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Of all the biggest missed opportunities in Microsoft’s rather long history of squandered chances, Windows on Arm is the one I’m saddest about – but that could soon change. When Windows 10 on Arm was first being touted (the less said about the earlier Windows RT the better), the promise of a fully-fledged version of Windows running on Arm-based hardware usually found in smartphones and tablets (rather than the more common Intel and AMD hardware) was incredibly exciting. We were told that Windows 10 on Arm would combine the power and flexibility of the best laptops with some of the best features of smartphones and tablets – particularly speedy boot times, fast resume, always-connected internet, and day-long battery life. Unfortunately, the reality was quite different from those lofty promises. While battery lives of Windows 10 on Arm devices were certainly impressive for the time, performance was poor, especially considering that Windows 10 on Arm devices were also very expensive. Worst of all, these devices could only run apps downloaded from the Windows Store (now known as the Microsoft Store), and those apps had to have Arm-compatible versions. (Image credit: Microsoft / Dell) Unfortunately, most Windows apps are designed for Intel and AMD hardware (also known as x64 architecture). This makes sense as the vast majority of Windows devices – especially during the Windows 10 years – was built on x64 hardware. So, many app developers didn’t see the point of making Arm-compatible versions, and this meant that not only were Windows 10 on Arm devices more expensive and less powerful than standard Windows 10 laptops, but they also couldn't run a lot of the most popular applications – a fatal combination. Poor sales of Windows on Arm devices inevitably followed, and that, in turn, meant app developers were less likely to port their products to Arm. (Image credit: Yaaaaayy / Shutterstock) Breaking the vicious cycle Unfortunately, the lack of both apps and customers set off a vicious cycle that impacted the success of later Windows 11 on Arm devices. However, there have been some exciting breakthroughs that could positively affect the fortunes of Windows 11 on Arm devices, and might finally allow them to reach their full potential. The most important development has been the launch of the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus and Elite chips. Qualcomm is one of the biggest companies in the world, and while it might not have the kind of brand recognition that the likes of Intel and AMD have, its Arm-based chips have been powering millions of mobile devices around the world. The company has been a key partner of Microsoft’s when it comes to Windows on Arm devices and has applied its experience of making Arm chips for mobile devices to create more powerful chips for computing devices. While these haven’t always been successful, the latest generation promises some very exciting things. Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite is the most powerful variant, and it’s shaping up to be an Arm chip that could finally live up to expectations. My colleague, UK Computing Editor Christian Guyton, was particularly impressed when he tested out some prototype laptops earlier this month that were powered by the X Elite. He was able to play Baldur’s Gate 3, a rather complex game, at a decent framerate and resolution. This struck me as evidence that Qualcomm might have cracked two of the biggest issues with Windows on Arm devices. First, there’s the performance. While Baldur’s Gate 3 on the Snapdragon X Elite-powered device was playable, it won’t trouble the best gaming laptops – but the fact that it even ran at all is impressive. This bodes well for the day-to-day performance of Snapdragon X Elite-powered laptops. There’s also the important fact that there’s no Arm version of Baldur’s Gate 3 for Windows devices. This means that the game is using emulation to allow it to work on Arm hardware. This comes at a performance cost, which makes the playable state of the game on the Snapdragon X Elite even more impressive. It also shows that even demanding non-Arm applications can be made to work on Arm hardware without needing a native Arm version. This could pave the way for more programs coming to Windows on Arm – and it isn’t dependent on the developers making dedicated versions. This could address the issue of a lack of apps on Windows on Arm. Alongside the Snapdragon X Elite, Qualcomm also has Snapdragon X Plus, a more affordable chip that lowers the CPU core count (10 cores compared to the Elite’s 12) and lower speed (3.4GHz vs 3.8GHz). If the performance remains competitive (and early benchmark leaks suggest that it does), and the price is low enough, we could see Windows on Arm devices that aren’t overpriced and offer much better value for money – addressing yet another common criticism of Windows on Arm devices. (Image credit: Apple) The Apple effect Before the launch of the Snapdragon X series, Windows on Arm was in a bad place. Things looked particularly grim as Microsoft’s old rival, Apple, was enjoying huge success and critical acclaim with its lineup of Macs powered by its M1 (and later M2 and M3) chips – which are built on Arm architecture. While Windows on Arm struggled, the MacBook Air (M1, 2020) and co were proving that Arm-powered laptops weren’t just viable, they could be the future of computing. Offering the long battery lives and quick startups we’d been promised, Apple’s first generation of Mac and MacBooks that ran on the company’s Arm-based chips, rather than the Intel hardware of older models, were a hit. And, while the MacBook Air’s launch price of $999 / £999 / AU$1,599 wasn’t exactly cheap, it was a competitive price point. And with the M1 providing an excellent level of performance, the high price tag is far more justified. The best thing about the M1 Apple Macs was a tool by Apple called Rosetta 2. This was an emulation layer that allowed almost all existing Mac apps to run on the new M1 hardware. This meant Mac users switching to an M1 device would be able to use pretty much all of their important apps and programs, even if M1 native apps were thin on the ground. This was a canny move by Apple, as it meant that M1 products were a big success, and because of that, app developers started making versions of their products that could run on M1 hardware without the need for emulation – and could take full advantage of Apple’s chip. When the M2 series of Macs and MacBooks came out, Rosetta 2 was still in use – but the number of times I’ve had to use it when using an M2 MacBook dropped significantly, as there was a growing library of M2 apps. By the time the M3 chips rolled around late last year, the number of times I (and other users) had to rely on Rosetta 2 was even rarer. Very few bits of software can be considered a success if fewer people need to use it, but that’s exactly what happened here. Rosetta 2 allowed Mac owners to switch to Arm-based Macs with ease, while also giving app developers the time to develop native apps. And the more people that switched to Arm Macs, the more attractive it became for app developers to port their apps to the platform. (Image credit: Accogliente Design / Shutterstock) It’s now up to Microsoft So, Apple proved that Arm-based laptops can be successful, and Qualcomm looks like it could have addressed many of the hardware issues. Does this mean the next generation of Windows on Arm devices will be a slam dunk? Sadly, that’s not a guarantee just yet as there’s one company that needs to pull its weight to give Windows on Arm devices their best chance of success: Microsoft. While it’s obvious that Microsoft would want Windows on Arm to succeed, the way it’s handled previous generations has been frustrating. The fact that there’s never been a tool similar to Rosetta 2 that would make running non-Arm apps run easily is particularly annoying. Now, I’m sure this is due to it being a very complex job. After all, Windows devices are made by various manufacturers that use components from different companies, which leads to a potentially limitless range of Windows PC configurations. Macs, on the other hand, have much more limited configurations, with the hardware mainly being built by Apple. However, the lack of apps is perhaps the biggest hurdle still standing for Windows on Arm, especially when there are Macs out there that can run a much wider range of apps. And, this is a problem that should be in Microsoft’s powers to do something about. Microsoft does have tools for getting non-Arm software running on Arm hardware using emulation, but it hasn’t taken off in the same way, mainly because it’s not as easy to use and doesn’t work quite as well, with some apps still refusing to run. If Microsoft can’t come up with a Rosetta 2-beating solution, then it needs to do more work convincing app developers to port their software to Arm. This might be a difficult feat, especially when the user base is so low, but Microsoft is a very successful company with plenty of resources. It could provide financial incentives, or offer developers and tools to help port the biggest apps. Microsoft is also a hardware company, and its past attempts to create Windows on Arm devices suffered from the problems that have become all too familiar. The Surface Pro X, for example, came with Microsoft’s SQ1 Arm-based chip, made in conjunction with Qualcomm. It was also overpriced and didn’t perform well. However, rumors are swirling that Microsoft could be releasing Surface Pro and Surface Laptop devices soon that will feature Snapdragon X chips. If Microsoft can nail both the software and hardware sides, we could see a new era of Windows on Arm devices that are actually worth buying. And Microsoft could give Apple’s rumored M4-powered Macs a run for their money. However, if these devices come out with unappealing price tags, poor performance, and a continued lack of app support, then it could be the end of the Windows on Arm dream. After all, if Microsoft itself can’t make a success of it, what hope do other companies have? You might also like Forget Apple’s M4 MacBooks – Lenovo’s Snapdragon X Elite laptops have been spottedSnapdragon X Elite hype builds as Qualcomm shows off Apple M3-beating CPU that can handle laptop gaming nicelyApple just saved Arm-based Windows laptops, and it’s a wakeup call Intel needs View the full article

