Skip to main content

Latest by M. Smith

windows 10 review high resolution support hires feature

To 4K, and beyond: Windows 10 nails UltraHD displays

Does Windows 10 fix previous iterations ugly, aliased text and images in menus, or does Microsoft’s operating system still prefer 1080p?
intel and micron announce 3d xpoint an entirely new type of pc memory wafer close up

3D XPoint memory is up to 1,000 times quicker than current solid state drives

Intel and Micron have announced an all-new memory technology called 3D XPoint. It promises performance up to 1,000 greater than current solid state drives.
cortana in windows 10 will support six new countries including japan australia and canada v2

Windows 10 will put Start Screen Sync and App Sync to the axe

Windows 8 synced the user's Start Screen layout and purchased Apps between devices automatically. Microsoft has removed the feature in Windows 10.
Microsoft Surface 3 kickstand down

Microsoft’s Surface is the shining star of an otherwise dismal earnings report

Microsoft's Q4 2015 earnings report was pretty rough, but it did contain a surprise success - revenue from the Microsoft Surface line has more than doubled.
amd targets budget gaming rigs and workstations with a8 7670k amdthumb

AMD’s A8-7670K could be the perfect processor for your next budget PC

AMD has announced a new, affordable entry in its APU line. Boasting four cores and a base clock of 3.6GHz, the A8-7670K balances price and performance.
Intel NUC i7

What the NUC? Here’s how to outfit Intel’s miniature PC

The Next Unit of Computing, or NUC, is a kit PC from Intel that's smaller and than your average desktop. Here's how to buy the NUC that's best for you.
ads windows 10 lock screen features users wanted added v2

Windows 10 Build 10240 goes live, but RTM release remains elusive

Microsoft has released Build 10240, the first Windows 10 build released under the company's TH1 track. It's not yet the "final" release build, but it's close.
origin teases powerful customizable omega living room pc steambox 3 frontoffset 2

Origin Omega home theater desktop review

Gaming PCs that target the living room have attempted a resurgence in recent years, but UI issues and limited performance have eliminated many contenders. Can Origin’s high-horsepower Omega change the game?
evga shows off z170 series motherboards ahead of intel skylake release evgamobofeature

EVGA shows off Z170-series motherboards ahead of Intel Skylake release

Intel's Skylake processors haven't yet debuted, but motherboard builders are already showing of hardware that will support them.
tech stories of the week 6 5 2015 windows 10 will arrive july 29 as a free upgrade

Windows 10 Build 10166 puts bugs in its sights, offers app for purchasing Wi-Fi access

Microsoft has released yet another Windows 10 Build. Like the three that went live last week, Build 10166 focuses on bug fixes and general stability.
Top down view of power adapter plugged into laptop.

In defense of laptop batteries: Why they deserve some respect

Laptop batteries rarely grab headlines, but that have changed. Today's slim, attractive and long-lasting notebooks wouldn't be possible without them.
Origin Millenium Battlebox

Origin Millennium Battlebox (2015) review

Origin’s Millennium Battlebox is an impressive desktop that combines class-leading performance with low power draw and modest fan noise. It’s an obvious pick -- as long as you have enough space for the massive enclosure.
dell inspiron 13 7000 special edition 2 in 1 review inspirion in1 2015 hero1

Dell Inspiron 13 7000 SE 2-in-1 review

Dell’s new Inspiron 7000 13 SE is a strong laptop on paper, but faces fundamental challenges that plague all 2-in-1 laptops. Can it overcome them, or does it remain a poor substitute for a real tablet?
Logitech MX Anywhere 2

Logitech MX Anywhere 2 mouse review

Do you hate your laptop’s touchpad? If you answered yes, then the MX Anywhere 2 might be the solution. It offers a long list of features in a tiny, compact form-factor
lenovo teases retro rod thinkpad retrothinkpad1

Retro-style ThinkPad might resurrect the seven-row keyboard, blue enter key, and more

Lenovo is considering a retro-inspired ThinkPad that combines favorite features from the past two decades with modern hardware and a razor-thin profile.
AMD Radeon Fury X

AMD Radeon R9 Fury X review

AMD’s new video card, the Fury X, is more than a refresh. It uses a new form of video RAM, High Bandwidth Memory, that promises a massive leap in performance-per-watt. But is it enough to catch up with Nvidia’s intimidating GTX 980 Ti?
Oculus CEO Brendan Iribe shows off the latest Oculus Rift consumer version.

