Print - WinInfo Short Takes: Week of January 1

An often irreverent look at some of the week's other news, including the Microsoft blogger bribe, Vista security concerns, Microsoft and Ford cars, Microsoft's RSS moves, Apple's option grant scandal, the next version of the Xbox 360, and so much more...

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This week was a text book example of a slow news week, but then the week between Christmas and New Years often is. I always have a tough time coming back from a few days off, but I did post a number of new sections to my Windows Vista review which, yes, I'll actually finish soon. By January 1, if I can swing it.

One evolving story I've been watching with some humor this week is the Microsoft laptop giveaway scandal, which I discuss below if you're not familiar with the sordid tale. My take on this is simple: If you're not actually reviewing hardware products on an ongoing basis, this is a bribe, and one Microsoft should never have made. That said, were I in the same position as the people who did accept the free machines, I'd keep it. How crazy would you have to be to turn down such a gift? Most of these guys could never afford a $2200 laptop.

But here's the thing: Why did Microsoft give away previous generation hardware? They should have waited until some cool Vista-specific hardware was available and offered machines with SideShow support, Tablet PC capabilities, and a convertible touch screen. You know, something that would have really shown off Vista. Anyone can stick Vista on a 2006-era laptop. Geesh.

As for all those holier-than-thou bloggers raking people through the mud for morality reasons, maybe it's time to look in the mirror and admit you're just upset that Microsoft didn't offer you such a gift. If there's one thing all these guys have in common, it's that none of them actually had the opportunity to turn down the free laptop. I'm guessing few would have, though it's easy now to pretend that's not the case.

Oh, and could it possibly be 2007 already? Yikes.

Short Takes

The Microsoft Laptop Giveaway Scandal
Microsoft this week began shipping free high-end laptops to so-called high visibility bloggers, touching off a scandal in which the company and its cronies are being accused of .... well, being buddies, I guess. For the record, I turned down a similar laptop offer when it was made back in October, but not because I'm above receiving free hardware for review. No, I turned down a free Microsoft laptop because I don't need yet another laptop in my increasingly crowded office. (This offer was likely not made through the same program that gave away laptops to bloggers, but I can't be certain.) What I do need is an HDCP-compatible Media Center PC and, yes, I do expect Microsoft to show up with one eventually. However, I don't treat hardware like that as a gift. Depending on the size and cost of the device, I'll typically review it and then send it back when it's requested. This happened recently with the Zune: Microsoft had originally sent the device for just two weeks, and actually did ask for it back (which, frankly, is unusual for such an inexpensive product). So I requested more time because I wanted to test upcoming updates to the system, such as Vista compatibility and the upcoming podcast update. But the point here is simple: If they want it back, it's theirs, and they can have it. As for the bloggers who got those laptops, who wouldn't accept such a gift? Sure, their souls will be forever scarred for being in league with the IT world's version of the Devil, but let's face it, these guys were all in bed with Microsoft to begin with. If the company wanted to really make a difference, it should have loaned Vista systems to Linux and Mac guys, along with a request for an honest review. The results would have been both more interesting and far more relevant.

Vista: Secure, Yes. Perfect, Not Quite
Faced with the shocking news that Windows Vista might actually be susceptible to electronic attack, Microsoft this week went on the defensive with an argument that should be pretty obvious, mostly because it's true and because the company has been very clear about this fact for some time: Vista is more secure than Windows XP, yes, but it's not perfect. "The finding of vulnerabilities in any software is to be expected," Stephen Toulouse, a Microsoft senior product manager in the security response center wrote in his blog this week. "This is all part of the process of creating complex software today, and no one is immune to it. It's not, as they say, big news to us in the security industry." Nor should it be. But people seem to get all twisted up whenever Vista comes up in a security context, but my take on this is that Vista is definitely more secure than previous Windows versions. Whether that matters in the long term remains to be seen, but I've got a good feeling about this one.

