Windows 8 buying guide: How to buy the best laptop, desktop, tablet, or hybrid

<p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif">Buying a new Windows 8 device isn't as simple as, say, picking up a new Android tablet. The device-spanning nature of the overhauled operating system means Windows works on a vast array of hardware, from laptops to tablets to desktops to genre-straddling hybrids. Saying "I want a Windows 8 device" is just the first step of this particular purchasing journey.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif">Our guide will clue you in to everything you need to know while you're on the hunt for a new Windows 8 device, from design differences to the little details you need to consider once you've settled on a device type. Heck, we'll even toss in a few buying recommendations—and you can find more in our chart of <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/product/collection/13619/.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">the best Windows 8 devices</a> available right now.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif">Got it? Good. Let's get educated.</p><h2 style="font-family:facitweb,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em;color:rgb(34,34,34)"> Buying a Windows 8 laptop</h2><p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif">The first decision you have to make is easy: Do you need a desktop or a mobile device?</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif">Skip to the end if you're looking for a desktop. Settle in if you're shopping for a portable PC: Going mobile takes a bit more thought, since Windows 8 calls laptops, tablets, and hybrids home.</p> <img alt="" border="0" height="388" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/09/1253817_front-100055579-large.png" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: auto; height: auto; max-width: 100%; float: left;" width="580">The Lenovo IdeaPad U430 Touch is a finger-friendly $700 Ultrabook.<p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif"> Laptops are a good option if, well, you need a laptop. Typing accessories for Windows tablets—including Microsoft's own Touch Cover and Type Cover—simply aren't as comfortable for long-term typing sessions as a proper laptop keyboard is, and even cheap laptops tend to have more potent hardware than Windows tablets. You can find "laptop-first" hybrids with the same advantages <em style>and</em> the ability to transform into a tablet on the fly, but they carry a price premium over traditional notebooks. (More on hybrids later.)</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif">If you're in the market for a Windows 8 notebook, <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/211000/laptop_buying_guide.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">PCWorld's laptop buying guide</a> has all the info you need to make a smart decision. One Windows 8–specific thing to keep in mind: Touchscreen notebooks are nifty, but finger-friendly displays cost more and reduce battery life. If your machine's endurance is important to you, go for a standard laptop and check out PCWorld's guide to <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/2055381/how-to-eradicate-metro-from-your-windows-8-1-pc.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">eliminating Windows 8.1's touchy modern interface</a>.</p> <h2 style="font-family:facitweb,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em;color:rgb(34,34,34)">Before you buy a Windows tablet</h2><a class="zoom cboxElement" href="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2012/10/_dsc8629_flattened_116-100006860-orig.jpg" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)"><img alt="RobertCardin_AcerW700" border="0" height="387" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2012/10/_dsc8629_flattened_116-100006860-large.jpg" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: auto; height: auto; max-width: 100%; float: left;" width="580"></a>The Acer W700 is a first-gen Windows 8 tablet.<p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif"> What, laptops aren't portable enough for you? A thin-and-light Windows tablet might be calling your name—if you're certain that you wouldn't prefer an Android slate or an iPad. That's a very important factor to consider before you plunk down your cash.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif">Windows tablets, being the new kid on the block, have a few pain points. The Windows Store—which supplies the modern-style apps that power all those glittering live tiles—is <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/2045348/the-state-of-the-windows-store-how-useful-are-those-100-000-apps-.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">still comparatively lackluster</a>. The <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/2065469/nokia-lumia-2520-review-meet-microsofts-new-candy-coated-anti-surface-tablet.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">Nokia Lumia 2520</a> is the only current model that supports LTE connectivity for on-the-go usage. Windows-powered tablets are far more expensive than Android devices. And while 8-inch Windows slates from the likes of<a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/2055580/acer-joins-the-8-inch-windows-tablet-fray-with-the-atom-powered-iconia-w4.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">Acer</a>, <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/2051361/dell-unveils-its-all-new-venue-tablets-plus-major-updates-to-its-xps-ultrabook-line.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">Dell</a>, and <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/2054399/lenovo-shows-off-an-8-inch-bay-trail-t-tablet-the-miix2.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">Lenovo</a> are starting to trickle into stores, the vast majority of Windows tablets available have 10-inch or larger displays.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif">All are valid reasons to <a href="http://www.techhive.com/article/2017437/the-best-tablet-for-you.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">consider competing tablets</a>. But Windows tablets have killer features of their own that help them <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/2045648/real-world-confessions-from-surface-rt-owners-who-loves-it-and-why.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">excel at portable productivity</a>:</p> <ul style="margin:1em 0px;padding:0px 0px 0px 40px;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif;line-height:21px"><li style="line-height:1.45em">SkyDrive-powered syncing features make it easy to hop from PC to tablet to laptop and back again without skipping a beat.</li> <li style="line-height:1.45em">Internet Explorer 11 is a full-blown, desktop-class browser, unlike the mobile versions of Chrome and Safari. Yes, that means it works with Flash and Silverlight sites.</li><li style="line-height:1.45em"> Virtually all Windows tablet models have optional keyboard accessories.</li><li style="line-height:1.45em">Many Windows 8 tablets ship with a free copy of Office Home & Student preinstalled.</li><li style="line-height:1.45em"> Once you've used the Snap multitasking feature, going back to one app at a time on Android or iOS just plain hurts.</li></ul><p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif"> And of course, only Windows 8 tablets offer full access to the traditional Windows desktop and its vast horde of software—though mouse-oriented menus don't always work well on touch-focused tablets.</p><h2 style="font-family:facitweb,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em;color:rgb(34,34,34)"> Buying a Windows tablet</h2><a class="zoom cboxElement" href="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/10/surface2_8-100066518-orig.jpg" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)"><img alt="" border="0" height="387" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/10/surface2_8-100066518-large.jpg" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: auto; height: auto; max-width: 100%; float: left;" width="580"></a>The Surface 2's kickstand now supports two different angles, for tabletop and laptop usage. But you still don't want a Windows RT device.<p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif"> Notice I said that <em style>Windows 8</em> tablets rock the desktop. You'll also find tablets running the <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/2044744/microsoft-should-yank-windows-rt-for-windows-rts-own-good.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">neutered Windows RT</a> operating system. Powered by long-lasting ARM mobile processors, they can run <em style>only</em> modern-style apps—not desktop software. Given the still-early state of the Windows Store, it's hard to recommend a Windows RT tablet except for <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/2055519/the-other-tablet-how-the-surface-2-beats-the-ipad.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">highly specialized use cases</a>.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif">Yes, the Nokia Lumia 2520 looks great and supports LTE, and yes, Microsoft's own Surface 2 is <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/2058526/surface-2-review-cautious-upgrades-dont-help-a-tablet-in-desperate-need-of-relevance.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">a stunning piece of hardware</a>. For the most part, however, you should still avoid them. All other PC makers have discontinued their Windows RT tablets, though you may be able to find some at fire-sale prices.</p> <a class="zoom cboxElement" href="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/09/intel_atom_bay_trail-100054022-orig.jpg" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)"><img alt="" border="0" height="250" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/09/intel_atom_bay_trail-100054022-medium.jpg" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: auto; height: auto; max-width: 100%; float: left;" width="300"></a>Intel's 'Bay Trail' Atom chips have made Windows 8 tablets much more competitive with ARM-based slates, thanks to their extreme endurance.<p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif"> You'll want to stick to a tablet running Windows 8 proper, at least until the Windows Store matures. At the heart of virtually any Windows 8 tablet, you'll find Intel's last-gen Intel Atom Z2760 processor or one of the company's current-gen "Bay Trail" Atom processors. Both deliver all-day battery life, but Bay Trail–based tablets offer<em style>far</em> smoother performance. You may be able to pick up an older Atom Z2760–based slate at a great price this year, but definitely try before you buy one of those.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif">Some "tablets," such as the <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/2020245/acer-iconia-w700-review-tablet-meet-desktop.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">Acer Iconia W700</a> and<a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/2049000/leap-motion-comes-to-the-pc-in-hp-envy-17-notebook.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)"> HP Pavilion 13 x2</a>, feature more-powerful Core i5 processors, but they're more hybrids than proper slates. More on convertibles later.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif">While current Atom-powered Windows tablets max out at 4GB of RAM, most pack 2GB. Get as much memory as you can! Many Windows 8 tablets also have 1366-by-768-pixel screens—a resolution that looks ugly and fuzzy on a laptop but holds up well enough on an 8- to 10-inch display. Pricier slates sport sharper 1080p displays, but be warned: The higher you crank up the resolution, the smaller those already-diminutive desktop menus become.</p> <a class="zoom cboxElement" href="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/02/1252503_draw_1160-100024372-orig.jpg" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)"><img alt="" border="0" height="388" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/02/1252503_draw_1160-100024372-large.jpg" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: auto; height: auto; max-width: 100%; float: left;" width="580"></a>Stylus users, make sure the Windows tablet you're considering supports digital pens.<p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif"> Beyond that, look for tablets that have the bells and whistles you need. For example, scope out the port selection, and find out whether a keyboard comes bundled or as an optional accessory, and whether styluses are supported. If you plan to store a lot of files or to install several desktop programs, consider buying a tablet with more storage, as 32GB won't get you far with Windows 8 installed. (Most Windows tablets offer expandable MicroSD storage capabilities, though.) And as always, try before you buy if at all possible.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif">A wave of 8-inch Windows 8 tablets is a-coming, but we haven't had a chance to review any of them formally yet. The 10-inch <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/2060781/transformer-book-t100-review-this-hybrid-fills-both-its-tablet-and-notebook-roles-well.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">Asus Transformer Book T100</a>stands out from the pack, and its $400 price tag includes a keyboard accessory. The Surface Pro 2 is another star performer, with a laptop-grade Core i5 processor rather than a weaker Atom chip—but we'll talk more about that intriguing beast in a bit.