Start Menu, How I Miss Thee: 4 Ways To Make A Start Menu On Windows 8
Windows 8 brought down the axe on the Start Menu. This is a feature that no one paid special attention to for years but its untimely demise has caused all sorts of despair. Not only because it’s gone but also because its replacement is the Windows 8 Start Screen. I have good news. The official Start Menu is dead, but there’s a number of ways to re-create it.
The Complete Guide on Installing a Solid State Hard Drive in Your PC
A solid state hard drive is one of the best upgrades available for a modern computer. It increases the load times of programs dramatically, which in turn makes a PC feel snappier. Results can be dramatic. Some games, for example, loaded several times more quickly from an SSD after I replaced my own mechanical drive. The benefits of SSDs are not in question. But how do you install one?
What You Need For An Energy-Efficient Gaming PC
Gaming computers are some of the most powerful consumer PCs on the market. Though beefy dual-processor workstations exist, they’re for work rather than play. People who buy a powerful computer for personal use usually do it so they can play the latest games. These computers are impressive, but they also draw a lot of power. This can slightly increase your power bills.
What Is 4G, And Is Your Mobile Really Getting 4G Speeds? [MakeUseOf Explains]
This ads will tell you that 4G is awesome. Fast as lightening, or a motorbike, or a race car. But what does that mean in the real world? Is a 4G phone really going to blow away a 3G one, or is the difference subtle. And are all 4G networks built the same? Let’s take a closer look.
An Energy Saving Masterclass For Computer Users
About 10% of an average home’s power use is dedicated to computers. That is the average for the United States, however, and is only an average. Users who are computer enthusiasts may find that their computer accounts for a much larger portion of their power bill. It’s simple logic. The more the computer is used, the more power it draws.Yet not all computers are the same, and they are not all used the same way.
When Kickstarters Fail [Feature]
Crowd-funding has finally transformed from niche idea to mainstream concept. Credit for this surge in popularity can be thrown at the feet of Kickstarter and its contemporaries. Some highly publicized projects have raised millions of dollars within a few weeks, transforming idea into reality at lightning speed. These success stories make it easy to forget that projects don’t always go as planned. Many flop badly. But how, and why? Kickstarter intentionally makes failure a hard thought to stumble on, so we've set out to find some failed projects on our own.
Should You Upgrade Or Repair Your Computer?
Computers age rapidly. In one year they mature, in three years they become elderly and after five they are ready for retirement. Both geeks and casual users have become accustomed to – or annoyed by – the quick replacement cycle. Part of the annoyance is the uncertainty of replacement. When do you upgrade or repair a computer, and when do you just give up and build or buy a new one?
Don’t Break Your Back: 5 Tips For Using A Laptop In Comfort
Laptops are small, light and portable. They are also, in a strange twist of fate, often far more uncomfortable than the bulky desktops they replace. Being forced to place the screen, touchpad and keyboard in a compact box creates all sorts of ergonomic issues. And then there’s the matter of carrying it around. Using a laptop as your primary PC doesn’t demand that you sacrifice comfort, however.
How Much Power Is Your PC Using?
Computer power consumption can be estimated. Most of the components inside a PC have specific minimum and maximum power draw figures and, because quality control is so tight, it’s rare of a part to break from those specifications. But why estimate when you can find out – for certain – how much power you’re using? Many hardware reviewers and hardcore geeks already do this.
Are You Wasting Money If You Buy An Expensive Laptop?
The average consumer buys a laptop that costs about $600, a behavior that’s persisted for years. Yet there are also laptops on the market which cost two or even three times as much. Are they really worth the cost? Or does the average consumer have the right idea? I’m going to take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of pricey laptops by comparing them to both their less expensive brethren and desktop computers.
The Ultimate Guide To Setting Up An Awesome LAN Party
The LAN party is an event that started out of necessity. PC gaming was a thing well before the Internet, and no Internet meant no multiplayer – unless you took your machine to a friend’s house. Geeks had no choice but to descend on each other’s homes to play games togethers. The Internet has made local play somewhat obsolete, but LAN parties are still a lot of fun.
Do You Need To Protect Your Computer From Magnets?
Magnets are kind of magic. Okay, not really – but to the layman they a bit bewildering. The magnetic field they emit is entirely undetectable by human senses. One can only imagine the confusion our ancestors must have felt when they first discovered them. Today we have an understanding of how magnets work, but that doesn’t mean they no longer trouble us. A magnet has the potential to cause all sorts of issues for electronic devices.
Want to Customize Your Android Device, But Not Sure Where to Start?
Android’s openness is one of its greatest strengths and makes it possible for most devices to be modified in a number of ways. Customizing your device can add new features and make it feel like it is, well, yours. There’s just one problem. The Android modding community is naturally lead by tech-heads and programmers, two groups of people not known for their ability to communicate with the layman.
What Water Cooling Is & Should You Use It? [MakeUseOf Explains]
Water is a great coolant. It’s plentiful, cheap and can be easily moved via pumps. The need for specialized hardware has often made this solution too expensive and too complex for mainstream users, however. That has finally changed. Several companies now offer retail water cooling options that are no more difficult to install than any PC air cooler.
5 Places To Play Console Games In Your Browser For Free [MUO Gaming]
We all would like our games to be free, but they rarely are. Even consoles can be expensive. Throwing peripherals and extras can quickly turn a $200 console into a $400 one. Wouldn’t it be great if you could just play games online, for free, whenever you want? You can. There are some limitations, of course. There’s no such thing as a truly free game. But there are some websites that offer an in-browser console experience.
What Is Wireless Charging & How Exactly Does It Work? [MakeUseOf Explains]
We live in a wireless world. Except we don’t. Sure, we can send huge amounts of information across the airwaves, but the devices capable of sending and receiving it are tied down to power cords. Batteries allow some freedom but, eventually, we all have to come back around to the familiar face of the power outlet. What if we didn’t? What if we could charge anywhere, at any time?
The Gadgets & Games Of Kickstarter: October 2nd 2012 Edition
Perhaps you haven’t heard, but there is this nifty website called Kickstarter where people can pledge to support projects that they’re interested in. Little things - like Android game consoles, eInk watches and high-budget video games. Each Kickstarter is its own drama representing the hopes and dreams of at least one person. Will it succeed? Will it fail? Will it become a media sensation?
The 5 Best Laptops You Can Buy This Fall
Fall is a big season for laptop manufacturers and retailers. It encompasses back-to-school purchases and much of the holiday shopping season. This means there’s a lot of stores offering deals to attract a crowd. It’s a buyer’s market. But what do you buy? Now that’s a tough question. There are a lot of good laptops on the market and many categories to choose from.
Buying A New Computer? Our Definitive Guide On How To Pick The Best Parts
Purchasing a new computer is a big deal. If you’re a MakeUseOf reader there’s a decent chance that your computer is your most important electronics device. It can be used for work and play and even people who aren’t particularly technical often find themselves using a PC for several hours every day. Buying the right PC with the right parts can mean the difference between years of pleasurable PC use and years of feeling like you were ripped off.
4 Great Gadgets for On-the-Go Productivity
Staying productive on the go isn’t hard, but being really productive while traveling is another story. Most of today’s laptops, tablets, smartphones and cameras are perfectly adequate yet not particularly enjoyable to use away from home. Performance and portability are often lacking. There are, however, some gadgets that stand out from the crowd.