MSI GX60 1AC-021US

If you want a system around $1,300, you can ask for one that offers good performance on multimedia creation or 3D gaming prowess, but not both. For the money, the MSI GX60 1AC-021US is the gaming rig for your budding hardcore gamer. It sacrifices some raw multimedia CPU power for the high end AMD Radeon HD 7970 GPU, but that tradeoff gives this gaming rig the clout to play high end games at native 1080p HD resolution. Sure, a similarly priced high-end ultrabook is faster editing a photo, but the GX60 will let you see the rain dripping off your game opponent before you beat him at 500-yard distance. That's worth its weight in frankincense and myrrh. Sure, it's a specialized gaming system that trades overall multimedia performance for ultimate gaming speed, but in the immortal words of a certain James "Logan" Howlett, it's the best there is at what it does. Thus, we award it our Editors' Choice for entry-level gaming laptops.

Design and Features
The GX60 is a gaming rig with performance aspirations, so you'd expect a large chassis with extra embellishments it. It measures about 1.75-by-15-by-10.25 inches (HWD), and weighs a hefty 7.42 pounds. It's made mostly of black polycarbonate, with chromed accents on the central power button, trackpad buttons, and the area surrounding the 720p HD webcam. The row of backlit touch-sensitive buttons flanking the power button give it a bit of extra visibility, with red racing stripes going across the top of the keyboard deck.

The Steelseries-branded, chiclet-style keyboard isn't backlit, but the keys are responsive and mostly comfortable to use. However, you may have to do some relearning, as the keys are a little oddly placed. The most unfamiliar (for righties) is the Start key that only exists on the right side of the keyboard. While this is ostensibly done to prevent app switching when in a gaming session, it also means that you may hit the Fn or Alt key instead of Start during day-to-day computing sessions. The keyboard comes with a full numeric keypad, but that also means that the arrow keys are jammed in between the main alphanumeric section and numeric keypad. This could be a problem if you're used to navigating straight down from enter and shift keys to the arrow keys. Again, it's a matter of relearning where things are, but annoying just the same. They're certainly more cramped than the keyboard on the mid-range gaming system Editor's Choice Asus G75VW-DH72 ($1,899).

Since we're picking nits, the trackpad is a bit more recessed than it needs to be, particularly for Windows 8 gestures like brining up the Charms bar or getting to the Start screen. If you get a GX60, get used to using the corners for these functions. Besides, gaming is better with a mouse than a trackpad anyway.

The GX60 comes with an AMD A10-4600M processor, AMD Radeon HD 7970M discrete graphics, 8GB of memory, 750GB hard drive, 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, a Killer branded Ethernet adapter, 15.6-inch 1,920 by 1,080 resolution display with matte screen, and a Blu-ray player. The Killer-branded Ethernet adapter is supposed to reduce latency when playing online multiplayer games. Some gamers swear by it. We didn't test the Killer adapter's claims, but if it helps you keep your cool while gaming, more power to you. Ports on the system are plentiful, including a VGA port, HDMI, mini-DisplayPort, three USB 3.0 ports, USB 2.0 (for a mouse or charging a phone), and a quartet of audio ports. The extra audio ports mean that you can use your gaming headset without having to unplug your external speakers.

The system's 1,920-by-1,080-resolution screen is perfect for gaming as well as viewing Blu-ray and online HD videos. We didn't detect any blurring during extended viewing sessions on the system. The multiple video outputs and AMD Radeon HD 7970 graphics can work together to give you a multi-monitor AMD Eyfinity experience. That way you can have the game play surround you to the left and right. The matte coating on the screen helped tame reflections from direct and indirect lighting.

While it's in the same price range, the GX60 gives you a lot more screen real estate than the ultraportable Editors' Choice Maingear Pulse 11 ($1,349) and it's Clevo-chassis brothers, the AVADirect Clevo W110ER ($1129) and former EC Eurocom Monster 1.0 ($1,605). This trio of systems that are built on the Clevo W110ER chassis are limited to a 1,366-by-768 resolution on their 11-inch screens.

