The latest MacBook Pro from the Apple stable has taken the Pro notebook to a newer high with its spectacular 15.4″ Retina show, a speedier PCI e-based flash storage, advanced 4th era processors and a sleek new design.
The device offers a visual treat with more than five million pixels with a whopping 220 pixels per inch and a resolution up to 2880 x 1800 pixels. 178 degree viewing angle and 75 percent less reflection are the other incredible add-ons that customers will relish.
Over the years, we have read several debates and articles on why Apple is successful. It is a very hot topic for people who are familiar (or unfamiliar!) with Apple products and their rise to stardom in the PC and non-PC domain. All debates on this issue will point to Steve Jobs and his exceptional style of marketing, strategizing and making his startup- Apple, the most valuable brand in the world, worth over $742 billion.
This blog tries to answer the question. Here are 4 reasons why Apple products are perfect for you and your business.
Apple Products Compete with their Trendy and Sublime Designs
Apple’s designs always look perfect and they attract with their sublime designs. Be it iPad, MacBook Pro, flat panel iMac and iPods – they all attract with their thin and lighter designs. The lighter designs make these products portable and favored choice for businesses and individuals.
Apple Products are Reliable
What is the use of investing in expensive technology device, if it cannot serve you for long? Apple MacBook Air 11 inch model offers 9 hours of battery life and 13-inch model up to 12 hours. Even if you put the MacBook Air in sleep mode for 3 hours, it will conserve battery charge to run for 30 days. Do you know Apple makes the most reliable technological products in the market – from its Mac Book Air to its popular iPod digital audio players?
Apple Products are Easy to Use
Apple products cut down complexity and are easy to use. Many industry experts agree that simplicity of Apple products makes them successful. Apple usually follows one design for each product in the category and keeps on enhancing its utility through updates. Inspite of the heavy competition in the iDevice space, people prefer to use Apple products, since they follow one design that is easy to understand.
Apple Products are Supported with Excellent Customer Service
Steve Jobs understood that even if he produces simple products, users will require some guidance or support to use them. This is why Apple products are supported with excellent customer service. It doesn’t matter whether you purchase them or lease them from computer leasing experts like GEEX, you can always expect excellent customer support, whenever your devices start giving you issues.
There may not be another UK Company to match the technological competitiveness of Apple and the British can say it with pride that Jony Ive, the chief design architect at Apple, is from North East London.
We are sure that everyone loves Apple products for the above reasons. And if you want to lease Apple products for your business in the UK, you can always approach GEEX. You can enjoy the benefits of affordable monthly payment scheme, next day delivery, 3-year warranty and customer support as well as an experienced support team at your service.
During these testing financial times, many businesses are preferring to lease equipment over buying. As a business owner, if you are unaware of the benefits of leasing equipment for your business, read on to find out how leasing can bring about the much-needed flexibility you need.
When cash flow is irregular, leasing is the right option
Many small businesses struggle to manage cash flow and meet daily expenses. In this environment, equipment leasing becomes the feasible solution. While leasing, you are not required to make any down payment, so it becomes easier to own an equipment without overspending.
Manageable Monthly Expenses
When the business is new, you cannot exactly predict where, and when, expenses may crop up. There might be some new investments, repairs, fix-ups and more. Amidst so much change, it is better to lease an equipment. The reason? Many people believe that predictable monthly cash management is the prime benefit of leasing. Most leasing specialists offer you the benefit of fixed monthly payments and that allows you to create a budget plan and work accordingly.
Leasing helps you to match pace with your big budget competitors
You are small a business organization, but that doesn’t mean that you don’t have to match the competition. Leasing helps you to match pace with your big budget competitors by owning modern and well-equipped computers and other technological equipments at a fraction of the original prices.
Technical support and equipment upgrade
With such rapid technological advances, it becomes difficult for businesses to match pace with the current technological trends. Leasing companies provide equipment upgrade and technical support that allows businesses to stay updated with the current trend. After the expiry of the lease period, you can easily lease the equipment that is newer, cheaper and/or quicker.
You can own the equipment forever
Some leasing companies will allow you to own the equipment after the end of the initial lease period for a fixed price or a fair market price, whichever is applicable. By paying small monthly payments, businesses can have access to newer technology that they cannot afford to buy otherwise.
If you wish to lease, you can always approach the reliable IT support and leasing experts in UK– GEEX. Leasing becomes an easy process with GEEX experts. Exclusive GEEX advantages include – fixed monthly repayments, 3 year warranty and support, upgrade available after 18-24 months and option to own the latest technology.
GEEX can provide managed anti-virus on all our support and leased products. The anti-virus software is continuously monitored to make sure it is up to date and if you do get infected then our support team are notified and they can deal with any infection immediately.
Why not give us a call or email to find out more.
info@localhost / 0121 285 0098
Many businesses have begun reaping the advantages of the move to the cloud while others are still contemplating the shift. For those who are hesitant, the concerns are real and valid. However, understanding how cloud computing works and making an informed choice can boost your business greatly. In the following paragraphs we outline the services and models offered by cloud service providers (CSP) and provide guidelines on how to choose the right one for you.
Service Models
Different CSPs offer different types of services. Some only offer their hardware (infrastructure) on rent while others offer software packages. Yet others offer the OS and some commercial software like Oracle for use. There are also some CSPs who specialize in database services. How the services are provided or deployed to the user also differs although most CSPs offer all models of deployment. The three main ways in which CSPs deploy their services are the private cloud, the public cloud, and the hybrid cloud.
Making your Choice
Choice of a CSP must be made on several levels including the service, the deployment model, the charges for service, and the support provided. The first consideration is of course your own requirement. Are you looking to dump all your software on the cloud? Or are you looking for some specific services like database hosting? Do you have professionals who will write your apps for you or do you want to rent the apps provided by the CSP?
These are some of the questions you should be asking yourself when selecting the services. Choice of the deployment model will depend on how sensitive your data is and how willing you are to share it with others. Whatever the claims made by CSPs, your data is exposed on public clouds. So if you do not wish to share your information, then private clouds are the best option. However monetary investment in private clouds is considerably high. You can also opt for a hybrid model which is a mix of private and public clouds.
