Difference between revisions of "New laptop features"

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==About this article==
 
==About this article==
This article highlights major changes and new features introduced by the latest laptop and tablet models offered through the [[E-Warrior Digital Life and Learning Program]]. It is intended for all '''students and employees''' who are scheduled to exchange their laptops and tablets during summer 2016 or during the 2016-2017 academic year.
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This article highlights major changes and new features introduced by the latest laptop models offered through the [[E-Warrior Digital Life and Learning Program]]. It is intended for all '''students and employees''' who are scheduled to exchange their laptops.
  
 
==This year's laptops: What's new?==
 
==This year's laptops: What's new?==
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*Consult with TLT ([mailto:tlt@winona.edu tlt@winona.edu]) on the possible conversion of your CD-DVD-based media to an online format
 
*Consult with TLT ([mailto:tlt@winona.edu tlt@winona.edu]) on the possible conversion of your CD-DVD-based media to an online format
  
===256 GB solid state drive===
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===256 GB storage solid state drive===
This is the third year that WSU is offering standard laptop models with a solid state drive (SSD) instead of a standard, mechanical hard drive. SSDs are roughly four times faster than traditional drives, resulting in quicker start-up, disk writing, and application performance. Note that the size of this year's drives are 256 GB. Take a look at how much hard drive space you are using now to store your data on your laptop, particularly multimedia files (e.g., music, video) and any large applications (e.g., Adobe Photoshop, games). If you have more than 256 GB of personal data and applications on your laptop now and have concerns about storage, please contact the {{TSC}}.
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This is the third year that WSU is offering laptop models with a solid state drive (SSD) instead of a mechanical hard disk drive (HDD). SSDs are faster than HDDs, resulting in shorter boot times and overall faster performance. This SSD has 256 GB of storage space. Take a look at how much space you are using now, particularly multimedia files (e.g., music, video) and any large applications (e.g., Adobe Photoshop, video games, etc). If you have more than 256 GB of personal data and applications on your laptop now and have concerns about storage, please contact the {{TSC}}.
 
*[[Checking hard drive capacity and folder size on your PC laptop]]
 
*[[Checking hard drive capacity and folder size on your PC laptop]]
 
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*[[Checking_hard_drive_capacity_and_folder_size_on_your_Mac_laptop|Checking hard drive capacity and folder size on your Mac laptop]]
===USB 3.0 ports===
 
Both standard laptop models come equipped with USB 3.0 ports that can transfer data up to 5 GB/sec. By comparison, the older USB 2.0 ports achieved speeds up to 480 MB/sec. USB 3.0 ports are backwards compatible and will accommodate older devices using the USB 2.0 and USB 1.1 standard. You should notice an increase in data transfer speed when you use your external hard drive or flash drive, particularly if that drive is designed to use USB 3.0. If you are in the market for an external drive, make sure you get one that takes advantage of USB 3.0.
 
 
 
 
===Thinner and lighter===
 
===Thinner and lighter===
Largely because the mechanical drives have been eliminated, the new laptop models are over a pound lighter than the models we distributed two years ago. That's a lot less weight in your backpack.
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Largely because the mechanical drives have been eliminated, the new laptop models are over a pound lighter than the models we distributed three years ago. That's a lot less weight in your backpack.
 
 
==Operating System: What's new?==
 
===Windows 10 operating system (HP EliteBook 840 G3 PC)===
 
* [http://learn.winona.edu/Windows_10_Survival_Guide Introducing Windows 10]
 
[[File:Hp-elitebook-840.jpg|200px|right]]
 
  
===Office 365===
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===USB Port Type-C with Thunderbolt port===
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This year we have two USB Type-C ports on the PC and Mac. This port type has quickly become the standard for external storage devices.  The port can reach data transfer speeds of 10 GB/sec and can charge connected devices.  Many universal docking stations use USB Type-C.
  
The HP EliteBook comes with Microsoft Office 2016 pre-installed. This latest version of the popular Office applications (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint) is part of a larger set of tools and services called Office 365.
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===USB 3.1 ports===
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The PC laptop also comes equipped with one USB 3.1 ports. USB 3.1 ports are backward compatible and will accommodate older devices using the USB 2.0 and USB 1.1 standard. You should notice an increase in data transfer speed when you use your external hard drive or flash drive, particularly if that drive is designed to use USB 3.1. If you are in the market for an external drive, make sure you get one that takes advantage of USB 3.1.
  
