Apple : Apple iMac deals chop $200 off ahead of Black Friday |
- Apple iMac deals chop $200 off ahead of Black Friday
- Apple Watch deal: Buy one Apple Watch, get another up to 50% off at Verizon
- Intel may be claiming that the Core i5-9600KF is better than the Ryzen 7 3800X
- Fitbit price cut at Walmart: deals on the Fitbit Versa 2, Inspire HR, and more
- Dell is hitting Green Monday hard with this Alienware m15 deal
- Best Buy TV deal: the Samsung 55-inch 4K TV is on sale for $330 today only
- Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 plummet to cheapest price ever
- Our favourite iPhone XR deals with £75 cashback from Black Friday are back
- The best Sky TV deals, packages, and Sky Q offers in December 2019
- Oppo Reno 3 looks set to drop the series' most distinctive feature
- Best Samsung TV: your guide to the top Samsung television for 2019
- What is AWS Glue?
- Snapfish's photo book flash sale gives you 60% off and includes calendars, cards and more
- The best free software for writers 2019: planning, writing and publishing
- Best 75-inch 4K TVs: the best home cinema-sized TVs you can buy
- Best turntables 2019: the best record players for any budget
- HP Green Monday sale knocks an incredible $1,000 off the HP Elite Dragonfly laptop
- There's still time to grab these amazing iPad deals before the holidays
- Best printer for Mac in 2020: top printers for your Apple device
- Exposure to 5G radio-frequency will be far lower than what guidelines allow
| Apple iMac deals chop $200 off ahead of Black Friday Posted: 09 Dec 2019 02:01 PM PST The iMac has gotten quite a killer discount at Best Buy in anticipation of Black Friday 2019 and Cyber Monday 2019. Both the 21-inch and 27-inch iMac models had their prices slashed by a healthy $200. If you’re looking for an iMac, this is probably as good of a discount as you’ll get this holiday season. And Best Buy’s Apple deals don’t just apply to the iMacs. They’ve also discounted a number of MacBook models for this holiday season. If you haven’t taken a look at Best Buy Black Friday deals, take a look for any up to the minute offers from them. TechRadar is scouring every retailer and rounding up all the top deals over the Black Friday period, and we’ve put all the best Black Friday deals and Cyber Monday deals in easy-to-navigate articles to help you find the bargains you’re looking for.
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| Apple Watch deal: Buy one Apple Watch, get another up to 50% off at Verizon Posted: 09 Dec 2019 01:10 PM PST If you're looking to score a deal on the best-selling Apple Watch, then you've come to the right place. Verizon is offering a limited-time promotion on the Apple Watch Series 3, 4, and 5 with a cellular plan attached. Once you add an Apple Watch with monthly device payments to your cart, you can get another Apple Watch up to 50% off. Each Apple Watch series includes GPS technology and heart rate monitoring, tracking activity, workouts, and calories burned. The smartwatch also includes LTE connectivity, which allows you to get internet and phone connectivity on your watch even when your iPhone is far away. To receive this incredible offer from Verizon, you must add an Apple Watch with monthly device payments to your cart. You'll get up to $150 credited to your account over 24 months on another Apple Watch, and you'll get your first month of service waived. Apple Watch deals:
Discover more Apple watch sales with the best cheap Apple Watch prices and deals on every model still stocked by retailers. Shop more Verizon offers with the best Verizon Wireless plans that are currently available. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Intel may be claiming that the Core i5-9600KF is better than the Ryzen 7 3800X Posted: 09 Dec 2019 12:16 PM PST Intel has been having a tough time recently trying to compete with AMD in the desktop segment, that's nothing new. But, Intel has been busy making some confident claims, this time revolving around the Intel Core i5-9600KF. A Chinese marketing slide has been spotted by Wccftech, sourced via the Baidu forums. This slide makes claims about the Intel Core i5-9600KF and the Intel Core i3-9350KF, stating that they're better than the Ryzen 7 3800X and the Ryzen 5 3600X, respectively.
That's big if it's true, but it's a little more complicated than that. The core reason Intel cites for these claims is that the boost clocks are higher, which isn't exactly news. However while we haven't tested the Intel chips in question, the Ryzen processors come pretty close to matching single-core performance in spite of Intel's higher clock speed. It is important to note that this is all based off of a translation, so there may be some information that's lost. So, is this a case of Intel just misleading consumers, trying to stop more people from jumping on the AMD bandwagon? Or are there some legitimate claims being made? It's complicatedBecause we haven't tested the Intel Core i5-9600KF and Core i3-9350KF ourselves, we can't actually make any sweeping statements that Intel was wrong here. However, we have reviewed a few other Coffee Lake Refresh chips and plenty of AMD Ryzen 3rd Generation processors, so we can make a couple of judgements. Intel has told us repeatedly that tests like Cinebench and Geekbench don't represent real-world workloads, but we still think they're helpful in showing the peak performance of each chip we run through them. The days of applications being single-threaded are over, so we think these tests are going to become more important, rather than the other way around. Just comparing the Ryzen 7 3700X to the Intel Core i7-9700K seems to poke some holes in Intel's claims. In Cinebench R15's multi-core test, the Ryzen 7 3700X is about 30% faster – and that Core i7 is probably significantly faster than the Core i5. Again, we haven't tested the Intel Core i5-9600KF, but we feel like it's pretty obvious that the Core i7 is faster than the Core i5 – but maybe we're wrong? Even in single-core workloads, the Intel Core i7-9700K doesn't pull as far ahead of the Ryzen 7 3700X as Intel may want you to believe. Now, Intel's chips are faster than AMD processors in pure single-threaded applications like games, but the gap is getting smaller and smaller. In Middle Earth: Shadow of War the Intel Core i7-9700K is just 6% faster. That does mean that if you're just going to be gaming, Intel's chip is probably going to be the better option, but only just barely. We don't think a lot of people are using their computers, for one thing, these days, especially not at the price range of the higher-end processors. We did reach out to Intel and AMD for comment on this marketing slide and we'll update this article as soon as we hear back. Either way, when you go out to pick out a processor, you really need to take what your plans for it are into consideration. If all you need to do is play games, Intel is still probably the way to go. Almost anything else though – a case can be made that Intel has fallen behind, and this marketing isn't going to change that. Via TechPowerUp
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| Fitbit price cut at Walmart: deals on the Fitbit Versa 2, Inspire HR, and more Posted: 09 Dec 2019 11:55 AM PST It's officially Green Monday at Walmart, and that means you can find incredible discounts on best-selling gifts like the Fitbit smartwatch. The best Fitbit deal is the recently-released Fitbit Versa 2 that's on sale for $129. That's a $70 discount, and the lowest price we've found for the feature-rich smartwatch. Walmart also has the Versa Lite on sale for $99, the Inspire HR on sale for $69, and the Ionic smartwatch on sale for $199. Shop more of Walmart's best Fitbit deals below and keep in mind these amazing offers are ending soon, so you should take advantage now before it's too late. The best Fitbit deals:Shop more offers with the best cheap Fitbit prices and sales that are happening now. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Dell is hitting Green Monday hard with this Alienware m15 deal Posted: 09 Dec 2019 11:17 AM PST The Alienware m15 is easily one of the best laptops out there, and now that the new one, based on the Legend ID design shared by the new Area-51m, the old one is getting a meaty Green Monday discount. You can get this gaming laptop, strapped with a 9th-generation Intel Core i7 processor, 32GB of RAM and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 for just $1,349 during Green Monday, a massive savings of $750. That puts it in the same territory as many mid-range gaming laptops using GTX graphics chips that aren't capable of ray tracing. And while this is the 'old' design, don't mistake it as dated. All of the hardware here is squarely in the new generation, and should be more than capable of handling even the most demanding PC games at the native resolution of 1,920 x 1,080 without a problem. As a bonus, this laptop even comes with a 144Hz refresh rate, so you can play competitively on the go. You simply do not see gaming laptops of this caliber for this low of a price often. Dell is clearly getting rid of old stock so it can focus on the new model, but if you're after a solid gaming laptop at a solid price, you should absolutely jump on this one. Don't want the Alienware? We've included a couple of other Dell Green Monday deals down below. See more offers with our roundup of the best cheap laptop deals that are happening now. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Best Buy TV deal: the Samsung 55-inch 4K TV is on sale for $330 today only Posted: 09 Dec 2019 09:36 AM PST While Black Friday and Cyber Monday might be over, Best Buy's '12 Day of Deals' sale has just begun. The retail giant is offering new doorbuster deals every day and today's discount includes savings on best-selling Samsung items. Shop more TV offers with our list of the best cheap TV deals and sales that are happening now. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 plummet to cheapest price ever Posted: 09 Dec 2019 09:35 AM PST Have you been lusting over the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700? Well, you're in luck – the stellar noise-canceling headphones have dropped to their lowest price ever in a fantastic pre-Christmas discount. Beating any Black Friday or Cyber Monday deals we saw this year, you can now get these brilliant over-ear headphones for $349 in the US at Amazon - that's a discount of $50. In the UK? The savings get even better with a great deal at Peter Tyson, which cuts the price from £349 to just £285 – a saving of £64. Today's best Bose headphone dealsThe Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones are among the best noise-cancelling cans you can buy in 2019, with a fun, lively sound, and a head-turning design that stands out from the crowd – that's why we gave them 4.5 out of 5 stars in our review. They're a little different to traditional noise-cancelling headphones, too; normally, they block out environmental sounds around you, so that you can hear your music more clearly (or catch some shut-eye on a noisy flight). However, the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 apply noise cancellation to your phone calls as well – so the person you're speaking too can hear everything you say clearly even if you're stood on a busy street. Audiophiles will be happy with the sound quality on offer here, too, as the 700s offer a wide, balanced soundstage and a vibrant character that makes them incredibly fun to listen with. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Our favourite iPhone XR deals with £75 cashback from Black Friday are back Posted: 09 Dec 2019 09:32 AM PST Did you come out of Black Friday 2019 celebrating the massive bargains you bagged, or ruing the ones you missed? If you fall in to the latter camp and it was iPhone deals that had particularly taken your fancy, then your luck is well and truly in. That's because online smartphone retailer Mobiles.co.uk has resurrected some of the very finest iPhone XR deals that we witnessed over the sales extravaganza weekend. Namely, an instant £75 cashback when you treat yourself (or a loved one) to its most terrific tariffs on site. The greatest of the lot is its 24GB of data and unlimited calls/texts on EE for a mere £29 per month. Although there's a £165 upfront spend (when you use our exclusive 10OFF code), the £75 cashback almost halves this and brings the total two year spend down to less than £800. That's extraordinary, considering all that data and the fact you'll be on the UK's fastest 4G network 24GB of data should be more than enough for most users, but you can see further offers below from Mobiles.co.uk where you can pay extra each month for a data boost (and still end up with that money back in your pocket). And if you want to see how they compare to what else is around, then take a look at our dedicated guide to the best iPhone XR deals.
Get £75 cashback with these iPhone XR deals:What's so good about the iPhone XR?As one of the best iPhones currently on the market (even with the iPhone 11 and 11 Pro out!) there is a lot to love with the iPhone XR. Above everything, the battery really stands out. Before the launch of the iPhone 11, this was the biggest Apple battery at 2942 mAh. Sporting Apple's Liquid Retina display and a powerful A12 Bionic chip, going for this more budget flagship doesn't have to mean taking a hit on specs. Read our full iPhone XR review
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| The best Sky TV deals, packages, and Sky Q offers in December 2019 Posted: 09 Dec 2019 09:20 AM PST We're here to take the pain away from the exhausting search that is to find the best Sky TV deals, packages and special offers. Say goodbye to being bombarded with Sky options, we've taken the hard work out for you - so that choosing your ideal deal is easy. Every week we take a look at the latest Sky TV deals, packages and special offers to make sure that you're getting the very best prices when you decide to sign up. So if you're trying to decide which Sky TV package is for you, what a Sky Q box is and if you can afford it or even if you should be getting one in the first place - you're in the right place. As you scroll down the page, we have outlined and detailed the the latest Sky TV packages, offers and any special deals. And don't worry we constantly update this page, so you're definitely getting the latest and best deals. What new Sky TV customers need to knowCurrently, it's quite simple. All you have to do is select the standardised default package with a flat £22 a month cost. You can then add additional paid extra add-ons like Sky Box Sets, Sky Sports and Sky Cinema. We've gone into detail about each of the available add-ons below and they'll all be offered to you as you go through the checkout process over on Sky's website too. Are there any Sky Q deals for new customers?Absolutely! You can get Sky Q with your TV package for the same standard £22 pounds a month. When choosing your Sky TV package from the list of offers below, you'll be presented with two Sky Q deals to choose from. The Sky Q 1TB UHD box costs start from £25, the 2TB box costs start from £50. With these boxes, if you select Sky Q with your set-up - which is just an extra £13 a month you also get Ultra HD and Sky Go Extra meaning you get hundreds or thousands (depending on what box you select) of entertainment. Plus, Sky TV customers who don't select the Sky Q experience with either subscription (Sky Q 1TB box or Sky Q 2TB box) you're looking at a very steep £199 standard set-up. If you don't want to pay the one off fee of £199 it is definitely worth signing up to the Sky Q experience with your bundle as it is only an extra £13 a month . We'd recommend getting your channels sorted first, then maybe scroll back up to the Sky Q offers' section once you have a better idea of the overall cost, which is handily updated throughout at the top of the screen.
Do I need a 2TB Sky Q box?In addition to double the storage (that's up to 1000 hours in standard definition) of the standard Sky Q box, the 2TB Sky Q deal comes with a few extra benefits. Such as being able to record six shows at once instead of three, while watching a seventh. You also get the fancier Sky Q Touch remote control, an extra tablet allowance, and the all-important party piece - you can enjoy select channels in Ultra HD. Which is great if you've recently taken advantage of a cheap 4K TV deal. The starter Sky TV packageSky TV Add-onsSky TV deal add-ons are much easier to understand since the reshuffle. Better yet, prices seem to be lower across the board and simple to see for both new customers building a bundle, or existing customers wanting to beef up their current deal. Sky TV bundles for new customers:Can I order Sky TV deals on the phone?You sure can! If you'd prefer to talk to a person to walk you through each step then you can phone 0800 014 2334 to sign up for a Sky TV package. We recommend having a good read through the sections above about each add-on first, just so you can go in with a good idea of what's available and you don't feel pressured. What HD Channels do I get on Sky TV?With all packages you get at least the standard free to air HD channels. To be honest you also get a fair few of these with standard Freeview HD. If you sign up for Sky Sports, there's no longer an extra fee to be paid to get them in HD as the channels now show in High Definition by default.
For just an extra £5 a month you can get the far superior quality of High Definition. Once you do though, you'll get access to the following channels in HD:
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| Oppo Reno 3 looks set to drop the series' most distinctive feature Posted: 09 Dec 2019 09:16 AM PST If you know the Oppo Reno series, you probably recognize the distinctive pop-up 'shark-fin' camera (as you can see in the image above). However it seems like the Oppo Reno 3 series is set to drop this stylish design quirk. That's based on new images of the Oppo Reno 3 and Reno 3 Pro that have appeared on Oppo's Chinese website. Meanwhile, Oppo vice president Brian Shen has confirmed that there will be a 5G variant of the Reno 3, teasing an image of the front of the device, as well as a video showing the rear of the phone, on Twitter.
