Wash Post Personal Tech

Fast Forward: Browser Users Can Celebrate an Independent's Day

Rob Pegoraro — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Considering it didn't even exist 19 years ago , the Web browser has done pretty well. No other program on a computer can do so many things -- e-mail, mapping and calendars, to name a few -- thanks to all the Web services now available.

Help File: Recycling Old Electronics

Rob Pegoraro — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Q I've got an old analog TV collecting dust at home. How can I recycle or safely dispose of it?

T-Mobile Dash Smartphone

Ginny Mies, PC World — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 00:19:07 EDT

While the T-Mobile myTouch 3G seems to be the hottest of the carrier's offerings this summer, the T-Mobile Dash ($170 with a two-year contract; price as of 6/30/09) merits attention, too. This long-overdue update of the first-generation T-Mobile Dash is slim, and it packs essential features for...

Md. Prisons, Wireless Industry at Odds Over Jamming Inmate Cellphones

Henri E. Cauvin — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT

In the war for wireless supremacy, there is Verizon vs. AT&T, the iPhone vs. the BlackBerry. -- And then there's Gary D. Maynard vs. the 23,000 residents of Maryland's state prisons. -- In his bid to snuff out mobile phones in Maryland's two dozen state lockups, Maynard, the state's public safety...

Biden Announces $4 Billion in Grants and Loans in First Round of Funding for Broadband Expansion

Cecilia Kang — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Vice President Biden yesterday announced guidelines for $4 billion in stimulus funds to expand high-speed Internet access across the nation, jump-starting a program that has been criticized for taking too long to get off the ground.

TerreStar Launching Pocket-Size Satellite Phone

Mike Musgrove — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT

To look at it, you wouldn't know it's a satellite phone -- and that's the idea.

Apple MacBook Air A1304

Jason Snell, Macworld — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:19:06 EDT

The MacBook Air is a product that lives on the margins. It's the slowest laptop--indeed, the slowest computer--in the Mac line. It omits many features that are standard on other Mac laptops, such as multiple USB ports, FireWire ports, an ethernet port, and an optical drive. And the latest...

Acer Aspire Timeline 3810T Laptop

Darren Gladstone, PC World — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 00:19:06 EDT

The Acer Aspire 3810T, aka the Acer Timeline, has two things going for it: This model is one of the first laptops out the gate to use an Intel CULV processor (in this case, the 1.4GHz U9400). The 3810T also has a sharp style that's sure to grab attention. How does this laptop stand up to the MSI...

Now on the Wii: Aliens, Guns and the Capitol

Mike Musgrove — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT

When you're lobbing radiation grenades and fighting aliens on the steps of the Jefferson Memorial on an otherwise quiet Washington evening, it's hard not to feel a sense of history. After all, this is the same address where the climactic final events of one of last year's best video games, Fallou...

Help File: Archiving Old Home Movies To DVD, Vista ÂMemory DumpsÂ Defined

Rob Pegoraro — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT

QI've got some old reels of Super 8 film. What are my options for transferring that to DVD?

Apple's New iPhone Has Learned New Tricks, but So Have Competitors

Rob Pegoraro — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Two years ago, the original iPhone was the phone that changed everything. The new iPhone 3GS can't make the same difference, not when it shares the market with both predecessors and competing models that have learned some of the same tricks.

Personal Tech: Gadget News and Reviews

Rob Pegoraro — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:00:00 EDT

The Washington Post's Rob Pegoraro discusses recent reviews and answers your personal tech questions.

Md. Firm Buys Maker of Hit Video Games

Mike Musgrove — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT

ZeniMax Media, the Rockville-based parent company of video game publisher Bethesda Softworks, announced yesterday that it has acquired game development studio Id Software.

Special Needs, Special Laptops

Darren Gladstone, PC World — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 00:19:04 EDT

Sometimes a regular laptop isn't the right choice. If you frequently work in harsh environments, or if you want to use a stylus or your fingertips to interact with your PC, a ruggedized laptop or a tablet PC might be just the thing.

How to Buy a Business Laptop

Darren Gladstone, PC World — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 00:19:04 EDT

You're a very busy professional, so we'll bottom-line this for you. All you care about is a laptop that will get the job done as quickly and efficiently as possible, and you don't want some luxury status symbol. Games and movies--who has the time?

