The price of computer repair
Saturday, December 23, 2006
Yea just went to my dad's friends place to fix their computer and it was amazing to see what kind of computer they got and how much they paid to get it fixed. They paid $225 for a 15gb HD, an illegal non-sp2 copy of Windows Professional, and another 128mb of SDRAM. Pretty dam amazing, I could get both pieces of hardware for 50$ and the software for free. Dam repairmen, always overcharging.
Yea I didn't get to update the template yet, I got caught on the forums then went to Wal-Mart, which is always a hassle on the holidays.
I'll try to post more when I get home, but until then post your thoughts on repairmen, are they on point or they too expensive?
-Steve
Posted bySteve at 6:05 PM 0 comments
Helpful article for gamers with widescreen displays
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
If you've read my blog you'll have seen that I have a Dell 2005fpw 20.1" Widescreen LCD to go with my 6800GT. This may be dandy for you but many games, particularly older games, don't scale very well with widescreen resolutions or get stuck at a fixed ratio. The article from WidescreenGamer.com article shows you some of the options you have to make games look better or fill up more of the screen without looking too fuzzy or pixelated. They use both drivers and the options on the monitor itself
Btw I know the game they're using, Half-Life 2, has native Widescreen options in their settings (I play at 1680x1050 with 4x AA, 8x AF and love it) but they're using it as an example.
Let me know what you think,
-Steve
Posted bySteve at 9:20 AM 0 comments
Labels: Hardware, Video Games
Speculation on PS4
Saturday, December 02, 2006
PS3 is barely out in stores and already people are calling for the downfall of the PS4 for Sony. Most people know that the pioneer of the PS3, Ken Kutaragi, was removed as president from Sony's head of entertainment, which is basically the head of Playstation, and replaced by Kaz Hirai, the head of the US division. What this analyst shows is that Microsoft can afford to sell an Xbox360 for 50$ and make the same amount of loss as a PS3, which is pretty interesting, and unless Sony start's really smoothing relationships with publishers they're going to become like Sega, a software company.
Pretty strong claims from the article at BoomTown HERE. What do you think? Can the PS3 survive and flourish enough for a PS4? Time will tell I guess but I don't think a PS4 can take such losses like this again.
More later,
-Steve
Posted bySteve at 1:34 PM 1 comments
Labels: Hardware, Sony, Video Games
Wii-looking PC from Shuttle
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Most people know Shuttle for their Media PC's or Small Form Factor (SFF) PC's, but now I think they're going to know be known as the Wii-copying PC makers. They just released a PC that's a dead giveaway for a black Nintendo Wii.
I don't know about you but I think it looks WAY too similar. The news is from Digital Battle via Digg so check it out and post your thoughts. Is it imitation through flatery or just a shameless knock-off?
-Steve
Posted bySteve at 1:54 PM 0 comments
PS3 Hacked already, lol
Sunday, November 26, 2006
Yep just read over the Kotaku.com (great video game news site, on par with Joystick.com) that they've managed to rip a copy of Madden '07 using the onboard linux that you can use on the PS3. I think it's only a matter of days, not weeks, before we can execute backups since they say the structure is like the PSP and we all know about the PSP hacks that are out there, lol. (If you don't type PSP Homebrew in google)
The full article is here on Kotaku, the same site (the one Kotaku links has links on how to install a 750gb HD and other things) so visit them HERE and learn how to hack your PS3 before you manage to get one in febuary, lol.
-Steve
Posted bySteve at 2:36 PM 0 comments
Labels: Hardware, Sony, Video Games
Up to take information on next generation Console Sales
Thought you guys might like this site where they show an update sales figure for each next generation console. Pretty interesting looking at the numbers, with only 300,000 total PS3's sold, well short of their 400,000 stated initial goal. As well I thought they're would be more Wii's out there, but it's still a LOT more than the PS3's.
As you can see the Xbox360 still has a comfortable lead on both consoles but we'll see what happens once production for the 2 other consoles start picking up.
