Is Your PC the Best Platform for Gaming?

Computers have evolved into something much more than a tool for productivity. They have also become a primary source of entertainment. Regardless of cost, just about any computer purchased during the past five years will handle common productivity and entertainment tasks, including email, Internet browsing, word processing, spreadsheets, and even music and video streaming. However, if you’re interested in using the computer to play the latest, virtual reality, “shoot ‘em up” games, entry- and intermediate-level computers will likely not perform well – and even high-end computers will require lots of TLC to keep them working well for gaming.

West Michigan Computer Care normally tries to steer customers away from using computers to play advanced video games like Call of Duty, Battlefield and Skyrim.

It's important to emphasize that when we refer to "computer gaming," we are not talking about simple games like Solitaire, which run well on nearly any computer; rather, we are referring to the advanced games that utilize three-dimensional animation. So, what is it about a computer that makes it such a challenging platform for today's popular video games?

First and foremost, 3D video games demand expensive, high-end hardware – namely a hefty multi-core processor, a graphics adapter with loads of dedicated video memory, and a hi-fidelity sound adapter – which can easily add hundreds of dollars to the cost of a computer. However, even if you can afford this initial investment, you will likely have to spend plenty of your precious time and treasure to keep the computer up-to-date and compatible with the latest game releases.

That's because the typical PC includes so many complex subsystems that have to work together, and there are hundreds or even thousands of products available for each one. When you consider that there are multiple operating systems out there (Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, Apple OS, Umbutu, etc.), and so many different manufacturers of computers and audio/video hardware, it's amazing that all of this stuff can peacefully co-exist in the same box! The current PC population includes a virtually infinite number of hardware and software combinations. Introducing a bunch of demanding, resource-hungry game software exponentially increases the potential for compatibility problems and frustration. Even if your favorite game works perfectly today, purchasing the newest version tomorrow can initiate a domino effect of updates, patches, driver conflicts, and even force you into buying newer, compatible hardware.

What's the Answer?

By now, you're probably getting the idea that we are down on gaming. Not at all. We simply think there is a better alternative to satisfy your "entertainment Jones." Our advice: ditch the computer as a gaming platform, and go with a console like an XBox 360, Playstation 3, or Wii.

These consoles are specialized, computers, designed from the ground up to support games. Due to "locked-in," proprietary design parameters, consoles provide a much more predictable, controlled, hardware environment for game developers.

While consoles are certainly not immune to technology changes, they are infinitely more stable because they don’t have to maintain compatibility with an ever-growing list of 3rd party hardware devices.

Furthermore, today’s game consoles integrate directly into the home entertainment system, which normally includes a big screen, high-definition TV, powerful audio amplifier, and large, full-range speakers. Whether you are playing Madden NFL 12, or Modern Warfare 3, moving games from the computer desktop to the family room game console will result in a richer, more realistic entertainment experience.

Current-generation consoles have built-in wired and wi-fi support, allowing game geeks to network with each other via the Internet, and leverage the multi-player capability of many popular games.

Choosing the Best Gaming Console

Which console is best? That largely depends upon the games you want to play. Most game titles are available for all of the popular consoles. However, there are a few that are exclusive to a particular platform. For example, Mario-series games are only available for the Nintendo Wii. Some gamers favor the Playstation 3 because it's the only one that comes with a Blu-ray optical drive. Others gravitate to the Microsoft's XBox 360, due to the fact that is offers compatibility with the most game titles.

Do your research and choose the one that best fits your needs.

Back to Top

Using "Backup and Restore" with Windows 7

One topic never gets old for this newsletter: data backup. We are frequently asked: “What’s the best way to backup my computer?” With so many options and products out there to choose from, the answer is whatever method you find to be the easiest, and most convenient. The only bad way to backup a computer is not doing it at all!

For those of you who lean toward the KIS (keep it simple) method of computing, the free “Backup and Restore” utility that’s bundled with Windows 7 is an excellent choice. The price is right, there’s no installation required because the utility is part of the Windows operating system, and it’s darned easy to use.

Here’s a quick “how to” guide for using this powerful, free utility:

1. Connect a USB, external hard drive with sufficient free capacity to your computer.
   
   Note: If you need to buy an external hard drive, you can find one that is reasonably priced. We have recently seen 1TB (1000 GB) models as low as $99. The capacity you will need directly depends upon the size of your computer’s internal hard drive. If you want to backup multiple computers on the same external drive, you’ll need to consider the total capacity for both computers. Of course, it never hurts to have extra space to grow!
   
   
2. From the Windows 7 Start menu, click Control Panel.
   
   
3. From the Control Panel page, open Backup and Restore.
   
   
4. Click Setup Backup.
   
5. Select the drive location that corresponds to the external hard drive you connected in step 1, then click Next.
   
   
6. Next, you will choose the files you wish to backup. There are two ways to choose your files:
   
   Let Windows Choose: Backs up all common data locations. In addition, Windows will automatically create a “system image,” a complete snapshot of the hard drive that includes your files, the Windows operating system and all of your programs. This is the safest option if you are not sure where your data resides on the hard drive. The system image makes it easy to restore the entire hard drive, in one fell swoop, if you experience a catastrophic failure. Be advised, however, that this option will require the most space on your external drive.
   
