Search results for 'Technology' - Page: 9
| ITBrief - 9 May (ITBrief)Semperis and Trellix`s joint solution, using AI and ML technology, aims to accelerate cyber breach containment, offering enhanced visibility into identity system infiltrations and substantially shortening response time. Read...Newslink ©2024 to ITBrief | |
| | | BBCWorld - 9 May (BBCWorld)The airport technology failure means the government has to `learn lessons`, Lord Foster of Bath says. Read...Newslink ©2024 to BBCWorld | |
| | | PC World - 8 May (PC World)Antivirus is just one part of keeping your PC secure. What about backups, password storage, and software updates? Do you use a VPN? Are you monitoring the dark web for your personal data? That’s where security suites come in — they bundle all the tools you might need into a convenient package. Everything is available in one place for a single payment, no juggling eight different applications with different subscription fees.
There are all kinds of features you’ll find in premium security suites. We’ll use Norton 360 Deluxe as an example here, as it’s our top antivirus security suite pick here at PCWorld. But all popular security suites from Avast One and AVG Internet Security to Avira Prime and McAfee Total Protection offer a variety of similar features.
Dark web monitoring
Security suites frequently include dark web monitoring for details like your e-mail addresses, phone numbers, and credit cards. The dark web is a place where people can better hide their identity and be anonymous. It may involve using software like the Tor web browser and anonymous .onion sites, for example.
Given the vastly improved anonymity, there’s a seedy underbelly of criminal dark web sites where databases full of e-mail addresses and passwords, payment details, and other private information are sold. The dark web scan feature will let you know if your information appears in one of these breaches. You’ll be able to see what appears in various leaks.
Chris Hoffman/IDG
Chris Hoffman/IDG
Chris Hoffman/IDG
Norton 360, like many other security suites, offers dark web scanning for your e-mail addresses as well as any phone numbers and credit card numbers you may want to provide. You’ll get reports about the contents of each breach the scan finds.
You can get this kind of monitoring in a lot of places. For example, Google’s Google One subscription offers dark web monitoring, too.
A built-in VPN service
Premium online security suites usually include built-in VPN services. While our top-rated VPN services aren’t the ones built into online security applications, VPNs built into security apps work fine. A VPN is a nice to have security feature and having it built into your security app means you don’t have to juggle a pile of different system tray icons. Everything is in one place.
Chris Hoffman/IDG
Chris Hoffman/IDG
Chris Hoffman/IDG
The VPN built into Norton 360, for example, can be configured to automatically start and protect your connection whenever you connect to a public Wi-Fi network. You can turn it on and off whenever you want — on any connection — and choose what region it connects to. It supports optional features like split tunneling (only sending traffic from some apps through the VPN) and a kill switch (automatically cutting off all network access when the VPN connection goes down to protect your privacy).
Dedicated VPN apps may be shinier and have more bells and whistles, but you may not need them. A capable VPN is a great additional value in a security application. You won’t have to pay for a VPN subscription separately and you won’t have to deal with the drawbacks of a free VPN like a limited monthly data allowance.
A password manager
Everyone should use a high-quality password manager. After all, you need to use strong, unique passwords for all your accounts and unless you have a photographic memory, there’s no way to remember them all.
Online security suites have bundled password managers. For example, you get Norton Password Manager with Norton 360. Like with other password managers, you can generate and autofill passwords and access them on any browser you use — with Android and iPhone apps, too.
Chris Hoffman/IDG
Chris Hoffman/IDG
Chris Hoffman/IDG
If you’re seeking out the absolute best password manager, you may want to look for a dedicated one (check out PCWorld’s top password manager picks). But Norton’s password manager is perfectly capable.
In fact, there are a wide variety of solid password managers these days. We even think using Google Chrome’s built-in password manager is fine. An online security suite that bundles a solid password manager means you don’t have to pay for anything extra.
Cloud backups
Online security suites also often bundle some cloud backup capabilities. Norton 360 Deluxe gives you 50GB of online storage so you can back up your personal files.
These built-in cloud backup tools are nice to have in a pinch. If you need to back up a lot of files, you may want a dedicated cloud backup service.
Chris Hoffman/IDG
Chris Hoffman/IDG
Chris Hoffman/IDG
Likewise, it’s worth noting that if you pay for a Microsoft 365 subscription, you get 1TB of cloud storage with OneDrive and OneDrive can sync folders like your PC’s Documents folder to the cloud.
Still, you only get 5GB of OneDrive storage with Windows unless you pay. That 50GB of cloud backup storage in Norton, for example, will be more than enough for many people, no extra payments required.
Software updaters
Windows application updates are messy. Unlike on an Android phone or iPhone, apps have to update themselves on a PC. You can easily end up with outdated applications installed and they might have security flaws.
Chris Hoffman/IDG
Chris Hoffman/IDG
Chris Hoffman/IDG
That’s why security suites often include software updaters: They’ll scan your computer for installed software, let you know which ones have updates, and tell you how important they are for your security. They may even be able to auto-update these programs for you.
You can get features like this with other free apps, but they may be rather technical. I’m a big fan of the free WingetUI tool for updating apps, for example, but it doesn’t have the most user-friendly interface. Software updaters in security suites will have an easier-to-understand interface and be easy to find.
Online privacy scans
Data broker websites collect all sorts of public records on you and make them available to people who want to pay up. You can remove your data from these websites, but it’s a time-consuming task.
Some security suites have features that will scan for your personal information on these data broker sites and perhaps let you remove it. Norton 360, for example, has a privacy monitor feature that will scan data broker sites for your personal data and let you know where it’s found.
