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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2009
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NEWS ABOUT: PCs

PCs stories: 11 news summaries
David Pogue: SO LONG, VISTA

 Windows 7 Drops: 
 Microsoft Is Back 

Redmond can be proud of its new OS: Pogue

Oct 22, 09 7:41 AM CDT
(Newser) - At last, you can put your Vista woes behind you. Microsoft's new operating system, Windows 7, which drops today, takes what's good about its predecessor—especially security and good looks—and eliminates the parts that drove users bonkers. Windows 7 isn't just substantially faster and more compatible with users' machines,... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Microsoft • Microsoft Vista • PCs • operating system • upgrades • David Pogue • Windows 7 • Windows 7 review

China Orders PC Makers
to Bundle Web Filters

Newly required software strengthens Beijing's controls on Internet

Jun 8, 09 7:31 AM CDT
(Newser) - Starting next month all computers in China must ship with software to block certain websites, the Wall Street Journal reports. The government says the move is to block "harmful" content such as pornography from young web surfers, but it could also be used to filter politically sensitive material. The... More »

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China • Internet • censorship • PCs • computer • Internet censorship • Great Firewall of China

(Newser) - The devious worm that has infected up to 9 million personal computers worldwide may be just the first stage of a malicious attack, the New York Times reports. The so-called Conficker or Downadup virus, which exploits a Microsoft Windows vulnerability, pulls infected computers into systems called botnets that can be... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Microsoft • computer virus • PCs • computer security • malware • portable media players • botnets

Tricky Virus Hits 8.9M Computers Worldwide

'Conficker' travels via networks, USB sticks; situation 'getting worse'

Jan 19, 09 2:21 PM CST
(Newser) - A Windows worm that emerged in October is “skyrocketing” worldwide, with some 8.9 million computers now infected, says an antivirus firm. The program, known as Conficker, Downadup, or Kido, can zoom through low-security networks, memory sticks, and any PC that hasn’t downloaded current security updates, the BBC... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Microsoft • Windows • computer virus • PCs • virus protection • antivirus • Conficker

 Laptop Sales Zip Past Desktops 

Netbook drives up laptop sales

Dec 24, 08 5:43 AM CST
(Newser) - The demand for Acer Netbooks has pushed laptop sales beyond desktop PC sales for the first time ever, CNET reports. Notebook PC shipments rose almost 40% for the third quarter of 2008 to 38.6 million units, while desktop sales slipped 1.3% to 38.5 million. Hewlett-Packard remains the... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Dell • PCs • Toshiba • Acer • desktop computers • Netbooks • laptops • notebooks • Hewlett-Packard

Sick of Waiting for PC to Boot Up? PC Makers
Hear You

Look to cut start-up times to 20-30 secs

Oct 26, 08 9:44 AM CDT
(Newser) - As instant communication becomes the norm, computer users are quickly getting fed up with slow start-up times—and PC makers are focused on reducing the wait, the New York Times reports. To fight Windows’ slow load time, manufacturers are turning to programs that bypass the operating system so users can... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Microsoft • Windows • PCs • computer • bootup

AMD Updates Phenom,
Adds 4 Quad-Core Chips

Semiconductor company will ship triple-core chips, too

Mar 27, 08 4:26 PM CDT
(Newser) - Semiconductor company AMD has revealed updates to its Phenom line and will launch four quad-core chips that “can improve performance for gaming and multi-threaded applications,” the company says. The California firm also said it would ship triple-core processors, which CNet reports is a first for the PC market,... More »

MORE ABOUT:
PCs • processors • AMD • semiconductors

PC Makers Aim Overseas

US remains biggest market as demand in other skyrockets

Mar 7, 08 12:23 PM CST
(Newser) - PC makers are increasingly setting their sights on markets outside the US, which are making up an ever-larger share of the worldwide computer market, USA Today reports. PC sales are growing in the US, still the world’s largest market, but are rising much faster elsewhere. Last year, the US... More »

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China • stock market • Dell • PCs • emerging markets • PC makers • personal computers • computer sales • Hewlett-Packard

Stop Waiting
for Windows
to Load

New program boots PC and gets you online
in 5 seconds

Jan 16, 08 3:54 PM CST
(Newser) - Starting up a Windows machine is normally an exercise in patience, but that could be changing, thanks to several companies working to do away with the eternal boot-up. One startup, for example, has introduced Splashtop, a tiny, simple operating system you can boot instead of Windows. Boot time? About 5... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Windows • software • PCs • Splashtop • bootup

Battery Ban Begins on Airlines

Most batteries in phones, laptops, will likely not violate rule

Dec 28, 07 9:46 PM CST
(Newser) - The Department of Transportation has banned certain kinds of lithium batteries from checked airline luggage, citing worries over short circuiting and fires. Lithium batteries installed inside of electronic devices will be permitted as carryon, but loose batteries, unless sealed inside a plastic bag, will no longer be permitted on board. More »

MORE ABOUT:
cell phones • FAA • battery • airline • PCs • lithium ion batteries

10 Free Ways to Make Your Windows Computer Safer

These utilities can help put your mind at ease

Jul 28, 07 7:38 AM CDT
(Newser) - The tech wizards at ZDNet offer their picks for security-conscious PC users on a budget:
  1. Secunia Personal Software Inspector (psi.secunia.com)
  2. OpenDNS (www.opendns.com)
  3. Active Virus Shield (www.activevirusshield.com/antivirus/freeav/index.adp?)
  4. Haute Secure (www.hautesecure.com)
  5. GMER anti-rootkit (www.gmer.net/index.php)
More »

MORE ABOUT:
Microsoft • Microsoft Windows • PCs • Firefox • computer

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