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PC

Hands-on with the Asus N10

When is a netbook not a netbook? We've previously mentioned the upcoming Asus N10, the more-expensive cousin to the low-priced Eee PC line, which adds discrete graphics options, bigger hard drives, Windows Vista (with an XP downgrade option), an ExpressCard slot, and 802.11n Wi-Fi.

We just got a chance to take a brief up-close look at the N10, which is currently available for pre-order from a handful on online vendors.

The 10.2-inch N10 feels more like an ultraportable laptop than a netbook, thanks to its nearly full-size keyboard and less-plasticy design. Also notable -- a hybrid video … Read more

Ad exec: Microsoft as 'victim' doesn't work

While acknowledging Microsoft is in a tough spot in trying to recast Windows after years of attacks from Apple, one ad executive said she is highly skeptical of Microsoft's new approach.

Microsoft's latest ad, which starts running tonight, features a Microsoft employee who looks very much like the PC guy from the Apple ads, saying "I'm a PC and I've been made into a stereotype."

"Casting Microsoft as a victim still doesn't work for me," said Kathy Sharpe, CEO of New York-based interactive ad firm Sharpe Partners. "They aren't … Read more

Logitech's Z-5 speakers: Not in the same league as Z-10s, but decent for the price

A couple of years ago, Logitech brought out the Z-10s, an interesting set of PC speakers that featured USB connectivity and a digital readout on the front of one of the speakers. They looked good, sounded decent, and were cutting edge in their nod to visually incorporating digital-music playback--though the touch-sensitive controls did cause issues for some users. Now the company is serving up the Z-5s, which don't feature the fancy digital readout, but offer some intriguing design elements and the same USB connectivity.

Read the full review of the Logitech Z-5 USB PC speakers.

New Microsoft ads directly target Apple

Updated 8:40 a.m., PDT with additional details throughout.

After two weeks of running a series of ads with Jerry Seinfeld and Bill Gates that left many people scratching their heads, Microsoft's latest spots take direct aim at the Apple ads that have turned Windows into a punch line.

"I'm a PC and I've been made into a stereotype," says Microsoft employee Sean Siller, who looks a whole lot like John Hodgman, the actor who plays the PC in Apple's ads.

The spot then goes on to have other people say that, they … Read more

Logitech introduces new omnidirectional Z5 USB PC speakers

A couple of years ago Logitech brought out the Z10s, an interesting set of PC speakers that featured USB connectivity and a digital readout on the front of one of the speakers. They looked good, sounded decent, and were cutting edge in their nod to visually incorporating digital-music playback. Now the company is serving up the Z5s ($99.99), which don't feature the fancy digital readout but offer some intriguing design elements--including omnidirectional sound--and the same USB connectivity.

The black Z5s have a simple, clean, modern look, but aren't quite the knockouts that the Z10s are. From afar … Read more

Seagate announces new FreeAgent external hard drives

Seagate announced on Monday its fall 2008 lineup of FreeAgent external hard drives, including desktop and laptop models. They come preformatted for either Mac or PC file systems.

The laptop models, dubbed FreeAgent Go, come in four colors for PC users--silver, black, red, and blue--and only silver for Mac users. The Mac version, however, features both USB 2.0 and FireWire connections, while the PC version has only USB 2.0. The new drives also feature a docking station for easily connecting to a computer.

The FreeAgent Go drives feature Seagate's latest 2.5-inch 5400RPM internal hard drives that … Read more

Roundup: Altec Lansing reveals new logo, audio products

In case you missed it, Altec Lansing has undergone a corporate makeover and is showing off a new logo along with several new products, including a pair of funky-looking PC speakers and a couple of sleek iPod speaker systems. We'll be getting review units in soon, and will actually have a full review of the new Orbit posting shortly.

Here's the rundown--and some links--for easy reading:

Two new inMotion iPod speakers from Altec Lansing

PC speaker-design alert: Altec Lansing goes mod with Expressionist Bass

Second Orbit: Altec Lansing's new iPod speaker

PC speaker-design alert: Altec Lansing goes mod with Expressionist Bass

When it comes to PC speakers these days, separate subwoofers that sit on the floor are out, built-in subs (or no sub whatsoever) are in. Altec Lansing's playing up the whole built-in sub theme with its modular FX3022 Expressionist Bass speakers, which come in a black and white and will carry an MSRP of $129.95 when they're released in October.

The company's marketing material says the Expressionist Bass features twin-desktop speakers with 4-inch subwoofers built into the base of each speaker. There are separate 1.5-inch drivers for mid and high frequencies, along with an auxiliary … Read more

Specs and price info on EA's 'Crysis' PC

Blogger Chris Remo followed up this week on his report from July that Electronic Arts was developing a desktop to coincide with the launch of PC shooter Crysis Warhead. The pseudo-sequel to last year's Crysis promises to be just as graphically advanced as its predecessor, which is infamous for bringing even top-of-the-line gaming PCs to their knees.

With this new post, Chris reveals the specs and pricing. We'll refer you to his blog for the details, but we'll say that the price does indeed live up to the earlier report that it would be between $600 and $… Read more