Monthly Archives: May 2015

Camera Rumors for 2015

Cameras, , ,

 

We can’t tell you for certain what 2015 holds in store for new cameras, but we can give you our best guess – and we think we’ve nailed a few key stories already.

We’ve gathered together rumours, tip-offs and speculation from a number of respected sources and combined this with our own research and experience to produce a list of cameras we think we could see in 2015.

Some of these are fairly predictable updates to existing cameras. Most cameras have a fixed shelf life within a manufacturer’s range and we’ve spent some time analysing past launches to work out what’s coming next.
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WYOD is a massive opportunity, but businesses must address security

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According to International Data Corporation (IDC) the wearables market is set to expand nearly 80% by 2018. The health market will drive this expansion, but now that Cupertino has released the Apple Watch into the wild, business users will begin to adopt wearables into their companies. As BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) has taken hold, WYOD (Wear Your Own Device) will follow. For businesses, wearables are a trend that can’t be ignored.

The number of wearable devices is still relatively small (a Gfk survey found that only 11% of respondents owned smartwatches) when compared to smartphone ownership. However, with an upward trajectory, now is the time for all businesses to consider how they would manage an increasing number of employees that will want to use their own wearable devices.
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https://www.techradar.com/news/world-of-tech/management/wyod-is-a-massive-opportunity-but-businesses-must-address-security-1293661/2

Try ‘Office’ outside the office with latest Windows 10 Mobile build

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Microsoft has released an updated preview of Windows 10 Mobile. You can now access and take advantage of most Windows Store and Office apps features on mobile devices.

Testers can immediately explore productivity tools – Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote – on smartphones including the Lumia 930/Lumia Icon, Lumia 640 and 640XL, and the HTC One (M8) for Windows.

Microsoft teased Office apps for Windows 10 Mobile last month. At the time, it revealed a new interface designed for bottom-of-the-screen navigation better suited for thumb clicks and drags. Additionally, it showed off a new Reading mode for Word that allows you to tap a document in order to have it fit entirely onto your device’s screen, among other new features.

The Windows Store, which Microsoft is now referring to as Store Beta, features an updated user interface that looks and feels more like Windows Store on PC than previous iterations. If you access the store today, you can browse and search, as well as download apps, movies and TV shows. However, you won’t be able to pay via carrier billing, the Store is not available in all regions, and music downloads are not currently functional.
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https://www.techradar.com/news/software/operating-systems/try-office-outside-the-office-with-latest-windows-10-mobile-build-1293848

Lenovo ThinkPad Edge 13″ Review

Lenovo ThinkPad Edge 13″ Review

Computers & IT, , , ,

 

Having been reasonably surprised by the baby Lenovo ThinkPad X100e, it’s the turn of its larger, Lenovo ThinkPad Edge 13 to hit the SlashGear test bench. As with the X100e, the Edge 13 trades some of Lenovo’s traditional styling in favor of a cheaper price tag and the possibility of a few more mainstream consumer sales. Has it lost its way in the process? Check out the full SlashGear review to find out.

System overview and design

To be fair, while Lenovo are pushing their high-gloss black or red lid colors, you can also get the ThinkPad Edge 13 in traditional matte black. Still, the notebook has more of a consumer style approach than the rest of the ThinkPad line, although build quality is still high. There’s little flex in either the lid or the base, and the whole thing measures a decent 1.2-inches thick; that doesn’t make it the slimmest ultraportable around, but the Edge 13 doesn’t feel unduly chubby either.

 

Gallery

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Alienware M11x Review

Alienware M11x Review

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It’s usually pretty straightforward: an 11.6-inch notebook will deliver battery life but lack grunt, while a larger machine is more likely to pack performance at the expense of liberty from a power point. TheAlienware M11x promises to change all that; while it may have the diminutive dimensions of a CULV notebook, its overclocked processor and switchable discrete graphics claim to make it a gamer’s machine where longevity is a choice. Is the M11x really the best of both worlds? Check out the full SlashGear review after the cut.

It’s certainly a distinctive notebook. Like larger Alienware models, the M11x swaps the curves so fashionable in current mainstream laptops for a blunter, angular design. The company have happily shown a little more restraint when it comes to grilles, contours and fluting, but there’s still no doubting the family lineage. The backlit Alienware logo on the notebook’s lid is mirrored by a second, slightly smaller logo just above the keyboard that acts as power button and status indicator.

