Insync Releases 1.0 RC for Linux

Subject: General Tech | May 29, 2013 - 03:19 PM | Tim Verry
Tagged: insync, google drive, cloud storage, linux

Insyc has released a new release candidate for its Google Drive companion software that adds a few new features and bug fixes to the Linux client.

According to Insync, the 1.0 RC implements an improved syncing core build from scratch. It also allows users to selectively sync files and folders between local storage and their Google Drive cloud storage. It is no longer all or nothing, and you can choose to only store what you need locally rather than the entire document archive now. The release candidate software also allows customized account folders that can be renamed and moved to other locations on the drive. Symlink support, headless installs, and a CLI (command line interface) client are also included in the Insync 1.0 RC.

Insync has also made changes to the management user interface to make configuring the syncing options easier. Finally, Insync has also coded in a notification function that will notify users of changes to files on Google Drive which will be handy for collaborative documents and spreadsheets.

Insync has put together Debian packages for OSes like Ubuntu (Nautilus) and Mint (Cinnamon, MATE, Xfce desktop environments). Additionally, support for KDE and RPM packages is “coming soon.” You can grab the new beta 1.0 RC client here.

Caution, this headset might blow your head off

Subject: General Tech | May 29, 2013 - 02:57 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
Tagged: Tunguska 2.0, Attitude 1, gaming headset, audio

Attitude's latest headset is named after a certain explosive event in a remote location in Russia, but in theory this does not imply danger to your skull while wearing them.  R&B Mods tried out these brightly coloured headsets, with 40mm drivers and a respectable 20-20kHz frequency range and found them to be quite functional if perhaps not made of the best materials they've seen on gaming headsets.  If comfort and audio performance is more important to you than the construction these headsets make a decent choice, though you will have to wait a while if you want the USB model.

"Today we take a look at something brand new, I have never tested anything from Attitude one but today is the day! We are going to review several of their products but the first thing we are going to test is their Tunguska 2.0 gaming headset. This headset seems to be fairly lightweight and have some cool colors and also a braided cable….lets get on with the review."

Here is some more Tech News from around the web:

Audio Corner

• Gigabyte FLY Headphones @ techPowerUp
• Gigabyte Fly Headphones @ eTeknix
• Antec Mobile Products A.M.P. dBs Headphone @ eTeknix
• Wavemaster Dakota Headphones @ eTeknix
• Mad Catz F.R.E.Q. 5 Gaming Headset Review @ Madshrimps
• ASUS ROG Orion Pro Gaming Headset Review @ OCC
• Sunrise Charm3 & Dragon2 Ear buds @ techPowerUp
• Deep Cool M6 2.1 Speaker System ad Laptop Cool Review @ Pro-Clockers
• ASUS Xonar DGX and Xonar DSX Audio Cards Reviews @ Legit Reviews

GPU beatdown, Metro Last Light edition

Subject: General Tech | May 29, 2013 - 02:47 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
Tagged: gaming, metro last light

Metro 2033 quickly gained a reputation as a game which can take everything a modern GPU could throw at it and still want more.  Now we have not only a new generation of Metro but also some new hardware to test it with, namely the TITAN and the GTX 780 which are now in [H]ard|OCP's test bed.  They tried out the new game at 2560 x 1600 with high tessellation enabled and found the TITAN to be the overall winner thanks to its ability to support PhysX at these high settings, with the GTX 780 a very close second and perhaps a better choice for those not planning on using PhysX.  Their testing also backs up the developers statement that in order to enable SSAA you will need a second GPU.

"Today we look at 4A Games Metro: Last Light. Running the 4A Engine it supports modern DX11 effects including tessellation, and NVIDIA PhysX, providing realistic simulations of particles, water, cloth and fog. We'll evaluate this game using today's latest video cards including GTX TITAN and GTX 780, for a total of eight video cards."

