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Jul 20, 2018
Okay, sure, it's not a PC (technically), but Nintendo's SNES Classic is once again on sale at Amazon for its retail price of $60Remove non-product link as a part of a lightning deal, and there's a good chance it won't be there for long.
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Jul 20, 2018
The rapid ramp-up toward review season continues this week, as evidenced by an absolute mountain of trailers for you to climb, Sisyphus-style. No Man's Sky, Theme Hospital, We Happy Few, new expansions for Hollow Knight and Total War: Rome II—they're all due within the next few weeks. Phew.
That, plus the story of a man who tried to sue Star Citizen to get his $4,500 back, Todd Howard says "never say never" to the idea of another New Vegas (but he kind of means never), and The Culling 2 's brutal failure and subsequent removal from Steam acts as a warning to anyone developing a battle royale game at the moment.
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Jul 20, 2018
Consumers, rejoice: Microsoft cares about you again. Maybe. It depends on whether the head of Microsoft's new Modern Life & Devices group has substantive plans behind his statements.
For the past few years, Microsoft's attention has been fixated upon the enterprise. While the company has built products like Azure and related services into thriving businesses, consumer-focused products like the Groove Music service, Microsoft Band, and Windows Phone have fallen by the wayside.
Microsoft essentially acknowledged its neglect of the consumer market at the company's Inspire partner conference this week. Yusuf Mehdi, now the corporate vice president in charge of the Modern Life & Devices group within Microsoft, led a closed session on "Modern Life Services," according to ZDNet's Mary Jo Foley. A tweet that Mehdi posted from the event includes the words, "we begin the journey to win back consumers with our vision," presumably this year.
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Jul 20, 2018
The Data Transfer Project addresses one pain point we all experience on our phones: moving our stuff around. While it's certainly gotten easier over the years to share individual photos, songs, and files from one app to another, shifting large chunks of data or entire libraries and histories between services is often an exercise in futility, even with hundreds of gigabytes of cloud storage at our disposal.
The open-source Data Transfer Project initiative aims to solve that problem once and for all. It already has four major players pledging support—Google, Facebook, Twitter, and Microsoft—with the ultimate goal of separating the data from the service. Once it's up and running, the project will make it easier for users to switch to a new app or network, or simply try out a different one without needing to start from scratch.
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Jul 20, 2018
Everyone needs a USB hub, especially if your laptop is lacking in the ports department. Unitek's portable USB 3.0 4-port high speed hub can help, and today it's just $3.50 using the code WDIE5BZURemove non-product link. That's a sharp discount from its $8 list price.
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Jul 20, 2018
In this episode of the Full Nerd, Gordon Mah Ung, Brad Chacos, and Adam Patrick Murray are joined by special guest Gamers Nexus editor-in-chief Steve Burke!
GamersNexus digs deep into enthusiast PC hardware, so we spend some time talking to Steve about his extensive adventures overclocking Intel's new Core i7-8086K processor, which has no problem hitting 5GHz across all cores. And by adventures, we mean adventures; Steve delidded his 8086K and used liquid metal to improve thermal and acoustic performance. He talks about the results, and whether stripping the integrated heat spreader off your CPU is as scary as it sounds. (Spoiler: Nope. Mostly.)
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Jul 20, 2018
We don't normally cover case fan launches here on PCWorld, because while proper airflow is a key component of any build, fans don't tend to be that exciting.
Today is different. Thermaltake's just-announced Riing Trio 12 RGB stands out from the crowd of spinning blades with a unique twist: Amazon Alexa support.
The Riing Trio 12 RGB—named for being a three-pack of 120mm RGB LED-equipped fans, natch—supports Thermaltake's TT RGB Plus software ecosystem. In the third quarter of 2018 TT RGB Plus will gain Alexa voice support, so you can control it via Amazon's Echo.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Jul 20, 2018
Today, Amazon's selling an 8GB MSI Radeon RX 580 for $230Remove non-product link after a $30 mail-in rebate, plus you get a $25 Amazon gift card.
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Jul 20, 2018
Once you've used a variable refresh rate monitor, you can't go back. AMD's FreeSync and Nvidia's G-Sync technology promise PC gamers a buttery-smooth experience free of stuttering, screen tearing, or V-Sync-like input lag. But both ecosystems have their perks—and their downsides.
Now that adaptive sync monitors have several years of maturation under their belts, it's time to take stock of FreeSync vs. G-Sync yet again. Here's everything you need to know about AMD and Nvidia's gaming displays.
What is adaptive sync, or variable refresh rate?
Before we dive into the differences between FreeSync and G-Sync, let's take a quick look at the adaptive sync, or variable refresh rate, technology underneath both.
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Jul 20, 2018
Pixel-pushing, PC-melting graphical firepowerImage by Gordon Mah Ung/Rob Schultz
So you built yourself a brand-new gaming rig, you've slotted your sweet new graphics card into the PCIe slot, you've sealed up the case, and you've heard it all POST—congrats! Now it's time to throw games at your fresh build until it breaks, then cry at the thought that if you'd spent just 200 dollars more you could've played at 4K instead of a mere 1080p!
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Jul 20, 2018
Video doorbells maintain a continuous watch over the most important part of your property but which one is best? We take a look at the field.
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Jul 20, 2018
This avant-garde approach to smart home control needs refinement.
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Jul 19, 2018
After four developer previews and a chunk of stage time at Google I/O, we already have a pretty good idea of what's in store for Android P when it releases later this summer. For everything we don't know, however, Google's engineering team hosted a Reddit AMA, in which they answered as many tough questions as they could about the next major version of Android. Here are the six biggest things we learned.