Once you have decided upon the type of services you require, you should consider other aspects like payment, support, and above all, security. It is a good idea to research the provider to gauge the quality of his services. You can also ask probing questions regarding scaling to other providers, location of your data storage and retrieval time. Questions about checks and controls within the cloud are also important.
Conclusion
Before signing on the dotted line, it is wise to consider carefully what services you will be provided, the costs of these services, and whether the services will be provided as expected. Above all you should ensure that your data is safe and available when you need it and where you need it. Asking the right questions can help you make the right choice.
GEEX can provide cloud solutions to your business. Why not give us a call or email to find out more: info@localhost / 0121 285 0098
References: Dummies, Entrepreneur
UltraBooks is a very recent inclusion in today’s technology dictionary and there is confusion regarding their similarity (and dissimilarity) to laptops.
UltraBooks (like this one) are actually similar to laptops powered by Intel and they compete with laptops in many areas.
UltraBooks Vs Laptops – Similarities That You Cannot Ignore
UltraBooks share the same design as laptops and share several traits such as ports, screen, hardware, OS and ports. UltraBooks are compatible with Microsoft OS and they support the same office programs, games, applications and features as regular laptops.
UltraBooks Vs Laptops – How UltraBooks Can Sometimes Win
Mobility
UltraBooks are slimmer and lighter than many other laptops you find in the market. UltraBooks weigh a few pounds, whereas premium class laptops weigh 4 pounds and above. Regular UltraBooks up to 14 inch screens are 18mm thick, and 15.6 inch screens go up to 21mm.
Power and Security
Latest versions of UltraBooks are equipped with Third Generation Intel Core processors that offer enhanced security features as Anti –Theft Technology and Identity Protection Technology. These in-built security features help to protect authentication and password, prevent attacks on the operating system and they safeguard against any attempt of data theft and security threats at greater speed.
Battery Life
Although many high end business laptops may promise six to eight hours of non-stop service , UltraBook actually delivers on this count. The older versions of UltraBooks were tested to offer five to six hours of battery life, while the latest Haswell UltraBooks follow stricter rules with 9 hours of idle time, 7 days of standby time and 6 hours of video playing.
Ultra Fast Recconection from Sleep Mode
It takes fewer than 2-7 seconds for an UltraBook to spring back from sleep mode and in laptops it may take upto 10 – 15 seconds for the machine to spring to action.
UltraBooks Vs Laptops – How Laptops Can Sometimes Win
CD/DVD Drive
If you prefer to watch video games, movies and videos, it is always better to stick to laptops because optical drives are absent in UltraBooks.
Integrated Internet Connectivity
Most laptops include built-in mobile broadband and allows you to enjoy 3G/4G connection, whereas UltraBooks bank on Wi-Fi. Many latest models of UltraBook have integrated 3G connections.
Easier to Work Under Sunlight
UltraBooks are equipped with shiny screens and laptops with a matte screen. The shiny screens are reflective and makes it difficult to work under the sun.
Laptops Vs UltraBooks – the choice is entirely yours. You can select either of them depending on your work requirements and budget. Whatever be your budget and requirements, leading leasing and support specialists Geex can serve you better. Enjoy benefits of easy repayments, 3 year warranty and support, next day delivery by selecting your laptop or UltraBooks from Geex.
Ask this question to ten different people and you will probably get ten different answers! This is because the world of technology has expanded from a single personal desktop computer to tablet pcs and smart phones.
Most people however, are content if their app or program (or whatever!) works on the device they prefer to use. If you are looking at a programming career however, then this difference may be significant.
Even if you are a layman, you will probably need to purchase software at some point. If so, it may be interesting to know the difference between a program and an application.
What is a Program?
A program is a set of instructions that tells the computer what to do. It is written in a language that a computer (or computing device) understands.
Actually a computer understands nothing but electric pulses – ON and OFF. These signals are represented by 0 and 1. A programmer codes his programs in a programming language and there are other programs that translate this code into machine language – the 0s and 1s.
There are several programming languages from the age old PASCAL and COBOL to the more recent ones like JQuery, DotNet, and PHP.
What is an App?
Simply put, an application is a program written for a specific purpose. For example the app that you may download to logon to Facebook from your mobile phone, is written specifically for the purpose of allowing you to log on to FB and navigate the site.
Apps are short for applications. They are written for specific purposes either at the request of the user or for commercial use.
So What’s the Difference?
Says Warren Tang, “programs and apps are the same thing”. Conventionally however, software like the operating system, which directly talks to the computer, is called a program while software that talks to the user is called an app. For example you would not call Windows an Application nor would you call Whatsapp a program.
Ultimately, the difference between an application and a program is in the perception of the user. A program would require a number of files to be installed whereas an application seems like a single file that gets installed on your device, though in fact it may be a number of files.
An application would have a single icon and can be easily uninstalled whereas uninstalling a program would require another program called the uninstaller which would go and delete all the files you saved while installing the program.
A program may become an app on another device. In the earlier Facebook example, on your computer you do not need to install anything to logon to Facebook whereas on your mobile device you need an app.
This is because of the difference in the way browsers run on mobile devices and computers.
So what do you think? Are apps just another way of calling a program?
iPad apps stay true to their commitment and make life better for iPad users. Today, there is an iPad app for every function you can think about – gaming, photography, food, traveling, productivity, health monitoring, emailing and more. The productivity apps are the most popular of all. Here are some productivity apps that may benefit you and other professionals alike.
Microsoft Word
This app is designed for iPad users and it has the same look and feel as Microsoft Office. You can create, view and edit documents in it. You can unlock the upgraded features with a subscription to office 365. It allows you the convenience to choose from easy-to-read layout and real document layout.
You can access word documents from OneDrive for Business, iCloud, Dropbox or SharePoint. You can pick the writing and the editing from where you left and continue working on the document.
In short, it has similar functionalities that you have come to expect from a Microsoft Word application.
Mint App
This is the free application that allows you to plan your finances in an efficient way. It allows you to connect your credit card and debit card accounts, outline a budget, set bill reminders, review investments in one place and track your expenses.
In short, it helps you to keep tabs on your budget, expenditure and offer you tips for savings. You can check your credit score for free and also learn how to improve it.
