Readying Metro style apps for launch

We know many folks are looking forward to RTM. Developers currently working on apps in the Store are especially excited. We have hundreds of apps in the Windows Store now and many more on the way. There’s a broad set of developers around the world that we have been working closely with since the first Developer Preview. The WinRT platform is evolving rapidly during development based on feedback, and we have the dual task of keeping the Store up and running so we can supply apps to the millions of Preview users, while also getting ready for the next build. It means that if we change or add APIs or improve the tools, the apps will change and require an updated OS to test and verify the app. That’s why we have been providing updated builds to developers who have or are committed to having apps in the Store through strong partnerships.
This post explains the work we’ve been doing since September to keep developers updated with APIs and tools so that apps can stay up to date. We’re doing this even after the Release Preview, just to make sure new apps are ready to go once we get to broad availability. This post was authored by Dennis Flanagan, who leads our ecosystem outreach team. --Steven

As we approach the release of Windows 8, the catalog of Metro style apps continues to grow. To date, people have experienced apps that Microsoft has included with the downloaded build, and those that are offered in the Store in both the Consumer Preview and Release Preview timeframe. Many of those apps are great examples of immersive, touch-first Metro style experiences. However, like the Windows releases they run on, these apps are preview versions of the apps to come. The final versions of all Metro style apps will be available when Windows 8 becomes generally available.
Last year, we began working closely with the developer community by releasing early versions of the Windows 8 platform and tools. We decided to engage developers earlier in the engineering process so we could help them build skills in Metro style app development and give them the opportunity to influence the platform through feedback. Since September of 2011 we have released 8 developer preview versions. Some of these versions have been available to a limited developer audience. Some have been distributed broadly. All of these releases had similar goals:

  • Deliver new capabilities and APIs
  • Update tools to simplify Metro style app development
  • Enhance performance and reliability
  • Respond to developer feedback
We released our first Developer Preview version at the //build conference in Anaheim. This version introduced developers to the Windows 8 platform, tools and programming models. The WinRT platform included new APIs, and we used the conference to present literally hundreds of technical sessions and samples to give developers a basic understanding of the platform. . Many developers got right to work building Metro style apps, produced some impressive early results, and provided us with useful feedback and recommendations about how to improve the platform and tools.
We made it clear that the first Developer Preview ("DP1") was an early version of the code, and we had a lot of work to complete Windows 8. DP4 and DP5, released in January and February of this year, were targeted at developers who wanted to be the first to publish applications in the Windows Store. By the time we released the Consumer Preview in February of 2012, we had added almost a thousand new WinRT APIs, and had modified hundreds of other APIs based on developer feedback.
For a detailed description of the changes that happened between //build and Consumer Preview, check out these posts on our App Developer blog:

In April and May of this year, we released DP6 and DP7, which allowed developers to prepare their apps for the Release Preview. However, in close collaboration with the development community, we've continued to evolve the platform in response to their feedback. By the time we delivered the Release Preview, we had added 334 more APIs and continued to change existing APIs to address feedback.
One example of a change we made in Release Preview (RP) based on developer feedback is the HTML ListView control (in WinJS). This was an area where lots of developers had difficulties, so we overhauled it to make it easier to work with and to allow a much more extensive degree of performance tuning.
We also made lots of improvements to developer resources, such as templates in Visual Studio. We even added a new template that makes it easier for developers to start a new project and get a great app up and running in very little time.
Design tools were another focus area for improvements. Metro is a design-forward experience, which means the app’s user interface is one of the key ways developers get their apps noticed and differentiate them. We did a lot of work to make it as easy as possible for developers to integrate all the new Metro style design concepts into their apps.
For a complete overview of the changes between CP and RP, see What's changed for app developers since the Consumer Preview.
Our next major milestone is the release to manufacturing (RTM). When the code reaches this milestone, the platform is complete for general availability (GA), and so we won’t have interim updates for developers.
When Developers get the RTM version, they will continue enhancing the features, capabilities and performance of their apps. Some of the apps you’ve already seen will look and perform differently when you download the final released version. There are also many more apps in development that haven’t been released to the Store yet. Many of those developers are waiting for RTM to put the finishing touches on their apps.
The release of Windows 8 will be a great milestone for app developers, but it is really just the beginning. A great benefit of the built-in Windows Store and update mechanism is that they provide developers with the opportunity to gain wide distribution for new apps and continuously improve apps that they've already released. As the app developer community evolves, we expect app developers to take advantage of this and provide regular updates to apps.
--Dennis

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Hi there.
Sorry to disappoint -- but for a lot of proper business users "Metro aint going to fly" until you have the option of having multiple windows dispayed ON THE SAME SCREEN. Switching between full screen windows is 100% NOT AN OPTION for many pc users and the applications they use.

