Title Details

Study Laptop Anatomy  4

Review Types of Laptops  6

Explore Microprocessors  8

Explore Power Options  9

Understanding Hard Drives 10

Understanding Types of Data Storage 12

Understanding Types of Slots and Ports 14

Chapter 2 Shopping for a Laptop

Choose an Operating System 18

Select a Microprocessor 20

Choose the Right Weight 21

Choose the Best Battery 22

Compare Monitor Display Sizes 23

Assess Graphics Capabilities 24

Explore Wireless Capabilities 25

Determine Memory and Storage Needs 26

Compare Keyboard and Mouse Features 28

Consider Extra Features and Add-Ons 30

Make a Shopping List 32

Find the Best Laptop 33

Chapter 3 Adding Peripherals and Accessories

Get Extra Cables 36

Add Input Devices 37

Add External Storage Devices 38

Find the Right Laptop Case 40

Using Cooling Pads 41

Using Docking Stations 42

Add a Printer or Scanner 43

Add Security Items 44

Add Headphones 45

Add Portable Accessories 46

Add Memory 47

Chapter 4 Setting Up Your New Laptop

Understanding Laptop Basic Operations 50

Connect Cables and Peripherals 51

Charge the Battery 52

Turn the Laptop On 53

Using a Touchpad 54

Explore a Wireless Mouse 55

Get to Know the Keyboard 56

Connect a Printer or Hardware Device from Windows 58

Chapter 5 Exploring Windows 8

Introducing Windows 8 62

Explore New Navigation Techniques 64

Log On to Windows 8 65

Get to Know the Windows 8 Start Screen 66

Access the Windows 8 Start Screen 67

Launch Windows 8 Apps 68

Find an App 69

Shop for Apps 70

Work with the Charms Bar 71

Work with the App Bar 72

Access PC Settings 73

Pin Items to the Start Screen 74

Shut Down Windows 8 75

Access the Desktop 76

Get to Know the Windows Desktop 77

View Your Computer’s Contents 78

Empty the Recycle Bin 79

View Mobility Settings 80

Find Help 82

Chapter 6 Personalizing Your Laptop

Change the Screen Resolution 86

Change Your Account Picture 88

Customize the Start Screen 90

Personalize the Lock Screen 92

Customize Start Screen Tiles 94

Add a New User Account 98

Change the Desktop Background 100

Set the Date and Time 102

Adjust Laptop Volume 104

Chapter 7 Working with Software

Understanding Software 108

Install a Program 110

Open and Close a Program 112

Explore a Program Window 114

Resize and Move Program Windows 116

Work with Multiple Program Windows 118

Using a Ribbon 120

Using Menus, Buttons, and Lists 122

Work with Dialog Boxes 124

Create and Save a File 126

Open a File 128

Print a File 129

Chapter 8 Performing Popular Software Tasks

Schedule Dates with the Calendar App 132

Find a Location with the Maps App 134

Explore Windows Accessories 136

Enter and Edit Text in WordPad 138

Format Text in WordPad 140

Create Pictures with Windows Paint 144

Explore Microsoft Office 146

Add a Game App 148

Chapter 9 Managing Computer Files and Folders

Understanding File Formats 152

View Files and Folders 154

Navigate Folder Windows 155

Open Files and Folders 156

Create a New Folder158

Select Files and Folders 159

Move and Copy Files and Folders 160

Rename a File or Folder 162

Compress a File or Folder 163

Extract Compressed Files 164

Search for Files and Folders 165

Sort and Filter Files 166

Tag Files 168

Delete a File or Folder 170

Chapter 10 Connecting to a Network

Understanding Computer Networks and Devices 174

Understanding Wireless Computing 176

Review a Home-based Network Setup in Windows 8 178

Connect to a Wireless Network 180

Share Files and Folders via Public Folders 182

Set Up a Homegroup 184

Share Within Your Homegroup 186

Chapter 11 Exploring the Internet

Understanding the Internet and the World Wide Web 190

Launch the Internet Explorer Windows 8 App 192

Launch the Desktop Internet Explorer Browser 193

Open a Web Page 194

Search the Web 195

Keep Track of Your Favorite Pages 196

Change Your Home Page 198

Chapter 12 Communicating Online

Understanding E-Mail 202

Using the Mail App 204

Add an Account to the Mail App 206

Send an E-Mail with the Mail App 208

Reply to a Message 210

Forward a Message 211

Work with File Attachments 212

Save a Message as a Draft 214

Move a Message to a Folder 215

Using the People App 216

Using the Messaging App 218

Explore Video Conferencing 220

Chapter 13 Working with Digital Images

View Photos with the Photos App 224

View Photos in the Pictures Library 226

View Photos with Windows Photo Viewer 228

Play a Slide Show Using Windows Photo Viewer 230

Explore Windows Live Photo Gallery 231

Import Pictures from a Camera 232

Batch-Rename Photo Files 234

Tag Photo Files 235

Auto-Adjust a Photo 236

Crop a Photo 237

Create and Publish an Online Photo Album 238

Chapter 14 Working with Audio and Video

Use the Music and Video Apps 242

Open Windows Media Player 244

Build Your Media Library 246

Listen to Music 248

Watch Video Content 250

Create and Save Playlists 252

Burn CDs and DVDs 254

Connect and Test a Microphone 256

Chapter 15 Managing Laptop Power

Understanding Power Management 260

Create a Power Plan 262

Adjust Screen Brightness 264

Check Battery Charge 265

Using Your Battery Efficiently 266

Control Power Button Function 268

Chapter 16 Maintaining Your Laptop

View PC Settings 272

Explore the Control Panel 274

Update Your Operating System 276

Back Up Data with File History 278

Free Up Disk Space 280

Defragment Your Hard Drive 282

Check Your Hard Drive for Errors 284

Clean and Protect Your Screen and Keyboard 286

Chapter 17 Keeping Your Laptop Secure

Understanding Computer Security 290

Protect Your Laptop on the Road 292

Protect Yourself Online 293

Improve Email Privacy 294

Understanding Password Protection Strategies 295

Password-Protect Your Laptop 296

Set a Picture Password 298

Encrypt Your Data 302

Thwart Intruders with Windows Firewall 304

Enable Parental Controls 308

Filter Spam and Scams with Windows Live Mail 312

Check for Spyware with Windows Defender 314

Check Problems with the Action Center 316

Index 318