Gordon Mah Ung, PCWorld editor and popular hardware reporter, passes away at 58

PCWorld managing editor Gordon Mah Ung, a determined reporter we as soon as referred to as a establishing dad of hardcore tech journalismdied over the weekend after a hard-fought fight with pancreatic cancer. Gordon was 58, and leaves a caring better half, 2 kids, older sis, and mom.

With more than 25 years’ experience covering computer system tech broadly and computer system chips particularly, Gordon’s dogged reporting, distinctive character, and dedication to journalistic requirements touched numerous, lots of lives. He will be exceptionally missed out on by colleagues, market sources, and the PC lovers who read his words and followed him as a video developer.

Gordon studied journalism at San Francisco State University and after that worked as an authorities press reporter for the Contra Costa Times in the late 1990s. In 1997, he signed up with Computerworld (a PCWorld sibling publication) before I hired him to sign up with boot publication (later re-launched as Maximum PC), where he would eventually lead hardware protection for 16 years.

At Maximum PC, Gordon established his hallmark voice that combined a hardcore enthusiasm for PC tech with non-sequiturs, deadpan humor, and periodic bursts of outrage. As a really early podcaster in the tech area, Gordon’s “Rant of the Week” section on the Maximum PC pod ended up being so famous, somebody made a soundboard of his finest noise bytes. (Caution: It can get a bit NSFW in the finest Gordon custom.) As I listened to his tirades from my workplace, he constantly had me thinking, “Is he truly that upset, or is he playing us?”

Which became part of Gordon’s genius. His primary dedication was to examining the story, notifying the general public, and assisting individuals make the very best innovation choices. Layered on top of all of this was a master showman who easily linked with similar lovers.

Throughout much of his time at Maximum PC, Gordon was the lead designer, home builder and dreamer behind the publication’s yearly Dream Machine job, which involved producing the most outrageous, high-performing PC possible. Throughout these structure undertakings, he sealed his relationships with Intel, AMD, Nvidia, and other hardware producers too various to point out.

Gordon’s objective was to get the most recent, best, most high-performing parts before anybody else. And it didn’t end with CPUs and GPUs. If a piece of innovation entered into a PC develop, Gordon had an encyclopedic understanding about all of it– memory, storage, PSUs, cases, cooling, and beyond.

Gordon was likewise the unnamed author of Maximum PC’s consumer-advocate “Watchdog” column. As the mystical Watchdog, Gordon reacted to reader problems about unreliable business and stopping working items, and used all his investigative abilities to assist readers reach a resolution. It was a best merger of customer service, deep reporting and tech smarts that just Gordon might own.

Sort of like Star Trek’s Scotty who chose adhering to his technical handbooks, Gordon withstood taking the helm of Maximum PC, however ultimately accepted end up being Editor-in-Chief in 2014. Flash forward to later on that year, when I when again requested for his assistance– this time to sign up with PCWorld as managing editor in charge of hardware.

At PCWorld, Gordon instantly started inscribing his understanding and character on our posts and video. His deep-dive CPU evaluations were legendary, and continued a tradition of no-BS chip protection that however made the trust and regard of the business he covered. A few of his very first segues into video took the type of our Hardcore Hardware series where he wed his deep wealth of understanding with hallmark Gordon theatrics.

It wasn’t till we released The Full Nerd video podcast in 2016, and set Gordon loose on much more video formats, did he come cycle as a developer. As the host of The Full Nerd, Gordon had the ability to provide all his understanding and analysis at a much faster speed– and if you’ve seen The Full Nerd, you understand simply just how much he enjoyed whatever the PC scene needs to use.

Through his broadened existence on The Full Nerd, Gordon established deep relationships with not just other YouTube developers, however likewise with devoted fans. You might nearly hear his fan base cheering him on through the remarks feed throughout live programs. I have actually frequently believed that the method Gordon shared his reporting in print and on podcasts functioned as design for what PC hardware YouTube would end up being– unapologetically unpopular, opinionated, and loaded with mindset. Gordon constantly provided an important extra aspect: a legitimate journalism background and all the rigor it requires.

