Installation and Removal Instructions
Inspiron 14 5425 Speakers

Step 1

• Before you begin: If you need help at any point, you can always contact Parts-People Repair Department for help with your diagnosis or repair.

Step 2

• TOOLS FOR THIS REPAIR: Phillips #0 and a Plastic Scribe.
• Unscrew the Bottom Base Cover (5 x M2 x 4mm) (2 X captive screws).
• Pry apart and remove the Bottom Base Cover.

Step 3

• Disconnect the Battery Cable.

Step 4

• Unscrew and remove the Battery (5 x M2 x 3mm).

Step 5

• Unclip the locking tab and disconnect the touchpad cable.

Step 6

• Disconnect the speaker cable.

Step 7

• Remove the Speakers.
• ***FOLLOW THE ORIGINAL STEPS IN REVERSE TO REASSEMBLE YOUR LAPTOP.

What you will notice off the bat is its lower price. The Dell Chromebook 14 2-in-1, at $599 to start, is a 14-inch (could you have guessed?) $3.99 lb device, wrapped in aluminum rather than plastic. Along its lower lid, the dual hinges reside, allowing for 180 degrees of freedom to function in all four modes: tent, laptop, presentation, and tablet. It’s FHD 1920 x 1080 touchscreen display is sharp, with vivid color; and touch input becomes even more fun, since the Dell Chromebook 14 comes with a built-in dedicated stylus. The keyboard is backlit, the keys are spaced well, and while on the touchpad you’ll find smooth and accurate glazing of your fingers for input.

The Dell Chromebook 14 2-in-1 is packed with an 8th generation Intel Core i3 CPU processor, 4GB of DDR4 memory, and 128GB of eMMC storage. This isn’t the largest amount of RAM Memory you could ask for, yet at 2,400MHz, makes for great multitasking. That processor, by the way, will modestly handle both Android apps and the Chrome OS performance in a lightweight, yet sufficiently speedy manner.

There is a 10-hour life span for the battery, or at least that is something Dell promises. Not relying on having an outlet close by for hours at a time is something on-the-go consumers need. Ten hours is quite a bit, and slowly becoming the new norm, yet, it’s nothing hard to believe, as the light Chrome OS doesn’t require the same amount of power as a Windows-operated laptop. As far as I/O connectivity and support, there are two USB-C 3.1 ports, one USB 3.1 port, and a microSD card reader.

Everything on paper makes this thing sound like a champ. The display on this Chromebook comes close to the Google Pixelbook, and we know how coo coo folks go for that beauty of a work machine. Sure Dell’s Chromebook is not as portable as some 2-in-1s, as it is both heavier and thicker than many competitors, but it won’t stop you from easily taking it with along for your day. Additionally, it’s aluminum build is classier than plastic, which is course, helpful while in competition with the countless plastic-built Chromebooks on the market. Priced well, the Chromebook 14 in fact does have a lot of Inspiron-like qualities, with both its display and CPU processor leveling the playing field for a budget mid-range device. For a Dell, an Inspiron-level device, and for a Chromebook cheaper than the Google Pixelbook, the Inspiron Chromebook 14 2-in-1 might just be a steal.

Hence, Lenovo’s latest carving in the laptop market is making a bigger, better Chromebook, one that holds fast performance and comes in a multifunctional form-factor. The 15.6-inch 2-in-1, probably larger than 90 percent of existing Chromebooks, is Lenovo’s Yoga Chromebook. Akin to the Yoga series of the Lenovo family, you can guess that the Chromebook would probably be a convertible, and you’d be correct. Its dimensions include 14.23in x 9.8in x 0.7in, with a weight of 4.2 pounds. Its 15.6-inch Chromebook comes in two, models, featuring either FHD or UHD IPS touchscreens, with ‘nearly-edgeless’ LCD bezels. Attached is its 360-degree hinge, of course, allowing all four modes of use- tent, laptop, presentation, and tablet.

From looks alone, the display gives away the clue that this sleek, larger form-factor convertible is high-end. In fact, the Lenovo Yoga Chromebook comes with higher-end hardware and processing power than most Chromebooks out there. It’s packing an 8th Gen Intel Core i5 chip with four cores and eight threads, the Core i5-8250U Kaby Lake R CPU, 8GB DDR4 RAM memory, and either 64GB to 128GB of eMMC 5.1 flash storage.

The Chromebook also has integrated Intel HD Graphics 620, which, along with the rest of the package, makes for pretty killer performance. There are two USB-C ports, which both support charging, one USB-A port, a microSD card reader, and a headphone jack. Glaze over the top edges of the machine and you’ll find a spacious trackpad, and backlit keyboard. Of course, you can start exploring the Google Play store right out of the box, and its expanded support allows for some pretty light gaming. Whether your type of fun is working, watching or playing media, or giving a shot at an Android gaming application, you can play as long as you want. The Chrome operating system is lightweight, and thanks to its 56 watt-hour battery, the Yoga Chromebook can run for 10 hours before needing a charge.

Larger is better in the case of designing a different Chromebook. This is usually done to enhance all aspects of performance. As Lenovo intended, the extra horsepower was vital to the Yoga Chromebook, especially for the multitasker and power users. Additionally, with the extra real estate in its display, the Yoga Chromebook will run its Android apps cleaner. The origin of Chromebooks belonged to the educational sector, as well as folks like myself who enjoy Chrome to manage my work and home life. Along the evolution, there have been more than affordable machines, but as of late, Lenovo satisfies the higher-end Chromebook niche by treating the machine like any other mid-range to business laptop, opting for better hardware, a larger LCD screen size with ultimate display quality, and packing a top-notch CPU. Loaded with high-end specs, and a low starting price, of just $599. What do you say?

I’d say good job to Lenovo, at its first stab at a premium Chrome OS machine. If what you’re into is a smaller, simpler machine, with a super lightweight package, perhaps you could try out the Lenovo C330 Chromebook, or the Dell Chromebook 3189, both in 11-inch form factors, and weighing a pound or two less than the Yoga Chromebook.

We know it’s not on behalf of manufacturers unwillingness. In fact, huge names, like the high-ruler Samsung, just put out its Galaxy Tab S4. That being said, Lenovo decided to release not one, but five new Android tablets, all affordable, and ready for the home environment. Great for children, parents, and workers, tablets of every niche have been attempted by Lenovo. Grouped into three series, all five tablets aim to please the budget-minded consumer, the homebodies, and the ‘To-Do List’ lovers. The various tablets have some helpful and recreational features, like the optional Kids Pack, which is basically a shock-resistant, screen protecting hero, and the Productivity Pack, a matching case and Bluetooth keyboard.

From lowest to highest, we will go. The E-series tablets include the Lenovo Tab E7, E8, and E10, all representing their display sizes, respectively. The 7-inch Tab E7 features a 1024 x 600 display, runs Android Oreo Go Edition, and has the choice of either a MediaTek MT8167 or MT8321 for its CPU processor, along with 1GB of RAM, and 16GB of storage. The 8-inch Lenovo Tab E8 has a 1280 x 800 display, runs on Android Nougat, features a MediaTek MT8163B CPU at 1.3GHz, and the same RAM and storage as the E7. The last of the Tab E-series, the Tab E10, offers a 10.1-inch 1280 x 800 display, runs Android Oreo Go Edition, features Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 210 CPU, with 2GB of RAM, 16GB of storage, and two speakers.

The last two, the Lenovo M10 and P10, both with 10.1-inch displays, are the higher-notch tablets, featuring extra goodies and power that stand apart from the E-series. Both the Lenovo Tab M10 and P10 have a 1920 x 1080p display, run Android Oreo (regular), and have an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 450 CPU, at 1.8GHz. The Lenovo Tab M10 comes with 3GB of RAM memory, and 32GB of storage, and two speakers. As the fairest of them all, the Lenovo Tab P10 comes with 4GB of RAM, 32GB of storage, four speakers, both front and rear-facing webcams, and features a fingerprint sensor.

Pricing is only available for the Lenovo Tab E7, at $70, the Tab E8, at $100, and the Tab E10, at $130. All will be available in October 2018, exclusively sold at Walmart. As far as the Lenovo Tab M10 and P10, there has yet to be any information regarding price, however pre-orders through Amazon are expected to start in the coming winter months. Because the M10 and P10 are more in line with what is an updated tablet today, both provide FHD displays, better CPUs, as well as higher RAM memory and storage. We can expect these to be priced a bit above the Tab E10’s $130 price-point, perhaps in the $145 to $160 range. In deciding to to release these five tablets, (mostly) running Android Oreo, and priced smartly, Lenovo hopes to bring updated features and functions to home devices you can count on. The tablet market may not suddenly skyrocket when manufacturers are competing against the ultra-thin laptop trend, but Lenovo took a shot. Designed as family devices, for simple entertainment or light gaming, the slew of tablets could still be a nice gift this holiday season for teenagers, who are not already settled on the iPad, or stay-at-home mothers who enjoy an accompaniment to their smartphone to manage their tasks for the day.

