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Nov 15, 2018
How can improvements to the GPU manufacturing process make graphics cards better? There's no one solution, and today's launch of the $280 Radeon RX 590 shows that Nvidia and AMD took two wildly divergent paths in the shift to the 12nm process.
Nvidia's used the extra space and process improvements to cram its GeForce RTX 20-series graphics cards with radical, futuristic hardware devoted to driving adoption of real-time ray tracing and machine learning in games. The downside? The cheapest RTX option, the RTX 2070, starts at $500. AMD took a different tack: The Radeon RX 590 is essentially identical to the $240 8GB Radeon RX 580 under the hood, but shifting from 14nm to 12nm let AMD eke out much higher clock speeds than before—and prep a new graphics card that challenges the massive price gap between the $250 GTX 1060 and $370 GTX 1070.
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Nov 15, 2018
Streaming video will remain a boon to movie history, even after FilmStruck shuts down.
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Nov 15, 2018
The Flo Water Damage Prevention System monitors and reports on your home's water usage. It can also shut off the water supply to prevent catastrophic damage in the event of a leak.
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Nov 15, 2018
OnePlus sure knows how to make an entrance. Arriving at the tail end of a jam-packed Android season that included nothing less than the Samsung Galaxy Note 9, LG V40 ThinQ, Google Pixel 3, and the Huawei Mate 20 Pro, the OnePlus 6T could have easily been a victim of flagship fatigue.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Nov 14, 2018
The headline feature of Windows 10 Insider build 18282 is probably the "light theme" for your Windows desktop. But the most useful addition is the new, Intelligent Active Hours designed to present unwanted interruptions from Windows updates.
The preview build, leading up to the next big update to Windows 10 due early next year (code-named 19H1), doesn't boast any truly new features. Rather, these enhancements to existing features are conveniences you may try if you choose. Here they are:
The "light theme"
You're probably aware of the existing Windows "dark theme," which uses darker colors and accents to soften the vast expanses of white within Explorer, Edge, and so on. And you probably thought that the existing light theme was an alternative to that. Well, not so much, apparently.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Nov 14, 2018
A boom in wireless security cameras is inspiring a movement in DIY home surveillance. Follow our buying guide and read our reviews to find the best option for you.
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Nov 14, 2018
TiVo vs. Tablo vs. Channel Master vs. Plex: None are ideal, but one might work for you.
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Nov 14, 2018
You can never have too many USB ports, especially if you have a lot of devices in your orbit. Today you can add six with an on-sale Anker charger.
Normally $20, today the Anker PowerPort 6 Lite is listed at its lowest price of $16Remove non-product link. If you click the coupon box you'll save another $4, bringing it down to $12 on Amazon—a killer price for a lot of ports.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Nov 14, 2018
Microsoft's Windows 10 October 2018 Update, officially re-released on Nov. 13, doesn't offer the standout, marquee features you might have come to expect from earlier releases. But as our review demonstrates, a few new features highlight a longer list of under-the-hood, day-to-day improvements.
Our review is based on the final Windows 10 Insider Builds, which led up to the official October 2018 Update. Microsoft doesn't appear to have added anything with the final build, but we'll check and update this story to reflect any last-minute changes. (Microsoft placed the original launch of the Oct. 2018 Update, also known as version 1809, on hold after some users suffered data loss.)
To read this article in full, please click here
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Nov 14, 2018
EA's Battlefield V doesn't technically hit the streets until November 20, but it's already the first game to support real-time ray tracing using Microsoft's new DirectX Raytracing API. Nvidia's radical new GeForce RTX 2070 and RTX 2080 and 2080 Ti graphics cards include dedicated hardware devoted to improving ray tracing performance.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Nov 14, 2018
Yesterday, we showed you how to get the cornerstones of an awesome AMD budget rig on the cheap. Today, we're making that combo even better with your choice of two 27-inch, 1080p FreeSync monitors. Walmart is selling the Dell SE2717HR for $119Remove non-product link, while
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Nov 14, 2018
Amazon's over-the-air DVR nails the little details, but it has some major limitations.
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Nov 14, 2018
Digging deep into Windows 10Image by Dan Masaoka/IDG
Windows 10's constantly evolving nature means fresh features arrive twice per year, and with all the new goodies come a legion of new tweaks and tricks—some of which unlock powerful functionality hidden to everyday users. Others simply let you mold the Windows 10 experience into the shape you see fit. Here are some of the most useful tweaks, tricks, and tips we've found, starting with some of the highlights from the Windows 10 October 2018 Update (which includes more nifty everyday conveniences than we can include here).
To read this article in full, please click here
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Nov 14, 2018
Withings launches a new Pulse HR fitness tracker with three week battery life and continuous heart-rate monitoring.
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Nov 14, 2018
If there's any review I've been anxiously awaiting to write, it's this one. Having seen demos at vendor showcases, I knew NVMe SSD setups could go far faster than what's possible with the single M.2 slot most PCs offer.
To see HighPoint's 7101A 4-slot, x16 PCIe NVMe RAID card reading at 11GBps reading and writing at nearly 10GBps on PCWorld's own testbed was a major hoot. Alas, that's using a synthetic benchmark, and in our real-world copy tests, performance was only slightly faster than with a single fast NVMe SSD.
HighPoint said that with the right software, i.e., something that does its own I/O such as synthetic benchmarks, you will get the same dramatic performance boost. We'll have to take the company at its word, as the 7101A also served to illustrate a number of shortcomings of current PCs and software when it comes to state-of-the-art storage.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Nov 14, 2018
RGB is the buzzword in peripherals these days, but few have found any real use for them. It's all well and good to have an RGB-enabled mouse or headset or keyboard, but aside from a few gimmicks like "imitating the sirens in Grand Theft Auto," it's still more about aesthetics than functionality.
