The UK¡¯s Information Commissioner routinely fines organisations that fail to protect sensitive data. While the ICO doesn¡¯t specifically state on which grounds it will deem data to be insecurely held, its guidance on security measures companies should take to protect personal data states that firms should protect computers ¡°by downloading the latest patches or security updates, which should cover vulnerabilities¡± ¨C something that soon simply won¡¯t be possible with Windows XP.Large companies that haven¡¯t yet begun the process of migration from Windows XP will face an uphill task to have the job completed by the April cut-off point ¨C they should waste no time in contacting one of HP¡¯s migration experts to talk through their options. Such companies may be tempted to deploy sticking-plaster solutions to keep running applications that require Windows XP, but many of the proposed workarounds are short-term solutions that carry risks of their own.One of the chief reasons for continuing to run Windows XP is to support applications that rely on Internet Explorer 6. One workaround is to virtualise IE 6 using Windows Server 2003 (the only Microsoft OS that officially supports the virtualisation of the old browser), but support for Server 2003 ends in July 2015, making this a short-term solution, at best.
Other suggestions include disconnecting Windows XP machines from the Internet, and using them solely for the applications they¡¯re required for. Yet, with malware capable of spreading over an internal network or via removable storage, simply disconnecting the machine from the Internet doesn¡¯t make it secure. Forcing employees to hop between two machines or operating system environments is hardly the most productive use of their time, either. A comprehensive migration plan is the only sensible solution. Perhaps the best reason to migrate your PCs from Windows XP is to take advantage of all the technologies that simply aren¡¯t available for the outdated operating system.Windows 7 and 8 PCs benefit from Windows¡¯ built-in BitLocker encryption, for example, allowing IT administrators to ensure that sensitive data stored on laptops or removable drives is fully encrypted and not accessible to thieves if the device is stolen.
Then there are useful and potentially cost-saving Windows Server technologies that only work with PCs running Windows 7 or above. Branche Cache, for instance, could cut down on bandwidth bills in remote offices by storing copies of files downloaded from the company¡¯s central server locally, so that each user attempting to access the file doesn¡¯t have to download the file afresh. Direct Access, meanwhile, allows remote workers to securely access the company¡¯s network without requiring dedicated VPN software, which not only reduces the software bill, but the support costs incurred when employees forget their VPN password or can¡¯t get the client to work properly.Work Folders, introduced with Windows Server 2012 R2, provides Dropbox-like functionality, allowing employees to keep synchronised copies of work files on both the company server and their PCs, whether that be the desktop PC that sits on their desk, or the laptop they take out for client meetings. Again, however, only on Windows 7 or Windows 8 devices.
Finally, if your company deploys tablets to remote workers, they really would be better off with Windows 8, the first version of the operating system that was actually designed from the ground-up with touch controls as a prime consideration. Not only does Windows 8 offer tablet-specific features ¨C such as tappable picture-password logins, a finger-friendly Start menu, and excellent handwriting recognition ¨C but it has the full power of the Windows desktop behind it, allowing companies to continue to run business applications designed for previous incarnations of Windows. An analyst firm has slashed by half its 2012 sales prediction for Ultrabooks, but lower prices and better chips could mean they eventually grab a third of the laptop market.Ultrabooks first landed last year, as part of a $300m marketing campaign by Intel to boost innovation in the laptop market, push up margins for PC makers, and help the chip maker fight back against ARM, which has enjoyed greater success in the tablet market.Analyst firm IHS iSuppli initially predicted 22m Ultrabooks would ship globally this year, but has slashed that to 10.3m, with more than half shipping in the fourth quarter.
With IDC predicting 209m laptops will ship this year, that means Ultrabooks are grabbing less than 5% of the market - well below Intel's hope of 40% market share by the end of this year.Shipments will pick up in 2013, however, with IHS expecting shipments of 44m - down from its first prediction of 61m."So far, the PC industry has failed to create the kind of buzz and excitement among consumers that is required to propel Ultrabooks into the mainstream," said Craig Stice, senior principal analyst for compute platforms at IHS. "This is especially a problem amid all the hype surrounding media tablets and smartphones. When combined with other factors, including prohibitively high pricing, this means that Ultrabook sales will not meet expectations in 2012."However, Stice suggested those problems can be easily overcome, and by 2016, IHS expects 95m Ultrabooks will ship - grabbing almost a third of the total laptop market worldwide.
In order for Ultrabooks to succeed, IHS said manufacturers and retailers need to get closer to the $600 to $700 price range."With the economy languishing, Ultrabook sellers may have trouble finding buyers at the current pricing, especially with fierce competition from new mobile computing gadgets such as the iPhone 5, Kindle Fire HD and forthcoming Microsoft Surface," Stice said.At the moment, the average launch price of Ultrabooks released or announced in the US over the past year is $1,027 - well above the $510 average selling price of Windows-based laptops, according to analyst firm NPD in June.However, Intel promised Ultrabook prices would fall to $699 this year, with HP already getting closer to the mark with a $799 Envy systems.Devices such as HP's $579 Sleekbook - which runs AMD's chips, so can't be called an Ultrabook - may be the the ones to watch, noted IHS. "Another factor causing IHS to reduce the forecast is Intel¡¯s increasingly stringent set of definitions for Ultrabooks," IHS said added. "Based on these designations, many notebooks once called Ultrabooks now are being classified as 'ultrathins'."
