Category: desktops

If there's one important task computer users regularly ignore, it's backing up their data, including important items like their office documents, music, videos, and photos. Things go wrong sometimes: Computers get viruses, hard drives fail, and ex-girlfriends launch belongings out of windows, leaving you in a bind. One of the biggest reasons people forget backing up is that they don't know ...

One of the first things you should do if you think you have a virus is to quarantine your PC and disconnect from your home network to prevent the infection from spreading to other computers in your home. You don't want to disconnect from the Internet entirely however or you won't be able to download updates for your anti-virus software. Doing this on a Mac (in Preferences: Sharing) or in Vista ...

With the thousands visiting Apple retail stores each week competing for time to test drive the in-store machines, the company has again decided to ban a social networking site from the computers in its store. This time, Facebook is getting the boot. As of this week, the ubiquitous site, like Myspace before it, will no longer be accessible on computers in the Apple Store. The retailers have ...

Before they were mortal enemies, Steve Jobs and Bill Gates were just two big dorks who really liked computers, and each other! Of course, the video (check it out after the break) also predates that whole Windows thing by about seven years. This bizarre dating show, taken from an Apple Event in 1983, features a bunch of software guys in '80s-era-preppy khakis and polo shirts answering questions ...

This tip only applies to folks with LCD computer monitors, which includes anyone with a laptop, of course. Unlike old tube-style CRTs, LCD monitors don't benefit from a screensaver-in fact, using one may shorten your LCD monitor's (or laptop screen's) lifespan and will tax your PC's components more than simply turning it off or putting your PC to sleep. Click here for more 'Tech Tips' ...

Online scammers and phishers are constantly improving their skills and developing even more sophisticated methods of attack. One of our jobs here at Switched is to stay on top of these Internet criminals and warning you, the reader, about when they'll strike, how they'll strike, and how to avoid falling victim to these online con-jobs. The latest threat to your security comes in the form of ...

Have you updated your Windows machine lately? If not, as always, you certainly should! Word is coming from a number of virus and malicious software experts that a certain piece of nasty software with a number of names has gone on to infect three million Windows machines around the world, with the most infected being in places like China, Brazil, Russia, and India. The software is known as ...

Laptops have officially overtaken traditional desktop PCs, according to a Reuters report. In the all-important week before Christmas, laptops dominated online retail giant Amazon.com's list of the 10 highest selling computers and hardware components, while nary a desktop appeared on the list. Noting advances in laptop technology and consumer demand for portability, commentators find that ...

It seems like the signs are pointing to a refresh of the Mac mini when this year's Macworld rolls around. According to a press release by SeeFile, their new (version 4.6) Web server software can be purchased bundled with a Mac mini server with 1 terabyte of storage -- which is odd enough, since the largest internal drive that ships with the thing is 120GB. And how about the release itself, ...

Computers are a lot like cars in that people everywhere rely on them for their day-to-day lives, and yet most of those people have no idea what goes on inside of them. If they start making funny noises or something stops working properly, it's often time for a trip to a specialist who will be happy to fix your issues -- for a fee. Sometimes, though, you can figure it out yourself, and ...

If you purchased and downloaded your first digital album this year, then congratulations, you're not alone! Demand for legal music downloads increased an impressive 29-percent last quarter over the same quarter in 2007. Interestingly, while illegal downloads of music also increased over the same period, they rose only 23 percent. This means that more and more people are turning to legal ...

Well, the Register is a little late to the party, but having another voice bemoaning the closed nature of Apple is always appreciated. As we've pointed out before, despite all the complaints against Microsoft for being closed and monopolistic, Apple actually commits far more crimes against openness in the tech world. While most of the computer-using, iPod-listening public give Apple a free ...

Hard to say if these MLB-themed gaming PCs will be "a line drive to right" with gamers out there, but Commodore has certainly "rounded the bases" in order to deliver some pretty fanciful machines. The officially licensed desktops boast an exclusive C-kin paint job only possessed by the "true five-tool" PC manufacturing companies, though we have heard that the Core i7 within was "indirectly ...

So you're buying a new computer? Well, you're in luck, because there's never been a better time -- they're faster, smaller, and more powerful than ever before, and they don't necessarily have to cost you an arm and a leg (in fact, plenty of decent desktops and laptops can be had for less than $500). But should you get a Mac or a PC? Laptop or desktop ? Specs-wise, what difference does ...

Mac or PC – it's the perennial debate for anyone looking to buy a new computer (or win an argument). Passionate and valid points exist in both camps, but it ultimately boils down to your personal tastes, needs, and budget. We played around with all shapes and sizes of Macs (Mini, iMac, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro) and PCs (Gateway One desktop, Gateway M-Series laptops, Lenovo x300 laptop, ...