Apple : Surface Book 3: what we want to see |
- Surface Book 3: what we want to see
- The best Windows tablets 2019: all of the top Windows tablets reviewed
- The best Ultrabooks 2019: top thin and light laptops reviewed
- The best rugged laptops of 2019: we test drop-proof laptops for working outside
- The best portable laptop battery chargers and power banks in 2019
- Best Mac 2019: the best Macs to buy this year
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- Best laptop for programming in 2019: top picks for coders, developers and sysadmins
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| Surface Book 3: what we want to see Posted: 12 Mar 2019 01:38 PM PDT The Surface Book was a hit when it first came out – everyone loved it. But, when the Surface Book 2 followed a couple years later, it took everything the original did and improved it, creating one of the best 2-in-1 laptops we’ve ever used – and it still is. So, you can understand why we’re eagerly anticipating the Surface Book 3, even though it’ll probably be a while before we see it out in the wild. Just imagine – a Surface Book 2 with a sharper, brighter display, more powerful components and Thunderbolt 3. It would be amazing. With these features, the Surface Book 3 would be the perfect foil to the MacBook Pro. if Microsoft is able to take what made the first two Surface Book devices so great, while patching up the shortcomings, it could be the best laptop to date. Now, while there is little to no concrete information about the Surface Book 3, we can at least do a bit of speculation based on past releases and our tech expertise. So, with that in mind, let’s dive into what we think the Surface Book 3 may look like. Cut to the chase
Image Credit: Microsoft Surface Book 3 release dateThe Surface Book 2 was released in late 2017 – it’s more than a year old. But, if we follow the release pattern of Surface devices that aren’t the Surface Pro, you shouldn’t expect the Surface Book 3 until late 2019 at the earliest. There were a couple new Surface devices launched in October 2018: the Surface Pro 6 and Surface Laptop 2. However, there was no sign of the Surface Book 3. And, now that Microsoft has just refreshed its 13.5-inch Surface Book 2 with a quad core processor, we wouldn’t get our hopes up for a Surface Book 3 any time soon. We’ll probably be waiting until late 2019 or early 2020. Until we get more concrete information, or even rumors, we’re going to stick with our late 2019 or 2020 Surface Book 3 release date speculation. Image Credit: Microsoft Surface Book 3 priceUnfortunately, because there’s no concrete information about the Surface Book 3 right now, we don’t really know anything about its price. However, we can look at the pricing of the Surface Book and the Surface Book 2 and do a bit of speculation. Right now, thanks to a new lower-storage model, the 13.5 inch Surface Book 2 starts at $1,199 or £1,149, while the 15 inch version still sits at a $2,499 or £2,349 (AU$3,649) price of admission. If you ask us, that’s already enough scratch. Still, let’s hope and pray that the would-be Surface Book 3 stays well within that price range, as we likely wouldn’t be able to afford much more. Image Credit: Microsoft What we want to see in a Surface Book 3Because the Surface Book 3 is so far off, and we don’t have any solid information on what it’ll look like, all we can do is create a wishlist for what we want to see improved in the next Surface Book. So, here’s our Surface Book 3 wish list, based on speculation, leaks and rumors. More powerful internals And, if Microsoft waits to release the Surface Book 3 until Ice Lake hits the streets in late 2019, the Surface Book 3 could be both powerful and battery efficient. Use the extra space accordingly Thunderbolt 3, please And, it looks like it may actually happen. Microsoft has patented a magnetic USB-C connector that would sort of function like the existing magnetic Surface charger. Whether or not this will actually support Thunderbolt 3 remains to be seen, but we don’t see why it wouldn’t. Better power management A 4K display would be nice All accessories included Black color option Just imagine, a Surface Book 3 that could not only compete with the MacBook Pro 2018, but one that has a more beautiful color option than the Space Gray on the latest Apple flagship.
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| The best Windows tablets 2019: all of the top Windows tablets reviewed Posted: 12 Mar 2019 01:37 PM PDT 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 of the best Windows 10 tablets. From thin and light showstoppers 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 love the fact that the Surface Go offers a great Windows tablet experience at a lower price than its Pro counterparts. 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. Microsoft’s Surface Pro lineup has a reputation for being the ideal of what other Windows tablets should strive for – and the Surface Pro 6 is no different. It doesn’t bring anything especially new to the table, but it iterates in a meaningful way, with more powerful hardware and a new black color option. You still won’t find the Surface Pen or Type Cover in the box, but that’s just the reality we have to live with these days. Either way, it’s the best Windows tablet you can buy today. 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 Ultrabooks 2019: top thin and light laptops reviewed Posted: 12 Mar 2019 01:36 PM PDT Beyond their ability to get some work done, the best Ultrabooks are kind of a status symbol. Think about it: you’re at a coffee shop, where everyone is using either a Chromebook or some big and bulky laptop from the stone age. Then, you whip out a thinner, lighter and faster laptop, packed with the best SSD and processor on the market. These thin and light beauties are as much about portability as they are about sheer horsepower. The best Ultrabooks won’t freeze up on you when you’re trying to get an important project done, or run out of battery on a short flight. You don’t have to worry about any of that. That’s why we took the time to find the best Ultrabooks on the market right now. From household names like Dell and HP, to brands you might not have heard of like Huawei, these thin and light beauties will get you through your work day in style. Plus, we tested and reviewed all these ultrabooks ourselves, so you can be confident you’re getting your money’s worth. For a few years now, Huawei has been lurking in the shadows, ready to take on the best Ultrabooks, and its time has finally arrived. Like the Huawei MateBook X Pro before it, the Huawei Matebook 13 packs in a ton of powerful hardware into an attractive shell, while keeping the price low enough for anyone to afford. Plus, we have to mention those discrete graphics – it may be one of the smallest laptops out there to pack an MX150 GPU. It’s not hard to see why the Huawei Matebook 13 is the best Ultrabook right now. Read the full review: Huawei MateBook 13 The Dell XPS 13 has been the best Ultrabook for years, and while it’s been dethroned by the Huawei MateBook 13, it remains one of the Ultrabooks to beat in 2019. This time around, Dell has moved the webcam from the bottom of the display to the top, fixing one of the biggest problems faced by the XPS 13 for years. Add in the updated internals, and the Dell XPS 13 is still one of the best Ultrabooks out there – even if some of the competition has caught up. Read the full review: Dell XPS 13 Sometimes, we’ll come across an Ultrabook that completely destroys everything that came before. The Huawei Matebook X Pro is one of these Ultrabooks. This gorgeous laptop brings high-end components into an elegantly-designed package that puts even the MacBook Pro to shame. And, with its 3K touchscreen, the Huawei MateBook X Pro has a display that’s just as nice to look at as the chassis. It really is one of the best Ultrabooks you can buy today. Read the full review: Huawei MateBook X Pro The original Surface Laptop launched nearly two years ago, and while it was a great Ultrabook, it was held back thanks to relatively weak hardware and Windows 10 S. Thankfully, Microsoft launched the Surface Laptop 2 in late 2018, bringing quad-core processors and the full-fat version of Windows 10. Its through these core improvements that the Surface Laptop 2 is able to bring the purest Windows 10 experience on a laptop, at a price that won’t make you gasp. Read the full review: Surface Laptop 2 Few Ultrabooks are as brilliantly designed as the Lenovo Yoga 920, a 2-in-1 laptop that’s as illustrious to look at as it is to use. In contrast to its nearest competitors, such as Microsoft’s Surface Book 2, it’s also a far less expensive endeavor. For the modest price you pay, you’re getting a gorgeous, all-metal finish that can be flipped inside out for extended functionality. It also houses the latest 8th-generation Intel processors, just in case speed was a concern. Read the full review: Lenovo Yoga 920 From the moment your eyes meet the HP Spectre 13, you’ll be impressed by its sheer beauty. HP has taken the already luxurious Spectre and dialed the design up to eleven with gold trim and packed it with internal specs that blow the competition out of the water. One of the first Ultrabooks rocking an 8th-generation Kaby Lake Refresh chip, the 2017 Spectre 13 more than doubles the CPU performance of most of its competitors. This added performance comes at the cost of battery life, but clocking in at just under 6 hours – the battery life is still passable. Read the full review: HP Spectre 13 Razer has been known as a gaming company for years now, but with the Razer Blade Stealth the green-themed manufacturer wants to dispel that. If you’re not convinced, this Ultrabook might change your mind by turning into a 13.3-inch, QHD+ beauty. You can no longer upgrade to 4K, but the performance this Ultrabook offers is more than worth that compromise – especially given how beautiful the chassis is. Read the full review: Razer Blade Stealth When you’re shopping for an Ultrabook, it’s rare to find a manufacturer that manages to think of everything, but for what it’s worth, HP did almost exactly that with the Spectre x360. It’s a 2-in-1 convertible laptop, which by itself makes it a bit of a niche product. Still, for those right-brained users out there, the HP Spectre x360 comes bundled with a Windows Ink compatible stylus, unlike the vast majority of hybrids. That would mean very little if the HP Spectre x360 didn’t have great sound and visuals – and it definitely does. Read the full review: HP Spectre x360 Anyone familiar with Apple’s thinnest and lightest laptop would be wise to compare the Asus ZenBook 3 to the 12-inch MacBook. The similarities are obvious, but one look at the specs and the differences stand out too. Adorned with the choice of a U-series Intel Core i5 or i7 processor, the ZenBook 3 is awfully powerful considering it’s less than half an inch thick and weighs two pounds. The port selection is sparse, but ultimately it’s well worth the sacrifice. Read the full review: Asus ZenBook 3
It’s no secret that Apple neglected the MacBook Air – at least until the MacBook Air 2018 launched – but, in some cases a Windows Ultrabook can be just as good. Take the Asus ZenBook UX310UA, for instance. With still-good 7th-generation Intel Kaby Lake processors, a 178-degree viewing-angle QHD+ display, a USB-C port and an aluminum build, it’s still one of the best Ultrabooks out there, even after all this time. Read the full review: Asus ZenBook UX310
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| The best rugged laptops of 2019: we test drop-proof laptops for working outside Posted: 12 Mar 2019 01:36 PM PDT If you work on a busy construction site, or even if you have a tendency to violently drop your electronics, the best rugged laptops can make a world of difference. These laptops will all withstand the harshest environments, and are built to survive drops, knocks and spills. We’ve scoured the web, looking for the best laptops that can 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’re looking for a laptop that can handle anything the planet can throw at it, you’ll want to get your hands on the Dell Latitude 14 Rugged Extreme – it’s all in the name. It is a bit old at this point, but that almost doesn’t matter. 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 feel like – or however you can afford.
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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| The best portable laptop battery chargers and power banks in 2019 Posted: 12 Mar 2019 01:35 PM PDT Welcome to our list of the best portable laptop battery chargers and power banks , where we look at the easy and portable ways to charge your laptop in 2019. When you’re looking for a great battery charger, you want to look for something that stores enough power to top up – or completely recharge – your laptop’s battery when it’s critically low. The best laptop battery charger should mean you’re never having to frantically search for a power socket when working while traveling. You won’t have to worry about getting stranded in the middle of nowhere when you buy one of the best portable laptop chargers. With these convenient devices, you can make sure you can always get your work done – no matter where you are. With the Mophie Powerstation AC, high power output is the name of the game. This portable laptop battery charger is able to power a 15-inch MacBook Pro. Meanwhile, the USB-C port is rated at 30W with a USB-PD label, meaning its one of the few batteries capable of fast charging an iPhone X or iPhone 8. If you have a newer laptop, and find yourself running out of juice throughout the day, the Omni 20 USB-C might be for you. Not only does it have an insanely high capacity, but it also allows charging of multiple USB-C devices simultaneously. So, if you’re working and you need to charge your Nintendo Switch and a mobile device, you go for it. Plus, the Omni 20 also serves as a USB hub, clearing out some extra storage space in your bag.