The images shared by Shen are labelled as showing the Reno 3 Pro 5G, but based on the Oppo Reno 5G and Reno 10x Zoom looking exactly the same, we'd expect the 5G device to be almost exactly the same as the non-5G Pro phone. Other than the fact the Oppo Reno 3 would use a Snapdragon 765 chipset, we hadn't heard anything of the upcoming collection of phones before, but Oppo has constantly pledged itself to a 5G future, so it makes sense that the company is releasing another 5G device. There's a lot to unpack from the teases, but the main takeaway is that the 'shark-fin' will be no more. Instead, the Oppo Reno 3 will have a small notch, and the Pro (and presumably the Pro 5G) will have a 'punch-hole' cut-out like the Samsung Galaxy S10. The lack of the shark-fin robs the Oppo Reno series of arguably its most distinctive feature – not as many people would have noticed the Oppo Reno 10x Zoom or Reno 2 if they looked like standard Android devices, and the upcoming phones look a lot less distinctive as a result. What is the Oppo Reno 3?Other than the sad absence of the shark-fin pop-up section, there are a few things we can tell about the upcoming Oppo Reno 3 and Reno 3 Pro from the images. The images of the Reno 3 5G Pro also show that the screen curves around the edges of the device – that's a first for an Oppo device, and it's a design feature that's usually reserved for high-end devices, whereas the Reno phones are typically more mid-range. Shen's caption also states the thickness of the Pro 5G will be 7.7mm, and based on that it looks like this phone will likely have a huge screen – we'd estimate it at around 6.8 inches, or at the upper limit for modern smartphone displays. The new images also show us that the Reno 3 Pro and Pro 5G, and, but the looks of things, the Reno 3 Pro will have four rear cameras. That's the same number as the Reno 2, but we'd hope that some of the non-primary cameras were a little more powerful than on that device, as we found some of the snappers were distinctly underwhelming. The camera array is at the top-left of the phone's rear now, not central and flush with the back of the device, as in previous Reno devices. The prior rear design was another distinctive feature of the Reno devices, and the new design looks a little more generic. We've haven't yet heard about a launch date for the Oppo Reno 3 phones, but since we've seen this revealing look so far in advance of MWC 2020, it's possible that we'll see them before next year's mobile expo. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Best Samsung TV: your guide to the top Samsung television for 2019 Posted: 09 Dec 2019 09:10 AM PST If you're looking for the best Samsung TV, look no further. We've brought together a conclusive list of the latest and greatest Samsung televisions available for you to buy. Chances are, if you're buying a new 4K TV, it's from Samsung. The Korean manufacturer has been the top TV manufacturer for the last 10 years – selling as many television sets as Sony and LG put together.
One of the driving forces behind Samsung's success – and probably the reason you're here – is that Samsung puts out a huge number of TVs each year. There's a huge range of 2019 Samsung TVs spanning affordable mid-range sets like the NU7100, as well as Quantum dot (QLED) models and upgraded Designer TVs. Don't worry about the number of sets out there, though – we're here to help. Whatever it is you're looking for and whatever your budget, we’ll help you pick out the best Samsung TV.
Why Samsung over LG or Sony?Considering you've landed on this page, we're assuming you had Samsung in mind – why else shop for the best Samsung TV? But maybe you’re still in that research phase where you’re not quite sure on Samsung, and would like to know why so many other people – reviewers and enthusiasts alike – ride Samsung’s hype train. Samsung holds such strong sway with these folks because its TVs are generally more colorful and much brighter than the competition, especially in the QLED range. Also important to the discussion: Samsung TVs typically do a great job with upscaling (turning HD into 4K), and usually perform better than LG sets when handling scenes with fast motion. They offer a technology called HDR10+ that makes colors look super vivid, and input lag is generally pretty low, too, which is great for gamers looking to use the TV with the Xbox One X or PS4 Pro.
On the downside, Samsung TVs are generally more expensive than those made by their rivals, and aren’t always incredibly long-lived. I’m not sure if you know this, but Samsung has a bit of a reputation for creating some... explosive products. The other problem with Samsung TVs is that they don’t support Dolby Vision – an HDR format that delivers higher brightness and better colors than HDR10. All that being said, the good often outweighs the bad, and here at TechRadar we recommend Samsung screens to folks who have a little bit more to spend and are looking for the most picturesque TVs (though there are some good budget and mid-range options too, as you'll see below).
Best Samsung TV: naming structure explainedBefore we dive into specific models, let’s spend a second taking apart Samsung’s naming convention. Once you understand how it works, you’ll be able to read the obfuscated labels just as well as any electronics employee – which is a huge advantage if you’re heading out on Black Friday or Cyber Monday in search of some deals. We mentioned the Samsung UN55MU7000FXZA up above, so let’s use that as an example. The UN signifies that you’re talking about the American model of the TV. If you’re in the UK, you might be more familiar by seeing a ‘UE’ before all of the other numbers while Australian or Asian readers might have seen a UA prefix before. Of course, if you’re buying a new QLED TV from Samsung, you’ll find QN, QE or QA in this spot instead. If you buy a TV in one region and move to another, that could present some issues but as long as you buy a TV for your region you’ll be OK. The number after the UN/UE pr QN/QE prefix is the screen size. A ‘55’ means the TV is 55-inches. A Samsung UN49MU6500 is an American 49-inch TV, while a Samsung UN65MU6300FXZA is an American 65-inch TV. After the MU and the first two numbers come a second letter pair. This pairing helps indicate which year the TV comes from. An M- or an MU- means the TV is from 2017, as are all of the QLED TVs (the Q9F, Q8C, Q8F, Q7C and Q7F). If you see KS or KU in the title, the TV was made in 2016. JU and JS TVs were made in 2015. HU was 2014, the F-series from 2013, so on and so forth. The last four numbers are the series. In 2017, Samsung produces TVs in five main series: the 5-Series, 6-Series, 7-Series, 8-Series, 9-Series, alongside QLED TVs and the more lifestyle-centric The Frame and Serif TVs. The higher up the series is, the more functionality it has. It’s pretty hard to break it down by series, as some larger screen sizes have different feature sets than smaller screen sizes, but the higher series TVs have features such as HDR, 4K, higher brightness settings, better motion handling and better operating systems. The typical rule of thumb is that higher is better, but also generally more expensive, too. Last but not least you have the FXZA – a letter combination that denotes region (the A stands for America) and, for some odd reason, inventory tracking. This last part largely can be ignored unless you’re entering the TVs into a database. The best Samsung TVs at a glance
So, what is the best Samsung TV?
Samsung Q9FN (QN65Q9FN). Image Credit: Samsung Samsung's flagship 4K QLED for 2019 has somehow managed to outdo last year's Q9FN, which previously held the top spot on this list. As the top model in Samsung's QLED range – 8K models like the Q950R aside – the Q90 offers a truly dynamic picture with market-leading picture processing and incredible HDR images. Not to mention a dazzling peak brightness of 1,600 nits (double that of most OLEDs). And with a sleek, bezel-less design, and the OneConnect box to tidy away all your cables, the Q90 is as nice to look at when the TV is off as well. But one of the most impressive innovations with the Q90 is the viewing angles: something that LCD panels traditionally struggle with, given that backlighting usually faces directly forwards. Samsung has tackled the problem admirably, with its Ultra Viewing Angle technology meaning that contrast and color are as strong off-axis as they are head-on. Add to that the built-in Bixby voice assistant and comprehensive smart platform, and you have a top-class television full able to compete with any OLED TVs. If you want the absolute best Samsung TV, the Q90 most certainly is it. Read the full review: Samsung Q90 QLED TV If the price tag is making you gape, don't worry: there's an extensive Samsung TV range and plenty of cheaper models to contend with, without needing a big drop in quality. Instead, let's set the budget at something a bit more reasonable. What's the best reasonably priced Samsung TV?
Image Credit: Samsung The Samsung Q80R QLED TV isn't the flashiest QLED put out this year – in fact, it's third in the line-up after the Samsung Q90 and Samsung Q85. The difference between each one might be incremental, but by the time you've got the the Q80R, you've got a substantial price saving from the higher-end models. The Q80R still packs in everything that makes a QLED a QLED in 2019: a dazzlingly bright display, a direct full array backlight, and Samsung's new Ultra Viewing Angle technology (which keeps colors looking rich even from off-axis). Not to mention voice control through Samsung's Bixby voice assistant, and Airplay 2 functionality. But you get all that for only £1,999 / $1,999 (around AU$2,900) RRP for the 55-inch model, with prices already dropping to £1,699 / $1,599 (around AU$2,300) through most retailers. Buyers in the US also have the option of some massive 75-inch and 82-inch sizes alongside the regular 55- and 65-inch models. As it's Samsung, there's no Dolby Vision support – meaning you won't get the best of dynamic HDR through Netflix and the like – opting instead for HDR10+, which is used by Amazon Prime. If you're after a compromise between price and performance in your hunt for the best Samsung TV, you're looking at it. Those in the UK, be warned though: you won't get the Freeview Play UI, though you should be able to access most domestic channels' catch-up services individually. Read the full review: Samsung Q80 QLED TV OK, but what's the best cheap Samsung TV?
