pc

Free copies of Vista and XP from your uncle

I downloaded a copy of Windows Vista off the Internet last night. And since the same site had XP, I got that too.

I figured it was okay, since I was doing research for the blog here.

It was all very convenient. The server where I found them has a lot of bandwidth, so the files (4.5GB and 1.8GB respectively) downloaded quickly. These are pre-installed disk images, so there's no trouble with activation.

The greatest irony is that the group providing them for download has configured them for maximum security-- so once you have them running, you … Read more

A TV-PC that helps you shave

Apparently it's not enough to have a mirror that sends text messages or even engages us in conversation. We need one that'll run Windows too.

Facing stiff competition in its mainstay telly business, U.K.-based Mirror Media has created a line that incorporates a PC into its reflective TVs in sizes ranging from 20 to 36 inches with frames in wood, metallic and other finishes, according to Chip Chick. It remains to be seen, however, whether they'll be able to create the ultimate convergence appliance by including a radiator.

Surfing by scooter

OK, so some Cravers out there weren't exactly sold on the waterproof GPS unit for bikes cited earlier. We can't blame you. But here's an accoutrement for your bi-wheeled lifestyle that we think would be hard to pass up. This Vespa GTS250 has been outfitted with a Wi-Fi-equipped computer purportedly with a touch-screen display and sound system to boot. To top it off, according to Engadget, it even has a Louis Vuitton seat. We would have preferred Gucci, but we're not ones to quibble.

Hands-on with the Intel Classmate PC

Alongside the much-talked-about One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) project, Intel has also been working on a low-cost laptop for schools in developing countries, called the Classmate PC. Sold by local OEMs, who offer customized software configurations for the needs of each individual market, tens of thousands of Classmate PCs are already in use around the world, either as part of pilot programs or purchased by governments, private schools, or philanthropic organizations. Wilton Agatstein and Larry Carr from Intel dropped by our New York offices this afternoon to give us a hands-on demo of the Classmate.

The most obvious difference between … Read more

What wasn't so great about the Newton?

Before I move on to other topics for a while (next week is Siggraph, the coolest trade show of the year as far as I'm concerned), I want to describe some of the ways in which the Apple Newton fell short. I'll also explain how these deficiencies relate to today's similar devices-- PDAs, smartphones, and tablets.

As with my post yesterday, these comments are drawn from notes I made during the seven years I used a Newton MessagePad 2100.

• Very early on in my Newton experience, I made a simple comment: "Yes, it's too large." The MP2100 was huge, nearly the size of… Read more

CNET Live - Episode 17 - Show Notes

Murali Subbarao, CEO of Billeo stopped by to talk about online billing.

Watch the show on CNET TV.

Things we Crave

Plusdeck EX

Toshiba wireless laptop dock

Insider Secrets

Anonymous wrote us on the CNET forums asking how you can get OS X to run on a PC. That discussion isn's allowed in the forums because of the fact that running OS X on a non-Apple computer breaks the EULA. Don't worry anonymous, I went there for you. Here's how I got OS X to run on my ThinkPad and why it's a legal mess to … Read more

Local Cooling makes your PC chill

If you tend to zone out and leave your computer on to suck energy needlessly, Local Cooling (download it from CNET Download.com) helps you tell your Windows XP beast when to rest, giving the electric company a break, too. I've been using this free download on two PCs for a couple of weeks. It lets you time automatic snoozes or shutdowns for precise periods of neglect (also see Earth2Tech). Use Vista? Check out this battery saver.

By bringing hidden details about consumption to the surface, Local Cooling encourages you to relax your energy usage with little effort. Otherwise … Read more

Open computer case plus sweaty legs--not a good idea

We're never sure whether to believe some of the bizarre tales we hear coming out of China, (like the semi-regular stories about gamers dropping dead after marathon MMO sessions), but the widely read Shanghai Daily is reporting that a 20-year-old computer user was electrocuted earlier this week by his own machine in a freak accident. From the report:

The young man, who was identified as Wu, reportedly opened the external casing of the computer's CPU to prevent it from overheating because he didn't want to switch on the air conditioner in his home. According to the report, … Read more

HP's new thin-and-light tablet

We have a love/hate relationship with tablet PCs. On one hand, we dig the swiveling displays and touch screens, even if we rarely find a chance to use them. On the other hand, adding convertible tablet functionality to a laptop often means adding size and weight, while knocking components down a notch or two.

HP is one of the few PC makers that can design smart-looking tablets (such as the consumer friendly tx1000). New today is the HP Compaq 2710p Tablet PC, a 12-inch widescreen tablet that weighs in at 3.6 pounds and is only 1.1 inches … Read more