The Lenovo Flex 6 is a 14-inch 1920 x 1080p convertible with a listing price lower than contenders with the same display size, and CPU processor, such as Asus’s ZenBook Flip 14 at $900. The system measures 12.9 x 9.0 x 0.7 inches, weighs 3.75 pounds, and features an onyx black exterior atop of a durable plastic shell. It’s not quite as thin and light as its more portable competitors, but in lew of getting the hinge right, the Flex 6’s twin hinges are anti-wobble, sturdy guides for clamshell, tent, laptop and tablet modes. Traveling along the rounded edges of the machine, you’ll find an HDMI port, power port, a USB 3.0 Type-A, a USB 3.0 Type-C, and a combo audio jack on the left. On the right side of the machine, lives the power button, an SD card reader, another USB 3.0 Type-A, and a Kensington Lock slot. Unfortunately, the Type-C port does not support Thunderbolt 3 charging. Speaking of charging, the Flex 6 has a 45 watt-hour battery, capable of a 7.5 hours of life on average. Not bad, but also not as long-running as other systems with comparable specifications.

While its Full HD LCD screen may seem sharp, full of color even, it quite literally falls short of brightness, allowing for only 224 nits when put at its max. Considering 250 nits of brightness is the low-water mark for having a pleasant visual experience indoors, especially near window light, the Flex 6 plummets. On the “bright side”, viewing angles and inverse hues have not been misjudged, a feature that is very often found on low-priced laptops. Along with a roomy, backlit keyboard, a responsive, tranquil trackpad, and 10-point multitouch support, there’s also the helpful functions of Lenovo’s Active pen and USB holder with 2,048 levels of pressure sensitivity ($40), and the Flex’s fingerprint reader. For entertainment value, Lenovo’s Harman Kardon Speakers do just enough, perhaps a step above average for laptop speakers.

With the Flex 6’s convertible form factor, there is always the positive attribute of having so much more functionality than a clamshell laptop. However, since clamshells usually run a bit more powerful, let’s see how performance stacks up. The Flex 6 14 has an Intel Core i5-8250U CPU processor, and 8GB of DDR4 RAM- both of which are not half bad, with the 8th Gen U-series chips now being quad-core, meaning more power. Also, anything less than 8GB would be a mistake for even a low-priced device, so Lenovo did good here, as new PCs should all provide enough RAM memory to run the basic functions consumers require. The SSD, at 256GB, is a just fine size for this low-priced convertible. The dedicated graphics include Nvidia’s GeForce MX130, along with 2GB GDDR5 memory- a step above Intel integrated graphics, but performance-wise, comes up short. This is disappointing, and surprising, considering most convertibles come with an integrated GPU, and the Flex 6 has one that should beat Intel’s.

Starting at such a low price-point, Lenovo made it’s IdeaPad Flex 6 14″ one of the cheapest 2-in-1s around featuring 8th Gen Intel. It will not impress you in the display department, as mentioned, nor will it with its iffy graphics performance. Remember, however, that it is a relatively speedy performer, and unless you are all about photo editing, gaming, or anything that requires higher-running system graphics, you could definitely consider purchasing the Flex 6. It has the performance marks for achieving your productivity needs, yet for more graphics support, you might want to veer your eyes elsewhere. Perhaps the smaller Dell’s XPS 13 2-in-1 9365 would better suit you. It has a higher price, but clears away any probable disappointment, particularly the issues found here, with its QHD+ InfinityEdge touchscreen display, and powerful Intel HD Graphics 620 with shared graphics memory.

The 11.6-inch 500e has an HD multi-touch display, with rugged Corning Gorilla Glass 3 + Native Damage Resistance technology. Its 360 display folds into stand, tent, and laptop modes for personal, sharing, or presentation configurations. At 2.97 pounds, the 500e Chromebook, especially in tablet mode, is a bit hefty. On the other hand, it’s dimensions, 0.8in x 11.4in x 8.0in, make it lighter and smaller than another contender, the Acer Chromebook Spin. The stylus pen, a nice aid for students who want to take notes or sketch, is stored in a dedicated slot to keep it safe.

Although its plastic design makes it less elegant looking, this isn’t what the Lenovo 500e Chromebook is about. Durability increases as you continue to check out this 2-in-1. Its keyboard and trackpad are ready to survive a water spill, and the PC can withstand multiple falls from a desk to the floor, thanks to its rubberized bumpers. Speaking of its keyboard, it maintains an island style, with handy Chromebook function buttons for online navigation. There are two webcams, one above the display, and one above the keyboard- positioned for taking world view photos or videos while in tablet mode.

Two configurations exist, with the entry-level model, offered at $309.99, featuring an Intel Celeron N3450 CPU processor (2.4GHz Turbo), Intel HD 520 graphics, 4GB of RAM, and 32GB of eMMC storage. The other option, not yet available in the U.S., has the same specs, except for upgraded RAM to 8GB, and 64GB of eMMC. Ports are plentiful, with 2 USB-C ports, 2 USB 3.0 ports, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. There is also 2×2 AC Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1, and a MicroSD card reader, making room for any added connectivity.

Although students, undoubtedly, will have a nice time working or browsing this little Chromebook, others could find a few issues with it. Since it is a bit thick, tablet mode could be especially uncomfortable for smaller hands, especially with the 500e Chromebook weighing almost 3 pounds. As far a display, the thick LCD bezels only make the screen appear smaller. There isn’t much room when it comes to any video or audio editing here. However, the Intel Celeron chip will do just fine for web browsing, simple puzzle games, documentation, and utilizing the suite of Google productivity apps. Battery life sums up to about 10 hours, which is especially great when thinking of all the open tabs or HD video streaming students may be pushing on this Chromebook.

Beyond the bevy of ports, integrating the stylus was a nice move on Lenovo’s end, as more portable PCs are adding the peripheral for creativity purposes. Fitted with that 360-degree hinge, Lenovo claims students “will make the best use of its multi-touch technology to interact with educational apps and tools”. In fact, students may never want to type again, after experiencing the smooth, “real pen” feeling when taking notes on their new Lenovo 500e Chromebook. Using the webcam to take photos of the lesson plan, or teacher’s notes, will be incredibly helpful for students. Overall, this is a likeable Lenovo 2-in-1. For an inexpensive Chromebook, it can withstand the vigor of a classroom, maintains full laptop functionality, all the while doubling as a tablet.

As much as I dramatized the importance of a keyboard’s endurance, studying the $699 FX504 involves many factors. To start, there’s the vital essence of a nice display, which, in this case, Asus failed to make one of its strong points. The base model features a 15.6-inch 1920 x 1080 LCD screen, rather than an IPS-type panel, one used by Dell and Acer in their similarly-specced models, the Dell Inspiron 15 7547 and the Acer Nitro 5. It’s chassis definitely suits the part of an eccentric, traditional gaming laptop, so it got that down. However, it’s sad to say it’s display is so subpar, it deflates with its muted, washed out colors, poor off-angle viewing, and limited contrast.

It does offer some good graphics for performing old and new games at medium settings. The Asus TUF FX504 features an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 GPU, along with full Microsoft DirectX 12 support, plus 8GB of DDR4 RAM. This is more than enough graphics power to filter out the possibilities of dreaded lag, and it certainly makes this laptop a multitasker, one that is able to play the latest in popular PC gaming. It also comes with an 8th Generation Intel Core i-8750H CPU processor, with boost turbo of 4.1GHz. Interestingly, Asus chose a SSHD, or Solid State Hybrid Drive for this model, running a 1TB 5,400rpm hard drive matched along with 8GB cache memory. This is fast, but there’s also an SSD for the boot drive, and the option of adding an M.2 SSD. Warning: if your games aren’t running up to par, this might make you feel like you need to crack open the bottom to add more memory or storage. Another memento folks, there is no USB-C ports or SD card reader on this laptop, so that may cause some concern.

So yes, there are similar, better entry-level options for this particular recipe of laptop. The display is a big downpoint, and it’s too bad that Asus compromised that credible feature. Now, if you plan on connecting better screens or alternative peripherals, you have no worries here. Remember, the low-end price of $699 does not include a great display, but for the $1,000 model, you can have IPS panels (hint- that’s not a fair upgrade price). However, for a new purchase consumer, this disappointment may drive you elsewhere. The laptop’s memory and storage can be configured for good gaming performance at low to medium level, but with Asus’s lack of reserve storage and memory, gamers may notice some suppression at times.

Other qualities on the Asus TUF FX504 are not disappointments. There’s a comfortable and extra hearty keyboard that won’t tire you out, as Asus claims it can last for up to 20 million key presses. So yeah, it’s a treat to have a keyboard like this. Other entry-level gaming laptops don’t usually improve this area to more than the extent of key pressure and travelling. Also, because the TUF FX504 has a thinner physique than some, it’s a nice surprise to find its cooling system improved to remove dust and dirt. These also provide the user with quick capability of controlling cooling fan speed during the insane heat of battle. Ending verdict, the durability of the keyboard is a strong recipe point for making a great gaming laptop. Still, a couple other points are shy of exemplary, like the lackluster display. Also, the pricing, which from $699 to $999, wouldn’t be a simple choice for someone wanting true entry-level gaming. Put simply, it’s not quite a bargain.

Lenovo has a new IdeaPad model, dubbed the 530s, with such a subtle (yet sleek) design, that you may not believe it’s actually a powerhouse of excellent performance. Yet, another thing that may provide some seriously mixed signals for humans, is the word “premium”. Premium laptops, considered thin-and-light, are many times pricey, and sometimes they are genius. The IdeaPad 530s impersonates that of a premium, thin, lightweight laptop. It took on the role and played the part well. Not speaking of musical theatre here, both the 14 and 15.6-inch sized models offered are distributed with a polished aluminum chassis. Their displays sizes make for such thin LCD bezels, a mere 5.7mm, while only helping the models look as small as possible. Yet today, we’re going to focus on the 14-inch model directly, which weighs in at 3.3 pounds, and measures a mere 0.6 inches thick.

