Archive: Computers
Little Laptops Lacking Luster
Oh cruel computer industry, must you tease me so? For the third time this year, I've tested a laptop that I thought might be the perfect reporter's companion for that next trek to CES -- and for the third time, I've found it flawed in too many, seemingly easily, avoidable...
By Rob Pegoraro | June 12, 2008; 10:02 AM ET | Comments (13)
Computing Reminder: Sleep to Save Energy
As Earth Day nears, it's time for another round of publicity campaigns encouraging people to use their computers a little more efficiently. Today, the Climate Savers Computing Initiative issued a press release encouraging users to employ their computers' sleep or standby mode for an hour this Saturday: During Earth Hour,...
By Rob Pegoraro | March 26, 2008; 02:02 PM ET | Comments (33)
"Eee" Could Have Meant "Excellent"
For years, I've been looking for a simple, fast, ultralight laptop I could use for research and writing on the road. I don't need much: WiFi wireless, a capable Web browser and e-mail software, word processor that can open and save in Microsoft Word format, and some simple photo and...
By Rob Pegoraro | January 3, 2008; 10:34 AM ET | Comments (42)
Reminder: Back Up Your Data Already!
As the primary source of tech support for much of my family, I'm used to getting panicked calls from one relative or another, but usually, I can find a solution to the problem without too much angst. That wasn't the case when my mother-in-law called on Monday to report that...
By Rob Pegoraro | October 10, 2007; 12:00 PM ET | Comments (51)
PCs Gone Wild
NEW YORK--One of the most interesting parts of the personal-computing business involves building systems for gamers. People who play fast-paced action games all the time may very well be the industry's dream customers: They value performance above all else and they're willing to pay for it. But they can also...
By Rob Pegoraro | September 27, 2007; 01:43 PM ET | Comments (10)
More Laptop Thoughts
I hope today's column and the reviews accompanying it online don't sound like I'm burned out on computers. I have, however, been finding the same faults in laptop computers for a while now. The PC industry can remind me of the worst stereotypes of Detroit automakers -- but instead of...
By Rob Pegoraro | August 30, 2007; 02:00 PM ET | Comments (22)
A Look at the One Laptop Per Child Computer
After months of knowing the One Laptop Per Child project's XO computer only through pictures and blog postings, I got to spend an hour or so playing with a couple of test units last Thursday -- courtesy of two D.C.-area residents involved with this effort, OLPC News editor Wayan Vota...
By Rob Pegoraro | July 25, 2007; 11:22 AM ET | Comments (13)
Intel Joins One Laptop Per Child
When I reviewed Intel's Classmate PC last week, I felt obliged to give the One Laptop Per Child initiative a prominent mention in the piece. Even though "OLPC" hasn't shipped its XO laptop yet, it's drawn too much attention to ignore. What I didn't know at the time was that...
By Rob Pegoraro | July 16, 2007; 07:04 AM ET | Comments (4)
Intel's Little Idea
Until this week, I'd never managed to spill anything on a computer keyboard, despite numerous close calls. But there I was Tuesday, gently tipping a cup of water over the keyboard of a new Intel laptop called the Classmate PC. The laptop's sealed keyboard, advertised as water-resistant, lived up to...
By Rob Pegoraro | July 12, 2007; 08:17 AM ET | Comments (13)
Dell Does Linux
As of 5 pm (Eastern Time), you'll be able to order two new Dell desktop systems and one Dell laptop configuration with Ubuntu Linux 7.04 installed instead of Windows. Dell product manager Lionel Menchaca has the details in his post on Dell's corporate blog this morning. (A posting earlier in...
By Rob Pegoraro | May 24, 2007; 02:15 PM ET | Comments (69)
A New Deal For Notebooks
On Wednesday, Intel rolled out two new families of laptop components--integrated bundles of processors and other core system modules--designed to boost battery life and performance. This set of components, called "Santa Rosa" in development, now goes by the names Centrino Duo, intended for personal-use machines, and Centrino Pro, aimed at...
By Rob Pegoraro | May 11, 2007; 10:25 AM ET | Comments (4)