Logitech's G560 changes that, using RGB LEDs in a way that feels transformative. If only the effect were paired with slightly better speakers.
IllumiRoom Redux
Way back in 2013 Microsoft showed off footage of a prototype for the Xbox One, the "IllumiRoom." Emerging from Microsoft Research, IllumiRoom promised to make gaming more immersive by literally immersing you in it. Using a projector synced to your actual TV, the goal was to extend the picture off the screen and onto the surrounding walls.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Nov 14, 2018
RGB is the buzzword in peripherals these days, but few have found any real use for them. It's all well and good to have an RGB-enabled mouse or headset or keyboard, but aside from a few gimmicks like "imitating the sirens in Grand Theft Auto," it's still more about aesthetics than functionality.
Logitech's G560 changes that, using RGB LEDs in a way that feels transformative. If only the effect were paired with slightly better speakers.
IllumiRoom Redux
Way back in 2013 Microsoft showed off footage of a prototype for the Xbox One, the "IllumiRoom." Emerging from Microsoft Research, IllumiRoom promised to make gaming more immersive by literally immersing you in it. Using a projector synced to your actual TV, the goal was to extend the picture off the screen and onto the surrounding walls.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Nov 14, 2018
Sony's XBR X900F can handle just about any kind of material with aplomb, including HDR. But its color palette is subdued and light bleed on black backgrounds is noticeable with the Xtended Dynamic Range function engaged.
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Nov 13, 2018
Give like you give a damnImage by Rob Schultz/IDG
When it comes to finding gifts that are cool, useful, and affordable, technology can check all those boxes. And contrary to what you might think, the audience for cool tech gifts is quite broad, with options for virtually everyone on your holiday shopping list.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Nov 13, 2018
When you're looking for a good, cheap laptop, knowledge is power. Every budget machine (which we're defining as Windows laptops costing $500 or less) is the product of compromise—corners carefully cut here and there to hit a price point.
Your job is to find the one that checks off the most boxes for your needs. We'll show you what to look for by highlighting which budget laptops among the best-sellers currently listed at Amazon and Best Buy are worth buying. We haven't necessarily tested these specific machines (we'll let you know if we have), but we've seen enough similar ones to have a good idea of the pros and cons.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Nov 13, 2018
Picking a gaming laptop is a lot more fun today than it was five years ago, when a "real" gaming laptop meant 12 pounds of back-breaking hardware to haul around.
Gaming laptop cheat sheet
Our quick-hit recommendations:·
Best 17-inch gaming laptop: Alienware 17 R5 [dell.com]
Best 15-inch gaming laptop:
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Nov 13, 2018
Today's best laptops bask in the glow of Intel's 8th-gen Core CPUs, which at last bring quad-core performance to mainstream machines. The only thing missing is Oprah shouting, "And you get an 8th-gen quad-core laptop!"
There's plenty of good news with this new generation. Our favorite convertible laptop, HP's Spectre x360 13, sports a quad-core 8th-gen chip while maintaining its diminutive size. It's really the total package.
But let's be honest: You probably don't need a quad-core powerhouse, especially if the hottest application you run is Microsoft Excel. Check out our budget favorites, like the Acer Aspire E 15 and Asus ZenBook Flip, whose dual-core CPUs do just fine with mainstream fare. Or read about the Asus Chromebook Flip, a well-priced and versatile laptop for living on the web—or delving into the wide, wide world of Android apps.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Nov 13, 2018
Statistics show that a third of all internet users have suffered a security breach. Indeed, the web can be a dangerous place and, unless you take precautions, it's probably just a matter of time before you become a victim too. That's the bad news. The good news is that it's relatively easy to protect yourself with Private Internet Access VPN. Get a three-year subscription for just $77.33, marked down by 69% from the regular price of $250.20 right now.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Nov 13, 2018
Dash cams are already essential in many countries because of scam artists who try to create accidents so they can sue you. They've also proven useful for catching cars flying into buildings, or the occasional meteor, as happened in Thailand and in Russia a few years ago.
But while auto con artists aren't as common here, recording your excursions is a reasonable precaution to take—especially if you're driving professionally. And even if you're not, you may unexpectedly appreciate using it to chronicle your vacation travels—or tap into your smart home, as we've just tested an Alexa-enabled dash cam, the Garmin Speak Plus.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Nov 13, 2018
Microsoft said Tuesday that it's begun slowly releasing the postponed Windows 10 October 2018 Update once again to the general public, having put in place additional "signals" that will allow users to flag instances where data loss might occur.
Not everyone will receive the Windows 10 October 2018 Update, a minor release which was scheduled to begin shipping October 2. Since then, 5.9 million people have downloaded it, according to Microsoft. Microsoft will roll out the update, also known as version 1809, very slowly to its remaining customers. Users will first have to request the update and meet the hardware requirements and check for application compatibility. Even then, only about one percent of users will initially receive it, Microsoft said. The remaining PCs will be updated over the following weeks and months.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Nov 13, 2018
iDrive has activated a significant discount on their Remote access software RemotePC in these days leading into Black Friday. RemotePC by iDrive is a full-featured remote access solution that lets you connect to your work, home or office computer securely from anywhere, and from any iOS or Android device. Right now, their 50 computer package is 90% off or just $6.95 for your 1st year. If you've been thinking about remote access solutions, now is a good time to consider RemotePC.