Here is some more Tech News from around the web:

Gaming

• Metro: Last Light @ LanOC Reviews
• Metro: Last Light PC @ Tweaktown
• Metro: Last Light Performance, Benchmarked @ TechSpot
• Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon Review @ OCC
• Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon @ Tweaktown
• Defiance Review: Resistance is Not Futile @ Techgage
• Wot I Think: GRID 2 @ Rock, Paper, SHOTGUN
• Endless Space Now Even More Endless Than Before @ Rock, Paper, SHOTGUN

Beiber can be used for evil

Subject: General Tech | May 29, 2013 - 02:31 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
Tagged: cell phone, security, fud

If you are feeling safe and secure using your cellphone in public, some research out of the University of Alabama will shatter that confidence for you.  It seems that it is possible to use sound as a trigger to activate malware from a distance, even over low quality speakers.  You already know about Shazam and other apps you can use to identify songs simply by holding up your cellphone and have it successfully connect to a remote database to get the song data, even in a loud room.  This research shows that a previously infected phone could have dormant malware installed which can be remotely activated simply by music with a hidden message contained within it, inaudible to human ears.  Pair this with the known Autoconnect to Saved WiFi Profiles vulnerability and your phone could very easily start leaking information you would much rather keep private.   Follow the links from The Register to read the research paper and reactions to it.

"Security researchers have discovered that specific music, lighting, vibrations or magnetic fields could all be used as infection channels to trigger the activation of mobile malware on a massive scale.

The paper, titled Sensing-Enabled Channels for Hard-to-Detect Command and Control of Mobile Devices, was presented in the eastern Chinese city of Hangzhou earlier this month by researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB)."

Here is some more Tech News from around the web:

Tech Talk

• Nvidia's Geforce GTX 770 comes close to the Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition @ The Inquirer
• Intel nabs mobile GPS business of moribund ST-Ericsson @ The Register
• Apple reportedly to release 2 new iPhones in 3Q13 @ DigiTimes
• Mediatek releases quad-core 1.5GHz ARM Cortex A7 chip for tablets @ The Inquirer

ASUS Maximus VI Formula Supreme FX Evolution

Subject: Motherboards | May 29, 2013 - 02:08 PM | Morry Teitelman
Tagged: SupremeFX, Maximus VI Formula, Intel Z87, asus

Today, ASUS released a preview of the audio functionality to be designed into their upcoming Maximus VI Formula board. They are continuing in their evolution of the SupremeFX audio solution to deliver the best audio experience possible to the end user.

Courtesy of ASUS

Stay tuned for more information about the upcoming Intel Z87-based Maximus VI Formula motherboard and its slew of integrated features including the SupremeFX audio solution.

Alienware M17x r4 Core i7 Gaming Laptop w/ 2GB GeForce GTX 660M @ $1345

Subject: General Tech | May 29, 2013 - 02:04 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
Tagged: deals

A gaming laptop is not the least expensive way to get powerful performance but it is certainly the most mobile and perfect for LAN parties thanks it only needing a power cord.  The Alienware M17x is on special right now, a Core i7-3630QM, 6GB DDR3 and a GTX 660M will provide serious gaming power and the included SoundBlaster Recon3Di will ensure your audio is crisp and clean as well.

Alienware M17x r4 Core i7 Gaming Laptop w/ 2GB GeForce GTX 660M

1. Start here at Dell Home direct store
2. Configure as per needs (optional), click Review & Checkout button
3. Apply coupon code ?SWK4RL9BTX1MD in-cart and proceed to checkout

Now even your mouse can minimize your game window

Subject: Editorial, General Tech, Cases and Cooling | May 29, 2013 - 02:03 PM | Scott Michaud
Tagged: Windows key, mouse, microsoft, I Hate This Key

Has this ever happened to you while playing a shooter? You need to get to a position so you mash the alt key to sprint and... aw crap I hit the Windows key... well, now I am dead. Have you ever considered purchasing software or a gaming keyboard which allows you disable that button?

Have you ever considered purchasing a mouse which also has that button to give both hands something to fear?

Definitely not a member of their Sidewinder product line.

Okay, so I should be fair: the Microsoft Sculpt Comfort mouse is not designed for gaming and Windows 8-like user experiences revolve heavily around the start button. The mouse button is also more useful than a redundant Windows key; the blue pad also has swipe functionality for extra functions. According to how it is described on its product page, slide gestures are bound to respond to the computer as mouse buttons 4 and 5.