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif">Keep reading to learn about the Surface Pro 2, Windows 8 hybrids, and Windows 8 desktops and all-in-ones.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif"><h2 style="font-family:facitweb,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em">Buying a Windows 8 hybrid</h2> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">Now we're getting into the interesting stuff.</p><a class="zoom cboxElement" href="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/09/1253676_1160-100053750-orig.jpg" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)"><img alt="" border="0" height="388" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/09/1253676_1160-100053750-large.jpg" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: auto; height: auto; max-width: 100%; float: left;" width="580"></a><small class="credit" style="font-size:9px;text-align:center;text-transform:uppercase;display:block;float:left;background-image:url(http://csmb.staticworld.net/images/furniture/techhive/backgroundwhite70.png);color:rgb(51,51,51);padding:1px 3px 2px;background-repeat:initial initial">ROBERT CARDIN</small>Dell's XPS 12 Ultrabook hybrid has a hinged display that swivels.<p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em"> Windows 8's unique blend of desktop and tablet interfaces has given rise to a host of hybrid devices that are sometimes laptop, sometimes slate, depending on your needs. These devices come in two primary styles: thinner, lighter "tablet-first" hybrids with slide-out keyboards, and "laptop-first" hybrids.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">Although a few tablet-first hybrids (such as the <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/2011646/sony-duo-11-ultrabook-blurring-the-line-between-tablet-and-laptop.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">Sony VAIO Duo 11</a>) were available at Windows 8's late-2012 launch, they've become increasingly rare since then. That isn't necessarily a bad thing: Small-screen, tablet-first hybrids were tinier than true laptops, sure, but they also suffered from cramped keyboards and touchpads. Bleh.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">The $1400 <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/2040830/sony-announces-the-haswell-powered-vaio-pro-and-vaio-duo-series-ultrabooks.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">Sony VAIO Duo 13</a>, the only notable slider-style hybrid around today, has a size and heft more in line with a laptop's, which should improve the typing, but <em style>man</em>, that touchpad still looks small.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">Laptop-first hybrids are much more prevalent and generally offer a superior user experience compared with their tablet-first counterparts. These devices resemble traditional notebooks, but they sport screens that flip, fold, or rotate to transform the unit into a tablet—albeit one that's far bulkier.</p> <img alt="" border="0" height="452" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/08/lenovo_ideapad_yoga-100050939-large.jpg" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: auto; height: auto; max-width: 100%; float: left;" width="580">Models in the Lenovo Yoga series stand out as some of the most compelling convertibles. All feature a lid that folds back 360 degrees to transform the laptop into a tablet or to allow for uses such as the pictured "tent mode."<p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em"> You should shop for a Windows 8 hybrid the same way you would for any other laptop, though you'll want to keep a few things in mind. Convertibles carry a price premium over dedicated laptops and tablets, and their inclusion of touchscreens hits them in the battery department: Most offer average endurance at best, though <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/2040495/intel-releases-faster-more-efficient-core-cpus-in-renewed-bid-for-mobile-market.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">Intel's energy-efficient Haswell processors</a>are helping with that problem. Again, strive to try before you buy.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">If you need buying recommendations, we've been particularly impressed by the <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/2045948/review-lenovos-ideapad-yoga-11s-strikes-a-compelling-pose.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">Lenovo Yoga 11s</a> (starting at $800) and the <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/2047238/dell-xps-12-ultrabook-review-haswell-refresh-adds-performance.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">Dell XPS 12</a> (starting at $900). Lenovo also offers the sweet-looking <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/2048175/lenovo-reveals-the-flex-laptop-series-a-pair-of-new-yogas-and-the-flex-20-all-in-one-pc.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">13.3-inch Yoga 2 Pro with a 3200-by-1800 display </a>starting at $930, but it's yet to visit the PCWorld Labs.</p> <h2 style="font-family:facitweb,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em">The genre-straddling Surface Pro 2</h2><p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">Then there's Microsoft's own 10.6-inch Surface Pro 2.</p> <a class="zoom cboxElement" href="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/10/microsoft_surface_pro_2_front-100066639-orig.jpg" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)"><img alt="" border="0" height="387" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/10/microsoft_surface_pro_2_front-100066639-large.jpg" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: auto; height: auto; max-width: 100%; float: left;" width="580"></a>Microsoft's Surface Pro 2 is a tablet that's a laptop that's a desktop.<p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em"> This $900-plus chameleon dabbles in all categories. It's technically a tablet, but it runs a powerful, laptop-grade Core i5 "Haswell" processor capable of tackling tough tasks such as video editing, image creation, or keeping dozens of programs open simultaneously. With the <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/2049248/microsoft-covers-every-base-with-8-new-surface-accessories.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">docking station accessory coming in early 2014</a>, the Surface Pro 2 could even double as a capable desktop PC.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">That said, Microsoft's x86-powered slate is pricey, and that's before you factor in the cost of a $120 (and up) keyboard accessory. It's also thick and short-lived for a tablet, though recent firmware updates have given it a<a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/2061912/tested-surface-pro-2s-battery-update-might-let-you-squeeze-in-another-shark-tank.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">battery boost</a>. The Surface Pro 2's mix of pros and cons definitely drop it into niche territory, but business pros and graphics/video enthusiasts may just love the tablet's blend of power and portability. PCWorld's <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/2058685/surface-pro-2-review-this-is-the-windows-tablet-youre-looking-for.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">review of the Surface Pro 2</a> has all the juicy details.</p> <a class="zoom cboxElement" href="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/09/surfac-edocking-station-rear-100055258-orig.png" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)"><img alt="" border="0" height="326" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/09/surfac-edocking-station-rear-100055258-large.png" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: auto; height: auto; max-width: 100%; float: left;" width="580"></a>The rear of the upcoming Surface Pro docking station is a sea of ports, including three USB 2.0 ports, a solitary USB 3.0 port, a Mini DisplayPort connection, ethernet, and 3.5mm audio-in/out.<p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em"> The <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/2027171/review-surface-pro-is-the-worlds-best-windows-tablet-but-still-cant-close-the-deal.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">original Surface Pro </a>is still available as well, <a href="http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/en_US/pdp/Surface-Pro/productID.275287300" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">starting at $700</a>. The forerunner brings many of the same benefits to the table, but its drawbacks—namely an atrocious battery life and only a single kickstand position—are more pronounced. You'll still need to buy a separate Touch Cover or Type Cover, and the first Surface Pro will also be compatible with the forthcoming docking station.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">Speaking of desktops…</p><p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em"><h2 style="font-family:facitweb,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em">Buying a Windows 8 desktop</h2> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">If you're looking for a sedentary PC, you have only one simple follow-up question to consider: Do you want a traditional tower PC or an all-in-one?</p><img alt="lenovo all-in-one" border="0" height="475" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/01/lenovo-c540-all-in-one-desktop-pc-100021362-large.jpg" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: auto; height: auto; max-width: 100%; float: left;" width="580">Lenovo's C540 Touch all-in-one.<p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em"> All-in-ones such as <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/2048059/lenovo-c540-touch-review-an-excellent-budget-all-in-one-that-delivers-on-performance.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">Lenovo's C540 Touch </a>often (but not always) sport touchscreens that let you take full advantage of Windows 8's finger-friendly live tiles and modern apps. AIOs also integrate their hardware into their monitor, which means you won't have to find a place to store a big fat PC case—though desk space may still be an issue if you're looking into an incredibly nifty yet borderline ludicrous<a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/2039841/invasion-of-the-tabletop-tablets-are-these-fiendishly-clever-hybrids-the-ultimate-family-pcs-.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">"tabletop tablet" all-in-one hybrid</a>.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">AIOs have a few notable drawbacks, however. For one, they're pricier than tower PCs, though you should remember that all-in-ones include the cost of a monitor. The integrated nature of AIOs also brings some inherent limitations. Future upgrade options are slim to none in a tightly packed all-in-one, and AIOs tend to use mobile-grade components that are less powerful than their proper-desktop counterparts. Even still, most AIOs are more than capable of handling casual everyday workloads, such as surfing the Web, streaming videos, or playing music. Satisfactory 3D gaming is usually out of the question.</p> <a class="zoom cboxElement" href="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/07/1253557_1160-100048095-orig.jpg" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)"><img alt="" border="0" height="201" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/07/1253557_1160-100048095-medium.jpg" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: auto; height: auto; max-width: 100%; float: left;" width="300"></a><small class="credit" style="font-size:9px;text-align:center;text-transform:uppercase;display:block;float:left;background-image:url(http://csmb.staticworld.net/images/furniture/techhive/backgroundwhite70.png);color:rgb(51,51,51);padding:1px 3px 2px;background-repeat:initial initial">ROBERT CARDIN</small>Traditional tower desktops, of course, are still a valid option—though the $8000 Maingear Shift Super Stock Z87 gaming rig probably lies outside most people's budgets.<p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em"> No matter what kind of desktop you buy, we recommend targeting a minimum of 4GB of RAM and a minimum of 500GB of hard-drive space—unless you're buying a <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/2048120/benchmarks-dont-lie-ssd-upgrades-deliver-huge-performance-gains.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">superspeedy SSD</a>.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">As for the processor, target an Intel Core i3, i5, or i7 CPU, an AMD FX-series CPU, or an AMD A8- or A10-series accelerated processing unit (APU). Sure, Windows 8 can technically run on less, but attempting to make it do so will result in a subpar experience with all but the lightest of loads. If you're looking to crunch big numbers, edit videos, dive into intense 3D gaming, or engage in any similarly strenuous PC tasks, you'll want to invest in a system with a Core i5 or Core i7 processor. Boutique PC builder Puget Systems has an <a href="http://www.pugetsystems.com/labs/articles/Haswell-Core-i3-vs-i5-vs-i7-Which-is-right-for-you-475/" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">excellent overview</a> of the differences between Core processor types.</p> </p></p>