Microsoft, Ford Working to Put Bluetooth in Cars
Ford Motor Company is working with Microsoft to make hands-free Bluetooth wireless systems an option in all of its vehicles over time. The system, which was co-developed by Microsoft and dubbed Sync, will provide hands-free cell phone communication, as expected, but also other services, such as in-car communication between devices and even email and music downloads. The Sync system will debut in two Ford models, the Five Hundred and Focus, in the coming year, and then move to other Ford vehicles. Microsoft fans will note that it's based on the company's Windows Automotive software, which hasn't exactly had a major hit despite years on the market. I'm sure latching onto Ford at this moment in its illustrious career is a fine move.

Microsoft Denies RSS Moves
A recently revealed Microsoft patent application has the blogging community up in arms over fears that the software giant is attempting to control the RSS (real simple syndication) technologies that power blogs and podcasts. More problematic for these hot-head bloggers is that they believe Microsoft is also trying to take credit for creating RSS. Not so, says Microsoft. "These patents describe specific ways to improve the RSS end-user and developer experience (which we believe are valuable and innovative contributions)," Microsoft RSS program manager Sean Lyndersay wrote in his blog this week. "They do not constitute a claim that Microsoft invented RSS." As for commandeering RSS, I'm pretty sure that's exactly the plan. I mean, this is Microsoft.

Apple Comes Clean on Options Grants
Apple announced today that it will restate financial data going back four years and take an $84 million charge as the result of an internal audit that found the company had misdated thousands of stock option grants to executives. However, Apple did exonerate CEO Steve Jobs, who let's face it IS Apple Computer. (Why they don't just call it Steve Jobs Corp is beyond me.) In its filing with the Securities and Exchanges Commission (SEC), Apple said that though Jobs was aware of the illegal grants, he didn't profit from them and there was no misconduct by current management. "The board of directors is confident that the Company has corrected the problems that led to the restatement, and it has complete confidence in Steve Jobs and the senior management team," Apple's press release reads. So is this story over? No, probably not. But it seems that Apple has taken the steps needed to protect Jobs, which is wise, since his ouster would likely lead to a complete collapse at the iPod maker.

Xbox 360 Mach 2 Delayed
If you've been waiting for that smaller and quieter new version of the Xbox 360, I've got bad news: The wait just got longer. Chartered Semiconductor, which manufactures about half of the Xbox 360 CPUs for Microsoft, has delayed a smaller, more efficient version of the chip by several months according to a report in TechWhack. The upcoming chip will be made with a 60nm manufacturing process, much smaller than the 90nm version in the current console: The result would be a quieter and more efficient Xbox 360, since the new chip will require far less cooling. For potential customers waiting for an Xbox 360 that will actually work in a home theater setting, this delay might mean that the new version of the console won't be ready in time for Christmas 2007.

Amazon Posts Best Sellers List
Amazon.com this week announced which products sold best from its online store. Among the best sellers are Apple's iPods (all models combined, in consumer electronics), the Nintendo DS Lite (computers and video games), "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" (DVDs), and "World of Warcraft" (software). Meanwhile, the 30 GB version of the Apple iPod was both the most popular electronics gift and the most wished-for electronics product. Curiously, the iPod wasn't the most-loved (i.e. best-reviewed) electronics item, however. That accolade was bestowed on a Sony digital camera.

Amsterdam Latest European City to Threaten Microsoft with Open Source
And finally, a little fun from one of my favorite cities in Europe: This week, Amsterdam said it would begin in 2007 a two-year test of open source software on PC desktops, giving Microsoft those two years to convince the city to stick with its proprietary alternatives. However, Amsterdam doesn't intend to completely eradicate Microsoft software from its PCs. The city is apparently interested in seeing if it can moderate its Microsoft diet by selectively using open source solutions where they make sense. That Amsterdam would make such a common sense decision shouldn't surprise anyone. I'm interested to see how this one plays out.