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Updated Dell PowerEdge delivers world record-breaking performance

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Dell has delivered a timely update to its 13th-generation PowerEdge server family that includes the company’s most powerful server to date.

The new PowerEdge R930 is the star of the show, and offers unparalleled levels of scalability and reduced latency in data centers.

The R930 includes the next generation Intel Xeon E7-8800/4800 v3 product families, 6TB of memory in 96 DIMMs, 24 internal hard drives and support for up to eight high-performance PowerEdge Express Flash NVM2 PCIe SSDs.
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https://www.techradar.com/news/computing/pc/updated-dell-poweredge-delivers-world-record-breaking-performance-1292339

Huawei said to be working on a Mate 8-style Nexus and its own OS

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We’ve been hearing for a few months now that Chinese manufacturer Huawei is in line to build a Nexus smartphone for Google, and the latest word on the street is that it’s based on a Mate 8 prototype.

The Mate 8 is an as-yet-unreleased 5.7-inch flagship device but the Mate 7 gives you some idea of what to expect. The Nexus 6 followed this pattern, essentially tweaking the work Motorola had already done on the Moto X.

One difference could be the CPU: the next Nexus is rumoured to use the Snapdragon 810, whereas Huawei’s own Kirin 930 is slated for the Mate 8. There have also been various claims that LG is going to make a smaller Nexusalongside the Huawei one.
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https://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/huawei-said-to-be-working-on-a-mate-8-style-nexus-and-its-own-os-1294029

Hercules eCAFÉ EC-1000W Review

Hercules eCAFÉ EC-1000W Review

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In the grand scheme of netbooks, Hercules probably isn’t a name you associate with budget ultraportables; the company is taking their first step into the market with the eCAFÉ EC-1000W. A 10-inch Atom N270 machine, there’s little on the spec list that makes the EC-1000W stand out among the rank and rile, so is this yet another me-too model or a netbook worth considering? Check out the full SlashGear review after the cut.

As well as the last-gen 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270 processor, the eCAFÉ EC-1000W gets 1GB of RAM, a 250GB 5,400rpm hard-drive and WiFi b/g/n. There’s also a 4,400mAh 6-cell battery, three USB 2.0 ports, VGA output, ethernet and a multiformat memory card reader, along with audio in/out and a webcam/microphone. OS is Windows 7 Starter, and there’s an eCAFÉ Connect app which attempts to make common tasks – like hooking up to a WiFi network – a little more straightforward for entry-level users.

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MacBook Pro 15-inch Core i7 Review

MacBook Pro 15-inch Core i7 Review

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It’s taken Apple nine long months to update their MacBook Pro range, and most people would agree that the Intel Core i5 and Core i7 refresh has arrived not a moment too soon. Intel’s latest processors bring with them a new, intelligent graphics system and a slightly higher price of entry – $1,799 rather than $1,699 – along with the promise of greater battery life and better performance. Hyperbole or must-have? Check out the full SlashGear review to find out.

Outwardly, there’s nothing to differentiate this mid-2010 MacBook Pro from the Core 2 Duo model it replaces. To be fair to Apple that’s no great hardship; the MacBook Pro range remains one of the more striking designs on the market, even with its unibody structure a few years old now, and built quality remains high. As before, ports line the left-hand side of the notebook, and you still get an SD card slot, audio in/out, Mini DisplayPort, two closely situated USB 2.0, FireWire 800, gigabit Ethernet and a MagSafe power connector. On the right-hand side is the slot-loading DVD burner, and Apple still refuse to fit a Blu-ray drive.
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Citrix gambles on the Internet of Things through new platform

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Citrix is ready to take on the packed Internet of Things sector as part of the interestingly named Project Octoblu that will help save enterprise users time when using virtual workspaces.

The company’s aspirations in the IoT sector comes in the form of a cloud-hosted software platform to handle devices and the first such peripheral to work in collaboration with the platform is the Citrix Workspace Hub, according to V3.

Octoblu, the cloud platform, has been created to manage machine-to-machine interaction between devices by using sensors and wireless connectivity. It uses a graphical programming language that makes it simple for developers to create workflows that control how devices or apps on the Octoblu platform work.
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https://www.techradar.com/news/world-of-tech/future-tech/citrix-gambles-on-the-internet-of-things-through-new-platform-1293979

MacBook Pro 13-inch Review (Early 2010)

MacBook Pro 13-inch Review (Early 2010)

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Apple’s recent MacBook Pro update brought a long awaited processor update and new GPU options, but much of the attention was lavished on the larger models in the company’s professional notebook range. In contrast, the 13-inch MacBook Pro saw a more modest refresh; check out the full SlashGear review after the cut.

