computers

7 Ways to Avoid Credit Card Fraud While Traveling

Nick Wharton — Wed, 10 Aug 2016 10:30:07 +0000

Credit card fraud is more than just a mild annoyance and risk when you're on the road — it can bring your travel plans to a halt. But you can outsmart thieves. By using one of these best travel rewards credit cards and following these seven tips, you can minimize the risk of fraud and better enjoy travel!

1. Get an RFID Blocked Wallet

Did you know that credit card thieves don't actually have to touch your wallet in order to steal your credit card? They never even have to see your card or your wallet. All they have to do is brush up against you with an RFID scanner and they'll have your full name, credit card number, expiration date, and even your passport information.

To easily avoid this, you can pick up an RFID Blocked wallet and passport case on Amazon for around $15. They look like normal wallets but they protect your cards and your personal information from would be identity thieves and credit card hackers.

2. Beware of Insecure Internet Connections

It's inevitable when you're traveling that you'll see this message on your screen at some point:

When you're using unsecured Wi-Fi connections at hotels, Internet cafes, restaurants, bars, and public parks, everything you type into your browser could potentially be monitored and stolen from you.

Whenever you see this warning before browsing, try your best to avoid entering passwords, especially those on your banking and credit card sites. Most banking sites will allow you to access their secure page. Make sure any URL is preceded by https:// rather than http://.

You can also get a plug-in for your browser like HTTPS Everywhere (available on Firefox, Chrome, and Opera), which will do this automatically. Another solution is SurfEasy VPN, which helps encrypt your data when you're using a public connection.

3. Clear Cookies, Passwords, and Browsing History

Make sure you log out of everything, delete your history whenever you access your email or other password-sensitive web pages from a computer other than your own, and clear cookies and caches on the browser. You want to leave no traces of your personal identification or password information on public computers. To prevent ever having to clear the cache, you can also browse "incognito" in Chrome or “private” in Firefox.

4. Never Let Your Card Out of Sight

In some places, it's very common to have your credit card information stolen by wait staff at restaurants when you give them your card to pay. If you can, always keep an eye on your card and never let it out of your sight. Consider going up to the counter to pay, rather than leaving it in the bill slip for the waiter to deal with.

5. Memorize (or Write Down) the Theft Hotline Number

The minute you notice that your card has been lost or stolen, you should report it. The sooner you can submit a claim to the lost or stolen card office, the more likely you will be protected against unauthorized charges.

6. Set an Alert

Many credit card providers offer email and SMS alerts that will beep at you when your balance goes over a certain amount. If someone does end up stealing your card and spends a bunch of money all at once, you'll be notified.

You may be surprised at how long it takes for people to realize that they've had their card stolen. It can be weeks or even months, depending on how many cards are in the wallet and how often the stolen card is used.

7. Monitor Spending Even After You Return Home

It's always a good idea to do a quick follow-up on your credit card history even after you return home. Smart credit card thieves will steal your credit card information, and wait until you’re not so on guard to use it.

For a couple of months after returning home, go online and check your statements to make sure that you can account for every single purchase. If there is one that you don't recognize, contact your credit card provider right away and start an investigation.

Be Smart... Not Scared

Credit card fraud is a legitimate worry while traveling, but with increasingly effective fraud protection programs and great credit card customer service lines, you really aren't at too much risk of personal loss, as long as you quickly claim any unauthorized purchases on your account. Travel safe, keep your card close, and be aware of your charges.

Have you ever been a victim of credit card fraud?

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This article is from Nick Wharton of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

6 Cheap Ways to Ensure Your Cyber Security

Aaron Crowe — Fri, 12 Jun 2015 09:00:15 +0000

Anyone with a computer has probably been a victim of a phishing attempt, where hackers pose as a trustworthy entity and try to get your username, password, credit card details, and other sensitive information that your mom told you never to give to anyone.

But mom's advice isn't enough. The U.S government may be able to afford $14 billion for cyber security to protect its networks from hackers, but the rest of us can't. Here are some free and inexpensive ways to keep safe online.

1. Passwords That Go Beyond Your Dog's Name

Strong, unique passwords are a must-have for each site you visit, but especially for those storing sensitive personal information.

Using your dog's name and the year you graduated from high school as a password isn't terribly secure. The website 1Password creates and stores strong passwords for you, so that you don't have to remember for each website you visit. You just need to remember the main password to enter 1Password; just don't make it a simple one your dog could remember.

2. Different Email Addresses

Use a different email address for site registration and recovery than you use for everyday email. If your regular email address is compromised, an attacker can't also reset all of your sensitive passwords.

Whatever email system you do use, pick one with a robust spam filter to avoid phishing attacks. I'm a fan of Gmail.

3. Two-Step Verification

Set up two-step verification for Gmail and Apple to protect your accounts with your password and your phone. The Google verification requires entering a password as you normally would when signing in. Then, a code is sent to your phone via text, voice call, or through Google's mobile app. Or, a security key can be inserted into your computer's USB port.

Once signed in, you can choose not to use two-step verification again on that computer — only your password. If someone tries to sign into your account from another computer, two-step verification will be required.

4. Buy an Online Security Program

An all-in-one online security program such as Norton Security with backup provides virus detection, password storage, file backup, parental controls, and firewall protection. Buying programs for those features individually is expensive, and free options may not provide the same level of threat protection.

The parental controls are especially strong. According to a study by AV-Comparatives, the premium edition of Norton scored ahead of all other antivirus programs for overall parental controls and blocked 99% of all pornography.

5. Monitor Your Credit for Free

You can pay a credit monitoring service to alert you to any significant changes or suspicious activity on your credit report and credit cards, but you can do the same thing yourself for free.

Your bank or credit card provider may already offer fraud alerts and other protections for free. For example, you can choose to be notified via email or text message if your credit card is used to withdraw cash or a transaction happens outside the U.S.

Logging into your account every day and checking your account activity is another free way to monitor your credit, though that can be a lot of work.

One of the best ways to protect your credit is to get a free credit report each year at AnnualCreditReport.com. Consumers are entitled to a free report yearly from each of the three main credit reporting agencies. Request one report every four months to cover an entire year. If you find any errors, report them to the credit bureau you got the report from immediately.

6. Talk to Your Kids

Lastly, talk to your children about the importance of staying safe online. I check out websites my daughter wants to visit before allowing her online, but it's easy to run into dangerous sites without knowing you're doing it.

Safekids.com offers advice on online safety, including how to avoid cyberbullying, parental guides for Facebook and Instagram, and recognizing when a sexual predator is manipulating children.

What steps have you taken to increase your cyber security?

This article is from Aaron Crowe of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

10 Reasons Why Apple Is Still on a Tear

Tim Lemke — Tue, 24 Feb 2015 14:00:10 +0000

Remember when people were wondering if Apple had lost its mojo? Following the loss of Steve Jobs, the maker of the Mac, iPhone, and iPad went a bit adrift, and investors were left wondering if the company would ever return to form.

Now Apple is hotter than ever, as evidenced by its most recent quarterly earnings report, which showed the best results of any corporation in history. Apple recorded a profit of $18 billion in its most recent quarter, with revenue of $74.6 billion. That's a gain of about $1 per share over the same quarter the year prior. Shares of Apple [NASDAQ: AAPL] have risen about 8% in the last month.

Apple is back, and there are plenty of reasons to believe it will remain one of the world's best-performing companies through 2015 and beyond. Here are 10 of the main drivers of Apple's success now and down the road.

1. The Brand

Last year, Apple was named the world's most admired company by Fortune magazine. There's little reason to think it won't be high on the list again this year. Interbrand's rankings of best global brands also slotted Apple at number one, valuing the brand at $118.9 billion, a 20% rise over 2013. When you have a brand as well-known and popular as Apple, your products practically sell themselves.

2. The iPhone

Apple sold a staggering 75.5 million iPhones in the last quarter of 2014, surpassing even the most optimistic estimates of many analysts. The iPhone now has a 15% global share and is the best-selling phone in China.

3. The iWatch

Smart watches aren't new, but consumers have been waiting patiently for Apple's entrance into the category. The iWatch was first revealed last September to considerable buzz and is expected to go on sale this spring. It has an estimated price tag of more than $300, making it another high-margin product that could revolutionize a category and immediately be a formidable competitor to FitBit, Jawbone, and Nike Fuelband.

4. The Mac

The company reported 5.5 million sales of its computers in the last quarter, representing a 14% year-over-year increase. The company is not as dependent on Mac sales as it once was, and the Mac operating system makes up about 5% of the market compared to more than 90% for Windows. But Mac computers are high-margin products and very helpful to Apple's financials. Expect good results from a new line of MacBook Air laptops this year.

5. The iPad

Sales of the Apple tablet slid by about 15% in 2014, and analyst projections for this year aren't great. But the iPad was still the top tablet on the market in 2014, comprising a 27.6% market share. The decline in iPad sales was largely due to a decline in tablet sales overall, and competitors Samsung and ASUS saw their sales drop even more than Apple's. It's possible that the iPad will comprise a smaller chunk of Apple's revenue moving forward, or the company could blow consumers away with its next version. Don't count out the iPad's role in Apple's well-being just yet.

