Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 4: The first introduction
• Part 2 of 4: Installing software
• Part 3 of 4: Using the internet with your laptop
• Part 4 of 4: Living and working with your laptop
• Tips
• Warnings

Portable computers in the form of a laptop or notebook are becoming more and more powerful, they are a handy alternative to smartphones and desktop computers for when you are on the road and still want to be able to work. A laptop can feel a bit uncomfortable the first time you have one in your hands, or when you're using someone else's laptop. Don't worry - in this article we'll show you how to get started with laptops quickly, and you'll never want anything else before you know it.

To step

Part 1 of 4: The first introduction

1. If you're using the laptop at home, find a power outlet and plug the laptop's adapter into the power outlet. A laptop has a battery that can run out quickly, especially if you use your laptop intensively. So leave the plug plugged in as much as possible, unless you are in a place where there is no outlet.
2. Place the laptop with the bottom on the table / desk in front of you. The English name "laptop" implies that the computer on your "lap" (lap) can be used, but that does not mean that your lap is always the best or right place. Try to find a comfortable angle for your wrists and hands - that means moving the laptop around until you find the best position for you.
   • Do not place the laptop on soft, fluffy, or hairy surfaces that can block the air vents. Most laptops have openings behind the fan, to ensure proper operation, these openings must remain free.
3. Open the screen and make sure you can look at the screen comfortably. Many laptops have some type of lock or lock that must be unlocked before you can open the screen.
   • Don't force it if the laptop doesn't seem to open. You shouldn't need to use much force to open the screen.
   • Do not open the screen too far. It is better not to open a laptop further than at an angle of 45 degrees. The lid or hinge can be damaged or broken if you open the screen even further.
4. Find the power button and turn on the computer. Most laptops have the power button located just behind the keyboard. The power button is usually identified by the universal "on" symbol, a circle with a line halfway through it.
5. Wait for the laptop to boot. A laptop is designed to be portable, but at the same time it is a powerful computer with specialized hardware, making booting up in most cases longer than booting from a desktop computer or smartphone.
6. Use your laptop's trackpad. On most computers, that's a flat area in front of the keyboard called "trackpad"that responds to touches, so you can use your finger as a mouse. Move a finger across the trackpad surface to move the cursor.
   • Many trackpads use so-called "multi-touch" functionality. In that case, the trackpad responds differently to touches with more fingers, making multiple functions available. Experiment by moving one, two, or three fingers at a time on the trackpad, and try out a variety of gestures with your fingers.
   • Lenovo laptops often have a "trackpoint" instead of a trackpad: a small, red, joystick-like button in the center of the keyboard between the "G" and "H" keys. Think of it as a very sensitive one finger joystick.
   • Some older laptops have a "trackball". By rolling the ball, the cursor moves across the screen.
   • Some laptops have an interface that uses a pen. In that case, a pen is attached to the laptop. Move the pen on the screen to move the cursor and press the pen on the screen to click.
   • Do you find your laptop's pointing device small and difficult to use? You can always connect a mouse to your laptop. Look for a USB port on the laptop and connect a mouse if desired. The laptop automatically recognizes the mouse and you will be able to use the mouse right away.
7. Use the left trackpad button as your primary mouse button. Most trackpads allow you to click using a button located at the bottom left of the trackpad.
   • Some trackpads allow you to click by gently tapping the surface. Experiment - you may discover functionalities of your laptop that you did not know existed.
8. Use the right button on your trackpad as a secondary mouse button. Pressing the right button on your trackpad will bring up a "contextual menu" or you can use it to perform other functions that you know from the right button on your mouse.
9. Find out where your laptop's optical drive is. If your laptop isn't a netbook, it probably has an optical drive built in that you can use to install software or play music. The optical drive is usually located on the right or left side of your laptop.
   • Under Windows and Mac OS, you can open the optical disc by pressing the small button on the tray, or by right-clicking the optical disc icon and selecting "Delete".

Part 2 of 4: Installing software

1. Make sure your laptop's software is up to date. You probably already have some basic programs installed on your laptop: a simple word processing program, a calculator and perhaps a simple program to import and share photos. Laptops also have special software that controls the power and graphical interface; usually many driver updates have to be downloaded before the laptop can be used. With a little knowledge, you can easily add software to your laptop to significantly expand the computer's capabilities - in many cases, it's free.
   • You must update the Windows version of your laptop if you have a laptop with Windows. To update Windows, your laptop can use the Windows update software or the manufacturer's own software.
   • If you're using a Mac, you can find available updates in the App Store. It is very easy to find the updates on an Apple laptop.
2. Install software to create and edit documents, spreadsheets and presentations. Probably the built-in software on your laptop is enough to perform basic editing and note taking, but if you want to do serious work you need a more powerful program package.
   • The OpenOffice software package contains programs for word processing, spreadsheets and presentations. It is very similar to Office from Windows, but OpenOffice is free.
   • You can also use Google Docs, which is an online alternative to Office software. Google Docs works in the "cloud", so all you need is a browser, you don't need to install any other software. You can do many things with it that you know from Microsoft Office or Openoffice. It is free and has many functionalities, especially useful if you want to share documents with others.
   • You may be able to get Microsoft Office at a discount or for free if you are a student. Check that first before you reach deep into your pouch.
3. Install software to organize, edit and share photos. You probably already have software installed on your laptop with which you can do this. It's quick, easy and in some cases free to upgrade.
   • Use Photo Stream to organize and share your photos. If you have an iPhone or if you have an Apple laptop, you can use Photo Stream to share your photos.
   • You can use Picasa to organize and share your photos. Picasa is made by Google and it includes many basic functions you may need to edit photos, such as cropping, retouching, changing the color, and creating panoramas.

