Posted 11/03/2009 at 07:37:51pm

AMD has the right attitude: "worrying less about “cute” and more about what you want your portable to do."  No one should EVER buy a computing device because its "hot", "hip", "in", "cute", etc... but plenty do & plenty are disappointed later...

Posted 10/24/2009 at 11:16:01am

It's very simple.

1> with computer unplugged, install your new hard drive

2> plug in computer, turn on computer, insert Windows 7 CD into CD/DVD drive

3> follow the prompts, when asked, provide your proof of upgrade eligibility

4> finish Windows 7 install, & install drivers then programs as needed

5> enjoy your new Windows 7 installation

Posted 10/15/2009 at 06:18:36pm

Yep... I'm disapointed in Maximum PC for even posting this crap...

Posted 10/15/2009 at 06:17:19pm

Nice rant... now take the blinders off, go find your brain, & actually use Windows 7 before you decide to rant about something you obviously haven't used...

Don't just read a statement from Iolo (a company in the business of selling software to "speed up your computer") claiming slower boot times without any hard data posted to back up their claim then "go on the warpath".   If this is the way you do things, I feel sorry for anyone who takes your advice at "Yahoo Answers".   Fact is there are thousands of unbiased users who are actually using Windows 7 BETA or Windows 7 RC1 who have found Windows 7 to boot faster than Vista & XP on the same PC. 

Don't get me wrong, I think Windows is in desperate need of a complete start over, with fresh talent & no oversite from anyone who had anything to do with current or previous versions.  Computer technologies have grown by leaps & bounds in the past few years, yet our OS's (incuding Ubuntu & all it's Linux based bretheren) remain deeply rooted in the technology of the past.  Until we get a fresh look at things with an OS that's not backward compatible with generations old technologies, Windows will remain the OS of default for the majority of the computing public.  Between Vista & Win 7, Win 7 is as much of an improvement over Vista as XP was over Windows 98

Posted 10/13/2009 at 07:35:36pm

"Iolo plans to release more details on its findings and methodology next week"  - ROFLMAO.   Blanket statements like this one from Iolo are just crap.  How many different PC configurations did they test???  1, 3, 10???   PC configuration (actual components used to build the PC), can have a dramatic difference in OS start-up time.  Little things like BIOS type, BIOS version, add-in cards, integrated components can all have a dramatic effect on boot time, different OS's will handle those differences in different ways leading to differences in boot times.  So unless, Iolo ran their tests on several thousand different PC & notebook configurations, their data is nothing more than an extremely generalized statement which may or may not be reflected in the real world.

Coupled with the fact that Iolo is in the business of selling "PC Tune-up" software, it makes their findings at least a little biased...  if Win 7 booted faster, why would you need to buy their software...

BTW... I've seen Vista machines take as much as 8 minutes to boot to the point that the desktop is fully rendered.

Posted 10/13/2009 at 06:39:47pm

Maximum PC is a computer related site/mag...   If you want a review of the cameras photography features, go to any of the many photography related review sites. i.e. http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos500d/  among many others...

I just wish Canon hadn't droped Compact Flash support from the Rebel line :(  I can't afford a new EOS 50D & while the T1i could replace both my EOS 20D & my JVC Everio Camcorder, which are both having major problems... my 64GB of Extreme III Compact Flash cards (four 8GB & two 16GB cards which both the 20D & Everio use) would be useless with the T1i, & I would loose out big-time trying to sell my used cards to get new SDHC cards.

Posted 10/06/2009 at 08:02:41pm

Oh sure, just give them ideas why don't you...

Posted 10/06/2009 at 08:00:20pm

Yea... it'll lower the cost of games the same exact way that the switch to the mini-box reduced the cost of games thanks to the reduction in packaging costs... oh wait... they lied to us about that too...

Posted 10/04/2009 at 07:12:23am

According to the Pioneer website the BDR-2203 consists of a BDR-203 drive + software bundle. http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Shop/DVD-Burners/Blu-ray+Drives/BDR-2203

Direct Quote from above link:

BDR-2203 bundle includes:

• • Pioneer BDR-203 writer
    ($209 suggested price)
  • 
    
  • Cyberlink software suite
    ($150 + value)
  • 
    
  • Installation manual

Posted 09/07/2009 at 09:41:52pm

Mine (Harmony 880 Litium-Ion battery) is going strong after 4 years & would cost $30 to replace when it does fail.  I like the fact that I don't have to worry about changing batteries, but the included battery life isn't all that good, I have to recharge the remote about once a month, & that's with extremely light usage.