As impressive as the above QLED TVs are, we have to acknowledge that even the mid-range sets in the range may be out of the price range of many – and if there's a cheap Samsung TV that offers a great performance at a low price, why not just go for that? The Samsung RU7470 is one of the best small TVs we've reviewed in recent times, with excellent upscaling from HD for the set's 4K screen, and impressive HDR (high dynamic range) despite its low-end processor. The Tizen OS makes for a simple and easy-to-navigate interface, too, and to get all that in a compact 43-inch television is no short of a marvel. It's worth noting that the RU7470 is a UK exclusive at Currys, but is similar in specs to the RU7100 in the US and Australia – which will have its own review on the TechRadar site shortly. There are corners cut, of course, compared to the other sets in this guide. You're not getting quite the same knockout performance, especially with more limited brightness and viewing angles that won't flatter the picture if you're looking in from the side. But at only £399 for the 43-inch model, and additional 50-inch, 55-inch, and 65-inch sizes, you're absolutely getting what you paid for – and then some. Read the full review: Samsung RU7470
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| Posted: 09 Dec 2019 09:06 AM PST Managing data is a full-time job for some (quite literally). Especially at a larger company, there may be requests to run an analytics report, move data from one repository to another, or even create “clean data” for an important new web application. In terms of data management, cloud computing services provide extreme flexibility in what you can do with data reporting, and there are quite a few tools available to help, especially for Amazon Web Services (or AWS). AWS Glue is one of those data and cloud storage management tools. It’s known as a managed ETL, which means it is used to Extract, Transform, and Load data in preparation for reporting and analytics. AWS Glue is a data catalog for storing metadata in a central repository. It’s a way to automate ETL so that you point AWS Glue to the data that’s stored within AWS. The data becomes searchable and queryable for any of the reporting and cloud analytics you need to use. It’s helpful to understand ETL before diving into AWS Glue and the benefits of using it. ETL is how data management employees at a company blend data so that it can be used for a query. There might be multiple data stores and multiple cloud databases, but the ETL readies the data without having to move any data stores. ETL essentially preps the data so that it is ready for analytics and reporting, as opposed to the alternative which is to actually move the data, isolate it, and then run queries in preparation for any analytics or reporting. AWS Glue is the tool that generates ETL code for programming languages Scala or Python. Essentially, once you generate the catalog data, you can then perform searches and queries on the data using cloud computing tools such as Amazon Athena, Amazon EMR, and Amazon Redshift Spectrum, all designed to help companies store and use data in applications. AWS Glue also works with Virtual Private Cloud (Amazon VPC) on Amazon EC2. To understand what AWS Glue is, it’s helpful to understand how it works. For starters, data management employees, developers, and data scientists can use AWS Management Console to register the data sources. After crawling the data the ETL will then create catalogs using classifiers like JSON, CSV, and Parquet. Employees will then select a source for the ETL and generate the code needed for the reporting and analytics. Finally, the ETL can schedule recurring jobs and to prep the data for tools like AWS Lambda. AWS Glue benefitsThe main advantage of AWS Glue is flexibility. Many companies now use a data lake that contains a wealth of structured and unstructured data. In the past, companies were forced to move the data into a new repository, to endlessly manage the data, and to worry about the servers and infrastructure needed for their apps. Speaking of a fulltime job! That was a complicated time period in the history of Information Technology, all prior to the cloud. With AWS Glue, there’s no need for a server on-premise (since it is all serverless and runs as a managed ETL) or even your own data center, your own local data management stores, or a dedicated employee who manages the data. Instead, AWS Glue is the glue that ties together disparate data and makes it ready and available for queries. AWS Glue is also highly automated. It can crawl disparate data sources, identify the formats, and suggest how to use the data. Once AWS Glue does all of this, it can then generate the code you need for any data queries, transformations, or processes. An important distinction to make here is that AWS Glue does all of its ETL processing in the cloud. That means employees don’t have to do any of the data management and prep that is often required to run ETL, such as managing endpoint security, configuring the data beforehand, moving the data to the right repository, or any of the more complicated steps such as configuring the data stores, managing storage, and configuring servers. AWS Glue removes much of the headache involved with preparing data for analysis. Known as “heavy lifting” in the industry, it is the chore of making structured or unstructured data ready for queries. With AWS Glue, that is not needed. All of the discovery, cleansing, enriching, and moving of the data occurs behind the scenes as part of the ETL, making everything much easier for IT service management. Because the cloud is so flexible, and there are so many different data stores, web applications, and business needs for reporting and analytics, AWS Glue helps bring some sanity to the data exploration process -- without having to do any of the back-end work first. It’s powerful in that it saves time and effort, and yet the queries can be repeatable and automated.
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| Snapfish's photo book flash sale gives you 60% off and includes calendars, cards and more Posted: 09 Dec 2019 09:00 AM PST Whether you're trying to sort out your Christmas presents or you need to come up with a custom gift idea for a loved one stat - Snapfish's latest flash sale is here to sort you out. Choose between designing your best photo book, photo cards, all sorts of prints or calendars with Snapfish's insane 60%-off the entire website. Click here to snap up this deal and go straight to Snapfish's website All you have to do is click on the product(s) you want and then as you get to the checkout, put in the code MAGIC6019 and voila you've got a wonderful 60% off. Want to hear more before you buy? Keep reading as we outline in full Snapfish's photo book deal, but don't take too long - this is a flash sale after all and will be ending on Tuesday, December 10. Haven't heard of Snapfish? Make sure you keep reading as we explain what it is and why we rate it as one of the best photo book services online of 2019.
Learn more about Snapfish's photo book offerIs Snapfish a good photo book service to use?We have to give a big snappy yes to that question! Although there are plenty of reasons as to why we rank it as one of the best photo book services out there, all are valuable from a customer's perspective. Some of these reasons include the wide variety of selection it boasts from templates (over 100) to backgrounds and themes (over 120). This extensive choice helps ensure that no matter what you're curating - it will truly be a one of a kind. It is also has extremely straightforward and easy to use software and it actually guides you through the process - so this photo book service is literally for everyone.
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| The best free software for writers 2019: planning, writing and publishing Posted: 09 Dec 2019 08:57 AM PST We've hand-picked the very best free software for writers, which will make it easier to plan, write without distractions, and prepare your work for publication. Writers tend to make a very big deal of their tools, whether those tools are delicate pens or ancient typewriters. Increasingly, though, they'll talk about their software. Even the most genteel literary event can soon devolve into a fist-fight between fans of Scrivener and Ulysses (both of which cost around £27, US$40, AU$50). Microsoft Word is the default tool for many writers, but a subscription to Office 365 costs £59.99/US$69.99/AU$89 per year for one user – pretty steep if you only need the word processing element. There's often a better option for those of us starving in garrets: free software. Come with us as we discover the best free apps to turn your writing talent into something tangible.
