JustForPC News

Blizzard Entertainment, the company that brought you World Of Warcraft and Diablo, has done it again.  It is official, the release date for the much awaited StarCraft II: Wings Of Liberty is here!  For all us big time PC gamers this is huge. We have been waiting over a decade for its release and it will be available on July 27, 2010.  It is already available for preorder for the low price of $59.99 at Amazon.

 StarCraft, for those of you who are new to the saga, is a one player, real-time strategy game with the main characters being the Protoss, the Terran, and the Zerg.  In the original StarCraft you have the ability to choose whichever race you would like to be and upon picking your campaign the epic battle begins.  You are responsible for building up your army, protecting your squad from any oncoming attacks and completing predetermined missions.  The missions may sound easy, but you won’t think that when  you are being attacked by the opposing army.  There is even one mission where the objective is just to stay alive for thirty minutes, but if you fail to build a solid fortress you are toast once 30 seconds rolls around.

  It has been confirmed that StarCraft 2 will be a continuation of StarCraft: Brood War and will include a few new characters, as well as the old ones, like Jim Raynor.  Battle.net will also be offering great online multi-player capabilities, which will make the PC game that much more fun and interesting.  This time the game will run on a much more advanced 3D graphics engine, which will allow for more vibrant images, backdrops, and the ability to show the detail of huge armies.  The game will also feature a lot more units for each campaign.  It has been said that StarCraft 2: Wings Of Liberty will focus around the Terran race, and will be followed by two expansion sets which will make it a trilogy.  One, currently titled, Heart of the Swarm, will arrive later and follow the Zerg and Sarah Kerrigan and the second is tentatively titled Legacy of the Void, which will follow the Protoss.  Each part of the trilogy will have somewhere close to 30 missions to complete, so it is sure to give us our money’s worth no matter which campaign we prefer.

 StarCraft 2 is not only going to be released in the United States, but it has also been slated for an international release on the same date, coming out in Australia, Singapore, Mexico, Hong Kong, Russia, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Europe.  There is even a rumor that it will be available for download once the CD version has been released.  It is already available for beta play upon pre-ordering the game, which will allow you to get a little practice before the game finally arrives. 

 Blizzard has been notorious for setting release dates and then changing them, so let’s cross our fingers and hope the release date really is final this time and that we are all victorious in the battles to come!

      With Christmas right around the corner and sales nationwide, it is safe to assume that there are some really great deals for gifts out there.  If you are shopping for a gadget lover and are wondering what you should get them as the perfect Christmas present, you should know that you are not alone.  There are many people in the same boat as you and JustForPC.com knows that.  With that in mind, JustForPC.com has done the legwork for you and, since Windows 7 has just been released, has developed a list of the top 7 gift ideas for gadget lovers that  you can give your loved one.  JustForPC.com has kept all technology lovers in mind and has also managed to stay within budget during the holiday season.

1.)  New Laptop with Windows 7 ($500-$1000) 

      If you are wondering what to get for your loved one that will show that you love them, a laptop will do the job.  It tells them that you know exactly what their interests are and that you want to give them the best present that will show that you care and want to help them the most.  This new laptop will be their portal into the faster internet world and will also allow them to save and organize all their music, photos, and data.  More than likely, they already have a computer, but there is no reason why they can’t have two.  This one is sure to be faster, have more storage space, a better operating system, such as Windows 7, and lots of other upgraded great features.  Giving a new laptop as a gift can be a bit pricey, but it can show you care because it does take time to find the right brand, size, features, and color that will fit your loved one’s personality.

2.) Smartphone With Windows Mobile ($150-$300 w/new plan)

      Every technology buff likes to stay up-to-date with the latest phones on the market and with phones like the Samsung Omnia, HTC Tilt 2, and the Samsung Intrepid it is very easy to see why.  The one thing these phones all have in common is that they all have Windows Mobile.  Windows Mobile and sleek designs are what makes these phones coveted by all the people that love technology.  With Windows Mobile it is just like having your very own PC to carry around with you, without the bulk and weight.  These phones are highly advertised by various carriers and, especially now, are available for next to nothing with a new, 2-year contract with your specific carrier.  Also, if you think about it, a new Smartphone would fit perfectly in a stocking.

3.) New 25-Inch 1080p Monitor ($150-$250)

      So, what happens if your tech lover already has everything they need?  A monitor with great resolution will always be welcomed with open arms.  A standard monitor will not give you the TV quality viewing you or your friend are looking for, but now they can have it.  If the person you would be giving this to enjoys watching movies or music videos on their PC then they will now be able to see, in detail, everything that there is to see.  No blurriness, no resolution problems.  What more could they ask for?  

4.) Nikon CoolPIX Camera ($100-$350)

      When it comes to cameras there are only a few brands that are worth mentioning.  Nikon, for one, has always been known to provide really great photos without a lot of work.  Just point and shoot and the camera will take care of the rest.  Nikon makes taking pictures fun and easy, and now with their new line of CoolPIX cameras capturing memories can be fashionable too.  The CoolPIX cameras comes in a wide variety of colors and features, so finding the right CoolPIX camera for that special someone couldn’t be easier.  Sony also makes a great line of Cyber-shot cameras.  Some of the Cyber-shots are a little more on the expensive side, but you get what you pay for.  Normally, Cyber-shots come with a bigger screen for better resolution.  It really just depends on what you think would fit your special someone’s personality.

5.) Zune Mp3 Player ($100-$250)

      Mp3 players, if you have run out of all other options, are always an instant win.  Everybody loves music and movies, and with a Zune Mp3 player they can now have their favorite songs and movies at their fingertips anytime and anywhere.  You can choose the memory accordingly because they have 16, 32, 80, and 120 GB available and if you buy it online at Zunestore.net, you can even have and inscription put on it.  The Microsoft Zune has touchscreen capability, Wi-Fi, TV out, which means they can hook it up to their TV to watch a movie, and it also has HD radio.  It comes in lots of different colors, shapes, and sizes, so it will be very easy to find the perfect one for your friend or family member.

6.) LifeCam 720p HD Webcam ($80-$130)

      If you are buying a gift for someone that uses chat, video conferencing for business meetings, or an instant messaging service on a regular basis, a high definition webcam is a great choice.  A LifeCam will enable them to keep in contact and IM their co-workers, friends, and family members all around the world.  This is one of the first webcams with HD video capture in a 16:9 picture. Say goodbye to choppy or blurry movement captured by your old, out-of-date webcam. The resolution and clarity will impress even the most technologically savvy person.

7.) Laser Printer ($50-$150)

      Laser printers, now the top dog when it comes to printing, finishes off our list of budget-friendly gift ideas for 2009.  When it comes to quality, laser printers beat out inkjet printers.  With a laser printer there is no need to constantly be replacing ink cartridges, waiting three to five minutes for a copy to be printed, or worrying about smudging.  A laser printer, as the name would suggest, uses small laser beams to do the printing which means that it can be a lot more precise and quicker at its task.  Yes, an inkjet printer would be a little cheaper, but not when you think about having to always be switching out expensive, messy cartridges.  A laser printer is a lot easier to manage and in the long run will be less expensive.  Inkjet printers are now a thing of the past and anyone that receives a laser printer as a gift would be very grateful.

      In conclusion, any one of these would be a great gift idea for  electronic enthusiasts.  What gadgets are you thinking about giving for the holidays?  Leave a comment and let us know.  Happy Holidays from JustForPC.