I watched the trailer, and my reaction was "where is the airpower"? The game takes place in a world with laser technology but no airpower?

Nothing this week.

I'm using Feedly too, primarily because it has both PC and iOS versions. I really liked Mr. Reader on the iPad and I don't know what will happen to it now.

I have two gripes with Feedly though: (1) when all of the feeds have been read, it continues to show the read feeds even though I have the "only unread" filter turned on, and (2) I wish there was a way to increase the size of the text on the screen.

Seriously?

I gave you a twenty minute fix (where 19 of them is waiting for the disk to copy over) and no money, no hassle involved.

If you want to fresh-install, go for it, but I wouldn't call it failproof. If there are drivers that aren't easy to come by, you may not be in the best position. lifting and moving the partition, switching SATA ports and rebooting is the best.

If you want all the dell drivers etc - just use my instructions above. I've used them 4 times already. It's ridiculously easy. The only warning I have is that when you boot from the SSD from the first time, the drive will try to do the copy again, indicate it can't do it (since that was the condition of the original system drive you moved). Let it reboot, and you're done.


So :

Install software.
Tell software to move 2TB drive to 256GB drive
Tell it to execute.
Reboot.
Let it do the work.
power down.
Switch SATA cables
Power on - tries to boot the software again.
let it fail and reboot

TADA!

Windows (with all drivers) running from SSD.

You can now use windows to wipe out and repartition your SATA 2TB disk as you see fit.

Purge, I need your help. I downloaded the software and copied everything from the HD to the SSD. The I went into my BIOS and couldn't find the SSD in the options for the first boot priority. I let it reboot. I see that all the files are on both disks. I tried to reformat the HD, but got an error saying that I can't do this because Windows is running from this drive.  What am I missing here?

It turns out that others have received their computers and the OS is also installed on the HD instead of SSD. Someone in the Slickdeals forum were I found the deal posted the below advice.  Will this method work?

The most failproof way:

1. Open the case, unplug the power from the 2 TB hard disk
2. Boot up the PC with the Winodws Install DVD
3. Choose advanced install, format drive.
4. Install Windows onto the SSD drive
5. Turn off, reattach the 2TB HD
6. Boot up into the SSD Windows if it presents you two choices
7. Run disk management and delete boot partition on 2TB HD, create new volume, format.

More or less that. Dell are asshats for installing it on the slower non SSD drive.

Slickdeals listed a great deal of recertified Dell 8500s earlier this week and I picked one up.  It has both a 2 TB HD and a 256 GB SSD. To my surprise, Dell installed Windows 7 on the HD, not on the SSD. I've done some internet searches on how to move Windows 7 to the SSD, but many of the articles and posts were about 2 years old and some of the advice was contradictory. Has anyone done this recently and can recommend how to do it?

The HD only has about 50 GB on it now, so I don't have to worry about free space on the SSD for the move.

Thanks in advance for the help.

I don't understand why they would do this when AOE3 has been out for years.  Was AOE2 that much different or better?

Mr Reader is a great rss reader.

Nothing this week

Maybe write to consumerist.com and see if they will contact dell on your behalf?

Nothing this week.

[Spoiler]

Just finished the game and loved it.  Loved the atmosphere and tension.  During the final boss fight, my colonel uber-sniper had a perfect headshot lined up . . . and missed.  I had to charge with one my Support team to deliver the killing shot.

Minor spoilers below for some minor comment/unfulfilled wishes:

Spoiler for Hiden:

1. The end reminded me of Star Trek II. I guess the sequel can have us searching for the soldier who sacrificed himself.

2.  Would it have killed them to include a medal award ceremony at the end like in Star Wars? Look Ma, I save the world and all I got was to watch the ending credits!

3.  I wish that there were more weapons/armor/accessory types. Not a crazy lots like Diablo, but more toys to play and experiment.

Don't get me wrong, I did love the game.

I'm about to start the final assault mission of the game.  Should I staff my team with more support members to take advantage of their multiple medkits? Is it important to have more than 1 psi soldier? Also, has anyone used a Shiv on the final mission?

I generally tell my customers that most brands have an equal oppurtunity for failure (except gateway and emachines which seem to have a higher rate of failure). Basically they are all roughly the same quality and I have had units from every brand in for repairs, even during the 1st year..
So going with a Dell or HP may not be bad either...
What kind of budget are you looking at?

I'm not inclined to tinker by overclocking, so I would want to spend a little more to be set for a few years.  I don't need the latest and greatest graphics, so I was thinking $800 to $1000 for just the CPU box w/o the monitor.

Thanks to everyone for their advice.  Any other vendor recommendations other than Cyberpower?

Xcom and Lego LOTR

I'm looking into getting a new desktop PC after about a 5 years of laptops.  I'm looking for a good desktop that will play games (Skyrim, Borderlands 2, etc.) as opposed to a gaming desktop, so I'm not looking for bleeding edge performance.  The rest of the time, the PC will be used for MS Office, internet browsing, watching Netflix, iTunes, light editing of family digital pictures, and serving as the central repository of my family's digital life.

I don't want to build it myself, so I am looking for a good reputable company that will let me customize my order.  Can anyone recommend a company?

Also, what is the verdict on Windows 8?  Do I need a touch screen monitor?

I'm LTTP, but am really enjoying this game after about 10 missions. My sniper has received several promotions, but still keeps missing more often than the hit% would suggest. Can I specifically recruit a certain class?  I think I want more assault troopers and snipers and fewer supports and heavies in my roster.