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Jul 19, 2018
The HP Sprocket Photo Printer is a cute, easy way to print out memories from your phone instantly. Right now the HP Sprocket is on sale for $90 in the blue versionRemove non-product link, its lowest price ever on Amazon and a steep discount from its $130 list price.
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Jul 19, 2018
Microsoft is not playing around with the Xbox Ultimate Game Sale that runs now through July 30. There are a bunch of Xbox Play Anywhere games in the sale that allows you to play the games on either Xbox or PC. That means PC gamers on Windows 10 can also take advantage of the big deals event.
Here's our look at some of the highlights:
Forza Motorsport 7 Standard Edition is $30Remove non-product link down from its MSRP of $60, and the Ultimate Edition of the game is $50, a 50 percent discount from its $100 MSRP. Forza 7 is a fantastic racing game, though when it came out we didn't like the loot box system.
To read this article in full, please c
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Jul 19, 2018
The best gear money can buyImage by Gordon Mah Ung/IDG
One of the PC's greatest strengths is its extreme flexibility. There's a vast selection of hardware out there, of all different shapes and sizes and makes and models—so much so that even if your budget's not a concern, buyer's paralysis very well could be.
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Jul 19, 2018
Frank Hammond asked PCWorld how to access the AppData folder and copy files from it.
The Application Data—or AppData—folder contains data created by programs. Almost every program you install creates its own folder in AppData and stores information there. At least in theory, users don't have to worry about these files.
But in reality, you probably do. For instance, Firefox and Thunderbird profiles reside inside AppData and can be transferred from there between PCs. If you're using an older version of Outlook, that program's data is probably in AppData as well.
Finding this folder is easy if you know the tricks. The AppData folder resides in your user folder—the same location that contains Documents, Music, and other library folders (unless you've moved them elsewhere). Normally this is something such as C:\Users\[username]\AppData, but unlike those other folders, AppData is hidden, which means you can't normally see it.
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Jul 19, 2018
Slick style and outstanding build quality can't make up for sonic shortcomings.
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Jul 19, 2018
We're often asked whether there's a DVR for streaming video services. The answer is complicated.
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Jul 18, 2018
In a landmark ruling this morning, the European Union has hit Google with a record $5.1 billion antitrust fine over the way it distributes Android. In the decision, the court ordered Google to change the way it bundles its own apps into its mobile operating system, specifically Google and Chrome, within 90 days in an effort to give its "rivals the chance to innovate and compete."
Google, of course, disagrees and has vowed to appeal the decision. But while the case will likely stretch out for years before any final action is taken, the ruling is almost certain to affect the way Google makes and distributes future versions of Android. A fine this large is unlikely to be fully reversed on appeal, so there's a good chance that Google will be forced to change Android in some way down the line, which has the potential to dramatically alter the way we decide which phone to buy.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Jul 18, 2018
Today, TaoTronics Active Noise Cancelling Bluetooth HeadphonesRemove non-product link are on sale for $45 with the code 4TVHMY2G, down from a list price of $70.
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Jul 18, 2018
Amazon's Prime Day may be over, but all the discounts are not. So if you missed out on any of the smart home deals over the past 36 hours, we've got two more for you.
The first is the Lutron Caseat Wireless Smart Lighting Dimmer Switch Starter Kit for $120 on AmazonRemove non-product link. We've seem this bundle hit this all-time low a few times before, but it hasn't budged from its $160 MSRP since February, so this is a great time to grab it. In the box you get the two dimmer switches, two pico remotes, and a smart bridge, and they're certified to work with Alexa, Apple HomeKit, and Google Assistant..
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Jul 18, 2018
No matter whether you treat your computer as the centerpiece of your home office or just stuff it under your desk, buying the right PC case matters.
At a minimum, you want to pick a PC case that's the right size for your needs and has room for all your hardware and USB devices. But some PC cases offer much, much more. Spacious innards, lower temperatures, muffled sound, extensive water-cooling support, and fancy-schmancy tempered glass panels or RGB lighting are just the tip of the iceberg.
Here's a guide to buying a PC case that's perfect for you. This is just the first step in your DIY journey; be sure to check out PCWorld's guide to building a PC, too.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Jul 17, 2018
Virtual reality headsets will standardize on a new physical connector standard, known as VirtualLink, that will be designed around the existing USB-C interface.
A consortium of the VR industry bigwigs, including Nvidia, Oculus, Valve, AMD, and Microsoft, have backed the interface. Notable exceptions appear to be Sony, whose PlayStation VR wasn't listed among the promoter companies, and Intel, which has backed the Thunderbolt specification. Companies that wish to join the consortium can do so at VirtualLink.org, which for right now resolves to a Google Sites address.
Details of the VirtualLink spec itself weren't immediately available, though the member companies said that the spec will support four high-speed HBR3 DisplayPort lanes, which are scalable for future needs; a USB 3.1 data channel for supporting high-resolution cameras and sensors; and up to 27 watts of power. It's not immediately clear what bandwidth the cable will support, or how scalable it will allow VR headsets to be. Anandtech, however, did the math and concluded that the spec allows for 4K @ 120Hz with 8 bits per color.
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Jul 17, 2018
Stay on top of the latest tech with PCWorld's Digital Magazine. Available as single copies or as a monthly subscription, it highlights the best content from PCWorld.com—the most important news, the key product reviews, and the most useful features and how-to stories—in a curated Digital Magazine for Android and iOS, as well for the desktop and other tablet readers.
