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The best monitor 2021: Top 4K and Quad HD options for everyone

(Pocket-lint) – Whether you have a monster PC, a MacBook, or just an everyday use-it-for-everything computer, there are many reasons why you’d need a monitor. That also means there are many things to consider when looking to buy one.

For some, only the biggest and sharpest panel will do. For others, it’s fast refresh rates for smooth visuals.

Whatever your reason for wanting a monitor, we’ve tested and rounded up some of the best monitors for all purposes available right now.

Best gaming monitors: Top 4K, ultrawide and ultra-fast monitors to buy

Pocket-lint

Dell Ultrathin S2719DM

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The Ultrathin series is a fine example of a stylish, minimalist design for a great price.

Because it has a slim, sleek metal stand, you don’t get much movement or adjustment out of it as you might from a big, plastic thing with lots of moving parts. That means if you’re tall – you can’t have the monitor at eye level, although we found with the ability to tilt the screen backward, we could get it angled enough to be pretty comfortable to use.

As an HDR-ready monitor, it’s great, especially for those looking for something simple, capable, and stylish to complement their minimal desk setup. While it’s not as pin-sharp as 4K, there’s plenty of detail in the Quad HD resolution panel. IPS LCD based tech also means you get good viewing angles too.

The 60hz refresh rate, 5ms response time, and AMD Freesync means it’s a capable gaming monitor too. In terms of ports, you get two HDMI ports, a single 3.5mm output, and the power input.

Sure, we’d prefer it if it had a Thunderbolt port or a Displayport input, but as an all-rounder, it’s hard to criticize too much.

Pocket-lint

LG 27UK600

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LG’s 27-inch 4K monitor is great if you’re after a standard 16:9 ratio screen in an attractive package that’s as accurate as it is sharp.

The stand doesn’t move up and down; it’s fixed, so you can’t adjust the height to be at a more ergonomic level without putting it on top of a raised surface of some kind.

However, while the stand height isn’t adjustable, the screen can be tilted to ensure there’s some adjustment there.

At 27-inches, it’s a good size, and the quality of the IPS panel is pretty surprising at this price point. Viewing angles are tremendous, and we found colors, contrast, and details to be really well balanced across the board. It made a great panel for editing photos and videos on.

It’s not the most highly tuned for gaming, but with the addition of AMD’s Freesync, it’s good enough for most.

There are two HDMI 2.0 inputs, both support HDR sources and both can delivery 4K at 60Hz. Similarly, there’s a DisplayPort input of the same specification.

Pocket-lint

BenQ EX3501R

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If you’re after an all-round great ultrawide panel for content creation, media consumption, MacBook use, gaming and everything in between it’s hard to look past the BenQ EX3501R. It’s big, looks professional, feels solid, and offers a great experience regardless of what you want to use it for.

There’s a USB 3.1 Type-C port, so you’ll only need that one compatible cable as well as gain access to the USB hub. There are also both DisplayPort 1.4 and two HDMI 2.0 ports.

Although the AMD FreeSync is designed to ensure there’s no frame dropping or screen tearing/aliasing with AMD GPUs, we found the response time was fast enough that we were able to play games at 60fps with an Nvidia based GPU without issue.

Likewise, it made a great tool for editing video on long timelines thanks to the color reproduction and extra space granted by the ultra-wide ratio.

The solid build, classy chromed feet, and 60mm up-and-down travel ensured it looks good and is relatively adjustable. There’s no right/left movement, but with a curved monitor, you don’t tend to get that.

Pocket-lint

BenQ EW3280U

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A big, all-encompassing screen that does everything you need it to, the 32-inch 4K and HDR-capable BenQ EW3280U is a truly brilliant option.

On the back there are two HDMI 2.0 ports for fast action 4K input, as well as a DisplayPort connection and a USB-C port with 60W Power Deliver output and DisplayPort capabilities so you can charge and output display using a single USB-C cable from a compatible PC or Mac.

In theory, you could have a streaming box/stick, PC, console and your laptop all connected to the monitor and once and then switch between them using the included nifty little remote control.

The visual experience is generally great too. Being a big panel, it’s not as pin-sharp as some smaller 4K ones, but you get a lot more real estate to work with. It’s great for having multiple windows open, or working on video editing, and works just as well for watching movies or gaming.

Pocket-lint

AOC U2790PQU

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AOC has long offered monitors that are great value for money, and the U2790PQU is no exception. It’s a great 4K monitor for working on thanks to a host of useful features and a sharp 4K panel.

The stand is adjustable, so you can slide it up and down to raise or lower the height. Regardless of your eye height, you should easily be able to find an ergonomic level for you. Plus, the screen can be tilted between -5 and 45 degrees.

Being IPS LCD means the accuracy of the screen is good, and 4K means it’s plenty sharp enough for anyone. Plus, that 27-inch size is just about the sweet spot for people working from home, or at the office. It has slim bezels, giving it an almost edge-to-edge appearance too.

