A small smartphone with a very long working time away from the charger is definitely a scarce commodity today. Although recently there have been many premieres of compact models, such as the iPhone 12 mini or Google Pixel 4a, however, we will not call any of them a long-distance runner. Fortunately, something may change in this matter in the near future. Samsung is working on a new budget model Galaxy A 02, which seems to meet the criteria just mentioned. We have just learned its initial specification, but not everyone will be delighted with it. As the naming itself indicates, it will be a device for the least demanding users.
Samsung Galaxy A 02 will stand out above all with a small screen and a very solid battery. However, as the naming itself indicates, it will still be a device for the least demanding users.
Samsung Galaxy M 12 them42 – smartphones with batteries 7000 and 6000 mAh
Samsung Galaxy A 02, also known as SM-A model 025 M / DS, it will offer a 5.7-inch HD + screen made in IPS technology. for today it is a really small diagonal, which should satisfy the supporters of handy devices. The whole thing will be powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor 450, which although (like for this shelf) is characterized by good possibilities and good energy efficiency, but it is not the latest – its premiere took place in June … 2017 year. Chip b will work for a company with 3 GB of RAM.
Samsung Galaxy A 01 – a decent smartphone priced at 100 euro
On the back of the smartphone we have to find a dual camera consisting of lenses 13 Mpix + 2 Mpix, and in the front there is to be an “eye” of 8 Mpix. We should be calm about the working time of the new Galaxy – the 5000 mAh link in combination with an uncomplicated SoC and a small screen with HD + resolution should provide even several days of work away from the socket. We are curious about the next elements of the specification – if there was an NFC module, mini-jack or USB-C socket on board, we got a very tempting budgetary. However, the low price of the device is necessary.
Lian Li has launched a new case as part of the O11D series. Available in both black and white, the new O11 Dynamic Mini is a modular case with extended support for fans, radiators, pumps, and components featuring a simple and modern design that allows users to showcase their systems.
Just like the other O11D series’ cases, the O11 Dynamic Mini has been developed in collaboration with the famous overclocker der8auer. Smaller than the original O11 Dynamic, the Mini variant offers most of the same features in a smaller design (38L litres), while also increasing its functionality thanks to its modular design.
There are 7x expansion slots by default, but these can be reduced either 5x or 3x to change the cases’ interior layout. Like the other O11D cases, the O11D mini also features a dual-chamber design: one for the PSU, storage drives and cabling, and the other for the remaining components of the system.
The case is mostly made of aluminium and tempered glass, with slight differences between both colours. The front panel is fully covered in tempered glass on the black case and made of brushed aluminium and tempered glass on the white case. The I/O panel, which features 2x USB 3.0 ports, a USB-C 3.1 port, HD-Audio and the power button, is covered acrylic on the black case, while the white one is made of aluminium coated in white.
These cases support ATX, M-ATX, and mITX motherboards. Regarding the power supply compatibility, you can only use SFX or SFX-L PSUs. There’s 395mm of clearance for the graphics card and 170mm of clearance for a CPU cooler. Fan support is quite extensive with up to 3x 120mm/2x 140mm on top, 2x 120/140mm on the side, 3x 120mm/2x 140mm on the bottom and a 120mm fan on the rear. Radiator support follows a similar approach, allowing users to mount a 360/280/240mm on top, a 280/240mm on the side, and a 360/280/240mm on the bottom. There’s support for up to 2x 2.5-inch drives plus another drive cage with support to 2x 2.5/3.5-inch drives. Dust filters were included on the top, bottom, and side vents.
The Lian Li O11 Dynamic Mini is available for pre-order at Overclockers UK in black and white, both priced at £89.99. Optional accessories for these cases such as a vertical GPU mounting bracket and a hot-swap backplate add-on for the drive cage will launch at a later date. A bundle with a modular 700W 80+ Gold SFX PSU will also be launched in a near future.
KitGuru says: Which Lian Li O11 Dynamic Mini colour do you prefer? Are you thinking about getting one of these? If so, will you go for a custom water loop, AIO coolers, or air cooling?
(Pocket-lint) – To listen to music on any iPhone since the iPhone 7, you either need a pair of wireless Bluetooth headphones, a 3.5mm to Lightning converter (no longer included in the box for 2018 and later iPhones) or a pair of wired headphones that will connect to the Lightning port.
Best noise-cancelling (ANC) headphones for blocking out noise when you’re working from home
Lightning headphones do have a special quality; they’re capable of receiving lossless stereo 48kHz digital audio output from Apple devices and sending mono 48kHz digital audio input. They can also draw power from an Apple device (even if the device is asleep).
Apple’s Lightning port can also support headphones with integrated digital-to-analogue converters (DACs) and amplifiers, so audio travelling through the Lightning port will pass into the headphones digitally, thus avoiding typical analogue signal interferences you get with other headphones.
We’ve picked some of the best pairs of Lightning headphones available now, comprising over-ear and in-ear models, at a variety of price points.
The best Lightning headphones to buy today
Belkin
Belkin RockStar iPhone Headphones with Lightning Connector
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Available in both black and white, these wired Lightning headphones also come in a USB-C version for Android phones. They’re Apple-certified and come with a tangle-free cable. Naturally, they’re at home with calls or music, while there’s also an in-line volume control.
As you can see, they’re inexpensive compared to many other Lightning headphone options, too.
Audeze
Audeze Sine DX
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Audeze Sine DX is a pair of on-ear Lightning headphones, that we’ve had the pleasure of listening to. Like the EL-8 Titanium below, the Sine have a 24-bit DAC integrated into the cable for high-resolution audio, and also have planar magnetic drivers to help keep distortion at bay. We couldn’t fault the Sine when we reviewed them, so if it’s the best Lightning headphones you’re after, look no further.
Audeze
Audeze EL-8 Titanium
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They’re not cheap, but the Audeze EL-8 Titanium are sure to give you a fantastic sound from their combination of planar magnetic drivers and a dedicated DAC integrated into the cable. The DAC bypasses the iPhone’s internal one and so is capable of handling high-resolution audio, whether it be from a streaming service or local files.
Libratone
Libratone Q-Adapt in-ear
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Libratone’s Q Adapt in-ear Lightning headphones use the power from the Lightning port to power their CityMix noise cancellation technology. There are four varying levels of noise cancellation, which either lets some external noise in, so you’re aware of your surroundings, or blocks it out entirely.
Pocket-lint
Audeze iSine10
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Like their on-ear and over-ear brethren, the Audeze iSine10 use planar magnetic drivers in their construction and come supplied with a Lightning “Cipher” cable that you can attach to connecting to the Lightning port of your iPhone. This means you get an integrated 24-bit DAC capable of improving the quality of music, in conjunction with a dedicated app that lets you adjust the equaliser settings in real-time. They produce an incredibly well-balanced sound and let’s be honest, look damn cool.
Audeze iSine10 review: In-ears unlike any other
Pocket-lint
JBL Reflect Aware
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If you’re someone who loves to exercise while listening to music, the JBL Reflect Aware warrant your attention. Their sports-focused design means they’re water- and swear-resistant and as the name implies, they have a reflective coating that reflects light if you’re out on roads in the dark, so drivers can see you. They feature noise-cancelling tech that can be turned on or off within the dedicated companion app but most importantly, they sound great, if a little bass-heavy at times.
The Pioneer Rayz Plus have built-in noise-cancelling technology that promises to adapt to your ears, but also lets in enough external noise to make sure you stay aware of your surroundings. When you take them out of your ears, the music you were listening to automatically pauses and starts again when you put them back in.
A convenience key on the in-line controls can be set to open a music app, mute calls or launch Rayz controls, which allows you to adjust various headphone settings. Perhaps one of the best features of the Rayz Plus though, is they let you charge your iPhone while listening to music.
Writing by Dan Grabham. Editing by Max Freeman-Mills.
The Amazon Fire HD 8 sounds good, its display is very capable for streaming TV shows, and the hands-free Alexa is a lovely perk
For
Clear and competent picture
Expansive sound
Snappy operation
Packing your new, ultra-slimline tablet into your luggage for a weekend away – with its camera to capture all the glorious sights, and its ability to stream some engaging entertainment – isn’t possible for many of us right now; but we’re an optimistic bunch, so let’s hope it soon will be.
