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HP 15.6-inch Spectre x360 refurbished laptop chops $500 off MSRP

| Jun 18, 2020 1:03 PM CDT

HP makes a whole bunch of different notebooks aimed at all sorts of users, from budget shoppers to high-end gamers. One of the more interesting machines for general computer users is the HP Spectre x360 multi-touch two-in-one laptop. Like all 2-in-1 machines, this one can be used in multiple modes, including tent, tablet, and laptop mode. Typically the device sells for $1,499, but it's on sale right now for $500 off.

HP 15.6-inch Spectre x360 refurbished laptop chops $500 off MSRP

The caveat for some users is that the machine is refurbished. If you can stand a refurbished computer, you will get the Spectre x360 for $999. For the price, buyers get a notebook with a 1.8 GHz Intel Core i7-8565U quad-core processor. It's fitted with 16GB of RAM, 32GB of Intel Optane, and a 512GB SSD.

Graphics are handled by an NVIDIA GeForce MX150 GPU. The screen is a 15.6-inch touch-capable unit with a native resolution of 3840 x 2160. The display also supports the accessory HP Pen for drawing directly on the screen. Other features of the notebook include Bang & Olufsen stereo audio system for quality sound with music and movie playback.

Continue reading: HP 15.6-inch Spectre x360 refurbished laptop chops $500 off MSRP (full post)

2020 MacBook Pro and MacBook Air users report USB 2.0 issues

| Jun 18, 2020 11:02 AM CDT

Some users of the latest generation MacBook Pro and MacBook Air notebooks have begun to complain about compatibility issues with USB 2.0 accessories. According to these users, the compatibility issues with the accessories cause the computers to freeze. The problem appears to be limited to MacBook models introduced in 2020.

2020 MacBook Pro and MacBook Air users report USB 2.0 issues

Many people with compatibility issues report that USB 2.0 accessories are randomly disconnected from the computer, and sometimes the system crash after the accessories disconnected. Some users are boarding that after Randall amounts of time, minutes, or hours, the USB 2.0 devices, including hubs, will stop responding. The only workaround is said to be a reboot of the computer.

Curiously, there doesn't seem to be a clear pattern as to how the compatibility issues occur. Many users are mentioning that there USB 2.0 devices are becoming unresponsive when connected to a USB hub. However, reports indicate that there are problems with USB 3.0 or 3.1 accessories, even if using a hub. One user has reported a workaround.

Continue reading: 2020 MacBook Pro and MacBook Air users report USB 2.0 issues (full post)

Lenovo Yoga 5G (Flex 5G) is the world's first 5G PC

| Jun 17, 2020 3:01 PM CDT

Lenovo has announced a new laptop computer that's available on the market that it claims to be the world's first 5G PC. The computer maker formed a partnership with leading 5G service providers around the world, including Verizon, EE, Sunrise, and CMCC. The Yoga 5G (which sells under the name Lenovo Flex 5G in the US) uses a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx 5G compute platform to deliver high-speed 5G network connectivity.

Lenovo Yoga 5G (Flex 5G) is the world's first 5G PC

5G connectivity promises to be up to 10 times faster than 4G. The Yoga 5G is a convertible laptop that runs Windows 10 and provides ultra-fast connectivity. The 5G connectivity means that users can transfer large files or video chat without buffering on the go. Lenovo says that the machine has up to 24-hour battery life thanks to the efficiency of the Snapdragon platform it runs on.

Lenovo says that its engineers and designers had to shrink the 5G antennas to fit into a slim chassis while enabling and maintaining 5G coverage regardless of how the user holds the device. It is a convertible laptop able to operate in both tablet and laptop modes. The 5G antenna supports both mmWave and Sub-6 GHz 5G networks.

Continue reading: Lenovo Yoga 5G (Flex 5G) is the world's first 5G PC (full post)

Apple's new fully-configured 16-inch MacBook Pro costs over $7000

| Jun 16, 2020 8:49 PM CDT

Apple had one of the most expensive laptops on the market with its 16-inch MacBook Pro, but now that AMD has just outed its new Navi 12 GPU -- the first with HBM2 memory -- a new Radeon Pro 5600M enters the chat.