In the July issue
This month we have all the breaking news from Computex, including AMD's monster 32-core Threadripper 2. We also have the details on Intel's not-too-shabby 28-core 5GHz chip. Considering a tablet in the not too distant future? Find out why Microsoft may release a tiny $400 Surface tablet and what it means for the tablet market.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Jul 17, 2018
50% off: SanDisk 128GB Ultra Fit USB 3.1 Flash DriveImage by Sandisk/Amazon
Who doesn't need a flash drive while at school? For $21.99, this 128GB SanDisk is a steal at $16 off its $37.99 retail price. Sure, a lot of your work will be in the cloud on Google Drive or elsewhere, but flash drives still come in handy when you're working with large media files. SanDisk says this 3.1 USB drive can write files up to 15 times faster than previous 2.0 drives, which means you can move a full-length movie in less than 30 seconds.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Jul 17, 2018
Today's smart bulbs are brighter and easier to control than ever, but choosing the right one for your environment remains a challenge.
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Jul 17, 2018
Find the best soundbar for music and movies and that's the perfect fit for your budget.
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Jul 17, 2018
If you have a new Android phone on the way thanks to Prime Day, you can triple the storage with this SanDisk 128GB microSDXC Memory Card Ultra for just $26.95 on B&H PhotoRemove non-product link. That's a few cents higher than the Amazon Prime Day deal, but still nearly half off its $40 regular price. And what's more you can get it right now—the Amazon deal is currently out of stock.
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Jul 17, 2018
For Amazon Prime Day 2018, the retailer has upped its game considerably. Its annual summer sale may not yet rival Black Friday, but this year's event is a bright spot in an otherwise ho-hum season of bargain hunting.
Tech enthusiasts will find plenty to dig into. Discounts range from good to excellent in multiple categories—you'll find everything from cables to TVs on the cheap. Additionally, Amazon is supplementing the bargains with additional promotions, like deeply discounted trials for various Amazon services and a ton of free PC games via Twitch Prime.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Jul 16, 2018
While Prime Day is a great chance to grab a cheap TV, PC, or DVD set, it's also a good excuse to get the tools you need to get in shape. Amazon is running a few awesome deals on fitness trackers to help Prime members on the road to their workout goals, and we've collected the best ones here:
Fitbit Alta HR
Fitbit/Thinkstock
If you're looking for something a little simpler, Fitbit's Alta HR might fit the bill. Even with a slim design, it still brings a heart-rate sensor, sleep tracking, full fitness tracking, and 7-day battery life, as well as notifications and call alerts. It retails for $150, but Amazon is selling it today in black, blue, coral, or fuchsia for just $90
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Jul 16, 2018
Prime Day is here and if you've been waiting for just the right moment to upgrade your smartphone, today might be the day. Whether you want a top-of-the-line gaming phone or just something that will get you though a day of messaging and music streaming, Amazon is running some killer deals for Prime members on some of the year's most exciting phones. Here are the best ones we found for every carrier and taste:
Fully unlocked Phones
Galaxy Note 8
Doug Duvall/IDG
The Galaxy Note 8 is our pick for best phablet phone, and today you can grab the Orchid Grey version for just $650
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Jul 16, 2018
Lest we forget, Amazon made e-readers ubiquitous, tablets affordable, and smart speakers a thing. And just like clockwork, the retail giant is using Prime Day 2018 to drop prices on Kindles, Fire tablets, and Echo smart speakers. Oh, and don't forget Amazon owns Ring now—so Ring Video Doorbell products are on sale too, along with Amazon's own Cloud Cam.
If you want to see the whole line-up of Amazon device price reductions, go to this Amazon page that showcases all the gadgets Amazon makes itself. Or just keep reading for a rundown of what's on sale by category.
Kindle E-reader deals
Kindle E-reader, $50 ($30 off, 37.5% discount.)
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Jul 16, 2018
The LIFX A19 LED light, one of the best smart bulbs we've tested, is available from LIFX's website today for $97.98 for a four pack, using the code B2G2Remove non-product link. That's a steep discount from the $240 list price and Amazon's price, where the same pack is $196.
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Jul 16, 2018
The best non-Amazon Prime Day deals take the "holiday" created for members-only and make it a great shopping time for the rest of us, too. We're only a few hours away from the Prime Day kick-off, and we've rounded up a bunch of solid deals for a Monday morning from all over the web. If you put them all together you've got one heck of an upgrade for your average gaming rig or home PC.
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080
Newegg's got the Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1080 (GV-N1080WF3OC-8GD) for $460 after code 18FANST05Remove non-product link, and if you do the mail-in rebate thing you can get $10 back, bringing the total cost to $450. This model of the GeForce GTX 108
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Jul 16, 2018
Hopefully you haven't purchased an Amazon Kindle or Fire tablet in the last few months—because now is the time to buy. Amazon has been hyping Prime Day savings for weeks now, and like Prime Days past, its own branded mobile devices receive some of the best discounts of all.
Obviously, you'll need Amazon Prime to score these deals, and if you don't yet have a membership, you can sign up hereRemove non-product link. You may also consider our suggestions for getting a short-term Prime membership for free.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Jul 16, 2018
With Google Home and Apple HomePod gaining ground in the smart speaker space, it looks like Amazon wants to cement its popularity in the U.S. with some major price drops for the Echo LookRemove non-product link,
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Jul 16, 2018
Buying a processor for a gaming rig isn't as hard as it used to be. Now that AMD's Ryzen and Intel's 8th-gen CPUs debuted with more performance and cores than ever before, it's hard to buy a stinker these days—especially since most games favor graphics firepower over CPU oomph. But all that said, there are specific chips that stand out from the horde as the best gaming CPUs due to their price, performance, or nifty extras.