You can set up financial goals such as saving for your wedding, buying a car, paying debt, etc.
Your data is secured through your own 4-digit PIN, so that no one else has an access to it. If your iPad or iPhone is stolen, you can delete all data from a remote device.
Dropbox for iPad
If you are looking for a simple and smart way to sync between your desktop, iPad and phone, Dropbox is the best option. It is simple to use and you can edit your documents in Word and other file formats.
eFax
This iPad app helps you to send and receive business faxes while away from the office. You can unlock the full potential of faxing freedom by upgrading to Pro or Plus.
If you don’t have an iPad, you can lease your iPads from trusted computer leasing experts in UK – MyGeex. You can get your product delivered the very next day and benefit from 3 years warranty and support.
(See part 2 here)
With the increasing number of digital gadgets in the market, there are just as many or probably more applications available to manage these devices. When you use your smart phone or iPod or any other device, you often get messages or warnings telling you your security is at risk and that there is a virus on our device.
This probably sends a chill up your spine thinking of all the money you spent purchasing the device and you will most likely download the app that will ostensibly protect your device. But how do you know that your device is really at risk? How do you know that you really have a virus or malware? And what exactly is Malware?
What is a Virus?
You will recall from the days of the desktop, a virus is nothing but a computer program that keeps duplicating itself so that your space gets clogged up and your computer malfunctions. Taken from the traditional meaning of the word, a virus infiltrates your system and simply jams it up. Malware (MALicious softWARE) on the other hand is software that can actually harm your PC.
Do Android Viruses Exist?
No, says Lookout while Walter Glenn of Lifehacker says “Viruses may be a more limited problem on smartphones and tablets, but they do exist.” Glenn substantiates his claim with the knowledge that applications on Android run sandboxed and have very little or no interaction with either the OS or other apps. Therefore even if you have a virus it cannot do much harm. So is there any real cause to worry?
What Sort of Malware can an Android Phone have?
Malware can enter phones through SMS or by downloading apps. Either way your system is at risk although as mentioned earlier, the risk is lesser than that for a PC that has malware.
SMS threat
The threat via SMS is through SMS Trojan. An SMS Trojan works behind the scenes and sends SMS from your phone to high priced numbers. The user account is debited each time an SMS is sent without the user being aware of it. By the time the user realizes that a Trojan has entered his phone he is already paid (or is being charged!) a pretty penny.
Downloaded Malware
Most of the downloaded malware is spyware that gains access to your data and sends it to the hacker. These apps are disguised as genuine apps like the Netflix app that appeared in 2011. The spyware could easily be mistaken for the real software and many guileless users were duped.
Conclusion
The lesson to be learned from Netflix is that you should be extremely cautious when downloading apps into your phone. Any which way, downloading too many apps may clog your system and if you download a spyware then Be Ware!
Sources: Lookout, Lifehacker, Securityweek
Last week, we touched on how Apple’s MacBook Air can boost your business productivity. Now for the next weapon in Apple’s arsenal for businesses.
iPad Air 2 is the latest Apple tablet to hit the market (October 2014) and it is faster, thinner AND the sleekest tablet ever produced by Apple or its competitors! Apart from all superlatives, it is all set to contribute to your business productivity in the following ways.
Easy to Manage
iPad Air 2 is slimmer with a thickness of just 6.1mm ( 0.24 inches) than iPad Air ‘s 7.37 mm ( 0.29 inches) and Samsung Galaxy Tab S10.1 6.6 mm ( 0.26 inches). At 15.68 ounces ( 0.98lbs) iPad Air 2 is the lightest tablet ever built, still it allows businessmen to carry their business data efficiently and access it whenever required.
Improved Display and Enhanced Efficiency
Creating impact with display is very important for any business. You can use the 9.7 inch display for maximizing your impact. The picture quality is better than the iPad Air and for efficient working you can pair iPad Air 2 with a Bluetooth keyboard. It is equipped with Apple’s new A8X chip which makes it easier to jump between applications, and open and close them easily.
Data Security
iPad Air2 is empowered with embedded Touch ID fingerprint scanner that require you to register your fingerprint to access documents and apps. It will help you to save your business data from tampering and save you from irritating password prompts. It is a serious advantage for businesses that are fiercely competitive and extreme security-minded.
Productivity Boosters
The iPad Air 2 operates on iOS 8 that offers a slew of highly productive business features for users. The Notification Center allows users to install their widgets in “Today” panel. These can be small apps with real time updates that allows users to follow their business news. There are various productive apps such as PCalc Lite Calculator (for fast and easy calculations), Evernote Widget ( for easy note making), Yahoo Weather App (for quick weather forecast), etc.
Connectivity
You can connect this tablet with other Apple products such as iPads, Mac computers and iPhones through a feature called Handoff –with the condition that these products should be connected to the same Wi-Fi and Apple ID.
Do you want to enjoy benefits of iPad Air without spending a fortune? You can easily lease your Mac’s and iPads from a trusted Computer Leasing and Support Partners MyGeex. Avail fast delivery and 3 years warranty and support with Applecare.
Microsoft, in an annual SMB Cloud Adoption Study 2011, found that nearly 50% of the small sized businesses plan to adopt cloud service in the next three years.
Businesses that have moved or are considering a shift to cloud computing are often concerned about the security of their data.
This concern is not unfounded. Jeff Beckham of Cisco lists the top five security risks of cloud computing. These relate to transfer of data, software interfaces, data storage, user accounts, and data separation.
Data Transfer
When businesses use cloud computing there is a great deal of data travelling over the internet, often from unsecure networks.
This means that data can be hacked while it is being transferred to and from the cloud. The first precaution therefore is to ensure that your data travels over a secure network.
Using (IPsec) Internet Protocol Security can also mitigate this risk to a great extent. IPsec is any internet protocol that uses encryption and decryption while transferring data over the internet.
What this means is that your data will be coded when it is despatched and decoded when received. In other words while your data travels over the intricate network it is coded and only the decoder stored in your computer and that of your provider can decode it.
User Interface
A user interface is a program or API that interacts with the database to store, retrieve, or update data. The (CSA) Cloud Security Alliance recommends that you learn how your service provider keeps your data secure. This includes learning about the user interfaces the provider uses. A weak interface – one that does not include nor has checks and controls – can put your data at risk. Therefore it is important to discuss security issues with your provider before you sign the agreement.
