Loyd Case

Microsoft gets it. I never thought Id actually write those three words. However, Im not talking about operating systems or Windows Media. Im talking about games—and not just about the Xbox 360, but lets begin there, anyway. For people who dont own an Xbox 360, the killer app for the Xbox 360 isnt any one […]

Every year, a new crop of gadgets, game controllers and other interesting items of hardware are shown at E3. Many never make it into the big time. But dreams die hard, and a new crop of dreamers return with hopes of breaking into the big time. Of course, the big guys are doing some cool […]

Back in 2004, we tested out Dish 921—the companys first attempt at a high-definition DVR. The 921 was really a low-end PC with a lot of custom hardware. While it did yeoman duty, it wasnt perfect. For example the DVR functionality would simply be off by a full 24 hours on occasion. It was also […]

A lot of virtual ink has been expended over the last few days regarding the latest Intel Developer Forum. Much of it has been focused on Intels next-generation CPU architecture. What has been swept under the rug, at least when it comes to desktop processors, is the first half of 2006. By the end of […]

Its hard to argue with success. Take a look at Toyota, for example, which builds roughly a zillion different car models (or so it seems) based on the Camry platform. Theres the Camry itself, the Avalon, the Highlander SUV, the Lexus ES300 and the Solara. Each drives just a little differently, but each also builds […]

Serial ATA has become the storage mainstay of current-generation desktop PCs. Were even seeing SATA drive penetrating into laptop storage and some entry-level servers. But the term “SATA-II” is now technically incorrect. Realizing the potential for Serial ATA beyond just PC hard drives, the SATA working group has formed an industry organization dubbed SATA-IO, for […]

Your Data from Any PC Network attached storage (NAS) is huge in corporate IT functions, but NAS hasnt been on the radar for many home users. Weve touched on home network storage here at ET, including our reviews of the D-Link Central Home Drive and Ximetas NetDisk. And weve also discussed network storage in the […]

Not About Backup. Really. I promise, this column is not about backing up your hard drive. Like me, I assume youve been lectured constantly about backup. Most of us dont do it on a regular basis. Even automated backup devices like Mirra dont get much traction among most users, because of the extra cost. If […]

Last week we attended several presentations discussing the future of Windows graphics at WinHEC. What follows is culled from two presentations given during the graphics track on May 27th, 2005. David Blythe, one of the lead architects in the Windows Graphics and Gaming Technologies group, gave a talk titled “Windows Graphics Overview.” The presentation on […]

We last looked at an alpha of Longhorn, Microsoft Corp.s next-generation operating system, in May 2004. We were even able to get elements of the Aero desktop running, plus took a look at the ambitious WinFS file system. Since then, Microsoft has removed the advanced filing system WinFS and made other key changes. Microsoft released […]

The good old magnetic hard drive, with its rotating platters and flying heads, is still the mainstay for mass storage, even as other technologies seem to emerge. Refinements in platter materials, head technologies, and magnetic substrates allow hard drive companies to stay ahead of the cost and performance curve. With Hitachi and Seagate announcing plans […]

When people think of personal computers, they almost always think of the CPU, or memory, or even graphics chips. They often forget that inside a PC is a purely mechanical device that spins at up to 15,000 revolutions per minute. In a more standard desktop hard drive, which spins at a tamer 7,200 RPM, a […]