PC Hardware and Computer Basics
Information about the basic operation, technology and functionality of personal computer hardware. The links on this page will be a general overview of PC hardware and how to use that information when buying computer parts or systems.
PC Technologies of 2008
2008 saw some dramatic changes in the computing world. Whether it was with portable computers or desktops, a few new technologies are set to make computing very different in coming years. Desktops are gaining new functions and features while portables are becoming even more portable. Here are some of the most influential technologies from 2008 that I feel are noteworthy.
2008 saw some dramatic changes in the computing world. Whether it was with portable computers or desktops, a few new technologies are set to make computing very different in coming years. Desktops are gaining new functions and features while portables are becoming even more portable. Here are some of the most influential technologies from 2008 that I feel are noteworthy.
PC Tech Blunders of 2008
2008 featured a major shift in the computing world with the introduction of low cost ultraportable netbooks. Was this for the best? What about other technology that was introduced this year that failed to really catch on? Let's take a look at some of the products and technologies that in 2008 that I feel either failed to change the market or hurt the market as a whole.
2008 featured a major shift in the computing world with the introduction of low cost ultraportable netbooks. Was this for the best? What about other technology that was introduced this year that failed to really catch on? Let's take a look at some of the products and technologies that in 2008 that I feel either failed to change the market or hurt the market as a whole.
Apple Mac OS X vs. Windows XP Performance Comparison
A detailed look at performance between Windows XP and Mac OS X running similiar applications on an Intel Mac Mini by the About PC Hardware / Reviews Guide. (4/3/06)
A detailed look at performance between Windows XP and Mac OS X running similiar applications on an Intel Mac Mini by the About PC Hardware / Reviews Guide. (4/3/06)
BIOS Settings
Article about how to setup the BIOS properly for a newly built computer from components from the About PC Hardware / Reviews Guide.
Article about how to setup the BIOS properly for a newly built computer from components from the About PC Hardware / Reviews Guide.
Building vs. Buying a Personal Computer
Article discussing the advantages and disadvantages of building a desktop personal computer system from components versus buying a prebuilt system. Also has link to a signup for a 5-day e-mail course on building a personal computer system by the About PC Hardware / Reviews Guide.
Article discussing the advantages and disadvantages of building a desktop personal computer system from components versus buying a prebuilt system. Also has link to a signup for a 5-day e-mail course on building a personal computer system by the About PC Hardware / Reviews Guide.
Computer Recycling
An article discussing the options consumers have for disposing of old computer components and electronics from the About PC Hardware / Reviews Guide.
An article discussing the options consumers have for disposing of old computer components and electronics from the About PC Hardware / Reviews Guide.
Desktop PC Parts Checklist
A quick checklist of the core components required to build a desktop computer system from scratch. Includes a brief description of the components as well as links to more details on selecting the components.
A quick checklist of the core components required to build a desktop computer system from scratch. Includes a brief description of the components as well as links to more details on selecting the components.
Energy Star and the PC
Article from the About.com PC Hardware / Reviews Guide looking at what it really means for a personal computer to receive the Energy Star lable.
Article from the About.com PC Hardware / Reviews Guide looking at what it really means for a personal computer to receive the Energy Star lable.
ExpressCard
Article from the About PC Hardware / Reviews Guide talking about the ExpressCard interface designed to replace the old PC Card technology for notebook computer systems.
Article from the About PC Hardware / Reviews Guide talking about the ExpressCard interface designed to replace the old PC Card technology for notebook computer systems.
High Definition Paradox
An article that looks into the problems facing PCs and the playback of high definition video from the About PC Hardware / Reviews Guide.
An article that looks into the problems facing PCs and the playback of high definition video from the About PC Hardware / Reviews Guide.
Intel's Centrino Duo Notebook Technology
Article from the About PC Hardware / Reviews Guide that looks into what a notebook with the Intel Centrino Duo badge really means in terms of its features, performance and battery life.
Article from the About PC Hardware / Reviews Guide that looks into what a notebook with the Intel Centrino Duo badge really means in terms of its features, performance and battery life.
Is Apple Now a PC?
An editorial from the About PC Hardware / Reviews Guide looking at the announcement from Apple that it will begin using Intel hardware and processors beginning in 2006.
An editorial from the About PC Hardware / Reviews Guide looking at the announcement from Apple that it will begin using Intel hardware and processors beginning in 2006.
Multimedia, Media Center and Home Theater PCs
An article from the About PC Hardware / Reviews Guide that takes a look at three common marketing terms describing PC computer systems and what they really mean in terms of the multimedia features they may actually have.
An article from the About PC Hardware / Reviews Guide that takes a look at three common marketing terms describing PC computer systems and what they really mean in terms of the multimedia features they may actually have.