Updated July 16, 2018 with the latest gaming news—and it's pretty juicy, so keep reading.
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Jul 16, 2018
Designed specifically for Roku TVs, the Bluetooth speakers will be bundled with Roku's voice remote and an all-new tabletop voice remote.
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Jul 16, 2018
Amazon and Google are both trying to get a foot through your door with their smart speakers. Here's what you need to consider before buying one.
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Jul 16, 2018
With integrated knock and motion sensors, this upgraded peephole camera will detect wrongdoers darkening your door.
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Jul 16, 2018
These bulbs work with the included hub, or with third-party gear.
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Jul 14, 2018
This full-fledged, easy-to-tote first aid softpack is designed to save time and frustration in the midst of an emergency. It's compact and portable, but contains 299 physician-recommended supplies. Among the items neatly organized inside the zippered kit is a first aid guide, vinyl gloves, bandages, cold compress, gauze pads, trauma pad, cotton-tipped applicators, first aid tape roll, antiseptics and all three common OTC pain medications. The kit is currently a #1 best seller on Amazon, averages 4.6 out of 5 stars from over 2,230 customers, and its typical list price of has been reduced to just a hair over $12. Click over to Amazon to see this deal.
To read this article in
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Jul 13, 2018
Few computers inspiring drooling as much as the fully kitted-out flagship systems by boutique PC builders. The fire-breathing hot rod of a rig that just showed up in our labs is so gorgeous we just had to share it.
The Maingear F131 Gordon unboxes above packs Intel's 18-core Intel Core i9-7980X behemoth, scads of RGB illuminated G.Skill Trident Z memory, and not one but two GeForce GTX 1080 Ti graphics cards. But hardware aside, it's the artistry that steals the show. This F131 comes equipped with Maingear's flashy yet functional Apex cooling system, which marries various EK Waterblocks with hardline metal tubing and a huge acrylic block that looks damned fine while working as the liquid reservoir. A fancy custom paint job and red PSU extension cables complete the premium look. The F131 packs customizable RGB LEDs throughout to put all its glorious hardware in a literal spotlight.
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Jul 13, 2018
It's release dates, release dates, release dates this week as we start to prepare for the just-over-the-horizon fall reviews rush. No, please—sit back and enjoy the summer. Wear sunscreen. Stay hydrated. Just know that games are coming soon, some (like Monster Hunter: World) as early as August.
That, plus release dates for Bard's Tale IV and Darksiders III, a delay for Code Vein, teases for a new Witcher and new Commandos, and Fortnite making so much damn money that Epic decides to give all Unreal Marketplace developers an 18 percent bonus for the last four years of sales. Four years.
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Jul 13, 2018
So you've got your RGB LED-equipped case, graphics card, and closed-loop liquid cooler. Heck, you've even blinged out your power supply, RAM, and SSD with hardware capable of glowing in any of 16.8 million colors. What's next? Well, you could slap a complementary OLED display on your already-illuminated hardware, as Asus is doing with its new ROG coolers and PSU, or you can check out the latest mad creation by Lian Li: The Strimer RGB power cable extension ($45 on NeweggRemove non-product link).
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Jul 13, 2018
There are a lot of Bluetooth speakers out there, and it can be hard to cut through all the noise. Amazon makes it easy today with this killer deal on Anker's super popular, well-reviewed SoundCore 2. Right now it's on sale for $28Remove non-product link, the lowest price we've ever seen and a sharp discount from its usual price of $42. Like most of the deals this week, you need to be a Prime member to get that price. (You can sign up for a 30-day free trial here
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Jul 13, 2018
There are a lot of Bluetooth speakers out there, and it can be hard to cut through all the noise. Amazon makes it easy today with this killer deal on Anker's super popular, well-reviewed SoundCore 2. Right now it's on sale for $28Remove non-product link, the lowest price we've ever seen and a sharp discount from its usual price of $42. Like most of the deals this week, you need to be a Prime member to get that price. (You can sign up for a 30-day free trial here
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Jul 13, 2018
If you've been impatiently waiting for the end of the great mining-induced graphics card crisis, today's deal is for you. Amazon's selling a 4GB Gigabyte Radeon RX 580 for $210 after a $90 discount and a $20 mail-in rebate. (That means you pay $230 up front.)
To read this article in full, please click here
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Jul 13, 2018
A gaming laptop's GPU matters just as much as its CPU and other components. Given that any gaming laptop worth the name has some sort of discrete graphics, we'll go through all the mobile GPUs available and tell you what to expect from each one, and point you to some laptops that carry them.
Gaming laptop quick picks
If you're looking for specific gaming laptop recommendations, here are a few suggestions:
Best budget gaming laptop: Acer Nitro 5 (GTX 1050)
Best midpriced gaming laptop:
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Jul 13, 2018
The 6-series' color and HDR are astounding for this price range, but weak motion handling and problematic backlighting remind you this isn't a high-end TV.
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Jul 13, 2018
If you're looking to learn coding or want to pick up another programming language, Python is a good choice. One of the terrific things about Python is how closely it resembles the English language, so you'll often see words like "not," "in," and "or" in its scripts. Because of its readability, Python is commonly the first programming language schools teach. It's a great launchpad for an aspiring coder.
