Monthly Archives: December 2015

Early build of final Oculus Rift hardware starts shipping to devs

Early build of final Oculus Rift hardware starts shipping to devs

Wearables, , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Things might finally be really getting along for the company that rebooted the whole virtual reality hype. Perhaps taking advantage of the delay that HTC’s and Valve’s Vive VR headset will suffer in the next few months, Oculus has announced that the early build of the final version of its Rift headset has started shipping out to developers. While not exactly the final build itself, it does hint at Oculus’ confidence that it is near the promised consumer release of the hardware, and the software, of course, next quarter.

The shipment of headsets goes together with the launch of the Rift SDK 1.0. As the version number implies, that is practically the gold master of the first version for the tool that will let developers craft virtual reality experiences, be it games or immersive media, for the Oculus Rift. Oculus even explicitly says that SDK 1.0 as well as the software runtime is tied to the consumer version of the product.

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https://www.slashgear.com/early-build-of-final-oculus-rift-hardware-starts-shipping-to-devs-22419528/

 

 

LG G Pad II 8.3 LTE tablet launches with Full HD display

LG G Pad II 8.3 LTE tablet launches with Full HD display

Tablets, , , , , , , , , , ,

LG has launched a new tablet called the G Pad II 8.3 LTE that takes its place in the tablet line already offered between the 8-inch and 10.1-inch offerings. The new tablet has LTE connectivity and supports WiFi for internet access. The tablet is optimized for multimedia performance.

It packs an 8.3-inch full HD 1920 x 1200 resolution display with a 16:10 aspect ratio. LG fits the tablet with 2GB of memory to allow smooth video playback. The chip inside the tablet is a Snapdragon 615 octa-core unit running at 1.5GHz + 1.0 GHz.
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https://www.slashgear.com/lg-g-pad-ii-8-3-lte-tablet-launches-with-full-hd-display-22419553/

LG will show off new webOS 3.0 for smart TVs at CES 2016

LG will show off new webOS 3.0 for smart TVs at CES 2016

Audio & Video, , , , , , , , , , , ,

webOS started out life as an open source descendant of the now defunct Palm OS, initially geared to become a mobile platform to stand tall and proud beside the likes of Android and iOS. After changing hands from Palm to HP and finally to LG, the platform has been retrofitted to simply become a smart TV OS. The latest iteration of that platform, webOS 3.0, will be the bridge between users and LG’s 2016 lineup of smart TVs and LG will be singing its praises come CES 2016, which takes place at Las Vegas in just a few weeks.

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https://www.slashgear.com/lg-will-show-off-new-webos-3-0-for-smart-tvs-at-ces-2016-22419532/

 

 

Jolla secures Series C funds, isn’t out of the woods yet

Jolla secures Series C funds, isn’t out of the woods yet

Phones, , , , ,

Jolla, the Finnish startup that rose from the ashes of Nokia’s mobile dreams, may have once again beaten the odds. After near bankruptcy and after “temporarily” letting go of half of its workforce, Jolla has happily announced that it has received some much needed monetary infusion thanks to a delayed Series C funding round. But although the company can momentarily breathe a sigh of release, its battle is far from over, with its employment situation, tablet deliveries, and its business future in general still in question.

Jolla isn’t saying how much it received from the funding, partly because it’s just the first of a series of financial packages to be delivered over an also undisclosed period of time. Names aren’t also being given, other than it’s from a group of investors, both old and new. Yes, plural, which could inspire a bit of confidence. The secrecy is also partly to stop speculation on how long the money will last. Jolla chair Antii Saarnio does say that it’s a sizable package that will help stabilize the company’s financial situation and continue its operations. At least in theory.
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https://www.slashgear.com/jolla-secures-series-c-funds-isnt-out-of-the-woods-yet-21419396/

USB-C Android connection options: here’s the future

USB-C Android connection options: here’s the future

Wearables, , , ,

This week we’re having a look at some devices and technologies that you may well be using for the first time. If not because you got a brand new smartphone for the holidays, then because you’re at your Grandparents’ house fiddling with the gear you don’t often pay as close attention to otherwise. What we’re having a peek at today is using a USB-C cord with your Android device. Specifically, what we’re looking at, is what happens when you connect one Android device with USB-C to another (that also uses USB-C.)