Chris Hoffman/IDG
Chris Hoffman/IDG
Chris Hoffman/IDG
You can then contact these sites on your own to get them to remove your data. Unfortunately, Norton charges you extra for the Privacy Monitor Assistant if you want Norton to do the legwork of removing the data on your behalf. Still, it’s good that Norton and other security suites are letting people know about this privacy concern — data broker sites are big business, but they aren’t often talked about.
A security-focused web browser (and extensions)
Security suites are increasingly bundling their own unique web browsers with their security suites. For example, Norton 360 offers Norton Private Browser. These are totally optional — you can keep using Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or whatever other browser you might prefer instead.
These browsers will feel familiar to use. They tend to be based on the same open-source technology that underlies Google Chrome. They also bundle extra features: Norton’s browser has Norton’s password manager built-in, naturally.
Chris Hoffman/IDG
Chris Hoffman/IDG
Chris Hoffman/IDG
Security suites also tend to offer browser extensions that warn you about dangerous websites in your browser of choice. For example, Norton has the Norton Safe Web extension for Chrome, Edge, and Firefox. It’s the kind of thing that’s built into Norton’s own browser.
In my opinion, a dedicated web browser isn’t a critical feature — modern web browsers are pretty secure and you probably already have a web browser you use and trust. You can also install your security suite’s browser extension in whatever browser you currently use. But security-focused browsers are clearly in high demand and they’re fine if you want to use them. They’re just customized versions of Google Chrome, after all.
Parental controls
You’ll often find parental control features built into security suites, too. For example, Norton 360 has Norton Family built in. You can monitor what children are doing on the web, set screen time limits, and access other similar features. With the associated mobile apps, you can also keep track of a child’s location (or at least the location of their phone!).
Chris Hoffman/IDG
Chris Hoffman/IDG
Chris Hoffman/IDG
Available parental control features will vary depending on the application you choose. It’s worth doing some research to see whether the parental controls in a security suite fit your needs, or whether you may want a different tool with different features. But once again, it’s nice to have this thrown in: You get a useful package of software that you’d often have to pay for bundled with all the other tools in your security suite of choice.
Is a paid security suite worth it?
Security suites offer a lot of features. Many of them, like password managers, VPNs, and online backup, often require separate subscription fees if you go for dedicated apps.
That’s a big difference between paid premium security suites and free antivirus programs: Security suites go beyond antivirus. Free antivirus programs often stick to the basics — just antivirus software and you’ll have to look elsewhere for any extras. Free antivirus software does the job, but paid security suites often have some nice-to-have extras.
Which you prefer is up to you. Maybe you want to seek out the best password manager, top-tier VPN, and and assemble your own security suite from parts. Go right ahead!
But it’s easy to see the value of a security suite in providing everything in a convenient bundle. There’s a lot of value in simplifying things and saving time. Having all those tools in one dashboard is a much cleaner experience that will be much easier for many people to understand.
Why get eight different pieces of software when you can install one to do the same job?
Antivirus, Security Software and Services Read...Newslink ©2024 to PC World | |
| | | PC World - 8 May (PC World)At a glanceExpert`s Rating
ProsPerformance matches its priceBeautiful, bright displayDecent battery life for a gaming laptopConsPower connector doesn’t fully insert into the laptop (at least on initial models)Our VerdictThe Gigabyte Aorus 16X is a solid gaming laptop that offers competitive performance for its price range, although the power adapter is lacking some polish. If you can find it at a price that beats the competition, it’s a fine choice.
The Gigabyte Aorus 16X is a powerful, sleek 16-inch gaming laptop. Our souped-up review model came outfitted with great hardware, a high refresh rate display, and whatnot. So, why didn’t I give it a higher score? Well, this kind of package is what we expect to see on a laptop that costs around $2,000. It’s a fine value, but there’s nothing about it that stands out as an unusual value.
Gigabyte has gone out of its way to provide a “premium” laptop experience and has overall done a decent job, but there’s one thorn in my side and that’s the power connector. It doesn’t quite fit into the laptop, which doesn’t match the kind of polish I’ve come to expect from a high-end machine. Although Gigabyte says it’s fixing this problem in manufacturing, it soured my experience a bit.
I also reviewed the less expensive Gigabyte G6X laptop at the same time as this one, so you’ll see me compare the two machines throughout this review.
Looking for more options? Check out PCWorld’s roundup of the best gaming laptops available right now.
Gigabyte Aorus 16X: Specs
The Gigabyte Aorus 16X packs a lot of powerful hardware into a 16-inch gaming laptop chassis. The Gigabyte Aorus we reviewed came with an Intel Core i7-14650HX CPU. This is an Intel Core HX chip, a refresh of last year’s Raptor Lake hardware. These seem to perform a little better than Intel’s current Core Ultra chips, which are based on the Meteor Lake architecture. However, these Raptor Lake chips lack the neural processing unit (NPU) that will supposedly accelerate future Windows AI features, according to rumors.
The Aorus 16X we reviewed was an Aorus 16X ASG model, which has Nvidia RTX 4070 graphics along with 32GB of RAM and a 1TB solid-state drive. Gigabyte also has other variants that come with Nvidia RTX 4060 graphics. Additionally, Gigabyte says it will offer versions of this laptop with a faster Intel Core i9 CPU. And, as usual, RAM and storage may also vary.
We should also address the AI elephant in the room: Gigabyte is calling this an “AI gaming laptop.” For the most part, this is just as much an AI laptop as any other laptop with a powerful Nvidia RTX GPU. Gigabyte is right about its AI performance — as we’ve pointed out, a fast GPU will give you the best AI performance. However, since this system doesn’t have an NPU, it’s unclear if it will support the AI features Microsoft adds to Windows in the future. Microsoft hasn’t said yet.