Over the past few years, we have found much to celebrate when testing Amazon’s entry-level Fire HD tablet series. The new Amazon Fire HD 8 (2020) has received its first update since 2018 (we gave that version four stars), but with twice the storage, a claimed 30 per cent faster performance courtesy of its new 2.0GHz quad-core processor, up to 12 hours of battery life (two more than its predecessor) and easier charging with a USB-C charging port, we have high hopes for this new version.
Add to this 2GM RAM and 64GB of storage onboard that’s expandable by up to 1TB with a microSD card, plus an asking price of just £120 ($120), and we’re intrigued. Can it match the success of its Award-winning, larger Amazon Fire HD 10 sibling?
Features
(Image credit: Future)
Amazon’s Fire HD tablets have largely been plastic affairs, but our Twilight Blue sample (there are Black, White and Plum finishes too) feels resoundingly durable and, save for the subtle logo on the back of the tablet, Amazon branding is almost non-existent.
On test here is the 64GB Fire HD 8, though there is also a 32GB storage model for just £90 ($90). The HD 8 is bundled with a 5W charger, but since it now sports a USB-C socket, if you have a 15W USB-C charger it will charge in closer to three hours.
Note that there is also an HD 8 Plus (£110/$110 for the 32GB model; £140/$140 for the 64GB variant), which boasts 50 per cent more RAM, wireless charging support, and a bundled 9W USB-C charger that claims to charge the tablet in less than four hours.
Amazon Fire HD 8 (2020) tech specs
(Image credit: Future)
Screen 8in Full HD
Resolution 1280 x 800
Storage 32GB, 64GB
Bluetooth version 5.0
Battery life Up to 12 hours
Audio output 3.5mm jack
Finishes x4
Dimensions (hwd) 20.2 x 13.7 x 0.9cm
Weight 335g
The Fire HD 8’s 8in Full HD display (as with all Amazon Fire HD tablets, the model number denotes the screen size) makes it roughly the same height and width as a paperback book, but the tablet is slim, rounded at the edges and surprisingly light – perfect for holding and slipping into a bag.
One small gripe is that the power button is situated towards the left of the top edge of the tablet when held in portrait mode, and since the USB-C charging port, 3.5mm headphone jack and volume controls are also found along this top edge, it can make the functions feel a little busy. It’s a minor issue, mind you. The HD 8’s dual speakers with Dolby Atmos support are found along the left side of the tablet when held this way.
You get the same battery life (up to 12 hours) and 2MP front and rear snappers as you do with the HD 10, and though the 1280 x 800 (189ppi) screen resolution is a step down from the HD 10’s 1920 x 1200 (224ppi) 1080p Full HD screen, it still looks remarkably good.
At five hours, the HD 8 takes an hour longer to reach full charge than the HD 10, and the HD 8’s new Quad-core 2.0GHz processor is a slight step down from the HD 10’s Octa-core 2.0GHz processor, but in our tests both tablets perform just as snappily.
Considering the Fire HD 8 starts at just £90 ($90) and gives you hands-free Alexa, there are plenty of tablet perks on offer here for the money. Alexa works brilliantly and the HD 8’s voice pick-up is admirable. Responses are accompanied by a visual, too – ask Alexa how many teeth a dog has and your tablet pulls up a picture of a pooch to go with the verbal response (the answer is 42, by the way).
You will need an Amazon account to use the tablet, and it prompts you to take up a Prime subscription, which grants access to Amazon Prime Video and makes the most of the tablet’s features – though it isn’t essential. This Amazon-centric approach might make the Fire HD 8 less desirable than a conventional Android-based tablet to those who don’t wish to buy into the Amazon ecosystem, but there’s still plenty for everyone to enjoy here.
Picture
(Image credit: Future)
We stream amateur baking show Nailed It on Netflix and the contestants’ hilarious creations-gone-wrong are revealed in all their ghastly colourful glory. The picture runs remarkably smoothly, even when one participant frantically hits the panic button as their dinosaur celebration cake collapses. There’s a short moment of judder as the money gun sprays cash around the winning contestant, but it’s a competent performance overall.
Some nice features in the Fire HD 8’s display settings include Adaptive brightness (a toggle that optimises brightness levels according to the surrounding light) and Blue Shade, which reduces the amount of blue light on the screen. As a tablet of this size will often be used for reading before bed, this is a nice touch.
The Fire HD 8’s new gaming mode also makes playing Candy Crush Saga a joy – sweets zip across the screen and explode snappily as we swipe to make our connections on the touch-screen. We try the more graphically challenging Alto’s Odyssey and there is a nice level of detail as we surf the endless desert.
Sound
(Image credit: Future)
We start our listening with the sonic accompaniment to the BAFTA-nominated Alto’s Odyssey. It’s a textured and layered performance alongside the game’s ambient chimes. Whooshes and swoops as we jump, collect coins and somersault over cliff edges are three-dimensional and detailed, too.
We pair the Earfun Air true wireless earbuds over Bluetooth and stream Our Planet: The High Seas on Netflix. Sir David Attenborough’s voice is central as the crashing of dolphins being chased by false killer whales, alongside a frenzied classical piece, come through with energy and zeal.
It’s an expansive presentation, too, with excellent separation as a baby Blue Whale emerges from the depths in our left ear and calls for its mother, whose response is heard through our right. We cannot fully support the Fire HD 8’s Dolby Atmos claims – after all, there’s only so much three-dimensional audio small speakers on a tablet can offer – but it’s still a good-sounding tablet for this money.
Verdict
At this affordable level, we couldn’t ask for more in a tablet. No, the Amazon Fire HD 8 isn’t as good as the latest Apple iPad, which boasts greater screen resolution, cameras and processing across the board; but it’s three times cheaper than Apple’s entry-level offering.
The Fire HD 8 is an easy-to-use device that looks and sounds splendid for the money and has all the apps and features it should have, plus hands-free Alexa.
If you’re looking for an Android tablet on which to download TV shows, movies or books for a journey, or a hands-free Alexa-enabled device for answering queries and so on, we don’t think the Fire HD 8 can currently be bettered for the money.
I would like to thank Zhiyun for supplying the review sample.
Zhiyun has made a name for itself by offering a wide range of gimbals for all sorts of users. Today, we get to take a quick look at their latest higher-end model aimed at professionals who shoot commercial video, but require a higher payload limit than the original Crane 2 without quite the specs, size, and weight of the Crane 3S. On top of that, for the most flexibility, the Crane 2S comes in three different bundles with a varying range of accessories. Also, unlike the Crane 2, the S variant allows you to directly connect various powered accessories, like an auto-focus motor.
Specifications
Zhiyun Crane Gimbal Comparison
Crane 2
Crane 2S
Crane 3S
Price
$732
$799
$865
Operating Voltage
Max: 12.6 V Standard: 11.1 V Min: 9.8 V
Max: 12.6 V Standard: 11.1 V Min: 9.8 V
Max: 25.2 V Standard: 11.1 V Min: 9.8 V
Output Voltage
N/A
Standard: 5 V
Standard: 5 V
Operating Temperature
Max: 45 °C Standard: 25 °C Min: -10 °C
Max: 45 °C Standard: 25 °C Min: -10 °C
Max: 45 °C Standard: 25 °C Min: -10 °C
Battery Runtime
Max: 18 h Min: 12 h Gravity balance
Standard: 12 h
Standard: 12 h
Charging Time
Standard: 2.5 h
Standard: 4 h
Standard: 4 h
Following Deviation in Motion State
Max: ±0.1° Min: ±0.05°
Max: ±0.3° Standard: ±0.1° Min: ±0.05°
Max: ±0.3° Standard: ±0.1° Min: ±0.05°
Following Deviation in Static State
Max: ±0.03° Min: ±0.01°
Max: ±0.04° Min: ±0.01°
Max: ±0.04° Min: ±0.01°
Tilt Mechanical Range
Max: +185° Min: -135°
Max: +155° Min: -91°
Full 360°
Roll Mechanical Range
Full 360°
Max: +237.5° Min: -57.5°
Max: +237.5° Standard: 330°Min: -255°
Pan Axis Movement Angle Range
Full 360°
Full 360°
Full 360°
Payload Limit
3.2 kg
5 kg
6. 5 kg
Net Weight
1.25 kg
1.88 kg
2.47 kg
Packaging and Contents
The box is pretty unassuming, with a different image of the gimbal on either side. The handle is actually part of the storage box the unit and all its extras come in.
