Decide first if you want to overclock your new PC or not. At least one computer hardware enthusiast website has discovered issues with how the Core i5 750, Core i7 860, and Core i7 870 CPUs, mainly with how they interact with compatible motherboards. Push these processors to the limit, and you might end up frying both the motherboard and CPU, rendering them useless.
All PC motherboards feature a CPU socket, which is where the processor is installed (or “seated”) to run the rest of the computer’s components. Ideally, once installed as instructed, all the CPU pins should maintain good contact …read more

Announced today, the official pricing of Windows 7 is as follows:
Retail

Home Premium $199.99
Professional $299.99
Ultimate $319.99

Upgrade Packages

Home Premium $119.99
Professional $199.99
Ultimate $219.99

In other words, $120, $200, and $220 respectively. Before you get excited about the lower prices (when compared to Vista), remember that only 1% actually buy retail OS copies. The rest download bootleg copies from torrent sites get the OS when they buy a new computer.
Still, it’s great seeing Microsoft slashing their flagship product prices a bit. Maybe we’ll see less people call the company “M$” on online forums.
Some bad news for Windows XP users though: Windows 7 will insist on …read more

As we approach the start of April, expect all those practical jokes to crop up online. In the meantime, check out what proved most popular from last week:

C’mon Gmail, You’re Still Missing Something
What are Your Most Important Gadgets?
Why PETA is Wrong About Dogs Getting Shot
What’s Exciting About OnLive’s Gaming Model
10 Ways to Use Internet Explorer Safely
In Soviet Russia, Wood Powers You!

For Intel and Lenovo, the Star Trek franchise represents an opportunity to reach the geeky people. You know, the type who give a damn about CPUs and computing equipment. That’s why they’re raffling off access to:

A trip for four to the Hollywood Premiere of the new Star Trek movie.
A “zero gravity flight” for a group of four. That’s the trip where you all fly in a plane that climbs up then descends quickly, creating zero gravity conditions for you and friends to play around in.

The so-called New Frontiers Sweepstakes is only open to US residents, age 18 and above. Visit …read more

Seriously though, who has the money to buy these kinds of phones?

Interesting stuff over at Flowing Data: a visual record of Walmart’s rapid growth, from 1968 to 2007. It’s a bit creepy, how Walmart geometrically increased its footprint on the American landscape, though Walmart-haters will like the company’s relative lack of presence in the American Mid-West.

Watching the Growth of Walmart Across America

“We like competition, as long as they don’t rip off our IP, and if they do, we’re going to go after anybody that does….We will not stand for having our IP ripped off and we’ll use whatever weapons we have at our disposal [to make sure that doesn't happen]. I don’t know that I can be more clear than that.”
-Apple COO Tim Cook
“Palm has a long history of innovation that is reflected in our products and robust patent portfolio, and we have long been recognized for our fundamental patents in the mobile space… If faced with legal action, we are …read more

It apparently took them a while, but Victorinox—better known as the maker of Swiss Knives—recently featured the SwissFlash. Basically a pocket-sized gadget with traditional tools like a keyring and a blade, the SwissFlash also features a detachable 32GB flash drive, a laser pointer, and a Bluetooth remote for presentations.
A fitting high-tech combo, no doubt, which is why Victorinox decided to showcase this product during the recently-concluded CES 2009. Considering what you’ll get, the $330 price actually seems pretty reasonable. Check out the product page for more information and the list of variants.
(Photo and credit: Popgadget)

So today’s the day when the first beta of Windows 7 is available, and if you want to try out Microsoft’s latest gem, you’d better pay attention to what Wired says. To make a long story short, the beta will be available only today, Windows 7 upgrades will only work with Vista SP1, and you’ll need to register to get a product key. The ISO is estimated to be 2.5 to 3.5GB in size.
But good luck. I’ve tried visiting Wired’s source, a post on the Official Windows Blog, and I’ve also tried visiting the Windows 7 page to get the …read more

If you’re reading this post, set for publication after 6pm on December 24, 2008, then I have all the right in the world to ask what are you doing online?!
Where I come from, we party on Christmas Eve. Even those who’ve got work during the day disconnect from everything else, and clear the night for a night of alcohol, debauchery, and gift-giving!
So I suggest you do the same now. Stop straining your eyes, stop staying on top of what’s happening on the internets. Stand up and leave the computer (you are of course, welcome to download torrents, since they don’t …read more