6. The Apple Television

There have been rumors of this product for a while, and it's anyone's guess as to when (or even if) it will be produced. But Apple's success with the retina display on computers and tablets has many consumers salivating over a potential high-definition, Internet-enabled television from Apple. Given Apple's success in creating great consumer products for computing and music, one can expect an Apple television set to be high-quality, easy to use, and with a healthy margin. Even the speculation about an Apple television is probably helping the company's stock price a few points.

7. The Beats Music

No one is entirely sure what Apple plans to do with its billion dollar acquisition of Beats Electronics, but the company has been praised for recognizing the potential of a streaming music service. Sales of media from Apple's iTunes have been sagging, but Beats offers the avenue for Apple to compete with the likes of Spotify and Pandora, which offer streaming music for a monthly fee. And Apple is so well capitalized that we should not be surprised if Beats streaming service is priced better than competitors, at least initially. Beats also has a high-end headphone business that should bring in additional revenue.

8. The Mountain of Cash

Apple has nearly $180 billion in cash or bonds, which is larger than the market capitalization of some big companies, including Amazon and Disney. Analysts and investors love to guess what Apple plans to do with all its money, but anything the company does will probably be helpful to investors. It could spend it on research and development, which would benefit the company down the line. It could perform a share buyback or distribute a nice dividend. Or it could make some strategic acquisitions.

9. The International Growth

The United States makes up less than 5% of the world's population, so it makes sense to look outside our borders to find customers. Apple said that 65% of its revenue in the most recent quarter came from international sales. That's up from 60% in the fourth financial quarter last year and 59% the quarter before that. Revenues were up 70% over the year in China, 20% in Europe, and 8% in Japan, according to TechCrunch.

10. The Mess at Amazon

One of Apple's chief competitors is Amazon, the online retailer that has also made entries into the smartphone and tablet space. By most accounts, Amazon's launch of the Fire Phone was a disaster, and the company reported a $170 million charge in the third quarter due to its lack of sales. Amazon also saw its tablet sales drop 66% in 2014. Amazon's products aren't bad, but they haven't been selling, and that's good news for Apple.

Do you own Apple stock?

This article is from Tim Lemke of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

8 Free Apps to Boost Your Online Productivity

Ashley Marcin — Fri, 21 Nov 2014 19:00:09 +0000

I feel fortunate to be in my thirties. In my opinion, it's the sweet spot for all things related to technology. I'm old enough to remember life before computers took over entirely. Yet, I'm young enough to quickly adapt and learn new things that make my life happier and more productive. No matter your age, however, you could be using your computer (and time) more effectively and efficiently. (See also: 6 Tools That Stop Computer Distractions and Keep You on Task)

Here are some free applications you can download today to do just that.

1. Inbox Tamer

There's no greater distraction than those little email notifications popping up at the bottom of your screen. I used to waste a lot of time checking email whenever I'd get anything new. Eventually, I tried closing the application entirely, only to find I'd forget to check and miss important messages. Well, now there's Inbox Pause, which delays the notifications so they won't interrupt your workflow.

2. Social Director

There are a lot of tools out there to block social media and other programs while you work, but Cold Turkey happens to be free. You can even customize the settings to block certain pages during certain activities through specific groupings. There are upgraded versions with scheduling capabilities, the power to identify certain users (for parents), etc. — but the basic version gets the job done.

3. Blue Light Blocker

I downloaded f.lux just last month, and I already see it's the beginning of a beautiful relationship. The software makes the colors on your screen adapt to the time of day. If it's late and nearing bedtime, it'll filter out the blue light, which can disrupt sleep patterns, and replace it with an amber glow. You can customize how little or much you want your display to shift, but I'm already falling asleep much faster after firing off articles before my head hits the pillow.

4. Message Wrangler

If you use Gmail, Boomerang is your new best friend. It lets you draft messages now and schedule to send later. It reminds you if you don't hear back on that important email you sent last week. And it even lets you clear out your inbox — and mind — temporarily and return the messages when you're ready to read them.

5. Time Tracker

Do you know how you're spending your time on the computer? RescueTime can make it a lot easier to track. The Lite version (it's free) enables you to record your time on websites and in different applications and set goals for yourself. The application also provides you with a weekly email report of your progress (or lack thereof).

6. Program Launcher

Have you ever wanted to open your programs with just a few keystrokes? Launchy lets you do just that. You'll forget about your menu, the icons cluttering your desktop, and even your file manager with this smart application. With over 120K users, I'd say it's working well for the masses.

7. Image Manipulator

Can't afford the leading image manipulation software? Try GIMP for your photo retouching needs. You can paint, add text, create layers, rotate, scale, and much more. This application will save you time on creating images for your presentations and give you some powerful tools for personal use as well.

8. Password Keeper

Over time, all those passwords can get quite hard generate and remember. And keeping them in a book next to your laptop isn't exactly convenient — or safe. Enter LastPass — the last password you'll need to remember. The application manages all your login information for different sites and autofills for you. You can even streamline your online shopping experience by setting up secure payment accounts. Best of all, LastPass helps create unique passwords that follow the best security practices.

What's your favorite (and free!) computer productivity hack? Please share in comments!

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This article is from Ashley Marcin of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

10 Critical Steps to Protect Your Data in the Cloud

Damian Davila — Thu, 13 Nov 2014 12:00:08 +0000

While movies have portrayed hackers as both good (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo) and evil (Live Free or Die Hard), the one thing that is clear is that they can do a good deal of damage.

Several female celebrities, such as Kate Upton, Jennifer Lawrence, and Hayden Panettiere, became victims of malicious hackers, who nabbed several intimate pictures from the celebrities' cloud storage accounts.

And if you think that this just happens to celebrities, think again. Even common folks like you and me are being exploited by malicious hackers. It is time to step up the security of your data on the cloud with these 10 useful tips.

1. Create a Stronger Password

A strong password is your very first line of defense against anybody trying to hack your account. Unfortunately, your password is usually the weakest link. In fact, 76% of cyber attacks on corporate networks are due to weak passwords.

Strengthen your password using these security tips from Microsoft:

Make the length of your password at least eight characters. If you want to make it absolutely uncrackable use 15 characters or more.
Skip using your real name, last name, or company name.
Don't build entire words with only letters.
Use a combination of numbers, uppercase and lowercase letters, and symbols (@, #, $, and %), if applicable.
Update passwords regularly and make them significantly different from previous ones.

Using these guidelines, you can create a strong password like this one: ILuv2PlayB@dm1nt()n. By picking characters from the full set of allowed printable characters, you force hackers to guess from 645 trillion possible combinations.

2. Store Your Passwords Securely

That's not a typo. Yes, you need several passwords. Hackers exploit the fact that about 55% of Internet users use the same password for several services. The last thing that you want is that after your Dropbox account gets hacked, your online banking account becomes the next target.

It goes without saying, keep your password to yourself. Don't store it on visible places, such as taped to the back of your keyboard or smartphone.

In a perfect world, you would just memorize them. However, a more realistic approach is to keep an offline notebook in a secure place or use a password management application, such as KeePass Password Safe, LastPass, 1Password, or Password Safe.

3. Activate Two-Factor Authentication

On top of your password, you can often add an extra layer of security by activating two-factor authorization (also known as 2FA). Without 2FA, hackers only need your username and password to access your data.

Several cloud-based services, such as Dropbox and Office 365, offer 2FA by sending you a code via text or phone call that you need to access your account. It's an extra step, but once you've set it up on all of your devices, you are good to go.

4. Keep Your Birth Date Private

But don't just stop there.

The name of your first pet
Mom's maiden name
Last four digits of your social security number
Name of the street that you grew up in

What do these have in common? They're all potential answers to security questions to retrieve your password or access to your account. When selecting your security questions, make sure that their answers are not a simple Google search away.

Hide your birth date and any other private information from your bio section from any social media sites, online forums, or websites. The more private your personal information is, the less likely that a hacker can find it through search engines.

5. Learn the Process to Report Hackers

Almost every service has a way to submit a report when you think somebody else is using your account. Here is an example from Microsoft.

By investing the time in becoming familiar with the process of recovering access to your account, you are better prepared for the day that you have to rely on this process. This will help you keep some sanity during that stressful time and know what information is necessary.

6. Be Wary of Public Wi-Fi

Over 95% of American commuters use free public Wi-Fi to complete work on the go.

The problem is that about 60% of them admit they will utilize any free Wi-Fi source they can find. Data transfers happening over public Wi-Fi networks aren't encrypted, so hackers can exploit these public networks to tap into tablets and smartphones.

By setting up "hot spot honeypots," digital thieves tempt people with the offer of free Internet, and gain access to all kinds of private data. And they're not doing anything too high tech: hackers just need a $100 device and can be up to 100 feet away from their victims.

