It's the s-s-speed issue this month, as we open up the latest performance technologies in a bid to give you the fastest systems ever imagined, and the shortest possible path to the future. Look for the special Speed Tech logo throughout the issue.

In our future-gazing features, meet the creator of Honda's ASIMO robot, and find out what father of computing Clive Sinclair would do with today's technologies. We've got a look at solid object printing and true 3D displays, plus a look at how you'll be reading  books... and possibly magazines... as the 21st century warms up. We also catch up with some of computing's greatest innovators, charting history past and future to see where we came from, and what's up next.

In Make It, we kick off with a look at some of the more surreal makeovers people have given their PCs, before launching into practical tutorials ranging from making your peripherals glow in the dark to crating video podcasts, and the first part of our new series about making games for PC and Xbox 360 with Microsoft's new XNA development system.

On the SuperDisc, you'll find the exclusive Privacy Pack to keep your data safe, and a series of tools to boost your browser and connection. You also get a series of video tutorials on making the perfect podcast, and building dynamic applications in Macromedia Flash. As far as individual programs go, Outpost Firewall Pro, WS_FTP Home 2006, and e-txt Msg Manager, round off another great selection.

Issue 260 is on shelves now, priced just £4.99.