I really don't get the controversy over this laptop giveaway. I think it is very clear, in that MS has done nothing wrong, and actually suggests as one of the options to give it away to charity (or hold an auction for charity). Does that seem like much of a scandal? As Paul mentions, one of the real reasons that people are up in arms is that they didn't get offered a similar deal. I can imagine that if I was a blogger that covered MS that I also would have liked to receive the laptop, since it seems pretty nice. However, the scandal, if there is any, has nothing to do with MS. The bloggers that don't disclose that they got this review unit would be encouraged to do so. At the end of the day, how is what MS doing different than what any other manufacturer does? When a magazine does a car review (unless it is Consumer Reports), does anyone assume that the magazine purchased the car themselves? I'm sure Sony gives out electronics to reviewers like a drunken sorority girl gives out phone numbers. How about the celebrity goodie bags at awards shows? This really is such a non-issue. And this site is so SLOOOOOOOOW today. Refreshes: 4 (one because of a pure failure, 3 for the CAPTCHA)

"I'm sure latching onto Ford at this moment in its illustrious career is a fine move." Well, something's better than nothing. And, hey, if it works, who knows? @ Acer Ferrari Giveaway: "If the company wanted to really make a difference, it should have loaned Vista systems to Linux and Mac guys, along with a request for an honest review. The results would have been both more interesting and far more relevant." They actually sent systems to a few bloggers who use and advocate the use of Macs. One of them says his wife refused to touch it because it was a PC and he himself doesn't want to use it. Nice. I'm sure we'll get an honest review from these people.

"However, the scandal, if there is any, has nothing to do with MS." It does, actually. There wouldn't have been a scandal if MS wasn't involved. People love to hate MS. Just ask bonch.

bmn, I agree with you on the "scandal". Too many people and journalists will find anything they latch onto to add fuel to the "I hate MS" fire; much in the same way that they do to the "I love Apple and Steve Jobs(see Paul's story on the Apple Option Grants)" fire. Add to those numbers, the jealousy of the bloggers that didn't even get offered a laptop and you've got a "scandal". "And this site is so SLOOOOOOOOW today." The bonches will be quick to tell us that its because its run on a Windows/Cold Fusion platform...they always do. Happy New Year, everybody!!! --tayme

Paul: What happened to the iPod article that appeared on WinInfo? The title was: "ipod hottest holiday gift of 2006?" Also, I think you forgot the biggest piece of information from Amazon: Apple topped the bestseller list in mp3 players, laptops, AND desktops. And granted, topping Amazon's list doesn't translate to millions of people switching, but it IS a start and it IS proof that average people are buying Macs. And I think it's a whole lot more newsworthy than the iPod. After all, was there actually anyone alive who thought something would beat the iPod in holiday sales? As for the Acer Laptops: I don't think it's a scandal at all. I think MS is perfectly fine to send laptops to whoever they want. I just think it's funny that they sent them to all the bloggers who met with Gates about DRM and who all had Macs. It's like they're saying, "Wait! Don't leave! Check out OUR version of OS X!" And, in light of the Amazon bestseller lists, Microsoft is right to be concerned.

Also, StickNick: Paul deleted the other article where you said you got an iPod for Christmas and couldn't believe how fantastic it is. I just wanted to know if that's your first experience with an Apple product. Welcome to the club. The koolaide is over by the door. :)

"I just think it's funny that they sent them to all the bloggers who met with Gates about DRM and who all had Macs." OK. I posted this comment yesterday but it somehow got lost with the iPod article. Anyway, here's the thing - not everyone who met with Gates got the laptop and some laptops were also given to bloggers who are know to be fans of Microsoft (e.g., Robert McLaws of windows-now.com). For a truly honest and impartial review, one or all of the bonch identities should have received them. We all know how impartial they are when it comes to Microsoft and Apple.

"...bloggers who are know to be fans of Microsoft (e.g., Robert McLaws of windows-now.com). Correction: "... known to be fans of Microsoft..."