Apple's new fully-configured 16-inch MacBook Pro costs over $7000

If you purchase a new 16-inch Apple MacBook Pro with AMD's new Radeon Pro 5600M, then you're looking at over $7000. You're not getting a hardware slouch, but a beasty 8-core Intel Core i9 CPU at up to 5GHz, a huge 64GB of DDR4 memory, and an insane 8TB of fast PCIe-based SSD storage.

Once you include some software for the Apple macOS-exclusive side of things in Final Cut Pro X and Logic Pro X, because many of these 16-inch MacBook Pros would be sold like that ($500 separately) we have a final cost of $7200.

Continue reading: Apple's new fully-configured 16-inch MacBook Pro costs over $7000 (full post)

Apple will announce ARM-based Macs at WWDC 2020 tips report

| Jun 9, 2020 3:01 PM CDT

A new report is going around the claims Apple intends to announce its shift to ARM-based Macs at WWDC 2020. The announcement will give developers several months to prepare for the transition from the Intel-based machines that Apple currently sells. According to the new report, the ARM notebooks will be available starting in 2021.

Apple will announce ARM-based Macs at WWDC 2020 tips report

The new report claims that Apple will eventually transition the entire Mac line of notebooks and desktops to custom-designed ARM processors. They're expected to be multiple advantages of the ARM-powered machines compared to the existing Intel Mac line. Benefits include improved performance and reduced power consumption.

The move to its in-house designed chips also means that Apple is no longer a slave to Intel's development schedule. Intel has fallen behind in its development schedule recently, leaving Apple with little to upgrade in its line of Mac computers. According to the report by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple is developing at least three Mac processors, the first based on the A14 chip that is coming to the iPhone 12.

Continue reading: Apple will announce ARM-based Macs at WWDC 2020 tips report (full post)

Check this chart before you update Windows on your Lenovo notebook

| Jun 9, 2020 1:02 PM CDT

Microsoft launched the Windows 10 version 2004 (May, 2020) update not long ago and it's not playing well with some computers. Lenovo has put out a chart that shows owners of its computers if their machine has been tested to be compatible to upgrade to the Windows 10 May 2020 from:

Check this chart before you update Windows on your Lenovo notebook

Lenovo warns that anyone who updates a computer not listed in the chart below may not have tested drivers available. Those users can still update their machine, but the generic Windows 10 drivers may cause the loss of some features and functionality. Its worth noting that even if your machine is on the list, there are limitations with some machines which can be seen here. The complete list of Lenovo computers tested for compliance with the May 2020 Windows 10 update include:

Lenovo has been focusing on Chromebook launches having revealed the Chromebook Flex 3I recently.

Continue reading: Check this chart before you update Windows on your Lenovo notebook (full post)

Amazon 16-inch MacBook Pro deal knocks $300 off

| Jun 8, 2020 3:02 PM CDT

We've said it a few times; it's uncommon to get significant discounts on Apple gear. The gang from Cupertino tends to keep its margins very high, and saving significant money is something that Apple fans have to search for. Any Apple fan needing to replace an older MacBook Pro might want to check out a deal Amazon has going right now on the 16-inch version of the notebook.

Amazon 16-inch MacBook Pro deal knocks $300 off

Typically, the 16-inch MacBook Pro with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage sells for $2399. Amazon is currently offering $300 off, making the notebook $2099. For those wondering, the machine uses an Intel Core i7 operating at 2.6 GHz and up to 4.5 GHz with Turbo Boost. That is a six-core processor, and the notebook has the Touch Bar and Touch ID.

Graphics are handled by an AMD Radeon Pro 5300M GPU with 4GB of GDDR6 and the ability to automatically switch with the integrated Intel UHD graphics 630 when extra performance isn't needed. Storage is to a 512GB SSD, and the machine has a quartet of Thunderbolt 3 ports with support for charging. Other connectivity options include a DisplayPort and USB 3.1 port.

