Apple : Apex Legends attracts 50 million players, gains ground on Fortnite |
- Apex Legends attracts 50 million players, gains ground on Fortnite
- Juniper Networks looks to bring AI to IT with Mist Systems acquisition
- AMD Ryzen 3rd Generation specs and prices spill out after a retail leak
- Microsoft launches quantum computing network
- AMD Vega release date, news and features: everything you need to know
- Best gaming chair 2019: the best PC gaming chairs
- Best gaming keyboard 2019: the best gaming keyboards we've tested
- Windows 10 April 2019 Update release date, news and features
- Mac Mini 2019: what we want to see
- MacBook Pro 2019: what we want to see
- Dell XPS 15 2019: what we want to see
- The best Windows tablets 2019: all of the top Windows tablets reviewed
- The best rugged laptops of 2019: we test drop-proof laptops for working outside
- Best Mac 2019: the best Macs to buy this year
- Best laptops for kids 2019: the top laptops for kids in elementary school and beyond
- USB4 catches up to Thunderbolt 3 with 40Gbps data transfer speeds
- The best laptop for writers: the 10 best laptops for authors and journalists
- Best laptop for programming in 2019: top picks for coders, developers and sysadmins
- Best laptop for DJs 2019: The best laptops for music production
- The best laptops for mining 2018: top notebooks for mining cryptocurrencies
| Apex Legends attracts 50 million players, gains ground on Fortnite Posted: 04 Mar 2019 02:01 PM PST Apex Legends has crossed the 50 million registered player mark, EA announced today. By some estimates that makes the player base around a quarter of the size of the battle royale behemoth - and money printing machine - Fortnite, which had around 200 million players at last count, but also means that Apex Legends is catching up quickly. The difference between the games, besides the obvious gap in player bases, is the time in which they rose to meteoric heights: Fortnite took around four months to reach the 50 million mark, according to Roundhill Investments, while Apex Legends has done it in just one.
The announcement was made in a tweet by Respawn Entertainment's CEO Vince Zampella who thanked the community for its quick adoption as well as on EA's website, which also teased the first season update that's due out later this month. Fortnite's not going down without a fightThat said, Fortnite isn't ready to give up its top spot just yet: Fortnite has just entered its eighth season which has its own tricks to keep its 200 million players coming back for more, like the addition of new in-game locations and features. The newest of these features is a Ping feature similar to the one that debuted in Apex Legends that lets you announce an item's location to your group. The eighth season will also reportedly bring buried treasure maps into Fortnite, which Epic says will make their appearance in the near future. Fortnite is available to play for free on Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, PS4 and PC, and Apex Legends is available on Xbox One, PS4 and PC.
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| Juniper Networks looks to bring AI to IT with Mist Systems acquisition Posted: 04 Mar 2019 12:47 PM PST Juniper Networks has announced its intent to acquire Mist Systems for $405m as the company aims to deliver on the promise of a software-defined enterprise. Mist Systems, which offers a wireless LAN network powered by AI, will see its technology combined with Juniper's wired LAN, SD-Wan and security services if the deal receives approval. Juniper Networks will also leverage Mist's AI capabilities by extending them across its portfolio for software-defined architectures. Juniper Networks CEO Rami Rahim explained in a blog post that the acquisition would put it in the unique position to service the enterprise from end-to-end, saying: “With our planned acquisition of Mist Systems, we are not only expanding our enterprise portfolio into the wireless arena, but also staking claim to AI-driven operations in the era of multicloud. Operations is inherently an end-to-end proposition. User experience is not siloed. It requires all of the elements, from wireless access to the wired LAN across the WAN, to servers in the data center or cloud to work together. Having the breadth of product to service this entire space is important. With the addition of Mist’s industry-leading wireless portfolio, we are becoming one of a limited number of technology suppliers that can truly service the end-to-end enterprise.”
Software-defined enterpriseIn his blog post, Rahim also noted Juniper is trying to differentiate itself from Cisco, Arista and VMware with its strong enterprise push. The company, traditionally known as a networking provider to service providers and cloud providers, is also working to combine all of its technologies across routing, switching and security to position itself as a one-stop shop for businesses looking to migrate to the cloud. Juniper Networks' acquisition of Mist Systems is expected to close during its second fiscal quarter after being subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions. Via ZDNet
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| AMD Ryzen 3rd Generation specs and prices spill out after a retail leak Posted: 04 Mar 2019 11:27 AM PST We got a hearty helping of information about AMD Ryzen 3rd Generation processors at the start of the year, but all has been quiet for a while. Thankfully, this long silence has been broken by a massive retail leak that may have spelled out the entire Ryzen 3000 lineup. It appears Ryzen 3rd Generation will include many new additions and an overall increase in core counts – if Bigzam’s recently published product catalog is to be believed. Image Credit: TechRadar At the head of the family is a new Ryzen 9 3850X processor equipped with 16 cores and 32 threads, with clock speeds ranging between 4.3GHz and 5.1GHz. Just below that is a very similar Ryzen 9 3800X that will supposedly feature the same number of cores and threads, but clocks in at a slower 3.9GHz base and 4.7GHz boost speed. Ryzen 2nd Generation skipped over including a Ryzen 7 2800X to replace the Ryzen 7 1800X, so it appears AMD is making up for lost time by introducing a new flagship processor with twice the number of CPU cores. The Ryzen 7 3700X will also apparently get a bump up in cores with a total of 12 alongside 24 threads. Comparatively, the Ryzen 7 2700X only featured eight cores and 16 threads.
It’s only until we get to the Ryzen 5 3600X do we see a more traditional eight-core, 16-thread processor, which again is a spec bump from the hexa-core Ryzen 5 2600X. Interestingly, the Ryzen 5 3600 is also rumored to get a G-series variant, which will purportedly feature integrated Navi graphics. The Ryzen 5 3600G and Ryzen 3 3300G appear to be follow-ups to AMD's previous-generation APUs – the Ryzen 5 2400G and Ryzen 3 2200G – that included discrete-class, integrated Vega graphics. There’s isn’t any mention of whether the GPUs built into these chips will also be 7nm, like the AMD Radeon VII, but we’re hoping they will be. Image Credit: TechRadar Kingly sumLastly, we come to pricing, which seems to be a bit high compared to the cost of Ryzen 2nd Generation processors. For example, the Ryzen 7 3700X will supposedly run for approximately $370 (about £280 / AU$520), whereas the Ryzen 7 2700X costs only $329 / £329 / AU$509. Of course, these are price conversions from Singaporean dollars, and there’s no way to tell if Bizgram has listed these CPUs above their usual market rate. Earlier this month, Adored TV listed prices that seem to be more in line with what we would typically expect from AMD, but there’s also no way to be sure any of this information is legitimate. We’re going to take these retail listings with a healthy dose of skepticism. We’ll keep you up to date with all of the latest information legitimizing or disproving this report as we hear it.
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| Microsoft launches quantum computing network Posted: 04 Mar 2019 10:19 AM PST While commercial quantum computing is still a ways off, Microsoft has officially launched its own hardware network. The Microsoft Quantum Network made its official debut during a Startup Summit at the company's Redmond HQ which laid out the its vision for the future of quantum computing. Representatives from 16 startups attended Microsoft's summit which featured talks from leaders of its quantum team as well as demos and workshops related to its programming tools.
Corporate vice president of Microsoft's Azure Hardware Systems Group, Todd Holmdahl gave a speech in which he explained how quantum computing will be used to solve the world's biggest problems, saying: “We’re looking at problems like climate change. We’re looking at solving big food production problems. We think we have opportunities to solve problems around materials science, personal health care, machine learning. All of these things are possible and obtainable with a quantum computer. We have been talking around here that we’re at the advent of the quantum economy.” Quantum eraMicrosoft has laid the groundwork for quantum computing over the last year and a half by releasing a new programming language specifically for quantum workloads called Q# as part of its Quantum Development Kit and the company has also worked with researchers and academic institutions. According to Julie Love, director of Microsoft Quantum Business Development, the company will first offer quantum computing through Microsoft Azure. However, it is likely that the technology will be applied in such a way that customers can switch between traditional computing and quantum computing based on the individual needs of the problems they're trying to solve. Last year, Holmdah predicted that commercial quantum computers would be available in five years and while we'll have to wait to see if his prediction has come true, Microsoft has certainly made big steps towards that goal with the release of the Microsoft Quantum Network. Via GeekWire This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| AMD Vega release date, news and features: everything you need to know Posted: 04 Mar 2019 09:55 AM PST AMD gave us a sneak peek at its new Vega graphics card architecture way back at CES 2017. What we didn’t know then, though, is that it wouldn’t end up in the hands of consumers until August 2017. When Cryptocurrency was all the rage back in 2017, AMD Vega was massively successful as a mining graphics card. But, as the mining craze died down, so did consumer demand for AMD Vega cards. And, while that means that AMD Vega cards are affordable again, we suspect many users will go for the AMD Radeon VII instead, anyway. Not that we necessarily need them, though. AMD’s latest Radeon Software Adrenalin 2019 Edition just unlocked a ton of new functionality for current graphics cards, so the Vega cards we already have are doing just fine. Cut to the chase