How to Buy a Desktop-Replacement Laptop

Darren Gladstone, PC World — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 00:19:04 EDT

You've got game. Lots of games, in fact. Maybe you want a true surround-sound, 1080p home-theater experience in your lap. Or if you're on the creative side, maybe you plan to edit video and enhance images in Photoshop .

How to Buy a Netbook

Darren Gladstone, PC World — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 00:19:04 EDT

If you're constantly running off to class, your portable has to be really light. You need something that you can take notes on all day long and use for assignments at home. And it shouldn't cut into your tight budget--living on mac and cheese is bad enough!

Even Recession Can't Dampen Demand for Faster iPhone

Mike Musgrove — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Evidently, a faster iPhone is enough to get consumers to reach for their wallets again. Apple announced yesterday that it sold 1 million units of its latest iPhone over the weekend.

How to Buy an All-Purpose Laptop

Darren Gladstone, PC World — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 00:18:58 EDT

As an average Joe, you don't demand the fastest machine around, and you certainly don't care about every single bell or whistle that many pricey laptops offer. You need a laptop that offers good value , one that has a couple of key features--and if it can provide a little extra, so much the better.

Laptop Buying Guide

Darren Gladstone, PC World — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 23:19:02 EDT

From petite netbooks to massive desktop replacements, laptops are made for different needs. Follow the tips in this buying guide, and you can meet the notebook of your dreams.

How to Buy an Ultraportable Laptop

Darren Gladstone, PC World — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 00:19:04 EDT

Maybe it's for work, maybe it's for play. Maybe both. But when you take your tech entourage on the road, you want to go light--and in style.

On Your Side: Trouble With an Incompatible Laptop Hard Drive

Ginny Mies, PC World — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 21:19:00 EDT

My laptop needed a roomier hard drive; and on NewEgg.com, I found a great deal on a 256GB solid-state drive from Patriot. After three days or so, I noticed that my laptop intermittently froze. I did some research and found that some SSDs have serious problems that are significantly more prominent...

Apple MacBook Pro A1297 (17-inch) Desktop Replacement Laptop

Dan Frakes, Macworld — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 18:19:03 EDT

During WWDC, Apple revamped nearly the entire Mac laptop line , leaving only the $999, entry-level white MacBook unchanged--and that model had been revised just two weeks earlier. But while most models gained new capabilities, the 17-inch MacBook Pro was the sole Mac laptop that retained its design...

Files to Help You Tread Lightly on PC Resources

PC World Staff — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 00:19:05 EDT

If you live lightly on the land, shouldn't your software do the same on your PC? These three discoveries help your programs tread gently on your system's available resources. One download transforms a common USB thumb drive, enabling you to use your files and apps at any PC without overtaxing it. An...

Hands on with Sony VAIO VGN-NW180J/S

Darren Gladstone, PC World — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 00:19:05 EDT

Why the heck is a new notebook debuting at some swanky event celebrating BD-Live? Sony's message: Blu-ray is everywhere--and they want to make sure you can get players for cheap (well, as cheap as BD can get these days). Case in point: The Sony VAIO VGN-NW180. This respectable-looking $880 laptop...

Help File: After the DTV Switch, Some Tinkering Still Required

Rob Pegoraro — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT

QTwo weeks ago, you suggested that digital-TV reception would improve after analog broadcasts ended. But the DTV signals of channels 7 and 9 seem to have gone off the air.

Crowds Pack D.C. Area Stores for First Bite at Apple's Latest, Fastest iPhone

Mike Musgrove — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Another summer, another iPhone -- and another set of long lines.

Security Fix Live

Brian Krebs — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 11:00:00 EDT

Security Fix blogger Brian Krebs answers your technology questions and offers ways to protect yourself from online security threats.

Asus and Disney Join Forces on Kid-Friendly Netbooks

Patrick Miller, PC World — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 00:19:01 EDT

Add this to the list of unexpected business partnerships: Asus and Disney have combined their expertise in computers and cartoons to produce a Disney-themed netbook called the Netpal. Available in "Princess Pink" or "Magic Blue," the Netpal will be available in late July.

Sirius XM Rolls Out iPhone App, But No Stern or NFL on the Go

Mike Musgrove — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Oprah Winfrey and Martha Stewart fans got a tiny bit of good news yesterday. Sports followers and Howard Stern listeners, not so much.

