May 17, 2013
You might think Apple’s relatively small laptop selection would make choosing a model easy. For some people, that’s true, but for others the tight range of options and prices makes for a difficult choice. A consumer with $1,200 could end up looking at both versions of the Air and the 13-inch Pro. I think all of the MacBooks are a good choice, but the reasons why are various. I’ll help you sort through the clutter and decide which MacBook is for you.
Keep Reading »
February 28, 2013
Slimline, sleek, sexy and silver - but you can’t have everything. The Acer Iconia W7 is a Windows 8 tablet priced between $799 and $999 (depending on the chosen model) that looks as though it should be running Windows 8 RT, but is equipped with a Core i3 CPU, 4 GB RAM and a 64 GB SSD, thereby trouncing the majority of similarly-sized devices in the spec stakes. Realistically, this isn’t a perfect computer. It has some faults, some in the design, others in the execution. But it remains a fascinating piece of equipment, as I’m about to explain. We're also giving a brand new one, so if you're looking for sub-$1000 Windows 8 tablet PC, be sure to join the giveaway!
Keep Reading »
September 6, 2012
The iTwin is an incredibly unique device that creates a secure bridge between your home computer and any remote computers, allowing you access to specific files (or your entire hard drive) from any location. No additional software is required, the device is cross-platform, and best of all, there's no space restriction -- you can share as much as you want! We're taking a look at the iTwin, then giving 5 of them away valued at $500!
Keep Reading »
September 4, 2012
Take a look at any piece of equipment related to computer harder and you’ll soon find yourself in a swirling maelstrom of acronyms and foreign jargon. What does it matter if you use IDE or SATA for your hard drive? Do you really need to know the differences between USB 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0? Is FireWire related to Firewall? Sometimes it can get just a bit confusing. With so many types of cables, however, it’s hard to find a singular source of information that highlights the important differences between them all. Here’s an overview of the most common cable types you’ll encounter when dealing with computers.
Keep Reading »
September 3, 2012
When you buy a new computer, it's important to look at what type of output ports it supports. Most displays have multiple input ports is because there's no clearcut standard for video connectors. In fact, there are multiple standards of computer video cables. Three of them are still actively competing for a spot on your laptop's side. These are VGA, DVI and HDMI. The purpose of this article is to teach you the difference between these three types of cables, both visually and technically.
Keep Reading »
August 29, 2012
The average user doesn't have a clue what type of hardware they really need. To them, hardware specifications are a jungle and figuring out what they should upgrade if they experience performance issues is a daunting adventure. To make all of this a little easier, Microsoft introduced the Windows Experience Index with Windows Vista. The index was designed as a benchmark tool that scores your estimated Windows experience based on your system hardware. But what exactly is the Windows Experience Index?
Keep Reading »
August 28, 2012
Even if you’re not overly geeky, you probably have a rough idea of how much memory and what sort of processor your computer has. But what about its other statistics? For example, do you know your RAM bus speed? This may sound esoteric, but if you’re thinking of upgrading your RAM, it’s something you really need to know. Then again, if you are a serious geek, you may be in need of a tool you can tote around on a USB stick for diagnosing hardware on friends’ and colleagues’ machines. CPU-Z is a free and powerful hardware detection tool that can do just that, and it’s available as a portable version, too.
Keep Reading »
July 5, 2012
In the early days of Google, the vast amount of storage that was required to analyse the structure of the World Wide Web was stored in a custom PC case made from Lego! It’s been 16 years since that device was in use, yet PC builders still throw money at new cases when it is pretty [...]
Keep Reading »
June 24, 2012
As the MacBook Pro discussion was heating up last week, the topic of desktops vs. laptops was broached. Reader Achraf Almouloudi asked for a poll that will deal with this subject, and this is what we’ll be discussing this week.
Keep Reading »
May 29, 2012
Upgrading your desktop computer is an excellent idea. You can extend the lifespan of a PC indefinitely by changing out components over time. Absolutely everything can be replaced. Computers are complex, however, and this can lead to headaches when trying to upgrade. Nothing is more frustrating than finding out that you have a compatibility issue.
Keep Reading »
May 24, 2012
Technology ages at an alarming rate. There is always something new and shiny on the horizon, meaning that at some point the device you were once excited about getting your hands on is no longer fit for purpose. At this point everyone has to make a choice. There are a multitude of different things that can be done with old or outdated hardware.
Keep Reading »
May 19, 2012
Want a cheap computer that runs Android on an ARM processor and isn't a Raspberry Pi? Now you can have it. I'm talking about a new system, called AllWinner, that is now shipping out of China.
This tiny, inexpensive Android PC has impressive specifications. It uses an ARM A10 dual-core running at 1.5 GHz, a Mali 400 GPU and offers 512MB of RAM. This puts it about on par with last year's best tablets and today's best smartphones.
Keep Reading »
May 17, 2012
It's a sad fact of life that technology is always outdated. As soon as a piece of hardware is released, the engineers and designers set to work on the next iteration, meaning that the one you have in your house is past it from day one. But that doesn't mean it's useless, even after you succumb to temptation and buy the advertised upgrade.
Keep Reading »
December 14, 2011
Having recently heard the woes of some family who are getting by with a tiny netbook and some kind of obscure Linux, I decided to build them a real computer for Christmas using components I have left over after various upgrades. I thought it would make for an interesting article to document the build process with photos, so here it is.
Keep Reading »
September 1, 2011
Many people separate the personal computer and the iPad into two different worlds - the PC is for work and the iPad is for fun. But I think both devices don't have to be on opposite sides. They can work together harmoniously. If you want to use your iPad alongside your PC, here are four ways to use the iPad to enhance the use of your personal computer.
Keep Reading »