Data Storage
Although your service provider may use encryption while transferring data between his server and your computer, few providers use encryption within their own network. Hyun-Suk Yu, Yvette E. Gelogo, & Kyung Jung Kim advise that ensuring data security within the cloud is one of the necessary factors to be considered before accepting the cloud computing package.
Conclusion
The security concerns discussed here are the three major concerns regarding data security. Organizations must keep in mind that employees of the CSP can always access their accounts and data. Therefore it is advisable to consider the sensitivity of the data before deciding to put it on cloud storage. In fact one must be extremely cautious when migrating to cloud computing and consider all aspects carefully before signing the dotted line.
Sources: Cloud Security Alliance, Wikipedia, Microsoft, IETF Tools, Science & Engineering Research Support Society
One of the many concerns being voiced by businessmen with respect to cloud computing is loss of control. This concern stems from the fact that many organizations have their in-house programmers write applications specific to their needs. These applications are written to integrate with the software of the current cloud service provider.
When the organization decides to change the provider, many of the applications have to be rewritten resulting in additional costs in terms of time and resources.
The obvious solution to this problem is that organizations should use the applications written by the new service provider.
So how should businesses approach the private versus the public application problem?
Public or Private Applications – a matter of control
When writing applications for cloud computing, the approach would depend on the model the company has opted to deploy.
Whether the cloud is a public cloud or a private cloud would also be a factor in deciding the approach to development.
The problem of control would be minimal where the organization only rents the infrastructure since the data and applications would be built and owned by the organization.
Under the SaaS model where the organization rents the provider’s software along with the infrastructure, the problem with control would be the greatest.
Writing Applications for Cloud Computing
From a programmer or developer’s perspective, one major factor when considering private applications over public ones is that applications do not generally stand alone. Every application interacts with other applications, databases, and other objects. If most of these objects or frameworks are provided by the service provider, then using a public application may be a better option since it would be better integrated.
If on the other hand the database is stored locally, private applications may work better because they can then be tested locally to a great extent and only their integration with other applications stored on the cloud will have to be tested real time. Says Barney Beal of Techtarget, “There are, of course some applications that simply aren’t made for the public cloud. For example, a retail bank’s demand deposit account program.”
Conclusion
Given the various factors on which the decision of whether to write private applications or use the ones provided by the service provider is based, one cannot advocate for one or the other. The needs of the client with regard to the volume of data, the number of applications he needs, the level of security required, and the sensitivity of data will all combine to form the basis for deciding on a solution.
Nor can the decision stand alone. The decision for development must be taken in conjunction with the decision about the deployment model. Since cloud computing is a relatively new concept, there are still a lot of teething troubles with developing software for cloud platform. With time and experience, will come the knowledge to take better decisions, and write better code.
Sources: UNH, Tech Target
Apple’s MacBook Air is becoming essential for businesses due to its user friendliness, sleek design and reliable service life. If you think your business is small and doesn’t need this product, here are reasons why you should consider it seriously.
Thinner, Powerful and Lighter
MacBook Air is lighter, thinner and powerful than most laptops found in the market and it is ideal for small businesses – not to mention 12 hours of battery life that the 13- inch version can deliver (11 inch version bears up to 9 hours battery life). This means it will continue from the client meeting over a morning cup of coffee to the product demo in the evening without getting unplugged anytime. Sounds good?
Massive Data Storage
MacBook Air models bear flash memory (as found in your iPad) with storage capacity of 64 GB ( it can be upgraded up to 256 GB) that can yield better data storage and faster startup times. The system memory is upgraded to 4GB from 2 GB in the previous versions and is equipped with Intel HD Graphics 3000 technology that makes it one of the speedier gadgets around for purchase.
Embracing the Concept of Next Generation Wireless Technology
MacBook Air is equipped with the newest 802.11 arc technology that escalates Wi-Fi speeds to high level. The wireless performance is 3X faster than the previous generation and it allows you to work efficiently and effectively with zero hassles. It also allows you to work freely and collaborate with your team from wherever you are.
Set Up Your Office Wherever You Are
Most Mac products are empowered with key applications such as iMovie, iPhoto, Pages, GarageBand, Keynote and Numbers. It allows you to be productive and meticulously aligns your schedules, irrespective of whether you are attending the office or traveling for a business meeting. You can easily surf your mails, set up Face Time calls with your team, send texts and more. There is even an application that allows you to find new productive applications useful for your business.
Like all other Apple products, Apple MacBook Air strikes balance between mobility, user-friendliness and performance that means you can count on it to make an impact on your clients.
If you think Apple MacBook Air is out of your budget, you can lease your Macs from MyGeex – Your Computer Leasing and Support Specialists. Whatever be your technical requirements, MyGeex can deliver – sometimes on the very next day!
Give an old iMac a second life by turning it into a monitor for a new Apple Mac Computer.
Wouldn’t it be great if you could plug your new Mac laptop into an old iMac and use it as a giant monitor.
The good news is that you can. And it’s pretty easy to use an iMac as a monitor for another Mac. You used to have to either physically hack the old Mac, or use some networking software, but Apple has taken matters into its own hands with a great feature called Target Display Mode.
Macworld take you through the steps of how to do use Target Display Mode.
However GEEX can also help, just give us a call. We also have great business leases on Macs.
Microsoft has put up a serious contender for best email client on mobile by relaunching Acompli as Outlook.
It seems as though Microsoft is on a quest to improve its image as a modern and trendy company. Their Windows 10 has already had a change for the tech giant, and now it’s launch of Outlook on iOS and Android looks to complete this new look with a wide audience.
Based on the application Acompli, which Microsoft bought last year for a whopping $200 million, Outlook replaces the confusing array of Outlook branded Android and iOS apps – although they are still available at the moment and won’t be phased out for a little while yet.
Work mail is amazon’s answer to Office 365.
Amazons new business email service to try and take on Microsoft Office 365 and Google Apps for work.
After just launching in Europe and the US, Amazon ‘workmail’ will cost per user $4 (£2.66) a month, or $6 if you want added features like WorkDocs file share and sync service. This however is still slightly more expensive than Office 365 or Google Apps for work subscription .