Internal components. They are important, especially for a little laptop like the IdeaPad 530s, whose sleek and lightweight design may make you wonder how much power is involved. Basically, this machine was built to be equipped for handling dailies like documentation, editing, sustaining many open tabs, playing lightweight, non-intense games, as well as multimedia tasks. As the IdeaPad 520s held the standard for what the upgraded model would be capable of, most of its hardware and specs are the same. With a starting price of about $900 and up, the 14-inch model carries a 1920 x 1080 LCD screen, or a 2560 x 1440 pixel IPS wide-angle display, one that helps deliver considerable brightness, great for having a powerful and immersive experience during a movie.

The graphics on board for the 14-inch model include an Intel HD, Nvidia MX130, or Nvidia MX150 GPU options. For RAM memory and storage, options of anything between 4GB and 16GB is possible, while 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB PCIe SSDs are offered, respectively. With the power of an 8th Gen Intel processor, things only get better when considering a flawless performance, as the balance of both the GPU, CPU and DDR4 help achieve high speed and efficiency. The processor, up to Intel’s Core i7, or the Core i5-8250U (up to 3.4GHz Turbo) bas its base, makes for the no-hiccup experience of streaming apps, having Chrome tabs open galore, or anything else for that matter.

Ports and connectivity include one USB 3.1 Type-C port, two USB 3.0 Type-A ports, an HDMI port, an SD card reader, audio combo jack, Harmon Stereo speakers via Dolby Audio, and an optional fingerprint reader. While it ships with Windows 10 S, users can unbox their product and immediately download Windows 10 Home free of charge.

The overall look of the Lenovo IdeaPad 530s doesn’t quite represent stylish. However, that won’t take away the fact that this is a multi-functional laptop- something tech firms all over are having to push for, in order to get into more worldwide markets and compete; and in this case, much like the the Dell XPS 13 9365 and Samsung Notebook 9 have well-attempted. Plus, on the bright side, the laptop is offered in more than onyx black, there are also blue, copper, and mineral grey to choose from! By revamping its IdeaPad laptop series, Lenovo is in the playing field, wanting to show off a modern, functional look, while its innards are well-equipped for multimedia, light gaming, video editing, and business portfolios. Display quality is something criticized on many brand-name laptop genres because it’s not always easy to achieve, or achieve it all for that matter. Yet this display does a powerful job at raising the bar of immersive-ness. It also wins the championship of choosing the correct graphics and processing power to do the job.

I guess this wouldn’t be real without having drawbacks. Since price isn’t one, what is? As far as the predecessor of the IdeaPad 530s, the 520s, there wasn’t much changed in the area of hardware, so updated wouldn’t be the term for that. Lenovo claims the battery run is about 8 hours in ideal conditions, but many sources have real-life usage numbers that argue this. For one, users won’t be depressed if the hardware hasn’t been changed much, that is, if it works as well as it says it should. Additionally, the battery won’t harm you if you have your charger nearby, since two hours of battery life can be recharged in just 15 minutes. My verdict is to ask whether you judged this book by its cover, and found out what you expected or not.

ThinkPad T480s is thin, light, and ready to get to work. Packed with 8th generation Intel, Windows 10, and a good battery life, this laptop provides the freedom to work anywhere, all in a desktop-powered experience. Users may configure the T480s, beefing it up as much as possible, which comes with a very high price point. The high-end model of the new ThinkPad is Lenovo’s way to one-up its very own kin, the X1 Carbon, released in its 6th generation in 2018. But can it?

I’ll tell you right now, there are reasons why consumers may love the X1 Carbon more than this new ThinkPad. They may still opt for the X1 after reading this. So let’s figure it out together- is the default 1080p display, and less-responsive keyboard on this Lenovo ThinkPad T480s reason enough to spare itself? Or, could the solid performance, built-in camera cover, and configuration options win the heart over the higher-class Carbon? An important factor when choosing a new laptop is weighing its value, and having an abundance of offerings makes it easier for consumers to meet their match. With the Lenovo ThinkPad T480s, and its starting price of $1,429, you could start with an Intel Core i5 CPU, a 1080p resolution, 8GB of RAM, and a large 256GB PCIe NVMe SSD- which makes for uninterrupted booting times, quick opening of apps, and efficiency when grasping large files. At the top of the tier, there’s a $2,449 configuration, with an Intel Core i7-8650U CPU with vPro, 8GB of RAM, 1TB of SSD, and a more lovely, 2560 x 1440 LCD screen.

The ThinkPad T480s retains its soft black plastic exterior, the same ThinkPad logo, both stamped on the corner of the lid and deck, and features a large enough bezel for its ThinkShutter webcam, which is protective of your identity. Its IPS panel has a native 1920 x 1080 resolution, nothing special, and not up to par with many notebooks these days. This laptop’s display covers just 72.1 percent of the sRGB color gamut, much less than the average of 110 percent- making the display a little too dark, less vivid, and definitely not as impressive of its sibling, the X1 Carbon, which holds a bold 129 percent. Its keyboard allows for 1.6mm of travel, 68 grams of actuation, which is overall above average for laptop keyboards. In the midst of the keys, you’ll find the TrackPoint nub, a normalcy for ThinkPads. Along the touchpad, Windows 10 gestures, like Cortana or Action Center are just taps away. As far as touch display properties, although not as responsive as others, it works well for scrolling along a web page, or on-screen input. There is also a fingerprint scanner for logging into Windows 10. That, and the ThinkShutter privacy filter on the webcam, enabled by the flip of a switch, are two powerful tools for enhanced security.

The ThinkPad T480s features a 14-inch display, measures 13 x 8.92 x 0.7 inches, and weighs in at 3 pounds. It is both heavier, and a bit thicker than its Dell Latitude 7390 competitor, as well as its very own X1 Carbon. The thickness only helps Lenovo’s case, as it holds a lot more I/O options- including Lenovo’s USB-C side docking stations. The T480s comes with a USB-C Gen 1 port, 2 USB-A 3.0 ports, a USB-C with Thunderbolt 3 (yay), a full-sized HDMI port, gigabit Ethernet, an SD card reader, and an optional smart card reader, all out of the box. Of course, there is also a 3.5mm combo audio jack, plus 2×2 MU-MIMO Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.2. That’s a lot folks, particularly helpful for freeing up space where dongles would usually hang. Business consumers, or anyone on-the-go with their work, would appreciate this.

With the base T840s model, performing via Intel’s Core i5-8250U CPU processor (3.4GHz Turbo), you can expect easy multitasking and handling of countless open tabs, beating the premium laptop average (9,718) performance test, scoring 12,044. This is good news, especially because the T480s only gets stronger and faster. There is even a model with dedicated graphics, a Nvidia GeForce MX150, mixed with Intel’s Core-i7-8550U CPU with 4GHz Turbo, along with 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD, both of which are double the base configuration. This unit may also offer a higher resolution, a WQHD 2560 x 1440 display. Even at its most basic specs, the T480s is an overall good performer, yet with that Core i7 upgrade, increased efficiency and handling of demanding tasks are the laptop’s most beneficial attributes. Putting it into perspective, the X1 Carbon may be a hard act to follow, but Lenovo’s new ThinkPad model is on par with both the Dell XPS 13, as well as Huawei’s Matebook X Pro, in terms of benchmark performance tests.

Lenovo lets you rummage its website for your own price-point, with various models incorporating both Core i5 and Core i7 chips, a discrete GPU, display options with touch, and customizable RAM memory and storage ranges. Self-customization can be the perfect opportunity for someone who is seeking a work laptop. Other times, it’s helpful to have something picked out for you. As far as answering the question of whether the T480s beats the X1 Carbon in any way, we do know the T480 holds a battery life of just under 9 hours, which is actually better than the popular X1 Carbon in web browsing tests. However, the T480s is not as thin and light as the X1 Carbon, nor does it beat it in CPU performance tests.

Although the ThinkPad may not stand out visually, it’s still a classic. It’s larger and heavier than its crowd of competition, but remember it holds a plethora of I/O ports, and tangled cables won’t be a problem. The facts prove that this new ThinkPad T480s isn’t quite specialized. It doesn’t stand out as much as it could, and some say “if you want a ThinkPad, get the X1 Carbon instead”. The X1 Carbon has a similar price point, and allows for upgraded configurations as well, including a faster Core i7 chip, and a WQHD display with Dolby Vision. When considering value, think of the option of having the more powerful, thinner X1 Carbon, or even the smaller-sized Dell XPS 13, for equal or even less money. The final verdict- there are other Lenovo ThinkPads out there, easy enough to find as it was to add an “s” to the T480. And if you find them, compare for yourself. Is Lenovo is being generous, competitive, or innovative at all? Yes, but for a pricey ThinkPad with strong performance, there may not be enough of a “better” experience to swerve customers.

The original Chromebook Plus, “2017’s best overall Chromebook”, was designed for multiple uses. It worked as a tablet, used a stylus, held a well-equipped desktop-like browser, and even a great keyboard, all important features for a 2-in-1. This was also the beginning of Chromebook’s OS adopting Android apps, which, with its web browser and web apps, was a solution for more functionality, and creating more competition. Fully-loaded, and more functional than the herd of other Chromebooks, the world is now informed of the second-gen Chromebook Plus V2. It’s display size, style, and productive tools are still the same, and its design continues on with the employment of alternating between laptop and tablet modes, as needed.