Fix a Laptop's Sticky, Broken Keys

Rick Broida — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 00:19:05 EDT

As we learned last week, it's fairly easy to fix a noisy overheated laptop : Open an underside panel, (carefully) blow out the dust, then enjoy the praise your wife lavishes on you for fixing her system.

Exclusive Wireless Contracts Examined

Cecilia Kang — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Lawmakers yesterday waded into a growing debate on whether the practice of locking in cellphones to exclusive contracts with only one carrier has led to higher prices and fewer choices for consumers and stifled competition in one of the economy's brightest spots -- the wireless industry.

For iPhone Obsessives, Frenzy Over Early Delivery

Michael D. Shear — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 11:49:00 EDT

If you care enough about gadgets to pre-order the new iPhone, then perhaps it stands to reason that you would surf the Web obsessively to see when the coveted device will show up at your door.

nVidia 200M GPUs: 'Twice the Power, Half the Battery Drain'

Darren Gladstone, PC World — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 00:19:04 EDT

Twice the power, half the battery drain of last year's GPU--a pretty bold claim, and one that nVidia makes about its new 200M series laptop GPUs. Today nVidia lifts the lid off five graphics processors that will grace everything from cost-conscious computers to enthusiast gamer machines.

2 D.C. Stations Lost to Viewers in Digital TV Transition

Kim Hart — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Five days after the national transition to all-digital television, WUSA, the area's CBS affiliate (Channel 9), and WJLA, the ABC affiliate (Channel 7), have disappeared from screens around the region.

Courtland Milloy: Digital TV May Promise More Than It Delivers

Courtland Milloy — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT

In honor of the TV signal that brought me such childhood viewing pleasures as "Howdy Doody," "I Love Lucy," "The Nat King Cole Show" and "The Gillette Cavalcade of Sports," I have decided to let my portable analog set die in peace.

A Challenge for Nashville: Survey Finds Country Fans Lagging in Internet Use

Melinda Newman — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT

NASHVILLE -- As tens of thousands of country music fans made the annual pilgrimage here over the weekend for the summer rite known as the CMA Music Festival, recent news from the four-day event's organizer, the Country Music Association, has left some executives on Music Row quaking in their cowb...

Fast Forward: The Palm Pre -- a New Hope for Smartphones

Rob Pegoraro — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The new Palm Pre comes from a company that's been developing handheld gadgets since 1992, but the Pre owes almost nothing to that heritage. It has all the promise -- and many of the limits and glitches -- of a bright, young startup's 1.0 release.

Help File: Freeing Up Disk Space After a Vista Update, A Bogus Spam Defense

Rob Pegoraro — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT

QIs it true that Microsoft's Service Pack 2 update for Windows Vista can free up disk space by deleting older patch files?

Rob Pegoraro's Fast Forward: After Bouts of Static, Digital TV Takes Over

Rob Pegoraro — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Almost all analog television broadcasts ended yesterday, but the world refrained from following suit.

Broadcasters Prepare for DTV Transition

Kim Hart — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 15:12:00 EDT

The switch is on. Broadcasters across the nation have begun the final push to turn off the analog signals they've been using for more than six decades and move to all-digital programming.

Personal Tech: The DTV Transition

Rob Pegoraro and Kim Hart — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 12:00:00 EDT

The Washington Post's Rob Pegoraro discusses recent reviews and answers your personal tech questions. This week he's joined by Post staff writer Kim Hart who will help take all your DTV questions.

Toshiba Portege R600-ST520W

Arthur Gies, PC World — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 00:19:05 EDT

While Toshiba's new Portege R600-ST520W hits the ground running with a base weight of 2.4 pounds (3 pounds with the power supply included) and a thickness just over the 1-inch mark, its price tag of well over 2 grand and its so-so hardware reduce the Portege R600 to a good--not great--showing (and...

Digital TV Ready to Rule the Tube, Leaving Some Viewers in the Dark

Kim Hart — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Almost 3 million U.S. homes -- 60,000 households in the Washington area alone -- could wake up Saturday to a blank TV screen.