Now you might be asking: What can you do with Python? Python is the official language of Google, it powers Instagram, and it even runs on chips Intel tests. It's a scripting language that can automate all sorts of tasks, big or small. You can do just about anything with Python that you can do with other languages. But it also has some distinct advantages.
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Jul 13, 2018
Apple's new MacBook Pros bring impressive speed boosts over the prior models, but there won't be any real innovation until Apple takes over the processor from Intel.
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Jul 12, 2018
Quarterly PC sales grew the most since 2012, IDC said Thursday afternoon, driven by commercial demand and a growing American appetite for gaming PCs.
Preliminary results for the second quarter forecast unit growth—yes, growth—of 2.7 percent, year over year, to 62.3 million units. That's the strongest growth since the first quarter of 2012, when the PC market grew by 4.2 percent, IDC said. Rival firm Gartner agreed, estimating that 62.1 million PCs were sold in the second quarter of 2018, a 1.4 percent increase from the second quarter of 2017.
Worldwide, the PC market had been flat over the past three quarters. Within the United States, however, the PC market has grown for two consecutive quarters. Both worldwide and in the North American market, the biggest driver was business PCs. But IDC also pointed to a surge in gaming PCs, helped by lower prices in graphics cards.
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Jul 12, 2018
On Thursday, Microsoft began offering a free version of Microsoft Teams as an incentive to switch over from Slack—and is loading it up with key features such as unlimited chat messages.
Earlier this week, Slack said it was improving its own in-app search, with automated suggestions. Slack's free version still limits users to 10,000 searchable messages, though—and Teams does not. That's one of the key selling points of the new free Teams service; the other is the number of users—300—which will be enough for many small businesses.
"For us, it was all about continually breaking down barriers to [Teams]," said Lori Wright, General Manager of Microsoft 365 Teamwork, in an interview. "We don't necessarily think you should be an Office 365 subscriber to experience the power of the Teams solution."
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Jul 12, 2018
Whether you're an aspiring programmer or a seasoned pro, you'd be remiss to leave Python out of your programming repertoire. Amazingly versatile and famed for its user-friendliness, Python is a staple in many a coder's toolbox, and it's even become a driving force in a host of today's AI and machine learning innovations. If you want to future-proof your coding skillset, you can do so for a price you get to choose with the Pay What You Want: Total Python Machine Learning Bundle.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Jul 12, 2018
A good fast wireless charger can add speed and convenience to your battery boost. Right now, RAVPower has several wireless chargers on sale at steep discounts as a one-day Amazon Prime deal of the day—and the company supplied us with codes to make them even cheaper.
First up, RAVPower's $38 10W Qi fast wireless charger can be yours for $23 with the code RAVPC066. It normally costs $38. This flat charger's LED battery indicator helps you know the charging status of your device. It also features a non-slip coating so your phone won't slide around.
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Jul 12, 2018
The critical Meltdown and Spectre bugs baked deep into modern computer processors will have ramifications on the entire industry for years to come, and Chrome just became collateral damage. Google 67 enabled "Site Isolation" Spectre protection for most users, and the browser now uses 10 to 13 percent more RAM due to how the fix behaves.
"Site Isolation does cause Chrome to create more renderer processes, which comes with performance tradeoffs," Google's Charlie Reis says. "On the plus side, each renderer process is smaller, shorter-lived, and has less contention internally, but there is about a 10-13% total memory overhead in real workloads due to the larger number of processes. Our team continues to work hard to optimize this behavior to keep Chrome both fast and secure."
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Jul 12, 2018
There was a time, not that far in the past, where I used to assemble PCWorld's video game review calendar from Steam's "Upcoming Releases" list. We're talking 2013, maybe 2014. Even then, there was a lot of trash—this was post-Greenlight. But it was a manageable amount of trash, and the unfiltered Upcoming Releases list was a great overview of each month's releases.
As Valve ramped up the number of releases though, the Upcoming list became increasingly useless. How useless? According to Valve, "The old Upcoming list was only clicked on by less than half of one percent of customers." Turns out an unfiltered look at the games coming to Steam each week is a great way to realize how much trash Valve's hands-off approach is letting through—not to mention the fact that some games continually moved their release dates in order to sit on the list each month.
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Jul 12, 2018
When it comes to gaming monitors there are standard screens, and then there are visual experiences. Today, Dell's got a good price on the latter type of display, but it'll still cost you. The retailer has an Alienware 34-inch curved 3440-by-1440 G-Sync monitor for $1,000Remove non-product link. That's a lot of bread, but it's about $100 to $200 cheaper than what you'll find elsewhere right now and $500 off the MSRP. It also happens to be Dell's Black Friday price from last year, which makes sense as it's part of Dell.com's
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Jul 12, 2018
The Mobvoi TicWatch Pro wants to solve the one problem Wear OS doesn't really have: battery life. While some older LTE-enabled Wear OS watches might struggle to get through a day of normal use, most of them are plenty capable of handling a full day of step tracking, Lyft hailing, and message sending. The TicWatch Pro is no different in that regard. Use it as a smartwatch and you'll probably need to plug it in before hitting the sack.
Rather, Mobvoi's battery innovation is the addition of a second, low-power display on top of the standard 1.4-inch OLED. Activate it, and it shuts down most functions and lets the watch eke out every last drop of power before shutting down.