Available for Linux, Windows and macOS, FocusWriter is designed to eliminate distractions so you can actually get on with the job of writing. To that end, it enables you to hide other apps, customize the way your text appears on screen and keep track of your progress. If you're feeling particularly old-school you can even add typewriter sound effects. FocusWriter isn't for everyone – it's not the right tool for going back through and editing your work – but it's a lovely little app with a very modest footprint that stops you keeping an eye on Twitter all day. Read our full FocusWriter review
We're big fans of Markdown, the text-editing language that enables you to format, annotate, classify and link as you type with the minimum of fuss, and the superb WriteMonkey makes good use of it. This free program delivers an incredibly stripped-down user interface that's considerably more powerful than it looks. There's an excellent outliner, automatic syntax highlighting and file organisation, and although markdown takes a bit of getting used to, you'll be very glad you made the effort. Once you've mastered WriteMonkey, you can use it to create blog posts, print publications and anything else that needs words in it. Read our full WriteMonkey review
LibreOffice is a free, open source alternative to Microsoft Office, and that means its word processing app, Writer, has many of the power features of Word without the accompanying price tag. It's a great choice for writers, with a full set of editing tools, a thesaurus, dictionaries for pretty much any language you can think of, and an active community in the support forums ready to help with any questions you might have. It's available for Windows, macOS and Linux, and receives regular updates with new features and bug fixes. The only real drawback compared to Word is the lack of direct cloud support, although you can easily use it together with a service like Dropbox, and the absence of a mobile app for working on the move. If you're happy to stick with the desktop then this could be the only word processor you need. Read our full LibreOffice review
If your words' appearance is as important as their meaning, give Scribus a go: it's a free, highly-rated desktop publishing application for Linux, OS X and Windows that's suitable for producing entire magazines. It's been kicking around – and regularly updated – since 2001, and while it's a little tricky to use at first, it offers professional-grade publishing with layered, multi-page documents and good colour management support. If you've ever used Adobe InDesign, you'll find the similarity striking. If you can use one, you'll pick up the other in seconds. We wouldn't want to lay out a 400-page book in it (though that's quite possible), but for shorter works it's ideal. Read our full Scribus review
Here's another app for writers that isn't strictly for putting your words on the screen: Freemind is all about mind mapping, and it enables you to record all the leaps and bounds your imagination makes whether you're plotting a potboiler or trying to organize complex threads of an investigation. Freemind isn't something we'd necessarily recommend for mind mapping beginners – it looks a bit like a desktop publishing app having some kind of breakdown – but if you're an experienced intellectual explorer it's a lot tidier than a wall full of index cards and sticky notes. Read our full Freemind review
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| Best 75-inch 4K TVs: the best home cinema-sized TVs you can buy Posted: 09 Dec 2019 08:47 AM PST Sometimes, only a 75-inch TV will do. With a sense of scale far beyond smaller 55-inch or 40-inch sizes, and more big-screen models coming out every year, those wanting to go above and beyond will likely be after one of the best 75-inch 4K TVs for their next home television. While a 75-inch TV may have seemed an absurd proposition even a couple of years ago, improved manufacturing processes and increased demand have made these behemoth screens more affordable and widespread than ever before. (Those after a truly leviathan display will need something like this 98-inch Samsung TV, but good luck affording it.) That doesn't mean 75-inch TVs are cheap, though. You're still paying on average a lot more than smaller sizes, given the increased materials and higher-spec processors needed to make each pixel pop on such a large screen. If you see a 75-inch TV that's suspiciously affordable, it's likely using older LCD technology that was designed for smaller screens – and therefore won't be delivering the high-impact image quality you're no doubt after in this category. So what are the best 75-inch 4K TVs, and where can you find them? You'll find everything you need in our buying guide below. Make sure to check back every few weeks, though, as we'll be updating this page with the latest 75-inch TV reviews – and given what we've seen so far of new sets like the TCL 8-Series 8K QLED, or LG's 8K NanoCell LCD, the top sets below could be beaten at any time.
TechRadar's 75-inch TV buying adviceFirst and foremost, be really careful about TV sales that sound too good to be true. If you see a 75-inch 4K TV for around $600, it's probably going to let you down in terms of picture performance. So who's the main culprit that causes ugly images in the 75-inch range? Bad backlighting. While the cheapies use edge-lit LED panels that produce poor black levels and contrast, the bigger brands opt for either direct, full array LED panels – or in the case of LG, OLED panels. Both illuminate across the whole screen, and create both luscious color and 4K clarity. Currently, our favorite 75-inch TVs are LG's series of OLEDs, which boast exceptional black levels and premium HDR. They're perfect for a dark room experience, like a home cinema, though for brightly-lit rooms you may want to consider Samsung's QLED TV series. Then there's Sony, whose efforts are impossible to ignore, and a few more affordable brands to tempt you to buy a 75-inch TV for relatively small spend. Not sure where to start? Take a look at our favorite 75-inch 4K TVs right now, listed below for your convenience. Each series in this list has been tested and approved by our expert team of reviewers, so you can buy with confidence.
When you're buying a TV of this size, you may want to start thinking about 8K. While there isn't much native 8K content out there to stream or play, the upscaling capabilities of high-end sets like the Samsung Q950R mean than even HD or 4K video can get an 8K overhaul, and the results speak for themselves. Even if QLED panels can't match the contrast or black levels of OLED panels, the Q950R offers truly incredible image-processing, with more than enough strengths to make up for that disparity – and hugely improved viewing angles from even last year's QLED range. Keep in mind that you only get the Samsung-backed HDR10+ format, rather than the competing Dolby Vision standard, meaning you won't be able to watch Netflix titles – and some Blu-ray discs – in the highest quality imaginable. The lack of Dolby Atmos, too, is a disappointment for those wanting premium audio to play through their TV speakers. But for picture quality, smart interface, and the ability to futureproof for 8K content, make this simply the best 75-inch TV you could buy. (Don't worry, the rest of the list is cheaper.) Read the full review: Samsung Q950R 8K QLED TV
Not fussed about 8K? This 77-inch 4K OLED still offers startling crisp images and the vibrant colors and enhanced contrast that OLED panels are known for, with support for Dolby Vision, HLG, and Dolby Atmos audio. With the well-organized webOS smart platform giving you easy access to the smart TV's many apps and services, and the OLED panel and upgraded a9 Gen 2 processor to make those images really pop – not to mention 2.2. channel speakers – there's very little to criticize in this excellent 2019 LG TV. It won't go quite as bright as Samsung's QLED TVs, and may fall slightly behind on motion handling – but don't worry, you're still getting an exceptional, color-accurate picture that beats anything you'll see at the cinema. While it's available in 55-inch and 65-inch sizes, this larger model will have the biggest impact of the lot. Read the full review: LG C9 OLED
It was announced at CES 2019 that TCL's awesome (and inexpensive) 6-Series would be getting a 75-inch version starting in 2019. The TV offers Dolby Vision support, and comes with Roku TV as its smart platform – though this size model is available exclusively to Best Buy in the US. While TCL's 6-Series didn't impress us quite as much as the other TVs on this list, it is a competitive screen at its price point, offering bright, colorful HDR and exceptionally clear images. If you have deep pockets and a checkbook filled with blank checks, we’d still tell you to reach deep and shell out for something higher on this list. But if the TCL 6 Series is what's in your budget, it will provide exceptional performance for the price. Read the full review: TCL 6-Series
Need something cheaper than the TCL 6-Series? This Sony TV was released back in 2018 and retails for just a bit less – making it an even more accessible entry point for big-screen action. It isn't the sleekest-looking set we've reviewed: the two large feet aren't quite becoming for the size of the screen, and you likely won't have a table big enough to rest it on. But Sony's direct LED lighting system with local dimming helps create some serious image quality, particularly during 4K HDR material. Meanwhile, the effect of Sony's X1 Extreme video processor is to remove noise so intensely that new levels of detail are revealed. On a big TV, that's important. We also love the way the XF900 up-converts standard dynamic range (SDR) images to HDR. In fact, the only thing we're really annoyed about on the XF90 is its use of Android TV as its smart TV system, which (Chromecasting aside) is both cluttered and confusing. The X900F is also available as an 85-inch version in the US, too. Read the full review: Sony XF90/X900F
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| Best turntables 2019: the best record players for any budget Posted: 09 Dec 2019 08:39 AM PST The best turntables of 2019 aren't the same dusty old record players you might find in your parents' attic – the best turntables in the world today are thoroughly modern devices, essential for any music lover. You'll find that most modern turntables are well-equipped with the latest tech, like built-in Bluetooth connectivity and USB outputs that allow you to record your LPs straight onto your PC. Nowadays, you can listen to your vinyls anywhere. With the vogue for vinyl still in full swing, sales of turntables having been growing steadily worldwide since 2012 – and there's never been a better time to invest in a new record player. So, whether you want to dust off those old records or you're a card-carrying member of the modern vinyl revival movement, you'll want to find the best turntable for you – that's why we've rounded up our favorite record players for spinning your tunes.
