LG Watch Urbane price matches the Apple Watch Sport
LG's fanciest looking watch, the LG Watch Urbane, now has a price and it matches the cheapest Apple Watch offer at $349 (£259.99, $AU459).
If you've been waiting for a high end Android Wear smartwatch, Google is now selling the Urbane online in gold or silver with free shipping. There's one catch: you have to be in the US, UK, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, South Korea and Spain to order one.
The brand new Android Wear update will also make its way onto the LG smartwatch first before upgrading the other faces in the family.
The update brings with it an always-on screen, something we've seen before, but it should conserve battery life by only displaying a color screen occasionally, and will likely make Android Wear owners everywhere ecstatic.
This along with several other new updated Android Wear features should put the Urbane right up there as one of the flashiest and well-made wearables - though we'll still have to put it through the wringer to really find out.
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Yes, the iPad is being cannibalized, says Tim Cook
Amid a record-smashing March quarter, Apple had one party pooper.
The iPad continues to lag: it only sold a measly 12.6 million units over the last three months, a significant drop from the quarter previous (which was, of course, the holiday quarter) and a 23% drop year-on-year.
So what gives?
"Have we had cannibalization? The answer is yes," Cook said when asked whether the iPhone 6 Plus is hurting the iPad. But it goes beyond just the new larger iPhone.
"We're clearly seeing cannibalization from iPhone and, on the other side from, Mac," he added. "As I've said before, we've never worried about that."
Eating enterprise
Cannibalization is a familiar theme running through Apple's product history, and as Cook alluded to on today's call the company's M.O. has always been not to put too much weight on it.He took a laid-back position on the current iPad sales issue.
"It is what it is," Cook said. "It will play out and at some point it will stabilize. I can't say exactly when, but I'm pretty confident that it will."
Cook said also said the company needs to not have an inventory correction when it comes to iPads, something that would offer a course correction for the tablet.
On Apple's partnership with IBM, launched last year to bring iDevices deeper into the enterprise space, Cook said the partnership is "still in the early stages as far as bearing fruit."
"I still am a big believer for iPad to play in a major way in enterprise," Cook said, indicating that's where Apple wants to focus future iPad growth.
The company is rumored to be working on an iPad Pro designed more for businesses, and Cook's comments indicate the device could be well on its way.
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Apple Watch likely launching in more countries come June
Apple CEO Tim Cook had nothing but good things to say about the Apple Watch launch, which starting landing on customers wrists Friday, during the company's Q2 earnings call.
The only dark spot on what has otherwise been a successful launch is that demand has outstripped supply. Cook acknowledged as much, and said the company "is working hard to remedy that."
"We made progress over the last week," Cook said, noting more customers got their Watches over the weekend with even more heading out today.
He also said he thinks the company is "in a good position" and that by sometime in late June Apple anticipates launching the Watch in additional countries.
Currently the Apple Watch is only available in nine regions: Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, the UK and the US. Cook didn't elaborate which countries could see the Watch in a few months, only saying, "We're looking forward to getting it into additional countries in June."
Apps, apps, apps
Calling response to the Apple Watch "overwhelming positive," Cook said one of the biggest wins of the launch was how many apps were immediately available.He revealed Apple's internal goal was for the Apple Watch to beat the 1,000 apps the iPad had at its launch. The Apple Watch beat it and then some by launching with more than 3,500 apps.
"We thought it'd be great to [beat 1,000 apps] by a little bit," Cook said. "We couldn't be happier than how things are going from that point of view."
Finally, Cook said the company is learning quickly what customer preferences are for the Watch's many configurations.
"In some cases we called that well. In some cases we're making adjustments to get in line with demand," he said of Watch configurations.
Users can pick from three Watch models, two watch face sizes and numerous bands, so clearly Apple is quickly figuring out what its hits and misses are.
- Have you read our continually updated hands on look at the Apple Watch?
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More people are switching to iPhone than ever
Apple's iPhone shows no sign of slowing down as the company sold nearly 61.2 million of the devices in the last three months.
But perhaps the bit that makes Tim Cook and Co. smile a little more brightly is this: the company saw a higher rate of people switching to the iPhone than in previous phone cycles.
Tim Cook said as much in a statement: "We're seeing a higher rate of people switching to iPhone than we've experienced in previous cycles." On the company's Q2 2015 earnings call, he reiterated that the firm is seeing a "higher rate of switchers," and said Apple is "extremely excited about that."
He said the company wants "to keep inviting over as many switchers as we can."
The new iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, which are larger than previous models and have other improvements, and growth in territories like China both likely contributed to an increase in the number of users hopping to an iPhone.
Apple sold more than 135 million iPhones in the last six months, and it's performing well in emerging markets and with first-time buyers, Cook also noted.
The Galaxy S6 and HTC One M9 launched after Apple's Q2 ended, so we'll see if Apple can maintain its switcher rate against these Android flagships.
- New MacBook is off to a stellar start
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Review: Updated: New Nintendo 3DS
Introduction and design
For all the stuff it does well, Nintendo doesn't do itself many favours when it comes to communication. After the messy and confused messaging of the Wii U and the perhaps even more confusing 2DS, it's now gone and named its latest 3DS the New 3DS.And certainly by just looking at it, you wouldn't be able to tell much difference between it and its prior form. It's less of a problem for the serious gamers and Nintendo nuts, but for the parents who are out to buy their kid a birthday present… well, you can see the problem.
But in fact the New 3DS really is new. The alterations might not immediately strike you - many are under the hood - but the handheld has undergone a number of beneficial tweaks. And as I'm about to explain, it does justify the upgrade.
What's most curious about the New 3DS, however, is that it's only launching in Europe at a price of £150 (around US$240, AU$300). The US and Australia will only get the XL variant while Brits will get both. Nintendo has obviously been keeping a close eye on consumer trends and, we assume, determined that everyone else prefers to go large.
But whichever size you go for, this is the definitive 3DS - the one Nintendo should have given us back in 2011.
Design
I've never had a problem with the design of the 3DS and neither has Nintendo, it seems. The clamshell design is as familiar as ever, although it has been bumped up a smidge in size to accommodate a slightly larger display.
As an added bonus, Nintendo has granted the power of interchangeable faceplates to this smaller model. Nintendo sent me a rather eye-catching Luigi one to try, but you'll have a vast range to choose from (Japan already has 40) if you fancy some added customisation. Why this is absent on the XL is a bit of a mystery to me.
Open it up and, again, it's a familiar site. As a nice little touch, the face buttons now replicate the colours of those on the SNES controller. But the biggie is the one we've been waiting on for far too long - a second analogue stick.
Don't be fooled by that puny-looking grey nib that's sprouted on the right hand side - it's a fully-fledged C-stick capable of 360 degree movement. It feels stiff but it's surprisingly sensitive. During my time playing Majora's Mask it worked wonderfully for controlling the in-game camera. Much of that is down to the placement that makes thumb-jumping between face buttons and analogue stick super easy.
To go with your new analogue stick is a pair of added shoulder buttons, putting the long-berated Circle Pad Pro accessory out of a job. The new ZL and ZR buttons sit side by side with the old shoulder pressers, making everything finally feel complete.
But there's more; the wireless button is now gone, the start and select buttons both rest below the fact buttons, the volume slider sits on the left-hand side of the top screen, and the power button has shifted to the bottom right of the device. That last one is perhaps my only niggle with the new aesthetic as it makes turning the console on and off a tad more awkward than it should be.
Switching up the design isn't the only reason for changing the faceplates on the New 3DS - both the battery and MicroSD card lie beneath. The fact you need a screwdriver to change an SD card in 2015 is, in my eyes, a design flaw - especially when you consider how quickly those cards fill up.
But that's not the strangest decision Nintendo has made on the New 3DS. No, the strangest decision was to not include a charger with the console. I guess the assumption is that most buyers will be upgraders from an older 3DS, but what about everyone else?
These days it's assumed that any gadget not running on AA batteries is going to come with some sort of charger in the box, and I think there are going to be a lot more disappointed people than Nintendo anticipates.
