Microsoft Releases More Windows 8 Multi-Monitor Info
Last Updated on Monday, 21 May 2012 01:40 Written by Alan Monday, 21 May 2012 01:40
In another massively long post to the Building Windows 8 blog, Microsoft has detailed the support they are throwing behind users with multiple monitors. The next version of Windows will put even more support behind different configurations of monitors that should be enough to satisfy even the most demanding power-user.
Mark Yalovsky, a user experience program manager at Microsoft and author of this latest tome, starts off by pointing out that Microsoft data show that around 14% of desktops and 5% of laptops run with multiple monitors. Those aren’t very large numbers, but it’s widely expected that it will grow in the coming months and years.
Microsoft claims they used the following goals in putting together the multi-monitor support for Windows 8:
- Make the desktop a more personal experience. Perhaps the most personalized feature on the desktop is the ability to customize the desktop background. We set out to make this a great experience on multiple monitors too.
- Improve the efficiency of accessing apps across monitors. In Windows 7, the top request from people using multiple monitors was to improve the taskbar efficiency.
- Improve the efficiency of accessing system UI. In Windows 7, you could only access the Start menu on one monitor. With the introduction in Windows 8 of new UI that puts controls at the edges of the screen, we wanted to make sure that it’s still easy to access Start, the charms, the clock, and your recently used apps from every monitor.
- Allow side-by-side Metro style and desktop apps. You can launch or move a Metro style app to any monitor, side-by-side with desktop apps on another screen.
Many of the new features surround desktop customization. Users will be able to set different backgrounds on each monitor, produce multi-monitor slide shows, span a single image across multiple monitors, and finally have a monitor-spanning taskbar option, with lots of different ways of configuring it.
There is a LOT of information available in the blog post, complete with pictures to show the different configurations. The next verson of Windows 8, known as the “Release Preview”, will be released during the first week in June, and a final version is expected in the fall of 2012.
Lenovo ThinkCentre M92/M92p/M72e Get a Torture Test (Video)
Last Updated on Wednesday, 16 May 2012 11:25 Written by Alan Wednesday, 16 May 2012 04:00
Lenovo, one of the most respected PC makers, recently released a video showing a bit of why their hardware is thought of as being so reliable that they are one of top makers in the corporate world. Their ThinkCentre desktops and ThinkPad laptops are solid computers all-around and now they have a line of mini desktops labeled the M92, M92p, and M72e.
The new video shows the series of tests that Lenovo puts their hardware through to check it’s reliability. You’ll see the PC’s dropped, struck, slammed, shaken, filled with dust, heated and frozen, and more.
Hopefully none of this will happen to your PC, but if it does then it seems you you’ll have pretty good odds that the device will survive. You can check out the video below and check out the products at Lenovo.
Kindle Touch 3G Ships to 175 Countries 1 Week Early
Last Updated on Friday, 20 April 2012 11:47 Written by Alan Saturday, 21 April 2012 01:00
Amazon announced today that they have begun shipping the Kindle Touch 3G to customers in 175 different countries one week ahead of schedule. The reader was originally slated to begin shipments on April 27th, but those who pre-ordered will now be getting a pleasant surprise. The Kindle Touch 3G is the top-of-the-line reader product from Amazon, who also make non-3G and non-touch versions as well as a full-blown Android tablet version.
“Kindle Touch 3G is the most full-featured e-reader available with a beautiful, latest-generation electronic ink display, fast page turns and long, two month battery life. We know that customers are eager to get their hands on our newest Kindle which is why we’re delighted to be able to ship several days earlier than we planned.”
The international version of the Kindle Touch 3G can be ordered by visiting www.amazon.com/kindletouch3Gintl. It retails for $189 (U.S.) and orders are currently being shipped in the order they were received. The device boasts a two month battery life and capacity to hold up to 3,000 books.
