Dogsoldier1965

I travel back and forth between the UK and US and yes, in-general electronics do tend to be cheaper in the US. Take for example a Samsung laptop I bought last visit after dropping my Fujitsu going through TSA. I saved about £130 over buying the identical model here in the UK. Now even taking into account VAT etc, It would still have cost between £50 and £60 more to buy it here. However, its not just electronic. I'm also into custom cars and bought a set of headlight last year costing the equivalent of £89. Same ones here, £329.95 and they are made in Germany! However, as others have pointed out, there are many things in the US which are way more expensive than the UK. So, don't think the grass is greener, its not, its about the same. LOL!

There’s been a great deal in the news recently regarding Google’s self-driving cars, however, one aspect which continues to rear it ugly head is that of hackers gaining access to the vehicles systems thus causing havoc or even worse, injury and deaths. Now, we’ve heard reassurances from various groups that every care is taken to avoid such incidents and I’ve even heard quotes such as aircraft industry standards however, a recent incident brings even that level of security into question. ‘Alleged hacker used in-flight entertainment system to take control of plane, claims FBI!’ This was highlighted recently in the UK’s PC Pro magazine after the FBI released details of an affidavit requesting a warrant to search a laptop belonging to One World Labs founder and cyber security expert Chris Roberts. Although this article concerns itself with the aforementioned affidavit, it once again highlights the dangers of integrated computerised control systems. So I do understand the arguments for automating tasks such as driving, but given the world in which we live, I have to ask is there enough being done to prevent unscrupulous hackers from creating chaos? PC pro article ​FBI Affidavit

My last build went into a Thermaltake Amour, and I do like it. Cable management is okay, there's room for several rads if required. Build quality is fine, It has a good slection of USB 2-3 ports Air flow is excellent. It had a good selection of drive bays. I know the fashion is to move away from DVD drives etc But I'm a graphic artist and I still send and receive artwork on DVD. I also use a dedicated fan controller so it works for me. However, for me the main attraction was the build in hard drive dock! I store a lot of data and various projects on external drives and its a easy way of quick swapping!

My system really is used for everything imaginable. I'm a graphic artist and designer so there's work, but also I love to game so there's that. But its also used as a central media centre and communications hub. It really is a jack of all trades.

Although I'd messed around a little with computers back in the 80's and 90's, I really wasn't interested much beyond playing games. I was however a hard core car guy. Love building them, loved racing them. then in 1997 I had an accident! I was standing about 20 feet up loading stuff onto pallet racking and overloaded the ladder which broke. I came down with a crash seriously injuring my spine and right hip. After this I spent a year in and out of hospital with months of physiotherapy. Was bored out of my mind because cars were way out of the picture. So went along to a local night class and it went from there. Blew through their classes, ended up going from there into graphic art and have never looked back!

Its really depends, some do some don't; I bought a Toshiba laptop recently in the US. I was working there I damaged my laptop and needed a quick replacement. However, once I returned to the UK, it developed a screen issue and Toshiba in the UK won't deal with it. I have to send it back to the US for warranty repair. Had a similar problem with Apple, after they themselves replaced my iPhone under their device insurance when it was damaged during hurricane Irene! Asus on the other hand I had no problems with. I bought a GTX960 some time back in the US and had an issue with it here in the UK and they were happy to deal with it! So really its the luck of the draw. Some will, some won't!

Hmm tough one. I guess when it comes to computer related stuff Asus would probably be my number one choice. Even on the rare occasion I have had a problem, they've been second to none when it comes to customer support! As for the worst, that is easy. MSI. I don't even consider their products any more because of poor reliability and dreadful support! Software I'd have to say its a tie between Adobe and Microsoft. Always had good support from both. I think that's about it. My list of worst brand though, that would be huge!

Right now its the damned power supply fan. Its just tired and complaining but haven't had time to do anything about it!

My very first rig, and the system that got me interested in PC gaming was built with a Pentium 100 and a 3DFX Voodoo graphics card! Yes it was a long time ago! hahaha