Gordon continued to shoot video and appear on The Full Nerd till weeks before his death. Speak about a dedication to beat protection. He was following the story to the very end.

I satisfied Gordon in journalism school and invested a great deal of time with him in the trenches– sharing cubicle areas, and hearing him riff. I’ll remember his limitless arguments with colleagues (his bob-and-weave rhetorical design was as frustrating as it was amusing). I’ll remember his two-hour long phone interviews with sources (he questioned them like a professional, however played the long video game in cultivating trust). I’ll remember his dependability in constantly inquiring about the TPS reports when some governmental e-mail landed in our inboxes. I’ll remember him slyly trolling me by calling the series “Star Track” although I’m 99 percent sure he understood that’s not how it’s noticable.

He may have been the personnel curmudgeon, however he was likewise our the majority of enjoyable colleague, bar none.

I’ve long held this romantic concept, possibly mistakenly, that reporters are celebrated by their canon. And of all the tech reporters I’ve personally understood, nobody has a much deeper canon, and has actually touched more fans, and has actually made more regard from market heavyweights than Gordon. From his earliest days on Maximum PC to his last days on PCWorld and the Full Nerd, Gordon touched individuals in such a way I simply have not seen anywhere else. He’s leaving an open hole in the hearts of those who liked him, however what he’s offered us lives permanently. — Jon Phillips, editorial director, PCWorld

Gordon’s household has actually introduced a GoFundMeto assist cover medical costs. Please contribute to them if you can.

Gordon Mah Ung, kept in mind

Here are more reflections from those who understood Gordon well. If you ‘d like to share some ideas on what Gordon implied to you, please e-mail Brad Chacos, PCWorld managing editor, at bchacos@pcworld.comWe will not be able to include all submissions to this post.

‘The reporter and individual I wished to be when I mature.’

Here’s something Gordon never ever understood. He was the beacon for my profession before I even had my profession. I was born in the early 80s. I was a wide-eyed teenager when Gordon was blazing routes in boot and Optimum PC in the late 90s. This was my intro to lover PC culture, long before the Internet took off.

After investing years dumping trucks and operating in factories, I ultimately started into tech journalism. I had $2,000 in the bank and a 6-month-old child, however I wished to do what Gordon did. I ground out unlimited $15 short articles on a material farm called Demand Media. I was ultimately contributed to the tech vertical, which Salon syndicated. And those Salon clips got me a freelance gig with Maximum PC’s nascent Web Blog. YES!

The very first time I got an e-mail from Gordon with insights on something I was dealing with, I swooned– and listened, and hustled. Ultimately I was lucky sufficient to work along with Gordon at PCWorld, then become his co-host on The Full Nerd, and loooong after that, his manager. (WUT!) I found out Much from him. Gordon constantly stayed my motivation; the reporter and individual I wished to be when I mature. He still is.

He never ever understood that. I want he did, since Gordon actually altered my life. Follow in the steps of achievement, kids. And Gordon was the GOAT. — Brad Chacos, PCWorld managing editor and Gordon Mah Ung stan

Brad was Gordon’s co-host on The Full Nerd podcast and composed a different post remembering his preferred episode– a masterclass in what made Gordon Gordon

‘He remembered who came before him, and developed area for those who would follow’

I might compose for a living, however I can’t justify Gordon in words. I understand he would push me, as he constantly has, to go for it. See where it takes me.

PC structure is what led me to cross courses with Gordon– I initially satisfied him while preview at the wild and fantastic PC develops on the opposite of my cubical wall. At the time, I was a computer game reporter, covering a platform I ‘d later on get mercilessly razzed about on The Full Nerd.