Use these strategies when attempting to connect to a public Wi-Fi:

Verify the official name of the network with the place offering it. Don't assume that every business or public space offers free Wi-Fi.
Only activate the Wi-Fi feature of your device, when you are about to access a Wi-Fi network that you have verified.
If planning to review work files, use your company Virtual Private Network (VPN) network, if one is available. VPN encrypts all your data during your session and and hides the identity of the servers to which you are connected. Depending on the nature of your industry, you may never want to risk viewing company files without a VPN connection.
Keep your device's operating system up to date. For example, Apple is constantly releasing security updates to address system vulnerabilities for iPhones and iPads.

7. Prevent Automatic Upload of Media

If you keep the default settings from cloud storage services, such as iCloud or Dropbox, then all of your photos and videos may be automatically uploaded to the cloud.

If you're planning to take some photos and videos that are meant for your eyes only, make sure to update the settings of your cloud storage accounts. Nobody can hack for intimate photos or videos if there are none available online in the first place.

iPhone Users: To prevent photos from automatically uploading from your iPhone or iPod to your iCloud account, you can go to Settings > iCloud > Photo Stream, and turn off My Photo Stream.
Android Users: You need to check any auto-backup settings you can find on individual apps. Some examples of apps uploading media automatically to the cloud are Facebook, Twitter, and Dropbox. Check the settings menu of your apps and disable any photo-syncing that you're not comfortable with.

8. Backup Your Media Offline

While it is important to prevent undesired media from ending up in the cloud, it is equally important to backup the data that is important to you. An offline backup of your media is not only important for when your phone is lost, stolen, or severely damaged, but also for when somebody hacks into your cloud account and deletes all of your data!

Most smartphones provide a way to back up your device's media that is not cloud-based and that can be stored in your personal computer. For example, Apple devices can leverage iTunes to create backups, and Samsung devices can backup through the Kies software.

9. Beware Fake Messages

If you use cloud based storage services, be on the lookout for phishing emails.

These emails may look like real messages from the developers of the service, but they are not. Hackers are trying to trick you into providing your personal information.

Here are some red flags to watch out for:

The spelling of the sender's email is funny looking. For example, instead of xxx@dropbox.com, it reads xxx@dropboxx.com or xxx@drop-box.co.
The hyperlinked URLs have misleading domain names. For example, if you hover over a link, you notice that instead of going to the apple.com domain, it goes to apple-com.info.
The message contains plenty of misspellings or typos.
You are asked to submit your password or personal information, such as mailing address, phone number, or social security number, via email.
The message includes a form in Word or PDF format for you to fill out.
You're asked for money to cover for expenses.

If you see any of these red flags, don't click on any of the links, and delete the email immediately.

10. Delete What You Don't Want Anybody to See

In an era of potentially unlimited storage through the cloud, we are tempted to keep everything.

THOSE pictures from your bachelorette party,
Intimate videos or sexts with your current or past partners,
Progress pictures when you started your diet,
Financial or tax documents over 5-years old, or
Scanned copies of IDs from several years ago.

If you don't want anybody else getting their hands on your data, delete it. This is the only way that you can be sure.

What steps have you taken to protect your data in the cloud? Please share in comments!

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This article is from Damian Davila of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Best Money Tips: The Technology Edition

Ashley Jacobs — Mon, 21 Jul 2014 19:00:07 +0000

Welcome to Wise Bread's Best Money Tips Roundup! Today we are featuring some of the best articles from around the web about technology, ranging from apps to smartphones to green tech and more!

Laser vs. Inkjet: Choosing the Wrong Printer Could Cost You

Ryan Lynch — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 21:00:04 +0000

Costing more than luxury perfumes and high-end alcohol, printer ink is probably the most expensive liquid per volume that you buy. Consumers deride the high cost of printer ink yet accept it as a necessary evil. It seems as though we have no other choice but to plunk down big bucks on cartridges that seem to evaporate overnight, right? However, you'll be happy to know that with a little bit of research and some basic math skills, you can substantially decrease your printing costs by choosing the right printer for your needs. (See also: 11 Ways to Save Big on Ink)

First and foremost, there are two types of printers available to the average consumer — inkjet and laser. By recognizing and understanding the benefits and drawbacks of each type, you will be able to determine which printer will best suit you. Traditionally, inkjet printers have dominated the home printer market, while laser machines were associated with offices and businesses. The differences between the two are complex, however for the layperson they can be summarised in a few key points.

Functionality

Inkjets take the lead in versatility, as they are often "multi-function" machines that can copy, scan, and fax in addition to delivering quality color printing. Many inkjet printers on the market today have the entire kitchen sink thrown in them, offering wireless networking, document feeders, automatic double-sided printing, and mobile printing capabilities with Apple AirPrint and Google Cloud compatibility. In addition, inkjet printers are more likely to be compatible with various types of media including iron-on transfers, adhesive labels, and thicker paper.

While laser printers are also available with a wide variety of features, inkjet machines are offered at a cheaper, more attractive price than comparable laser printers. However the initial high cost of lasers is usually offset by a cheaper running costs, detailed later in this article.

Color

Inkjet color printing is superior because of the viscous liquid ink used in image production. Not only are the colors more vibrant, but the Dots Per Inch (DPI) or resolution is much higher when compared to a laser printer. Because of this, inkjets are able to produce images with superior color blending. One caveat is that black text can be fuzzy due to the ink "bleeding" into the paper.

Laser printers are known for crisp, perfect text production, which is why they are normally associated with monochrome (black & white) printing. However, laser printers can be found with color printing capabilities. While satisfactory for text and basic graphics, laser color printing is grainy due to a lower DPI.

Running Costs

Since printers themselves are relatively affordable, the true cost of home printing comes from the operating cost. On average, laser printers have a lower cost per page than inkjet printers. The consumables in laser printers, called toners, have a much higher page yield than inkjet cartridges. These high yield toners, coupled with the lower DPI of laser printers, often equates to lower operating costs. Because of their efficiency, printer manufacturers know they will generate less profit from their consumables, and as a result the price of laser machines often increases significantly based on their available features.

This doesn't mean that all inkjet printers are inefficient, in fact many "office" inkjet printers are quickly bridging the page yield gap, however they tend to be fewer and farther between. Unfortunately, the running cost of lasers and inkjets is not as cut and dry as it once was. This is why it is imperative to…

Do the Math

When shopping for a printer, most folks make the mistake of comparing the face value of ink cartridges, and many base their decisions on the perceived value of the ink. The old assumption that laser printers are cheaper to run than inkjets isn't always true, with some bargain basement lasers using toners that are just as expensive as the much maligned inkjets.

With so many different printer models and cartridges it is nearly impossible to say what the "average" cost of printing with an inkjet or laser machine will be. Luckily, with some basic math skills you can get a pretty good estimate of the overall running cost of a machine. Not all printer cartridges have the same page yield, nor do they have the same price. In order to figure out the running cost of a printer one has to divide the cost of the cartridge by the estimated page yield. Most printer manufacturers like HP and Epson make these estimates available to consumers, however many people who deride their choice in printer often fail to do the math that is necessary to determine the printing per page cost.

While determining the cost per page of your printer will certainly give you a better idea of the ongoing expenses you will incur over the lifespan of your printer, it is still oversimplifying the method of determining the true cost.

Don't Rule Out Buying Both

So you've figured out what your printing needs entail and you've made a shortlist. You've consulted the estimated page yields of the consumables and you're still on the fence. Unfortunately it is a scenario that many people face, making everything even more frustrating than it already is. While it may not seem entirely practical, investing in both an inkjet and a laser printer might actually make the most sense.

If you need to produce high quality photos but you also need to print high volumes of text, no one machine is going to cut it. In order to get the best of both worlds without compromise, you should consider making space on your desk for both machines.

Otherwise, decide what your primary use will be, and choose based on that.

Having a printer in the home can be both a blessing and curse. You don't have to choose between the convenience of printing at home versus the potential cost of ink. Instead, take the time to ask yourself what the printer will be used for. There are numerous websites and guides that can help you navigate the staggering number of printer models available. By weighing the pros and cons of both inkjet and laser printers and doing a little number crunching, you can determine the balance of features and running cost that makes financial sense to you.

Have you purchased a printer for your home or business lately? How did you choose?

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This article is from Ryan Lynch of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Make Your Computer Last (Almost) Forever With Some Simple Tricks

Linsey Knerl — Thu, 19 Jun 2014 13:00:03 +0000

There is a piece of electronics in my house that I couldn't do without. I need it for communication, research, entertainment, work, basic household functioning, our homeschool lessons, and to occasionally keep my kids' occupied while I make an important phone call or get dinner on the table. There's a good chance it is equally as important to you, too. (See also: Why You Should Buy a Desktop Computer)

The computer has become one of our most needed and essential items in our homes and when it breaks or — even worse — dies for good, we are lost without it and forced into an expenditure that we may not be ready to make. Keeping your computer up and running for many years is vital for your productivity, your sanity, and your wallet.

