Windows Experience Blog

Tech Tuesday Live Twitter Chat – Great Family PCs from HP

Kristina Libby — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 21:35:30 GMT

This week we are joining forces with HP to talk about a few of their great family PCs. This includes the amazing HP Pavilion All-In-One TouchSmart that we are giving away. Plus, we’ll be joined by some of the bloggers who have been testing and using these devices for months so that you can get a good handle on what other people think.

To participate in the Tech Tuesday Live Twitter Chat and be eligible to win the HP Pavilion TouchSmart 23 All-in-One, please do the following!

Join us from 12-1 PT (3-4 ET) on Twitter
Follow the hashtag #winchat
Follow @windows, @kristinalibby, @HP, @afinnie, @melissazieger, @gizmogladstone, @microsoftoem and @windowsblog to make sure you get the whole picture.
For full legal terms and conditions, click here.

New Windows themes: kittens, puppies, and a world in color

Jennifer Shepherd — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 19:00:22 GMT

Maybe I shouldn’t admit this, but there are days when I envy my cats. Every morning, I head out the door thinking about everything I need to get done at work that day, whereas the only item on their agenda is to get in some serious napping. Cats elevate rest and relaxation to an art-form – they nap like it’s a calling. Well, maybe I can’t spend all afternoon slowly following a ray of sunlight across the carpet, but I can get myself some vicarious repose with the sleepy kittens in our new theme, and so can you. Conked out or half asleep, purring, dozing, curled up in circles, or tucked warmly under blankets, they’ll lower your blood pressure and may make you want to take a little catnap, too.

Kittens are not the only great sleepers. There are few things more adorable than the trembling of a sleeping puppy’s paws as he dreams of playing and running. Our next new theme features puppies living out their doggy dreams – playing with balls, chewing rawhide bones, chasing each other, rolling on grass, and inviting you to play, too. I love the sweet, goofy joyfulness of the pups in this theme!

Changing gears from lovable pets to beaches that stretch as far as the eye can see, the next new theme is the latest in our series of panoramic themes for Windows 8 and Windows RT, designed to seamlessly span dual monitors. This theme features some of the world’s most stunning shorelines, from Australia to Hawaii, the Caribbean, and more.

The next three themes all take a smaller, closer view of life – specifically the life of plants and flowers – all with photography from our Open Call. The first set, by Edian Annink, explores the secret world of mushrooms, hidden among the moss and undergrowth of the forest floor.

Photographer Chris Chung brings us the next two themes. The first is an exploration of the flora and foliage of award-winning Hong Kong Park.

Chung’s other new theme is a rainbow of fantastic flowers, ranging from hot pink through fuchsia, flame, orange, gold, lemon yellow, and back again to rosy pink.

Seeing life through rose-colored glasses can be great, but for a slightly different twist, our new Life in Lavender theme explores the world through a lilac-colored lens. From sweeping sunset landscapes to small, unfurling crocus buds, enjoy all the purple-colored beauty nature has to offer.

If you have ideas for other colors you’d like to see a similar theme of, let me know in the comments!

If you have an older version of Windows that can’t use themes, or if you prefer to use a single desktop background, be sure to check out the fresh wallpapers. Here are just a few:

As I mentioned in a previous blog post, you can also use these wallpapers on your Windows phone and on your Windows 8 or Windows RT lock screen.

And as always, I hope you’ll keep checking back on the Personalization Gallery, as we will continue to bring you new themes and wallpapers to keep your desktop fresh.

App roundup: More of the best apps as chosen by a 13-year old

David S — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 18:00:00 GMT

I mentioned some of my daughter’s favorite apps in a previous post. She’s a great source for me because she consumes apps like nobody’s business, and always gives honest assessments. Since the first time I checked in with her, she has continued to download apps at a dizzying clip, and so I decided it was time to see what her new favorites are. The conversation went like this:

Me: So what good apps have you downloaded for your Surface lately?

Her: You should pay me for this.

Me: I’ll pay you nothing.

Her: I’m doing your job right now.

Me: Could you just answer the question?

Her: What do I get?

