If you’re one of the lucky few who got a desktop or a laptop for Christmas, then you’re probably either testing its limits already or just toying with the BIOS settings. I sincerely hope that none of you are experiencing the second scenario. Needless to say, a software-less PC is as useless as a car without fuel.

Other than the operating system (assuming that your unit came with a bundled OS), computers that are fresh off the box don’t usually have any other installed application in it. Of course, installing software isn’t much of a problem. Present installation programs and procedures are already so simple that you’re participation in it is reduced to that mechanical task of clicking “yes” and “ok” mindlessly.

Many Alternatives to Expensive Software

However, all that simplified installation procedure that I’ve just babbled would be meaningless if you don’t have any software to install in the first place. Applications don’t come cheap these days. And don’t even entertain the thought of buying pirated programs. You’ll just court future headaches when the publisher of the software refuses to give you support or denies you essential updates or patches or using an unlicensed product.

But this doesn’t mean that you have to rush to an ATM just to have something to fill your hard drive with. Free applications abound in cyberspace. You don’t have to worry about not finding anything on the Net. On the contrary, the thing that will bother you is that there are too many free software out there that it’s difficult to filter the good ones from the bad.

Choose Wisely

You have to be very meticulous when choosing programs that do not come with a price tag. Many of them don’t deserve a kilobyte of your hard drive or a hertz of your multi-core processor. Worse, some of them might even be carrying an electronic plague.

Do some research on the program that you want to download. Don’t just rely on the lit that comes with the app. Look for unbiased and reputable reviews of the program, especially those coming from ordinary people like you. Their comments may be helpful and valuable.

You should also check if the free software is being sponsored by respected Web sites that offer downloading services, such as cnet and PC World. Both of them test and conduct thorough reviews of all the software that they make available on their Web site.

So is it wise to use and download free software from the Internet?  Well, the answer is a resounding “yes,” as long as you’re careful and wise enough to know which programs are safe, credible, and effective.

Re-Tweet This Post

Acer is not letting its brand be boxed with netbooks and cheap computers. Just recently, the number one seller of netbooks in the world released an ultra advanced quad-core Aspire.

The Aspire 8930G laptop is a monster with Core2 Quad Mobile Processor Q9000. it has a sleek screen size of 18.4 inches and yet the power that is has is more monstrous compared to its bigger counterparts.

Acer targets 3D gamers and other hardcore users with this new unit. Backing the quad-core is 12MB of shared L2 cache and 1066MHz Front Side Bus that appears overclocked (even though it is not) at 2.53GHz.

Apart from the superior innards, Aspire 8930G also boasts its widescreen full HD screen. Matching this display is a Blu-ray drive, NVIDIA GeForce 9700M GT graphics card and Dolby Home Theatre audio system to give you that complete mobile entertainment system.

Aspire 8930G will be available initially in US for $1800. Availability in US and other parts of the globe will immediately follow.

Source: TechRadar

Re-Tweet This Post

Merry Christmas, folks! I hope Santa (or those who usurped his seasonal duties) gave you what you wished for. If you found a few hundred bucks inside the sock that you’ve hanged on the wall, then you’re probably already headed to a nearby computer store to get the latest from Dell, HP, or Acer.

When buying a PC, consumers are often asked whether they want the unit bare or already preinstalled with Windows Vista. The choice may seem simple. As users would want to be able to use the unit immediately, he would definitely opt for the model that’s already bundled with the Microsoft OS. However, buyers might want to consider some things before making the choice.

If you have already bought a copy of Vista beforehand, then there’s definitely no need to buy a unit that’s bundled with one. A bare PC costs less than one which is preinstalled with Vista. You could use that few extra bucks you’ll save for something else, say a printer.

Not everybody wants the preinstalled version of Vista because of certain limitations. Being an OEM version, it’s inseparably chained to the unit to which it is installed. If you don’t see your marriage with that unit lasting for a year, then you’re probably better off buying a separate copy of Vista so that you could transfer it to a paramour laptop or other different units which you may buy later on.

Lastly, you may not want the bundled version that the shop offers. Many units come only with Vista Basic. If you need the more advanced features of Vista Ultimate, then go for a cheaper, bare PC and buy a separate copy of the Vista version of your choice.

Shop wisely!

Re-Tweet This Post

Snapture, the company that aims highly to better iPhone’s photo capabilities thru software shifted to a higher and more basic way – hardware.

They recently released a prototype unit that puts Xenon flash into an iPhone, giving the smart phone advanced capabilities in taking clear pictures and images even in minimal light. There is also an slide on case that has LED lamp for continuous video.

It may be rare enough but iPhone needs to be hacked first in order for Snapture’s device to work. Unlocking the iPhone will allow the unit to send electrical signals to the Xenon flash as well as the LED lights.

The Snapture’s device uses the standard battery of iPhone, right off the hook. But fortunately, Snapture company founder Bowei Gai said that it doesn’t draw much power even if the Xenon flash is 100 times brigher than the regular flash.

The makers of the product are currently seeking patent for it.

Source: Blog Wired

Re-Tweet This Post

Vertu released a new phone after two years of silence. The new Signature Dragon roars out intensity in luxury phones.

While Vertu’s recent luxury phone Signature Cobra didn’t get much appreciation and positive feedback, the company hopes that they would do well with the Dragon.

The new luxury phone is colored classic black and has intricate dragon designs, probably embellished with precious stones or diamonds and high class gold.

Signature Cobra was sold for over $250,000, a price that inarguably is not for the faint hearted and shallow pocketed. There is no price yet for the Signature Dragon, but common sense dictates that this one should around that price as well.

The phone is currently in display at Las Vegas’s Wynn Hotel and you can take a peek at it or even buy it this coming CES.