Features and games
If I'm ordering the new features in importance, the next on the list is the tremendously better 3D effect. The 3DS of yesterday demanded you kept your head in a 'sweet spot' to get the benefit of an extra dimension - now the 3D follows you around.Thanks to the console's new front-facing camera, the 3DS will follow your head and adjust the parallax to meet the angle of your focus. Much like when the 3DS and its stereoscopic function showed up in 2011, this new 3D feature is something you really have to see to understand. But I can tell you now, it makes a phenomenal difference - finally I have a reason to push that 3D slider back up again.
That said, there's still much debate over whether the 3D effect of Nintendo's handheld is more than a gimmick, and Nintendo hasn't done much of late to prove otherwise. Pokemon X and Y, two of the biggest games to hit the 3DS, ignored the feature for the most part. The 2DS speaks for itself.
Nintendo's new head-tracking 3D doesn't make it better in clarity and pop, but it does make it more consistent and comfortable to use, which is still a big improvement in my eyes.
What might be less noticeable when you pick up the 3DS is the added speed. Nintendo has swapped out the CPU for a faster model. Apps now open and close with added brevity, and a number of upcoming games will only be compatible with this newer model.
Here's the rub of the New Nintendo 3DS. The Circle Pad Pro provides a (rather cumbersome) fix to anyone who wants to stick to their current model, but when it comes to new games that are New 3DS-compatible only, there's only one solution: suck it up.
That's going to cause a fragmentation in the market, but obsolescence is the very driver of technology so it's difficult to criticise Nintendo's decision to up the processor on a device that's nearly four years old.
Just how much grunt the new processor will lend the 3DS remains to be seen, but with the additional controls now part of the parcel it may be the only thing standing between the 3DS and a bunch of lovely Gamecube ports. The prospect of one day playing Mario Sunshine on my 3DS is pant-wettingly exciting.
What's not been boosted significantly, however, is the New 3DS's camera. There's been a slight improvement for capturing pictures in low-light conditions, but overall it's a pretty weak feature that I'd say the console could do without were it not for augmented reality games like Face Raiders.
Nintendo's made one other preparation for the future - NFC - and this one is going to get a lot of use. The New 3DS comes with NFC built in, ready for Nintendo's army of Amiibo figurines. By placing an Amiibo on the bottom screen of the 3DS the two will interact, allowing you to level up your character, gain some bonus items, and more.
Right now only Super Smash Bros supports the feature, but rumour has it that Nintendo's toys are selling marvellously well at the moment (really, who's surprised?), so expect to see plenty more figures - and much more interaction with the 3DS - in the near future.
As for the games, all I need to tell you is that they're in abundance. And good games too, which is where the technically superior PS Vita falls down.
The library of games available to 3DS owners is already vast and varied but it's no coincidence that Nintendo is launching its new handhelds on the same day as Majora's Mask 3D, the handheld port of its classic N64 Zelda adventure.
That library will grow stronger with more powerful games, thanks to the new CPU, and I can't wait to see how far developers can push the handheld. It was recently announced that the multiplatform Unity engine is coming to the 3DS, with more than 50 Wii U games using it already.
Unity powers most of the big Android and iOS games right now, and the result of this should be better quality games for the 3DS. It might also tie into Nintendo's foray into mobile gaming.
But right now, this feels like it could well be the last episode in the 3DS saga. So, Nintendo, what comes next?
Verdict
Nintendo has long been boss of the handheld market, but the fact it continues to be so successful in a market now dominated by smartphones is, quite frankly, damn impressive.The New 3DS means Nintendo should continue to hold its own for a while longer. With more power, extra controls and a reason to turn that 3D slider back up again, Nintendo's latest handheld is a welcome refresh that - despite some minor niggles - is definitely worth the upgrade.
We liked
Almost every change Nintendo has made here is welcome, and the result is a handheld that finally feels complete. The 3D is now much more consistent, meaning less headaches and a more enjoyable experience, while the C-stick gives us what we've been asking for since 2011.We disliked
There are a few niggles: having to remove the back with a screwdriver to change the microSD in 2015 seems crazy; the camera is still quite poor; and the name might cause some confusion for those less familiar with the Nintendo family.Final verdict
The New 3DS makes a number of small improvements, but put together they make for a console that's definitely worth the upgrade, especially as a number of future games will be incompatible with the older model.Faster, comprehensive, more powerful; Nintendo's best handheld finally feels complete.
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Instagram's new emoji feature lets you tag pictures with pictures
Instagram today made a significant change to the way hashtags work: they can now include emoji.
Never again will Instagram users miss out on an image related to the poo with eyes, the cat with hearts on its face or the two frothy beer glasses clinking together, the company announced on its blog.
You can now tap on emoji hashtags in comments and search for them on Instagram's Explore tab, just like any other hashtag.
"Over the past few years, emoji have become part of a universal visual language," the post reads. "And just as we share photos and videos, we use emoji to communicate emotions and feelings in ways that anyone can understand, regardless of language or background."
The app also has three new filters, Lark, Reyes and Juno, for users to fiddle around with for half an hour before giving up and just putting it up with #nofilter.
- The Apple Watch is finally here
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Updated: How to donate to Nepal earthquake relief efforts through iTunes, Facebook and more
A devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck near Nepal's capital of Kathmandu on April 25, leaving more than 4,000 people dead, many still missing and countless without basic necessities and medical care. Rebuilding efforts are expected to total in the billions.
There is a massive international effort underway to provide aid to the region, and dozens of organizations are offering their services. People around the world want to help, and we've gathered a number of ways you can donate to assist with ongoing relief efforts.
Along with organizations like the American Red Cross, tech companies like Apple, Facebook and PayPal have set up ways to donate to relief efforts.
iTunes: As it has done for disasters in the past, Apple has linked iTunes up with the American Red Cross. When users head to the iTunes Store, they'll find a page with donation options to send funds to the Red Cross' relief efforts in Nepal. 100% of donations are sent to the organization's Nepal disaster relief efforts. Since most users keep payment information on iTunes, it takes a quick click to donate funds.
Facebook: You should notice a message at the top of your News Feed starting today with the option to donate to the International Medical Corps. The organization has mobile medical units on the ground in Nepal, delivering emergency care to the hardest hit regions, according to a Facebook Newsroom post. Users can donate directly to IMC using Facebook's Donate feature, and Facebook will match donations up to $2 million. The company also activated its Safety Check feature.
PayPal: PayPal has set up a campaign called Nepal Earthquake Relief and Recovery, giving users a one-click option to choose which organization they would like to donate to. 100% of donations go to the organizations as PayPal is waiving all fees. Organizations you can donate to via PayPal include the World Food Program USA, AmeriCares, International Medical Corps and Habitat for Humanity, among others. At the time of this writing, the campaign had raised over $264,500 for the various organizations.
GlobalGiving: Donations are being accepted via the GlobalGiving.org website, but US residents can also text "GIVE NEPAL" to "80088" to donate $10 towards the Nepal Earthquake Relief Fund. The organization is looking to raise nearly $1.7 million.
Many organizations let you donate to their efforts in Nepal directly through their websites. Here are some:
T-Mobile and Sprint in the US have waived calling and texting fees to and from Nepal. Customers for both carriers can also text to donate:
T-Mobile: Text "NEPAL" to "20222" to donate $10 to Save the Children, "NEPAL" to "864233" to donate $10 to UNICEF, and "NEPAL" to "777444" to donate $10 to World Vision. 100% of donations go to the charities and will be charged to customers' phone bill.
Sprint: Text "REDCROSS" to "90999" to donate $10 on behalf of the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, "WFP" to "50555" to donate $10 on behalf of the UN World Food Programme, "NEPAL" to "20222" to donate $10 on behalf of Save the Children, "NEPAL" to "864233" to donate $10 on behalf of UNICEF and "AID" to "27722" to donate $10 on behalf of the UN World Food Program USA.
Google and Microsoft have launched initiatives to help as well. Google's has set up a dedicated Person Finder so people can look for someone or provide information about an individual. In addition to the online Person Finder tool, Google has set up SMS search.
Microsoft is also now offering free Skype calls to landlines and mobile devices in and out of Nepal. In addition to donations, the company said it will continue to assess how its technology and people can help in rescue and relief efforts.
Top image credit: Facebook
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Facebook Messenger goes FaceTime with video calling
If Apple's Facetime and Google Hangouts aren't cutting it for you, video calling is now available via Facebook's Messenger app.
Announced today, you can simply tap a video icon in Messenger and start chatting away face to face ... through Facebook. So many faces.