Amazon WorkMail allows companies to select where they store email data, so European companies can keep in line with EU data protection regulations. Whereas Microsoft automatically uses data centres within the company’s region.
Workmail also allows its users to manage their own encryption key if they so wish, although if they opt to they can use an Amazon web services (AWS) – provided key.
This is Amazon’s latest attempt to target the SMB market. Amazon had for a long time held the title of the largest cloud services provider in the world thanks to its cloud hosting products like EC2, a cloud computing platform, and S3, a cloud storage solution, which have traditionally been used by large enterprises.
If you have any questions about if WorkMail is right for you, give GEEX a call today on 0121 258 0098
Once upon a time it was simply a choice of leisure or work, but now there are so many modifications to the ‘laptop’, it’s a difficult choice when choosing which is right for you.
So let’s start with the basics. There is 3 types to choose from; Ultrabooks, Workstations and Chromebooks.
Ultrabooks are thinner, lighter, and meet certain standards of power and size established by the processor maker Intel to compete with Apple’s MacBook Air range. The result has been some extremely premium machines. Think of laptops under an inch thin with long battery life and crisp screens, like the Leveno Thinkpad S440. And lately, folks have been squeezing dedicated GPUs into the form factor, like the Acer Aspire S3.
Workstations are almost designed solely for work, hence the name. These usually chunky laptops have one thing in mind, productivity. They are generally equipped with professional-grade GPUs. Other characteristics of these productivity-hubs include a wider variety of ports and easier access to internals than most consumer-grade notebooks. Not to mention more legacy inputs, like trackpoint cursors, and hardware-level security options, like fingerprint scanners. An example includes the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon.
Chromebooks run on an all new operating system created by Google and called Chrome OS. As the name suggests, everything from writing documents to listening to music is done through Google’s browser Chrome. The result is a system that can run with super low-end hardware, which lends Chromebooks if you are on a budget. Of course, Chromebooks are best in areas with wireless Internet access, but Google has vastly boosted their offline functionality over the years. For more information on Chromebooks, give the GEEX team a call.
2 in 1 laptops are excellent if you find yourself jumping from device to device then you may be better with a hybrid laptop. These beauties come as tablets but as you develop with them and add accessories they become more like a laptop. The idea is to provide one device that successfully serve both use cases, rather than have homes and businesses overwhelmed with gadgets for every scenario. Try the Surface Pro 3.
For more information on which is the right product for you, give the GEEX team a call on 0121 285 0098.
With six Macs to choose from, each with their very own specs and features, it can get a little tricky to pick which one is right for you. Should you buy a Mac mini, an iMac or Mac Pro?
Apple’s range of Macs includes the following:
MacBook Air
MacBook Pro
Mac Mini
iMac
Mac Pro
MacBook Air
This is Apple’s ultrathin and incredibly light laptop, sometimes referred to as an ultrabook. It comes in two sizes; 11 inch and 13 inch. It was Apple’s first laptop to feature a SSD (flash storage).
Take a look at our range of MacBook Airs lease here.
MacBook Pro
There are actually two types of MacBook pro available: a MacBook pro with a high resolution Retina display and flash storage, and a simple MacBook Pro that is the nly to feature a CD/DVD drive. The Pro part of the name suggests that this is way more powerful than the MacBook Air, however the prices are a lot closer than they used to be as the Air has a much more upto date hard drive than the Pro. As with the MacBook Air, it comes in two screen sizes; 13-inch and a 15-inch version.
Take a look at our range of MacBook Pros to lease here.
Mac Mini
The Mac mini is Apple’s compact desktop computer, it’s also Apple’s cheapest Mac! One of the best features of the Mac mini is its HDMI port, which helps to make this the perfect office computer to plug into a TV screen on a wall.
Take a look at our Mac mini range here.
iMac
Apple’s iMac is probably its most famous Mac. Over the years the iMac has lost its old bulky monitor, and slimmed down. It is incredibly thin, but the whole computer is hidden behind the stunning display. There are two different sizes of iMac available; the 21.5-inch and the 27-inch iMac. Back in June 2014 Apple added a new lower-cost iMac to its range, and then in October release a 27inch 5K retina iMac.
Take a look at these stunning displays here.
Mac Pro
Apple’s Mac Pro gained a whole new revolutionary design in 2013 however it was very difficult to get a hold of one until 2014. Known as the bin when it was released due to it’s innovative design, however don’t let it fool you, the Mac Pro is Apple’s professional. It’s fully-fledged workstation is aimed at those who need the ultimate power, or a true Mac fanatic.
Take a look at the Mac Pro here.
If you are still puzzled as to which one will meet your requirements call the GEEX support team today on 0121 285 0098
The developers working on the next version of Windows 10 are so excited by what it contains they have codenamed it “FBL_Awesome”.
Microsoft engineering manager Gabe Aul admitted that the name “is a bit corny”, but that it acts as a “daily reminder to ourselves that we want this build to be great”.
Windows 10 is to include several new features, such as a fully integrated version of the voice-activated personal assistant Cortana.
Microsoft is expected to unveil the consumer preview version of Windows 10 on 21st January. Microsoft says more than 1.5 million people are testing Windows 10, the most beta testers for any version of Windows to date. Around 450,000 of those using Windows 10 every day.
The GEEX Team have been running Windows 10 inhouse on a couple of computers for the past few weeks and we can confirm this version is ‘Awesome’. Expect a review from us in the coming months on how we have found this version and how we can help you upgrade your old equipment to new equipment with Windows 10 in a new lease package.
In 2010 when the iPad was first released, businesses have been able to stay connected and easily work on the go like never before. However people are still looking at ways to increase the use of their iPads through different applications available on the app store today. Thanks to an app called Duet Display, you can now effortlessly turn your iPad into your second screen for your Mac
Duet Display, developed by a former Apple engineer, Rahul Dewan, will turn your iPad into an external screen for your Mac, and does so using a cable that you already use to charge and sync your iPad. To be precise, it’s actually two apps — one for your iOS device and a companion app for your Mac that lets it recognize an iPad or iPhone as a second screen.
How does Duet Display work?