To keep it lasting forever, it is important to practice diligence with the protection, cleaning, maintenance, and care of your computer. Read on to learn all the ways you can do just that.

Protection

A good defense is the game to play when it comes to computer maintenance. Prevent problems from occurring in the first place with these protections in place.

Block Viruses

The first order of business upon opening your brand new computer is to install virus protection. An adequately protected computer will keep you from the loss of important files and personal data and will give you a smoothly functioning operating system. While a virus, malware, or spyware will probably not cause you the loss of your hard drive, it is best to have what is internally stored on your computer as safe as possible. Free virus protection can be downloaded from Avast, AVG Free or Microsoft.

Clear Space

While viruses, spyware, and malware can slow down your computer's system, files saved to the hard-drive can do the same thing. To keep you computer running smoothly, it is best to save files on an external hard-drive. These hard drives plug into your computer and are perfect for storing data that is taking up space within your computer. The more space available on your hard drive, the better it runs.

Safeguard Electronics

A rush of electrical current to your computer can burn the components and cause you to lose data, as well as the computer, so always plug it into a surge protector.

Cleaning

Like your home, car, or anything else you value, computers should be cleaned regularly to keep them from working harder than they need to. This can be as simple as wiping down surfaces or as complicated as taking your PC tower apart to do some internal clean up.

Monitor

Cleaning the monitor is a quick task that should be done weekly or as needed to keep oils and debris from breaking down the components. Using a special monitor cleaning product is usually not necessary, and LifeHacker actually suggests that plain water is the best solution. Be sure to use a scratch-free cloth made from microfiber or a clean T-shirt and have your monitor powered down before cleaning. Directly spraying the monitor is not recommended.

Keyboard

A dirty keyboard isn't just a health hazard, it can result in stuck keys or or completely dead keyboard. By unplugging the keyboard and turning it upside down, you can free any particularly loose materials right away. Blowing compressed air into the keyboard will clean out any debris that may be sticking to the keys. If you have a particularly sticky key (or when cleaning your trackpad), dip a cotton swab into rubbing alcohol and clean the area gently.

Fan

It is also essential to clean dust that collects on the fan and any other small crevices. Dust collecting on the fan of your computer can cause it to overheat and burn up. Regular cleaning with compressed air will help keep your laptop or computer working for years to come. (Much of this can be done without opening anything, but if you live in a particularly dusty area, a deep cleaning may be necessary.)

Internal Maintenance

Keeping the internals operating efficiently does not require a lot of complicated hackery, just some basic maintenance, with software tools you probably already have.

Defragment

Much like regular cleaning, your computer needs regular maintenance to keep it running smoothly. Defragmenting should be done once a month to clean out your computer's temporary files. If you are running a newer version of Windows (7 or 8), defragmenting is done regularly by your computer. However, older versions of Windows and those people who have their computer turned off during the scheduled defragmentation (usually 2 a.m. on Wednesdays) will need to manually defragment their hard drives.

Clutter

Cleaning up a cluttered desk top can significantly increase PC speed, as well as dumping the Recycle Bin at least once a month. (Tools like CCleaner are free and can assist with some of these processes.)

Battery

If you haven't thought about your computer's battery lately, you should! The battery should be completely drained at least once a month and then be allowed to fully charge before being used again. This draining and recharging cycle keeps your battery fully operational. If you are using a laptop, it is also good to unplug it regularly and rely on the battery to keep it working.

Care

More than anything you can do for your computer, taking care with how you handle and use it is the most important. Computers are damaged and ruined beyond repair due to careless and uneducated users.

Keep Liquids Away

Most of us are guilty of doing this; when you work at your desk, you want a drink handy, whether it is your morning cup of coffee, water throughout the day, or a glass of wine as you wind down in the evening. However, that beverage could easily spill and ruin your computer. It's best to keep it out of reach of your computer or, at the very least, in something with a lid.

Ensure Proper Ventilation

If you own a laptop, it's nice to take it to the couch or into bed with you while you surf the internet. However, this seemingly normal task could be destroying your computer and it's motor. They need space underneath for air to flow through and a soft surface from a blanket or cushion could cause it to overheat. If you are going to be laying in bed, place a book or a lap desk under your laptop while you work. The best place for it, is on a hard surface with a cooling pad or fan underneath. This will protect it from overheating at all times.

Safely Transport

Transporting your laptop can also be the cause for irreparable damage. Whether you are carrying your laptop in your hand or in a bag, something can go wrong if you are not doing it properly. Laptops should always be turned off and carried with two hands when walking around, and the monitor should be down. (See also: 11 Cool Uses for a Tablet Computer)

When transporting it in a bag, it is important to have it inside a case. A neoprene case that slips snugly around the laptop will keep it from being broken if it bangs into something in your bag and prevent anything like food or sharp objects from getting into the ports on the side of the laptop.

You should also consider unplugging the power cord from the unit when not charging or in use, the small hole (or "jack") where the plug goes in can become loose over time, causing your laptop to be unable to be charged and resulting in a costly $75+ repair.

Upgrades

Most manufacturers will tell you that the average lifespan of a laptop is 2-3 years and a desktop computer 3-5 years, but this is typically due to newer technology being developed. If you keep your computer running smoothly and upgrade the operating system every few years, there is no reason it can not outlive what is "average." In addition, it's possible to get more life for your gadget by upgrading the following:

RAM (memory)

One of the most effective ways to give new life to your computer, giving memory a boost can be a DIY project. This classic article from PCWorld still applies, and most upgrades can run between $40 to $200 with the cost of the memory product and any tools you'll need to perform the task.

Hard Drive

If you have a drive crash, or just feel like you would like a better brand/model, switching out your hard drive may be something you can do at home. It's not a simple process, but it definitely can be one of the best "CPR" procedures you can do for a PC or Mac.

Video Card

If you find your computer lagging a bit, or unable to play newer, faster games, you may simply find a new video card to be the fix you need. Cards range in price from $75 to $500, so do some research to buy the least costly solution for your PC or laptop.

Proper protection, maintenance, cleaning, and care only take a few minutes each month to ensure a long lifespan for our most-essential of electronics.

How do you keep your computer running smoothly? Please share in comments!

Like this article? Pin it!

This article is from Linsey Knerl of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

The 5 Best Tablet Computers

William Tran — Wed, 30 Oct 2013 09:36:03 +0000

Tablets are built to hold an immense amount of computing power within an extremely portable and versatile design that allow them to be used in a variety of ways, whether it be for business or for leisure. Their ever-growing popularity has spawned a multitude of different models and operating systems, which may make it difficult to choose from. But we've narrowed down the choices with our top 5 picks to help you determine the perfect tablet for you.

What Is a Tablet?

A tablet is essentially a mobile computer that has a touchscreen, processor, and battery all encased within a single slate, hence the name “tablet.” Tablets have a very minimalist design in terms of hardware, with only a few physical buttons and operation being dictated by finger gestures on the tablet's touchscreen.

Most tablets are divided into 10-inch and 7-inch categories and nowadays come with a built-in camera, microphone, accelerometer, and a Wi-Fi chip, with the option of adding a cellular band so that you can get 3G or 4G internet connectivity wherever you go. But what makes a tablet really useful is the wide variety of applications that you can download onto it. There practically is an app for anything and everything you could want to do, which is what makes a tablet so versatile.

Top 5 Tablets

Apple iPad (4th Generation)

The original Apple iPad kicked off the tablet generation, and four iterations later, it's still one of the best tablets you can buy.

With top ratings from Consumer Reports and Good Housekeeping, the newest model's greatest feature is its gorgeous Retina display that packs a massive 3.1 million pixels into a 9.7-inch screen, resulting in lifelike text and almost realistic image clarity. Inside the iPad's super-thin aluminum casing is a A6X dual-core processor that outputs blazing fast speeds when using apps or playing games, as well as a massive battery that lasts over 10 hours on a single charge. Many users have also reported that the iPad's iOS operating system is a breeze to learn and use.

This Apple tablet has access to over 375,000 iPad-optimized apps available on Apple's App Store, which is the largest collection of tablet apps around. While it may lack the customization options of its competitors and has the highest price tag on this list, the newest Apple iPad still sets the bar for quality in the tablet market with its impressive set of features.

Currently $460.00 for the 16GB Wi-Fi-only model on Amazon.

Microsoft Surface RT

Another Consumer Reports top pick, the Microsoft Surface RT is best-suited for those who want the most computing power out of their tablet.

With 2GB of internal RAM and a quad-core NVIDIA Tegra 3 graphics chip, the Surface RT powers through apps smoothly and efficiently. Its large 10.6-inch display doesn't match the incredible resolution of the Apple iPad, but HD content still looks really good on it. The Surface RT utilizes the Windows RT operating system, which is the newest in the tablet market. It excels at multi-tasking like no other, as it allows you to have two apps open side-by-side at the same time. Also, pairing this tablet with an optional Touch Cover or Type Cover will really turn the Surface RT into a productivity machine.

