Here a roundup of today's reviews and articles, including Building a Hackintosh The Easy Way, G.Skill Ripjaws F3-1600C9D-16GRSL 2x8GB DDR3 Laptop RAM Review, Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 Android Tablet, Be Quiet! Dark Rock Pro 2, and Mageia 3 review, sort of, not



Building a Hackintosh The Easy Way @ Techspot

Apple famously transitioned away from PowerPC processors in favor of Intel's back in 2006. The move was provoked out of the need to stay competitive in desktop performance and IBM's inability to produce something efficient enough for notebook use -- a major concern as the market shifted in that direction. The transition also tore down the main divide between Windows and Mac computers: an incompatible architecture.

It didn’t take long for enterprising folks to get Windows XP dual-booting on an Intel Mac, and to the surprise of many at the time, Apple released Boot Camp shortly thereafter to help users accomplish the exact same thing with an easy to use tool. One might say this even helped bring some new users who were curious to try OS X thanks to the iPod and iPhone halo effect, yet still uneasy about leaving Windows altogether.

But while Apple showed openness when it came to running a rival OS on its hardware, it’s a different story the other way around. OS X remains mostly locked down to Apple hardware -- mostly being the keyword here.

Read more: Building a Hackintosh The Easy Way @ Techspot

Toshiba MQ01ABD100 2.5'' 1TB Hard Disk Drive Review @ Madshrimps

The cost-efficient MQ01ABDXXX series from Toshiba comes with capacities between 250GB and 1TB, with one or two platters and were designed for low power consumption, operating temperatures and silent operation. These are ideal for upgrading the storage in our PS3, usage for saving backups and other applications which do not need stellar read/write speeds.

Read more: Toshiba MQ01ABD100 2.5'' 1TB Hard Disk Drive Review @ Madshrimps

Batman: Arkham Origins Tested, Benchmarked @ Techspot

With Warner Bros Games Montréal handling development, many fans were worried that Arkham Origins wouldn't (couldn't?) live up to its Rocksteady-produced predecessors. As is often the case with console-oriented releases, PC gamers were burdened with the extra concern of whether to expect a quality port.

Although Origins has received its share of criticism, it doesn't seem to be an outright disappointment with respectable scores on most review aggregators, including our own (Batman: Arkham Origins 73 ). Additionally, it seems the PC version has received some special attention in the graphics department.

Read more: Batman: Arkham Origins Tested, Benchmarked @ Techspot

Rig of the Month - October 2013 @ Guru3D

We just adore hardware. And sometimes some you guys really make a PC that really stands out. We ask you to answer a few simple questions and send in photo's of your rig. Each month we'll have a look at the entries and perhaps pick you and post your PC with photo's and everything here at Guru3D.com Here you can find out what you need to do and win a great prize brought to you with the courtesy of OCZ Technology.

Read more: Rig of the Month - October 2013 @ Guru3D

G.Skill Ripjaws F3-1600C9D-16GRSL 2x8GB DDR3 Laptop RAM Review @ APH Networks

When I was younger, I have always thought their current leader of Kuomintang and president of Taiwan, Ma Ying-jeou, has an awesome name. For those who don't know how Chinese names work, the family name precedes a person's given name; where each part of the name is its own character, and each character is roughly the English equivalent of an individual word. Ma Ying-jeou's family name, 'Ma', literally means 'horse'. Mandarin speakers will probably not understand what I am about to say. But if you are like me, and have a Cantonese background, then you will understand what I kind of logic I am carrying through with this. When I first heard his name on television, because of the wonderful world of homonyms in my native tongue, I thought Ma Ying-jeou's given name was 'eagle' and 'dog', respectively. Combined with his family name, we have three animals -- horse, eagle, dog, in that order -- all in one person! Is that an epic name or what? It was not until years later, much to my disappointment, that it was nothing like what I have imagined it to be. The words in his given name, 'Ying', by itself, means 'brave'; while 'Jeou' is simply 'nine'. It sure was an anti climatic moment, but regardless of which, I think Ma Ying-jeou still has an awesome name. But Ma Ying-jeou is not the only awesome name from Taiwan. In the past, we have always raved about G.Skill's excellent Ripjaws series RAM, followed by its successor, the Ripjaws-X. Today, we have yet another Ripjaws kit for review. But it is not your classic desktop RAM kit. Instead, it is a SODIMM kit for your laptop that operates on the latest 1.35V DDR3L specification. Is this awesome or what? Let's see what the G.Skill Ripjaws F3-1600C9D-16GRSL 2x8GB brings to the table today.

