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Latest by M. Smith

Acer Predator 17

Acer Predator 17 (2015) review

Acer is known to offer bargain hardware for gamers, but has lost previous battles in the high-end, hardcore gaming arena. Can the company’s new 17-inch Predator change its fortunes?
AVADirect Z170

AVADirect Z170 review

Expensive gaming rigs can be incredibly extravagant, and that leads to high prices. AVADirect’s Z170 Gaming PC takes a more basic approach, delivering only what’s needed for victory in games. Is that a winning formula, or a recipe for disaster?
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Touch review corner closeup

Which laptop has the best battery life of them all?

Whether it's a gaming laptop, or an Ultrabook, your notebook is useless if it don't has any juice. Here are the laptops that last the longest on a charge.
researchers learn animate famous faces using online photos faceanimation

Machine learning algorithm puts the words of George W. Bush in Barack Obama's mouth

A team from the University of Washington has developed a machine learning algorithm that can create an animated digital persona from online photographs. 
pc sales recovering led by detachable tablets surface pro 4 hero

The Microsoft Surface Pro 4 may be beautiful, but its firmware isn't

In our Surface Pro 4 long term update, we'll address the firmware issues and software quirks that hold the device back from perfection. 
Asus Zen AIO S

Asus Zen AiO Pro Z240IC review

Premium Windows all-in-ones have always existed in the iMac’s long shadow, but Asus’ brilliant new Zen AiO Pro may outshine Apple’s best.
why are you waiting for windows 10 so the internet doesnt crash download upgrade

Windows 10 .ISO tool removed, forcing users to rely on Windows Update

Microsoft has removed the media creation tool enabling Windows 10.ISO downloads with little explanation.
Asus UX305

Asus Zenbook UX305CA review

The Zenbook UX305 is the latest cutting-edge ultrabook from Asus. It reinforces the brand’s affordable appeal, but can it defeat heavyweights like the Dell XPS 13 and Samsung ATIV Book 9?
amd gpuopen announcement r9 feature

Asus Strix R9 380X OC review

AMD’s latest card, the R9 380X, targets 1440p gaming and fills a gap between $200 budget cards and more expensive hardware. Does that make it a competent upgrade, or an awkward tweener?
FAA drone test.

Windows 3.1 crash puts French airport out of commission

A crucial system reliant on Windows 3.1 went down last Saturday, forcing a French airport in Paris to ground all flights.
Maingear X Cube Z170 hero

Maingear X-Cube Z170 review

Maingear’s small cube PC is supposed to save space, but its unusual design takes up more room than it seems at first glance, making its advantage over traditional mid-tower desktops a bit dubious.
enter the wasteland without leaving home with our 5k screenshots from fallout 4 diamondcity3

Enter the wasteland without leaving home with our 5K screenshots from Fallout 4

Want to see what Fallout 4 looks like at its very best? We fired the game up on Dell's 5K monitor at ultra detail and took a few screenshots.
Fallout 4

Is it okay to buy Fallout 4 on the PC? Absolutely!

Recent gaming disasters like Batman: Arkham Knight have left PC owners leery of cross-platform titles, but there's no reason to fear Fallout 4's wasteland.
monoprice uhd select series review 4k monitor feat

Monoprice Select Series 4K monitor review

Monoprice, the company best known for affordable cables, now has a 4K monitor. It follows a familiar strategy of budget-friendly pricing, but can it deliver a decent picture for just $400?
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Update: Google denies plan to “phase out” Chrome OS

Google has officially denied reports that it plans to "phase out" Chrome OS while confirming a project is under way to combine the best of Chrome and Android.
ads windows 10 lock screen features users wanted added v2

Windows 10 Insider Preview build 10576 is released to the Fast Ring

Microsoft Windows Build 10576 is a minor update, but it does add streaming support from the Edge browser to Miracast and DLNA devices.
Apple A9 chip

Superior silicon: How Apple is beating chipmakers at their own game

Apple's latest A9 processors are incredibly quick, nipping at the heels of even Intel's hardware. That feat was accomplished in just half a decade.
Microsoft Surface Book

