| Rumor: Windows 8 Pro to Cost $199 Posted: 22 Aug 2012 04:30 PM PDT  In a bid to lure existing Windows users to Windows 8, Microsoft has announced a special introductory upgrade offer for those who choose to upgrade from Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Windows 7 between October 26, 2012 and January 31, 2013. As part of this offer, they will have to pay just $39.99 for a downloadable version of Windows 8 Pro and $69.99 for its boxed counterpart. But Microsoft has reserved the best deal for those who purchase a Windows 7 PC between July 2, 2012 and January 31, 2013 by making them eligible for a $14.99 Windows 8 Pro upgrade. Such deals are all fine and dandy, but surely not everyone is going to upgrade in the first three months. So what about those who choose to upgrade after the promo period? And, more importantly, what about full (non-upgrade) pricing?
Our friends over at The Verge think they know the answer to at least one of these questions. According to the site, a source familiar with the matter has revealed to them that the full boxed version of Windows 8 Pro will debut at $69.99 as part of an introductory deal before becoming nearly thrice as dear at $199 on January 31st. The unnamed source further claims that Microsoft will also be offering a Windows 8 to Windows 8 Pro upgrade option at retail stores, which will cost $69.99 until January 31st and $99.99 beyond that. All said, since this is still an unconfirmed rumor, we can do little more than hope that Microsoft will shed more light on Windows 8 pricing very soon. |
| Rockstar Dishes Up Another Serving of Grand Theft Auto V Screenshots Posted: 22 Aug 2012 12:23 PM PDT  Rockstar Games already teased Grand Theft Auto fans earlier this week with screenshots of three different vehicles (sports car, bicycle, and jet) they'll be able to pilot in the upcoming GTA V release, and lest you're not already salivating, the developer served up another trio of images to whet your appetite. The new batch of screenshots show a sampling of leisure activities you can participate in when not running afoul of the law, but what's really exciting is the use of shadows and lighting effects.
Not a single line of text accompanies the new screen grabs, though if a picture is worth a thousand words, credit Rockstar for another 3,000 of them. These aren't the last screenshots Rockstar plans to share, either. Over on GTA V's main website are three empty slots next to the images that have already been revealed. Presumably the developer plans to fill those in fairly soon. Here's hoping a release date will follow not long after. Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook |
| Logitech's Washable Keyboard K310 a Boon for Sticky Fingered Typists Posted: 22 Aug 2012 10:59 AM PDT  Logitech has come out with a $40 keyboard that doesn't mind a good bath every now and then. The Logitech Washable Keyboard K310 is, as the name suggests, a washable keyboard that you can submerge in up to 11 inches of water (don't dunk the USB cord though) to clean away those coffee spills, donut crumbs, and any other cruft that may have built up on the keys.
There are drainage holes on the back to allow for easy drying, and the keycaps are laser printed and UV coated so they won't fade after repeated scrubbings. "We've all experienced that moment of distraction – followed by panic, when a cup of coffee or a soda spills all over your keyboard," says Sophie Le Guen, senior director of mice and keyboards at Logitech. "Because life and its messes will happen, regardless of how careful you are, Logitech designed the Logitech Washable Keyboard K310 to look and function like new, even over time." We haven't played with one ourselves, but taking a peek at Logitech's high resolution image library, it looks fairly comfortable for a standard plank with a full-size numpad and F-keys. The Logitech Washable Keyboard K310 will be available to purchase this month in the U.S. and Europe. Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook |
| T-Mobile's Unlimited 4G Data Plan is the Real Deal Posted: 22 Aug 2012 10:24 AM PDT  T-Mobile is rolling out an unlimited nationwide 4G data plan in the U.S. that is truly unlimited, a point worth emphasizing in this day and age of misleading marketing tactics. The wireless carrier that was almost gobbled up by AT&T promises no data caps, no speed limits, and no bill shock -- just "fast, dependable nationwide 4G coverage" for data hungry customers and anyone who would rather not monitor their usage.
"We're big believers in customer-driven innovation, and our Unlimited Nationwide 4G Data plan is the answer to customers who are frustrated by the cost, complexity and congested networks of our competitors," said Kevin McLaughlin, vice president, marketing, T-Mobile USA. "Consumers want the freedom of unlimited 4G data. Our bold move to be the only wireless carrier to offer an Unlimited Nationwide 4G Data plan reinforces our value leadership and capitalizes on the strength of our nationwide 4G network." T-Mobile's all-you-can consume data buffet will cost $20 per month when added to a Value voice and text plan, or $30 per month when added to a Classic voice and text plan, the latter of which allows customers to purchase a subsidized smartphone. These new plans will roll out on September 5, giving wireless subscribers a compelling alternative to the shared data plans T-Mobile's rivals have fallen in love with in recent times. Of course there's always a caveat, and in this case, it's that T-Mobile's 4G network is of the HSPA+ variety, not Long Term Evolution (LTE). However, T-Mobile is in the process of building out its 4G LTE network, which should be available next year. Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook |
| Zotac's Zbox Nano Now Packs AMD Radeon HD 7340 Graphics Posted: 22 Aug 2012 08:32 AM PDT  Zotac specializes in pint sized PCs and is best known for its Zbox Nano line of small form factor (SFF) systems. Thanks to the rapid march of technology, these types of machines, when properly configured, can pack a performance punch that defy their compact form, and that's exactly what Zotac hopes to achieve by upgrading its Zbox Nano line with an AMD E2-1800 accelerated processing unit (APU).