Gigabyte shows off the system’s AI performance by bundling a convenient little tool that will download and set up Stable Diffusion on your PC, giving you a graphical interface for AI generation of images on your own PC. That’s honestly super cool and one of the most useful “AI laptop” features I’ve seen yet. The other options in Gigabyte’s “AI Nexus” feel a little gimmicky: Using “AI” to adjust system power consumption and fan speed, for example. I don’t imagine those will make a huge difference in system performance compared to other brands without these features.
CPU: Intel Core i7-14650HX
Memory: 32GB DDR5-5600 RAM
Graphics/GPU: Nvidia RTX 4070
Display: 2560×1600 16:10 IPS display with 165 Hz refresh rate and HDR
Storage: 1TB PCIe NVMe SSD
Webcam: 1080p webcam
Connectivity: 1x Thunderbolt 4 / USB Type-C (USB4, DisplayPort 1.4, and Power Delivery 3.0), 1x USB Type C (USB3.2 Gen2 and DisplayPort 1.4), 2x USB Type-A (USB 3.2 Gen2), 1x MicroSD card reader, 1x combo audio jack, 1x HDMi 2.1, 1x RJ-45, 1x DC power in
Networking: Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, gigabit Ethernet
Biometrics: IR camera for Windows Hello
Battery capacity: 99 Watt-hours
Dimensions: 14.01 x 10 x 1.06 inches
Weight: 5.07 pounds
MSRP: $1,949 as tested
Gigabyte Aorus 16X: Design and build quality
IDG / Chris Hoffman
IDG / Chris Hoffman
IDG / Chris Hoffman
The Gigabyte Aorus 16X has a “sports car-inspired design,” according to Gigabyte. Compared to less expensive gaming laptops like the Gigabyte G6X, there are more sleek curves and visual touches, with a more polished design overall. The lid on top of the laptop is made of aluminum, while the rest of the chassis is made of plastic.
The back of the laptop has a light bar which fits the whole sports car theme. The light bar cycles through different colors, and you can see its light through the hinge area between the laptop’s display and its keyboard. The light bar has the “Aorus Beacon” — a small projector that projects the word “Aorus” onto the surface right behind the laptop.
Complete with a “Team Up Fight On” graphic below the keyboard that continues onto the touchpad, it’s a more traditionally “gamer” design than other modern gaming laptops, like the Alienware m16 R2, which often try to de-emphasize the gamer styling. There’s nothing wrong with that, and many gamers will prefer a design like this.
The design feels solid. There’s no creaky plastic, the hinge feels nice in action, and the lid doesn’t have too much flex. At just over five pounds, it’s a reasonably good weight for a gaming laptop this size and with this kind of hardware.
IDG / Chris Hoffman
IDG / Chris Hoffman
IDG / Chris Hoffman
One thing here feels strange: The power connector. First, the power connector is on the left side of the laptop — not the back, where it’s located on many gaming laptops. Second, the bundled power adapter has a cable that sticks straight out — there’s no L-shaped connector that directs the cable to the back of your laptop. Because of this, I expect this laptop will not feel great to use for people who use their mice left-handed. Even if you aren’t left-handed, this is an inconvenient configuration for the power connection that will use a good chunk of space on the desk to the left of your laptop.
Additionally, the laptop’s power connector doesn’t fully insert into the jack. There’s nothing wrong with that, necessarily — the laptop works fine, and nothing seems like it’s going to break — but this laptop is around the “upper midrange” price bracket. At this almost-$2,000 price point, this sort of fit-and-finish issue cheapens the overall feel.
This issue was not exclusive to my review model — I found reviews on Amazon and YouTube that pointed out the same issue. While I don’t think it’s a huge problem deserving of a one-star review, like that particular Amazon reviewer, it’s easy to see how someone spending nearly $2,000 on a laptop could be disappointed by this sort of thing.
Gigabyte provided us with a statement saying the power adapter sticking out from the charging port is a known issue and that there does not appear to be any problem with it — something I completely believe, as the laptop worked perfectly well in my testing. Still, Gigabyte says this is not the intended experience and the issue will be fixed in July 2024, after which Gigabyte says it will prevent a similar issue from happening again.
Gigabyte Aorus 16X: Keyboard and trackpad
IDG / Chris Hoffman
IDG / Chris Hoffman
IDG / Chris Hoffman
The Gigabyte Aorus 16X has a classic “chiclet” keyboard that feels great to type on. Its keys feel snappier and less “mushy” than the keyboard on the more bargain-priced Gigabyte G6X. That’s no surprise — in the specs, Gigabyte says that the Aorus 16X’s keyboard has 1.7mm of key travel compared to the G6X’s 1.5mm of key travel. The keyboard feels good to type on. It’s definitely a more premium keyboard on a more premium laptop.
The Aorus 16X’s keyboard has three zones of LED lighting. It’s nice and colorful, and the WASD keys — along with Q, E, and R — are transparent to really stand out and highlight the LED lighting.
This is a traditional laptop keyboard layout without a big number pad at the right side, like on the less expensive G6X. However, there are full size arrow keys, which are nice to see.
The trackpad is large and responsive, with a satisfying click — a click that feels snappier than the trackpad included on the less-expensive Gigabyte G6X. That’s a pattern I saw repeated throughout the experience, with most things about the Gigabyte Aorus 16X just being somewhat nicer.
Gigabyte Aorus 16X: Display and speakers
IDG / Chris Hoffman
IDG / Chris Hoffman
IDG / Chris Hoffman
The Gigabyte Aorus 16X has a beautiful matte display. The nicer display is a big reason why it’s worth spending a bit extra for a premium gaming laptop like this one, if you’re willing to spend the money on it.
The Aorus 16X has a 16-inch 2560×1600 IPS display with a 165 Hz refresh rate. It supports HDR, including Dolby Vision, and it’s plenty bright. Gigabyte says it has up to 400 nits of brightness, and Windows says it has more like 500 nits of peak brightness with HDR enabled. The colors, contrast, and responsiveness are great, and it was a joy to play games on.
