Top 10 most read: BlackBerry reviews dominate, Microsoft brings down Bamital botnet

The interest in new BlackBerry devices from V3 readers shows no signs of abating, which will no doubt please the folks at the Canadian firm, as our reviews and comparison pieces on its new devices remain popular.

Top of the pile was our head-to-head showdown between the new Z10 device and its key rivals the Galaxy S3 and iPhone 5, as we put it through its paces on some key, basic tasks such as sending emails, loading web pages and taking photos.

Elsewhere, major developments dominated the headlines, with Dell's confirmation that it's set to go private in a staggering $24bn deal grabbing the attention.

The move should help the embattled PC maker continue its strategy of moving into new areas, like the datacentre, free from investor pressures.

Finally, Microsoft landed a telling blow on the cyber criminal fraternity, with the help of Symantec, when it smashed the Batimal botnet that had affected thousands of PCs across the world. The Redmond giant has promised more campaigns against botnet crooks too.

BlackBerry Z10 vs iPhone 5 vs Galaxy S3 video showdown
We check out how BlackBerry's flagship BB10 smartphone compares to the competition

BlackBerry 10 review
V3 takes a look at BlackBerry's latest mobile operating system for work and play

BlackBerry Z10 review
V3 checks out the company formerly known as RIM's pitch to stay in the smartphone game

Apple iOS 6 update patches slew of vulnerabilities
Release also extends LTE capabilities

Researchers develop sound way to improve smartphone battery life
Want to save power? Turn your mic on

BlackBerry Q10 and BlackBerry Z10 Limited Edition in pictures
Pictures of BlackBerry's upcoming Qwerty device and its special developer handset

HP launches Agile Manager and Performance Anywhere as SaaS offerings
Services look to speed up application development and management

SMB cloud spending topped $45bn in 2012
Cloud becoming the go-to option for new and legacy applications

Microsoft and Symantec take down Bamital botnet that had ensnared thousands of PCs
Co-ordinated sting operation ends cyber crooks £700,000-a-year click fraud scheme

Dell confirms $24.4bn buyout deal
Cash coming from Michael Dell, investor capital and $2bn Microsoft loan