Read more: G.Skill Ripjaws F3-1600C9D-16GRSL 2x8GB DDR3 Laptop RAM Review @ APH Networks

Topre's Type Heaven mechanical keyboard reviewed @ The Tech Report

Once marginalized by their extravagant pricing, Topre mechanical keyboards have now entered (somewhat) more affordable territory. How does the $150 Topre Type Heaven stack up against other mechanical keyboards based on the more popular Cherry MX switches? We investigate.

Read more: Topre's Type Heaven mechanical keyboard reviewed @ The Tech Report

Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 Android Tablet @ MEGATech

It does seem like the market for larger tablets is slowly dwindling, while demand for smaller tablets is on the rise. People seem far more interested in devices like the Nexus 7 and the Retina iPad Mini than they are in their larger counterparts, but some people still want a bigger screen and that’s where the newest Galaxy Tab 3 10.1″ could come into the picture. Aside from the Galaxy Note series, this is the newest generation of tablets from the people at Samsung.

Read more: Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 Android Tablet @ MEGATech

Cooler Master HAF Stacker Mod-Tower Case Review @ Neoseeker

If we are looking for veteran manufacturers in the computer hardware field, Cooler Master should certainly count as one of them. Best known for their quality cases and coolers (as if their name didn't give that part away), the Taiwanese company has grown to focus not only on OEMs but enthusiasts and gamers. About a decade ago, Cooler Master introduced the Stacker series of cases. These were massive enthusiast-class cases, employing a weighty metal construction suitable for stacking and storage expandability almost unheard of in the consumer market at the time. Several years later, the gamer-centric HAF series was introduced and touted High Air Flow for heat-blasting graphics cards and overclocked processors. Since the debut of the HAF 932 full tower, the lineup has widely expanded to encompass mid-towers and even cube-shaped cases like the HAF XB. Unlike the Stacker series, HAF cases substitute all-aluminum designs for mesh, large fans, and more rugged looks.

Today, we will be taking a look at the HAF Stacker, a merging of the expandability and stackable stature of the original Stacker with the industrial look and airflow potential of the HAF series. What's unique here is the innovative modularity in the HAF Stacker design. You see, the HAF Stacker is more of a series of cases than one specific enclosure. Currently, there are three version of the HAF Stacker: the mid-tower HAF Stacker 925, m-ITX HAF Stacker 915R, and m-ITX HAF Stacker 915F. The default HAF Stacker configuration ships with the first two cases above, which together are dubbed the full-tower HAF Stacker 935. Stacking an additional HAF Stacker 915 then forms the HAF Stacker 945 ultra-tower. Officially, Cooler Master touts the entire series as a "mod tower", allowing for virtually limitless storage and expandability options, assuming that money isn't an issue and the resulting tower doesn't fall over!

For all intents and purposes, this will be a large review (we are basically reviewing 3 cases) with a greater emphasis on the full-tower capabilities of the HAF Stacker 945 configuration. A later review will observe how the HAF Stacker 915 m-ITX cases fare on their own. Without further ado, let's take a closer look at the HAF Stacker and see how it stacks up to other cases on the market (no pun intended).

Read more: Cooler Master HAF Stacker Mod-Tower Case Review @ Neoseeker

Thermaltake Tt eSPORTS Battle Dragon Bag Review @ OCC

In the end, I wasn't able to get the kitchen sink into the Tt eSPORTS Battle Dragon Bag but that's okay, because I think the challenge of "almost anything" was easily proven to be true. Besides putting a motherboard and RAM in the bag, I had about a full build worth of components crammed in; though mostly components. I have no doubt that this bag can carry everything you will need or want to a LAN party, friend's house, or wherever you might be headed.