It’s a big upgrade from the Gigabyte G6X’s display, which is lower resolution at 1920×1200, dimmer at 300 nits of brightness, and doesn’t support HDR. It’s not just about that other Gigabyte laptop, though: Less-expensive gaming laptops frequently cut corners on the display to get the price down and include fast CPUs and GPUs on the spec sheet.
The Dolby Atmos-enabled speakers also sound fine for laptop speakers. They have decent volume, and they sound better than the speakers on the less-expensive Gigabyte G6X — although they are still built-in laptop speakers.
Gigabyte Aorus 16X: Webcam, microphone, biometrics
The 1080p webcam here is a very nice webcam! It’s also a very standard 1080p webcam — for a 1080p webcam. It’s a big upgrade over the 720p webcams commonly found on cheaper laptops like the Gigabyte G6X. You won’t feel compelled to plug in an external webcam if you want to have video meetings on this laptop.
The microphone produces clearer sound than the built-in microphone on the Gigabyte G6X, with no background noise in a quiet room. It was surprisingly quiet — a problem I wasn’t alone in noticing. I turned the microphone’s volume up from about 50 percent, its default volume level, to 100 percent, and the volume level was fine. I would still want to plug in a dedicated mic or headset for voice chat while gaming, but that’s always the case.
This laptop has an IR camera for Windows Hello, so you can sign into your PC with your face. The IR camera worked well in a variety of lighting conditions. Less-expensive gaming laptops often omit this feature to save money, but it’s nice to have — it’s great to just open your laptop or sit down in front of it and have Windows automatically sign you in with no typing necessary.
Gigabyte Aorus 16X: Connectivity
IDG / Chris Hoffman
IDG / Chris Hoffman
IDG / Chris Hoffman
The Gigabyte Aorus 16X provides a wide selection of ports, like most 16-inch gaming laptops do.
On the left side, you’ve got DC power in for the charger, an RJ-45 (Ethernet) jack, an HDMI 2.1 port, a USB Type-A port (USB 3.2 Gen2), and a Thunderbolt 4 / USB Type-C port (with USB4, DisplayPort 1.4, and USB Power Delivery 3.0.)
On the right side, you’ve got a USB Type-A port (USB 3.2 Gen2), a USB Type-C port (USB 3.2 Gen2 and DisplayPort 1.4), a microSD card reader, and a combo audio jack.
On the back of the laptop, there are no ports! Just fan exhaust vents and a light bar along with that cool little projector that projects the word “Aorus” onto the surface behind the laptop. (It’s more visible in the dark, but I could still see it in the daylight).
The Aorus 16X offers bleeding edge wireless hardware with support for both Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4. You probably don’t have a Wi-Fi 7 router yet, but it’s great to see this laptop is futureproof when you’re spending this kind of money. Additionally, it offers gigabit Ethernet if you want to go wired.
Gigabyte Aorus 16X: Performance
The Gigabyte Aorus 16X delivered great performance in day-to-day computing use and gaming, which is no surprise thanks to all the powerful hardware packed into this laptop. Of course, we ran the Aorus 16X through our standard benchmarks to see how it performs.
We benchmarked the laptop in its default mode out of the box, with the “AI Power Gear” setting set to “Performance” in the Gigabyte Control Center. This uses the laptop’s Mux switch to boost performance by letting the laptop bypass Intel GPU, but you’ll have to reboot if you want to use the laptop’s integrated GPU to save battery power away from an outlet.
IDG / Chris Hoffman
IDG / Chris Hoffman
IDG / Chris Hoffman
First, we run PCMark 10 to get an idea of overall system performance. This is an overall system benchmark, but it favors the CPU.
The Raptor Lake-based Intel Core i7-14650HX CPU in this laptop delivered great performance with a score of 7,774, only beat by the higher-end Core i9 CPU in the MSI Raider GE78.
IDG / Chris Hoffman
IDG / Chris Hoffman
IDG / Chris Hoffman
Next, we run Cinebench R20. This is a heavily multithreaded benchmark that focuses on overall CPU performance. It’s a quick benchmark, so cooling under extended workloads isn’t a factor. But, since it’s heavily multithreaded, CPUs with more cores have a huge advantage.
Once again, the Core i7 HX CPU delivered great performance with a core of 8,428 in the multi-threaded benchmark. That’s a 15 percent higher score than Gigabyte’s less-expensive G6X laptop and its Intel Core i7-13650HX, which offers less top-end CPU performance.
IDG / Chris Hoffman
IDG / Chris Hoffman
IDG / Chris Hoffman
We also run an encode with Handbrake. This is another heavily multithreaded benchmark, but it runs over an extended period of time. This demands the laptop’s cooling kick in, and many laptops will throttle and slow down under load.
The Aorus 16X delivered a great result, completing the encode in 762 seconds — just under 13 minutes. Once again, that’s only beat by the Core i9-powered laptop we’re comparing it to. It’s noticeably faster than the Gigabyte G6X, which has a CPU with less top-end performance. The Aorus 16X’s cooling did a great job here.
IDG / Chris Hoffman
IDG / Chris Hoffman
IDG / Chris Hoffman
Next, we run a graphical benchmark. This is gaming laptop, so gaming performance is going to be the result that matters most. We run 3Dmark Time Spy, a graphical benchmark that focuses on GPU performance.
The Gigabyte Aorus 16X delivered a score of 12,723. It’s normally all about GPU models here. And, as expected, we see the Aorus 16X and its Nvidia RTX 4070 come out ahead of RTX 4050- and 4060-powered laptops and behind an RTX 4090-powered laptop. But the Aorus beat out the Alienware m16 R2 and its RTX 4070 here, too.