That box is made out of sturdy formed foam, and as it comes with space for additional accessories as well, it isn’t meant to only hold the Crane 2S—you should be able to keep it all nice and tidy even after expanding things over time.
To accommodate all kinds of cameras and use cases, you will find every kind of USB cable ending with USB-C on one end, much like what you are used to with the bigger Crane 3S. A little set of manuals is also included, which is quite helpful for those using Zhiyun units for the first time. That said, it would be easier to read if bigger.
A Closer Look
Naturally, you will receive several mounting screws which are meant to be tightened with Allen keys. While the biggest of these is for the silver screws, the smaller ones potentially allow you take apart more specific elements of the Zhiyun Crane 2S Gimbal. In regards to the parts around the gimbal itself, there are the mounting plates, which allow for various primary and secondary setups, and a support piece for long or heavy camera lenses. The battery setup is also another element now utilizing a USB-C-based charger, just like we have seen with the Crane 3 series, along with the same three 18650 batteries of the original Crane 2.
Out of the box, the Crane 2S resembles the original Crane 2 in many ways, but one of the more noticeable differences is the carbon-fiber-equipped handle to slightly reduce the weight.
Once assembled, it becomes apparent that the collapsible stand has also been redesigned to provide a wider, sturdier base, which is needed as the unit needs to handle the 4.5 kg payload as opposed to the 3.2 kg of the original Crane 2. Because of its added texture, holding the whole unit with two hands should also feel much nicer. All the adjusting elements are locked in place with larger flip levers instead of rotating mechanisms, which also makes it far less likely to collide with the mounted device. The lens support bracket is also much larger, giving you more flexibility there as well.
On the main side of the Zhiyun Crane 2S gimbal are three USB-C ports, which does not only allow for direct camera control, but the ability to directly connect accessories, like optional focus and zoom motors.
On the main grip is a fourth USB-C plug for you to charge and power the device on the road via USB, thus forgoing the battery charger. Here are also two mounting possibilities for additional accessories, like a phone mount, which was lacking on the original Crane 2. While the mechanical interface has not changed much overall but for a bit of a visual upgrade and a larger, better OLED screen, you will find a large trigger button on the opposite side of the gimbal on the Crane 2S.
To mount the camera, use the included base and silver mounting screw. The largest hex tool will fit perfectly, but you may also use a flat-head screw driver to tighten it. We used a Canon 5D Mach II with its default lens as it represents a nice, large camera for such a gimbal.
Software
The software for the gimbal is quite similar to what we have seen before with the Crane 3S Lab and Crane 2. In order to utilize it fully, you first have to select your device, log in, and register/activate it.
Firmware updates are also delivered directly through the application, and you simply leave your phone close to the unit while the update is progressing, which takes around 10 minutes to complete.
While the app offers plenty of secondary functions, like video upload, tutorials, and many community features, we will just focus on what matters to operating the Crane 2S gimbal itself. On the main screen, you are shown the battery charge of the gimbal as well as the camera, and are able to move the gimbal around with a virtual 4-way pad, rotate it, or activate the shot/video. On top of that, you may select between a panorama, time lapse, or trajectory mode right in the main menu.
These allow you to set a starting and end point, for example, or set up the shot and then trigger its execution. Thanks to the median 10 hour battery life—Zhiyun no longer communicates a maximum—you should be able to create some pretty powerful and long shots while on the move.
Another button on the main interface in the app allows you to set different modes for how the gimbal itself acts, but the by far coolest and funnest way to utilize the Crane 2S in stationary mode is through its phone follow function. It mimics the phones axial position in space, so all you have to do is twist and turn your mobile device—the gimbal will follow in real-time without any tangible lag.
Naturally, there are plenty of settings that may be adjusted in the app and are then stored on the gimbal itself, so you won’t have to always use the application while on the move.
In Use
The Zhiyun Crane 2S is a little more expensive than the original Crane 2, but a little cheaper than the Crane 3S. That said, the latter presents a very different format, so there is more to consider here than simply price and functionality. Those who have used the Crane 2 will instantly feel familiar with the Crane 2S. During use, the larger payload and better grip will be welcome since the complete setup is quite hefty after all.
Using the Crane 2S is just as immersive and useful as we have seen on the Crane 2 because of the similar interface and function. Connectivity between the Crane 2S and my Google Pixel 3 was rock solid at all times, and the new feel of the dial on the 2S is a nice step up from the slightly more jagged dial of the original as it instantly feels like you are able to adjust the focus more readily.
Shooting with the Crane 2S is just as smooth and effective as with the original, and even though the Canon 5D is quite heavy, it never felt cumbersome after I got the hang for it. In fact, the stronger motor in the Crane 2S has quite the kick to it if you are shooting fast scenes, which do require the gimbal to react quickly.
The small price increase in comparison to the original nets you several extras, including functional upgrades. With a higher payload for more flexibility alongside the additional connectivity, the Zhiyun Crane 2S easily bests its slightly less beefy Crane 2 sibling.
Valve has officially announced that the PS5’s DualSense controller is now supported in Steam. Games using the Steam Input API can now recognize the controller and display the correct button prompts. They’ll also be able to access the DualSense’s LED, trackpad, rumble, and gyro features, though there’s no mention of support for its adaptive triggers. The functionality is currently available in Steam’s public beta client, with plans for a full release “after further testing.”
Steam has been gradually rolling out support for the DualSense over the past couple of weeks. It started by adding support for the controller itself, before adding and refining compatibility with advanced features like its trackpad, rumble, and gyro. Notably absent from Valve’s official announcement is any mention of the DualSense’s adaptive triggers, which allow it to offer a variable amount of trigger resistance with some truly excellent results.
Thanks to the update, games that use the Steam Input API should now work with the PS5 controller with no work required from individual game developers. The DualSense is among over 200 controllers that are supported by the API, which also includes race wheels and dance pads in addition to more traditional controllers like the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller and the PS4’s DualShock 4.
According to Valve, the amount of players who use controllers to play PC games rather than a mouse and keyboard has more than doubled in the past two years, with bigger increases coming from those using PlayStation controllers.
For now, if you want to try out the functionality for yourself, you’ll have to opt into the Steam client beta. The controller can be connected via Bluetooth or with a USB-C cable.
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Not only is the Dell XPS 13 one of Dell’s best-known laptops, but it’s one of the best-known laptops, period. If you know anything about Windows laptops, you’ve probably heard its name. It’s great in pretty much every way, and it just keeps getting better.
So it’s forgivable to hear about a “Dell XPS 13 2-in-1” and assume it’s a run-of-the-mill XPS 13 that you can flip around. But the XPS 13 2-in-1 is very much a laptop of its own, with a different set of trade-offs and considerations from its clamshell counterpart. In some areas (like graphics performance), the convertible is a step ahead of the standard XPS; in others (like the keyboard), it’s compromising a bit. The best model for you depends on the type of tasks you’re looking to do.
Edge-to-edge keyboard, large touchpad — the works.
This year’s 2-in-1 starts at $1,099.99 for a Core i3-1115G4 processor, 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD. You can spec that all the way up to $2,249.99 (listed now at $1,999.99) for a 3840 x 2400 display, a Core i7-1165G7 CPU, 32GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD. You can also pay $50 extra for the white (“frost”) color rather than the silver and black model and $60 extra to upgrade to Windows 10 Pro.
I have a model in the middle, containing the 1165G7, 16GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD, and a 1920 x 1200 touchscreen. That costs $1,949.99 (but is currently listed at $1,749.99 on Dell’s website). The regular XPS 13 with the same processor has just 8GB of RAM and is said to cost $1,499.99, but it’s currently listed at $1,349.99. That means you’re paying $400 extra for 8GB more memory, and the other benefits of the 2-in-1.
Before getting into that, I’ll give you a brief rundown of what’s new from the last XPS 13 2-in-1. It’s mostly one thing: the processor. This 2-in-1 (the 9310) includes Intel’s newest 11th Gen “Tiger Lake” mobile chips. The CPUs bring Intel’s best-in-class Iris Xe integrated graphics, which have been the talk of the town since Tiger Lake’s launch, as well as the Thunderbolt 4 standard. This 9310 is actually certified through Intel’s Evo program (denoted by a small sticker on the right palm rest), which is supposed to guarantee that a laptop meets the needs of an everyday home or office user, in categories from connectivity to battery life and performance.