I liked tech, and I liked finding out about PC hardware. It was a characteristic that Gordon motivated, supported, and changed into a whole brand-new branch of my profession. Gordon was the type of guy who did that delicately, too. His extensive love for PC hardware made him open and generous, constantly actively keeping seats open at the table for others. He remembered who came before him, and developed area for those who would follow him.

In every capability I’ve understood him– employer, coach, associate– he taught me to remain modest, lead with interest, and stay reasonable in protection. Integrated with his laser-sharp accuracy and analysis, his example permanently inspires me to believe deeply and attentively. The market will not be the exact same without him.–Alaina Yee, PCWorld senior editor and Maximum PC alumni

‘He invited me in and let me understand I belonged’

Newsrooms draw in characters. Misfits, helpless optimists, unrepentent goofballs, anti-establishment types, adorable weirdos, and willful contrarians. Gordon was all of those things, however many of all, he was kind.

He was constantly initially in line to assist a pal in requirement. When there was an emergency situation, he ran towards it. I do not believe he was a Boy Scout, however he was constantly prepared.

When I was the brand-new guy at Maximum PC, I understood everything about computer systems and absolutely nothing about publications. Gordon didn’t care. He invited me in and let me understand I belonged there. He addressed all of my stupidest concerns, assisted me when I required assistance, and let me make errors when I required to screw up. And he made certain that all of us entered great problem on the reg.

He taught me that our task, as editors, is constantly to serve the reader. It didn’t matter that marketers footed the bill; individuals who trusted us to provide guidance and assistance wereconstantlyour top priority. It was his directing concept and he lived it every day. He was never ever scared of speaking fact to power in service of the reader. And he taught many young reporters to do the exact same.

I currently miss my buddy extremely, however I’m exceptionally grateful that I got to share a little part of his journey with him. The world is an even worse location without him. — Will Smith, Full Nerd routine and previous Maximum PC editor-in-chief

‘Gordon was constantly at the center of it’

I barely require to note Gordon’s numerous excellent qualities– he was a precious legend in the PC neighborhood for a factor. I’m amongst a smaller sized number of individuals who had the benefit of working with him day to day on a group, initially at Maximum PC and then PCWorld. Regardless of being an epic figure for both of those brand names, Gordon was the skilled staff member– constantly going to patiently discuss something, constantly to riff and team up, constantly kind and considerate of others. He appeared to really grow on the group effort.

My preferred work memories are of the Maximum PC bullpen where the personnel would banter and laugh relatively throughout the day– it’s remarkable we ever got anything done. Gordon was constantly at the center of it. He was a really impressive person who I’m happy to have actually dealt with and referred to as a good friend.–Katherine Stevenson, PCWorld handling editor and Maximum PC alumni

‘Gordon was the newsiest geek I’ve ever understood’

It’s reasonable to state Gordon assisted specify what PCWorld is today, from our objective to specifically our voice. I matured in a newsroom, and Gordon was the newsiest geek I’ve ever understood: absolutely committed to depth, precision, and context, however with a negative, collegial funny bone. He likewise cared deeply about comprehending how tech worked and uncovering its deep, dark tricks that makers glossed over. The guy merely enjoyed his task. All of us liked him. — Mark Hachman, senior editor, PCWorld

‘We are lucky to have actually had somebody so real defending us’

Gordon Mah Ung is an irreplaceable force of helpful for this market and for customers. His background in cops reporting and journalism managed a strong structure to his work and a special viewpoint not discovered anywhere else in the computer system reporting company. Like lots of others, Gordon’s operate in Maximum PC influenced me long before I was ever in the market.

Gordon and I got along from the first day, and I will permanently keep his viewpoint in mind. His existence at occasions will be considerably missed out on. Gordon Mah Ung has actually long been my preferred co-host in videos for his “genuine” disposition and his sincerity; he is precisely who he provides himself as on video camera, and we are lucky to have actually had somebody so authentic defending us in this market. Gordon, thank you for whatever you have actually taught me, and thank you for unwaveringly watching out for customers. — Steve Burke, editor-in-chief, GamersNexus

‘If Gordon applauded my system, it seemed like I ‘d won an Oscar’

Gordon examined our PCs for 25 years, and he has actually composed more kind words about my business than anybody. It’s a bittersweet honor to provide a couple of words about Gordon in return.

