slim

Driver updates? "If it ain't broke, don't fix it," describes how many users feel about updating their system's drivers, but these important bits of software tell your PC's components what to do, and it's wise, sometimes critical, to update them regularly. SlimDrivers Free is a simple tool that uses cloud-based scans to identify, download, and help you install driver updates for your system. It creates a personal profile that remembers your drivers and downloads the right ones automatically when you scan your system.

SlimDrivers Free's simple, colorful interface advised us to begin … Read more

First of all, let's clear the air about Apple's iPad and the Kindle Fire. Apple couldn't care less about the Kindle Fire. There is not a single device in the tablet market that requires Apple to create a "competitor" product.

In fact, one could argue that there is not a single device in the smartphone market that Apple is worried about either. The new iPad has reportedly sold out of preorder units, and the iPhone 4S drove Apple to its biggest quarter (and one of the best by any company) ever.

So, to suggest that the Kindle Fire is a catalyst for Apple to develop a new product is a little insulting to Apple. That being said, the rumors exist. The latest, from (who else) DigiTimes, suggests this Kindle Fire competitor from Apple will feature a 7.85-inch screen with a slimmer bezel to help maximize display area.… Read more

Glary Utilities has a good reputation among users who need safe and reliable system cleaning and maintenance in an easy-to-use package. Glary Utilities Slim is a freeware bundle of Glary's disk and registry cleaners and other system tools. It also enables easy, centralized access to a number of built-in Windows tools. Some of its features you'll only need once or twice a year, like an oil change; others are for regular duties. It slims the package by leaving out some automatic and duplicate features.

Glary Utilities Slim bears a strong family resemblance because it shares the family interface. … Read more

Telephone service in Mexico is run by a monopoly that is overcharging customers billions of dollars, according to a new report by the Organization for Co-operation and Development (OECD).

"The lack of telecommunication competition in Mexico has led to inefficient telecommunications markets that impose significant costs on the Mexican economy and burden the welfare of its population," say the report's authors.

The culprit companies, America Movil (mobile phones) and Telmex (fixed lines), are owned by the world's richest man--Carlos Slim. According to Forbes' list of top billionaires, Slim's net worth is $74 billion; next … Read more

I expect Alienware will sell a lot of these.

There's very little about the new Alienware X51 gaming slim tower a mainstream buyer won't appreciate. You can buy a reasonably fast configuration, like our review unit, for less than $1,000. It's on an aesthetic par with an Xbox 360 or a PlayStation 3. You can even put it on its side and slide it into your media rack.

It's still a PC, of course, with all the content benefits and interface and software hang-ups implied therein. And in spite of Alienware's clever work cramming in a full-size 3D card, the X51 will make a finicky upgrade platform. You get no other expansion card slots, there's room for only one hard drive, and the 330-watt power supply (an upgrade over the 230-watt default) limits you to mainstream graphics cards.

Still, the bumped-up GeForce GTX 555 card in our review config can run Battlefield 3, Skyrim, or pretty much any other game at 1,920x1,080-pixel resolution with smooth frame rates and respectable quality settings. That's all many gamers will ask for, particularly those shopping for a PC like this one.

Read the full review of the Alienware X51.… Read more

A bucket-load of community data, Facebook-styled "like" and "dislike" of user comments, and a pile of interface tweaks that make the program easier to use capstone SlimCleaner 2.0 (download), available exclusively today from Download.com.

The update to its sophomore version makes some big changes from version 1.6's collection of robust tools. There's a registry cleaner, for sweeping up all the detritus left by unruly programs after you uninstall them, a faster scanning engine, and recommendations for similar programs. The recommendation engine appears to be accurate, so if you're looking at … Read more

Installing and uninstalling programs, browsing the Web, and just everyday computer use can take its toll on your PC's performance. That's why it's important to find the right cleaning utility to keep your computer running on all cylinders. SlimCleaner 1.8 is a unique program in that it uses crowdsourcing to provide active feedback for the software installed on your computer. Its speedy scans and all-inclusive features make it a must-have system utility.

SlimCleaner opens with a professionally designed, intuitive interface. On the left side of the window you have seven maintenance options: Cleaner, Optimize, Uninstaller, Browsers, … Read more

We've seen some rather ingenious Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 mods in the past. The PlayStation 3 Slim Laptop and Xbox 360 Slim Portable by renowned amateur modder Ben Heck, for example, are some of the notable ones.

For those of us who aren't technically inclined enough to assemble a custom rig, the Bothell, Wash.-based company GAEMS (Gaming and Entertainment Mobile Systems) has a more consumer-friendly solution. The G155 is a well-thought-out carrying case that fits the Xbox 360 (original and 360 S models), as well as the PlayStation 3 Slim.

The "case" is fitted with a 15-inch 720p LED-lit monitor, small integrated stereo speakers, and two 3.5mm headphone jacks, which should be good enough for the gamer on the road. While the unit doesn't provide power to your console of choice, it has sufficient storage space for the power adapters and cables you'll need. … Read more

Sony Computer Entertainment Japan today revealed a lighter, more power-efficient PlayStation 3 set for release later this month. The updated 320GB PS3 console, CECH-3000B (34,980 yen, $436), features several improvements over its predecessor CECH-2500B.

Sony has tweaked the refreshed version of the PS3 to be a little more "green;" power consumption is now rated at 200W, which is a 30W reduction from the previous model. For reference, previous configurations of the PS3 slim used up to 80W at peak load and 67W when idle.

Nearly a pound has been shed in this hardware revision, as the CECH-3000B is 5.7 pounds compared to the 6.6 pound CECH-2500B. Some minor visual changes have also been made to the power and eject buttons, according to Joystiq. All of the standard included accessories remain the same in this new package, which includes a Dualshock 3 controller, USB cable, AV cable, and power cord. Height, width, and depth are unchanged. … Read more