Windows 8 buying guide: How to buy the best laptop, desktop, tablet, or hybrid

Buying a new Windows 8 device isn't as simple as, say, picking up a new Android tablet. The device-spanning nature of the overhauled ope...

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Windows 8 buying guide: How to buy the best laptop, desktop, tablet, or hybrid

<p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif">Buying a new Windows 8 device isn't as simple as, say, picking up a new Android tablet. The device-spanning nature of the overhauled operating system means Windows works on a vast array of hardware, from laptops to tablets to desktops to genre-straddling hybrids. Saying "I want a Windows 8 device" is just the first step of this particular purchasing journey.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif">Our guide will clue you in to everything you need to know while you're on the hunt for a new Windows 8 device, from design differences to the little details you need to consider once you've settled on a device type. Heck, we'll even toss in a few buying recommendations—and you can find more in our chart of <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/product/collection/13619/.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">the best Windows 8 devices</a> available right now.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif">Got it? Good. Let's get educated.</p><h2 style="font-family:facitweb,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em;color:rgb(34,34,34)"> Buying a Windows 8 laptop</h2><p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif">The first decision you have to make is easy: Do you need a desktop or a mobile device?</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif">Skip to the end if you're looking for a desktop. Settle in if you're shopping for a portable PC: Going mobile takes a bit more thought, since Windows 8 calls laptops, tablets, and hybrids home.</p> <img alt="" border="0" height="388" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/09/1253817_front-100055579-large.png" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: auto; height: auto; max-width: 100%; float: left;" width="580">The Lenovo IdeaPad U430 Touch is a finger-friendly $700 Ultrabook.<p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif"> Laptops are a good option if, well, you need a laptop. Typing accessories for Windows tablets—including Microsoft's own Touch Cover and Type Cover—simply aren't as comfortable for long-term typing sessions as a proper laptop keyboard is, and even cheap laptops tend to have more potent hardware than Windows tablets. You can find "laptop-first" hybrids with the same advantages <em style>and</em> the ability to transform into a tablet on the fly, but they carry a price premium over traditional notebooks. (More on hybrids later.)</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif">If you're in the market for a Windows 8 notebook, <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/211000/laptop_buying_guide.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">PCWorld's laptop buying guide</a> has all the info you need to make a smart decision. One Windows 8–specific thing to keep in mind: Touchscreen notebooks are nifty, but finger-friendly displays cost more and reduce battery life. If your machine's endurance is important to you, go for a standard laptop and check out PCWorld's guide to <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/2055381/how-to-eradicate-metro-from-your-windows-8-1-pc.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">eliminating Windows 8.1's touchy modern interface</a>.</p> <h2 style="font-family:facitweb,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em;color:rgb(34,34,34)">Before you buy a Windows tablet</h2><a class="zoom cboxElement" href="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2012/10/_dsc8629_flattened_116-100006860-orig.jpg" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)"><img alt="RobertCardin_AcerW700" border="0" height="387" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2012/10/_dsc8629_flattened_116-100006860-large.jpg" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: auto; height: auto; max-width: 100%; float: left;" width="580"></a>The Acer W700 is a first-gen Windows 8 tablet.<p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif"> What, laptops aren't portable enough for you? A thin-and-light Windows tablet might be calling your name—if you're certain that you wouldn't prefer an Android slate or an iPad. That's a very important factor to consider before you plunk down your cash.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif">Windows tablets, being the new kid on the block, have a few pain points. The Windows Store—which supplies the modern-style apps that power all those glittering live tiles—is <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/2045348/the-state-of-the-windows-store-how-useful-are-those-100-000-apps-.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">still comparatively lackluster</a>. The <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/2065469/nokia-lumia-2520-review-meet-microsofts-new-candy-coated-anti-surface-tablet.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">Nokia Lumia 2520</a> is the only current model that supports LTE connectivity for on-the-go usage. Windows-powered tablets are far more expensive than Android devices. And while 8-inch Windows slates from the likes of<a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/2055580/acer-joins-the-8-inch-windows-tablet-fray-with-the-atom-powered-iconia-w4.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">Acer</a>, <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/2051361/dell-unveils-its-all-new-venue-tablets-plus-major-updates-to-its-xps-ultrabook-line.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">Dell</a>, and <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/2054399/lenovo-shows-off-an-8-inch-bay-trail-t-tablet-the-miix2.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">Lenovo</a> are starting to trickle into stores, the vast majority of Windows tablets available have 10-inch or larger displays.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif">All are valid reasons to <a href="http://www.techhive.com/article/2017437/the-best-tablet-for-you.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">consider competing tablets</a>. But Windows tablets have killer features of their own that help them <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/2045648/real-world-confessions-from-surface-rt-owners-who-loves-it-and-why.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">excel at portable productivity</a>:</p> <ul style="margin:1em 0px;padding:0px 0px 0px 40px;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif;line-height:21px"><li style="line-height:1.45em">SkyDrive-powered syncing features make it easy to hop from PC to tablet to laptop and back again without skipping a beat.</li> <li style="line-height:1.45em">Internet Explorer 11 is a full-blown, desktop-class browser, unlike the mobile versions of Chrome and Safari. Yes, that means it works with Flash and Silverlight sites.</li><li style="line-height:1.45em"> Virtually all Windows tablet models have optional keyboard accessories.</li><li style="line-height:1.45em">Many Windows 8 tablets ship with a free copy of Office Home & Student preinstalled.</li><li style="line-height:1.45em"> Once you've used the Snap multitasking feature, going back to one app at a time on Android or iOS just plain hurts.</li></ul><p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif"> And of course, only Windows 8 tablets offer full access to the traditional Windows desktop and its vast horde of software—though mouse-oriented menus don't always work well on touch-focused tablets.</p><h2 style="font-family:facitweb,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em;color:rgb(34,34,34)"> Buying a Windows tablet</h2><a class="zoom cboxElement" href="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/10/surface2_8-100066518-orig.jpg" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)"><img alt="" border="0" height="387" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/10/surface2_8-100066518-large.jpg" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: auto; height: auto; max-width: 100%; float: left;" width="580"></a>The Surface 2's kickstand now supports two different angles, for tabletop and laptop usage. But you still don't want a Windows RT device.<p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif"> Notice I said that <em style>Windows 8</em> tablets rock the desktop. You'll also find tablets running the <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/2044744/microsoft-should-yank-windows-rt-for-windows-rts-own-good.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">neutered Windows RT</a> operating system. Powered by long-lasting ARM mobile processors, they can run <em style>only</em> modern-style apps—not desktop software. Given the still-early state of the Windows Store, it's hard to recommend a Windows RT tablet except for <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/2055519/the-other-tablet-how-the-surface-2-beats-the-ipad.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">highly specialized use cases</a>.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif">Yes, the Nokia Lumia 2520 looks great and supports LTE, and yes, Microsoft's own Surface 2 is <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/2058526/surface-2-review-cautious-upgrades-dont-help-a-tablet-in-desperate-need-of-relevance.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">a stunning piece of hardware</a>. For the most part, however, you should still avoid them. All other PC makers have discontinued their Windows RT tablets, though you may be able to find some at fire-sale prices.</p> <a class="zoom cboxElement" href="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/09/intel_atom_bay_trail-100054022-orig.jpg" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)"><img alt="" border="0" height="250" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/09/intel_atom_bay_trail-100054022-medium.jpg" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: auto; height: auto; max-width: 100%; float: left;" width="300"></a>Intel's 'Bay Trail' Atom chips have made Windows 8 tablets much more competitive with ARM-based slates, thanks to their extreme endurance.<p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif"> You'll want to stick to a tablet running Windows 8 proper, at least until the Windows Store matures. At the heart of virtually any Windows 8 tablet, you'll find Intel's last-gen Intel Atom Z2760 processor or one of the company's current-gen "Bay Trail" Atom processors. Both deliver all-day battery life, but Bay Trail–based tablets offer<em style>far</em> smoother performance. You may be able to pick up an older Atom Z2760–based slate at a great price this year, but definitely try before you buy one of those.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif">Some "tablets," such as the <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/2020245/acer-iconia-w700-review-tablet-meet-desktop.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">Acer Iconia W700</a> and<a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/2049000/leap-motion-comes-to-the-pc-in-hp-envy-17-notebook.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)"> HP Pavilion 13 x2</a>, feature more-powerful Core i5 processors, but they're more hybrids than proper slates. More on convertibles later.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif">While current Atom-powered Windows tablets max out at 4GB of RAM, most pack 2GB. Get as much memory as you can! Many Windows 8 tablets also have 1366-by-768-pixel screens—a resolution that looks ugly and fuzzy on a laptop but holds up well enough on an 8- to 10-inch display. Pricier slates sport sharper 1080p displays, but be warned: The higher you crank up the resolution, the smaller those already-diminutive desktop menus become.</p> <a class="zoom cboxElement" href="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/02/1252503_draw_1160-100024372-orig.jpg" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)"><img alt="" border="0" height="388" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/02/1252503_draw_1160-100024372-large.jpg" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: auto; height: auto; max-width: 100%; float: left;" width="580"></a>Stylus users, make sure the Windows tablet you're considering supports digital pens.<p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif"> Beyond that, look for tablets that have the bells and whistles you need. For example, scope out the port selection, and find out whether a keyboard comes bundled or as an optional accessory, and whether styluses are supported. If you plan to store a lot of files or to install several desktop programs, consider buying a tablet with more storage, as 32GB won't get you far with Windows 8 installed. (Most Windows tablets offer expandable MicroSD storage capabilities, though.) And as always, try before you buy if at all possible.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif">A wave of 8-inch Windows 8 tablets is a-coming, but we haven't had a chance to review any of them formally yet. The 10-inch <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/2060781/transformer-book-t100-review-this-hybrid-fills-both-its-tablet-and-notebook-roles-well.