Phoronix tested two versions of Ubuntu Linux against Windows 11 on the latest Ryzen-powered Framework 16 laptop and discovered that Ubuntu is better performing OS most of the time. View the full article

Best Buy today has every model of the 2022 13-inch MacBook Air available for $150 off, matching previous all-time low prices on the notebooks. These prices are available to all shoppers and do not require a My Best Buy Plus/Total membership. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Best Buy. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running. The 256GB model is on sale for $849.00 and the 512GB model is available for $1,049.00. These deals beat the previous prices we tracked earlier in the year by about $50. $150 OFF13-inch M2 MacBook Air (256GB) for $849.00 $150 OFF13-inch M2 MacBook Air (512GB) for $1,049.00 You can get both models in all four colors: Starlight, Space Gray, Silver, and Midnight. Following the introduction of the M3 MacBook Air, Apple knocked the price of the 13-inch M2 MacBook Air down by $100, and it's still selling them alongside the M3 model. Be sure to visit our full Deals Roundup to shop for even more Apple-related products and accessories.Related Roundup: Apple Deals This article, "Apple's 13-Inch M2 MacBook Air Hits Record Low Prices at Best Buy, Starting at $849" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums View the full article

Dell has created great all-around premium laptops: just pick your ideal size and deal with a few design quirks. View the full article

When it comes to growing and expanding a small business, having the right hardware is key - especially when it comes down to computing. Using an efficient, powerful and adaptable enterprise laptop can make working on the go a breeze - and all-day battery life and powerful hardware specifications can make all the difference. And with AI increasingly influencing the work we all do, having a PC that's AI-ready, allowing your business to unlock the possibilities of this exciting new age, is vital - especially if it doesn't break the bank doing so. So if you're looking for a boost, the new Dell Inspiron line could be just what you need - and at a price that's affordable even for smaller businesses looking to try out an AI PC for the first time. Available from just £899, the Inspiron 14 Plus is an ideal working companion featuring a powerful Intel Core Ultra 7 processor that can easily tackle whatever tasks are thrown its way. Combined with 1TB of storage and your choice of either 16GB or 32GB LPDDR5 RAM, all powered by a 4 cell 64wh battery, the Inspiron 14 Plus can last a full day's working on the go with ease. The laptop's 14-inch display comes with a 2.2k resolution that's fully anti-glare, so there's no issue with using it outside, and a built-in widescreen FHD (1080p) webcam featuring dual microphones with temporal noise reduction enabled makes the Inspiron 14 Plus perfect for high-quality video calls, even if you’re in a busy office. Thanks to its many connectivity options, including HDMI 1.4, Thunderbolt 4 with DP and two USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, it can easily connect to external displays or monitors for when you are at your desk, giving you a much wider view at all your key tasks. There's also built-in security via the fingerprint scanner embedded within its power button, along with a one-year subscription to McAfee+ Premium 30 day trial to keep your device safe from all the latest threats. And at just 0.75 inches thin and weighing in at 1.60kg, it's a perfectly portable device to take with you wherever you go. (Image credit: Dell) If you're looking for something a bit bigger, the Inspiron 16 Plus, priced from only £949, offers a wider screen with an eye-catching 16:10 aspect ratio, providing not just extra space on your 2.5k Resolution Anti Glare 300nits display, but making your screen appear taller and more vibrant all round. Pair this with a powerful Intel Core Ultra 7 processor, plus your choice of 16GB or 32GB of DDR5 RAM and up to 2TB of storage, all powered by an all-day battery life, HDMI 2.0 connectivity and support for both Wi-Fi 6 and Wifi6E, and the Inspiron 16 Plus covers all the bases, whether you’re just starting out in a business, or looking to take your working life to the next level. Blending together the hardware you need for boosted productivity along with the full Windows 11 suite and other creativity tools, the Inspiron 16 Plus is not just your work laptop for today, but for the AI wave of the future as well. Thanks to the integrated Windows 11 software suite, this includes Microsoft Copilot, your own personal AI assistant, which is able to provide a range of help and inspiration for a wide range of workplace tasks, unlocking the power of AI for workers at all levels. From suggesting new ways of writing, summarizing meeting notes, and cutting down on background noise in video calls, the range of AI functions and tools already available means that SMBs in all industries should be set to benefit. So if you're looking for a powerful, robust yet also practically portable and stylish workplace laptop that's ready for the AI age, but won't cost you the earth, Dell has everything you need with the Inspiron 14 Plus and Inspiron 16 Plus - you can find out more on the company's full line-up here. View the full article

