ForcaTech Blog

Back in February we heard that Microsoft would eventually be releasing retail stores but weren’t given any details.

Now its out that this fall we should be expecting Microsoft Retail stores near Apple stores. This initially doesn’t jump out at me as being a great idea for Microsoft. In the past Microsoft has done things suspiciously similar to Apple in an attempt to out do them–failing miserably in my opinion.

A few examples to prove my point:

On a side note however, if this fall when we see the Microsoft stores begin to pop up then I would love to see some Natal demos! That would be sure to bring plenty of people into the Microsoft stores–not that they aren’t going to walk next door to the conveniently placed Apple store right after though.

Friendly reminder we just got from Microsoft. If you are interested in getting your free–legal–version of the Windows 7 RC Build 7100 in 32-bit or 64-bit head on over to Microsofts download page to snatch it up while you still can.

Notice: Downloads will end August 20

Thanks for all your help building Windows 7. We are on our way to the last big milestone: Release to Manufacturing. Starting on October 22, you’ll see it on PCs and store shelves. As we gear up for that, it’s time to wind down the Release Candidate testing program.

If you or a friend needs a download, you’ve got time. We’ll continue to offer the RC download until August 20, 2009. After that, you won’t be able to get the download, but if you have the bits, you can still install the RC and get a key if you need one. (To get a key, just go to the Downloads page and follow the instructions.)

As of yesterday Windows 7 has now been Released To Manufactures. Everything is on schedule for the October release however there is still alot that has to happen before then. Manufacturers still need to test OEM copies on their hardware to make sure it will work with their configurations, language packs still need to be created an all kinds of other operating system involved activities.

For those who have missed it Windows 7 is going to have the free upgrade for new PC buyers from now until release just like they did with Vista. It isn’t going to apply to every new system but most manufacturers are jumping on the band wagon. When you purchase a new system at your local retailer that comes with Vista Home Premium, Business or Ultimate come October you will get a free upgrade to Windows 7 for your respective version.

The official Windows 7 prices are as follows:

Windows 7 Home Premium: $120 for upgrade; $200 for full version
Windows 7 Professional: $200 for upgrade; $300 for full version
Windows 7 Ultimate: $220 for upgrade; $320 for full version

Microsoft WAS offering a discounted upgrade for pre-orders but you have already missed out on that. You can preorder for full price now or wait to see if some other deal comes along.

Rumors have been bouncing around about a Windows 7 ‘family pack’ bundle with 3 licenses for $137. Again this is just a rumor so we will just have to keep an eye out.

Oh and those who jumped on the Release Candidate are in luck–kind of. You will not have to reinstall Windows 7 when it is released. The bad news? This is just like upgrading from XP  where all of your files get bundled into a folder called Windows.OLD. So this means you have to reinstall all of your programs, set up all of your preferences and migrate all of your files back to their correct locations. Turns out I don’t really feel like this is good news.

[UPDATE]: So in a wave of anticipatory man-drool the rumors have been flying all over the place about whether or not build 7600 is going to be RTM. Per the official Microsoft blog the RTM is not complete yet but who knows! They could just be upset that it has leaked to the usual places already and that the less than legal market has stolen their thunder. As soon as we get some legit information we will let you know.

Samsung has announced its 22″ LD220 DisplayLink LCD. Using display link software you no longer need an available VGA or DVI port. In order to add a 2nd, 3rd or 7th much needed LCD monitor all you need is an available USB 2.0 port.  You won’t even need  to have 6 available USB ports to add your 6 additional monitors. Each monitor has a USB hub with at least 2 USB ports and you can daisy chain your monitors off of them.

This is a great solution forApple users who want to get around all of the annoying video adapters or laptop and netbook users who are limited to one display port.

The Emperor Workstation is quite possibly the best $40,000 computer work station on the market. Complete with 3 LCD monitors, 5.1 surround audio, air filtration system, ambient lighting, reclining, 360 degree pivoting, pod tilting and more all controllable from a touchscreen panel on the left side of the chair.