Fix a Noisy, Overheated Laptop

Rick Broida — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 01:19:25 EDT

For the last month or so, my wife's laptop has been noisier than you'd think possible for such a thin, compact PC. The culprit: The cooling fan, which seemed to run non-stop and at the highest possible speed.

Faster iPhone With New Features Due Next Week

Mike Musgrove — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The latest iPhone, available next week, is faster than its predecessors, has an improved camera, can record videos and appears to be just what many Mac fans have been waiting for this year.

Your Antenna's Big Day

Kim Hart — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT

You've been bombarded with TV commercials about it for the past two years. Consumer advocates have fretted about it, broadcasters spent billions of dollars to get ready for it, and Congress got so riled up about it that they voted to delay it.

Help File: Last-Minute Digital-TV Tuning Tips

Rob Pegoraro — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Q My digital-television reception has gotten iffy. What should I do to fine-tune it before analog TV goes off the air on Friday?

Security Fix Live

Brian Krebs — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 11:00:00 EDT

Security Fix blogger Brian Krebs answers your technology questions and offers ways to protect yourself from online security threats.

Fujitsu M2010 vs. Toshiba NB205: Netbook Fight Night

Darren Gladstone, PC World — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 00:18:59 EDT

The netbook market is already pretty crowded, but today two more contenders enter the fray: Toshiba's NB205-310 ($400) and Fujitsu's M2010 ($449). Toshiba and Fujitsu are new to netbooks, they're no strangers to small machines. After all, Toshiba blazed a trail back in the 1990s with its Libretto...

Jabra SP200 Bluetooth Car Speakerphone

Aoife M. McEvoy, PC World — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 00:19:07 EDT

The $60 (as of May 20, 2009) Jabra SP200 car speakerphone is the most affordable Bluetooth kit we've reviewed recently--it costs $40 less than its sibling, the Jabra SP700 .

Keep Laptops and Phones Powered for Productive Travel

Zack Stern — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 00:19:00 EDT

Time is money, right? If your laptop and mobile gadgets have a dead battery when you need them, you're wasting time that could have been spent on-the-clock. And as a result, you're wasting money.

Microsoft, Sony Unveil Technologies Similar to Nintendo's Wii

Mike Musgrove — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 17:59:58 EDT

If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then this week may have been a gratifying one for Nintendo, so far.

Microsoft Is Kicking Xbox Up a Notch

Mike Musgrove — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Microsoft's Xbox team took fresh aim at Nintendo yesterday, announcing a new 3D control scheme for its game console aimed at luring non-gamers in the same way the Wii has done.

Help File: A Surprise Anti-Virus Upgrade

Rob Pegoraro — Sun, 31 May 2009 00:00:00 EDT

QMy copy of Webroot's anti-spyware software just installed a new anti-virus program without warning me -- even though I already have one active, and adding a second one invites all sorts of problems. Nice trick . . .

Digitize All of Your Old Media

Jackson West, PC World — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 00:19:05 EDT

Technology has progressed so quickly that anyone over the age of 30 has probably amassed a collection of data generated in both analog and multiple generations of digital technology. (I'm looking at you, Commodore cassette tape drive.) And though you may never need a particular bit of data, being...

Personal Tech: Gadget News and Reviews

Rob Pegoraro — Fri, 29 May 2009 12:00:00 EDT

The Washington Post's Rob Pegoraro discusses recent reviews and answers your personal tech questions.

Wii Workout Games vs. a Personal Trainer

Darren Gladstone, PC World — Fri, 29 May 2009 03:19:02 EDT

At the Body Mechanix Gym in San Francisco, Joel Hornsby is the bona fide, certified " Mind and the Machine " master trainer. Can he be replaced by a videogame? To help me find out, Hornsby was good enough to spend an afternoon testing four fitness-focused games for the Wii. We set up a Wii balance...

Time Warner, AOL to Split by Year-End

Mike Musgrove and Frank Ahrens — Fri, 29 May 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The nine-year marriage is over: Yesterday, media company Time Warner announced that it will spin off its AOL subsidiary.

Asus Eee PC 1008HA Netbook

Darren Gladstone, PC World — Thu, 28 May 2009 00:19:04 EDT

It's thin, sleek, and light, and at least one Macworld editor is eyeballing it with interest. Nevertheless, the Asus Eee PC 1008HA netbook is no MacBook. Asus seems to be spitting out new additions to its netbook line faster than I can count. (Who can forget the Asus Eee PC 1000HE , the Asus Eee PC...