My predictions are Nintendo 1, Microsft 2 and Sony 3 with each having 40/30/30 market share. We'll see in a year if I'm right.
Alright, here's the link to http://nexgenwars.com/.
Enjoy!
-Steve
Posted bySteve at 1:05 PM 0 comments
Labels: Hardware, Microsoft, Nintendo, Sony, Video Games
Good news, Cell Phone Unlocking Legal for 3 years
Saturday, November 25, 2006
This is some great news for people on GSM networks or nicer CDMA (they're tougher on allowing phones on their network) network users who have a phone they want to use with multiple carriers. The US is making it legal to unlock your headsets, so no more internet searching or Craigslist for people to do this for you. It's great for me since I have an international Quad-Band phone (W810i) and I use it in the US and in Canada at times as well. This may not apply to people but having an unlocked cell phone can come in handy, so this is definitely great news.
Here's the story on ArsTechnica HERE if you want to know the details.
Enjoy!
-Steve
Posted bySteve at 2:06 PM 0 comments
Labels: Cell Phones, Hardware
MacOS X86 Leopard Cracked
Sunday, November 19, 2006
It's funny now that Apple's gone Intel it seems all their operating systems can be cracked just like WindowsXP and Windows Vista can be cracked as well. This is via Digg so since the original webpage got the Digg Effect duggmirror has been hosting it. Too bad there's not much more info, it would be nice to setup another partition and run OSX for fun, lol. I like XP but OSX would seem fun, which one you guys prefer yourself?
Alright here's the link HERE and post your thoughts?
Posted bySteve at 12:00 PM 0 comments
Labels: Apple, Hardware, Intel
Variety Proclaims the death of VHS
Thursday, November 16, 2006
As if VHS wasn't dead already, we need Variety for confirmation. Anyways the good old magazine published an obituary for the old format. It's pretty funny and has some good tidbits in there, like how VHS had its troubles in infancy with Betamax, and how the Lion King sold over 30 million tapes, which is pretty impressive.
Anyways reminisce with the article at Variety HERE and post your thoughts or memories of VHS.
-Steve
Posted bySteve at 9:27 PM 0 comments
Labels: Electronics, Hardware
Weird but cool USB accesories
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
I've never visited Noheat.com before but apparantly they made the front page on Digg.com with their weird but cool USB accessories. It's a pretty funny list, with everything you could think of in it. There's things from USB Ashtrays that have an included program that'll warn you when you'll die from cancer to USB Lava lamps, who doesn't want one of those, lol.
I don't wanna steal his images/text so I'm going to link you to the site HERE and let you decide if it's just weird or cool at the same time.
-Steve
Posted bySteve at 10:12 PM 1 comments
Labels: Hardware, Internet, Random
Wii Not DVD enabled?
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Seems the news about video games is pretty crazy. I guess the Wii is not DVD-enabled by default, meaning your $250 purchase can't play your nice DVD collection that you've accumulated over the years. I know the Gamecube couldn't do that but it didn't have DVD drive nor was it aimed at that segement. The Wii has an online web browser in the pipes as well so I'm surprised at this but maybe it's just me.
I guess Nintendo has always had this stance of being for the games first but do you think that lacking DVD-playing capabilities is something that would turn you off? A dvd player is so cheap it doesn't seem right for the Wii to lack this feature. I guess we're just going to have to wait for 2007 when the Wii will be DVD enabled. So there's maybe some hope for you early adopters, but I just wonder why it's not enabled by default, since someone pointed out to me on the Engadget forums they have to have a red laser to read Gamecube games.
Anyways here's the link from Engadget.com so go read it and post some comments. I swear it's my last video game article for the night, lol.
-Steve
Posted bySteve at 11:30 PM 0 comments
Labels: Hardware, Nintendo, Video Games
It's crazy the lengths people will go to for some things...
Sticking with the video game theme for tonight I was just reading on TGdaily about the people who've been lined up for a PS3 since LAST WEEK. Yep that's right, last week. Kind of a crazy if you ask me but then again some people are VERY addicted to their video games or electronics (yes I know I am in SOME aspects). Well those guys in Burbank California were kicked off the Best Buy property. Makes sense since it's pretty nuts to line up for a week before the launch, it's only a gaming system guys (then again I'm biased since I sold my PS2 and think PS3 is overrated for now).
