Release Notes
Page
144DECEMBER 2003 MAXIMUMPC 03
Contents 12.
I
’m no fan of poetic goodbyes, so I’ll just come right
out with it: These are my last Release Notes for
Maximum PC. Next month I’ll be handing over the
helm to a new editor-in-chief, and beginning in ear-
nest my new job as editorial director of our company’s
technology magazines. I’ll be supervising the Maximum
PC team to help them perfect the most exciting PC
hardware magazine this planet has ever known, but
my day-to-day editorial remit will be limited to a single
column in the Quick Start section.
That’s right, Phillips haters, you still haven’t seen the
last of me!
The magazine’s new editor-in-chief is a tech veteran
named George Jones. George got his start at PC Week, and
has also been the editor of CNET’s Gamecenter channel,
and editor-in-chief of Computer Gaming World. Obviously,
George’s unique perspective will be invaluable in 2004
when we see the first games that qualify as true program-
mable shader masterpieces. But George is also a PC hard-
ware junkie, so no one need worry that the magazine will
go off the deep end with gaming coverage. George knows
what drives the passions of our core readership, and every
issue of Maximum PC will cover the entire hardcore hard-
ware picture.
Before I leave, I want thank my incredible team of edi-
tors and designers, each of whom works extremely hard
to make Maximum PC the best it can possibly be. I’ve put
each one of you through hell, but I know the pressure has
resulted in a better magazine. I also want to thank all the
people who’ve engineered the fascinating products I’ve
helped cover over the years. You’ve created a dream job
for this technology fanatic.
But most of all, I want to thank our readers. Not only
our closest friends—like Mark “Chamsalot” Miller, Vern
Earlywine, Staff Sergeant Christopher Paul, and all the
other guys and gals who’ve supported us over the years—
but also the readers who habitually harangue us, and the
readers who’ve outright attacked us. Each of you provided
me with an experience that has made me a better editor.
I want to promise everyone that we will continue to
work our asses off to make every single element inside
this magazine the best it can possibly be—the best
writing, the best photography, the best criticism, the
best analysis, the best frontline intelligence. Working on
Maximum PC is all about making sure your questions are
answered, and that your magazine needs are filled. We
make our fair share of mistakes, but I believe that any-
thing is better than mediocrity, and even risks that end
with a dull thud are risks worth taking.
Thanks for the wonderful times, readers, and please
join me in looking forward to a very exciting magazine
ahead!
—JON PHILLIPS
[email protected]
REGULARS
REVIEWS
This Release is Final
98 TAC Ridiculously Insane AMD64 desktop PC
100 ATI Radeon 9800 XT videocard
102 Fingerworks Touchstream LP keyboard
102 Archos ARCDisk 20GB external drive
103 Plextor 8x Dual-Format DVD burner
103 LG Triple-Format DVD burner
106 Sony Puppy biometric scanner
106 Creative Inspire T7700 7.1 speaker rig
108 Cooler Master Centurian CAC-T01 case
108 Ahanix Blu III case
110 Forward Solutions Migo USB key
110 Verbatim Store ‘n’ Go USB key
111 Microsoft Wireless Desktop Elite
112 MyDVD Studio Deluxe
112 Adobe Encore DVD
113 Canon i9100 inkjet printer
114 Savage: The Battle for Newerth
114 SimCity 4: Rush Hour
116 Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy
117 Halo: Combat Evolved
117 Homeworld 206 In/Out
We have fans in high places, Tom McDonald
is practically touched by an angel, and one
Harold Forman can’t seem to get a break
from anyone.14 Quick Start
PC previews, news, factoids... and what
makes the latest cutting-edge CPUs so
very rare.
20 Head2Head
Palm OS 5 or Microsoft Windows Mobile
2003—which would you rather have pow-
ering your handheld?
24 WatchDog
You may as well be watching Law & Order:
Special Class Action Unit.
76 Ask the Doctor
Where else can you get this kind of expert
advice on matters relating to a sickly PC?
84 How To...
Tweak everything about Windows XP from
your boot time to your Start menu.144 Rig of the Month
Shaken or stirred, this month’s mod would
do any self-respecting Rat Packer proud.Page 24Page 102Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi AcademyPage 116Page 98Page 14