Tech News
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Linus Torvalds F-bombs Nvidia
Published: Monday, June 18, 2012 | By: DennisPeople do stuff like this to get attention and it doesn't matter if they are a hardware review startup or a top ranked and highly respected public figure, if you do things against the norm you will get attention. This attention is then followed by a whole lotta backlash.
While I agree — and in many ways sympathize — with Torvalds’ point about Nvidia with regards to Linux support, I don’t agree with the suggestion that any community is entitled to anything beyond what a company advertises as offering. We do have to bear in mind that Nvidia is under no obligation to do anything to help the Linux community, and any suggestion that Nvidia — or any other company – should play nicely with open source is based on nothing more than a feeling of entitlement.
I can fully agree with this statement. While it would be a nice gesture to help the Linux community create the drivers they need and might might prevent the Linux hacking army from stealing Tegra 4 specs and selling them to the highest bidder it just isn't something Nvidia is obligated to do.
This whole exchange reminds me of phrase I heard in my youth. I was visiting the local motorcycle salvage yard looking to see what it may cost to rebuild a small street bike. After asking the cranky grease monkey mechanic a bunch of questions about my project he responded. "You know kid we can do almost anything but money talks and bullshit walks".
I think the same could be said here.
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NL: Review Block - Motherboards Cases and Coolers
Published: Friday, June 15, 2012 | By: DennisI'm still trying to get caught up after being away for Computex, had there been someone here posting news for me while i was gone this wouldn't be an issue. Instead it would seem most people are more interested in getting review product they don't have to pay for than doing actual work which isn't right.
Needless to say there are some sites out there that do reviews for a living and below is few that filtered into the news box.
Motherboards
- Gigabyte Z77X-UD3H Motherboard Review @ HCW
- ASRock H77 Pro4 MVP Intel LGA 1155 Motherboard Review
- ASUS Maximus V Gene Intel Z77 Express LGA 1155 @ techPowerUp
- ECS Z77H2-AX Gold Edition @ PureOverclock
- ASRock Z77 Fatal1ty Professional @ PureOverclock
Chassis
- LEPA LPC302 Mid-Tower Case Review @ HardwareLOOK
- Corsair Obsidian 550D Mid-Tower Quiet Chassis Review @ Techgage
- Silverstone Fortress FT03 Mini Case Review (seems a little disrespectful having "butt" in the URL)
- Lian Li PC-TU200 @ techPowerUp
- Corsair Carbide 500R @ PureOverclock
- MSI Ravager Case @ LanOC Reviews
- Corsair Obsidian 550D review
- Corsair Obsidian 550D Case Review @ HardwareHeaven
- Cooler Master Cosmos II Ultra Tower Chassis Review @ OCIA
Coolers
- Noctua NH-L12 CPU Cooler Review on Technic3D
- Antec H20 920 CPU Cooler Review on Technic3D
- Funky Kit Review: Thermaltake Water 2.0 Performer
- XIGMATEK Dark Knight SD-1283 Night Hawk Edition CPU Cooler Review @ NikKTech
- Thermaltake Water 2.0 Performer CPU Water Cooler Review @ Legit ReviewsI have some good reviews in the works including a revist to the Gigabyte Z77 using a shiny new Core i7 3770K that I scored from the computer market in Taipei.
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ROCCAT Kone[+] Gaming Mouse & Isku Gaming Keyboard Review @ Techgage
Published: Friday, June 15, 2012 | By: DennisROCCAT is one of the premier gaming peripheral makers in Germany and now is looking to have the same success across the globe.
ROCCAT may not sound like a familiar name to you, but in time, that could change. The company has been in the European market for a number of years, and has just broken into the US scene earlier this year. To get a good idea of what the company has to offer, we're taking a look at its Kone[+] gaming mouse and Isku gaming keyboard.
I got to see (and use) these products at CES this year and was really impressed with the entire package. They keyboard and mouse by themselves are average by today's standards but once you factor in the software they really become more than just a keyboard and mouse.
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Zotac Fusion Mini-ITX Motherboard (Fusion-B-U) @ TechwareLabs
Published: Friday, June 15, 2012 | By: DennisI got to meet with the Zotac folks at Computex, the meeting was unproductive, per the usual, but I did get to see some of their latest mobo designs. As you can imagine they are all quite small and yet allow you lots of options for upgrades and whatnot.
With AMDs recent release of their APUs it was only a matter of time before the technology came to small factor computers. In the past, you needed a Motherboard, CPU, and GPU (either discrete or integrated into the motherboard) to have a working system. However with the E-350 this is all rolled into one miniscule package. Today we will be looking at a slightly different solution called the Zotac Fusion-B-U.