The ports support up to two 4K displays and data transfers up to 40Gbps.
Apart from that, the new 2-in-1 has largely the same look as its predecessor and the clamshell XPS, complete with a slim and sturdy aluminum chassis, a 1920 x 1200 (16:10) Gorilla Glass screen, and four ports (two USB-C with Thunderbolt 4, DisplayPort, and Power Delivery, one headphone jack, and one microSD card reader). Dell has made a few tweaks as well: the webcam now supports Windows Hello, there’s a new “frost” color option, RAM has been bumped from 3733MHz to 4267MHz, the touchpad is quieter, and there’s an updated microSD reader that Dell says will deliver better performance. That’s all well and good, but the processor is the star of the show here — and it is a star.
For general performance, the 1165G7 handled my office workload, which includes a dozen-ish Chrome tabs, a few other apps like Slack and Spotify, and some downloading, file copying, and other office-y stuff in the background, with no problem. I never heard the fans spin up or felt any heat unless I was running an intense program. This is the experience you’ll have with any machine with an i7, but you certainly aren’t sacrificing any performance for this convertible form factor.
Heavier media work is where this system starts to stand out. The 2-in-1 took 10 minutes and 5 seconds to export our 5-minute, 33-second 4K video in Adobe Premiere Pro. That’s 38 seconds faster than the regular XPS 13 — effectively comparable. Both systems are faster than any 10th Gen Ice Lake laptop with integrated graphics, and they beat the Asus ZenBook 14 with the same processor (which took 11 and a half minutes). They also both lose out to the Arm-powered MacBook Air (which doesn’t even have a fan) and MacBook Pro, which finished the job in 8:15 and 7:39, respectively.
Where the 2-in-1 really differentiates itself from the clamshell, though, is gaming performance. You can actually play a fair number of games on this laptop without needing to bump the resolution down. The 2-in-1 smoked the clamshell on Rocket League’s maximum settings (an average of 120fps, to the clamshell’s 111fps) and League of Legends (226fps to the clamshell’s 205fps). You’ll only see 60fps on either XPS 13 since that’s the maximum their screens can display, but those results show how much higher Dell has clocked the 2-in-1 over the standard XPS.
The 2-in-1 is putting up such impressive numbers that there are actually games where you’ll see better performance than you will on the clamshell. It breezed through Overwatch’s Ultra settings, averaging 71fps. That beats the standard XPS 13, which averaged 48fps on the same preset — a difference you’ll notice in gameplay. It also beats Lenovo’s IdeaPad Slim 7 with AMD’s eight-core Ryzen 7 4800U, which put up 46fps and actually isn’t too far off a system I tested with the most powerful Tiger Lake processor (the Core i7-1185G7) which averaged 89fps.
The really exciting news is that you can actually play Shadow of the Tomb Raider on this machine at 1080p. The 2-in-1 averaged 36fps on the game’s built-in benchmark (at the lowest-possible settings). That’s just two off from the newest MacBook Air with Apple’s M1 chip (38fps), which has been outperforming 1165G7 systems across the board. Now, you may very well not want to play demanding titles like Shadow of the Tomb Raider at 38fps, but you can play them on this machine without feeling like you’re watching a flipbook. That’s a big accomplishment for these integrated graphics, especially considering that the standard XPS 13 only averaged 22fps on the same benchmark.
Similar to that of the clamshell XPS, however, the convertible’s cooling system (including two fans, hidden vents in the hinge, and what Dell calls “an ultra-thin vapor chamber”) is being pushed to its limit during these high-intensity tasks. During the Premiere Pro export and my gaming sessions, the CPU spent some time in the high 90s (Celsius) and even hit 100 a few times. This may cause problems for the XPS form factor down the line if Intel doesn’t make significant gains in efficiency. On the plus side, the keyboard and touchpad never got hot at all. (The keyboard got toasty on the clamshell.)
So the 2-in-1 gives you better graphics performance than the standard XPS (as well as a convertible form factor) for just a slightly higher price. What’s the catch? There are two worth considering.
The Dell logo is slightly larger than it was on the last 2-in-1.
The first is battery life. I averaged eight hours and 50 minutes using the 2-in-1 as my primary work driver with the screen at 200 nits of brightness. That’s quite good among the Tiger Lake systems we’ve seen so far, and it means you should get a full workday from one charge. But it’s a bit worse than the standard XPS, where I usually saw nine hours and 15 minutes — a small difference but one that could be important to students or frequent business travelers who are looking for every ounce of juice they can get.
The second trade-off to consider is the keyboard. The standard XPS 13 has one of my all-time favorite laptop keyboards; it’s snappy, quiet, and comfortable, with a really nice texture. The 2-in-1 has a different keyboard that Dell calls the “Next Gen MagLev keyboard.” It has wider keycaps with just 0.7mm of travel. It feels similar to using the old low-profile butterfly keyboard on the 2019 MacBook Pro. Personally, I hate this. Typing on the convertible feels like slamming my fingers onto flat plastic. But I begrudgingly acknowledge that some people (including Verge deputy editor Dan Seifert) prefer these kinds of keys.
Overall, the XPS 13 2-in-1 9310 is an excellent Windows convertible. It keeps the slim, sturdy, premium build quality that makes the XPS line the best of the best while also delivering some of the best performance you can get from an ultraportable laptop. It’s a formidable competitor to Apple’s groundbreaking MacBooks, especially if you’re looking for a touchscreen and a convertible form factor.
A few steps forward, a few steps back.
If you’re deciding whether to buy the XPS 13 or the XPS 13 2-in-1, the differences are simple — but they’re also significant and worth thinking about. The convertible form factor is the most obvious distinction, but I would argue it’s not the most important one (unless your job requires tablet use). You’ll be using the keyboard a lot, so you’ll want to figure out which one you prefer (if you’ve used MacBook butterfly keyboards and other MacBook keyboards, those are a rough approximation). You should also consider the sorts of tasks you’ll be putting your system through and whether a significant increase in graphics performance (especially with demanding games) is worth giving up a bit of battery life. And of course, there’s the $400 price difference.
Anyone who’s considering an XPS 13 and thinks they might prefer a convertible should definitely consider the 2-in-1. Just don’t assume they’re the exact same package.
An error in the macOS recovery causes significant problems on ARM Macs: The attempt to reinstall the operating system on one of the Macs with Apple’s M1 chip currently fails with an error message, as several users report. After deleting the SSD and reloading macOS 10 Big Sur, the message appears that an error occurred while preparing the update, “the Personalizing the software update failed “- try again.
Restore only via second Mac Further attempts would, however, result in the same error message, according to affected users. Normal startup of the Mac is no longer possible at this stage. As things stand, the only way out is to repair or restore the Mac’s firmware using DFU mode – similar to what is known from iPhones, but more laborious: The firmware restore requires a second Mac with at least macOS 10. 15. 6 Catalina and the tool Apple Configurator 2, the can be downloaded for free from the Mac App Store.
To connect the two Macs, a USB-C to USB-C cable or – for Interoperability with older Macs – a USB-A to USB-C cable is required. The cable must support the transmission of data and power, emphasizes Apple. Thunderbolt 3 cables are not supported according to the manufacturer, but according to experience reports they still work.
Cumbersome procedure Das The cable must be plugged into a specific port on the Mac to be restored, as Apple states in its instructions, which are currently only available in English. In order to put the M1-Mac into DFU mode (Device Firmware Upgrade), a specific key combination must also be pressed directly after switching on. If the procedure described by Apple fails, users can fall back on a manual based on experience reports from Mr. Macintosh. Recovery via DFU mode and a second Mac is not new, it also works on all Macs with Apple’s T2 security chip.
Users of the new M1 Macs – MacBook Air, MacBook Pro or Mac mini – should initially refrain from reinstalling the operating system, as far as possible, until Apple has created a way to do this again normally via macOS recovery.
Apple has published the first details about the dual charger “MagSafe Duo”. The foldable accessory for inductive charging of an iPhone and an Apple Watch charges the smartphone with up to 14 watts – and is therefore somewhat slower than the stand-alone MagSafe charger, which works wirelessly with the iPhone 12 Charging with up to 15 watts supported.