Unlike the social media company's other app, Hello, video calling is available on both iOS and Android devices. Mobile to mobile calls are also allowed between the platforms.
Video calling through Messenger is rolling out now in the US, UK and several other countries with wider availability in the coming months.
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Lenovo's ThinkCentre Chromebox can be converted into an all-in-one
Lenovo's ThinkCentre Chromebox is a small-sized Chrome OS-powered desktop that occupies little desktop space. Joining Lenovo's ThinkCentre Tiny business, the new desktop Chromebox could be mounted to the rear of a display, converting the unit into a 23-inch all-in-one Chromebase with the ThinkCentre Tiny-in-One.
Because of its compact, modular design, which offers space-saving features in a workspace or computer lab, the ThinkCentre Chromebox is targeted at education and small business users. Measuring 7 inches (17.78cm) tall by 1.4 inches (3.56cm) wide, the ThinkCentre Chromebox is only 2.2 pounds (1kg).
"The one litre form factor adds further flexibility by allowing easy transportation from campus to campus or between office locations," Lenovo said in a statement. "Or a user can simply login to another ThinkCentre Chromebox or even a ThinkPad 11e Chromebook at another location and immediately access their cloud-based data and apps."
Pricing and availability
The Chromebox will come with support for Intel's Broadwell Core processor, 16GB solid state storage, and 4G of RAM. The unit will debut this June starting at $199 (£130, AU$253). The ThinKCentre Tiny-in-One display retails for $279 (£185, AU$355), bringing the total cost, if you wish to have a modular AIO experience, to $478 (£315, AU$608).Unless you need the flexibility of Lenovo's modular design, the total cost is significantly higher than competing all-in-one Chromebase units, like the $349 (£207, AU$376) LG Chromebase. As just a Chromebox, the ThinkCentre Chromebox is competitive with other units on the market, including the $179 (£178, AU$230) Acer CXI.
Easy upgrade
The value proposition Lenovo makes with the ThinkCentre Tiny business - rather than going with a regular AIO experience - is that users can save money when they upgrade.For example, if there is a new high resolution ThinkCentre Tiny-in-One display in the future, rather than upgrading the enter AIO, users can just upgrade the monitor and snap on the existing ThinKCentre Chromebox to the rear of the display.
Similarly, if a user needs a more powerful ThinkCentre Chromebox with updated specifications, then the user can just buy a new ThinkCentre Chromebox and attach it to an existing ThinkCentre Tiny-in-One display.
The upgrade cost on a non-modular solution, like LG's complete AIO Chromebase, would be higher since users would have to upgrade the computing components (the Chromebox portion) as well as the display every time.
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These gloves could actually let you use your hands in VR
Students at Rice University, a research university in Houston, have made some really cool progress on the problem of touch in virtual reality.
Their haptic gloves, the Hands Omni, use inflatable bladders to simulate the sensation of touching something with your hands.
They're not saying exactly how the gloves work, because it's "top secret." But you can watch a small demonstration in the video below.
"Our system's designed so that when you're walking around a world and you see an apple in a nice video game or a grenade in a military video game, and you want to pick it up, you can reach out and it actually feels like you're touching a physical object," mechanical engineering student Thor Walker says.
The researchers created the gloves with help from sponsor Virtuix, the maker of the Virtuix Omni, a VR treadmill for moving around in virtual worlds.
The big shots of the virtual reality industry, including Oculus VR, aren't blind to the fact that better controllers are needed, but so far they haven't shown off anything usable themselves.
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Review: Intel Compute Stick
Introduction and design
Intel's Compute Stick will certainly go down in history as the first complete personal computer that the Santa Clara company, better known for manufacturing processors, has shipped to end users.The firm has been dabbling with barebones kits and DIY products (like its NUCs) for ages, but this is the first time I can remember it shipping something that can be used out of the box (without having to add an OS, memory and storage). It will, as many other experts have commented, send waves across the entire technology industry.
Intel is not the first big name in tech to come up with such a device. Dell's Wyse Cloud Connect used an ARM processor and Android instead of an Intel one and Windows (the Compute Stick is also available with Ubuntu 14.04 LTS, as well). Over the last 24 months, we've seen a flurry of these HDMI-connected Android/ARM-based dongles grow in popularity in South East Asia with prices plummeting to about £20 (around $32, AU$40).
For that price, you get a tiny device barely bigger than a pack of chewing gum, with hardware equivalent to the first generation Google Nexus 7, minus the battery, screen and the camera.
Unlike Google's Chromecast, these devices are actual computers, not just extensions of your tablet or smartphone. It is these Android-based dongles that Intel is targeting and the Compute Stick might provide its closest partners with the blueprint to start from.
However, the Compute Stick is anything but cheap, and as such, doesn't aim to be a mass seller. UK retailer Dabs sells the one with Windows preloaded for £130 and the suggested retail price in the US is $150. A deliberate strategy to foster a nascent Intel-based dongle portfolio? Possibly.
Design and specifications
Note that the product which was sent to us is a pre-production engineering sample. This means that the final iteration might differ slightly from the one we're reviewing today.
This is a computer that's supposed to be hidden away all the time. With that in mind, don't expect it to win any beauty competitions – Intel designed it to be functional. The device's dimensions – 103 x 37 x 12mm – are such that it can be slipped easily into a jeans pocket. There are also plenty of air vents in the front of the device (which sports a massive 'Intel Inside' logo) and on the side. That's because the processor inside the Compute Stick warms up quite a bit; a fan has also been added to dissipate the heat more effectively.
There's a power button, a micro-USB slot (for power), a full-size USB 2.0 port, a status light, a microSD card slot and a full-size HDMI port. The size of the device could be an issue as users risk running into trouble if the ports on their monitor are located right next to each other and are already occupied – that explains Intel's decision to throw in an HDMI extender cable.
The rest of the specification sheet includes an Atom Z3735F processor, one that is usually found in countless Windows tablets around the world. It's a quad-core Bay Trail model that runs at 1.33GHz, peaking at 1.83GHz, plus on the same die, there's an Intel HD Graphics subsystem running at 311MHz.
There's also 2GB of DDR3L 1333MHz memory, 32GB of flash memory from Samsung (about 23GB of which is free), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0 and Windows 8.1 with Bing (32-bit), which can be upgraded for free to Windows 10 when it's launched later this year. Note that the cheaper Ubuntu model has only 1GB of RAM and 8GB of onboard storage.
Also in the package are a 10W adapter (the same as most tablets), a USB Type A to micro-USB cable and an assortment of detachable power plugs. Interestingly, you can access the device's BIOS by pressing the appropriate keyboard key – hidden in the menu is the ability to toggle the performance between low-power, balanced and performance, which raises the baseline processor speed and, well, the general performance level.
Performance
Intel cited home entertainment, PC-like embedded, productivity and thin client as the four main usage models for this device. Futuremark's PCMark 8 and 3DMark 2013 proved that the Compute Stick is only adequate for very light usage scenarios as the device struggled during benchmark tests.
It failed to run some tests (Fire Strike and PCMark 8 Creative) and the rest of the results only served to reinforce my belief that the Compute Stick is not capable of doing any sort of heavy lifting in terms of resources.
The benchmark results were as follows:
- 3DMark 2013 Cloud Gate: 1154
- 3DMark 2013 Ice Storm: 12450
- PCMark 8 Home: 1082
- PCMark 8 Work: 1436
Verdict
The Compute Stick is an important step for Intel, more in terms of the symbolism rather than the actual technology. This is, after all, tech that we've seen elsewhere and it has just been repackaged in a different form factor. For the first time ever, Intel could end up competing in the consumer market with its very own customers.We liked
I applaud Intel's decision to launch what is a bold product. It is yet another avenue for its Atom range and although the company is nearly two years late compared to the ARMDroid players, better late than never. As an enthusiast, I like the ability to tinker with the BIOS, something that fewer Windows-based devices allow these days. It is also one of the smallest x86 computers around, and with a couple of accessories (see below) it can become a near autonomous, on-the-go, fully-fledged office.
We disliked
The dongle form factor was always going to be a compromise. The HDMI port is a fragile one and to get anything to dangle from it is asking for trouble. This is especially true if the HDMI ports on the client display do not face the floor.There's also the issue of powering the device – current HDMI technology cannot power devices yet which means that you need to secure an additional power socket to provide juice to the Compute Stick.
