Skip to main content

Latest by M. Smith

intel command center graphics gdc 2019 intelcommandcenter3

Intel Command Center lays foundation for next year’s ‘Arctic Sound’ GPU

Intel revealed its new Command Center driver software at GDC 2019. The updated interface will control current Intel integrated graphics, but it also lays the groundwork for next year's Intel video card. New features include one-click optimization and a completely revised interface.
Dell XPS 13 2019 review (9380)

The best laptops to buy right now

Choosing a new laptop is a big decision, considering how much they usually cost. However, you have all sorts of great options, whether you hunting for a Windows PC, MacBook, or Chromebook. Here are our picks for the best laptops in every category from gaming to budget to Chromebooks -- and beyond.
Henry Cavill as Geralt in season 1 of The Witcher.

Backlog: The Witcher is a great show, but The Witcher 3 is still better

After binging 'The Witcher' on Netflix, I turned back to 2015's 'The Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt' to get my Geralt fix. Playing it on Nintendo's Switch, I was pleased to find the game is a true classic. In fact, the Netflix show still has a lot to live up ot.
LG CX-Series OLED

So actually, PC gamers should just buy TVs now

CES 2020 brought a pair of 48-inch OLED displays, one of which even has G-Sync support. These televisions easily beat the image quality of gaming monitors, even those that cost several thousand dollars. Maybe PC gamers should just buy televisions now?
Pimax 8K X VR headset

Pimax 8K X hands-on review: Long-awaited 8K VR headset is here, and it’s awesome

The Pimax 8K X VR headset is the end of a long journey for Pimax, which launched a Kickstarter to fund the headset back in 2017. It failed to meet its initial shipping date of January 2018, but it didn't back down. Our Pimax 8K X hands-on finds it was worth the wait.
intels ces keynote demonstrates a forward thinking attitude intel perspective 5

Intel shows a bit of everything at CES 2015, and it actually works

Intel casts a wide net in its CES 2015 keynote presentation, focusing less on computers and more on up-and-coming technologies that ought to keep the company relevant well into the future.
sony playstation 5 ces 2020 announcement 01 06  3

Sony’s PS5 logo is exactly like all the other PlayStations

Sony surprised the gaming world by making a PlayStation 5 announcement at CES 2020, sharing the first look at the PlayStation 5 logo. It's exactly what you would expect. The logo looks similar to the PS4 logo. Sony has kept its PlayStation branding extremely consistent across generations
ces 2014 overview long exposure

5 PC trends we noticed at CES 2014

While CES 2014 didn;t focus on computing, it's still important to the PC industry. Here's five trends that will determine the path of PCs for the next year.
origin reveals new millennium genesis modular case originpc ces2014 1

Origin reveals new Millennium and Genesis with modular case

Origin's new PC case, shipping with its Millennium and Genesis desktops, features a modular internal layout and expansion for up to 19 hard drives.
Lenovo Miix laptop screen

Hands on: Lenovo Miix

The affordable Lenovo Miix is a powerful convertible with a keyboard dock that harnesses the magic of magnets. Is this the Windows tablet to buy?
needs gestures tobiis eye tracking sensor returns ces tobii 2014 1

Who needs gestures? Tobii’s eye-tracking sensor returns to CES

Tobii has announced a partnership with SteelSeries to release its eye-tracking sensor this summer and has also slashed the price of its dev kit to $195.
Asus ROG Swift PG32UQX.

Go home, gaming monitors. You’re drunk

CES 2020 has raised the bar on gaming monitor quality. And that's awesome. Except for one small problem: They're way too expensive. CES 2020's gaming monitors have been a parade of ridiculously high-end screens that most gamers of average means can't hope to ever afford.
expect computing ces 2014 preview steambox

What to expect from Intel, Microsoft, Valve and other PC players at CES 2014

PCs aren't most talked-about topic at CES, but there are a few companies that could make waves in computing at this year's show. Here's what to expect.
new lenovo ones monitors arrive ces thinkvisionsmart28

New Lenovo all-in-ones and monitors arrive at CES 2014

Lenovo has introduced new all-in-ones including the N308, which runs Android, and the Horizon II, a 27-inch all-in-one that includes an internal battery.
lenovo sends swarm new convertibles laptops ces 2014 lenovomiixheader

Lenovo sends a swarm of new convertibles and laptops to CES 2014

Lenovo has unleashed new and revised products at CES 2014, including a new 10" tablet PC that starts at just $499.
intel nuc 9 extreme kit compute element 6

Intel’s latest NUC is an ambitious attempt to make PC upgrades modular

Intel's NUC 9 Extreme Kit and NUC Compute Element are the company's most ambitious NUCs yet. They not only introduce excellent performance, but also embrace modular design that could change how PCs are built.

5 cool computing devices from CES 2013 that you can actually buy

CES 2013 has come and gone, and many new PCs have been hyped – including some that won't be out for months. We take a look at the best of what you can actually buy.