MagSafe without power supply MagSafe Duo costs 145 Euro and is supplied without a power supply unit, only a 1 meter long cable (USB-C to Lightning) is included. Apple recommends buying its new USB-C power adapter with 18 watts (just under 25 Euro), but with the MagSafe Duo it only delivers up to 11 watts off – instead of up to 15 watts for a single person MagSafe.
The 14 Watts are only possible with MagSafe Duo if a USB-C power supply with at least 25 watts is purchased, emphasizes Apple in the description text that has so far only been available in English. The German product page does not yet include this detail. Apple’s USB-C power supply with 30 watt costs well 53 Euro – added together, almost 200 Euro are due for the maximum performance of the MagSafe Duo.
Faster iPhone charging only with the right accessories Of course it is possible to switch to cheaper USB-C power supplies from third-party manufacturers, whether with However, this also remains open to full charging capacity for the time being. The normal MagSafe charger seems to have problems with some third-party chargers, as early buyers noticed – it then charges significantly more slowly. A power supply unit is also missing with MagSafe.
Apple has long been charging a considerable surcharge for faster iPhone charging via USB-C Power Delivery, if the required USB-C cable and USB-C power adapter are not already owned. It was only last year that the manufacturer began to offer its expensive Pro models a more powerful 18 watt power supply (USB -C) to allow faster wired charging. With the 200 he iPhones, the addition of a power supply unit and headphones has been deleted – Apple refers to environmental protection.
From 26. November 1920 Aldi Süd sells the entry-level notebook Akoya E 15308 For 250 Euro. The price requires compromises in the equipment, which is better than other devices in this class.
The heart of the Akoya E 15308 forms the AMD processor 3020 e (without Ryzen or Athlon add-on) with two Zen cores (1.2-2.6 GHz) and a Radeon Vega graphics unit with 192 Shader units. The Thermal Design Power (TDP) is kept very low at 6 watts, but the processor does not use simultaneous multithreading (SMT), so it can only process two threads. Manufacturer Medion pairs the 2400 e-CPU with 4 GByte DDR4 – 2400-R.A.M. Although the memory interface can handle dual-channel RAM, Medion soldered the RAM in single-channel.
On a 71 GByte SSD is Windows 10 Home in the S -Mode pre-installed that allows the installation of apps from Microsoft’s Windows Store. Another SATA 6G data carrier can be installed in a 2.5-inch slot. The 15, 6 inch IPS display represents 1920 × 1080 pixels – atypical in this price range. There are reductions in brightness (198 cd / m²) and the color space coverage ( Percent NTSC).
Medion Akoya E 15308 ( 4 pictures) (Image: Medion) USB-C with DisplayPort 1.2 and charging function A USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit / s) with Type-C connection controls an Ultra-HD in DisplayPort 1.2 Altmode -Monitor (3840 × 2160 pixels) with 60 Hertz. Devices can also be charged via the Type-C port via Power Delivery. There are also USB 2.0 Type A, HDMI (presumably 1.4), an audio combo jack and a micro SD card reader. The Akoya E 15308 transmits in Wi-Fi 5 networks (WLAN 802. 11 ac) and with Bluetooth 4.2.
The upper casing of the notebook is made of aluminum. With a size of 359 mm × 192 mm × 24 mm weighs the Akoya E 15308 just under 1.8 kilograms.
Aldi Nord currently has no plans to include the device in its own range. If you look in the price comparison for notebooks with at least 13, 3 inch display, full HD resolution and 250 cd / m² brightness, only a few models are available for less than 300 euros to be found. All are Chromebooks with slower processors, such as Atom dual cores from Intel and AMD’s old Bulldozer combination processors. They also use 32 to 64 GByte eMMC flash memory instead of an SSD.
Schenker has the Ultrabook Vision 15 announced that with Intel 10 – Nanometer top model Core i7 – 1165 G7 from the Tiger-Lake-U family with a large battery appears. Intel’s NUC department, which among other things designed the mainboard, took part in the design. The latter should enable a low idle power consumption of 3 watts.
The Core i7 – 1165 G7 runs in Vision 15 with a Thermal Design Power (TDP) of 20 Watt, so that the four CPU cores can run at high clock frequencies (nominally 2.8 up to 4.7 GHz). The integrated Xe graphics unit is also used – Schenker dispenses with an additional graphics chip.
The 73 Wh strong battery should be at 150 cd / m² display brightness for 14 hours of surfing on WiFi or 14 Hours of video playback (H. 264 Codec) are sufficient. The aluminum housing can be opened to replace the battery – internally it is screwed, not glued. The 15, 6 inch IPS display represents 1920 × 1080 pixels (Full HD), lights up at the top with high 450 cd / m² and can handle touch inputs. The SRGB color space should be at least 71 Cover percent.
Schenker Vision 15 (13 Photos) (Image: Schenker) Thunderbolt 4 with DisplayPort 1.4 The battery is charged via one of the two Thunderbolt 4 ports in the form of USB-C ports, which are located on the left and right – one 65- Schenker includes a watt power supply with quick charge function. In addition, the Thunderbolt 4 ports transmit data with 031 GBit / s (USB 4.0 Gen 3×2) and a DisplayPort 1.4 signal for connecting monitors that are compatible with Ultra HD (3840 × 2021 pixels) at up to 144 Hertz is enough. There are also two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type A (10 Gbit / s), HDMI 2.0 and an audio combo jack ready.
It works wirelessly Vision 15 in the Wi-Fi 6 network (WLAN 802. 11 ax) and with Bluetooth 5.1. The notebook is about 355 mm × 150 mm × 15 mm tall and weighs 1 ,68 Kilogram.
pre-orders for the Vision 15 Schenker will take over its own online shop from December 4th 2020 – the delivery should start at the end of January 2021. The basic configuration with 16 GByte soldered, but fast and economical LPDDR4X – 4266 – RAM as well as 250 GByte PCI Express 3.0 SSD (Samsung SSD 970 Evo Plus) costs 1500 Euro. Upon request, customers can choose larger and faster SSDs, including Samsung’s 980 Pro with PCIe 4.0.
Schenekr’s sister company Tuxedo will be a Linux version of the Vision 15 as InfinityBook Pro 15 bring Gen6.
The manufacturer PineMicrosystems presents another variant of the PinePhone. The Linux smartphone is delivered with Plasma Mobile, the mobile version of the KDE Plasma Desktop. The PinePhone in the “KDE Community Edition” is aimed primarily at developers and community members.
According to an article in Pine 64 – Blog, the “PinePhone KDE Community Edition” can be pre-ordered from December 1st. The device is available in two different hardware versions: The basic model has 2 GB RAM and a 16 GB eMMC module as main memory for 149 USD. The “Convergence Package” contains the device with 3 GB RAM and 16 GB eMMC module as main memory, as well as a USB-C dock for convergence Modus and costs 199 USD.
If you already own an older PinePhone, you can purchase the Community Edition mainboard and upgrade it yourself. Buyers of the “Braveheart” or “Ubports” edition get a cheaper offer.
A look into the future? The target group of the PinePhone “KDE Community Edition” includes intrepid people and developers. Basic functions of a smartphone can be used, such as making calls, SMS, web browser and the camera. Pine 64 does not recommend the device for productive use.
Enthusiasts or users who value privacy may still opt for the PinePhone. Switches for deactivating the camera, microphone, WLAN and mobile data can be found under the battery cover. Pine 64 is pursuing the goal of providing feedback to the development teams with the community editions and offering smartphone hardware to the respective projects that can run mainline Linux.
The smartphone as a desktop replacement Plasma-Mobile comes from the Linux desktop environment of the KDE project. The mobile user interface shares the basic libraries and technologies with the plasma desktop. Those who use the plasma desktop will find familiar applications such as the document viewer Okular or the VVave music player on the Pinephone “KDE Community Edition”.
If you connect the Pinephone via a USB-C -Dock with monitor (or TV), mouse and keyboard, switches the phone to convergence mode. The user interface then changes from portrait to landscape mode and is ready for use as a mobile workstation. According to the announcement of the new PinePhone on the KDE website, the modern UI frameworks Kirigami and Maui enable great advances in the development of platform-independent software. Apps such as clocks, calendars and games adapt flexibly to the respective display conditions.
KDE Plasma Mobile’s turn The “KDE Community Edition” of the PinePhone follows the other already published PinePhone editions. The device was previously available with the community editions Ubports (Community Fork of Ubuntu Touch), Manjaro and Postmarket OS. For every PinePhone sold in the community versions, the manufacturer donates 10 US dollars to the respective development teams.