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">Asus Transformer Book T100</a>stands out from the pack, and its $400 price tag includes a keyboard accessory. The Surface Pro 2 is another star performer, with a laptop-grade Core i5 processor rather than a weaker Atom chip—but we'll talk more about that intriguing beast in a bit.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif">Keep reading to learn about the Surface Pro 2, Windows 8 hybrids, and Windows 8 desktops and all-in-ones.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif"><h2 style="font-family:facitweb,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em">Buying a Windows 8 hybrid</h2> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">Now we're getting into the interesting stuff.</p><a class="zoom cboxElement" href="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/09/1253676_1160-100053750-orig.jpg" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)"><img alt="" border="0" height="388" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/09/1253676_1160-100053750-large.jpg" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: auto; height: auto; max-width: 100%; float: left;" width="580"></a><small class="credit" style="font-size:9px;text-align:center;text-transform:uppercase;display:block;float:left;background-image:url(http://csmb.staticworld.net/images/furniture/techhive/backgroundwhite70.png);color:rgb(51,51,51);padding:1px 3px 2px;background-repeat:initial initial">ROBERT CARDIN</small>Dell's XPS 12 Ultrabook hybrid has a hinged display that swivels.<p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em"> Windows 8's unique blend of desktop and tablet interfaces has given rise to a host of hybrid devices that are sometimes laptop, sometimes slate, depending on your needs. These devices come in two primary styles: thinner, lighter "tablet-first" hybrids with slide-out keyboards, and "laptop-first" hybrids.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">Although a few tablet-first hybrids (such as the <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/2011646/sony-duo-11-ultrabook-blurring-the-line-between-tablet-and-laptop.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">Sony VAIO Duo 11</a>) were available at Windows 8's late-2012 launch, they've become increasingly rare since then. That isn't necessarily a bad thing: Small-screen, tablet-first hybrids were tinier than true laptops, sure, but they also suffered from cramped keyboards and touchpads. Bleh.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">The $1400 <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/2040830/sony-announces-the-haswell-powered-vaio-pro-and-vaio-duo-series-ultrabooks.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">Sony VAIO Duo 13</a>, the only notable slider-style hybrid around today, has a size and heft more in line with a laptop's, which should improve the typing, but <em style>man</em>, that touchpad still looks small.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">Laptop-first hybrids are much more prevalent and generally offer a superior user experience compared with their tablet-first counterparts. These devices resemble traditional notebooks, but they sport screens that flip, fold, or rotate to transform the unit into a tablet—albeit one that's far bulkier.</p> <img alt="" border="0" height="452" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/08/lenovo_ideapad_yoga-100050939-large.jpg" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: auto; height: auto; max-width: 100%; float: left;" width="580">Models in the Lenovo Yoga series stand out as some of the most compelling convertibles. All feature a lid that folds back 360 degrees to transform the laptop into a tablet or to allow for uses such as the pictured "tent mode."<p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em"> You should shop for a Windows 8 hybrid the same way you would for any other laptop, though you'll want to keep a few things in mind. Convertibles carry a price premium over dedicated laptops and tablets, and their inclusion of touchscreens hits them in the battery department: Most offer average endurance at best, though <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/2040495/intel-releases-faster-more-efficient-core-cpus-in-renewed-bid-for-mobile-market.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">Intel's energy-efficient Haswell processors</a>are helping with that problem. Again, strive to try before you buy.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">If you need buying recommendations, we've been particularly impressed by the <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/2045948/review-lenovos-ideapad-yoga-11s-strikes-a-compelling-pose.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">Lenovo Yoga 11s</a> (starting at $800) and the <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/2047238/dell-xps-12-ultrabook-review-haswell-refresh-adds-performance.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">Dell XPS 12</a> (starting at $900). Lenovo also offers the sweet-looking <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/2048175/lenovo-reveals-the-flex-laptop-series-a-pair-of-new-yogas-and-the-flex-20-all-in-one-pc.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">13.3-inch Yoga 2 Pro with a 3200-by-1800 display </a>starting at $930, but it's yet to visit the PCWorld Labs.</p> <h2 style="font-family:facitweb,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em">The genre-straddling Surface Pro 2</h2><p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">Then there's Microsoft's own 10.6-inch Surface Pro 2.</p> <a class="zoom cboxElement" href="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/10/microsoft_surface_pro_2_front-100066639-orig.jpg" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)"><img alt="" border="0" height="387" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/10/microsoft_surface_pro_2_front-100066639-large.jpg" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: auto; height: auto; max-width: 100%; float: left;" width="580"></a>Microsoft's Surface Pro 2 is a tablet that's a laptop that's a desktop.<p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em"> This $900-plus chameleon dabbles in all categories. It's technically a tablet, but it runs a powerful, laptop-grade Core i5 "Haswell" processor capable of tackling tough tasks such as video editing, image creation, or keeping dozens of programs open simultaneously. With the <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/2049248/microsoft-covers-every-base-with-8-new-surface-accessories.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">docking station accessory coming in early 2014</a>, the Surface Pro 2 could even double as a capable desktop PC.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">That said, Microsoft's x86-powered slate is pricey, and that's before you factor in the cost of a $120 (and up) keyboard accessory. It's also thick and short-lived for a tablet, though recent firmware updates have given it a<a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/2061912/tested-surface-pro-2s-battery-update-might-let-you-squeeze-in-another-shark-tank.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">battery boost</a>. The Surface Pro 2's mix of pros and cons definitely drop it into niche territory, but business pros and graphics/video enthusiasts may just love the tablet's blend of power and portability. PCWorld's <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/2058685/surface-pro-2-review-this-is-the-windows-tablet-youre-looking-for.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">review of the Surface Pro 2</a> has all the juicy details.</p> <a class="zoom cboxElement" href="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/09/surfac-edocking-station-rear-100055258-orig.png" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)"><img alt="" border="0" height="326" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/09/surfac-edocking-station-rear-100055258-large.png" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: auto; height: auto; max-width: 100%; float: left;" width="580"></a>The rear of the upcoming Surface Pro docking station is a sea of ports, including three USB 2.0 ports, a solitary USB 3.0 port, a Mini DisplayPort connection, ethernet, and 3.5mm audio-in/out.<p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em"> The <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/2027171/review-surface-pro-is-the-worlds-best-windows-tablet-but-still-cant-close-the-deal.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">original Surface Pro </a>is still available as well, <a href="http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/en_US/pdp/Surface-Pro/productID.275287300" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">starting at $700</a>. The forerunner brings many of the same benefits to the table, but its drawbacks—namely an atrocious battery life and only a single kickstand position—are more pronounced. You'll still need to buy a separate Touch Cover or Type Cover, and the first Surface Pro will also be compatible with the forthcoming docking station.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">Speaking of desktops…</p><p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em"><h2 style="font-family:facitweb,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em">Buying a Windows 8 desktop</h2> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">If you're looking for a sedentary PC, you have only one simple follow-up question to consider: Do you want a traditional tower PC or an all-in-one?</p><img alt="lenovo all-in-one" border="0" height="475" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/01/lenovo-c540-all-in-one-desktop-pc-100021362-large.jpg" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: auto; height: auto; max-width: 100%; float: left;" width="580">Lenovo's C540 Touch all-in-one.<p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em"> All-in-ones such as <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/2048059/lenovo-c540-touch-review-an-excellent-budget-all-in-one-that-delivers-on-performance.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">Lenovo's C540 Touch </a>often (but not always) sport touchscreens that let you take full advantage of Windows 8's finger-friendly live tiles and modern apps. AIOs also integrate their hardware into their monitor, which means you won't have to find a place to store a big fat PC case—though desk space may still be an issue if you're looking into an incredibly nifty yet borderline ludicrous<a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/2039841/invasion-of-the-tabletop-tablets-are-these-fiendishly-clever-hybrids-the-ultimate-family-pcs-.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">"tabletop tablet" all-in-one hybrid</a>.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">AIOs have a few notable drawbacks, however. For one, they're pricier than tower PCs, though you should remember that all-in-ones include the cost of a monitor. The integrated nature of AIOs also brings some inherent limitations. Future upgrade options are slim to none in a tightly packed all-in-one, and AIOs tend to use mobile-grade components that are less powerful than their proper-desktop counterparts. Even still, most AIOs are more than capable of handling casual everyday workloads, such as surfing the Web, streaming videos, or playing music. Satisfactory 3D gaming is usually out of the question.</p> <a class="zoom cboxElement" href="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/07/1253557_1160-100048095-orig.jpg" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)"><img alt="" border="0" height="201" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/07/1253557_1160-100048095-medium.jpg" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: auto; height: auto; max-width: 100%; float: left;" width="300"></a><small class="credit" style="font-size:9px;text-align:center;text-transform:uppercase;display:block;float:left;background-image:url(http://csmb.staticworld.net/images/furniture/techhive/backgroundwhite70.png);color:rgb(51,51,51);padding:1px 3px 2px;background-repeat:initial initial">ROBERT CARDIN</small>Traditional tower desktops, of course, are still a valid option—though the $8000 Maingear Shift Super Stock Z87 gaming rig probably lies outside most people's budgets.<p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em"> No matter what kind of desktop you buy, we recommend targeting a minimum of 4GB of RAM and a minimum of 500GB of hard-drive space—unless you're buying a <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/2048120/benchmarks-dont-lie-ssd-upgrades-deliver-huge-performance-gains.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">superspeedy SSD</a>.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">As for the processor, target an Intel Core i3, i5, or i7 CPU, an AMD FX-series CPU, or an AMD A8- or A10-series accelerated processing unit (APU). Sure, Windows 8 can technically run on less, but attempting to make it do so will result in a subpar experience with all but the lightest of loads. If you're looking to crunch big numbers, edit videos, dive into intense 3D gaming, or engage in any similarly strenuous PC tasks, you'll want to invest in a system with a Core i5 or Core i7 processor. Boutique PC builder Puget Systems has an <a href="http://www.pugetsystems.com/labs/articles/Haswell-Core-i3-vs-i5-vs-i7-Which-is-right-for-you-475/" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">excellent overview</a> of the differences between Core processor types.</p> </p></p>