The Tuxedo Sirius 16 Gen2 is an AMD Linux gaming laptop that comes with the Kubuntu-based Tuxedo OS, Ubuntu LTS, Kubuntu LTS, or Ubuntu Budgie LTS. View the full article

As the presidential election race heats up, Republican lawmakers criticize Biden administration export decisions. View the full article

HP has launched a new ultra-portable laptop in Japan, and the sleek and powerful EliteBook 635 Aero G11 is already being hailed as a potential competitor to Dell's XPS 13, thanks to impressive specs and a lightweight design. The Windows 11 Pro laptop is powered by either an AMD Ryzen 5 8640U or Ryzen 7 8840U processor and comes with 16GB of onboard LPDDR5 memory and a 512GB M.2 SSD. It features a 13.3-inch WUXGA (1920 x 1200) LCD display with a maximum brightness of 400 cd/m². The EliteBook 635 Aero G11 includes a 5MP webcam (with a sliding privacy cover), an IR camera compatible with Windows Hello, Poly Studio audio, and a backlit keyboard. With a magnesium casing the laptop is impressively lightweight at just 1kg, making it perfect for users on the go. Japan only Aimed at business users, the EliteBook 635 Aero G11 has a variety of ports including USB Type-A 3.2 Gen 1, a combo stereo headphone/mic jack, two USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2 ports with USB Power Delivery and DisplayPort 1.4 capabilities, HDMI 2.1, and another USB Type-A 3.2 Gen 1 port. Connectivity is provided in the form of Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3. It looks great, but there is a huge catch – the EliteBook 635 Aero G11 is currently only available in Japan, with no plans for a global launch. It’s possible that HP may be testing the waters with a limited release there first and will bring it to other territories in due course, but for now we’ll just have to wait and see. In Japan, the EliteBook 635 Aero G11 will be released on April 26, priced from 274,780 yen ($1796.79). More from TechRadar Pro These are the best Windows 10 Pro and Windows 11 Pro laptopsAnd these are the best business laptops available todayThis Japanese Windows 11 laptop will give the Surface Pro 9 a run for its money View the full article

Apple's hardware roadmap was in the news this week, with things hopefully firming up for a launch of updated iPad Pro and iPad Air models next month while we look ahead to the other iPad models and a full lineup of M4-based Macs arriving starting later this year. We also heard some fresh rumors about iOS 18, due to be unveiled at WWDC in a couple of months, while we took a look at how things are going with the iPhone 15 Pro now that it's halfway through its flagship lifecycle, so read on below for all the details on these stories and more! Macs to Get AI-Focused M4 Chips Starting in Late 2024 Apple plans to release its first Macs with the M4 series of chips in late 2024, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. The report says that the MacBook Pro and iMac lines will be the first to be updated with the M4 series of chips later this year, while other models like the MacBook Air, Mac mini, Mac Studio, and Mac Pro are expected to be updated with M4 series chips throughout 2025. Gurman said the chips are "designed to highlight artificial intelligence" capabilities on the Mac. New iPads Likely to Launch During Second Week of May In the latest edition of his newsletter, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said new iPad Pro and iPad Air models will likely launch during the second week of May, following reported manufacturing delays. He also said Apple is working on new iPad mini and entry-level iPad models, but he does not expect those devices to launch until later this year. It has been nearly 18 months since Apple last released new iPads. Review: Six Months With the iPhone 15 Pro It's been a bit over six months since the iPhone 15 lineup came out in September, and MacRumors videographer Dan Barbera has been using an iPhone 15 Pro Max sans case since launch. Over on our YouTube channel, Dan did a long-term review to demo how his phone has held up and his thoughts on the Action button, battery life, and camera features. If you're an ‌iPhone 15 Pro‌ owner, let us know how your battery life is holding up, whether you're regularly using the Action button, and anything else you've found interesting about your experience with Apple's latest high-end flagship phone! Here Are All the Rumored iPhone 16 Colors We recently recapped all rumored color options for the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max, so be sure to check out the list to learn about the new options expected. At least two new color options are rumored for the lower-end iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus models, including Purple and White, while the Pro models could gain new Space Black and Rose Gold titanium finishes. iOS 18 May Feature All-New 'Safari Browsing Assistant' One of the new generative AI features rumored to be coming to the iPhone with iOS 18 could be a browsing assistant in Safari, according to backend code discovered on Apple's servers. While no specific details about the browsing assistant are known, the feature could allow Safari to better compete with other AI-infused web browsers available on the iPhone, such as Microsoft Edge and Arc Search. The MacRumors Show: Apple Shortcuts and iOS 18 ft. Matthew Cassinelli Matthew Cassinelli, one of the minds behind Workflow, joined Dan and Hartley on this week's episode of The MacRumors Show to talk Apple Shortcuts and potential improvements and AI features coming to the app in iOS 18. Last week's episode included discussion of Apple's potential foray into robots, along with discoveries made in the iOS 17.5 beta, rumors about a new Apple Pencil, and more. Subscribe to The MacRumors Show channel on YouTube, and listen to the podcast in Apple Podcasts or your preferred podcast app. MacRumors Newsletter Each week, we publish an email newsletter like this highlighting the top Apple stories, making it a great way to get a bite-sized recap of the week hitting all of the major topics we've covered and tying together related stories for a big-picture view. So if you want to have top stories like the above recap delivered to your email inbox each week, subscribe to our newsletter!Tag: Top Stories This article, "Top Stories: M4 Mac Roadmap Leaked, New iPads in Second Week of May, and More" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums View the full article