Continue reading: Amazon 16-inch MacBook Pro deal knocks $300 off (full post)

MSI Creator 15 is a high-end laptop aimed at design pros

| Jun 8, 2020 1:01 PM CDT

MSI is the latest computer maker to design a high-end notebook with powerful hardware specifically for design professionals. The machine is called the MSI Creator 15 and uses 10th generation Intel Core i7 H processors combined with NVIDIA GeForce RTX SUPER graphics. The processor available is the Core i7-10875H promising up to 40% faster performance than past generations with eight cores.

MSI Creator 15 is a high-end laptop aimed at design pros

MSI says that the machine is specially designed for multitasking and professional processing jobs, including graphic design, video editing, and 3D rendering. Despite the high-end hardware inside the computer, it's configured with a cooling system that can keep all that hardware running optimally.

MSI chose fans that have super thin 0.1mm blades to increase airflow by 15%. The heat pipes are 25% wider than standard cooling solutions to keep the CPU operating at optimal performance. One of the key features of the MSI Creator 15 notebooks is its touchscreen with available 4K resolution and 220 ppi. The 4K display option promises 100% Adobe RGB color gamut. Other available screens include a 15.6-inch full HD IPS touchscreen or a 15.6-inch full HD IPS screen.

Continue reading: MSI Creator 15 is a high-end laptop aimed at design pros (full post)

Lenovo Chromebook Flex 3I is lightweight and portable

| Jun 8, 2020 11:03 AM CDT

Lenovo recently pulled the wraps off the Chromebook Flex 3I. As the name suggests, the machine runs Chrome OS and is extremely portable. Lenovo says that the machine is designed to be super light at 2.64 pounds and easy to take with you to work, school, or on the road.

Lenovo Chromebook Flex 3I is lightweight and portable

Power comes from an Intel Celeron N4020 operating at 1.10 GHz and up to 2.80 GHz. The display is an 11.6-inch unit with a native resolution of 1366 x 768 and 250 nits brightness. 4GB of LPDDR4 2400 MHz RAM is soldered to the motherboard.

Graphics are handled by integrated Intel UHD Graphics 600, and the Chromebook comes in two versions. Both use all the same hardware, except for storage. The cheaper $329.99 unit features 32GB of eMMC storage while the $339.99 unit has 64GB of internal storage. Considering the price difference of only $10, we expect the vast majority of Chromebook Flex 3I units sold to be the 64GB version.

Continue reading: Lenovo Chromebook Flex 3I is lightweight and portable (full post)

AMD: our SmartShift tech will be on just one single laptop in 2020

| Jun 6, 2020 5:28 AM CDT

AMD introduced its SmartShift technology earlier this year, tacked onto the new Ryzen 4000 "Renoir" APUs.

AMD: our SmartShift tech will be on just one single laptop in 2020

What is SmartShift and why does it matter? SmartShift is a pretty kick ass TDP management feature that can can dynamically adjust resources between a Ryzen CPU and Radeon GPU. This means that if the CPU needs more juice (remember, it's a laptop) then it will pull TDP resources from the GPU and throw them on the CPU, and vica versa.

Well, it will only be on a single laptop throughout the entire of 2020: Dell's G5 15 SE gaming laptop. The news comes directly from ex-Alienware and now Chief Architect of Gaming Solutions at AMD, Frank Azor.

Continue reading: AMD: our SmartShift tech will be on just one single laptop in 2020 (full post)

Lenovo Chromebook 3 debuts starting at $230

| Jun 5, 2020 1:02 PM CDT

Lenovo has launched a new Chromebook laptop that aims to be portable and let users get everyday computing task completed wherever they may be. The machine is called the Chromebook 3, and it has an 11.6-inch HD resolution display with narrow bezels. The device is lightweight at 2.47 pounds and features integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.2.

Lenovo Chromebook 3 debuts starting at $230

The processor is an Intel Celeron N4020 running at 1.1 GHz up to 2.8 GHz with two cores and two threads. As a Chromebook, naturally, it runs the Chrome OS. The native resolution of the display is 1366 x 768, with 250 nits brightness and an anti-glare coating.

