Windows Phone 7.8 has taken its sweet time to get to some older handsets, so it was nice when the update finally became available to download last week. However, all is not good because there are a couple of Windows Phone 7.8 update problems that are of a huge concern to us, as well as those who have already installed the update.

It seem as though some users are experiencing an extreme amount of data usage, which in turn will have an adverse effect on battery life. The issue concerns the Live Tiles because when a certain app makes a request to an online server for an icon and the data is unavailable then it will begin a loop to try and retrieve that data, which is explained in more detail here.

This means that your phone is browsing the Internet continuously, which is a huge issue while you are out and about because it will begin to eat into your data usage, which in turn could result in you going over your monthly allowance. Because the app is trying to continually make a request to get an address this will take far more battery power than normal.

It’s worth noting that this is not the case with all phones and will come down to a bad app, so just keep a close eye on things. This isn’t the only issues that people have been having with the Windows 7.8 update, and while some of you would argue that Microsoft should get things right before they issue an update, you only have to look at the recent iOS 6.1 problems to know that this is something that we have now come to expect from mobile operating system updates.

Since yesterday those with Windows Phone 7.5 devices have been able to download and install Windows 7.8, but this has not been an easy process for some and have had to force a download rather than receiving it automatically. Now the easiest thing to do would just be patient, but we know it’s never as simple as that, just as some iPhone 5 owners have experienced with iOS 6.1.

There is currently only a few Windows 7.8 update download problems reported, but nothing like those on par with the shambles of Apple’s latest mobile OS. A few people have suggested that the 7.8 update has caused a slight delay when they hit the start tile screen just before the animation does its little thing. We’ve not heard much of this issue, so one would presume that this is just an isolated issue to just a select few.

Another issue is how people have downloaded and installed Windows 7.8, but they seem to have no acknowledgement that their device has the latest update, and are left wondering if they are still running 7.5. There’s also an issue with people trying to update their Surround handset, and when they asked HTC, they said that this was an Android handset so could not have the update, even though it’s clearly a Windows device. Another HTC customer service representative said that Surround would not even handle Mango let along 7.8, which is strange considering most people are running Mango on this device.

Some of our readers have said that after updating to Windows 7.8 Ringtone maker had disappeared along with Bluetooth share. While 7.8 doesn’t seem to add too much to Windows Phone, it has certainly proved a very popular download and so far those issues have not been as bad as a certain Apple device.

Firstly and most importantly we must state that as this is a developer preview the software may not be stable or secure, also please backup all important files just in case something untoward happens – once you are aware of this you can download the Windows 8 developer preview here, we installed the 64-bit build.

Once you have downloaded the ISO file you must burn it to disc (DVD), also you need to ensure that you have a secondary partition on your HDD – luckily our Toshiba laptop comes with a Data partition (D:) and this had over 20GB of free space, however if you only have one large C partition you will have to create a secondary partition (you may have to search Google for some help with this).

If you shutdown your computer and boot from the recently created DVD you will be able to carry out your Windows 8 developer preview installation – however you must choose the correct options, so make sure you follow our installation guide carefully.

The first thing you must do is choose the correct language and keyboard layout, this is pretty self explanatory and once you have selected the correct options click “Next”. The next screen will show you the Windows logo and ask you to “Install Now”, click this.

As with most software installations there are some license terms to agree – tick the box if you agree to these terms and then click “Next”, the next step is the important one.

Below is what you see next, here you must choose what sort of installation you want to carry out – for a dual-boot you must not choose “Upgrade” and instead select “Custom”, this then allows you to choose which partition you install Windows 8 to.

Obviously you don’t want to overwrite your Windows 7 installation on the C partition, instead you will be installing Windows 8 to the seperate partition which you created earlier. For our setup we chose “partition 3 data”, don’t worry it doesn’t overwrite the data on this drive unless you manually choose to do so under “drive options”.

Now the installation is pretty automated and once completed you will notice a boot selection screen when you start your laptop up – here you can boot into either Windows 7 or Windows 8, the first time you boot the Windows 8 Developer Preview you will have to carry out some basic setup, this won’t take long.

Below we have embedded a video showing you Windows 8 dual-booting with Windows 7 on our laptop – we hope the process went smoothly for you.

