Will I be able to learn to use a laptop by reading the manual that comes with it?

Friday, February 27th, 2009 | Computer Usage, laptops

There is a saying: “When all else fails, read the manual.”  The frequency with which this saying is used indicates that it is common for people to ignore a manual.  This is true of manuals of electronic equipment in general – cell phones, microwave ovens and yes, laptops too.

If you have ever opened a box and tried to master the item inside with the help of the manual that is provided to inform you how to operate the gizmo, you will understand some of the frustrations that many people experience.

Manuals tend to be written in technical terms that may be clear to a person with technical know-how, but frequently leave a lay person in the cold.

The writer of a manual may assume a certain level of expertise of the reader and so the explanations are pitched at a very high level – first time users find this difficult to follow.

Some find the style of manuals impersonal and uninviting.

If the item were manufactured in the East, the manual would have been originally written in Chinese, Korean or Japanese – the translation is often not clear to a Westerner.

In spite of these unfriendly elements of manuals, they do have good uses.

A manual is a useful, quick reference when you have forgotten something or if you need a specific detail.

It is model specific, which means that the information would always be relevant to your specific machine.

The pictures and diagrams are useful to explain the different components and uses of the laptop.

A manual may not be the best way to introduce you to your laptop, but it certainly is an excellent source of reference material to help you to use the device optimally.

Get into the habit of consulting the manual – if it is not simply consulted as a last resort you may avert a few failures.

Tags: laptops, learning

1 Comment to Will I be able to learn to use a laptop by reading the manual that comes with it?

Monty Paul
Sunday, 1 March, 2009

I learned all my early computing by reading books and manuals. Luckily, most software and applications are designed in a way which supports intuitive learning today. However, I agree that manuals are extremely useful when one is stuck. Especially those for digital cameras, which have more features than a porcupine has quills!