How to turn an Apple Mac mini into a Windows Vista Media Center

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Krunker posted an extensive article detailing a project he has been working on for some time. It deals with turning an Apple Mac mini into a Windows Vista box capable of running Windows Media Center. The article outlines the steps taken, some of the additional features he added and how it's ultimately deployed in his home.

Quote: "How does the Mac mini hold up as a Media Center box? Very nicely indeed! I’ve been running the Mac mini as a MCE box for the last three plus weeks and it’s performed flawlessly. Read more

Posted on Thu, 24 Apr 2008 15:00:00 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Windows Vista Feature Pack adds Bluetooth 2.1 Support

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Microsoft releases the first so called Feature Pack for Windows Vista.

The Windows Vista Feature Pack for Wireless enhances the Vista Bluetooth support with version 2.1 support, unified pairing user interface and Windows Connect Now updates. Read more

Posted on Sat, 19 Apr 2008 09:37:16 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Sharp Willcom D4 is first Intel Atom MID running Windows Vista

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Sharp announces the Mobile Internet Device Willcom D4, which is apparently beating everybody else to be the first Intel Atom MID running Windows Vista.

Intel announced the Atom CPUs on April 1st. The new Sharp WillCom D4 is designed for the Japanese market as it leverages the Willcom PHS network, but gives us an idea on the Atom MIDs that will be coming to the market this year. Read more

Posted on Mon, 14 Apr 2008 01:43:29 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Windows Vista SP1 Performance Analyses

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Techreport analysed the performance of the recently released SP1 for Windows Vista.

Quote from the report: "How does Service Pack 1 affect Windows Vista's day-to-day performance in common desktop applications and games? We've run a host of benchmarks in order to find out. Read more

Posted on Fri, 4 Apr 2008 06:00:00 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Windows Vista SP1 available for Download

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Microsoft officially released SP1 for Windows Vista.

Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1) is an update to Windows Vista that addresses feedback from our customers. In addition to previously released updates, SP1 will contain changes focused on addressing specific reliability, performance, and compatibility issues; supporting new types of hardware; and adding support for several emerging standards. Read more

Posted on Tue, 18 Mar 2008 11:49:59 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Windows Vista SP1 Available in March

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Microsoft announced today that Windows Vista SP1 was released to manufacturing. Microsoft also said Windows Server 2008 was released to manufacturing as well.

Microsoft says Vista SP1 will be available in March, starting with Microsoft volume licensing customers. Windows Server 2008 will also be available to purchase on March 1st. Read more

Posted on Mon, 4 Feb 2008 08:46:53 CST | by Shane McGlaun

How to enable hidden Aurora Boot Screen in Windows Vista

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OCModShop explains how you can enable the cool looking Aurora dubbed boot screen in Microsoft Windows Vista.

Quote from the How-to Guide: "The original Vista Bootscreen is very similar to Windows 2000, and is very bland and boring (you know, with the little catepillar bar scrolling from left-to-right). But did you know that Vista comes with a much better highly visual bootscreen? Did you know how easy it is to enable it? No? Read more

Posted on Fri, 2 Nov 2007 04:00:00 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Microsoft sees Windows Vista Growth Phase underway

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By Daisuke Wakabayashi

SEATTLE (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp's Windows Vista is starting to see mass adoption from businesses nearly a year after it was released, the company said while predicting a strong first holiday season for the product. Read more

Posted on Wed, 31 Oct 2007 23:59:43 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Apple OS X Leopard compared to Windows Vista

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Apple shipped the OS X update Leopard last week. The upgrade of the Macbook in our office was extremely simple and the new features and UI improvements are worth the money for Leopard.

Engadget published a feature by feature comparison of Apple's Leopard versus Microsoft Windows Vista. Leopard scored a bit better in that comparison.
Read more

Posted on Sun, 28 Oct 2007 05:00:00 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

SLI on Windows Vista versus Windows XP

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Hothardware analyzes the SLI performance on Windows Vista versus Windows XP.

Quote: "We thought it might be interesting to see what the numbers looked like for the extreme performance junkies in our midst, running dual-graphics SLI setups with high-end DX10 capable GeForce 8800 graphics cards. Is SLI mode on Vista still two steps behind in performance in comparison to XP? Read more

Posted on Wed, 26 Sep 2007 05:00:00 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Philips Introduces SRM7500 Windows Vista Media Center Remote

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Philips rolled out a new remote control at CEDIA this week called the SRM7500. This remote was designed for Windows Vista powered media center computers. The remote can control Vista’s media center functionality along with five other devices.

The remote also supports basic Windows SideShow features that allow users to browse and play music, pictures and programming guides on the remotes LCD screen. Read more

Posted on Wed, 5 Sep 2007 11:30:53 CDT | by Shane McGlaun

Microsoft announces Windows Vista SP1

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Microsoft announces the highly anticipated SP1 for Windows Vista.

The first service pack for Windows Vista will contain changes focused on addressing specific reliability and performance issues we’ve identified via customer feedback, supporting new types of hardware, and adding support for several emerging standards. SP1 also makes additional improvements to the IT administration experience. Read more

Posted on Thu, 30 Aug 2007 01:26:24 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Microsoft Windows Vista: How much memory is enough?

