Technology News: Personal Computers

Steve Jobs Conquers the Decade - Now What?
November 07, 2009

Now that Fortune has named Apple CEO Steve Jobs CEO of the decade, where will he go from here? Throughout his career, Jobs has typically led the market, bringing out products that consumers didn't know they wanted until they saw them -- products like the iPhone and iPod touch, for instance. He will probably continue doing so, but in the future he may delegate more responsibilities.

The Modern PC: Lighter, Touchier, More Mobile
November 07, 2009

Personal computers are changing -- and not just because of the recent launch of Windows 7. Visit an electronics store and you might also find laptops are missing a familiar component. You could experiment with new ways of controlling some computers, and you'll see portable PCs slimming down.

New Bill Would Ban Personal Gadgets From Cockpits
November 03, 2009

Lawmakers are moving to ban the use of computer laptops and other personal electronic devices in airline cockpits to prevent another incident like the Northwest Airlines plane that overshot Minneapolis by 150 miles. Sen. Byron Dorgan, chairman of the aviation subcommittee, said in an interview that his staff is working on a bill that he expects to introduce in about a week.

MainGear Warms Up New Line of Personal Supercomputers
November 02, 2009

Boutique gaming PC maker MainGear on Monday announced a new line of what it describes as "personal supercomputers." The Shift, a large desktop built to user specifications, runs at up to 4 GHz and features its a liquid cooling system. Prices begin at $2,199. MainGear has designed the Shift line to exploit the natural behavior of heat, according to the company.

Windows 7 Draws New PC Designs Out of the Woodwork
October 25, 2009

Although no one waits in long lines for a new edition of Windows anymore, the debut of Microsoft's latest software that runs PCs is part of why buying a computer is starting to feel fun for the first time in years. Windows 7 is expected to work better than its predecessor, Vista. At the same time, Microsoft's marketing has gotten savvier, and PC makers have followed Apple's lead by improving hardware design.

Weighing Windows 7's Wallop
October 23, 2009

So how's your head after that wild Windows 7 launch party with the Stepford crew? Still got the spins? OK, if you really did throw or attend an official Windows 7 launch party, then that's ... interesting. I sincerely hope you had a good time. For the rest of us, the official introduction of Windows 7 was a pretty austere affair.

Apple Is Saving the Best for Last
October 23, 2009

Usually by the end of October, early November at the latest, Apple tends to wrap up its retail product innovation and set its lineup in stone for the upcoming holiday buying season. Not this year. Rest assured, something new and important is coming from Apple in time for holiday sales.

Acer Takes Interdimensional Leap With New Laptop
October 22, 2009

Acer on Thursday announced a notebook with 3-D viewing technology aimed at gamers and entertainment buffs. The Aspire 5783DG has a 15.6-inch backlit Acer CineCrystal HD display integrated with a TriDef 3-D screen. It comes with 3-D software and glasses. It also has an integrated multi-in-one media reader and an HDMI port.

Android and Windows, Living Together in Perfect Harmony?
October 22, 2009

Fall may be the season for leaf-gazing and apple cider, but this year there's no doubt it's also the season for Android. Just short of one year after the announcement of the first Android phone -- HTC's Dream, marketed by T-Mobile as G1 -- WiseAndroid proclaimed on Monday that there are no fewer than 50 (yes, five-zero!) Android phones expected in the near future.

The Juggernaut's New iMac
October 21, 2009

Apple launched three new products Tuesday just hours after disclosing details on the most successful non-holiday quarter in the company's history. The new hardware includes new iMac models, a new sub-$1,000 MacBook and a multitouch mouse that Apple has dubbed the "Magic Mouse." On Wall Street, the company's revelations sent its stock climbing.

Windows 7 and What Comes After the PC
October 19, 2009

Microsoft and Windows go back to the very beginning of the PC -- when people couldn't afford them, when networks were defined by terminal emulators and floppy disks, and when many of the Google pioneers were in diapers. Looking back at what Windows initially did and considering what Windows 7 is capable of, you can certainly say a lot has changed.

Sidekick Snafu: The Data Saved and the Damage Done
October 16, 2009

T-Mobile's Sidekick users had a pretty rough time this week thanks to a mistake that first looked enormous but eventually was pretty much fixed, though with no small amount of worry and strife in between. An unfortunate series of events caused a major inconvenience for users of the smartphone.

Acer Topples Dell to Claim No. 2 PC Vendor Slot
October 15, 2009

As global PC shipments rose 2.3 percent year over year in the third quarter, Taiwanese PC manufacturer Acer took the No. 2 spot in PC sales worldwide, according to market research firm IDC. That pushed Dell into third place; market leader HP, however, maintains its commanding lead. HP accounted for 20.2 percent of PC shipments worldwide in the third quarter, with almost 15.8 million units.

Acer Joins the Android Horde
October 14, 2009

Acer has announced details surrounding two hotly anticipated mobile devices running Google's Android mobile operating system: the Liquid A1 touchscreen smartphone, which Acer first said it was developing when it joined the Open Handset Alliance earlier this year; and the Aspire One netbook, which is available for preorder at Amazon for $349.99.

HP Readies New PCs for the Windows 7 Party
October 14, 2009

HP has released a slew of new PCs -- both desktop and notebooks -- that leverage its growing investment in touchscreen technology ahead of Microsoft's Windows 7 release. The products target just about every buying constituency there is, from college students seeking affordable notebooks to businesses interested in upgrading to high-end desktops and laptops.

Sony's Flyweight Vaio Enters the Ring
October 08, 2009

Sony on Thursday announced specs for its super-light Vaio X laptop, which was first unveiled in September at the IFA trade show in Berlin. At 1.6 lbs with a standard battery, the laptop, which has an 11.1-inch screen and a carbon fiber body, is claimed to be the lightest in its class. Prices start at around $1,300.