So you can probably bind them to game functions, if you feel daring.

But, in the end, I still need to congratulate Microsoft for trying to innovate computer hardware. This is more than just trying to graft touch functionality to a mouse surface, as both Apple and Microsoft have tried in the past, and tries to make the classical mouse experience better. I doubt it is for most of our audience, but not everything needs to be.

AMD Catalyst 13.6 Beta Drivers For Windows and Linux Now Available

Subject: Graphics Cards | May 28, 2013 - 11:32 PM | Tim Verry
Tagged: gpu, drivers, catalyst 13.6 beta, beta, amd

AMD has released its Catalyst 13.6 beta graphics driver, and it fixes a number of issues under both Windows 8 and Linux. The new beta driver is also compatible with the existing Catalyst 13.5 CAP1 (Catalyst Application Profile) which improves performance of several PC games.

As far as the Windows version of the graphics driver, Catalyst 13.6 adds OpenCL GPU acceleration support to Adobe's Premiere Pro CC software and enables AMD Wireless Display technology on systems with the company's A-Series APUs and either Broadcom or Atheros Wi-Fi chipsets. AMD has also made a couple of tweaks to its Enduro technology, including correctly identifying when a Metro app idles and offloading the corresponding GPU tasks to integrated graphics instead of a discrete card. The new beta driver also resolves an issue with audio dropout over HDMI.

On the Linux side of things, Catalyst 13.6 beta adds support for the following when using AMD's A10, A8, A6, and A4 APUs:

• Ubuntu 13.04
• Xserver 1.14
• GLX_EXT_buffer age

The driver fixes several bugs as well, including resolving black screen and corruption issues under TF2, an issue with OpenGL applications and VSYNC, and UVD playback issues where the taskbar would disappear and/or the system would experience a noticeable performance drop while playing a UVD in XBMC.

You can grab the new beta driver from the AMD website.

Dell UltraSharp U2713H 27" 2560 x 1440 IPS @ $850

Subject: General Tech | May 28, 2013 - 06:43 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
Tagged: deals

Whether you are looking for a professional level display with 99% Adobe colour gamut or a large 1440p display (sorry not quite 4k) to game on, at $850 the Dell UltraSharp U2713H 27" IPS display is a great deal.  The USB 3.0 connectors are a nice touch but they do add to the size of the bezel for those with enough lucre to consider running more than one of these displays.

Dell UltraSharp U2713H 27" 2560 x 1440 IPS-panel LCD Monitor (Flagship 2013 Model)
Dell Home is offering 27-inch UltraSharp U2713H 27" 2560 x 1440 IPS-panel, LED-backlit LCD Monitor for $849.99 with FREE shipping. Use $150 instant savings to get final price.

Cirrus7 Launches SFF Nimbus PC With Aluminum Fin Stack (Heatsink) Case

Subject: Systems | May 28, 2013 - 06:22 PM | Tim Verry
Tagged: SFF case, SFF, passive cooling, nimbus, heastink, fanless, cpu cooler, cirrus7

German PC manufacturer Cirrus7 has launched a new small form factor (SFF) PC called the Nimbus that uses slices of aluminum that do double duty as both a case and a passive CPU cooler (heatsink).

The Nimbus PC features an Intel DQ77KB motherboard and low-power Intel processor along with configurable DDR3 and mSATA storage options. The base model will come with 4GB of DDR3 and a 60GB mSATA SSD. CPU options include the Intel G1610T, G2020T, Core i3-3220T, i3-3470T, i5-3570T, and i7-3770T. From there you can add up to two 7mm 2.5” hard drives (or SSDs) and increase the amount of RAM (for a higher price, of course).

The Intel DQ77KB board supports vPro and KVM over IP on systems with the Core i5 or higher processor. It has the following external IO options:

• 4 x USB 3.0
• 4 x USB 2.0
• 2 x Intel Gigabit LAN
• 2 x Audio jacks (green jack is dual purpose, mini-TOSLink compatible)
• 1 x HDMI
• 1 x DisplayPort

The SFF PC comes preloaded with either Ubuntu 13.04, Ubuntu 12.04, or Windows 8 (depending on your choice at checkout).