Big Huge Games Scores a Save

Mike Musgrove — Thu, 28 May 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Local videogame studio Big Huge Games got a new lease on life yesterday after a company founded by former Boston Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling announced that it has acquired the maker of computer-based games.

Belkin N+ Wireless Router F5D8235-4

Becky Waring, PC World — Wed, 27 May 2009 00:19:07 EDT

Belkin's attractive N+ Wireless Router F5D8235-4 router ($100 as of April 20, 2009) stands out from the pack in design, features, usability, and long-range wireless throughput. Though its 2×3 antenna design lagged in short-range testing, the N+ Wireless Router F5D8235-4's throughput performance...

Save Energy, Save Money

Zack Stern — Tue, 26 May 2009 00:19:06 EDT

You can save office energy from common sense; turn off the lights, printers, and PCs when you go home. But other, more nuanced tips can help you save even more. From laptop and gadget battery use to hardware leeching energy even when off, here are some of my favorite ways to save energy and money.

Dead Laptop

Lincoln Spector — Tue, 26 May 2009 00:19:03 EDT

What do you do when a laptop does nothing when you try to turn it on. Rommel asked the Answer Line forum for advice.

Lenovo IdeaPad S12: The First Ion Netbook

Darren Gladstone, PC World — Tue, 26 May 2009 00:19:03 EDT

It's official, ladies and gentlemen: We have an Ion platform-based netbook--Lenovo's IdeaPad S12. Or, at least, we will have it as of mid-August. Lenovo premiered its new 12.1-inch tweener netbook today, and it closely resembles the S10-2. But what lies under the hood probably matters more to you,...

Group's Web Site, Facebook Help Fuel Petition Drive by Speed Camera Opponents

John Wagner — Tue, 26 May 2009 00:00:00 EDT

An effort to halt Maryland's new speed camera law before it takes effect this fall faces its first hurdle this week, as organizers scramble to gather enough signatures, through both old-fashioned legwork and new technologies, to put the issue before voters next year.

Better Together: Wi-Fi and Powerline Networking

Becky Waring, PC World — Mon, 25 May 2009 23:19:02 EDT

Wireless networks today are faster, more secure, and more reliable than their predecessors. But to some extent Wi-Fi is a victim of its own success: Search for a Wi-Fi hotspot these days, and you may find a dozen networks competing for the same 2.4GHz bandwidth-so nobody gets a good signal.

Travel Smart

Adam Pash, PC World — Tue, 26 May 2009 00:19:06 EDT

Travel is stressful for just about everyone, whether you're hitting the road for fun or taking to the skies on business. We have a few travel tips that will take the turbulence out of any journey. Read on to get better seats on a plane, more entertainment on the move, nicer food on the road, and...

Best Mobile Entertainment Apps for Your Smartphone

Daniel Ionescu, PC World — Sun, 24 May 2009 00:19:04 EDT

You've spent your hard-earned cash on a brand new smartphone . Now it's time to put that money to work and turn your new acquisition into an entertainment powerhouse. The number of mobile entertainment apps out there is incomprehensibly large, and relatively few of them truly shine. Never fear:...

BlueAnt Q1Bluetooth Headset

Aoife M. McEvoy, PC World — Sun, 24 May 2009 00:19:04 EDT

The Q1 from BlueAnt Wireless comes with an incredibly useful voice-control helper, which is unique to the Q1 and to its cousin, the BlueAnt V1 . The $130 (as of 5/6/09) Q1 is an addition to the BlueAnt product family; it does not replace the V1.

Help File: Spam With Return Address; Windows Disk Formats

Rob Pegoraro — Sun, 24 May 2009 00:00:00 EDT

QI got a "Postmaster Delivery Status Notification" saying I sent an e-mail to a strange address. How could this happen?

Security Fix Live

Brian Krebs — Fri, 22 May 2009 11:00:00 EDT

Security Fix blogger Brian Krebs answers your technology questions and offers ways to protect yourself from online security threats.

From TV to DVD: Now Is the Time to Catch Up on What You Missed

Jen Chaney — Fri, 22 May 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The television season is coming to its annual May-sweeps end. "House" and "The Office"? Both closed for the season. "Lost" won't be found again until early 2010. Even this year's "American Idol" has been crowned.