Nvidia has unveiled a new technology for laptops which will automatically switch from integrated to discrete graphics depending on the task.While integrated graphics chips tend to be quite gentle on battery life, they don't have the muscle to tackle more intensive tasks such as gaming. In contrast, discrete graphics cards tend to offer more grunt at the cost of a higher power draw - putting a significant strain on battery life.In an effort to offer customers the best of both worlds laptop manufacturers have begun selling laptops offering both an integrated chip and a discrete graphics card. However, they've been required to manually switch between the two, and according to figures presented by Nvidia, less than 1% of people with the feature take advantage of it.One potential pitfall could be that Optimus depends on software profiles to tell it whether a task requires discrete graphics or the integrated chipOne potential pitfall could be that Optimus depends on software profiles to tell it whether a task requires discrete graphics or the integrated chip
In an effort to address this Nvidia's Optimus promises to automatically flip on the discrete graphics card when the user requires the extra power - running a game, for example. However, the moment they go back to writing an email, or browsing the web, Optimus will turn the card off and hand control back to the integrated chip.One potential pitfall could be that Optimus depends on software profiles to tell it whether a task requires discrete graphics or the integrated chip. For applications that aren't recognised by Optimus, users will be able to activate the correct option with a simple right click, or by creating their own profile through the Nvidia Control Panel.Nvidia is promising to constantly update the Optimus software with new profiles, meaning users shouldn't be tripped up too often.
The graphics card company says the technology will work with a range of Intel processors, including the Pine Trail platform, and will be integrated with its own GeForce 200M and 300M series, and next-generation Ion platform.The first Optimus-enabled laptops will arrives courtesy of Asus at the end of February, with models from other manufacturers debuting in the next few months.A panel of the US Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco reversed a federal district court's 2008 dismissal of the case against Dell. That dismissal followed the plaintiffs' refusal to comply with a district court order that their claims be arbitrated.In their lawsuit, the plaintiffs alleged that Dell violated California consumer laws by selling Inspiron notebooks that had inadequate cooling systems, power supplies and motherboards.
Dell has fought very, very hard... (but) we got the courtroom doors open, which was our primary goalDell has fought very, very hard... (but) we got the courtroom doors open, which was our primary goalThey said the defects caused their notebooks to shut down without warning, fail to boot up, or deteriorate too quickly. The notebooks were bought between July 2004 and January 2005. It is not clear how many customers were affected.In the ruling, Judge Lyle Strom said the district court abused its discretion in dismissing the case and "the public's interest in a resolution on the merits weighed strongly" in favor of letting the case continueThe judge also called it "unconscionable" to enforce a provision in customers' sales contracts requiring arbitration, in part because customers may decide not to pursue claims over the $1,200 to $1,500 computers individually."Dell has fought very, very hard," said Jonathan Selbin, a New York-based partner at Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein LLP representing the plaintiffs. "We got the courtroom doors open, which was our primary goal."The appeals court sent the case back to the district court for further proceedings. Strom is a senior district court judge in Nebraska, who was sitting in California by designation.
With budget laptops increasingly slimming down to near-Ultrabook dimensions, Toshiba's gigantic Satellite C75 looks almost comically oversized. If you're looking to replace a desktop PC, however, this big-bodied laptop deserves serious consideration. With a respectable Core i3 CPU, a spacious keyboard and a huge 17in display, the Satellite C75 could well have what it takes to become a permanent resident on your desk.Measuring a whisker over 37mm at its thickest point, the Satellite C75 looks like it could swallow an Ultrabook whole. It's not as weighty as you might guess from its dimensions, but you're unlikely to relish carting its 2.7kg bulk out of the house too often. It could serve as a mobile workstation, however, if exceptional battery life isn't needed: away from the mains, with the display dimmed to 75cd/m2 and Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned off, the system ran for 5hrs 25mins in our light-use battery test.
Aesthetically, Toshiba has gone for a fairly conservative look. The 17.3in screen is protected by a rather plain-looking lid, inside which the Satellite C75 comes finished in either plain white or a two-tone clash of grey and black plastic. A dash of pin-pricked silver around the speakers is the only concession to glamour.It all feels rather plasticky, but that's not to say it's flimsy. The hollow-feeling chassis affords lots of room around key components in case of accidental drops, and while the lid has some give to it, it does a good job of protecting the display inside ¨C it wasn't until we pushed hard that the lid began to press on the TFT panel inside and cause visible ripples on the display.The full-sized keyboard and numeric keypad are welcome, too, and the light action of the keys and the spacious layout make for trouble-free typing. The touchpad feels a little cramped, however, especially considering the size of the C75 itself, and the slight lip around its edges gets in the way of Windows 8's edge-swipes. We expect most people will hook up a USB mouse.Internally, Toshiba has equipped the Satellite C75 with a 2.5GHz Core i3-3120M processor and an unusually generous pairing of 8GB of DDR3 RAM and a 1TB hard disk. That's an impressive roster of components for the price; the Toshiba would have fared well in last month's budget-laptop Labs, had it arrived in time.
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