Windows 8 buying guide: How to buy the best laptop, desktop, tablet, or hybrid

Buying a new Windows 8 device isn't as simple as, say, picking up a new Android tablet. The device-spanning nature of the overhauled ope...

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Build this killer AMD-based Windows 8.1 PC for less than $1000

AMD lovers, we hear ya. After building a killer Intel-based Windows 8.1 PC for $1000, we're starting with a cheaper, more powerful AMD CPU this time around. And we won't just walk you through the different steps in building a PC with AMD hardware—we'll also determine whether an Intel processor or an AMD processor can give you a more powerful PC for the same budget. Let's dive in!<p>What does choosing AMD mean?<p>Building a system around an AMD processor means making a couple of concessions. Although their performance is still very good, none of AMD's current processors offer nearly the same IPC (instructions per clock) performance as Intel's processors do. Clock for clock, or core for core, Intel's processors simply offer better performance—at this time. Intel's processors are also more power-efficient, though I doubt that most desktop users care much about a few watts here and there.<br>On the flip side, choosing an AMD processor (and an accompanying AMD-compatible motherboard) will typically be less expensive. If you don't intend to purchase a discrete graphics card and you hope to rely on integrated graphics, AMD's current APUs (accelerated processing units) offer greater game compatibility, better driver support, and superior overall GPU performance versus Intel's on-processor HD graphics products.<p>To sum up: In general, AMD CPUs are less powerful and require slightly more juice than competing Intel CPUs do, but they offer better built-in graphics performance and usually come at a lower price.<p>Choosing your components<p>With my $1000 budget burning a hole in my pocket, I set out to choose parts that were roughly equivalent to those in the powerful Haswell-based PC I put together a few weeks back.<p>Selecting the right processor for this build is easy: AMD's current top-of-the-line APU, the A10-6800K, is selling for only $140 as of this writing. With a 4.1GHz/4.4GHz base and boost frequencies, the A10-6800K is the best-performing quad-core APU in AMD's lineup. It also offers better single-threaded performance than the majority of AMD's processors do. Some of the beefier eight-core FX-Series products provide better multithreaded performance, but they cost more, use way more power, and require more expensive motherboards as well. Considering our dwindling budget and our goals with this build, the A10-6800K makes the most sense.<p>Next I sought out the most affordable motherboard—from a reputable manufacturer—that also featured the proper FM2+ socket. I spied Asus's A88XM-A in stock on Newegg for only $85, and snapped one up immediately. The A88XM-A is a micro-ATX motherboard, which limits expandability in comparison with its full-size ATX counterparts, but this build won't require you fill all of its slots anyway. Plus, in my experience Asus does excellent work with motherboard BIOS/UEFI, and it offers stellar support for high-speed memory on AMD's platforms.<p>To achieve peak performance, you should pair your new AMD CPU with two sticks of dual-channel 2133MHz RAM. The most affordable option I could find was an 8GB kit from G.Skill for $82. The memory modules boast hefty heat-spreaders and a capacity high enough for all but the most demanding multitasking. More memory would be nice, but we're on a budget.<p>Now that the foundation of your PC is complete, the next step is to pick out some storage. For my build, to this point I'd spent about $307. Windows Pro 8.1 ate up another $140, bringing the total to $447. That left a little over $550 for the rest of the system, and I wanted to dedicate as much money as possible to a fantastic graphics card.<p>A solid-state drive is one of the best ways to ensure high performance and a good user experience. As of this writing, Samsung's 120GB 840 EVO drive, at about $101, is one of the more affordable, higher-performing SSDs around, so I picked it up. I paired that with a spacious, $55 1TB Western Digital Caviar Blue 7200-rpm hard drive for bulk storage, and I finished things off with a cheap DVD-R drive from Asus for a little less than $20.<p>A fast Samsung solid-state drive, a spacious 1TB WD 7200-rpm hard drive, and an affordable Asus DVD-R optical drive are the pillars of this PC's storage configuration.<p>As with the other $1000 PC, I compromised a bit on the case and power supply. Normally I recommend a high-quality chassis and a PSU (power supply unit) from a respected brand name with a track record, to ensure an easy build and long-term stability. This time I didn't have the budget to splurge, so I settled for an affordable case with a good-sized PSU. Rosewill's $50 FBM-01-450P fit the bill: It's a relatively attractive micro-ATX case that includes a 450-watt PSU. That's a somewhat modest power capacity, but in light of the other components in this build, it should be plenty.<p>With about $670 of the budget gone, I had enough cash left over for a relatively powerful GPU. I picked out an XFX Double D R9-280X-TDFD Radeon R9 280X card, which cost just under $310. Although it isn't in the same class as one of Nvidia's or AMD's flagship cards, the Radeon R9 280X is still a powerhouse, and XFX's custom, dual-fan cooler is nice and quiet. Saving money on the APU and motherboard allows you to use a larger portion of the budget on graphics, which should help to offset the performance difference between the A10-6800K and Intel's pricier Core i5-4670 CPU with some workloads—mostly gaming.<p>Here's the complete breakdown of the parts and prices for this build.<p>Processor: AMD A10-6800K APU — $140<p>Motherboard: Asus A88XM-A Socket FM2 — $85<p>Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 — $82<p>Graphics: XFX Double D R9-280X-TDFD Radeon R9 280X — $310<p>Primary storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB SSD — $101<p>Secondary storage: WD 1TB Caviar Blue 7200-rpm — $55<p>Optical drive: Asus SATA DVD-R — $17<p>Chassis: Rosewill FBM-01-450P Case with 450-watt PSU — $50<p>Operating system: Windows Pro 8.1 64-bit — $140<p>Total cost: $980<p>Putting it all together<p>I won't bore you with the minutiae and explain how each component connects where. If you follow the directions in the packages, it's hard to screw anything up too badly. The biggest mistake to avoid is trying to force something into place where it's not supposed to be. CPUs, memory sticks, SATA cables, graphics cards, and power connectors are all designed to fit in only one way. Stick to PCWorld's PC-building best practices, and you shouldn't have any trouble piecing together your new machine.<p>I ran into two minor issues: First, the power supply included with the Rosewill case had only a single, supplemental PCIe power lead. The Radeon R9 280X needs two. I had to adapt a pair of peripheral connectors to get the second lead necessary for the graphics card. XFX included one of the adapters right in the box, so it wasn't a major problem. A bigger challenge was the fact that the case lacked intelligent cable-management features. It offered minimal room behind the motherboard tray—only a single cutout—and none of the PSU cables were modular. The micro-ATX case also gave me less room to work with than normal, so corralling all of the cables was a chore.<p>Getting the most from your new PC<p>My build fired up on the first try. Once I was sure that the components were working properly—the fans were spinning, the LEDs and switches were connected correctly, and everything had power—I entered the system BIOS and loaded its optimized defaults. Doing so would ensure that all of the motherboard's on-board peripherals were enabled and that the board was configured properly for the A10-6800K APU. I confirmed that AHCI mode was enabled on the storage hub to maximize the performance of the drives, and then I set the memory speed manually to 2133MHz (by default it was set to only 1866MHz.)<p>The Windows 8.1 installation went without a hitch. And once the operating system was installed, I had to run only a single installer to take care of the AMD-based chipset and graphics card drivers. From start to finish, I went from blank drives to a fully functional Windows installation in under a half hour. For tips to ensure a smooth software installation, read through our best practices for setting up software on a new PC.<p>After installing the OS and drivers, I immediately set out to benchmark the rig. If you remember my last Haswell build, you know that the system earned a score of 6516 in PCMark 7 and generated 30.81 frames per second in Crysis 3 with the game running at 1920 by 1080 pixels with high-quality settings and 4X antialiasing enabled. At similar settings, Bioshock Infinite ran at 64.72 fps. After a little tweaking and overclocking, however, the Haswell system's frame rates in Crysis 3 increased by over 10 percent, to 34.46 fps, and in Bioshock Infinite it hit 67.97 fps.<p>Those are pretty good numbers. But with no tweaking whatsoever, my newly built AMD rig managed a score of 5035 in PCMark 7, and its Crysis 3 frame rate reached 32.64 fps. Bioshock Infinite ran at 67.56 fps. The PCMark 7 score suggests that its overall system performance is lower than that of the Haswell-based PC, which you'd expect considering Intel's CPU performance advantages. Gaming performance, however, was a bit better on the AMD rig thanks to the more powerful R9 280X.<p>AMD makes boosting the performance of its APUs and graphics cards very easy, thanks to a few buttons and sliders in the Catalyst Control Center software's performance menu. Users can overclock both the APU and GPU.<p>Overclocking the APU is particularly simple because AMD automates the entire process. Just enable overdrive and click a single button, and CCC will try higher frequencies and test for stability along the way. With our setup, the automated tool was able to take the APU up to 4.6GHz. By moving a couple of sliders, I was also able to increase the frequencies on the GPU's core and memory, from its stock frequencies of 1000MHz (GPU) and 1500MHz (memory) to 1080MHz and 1600MHz.<p>In all likelihood I could have gone even higher, but power consumption increases sharply at the higher clock speeds, and I didn't have that much faith in the power supply unit. Here's what I mean: In my testing this PC idled at only 68 watts, and power consumption peaked at only 326 watts. After I overclocked it, though, power consumption shot up to 381 watts, which was about as close as I was comfortable getting to the power supply's 450-watt rating.<br>I reran the benchmark tests after overclocking this PC and saw its PCMark 7 score increase to 5154. Its Crysis 3 and Bioshock Infinite frame rates also increased, to 34.73 fps and 69.51 fps, respectively. I couldn't beat the Haswell PC's CPU speed advantages, but the faster GPU and overclocking gave the AMD system a clear advantage in the game tests.<p>In the end, I'm very pleased with the performance of our AMD-based rig. Although its overall performance in day-to-day computing tasks isn't quite as high as that of the similarly priced Haswell-based system, it's still plenty fast. Plus, dedicating less money to the CPU and more to the GPU affords superior gaming performance.