Frustrating to many frequent travelers, Apple saved the Core i5 and Core i7 processors for the 15- and 17-inch MacBook Pro refresh, leaving the 13-inch notebook with Core 2 Duo chips. Our test unit has a 2.4GHz Core 2 Duo processor paired with 4GB of RAM, a 250GB hard-drive and integrated NVIDIA GeForce 320M graphics borrowing 256MB of the notebook’s memory.

Options include a faster, 2.66GHz Core 2 Duo processor, up to 8GB of RAM and a 320GB hard-drive, or alternatively up to 512GB of SSD storage. The slot-loading DVD burner is still in place, and the previous array of ports remain: gigabit Ethernet, FireWire 800, Mini DisplayPort, two USB 2.0, an SD card slot, combined audio in/out and a Kensington lock slot. Unlike the 15-inch MacBook Pro there’s no Full HD display option, only the standard 13.3-inch LED-backlit 1280 x 800 panel; we don’t so much miss the extra pixels, but we wish Apple would offer an antiglare screen finish.
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https://www.slashgear.com/macbook-pro-13-inch-review-early-2010-3083871/

Lenovo IdeaPad Y460 Review

Lenovo IdeaPad Y460 Review

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It’s not enough for a 14-inch notebook to deliver decent runtimes, a little processor grunt and pleasing looks any more; now we expect graphical excellence too. In response, Lenovo have outfitted theirIdeaPad Y460 with a dedicated ATI Radeon GPU, and they’ve even thought to put a switch on the front which allows you to turn it off when you’re feeling more spreadsheet than gaming minded. Two birds with one stone, or just a lame duck? Check out the full SlashGear review after the cut.

While the IdeaPad Y460 range kicks off at $799, you’ll need to step up to the $999 version if you want the dedicated ATI Radeon HD 5650 1GB graphics. That GPU is paired with Intel HD integrated graphics and a Core i5-520M 2.40GHz processor, along with 4GB of memory and a 500GB 5,400rpm hard-drive.

The 14-inch LCD runs at 1,366 x 768 resolution, and its LED backlighting is even and surprisingly bright. Colors are richly saturated, and if you’re looking for Full HD there’s an HDMI port on the side which you can use to hook up your nearest HDTV. Other connectivity includes WiFi a/g/n and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, along with gigabit ethernet, and there are three USB 2.0 ports, a combo USB/eSATA port, VGA, audio in/out, a six-in-one memory card reader and a 34mm ExpressCard slot. Above the LCD lurks a 1.3-megapixel webcam, while two 2W JBL speakers are tucked above the keyboard and are louder than their amp rating would suggest.
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https://www.slashgear.com/lenovo-ideapad-y460-review-1589881/

Gateway NV59C Notebook Review

Gateway NV59C Notebook Review

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As notebook markets go, the 15.6-inch segment is probably the most hotly contested; manufacturers are forced to look to gaming, multimedia or battery longevity in order to differentiate their wares.Gateway’s NV59C09u picks HD video as its forte, squeezing in a Blu-ray drive as standard together with easy connectivity for your HDTV. Check out the full SlashGear review after the cut.

Features

Under the hood is an Intel Core i3-330M 2.13GHz processor paired with 4GB of RAM and a 320GB hard-drive. The 15.6-inch display runs at 1,366 x 768 and uses integrated Intel HD graphics, while connectivity includes WiFi b/g/n, three USB 2.0, HDMI, VGA, ethernet, audio in/out and a 5-in-1 memory card reader. There’s also a Blu-ray drive, 1.3-megapixel webcam and integrated microphone, but no Bluetooth (even as an option).

Gallery

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Toshiba Satellite L675D-S7022 Review

Toshiba Satellite L675D-S7022 Review

Computers & IT, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

 

Desktop replacement notebooks may pull together the computing experience with more of a nod to portability than the average PC tower, but there’s also a price sacrifice to be made if you want the same crunching abilities. Into this hotly contested field steps Toshiba with the Satellite L675D-S7022, a 17.3-inch notebook that sneaks in at under the $800 mark. Is this the budget desktop replacement to beat? Check out the full SlashGear review after the cut.

