_{Cover of the August 2005 issue of PC World}

In 2005, PC World was already in decline. It was covering more computer adjacent things such as digital camcorders and phones by this point. It wasn't terrible...yet, but you could see where it was headed. The August 2005 issue includes:

Cover Story

Reinvent Your PC - Computer upgrade tips including adding a SATA drive, using a RAID, increasing RAM (to at least 512MB!), upgrading to a dual-core CPU (at least if you are already using an Athlon 64), adding USB 2.0, adding a faster wi-fi card, upgrading to a better graphics card, and more.

Features

Wireless Networking: Faster! Farther! - A test of six new wi-fi products including the Linksys Wireless-G Broadband Router and Wireless-G Notebook Adapter, the Belkin Wireless Pre-N Router and Wireless Pre-N Notebook Network Card, the Netgear Pre-N Wireless Router and Pre-N Wireless PC Card, the D-Link Super G MIMO Wireless Router, and more.

PC in a Browser - A look at various services that allow you to access your computer remotely including MyWebEx PC Pro, Citrix Online GoToMyPC 4.1, 3am Labs LogMeIn Pro, Laplink Everywhere 4, Pro Softnet RemotePC 3, and O1 Communique I'm InTouch 4.

Top 100

Spotlight: DV Camcorders - A look at the latest in DV camcorders including the Sony DCR-DVD403 DVD Handycam ($840), Sony DCR-HC42 MiniDV HandyCam ($560), Panasonic PV-GS250 ($850), Canon Optura 60 ($730), Hitachi DZGX20A ($750), and the JVC GR-DF550US ($450). With the exception of optical zoom, the cheapest modern smartphone is far superior for recording video.

Top 15 Desktop PCs - The top "power system" this month is the Alienware Aurora 5500 featuring a 2.6 GHz Athlon 64 FX-55, 256MB ATI Radeon X800 Pro graphics, 320 GB hard drive, 19-inch NEC LCD monitor and more for $3500. At the top of the "value system" list is the IBM ThinkCentre A51p featuring a 3 GHz Pentium 4 530, 160GB hard drive, 64MB ATI Radeon X300 Pro graphics and 17-inch ThinkVision LCD monitor for $1592.

Top 15 Notebook PCs - The top "desktop replacement" laptop this month is the Acer TravelMate 8100 featuring a 2 GHz Pentium M 760 for $2299. The top "all-purpose" laptop is the HP Compaq Nc8230 featuring a 2 Ghz Pentium M 760 for $2244, and the top "ultraportable" is the Dell Inspiron 700m featuring a 1.8 GHz Pentium M 745 for $1567.

_{Table of Contents from the August 2005 issue of PC World}

Departments

Up Front - Google's index has reached 8 billion web pages and counting...back when an editor could say things like "To its credit, though, Google has a history of treating its users' data with respect." with a straight face.

Letters - Letters from readers about hardware torture tests, permission-based filtering, spyware, and more.

Hassle-Free PC - Tips for becoming invisible on instant messaging services, sending files through e-mail that get blocked, and making sure you have all the video codecs you need.

News & Trends

Longhorn Roundup - A preview of what would ultimately become Windows 7.

Apple/Intel: The PC Perspective - News on Apple's switch to Intel processors.

Low-Cost Broadband From Cities Blocked - Cable and DSL providers square off against cities that want to offer broadband access to residents.

_{Table of Contents from the August 2005 issue of PC World (continued)}

New Products

Anti-Spyware Utilities - A look at the latest spyware protection including CounterSpy 1.5, Spy Sweeper 4, and ZeroSpyware 2005.

LCD Monitor - The Samsung Syncmaster 242mp, a 24-inch LCD monitor featuring a TV tuner for $1700.

HP's First 64-Bit-Ready Business PC - A look at the HP DX5150 featuring a 2.2 GHz Athlon 64 3500+ CPU for $915.
Online Calendar - The OneCalendar online calendar from Trumba.

Digital World

TV Recorders - Modern ways to record your favorite TV shows, including DirecTV DVR with TiVo, DVR from Comcast, the MOXI set-top DVR cable box, and more.