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BY THE TIME you read this, a small army of Windows 8 tablets and other touch-centric devices should have hit the market, each one loaded with the same burning question: How does the new gear compare to Apple’s iPad? I haven’t tested enough Windows 8 devices to pass judgment on the hardware battle here. But I’ve spent enough time with Win 8 tablets, hybrids, and other touchy-feely portables to assess how Microsoft’s OS stacks up against Apple’s iOS, its most formidable competitor. First the bad news: Navigating the Windows 8 touch interface involves a steep learning curve. The new touch gestures aren’t intuitive, whereas iOS is so simple that farm animals could probably figure it out. But great power is often locked within a forbidding UI. Consider that as I…

LYTRO HAS UPGRADED its light-field camera just in time for the innovative product’s introduction at Amazon, Best Buy, and Target. The company recently announced new manual controls, colors, and accessories for its rectangular camera, which permits photographers to set the focus of their pictures after shooting. New Controls Lytro’s new controls include shutter speed, ISO sensitivity, a neutral density filter, and an automatic exposure lock. The maximum shutter speed is 8 seconds; the minimum speed is 1/250 second. New cameras will also have an ISO range of 80 to 3200 to take photos in a wide variety of lighting environments, from low-level to brightly lit. The neutral density filter helps photographers capture and adjust the level of brightness in their pictures. The new controls address criticisms claiming that the camera…

WHEN PEOPLE TALK about the future of television, they often bring up the subject of 3D HDTV. Will it someday become the standard TV format? Will all new programming eventually be available in both 2D and 3D versions? And in the meantime, does the amount of 3D content that interested viewers can find today on network broadcasts and from other sources justify the price premium that a 3D HDTV set commands? The first and second questions call for highly speculative answers, at this point anyway, since 3D hasn’t yet achieved breakthrough success in the consumer market. As for the third question, answering it entails first considering how much the 3D capability costs as an element of a new TV, and then looking at the quantity and quality of 3D programs…

YOU DON’T HAVE to look hard to find tales of technological catastrophe. Disaster planning is essential for individuals and businesses of all shapes and sizes. The only real variable is the complexity of the necessary planning. Here’s how to start. Backups Myriad products and services have simplified the task of backing up, whether you’re dealing with one computer or a dozen. Local USB backup or synchronization: If you have one or two PCs, you can just plug in a high-capacity USB hard drive and set up a backup program. Windows 7 includes one—Windows 8 adds File History capabilities to the mix—and copious options exist online. Another strategy is to keep two computers in sync so that if one goes down or is stolen, the other remains available so you can…

IN A WORLD of $1000-plus Ultrabooks, here’s a solid, all-purpose $600 laptop. The Inspiron 15R 5520 has a third-generation Intel Core i5-3210M processor, 6GB of RAM, and a 500GB hard drive. The 15R also features built-in Bluetooth 4.0, 802.11n Wi-Fi, and a DVD-RW optical drive. It runs 64-bit Windows 7 Home Premium; unsurprisingly, it lacks a discrete graphics card. In PCWorld’s WorldBench 7 tests, the 15R 5520 earned a score of 82—18 percent slower than our baseline model. The Inspiron 15R performed competently in individual tests, including storage performance and content creation, but it started up slowly (43.1 seconds). Battery life was about average, at 5 hours, 2 minutes. The full-size keyboard’s island-style keys allow comfortable, accurate typing. The bezel around the glossy, 15.6-inch screen houses a webcam and a…

ONE OF THE best ways to perk up an older laptop’s performance is by increasing its memory. This guide explains how to upgrade your laptop with additional RAM. Can You Upgrade? The first thing to do is to verify that your laptop supports memory upgrades. Then you need to determine how much memory you can add. Typically your PC’s BIOS and motherboard constrain the amount of RAM you can add to your laptop. Every model is different, so consult your user manual and the vendor’s website to see if your model is upgradable. While you’re at it, look for information on the steps involved in opening your particular laptop model and swapping out the memory modules safely. Next, you must learn how your laptop’s memory is currently configured. For example,…

YOU CAN ACCOMPLISH this in one of several ways. Set up a dual boot: You can install a copy of Windows on a second partition or hard drive, and then pick the correct installation when you boot the computer. The process isn’t difficult (go.pcworld.com/dualboot), but you must purchase another copy of Windows. Create a virtual machine: A VM is a virtual PC running inside your real PC. Two free programs allow you to create one. VMware Player (go.pcworld.com/VMWplayer) is easy to use. VirtualBox (go.pcworld.com/virtualbox) is a bit harder but can do things that VMware Player can’t, such as save a snapshot of your VM so you can easily revert to it. With both you must buy another copy of Windows. Use a virtual version of XP: If you’re running the…