Pocket-lint

BenQ PD3200U

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At 32-inches diagonally, the BenQ PD3200U is a large display that’s not too enormous on your desk. It doesn’t take up much more space than a 27-inch iMac, thanks to having slimmer bezels.

The stand can swivel on its base 45 degrees to the left and to the right, and the screen can tilt from -5 to 20 degrees while also offering 150mm of height travel up and down.

The 4K UHD resolution IPS panel provides sharp details and crisp text and looks good from almost any angle. What’s more, with Dual View mode, you can have one side of the screen set up one way, and the other half calibrated for another source.

The only thing this display can’t do is keep up with ultra-fast gaming monitors. At 60Hz, it’s not the fastest screen going, but we were still able to play games at 60fps reliably, using the Nvidia GTX 1080Ti card.

Port wise, there’s plenty on offer with two HDMI 2.0 inputs as well as a DisplayPort 1.2 and mini DisplayPort 1.2 plus got four USB outputs, two USB inputs, a 3.5mm line-in, 3.5mm line out and an SD card reader.

Writing by Cam Bunton. Editing by Max Freeman-Mills.

Samsung Galaxy M62 gets FCC certified with 7,000 mAh battery

A Samsung device bearing model designation SM-M62F/DS and believed to be the Galaxy M62 has bagged FCC certification, revealing a 7,000 mAh battery in the process.

Additionally, FCC revealed that SM-M62F/DS will ship with a 25W charger and feature a USB-C port and 3.5mm headphone jack.

The documents on the US regulator’s website also include model code SM-E625F/DS, which is rumored to be the Galaxy F62, meaning we’ll likely see Samsung sell the same device with different names in different markets.

FCC didn’t detail the specs of the device, but thanks to Geekbench, we know the SM-E625F will come with an Exynos 9825 SoC, 6GB RAM, and Android 11.

The Galaxy M62 was previously rumored to be a tablet, however, one of the documents on FCC’s site have mentioned it as a mobile phone.

Details are scarce about the Galaxy M62 right now, but more information about it should surface in the coming days.

Source | Via

Apple’s Next MacBook Pros Rumored to Regain MagSafe, Lose Touch Bar

(Image credit: Apple)

Apple has already confirmed that its next-generation MacBook Pros will use its own system-on-chips (SoCs). In addition to new SoCs, the new notebooks will receive a complete architectural overhaul both inside and outside, two reports claim. The revamp will reportedly include an all-new design, the return of a magnetic charger and a possible removal of Touch Bar.

Ming-Chi Kuo, an analyst with a good track record who covers Apple at TF International Securities, said in a new note to clients that Apple is working on two all-new MacBook Pro models. One has a screen that’s “about” 14 inches and the other is 16 inches display, the analyst said, according to MacRumours.

Kuo said the new systems due to be launched in 2021 will feature a ‘flat-edged form factor” with no curves on top and bottom. That would make it resemble an resemble iPhone 12 and Mac Mini.

The upcoming MacBook Pros are also returning to a magnetic charging connector similar to the MagSafe connector that Apple used from 2006 to 2016, according to Kuo as well as a report from Bloomberg citing two independent sources.

MagSafe was praised by many as it attached to a PC magnetically, which helped to prevent breaking laptops because of an accidental dragging of the power cable. The new iteration of MagSafe is also said to charge MacBook Pros faster. Meanwhile, it is unclear whether it will still be possible to dock and charge the new systems using a single Thunderbolt 3/4 cable.

When Apple switched to Thunderbolt 3/USB-C-only ports on MacBook Pros in 2016, it received a lot of criticism from professional users who had to buy additional docking stations in order to get their DisplayPort, HDMI, GbE and USB Type-A connectors back. Kuo said that the new systems will be “equipped with more types of I/O” that will be sufficient for “most users” but did not elaborate.

Another controversial technology introduced by Apple in 2016 was the Touch Bar. It replaced top row physical Function keys with an OLED touchscreen that dynamically changes its set of controls based on context and currently used software.

Bloomberg reported that Apple has tested versions of its upcoming 14 and 16-inch MacBook Pros without the Touch Bar. This could mean that Apple was merely thinking about its removal or even considering offering MacBook Pros with and without it. By contrast, however, Kuo claimed that Apple has decided to get rid of its Touch Bar and return to physical keys.

The overhaul of MacBook Pro laptops could be a result of Jony Ive’s departure from Apple in 2019. Ive was responsible for industrial design of Apple’s devices from 1992 to 2019 and for the company’s human interfaces from 2012 to 2019. Ive’s minimalistic designs have earned many accolades, but the removal of ports and keys wasn’t appreciated by all MacBook users.

The reports from Bloomberg and Kuo cite anonymous sources familiar with what Apple is currently testing. While typically such sources can be accurate, testing activities do not always represent final products. That said, such reports should be taken with a grain of salt.