IDG / Chris Hoffman
IDG / Chris Hoffman
IDG / Chris Hoffman
Now, we look at some games. We run the benchmark in Shadow of the Tomb Raider to test all the gaming laptops we review. This is an older game, but it’s a great way to compare graphical performance across different PCs.
The Aorus 16X delivered an average FPS of 137 frames per second, about the same as the Gigabyte G6X. The laptops with RTX 4070 and RTX 4060 hardware we’re comparing the Aorus to tend to be in the same ballpark here.
IDG / Chris Hoffman
IDG / Chris Hoffman
IDG / Chris Hoffman
Last, we run the benchmark in Metro Exodus, a more demanding game. We set the benchmark to 1080p resolution at the Extreme detail setting. The Gigabyte Aorus 16X delivered 50 frames per second in this benchmark, 20 percent faster than the Gigabyte G6X’s result of 40 frames per second.
Once again, the story here is all about the different GPUs. This laptop’s RTX 4070 is faster than RTX 4060 and RTX 4050 hardware — but nowhere near as fast as a much more expensive RTX 4090.
Overall, the Gigabyte Aorus 16X delivered great performance with its Intel Core i7-14650HX CPU and Nvidia RTX 4070 GPU. The laptop’s cooling worked well, too: Gigabyte says it has “Windforce Infinity Cooling Technology,” which delivered good cooling performance. When gaming, the laptop’s keyboard stayed nice and cool and never became annoyingly hot.
Gigabyte Aorus 16X: Battery life
The Gigabyte Aorus 16X delivered good battery life for a gaming laptop of its size. That’s likely thanks to its massive 99 Watt-hour battery — this is the largest battery the U.S. Transportation Security Administration will let you take on an airplane!
IDG / Chris Hoffman
IDG / Chris Hoffman
IDG / Chris Hoffman
To benchmark the battery life, we play a 4K copy of Tears of Steel on repeat in the Movies & TV app on Windows 11 with airplane mode enabled until the laptop suspends itself. We set the screen to 250 nits of brightness for our battery benchmarks. This is a best-case scenario for any laptop since local video playback is so efficient, and real battery life in day-to-day use is always going to be less than this.
(We switched the laptop to Balanced mode in the Gigabyte Control Center for this battery life test.)
The Gigabyte Aorus 16X lasted for 410 minutes — nearly seven hours — before shutting down. This is a best case scenario, and you won’t get this long while using the laptop normally. You’ll want to plug the laptop in to get a full workday’s worth of use from it. But this is quite a good result for a gaming laptop. It’s nearly two hours longer than the less-expensive Gigabyte G6X laptop, with its 73 Watt-hour battery.
Gigabyte Aorus 16X: Conclusion
The Gigabyte Aorus 16X offers solid hardware at a reasonable price. Gigabyte is going for a more “premium” laptop experience here, so it’s not a bargain that offers unusual value for at its retail price like the less-expensive Gigabyte G6X. The Aorus 16X is an RTX 4070-powered gaming laptop that is similarly priced to many other laptops in its price range.
Overall, this is a good laptop. It performs well, the display is beautiful, and everything about it feels very nice to use. But that’s true about a lot of gaming laptops around the $2,000 mark. Consider the $1,849 Alienware m16 R2, for example: It also has an RTX 4070 GPU. The display is dimmer, but it offers a higher 240Hz refresh rate. It has less RAM and doesn’t have Wi-Fi 7, but its power connector is in a more convenient place and it’s $100 cheaper.
I keep coming back to that power connector because this laptop costs nearly $2,000. For a premium laptop that’s all about fit and finish, having a power connector that doesn’t insert fully just feels cheap. There’s nothing wrong with it and the laptop works fine, but that sort of thing doesn’t scream “premium.” People spending $1,949 at launch will probably want more polish.
But Gigabyte says that issue will go away on future production runs of this laptop. You may be reading this review many months from now, with the power adapter situation resolved, and the Aorus 16X available at a great sale price. And, if you can find the Aorus 16X at a better price compared to laptops with similar specs, you’ll have a perfectly nice experience.
Laptops Read...Newslink ©2024 to PC World | |
| | | ITBrief - 8 May (ITBrief)Dynatrace enhances platform with Kubernetes Security Posture Management capabilities for heightened observability-driven security, following successful integration of Runecast technology. Read...Newslink ©2024 to ITBrief | |
| | | ITBrief - 8 May (ITBrief)Tribble, an AI-native company, revolutionises response to Requests for Proposals and Infosec queries by employing generative AI, automating processes to address traditional enterprise sales challenges. Read...Newslink ©2024 to ITBrief | |
| | | ITBrief - 8 May (ITBrief)Rackspace Technology has achieved fresh Microsoft Azure specialisations in AI and Machine Learning, underscoring their industry leadership and enriching its eight-strong specialisation collection. Read...Newslink ©2024 to ITBrief | |
| | | ITBrief - 8 May (ITBrief)Fils, a digital infrastructure provider, was commended in a PwC Middle East report for pioneering the use of tokenised carbon credits in sustainable finance, aiding several finance leaders, including Mashreq and Magnati, in mitigating climate change. Read...Newslink ©2024 to ITBrief | |
| | | PC World - 8 May (PC World)The best Windows Hello webcams add something your PC may lack: a quick, secure way to log in to your PC using just your face.
Why buy a Windows Hello webcam? Most laptops now include a webcam of some form or another, some with Windows Hello built in. Desktops don’t, however. If you share an apartment with someone else (or just want to avoid typing in your password), Microsoft’s biometric Windows Hello system uses a depth camera plus facial-recognition technology to log you in to Windows 10 or Windows 11 in a split second. And there’s more: passkeys are hot, and they use Windows Hello as well.