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PCStats takes a look on how much memory is really enough for Windows Vista.

Quote: "Do you need as much memory when you're running office applications as you do when you're gaming? How much memory do you need in Vista to game comfortably and spreadsheet smoothly? Usually a hardware upgrade isn't required for a new operating system. Read more

Posted on Wed, 29 Aug 2007 03:00:00 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Microsoft releases Windows Vista Update

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The leaked Vista update we reported about is now official. Microsoft calls this: "An update is available that improves the performance and reliability of Windows Vista".

This is not the Vista SP1, it is just an update. It is somewhat unusual to offer such an update. Microsoft says that the update can achieve better performance and responsiveness in various scenarios. It looks like Microsoft assumes that the issues are not affecting all users. If the update would be critical it would be distributed via the Vista update service or marketed as a service pack. Read more

Posted on Wed, 8 Aug 2007 02:10:00 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Microsoft says Windows Vista sales reach 60 million

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REDMOND, Washington (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp. had sold 60 million Windows Vista licenses as of the end of June, including 20 million copies sold since mid-May, the company said on Thursday. Read more

Posted on Thu, 26 Jul 2007 12:47:05 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Acer Boss comes down hard on Microsoft over Windows Vista

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Gianfranco Lanci, President of PC manufacturer Acer criticizes Microsoft over Vista in an interview with the Financial Times Germany.

Mr. Lanci says that the whole industry is disappointed of Windows Vista. Microsoft made mistakes and that never before a new Microsoft OS did so little for PC and notebook sales.

The Acer boss is also pessimistic for the rest of the year.
Acer is the number four PC maker behind HP, Dell and Lenovo. Read more

Posted on Sun, 22 Jul 2007 14:00:00 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Sharp Internet AQUOS TVs with Windows Vista PCs

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Sharp introduces new Aquos LCD TVs in combination with Windows Vista running living room PCs.

The flag-ship Internet Aquos LC-32D10-B is a 32 inch HDTV featuring 1,366×768pixel resolution, 450cd/m2 brightness, 1,500:1 contrast ratio, 2 HDMI ports, VGA port and LAN interface.

Sharp offers with the new Internet Aquos TVs a choice of three Windows Vista computer units: PC-AX120S, PC-AX80S and PC-AX60S.
Read more

Posted on Wed, 28 Feb 2007 05:00:00 CST | by Luigi Lugmayr

I4U Gadget Model: Sweet Windows Vista Girl Candice

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Microsoft launched Windows Vista a couple weeks ago. To give your spanking new Windows Vista Ultimate the right desktop background we are delighted to present to you sweet Candice.

Candice shows you how sexy the Windows Vista Ultimate packaging really is. Some of Glenn's photos make you wish Candice would come to your house and install Vista for you.

Enjoy Candice' Windows Vista Photos now.
(Warning: Depending on your Company’s culture the photos might not be safe for work; This I4U Gadget Model shoot is actually much safer then previous photo spreads.)
Read more

Posted on Thu, 22 Feb 2007 10:05:00 CST | by Luigi Lugmayr

I-O Data BRD-M2S Blu-ray Burner with Windows Vista Support

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I-O Data offers the BRD-M2S 50GB Blu-ray burner drives in Japan with Windows Vista driver support.

The BRD-M2S comes as BRD-UM2S (photo) external drive with USB, as BRD-AM2S/BRD-AM2SB an internal drive with ATAPI connectivity.
I-O Data bundles the Ulead DVD MovieWriter5 BD Version with the Blu-ray drives. The company highlights that you can create Blu-ray video discs that you can watch on the Sony PS3, an obvious thing, but it is still early days for Blu-ray authoring.

Japanese site PC Watch Impress tested the drive with a couple of Blu-ray authoring software packages on Windows Vista. They ran into a couple issues. It looks like the whole making Blu-ray discs is still a time consuming early adopter adventure.
Read more

Posted on Tue, 13 Feb 2007 11:16:49 CST | by Luigi Lugmayr

Windows Vista with Bonus Xbox 360 Messenger Bag at Wal-mart

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Need a new Messenger bag? Wal-mart gives you one as bonus when you buy a Windows Vista upgrade or full version.

This bag is actually a Microsoft Xbox 360 branded bag featuring the green swirl design. I assume Wal-mart has found a lost container full of these Xbox 360 messenger bags and gives them away now.

The Microsoft Windows Vista Basic Upgrade with Bag sells for $98.87. Amazon sells the cheapest Vista version for $99.99. The Wal-mart deal really gives you a free bag.

The Windows Vista Ultimate Upgrade Limited Signature Edition sells for $258.89.
Read more

Posted on Tue, 6 Feb 2007 23:37:59 CST | by Luigi Lugmayr

How to Install Windows Games in Windows Vista

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If you like to play the little games that Microsoft includes in Windows Vista like Chess, Hearts and more but you just can’t seem to find the games it could be that they didn’t install when you moved to Vista.

When I installed Vista Business on my computer the games did not install. To check if the games are on your computer click the start button and look for a folder labeled games under the programs tab. The Windows games should be listed there, if the folder is empty or simply isn’t on your system follow these easy steps to install the games folder to your computer. Read more

Posted on Fri, 2 Feb 2007 08:51:45 CST | by Shane McGlaun