What's the best turntable?
The Audio-Technica AT-LP120-USB is the best introductory turntable for aspiring vinyl enthusiasts. Out of the box, it features the ability to play 33 ⅓, 45 and 78 RPM, this means there will never be an album you can’t play. There’s also a built-in phono preamp so you never have to worry about finding one on your own. New record collectors will love the easy setup and features while more vetted users will love the option to dial in the vertical tracking angle, tracking force and easily replaceable headshell. Sure, it looks like a Technics SL-1200 ripoff but at a fraction of the price, it’s entirely worth it. The AT-LP120-USB also comes with a USB output that allows you to record your record collection if you want. To put it simply, this deck strikes the perfect balance of ease of use for beginners while still including some more advanced features for you to grow into.
If you’re not looking to drop a fortune on the best turntable in the world and don’t necessarily care about squeezing every last drop of fidelity from your LPs, the Audio-Technica AT-LP60 is a perfect starting point. It’s portable, can play most vinyl and is by far the most inexpensive turntable we have on this list. It’s also totally automatic, meaning it’ll queue a record and return the arm to resting position without requiring a manual lever. The only caveat with a turntable this cheap is that it won’t grow with you as your vinyl collection expands. The built-in phono preamp means you’re stuck with it, however you can replace the needle once it wears out. While there are cheaper, poorly engineered turntables on the market, it’s not worth it, as you risk damaging your precious records with poorly aligned and improperly weighted tonearms. Vinyl is expensive so we recommend the AT-LP60 for beginners just looking to get started.
The Denon DP-300F is a gorgeous turntable that sounds just as good as it looks. The included DSN-85 cartridge isn’t the most accurate but it nevertheless manages to make your music sound airy and reasonably detailed, especially for it’s price.You’ll need to spend a lot more cash to hear more detail. While the DP-300F lacks the USB outputs of some of the turntables listed here, it’s still a great starting turntable for anyone who doesn’t want to manually queue their albums or have a habit of falling asleep while listening to music. The Denon’s automatic start/stop feature means your needle won’t be worn down at the end of the record as the arm immediately returns when an album is done. Build quality is decent for an all-plastic turntable, but its buttons feel cheap – a minor problem but shouldn't be a deal-breaker for you. If the Audio-Technica AT-LP120-USB doesn’t fit your aesthetic, consider the Denon DP-300F instead. Read the full review: Denon DP-300F review
The Fluance RT81 is an excellent starter turntable for the enthusiast. It’s simple to set up and use for newbies but you can switch out the cartridge to squeeze out more performance later on. Newbies also won’t have to worry about getting a separate phono preamp, as one is built in. However, you can turn it off if you want to use a better external preamp. The only downside is that Fluance’s advertised “auto-off” feature simply turns off the platter, preventing excessive needle wear but you’ll still have to return the arm to its resting place yourself. You’ll also have to manually queue records, which isn’t a deal breaker by any means but is something to consider for those looking for a fully automatic turntable. The Denon DP-300F is a great choice for those looking for a fully automated record listening experience. Read the full review: Fluance RT81 review
From here on out things start to get a little bit more ‘real’: The Pro-Ject Debut Carbon is in the runnings to be the best entry-level hi-fi turntables you can buy. While vinyl newcomers may cringe at the price, the Debut Carbon is really an incredible bargain. For the money, you get an very well made deck that’s damped properly for fantastic sound quality. The carbon fiber tonearm is lightweight and stiff, and is usually reserved for turntables costing much more. The Pro-Ject Debut Carbon is for the budding enthusiast that’s committed to the record collecting hobby and because of that commitment, it doesn’t feature niceties like an auto-returning tonearm, buttons for changing speed or an included phono preamp. Newbies may be turned off by the manual changing of the belt position to change speeds and the lack of an included preamp. However, if you want to extract more detail and resolution from your records than the cheaper options on this list, or if you want to get started on the path of being a true vinyl collector, the Debut Carbon is probably your best bet. Read the full review: Pro-Ject Debut Carbon review
There’s a lot of debate whether the Rega Planar 1 or the Pro-Ject Debut Carbon is the best entry-level Hi-Fi turntable. It’s a close match and there are no clear winners, each providing an excellent starting place for audiophiles on a budget. While the Rega may lack the fancy carbon tone arm of the Pro-Ject, the Planar 1 still sounds excellent and is well damped with its phenolic resin platter. And for newbies, the Rega Planar 1 is still easy to setup, though you’ll have to provide your own phono preamp. Ultimately, the Rega Planar 1 just sounds so good that it’s hard to fault it too much. Vocals are revealing and you can hear the texture from instruments like the violin. The included Rega Carbon cartridge isn’t anything special but manages to be a great match for the turntable. It’s a tough choice between the Planar 1 and the Debut Carbon but you can’t go wrong with either.
The Marantz TT-15S1 costs a serious bit of change, but you’re actually getting a killer bargain. The Clearaudio Virtuoso included with the turntable is $1000 when purchased separately. Additionally, you get a killer tonearm and gorgeous turntable at a price that’s definitely an investment, but not unreasonable. So what does the Marantz TT-15S1 get you over the competition? Attention to detail. Just about every part of the turntable has been poured over to be the best it can be for the price. The fit and finish are excellent and it’s a pleasure to handle the high-quality components. This is a turntable you’ll find yourself admiring its visual and audible qualities. Newbies should not get this turntable as it requires more knowledge to set up properly than the entry-level turntables on this list. But if you’re ready to take your record collecting and listening to the next level, the Marantz TT-15S1 is the perfect place to start. Read the full review: Marantz TT-15S1 review
If the Clearaudio Concept and Marantz TT-15S1 seem familiar, that’s because the Marantz was built by Clearaudio to Marantz’s specifications. This means everything about the excellent build quality of the Marantz carries over to the Clearaudio Concept (i.e. this is a turntable that is as gorgeous as it sounds). One small but notable difference between the Marantz and the Clearaudio is the ability to play 78 rpm records. While most people will never come across 78s, it’s nice to know that the Clearaudio Concept is capable of playing them. The Concept also has a handy speed dial on the plinth, meaning you don’t have to swap the belt position manually. As for negatives, the Clearaudio Concept has no notable flaws. Yes, it’s expensive but you’re still getting a bargain in this price range. The included Clearaudio Concept moving-coil cartridge costs $1,000 by itself. Yep! Read the review: Clearaudio Concept review
The Sony PS-HX500 is a great entry-level turntable for those just getting started with record collecting. Its standout feature is its ability to record Hi-Res audio from its USB output in 96kHz/24bit resolution. This is an excellent feature for those looking to digitize their records. In terms of sound quality, the Sony PS-HX500 sound spacious and provides good detail. However, the included needle sounds a bit harsh and sibilant at times and lacks the resolution of more expensive cartridges. While some may like the minimalist design of the Sony, it’s utterly forgettable and its plastic build leaves a lot to be desired. Handling the turntable on a daily basis leaves us wanting more premium materials that don’t rattle.
