Whiskers

Just got it all set up.

Unfortunately my current computer is pretty weak, so it probably won't be able to add much to the project. But that'll hopefully change sometime soon. :)

For anyone wondering, it's an Intel Pentium dual core 2GHz, with 2GB RAM and Intel Integrated Graphics. Yeaaaaahhhhh... I bet you're all jealous! ;)

Awesome to see so many people interested in programming. :D

I'm currently studying a media course at college where I have been learning to code in C#, HTML and CSS. Only very basic stuff so far but I plan on studying them at home to get a better understanding of them and everything. Almost a total noob at this point really. :)

I am sure HDMI supports refresh rates well in excess of 100Hz, so you'll have nothing to worry about. :)

However, Blu-Ray discs over HDMI display at 24Hz or thereabouts. At least on any device I'm aware of. Perhaps that's what you're thinking about?

This guy right here

"New Xbox" "Xbox 8" "Xbox Infinity" are all ones I think sound realistic.

I hope they don't change the name entirely, or go with the 720. Would be silly. It should keep the Xbox name.

Considering all of the technology the Surface Pro has inside, 5 hours of battery is still very decent. Keep in mind that it features an i5 CPU, 4GB RAM, a Wacom Digitiser, 1080p screen and runs a full copy of Windows 8 which I doubt is as energy efficient as iOS or Android.

Until Haswell is out, there really isn't an option that provides both excellent performance and great battery life. Either you go with one or the other. Anything in between right now seems to sacrifice both. (Hello Atom)

I you only required a tablet with digitised stylus input I would recommend the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1, as I own one and it is just perfect for my college work. But if you need a USB input and compatibility with fully fledged Windows apps, the only option I see at the moment is the Surface Pro.

Will be interesting to see how the phone actually performs. I've heard the few previous intel-wielding phones didn't perform as well as expected and suffered from pretty poor battery life.

Honestly, I could go on a rant here about how unbelievably stupid Microsoft are being with their handling of the Xbox platform nowadays. But I'll refrain...

Suffice it so say a lot of these rumours appear quite credible to me. I have no doubt whatsoever that Microsoft have been planning on making the next console online-always, though whether or not they are quite dumb enough to continue with it in the wake of the online backlash the idea has received is yet to be seen.

Bitterly disappointing. Would be nice if I was wrong, but I just can't see the next console being any good considering how much they have deteriorated the experience of the Xbox 360.

To be brutally honest, there aren't many exclusives for the Xbox that I can suggest outside of the Halo franchise. Microsoft (irritatingly) have rested on their laurels in the last few years, refusing to invest in new exclusive IPs or franchises.

My top 5 Xbox exclusives would be...

1) Halo 3. Classic game, simply brilliant campaign (in particular, the last level is unparalleled fun with 4 player co-op!), fun yet brilliantly competitive multiplayer and a brilliantly varied sandbox to play with / in.

2) Halo 3: ODST. Extremely atmospheric campaign, Nathan Fillion, Firefight, Nathan Fillion, exquisite soundtrack and... hey, did I mention Nathan Fillion is in it?!

3) Forza Motorsport 4. Decent collection of cars, competent gameplay and physics, good areas to drive around and pretty decent multiplayer components. Gran Turismo 5 on the PS3 is better though.

4) Halo Reach. Somewhat decent campaign (excellent gameplay-wise, at least), decent and engaging multiplayer offerings, excellent Forge mode for editing and creating your own maps and an enjoyable Firefight mode to fight AI opponents either cooperatively or by yourself.

5) Halo 4. Somewhat entertaining Spartan Ops, passable multiplayer. Best thing about Halo 4 is the campaign's story and heavy focus on the relationship between Master Chief and Cortana. If you're looking for engaging gameplay and fun engagements like those found in the previous games though, Halo 4 won't cut it.

I suppose there is always Gears of War too, but ehh.

Short of it is, the Xbox's strongest exclusives are definitely the Halo franchise. Other than that there really isn't much for me to recommend, sorry!