The workstation comes with a computer under the seat or the place for a laptop dock behind the seat. The Emperor comes default with 3 – 19″ LCDs but when you are spending this amount of money it won’t be a problem to upgrade. For more info on these chairs that are available now check out the NovelQuest website.

After a big upgrade to our 386 my Uncle–plainly–explained to my Dad that, “…you will never need more than 80MB”.  I remember several years later upgrading to 500MB on our 90MHz Pentium PC and thinking, “I will never run out of room for my games”. Of course 6 months later I was hurting for space again while I tried to install SimCity 2000 and didn’t have the 20MB of space required for the install.

It has continued like this even after upgrading to hundreds of Gigabytes. Pulling 30 minutes of HD home videos from your camera takes up almost 5GB. Installing the latest game can take well over 10GB. Every PC sold from your local electronics store comes with several hundred Gigabtyes. While it is true that alot of that space goes to waste soon even the standard home users will be in need of Terabytes not just Gigabytes.  The picture below from Mozy gives us a look into what we will need in the near future.

1.2GHz processor, 512Mb DDR2 RAM, Gigabit Ethernet and USB 2.0 now fit in a box smaller than the power adapter for some electronics! Plenty to run a small server for a website, email or media sharing.

In the picture above you see the wall plug, Gigabit Ethernet, USB 2.0, miniUSB port and SDIO slot.

Connect hard drives, webcams, etc to your USB 2.0 port and let the sharing begin! There are many different flavors of this device from several different companies. You can buy it pre-configured from most or buy a developer kit that you can toy with yourself.

The only thing that this micro computer is lacking is video out but maybe a DisplayLink device would work?

We had high hopes when we first saw the G1 Optimus Prime Head with Built-In USB-Powered Speakers from the Big Bad Toy Store.  Its a shame that all of our hopes and dreams were crushed when we learned that this decapitated transformer doesn’t transform.

It does however play sound from computer or other 3.5mm jacked device. The closest thing that this autobot does are the fold out speakers. The helmet folds open like ears–unlike any transformer we have seen–in order to expose the speakers.

Still for those die hard Transformers fans this is a great desk decoration that is quazi-functional too!

Will the touch screen frenzy ever come to an end? I think not. Here is one more gadget that was perfectly fine being non touchscreen–but not as cool.

The NZXT Sentry 2 fan speed controller can control up to 5 fans in your computer. Slide this controller into one of your 5.25in optical bays and you can manually set the speed for each fan or set them up to independently kick on when temperatures reach certain levels.

Out of usable USB ports on your PC or want a more convenient place to plug in your USB goodies? Not looking for a USB hub that looks like Elvis or dispenses candy? Then the Elecom USB Wall Socket is for you!

Despite the misleading product title these don’t plug into an actual wall socket. They plug into one of your computers existing USB ports and runs off of your computers BUS.

These slim wall sockets have magnetic backing–don’t attach to your external hard drive–and also have optional screw mounts to attach this to your desk or wall.

While these are some of the more simple, attractive USB hubs they are not as cheap as we would have hoped. Pick yours up from AudioCubes for $39.99 with ~$11 shipping worldwide.

Overclockers are a breed all their own. With many it becomes a game just to see how far the hardware can be pushed. Even if the stock hardware can handle everything they throw at it they still feel the need to push it to the limit just to see how much better it can perform.

Now AMD has released a set of 100 hand picked, limited edition processors designed specifically for overclockers released as the AMD Phenom II X4 TWKR.

So what can this chip do? A Koolance LN2 pot and 20lbs of dry ice got the guys over at Hot Hardware to 4.73GHz. They like others said that to really push this hardware you need liquid cooling options such as nitrogen or helium.

Watch the video below to see K|ngp|n push this 2.0GHz stock CPU to 6.89GHz.

Unfortunately, these aren’t for sale.