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Nov 13, 2018
Choosing a gaming keyboard is a matter of personal taste. To that point, there are a plethora of options, with a dizzying mix of features. One person could be into Cherry Browns and white backlighting. Another might favor Razer Greens and a rippling RGB glow. Gigantic wrist pads, compact shapes, numeric keypads, macro keys, volume controls.... You get the picture
Gaming keyboard cheat sheet
Our quick-hit recommendations:
BlackWidowX Tournament Edition View
Cougar Attack X3 RGB (2018) View
Fnatic Streak RGB View
Corsair K63
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Nov 13, 2018
Keeping an eye on your home when you're away is essential for strong security, but indoor cameras can get pricey. Today, Amazon is offering one of our favorites, the Canary View, for just $50Remove non-product link, half off its list price and one of the lowest prices we've ever seen.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Nov 13, 2018
While everyone is buzzing about Samsung's folding phone, it won't be the only Galaxy phone the releases next year. Also on tap are Samsung usual flagships, the Galaxy S10 and S10 , and they're shaping up to be quite a bit different this year.
Here's everything we (think we) know so far:
Galaxy S10: Design and display
After the Galaxy S9 stuck with the same "Infinity Display" design that was introduced with the S8, the S10 will represent a major change for the Galaxy S line. And it could be unlike anything we've ever seen.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Nov 13, 2018
You don't have to wait for Black Friday. Deals have started to drop early, but you have to know where to look. HP has activated a whopping $330 discount on its Pavilion 15z 15.6" Touchscreen Laptop, which puts it at just $369.99 with Free Shipping, but the deal ends Wednesday 11/14. This laptop comes with Windows 10 Home 64, the AMD Ryzen™ 3 processor, AMD Radeon™ Vega 3 Graphics, 8 GB memory, 1 TB HDD storage, and a 15.6" diagonal HD touch display. See the full spec, customize, and/or buy it here while the deal is active. If you haven't seen it yet, HP has posted a Black Friday deals page right here t
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Nov 13, 2018
If you've been waiting for just the right time to overhaul your PC, Newegg's offering some mighty enticing discounts on an AMD Ryzen CPU and Radeon GPU that would make solid cornerstones for a powerful gaming and productivity rig. The AMD Ryzen 7 1700X processor is $150Remove non-product link, and the MSI Radeon RX 580 Armor OC is $190
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Nov 13, 2018
Avira Antivirus Pro is back with an updated version for 2019 that promises to take up a smaller chunk of your hard drive, as well as improve overall PC performance with fewer virus defintion files (VDFs) plugging up memory. The interface hasn't really changed, however, and it's still largely a no-nonsense suite with few extras.
Antivirus Pro is well priced at $36 for a single device for new users—the standard price is about $48. For five devices you'll pay $57 (for new users), with $72 being the standard price. That's okay, but you can get far more value with premium suites like McAfee and Norton that charge around $100 to cover 10 devices.
If extras are what you're looking for in a premium A/V suite then Avira's all-inclusive Avira Prime subscription is the product you're looking for. It includes Antivirus Pro, identity protection, a system optimizer, third-party software updates, a password manager, and a VPN.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Nov 13, 2018
Intel's Optane SSD 905P is a follow-on to the Intel Optane SSD 900P we reviewed earlier this year. If you read that review, you already know about the ridiculously long claimed lifespan of Intel's Optane memory. I'm talking petabytes written rather than terabytes regular NAND SSDs claim.
The 905P is also faster than the 900P and beats the pants off of any single M.2 PCIe/NVMe drive in threaded and small file performance. The downside? It's really, really expensive.
Design and specs
Before I get to the specs, more on that price. The 960GB PCIe 3.0, x4 add-in card version of the 905P that I tested has a list price of a cool $1,300. The 1TB Samsung 970 Pro, a most worthy drive in its own right, costs less than $400.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Nov 12, 2018
Affiliate Disclosure: We receive a commission for purchases made through the links on this page.
For over a decade, LifeLock has been a leading provider of comprehensive identity theft protection services. LifeLock leverages unique data, science and patented technology and provide identity threat detection, identity alerts†, and comprehensive identity restoration services. With more than 5 million members, LifeLock is the #1 most recognized brand in identity theft protection and is committed to providing its members peace of mind amid the threat of identity theft.
LifeLock protects members through a combination of state-of-the-art monitoring, notification, and remediation services. LifeLock continuously searches hundreds of millions of transactions per second to detect potential threats to a member's identity. You could miss certain identity threats by just monitoring your credit. LifeLock sees more, like your personal information on the dark web. LifeLock has Identity Protection Agents, who are ready to help answer questions 24/7. And if a member's identity is ever compromised, a dedicated Identity Restoration Specialist will take charge and help fix the problem.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Nov 12, 2018
With models based on Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Cortana, and others to come, we'll help you find just the right model for you.
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Nov 12, 2018
If you're looking for ways to spice up your commute and add some smarts to your drive, Anke has some awesome ways to do it without spending too much. And today's it's even cheaper. Amazon is running a sale on Anker that bring some of its best auto accessories to all-time lows, and we've picked out our favorites:
The Roav Viva is less than $20 todayRemove non-product link, and brings hands-free voice control to your ride via built-in Alexa. You'll be able to use your voice to make calls, play music, ask for directions, control your connected smart devices, and more. It also has two USB ports to charge up your devices while you drive and comes with a magnetic vent mount to keep your phone propped securely.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Nov 12, 2018
Apple has launched a new program to repair iPhone X screens that experience touch issues. Here's everything you need to know about it.
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Nov 12, 2018
Apple has launched an SSD repair program for the 13-inch non-Touch Bar MacBook Pro. Here's everything you need to know.
