you forget to grab your charger. As the day goes on, you watch your battery draining and know that the battery will die before you get home to charge it.

No one wants to be left with a dead phone. iPhones are amazing devices, but so often the battery doesn’t last as long as you would like it to. There are many ways you can extend the life of your iPhone’s battery by simply changing a few settings.

1. Use Low Power Mode:
One of the best parts of iOS 9 is your ability to change your phone to Low Power Mode to extend your battery life. Your iPhone will automatically prompt you to engage the Low Power Mode once your battery dips down to 20%.

Simply click the button that will send you into Low Power Mode. You will most likely not notice any difference in the way your phone is functioning in this mode.

2. Don’t Share
Your Every Move: It can be nice to keep in touch with friends and family and let them know where you are. iOS 9 has a feature that allows you to share your location with your friends and family in Messages. While it is nice for people to know where you are, is it really important that they see your every move?
This little feature can aid in draining your battery. One way to extend your battery life is to shut off this feature.

3. Kill Hungry Apps:
You may not realize it, but some apps are more hungry than others and eat away at your battery life all day long. In desperation, you may often go into your phone and try to close all of the apps, trying to save your battery life. However, now you have another option. If you go into Settings and click on Battery Life, you can see which apps are most proficient at draining your battery.
Close the apps with the highest percentage of battery drain in the last 24 hours. Social media apps are often the worst culprits, but after a few times of checking this feature, you’ll get to know which ones should be closed and which can remain open.

4. Stop Apps Refreshing in the Background.
Whenever you are on WI-FI or even on your mobile network (which is pretty much all the time), your phone is working overtime trying to make sure that all of your apps are refreshed for you. You can extend your battery life by turning this feature off completely, or you can turn it off app by app by going to Settings, General, and then Background App Refresh.
Your apps will then refresh only when you open them, and your battery will not have to work overtime when you aren’t using the apps anyway.

5. Don’t Close Every App:
This sounds counter-intuitive, as we have been taught that if the battery life is draining that we must close each and every app. Believe it or not, the new operating system is designed to efficiently handle apps running in the background.
Closing the app and then reopening a sleeping app over and over again wastes more battery life than simply having the app open in the background. So if you have a few apps that you continually use, it is okay to leave them running in the background.

6. Use WI-FI Wherever Possible:
You may have been told to turn off your WI-FI to save battery life, but the opposite is actually true.
Using mobile data uses far more of your battery life than using WI-FI, so whenever possible, have your WI-FI setting on and connect to the local WI-FI.
To be continued…..

Temperature is rising, but our price is falling

Can anyone even tell that Spring has actually sprung? With the chilly weather outside, it still feels like Winter. However, our prices for iPhone screen replacement are melting with the snow!

These prices are now cheaper than ever, so you’ll want to rush in from the cold to take advantage.

Wonderful deal!
Our screen replacement deals are:
  • iPhone 5/5C/5S – $79.00
  • iPhone 6 – $95.00
  • iPhone 6 Plus – $130.00
  • iPhone 6S – $165.00
  • iPhone 6S Plus – $225.00
We can have the screen replaced for you quickly in just 15 minutes. A new screen also comes with a Limited Life Time Warranty. What a deal! Where else can you find prices like this with all of these bonuses?
These prices are the same at each of our locations, including Manhattan; Pomton Plains, NJ; and Morristown, NJ.
We always take care of you!

We value our customers, so throughout our fifteen years of experience, we have constantly evaluated and improved our service. And we continue to do so today. We truly appreciate the trust and loyalty that our clients place in us. We will do everything in our power to help you and make sure you’re satisfied. No one is more important to our business than you.
Don’t forget that if you have any issues with your device, we are conveniently close! So, if you want to add some spring to your step and take advantage of our melting prices that are now cheaper than ever, just swing by today.

5 Signs Your Computer Got a Virus

Many viruses inflict the most harm before people even notice them. It’s vital to learn the signs of infection so you can take immediate action.  We want to warn you about 5 common signs of infection:

#1 Annoying pop-up advertisement
If pop-up advertisements appear when you aren’t browsing the Web, a virus is probably creating them. Some malware distributors seek to generate revenue by delivering third-party ads to computers without user permission.

Others try to sell products or services that supposedly remove the virus. Never respond to these advertisements; most Internet criminals won’t fully remove their malware if you pay them. They will try to extract more money out of you in the future. You could also end up with fake anti-virus software on your computer.

#2 Locked access
A message may inform you that police or other authorities have locked access to your PC. It might accuse you of viewing illegal content, breaking copyright laws or committing other crimes. Even if it seems authentic, don’t believe these statements. Government agencies don’t actually lock citizens’ computers and demand fine payments when they detect illegal activity.

The truth is that criminals use deceptive “ransomware” to demand cash from people who want to regain access to their files or applications. Find a way to remove the malware rather than rewarding such behavior.

#3 Subtle symptoms
Some viruses have fairly subtle symptoms. They might cause a PC to run somewhat slower by placing more demand on its Internet connection or processor. You may not even notice this if you have a fast computer with plenty of bandwidth. Nonetheless, the malware could be stealing your account numbers, passwords and confidential documents.

It may use your machine as a repository for pornographic images or instruct it to take part in scheduled attacks on other computers. A virus with few or no symptoms can still be quite harmful.

#4 An error message
Your computer could be infected if anti-virus or program management utilities become impossible to access. For instance, you might see an error message when you try to run a spyware scanner or activate firewall software.

Some malware also stops users from reaching theTask Manager in Windows. You may find that your computer does nothing when you press the control, alt and delete keys at the same time. This makes it more difficult to detect or interrupt an illicit program’s malicious activities.

#5 Strange emails
When acquaintances receive email messages that you never sent, a virus could be responsible. You might discover this when people reply to them or you receive notifications about “bounced” email. Be sure to check your outbox for unauthorized messages.

Malware can also commandeer social media accounts and use them to transmit viruses or post fraudulent ads. If a virus doesn’t directly infiltrate accounts, it may provide hackers with your login details and enable them to send messages without permission.

React fast
When you suspect that your computer contains malware, it’s important to take action quickly. Viruses intercept more private information and infect additional files when they remain in place for long periods of time.

For example, a malicious program could be recording every keystroke and sending the data to hackers. If you notice the signs of a virus or accidentally download a suspicious file, please visit the professionals.