AMD Radeon RX Vega release dateBack in August 2017, the AMD Radeon RX Vega 64 launched as a standalone card for $499 or £549 (about AU$630). That's a big step up from the Radeon RX 500 lineup, which starts at as low as $169 (about £136, AU$219), but this is meant to be AMD's enthusiast-class grade graphics card. It's been a long-awaited sequel to the company's mostly defunct Radeon R9 Fury X, which was still going for a cool $389 (about £315, AU$505) up until the very end. What's more, at this price point it's competitive against the $549 (£539, AU$1,299) Nvidia GTX 1080 Founders Edition. After the launch of the Vega 64 in the US, AMD offered two other editions of the card that could be bought exclusively as part of ‘Radeon Packs’, which bundled two free games, and discounts on a Samsung CF791 curved ultra-wide FreeSync monitor and a nice $100 discount on a Ryzen 7 processor and motherboard. The packs are unfortunately unavailable to purchase at time of writing, however. Unfortunately, those hardware discounts only kicked in if users are buying the said monitor and CPU/motherboard combo at the same time as their Vega GPU. Of course, users could choose to not buy the extra components and peripherals while still getting the two free games, confirmed – in the US at least – to be Wolfenstein II and Prey. The limited-edition AMD Radeon RX Vega 64 came as part of a Radeon Black Pack for $599 (£460, AU$750). Meanwhile, the liquid-cooled Vega 64 ran for $699 (£530, AU$875), and can only be purchased as part of AMD's Radeon Aqua Pack. Lastly, you'll be able to purchase the AMD Radeon RX Vega 56 by itself for $400 (about £284, AU$500) MSRP. At the end of the day Vega was as competitive to Nvidia’s Pascal cards as the first generation Ryzen was to Intel’s Kaby Lake. And, now that AMD Vega cards are back down to MSRP, or even lower, you won’t have to worry about spending 2-3x retail price to upgrade your graphics cards. AMD Radeon RX Vega priceBack in August 2017, the AMD Radeon RX Vega 64 launched as a standalone card for $499 or £549 (about AU$630). That's a big step up from the Radeon RX 500 lineup, which starts at as low as $169 (about £136, AU$219), but this is meant to be AMD's enthusiast-class grade graphics card. It's been a long-awaited sequel to the company's mostly defunct Radeon R9 Fury X, which was still going for a cool $389 (about £315, AU$505) up until the very end. What's more, at this price point it's competitive against the $549 (£539, AU$1,299) Nvidia GTX 1080 Founders Edition. After the launch of the Vega 64 in the US, AMD offered two other editions of the card that could be bought exclusively as part of ‘Radeon Packs’, which bundled two free games, and discounts on a Samsung CF791 curved ultra-wide FreeSync monitor and a nice $100 discount on a Ryzen 7 processor and motherboard. The packs are unfortunately unavailable to purchase at time of writing, however. Unfortunately, those hardware discounts only kicked in if users are buying the said monitor and CPU/motherboard combo at the same time as their Vega GPU. Of course, users could choose to not buy the extra components and peripherals while still getting the two free games, confirmed – in the US at least – to be Wolfenstein II and Prey. The limited-edition AMD Radeon RX Vega 64 came as part of a Radeon Black Pack for $599 (£460, AU$750). Meanwhile, the liquid-cooled Vega 64 ran for $699 (£530, AU$875), and can only be purchased as part of AMD's Radeon Aqua Pack. Lastly, you'll be able to purchase the AMD Radeon RX Vega 56 by itself for $400 (about £284, AU$500) MSRP. At the end of the day, Vega was – at least at launch – as competitive to Nvidia as Ryzen is to Intel. Thankfully, due to the cryptocurrency market cooling down, AMD Vega cards have fallen to a reasonable price. They’re not quite down to MSRP, but they’re pretty close – you won’t have to worry about spending 2-3x MSRP value to upgrade your GPU. AMD Radeon RX Vega specsFollowing its 2017 Capsaicin 2 livestream event, AMD revealed the exact specifications for its two new Vega GPUs, as well as its underlying Vega 10 architecture. From the chart above, it's clear the most powerful of the bunch will be the liquid-cooled version of the Radeon RX Vega 64. The more expensive water-cooled version will operate at higher base/boost clocks, despite sharing identical specs to its air-cooled twin. The RX Vega 56, on the other hand, is positioned against Nvidia’s GeForce GTX 1070 at $400 (about £305, AU$505). However, early benchmarks have cited performance that greatly outweighed that of its closest competition while running triple-A games at 2560 x 1440. Like the Polaris 10 architecture that preceded it, AMD's Polaris 10 architecture is built on an 14nm FinFET process that should ultimately make it more power-efficient and robust in performance. Vega 10 is also noticeably skewed towards delivering on more compute power than raw graphical strength like Nvidia's Pascal GPUs. This will likely mean Vega will be able to better handle the complex calculations of procedural surfaces, volumetric lighting and the overall quality of the in-game graphics. This era of Vega GPUs also ditches GDDR5 memory altogether for a new format known as HBM2, or high-bandwidth memory. AMD believes its efficient memory offers a 75% smaller footprint than GDDR5 while also being 3.5 times more power-efficient. AMD also claims that Vega’s high-bandwidth cache controller will improve maximum frame rates by 50% and minimum frame rates by 100% over GDDR5 memory. Interestingly, Vega 10 is also designed to support up to 16GB of HBM2 memory – which we've already seen from Radeon Vega Frontier Edition – so Nvidia's Titan X may finally get some competition from AMD. Stay tuned for more details regarding everything AMD Vega, as we'll be updating this page with the latest as it happens. In the meantime, be sure to update to the latest version of AMD Radeon Software Crimson ReLive for a generous helping of GPU control features. Gabe Carey also contributed to this article
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| Best gaming chair 2019: the best PC gaming chairs Posted: 04 Mar 2019 09:52 AM PST It might not be the first thing you think about when you pick up a new gaming PC, but the best gaming chairs can elevate your experience. Think about it: nobody wants to walk away from a long gaming session, crouched over like Igor from Young Frankenstein. But, with the best PC gaming chairs, you can bring your gaming and sitting experience to another level. Because, fi you’re going to dive into the best PC games for hours at a time, why not be comfortable while you do it? That’s why we gathered up the best gaming chairs on the market right now. And, we’re sure you’ll find something that fits your style. Because, while some might look like a traditional office chair, with all black ‘real leather’ designs – others fully embrace the gamer aesthetic with RGB lighting and loud, clashing colors – so you can look like some kind of futuristic race car driver. We’ll help you find the perfect gaming chair for your set up, so you can spend more time sitting and gaming, and less time shopping. Because – let’s be honest – we do our own fair share of sitting here at TechRadar, and we’re very familiar with the best gaming chairs. It’s no exaggeration to call the Noblechairs Epic Real Leather the best gaming chair. From the cross-thatched embroidery to the real leather of its namesake, if you’re looking for a no-compromises gaming throne, this is it. Plus, it’s surprisingly quick and easy to set up. And, once the set-up is complete, the Epic Real Leather is a dream to sit on – and you can customize your position however you want. Just do us a favor, and read the instructions while you’re setting it up. If you want to play games all day in comfort, but you don’t want a chair that looks like you’re playing games all day, the Autonomous ErgoChair 2 is for you. Marketed as an office chair, the ErgoChair 2 has a very modern and stylish aesthetic to it that will appeal to anyone that doesn’t use RGB as a personality trait. It’s not all style either, as the ErgoChair lets you adjust basically every part of the chair, so that no matter how your body is built, you’re guaranteed to be comfortable while gaming.
Leather and fabric have their advantages, namely to comfort and texture, but sometimes a mesh office chair is best – especially if you live in a warmer climate, where breathability is of utmost importance. The Respawn-300 combines the racing-seat design and lumbar support and mesh material from some high-end office chairs. It really does take comfort to another level and is one of the best PC gaming chairs you can buy today.
Corsair is known for making popular and high-end PC components and gaming peripherals. It’s only fitting, then, that they dip their toes into the gaming chair game – and they may have made one of the best gaming chairs yet. Covered top to bottom in breathable PU leather with neck and lumbar pillows wrapped in microfiber, you’ll be able to game both in comfort and style. And with its rollerblade-style wheels, you’ll be able to move it around on any surface without having to worry about scratching up your floor. Noblechairs is well known for crafting some of the best gaming chairs out there – and the Noblechairs Icon makes it clear why. While it’s more affordable than the flagship Epic Real Leather, it’s still extremely comfortable and one of the best PC gaming chairs out there. This is thanks to its nice lumbar pillow, which you can easily remove if you don’t like it. The Edge GX1 is a gaming chair that actively avoids the popular racing style that is increasingly popular with modern gaming chairs. Rather than sticking to a form factor that’s designed to limit your movement, the Edge GX1 instead aims to give an ergonomic experience, where comfort is the priority – while also providing a premium chair. And when we say premium, we mean it, with the Edge GX1 costing £800, a huge amount for a gaming chair. It’s hand-crafted in the UK, and there’s some great touches, such as inflatable lumbar support. It’s a huge asking price, but we’ve been using it for a while now, and it is very comfortable. You’ll have to adjust a bit, but once you get it right, it’s worth the high price. It ships worldwide from the UK, but US and Australia readers should beware the high shipping costs. You can only buy this chair direct from Edge There’s a certain subset of the PC gaming community that needs to have the absolute best of everything, at whatever the cost. These people are going to be absolutely enamored with the Vertagear Triigger 350 SE. It features over 350 individual components with a mix metal, mesh, leather and high-end plastics to create the ultimate PC gaming chair. If you have the money to spare, and you can’t stand to have anything less than the best, you might want to give this chair a look. Another day, another Noblechairs gaming seat – and the Noblechairs Epic is the best gaming chair for the classier gamer. It features a faux-leather covering inspired by car seats, combining both comfort and a high-end design to make it one of the best gaming chairs you can buy today. And, if you’re the type that shies away from the ‘gamer aesthetic,’ the Epic’s subtle black design is far more elegant than some of the more brightly-colored seats on this list. For the gamer looking for some extra room in their seat, the Vertagear Racing Series PL6000 is a must-have. Specially designed to provide both added width and height, this is the best gaming chair for anyone with a larger frame – no matter how tall you are, the adjustable headrest means you’ll never experience discomfort. However, this is a complicated chair to assemble, so use the buddy system to build this masterpiece. The Nitro Concepts C80 is a gorgeous, comfortable gaming chair that could easily blend in in an office environment – it looks more expensive than it is. Nitro Concepts made one of the best gaming chairs by keeping the price down, while keeping compromises to a minimum – like using polyurethane instead of leather. And, no compromises were made in the build quality, either – this is an impressively sturdy gaming chair. Just make sure you get a friend to help you put it together – constructing this thing had us tearing our hair out.