Below, I’ve listed several Windows Hello webcams that I recommend. I start with 4K Windows Hello webcams first, if only because I really think that your appearance makes a difference in a video call. But the budget (and clearly the most popular) picks all use 1080p resolution instead. Want more information? I’ve included a buying guide and a FAQ after the best Windows Hello webcam picks. You can also review PCWorld’s 1080p and 4K webcam buyer’s guide for recommendations on webcams without Windows Hello support.
Why you should trust me: I’ve been a technology reporter and writer for 30 years, with 10 years covering consumer technology for PCWorld alone. I’ve written about Windows Hello and supported webcams since Windows Hello launched in 2015, and have authored a separate roundup of recommendations for the best webcams based upon hands-on testing. I’ve taken this knowledge and applied it to the best picks for Windows Hello webcams, below.
Updated May 2, 2024: Updated to add more detail about passkeys and why they matter in the FAQ at the bottom of this article.
If you haven’t tried Windows Hello, you should. Your PC will recognize you, just like a person.
If you haven’t tried Windows Hello, you should. Your PC will recognize you, just like a person.
If you haven’t tried Windows Hello, you should. Your PC will recognize you, just like a person.
Logitech Brio 4K Ultra HD Webcam – Best Windows Hello webcam overall
Pros
4K resolution
Autofocus capabilities
Adjustable field of view
Cons
High MSRP, but can be found for less — especially right now
Best Prices Today:
$139.99 at Amazon$199.99 at Adorama$199.99 at Best Buy
Why I like the Logitech Brio 4K Ultra HD Webcam
Logitech has a well-founded reputation for quality, and if you don’t believe our review below, then listen to 17,000 Amazon customers who have awarded it nearly five out of five stars. Interestingly, Logitech focuses on the webcam aspect first — the camera captures great images and great audio…and then offers Windows Hello capabilities on top of that.
The autofocusing Logitech Brio 4K supports various resolutions and frame rates, including 4K Ultra HD at 30fps, 1080p at 30- or 60fps, and 720p (HD) at 30- or 60fps. According to our review, Logitech’s RightLight 3 technology snaps photos and video in a range of lighting conditions. It can adjust the field of view from between 90 degrees to 78 degrees or 65 degrees. You will need to download the Logitech app for fine-grained control options, however.
Who should buy the Logitech Brio 4K Ultra HD Webcam
Anyone who doesn’t like entering a password or PIN but wants to look great. This webcam does it all, and it even has a three-year limited hardware warranty to back it up. This is a product you should be happy with.
Read our full
Logitech Brio 4K Ultra HD Webcam review
Dell UltraSharp 4K Webcam (WB7022) – Best 4K Windows Hello webcam
Pros
4K resolution
Autofocus
AI framing
Cons
You`ll have to supply your own mic
Best Prices Today:
$199.99 at Dell$199.99 at Dell Home
Why I like the Dell UltraSharp 4K Webcam (WB7022)
Dell’s UltraSharp WB7022 webcam is similar to the Logitech Brio 4K, our best pick, but goes a bit further in terms of image quality and especially framing. Dell was one of the first out of the gate to use advanced features like automatic panning and zooming to keep you in frame if you shift in your seat. Likewise, this autofocus camera provides digital zoom and automatic HDR, cropping in and out from 90 to 78 degrees and even down to 65 degrees. The result is a webcam that is really designed make you look your best, more so than the other webcams listed in this roundup.
Dell applies HDR, temporal, and spatial noise reduction to help you look your best. There’s no mic, unfortunately, so you’ll have to use your laptop mic for that. There’s also a magnetic shutter which attaches to the front of the webcam.
Who should buy the Dell UltraSharp 4K Webcam (WB7022)
In some ways, this is a step down from the Logitech Brio 4K, in that it lacks a mic. But you’ll look better, too. If you want to look your very best and get Windows Hello capability, this should be the webcam for you.
NexiGo HelloCam Pro – Best budget Windows Hello webcam
Pros
Solid value for the price
1080p
Autofocus, 60fps
Cons
Utility software needs to be installed
Best Prices Today:
$79.99 at Amazon$79.99 at NexiGo
Why I like the NexiGo HelloCam Pro
There’s a tremendous value here: Most 1080p webcams cost about $50 to $70 or so, and this webcam adds Windows Hello capability on top of that.
Otherwise, the NexiGo HelloCam Pro is a good 1080p/30fps autofocus webcam, whose other signature feature is an iris-like physical webcam shutter. (Our previous pick, the slightly cheaper $69 NexiGo HelloCam, lacked autofocus.) Once the webcam is in use, the iris opens; if turned off or disconnected, the shutter closes. The images this webcam produces are good, and the noise-cancelling mics are too. Again, the value here is that this a good all-around webcam, at a terrific price.
Who should buy the NexiGo HelloCam Pro
Budget buyers and mainstream users looking to improve upon their laptop’s 720p webcam, and who also want the added security of Windows Hello biometric security. If price matters, you can’t beat this webcam.
Lenovo 510 FHD Webcam – Best budget Windows Hello webcam runner-up
Pros
Very inexpensive
Privacy shutter, though a manual one
1080p, fixed-focus
Cons
Wide-angle lens might be too much for some
Best Prices Today:
$59.99 at Amazon$59.99 at Lenovo
Why I like the Lenovo 510 FHD Webcam
Lenovo’s 510 FHD (1080p) webcam balances a known name with a fairly reasonable price and some decent features. It’s the “true” budget pick compared to the NexiCam HelloCam Pro, which at press time was $20 more. Here, you’ll need to slide the privacy shutter closed yourself, and you won’t find conveniences like automatic zooming and framing. The field of view is also 95 degrees, which is a bit more than we’d like. The pair of dual noise-cancelling mics seem to work well, however.
Who should buy the Lenovo 510 FHD Webcam
Treat this as a basic Windows Hello webcam, though from a reputable name. (It has a one-year warranty from Lenovo.) If you just want Windows Hello capability, this is the cheapest way to do it. Honestly, if you already have a webcam you’re happy with, you can still buy the Lenovo 510, use it to log in, but use another webcam for Teams and Zoom calls. It sounds silly, but the price makes this a practical option.
What to look for in a Windows Hello webcam
Windows Hello dates back to 2015, and the introduction of Windows 10 running on Microsoft’s Surface hardware. It replaces the need to type your password to log in every time you sit down at your desk, providing a speedy yet secure compromise to secure your PC.
Typically, Windows Hello is associated with depth-camera technology, which recognizes the various contours of your face, identifying you and only you. (A normal webcam doesn’t understand that it’s looking at a 3D image.) The image is then compared with a reference image which is stored during setup. The process itself is fast: It takes just a second or two for a Windows Hello webcam to recognize you, verify your identity to the PC it’s connected to via a USB cable, and log you in. Windows Hello can also read your fingerprint with a separate Windows Hello fingerprint reader, but these webcams are all you need.
1080p
The resolution of the webcam matters. Most laptops still ship with 720p webcams, and a higher-resolution webcam will make you look better than your colleagues.
Fixed-focus versus autofocus
A worthwhile but not critical feature, autofocus will keep you in focus if you move back and forth, walk around the room, or so on. Fixed-focus webcams usually work just fine for normal use.
Auto-exposure
Most webcams will adjust their exposure for the available lighting, but superior webcams will do so in a way that makes you look well-lit and not a webcam zombie.
Noise cancellation
Running a fan in the background? Are the neighbors mowing their lawn or blowing their leaves away? A good noise-cancelling webcam with a mic will filter out these background noises.
FAQ
1.
What do I need to use a Windows Hello webcam?
The webcam, a USB cable to connect it to your PC, and a desktop or laptop with Windows 10 or Windows 11 are all you need. We’ve never seen a webcam that uses a proprietary USB cable, but you can always spend a few dollars and buy a longer one if for some reason if it’s too short.
You may need to download proprietary software from the webcam to enable more advanced features. Basic Windows Hello functionality should be plug and play, however.
2.
How do I set up a Windows Hello webcam?
After buying a webcam, make sure you have a Windows 10 or Windows 11 PC. Connect the webcam to the PC via the USB cable and that should be all you need for basic webcam functionality. (Some webcams require you to install their utility software for Windows Hello to function, however.) In the Windows 10 or Windows 11 Settings menu, search for “Set up face sign-in.” Then click the “Facial recognition (Windows Hello)” menu. You’ll first need to add a PIN code as a backup — don’t pick something too obvious.
Setting up Windows Hello simply requires your PC to “look” at you for several moments, recording your face.
From then on, just be sure that your PC is using your webcam (though it should by default). Windows Hello setup requires simply looking at the screen while the webcam looks at you and records your image.
3.
Is a Windows Hello webcam secure?
In general, yes. You shouldn’t have to worry about a rebellious teen holding up a photo they snapped of your face and logging in. Just be sure to secure your PC by logging out or setting a timeout function if you get up from your PC and walk away. You can also manually lock your PC by using the Win+L shortcut.
4.
What happens if my Windows Hello webcam doesn’t recognize me?
That can happen, over time. A beard (or lack of one), new glasses, a big hat, or something else that obscures your face can interfere with Windows Hello. You can always go to (on Windows 11) Settings> Accounts > Sign-in options and “improve recognition” — the phrase Windows uses for updating what you look like to your PC. Remember to back up Windows Hello with a PIN, like you use at your bank. (Just don’t use an obvious PIN like “1234”, as that could be an easy way to break into your PC.)
5.
How do passkeys work with Windows Hello?
Passkeys debuted in the fall of 2023 with Windows 11 22H2. Think of passkeys as a simple way to eliminate passwords on websites that support them. Technically, a passkey can use a password, PIN, or biometric identification to prove your identity to the website. In reality, though, who isn’t going to use Windows Hello?
Here’s how to use passkeys. A website or service will need to support them, but more do. Passkeys finally work with all Microsoft consumer accounts, too. Instead of trying to remember a PIN or a password, all you’ll need to do is look into the Windows Hello camera when asked. If for some reason the authentication fails, you’ll be asked for your Windows Hello PIN (assuming you set one up) as a backup.
Webcams Read...Newslink ©2024 to PC World | |
| | | PC World - 7 May (PC World)At a glanceExpert`s Rating
ProsFast like an external SSDDecently affordableSmall form factorCaptive Type-A USB connectorCons Costs more than the common thumb driveOur VerdictSK Hynix’s Tube T31 looks like a standard Type-A USB thumb drive, but performs more like the external SSD it actually is. Fast, portable, universally connectable. Nice.
Best Prices Today: SK Hynix Tube T31 USB SSD stick
Retailer
Price
$79.99
View Deal
Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide
Product
Price
Price comparison from Backmarket
SK Hynix is nothing if not creative with naming. Witness the previously reviewed scarab-shaped Beetle, and now the Tube T31. The Tube T31 is, in fact, a Type-A USB stick, aka thumb/flash drive or “tube” if you will — at least in shape and design.
Internally, however the T31 features NVMe and 10Gbps USB and performs more like the cable-attached external 10Gbps USB SSDs we review — i.e., it’s fast.
Note that while we distinguish between what’s commonly referred to as a thumb drive and external SSDs, the former is in fact a type of the latter. The major difference being that a commodity thumb drive generally uses older, slower technology such as SATA and USB 5Gbps.
Further reading: See our roundup of the best external drives to learn about competing products.