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, I was able to extract the following list:

Shuffle Party

Shuffle Party in a way is very basic. Just like in real shuffle board, you push a little puck-type thing and try to get as close to the edge without going over. And that’s pretty much it. But the beauty is in the details, especially the way the physics feel. There’s something very genuine here. All the near misses make you want to keep trying. Seriously. I defy you to stop with one round. The way the camera zooms along with the puck—with reflections on the glossy board flashing by—is also very satisfying.

I’m starting to see why my child has such a hard time finishing her geometry homework.

Brainteasers

OK, I have to confess that Brainteasers reminded me a bit of the logic section of one of the GRE or some other standardized tests. Except this is a fun version. You get a series of statements about various Clue-like characters and Clue-like settings, and deduce from them where a murder took place and who did it. I’m frankly terrible at this. But my daughter is great at it. And this is one I actually don’t mind her playing, because I think in a very sneaky way, it’s getting her ready for the SAT. Find that killer, kid! We need a scholarship!

Northern Tale

Northern Tale is a kind of role-playing strategy game, but a light and somewhat goofy one. There’s a dude with a beard named Ragnar. His kingdom has been cursed and he has to go on a quest accompanied by a couple of other fantasy-type fellas who do magic and whack things with swords. The story may be rote, but what makes it fun is the immediacy and accessibility. You don’t have to be a role-playing geek to start playing right away.

Sushi Chop

Sushi Chop is a fun twist on the cut-things-as-they-fly-through-the-air format established by Fruit Ninja. In this case you chop fish, not fruit. And you cut them more than once. And instead of bombs, you have to look out for stinky green fish. So, totally different? Well, maybe not. But while it doesn’t break new ground, this is a fun variation on a classic, with enough twists to keep you chopping.

Samurai vs. Zombies Defense

Samurai vs. Zombies Defense looks like your basic side-scrolling arcade-style action game. It’s not, though it has elements of that. Mostly it’s a strategy game in which you deploy farmers and archers against zombies. The zombies also appear to be samurais, so that’s a little confusing for me. Everyone has very big heads and the whole thing is more cartoonish than gory. Anyway, there’s plenty here to keep you from your homework.

And that’s the list. I hope none of the above makes you judge me as a parent. Wait, never mind that. But I would love to know in the comments below what you think about these games. All of them are free and available right now in the Windows Store.

—David S.

Tech Tuesday Live Twitter Chat with Surface #winchat

Kristina Libby — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 17:28:26 GMT

This week we are excited to host our Tech Tuesday Live Twitter Chat with the Surface Team regarding their new offer. On May 31^st, Surface announced that you will be able to get a free touch or type cover when you purchase a Surface RT. This offer is good at all retailers that carry Surface (including Microsoft Store) and online. You can find out all the locations at Surface.com.

This offer is valid in the US and Canada, and a separate offer is currently underway in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Please follow the Surface Blog for future updates.

To participate in the Tech Tuesday Live Twitter Chat and be eligible to win a Surface RT + Type or Touch Cover, please do the following!

Join us from 12-1 PT (3-4 ET) on Twitter
Follow the hashtag #winchat
Follow @windows, @kristinalibby, @daniellaycock, @surface, @microsoftoem and @windowsblog to make sure you get the whole picture.
For full legal terms and conditions, click here.

Lenovo opens PC manufacturing line in the U.S.

Brandon LeBlanc — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 18:33:43 GMT

Lenovo passed this along to me earlier today and thought it was worth a quick blog post. Lenovo recently just held a grand opening ceremony for its very first U.S.-based PC production facility in Whitsett, North Carolina.

The facility is 240,000 square feet and just 10 miles outside of Greensboro. Until the addition of PC manufacturing, the facility was serving as a logistics center, customer solutions center and national returns center. With the addition of PC manufacturing, 115 new jobs have been added. The new U.S. PC manufacturing line began operating in January. It will produce many of the new Think-branded PCs such as the tiny ThinkCentre M92p desktop, ThinkPad Tablet 2, and ThinkPad Helix convertible Ultrabook. Lenovo is on track to be fully ramped up on production by the end of this month.