Check out more photos of the Nimbus at FanlessTech.

In order to keep the hardware cool, Cirrus7 has opted for an all-aluminum enclosure that is built around and over the motherboard in a fin-spacer-fin pattern. Each aluminum fin is 12mm high and the height of the system can be varied by adding or reducing the number of fins used. For example, using all fins allows Cirrus7 to support higher TDPs like the Core i7 3770T. Alternatively, if you are just using an i3-3220T, you could get by with a smaller (and lighter) case/heatsink. Notably, judging by the hands-on photos over at FanlessTech, the Nimbus does not use a copper CPU block which may have reduce the heatsink's effectiveness. That, or maybe Cirrus7 expects that they have slapped enough aluminum fins on the system that it doesn't matter much (heh). Also note that the case is not completely sealed, so although it is passively cooled, it is definitely not water or dust proof. Beyond that though, the case looks nice and the system would make a nice silent backup server, router, or HTPC!

The Nimbus will be available towards the end of June in Germany and Europe, with worldwide shipping available upon request. The system starts at €499 for the base model which is approximately $640 USD (before shipping). That price includes the case, processor, motherboard, RAM, and mSATA drive. Cirrus 7 has stated that Haswell-based models of the Nimbus will be available at some point, but are not expected until around the end of 2013 at the earliest.

New Quantenna QSR1000 Chip Will Power 802.11ac Devices, Delivers Up To 1.7Gbps Throughput

Subject: Networking | May 28, 2013 - 03:21 PM | Tim Verry
Tagged: wi-fi, quantenna, qsr1000, mu-mimo, 802.11ac

Quantenna, has announced a new 802.11ac QSR1000 chip that is capable of delivering up to 1.7Gbps throughput. The new chip achieves the wireless throughput by supporting a combination of Multi-User MIMO, four spatial streams, 256-QAM modulation, and beamforming technology. More information on 802.11ac and the related technologies can be found here.

The Quantenna chip is a competitor to Broadcom's offerings and it is intended for use in wireless routers, access points, Set Top Boxes (STB), and other consumer electronics gear. It is the first "wave 2" (second iteration of the 802.11ac specification) 802.11ac chip, and is the fastest so far. Quantenna was able to get a theoretical max of 435.2Mbps of throughput per spatial stream, which is pretty impressive. Unfortunately, client devices (computers, smartphones, tablets, et al) will also have to support the MU-MIMO technology and have the hardware to transmit and receive multiple streams to take full advantage of the 1.7Gbps max throughput.

There is no word on which upcoming wireless devices the Quantenna chip will be used in, but the company is making the new QSR1000 chip available to manufacturers as early as Q3 of this year. Actual routers and other gear using the chip and widely available to consumers will likely not hit the market until early next year, however.

MSI Z87-GD65 GAMING - The No. 1 and Only Best Choice Golden Awarded Motherboard

Subject: General Tech, Motherboards | May 28, 2013 - 02:58 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
Tagged: Z87-GD65 GAMING, msi, z87

[May 28th, 2013/ City of Industry, California] In its 33rd year and as Asia’s largest B2B (Business to Business) computer exhibition, COMPUTEX TAIPEI 2013 is kicking off on June 4. Today, the winning list of Best Choice Award, the official award of COMPUTEX TAIPEI, is unveiled. MSI’s Z87-GD65 GAMING motherboard and Funtoro HD MOD (Media on Demand) vehicle infotainment system have proudly stood out from over 400 competitions. The only Golden Award winner in the IC & Components category, the Z87-GD65 GAMING motherboard literally sparkles in every way and proves MSI to be a true pioneer of mid-range/high-end motherboards.

The Best Choice Award has always focused on Functionality, Innovation and Market Potential as the main judging guideline. Bringing the Z87-GD65 GAMING to global gaming enthusiasts’ attention, the Best Choice Golden Award also highlights the industrial and official affirmation toward MSI’s technical innovation and design capabilities. Specifically designed for operators and passengers of long-distance coaches and high-end tour buses, the HD MOD System integrates infotainment and telematics in one pack and is clearly the top choice for multimedia entertainment on mass transportation.

Z87-GD65 GAMING, the No. 1 and Only Best Choice Golden Awarded Motherboard

The Z87-GD65 GAMING motherboard is the latest joint effort of MSI and FNATIC, the world-renowned gaming champion team. Consolidating the cutting-edge Intel 8 series chipset and Killer E2205 Game Networking, the Z87-GD65 GAMING effectively eliminates latency-induced errors and automatically prioritizes game traffic. Gamers will experience smooth gameplay even in heavily loaded networks. As for sound, the innovative Audio Boost technology significantly enhances sound clarity. To give gamers the edge in speed, the OC Genie 4 one-second overclocking technology boosts the system performance in no time.

Skip the collection of secondary batteries for a multi-purpose charger

Subject: Mobile | May 28, 2013 - 02:21 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
Tagged: battery charger, Luxa2 P1 7000mAh

At just  112 x 73 x 17.1mm, the LUXA2 charger is relatively compact and is certainly easier to carry around than a collection of batteries, especially if you are an Apple user and don't have the luxury of swappable batteries.  There are some drawbacks to the charger that Overclockers Club found, the 1A maximum leads to long charging times but also likely avoids any possible heat problems.  The two USB charge ports mean that you can charge two devices simultaneously, something lacking in many similar chargers.  If you often find yourself on the road with dead devices, this might be worth adding to your laptop bag.

”The LUXA2 P1 7000mAh High Capacity Battery & Charger is a sleek looking and solidly built piece of hardware. The silver unit I reviewed delivered exactly what it claimed, with the only casualty being the carrying pouch that did not survive normal usage. Equipped with a 7000mAh battery and two USB charging ports, it will provide multiple full charges for smaller portable devices (such as iPhones) and a decent percentage of on-screen time for more power-demanding tablets. The shape and weight of the LUXA2 P1 7000mAh High Capacity Battery & Charger makes it fit easily into any regular laptop bag without much fuss.”

Here are some more Mobile articles from around the web:

More Mobile Articles

• SevenTeam X6 Power Bank @ Kitguru
• HP Pavilion Chromebook @ The Inquirer
• Mythlogic Callisto 1512 @ AnandTech
• ASUS Taichi 31 review: two sides of the story @ Hardware.info
• HP EliteBook Revolve 810 Review @ TechReviewSource
• Acer Aspire V5-431P @ Hardware.info
• AMD Kabini Mainstream APU Notebook Platform Preview @ Legit Reviews
• HP Envy TouchSmart 4 Touchscreen Ultrabook @ Tweaktown
• Sony VAIO T Series 15 Review @ TechReviewSource
• Samsung Series 3 NP300E5E-A05CA Review @ TechReviewSource
• Lenovo IdeaPad Z400 Touch Review @ TechReviewSource
• Cooler Master NotePal U2 Plus Cooling Pad Review @ Neoseeker
• Dell Latitude 10 Tablet @ FunkyKit
• Blackberry Z10 Smartphone @ FunkyKit
• BlackBerry Live 2013: BlackBerry changes course @ Hardware.info
• Our Top Android App Picks Of The Week @ eTeknix
• Kingston MobileLite Wireless: wireless card reader and more @ Hardware.info

Crucial's inexpensive M500 makes MLC NAND affordable

Subject: Storage | May 28, 2013 - 01:47 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
Tagged: ssd, crucial m500, mlc, marvell 9187, RAIN

Before discussing the impressive price point of Crucial's M500 drive their are two features worth mentioning about this drive, RAIN and the Marvell 9187 controller.  RAIN is Redundant Array of Independent NAND which offers data parity which will allow you to successfully recreate data after an uncorrectable error, something which might put the minds of those still leery of SSDs to rest.  The new Marvell controller is the secret to the pricing of this drive, it allows the usage of 128Gbit (16GB) NAND dies as opposed to the more common 64GBit dies and is produced at a lower cost than other controllers.  [H]ard|OCP tested the 512GB drive and does warn that the specifications of the two smaller capacity drives are different enough to require individual testing.  However as you can pick up the 512GB drive for $400 you might simply opt for the largest drive which offers competitive performance at an amazing $0.78/GB.

