Gordon Mah Ung, executive editor at PCWorld and a pioneering voice in technology journalism, died over the weekend following a battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 58.
A veteran journalist with over 25 years of experience covering computer technology, Ung was widely respected for his deep technical knowledge, investigative reporting, and distinctive personality that resonated with both industry insiders and PC enthusiasts.
Ung began his journalism career as a police reporter for the Contra Costa Times in the late 1990s after studying at San Francisco State University. He later joined Computerworld before moving to boot magazine (later Maximum PC), where he led hardware coverage for 16 years.
At Maximum PC, Ung became known for his signature blend of technical expertise and wit. He spearheaded the magazine's ambitious Dream Machine projects, building cutting-edge PCs while developing strong relationships with major hardware manufacturers. He also wrote the consumer advocacy "Watchdog" column, helping readers resolve issues with tech companies.
In 2014, Ung joined PCWorld as executive editor overseeing hardware coverage. His detailed CPU reviews and analysis set industry standards. He later expanded into video content, hosting the popular "The Full Nerd" podcast and "Hardcore Hardware" series, where his engaging personality and encyclopedic knowledge of PC components drew a devoted following.
Known for his rigorous journalistic standards and entertaining presentation style, Ung continued creating content for PCWorld and "The Full Nerd" until weeks before his death, demonstrating his unwavering dedication to technology journalism.
He is survived by his wife, two children, older sister, and mother.
His impact on technology journalism and the PC enthusiast community leaves a lasting legacy through his extensive body of work spanning print, digital, and video media.