Windows 8 is probably the biggest change made to Windows since Windows 1.0. Sure there were drastic changes in the way the Windows user interface looks and feels, but it always followed the same general concept. With Windows 8 we are getting an entirely new paradigm on top of the old one, and new Windows users land right smack in it when they first boot it up. In fact, it’s not so much that the new Windows UI lays on top of the old desktop UI; the desktop UI is Read More

HP’s EliteBook line of notebook PC’s is designed with both form and function in mind. Each EliteBook is constructed on a magnesium alloy “DuraCase” chassis with an anodized aluminum exterior. The result is both attractive and durable. Keyboard The EliteBook “Durakey” keyboard is spill-resistant and designed to stay clean in the messiest environment. The flat keys are surprisingly comfortable to type on and they allow little or no dirt to find it’s way underneath them. On the other hand, the <ENTER> key is too small and the function keys could Read More

Linux and quirkiness tend to be synonymous, if looked from the perspective of a user who doesn’t want to fiddle or deal with workarounds to make things work smoothly. Release after release Ubuntu has been no different in this department, even when it seemed closest to the goal of a perfectly user-friendly system. It’s become somewhat of a running joke among some circles to go test out the shiny new hyped Ubuntu thinking this is finally it, and they’ve finally done it, and then leave with a bit of a Read More

Internet Explorer and Safari may be pre-installed on their respective operating systems by default, but in this day and age they’re generally not considered very impressive compared to the likes of Chrome and Firefox. At one point I wondered what purpose do they even serve if their makers seemingly put so little effort into making them competitive. A friend jokingly told me they’re there so you can use them to download a “real browser” like Chrome or Firefox. Until recently I agreed. They both seemed rather underwhelming. Chrome and Firefox Read More

Dell offers four tower workstations in it’s Precision line of products: T1600, T3500, T5500, and T7500. The T3500 is the most affordable of the Tx500 line, but still provides plenty of power and options for professional use. Dell’s Precision T3500 provides a good selection of options and performance at entry-level prices. It is an excellent choice for professional users. The Precision T3500 is targeted towards professional users of CAD, animation, and video editing software. These are demanding applications in terms of CPU, video, and RAM requirements. The T3500 can provide Read More

I was on multiple occasions tempted to get an IPTV service with its convenient access to a number of always available TV channels from FOX Life to Discovery Channel to CNBC, yet every time I ended up wondering what would be the point as I reminded myself of all the stuff I get without a monthly subscription using software like Boxee on my PC. First off, the sheer amount of great video content now available from various exclusively Internet based media companies like Revision3 which I can watch on demand Read More

Apple's iPhone may still be the king in the growing smartphone market, but Android based phones have a lot to offer including perhaps a few things that may make iPhone users somewhat envious. Here is a selection of fun and useful Android apps. Some are just extremely useful, and others could be very fun, but all of them demonstrate just how capable and entertaining an Android smartphone can be. I've also included QR code images so you can get an app instantly by just scanning it with an app like Read More

Opera Software ASA, Norway developed a web browser (Internet suite) called Opera. It is one of the most used browsers on earth, and probably the fastest and best one. Most Internet users probably remember the days when Internet Explorer and Netscape navigator competed for every single user. Internet Explorer was eventually victorious as it became the most widely used Internet browser. Internet users are well aware of Internet Explorer’s mistakes and standard compliance problems. Unfortunately, these same Internet users were probably unaware of Opera’s existence, although it has been an Read More

As Mac and iPhone users play with their new iOS5 and iCloud, Linux users get to play with a brand new release of the most popular Linux OS. Ubuntu 11.10, also known as Oneiric Ocelot, has arrived. Unlike the last release, which featured a switch to an entirely new Unity user interface, this one is a fairly incremental upgrade. What most of us expected were further refinements to this new user interface, and Ubuntu more or less delivered on that, but let’s get into the nitty gritty. Here are the Read More

Zorin OS caught my attention through an attractive web site and an interesting video presentation. It is based on Ubuntu Linux and its aim appears to be to offer a friendly user experience to everyone, including those coming from Windows and Mac OS. The way it is presented implies the kind of professionalism that I typically expect to see from those who take building a good user experience and a quality product seriously. Zorin OS is available in Free and Premium versions, but the only difference between them is that Read More