USB-C Android connection options: here’s the future

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https://www.slashgear.com/usb-c-android-connection-options-heres-the-future-21419415/

 

Vauxhall Maloo LSA gets a 536PS blown V8

Vauxhall Maloo LSA gets a 536PS blown V8

Wearables, , , , ,

The Vauxhall Maloo is one of those cool cars the UK gets that we don’t get in the States. Vauxhall has created the fastest pickup in all the UK with the Maloo LSA getting a VXR8 GTS-based supercharged V8 engine under the hood. That supercharged V8 is a 6.2L engine making 536PS, which is about 528hp. Thanks to that V8 the Maloo LSA can haul 526kgs of ass from a standstill to 60mph very quickly.

Just how fast the truck is to 60mph is unclear because Vauxhall didn’t offer performance specs for the car. Since the El Camino-like Maloo LSA is classified as a commercial vehicle buyers can claim the VAT back from the £54,500 price. That price works out to over $81,000, which would never go over in the States. That is a huge price tag even for a luxury truck, a class that sells well in the US.

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https://www.slashgear.com/vauxhall-maloo-lsa-gets-a-536ps-blown-v8-21419402/

 

 

Droid Turbo 2 drop test from 900-feet up

Droid Turbo 2 drop test from 900-feet up

Wearables, , , , , , , , ,

Most smartphone users know that if you drop your smartphone while standing up onto a hard surface, odds are if it’s not in a case, the screen will be broken. The new Motorola Droid Turbo 2 smartphone is supposed to have a very strong screen that Motorola bills as shatterproof. Some smartphone loving geeks took one of those Droid Turbo 2 smartphones and took it 900-feet into the air.

The smartphone was dangling from a cord beneath a quad rotor drone that carried it into the air and then dropped it once at altitude. The smartphone tumbled to the ground and appears to have landed solidly on one corner of the smartphone.
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https://www.slashgear.com/droid-turbo-2-drop-test-from-900-feet-up-21419397/

Xiaomi’s Yi Home Camera makes its way to Amazon

Xiaomi’s Yi Home Camera makes its way to Amazon

Cameras, , , , , , , , ,

Just two weeks after it made available its own version of a budget-friendly action camera, Xiaomi is launching another one of its products in the US. And no, not yet a smartphone. It is yet another camera, but this time with a focus on home security than heart stopping footage.

The Yi Home Camera, like many security cameras nowadays, advertise motion detection and smartphone alerts. But unlike your conventional DIY home cam, Xiaomi advocates local storage over storing those crucial security videos over the insecure cloud.
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https://www.slashgear.com/xiaomis-yi-home-camera-makes-its-way-to-amazon-21419381/

2016 Chevrolet Tahoe Review

2016 Chevrolet Tahoe Review

Cars, , , , , , , ,

“Try the Tahoe” I was told when, a month or so ago, I admitted that Cadillac’s vast, attention-seeking, and generally louche Escalade had wormed its way into my cold British heart. According to the commenters, I’d have just as much success – not to mention save a few tens of thousands of dollars – with the 2016 version of Chevrolet’s SUV. So, I thought I’d put that to the test.

2016 Chevrolet Tahoe Review

On the face of it, it’s a good comparison. Cadillac’s SUV might be a bastion of chrome and excess, but it shares plenty with the far more mainstream Chevy. The big difference is in price: your friendly Cadillac dealer wants at least $73k for a 2016 Escalade, while the 2016 Tahoe starts at a mere $47k.
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https://www.slashgear.com/2016-chevrolet-tahoe-review-19419209/

Breitling releases its Exospace B55 luxury smartwatch

Breitling releases its Exospace B55 luxury smartwatch

Wearables, , , , , , , , , , , ,

Luxury watchmaker Breitling, most known for their aviation-related mechanical watches, has made its first entry into the smartwatch market.

