by Chad Mumm on February 8, 2009 at 09:06 AM

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 ...
by Paul Miller on February 3, 2009 at 03:33 PM

As expected, India's government unveiled the jointly-developed "$10 laptop" today, now priced at $20. Unfortunately dubbed Sakshat, which ironically translates as "before your eyes," the laptop is slated to ship in six months, with specs in line with what we've heard already: 2GB of storage, Wi-Fi, Ethernet and 2 watts of power consumption. In fact, there really isn't much "unveiling" going on ...
by Terrence O'Brien on January 29, 2009 at 10:30 AM

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 ...
by Jon Chase on January 28, 2009 at 10:34 AM

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' ...
by Nilay Patel on January 20, 2009 at 08:01 AM

Sketchy rumor Sunday, people -- Chinese site Apple.pro is saying there's a 15-inch MacBook Air in the works. That would certainly be an interesting compromise between portability and screen real estate, especially since the Air's new NVIDIA-based internals are actually somewhat capable, but we wouldn't bank on big brother making an appearance just yet. Although Apple.pro was right on the money ...
by Terrence O'Brien on January 16, 2009 at 12:28 PM

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 ...
by Tim Stevens on January 16, 2009 at 09:52 AM

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 ...
by Terrence O'Brien on January 14, 2009 at 01:21 PM

Other than the Palm Pre, the biggest darling of CES has clearly been the Sony VAIO P Series Lifestyle PC. There has been plenty of coverage of the clutch-purse-like device, but we wanted to boil it down to just what you really need to know.
We spent some time with the tiny "don't call it a netbook" from Sony and came away quite impressed with it on the whole. We couldn't truly test any ...
by Lee Bains on January 9, 2009 at 05:01 AM

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 ...
by Darren Murph on January 7, 2009 at 07:38 PM

digg_url = 'http://digg.com/hardware/Sony_announces_VAIO_P'; Not that we really needed Sony to tell us something we already knew, but we certainly appreciate the gesture. The hotly anticipated VAIO P is for real, and it's coming in as the world's lightest 8-inch netbook at just 1.4 pounds. The Vista-based device packs an almost unbelievable 1,600 x 768 resolution LED-backlit XBRITE-ECO LCD ...
by Darren Murph on December 28, 2008 at 01:12 PM

John Lennon may have departed this planet 28 years ago, but that's not to say he can't still have an impact. With the assistance of technology and the consent of Yoko Ono, the heralded Beatle has returned in a new OLPC spot. In the ad, the late musician proclaims: "Imagine every child no matter where in the world they were could access a universe of knowledge. They would have a chance to learn, ...
by Tim Stevens on December 27, 2008 at 09:46 AM

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 ...
by Terrence O'Brien on December 7, 2008 at 12:14 PM

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 ...
by Thomas Ricker on October 31, 2008 at 09:35 AM

One day later and Sony's battery recall has already tripled in size. What started as a recall of 35,000, just hit 100,000 (75,000 of which are HP related) and now includes Li-ion batteries used in some Lenovo and Acer laptops as well as the original list of Dells, HPs, and Toshibas. All the laptops were sold between 2004 and 2005, two-thrids or which were sold outside the US. What's most troubling ...
by Nilay Patel on October 27, 2008 at 04:49 PM

We knew more Inspiron Minis were in the works, and Dell's just officially announced the next member of the family, the Inspiron Mini 12. Yep, the same machine we first spotted all the way back in June, and nothing much has changed in the meantime -- you're looking at either a 1.3GHz Atom Z520 or 1.6GHz Atom Z530 processor (a step up from the usual 1.6GHz Atom N270), up to an 80GB drive, 1GB of ...