Windows XP end-of-life: how do you survive

I am one of those who still cling on to the old trusty Windows XP operating system. I still have this in my old desktop PC which is now mostly resting on the side of the table, but otherwise is still functioning.

I may not be using this as my working computer anymore but there could be slight chance it will come into service should my personal laptop, and the other working laptop go kaput.


If you are XP user like me, you'd have already noticed by now that Microsoft's support of Windows XP has ended on April 8, 2014.


What does this mean to users

Windows XP users will no longer receive new security updates, non-security hotfixes, free or paid assisted support options or online technical content updates.

This means that any new vulnerabilities discovered in Windows XP after its "end of life" will not be addressed by new security updates from Microsoft, leaving users vulnerable to malware attacks and countless security risks


What now?

Many of us would now be either scrambling to figure out what to do with it, or in some state of blissful denial, determined to continue riding out the storm. PCworld recommend you to upgrade. But whichever fate you choose, you'll need some key information to survive the event unscathed.


Okay, I'll upgrade. Help me!

If you choose to upgrade, you still need to choose between buying an entirely new PC or just upgrading the operating system (OS) on your current machine. Buying a new PC is by far the easiest route, because the OS will be pre-installed and the hardware will be up to current standards.

Microsoft Malaysia, in conjunction with several vendors and telcos, is wooing consumers with a trade-in campaign called 'Good Bye XP, Good Buy Windows 8' which offers small and medium enterprises in the country up to RM600 (US$185) savings when they buy a new Windows 8.1 device from 1 April - 30 June 2014. View story link here.

Here is a quick rundown of the 5 things you should consider as you prepare to shop for a new Windows system. Also, find out this handy checklist for setting up your PC the way you like it.

It is also possible to keep your PC and just upgrade the OS, should you prefer to, but your OS upgrade choices maybe limited by insufficient CPU power, RAM, or storage capacity.


No, I will stay with XP!

If you decide to stay put with Windows XP, your main concern is online security. You can take precautions to keep your XP system secure after Microsoft stops issuing security patches, but there are no guarantees.

There were warnings that as soon as the XP is no more supported, hackers will start their 'adventures' of hacking into people's computers. This is just caution but it could prove to be a catastrophic truth.


TheGreenMechanics: This is PCworld's verdict: Upgrade from Windows XP, it is not a ploy to get you to buy a new system. Ok, with a pinch of salt, I say I'd rather upgrade than face the music of the ever increasing cyber threats.

My personal laptop is running on Windows 7 and it works fine with support still available from Microsoft. This could be a cheaper upgrade compared  with Windosw 8.


Source: pcworld

Fujitsu offers leasing programme to help Malaysian corporate and SME businesses

For those wanting to start up a business and want to avoid one of the overhead costs, Fujitsu may have just what you need.

Fujitsu has launched a new laptop leasing programme to help Malaysian businesses remain competitive and productive. From as low as RM70.20 (US$21) per month, business owners of all sizes can now equip their offices with Fujitsu Lifebook series.


Fujitsu officials showing the laptops on offer. Photo credit: Chip magazine


The lease runs for three years with an interest rate of 0.5% per annum. At the end of the period, clients can choose to refresh the equipment leased or buy back the leased equipment at fair market value, depending on their needs.

Businesses stand to benefit from:

• Off-Balance sheet: Rental is an off -balance sheet item that can be treated as an operating expense which will help improve return on equity/assets.


• Low capital outlay: The credit facilities available to you by the bank can be put into more productive use and for other working capital requirements.


• Protection against technology obsolescence: Stay on the cutting edge of technology by switching to the latest and most advanced models in the market with our flexible scheme.


• Flexibility of contract: three options available, to refresh, to extend or to buy-back.

Fujitsu Lifebook models on offer

Lifebook laptops in this leasing programme is available at Fujitsu authorised dealers nationwide, which includes models such as Lifebook AH544, Lifebook E733, Lifebook E743 and Lifebook U772.




TheGreenMechanics: Would be good if this is opened to individuals. Consumers will have more choices and flexibility.


Source: CHIP Magazine

World's first 3-in-1 mobile device: ASUS Transformer Book Trio

When I travel, I always have trouble deciding which gadget or mobile device to bring with me, especially if the bulky DSLR is also in the haul.

So, for a short trips I will just bring the iPad along with me and leave the heavier laptop at home. But for a lengthy family trips the bulky laptop tags along with us.