Anyways you can read the article at TGdaily.com HERE and read more on how these guys quit their jobs and postponed engadgements to be the first ones in line. Nuts I tell yea.
Anyways more later,
-Steve
Posted bySteve at 11:10 PM 0 comments
Labels: Hardware, Sony, Video Games
Custom engraved USB drive from PexagonTech.com
Monday, November 13, 2006
I've had a couple of ugly flash drives and the labels on them pretty much suck. However, I've found a pretty nifty gift idea that I might just get for myself. (I just lost my 2nd flash drive on the weekend, not too happy). PexagonTech has a really nice line of personal engraved USB thumb drives out there that could be that special small gift for the tech oriented member of your family (like yours truly).
Their USB flash drives come in 512MB, 1GB, 2GB or 4GB sizes and in your choice of 5 exciting colors. That's pretty awesome. I saw these before and I was pretty impressed on how they look.
Check out this picture below, wouldn't it look nice on a Christmas tree (I'd take it for myself if I saw one, lol)
They're having some online specials right now that make the prices pretty interesting. A 1GB Thumb Drive (any color) is going for $20.99 with FREE laser engraving & 2GB Thumb Drive (any color) for $38.99 with FREE laser engraving. Not too price of a price/capacity ratio especially with laser engraving.
Check them out and get me a 2gb drive 2!
-Steve
Posted bySteve at 9:00 PM 1 comments
Labels: Electronics, Hardware
Anyone need any Dell Coupons or Deals?
I know whenever someone asks me what laptop should I get I usually point them to the place with the largest selection and a good price/performance/quality ratio and that usually ends up being Dell. Dell deals are awesome, and Cheapstingybargains.com has a great Dell coupon page that's updated hourly and has great buying instructions for those first time buyers over the web. Any Dell Coupon that you can find is money in the bank and if I needed a new laptop (I need a new job first, lol) I'd definetly take a look since you can't go wrong with free coupon codes.
Enjoy the codes,
-Steve
Posted bySteve at 8:43 PM 0 comments
Labels: Dell, Hardware, Laptops, Saving Money
Unpacking the PS3 and Wii
Friday, November 10, 2006
Since about every news site has this URL linked too and since these 2 systems are coming out next week I might as well share them as well. Gizmodo has the Wii and PS3 final unpackaging, I might say the PS3 box looks nice, but the thing is a brick in size. The Wii has plain packaging but it's so small that it don't really matter.
For me the killer is this pic
Which one you want after that? lol
Here's the link to the original artice HERE
Enjoy and post your thoughts
-Steve
Posted bySteve at 6:06 PM 0 comments
Labels: Hardware, Microsoft, Sony, Video Games
Long Day, all way and no play
Thursday, November 09, 2006
Taking a timeout at the library to write some blog posts, it's pretty quiet so I can do what I wish. I don't have track this week so I'm not as tired, however I've been doing extra hours for Athletic Training so I can get some extra cash. I miss running/lifting weights but I'll get back into it 2morrow.
In the news yesterday were the release from NDA of the Geforce 8800GTX reviews and the nVidia 680i SLi motherboard chipset reviews. Those 2 seem to be forming a potent combo, it'll be nice to see what the guys in Red come up with to counteract it. I'm not doing anything upgrade wise for a bit, since I need to save up my pennies, but it's always nice to see this level of performance, especially since my 2005fpw needs a good GFX card to drive it at 1680x1050.
