pro

Google had already achieved a measure of success with the Chromebook Pixel, according to an analyst at Gap Intelligence.

"[It's] a fantastic ploy to get people to think about Chrome differently," said Deron Kershaw, an analyst Gap Intelligence who follows retail sales of laptops.

The Pixel is now being sold by Best Buy at a starting price of $1,299.

Kershaw continued. "In addition to drawing a line in the sand with Apple on touch, they're trying to craft the sense that premium hardware and a web-centric OS aren't incompatible with each other. And … Read more

Surfing on Wi-Fi isn't just better than using your phone's limited data plan -- it's faster, too. However, some speed demons want to make things even faster when they're browsing the Web. Wi-Fi Booster Pro V2 makes you think it will do that, but you won't see any improvement. You will notice the invasive permissions it asks for, though.

In the app's fine print, it claims to be a placebo. Immediately upon installation, the app demands to install ads all over your phone without an easy way to opt out. To get rid of … Read more

As a MacBook Pro Retina user, I can attest that Google's Chromebook Pixel rivals the quality of Apple's Retina display. But the Chromebook falls short in not allowing you to sacrifice some quality in favor of seeing more on your display.

Based on the tech specs floating out there, you might be forgiven in thinking that both the MacBook Retina and the Chromebook Pixel have similar screens. After all, Apple talks about the 13-inch Retina having "spectacular" 2,560x1,600 resolution, while Google cites the Chromebook Pixel having a 2,560x1,700 screen.

Display resolution versus … Read more

BARCELONA, Spain--LG Electronics overhauled its Android product line today, with the flagship Optimus G Pro leading the way.

The company divides its Optimus line into four categories: its G series for deep-pocketed early adopters, the F series with the mission of "4G LTE for everyone," the lower-end L series, and the Vu tablets.

The company announced the Optimus G Pro specifications last week, and now it's showing off the "phablet"-size device with its mammoth 5.5-inch screen. Soon it and its smaller Optimus G sibling will be joined by more in the line. … Read more

Though Android's built-in messenger app works great, it still isn't perfect. Sliding Messaging Pro promises to add some faster, more interesting performance for a small fee. This is a really nifty app that a lot of people will love. It just might not be worth the extra 99 cents when the free version of the app gives you most of the features you want.

Sliding Messaging Pro requires Android 4.0 or higher. It's only $1 to buy, which isn't much for a really cool upgrade. Again, there's also a free version that gives you … Read more

While some statistics on computer performance may be found easily, gathering and compiling them in one place isn't an option. With iStat Pro for Mac, you can view a simple widget with all your system performance information in one place.

Available as freeware with no restrictions, iStat Pro for Mac installs quickly and launches itself in the widget menu automatically. The program has limited support and options related to readout and measurement standards, but these limitations are not unexpected because of its stated purpose. The basic interface shows data for CPU usage, available memory, device and processor temperature, and … Read more

Often, basic templates available in office suite software don't meet the needs of professionals. Avery Design Pro for Mac purports to solve this problem and allow use of its templates, but it isn't recognized or supported for newer versions of Mac OS X.

Available as freeware, Avery DesignPro has no features requiring upgrades or payment to a full version. The file is a sizable download for a freeware program. However, installation failed despite multiple attempts to redownload Avery Design Pro for Mac. The version of Mac OS X used for testing failed to even recognize the program's … Read more

Thank you, Google. For obsoleting my MacBook.

Question: What two killer hardware features are missing on MacBooks? My answer: a touch screen and 4G.

What a coincidence. Just what Google is offering on the Chromebook Pixel. And in a package that comes close to matching the MacBook's aesthetics.

Not everyone may agree with that. Take the laptop flat-earthers. They will say touch is stupid (or "pointless" as one columnist said) on a laptop. Yeah right, just like the mouse was a stupid idea.

Then there's Apple's your-arm-wants-to-fall-off on vertical touch surfaces excuse. That will eventually … Read more

When Microsoft built the Surface Pro, the designers packed the power of an ultrabook in the body of a tablet. Unfortunately, they also made the device nearly impossible for a typical consumer or even an in-house tech to service and repair. On this week's episode of Cracking Open, I take you inside the Surface Pro.… Read more