Posted 08/09/08 at 05:01:53 PM by Justin Kerr

When Windows Vista launched back in January 2007, the 64-bit edition was clearly not ready for primetime. The driver and compatibility issues that mired the early days of the OS were even worse on the 64-bit side, and for most users Vista x64 was completely crippled or in some cases, wouldn’t install at all. Hardware manufacturers struggled to release stable device drivers but because 32-bit and 64-bit editions both required radically different drivers, Vista x64 just wasn’t a priority. Coming up on two years later, 32-bit Vista’s issues seem to have calmed down, but what about Vista x64? Well according to Microsoft, usage of the niche OS is on the rise, but is it finally ready for prime time?

Click the jump to learn all about Vista 64 and what you need to know before you consider switching.

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9

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vista, windows, operating system, Software, games for windows, SP1, 64-bit, performance

Posted 07/22/08 at 12:50:07 PM by Norman Chan

Remember that old economics lesson about supply and demand? If demand for a product rises, the company producing it can raise the price to the point where the supply and demand curves intersect. But when the demand for a product is almost non-existent, the invisible hand of economics demands that price falls. In the case of Microsoft’s Games for Windows LIVE initiative, the price has now fallen to zero. Microsoft just announced today that Games for Windows LIVE will be free for all users (both Silver and Gold accounts), which is the price it should’ve been at all along. Gamertags, buddy lists, and achievements will be enabled on all accounts without an annual fee, though gamers who play on Xbox LIVE will still have to pay for that service.

Check back later today for our interview with Kevin Unangst, Senior Global Director of Games for Windows, who will reveal what other plans Microsoft has next for the GFW program. Click through the jumpf for Microsoft's official press release.

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10

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gaming, windows, microsoft, games for windows, pc games, games for windows live, gamertag

Posted 06/26/08 at 07:45:02 PM by Norman Chan

On our leanest podcast ever, Tom, Will, Norm, and Andy put on their best suits to go over the fancy features of the new Maximum PC website. Norm recaps his visit to a recent Games for Windows press event, and shares details about the upcoming Ghostbusters and Call of Duty: World at War PC games. No listener Q&A this week, but listeners are challenged to come up with nicknames for our two new interns. A photo of these young nerdlings can be found after the jump. All this and more on this week's No BS Podcast!

Subscribe: http://feeds.feedburner.com/maximumpc/1337

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games for windows, No BS Podcast, website, call of duty, ghostbusters

Posted 02/26/08 at 11:48:03 AM by David Murphy

As long as they ignore the best ways to go after the consoles, the newest industry-wide consortium will never bridge the gap between PC gaming and the home platforms. But we have solutions!

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gaming, games for windows, gamer

Posted 02/07/08 at 10:37:20 PM by Will Smith

Will Smith says: The turn-based 4X genre is dead! Long live the real-time 4X game!

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2

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gaming, game, news, games for windows, sins of a solar empire, 4X, master of orion, turn-based, editor blogs

Posted 01/24/08 at 06:57:34 PM by Will Smith

Games for Windows Live is an embarassment, it's time for Microsoft to embrace the community platform on the PC that works: Steam

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9

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windows, Software, news, xbox, games for windows, Valve, xbox live, Steam, orange box, gfw

Posted 11/16/07 at 12:54:34 PM by Norman Chan

As devoted PC gamers, we’re usually not very prone to console envy, but there are a few reasons to be jealous of our closed-platform counterparts. Chief among them are the exclusives games that Microsoft and Sony hook up with their fanboys. Gears of War made its debut a year ago to widespread acclaim, and we finally have the PC version of Epic’s gritty masterpiece. Five exclusive new single-player levels, new multiplayer maps, and high resolution visuals help the game stand the test of time and make the PC port the definitive version.

Click Read More for more.

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5

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gaming, windows, Software, Review, games for windows, console port, gears of war, gow, unreal engine 3, unreal engine three

Posted 10/24/07 at 03:55:16 PM by Will Smith

DirectX 10 games are finally here, and they're all that we've been waiting for. Plus: An interview with Crysis' Cevat Yerli!

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3

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Software, games for windows, Crysis, Direct X 10, Assassin's Creed, features