MSI, which releases some of the best gaming PCs in the market, is launching several lines of desktops including the Aegis 14th series, Codex 14th series, and the newly released Vision 14th Series. Each one features 14th-Gen Intel Core processors and Nvidia RTX 4000-series graphics cards, though the exact configurations differ. The Vision Elite is the flagship PC that has a single model type, while the Codex and Aegis lines have two model types that differ in color and chassis design. There's not too much information on the Codex and Aegis lines right now, but as more is revealed we will make sure to update you. Vision Elite (Image credit: MSI) This is the flagship gaming PC of the Vision Elite line and it's outfitted with the highest-end components and chassis features a panoramic tempered glass panel that shows off the internals including the gorgeous RGB lighting. Spec-wise, you'll get an Intel Core i9-14900KF processor, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 graphics card, 32GB DDR5 RAM, 2TB M.2 NVMe SSD storage, and a 1000W power supply. It also supports WIFI 7 and includes Bluetooth 5.4 support alongside a 2.5G LAN port. This configuration will have an MSRP of $4,299.99 and can be found on the official MSI store. Aegis series (Image credit: MSI) The Aegis series features configurations with distinct faceplates that include mesh-like designs as well as venting through the aluminum side panel. This ensures great performance from the powerful hardware within by improving airflow throughout the system. We don't have any specific configuration or pricing information regarding the Aegis series. It comes in two different colors, white and black. Codex series (Image credit: MSI) The Codex series, like the Aegis line of gaming desktops, is also refreshed with two new chassis styles with augments to airflow and design. It's meant to invoke the look of a PC built from scratch by using standardized parts, according to MSI. We don't have any specific configuration or pricing information regarding the Codex series, either, but you can expect it to feature current-gen parts including DDR5 and PCIe 5.0 support. You may also like... These are the best budget gaming PCsHow to buy a budget gaming PCHow to build a gaming PC for under $800: I'm here to help you game on a budget View the full article

Microsoft will advertise that its upcoming Windows laptops with Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite processor are faster than the MacBook Air with Apple's latest M3 chip, according to internal documents obtained by The Verge. "Microsoft is so confident in these new Qualcomm chips that it's planning a number of demos that will show how these processors will be faster than an M3 MacBook Air for CPU tasks, AI acceleration, and even app emulation," the report says. Microsoft believes its laptops will offer "faster app emulation" than Apple's Rosetta 2. Introduced in October, the Snapdragon X Elite has Arm-based architecture like Apple silicon. Qualcomm last year claimed that the processor achieved 21% faster multi-core CPU performance than the M3 chip, based on the Geekbench 6 benchmark tool. There are a few caveats here, including that Microsoft and Qualcomm are comparing to Apple's lower-end M3 chip instead of its higher-end M3 Pro and M3 Max chips. MacBooks with Apple silicon also offer industry-leading performance-per-watt, while the Snapdragon X Elite will likely run hotter and require laptops with fans. Since being updated with the M1 chip in 2020, the MacBook Air has featured a fanless design. Apple can also optimize the performance of MacBooks since it controls both the hardware and macOS software. Nevertheless, it is clear that Apple's competitors are making progress with Arm-based laptops. Microsoft plans to announce laptops powered by the Snapdragon X Elite later this year, including the Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6 on May 20.Tags: Microsoft, Qualcomm This article, "Microsoft Says Windows Laptops With Snapdragon X Elite Will Be Faster Than M3 MacBook Air" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums View the full article

Alienware's m18 R2 has solid performance, lots of repair and upgrade options, and a clicky keyboard. View the full article

Razer has launched its 'biggest baddest' Blade 18 gaming laptop, featuring top-of-the-range mobile processors from Intel and Nvidia, as well as a strong supporting cast of memory, storage, display, and digital interfaces. Pricing goes up to $4,799. View the full article

Retro tech enthusiast Bob Pony recently shared an image of an old Toshiba Satellite laptop’s parallel port sprouting a tangle of contorted paperclips - showcasing an unofficial BIOS reset method. View the full article

