Q&A: Choosing a Windows Recovery Plan

Q. I noticed the hard drive on my Windows PC has a huge amount of space reserved as a “recovery partition.” Do I need this if I already run a backup of my files every night on an external drive?

A. The recovery partition is an area of the hard drive created by your computer’s manufacturer. The partition can take up several gigabytes of space on the drive, but it is typically where your PC’s maker has installed troubleshooting tools, system utility programs and a copy of the operating system in an untouched, right-from-the-factory state. If you do not have another way to restore your computer’s copy of Windows without using the recovery partition, you may want to keep it around in case you ever need to reinstall the operating system from scratch.

Depending on the type of backup program you use, you may have copies of your personal files and settings on the external drive, but would need Windows installation DVDs or a disk image of the recovery system to get fully up and running if your hard drive ever encounters serious problems. (Some programs, like Macrium Reflect or Carbonite Mirror Image, do copy the operating system, applications and all the files on the drive to create a complete backup for times when you really need a full recovery from a hardware disaster.)

Check your computer’s manual or manufacturer’s Web site for information about the recovery options for your model and anything you need to keep in mind about the warranty if you decide to delete the recovery partition. Over the years, companies have changed the recovery tools provided. Instead of a set of Windows CDs or DVDs included with a new computer, the manufacturer may have simply put everything on a recovery partition, including a disc image you can use to restore the PC to its original factory state; some versions of Windows also include tools for creating your own USB recovery drive.

On an older computer that you have personally updated with a newer version of Windows than the one it originally had, the recovery partition and factory-state replacement system is outdated and can be deleted — just make sure you know where you put those newer Windows discs and have your backup program up to date to restore your personal files.

Managing Sidebar Icons in Mac OS X

Q. I used to have a shortcut link to the Applications folder on the list on the left side of any Mac folder I opened, but it’s not there anymore. How can I get that back?

A. The Mac OS X “Sidebar” — that vertical list of folders, connected devices and shared disks that appears on the left side of open Finder and folder windows — can be purposely customized or accidentally altered. You can easily put things back to your liking, however.

Click the Finder icon in the Mac’s Dock (or on the desktop background), go to the Finder menu and select Preferences. In the Finder Preferences box, click the Sidebar tab to see a list of the default items you can display and turn on the checkbox next to Applications. You can turn off items you do not want to see on the side of your folder windows here as well. Click the Finder Preferences box when you are done.

You can add shortcuts to the files, folders or programs you frequently use by dragging their icons into the Favorites area of the Sidebar; in OS X 10.8, hold down the Mac’s Command key while dragging the icon onto the Sidebar. To remove an icon from the Sidebar, hold down the Command key and drag the icon out of the window. You can also rearrange the vertical order of the items in the Favorites area by dragging the icons into new positions in the list.

Gadgetwise Blog: Q&A: Choosing a Windows Tablet

What’s the difference between Windows 8 and Windows RT on a tablet PC? Can I run Microsoft Office programs on either version?

Windows RT and Windows 8 share certain features like touch-screen control, the Internet Explorer 10 browser and Microsoft’s apps for e-mail, messaging, photos and calendar appointments. Windows RT was designed primarily for tablets and other devices that use the less-powerful ARM processors, and the system lacks certain features found in the more productivity-oriented Windows 8, like Windows Media Player and Remote Desktop.

Windows RT devices come with a selection of apps (including Microsoft Office Home & Student 2013 RT, a touch-based variation on the standard suite). However, if you want to install new programs on a Windows RT tablet, you can only do so by downloading the apps from the online Windows Store. While Windows RT computers start up quickly and have security software turned on by default, some people may find the streamlined system too limited compared with a Windows 8 tablet or a computer.

Windows 8 and Windows 8 Pro (basically, the “Home” and “Professional” versions) can run on a greater range of hardware and processors, including tablets, ultrabooks, laptops, tablet/laptop hybrids and even all-in-one desktop PCs. With Windows 8, you can install new software from disks or sources other than the Windows Store, including the standard desktop edition of Microsoft Office and programs you may have used with a previous version of Windows.

If you need versatility and a wider variety of programs, a Windows 8 tablet is probably the better option, even though you may pay more for hardware. Microsoft has a PC Selector page that asks a series of questions and suggests certain tablet models based on your answers.

Gadgetwise Blog: Choosing the Right Headphones

Headphones are the least expensive and most effective way to improve your sound system. They take room acoustics out of the equation, give you perfect stereo separation, and need not be expensive to be good. (They can be expensive, though; some headphones cost thousands.)

The best values in headphones I’ve tested this year hit a sweet spot at around $100. And you can get quite a lot for that price.

First, there are several varieties of headphones. There are earbuds, which hang in the ears but don’t plug the ear canals; in-ear headphones, which fit snugly in the ear canals and block outside sound; on-ear headphones, which sit on your ears but do not create a seal; and over-ear headphones, which encompass the ear and seal out environmental sound. Some over-ear headsets also have sound-canceling technology, to further isolate the listener from outside sound.

The RHA MA450i earphones.

Earbuds do not offer very good sound quality, and over-ear sound-canceling headphones are pricey. There is also a misconception about sound-canceling sets; they reduce only the droning sound of jet engines and wind rush, not the noisy seatmates chatting on a phone.

If you want to shut down extraneous noise, the best way to do it inexpensively is with an in-ear headset. Most have flexible rubber or foam tips that seal out sound. Of those I’ve tried recently, the RHA MA450i, at $50, is the value winner. The sound was detailed and easy to listen to without fatigue, making the MA450i suitable for subway commuting or a cross-country flight. As a plus, it is iPhone friendly and has a microphone and control buttons built into the cable.

The best value in headphones I’ve heard this year — maybe ever — came from the Grado SR 80i, which provides detailed and balanced sound at a bargain basement $100. These headphones fit over the ear but have an open-air design, meaning they will not seal out environmental sound; they act more like an on-ear headset. That also means that if you crank them up, you may overshare your tunes with neighbors.

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