I can quote many examples of applications where this approach of single full screen "Metro style" stuff won't work - for example one of the most obvious is in document translation.

Just try translating a document where only one say the original was visiblle at a time and you had to keep switching to the version you are trying to create.

What a BONKERS and totally useless way of working. You need the documents visible side by side.

Cheers
jimbo
 

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Sorry to disappoint -- but for a lot of proper business users "Metro aint going to fly" until you have the option of having multiple windows dispayed ON THE SAME SCREEN. Switching between full screen windows is 100% NOT AN OPTION for many pc users and the applications they use.

Firstly I like to state that I enjoy your posts and your style of writing to convey your ideas and beliefs. Also, I look up to you and others as IT personal. I will in no way ever accumulate the knowledge and experience that you have obtained as a professional. Also, I admire you in helping others to fix problems. My hat's off to you and others!

I see you posting this topic/scenario in other threads as well. I understand the flaw you see in 8 so far as the business sector is concerned and believe it needs to be addressed in a huge way. Hopefully M$ will address this issue in a Enterprise addition? I just can't believe they would be that ignorant not to do so, for a huge chunk of there revenue comes from enterprise.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but wouldn't multiple monitors be a better solution to your scenario?
 

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Sorry to disappoint -- but for a lot of proper business users "Metro aint going to fly" until you have the option of having multiple windows dispayed ON THE SAME SCREEN. Switching between full screen windows is 100% NOT AN OPTION for many pc users and the applications they use.

Firstly I like to state that I enjoy your posts and your style of writing to convey your ideas and beliefs. Also, I look up to you and others as IT personal. I will in no way ever accumulate the knowledge and experience that you have obtained as a professional. Also, I admire you in helping others to fix problems. My hat's off to you and others!

I see you posting this topic/scenario in other threads as well. I understand the flaw you see in 8 so far as the business sector is concerned and believe it needs to be addressed in a huge way. Hopefully M$ will address this issue in a Enterprise addition? I just can't believe they would be that ignorant not to do so, for a huge chunk of there revenue comes from enterprise.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but wouldn't multiple monitors be a better solution to your scenario?

Hi there

Thanks for your comments !!

I don't think that Metro and multiple monitors would work at all as z3r010 points out. Also a few do but most work places unless you are on a trading floor on the Stock Exchange or a betting exchange like Betfair don't tend to dole out multiple monitors to staff -- especially external contractors.

I suspect that the ball has been lost here -- looking at mobile and tablet markets is one thing but most business users NEED traditional computers more often than not.

Typical "Business" users who use tablets etc away from the office are usually just perusing the odd document, surfing the net or reading / sending email / facebook stuff or being the usual "utter twats" on twitter.

Try using a tablet for generating ANY serious content such as a presentation more than about 2 slides long -- it would take you at least 10 times longer to do it than on a decent PC.

Also with time and practice -- becomes experience -- one of the penalties of growing older. !! We did have it lucky in one way -- we were at the start of the PC revolution -- Windows 3.11 was a relevation back then to guys who were used to working on hideous text base IBM systems on green "monochrome" 3270 terminals on slow (back then) IBM MVS/370 mainframes with TSO as the only data entry system. So we had to "Roll our own" when it came to solving problems --- a lot more fun before the "Suited and booted" consultancy firms got into the act -- but I suppose "that's what they call progress". ==> Over to the youngsters now for the NEXT big gadgets. !!!

ibm 3270 - Google Search

and of course THESE (" 80 column punched cards")

hollerith cards - Google Search



cheers
jimbo
 

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I know this is off topic here. I'm thinking of buying a second touch monitor. I did some searches on the topic and now understand the problem.

Metro and multiple monitors is a disaster and as a 6 screen user the reason I'm staying on Windows 7.

Thanks for posting an answer, z3r010. Yes. I've checked out your rig on the rig thread. Awesome, but I don't think I'll ever get into that. Did you get your 6th monitor installed?