$1700 / £1500 (around AU$2750) for a record player is expensive no matter the brand, and it’s Cambridge’s most expensive-ever turntable by a mile. But it’s uniquely specified, and intends to deliver all the many and various advantages of the vinyl format with very few of the compromises. The fact it’s able to stream wirelessly to a 24bit/48kHz aptX HD standard makes it number one in a field of one. No other record player from any better-established brand in this sort of market - Rega, for instance, or Clearaudio - is able to come close to this level of convenience. Read the review: Cambridge Audio Alva TT review
With a budget-friendly price, easy assembly, and the convenience of wireless playback, the AT-LP60XBT could make a fantastic first turntable for any fledgling vinyl enthusiast. While the plinth does feel somewhat insubstantial, and the sound might not be detailed enough for some, it's brilliant price more than makes up for that – and the inclusion of Bluetooth connectivity makes the AT-LP6XBT feel like very good value for money. Audio-Technica is known for producing high quality cartridges, and the one used on this turntable is no exception; the ATN3600L conical stylus fits perfectly into the grooves of the record and reveals details in songs you may have never noticed before – in short, it makes your music an absolute joy to listen to. Read the review: Audio-Technica AT-LP60XBT turntable review
Meet the budget-friendly Technics SL-1500C that will only set you back £899 / $999 / AU$2499. It's still not the most affordable turntable on the market, but it's first the reborn Technics has so far delivered really remind listeners of what they loved about the brand in the first place. Sound-staging is impressive, with recordings given plenty of elbow-room for individual instruments to make their presence felt. There’s depth and height to the Technics’ stage, as well as width, but despite all this breathing-room there’s no lack of unity to the sound the SL-1500C delivers. Read the review: Technics SL-1500C Turntable review What makes a good turntable?One downside of the renewed interested in turntables with all their modern trappings and tricky naming conventions, is that navigating the market for the best record players can be pretty confusing – but stick with us and we’ll help you find the best turntable for you. To start, we'll walk you through all the little details that go into choosing the best record player for your listening needs and budget. Do you want to go on the high end with a belt drive? Or how about a more user-friendly direct drive turntable or a Bluetooth-enabled model? What about phono preamps? Do you need one? All of these questions will be answered right here, so before you know it, those dusty old records will be spinning once more on your brand new turntable. On of the most vital components to look for when you’re shopping for the best record player for you, is how well damped it is. Damping is essentially the method by which manufacturers combat vibrations – whether internal or external. They do this through the use of different motor configurations, and through the use of various components. Most of the time, belt-driven turntables are going to be a lot quieter and offer higher fidelity than their direct drive brethren, as direct drive turntables have a motor that is directly connected to the platter. However, there are some great direct drive turntables out there, so don’t write them off quite yet. Your own personal needs are important too, though, so don’t forget about them. If you’re just starting out, you probably don’t need to be fooling around with a complex turntable with an adjustable vertical tracking angle, anti-skate and azimuth. You may even want a turntable that connects to your speaker wirelessly over Bluetooth. Do you want to rip your vinyl to your digital library? If so, look for a turntable with a USB output and reliable software to get the job done. Best turntables 2019 at a glance
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| HP Green Monday sale knocks an incredible $1,000 off the HP Elite Dragonfly laptop Posted: 09 Dec 2019 08:35 AM PST Black Friday is now well behind us, but that doesn't mean HP is stopping the deals, with its Green Monday sale providing some seriously impressive price cuts, including a huge $1,000 off the HP Elite Dragonfly laptop. This is a powerful 2-in-1 convertible laptop that’s both incredibly light – at under 1kg – and long lasting, thanks to a battery that can go over 24 hours on a single charge. Not only is it incredibly light, but it’s also incredibly durable as well, meeting the requirements for the MIL-STD 810G military standard. Usually selling for $2,885, HP has cut the price to just $1,875.25 for one day only. This model comes with an 8th generation Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD and 13.3-inch full HD display. If that's still a little too pricey, HP has also cut the price of a number of its laptops and PCs for its Green Monday sale, and we've listed some of the best below. Fancy some more savings? Check out our pick of the best laptop deals in December 2019.
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| There's still time to grab these amazing iPad deals before the holidays Posted: 09 Dec 2019 08:27 AM PST If you're still to scoop up an iPad deal in the holiday sales you're in luck. We've found the cheapest prices for each iPad model from a range of your favorite retailers this week. Many of these deals are Black Friday / Cyber Week discounts still in stock at various retailers, meaning there's still time to save on iPad Pro deals and more. There's also still a healthy stock of iPad Air, and Mini deals about - all still carrying their seasonal sales price tags. Black Friday and Cyber Monday were fantastic times to shop for an iPad, with some of the lowest discounts on 2019 and last year's models we've seen in a while. Thankfully, a few of those sales linger on into this week, and we're still seeing decent discounts on iPad Pro and Air models as well as some cheaper prices on 2018's installments. If you're looking for the cheapest iPad deal possible, you'll likely be looking at lower storage items. Thanks to iCloud, the 32GB and 64GB storage options available are more than workable if you're looking to stream your entertainment and keep you larger files in the cloud. That said, if you're looking for a tablet to potentially replace your laptop, or if you're going to be running several high performance apps for some hardcore work, you might want to take a look at some of the roomier options. iPad deals available todayIf the model you're looking for has since dropped out of the seasonal sales, there's always our roundup of the best cheap iPad deals going to keep your eye on. While you're restocking your Apple products, you might also be interested in the best AirPods prices around. There are still plenty of MacBook deals to keep an eye on as well! This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Best printer for Mac in 2020: top printers for your Apple device Posted: 09 Dec 2019 08:22 AM PST Editor's note: Looking for a copier or photocopier for your business? If you're looking for information to help you choose the one that's right for you, use the questionnaire below to have our partner site, BuyerZone, provide you with information from a variety of vendors for free: Welcome to our pick of the best printers for Macs in 2020. No matter what Apple computer you have, be it a traditional Mac, an all-in-one iMac or a MacBook laptop, on this page you'll find the best printers for Mac devices. Not only have we listed the very best printers for Mac, we've also included our own price comparison tool, so you'll get recommendations for the best prices as well, ensuring you get a brilliant deal. Getting the best printer for your Mac means ensuring that it can easily connect to your Apple product either via wires or wirelessly. The best printers for Macs will also be capable of high print quality. Many of us use Macs for creative work, so we need Mac printers that will do our work justice.
This 3-in-1 inkjet printer looks and feels like a premium model and it has the specifications to match. It uses six individual ink cartridges to achieve superior colour fidelity and prints photos at a sharp 4800 x 1200 DPI resolution. It offers AirPrint connectivity for Mac users and includes an SD Cards slot for photographers. It can automatically print both sides of a page, scan at high-resolution and with the help of its rear paper feed, it can handle almost any kind of printable media from blank CDs to fingernail stickers. It is pretty compact, given the dazzling list of features, and it’s all controlled by a generously sized colour touchscreen.
Epson has done well to shrink this three-in-one to the size of a square shoebox without losing any features. Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct and AirPrint make it easy to connect to an Apple device without the need for Ethernet or USB cables. It also offers auto duplex printing, convenient USB and SD card slots and the ability to print on a very wide variety of media from blank CDs to glossy A4 photo paper. It lacks a touchscreen display, but it’s easy to use and the print quality, especially with photos, is excellent.
Brother’s entry-level inkjet 3-in-1 bundles all of the key features such as auto duplexing and cloud printing into a delightfully compact unit. The tilting display is easy to read, but if you’re using an Apple mobile device, you can download the free iPrint&Scan app, which particularly well thought out. There are USB ports front and rear, an SD Card slot and Wi-Fi/Wi-Fi Direct, so it’s well connected too. It prints somewhat slowly at 12ppm in mono, but duplex documents appear crisp and consistent and photos on glossy paper look lifelike enough for a budget model. Read the full review: Brother DCP-J774DW
The up-front price might seem daunting, but this print-only device includes enough black ink for 6,000 pages and refills are far cheaper than cartridges. Epson’s elegant design won a Red Dot award and we have to agree that there’s something refreshingly simple about topping up the visible reservoir with a bottle of ink. There are few features here, not even AirPrint, but the iOS companion app is excellent and it compliments a Mac particularly well. Wi-Fi is built in and it can turn out duplex pages at a somewhat slow, but steady rate of 15ppm and there’s room in this streamlined machine for 150 sheets of paper.
At this aggressive price point, you might not expect much from a printer, but this 3-in-1 can print, scan and copy in colour and at a decent resolution. There’s inbuilt Wi-Fi with AirPrint compatibility for Apple users, while Epson’s iPrint companion app makes it even easier to print and scan remotely via an iPhone, or iPad. Sadly, there’s no auto duplex mode and no LCD, but it is able to print on a wide variety of media with room for 100 sheets of plain A4 paper in the main paper tray, or 20 sheets of photo paper. Usually, the catch with cheap printers is the cost of replacement cartridges, but in this case Epson’s Starfish ink is quite competitively priced too.