The PowerAdd Pilot Pro2 doesn’t just come with 10 connectors that cover most of the laptops on the market today, but it’s backed by a two-year warranty. That means you can use the 23MAh/85Wh capacity without worry. The Pilot Pro2 is also light enough to carry around wherever you go, coming in under 560g. The only thing that holds it back is that it doesn’t have any USB-C connectors, so if you have a modern Ultrabook or MacBook, you may want to go elsewhere, otherwise you’ll have to carry a separate power supply to keep the battery charger backed up. As technology marches forward, new laptops need less power to function. This is especially ture for high-end laptops like the MacBook Pro, HP Elite x2, Huawei Matebook Pro X or the Dell XPS 13. For all of these devices, and more, USB-C is king – the RAVPower uses this revolutionary connector to deliver up to 30W of power, which should be plenty for the best Ultrabooks. You can recharge it using a 30W wall charger that can also be used to power compatible laptops – very handy, indeed. The MaxOak MacBook Charger is a perfect example of a laptop battery charger that goes the extra mile to make sure that it matches the expectations of its audience. This portable laptop charger has all the hallmarks of an Apple device, without the logo – but that’s what those Apple stickers are for – with a matching brushed aluminum finish. It’s the second most capacious portable laptop battery charger on this list, but its huge amount of juice comes with a catch – it carries so much power that at least one airline has outright banned it, so bear that in mind if you plan to use this charger while traveling. It’s also pretty heavy at almost 1kg and will cater to most MacBooks, but nothing else. The Qi Infinity Upgraded Powerbank is the only product here that targets Microsoft’s popular Surface lineup by offering the appropriate DC output voltage. It comes with a generous five ports, four of which will let you charge other 5V devices (which includes anything from other power banks to tablets and smartphones). But, what’s really interesting here is the addition of fast charging through Qualcomm’s Qi tech. You’ll be able to charge the new MacBook as well, but no traditional laptops that rely on a 19V DC output. Just keep in mind that with a capacity of 35Ah, it might not be allowed on some airlines.
The K2 is the world’s second highest mountain and it is fitting – to some extent – that MaxOak named this battery after that lofty peak. After all, at 50Ah, this is the biggest battery on our list and one that is also the heaviest of the lot. It supports laptops up to 60W (3A, 20V) as well as fast-charging. Note that it takes up to eight hours to charge the battery and that can only be achieved via a proprietary charger. Sadly, it doesn’t carry a USB Type-C connector – which makes it useless for newer laptops – and you won’t be able to lug it around on the plane (as with the previous two peripherals, the massive capacity here may mean it’s banned on some flights). Sandberg's Powerbank is neither the cheapest nor the most powerful around. However, it does come with a couple of features that make it a rather enticing option. It outputs to a number of voltages (12V, 16V, 19V and 20V), automatically choosing the right one depending on the device which is connected. There are also two USB ports, and they’re hardwired to output 5V. You’ll also get 12 different charge tips, but if you have one of the best Ultrabooks that need a USB Type-C port for charging, you’ll be out of luck. It also features a premium brushed aluminum finish, with bright blue LED status lights that clearly indicate the amount of juice left, or how close the battery is to being charged.
If you are looking for a versatile laptop charger, then do consider this RavPower offering. It is by far the most expensive model on our list, but this Reddot award winner carries a feature that no one has replicated till now. It has an AC output that can deliver up to 100W of power – yes, this could even power a TV if needed. Note that you will probably need an adaptor (there’s one bundled) because the power bank can only accommodate two-prong plugs. You will be able to take it on a commercial flight, but you will not be able to recharge it via USB. Dell sells the Power Companion with various battery capacities. It is more compact than the RAVPower models, and the unit looks like a Dell power brick that charges your laptop. When you're at your desk, you can daisy-chain to recharge the Power Companion and your Dell laptop by connecting your Dell charging brick to the Power Companion, and then connecting it to your notebook. Dell's Power Companion is a far sleeker battery pack if your office relies on Dell Inspiron, Latitude, XPS or Venue laptops and tablets, with the added benefit that it has extra USB ports should you need them. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Best Mac 2019: the best Macs to buy this year Posted: 12 Mar 2019 01:34 PM PDT 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’ve yet to see any new Macs this year, but we’re sure they’re coming. However, the best Macs are still diverse anyway. We don’t know what’s in the cards for future Macs, but we’re sure that there’s still plenty of life in Apple’s computers. The best Macs will cover everything from 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 a great value from Apple when, even at the entry level, you’re getting great performance and all the ports you can dream of. And, while we didn’t get a new iMac in 2018, the 2017 model is definitely still worth your time. There’s no touchscreen, but when it’s so much cheaper than the Surface Studio 2, we’re not going to complain. Instead, you’re getting a full-fat Intel 7th-generation desktop processor and your choice of an IPS display carefully wrapped in an all-metal chassis. 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: 12 Mar 2019 01:34 PM PDT 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. And, if your kids aren’t comfortable with Windows 10, don’t worry, the best Chromebooks also make great laptops for kids of all ages. They have large, durable displays that are great for getting some schoolwork done. Many Chromebooks are also able to run Android games and apps, for a bit of downtime between assignments. They’re also affordable – they really are among 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 your kids are starting to get to the point where they 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 may want to consider the Acer Chromebook Spin 11. Not only is it competently powerful with a comfy keyboard, it’s also a 2-in-1. This means you can flip it around into tablet mode, which is great for playing some Android games in their downtime. The display is a bit dim, and it’s not going to blow you away with its performance, but it’s cheap and durable. 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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| The best laptop for writers: the 10 best laptops for authors and journalists Posted: 12 Mar 2019 01:32 PM PDT If you’re a writer, or even if you’re a liberal arts student looking for the best laptop for school, you’ve come to the right place. We have found all the best laptops for writers on the market, with special attention paid 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 do it comfortably. And, since you’ll have to travel while working, a compact design and long battery life are extremely important. Oh, and you’ll want a high-resolution display that’s easy on the eyes, too. However, don’t worry too much about getting top-of-the-line hardware, trust us. The best laptops for writers are the laptops that focus almost entirely on comfort and budget. And, even if you don’t think you do a lot of writing, you probably do – whether you’re writing emails, reports or presentations, one of the best laptops for writers is essential. 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: 12 Mar 2019 01:31 PM PDT If you’re looking for one of the best laptops as a software developer, you’ve come to the right page. With this list, we’ve found all the best laptops for programming, whether you’re trying your hand at HTML, CSS, JavaScript or VB. There are a couple things you need to consider first, though. For instance, the best programming laptops will have one of the best processors – you’re going to need that horsepower. 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. And, then there’s the RAM – you’ll need at least 8GB, and it needs to be fast. You should also think about storage: one of the best SSDs, as they’ll save you time when 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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| The best laptops for mining 2018: top notebooks for mining cryptocurrencies Posted: 12 Mar 2019 01:31 PM PDT 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 If you’re looking for the best laptop for mining, you’ve likely had your eyes on a bunch of thick, bulky behemoths. But, these days, you can get a huge amount of performance out of a thin and light gaming machine like the 2019 Razer Blade. Packed with Nvidia Turing graphics and Coffee Lake processors, you’ll be able to make your ROI in no time. Just be ready for that hefty price tag. Read the full review: Razer Blade 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 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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| The best free tablet and PC games for children Posted: 12 Mar 2019 01:24 PM PDT Welcome to our list of the best free games for kids on both tablet and PC. These free games have all been carefully picked to make sure they are appropriate for boys and girls. We’ve all heard horror stories of kids playing games and becoming pixel-hungry zombies. Back in the ‘80s and ‘90s, there were stories upon stories about how Pac-Man would bring about the end of society – kids shambling through maze-like streets, starving for a digital fix. Luckily, nothing like that ever happened. In fact, there has been plenty of research that shows gaming as a productive leisure activity – in moderation, of course. For instance, the best free games for kids all encourage creativity and critical thinking. Therefore, these games are an active leisure activity, compared to the passivity of watching television. That’s why it’s a good idea to make sure your children are only exposed to the best games for kids. Fortunately, we can help with that. Across tablets and PC, for kids aged between 5 and 11 years old, all the games we listed here are complete, as-is experiences. They combine depth and immediacy and contain no violence. Plus, they’re all very fun, no matter the age of your little one, and that’s important. So, sit back, relax and we’ll dive into the best free games for kids. 10 great children’s games for Android tablets and iPadThese days, kids are more likely to first experience computing and gaming on a tablet than a home computer. To that end, our tablet selection skews a little younger. According to Google, everything listed here is rated 3+, and so should be safe for even very young children. Apple is more conservative – it rates the games 4+, apart from Super Stickman Golf 3 and Spaceteam, which are 9+. The games are also all simple to control, easy to get into, and fun to play. A note on IAPs and ads: Free games need to be funded somehow. Several items in this selection offer in-app purchases (IAPs) for in-game currency, and some have ads. In the former case, disable IAPs at a system level on your device before handing it over to a youngling; with the latter, play a game yourself first to check the ads within are OK. 1. Sago Mini FriendsThis sweet-natured set of mini-games encourages creativity, dexterity, and puzzle solving. It starts with you selecting a colorful character, who then explores a neighborhood of cartoon houses. Knock on a door and you’re invited inside for an animated, entertaining playdate. This might involve dress-up, hammering nails into a birdhouse, or enjoying a tasty snack. Everything’s bright and cheerful, and the game promotes empathy, with one friend looking glum if spoils aren’t evenly shared. Get Sago Mini Friends for Android and iOS. A Windows PC version is also available. This game has no IAPs/advertising. 2. Lego Creator IslandsIn all honesty, we’re sure most parents would be happier seeing kids playing with real Lego rather than virtual bricks on a tablet. But when the real thing isn’t an option, this official game’s a nice substitute. The game takes place on the Lego Creator Islands, where you’ll collect bricks in order to buy Lego sets that are constructed with a few taps. While playing, you’ll collect all kinds of houses, vehicles and even cute blocky critters that roam around. As an added bonus, there’s no chance of painfully stepping on a plastic brick. Get Lego Creator Islands for Android and iOS. This game has no IAPs/advertising. 3. Toca Kitchen 2If your child regularly uses a tablet, you’ve likely already installed some Toca Boca games. They’re a smart mix of education and play, and Toca Kitchen 2 is no exception. As you’d expect, Toca Kitchen 2 is all about cooking. This game invites you to create meals – however you prefer. Devise your own recipes and foist your creations on a colorful cast of characters, whether you’ve carefully constructed a burger, or decided to throw a watermelon into the microwave and cover it in sauce. Get Toca Kitchen 2 for Android. This game has no IAPs/advertising. A paid version exists for iOS. 4. Llama Spit SpitLlama Spit Spit is an oddball shoot ’em up, featuring a flying llama blasting crazy cartoon enemies with a mix of spittle and high-powered weaponry. The controls are incredibly simple, meaning even younger players can get on board. Power-ups and collectable llamas (with their own background imagery) keep things interesting over the long term. The one snag is it’s the spit of Shooty Skies (Android/iOS), which is the better (and more surreal) game – although the lack of ads and IAP means the llamas get the nod for this particular list. Get Llama Spit Spit for Android and iOS. This game has no IAPs/advertising. 