*[[Microsoft Office 365|Introducing Office 365]]
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===HDMI Port===
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This year the PC model has an HDMI port.  This provides high-definition output to classroom projectors and displays.
  
 
===Touch-sensitive screen===
 
===Touch-sensitive screen===
The screen on the new HP EliteBook is touch-sensitive. The screen responds to your finger, but does not rotate or respond to a pen stylus like a tablet.
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The screen on the new HP EliteBook is touch-sensitive. The screen responds to your finger but does not rotate or respond to generic pen stylus designed for tablets. An optional HP Pen can be purchased at the Bookstore if you are in need of digital ink functionality.
===Video card===
 
Those of you exchanging old laptops should experience cleaner, faster video performance, something that will be particularly noticeable when watching movies and using graphics-intensive applications.
 
  
===New docking station===
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===No network port===
If you purchased an HP docking station for your HP 8460p, it is not compatible with your new HP EliteBook 840. The docking station for this laptop is the [[HP UltraSlim Dock 2013]]. WSU employees can purchase a docking station through the Technical Support Center (Somsen Hall 207) for approximately $100.
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The MacBook Pro and HP x360 G3 are both equipped without a standard RJ45 network port. Our campus wireless network provides dependable and pervasive WiFi coverage. Note: employees interested in a dongle adapter for their device should contact the {{TSC}}.
  
==The Apple MacBook Air: What's new?==
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==Operating System: What's new?==
[[File:Macbook air.jpg|200px|right]]
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===Windows 10 operating system (HP EliteBook x360 G3)===
===El Capitan operating system===
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The HP EliteBoox X360 G3 will be equipped with the latest version of Windows 10. To learn more go to the following article to learn more about this operating system.
If you are already a MacBook user and have not upgraded to the new El Capitan version of OS X, this will be pre-installed on your new MacBook and does include a number of new features and functions. If this is your first Mac laptop, you will need to spend some time familiarizing yourself with the Mac operating system.
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* [[Windows_10_Survival_Guide| Introducing Windows 10]]
*[http://www.apple.com/osx/whats-new/ What's new in OS X El Capitan?], Apple website
 
  
*[http://www.macworld.com/article/2981740/operating-systems/el-capitan-faq-everything-you-need-to-know-about-os-x-10-11.html El Capitan FAQ: Everything you need to know about OS X 10.11], Macworld article.
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===Mojave operating system===
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If you are already a Mac user and have not upgraded to the new Mojave, this will be pre-installed on your new MacBook Pro and includes a number of new features and functions. If this is your first Mac laptop, you will need to spend some time familiarizing yourself with the Mac operating system.
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*[https://www.apple.com/macos/mojave/ What's new in OS Mojave?], Apple website
  
===No network port===
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{{#widget:YouTube|id=VeAK7Bv4F1o}}
The MacBook Air is the first Apple laptop without a standard RJ45 network port. Our campus wireless network provides dependable and pervasive WiFi coverage. Those who still want a wired connection can use a [http://store.apple.com/us/product/MD463ZM/A/thunderbolt-to-gigabit-ethernet-adapter Thunderbolt to Gigabit Ethernet Adapter]. Note: employees interested in this adapter should contact the {{TSC}}.
 
  
===Thunderbolt port===
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==Office 365==
Beginning in summer 2011, Apple started replacing the Mini DisplayPort port with a new [http://www.apple.com/thunderbolt Thunderbolt port]. The port has the same shape as the Mini DisplayPort and accommodates any Mini DisplayPort adapter you may have purchased previously. For example, if you have a [http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB572Z/B/mini-displayport-to-vga-adapter Mini DisplayPort to VGA adapter] that you use to connect your current MacBook to a projector, this will work with your new MacBook Air. The benefits of Thunderbolt include an increased data transfer rate (10 Gb/sec) and the ability to connect high-resolution displays and high-performance data devices through a single port. For more information, consult [http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5219 Apple's Thunderbolt FAQ article]. Note: employees interested in this adapter should contact the {{TSC}}.
 
  
==This year's tablets: What's new?==
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The PC and Mac both come with the latest version of Microsoft Office pre-installed (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and this software is designed to work with the online applications found in [[Microsoft Office 365]].
This fall will begin the third year that everyone eligible in the [[E-Warrior Digital Life and Learning Program]] will have the option for a tablet, in addition to a laptop.  
 
===Apple iPad mini===
 
This is the same iPad model that was distributed last year. Consult the [[Apple iPad Mini]] article for an introduction.
 
===Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 8.0===
 
This is the same Android model that was distributed last year. Consult the [[Samsung Galaxy Tab 4]] article for an introduction.
 
  
 
==Related articles==
 
==Related articles==
*[[Receiving your laptop and tablet]]
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*[[Receiving your laptop]]
 
*[http://learn.winona.edu/Windows_10_Survival_Guide Windows 10]
 
*[http://learn.winona.edu/Windows_10_Survival_Guide Windows 10]
*[[New 2012 PC Directory Structure|PC Directory Structure]]
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*[https://www.apple.com/macos/high-sierra/ Sierra: What can your Mac do now?]
*[[Mac OS X Mavericks]]
 
 
*[[Printing/Setup_Printers_on_a_PC| Restoring Printers On A PC]]
 
*[[Printing/Setup_Printers_on_a_PC| Restoring Printers On A PC]]
 
*[[Printing/Setup_Printers_on_a_Mac| Restoring Printers On A Mac]]
 
*[[Printing/Setup_Printers_on_a_Mac| Restoring Printers On A Mac]]

Revision as of 14:29, 24 May 2019

About this article

This article highlights major changes and new features introduced by the latest laptop models offered through the E-Warrior Digital Life and Learning Program. It is intended for all students and employees who are scheduled to exchange their laptops.

This year's laptops: What's new?

No internal CD-DVD drive

This is the third year that WSU is offering standard laptop models without an internal, optical CD-DVD drive. Laptop manufacturers have been moving away from optical drives for the past few years. Shedding the optical drive allows the laptop to be thinner and lighter, increases battery life, and eliminates numerous points of mechanical failure. This is also in line with recent changes in media distribution. Music, movies, and software are no longer being distributed via CD-DVD and cloud services and large-capacity external drives are replacing CDs for file storage. If you still rely on an optical drive, you can:

256 GB storage solid state drive

This is the third year that WSU is offering laptop models with a solid state drive (SSD) instead of a mechanical hard disk drive (HDD). SSDs are faster than HDDs, resulting in shorter boot times and overall faster performance. This SSD has 256 GB of storage space. Take a look at how much space you are using now, particularly multimedia files (e.g., music, video) and any large applications (e.g., Adobe Photoshop, video games, etc). If you have more than 256 GB of personal data and applications on your laptop now and have concerns about storage, please contact the Technical Support Center (TechSupport@winona.edu, 507-457-5240, Somsen Hall 207).

Thinner and lighter

Largely because the mechanical drives have been eliminated, the new laptop models are over a pound lighter than the models we distributed three years ago. That's a lot less weight in your backpack.

USB Port Type-C with Thunderbolt port

This year we have two USB Type-C ports on the PC and Mac. This port type has quickly become the standard for external storage devices. The port can reach data transfer speeds of 10 GB/sec and can charge connected devices. Many universal docking stations use USB Type-C.

USB 3.1 ports

The PC laptop also comes equipped with one USB 3.1 ports. USB 3.1 ports are backward compatible and will accommodate older devices using the USB 2.0 and USB 1.1 standard. You should notice an increase in data transfer speed when you use your external hard drive or flash drive, particularly if that drive is designed to use USB 3.1. If you are in the market for an external drive, make sure you get one that takes advantage of USB 3.1.

HDMI Port

This year the PC model has an HDMI port. This provides high-definition output to classroom projectors and displays.

Touch-sensitive screen

The screen on the new HP EliteBook is touch-sensitive. The screen responds to your finger but does not rotate or respond to generic pen stylus designed for tablets. An optional HP Pen can be purchased at the Bookstore if you are in need of digital ink functionality.

No network port

The MacBook Pro and HP x360 G3 are both equipped without a standard RJ45 network port. Our campus wireless network provides dependable and pervasive WiFi coverage. Note: employees interested in a dongle adapter for their device should contact the Technical Support Center (TechSupport@winona.edu, 507-457-5240, Somsen Hall 207).

Operating System: What's new?

Windows 10 operating system (HP EliteBook x360 G3)

The HP EliteBoox X360 G3 will be equipped with the latest version of Windows 10. To learn more go to the following article to learn more about this operating system.

Mojave operating system

If you are already a Mac user and have not upgraded to the new Mojave, this will be pre-installed on your new MacBook Pro and includes a number of new features and functions. If this is your first Mac laptop, you will need to spend some time familiarizing yourself with the Mac operating system.

Office 365

The PC and Mac both come with the latest version of Microsoft Office pre-installed (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and this software is designed to work with the online applications found in Microsoft Office 365.

Related articles