Lenovo fits the machine with 4GB of LPDDR4 2400 MHz RAM that is soldered to the board and can't be upgraded. Storage is to a 64GB eMMC drive, and graphics are handled by Intel UHD Graphics 600. An integrated web camera with 720p resolution is built-in. Connectivity options include a pair of USB-A ports and a pair of USB-C 3.1 Gen 1 ports. The machine also has an integrated headphone/microphone combo port and microSD card reader.

Continue reading: Lenovo Chromebook 3 debuts starting at $230 (full post)

Woot Has A Fantastic Deal On A MacBook Pro with Touch Bar

| Jun 4, 2020 3:02 PM CDT

We imagine most computer enthusiasts know about woot.com and the deals the website has at times on very nice hardware at huge discounts. The latest discounted product is a mid-2019 Apple MacBook Pro with Touch Bar. The machine is a 15.4-inch notebook with a 220ppi Retina Display and an Intel Core processor under the hood.

Woot Has A Fantastic Deal On A MacBook Pro with Touch Bar

As of writing, the notebooks are significantly discounted at $1579.99 to $1849.99, depending on the processor and storage chosen. To be clear, all of these machines are listed as refurbished. While there's nothing wrong with them, some of these machines might not look like new. There is no mention of scratches or blemishes in the woot listing.

As of writing, there are three models available to purchase for the next 19 hours, or until the machines sellout. There are two silver options, with one featuring 256GB of SSD storage and an Intel Core i7-9750H processor. The other silver version has a 512GB SSD for storage and an Intel Core i9-9880H processor under the hood.

Continue reading: Woot Has A Fantastic Deal On A MacBook Pro with Touch Bar (full post)

HP Omen 15 is a powerhouse gaming laptop designed for performance

| Jun 3, 2020 11:03 AM CDT

HP has unveiled a new Omen 15 laptop that uses a chassis that has a smaller footprint compared to the previous generation. The machine is designed with a minimalist aesthetic that's not too over the top featuring a new Omen diamond logo in a blue to green gradient. Gamers can opt for the laptop in Mica Silver or Shadow Black.

HP Omen 15 is a powerhouse gaming laptop designed for performance

Buyers can choose an optional full RGB per-key backlit keyboard. Like most gaming laptops, the Omen 15 can be fitted with very high-end components. Up to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 Super with Max-Q design is available along with several 10th generation Intel Core i7 H-series processors. AMD fans can also get the Omen with up to an AMD Ryzen 7 4800H-series processor.

Up to 32GB of DDR4 RAM is supported along with up to 1TB of PCIe SSD storage with the option of dual PCIe SSD storage in RAID 0. The display is a 15.6-inch unit with a 180-degree flat hinge for increased stability. There are multiple screen options, including an OLED, UHD 120 Hz, or FHD 300 Hz display. Some configurations support NVIDIA G-SYNC technology and have Thunderbolt 3 ports.

Continue reading: HP Omen 15 is a powerhouse gaming laptop designed for performance (full post)

Lenovo is certifying its entire workstation portfolio for Linux

| Jun 2, 2020 3:01 PM CDT

Lenovo says that more than 250 million computers are sold each year, and 2.87% of those, roughly 7.2 million machines, are running Linux. Lenovo says that Linux used to be thought of as a niche operating system for IT users, but it is increasingly being used by data scientists, developers, application engineers, scientists, and other users. With Linux use growing, Lenovo is working to certify its entire workstation portfolio for top Linux distributions from Ubuntu and Red Hat.

Lenovo is certifying its entire workstation portfolio for Linux

Lenovo says that every model in every configuration in its workstation portfolio will be certified. Lenovo says that while many users prefer to customize their machines on hardware without an OS or by wiping an existing OS and installing Linux, that can cause uncertainty with system stability, restrict performance, compatibility, and user productivity, and IT support for the devices. Lenovo will remove that barrier for deployment with enterprise-grade hardware within a Linux software ecosystem.