Anyone here going to get some new hardware? what you looking at? the latest and greatest or a nice X1900XT 256mb that's around 200$? Post your thoughts
-Steve
Posted bySteve at 8:58 AM 0 comments
Free Stuff Part 22 - Free 250gb Hard Drive with the purchase of a 500gb one
Sunday, November 05, 2006
I saw this on The Tech Report and I thought I'd post it up here since it's such a good deal. Newegg.com has a deal where if you buy a Seagate 500gb SATA2 Hard Drive (it's the 7200.10 series, 7200rpm, 16mb cache and perpendicular recording) you'll get a free Seagate 250gb SATA2 Hard Drive (7200.9 series, 7200rpm, 8mb cache). That's amazing for 230$ you'll get 750Gb of space. I have 200gb of space and don't even use it all. This would be good for those movie editors or music junkies, I just don't see the need for a couple of HD's at the moment, but you never know in the future, lol.
Check out the Newegg link Here and get yourself some nice Hard Drives.
-Steve
Posted bySteve at 6:04 PM 0 comments
Labels: Hardware, Saving Money
Need laptop repair parts?
Thursday, November 02, 2006
I fix computers/laptops on a part-time basis around LIU and at home whenever I'm there, since I'm good at that kind of thing and I find it a pastime away from sports and Athletic training. Fixing a desktop has always been easier than a laptop, parts are always available and swappable. Whereas if something goes wrong with the hardware on a laptop you don't have much choice but to send it back to the company. I've hated that and wondered where I could get specialized parts online. Well PowerJacksOnline seems to have fixed one major problem, the DC jack on a laptop that can get damaged and there's no real replacements. You can get a new cord but you couldn't find a jack for the laptop. They got pretty much any Laptop DC Jacks that you would need, so you wouldn't have to send it back to the manufacturer, saving time and money. I'm sure this could've saved much time and money for technicians like me who have to do all this manually for our customers. Check them out if you got that kind of problem, can save your laptop especially if its out of warranty.
Thanks,
-Steve
Posted bySteve at 10:17 PM 0 comments
Can't get a Wii or a PS3? Get a gyroscopic controller for your PS2/PC
I know there's been a lot of talk and buzz about the Wii's controller that's motion sensing and the PS3 SIXAXIS (forget the exact acronym) controller where they have some tilt-action gaming going on. Well PS2 and Pc owners can finally rejoice, there's some motion sensing controllers out there for them too. The controller is called the G-Pad Pro, and after seeing it, I think anyone looking for a Playstation controller or gamepad should take a lot. It's got a gyrpscopic sensor inside the controller so you can use the controller to move left/right/up/down just by turning it in those directions. There's no software or drivers needed. Pretty cool idea if you ask me, bring some of that next-gen goodness to other systems. It's also got macros for those long button keypresses, which is a great thing to have in those games where you're forced to hit a button repeatedly for no reason or enter a complex key sequence. They've even got a couple of YouTube videos showing off the controller HERE and someone playing GT4 with the controller HERE. Take a look its not that bad. I'd recommend anyone still with a ps2 looking for a gift or a new controller to take a look. Check out the G-Pad Pro product page here.
Here's a picture of the 2 controllers btw, they don't look that bad either.
Thanks,
-Steve
Posted bySteve at 11:06 AM 0 comments
Labels: Hardware, Sony, Video Games
Stuck at work...Quad-Core Discussion
Yep so it's one of my long Thursdays at the library so I'm just surfing tech sites and reading reviews of the new Intel Quad-Core "Kentsfield" where there's 20 reviews on the same pre-release stuff. Oh yea my buddy Chris came by, he's another tech guy, loves buying new gadgets and he's a really nice guy too. Works on the 5th floor of the LLC building (I'm on the 3rd floor.) We were talking about do we really need a Quad-Core system? After 2 cores is there really going to be a need for 4, 8, etc. Are our CPU's that seem to be fine doing single-threaded or multi-threaded apps going to substancially be better with the huge increase in numbers of cores per CPU. I've been holding off buying a multi-core system until the apps have really supported it. He has a brand new Core 2 Duo laptop and he loves it, so we're on both sides of the fence. I'll wait for AMD's response to Kentsfield to see what's up, and I need to save money anyways so it gives me another excuses.
Alright back to work, more later
-Steve
Posted bySteve at 10:03 AM 0 comments
Labels: AMD, Hardware, Intel, LIU