With an MRSP of $799.99 you know you’re not going to get the most powerful of components, and sure enough the Satellite L675D-S7022 has a pretty modest spec sheet. Toshiba has picked a 1.8GHz triple-core AMD Phenom II X3 P820 processor, paired with a 5,400rpm 500GB hard-drive and 4GB of RAM. Between 256MB and 1,405MB of that RAM can be co-opted by the integrated ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4250 graphics; already you can guess that this isn’t the machine for gamers.
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Toshiba Portege R705 Review

Toshiba Portege R705 Review

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Toshiba’s Portege R705 is an unexpected addition to the company’s ultraportable range. Based on the Portege R700 unveiled as part of Toshiba’s 25th anniversary for notebooks, the R705-P25 is a Best Buy exclusive with an MRSP of $889.99 but a street price that scrapes in at under $800. That makes it the cheapest Portege to date, and Toshiba would like us to remember it’s also the lightest 13.3-inch notebook with an integrated optical drive (outside of Japan, at least). Light in the bag and light on the wallet: is the downside lightweight performance? Check out the full SlashGear review after the cut.

The Portege R705’s reasonably sober aesthetics are quickly forgotten when you first pick the notebook up: at around 3.2lbs it’s an incredibly light machine. Screen open, you can hold it upright in one hand by the corner with little in the way of straining; it’s also sturdy, with no flex or twisting. The shiny metal hinges and discrete metallic blue finish to the plastics make it feel more in line with the higher-spec $1,300+ configurations than the $800 the R705-P25 actually commands. Toshiba has used a new, honeycomb internal palmrest configuration and a custom cooling system in collaboration with Intel, and the end result is a sturdy and easily totable ultraportable that’s a mere 16.8mm at its thinnest point.
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Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (2015) review

Computers & IT, , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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OUR VERDICT

The Lenovo X1 Carbon offers reliable performance with a stellar keyboard, but short battery life and a glare-filled screen are two untenable problems.

FOR

  • Excellent, reliable performance
  • The very best keyboard and trackpad
  • Thin and solid build quality

AGAINST

  • Paradoxically glare-prone anti-glare coating
  • Still no SD card reader
  • Unimpressive battery life

Design

If you were to sit the new Lenovo X1 Carbon next to it predecessor, they would look almost like identical twins. That’s not really surprising, since the two 14-inch laptops share practically the same frame with a few subtle changes.

Firstly, Lenovo made a few weight saving measures by dropping the carbon-fiber lid for a carbon- and glass-fiber reinforced plastic panel that’s still resilient against flexing. Similarly, the new laptop features a hard, semi-glossy finish in place of its predecessor’s soft touch feel. As a result, the laptop is a bit plainer (falling in line with the rest of Lenovo’s enterprise notebook fleet), but it’s less prone to scratching and picking up fingerprints.
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AVADirect Clevo W880CU Gaming Notebook Review

AVADirect Clevo W880CU Gaming Notebook Review

Computers & IT, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

 

Clevo may not quite be a household name, but the company’s mid- and high-end laptops have been thoroughly rebadged and neatly demonstrated the Clevo heritage. Fresh to the SlashGear test bench is the Clevo W880CU, courtesy of AVADirect, a monstrous Core i7 behemoth of a machine with a 17.3-inch display and 2GB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 480M graphics. At almost $3,000, does the performance warrant the price tag? Check out the full review after the cut.

With a laptop like this, the spec sheet is king. Intel’s quadcore Core i7-820QM 1.733GHz processor takes center stage, paired with 4GB of Kingston DDR3 memory and a Seagate Momentus XT 500GB Hybrid hard-drive (that uses 4GB of onboard flash memory to speed up performance). Graphics are courtesy of NVIDIA’s GeForce GTX 480M with 2GB of discrete GDDR5 memory, and then there’s a Blu-ray burner, 17.3-inch 1920 x 1080 Full HD glossy display.
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https://www.slashgear.com/clevo-w880cu-gaming-notebook-review-0296119/

HP ENVY 14

HP ENVY 14 Review

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The baby of HP’s second-generation ENVY premium notebook range has arrived on the SlashGear test bench, and we have to admit it’s a pretty appealing machine. Packing a 14.5-inch display, Intel Core i5 CPU and ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5650 graphics, it may look a little like a MacBook Pro but happily HP has also carried over the solid build quality. Still, are good looks enough to ween users off their Apple addiction? Check out the full SlashGear review after the cut.