5. Disney Crossy RoadThe original Crossy Road cleverly reworked Frogger, with blocky characters hopping across chunky endless landscapes, trying to avoid a dunk in a river or getting flattened by a train. But the masterstroke was a raft of unlockable characters. Disney Crossy Road is much the same, but uses Disney characters that often radically overhaul the game’s visuals and gameplay mechanics. Over 100 figurines are there to be found, and although IAP lurks, playing and collecting coins in the in-game worlds is all you need to snag them all. Get Disney Crossy Road for Android and iOS. This game features advertising, and has non-essential IAPs for buying new characters. 6. Frisbee Forever 2You’d think flinging a plastic disc about would make for a rubbish video game. Fortunately, Frisbee Forever 2 is more akin to a set of rollercoasters, with you guiding your disc through gates, collecting stars along the way. There’s a hint of Nintendo about this breezy arcade experience, with its vibrant visuals, smart level design, and a basic control system suitable for all. And although there are freemium underpinnings, you’re rewarded with in-game currency for every second played – even if an attempt at a level ends in failure. Get Frisbee Forever 2 for Android and iOS. This game features advertising, and has non-essential IAPs for more rapidly unlocking discs and zones. 7. Fruit NinjaIn the fast-paced Fruit Ninja, your digit becomes a virtual sword, hacking pieces of fruit lobbed on to the screen in two, and attempting to avoid cutting into game-ending bombs. It’s ideal fodder for a tablet, since you can make pleasingly large swipes across the display. But also the game offers local multiplayer, so two kids can zealously pit their fruit-slicing skills against each other. Get Fruit Ninja for Android and iOS. This game features advertising, and has non-essential IAPs for purchasing in-game currency. 8. MekoramaWith its tiny isometric worlds you spin with a finger, and landscape-flipping mechanics, Mekorama brings to mind Monument Valley. But this game has no Escher-like optical illusions; instead, it concentrates on straightforward pathfinding as you help an ambling robot reach its goals. It’s a charming, thoughtful, tactile experience, and on a tablet is suitable for parent/child play, with you working through the puzzles together. Once you’re done with the 50 built-in levels, you can download more from the internet, or make your own. Get Mekorama for Android and iOS. This game features optional IAP for tipping the developer. 9. Super Stickman Golf 3For many kids, golf won’t excite. But the Super Stickman universe doesn’t partake in normal golf. Instead, you’re thwacking balls across larger-than-life side-on courses – massive castles; laser-strewn bases; floating islands. Even though it’s fun to play by yourself, and makes full use of bigger screens (by letting you see more of each course and therefore aim more precisely), it also has fantastic multiplayer game types. You can play turn-by-turn matches with friends, or try your hand at frenetic, madcap ‘race to the hole’ skirmishes. Get Super Stickman Golf 3 for Android and iOS. This game features advertising, and IAP for unlocking a premium upgrade (more courses and slots for turn-based multiplayer) and in-game currency. 10. SpaceteamIf you’ve several kids with devices, Spaceteam’s a delightfully bonkers way to have them all yell at each other in a vaguely productive manner that in theory helps them work as a team. Specifically, a ‘spaceteam’ in a ship trying to outrun an exploding star, with control panels designed by a sadist. Once devices are connected, instructions appear on your screen – but the controls may be on someone else’s. So you’ll have people yelling nonsense like “someone turn on the dangling shunter”, while figuring out if their own screen has a ‘spectrobolt’ slider. Just like in Star Trek. Get Spaceteam for Android and iOS. This game has a single optional IAP that unlocks new features and themes PCs are inherently more complex than tablets. Whereas even very young children can grasp how a touchscreen works, figuring out mice, trackpads and keyboards may take longer. This is why our selection of the best PC games for kids skews a little older, although there are still games here that’ll fit a five-year-old. Note that several titles are browser-based, although none require plug-ins. We recommend Google Chrome for these titles. 1. Cube SlamPong was one of the earliest home videogames. Cube Slam is Pong in your browser – only in 3D, and you get to play against a bear (or a friend – but the multiplayer option is flaky). You face your furry opponent, moving the bat left or right to deflect the cuboid ‘ball’, aiming to smash the bear’s shields. Win enough times and the game introduces power-ups, invisible balls, and extra blocks on the table that make the ball bounce around unpredictably. 2. Quick, DrawFor children who enjoy doodling, Quick, Draw should prove fascinating. The idea is to sketch – against the clock – something recognizable enough for Google’s Neural Network to identify. In each case, you’re told what to draw. But this game isn’t about drawing photorealistic objects. Instead, you must quickly figure out the key visual clues that describe something. Which is probably a good thing, unless you can scribble a realistic rhinoceros in 20 seconds. 3. World’s Biggest Pac-ManPac-Man’s one of the most recognizable gaming icons around, and the original game is simple enough that even young kids can get to grips with it. However, its single maze quickly becomes dull – hence our recommendation to instead play World’s Biggest Pac-Man. This online effort has hundreds of thousands of mazes, which you venture between by sneaking out of exits. Other than that, the original game’s compelling mix of munching dots and avoiding a quartet of spectral pursuers remains intact. Play World’s Biggest Pac-Man online 4. Forget-Me-NotThis indie hit takes the basis of Pac-Man and a slew of other ancient arcade games, and then smashes them into an endless bout of modern neon craziness. Again, the basics are simple enough for any kid to understand: march about mazes, grab a key, and make for the exit. But the game’s chaotic nature (the maze’s denizens appear as intent on blowing each other up as taking on the player) ensures it’s relentless raucous fun. Download Forget-Me-Not for PC, Mac, OpenPandora and MorphOS 5. Little Alchemy 2It would be a stretch to call Little Alchemy an educational game, but textbook smarts may help you crack the logic at the core of this match-and-discover puzzler. You begin with a handful of building blocks, which when combined create new things. Sometimes, discoveries are obvious – add water to more water and you get a puddle. But some are more whimsical and funny, like when metal and a pigeon become a plane. It’s ideal fodder when your kids want to play games, but you’d prefer them to relax and think for a bit. Play Little Alchemy 2 online. The game is also available for Android and iOS. 6. Contre JourThis lovely physics puzzler began life on mobile, but its landscape-warping nature works well in the browser. The aim is to get trundling protagonist Petit to a glowing exit. This involves click-dragging malleable hills to influence Petit’s movements, or using catapults and dangling tentacles to fling him about. Petit’s endearingly grumpy demeanor, combined with great-looking visuals and clever level design, makes for a family-friendly puzzler sure to have kids scratching their heads figuring out all the solutions. Play Contre Jour online. The game is also available in paid form on various mobile platforms 7. Escape GoatThe clue’s in the title here – a leaping bovid wants to reach the exit. But doing so requires brainpower, plenty of dextrous jumping, and the occasional help of a friendly mouse. Mostly, you’re aiming to reach and butt switches that shift rocks and create tunnels in cunningly designed single-screen challenges. But planning’s often required to collect keys, and not get squashed when walls start moving. Oddly, when you send the mouse on a mission, you can teleport to its position. Quite why the goat can’t teleport straight to the exit, we’ve no idea. Goats never were the brightest creatures. Play Escape Goat online. The game is also available in paid form on Steam. 8. SpelunkyThis side-scrolling dungeon crawler as a distinctly Indiana Jones feel, and this is probably why it became such a huge indie hit on handhelds – but it began on PC. These days, there are various ways to play early incarnations of the game for free. Although this take is rougher than modern iterations, it remains engaging. You explore caves, bounding about, grabbing bling, and duffing up monsters. Each game is unique – caves are randomly generated, and a single error can bring your quest to an abrupt end, with you impaled on spikes or killed by snakes. So tread carefully and look before you leap. Play Spelunky online, get Spelunky 1.1 for Windows, or download Spelunky 1.3 for Windows and Mac 9. VVVVVV: Make and Play EditionOne for kids who are a bit older and twitchier of thumb, this take on gravity-flip platformer VVVVVV is a special free edition. Like the paid release, it features a little chap who darts about and can leap from ceiling to floor by tapping the jump button. His aim is to escape from a maze comprising dozens of single screens full of spikes and roaming enemies. This free edition includes maps created by fans – and the means to build your own. Download VVVVVV: Make and Play Edition for Windows, Mac and Linux 10. Super Crate BoxThis one’s also in the twitchy thumbs category, and finds a little pixelated chap leaping about, trying to grab crates. All the while, he must blast creatures spilling into the screen, lest they hurl themselves into the flames below and emerge from the top furiously angry. The game is fast-paced, entertaining, and has plenty of weapons and arenas to unlock. And although it’s a shooter, we can’t imagine many parents will be too concerned about their kid taking a cartoon bazooka to a conga of green monsters. Get Super Crate Box for PC, Mac and Linux on Steam This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Best free games: the top free games to download on PC Posted: 12 Mar 2019 01:20 PM PDT Everyone loves free stuff, and when it comes to the best PC games, it’s no different. The market is absolutely packed with free games in 2019. And, unlike PlayStation and Xbox, which have their own ecosystems for free games through PlayStation Plus and Xbox Games with Gold, things work much differently on PC – the best free games take a dedicated approach. The best free games will be available from Steam, GOG and even (brace yourself) EA’s Origin client, due to the huge popularity of free-to-play titles. You can even download the Epic Games Store app and get some premium indie games for free every couple weeks. So, from Battle Royale free-to-plays, like Fortnite, to online CCGs, like Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Links, the best free games cover a wide range of genres and styles. Let’s dive in. Linux, Windows or Mac - which one is best for you? Watch our guide video below: Bill Thomas and Gabe Carey have also contributed to this article Save up to 46% on a magazine subscription Dauntless is essentially a household name at this point, becoming an overnight success on PC thanks to Monster Hunter World. However, what if we told you that you could get a very similar experience for free, and that it’s also easier on your PC? Enter Dauntless. Rather than the clear environmentalist focus of Monster Hunter: World, where you’re trying to preserve the habitats, Dauntless simplifies things a bit and just tasks you with slaying behemoths to protect a human colony. The gameplay itself is much simpler as well, free of some of the more obtuse gameplay systems that you either love or hate in the Monster Hunter series. But, the core DNA of the series is there – hunt monsters, craft gear, hunt more monsters. And, this time, it’s free to play. Expected: April 2019 1. Fortnite Battle RoyaleThe Battle Royale trend is huge right now, and Epic Games has all but perfected it with Fortnite Battle Royale. Initially developed as a sort of add-on for Fortnite, Battle Royale took off in a way that nobody was anticipating, quickly becoming one of the most played games of 2018. The game is entirely based around a simple scenario: you’re dumped in a map with 99 other players in a free-for-all melee, and the only winner is the one who is left standing at the end. And, thanks to its meteoric success, Epic Games is hard at work adding new game modes and features all the time. Take Playground mode, for instance – it dumps you in the map and lets you build up structures for a set amount of time before the floodgates open and the carnage begins. What’s especially cool is that Fortnite lets you play with your friends, no matter what platform they’re on. Whether you’re on PC, Xbox One, iOS, Android and even soon PS4, you’ll be able to be matched up against millions of other players from all different platforms. Image Credit: Valve 2. Dota 2The Dota universe may have derived from a Wacraft 3 mod, but Dota 2 is very much its own entity, not to mention one of the most popular free-to-play games. This top-down arena battler is incredibly active, attracting multi-million dollar prize funds for serious tournament players. It's not just for obsessives, though. A brief tutorial now points out the ropes, with the Steam Community stepping in to provide guides to the original MOBA. Don't expect a warm welcome or easy learning curve from its sophisticated gameplay mechanics, but bring a few friends and Dota 2 will have you hooked on one of the biggest crazes in PC history. 3. Planetside 2Two years before Destiny dropped into orbit, we had Planetside 2. It’s an epic, all-out first-person battle so unbelievable, you’ll have to pinch yourself every time you load it up to remind yourself it’s completely free. There are in-game purchases, sure, but you can still dive into the biggest battlefield in gaming and be useful with the default equipment. There's simply nothing like taking part in a massed assault on an enemy base and coming out on top, or living in a world where an enemy convoy could appear on the horizon at any second. If you need any proof that 'free' doesn't mean uninspired, Planetside 2 will provide it.
