Intel Sandy Bridge

I read many of the reviews of Intel's latest second generation Core processor code-named 'Sandy Bridge'. It appears to be a real winner though the recent minor problem with the accompanying 6-series chipset have not given it a good start. But up to 40% performance improvement for the same price with reduced energy consumption is hard to argue against.

I could have been tempted given these ecstatic reviews to get a new gaming system based on one of these new CPUs, but it was difficult to justify the cost of either a new £100 motherboard and £180 for the 2500K model which supports overclocking. Obviously faster memory and a new graphics card would also be needed to support the revived heart of the gaming system. DELL were also offering the new Vostro 460 with a 2400 CPU and monitor for just £450 including VAT and delivery. A good deal!

So in the end it was probably better that Intel withdrew the 6-series chipset and I decided to rebuild my existing gaming system from an Intel Pentium E6300 3.2GHz dual-core to an AMD Phenom II X4 quad-core at 3.4GHz. A noticeable performance increase with minimum cash outlay. I'll wait for my Sandy Bridge!

Microsoft Outlook 2010 disappointment

I purchased the full version of Microsoft Outlook 2010 separately for someone who wanted to upgrade her existing computer and Outlook email. It doesn't have the spelling, grammar and smilies that the previous version has, which was a great disappointment. Even though the Microsoft Office 2010 Starter with Word and Excel was already installed and has those features. This is very poor from Microsoft as she paid for a complete Outlook retail version and some essential features are missing.

You can verify this for yourself by installing the Microsoft Office 2010 trial and just select Outlook and other support tools. No spelling, grammar and smilies when you create an email. If you install the complete set of products then normal operation is available.

Another Microsoft gotcha!