You can find out more about the “PinePhone KDE Community Edition” in the Pine blog 64 and on the KDE project website. If you want to follow the development progress of Plasma Mobile, you will find it in the blog of the development team.
(Pocket-lint) – Google enables many third-party headphones to use Google Assistant, with more hitting the market all the time.
With this integration, you can access Google Assistant without touching your iPhone or Android phone.
What is Google Assistant and how does it work?
But you will need to touch a button on the side of your headphones before you can speak directly to Google Assistant. Using voice commands, you can cue music, create calendar events, make calls, and receive audible notifications. Google Assistant will even let you listen to and reply to incoming messages from SMS and chat apps.
Originally, the only stand-out headphones optimised for Google Assistant were the Bose QuietComfort 35 II and Google’s own Pixel Buds. But Google Assistant has slowly made its way to more headphones and earbuds, including units from brands like Harman/JBL, Sony, and others.
Best Google Assistant headphones
Pocket-lint
Bose QuietComfort 35 II
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Bose’s QuietComfort 35 II wireless over-ear noise-cancelling headphones come with built-in Google Assistant. They were the first headphones with Google’s voice-controlled Assistant accessible at the touch of a button. This Action Button can be found on the left ear cup. You need to press and hold it to active Assistant. Then, you can carry out all the same commands as you would on a Google Home.
Bose QuietComfort 35 II review: Superb noise-cancelling headphones with added smarts
Pocket-lint
Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700
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For those wondering what Bose was going to do next to step up a gear in the headphones world, the Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 is the perfect answer. These over-ear headphones bring a much higher degree of build quality, comfort, and ANC adjustment compared to the QC35. These new cans also come with the addition of voice assistants, including Google Assistant, naturally.
Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 review: Bose is the ANC boss
Pocket-lint
Sony WH-1000XM4
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Sony’s WH-1000X M4 cans are for those of you who value noise-cancelling technology. We have no hesitation in recommending these headphones as among the very best money can buy. They’re perfect for when mowing lawns or traveling on noisy trains or planes. To enable Assistant, however, you’ll have to change the function of the noise-cancellation button so that it triggers Assistant instead.
Sony WH-1000XM4 review: The best just got better
JBL
JBL Live 650BTNC
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The JBL Live 650BTNC over-ears are another premium choice if your primary concern with headphones is having active noise cancelling and being able to listen to quality audio. It delivers JBL Signature Sound through 40mm drivers, while also on top of that, offering up Google Assistant. Again, like many of the other headphones we’ve mentioned, it’s as simple as a tap on the headphones’ ear cup.
Pocket-lint
Marshall Monitor II ANC
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Marshall’s latest flagship headphones are comfortable to wear and pack in nice, balanced sound – as well as Google Assistant functionality. That makes them a handy set of over-ear cans, and we’re also fond of their design aesthetic. That leathery look is fairly timeless, we think, while subtle and useful buttons mean that you can get fine control even when you’re not using the voice assistant.
Marshall Monitor II ANC review: Noise cancelling comes to Marshall’s premium cans
Pocket-lint
Beoplay H9
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So, if you’re feeling particularly loaded and are looking for long-lasting, comfortable-to-wear, and good-looking over-ear headphones, then few can reach the same level of mastery as the BeoPlay H9. These will be our go-to cans for a long time coming. They are top of the line, thanks to advance active noise cancellation, 25 hour battery life, and touch-activated Google Assistant control.
B&O BeoPlay H9 review: Audio prestige doesn’t come cheap, but it’s well worth it
Pocket-lint
Sony WF-1000XM3
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The Sony WF-1000XM3 are wireless, noise-cancelling, splash-proof in-ear headphones. That means you can wear them in a loud city environment and still get crisp sound or safely use them for an extra sweaty workout. Google Assistant is quickly activated by a long tap on the headset — these are arguably the best wireless earbuds about, even before throwing the Assistant into the mix.
Sony WF-1000XM3 review: True wireless in-ears with class-leading ANC
Pocket-lint
Google Pixel Buds 2
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If you want the truest expression of Google Assistant out there, arguably, the Pixel Buds 2 offer it, with the smart assistant always listening in for your “Okay Google” prompt.
It works superbly, and the buds themselves are a marked improvement on the first-generation versions, with improved comfort and sound quality.
Google Pixel Buds 2 review: Truly wireless, almost smart
Google
Google Pixel USB-C Earbuds
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Now, if you’re looking for headphones with a Google Assistant activation button for the cheapest possible price, then look no further than the headphones that Google released alongside the Pixel 3. They’re not flashy and need to be plugged into your phone, but are nice and cheap.
Writing by Maggie Tillman. Editing by Max Freeman-Mills.
The NUC M15 is a premium productivity laptop meant to compete with the XPS and Spectre computers of the world
Intel is launching a new laptop. Yes, that’s right, Intel itself has a new laptop that it designed in-house and will be selling through various partners early in 2021. The NUC M15 is the latest computer in the company’s expanding Next Unit of Computing line, which is best known for making tiny desktop PCs.
You won’t actually see Intel’s name stamped on the lid, however. That’s because Intel is essentially supplying this laptop to boutique shops that will equip it with various storage configurations and brand it themselves (a process known in the industry as “white labeling”). This isn’t the first time Intel has done this: a little over a year ago, it produced the MAG-15, a gaming laptop that was sold by a number of smaller brands across the world, including Schenker in Europe and Eluktronics and Maingear in the US.
The NUC M15 is a different beast, however. Instead of targeting a gaming enthusiast crowd that is looking for impressive performance and cooling for an attractive price, the M15 is very much a premium productivity laptop. It’s got a 15.6-inch, 1080p IPS display (available with or without touch), a 73 watt-hour battery that Intel claims is good for up to 16 hours of use, and Intel’s 11th Gen Core i5-1135G7 or i7-1165G7 quad-core processor. Instead of a discrete graphics card from Nvidia, the M15 uses Intel’s Iris Xe integrated graphics. You’ll be able to get it with 8 or 16GB of RAM (soldered, so not upgradeable after purchase) and a variety of storage configurations, depending on which brand is selling it.
The M15 has an aluminum unibody and a 15.6-inch screen.
All of that is packed into an aluminum unibody that’s 14.9mm thick (0.59 in) and a stout 3.64 pounds (1.65 kg). The fit and finish are right up there with what you’d expect from a premium laptop, even if the visuals are a bit boring. (Intel says is it using Tongfeng as its manufacturing partner for the M15, the same one it used with the MAG-15.)
A standard, well-spaced chiclet keyboard is centered under the display with a large glass Windows Precision trackpad just below it. There are two Thunderbolt 4 / USB 4 Type-C ports, two USB-A 10Gbps ports, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a full-size HDMI port along the sides. The two USB-C ports are on opposite sides, and you can charge from either one of them, which is convenient. The only thing that’s missing is an SD card slot.
If those specs sound familiar, it’s because they are effectively the same as the Asus ZenBook 14 and Dell XPS 13 we recently reviewed, plus countless other thin-and-light productivity laptops released this fall. The major difference with the M15 is that it has a 15-inch display; most productivity laptops have 13- or 14-inch screens on them, while 15-inch models tend to be costlier and more performance-oriented.
There are some other slight differences, such as an LED light bar in the front that works with the Alexa app for Windows. The light bar will glow blue when it hears you say the Alexa voice command, just like an Echo smart speaker. Four microphones installed along the top edge of the lid help the M15 pick up your voice from across the room.
The M15 also has a Windows Hello-compatible webcam for facial login, plus presence detection that will wake the computer up as you approach it and log you in automatically. It will also keep the computer unlocked so long as you’re sitting in front of it. It’s similar to what we saw on the Dell Latitude 7400 last year.
Intel says its goal with this computer is to provide a premium-level laptop to smaller companies so that they can compete with the Dells and HPs of the world without having to invest in the level of R&D that those companies have. The company described the M15 to me as “a premium product above the mainstream, but still targeted towards the average user” and that it is “optimized for a variety of use cases.” It says it saw “an opportunity for higher end premium laptop with a larger screen, thin and light with unbelievable battery life” in the market, and it designed the M15 to fit that.