This is all still such a non-issue (although bloggers would have you believe that this is a Bloggergate if you will). No reviewer gives a truly impartial review. Everyone has at least some preconceived notions about the product, and it will show. That is why when looking for reviews of a meaningful product (i.e. a product that costs a decent amount of coin), I don't trust just one. I like to get as many as possible for the product and make my decisions. This plays out on sites like pricegrabber.com, which links professional and submitted reviews. For movies and games, I go to metacritic.com.

"Also, StickNick: Paul deleted the other article where you said you got an iPod for Christmas and couldn't believe how fantastic it is. I just wanted to know if that's your first experience with an Apple product. Welcome to the club. The koolaide is over by the door. :)" It's not my first experience with an Apple product. I have a Mac sitting on my desk at work because I have to test our app on it for the ONE customer we have who uses Mac. I will say that I like Safari over Firefox (but not as much as IE7) and that the GUI is nice, if rather inconsistant. Past that, it's a computer. Yes, the 30 gig, G5 iPod is fantastic. Compared to the past iPods I've tried (my wife has a mini and a couple of my friends have the 20gig G3 iPods), it's awesome. I also said that I would have tried a Zune but MS opted not to ship them out of the States. If the Zune ever does reach Canadian shores, then MS is SOL when it comes to getting my dollars for an mp3 player. As I've said before I'm not completely adverse to Apple as far as their products go. I am, however, adverse to the attitude of hardcore Mac users and Apples childish marketing campaign.

"The person, or people who works on this site should be fired." I agree. And not the "lose your job" fired. The wrong-end-of-a-Glock fired. There's just no excuse for a site this poor in 2006. Edit: I just got an error message on posting. Did I say Glock? I meant fully-automatic submachine gun.

temper....geez you need help. i bet you go from IT Management to Anger Management in sixty seconds.

Anyway, back off topic - cos that's what we do here and I'm eight beers into the night... My experience with the iTude moslty comes from the web. There is one dude who frequents a local pub; he shows up with a white MacBook, piles hardcover books around him like he is building a fort and orders weird, micro-brew beer, tries to look all intellectual and bashes MS whenever any, after work IT people are around - that guy I'd like to punch in the face and one day after too many drinks, I just might... .. where was I? Oh yah: I know a handful of Mac users and none of them show any sign of the iTude. In fact one of them is the graphic designer for my wifes company and I've had a good conversation with him about Macs and PC's. In fact he has a Media Center PC in his living room because "MS beat Apple to the punch". He's not all that interested in the iTV simply becuase he dropped nearly 4K on a MacBook Pro and "Why would I replace my media center PC when it works so well?" Simply put, other than that feaky hippy guy I see at the pub, none of the Mac users I know show, or spew the same hatred for Microsoft or claim that Windows users are the lowest common denominator of computer users. They use their computers and let me use my computer and everyone gets along. What gives? Why do the vandil's and Presentons and bonches of the world hold such a hatred for Microsoft and it's users? They claim they want us to switch to something better... yet they seem to come off a goose steppers. If anything, they are a detrement to the product they support.

btw: bdkjones Paul probably delted the other article becuase the Sony digital cameras we numero uno on Amazons list. Oh well. I still like my iPod.

8 beers? Wow! I'm only on my third. I don't mind the iTude in people like the bonches because it doesn't matter. iTude in journalists *******me off.

Regarding bad attitudes and Macs: In my experience, it's generally the younger crowd that gets all up in arms about bashing Microsoft. I know I've done some of that myself, but it's always either just for fun or because someone here has taken it upon themselves to bash Apple. And, at the end of the day, I agree: it's just a machine. I don't come here to convert people. I don't come here to ruin the Microsoft fan's day. I come here for fun. I get a few minutes and I come to see what's new. And, quite honestly, there's more debate about Mac/Windows on THIS site than pretty much anywhere except slashdot. Either way, it's just a time-killer for me. And I don't actually take anything here seriously, least of all myself. So StickNick, you go right on using that PC and enjoying that new iPod. But if you're gonna spill some beer on one of them, make it the PC ;)

