Latest Articles
What Is A RAM Disk, And How You Can Set One Up
Solid state hard drives aren’t the first non-mechanical storage to appear in consumer PCs. RAM has been used for decades, but primarily as a short-term storage solution. The fast access times of RAM makes it perfect for storing data related to programs that are currently running on a system. Enthusiasts have long tried to harness the advantages of short-term storage by creating what is known as a RAM disk.
6 Places To Buy DRM-Free Games [MUO Gaming]
Since I’ve decided not to buy games from Steam, I need to find other sources. Many of them are actually worse than Steam itself. Ubisoft’s store is baffling and full of annoying DRM. Electronic Art’s Origin service is more functional and less distracting, but worse than Steam overall. And Gamestop has done an excellent job of ruining the Impulse service since it bought it from Stardock. What’s a gamer to do?
Which Tablet Is The Best For Gaming?
Mobile gaming is kind of a big deal. Most games available for tablets aren’t as long as the best titles for handheld consoles, but some are just as deep in both story and mechanics. As for selection, well, there’s just no way Nintendo or Sony can compete with the iOS and Android app stores. Even some hardcore gamers are now turning to tablets as an alternative to handheld consoles. Which begs the question - if you care about gaming, what tablet is the best?
Why I’m No Longer Buying Games On Steam [Opinion]
Steam is now approaching 10 years old. Its impact has been undeniable. Millions of gamers enjoy the service’s seamless community services, low prices and excellent selection. I have been one of them – until now. While I will be keeping my current Steam games (of course) I will no longer be buying products there. If a game is released only through Steam, I will not play it. Here’s why.
What You Need To Know Before Buying A Tablet
Tablets are starting to mature. Android’s new 4.1 release includes tweaks that dramatically improve the user experience. Apple’s iPad is now on its third iteration and continues to dominate the market. And Microsoft is about to enter the scene with Windows 8 RT, which is likely to inspire a range of new options. If you’re thinking of buying a tablet you are not alone. The market has been growing and looks set for further expansion.
Samsung 830 Solid State Drive (SSD) 512 GB Review and Giveaway
Now we're reviewing one of the most well-known entries into the solid state drive market – the Samsung 830 SSD (Series MZ-7PC512N/AM 2.5" SATA III MLC). And we're not just reviewing any small, inexpensive version. Instead we're taking a look at the 512 GB variant, which we purchased. This is the largest capacity available and also one of the largest solid state drives available on the market today. We're also giving away a brand new unit. That's right! One very lucky reader will be receiving a 512 GB Samsung 830 SSD for free! Read on and join the contest to win it!
The Fading Games Of Yesterday, And How We Preserve Them [Feature]
What is your favorite video game of all time? If you’re in your twenties, or older, there’s a good chance that you answer to this question isn’t a recent title. It may be a classic RPG like Baldur’s Gate. Perhaps it’s Halo, a benchmark against which all other console shooters are compared. It could be X-Com, a brilliant strategy that is now repeatedly ruined by spin-offs. Or maybe you’re a fan of Elite, a founding game in the space trading genre, which today is nearly extinct. We did a thorough investigation into the afterlife of gaming, and where it's headed.
A Brief History of Computers That Changed the World
You can spend years delving into the history of the computer. There are tons of inventions, tons of books about them – and that’s before you start getting into the finger-pointing that inevitably occurs when a team of engineers creates something wonderful and only a few are given credit. With that said, I’ve tried to sum up computer history by highlighting thirteen particularly influential computers.
6 Sales Tactics To Avoid When Buying Electronics At A Retail Store [Opinion]
Going to the store is usually a simple process. You pop in, get what you want, and leave. Many stores go to great lengths to ensure that their customers can easily find the item they want to buy. They group similar items, place more popular items in more obvious locations and try to make cashier lines as short as possible. Electronics retailers, on the other hand, are a different story.
Power Supplies Explained: How To Pick The Perfect PSU For Your Computer
Most geeks interested in buying new hardware or building a new system think first of the processor, graphics card and perhaps the hard drive. These components have the most impact on performance, so they are given first thought. Somewhere down the list, sitting near the enclosure and optical drive, is the power supply. This is unfortunate, because power supplies are important.
The Transportation Of Tomorrow: Awesome Inventions That May Transform How We Commute
The course of human civilization has always been shaped by transportation. The transportation of tomorrow may not solve all these problems, but it may solve some – and it’s important to give the matter thought now so we can plan for the future.
How To Output Video From A PC Or A Laptop To A TV
The computer is one of the most versatile video players ever invented. It can play discs, various files or stream video from the web. There’s little that isn’t available on a PC, and if something is off limits its usually due to DRM and not the hardware. Yet the PC has always felt strangely isolated from other devices, including those that are designed to display video.
What Is SLI & How Can It Improve Gaming Performance?
Sometimes a niche term is taken for granted. We have some such terms in the world of computing hardware, and one of them is SLI. It’s been around for so long that geeks take it for granted. Everyone knows what SLI is and how it works, right? Sure - except, perhaps, for people who haven’t been following hardware for the last ten years. Now is your chance to catch up.
How To Conceal Your Computer Clutter: Same Cables, More Space
Despite decades of technological advancement the average home computer is still plagued by one obvious yet complex issue – cable clutter. Many home PCs are still plagued with more grasping tentacles than a low budget horror film. They reduce space and create an eye sore. There are ways to reduce clutter, of course, but some are expensive. What can you do if you want to spend less?
The Five Best Places To Find Free Creative Commons Photos
Looking to add some images to your blog post? Obviously, I sympathize. All of the writers at MakeUseOf are on the prowl for ways to add some visual flair to our articles, but we also have to make sure we respect the rights of photographers while doing so. That’s why we like Creative Commons content.
How To Keep Your Computer Quiet On The Cheap
I doubt that anyone has ever listened to computer fan noise and thought "wow, that’s awesome. Let’s have some more of that!" At best, fan noise is simply there, an ambient whirr that be mostly ignored. At worst it can be a serious distraction. There are ways to make your computer quieter. But what can you do if you don’t want to spend much?
What Is The Fastest Computer Hard Drive Solution? [Geeks Weigh In]
A computer’s performance can be significantly impacted by the speed of its storage. So what is the fastest consumer hard drive solution both in practical and absolute terms? Solid state drives are likely the way to go, but are some options better than others?
5 Non-Fiction Books Every Technology Geek Must Read
You can learn a lot about consumer technology and its effect on society by reading blogs, but online sources have a tendency to follow the latest fad instead of providing exhaustive research of a topic. The classic non-fiction still has significant value. Here are five that you absolutely need to read.
Can Your Computer Run Diablo 3? Let's Find Out [MUO Gaming]
Blizzard games are known for their cartoonish, high-color art style. By focusing on character and level design the company can make new 3D titles that are attractive but also relatively easy to run. Gamers sometimes assume their hardware can run a new Blizzard game, like Diablo 3, no matter what. That's not the case.
What Is The Best Backup Solution? [Geeks Weigh In]
Ten years ago an external hard drive – or even a physical disc such as a CD-ROM – was the only practical way to back up files. Consumer-grade network storage solutions were primitive, expensive and hard to use. Cloud storage? What's cloud storage? More choice is great, but it also brings a dilemma. What should you choose to handle your backups?