I don't think that Metro and multiple monitors would work at all as z3r010 points out. Also a few do but most work places unless you are on a trading floor on the Stock Exchange or a betting exchange like Betfair don't tend to dole out multiple monitors to staff -- especially external contractors.

I suspect that the ball has been lost here -- looking at mobile and tablet markets is one thing but most business users NEED traditional computers more often than not.

Thanks for posting answer to original and also answering mine, jimbo. I would imagine Metro being an expensive enterprise disaster unless given choice of UI. Let's hope that choice is in an "Ultimate" and/or "Enterprise" editions. Any other version can be a toy or eye candy.

Thanks again :)
 

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There are certain instances where you do need multiple windows, as there is the Desktop. The metro design will evolve and is just at it's birth stage. I would bet things will improve more in later versions as the start menu did for 17 years.

Having said that, when you aren't in need of multiple windows, metro flies. I wouldn't think on a daily basis someone would need a plethora of windows open all the time. There are instances where that is needed, like stock brokering, but not everywhere else. I know in education, a lot of window usage from I've seen is usually three on average. Now, they aren't open at one time usually or sometimes are stacked to be switched to. Windows 8 has the simple function with metro just as well. You can snap two apps together, but I think that isn't enough since I'd rather have a full two halves of the screen be used and not 1/3 or 2/3. One could easily translate a document from Word in Desktop, and snap metro IE 10 and use an online translator to copy and paste or translate the document and have both side by side.
 

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The way it stands now on the Release Preview, Metro can only ever be open on one monitor. If you try to open it again on a second monitor it just moves from screen to screen. I have two 19 inch 4:3 ratio, 1280x1024 LCD monitors. Because my monitors are only 1024 pixels wide I can't use Metro Snap. Not that I'd want to anyway but seeing as my second monitor is useless as far as Metro goes, it would be better than nothing. I would think it gets even worse if you are trying to use Windows RT on a tablet. Metro apps only, good luck getting anything constructive done on that. At least I can actually open desktop apps to get my real computing done and make use of both of my monitors.
 

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Thanks alphanumeric. I tried to quote you but to no avail on my DROID.

I understand your problem with resolution & snap, but I can't quite grasp the whole problem with Metro & multiple monitors quite yet. I'll trust you experienced PUs on that. I'll probably understand once I get another monitor and gain experience.
 

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Metro is a full screen UI, when you open a Metro App it goes full screen and tacks over the entire screen. You can't resize the Metro screen, its either full screen or hidden and running in the background. There is no taskbar etc like there is when you run a regular (desktop) windows program. If you open a second Metro App it opens in the same screen/window minimizing the first app and hiding it away. Metro can only ever open on one Monitor. You can't extend it across two monitors either. If your screen is wide enough the Metro Snap feature will be enabled. With Metro Snap you can sanp one app to one side of your screen and open another to the other side. It's not 50 50 though it more like a 2/3 to 1/3 ratio.


http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/4439-metro-multitasking-run-two-metro-apps-same-time.html
 

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There are certain instances where you do need multiple windows, as there is the Desktop. The metro design will evolve and is just at it's birth stage. I would bet things will improve more in later versions as the start menu did for 17 years.

Having said that, when you aren't in need of multiple windows, metro flies. I wouldn't think on a daily basis someone would need a plethora of windows open all the time. There are instances where that is needed, like stock brokering, but not everywhere else. I know in education, a lot of window usage from I've seen is usually three on average. Now, they aren't open at one time usually or sometimes are stacked to be switched to. Windows 8 has the simple function with metro just as well. You can snap two apps together, but I think that isn't enough since I'd rather have a full two halves of the screen be used and not 1/3 or 2/3. One could easily translate a document from Word in Desktop, and snap metro IE 10 and use an online translator to copy and paste or translate the document and have both side by side.
Hi there

@ COKE ROBOT

I LIKE YOU but you are talking TOTAL unicorns here.

You never answered my original query --which was say you needed to translate a document from Icelandic into English, French, German and Dutch -- how would you do it with only FULL SCREEN METRO windows available.

THAT IS 100 % NOT AN OPTION.

switching from one full screen window to another IS NO GOOD for this type of app. You really DO NEED to have at least the ORIGINAL and the target translation windows open SIDE BY SIDE (or concurrently). -- Not possible with Netro currently.