However, being the newest OS means that the app selection in the Windows Store is the smallest collection available so far, and users have also said that there's quite the learning curve in using this tablet. That being said, the Microsoft Surface RT adds a fresh new look with a big dose of power that comes in at a very attractive price.

Currently $318.28 for the 32GB model on Amazon.

Google Nexus 7 (2nd Generation)

Google's Android line of tablets has the largest share of the tablet market today, due to the sheer amount of options available. Of those options, Google's Nexus 7 stands out as the bright and shining example of the best Android tablet for your money.

A top pick from Consumer Search and Consumer Reports, the Nexus 7 holds a whopping 2.3 million pixels in its 7-inch HD display. That may be less than the Apple iPad, but at 323 pixels per inch, images and text may look even sharper and more realistic on the Nexus 7. Having a quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro processor and 2GB of RAM guarantees that apps run very smoothly and that graphics shine brilliantly. A built-in NFC chip allows you to wirelessly charge the Nexus 7's battery, which can last over 9 hours.

The Nexus 7 is also one of the few Android tablets that comes with a stock version of newest Android 4.3 “Jelly Bean” operating system, which means that it won't have any unnecessary third-party apps pre-installed. It may not be as simple as Apple's iOS, but there's a lot more customization options and it has fully-integrated Google apps. When all is said and done, the Google Nexus 7 is an incredible iPad alternative at less than half its price.

Currently $269 for the 32GB model on Amazon.

Amazon Kindle Fire HD

A Consumer Reports Best Buy, the Amazon Kindle Fire HD is a feature-rich tablet that doesn't require you to be to super rich to get it. It may not be a powerhouse like the Nexus 7, but the Kindle Fire HD's 1.5GHz dual-core processor works well enough for fast web browsing and playing games.

The 1280x800 resolution HD display is nothing to laugh at either, as reading and watching HD content looks beautiful on this device, and its 10+ hour battery life is impressive for a budget tablet. This tablet is especially ideal for Amazon Prime subscribers, as the Fire OS 3.0 “Mojito” operating system integrates all of Amazon's services into the device for easy management and access. The new FreeTime feature provides strong parental controls in allowing separate profiles to be created for children using the tablet that will also cater content from Amazon accordingly.

However, the Kindle Fire HD is far from perfect. The app selection in the Amazon App Store is extremely limited, there's a cost to removing ads from the device, and the OS may feel significantly slower than its competitors. But for the price, the Kindle Fire HD is a great tablet that offers a ton of bang for your buck.

Currently $139.00 for the 8GB model on Amazon.

Barnes & Noble Nook HD+

Despite the very tough competition, the Barnes & Noble Nook HD+, another Consumer Reports Best Buy, is hands down the best value you can get on a tablet. First off, it has all the great features of tablets priced way above it. It has a brilliant 7-inch display with an incredible 1920x1200 resolution that beats its Amazon competitor, a fast 1.5GHz dual-core processor, and a mighty 10-hour battery life. It also allows multiple profiles to be created on the device as a parental control feature. Its biggest and greatest feature, however, is that it has access to the Google Play Store and its massive app collection.

Like the Kindle Fire HD, its operating system is an Android skin that takes advantage of Barnes & Noble's small ecosystem. But unlike the Amazon tablet, having access to apps in the Google Play Store essentially makes the Nook HD+ a full-blown Android tablet at a ridiculously low price. Slight performance issues aside, the Nook HD+ tablet is an incredible bargain that you should grab ASAP if you're looking for the best value tablet.

Currently $155.94 for the 16GB model on Amazon.

And those are our recommendations for the best tablet computers. As always, be sure to check out the Wise Bread Shopping Calendar to learn when and how to buy just about anything!

This article is from William Tran of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Don't Make These 5 Laptop-Buying Mistakes

Nayri Leanna Gregor — Thu, 03 Oct 2013 09:48:03 +0000

Shopping for a new laptop can be fun and exciting, but don't let that cloud your judgment, or you may end up with a shiny new piece of technology that costs too much, weighs too much, and does too little. Before making your next laptop purchase consider these "don'ts" of buying a laptop, and you can avoid one of the most common, financially costly mistakes made by consumers. (See also: The Best Back-to-School Laptops)

1. Don't Buy the Wrong Laptop for the Right Price

Buying technology that doesn't actually suit your needs is a bad deal no matter how little you paid for it.

The general rule of thumb for electronics is the better the price, the worse the performance. To ensure that you're buying a laptop that does what you need it to do, start your search by knowing exactly what you will be using it for. Next, check the specs and user reviews to find out as many product details as you possibly can. (See also: What to Look for in a Laptop)

Finding the Right Laptop

For students and professionals who need a portable computer for daily work and travel, look for a laptop that weighs around five pounds and has a smaller monitor size because bigger screens can't even be fully opened on some planes.
For laptops that will be used in place of desktop computers and will mostly stay at home, go for the big monitor with all the bells and whistles — and a large screen with high resolution for watching movies, TV, and playing games.
If you only use a laptop to send emails and surf the net, then you're free to look for a bargain for any type of laptop at any size.

2. Don't Buy Brand Hype and Marketing

Yes, Apple is the talk of the town with an excellent reputation… But, in a feature-to-feature comparison by Gizmag, the KIRAbook from Toshiba stands up to the MacBook Pro in almost every way: "The specs of each competing device's lowest-priced models are almost identical, with the exception of storage, where the KIRAbook doubles the MacBook Pro's offering of 128 GB to 256 GB."

Similarly, Alienware is the "it" brand for gaming laptops, but when compared to a Qosmio, it turned out to be more expensive, with lesser value.

The Qosmio X70-ABT2G22 is priced at $1,250 before customization. Standard features include an Intel Core i7 processor, 1TB hard drive, a 17.3" LED backlit display (1920x1080), and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 770M 3GB performance graphics. In order to match the screen quality with an Alienware, you need to pay for an upgrade, and the same goes for the performance graphics. With a starting price difference of $400, you need to spend an extra $400 in upgrades to get the machines roughly on par. To get an Alienware to roughly equal the specs offered by the Qosmio resulted in an $800 price difference!

So don't forget — shop the specs and not the brand when buying your next machine. You'll be surprised at how much you can save.

Compile a list of your needs and compare the features, spec by spec. Throw your brand loyalty out the window and read before making a final decision. Read reviews from neutral sources and ignore deals with tons of extras, like software, unless those extras are things you would actually spend money on anyway. (See also: How We Brainwash Ourselves Into Brand Loyalty)

3. Don't Wait for Holiday Sales and Deals

Back-to-school and holiday sales are well advertised and may be a good time to get the precise model a company is pushing but not necessarily the best deal overall. In fact, Decide.com looked at the pricing information for 6,000 laptops over three years and concluded that the best laptop prices occur during mid-summer, before back-to-school season and again right before Christmas during "last-minute" shopping.

Retailers push out more sales and discounts during the holiday season, but are these deals better compared to other times of the year? The answer is no.

Because most consumers are in the mindset to buy during the holidays, retailers play off of this weakness and pump out a higher quantity of deals, but the quality of a deal is what makes the difference on how much money you save.

According to CouponPal.com, their HP coupon code offers drove 10% more sales during the summer than the year-end holidays with comparable site traffic, due to more aggressive back-to-school savings options for laptop buyers. Once you have narrowed down your search and know which laptop you want, start monitoring prices and deals for a few weeks, and to save time, set up a price alert to get email notifications when the price of a desired item drops.

4. Don't Pay for an Extended Warranty

Extended warranties might make you feel like you're covered, but when it comes to laptops, it's more often than not a waste of money. The reason being, most laptop failures occur long after the standard warranty expires, and most repairs cost around the same amount as the warranty. (See also: Get Free Extended Warranty From Your Credit Card)

Consumer Reports advises against extended warranties with two exceptions:

If you travel frequently with your laptop and the warranty includes coverage for theft or damage.
If you're buying an Apple product and want extended tech support; tech support coverage from Apple can be skimpy if you don't have a service contract.

5. Don't Overlook the Benefits of Bundling

Some consumers make an automatic assumption that a bundle price is a rip-off and that the manufacturer is just trying to sell a bunch of extra stuff you don't need. However, buying a new laptop can lead to additional purchases including a carrying case, mouse, screen protector, keyboard cover, and so on. Bundling your laptop and accessory needs can help you save more money. By putting some thought into which accessories you may potentially need, you can take advantage of bundling discounts and save on all related items in one fell swoop.

What's your best laptop purchase advice?

This article is from Nayri Leanna Gregor of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Stuff We Love: The MacBook Pro, a Hassle-Free Laptop

Aaron Crowe — Fri, 20 Sep 2013 10:18:18 +0000

About three years ago, after a lifetime of owning Windows-based PCs and having them break or suffer other problems, I bought a MacBook Pro.