Creative SXFI Gamer Review – Battle Mode almost Feels Like Cheating

Introduction

Recently, we reviewed the Creative SXFI Air, Creative’s $99 Bluetooth and USB headphone with built-in Super X-Fi holographic audio technology and a host of other interesting features. The SXFI Air headphone is a lot of things, but not a serious gaming headset. That’s exactly where the $130/€130 Creative SXFI Gamer steps in. Offering USB-C, USB Type-A and 3.5-mm analogue connectivity, as well as the outstanding CommanderMic microphone, the SXFI Gamer is currently one of the most interesting USB gaming headsets on the market.

We already covered the Super X-Fi technology extensively in the aforementioned SXFI Air review, after our hands-on session at CES, as well as our Creative Sound Blaster X3 and Creative SXFI Amp reviews. In essence, it’s a combination of hardware (the built-in Super X-Fi ULTRA DSP) and software (head/ear mapping mobile app) working together to create a multi-speaker listening experience. While not all users like it equally, it’s undoubtedly one of the most advanced virtual surround sound systems available today. On the Creative SXFI Gamer headset, it’s backed up with an additional Battle Mode especially tailored around first-person shooters. There’s a lot to unwrap, so let’s get cracking!

Specifications

50-mm dynamic drivers (neodymium magnet)
20–20,000 Hz frequency response (specified by the manufacturer)
Wired USB-C, USB Type-A and 3.5-mm analogue connectivity
Closed-back, over-ear design
Detachable CommanderMic microphone
Super X-Fi holographic sound technology
RGB lighting system
Removable ear pads
Built-in volume dial/microphone mute button/Super X-Fi toggle/RGB toggle
1.85 m Kevlar-braided USB-C cable (detachable)
1.6 m braided 3.5-mm audio cable (detachable)
Weight: 349 g

MacBook Pro of the future: via the TouchBar and the MagSafe returns, here are the analyst's predictions

Ming-Chi Kuo provides that next MacBook Pro, scheduled for market debut in the third quarter, will bring several surprises: goodbye to the TouchBar, MagSafe is back and there will be more connection ports

by Andrea Bai published on 15 January 2021 , at 18: 01 in the Apple channel

Apple MacBook

The analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, historically attentive to the moves of Apple, has issued a note to investors with which he hypothesizes the road that the Apple is taking in development of the next portable systems of the MacBo family ok Pro which could contain, in your opinion, some interesting surprises.

According to Kuo, Apple is currently working to develop two new MacBook Pro models in the form factors of 14 is 16 inches . According to the analyst, first of all there will be a significant renewal of the design, with the new machines that will turn out to be more squared, similar to the stylistic approach of the recent iPhones 12, thus losing the slightly rounded lines of the versions currently on the market.

New MacBook Pros may also lose the Touch Bar and find the physical function keys . Evidently the experiment of inserting a system of virtual and contextual commands to the activity that is taking place on the screen has not given the expected results, and in general the response of users to the Touch Bar has been rather lukewarm in recent years.

Next Generation MacBook Pro: MagSafe Connector Return?

What seems to be good and surprising news, assuming that it is reflected in reality, is the reintroduction of MagSafe charging connector . The indiscretion in this case is not entirely clear, given that Apple has recently chosen to switch to USB-C connectors also for charging operations. However, as we have noticed several times, the choice to abandon the MagSafe connector represented, in our opinion, an involution of the user experience. In any case, the return of the magnetic connector for charging would certainly be appreciated.

Another perspective indicated by Kuo, also positive, is that the next MacBook Pro could offer the user more connection ports , which would put most users in the condition of not having to resort to hubs and adapters for connecting their peripherals. The latest versions of the MacBook Pro and MacBook Air portable systems, even in the very recent editions with Apple M1 processor, have only been equipped with USB Type-C ports, a choice that we have always considered to be quite limiting for the user.

Finally, according to Kuo, all new MacBook Pro models will be equipped with Apple Silicon SoC and there are no versions with processors Intel . The new laptops will apparently adopt a cooling system very similar to that used in the current MacBook Pro since 16 inches.

According to the analyst these new laptops will arrive on the market during the third quarter 2020 , in the so-called “back- to-school “. Kuo predicts that the important gift of updates should catalyze more demand for replacement, so as to push deliveries upwards with year-over-year growth of 25%-30% until 20 millions of pieces.

Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro review: the right balance

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Let’s just get to it: Samsung’s Galaxy Buds Pro are the best true wireless earbuds that the company has made yet. For their $200 asking price, you get a comfortable fit, effective active noise cancellation, and good, punchy sound quality. These earbuds improve on Samsung’s prior efforts with clever features like a speech detection mode that automatically lowers your music and lets you hear the outside world as soon as you start talking.

But they also inch Samsung closer to a siloed-off world, not unlike Apple, where the best experience is reserved for people who stick to Samsung-branded devices. A few features like 3D audio and automatic device switching — sound familiar? — only work if you’re using these earbuds with a Samsung phone or tablet. Most people aren’t going to be cross-shopping the Galaxy Buds Pro and AirPods Pro since they’re designed for different mobile operating systems, but Samsung has never leaned into its own ecosystem with earbuds quite like this. Thankfully, there’s enough good for everyone else that the Galaxy Buds Pro still come out a success.