Qualcomm continues to keep itself busy building up expectations for the incoming Snapdragon X Elite processor, and some freshly revealed hands-on experiences certainly add fuel to this particular fire. Our sister site Tom’s Hardware got the chance to try out a bunch of laptops that have the new ARM-based chip, while listening to claims from Qualcomm about how the Snapdragon X Elite will outgun both Intel’s Core Ultra (Meteor Lake) laptop CPUs and Apple’s M3 silicon (which is a rival ARM part). According to Qualcomm’s testing – add a little seasoning as always with internal benchmarks, not that they’d be faked, of course, but they’re inevitably cherry-picked to present hardware in the best light – the Snapdragon X Elite easily beats Apple’s M3 SoC in Geekbench 6. In multi-threaded testing, the Snapdragon was close to 30% faster than the M3, in fact – although Qualcomm did not provide a single-threaded comparison. Even more eye-opening was the race against Intel, which pretty much saw Team Blue eating Qualcomm’s dust. The Snapdragon X Elite proved 52% quicker in multi-threaded performance, and 54% faster than the Core Ultra 7 155H for single-threaded performance. That’s when both chips have the same power usage – alternatively, the Elite could match the 155H performance-wise while using 60% or 65% less power (for multi- and single-threaded respectively). Pretty impressive? Certainly, although we should bear in mind that Intel does have Lunar Lake CPUs inbound this year, which may not be too far behind Qualcomm’s chip – and those next-gen laptop processors promise to seriously drive forward with power-efficiency. Turning to integrated graphics, the Snapdragon X Elite is apparently up to 36% faster than Intel’s Core Ultra 7 155H, although note the ‘up to’ and that this is a vague assertion (we’re not told what the benchmarking involved). That’s what we mean about cherry-picking, and in the case of integrated graphics, Qualcomm didn’t draw any comparison with the Apple M3 (or faster Intel silicon such as the Core Ultra 9). (Image credit: Future / Philip Berne) Gaming goodness On the gaming front, we also have the hands-on experience of Digital Trends to draw on. The site found that on one of Qualcomm’s reference laptops, the Snapdragon X Elite was able to run Control fairly smoothly at 35 frames per second (at 1080p, with low to medium graphics settings). With the same settings, Baldur’s Gate 3 ran at 30 fps on average. Those are pretty impressive results for contemporary games running under emulation (as it’s an ARM chip, remember, not x86). One of the big hopes for Windows on ARM devices is that emulating software and games (that can’t be run natively as they’re x86) will reach a level where it’s more than palatable, and the Snapdragon X Elite seems to be a good step forward in that direction. Via VideoCardz You might also like... Windows 11 remains an unloved OS – but why won't people upgrade?You can now run Windows 11 seamlessly on Apple silicon MacsDon’t make these 5 big mistakes when using Windows 11 View the full article

An Apple Mac expert has written about an unfathomable issue one of his children faced after downloading a Steam game to an almost full SSD. View the full article

Google just released a new version of ChromeOS which comes laden with some impressive improvements, including the ability to implement custom keyboard shortcuts and to do the same with your mouse buttons. ChromeOS M123 delivers these new powers, and more besides, but the ability to actually define your own keyboard shortcuts will be the most welcome feature for owners of the best Chromebooks. If you’re familiar with working a certain way with a particular shortcut, you can now change over to that – and as Google points out (via The Verge), you can also change shortcuts to, say, make it easier to trigger them using just one hand (stretch that thumb and finger). Similarly, any of your mouse buttons can be redefined to trigger various functions outside of basic clicking, like taking a screenshot. That’s going to be really handy for those who have a mouse with plenty of side buttons. With the latest update for ChromeOS, tethering is now a thing, allowing the Chromebook to share its cellular connection with other devices. There’s now a switch in Network Settings to turn on the Hotspot, which is all you need to do before searching for and finding the network on your other device(s). Finally, ChromeOS 123 has new voices for its text-to-speech functionality – reading out text aloud – that are more natural sounding. These work offline and Google notes that they are available in 31 different languages. Analysis: Some handy additions, with the odd catch (Image credit: Future) There are some very useful goodies here, particularly for those newer to ChromeOS who are maybe more accustomed to using a Mac or Windows PC. Those users will have the shortcuts from those desktop operating systems ingrained in their muscle memory, no doubt, and so getting used to a whole new way of working might be an uphill struggle. Luckily, there’s no need to relearn anything now, as you can simply switch the default ChromeOS shortcuts to whatever you’re used to. The tethering feature could be pretty handy as well, although there is a slight catch here. Right now, the only network supported is T-Mobile in the US, so unless you have your phone with that provider, then you’re out of luck. However, Google says it is “working to add other networks in future releases” and we’d imagine it won’t be too long before support is expanded. If you're not seeing the update yet, fear not – Google says it's going to be "progressively rolling out over the coming days", so you should see it soon if your Chromebook supports it. You might also like Check out all the best Chromebook dealsGoogle is finally ready to make Chromebook apps easier to useHP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook review View the full article