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| Best gaming keyboard 2019: the best gaming keyboards we've tested Posted: 04 Mar 2019 09:49 AM PST We understand that if you already have one of the best gaming PCs, there’s a real temptation to just drop 10 bucks on a cheap keyboard and call it a day. Whatever works, right? Well, don’t you think it’d be better to pick up one of the best gaming keyboards, especially after spending so much on your PC? Trust us, you’re doing yourself, and all the PC games you’re about to play, a disservice by not going for one of the best gaming keyboards. The best gaming keyboards can noticeably improve your skills in the best PC games, especially if you get a mechanical keyboard. So, when you’re out shopping for one of the best gaming keyboards, keep an eye open for the kind of switches it uses. Membrane switches aren’t usually great for gaming, but mechanical switches are often perfect. And, don’t forget about lighting, it wouldn’t be 2019 without having your desk lit up like a Christmas tree. So, what makes the best keyboard for gaming? Even if you just have a bit of cash to spends, you can still get one of the best gaming keyboards. And, if money isn’t an issue, there are a ton of feature-rich keyboards with all the bells and whistles. So, let’s dive into all the best gaming keyboards you can buy today, all of which have been tested and reviewed by us. Razer Huntsman Elite Razer is taking speed to a whole new level with the Huntsman Elite, thanks to its new optomechanical switches. That sounds like mouthful, but Razer has managed to do the unthinkable – combine mechanical switches with optical sensors. This combination allows the Huntsman elite to take actuation to the next level, and you won’t find a faster keyboard on the market. But, switches aside, it’s remarkably comfortable to type on, and it’s covered with more RGB lighting than you can shake a stick at. Sure, it requires two USB cables for power and costs a small fortune, but with tech like this, it’s absolutely worth it. Read the full review: Razer Huntsman Elite Roccat Vulcan 120 Aimo It’s becoming more and more common for the best gaming keyboards to abandon Cherry MX switches in favor of custom ones. And, if we keep getting keyboards as good as the Roccat Vulcan 120 Aimo and its Titan switches, we hope the trend never stops. Not only does this keyboard have amazing tactile feedback, but it’s comfortable to type on and won’t keep your roommates awake at night. When you add in just how gorgeous this keyboard is, there’s no denying that this is one of the best gaming keyboards you can buy right now. Read the full review: Roccat Vulcan 120 Aimo Logitech G513 One of the biggest problems with Cherry MX Red keys is that while they’re good for gaming, they’re not ideal for typing anything but your Steam credentials. And, that’s where the Logitech G513 and its Romer-G Linear switches steal the show. With its brushed metal finish that, miraculously, is nearly immune to fingerprints, it all adds up to one of the best gaming keyboards on the market in 2019. Read the full review: Logitech G513 Cooler Master MasterSet MS120 Not everything has to be super high-end, and the Cooler Master MasterSet MS120 is proof. It’s a keyboard and mouse set, and while the mouse isn’t all that great, the keyboard is the star of the show. Sitting at just under a hundred bucks, the MasterSet’s keyboard is up there with other, more premium ‘mem-chanical’ keyboards. The switches on offer bring a ton of tactile feedback and deep travel, and won’t keep your whole house awake at night while you’re furiously pounding away on it during an intense late-night Overwatch match. The Cooler Master MasterSet MS120 really is one of the best gaming keyboards under $100. Read the full review: Cooler Master MasterSet MS120 Corsair K63 Wireless We have seen plenty of wireless gaming mice over the last few years, but not many wireless gaming keyboards. Until now. The Corsair K63 Wireless keyboard takes what made the wired version of the K63, and transfers it into the wireless version – without sacrificing much at all. Packing tight Cherry MX Red switches, full RGB lighting and convenient media controls, the K63 wireless shows us what wireless keyboards can be capable of in 2019. Read the full review: Corsair K63 Wireless HyperX Alloy Elite Following in the footsteps of Kingston’s first HyperX-branded gaming keyboard, namely the HyperX Alloy FPS, the HyperX Alloy Elite tweaks the company’s first winning keyboard to provide only a few subtle changes. For only $10 USD more than its predecessor, you’re getting media keys, a light bar and even a palm rest, all of which were previously absent. They’re also a series of delightful treats, making for a value proposition that shouldn’t be ignored. Read the full review: HyperX Alloy Elite Corsair K95 RGB Platinum Just like the Corsair K70 Rapidfire that came before, the K95 RGB Platinum is a mechanical keyboard that puts gaming above all other things. Rocking 8MB of dedicated memory for storing different profiles, this keyboard certainly has the versatility to get the job done, whatever it may be. It features a beautiful build, as well, with a military-grade aluminum finish that complements Corsair’s fantastic RGB lighting perfectly. Read the full review: Corsair K95 RGB Platinum Razer Cynosa Chroma If you’re new to PC gaming, and you want a keyboard that’ll perform admirably without the high price tag that a lot of mechanical keyboards carry, the Razer Cynosa Chroma might be for you. It might not have the tactile clickiness of a higher-end board, but the hybrid mesh switches perform well enough, boasting a 1ms polling rate and 10-key rollover. That’s not to mention the sick RGB lighting. Read the full review: Razer Cynosa Chroma Corsair K68 RGB Accidents happen – it’s just a fact of life, especially when you’re gaming. Luckily, it’s becoming more common for the best gaming keyboards to be able to handle anything you could throw at them, even Mountain Dew. The Corsair K68 RGB takes a fantastic keyboard design with Cherry MX Switches and makes it water resistant, so you don’t have to worry about a sudden soda shower during a frantic play session. And, with its subdued, stylish design and reasonable price tag, it’s easy to recommend the Corsair K68 RGB. Read the full review: Corsair K68 RGB SteelSeries Apex M750 If you’re looking for a gaming keyboard, and you don’t plan on doing much else, the SteelSeries Apex M750 is a great choice. It has fantastic software for customization and gorgeous RGB lighting. It also has a great tactile feel to it and feels extremely robust and durable. The only drawback is that the keyboard is extremely loud and uncomfortable for productivity work. Read the full review: SteelSeries Apex M750 Bill Thomas and Gabe Carey have also contributed to this article This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Windows 10 April 2019 Update release date, news and features Posted: 04 Mar 2019 09:48 AM PST The Windows 10 April 2019 Update will be the first major update for Microsoft's constantly-evolving Windows 10 operating system this year. Also known as Windows 10 version 1903, or 19H1, the Windows 10 April 2019 Update continues Microsoft's habit of releasing major tentpole updates that bring new features, tools and apps to Windows 10. The Windows 10 2019 Update will follow the Windows 10 October 2018 Update and the April 2018 Update. Both of these updates brought a number of new features to Windows 10 – even if the October 2018 Update is having trouble convincing people to update. These updates aren’t strangers to controversy, though, but at least it looks like Microsoft Paint will stay active, if a recent insider build is anything to go by. And, it looks like the Windows 10 April 2019 Update is going to be a big one. Not only are there a wealth of confirmed features like a system-wide Light Mode and the ability to pause updates, but we’ve seen rumors that the new Windows 10 build will be able to play native Xbox One games. We’re hoping that the Windows 10 April 2019 Update will manage to arrive, as the name suggests, in April, avoiding some of the problems that plagued earlier updates. However, the April 2018 Update was infamous for missing its April launch date, as was the October 2018 Update, so we’ll have to wait and see. With the launch of the Windows 10 April 2019 Update approaching, Microsoft has begun releasing early versions to Windows Insiders – who are customers who have signed up to try out the latest version of Windows 10. Because of this, we've got a good idea of what sort of new features are coming with the Windows 10 April 2019 Update. So, read on to find out all the latest news, rumors, features and release date details about the Windows 10 April 2019 Update. Cut to the chase
Windows 10 April 2019 Update release dateWe don't have an official release date for the Windows 10 April 2019 Update, but going by the name, we can have a good guess. So, it's very likely that it will be ready to download at some point during April 2019. However, we won't say that's a complete certainty. That's because last year's April 2018 update only just released in April. After a few delays, it emerged on April 30, which is cutting it a bit fine. Meanwhile, the October 2018 Update was even more tardy, finally releasing on November 13 – and that's not counting the times the update rollout was paused while Microsoft fixed numerous Windows 10 October 2018 Update problems. With any major update to an operating system, delays and problems can arise, so the April 2019 release date isn't guaranteed. But, given that Microsoft has called given it the April 2019 Update title could mean that it’s finally confident that it will release the update during that month, as it won’t want the embarrassment of releasing a Windows 10 update with an outdated name again. Windows 10 April 2019 Update nameWe've known about the Windows 10 April 2019 Update for a while now, though it was mainly referred to as Windows 10 version 1903 and by its codename Windows 19H1. The 19H1 codename gave us a clue to the release date and possible name, as it suggests the update will be released in the first half of 2019. Rumours had been swirling that Microsoft would choose April 2019 Update as the name, following on from its April 2018 Update last year. Another recent rumor all-but confirms the name of the update as the Windows 10 April 2019 Update, as a reference to the April 2019 Update was spotted in the Windows Powershell tool when the "Get-VMHostSupportedVersion" command is run. This reference, which was found by Twitter user Tero Alhonen, is the strongest evidence so far that it will be called the Windows 10 April 2019 Update. Of course, Microsoft could always change the name of the update before it's released, especially if it looks like it will be delayed until later in the year. However, considering the evidence, including Microsoft's past naming conventions and the fact it wants it out in the first half of 2019, we're pretty confident it will be called the Windows 10 April 2019 Update. Windows 10 April 2019 Update confirmed featuresBecause an early version of Windows 10 April 2019 Update is available for Windows Insiders (like ourselves) to try, we've got a good idea of some of the new features that will be heading to Windows 10 with this update. As always with early versions of these Windows 10 updates, this list doesn't have every new feature, but we'll update it when major new features are announced. Also, bear in mind that some of these features may be removed from the final version of the Windows 10 April 2019 Update for various reasons. A new Light themeImage Credit: Microsoft The Windows 10 April 2019 Update will bring a new Light desktop theme, making a nice contrast to the Dark theme that we're used to with Windows 10. Not only does it make the taskbar and Start Menu lighter, but new icons have been created that better suits the new Light theme. Best of all, you can mix and match parts of the Light and Dark theme to get a look that best suits your tastes. A better Start menuImage Credit: Microsoft Microsoft has continued to tweak the Start Menu, and the changes it's made in the Windows 10 April 2019 are definitely welcome. First of all, the Start menu when you first use the update is much less cluttered, with tiles and shortcuts for pre-installed apps not taking up as much space. However, there are still a number of apps and games that come pre-installed, and there are probably some that you don't want to use. With the Windows 10 April 2019 Update, you can now uninstall more pre-installed apps that you used to. Another notable change comes in the form of switching the Start menu to have its own dedicated process – StartMenuExperienceHost.exe rather than it being hosted by ShellExperienceHost.exe. That might sound like a complex change under the bonnet, but the only noticeable ramification for the user will be that the Start menu runs more smoothly, and is protected from potential issues which might be caused by other areas of the OS. The end result is a more reliable Start menu, according to Microsoft, and a more responsive one too, because Start doesn’t suspend itself any longer, so that makes for a slightly quicker launch time. Cortana is no longer integrated into the search boxImage Credit: Microsoft In the Windows 10 April 2019 Update, Cortana will be separated from the search box in the taskbar. As well as splitting search and Cortana on the taskbar, settings for these two have also been split up in Windows 10, along with group policies. So now when you click search, you get a straightforward operating system search. And if you want to summon Cortana, you have to use her separate icon. You can now pause updatesImage Credit: Microsoft The Windows 10 April 2019 Update will allow people using Windows 10 Home edition to pause Windows updates for a set number of days. This is a very handy feature that allows you a bit of breathing room when an update is released. It gives you time to check out to make sure that the update is working correctly, and if there are issues, you can pause the update until they've been fixed. In a perfect world, a new Windows update would arrive without any problems, but as we've seen in the past, that rarely happens. This features has been available to Enterprise and professional Windows 10 users, so it's good to see it come to the Home version as well. Reserved space for updatesImage Credit: Microsoft One of the more controversial features that the Windows 10 April 2019 Update brings is that it will now reserve 7GB of space on your hard drive which will be used to store temporary files. While some people may not like Windows 10 helping itself to yet more storage space on your hard drive, the idea is that this will make downloading Windows 10 updates easier in the future, and will prevent people experiencing an error where an update fails to install due to lack of space. Windows Sandbox lets you experimentIf you're running Windows 10 Professional, then the new Windows Sandbox tool could be of interest. It allows you to easily run a virtualized version of Windows 10 in a window, allowing you to run software and test out settings and code without it affecting your main Windows 10 installation. This is only a taste of the new features that are coming to Windows 10 with the April 2019 Update. We'll continue to update this list as we discover more. Image Credit: TechRadar Helpful error messagesThe Blue Screen of Death is infamous at this point, popping up whenever Windows runs into a critical error, but they’ve never been very useful to average users. But, it looks like that might be changing with the Windows 10 April 2019 Update. Microsoft is finally changing error messages to be more helpful – they’ll now tell you how to fix the problems. The error message will pop up when a problem is encountered, and users should see options to try and fix it. The error messages will also have a link to a knowledge base, rather than forcing users to rely on Google for answers. 