While the ENVY 14 range kicks off with Core i3 CPUs, our particular review unit gets Intel’s Core i5-450M dual-core paired with 4GB of DDR3 memory and a 500GB hard-drive. Graphics include both the integrated Intel HD chipset and a dedicated ATI Radeon Mobility HD 5650 with 1GB of its own GDDR3 memory, driving the 14.5-inch 1600 x 900 display.
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https://www.slashgear.com/hp-envy-14-review-0296172/

Acer Chromebook 15 C910 review

Computers & IT, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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OUR VERDICT

Don’t be fooled by this fatso. The Acer Chromebook 15 C910 is a durable workhorse that will reward you for looking past its size in favor of its performance.

FOR

  • Fast processing speeds
  • Long battery life
  • Sleek diamond matte finish

AGAINST

  • Too heavy
  • Awkward keyboard

If you’re considering the Acer Chromebook 15 C910 ($499.99, £249, AU$620) for your next laptop, then you’d better have big ideas. Compared to most other Chromebooks, the C910 has a bigger screen, bigger processing power and it comes with a bigger price tag.

Specifically geared toward students and teachers – thanks to its rugged design and gorgeous visuals – the C910 is perfectly suitable for any consumer who doesn’t mind lugging around a few extra pounds and inches.

Because of its fifth-generation Intel Core i5 processor and 15.6-inch display, the C910 is unlike any other Chromebook on the market. Its most suitable comparisons are the 14-inch HP Pavilion Chromebook ($299, £190, AU$370), and the Rolls Royce of the Chromebook market, Google’s Chromebook Pixel 2($999, £799, AU$1,277).
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https://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/laptops-portable-pcs/acer-chromebook-15-c910-1294001/review

Acer Aspire TimelineX 1830T Review

Acer Aspire TimelineX 1830T Review

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There was a time when an ultraportable notebook would invariably cost well in excess of $1,000 and offer performance suited to little more than emailing. Now Acer’s Aspire TimelineX AS1830T-68U118 drops onto the scene, a sub-$900 11.6-inch ultraportable packing an Intel Core i7 processor and a claimed battery life of up to eight hours. Too good to be true? Check out the full SlashGear review after the cut.

Acer’s TimelineX series – itself a development of the Timeline range – is reasonably mature now, and the design language has evolved into a slick, handsome line-up of variously sized notebooks. The TimelineX AS1830T-68U118 is the smallest on offer, at 11.6-inches, and is a roughly 1-inch thick slice of black brushed aluminum. It’s lightweight, too, at 3.1-pounds, and feels sturdy and well-built.
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https://www.slashgear.com/acer-aspire-timelinex-1830t-review-12107540/

ASUS Eee PC 1215N Review

ASUS Eee PC 1215N Review

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The line between a netbook and a notebook used to be pretty straightforward, but with Intel’s increasingly powerful Atom processors and NVIDIA’s ambitious Ion-powered Optimus graphics, the distinction is more blurred. Typifying this new breed of netbook is ASUS’ Eee PC 1215N, a 12.1-inch Seashell-series machine that could well be considered a true ultraportable despite its roughly $500 price tag. Check out the full SlashGear review after the cut.

We’ve seen 12.1-inch netbooks before, of course, but seldom are the specs so strong as with the Eee PC 1215N. The display runs at 1,366 x 768, while the CPU is Intel’s dual-core 1.8GHz Atom D525; they’re paired with a NVIDIA Ion GPU which, thanks to Optimus technology, can automatically switch between the discrete graphics and the lower-power, more frugal onboard graphics when the situation allows.
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https://www.slashgear.com/asus-eee-pc-1215n-review-18108450/

Toshiba AC100 Review

Toshiba AC100 Review

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Companion devices come in all shapes and sizes, from big-screen smartphones through tablets to netbooks and ultraportables, but Toshiba is hoping that by borrowing a little of each they’ll find a gap in the market. The Toshiba AC100 looks like a netbook but runs Android, an OS we’re more familiar with on smartphones or, more recently, tablets. The company reckons a traditional keyboard and NVIDIA’s Tegra 2 processor should make the AC100 the best multimedia, browsing and communication ultraportable around, but is Android being asked to do more than it’s currently capable of? Check out the full SlashGear review after the cut.