That brings in a fair amount of issues especially when used in a commercial environment as suggested by Intel. I don't understand why Intel went for an active cooling system when almost all solutions based on the Z3735F on the market run passively. Adding a fan increases noise, uses power and adds another point of failure (they gather dust).
I am also puzzled by the fairly narrow operating temperature (from freezing point to 35 degrees Celsius). That is going to be reached rapidly if the device is tucked behind a plasma display, in a window, on a hot sunny day. What happens beyond 35 degrees? Will the fan go into overdrive? Will the CPU throttling kick in?
And there's the issue of the price, too. You can get the Linx 7 from Amazon for as little as £65, half the price of the Compute Stick (a version with 2GB of RAM costs only $100 in the US). You get a much more versatile solution (cameras, battery etc) plus a one-year subscription to Office 365 included.
True, it is bigger and has only 1GB of RAM, but this shows how intense competition is out there. If size is not an issue, then for a bit extra – £30 – you can get the Lenovo Thinkstation E50, which is a small but fully-fledged computer with nearly three times the performance of the Compute Stick.
Final verdict
The bulk of my criticisms are aimed at the form factor and not the hardware. Intel has been very clear as to what to expect from this mature, tried-and-trusted hardware combination. Windows 8.1 performs decently on this Bay Trail-based solution and Windows 10 on Cherry Trail is likely to improve things even more.But unless the company plans for something else, I can't see Intel succeed with this form factor. This actually has nothing to do with Intel and it's more about how Microsoft sells Windows 8.1 at the moment – because vendors can get the OS for free by bundling a display with their PC.
That's why we're seeing products like the Pipo X8 which is essentially a tablet without a camera or battery, but which retails for less than a similar screen-less computer. For most people, the additional display, a year's worth of Office 365 Personal and a few other goodies (like more ports) will prove to be alluring enough.
For those use cases that require a small footprint, maybe Intel should consider designing a PC that integrates with an HDMI cable and is powered via the monitor's own socket. Or they could come up with a solution similar to Marvell's Sheevaplug with a long HDMI cable, maybe one that could include Powerline technology.
At the end of the day, the Compute Stick is very much a first-generation product that sits between two markets, consumer and business. It is going to face some serious competition in the former, while the latter may well sneer at the device because of its intrinsic lack of ruggedness.
Bring in Cherry Trail, change the design and cut down the price and Intel might have a fighting chance in an already crowded market. Hopefully, the Compute Stick will prove to be a catalyst for the x86 ecosystem, one that will force it to innovate or face obsolescence in the hands of its creator.
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Updated: Buying Guide: 10 best monitors: the best displays on the market 2015
Introduction
Ten years ago, monitors were nothing more than necessary accessories. Today, they can be luxury items that dramatically improve all aspects of computing and content consumption. There are so many types of monitors that suit so many different needs.Screen resolution, response time, panel weight: everything should be considered when choosing a personal device or an enterprise fleet. Unfortunately, all of these specs can be confusing. We've compiled this roundup to help you sort through the abundance of options available.
Update: Acer is joining the curved display party with its own 34-inch curved QHD monitor. Announced as part of the company's back-to-school product lineup, the Acer XR341CKA comes with a QHD resolution panel, two 7W speakers built-in, and an integrated USB hub to connect all your desktop peripherals. With a 21:9 aspect ratio IPS screen, Acer is targeting gamers with its new display as it comes with Nvidia's G-Sync technology enabled for better color adjustments and fast refresh rates.
LG UltraWide 34UC97
Great for work, games, and movies – but it's costly
Monitors like the LG UltraWide 34UC97 have found favour with anyone from movie fans to gamers and office workers due the versatility of the "cinematic" 21:9 aspect ratio. At £730 (US$1,086, around AUS$1,4200), the 34UC97 doesn't come cheap but it provides bags of screen space and provides a sharper image than 1080p screens without making everything on it look tiny - as 4K monitors often do.
And because it's curved, the 34UC97 also makes it easier to see items at each end of its long screen - whether that's spreadsheet columns or tiny details in a film scene. Its picture is brilliant thanks to ample brightness, deep blacks, reasonably accurate colour accuracy and superb viewing angles.
Read: LG UltraWide 34UC97 review
Acer S277HK
A bezel-less beautyThere is a lot to like about Acer's 27-inch 4K display. The S277HK ($699, £452, AU$892) offers uncompromised performance in an elegant package. Although rear port placement and cable clutter may prevent the S227HK from making the cut in a minimalist front office, its good looks will make Acer's offering an excellent companion in many workspaces.
With a 60 Hz, 4ms refresh rate at maximum resolution, the S277HK is a versatile monitor that could be used for productivity and play. Picture-in-picture mode, side-by-side screen mode, and a bezel-less design give users plenty of multitasking options with a single-display setup or with multiple S277HKs.
Read: Acer S277HK
Viewsonic VP2772
What this professional monitor lacks in style it makes up with exceptional picture qualityThe Viewsonic VP2772 ($1,019, £599, AUS$1096) is a 27-inch SuperClear IPS panel that boasts a 2560x1440 QHD resolution that covers 99% of the Adobe RGB color space. Viewsonic created the perfect monitor for working professionals in the creative space, for video editors, design professionals, and print departments.
The size of this monitor is perfect for those who want a bigger screen, comparable to the Apple Thunderbolt Display, but without paying a high price. The VP2772 weighs 19.84 lbs (9Kg) without its base, and its dimensions are: 25.3" x 18.5" x 13.7" (64.26cm x 46.99cm x 34.80cm). Viewsonic put multiple ports into the VP2772 including a Dual-Link DVI port, an HDMI 1.4 port, a mini-DisplayPort, and four USB 3.0 ports.
Read: Viewsonic VP2772 review
Dell UltraSharp UP2414Q
A superb display, but you're paying through the nose for a mere 24-inchesAlthough it's only a 24-inch monitor, the Dell UltraSharp UP2414Q ($830, £545, AUS$1062) has a beautiful Ultra HD 3840 x 2160 (4K) resolution that packs in four times the resolution of Full HD. This IPS UltraSharp panel provides true color accuracy as well as 99% AdobeRGB and 100% sRGB coverage.
The Dell UltraSharp UP2414Q dimensions are as follows: 13.33" (338.5 mm) x 22.40" (569.0 mm) x 2.22" (56.3 mm) and weighs 4.8 kg (10.58 lbs). The UP2414Q has an HDMI connector, one Mini DisplayPort, one DisplayPort (version 1.2), four USB 3.0 ports, and a card reader.
The UP2414Q has a PPI of 185 and the contrast ratio has the capability of achieving 2 million:1, which is awesome. Viewing content on the Dell UltraSharp UP2414Q is incredible, and the built-in card reader will allow professionals in the digital field the ability to work efficiently.
Read: Dell UltraSharp UP2414Q review
LG 34UM95
The first Thunderbolt 2-equipped 21:9 display is a cinematic sight to beholdLG hits the ball out of the park with this 34-inch monitor. The LG34UM95 ($1,289, £800, AUS$1,389) boasts a 3440x1440 (21:9) resolution screen. This larger working area is the equivalent of running two 20-inch monitors side-by-side with resolutions of 1720x1440 (6:5). The LG 34UM95 is not just about size, as it has multiple reasons to invest in a bigger working monitor.
For starters the LG 34UM95 is a wonderful option for those who do not want to buy an Apple Thunderbolt Display. LG put two Thunderbolt connections into this monitor, along with two HDMI and one DisplayPort which allows this monitor to be used by both Apple and PC users.
The 34UM95 has a viewability of 23.8" (60.47 cm), it weighs 16.98 lbs (7.7Kg), and the full product dimensions are 33.7" x 18.5" x 6.8" (85.60cm x 47cm x 17.27cm).
Read: LG 34UM95 review
BenQ BL2710PT
Aimed at CAD/CAM professionals, this feature-packed 27-inch monitor deliversBenQ took a 27" monitor, gave it a 2560x1440 Wide Quad HD (WQHD) resolution, which allows the BL2710PT to deliver four times the number of pixels of HD resolution screens, which ensure you a crisper image than your traditional 1080p resolution.