3 reasons the first VR headsets will suck … but I’m buying one anyway

Virtual reality companies put on a strong showing at this year's E3, but should you buy a VR headset? Probably not,
AMD Radeon R9

AMD officially reveals new Radeon 300-series, R9 Fury at E3 2015

AMD has taken the wraps off its Radeon R7 and R9 300-series cards, which appear to be re-brands of previous hardware.
how windows 10 is helping microsoft save the xbox one

Windows 10 just might save the Xbox One

Xbox One had a terrible launch, but fans need not worry. Windows 10 is coming to the rescue with new features and quicker development.
fallout shelter reveal falloutshelter2

Take the role of Vault administrator in Fallout Shelter, the franchise’s first mobile game

In a surprise announcement, Bethesda revealed an all-new Fallout game for iOS at its E3 2015 conference, and it's available immediately.
hp announces 299 3d scanning accessory for sprout scanner

3D scanning is now easier and more affordable – if you own HP’s Sprout

Competition in the 3D scanner space is heating up with HP's announcement of the 3D Capture Stage, a $299 accessory that works with all Sprout systems.
os x 10 11 news el capitan 6

The next version of OS X is called El Capitan, focuses on refining Yosemite

Apple has revealed OS X 10.11 El Capitan. As expected, it focuses heavily on performance usability enhancements.
1110383 autosave v1 2 ram

NRAM could bring infinite durability to a hard drive near you

NRAM memory, which is built from carbon nanotubes, offers infinite read-write cycles as well as resistance to temperature, magnetic fields and radiation.
name os x 10 11 apple tv giveaway osx feature

Guess the name of OS X 10.11 for a chance to win an Apple TV!

No one knows the name of OS X 10.11, the next Mac operating system. Correctly read the mind of Cupertino's brand managers, and win an Apple TV.
Acer S277HK 4K Monitor

Acer S277HK 4K monitor review

Looking for a 4K monitor? You’re spoiled for choice, but most affordable options are as exciting as a winter vacation to Nebraska. Acer’s slick, white, futuristic S277HK tries to change that trend without sacrificing the value the company is known for.
AMD Radeon R9 295X2 review jacks 2

First Radeon with High Bandwidth Memory will launch at E3 on June 16th

AMD has revealed details about High Bandwidth Memory, a new vertically stacked video memory solution that promises a 3x improvement in performance per watt.
thunderbolt 3 and usb type c might be match made in heaven thunderboltfeature

Thunderbolt 3 and USB Type-C might be a match made in heaven

Intel has announced Thunderbolt 3. In addition to a blister 40 gigabytes per second of bandwidth it offers compatibility with the USB 3.1 standard and USB Type-C connector.
Intel Skylake

Intel’s new ‘Skylake’ processors are coming sooner than you think

Intel re-affirmed that Skylake, the Core architecture, will release at some point in 2015. It also showed two reference designd based on the architecture.
intel closes loophole that allowed overclocking of non k processors intel5thgenquadheader

Intel launches new desktop, mobile 5th-generation quad-core chips at Computex

Intel has finally revealed 5th-generation Intel Core chips for the desktop in the form of five new quad-core processors.
5 percent americans lack broadband laptop quad core processor feat

Dual core? That’s so 2005! Your next laptop should have a quad

Many buy a cheap laptop with a dual-core chip believing they'll enjoy better portability, but a quad's superior performance is often the better choice.
Logitech MX Master

Logitech MX Master wireless mouse review

Logitech’s MX series has always been the cream of the crop among mice, and now there’s a new entry; the MX Master. Can this $100 mouse justify its luxurious price, or are users better off sticking with an affordable alternative?
windows 10 for mobile news microsoft event 1 21

Microsoft still on track for July release of Windows 10

A leak from AMD's CEO in April suggested Microsoft will launch Windows 10 in July. The Verge claims its sources have confirmed that rumor.
10 biggest announcements at google io 2015 052815 googleio  9354

10 biggest announcements at Google I/O 2015

Google's 2015 I/O Keynote wasn't packed with flash, but it did offer some solid improvements on the company's platform and a few surprises.
amd drops the latest a10 apu with unlocked processor radeon graphics amda10feature

AMD drops the latest A10 APU with unlocked processor, Radeon graphics

AMD's newest APU offers four processor cores and eight Radeon graphics cores, a combination that delivers strong value for the chip's modest $140 price tag.