Has anyone checked out Paul's continuing review of Vista? It is becoming quite extensive. Right now, I am rendering two videos, one in Adobe Premiere Elements 3.0 (A *major* CPU hog), and encoding a DVD in Nero 7. Items that are responsive with absolutely no slowdown: -Window manager (flip-3d, Alt-Tab, etc) -audio/video (absolutely 0 distortion or stuttering -browsing the Internet -non-CPU intensive apps -task manager Items with noticeable slowdowns: -Anything requiring CPU calculations, WMP visualizations for example -Opening new apps or opening new tabs in IE7 With Windows XP: Items that are responsive: -Nothing Items with noticeable slowdowns: -Anything and everything (Not kidding! I probably could not render 2 videos at the same time on it!)

------------Majorly off-topic-------------- Waethorn, do you have any experience with mobos with bad flash update programs? My mom's computer's celeron CPU was going bad, so my dad an I built her an inexpensive computer using a motherboard built by ECS (not the best, I know.) I went to the manufacturer's website to check to see if there was any updates for the BIOS, and there was one that fixed several major issues. I downloaded the correct BIOS rom, triple-checking, and....... the update failed. I was then forced to reboot to..............nothing. To make the long story short, I could find no one near us to reflash the BIOS, so I had to order a new BIOS chip from www.badflash.com. Note to self: Never buy an ECS board in the future.

They are making a new x360? Aww. Now mine will be 'the old one' :/ heh. They really do need to make a smaller one though, the form factor doesn't justify the power, when compared to the PS3. Add to that the wicked noise of the xbox, and its due for an upgrade. Overall I believe the xbox still offers the best balance of fun and performance and versatility out of all the 3 consoles, but I must say the PS3 looks the most impressive, and the wii is the cutest little box there ever was hehe.

nate: yes i have. i used to work for a computer store before i broke away and started my own and i used to deal with several of them. jetway, ecs, pc chips - GARBAGE! these companies are STILL using the crap caps from a few years ago that were causing "capacitorgate". they are the cheapest pieces of SH!T on the planet. i've seen too many of these boards just outright die within warranty periods that i couldn't count them with fingers on both hands and toes on both feet! all three have **** poor support with badly translated webpages. my suggestion is to go with a quality brand. asus are often overpriced, and their middle and low-end boards are not very reliable from my experience. msi have been pretty bad thru the whole gamut. giga-byte boards leave a bad taste in my mouth becuz eMachines uses them and i have seen very few eMachines last more than 2 years. Foxconn motherboards are pretty stable in the no-frills mid-range, but are difficult to find. my motherboard of choice - Intel. they are rock solid. NONE of the systems i've personally built in the last 2 years has come back with a faulty board. NONE! their support is great, and warranty exchange is fast and easy. retail warranties are 3 years. their website is easy to find drivers on and they don't often play vendor mix-and-match with their on-board LAN and audio chips. any current model will have Intel PRO LAN and HD audio usually with a Sigmatel codec. most of them are not designed for overclocking, but there are a couple. they are also VERY easy to differentiate between product lines because each product series is designed for a particular use and dictates options such as RAID, vPro, VIIV, and 7.1+SPDIF (all support at least 5.1 audio). in each series there are the common formfactors - ATX, microATX, and microBTX. currently the best model for ATX in the mainstream (not Extreme series) is the DG965WH as it supports "everything" (except vPro) and includes onboard video. $165CDN!

@Waethorn Thanks for the info. I prefer Intel motherboards as well. " all three have **** poor support with badly translated webpages" I can agree with that! The ECS webpage looked like it was translated with Babelfish. Here is an actual excerpt: "Question Wht the K8T800-A install 2pcs of 512MB/DDR400 double side memory that memory clock is show 166 not 200. Answer This is CPU feature, please see the guide P173 & P174 to check it. " Back on topic... If the new Xbox is (1) quieter and cooler, and (2) is cheaper, I will definately consider purchasing one. Not to mention that it is an excellent media extender.