Read more: Thermaltake Tt eSPORTS Battle Dragon Bag Review @ OCC

ASRock FM2A88X EXTREME6+ @ Hardware Secrets

The FM2A88X EXTREME6+ is the first socket FM2+ motherboard from ASRock, based on the most high-end chipset for this new platform, the A88X. It is targeted to the forthcoming FM2+ "Kaveri" APUs, but it is also compatible with socket FM2, second-generation APUs from AMD, codenamed "Trinity." Let's see what this motherboard has to offer.

Read more: ASRock FM2A88X EXTREME6+ @ Hardware Secrets

NZXT HALE82 V2 700 W @ techPowerUp

NZXT refreshed their budget-oriented HALE82 line with two new fully modular and 80 Plus Bronze certified units. Today, we are going to take a look at the HALE82 V2 700 W. It costs just 100 bucks and looks great thanks to its white color theme.

Read more: NZXT HALE82 V2 700 W @ techPowerUp

Be Quiet! Dark Rock Pro 2 @ LanOC Reviews

Processor cooling is one of the most important choices a builder can make for their system. While the market is flooded with many options and styles to choose from, one market has always remained competitive and populated with choices year after year. I am, of course, talking about the large, multi-heat pipe air coolers and today we are going to take a look at the Dark Rock Pro 2 from Be Quiet! to see if it holds up through installation and our new testing procedures. Is it worth your money? I don’t know but I hear the Germans make good stuff.

Read more: Be Quiet! Dark Rock Pro 2 @ LanOC Reviews

Splinter Cell: Blacklist @ LanOC Reviews

With the success of Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed series it is easy to forget that they have another widely successful stealth-action series up their sleeve. Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell has been around since 2002 when it caught our attention with those ever recognizable glowing green trifocals. While the series hasn’t had the annual release attention since 2006, Ubisoft Montreal still kept the series strong with the release of Splinter Cell: Conviction and this year Ubisoft Toronto take the reins with Splinter Cell: Blacklist. Promising to deliver the same stealth-action we’ve come to enjoy, it is time to take a look at the latest installment in the Splinter Cell series.

Read more: Splinter Cell: Blacklist @ LanOC Reviews

Genius Energy Mouse Review @ TestFreaks

When I got the press release about the product I have for review today I was a bit skeptical at first and I honestly thought it was kind of goofy, but then I thought about a little more and I came to the conclusion that it’s actually rather useful and kind of cool. Today for review I have a product from Genius called the Energy Mouse and not only is it wireless but it has a built-in battery. Ok, so yes most any wireless mouse has a built-in battery but this one isn’t just for the mouse, it’s a power source that can be used to charge your smartphone. The battery inside of the Energy Mouse is 2700mAh in capacity and depending on the battery in your phone you could possibly get a couple charges out of it. So read on to learn more…

Read more: Genius Energy Mouse Review @ TestFreaks

Dell Inspiron 14 7000 Review @ TechReviewSource.com

The Dell Inspiron 14 7000 is an attractive all-aluminum laptop that has good battery life, a colorful display and touch screen and decent performance. While it isn't the quickest laptop available, if you want a thin and light Apple MacBook Air alternative, this one is a good choice.

Read more: Dell Inspiron 14 7000 Review @ TechReviewSource.com

LUXA2 H1 and H5 Mobile Mounts Review @ ThinkComputers.org

If you've never used a mobile mount, you might ask, “Mobile mounts, huh, what are they good for. Short (obvious) answer, holding your mobile devices. With the H1 Premium Mobile Holder, and H5 Premium Car Mount, Luxa2 aims to bring a bit more style and functionality to mobile mounts. H1's aluminum Apple iMac inspired body brings the style, whereas H5s flexible body brings functionality. Continue reading to see if you can benefit by adding these two devices to your accessory lineup.

Read more: LUXA2 H1 and H5 Mobile Mounts Review @ ThinkComputers.org

Be Quiet! Pure Power L8 700W Power Supply Review @ Legit Reviews

Be Quiet! is an European company which, despite the strange name, is a very well-known manufacturer amongst enthusiasts, mostly for their high quality (and notoriously expensive) power supply units. We had an encounter with their very impressive Dark Power Pro 10 series a few months ago; however, impressive as it was, the price tag of such a power supply would certainly drive the vast majority of users away. Today we will be having a look at the least expensive PSU series currently offers, the Pure Power L8.