How to Buy a Netbook

PC World Staff — Wed, 20 May 2009 00:19:06 EDT

The term netbook, coined by Intel, conveys little useful information about this category of machines. Sure, they all have wireless networking, but so does every other laptop. What the term originally helped to identify was a class of small, ultralightweight, cheap-as-dirt mobile PCs.

Three Ways to Install Windows 7 on a Netbook

Rick Broida — Wed, 20 May 2009 00:19:05 EDT

By now you know that you can download the Windows 7 Release Candidate free of charge from Microsoft and use it for nearly a year.

Doctors and Medical Students Embrace Smartphones

Sindya N. Bhanoo — Tue, 19 May 2009 00:00:00 EDT

To his frustration, Steven Schwartz often encounters patients who have no idea what each of the pills they've been popping is called.

Help File: Changing an E-Mail Program, Then Backing Up Its Files

Rob Pegoraro — Sun, 17 May 2009 00:00:00 EDT

QI use Netscape 7.1 for e-mail and I'm stuck -- I can't back up my messages because I don't know where Netscape puts them, nor can I copy them into a new program.

Rob Pegoraro's Fast Forward: Do-It-Yourself HD Video

Rob Pegoraro — Sun, 17 May 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Getting a movie to watch in high definition on an HDTV can be an expensive proposition, between the cost of a Blu-ray player or a cable or satellite subscription.

Personal Tech: Gadget News and Reviews

Rob Pegoraro — Fri, 15 May 2009 12:00:00 EDT

The Washington Post's Rob Pegoraro discusses recent reviews and answers your personal tech questions.

Switching My Dad to Linux--Part One

Keir Thomas, PC World — Fri, 15 May 2009 01:19:01 EDT

You might think that, as a Linux guy, I spend all my time converting friends and family to Linux. This is an epic cliche of the Slashdot-like Linux people, who will often post a comment like: "I switched my grandmother to Gentoo and she's never looked back! I had to teach her to use the optimization...

Lenovo IdeaPad S10 (High Capacity)

Darren Gladstone, PC World — Fri, 15 May 2009 01:19:00 EDT

It might not look like a major development, Lenovo announcing an incremental update to the IdeaPad S10 , dubbed the IdeaPad S10 (High Capacity). However, it sends a message: Namely, that Lenovo takes netbooks seriously--and believes that it delivered a truly awesome model the first time around (it...

Hands-On: Asus Eee PC 1008HA, UX50, and U80V

Darren Gladstone, PC World — Thu, 14 May 2009 11:19:07 EDT

New laptops, netbooks...and hints of a competitor to iTunes? Asus has a lot up its sleeve these days, but let's start with the netbook that some folks in the press circles are comparing to a MacBook: the Eee PC 1008HA.

Craigslist Vows to Improve Monitoring of 'Adult' Ads

Aaron C. Davis — Thu, 14 May 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Online classifieds giant Craigslist said yesterday that it will replace its "erotic services" section with a new adult category that will be more closely monitored, responding to criticism that the popular Web site has facilitated prostitution across the country.

FCC Hits Streets to Publicize Digital TV Switch

Mike Musgrove — Thu, 14 May 2009 00:00:00 EDT

With the nation's switch to digital TV broadcasting now less than 30 days away, the Federal Communications Commission is leaving nothing to chance in its efforts to reach households that haven't prepared for the end of analog television transmission.

Fujitsu LifeBook T2020 Tablet PC

Lauren Barnard, PC World — Tue, 12 May 2009 00:19:05 EDT

Like most tablet PCs, Fujitsu's LifeBook T2020 caters to business folk. This laptop may shy away from sex appeal in favor of getting the job done, but it's angling to be a useful, lightweight (3.6 pounds), compact (11.7 by 8.6 by 1.3 inches) package. While it doesn't deliver in speed, it sure is...

U.S. Clears the Way for Antitrust Crackdown

Cecilia Kang — Tue, 12 May 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The Obama administration signaled yesterday that it would take an aggressive stand against companies that engage in anti-competitive behavior, reversing looser policies of the past eight years that critics called friendly toward big firms.