Though you'd expect a minimal amount of pre-installed software, the GX60 actually comes with a pretty full set. In addition to the normal Windows 8 build, the GX60 comes with stuff like Skype, Music Maker Jam, PowerDVD 10, TuMetro (a news reader), Office trial, Norton Internet Security (60-day), Evernote, a cookbook app, and Wild Tangent games. In addition to Wild Tangent, the GX60 has a selection of games from the Xbox store pre-installed as well. It's not a deal breaker, but you will find a lot more programs on this mass market gaming rig than you would find on a system from one of the smaller boutique system builders.

Performance
Performance is where the gaming rig lives and dies, and we're pleased to report that the GX60 is one of the systems you'd want on the game grid. The AMD Radeon HD 7970M discrete graphics on the GX60 is good for playable frame rates, even at the higher 1,920-by-1,080 resolution with all the eye candy turned on. This is a must-have if you're going to go all out and run multiple monitors, but it's also a boon for portable play. The GX60 was able to play the Aliens vs. Predator benchmark test at 39 fps and the Heaven benchmark test at 35 fps, both at the highest settings at 1,920 by 1,080. While this isn't the ultra smooth gameplay found on Editors' Choice winning high-end gaming rigs like the Origin EON17-SLX ($4,405), the GX60 will cost you a fraction of the price. Basically, you'll find the ability to play today's games at full resolution without too many of the sliders turned down from max settings to get a playable frame rate.

While the GX60's gaming benchmark scores were excellent, the GX60 did fall a bit behind other systems on the overall PCMark 7 test and the multimedia creation tests like Handbrake and Photoshop CS6. This is due to the system's AMD A10 processor, which isn't as efficient on these tasks. That said, the system is fast enough to keep a gamer happy during the times he's not gaming, particularly if it's his third or fourth system.

The GX60 had decent battery life for a gaming rig. It lasted almost four hours (3:51) on our rundown test. This isn't enough for a cross country flight, but the GX60 is more around the house portable anyway.

At this price point, you'll have to choose whether you're willing to pay for overall performance or for specialized performance (like gaming). At $1,299 you certainly have enough for our Editors' Choice high end ultrabook, the Asus Zenbook Prime Touch UX31A-BHI5T ($1,199), but if you prefer gaming over portability and a touch screen, then paying $1,299 for the MSI GX60-021US seems like a bargain compared with systems like the mid-range gaming EC, the $1,899 Asus GV75VW-DH72. You won't get the GV75VW's multimedia prowess, but if you want a specialized gaming rig solely for its 3D chops, then the MSI GX60 is a very attractive choice, and it even is a better rig at the system's native resolution. Because of the $600 price difference, we can't give the midrange crown to the GX60.

Pricewise, the GX60 would replace the Maingear Pulse 11, but that system is technically an ultraportable gaming desktop EC. However, the GX60 is a better gaming rig than the Pulse 11, especially considering the GX60's frame rates at 1,920 by 1,080 and looking at the comparative 3DMark 11 scores. The MSI GX60 is the gaming laptop we'd recommend at the sub-$1,500 price point. That earns it our Editors' Choice award for entry-level gaming laptops. Since it can play high-end 3D games at its 1,920 by 1,080 native resolution, it's the affordable rig we'd buy to hone our 3D gaming skills.

BENCHMARK TEST RESULTS

COMPARISON TABLE
Compare the MSI GX60 1AC-021US with several other laptops side by side.

More laptop reviews:
??? Dell Inspiron 17-3721
??? Dell XPS 13-MLK
??? MSI GX60 1AC-021US
??? Acer Aspire M5-581T-6405
??? Acer Aspire M5-481PT-6644
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laptop

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ziffdavis/pcmag/~3/VJ_LyzBjptY/0,2817,2417025,00.asp

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Top American Querrey rallies for win at Sony Open

AAA??Mar. 23, 2013?4:05 PM ET
Top American Querrey rallies for win at Sony Open
By STEVEN WINEBy STEVEN WINE, AP Sports Writer??