The Buds Pro are an amalgam of the Galaxy Buds Plus — they have an in-ear design with silicone tips — and the open-air Galaxy Buds Live, from which they borrow some style cues. The outer casing is a tasteful mix of glossy and matte finishes and has been redesigned to protrude less from your ear. Samsung says this revamped shell also “reduces the contact area between your ear and the bud, improving comfort and minimizing any clogged-up feeling.”

The wing tips from the Galaxy Buds Plus are gone; Samsung got the message that some customers experienced discomfort from those over time. Instead, you get the usual three sizes of silicone ear tips, which are a bit shorter than before to help with the low-profile design. Samsung tells me it has considered including foam tips but has so far held off. You’ll also notice a section of mesh on the outside. This covers one of the three built-in microphones and is there to act as a wind shield for voice calls. (More on that later.)

I really like how these earbuds fit. They feel stable and twist into place for a good seal in my ear canal, without making my ears feel too plugged up. The air vent and reduced contact area really do seem to make a difference there, and I appreciate that the Buds Pro don’t noticeably jut out from my ears like some competitors. If I have one critique, it’s an old one: more than a few times, I accidentally activated the touch-sensitive controls when trying to adjust the fit of an earbud. Such is life with tap gestures, I suppose. The controls can be turned off if this proves a problem for you.

According to Samsung, the Galaxy Buds Plus are rated IPX7 for water and sweat resistance, which means they can survive a half-hour swim in fresh water — so even your sweatiest runs and workouts shouldn’t present any problem. That’s the highest rating among any of Samsung’s earbuds and beats out the AirPods Pro, Jabra Elite 85t, and Bose Sport Earbuds, which are all IPX4. Either earbud can be used independently with mono audio if you prefer that option for voice calls or biking.

The wonderfully pocketable Buds Pro charging case is so close in size and shape to the Buds Live case that accessories for the latter will fit the former, and it still charges over both USB-C and Qi wireless charging. But endurance is one area where these earbuds settle for very average numbers. Samsung promises up to five hours of playback with ANC enabled (or eight with it off). Case top-offs put you at 18 hours of total battery life or 28 without noise cancellation. That’s basically on par with the rest of the field, but it doesn’t hold a candle to the 11 hours of continuous audio that the Galaxy Buds Plus are capable of. Alas, it turns out the Buds Pro have a smaller battery capacity (61mAh for each bud versus 85mAh) on top of their more power-hungry ANC feature.

The Galaxy Buds Pro have two-way speakers in each earbud: there’s an 11-millimeter woofer and 6.5mm tweeter. Those are larger than what was in the Buds Plus, though smaller than the single 12mm driver from the Buds Live; in that instance, Samsung was most focused on getting satisfactory bass out of an open-style earbud. Here, it’s aiming for “the most comprehensive sound in the Galaxy Buds line yet.” I can’t speak to what “comprehensive” is supposed to mean, but the Buds Pro are enjoyable to listen to, with a good bass thump, crisp treble, and a pleasant soundstage / imaging.

A lot of earbuds can make it feel like everything is happening in the middle of your head, but these do a solid job keeping instrumentation and vocals distinct. Sturgill Simpson’s “Oh Sarah” and Troye Sivan’s “Easy” (with Kacey Musgraves and Mark Ronson) make for nice showcases — in very different genres — of how layered the Buds Pro can get.

Bass heads might want to go for the “bass boost” EQ setting, and the tweeters can occasionally give off a little too much brightness and sibilance for some tracks like Jason Isbell’s “Be Afraid,” but for the most part I was very pleased with the sound signature. I don’t think Samsung hits the same fidelity as something like Sennheiser’s Momentum True Wireless 2, but those are nearly $100 more expensive. I’d be perfectly content with the Buds Pro as my daily earbuds.

The active noise cancellation on the Galaxy Buds Pro is much better than the Galaxy Buds Live, where it seems to barely do anything since there’s so much outside noise to contend with. Samsung claims that the Buds Pro can cut down on “up to 99 percent” of noise “at 118.43Hz,” which is wildly specific and won’t mean much to most people. In my experience, Bose’s QuietComfort Earbuds, Sony’s WF-1000XM3 earbuds, and the AirPods Pro all outperform Samsung at quieting the world around you, but Samsung does a perfectly adequate job at muffling street noise and household distractions. You can choose between high and low levels of noise cancellation in case you’re sensitive to the effect.

Samsung’s latest transparency / ambient mode still doesn’t sound as natural as what Apple and Bose have achieved, but it’s a definite improvement over the very digitized version from the Galaxy Buds Plus. And the fantastic “voice detect” feature, which automatically lowers audio volume and switches from ANC to ambient mode when you start talking, is one of the best things about the Galaxy Buds Pro. Sony did something similar on its 1000XM4 headphones, but I haven’t seen this convenient trick in many earbuds, and now I wish all of them at least had the option.