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Nov 12, 2018
If your PC or laptop supports lightning-quick NVMe storage, today's a good day to pick-up one of our favorite SSD drives. Amazon's selling the 500GB 970 EVO M.2 drive for $117. That's about $30 cheaper than it was late last week, and $26 cheaper than the 500GB WD Black 3D, a rival with a very slight performance advantage at this capacity.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Nov 12, 2018
Microsoft said Monday that it has added an LTE option to its Surface Go for an additional $130 over the basic Surface Go, bringing always-on connectivity to Microsoft's cheapest 2-in-1 tablet.
When PCWorld originally reviewed Microsoft's Surface Go tablet, the absence of an LTE option was noticeable—this was the Surface Go, after all. On Monday, Microsoft announced an 8GB RAM/128GB storage version of what it calls the Surface Go with LTE Advanced for $679, with support for AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon. You can preorder today, with shipments arriving in the U.S. and Canada on Nov. 20.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Nov 12, 2018
The Ring Stick Up Cam Wired is a strong entry into the indoor security camera space from Ring.
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Nov 12, 2018
Bose's first smart speaker supports Amazon Alexa today, and promises AirPlay 2 compatibility in 2019.
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Nov 12, 2018
Google makes Android freely available to phone manufacturers so they can tweak and contort the OS to suit their needs. Nonetheless, Google does have its own idea of what Android should be. That's on display every year with the Pixel phones, and the latest Pixel 3 and 3 XL include some cool software extras you won't get on other Android devices. These phones offer the best Android experience available, but your experience can be even better if you know about all the best features. Without further ado...
Use Call Screen to intercept spam voice calls
Spam calls have become so common, they might make up the majority of the voice calls you receive some days. But now the Pixel 3 has an ingenious and almost life-changing way to deal with spam. Using the Call Screen feature, you can have Assistant answer the call for you, letting you make sure the person on the line is someone you actually want to speak with.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Nov 10, 2018
Ever since Microsoft launched the Xbox One, it's been making noises about bringing the console and PC closer together—including adding mouse and keyboard support to supplement the Xbox One controller. Now Microsoft's Xbox chief confirmed Saturday that it's happening next week.
At X018, Microsoft revealed a list of games that will see mouse and keyboard support: Fortnite (yes, Fortnite) will be among the first, followed by Bomber Crew, Deep Rock Galactic, Strange Brigade, Vermintide 2, War Thunder and X-Morph Defense in November. Children of Morta, DayZ, Minion Master, Moonlighter, Vigor, Warface, and Wargroove will be added in the future.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Nov 10, 2018
For years Microsoft's talked about renewing its commitment to PC gaming, with mixed results. Today's announcements might signal an actual push towards that future, though. At its XO18 event in Mexico City, Microsoft announced it's acquiring not one but two PC-centric developers, heavyweight RPG developers Obsidian and InXile.
It's a huge play. Both spun out of legendary publisher Interplay—InXile founded by Interplay's "leader in exile" Brian Fargo, while Obsidian emerged from the ashes of Black Isle Studios. Both have been perpetually cash-strapped, turning to Kickstarter to fund Wasteland 2 and Pillars of Eternity, and involved with game crowdfunding platform Fig in some capacity.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Nov 09, 2018
Not much news this week. Maybe it's the post-Red Dead slump, or the post-election slump, or maybe the pre-holidays slump. November's got quite a few releases though, so there are a handful of launch trailers below for Hitman 2 and Battlefield V, plus a release date for Tannenberg, more monsters for Assassin's Creed: Odyssey, and an obituary for strategy guide printer Prima Games.
This is gaming news for November 5 to 9.
A longer odyssey
I already sunk 60-plus hours into Assassin's Creed: Odyssey so the prospect of going back for more is...daunting. If you're looking to extend your stay in Ancient Greece however, Ubisoft's adding a bunch of stuff to the game in November—new questlines, a new mythological creature, more items, and a level cap bump. Check out the video below for more details. Oh, and it's all free. That part's important.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Nov 09, 2018
A good keyboard is hard to find, so once you do find your perfect match, you'll want to use it for everything. The Logitech K780 Multi-Device Wireless Keyboard fits the bill, seamlessly switching between your phone, tablet, and PC at the push of a button. And today, you can grab one for just $45 on AmazonRemove non-product link, down from a list price of $80 and matching the lowest price we've ever seen.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Nov 09, 2018
In 2016 I defended the HTC Vive's hefty $800 price tag. Sure, it was $200 more than the Oculus Rift, but it was also the only virtual reality headset (at the time) to nail room-scale and hand-tracking. Then earlier this year I defended the Vive Pro's $1,100 price. Sure, it's outrageous and ostentatious and nobody should pay for it, but the Vive Pro is also the best VR headset on the market today, bar none.
But on Thursday HTC announced its standalone Vive Focus headset is coming stateside with a list price of $599, and well, that's pure hubris with slick standalone rival Oculus Quest ready to debut at $399 early next year.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Nov 09, 2018
iFixit found a few surprises during its teardown of the new MacBook Air, and some of them are surprisingly pleasant.
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Nov 09, 2018
There's still two weeks to go until the official sales bonanza, but the early Black Friday deals keep on coming. Newegg just released its Early Black Friday sale round 2Remove non-product link, which lasts until just before midnight on Sunday evening Pacific time. The retailer says that the prices on these early Black Friday sales won't be beat in November. In other words, don't hold out for lower prices two Fridays from now.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Nov 09, 2018
The longer you stare at Acer's Predator Aethon 500, the weirder it seems. It's not that it's an ugly keyboard per se, but you might call it "challenging." Where most companies might settle on one or two flashy design elements to stand out, the Aethon 500 is all flash, a mess of design elements that often contradict each other.