The new Chromebook Plus V2 has a spin on it. It’s a turbocharged version of itself, with an Intel Celeron chip. This is no Core i-Series update, but the new Celeron 3965Y is dual-core, 1.5GHz chip, with a better performance punch than last year’s hexa-core ARM component. With Intel inside, Chromebooks are on the up-and-up. Although chips, such as Celeron, may not be conversely “better” than ARM in every scenario, in the case of the V2, it works. ARM chips for Chromebooks are powerful “enough”, yet the preface of upgrading to this Kaby lake-based dual-core 14nm chip now means the V2 may operate at 1.5GHz with a TDP of 6W, supports 16GB of DDR4 RAM memory, and its accompanied Intel HD 615 Graphics, resulting in a better handling of tasks. This processor may not be as heavy duty as an Intel Core i-Series chip, yet it accounts for faster performance, which is the point of an upgrade from ARM to Intel. Storage and RAM memory remain the same, at 32GB and 4GB, respectively.

As far as the body of the Chromebook Plus V2, the only thing that has changed is its dimensions. At 11.3 x 8.2 x 0.6 inches, and an aspect ratio of 16:10 (the previous being 3:2), this is a more conventional display overall; standard, and fitting. The 12.2-inch 1920 x 1080 LCD screen is excellent. It’s touchscreen, with a pressure-sensitive stylus for drawing or note taking, etc., makes for multiple tools of input. Although technically a downgrade from the 2400 x 1600p display found on the Chromebook Plus, the V2 still remains impressive. Chromebooks work well and look great with their own “best” resolution, and for this particular Chromebook, this is a staunch choice for its 12.2-inch screen size, and for software scaling. Embodied with the same aluminum-alloy chassis as before, the design is has a pure, minimalist, and sleek vibe. This means the Chromebook Plus V2 is very lightweight, at only 2.93 pounds, and during tablet or laptop mode, this makes for very easy handling.

Backlit keyboard lighting and an upgrade in storage -both are important upgrades, and also two features not seen on the Chromebook Plus V2, even though they should’ve been. Ports are something that have been upgraded on the 2-in-1 V2, everything you’d need in fact. This includes a MicroSD card reader for extra storage, a solution if not happy with the amount included. It has a pair of USB-C ports, which make room for optional 4K display output using an adapter, a microSD card slot, a USB Type-A 3.0 port for user’s own estate in hardware, a 3.5 combo headphone/mic jack, Pen dock, power button, and volume switch. The Pen dock, carrying the same stylus as the Chromebook Plus, needed no upgrade, as 4.096 levels of pressure sensitivity is great.

Still, this is considerably just as good of a laptop as the Chromebook Plus of 2017, as it’s built upon basic standards, right where it needs to be for ample lighting, easily interchangeable modes, as well as a well-suited, conventional display. The Plus V2’s updated display, although a lower resolution count, works alongside the corresponding CPU processor well. Although it may not be sharp as it could be, the fewer pixels the machine has to shift makes for fast processing power. So, let me pose a question- is the title of “Best Chromebook of the year” still belong to the Samsung Chromebook Plus in 2018? Does it tie in with the new Plus V2? The Chromebook Plus V2 is certainly an full packaged deal, and its price starting at just $499 only helps its cause to beat the last iteration. Certainly, it’s highlights are clear- there’s still a nice, solid build, which remains lightweight and comfy. It has bright display, and yes, there’s definite progress on performance ratings thanks to that CPU upgrade. The Plus V2 also kept that 39WH battery, which runs a good 8 hours on a full charge. It appears that Samsung kept the features that made it “the best”, and merely changed what could make it run better. Although we may have hoped for a backlit keyboard, or more storage, the bottom line is, this is going to be the best bet when choosing a Chromebook. With a balance between good pricing, and continued ability to bridge the gap between tablet and laptop, its best specs are in the right place. This could be one of 2018’s best.

The 3530 has come right in time for a nice refresh. As the fourth generation of the Dell’s Precision mobile workstations, over a year has passed by since Dell made an update. The last line included excellent Linux-powered machines, the Precision 5720 desktop in particular. As a developer and engineer-geared desktop, the 3530 model is powered with Core i-series or Xeon E-series CPU processors for some seriously hard work. This “One Punch” workstation can be also configured with high amounts of RAM memory and storage, and with the best graphics, tips the pricing scale to nearly $3,000. So, yes, this may be an affordable option, but it can also be crowned to its full potential- a blazing-fast powerhouse, all with a “Hulk Smash” external design. Just don’t smash it. Or do. Either way, it would be difficult for this one to up-and-break on you.

Utterly Dell-like in appearance, the Precision 3530 sits formal in its black exterior and metallic structure, yet has no added appeal to it to make it stand out. The whole package may seem bland, sometimes signature to a get-to-the-point work machine. Weighing a hefty 5.1 pounds, and measuring 14.8 x 9.9 x 0.96 inches, this model is the heaviest machine in its range. It features a 15.6-inch HD 1366 x 768p Anti-Glare Non-Touch LCD display, with the optional upgrade to FHD. For being on the lower mark, this is a decent display, but nothing to beat competitors, unfortunately. Additionally, the 3530 covers 117 percent of the sRGB color gamut, which is plenty, but not enough to match workstation averages, which tends to be around the 148 percent range. The display might be a downer, but nothing else is. So, let’s continue.

As stated, this is a heavier machine, yet it is currently a lighter, thinner version of itself- and as far as fitting its hardware credentials, Dell made no sacrifices. Built with Intel’s latest 8th Gen Core i-Series, options include multiple Core i5-8000H or Core i7-8000H series chips, or the 6-core Xeon E-2176M. For graphics cards, the choices are either the integrated Intel UHD 630 GPU, or the Nvidia Quadro P600 with 4GB GDDR5. As far as software, Ubuntu Linux 16.04 is one offering, while Windows 10 Pro iterations are also available for about 100 bucks or so. As the bulky tank that it may be, it not only passes MIL-STD-810G standards for durability, but holds security to high standards.The Precision 3530 has the optional FIPS fingerprint reader, a smart card reader, an NFC reader built internally, Windows Hello, and Intel vPro for remote computing- all for the utmost security possible. Other ports include an optional SIM card slot, 3 USB 3.1 ports, VGA, Power Adapter, headphone/microphone jack, HDMI 2.0, USB-C with optional Thunderbolt, as well as Ethernet LAN, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth for connectivity.

The base for RAM memory is 4GB, expandable up to 32GB. Storage includes a 2.5-inch 500GB SATA hard drive to start, up to a 2TB SATA hard drive, an M.2 256GB SATA class SSD, and even the option of a second, add-on hard drive. Scoring very well on the Geekbench CPU overall performance test, a whopping 19,809, while the average tilts towards the 14,800’s, Dell did well for this Precision workstation, and yes, it’s considerably powerful. Its Nvidia Quadro GPU operated high on the 3DMark Ice Storm Unlimited graphics benchmark, rising well above the category average (139,564), at 153,074. Finally, the Precision 3530 handles tasks incredibly fast when working with multimedia transfering, coping 4.97GB of the files in just 6 seconds, or a 848 megabytes per second. It also contains a 68WHr battery, for enhanced staying power up to 8-9 hours.

If desiring an all-day, and then some, blazing-fast workstation, the Dell Inspiron 3530 is there for you. It ranks above competitors in nearly all ranges of testing, and comes with Precision’s Dell-branded Precision Optimizer, for prioritizing your tasks based on how hard the CPU, GPU, RAM memory, and storage are being utilized. Plenty of software is available, consistent with Dell’s usual applications for driver updates, such as SupportAssist, Power Manager for customizing the manner in which your battery is being resourced, and Mobile Connect, for texting or making phone calls right on your laptop. Basically, this machine works like a tank to accomplish your working goals, while at the same time maintaining comfort in its keyboard for smooth control. It is most definitely a prime choice for the creative type, the powerful engineer, or any individual who seeks consistent power and graphical performance across the board.

Measurements of the Latitude 5490 include 0.8 x 13.1 x 9.0 inches, a larger laptop than many of its contenders, as well as heavier than some, at 3.52 pounds. It features a 1080 x 1920 FHD Non-Touch Anti-Glare display, rated a bit on the low side, at just 220 nits. Decent enough for apps, but because of the lackluster brightness, it’s not going to visually blow you away. This might be the bummer of the model- the weakest link, if you will, reproducing just 65 percent of the sRGB spectrum (much lower than the 107 percent average, when compared to anything premium-ranged. The island-style keyboard has been improved, with a more tactical feeling while pressing down on the keys. It’s responsive and comfortable. If the smaller touchpads bother you, this model’s got one, but it sports the now seldom-seen rubber pointer laid in the middle of the keyboard. This sort of machine is well found in businesses and organizations, for employees who need stability, without the worry of wear and tear. It is their virtual office, after all.

The $799.00 base configuration features Intel’s Core i3-8130U, while the $1459.00 top-end version is powered by the Core i7-8650U. For the middle of the road option, the $999.00 Latitude 5490 includes an 8th Gen Intel Core i5-8250U, boosting the device up to 3.4GHz Turbo. Inside this model, you’ll also find 8GB of memory, upgradable to 32GB, and a 2.5-inch 256GB to 500GB SATA hard drive. For graphics, there’s an Intel UHD Graphics 620 chip, notching the 5490’s above the category average in terms of performing dense Excel spreadsheets, as well as gaming tests. A variety of ports are spread across the perimeter, including an audio combo jack, VGA port, USB 3.1, and security lock on the right side, and a USB Type-C, USB 3.1 port, SD card slot, and Smart Card reader on the left. Then, along the rear, lives an Ethernet port, HDMI port, another USB 3.1, and an AC power adapter. Finally, connectivity includes Intel Dual-Band Wireless-AC 8265 Wi-Fi, a BT 4.2 Wireless Card, and Bluetooth 4.1.