BenQ's BL2710PT ($642, £390, AU$688) dimensions are 20.67" x 25.16" x 10.2" (52.50cm x 63.9cm x 25.91cm) and it weighs 18.0lbs (8.2Kg). The BL2710 has a ton of connectivity ports with two USB 3.0 ports sitting on the left-hand side of the monitor and two USB 2.0 ports on the backside, it has an HDMI port, DVI-D port, VGA port, and an audio-in port.
Read: BenQ BL2710PT review
Acer B326HUL
Big, bold and accurate colours from a TV-sized monitorThe Acer B326HUL ($777, £462, AU$836) is ideal for use in office environments or computer labs. It delivers dynamic visuals due to the high display resolution and vibrant colors. But, the Acer B326HUL is more than just that.
The 32-inch B326HUL has a 2560x1440 pixel resolution, a refresh rate of 6ms, a 100,000,000:1 contrast ratio, and 16:9 aspect ratio. Acer put one DVI connection, one DisplayPort connection, one HDMI Cable connection, and one USB 3.0 Cable into the B326HUL monitor.
The B326HUL is a wonderful monitor. It has all the things a basic user needs but comes with a high quality image that anyone in a design or digital background will be happy as well.
Read: Acer B326HUL review
Samsung UD590
An attractive, gaming-focused 4K monitor that's well-suited for general tasksGamers, media and digital consumers, and the productive-worker have a monitor built for them. Samsung, with the aforementioned in mind, built the UD590 ($679, £429, AUS$782) monitor with a 3,840 x 2,160 pixel resolution, which is four times greater than a 1080p monitor. The UD590 has a 28inch 4K display that includes two HDMI ports, a DisplayPort, and a headphone jack.
The UD590 can tilt 15 degrees up and down but can not swivel horizontally, the UD590 stand is not height-adjustable, nor does the monitor have vesa mount holes on the back, lending it to a basic monitor with beautiful color
The UD590 has a TN Panel, so it has noticeable difference if right next to a monitor with an IPS panel. Upon opening, the UD590 may need to be calibrated but Samsung placed a wonderful joystick menu button on the panel that makes changing monitor settings easy as pie. If you're looking for something a little more stylish, but a lot less powerful, we also recommend the Samsung SD590CS.
Read: Samsung UD590 review
Samsung UD970
Get ready for ultra high-def on your desktopSamsung's UD970 ($1,999.99, £1,200 or AU$2,150) was built with the professional in mind as each monitor is individually calibrated at the factory with incredible accuracy to ensure unified color across the entire screen, and accurate greyscale color gradation. Samsung exclusively developed an embedded chipset and a 16-bit look-up table into the UD970 to allow more precise colors across the entirety of the screen than other monitors.
The UD970 is a 31.5-inch monitor, it supports a 3840x2160 resolution, and comes with the following ports: a Dual Link DVI, two DisplayPort 1.2 ports, an HDMI 1.4 port, four USB 3.0 ports, a Mini DisplayPort to DisplayPort connector, and a headphone jack.
This monitor, by factory calibration, offers a 10-bit color depth screen that is capable of displaying more than one billion colors, 100% of the sRGB color spectrum and 99.5% of Adobe RGB. Work in CAD or Design? Think about this monitor for color precision in the market. As a basic gamer who wants to go into the 4K world, this monitor might be of interest though note that the 8ms refresh rate is not as fast as a hardcore gamer may be looking for.
Read: Samsung UD970 review
Asus PB287Q
An affordable, powerful 4K monitorWith the Asus PB287Q ($649, £599, AU$799) you can see every detail in its 28-inch true 4K display that has a resolution power of 3840 x 2160 UHD, 157 pixels per inch, and real 10-bit color. This is a monitor for the designer, the photographer, and possibly even the gamer.
Asus provides you with the fastest 4K experience possible with 1ms GTG response time and 60Hz refresh rate in the PB287Q monitor. Amazing. The PB287Q has a natural 16:9 aspect ratio that allows eight million pixels and more than one billion colors to come out of this vivid beautiful monitor.
Connect what you want when you want as Asus put almost every type of connection into this monitor: HDMI, HDMI/MHL, DisplayPort, and two audio ports (in and out).
The video quality is high with this monitor. Have a good Vid card? Then this monitor is for you.
Read: Asus PB287Q review
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Apple Pay's quest for payment domination just got a major boost
Apple Pay just completed a quadrilogy of major credit card support.
Starting this fall, Apple Pay's major CC support count will be up to four when Discover joins Visa, MasterCard and American Express in facilitating contactless payments at participating locations.
Discover card users can upload their credit or debit card numbers to Passbook and start paying for goods and services using their iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus or the newly released Apple Watch.
Apple Pay also works for buying apps on the iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 3. For those concerned about their card numbers being stored on their device or in the cloud, Apple Pay relies on a system that generates a one-time security code for transactions, with no numbers stored for hackers to get their mitts on.
With the addition of Discover, Apple Pay moves further to cementing its place as a legit mobile payment option. The service is rumored to expand beyond the US into Canada sometime this year, though no official word has been released on that.
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Review: Transformer Book T100 Chi review
Introduction and design
The Transformer Book T100 Chi is one of several new Windows 8.1-powered convertibles by Asus. Outed at CES 2015 alongside the company's flagship 12.5-inch T300 Chi and 8.9-inch T90 Chi, the 10.1-inch T100 Chi aims for the sweet spot between portability and performance.Its predecessor, the Transformer Book T100, made an impression back in 2013 for being one of the first cheap Windows convertibles that could handle everyday computing tasks without buckling at the knees.
- These are the best 2-in-1 laptops of 2015
Two years later, the T100 Chi arrives as an upgraded model with positive energy seeping out of its 80 machine-drilled speaker holes (probably). One of the biggest upgrades from the T100 is the display, which at a pixel-resolution of 1,920 x 1,200 delivers a more than respectable 224 ppi - just short of the 13-inch Retina MacBook Pro's 227 ppi.
Bay city roller
It's received a healthy boost on the inside too, swapping the T100's Z3740 CPU for a newer Bay Trail-based Intel Atom chip in the quad-core Z3775. That's backed up by 2GB of DDR3 RAM, 32GB/64GB of flash memory, Windows 8.1 and a battery-powered stylus.Simply put, it's an all-round improved device, something that's reflected in the price tag. Available to buy now for £399 (around US$604 or AUS$774), the T100 Chi teeters on the brink of budget territory and costs £50 (around US$76, or AUS$96) more than the T100 did when it first launched.
Once again it's more than suited to accompanying you on road trips as a travel device and could be used as a main machine too - so long as you're prepared to make a few compromises.
The T100 Chi lands with a number of competitors snapping at its heals - including the Toshiba Satellite Click Mini and Dell's impressive Venue 11 Pro 7000. But if we're picking out an arch nemesis, the Surface 3 is the red-eyed bull waiting to charge when its May 5 launch date comes around.
Microsoft's latest 2-in-1 boasts a sharper 1,920 x 1,280 pixel-resolution display, a newer Cherry Trail-based chip and one full-sized USB port. However, the base model starts at £20 (around $33, orAUS$40) more than the T100 Chi, and for the full experience you to shell out an additional £110 (around US$166) for a Type Cover, making the Chi the more affordable option post-accessories.
Metal head
The T100 was an inexpensive 2-in-1 that felt like a budget device, something that can't be said for the T100 Chi. It's a world apart in terms of build quality, swapping its predecessor's plastic-clad exterior for an aerospace-grade aluminium that stands up well to flex. It seems forever cool to the touch too; even in a warm office I managed to stay cool by pressing the lid of the Chi to my face (attracting some curious looks in the process).The biggest compliment that can be given to the T100 Chi is that it doesn't look or feel a million miles apart from Apple's 11-inch MacBook Air - at least on the outside.
Open it up and the premium effect is only slightly diminished. While the base is adorned in the same attractive gunmetal matte finish and silver trim, the tablet part is let down by a chunky black bezel surrounding the display. It's not hugely unattractive, but the symmetry between the T100 Chi's two parts isn't there in the same way that the Surface 3's Type Cover feels a natural fit for Microsoft's 2-in-1.
The T100 Chi has traded the clamping action of the T100 with a magnetic latch that holds the tablet part in place. It's now easier to insert into the dock in a single motion while being simpler to remove with a forceful tug. It's sturdy too; you could confidently carry it around by the lid without worrying about either part flying off.
