Defragging a hard drive was once so common it was almost a rite of passage for computer users. Many different disk utility and maintenance programs offered defragmentation routines as part of their suite of utilities. As operating systems (OS) have continued to evolve, and filesystems have improved, many users wonder if defragging is still necessary.
Valve's Steam Deck created a lot of excitement among many gamers when the legendary gaming company revealed the handheld console back in July. With launch scheduled for late 2021, hopes of an on-time launch were dashed when Valve announced the console would be delayed. This week Valve announced that the console will ship this February (in the year 2022), but hasn't gone on to specify the day this launch will commence.
CyberPowerPC has just announced that it will soon release a new desktop PC chassis, dubbed the Kinetic Series Case. Calling the chassis unusual would not be giving it enough credit. CyberPowerPC certainly made a bold move when designing this case, and this applies to both the cooling architecture and the looks of the chassis.
Memories have been a staple of our psyche throughout human history and have even served an evolutionary purpose by helping us learn from and avoid bad experiences. They also help us digest information for future recall and indulge our nostalgia. Fortunately, with advanced technology at our disposal, we have many advanced options to store memories without stressing our brains. The advent of the digital age has made storing memories much easier, thanks to digital data storage solutions like CDs, floppy discs, and hard drives.
Gaming saw a big uptick in the past two years, partly thanks to new consoles and partly due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was a great time not just for games and consoles but also for gaming accessories that diversify the market with more options, particularly when it comes to input controls like keyboards, mice, and, of course, controllers. With many people going mobile again, the need for more portable accessories has also become more apparent. The GameSir T4 Mini is part of that new generation of controllers that has mobility at its core, and we take it for a spin to check whether or not it makes some compromises along the way to achieve its goals.
PC gamers might have felt a tad disappointed at the news that Valve is delaying its Steam Deck portable PC gaming machine to sometime in 2022. Of course, that wasn't exactly surprising given how other consumer electronics, especially computers and mobile devices, are facing production and shipment delays, but it still douses some cold water over the enthusiasm that has been building up towards the upcoming shopping and gaming seasons. Almost ironically, that can also serve to get gamers excited even more, especially after Valve continues to reveal some details that inspire confidence that the Steam Deck will not be a repeat of the ill-fated Steam Machine.
Microsoft released Forza Horizon 5 on November 9, 2021 for Xbox Series X, in the Microsoft Store on PC, with Steam, and with Xbox Game Pass. This game was released with Xbox Game Pass for multiple platforms, including Xbox (console), PC (Windows), and through the system's Beta Cloud Gaming interface. This means you could potentially be playing Forza Horizon 5 on your tiny baby smartphone by the end of the day today.
Game developer Eidos Montreal is ready to deploy its biggest update for Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy since launch, announcing patches for the PS4/PS5 and Xbox consoles, as well as PCs. PlayStation players are first in line with the patch rolling out today, and at this point, it looks like PC gamers will be the next to get the update. Xbox players will have to wait a few days longer.
The consumer electronics market has seen a surge in the past 22 months, perhaps more than any other industry hit hard by the COVID-19 outbreak. The shift in work and school arrangements, the need for more home entertainment diversions, and the reliance on Internet-based communication all worked to give PCs, tablets, and Chromebooks a much-needed boost in sales and shipments. The tides are shifting again, however, and manufacturers will need to adopt new strategies if they don't want to return to the same dismal pre-pandemic figures in the coming quarters.
Raspberry Pi's entire business is releasing tiny, low-cost computers, but at one point several years ago, the company decided it could go lower than the $30-$35 price tags we've seen for many of its flagships. In 2015, the company introduced the $5 Raspberry Pi Zero, which was soon followed by the $10 Zero W. Today, Raspberry Pi announced another addition to the Zero lineup, revealing the Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W, which runs $15.
Razer announced a variety of new PC components this week with an ultimate goal of fully outfitting your top-tier DIY gaming rig. AIO Liquid Coolers, Case Fans, PWM Fan Controllers, Platinum PSUs, and Razer Chroma lighting through the whole set. Some of these devices will be released soon, others will appear in early 2022!
Ubisoft released the educational iteration of their latest big Assassin's Creed title Valhalla this week. Like each of the other Assassin's Creed games that've been released over the past half-decade, Ubisoft put a significant amount of work in research into the history of our world and humanity to create an authentic experience with their game. The title Discovery Tour: Viking Age takes the work done for Assassin's Creed: Valhalla, and puts it in an entirely educational package.