Lenovo has launched its new ThinkPad L series of business laptops, featuring a variety of models in different sizes, including 13-inch, 13-inch 2-in-1, 14-inch and, for the first time, a 16-inch model for those needing a larger display. The ThinkPad L13 Gen 5 and L13 2-in-1 Gen 5 models are powered by Intel Core Ultra processors and come with up to 32GB LPDDR5 RAM and up to 1TB PCIe 4x4 M.2 2280 storage. The ThinkPad L14 Gen 5 and L16 Gen 1 models are offered with either an Intel Core Ultra processor or an AMD Ryzen 7030 Series CPU, and come with up to 64GB DDR5 RAM and up to 2TB PCIe 4x4 M.2 2280 storage. All models in the ThinkPad L series come with Windows 11 Pro and are equipped with Dolby Audio Speaker Systems, HD RGB or 5MP RGB+InfraRed cameras with privacy shutters, and support for up to Wi-Fi 7 (Intel only) or Wi-Fi 6E connectivity. Enhanced repairability Lenovo has also enhanced repairability in the L14 Gen 5 and L16 Gen 1 models, thanks to a partnership with iFixit. Announced at MWC 2024, Lenovo says this collaboration has resulted in devices that are easy to repair and upgrade, with readily available customer replaceable units (CRU) such as DIMM, keyboard, SSD, and WWAN. This not only extends the lifespan of the laptops but also helps reduce electronic waste. Lenovo has also unveiled the latest additions to its X13 laptop series - ThinkPad X13 Gen 5 and X13 2-in-1 Gen 5 models, which are powered by Intel Core Ultra processors. They come with up to 64GB LPDDR5x memory and up to 2TB storage. “Lenovo’s newest business laptops, the ThinkPad L series and ThinkPad X13 series, underscore Lenovo's commitment to innovation and sustainability, offering features like easier repairability, increased use of recycled materials, and more efficient power management,” said Tom Butler, executive director, IDG Commercial Product Portfolio, Lenovo. “With powerful processing capabilities designed for AI-optimized experiences, built-in security, and enhanced manageability, these laptops are ideal for business professionals seeking high-performance and more eco-friendly technology.” The new Lenovo ThinkPad L models will be available starting Q2, with the L14 priced at $1,199 and the L16 at $1,119. The L13 and L13 2-in-1 will start at $1,169 and $1,319 respectively. The new ThinkPad X13 will be priced at $1,539 and the X13 2-in-1 at $1,809. More from TechRadar Pro These are the best ultrabooks you can buy todayWe've rounded up the best mobile workstationsLenovo to make your next business laptop last longer and be greener View the full article

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman today held a Q&A session focused on the Apple Car, in which he revealed that the vehicle's chip would have been equivalent to four M2 Ultra chips combined. He also said the vehicle had an underlying "safetyOS" system that was one part of the overall operating system, but he did not elaborate. Gurman also briefly touched on a few other topics, including that Apple apparently "just started formal development" of a new MacBook Pro with an M4 chip. He did not provide any additional details about the chip, which has yet to be announced by Apple. Apple announced the M1 chip for Macs in November 2020, followed by the M2 chip in June 2022 and the M3 chip towards the end of October 2023, so there has been around a year-and-a-half gap between each of the chips being introduced. If that pattern continues, the M4 chip would be released in the first half of 2025. However, a late 2024 release is also possible if the interval shrinks to one year. Apple last updated the MacBook Pro lineup in October with M3, M3 Pro, and M3 Max chips. As part of that refresh, Apple discontinued the 13-inch MacBook Pro and replaced it with a new base model 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M3 chip. Apple has also updated the iMac and MacBook Air with the M3 chip, leaving the Mac mini, Mac Studio, and Mac Pro as the only current-generation Macs still equipped with the M2 family of chips. Current Chip Last Updated Next Chip ETA 13" MacBook Air M3 March 2024 M4 2025 15" MacBook Air M3 March 2024 M4 2025 14" MacBook Pro M3/M3 Pro/M3 Max October 2023 M4/M4 Pro/M4 Max Late 2024/2025 16" MacBook Pro M3 Pro/M3 Max October 2023 M4 Pro/M4 Max Late 2024/2025 iMac M3 October 2023 M4 2025 Mac Studio M2 Max/M2 Ultra June 2023 M3 Max/M3 Ultra 2024 Mac Pro M2 Ultra June 2023 M3 Ultra 2024 Mac mini M2/M2 Pro January 2023 M3/M3 Pro 2024 Apple's chipmaking partner TSMC is expected to begin volume production of chips based on its 2nm process in the second half of 2025, so the M4 chip will likely remain 3nm like the M3 chip. However, the M4 chip will likely be manufactured with an enhanced version of TSMC's 3nm process for improved performance and power efficiency. Last month, the Taiwanese publication Economic Daily News reported that the M4 chip will feature an upgraded Neural Engine with "significantly" more cores for artificial intelligence tasks, but no other specific details are known about the chip at this time.Related Roundup: MacBook Pro 14 & 16" Tags: Mark Gurman, M4 MacsBuyer's Guide: 14" & 16" MacBook Pro (Neutral)Related Forum: MacBook Pro This article, "Apple Reportedly 'Just Started Formal Development' of M4 MacBook Pro" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums View the full article

Best Buy is discounting a large collection of M3 MacBook Pro computers today, including both the 14-inch and 16-inch versions of the laptop. Every deal in this sale requires you to have a My Best Buy Plus or Total membership, although non-members can still get solid second-best prices on these MacBook Pro models. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Best Buy. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running. These deals are part of a larger sitewide sale at Best Buy, which also includes discounts on video games, TVs, tablets, headphones, and more. Another highlight of this event is the PlayStation 5 Slim Bundle with Marvel's Spider-Man for $449.99, down from $499.99. The PlayStation 5 Slim (Digital Edition) Spider-Man 2 Bundle is available for $399.99, down from $449.99. These are both solid $50 discounts on the rarely discounted console. 14-Inch MacBook Pro Starting with the 14-inch M3 MacBook Pro, there are three total models on sale right now at Best Buy. The cheapest model is the 512GB M3 Pro model at $1,749.00, down from $1,999.00. Note: My Best Buy Plus/Total membership required to see final deal price. $250 OFFM3 Pro 14-inch MacBook Pro (512GB) for $1,749.00 $250 OFFM3 Pro 14-inch MacBook Pro (1TB) for $2,149.00 $250 OFFM3 Max 14-inch MacBook Pro (1TB) for $2,949.0016-Inch MacBook Pro You'll find bigger deals on the 16-inch MacBook Pro, particularly on the M3 Max models of the computer. For the M3 Pro models, prices start at $2,249.00 for the 512GB/18GB RAM 16-inch MacBook Pro and increase to $2,649.00 for the 512GB/36GB RAM model, both of which are all-time low prices. Note: My Best Buy Plus/Total membership required to see final deal price. $250 OFFM3 Pro 16-inch MacBook Pro (512GB, 18GB RAM) for $2,249.00 $250 OFFM3 Pro 16-inch MacBook Pro (512GB, 36GB RAM) for $2,649.00 $255 OFFM3 Max 16-inch MacBook Pro (1TB, 36GB RAM) for $3,244.00 $295 OFFM3 Max 16-inch MacBook Pro (1TB, 48GB RAM) for $3,704.00 Be sure to visit our full Deals Roundup to shop for even more Apple-related products and accessories.Related Roundup: Apple Deals This article, "Best Buy Introduces All-Time Low Prices on Apple's M3 MacBook Pro for Members" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums View the full article