OEM Products
An article from the About PC Hardware / Reviews Guide that takes a look at what OEM versions of products are and whether they are items to consider over retail version.
An article from the About PC Hardware / Reviews Guide that takes a look at what OEM versions of products are and whether they are items to consider over retail version.
PC Hardware in a Nutshell, 2nd Edition
Book review by the About PC Hardare / Reviews Guide of O'Reilly & Associates "PC Hardware in a Nutshell" 2nd Edition quick reference book.
Book review by the About PC Hardare / Reviews Guide of O'Reilly & Associates "PC Hardware in a Nutshell" 2nd Edition quick reference book.
PCI Express Primer
Article that looks at some of the benefits of the new PCI Express interface over the previous PCI standards.
Article that looks at some of the benefits of the new PCI Express interface over the previous PCI standards.
Personal Computer Tool Kit
Article detailing the most important tools that one should have when working on a personal computer. It is formatted as a checklist with the name of the item to have in the kit, how it is used and why it is important.
Article detailing the most important tools that one should have when working on a personal computer. It is formatted as a checklist with the name of the item to have in the kit, how it is used and why it is important.
Post Holiday Hardware Blues
Article talking about ways to upgrade your desktop or laptop computer systems to allow them to properly use those new holiday computer gifts.
Article talking about ways to upgrade your desktop or laptop computer systems to allow them to properly use those new holiday computer gifts.
Pre-Installed PC Software - The Good and The Bad
Article that examines the trends, both good and bad, with software installed on new laptop and desktop PCs from the About.com PC Hardware / Reviews Guide.
Article that examines the trends, both good and bad, with software installed on new laptop and desktop PCs from the About.com PC Hardware / Reviews Guide.
R.I.P. Floppy Drives
Article from the About PC Hardware / Reviews Guide looking back at the life and times of the old floppy diskette drives and to the new technologies designed to replace it.
Article from the About PC Hardware / Reviews Guide looking back at the life and times of the old floppy diskette drives and to the new technologies designed to replace it.
RoHS Directive: Greener PCs
An article that looks at the European RoHS directive and its impact on making electronics more environmentally friendly by the About PC Hardware / Reviews Guide.
An article that looks at the European RoHS directive and its impact on making electronics more environmentally friendly by the About PC Hardware / Reviews Guide.
Top PC Tech Blunders of 2006
A look back at some of the products and ideas of the 2006 PC market that failed to catch on or make a difference in the computing world from the About PC Hardware / Reviews Guide.
A look back at some of the products and ideas of the 2006 PC market that failed to catch on or make a difference in the computing world from the About PC Hardware / Reviews Guide.
Top PC Tech Blunders of 2007
A look back at some of the products and ideas of the 2007 PC market that failed to catch on or make a difference in the computing world from the About PC Hardware / Reviews Guide.
A look back at some of the products and ideas of the 2007 PC market that failed to catch on or make a difference in the computing world from the About PC Hardware / Reviews Guide.
Top PC Technology of 2006
A look at the top technology advancements in PC computers from 2006 by the About PC Hardware / Reviews Guide.
A look at the top technology advancements in PC computers from 2006 by the About PC Hardware / Reviews Guide.
Top PC Technology of 2007
A look back at some of the products and ideas of the 2007 PC market that took off or made an big impact on the computing world from the About.com PC Hardware / Reviews Guide.
A look back at some of the products and ideas of the 2007 PC market that took off or made an big impact on the computing world from the About.com PC Hardware / Reviews Guide.
Upgrade or Replace a Desktop PC?
Article from the About PC Hardware / Reviews Guide examining the options available to people with older computers by either upgrading the parts of the computer or through replacement. It also examines what to do with old parts that are no longer used.
Article from the About PC Hardware / Reviews Guide examining the options available to people with older computers by either upgrading the parts of the computer or through replacement. It also examines what to do with old parts that are no longer used.
Upgrade or Replace a Notebook PC?
Article from the About.com PC Hardare / Reviews Guide that takes a look into what options users have for upgrading their notebook PCs or whether it might be more useful to replace it instead.
Article from the About.com PC Hardare / Reviews Guide that takes a look into what options users have for upgrading their notebook PCs or whether it might be more useful to replace it instead.
What PC Do I Use
Article describing the components that make up the PC used by the About PC Hardware / Reviews Guide everyday.
Article describing the components that make up the PC used by the About PC Hardware / Reviews Guide everyday.
Why is Apple Not Covered on This Site?
This is an FAQ about why the PC Hardware / Reviews site does not have any reviews or coverage on the Apple Macintosh hardware and software.
This is an FAQ about why the PC Hardware / Reviews site does not have any reviews or coverage on the Apple Macintosh hardware and software.