PCs

Microsoft to pre-install trial versions of its security software on PCs

Microsoft Subnet — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 16:28:21 -0400

Today Microsoft announced that it has entered into agreements to pre-install trial versions of its Windows Live OneCare anti-virus program onto select PCs from about 11 manufacturers. Fortunately for IT pros, only one of the manufacturers involved is a big name for the U.S. market -- Sony. Toshiba is another big name in the program, but it is the company's Asia Pacific unit that is involved in this trial-version deal.

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Death to all desktops!

tkopczynski — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 01:22:25 -0400

Ok, considering that my last two posts have been about Vista, and, the comments I've been receiving on those posting haven't really been that thought inspiring, (in fact, I'd almost go as far to say that the posters are most likely Microsoft lurkers), I thought it might be appropriate to delve into a belief of mine that I hold very dear. But, before doing that let's level the playing field.

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Microsoft wants to meddle in ULCPC designs

Microsoft Subnet — Mon, 12 May 2008 12:00:45 -0400

IDG News Service has secured documents showing that Microsoft is meddling in PC hardware designs of ultra low-cost PCs (ULPCs). Microsoft wants PC makers to agree to Microsoft's hardware limitations in exchange for very low prices on XP to ship with the PCs. The company says it will charge PC makers $26 for Windows XP Home Edition for ULPCs sold in emerging markets such as China and India, and $32 for those sold in developed markets, the documents show.

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XP Starter Edition avail until 2010

Microsoft Subnet — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 16:51:53 -0400

Microsoft already made this decision when it decided to keep the super cheap, slim XP.

It made that decision when it extended the XP cut-off date from Jan. to June. But there are lots of ways enterprises can avoid Vista after June 30. READ MORE.

Top 5 PC repair issues for 2007

Keith Shaw — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 14:35:17 -0500

If you think you're the only one with e-mail configuration issues, you're not alone. That's the largest PC repair problems of last year, according to My Computer Works, which today released its list of the Top Five PC Repair Problems for 2007. E-mail issues and configuration problems were 36% of about 20,000 repair calls received by the company across the U.S. Tied for second was Internet connectivity issues, and Internet Explorer / Windows misbehaving issues (including pop-up blocker malfunctions, trouble accessing Web sites, security settings, etc.) at 17% of all calls. Number 4 on the list was malware infections (15%), and a "slow-running PC" was number 5, also with 15% of all calls. My Computer Works says that the slow-running PC issues were usually due to "insufficient hardware resources." To help speed up the PC, the company made several suggestions: * Keep updated anti-virus and spyware/malware software on the system. * Reboot the computer. * Regularly use performance and maintenance tools, such as Disk Defragmenter and Disk Cleanup (I'd suggest going further and getting a copy of Diskeeper). * Back up important files every week. * Prune old e-mails (especially those with attachments). * Clean your keyboard and fan vents with compressed air. * Have a separate Web mail account for offers from stores and businesses to reduce spam onslaughts. * Remove bloatware (unneeded apps that come bundled with a new PC).

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Researchers fashion copper for high-speed computing

Layer 8 — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 10:23:36 -0500

As computers and networks gain complexity one thing is always needed: more speed. With that axiom in mind, researchers today said they have developed a fabrication method to create all-copper connections between computer chips and external circuitry, significantly boosting the speed and amount of data that can be sent throughout a computer.

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Walmart begins selling $198 Linux computer

Microsoft Subnet — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 18:47:00 -0400

Will we look back on this day and see it as the beginning of the end? Or will it become yet another blip in the endless buzz that accompanies the IT industry? Tomorrow, Walmart will begin selling a Linux PC for $198, the Everex Green gPC TC2502. The PC is loaded with links to Web 2.0 applications that run in a browser. A GUI desktop showcases icons to these Web apps on the bottom of the screen. The icons link to Google Docs, Gmail, Google Maps, YouTube, Meebo, Facebok, Wekipedia, among others. Skype and Gimp are also in there. OpenOffice is said to be installed, too, but not represented on the desktop at startup. Crave.net posted an interesting review of the Everex:

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