As noted in a recent press release over on the Lenovo.com website, the latest all-in-one ThinkCentre M71z comes with a variety of performance features including a second-generation Intel Core processor, advanced video conferencing features and a fast boot up time. In fact, select models (with an optional SSD) will start up in as little as fifteen seconds.

Consumers have a choice of processor up to a 2nd generation Intel Core i5 and up to 8GB of DDR3 SDRAM, as well as the option of up to 1TB hard drive space or an ultrafast 160GB solid-state drive. The ThinkCentre M71z comes with a 20-inch display, with the added option of a multi-touch screen. It also comes with a wireless mouse and wireless, spill-resistant keyboard.

The ThinkCentre M71z AIO comes with a variety of extra security and productivity features including six USB ports, a DVD burner, optional Wi-Fi, chassis intrusion switch and DisplayPort, which enables users to view digital video on a second monitor. The Lenovo ThinkCentre M71z also offers an optional 2-megapixel webcam and a digital array microphone.

Users will also have the ability to quickly adjust both microphone and camera settings during a call via the ThinkVantage Communications Utility. Lenovo ThinkCentre desktops not only use a significant amount of recycled content in their chassis materials, they also come with power supply units that surpass Energy Star 5.2 efficiency requirements.

As for pricing and availability, the ThinkCentre M71z all-in-one desktop PC will be available as from sometime in October, and will be priced at around $599. What are your impressions of the ThinkCentre M71z AIO?

According to a recent article over at tweaktown.com, the GE620DX comes with an Intel second-generation quad-core i7-2630QM processor (with core speeds of 2.00GHz) under its hood. The processor also supports Intel’s Turbo Boost Technology 2.0, which boosts core clock speeds and enhances the overall performance of the device.

In terms of graphics, the MSI GE620DX gaming laptop comes with NVIDIA’s high-end GeForce GT 555M discrete graphics card, with 2GB of display memory. The GE620DX also supports NVIDIA’s PhysX technology and DirectX 11, which provides users with more detailed and realistic graphics. It also comes with Quick Sync Video support.

The Quick Sync Video support will boost the laptop’s efficiency when ripping, synchronizing or editing multimedia files. The GE620DX also comes with MSI GPU Boost Technology support, which will automatically switch back and forth between the NVIDIA discrete graphics card and the graphics chip depending on what task it is undertaking at the time.

For example, if your laptop is processing graphics-heavy applications it will automatically switch to the discrete graphics card mode. However, if it is simply performing general word processing tasks or just browsing the Internet, it will kick into the integrated graphics chip mode. This of course gives the ideal balance between battery life and performance.

As for sound, the MSI GE620DX not only comes with MSI’s Premium Sound, it also features THX TruStudio Pro smart surround sound technology. It also comes with Cinema Pro technology. One simple touch of the Cinema Pro hotkey will instantly switch you to film mode for richer colors and a higher resolution.

The MSI GE620DX also boasts a 720p web camera, which will provide users with high definition pictures when video chatting with friends and family. It also comes with an HDMI port, enabling users to connect it to a large screen TV, and USB 3.0 ports. AS some of you will already know, USB 3.0 ports boast transfer speeds of 4.8Gbps (10 times faster than USB 2.0).

You can read more about the specs of the MSI GE620DX over on the tweaktown.com website. Are you thinking about buying a new gaming laptop?

As Darren Murph over at engadget.com notes, the Acer Revo RL100 – which is being hailed as a digital hub – features a sleek design, is powered by an AMD Athlon II K325 processor with a clock speed of 1.3GHz and comes with 4GB of DDR3 SDRAM and a 750GB SATA hard drive.

The Revo RL100 Media Center – which has the ability to lay flat or stand upright – connects directly to your television via the HDMI port and comes with NVIDIA ION discrete graphics with support for Web HD Flash acceleration and 720p/1080p HD video playback.

It also comes outfitted with Acer’s clear.fi streaming solution, which will automatically interconnect with other Acer home-based and mobile devices making it easier to share high definition multimedia. The Revo RL100 also comes with 3 USB 2.0 ports and an integrated multi-in-one card reader.

This great device comes with a dual-mode wireless keyboard / touchpad, which can easily transform from one to the other with a simple press of a toggle button. There are 2 models available: one with a DVD drive and one with a Blu-ray drive. Both models are priced up at $449.99 and $569.99 respectively.

Would you buy the Acer Revo RL100 Media Center PC?

