DIGITAL SANKALP

How to make room on your Windows partition

I'm going to concentrate here on recovering disc space in Windows and your applications, but not in your libraries. If you keep separate Windows and data partitions (which I heartily recommend), following the advice below could significantly improve space on drive C: (the Windows partition). If you keep everything on one big partition, it will still help, but not as dramatically. Before you do anything else, create a restore point. In Windows 7, click Start,or in Windows 8, go to the Search charm. In either one, type <code style="font-family:monospace,serif;font-size:1em">restore point</code>, and select Create a restore point, then follow the prompts. Now that you're safe, let's do some cleaning. Go to C:'s root directory and look for a folder called Windows.old. If it's there, examine the User folder within Windows.old to find out if there's anything there you need. If there is, move the files to an appropriate folder elsewhere, such as Documents. Then delete Windows.old. Next, open Control Panel's Programs and Features applet, and search for programs you're no longer using. Uninstall them. You can also clean out your temp folder. Search for <code style="font-family:monospace,serif;font-size:1em">%temp% </code>(including the percent signs) and you'll find it. You can safely remove any file older than the last time you booted the PC. Next, use Windows' disk-cleaning tool, which in its latest edition can remove old updates. But be warned, doing so loses you the ability to remove an update and return Windows to a former version. In Windows 7, you'll need to make sure you have <a href="http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2852386" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">this Windows update</a>installed. You probably already do. When you're ready for cleaning, you need to launch the Disk Cleanup tool as an administrator: <img alt="" border="0" height="136" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/11/1125-launch-as-admin-100067854-orig.jpg" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: auto; height: auto; max-width: 100%; float: left;" width="270"> InWindows 7, click Start and type<code style="font-family:monospace,serif;font-size:1em">cleanmgr</code>. But don't just launch the program. Right-click cleanmgr.exe and select Run as administrator. In Windows 8.1, use the Search charm to find <code style="font-family:monospace,serif;font-size:1em">cleanmgr</code>. Select cleanmgr switches. On the resulting screen, right-click cleanmgr switches and select Run as administrator at the bottom of the screen. <a class="zoom cboxElement" href="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/11/1125-disk-cleanup-100067855-orig.jpg" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)"><img alt="" border="0" height="171" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/11/1125-disk-cleanup-100067855-small.jpg" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: auto; height: auto; max-width: 100%; float: left;" width="140"></a>Click for full size Once the program has examined your drive, you'll find a list of several cleanup options. The most lucrative one, the one that removes old updates, is called Previous Windows installation(s). Make sure that it's checked. Most of the space you recover won't be visible until you next boot.

How to make room on your Windows partition

I'm going to concentrate here on recovering disc space in Windows and your applications, but not in your libraries. If you keep separate...

11:18 pm

How to make room on your Windows partition

How to make room on your Windows partition

I'm going to concentrate here on recovering disc space in Windows and your applications, but not in your libraries. If you keep separate...