Specifications
Like the Surface 3 and Venue 11 Pro 7000, the Asus Transformer Book T100 Chi stuffs its internals behind the display, which makes it slightly top heavy but never feels in danger of tipping over. With both parts combined, the Chi T100 measures just 8mm thick (versus the Surface 3's 8.7mm) and weighs 570 grams (versus the Surface 3's 798 grams).On the underside of the T100 Chi's base are four rubber feet that keep it from slipping when placed on a surface. The device isn't hugely configurable, with only two versions available that let you choose between 32GB or 64GB of internal eMMC flash storage. Even at 64GB, around a third is swallowed up once you count the operating system, so you'll have to make the most of its expandable micro-SD card slot if you want to store a lot of data locally.
Here is the Transformer Book T100 Chi's spec sheet that was provided to TechRadar:
Spec sheet
- Intel Bay Trail-T Quad Core 1.46GHz (Turbo Boost to 3.9GHz)
- Operating System: Windows 8.1
- Onboard memory: 2GB (1.89GB usable)
- Display: 10.1-inch 16:10 Full-HD (1920 x 1200) LED Backlight Glare Panel
- Graphics: Integrated Intel HD Graphics
- Storage: 64GB
- Card Reader: Card reader (Micro SD)
- Camera: Front 2MP and Rear 5MP
- Networking: Integrated 802.11a/b/g/n
- Built-in Bluetooth V4.0+HS
- Interface: 1 x Combo audio jack / 1 x micro SUB / 1 x HDMI / 1 x SD card reader / 1 x AC adapter plug / 1 x volume up/down
- Battery: 30Whrs
- Dimensions: Tablet - 265 x 174.5 x 7.2 / Dock - 265 x 174.5 x 13.2
- Weight: Tablet - 0.57kg (with Polymer Battery) / 0.51kg
The Bluetooth keyboard is turned on using a switch on the top-right side of the base, which can be flicked off to conserve battery. Pressing a key will lead to a brief delay before any action takes place on the screen, which is a small yet annoying gripe that could've been avoided if there was a direct connection between the two parts.
In terms of ports, you'll find just enough connectivity options to get by. Along the edge of the base you'll find one micro-USB 2.0 port, one USB 3.0 micro-B port, micro-HDMI, a micro SD slot that supports cards up to 128GB and a 3.5mm audio jack.
Apple's new MacBook has attracted criticism for having a single USB Type-C port, and the Chi T100 runs into a similar, if less pronounced problem. The T100 Chi similarly lacks full-size USB ports, but the inclusion of a USB 3.0 micro-B port along the tablet's right-hand edge can be used to connect a hub for standard USB peripherals while at the same time using the micro-USB 2.0 port on the left-hand side of the tablet to keep it charged.
Unlike the MacBook, the T100 Chi is unable to use its USB port to output to a display; instead, Asus has provided a micro-HDMI port on the right-hand side. Though the setup means you're going to have to carry around more cables than you might like, on the plus side you're not forced to lug a proprietary charging brick around.
Performance and benchmarks
The tablet uses an Intel Atom Z3775 CPU, a Bay Trail-based processor that's geared toward everyday computing tasks - such as browsing the web, checking email, watching 1080p movies and light image editing. While the chip doesn't match the power levels of the Intel Core M variant in the T300 Chi, it's a passively-cooled CPU that allows the T100 Chi to go fanless - and it's super quiet as a result.It's a shame that Asus didn't opt for Intel's newer and more powerful Cherry Trail Atom chip, which has demonstrated a slight, but noticeable performance gain over Bay Trail going by comparisons with our Surface 3 benchmarks.
Benchmarks
- 3DMark: Cloud Gate: 1,404; Sky Diver: 562; Fire Strike: Would not run
- Cinebech R11 (CPU): 1.44pts; (GPU): 6.94fps
- Cinebench R11.5 (GPU): 6.94fps
- PCMark 8 Home: 1,217
- PC Mark 8 Battery Life: 8 hours 38 minutes
The T100 Chi's Bay Trail chip came out 32% slower than the Cherry Trail CPU in the Surface 3, scoring 1,217 in PCMark 8's Home Test versus the Surface 3's 1,682. It doesn't mean a great deal in real world terms; like its predecessor, the T100 Chi can handle multiple applications running at once - including browsers with several tabs open and YouTube streaming in the background - without too much stuttering or lag. It's when you start to push the device further that its 2GB of RAM and chip start to become bogged down under the strain.
The T100 Chi's small display combined with its energy-sipping system-on-chip provides good battery life thanks to its 30Wh internal battery. Running PCMark8's battery benchmark, which simulates use of real-world applications and full-HD video, I managed to eke out 8 hours and 38 minutes before it ran out of juice. Here is a tablet that's sure to run most of the day, and even longer if you turn off the Bluetooth keyboard for any amount of time.
On key
The design of the keyboard means that it's a little on the cramped side, a criticism that was also aimed at the original T100. I still prefer it over the Surface 3's Type Cover accessory, which has larger keys but much narrower key travel. As with any keyboard, the experience is subjective and the only way is to try it for yourself.
Sticking with accessories, the T100 Chi's battery-powered stylus is useful for prodding at the screen to pick out menus and toolbars, and while it's preferable to using fingers when it comes to drawing on Fresh Paint, it lacks the precision and multiple pressure levels of the Surface 3's Surface Pen.
Display
I got on well with the T100 Chi's super-sharp display, in part due to its high pixel density. Measured with our X-Rite i1DisplayPro colorimeter, brightness was recorded at a good, but not groundbreaking 319.2 cd/m2, which fell short of the Surface 3's 416.3 cd/m2. Whacked up to full brightness it's more than enough for indoor use, but when combined with the glossy IPS display it's too dark to properly see outdoors. Viewing angles, on the other hand, are superb - living up to Asus's 180-degree claims.Elsewhere, the display has good black levels of 0.2824 cd/m2 and a more than acceptable contrast ratio of 1037:31, which ensures strong, bold colours, bright whites and inky blacks. Colour temperate sat at 6767K, slightly on the cool side and a fair bit above the ideal 6,500K figure, but it's not something you're likely to notice in your day-to-day use of the T100 Chi.
Once connected, the Wi-Fi remained rock solid during my time with the T100 Chi. The hybrid's speakers are found on both edges of the unit and emit loud, albeit tinny sound as is common on 2-in-1s in its price bracket. Suitable for Skype calls or YouTube video, it's not ideal for listening to music in anything other than a small room.
Verdict
Simply put, the revamped T100 Chi delivers a greater improvement than its marginally greater cost over the T100 would suggest. It makes big strides in build quality, has a superior display and features the same great battery life as its predecessor. If only its two parts felt a little more naturally related, rather than two slabs of plastic and aluminium communicating at arms' length, it would be even more of a joy to use. Maybe that's being reserved for the T200 Chi, ay, Asus?We liked
The T100 Chi is a small, versatile laptop and tablet thanks to its sturdy aluminium construction, something that you don't often get at this price point. You can sling it in a bag without worrying about it becoming damaged or scratched, it'll handle 1080p video without any problems, and you can watch video for hours on end without reaching for the charger thanks to its great battery life. Though it costs extra, the stylus is an welcome option as it allows you to pick out parts of the display with greater accuracy.We disliked
The inclusion of a Bay Trail-based Atom CPU instead of a Cherry Trail variant feels like a missed opportunity, though it likely hasn't negatively impacted the T100 Chi's performance too much when it comes to day-to-day computing activities.Regardless, if you need a device to do any heavy lifting - whether that's converting video into different formats or editing high-resolution photographs - the T100 Chi isn't going to be it. Slapping micro-USB connections all over the device isn't going to please the full-size USB traditionalists either. And if you've got big hands, the T100 Chi's small chiclet-spaced keyboard may prove too cramped.
Final verdict
Save for a Cherry Trail chip, full-sized USB ports and smaller bezels, the Asus Transformer Book T100 Chi has delivered just about every improvement over its predecessor that you could want. While it's not going to set the world alight, it's a solid upgrade and an attractive proposition compared to a similarly-priced laptop or Chromebook - particularly so if you you need a Windows tablet.Deciding between the T100 Chi and its predecessor is a no brainer - it's worth the extra money in every sense. If you're got plenty of sense and money, splashing out a bit more on the Chi T300 would net you an even more capable, if less portable device.
