| Newegg Daily Deals: Netgear Nighthawk AC1900 Router, Acer Aspire V15 Nitro Laptop, and More! Posted: 29 Apr 2015 01:40 PM PDT |
| Microsoft Lays Groundwork for Android and iOS Apps to Run on Windows 10 Posted: 29 Apr 2015 01:26 PM PDT  One big 'appy family
Even though Microsoft's been giving us a glimpse of Windows 10 by way of Technical Previews and a spattering of blog posts, the Redmond outfit kept more than a few tricks up its sleeve. One of those tricks is getting Android and iOS apps to run on Windows 10 without tasking developers with rebuilding their code. How? Microsoft is offering a couple of SDKs that will make it relatively easy for iOS and Android developers to port their apps to Windows 10. For iOS apps, the solution is called Project Islandwood. This is a set of tools that will allow iOS developers to use their existing Objective C code with minimal changes. The magic happens via middleware that offers APIs their code is already looking for. Developers who've tested Project Islandwood say they've only had to make minor changes, including Candy Crush Saga's developers, who said they only changed a "few percent" of code for their Windows 10 port, according to ArsTechnica. Android's toolkit is called Project Astoria. The idea is to get Android apps to run on Windows Mobile, now the official name for Windows 10 on phones and sub-8 inch tablets. Project Astoria will include an Android runtime layer capable of running existing Android apps written in both Java and C++. What's unique about Project Astoria compared to Project Islandwood is that no recompiling is required on the part of the developer. "We want to enable developers to leverage their current code and current skills to start building those Windows applications in the Store, and to be able to extend those applications," Microsoft's Terry Myerson told The Verge. These toolkits should go a long way towards that goal. Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook |
| MSI Dangles Prestige Series Laptops in Front of Creative Professionals Posted: 29 Apr 2015 12:33 PM PDT  Look at the colors!
If your livelihood depends on a display with accurate color reproduction, then not just any old monitor will do. The same applies to laptops, and according to MSI, it's new Prestige Series with True Color Technology offers more lifelike and balanced images than you'll see on other laptop panels. That's because it goes through a calibration processor that adjusts the screen's color temperature, visible color range, and gray level stage. We're weary of such claims, especially when taking into account the $1,200 starting price. That's for the 15.6-inch model with a Full HD 1080p resolution, Intel Core i7 4720HQ processor, 12GB of DDR3L-1600 RAM, 1TB hard drive (7200 RPM), Nvidia GeForce GTX 950M graphics, 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Killer Gaming Network, DVD burner, memory card reader, three USB 3.0 ports, a single USB 2.0 port, HDMI output, 720p HD webcam, four 2W speakers, and Windows 8.1. There's also a 17.3-inch model that's spec'd nearly the same, save for more RAM (16GB), that costs $1,300. Both are decent configurations for the money, which makes us question if the panel is truly professional grade. "MSI's Prestige Series laptops showcases 6 different color profiles to maximize performance; sRGB default mode for optimum graphics, Gamer to increase brightness, Designer with increased clarity for ultra-clear lines, Anti-Blue to reduce harmful blue light, Movie to optimize contrast for even more vivid graphics, and Office to minimizes eye strain after long term use," MSI says. 
Alternatively, you can connect up to three external monitors simultaneously at 4K resolution via mini DisplayPort and HDMI. Both the PE70 2QD-062US (17.3-inch) and PE60 2QD-060US (15.6-inch) Prestige laptops are supposed to be available now. The ones we found online were out of stock, though that should change soon. Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook |
| We're Hiring Posted: 29 Apr 2015 09:42 AM PDT Think you have the chops? Hit us up then! We're hiring! Actually, we're hiring for more than one spot. If you got a passion for the PC and tech, there's no better place than Maximum PC to hone in on that passsion. Without further rambling, here is what we're looking for: 
TECH EDITOR Ideal candidates should: Previous experience working for a media company. Be well-versed in the PC hardware/software scene. Breadth and depth of knowledge is paramount. Have excellent writing/reporting and presentation abilities including livestream and podcast interview skills. He or she should be agile and able to manage impromptu requests, while meeting deadlines. Strong industry contacts is a plus and key to your success. Strong sense of humor, objectivity, and keen eye for details. Candidate must have a positive, problem solving, attitude. The ability to work out of our office in South San Francisco is a huge plus and those who can are given priority consideration. Job Responsibilities: - Write/contribute content (news, features, and reviews) for the magazine and website
- Edit articles for the magazine and website
- Build PCs/assist with running PC benchmarks
- Upload articles to the CMS/website
- Participate in Maximum PC's No BS Podcast
- Cover events/tradeshows as needed
- Daily tasks as assigned
Candidates should have in-depth knowledge in the following areas: - CPU
- GPU
- Motherboards
- Storage (SSDs, HDDs, etc.)
- Software (Windows/Linux/Multimedia Production/Editing)
- Cases
- Cooling
- Overclocking
- Peripherals (headset, keyboards, mice)
PAID INTERN Candidates should have: - A strong interest and knowledge of PC hardware
- Writing/reporting abilities
- A good sense of humor and positive team-player personality
- Must be able to work at our South San Francisco office
Among the tasks you'll do: - Edit Maximum PC's podcast/videocast
- Shoot and edit unboxing videos, demos, interviews, discussions, product previews, video reviews, etc.
- Write editorial copy that supplements video content for the website as needed
- Assist with mailing duties
- Upload articles to the CMS/website
- Daily tasks as assigned
What we offer: - Excellent employer paid medical, dental and vision plans (HMO or PPO)
- Pet insurance
- 401K Matching
- Costco Membership
- Corporate Donation Matching Program
- Work From Home / Flex Scheduling Programs
- Equipped gym
- Free shuttle service from BART and CalTrain to the office
- Entertainment
- An arcade
- And other goodies
All positions are paid. Please submit your resume and writing samples to us. You can email them to me directly if you wish at tuan at maximumpc dot com. Keep in mind, there's a certain style and attitude to Maximum PC. We like excitement, and we gag at writing that's dry. So if you're mucking about with PC hardware all day long, and you love getting dirty with the latest hardware, you might as well do it with us. The best part is, you get to shape the PC industry as you do it! Submit away! |
| NZXT Noctis 450 Adds a Glow to Mid-Tower Case Market Posted: 29 Apr 2015 06:08 AM PDT  Bringing the bling
When NZXT partnered with Razer to build a special version of the H440, one of the standout characteristics was that it had a green underglow. Turns out you're going to see more of that, at least from NZXT, which added an underglow to its newly announced Noctis 450 mid-tower case. This is in addition to NZXT's "signature" I/O LEDs, and to accommodate the additional lighting, NZXT updated the lighting switch to allow for multi-step adjustments. Beyond the LED bling, NZXT focused its efforts on cooling. So-called floating panels on the top of the case purportedly offer 10 times more ventilation surface area compared to the H440. It also has a built-in PWM fan hub that supports up to 8 case fans. Users can connect the PWM fan hub to their motherboard or to a Kraken product and adjust fan profiles. NZXT starts you off with three 120mm fans in the front and a 140mm in the rear. You can add more from there, or slap up to a 360mm radiator for liquid cooling. Other features found in the Noctis 450 include a fully modular hard drive system, SSD mounts, and a power supply shroud that's supposed to make hiding unsightly cables as easy as it was shoving toys under your bed as a kid. The NZXT Noctis 450 is available now for $140 MSRP in black and red or white and black color options. Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook |
