ultra-portable Archives

Winsage

December 8, 2024

Do more with a new Windows 11 PC

Support for Windows 10 will end in October 2025, prompting users to consider upgrading to Windows 11 PCs. Windows 11 offers enhanced security, improved productivity, and advanced features. It is designed for exceptional performance with powerful processors, rapid storage, high-speed memory, and stunning displays. On Copilot+ PCs, Windows 11 operates up to five times faster than five-year-old Windows machines and provides extended battery life. Microsoft aims for zero waste by 2023, promoting energy efficiency and recycling programs. Currys, as the UK's largest tech recycler, collects and recycles around 60,000 tonnes of outdated technology annually. Currys offers a diverse selection of Windows 11 PCs suitable for various needs and budgets.

AppWizard

September 26, 2024

Here’s why I’m hoping to score Lunar Lake inside my next handheld gaming PC: Intel’s Core Ultra 7 258V tested in games

The Asus Zenbook S 14 features an Intel Core Ultra 7 258V processor with eight cores, combining Lion Cove P-cores and Skymont E-cores, and is equipped with the Arc 140V integrated graphics unit. It delivers a commendable gaming experience at 1080p, outperforming the Intel Arc Graphics in the Zenbook 14 and competing effectively against AMD's Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 in various titles. The Zenbook S 14 has a power draw of around 40 W during intensive workloads and maintains a similar form factor and specifications to the Zenbook 14. The Arc 140V iGPU surpasses the Intel Arc Graphics found in the 155H, and despite a lower clock speed, the 258V shows a 5% performance advantage in games like Hitman 3. In Metro Exodus Enhanced Edition, both the 258V and AMD chip achieve 27 fps, with Intel slightly ahead in 1% low frame rate metrics. The specifications include 32 GB LPDDR5X RAM, a 512 GB SSD, a 14-inch 2880 x 1800 OLED display with a 120 Hz refresh rate, a 72 Whr battery, and a weight of 1.2 kg. The Zenbook S 14 achieves 155 minutes of gaming in 3DMark's battery life test, outperforming the Zenbook 14 and Zephyrus G16. Compatibility issues with some titles may arise from early driver releases.

Winsage

September 5, 2024

A Longtime Windows User Makes First Impressions of Windows 11 – NEIU Independent

Users have 15 months left to transition from Windows 10 to Windows 11, which was released in late 2021. Less than 30% of current Windows users have switched to Windows 11. The review focuses on initial setup challenges, interface and usability, hybrid device experience, application and file management, and comparisons with other operating systems. The initial setup was complicated by the requirement to create an online account for certain features, leading the reviewer to ultimately create a local account. The interface is similar to Windows 7 and 10, offering reliability and extensive app support. The ASUS Vivobook's hardware, including a responsive touchscreen and 360-degree hinge, enhances the user experience by allowing seamless transitions between tablet and laptop modes. Users can download apps from both developer websites and the Microsoft Store without needing to log into a Microsoft account. Windows 11 improves multitasking with enhanced Windows Snap features, offering five organizational configurations for tiling apps. Apple plans to introduce a similar feature in their upcoming MacOS Sequoia. For those needing a new computer, investing in a device with Windows 11 is recommended, while users with functional machines may consider lightweight Linux distributions for secondary use.

Winsage

August 13, 2024

Dell XPS 13 (9345) review: Windows on ARM is here

The Dell XPS 13 (9345) is an ultra-portable laptop weighing 2.6 pounds, with dimensions of 11.62 x 7.84 x 0.60 inches. It features a 13.4-inch LCD or OLED display with resolutions of 1920 x 1200, 2560 x 1600, or 2880 x 1800. The laptop is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite chipset and offers memory options of 16GB, 32GB, or 64GB, along with storage options of 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB. It has a 55Wh battery and is priced at ,299.99. The design includes a flat keyboard bed, an edge-to-edge display, and a 1080p webcam. It has two USB-C 4.0 ports but lacks a headphone jack. Pros include its lightweight, performance, battery life, keyboard, and design, while cons include limited port selection and high price.