The company has just released its Exospace B55 timepiece, a “connected watch” that focuses on smartwatch-like notifications over running full-blown apps like the Apple Watch or Samsung Gear S2. This strategy sees Breitling joining other traditional watchmakers like TAG Heuer and Fossil in appealing to those who would still prefer wearing standard timepieces.
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https://www.slashgear.com/breitling-releases-its-exospace-b55-luxury-smartwatch-18419071/

Samsung Galaxy Note 5 Winter Special Edition packs 128GB of Storage

Samsung Galaxy Note 5 Winter Special Edition packs 128GB of Storage

Wearables, , , , , , , , , , ,

Samsung has trotted out a new special edition of the Galaxy Note 5 phablet dubbed the Winter Special Edition. The smartphone comes in a couple winter colors including gold platinum and silver titanium. The special colors aren’t the big draw to the Winter Special Edition though, the big draw is the extra storage space crammed into the phablet.

Samsung gives this device 128GB of storage and launch of the device is set for December 31. Fans of the device wanting to get their hands on one will be able to purchase it via SKT and KT at launch and the special colors will also be offered in a version with 64GB of storage.
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https://www.slashgear.com/samsung-galaxy-note-5-winter-special-edition-packs-128gb-of-storage-18419083/

Nissan Talks Titan 5.6L Endurance V8 Gas Engine

Nissan Talks Titan 5.6L Endurance V8 Gas Engine

Wearables, , , , , , , ,

We already know that the new Nissan Titan will be getting a Cummins turbo diesel V8 option. That engine will certainly find its way under the hood of many new Titans purchased when the truck hits dealerships. That Cummins turbo diesel will be overkill for many truck buyers and they will opt for the standard gas V8 instead.

Nissan is now offering up details on that gas V8 that the majority of Titan trucks will use. The 5.6L Endurance V8 will use four valves per cylinder, variable valve event and lift, and direct injection to make 390hp at 5800 rpm and 401 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm. That should mean the gas-powered Titan is no slouch when it comes to towing.
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https://www.slashgear.com/nissan-talks-titan-5-6l-endurance-v8-gas-engine-17418901/

Canon’s 5DS camera replica is a functional flash drive

Canon’s 5DS camera replica is a functional flash drive

Cameras, , , , , , , ,

Canon has launched its own miniature DSLR, a scaled replica of the Canon 5DS camera with a removable ‘lens’ and all the tiny details. The big difference, of course, is that the replica isn’t a camera — it’s a flash drive, satisfying your mobile storage needs. Remove the lens, and you’ll have access to the USB connector.

Canon’s 5DS camera replica is a functional flash drive

Canon is offering the flash drive 5DS replica through its Japanese website; it isn’t clear whether the company plans to introduce the storage drive through its other stores. Regardless, you’ll have to be patient if you want one, as Canon has already sold out of them.
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https://www.slashgear.com/canons-5ds-camera-replica-is-a-functional-flash-drive-16418866/

Infiniti Q50 V6 turbos spin at up to 220k rpm

Infiniti Q50 V6 turbos spin at up to 220k rpm

Wearables, , , , ,

Depending on how much you know about engine technologies and turbo chargers specifically, you may not know just how fast those little turbos rotate. While the pistons and crankshaft in the Infiniti Q50 spin to the tune of thousands of RPMs, the turbos are flying around in the hundreds of thousands of RPMs range.

Specifically Infiniti has said that the twin turbos used on the Q50 spin at up to 220,000 RPMs when the car is driven hard. The Q50 will have the option of being fitted with a turbine speed sensor that will tell the driver just how fast the turbos are spinning.
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https://www.slashgear.com/infiniti-q50-v6-turbos-spin-at-up-to-220k-rpm-17418903/

Cleer DU Wireless dual driver Bluetooth headphones unveiled

Cleer DU Wireless dual driver Bluetooth headphones unveiled

Wearables, , , , , , ,

Cleer has introduced its new DU Wireless headphones, a model it says is the first HD dual driver wireless Bluetooth unit of its kind. The headphones combine a stylish, modern design with support for high quality audio. There’s AAC/AptX version 4.0 lossless connectivity coupled with a pair of 40mm neodymium drivers, a quick charge feature, LED indicator, and more.