This should be a thing of the past with the launching of ASUS Transformer Book Trio, announced in Taipei on June 3rd, during COMPUTEX 2013. We can now bring along not two, but three mobile devices together - Tablet, Laptop and Desktop PC.

How about that for convenience?

Transform me! The Transformer Book Trio can switch between Android tablet and Windows 8 desktop PC environments seamlessly.

The chameleon's transforming from laptop to tablet

It has a physical hotkey to allow user to switch between OSs

World's first 3-in-1 mobile device

One word: Innovation. ASUS innovated a means to combine tablet, notebook/laptop and desktop PC in a single product, the  Transformer Book Trio, so that you can work, play, and do social activities with flexibility.

The Transformer Book Trio tablet which runs on Google Android features an 11.6-inch screen with 1920x1080 pixel resolution and the detachable hybrid design runs on both Android and Windows 8, which means it uses two Operating Systems.

There is a physical hotkey to allow you to switch between the OSs. However, that hotkey will only work if you have the tablet latched into the keyboard dock; once you unplug the tablet it will only run Android Jelly Bean.


Specifications of the Transformer Book Trio

Special features          : Three-in-one - Tablet, Laptop and desktop PC
Display                        : 11.6-inch
Display Resolution      : 1920 x 1080 pixel
Weight                        : varies according to mode
Operating Systems      : Android Jelly Bean, Windows 8

Processors                  : 2.0GHz Intel® Atom™ (for Tablet) & 4th gen Intel® Core™ i7-4500U (for PC)
Storage                      : 64GB (on Tablet) and 750GB harddrive (on desktop PC)

Interface                     : 2 x USB 3.0 ports, HDMI, mini-DisplayPort, Wireless Display (WiDi)
Battery Capacity         : 2 batteries - 33,000mWh and 19,000mAh
Other features            : PC Dock station also serves as a charger to the Android tablet.

Announced                  : 3 June 2013
Availability                  : 3Q of 2013


Price

It is expected to be sold for at least $1,345 (approx RM4,162) although no official pricing yet from Asus.


What do you think? Will you replace your Tablet, Laptop and Desktop PC with a single device that perform the same tasks?

First Malaysia-branded Android tablet for RM999

Last week MalTechPro Sdn Bhd unveiled the first Malaysian made 7-inch tablet known as 1Malaysia Pad, or 1Mpad which is fully equipped with a capacitive touch screen, android system, wireless broadband, 3G and the latest applications.

The 1Malaysia Pad launched on 24 May 2012. Picture credit: The Sun Daily

In my previous posting, I wrote an article regarding India's world cheapest tablet, the Aakash and Malaysia seem to have followed suit in launching an Android tablet. But unlike the US$45 to $70 Indian version, the 1Malaysia Pad is priced further up at RM999 (US$315).


1Mpad specifications in brief

Not much was available from the media coverage but for a start, this are what have been made known:
Price                       : RM999 (introductory price for the first 5,000 units)
Screen size             : 7 inch
Operating system     : Android 2.3, Gingerbread
Storage capacity      : TBA
Mobile connectivity   : WiFi, 3G
Camera                   : 3 MP
Released                 : May 2012
Availability               : available now for pre-order

The Borneo Post reported that the tablet is equipped with a proprietary 1Malaysia messenger app which would allow users to send messages, pictures and videos for free.


First impression

While this appears to be more powerful than the low-coast Aakash, at its current high list price, the tablet doesn't appear to be a fantastic deal. RM999 is relatively expensive for a 7" tablet, more so with better specced and affordable offerings in the market are available, such as the Galaxy Tab 7 Plus at RM1,200 (US$380) and still dropping in price. Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 was last seen priced cheaper at RM799 (US$250) but I'm unsure if this model is still available in Malaysia.


Who will buy them?

Befitting its name, this tablet is targetted to be first marketed to students at a discounted price. Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the ministry planned to include MalTechPro as a merchant in the ministry’s student discount card program, due to kick off next month.

The amount of the discount has not been decided yet but this is touted to be a replacement for the current 1Malaysia netbooks in universities.

Would you buy one of these for yourself? I think it is too expensive and the manufacturer will have to persuade the government to push it to the people through various 'donation' programs.


Early Verdict

An introductory price of RM699 - RM799 would have been more appealing considering such technology has been around for sometime, plus, the OS is an outdated one. Throw in the option for WiFi and Wifi + 3G to reduce the price further.