11:18 pm

How to use a cloud camera to secure your home during holiday travel

The holidays are here. And as home owners across the land put out their mistletoe and menorahs, Santa won't be the only one committing home invasions. According to the FBI, some 400,000 burglaries will hit American homes between now and the new year. So if you're planning to travel, you might want to beef up your home security before you go. <img alt="" border="0" height="421" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/11/logitech-alert-100154433-medium.jpeg" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: auto; height: auto; max-width: 100%; float: left;" width="300"> This year, a variety of cloud-based recording services are making it easier than ever to monitor your domicile from afar. With almost any kind of webcam, you can stream live images of your home over your wireless network, and monitor them from your laptop, phone, or tablet. Many cameras include motion-detection capabilities, so they can alert you when something's afoot in your absence, and give you a chance to respond by calling the cops and alerting your neighbors. In this article, I'll describe how to set up a simple surveillance system using cloud-based cameras, so you can keep an eye on your castle no matter where you celebrate the season. To get started, all you need is a web-connected camera and a cloud-based video-recording account. Many newer webcams now include features and services that let you monitor the video stream remotely. There are also stand-alone cloud recording services that let you use your existing camera. So if you've already got some gear, you can be up and recording in minutes. <h2 style="font-family:ff-enzo-web,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em;color:rgb(34,34,34)">Camera options</h2> Good: Computer webcamIf you've got a laptop or an all-in-one desktop, chances are you've got a functional webcam already. You could use that webcam in conjunction with a service like<a href="http://www.camcloud.com/" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">Camcloud</a> to get surveillance set up right this second. If your PC has a clear view of the most likely entry point your burglars might take, it can at least capture that dastardly activity and alert you in time for you to take action. <img alt="" border="0" height="200" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/11/camcloud-100154449-medium.png" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: auto; height: auto; max-width: 100%; float: left;" width="300"> Oh, and in case you were wondering about the likelihood of thieves stealing the very laptop that's capturing evidence of their break-in, that's a valid concern. But while the crooks might be able to get away with your camera, they won't get the video—it's stored safely in the cloud. Indeed, as they reach in to take the hardware, the camera will capture an even tighter close-up of the person's face. Better: Wireless webcam with cloud-based viewing/recording<img alt="" border="0" height="475" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/11/tv-ip751wic_front-100154452-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 wireless webcam will give you better flexibility than a built-in laptop webcam, because you can place it anywhere you like, and possibly even hide it so that potential robbers won't know they're being watched. Some webcams, like the $120 <a href="http://www.trendnet.com/products/proddetail.asp?prod=225_TV-IP751WIC" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">Trendnet Wireless Day/Night Cloud Camera TV-IP751WIC</a>, include basic cloud viewing services out of the box. Others, like the $149 Dropcam, give you more-powerful features like motion-detection, automatic recording, and two-way audio, for an additional monthly fee. Best: Multiple Wireless Webcams with Cloud Viewing/Recording If you can swing it, grab three or four cameras and place them around your house, making sure to cover all the likely ingress points. Unify all the cameras in a single cloud monitoring account with motion-detection alerts, and it'll be nearly impossible for a potential intruder to walk past your place without your knowing about it. Our Pick: Dropcam For simplicity and sophistication, Dropcam's $149 <a href="https://www.dropcam.com/product" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_self">day/night camera</a> is an awesome home surveillance option. The standard version gives you 4X zoom and two-way audio, so you can let people know you're watching them if you so choose. The low-light recording quality is excellent, so you can detect facial features even in the dark. <img alt="" border="0" height="324" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/10/dropcam_night_vision-100057325-large.jpg" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: auto; height: auto; max-width: 100%; float: left;" width="580">The Dropcam Pro can take sharp, wide-angle video of your home's interior even in the dark. For $50 more, the <a href="http://www.techhive.com/article/2053342/dropcam-pro-review-enhance-your-wi-fi-video-like-a-crime-scene-investigator.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">Dropcam Pro</a> gives you an 8X zoom, even better low-light performance, and better audio quality. Dropcam's mobile apps for iOS and Android will alert you whenever one of your cameras detects motion, so you can see what's happening in real time. If it's the UPS driver, you can use the camera's built-in speaker to, say, give them permission to drop a package at your neighbor's house while you're away. Dropcam uses continuous video recording to capture everything your cameras see, then stores those recordings for your later perusal. The service comes in two tiers: The $99/year seven-day plan saves up to 168 hours of video for your ongoing review, while the $299/year 30-day plan saves 720 hours of recordings. For typical home users, the 7-day plan ought to be plenty. <h2 style="font-family:ff-enzo-web,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em;color:rgb(34,34,34)">A la carte service</h2> If you're using your existing webcam, chances are you can use it with Camcloud's recording service. Like Dropcam, Camcloud lets you watch live streams of activity from any of your connected cameras. There's a free tier for users with only one camera, and it lets you record up to 30 minutes of footage. For $5 per month, you can connect up to four cameras and store up to four hours of video. For $15 per month, you can hook up an unlimited number of cameras and store up to 24 hours of video. A number of basic security strategies apply whether you're using an a la carte service or a more fancy-pants system like Dropcam. Pay attention to the following to get the most from your cloud-based system. <ul style="margin:1em 0px;padding:0px 0px 0px 40px;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif;font-size:16px;line-height:22px"><li style="line-height:1.45em">Cover all the approaches. If there's more than one way into your place, make sure you're monitoring them all. If possible, mount a camera outside your home, or in a window with a view of the street or driveway. This can boost your odds of capturing license-plate numbers or other vehicle information that can be useful in a police report.</li> <li style="line-height:1.45em">Conceal your cameras. If burglars can see your cameras, they'll probably just add them to their loot. The better you hide the cameras, the better your odds of capturing incriminating footage. Sure, whatever your camera captures will be saved on a secure server and inaccessible to the thieves, but don't you want video of their entire caper?</li> <li style="line-height:1.45em">Set up motion-detection alerts.Good cloud surveillance services will immediately alert you when one of your cameras detects movement. That can give you enough time to call 911 and send the police to your door, even when you're thousands of miles away.</li> <li style="line-height:1.45em">Use an uninterruptible power supply. Savvy burglars may cut the power to your house before entering, rendering your off-the-shelf surveillance system useless. But an uninterruptible power supply can keep your cameras, router, and modem working, even during a power outage.</li> </ul>

