http://apcmag.com/ APC Magazine covers the latest in computing with a critical, independent eye to help you make the most of your tech dollar. http://apcmag.com//mcafee-is-calm-collected-and-doomed.htm http://apcmag.com//mcafee-is-calm-collected-and-doomed.htm

The dulcet tones of McAfee's spinmeister drift down the phone line into my ear, lulling me into believing they'll never root my computer, ever again. Wait, WHAT?!]]> Thu, 29 Apr 2010 11:32:26 +1000 http://apcmag.com//bigpond-software-cripples-home-pcs.htm http://apcmag.com//bigpond-software-cripples-home-pcs.htm

Something went wrong -- very wrong -- with BigPond's software on Friday, preventing PCs from booting.]]> Sun, 07 Mar 2010 20:07:16 +1000 http://apcmag.com//windows-7-hit-by-black-screen-of-death.htm http://apcmag.com//windows-7-hit-by-black-screen-of-death.htm

The last set of Windows patch updates seem to be causing trouble for some users, possibly "millions" according to one company.]]> Wed, 02 Dec 2009 08:46:00 +1000 http://apcmag.com//sony-vaio-notebooks-suffer-from-faulty-nvidia-gpus.htm http://apcmag.com//sony-vaio-notebooks-suffer-from-faulty-nvidia-gpus.htm

Sony adds its name to the list of notebook makers affected by faulty GPUs.]]> Tue, 18 Aug 2009 14:48:00 +1000 http://apcmag.com//436-million-paid-by-nvidia-for-the-replacement-of-faulty-graphics-chips.htm http://apcmag.com//436-million-paid-by-nvidia-for-the-replacement-of-faulty-graphics-chips.htm

Does your laptop display broken-up graphics, or a blank screen? You might have a faulty graphics chip on board -- a problem that has already cost NVIDIA dearly to fix.]]> Tue, 17 Mar 2009 10:45:00 +1000 http://apcmag.com//Blackout_cripples_iiNet_Internode_Netspace_TPG.htm http://apcmag.com//Blackout_cripples_iiNet_Internode_Netspace_TPG.htm

Hundreds of thousands of people have been without internet and phone calls due to a power outage in a major Melbourne data centre.]]> Sun, 01 Feb 2009 18:23:07 +1000 http://apcmag.com//windows_7_a_dud_for_sightimpaired_people.htm http://apcmag.com//windows_7_a_dud_for_sightimpaired_people.htm

According to an analyst, Microsoft has done a slipshod job of making Windows 7 usable for vision impaired people.]]> Tue, 20 Jan 2009 11:19:34 +1000 http://apcmag.com//telstra_next_g_network_hit_by_software_glitch.htm http://apcmag.com//telstra_next_g_network_hit_by_software_glitch.htm

Telstra execs may have been rubbing their hands in glee at Optus' 3G misfortunes, but now its own Next G network has been hit by a software glitch.]]> Mon, 08 Dec 2008 20:21:01 +1000 http://apcmag.com//tourists_shot_after_following_gps_directions.htm http://apcmag.com//tourists_shot_after_following_gps_directions.htm

Three tourists have been shot at, after their GPS navigator guided them into a notorious slum ruled by drug traffickers.]]> Wed, 26 Nov 2008 11:25:47 +1000 http://apcmag.com//oops_avg_accidentally_kills_windows.htm http://apcmag.com//oops_avg_accidentally_kills_windows.htm

Update to popular AV tool kills critical Windows file; AVG scrambles for a variety of fixes.]]> Wed, 12 Nov 2008 11:48:49 +1000 http://apcmag.com//usb_in_windows_7_more_reliable_but_no_30_speed_boost.htm http://apcmag.com//usb_in_windows_7_more_reliable_but_no_30_speed_boost.htm

Microsoft will combat driver installation woes in Windows with a much tougher approval regime -- and it's looking increasingly likely USB 3.0 won't be supported in Windows 7.]]> Tue, 11 Nov 2008 16:37:33 +1000 http://apcmag.com//can_windows_7_overcome_vista_driver_woes.htm http://apcmag.com//can_windows_7_overcome_vista_driver_woes.htm

Microsoft has revealed some staggering figures showing how often driver installations fail in Vista. Ouch.]]> Mon, 10 Nov 2008 14:03:18 +1000 http://apcmag.com//virgin_broadband_pulled_from_retail_sale.htm http://apcmag.com//virgin_broadband_pulled_from_retail_sale.htm

