pc

Get Max Payne 3 (PC) for $13.59

Quick update regarding yesterday's post, the one about three free months of Next Issue. There was a technical glitch, one that couldn't be quickly resolved, so CNET decided to pull the deal (and my post) to avoid further confusion/consternation. The good news is that everything appears to be hunky-dory now, and the deal is live as of now. (After you click through, be sure to scroll down a bit to read "the fine print" section for a couple important details.) Sorry for the inconvenience!

CNET gave it five stars and named it one of the … Read more

Think PCs are dead? Check out these crazy mods

AUSTIN, Texas--The PC is so not dead.

That's what AMD, one of the world's largest makers of processors, wants the world to know. And at SXSW, the chipmaker is putting its money where its mouth is and showing off a collection of modded PCs masquerading as art.

During its Technograffiti event here tonight, AMD will let the world get a glimpse of a series of PC mods that it hopes will convince people who think mobile devices have fully supplanted PCs that there's still some life remaining in the full-size computer.

"We want people to reimagine … Read more

Three name-your-own-price indie game bundles

Game bundles are kind of a dime a dozen these days, but that doesn't mean they're not worth checking out.

Indeed, as evidenced by the three new bundles I've rounded up today, there's a lot of good gaming to be had for cheap. Really, really cheap.

1. Bundle Stars 'Fire and Ice'

Bundle Stars' latest gives you two games for $1.26, or eight games if you pay at least $4.97. The latter option includes two additional mystery titles that will unlock in the future.

They're all Windows titles, with the exception of Tiny … Read more

Get a Logitech 2.1-channel speaker system for $24.99

This is an update of a deal I wrote about last year. Hopefully it won't sell out as quickly this time!

Looking to add a decent sound system to your laptop, or even an HDTV? When you're doing an end run around tiny, tinny built-in speakers, there's nowhere to go but up.

Today only, and while supplies last, Overrunz.com has the refurbished Logitech Z313 2.1-channel speaker system for $24.99, plus $5 for shipping. It sells elsewhere for at least $40, and new for $50.

This 25-watt system includes two satellite speakers and a subwoofer. … Read more

iMac ship times drop to one to three days

Consumers who order an iMac in the U.S. should now see it at their doorstep in just one to three business days.

Shipment times for both sizes of Apple's all-in-one desktop eased up on Saturday following a previous lengthy delay. On Friday, Apple's online store had been showing ship times of three to four weeks for the 27-inch edition and two to three weeks for the 21.5-inch model.

The iMac had been hit by supply constraints and production problems, but those issues have apparently been addressed. However, not all buyers will receive their iMacs so quickly.… Read more

Improve PC performance

Aro 2013 promises to speed up your PC by performing an all-around cleanup. It will scour through your machine looking for junk files, broken or missing Registry keys, and security vulnerabilities. The look and feel of the original Aro is there, but be warned that this is a different beast than its predecessor.

To start off with some good changes, installing and removal is a breeze, a huge improvement over the 2012 version that we very much appreciated. The bad news is, Aro 2013 now limits its free trial to fixing only the first 50 errors (previously 100). This is … Read more

HP's Whitman: 'We're shifting resources from PCs to tablets'

Hewlett-Packard CEO Meg Whitman may have stated the obvious when she said today that HP is transferring its attention to tablets.

"We're shifting resources from PCs to tablets," she said during the Morgan Stanley Technology, Media & Telecom Conference.

"The market moved very fast to tablets and smartphones, and we've got to now manage that transition."

She continued. "And it's not that HP didn't try to manage that transition -- they did with the acquisition of Palm. But as you know under the previous [management] that took a little detour to … Read more

Too many confusing apps? Prioritize programs with Should I Remove It?

Browsing and installing all of the free software we offer at Download.com can potentially bog down your computer over time. It can be hard to resist installing something just because it is new, looks useful, or simply, is free. It is a good idea to do a house cleanup and getting rid of junk that you don't need once in a while to improve the performance of your computer. But how do you know what to remove?

It can be easy to forget which program does what and why you have it installed, making PC cleanup a nightmare. … Read more

Get an eight-game indie bundle for $5

Cancel your date. Put down the remote. And for heaven's sake, enough with the books already! It's time to get gaming.

Bundle newcomer Focus Multimedia has the Bundle Stars Magic Number indie game bundle for $5.07. It includes eight Windows titles with a combined value of $109.88. You're literally paying 63 cents per game.

When you click through to the bundle page, don't be surprised to see six games and two "mystery titles." According to a Focus Multimedia rep, those titles are due to be unlocked...later today! And I've got … Read more

Test your RAM with Windows Memory Diagnostic tool

RAM sticks, known for their chip creep and random failures, are among the more annoying pieces of hardware to pinpoint as the source of a technical issue. Before you start digging around in the tower, it's best to start with a quick and free memory check via Windows. This way, you'll know whether or not it's worth swapping around sticks of RAM to see which one is the dud.

Here's how to get started:

Step 1: Open the Start Menu and type in mdsched.exe, then press enter.

Step 2. A pop-up will appear on your … Read more