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| Mac Mini 2019: what we want to see Posted: 04 Mar 2019 09:47 AM PST Just when we thought Apple forgot about the Mac mini, Apple swept us off our feet with a stunning update in late 2018, alongside the new MacBook Air – another neglected Mac. It was so stunning that we’re already getting our hopes up for a Mac mini 2019. The latest Mac mini offers fantastic performance – even at its base configuration with an Intel Core i3 processor – and is able to keep up with the intense demands of users. The computer also has an abundance of ports for connectivity and a decent thermal architecture to keep the heat down. Of course, the new Mac mini is hardly the perfect machine. The computer’s integrated graphics leave something to be desired, its SSD storage is the bare minimum and it isn’t really all that cheap – even if it is technically the “cheapest” Mac available. Just in case Apple does release an update this year, we’ve whipped up a wish list. Check back for more updates as Mac Mini 2019 release date, price and other information begins to leak, if at all. Cut to the chase
Image Credit: Apple Mac Mini 2019 release dateConsidering that it took Apple four years to release the 2018 update, it’s hard to know if it will actually release a 2019 update to the Mac mini. In fact, we might have to wait until a new MacBook Air or Mac Pro refresh. However, if Apple does release a new Mac mini this year, it’s probably not going to happen until October, when it typically reveals the details of its new Mac releases. At least that’s how it played out last year, when the company broke the news of the Mac Mini 2018 at the Apple Event in late October, with the mini desktop hitting the shelves a few days later in November. Again, whether Apple will release a 2019 Mac Mini model is still speculation at this point, but we’ll update this story once we hear anything more concrete. Keep your eyes peeled. Image Credit: TechRadar Mac Mini 2019 priceAt the moment, the Mac Mini 2018 has two configurations: the $799 base configuration, which has a Core i3 processor, 8GB DDR4 RAM, a UHD Graphics 630 integrated graphics and a 128GB SSD; and the $1099 “high-end” configuration, which boasts a Core i5 processor a 256GB SSD, and the same integrated graphics and RAM. With its two configurations, the Mac Mini 2018 has been dubbed the “cheapest” Mac on the market, and we definitely want to see the same prices on the 2019 update. Unless Apple has some big, expensive feature it plans to add – e.g. the MacBook Pro and its wonky Touch Bar – we expect the prices to stay in the same ballpark. Although if Apple were to upgrade the storage, something that may not be entirely necessary considering most creatives (its target users) have their own heavy-duty external drives anyway, the price might go up a little. Image Credit: TechRadar What we want to seeAgain, while the Mac Mini 2018 has been largely well-received due to its superior performance packed in a compact form factor, it does still leave some things to be desired. If Apple’s tiny computer does get its update this year, there are a couple of things we’d like to see improved and added new. A cheaper base model Plus, you still have to shell out for a monitor, a keyboard and a mouse, at the very least, which essentially puts you at almost the same price as an iMac ($1,099) with more storage space to start. The Mac Mini 2018 may boast incredible performance, but its price point is nowhere near competitive. We’d love to see the same level of performance and a much affordable price if the computer does get an update this year. More storage These days, that is the bare minimum for desktops, and is hardly enough for storing a handful of apps and software, let alone big files, like images and videos. At least 256GB of space to start is essential for a would-be 2019 model. Better integrated graphics Some folks have resorted to adding an external GPU to their setups, but that only adds to the cost and defeats the computer’s purpose. So we’d love to see Apple step up its game, and improve the Mac Mini Intel Iris integrated graphics or even a discrete GPU inside. Perhaps something similar to what the MacBook Pros have, which are considerably better. Separate the power supply Separating the built-in power supply could be an effective way to manage this heat problem, resulting in an even better performance and possibly a smaller form factor (or enough space for a dedicated graphics card). More user upgradability The CPU, RAM and storage in the Mac Mini 2018 may be upgraded when you’re in the process of ordering them, maxing the price out at $3,999, but Apple’s doing it for you and it can get expensive quickly. We’d like to see Apple bring back the old generation’s user upgradability in the Mac Mini 2019, especially if the computer largely sticks to the same specs. Better speakers Though a headphone jack is on hand so you can attach better speakers, it would be a welcome update to give the 2019 model a better speaker – or remove it entirely for an even smaller form factor.
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| MacBook Pro 2019: what we want to see Posted: 04 Mar 2019 09:44 AM PST While the latest MacBook Pro is an improvement over the 2017 model, there are plenty of MacBook users that have started to feel like Apple has lost its touch. Apple has been releasing new MacBook Pros and other devices faster than our bank accounts can keep up. And, while some of these upgrades have resulted in improved devices – looking at you, Mac mini – some of these updates have fallen flat. These updates are the result of Apple approaching the MacBook Pro in a different way since the 2016 redesign, focusing on features that make one of the best Macs more appealing to the mainstream, further streamlining the design. This has lead to things like the removal of all non-Thunderbolt 3 ports. It’s a classic case of ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’, but some old school Apple fans have felt abandoned by the Cupertino behemoth. However, the MacBook Pro 2018 did benefit from a substantial internal upgrade, now rocking 8th-generation Coffee Lake processors and some of the fastest SSDs we’ve seen to date – giving it unprecedented speed. Apple has also improved the display with True Tone tech, fixed problems with the Butterfly keyboard, or some of them at least, all while maintaining battery levels from the 2017 model. However, things might be changing for the MacBook Pro 2019. Famed Apple analyst Ming Chi Kuo has produced some leaks that suggest Apple is going to release a 16-inch MacBook Pro 2019, with an “all-new” design. We don’t know if this is true or not, but we’re hoping that Apple delivers a new MacBook Pro that’s worthy of its lineage. Cut to the chase
Image Credit: Apple MacBook Pro 2019 release dateAlthough a 2019 update to the MacBook Pro (as well as the Mac Pro) is expected, there’s no rumored release date at the moment. It’s hardly a surprise, as the the last update just dropped in July 2018. We might need to wait a few months or even early next year for a clearer date. However, going by Apple’s previous release dates – MacBook Pro 2017 debuted in June 2017 while the MacBook Pro 2018 model came out under the radar in July 2018 – a summer release for the MacBook Pro 2019 makes sense and is highly plausible. However, after Intel announced the 10nm Ice Lake chips at CES 2019 for a late 2019 release date, we could see Apple delay the MacBook Pro until Fall to take advantage of the new tech. Either way, we’ll continue to keep an eye out for updates. Image Credit: TechRadar MacBook Pro 2019 priceJust the fact that Apple hasn’t upgraded its non-Touch Bar MacBook Pros this year says a lot about its direction, which is likely to phase them out and continue asking us pay for tech that, while promising, hasn’t been perfected yet. The worst part of the 2018 models is the fact that you need to shell out thousands to get the highest amount of RAM (the 32GB RAM option is only available to the 15-inch models) and the largest SSD combo. Otherwise, you’re stuck with base amount of RAM and a Touch Bar that isn’t even universally compatible yet. Photographers and filmmakers who need a bigger screen? You can forget about getting a non-Touch Bar model. You can also forget about upgrading your 13-inch. The majority of its parts are soldered, so you’ll have to bring in a professional and break your warranty. Then you may have to invest in a third-party docking station because the only ports available to you are the USB-C Thunderbolt 3 ports and a headphone jack. Of course, it’s hard to predict these things, but you’ll probably see more of the same prices. At the moment, the basic 13-inch with Touch Bar configuration, featuring 8GB of RAM, a 256GB SSD and four Thunderbolt 3 ports, will set you back $1,799 (£1,749, A$2,699). You’re basically paying 300 bucks more for the Touch Bar, Touch ID and two additional Thunderbolt 3 ports. Image Credit: Apple What we want to see from MacBook Pro 2019Apple hasn’t been getting a lot of love lately, what with the great keyboard debacle of 2016-2017, the troubled Touch Bar and the soldered RAM, to name a few. But, we’re still hoping Apple takes a new lease on life in 2019 and actually gives the users some of the things they need. More port variety, please However, if we’re really being honest, limiting us to Thunderbolt 3 is inconvenient. MacBook Pro is for professionals who want a more seamless workflow. Yes, the Thunderbolt 3 is powerful and versatile, allowing for charging, output and data transfers; but we’re still using other devices and accessories that don’t support it. If we’re expected to connect this cable to that adapter to plug in to that port, we’re not going to be happy. And, while we’re at it, can we just bring back MagSafe charging, please? Some of us tend to trip over those cables, and it was nice to know that we wouldn’t damage those older models in the process. But, seeing how Apple launched the latest MacBook Air with just two Thunderbolt 3 ports and no MagSafe charger, we don’t exactly have our hopes up that Apple is going to diversify the ports on the MacBook Pro 2019. Improved Touch Bar That’s all fine and dandy and, we must admit, the technology has promise. However, if Apple is going to ask for a few hundred bucks for a new feature, can we please get more use out of it? So far, Touch Bar compatibility is only limited to a few programs and apps, and we want to see more added to this list. Plus, it would be nice to get it properly working without the freezes and fat finger issues. Image Credit: TechRadar Or offer an alternative We’d like to see an option for such users. Bring back the Touch Bar-free 15-inch model and upgrade the 13-inch model without it, perhaps. Better keyboard, display and sound The MacBook Pro designers should take cues from the iPhone X and get rid of the bezeled display. That’s a lot of precious real estate wasted, and pushing for a bezel-free display will give users a bigger screen without having to compromise the size. Plus, by going bezel-free, it’ll give the update a fresher, more modern look. Also, a laptop designed to edit 4K media should have a 4K screen option. And, while Apple’s at it, we’d like to see it reconsider those speakers. We get that Apple is pushing for a more compact design, but the speakers in the older MacBook Pros are so much better. With all the technology they come up with, it would be welcome to receive a premium set of speakers with better base and more volume. New Intel processor However, at CES 2019, Intel announced Ice Lake, its first round of 10nm Sunny Cove processors for laptops. We’re expecting to see these chips in late 2019, so if Apple wants to include these next-gen CPUs in its next MacBooks – which it definitely should – it would need to delay the next MacBook Pro until late 2019. We’ve also seen rumors that Apple is going to back up whatever processor it includes in the MacBook 2019 with more RAM – particularly in the 13-inch model. Where previous 13-inch MacBook Pros topped out at 16GB, word on the street is you’ll be able to get an extremely portable Mac with a whopping 32GB of memory. This is excellent news, as memory demands keep going up year over year.