"Crucial's M500 offers the lowest price per gigabyte for an MLC SSD with enterprise-class features not seen on typical consumer SSD data drives. With new 128Gbit MLC NAND paired with the Marvell 9187 controller the M500 should deliver great performance at a historically low price point. Is the Crucial M500's performance up to par?"

Here are some more Storage reviews from around the web:

Storage

• 240GB OCZ Vertex 3.20 Solid State Drive @ Benchmark Reviews
• OCZ Vertex 3.20 120GB SSD Review @ Techgage
• Solidata K8 1920E SSD Review - SandForce Driven and an Amazing 2TB Capacity @ SSD Review
• OCZ Vertex 3.20 Solid State Drive @ X-bit Labs
• OCZ Vertex 3.20 240GB SATA III 2.5'' SSD Review @ Madshrimps
• OCZ Vertex 450 256GB SSD Review @ Legit Reviews
• OCZ Vertex 450 SSD @ Techspot
• OCZ Vertex 450 @ Hardware.info
• OCZ Vertex 450 SSD @ SSD Review
• OCZ Vertex 450 256GB @ Tweaktown
• SanDisk Ultra Plus 256GB SSD @ eTekinx
• Samsung SSD 840 comparison @ Hardwareoverclock
• Seagate 600 Pro SSD @ SSD Review
• Crucial M500 480GB SSD @ eTeknix
• Bang for Your Buck: Best 256GB Class SSD's under $200 @ Tweaktown
• OCZ Vertex 3.20 240GB Solid State Drive Review @ OCIA.net
• Kingston SSDNow E100 Enterprise SSD @ Tweaktown
• Mushkin Chronos GO Deluxe 1.8″ SATA 3 SSD Review ? Lightning Speeds Ultrathin Design @ SSD Review
• HGST Travelstar 7K1000 1TB 2.5" Hard Drive @ Tweaktown
• 4TB Seagate Desktop HDD ST4000DM000 @ Benchmark Reviews
• WD Se 4TB Enterprise Hard Drive Review @ Techgage
• Western Digital Scorpio Blue (WD5000LPVT) 500GB HDD @ Tweaktown
• Seagate Laptop Thin SSHD 500GB review: 2.5-inch hard disk with SSD cache @ Hardware.info
• Seagate Desktop HDD.15 4TB Hard Drive Review @ Hardware Canucks
• ADATA DashDrive Elite UE700 USB 3.0 Flash Drive @ Tweaktown
• Kingston DT Workspace 64GB 'Windows To Go' USB 3.0 Flash Drive @ Tweaktown
• Adata DashDrive Elite UE700 32GB Flash Drive Review @ Ninjalane
• Kingston HyperX Predator 512GB @ Hardware.info
• 32 32/64GB USB 3.0 memory stick test: lots of differences @ Hardware.info
• Patriot Supersonic Magnum Flash Drive @ Benchmark Reviews
• Lexar Professional 128GB Compact Flash Memory Card @ Tweaktown
• Transcend 32GB Wi-Fi SDHC @ Tweaktown
• Kingston 64GB microSDXC SDCX10/64GB @ Bjorn3D
• WD My Passport Ultra 1TB Portable Storage Drive Review @ Legit Reviews
• ADATA DashDrive Air AE400 Wireless Storage Reader and Power Bank Review @ Madshrimps
• Rosewill RDEE-12002 USB 3.0 Hard Drive Enclosure @ techPowerUp
• Corsair Voyager Air 500GB Wireless Storage Device @ Tweaktown
• Transcend StoreJet Cloud 32GB Wireless Storage Device @ Tweaktown
• Kingston MobileLite Wireless Review @ Pro-Clockers
• Synology DS213j review: deluxe entry-level NAS @ Hardware.info
• Icy Dock FlexCage MB975SP-B 5x3.5" in 3x5.25" HDD Cage Review @ Hi Tech Legion
• Shuttle OMNINAS KD20 @ techPowerUp
• iStarUSA BPU-340SATA Military Grade Drive Enclosure @ NikKTech
• LaCie CloudBox 1TB Personal NAS @ Tweaktown