Updated: Here’s where you can buy the Surface Pro 4 and Surface Book

If you want to get your hands on Microsoft's first-ever convertible laptop as early as October 26, here's where you can buy one.
Microsoft Surface Book

Want to play games on your Surface Book? Prepare for disappointment

Microsoft's inclusion of an Nvidia GPU in the Surface Book suggests it might work for light gaming, but it doesn't play as hard as it works.
microsoft lumia 940 xl news version 1435316859 windows 10 joe belfiore

Microsoft’s Joe Belfiore is lost to the sea — until next summer, at least

Joe Belfiore, Microsoft's VP of its operating systems group, is the face of the company's presentations. He's headed off to sea.
Windows Phone Cortana

Windows 10 will soon let you send text messages through Cortana

Leaked internal builds of Windows 10 have revealed plans to integrated text messaging into the OS through Cortana, but you'll need a Windows 10 phone.
apple announces new 21 5 inch 4k imac revamped accessories and more feature

Apple’s 21.5-inch iMac with Retina is the least repairable yet

Apple's new iMac with Retina seems to have packed in so many pixels that it didn't leave room for future upgrades.
ASUS TP200

Asus Transformer Book Flip TP200SA review

Budget notebooks often look every bit as cheap as their price suggests, but the Asus TP200SA Flip bucks the trend. Is this the everyman’s 2-in-1 that we’ve been waiting for?

Latest Windows 10 Insider build adds tab previews to Edge, notes to Cortana

Microsoft has released a new build of Windows 10 to Insiders. It offers Skype integration, new Cortana features, thumbnail previews of Edge, and more.
is world of warships making your pc sweat heres how to improve performance wow feature

Is World of Warships making your PC sweat? Here’s how to improve performance

World of Warships is a beautiful game of ship-to-ship combat set in World War II. Just a few tweaks can really boost your framerate.
surface pro 4 vs pixel c microsoft news 0041

Microsoft Surface Pro 4 vs iPad Pro: Spec Showdown

Apple's iPad Pro was impressive, but Microsoft has responded with its new Surface Pro 4, which is thinner, lighter and quicker than ever before.
Google Pixel C

Spec Comparison: Google Pixel C vs. Microsoft Surface 3

The Surface 3 is one of the best portable 2-in-1s on the market, but the new Google Pixel C looks set to give it a fight. Which one is worth your money?
dell leaks more specs for upcoming xps 12 2 in 1 feature

Dell leaks more specs for upcoming XPS 12 2-in-1

The much-needed, long-awaited update to Dell's XPS 12 is around the corner, and the company's Malaysian website has leaked detailed information about it.
Intel Compute Stick

Intel needs to kill the Atom before cheap PCs sour users on all PCs

The Atom processor, and it cousins, have made it possible for PCs to hit prices below $200. But doing so results in a frustrating experience.
google reveals the pixel c an android tablet that wishes it was a laptop pixelcsmall

Google reveals the Pixel C, an Android tablet that wishes it was a laptop

Google has joined the ranks of Microsoft Surface clones with the Pixel C, and Android-based device with a magnetic keyboard.
these five new features will make your respect os x el capitan you

Remember! OS X 10.11 El Capitan is coming tomorrow

September 30 is the release date for the latest version of OS X, 10.11, also known as El Capitan. The update will work on most Macs six years old or newer.
os x el capitan hands on review feature

With El Capitan, Apple brings even older Macs Into the Future

Apple’s latest update to OS X, El Capitan, makes your Mac easier to use and boosts performance. But does it offer enough to steal momentum from Microsoft’s recently released Windows 10?

LG gram 14Z950 ultrabook review

LG has finally decided to enter the North American market, and its 14-inch LG Gram is leading the charge. Is it quick enough to edge in between Asus, Acer, Dell and HP, or should the company stick to televisions and dishwashers?
Qantas Samsung Gear VR

By showcasing Samsung’s Gear VR, Oculus reminds us VR is bigger than the Rift

Oculus Connect 2 may not have Samsung in its name, but the company's biggest announcements were related to Gear VR, a mobile headset for Galaxy and Note.