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| Dell XPS 15 2019: what we want to see Posted: 04 Mar 2019 09:41 AM PST Back when the Dell XPS 15 2018 launched, it was packed to the brim with 8th-generation H-series processors, fast SSDs and some gorgeous displays. And, it is still one of the best laptops in 2019. However, now that Intel Whiskey Lake is here, and Nvidia Turing graphics are powering some of the best gaming laptops, we thought it was the perfect time to come up with a list of things we’d like to see in the Dell XPS 15 2019. No matter what the result is, it’s going to be way faster than the current model. Beyond certain aspects of the Dell XPS 13 2019 that we think will carry over, like the webcam, we don’t know much about the Dell XPS 15 2019 right now. However, we can still do some speculation, crafting a sort-of wishlist of what we want to see in the next XPS 15. So, keep this page bookmarked, and we’ll update it just as soon as we hear anything. Cut to the chase
Dell XPS 15 release dateIt’s too early to try and point out an exact Dell XPS 15 2019 release date, but instead we’ll look to the past to try to predict the future. Things could shift a little one way or the other, but the next Intel mobile platform is here, so it’s only a matter of time. We’ll probably start to see movement once Intel gets its supply issues under control. Over the last few years, the Dell XPS 15 has had a bit of an uneven release history. While the Dell XPS 15 2018 came out in May of 2018, past XPS 15 models haven’t been totally consistent. In February 2017, we got the Dell XPS 15 2017, but before that, the 2015 model dropped in October. It’s kind of all over the place, and it could mean we have to wait a very long time for the next one. However, we’re sure that if a ton of new hardware comes out, Dell will be close behind with a hardware refresh for the Dell XPS 15. Dell XPS 15 priceThe current XPS 15 starts out at $1,059 (£1,179, AU$1,699) for a quad-core, 8th-generation Intel Core i5 chip, 8GB of RAM and a 1TB 5,400 RPM hard drive. However, you can spec it out for up to $2,959 (£2,279, AU$3,999) for a Core i9, 32GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD. Dell will probably follow the same pricing trend as the current model for the XPS 15 2019 – bring out an entry-level notebook for about $1,050 and let users configure it however they want. However, we could see Dell raising the price a bit for the entry model, as it has for the last few years – plus, computer hardware keeps getting more expensive. Again, we won’t know what the pricing is going to be until we get closer to launch, so stay tuned. What want to see from Dell XPS 15 2019The Dell XPS 15 is already one of the best Ultrabooks you can buy today, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have room to improve. So, we went ahead and created a wishlist of things we want to see from the Dell XPS 15 2019, to really elevate it into the laptop stratosphere. Better cooling Because the Dell XPS 15 is a high-end device, we’d love to see a cooling design that, well, keeps it cool. If it comes at the cost of keeping the same thinness as this years model, or even thickening it up a bit, we could live with that – it’s already easy to carry around, we just don’t want to thermal throttle anymore. More ports Move that webcam It’s not an ideal situation for either end of the conversation, and it even makes Windows Hello kind of a pain. Luckily, it looks like Dell may have figured it out – the new Dell XPS 13 has moved the chin-cam up into the top bezel thanks to some kind of shrinking magic. Hopefully, this tiny little camera finds its way into the Dell XPS 15 2019. Unlimited power That’s not taking graphics into consideration. Nvidia has launched its Turing graphics for laptops at CES 2019, which should drastically improve graphics performance. However, the Dell XPS 15 2018 featured the GTX 1050 Ti, and there’s not an equivalent laptop GPU. We’ll probably have to wait for Nvidia to release a comparable graphics chip – maybe a mobile version of the GTX 1660 Ti?
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| The best Windows tablets 2019: all of the top Windows tablets reviewed Posted: 04 Mar 2019 09:40 AM PST The best Windows 10 tablets are getting better by the minute. Not only are they great for watching some Netflix or playing some casual games, but because of their lightweight designs and powerful components, they’re among the best 2-in-1 laptops you can buy. It’s easy to see why they’re so universally praised as being the best of both worlds. This is all thanks to the versatility that the best Windows tablets inherently bring to the table. From thin and light beauties like the Acer Switch 5 to power hungry behemoths like the Surface Pro 6, the best Windows tablets have something for everyone. Plus, anyone looking for a cheap Surface device will be happy to know that the Surface Go offers a great Windows tablet experience at a budget cost. With so many options out there, we’ve gathered up all the best Windows tablets. Regardless of what you’re trying to do with it, you can find the best Windows tablets right here. So, let’s dive in to everything Windows tablets can do. For years, Microsoft’s Surface Pro lineup has been the ideal of what the best Windows tablets should strive for. And, while it doesn’t bring anything especially new to the table, it does iterate in a meaningful way, with more powerful hardware and a sleek black color option that looks stunning. It still doesn’t come with the Surface Pen or the Type Cover, but that’s unfortunately to be expected these days. Either way, it’s the best Windows tablet on the market right now. Read the full review: Microsoft Surface Pro 6 A budget Surface device has been demanded by users for years, but the wait is finally over. The Microsoft Surface Go is simply the best Windows tablet for anyone that wants to work on the go. Thin, light, portable and elegant without costing a fortune, Microsoft has packed in everything they could in a device at a low price point. And, if you’re a student, or just someone that wants to consume some media while traveling, you can’t go wrong with the Microsoft Surface Go – you can even play some of the best laptop games on an airplane. Read the full review: Microsoft Surface Go If you need a Windows tablet with the versatility of the Surface Pro, but you don’t have a lot of cash to spare, the Acer Switch 5 is an excellent choice. You’ll lose a bit in screen resolution and sound quality, but you're saving hundreds of dollars for comparable power. The Acer Switch 5 is one of the best Windows tablets for any students or professionals that need to get stuff done on the go, while sticking to a budget. Read the full review: Acer Switch 5 While it features a 6th generation Intel processor, the Samsung Galaxy TabPro S is a knockout 12-inch tablet that manages to be thinner and lighter than most Windows tablets. It also has a beautiful AMOLED screen that you won’t find on any other Windows device, plus a pair of high-quality speakers that sound better than most other tablet speakers. The keyboard is a bit iffy, but if you’re looking for a tablet to watch some Netflix on, the Samsung Galaxy TabPro S is the best windows tablet for you. Read the full review: Samsung Galaxy TabPro S
The HP Spectre x2 was originally created to be a budget version of the Surface Pro. However, HP has redesigned this Windows tablet to vie for Microsoft’s premium crown. In many ways, we have to admit it succeeds. The HP Spectre x2 rocks a 7th-generation Kaby Lake Core i7 processor at a lower price point – it even looks cooler. It gets better – the Active Pen and keyboard come with the HP Spectre x2, which is more than can be said for the Surface Pro. Read our full review: HP Spectre x2
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| The best rugged laptops of 2019: we test drop-proof laptops for working outside Posted: 04 Mar 2019 09:37 AM PST If you work on a busy work site, or even if you’re just tremendously clumsy like we are, the best rugged laptops can make a world of difference. These laptops can all be used in extreme environments, and are built to survive drops, knocks and spills. We’ve scoured the web, looking for the best laptops that can literally handle anything you can throw at them.. The best rugged laptops have been built with rigid and robust cases that can handle high pressure, extreme drops and even exposure to liquid without getting destroyed. To ensure that these laptops can survive, they are subject to hardcore testing, so you can use them in complete confidence that they’re built to task. So, whether you work on a busy work site, spend a lot of time in the most dangerous places on Earth, or even if you’re just kind of clumsy, we’ll help you find the perfect rugged laptop. We’ve even included our exclusive price comparison tool, so that you can spend less time shopping for the best rugged laptop, and more time saving.
Image Credit: Dell If you want an extremely rugged laptop, you’re going to want the Dell Latitude 14 Rugged Extreme – it’s in the name. And, while it’s a bit old right now, it’s still a well-designed rugged laptop that meets military standard requirements. It features a rigid magnesium alloy build, shock absorbent case, is IP65 certified against dust, sand and water – it can even handle extreme temperatures. Like the rest of Dell’s catalog, you can configure the dell Latitude 14 Rugged Extreme however you like.
Image Credit: Dell Dell may be a mainstream laptop manufacturer, but it still makes the best rugged laptops around. The Dell Latitude 14 Rugged is a fantastic machine that combines a tough outer shell with components that are pretty powerful for the category – including an Intel Core i5 processor and dedicated AMD Radeon graphics. The display looks decent, with a matte finish that makes it comfortable to use outdoors – which is probably where you’ll use it. It’s the less ‘extreme’ version of the Latitude 14 Rugged Extreme which sits at the top of our list of the best rugged laptops.
Image Credit: Panasonic If you want one of the best 2-in-1 laptops, but you don’t want something that feels like it’s going to snap in half the first chance it gets – the Panasonic Toughbook CF-33 is for you. This 2-in-1 has a flexibility that most rugged laptops just don’t. If you need something that’s easy to carry while you do stock takes and jot down notes, then tablet mode will work wonders. Then, if you need to type up some documents, you can attach the keyboard and comfortably type away. It may be expensive, but it’s one of the only 2-in-1 laptops that can actually take a beating. Image Credit: HP You might think the HP ProBook x360 11 G1 EE is a normal laptop at first glance. However, once you dive deeper, you’ll see there’s more than meets the eye. While it isn’t designed for big drops and dangerous environments, it's still one of the best rugged laptops for most everyday users – it’s built to withstand more knocks, drops and liquids than the everyday laptop. This is due to an industrial rubberised body, spill resistant keyboard and Corning Gorilla Glass 4 display. It’s not going to be as robust as some of the other rugged laptops on this list, but it’s easily portable and the screen can be flipped – making it a rugged 2-in-1 laptop. Image Credit: Lenovo Similar to the HP ProBook x360 we mentioned earlier, the Lenovo ThinkPad 11e is more like a standard laptop that just so happens to be a bit rugged. Still, you can just tell that Lenovo has put effort into the construction of this device, as it includes more robust inputs, and can survive drops of up to 90cm. It also features military specifications, that make this a laptop that can survive the harshest conditions. What’s more, it’s affordable, while still offering enough processing power for everyday tasks.