Image Credit: Grinding Gear Games 4. Path of ExilePath of Exile is a free dungeon crawler in the style of Diablo III, and it’s a bit different than most free games out there. It’s not just about fragging real-life people until they scream at you in shrill pubescent tones through their Skype headsets. It’s a bit more slow-paced than your typical multiplayer fragfest, but if you give it time, you may just get addicted to this loot gathering hit – it’s really the best free games for Diablo addicts. There are hidden depths that you can uncover after playing for hours and a huge skill tree to slowly progress through. There are no game ruining issues like that short-lived real-money auction house, either. Instead, even basic loot can be useful because there's always an opportunity to enhance even the simplest weapon with magic. If you got tired of the grind of Diablo III, it's a good one to check out. 5. League of LegendsPick a champion and head into battle in this seminal free-to-play game from the creators of the Warcraft III mod, Dota. League of Legends’ automated matchmaking, diverse cast of characters and pristine maps have made it a multiplayer behemoth over the last few years, and one that will certainly stand the test of time. It’s an aggressive gameplay experience, but one that rewards good teamwork and careful tactics. You won’t master it overnight, but you’ll be having fun shortly after you hit that ‘play’ button. Like Dota 2, League of Legends attracts many high-end players, and the top tournaments offer prize pools of over $1 million. The weird world of esports, eh? Image Credit: Activision-Blizzard 6. Hearthstone: Heroes of WarcraftEver played Magic the Gathering, the card game? Hearthstone is Blizzard’s attempt at making a free online version of it. And, in typical Blizzard style, it’s awesome. It’s immediately inviting, lacking the terrifying learning curve you would expect from an online fantasy card game. Hearthstone plays quickly, boasts a very casual visual approach, and benefits from a basic rule set, all of which adds up to a very accessible card battler that will give you plenty of enjoyment – especially if you’re a World of Warcraft fan. Despite being accessible, it's still quite challenging as well, especially if you're up against an opponent that plays their cards right. 7. Star Wars: The Old RepublicTaking the Star Wars MMORPG after Star Wars Galaxies went away (rest in peace), Star Wars: The Old Republic was not free at release. However, since then, like so many MMORPGs before it, adopted the free to play model. If you want to get Sith kicks, this is the best way to get them for free. Keep in mind though, that subscriptions are still available, and will give you more in-game potential and end-game content. All the story missions, however, are still available for free – it just might take a bit longer now. It’s worth your time just to see the Star Wars universe from different sets of eyes, like the hyper-professional Imperial Agent and Bounty Hunter. If you want to go with the dull option and just have a generic Jedi Knight, though – you can totally do that. Image Credit: Microsoft 8. Forza Motorsport 6 ApexWhen Xbox head Phil Spencer said he was going to bring the console's best franchises to the PC, he wasn't joking around. Among these notable series is Forza Motorsport. Shunned by petrol-heads and embraced by gamers, Forza Motorsport may seem like an arcadey offshoot of its biggest rival on PlayStation, but it consistently looks and feels superb nonetheless. Forza Motorsport 6 Apex in particular brings a complete Forza Motorsport game to PC gamers for the first time – before Forza Horizon 3 came out in 2016. While it’s not quite the full-fledged experience you can expect with full entries to the series, Forza Motorsport 6 Apex is the best free game would could have asked for from Microsoft’s long-standing racing series. 9. Killer InstinctRare's classic fighting series Killer Instinct may not be the household name it once was, but the ability to play one character for free is enticing nonetheless. What's more, characters can be purchased a la carte as downloadable content, which means you don't have to shell out a wad of cash unnecessarily for characters you'll never play. And, for the Xbox fans out there, this game is essentially Microsoft's equivalent of Super Smash Bros. and PlayStation All-Stars: Battle Royale since you can pick up numerous Xbox mascots. These include Arbiter (Halo), Rash (Battletoads) and General RAAM (Gears of War) in addition to a growing catalog of Killer Instinct-specific characters. While Killer Instinct isn't as popular with the Fighting Game Community, there is a certain novelty of being able to control these classic Xbox-derived characters, and on PC at that. Image Credit: Wargaming 10. World of TanksWorld of Tanks is a different kind of MMO – which you should have guessed from the title. Team-based, massively multiplayer action with a huge range of war machines to drive into battle awaits, with new players able to jump into the fray right away. The upgrade system adds a sense of personalization, while being surrounded by an entire army at all times reminds you that loners won’t survive on the battlefield. Get sucked in, though, and you may find yourself spending a chunk of your wages on great big chunks of virtual metal. While some premium tanks cost just a few dollars, others are more expensive. You can see where maker Wargaming is earning some cash from World of Tanks enthusiasts. 11. Heroes of the StormIt was only a matter of time before Blizzard dipped its toe into the MoBA phenomenon, and with Heroes of the Storm, we’re left asking: what took so long? It’s an incredibly approachable esports title, somewhere between League of Legends and DOTA 2 in terms of complexity, with the added bonus of characters you know and love. That’s right, the roster is completely made up of Blizzard characters from across its library of classic games. Have you ever wondered who would win in a fight between Thrall and Kerrigan? Well, now you can see that fight play out on the battlefield. Blizzard knocked it out of the park here, making one of the best free games that keeps getting better by the day. Image Credit: Daybreak 12. EverquestThough its future was briefly uncertain after the sale of Sony's online entertainment division in February 2015, Everquest has returned better than ever with new expansion packs and continued support by Daybreak Game Company. The first of its kind to commercially succeed with a 3D game engine, Everquest was released in 1999 as an MMORPG (massively multiplayer online role-playing game) and has since been documented as one of the most important games in the medium's history. Featuring consistently released expansion packs (quite massive in scale, at least early on) with vast new areas, races and classes, Everquest brings to the table just about everything you would expect from an MMO – plus it's notably better at handling co-op than its alternatives. 13. RiftOriginally hailed as the game that would finally dethrone World of Warcraft, Rift had its moment – and is still going strong depending who’s talking. It brought innovation to a genre that was changing very slowly, letting you change your class whenever you felt like it. The whole game is focused on separating giant boss battles and events that occupy entire zones. It’s ambitious, exciting and huge with dozens of interdimensional rifts that keep things fresh and unique from other MMOs. And, after Rift went free to play, Trion has stayed on top of things, releasing regular expansions for everyone to enjoy. Plus, you can ride on a landshark. Image Credit: Jagex 14. RunescapeRunescape is one of the biggest free-to-play MMOs out there, and now would be a good time to take a look. In 2013 it entered its third reboot – this is actually 'Runescape 3', although just jumping in now you might not appreciate it has been around in one form or another for more than 10 years. It's certainly not the shiniest MMO in the world despite the revamp, but hanging onto this many players shows it's doing something right. The big change introduced in Runescape 3 that made it appear a lot more modern was the ability to see much further – in Runescape 2 the horizon quickly gave way to fog. Not so now. You can download the game for free or run it in your browser using Java, making it much more convenient than most other online role-players of this epic scale. 15. MaplestoryIf the bleak appearance adopted by the typical MMORPG is a turn-off for you, you’ll be delighted to see that Maplestory takes the traditional art style of the genre and turns it on its head. Described by Nexon as the original 2D side-scrolling MMO, Maplestory takes the classic Dungeons & Dragons-inspired genre and makes it kawaii. The lighter tone and customization of Maplestory makes it feel more like Harvest Moon than World of Warcraft or Rift. It’s also more focused on improving cosmetics than many other MMOs, allowing players much more control over how their characters look. There’s even in-game weddings and dinosaurs that play guitar. Really, the only thing Maplestory is missing is an Oasis-composed soundtrack. Image Credit: Digital Extremes 16. WarframeIf you're into third-person co-operative shooters, Warfarme is one of the best free games out there. Players take control of members of the Tenno, an ancient race at war with enemies such as the Grineer, the Corpus, the Infested and the Sentients. Your Tenno soldier uses the Crysis-style Warframe armor equipped with guns or melee weapons to fight back. Better looking than your average free-to-play shooter, much fun can be had in Warframe's player-vs-enemy raids — so much so that some gamers see it as, "The Destiny that never was". High praise indeed. 17. SmiteGods from every pantheon come together in Smite to battle it out in a free Dota/MOBA inspired clash. Even though Smite wears its influences on its sleeve, it comes from the same developer that made the FPS smash Tribes Ascend – a completely different beast. The camera is behind the characters this time, making for a more direct connection to the action than simply guiding your lord around with a mouse, but the premise will be either familiar if you've played its inspirations, or a way to get the feel for the style if you haven't. Gods include Zeus, Thor, Kali, Artemis and... Cupid? Well, at least he has his own bow… Image Credit: Turbine 18. Lord of the Rings OnlineThere are so many MMOs that have been launched or relaunched as free-to-play games, but Lord of the Rings Online is one of the titles that most warrants a second look. Not only is it an excellent game in its own right, it’s one of the more mature MMOs on the market. You’ll probably have to pay eventually, if only to unlock adventure packs, but there’s no subscription fee and nothing to buy up front. If you missed it at launch, or even if you quit playing since then, it’s time to give it a try. 19. The Awesome Adventures of Captain SpiritLife is Strange, and its sequel, are among the best modern adventure games on PC in 2018, and luckily, there’s now a free way to get into this amazing series. Revealed back at E3 2018, the Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit places you in the shoes of a 9-year-old Chris as he, and his alter ego, Captain Spirit, goes on, well, an awesome adventure. It’s a free-to-play single player adventure game free of any kind of malicious microtransactions or predatory monetization – just a nice prelude into Life is Strange 2. Just don’t go in expecting the longest gameplay experience in the world, you’ll likely get through it in just a couple of hours. Image Credit: CCP Games 20. Eve OnlineIn 2003, Icelandic developer CCP Games unleashed Eve Online, an immersive and in-depth “sci-fi experience” that would eventually garner the attention of well over 500,000 players. Eve Online is unlike any game in its category, thanks to the vast range of activities to take part in as well as its (appropriately) out of this world in-game economy. Unfortunately, the Eve Online player base has been dwindling since 2013. It shouldn’t be surprising that as time goes on, fewer and fewer gamers are interested in paying a subscription fee for a glorified space sim with a steep learning curve. However, since the Ascension Update, released back in November 2016, Eve Online has gone free to play – at least to an extent. The new ‘alpha clones’ system featured in Eve Online is similar to the “unlimited free trial” featured in World of Warcraft. You can still engage with other player in piracy, manufacturing, trading, mining, exploration and combat, but certain skills will be off limits. If you don’t want to limit your access to some of the game’s most lumbering ships you can always opt for the Omega subscription – otherwise, the game won’t cost a cent. 21. Apex LegendsTo say that Battle Royale games are popular in 2019 would be a colossal understatement, but the level of success that Apex Legends has enjoyed so quickly after launch shows that it really is one of the best free games. Not only is the game itself fantastic, bringing unique mechanics from the awesome Titanfall games to a Battle Royale, but the game itself has reached a whopping 25 million players after a week. Apex Legends places 60 players in the middle of a gigantic map, armed with a bunch of unique abilities that make both combat and traversal extremely addicting. It’s not quite the chaos of 100 player battle royale titles like Fortnite or PUBG, but it feels balanced. If somehow you haven’t jumped on the Apex Legends bandwagon yet, trust us – it’s worth your time. Image Credit: 505 Games 22. HawkenAs it's been in beta since 2012 with little to no marketing push, you may have forgotten about Hawken or were unfamiliar with it in the first place. Most notably, Hawken is a game about mechs. But, not just any mechs – fast mechs. These are your average slow, lumbering tanks of MechWarrior Online. These are more comparable to the Exoskeletons of Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare. Of course, being a free-to-play game, you can expect to pay for upgrades to your starter mech. However, you can still get a taste for Hawken without spending a dime. Plus, attach an Oculus Rift and you can see for yourself what VR games have in store for you. Admit it, you've wanted to know what it's feels like to power a mech for yourself since Pacific Rim came out. 23. Evolve Stage 2Hey, remember Evolve? Yeah, we didn’t think so – it quickly fell off the face of the Earth after release, until it was eventually removed from Steam. Turtle Rock then re-released Evolve back into beta a year and a half after its initial release. It was then that Evolve was released as a free-to-play experience, and even given a new name: Evolve Stage 2. Despite going free-to-play, the game's core structure remains intact. It's a game of humans vs. zombies, err, monsters, a new twist on a beloved pastime. A team of four players, called hunters, is pitted up against a single monster, with each hunter assigned their own class. Of course, with four players taking on one, there is a unique catch: hence the game's title, monsters start out at a basic level but evolve over time by killing and consuming wildlife in nearby areas. Evolve cost $40 before, so rest assured you'll get access to a game that looks triple-A, even if much of the content is locked behind a paywall. Nevertheless you can give it a shot for yourself for the nominal cost of $0 on Steam. Image Credit: Bethesda Softworks 24. The Elder Scrolls II: DaggerfallWhile we sit, anxiously awaiting whatever The Elder Scrolls VI ends up being, you should take the time to give the classic The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall a try. This 1990s RPG is a precursor to those incredibly popular RPGs, and is a bit of a classic in its own right. Its game world is many times the size of any of its sequels, and indeed it’s the size of a continent – and it’s absolutely packed with atmosphere. It might look a little rough by today’s standards, but it’s worth looking at if you’re an Elder Scrolls fan. It's available direct from Bethesda. The publisher started offering it for free to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the game. As if we didn't feel old enough already. 