Source: Aving.Net

Re-Tweet This Post

Fujitsu clearly wants to connect with the real world. With the introduction of the new Fujitsu Lifebook that is AT&T BroadbandConnect-Ready mobile computing becomes more mobile and more connected.

At least that’s what the press release of the Fujitsu’s U820 tries to tell us. The new laptop is customizable and can be purchased with that BroadbandConnect feature.

The product comes bundled with two options. First is the one with Vista Home Premium preinstalled and integrated HSDPA, and the other with Vista Business. They come with 120GB hard drives and are tagged $1199 and $1499, respectively.

The U820 mini tablet has a 5.6-inch WXGA touchscreen, 1GB of DDR2 RAM, a 60GB 4,200RPM hard drive, built-in GPS / Garmin Mobile PC, Ethernet, a webcam / fingerprint sensor, Bluetooth / WiFi and a 4-cell battery.

Source: Pocketables

Re-Tweet This Post

Philips unveiled what it considers the remote to end all need for other others remotes. The Philips Prestigo SRT9320 Touchscreen universal remote appears sleek and with extended functionality.

The Prestigo remote has a 2.8-inch color touchscreen. It also has a set of physical buttons should you not wish to lay your fingers on its crystal screen, but that would of course miss the whole point. The remote can control as many as 20 different devices and unlike other universal remote, there is no need to plug it to a computer to program it.

There is however a USB port, not for setting up but for software updates. Updates include firmware and icon improvements. Philips’ flagship remote doesn’t use RF signals or a built-in rechargeable battery.

The product may look like an elongated touchscreen smart phone, but don’t let the device fool you. Prestigo (as in Prestige) doesn’t come cheaply as you need to shell out $249 to get one of these. The product will be available in the market Q1 of 2009.

Source: Electronista

Re-Tweet This Post

The blogosphere and gaming community is talking about Apple aggressive approach at considering or rather pushing iPhone as an alternative gaming console.

In the ADC “iPhone Tech Talk” event in San Jose, John Geleynse, Director of Technology Evangelism at Apple made strong words regarding iPhone’s viability as a true gaming platform – so true that it will be considered future rival of Nintendo DS, PSP and other gaming platforms.

The director also called iPhone a “gaming console” and claiming that “it’s not a phone, it’s a console experience.” The company is clearly serious about their attempt to push iPhone into a different territory. Apple PR on related news announced a series of EA sneak peak events, dedicated of course to gaming at the Apple Stores in US. The press release states:

Throughout the month of December Apple Stores in New York, LA, San Francisco and Chicago will host special “EA Games Sneak Peek” events where Electronic Arts will discuss why the iPod touch and iPhone are amazing platforms for mobile gaming…

Analysts on the other hand and perhaps game platform owners are not happy about the plan, according to the blog Engadget. According to Joshua Topolsky, it’s a “pretty bold talk about a device that has yet to really prove its gaming mettle.”

Source: Engadget

Re-Tweet This Post

Despite its almost unshakable reputation as the grandest netbook maker under the name Eee, Asus continue surprise us thru introduction of other products. This time, the company released a new 16:9 LCD monitor.

Far from the usually cheap and small electronic devices is the VH-series monitor. The VH range from medium to large scale monitors. The VH192 model is confident at 18.5 inch display. VH222 and VH226 on the other hand both have 21.5 inch screen. The largest of these monitors is the 23.6 inch VH242. Its 1366 x 768 resolution is simply impressive. All of these models run at 1080p.

These new monitors sport Asus’ “Smart Contrast Ratio” system. “Smart Contrast Ratio” is a technology developed to allow 10,000:1 to 20,000:1 ratio. All of the models, except for the low-end VH192 has HDMI port, so you can erase that from your list if you want to have the screen of the future. The monitors all have built-in speakers and VGA and DVI ports.

There is no information on the price and date of release, but we can be sure that these monitors won’t be as cheap as their netbooks.

 Source: Electronista

Re-Tweet This Post

How would you know if your computer is having a fever?

Computers, like humans, are warm when they’re alive or functioning. They generate heat like any electrical equipment. While it’s normal for your PC to push the mercury a bit, it definitely isn’t so if it’s already testing the limits of the thermometer!

PC heat comes from a variety of sources, first and foremost of which is the CPU. The CPU is the heart and soul of the computer. Every process that is needed to keep it running goes through this component. Naturally, it generates heat. The more that it processes something, the hotter it gets. So don’t be surprised if your PC steams up to a few degrees whenever you’re playing Doom or graphics-intensive online games.

Excessive heat could damage your unit. CPU manufacturers have already addressed this problem or danger by attaching a heatsink on their chips. While this usually solves the problem, there are times when they’re not enough, such as when the system is overclocked. Overclocking puts a strain on the CPU, as well as on the heat sink. An overclocked chip usually generates excessive heat that fans could not contain. Obviously, the built-in or attached heatsink is not enough in this case.

You could help quell the heat by a number of ways. First, you could relocate your PC to a cooler location. Don’t place it besides other electrical equipment that also generate excessive heat. This would only aggravate the problem. Make sure that your unit is placed in a well-ventilated area. Second, check if the CPU or system fan is running properly. Sometimes, dust and other particles, such as hair, prevent fans from functioning at its peak. Third, ensure that the airflow ducts of your PC’s casing is unobstructed.

Make sure that your PC’s not frying itself inside. Some of the signs or symptoms which indicate that your computer is overheating include frequent shutdowns and restarts. Of course, you could easily ascertain if your PC has a fever by just touching its casing or its exhaust. You’ll immediately know if it’s generating normal or excessive heat.

Re-Tweet This Post