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| Best Mac 2019: the best Macs to buy this year Posted: 04 Mar 2019 09:37 AM PST The new MacBook Air, not to mention macOS Mojave and a new Mac mini are all finally here, and the best Macs have never been better. And, if you want to get your hands on one of the best Macs, keep in mind that specs, performance and design mean way more in how they interact with the OS itself than any of them separately. That’s why it’s not really productive to compare a Mac to a Windows 10 machine. We haven’t seen any new Macs in 2019, but we’re sure they’re coming. However, the best Macs are still extremely diverse. We don’t know what Apple’s future looks like, but we’re sure that there’s plenty of life in the Macintosh. The best Macs cover stationary professional behemoths like the iMac Pro all the way to thin and light notebooks like the 12-inch MacBook. So, it can be hard to find which Mac is best for you. That’s why we decided to gather up all the best Macs we’ve used – iMacs, MacBooks and more – to help you answer that question. The only Macs that you won’t find here are the ones that we’ve either not been able to review, or just weren’t good enough. So, let’s dive in to all the best Macs you can buy right now. If you’re looking for the most performance you can get in a MacBook, and you can afford it, you’ll want to look at the MacBook Pro 15-inch. With hexa-core 8th-generation processors and up to 32GB of RAM, you won’t be held back by anything you throw at this thing – especially now that you can get Radeon Pro Vega 20 graphics. With this kind of performance, it’s easy to see why this is one of the best Macs of all time. Read the full review: MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid-2018) You know you’re getting an exceptionally good deal from Apple when, even at the entry level, you can expect high performance, plenty of storage and all the ports you could dream of. And, while 2018 came and went without a new iMac, the 2017 model is a perfect example of this. There’s still no touchscreen, but when it’s so much more affordable than the Surface Studio, we’re not complaining. Instead, you’re getting a full-fat 7th-generation Intel desktop processor and your choice of an IPS display carefully wrapped in an all-metal case. Read the full review: Apple iMac (2017) For much of the year, the biggest complaint with the MacBook Pro was that it was still using Kaby Lake processors, even though its competition had moved ahead. Luckily, the MacBook Pro 2018 changes everything, and is more powerful than ever before. It still has the controversial Butterfly keyboard, but it’s been improved – with less noise and more reliability. It’s easy to recommend the 13-inch MacBook Pro 2018 for anyone looking for the best Mac. Read the full review: MacBook Pro with Touch Bar (13-inch, mid-2018) If you’re a professional or a creative, and you need something that will be able to tackle any workload you could possibly throw at it, you’re going to love the iMac Pro. Not only does it have a vivid 27-inch 5K display with a P3 wide color gamut, but it’s also packed with the most powerful hardware Apple could get its hands on. It’s extremely expensive, but if you’re looking for unbridled power to get through professional workloads, the iMac Pro is the best Mac for you. Read the full review: iMac Pro When Apple refreshed the MacBook back in 2016, it didn’t please anyone, despite being more attractive than ever before. And, while the controversy hasn’t disappeared entirely, the 12-inch MacBook has found its niche as an ultraportable and lightweight laptop. It’s low on ports, but in a laptop this thin, that’s to be expected, and it can support basically everything under the sun with its Thunderbolt 3 port, anyway. It’s not as powerful as the MacBook Pro, but if you’re looking for a MacBook that’s easy to take with you wherever you go, look no further. Read the full review: Apple MacBook (2017) We’ve been waiting years for a new MacBook Air, and it’s finally here. Now thinner, lighter and with a Retina display for the first time, it’s easily the best MacBook Air we’ve ever used. With 8th-generation processors, more RAM and faster SSDs, the MacBook Air is also more powerful than ever. We just wish that these were full-fat U-series quad core chips, rather than the Y-series dual-core fanless processors. Still, this means that you’re going to easily get all-day battery out of this thing, which makes it one of the best Macs for travel. Read the full review: MacBook Air 2018 Mac Mini fans, rejoice! The Mac Mini has finally been refreshed with modern hardware, bring Apple’s tiniest Mac into the modern age. This thing is filled to the brim with 8th-generation desktop processors, a ton of RAM and some of the fastest SSDs we’ve seen – all while keeping the same beloved form factor. It’s a bit more expensive this time around, but with the raw speed on offer, we’d have to say it’s worth it. Read the full review: Mac Mini 2018
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| Best laptops for kids 2019: the top laptops for kids in elementary school and beyond Posted: 04 Mar 2019 09:36 AM PST These days, having a good laptop is completely necessary – and that’s especially true for your kids. The best laptops for kids will usually take the form of rugged and cheap tablets, but there will come a time when your child will have to graduate up to a full, traditional laptop. Whether it’s for school or for play, you’ll need to find the best laptop for kids. Your kids won’t be stuck with Windows 10, either – the best Chromebooks are great for kids of all ages – especially if they’re in middle or high school. They’ll have large, durable displays that are great for getting homework done. Many Chromebooks are also compatible with a bevy of Android games and apps, for a bit of downtime between assignments. They’re also affordable – they really are the best laptops for kids. So, what’s the best laptops for your kids? How do you decide? Luckily, we’re here to help you answer those questions – we gathered up all the best laptops for kids. So, we’ll help you find the top laptops for kids – from low prices to ruggedized frames and even rigid parental controls. We may not have tested or reviewed all the laptops here, but we’re laptop experts, expertise we’ve used to recommend exceptional laptops for kids. Image Credit: Dell This entry-level Chromebook from Dell is, by our measure, the best laptop for kids you can buy today. This Chromebook’s 11-inch frame may be tiny, but so is your little one. What’s more impressive are its classroom tools, like an activity light that allows kids to digitally raise their hands. Plus, it has a ‘kid-proof’ sealed, spill-resistant keyboard and rubber sides. The excellent price is worth noting, too. Plus, Chrome OS is historically easy for parental controls as well as malware protection. Read the full review of a predecessor: Dell Chromebook 11 Image Credit: Lenovo If you’re more accustomed to Windows 10, or even if your kid likes it, we find the Lenovo IdeaPad 120S to be among the best laptops for kids – especially at this bargain price. The laptop is mildly ruggedized to survive slips and drops, and even features a USB-C port for a bit of future-proofing. You can also trust that this device will be free of bloatware that can distract your child. That’s enough in our book to recommend this laptop to pretty much every parent – especially for Windows 10 families. Read the full review of a predecessor: Lenovo IdeaPad 100S Image Credit: Acer If you have kids that are just starting to have to write up papers for class, and you want to get them something that won’t break the first time it gets dropped, you might want to consider the Acer Chromebook Spin 11. Not only does it have competent specs and a surprisingly comfortable keyboard, it’s also a 2-in-1. This means it can be used to play some Android games when all the homework is done. The display is a bit dim, and it’s not going to blow you away with its performance, but it’s cheap, durable and it’ll last a while. Read the full review: Acer Chromebook Spin 11 Image Credit: Acer When your kids approach or enter double-digit years, they might end up needing something a bit more robust to support them through larger projects (and sharper streaming). Acer’s latest 15-inch Chromebook will bring serious sophistication to your kid’s computing experience, from its design to its features, like a full HD display, fast USB 3.0 connections and an HDR webcam. However, this laptop is ideal for adolescents on account of its larger size and lack of kid-proof features in exchange for a more luxury experience at a great price. Read the full review: Acer Chromebook 15 Image Credit: Asus If your kid wants a tablet, but you want them to get familiar with the traditional computer as well, the Asus Transformer Mini is perfect, especially considering the price. This tablet brings plenty of power and ports to the table – not to mention a fingerprint sensor, stylus and keyboard cover – all in the box. This is all topped off with a whopping 11 hours of battery life. If your kids are just too used to tablets to jump to a traditional laptop, this is the best laptops for your kids, especially for the price. Read the full review: Asus Transformer Mini T102HA
Image Credit: Apple The 2015 MacBook Air isn’t the newest one on the block, but it’s still one of the best laptops for kids – unlike the 2018 model. We know that parents aren’t made of cash, but the 2015 MacBook Air has plenty of deals out there – in fact it’s the cheapest Apple laptop out there. Plus, it has great battery life, a smooth and easy to understand operating system, and it’s thin and light. The best Macs are famous for outlasting Windows laptops – and this one should last your kid for years. Read the full review: MacBook Air
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| USB4 catches up to Thunderbolt 3 with 40Gbps data transfer speeds Posted: 04 Mar 2019 09:31 AM PST Soon, the incredible speeds of Thunderbolt 3 ports in laptops and computers will be available to all future USB Type-C (USB-C) ports, thanks to the brand-new USB4 standard. Hot on the heels of releasing the USB 3.2 specification – and the abject confusion it’s likely to cause consumers – the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) announced that the 40 Gigabits per second (Gbps) data transfer rates and multiple 4K display support that are exclusive to Intel’s latest proprietary Thunderbolt 3 port will be made available to generic USB-C ports. Currently, more than 50 companies are reviewing the final draft of the USB-IF’s new specification, which is on track to be published by the middle of 2019, according to the organization.
The fastest generally available USB port until then will be USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 at 20Gbps, which isn’t even available yet. Unfortunately, it’s unclear how long after publishing the specification will we see laptops and other computers sporting USB4 Type-C ports with 40Gbps transfer rates. A faster future for all – with a catchThis move is a long time coming, as Intel has intended on making its technology available free of license since 2017. Until now, Thunderbolt 3 was only available on the most premium laptops and computers, as device makers had to work with Intel directly to source the technology. However, this expansion of Thunderbolt 3 into USB4 won’t be as hugely democratizing as it first sounds – at least at first. While the specification will be backward compatible with devices as far back as USB 2.0 (using adapters, of course), those faster transfer rates will require “40Gbps certified cables.” This will likely cause some growing pains at the onset not unlike the forthcoming USB 3.2 debacle, but eventually all USB ports will use the Type-C form factor and USB4 standard. That broadening of access to the technology could see a proliferation of today’s more fringe technologies, like high-resolution displays and higher-fidelity virtual reality – not to mention even faster power delivery. Our expectations of common screen resolution and the fidelity of connected experiences ratchet up every day, but USB4 could very well accelerate those to the point where 4K or even sharper displays are the norm and file sizes in the gigabytes just aren't that big anymore.