As Dana Wollman over at engadget.com recently reported, the Acer Aspire TimelineX 3830T, 4830T and 5930T models all come with the two-tone aluminum design and USB 3.0, as well as a choice of Core i3 and Core i5 processors and the company’s clear.fi software.

Both the 14-inch 4830T and the 15.6-inch 5830T models also come with an 8X DVD-super multi double-layer drive and a dedicated numeric keypad. All three models come with a 1.3-megapixel HD webcam that’s ideal for video chat and run on the Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit operating system.

The Acer Aspire TimelineX 3830T model is powered by a 2nd generation 2.30GHz Intel Core i5-2410M processor with Turbo Boost Technology, and features a 13.3-inch HD CineCrystal LED-backlit display with a 1366 x 768 resolution and a 500GB SATA hard drive.

Meanwhile, the 5830T model is powered by a 2.1GHz second generation Intel Core i3-2310M processor and comes with a 640GB SATA hard drive, a multi-in-1 digital media card reader and a multi-gesture touchpad. All three versions come with Mobile Intel HM65 Express Chipset.

All three sizes are available to purchase from retailers as from now. The 5830T has been priced up at $599.99, while the 4830T and 3830T models will set you back $699.99 and $779.99 respectively. You can read more about the individual specs of each model via the engadget.com link.

Are you thinking about upgrading your current laptop / notebook?

According to Cristian over on the tcmagazine.com website, the Lenovo Essential G575 notebook comes with a 15.6-inch display with a 1366 x 768 resolution, an integrated DVD reader/writer, a 6-cell battery that provides around 4-5 hours usage, up to 8GB of RAM and up to a 750GB hard drive.

As noted over on shop.lenovo.com, the G575 model also comes with high-speed (802.11 b/g/n) Wi-Fi and Bluetooth (optional) connectivity, an AccuType keyboard with easy-to-press keys, up to AMD Radeon HD 6370M 1GB graphics and an integrated 2.0/0.3M webcam for video chat.

Another great feature of the G575 is the Lenovo DirectShare, which enables you to easily synchronize your files with another notebook without having to be connected to the Internet. The G575 comes with a variety of software including YouCam, VeriFace 4.0 (for the face recognition) and Rescue System 7.0.

You can read more about the specs of the Lenovo Essential G575 notebook – which runs Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit and starts from $549 – over on the shop.lenovo.com website. Are you looking for a new laptop / notebook?

As Shane McGlaun over at slashgear.com recently noted, the Hannspree SN22A1 comes with a large 21.5-inch screen that supports multi-touch capability and uses LED backlighting. The unit crams all of the hardware into its monitor, making the SN22A1 ideal for those with limited desk space.

The Hannspree SN22A1 all-in-one PC is powered by a 1.66GHz dual-core Intel D510 processor, runs on the Windows Home Premium Standard operating system, and comes with a 320GB hard drive, 3GB of DDRII RAM, an integrated optical drive, four USB ports and a memory card reader.

Other specs include an integrated 1.3-megapixel webcam, a full 1080p HD resolution, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity and HDMI / VGA inputs. The SN22A1’s slim stand can be tilted from 10-degrees, to 55-degrees. The Hannspree SN22A1 AIO has been priced up at £349.99 including VAT.

Are you thinking about buying a new all-in-one desktop PC? If you are, do you like the sound of the Hannspree SN22A1?

As Cristian over on the tcmagazine.com website recently reported, the Sahara Slate PC i500 has been described as the most powerful Windows 7 slate to date. The Sahara Slate PC i500 tablet weighs in at 1.49kg and boasts a 12.1-inch LED-backlit dual-mode display with a 1366 x 768 resolution.

The tablet’s dual-mode display supports both pen and finger input, with the option of both resistive and capacitive touch screens. Consumers also have a choice of processors including a 1.06GHz Celeron U3400 or the 2.13GHz Core i7-640LM. It also comes with up to 8GB of RAM and a choice of hard drive or SSD.

Other features (as noted over on the tabletkiosk.com website) include Intel’s Turbo Boost technology, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g/n) connectivity and a Biometric Fingerprint Reader. In terms of ports, the TabletKiosk Sahara Slate Pc i500 tablet includes 2 full-sized USB 2.0 ports and Gigabit Ethernet.

You can read more via the tabletkiosk.com website. Do you like the sound of the TabletKiosk Sahara Slate PC i500 tablet?