@Waethorn I thought Intel motherboards were expensive..guess I was wrong, ASUS charges way too much ($150) for a midrange P5LD2 board. By the way, is it "ay-sus", "as-sus", or "a-suse"?

i was always told by computer "professionals" in-the-know that it was "a-zeus", but they [ASUS] used to put Pegasus on their case stickers, so i always pronounced it thusly - "a-sis" (with a bit of an accent making soft u sound like soft i). btw: the reason i mentioned that particular board is because it features VIIV technology. if you haven't seen VIIV technology in play with Media Center, take a look. start-up and resume times are drastically reduced using their special Media Center drivers for home entertainment PC's, but are not available with standard Windows XP Home or Pro. i haven't checked for Windows Vista support yet, but i'm assuming it will be there. otherwise start-up and resume are equivalent to a regular Intel board, which is still quicker than many others. plus VIIV makes setting up a Media Center with a UPnP network VERY VERY easy, especially when it includes a Media Center Extender.

Intel charges a fair amount for their high-end boards and overclockers might want to look elsewhere for better overclocking, but then i never recommend overclocking because it voids your warranty, which i'm always a stickler for. if you want to pay top-dollar to get a high-end CPU like a Core 2 Duo E6700 or one of the Extremes such as the X6800 or QX6700 and run them at stock speeds because voiding warranty on an expensive investment puts a bad taste in your mouth, then you can't go wrong with one of Intel's high-end boards. i have yet to see an Intel CPU just burn out on it's own, without being caused by overheating due to overclocking. Intel CPU's have had thermal throttling since the original Pentium 4 days. AMD however have not, and i've seen several Athlon XP's just "go" on their own on nearly brand-new motherboards. you can often tell by discolouration of the silicon cap or heat spreader. i have seen a few s754-64's go also when the motherboard was fine. that's why my stock systems are build on Intel CPU's and motherboards. "If the new XBOX is cheaper..." i don't recall anybody saying that. will it be? i might have to look at getting myself one then. i should point out that the XBOX 360 is NOT VIIV-compliant, but then Vista Media Center supports it natively and setup is a breeze. for simple setups you should also look at new network gear with VIIV logos on it. VIIV also has several content partners including game service partners GameTap and DISCoverMyGames, both of which integrate nicely into Media Center's 10' UI. Media Center + VIIV is a very nice platform that rivals and in many ways supercedes that of XBOX Live + Live Marketplace, but is often overlooked by many Media Center PC purchasers. www.intelentertainment.com but of course Media Center + VIIV + XBOX360 + XBOX Live + Live Marketplace is the best gaming and entertainment platform combo on the planet. very cool stuff!

Nate2B: I've owned an ECS board in the past and never will again. Never EVER again. Waethorn: I've never had a problem with Asus motherboards at all. I'm running one right now - an older P4 board, and it just won't quit. The only time an Asus board died on me was when I was replacing a CD-ROM and managed to rip a couple of caps off the board because I didn't check the board layout before I shoved the CD in the case. In the past I have also had good luck with Abit. That board rocked and rolled until I moved from an Athlon setup to the P4 setup I have now. I gave the Abit/AMD setup to my son and it's still ticking. Next move though will be to a Core 2 of some sort. I think I may take a look at the Intel boards because of your suggestion. Still like Asus even though I don't overclock anymore :-P

stick: let me reiterate my stance on Asus high-end = good, but overpriced mid-range = meh, but overpriced low-range = ECS, but overpriced ;)