Intel’s Goliath dominates David at CES

Don't let Intel's comparatively quiet CES fool you, it was still one of the biggest winners of the show.
microsoft surface book 2 review 15 inch 310

Microsoft Surface Book 2 15-inch review

Our Microsoft Surface Book 2 review examines the newer, larger, more powerful 15-inch model. The price will make you want to cry. Is it worth the pain?
halo reach better than destiny thumbnail

The sheer fun of Halo: Reach is a stark reminder of Destiny’s failures

Halo: Reach was Bungie's last effort in the franchise it created, and it went out on a high note. Nine years after release, Reach is still one of the best first-person shooters ever made, and it magnifies the major flaws Bungie's new franchise, Destiny, never fixed.
asus zenbook 13 ux333fa

Asus ZenBook 13 UX333FA review: All you need

Long on battery life and short on price, the Asus ZenBook 13 UX333FA is another affordable entry that tries to unset better known rivals, such as Dell’s XPS 13 and Apple’s MacBook Air. Though not without quirks, our ZenBook 13 review finds it to be an excellent value, and possibly the only laptop you’d ever need.
how to connect bluetooth headphones nintendo switch lite review compact

Poll: 4 of the 5 most wanted holiday games are Nintendo Switch exclusives

The Nintendo Switch is dominating the 2019 holiday season. As some shoppers wait for next-generation consoles from Microsoft and Sony in the latter part of 2020, more are considering a Switch purchase, and the company's games are by far the most desirable this holiday season.
Xbox One

Xbox’s Project Scarlett console is awesome, and it doesn’t matter

Microsoft has set a release date for Project Scarlett, its next-generation game console. It promises incredible performance, stunning 8K visuals, and lightning-quick load times -- but none of that matters. The console's relevance is waning.
e3 2019 call of duty mobile preview callfodutymobile

Call of Duty: Mobile is the best shooter I’ve played on a smartphone

Call of Duty: Mobile attempts to put the franchise's tight gameplay in the palm of your hand. It's largely successful, thanks to precise controls and attractive graphics. Call of Duty: Mobile will please fans, but probably won't win new converts. It arrives on iOS and Android later this year.
google stadia bandwidth data use plan rs 6

Hide your data plan! Google’s Stadia sucks down over 10 gigabytes every hour

Google Stadia lets you play Destiny 2 on your smartphone, but that doesn't mean you'll be walking around town with Cayde-6 in your pocket (and not just because the character's dead). Stadia's high data usage of 10.2 gigabytes every hour is the enemy of data plans everywhere.
gazelle ultimate t10 electric bike review 5

Gazelle Ultimate T10 review: The best commuter ebike

Gazelle's Ultimate T10 is a practical commuting bike, yet it ups the ante with excellent design that races ahead of its boring competitors. Read our Gazelle Ultimate T10 electric bike review to decide if this is the commuter ebike for you.
Former Blizzard president J. Allen Brack at Blizzcon.

Blizzcon 2019: Blizzard’s president opens ceremonies with Hong Kong apology

Blizzard President J. Allen Brack opened the ceremonies at Blizzcon 2019 with an apology for the company's recent actions, which censored the protests of Hong Kong supporters.
specialized turbo como 4 review 15

Specialized Turbo Como 4.0 Review: Comfortably quick

Specialized's Turbo Como 4.0 is a quick and comfortable ride that's perfect for your commute. It's more agile, and much faster, than you'd expect a commuter bike to be. It lacks the tech wizardry you might want from an ebike, but Specialized's 45 years of experience building bikes is obvious here.
BenQ EX3200R logo

The best HDR monitors

HDR might not be supported by that many monitors yet, but the list is growing and more and more of them have a collection of great features. Whether you're looking for something more aimed at photo editing or want your next game to look as pretty as possible, these are the best HDR monitors you can buy.
leaked playstation 5 design real sony leaks insider confirms

The PlayStation 5 will cut your load times and open your wallet

Sony's announcement of PlayStation 5 details was mostly routine, but there was an unexpected nugget of news. The PlayStation 5's dashboard will let players load directly into game activities, and even see rewards before they play. That could completely change game design.
swagtron eb12 review 1

Swagtron EB12 electric bike review: The bare necessities

Can you buy a good electric bike for $1,000? If you'd asked in 2017, the answer would've been no, but bikes like the Swagtron EB12 have pushed entry-level ebikes to new heights. Swagtron's bike isn't without sacrifices, but most of what's cut won't be missed.
wow battle chest

Classic remaster will be free with ‘World of Warcraft’ subscription

World of Warcraft fans were wondering how much the Classic remaster would cost. Now, they have their answer. Classic will be available as part of a standard subscription and won't be sold alone. That makes World of Warcraft Classic a great value for Warcraft fans.
Acer TravelMate P6 front 2

Acer TravelMate TMP645-MG-9419 Review

Acer's newest addition to the TravelMate lineup really an alternative to a ThinkPad T-Series or MacBook Pro?
world of warcraft classic impressions wowclassic

World of Warcraft Classic Impressions

'World of Warcraft Classic' is a recreation of the popular MMO's original release. It's faithful to the source material and will certainly give you a serious nostalgia trip, but it has the same warts as the original. Count on it as a distraction, not as a revelation.
pedego city commuter lite edition review hero

Pedego City Commuter Lite Edition Review

Want an electric bike, but don’t want to pedal (much)? Pedego’s City Commuter Lite Edition might be the ebike you’ve been waiting for. It lacks pedal assist, but can hit 20 miles per hour on a flat, and you can buy it for less than $2,000. Read our full electric bike review.
worldofwarcraft 7

Here is our ‘World of Warcraft: Battle for Azeroth’ leveling guide

This 'World of Warcraft: Battle for Azeroth' leveling guide will help you quickly rise from level to the new expansion's maximum of 120. While those who buy the expansion earn a free boost, this leveling guide can help new players who have the expansion or just want to level an alternate character.
sony-vaio-s-series-display

Sony Vaio S Series Review

The Sony Vaio S Series boasts a lightweight design, plenty of solid metal, and benefits from Sony’s signature eye for style.
HP-Pavilion-g6-front-display

HP Pavilion g6 Review

The HP Pavilion g6 brings adequate power and a surprisingly high-quality feel to the table for its paltry price tag.