Samsung uses a “voice pickup unit” — basically an accelerometer that senses jaw movement — to know that it’s you talking and not someone nearby. After a few seconds of no more talking, ANC returns and your music gets turned back up. Voice detect works as expected, but if you’ve got a tendency to talk to yourself or sing to your music, you might want to keep it disabled and assign ambient sound to a long press of one of the earbuds. Controls work the same way as other Samsung buds, with a single tap to pause / play, double to skip to the next song, triple to go back, and a customizable long press that can be used for volume, voice assistants, or ambient mode.

For voice calls, Samsung has a three-mic system and uses beamforming to isolate your voice from your environment. The lower profile of the Buds Pro helps combat wind noise, and the mesh-covered chamber does a good job filtering out any gusts if you’re talking with someone outside. Clarity is also good, as you should be able to hear in Becca’s video review above. Speaking of voice, the Galaxy Buds Pro still have hands-free “Hey Bixby” capabilities.

Pro as in… AirPods Pro?

There’s no denying that a few features of the Galaxy Buds Pro are heavily influenced by Apple’s AirPods Pro. The first of these is 3D audio, which is Samsung’s take on the immersive spatial audio capabilities of the AirPods Pro and AirPods Max. Load up a movie with Dolby surround, and the Buds Pro will attempt to cram a surround sound listening experience into a pair of earbuds.

Samsung says that 360 audio uses Dolby head tracking technology, which “enables you to stay at the center of the scene when you’re watching a movie or TV show.” In concept, this sounds similar to Apple’s approach, which uses sensors like accelerometers and gyroscopes in the earbuds and your iPhone or iPad to keep the sound source anchored to your device — even when you turn your head side to side.

Unfortunately, I can’t tell you how convincing Samsung’s 3D audio is or whether it compares favorably to spatial audio because it requires OneUI 3.1, which for now is only available on the new Galaxy S21 lineup. The $1,300 Galaxy Note 20 Ultra that Samsung sent for this review doesn’t have that update yet.

The second AirPods feature that Samsung has tried to directly counter is automatic switching. Apple’s earbuds can hop between an iPhone, iPad, or Mac depending on which one you’re using in that moment without you having to manually make the change. Samsung says it has now pulled off the same trick, so the Buds Pro should automatically switch between your Galaxy smartphone and tablet. Unfortunately, the laptop gets left out of Samsung’s equation completely, which makes the feature somewhat less helpful. I wish that more earbuds would just give us proper multipoint Bluetooth pairing to two devices at once; Jabra continues to be the standout there. Automatic switching feels like a makeshift solution until Samsung can get to multipoint.

Both of these capabilities require you to be fairly entrenched in Samsung’s ecosystem. 3D audio only works on Samsung hardware, so if your Android phone is from a different brand, you lose out on it altogether. Same goes for auto-switching. If neither feature is important to you, that might not matter, but it’s something to keep in mind.

Also worth mentioning is that Samsung isn’t extending the same level of iOS support it has maintained for the Buds Plus and Buds Live: the existing iOS app doesn’t work with the Buds Pro, so you can’t use features like voice detect on iPhone. I’m not sure what the reasoning is there, but maybe Samsung’s internal data shows that not many people are pairing its earbuds to Apple devices. You can still pair them and use noise canceling and ambient modes — much like the way AirPods Pro function on Android.

The Galaxy Buds Pro face stiff competition everywhere you look, and you can find superior ANC and sound quality elsewhere. But with these latest earbuds, Samsung has blended much of what worked best about the Buds Plus and Buds Live. Battery life is merely average, but that’s the only real gripe I’ve got. They don’t necessarily win at any one category, but the Galaxy Buds Pro strike an excellent all-around balance. And you can clearly see Samsung trying to recreate some of the ecosystem “magic” that AirPods owners are now used to.

The Buds Pro feel great in your ears, sound better than any Samsung earbuds to date, and have convenient tricks to complement their decent noise cancellation. There’s still a place for the Galaxy Buds Plus if all you want are wireless earbuds with a battery that just goes and goes, and the Buds Live remain the better pick if you need environmental awareness at all times. But if you’re nabbing the Buds Pro as a preorder bonus for a new Galaxy S21, you should be more than satisfied.

USB microphone: Mackie's EM-USB in a short test

With the EM-USB, the audio manufacturer Mackie has a table microphone in its program that can be connected directly to the computer via USB. The cardioid microphone is equipped with a USB-C port, has its own headphone jack and comes with a tripod.

We like the device with its robust construction and useful equipment. On the microphone, the user is not only allowed to regulate the output level (gain), but also the volume of the headphones, which are connected via a mini jack socket. A USB-C port is used to connect to a Mac, Windows PC, iPhone or iPad; Thanks to class compliance, the EM-USB functions driverlessly as an input and output device. Also practical: the microphone has a mute button to mute it.