Mobile Devices to Outnumber Humans in 2012

The world population hit 7 billion in November 2011 and Worldometers estimated that net population growth is about 77,000 per day. Very soon, human will be outnumbered by mobile devices. Infact, according to network firm Cisco, that would happen this year.

Screen-shot of my laptop display.

Not surprising as the usage of mobile communication gadget is increasing at exponential rate and the personal mobile equipment is flooding the market like a huge wave.

The world is getting smaller and data users will be more and more mobile, no doubt. But those who produce data will still need to chain themselves to a desk in that sense; they will not be that mobile. Plus, in order to handle delicate data, you will need the big screens. Then again, how many of us would be managing such data compared to the mostly 'data consumers' masses?

I don't have a 7-inch tablet yet but I can't imagine doing a decent work on one if I can't do the same on my 3.5 inch 4S screen. At the most I read e-mails, news, and other Internet surfing from it. Replying to e-mails with lengthy wordings is a bit of a struggle too.

That said, let's see what the network company, Cisco said in their report.

Go to Cisco's global mobile data traffic forecast page and you will see a comprehensive Cisco VNI Forecast, their ongoing initiative to track and forecast the impact of visual networking applications on global networks. The forecast presents Cisco's major global mobile data traffic and growth trends. The followings are some of the summary of the long report:

1. The number of mobile devices will exceed the world’s population in 2012

2. There will be over 10 billion mobile connected devices in 2016

3. By 2016 monthly global mobile data traffic will surpass 10 exabytes (1 exabytes = approx. 1 billion gigabytes)

4. As a comparison, Cisco reported that mobile data traffic in 2011 was eight times the size of the global internet data in 2000

5. Global mobile-data traffic will increase eighteenfold between now and 2016

6. Currently the average smartphone uses 150MB of data per month but this is expected to rise to 2.6GB gigabytes by 2016. WELCOME TO THE GIGABYTE CLUB!

7. Mobile-network connection speeds will increase ninefold by 2016

8. Two-thirds of the world’s mobile data traffic will be video by 2016

9. In 2011 there were 34 million tablets and by 2016 tablets are predicted to account for more than 10% of global mobile traffic, out-pacing smartphones by miles.

If you like long and comprehensive report, jump to Cisco Visual Networking Index: Global Mobile Data Traffic Forecast Update, 2011–2016

Cheapest Computer

Super cheap but is it fit-for-purpose?

Students showing off the new Tablet - Aakash. Image from Voice of America.

If you recall, a week a or two ago, India introduced a super cheap computer, the Aakash for Rs.2250 (US$45/RM135). Well, a tablet computer to be exact. Over the years India has been well known for its initiatives in producing cheap and affordable stuffs. Not too long ago India's Tata stunned the automobile world with its US$2,000 car, Nano.

It is understood that the tablet can be had at $35 with subsidy from the government, specifically for students. A commercial version would cost around $70 to be made available later.

Enter Bangladesh.

It seem that India is not the only nation building cheap computers. Bangladesh this week introduced the Doel, Android-based laptop in Dhaka priced at 10,000 Taka (US$130/RM390), according to BBC.

Compared to Aakash, the price of Doel is a bit steep but for a $130, who can complain much about a fully functional laptop. I wouldn't. It is a very decent effort by creative individuals. For some, the ability to connect with the rest of the world and the convenience of being able to do away with papers is far more important than the built quality of the tool itself.

Think about people with low household income of $300 to $400 but with decent educational infrastructure available around them. The Aakash or Doel may just be what they need, not iPad2 or the latest HP dv6 series.

Alright, let's have a look at the brief highlight of the comparison between the two latest cheap gadget, see for yourself if the price gap is justified:

In two words - pleasantly cheap. Period. My only hope is that people don't sacrifice green with cheap. Please consider your e-wastes and the environment as you design your stuff, hopefully the smaller (and cheaper) the gadget the smaller the production waste will be.

The Doel is essentially a scaled-down laptop like Aspire One, Lenovo IdeaPad, Inspiron Mini but priced much lower. Come on Malaysian IT enthusiasts, bring on your homegrown RM399.00 laptop/tab now. Afterall, who invented the thumb drive? Phua Khein Seng. He's a Malaysian.

Call it Nuri, Bangau, Kenyalang, or even your name.