FAMILY AND FRIENDS often ask me to troubleshoot their PCs. While poking around for problems, I almost always encounter the same oddity: a Web browser packed with toolbars. This happens because software developers often sneak toolbars into their installers, and users often click right past the opportunity to opt out. The problem with all these toolbars is that they slow down your browser, clutter your screen, and even increase the risk of virus and spyware infections. (That said, some toolbars are the result of spyware, so it’s not always the user’s fault.) The moral of the story: As you install new software, especially freeware or shareware, take the time to make sure you’re not inadvertently agreeing to install a toolbar. Send Web Content Straight to Your Kindle If you’re a…

THE IDEA OF a device that allows us to pilot our computers and gadgets with nothing but a thought has long been the stuff of science fiction. But as far-fetched as brain-powered computers might sound, they’re already a reality. Actually, they’ve been a reality for almost 40 years. It wasn’t until the past decade or so, however, that we began seeing commercial versions of what was previously available only in DARPA-endorsed laboratories. NeuroSky made a splash with its release of the MindSet in 2007. Then, in 2008, OCZ Technology introduced the Neural Impulse Actuator. And in 2009, Emotiv Systems released the EPOC, a 14-channel EEG headset. Steve Spohn, director of outreach for the AbleGamers Foundation (which works to make games more accessible for people with disabilities), remembers the excitement surrounding…

IF YOUR BUSINESS employs more than a few people, you probably have project-management problems. You may have 50 email threads all related to the same project, attachments flying around, different document versions residing with various people, and so on. Shared-workspace products such as Microsoft’s SharePoint put documents, collaboration, and communication under a single, private umbrella. Alas, SharePoint and similar tools are cost-prohibitive for many small businesses. Thankfully, you have at least one free alternative: Kerio Workspace. Specifically, you can use Kerio Workspace Starter Edition, which provides unlimited workspaces, support for an unlimited number of users, and 10GB of shared storage. It gives you a simple environment for creating and organizing pages, each of which can contain one or more components: text, images, video, files, Web content, links, task lists, and…

IT’S A TRICKY time to shop for a wireless router. The safe bet is to buy a model based on the rock-solid 802.11n standard—and I recommend you do that if you need a router for your small business. Consumers, in contrast, may fall in love with the blistering speed and phenomenal range of routers based on the second draft of 802.11ac. But 802.11ac Draft 2.0 won’t become a bona fide standard until next year, and there’s a slim chance that early 802.11ac routers will be incompatible with hardware released after the standard is finalized. Another concern is cost: Either you’ll have to buy two 802.11ac routers and configure one of them as an 802.11ac bridge, or you’ll have to buy one router and a dedicated 802.11ac bridge. And though the…

VIZIO’S FIRST desktop PC entry, the Vizio CA27-A1 all-in-one, shines brightly. Priced at $1250, the Vizio CA27-A1 comes stocked with an Intel Core i5-3210M processor that runs at a standard 2.5GHz; it also has 4GB of 1600MHz DDR3 RAM. The screen is a beautiful 27-inch display with a maximum resolution of 1920 by 1080 pixels and a slight tilt for better viewing. But it’s not a touchscreen. The system scored 122 on our strenuous WorldBench 7 benchmark suite, making it 22 percent faster than our baseline system. One goal for most all-in-one desktop PCs is to be as thin as possible. This often means sacrificing some bulkier components. Vizio squeezed in a discrete GPU, albeit a mobile one: Nvidia’s GeForce GT 640M LE graphics card with 1GB of memory. But…

FOR A BUDGET phone, the Droid Razr M packs a lot of features— among them, an 8-megapixel camera, a high-resolution display, and a top-notch dual-core processor. It ships running Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich, though Motorola promises to update it to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean by the end of 2012. At 4.82 by 2.40 by 0.33 inches, the M is the smallest phone in the new Razr family. The phone is comfortable to hold in one hand, and you should have no trouble fitting it into any of your pockets. It feels durable enough to withstand occasional drops. Its 1.5GHz dual-core Qualcomm S4 processor (which the Samsung Galaxy S III also uses) ensures that the M can handle most apps or tasks you throw its way. Menus flew beneath my…