The Cleer DU Wireless headphones feature two 40mm neodymium drivers which, the maker promises, help provide high-quality audio that will satisfy the tastes of “music enthusiasts.” The battery allows for up to 20 hours of wireless playback, and can be quick charged similar to some modern smartphones.
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https://www.slashgear.com/cleer-du-wireless-dual-driver-bluetooth-headphones-unveiled-17419043/

HTC teases One X9 camera prowess, more photos leaked

HTC teases One X9 camera prowess, more photos leaked

Cameras, Phones, , , , , ,

Given HTC’s standing in the smartphone market, any high profile or even mildly notable new device it is rumored to have will be something curious to watch, just to see if the OEM will finally stumble upon a winning, not to mention saving, handset.

The One A9, with its mid-range specs and iPhonesque design, wasn’t. And now it might be trying again with what is being referred to as the One X9, which may be yet another mid-ranger, but this time with a more talented camera, or so says HTC.

HTC doesn’t actually name the One X9, but in its teaser image, it does refer to “what’s next” after the One A9. HTC does, however, makes no qualms about advertising the next camera sensor on the smartphone, which will have 13 megapixels, optical image stabilization, and RAW support.

Those, of course, are just the raw figures and like what has been proven in the past, it’s the actual output that counts most.
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https://www.slashgear.com/htc-teases-one-x9-camera-prowess-more-photos-leaked-17418879/

Razer Leviathan Mini Review

Razer Leviathan Mini Review

Audio & Video, , , , , , , , , , , ,

Inside the Razer Leviathan Mini you’re going to get some deep, booming sound. That’s for certain. If you connect this speaker to your Android device, you’ll be able to say “OK Google” to it just fine – it uses what Razer calls “Clear Voice Capture” technology – you can use it as a speakerphone for your phone, too. But what is the Razer Leviathan Mini best at? Audio for your TV? Not so much. Wireless music. Wireless music in twos.

If you want a tiny speaker that blasts sound in a big way, and you want to FEEL that sound like a thunderclap to your eardrums, the Leviathan Mini is the way to go. It’s not something you’re going to want to get if you want to watch a documentary on your television. It’s not made for tiny subtleties quite so much. More for a big picture.
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https://www.slashgear.com/razer-leviathan-mini-review-17418834/

2016 Audi S7 Review

2016 Audi S7 Review

Cars, , , , , , , , ,

The “four-door luxury coupe” might have seemed like an odd fad initially, but its matured into a legitimate segment. Audi’s take on the category, the 2016 S7, has an excellent starting point in the shape of the slinky A7, ramping up the curb appeal with bigger wheels and more aggressive strolling front and rear. Nothing too outré, mind, but enough to single the car out as something special.

2016 Audi S7 Review

Speed is a given. Give the S7 a right-foot massage and it surges on a crest of torque: never mind the speed limit, triple digits arrive with worrying rapidity. Audi says 0-60 mph takes 4.5 seconds, but I’d say that’s a little conservative.

2016-audi-s7-32

It’s all thanks to a 4.0-liter, twin-turbo V8 TFSI engine, which for the 2016 model year gets a bump in power to 450 HP and 406 lb-ft. of torque. That’s paired up with a 7-speed S tronic transmission with paddle shifters.
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https://www.slashgear.com/2016-audi-s7-review-17418972/

Fossil Q Founder Review

Fossil Q Founder Review

Wearables, , , , , ,
THE GOOD
  • Attractive design
  • Can always display time
THE BAD
  • Bulky design will turn off some
  • Wireless charger is crazy large
  • No heart-rate monitor
VERDICT

While attractive, the Fossil Q Founder smartwatch has fewer features than the competition, and its large size will turn off others.
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https://www.techradar.com/reviews/wearables/fossil-q-founder-1321657/review

How to Delete an App in Android Marshmallow

How to Delete an App in Android Marshmallow

Wearables, , , , , ,

While you may dream that every app you download is the perfect solution for whatever problem you care to solve, the reality is that not every app lives up to its promise. Sometimes, you have to part ways by deleting that app off your smartphone.