Acer's definitely making a statement as it enters the mechanical keyboard market, but I'm not quite sure what statement.
Note: This review is part of our best gaming keyboards roundup. Go there for details about competing products and how we tested them.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Nov 09, 2018
The Gigabyte RTX 2070 Windforce is a member of a small and exclusive club: A GeForce RTX graphics card that actually sells for Nvidia's MSRP!
Yes, Gigabyte's GPU costs $500 at Amazon, a full $100 less than Nvidia's own RTX 2070 Founders Edition. The card skips out on fancy touches to achieve its price point; You won't find fancy metal shrouds or factory overclocking here. But the Gigabyte RTX 2070 Windforce does offer performance roughly on a par with pricier RTX 2070 options, plus with a triple-fan cooler that's more effective than the cooling in Nvidia's Founders Edition, all delivered at a cost that actually makes the graphics card a compelling option versus the last-gen GTX 1080. Applying an overclock to get
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Nov 08, 2018
A glitch with Microsoft's activation servers appears to be disrupting many users's PCs, as Windows 10 erroneously reports their systems as either un-activated or downgraded from Windows 10 Pro to Windows 10 Home.
Users are advised to ignore the Windows messages and wait for the problem to resolve itself, according to postings in Microsoft's support forums. If those forum postings are accurate, however, the problem could take a few days to resolve.
Microsoft has acknowledged the problem. "We're working to restore product activations for the limited number of affected Windows 10 Pro customers," Jeff Jones, a senior director at Microsoft, said in a statement.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Nov 08, 2018
Virtual reality's entered a new phase. The era of the desktop VR headset is all but dead, it seems. Sure, HTC released the Vive Pro earlier this year, but its $1,400 price tag puts it firmly outside what most people can afford. Software's slowed to a trickle, as well. Brendan Iribe departed Oculus last month and rumors at the time said it coincided with the cancellation of his planned Rift successor.
Companies are betting on standalone VR instead. Oculus revealed its untethered Quest headset at Oculus Connect in September. Now HTC's firing back with its own device, the Vive Focus.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Nov 08, 2018
Black Friday is no longer just the day after Thanksgiving. Deals now roll out in a riotous mass at any given time in November.
Just a couple of years ago, most of those early discounts weren't any good. But that's changed.
While the deals that command headlines (those so-called "doorbusters") are typically still available on only Thanksgiving or Black Friday, some worthwhile sales are already trickling out now.
We've begun rounding up those here, so keep an eye peeled for further updates as the days tick by. We'll add new deals as we spot them. And don't forget: Holiday return windows have just expanded (most will run into early January), so you can buy now and repent at leisure—assuming you can float the cash.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Nov 08, 2018
It's never too early to grab holiday gifts at great prices, but today's deal is all about the kids. Ahead of its usual Black Friday blowout, Amazon has slashed prices on its Fire Kids Edition tablets to the lowest prices we've ever seen, and all three sizes are getting in on the act: You can save $30 on the 7-inch modelRemove non-product link, $40 on the 8-inch
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Nov 08, 2018
It wouldn't be a Black Friday season without the granddaddy of tech deals, Best Buy. The big box retailer recently rolled out its early Black Friday saleRemove non-product link, which lasts until Sunday. The sale is a lead-up to the company's much anticipated Black Friday sale, which is now available for preview online.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Nov 08, 2018
It starts with a small roadside bar, and a man yelling into his phone. "Get me out of here, Dex." The man is P-Power, celebrity tattoo artist. Poor old P-Power's been called down to Colombia to correct a neck tattoo on local cartel boss Rico Delgado. "He kills people, for fun!" says P-Power. "What if he doesn't like my work?"
Lucky for P-Power that's not a concern. I lure the poor artist out back, choke him out, steal his clothes, and toss him in a dumpster. Dressed as P-Power I head to the mansion, wait patiently for the cartel's men to frisk me—I don't need weapons. I take a selfie with Delgado's wife, follow her into his office, and pick up the tattoo gun.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Nov 08, 2018
Excel's SUM, DATE, WEEKDAY, IF, Nested IF, and IF/OR functions came to mind as I was watching a 1969 film called If It's Tuesday, This Must Be Belgium, about American tourists on a whirlwind tour of Europe. It occurred to me that companies are often required to create schedules based on the weeks (as opposed to the days) in a month—for example week1, week2, week3, etc. This would entail using a date formula to identify each week in a given month, plus a series of nested IF/OR statements to assign tasks and team members to complete those tasks. Using Excel as a scheduling tool is a great skill to have under your belt.
Imagine that you work for a magazine that covers sporting events all over the world, and it's your job to create the schedule for the journalists and videographers that cover these events. For example, on the third Tuesday of a given month, the event is figure skating and the location is Belgium; on the fourth Tuesday, it's bobsledding in Scotland; on the first Thursday, it's golf in Ireland; and on the last Thursday, it's rugby in New Zealand. The formulas below can turn this cumbersome, time-consuming chore into a simple, quick and easy task.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Nov 08, 2018
Use these Fire TV tips and tricks to browse faster, launch apps with ease, and avoid common annoyances.
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Nov 07, 2018
Is Sling TV better than Hulu, or should cord-cutters subscribe to PlayStation Vue? Or YouTube TV? We compare all the TV streaming services, and one rises to the top.
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Nov 07, 2018
Logitech's K810 is a compact six-row QWERTY keyboard that supports Windows 7 and up, Android, and Apple iOS. Multi-device keyboards are more of a luxury than a necessity, but if you're so inclined they can spare you the tedium of thumb-typing on tablets and mobile phones. That's no small thing if you routinely work with longer emails and documents on the go.
