Definitions (according to PC Magazine)
Tablet Computer: A complete computer contained in a touch screen. Tablet computers can be specialized for Internet use only or be full-blown, general purpose PCs. The distinguishing characteristic is the use of the screen as an input device using a stylus or finger. Mini Laptop or Netbook Computer: The general name has been "Mini Laptop", but the Intel-designated name was "Netbook". Things have been blurring a bit as new devices have come out since these names were established, but the general description per PC Magazine has been three pounds or less with displays of 8-10 inches. Computing power is limited. Subnotebook or Ultraportable Computer: A laptop weighing less than four pounds.
Solid State Drives
Solid state drives (instead of spinning disk drives) are quickly gaining ground in popularity. (Premier Software offices have tried two.) They are generally reported as being faster than disk drives, though Premier Software experience has not proven that. But, because disk hard drives are so inexpensive relatively speaking, and they come in sizes much larger than solid state drives, the hard disk drive seems still preferable for most users.
Removing USB Drives
Despite the widespread use of USB flash drives, many users do not practice proper removal. Improper removal leads to data loss and software operation problems. First, shut down any software using/accessing the USB drive. Then click on the Safely Remove Hardware icon (green arrow in it for XP, white checkmark on green background for Vista) in the system tray (very bottom of your computer display, at the right). Next click on the safely remove pop-up message. When the message displays that says it is OK to remove the device, then you can pull it.
Smartphone Worldwide Popularity Ratings
Shipments data for smartphones around the world show that Nokia remains the strong leader, based on IDC released data. RIM and Apple each shipped about one-half as many smartphones. About 300 million mobile phones were shipped in all in the first quarter of 2010, with 55 million of them being smartphones. (The data below represents first quarter units in millions of smartphones.)