Fusion is perfect for SFF, just don't expect to play any of your favorite FPS games on it.
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The other side of Computex @ TR
Published: Friday, June 15, 2012 | By: DennisHere is a great article by Geoff about his recent Computex trip. I did a similar article a few years ago which talked about how you prepare for Taiwan and trade shows in general. The one thing I have learned over my many visits to the island is that you can never plan for everything and just have to trust your instincts.
In the end, Computex was a good way to spend a week. We were one of only a handful of North American sites covering the show, and we got to see a lot of very cool hardware due out later this year. Here's a little hint: there will be lots of Windows 8 tablets and hybrid notebooks. I look forward to seeing them in the hands of real people rather than tarted up models.
The article is good, def worth the read.
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10 things I’ve learned at Computex 2012
Published: Thursday, June 14, 2012 | By: DennisHere is a rather good article about Computex from Extremetech.
If the biggest story to come out of Computex is that there was no big story, that’s not nothing — and it reinforces how this is all becoming ubiquitous in the best possible way. I’m not sure whether I’ll be back in Taipei next year, but if I am, I’ll have a richer understanding and deeper respect for how the tech industry extends and promotes itself, and operates on the forefront of an exciting, unpredictable future.
Many of the hardware review editors joked that there were only a handful of North American media at Computex. (rough count of 5 review sites in total) The more I think about that the better off I feel about attending the show in 2012 and for the past 5 years in a row. (I've been there 8 times total). Sadly I will admit that 2012 was somewhat lack luster on the new product front. Yes, there was plenty to see but it wasn't all that new, or something you can glean from a press release.
Of course that isn't a reason to stay home, or give up on going. In fact I had some of my mfg friends actually wonder where I was when my travel plans got screwed up due to a canceled flight.
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I'm Back!!
Published: Thursday, June 14, 2012 | By: DennisYep, back from my 10 day trip to Taipei, it was a challenge but I made it there and back with only flooding and a 6.5 earthquake to keep me company. I landed safely in sunny Idaho shortly after 10pm on the 13th after having taken off from Taipei at 19:50 (7:50pm for people in 12 hour world) on the same day. Its kind of freaky how I can land in Boise roughly 2 hours after taking off.
Gotta love time travel, I just wish it didn't take so long.
I am a bit under the weather having caught a head cold right before leaving town. Normally this happens within hours of me leaving but the wind was blowing all week in Taipei which kept most of the pollution up and out of the city. I really blame the people I spoke with at Computex since I caught at least 3 of them breathing in my face and spitting on my arm as they did their presentations.
Barring any issues with Jet lag (wishful thinking) things around here should get back to normal shortly.
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Computex Travel Day
Published: Tuesday, June 12, 2012 | By: DennisSorry for the lack of news lately but traveling in Taiwan can be a demanding task, both on the body and mind. Throw in a little jet lag and you have a recipe for disaster.
I'm traveling back home today and with any luck will get back into the normal routine in a few days.
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Mobos are all about differentiation: Q&A with ECS
Published: Sunday, June 10, 2012 | By: DennisHere is an interesting interview with ECS talking about motherboard marketing.
Q: What products will Elitegroup Computer Systems (ECS) be presenting at Computex 2012?
A: ECS is showcasing products under four major categories - motherboard, graphics card, all-in-one (AIO) PC and notebook.
In the past, ECS was broadly recognized as a motherboard maker that focused mainly on the entry-level and mid-range segments, but the company has been aggressively transforming its business model over the past two years and has successfully entered into the high-end segment.
In 2008, we launched our Black series motherboards targeting the high-end market and we are pushing our latest Golden limited edition motherboards for the extreme high-end products under the Black series for 2012.They do go on to talk about the golden motherboards and why they are important. Personally I feel they are all about adding more bling for your buck.
Funny thing, I visited the ECS booth, looked around, had my press pass out in the open and nobody came to talk to me. Its like they were too lazy to care.
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E3 Expo 2012 - Our Annual Booth Babe Special @ Legit Reviews
Published: Sunday, June 10, 2012 | By: DennisThere are a bunch of duplicates in this E3 babe gallery but you'll hardly notice if you aren't pay attention.
Many of our readers have been giving very positive feedback on our coverage of this years Electronic Entertainment Expo and today we conclude it with booth babes! To keep up with the demand of our readers, we would not be giving proper coverage without showing what many would consider the best part, the booth babes! We’ve compiled more than 60 pictures of the hottest booth models to grace the Los Angeles Convention Center this week and they are all in this article!
Of course now the question is.
Which show would you rather attend?? E3 or Computex!