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| The best laptop for writers: the 10 best laptops for authors and journalists Posted: 04 Mar 2019 09:26 AM PST If you’re a writer, or even if you’re a liberal arts student looking for the best laptop for college, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve gathered up all the best laptops for writers on the market, with special care given to the specific needs that writers and journalists have when looking for the right device. Of course, this will have to include the best keyboards – you’ll be doing a lot of typing, so you may as well be comfortable while doing it. A compact design, long battery life and a display that’s easy on the eyes are all important, as well. You don’t need top-of-the line hardware just to get writing and research done – trust us. So, the best laptops for writers are going to focus on comfort and budget more than anything else. And, even if you don’t think you do a lot of writing, you likely do – the best laptops for writers are a dream come true, whether you’re writing emails, reports or presentations. Plus, we’ve included our exclusive price comparison tool, so you can find the cheapest price, so you don’t have to waste precious time digging through the web. If you want to see a more comprehensive list of prices and retailers, all you have to do is click the ‘view all prices’ link on each widget. The best laptops for writers:Image Credit: Microsoft If you’re looking for the best laptop for writers, but you want something with tons of modern aesthetic that’s portable to boot, you can’t go wrong with the Microsoft Surface Go. Sure, you’re going to have to buy the keyboard separate, but once you get it, you’ll have an insanely portable laptop that is a delight to type on. The gorgeous PixelSense display is great for watching some Netflix in your down time, too. Read the full review: Microsoft Surface Go Image Credit: Asus When you’re a writer, sometimes you just need a sleek machine that’s powerful and portable – and the Asus Zenbook UX310UA is a prime example of this. It’s one of the best Ultrabooks for writers – you’ll get a brilliantly performing notebook that you won’t need to upgrade for years. And, thanks to its ultra-slim design, it’s easy to carry around, which will be great if you do a lot of writing while travelling. The keyboard is a decent size which makes writing on it a breeze. Like most laptops of this variety, you can spec it out to be as cheap or powerful as you want. Read the full review: Asus Zenbook UX310UA
Image Credit: Asus A Chromebook doesn't run Windows, Android or Apple's Mac OS. Instead it's powered by Google's Chrome OS - a super lightweight operating system based on the Chrome web browser. It's a great way to save money on a laptop, and if you're buying a laptop to use primarily for writing, it's a great choice, as Google Docs can be used as a word processor, and you of course also have the Chrome browser for research. The Chromebook Flip is the best Chromebook out there at the moment, offering truly premium build quality, a fabulous touchscreen and keyboard and excellent performance. All while offering great value for money too. Read the full review: Asus Chromebook Flip C302 Image Credit: Microsoft Even in the face of the best touchscreen laptops, sometimes you just want a powerful, traditional laptop that feels great to type on. And, while the Surface Laptop 2 does, in fact, have a touchscreen, everything else about it is the culmination of all the best laptops for writers. The keyboard is tactile and comfy, the screen is the perfect size and resolution, and it’s got plenty of power for all the Chrome tabs you’ll have open while researching. One of the only things that holds it back is the lack of Thunderbolt 3, but with everything else this laptop does right, it’s easy to see why it’s one of the best laptops for writers. Read the full review: Surface Laptop 2 Image Credit: Microsoft If you’re going to an event or traveling, you’ll want to get your writing done on a device that’s both lightweight and capable. And, the Surface Pro 6 is the best laptop for writing on the move. With the latest quad-core processors from Intel and plenty of RAM, you won’t be held back by the hardware. It’s just a shame that you have to buy the keyboard separately – but it’s still worth your time. Read the full review: Microsoft Surface Pro 6 Image Credit: Lenovo Lenovo is known for making some of the best laptops for writers – once you use one of its keyboards, it’s kind of hard to go back. The Lenovo Flex 6 14 is no exception. For a bargain price, you’re getting respectable components behind a beautiful and responsive touch screen. And, it’s light enough that it’s actually bearable to use in tablet mode – more than can be said of some of the best 2-in-1 laptops. If you’re looking for the best laptop for writers that can get a lot of work done on a budget, look no further. Read the full review: Lenovo Flex 6 14 Image Credit: Apple If you’ve got the cash, the 2018 MacBook Pro is one of the best laptops for writers that we’ve ever used. Not only does it feature an improved keyboard that cuts down on noise and is more reliable, it’s also incredibly powerful. You can spec the 2018 MacBook Pro with a 6-core Core i9 processor and up to 32GB of RAM to power through anything you might think to throw at it. Though, for most writers, even the base model is going to be more than powerful enough to handle any workload you can throw at it. Read the full review: Macbook Pro Image Credit: Acer If you have your eyes on a Surface Pro, but you don’t want to spend that much money, the Acer Switch 3 is definitely up your alley. It’s designed around the same basic concept as the Surface Pro and it’s only a little less capable. However, for most tasks, especially if you’re a writer, it’s a brilliant little machine. What’s more, to add further value, this 2-in-1 laptop/tablet comes with the keyboard upgrade which means little extras to pay for. As usual, it comes in several different versions, with USB Type-C, 8GB RAM, an IPS display and an Intel Core i3-7100U processor coming with the more expensive option. Read the full review: Acer Switch 3
Image Credit: Acer The Acer Chromebook R11 is probably the best cheap laptop around at the moment, and it's a great laptop for wirters. Like the Acer Chromebook Flip higher up this page, this laptop runs Chrome OS so does away with all the overheads that Windows brings. Consequently it's able to run nice and fast on less powerful components, which means a very cheap price! Its touchscreen is decent, though it's only HD, and it will flip to become a tablet too. What's more, it'll run practically all day thanks to its excellent battery life. So if you're looking for a capable but very cheap laptop that you can whip out and begin writing on, then this one is your best bet. Read the full review: Acer Chromebook R11 Image Credit: HP If you’re looking for a laptop that you can fold up and play with when you’re done writing for the day, look no further than the HP Spectre x360. Not only is this one of the best 2-in-1 laptops you can buy today, but thanks to the keyboard’s stiff force curve, you’ll find typing is a breeze for any touch typist. And, thanks to its long battery life, you’ll be able to write all day on this comfortable keyboard without having to worry about scrambling for your charger. That’s not to mention the beautiful 4K display, which will make text look nice and crisp with no pixelation. Read the full review: HP Spectre X360
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| Best laptop for programming in 2019: top picks for coders, developers and sysadmins Posted: 04 Mar 2019 09:20 AM PST If you’re software developer looking for one of the best laptops for programming, you’re in the right place. With this list, we’ve gathered up all the top laptops for programming whether you’re juggling with HTML, CSS, JavaScript or VB. If you’re on the market for the best laptop for programming, there are a couple things you need to look out for. Like, the best processors – you’ll need that extra horsepower to efficiently compile your code. And, while most modern laptops will feature plenty of cores, threads and high clock speeds, the best laptops for programming will put the focus on the silicon. You’ll also need some speedy RAM, and at least 8GB of it. You’ll also want to consider storage – you’re going to need one of the best hard drives – maybe even an SSD, as they’ll save you time when saving or opening files and apps. Graphics aren’t as important as with other laptops, though, unless you want to do some gaming in your down time. Modern Intel hardware comes with integrated graphics that are more than powerful enough for pretty much anything you’ll throw at them while programming. Oh, and don’t forget to ensure you’re getting one of the best keyboards: you’ll be doing a lot of typing, so you may as well be comfortable while doing it. And, a high resolution display will help make sure your code is easy on the eyes. So, without further ado, here’s our list of the best laptops for programming in 2019.
Image Credit: Toshiba A dev's dream coding laptop must have plenty of power and memory, a good battery life, an excellent keyboard and monitor plus the ability to handle multiple monitors and other peripherals. It must also have a reliable after sales support that can handle life's unexpected events whether you're in Paris or San Francisco. In our view, the Toshiba Portege Z30-C-138 is the best laptop for programming, as it features a fast processor, a large SSD and hefty 16GB of RAM. Best of all, it also manages 11 hours of battery life, which is ideal if you're looking for a laptop for programming and coding on the go. Toshiba has also managed to squeeze an extraordinary amount of components in this device including a VGA port, a fingerprint reader and even a 4G/LTE modem and A-GPS!
Image Credit: Lenovo With the ThinkPad E470, Lenovo took an existing form factor and refined it. Now, powered by 7th-generation Intel Kaby Lake processors, this is one of the best laptops for programming. It also features a lovely 14-inch anti-glare display, powered by a discrete Nvidia GeForce 940MX GPU, a spill resistant keyboard and Lenovo’s signature TrackPoint. The Lenovo E460, then, tops all of this off with enough ports and expansion capabilities to keep the average user happy for years to come. Image Credit: HP The 255 G5 is HP's entry-level business laptop and is a solid candidate should you be looking for a straightforward, reliable, laptop for programming at a bargain price. The RAM is a little on the low side, but that can be upgraded later on, and there's no denying that this is an excellent laptop for coding on. If you want a similar programming laptop with an Intel processor, rather than AMD, then the HP 250 G5 is worth looking into. There are various configurations of both the HP 255 G5 and the HP 250 G5, so it's worth shopping around and finding one with the right components for your needs.