Golfer Rory McIlroy, center, of Northern Ireland, watches the match between Caroline Wozniacki, of Denmark, and Garbine Muguruza, of Spain, during the Sony Open tennis tournament in Key Biscayne, Fla., Saturday, March 23, 2013. (AP Photo/Alan Diaz)

Golfer Rory McIlroy, center, of Northern Ireland, watches the match between Caroline Wozniacki, of Denmark, and Garbine Muguruza, of Spain, during the Sony Open tennis tournament in Key Biscayne, Fla., Saturday, March 23, 2013. (AP Photo/Alan Diaz)

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, of France, serves to Viktor Troicki, of Serbia, during the Sony Open tennis tournament, Saturday, March 23, 2013, in Key Biscayne, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Agnieszka Radwanska, of Poland, returns to Magdalena Rybarikova, of Slovakia, during the Sony Open tennis tournament in Key Biscayne, Fla., Saturday, March 23, 2013. (AP Photo/Alan Diaz)

Richard Gasquet, of France, returns a shot to Olivier Rochus, of Belgium, during the Sony Open tennis tournament in Key Biscayne, Fla., Saturday, March 23, 2013. (AP Photo/Alan Diaz)

KEY BISCAYNE, Fla. (AP) ? Sam Querrey won for the first time as the top-ranked American, rallying past Lukasz Kubot 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 Saturday at the Sony Open.

The 20th-ranked Querrey moved ahead of No. 23 John Isner this week.

On a sunny, humid afternoon, No. 6-seeded Jo-Wilfried Tsonga beat Viktor Troicki 7-6 (6), 6-3. No. 8 Richard Gasquet defeated qualifier Olivier Rochus 7-5, 6-2.

No. 18 Philipp Kohlschreiber lost to David Goffin 7-6 (5), 4-6, 6-2.

In women's play, defending champion Agnieszka Radwanska, seeded fourth, lost serve seven times and needed nearly 2? hours to beat Magdalena Rybarikova 7-6 (5), 2-6, 6-3. No. 9 Caroline Wozniacki lost to wild card Garbine Muguruza of Spain, 6-2, 6-4.

No. 5 Li Na beat No. 25 Varvara Lepchenko of the United States 6-2, 6-4. Seeded players had their opening matches after receiving first-round byes.

Querrey lost his first serve game but held the rest of the way and hit 12 aces against Kubot. The 25-year-old Querrey said being the top-ranked American has provided only a modest boost in confidence.

"Some days more than others," he said. "I never thought about it out there today. Haven't really thought about it much. Felt like another day out there to me. Nothing new."

Querrey won despite a lack of rest. He's staying near downtown Miami, site of a weekend electronic music festival.

"I'm not sleeping well because of this Ultra Festival going on," he said. "I could hear the bass, and strobe lights were shining in my hotel, so it's hard to sleep."

Associated Press
People, Places and Companies: Sam Querrey, Lukasz Kubot, John Isner, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Viktor Troicki, Richard Gasquet, Olivier Rochus, Philipp Kohlschreiber, David Goffin, Agnieszka Radwanska, Magdalena Rybarikova, Caroline Wozniacki, Garbine Muguruza, Varvara Lepchenko

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/347875155d53465d95cec892aeb06419/Article_2013-03-23-TEN-Key-Biscayne/id-3c12ddad38cc4e50b60b0b9c20b0d271

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Petcast: Pets are good for you! | WGN Radio

You?ve heard it before, pets are good for us. But how do we know that and put this knowledge into practice? The scientists who study human/animal interactions and those who participate in programs, like animal assisted therapy or reading programs, are all coming to Chicago ? as a part of the International Association of Humane Animal Interaction Organizations (IAHAIO), and the 150th Annual American Veterinary Medical Association Convention. And you?re invited, as Dr. Rebecca Johnson (IAHAIO President) explains. This is the first time that an IAOHAIO Conference will be in the U.S.

