pc

Xbox One and PS4: Two peas in an E3 pod

Who won E3 so far? Was it the Xbox One? Or, was it the PS4 that kicked its butt? Did Sony dominate, totally smack down Microsoft, and run away with Best in Show?

All I know, from a distance, is this: boy, the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 look a lot alike.

The picture above is from a classic "Star Trek" episode featuring two different alien races that fought bitterly but were more alike than they dared to admit. Sound familiar?

The moment the PS4 was unveiled, in its boxy glory, you couldn't help but be reminded … Read more

Clean up and speed up with Advanced SystemCare Pro--now 60 percent off

June may be here but it's still not too late to do some spring cleaning on your computer, especially if you've been meaning to but haven't yet found the time for it. Thankfully IObit is here to take the burden off your hands with its popular, all-in-one PC cleaner and optimizer, Advanced SystemCare Pro.

Nothing's worse than a slow computer to bog down your ability to work and play, effectively. Advanced SystemCare Pro can help solve these problems by cleaning out accumulated junk files, malware, and registry errors while boosting your PC's performance. Free up … Read more

Dire warnings for PCs, Windows 8 -- this time from Citi

Citi Research is revising its forecast for negative PC growth as it paints a dark picture of the incredible shrinking PC market.

Citi is cutting 2013 PC year-to-year growth to negative 10 percent from negative 4 percent growth, according to a note to investors late Friday.

"The Citi global technology team is revising down its 2013 PC growth estimate to -10% y/y (from -4%) based on further sub-seasonal demand" in the first quarter and slowing notebook production.

In a section titled "Y/Y Growth in 2H? Don't Think So," Citi says that despite investor … Read more

Review: PC Files connects your iOS device to your desktop for file sharing

PC Files offers a unique tool for transferring files between a PC and iOS device, but with enough extra steps that it's hard to justify leaving alternatives like cloud storage or Bluetooth transfer behind. Considering the second client required on your desktop and the limited storage interface on your iOS device, there are quite a few solutions that offer more flexible methods for sharing those files.

After downloading PC Files, the first step is to install the companion app on your desktop. From there, you can set up both apps to transfer select files between devices. The process is … Read more

Review: iFileExpress provides a desktop-to-iOS device file transfer tool

The purpose of iFileExpress is to make transferring files between your iOS devices and Mac or PC easier. However, by requiring tethered file transfers through iTunes or the iFileExpress desktop client, the service lags behind some other wireless options. It is more secure, but the setup and execution of the software will make it a second or even third choice for many iOS users.

The app opens with a full tutorial for how to use it. For the most part, you will need to have already installed iFileExpress on your PC or Mac, or you can set it up in … Read more

Omni gaming treadmill: One step closer to total immersion

The hottest crowdfunded gaming device of 2013 could end up being Virtuix's Omni virtual-reality treadmill, which, in just 48 hours, has already netted a stunning sum of $600,000 in Kickstarter pledges from around the world.

Virtuix may have actually come up with a sensible physical platform that lets a gamer run or jump seamlessly on an enclosed octagon-shaped treadmill and see those actions mirrored in a video game.

After stepping into the octagon, Omni users slip inside a circular ring (with an attachment belt) that prevents them from toppling over while moving. Other than that, the concept seems simple: if you run forward on the Omni, you run forward in a game; if you crouch, you crouch in the game, and so forth. The recommended -- almost required -- Omni shoes don't seem so bad, either, as they contain a few protrusions similar to a cycling shoe that let you run easily on the Omni without fear of sliding around aimlessly. … Read more

PC gaming is the dark horse of E3 2013

While most eyes at E3 2013 are on the new Sony PlayStation 4 and Microsoft Xbox One consoles, it was only one year ago that PC gaming took center stage. It was at E3 2012 that the current Xbox 360 and PS3 consoles were looking more than tired, and many of the best games on display, from XCOM to Metro: Last Light, presented themselves best on high-powered PC hardware.

In 2013, despite the massive marketing and engineering effort that is going to the new living room consoles, no one expects even the PS4 or XB1 to be able to match … Read more

Asus takes on the HTPC market

TAIPEI -- In addition to new laptops and tablets, Asus also showcased its latest home theater PC (HTPC) offerings, the VivoPC and VivoMouse, at Computex.

The VivoPC appears somewhat larger than the Mac mini, but it has a high-quality metal chassis and is designed to blend easily among A/V devices. Other key differentiators include a pair of front speakers and 3.5-inch hard disk drive (HDD) support. This is unlike most small form factor PCs, which can accept only 2.5-inch HDDs.

Update: This article was originally posted on June 5, 2013 7:58 AM PDT.

Updated on June … Read more

Android invasion on the PC

CNET Update has a split-personality PC:

In this episode of Update:

- Prepare to find Android on more computers. The Asus Transformer Book Trio runs both Windows 8 and Android, and Acer's new all-in-one desktop comes loaded only with Android.

- Play rough with the scratch-resistant Asus Zenbook Infinity with Gorilla Glass 3.

- Pick your size for the new Galaxy Tab 3. The new Samsung tablets will come with screen sizes of 7, 8, or 10.1 inches.

- Crank up the iRadio rumors before WWDC, as Apple reaches a deal with Warner Music.

- Watch the Vine … Read more

Name your own price for a huge Telltale Games bundle

Yowza. This might be the best name-your-own-price game bundle I've ever seen. And I've seen lots of them. Lots and lots.

For the next five days or so, the Humble Weekly Bundle gives you a seven-game Telltale Games bundle for whatever price you want to pay. And if you beat the average (currently a paltry $4.19), you get an eighth title.

That's crazy. The combined value here is well in excess of $100, and the games themselves (most of which are available for both PC and Mac) rank among the best adventures of recent years. They … Read more