25. Starcraft IIOne of the biggest games to ever hit the PC/Mac landscape is Starcraft II, a competitive real-time strategy game whose Wings of Liberty installment is just one of three parts of the campaign. At one time, it was a phenomenon in South Korea, but the scene fizzled out a bit when MOBAs like League of Legends and Dota 2 took the world by storm. Maybe that’s why Blizzard decided to convert Starcraft II to the free-to-play business model. As a result of its compelling strategy game mechanics, combined with brilliantly designed environments and a fascinating narrative that can only be expressed in a video game, Starcraft II is one of the most widely enjoyed eSports in the entire world. Of course, being a Blizzard game, you’ll need a Battle.net account to enjoy it, but otherwise, both the campaign and the multiplayer are free to enjoy. Only certain characters require your prized coin. Image Credit: Bethesda Softworks 26. Wolfenstein 3DInterested in knowing what Wolfenstein was before The New Order? Wolfenstein 3D is now free, and will take you back to the year 1992 when celebrity game developers John Carmack and John Romero teamed up to make a shareware game like nothing before it. Wolfenstein 3D took concepts from Muse Software's Castle Wolfenstein and Beyond Castle Wolfenstein to create a three-dimensional first-person shooter that would later inspire the development of Doom. Keep in mind while playing, though, that while Wolfenstein 3D was impressive for its time, it's probably not what you would expect from a first-person shooter of today's standards. Nonetheless, it's an easy and free way to experience game history in an old-school World War II game rich with narrative about, well, shooting Nazis in the face. Don't expect to be blown away by the story in the same way as the Wolfenstein franchise's more recent entries. 27. Team Fortress 2It may be an old vet in gaming terms, but nothing offers so much crazy fun as Team Fortress 2. Unlike most shooters of its age, players are still there to have a good time rather than hurl abuse at newcomers, and there's no shortage of cool toys to have fun with. Endlessly silly and amazingly fresh, it's still one of the shooter genre's kings, free-to-play or not. As you might guess, there are some micro-transactions involved. You can buy additional items, often used to customise your character. You can create your own. It's fun, and gets you even more involved in TF2. Those cheeky devils at Valve know what they're doing. Image Credit: Konami 28. Yu-Gi-Oh Duel LinksIf you grew up in the ‘90s like we did, you have plenty of memories of playing Yu-Gi-Oh, maybe even watching the anime. Well, what if we told you that an injection of nostalgia is waiting in Yu-Gi-Oh Duel Links, and it’s free to boot? In Yu-Gi-Oh Duel Links, you won’t just be able to play the titular card game competitively online, but you’ll also be able to play against AI opponents voiced by actors from the anime. There are plenty of microtransactions here – you can buy new cards – but it’s a CCG in 2019, so there’s no real way around that. 29. Magic DuelsMagic: The Gathering is fun, right? But what if you could play it from the warmth and comfort of your PC? Luckily, Magic Duels will let you do just that. Whether you’re a first time player or a 20-year vet, Duels will let you do everything the card game does and more. While over 300 new cards are advertised as being attainable throughout the game, there’s also a unique story mode where you can experience Magic like never before. If narrative in your card games isn't your cup of tea, there's also a Battle Mode in which you can challenge your friends, a four-player Two-Headed Giant battle and even an offline solo mode you can use for practice against AI. Image Credit: Daybreak Game Company 30. DC Universe OnlineThough it's yet another free-to-play MMO on this list, DC Universe Online takes characters like Superman, Batman, Green Lantern and more into a massive (and shared) public world. Choose whether you want to be a member of the Hero or Villain faction then customize your character and you'll be sent out into the world of DC Universe Online at the hands of Daybreak Game Company. After some training, the game assigns you a position as either a member of the Justice League or The Society depending on your choice of hero or villain. Unlike other MMOs on this list and outside it, DC Universe Online is designed to be much more interactive while still retaining traditional MMORPG elements such as leveling, raiding, inventories and post-game progression. Favorably, it's not difficult to play without using real-world currency too. 31. PaladinsIt’s not hard to see why Paladins catches a lot of flack for its resemblance to Overwatch. At the same time, the team-based shooter bears many distinctions from that of Blizzard’s. Abilities are upgraded based on a collectible card system, which can completely change the way each character plays. What’s more, unlike Overwatch, Paladins is completely free-to-play. While cosmetic items are available to buy using real-world currency, everything else can be unlocked simply by playing the game. For instance, you’ll start Paladins with a single deck of basic cards, and from there, more dramatically impactful decks can be unlocked. Regardless of how you choose to play Paladins, you’ll get XP as you play. As long as you’re completing the daily quests and achievements featured in the game, you’ll be rewarded with Radiant Chests and Gold. These can be used to purchase more cards, costumes and weapon skins to make your characters more unique and skillful on the battlefield. Image Credit: Konami 32. Pro Evolution Soccer 2018 LiteYou may be familiar with Fifa already, but Pro Evolution Soccer – or PES – is one of the best-selling video game franchises of all-time. It doesn’t have all the flair (or the licensing) of its EA Sports rival, but some would argue that it’s the better soccer game series, not to mention one of the better sports series overall. PES 2018 in particular isn’t too much of an improvement over its predecessor, but it does introduce better dribbling and makes an effort to perfect the fan-favorite Master League mode. The ‘Lite’ version of Pro Evolution Soccer 2018 gives you access to the Online myClub and PES League Mode in addition to the Offline Exhibition Match and Training Mode, entirely for free. There are in-app purchases along the way, but you can always upgrade to the full version later should this one not satisfy. 33. SpelunkyYou can now get Spelunky on all sorts of platforms – it's pretty high-profile for an indie title. But it began its life PC-exclusive, and its original 'non HD' Classic version you can still get for free today. The catch is that every time you play, the entire game is randomized. In one game you'll stumble through screen after screen of spiked horrors and swarming monsters; in the next, the software will bend over backwards to give you gold and help you on your way. You learn how each randomized world ticks and which equipment will give you a fighting chance. And then you'll die some more. And scream. And restart. Again. Image Credit: Perfect World 34. NeverwinterAs a free MMO, Neverwinter sets a high standard for itself as it's based on perhaps the most iconic role-playing game of all-time, Dungeons & Dragons. Like everything else in the Dungeons and Dragons universe, the game takes place in Forgotten Realms, specifically, as the name suggests, in Neverwinter. Featuring eight character classes with groups of up to five players supported, Neverwinter is based on the fourth-generation rules of Dungeons & Dragons. However, the rules are slightly modified, letting players heal their allies in addition to allowing for the use of special abilities in combat after racking up enough action points. 35. Doki Doki Literature ClubAn ostensibly charming visual novel on the surface, Doki Doki Literature Club is a game that’s best experienced blindly. It comes from Dan Salvato, a game developer known best for his work in the Super Smash Bros. Melee modding community, who says he developed Doki Doki Literature Club because of his indifference towards anime. That’s ironic considering the main character in Doki Doki Literature Club is obsessed with anime and manga and has minimal experience with the writings of more prestigious authors. As engrossing as the trio of female supporting characters appear to be in Doki Doki Literature Club, we would advise getting too attached to them. Without spoiling the story, the first thing you see when you boot up Doki Doki Literature Club is a content warning, suggesting that those with severe anxiety refrain from playing at all. It’s not entirely unwarranted either, as you’re bound to learn the hard way that Doki Doki Literature Club is more horror than generic fan service. Image Credit: Grey Havens 36. Puzzle Pirates: Dark SeasFor nearly 15 years now, Puzzle Pirates has been a household name for kids with unrestricted access to the computer labs at school. It’s a completely free-to-play massively multiplayer online role-playing game originally developed by the Sega-owned Three Rings Design. The goal is to join a crew and ideally become a captain, by completing puzzles alongside other players. Puzzle Pirates: Dark Seas, on the other hand, is the Steam-exclusive version of Puzzle Pirates that introduces an entirely new ocean known as Obsidian. Dark Seas introduces factions and player-versus-player (PvP) combat in a way that didn’t exist prior to the Steam release of Puzzle Pirates. It also comes from a different developer, a nonprofit called Grey Havens founded by several former members of Three Rings Design. Before the advent of Dark Seas, you could only get the multiplayer portion of Puzzle Pirates on Steam. Now it appears as though the single-player mode can be downloaded and installed from Valve’s client as well. Although it’s only in early access for the time being, early reviews suggest that it’s worth a shot for Puzzle Pirates veterans and newcomers alike. 37. Phantom DustIts development cycle was a disaster, but in the end, the Phantom Dust remaster turned out just fine. A new IP in the form of a Japanese budget card game for the original Xbox, it seemed to good to be true when Microsoft revealed back at E3 2014 that a complete remake was in the works… and, as it turns out, it was. The remake was canned in 2016, but Microsoft still wanted to revive the cult classic one-off. As it turns out, the company did so with a remaster, not a remake. Luckily, the new version of Phantom Dust for Windows 10 (and Xbox One, for console-goers) doesn’t cost a thing to play unless you opt to purchase some of the in-game “multiplayer cards”. Image Credit: Bay 12 Games 38. Dwarf FortressInspiring the creation of Minecraft was no small feat for 2D sandbox game Dwarf Fortress. Dubbed a construction and management simulator, Dwarf Fortress takes simple text-based graphics into a more modern, 2006 piece of software. The game is often classified as a cult classic because of its open-ended nature and serving as one of the most iconic examples of a procedurally generated roguelike. This means Dwarf Fortress both randomizes its environments and makes the game's permadeath system a much more difficult problem to avoid. This led to the unofficial slogan for the game "Losing is fun," which was either ironic or an accurate description of what happens in the game. Tough to say either way. One thing's for sure, though. If you want to experience an important part of games history, Dwarf Fortress is a solid start, as it was exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City back in 2013. Can't say that for a lot of free-to-play games. 39. Fable FortuneAfter a troubled development cycle, Fable Fortune is the collectible card game that you probably thought would never release. Either that, or you’ve never even heard of it. We wouldn’t blame you. The team behind the Fable franchise – the illustrious group of individuals at Lionhead Studios – has since departed its doors, which were coincidentally permanently shut two years ago. In the time following Lionhead’s closure, its parent company, Microsoft, licensed off Fable Fortune to a group of former Lionhead developers at a new company called Flaming Fowl Studios. It was there that Fable Fortune found private funding despite a failed Kickstarter campaign. The end result is a fairly competitive card game that’s completely free to play. Skeptics will be quick to compare Fable Fortune to Hearthstone. However, the two games differ drastically due to its more complex set of hero powers, less randomness and a morality system that rewards an understanding of its ‘good’ and ‘evil’ points. Image Credit: Bethesda Softworks 40. Fallout ShelterIf you're more interested in the property management systems of Fallout 4 rather than the overwhelming majority of the role-playing game's content, Fallout Shelter is a great place to start. Up until recently, the simulation game was limited to mobile platforms Android and iOS. However, with the introduction of Quests in version 1.6 of Fallout Shelter, Bethesda Softworks also felt the need to port the game to PC by way of the Bethesda.net client. All in all, Fallout Shelter doesn't feel much different on PC, and that's undoubtedly a good thing. Mouse controls work well in place of a touchscreen, graphics are optimized even for low-end hardware and with windowed mode enabled by default, it's easy to find yourself caring after your vault residents during your downtime at work. With an indisputably manageable price point (free), Fallout Shelter could very well become the next Solitaire in your office or at school. 41. BrawlhallaHave you been watching all your friends play Super Smash Bros Ultimate, but missing out on the action because you don’t have a Nintendo Switch? Well, with Brawlhalla, you’re in luck. Brawlhalla is a 2-8 player 2D brawler that draws very heavy inspiration from Nintendo’s classic franchise. And, it pulls it off. It’s an extraordinarily fun way to pass a few hours. And, with an esports league, you can rest assured you’ll always have people to test your skills against. It’s not quite the same as playing some Smash on a friend’s couch, but it’s close enough to be worth your time. Image Credit: 2K Games 42. BattlebornCEO and president of Gearbox Software Randy Pitchford will tell you differently, but Battleborn is free-to-play. Officially classified as a “free trial” on Steam, there isn’t much to differentiate the hero shooter from other free-to-play games on the market. You can play for as long as you want using six of the game’s 30 characters, rotated weekly to shake things up. Battleborn was originally released in May 2016, the same month as Overwatch. The main difference is that Battleborn draws influence from MOBA games while Overwatch is a more traditional PvP shooter with an eccentric cast of characters. Battleborn also has a single-player campaign, which can be unlocked using real-world currency. 43. The Elder Scrolls: LegendsThere’s an ostensibly neverending arms race developers are in right now to put out the next Hearthstone. That is, a wildly popular collectible card game (CCG) that’s “easy to learn but challenging to master.” Those are the words, verbatim, publisher Bethesda Softworks is using to describe The Elder Scrolls: Legends. A CCG that draws from the lore of the company’s beloved RPG franchise, The Elder Scrolls: Legends differentiates itself from the likes of competing virtual card games such as Hearthstone and The Witcher 3’s Gwent by enacting a two-lane system that keeps players on their toes when it comes to devising strategies. And, if you’re simply craving more Skyrim, you’ll be elated to know that the Heroes of Skyrim expansion for The Elder Scrolls: Legends packs in 150 additional cards, some of which are familiar faces like Aela the Huntress, J’Zargo and Delphine. Image Credit: Freejam 44. RobocraftWhether you loved or hated World of Tanks, you’ll be pleased to know that Robocraft is what you get when you take conventional vehicle combat and completely turn it on its head. From independent developer and publisher Freejam, Robocraft lets you commandeer jet cars (not jets and cars, but jet cars), tanks, flying warships, helicopters and drones. In doing so, you’ll spend most of your time engaging in combat with other players online. Like a vehicle-based Fortnite, you’ll also experiment with different combinations of 250 preset blocks using a simple crafting interface, allowing you to equip the vehicle of your choosing with the weapons of your choosing as well. Likewise, Robocraft lets you create or join clans with up to 50 members. Within those clans, you can invite friends to ‘parties’ and play cooperatively in an effort to take down other teams. Once everything is said and done and you’re satisfied with your creations, you can show them off at the virtualized Community Robot Factory in exchange for likes and shares. 45. Total War Battles: KingdomReal-time Strategy (RTS) games don't come much grander than those in the Total War series, and the latest entrant, Battles KINGDOM, is free-to-play. Currently in open beta on the PC, it's also available to play on iOS and Android, so you can pick up where you left off when you're away from your battlestation. Set at the turn of the 10th Century, Total War Battles: Kingdom combines army management with kingdom building to deliver a bite-sized RTS game you can pick up and play anywhere, anytime. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Android Q release date, features and rumors Posted: 12 Mar 2019 01:15 PM PDT Update: Google might eliminate the signature 'back button' in favor of gesture controls, which recent Android phones from various brands have been pushing for awhile. Google's Android Q release date and features are what we're focusing on in 2019, even though the last update, Android 9 Pie, is still taking its time rolling out to smartphones after its launch last August. The upcoming version of the mobile operating system will also probably be known as Android 10, which would be the next major numerical milestone for Google to jump to. When will Android Q come out? Which features are coming? What phones will support the next Android version? Right now, we're mostly answering these questions through historical data and leaks, and we'll know more concrete facts as Google IO 2019 approaches. Cut to the chase