Download Duet Display from the Apple Store for £10.99
Install Duet Display for OS X
Duet Display will add a little settings icon to the right side of your menu bar and requires a password when you’re installing it on your Mac. This is because the app needs to install display drivers.
Open the Duet Display app on your iPad and plug it into your Mac with a lightning cable (or a 30-pin cable if you’ve got an older iPad that’s still supported).
Now enjoy working with two screens!
Because your iPad is plugged in, you won’t have to worry about your iPad’s battery. And while you’re using Duet Display on the iPad, you’ll still get your regular iOS notifications. You can also set your computer to use all the pixels on your iPad’s Retina display (2,048×1,536 pixel resolution), or you can set your iPad to regular resolution too. Duet Display works with
all Macs running on OS X Yosemite and any iPads or iPhones running iOS 5.1.1 or above, meaning it will work with your old iPad. The only downside is you can only connect a single iOS device for now.
GEEX lease iPads from as little as £3.70 a week and they come with 3 years warranty and support. Give us a call on 0121 285 0098 to find out more
This year will be about much more than just the Apple Watch but some great new products.
On a scale of difficulty from one to ten, getting information out of Apple scores a billion: the world’s most watched and most copied company knows the power of secrecy as a marketing tool and as a way to keep rivals’ photocopiers powered down.
Predicting what Apple might be doing in 10 years’ time is near on impossible but by looking through various Apple blogs and rumour sites and articles we have managed to find a few interesting products we could be enjoying in 2015.
Apple 4K TV and HomeKit
There were rumours Apple would enter the TV market in 2014 but this never came true and there is no sign of an Apple TV set appearing anytime soon in 2015. Apple TV has already been copied by different manufacturers and there is a rumour that Apple could be updating the spec on their model soon with a new A7 processor. However there are rumours Apple could be releasing a set top box called HomeKit in 2015 also.
HomeKit is Apples home automation API, and an Apple TV would make perfect home hub and could be added to the Apple TV device. HomeKit will allow you to control devices from outside the home when required. There are rumours that the new kit will have a microphone built in so you can use Siri to control the whole thing.
iPad Pro
A rumour for a new iPad Pro has been circulating for a while now and the conditions for a new bigger iPad are certainly right now. iPads are being used constantly more as business devices and a new bigger device would be welcomed.
The device doesn’t need to be too different to the iPad Air 2 with maybe a bigger 12.9” screen and higher resolution – 4K. The bigger screen would also mean a bigger battery meaning longer life.
Some speculation has suggested that the iPad Pro will be a hybrid device, either in the form of a tablet-cum-notebook or as a dual-os device. There could be a introduction of a stylus as well.
Retina upgrades
There is rumours of Apple Mac 21.5” getting Retina displays and it could be sooner rather than later these are being realised. There’s rumours of a new 5K display for a Mac Pro and would delight video and imaging professionals but they might have to wait until the new Mac Pro is released since the current thunderbolt does not support 5k video.
The new Retina MacBook Air has been rumoured to be released for a number of months but still not had anything come back from Apple. It might have something to do with Intel and the ongoing problems with its Broadwell processors and the delay in getting these released.
There will be lots going on with Apple this year and GEEX can promise you that it will continue to bring you the latest equipment within its lease packages.
If you are unsure to upgrade your equipment why not give us a call and we can tell you if it would be worth holding fire or upgrading now. Remember our leases come with upgrades every 2 years so your equipment should always be up to date.
This Month research from the antivirus and internet security company Kaspersky Lab has been released. Kaspersky’s security bulletin for 2014 reports some shocking figures on current security issues.
The Bulletin reveals that every second user of Kaspersky Lab products for Mac OS X was exposed to a malicious cyber attack, totaling a staggering 3,693,936 blocked attacks. The Lab detected a total of 1,499 different malicious programmes for Mac OS X this year, 200 more than last year
There are multiple ways in which these attacks can affect your Mac device including;
The GEEX team can help you protect your business from viruses, give us 0121 285 0098
Microsoft makes Office Apps free for iOS and Android
Microsoft has made its Office Web Apps for Word, Excel and PowerPoint free for iOS users, with Android versions to follow soon.
Since Microsoft released the apps in March, only people subscribing to Office 365 have been able to use the full versions of the apps. Non-Subscribers could use the apps, but only to view existing documents, and copy and paste content.
Now, all iOS users can create Excel spreadsheets, Word documents and PowerPoint presentations on their iPhone and iPads for Free. The android versions are expected to launch in December, so an early 2015 release for the full versions is expected in early 2015.
There are still some features available only to Office 365 subscribers. These include unlimited free storage in OneDrive, using collaboration tools to word on documents with several people and editing files in Dropbox using 365.
Experts say that Microsoft decided to make its Office apps available for free because people are unwilling to pay for online office suites now that there are so many free options available. These include Google Docs, Sheets and Slides, which can be used through Google Drive, and Apples iWork office suite, which is free for people who bought their iPhone or iPad after September 2013.
Is your business confused about Office 365 and the cloud in general? Give us a call on 0121 285 0098 and one of our sales staff will help you understand the benefits of using 365 and weather you need to be moving to the cloud soon.
Microsoft has fixed a critical bug that has been present in every version of its operating system since Windows 95.
The bug was discovered by IBM researchers in May and was patched in this week’s Patch Tuesday run, but with Windows XP no longer receiving security updates, the critical bug could still exist in what remains the world’s second most used version of Windows.
Despite the severity of the flaw, Microsofts’s fix does not cover Windows XP because the company is sticking to its policy of leaving XP unsupported. The bug was patched in Windows Vista, Windows 7, 8 and 8.1.
The flaw could allow attackers to run code remotely on affected systems. “The bug can be used by an attacker for drive-by attacks to reliably run code remotely and take over the user’s machine” said IBM researcher Robert Freeman.
A drive-by attach is when malicious software is automatically downloaded to a victims PC without the need to tempt that person into clicking anything. The simple act of visiting a website is often enough.
However, freeman concedes that IBM “hasn’t found any evidence” that hackers had taken advantage of the flaw but did say “it’s only a matter of time” before experts detect attacks that use the flaw to take over windows XP computers, which remain vulnerable.
The researchers believe the bug would probably have been worth a small fortune had some uncovered it earlier and sold it to hackers.