Logitech clearly believes you'll use it mostly with the two mobile operating systems, as it has designed the K810 to be thin and light enough to slip into a laptop bag or purse. With its brushed aluminum finish and laser-etched keys, it's stylish enough to be used alongside to the latest mobile devices, too.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Nov 07, 2018
Fed up with any and all notifications, but don't want to fiddle with them? Microsoft's Windows 10 Build 18277, released Wednesday, turns on Focus Assist when launching full-screen apps, together with a few other tweaks.
Build 18277 is part of the 19H1 release, which will eventually become the Windows 10 update due in the first half of 2019. Though the build doesn't contain any new features, Microsoft has made some tweaks to various features within Windows, including Focus Assist. You can also sample the new Emoji 12 emoji.
Microsoft
Here's the Windows 10 setting to give Focus Assist more control.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Nov 07, 2018
After more than an hour of tiring Bixby announcements, cursory Galaxy Home details, and long-winded IOT speeches during the opening keynote to its developers conference, Samsung finally showed us what we were all waiting for: its new folding phone.
Except it wasn't really a phone at all. Samsung's big innovation is the Infinity Flex display, and we still don't know much about what Samsung is going to do with it. Senior vice president Justin Denison waxed poetic about an advanced composite polymer and reduced thickness that paves the way for rollable displays, foldable phones, and thinner handsets. Except he didn't actually show us any of that.
Samsung
If youu blinked while Senior Vice President Justin Denison showed off Samsung's new folding phone you would've missed it.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Nov 07, 2018
You don't have to have been a victim of the October Windows 10 update file-deletion bug to understand the importance of a solid backup. And today Amazon is offering a great deal on a drive big enough to back up all of your files for years to come: the 8TB Seagate Backup Plus Hub is down to $150 todayRemove non-product link, matching an all-time low and more than 30 percent off its $220 list price.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Nov 07, 2018
You don't need to settle for a simple Chromecast or Amazon Fire TV Stick. If you're looking for a media streamer that checks virtually every high-end box you could ask for and can play games from a wide variety of sources, Nvidia's Shield TV with remote is just $140 on Amazon right now. That's $40 cheaper than the usual price of $180 for the device we crowned "the best media streamer for geeks." We haven't seen the Shield TV price drop very often, and this is the all-time low for Nvidia's streaming box.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Nov 07, 2018
When shopping for an electric toothbrush, Philips Sonicare and Braun Oral B instantly come to mind. These brands offer outstanding entry-level electric toothbrushes for a fair price. However, the lower-priced models don't include the bells and whistles the higher end models offer, and these toothbrushes can easily cost over $100. If you're looking for a feature-packed electric toothbrush that doesn't carry a name brand premium, this $49.99 Platinum Sonic toothbrush is for you.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Nov 07, 2018
The Google Pixel 3 has arrived and it's more fragile than ever. Not only is there more screen on the front, the back is now entirely made of glass as well, making it likely to crack somewhere if you drop it. You know where we're going with this—you're going to need a case. Here are the best ones we've found so far:
Google Pixel 3 Fabric Case View
Incipio NPG View
Incipio DualPro View
Speck Presidio Grip View
Under Armour Protect Verge View
LifePr
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Nov 07, 2018
It doesn't come with the One Connect breakout box you get with the Q9FN, but it offers nearly the same performance as higher-end model for $700 less.
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Nov 07, 2018
The iPhone XR isn't as cutting-edge as the iPhone XS, but it strikes a perfect balance between luxury and affordability.
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Nov 07, 2018
AMD's Ryzen 2 consumer CPU isn't coming until 2019, but we saw hints of what to expect in "Rome," the 64-core server CPU AMD unveiled on Tuesday. It's based on a new 7nm Zen 2 core that's likely to find its way into Ryzen 2 next year. Let's take a closer look.
Each Rome CPU will feature 64 cores with symmetrical multi-threading for 128 threads per socket. The CPU itself is "revolutionary," AMD said, and is built around eight separate 7nm "chiplets" with eight cores each.
The chipsets contain no memory controller or PCIe, but are instead tied to a central IO chip built on 14nm. The IO chip has 8 channels of DDR4 plus support for PCIe 4.0. The company connects each chiplet to the IO chip via a 2nd-generation reduced latency Infinity Fabric.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Nov 06, 2018
Javier Soltero, who briefly led the development of Microsoft's Cortana digital assistant, plans to leave the company, Soltero confirmed on Tuesday.
Soltero confirmed his decision via Twitter after ZDNet reported the story earlier on Tuesday. Microsoft representatives had not previously responded to requests for comment, but confirmed his departure after Soltero's Twitter message.
"I've made the decision to leave Microsoft," Soltero wrote. "The past 4 years have been an incredible experience. I'm humbled to have been a part of building something that 100M users depend on every day and grateful to have worked with some amazing people.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Nov 06, 2018
Nextbase's 612GW dash cam made quite the impression when I popped it out of the box. First off, it's the only dedicated dash cam I've tried with a touch display. Touch makes using the camera super-easy. Eliminating the buttons lends a clean and uncluttered aspect to what is easily one of the more stylish dash cams to cross our portal.
The 612GW also has GPS integrated into the mount, takes very good day and night video (up to 4K UHD!), has a battery that allows it to run for a few minutes away from the 12-volt, and even offloads via a phone app.
The only negative is the low-light captures, which are some of the weaker I've seen recently when it comes to peripheral detail.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Nov 06, 2018
Google Chrome 71, due in December, will block what it calls "abusive" ads—ones that employ deceptive elements to trick users into clicking them them, Google said Monday.