The production AC100 has certainly been tightened up from theflexing, creaking prototypes Toshiba showed at the ultraportable’s launch. Although you can still see some chassis-bend if you hold the notebook by the very corner with the screen open, there’s no bowing of the keyboard tray as you type and the keys themselves are firm and nicely clicky. We’ve used plenty of ultraportables over the years, but the AC100’s slender construction was still enough to impress coming out of the box; significantly tapered edges and a mere 0.87kg weight make for an impressively portable machine.
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MacBook Air 11.6″ Review

MacBook Air 11.6″ Review

Computers & IT, , , , , , , , ,

 

Steve Jobs’ views on budget ultraportable are pretty clear. “We don’t know how to make a $500 computer that’s not a piece of junk,” he told investors back in 2008, and so the new 2010 MacBook Air is neither of those things. Instead, it’s a $999+ slice of instant-on notebook and, if you believe the hyperbole, pulls together the best of Apple’s MacBook range and their best-selling iPad. It doesn’t hurt that it’s almost indecently fabulous looking, too. Check out the SlashGear review of the 11.6-inch MacBook Air 2010 after the cut.

The first-generation MacBook Air polarized opinion more than most of Apple’s products. Fans praised its ultra-slim design and ruthless omission of anything not in keeping with its mobility ethos; critics derided its performance, minimal port selection and premium price. By the time the 13-inch unibody MacBook graduated to MacBook Pro status, the Air had been relegated to a very small niche.
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https://www.slashgear.com/macbook-air-11-6-review-22109859/

Acer Aspire One D255

Acer Aspire One D255 Review

Computers & IT, , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

 

What difference a dual-core? As we’ve seen from the ASUS Eee PC 1215N, just because an ultraportable might be called a netbook, it doesn’t mean it’s necessarily short on power. Still, the Acer Aspire One D255 doesn’t get NVIDIA’s Optimus GPU to bolster its appeal, nor a desktop Atom CPU co-opted into mobile duty. Instead it offers the dualcore 1.5GHz Atom N550 and a mere 1GB of RAM. Are we expecting too much from this budget machine? Check out the full SlashGear review after the cut.

Acer’s Aspire One netbook range has been running almost as long as ASUS’ Eee PC line, and by now the company has got the industrial design down to a fine art. No expensive metal or unnecessary finishes, just a lightweight shell that’s a mere 0.8-inches thick and 2.5lbs, a nicely sprung, full-sized chiclet keyboard, and a broad multitouch-capable trackpad that’s easy to use. We’re not 100-percent convinced by the blue color of our review model, but Acer also offer other variants.

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Acer Aspire 8943G

Acer Aspire 8943G Review

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Acer’s Aspire 8943G notebook is about as far from the company’s budget netbooks as you could get in a computer and yet still have a battery. A sizeable desktop replacement, with slick, minimalist design and high quality materials, the Aspire 8943G doesn’t stint on specifications, either, with an Intel Core i7 CPU and lashings of RAM. Can an Acer PC really compete, not just on performance but aesthetics too, with Apple’s well-esteemed MacBook Pro line? Check out the full SlashGear review after the cut.

Hardware & Design

You can’t accuse Acer of stinting on the core specifications. The Aspire 8943G packs Intel’s 1.73GHz quad-core Core i7-740QM, paired with 8GB of DDR3 memory and Radeon HD 5850 graphics with 2GB of dedicated memory. Storage is a single 500GB 5,400rpm hard-drive, and the display is an 18.4-inch LCD running at 1920 x 1080. Acer quote 220-nit brightness and 8ms contrast ratio, and the screen is certainly bright and clear, with sharpness that puts other notebooks to shame. A webcam is embedded in the bezel, and there’s a combo Blu-ray player and DVD burner.
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https://www.slashgear.com/acer-aspire-8943g-review-04112401/

lenovolaviez

Lenovo blames clerical error for reported LaVie Z “defect”

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Lenovo just can’t catch a break these days. Just after anotherreported security flaw in its pre-installed software, the world’s largest PC makers is once again the target of criticism over itsnewly launched LaVie Z 360 laptop/tablet hybrids. Consumer Reports took to the Web to inform the public about Lenovo knowingly shipping a defective product and offering a 5 percent refund in reparation. Lenovo, however, stands firm that there was no defect. Instead, the blame lies solely on an error on what got put up on the LaVie Z 360’s product page.