The M15 technically isn’t labeled with Evo branding, which denotes a certain level of performance and features, including over nine hours of battery life, fast charging, Thunderbolt 4, Wi-Fi 6, and instant wake. But it is built to meet that specification, and Intel expects its partners to submit their finalized, branded machines for Evo certification. As for driver support, Intel says its goal is to provide support for anything it is involved in, which takes another burden off of small companies with limited support resources.
The company also tells me that it plans to bring more NUC laptops to market in the future and that it won’t become a once-per-year type of thing. But it also says that it doesn’t expect to have a full-range product stack like Dell or HP and that any models it does design and sell will be targeted to specific use cases.
Intel isn’t divulging the brands that will eventually sell the M15 early next year, but it’s likely that many of the companies that sold last year’s gaming laptop will participate, and Intel has hinted that it expects even more boutique brands to carry the M15. Intel also says its partners will ultimately determine the selling price, but it expects prices for the M15 to range between $999 and $1,499, depending on configuration.
That pricing is important because, unlike last year’s gaming-focused laptop, there really isn’t much that makes the M15 stand out from the extremely crowded productivity laptop field. The design is best described as a reference model, with a heavy-handed influence from the 2012–2015 MacBook Pro; the specs are not any different from what you can get from countless other brands; and it can’t lay claim to the thinnest or lightest package you can get, an important quality for many laptop buyers in this segment. In some respects, such as its 16:9 display, the M15 already feels behind the curve, as many companies have shifted to taller 16:10 or 3:2 screens that are easier to work with tall documents or webpages on. It also has two fans, unlike Apple’s new MacBook Air that can handle professional work in complete silence.
Last year’s MAG-15 was far from perfect, and it had an equally generic design. But it was interesting to gaming enthusiasts because it had an advanced cooling system, excellent performance, great build quality, a light chassis, and shockingly good battery life for a gaming laptop. It’s hard to find that exact mix of qualities from the name brands in the gaming space. As a result, many enthusiasts were able to get past the fact that it wasn’t made by a known brand, such as Alienware or Razer, because they could get a unique mix of features and top-tier performance at a discount. (I should know; I personally bought a MAG-15 last year for this very reason.)
XPG is one of the brands that’s likely to sell the M15 once it hits retail. Schenker, Eluktronics, and Maingear are other likely candidates.
The productivity laptop market is wildly different from the enthusiast gaming world, though, and without any standout performance qualities aside from its slightly larger screen, it’s hard to see why anyone would buy the M15 from a brand they never heard of instead of just getting a tried-and-true Dell XPS 13 or HP Spectre x360. The M15 is likely to be a perfectly competent laptop — there are no glaring faults that I can see from the list of specs and features, and the pre-production unit I was able to try out ahead of today’s announcement seems mostly fine — but that’s not likely to make the average person choose it over another model.
The pricing that Intel has set expectations for is premium level, but it is a little lower than similar configurations from the big names. It’s definitely lower than you typically pay for a premium 15-inch laptop, though those generally come with higher-end processors, discrete GPUs, and higher resolution screens than the M15 has.
We should have a better idea of how well the M15 fares in the near future, once we have the ability to put a unit through its paces. Until then, this will be something to watch.
The Oculus Quest 2 has excellent performance, striking visuals and is lighter than the old version. It has its shortcomings, such as uncomfortable controllers, but the HMD’s a worthy replacement for the original Quest and as Facebook’s sole VR headset.
For
Amazing resolution
Lightweight, compact and portable
Much more powerful than original Quest
Great price
Against
White picks up dirt and grime
Poor controller ergonomics
No Oculus Link cable in the box
IPD adjustment could be more precise
Oculus Quest 2 Tested: Specifications and Features
Editor’s Note: This review was originally published on September 16, 2020 and has been updated with new information.
Facebook is making a bold move with the Quest 2 VR headset announced today. Surprised by the original Oculus Quest’s success, which we considered the best VR headset for most enthusiasts, Facebook is doubling down with Quest 2.
Starting at $299, this VR headset is the key to Facebook’s vision of the future. Come 2021, Oculus will abandon headsets that require a PC connection, phasing out the Oculus Rift S and making the Quest 2 Facebook’s only VR headset. The Quest 2 ends the era of Rift, but is it worthy?
WIth its standalone form factor, it doesn’t require a PC or smartphone connection, making it easier for newcomers to adopt. It’s a more accessible and more powerful VR device that Facebook sees as the catalyst for mass adoption of VR. After playing with it for a couple of weeks, we tend to agree. It’s not perfect, but it’s really good!
Oculus Quest 2 Specs
SoC
Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 (Snapdragon 865)
Display
Fast-switch LCD: 1832 x 1920 resolution per eye, 72 Hz or 90 Hz refresh rate
IPD Setting
3 mechanical pre-sets (58mm, 633mm, 68mm)
Storage
64GB or 256GB of internal flash storage
Audio
Integrated speakers and microphone, single 3.5 mm audio jack, third-party accessories available
RAM
6GB
Battery
Built-in Lithium Ion battery (mAh undisclosed); 2-3 hours estimated runtime, 2.5 hour charge time
Facial Interface and Strap Material
Knit Mesh foam cushion, flexible fabric head strap
Tracking Technology
Oculus Insight inside-out camera-based 6-DoF tracking with motion controllers
Input
3rd-generation Oculus Touch controllers
Play Space Requirements
Stationary or room-scale; Room-scale requires a minimum of 6.5 x 6.5 feet (2m x 2m) of obstruction-free floor space
Dimensions
7.5 x 4 x 5.6 inches (191.5 x 102 x 142.5mm)
Weight
1.1 pounds (503g)
Price
64GB: $299; 256GB: $399
The original Quest headset included a Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 SoC that was a few generations old at the time. The Quest 2 is equipped with the latest XR chipset, the Snapdragon XR2. The new headset also includes 50% more RAM than the first Quest, giving developers a full 6GB to exploit. In the short term, the extra memory likely won’t have much benefit, but developers may take advantage of the extra RAM to add features to upcoming titles.
Resolution and Framerate Bumps
Oculus Quest vs Oculus Quest 2 (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
The Quest 2 runs at a significantly higher resolution than the previous generation. The original Quest’s panels offer a very respectable 1440 x 1600 resolution per eye. That’s higher than the Oculus Rift and on par with the HTC Vive Pro and Valve Index — all of which require a PC connection. The Quest 2 kicks things up a notch or two with a per-eye resolution of 1832 x 1920. That’s a 50% increase in pixels over the first Quest. The difference is subtle, but the crisper image is a welcome treat, especially if you’re concerned about the screen door effect.
Facebook’s new VR headset can also run at up to a 90 Hz refresh rate; whereas, the original Quest is locked in at 72 Hz. So, you’re getting a framerate increase, along with the resolution bump. But keep in mind that it’s up to developers to allow 90 Hz within their games. As of now, it’s not something you can choose to run outside of the Oculus Move fitness tracker that Oculus announced on November 13.
Industrial Design Changes
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(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
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(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
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(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
The Quest 2 is much more performant than the previous model, but that’s just scratching the surface of the changes introduced on this new headset. Facebook learned a lot from the first Quest and Oculus Go budget standalone headset about what works for standalone VR and what doesn’t. The Quest 2 is the culmination of Facebook’s best insights into making a great VR headset—for consumers and Facebook.
Facebook’s Quest 2 is 10% lighter than the last one, partly due to its size decrease. Quest 2 is slightly narrower and shorter than the Quest, and the visor isn’t as deep either. Facebook even installed smaller tracking cameras on the front of the headset to help reduce the device’s size and weight.
Quest 2’s material construction also helps reduce weight. Gone is the fancy fabric exterior in favor of a simple plastic housing, which weighs less and, more importantly, is easier to clean. Facebook recommends using non-abrasive anti-bacterial wipes to keep the exterior sanitized.
Keeping the HMD clean is important for the usual obvious reasons, but also because the Quest is white, not black like other Oculus headsets. White makes it look nice at first, but any dirt or stain will show up immediately, so you will need to clean it regularly. Depending on how you look at it, that could be a good or a bad thing.
Redesigned Head Strap
(Image credit: Oculus)
The original Quest featured a semi-rigid rubber strap that didn’t conform well to your head and was easily the biggest con of the Quest’s design. The Quest 2 has a fabric strap, like the one found on the Oculus Go headset, which we find much more comfortable than the older model’s firm strap. The fabric here is made of an elastic that holds the tension on your head. The head strap has a simple adjustment in the back that doesn’t require any Velcro. There is an overhead strap that does have a Velcro adjustment.