To celebrate opening the PC manufacturing line, Lenovo donated 36 ThinkCentre Desktops made in Whitsett to the Greensboro YMCA to be used for youth development and education programs.

With a lot of PC manufacturing done overseas, it is great to see OEMs like Lenovo bringing some PC manufacturing to the U.S. to help drive jobs and boost the economy, as well as enhance North America’s customer experience. Lenovo’s operations in North Carolina, including their headquarters and the manufacturing center, are estimated to positively increase output for the state by more than $1 billion, as reported by the recent economic contribution analysis from the North Carolina Department of Commerce.

App roundup: 5 Windows apps for my dad

Amy D — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 18:00:00 GMT

In my blog post for Mother’s Day, I wrote about apps related to my super-cool mom, Laurie. Since Father’s Day is coming up, I thought I’d write about some apps for dads, and take the opportunity to brag a little bit about my incredibly awesome dad, Mike.

My dad, Mike D (not the one from the Beastie Boys) is somebody I’d be pretty lost without. Even though I’m grown up now (kind of), he is still always willing to help me figure something out—from car troubles to financial decisions to…well, anything. My dad has always worn many hats—he’s been a full-time musician and songwriter, a teacher, a banking analyst, a student, and more. Through many changes, moves, and big responsibilities he’s had to shoulder, he’s always been an amazing dad to me. This was true even during the previously mentioned times when I mostly listened to angry music and wrecked my parents’ cars. (Thanks, dad. Love you.)

Here are some apps that are right up my dad’s alley.

Best Buy

My dad has never been one to rush into purchases. I can remember stopping by a few stores every time we had some new technology to buy, on our way to making an informed and balanced decision about what to spend our money on and where. Now he can save a lot of travel time by doing research before he even leaves the house. The Best Buy app allows you to shop through different brands and products they carry and even to find local stores close to you—including what those stores have in the way of clearance or open-box items. It’s great for smart shoppers regardless of if you’d like to buy online (which you can do right from the app) or find out what your local store has and go in to buy something later.

Amazon

Like my mom and me, my dad likes to shop at Amazon. As a family we’re collectively impressed by how easy it is to shop there for nearly everything. From guitar cables to books to vitamins, you can find it, buy it, and get it delivered right to your door in a matter of days. The Amazon app is a fast way to search Amazon for what you need, order it, and be on your way. The app does a great job or organizing, so it’s easy to see where to search, where to check out, and where to find Amazon’s recommendations based on your shopping history. They’ve also got a killer deals section, which really appeals to my dad’s wise purchasing habits.

Office Depot

My dad worked from home for a long time when I was growing up, and from a young age I was impressed by how impeccably organized his home office was. (I could stand to learn a thing or two from him in that area.) In fact, I’m pretty sure that I inherited my love of office supplies (especially pens) from my dad.

The Office Depot app lets you find stores close to your location, tells you what their hours are and what services they have available, and then shows you what deals are currently available on different products. You can find deals on everything from laptops and office chairs to printer ink—anything you could need to keep your office (home or otherwise) well-stocked and organized.

Staples

Like I said, my dad and I are both really into office supplies. So much so that I had to include two office supply apps. The Staples app has all the features of the Office Depot app plus one amazing little innovation: The Ink & Toner Finder. I am terrible at remembering what kind of ink my printer uses, and there were a few times back in high school when my dad and I got a bit flustered in the store trying to figure out what kind of ink we were supposed to buy the night before I had some kind of paper due. The Ink & Toner Finder is a huge help in moments like these: you pick your printer model or put in your ink cartridge number, and then the app magically shows you what kind of ink you need. You can add it to your shopping cart or check it for availability in stores near you. It’s pretty amazing.

Yellow Pages

I still remember my dad thumbing through the yellow pages of the phone book to find businesses or nearby restaurants when I was a kid. I remember being amazed at how so many places nearby all had their contact info and addresses in one big book.