As the sturdiness to its design allows for long-term use, and protection from breaking into bits, it’s potential for internal stealth resides in its powerful security options. The word, “potential” (or optional), is the only downfall here- as the FIPS 201 smart card reader, contactless Smart Card Reader NFC with Control Vault, and fingerprint reader are only available depending on your choice to configure it. There is standard TPM 2.0 on board, and its Noble Wedge Lock Slot will be there to aid in physical theft prevention.

Bearing the latest 5000-series design, the 5490 should be a popular choice for business-charged people. The Dell Latitude 5490 provides the correct IT system attributes, at just the right cost. It embodies the proper hardware for operating heavy tasks, and functions well doing so. Yet, it’s also powerful in more than this manner. There are also enough productivity tools to assist users during a presentation or board meeting. Although there’s no Thunderbolt, its VGA port is just right for handling the laptop to an older monitor, usually in the setting of a conference room presentation. Additionally, its battery is pumped, ready for up to 16 hours of use. That’s enough power for any business man or woman to handle an entire work day. Although the entirety of the external design may seem like it doesn’t quite pop, it’s not an unattractive laptop. However, it is a bit on the heavy side in this class of business laptops.

Starting at just 50 bucks more than the G5 15 5578, at $799.99, the 15-inch G7 7588 starts at $849.99, and features a FHD IPS Anti-Glare LED backlit display (more stunning quality is via the 4K Ultra HD option). Like all G-Series laptops, this is also non-touch, and features anti-glare for a wider range of viewing angles, very important for gaming. However, with its 8th Gen Intel, massive storage, and a GPU that provides vivid graphic happiness, the G7 takes its visual experience up a notch via Nvidia GeForce Max-Q. Still considered entry-level, the outside of this device is, well, stunning. It stands out, obviously different from the rest of the G-Series pack, having more elegance, and a truly wicked-looking cooling system. The system weighs 5.82 lbs, barely heavier than the 5.76 lb G15, and features blue backlit color both on the keyboard and trackpad. About those massive vents in the back- Dell aerodynamically designed them for better air flow, with dual-fan cooling. The G7 15 comes in either black or white, with the company logo glowing in blue on the lid and front of the screen.

You’ll find top-end hardware on this one, and will be able to configure it with a couple different options for RAM and hard drive space. For CPUs, there is an 8th Gen Intel Core i5-8300H CPU processor, reminiscent of the other models, but can be upgraded to the Core i7-8750H (up to 4.1Ghz), also available on the G5 15. For graphics, the lowest configuration is Nvidia’s GeForce GTX 1050 along with 4GB GDDR5 graphics memory. Dell also stuck with the same GeForce 1050 Ti with 4GB DDR5 graphics memory as a step up. However, the highest available video card, the GeForce GTX 1060 with Nvidia Max-Q Design technology, with 6GB GDDR5 of dedicated video memory, is exclusive to the G7 15.

Storage, on this model is pretty massive, including 128GB of SSD, or up to 1TB of 5400 rpm HDD plus a 128GB SSD. RAM memory is provided by 8GB or 16GB DDR4, upgradable to 32GB. For I/O, in either option you choose, there will be Bluetooth 5.0 to connect with other systems, and for Wi-Fi, 802.11ac capable of 2.4 and 5GHz of dual-band data transfer. Ports include HDMI 2.0, 3 Super Speed USB 3.1s, 1 Thunderbolt 3, a noble lock slot, a headphone/microphone jack, and a 2-in-1 SD card reader.

Dell’s investment in gaming is right on the line, and it’s perfectly-timed, because things are getting surreal in the gaming rig market. The manufacturer has actually commissioned a study regarding the preferences of gamers, in addition to their behaviors and attitudes, to get more facts. I think it’s also clear the company will be keepin-on, progressing with more laptop and tower releases, with direct intent to gain over competition. The truth is, most people who game on a laptop/notebook have something flashy and, even sometimes, hyper decked-out. But recent alterations in design and exterior make for more happy consumers, particularly the more-discreet, and the professional. It could be said that Dell grew an opportunity to offer more families of gaming laptops, all by moving its work and worth away from its Inspiron gaming line, to the G- Series.

The distinction between the other members of the G-Series fam and this G7 15 are pretty simple. Expect a more versatile look, with laptop color options not just being matte black, but now either a licorice black, or white. Those dual-fan cooling vents are an eye-catcher for sure, and its Max-Q graphics upgrade will allow all players to savor the lovely visuals. The entire gang of budget-friendly gaming relatives come in all-sizes, are all set with IPS displays; and at the core of them, is a legit foundation for power, especially if you spend the incremental cost of the higher-end models. Seekers should get ahold of these. They’re Dell. They will perform up to high standards, and nobody can complain that the internal hardware inside is a steal for the price.

Thicker than the .89-inch G3 15 3579, and the same thickness as the G3 17 3779, at .98 inches, the 15-inch IPS G5 weighs 6.28 pounds, and its design has some extra sophistication. It has a smooth black matte finish, a sprinkle of red-colored texture over the Dell logo, as well as along the backlit keyboard and trackpad, which is cumulatively nice-and-easy on the eyes. These features provide more of an obvious gaming vibe here when looking at this model, over the G3 laptops. Yes, Dell maintained the 1080p resolution as default, like the G3s. But it also made good graphics choices to deliver excellence, and you may even upgrade to 4K LCD screen resolution, if you desire.

That GPU, the Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 Ti, is loaded with 4GB of GDDR5 dedicated video memory, and is how this a gamer can truly accelerate graphics. Also offered, is Intel’s Core i7-8750H (up to 3.9GHz Turbo), 16GB of RAM memory, and a dual-storage option, a 512GB SSD, and a 1TB HDD. Achieving connectivity is easy, with USB Type-C for wired options, Thunderbolt 3, 2 USB 3.0 ports, and through Wi-Fi. All make for good endurance firing through the machine, the ultimate need for any higher-end games requiring quick response without any hiccups.

As a successor to the Dell Inspiron 15 7000 Series, the G5 15 5587 comes with an affordable price to enter the latest entry gaming laptop movement. It, too, is sleek and professional, and provides the correct balance of display for its GPU capabilities. The G5 15 model, in all, is generally well-equipped for a good time, without having to cough up the cost for Alienware gaming laptops, which of course, are worth it if you’ve got the affordability. With a battery life that mediates around 7 hours, that’s pretty good, but for any gaming laptop, it’s going to be a matter of what you’re playing, and for what length of time. With the G5 15, expect to use this machine at medium durability to make sure you get the fluency and speedy graphics you crave.

Yes, all the G-Series laptops have many common components, yet for the sake of efficacy, let’s begin with the G3, which comes in both a 15-inch (3579) and 17-inch (3779) option. This is the model we’re talking about when thinking of the most entry-level, starting price. Still, as you will see, all of the G-Series are engineered with discrete graphics and 8th Gen Intel. On the other hand, the G5, and G7 are the more centric models than this model. This model, paneling on its more stylish design than the others, sports a Full HD 1920 x 1080 IPS Anti-Glare LED-Backlit 15.6-inch display. The composition is nice, fit with wide-viewing, in-plane switching for target spotting, and general sharpness- good, considering a 1080p resolution. It’s design also cues up with the previous, more mainstream Inspiron. It has more sleek qualities, like its patterned keyboard, slim profile, etc. Also, keyboard-wise, Dell decided to keep this space darker, apparently to maintain focus on the bright action happening on the LCD screen, as well as incorporating spill resistance, and optional backlighting.

Stuffed inside the slim profile of the G3 3579 15-inch laptop, is both the 8th Generation Intel Core i5-8300H (with 4.0Ghz Turbo), and on the 17-incher, also 8th Gen Intel, but the i7-8750H (with 4.1Ghz Turbo), Nvidia’s GeForce GTX 1050, along with 4GB GDDR5. Storage is in a fair amount of 1TB HDD (Hybrid Hard Drive) on the 15-inch, and on the 17-inch, a 256GB SSD plus 1TB on the hard drive. RAM memory starts at 8GB of DDR4, to 16GB on the larger model. The integrated 4-cell, 56 Whr battery helps in times of long-termed gaming off the charging port.

There’s Bluetooth 5.0, and really pondering the assistance that Bluetooth provides, this will help while connecting your device for transferring files while needed out and about. Also, for Wi-Fi, the G3 has an Intel Wireless 9462AC. With Windows 10, gamers get the extras involved with 4K gaming, DirectX 12, and a comprehensive streaming experience. Ports and connectivity include the same collection on both models. There are 2 USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-As, an HDMI 2.0 port, a MicroSD card, a headphone/microphone jack, and a PC power jack.

The G3 3579 definitely provides enough expectations to deliver an immersive experience. The CPU processor in the gaming laptop has definitely been shared in many laptops of this caliber. Yet it’s sturdy, running heavy tasks without a hitch. It, in offering a bit more professionalism, and style, also maintains the hardware found in the G5 and G7. It may not be the right fit for surmounting that intense game, nor will it perfect productivity for you, but it could be a welcoming option for building new customer loyalty. Better business means bringing in options that fit all crowds possible, and Dell is succeeding in offering that, especially as of late.

I like looking at this Inspiron tower. It is simple, but also bold with its vertical stripe pattern that glows bright blue when it’s running. It reminds me of Alienware, not because this is on the same extravagant realm of style, but because it’s the opposite. It seems that the gaming PC market isn’t just adopting the ‘office friendly’ persona/vibe on laptops. Dell’s Inspiron 5676 is a tower, and it goes along with this new trend as well. It builds upon the last gen, a similarly-priced Inspiron, which features AMD multi-core performance, the Ryzen 5 1400, and AMD Radeon RX graphics, and a 1TB hard drive.

The updated Inspiron Gaming Tower 5676 is a lot like its predecessor, even sporting the same interior LED lighting, and chassis. I don’t think consumers would mind that this didn’t change, as I feel it gives a sense of cooling, openness, and purity. The case itself is standard metal, with a silver plastic as its overcast. That stripe pattern actually wraps around the case, making the multiple sides of the machine look consistently cool, and, in literal terms, it stays well-ventilated. The 30.27-pounder measures a height of 18.07 inches, a width of 8.50 inches, and a depth of 17.23 pounds. Its desktop keyboard recommendation include the Dell KB216, and a Dell MS116 for the mouse (Alienware even offers brand-new peripheral options you can research).

Internals are similar. However, the biggest alteration, is of course, Ryzen’s second-gen chips- a new addition for better performance; and AMD has claimed that these new CPUs have a 15 percent improvement in clock-for-clock ratings. Inside, the base configuration includes the AMD Ryzen 5 1400 chip, but if you want the second-gen power, the higher-end AMD Ryzen 7 2700, and Ryzen 7 2700x (4.3GHz Turbo) are the two consecutive steps up. Graphics are handled with AMD’s Radeon RX 560, RX 570, or the highest, RX 580. Up to 32GB of DDR4-2400 RAM memory may be configured for more intelligent power, and VR-ready graphics. This is more than plenty for high-res gaming. Internal storage capacity includes a 256GB M.2 SSD, plus up to 2TB 7200RPM of dual hard drive space (two 2.5-inch bays, and three 3.5-inch bays in total). Also internally, are up to two PCIe x16 slots for graphics upgrades. Ports included on the back of the 5676 are as follows: 4 USB Type-C 3.1 ports, 2 USB 2.0 ports, audio input/output, Gigabit Ethernet, and HDMI. On the front, there’s an audio combo jack, a slim optical drive, 2 more USB 3.1 ports, plus another two USB 2.0 ports. That’s a total of up to six easily accessible USB 3.1 ports!

It might be a difficult feat to find a gaming desktop that provides the right intelligence to fit your price point. On the other hand, getting your hands on the most powerful, versatile, and high-handling tower is sometimes an easier feat- as long as you know you’ll be spending a pot of gold on it. AMD’s Ryzen 2000 chips were an easy proposition, as keeping the price down was part of Dell’s intention. Additionally, GPUs have been going down in price, so picking the right one is something Dell thought out well. If you desire next gen processors, the two steps up are priced at $1,149.99 for the Ryzen 7 2700, and $1,299.99 for the Ryzen 7 2700x, respectively. Built for a higher gaming experience, these 2nd-gen Ryzen chips support split-second response rates, along with better multitasking. The new GPUs accommodate for quicker, smoother gameplay, where you, the gamer, should have no problem engaging in, and dominating VR landscapes (it’s also compatible with the Xbox Adaptive Controller), not to mention any other graphic-heavy tasks or games. As mentioned, the Inspiron Gaming Desktop 5676 starts at just $849.99, and became available June 12th. It’s nothing to scoff at, as the base model is beefed up with enough RAM memory and overall potential to fluently run your new favorite game titles.

So you’ve gotta be slim, cool-running, and have a crazy-good level of graphics to be in the game these days. That might be a bit of a pun, but it’s true. Gaming laptops need a pretty good makeover to get recognition, especially when coming back as a next-gen device. Lenovo seems to have accomplished that with higher display quality, a more posh look, one that blends in as business-like, as well as implementing a better cooling system. Did that just check off all the boxes? Nope, there’s power and graphics that need their worthy attention as well. As part of a larger launch of Legion gaming devices, including towers, cubes, and these laptops, Lenovo built the entirety of six new models so each one could find their match with the right level of gamer.

The new Legion serie’s design reminds me of MSI’s GS65, the one that just came out. The Y730 and Y530 are definitely a couple gaming machines, but they’re not sporting the status quo of flashy LED lining to give up what they’re capable of. Instead, these goes for a mature, toned-down exterior, in a simple black or gray chassis (all-aluminum if you choose the Y730). Both the Y530 and Y730 have a hinge-forward design, in which the lid starts directly in front of the rear vent. The 15-inch Y530 measures an itty 0.78 inches thick, and the 17-inch Y570 is barely different, at 0.86 inches thick. The weights of the Y730 and Y530 do differ, however, with the their heft at 4.8 pounds, and at 6.4 pounds, respectively (the Y530 is made of plastic, and the higher-end Y730 is aluminum, plus, it has a bigger battery than the Y530).

You can game wider with very thin bezels, an improvement from past models. These both come with a matte IPS 1920 x 1080p LCD screen, with incredible brightness (300 nits), a tasteful 72 percent RGB color gamut, a 144Hz refresh rate. On the Y730, there’s a customizable Corsair iCUE RGB backlit keyboard (the first of its kind) for countless color combinations, as well as a set of Macro keys. This is an overall improvement for the series, with higher brightness, higher refresh rates, and more color options; and if you take a look at the RGB colors lit up on the Y730, it’s quite delightful.

Internals are going to hit the mid-ranged gaming niche, entry-level as well. However, with the amount of good frame rates, upgrability, as well as high-performance, these have what it takes for some good gaming. The chips inside are the latest high-performance hardware Intel has out right now, the 8th gen Core CPU processors, the i7-8750H, or the i5-8300H, and DDR4 memory is available from 8GB to 32GB. It allows both a 2.5-inch SATA III drive and M.2 SSD, 16GB of Optane support. Specifically on the Y730, user get a 128GB to 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD, plus the optional 8GB of Corsair Overclocked Memory. For graphics, the two support Nvidia’s GeForce GTX 1050 Ti, or the GTX 1060, along with 4GB DDR5 memory. This isn’t VR-ready, but it’s a mid-tier machine with plenty of options for low-to-mid gaming power.

Going around to the back of the machine, the venting system resides. The new systen helps cool better than before, with larger heat pipes, and larger fans for 16 percent more airflow, along with all the ports Lenovo chose. These include a USB 2.0 port, HDMI, USB Type-C, a mini DisplayPort, an HDMI, Ethernet, secure slot, and power port. Nice move, having the option of maintaining that many cables along the back of your desk. Then, a Thunderbolt 3 port (on the Y730 only), headset jack, and two USB 3.0 ports are shared along the sides.

So how this flagship series different than previous Lenovo Legion laptops? Let me count the ways. Lenovo is hitting a much wider range of consumers with its business-like aesthetic. Not to mention, they are definitely thinner than before, lighter as well. You can choose your processor and GPU for each model. Also, as mentioned, Lenovo decided to start that hinge further, about an inch closer to the keyboard – a design characterized by Alienware, which definitely assists in better airflow, since this is where the cooling and ventilation is primarily located. Considering the right cues, this round of gaming laptops are highly rejuvenated. A native 1080p for these two wasn’t compromising any of Lenovo’s intentions, as the display is both competent for what’s inside, as well as being highly lit and colorful. The two start at $930 for the Y530, and $1,179 (in September) for the Y730. For those in the market for the first time, these new Legion models offer enough to help gauge their demand for power, RAM, and storage.

From Dell’s XPS 15 9560, which has been a leader in the multimedia laptop realm with barely-there bezels, to “best lightweight gaming laptop yet”, Gigabyte’s Aero 15X, to the Nvidia Max-Q running, 17.mm thick ASUS Zephyrus, MSI is continuing that tradition, the tradition of wanting to be something different. The thing about this notebook, is it’s mathematically the most portable notebook seen- with Nvidia’s GTX 1070 Max-Q GPU with 6GB of GDDR5. Cool, but you need more than just graphics to make a great gaming lappie, you definitely need power. So, to power. It’s more basic than you’d think, taking into account the buildup thus far. It has an Intel core i7-8750H (2.2GHz, 4.1 GHz Turbo) CPU processor, which you can upgrade, but the reviewed price is $1,899.

Not to off-throw GS65 Stealth Thin’s amazing GPU, which can fit inside of a 4.1-pound package. It’s a good one, because it’s not only Nvidia, it’s Nvidia inside an MSI machine. Those two go well hand-in-hand. So, yes, graphics are exciting this time around. I mean, GPUs that can be that thin and light, that can also afford tons of power are a good thing. Another good thing, design, something I usually bring up before internal hardware. This is a 4.1-pound, 0.69 inch thick, 15-inch laptop within a 14-inch device. It’s bezels are incredibly thin, at just 4.9mm wide, and it sports a 1920 x 1080 FHD LCD screen, as well as its Ultra Thin Bezel Anti-Glare Wide View Angle. Changing its design from its previous bland look, the MSI GS65 now wears a sleek, black paint, with soft gold prints on its lid. The way gaming laptops look these days usually stays in style with red LEDs, and geometrically perfect lines and angles. Is this look too boring, or does it represent a new neutral feeling of gaming, where you could bring this with you to a Starbucks and not everyone there would know what you’re doing? Except the spies.

There’s also 16GB of RAM (expandable to 32GB), and up to a 265GB SSD. Special features include VR readiness, a SteelSeries customizable keyboard with RGB lighting (unfortunately, it lacks in the touchpad department, as pressing down doesn’t always register), and some good web connection. For its LAN, it has a (killer) Killer Gaming Network E2500, and for Wi-Fi, Killer N1550 Combo. Plenty of ports included here, including 3 USB 3.0 ports, a Thunderbolt 3 USB-C port (perk), HDMI, a Mini DisplayPort, plus the headphone/mic jack. This is how this notebook is VR ready, by the way, as both the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive require 3 USB 3.0s. If using VR or any entertainment though, the speakers might not entirely blow you away.

Is this a milestone for laptop gaming? Well that’s definitely what MSI had going for it. All we hear about is how gaming keeps getting more portable, while maintaining all the powerful graphics a gamer would dream of. The thing about the GS65 Stealth Thin is, its portability is a huge, well, it’s huge. The fact that this ultra powerful gaming machine can be as thin and light as it is, makes it on a higher level of convenience than others. I high-fived MSI virtually for this one. There’s nothing essentially “wrong” with this model, other than some of MSI’s other models may beat its performance levels on specific games. It’s good, and there’s an 8 hour battery life, too. Go for it. High five it.

This notebook goes for that good gaming-sized 15.6-inch 2,800 x 1,620 resolution, along with the loved In-Plane Switching (IPS) panel. That’s far better than HD, and in comparison to the previous Pulse 14, which held a lower 1920 x 1080 LCD screen, the Pulse has gone to higher places. While the last model had its own Advanced Hyper-Viewing Angle (AHVA), it now has the true glory of actual IPS. Of yeah, and don’t forget to look at those thin bezels we love. So sleek. Measuring 0.8 x 15.4 x 10.5 inches, and weighing 3.9 pounds, yes, this is a relatively thin notebook to expect magical gaming powers inside. There’s that, and this kind of gaming can fit nicely in a bag. That’s already two perks about the primary design. The exterior of Maingear’s last model included a black brushed aluminum along the lid and deck, and it was a pretty basic look. This gen has advanced to eye-candied (customized) Glasurit paint, in a variety of colors, in both matte or glossy. Good move, nice and fun!

The processor has been updated to an Intel Core i7-6700HQ (2.6Ghz, 3.5Ghz Turbo), and the graphics to a latest Nvidia Pascal-based GPU, the new GTX 1060. Expect 16GB of RAM memory, up to a 512GB M.2 NVMe SSD, and a 1TB HDD. For its Ethernet, Maingear adds in Killer E2200 Gigabit, then there’s Intel Wireless AC 7260, plus Bluetooth. It comes running Windows 8.1, lacking a touchscreen. Along the chassis, users will find Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and battery LED indicators, as well as the usual USB 3.0 port, SD memory card slot, HDMI, mini DisplayPort, and a battery reset.

Calling this the most advanced notebook ever offered, Maingear titles this new notebook as “thin, light, and powerful”, and this is all truth. For both a thin and light notebook, gaming power is definitely there. However, battery life is arguably lower than expected, and it can run hot, so, the latter must be the fault of its thin physique. How do you pull off that kind of roaring mechanisms in such a skinny package without expecting it to get hot? There hasn’t been any recognition of the machine’s fan system being high tech, only that it exists as an exhaust vent on the right side of the chassis. So, perhaps if Maingear made an alteration, the Pulse 15 could have little to complain about. Either or, this is going to be a good six-core gaming experience. Because the Pulse 15 has been equipped with both Intel Core i7 and GeForce GTX GPUs, and all for less than $2,149, this is a powerful laptop at your fingertips. Not just for gaming capability, but also productivity. Remember, though, this is a notebook for the casual or budget gamer. You might want to review some towers if you worry your favorite game won’t run on the Pulse 15. Overall, it’s a great rival though. With its own twist.

The MSI GF63 features a 15.6-inch IPS 1920 x 1080 LCD screen, with the option of 4K, or even QHD for the same price tag ($999). With thin bezels on the sides, measuring just .19mm thick, the entirety of the machine measures just 0.85 inches. It sports a black and red physique, a color pallet pretty average for gaming notebooks. MSI designed the lid and keyboard area with brushed-aluminum and black metal, housing a SteelSeries set of keys, backlit, and with a red glow. The only major difference between this new model and MSI’s higher-ranged gaming laptops is the lack of adjustable RG lighting, as well as not dispersing the black metal to the bottom of the GF63. This area is made of plastic instead, however, have no worry of this laptop being made from shabby materials to make that $999 price tag.

Taking a look underneath the hood, the gaming laptop may be configured with up to an 8th Generation Intel Core i7 processor, and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti graphics with 4GB of GDDR5 RAM. It also offers a free M.2 2.5-inch drive bay for expandability, and an SSD configured from 128GB to 512GB. For ports, two USB 3.0s are included on the right side of the GF63, along with a USB Type-C, Ethernet, a security lock slot, and a microphone/headphone jack. On the left, there’s an extra USB 3,0 port, a power input port, and on the rear of the machine, an HDMI port.

Well known for making gaming laptops, MSI kept its sleek and powerful features on the GF63, without making it as expensive as most of its other gaming rigs in this form-factor. Don’t get discouraged, thinking that the $999 price will disappoint by not having everything you’d expect from MSI. Even if the SteelSeries keyboard doesn’t offer the tricked-out customizable option for backlighting (as it only glows red), only the gamers with intense needs of self-expression via laptop coloring will find this to be a downfall. MSI, overall, delivers, and delivered quite well with the GF63, by providing all the necessities for gamers. With a design so svelte, this is most definitely a good choice for a portable gaming laptop. Although easily configured to be entry-level, that hexa-core Intel chip and great graphics mean MSI stuffed its GF63, yet in the lightest and cheapest way it could. MSI continues its track record for producing great gaming computers, and this new addition makes thin and light gaming more mainstream.

The first demo of the VivoBook S lineup was at the Asus press event at Computex this year. The design, as mentioned, isn’t anything too radical, however, these laptops have an amazingly smooth and an aesthetically pleasing look to them, which definitely set them apart from competitive notebooks. It is no wonder that these could be geared towards students. The colors offered include firmament green- the only version with full color throughout; as well as star grey, silver blue, gunmetal, and icicle gold. These latter options simply feature the color on the side panels of the machine, with the rest maintaining an all grey, textured-woven finish surrounding the keyboard. Besides the firmament option being fully green throughout, the perk of the icicle gold model is obvious with it slightly edgier look, described as a “brushed finish and diamond inspired motifs”. This may be Asus’s design ploy to catch the eyes of so many people, especially in time for their new school year, a graduation gift, or even for consumers who simply love color. As you may notice, the S15 features the lovely NanoEdge display, and if you haven’t heard that term before, it means very thin bezels in Asus terms, to the point of giving a 15.6 inch display more room than ever. The mere 6.3mm narrow bezels also mean that the S15 has an 86% screen to body ratio.The bezels may be a bit wider than Dell’s InfinityEdge approach on its XPS 15 9560, but we wouldn’t exactly consider these two laptops to be in the exact same league of comparison. Still, thin bezels are popular.

But looks are not everything. While Asus has its ErgoLift hinge on more than just the VivoBook S line up, it is nice to see this addition to the VivoBook S15- it basically means the hinge lifts the base of the laptop upwards as it is opened. When this happens, and it is open, the keyboard is tilted 3.5 degrees underneath its base. Asus intended to make typing more comfortable, and it’s understandable how the downwards tilt would feel nice as you are typing, instead of something so flat on your lap or desk (the norm). Additionally, the keyboard is full-sized, with key travel far enough to provide the utmost satisfying click-and-stride feeling that we love. As far as the touchpad, it has plenty of room, is responsive, and features a small fingerprint sensor to securely login with Windows 10’s Hello attribute.

Weighing only 3.96 pounds, the 15.6-inch 1080p VivoBook S15 measures in at just 0.71 inches. It might be a cute stylish little thing, but let’s give the internal specs some attention. Inside, users may utilize Intel’s Core i5-8250U processor (1.60GHz/ 3.40GHz Turbo), Nvidia GeForce MX150 discrete graphics, or a less pricey option of an Intel-Core i7-7500U at 2.7GHz, with 128MB Intel HD Graphics 620. There is also 8GB to 16GB of DDR4 SDRAM for RAM memory, and a 128GB m.2 SSD to a 256GB SSD (which can be configured all the way up to 512GB SSD if desired), as well as up to a 2TB HDD.

Of course, users will find Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and for those times when a external component is needed, there are two USB 2.0 ports, an SD card slot, a full-sized HDMI for peripherals, as well as USB 3.1, USB 3.1 Type-C, and of course a head and microphone combo jack. No support for Thunderbolt ports, but most could get by. The entire line of Asus VivoBooks have considerable amounts of appeal to the mass market, as they have been primitively stylish, slim, and handy from the get-go. The VivoBook S15 gives consumers a reason to want to update. Beyond the added splash of color, Asus updated the processors well, provided dual-storage design, and slimmed-down the bezels for an updated look. Additionally, configuration options are only fair and helpful if Asus is claiming to appeal to a younger crowd. So, travel around without the added weight you may have had before, whether or not you sported a VivoBook. Also remember you can configure your laptop to be less than a thousand bucks if you want to (as low as $799)- a perfect price range for a fairly mainstream laptop with exceptional updates in hardware. A good warning to give is, if you are picky about battery life, or have a pet peeve of relying on a charger near by, the VivoBook S15 does need a good charge more than you may have wanted. This is seen as a compromise made by Asus, however it definitely won’t negatively influence all interested buyers, who should be looking at the overall picture.

