Intel's Sandy Bridge processors have a remote kill switch

http://www.techspot.com/news/41643-intels-sandy-bridge-processors-have-a-remote-kill-switch.html

It is almost like the Twilight Zone. Not only they can control the Internet but they can control your computer too.

There is nothing wrong with your television set. Do not attempt to adjust the picture. We are controlling transmission. If we wish to make it louder, we will bring up the volume. If we wish to make it softer, we will tune it to a whisper. We will control the horizontal. We will control the vertical. We can roll the image, make it flutter. We can change the focus to a soft blur or sharpen it to crystal clarity. For the next hour, sit quietly and we will control all that you see and hear. We repeat: there is nothing wrong with your television set. You are about to participate in a great adventure. You are about to experience the awe and mystery which reaches from the inner mind to... The Outer Limits.
— Opening narration – The Control Voice – 1960s

I saw this. First, you pay extra for the privilege of using transistors you already own. And now, if Microsoft doesn't like you running Linux, you are turned off.

This is why I want to build my own computer, from the ground up. I just need to get off my @$$ and actually start doing it.

Use AMD hardware. It performs better as well.

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x86?  We ain't got no x86.  We don't NEED no stinking x86!