While phone books are becoming a thing of the past, the Yellow Pages app still provides some nostalgia, while giving you all that local comprehensiveness and specificity. As you can see, they have a “Pizza” section by default, which I really appreciate. It’s a great app and it’s easy to look through—definitely easier to read than the small print of the yellow pages in your phone book, and it won’t ink up your fingers.

If you’re a dad, what kind of apps have come in handy for you? And if you dad is around, make sure you wish him a happy Father’s Day. Maybe buy him something cool using one of these apps—dads love that.

[Note: Some apps might not be available in all countries or regions.]

Bing Translator app now available for Windows 8

Brandon LeBlanc — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 23:37:44 GMT

Today the Bing Team announced that the Bing Translator app is now available for download in the Windows Store for Windows PCs and tablets. If you’re out traveling abroad and won’t have online access, you can download specific language packs onto your PC for offline use. Bing will continue to add more language packs over time. The Bing Translator app can also utilize your PC’s camera – just point the camera at printed text and watch the app automatically overlay the translation of the text.

<A href="http://www.bing.com/videos/browse?mkt=en-us&vid=a2c58116-bf98-4b1f-9225-da56e52607fd&from=shareembed-syndication&src=v5:embed:syndication:" target="_new" title="A Window to the World, Bing Translator App for Windows Now Available">Video: A Window to the World, Bing Translator App for Windows Now Available</A>

The Bing Translator app also takes advantage of key Windows 8 features such as the Search charm and Snap. You can highlight text within another Windows Store app and use the Share charm to share that text to the Bing Translator app that will then translate that text. And with Snap, its super easy to multi-task.

Read this blog post from Vikram Dendi, Director of Product Management for the Microsoft/Bing Translator, for more information on the Bing Translator app for Windows.

NOTE: The same technology in the Bing Translator app for Windows also powers our “Translate” widget on the right sidebar here on our blogs!

It never gets old translating text into Klingon!

Sony introduces new VAIO Pro 11/13, updated VAIO Duo 13

Brandon LeBlanc — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 06:02:00 GMT

Sony has announced two new VAIOs today at Computex – the VAIO Pro 11/13 and the VAIO Duo 13.

The VAIO Pro is one of the lightest Ultrabooks to hit the market and will be available in both 11-inch and 13-inch models (in “Carbon Black” and “Carbon Silver”) and weighing just 1.92 lbs. and 2.34 lbs. The VAIO Pro will be equipped with a high speed PCIe SSD drive delivers two times the performance seen in traditional laptop SSD drives.

The new VAIO Duo 13 is Sony’s next-generation “slider hybrid PC” – a PC that starts off as a tablet where the screen can slide back to reveal a full-sized keyboard and trackpad. The VAIO 13 uses a newly engineered hinge Sony calls a “SurfSlider” design that makes it super easy and quick to change from laptop mode into tablet mode. The VAIO Duo 13 is made with carbon fiber and only ways 2.93 lbs. – maintaining nearly the same footprint that VAIO Duo 11 did.

The VAIO Pro and VAIO Duo PCs will come with 4th generation of Intel Core processors - available with up to Core i7, maximizing performance with battery life. Both lines come with full-size backlit and full-pitch keyboards and will feature incredible full HD displays (1920 x 1080) – which Sony is called “TRILUMINOS”. These “TRILUMINOS” displays are designed to give you really rich and natural colors – making color more pure and giving images a heightened sense of depth. The webcams in both these lines also feature “Exmor R for PC” CMOS Sensor technology developed by Sony.

All summer 2013 VAIO models – including VAIO Pro and VAIO Duo PCs – will also come with NFC (Near Field Communication technology) allowing you to quickly exchange website URLs and enable Bluetooth connections by simply tapping a compatible NFC device to the VAIO PCs.

The VAIO Pro (both 11-inch and 13-inch models) will be available beginning June 9th in both Carbon Black and Carbon Silver for about $1,149 (U.S.) and $1,249 (U.S.). The VAIO Due 13 will also be available June 9th in Carbon Black and Carbon White for about $1,399. You’ll be able to find both these lines at Sony retail stores and other authorized retailers in the U.S.

