Our top story for 2001, "Kindle Fire vs. Nook Tablet: Which Should You Buy?," garnered 895,000 page hits--and the article went live just over a month ago. The next most popular article, "10 Great Ways to Get More From Your iPad," earned 480,000 hits since May. Those stats say a lot about how popular tablets and e-readers have become in the past year. Bringing up a distant third place is "9 Reasons to Switch from Facebook to Google+" at about 352,000 hits since June. Read on to learn which PCWorld news, reviews, how-tos, and downloads were most popular with our readers this year.
--Kim Saccio-Kent, Newsletter Editor
Most Popular Articles of 2011
#1--Kindle Fire vs. Nook Tablet: Which Should You Buy?
If you want an inexpensive slate, the new tablets from Amazon and Barnes & Noble are your best bets. We tested them head-to-head to see which one worked better for reading, browsing the Web, watching video, listening to music, and more.
#2--10 Great Ways to Get More From Your iPad
Did you know that you can stream movies from your PC to the iPad, use it as a secondary monitor, connect USB speakers and keyboards, and browse Web sites with actual tabs? Here's how to get the most from Apple's iPad.
#3--9 Reasons to Switch from Facebook to Google+
Can Google+ steal users from Facebook? Yep. There are good reasons to switch from Facebook to Google+, ranging from ease-of-use to respect for data privacy.
News
#1--Amazon Kindle Fire First Impressions: Solid but Limited
Following extended eyes-on time, here are a few thoughts on where Amazon's new Kindle Fire fits into the tablet landscape.
#2--Head to Head: iPhone vs. Android
Two PCWorld editors face off in the battle of the smartphone platforms.
#3--Apple iPhone 4S: The Good, Bad, and Unknown
The iPhone 4S might look very similar to last year's iPhone 4, but some intriguing specs and features are hidden under the hood.
PCW Business Center
#1--Why Steve Jobs Is Right about Android
Many feel that Steve Jobs was a petty tyrant or that Apple's patents are too broad, but emotion and personal opinion don't play a role in determining legal issues around whether Android was 'stolen' from iOS.
#2--Syncing iCloud with Windows and Outlook
iCloud is primarily Apple and iOS-centric, but it does sync up nicely with Microsoft Windows and Outlook as well using the iCloud Control Panel for Windows tool.
#3--Speed Up Your Internet Connection by Changing Your Domain Name System Server
Is your Internet connection slow? The cause could be a slow DNS name server. Here's how to find the fastest, most reliable DNS servers in your area and use them to enhance your Internet browsing experience.
Blogs
#1--Verizon 4G Phones: HTC Thunderbolt or Droid Bionic?
Should you spring for the HTC Thunderbolt now or wait for the Droid Bionic to arrive? Here's a look at how Verizon's two new hot 4G phones compare.
#2--Forget Apple iPad 2: Reports Say iPad 3 Is the One to Watch
Reports suggest that the upcoming iPad 3 will have all the new bells and whistles.
#3--Les Paul Google Doodle Lets You Strum Guitar, Record, Playback
Google Doodle celebrated Les Paul with an interactive guitar that lets you play, record, and share your ditties.
Reviews
#1--Smartphone Camera Battle: iPhone 4S vs. the Android Elite
The iPhone 4S offers better camera specs than previous iPhones, but does it capture better-looking stills and videos than the best Android phones? Let's find out.
#2--Which Tablet Works Best? Apple iPad 2 vs. Motorola Xoom vs. Samsung Galaxy Tab":
No one tablet does it all--yet. Here's a look at how today's three leading tablet contenders handle common tasks.
#3--White iPhone 4 vs. Black iPhone 4: Do They Have Different Cameras?
According to our tests for image and video quality, the white iPhone 4 and black iPhone 4 shoot different(ly). Take a look at our test shots and see for yourself.
How-To
#1--28 iPad 2 Tips and Tricks
Master your new iPad 2 with these quick tips and convenient shortcuts.
#2--The 21 Greatest PC Mysteries--Solved!
Find out why your documents won't print, where your downloads disappear to, what a .dat file is, how those infernal toolbars invaded your browser, and much more.
#3--How to Jailbreak Your iOS 5 Device
Want to jailbreak an iPod Touch, iPhone, or iPad running iOS 5? Here's how to do so with Redsn0w.
Videos
#1--How to Completely Erase a Hard Drive
Sometimes simply deleting files isn't good enough. In this how-to video segment, PCWorld explains a number of simple techniques for permanently and securely removing sensitive data from old drives before recycling or disposing of them.
#2--How to Install an SSD in Your Laptop
Laptops are ideal candidates for solid state drives: These drives are more rugged and shock resistant than standard hard drives, since they have no moving parts. Since laptops get thrown quite a bit, replacing a more traditional, rotating hard drive with a more robust SSD can be good idea.
#3--Tablet Shootout: Xoom vs. iPad 2 vs. Galaxy Tab
In the market for a tablet? We take a look at the comparative strengths of the Motorola Xoom, Apple iPad 2, and Samsung Galaxy Tab.
Download Collections
#1--10 Must-Have Free Downloads
Every once in a while, a must-have program is totally free. Such indispensable, no-cost tools are the hardest programs to find--but we've found the best ones for you.
#2--The 10 Best Free Hard Drive Utilities
Here are our favorite free utilities for partitioning, monitoring, and optimizing hard drives (as well as a few inexpensive for-pay alternatives). Despite some high-end features, they won't bust your budget.
#3--Still Awesome After All These Years: Eight Excellent Free Downloads
Some programs are like perennials, returning each year with fresh blooms and stronger stems. Take a look at eight of these blossoming apps, all of which are more awesome than ever, and all of which are, amazingly, free.
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