The Big Picture With the rise of smartphones as everyday photography devices, cameras have had to evolve quickly to compete, and you now have many more types of cameras to choose from. Cameras these days include ruggedized point-and-shoots, high-zoom pocket cameras, premium compacts, mirrorless interchangeable-lens models, and full-fledged DSLRs. The best fit for you depends on your budget, your size requirements, and your shooting style. This digital camera buying guide will help you make a purchasing decision based on the specs that you need to examine closely before you buy. The Specs Explained Megapixel count: For everyday photos, a camera of most any resolution will do. And in the current market, few cameras have a resolution of less than 10 megapixels. Image quality: Cameras with larger sensors and lenses normally…

The Big Picture Tablets are becoming almost as essential as smartphones. Here’s a survey of what to look for in these devices. Any tablet will let you do email, browse Web pages, read books, play music and games, and watch movies and videos. And any tablet can run apps for everything from balancing your checkbook to writing the next great American novel. Before choosing your tablet, you should decide if you’re already committed to a particular app and entertainment ecosystem. An iPhone user with a large iTunes library and an affinity for iOS apps, for instance, will probably want to stick with an iPad (despite its weight and other limitations). If you’re not in that camp, consider how you will use your tablet. Are you a multitasker who needs to…

The Big Picture Today’s connected TVs aren’t limited to the programming that cable, satellite, or over-the-air broadcasters deliver. With a set hooked up to a broadband home network, you can access all sorts of movies, TV shows, music, and other content from other devices on the local network, or paid and free Internet services such as YouTube and Netflix. But if your set lacks a network connection or doesn’t support your preferred content sources, consider purchasing a media streamer. Media streamers let you watch content from local network sources and/or the Internet on a TV. A streamer connects to your network to obtain content, reformats it as needed, and then sends it to your TV over a standard-issue cable. For most digital TVs, that means using an HDMI cable, but…

ALTHOUGH IT’S SIMPLE enough to head to the electronics store to buy network cables, premade cables are often too short (requiring coupling) or too long (requiring you to tie up excess cabling). It works, but it isn’t pretty. Creating your own custom-length network cables is easy once you have the know-how and the right tools. It just takes a little cutting and crimping, plus a bit of wire arranging. Here’s how to do it. Getting Started To make your own network cables, you need some raw CAT 5, 5e, or 6 cable (a composite cable consisting of four twisted pairs of internal wires), some RJ45 connectors, and a proper crimping/wire-cutting tool. Ideally, you should also have a network-cable tester, to easily confirm that your custom cables are correctly wired and…

SkyDrive Microsoft’s file storage service lets you upload files to remote servers and access them anywhere. It works like such cloud storage services as Dropbox and Google Drive, and has features you should know about. 1 Office Compatibility With your free SkyDrive account, you can edit most Microsoft Office documents in your browser. Upload a spreadsheet, document, or PowerPoint presentation to your SkyDrive account, log in to SkyDrive via your browser, and open the file for editing. If you get a spreadsheet on a laptop that lacks Excel, say, open it in SkyDrive and select Edit in Excel Web App in the Edit Documents menu so you can make the necessary changes without having to find a PC that has Excel installed on it. 2 Cross-Platform Access The SkyDrive service…

AFTER YEARS of solid growth and no fundamental changes, aside from an ill-fated flirtation with netbooks, the clamshell is now being threatened by phones and tablets. In response, PC makers are ushering the laptop into the era of touch, with help from the drastic operating system overhaul that is Windows 8. They will be introducing hybrid designs with swiveling touchscreens and detachable displays. But what happens after that? PCWorld spoke with chip makers, PC manufacturers, and analysts to learn more about what laptops will offer circa 2018. Join us as we peer into a multifaceted crystal ball to decipher the future of the notebook. Refining the Hybrid As PC manufacturers ready the first round of Windows 8 laptop-tablet hybrids, they’re willing to admit that their concepts are works in progress.…

ROKU MADE SEVERAL announcements in September regarding its streaming video players. The company updated its iOS and Android remote apps with new music and photo features, slapped a price and a (rough) ship date on its new Streaming Stick product, and added a Vudu channel to its lineup. App Updates With the latest versions of its remote control apps for iOS and Android, Roku has added a new feature called Play On Roku. Users can now stream photos and music from their smartphones or tablets to the TV via a Roku hardware player; the feature is similar to AirPlay on the Apple TV. With Play On Roku, you can advance through photos with a simple swipe of your mobile device’s screen, or enable a slideshow (complete with musical accompaniment). With…