For the very first years I understood Gordon, I discovered little about him personally. He resembled a test we needed to pass. At Maximum PC, he was the supreme authority on whether the systems we were constructing deserved anybody purchasing. If Gordon applauded my system, it seemed like I ‘d won an Oscar. He never ever let a missed out on information get by him, and attempting to impress Gordon has actually ended up being a constant of my profession. I would not be where I am today without Gordon’s approval.

Over the years I was lucky adequate to get to understand Gordon a bit personally. I constantly felt fortunate when he ‘d call me for long off-the-record speak about the current PC market intrigue, and we ‘d undoubtedly tangent off to speaking about Aliens or Star Trek, or “the kids constructing PCs nowadays who do not understand how simple they have it.” Gordon was a kindred spirit: an O.G. sci-fi and computer system geek who liked tech, and constantly kept in mind the point of the pastime was having a good time with cool toys.

The most significant impression he made on me was when he and his household stopped by my store a couple of years earlier. Such fantastic individuals, and I was so pleased by his kids: kind, clever and amusing– precisely whom you ‘d anticipate Gordon to have actually made the world much better with. Satisfying them, I discovered his tradition was not simply in what he composed, however in who he taught, and who he enjoyed. Thank you, Gordon.— Kelt Reeves, Falcon Northwest

A genuinely analytical reporter, he looked for the stories behind the stories’

The majority of us understand Gordon as a veteran tech reporter, as one of the very best and the most enthusiastic in the market. Gordon was a genuinely curious reporter, he looked for the stories behind the stories by taking a genuine interest in the items, business, and individuals behind them.

I was fortunate sufficient to understand Gordon as a buddy. We checked-in typically with one another. I would inquire about his health, and he would inquire about my flying. Sometimes, we ‘d talk market updates however the majority of our discussions had to do with household, buddies, life, and the important things that matter a lot of. He was so pleased with his household, not too long ago sending me Halloween Ghostbusters pictures and the remarkable pictures his kid took at an air program in 2015. I will miss our discussions and my good friend. He was among the very best and permanently will be.— Frank Azor, Chief Architect of Gaming Solutions, AMD, and Alienware co-founder

‘Any great I do shows a minimum of in part on Gordon’

If you’ve ever studied on anything technical, possibilities are you’ve checked out something Gordon composed. His eager intelligence and razor-sharp wit assisted him link the dots on both the innovation and individuals that comprise our contemporary world. His skill for examination was developed over a long and storied profession; he was a force in our market. I will miss his suggestions and insight, as I make sure will lots of others.

Typically one can presume a lot about an individual from their writing, and while I’m sure a kind reasonableness comes through plainly in Gordon’s writing, his was a kind of compassion and persistence that is extremely unusual. Gordon constantly enjoyed to talk, discover what you depended on, and was constantly kind and thoughtful. While his composing and insights have actually ended up being a part of calculating history, any great I do shows a minimum of in part on Gordon due to the fact that of his favorable impacts. In that method, he will live on in the work of others.

I will permanently have fond memories of our numerous chats, and while I ‘d enjoy to have simply another chat, I am glad that he has the ability to rest for a while.— Wendell Wilson, Level1Techs

‘Gordon was uncannily knowledgeable at debunking complicated innovation’

Gordon Mah Ung wasn’t simply the most skilled tech reporter of his generation; he was among the very best tech reporters of perpetuity. Completely sincere, yet incomparably simple, Gordon was uncannily proficient at debunking intricate innovation for readers of every stripe. Both in composing and throughout live podcasts, Gordon schooled and amused us with his wicked funny bone. — Michael Brown, managing editor, TechHive and boot publication alumni

Author: Jon PhillipsEditorial Director, North America