So PLEASE COKE ROBOT -- I like a lot of your stuff (and if I saw you in a pub would probably like you too anyway as a person) but PLEASE ANSWER my QUESTION -- Metro only how would you use W8 to translate documents from one into several languages only using the METRO SCREENS.

Not easy I can assure you.

Cheers
jimbo
 

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Jimbo,
I agree with you on the Metro apps, but you still have a Desktop and can run a translation program on it. You do not need the Metro apps at this time and I suspect a lot, if not most, business people will just ignore the Metro apps and go to the Desktop. You can even unpin all the Metro apps from the Start Screen and won't have to use them at all. I play with some of the Metro apps just to see, but 99.9% of the time I am in the Desktop.

Jim :cool:
 

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correct, it all can still done the same way in desktop mode, one click of the mouse, whats the big deal. Metro is a start screen interface, not a work area.
 

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Not if it's Win RT on an ARM tablet. Yes it all can still be done if you have desktop apps to fall back on. That's the way I'm doing things now. I think it was suggested that you can do it all in Metro, and that's what Jims post is in response to. I'll let him confirm or deny that though. Windows 8 is fine, but the Metro UI and Metro apps need a lot of work if you are going to multitask in it.
 

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Not if it's Win RT on an ARM tablet. Yes it all can still be done if you have desktop apps to fall back on. That's the way I'm doing things now. I think it was suggested that you can do it all in Metro, and that's what Jims post is in response to. I'll let him confirm or deny that though. Windows 8 is fine, but the Metro UI and Metro apps need a lot of work if you are going to multitask in it.

We'll have to wait and see what Jimbo says, but I think that's what he is talking about.

Quoting the Wikipedia description of the Surface:
Microsoft Surface is a planned series of tablet PCs designed and marketed by Microsoft. The Surface will be available in two versions, "Surface" and "Surface Pro". "Surface" will run the Windows RT operating system and use an ARM CPU. "Surface Pro" will run the Windows 8 Pro operating system and use an Intel CPU.[2][3] The display is a 10.6-inch, 16:9 widescreen HD Display (Surface), or Full HD Display (Surface Pro)

Even at the "Surface Pro" on an Intel, the screens will be too small for viewing panes and to navigate around would be time consuming to get anything accomplished. Then there's the issue of dual or multiple screens. i.e. will one have the option of dual screen via USB or HDMI if need be?

Nice tennis match, people! The ball is in your court for your anticipated return, Jimbo. :D
 

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    Desktop 7.2" (183mm) W x 17.5" (445mm) L x 14.5"
    Cooling
    Dual case fans + CPU fan
    Keyboard
    Acer Windows PS/2
    Mouse
    Wireless Microsoft Arc
    Internet Speed
    54mbp/s
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    Office Pro 2013 / Nokia Lumia 1520 Windows Phone 8.1DP GDR1
For me personally I can't ever see using a tablet for my main computing device. Even if it docks to a docking station with a keyboard, mouse, touchpad, and external monitor etc. Regardless or what OS is on it. If I ever have to give up my desktop PC the replacement will be a big honking desktop replacement laptop. I still want a tablet for out on my deck to do Web browsing, email, forum posts, music, and videos etc. For me, my options are limited by low finances. I'll likely end up with and Arm based tablet unless a really good sale happens at the right moment. By the time I'm ready to buy, Windows 8 will be out, and I'll just have to see what's out there that I can afford. For what I'd do on it, it wouldn't be the end of the world if it was an Android tablet.
 
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My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
On these forums we are use to thinking PC. Now that Windows 8 runs on multiple platforms we need to be more specific as to what platform we are discussing. Although Windows 8 will be similar on all these new platforms (per MS design) they each have their own particular limitations. I use an old Laptop when traveling and when it finally goes I may have to look into a tablet. Should be a lot of interesting units available in the future. Competition is great for us consumers.