The best laptop for graphic designs are meant to maintain a balance between beautiful vibrant display and powerful performance. A good graphic design laptop will feature exclusive power, especially in terms of a modern processor. While choosing a laptop for graphic design, make sure to also pay attention to storage, display and the GPU. The specs may be hefty, but they will play an important role in ensuring higher functionality and better performance. Well, do not forget to look into battery life. Even the minutest detail is extremely important while choosing a laptop to kickstart your graphic design career. Here’s a look at some of the top graphic design laptops to use in 2024. Best Laptops for Graphic Designers in 2024 As a graphic designer, you’re likely to encounter many brands with exclusive features while choosing the laptop. It’s important that you do some research around it so that you can make the right decision. Here are some of the best laptops that may assist you in your graphic design career: ● Apple Macbook Pro 16-inch (2023) The Apple Macbook Pro 16-inch gave a tough competition to other Macbooks as well. Equipped with the M2 chip, the laptop features an extensive battery life of over 14 hours providing exceptional performance to the users. The laptop features an excellent vibrant crisp display that makes it the perfect option for designing high-quality graphics. ● Dell XPS 17 (2022) The Dell XPS 17 features a 12th generation Intel Core i5, which makes it an efficient option for designing high quality graphics. It’s available in different variants in respect to the storage. The screen size of the laptop is huge providing an ease of design. The laptop features an excellent CPU life promising longevity for graphic designers. Furthermore, it has an extensive battery life. ● Asus Vivobook Go 15 OLED (2023) This laptop may not be very old, but it has proven its credibility of being the best for graphic designs. The 15.6 inch Asus Vivobook Go OLED laptop has a crisp display which allows the graphic designers to separate between the colours. Thus, it is the perfect option for editing high quality images. It features an AMD Ryzen 5 7520U that contributes to handling high power tools required for graphic design. This design tool also has a strong battery life. ● Samsung Galaxy Book 3 Ultra Offering a stunning 16-inch AMOLED display, you can’t ever go wrong with the Samsung Galaxy Book 3 Ultra. The laptop features a Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050. The laptop weighs around 4 pounds and features a super fast SSD. The laptop is known for its superfast performance for its size. Furthermore, it also has a full-size keyboard making design easier. ● HP Envy x360 Another prominent Ryzen 5 laptop to consider for graphic designing is the HP Envy x360. The name itself is an indication of how stylish and efficient the laptop may be. Well, it does stand true to its name. HP Envy x360 comes with a stylus support providing the ease of designing to the designers. The laptop features a 15.6-inch full-HD display with touch functionality. So, if you’re someone who needs pen input in their designs, this can suit the purpose perfectly. ● Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 8 Featuring the Intel Xe Plus graphics, Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 8 has an extremely efficient keyboard. The ease of use of the keyboard ensures that the designers have complete control while designing. At the same time, the laptop features a great display and speakers, which is crucial for graphic design- both static and dynamic designs. Unlike other graphic design laptops, this one features a Yoga flexibility of 2-in-1. Furthermore, the screen size of the laptop is 14-inch. ● Acer Aspire 5 Gaming If you want a blend of gaming with graphic design, you can’t go wrong with Acer Aspire 5 Gaming. With its Intel Core i5 12th generation laptop, it is one of the best budget-friendly laptops without any compromise on the performance. The laptop provides extensive gaming capabilities because of the RTX 2040 graphics card. ● HP Laptop 15 Another great laptop you can try within a budget without compromise on quality and performance is the HP Laptop 15. The laptop features an Intel Core i5-1335U CPU. Furthermore, the laptop is known for its 512GB SSD. A major factor that makes it the perfect choice for graphic designers is the 15.6 inch full HD display. Therefore, the graphic designers can look into the big screen and make altercations onto their designs accordingly. Final Thoughts Whether you’re a beginner graphic designer, or a seasoned one, the right laptop can bring a huge difference in how your designs look. Not only are these laptops meant to enhance your usability and ensure smooth functioning, but also play an important role in determining how fast the designs are made. It is extremely crucial to choose the high functioning and best laptops for starting with graphic design. All the laptops mentioned here are handpicked by the expert graphic designers at BrandVillage. If you’re looking for any reliable suggestions, make sure to try these out. The post Top Picks: The Best Laptops for Graphic Designers in 2024 appeared first on DevOpsSchool.com. View the full article

A dedicated hardware modder from SmallFormFactor.net showcases a fanless Mini ITX laptop PC. View the full article