Android Q release dateGoogle hasn't announced when Android Q will come out. Heck, it hasn't even acknowledged that the next OS version will even be called Android Q – but given each version's progression to the next letter in the alphabet, Android Q is a pretty safe bet. If Android 9 Pie's announcement window is anything to go by, we could see Google officially announce Android Q in early March – and perhaps, like last year's release, see an alpha build released to developers on the same day. The full Android Q name may happen in early August. As to when you can get Android Q on your smartphone, well...that requires even more divination. Google will likely launch Android 10 in mid-August 2019, but going by historical OS update timings, it'll probably only be available on Google Pixel phones. The roll out to other Android phones will happen throughout 2019 and even into 2020 as various manufacturers add their own features and interfaces to the operating system. There's a chance you'll have to wait months after the initial Android Q release before you see the OS update on your device. That long rollout isn't guaranteed, though: Google's Project Treble has been working to make it easier for phonemakers to update to the latest version of Android (and do it faster). Part of that progress has lead Treble to invite more manufacturers to participate in the Android Q beta, one of the project's team leads revealed on a podcast. Android Q featuresGoogle IO 2019 will likely play host to a deep dive into Android Q features. However, we may have a heads-up on which features to expect from Google's mobile operating update thanks to leaks. System-wide dark modeThe first big leak, and our first real look at Android Q, is by the site XDA Developers. They allegedly got a hold of a January 2019 build of the new OS and showed off what might be coming. Chief among them is an all-system dark mode. Toggle it on in Display Settings, and the main interface, Settings and Files will turn a dark gray. Other parts like the Volume panel, Quick Settings and Notifications turn black to show up against the darker background. Developers will also get an option that seems to force apps without dark modes to switch to the nighttime-friendly color scheme. More permissionsXDA's leak also revealed a revamp of permissions, from the general to specific. Users can look at a broad overview of which apps they've given permission for certain things – like, say, location or microphone access. There's a search function that lets you filter by permission item, allowing you to quickly see which apps you've given access to your camera, contacts, location and so on. You can also look at permissions each app has been granted and toggle them individually to set whether access is off, on, or only on while the app is open. Developer toolsThere are plenty of new developer tools described by the XDA leak, but it's not clear how all of them will function. Freeform windows return, which lets you enable them after pressing and holding an app icon in the recent apps overview. On the other hand, XDA also found a feature called "Game Updates Package Preference" whose purpose is a bit of a mystery. Another, titled "force desktop mode," seems like it would push Android to an external display, Samsung DeX-style. Not all of the UI is finished, either, making some features – like screen recording – not totally comprehensible. Face ID-style authentication for logins and purchasesAnother dive into the developer build XDA Developers acquired revealed the OS might get a feature iOS users have bragged about for awhile: Face ID. The next version of Android might support phones packing the hardware to use facial scans for authentication. It's unclear just how it will work, or if it would combine sensor readings for a comprehensive scan of facial features. But we did get hints via error codes in one of the OS' APK, which variably tell the user to move the phone in different directions for the device to get a better look at their face. Other strings of code found by XDA are also promising, like one that blatantly informs users they can "Use your face to unlock your phone, authorize purchases, or sign in to apps." Whether phones will be able to use Face ID is another story: they need to have the hardware installed – whether that's sensors or the right specs – for the feature to work. Goodbye back button, hello (only to) gesture controlsWhile recent Android phones from different brands have tried to push their own gesture controls for years, the OS has always kept its static three-button navigation as an option. Those days might be at an end as that XDA preview build showed only gesture controls, per Tom's Guide. From the looks of it, users may only be able to use the navigation system present in the Google Pixel 3: a small pill at the bottom of the screen that you can swipe in the cardinal directions to get around. It's key to note that Android allows brands to develop their own navigation methods and systems to go along with their overlays, so it's very unlikely that this will be the only way to navigate. This build is also a bit out of date, so who knows if something as integral as OS movement would be finalized that far out. Anything else?There were a couple other additional Android 10 odds and ends from that XDA leak, including a pair of new accessibility settings. Both apply to how long notification messages stay up, and seemingly apply to different kinds of notifications. The first are for "messages that ask you to take action," while the other apparently refers to notifications that pop up with simple reminders. You can toggle these to stay up between 30 seconds and 2 minutes. We haven't seen much else, but given Google's precedent of announcing the next version of Android in early in 2019, we may see more leaks in the coming weeks.
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| Google teases its new game-streaming service ahead of March 19 keynote Posted: 12 Mar 2019 12:44 PM PDT It appears as though Google is finally going to unveil its game-streaming service. The company has been ramping up for its Game Developers Conference (GDC) 2019 keynote on March 19, and has now released a teaser website that lets you sign up for more information.
What this tells us is that Google is putting a lot of effort behind its GDC presence. The company has 16 presentations at the conference on the first day alone and has confirmed that it will unveil more in a presentation on March 19. If you missed it while it was in beta last year, Project Stream allowed you to play Assassin’s Creed Odyssey through a Chrome browser before the game came out. Project Stream is expected to reemerge at this year’s GDC to compete with services like PlayStation Now from Sony as well as Project XCloud, which is expected to be the marquee feature of the next Xbox. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3rd Generation release date, news, and rumors Posted: 12 Mar 2019 12:23 PM PDT Now that AMD has revealed its its first 7nm Ryzen 3rd Generation processors, what will the future look like for Threadripper 3rd Generation – its next line of HEDT processors? The new 7nm Zen 2 architecture was revealed at CES 2019, and it should dramatically improve both performance and efficiency. This is certainly exciting news for anyone hoping to get their hands on a new Ryzen chip, but we’re here specifically for Threadripper 3rd Generation. So, make sure you bookmark this page, and we’ll keep it updated with all the latest AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3rd Generation news and rumors. Cut to the chase
Image Credit: TechRadar AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3rd Generation release dateAMD hasn’t come out and announced the release date for the next Threadripper chips, but the last two generations have had pretty consistent release dates, so we have a solid basis for speculation. Both the original Threadripper and Threadripper 2nd Generation launched in August of 2017 and 2018, respectively. We’re fairly sure that AMD is going to follow the same general release schedule this time around, but, obviously we don’t know that for sure. The Zen 2 architecture will launch in mid 2019, likely in Q2 or Q3, in the form of consumer-focused Ryzen chips. Right now, the rumors are pointing to a July release date for the consumer-focused Ryzen 3rd Generation chips. These rumors have been backed up by yet another leak pointing to its specs. But, where does that put Threadripper? AMD’s HEDT chips typically release after the consumer-focused chips, so maybe we’ll see an Autumn release. Maybe IFA 2019? We’ll update this article as soon as we hear more substantial rumors about the release date. Image Credit: TechRadar AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3rd Generation priceNow, so far ahead of AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3rd Generation’s launch, we don’t have any official pricing information, but we can look at past generations to get an idea of what AMD’s next HEDT chips will cost. The original lineup of Threadripper topped out with the $999 (£999, AU$1,439) AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X, but the second generation introduced surprisingly lower priced replacements. There were also two higher specced – and higher priced – additions. We believe Threadripper 3rd Generation will follow the latter model. The prices of AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2nd Generation chips are as follows:
AMD could very well surprise us and introduce an even higher-end SKU, but we don’t think that’s likely. Stay tuned, and we’ll update this page as soon as we hear any Threadripper 3rd Generation price information. Image Credit: TechRadar AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3rd Generation specsWith AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3rd Generation, we expect to see a huge bump in core counts, efficiency and per-core performance with Threadripper 3rd Generation. If you need a refresher on last year’s Threadripper lineup’s specs they’re as follows:
We’re sure that with the move to 7nm, AMD is going to massively improve specs. But, with Threadripper 3rd Generation, or Castle Peak, rumors are thin on the ground. However, there is plenty of buzz about the AMD Ryzen 3000 series, not to mention the 64-core AMD Epyc server CPU. While we’ve seen speculation that suggests that the AMD Ryzen 9 3850X will have 16-cores and 32-threads with a max clock of 5.1GHz, that hasn’t been confirmed. What we do know officially is Ryzen 3rd Generation will include at least an 8-Core Ryzen processor that matches the Intel Core i9-9900K’s Cinebench score. AMD also showed off the system power in its test, the whole system ran at just 130W during the Cinebench run, compared to the Intel system’s 180W. We don’t know what frequency this chip was running at, but this high performance combined with the high efficiency is promising for whatever Threadripper chips come from Zen 2. What’s more, the chip AMD showed off revealed that 8-core chiplets are smaller than the IO die. What this means for Threadripper is many more cores in the same amount of space. It’s possible that we could see a 64-core Threadripper chip in 2019. It wouldn’t even be the first 64-core processor in AMD’s lineup. Team Red recently showed off its latest Epyc processors, based off its Rome microarchitecture, with up to 64-cores. If AMD is able to bring those high core counts to Castle Peak HEDT processors, we could see AMD absolutely dominate Intel’s Basin Falls Refresh – and potentially the Cascade Lake-X family that’s rumored to follow it. And, if Intel can’t answer with anything but 14nm silicon, AMD might claim the HEDT throne just as it toppled Intel’s mainstream sales.
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| The best keyboards of 2019: top 10 keyboards compared Posted: 12 Mar 2019 12:13 PM PDT If your keyboard is starting to show its age, collecting dust and looking like something from a horror film, you might want to think about picking up one of the best keyboards. Even if you don't’ have a keyboard that’s on its last leg, the benefits to comfort, speed and reliability you gain with one of the best keyboards easily pays for the cost of admission. And, trust us: once you’ve used one of the best keyboards for yourself, you’ll never want to go back. Regardless of whether you’re writing up a term paper or just chatting with friends, the best keyboards will make your life so much easier. And, we’ve got you covered if you’re looking for a sick gaming keyboard, too. Whether you’re trying to get some work done, talk to friends or even get some gaming in on your lunch break, you should look for any keyboard that can get the job done. Fortunately, you don’t need to worry about breaking open the piggy bank, as many of the best keyboards are affordable. So, here’s our list of the best keyboards for work and play, so you can get to typing. It has become the norm for keyboard manufacturers to implement their own custom keyboard switches, and Roccat – with the Vulcan 120 Aimo – is no different. While this keyboard is primarily marketed as a gaming keyboard, its Titan Switches are tactile enough to be satisfying, while still bouncing back quickly enough to be comfortable to type on for extended periods. And, we’d be remiss to not mention the looks – the Vulcan 120 Aimo looks like a science fiction keyboard, we love it. Read the full review: Roccat Vulcan 120 Aimo If you have a home theater PC, you might be frustrated by the lack of keyboards that explicitly appeal to your use case. Luckily, there’s a keyboard for you – the Corsair K83 Wireless is a fantastic entertainment-focused keyboard. Not only is it light and portable, it also has a bevy of entertainment functions that’ll make life easier in your living room. And, with its wealth of connectivity options, including Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless through a dongle, you can use it with many different platforms. However, it’s not great at gaming, so keep that in mind. Read the full review: Corsair K83 Wireless As long as you don’t mind missing out on some of that signature ‘thock’ sound that’s associated with regular Realforce keyboards, opting for a silenced model like the 104 UBS offers some solid benefits. Hitting the 104 UBS’s keys produces sound on par with a membrane keyboard, so it’s going to be great if you work in a busy office or a shared bedroom. The ‘dampened’ feel of Topre’s silenced switches can feel kind of like typing on sandpaper compared to a non-silenced board, but we found that it’s worth the trade-off if you need a quieter keyboard.