Jim :cool:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 HP 64bit, Windows 8.1 Pro w/Media Center 64BIT
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS - Home Built
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X6 1100T
    Motherboard
    ASUS M5A99X EVO
    Memory
    Crucial Balistic DDR-3 1866 CL 9 (8 GB)
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI R6850 Cyclone IGD5 PE
    Sound Card
    On Chip
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS VE258Q 25" LED with DVI-HDMI-DisplayPort
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Two WD Cavier Black 2TB Sata 6gbs
    WD My Book Essential 2TB USB 3.0
    PSU
    Seasonic X650 80 Plus GOLD Modular
    Case
    Corsair 400R
    Cooling
    Antec Kuhler H2O 620, Two 120mm and four 140mm
    Keyboard
    AVS Gear Blue LED Backlight
    Mouse
    Logitech Marble Mouse USB, Logitech Precision Game Pad
    Internet Speed
    15MB
    Antivirus
    NIS, Malwarebytes Premium 2
    Other Info
    APC UPS ES 750, Netgear WNR3500L Gigabit & Wireless N Router with SamKnows Test Program,
    Motorola SB6120 Gigabit Cable Modem.
    Brother HL-2170W Laser Printer,
    Epson V300 Scanner
On these forums we are use to thinking PC. Now that Windows 8 runs on multiple platforms we need to be more specific as to what platform we are discussing. Although Windows 8 will be similar on all these new platforms (per MS design) they each have their own particular limitations. I use an old Laptop when traveling and when it finally goes I may have to look into a tablet. Should be a lot of interesting units available in the future. Competition is great for us consumers.

Jim :cool:

Yeah I was just recently thinking that when someone comes on here with a Q like "How do I make X do Y" they are going to have to be VERY specific about what device they are talking about. I mean it already happens between desktops and laptops, sometimes that makes a HUGE difference in how you answer a question. But now extend that to tablets and phones and it'll be even more confusing unless the OP mentions it right up front. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7/8
On these forums we are use to thinking PC. Now that Windows 8 runs on multiple platforms we need to be more specific as to what platform we are discussing. Although Windows 8 will be similar on all these new platforms (per MS design) they each have their own particular limitations. I use an old Laptop when traveling and when it finally goes I may have to look into a tablet. Should be a lot of interesting units available in the future. Competition is great for us consumers.

Jim :cool:

Yeah I was just recently thinking that when someone comes on here with a Q like "How do I make X do Y" they are going to have to be VERY specific about what device they are talking about. I mean it already happens between desktops and laptops, sometimes that makes a HUGE difference in how you answer a question. But now extend that to tablets and phones and it'll be even more confusing unless the OP mentions it right up front. :)

Thank you, gentlemen, for what you just stated. It finally hit me with what Jimbo is saying in this topic. It doesn't matter what device you're using with 8, although it's about screen real estate and the larger the screen the better. Of course, a phone would be ridiculous. You are correct to state that on forums we speak generally about PCs (with large screens) and now with 8 we should be more specific on scenarios across a multitude of platforms. But, what I believe he is referring to here is specifically the Metro UI screen, no matter what device for they all have one thing in common, a Metro screen.

To quote a portion of a Wikipedia article about Windows 8 Windows 8 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:

The traditional desktop environment for running desktop applications is treated as a Metro app. The Start button has been removed from the taskbar in favor of a Start button on the new charm bar, as well as a hotspot in the bottom-left corner. Both open the new Start screen, which replaces the Start menu.

Correct me if I'm wrong. What he is saying is unless you can multi-pane a Metro screen in certain tasks or scenarios, it is not a platform to accomplish the task efficiently, quickly, or at all. 1/3 - 2/3 is not going to cut it.

Also, a multi-monitor alternative isn't cutting it either. To quote z3r010 above, who uses 6 monitors:

Metro and multiple monitors is a disaster and as a 6 screen user the reason I'm staying on Windows 7.

I'm not in IT nor am I that much of a power user, but I believe them.:geek:
 
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My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer T690
    CPU
    Intel Pentium D Dual Core
    Motherboard
    Acer/Intel E946GZ
    Memory
    2GB (max upgrade)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3000 - PCI Express x16
    Sound Card
    Integrated RealTek ALC888 high-definition audio with 7.1 channel audio support
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer AL1917W A LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1440 X 900
    Hard Drives
    350 GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.10
    Thumb drives
    PSU
    Standard 250 watt
    Case
    Desktop 7.2" (183mm) W x 17.5" (445mm) L x 14.5"
    Cooling
    Dual case fans + CPU fan
    Keyboard
    Acer Windows PS/2
    Mouse
    Wireless Microsoft Arc
    Internet Speed
    54mbp/s
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    Office Pro 2013 / Nokia Lumia 1520 Windows Phone 8.1DP GDR1
That's my main beef with Metro, no multi monitor support. I have 2 19 inch LCD's but because they aren't wide screen monitors, no Metro Snap. So for me, it's one Metro app at a time on one monitor. :(
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
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