Bill O'Brien Contributing Editor

Bill O'Brien Reviews and Articles

Contributing Editor

Although Bill has done work for a variety of magazines over the years, he's been a Computer Shopper contributor since the late 1980s, way back when it was a Patch publication run by Stan Veit. Over the years, Bill developed into a serious hardware aficionado, writing the original suite of benchmarks for PC Magazine Labs at its startup. He was also the co-author of a much-read Computer Shopper column, “The Hard Edge,” which ran in print for 12 years.

Bill holds the record for handing out the most copies of the massive printed version of Computer Shopper at the venerable COMDEX computer trade show. It’s a feat he doubts will be surpassed.

Follow Bill on Twitter: @originalhardedge

Articles by Bill O'Brien

Orig:/var/ezwebin_site/storage/images/desktops/product-profile/origin-pc-genesis-2012-version/1037601-1-eng-US/origin-pc-genesis-2012-version_teaser_thumb.jpg Origin PC Genesis (2012 Version) Origin PC Genesis (2012 Version)

July 20, 2012 Origin PC Genesis (2012 Version)

Its price ($7,499) may be as stratospheric as its performance, but Origin has taken its new Genesis to near-absolute gaming levels. Everything progresses, but for now, the Genesis is at the pinnacle of gaming.

Pricing From $7,499 (direct, as tested)

Orig:/var/ezwebin_site/storage/images/desktops/product-profile/maxforce-revolution-2600k/1011920-1-eng-US/maxforce-revolution-2600k_teaser_thumb.jpg MaxForce Revolution 2600K MaxForce Revolution 2600K

May 1, 2012 MaxForce Revolution 2600K

The Revolution 2600K configuration we tested used smartly chosen components just shy of the cutting edge. The result: impressive high-end gaming and productivity performance (and a great case) at a competitive price.

Pricing From $2,499 (direct, as tested)

Orig:/var/ezwebin_site/storage/images/desktops/product-profile/digital-storm-ode/887203-1-eng-US/digital-storm-ode_teaser_thumb.jpg Digital Storm ODE Digital Storm ODE

December 2, 2011 Digital Storm ODE

A strong performer for the price (and a heck of a looker), the ODE is a good option for most PC gamers, or anyone who wants a very powerful, expandable tower.

Pricing From $1,599 (direct, as tested)

Orig:/var/ezwebin_site/storage/images/desktops/product-profile/digital-storm-black-ops-enix/734918-3-eng-US/digital-storm-black-ops-enix_teaser_thumb.jpg Digital Storm Black Ops Enix Digital Storm Black Ops Enix

June 30, 2011 Digital Storm Black Ops Enix

Serious-but-space-strapped PC gamers, take note: The configurable Enix packs extreme performance into a compact, unique tower.

Pricing From $3,355 (direct, as configured)

Orig:/var/ezwebin_site/storage/images/desktops/product-profile/maingear-shift-super-stock/723250-1-eng-US/maingear-shift-super-stock_teaser_thumb.jpg Maingear Shift SS Maingear Shift SS

May 18, 2011 Maingear Shift Super Stock

Thanks to the help of an expertly overclocked Intel "Sandy Bridge" CPU and a smart choice of components, the Shift Super Stock brings bleeding-edge performance a fair bit closer to affordability.

Pricing From $4,699 (direct, as tested)

Orig:/var/ezwebin_site/storage/images/desktops/product-profile/origin-pc-genesis/664559-2-eng-US/origin-pc-genesis_teaser_thumb.jpg Origin PC Genesis Origin PC Genesis

November 3, 2010 Origin PC Genesis

The Origin PC Genesis is an uncompromising, benchmark-busting gaming machine that restores honor to the reputation of boutique-PC builders.

Pricing From $6,699 (direct, as tested)

Orig:/var/ezwebin_site/storage/images/desktops/product-profile/maingear-f1312/645568-4-eng-US/maingear-f131_teaser_thumb.jpg Maingear F131 Maingear F131

August 31, 2010 Maingear F131 (2010 Version)

This overclocked Core i5 desktop is a very solid gaming rig with major expansion potential, but comparably priced models do offer quad-core CPUs and more features.

Pricing From $1,999 (direct, as tested)

Orig:/var/ezwebin_site/storage/images/desktops/product-profile/digital-storm-black-ops-assassin/640884-1-eng-US/digital-storm-black-ops-assassin_teaser_thumb.jpg Digital Storm Black OPS Assassin Digital Storm Black OPS Assassin

August 23, 2010 Digital Storm Black Ops Assassin

Digital Storm’s Black Ops Assassin is one killer PC with an asking price that, while certainly not cheap, is impressive considering this PC approaches the performance of über-PCs that cost much more.

Pricing From $3,391 (direct, as tested)

Orig:/var/ezwebin_site/storage/images/desktops/product-profile/acer-aspire-predator-g7750/635986-1-eng-US/acer-aspire-predator-g7750_teaser_thumb.jpg Acer Aspire Predator Acer Aspire Predator

August 9, 2010 Acer Aspire Predator G7750

Its stylishly intimidating exterior and solid productivity performance are certainly impressive, but the Acer Aspire Predator's gaming chops don't really live up to its lofty price tag.

Pricing From $1,999 (mfr. est., as tested)

Orig:/var/ezwebin_site/storage/images/desktops/product-profile/ibuypower-lan-warrior-ii/630986-1-eng-US/ibuypower-lan-warrior-ii_teaser_thumb.jpg iBuypower LAN Warrior II iBuypower LAN Warrior II

July 19, 2010 iBuypower LAN Warrior II

iBuypower's latest LAN-party rig is a compact powerhouse with gaming performance that meets or beats larger, costlier PCs for the price.