Skip The PC Store, Custom Build Your Computer

by Bradley Wint on January 31st, 2009 at 4:24 pm EDT - 1,466 views

In these economical times, many of us are now forced to actually give a hand in trying to figure ways to cut back on spending. Some people have even gone the ridiculous lengths to sit in the dark just to save on electricity. However, I think there are many ways to save money without affecting your personal lifestyle. Simply cut down on the expenses you don’t need, focus on what you need and what makes economical sense in the long run, as well as choosing cheaper alternatives without sacrificing quality. 

This leads me to talk about purchasing computers. No matter how bad times seem, we may need to purchase a new computer at some point in time, which recently happened to me. Most of us may be accustomed to just heading to the store, or visiting an online alternative and purchasing a pre-manufactured system from one of the leading developers such as Apple, Dell, HP and others. However, did you ever sit down to think how expensive this is as a homeowner? Over the last 10 years, I have purchased 4 computers (high end ones for their time period), and have spent quite a lot on it. 

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Intel’s Uphill Struggle for 2009

by Chris Willhite on January 17th, 2009 at 12:49 pm EDT - 392 views

It looks like the economy is hitting even the biggest of giants. Intel reported that during the last few months of last year, sales were down about 23%.  If the figures and predictions turn out to be true then Intel will also have a gross profit in the lower 40’s. The shrinking demand of processors from the consumers really hits Intel hard, and right in the kisser. Especially considering that desktop CPU’s contribute to ~80% of their sales.

PC demand is sinking fast, which takes its toll on Intel because Intel owns 80 percent of the market for microprocessors, the brains of personal computers. Market research firms IDC and Gartner Inc. reported this week that PC sales growth in the fourth quarter was the worst it’s been in six years, with the slump expected to drag out until possibly 2010. -Jordan Robertson

This isn’t to say that AMD is doing any better however, the current state of the economy just makes consumers shy away from shiney new electronic delacacies. If I were one of these companies i’d stop releasing new chips and rev up R&D to get some new innovation ready for when the economy gets back on track, but I’m no buisinessman.I don’t think Intel or AMD will be going away anytime soon, they’re the only real players in the CPU scene today, but they will have some hard roads ahead of them…Let’s just pray they don’t end up like the auto companies.

Read more here at Wired.com
Image courtesy of Intel

Motorola Job Cuts

by Stephen Spring on January 15th, 2009 at 10:39 am EDT - 678 views

Motorola announced Wednesday that it would be axing another 4,000 approximate jobs in 2009. This comes only a year after the mobile phone company realeased 3,000 of their workers in the 2008 year.

The 7,000 total job cuts are said to save the company around 1.5 Billion dollars in annual savings. The majority of the job cuts are mostly realated to the moblile phone business, however corporate Motorola see’s to lose around 1000 jobs. The cuts are a major initiative in the  cost-cutting measures being taken by Motorola. But, to give some props to Motorola they are cutting their Executive’s pay in these trying economic times. Which is better than we can say about some of the bailout banks like AIG financial.

This is no suprise with many other companies doing similar job cuts. However, you wouldn’t think companies like Motorola would have to cut jobs after a pretty action-packed year. 

Image courtesy of portfolio

EA doubles layoffs

by Taylor Flatt on December 21st, 2008 at 5:32 pm EDT - 201 views

As the US economy continues to fall, the gaming industry is beginning to feel the effects.  EA is no execption and has announced that they are going to be laying off twice the people it projected at upwards to 10% of their workforce.  The layoffs will equate to about 1000 workers out of their 10,000 workforce.  EA has also commented that they will be shutting down some of their studios most notably their Black Box game studio.  With all the layoffs, they are hoping to save upwards of $120 million.

Although EA has a long record of closing studios, it seems that they have had a great year with the infamous release of SPORE and Mass Effect.  Surprisingly however, EA has had a terrible time trying to get rid of their holiday stock which was the main reason of doubling the layoffs.  But with these layoffs, EA reassures us that it would continue to invest into mobile and online games.

Source: NYTimes