Calling All College Students: Top Tips from Lauren Berger “the Intern Queen” on How to Find Your Dream Job!

Lauren Berger — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 23:30:28 GMT

With approximately 1.5 million students graduating from college this year it’s stiff competition in the job market. This means if you’ve just graduated from college and are looking for work, you will need to work smarter to stand above the crowd and land that dream job.

Tip #1

Start Early:

Find and apply early for internships across the country as having the right internship can help you build a strong personal brand and experiences which enhance your resume.

Tip #2

Get Organized:

Start by building a target list of employers you'd like to work for and do your research. If you're still in school pursuing an internship with one of those targets companies will give you valuable insight and experience.

Tip #3

Build a Digital Footprint:

With technology and social media ingrained into almost every facet of our lives a strong digital footprint can enhance your resume. A good hiring manager will have checked you out online, and if your digital presence is limited to your last college party, you’re already in trouble.

Tip #4

Create a Professional Email Address:

Create a separate, professional email account for your job search such as Outlook.com, I suggest FIRSTNAME.LASTNAME@OUTLOOK.COM. A professional email address sends a message to recruiters to take you seriously, that you're ready for the real world. It also makes it much easier for you to manage your job search and stay on top important emails.

Tip #5

Network:

Coming out of school, your network are the contacts you made at your internship or fellow alums already working at one of your target companies you’ve researched. Whether you know it or not you already have a network, so use them to help you land informational interviews with managers at your target company. Resources like LinkedIn can help you find those connections. Then just ask them for help in contacting the right people. You'll be surprised how many people are willing to help if you just ask.

These are some of my top tips using to help you land your dream job, but there are many other tools in Windows 8 which give you great access to your resume such as SkyDrive as well as organizational tools and great apps

If you have a tip to share or want more information check out my website on internqueen.com or tweet at me at @internqueen. You can also check out my book All Work, No Pay.

Halo comes to Windows PCs and Tablets with Halo: Spartan Assault

Brandon LeBlanc — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 13:04:00 GMT

I love playing Halo. I am not very good at it (I am actually quite horrible) – but I have a lot of fun. It’s a weekly ritual for me and my friend to jump online and go after each other in a game of Slayer. So I am super excited about today’s announcement Halo is coming to Surface and other Windows 8 PCs.

Halo: Spartan Assault is a new touch-based top-down shooter only for Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8.

Here is the story: the game is set between the events of Halo 3 and Halo 4 as a completely new chapter in the Halo Universe. It explores the first missions of the Spartan Ops program and gives more backstory to the Human-Covenant conflict(s). You play Halo: Spartan Assault through the eyes of either Commander Sarah Palmer or Spartan Davis. You are stationed aboard the UNSC Infinity as you fight never-before-seen battles against Covenant forces.

Sounds fun, right?

Here is the lowdown on game features:

Original “Halo” gameplay. An action-packed, single-player campaign spanning 25 missions in battles never before experienced in the Halo Universe, all played from a top-down camera view.

New and immersive storyline. An original story set between the events of “Halo 3” and “Halo 4,” experience a new war with the Covenant, the first missions of the Spartan Ops program and the rise of Commander Sarah Palmer, all with best-in-class graphics and audio.

Built for simplicity. A unique fusion of touch and console-like controls for easy pick-up-and-play gaming, with the added flexibility of keyboard and mouse controls on Windows 8 PCs and tablets.

Integration with “Halo 4.” Earn experience points (XP), all-new Achievements, and unlock emblems for your “Halo 4” Spartan career, with additional integration features available after launch.

Nonstop competitive fun. Compete against friends in Leaderboards or hone your skills against an onslaught of Weekly Challenges while collecting more than 40 in-game Achievements and Medals.

In-app purchases. Grind to earn upgrades or speed up your training by purchasing credits for boosts, unique weapons or armor abilities.

Only on Windows. Available only on Windows 8 PCs and tablets and Windows Phone 8 devices.

Due to the simple controls and easy to pick-up gaming, Halo: Spartan Assault might just be a Halo game I can be really good at!

The game will be available in the Windows Store in July for $6.99 (U.S.).