Are you still running Windows XP in your Business?
We can lease your business a new PC from as little as £4.00 per week and look after it for the full 3 years and refresh your equipment every 18 months so you have the latest equipment. Give us a call on 0121 285 0098 to discuss how it all works.
Now Office Apps are available for free for IOS and Android, here is a look at the Pro’s and Con’s of using them:
The Excel Pro’s:
The free version will come close to being able to meet most users needs.
The touch interface is well thought out with Dropbox integration.
Almost every function from desktop Excel is available to use with the numeric keypad speeding up formula entry.
The Excel Con’s
Compared to the desktop version some of its functionality is lacking or missing.
It is not possible to access images on OneDrive, only on IOS device.
Unless you’re creating and editing graphs in Excel for IOS it is free.
The Powerpoint Pro’s
An addition of presenter view using; video, audio (limited) and animation support.
The Powerpoint Con’s
There are fewer features on the IOS version to the desktop version.
The Powerpoint Pro’s and Con’s
You can see comments added on Mac or PC, but not edit them or add new comments. Comments are also entirely absent from viewing on a iphone.
The Word Pro’s
Free document creation and editing for most word documents.
With integration with DropBox a new version for smaller IOS devices is available.
The Word Con’s
Multi-user file editing for shared files is slow and has been deemed not up to scratch.
Problems also occur when files that are stored on Dropbox are being edited by multiple users.
Anyone who is after concentrating on in depth editing or the use of presenter view should look to go for a paid for subscription when it comes to using Powerpoint in particular. However iOS Office as a free tool is perfectly well developed and easy to view, create and present native documents.
NASA has designed its new spaceship to have control panels that look like that of replicas from the Gemini mission back in the 1960’s.
Their reasoning behind this to help astronauts to adapt easily to new digital influences, if the interface is recognisable and familiar as an object it helps make it almost immediately obvious how it works.
However, critics are arguing that skeuomorphic is not innovative and it therefore put constraints on the a computers full capability.
NASA calls the UI a ‘glass’ interface, as the manual controls are simulated on computer screens and given that the control panels are not innovative and operated by the touch there is reasoning behind this such as floating objects floating in space and knocking against the control screen and setting off an undesired action and also due to the controls often being operated by fingers covered in spacesuit gloves.
To operate the glass interfaces virtual buttons and switches, astronauts must rely on a series of edge buttons, which help them to quickly scroll through screens.
In the past the weight of all the buttons and switches added up and now the crew is now able to fly a lot lighter as the number of manual buttons have been reduced to 60 with remaining controls cut down to three screens.
Designed by app developer Yose Widjaja the two handed slide keyboard feels natural to use yet extremely fast. With so many other third party IOS 8 keyboards available standing out from the crowd can be hard. The Nintype Keyboard can do a few things that others can’t.
By typing with both hands you can just slide from letter to letter as opposed to having to tap each letter individually, even entering words much quicker than people typing using a keyboard. Its possible to use a combination of taps and swipes to write words and also insert punctuation.
It easily learns and saves words that are not in the dictionary and with its sliding capability by just entering as little as two letters of a word by flicking up from the bottom it will automatically input a word that you previously typed before. With the customisable top box it is also possible to display previously typed words for quick and easy use.
The app also includes a built in calculator, support from multiple languages, a tool for counting words per minute and a ‘word transformer’ for stylising the words you type.
Ayan Quershi from Coventry has become the youngest person to pass the Microsoft Certified Professional exam
Whilst Ayans peers were play fighting, he was building an IT network with his IT Consultant father. He was first introduced to PC hardware at the age of three. His father found that whatever he told Ayan, he would remember everything the next day. Ayan’s mastery of the motherboards convinced his father to enter him for the Microsoft Certified Professional exam. The exam, which takes around two to three hours to complete, includes up to 90 multiple choice questions.
Sample questions on the Microsoft website include:
You have a computer that runs Windows 7. You start the computer and receive the following error message:
BOOTMGR is missing
Press Ctrl+Alt+Del to restart
You then start the computer from the Windows 7 installation media. You need to ensure that the computer successfully starts Windows 7. What are two possible ways to achieve this goal?
A. Run Startup Repair
B. Run System Restore
C. Run Bootrec/RebuildBcd
D. Run Bcdedit/createstore
The father said that the hardest challenge was explaining the language of the test to a five year old. But he seemed to pick it up as he has very good memory.
I think we need to recruit Ayan as our newest member of GEEX
Office 365 users will soon be able to access documents through Dropbox and save them directly to a cloud storage device.
The collaboration will mean a seamless approach to opening documents in dropbox with them the option to open it in Office 365. Users will also be able to share new or edited files from Office 365 applications.
Until now, Office 365 documents have automatically saved to OneDrive and could only be accesses and shared through that cloud service.
Access to this service will be available from the next round of Office Apps updates for iOS and Android which will be available in the next coming weeks.
To find out more about Office 365, read our blog here..
Sony Pictures have dropped Aaron Storkin’s Steve Jobs movie after being in the casting process and moving towards full fledged production.
Following the death of Steve Jobs in 2011, Sony brought the rights to produce a film based on a biography of Mr Jobs written by Walter Isaacson.
It is unknown why Sony dropped the film. The movie is now in turnaround which allows another large studio to purchase and take over. It’s rumoured that Universal Studios will be picking up the movie.
Apple published a patent application to build smoke alarms into future Mac and iOS devices.
As users move towards a smart home through services like Apples Homekit, devices like Macs, iPhones and iPads could intelligently monitor for signs of a fire and trigger various mechanisms accordingly.
This means in the event of a fire the device will send a text or email alerting them of danger, calling 911 or even activating fire suppression equipment.
Apples patent application is based on a light detection system, with in-build light sensors determining if beams of light are illuminating smoke particles, or whether a certain location is smoke-free.
The device will work out where in your home the fire is and then alert other linked devices. So your iPhone could wake you from a message sent by your Mac.
It seems someone in Copertino has an eye for safety as this isn’t the first time Apple have filed for patents dealing with fires. A recent filed patent shows new halogen free, flame-retardant materials for use in future devices.
You can ‘Oooo’ now.