Mageia 3, a new flavour of Linux to try

Subject: General Tech | May 28, 2013 - 01:13 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
Tagged: linux, mageia

If you've been looking around for a different OS for a laptop or PC that doesn't spend all of its time gaming you have probably taken a look at some of the more famous Linux distros but one may have escaped your attention.  Mageia 3 has just arrived, the successor to the Mandriva project and as it offers both Gnome and KDE desktop versions you can chose the interface which you are most comfortable with.  As it comes as a Live DVD you can boot to  it on a current machine without having to go through the process of a full install and can leave your current OS intact.  Perhaps you have a family member or friend that spends their time browsing that you support and are looking for an alternative to Microsoft or are even just looking to avoid the cost of a new license on an inexpensive mobile device; if so drop by The Inquirer for the links to download Mageia 3.

"LINUX DISTRIBUTION Mageia launched its third and latest release Mageia 3 a few days ago, and that's now available to download directly from the Mageia website and many of the well known mirrors like kernel.org and many university supported mirrors via either Bittorrent, http or ftp."

Here is some more Tech News from around the web:

Tech Talk

• The TR Podcast 134: Xbone, Kabini, and not quite a Titan
• Redefining the ampere with the help of graphene? @ Nanotechweb
• Investor Icahn needs a loan of $7bn to tick off Mike Dell @ The Register
• Fedora 19 Beta Released: Alive, Dead, or Neither? @ Slashdot
• ARM releases dual-core Cortex A15 hard macro for TSMC's 28nm HPM process node @ The Inquirer
• Whatever happened to Comodo Time Machine? @ Tweaktown
• MSI Gaming Notebook Event Interview With Steve Clark @ eTeknix
• Migrating to Apache 2.4 @ Hardware Secrets
• Xbox One and Playstation 4: Which Promises Will be Broken? @ hardCOREware
• Seiko SNE093P1 Solar Watch @ NikKTech
• A Stroll Down Memory Lane: Best 3dfx Glide Games @ Techspot

Western Digital refreshes enterprise lineup, launches new Se series datacenter HDD

Subject: Storage | May 28, 2013 - 08:15 AM | Allyn Malventano
Tagged: Xe, western digital, wdc, se, RE, hdd

Today Western Digital did a slight rearranging of their enterprise product lineup:

Starting from the top down, the Xe series is essentially a SAS version of their 2.5" 10k RPM VelociRaptor form factor, available in 300GB, 600GB, and 900GB capacities. The Re series is the same 'RE' we are all familiar with, and is now available in both SAS and SATA. That bottom block, however, is something new:

The Se series is Western Digital's attempt at a lower cost Re series drive, and will be available in capacities up to 4TB. 

So the Se is an Advanced Format version of the Re, designed for reduced workloads. Throughput is slightly reduced due to differences in track geometry, though WD let me know they expect final shipping Se's may be closer to the Re spec than the slide indicates. The Se carries the same RPM as well as StableTrac (where the spindle is supported at both ends), RAFF (where accelerometers compensate for chassis vibration), and TLER (where IO request timeouts are adjusted to play nicely with hardware RAID).

The key to the success of the Se will be just what sort of reduced cost Western Digital is able to price the drive at. That information, as well as a full review of an Se, will be coming later today, just as soon as our next batch of samples arrives.

Deal for May 27th - Dell Inspiron 15R (5521) 15.6" Core i5 Laptop for $799

Subject: Editorial | May 27, 2013 - 05:08 PM | PCPer Staff
Tagged: deals

The Dell Inspiron 15R is a good choice for anyone looking for a reasonably powerful and lightweight laptop.  It is powered by a 1.8GHz Core i5-3537U, has 8GB RAM, a 1TB HDD and integral DVD burner, with a 15.6" 1366 x 768 LED-backlit LCD powered by the HD4000 on the i5.  Not exactly a gaming PC but at 4.9lbs it is an easy way to bring your work with you wherever you go and have more processing power than a tablet will offer.