I'm knocking on wood as I write this, but the Mac hasn't failed me yet, and I consider it one of my best purchases — after my wife's engagement ring and my car. I don't expect it to last nearly as long as the others, but it's doing what it's supposed to do: provide dependable computing power that's easy to use.

Why I Chose My MacBook Pro

I needed a new computer when the desktop PC from Dell that we owned at home kept crashing and always seemed to get viruses, no matter how many anti-virus protection programs I used. The end came after the third visit from a computer technician, when I realized it would be cheaper to buy an expensive Mac than to buy an inexpensive PC that might break down again and cost me repair bills.

For the work I do on a computer — writing and editing — I don't need much computing power. I'm not a techie, and I don't have much of an idea about how much memory, processor speed, and other features I'll need on a computer. I started by doing my research where it made the most sense: the Apple store. I told the clerk what my needs were, and within 20 minutes I knew which computer I wanted.

My main goal was to get a laptop computer that wouldn't break down, had a good reputation for reliability, and was easy to use. PCs are advertised as easy to use, too, and they are up to a point with Windows, but they didn't seem intuitive to use. A Mac met all of my criteria.

Because I wanted an anti-glare screen, I had to either buy it online or over the phone, as it wasn't available in the store. I called an Apple customer service representative later and bought one after about an hour of configuring it to suit me.

What's Great About It

For a product that most people didn't need 20 years ago, owning a computer has become a part of everyday life. While the PC market is declining and giving way to tablets, as someone who used to write school reports on a typewriter, writing on the physical keyboard of a laptop computer is a lot easier than typing on a tablet.

Like any laptop computer, my MacBook Pro is portable, and with a Wi-Fi connection I can easily work from anywhere in the world. I won't bore you with the technical specifications of the MacBook Pro I bought, but here are the things I like best about it.

It Has Everything I Need

If you have one or more Apple products (I have an iPhone and iPod Touch) that store music, a calendar, podcasts, photos, email, and other things, an Apple computer can make running them and syncing them much easier. A PC can do some of that too, but the MacBook Pro keeps it all under one roof.

I also considered buying a MacBook Air — mainly because it's so light — but I opted for the Pro because it offered more storage at a cheaper price and had the fastest speed. I don't want to be slowed down by a computer while working, and the Pro seemed to be better for work use and had the power to run more programs in the future.

It's Easy to Use

One fear I had before buying it was that there would be a steep learning curve, and I'd never know how to use everything on it. For $350, my fear was put aside with AppleCare, a protection program that not only extended the warranty for three years, but also got me phone help for that time. I also bought Apple's One to One for $100, which gave me an hour at a time of direct instruction from an Apple expert at an Apple store.

Group sessions were also included in that year of instruction I bought, and I found that after less than a dozen trips to the store, I had enough instruction and was ready to go it alone. I still haven't gotten around to learning everything on my MacBook Pro that I'd like to (I'm still trying to figure out the video software, for example), but I've found everything to be easy to use. Everything seems intuitive and easy to find, making it a joy to work on.

It's Reliable

So far my MacBook Pro hasn't suffered any viruses and hasn't crashed. I've heard of Mac owners having their hard drives crash after only a few years of ownership, causing them to lose things they didn't back up. My three-year warranty expires very soon, which should leave me to believe that it will crash the day after the warranty expires. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

What the MacBook Pro Compares To

The MacBook Air may be the closest comparison, though that may not be a fair one because it's in the Apple family. Again, I don't know all of the technical specifications of each, but Apple has an extensive comparison chart to see which fits your needs best.

Since I've bought mine, Apple has come out with the retina display to make the image sharper, so there's always going to be something better out there a year or so after you buy a computer.

For the Windows equivalent of the MacBook Pro, the world is wide open and depends on your tastes. You'll likely get more computing power with a PC for the same amount of money, or an equal computer for a lot less money in a PC, but I don't think it will ever be as enjoyable, dependable, and easy to use as a MacBook Pro.

Who the MacBook Pro Is Best For

For someone who wants a workhorse of a computer to work on that will meet their future computing needs, the MacBook Pro is hard to beat. It has a lot of storage, has high performance, and will last for years. If you're coming from the PC world, as I was, and want an Apple computer that's reliable, can do all of the work you need, and looks and feels good doing it, this is worth the money.

How It Could Be Better

Computers are always getting faster and lighter, so no matter what you buy today, in a few years you could probably buy something faster with more memory and less weight at a cheaper price.

I have no regrets about buying my MacBook Pro, and I hope it continues working well for many years to come. My only wish is that it was lighter. Mine weighs 5.6 pounds, compared to 2.96 pounds for the heaviest MacBook Air. That's almost twice as much weight for a computer that is heavier because it has a hard disk drive. The Air is so light you'll think you're holding a paperback book.

What They Don't Tell You in the Manual

None of the sales people told me how hot the computer would get. It was a question I asked during my research, and they all told me it wouldn't overheat. So far it hasn't overheated and automatically turned off, as my PC used to do once in awhile, but the bottom does get hot to the touch after only a few hours of use.

This may be normal and nothing to worry about. I don't know. Maybe it's because I have a plastic protective cover on it (with air holes), and sitting on a desk or table leaves no room for air to circulate. I'm on my computer for four or so hours per day, so I expect it to get warm, but the heat it generates makes me think something could go wrong.

If you're used to using an external mouse to move around the screen, as I was, then a wireless Magic Mouse is a good investment. Just be sure to have plenty of rechargeable batteries for it, since they deplete quickly.

Bottom Line Recommendation

I'm now a lifetime Apple customer, a choice I would have made many years ago if I had the foresight to realize that paying so much for an Apple computer is worthwhile in the long run. Given the work I do, it's probably more computing power than I need, but I expect it will meet my future needs. You could probably save some money, and weight, with a MacBook Air, but I think the Pro can be a longtime member of your work and social lives.

Where to Get Yours

Apple.com, the company's website, is the best place to start to research what you need. You can either buy it there online, do it over the phone if you want to talk it out with someone, or buy at a store.

Best Buy and other local stores also sell Apple products. Because Apple controls most of its prices, you'll rarely find prices much lower than you would at an Apple store. However, the stores may have sales or include extras. They may also have higher pressure sales tactics, while I've found the sales people at Apple stores to be more interested in first helping you find the computer that's right for you.

And, of course, Amazon.com sells the MacBook Pro. I've seen some deals here, ranging from $50 to $150 off regular prices.

A MacBook Pro costs from about $1,200 for a 13-inch laptop to $2,800 for a 15-inch with retina display. An extended warranty, classes, computer upgrades and extras such as a mouse cost extra.

Get Your MacBook Pro Today!

Are you a PC user or Mac user?

This article is from Aaron Crowe of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

How to Get Free or Cheap Internet Access

Debbie Dragon — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 10:24:44 +0000

It is not unusual to pay $15 to $70 a month for cable or DSL Internet service in your home. The lower price is normally obtained by bundling your Internet with other services, such as your home phone and cable television. If you are looking to reduce your monthly expenses but still want to use the Internet, here are some ways you can get free or cheap Internet access. (See also: Cutting the Cable Cord Has More Than Financial Benefits)

Consider Dial-Up Internet

If you don’t use the Internet frequently or don’t have a need for lightning-fast service, you may consider using dial-up Internet service instead of DSL, cable, or FIOS. You can get dial-up Internet for as low as $9.99 a month through NetZero, provided you live in an area the company services. Juno advertises a dial-up plan for $10.95 a month. EarthLink offers a plan for as low as $12.50 a month if you prepay for a year at a time.

Internet Service Through Your Cell Phone Provider

If you already have a cell phone plan, you might save money by using a data plan through your cell phone company rather than having both a cell phone plan and a separate Internet service. Verizon charges between $50 and $100 a month for a cell phone and data plan, depending how much data you use per month. For some people, even the higher price of $100 a month for a data plan and phone service with Verizon would be less expensive than their existing monthly phone service and separate monthly Internet service bills. Verizon also offers a prepaid service for unlimited talk, text, and a data plan starting at $50 per month with no annual contract. If you don’t like the idea of checking your email or social media accounts on your phone, you can often use the cellular data plans through other device, including tablets or laptop computers, by turning your phone into a Wi-Fi hotspot.

Limit Your Internet Use to Free Wi-Fi Locations

If you’re not a college student, finding free Wi-Fi can be challenging if you are looking for an always-on, always-available location. If you don’t have an absolute need for Internet access in your home, you can get free Internet access from most public libraries. For some people, the library is conveniently located on their way to or from work and could easily take the place of Internet at home if you are someone who only uses the Internet for email or for occasional research.

If you have a wireless-enabled device such as a laptop, phone, or tablet, you can find free Wi-Fi through a variety of coffee shops, restaurants, hotels, and even some bars. Use a site like Wi-Fi FreeSpot to search for free Wi-Fi locations according to your location or where you plan to travel.