In fact, the new browser will remove all ads from sites that feature these types of ads, the company said in a blog post.
Google defines an abusive ad as one that includes a deceptive behavior—for example, an ad that includes a deceptive "close" or "X" button within it. In a legitimate ad, clicking such a button would close the ad. A deceptive ad makes the element part of the ad itself, so that clicking it actually launches the ad. That's the sort of behavior that will trigger Google's ire.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Nov 06, 2018
A few are goofy, but many are great: These mostly inexpensive gadgets can make Amazon's smart speakers even better.
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Nov 06, 2018
If you bought a Pixel 3 or Pixel 3 XL, you're probably very happy with your purchase. But they're not quite perfect. Over the weeks, several nagging bugs have popped up that have Pixel users shaking their fists and demanding retribution. And Google has heard their cries.
Ahead of an upcoming software update, Google is offering Pixel 3 owners free money for their troubles. Head over to the Google Play Store app on your Pixel and scroll down on the main page until you see an offer exclusively for Pixel 3 users. (My offer was $2, but your mileage may vary. Some people report getting as much as $5.) To claim the credit, simply click on the banner and follow the "Shop now" button. The credit expires on December 6, and is only good for apps and games, not movies or books.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Nov 06, 2018
When it comes to fashion, we can all use a little help. Of course, having a personal stylist is the dream, but the next-best thing is Amazon's Echo Look. Amazon's selling the $200 high-tech selfie cam for 50 percent off today, bringing the Echo Look down to $100.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Nov 06, 2018
Amazon's throwing another one-day blowout sale on Logitech PC accessoriesRemove non-product link, including keyboards, webcams, speakers, and mice. While we've seen bigger PC accessory sales, this one has some particularly enticing deals.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Nov 06, 2018
If you travel frequently, you know how convenient public Wi-Fi hotspots can be. They can be used to take calls, answer emails, and stream your favorite shows. However, most people don't realize that public Wi-Fi is essentially a target for hackers, identity thieves, and shady organizations vying for your private information.
Your private info is worth its weight in gold, which is why you should spare no expense protecting yourself with a reliable VPN service. However, this doesn't mean your VPN needs to be expensive; if you're looking for a well-rated and affordable VPN, you may want to consider VPNSecure, which is currently on sale for $24.99, or 94% off.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Nov 06, 2018
We're already seeing hints of the next version of Windows 10, due in the spring of 2019 and known by the code name "19H1." Some are cosmetic, like the new Acrylic look and feel to the Windows sign-in page. Others are more substantive, like the new Search Indexer.
But wait, you ask: Isn't Windows 10's October 2018 Update still in limbo? Yes: The October 2018 Update, delayed due to the potential for data loss, hasn't been pushed to anyone but Windows Insiders. Currently there is no further news to share about its release, a spokesman said.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Nov 06, 2018
We all love arguing AMD vs. Intel, and AMD vs. Nvidia. The challenge is that you're rarely comparing apples to apples.
What if two apples fell right into your lap? That's what happened when we had the chance to test two of Acer's Predator Helios 500 gaming laptops: one with an Intel CPU and an Nvidia GPU, and the other with all-AMD.
With basically identical machines, we can answer some hard questions about which configuration makes the better high-performance machine. There's so much to test here, between the CPUs and GPUs, and their different core counts, clock speeds, and technologies. So grab your popcorn and get ready to see two heavyweights in the ultimate gaming laptop fight.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Nov 06, 2018
Tired of smart plugs that block adjacent outlets? Give this svelte model a try.
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Nov 06, 2018
The new MacBook Air is essentially the 12-inch MacBook, made larger.
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Nov 06, 2018
Vacuuming is one of the most hated household chores. Here are your best choices for outsourcing it to some automated help.
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Nov 06, 2018
The new Mac mini is faster than its four-year-old predecessor. That's no surprise. What may be surprising is the dramatic boost it has with multi-core, professional apps.
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Nov 05, 2018
Antivirus software is nearly as crucial as a PC's operating system. Even if you're well aware of potential threats and practice extreme caution, some threats just can't be prevented without the extra help of an AV program—or a full antivirus suite.
Antivirus suite cheat sheet
Our quick-hit recommendations:
Norton Security Premium View
AVG Internet Security View
Trend Micro Maximum Security
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Nov 05, 2018
We're back (at last!) with another live build, and November's project is particularly special: It's time to break free of our vault with a Fallout-themed gaming PC.
NZXT sent us one of their limited-edition H700 Nuka-Cola cases just in time for the release of Fallout 76, so we're throwing together a machine where aesthetics reign supreme as our wallet cries in a corner.
Inside will be a Core i9-9900K paired with an
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Nov 05, 2018
After four years, dozens of rumors, several patents, and one profile pic change, Samsung appears to finally be on the verge of showing off its first folding Galaxy phone. And man are we ready for it.
Ahead of its annual Developer Conference on Wednesday, Samsung provided the most concrete evidence that it will be showing off its new folding phone this week. Samsung Mobile updated its Facebook and Twitter profile pics with a folding Samsung logo, which can really only mean one thing: at long last, we're finally going to get a look at Samsung's vision of the foldable future.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Nov 05, 2018
Black Friday is just around the corner, but you don't have to wait until then to grab great deals on stocking stuffers. Today, the 2nd-generation Echo Dot is $30, down from a list price of $40, or you can save $60 when you buy four, bringing them down to just $25 each. And if you're looking for a child-friendly version,
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Nov 05, 2018
It seems like we're spotlighting a new low for one of our favorite SSDs every week, and we're already off to a good start this week. The 1TB WD Blue SSD is $130 at Newegg today with the checkout code EMCEEPU26Remove non-product link. That's the best price we've ever seen for the M.2 "gumstick" version of the drive.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Nov 05, 2018
There are few mainstream antivirus suites that are as expensive as Avast Premier. Current pricing for this suite is $70 for a single PC for a year. For five PCs, that price jumps to $135. It's crazy expensive compared to Norton or McAfee, both of which cover 10 devices for about $30 less. On the other hand, you do get a solid suite for Avast's price, with a good number of extra tools and utilities.