Final Fantasy Tactics is on sale!

iOS version released today, just downloaded it and created an Archer.  Touch screen seems like a great way to play the game in the few minutes I've had.  

Is this playable on an Ipad1?

Anyone pick-up the PC version and can share their impressions?

I've been playing this for the last few weeks and agree with the earlier comment that the world is feeling empty.  For the first 10 levels or so, there were lots of players around to team on events.  I'm up to level 26 now and sometimes I can't find anyone to join me for an event and I end up getting mobbed even though I am 2-3 levels above the recommended level.

Picked up:
To the Moon
Bastion
KOTOR
KOTOR2

All for about $17.  Not bad

I know I want to get To the Moon.  Anyone have suggestions to fill out my 5?

[Spoiler]

I just saw it and hated it.  Why do the good guys always make stupid decisions to give the bad guys the upper hand?

Like deciding to get shot?   I hate that too.  Why can't they be invulnerable!?!

p.s. saw Skyfall this afternoon.  Thought it was fantastic.  What a great, great movie!

Actually, I meant dumb decisions like:

Spoiler for Hiden:

Stopping to change getaway cars, but not also stocking up on weapons.  Also, taking the time to booby trap a mansion, but not taking time to call in the cavalry.

I just saw it and hated it.  Why do the good guys always make stupid decisions to give the bad guys the upper hand?

I picked up Guild Wars 2 and will see how it goes.

Pushed through and finished over the weekend.  Around 18 hours, level 52 Berzerker.  Thought it was decent, but it just gets soooooo repetitive towards the end.  I really only finished TL2 because nothing else was grabbing my attention and I wanted to add one more to this year's finished list, not because I was necessarily enjoying it.  Even with umpteen more locales and monster models, it all felt very same-y and really quite dull.  I'd give it a C+ overall.

I just finished the game too and am in full agreement with Gratch's assessment.

One thing to keep in mind is that gog.com is not a US company and that purchases will incur a foreign transaction fee on your credit card.  The fee is typically less than a dollar, but just be aware of this when you see it on your credit card statement.

I have a laptop w/ the newest Intel i5 processor, Intel graphics HD3000 integrated graphics, 8 GB RAM and Windows 7 64-bit.  Will this be ok to run?

I tried the demo.  With all graphics settings on low, the game runs a little choppy.  I may play with the resolution a little, but I don't know if playing on a non-native resolution on this laptop will help.

Torchlight 2

[Minimum Requirements:]

I have a laptop w/ the newest Intel i5 processor, Intel graphics HD3000 integrated graphics, 8 GB RAM and Windows 7 64-bit.  Will this be ok to run?

You're being sarcastic, right?   Yes you're well above the requirements and above the recommended ones in some cases.

Steam preorders just unlocked Reward 2 and are 7% towards Reward 3 (free Civ V).

Thanks for the response.  I wasn't being sarcastic.  I was worried about my laptop integrated graphics not being up to the task.

I don't know if being integrated video matters or not -- your HD3000# is exactly what's listed in the Recommended System Requirements, so that sounds good.   I'm really waaaaaaaaaaay out of the loop on CPU naming conventions these days. I figure if the i5 is new, it must be better than what the requirements list.

Minimum Requirements:
OS: Windows Vista
Software: Steam Client
Processor: 2 GHz Dual Core
Memory: 2 GB RAM
Hard Drive: 20 GB free
Video Memory: 256 MB
Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce 8600 GT / ATI Radeon HD 2600 XT or greater
Sound Card: DirectX Compatible

Recommended Requirements:
OS: Windows 7
Processor: 2 GHz Dual Core (Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4 GHz or Athlon X2 2.7 GHz)
Memory: 4 GB RAM
Hard Drive: 20 GB free
Video Memory: 512+ MB
Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce 9000 series / ATI Radeon HD 3000 series or greater
Sound Card: DirectX Compatible

Aaaand I finally pre-ordered on Steam.

I hope that this question does not sound stupid, but here goes: Is that ATI Radeon HD3000 the same as the Intel integrated HD3000?

I have a laptop w/ the newest Intel i5 processor, Intel graphics HD3000 integrated graphics, 8 GB RAM and Windows 7 64-bit.  Will this be ok to run?

You're being sarcastic, right?  Yes you're well above the requirements and above the recommended ones in some cases.

Steam preorders just unlocked Reward 2 and are 7% towards Reward 3 (free Civ V).

Thanks for the response.  I wasn't being sarcastic.  I was worried about my laptop integrated graphics not being up to the task.

I have a laptop w/ the newest Intel i5 processor, Intel graphics HD3000 integrated graphics, 8 GB RAM and Windows 7 64-bit.  Will this be ok to run?

Does anyone have hands on experience with the Ipad version?  Will it be easy to control?

Just finished this over the weekend playing as a witch doctor.  It was fun for the first few hours and then became the same old kill, loot, return to town, repeat cycle.

Just finished Redshirts by John Scalzi. It's very different from the Old Man's War trilogy, but in a good way. The main story was pretty good, but the last two of the three codas at the end made the overall story so much better.

How much is your budget?

I think that you can only view the list on your Kindle.  I'm not sure if the free library is available to those using the Kindle software on a non-Kindle device though. 

I played the public stress test and decided to pick this up.  Are there any sales or other preorder bonuses to be had?