Read more: Be Quiet! Pure Power L8 700W Power Supply Review @ Legit Reviews

Microlab H21 Bluetooth Powered Bookshelf Speaker Review @ Benchmark Reviews

For nearly two decades, Microlab has been an industry leader in producing high-quality audio solutions for the latest in cutting-edge technology. One example is its latest development, the Microlab H21 Bluetooth bookshelf speaker, which Benchmark Reviews has recently had an opportunity to put through its paces. Considering that the Microlab H21 is so beautifully constructed, having wooden cabinets wrapped in leather, it is clear that its role is to serve as the primary multi-device audio solution in your home.

Read more: Microlab H21 Bluetooth Powered Bookshelf Speaker Review @ Benchmark Reviews

Mageia 3 review, sort of, not @ Dedoimedo

A lot of you emailed me, asking me, why the heck wouldn't I review Mageia, what's my problem, and such. Well, I would, honest miss, but the problem is, this distribution does not want to cooperate with my hardware.

Ever since version 1, which was okay but nothing stellar, no subsequent edition would boot. Tried on my T61 test box, the system would simply hang even before it reached the desktop, no matter what I did, no matter what media I used. Then, recently, I had my older LG laptop sort of rejuvenated, and it now hosts Kubuntu quite happily, and it even booted Fedora 19 without any problems, which was being fairly naughty on the other laptop. Let's see what happens there, shall we.

Read more: Mageia 3 review, sort of, not @ Dedoimedo

HTC One max Review - It's Huge @ Anandtech

Big phones are all the rage right now. Although tablets promised the kind of extra screen real estate that would increase productivity while still retaining portability, theres ultimately nothing more likely to be on your person than a phone. I wager that at least some of the success of the supersized smartphone form factor is still that a phone is ultimately always on your person, while a tablet still isnt. Today were looking at HTCs newest member of its flagship One series, and its largest, the aptly named One max. Although HTC has been no stranger to larger display form factors (remember how big the HD2 seemed back in 2009?), the One max is to my knowledge the largest smartphone HTC has ever made, eclipsed only by the short lived HTC Flyer and Jetstream tablets. In the HTC phone portfolio, its easily the largest smartphone theyve ever made, and thats noteworthy. Read on for the full review.    

Read more: HTC One max Review - It's Huge @ Anandtech

MSI GK-601 Review @ Bjorn3D

MSI has always been a major element in the computer industry world-wide for over the last 25 years, touching on every aspect of hardware and peripherals. With the introduction of the Gaming Series line, MSI raises the standard once again.

Read more: MSI GK-601 Review @ Bjorn3D

Tt eSPORTS Level 10 M Gaming Headset @ NikKTech

As many of you know i don't believe that the best way to play games on the PC is with a headset placed over your head (LAN events excluded of course) because for once the positioning audio quality can't really be on par with that of a complete 5.1/7.1 surround system while both the weight and pressure of the headset can get really annoying in a rather short period of time. I do however admit that a headset is the lesser of two evils so if you have to choose between disturbing those around you and using a headset then the answer is quite obvious. That being said from time to time we do receive some headsets that we can't really put in the same general category as most of them because of numerous reasons including more or less excellent build quality, superior positioning audio (and quality) and impressive comfort levels. Well for the past week we've been testing the latest Level 10 M Gaming Headset by Tt eSPORTS which can easily cover all three previously mentioned bases for us to separate it from the masses.

Read more: Tt eSPORTS Level 10 M Gaming Headset @ NikKTech

Aerocool Dead Silence Orange Review @ Funky Kit

First of all I want to thank Aerocool for providing we their newest case, the DS or Dead Silence case. The one I have is the orange one, but there are or will be many other colors available. Its a fairly small case, but it has a lot of potential and cool features which I wil examine later on.

Read more: Aerocool Dead Silence Orange Review @ Funky Kit