Gadget Review - Laptops continue to get smaller in design and not all can offer mobile professionals the features they need to work successfully on the road. The HP EliteBook 2530p Notebook PC may change your way of thinking of small form notebook PCs. While it is compact and lightweight in design - it does pack very useful features for mobile professionals and is worth taking a look at.



If you've contemplated going smaller and more portable then learning more about the HP EliteBook 2530p Notebook PC can certainly provide you with a basis for comparison when looking at other ultra-portable laptops.

How To - A reader emailed me to inform me that my How To Create Dial-Up Internet Access Connections is out of date and not required as people don't use dial-up anymore.

Gee, I guess we need to let all those folks who still have dial-up that they must stop - even though the reason they use dial-up is that there is no other option available. Many of us forget that high-speed and wireless Internet access are just not available yet in some areas. See the numbers that Michael Bloch has posted at Taming The Beast.net. If you want to see further numbers then the Ipsos News Center has more detailed numbers regarding the type of Internet access used.

Laptops over time will begin to slow down and not work as efficiently as when you first purchased it. This isn't an indication that it is time for a new laptop, rather it is a good indicator that it is time to perform maintenance on your laptop.

• Weekly Laptop Maintenance Tips
  These weekly laptop maintenance tips will help you keep your data protected and safe while on the road. Companies with mobile professionals should consider making these tips part of their mobile work policies and check periodically that their mobile professionals are completing these maintenance tasks. For those who frequent hot spots, this is especially important. It takes only one mobile professional to be lax in their maintenance for a company to risk losing important data.
• Monthly Laptop Maintenance Tips
  Along with doing weekly laptop computer maintenance, mobile professionals must also do monthly laptop maintenance tasks to ensure the smooth operation of their laptops and to keep their data protected. The better care you take of your laptop, the longer it will last and you will stay more productive with less downtime due to problems.

News - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission in conjunction with Health Canada has issued a release concerning the recall of HP laptop batteries.

The recall affects approximately 70,000 batteries which may be found in the following models: HP Pavillion

• dv2000
• dv2500
• dv2700
• dv6000
• dv6500
• dv6700
• dv9000
• dv9500
• dv9700

Compaq Presario

• A900
• C700
• F700
• V3000
• V3500
• V3700
• V6000
• V6500
• V6700

HP

• G6000
• G7000

HP Compaq

• 6720s

To determine if your HP laptop battery is affected by the recall you can check the bar code label which may include any of the following:

• 62940**AXV****
• 65033**B7U****
• 65033**B7V****
• 65033**BGU****
• 65035**B7U****
• 65035**B7V****
• 65035**BGU****
• 65035**BGV****
• 67059**V8U****
• 67059**V8V****

** indicates any other letter or number in the bar code label.

The affected models were sold during the period of August 2007 through March 2008 from hp.com, hpshopping.com computer and electronics stores and the batteries were sold as accessories in the same time frame. If you have an HP laptop battery affected by the recall you should immediately remove the battery and contact HP to request a free replacement laptop battery. You can still use the AC adapter to provide power to your HP laptop until you receive the replacement laptop battery. To contact HP use the following link - HP Battery Replacement Program, call (800) 889-2031 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. CT Monday through Friday.

How To - I'm often asked how it's possible to share Internet access when staying at hotels or attending conferences. It's actually quite easy and can be a great way to save money and the hassles of trying to set up multiple Internet access accounts.

If you've ever needed to share your Internet access and weren't sure where to begin, you can use my How to Share Internet Access and get everyone you need online with ease.

Home Office Gallery - Stumped trying to create your ideal home office? Not sure what type of layout will work in your space? My gallery of home office layouts will give you some inspiration to create your ideal home office and make the best use of the space you have available.

What type of space do you have available and how have you arranged your home office? Share your home office arrangements with us and let us know what works best for you.

Guide Picks - Trying to convince your company that mobilizing their workforce could be in their best interest? Not sure where to begin or what would really convince them that this is a viable option?

Companies that consider mobilizing their workforce should look at a variety of issues. These tangible and intangible benefits will help companies succeed and move into the future with a productive and well-balanced workforce.

These Reasons for Mobilizing Workers could be just what gets your company started on a new path.

Guide Tips - Participating isn't always as easy as turning on your web camera and talking. Make sure you have prepared yourself and that other particpants are ready to participate fully and properly in a web conference.

Web conferences are a great way to save money but keep mobile professionals in touch with each other and the company.

Guide Picks - Get a unique and cool gift for that special Mom in your life. Mobile and telecommuting moms don't mind flowers or candy but why not find something that they can use and enjoy. Telecommuting and mobile work are considered unconventional by some, so why not an unconventional gift for mom?

More Gift Ideas:

• Laptop Lights
• Port Replicators
• Laptop Backpacks

Guide Tips - Portable projectors can be a great tool for mobile workers. They can help you demonstrate new products or plans in a way that paper just can't do. Portable projectors can also cut down on the amount of paperwork you need to carry. They also allow mobile workers to show their presentations to more than just 1 or 2 people at a time.

Put your best foot forward and make your presentations shine - learn what you need to consider before purchasing a portable projector.