← Front page

This Week in Tech · Monday, July 27, 2026

John C. Dvorak, Tech Journalism Pioneer, Dies at 80

Co-host Leo Laporte announced the passing of John C. Dvorak, a significant figure in tech journalism and a co-founder of TWiT. Dvorak, known for his "Inside Track" column and his role in early tech shows, died at age 80. His passing was confirmed via the TWiT forums and a post by Scott Mace.

personJohn C. DvorakpersonLeo LaportepersonScott MacepersonSam MaccompanyTWiTcompanyMicrosoft

The tape

4 quotes
But our good friend John C. Devorak passed away on Monday. Of a what's unclear what he passed away from actually. I didn't find out about it till somebody in the club said, go to the Twit forums. Scott Mace, you know who Scott Mace is, probably Larry, right? I know him well. Sam Mac. Long time journalist, uh, posted on the Twit forums.
Leo Laporte
And posted a picture of him and and John at the Microsoft 50th anniversary party just last year in San Francisco. John with his famous salute. Uh Scott said my source said he succumbed to complications. He had John had double bypass surgery in March. Uh so his heart gave out. Or as they said in the no agenda newsletter, his software was finally retired.
Leo Laporte
We love John C. Devorak. I owe him much. I first met him in the late 80s when he was probably the best known computer columnist in the world. His very famous Inside Track column in PC Magazine, made gossip, you know, popular in the computer world.
Leo Laporte
But it came out when he passed away that he was 80 years old. So a rich, full life, highly regarded. Uh, and I owe him much.
Leo Laporte
Heard on This Week in Tech — “TWiT 1094: Rest in Peace, Buzzkill - How John C. Dvorak Changed Tech Journalism Forever, published Monday, July 27, 2026. Heardvine summarizes and quotes with attribution and timestamps, and links to the original everywhere.
Transcribed via Gemini audio transcription · $0.13