NOTEBOOK PC PC : DISCUSSION

Transforming A Notebook With A Docking Station
Posted in Notebook PC | August 10, 2009 1pm

In my last post here on the WePC site, I talked about notebook docking stations and some of the potential new features they could offer in the future. Instead of simply being "dumb" port replicators, I had mentioned that notebook docking stations could incorporate things like NAS (network attached storage) functionality or wireless HDMI, or enable more powerful hybrid graphics solutions. But the possibility also exists for the docking station to almost completely transform the capabilities and performance of a notebook, if it's creatively designed.
The ultimate performance of today's notebooks is limited by form factor and power constraints. There's really no technical reason why a notebook couldn't be every bit as powerful and fast as a full-sized, fully-loaded desktop PC, but it would have to be thick, heavy, and loud, and it would offer minimal battery life. When you think about it, a docking station eliminates--or at least drastically minimizes--these constraints, well all of them except for battery life that is.
A docking station gives notebook manufacturers much more real estate to work with and could remove any form factor, cooling, and power restraints. For example, if a notebook's cooling system was designed in such a way that it could be augmented by additional hardware in a docking station, higher clock speeds for the notebook's CPU, GPU, and memory could be attained, while also lowering operating temperatures.  That means, when docked, the notebook could offer vastly increased performance and because it could also potentially run cooler, its ultimate longevity could be increased as well.

Taking things a step further, enthusiast-targeted docking stations could even incorporate liquid-cooling, for vastly improved heat dissipation characteristics. Couple these features with some of those mentioned in my previous post, and the possibility exists for a thin-and-light notebook to be transformed into a monster gaming rig when attached to a docking station outfitted with a more powerful graphics chip and enhanced cooling that gives the notebook the ability to run at higher frequencies, without fear of instability.
With the right design and combination of features, a notebook and docking station combo could allow road warriors, gamers, and power users to have their virtual cake and eat it too. Don't you agree?  If so, we'd love to hear from you.  And if not, your opinions on why not would be welcome--join the conversation and less us know what you'd like to see from the notebook docking station of the future...

NOTEBOOK PC PC : DISCUSSION

It's Not Just A Docking Station Anymore
Posted in Notebook PC | July 26, 2009 5pm

The vast majority of notebook docking stations have traditionally been nothing more than port replicators or breakout docks that give users the ability to quickly connect their portable computers to desktop-bound accessories, like keyboards, mice, and monitors. Sure, there have been some hybrid docking stations that have allowed for increased expansion options on some notebooks, but they are the exceptions, not the norm.
I think it's time for that to change. Notebook sales have been outpacing desktops for quite some time now, but that doesn't mean all of those notebook buyers have chosen a portable machine over a desktop. Some of them, perhaps most of them, bought a notebook as a compliment to a desktop PC. Regardless of the convenience of a notebook, for some there's just no substituting for a large screen, quality input devices, and the performance of a desktop PC. With that in mind, I think it's time to take the notebook docking station concept up a notch to better appease these users, and equip the devices with capabilities that can morph the notebook into something much more powerful, while also offering additional functionality to other PC users in the home (or office).
A number of current notebooks offer hybrid graphics subsystems that give users the ability to switch between low-power integrated graphics and higher-performing discreet solutions.  The technology already exists to allow for switchable graphics, so why not integrate the higher-performing discreet graphics into a docking station--which will be connected to a larger screen--to allow for higher performance when connected? That way, when users are on the go, the notebook can benefit from the low-power IGP, but when home, users can enjoy the benefits of discreet graphics, for things like high-resolution gaming and video encoding. A design like this could also allow OEMs to produce a single notebook model that appeals to a broader range of consumers--users who don't need the discreet graphics or dock don't need to buy them. But users that want it all can opt for the whole enchilada and enjoy the benefits of a thinner and lighter notebook and a desktop replacement machine.
Due to the fact that docking stations usually stay in one place, the opportunity is also there to integrated other functionality, not historically associated with a dock.  For example, why not integrate a hard drive and NAS functionality so that other users in the home or office can access and store files on the dock? There's no reason the docking station should offer benefits to just a single notebook alone. Integrating NAS functionality would allow an easy means to all users to share files without having to connect another device to the network. It could also be used to download files without the notebook being connected, or even host files so the mobile users could access them on the road.
There are a number of other interesting ideas that could also work as part of a notebook docking station, like wireless HDMI, for example. But that enough from me.  What do you all think?  What other features and functionality would you like to see integrated into a docking station? Now's the time to tell--Asus and Intel are listening.