Dell Home is offering 3rd generation 15.6" Inspiron 15R 5521 Core i7 Ivy Bridge Laptop with 8GB RAM, 1TB Hard Drive & Touchscreen for $799.99 with FREE shipping. Use $289 instant savings and extra $100 coupon code: JS3KG6045QZ2BR to get final price.

Console manufacturers don't want much, just the impossible.

Subject: Editorial, General Tech, Systems | May 27, 2013 - 03:08 AM | Scott Michaud
Tagged: xbox one, ps4, consolitis, consoles

So, as Wired editorial states it: hardcore console gamers don't want much, just the impossible. They want a "super-powered box" tethered to their TV; they want the blockbuster epics and innovative indie titles; they want it to "just work" for what they do. The author, Chris Kohler, wrote his column to demonstrate how this is, and has for quite some time been, highly unprofitable.

I think the bigger problem is that the console manufacturers want the impossible.

Console manufacturers have one goal: get their platform in your house and require their hand be in the pocket of everything you do with it. They need to make an attractive device for that to be true, so they give it enough power to legitimately impress the potential buyer and price it low enough to catch the purchasing impulse. Chances are this involves selling the box under cost at launch and for quite some time after.

But, if all of this juicy control locks the user into overspending in the long run, then it is worth it...

... right?

But Microsoft should be thankful that I cost them money to be acquired as a customer.

Well, looking at the Wired article, not only are console gamers ultimately overspending: it is still not enough! Consoles truly benefit no-one! The console manufacturers are not doing any more than maybe breaking even, at some point, eventually, down the line, they hope. Microsoft and Sony throw obnoxious amounts of money against one another in research, development, and marketing. Redundant technologies are formed to pit against their counterparts with billions spent in marketing to try to prove why either choice is better.

All of this money is spent to corral users into a more expensive experience where they can pocket the excess.

Going back to the editorial's claims: with all of this money bleeding out, Microsoft wants to appeal more broadly and compensate the loss with more cash flowing in. Sure, Microsoft has wanted a foothold in the living room for decades at this point, but the Xbox Division bounces between profitability and huge losses; thus, they want to be an entertainment hub if just for the cash alone.

But think back to the start, these troubles are not because it is impossible to satisfy hardcore gamers. These troubles are because Microsoft and Sony cannot generate revenue from their acquired control quicker than they can bleed capital away trying to acquire that control, or at least generate it more than just barely fast enough.

The other solution, which I have felt for quite some time is the real answer (hence why I am a PC gamer), has a large group of companies create an industry body who governs an open standard. Each company can make a substantial profit by focusing on a single chunk of the platform -- selling graphics processors, maintaining a marketplace, or what-have-you -- by leveraging the success of every other chunk.

This model does work, and it is the basis for one of humanity's most successful technology products: the internet.

As a side note: this is also why PC gaming was so successful... Microsoft, developers, Steam/GoG/other marketplaces, and hardware vendors were another version of this... albeit Microsoft had the ability to override them and go in whatever direction they wanted. They didn't, until Windows RT.

And the internet might even be the solution. The web browser is capable, today, of providing amazing gaming experiences and it does not even require a plugin. It is getting more powerful, even faster than the rate at which underlying hardware has evolved.

You could, in some browsers today, plug a USB flash drive into your computer; browse to some "index.html" file on it; and run an Unreal Engine 3 (and as Epic stated in a recent interview, soon Unreal Engine 4) game that is programmed in Javascript and is stored on that USB device. Never an internet connection required -- although if you wanted online features, web browsers are kind-of good at that, go figure.

To end on an ironic note, that makes a web browser more capable of offline play than our current understanding of the Xbox One (and Sony has said nothing either way, for that matter).

I guess the takeaway message is: love the web browser, it "just works".