Get ready, suckers, because the AI PC train is building up to full speed, engines burning - all aboard! Yes, Intel and Microsoft have revealed a new set of requirements for so-called ‘AI PCs’, those AI-powered laptops and desktops that Microsoft in particular has been pushing as of late, with its Copilot AI assistant rolling out to more Windows users whether they like it or not. These requirements are fairly straightforward, outlining the three most basic tenets of what an AI PC should be: Capable of running Microsoft CopilotEquipped with a dedicated NPU (and a modern CPU and GPU)Features a dedicated Copilot button The first two make perfect sense to me. A Windows ‘AI laptop’ that doesn’t have Copilot would just be a regular laptop, and the current prevalence of Neural Processing Units (NPUs) for AI workloads makes those a near-mandatory inclusion for running local AI processes too. It’s that third point that irritates me, though. (Image credit: Intel) I’m not the only one: while Intel has largely acquiesced to Microsoft’s list of demands, there are already laptops out there that meet the first two requirements, lacking only the dedicated Copilot button. Under Microsoft’s rules, these laptops - like the rather excellent new Samsung Galaxy Book4 Pro - don’t technically meet the bar. But Intel reckons they should still be eligible for the ‘AI PC’ label. “From an Intel perspective, our AI PC has Core Ultra and it has an integrated NPU”, said Intel’s PC ecosystem head Todd Lewellen, going on to say that Intel has “great alignment with Microsoft, but there are going to be some systems out there that may not have the physical key on it but it does have our integrated NPU.” Opinion: Forcing hardware design shifts like this is a bad look I’ll be honest: I’m not very happy about this. I look at my laptop keyboard (the compact 13-inch HP Spectre x360) and my first thought is ‘Where the hell are they going to fit a Copilot key?’ Besides, I don’t personally use - or even want to use - Copilot. This isn’t me poo-pooing the merits of Microsoft’s AI assistant; I’m sure some people love using it, and it definitely offers some useful features. But I simply don’t want any space on my physical laptop dedicated to a feature I won’t use. Summoning Copilot in Windows 11 only takes a single mouse click - so why do we need a dedicated hardware key for it? (Image credit: Microsoft) Microsoft’s rules don’t specify anything about the Copilot button itself, such as whether it needs to be a certain size or if it can be implemented separately from the main keyboard layout (such as being on the side of the laptop, or perhaps taking over one of the Function keys along the top row). Some of Microsoft’s OEM partners might find interesting solutions to the physical button requirement, but I fear most will just cram it haphazardly on the bottom row by shrinking the Ctrl and Alt keys. You can’t stop progress Either way, it looks like this is happening, and we’re all just going to have to accept it. You could say ‘Just don’t buy an AI laptop’, but that’s going to quickly become unavoidable: according to market research by the International Data Corporation, AI PCs will account for nearly 60% of all computer sales by 2027, a meteoric market takeover. Since I’m primarily a Windows user, Microsoft’s firm push for AI-compliant hardware isn’t something I’ll be able to outrun. The Google Pixelbook Go featured a dedicated Assistant key way back in 2019, long before the generative AI boom. (Image credit: Future) Microsoft isn’t alone in mandating changes like this, either. While Google hasn’t officially stated that Chromebooks will need a dedicated button for Google Gemini, it looks like there’s already at least one Chromebook with an ‘AI key’ in the works - and of course, Google’s own Pixelbook Go featured a Google Assistant button on the keyboard. As for macOS devices, it looks like the M4 chip will be arriving next year with Apple’s own NPU, so perhaps the next wave of MacBooks will feature their own AI key? So my protests will likely fall on deaf ears. I suppose it’s far from the worst thing to happen; I just don’t see the point. Windows 11 already features a Copilot button in the bottom-right of the taskbar by default, and on a touchscreen device (like my own laptop) that’s just as easy to use as a physical Copilot key would be. Still, I don’t really approve of anything that OS makers try to force on laptop manufacturers: it’s a practice that stymies innovation and experimentation, and I worry that Microsoft’s AI PC rules will become a slippery slope leading to further demands of OEMs. You might also like... Sam Altman hints at the future of AI and GPT-5 - and big things are comingHere’s more proof Apple is going big with AI this yearOpenAI just gave artists access to Sora and proved the AI video tool is weirder and more powerful than we thought View the full article

Good looks and a small footprint can’t overcome high price and back-of-the-pack gaming performance. View the full article

Last year we called the HP Pavilion Aero 13 “probably the best value-for-money light laptop on the market right now” and it’s about to get an upgrade that will make it ever better. The Pavilion Aero 13 2024 model, which could potentially be the most powerful sub-1Kg notebook on the market, packs a punch with its AMD Hawk Point Ryzen 7 8840HS processor. Other processor options include the AMD Ryzen 5 8640U and Ryzen 7 8840U. The 13.3-inch display options haven’t changed with the new model – buyers can choose between 1920 x 1200 or 2560 x 1600 IPS panels, but both options offer 100% sRGB color gamut and up to 400 nits brightness. The laptop now comes with 16GB of LPDDR5x-6400 dual-channel RAM (soldered in to help with the thinness), and either a 512GB or 1TB SSD. Improved webcam The latest Aero 13, slightly larger than its 2023 predecessor, measures 11.7" x 8.3" x 0.7" and weighs in at a feather-light 2.2 pounds, thanks in part to its magnesium alloy body. The laptop's portability is slightly undermined by its 43 Wh battery, which helps with the weight but means you’ll only get around 8 hours of use between charges. The Aero 13 offers a variety of ports including 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C, 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, 1 x HDMI 2.1, and 1 x 3.5mm audio. No USB4 ports, sadly. Wireless connectivity is provided via Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3. The ultrabook also features stereo speakers with DTS:X audio, dual microphones, and a 5 MP webcam, upgraded from the previous 720p model. The webcam includes an IR sensor for enhanced security and a privacy shutter. The new backlit keyboard comes with a dedicated Windows Copilot key. The HP Pavilion Aero 13 2024 will be available for purchase from HP’s online store and Amazon starting in May 2024, with prices from $649.99 (although you'll pay more for the Ryzen 7 8840HS model). It will be available in Natural Silver and Sky Blue. More from TechRadar Pro These are the lightest laptops right nowAnd these are the best Windows 10 Pro and Windows 11 Pro laptopsHP released an AiO PC you can pack up and carry around with you View the full article