For 2019, Avast Premier isn't changing too much visually, but under the hood its bumping up the anti-phishing technology, offering an improved and renamed game mode that isn't just for games, and a better smart scan.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Nov 05, 2018
Combining a self-propelled vacuum with a handheld unit yields a tool that can clean more than your floors.
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Nov 05, 2018
Ask Reddit if you should wait until Black Friday to upgrade your PC, and you'll get a stream of comments dismissing it as a time for good deals.
They're not wrong, but they're not exactly right, either.
If you've got your eye on a very specific part, your chances of a deep discount are generally a toss-up. For most components, it's as likely you'll get a better price at another time of the year as you will during Black Friday. The more niche it is, the rougher your odds.
On the other end of the spectrum, if all you care about is price and not so much specific models for your components, you can chain together Black Friday deals for ultimate savings. (In fact, you can go the full distance and build an entire budget PC for stupid cheap.)
To read this article in full, please click here
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Nov 05, 2018
No need to break the bankSure, swanky new Surface Pros and $1,200 graphics cards may capture all the headlines, but on a practical level, the real story is that PCs aren't cheap. As a working father with two kids and a mortgage to pay, I understand that all too well. But if your computer's starting to feel pokey, there's fortunately no reason to rush out a spend hundreds on a new one.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Nov 04, 2018
With Cue, Abode takes another step toward broadening the appeal of its security-focused smart home system.
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Nov 03, 2018
It's a familiar ritual, creating my latest Fallout character. Under the harsh glare of Vault 76's fluorescent lights I poke and prod, sculpting the face of a man who I imagine entered this glorified bunker as a young man and emerges into the bombed out remnants of West Virginia much older, covered in wrinkles, hair gone white, eyes still kind. For a moment I feel the familiar swell, the "Oh wow I'm about to play a Fallout game" sensation of limitless potential.
And then a microphone cuts in. "Yeah, no, I'm still in character creation. What's it do?" Who the hell is that?
Another voice says "Hello?" and after a few seconds repeats that same cautious greeting.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Nov 03, 2018
Deep under the island of Darkwater, something stirs. Leviathan. I'm not sure what that word entails yet, but I've seen the signs—the dead whales, the greenish pall on the town, the nightmares. I know Leviathan is nothing good. Now if only I could figure out why, pry up the secrets hidden under these rotting floorboards and in crumbling mansions.
Who is Sarah Hawkins, and how did she die? Or did she die? And what of her husband, Charles Hawkins? Where is he? And uh...why don't people's mouths move when they're talking to me? Is that part of the horror? I can't tell.
Elementary
Call of Cthulhu ($60 on Humble) is a game I should love. Hell, at points I did love it. Based to some extent on the Call of Cthulhu tabletop game, this video game adaptation takes cues directly from its analog counterpart. You play as Edward Pierce, a detective sent to Darkwater to investigate the death (or disappearance) of Sarah Hawkins, a painter known for her terrifying portraits of otherworldly monsters.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Nov 02, 2018
If you've been wondering just how much performance Apple left on the table when it chose a dual-core, low-power CPU for its 2018 update to the MacBook Air, wonder no more.
In an apparent goof, someone ran the new MacBook Air on Geekbench 4.3 and then submitted the results to Geekbench's official browser database.
The results are both as bad as you'd expect, and actually not quite as bad. Although "leaked" numbers are always suspect, this one looks pretty legit. The CPU Apple chose was Intel's new Amber Lake Core i5-8210Y with Intel HD 617 graphics. It's basically what was formerly known as "Core M," and it has a TDP of 7 watts with a base clock of 1.6GHz and boost clock of 3.6GHz.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Nov 02, 2018
Editor's Note: This story has been updated as of Nov. 2 to add details of a new 4GB RAM/128GB storage option.
For all of Microsoft's claims about mobility, the Microsoft Surface lineup of Windows tablets really haven't been all that portable. The smaller, cheaper, lighter Surface Go announced Tuesday morning hopes to change all that, with a new 10-inch spin on the traditional Surface tablet.
No, this isn't the Surface Mini, or the rumored two-screen device, "Andromeda." The Surface Go is most reminiscent of the Microsoft Surface 3, 2015's quirky $499 Atom-powered tablet that provided a cheaper alternative to the pricey Surface line. The Surface Go dives even lower—prices start at just $399 for a bare-bones model with 4GB of memory and 64GB of storage when it ships on August 2. A keyboard will be sold separately, beginning at $99, and the optional Surface Pen will cost $99 as well.
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Nov 02, 2018
BlizzCon 2018 is the end of an era. Just a few weeks ago, Blizzard announced that co-founder and longtime president Mike Morhaime would be stepping down, replaced with J. Allen Brack. Today's Opening Ceremony kicked off with Morhaime saying goodbye, and you know what? I'll miss him. He was a great presenter, not in the overly slick way I'm accustomed to seeing at these sorts of shows, but with a quietspoken passion for the company he'd helped guide for 20-plus years.
Blizzard lives on, though, and while 2019 won't be the most exciting year there's still quite a bit in store—including the long-awaited Warcraft III remaster. That news and more below.
To read this article in full, please click here
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