Windows 8.1 closes in on Vista among desktop OS users

(Credit:Net Applications)

Windows 8.1 will soon outscore Vista as the fourth most common desktop OS, according to Web tracker Net Applications.

For December, Windows 8.1 sliced off a 3.6 percent share of all desktop OS traffic recorded by Net Applications. Just a breath ahead, Windows Vista snagged a 3.61 percent share. By the time February rolls around, 8.1 will surely have outpaced the 7-year-old and much maligned Vista.

Combined, Windows 8.1 and Windows 8 snagged 10.5 percent of all desktop OS traffic in December, up from 9.3 percent in November and 9.25 percent in October. A free upgrade to Windows 8 users, Windows 8.1 debuted in June as a preview edition before officially launching in October.

Windows 7 continues to gain more users, capturing a 47.5 percent share last month, up from 46.6 percent in November. And Windows XP continues to lose more of its audience, ekeing out a 29 percent share in December, down from 31.2 percent the prior month.

The distance in Web traffic between Windows 7 and XP will likely ramp up over the next few months. Microsoft has vowed to cut off support for XP starting April 8, 2014. That means no more security patches, bug fixes, or other updates. As such, businesses and organizations have been scrambling to upgrade from XP before the deadline arrives.

Topics: Windows, Consumer software and hardware, Windows 8 Tags: XP, Vista, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows 8.1

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IE 11 snares 10 percent of desktop browser traffic

(Credit:Net Applications)

Internet Explorer 11 continues to catch on with Web surfers.

The latest version of IE grabbed 10.4 percent of all desktop browser traffic recorded in December by Web tracker Net Applications. That number revealed a huge bounce from the 3.2 percent seen in November and the 1.5 percent in October.

IE 11 initially popped up as part of the Windows 8.1 preview that debuted in June. A version for Windows 7 finally appeared in early November as an "important" update, paving the way for its adoption by a much larger audience. The December stats show IE 11 in fourth place, behind IE 8 with a 20.6 percent share, Chrome 31 with 12.8 percent, and IE 10 with 11 percent.

Overall, IE remains the dominant browser with a 57.9 percent share in December, according to Net Applications. Firefox took second place with 18.3 percent, followed by Chrome with 16.2 percent.

Topics: Internet Explorer Tags: Firefox, Internet Explorer 11, browser, Microsoft, Chrome, IE 11

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2013 Mac Pro Review: Apple’s New Desktop Boasts Dramatic Redesign, Dramatic Performance

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Apple’s new Mac Pro is a sight to behold: In black aluminum with an eye-catching cylindrical design, there’s little chance you’ll ever mistake it for any other computer. The previous Mac Pro was iconic too, of course, but this one is also just slightly larger than a football and dimpled on the top with a recess like a jet engine. But the true power lies under the hood, and what’s contained therein will satisfy even the most pressing need for speed.

Video ReviewFacebookTwitterLinkedIn2013 Mac Pro ReviewBasics (as reviewed)3.7 GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon E5 processor16GB 1897 MHz DDR3 RAMDual AMD FirePro D300 graphics cards with 2GB of RAM each256GB SSD6 Thunderbolt 2.0 Ports, 4 USB 3.0802.11ac

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Chromebase: LG's all-in-one desktop that runs Chrome OS

LG's upcoming Chromebase will run Chrome OS.

(Credit:LG Electronics)

LG Electronics has officially jumped into the Chrome OS market. The electronics giant announced Tuesday that it would be unveiling its all-in-one Chromebase desktop computer during the upcoming 2014 Consumer Electronics Show.

"Simple to operate for all types of users, the award-winning LG Chromebase computer represents the successful combination of simplicity, power and great design," LG's head of IT Business Hyoung-sei Park said in a statement. "LG Chromebase is the wave of the future for desktops, expected to be widely adopted not only at home, but especially in schools, hotels, call centers and other business settings."

The Chromebase will have a full HD IPS display on its 1080p 21.5-inch screen. It will come with 2GB of memory, 16GB of storage, and an Intel Celeron processor. Also included will be a 1.3-megapixel webcam and microphone for video calling, 5-watt speakers, keyboard, and a mouse.

The fact that LG has been working on a device to run Google's Chrome OS isn't that surprising. In January 2012, the company signed a deal with Microsoft allowing it to use operating system patents for devices running Android and Chrome OS. LG has also already teamed up with Google to create the Nexus 4 and Nexus 5 smartphones.

Related storiesSprint may offer LG G Flex, according to leaked picLG's 5.5-inch Gx gets Korean launchLG TVs join the Spotify ramp-up, but only premium users can applyIs LG cooking up a 5.5-inch Gx?LG's G Pad 8.3 offers Google Play Edition with Android 4.4 "LG's Chromebase is an exciting new form factor that expands the options available to customers who want a fast, simple and secure computing experience for the home, school or office," Google's vice president of product management for Chromebooks Caesar Sengupta said. "LG Electronics makes great devices that customers love, and we're glad to welcome them to the Chrome family."

There were hints in October that LG was planning some sort of Chrome OS device. It had filed for trademarks on three names that contain the word Chrome -- ChromeOne, ChromeDesk, and ChromeStation. The three trademarks were listed in the device class as "Laptop computers; Computers; Convertible computers; Tablet computers."

It's still unclear when Chromebase will hit the consumer market or how much it will cost. Given the lower prices of other desktops and laptops that run Chrome OS, like Chromebooks, chances are the Chromebase won't be over-the-top expensive.

Topics: PCs Tags: computer, Chrome OS, Chromebase, desktop, Google, Chrome, LG

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LG's 21.5-inch Chromebase all-in-one puts ChromeOS on the desktop

Besides Samsung's Chromebox series ChromeOS has appeared mostly on laptops, but now LG will put its new Chromebase up against Apple's iMac and Windows-based all-in-one desktop PCs. According to the spec sheet, that 21.5-inch 1080p IPS LCD hides an Intel Celeron CPU, 2GB of RAM and a 16GB SSD inside, along with an assortment of ports (including HDMI-in so you can use it as a monitor) in the back and on the sides. It won't compete with high-end PCs on horsepower or internal storage, but it's ready to play a part in Google's vision of network computers that run mostly web-based apps, are hassle free and require no real maintenance. We're not expecting to get Steam loaded on here, but when we're playing IT for relatives over the holiday something like this may seem like a better option. Without a pricetag it's hard to judge properly, so we'll look for that and more information -- including other devices that might use some of the Chrome-related trademarks that leaked in October --next month at CES.LG Chromebase

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Eye-Fi's Windows desktop receiver means you can say goodbye to the SD-card reader

We've always been fans of Eye-Fi's wireless cards, but the fact that we still used an SD-card reader to pull the files to our desktops always rankled. Thankfully, the company is addressing that gripe with the Windows Desktop Receiver for the Eye-Fi Mobi, which launched earlier in the year. The new app will give users a choice between pushing pictures to their smartphone or desktop, presumably with far more ease than on the previous Class 10 X2. All you need to do here, we're told, is enter a 10-digit activation code and watch your devices wirelessly pair, pushing images right where you want 'em. The software will remain free so long as it's in beta, with an OS X version currently in the works -- so if you fancy giving it a try, head on to the download link and see what your experience is like.

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Source: Eye-Fi

Tags: Eye-Fi, Mobi, Windows Desktop Receiver Next: O2 reprices 4G contracts, 1GB plans now start at

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