Next to the USB-C to USB-A cable (USB-C Macs and – iPads need an additional adapter) a suitable table tripod was included. The height adjustment is sufficient for use while sitting, but it left us with a somewhat shaky impression. We were also unable to fix the extendable stand element so securely that the microphone could no longer be rotated. We found that there was no wind protection in the box.

The table tripod is included, but the EM-USB was missing a windshield .

EM-USB Manufacturer Mackie Type Cardioid condenser microphone and USB interface Connections USB-C, mini jack Control elements Gain, headphones, mute Equipment USB cable, table stand Price (manufacturer) 145 € Sound and recording The sound of the microphone made a good impression; There were voices well and clearly. It can also be used to hold instruments. Despite the good workmanship, the EM-USB tended to rumble, for example when touching the microphone or accidentally knocking on the tabletop. The mute button didn’t work silently either.

The Mackie is only suitable to a limited extent for use in typical music programs: Even with a sample buffer size of 128 Samples the integrated audio USB interface produces a round-trip latency of almost 15 milliseconds. The EM-USB feels more comfortable – not least because of the somewhat center-weighted coordination – clearly in typical voice applications such as podcasts. The price can just be represented.

(lbe)

MacBook Pro 2021: New displays, MagSafe – and no more Touch Bar?

Apple is preparing a new edition of the MacBook Pro: In addition to a 16 “model, the manufacturer is planning Also reportedly the introduction of a new 14 “model. Both pro notebooks also use brighter, higher-contrast screens, as reported by the financial news agency Bloomberg with reference to an informed person. Mini-LED technology may be used for this, as has long been suspected.

More angular Design and Apple Silicon For the case of the MacBook Pro Bloomberg only expects “minor design changes”. According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who is usually well informed about Apple’s product plans, the new models rely on a more angular design on the edges – similar to the iPad Pro and iPhone 12.

The 2021 he MacBook Pro should be offered purely with Apple Silicon, Apple’s in-house ARM-based SoCs (System-on-Chip), probably in a more powerful version of the M1- Chips with more cores and improved graphics, according to Bloomberg . So far, Apple still has these model series with Intel processors, only the entry-level version of the 13 “MacBook Pro” is already available with an ARM processor – and shows a significant leap in performance. According to both reports, there will no longer be any parallel versions with Intel processors.

Return of MagSafe Apple is also bringing its popular MagSafe charging system back to MacBooks, the financial news agency said and the analyst also agreed. The new connection is similar to the MagSafe port previously installed on mobile Macs and relies on a magnetic connection. If the cable is pulled hard, it detaches from the notebook: This can prevent the MacBook Pro from stumbling, for example is torn from the table via the charging cable and damaged. MagSafe should also enable a faster charging process, it continues. On the iPhone 12 Apple has just introduced “MagSafe”, but as a new system for magnetic accessories and faster inductive charging.

Apple USB-C should remain true to the rest of the connections; charging should still be possible via this. According to the information from Kuo, Apple wants to integrate other types of connections in order to avoid having to carry adapters for many users. However, it remains unclear which ports it should be. In the last major redesign of the year 2016 Apple cut the HDMI port and an SD card slot.

Touch Bar before the end? According to Kuo, the new MacBook An end to the touch bar: the touch-sensitive OLED strip is giving way to the classic function keys, according to the analyst. The financial news agency only says that Apple is also testing models without a touch bar. Apple has the touch bar after its introduction in 2016 Hardly any further development, only functions were deleted – after numerous complaints, the company brought back the Escape key as a physical key. The new MacBook Pro models are expected in the first half of the year 2021, they could appear in May or June

Pro & Cons: War the Touch Bar a good idea? (lbe)

iDSD Diablo is iFi’s new flagship portable DAC/headphone amp

(Image credit: iFi)

iFi is kicking off 2021 with the self-proclaimed best battery-powered DAC/headphone amp it has ever produced – the iDSD Diablo. Engineered to sit proudly at the top of iFi’s range of mobile and transportable devices, the Diablo is, says the firm, built for purists.

Similar in size to other amps in the company’s Micro iDSD series, the built-in battery makes it portable, but its sleek new design and red supercar-esque finish mark it out as distinctly different – and there’s a strong engine and plenty of tech nestling under the hood.

Like a high-performance vehicle designed for uncompromising speed, iFi explains that the iDSD Diablo sets aside some facilities offered by other iFi DAC/amps – sonic tailoring options and Bluetooth connectivity, for example – to focus on pure sonic power. It boasts the ability to drive any headphones on the planet, too. iFi invites you to connect your digital source via USB or S/PDIF, plug in your headphones, then sit back and enjoy the musical ride.

(Image credit: iFi)

The iDSD Diablo’s digital stage incorporates the Burr-Brown DAC chip used extensively by iFi, but here, two of these chips are installed in a custom ‘interleaved’ configuration – this enables four pairs of differential signals (two pairs per channel) which promises to lower the noise floor, improve channel separation and enhance the DAC’s ability to resolve fine musical detail and micro-dynamics.