Here’s the scoop on the drama, On Friday, Consumer Reportsposted an article calling the public’s attention on what might be rather scandalous behavior for the PC maker. In a nutshell, it points out that the LaVie Z 360 isn’t functioning in the four modes (laptop, tablet, tent, stand) promised on the product page, with tent and stand not working as advertised. It also presents an email from Lenovo acknowledging the issue but, rather than actually fix the problem, will continue shipping the device and just offer a 5 percent refund.
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https://www.slashgear.com/lenovo-blames-clerical-error-for-reported-lavie-z-defect-10382903/

Gateway ID49C

Gateway ID49C Review

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Gateway has built a reputation on affordable machines with solid specifications, but the company’s new ID49C aims a little higher than the mainstream. With a lick of aluminum and an eye-catching backlit glass trackpad, there’s more to the ID49 than just its Core i5 processor. Has Gateway done enough to lift the ID49 above its 14-inch competition? Check out the full SlashGear review after the cut.

Hardware

Our particular ID49C review unit is the Gateway ID49C13U, with a 2.53GHz Intel Core i5-460M processor, 4GB of DDR3 RAM and a 500GB 5,400rpm hard-drive, along with NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M graphics with 1GB of VRAM. There’s also Intel HD graphics, using NVIDIA’s Optimus automatic switching technology to balance power use and performance.
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https://www.slashgear.com/gateway-id49c-review-11113697/

Galaxy S6 Active: first leaked image

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Those who are fans of waterproof smartphones were probably sorely disappointed with the release of Samsung’s new flagships, the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge. While last year’s Galaxy S5 was safe from water hazards, the S6 models shed that feature. This is probably why Samsung will be introducing a new model for its Active line, soon to be dubbed the Galaxy S6 Active. The first images of the device have been leaked, giving us an early look at the front and back of weather-resistant smartphone.

GSM Arena was the first to receive the image from an anonymous tipster. We can easily recognize the casing from Samsung’s previous Galaxy S Active models, and the three buttons on the front of the phone have been used on older devices from the lineup. Due to the waterproofing, the fingerprint sensor from the S6 and S6 Edge is missing.
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https://www.slashgear.com/galaxy-s6-active-first-leaked-image-13383331/

Microsoft to bypass operators with Windows 10 Mobile updates

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Waiting for mobile OS updates to reach your shiny handset is one of the most frustrating (first world) problems there is, so it’s encouraging to hear that Microsoft is planning to take matters out of the hands of operators and manage Windows 10 Mobile updates itself.

That means new versions should arrive on your mobile device in much the same way as they do on your laptop or desktop. It’s the approach used by Apple for iOS and should minimise problems with fragmentation in the years to come.

“Today, we’re announcing this continuous update process applies to all Windows 10 devices, including phones,” Microsoft said in a blog post. Not only does it ensure everyone has the latest features, it also helps to keep the platform as secure as possible.
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https://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/microsoft-to-bypass-operators-with-windows-10-mobile-updates-1294013

galaxy

Consumer Reports says Galaxy S5 better than Galaxy S6 (yes, really)

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Our Android readers are probably facing a bit of a dilemma. Should you buy the Galaxy S6, S6 edge, HTC One M9, or LG G4? All very nice flagships, and all have their merits. For some, like HTC One owners, upgrading to the One M9 might not be worth it — HTC just didn’t change enough. Samsung fans are giddy, though. The new Galaxy S flagships are downright amazing. Consumer Reports doesn’t agree. For them, the Galaxy S5 is actually the better pick when compared to the Galaxy S6.


I know, I made that same face you’re making right now. Doesn’t seem to make sense.

Consumer Reports has some good points, so don’t discount them completely here. Comparing the two flagships, the newer S6 (and edge!) has no expandable memory, and the battery can’t be swapped out.

 

Sounds like arguable points, but Consumer Reports does make another excellent argument; the Galaxy S5 is water resistant, the Galaxy S6 and S6 edge are not.

For those reasons, they prefer the Galaxy S5 over the Galaxy S6.
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https://www.slashgear.com/consumer-reports-says-galaxy-s5-better-than-galaxy-s6-yes-really-13383337/