Alternatively, the Surface 3 has a better processor and comes with the option of a pressure-sensitive stylus but costs a chunk more due to the cost of Microsoft's Type Cover accessory. Both have superb high-resolution displays, and in many ways deciding between the two comes down to a matter of preference.
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Updated: Buying Guide: 7 best laptops for students 2015
Best laptops for students
Even for those who feel at home with their nose in a textbook, the end of summer break (or Winter recess) is a big bummer. But as much as it's a return to school and schedules, it's an opportunity. This is a fine excuse to invest in some fresh tech to make the coming academia-addled year a little more bearable.If you're still reliant on a desktop, or if your laptop winces at the sight of a high-definition video lecture, it's time to look into an upgrade. And thankfully if you know where to look, it's possible to get a sleek and impressive notebook without blowing through your savings (or student loans).
We've pored through ourarchives from the past several months and picked the best laptops for school. Our short list spans a variety of budgets that range from power-sipping Chromebooks to help you with that 1,000 page dissertation to more powerful machines that'll do better at a dorm room lan party.
Update: HP and Acer recently announced their back-to-school lineups with refreshes and new models. There are plenty of traditional and hybrid form factors in both company's portfolios. HP's lineup includes the refreshed HP Pavilion laptops, Pavilion x360 convertible, and Envy x360. Acer announced the Aspire E14, Aspire Switch 10, and the Aspire R11.
Acer Chromebook 15
The perfect 15.6-inch media device to share with budsCollege life and an affordable 15-inch laptop are almost synonymous. While most college students will go with a Windows machine, you might be better off with something that runs Chrome OS. Meet the Acer Chromebook 15, the first cloud-based machine to come packing a 15.6-inch screen and a Broadwell processor.
Not only does this laptop laptop also come as a well equipped and fully capable machine for multi-tasking, it has a positively radiant screen that's perfect for long Netflix binges. Acer has leveraged all it's past experience making Chromebooks to create a solid package, one that jumps over nearly all the hurdles early Chrome OS machines struggled with.
Read: Acer Chromebook 15 review
13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display
Intel Broadwell and updated graphics deliver even stronger performance
Updated with Intel's latest Broadwell processor, Apple's 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display delivers even stronger performance with its integrated Iris Graphics 6100 GPU. On the surface, Apple is keeping the same hardware design, with the exception of the touchpad. The notebook starts at £999 ($1,299, AU$1,690).
On this year's model Apple is using the new Force Touch touchpad, a technology that was borrowed from the 12-inch MacBook. The new, non-mechanical Force Touch trackpad provides tactile feedback and can detect various levels of force.
The haptic feedback simply replicates the feeling of clicking a mechanical trackpad (something it does perfectly – you really feel like you're pressing a real button). For example, you might press to fast-forward a video and press harder to speed it up more.
The 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display is an excellent option for students who may need more power than a Chromebook or a MacBook Air without sacrificing portability thanks to its long battery life, relatively light weight, and high resolution display. Students on a budget will be happy to know that they can get started right away as the MacBook Pro with Retina display ships with free copies of Pages, Numbers, and Keynote out of the box as well as iMovie, Photos, and GarageBand for basic, creative projects.
Read: 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display (early 2015) review
Asus ZenBook UX305
A truly excellent ultrabook at a very agreeable price point
While the Asus UX305 does not necessarily break any new ground in the Ultrabook scene, it's a nearly flawless device, for an extremely affordable price and that in itself is worth high praise.
The ZenBook UX305 is a superbly-built, fully metal machine that's thin, light and very attractive. This lightweight system' also easily handled all my daily tasks whether I was browsing the web, watching video or editing images. What's more, you can get excellent battery life out of the machine considering its 1080p display.
Of course, the most striking thing about the UX305 is that it comes at a $699 or £649 (about AU$902) price. This is a great price for any mobile computing machine, but in this case you're getting a premium, full-metal Ultrabook with an excellent full HD display and a 256GB SSD to boot. While isnt' exactly a shining symbol of innovation in the Ultrabook space, it is the most affordable Ultrabook out today and it won't disappoint you.
Read: Asus ZenBook UX305 review
13-inch Macbook Air
Still the benchsetter for thin and light laptops in 2015Apple's ultralight MacBook Air is a thin and impeccably built machine. Despite the laptop's slim, cheese knife-like profile, it packs a capable Core i3 processor and an impressive battery that can last up to 12 hours. With this all-day battery life, it's a laptop that can get you through a whole day of classes as well as some internet browsing and Netflix bingeing.
The MacBook Air is of the most affordable ways of getting into the Apple camp of mobile computing. There plenty of reasons to do so too with free software updates and a bundled copy of iWork. Where as on Windows you have the extra expense of having to buy Microsoft Office.
Read: 13-inch MacBook Air review
Asus ROG GL551
One of the best entry-level gaming laptop available
There isn't anything too surprising about the Asus GL551. It checks off all the boxes you'd expect from gaming laptops without breaking the bank. Despite the value-packed price, this laptop isn't lacking in power at all. It performs admirably playing just about any title on medium to high settings.
The Asus GL551 isn't the best looking gaming laptop around, however, it's mostly a joy to use and that's what really matters. The metal keyboard deck and palm rests is a solid platform for gamers to tap and click on well into the wee hours of the night. Plus the notebook comes with a decent set of tweeters. That saves you from having to invest in a headset to hear all of the splashy in-game explosions.
Sadly, our biggest (and only) hangup with the Asus GL551 is its downright awful display for day to day use whether you're gaming or just browsing the web. Save for the display, though, the Asus GL551 is a sweet package for its affordable price and one of the very best affordable gaming laptops currently out today.
Read: Asus GL551 review
Acer Aspire V7
Offering great all-round performance this is ideal for a studentAcer set out to split the difference between a 14-inch gaming machine with a portable Ultrabook machine, and it's struck a good balance with the Aspire V7. It's one of the slimmest 14-inch laptops around, thanks to its Ultrabook-inspired styling. As just barely a gaming laptop rig, the Acer will play games far better than most ultraportable machines that lack dedicated graphics processing.
The Acer Aspire V7's screen was really love at first sight. Whether we were streaming movies or working in Lightroom the colorful display impressed us consistently with its visual fidelity and sharp resolution and great colors working in Photoshop. Acer has put one of the best laptop screens we've ever seen into the Acer Aspire V7, and photographers as well as media junkies alike will love it.
The Aspire V7 also has a surprising amount of gaming power behind it despite its rather middling components. The machine was able to play a handful of modern games including Wolfenstein at 30 fps, and then at 58 fps with some visual tweaks.
Read: Acer Aspire V7 review
Surface Pro 3
Certainly the best laptop/tablet hybrid yet releasedThis is not only Microsoft's most striking and versatile device to date, but the most convincing poster child for the hybrid category yet. And this ringing endorsement comes from a long-time skeptic of such devices.
That said, the Surface Pro 3 (starting at $799, £639, AU$979) is hamstrung by flaws that cannot be ignored. Namely, the battery life might be in line with most Ultrabooks, but isn't close to what Apple's leading laptop and top tablet. And the Type Cover billed as an accessory doesn't help Microsoft's cause – it's quite pricey to boot.
At any rate, this version of the tablet comes in cheaper than the most affordable iPad Air and 13-inch MacBook Air combined, even with the Type Cover, and that's the point. On paper, this slate is more powerful than either Apple device, not to mention most other comparably priced laptops and tablets. The Surface Pro 3 might not be perfect, but it's far and wide the brightest shining example of a potential tablet takeover. If you're not concerned about a downgraded performance, consider the new Surface 3, which doesn't provide as much kick as the Pro, but is lighter and a lot cheaper.
Read: Surface Pro 3 review
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Updated: 9 Best Chromebooks 2015: top Chromebooks reviewed
Best Chromebooks
Updated: Google's Pixel has won a spot in our best Chromebooks list as one of the most powerful and fastest machines around. We've also added the revamped Dell Chromebook 11 to the list as well.Chromebooks are budget laptops that are both odd and brilliant, low-impact and potent.
Running Google's Chrome OS rather than Windows, they focus on what computing has been all about since the late '90s, the web browser.
With low-impact processors and barely HD screens starting at 1366 x 768 resolution, most of these machines are also designed to last. Almost every Chromebook claims between 7 and 9 hours of battery life and comes within a few hours of that range, based on our testing.