The iDSD Diablo also uses a new low-latency XMOS microcontroller with enhanced processing power – compared to the current generation of eight-core chips, iFi claims this new 16-core IC delivers double the clock speed (2000MIPS) and four times the memory. Extensive jitter-eradication technologies are applied to the digital stage, including an enhanced version of iFi’s GMT (Global Master Timing) femto-precision clock featuring a new crystal oscillator.

The boxes are checked for hi-res audio support too, including handling PCM data to 32-bit/768kHz, all levels of DSD up to DSD512, and single- and double-speed DXD. And to get a bit more technical, thanks to that Burr-Brown DAC chip’s four-channel True Native design, PCM and DSD take separate pathways – this enables DSD, as well as PCM, to remain ‘bit-perfect’ in their native form right through to analogue conversion. This is often not the case with DAC devices – many such DACs convert DSD signals to PCM.

MQA – the hi-res streaming codec used by Tidal’s ‘Masters’ tier – is also supported through the USB and S/PDIF inputs, with full decoding of MQA files up to 384kHz thanks to the processing power of that new 16-core XMOS chip. This means that the full ‘three unfold’ decoding process is performed internally, as opposed to only the final unfold in the manner of an MQA ‘renderer’.

(Image credit: iFi)

Sit tight though, because the digital stage is only half the story in any DAC/headphone amp. When it comes to the crucial analogue circuitry, balanced, differential analogue circuit design has long been championed for its ability to reduce noise and cross-talk within the signal path by fully separating the left and right channels. However, it’s expensive. This costly upgrade over single-ended circuitry has traditionally remained the preserve of high-end hi-fi components.

iFi has gradually introduced fully balanced circuit design across its range – first in its flagship Pro Series components, then in the entry-level Zen Series devices. The company’s two newest DACs, the mains-powered Neo iDSD and the new transportable iDSD Diablo, benefit from further refinement to this circuit concept which iFi calls ‘PureWave’.

iFi promises the iDSD Diablo will drive all manner of headphones with ease, from highly sensitive in-ear monitors to current-hungry planar headphones, delivering prodigious power up to 5000mW. Three settings enable the user to adjust power and gain to suit whatever the amp stage is tasked with driving: ‘Turbo’ ramps up the level of drive for current-hungry headphones, ‘Eco’ dials down the power to suit high-sensitivity in-ear monitors and/or extend battery life, and ‘Normal’ sits between the two.

At the front of the unit, alongside a standard 6.3mm single-ended headphone socket, resides a 4.4mm Pentaconn output for headphones offering balanced connection. In terms of power, the balanced headphone output delivers 12.6V/4980mW into 32 ohms and 19.2V/611mW into 600 ohms, while the single-ended output supplies 8.8V/2417mW into 32 ohms and 9.6V/153mW into 600 ohms.

At the back of the chassis are two digital audio inputs: USB-A and an S/PDIF socket that accepts both electrical and optical signals, the former via a 3.5mm connector and the latter via a supplied adapter.

Unusually, the USB-A input features a ‘male’ connector, rather than a typical ‘female’ port – this arrangement promises greater mechanical integrity than the USB/Micro USB ports commonly used by other DAC/headphone amps. It also offers an advantage to users of iPhones and iPads with Lightning ports, because it accepts Apple’s Lightning to USB Camera Adapter directly without requiring an additional female-to-male USB adaptor. A separate USB-C charging port is also provided, along with a fixed line-level 4.4mm Pentaconn balanced output to connect an external amp.

(Image credit: iFi)

iFi has been rather generous with the iDSD Diablo’s bundled accessories, too. Since DAC/amp may be powered from the mains as well as by its built-in battery, the company has included its iPower 5V AC/DC adapter. It promises significantly less noise thanks to Active Noise Cancellation – and it sells separately for £49.

Also included is a 4.4mm Pentaconn to XLR balanced interconnect cable, enabling the iDSD Diablo to be connected to an amp and speakers, a short (15cm) USB-C to USB-A audio cable, an extension cable – all USB3.0 compliant – plus a USB-C charging cable and an adapter to connect headphones with a 3.5mm jack to the 6.3mm single-ended output. Even a travel case is included.

To top it all off, the first iDSD Diablo production run includes iFi’s iPurifier3 in the bundle – retailing separately at £129. It’s billed as a USB ‘noise-buster’ to tackle all aspects that degrade sound quality over USB, thanks to a mix of tech including Active Noise Cancellation. It adds up to a package of accessories worth around £300.

iFi’s iDSD Diablo is available at selected retailers from today, Friday 15th January, for £899. Pricing for the rest of the world isn’t yet known, but that roughly equates to $1228 (or AU$1585).

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Oppo A93 5G announced with Snapdragon 480 and 90Hz screen

Oppo announced the A93 last year with a Helio P95 SoC, and today the company followed it up with a 5G variant. The Oppo A93 5G is powered by the brand new Snapdragon 480 SoC, boots Android 11-based ColorOS 11.1, and has two memory options – 8GB/128GB and 8GB/256GB. It also comes with a microSD card slot that allows addition of another 256GB of storage.