This costly, but cost-effective all-in-one AirPrint device has swapped its cartridges for refillable ink tanks. That slashes your per-page cost considerably and Canon has included enough ink for 6,000 black and white pages and 7,700 colour – hence the hefty price tag. It prints quite slowly, but with a paper capacity of 350 sheets (250 in the main tray plus 100 in the rear tray) and such a high ink yield, it can keep on printing. It comes equipped with Wi-Fi and auto duplex mode and can be easy controlled by the iOS/Android companion app.
This A2-size print-only device will suit any business that needs to turn out professional large format colour documents. The resolution of 2,880 x 1,440 dpi gets closer to that of your Mac monitor than most and it uses Epson’s nine-colour UltraChrome HD inkset for lifelike colour shading. These cartridges come in high capacity 80ml options, while the paper input can also be upgraded to hold a roll. Unsurprisingly, it takes up quite a bit of room and the cost is high, but it’s considerably lower than outsourcing your poster prints. Read the full review: Epson SureColor SC-P600
At less than £40 (around $52), this three-in-one printer is something of a steal. Of course the catch comes with the relatively high price of the inkjet cartridges, but if you take out HP’s Instant Ink subscription, even this cost drops. The printer itself is rather flimsy, but it’s well kitted out with Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct and AirPrint in for easy mobile printing from your Apple device. The free iOS companion app is also particularly user-friendly. Read the full review: HP Deskjet 3630
This colour laser printer could not be smaller or more basic in its design. There’s no LCD, no front USB port and very few features. It can’t even print on both sides of the page. However, if you only want to print on plain A4 paper and don’t need auto duplex, then this refreshingly basic print-only device will do so quickly and cheaply. Being a laser, it easily undercuts the running costs of an inkjet. Wi-Fi with AirPrint is built in, so it’ll connect readily to a Mac, or iOS device and it’s one of the few printers we’ve come across that includes a USB cable in the box. Read the full review: HP Color Laser 150nw
By swapping ink cartridges for bottled ink, this inkjet printer has a far higher page yield and much lower per page cost. You can clearly see when the ink reservoirs are running low and with Wi-Fi built in and AirPrint compatibility, it’s easy to scan and print using your Apple device and the iOS companion app. It can auto duplex print and includes an automatic document feed and fax facility. Read the full review: Canon Pixma G4510
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| Exposure to 5G radio-frequency will be far lower than what guidelines allow Posted: 09 Dec 2019 08:21 AM PST The fifth generation of cellular technology or 5G promises greater capacity, 10 to 100 times faster download speeds than 4G, low latency for internet of things, robotics, autonomous vehicles and remote medical applications but it has raised concerns about the possible health effects of radio-frequency (RF) energy transmitted by 5G base stations and devices. The overall electromagnetic spectrum consists of static electricity and magnetic fields, RF, microwaves, infrared, ultraviolet, X-ray and Gamma Rays. RF is in the middle part of the spectrum and is used for radio communications, mobile phone networks, mobile base stations and mobile phones and to deliver 3G, 4G, 5G, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth technologies. Non-ionising radiation (static field to infrared) does not carry enough energy to break molecular bonds. Ionising radiation (ultraviolet to Gamma rays) carries enough energy to break bonds between molecules and ionise atoms. 5G systems operate in several frequency bands, low, mid and in millimetre waves (24.25GHz to 86GHz). Millimetre-wave is one area which has raised concerns apart from the multitude of small cells mounted on utility poles along public streets and close to subscribers but this spectrum has been used in many other applications such as airport security scanners and anti-collision radars for automobiles but now the millimetre wave is used for cellular communications by many countries. Delegates, speaking at the ‘UAE 5G Conference’, said that current evidence does not confirm the existence of any health consequences from exposure to low level (under the current international exposure guidelines developed by ICNIRP and IEEE-ICES) electromagnetic fields (EMFs). They emphasised, based on many experiments and studies, that there is no negative impact of modern technology on health.
Who sets EMF exposure standards?ICNIRP (International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection) and International Committee on Electromagnetic Safety (IEEE-ICES) set guidelines for protecting people from non-ionising radiation, including that due to exposure of 5G technologies. Countries typically adopt one of these and either recommended or legally require adherence to the guidelines. Safety standards already have large safety margins.
Safety factorDr. Chung Kwang Chou, Chairman of International Committee on Electromagnetic Safety (IEEE), said that common understanding is that radiation can cause cancer and other diseases but the biological effects of RF exposure have been studied for about 70 years and the research shows that the only established adverse health effect of RF energy (above 100KHz) is thermal effect. Dr. Jafar Keshwari, Adj Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Aalto University, Helsinki, and Corporate Product Regulations and Standards Management at Intel Corporation and Chairman of International Committee on Electromagnetic Safety (IEEE-ICES), said that EMF exposure of a mobile device is much lower than other devices. “During RF exposure, biological effects always exist but adverse health effect depends on the exposure level. Thermal effects continue to be the appropriate basis for protection against RF exposure health effects at frequencies above 100KHz,” he said. As long as the product complies with the exposure limit, he said that it is safe. For mobile phones, 2Watt per kilogram is the limit and the adverse effects are observed when it reaches 100Watt per kilogram. “So there is a large safety factor in the exposure limits. It is the regulator’s responsibility to check that every product put into the market, device or a base station, complies with the limits. The manufacturer has to assess the exposure based on the limits,” he said. Moreover, he said the main safety concerns of 5G mmWaves is heating of the skin and eyes. “Skin constitutes 95% of the human body surface while eye cornea constitutes 75% of freshwater and a thickness of 0.5mm. Millimetre waves are absorbed within about 0.5 mm of the skin surface, unlike RF energy at lower frequencies that can penetrate deeper into the tissue,” he said. Whatever frequency you are at, Professor Rodney Croft, Commissioner at ICNIRP, said that the safety depends on how intensity the field is or how much energy is absorbed into the body per second. “If we have a lot of energy per second, then you heat up and your body cannot remove that heat. The body can remove a small amount of energy as the blood supply takes the heat and distributes it and the blood flow exchanges the heat with the environment. This happens with all the frequencies and only if you at get much higher frequency, then it gets to ionising radiation and at that point, we have a very different story,” he said.
Community fears hinder 5G implementationBelow the optical radiation (non-ionising) levels, Croft said the frequency is not important for health, expect it tells you how deep the penetration is going to be. So, when listening or not-listening to FM radio or music, he said that radio signals are going around and they are in low frequency (100MHz) all the time. “That goes deep into your body. As the frequency gets higher, because the wavelength is much shorter, it gets absorbed in the superphysical part of the body. When it comes to 5G, almost all of the energy is absorbed in the skin. So, instead of a rise in temperature deep inside the body, it is now at the surface of the skin,” he said. Even the worst-case effect of exposure will not cause cancer or any other diseases; he said and added that the local temperature increases to less than 0.5 degrees but no detectable increase to core body temperature. “Even if you keep a block of wood or a toy close to the ears for some time, the skin temperature near the ears rise and it is not due to RF exposure but due to lack of air circulation. However, if you are close to the base station, he said the body absorbs more heat but the guidelines take that into account and you have a boundary limit, a safe distance from the base station. “It all depends on the power of the base station. In reality, you can go above the limits but you still won’t be hurt but it is better for us to have a very conservative limit than to get too close to a level where someone could be harmed,” he said. Furthermore, he said that community fears hinder 5G implementation but guidelines are needed to ensure unambiguous safety to the community. For example, India, Switzerland, etc. restrict exposures based on fear rather than science. “5G exposures will be far lower than the guidelines allow and there is no detectable increase to core body temperature or local temperature increase from towers or handsets.” So, he said that 5G safety will not affect developments of IoT, blockchain, AI, quantum computing, smarty city, etc. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
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