Hasta La Gadget!

Microsoft recently issued its “Security Bulletin Advance Notification” for this month, detailing which operating systems and software will be updated on November 13th. While many products are being addressed, including Office for Mac, newly released Windows 8 and RT are the most notable entries on the list. The first patches since they hit the market will fix “critical” issues which open them up to “remote code execution.” Microsoft hasn’t gone into specifics (obviously), but you can register for a webcast being held on the 14th (see source link) should you want enlightening. If you thought your fresh machine or slate was flawless, we’re afraid to say it’s just another member of the ‘Patch Tuesday’ club.

Filed under: Desktops, Laptops, Software, Microsoft

Microsoft’s November security updates include critical Windows 8 and RT patches originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 10 Nov 2012 02:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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October 23rd was mostly the iPad mini’s coming out party; an event with one major headliner. But that newborn product didn’t enter Apple’s ecosystem alone. Amidst the flurry of announcements, there was one other wee hardware relative on hand ready to join in on the launch festivities: a refreshed 2012 Mac mini. Addressing criticisms of last year’s model, Apple added USB 3.0 ports, upgraded to third-generation Ivy Bridge Core processors and boosted the standard RAM allotment to 4GB (you can configure it with up to 16 gigs). Perhaps most interestingly, it’s now offering a hybrid storage option, the so-called FusionDrive, which combines flash memory with a SATA HDD.

One quirk still remains, though: the product’s demographic leanings. Just who is the Mac mini for? Is it the go-anywhere, portable desktop best integrated in yachts, airports, automobiles and living rooms? Or, with a starting price of $599, is it the perfect, low-cost migration assistant (pun intended) for consumers making the switch from a Windows desktop? Follow on to see which hat this not-quite-an-HTPC wears best.

Continue reading Mac mini review (2012)

Filed under: Desktops, Apple

Mac mini review (2012) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 09 Nov 2012 15:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Just as it predicted, NVIDIA’s earnings show revenue rose again in Q3, to a new record high of $1.20 billion, 15.3 percent higher than in Q2 up 12.9 percent from the same period last year. Its profits also grew accordingly, to $209.1 million, which should be no surprise thanks to its Tegra 3 chip’s place at the heart of tablets including Google’s Nexus 7 and Microsoft’s Surface for Windows RT, with more arriving daily. The Consumer Products division that includes the Tegra family and other hardware had a 27.6 percent rise in revenue for the quarter. Despite predictions of a slumping PC market, its consumer GPU unit had revenue up 10 percent from last quarter as Kepler based products reached into lower price points and notebook revenue rose. Riding high, the company has decided to issue dividends to shareholders as well as extend its current stock repurchasing program. Hit the source links for the full breakdown, but so far NVIDIA’s bets on the future of its chips in PCs and post-PC devices seem to be paying off.

Continue reading NVIDIA’s revenue hits a record $1.20 billion for Q3 powered by Tegra 3 tablets, Kepler GPUs

Filed under: Cellphones, Desktops, Laptops, Tablets, Mobile, NVIDIA

NVIDIA’s revenue hits a record $1.20 billion for Q3 powered by Tegra 3 tablets, Kepler GPUs originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Nov 2012 19:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PC maker Lenovo has reported its earnings for Q2, and there was plenty of good news: $8.7 billion in sales, a record high, a PC market share of 15.6 percent, it’s largest ever and operating profit of $206 million, 24 percent higher than the same period last year. The only bad news is that profit growth is slower than previous quarters, mostly due to Lenovo’s reaching into new markets like tablets, smartphones and connected TVs. for now however, Lenovo can claim the crown as world’s largest laptop PC maker, while desktop sales were also up five percent from last year. Its mobile internet division reported sales of $718 million, and is the second largest seller in China of smartphones and tablets. It’s also China’s number one PC vendor with sales outpacing the next four vendors combined and racked up double digit market share in the EMEA region for the first time. Check the press release after the break for all of the details, we’ll be back in a few months to find out how all that new Windows 8 hardware sold.

Continue reading Lenovo Q2 earnings reveal record high sales of $8.7 billion, highest-ever PC market share

Filed under: Cellphones, Desktops, Laptops, Tablets, Mobile, Lenovo

Lenovo Q2 earnings reveal record high sales of $8.7 billion, highest-ever PC market share originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Nov 2012 00:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Raspberry Pi received a RAM boost recently, but it certainly won’t need it to run the latest officially supported operating system — RISC OS. A far cry from Linux variants the naked board is used to, RISC OS was developed in the late eighties by the same boffins who designed the first ARM processor. Fittingly, it’s also related to the OS found on the BBC Micro, a computer that shared the Raspberry Pi’s educational vision. Don’t expect much from the simple OS, but it will run extremely fast given the Pi’s hardware is practically futuristic compared with the computers it was intended for. The simplicity does mean, however, that it’s much easier to get right into the system and start tinkering. It was formerly a closed-source OS, so luckily, there are a bunch of Programmers’ Reference Manuals (PRMs) available to kick-start your next project. Whether you are totally new to RISC OS, or excited to dive in for nostalgia’s sake, head to the source link for everything you’ll need.

Filed under: Desktops, Misc, Software

RISC OS lands on the Raspberry Pi, relives the glory days originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 06 Nov 2012 08:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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