The Oppo A93 5G is built around a 6.5″ FullHD+ 90Hz LCD that has a touch sampling rate of 180Hz and a punch hole for the 8MP selfie camera. Around the back, you get three cameras aligned vertically in the top-left corner. This camera system is a combination of a 48MP primary, 2MP macro, and 2MP monochrome sensors.

The Snapdragon 480-powered smartphone supports dual-mode 5G (SA/NSA) and comes in three colors – Silver, Black, and Aurora. The last one uses a new liquid coating process and changes colors as light hits the panel at different angles.

Oppo A93 5G in Silver, Black, and Aurora colors

The A93 5G packs a 5,000 mAh battery with 18W charging and features a USB-C port, 3.5mm headphone jack, and a side-mounted fingerprint reader. The smartphone also has a triple heat dissipation system onboard with a dissipation area of 9881mm².

The 256GB variant of the A93 5G is priced at CNY1,999 ($310/€255) and is up for pre-orders in China through the company’s official site, but the price of the 128GB model is unknown.

Source (in Chinese)

Corsair 5000D, 5000D Airflow and iCUE 5000X RGB – The premiere of the capacious and advanced mid-towers from the 5000 series

Corsair has launched a new series of ATX / E-ATX mid-tower PC cases – 5000 D, 5000 D Airflow and iCUE 5000 X RGB. The premiere products facilitate the laying of cables inside the structure and offer an aesthetic appearance thanks to the cable management system. The housing is to guarantee airy and spacious interior, which allows the simultaneous installation of up to two heat sinks with a length 360 mm (top and front). The whole is complemented by fans from the Corsair AirGuide series, special grilles and magnetic doors and cages for discs included in the set. 5000 D has a minimalist and elegant style with a solid metal panel on the front. In turn, the model 5000 D Airflow has been further optimized for increased air circulation thanks to the mesh on the front. iCUE 5000 X RGB has four transparent tempered glass panels, three RGB fans and a built-in RGB controller.

Corsair has launched a new series of ATX / E-ATX mid-tower PC cases – 5000 D , 5000 D Airflow and iCUE 5000 X RGB. The housings may not be the cheapest, but they offer a lot of functionality and an equally large space. They will accommodate 10 fans 120 mm.

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The Corsair RapidRoute cable management system, first used in the series 4000, helps in organizing cabling, while ensuring an aesthetic, professional appearance of the system. Further improvements have been made to RapidRoute in the series 5000. The hidden cutout is wide enough to accommodate all the most important connections to the motherboard, and the many removable cable management channels allow you to arrange them invisibly. All cabling can be hidden in a large 25 mm behind the board main and behind the magnetic door, so it’s even easier to build a great-looking PC.

From left: Corsair 5000 D, Corsair 5000 D Airflow and Corsair iCUE 5000 X RGB.

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Cases 5000 D and 5000 D Airflow comes with two diameter fans 120 mm with Corsair AirGuide technology. According to the manufacturer’s opinion, their blades prevent the formation of turbulence, which favors the concentration of air circulation and the intensive directing of cooling directly to the installed computer components. ICUE version 5000 X RGB comes with three SP fans by default 120 RGB Elite AirGuide, each with eight individually addressable RGB LEDs that are controlled by the included iCUE Lighting Node Core and Corsair iCUE software.

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The spacious interior of the enclosures provides plenty of space for the installation of additional cooling, as it can accommodate up to fans 120 mm or up to 4 fans 140 mm. A special motherboard tray with adjustable fan mounting allows you to mount an additional 360 – a millimeter heat sink on the side panel of the structure (although this already precludes the installation of a radiator at the front). The larger space also facilitates the construction of custom water cooling from the Corsair HydroX series or the installation of E-ATX motherboards. The 5000 will also fit up to four 2.5-inch SSDs and two 3.5-inch HDDs. In addition, there are connectors on the front panel, including USB-C, 2x USB 3.0 and 1x 3.5 mm jack input.

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Cases 5000 D, 5000 D Airflow and iCUE 5000 X RGB are now available on sales through the European online store Corsair.com and the worldwide network of authorized retailers and brand distributors. In Poland, the latest Korsarza equipment will appear in the most popular computer stores by the end of January this year. at the suggested retail price 589 PLN for the version 5000 D i 5000 D Airflow and 699 PLN for iCUE 5000 X RGB. Launch products are backed by a two-year warranty and Corsair’s worldwide customer service and support, and our readers can expect a Corsair model test soon 5000 D. I can now reveal the secret and tell you that it’s not bad.

Source: Corsair

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Corsair has launched a new series of ATX / E-ATX mid-tower PC cases – 5000 D , 5000 D Airflow and iCUE 5000 X RGB. The housings may not be the cheapest, but they offer a lot of functionality and an equally large space. They will accommodate 10 fans 120 mm.

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