Historically Lenovo certified only certain products within a limited subset of hardware configurations to work with Linux. The new move will see the entire portfolio of ThinkStation and ThinkPad P Series workstations certified for both Red Hat Linux and Ubuntu LTS. The latter is a long-term enterprise-stability version of the popular Ubuntu Linux distribution.

Continue reading: Lenovo is certifying its entire workstation portfolio for Linux (full post)

Mid-2012 15-inch MacBook Pro will be obsoleted in June 30

| Jun 2, 2020 11:01 AM CDT

An internal memo has surfaced that shows plans Apple has for an older MacBook model. The memo shows something that will affect anyone still holding onto a 15-inch MacBook Pro from mid-2012. That model was the first MacBook to feature a Retina display and had a significantly thinner design compared to the notebooks that came before.

Mid-2012 15-inch MacBook Pro will be obsoleted in June 30

The internal memo, obtained by MacRumors, shows that this particular MacBook Pro will be marked as obsolete globally on June 30, 2020. That would make the obsolete date about eight years after the notebook initially launched. By marking the notebook as obsolete, it's no longer eligible for hardware service under any condition.

This particular machine was classified by Apple as "vintage" in 2018 but was still able to get service if needed, subject to parts availability. While owners of the mid-2012 MacBook Pro might want to upgrade as even the most basic of the new 13-inch MacBook Pro models have much better performance, owners can opt to repair the machine themselves.

Continue reading: Mid-2012 15-inch MacBook Pro will be obsoleted in June 30 (full post)

ASUS Zephyrus S gaming laptop is nearly $500 off

| Jun 1, 2020 11:01 AM CDT

Mobile gamers looking for a laptop that will let them play their favorite games on the go may want to check out the smoking deal that Amazon has going on the ASUS ROG Zephyrus S ultra slim gaming laptop. The machine usually sells for $2231.79 but is currently on sale for 22% off. That makes a $481.80 discount off the normal price.

ASUS Zephyrus S gaming laptop is nearly $500 off

With that major discount, the sales price drops to $1749.99. For the money, gamers get a laptop with a 15.6-inch 144 Hz IPS display and an Intel Core i7-8750H processor. Graphics are handled by a GeForce GTX 1070 8GB GPU, and the laptop has 24GB of DDR4 RAM.

Internal storage is to a 1TB PCIe NVMe SSD, and the operating system is Windows 10 Home. It's worth noting that the Intel Core processor used in this machine isn't the latest generation. The CPU is an 8th-generation unit that runs at up to 3.9 GHz. Power comes from a four-cell lithium-ion 60 WHr battery.

Continue reading: ASUS Zephyrus S gaming laptop is nearly $500 off (full post)

Razer Blade 15 Studio Edition laptop has Quadro RTX 5000 graphics

| May 29, 2020 1:02 PM CDT

Razer has unveiled the all-new Blade 15 Studio Edition laptop. The notebook is a mobile-workstation designed to meet the needs of content creators ranging from audio engineers to VFX artists. The computer is equipped with the latest eight-core 10th generation Intel processors. The GPU is an NVIDIA Quadro RTX 5000 powering a custom calibrated 4K OLED touch display.

Razer Blade 15 Studio Edition laptop has Quadro RTX 5000 graphics

The specific processor under the hood is the Intel Core i7-10875H that runs at up to 5.1 GHz using Intel Thermal Velocity Boost technology. The Quadro RTX 5000 GPU has 16GB of GDDR6 memory for multi-app creative workflows and 48 RT cores for improved real-time ray tracing performance.

"If I was to ask myself a few years ago, if I could pull off a high concept CG animated project like Battlesuit on a laptop remotely - I would probably think I was insane," said Hasraf 'HaZ' Dulull, Director and Producer of Battlesuit. "Today, tools like Unreal Engine powered by NVIDIA GPU rendering on a Blade laptop are empowering filmmakers like myself to push the boundaries of sci-fi storytelling without restrictions, thus enabling me to realize my vision regardless of how wild my imagination is".