For more information, click here.

Intel launches 4th generation Core processors

Brandon LeBlanc — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 07:00:00 GMT

Intel this week is launching the 4th generation Intel Core processors(commonly referred to by codename “Haswell”). This includes their Core i3, i5, and i7 processor lines.

These new processors from Intel are exciting because they deliver significant increases in battery life, improved performance and incredible integrated graphics for Windows PCs and tablets. They are also designed with mobility front-and-center. Intel is working with OEMs on offerings such as new touch Ultrabooks, tablets, and 2-in-1 convertible devices that give you a laptop when you need it and a tablet when you want it.

Intel’s next-generation 22nm Intel Atom chip will be coming to the market later this year. These new chips will offer up to 3 times the peak performance (same power) or 5 times the power efficiency (same performance) over the existing 32nm Atom chips today.

During Computex this week, OEM partners are announcing new PCs powered with 4th generation Intel Core processors such as the new Aspire S7 Ultrabook from Acerand many others. You can expect more OEMs to announce new PCs with 4th generation Intel Core processors at Computex continues for the rest of the week.

See Intel’s announcement here.

Dell announces XPS 11, enhancements to PCs at Computex

Brandon LeBlanc — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 06:13:00 GMT

Dell is announcing a new XPS and performance and security enhancements to several models of Windows 8 PCs today at Computex.

XPS 11:

The XPS 11 is a brand new 2-in-1 convertible Ultrabook, announced today by Dell, and coming later this year to the XPS line-up. It easily goes from tablet to laptop with a 360 degree rotation design. The display on the XPS 11 is a stunning Quad HD with a 2560 x 1440 resolution. It’s also really thin and light: it’s only 14.9mm thin and starts at 2.5 pounds. It has a backlit solid surface touch keyboard and comes with up to a 4th generation Intel Core i5 processor with Intel HD 4400 graphics and an SSD. It also comes with the option of a precision pen – perfect for taking notes with.

For more on the XPS 11, check out Lionel’s blog post on their Direct2Dell blog. The XPS 11 will be available later in 2013.

XPS 12:

We’ve talked about this PC a few times - this high-performance Ultrabook has a “flip hinge” that takes it from laptop to a fully-featured tablet. The new XPS 12 is getting a nice speed boost with a 63% improvement in overall performance over the previous generation making it 1.6 times faster. Dell has also improved battery life over the previous generation by over 2.5 hours, giving the XPS 12 up to 8 hours, 43 minutes of battery life. It also gets location aware capabilities, and Near Field Communications (NFC) for tap-to-share and tap-to-pair capabilities.

XPS 27:

The new XPS 27 now offers 4th generation Intel Core processors, a Thunderbolt port, an Adobe RGB Quad HD display, and discrete graphics and SSD options. It also now comes with enterprise features such as TPM. I have the current model of the XPS 27 and love this All-in-One. I am officially jealous of the new model.

XPS 8700:

This is a consumer desktop built for performance and expandability of storage in mind – it comes with 4 hard drive bays, and up to 4TB of storage. The new XPS 8700 will come with 4th generation Intel Core processors, support up to 32GB (1600MHz) of memory, and has 6 USB 3.0 ports for connecting devices.

OptiPlex 9020 and All-in-One:

This is a commercial desktop that comes in 4 different form factors including a compact all-in-one making it versatile for a business environment. It comes with a current generation Intel Core i7 processor, choice of hard drive, SSD, or hybrid hard drive and high speed memory options.

Latitude E6540:

This is a super powerful business laptop from Dell that comes with 4th generation Intel Core processors, TPM, high performance graphics, and SSD or hybrid hard drive options. It also has swappable batteries for long periods of work and is built with a rugged design. Definitely a work-horse PC.

The Dell XPS 27 and XPS 8700 are available today via Dell.com in the U.S. and select countries worldwide. The XPS 12, OptiPlex 9020 desktop, and Latitude E6540 will be available in the coming weeks.

Read Lionel’s post on Dell’s blog for more details on these PCs and more! And read this post from Dell’s Brett McAnally for more on the above mentioned business PCs.