How to use a cloud camera to secure your home during holiday travel

The holidays are here. And as home owners across the land put out their mistletoe and menorahs, Santa won't be the only one committing h...

11:14 pm

How to use a cloud camera to secure your home during holiday travel

How to use a cloud camera to secure your home during holiday travel

The holidays are here. And as home owners across the land put out their mistletoe and menorahs, Santa won't be the only one committing h...

11:14 pm

How to find free Wi-Fi during your holiday travels

A public Wi-Fi access point is like a public restroom. All kinds of businesses along travel routes offer restrooms to bring in customers. They offer free Wi-Fi for the same reason. The fact is, finding Wi-Fi on the road has become a lot easier over the past ten years. You just have to know where to look for it. <img alt="" border="0" height="274" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/11/ronald_mcdonald_jumping1-100069246-medium.jpg" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: auto; height: auto; max-width: 100%; float: left;" width="300"> Ronald will hook you up: As you get out into the sparsely populated areas on the way to grandma's house, the<a href="http://www.mcdonalds.com/us/en/services/free_wifi.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">McDonald's</a> at the end of an interstate off-ramp might be your best chance for connecting to the Internet. The chain offers free Wi-Fi in more than 11,500 of its restaurants. In some cases, you need only pull into the parking lot to get in range of the network. In most cases you'll reach a McDonald's splash page, and just have to click through to connect. It's no surprise to find a McDonald's within the cluster of gas stations, hotels, and truck stops at many interstate off-ramps. But over the past five years, I've noticed a lot more<a href="http://www.starbucks.com/coffeehouse/wireless-internet" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">Starbucks</a> along interstates and freeways. There are now 7,000 Starbucks stores offering free Wi-Fi from <a href="http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2013/07/starbucks-wifi-goes-google.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">Google</a> or AT&T. <img alt="" border="0" height="326" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/11/e4bc19a1929c4fe7a57b3085e787c226-100069226-large.jpg" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: auto; height: auto; max-width: 100%; float: left;" width="580">Starbucks now has 7,000 stores with free (Google-powered) Wi-Fi. McDonald's and Starbucks might be your best bet on the road, but there are other choices. You can also find free Wi-Fi at KFC, Taco Bell, Denny's, Dunkin' Donuts and Burger King. Practice good Wi-Fi karma: Some businesses are getting more sophisticated about doling out free Wi-Fi, asking for a little more in exchange for access. You might be required to fill out a short survey or watch a video in order to connect to the network. Others go so far as to ask you to click through a number of partner websites, or sign up for an account. Some businesses ask that you buy something in exchange for the Wi-Fi, and you should. It's an age-old unspoken rule that when you use some business's restroom, you buy something. It's just fair play, and a good way to avoid a hateful glare from a store clerk. There's such a thing as good Wi-Fi karma too. If you use somebody's network, you should buy something, even if it's just a cup of coffee.

How to find free Wi-Fi during your holiday travels

A public Wi-Fi access point is like a public restroom. All kinds of businesses along travel routes offer restrooms to bring in customers. Th...