Internet for Low-Income Americans

There are government programs that exist to provide free or cheap Internet service for lower-income Americans. The availability of programs depends on location, availability of funds, and the applicant’s income level. The FCC announced a program called “Connect to Compete,” which will provide low-cost computers to low-income homes, and Internet access for $9.99 a month.

You may also have luck finding a program for low-income Americans on CheapInternet.com, as well as a listing of possible free Internet programs on this page (while I’m pretty sure the “Google TISP” was an elaborate April Fool’s joke that went a little too far, the other options for possible free Internet look legitimate).

This article is from Debbie Dragon of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

The Best and Worst Things to Buy in September 2012

Dealnews — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 10:24:41 +0000

September marks the end of summer, as well as our countdown to November, Black Friday, and the holiday season. (Yes, we're already thinking about it.) But September has its own deal virtues — including Labor Day sales — so we've mined the extensive dealnews archives of sales, coupons, and individual products from the past few summers to find out what are the best and worst things to buy in September. Here's what we found. (See also: Shopping Calendar: The Best Time to Buy Anything)

Cozy Up to Bedding Deals

For the past two years, home good deals have been rather strong in September, specifically for bedding, towels, and the like. We saw a large number of Editors' Choice options for bedding sets this time last year in particular. Keep an eye out for a variety of discounted home items from the likes of JCPenney, Macy's, Sears, Designer Living, and Kohl's. Notably, be on the look out for stacking coupons at Kohl's, and a mattress sale at Sears that beats its summer-month offerings. (Keep in mind however, that last year we saw excellent discounts on mattresses around Black Friday and Cyber Monday, too. So, in case you miss these sales, you'll have another opportunity to cash in on strong deals later in the year.)

Tangled Up in Blue Jeans

We've made it through the height of Back to School shopping season, which means you can start taking advantage of clearance sales for the student staple of denim. However, while we'll see modest discounts this month at about 40% off, these sales will continue into October, and will likely grow stronger. Also in November, many jeans specialists like Levi's could offer their best coupons of the year around Black Friday. Now is a good time to start looking at discounted jeans styles for a wider selection, but if you're not particular, next month will see steeper cuts.

SSD Storage Deals Are Solid

We've mentioned before that Solid State Drives (SSDs) are on a constant downward price trajectory, but this trend really ramped up this summer. The number of Editors' Choice deals nearly doubled each month since the spring, and we continue to see new all-time low prices for both specific models and overall drive capacities. newegg is overwhelmingly the store to go to for such deals, but Micro Center, Amazon, TigerDirect, and Buy.com have all also had strong offerings.

Get Your Caffeine Fix for Free

Are you a devout coffee drinker? Then make sure to mark September 29 in your calendar, as several food chains will offer a free cup o' Joe in honor of National Coffee Day. Last year, Krispy Kreme, Waffle House, 7-11, and Caribou Coffee all offered a special promotion to celebrate, and it's possible that other chains and local cafes will do the same.

New Price Points for the iPhone

Supposedly, the newest Apple iPhone will be announced on September 12, making it very likely that the company will slice prices on its older models. If the newest iPhone pricing mimics that of its siblings-made-obsolete, then the iPhone 4S could drop to $99. And the iPhone 4 will possibly stick around as an even more affordable model — a need that the iPhone 3GS will likely leave open as it is expected to be discontinued.

A Slew of iPhone Accessories, New and Old

Supposedly the iPhone 5 will feature a completely new dock connector, which means all existing iPhone accessories will become outdated overnight. Old accessories will then see aggressive deals as stores try to clear their shelves for brand new, full-price replacements. If you're upgrading to the iPhone 5, consider at least waiting a few months to add to your collection of dock accessories so that you can avoid paying retail price.

Rock-Bottom Airfare Rates

The cheapest airfare deals we saw throughout all of last year came in late September, when both Vision Airlines and Spirit Airlines offered 1-way fares for a whopping $1. Not a fan of those budget airlines? JetBlue also offered one of its best sales in September, dropping rates to just $29 each way. (However, we have seen JetBlue fares at this price at various other times in the year.) Of course, in order to take advantage of these rock-bottom prices, you have to be a lucky or flexible flyer to make use of the restricted routes and times.

Keep an Eye Out for Hot Sunglasses Sales

If you managed to make it through the summer without buying a new pair of sunglasses, you're about to be rewarded; according to our deals last year, the best storewide sunglasses sales popped up in September, as well as in November and December. For September in particular, look to Oakley Vault, Sunglass Hut, REI, 6pm, and Endless.com for discounted styles. Last September, Oakley Vault's sunglasses sale was the best the merchant offered all year.

Patio Furniture Deals Are Sitting Pretty

Finally, it's a great month to buy patio furniture! September will see an increase in the sheer number of outdoor furniture sales and deals that discount the seasonal outdoor items. October will see an uptick in the level of Editors' Choice caliber prices. But since several patio sets and gardening items from Sears, Amazon, and other merchants hit their lowest prices in October — and will be priced significantly lower than we had seen them over the summer —what's another few weeks of waiting?

Wait and See With Tablets

We're on a path toward seeing a very interesting, competitive budget-friendly tablet market in the coming weeks and months. It would benefit the consumer to hold off on purchases at the moment; increased competition could likely yield deals that either cut prices or bundle devices with useful media credits or gift cards. Amazon is rumored to be debuting the Kindle Fire 2 in a few days, resulting in a new lower price on the original Kindle, and come mid-month Apple may announce an "iPad mini".

Big Screen 3D HDTVs Show Some Promise

Fall will soon be upon us and if you can refrain from any HDTV purchases over the next two months, you're bound to see the year's best HDTV deals come November. However, if you're in dire need of a new HDTV, you'll want to look at name-brand 55" 3D LCD HDTVs, as those are seeing the most action these days in terms of deals.

Over the summer, 55" 3D HDTVs dipped under the $1,000 mark, a price we had't seen since Black Friday 2011. Then, in early August, prices hit an all-time low, as we saw the 2012 LG 55LM7600 hit $949. While we still recommend waiting for the holidays, shoppers who can't wait until Black Friday should look at 55" 3D LCD HDTVs under $1,000.

Ivy Bridge Laptops on the Move Again

Although back to school sales have generally come to an end, Ivy Bridge-based laptops are in a price free-fall. Whereas 15" Ivy Bridge systems debuted at $1,000 in April, they closed out August at $480 — a price drop of over 50%. We expect to see even more aggressive deals as Microsoft preps systems for its Windows 8 launch in late October; shoppers would be wise to wait a few more weeks to see the best laptop deals.

Again, if you can't wait, looks for 15" Ivy Bridge systems between $480 and $550. Anything under $480 and you'll know you're buying a machine at an all-time low.

Meanwhile, Mac fans who live near a Fry's Electronics store are in luck as the electronics retailer has been offering Apple's 13" MacBook Air (Ivy Bridge model) for $999 with in-store pickup. That's $200 under Apple's retail price and the lowest price we've seen this summer for the 13" model. Don't live near a Fry's? Best Buy, Amazon, and B&H Photo Video have each listed the 13" Air at $1,099 (which is $100 under Apple's price).

This is a guest post by Dealnews.

What end-of-summer deals will you snag this month? Read through for the best and worst things to buy in September.

This article is from Dealnews of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

How to Buy a Desktop Computer

Carlos Portocarrero — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 09:48:29 +0000

So you're in the market for a new computer? What’s it going to be? Mac or Windows? Blu-ray or regular DVD? Touch-screen monitor or standard mouse? With technology advancing so quickly and new features coming so fast, it’s becoming harder and harder to know what to buy. (See also: Why You Should Buy a Desktop Computer)

My advice to you is to treat this like you’d shop for a suit or a dress: find the one that fits your body as comfortable as you can and ignore the rest. Some of us need to do advanced things like video processing, while others just need a machine that runs an Internet Browser and Microsoft Word. It’s all about buying what’s right for you.

Desktop Features That matter

These are the features you want to pay the most attention to when picking out your system.

Processor

This is the brains behind the whole operation. The processor determines how fast you will get stuff done on your computer and, to a large extent, how long it will last until your next upgrade. Buying the fastest processor you can afford is always good advice here. If you want to save some money, find the fastest processor and take one step down from there. It’ll save you some money and you’ll still get great performance.

RAM

The more RAM you have, the less bogged down your system will get. But RAM is easy to upgrade, so don’t break the bank trying to fill up your computer with RAM. Instead, make sure the maximum amount of RAM it can be upgraded to is way up there (10+ GB of RAM). Then look for special deals on RAM and add as you go along.

Operating System

Mac vs. Windows...the eternal question. What’s it going to be? Are you ready to make a switch or do you want to stick with what you’re used to? If you are a novice you may want to consider spending more to get a Mac. For all the power users out there...you don’t need me to tell you what to do.

Hard Drive Capacity

Like RAM, hard drives are easy to buy separately and replace/add as you go along. But they're also relatively cheap to add when you're buying your desktop -- if you're not the type who likes to open up the machine and fiddle with things. Think about all the photos and videos you want to store and go ahead and get as much as you can handle budget-wise.