Dr. Mark Russak, past president of the American Animal Hospital Association explains that seeing a veterinarian for preventive care not only benefits your pet, it benefits your wallet. Need proof? Listen.

Fleas are not welcome. Veterinary Parisitologist Dr. Michael Dryden says you can get the best of parasites, and explains how to win the war.

Speaking of parasites American Animal Hospital Association CEO continues that discussion, and includes heartworm in the mix. Heartworm can be prevented, and lives saved ? if only pet owners did he right thing.

Steve Dale and friends

Source: http://wgnradio.com/2013/03/22/petcast-pets-are-good-for-you/

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Syria rebels take control of strategic southern base

By Erika Solomon

BEIRUT (Reuters) - Rebels seized an air defense base near Syria's strategic southern international highway on Saturday, activists said, a gain that could bolster opposition fighters trying to secure supply routes to the capital Damascus.

Syria's southern provinces bordering Jordan and Israel have become an increasingly significant battleground as the capital comes into play, with President Bashar al-Assad's forces and his loyalist militias hitting back hard to prevent rebel advances.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which has a network of sources across Syria, said the base commander was among those killed in the two-week battle for the air defense site in Deraa province bordering Jordan.

"Fighters from the Nusra Front, Yarmouk Martyrs Brigade, and other battalions seized control of the 38th division air defense base, near the town of Saida on the Damascus-Amman highway, after 16 days of fierce clashes," the Observatory said.

The Nusra Front is an Islamist militant group suspected of links to al Qaeda and blacklisted by the United States as a "terrorist group". Its forces, which include foreign fighters, have come to increasing prominence in the revolt.

Videos published by opposition activists showed cheering fighters driving tanks around the base and loading boxes of ammunition onto flatbed trucks. The rebels also said in the videos they had freed dozens of prisoners held at the base.

A video uploaded by the Observatory showed what it said was the body of base commander General Mahmoud Darwish lying in a pool of blood in a bathroom.

Other activist videos showed the corpses of soldiers in camouflage fatigues scattered in the grass outside the base, shot in the head.

It was not immediately possible to verify the pictures or opposition reports. The Syrian government has severely restricted access to Syria for foreign journalists and international aid groups.

CLASHES NEAR ISRAEL BORDER

Fighting has also raged near the border with Israel, which is increasingly concerned Islamist rebels may be emboldened to end the quiet on the Golan front maintained by Assad and his father before him during their four decade rule of Syria.

Israel captured the Golan plateau from Syria in the 1967 Middle East war.

Rebels on Wednesday overran at least three towns near the Israeli-Syrian disengagement line but appeared to lose ground after militias loyal to Assad pushed them back in a fierce battle.

Rami Abdelrahman, head of the Observatory, said he recorded one of the heaviest single death tolls for rebels in the fighting near the Israeli border.

"We have 35 fighters recorded by name and at least 20 more missing, this is a huge number to be lost in a single battle and shows how hard they (Assad's forces) are fighting for these areas," Abdelrahman told Reuters.

He said the pro-government militias involved were made up of fighters from Syria's Druze minority, a sect which for some time had stayed on the sidelines of the conflict but now increasingly appears to be throwing its weight behind Assad.

Their involvement could increase sectarian bloodshed in Syria, already wracked by tensions between the Sunni Muslim majority that has led the uprising and the Alawite minority to which Assad belongs.

Tit-for-tat kidnappings and killings between the sects have become common as the uprising spiraled into a bloody civil war that has killed more than 70,000 people.

Alawite opposition campaigners, increasingly concerned for the fate of their community as fighting continues, will meet this weekend to discuss options for supporting a democratic alternative to Assad's rule and try to distance themselves from security forces attempts to crush the revolt.

(Editing by Sophie Hares)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/syria-rebels-seize-embattled-southern-province-111154873.html

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Baby Boomers & New Homes ? Irresistible Attraction | NewsGeni.us

By: Denise Lones

?

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The real estate market is alive and well! The multiple offers we are seeing on so many listings is proof of that. With resurgence in our market comes a rapid decline in inventory. One of my clients?