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Jul 12, 2018
With Apple announcing Thursday that it has dropped a 6-core 8th-gen Core i7 8750H into the MacBook Pro 15 there are two things we know for sure. The first is that the boost in performance will be huge. The second: It still won't be faster than the fastest PC laptops.
Sure, you could say we're just being haters because we heart PC. But unlike the iPad and iPhone, Apple doesn't make its own CPUs. It relies on the same ones PC laptops have been using since at least April. All of the testing we've done already on Intel's 8th-gen "Kaby Lake R" (reviewed here), the 8th-gen "Kaby Lake G" (reviewed here), and the 8th-gen "Coffee Lake H" (reviewed here) lets us say with high confidence just how fast the new 2018 MacBook Pro 15 will be when it ships.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Jul 12, 2018
Apple is finally refreshing the MacBook Pro line with 8th-generation (Coffee Lake) Intel CPUs, and everything is about to get a whole lot faster.
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Jul 12, 2018
Apple's new pro laptop feature eighth-generation Intel Core processors that offer a significant performance jump, as well as DDR4 memory support and True Tone display technology.
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Jul 12, 2018
Did you know that you can use your Echo to make voice and video calls without a mobile number or landline? Here's how to do it.
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Jul 12, 2018
HBO needn't abandon its quality-over-quantity ideals, but AT&T is right to call for change.
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Jul 11, 2018
If you're a Microsoft Edge user, you might find that Windows 10 Insider Build 17713 offers a welcome addition: the ability to manage autoplaying video on a site-by-site basis.
The new Windows build isn't heavy on new features for consumers, though business users may find some interesting additions: Web Sign-in, Fast Sign-in, and even using biometric logins to log into a remote PC. Microsoft did make some enhancements to how Edge uses PDF files, and even Notepad.
Here's a look at what's new:
Autoplay, PDF controls within Edge
While Google's Chrome and other browsers have begun offering users the flexibility to decide what to do with autoplaying video on websites, Microsoft's Edge hasn't followed suit, until now. As part of Edge's new per-site controls, you'll have the freedom to decide whether video autoplays. To access the controls, click the small lock-shaped icon in the browser.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Jul 11, 2018
Dark Souls is know for it's punishing difficulty and precise gameplay. While Adam has tried out many enteries in the series Dan has not, and we are looking forward seeing how he handles it live on Twitch!
Follow PCWorld's Twitch channel (or YouTube) so you don't miss out on this or future live streams.
Watch live video from PCWorldUS on www.twitch.tv
Tune in every week for podcast's such as The Full Nerd as well as new and old gaming alike!
To read this article in full, please click here
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Jul 11, 2018
Leif has been dumping plenty of hours into the new expasion for The Elder Scrolls Online called Summerset. In this live stream we'll be venturing in the new delves, checking out some world bosses, and just do some general expolration!
Watch live video from PCWorldUS on www.twitch.tv
Follow PCWorld's Twitch channel (or YouTube) so you don't miss out on this or future live streams. Tune in every week for podcast's such as The Full Nerd as well as new and old gaming alike!
To read this article in full, please click here
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Jul 11, 2018
Nvidia's dueling GeForce Now services just got a whole less complicated—and a whole lot more appealing for Shield TV owners. Originally created as a Netflix-like all-you-can-play subscription service for Nvidia's set-top box, the waters became murkier with the beta launch of the wildly different GeForce Now for PCs and Macs, which essentially runs the PC games you already own on an Nvidia server in the cloud. Today, Nvidia announced that the services are unified. Shield TV now runs the same version of GeForce Now as the PC and Mac.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Jul 11, 2018
Amazon is continuing its week of pre-Prime Day sales with a killer deal on an awesome car charger. Anker's Alexa-enabled 2-port USB Roav VIVA is on sale on Amazon today for $34 for Prime members, down from a list price of $60 and the lowest price we've ever seen.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Jul 11, 2018
Amazon is continuing its week of pre-Prime Day sales with a killer deal on an awesome car charger. Anker's Alexa-enabled 2-port USB Roav VIVA is on sale on Amazon today for $34 for Prime members, down from a list price of $60 and the lowest price we've ever seen.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Jul 11, 2018
In this episode of the Full Nerd, Gordon Mah Ung, Brad Chacos, Adam Patrick Murray, and (eventually) Alaina Yee dig deep into the hows, whys, and whens of buying new PC hardware—and specifically whether it's the right time to buy a new graphics card or computer processor.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Jul 11, 2018
When Amazon's Prime Day starts Monday, July 16 at 12 p.m. Pacific, you'll need to be a Prime member to partake of the deals. Prime is Amazon's $119 per year service that provides two-day shipping on all orders, as well as a ton of extras like the Kindle lending library and Prime Video.
Good news, though: You may not need to pay for membership at all if you just want it long enough to take advantage of Amazon's annual shopping extravaganza. Here are a few ways to get a short-term Prime membership to cash in on the savings.
Amazon
Method One: The standard 30-day free trial
If you've never tried Amazon Prime or haven't tried it in a while, you may be eligible for a free, 30-day trial. After the 30 days, Amazon will charge you for the membership—either $13 per month or $119 per year—so don't forget to cancel before the trial is up.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Jul 11, 2018
ASRock is a big name in motherboards but only recently started making graphics cards. Now the company's leveraging its traditional expertise to offer a tantalizing bundle for gamers--especially if you're building a new PC from the ground up.