Desktop Features That Are Just Hype

Leave out these bells and whistles that aren't useful.

Touch Screens

They make for great commercials, but the mouse is still the best way to navigate through the software programs on a computer. While we’re all getting used to using touchscreens on our cell phones and tablets, this is one thing you can do without. Especially if it costs more.

Some computer makers are trying to jump on the 3D hype bandwagon, but it’s so early on in the technology that there’s no sense jumping in when we don’t really know how it will all play out.

Special Features to Consider

Getting the right desktop for you is the most important consideration. Before you go shopping, think about what you're using it for, and how long you're expecting to keep the machine for.

Customer Support

If you know how to update your BIOS and change the boot order of your devices on a computer, then this won’t be a feature you care about — you can probably handle most issues that you’ll encounter. For everyone else, you want to make sure you’re taken care of after you buy a computer. Issues will come up and they can be very frustrating. Knowing you can just pick up the phone and get help is kind of a big deal, so pay attention to the length and quality (read what people are saying) of the warranty, as well as the overall quality of the machine.

Differentiators

This is where the personalization comes into play. What are you going to use this computer for? If it’s editing large photos and videos, you’ll need certain software and lots of RAM. If you’re a gamer, you’re going to want a monster video card. Pay attention to what you’ll be using it for and buy accordingly. Don’t fall into the temptation that you need to have it all! You will be wasting your money — just buy according to your usage.

Best Time to Buy

I like to keep an eye on the machine I want and hold out for a few weeks until I find a coupon or it goes on sale. You can usually find great deals in July and August, right before the newest models hit the shelves, and in November during Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales.

See our shopping calendar for more tips on the best time to buy anything and our other buying guides.

Recommended Desktops

Best PC: Build your own Dell (Dell.com). Remember what I said about buying a computer that fits you and your needs? Dell is a world-class company with great customer support that allows you to build your own machine with a wide variety of components. I’ve built two machines with them and have absolutely no complaints. You can build a very good system for around $500.

Best Mac: iMac ($1,199). The whole machine is built into the monitor and no other desktop looks like it. Combine that with a fast processor, tons of RAM, and everything you need to pretty much run any program you’d like, and you can’t go wrong. It’s more expensive...but there are reasons for that.

This article is from Carlos Portocarrero of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

How to Buy a Laptop Computer

Carlos Portocarrero — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 09:48:21 +0000

Laptops are in the midst of a revolution. They’ve become smaller, more powerful, and cheaper. As more and more people decide to buy laptops as their main computer, the market has fractured into different categories. There are laptops, ultra portables, netbooks, and even desktop replacements that can pretty much do it all but are expensive and pretty heavy. (See also: Why You Should Buy a Desktop Computer)

Laptop Features That Matter

Let’s take a look at the different features we should pay attention to.

Processor

This is the most important part of any computer. Try to get as much processor as you can afford if you want to make your machine last. This is one thing you can’t just upgrade when your machine starts to feel slow...at least not on most laptops.

Memory

Like the processor, if you don't want your laptop to get bogged down if you're doing several things at once, getting as much memory as you can afford will keep you happy and productive.

Battery

If you’re getting a laptop, you’ll want to take it with you on the road at some point — otherwise buy yourself a desktop (it’ll be cheaper). You’ll want to use it without being tied to a power source, and that means you want a battery that will last. Scrambling for a power source in the middle of a project is a nightmare. Make sure you read a review or two that tests battery power to see how long you’ll be able to go without relying on an outlet.

Weight

If you’re going to be lugging this bad boy everywhere, you want to make sure you don’t have a chunker in your bag. Trust me — it will catch up to you in a hurry if you have to carry a 10 pounder around everywhere. I carry my netbook with me to work every day and every ounce makes a difference.

Optical Drive

Netbooks and other ultra portable laptops don't come with a DVD drive. Decide ahead of time whether that'll be something you'll want to have. It narrows down your options. Most full size laptops will come with DVD-RW drives.

Screen Size

A small, lightweight laptop is great for carrying around, but will you be able to work with a 10" screen? If you work with a lot of spreadsheets, that may not be your best choice.

Laptop Features That are Just Hype

There are some features that aren't cost effective to have.

3G/4G Connectivity

If Google’s new Chromebooks are the wave of the future (and they very well might be), then all laptops will have some kind of cellular connectivity and most of our work will be done in the cloud. Which is great, but it’s still too soon. You can’t count on reliable connectivity everywhere you go yet, and when you’re stuck without an Internet connection your machine becomes pretty useless. Besides, this will add another monthly bill to your budget — not worth it just yet.

Hard Drive Capacity

Hard drive space on laptops are much more expensive than for desktops. If you need a ton of storage space, you might want to consider using a desktop instead (or get an external hard drive).

Special Features to Consider

Blu-ray

If you don’t have a Blu-ray player, you may want to consider getting a machine with a Blu-ray drive. Combine it with an HDMI port and you can save yourself the purchase of a dedicated DVD player. If you travel a lot, you’ll appreciate being able to watch movies in all their Blu-ray glory.

Ultra Portability

Netbooks are small and that’s great, but there is a new category of laptops emerging that are smaller and lighter and claim to be just as powerful. The MacBook Air is a marvel of engineering and Samsung’s Series 9 is starting to catch up. If you’re looking for ultra portable machines that are sexy as hell (read: expensive), you may want to look into these.

Best Tme to Buy

If you’re interested in buying a Mac, definitely keep an eye on MacRumor’s Buying Guide, which keeps track of the Mac laptop life cycle. The guide makes it real easy to understand when a new model might be coming and when to buy.

Otherwise, keep an eye out in April. With new models coming out, retailers need to clear out inventory to make space. You can also take advantage of back-to-school sales in August and September for great deals on laptops and other electronics.

See our shopping calendar for more tips on the best time to buy anything and our other buying guides.

Best Value Laptop

HP’s DM1Z. This machine combines the portability of a netbook with the performance of a premium machine. It has the features you want from a portable system (compact, relatively light, great battery life) with a powerful Fusion chip that’ll pretty much run anything you want. This is the machine I upgraded to recently and I’m ecstatic with it. It also has a great keyboard, which is crucial since writing is my thing. The DM1Z was an easy decision, especially since it clocks in around $449 (keep an eye out for coupons!).

Best Special Features Laptop

MacBook Pro 13 inches. Macs are inherently more expensive than their PC counterparts, but if you’re looking for a machine that can pretty much do it all and look great doing it, this is it. It’s got the battery life, a blazing processor, and it looks sexy as hell. You’ll shell out at least $1,199 for the 13-inch version, but you’ll get your money’s worth. If I had the money, I probably would’ve switched to Mac and bought this machine.

Amazon.com Widgets

This article is from Carlos Portocarrero of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

computers

7 Ways to Avoid Credit Card Fraud While Traveling

1. Get an RFID Blocked Wallet

2. Beware of Insecure Internet Connections

3. Clear Cookies, Passwords, and Browsing History

4. Never Let Your Card Out of Sight

5. Memorize (or Write Down) the Theft Hotline Number

6. Set an Alert

7. Monitor Spending Even After You Return Home

Be Smart... Not Scared

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6 Cheap Ways to Ensure Your Cyber Security

1. Passwords That Go Beyond Your Dog's Name

2. Different Email Addresses

3. Two-Step Verification

4. Buy an Online Security Program

5. Monitor Your Credit for Free

6. Talk to Your Kids

10 Reasons Why Apple Is Still on a Tear

1. The Brand

2. The iPhone

3. The iWatch

4. The Mac

5. The iPad

6. The Apple Television

7. The Beats Music

8. The Mountain of Cash

9. The International Growth

10. The Mess at Amazon

8 Free Apps to Boost Your Online Productivity

1. Inbox Tamer

2. Social Director

3. Blue Light Blocker

4. Message Wrangler

5. Time Tracker

6. Program Launcher

7. Image Manipulator

8. Password Keeper

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10 Critical Steps to Protect Your Data in the Cloud

1. Create a Stronger Password

2. Store Your Passwords Securely

3. Activate Two-Factor Authentication

4. Keep Your Birth Date Private

5. Learn the Process to Report Hackers

6. Be Wary of Public Wi-Fi

7. Prevent Automatic Upload of Media

8. Backup Your Media Offline

9. Beware Fake Messages

10. Delete What You Don't Want Anybody to See

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Best Money Tips: The Technology Edition

Top 5 Articles

Other Essential Reading

Laser vs. Inkjet: Choosing the Wrong Printer Could Cost You

Functionality

Color

Running Costs

Do the Math

Don't Rule Out Buying Both

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Make Your Computer Last (Almost) Forever With Some Simple Tricks

Protection

Block Viruses

Clear Space

Safeguard Electronics

Cleaning

Monitor

Keyboard

Fan

Internal Maintenance

Defragment

Clutter

Battery

Care

Keep Liquids Away

Ensure Proper Ventilation

Safely Transport

Upgrades

RAM (memory)