The real upside to the upgrade is the boost the Zbox will get from running Radeon HD 7340 graphics, a respectable GPU for what's essentially a nettop system. "Our Zotac Zbox Nano series is a user favorite as it enables full-fledged PCs in all rooms and locations. The palm-sized form factor is extremely flexible and with the new AMD E2-1800 APU, we are able to deliver more performance and additional connectivity in the Zotac Zbox Nano with AMD Radeon HD 7340 graphics while maintaining the same footprint," said Carsten Berger, marketing director, Zotac International. In addition to the above mentioned APU/GPU combo, the Zbox AD12 Plus ships with 2GB of DDR3 memory, 320GB hard drive, DisplayPort and HDMI output, 7-in-1 media card reader, GbE LAN, onboard 802.11n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 3.0, four USB 2.0 ports, two USB 3.0 ports, and various audio connectors. The non-Plus version ships sans RAM and 2.5-inch drive, allowing you add your own (it supports up to 8GB of memory). Also new to the refreshed Zbox Nano are high-amperage USB 2.0 ports capable of charging devices that require more power for quicker charges, Zotac says. No word on price or availability. Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook |
| EVGA Launches Overclockable SuperNOVA NEX1500 Classified Power Supply Posted: 22 Aug 2012 08:06 AM PDT  We'd overclock a toaster if given the chance, so it's safe to say EVGA has our full attention in introducing its SuperNOVA NEX1500 Classified power supply that, when paired with special software, allows users to crank up the maximum power output by another 150 watts. We're crazy enough to appreciate a feature like that, even if it's probably not practical 99 percent of the time, but it's that 1 percent that excites us.
Overclocking isn't the only thing you can use EVGA's exclusive SuperNOVA software for. You can also use it to monitor voltage, current on each of the rails, power used, efficiency, change the fan profile, and even switch between single or multiple +12V rails (of which there are eight). According to EVGA, choosing a single +12V rail will help you with extreme overclocks, while multiple +12V rails offer extra stability in day-to-day usage. Software aside, the SuperNOVA NEX1500 Classified is 80 Plus Gold certified, modular with individually sleeved cables, and sports 100 percent Japanese capacitors. Connectors consist of: - 24-pin ATX
- 2 x 8-pin EPS12V
- 3 x 6-pin PCIe
- 16 x 6+2 pin PCIe
- 12 x SATA
- 8 x molex
- 2 x floppy
EVGA didn't say how much its new flagship PSU will cost or when it will be available. The company did, however, say the PSU is backed by a 10 year warranty. Image Credit: EVGA Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook |
| Microsoft Seeks Console Gamers to Beta Test 2012 Xbox Live Update Posted: 22 Aug 2012 06:36 AM PDT  Serving as more proof that Microsoft isn't ready to put its Xbox 360 console out to pasture in favor of its unannounced but oft rumored Durango (Xbox 720) refresh, the Redmond software giant has put the call out for volunteers to test the next version of Xbox Live on the 360. This is the second time in two months that Microsoft has gone in search of beta testers, and though space is limited, the company said it's accepting "far more beta testers this time around."
Should you be selected, Microsoft will push out an early version of its next Xbox Live update, giving you access to new features that include an Internet Explorer browser; recommendations and ratings; pinning and favorites; enhanced category search and discovery features; and voice search (in specific markets). In order to participate, you have to agree to a non-disclosure agreement (NDA), which means you're not going to post screenshots to Facebook or otherwise share with others information about the unreleased update. "Our NDA enforcement squad is really good at finding violators, so save us both the trouble and don't test them," Microsoft warns. "We also ask that you fill out a brief 5-minute survey at the end of the beta to let us know what you think." Interested? If so, read over the agreement and fill out Microsoft's registration form. Image Credit: Microsoft Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook |
| Dell Finds the Business of Slinging PCs "Challenging" as Profits Slip 18 Percent Posted: 22 Aug 2012 06:14 AM PDT  There was a time when PCs practically sold themselves, but that was before everyone started crowing about the tough economic landscape and other factors that, as Dell explains, makes growing a PC business "challenging," a word the OEM used when describing its second quarter financial results. Amid slumping sales and declining profits, Dell said it's in the process of transforming its business with a clear strategy focused on long-term results.
"We're transforming our business, not for a quarter or a fiscal year, but to deliver differentiated customer value for the long term," said Michael Dell, chairman and CEO. "We're clear on our strategy and we're building a leading portfolio of solutions to help our customers achieve their goals." Company CFO Brian Gladden elaborated a bit on Dell's strategy, which includes shifting its focus to enterprise solutions where the profit margins are higher. "Growth in our PC business was challenging, as we saw a tough macroeconomic and competitive environment, and continued to focus on higher value solutions in this business," Gladden said. All that said, it's not as though Dell is hemorrhaging cash or calling for someone to stick a fork in the company. Dell reported revenue of $14.5 billion with $875 million in profits during the second quarter, they just happen to represent double digit declines of 8 percent and 13 percent, respectively, compared to last year. Going forward, Dell said it expects Q3 revenue to drop another 2-5 percent from Q2. Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook |
