Search results for '@C +!I' - Page: 8
| PC World - 30 May (PC World)No matter which MacBook you buy, one of the most frustrating things is the lack of ports. Thankfully, this is easily fixed with a tool such as the Anker 6-in-1 USB-C hub, which is now on sale for $30, down from its regular $55.
This versatile hub will enhance your device’s functionality without breaking the bank. It also helps that it’s super portable, being the size of a marker with a thickness of 0.7 inches.
This Anker hub offers massive expansion capabilities, featuring a Power Delivery input port, HDMI port, Ethernet port, USB-C data port, and two USB data ports. The wide range of ports ensures you can connect multiple devices simultaneously, making it perfect for both work and play.
Talking of work, one of the coolest things about this absolutely tiny hub is that it has an HDMI port that allows you to connect an external monitor. Another standout feature is the powerful pass-through charging. Simply connect a 65W wall charger to the Power Delivery input port, and you’ll enjoy high-speed charging for your MacBook while keeping other devices connected.
While we didn’t test this Anker hub ourselves, it has 4.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon based on over 2,600 reviews, with most customers appreciating the performance, quality, and portability.
So go ahead and place your order for the Anker 6-in-1 USB-C hub because you know you need this one on your desk.
Get the Anker 6-in-1 USB-C for just $30
Docks and Hubs Read...Newslink ©2024 to PC World | |
| | | PC World - 30 May (PC World)Arm has confirmed that it will be offering actual chips to its customers as part of its next-gen Arm compute platform, called Arm CSS for Client. These chips will be first marketed at Android smartphones, but executives also mentioned that they could be used for PCs as well.
The announcement confirms an earlier report that indicated that Arm might expand its traditional business model. Arm has traditionally sold CPU designs, not silicon, to partners like Qualcomm. Those companies have the freedom to adjust Arm’s designs — depending upon their license agreement — and then ask foundries like TSMC to actually manufacture the chip.
What’s new here is twofold: First, Arm is extending its services to include working with foundries to deliver physical chips, specifically 3nm chip designs first focused on smartphones and AI. Second, Arm is launching its next client platform, CSS for Client, led by the Cortex X925 extreme core, the Cortex A725 performance core, the Cortex A520 efficiency core, and the Immortalis G925 graphics engine with ray tracing. Arm is claiming that the new cores will offer the most performance yet, with a 36 percent boost in the Geekbench SC benchmark, running on Android.
“We’re making it easier to build and deploy Arm-based solution and leaving nothing to chance, enabling new performance points, compute capabilities, and helping speed time to market,” said Chris Bergey, senior vice president and general manager of the client line of business at Arm.
There’s a twist, though. Arm is not announcing an AI core, like Qualcomm’s Hexagon. Instead, it’s providing software libraries to target the CPU for AI workloads. Normally, the NPU is seen as the most efficient way of performing AI. According to James McNiven, Arm’s vice president of product management for client, the software will be enhanced for “new features that we’ll be building into the CPUs going forward.”
Phones first, PCs second
Arm is targeting Android phones first, but executives implied that PCs are next up.
“The CPU is a natural first target for AI on Android devices,” Bergey said. “It’s performance and pervasive, and for 70 percent of third-party Android ML [machine-learning] workloads, that’s where they stay.”
Arm, of course, has been welcomed back into the limelight with the new Copilot+ PCs Microsoft just launched with its partner Qualcomm, whose Snapdragon X Elite and Plus chips power them. Nvidia and Arm have also been said to be working together, with reports surfacing last week that the two may be targeting 2025 for a launch. Arm CEO Rene Haas is scheduled to deliver a keynote address at the Computex show in Taiwan next week, where he may offer more details.
What is Arm’s new CSS for Client?
Not surprisingly, Arm says that the new CSS for Client is designed with AI, specifically generative AI, in mind. It’s an Arm V9 architecture, which was launched in 2021 with AI-specific instructions.
Arm isn’t telling us how fast its new CSS platform is, which means that most of the questions an enthusiast would have can’t be answered yet. When I asked about how many TOPS of AI power the CPU and its AI libraries would produce, company representatives demurred. (Arm CSS stands for Arm Neoverse Compute Subsystems, and Arm debuted the first chips for the platform for the data center late last summer.)
“TOPS is a high-level metric that is dependent on frequency, IP choices, and configuration,” the company followed up in an emailed statement. “We are confident that the capabilities offered by our CPUs and GPUs, when complemented with an appropriate frequency and configuration (e.g CSS for Client), can easily achieve the needs of AI PCs and next-gen AI smartphones.”
James McNiven, Arm’s vice president of product management for client, said that the X925 name was changed to show how different that the X925 was from its predecessors. (The 36 percent improvement in Geekbench is a combination of the instructions-per-clock (IPC) improvement and a faster, undisclosed frequency, McNiven said.) It has a wider design, with larger (3MB) private level-2 caches to increase the TOPS count by 50 percent over its predecessor. The time to generate a response in the tiny-Llama AI metric has become faster, with a 41 percent improvement.
The platform’s Immortalis G925 graphics engine “delivers 37 percent more performance on a wide range of graphics applications,” McNiven said.
All told, Arm is promising that the platform will perform web browsing 23 percent faster on Android (via Speedometer 2.1), process YouTube 40 percent more efficiently through software-optimized AV1 video decode, and consume 25 percent less power while gaming. Ray-tracing performance should increase by 52 percent.
The Cortex A725 will be 35 percent more efficient than the A720, McNiven said, and the Cortex A520 efficiency processor will consume 30 percent less power while gaming.
So will these new CSS for Client cores be used in laptops? “We cannot comment on specific customer engagements, and the mobile cadence is pretty well known,” Arm’s Bergey said. “Things like laptops will potentially be a different cadences. But I think there’s considerable amount of interest around Windows on Arm and we think that this is a great solution that can be applied to that market. So stay tuned.”
CPUs and Processors Read...Newslink ©2024 to PC World | |
| | | PC World - 30 May (PC World)Hello, my name is Michael, and I’m a multi-monitor addict. If I don’t have at least three screens in front of me at all times, I feel like I’m not being productive enough. It’s gotten so bad that I’ve taken to packing a portable monitor along with my laptop—but maybe if I get this new dual-screen design from GPD, I won’t have to anymore.
You might recognize GPD as the China-based manufacturer of neat little gaming emulator devices. In recent years, they’ve branched out into full laptop designs, albeit smaller ones with game controls attached.
The GPD Duo is a radical departure, both from the company’s bread and butter and conventional laptop designs. The big news is that it sports two 13.3-inch OLED displays that are stacked one on top of the other.
We’ve seen a few dual-screen laptop designs lately—including the Lenovo Yoga Book 9i we reviewed last month—but these have essentially been standard clamshell laptops with the keyboard portion replaced with a second screen and a detached keyboard making up the difference. GPD takes its Duo in a different direction, with a secondary screen hinged above the first one while keeping the keyboard section intact.
It makes for a club sandwich of a laptop, with three body sections connected with two sets of (hopefully very sturdy) hinges. The secondary screen is suitable for a dual-screen setup with one on top of the other, or you can fold the screen back for mirroring and showing someone behind you. VideoCardz reports that the base is a counterweight, but what that means for actual weight isn’t mentioned.
Other hardware details are scarce, though GPD’s Twitter post says that the folded-up laptop is “the size of an A4 sheet of paper” (that’s 8.27 x 11.69 inches or 210 x 297 mm) and that the 10-point touchscreens are compatible with the Surface Pen stylus.
What’s powering all this? A Ryzen setup like GPD’s recent mini laptops, an Intel alternative, or a newer Snapdragon or other Arm setup? No idea! And there’s no indication of a price, either.
That last point might just be the most variable. GPD’s portable gaming PCs and mini laptops range from $550 to over $1,200 while dual-screen designs from Asus and Lenovo are $1,500 and $2,000, respectively. We’re dealing with a very wide range here, and GPD tends to launch new designs on Indiegogo. Hopefully more information will be available soon.
Laptops Read...Newslink ©2024 to PC World | |
| | | PC World - 30 May (PC World)The only downside to a fluffy feline companion is having to scoop up after them every day. Catlink understands this, so they created a device that handles this nasty chore for you.
The Catlink Self-Cleaning Cat Litter Box has a rotating inner bin that automatically sifts your cat’s waste after they’ve done their business, separating it from clean litter and dumping it into a waste drawer.
And right now, this self-cleaning litter box is available for just $340, a massive savings from its original price of $600.
The 13-liter waste drawer is large enough to contain up to 14 days of waste for a single cat. The waste drawer uses trash liners for convenient cleanup, sanitary disposal, and easy replacement. And smells aren’t an issue because a built-in filter absorbs and neutralizes odors.
The device itself is stable and well-ventilated, and it’s equipped with sensors that detect when your pet enters and leaves. This safety feature stops the inner bin from rolling and prevents accidental injuries.
Overall, the system not only ensures a consistently clean environment for your feline friend but also saves time and reduces litter costs. It’s pretty big, though, so make sure you have enough space to fit it. The whole thing measures approximately 24 x 24 x 28 inches.
Unlike similar self-cleaning cat litter boxes, this one by Catlink doesn’t need Wi-Fi or mobile apps to set up. It also doesn’t require any assembly because it arrives in one piece.
This limited-time deal is going fast, so treat your cat (and yourself) to the Catlink Self-Cleaning Cat Litter Box for $340 while it lasts and free up more time to spend with your furry pal.
Get this self-cleaning litter box for $340 at Amazon
Consumer Electronics Read...Newslink ©2024 to PC World | |
| | | PC World - 30 May (PC World)Top-notch gaming laptops can be quite the investment… unless you’re quick enough to jump on a sweet deal when it happens.
Right now, you can save a hefty chunk of cash—a generous savings of $350—on this HP Victus gaming laptop, which has dropped down to a cool $950 for a limited time.
The HP Victus gaming laptop is a versatile powerhouse, designed to cater to the needs of both gamers and power users.
With an Intel Core i5 processor and 16GB of RAM, it’s ready to handle your gaming sessions and power-intensive tasks with ease. There are better CPUs for gaming, but it’s a decent model nonetheless, especially in this price range. If you’re looking for an extra boost, you can even upgrade the RAM to 32GB for extra performance.
The HP Victus features a 16.1-inch FHD display with a 144Hz refresh rate and an anti-glare coating. (The 300 nits brightness probably won’t suffice if you intend to use it outdoors.) Equipped with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 GPU with 6GB of dedicated memory, it provides enough power for stunning visuals no matter what you play.
This laptop also sports plenty of storage space with its 512GB SSD. As with all SSDs, that means super-fast boot times, short loading times, and speedy access to all your files.
The HP Victus laptop is portably light at just a little over 5 pounds, so you’ll have no issues carrying it with you anywhere.
Don’t miss out on this fantastic deal and upgrade to the HP Victus gaming laptop for just $950. We don’t think this deal will last very long, so make sure you get your hands on it sooner rather than later.
Get this RTX 4050 gaming laptop for $950
Gaming Laptops Read...Newslink ©2024 to PC World | |
| | | PC World - 30 May (PC World)Hot-swap keyboards are a revolutionary development in the world of mechanical keyboards, allowing users to swap individual switches without soldering. This feature opens up a whole new dimension of customizability and maintenance that is attractive to both beginners and experienced users. Some enthusiasts can’t live without it.
But what exactly makes a keyboard “hot-swappable”? And how do switches and sockets work with this technology?
A hot-swappable socket is a special device on the printed circuit board (PCB) of a keyboard that allows you to easily plug and unplug mechanical switches. These sockets are designed to mechanically hold the switch in place while making an electrical connection without soldering. This means that users can swap switches at will to customize the feel, sound and performance of their keyboard.
Further reading: The best mechanical keyboards
Hot-swappable keyboards are all the rage due to their flexibility. This makes it easy to try out switch types with different parameters such as pressure point or click sound.
Hot-swappable keyboards are all the rage due to their flexibility. This makes it easy to try out switch types with different parameters such as pressure point or click sound.
IDG
Hot-swappable keyboards are all the rage due to their flexibility. This makes it easy to try out switch types with different parameters such as pressure point or click sound.
IDG
IDG
The switches are the centerpiece of a mechanical keyboard. They determine how a key feels and sounds when pressed. There are different types of switches, which can be divided into three main categories: linear, tactile, and clicky. Linear switches provide a smooth typing feel with no noticeable resistance. Tactile switches have a tactile resistance point that provides feedback without producing an audible click. Clicking switches combine tactile feedback with a distinct clicking sound that many typists appreciate.
Mechanical keyboards with a hot-swap function offer an excellent opportunity to try out different switch types. This allows you to find your own preference without having to invest in multiple keyboards. In addition, it is a practical solution for those who shy away from technical challenges such as soldering, as defective or unwanted switches can be replaced simply by pulling out and inserting new ones.
This is what the hot-swap sockets (here for 3- and 5-pin switches) look like in detail. The connection to the system is made through the connectors.
This is what the hot-swap sockets (here for 3- and 5-pin switches) look like in detail. The connection to the system is made through the connectors.
IDG
This is what the hot-swap sockets (here for 3- and 5-pin switches) look like in detail. The connection to the system is made through the connectors.
IDG
IDG
Other advantages of hot-swap technology are durability and future-proofing. If a switch wears out after intensive use, it can be easily replaced. This avoids the need to replace the entire keyboard. Thanks to hot-swap compatibility, you can also equip the keyboard with completely new switch types. This also applies if the switches only came onto the market after the keyboard was purchased. Once purchased, the keyboard proves to be a long-term investment: a device that never loses its relevance.
Further reading: The best gaming keyboards
Hot-swap keyboards are therefore not only a flexible and user-friendly option for a personalized typing experience. They are also an economical and sustainable choice for anyone who values quality, customizability, and durability.
Desktop PCs, Gaming Desktop PCs Read...Newslink ©2024 to PC World | |
| | | PC World - 30 May (PC World)Look, we know that ultrawide monitors can be expensive, but the Gigabyte G34WQC A is actually affordable at just $290. That’s a sizable discount, too, saving you $110 off its list price of $400.
Featuring a 34-inch display with a 3440×1440 resolution, this curved monitor promises stunning visuals. With its 21:9 aspect ratio and 1500R curvature, it will help you immerse yourself into your games with a wide view that spreads from end to end.
This monitor also boasts a 144Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time, delivering gameplay that’s smooth and lag-free.
While the VA panel isn’t exactly ideal for color accuracy, it’s not a bad trade-off considering what you get at this price point—and it’s not all bad given that it has HDR10 support, which helps improve color vibrancy and contrast, sweetening the deal a bit.
Of course, the wide viewing angle and high resolution aren’t just good for gaming. The Gigabyte G34WQC A curved monitor is also a solid choice for any office setup, offering lots of screen space for productivity.
While we didn’t review this exact model, we did review the similar Gigabyte GS34WQC and quite enjoyed it—enough to give it 4.5 out of 5 stars, which is rather high praise.
If you’ve never tried an ultrawide curved gaming monitor, now’s a good opportunity to get this Gigabyte G34WQC A for just $290 (28% off) and take your current setup to the next level.
Get this 34` ultrawide curved monitor for $290 on Amazon
Monitors Read...Newslink ©2024 to PC World | |
| | | PC World - 30 May (PC World)One of the less pleasant news in this autumn’s major upgrade of Windows 11 (24H2) is that the built-in support for Dolby Digital audio is removed.
If you have files that use the codec in question, i.e. AC-3, you will not be able to play them in Windows Media Player or other accompanying apps.
Microsoft points out in a support document that the change only applies to new installations. Updating your current system will not remove support for Dolby Digital.
This isn’t a show-stopper though. You can also use third-party applications like the legendary do-it-all VLC to play Dolby Digital files if desired. That can’t be said for all the other Windows 11 features disappearing soon, however.
get windows 11 pro for cheap
Windows 11 Pro
Windows Read...Newslink ©2024 to PC World | |
| | | PC World - 30 May (PC World)A good laptop is only as good as its ports. That’s a saying I just made up but there’s some truth to it. While there are some ultraportable laptops that can make do with just a couple of USB-C connections, trusting you to use adapters for everything else, most people will prefer to have a wider selection on-board. The odd legacy connection, a video output for using external monitors, and that ever-useful headphone jack are handy to have.
Fortunately, most manufacturers appear to have moved beyond the trend of leaning-out laptops to the point of limited connectivity. Many of the best laptops in 2024 come with a solid selection of port options — and, yes, you can always use a hub or docking station to get more.
If you’re buying a new laptop and want to make sure it has all the connections you need, though, what are the ports you should really look out for? While some of these may be more important to you than others, these are the ports you should definitely consider for your next laptop upgrade.
USB-C
Thunderbolt 4 (the small oval ports) is the fastest USB-C can be, but just any old USB-C will do.
Thunderbolt 4 (the small oval ports) is the fastest USB-C can be, but just any old USB-C will do.IDG / Josh Hendrickson
Thunderbolt 4 (the small oval ports) is the fastest USB-C can be, but just any old USB-C will do.IDG / Josh Hendrickson
IDG / Josh Hendrickson
USB-C has the dubious honor of being the most successful and confusing USB standard in quite some time. Coming off the back of the mess that was USB 3.0 naming, that’s saying something. Where USB-C has made USB technology far more simple — it’s reversible and just about any USB-C device will work with just about any USB-C port — there are a number of caveats to this recommendation.
You want a USB-C port on your laptop for its pure simplicity. Even the weakest of USB-C ports can handle power delivery and basic data transfer speeds up to 5Gbps. And, since just about every new electronic device with USB connectivity is also now using USB-C, you want USB-C on your laptop. But which type of USB-C?
For the absolute best, fastest, most capable USB-C connection, you want Thunderbolt 4. It has the strongest mandated minimum specifications of any USB-C connection and ensures that you get a 40Gbps bidirectional data transfer rate, a minimum of 15W USB power delivery for device charging, and support for up to two 4K displays. You can get up to 100W charging speed on some devices, too, making them great for charging up your laptop.
USB 4 is worth looking for as an alternative, and can in some cases offer even faster data transfers and charging speeds, but it’s not guaranteed in the same way as Thunderbolt 4, so you’ll have to read the fine print. The same goes for Thunderbolt 3, which can be as good as its newer sibling, but typically isn’t.
Ultimately, though? Just make sure a laptop has USB-C at a minimum. It’s the only real “must-have” on this list.
Further reading: Best USB-C cables for charging and data transfer
USB-A
USB-A ports (far right) come in a variety of speeds.
USB-A ports (far right) come in a variety of speeds.Mattias Inghe
USB-A ports (far right) come in a variety of speeds.Mattias Inghe
Mattias Inghe
While not essential, because you can just plug an adapter, hub, or dock into your laptop’s USB-C port, it’s nice not to have an additional expense. Why bother with extra adapters and cables when you can just have a couple of native USB-A ports?
These ports can only offer up to USB 3.2 Gen 2 speeds, which works out to 10Gbps, but often you’ll have the slower USB 3.0 5Gbps speed. USB-A can also offer power delivery to connected devices, though it’s usually limited to 12W.
While those specs might sound a little paltry compared to the newer USB-C standards, it’s not a massive concern. These ports are perfect for plugging in external keyboards and mice, the majority of which are still built around USB-A cabling. Unless you’re transferring massive files regularly, too, then a USB-A connection is just fine for most external drives, as well.
3.5mm headphone jack
This is the one that has its firm fans and detractors, but if my 2023 smartphone can come with a headphone jack, my new laptop should have space for it too. As convenient as Bluetooth and wireless headphones and headsets can be, they don’t offer the same low latency or high bit-rate of a wired connection. If you consider yourself any kind of audiophile, then a wired headphone connection is a must.
It’s also great as a backup solution when your battery-powered headset is out of juice and you just want to get into a game with your friends right now. Sure, it’s a little bulky in 2024, but it’s no Ethernet jack. Bonus points if your laptop comes with two 3.5mm jacks for the microphone and headphone separately, too.
HDMI
For simple external displays, HDMI is hard to beat.
For simple external displays, HDMI is hard to beat.Foundry
For simple external displays, HDMI is hard to beat.Foundry
Foundry
Arguably the least “essential” of the ports we’ve discussed here, an HDMI port is still one of the easiest ways to address the biggest limitation of most laptops: Their screens are just too small compared to a desktop PC. If you want to use your laptop for regular office work, a bigger screen can make a massive difference, and there’s just no substitute for a big gaming monitor when you really want to enjoy your favorite games.
While USB-C certainly has the specifications to handle this task itself, most monitors are designed around HDMI or DisplayPort connections, and unless your laptop has a new DisplayPort 2.0 connection, HDMI 2.1 is the fastest display connector out there. If your laptop comes with one of those, it can easily output to a 4K 120Hz display and enjoy it in its full glory. Even HDMI 2.0 is fine for 4K 60Hz, or higher refresh rates at lower resolutions.
For the sheer convenience of it all, an HDMI port lets you plug in any HDMI cable you have lying around and get a big screen picture on any big display you have. No adapters, no dongles, no finagling required. Grandma wants to see your holiday photos on a bigger screen and the Chromecast is acting up? Connect your laptop to your TV and away you go.
Honorable mention: Ethernet
Ethernet (to the left of the HDMI port here) is helpful on all laptops but nearly a must-have on gaming laptops, where network speeds are essential.
Ethernet (to the left of the HDMI port here) is helpful on all laptops but nearly a must-have on gaming laptops, where network speeds are essential.IDG / Matthew Smith
Ethernet (to the left of the HDMI port here) is helpful on all laptops but nearly a must-have on gaming laptops, where network speeds are essential.IDG / Matthew Smith
IDG / Matthew Smith
Ethernet is more of a personal favorite, and certainly not something that most would consider essential, since it’s just not that common on modern ultrabook designs. It’s too big, too bulky, and for most people, completely unnecessary thanks to modern Wi-Fi standards.
But. And it’s a big but. Wi-Fi is temperamental. Wi-Fi can be insecure. Wi-Fi can be congested. When wireless lets you down, or you just want to get online quickly, there’s no real substitute for just plugging in an Ethernet cable and enjoying the consistent quality connection of wired networking, especially if you’re gaming.
Although, like all the ports on this list, you can get excellent Ethernet performance with a USB-C adapter, that’s one more piece of equipment you need to carry with you for if and when you might need it. To avoid that, a built-in Ethernet port is a must-have for some of us. You can even get a 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet connection if you want to make your Wi-Fi jealous.
Laptops Read...Newslink ©2024 to PC World | |
| | | BBCWorld - 29 May (BBCWorld)The videogame is the biggest title ever to be made available on a subscription service from day one. Read...Newslink ©2024 to BBCWorld | |
| | |
|
|
| Top Stories |
RUGBY
Keeping a lid on the emotions is a focus for Crusaders midfielder Ryan Crotty in what looms as his curtain call in Super Rugby More...
|
BUSINESS
Our big five banks have promised to maintain regional branches, for at least three years More...
|
|
| Today's News |
| News Search |
|
|