Build this killer AMD-based Windows 8.1 PC for less than $1000

AMD lovers, we hear ya. After building a killer Intel-based Windows 8.1 PC for $1000, we're starting with a cheaper, more powerful AMD C...

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When your PC doesn't recognize a 2nd drive

Creeds installed an old hard drive into a new machine as a second drive. The PC froze at the Windows logon. So Creeds unplugged and replugged the drive. Now the PC boots, but it doesn't see the newly-installed old drive.<p>When you installed the old drive, your BIOS probably decided that that was the first drive--the one that boots. So it attempted to boot your old version of Windows and ran into trouble. Remember that when you install Windows, it configures itself to your specific hardware. Boot one PC's hard drive inside another and you're bound to have problems. (For more on this, see How to move to a new PC.)<p><br>So why did it try to boot from the drive the first time, then failed to even see the drive after unplugging and replugging?<p>Here's my guess: After you unplugged the old drive, you did something wrong when plugging it back in. A hard drive takes two connectors--SATA and power--and both have to be plugged in properly. If you fail to plug in the power connector properly, the drive will appear dead. It won't spin up, its light won't come on, and the computer won't see it. If the power is connected properly, but SATA is not, the drive will power up and spin, but it will not be visible to the computer.<p>So check the plugs again, and make sure everything is connected. Then boot not into Windows but into your BIOS settings. I can't tell you exactly how to do this because it varies with different models, but when you boot your PC, one of the first things you should see is a message that reads something like "Press key for Settings." Press that key immediately. You'll find yourself in a full-screen menu. Find the option to control the PC's boot order or boot priority. Set the machine's original drive to boot first.<p>One more note: If you plan to use the old drive for backup purposes, putting it inside the computer is a really bad idea. A burglary, power surge, or the Cryptolocker Trojan could simultaneously destroy the files on your main hard drive and on the backup. Better to put it in an enclosure and turn it into an external drive. See How to make good use of an old hard drive for details.

When your PC doesn't recognize a 2nd drive

Creeds installed an old hard drive into a new machine as a second drive. The PC froze at the Windows logon. So Creeds unplugged and replugge...

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How to change users in Windows 8

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Mr. Reddy recently moved to Windows 8, and can't figure out how to log off as one user and log on as another.<br />If you share your PC with another person, you know that logging off one account and logging onto another is faster than rebooting. You also know that switching between accounts is even faster.<br />But in Windows 8, the option isn't where experienced Windows users would expect it to be. It's yet another case of Microsoft making things easier for novice users at the expense of everyone else. The company renamed and moved these options in a way that actually makes sense. But for experienced Windows hands, there's a slight learning curve.<br />Log off is now called Sign Off. There's no longer an option called Switch user, but there doesn't have to be; the users' names are right there to switch to. And rather than putting these options in the Power section, they're at the user icon.<br />You'll find your name, and maybe your picture, in the top-right corner of the Start screen. Click or tap it. If there are other user accounts on this computer, you can select one and switch. As with earlier versions, your existing account will remain open, so you can switch back and pick up where you left off.<br />Of course you'll have to enter your password.<br />To completely log off of one account and log onto another, click or tap your name or picture and select Sign out. You'll be prompted to log on (or perhaps I should say "sign in") as another user.<br /><br /><br /><br /></div>

How to change users in Windows 8

Mr. Reddy recently moved to Windows 8, and can't figure out how to log off as one user and log on as another. If you share your PC with ...

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Build this killer AMD-based Windows 8.1 PC for less than $1000