Filco's keyboards tend to be built like tanks, and the Majestouch TKL is no different. This space-saving mechanical keyboard features a compact tenkeyless design that has less than 1cm of space between the edge of the keys and the keyboard. Its durability doesn't simply allow it to stand up well to knocks and scrapes – it has a positive impact on its typing feel too. You can hammer away on it at speed, even bottoming out to your heart's content, and the Majestouch 2 will take every bit of punishment. We’ve seen all kinds of keyboards over the years here at TechRadar, from stylish tenkeyless keyboards to RGB-laden gaming behemoths, but something has always been missing – a focus on creatives. Thankfully, with the Logitech Craft, this is no longer the case. Not only is this a sturdy, tactile and attractive keyboard but it also features a unique dial on its top left corner, which will help creatives expedite their workflow. This dial’s utility will vary depending on the application, from simply controlling the volume on the desktop, to changing levels in various tools in Photoshop. If you spend a lot of time creating content on your PC, the Logitech Craft is one of the best keyboards you can buy today. Read the full review: Logitech Craft Somewhat legendary in keyboard circles, the PFU Happy Hacking Professional 2 (or HHKB2 as it's usually referred to) is that rare beast - a 60% Topre keyboard. Aimed at coders but fantastic for document warriors too, it foregoes traditional arrow keys, instead making use of function keys and key combinations to provide such functionality. It only takes a short while to get used to, once you've got there the huge benefit is that the HHKB2 is small and light enough to take anywhere, giving you access to that sweet Topre "thock" sound and feel anywhere, anytime.
You just need to look at Microsoft’s Surface devices to know that they’re kind of killing it when it comes to design, and the Microsoft Modern Keyboard with Fingerprint ID takes things to a whole new level. If you’re running Windows 10, and you’re into the Surface aesthetic, this is easily one of the best keyboards out there. Not only does it feel great, but it also features biometric security, by including a discrete fingerprint scanner right next to the “Alt” key. It is an expensive device, but as with everything Microsoft, you can be sure you’re getting what you’re paying for. Read the full review: Microsoft Modern Keyboard with Fingerprint ID Leopold's Fc660c is more portable than the Realforce 87u, but less so than the lighter and more compact HHKB2. However, the Fc660c benefits from its extra heft and feels like the more solid board. Despite having the same 45 gram actuation force as the HHKB2, the Leopold's keys feel slightly weightier - somewhere nearer to 50 grams. It results one of the most satisfying "thock" sounds on a Topre board.
Remember those old IBM Model M keyboards? Well, that’s what the Unicomp Classic 104 seeks to emulate. Available in both USB and PS/2 versions, it uses a buckling spring switch that takes more effort to press than just about every other modern switch. You’re rewarded for this hard pressing with a tactile response that feels like the classic mechanical keyboards of old, along with a noise that will drive everyone around you mad. Some keyboards just ooze class, and the Das Keyboard Prime 13 is one of them. Its features a solid aluminum top panel for added rigidity and a very minimalistic look. With Cherry's MX Red or Brown switches under the keycaps, you're given a choice between linear and non-linear offerings with a range of actuation points. It's a great option for media enthusiasts thanks to side lit media control and the inclusion of white backlighting is another bonus. It's not the most affordable keyboard on our list, but if you're looking for something a little bit more premium, Das is the way to go. According to a government survey, the average British household owned 7.4 internet-connected devices in 2015. Logitech is targeting smartphone and tablet owners who prefer to see their device's display while sat at a computer with its latest keyboard, the K780. If you liked its predecessor, the K380, there's more to love here. (Literally thanks to its added numberpad.) The K780 can still pair with up to three devices using Bluetooth or wireless, allowing you to chop and change between them, and it features the same comfortable rounded keycaps that remain a pleasure to type on. The star of the show, however, is the keyboard's base, which can hold mobile devices up to 11.3mm thick in an upright position. This places them within arms' reach to make anything from replying to WhatsApp messages or reading a digital magazine easy as pie. How to determine the best keyboard for you
It goes without saying that if you demand the look and feel only mechanical switches can provide, rather than those that are slim and stealthy, we suggest perusing our best gaming keyboards round-up instead. Gamers prioritize the actuation that clicky feeling mechanical keyboards bring, whereas traditional home and office users are more about practicality. That said, the sheer magnitude of sound produced by a lot of mechanical keyboards is offputting to some. For those folks, we have some membrane keyboards to recommend as well.
Bill Thomas and Gabe Carey have also contributed to this article This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Motorola Razr V4: what we want to see Posted: 12 Mar 2019 12:02 PM PDT Update: A new sourced report has suggested the Razr V4 will pack mid-range specs like a Snapdragon 710 chip, which might make it more affordable than other foldables. The Motorola Razr series were iconic phones in the days before full-featured smartphones, and they might be a big deal once again. A new entry - which might be called the Motorola Razr V4 – is heavily rumored. But unlike the older models, this new device is unlikely to be a feature phone. Instead, the Razr V4 is tipped to be a full-fledged smartphone – and it will probably fold. However, it might also cost an awful lot of money, so you might want to get saving. In the meantime, here's everything we've heard about the Motorola Razr 2019 so far, along with a wish list of what we want from it. Cut to the chase
Motorola Razr V4 release date and priceThe main Motorola Razr V4 release date rumor came from a report in The Wall Street Journal that pointed to February 2019 - a month that has been and gone with no sign of the phone. However, the report did add that the phone is still in testing (as of mid-January) and the release timing isn’t final yet and could change, as it seemingly has done. Meanwhile, comments from an exec at MWC 2019 (more on this below) suggested that we probably won't see it yet - though it is probably in the works. As for what it will cost, the Wall Street Journal report says to expect a starting price of roughly $1,500 (around £1,170, AU$2,010). That would make it far more expensive than most phones, but that’s not surprising given that it’s rumored to have a foldable screen. Expect the new Motorola Razr to be a lot more modern (and a lot more expensive) It also sounds like Motorola and parent company Lenovo aren't expecting the Razr 2019 to be a mainstream device, with the report also saying that only around 200,000 units are likely to be made, and that in the US it's a Verizon exclusive. It's not clear whether or not the phone will be sold outside the US. Motorola Razr V4 news and rumorsThe main thing we've heard about the Motorola Razr V4 is that it will have a foldable screen. The first hint of that came from Lenovo’s CEO Yang Yuanqing, who, during MWC 2018, said: "With the new technology, particularly foldable screens, I think you will see more and more innovation on our smartphone design. "So hopefully what you just described [the Motorola Razr brand] will be developed or realized very soon." Then, at MWC 2019, Motorola vice president and general manager Anthony Barounas, said, according to TrustedReviews: “If you go around the stores today, for me the phones all look the same. It’s difficult to see if it’s a Motorola, or [another brand]. How we differentiate to the consumer, show them something really different, that’s where foldables comes in. And that’s where Motorola also has a very big investment. I can’t say much but we have one franchise that will have a very big impact there.” So that's pretty much a confirmation that a foldable phone is in the works, though the Razr brand wasn't mentioned by name. Elsewhere, a report suggested that the Motorola Razr V4 would be high-end and have a foldable screen. We've also seen patents pointing to a foldable screen. You can see images from the older patent above and the newer one below, but they both point to a clamshell design with a foldable display. However, while the older one shows a large hinge and seemingly a gap between the two display halves, the other, newer patent (found by 91mobiles) shows a truly foldable display. There's still a hinge, but this isn’t as visible when looking at the screen. This one also appears to have a smaller secondary display on the back of the phone. That makes some sense, as otherwise you wouldn’t be able to see a screen unless the phone was fully unfolded. The newer patent also shows a notch at the top of the screen. The back also contains what looks to be a single-lens camera above the smaller display, and a fingerprint scanner on the lower section. There's no guarantee that either of these patents show an accurate picture of the Motorola Razr V4, but we'd expect a clamshell design, since that's what the original Razr range had. And a newer rumor supports the design that has a secondary screen. It also details some possible features of that screen, saying that you might be able to use it to scroll through web pages that you're viewing on the main screen. The secondary screen could also apparently be used to display notifications and a clock, to interact with Google Assistant when the main screen is closed, and to provide shortcuts to settings. It sounds then like it won't have the full functionality of the main screen if this rumor is right. Image credit: XDA Developers Another report revealed possible specs, as well as a logo (seen above, background filled in with black for clarity). The Motorola Razr V4 will supposedly pack a Snapdragon 710, either 4 or 6Gb of RAM and either 64 or 128GB of storage. It also may have 2,730mAh of battery, though XDA noted that last spec might be out of date – and the Razr V4 looks to be much smaller when unfolded than its foldable competitors (like the Samsung Fold and Huawei Mate X), which look to expand into tablet-size dimensions. The Razr V4 looks to be smaller, so it might not need nearly as much juice to stay on. Clearly, this would be a departure from other soon-to-launch foldable phones , which have top-tier specs. And while previous rumors have revealed a somewhat cheaper potential price for the Razr V4, it's still far beyond what today's non-folding flagship phones cost. The silver lining, of course, is that the Razr V4 might open up the door to mid-range foldables. If you don't need cutting-edge processors and RAM to power foldable tech, perhaps we'll see more affordable folding devices sooner than we thought. What we want to seeRumors about the Motorola Razr V4 are starting to roll in but we don’t know much yet, so we’ve come up with a list of what we hope it offers. 1. A great designOne of the reasons the Motorola Razr range was so popular was because of its slim, stylish design. Of course, the old models like the Motorola Razr V3, are dated now, but we’d like to see the spirit of the design carried on for the Razr V4, but in a more modern form. We want a slim, futuristic handset. The good news is that if the screen really does fold then it should at least be futuristic, though it might not be all that slim when folded shut. 2. Genuinely useful flexibilityThere’s a worry that early foldable screens could be little more than a gimmick, but we hope that’s not the case with the Motorola Razr V4. Hopefully, the company will find a way to make it feel genuinely useful. If Motorola successfully makes a screen that can change from phone to tablet size without feeling awkward then that would be a good start. 3. Flagship specsAny foldable phone is inevitably going to be expensive and rumors specifically suggest that the Razr 2019 will be pricey. So we really want to get our money’s worth, by not just getting a foldable screen but also specs that can compete with the best of 2019’s new and upcoming flagships, like the Samsung Galaxy S10 and iPhone 11. We want the Razr V4 to be able to compete with the latest flagships 4. A long-lasting batteryWe want all of our phones to have decent battery life, but this is of particular concern with foldable phones, as the larger screens could be a big drain. So hopefully there will be an appropriately large battery in the Motorola Razr V4 to keep it going through the day and beyond. 5. A palatable priceEarly rumors suggest this will be one very expensive phone, and we’d expect it to be too, since foldable screens are a new, likely pricey feature. However, for these devices to have remotely mainstream appeal the cost is going to need to be pushed down. That probably won’t happen until the second or third generation of foldable devices, but it would be a nice surprise if Motorola (which is known in part for offering great value handsets) manages to make an affordable one on the first attempt. 6. Near stock Android with foldable featuresOne thing we love about most current Moto phones is that they use a version of Android that’s had little done to it, ensuring the software is polished, easily approachable and typically quick to get updated. We hope the same is true for the Motorola Razr V4. Or at least, for the most part. What we would like to see though are some software features that help you get the most out of the foldable screen. We’re not sure what those would be, but hopefully that’s something Motorola has given some thought to. 7. A sharp, durable screenBeing foldable is one thing, but we don’t want that to be the only thing the Razr V4’s screen has going for it. We’d also like it to be a sharp, high-quality panel. And for it to be durable, because it’s going to need to be if it’s constantly being folded. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Best e-commerce platform of 2019: get an online store now! Posted: 12 Mar 2019 11:28 AM PDT The rise of the web has allowed countless businesses to reach a wider market. Not only that, it has given rise to countless new online-only businesses, fueled by the exponential rise of mobile connections. It's not surprising, then, that one analyst claims that the SMB e-commerce platform market will break the billion dollar barrier. There's no doubt that the web provides a huge opportunity for companies, but it’s important for organizations to make the most of that opportunity. In order to sell your products or services online, your website has to be appropriately equipped. Building an online store from scratch is a mammoth task, and fortunately, an unnecessary one. Today, there is a huge variety of e-commerce platform packages from which to choose. Most e-commerce platforms will provide businesses with standard functionality such as the ability to showcase products in an online catalog, take payments online, manage customers and provide with after-sales. Others will provide more sophisticated functionality, such as online marketing features, the ability to manage or integrate with in-store systems and the provision of APIs. Which e-commerce software is best for your business depends entirely on your specific requirements. If you're an online-only outfit, then POS integration won't be necessary, but you may get a lot of business from overseas, in which case foreign currency support would be a requirement. In this article, we’re going to highlight some of the best e-commerce platforms available right now, before moving on to consider other options you might want to explore in terms of creating your own e-commerce solution. The best e-commerce platform packagesShopify is perhaps the most well known e-commerce platform available. It was set up in 2006 by founders Tobias Lütke, Daniel Weinand and Scott Lake who, as the story goes, felt that there wasn't a simple-to-use e-commerce platform available and so built their own. The company claims that: "You don't need to have any technical or design experience to easily create a beautiful online store." According to Shopify, it's possible to get one of its online stores up-and-running within minutes. Users can choose from a wide range of templates, or they can design the look and feel of their store themselves. It accepts a comprehensive range of credit cards, has Level 1 PCI compliance and 256-bit SSL encryption for security, and it offers 24/7 support via phone, instant messaging or email. The platform provides a full CMS with which users can manage the functionality and layout of their online store. Users can manage their store on-the-go using Shopify's mobile apps, and the platform itself is fully responsive, meaning the store will be optimized for visitors regardless of whether they access it from a desktop computer or a mobile device. Shopify also offers users unlimited hosting for their stores, in-depth analytics of how visitors are using the store, and functionality for marketing such as SEO optimization, a discount and coupon engine, gift cards and email marketing tools. You can test out Shopify with a 14-day free trial. Bigcommerce was established in 2009 and promises to "support your business, not just your store." In addition to offering support via phone, instant chat and email, it also offers articles and videos to help with e-commerce, and access to a team of e-commerce experts who can provide advice and guidance about online selling. Their experts are qualified in both Google Analytics and Adwords. Like Shopify, Bigcommerce provides a variety of templates and themes to help stores look their best and get up-and-running quickly. Alternatively, users can design their own store or use Bigcommerce designers to do so. The platform incorporates a full-featured CMS that allows users to run an entire website, rather than just a store. Users can benefit from detailed and flexible product management, optimized search engine rankings, along with a variety of integrated marketing tools and analytics. Payments can be accepted via 40+ pre-integrated gateways and shipping details can be customized as per the business's requirements. As of late, some new features have been added like support for Amazon Import and Link and Shopping in Instagram Stories. The platform offers automated order processing, flexible tax rules depending on where orders are made and shipped, and support for multiple currencies. You can test out Bigcommerce with a 15-day free trial. Volusion has been around for almost two decades, having been set up in Texas over in the US in 1999. The company touts its platform as being an "all-in-one e-commerce solution", and offers a free 14-day trial (no credit card required). As with other e-commerce platforms, users are offered a variety of templates from which to choose, and can also customize templates if they so wish. Should a more complex design be required, Volusion offers a custom design service that can incorporate branding and a firm's social media presence. The platform provides the site and product management tools you'd expect, marketing functionality for SEO, social media, and affiliate outlets, along with emails and order management functionality for fast order processing, accepting payments, tax calculations and POS integration. In addition to its platform and associated services, Volusion offers apps from its partners, support for users and a knowledge-base for help with e-commerce. Users can draw upon blog posts, guides and webinars. As of October 8th 2018, there are no more transaction fees. CoreCommerce was set up in 2001 and focuses on providing e-commerce services to small and medium-sized businesses. The company places an emphasis on simplicity and transparency, promising that its platform is easy-to-use and that customers will not fall foul of any hidden charges. Perhaps CoreCommerce's most unique aspect is that all of its features are offered to all customers regardless of what plan they are on. Price plans are determined by the number of products, the number of email addresses, the amount of bandwidth and the amount of storage required by the user (and higher-end plans also benefit from additional support). As with other e-commerce providers, CoreCommerce offers functionality for store design, product management, order processing and marketing. Of its headline features, the platform offers unlimited product customization options, a built-in blogging engine, and secure hosting that is provided by Rackspace and comes with a 99.9% uptime guarantee. You can try CoreCommerce out with a 15-day free trial. Having been founded in 1997, 3dcart is the oldest of our featured providers here. It was set up with a view to incorporating as many of the most requested e-commerce features into one platform as possible. The company says it has six core values by which it operates: ongoing innovation, good service, simple solutions, fostering trust, keeping employees and customers happy, and stimulating prosperity amongst employees and customers. Some of the platform's innovative features include a module that users can install to offer gift-wrapping, a purchase order system, the option of running a loyalty program and the ability to offer recurring orders. Many of these features are very specific, meaning that stores can be highly tailored to the needs of each business. Stores can be designed using one of the many templates offered by 3dcart, or users can design their own store. A quick edit bar means that making changes to the design of a store is simple. Product images are fore-fronted with 3dcart's auto-zoom feature and products can be sold via Facebook with its store integration. As with some other platforms, users can blog directly from 3dcart and tools are provided for setting up coupons, sending newsletters and affiliate marketing. In addition to its platform, 3dcart offers a number of professional services. Users can request help with SEO, PPC, shopping feed management, social media, Facebook ads and conversion consulting. Help can also be provided to ensure that a user's store is set up to the highest standard. Services such as site cloning, setting up custom tracking, data migration and training are offered. In addition, 3dcart can provide SSL certification. Hosting is guaranteed at 99.9% uptime and 24/7 support is provided via phone, email or online chat. You can test out the service with a 15-day free trial. Also consider: Alternative meansIf you don’t want to go the route of using an off-the-shelf package, what other options are available for you to explore? That’s what we’re going to look at in the second half of this piece… Is eBay right for your business?Opening its doors in 1999, eBay UK now has over 14 million users, with over 10,000 people using the site for a business that is their primary means of income. It's not just about people selling unwanted goods - businesses have used the simplicity that eBay offers to set up lucrative operations. Even the larger brands such as Argos, Debenhams and House of Fraser are using eBay to sell online. With sophisticated tools now available you can be up and running with your store in just a few hours. The eBay Seller Centre has all the information you need. Each store is managed via eBay's familiar user interface, and there are a number of eBay-provided tools to help manage, track and promote your shop once it's established. Using eBay as the platform for your business could be ideal if your business wants to sell goods on a fixed price basis. The complete integration of the PayPal e-payments system into eBay takes care of this essential component of your store. The key with eBay is to look closely at the costs involved and also the transaction fees that PayPal charge before moving forward and setting up your own store. How to create your own e-commerce solutionOf course if you want complete control over every aspect of your new online store, building each page yourself will be the best course of action. Hiring someone to code your website is one option. If you decide to do this follow these steps:
You also don't have to build your site completely from scratch. Buying a template can give you all the basic pages your site needs. You can then either modify them yourself using an application like Dreamweaver, or hire a coding expert to make the changes. Website templates are available from a number of vendors including Template Monster. If you already have a website and want to add e-commerce functionality, this can be easily achieved with a number of applications including: Final adviceWhichever route you decide to take when building your website always remember:
Setting up your online store should be approached carefully and diligently to ensure you put a professional and efficient site live. Internet shopping continues to expand. Make sure your business doesn't miss out on a sales channel that shows no signs of slowing down.
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| Motorola Razr foldable reportedly won't pack flagship specs Posted: 12 Mar 2019 11:19 AM PDT We might know a bit more about the potentially foldable Motorola Razr V4 phone, including its decent but not wildly impressive specs. The device will pack a Snapdragon 710 processor, very middling RAM and storage and have a sub-3,000mAh battery, a source told XDA Developers. In other words, the Razr foldable’s performance may be mid-range when compared to the top-tier specs packed into the folding devices slated for this year, like the Samsung Fold and Huawei Mate X. Per XDA Developers’ source, the phone will have two RAM and two storage variants (it’s unclear which configurations will be offered): either 4 or 6GB of RAM, and either 64 or 128GB of storage.
XDA's source noted that the phone would come with a 2,730mAh battery, which is far lower than those coming in the Samsung Fold and Huawei Mate X. But it's key to remember that Motorola's foldable is expected to have a smaller screen, which won't unfold into the large tablet-sized displays as its rivals. XDA Developers also snagged the supposed logo and placed it on a black background. Supposedly, this is how it will look: Image credit: XDA Developers Paving the way for a potentially cheaper folding option?Up until now, foldable phones have been specced and priced above even top-tier flagships, and their emergence essentially introduced a new cost ceiling for mobile devices. Sadly, this phone is no exception. According to the Wall Street Journal’s report earlier in 2019 that kicked off the foldable Razr rumor mill, Motorola’s device was expected to have a starting price of roughly $1,500 (around £1,170, AU$2,010) – which, yes, is nominally cheaper than the Fold and significantly cheaper than the Mate X, but it’s still far beyond what even conventional flagships cost. Yet, there is a silver lining. If these specs are to be believed, then the Razr V4 foldable could be a proof-of-concept that you don’t need the best specs on the market to get a folding phone to market. There could be a legitimate mid-range folding phone that works with a mid-tier processor and average specs. This could drive down foldable prices from their astronomical heights, and eventually give consumers more opportunity to try the novel devices for themselves. And they do, indeed, have cool stuff to offer: a previous XDA report suggested the Razr V4 could come with a second screen that would double as a trackpad when the phone is unfolded. It’s unclear how that would work, but the possibility is exciting.
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| The best portable projectors of 2019: top mini projectors for work and play Posted: 12 Mar 2019 11:07 AM PDT Welcome to our list of the best portable projectors money can buy in 2019. These top picks allow you to easily carry around a projector so you can quickly set it up and use it while you're travelling. The best portable projectors are perfect for professionals who are often travelling for work, as it means you can conduct presentations quickly and easily using your own equipment – rather than having to fiddle around with cables in front of an audience. They can also be used for entertainment as well, giving you an impressively large screen to watch movies or play games on. So, what should you look out for when buying the best portable projector for your needs? For a start, you should make sure the portable projector has all the connectivity options you require. Most should have HDMI, which will let you plug in almost any device into it, though some will have a mini HDMI port, so you'll need a special cable. Meanwhile, other portable projectors have a simple USB output, which allows you to connect laptops and other compatible devices to it. There are also some brilliant portable projectors that offer wireless connectivity, which makes broadcasting from your smartphone or tablet easy. The best portable projectors also have batteries, which makes them easy to place for optimum image quality. However, there are some that still need to be plugged into a power supply, so bear that in mind when choosing the best portable projector for your needs. You should also check to see if a portable projector has built-in speakers. If it does, it means that's one less thing to carry around with you, but don't go expecting cinema-like sound quality from those small speakers. Also, make a note of maximum screen size and resolution. Many portable projectors can project large images, especially considering their small size. As well as listing the best portable projectors, we also have our very own price comparison tool that will help you find the best prices as well. The Philips PicoPix PPX4010 is impressively small, even by portable projector standards. It's so small, that you wonder what use case demands it be that small, aside from it being able to easily fit into a your briefcase, or even a jacket pocket. It features an easy setup and is able to project content only drawing power via USB. The Philips PicoPix PPX4010 has a 100 lumens brightness, which means it doesn't have to be used in pitch black conditions to see. The ML750e by Optoma is a lot more powerful than the pocket-sized PicoPix from Phillips, but it's not quite as small. Still, it weighs just 380g with a small footprint that makes this easy to carry around. The differences in size between this and the PicoPix are negligible for the power you get in return: a 700 Lumens lamp that lets you present in rooms that aren't completely darkened. The Optoma ML750e is one of the best portable projectors in the world thanks to its impressive range of ports. It comes with one MHL-ready HDMI input, a USB 2.0 slot for thumbdrives, a universal I/O slot, and a microSD card slot. The ML550 handled our 90-inch test screen with impressive results, and peaked at a 60-inch-or-so size. However, you need to buy a dongle for Wi-Fi access. Usually when you choose a portable business projector you have to make a few sacrifices in order to have such a small device – but that's not the case with the Epson EB-S41. Its 3,300 lumen brightness is much brighter than many other portable projectors, and means you have more flexibility when setting up the EB-S31 in environments where there is still ambient light. The EB-S41 is small and light enough to carry around with you on business trips, but it also has a very large projection size – up to 300 inches – which makes this an incredibly versatile portable business projector. The LG Minibeam PH550G is a brilliant portable projector that's ideal people who often work on the road thanks to its compact size. It's also wireless as well, allowing you to connect a smartphone or tablet to it, and showcase your presentations or media quickly and easily. This is great for impromptu meetings, and despite its small stature, it offers brilliant image and sound quality. The Asus ZenBeam E1 is a beautifully designed pocket projector that's small and light enough to carry around with you if you often make presentations on the road - or if you like to watch movies while travelling. Despite its small size, it can project images up to 120 inches in size, and it has a built-in 6,000mAh battery that can power the projector for up to 5 hours, which makes it rather flexible, as you don't have to worry about finding a plug socket to power the device. In a rather nice touch, the projector can also double as a power bank for other mobile devices. The Asus ZenBeam E1 isn't the most powerful portable projector, but its versatility, ease of setup and eye catching design gives it a place on our list of best business projectors. The ViewSonic PLED-W800 is an excellent performer and one of the best portable projectors money can buy, weighing in at 830g and measuring 175 x 138 x 51.5mm (W x D x H). With a lamp that can reach up to 800 lumens, you can still run a presentation in whatever room you can bring it to, provided you can shade the windows and lower the lighting. It comes with an SD Card slot, a USB slot, an MHL-ready HDMI input (for connecting DVD/Blu-ray players and also smartphones/tablets) and a VGA input for laptops.
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