THE HOLIDAY SEASON is traditionally a time of generosity, as people focus on ways to help the less fortunate. But the holidays also bring out scammers who try to con donors out of cash with fake (but legitimate-looking) websites and email solicitations. Here’s how to thwart fraudsters and make sure that your contribution goes where it can do the most good. Research the charity: Before you give, learn all you can about the charity. Check its website for a physical address, phone number, and other contact information, along with names of principals and board members. Look for a clear mission statement and financial reports; by law nonprofits must make their financial information publicly available. Also, check the site’s URL: Most nonprofits use.org, not.com, in their domain extension. Delete email or…

PLEASING YOUR STAFFERS every payday and satisfying Uncle Sam at tax time is no small task. But if you’re responsible for cutting the checks for your business, online services can automate most of the payroll chores. We looked at two such services: Intuit Online Payroll and RUN Powered by ADP. Intuit Online Payroll To better compare pricing, I calculated the estimated cost for Intuit Online Payroll for 15 employees. It added up to about $61 per month for the subscription that includes tax forms, or about $106 per month with employee time-tracking. The service starts with a 30-day free trial. The wizard-style setup asks about your pay schedule, direct deposit information, and vacation/sick-time policies. You can input older data if you’ve used another system in the past. When setting up…

THE LENOVO IDEAPAD Y580 delivers serious power for just $1099. However, it also weighs a hefty 6.2 pounds (not including accessories). But it’s not too bulky, at 15.2 inches wide by 10 inches deep by 1.5 inches thick. The high-definition, LED-backlit screen is 15.6 inches (diagonal). Its speedy Intel Core i7-3610QM processor runs at a standard 2.3GHz, but Intel’s Max Turbo Frequency technology can kick it up to 3.3GHz. The Y580 scored a 108 on our WorldBench 7 test suite, or about 8 percent faster than our baseline desktop system. You also get 8GB of 1600MHz DDR3 RAM. The Y580 also delivered a strong performance in our graphics/gaming benchmarks, thanks to an Nvidia GeForce GTX 660M GPU. The wide, backlit keyboard is comfortable to type on, and the touchpad is…

RECIMG MANAGER HELPS you manage the new Windows 8 recimg.exe command-line utility—and the recovery images that it creates—in a slick interface that matches the Windows 8 aesthetic. This free utility enables you to avoid using the command prompt window to run the new OS’s recimg.exe file, so you can more comfortably enter the details, such as the name and the storage location, for recovery images. It also offers the handy options of scheduling their creation and managing the number of images that are retained. One small issue: After I cancelled a backup, I was unable to quit the program; instead, I received warnings that a backup was still in progress. After ending the recimg.exe process in Task Manager, however, I was able to quit RecImg Manager. RecImg Manager is undeniably…

The Big Picture High-definition TV updates standard-definition television with a wider screen containing many more pixels for greater detail. But watching standard-def TV on an HDTV won’t improve the experience. In fact, unless you adjust your HDTV to display such broadcasts in their intended 4:3 aspect ratio, images will look worse. The two main types of HDTVs are LED and plasma. An LED is an LCD (liquid crystal display) panel that uses LEDs (light-emitting diodes) instead of fluorescent tubes for backlighting. LED sets shine a bright backlight through a layer of liquid crystals, which move to let the light pass through or block the light altogether. Plasma sets use an electrical charge to make a gas emit ultraviolet light, which causes phosphors on the screen to glow. The Specs Explained…

The Big Picture Today’s phones let you send and receive email and text messages, surf the Web, and play music and videos. And there’s no time like the present to buy a new one, whether it be the newest iPhone to an Android superphone to a business-friendly Windows Phone. Before you hit the stores, however, do a bit of research and read this guide so that you’ll know exactly what to look for. And when you do visit a store, perform some simple tests to ensure that the handset has everything you need. The Specs Explained Call quality: When evaluating phones, be sure to make a few test calls. In our hands-on tests, we generally make some calls in a quiet room and several calls in a noisy environment. You…

IF YOU’RE NOT getting the range you want from your home or office wireless network, you have many ways to expand your coverage. Here are a couple of them. Add a Wireless Repeater You can boost Wi-Fi coverage as much as 40 percent by adding a wireless repeater or range extender. Place this repeater at the outer (but still good) range of your router’s coverage, and it should repeat the network signals between the router and any Wi-Fi computers and devices that wirelessly connect to the repeater. The problem with this approach is that it significantly reduces the Wi-Fi network speeds for computers and devices connecting through the repeater. Still, the performance hit may be fine if all you do is Web browsing on those PCs. But if you transfer…