Part 3 of 4: Using the internet with your laptop

1. Make sure your home network is working properly. If you don't have a network with internet at home yet. Your laptop is a powerful portable computer, but you will not be able to use all its functions until you are connected to the Internet. You probably already have software installed on your laptop to easily connect to the internet.
2. Use the ethernet connection of your laptop. Most laptops have an ethernet port on the back or side where an ethernet cable can be plugged in. Connect your router or modem to your laptop with an ethernet cable, your laptop will automatically recognize the connection.
3. Use Mac OS to connect your Mac to the internet if you have an Apple laptop. You can connect with an ethernet cable or wirelessly via WiFi.
4. Use Windows to connect to the internet if you have a laptop with Windows. If you're connecting a new or different wireless card to your laptop, you may need to use the card's software instead of the Windows software.
5. Use a WiFi network for free when you are on the road. Many schools, libraries and cafes provide free Wi-Fi, and you can often find Wi-Fi in places where you don't expect it (such as supermarkets, banks and stations).

Part 4 of 4: Living and working with your laptop

1. Use a wireless mouse with your laptop. An external mouse can make working on your laptop easier - then you don't have to bend your wrists at an awkward angle to use the trackpad.
2. Use your laptop in combination with a second screen so you can work on two screens at the same time. You can set the two screens so that you get one big screen, or you can show the same on both screens (useful if you give presentations).
3. Use your laptop to play movies and photos on your TV. Some laptops have HDMI or DV-I connections and a DVD or Blu-Ray player. This way you can play movies or series with high resolution on TVs of friends from your laptop.
4. Connect speakers to turn your laptop into a large, powerful MP3 player with lots of capacity. Maybe your laptop even has outputs for digital audio, SPDIF or 5.1 surround, then you can play sound with much higher quality than MP3.
   • You may be able to connect your laptop to your car stereo. But watch out if you do - if you can't drive safely and operate your laptop at the same time, dangerous situations can arise.
5. Use your laptops as a desktop computer. If you want to use your laptop as if it were a normal desktop computer, all you have to do is connect a monitor, mouse, keyboard and speakers.

Tips

• Set up your laptop in such a way that you adopt a correct working posture. Laptops are often worse ergonomically than desktop computers because the keyboards are often smaller, causing your wrists to bend at an odd angle. Precisely because laptops can be placed anywhere, they often cause a bad working posture.
• Always use a cover or bag when moving the laptop. Laptops are very fragile, you can easily damage a laptop if you put them in a normal bag that already contains other things. Invest in a good quality soft cover - or make your own if you have a sweater left.

Warnings

• Make regular backups. If you work a lot on your laptop and never make backups, sooner or later it will go wrong. Make sure you make regular backups, especially if you use the laptop professionally.
• Always keep an eye on your laptop. Your laptop is valuable, portable and easy to resell, making it a beloved prey for thieves. Take the necessary precautions when you are on the road and always keep an eye on your laptop. Do not leave your laptop in plain sight in your car, and be aware of your surroundings.
• Don't spill anything on your laptop! Laptops have openings for ventilation and an open keyboard that sits above a warm and packed electronic circuit - pouring coffee over it can have dramatic consequences. The warranty usually does not cover this type of damage. So never put a drink near your laptop - put it at the end of the table or desk, or even on another table if possible.
• Never drop your laptop and never drop anything on your laptop while the laptop is on. Most laptops have hard drives that are easily damaged if they are hit. The disk of a hard drive spins very quickly while the read head reads the information. With a hard blow, the read head is pressed into the disk, after which a laptop is unusable. So be careful and treat your laptop with love.
• Laptops get hot. Many laptops, especially the powerful laptops, get very hot at the bottom after long use. Using the laptop on your lap can feel annoying or even cause a rash.
  • Gaming-oriented laptops have powerful graphics cards and processors, these laptops can overheat faster. Treat these laptops more carefully.
  • Do not use your laptop in a warm place or in the sun. Firstly, you can no longer read your screen, secondly, the computer gets hot much faster.
  • If your laptop gets very hot, you can consider buying a "laptop cooler". This is a device that blows cold air at the bottom of your laptop, making it easier to dissipate the heat.