Windows and Office Are Helping Students Crowd Source Their Next PC

Kristina Libby — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 04:06:43 GMT

We want to make sure everyone is starting this school year off on the right foot. So today, Microsoft is launching a program to help students and parents purchase a new Windows PC or Tablet for school that is complete with the latest and most complete set of Office applications.

At the Windows Chip In website, students with a valid .edu email address can crowd source funds to help them purchase a PC of their choosing from the Microsoft Store catalogue of devices. To help get them started, Windows will “chip in” the first 10% of the cost of the PC via a discount to the overall cost. The PCs included already reflect the 10% discount. Then, when a student fully funds the cost of a PC, we will include Office 365 University at no additional charge.* Plus, students wont have to pay shipping, handling or tax!

Here’s how it works:

Go to http://www.windowschipin.com/.
Pick out the PC you’d like to help get funding for.
Create an account.
Ask friends and family to “chip In”.
Fund and receive a code for a brand new Windows PC or Tablet + Office 365 University.

This program will run from June 4^th through September 1^st, 2013. For full terms and conditions, please click here. For questions and FAQs on the program, please click here.

**Microsoft Office 365 University subscriptions available to the first 10,000 eligible participants who fully fund their PC goal through this offer.

ASUS announces new PCs at Computex

Brandon LeBlanc — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 04:04:00 GMT

ASUS has several new PCs they announced yesterday at Computex, including several new All-in-One PCs and a new mouse!

ET2702 All-in-One PC:

The ET2702 27-inch All-in-One PC comes with a display featuring IPS technology and an ultra-high 2560 x 1440 resolution (almost twice the pixel density of a same-size full HD display) and optional 10-point multi-touch. In short – this All-in-One has a stunning screen. It is powered by the latest 4th generation Intel Core processors and AMD Radeon HD8890A discrete graphics. The ET2702 also comes with an option Intel Thunderbolt port and a special “Device Share” mode that lets you connect other Windows PCs to it. You can also utilize its HDMI-in/out ports and USB ports and turn the ET2702 into a sort of “dock” for a laptop.

ET2301 All-in-One PC:

The new ET2301 23-inch All-in-One PC is the little brother to the ET2300 but still comes packing quite a punch with the latest 4th generation Intel Core processors and NVIDIA GeForce GT 740m discrete graphics. It has a full HD display with IPS technology (1920 x 1080 resolution) 10-point touch capabilities. It has HDMI-in/out ports allowing it to be used as a display for devices such as Blu-ray players or an Xbox 360. You can get a 3TB hard drive, or a 128GB solid-state drive with 1TB hard drive option in select markets. And the ET2301 also has an optional 802.11ac wireless capabilities which, with routers that also support 802.11ac, gives you wireless access that is 3 times faster than 802.11n.

VivoPC:

The VivoPC is a small little PC that is only 56mm tall and with a footprint smaller than a sheet of A4 paper. Its compact design has a spun-metal finish looking quite nice in living rooms and home offices and can fit into the smallest spaces. It has two USB 3.0 ports and high-speed 802.11ac wireless capabilities. You can also lift off the top cover for quick access to the two internal memory slots and the drive bay can accommodate either a 3.5-inch or 2.5-inch SATA 6Gbit/s hard drive – so it is also easily upgradeable.

VivoMouse:

The VivoMouse is a new kind of mouse from ASUS. It can be a mouse, a touchpad or a PC remote. This mouse can bring a touch experience to Windows 8 PCs that don’t have touch displays with its touchpad that recognizes the Windows 8 touch gestures. It’s a perfect companion for the above-mentioned VivoPC.

Zenbook Infinity:

ASUS had a shiny new Zenbook on display at Computex – the Zenbook Infinity. The new Zenbook Infinity Ultrabook features a new design that “fuses” glass and aluminum and looks beautiful. It uses new Corning® Gorilla® Glass 3 with “Native Damage Resistance™” on the lid and around the keyboard that makes the PC look sleek but is also durable and it’s thinner than the previous model. Pricing and specs to be announced later this year.