Continue reading: Razer Blade 15 Studio Edition laptop has Quadro RTX 5000 graphics (full post)

MacBook Pro notebooks with Mini-LED displays expected in 2021

| May 27, 2020 1:06 PM CDT

A new rumor is making the rounds that claims Apple is getting ready to release several high-end devices that use Mini-LED displays in 2021. Among the devices will be a new 16-inch MacBook Pro aiming at launch in Q2 and a new 27-inch iMac tipped for the second half of 2021. The source of the rumors is an analyst called Jeff Pu from GF Securities.

MacBook Pro notebooks with Mini-LED displays expected in 2021

The rumor reportedly lines up with the previous rumor from noted Apple analyst and leaker Ming-Chi Kuo, who claims that Apple suppliers will begin mass production of related components between Q4 2020 and Q1 2021. The timeframe suggests that most, if not all, of the Mini-LED products, will be released next year.

Kuo previously stated that Apple would release a 14-inch and a 16-inch MacBook Pro using the new display technology. He also expects the launch of a new 12.9-inch iPad Pro with Mini-LED screen tech along with a 10.2-inch iPad and a 7.9-inch iPad Mini. The new screens will allow products to be thinner and lighter than the current designs.

Continue reading: MacBook Pro notebooks with Mini-LED displays expected in 2021 (full post)

HP announces AMD and Intel-powered EliteBook notebooks

| May 26, 2020 1:02 PM CDT

HP has announced new notebook computers that slide into its EliteBook range, including a pair of premium machines in the x360 line, among others. The EliteBook x360 1030 G7 and the x360 1040 G7 are both premium laptops that are 6.3% smaller than the previous generation. The notebooks have 89% screen-to-body ratios, which HP claims is the highest among business convertibles.

HP announces AMD and Intel-powered EliteBook notebooks

10th generation six-core Intel Core vPro processors are under the hood for performance. HP notes that the 1040 G7 is capable of up to 29 hours of battery life per charge. Also announced in the EliteBook range is the 805 G7 and 800 G7 series machines designed for multitasking and multi-place working available with both AMD and Intel processors.

The EliteBook 800 range is offered with 13.3-, 14-, and 15.6-inch diagonal screens. The 805 Series are AMD Ryzen PRO-based systems using Radeon VEGA graphics. HP says they are the world's thinnest and lightest AMD-based mainstream business notebooks. The 800 G7 series PCs are Intel machines with 10th generation Intel Core vPro processors. HP announced the Elite c1030 Chromebook earlier this month.

Continue reading: HP announces AMD and Intel-powered EliteBook notebooks (full post)

Fujitsu launches new enterprise notebooks aimed at remote workers

| May 26, 2020 10:02 AM CDT

Fujitsu has announced the launch of new notebooks in the LIFEBOOK range. The LIFEBOOK U Series mobile PCs include the 13.3 inch U7310/D, the 14-inch LIFEBOOK U7410/D, and the 15.6-inch U7510/D. All of the notebooks are easy to maintain and feature replaceable batteries.

Fujitsu launches new enterprise notebooks aimed at remote workers

The machines also feature a new privacy camera shutter function to cover the camera lens, preventing any unauthorized access physically. Fujitsu also offers a pair of notebooks, including the U9310/D and the convertible U9310X/D, that are ultra-portable PCs. The convertible machine features a 360-degree LCD screen and supports pen input. All of the new models support the latest 10th generation Intel processors.

Optional Secured-core models offer protection from unauthorized external access to the BIOS and firmware. Fujitsu also provides the LIFEBOOK E/A series that includes the 14.0-inch LIFEBOOK E5410/D, as well as 15.6-inch models LIFEBOOK E5510/D, LIFEBOOK A7510/D and LIFEBOOK A5510/D. All of those models also utilize 10th generation Intel processors and can be fitted with up to 64 GB of RAM. Machines also have an option for up to 512 GB of encrypted flash storage and support Wi-Fi 6.

Continue reading: Fujitsu launches new enterprise notebooks aimed at remote workers (full post)

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