AMD lovers, we hear ya. After building a killer Intel-based Windows 8.1 PC for $1000, we're starting with a cheaper, more powerful AMD CPU this time around. And we won't just walk you through the different steps in building a PC with AMD hardware—we'll also determine whether an Intel processor or an AMD processor can give you a more powerful PC for the same budget. Let's dive in!<p>What does choosing AMD mean?<p>Building a system around an AMD processor means making a couple of concessions. Although their performance is still very good, none of AMD's current processors offer nearly the same IPC (instructions per clock) performance as Intel's processors do. Clock for clock, or core for core, Intel's processors simply offer better performance—at this time. Intel's processors are also more power-efficient, though I doubt that most desktop users care much about a few watts here and there.<br>On the flip side, choosing an AMD processor (and an accompanying AMD-compatible motherboard) will typically be less expensive. If you don't intend to purchase a discrete graphics card and you hope to rely on integrated graphics, AMD's current APUs (accelerated processing units) offer greater game compatibility, better driver support, and superior overall GPU performance versus Intel's on-processor HD graphics products.<p>To sum up: In general, AMD CPUs are less powerful and require slightly more juice than competing Intel CPUs do, but they offer better built-in graphics performance and usually come at a lower price.<p>Choosing your components<p>With my $1000 budget burning a hole in my pocket, I set out to choose parts that were roughly equivalent to those in the powerful Haswell-based PC I put together a few weeks back.<p>Selecting the right processor for this build is easy: AMD's current top-of-the-line APU, the A10-6800K, is selling for only $140 as of this writing. With a 4.1GHz/4.4GHz base and boost frequencies, the A10-6800K is the best-performing quad-core APU in AMD's lineup. It also offers better single-threaded performance than the majority of AMD's processors do. Some of the beefier eight-core FX-Series products provide better multithreaded performance, but they cost more, use way more power, and require more expensive motherboards as well. Considering our dwindling budget and our goals with this build, the A10-6800K makes the most sense.<p>Next I sought out the most affordable motherboard—from a reputable manufacturer—that also featured the proper FM2+ socket. I spied Asus's A88XM-A in stock on Newegg for only $85, and snapped one up immediately. The A88XM-A is a micro-ATX motherboard, which limits expandability in comparison with its full-size ATX counterparts, but this build won't require you fill all of its slots anyway. Plus, in my experience Asus does excellent work with motherboard BIOS/UEFI, and it offers stellar support for high-speed memory on AMD's platforms.<p>To achieve peak performance, you should pair your new AMD CPU with two sticks of dual-channel 2133MHz RAM. The most affordable option I could find was an 8GB kit from G.Skill for $82. The memory modules boast hefty heat-spreaders and a capacity high enough for all but the most demanding multitasking. More memory would be nice, but we're on a budget.<p>Now that the foundation of your PC is complete, the next step is to pick out some storage. For my build, to this point I'd spent about $307. Windows Pro 8.1 ate up another $140, bringing the total to $447. That left a little over $550 for the rest of the system, and I wanted to dedicate as much money as possible to a fantastic graphics card.<p>A solid-state drive is one of the best ways to ensure high performance and a good user experience. As of this writing, Samsung's 120GB 840 EVO drive, at about $101, is one of the more affordable, higher-performing SSDs around, so I picked it up. I paired that with a spacious, $55 1TB Western Digital Caviar Blue 7200-rpm hard drive for bulk storage, and I finished things off with a cheap DVD-R drive from Asus for a little less than $20.<p>A fast Samsung solid-state drive, a spacious 1TB WD 7200-rpm hard drive, and an affordable Asus DVD-R optical drive are the pillars of this PC's storage configuration.<p>As with the other $1000 PC, I compromised a bit on the case and power supply. Normally I recommend a high-quality chassis and a PSU (power supply unit) from a respected brand name with a track record, to ensure an easy build and long-term stability. This time I didn't have the budget to splurge, so I settled for an affordable case with a good-sized PSU. Rosewill's $50 FBM-01-450P fit the bill: It's a relatively attractive micro-ATX case that includes a 450-watt PSU. That's a somewhat modest power capacity, but in light of the other components in this build, it should be plenty.<p>With about $670 of the budget gone, I had enough cash left over for a relatively powerful GPU. I picked out an XFX Double D R9-280X-TDFD Radeon R9 280X card, which cost just under $310. Although it isn't in the same class as one of Nvidia's or AMD's flagship cards, the Radeon R9 280X is still a powerhouse, and XFX's custom, dual-fan cooler is nice and quiet. Saving money on the APU and motherboard allows you to use a larger portion of the budget on graphics, which should help to offset the performance difference between the A10-6800K and Intel's pricier Core i5-4670 CPU with some workloads—mostly gaming.<p>Here's the complete breakdown of the parts and prices for this build.<p>Processor: AMD A10-6800K APU — $140<p>Motherboard: Asus A88XM-A Socket FM2 — $85<p>Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 — $82<p>Graphics: XFX Double D R9-280X-TDFD Radeon R9 280X — $310<p>Primary storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB SSD — $101<p>Secondary storage: WD 1TB Caviar Blue 7200-rpm — $55<p>Optical drive: Asus SATA DVD-R — $17<p>Chassis: Rosewill FBM-01-450P Case with 450-watt PSU — $50<p>Operating system: Windows Pro 8.1 64-bit — $140<p>Total cost: $980<p>Putting it all together<p>I won't bore you with the minutiae and explain how each component connects where. If you follow the directions in the packages, it's hard to screw anything up too badly. The biggest mistake to avoid is trying to force something into place where it's not supposed to be. CPUs, memory sticks, SATA cables, graphics cards, and power connectors are all designed to fit in only one way. Stick to PCWorld's PC-building best practices, and you shouldn't have any trouble piecing together your new machine.<p>I ran into two minor issues: First, the power supply included with the Rosewill case had only a single, supplemental PCIe power lead. The Radeon R9 280X needs two. I had to adapt a pair of peripheral connectors to get the second lead necessary for the graphics card. XFX included one of the adapters right in the box, so it wasn't a major problem. A bigger challenge was the fact that the case lacked intelligent cable-management features. It offered minimal room behind the motherboard tray—only a single cutout—and none of the PSU cables were modular. The micro-ATX case also gave me less room to work with than normal, so corralling all of the cables was a chore.<p>Getting the most from your new PC<p>My build fired up on the first try. Once I was sure that the components were working properly—the fans were spinning, the LEDs and switches were connected correctly, and everything had power—I entered the system BIOS and loaded its optimized defaults. Doing so would ensure that all of the motherboard's on-board peripherals were enabled and that the board was configured properly for the A10-6800K APU. I confirmed that AHCI mode was enabled on the storage hub to maximize the performance of the drives, and then I set the memory speed manually to 2133MHz (by default it was set to only 1866MHz.)<p>The Windows 8.1 installation went without a hitch. And once the operating system was installed, I had to run only a single installer to take care of the AMD-based chipset and graphics card drivers. From start to finish, I went from blank drives to a fully functional Windows installation in under a half hour. For tips to ensure a smooth software installation, read through our best practices for setting up software on a new PC.<p>After installing the OS and drivers, I immediately set out to benchmark the rig. If you remember my last Haswell build, you know that the system earned a score of 6516 in PCMark 7 and generated 30.81 frames per second in Crysis 3 with the game running at 1920 by 1080 pixels with high-quality settings and 4X antialiasing enabled. At similar settings, Bioshock Infinite ran at 64.72 fps. After a little tweaking and overclocking, however, the Haswell system's frame rates in Crysis 3 increased by over 10 percent, to 34.46 fps, and in Bioshock Infinite it hit 67.97 fps.<p>Those are pretty good numbers. But with no tweaking whatsoever, my newly built AMD rig managed a score of 5035 in PCMark 7, and its Crysis 3 frame rate reached 32.64 fps. Bioshock Infinite ran at 67.56 fps. The PCMark 7 score suggests that its overall system performance is lower than that of the Haswell-based PC, which you'd expect considering Intel's CPU performance advantages. Gaming performance, however, was a bit better on the AMD rig thanks to the more powerful R9 280X.<p>AMD makes boosting the performance of its APUs and graphics cards very easy, thanks to a few buttons and sliders in the Catalyst Control Center software's performance menu. Users can overclock both the APU and GPU.<p>Overclocking the APU is particularly simple because AMD automates the entire process. Just enable overdrive and click a single button, and CCC will try higher frequencies and test for stability along the way. With our setup, the automated tool was able to take the APU up to 4.6GHz. By moving a couple of sliders, I was also able to increase the frequencies on the GPU's core and memory, from its stock frequencies of 1000MHz (GPU) and 1500MHz (memory) to 1080MHz and 1600MHz.<p>In all likelihood I could have gone even higher, but power consumption increases sharply at the higher clock speeds, and I didn't have that much faith in the power supply unit. Here's what I mean: In my testing this PC idled at only 68 watts, and power consumption peaked at only 326 watts. After I overclocked it, though, power consumption shot up to 381 watts, which was about as close as I was comfortable getting to the power supply's 450-watt rating.<br>I reran the benchmark tests after overclocking this PC and saw its PCMark 7 score increase to 5154. Its Crysis 3 and Bioshock Infinite frame rates also increased, to 34.73 fps and 69.51 fps, respectively. I couldn't beat the Haswell PC's CPU speed advantages, but the faster GPU and overclocking gave the AMD system a clear advantage in the game tests.<p>In the end, I'm very pleased with the performance of our AMD-based rig. Although its overall performance in day-to-day computing tasks isn't quite as high as that of the similarly priced Haswell-based system, it's still plenty fast. Plus, dedicating less money to the CPU and more to the GPU affords superior gaming performance.

Build this killer AMD-based Windows 8.1 PC for less than $1000

AMD lovers, we hear ya. After building a killer Intel-based Windows 8.1 PC for $1000, we're starting with a cheaper, more powerful AMD C...