The Quest 2’s head strap isn’t permanently affixed. Facebook created a custom snap-fit system that allows you to remove the strap for easy cleaning. You can hand wash the strap with mild detergent and hang it up to air dry. Again, a removable, washable strap is a welcome addition to the design not just because of the current global situation, but also because the strap is an off-white color that is sure to get dirty over time.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
Additionally, the head strap is removable because you can buy upgrades for it. More on that later.
Simplified IPD Adjustment
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Interpupillary distance adjustment (IPD) is somewhat of a hot-button topic in the VR headset market. Oculus was crucified by its fan base when it launched the Rift S without a mechanicalIPD adjustment that allows wearers to change the distance between the two lenses to align with the distance between their pupils. The original Quest adopted the original Rift CV1’s fabric-covered lens calibration system, which is absent from the Quest 2’s plastic shell. Images of the new Quest leaked in July, which made it seem like the lenses may be affixed in place. We’re happy to say that’s not the case, but IPD adjustment still isn’t what you may be accustomed to.
Facebook saved money on the Quest 2’s IPD solution by reducing it from a linear adjustment to three pre-established placements. The Quest 2 supports 58mm, 63mm and 68mm placements, conveniently labelled 1, 2 and 3 on the headset. To adjust the lens placement, you grab hold of the lens housing and slide it to the desired location. There are no switches or buttons to press.
Quest 2 doesn’t have a software calibration to fine-tune the IPD adjustment further, so you may have trouble finding the perfect alignment, but the offered range should suffice for most people. We prefer a more precise adjustment solution, but that would probably increase the overall price and weight of the Quest 2, so it’s, perhaps, a worthy concession.
Among other slight changes, the Quest 2 dropped one of the two headphone jacks found on the Quest, and features a relocated power button. Facebook also relocated and reoriented the charge port to a position that would work great with a 90-degree USB-C cable. Ironically, the original Quest included a 90-degree cable, but the Quest 2 package contains a standard straight-ended USB-C cable. Worse yet, it’s only 3-feet long;whereas, the original Quest had a 10-foot long charge cable, so you didn’t need to put it on the floor when you plug it in.
Oculus Quest 2 Touch Controllers: A Step Backward
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(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
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(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
Oculus controllers have evolved over the years. When the Rift first launched, the input device of choice was an Xbox One controller. Soon after, Oculus released the highly praised, first-generation Touch controllers. Those controllers offered capacitive touch sensors, two face buttons, a menu button, a thumbstick and a thumb rest, plus a trigger and grip buttons.
The second-generation Touch controllers were a small iterative change from the original controllers, which were altered mostly for compatibility with the Quest and Rift S’ inside-out tracking system. The new controllers were slightly smaller than the first-gen Touch controllers, but Facebook did away with the thumb rest, which, according to the vendor, was a sore spot for many fans.
As such, the Quest 2 includes newly redesigned controllers that bring the thumb rest back. The Quest 2’s Touch controllers look like a cross between the first two generations.
Unfortunately, the new controllers are a step in the wrong direction. Their bulky shape does not lend well to a comfortable experience. The controllers’ top is quite bulbous, which makes it difficult to get a good grip on the controller. My index finger must be extended quite far to reach the trigger with the tip of my finger. That forces my hand to sit in a more open position than it does with the previous versions of Touch.
The result is a much less balanced controller. Despite balance being one of the main points that Palmer Luckey highlighted when he first revealed Touch to the world, it feels like the designers of these next-gen Touch controllers put no consideration into balance at all.
To make matters worse, because of the extended index position, my thumb rides up pretty far on the controller’s face. The placement of the A, B, Y and X buttons and the thumbsticks works fine, but I struggle to find the menu button when I want to, and my thumb doesn’t rest naturally on the thumb rest.
Facebook said it designed the new Touch controllers in response to customer feedback complaining about the lack of thumb rest. However, the added thumb rests make the controllers’ shape too bulky, which negatively affected my ability to hold the controller securely.
While playing Pistol Whip, I frequently thought I was going to drop the controller. The problem wasn’t as prominent in Beat Saber because the triggers aren’t needed. The combination of swinging the controllers and needing the trigger button makes for a cumbersome controller experience. After playing for about an hour while compensating for the controller’s inferior balance, my hand cramped up.
Unfortunately, there’s no going back. The new headset is not backwards compatible with the Quest and Rift S’ Touch controllers. That is incredibly disappointing for all the third-party companies that make accessories for Quest and those who already bought accessories but want the Quest 2. Not carrying over support for the old controllers is a massive oversight and missed opportunity for more choice for the customer.
The new Touch controllers still employ disposable batteries stashed inside the handle. The original Touch controllers had a novel magnetic battery cover, which carried over to the second-generation model. For the third iteration of Touch controllers, Facebook discarded the neodymium in favor of a plastic,pressure-fit mechanism. The move likely saved a few grams of weight and a few dollars in manufacturing cost, but it’s a slick feature that I’ll miss.
The design of the new Touch controllers isn’t all bad. Facebook managed to improve efficiency so the controller lasts four times as long on a set of batteries compared to last gen. The construction of the controllers also feels more robust than the previous iteration.
Facebook also said it upgraded the haptics system, but we didn’t notice much of a difference.
Oculus Quest 2 Accessories
One of the most exciting features of the Quest 2 is its support for accessories to customize the headset to your tastes. Facebook is offering both first-party accessories and has partnered with third-parties to develop additional Quest 2 specific upgrades.
For starters, Facebook developed two optional rigid head straps that look a lot like the PSVR’s mechanical strap. The Elite Hard Strap ($49) provides a dial to adjust the size and tension of the fitment. Facebook also offers a deluxe option called the Elite Hard Strap With Battery ($129) that doubles the Quest 2’s battery life. The battery fits in the rear of the strap to help balance the weight distribution. We have not yet tested the upgraded strap options, so comfort levels are unknown.
Facebook is also offering a facial interface pack, which includes one wider and one narrower face cushion and a light-block accessory that covers the nose opening to reduce light-bleed.
As for third-party accessories, Facebook partnered with VRCover to develop a PU leather cushion replacement, which should be available in time for the Quest 2’s launch. Logitech is also working with Facebook to provide headphone and earbud options, including the $50 G333 in-ear headphones, with short cables suitable for Quest 2.
So, What About Content?
The Oculus Quest is a lot like a game console for VR, so you may be wondering about the content available for Quest 2. Often when a new console comes out, old games aren’t playable on it. Fortunately, that is not the case with the Quest 2. The headset is compatible with the entire back catalogue of Quest content.
Facebook wants to grow its user base as much as possible, and the quickest way to sabotage that to split the content library into segments for each headset. Everything you can play on Quest, including the library of ported Go software, will work on Quest 2. We may even see some older titles get an update to support the 90 Hz display mode in the future.
Quest 2 is also compatible with the entire Rift software library, thanks to Facebook’s USB tethering solution called Oculus Link.
Oculus Link
One of the most impressive features about the first-generation Quest was its ability to double as a standalone headset and a PC-VR headset via a separate Oculus Link cable, killing two birds with one stone.
Quest 2 also supports Oculus Link, but it’s sold separately for $79. That’s the future of Facebook’s VR offerings. With the launch of Quest 2, Facebook is making the full transition to standalone VR. The company will phase out the Rift S in the spring of 2021, after which the Quest 2 will become Facebook’s sole VR headset option. From that point on, every Oculus VR device will give you the options of taking it on the go or plugging it into a gaming PC.
That is perhaps the biggest reason that we’re disappointed with the bundled charge cable. Oculus wants you to spend extra money for the privilege of using the Quest 2 on your PC. And while that’s not explicitly unfair, it leaves a bit of a sour taste in one’s mouth. A better solution would have been a longer bundled cable, with an upgrade option for the better quality optical Oculus Link cable.
Oculus Link on Quest 2 works the same way as it does on Quest. Just plug your Quest 2 into a gaming computer with the Oculus software installed and enable the Oculus Link option in the setting menu on the headset. It should ask you to confirm that you want to enable Oculus Link, at which case you’ll see the Rift home screen and content library. SteamVR is also supported, but you’ll need to launch games from the desktop.
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