10:58 pm

How to find free Wi-Fi during your holiday travels

How to find free Wi-Fi during your holiday travels

A public Wi-Fi access point is like a public restroom. All kinds of businesses along travel routes offer restrooms to bring in customers. Th...

10:58 pm

Some password managers are safer than others

Susan Taylor worries that password managers may not be sufficiently secure. "What if the password manager company is hacked?" That's a very good question, and one that we all should worry about. In this day and age, when a large and established company such as Adobe<a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/2059002/adobe-security-breach-worse-than-originally-thought.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">can get hacked</a>, are any of our passwords safe? If Adobe had been storing their customers' banking and shopping passwords, the 38 million people effected by that incident would be in much worse trouble. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't use a password manager. Without one, you're likely to use the same password over and over again, and pick passwords that are easy to remember and, therefore, easy to guess. That's dangerous, too. What it does mean is that you need the right kind of password manager. Quick definition: A password manager is a program that keeps your passwords and other logon information in an encrypted database. That way, you only have to remember one password--the one that opens the password manager. I strongly recommend against any cloud-based password management service--especially if that service can access your database. If the service can recover your forgotten password manager's password, or if it can turn over your passwords to your next of kin, that company has access to your passwords, and can be hacked. Instead, use a local program on your computer. That way, the encryption stays close to home. It's not on the Internet, and even if someone did get ahold of your data file, it would be useless without the password. At least it would be useless if you follow these instructions: First, the program has to be well written and honestly written, without serious bugs or an intentional backdoor. And that means sticking with established, open-source programs like <a href="http://passwordsafe.sourceforge.net/" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">Password Safe</a> and<a href="http://keepass.info/" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">KeePass</a>. With open source, anyone can read the program's code--or at least anyone with the technical ability to understand it. And that makes it more secure. <img alt="" border="0" height="524" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/11/1118-keepass-100067834-orig.jpg" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: auto; height: auto; max-width: 100%; float: left;" width="670"> I know it sounds counterintuitive. If anyone can study how the program is built, why couldn't someone hack it? Because the code is not the key; the password--which only you have--is the key. With open source, bugs and backdoors become common knowledge quickly, and everyone would know that the program isn't safe. As security expert Bruce Schneier put it, "In the cryptography world, we consider open source necessary for good security; we have for decades." Second, a crook may be able to guess your password, or find it in a brute force attack. For protection, use <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/2011773/learn-to-use-strong-passwords.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">a strong password</a>.

Some password managers are safer than others

Susan Taylor worries that password managers may not be sufficiently secure. "What if the password manager company is hacked?" Th...

10:54 pm

Some password managers are safer than others

Some password managers are safer than others

Susan Taylor worries that password managers may not be sufficiently secure. "What if the password manager company is hacked?" Th...

10:54 pm

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 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. 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. Got it? Good. Let's get educated.<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>The first decision you have to make is easy: Do you need a desktop or a mobile device? 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. <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. 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 and the ability to transform into a tablet on the fly, but they carry a price premium over traditional notebooks. (More on hybrids later.) 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>. <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. 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. 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. 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>: <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> 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.<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. Notice I said that Windows 8 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 only 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>. 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. <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. 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 offerfar 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. 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. 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. <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. 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. 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. Keep reading to learn about the Surface Pro 2, Windows 8 hybrids, and Windows 8 desktops and all-in-ones. <h2 style="font-family:facitweb,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em">Buying a Windows 8 hybrid</h2> Now we're getting into the interesting stuff.<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 CARDINDell's XPS 12 Ultrabook hybrid has a hinged display that swivels. 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. 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. 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 man, that touchpad still looks small. 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. <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." 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. 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. <h2 style="font-family:facitweb,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em">The genre-straddling Surface Pro 2</h2>Then there's Microsoft's own 10.6-inch Surface Pro 2. <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. 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. 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. <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. 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. Speaking of desktops…<h2 style="font-family:facitweb,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em">Buying a Windows 8 desktop</h2> 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?<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. 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>. 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. <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 CARDINTraditional 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. 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>. 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.

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

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