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When your PC doesn't recognize a 2nd drive

Creeds installed an old hard drive into a new machine as a second drive. The PC froze at the Windows logon. So Creeds unplugged and replugged the drive. Now the PC boots, but it doesn't see the newly-installed old drive.<p>When you installed the old drive, your BIOS probably decided that that was the first drive--the one that boots. So it attempted to boot your old version of Windows and ran into trouble. Remember that when you install Windows, it configures itself to your specific hardware. Boot one PC's hard drive inside another and you're bound to have problems. (For more on this, see How to move to a new PC.)<p><br>So why did it try to boot from the drive the first time, then failed to even see the drive after unplugging and replugging?<p>Here's my guess: After you unplugged the old drive, you did something wrong when plugging it back in. A hard drive takes two connectors--SATA and power--and both have to be plugged in properly. If you fail to plug in the power connector properly, the drive will appear dead. It won't spin up, its light won't come on, and the computer won't see it. If the power is connected properly, but SATA is not, the drive will power up and spin, but it will not be visible to the computer.<p>So check the plugs again, and make sure everything is connected. Then boot not into Windows but into your BIOS settings. I can't tell you exactly how to do this because it varies with different models, but when you boot your PC, one of the first things you should see is a message that reads something like "Press key for Settings." Press that key immediately. You'll find yourself in a full-screen menu. Find the option to control the PC's boot order or boot priority. Set the machine's original drive to boot first.<p>One more note: If you plan to use the old drive for backup purposes, putting it inside the computer is a really bad idea. A burglary, power surge, or the Cryptolocker Trojan could simultaneously destroy the files on your main hard drive and on the backup. Better to put it in an enclosure and turn it into an external drive. See How to make good use of an old hard drive for details.

When your PC doesn't recognize a 2nd drive

Creeds installed an old hard drive into a new machine as a second drive. The PC froze at the Windows logon. So Creeds unplugged and replugge...

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How to change users in Windows 8

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Mr. Reddy recently moved to Windows 8, and can't figure out how to log off as one user and log on as another.<br />If you share your PC with another person, you know that logging off one account and logging onto another is faster than rebooting. You also know that switching between accounts is even faster.<br />But in Windows 8, the option isn't where experienced Windows users would expect it to be. It's yet another case of Microsoft making things easier for novice users at the expense of everyone else. The company renamed and moved these options in a way that actually makes sense. But for experienced Windows hands, there's a slight learning curve.<br />Log off is now called Sign Off. There's no longer an option called Switch user, but there doesn't have to be; the users' names are right there to switch to. And rather than putting these options in the Power section, they're at the user icon.<br />You'll find your name, and maybe your picture, in the top-right corner of the Start screen. Click or tap it. If there are other user accounts on this computer, you can select one and switch. As with earlier versions, your existing account will remain open, so you can switch back and pick up where you left off.<br />Of course you'll have to enter your password.<br />To completely log off of one account and log onto another, click or tap your name or picture and select Sign out. You'll be prompted to log on (or perhaps I should say "sign in") as another user.<br /><br /><br /><br /></div>

How to change users in Windows 8

Mr. Reddy recently moved to Windows 8, and can't figure out how to log off as one user and log on as another. If you share your PC with ...

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How to digitize holiday photos and videos

The holidays are one of the few times when we still pull out the old family albums and childhood videos to share with the people we love. As long as they're out, it's also a good time to work on digitizing those memories—not just to protect the originals, but to share them on Facebook, Instagram, or sites like Picasa or Snapfish. Once digitized, you can even use the images to create new albums or other gifts.<p>You could outsource that work to a service, but you may already have most of the gear to do it yourself—and what you don't have is pretty easy and affordable to get. Here's everything you need to convert your old media into modern digital files and then prepare them for sharing with your friends and family.<p>Choose your photo scanner<p>Scanner technology has changed little over the years, so any scanner or multifunction printer (which has an integrated scanner) purchased even five or more years ago should be more than adequate for the job of converting your old photos. Just be sure it has a flatbed scanning surface, rather than a sheetfeeder that pulls media through a slot. Old pictures tend to suffer from warps, small tears, and surface blemishes that could cause a sheetfed scanner to jam—or worse, destroy the print.<p>PHOTO: MICHAEL HOMNICK<p>The Epson Perfection V550 can digitize slides and negatives as well as photos.<p>If you don't yet have a scanner, our buying guide will help you find a good model for your needs. To scan formats that your existing scanner doesn't support (such as slides and negatives), the Epson Perfection V550 is an excellent choice for about $150.<p>General-purpose scanners integrated into multifunction printers lack the ability to scan slides and negatives, but they perform well for regular photo scanning. I particularly like the $250 HP Envy 120, which produces beautiful scans and prints, and looks sleek and unobtrusive sitting in my living-room entertainment center. If you plan to do a lot of scanning, though, a dedicated photo scanner will make the job much easier.<p>ROBERTCARDIN<p>The HP Envy 120 can scan regular photos (but not slides or negatives), and it looks stylish in your<p>The overarching rule of scanning old photos echoes the Hippocratic Oath: Do no harm. After you've digitized the originals, safeguard them in a high-quality, acid-free archival box—and that would mean, not a shoebox.<p>Scanner tips and tricks<p>Scanners tend to be slow, and scanning software tends to take over your PC while it's active. Here are my two favorite tips for minimizing frustration and tedium while scanning photos.<p>First, take advantage of the features in your scanner's driver software, which will most likely offer a way to differentiate and automatically separate multiple photos during the scanning process. This will let you place as many images as possible onto the scanning surface with each pass, saving you a lot of time.<p>Second, choose the scanning resolution wisely. While you could use the highest resolution your scanner offers (for most these days, it's 9600 or 19,200 dots per inch), the scan will take forever—or possibly cause your PC to slow to a crawl—and the result will be a really huge file.<p>For a typical snapshot, a scan at 300 dpi will suffice. That doesn't sound like much, but if you try a scan at the next step up, usually 600 dpi, you'll likely not see a visible difference—we haven't, over our many years of conducting scanning tests. Save the highest resolutions for very small photos that you might want to scale up to a larger size.<p>Upgrade your photo software<p>When it comes to heirloom photos, good photo-editing software will make all the difference in the final digitized product. You don't need a full-blown copy of Photoshop, but neither should you entrust your precious memories to iPhoto or Windows' built-in Photos app. For $100, Adobe Photoshop Elements 12 offers tremendous editing power in an app that's easy enough for amateurs to learn quickly. For Windows or Mac, it's the best all-around choice for home photo editing.<p>Photoshop Elements offers a great blend of quick-fix tools and pro-quality editing options for touching up your scans. Photo-editing novices can start out using Quick mode for basic lighting fixes, red-eye removal, and touch-ups. These simple tools can go a long way toward preparing your pictures for sharing.<p>If you're feeling more adventurous and are up for some advanced touch-ups, here are a few useful tricks you can try:<p>Old snapshots often suffer from terrible underexposure, making them look dark and grainy. Here's a guide that shows you how to salvage an underexposed photo. If your subjects aren't looking their best in an otherwise priceless shot, try these tricks for touching up portraits. Check out this collection of easy photo-fixing tricks.<p>The Pinnacle Dazzle Platinum HD works with Windows PCs to convert analog videos to digital form.<p>Convert analog videos to digital<p>The quality of VHS, Betamax, and Super 8 tapes can degrade over time. If the tapes are still playable, digitize them sooner rather than later.<p>You will need a working video player or camera capable of playing back the original format. Once you have a working player, you'll need a digital video converter to connect it to your PC. The Pinnacle Dazzle Platinum HD is an excellent choice for Windows users. For the Mac, the $80 Roxio Easy-VHS-to-DVD is a great option. While their primary purpose is to convert VHS tapes to digital formats, these products work just as well with any kind of player that can connect via a composite video cable.<p>Both of these products include software for converting the video to a variety of digital file formats and making simple edits. They also include built-in sharing tools so you can automatically upload your videos to YouTube or Facebook from within the same app.<p>Consider compression<p>Depending on what you plan to do with the converted video, compression can be an important consideration. If your goal is to preserve the video indefinitely, you'll want to convert it with no compression at all. This will minimize digital artifacts, and you'll have a great starting point should you choose to share the video in other formats later on. Just be aware that importing an uncompressed movie requires a lot of storage space.<p>If you do choose to compress your video, go for the least-destructive encoding format you can get away with. MP4 is a very good choice for most purposes, offering high image and audio quality with relatively few artifacts. Chances are, if you're importing an old VHS or Super 8 video, the artifacts you'll get from the MP4 encoding won't be nearly as noticeable as those introduced by the original tape media the video came from.<p>For Mac users, the Roxio Easy-VHS-to-DVD is a good analog-to-digital converter.<p>Edit your videos<p>Once you've transferred your video from tape to your hard drive, you'll probably want to do some editing. The built-in video-editing tools in Windows and Mac OS X are generally fine for basic tweaks, but you may want to step up to something like Pinnacle Studio or Adobe Premiere Elements to take advantage of a broader selection of tools and filters. (And if you're already buying Photoshop Elements, you can take advantage of Adobe's $150 bundle offer of both Photoshop Elements and Premiere Elements.)<p>Converting old videos and photos to digital form lets you share them online, print them, burn them to discs to give as gifts, or just curl up with your tablet by the fire and relive the good old days. It'll be interesting to see what we'll do with the new generation of family memories—trapped on phones, posted to one social site but not another, or stashed on a hard drive. Maybe put them in an album?

How to digitize holiday photos and videos

The holidays are one of the few times when we still pull out the old family albums and childhood videos to share with the people we love. As...

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