Image Credit: TechRadar We’ve been waiting years for a new MacBook Air, and it’s finally here. Now thinner, lighter and with a Retina display for the first time, it’s easily the best MacBook Air we’ve ever used. Thanks to improved hardware for better performance (including 8th-generation processors, more RAM and faster SSDs) and an affordable price, the 2018 MacBook Air is a brilliant laptop for programming on. It keeps that same light and slim design which means it's easy to sling into a bag and carry around with you, but it also has enough oopmh to make programming on it a joy. The improved screen and higher resolution makes it far more comfortable to work on as well. Image Credit: Apple When you’re looking for the best laptop for programming, especially if you’re developing software for macOS, you’re eventually going to find yourself looking at the MacBook Pro. And, the new MacBook Pro, with its hexa-core processor and heaps of RAM, is the most powerful MacBook that the Cupertino tech behemoth has ever birthed. No matter how extraneous your workload is, no matter what you’re trying to develop, you’re going to be able to get it done on the new 15-inch MacBook Pro, and we’d recommend it to any software developer – as long as they had the budget for it. Read the full review: MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid-2018) Image Credit: Microsoft Sometimes you just have to work on the go, and in those situations, you’ll be thankful for the Microsoft Surface Pro 6. With its quad-core processors and plentitude of RAM, you’ll be able to compile code quickly and efficiently, even when you’re on the move. Just keep in mind that you’ll have to pay extra for the Type Cover – you’re not going to want to get any coding done on a touch screen, trust us. Read the full review: Microsoft Surface Pro 6 Image Credit: TechRadar Sure, it’s a Chromebook, and while that may put some people off, the Google Pixelbook is powerful (and beautiful) enough to hang with the Surfaces and MacBooks of the world. Now, while ChromeOS is admittedly not as good a place to program as Windows or macOS, the Pixelbook’s support of Android makes it a must-own laptop for any Android developer. The fact that this laptop succeeds the now discontinued Google Chromebook Pixel, which was designed by and for Google’s own developers, should give it some street cred in the eyes of coders. Read the full review: Google Pixelbook
Image Credit: Asus While it doesn’t run Windows or macOS, the Asus Chromebook Flip is powered by Chrome OS, a super lightweight operating system based on the Chrome web browser. The Chromebook Flip is one of the best Chromebooks out there, solely because it offers a premium build, a great touchscreen and reasonably powerful components for the price. And, while Chrome OS doesn’t feature many robust programming tools, the Asus Chromebook Flip is one of the best laptops for programming if you’re deep into web development. Read the full review: Asus Chromebook Flip C302 Image Credit: Microsoft The Surface Book 2 is an excellent choice for any coders out there, as Microsoft has crafted one of the most powerful 2-in-1 laptops on the planet. The Surface Book 2 has components powerful enough to handle pretty much everything you could throw at it – including some light gaming in your down time. If you’re looking for a larger display,there’s a 15-inch model, which also features beefier components – albeit at a higher price tag. Read the full review: Microsoft Surface Book 2 (13.5-inch) Image Credit: Apple If you need a macOS device that’s fast, but still light enough to carry around with you wherever you go, you’re going to love the MacBook Pro 13-inch. This isn’t just one of the best laptops for programmers, this is one of the best Macs that we’ve ever used. If you need to code on the go, the quad-core processors and up to 16GB of RAM mean you’ll work fast, while the thin and light design means you won’t be held back. We can’t recommend it enough. Read the full review: MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2018) Check out our laptop buying guide video below.
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| Best laptop for DJs 2019: The best laptops for music production Posted: 04 Mar 2019 09:17 AM PST If you’re a DJ, or even an aspiring music producer, you’re going to need more than just the best headphones, you’re going to need one of the best laptops for music production. If you’re a musician or DJ, you’re going to need a laptop that has one of the best processors and lots of RAM – this is because these components will empower your machine to handle multiple music tracks efficiently. You’ll also want to find the best hard drive or SSD, as you’ll be working with large file sizes. Finally, you’ll want awesome sound, obviously, whether it’s through outside speakers, or the ones built in. Plus, especially if you have to travel between gigs often, you want to find a laptop that can take a beating. You probably don’t want to go for something like the best rugged laptops, but you want something that’s not going to break because you dropped your backpack. While we’re on the subject of mobility, you’ll want to find a laptop that’s thin and light, so you may want to take a look at an Ultrabook. While the MacBook Pro may be the default for most musicians, plenty of the top laptops for music production will run Windows 10 instead. To make choosing a laptop easy, we’ve included our exclusive price comparison tool, so you know where to find the best deal. If you want to see a more comprehensive list of prices and retailers, just click the ‘view all prices’ link on each widget. The best laptops for music production and DJs:Image Credit: Apple The new Apple MacBook is the slimmest, slickest and best-looking Macbook the Cupertino company has ever created, and it’s one of the best selling laptops on the market. This, along with the excellent music production software available for Macs means it’s the best laptop for music production. It’s an extremely slim and light notebook that you can take anywhere without even noticing the weight, and gives you the same slick macOS performance. Read the full review: Apple Macbook Image Credit: Apple The MacBook Pro is kind of known for being the go-to laptop for musicians all around the world, and the 2018 version is no different. As long as you can justify the expense, the MacBook Pro is one of the best laptops for musicians. With its Core i9 processor and up to 32GB of RAM, you’re going to be able to load up as many tracks as you need in Logic Pro X without having to worry about your laptop slowing down. It’s also incredibly sturdy – you don’t need to worry about things bumping into it in your bag, thanks to its robust aluminum unibody design. Read the full review: MacBook Pro (15-inch, mid-2018) Image Credit: Microsoft If you’re looking for the best laptop for music production that will double as a tablet for some downtime between extraneous recording and production sessions, you might want to look at the Surface Pro 6. Not only does it pack the powerful hardware you’ll need for efficiently handling multiple music tracks, but it has a gorgeous display, and plenty of legacy connections for connecting your equipment. It lacks USB-C and Thunderbolt 3, but if you’re just in it for music production, that doesn’t really matter much, does it? Read the full review: Surface Pro 6 Image Credit: Dell The Dell XPS 13 has been one of the best laptops you can buy for a few years running now, and the 2018 version is no different. For aspiring music producers, the XPS’ move to an 8th-generation Intel Kaby Lake R CPU should be appealing, as it will trim down the time it takes to process tracks, allowing you to minimize downtime. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to find a 1TB storage drive anymore, but when you get a laptop that looks this good and runs this fast – it’s a worthy tradeoff. Read the full review: Dell XPS 13 (2018) Image Credit: Microsoft With all the 2-in-1 laptops that convert into a tablet, packed with unnecessary features, sometimes a straight Windows 10 laptop is just what you need. Luckily, Microsoft has released the Surface Laptop 2, one of the best laptops in its arsenal. Not only does this thing feature a quad-core processor and plenty of RAM, but it has a lovely touch display and all the ports you need – even if it’s lacking Thunderbolt 3. As long as you don’t need Logic Pro X, you really can’t go wrong with the Surface Laptop 2 – it’s one of the best laptops for music production. Read the full review: Surface Laptop 2 Image Credit: Apple We’ve been left wanting for a new MacBook Air for a few years now, and we finally got a new one. The new MacBook Air brings Apple’s thin and light mainstream laptop into the modern day with a sleek aluminum build, a Retina display and an actual modern processor. This all makes for one of the best laptops for musicians that want to stay with macOS – though you’ll want to invest in a couple of dongles, the two Thunderbolt 3 ports aren’t compatible with a lot of music equipment. Read the full review: MacBook Air Image Credit: Dell If you're looking for a larger and more powerful laptop for running music production software on, then the Dell XPS 15 could be for you. Packing the same InfinityEdge technology as the smaller XPS 13, the screen extends right to the edge of the machine which means it's as small as it's possible to make a 15-inch laptop in 2017. It's quite pricey though, depending on which version you get. The very top end version has a 4K color-accurate display, which can give you an excellent overview of all the tracks you're working on. Read the full review: Dell XPS 15
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| The best laptops for mining 2018: top notebooks for mining cryptocurrencies Posted: 04 Mar 2019 09:15 AM PST You don’t need a gigantic mining PC that chugs electricity to mine for cryptocurrency. With this list of the best mining laptops you can buy today, we’ve gathered up all the best laptops that can be used for mining. Before you go out and spend ton of cash on a gaming laptop in order to start mining, there are a few things you need to consider. You should decide on which cryptocurrency you’re going to pursue. And, even if you have the best mining laptop, you’ll have to face the fact that many cryptocurrencies that were doing gangbusters a year or so ago, have all but died off. That’s not to mention the fact that some cryptocurrencies lend themselves to mobile mining more than others. You should also think about the warranty of the laptop you’re looking at. You’ll be putting it through a ton of stress while mining, so you want to make sure your investment doesn’t burst into flames. Hold on, you might be saying. “Why would you even use a laptop for mining?” Well, the best mining laptops are much more compact and portable than a giant mining rig, so you can get some mining done on the road, without having to travel in a caravan. Read on to find the best mining laptops you can buy today.
The best mining laptops 2018Gaming laptops are a great choice for mining laptops, as they usually come with graphics cards that can help mine. This makes the Dell Inspiron 15 7000 Gaming laptop a great option for a mining laptop. It offers absolutely fantastic value for money, especially compared to other gaming laptops. The Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050Ti graphics chip is a good performer when it comes to mining, and it's backed up ably thanks to the Core i5 CPU. Battery life on this laptop is also superb. Read the full review: Dell Inspiron 15 7000 Gaming Razer has finally brought us a full desktop replacement that doesn’t look like a desktop replacement. Coming in at just 0.88 inches thick with the option between a 17-inch 1080p display running at 120Hz or a 4K touchscreen panel with G-Sync, the Razer Blade Pro also brings the company’s ultra-low-profile mechanical switches to a laptop for the first time. And, when it comes to mining, this is a great choice, as it features a powerful GPU,combined with a great processor and plenty of RAM. Read the full review: Razer Blade Pro If you’re still trying to mine cryptocurrencies in 2018, you’re going to need something incredibly powerful – it’s getting harder and harder to make a buck. Luckily, the MSI GT75 Titan has all the power you could hope for in a laptop – as long as you have the space. This is a gigantic desktop replacement laptop with all the horsepower that brings. Just don’t expect to be able to travel with this thing easily. Read the full review: MSI GT75 Titan The fantastic Dell XPS 15 is great for mining, thanks to its discrete GPU. Plus, it has a stylish, ultra-portable design, so it can easily be carried around with you if you need to get some mining done while traveling. And, thanks to Dell’s fantastic build quality and customer support, it’s not only an efficient mining machine, but you can rely on it as well. Read the full review: Dell XPS 15 There's no way around it – laptops are expensive, especially if you need powerful hardware. So, if you’re looking to save some cash to make your ROI easier to obtain, the HP Pavilion 15 is a great option. This mid-range laptop has a respectable amount of power, while keeping the price at an approachable level. The low cost means you have less of an initial outlay to make back, but because it doesn’t exactly feature the fastest GPU, you shouldn’t expect to buy that castle you had your eyes on with it. Read our hands-on review: HP Pavilion 15 Thanks to Nvidia Max-Q tech, the Asus Zephyrus GX501 combines the beloved thinness of the best Ultrabooks with the performance that can make some serious cash while mining. It’s powerful, thin and basically silent if you don’t like noise during your everyday routine. It costs a pretty penny, but it could be a wise investment for a sharp miner. Read the full review: Asus ROG Zephyrus GX501 If you want to get some hardcore mining done on the move, and you don’t want everyone staring at you while doing so, you may want to look at the Razer Blade 2018. It features a powerful Max-Q Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070, which should help you make ROI on this expensive laptop quickly. Weighing in at just 4.63 pounds, this thin and light laptop can get get hot under pressure, but pack a laptop cooler when you travel and you should be able to make some cash while traveling. Read the full review: Razer Blade 2018 When you’re setting out to mine, you just need raw horsepower. And, if that’s all you want, and you don’t care much about portability or cost, then you’re going to want to look at the Asus ROG G703GI. Rocking up to an Intel Core i9 processor, 64GB of RAM and an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080, you should be able to reach unbelievable hash rates. This is great news, because with how much this laptop costs, you’re going to need all the help you can get to reach your ROI. Read the full review: Asus ROG G703GI
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