Prices will start to climb above the budget range, as is the case with the new Chromebook Pixel ($999, £670, AU$1,320), a laptop whose specs put it in direct competition with the new MacBook. Despite the expanding Chromebook market, there should always be something within your spending limit. Or, if you require something out of the ordinary, there are even ruggedized versions of Chromebooks designed to withstand the abuse of children.
At that point, it all comes down to size (and price), with Chromebooks available as small as 11.6 inches and as large as 14 inches. Always updated, here are our top-ranking Chromebook reviews:
Chromebook Pixel (2015)
The end all, be all of Chromebooks.Outfitted with a Core i5 processor, USB 3.1 (and USB-C) ports, a high-resolution screen, and more RAM than it will ever need, the Chromebook pixel sets a high bar for Chrome OS machines for years to come.
Power and performance aside, the Pixel is one of the few Chromebooks that feels like it has itself completely figured out. The build quality of this machine is exquisite and the design has been engineered down to a science. What's more, its vivid screen - plus the impeccable keyboard and trackpad - all help to round out the Pixel as one excellent, premium package.
It's impossible not to get hung up on the Pixel's high price. For the same amount of money, you could buy two or even three Chromebooks or a decent Windows laptop. So before you we suggest you consider all the much more affordable options out there before investing so much money into this machine.
Read: Chromebook Pixel (2015)
Acer Chromebook 15
With a stunning screen, Acer's latest Chromebook is a winnerThe Acer Chromebook 15 is a breath of fresh air in the Chromebook space. It takes this series of laptops to two new places, as the first with a 15.6-inch screen and the first packing a Broadwell processor.
First and foremost, it neither looks nor feels the least bit "budget." The laptop also comes well equipped and is fully capable machine for multi-tasking. What's more, it has a positively radiant screen that's perfect for long Netflix binges.
We would easily pick this machine over any budget 15.6-inch Windows laptop. It's simply better built and comes at a better price to boot. Heck even 15-inch display on this laptop itself would even be worth the $349 or £249 (about AU$458) price of admission. No matter what though, the Acer Chromebook 15 is on the cutting edge and first sign of where Chrome OS devices will end up this year.
Read: Acer Chromebook 15 review
Dell Chromebook 11 (2015)
Dell's updated Chromebook is a star in almost every regardDon't let the understated aesthetics of the new Dell Chromebook 11 (starting at $249, £170, AU$320) fool you. Dell packed in features that are typically reserved for more expensive business notebooks into its Chromebook 11 in an effort to create a durable product for the education market. In the Chromebook 11, you'll find a 180-degree reinforced hinge, rugged design, sealed keyboard and trackpad, and a great typing experience inside a portable package. In addition to using the Chromebook for school, students will appreciate the loud stereo speakers for multimedia and entertainment.
Read: Dell Chromebook 11 review
Lenovo N20p Chromebook
A versatile Chromebook experience for a reasonable priceThis is one of the "sexier" Chromebooks available, showcasing Lenovo's eye for style. However, the best feature is the N20p's 300-degree hinge, which lets you flip the N20p's display backward all the way into stand mode (or 'tent' mode, whatever you prefer), which lends itself nicely to viewing movies or showing presentations.
The touchscreen controls also work in a pinch for recreational activities such as watching shows on HBOGo viewing or Pinteresting. Still there's some difficulty when using it as a tablet, as Chrome isn't entirely tailored to touch as a largely browser-based operating system.
It's not very tuned for business use, but the Lenovo N20p offers great versatility for a leisure device. Plus with two USB ports (one 3.0), and HDMI port and an SD card reader, this Chromebook delivers a great bang for its buck.
Read: Lenovo N20p Chromebook review
Toshiba Chromebook 2
A gorgeous 1080p screen makes this Chromebook a real contenderFor $329 (about £205, AU$382), the Toshiba Chromebook 2 is a gorgeous and affordable laptop that doesn't have many weaknesses. It comes with more RAM and a full HD 1080p screen, making it a step up from other models in this class, like the Samsung Chromebook 2 and Acer C720.
But potential buyers should note that the Toshiba Chromebook 2 moves the Chromebook category closer towards the territory of an affordable Windows 8.1 laptop. So you might be overpaying if you're not purchasing this laptop specifically for the Google ecosystem.
That being said, the 1080p screen is a huge bonus and the laptop speakers made by Skullcandy are booming. Add it all up and the Toshiba Chromebook 2 might be an ideal streaming system for everything from YouTube and Google Play to Hulu Plus and Netflix.
Read: Toshiba Chromebook 2 review
Acer Chromebook 13
With incredible battery life, the Chromebook 13 is a winnerPowered by Nvidia's ARM Cortex A15-based Tegra K1, this Chromebook packs a lot of punch in a tiny frame. Users will love its 13.3-inch 1080p resolution screen, as well as its portability. At 3.31 pounds, the Acer Chromebook 13 is a relatively light laptop.
This Chromebook does have some minor issues: it doesn't multitask very well and the laptop itself only comes in one color. But for the price ($279 about £165, AU$300), you're likely to enjoy the simplicity and productivity, as you learn to overcome the design limitations.
Read: Acer Chrome 13 review
HP Chromebook 11
A Chromebook that's as cheap as it is excellent
The HP Chromebook 11 (starting at $279, £179, AU$399) is smooth and usable. While Chrome OS is limited by definition, between us growing more comfortable in web apps and those apps growing in power – and Chrome OS maturing – we're bumping into those limitations far less often.
This laptop is punchy enough to make the experience slick, cheap enough for anyone on a budget (or an impulse buy for the well-off), but something that still feels solid. It is a delight to own and use.
Apple and the other premium manufacturers should look at this little gem of a computer and applaud what has been achieved. The Chromebook 11 shows that it's possible to create a product with a little bit of the magic and joy you get from an Apple laptop without charging four figures for it.
Read: HP Chromebook 11 review
Acer C720 Chromebook
Offering decent features at a cheap price, this is a good budget optionIn terms of power and endurance, you can't argue with the Acer C720 Chromebook (starting at $199, £199, AU$399). When you just want to get on the web quickly to answer emails or look something up, the C720 is ideal. For parents, it's also a perfect "homework machine," as long as you can get a printer hooked up.
This is a true web appliance, a fine system for families. The Google account log-in gives each user a personalized interface, and just a few keystrokes completely wipe the system. That limits the risk substantially in sharing the system with others.
One key criterion we use in evaluating a device is whether we'd actually want to use it every day. Even taking this laptop's flaws into account, it's something we definitely would want to use, for the price.
Read: Acer C720 Chromebook review
Asus Chromebook C300M
A colourful Chromebook that balances price and performanceThe Asus C300M ($249, £219) is a perfectly balanced device for coffee shop warriors, commuting accountants and peripatetic teachers. With more than nine hours of battery life, this 13.3-inch device will keep you going all day long.
It also performed admirably on all of our benchmarks, and it even features a solid set of ports for those of you needing multiple connections. Like most other Chromebooks, this laptop isn't winning any innovation awards, but it is a good-looking, steady performer at an incredible price.
Read: Asus Chromebook C300M review
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Microsoft delivering developers a unified experience in Windows 10
Microsoft is delivering an update to the way developers handle apps destined for Windows Phone, Windows 8.1 and eventually Windows 10.
The new Developer Dashboard will be unveiled at Build 2015 later on this week and the new service will eventually allow developers to submit and manage apps across Windows devices in one location, according to Microsoft News.
Microsoft uploaded the new dashboard to new a subdomain of windows.com that is hosted at devx.windows.com. Once users login to the site the next page pops up with a "Coming Soon.." banner. When the Dashboard Preview finally launches at this location it will be open to all registered Windows developers but at first it will only let you view your account and published apps.
Microsoft's grand plan for unity
Bringing all app developers working on Windows under one roof complements the plan it has already carried out to implement its own universal apps, known as Windows apps. Those applications will look exactly the same regardless of whether they are running on a laptop, tablet, desktop, smartphone, Xbox or Internet of Things device.Microsoft plans to fully release the new Developer Dashboard later on this year and we can expect to hear a lot more about its plans for that and the whole of Windows 10 later this week at Build 2015.
- Check it out: Windows 10 release date, price, news and features
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