In previous versions of Android, this meant opening up the app tray or diving all the way into the Settings menu. Android Marshmallow has streamlined the process, though, to the point that, in some cases, you can be free and clear of the offending app without even having to leave the comfort of your home screen.

Here’s how to delete apps from a phone running Android Marshmallow.

 

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https://www.tomsguide.com/us/delete-apps-in-android-marshmallow,review-3275.html

 

Vivo X6 hands-on review

Vivo X6 hands-on review

Phones, , , , , , , ,

Introduction

Want an iPhone not designed in California and with a few tweaks unlikely to come out of Apple’s Cupertino offices? Meet the Vivo X6.

Okay, we won’t call it a copycat, but the resemblance is too apparent for it not to be the first thought that comes to mind. The metal unibody, the antenna strips, the camera hump, even the tiny screws on the bottom and the color options (Rose gold among them, of course) carry an Apple air – perhaps more so than we’ve seen in a competing device thus far.

Vivo X6 review

Good thing then that Vivo has done a few things differently, and in a way we won’t be seeing Apple do them anytime soon. Fingerprint sensor on the back? That’s where the bitten fruit logo goes. Headphone jack on top? Nah, Apple relegated that to the bottom with the iPhone 5 and why would it take a step back?
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https://www.gsmarena.com/vivo_x6_hands_on-review-1354.php

Asus G11CD Review

Asus G11CD Review

Computers & IT, , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
THE GOOD
  • Attractive, compact design
  • Strong gaming performance
  • Included mouse and keyboard
THE BAD
  • Lackluster software
  • No upgradability
VERDICT

The Asus G11 is a compact and attractive gaming desktop that offers strong performance for less than $1,000.

The Asus G11 is proof that getting into PC gaming doesn’t require an exorbitant budget or a wealth of computing know-how. This gaming desktop’s price tag ($849 starting, $999 as reviewed) is as inviting as its sci-fi-inspired design, and its Core i7 processor and GeForce GTX 960 GPU can handle the latest graphically rich games without breaking a sweat. The hassle-free G11 is an ideal starter PC for gamers, though its lack of upgradability limits its shelf life.
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https://www.tomsguide.com/us/asus-g11cd,review-3298.html

 

Aston Martin Vanquish review : A British alternative to a Ferrari

Aston Martin Vanquish review : A British alternative to a Ferrari

Cars, , , , ,

(+)

  • Stunning looks
  • Glorious engine
  • Excellent interior

(-)

  • Big options list
  • Expensive
  • The Ferrari F12 exists

Short of the million-pound Aston Martin One-77, this is as good as it gets from the British luxury brand. The Vanquish name adorns the rear of the latest in a long line of luxury GTs from the marque – with styling cues and advanced construction techniques pinched from that ultra-expensive supercar.
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Read full post here: https://www.carwow.co.uk/

NeoNode AirBar Turns Any 15-Inch Laptop Display Into A Functional Touchscreen

NeoNode AirBar Turns Any 15-Inch Laptop Display Into A Functional Touchscreen

Wearables, , , ,

Plenty of laptops now come with built-in touchscreens, giving users another option in navigation and control. If you want to enjoy the same functionality, but aren’t quite ready to upgrade your computer just yet, you might want to check out the NeoNode AirBar.