Virgin Mobile has pulled its wireless broadband service — provided via the Optus 3G mobile network — from general retailers like Dick Smith. ]]> Fri, 07 Nov 2008 21:10:45 +1000 http://apcmag.com//why_i_switched_to_telstra.htm http://apcmag.com//why_i_switched_to_telstra.htm

OPINION | I think Optus' 3G network is just screwed, to be honest.]]> Mon, 03 Nov 2008 10:44:03 +1000 http://apcmag.com//apple_acknowledges_macbook_pro_graphics_glitch_offers_fix.htm http://apcmag.com//apple_acknowledges_macbook_pro_graphics_glitch_offers_fix.htm

It took them 16 months to admit it, but Apple has finally announced free hardware fixes for all MacBook Pro users that suffer the graphics glitches.]]> Mon, 13 Oct 2008 17:00:00 +1000 http://apcmag.com//optus_dumps_wireless_fusion_bundles.htm http://apcmag.com//optus_dumps_wireless_fusion_bundles.htm

As criticism of its 3G service mounts, Optus has quietly ditched the 3G wireless version of its Fusion broadband and telephony plans.]]> Wed, 17 Sep 2008 14:25:40 +1000 http://apcmag.com//congrats_optus_youre_the_worlds_worst_for_3g.htm http://apcmag.com//congrats_optus_youre_the_worlds_worst_for_3g.htm

A global survey has concluded that Optus offers the slowest network speeds of any carrier selling the iPhone worldwide and that Aussies get the slowest 3G speeds in general.]]> Tue, 16 Sep 2008 09:01:36 +1000 http://apcmag.com//iphone_21_software_hits_is_it_finally_out_of_beta.htm http://apcmag.com//iphone_21_software_hits_is_it_finally_out_of_beta.htm

After the recent announcement and release of the new iPod Touch with 2.1 software, iPhone users around the world can finally rejoice with global roll-out of iPhone 2.1.]]> Mon, 15 Sep 2008 08:00:00 +1000 http://apcmag.com//nvidia_sued_chips_and_tempers_run_hot.htm http://apcmag.com//nvidia_sued_chips_and_tempers_run_hot.htm

NVIDIA is being sued in a class action for allegedly concealing knowledge of a defective manufacturing process which resulted in overheating and widespread chip failures.]]> Thu, 11 Sep 2008 19:00:17 +1000 http://apcmag.com//iprimus_announces_12gb_mobile_broadband_over_optus.htm http://apcmag.com//iprimus_announces_12gb_mobile_broadband_over_optus.htm

OPINION | iPrimus has announced a mobile broadband package with enough data to displace ADSL broadband services. But will the service quality be adequate? Probably not.]]> Thu, 28 Aug 2008 09:37:26 +1000 http://apcmag.com//iphone_3g_problems_just_wont_die.htm http://apcmag.com//iphone_3g_problems_just_wont_die.htm

Think your iPhone usage at home on WiFi is free? Think again...]]> Wed, 27 Aug 2008 12:00:00 +1000 http://apcmag.com//apple_on_back_foot_again_with_exploding_ipods.htm http://apcmag.com//apple_on_back_foot_again_with_exploding_ipods.htm

Uh oh. Apple has confessed some iPods are susceptible to exploding into flames.]]> Wed, 20 Aug 2008 10:37:50 +1000 http://apcmag.com//another_unlimited_callsinternet_deal_but_can_optus_cope.htm http://apcmag.com//another_unlimited_callsinternet_deal_but_can_optus_cope.htm

Continuous problems with Optus' 3G mobile network, from call dropouts to disastrous wireless broadband speeds have customers seeing red.]]> Mon, 18 Aug 2008 22:00:00 +1000 http://apcmag.com//comms_regulator_cracks_down_on_dodo.htm http://apcmag.com//comms_regulator_cracks_down_on_dodo.htm

Cut-price ISP Dodo, the subject of ongoing controversy over customer service and billing issues, has been directed to clean up its act by the Australian Communications and Media Authority.]]> Thu, 14 Feb 2008 05:59:45 +1000 http://apcmag.com//dodo_internet_in_complaint_crisis.htm http://apcmag.com//dodo_internet_in_complaint_crisis.htm

Cut-price ISP Dodo is facing a tsunami of customer rage, topping the complaint list at the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman.]]> Wed, 07 Nov 2007 05:32:27 +1000 http://apcmag.com//beware_of_dodos_free_broadband.htm http://apcmag.com//beware_of_dodos_free_broadband.htm

Cut-price ISP Dodo had some exciting news yesterday: free ADSL2+ broadband! Being jaded sceptics though, we had to ask: what's the catch?]]> Fri, 22 Jun 2007 02:36:58 +1000