NOTEBOOK PC PC : DISCUSSION

Computers: You Just Never Stop Learning About 'Em
Posted in Notebook PC | June 21, 2009 10pm

Although I still like to think I'm young -- think early 30's -- on occasion, I've been known to boast about the fact that I've been "into" computers for over 26 years already. When I first saw a Commodore 64 in action at a family friend's house back in the early '80s, I just had to have one. Some extra chores, a few good grades, and a birthday later, and Mom and Dad put one on my desk. I've been hooked ever since.
Through school, various jobs, and my own ambitions, I've been exposed to virtually every type of desktop and mobile computer system, ranging from the Commodore PET and Apple II, to the Amiga and Atari ST, and of course today's PCs and Macs.  If it's got a processor and memory, to me, it's worth checking out.
One thing I've learned from working with all of these different types of systems over the years is that regardless of how much time you dedicate to mastering their intricacies, there's always more to learn.  I'll give you two recent examples.
I've been helping a friend repair and refurbish a couple of systems in my spare time. One of them is an old Pentium III powered Dell Optiplex GX1 and the other is a relatively new, small form factor Core 2-based Optiplex 755.  My buddy had purchased a couple of 256MB SDRAM DIMMs for the GX1 to expand its memory up to 768MB--the maximum supported by the machine. But when he installed the new sticks of RAM, the system continued to recognize only 256MB total. He was stumped, so I took a look at the machine, updated its BIOS, cleared the CMOS, and juggled the sticks around in their slots trying to get things working properly, but to no avail.  At that point it was time to do a bit of research, and a few minutes later I learned that his particular GX1 required ECC RAM. The sticks my friend had purchased were the more common non-ECC type. "Time to score a couple more sticks of RAM", I told him.

Ahh...the lovely, calming hue of a BSOD
The Optiplex 755's problem was a little more annoying. I was re-installing Windows XP from scratch on the system, only to be greeted by a BSOD during the early part of the OS installation. I followed some standard troubleshooting procedures, checking cables, RAM, etc., I used a different install disc, tried an original XP CD that didn't have any service packs slipstreamed, and everything failed. The BSOD had a stop error code that was no help, but it did mention the error could have been caused by a problem hard drive or hard drive controller, so into the BIOS I went to alter a few settings. I found that AHCI was enabled by default in the 755's BIOS, so I disabled it, tried the OS installation again, and viola, all was well from that point forward. Whodathunkit?
Problems like these are a dime a dozen, but just prove the point that there's always something new to learn when working with the PC. Some might consider this a negative trait of PC technology, but for a geek like me it's all good. I love getting my hands dirty and digging into an annoying problem. The odds are slim that I'll be working on similar Optiplex systems anytime soon, but if I do, at least I'll have learned a couple of things about them that could help in a bind.
How about you? Any interesting troubleshooting or upgrade stories to share? If so, I'd love to hear about them.  Leave a comment and let everyone know what you had to learn to get your PC up and running. Heck, if you're having a problem right now, maybe I / we will be able to help.

NOTEBOOK PC PC : DISCUSSION

Woz: Once A Genius, Always A Genius
Posted in Notebook PC | June 15, 2009 11pm

I have been intrigued by all things electronic since a very young age. Even before I started grade school, I can remember taking apart my brothers' AFX cars to see how they worked, and modding the electrical contacts on the underside of the cars, in the trigger throttles, and on the track to make the cars go faster. I would pull apart transistor radios, walkie-talkies, old calculators, you name it. I found it interesting and fun, and still do today, although now I'm ripping apart notebooks, netbooks, graphics cards and the like.
Few things got put back together properly back then, but over time I got more adept at understanding the inner-workings of many electronic devices. Soon I was able to not only reassemble things correctly, but to repair and modify them as well. Through trial and error I taught myself to solder, to use a multimeter, and to identify and replace marginal components in many different devices. In high school I got a bit of "formal" training by taking a semi-advanced electronics class, and even got a part-time job at Radio Shack, but by that point I already had the basics down pat.
It turns out I have a lot in common with one of my idols, Steve "Woz" Wozniak, co-founder of Apple. I'm finally getting around to reading Steve's autobiography iWoz: Computer Geek to Cult Icon: How I Invented the Personal Computer, Co-Founded Apple, and Had Fun Doing It and can closely relate to many of the stories he tells in the book. He too had an ingrained curiosity of electronics and taught himself many of the same things I did when he was young. Of course, while I was making simple solder connections Woz was designing advanced logic circuits and TV Jammers, but I can still totally relate to the sense of accomplishment Woz writes about after completing a particularly difficult project.

Woz's Signature On A Limited Edition Apple II GS: The System Still Works To This Day
Reading through the stories of how Woz's father taught him many of the basic principles of electronics and physics, and then reading of the numerous science awards he had won and the relatively complex devices Woz had made prior to even entering eighth grade was downright amazing to me. By the time Woz was finishing high school and entering college he had already re-designed many of the prominent mini-computers of his day using far fewer chips and components than the original engineers could. And he did it all for fun. The man is simply a genius in every sense of the word. I already knew that, but reading his book further cemented my opinion of the man.
Woz eventually went on to singlehandedly design the first truly usable personal computer--the Apple I--and used his skills to further refine the design numerous times. His skills, along with Steve Jobs' personality and salesmanship, were--and perhaps still are--the foundation of one of the most respected companies around today.
Woz is now the chief scientist at Fusion-IO, a company that specializes in enterprise-class solid-state technology and high-performance I/O solutions, but part of me wishes he would re-focus his attention on personal computing. Think of the impact a man with Woz's talents would have on the mobile computing market. Imagine an Eee PC comprised of 1/3 fewer chips, that's lighter, faster, has longer battery life, and is more affordable than the current models. If he was able to do that to the mini-computers available during his youth, perhaps he could do the same today.
What would you change in regard to the current crop of notebooks / netbooks? Share your ideas with us.