Until Thursday, you can get an 8GB ASRock Phantom Gaming X Radeon RX 580 for $300. That's a pretty average price right now for an 8GB RX 580, but to sweeten the deal Newegg's throwing in a $90 ASRock AB350 Pro4 motherboard for free. As long as you need that motherboard, this bundle means you're getting ASRock Phantom Gaming X for far belo
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Jul 11, 2018
Though it's nearly 25 years old, the PDF may be more useful than ever in our increasingly multi-device, cross-platform world. Much of the time you can get by with a free PDF reader to review and comment on these files. But inevitably, particularly in a business setting, you'll need to edit a PDF file and that usually requires upgrading to a premium PDF editor.
Historically, Adobe Acrobat has been the best option, but it has also been the most expensive, often putting it out of reach of individuals and small businesses. That has given rise to a wealth of alternatives with varying features and costs. We looked at six PDF editors to see what they offer and how they stack up against each other.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Jul 11, 2018
The best laptops today are basking 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: Not everyone needs a quad-core powerhouse laptop, especially if the hottest application they 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; and 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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Jul 11, 2018
It's not perfect, but who wants another hockey puck just to talk to Alexa?
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Jul 10, 2018
Truly wireless earbuds let you ditch all cables in our post-headphone jack world, but like with anything else, their quality varies. Our top picks offer great audio without sacrificing battery life or comfort.
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Jul 10, 2018
BolehVPN in brief:
P2P allowed: Yes
Business location: Malaysia and Seychelles
Number of servers: 35
Number of country locations: 12
Cost: $80 per year
VPN protocol: OpenVPN and L2TP
Data encryption: AES-256
Data authentication: SHA2
Handshake encryption: RSA-4096
Many VPNs right now are trying to be as user friendly as possible with a simple connect button and a simplified list of server locations. Not so with BolehVPN. This Malaysia-based VPN is not focused on ease of use, but at the same time there may not be quite enough here to satisfy power users.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Jul 10, 2018
A great wireless router is an essential element of tech life, whether you're building out a smart home or you just want the best experience streaming music and video at home. We pick the best models here, because even those of us fortunate enough to have ethernet drops in every room have devices—smartphones and tablets, for instance—that depend on Wi-Fi to connect to the home network if not the internet.
Wi-Fi router cheat sheet
Our quick-hit picks:
Best Wi-Fi system: Netgear Orbi RBK50
Best budget Wi-Fi system:
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Jul 10, 2018
The Full Nerd is a video talk show where technology enthusiasts come together to explore, celebrate, and generally geek out on cool PC hardware technology, from CPUs to GPUs to extreme laptops and desktops—and all the tech in between. We're shooting the 58th episode today, answering the questions you need to know and giving away the swag you want to own. On tap:
Should you buy a new GPU right now?
Should you buy a new CPU right now?
Reader Q&A
We'll also pick the winner of a 2nd-gen Threadripper "Heavy Metal tour" t-shirt signed by AMD CEO Lisa Su and computing and graphics chief Jim Anderson! Get your entries in now if you haven't already, and brush up on your knowledge by watching our detailed 2nd-gen Threadripper interview with Jim Anderson below while you wait for us to go live today.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Jul 10, 2018
It's no coincidence that Apple released a series of iPad international video spots just hours before Microsoft unveiled its most affordable tablet, the Surface Go. The four 15-second ads spotlight the iPad's ability to make mundane tasks like paperwork, packing, and traveling easier with the low-cost tablet.
But now Microsoft has a strong competitor to Apple's entry-level $329 iPad. With a $399 price tag and a 10-inch screen, the Surface Go isn't just Microsoft's cheapest Surface tablet, it's one of the most affordable full-featured tablets you can buy. And it just might be a better investment than the 9.7-inch iPad, depending on what you need. Here's why (and why not):
To read this article in full, please click here
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Jul 10, 2018
If you could use a few more connections on your laptop on your MacBook or PC, Belkin's USB-C 3.1 Express Dock, which comes equipped with a 3.3-foot USB-C cable, can provide up to eight ports. Amazon is selling is for $99 today, a sharp discount from its $229 list price and by far the lowest we've seen it. And if you're an Amazon Prime member, you can save another 20 percent, bringing it down to an unheard-of $80.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Jul 10, 2018
Between geo-restrictions, third-party trackers, and ISPs slowing your browsing speed, there's no shortage of obstacles standing between you and the content you're trying to enjoy online. Ivacy VPN gives you the means to sidestep today's browsing restrictions with access to a colossal network of more than 450 secure servers spanning over 100 locations across the globe. Lifetime subscriptions are on sale today for more than 90% off the usual price.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Jul 10, 2018
Which streaming box is best for cord cutters? And what's the skinny on streaming sticks? Our buying guide will help you pick the right accessories for your TV.
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Jul 10, 2018
The Amazon Prime-only deals keep rolling in as we await the arrival of Prime Day next Tuesday. Today only, Amazon Prime members can get a 2018 Samsung Qi-certified wireless smartphone charger (with Fast Charge) for $40.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Jul 10, 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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Jul 10, 2018
Okay, so you forgot your password for logging in to Windows. All is not lost. You can still log in to Windows—even if there is no other administrative account on the PC.
From a security point of view, this is actually scary news. But there are legitimate reasons to use the tricks below, and none of them will let a criminal log in without your knowledge (the password is changed, not revealed) or gain access to encrypted data. (You do encrypt your sensitive files, right?)