Digital TV Transition, Set for June, May Get Early Test

Mike Musgrove — Tue, 12 May 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Government agencies and broadcasters are working on plans for an early test of the digital TV transition, saying the number of people still unprepared to make the switch has been cut, but that millions of Americans remain at risk of losing television reception next month.

Asus W90 Desktop Replacement Laptop

Zack Stern, PC World — Mon, 11 May 2009 00:19:01 EDT

I'm not sure whether "desktop replacement" accurately describes the heft of the Asus W90VP, but I certainly agree with the included warning not to use it on a lap. Slightly more "monster" than "monstrosity," this luggable goes where it wants with a 16.1-pound body and 17.5-inch-wide frame. But that...

BlackBerry Users Find A New World

Rob Pegoraro — Sun, 10 May 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The smartphone industry finally seems to agree on this point: Adding applications to phones is not exactly fun.

Help File: Security On Public WiFi Networks, Video Cables Defined

Rob Pegoraro — Sun, 10 May 2009 00:00:00 EDT

QI used the free WiFi on the Vamoose Bus to New York, but I was leery of somebody recording my passwords so I only visited sites that did not require a login. Was I being too paranoid?

Security Fix Live

Brian Krebs — Fri, 08 May 2009 11:00:00 EDT

Security Fix blogger Brian Krebs answers your technology questions and offers ways to protect yourself from online security threats.

Larger Kindle Hopes to Attract Newspaper Readers, College Students

Mike Musgrove — Thu, 07 May 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Gadget-makers usually like to boast that the latest version of their device is smaller than its predecessor.

T-Mobile Sidekick LX 3G Cell Phone

Ginny Mies, PC World — Wed, 06 May 2009 00:19:04 EDT

The newest version of the Sidekick LX ($200 with a two-year contract, as of 5/1/09), T-Mobile's popular messaging phone traditionally aimed at teenagers, sports grown-up features such as 3G support, GPS, and an improved, more sophisticated design. But unfortunately the Sidekick LX still has a few...

Allio ATVI-3G4542 42-inch HDTV With Built-In PC

Lincoln Spector, PC World — Tue, 05 May 2009 00:18:58 EDT

For $2800 (as of April 22, 2009), you'd expect to get more than a 42-inch LCD HDTV. And sure enough, the Allio ATVI-3G4542 gives you more--a built-in, 64-bit personal computer running Windows Vista Home Premium. But the HDTV and PC components of the ATVI-3G4542 don't play well together, and each is...

Peggle Finds A New Home

Mike Musgrove — Sun, 03 May 2009 00:00:00 EDT

A few levels in, and I'm hooked all over again. The goal is to wipe the orange buttons off the board by aiming and firing a ball from the top of the screen that bounces its way across a game board packed with obstacles -- it's a little like pinball, a little like pachinko. Complete a level and yo...

Fast Forward: Broadband Caps Can Cost You

Rob Pegoraro — Sun, 03 May 2009 00:00:00 EDT

What's more important when you sign up for your Internet service: getting a lower price upfront or being assured that your bill won't jump later?

Help File: PDF Output in Windows, Installing Internet Explorer 8

Rob Pegoraro — Sun, 03 May 2009 00:00:00 EDT

QHow can I save a document as a PDF on my Windows PC?

Personal Tech: Gadget News and Reviews

Rob Pegoraro — Fri, 01 May 2009 12:00:00 EDT

The Washington Post's Rob Pegoraro discusses recent reviews and answers your personal tech questions.

Fast Forward: Broadband Caps Can Cost You

Rob Pegoraro — Fri, 01 May 2009 08:07:00 EDT

What's more important when you sign up for your Internet service: getting a lower price upfront, or being assured that your bill won't jump higher later on?

Bluetooth Car Speakerphones Don't Always Impress

Aoife M. McEvoy, PC World — Fri, 01 May 2009 00:19:01 EDT

You already know that it's illegal in some states to drive while talking into your handset. Even if that isn't against the law in your part of the country, going hands-free with your phone while you're behind the wheel is a smart move.