JMHO;(1) MS has given so much money, computers, systems, etc to charities, schools, 3rd world nations, you name it, that the laptop trials to bloggers represented what was coins scattered around the floor of the break room. MS is just like anyone else; they can give presents to whomever they believe will do some good of some kind. And trying to persuade new market share is just one target of any corporation. (2) Until *nix of any flavor gets as streamlined, smooth, easy to deploy and maintain, and reliable for the average user as MS is, MS will be the leader. Everyone else can just cry the blues until they have a comparable product for the average Joe. This is not a slam of *nix of any flavor; we have 4 servers with CentOS, one with Red Hat, and two with MS. We have fewer problems with the MS servers than we do with the others. One of our SysOps has a post-grad degree in computer science so it is not that we don't have the resources. Still, I do enjoy the features of the RH, and have a RH Fedora box that sees a lot of use. Still, MS has the edge in everything that boosts our time spent tending software. BTW, you usually have to pay a *nix technician more than you do a MS tech with the same level of certification, so that seems to say that there are more MS techies available than there are *nix techies. If i could turn the clock back 15 yrs and keep the knowledge I have now, I would not have become frustrated with Linux and gone to MS to quit spending exasperating hours at the keyboard instead of getting the job done. Time was money then and it still is. Most of the problems folks have had with MS is because of improperly configured boxes, lack of adequate AV and spam protections. Sure, we've had an MS crash (actually a HD crash, not the OS), but we set up RAID drives thru the MS MMC. It's a simple matter to get back up running. Of course, we do the same with *nix. JMHO, MS saves time. A lot of folks are passionate in the other direction

Waethorn: I don't find them overpriced, high or mid range. Then again, there are a couple of stores in Ottawa that offer trade-in prices, so I've never paid full pop for a motherboard anyway. I stay away from low-range mobos like the plague after ECS so I can't say ;-)

@Waethorn I have heard numerous rumors about MS dropping the Xbox 360 price, especially that now they are in the black for every console they sell. With the move to 60nm, the chips will be even cheaper, so I can't see *why* MS would not want to drop the price. I guess we will find out in '07 Regarding this motherboard issue, I can say that I will definately stay away from the low-end mobos in the future. As with everything else, you get what you pay for!

Before I'm too drunk to type (don't worry bdk, the seer will not be spilled on the iPod... or the PC for that matter), I just want to wish everyone here a Happy New Years. Cheers!

treeorc: see codejunkie agrees with my assessment that Linux IT support is more expensive (and less common) than for Microsoft systems. nate: Microsoft isn't in the black for XBOX 360. money earned on every sale of a 360 (and then some, subsidized from other sales) goes back into marketing. after marketing there is no profit, but Microsoft isn't worried about it yet - they'd rather push for customer loyalty first. to all about motherboards: all companies have a full lineup of budget to high-end motherboards, but the quality of the brand is what i look at. the ones i mentioned (Jetway, ECS, PC Chips) are very unreliable regardless of which end of the spectrum you buy from. another one i'd like to add to the list is Asrock, which is a super-budget offshoot of Asus. i don't know why Asus felt the need to branch off another low-end division when their personally-branded low-end motherboards are bad enough already. i've bought low-end Intel boards before and even they have been solid. the Essential series boards are the ones that use ATI Radeon Express or 946GZ chipsets (an offshoot of the 945 but with a 1066MHz FSB to support Core 2 Duo) and are designed for complete integration usually on yesterday's technology. the Classic series are the Intel chipset boards with modern chipsets, but lack features such as RAID, and give up 7.1+SPDIF audio in favour of the less frilly 3-port 6-channel analog audio where the Mic and Line-in become rear and center/sub channels. they are not bad boards, but my stance is always "pay a little, get a lot". the VIIV-capable Media series are far better for not that much more money so as to future-proof your investment. if you're on a tight budget and future expansion is not likely, the Classic series will do the job though. rest assured that Intel has a solid-made motherboard at any price-point.

"it should have loaned Vista systems to Linux and Mac guys, along with a request for an honest review" yeah right. people in denial can't be honest about something even if they try. They are too fanatical about their own platforms anyways,who'd take them seriously.

absolutely right double-G! that's called FUD. and the Houses of Apple and Linux are full of it.