   Why should you back up individual files and folders if you are also creating a system image? Technically, this is a bit redundant. However, if you only have a system image backup, and you accidentally delete a folder of digital photos, the only way to recover the photos is to restore the entire hard drive. The file and folder backup gives you the option of selectively restore data.
   
   Let Me Choose: Allows you to browse the hard drive and choose the files and folders you wish to backup. This is handy if you don’t have much data on your computer and are concerned only about specific files and folders. If desired, you can optionally include a system image as well.
   
   When you've finished choosing your files, click Next to proceed.
   
   
7. Click Change Schedule to configure the details for an ongoing, automated, and unattended backup. We recommend you choose a day and time when you are not likely to be using the computer. (While you’re sleeping for example). Of course, the computer does have to be powered ON at the scheduled time in order to allow the backup job to run. Click OK when you’ve set the schedule.
   
   
8. Click Backup Now to begin the first backup. You can click View Details to closely monitor the progress. The backup time depends on the amount of data you’ve selected. It can take up to several hours. Be patient while the process completes.
   
   
9. If you are including a system image in your backup job, you must create a “System Repair Disk” as well. This is a bootable CD or DVD that will start your computer if your hard drive crashes. You only have to create this disk once. It will work on any Windows 7 computer that’s configured with the same operating system. To create the disk, click Create a System Repair Disk from the left margin of the Backup and Restore "home" window. Store the disk in a safe location.
   

Next month, we will take a look at the steps necessary to restore from a Windows 7 backup.

Back to Top

Hands On Review: Amazon's Kindle Fire Tablet

Amazon started shipping its new Kindle Fire tablet a few weeks ago. The product is being touted as the first viable contender to the Apple iPad. That’s because Amazon has the only content “ecosystem” that rivals that of Apple.

It's important to note that the Kindle Fire is not just a color version of the Kindle eReader. It’s designed to be a full-function tablet that can store and stream music, video and digital photos as well.

Does the Kindle Fire live up to the hype? We defer to Walt Mossberg, writer for the Wall Street Journal, and one of our favorite technology gurus in the popular media.

As many experts predicted, Mossberg finds that the Kindle Fire is “a good – but not great – product.” Despite its flaws, the product provides a lot of bang for the buck.

Here is a quick summary of the pros and cons, as outlined in Mossberg’s review:

Pros

• Offers similar capabilities to the iPad for less than half the cost
• Powered by Google's popular Android operating system
• Plugged into Amazon’s vast library of content, including books, periodicals, music, video and apps
• Compatible with 8500 apps, a number that is sure to grow over time
• Easy to buy, stream and access Amazon content
• Excellent eReader functionality
• Provides a decent Web browser, and basic email program.

Cons

• Touch-screen interface is not as polished as the iPad’s iOS operating system
• Display offers less than half the surface area of the iPad's screen
• Vivid and sharp display, but not high-definition
• No camera and microphone
• Lacks the style and functionality of the iPad – for example, there is no volume or home button
• Battery life is less than 60% of iPad.

Walt's Bottom Line

Mossberg feels the Kindle Fire will appeal to tablet buyers on a budget, especially those who have a "principle interest in content consumption." While Amazon's tablet lacks the style and polish of the iPad, its low price tag will probably convince many consumers to overlook these differences.

You can read the full text of Walt Mossberg’s review here: http://online.wsj.com/article/personal_technology.html

Back to Top

Frequently Asked Question

I lost my program installation CDs. Can I copy programs from an old computer to a new one?

In most cases, the answer is no. Programs have to be installed, and "registered" with the Windows operating system. Also, programs usually have to be activated with a unique “product key” (serial number), within a certain period of time following installation.

These steps are required because all computers have unique characteristics, and the software applications must be aware of them. In addition, software companies that allow users to simply copy their programs from one computer to another would invite piracy and other copyright violations.

If you lose the original installation disks, you may be able to obtain a new set by proving ownership. Normally, this means calling the software publisher and providing them your product key or serial number.

If you purchase software via the Internet, it is VERY important to keep the confirmation page (usually sent via email) because it often includes your product key. In most cases, you can easily re-download software, but you need the product key in order to activate the license.

The exception to the re-installation requirement is if you plan to restore your computer from a valid "system image." As explained above (in our story about the Windows 7 "Backup and Restore" utility), a system image uses special technology to take a "snapshot" of your hard drive. Think of the image as an exact copy of your computer's hard drive. It includes your data, all installed programs, and even the Windows operating system.

Creating system images requires special software. Though it can be done, restoring an image from one computer to another can be challenging because different computers have different hardware configurations (motherboards, video adapters, sound cards, etc.). We normally recommend that a system image only be used to restore the computer from which it was originally taken.

Back to Top

New to our Newsletter?

Click here to read previous editions!