Wash Post Personal Tech

Fast Forward: Browser Users Can Celebrate an Independent's Day

Help File: Recycling Old Electronics

T-Mobile Dash Smartphone

Md. Prisons, Wireless Industry at Odds Over Jamming Inmate Cellphones

Biden Announces $4 Billion in Grants and Loans in First Round of Funding for Broadband Expansion

TerreStar Launching Pocket-Size Satellite Phone

Apple MacBook Air A1304

Acer Aspire Timeline 3810T Laptop

Now on the Wii: Aliens, Guns and the Capitol

Help File: Archiving Old Home Movies To DVD, Vista ÂMemory DumpsÂ Defined

Apple's New iPhone Has Learned New Tricks, but So Have Competitors

Personal Tech: Gadget News and Reviews

Md. Firm Buys Maker of Hit Video Games

Special Needs, Special Laptops

How to Buy a Business Laptop

How to Buy a Desktop-Replacement Laptop

How to Buy a Netbook

Even Recession Can't Dampen Demand for Faster iPhone

How to Buy an All-Purpose Laptop

Laptop Buying Guide

How to Buy an Ultraportable Laptop

On Your Side: Trouble With an Incompatible Laptop Hard Drive

Apple MacBook Pro A1297 (17-inch) Desktop Replacement Laptop

Files to Help You Tread Lightly on PC Resources

Hands on with Sony VAIO VGN-NW180J/S

Help File: After the DTV Switch, Some Tinkering Still Required

Crowds Pack D.C. Area Stores for First Bite at Apple's Latest, Fastest iPhone

Security Fix Live

Asus and Disney Join Forces on Kid-Friendly Netbooks

Sirius XM Rolls Out iPhone App, But No Stern or NFL on the Go

Fix a Laptop's Sticky, Broken Keys

Exclusive Wireless Contracts Examined

For iPhone Obsessives, Frenzy Over Early Delivery

nVidia 200M GPUs: 'Twice the Power, Half the Battery Drain'

2 D.C. Stations Lost to Viewers in Digital TV Transition

Courtland Milloy: Digital TV May Promise More Than It Delivers

A Challenge for Nashville: Survey Finds Country Fans Lagging in Internet Use

Fast Forward: The Palm Pre -- a New Hope for Smartphones

Help File: Freeing Up Disk Space After a Vista Update, A Bogus Spam Defense

Rob Pegoraro's Fast Forward: After Bouts of Static, Digital TV Takes Over

Broadcasters Prepare for DTV Transition

Personal Tech: The DTV Transition

Toshiba Portege R600-ST520W

Digital TV Ready to Rule the Tube, Leaving Some Viewers in the Dark

Fix a Noisy, Overheated Laptop

Faster iPhone With New Features Due Next Week

Your Antenna's Big Day

Help File: Last-Minute Digital-TV Tuning Tips

Security Fix Live

Fujitsu M2010 vs. Toshiba NB205: Netbook Fight Night

Jabra SP200 Bluetooth Car Speakerphone

Keep Laptops and Phones Powered for Productive Travel

Microsoft, Sony Unveil Technologies Similar to Nintendo's Wii

Microsoft Is Kicking Xbox Up a Notch

Help File: A Surprise Anti-Virus Upgrade

Digitize All of Your Old Media

Personal Tech: Gadget News and Reviews

Wii Workout Games vs. a Personal Trainer

Time Warner, AOL to Split by Year-End

Asus Eee PC 1008HA Netbook

Big Huge Games Scores a Save

Belkin N+ Wireless Router F5D8235-4

Save Energy, Save Money

Dead Laptop

Lenovo IdeaPad S12: The First Ion Netbook

Group's Web Site, Facebook Help Fuel Petition Drive by Speed Camera Opponents

Better Together: Wi-Fi and Powerline Networking

Travel Smart

Best Mobile Entertainment Apps for Your Smartphone

BlueAnt Q1Bluetooth Headset

Help File: Spam With Return Address; Windows Disk Formats

Security Fix Live

From TV to DVD: Now Is the Time to Catch Up on What You Missed

How to Buy a Netbook

Three Ways to Install Windows 7 on a Netbook

Doctors and Medical Students Embrace Smartphones

Help File: Changing an E-Mail Program, Then Backing Up Its Files

Rob Pegoraro's Fast Forward: Do-It-Yourself HD Video

Personal Tech: Gadget News and Reviews

Help File: Archiving Old Home Movies To DVD, Vista ÂMemory DumpsÂ Defined