neonode-airbar-1

A device that turns ordinary laptop screens into functional touchscreen displays, it lets you take advantage of the touchscreen support in modern desktop operating systems without having to purchase an entirely new machine. Even better, it does that at a plug-and-play capacity, so you just slip ot into a USB port and you’re good to go.
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https://www.coolthings.com/neonode-airbar-laptop-touchscreen/

B&O BeoPlay A6 review

B&O BeoPlay A6 review

Audio & Video, , , , , ,
Verdict
  • The A6 oozes style and substance, fully justifying the asking price
For
  • Crystal-clear, expressive sound
  • Deep, textured bass
  • Entertaining and engaging
  • Vast functionality
Against
  • Controls could be better

For £800/$1,200, you can usually buy a pretty good hi-fi streaming system of humble proportions: a Cambridge Audio Minx Xi system, pair of Q Acoustic 3020 speakers and speaker stands, for example
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https://www.whathifi.com/bo/beoplay-a6/review

Garmin Forerunner 630 review

Garmin Forerunner 630 review

Wearables, , , , , , , , , ,

There’s always the concern that with so many features on board, the Forerunner 630 would lose sight of its core features as a sports watch. Fortunately, that’s not the case here. It still does the basics brilliantly and the smartwatch additions don’t feel like an afterthought like they do on so many other sports watches. Some syncing issues aside, this is one of the best running watches you can lay your hands on if you’re serious about running. If you wanted to save yourself some money and not fussed about those extra metrics, the TomTom Spark or a cheaper Forerunner is going to be a better fit.

Hit
  • Accurate GPS and heart rate tracking
  • Smartphone notifications work really well
  • Solid battery life
Miss
  • Garmin Connect is still very overwhelming
  • Some pairing/syncing issues
  • Screen responsiveness not super slick

Garmin Forerunner 630

The Garmin Forerunner 630 is the company’s latest tech-packed flagship running watch, as it takes the fight to the likes of of Fitbit and TomTom.
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https://www.wareable.com/garmin/garmin-forerunner-630-review

How to Use RAM Manager in Android Marshmallow

How to Use RAM Manager in Android Marshmallow

Wearables, , , , ,

With its Marshmallow update, Android has a new memory manager that gives you a ton of useful information you can use to hunt down an app that’s eating away at your RAM. If the performance o your Android device seems out of whack, the RAM Manager should be one of your first stops.

Here’s how to find the RAM Manager in Android Marshmallow, and what information will appear when you use this feature.

 

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https://www.tomsguide.com/us/android-marshmallow-ram-manager,review-3297.html

 

Bluboo Xtouch review: 'Probably the best 5in Android phone so far' - our verdict

Bluboo Xtouch review: ‘Probably the best 5in Android phone so far’ – our verdict

Phones, , , ,

The Xtouch is Bluboo’s 2015 flagship smartphone, and marketed as ‘Probably the best 5in Android phone so far’. It’s certainly got a fair amount of style for a budget Android phone, but we see how it fares in other areas in our Bluboo Xtouch review.

PRICE AND UK AVAILABILITY

The Bluboo Xtouch is available from various Chinese online retailers, including Geekbuying, which is currently charging £123.71/$185 for the Xtouch. Bear in mind that although the site offers free worldwide shipping, when buying a phone from China you may be forced to pay import duty when it arrives in the UK.

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Read full post here: pcadvisor.co.uk

Asus ZenBook UX303U review: a well-balanced, smart and powerful Windows laptop

Asus ZenBook UX303U review: a well-balanced, smart and powerful Windows laptop

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

The ZenBook has proved an enduring ultraportable laptop from Asus, just like the MacBook Air from which it was copied wholesale. The last ZenBook we saw earlier this year, the UX305F, reviewed, was pared back in price and performance with the help of a low-power Core M processor; for the UX303UA, Asus has returned to a full-speed processor and is a great Windows alternative to the Apple 13-inch Air.

PRICE

You can buy the UX303U from Amazon for £899.99/$1,350, but we’ve seen it for up to £20/$30 cheaper if you hunt around.

Asus ZenBook UX303U review

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Read full post here: pcadvisor.co.uk