XP to Vista: A Worthwhile Migration?
In this new video, Rob shares the ups & downs of migrating one system from XP to Vista.
XP to Vista: A Worthwhile Migration? Read More »
Hello Firefox, Goodbye Internet Explorer
After a decade, Rob has made the transition from Internet Explorer to Firefox. In this new video, he reviews the Firefox features that made the decision to switch easy.
Hello Firefox, Goodbye Internet Explorer Read More »
Windows – Planned Obsolescence
Dear Rob:
I bought my laptop in 2005, and now it is maddingly slow. Should I get a new PC with Vista?
Thanks,
HookemHorns
I get emails like this on a regular basis. Here’s an insider look at why our PC’s are so damn slow, and whether Vista is the light at the end of the tunnel.
Windows – Planned Obsolescence Read More »
Sony – Busted Again!
It was over a year ago when we first reported that Sony was distributing spyware on audio CD’s. Recently, during the holiday season, Sony announced that it had settled with over 40 states for its shenanigans. One would think that Sony would have changed its ways, and more importantly, no longer pose a threat to the security, performance, and stability of our computers.
Sony – Busted Again! Read More »
A Video is Worth a Hundred Blogs
I was shocked when Dell announced their first battery recall in August 2006, quickly followed by Apple. Being cynical by nature, the only reason that these companies would proactively do an expensive battery recall was to limit liability on a potentially explosive (pun intended) issue. I talked to numerous industry vets and learned that the potential exists for many more battery explosions and recalls. At PC Pitstop, I made it our mission to inform the public of the danger of battery fires, and practical tips to avoid them.
A Video is Worth a Hundred Blogs Read More »
Market Research Video: Software Stocks
The PC Pitstop Market Research team is pleased to share this exclusive report detailing key trends related to publicly traded software companies. From anti-virus leaders like Symantec in a free fall of market share to the emergence of a new player in the Microsoft dominated office productivity space, this analysis uncovers some very intriguing shifts in the industry. View the video below to learn more.
Market Research Video: Software Stocks Read More »
Playing with Fire III
Last night, before I went to bed, the battery in my notebook felt a little hot. All these crazy thoughts went through my head. Was this the first sign before it explodes? What would I do if my notebook exploded in the middle of the night? Perhaps, I was being paranoid, but I pulled the battery out of my portable before drifting off to sleep.
Playing with Fire III Read More »
Notebook PC Explodes
We intentionally created conditions in which the Li-ON battery pack would explode inside a generic portable. The results are dramatic. There are numerous conditions where these fires can occur in real life. Faulty battery packs (driving the recalls), faulty protection circuits inside the PC, exposure to excessive heat, and blunt force are some of the major ways that this could happen to you.
Notebook PC Explodes Read More »
Playing with Fire: Part II
Tony Olson
CEO D2 Worldwide
Rob: Hi, this is Rob Cheng. It’s October 13th, 2006. I’m here with Tony Olson who is an old friend of mine that I worked with at Gateway. He was the Vice President of Engineering. Tony started a brand new company called D2 Worldwide and he has a lot of insight into the portables and what’s going on there. Tony, first tell me a little bit about D2 Worldwide and how you learned so much about the portables.
Playing with Fire: Part II Read More »
Playing with Fire
Last month, Dell announced they would be replacing over 4 million batteries from notebook computers shipped worldwide during the last 2 years. Shortly, after that Apple announced a similar recall on a smaller scale. Doing a recall on this magnitude is an extremely expensive and complex task, and PC Pitstop applauds these companies for leading the way. The reality is that all portables running LiON batteries have some probability of exploding. Apple and Dell owners should be pleased, not dismayed, that their manufacturers chose to be the leaders in alerting their users to the risks of portable computing.