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Baby Boomers are individuals born between 1946 and 1964 ? and they are a very important part of the new home industry due to their strong buying power. Not only have they worked for many years and have equity in their existing homes, but they also have inherited the largest passing down of wealth from their parents. Most of the Baby Boomers? parents were from either the Silent Generation or the GI Generation ? both generations of savers. That strong saving ethic has translated into wealth being passed down to Baby Boomers.

In addition to inheriting from their parents, Baby Boomers are no strangers of leveraging. They are the first generation to really capitalize on this concept and many have leveraged their existing homes to buy second homes and investment properties. And while the real estate correction slowed their spending down it did not slow down their love for their homes. To a Baby Boomer, the home has much more significance than just a place to live ? it is where they have raised their children and made their memories. It represents safety, security, love and pleasure. To Baby Boomers, their home truly is their castle.

Many Baby Boomers feel, however, their castle is in need of a little makeover. Perhaps they feel their kitchen is a better fit for scullery maid cuisine than their culinary creations. Or perhaps the space no longer fits their ever-changing needs. Their children have grown up and moved on (or not). They may be caring for other adults. Or they may have health concerns which make it more difficult for them to climb stairs. They may want space for their grandkids to stay over. In any case, they are looking to new homes to satisfy their desire for something new and something right for them.

In fact, the National Association of Home Builders did a survey both in 2006 and in 2012 in which 1,400 Baby Boomers were asked to evaluate their satisfaction with their current home. The results indicated that overall satisfaction with their current home slipped 19% between 2006 and 2012 (from 49% to 30%). These results are surprising:

• 4% reported they were very dissatisfied with their home
• 4% reported they were dissatisfied with their home
• 17% indicated they felt neutral about their home
• 44% were satisfied with their home
• 30% were very satisfied with their home

Of the respondents, 24% of the 55-64 age group indicated the recession delayed their plans to move while 19% of the 65-74 age group delayed. This represents pent-up demand, and as conditions continue to improve, we can expect these Baby Boomers to find home solutions that give them exactly what they want.

Baby Boomers with bucks are once again flocking to new home sales centers like children to ice cream trucks. They find new homes irresistible and with the increase of home improvement and decoration shows on almost every other channel they just can?t control their want for new spaces.

So what is it about new homes that Baby Boomers love so much? First and foremost is the idea of being able to customize the home to give them exactly what they want in the size of home they need. When Baby Boomers are given the choice to customize their homes, they have the will and means to pay for it and they will do so. Builders who have realized this powerful trend and provide customization or ?personalization options? are reaping the benefits of a smart marketing move. Customization and personalization are the new buzz words for the Baby Boomer.

What our builders are building today will undergo even more change tomorrow because the Baby Boomers are reshaping the new home sales industry. Baby Boomers know what they want and they want it their way. Smart builders and smart real estate professionals are benefiting from working with this very creative and financially-capable generation by giving them what they really want ? ?personalization? their way.

Source: http://www.nahb.org/generic.aspx?genericContentID=194333&fromGSA=1

Source: http://newsgeni.us/?p=107323

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The Passive Investing Film Wall Street Doesn't Want You to See ...

• Joshua M Brown
• March 22nd, 2013

I came across this 53 minute documentary on why active investing doesn't work for most people quite by accident.

A few minutes in I realized they has Yale's Charles Ellis, Vanguard's Jack Bogle, Rick Ferri and the whole galaxy of anti-active management priests.

It's a good watch, find some time for this:

Full Disclosure: Nothing on this site should ever be considered to be advice, research or an invitation to buy or sell any securities, please see my Terms & Conditions page for a full disclaimer.

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Source: http://www.thereformedbroker.com/2013/03/22/the-passive-investing-film-wall-street-doesnt-want-you-to-see/

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Mini Chic! See Harper Beckham?s Designer Rain Boots

"Harper loves her Marc Jacobs wellies! Rainy day in London," the fashion designer wrote.

Source: http://feeds.celebritybabies.com/~r/celebrity-babies/~3/lCQKJsJPz7o/

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