N550:

This 15.6-inch N Series laptop from ASUS is an entertainment powerhouse built for someone might like carrying around a mobile production studio (or movie theater for watching movies). It comes with an anti-reflective touchscreen display with a resolution of up to 2880 x 1620 featuring IPS technology and discrete NVIDIA GeForce GT 750M graphics. It is designed with multi-layer aluminum etching technology and has an integrated speaker hole that gives audio a “ripple pattern” along with an external subwoofer that delivers heart-pounding beats. It has a backlit chick-lit keyboard and an ultra-wide multi-gesture clickpad.

S551/V551:

The new VivoBook Series Ultrabooks from ASUS comes powered by 4th generation Intel Core processors and discrete NVIDIA GT 740 graphics. It has good looks too with a design that features premium aluminum textures. Even after prolonged use, it continues to look slick. Whether you’re a student or gamer – this laptop is a great option with awesome performance.

B400:

This new 14-inch Ultrabook from ASUS is designed specifically for the enterprise and small business customers. It has an aluminum and carbon construction for durability but is also thin and light. It has a “vPro” option allowing for replaceable memory and batteries. The B400 also has security features such as TPM and a biometric sensor for keeping business-critical data on the PC safe and secure. You get the B400 in several storage configurations such as a hybrid hard drive or a Solid State Drive (SSD).

Acer introduces 8-inch Iconia W3, New Aspire PCs

Brandon LeBlanc — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 03:00:00 GMT

Today at Computex, Acer is announcing several new Windows 8 PCs worth taking note of – including a new 8-inch tablet.

The Acer Iconia W3 is one of the industry’s first 8.1-inch Windows tablets. This little tablet weighs on 1.19 pounds and measures 0.45 inches thin. It’s powered by an Intel Atom Z2760 mobile-optimized processor and boasts 8-hours of battery life for all day productivity. It has a LED backlit display (at 1280 x 800 screen resolution) – making photos and 720p video look great on the screen. It supports 802.11 b/g/n wireless networks, has Bluetooth 4.0, front and rear facing 2 megapixel webcams, and micro-HDMI and micro-USB ports for connecting to displays and other devices. And you can get an optional keyboard for it too which is the same as keyboards found in 13.3 inch laptops.

The Iconia W3 will be available with either 32GB or 64GB or storage (you can add an addition 32GB via a microSD slot for more storage).

I am pretty stoked to get my hands on one of these!

Acer Aspire S7-392:

The new Acer Aspire S7-392 13.3-inch Ultrabook retains many of the characteristics seen with previous S7 models such as being slim and light measuring only .51 inches thin and weighing 2.87 lbs. However, Acer is making a few changes customers will enjoy. It sports a 33% increase in battery life over the previous S7 model (up to 7 hours), comes with an electroluminescent backlit keyboard, quieter fans and is powered by a 4th generation Intel® Core™ processor. It also comes with a HD IPS 10-point touchscreen display with a 1920 x 1080 resolution.

Acer Aspire S3-392:

The new Aspire S3-392 13.3-inch Ultrabook inherits the design of the Aspire S7 Series such as its unique dual-torque hinge that keeps the display wobble-free. It is made from aluminum and sprayed with a glossy white paint. The rest of the chassis is made from anodized aluminum. It has the latest Intel Core processors, NVIDIA GeForce GT735M graphics, and a light-sensing keyboard that auto adjusts to ambient light. It also has a 1080p full HD display with IPS technology.

Acer Aspire Z3 Series:

The new Aspire Z3 Series is a new 23-inch All-in-One PC. It has an ergonomic chassis with a full HD display with IPS technology and 10-point touch. It also has front facing Harman Kardon speakers for excellent audio. The PC itself can be adjusted 10 to 30 degrees for the best angle. Its integrated 1 megapixel HD webcam can capture a 720p image and also be adjusted 0-20 degrees for the best angle when trying to capture a photo or video chat with chat with friends or family.

In early May, Acer also announced new PCs including the Aspire R7 and Aspire P3 Ultrabook. Check out those PCs in my blog post here.