Stories about: Xtra

When IBM released its first personal computer, the 5150, 30 years ago, it was deliberately drab--black, gray, and low-key. That's because IBM intended the 5150 to be a serious machine for people doing serious work.

Nero recently refreshed its Multimedia Suite 10, which it had extensively revised only last spring. The Multimedia Suite 10 Platinum HD adds Blu-ray movie creation and playback to a broad feature set that already comprised audio and video editing and conversion, data disc creation, DVD authoring, and more. The new $109 Video Premiumits HD is a subset consisting of the video-oriented components, plus support for creating and playing back Blu-ray movies.

Director has been notable by its absence in the successive Master Collections, so it's refreshing to see this old stalwart of the multimedia-authoring brigade decked out in Adobe's new livery.

As far back as 2003, Microsoft considered introducing its own rival to the iPod or seeking a partnership with Apple, according to evidence introduced Friday at a Microsoft antitrust trial in Iowa.

Here's PC World's official (and entirely idiosyncratic) list of the top tech gadgets of the last half century.

If we mentioned an MP3 player offering gigabytes of storage, all wrapped up in a small white case with matching white headphones and white cabling, you’d think we were talking about Apple’s iPod. You’d be wrong. Creative’s styling is reminiscent of Apple’s design and you could think the Zen Xtra is just a cheap imitation — and you’d be wrong again.

In the June 2004 issue of PC World, available now: All hooked up -- Options for wireless and wired networks for the home and SOHO; Movie masterclass -- Tips to achieve professional-looking video; The Pros and cons of USB and FireWire; Game (not) over -- Build your own classic gaming system; Tax-time -- Advice on tax returns and IT purchases; Web and you -- Cheap hits: local music download sites reviewed; LinuxWorld -- GIMP overhaul. In the Test Centre -- Wireless networking equipment. PLUS, Best Buys reviews of PCs and Notebooks, Tech.Files and Sweet Spot.
PLUS, on the cover CDs:
FREE full game -- Steel Panthers, World at War 8; FREE CD/DVD burner software -- Burn4Free; FREE utility -- IsoBuster 1.5. PLUS, Browsers, Essentials, Game demos, Patches and updates, HelpScreen and Here’s How, Features, and Linux software.

Subscribe to PC World & win a TDK Multimedia Pack worth $604!

Creative looks to be taking Apple’s new MP3 player line-up head on with two of its own similar and attention-grabbing products.

Forget number eight fencing wire - the premiere of the final part of Lord of the Rings made it to air thanks mostly to CAT5 cabling.

Microsoft’s “shared source” scheme, a response to the growing popularity of open source software, is a “Faustian bargain”, says lawyer Craig Horrocks.