I've provided instructions here for Windows 7 and 10. Windows 8 users should have no trouble following the Windows 10 instructions.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Jul 10, 2018
We had mixed feelings about Qoppa's PDF Studio Pro when we last gave it a look. Its depth of features rivaled Adobe Acrobat DC and top alternatives like Nitro Pro, but it was hamstrung by a woefully dated interface and clunky functionality for common PDF tasks like editing text and images. Fortunately, PDF Studio Pro 2018 remedies these shortcomings, completely overhauling the UI and addressing the worst of the content editing quirks.
Like its predecessor, PDF Studio Pro 2018 includes everything you need to manage PDFs. You can create PDFs from scanned paper documents or by converting Microsoft Office files, plain text, and several image files types. It provides a comprehensive set of review and markup tools such as highlighting; sticky notes; text boxes; and graphical, audio, and freehand annotations. And you can secure your documents with passwords, permissions, encryption, and digital and electronic signatures.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Jul 10, 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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Jul 09, 2018
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 will start at just $399 for a bare-bones model with 4GB of memory and 64GB of storage when it goes on sale August 2. A keyboard will be sold separately, beginning at $99, and the optional Surface Pen will cost $99 as well.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Jul 09, 2018
Foxit's PhantomPDF Business 8 took the bronze in our 2017 roundup of best PDF editors, behind Adobe Acrobat DC and Nitro Pro. Version 9, which is an incremental update rather than a major overhaul, doesn't make us rethink that ranking but it does reinforce PhantomPDF as a strong alternative to Acrobat.
Like Adobe Acrobat DC and Nitro Pro, the two PDF editors to which it compares most favorably, PhantomPDF employs an Office-style ribbon to keep tools tidy. A dozen task-based tabs make it easy to navigate the editor's wealth of functions, while a sidebar in the document pane puts common functions like reordering pages and viewing comments a mouse-click away.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Jul 09, 2018
PDF Architect 6 is billed as the only customizable PDF editor. What that means is it's offered as a free download and three different paid packages, each containing a specific set of PDF tools it calls "modules." These modules, which determine how much you can do with a PDF, can also be purchased individually based on your needs. We took a look at the business-ready Professional version, which comes with just about every available tool.
Like virtually every other PDF editor worth its salt, PDF Architect employs an Office-style ribbon interface that organizes tools in a baker's dozen of tabs. While the first 12 tabs cover common document tasks like creating, converting, reviewing, and securing PDFs, the 13th is an empty "custom" tab to which you can add your favorite tools and create a personalized ribbon bar. A series of tabs in the document pane let you navigate PDFs by page, thumbnail, bookmark, link, or text search.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Jul 09, 2018
Your home is only as smart as the hub that orchestrates everything behind the scenes. These DIY tools are the best of the bunch.
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Jul 09, 2018
Remember that time in college when you scored free tickets to that Van Halen concert and talked yourself into the after-party, where you had Eddie Van Halen and David Lee Roth sign your tour shirt?
While this uber-rare "2nd Gen Ryzen Threadripper Heavy Metal Tour" T-shirt isn't the same as partying with Van Halen, it's probably about close to nerd nirvana as you're going to get today.
Given away at the announcement event for 2nd-gen Threadripper, only a small quantity of these shirts were made by AMD. To make this shirt even more rare, AMD CEO Lisa Su and Senior VP Jim Anderson signed the back for us.
Its ultra-rare existence means we have only one XL shirt to give away to a lucky nerd. We'll announce the winner during the Full Nerd Podcast on July 10 at 10:30 a.m. Pacific time.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Jul 09, 2018
Prey is one of 2017's most underrated games, and as an expansion that makes Mooncrash an even more niche prospect, a game that will be played by a small subset of a small subset. Which is a shame, because strip away its "expansion" status and Mooncrash is one of the best, most innovative games of 2018. It's Arkane's masterpiece, a true testament to what a talented team can do with systems-first design.
Every Prey fan should play it. And those who haven't yet become Prey fans? You should be.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Jul 09, 2018
Forget about Christmas in July. This year, you can save big with Black Friday in July. Amazon Prime Day kicks off on July 16, and the retailer's warming up for the blowout by offering some steep deals leading up to the event. Today, you can snag all manner of Anker's popular chargers, cables, and portable batteries at mostly unheard-of savings. The discounts end at midnight Pacific time Monday, and you need to be an Amazon Prime subscriber (or sign up for a free 30-day Amazon Prime trial) to claim them.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Jul 09, 2018
Forget about Christmas in July. This year, you can save big with Black Friday in July. Amazon Prime Day kicks off on July 16, and the retailer's warming up for the blowout by offering some steep deals leading up to the event. Today, you can snag all manner of Anker's popular chargers, cables, and portable batteries at mostly unheard-of savings. The discounts end at midnight Pacific time Monday, and you need to be an Amazon Prime subscriber (or sign up for a free 30-day Amazon Prime trial) to claim them.
To read this article in full, please click here
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Jul 09, 2018
Last week we told you about a killer deal on the original Pixel (which is still going on), but if you'd rather get some of Google's newest products for less, now's the time to act. Pixels, Chromecasts, and Google Home speakers are all on steep sales through July 17.
The Pixel 2 XL, Google's premier smartphone, is $100 off both the 64GB and 128GB models, bringing them down to $749 and $849 respectively. The phone easily earned our Editors' Choice award for its great all-around performance, but the Pixel 2 XL's blending of a top-of-the-line mobile camera with Google's A.I. magic results in one of the most fun, elegant camera experiences you'll find in a camera today. And if you want to use the phone's power to wander worlds in virtual reality, the 2nd-gen Daydream View headset is on sale for $49, 50 percent off its $99 list price.
To read this article in full, please click here
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