We have blogged a number of times this year about the iPad Pro. Well now it appears that Apple maybe ditching the iPad Mini in favour of the iPad Pro. You may recall that Apple’s iPad Pro is rumoured to have a screen size around 12-13 inches. It is thought that that it will be slightly thicker than the new iPad Air 2 and it may have stereo speakers and an ultra high definition display. It was thought that the Pro was going to appear in late 2014 but Apple delayed this in order to focus on the iPhone 6.
It is thought that with consumers now preferring larger screen sizes, declining iPad sales and increased competition has led to Apple feeling that the iPad mini is coming to the end of its life cycle. When you consider the recent Apple event the iPad Mini 3 really only gave us Touch ID Support it kind of suggests that Apple aren’t really overly focused on the product.
Apple do have a history of not updating products when they have fallen from grace. Just look at the iPod Touch and the 13” MacBook Pro, these haven’t been updated in years and Apple seems to be letting them have a slow death.
So could October 2014 have witnessed the last iPad Mini and will 2015 bring us the iPad Pro? Only time will tell but with Microsoft’s Surface Pro 3 being well received amongst businesses the Pro could be just the product that Apple needs in the New Year.
Last week Microsoft caught everybody out by releasing its Microsoft Band. In line with the modern trend this is a fitness focused device that you wear like a watch but it can connect to both iOS and OS X and it will even integrate with Apple’s HeathKit.
Retailing at just $199 and providing two days of runtime of a single charge the band will track your heart rate 24 hours a day. A built in GPS feature allows you to track runs which is a great feature for those of us who do not like running with a phone strapped to your arm or bashing around in your pocket. It is also worth noting that the new Apple Watch does not come with GPS.
Users will also be able to follow routines on the band. It will provide complete work outs telling you when you should stop and rest through a buzz on your wrist. In addition to the “Guided Workout” service you will also be able to test the UV Index at your current location. The Band will even tell you how long it will be before your burn. We can only assume that this was designed with California in mind rather than Birmingham! Even still is a cool addition.
You get the usual smartphoneesque array of features including messaging, mail and calls. To customise the Band you will be able to choose between an array of colour styles and wallpapers. Microsoft is also launching a cloud-based health service called Microsoft Health. This will gather data from both the Microsoft Band and other fitness data gathering devices. The service spans the web and multiple mobile platforms like iOS, Android and Windows Phone.
As fans of all things Apple we often find ourselves having conversations with our customers about how amazing the products are. The new 27” iMac with 5K Retina Display has led to many hours of debate.
So it is rare that we have conversations regarding Apple equipment that uses words such as “hate” or “despise.” However, when it comes to Apple keyboards it would appear that people either love the wireless keyboard or hate the fact that it doesn’t have a numeric keypad.
So if you would like the functionality of the wired numeric keyboard but without the wires then NewerTechnology may have just developed the answer. The aptly named Wireless Aluminium Keypad provides the dedicated numeric keypad set in an aluminium housing that sits perfectly with the wireless keyboard.
Battery powered the keypad pairs with your wireless keyboard via Bluetooth and is connected to the keyboard via a white plastic bracket. Reviews have stated that this is a shame as the keypad itself looks and feels that it has been made by Apple but the white plastic connection lets the aesthetic down.
So if you have always wanted an Apple numeric keyboard but with the look of the wireless keyboard there is now a solution for you.
Last month Apple launched the amazing iPad Air 2 with its upgraded A8X processor, Touch ID, slimmer form factor, improved camera, and more it has been well received. However, we have seen an increasing number of businesses start to turn towards Microsoft’s Surface Pro 3 Tablet.
Whilst there could be a number of reasons for this, not lease Microsoft’s claims that the Surface Pro 3 replaces a laptop, the keyboard functionality seems to be a real attraction. Logitech do provide a keyboard cover the iPad Air for around £80 but we have been stuck by the ClamCase Pro for the iPad Air 2.
If you want a more laptop type device then the ClamCase provides a really good solution for you. Retailing for $169 it isn’t the cheapest accessory out there but it does give you a decent sized keyboard that comfortably allows the more skilled amongst us to type at 70 words per minute.
As you would expect from a cover it has all the right holes in all the right places. The only exception being the mute/orientation lock switch. Apart from that the look and feel of the product is spot on for an Apple accessory. To insert your iPad into the ClamCase you simply hold the iPad in landscape, slide it in towards the hinge side and then snap it into the case. Once in the case you can use the iPad like a traditional laptop or fold it back on itself to use in tablet format.
As more and more apps are being developed with keyboard support coupled to the popularity of the Office apps, it would seem that there is an increasing demand for products like the ClamCase. So if you have always wanted to use your iPad more, but felt you couldn’t achieve the productivity levels you wanted then check out the ClamCase.
Over recent months the news has understandably been dominated by the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. It has killed thousands in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia and with no known cure or vaccine for the virus fatality rates are between 50 and 75%.
In an attempt to provide assistance to the research community and help bring technology, governments together Microsoft is making its cloud platform available to tackle the challenge of Ebola.
Researchers must be affiliated to an academic institution and your aim must be focused on developing a better understanding of the spread of Ebola, with the aim of creating a cure for the virus. Researchers are required to submit a proposal of no more than 3 pages and this must details the intent of the project and how they intend to use Microsoft’s resources to achieve that.
It is always easy to be cynical about big business doing charitable events but we think Microsoft should be applauded for opening up their technological expertise to help researchers fight a virus that has been described as the biggest threat to humans since AIDS.
We have all seen Apple’s HomeKit app that allows you to use your IOS device to control everything in your home from turning on the lights to shutting the curtains. Well know it appears as if Apple has its sights firmly set on your car.
A new patent that has been registered for a vehicle accessory and this will allow the user to control a number of in car functions, including opening the doors, starting seat warmers, selecting music and alike. What could be really cool is that you won’t have to do this manually. The software, in conjunction with a GPS signal, will detect when you are near and the commands will be sent automatically. Ideal if you have your hands full of shopping bags.
Also, if you are the type of person who struggles to remember where you parked your car in a crowded car park then the App will be able to help you locate your car. The patent highlights just how serious Apple are about competing in the Internet of Things. Soon we might be able to control our whole lives through our Phones!