What are the SK Hynix Tube T31’s features?
The Tube T31 is a Type-A USB 3.2, 10Gb/s SSD that weighs around 1.2 ounces and measures approximately 3.6-inches long, by 1.17-inches wide, by 0.54 inches thick. While SK Hynix wasn’t specific about the internals, the performance tells me the internal transport is NVMe and the NAND is likely QLC.
The SK Hynix Tube T31 with its end cap on, looking vaguely tube-like.
The SK Hynix Tube T31 with its end cap on, looking vaguely tube-like.
The SK Hynix Tube T31 with its end cap on, looking vaguely tube-like.
As you can see from the images, the Tube T31 is black, with the only styling flourishes being the silver of the logo and, when the cap is removed, the Type-A connector.
SK Hynix warranties the T31 for three years. The warranty is limited, as all warranties are, so overuse (writing too much data) and physical abuse will give the company the option to ignore a claim.
No mention is made of the T31’s TBW rating (terabytes that may be written), but it’s likely around the industry average of 600TBW per 1TB of NAND. That’s a lot of data and more than you’re likely to write in a decade, let alone three years.
How much is the SK Hynix Tube T31?
The 1TB Tube T31 is currently available on Amazon for $100, while the 512MB capacity is $80. That’s pricey if you think of it as a thumb drive, but quite reasonable if you compare it with other high-powered external SSDs, such as SK Hynix’ aforementioned Beetle.
How fast is the Tube T31?
As discussed, the Tube T31 is very fast for a thumb drive. Easily the fastest we’ve tested — neither the Teamgroup C212 nor the PNY Pro Elite V2 thumb drives could keep up. Note that the Kingston XS1000, which did keep up in some tests, is a Type-C cable attached SSD, not a thumb drive, but is actually a tad smaller overall than the Tube T31. It’s priced similarly so we threw it in the ring.
Neither of the other two thumb drive hold a candle to the Tube T31 in sequential transfer. Longer bars are better.
Neither of the other two thumb drive hold a candle to the Tube T31 in sequential transfer. Longer bars are better.
Neither of the other two thumb drive hold a candle to the Tube T31 in sequential transfer. Longer bars are better.
As you can see above, CrystalDiskMark 8 rated the Tube T31 as very fast at transferring large files. It also ruled the roost among the three drives in random 4K performance, as shown below.
The Tube T31 offers very good random 4K performance. Longer bars are better.
The Tube T31 offers very good random 4K performance. Longer bars are better.
The Tube T31 offers very good random 4K performance. Longer bars are better.
You wouldn’t think the T31 was a thumb drive looking at the 48GB transfer results below. It is, though obviously not garden variety.
These are times more commensurate with external SSDs. Shorter bars are better.
These are times more commensurate with external SSDs. Shorter bars are better.
These are times more commensurate with external SSDs. Shorter bars are better.
While middling for an external 10Gbps SSD, the T31’s 450GB write time is fantastic, again, for a thumb drive.
The PNY Pro Elite V2 from the previous charts is not included here as its 256MB capacity didn’t allow for a 450GB write.
This is an excellent 450GB write time by the Tube T31. The other thumb drives came nowhere close. Shorter bars are better.
This is an excellent 450GB write time by the Tube T31. The other thumb drives came nowhere close. Shorter bars are better.
This is an excellent 450GB write time by the Tube T31. The other thumb drives came nowhere close. Shorter bars are better.
I mentioned up top that QLC is the likely type of NAND involved. This is largely based on the write rate dropping to around 255MBps when secondary cache was exhausted. And it was exhausted at around the 95 percent mark of the 450GB write, which added quite a few seconds to the Tube T31’s time. This type of write is not something most users will ever perform, so don’t weigh this result heavily in your buying decision.
Once the secondary cache is exhausted, the Tube T31’s write rate drops to around 235MBps.
Once the secondary cache is exhausted, the Tube T31’s write rate drops to around 235MBps.
Once the secondary cache is exhausted, the Tube T31’s write rate drops to around 235MBps.
Should you buy the SK Hynix Tube T31?
If you want the speed of an external SSD, but the convenience of a captive Type-A connector and a svelte form factor, the Tube T31 is what you seek. It’s the one I’ll be keeping in my pocket, which is indeed — a recommendation.
How we test
Drive tests currently utilize Windows 11, 64-bit running on an X790 (PCIe 4.0/5.0) motherboard/i5-12400 CPU combo with two Kingston Fury 32GB DDR5 4800MHz modules (64GB of memory total). Both 20Gbps USB/Thunderbolt 4 are integrated to the back panel and Intel CPU/GPU graphics are used. The 48GB transfer tests utilize an ImDisk RAM disk taking up 58GB of the 64GB of total memory. The 450GB file is transferred from a 2TB Samsung 990 Pro which also runs the OS.
Each test is performed on a newly NTFS-formatted and TRIM’d drive so the results are optimal. Note that in normal use, as a drive fills up, performance may decrease due to less NAND for secondary caching, as well as other factors. This is less of a factor with the current crop of SSDs with their far faster NAND.
Caveat: The performance numbers shown apply only to the drive we were shipped and to the capacity tested. SSD performance can and will vary by capacity due to more or fewer chips to shotgun reads/writes across and the amount of NAND available for secondary caching. Vendors also occasionally swap components. If you ever notice a large discrepancy between the performance you experience and that which we report, by all means, let us know.
Storage Read...Newslink ©2024 to PC World | |
| | |
|
|
| Top Stories |
RUGBY
Three black men allege racial discrimmination in lawsuit against American Airlines More...
|
BUSINESS
NZ Budget 2024: ‘tax relief’ for the ‘squeezed middle’ – but who’s paying? 7 experts follow the money More...
|
|
| Today's News |
| News Search |
|
|