The Yoga Book line, particularly, has been high in Lenovo news lately. This particular model has been a powerful move for Lenovo since the very beginning of its arrival, and consumers have been fortunate enough to opt for this relatively inexpensive laptop/tablet hybrid; one so ultrathin, and with a 10.2-inch screen (a very small form-factor at the time). See, the uniqueness of the Lenovo Yoga Book was shocking- consumers were suddenly able to utilize a laptop in a brand new way, with a completely digital (touch-sensitive) keyboard and trackpad, rather than mechanical keys. This may have been odd at getting used to, as it was breaking new ground in how to manipulate a laptop. Overall, it has done well, marked as one of the best laptops of 2017, as well as one of “the most intriguing laptops of 2016”, when it was unveiled. It was also affordable to the point of starting around $500, and held both Windows 10 and Android options for its OS. Here we are now, a couple years later, and you better believe it: there’s news of a successor to this well-loved Yoga Book, and Lenovo is hoping to throw a curveball to consumers with how this would look like.

Following up on the first Yoga Book, Lenovo, regrettably, under powered this machine. Also, that touch-sensitive “Halo” keyboard didn’t just turn out to be something consumers had to get used to to love, they simply didn’t love it. Lenovo probably took this turn to allow the machine to be as thin as it could be, thinner than competing convertibles for sure. Now, the reports on this upcoming machine are brand spankin new, but the prospects include dual-screens, which will definitely turn heads (yes, pun intended). To be more specific, in place of a keyboard entirely, a second display may be taking the lead here, on the new Yoga Book 2 (‘Pro’, as some have been calling it).

During Intel’s Computex Keynote, Lenovo announced some of what we can expect. The biggest deal, by far, should be the anticipation of one-of-a-kind dual display panels, rather than the touch-sensitive surface and LCD screen. There are sources that say there could be both- meaning Lenovo will retain the Halo keyboard, but also add a second screen (touch-enabled), that will still act as a digital keyboard. The keyboard, however, will have a new twist- by becoming “AI-enabled”, as well as have some sort of “enhanced inking experience”, which isn’t giving very much away, but sounds something like the involvement of predictive typing, and perhaps a stylus.

To say the least, this would be different, but also the second ‘dual-screen’ Windows 10 laptop around. Lenovo will most likely do everything to maintain the small form-factor that the primary Yoga Book held, promising a thin and light design. However, innards would and should be updated, with faster, new-gen Intel CPU processors, rather than the Intel Atom Cherry Trail chip seen before. The stylus mentioned, Lenovo’s Precision Pen, should be designed to work specifically with the Yoga Book 2. Although folks held enough intrigue to make this a popular movement for Lenovo Yoga machines, it has had enough time to make a well-equipped update. Therefore, Lenovo once again took the turn to challenge the convertible laptop space by making it even stranger. With the first Yoga Book offering a level of novelty, it didn’t execute the appropriate ambience consumers needed to feel at ease when working. If the company really is keeping the touch-sensitive keyboard, perhaps this time around, it will have developed a more natural feedback mechanism to lure consumers in.

One thing that’s for certain is, keyboard enthusiasts, who love their clicks and key travel abilities, are not going to be in for the long haul. They probably wouldn’t turn their heads to this Yoga Book 2 because it simply might not be their cup of tea- “them”, meaning folks who bust out essays, or work with documented content all the time. Others, especially those who enjoyed the first edition, might think of this new generation as less of a preemptive strike to something so different, as far as typing goes, and find that Lenovo thought it through. That, or folks who involve themselves in simple status updates, or typing for fun rather than work, might be new crowd for this laptop, as they would already have been acclimated towards this “creative pad” type of notebook. Another thing that seems obvious, is that the previous version of the Yoga Book was simply not powerful enough, so although we only have tidbits of information here and there, we could be almost certain that an upgrade to the device’s internals (including higher storage counts, for sure) might just be what the doctor ordered. So, to end: “Dear Lenovo, we consumers do declare our interest in this new Yoga Book 2, therefore, listen to our wants and needs by providing more processing power, better connectivity, more storage RAM”, Definitely offer both operating systems you did before, and if you really want to impress the masses, offer a Chrome version as well. Much love, Lenovo Yoga Geeks”.

The two-year old model of the Elite x2 was described as having a design with the “power of a notebook, flexibility of a tablet”. In comparison to the previous 12.1-inch Elite x2, the Elite x2 1013 G3 now sports a 13-inch LCD screen with a 12-inch chassis, one with MIL-STD 810G durability testing by the way. Within the Elite x2s 1013 G3’s 13.3mm thin body, and 2.59 pounds, is a crazy-good 3000 x 2000 pixel count for its resolution (how often do we even hear that number in regards to little laptops?), with 450 bits of brightness, or the option of a 1920 x 1280 res, with 700 nits of brightness. This guy is also a business-class, detachable laptop, making this the perfect model aimed at government agencies. On that note, that display is more than classy, it also helps maintain confidentiality with HP Sure View Gen2, a feature that makes this the “world’s first detachable” with this kind of integrated privacy screen- one that allows users to browse without the fear of visual hackers.

Other helpful security features include HP Sure Click- to help eliminate the chance of infected website interaction, such as malware, ransomware, and viruses. HP Sure Start is another helpful tool, where internal hardware works to enforce the laptop’s own “self-healing”, in a way that continually reinforces protection from BIOS and firmware. If malware happens to invade the user’s experience, HP Sure Run will keep all the vital operating systems safe via “self-healing protection”. Finally, if that hasn’t convinced you just how much privacy integration is on board, take note of HP’s Multi-Factor Authenticate, a way to fortify security via facial recognition, fingerprint reading and more; as well as a full-on Manageability Kit, that works with Microsoft’s System Center Configuration Manager.

While the previous gen had a Skylake-Y ULV SoC, this third gen is outfitted with Intels 8th Generation Core processors (two to four cores with vPro), most definitely better suited for the larger, 13-inch screen, and all its glory. Included in the new system is 16GB of LPDDR3 RAM memory, and a 128GB to 512GB SSD. As mentioned, this may be well equipped for government agencies. So, as far as that storage goes, the option of SED or FIPS 140-2 encryption is available as well.

Users can also expect a quick-working battery, where just 30 minutes of plug-in will get that battery up to 50 percent charged. More collaborative ingredients involve high resolution cameras, a world-facing microphone, and the option of HP’s Rechargeable Active Pen to write down all your business meeting notes, or even work on some creative ideas for a presentation.

Besides giving a nice thank you to that 8th-gen processor, worry not when it comes to other nooks and crannies- such as the latest 4G LTE modem with GPS, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Windows 10 Pro for full support of all those security benefits. Ports and connectivity include only 2 Thunderbolt 3 ports, and 1 USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-C; no need a USB-A or SD card reader, as featured on the previous gen, as these should take care of docking and connecting just fine. The HP Elite x2 1013 G3 delivers all the performance you’d expect from a PC, with the freedom of tablet ability, a kickstand, and the “smallest” detachable form-factor for business that has been revealed. Pulling off professionalism from a small laptop isn’t a problem, and the power to perform with optional 8th Gen Intel vPro only helps its cause as being the solution for agencies who need everything in one package, including security.

Alexa is usually seen in so many devices that use Amazon, just like the Amazon Echo, where Alexa is the assistant we have heard our family or friends call her name for simple demands and tasks. Now Alexa is being built into PCs, a gradual but natural feat that aims to advance and cultivate a better relationship with your computer. Now, this is how this gets extra exciting- Alexa has been introduced into HP’s new AIO, which made it one of the first PCs to take on the assistant. The Envy 34 AIO is a beaut, and features an updated (faux) wooden texture, different than HP’s introduction to the “cool” looking PC last year, which was still nice looking, but mostly noticed for its curved screen that appears to “float” in front of you. Still 34 inches wide, and with a 3,440 x 1,440 LCD screen surrounding you like a presentation, the few design changes is okay for the HP Envy 34. Some say it was an “ugly duckling waiting to be a swan”, but that’s not totally true. It didn’t need much, but having Alexa is where it’s at these days (the kids say that, right?).

Talking about revamping this PC from its previous gen, this is pretty cool- HP decided to rearrange its components by detaching its CPU from the back of the display and into the base, which makes perfect sense. The PC innards are now in this hearty space, and we’re not just talking about the bangin’ Bang & Olufsen speaker bar. That guy, by the way, holds four drivers for amazing, and nearly surround sound that directs nicely towards you, thanks to its curvature. Hardware-wise, there’s a 7th generation, Core i5 or Core i7 CPU, either an NVIDIA GTX 950M or AMD Radeon RX 460 GPU, 16GB of RAM, dual storage drives for both a 256GB SSD, and a 1TB or 2TB hard drive. For ports, you can find those on the back and right side of the PC’s foundation. These include a USB-C port with Thunderbolt 3, 4 standard USBs, an SD card slot, an HDMI in/out, and Ethernet.

What all could you say about the HP Envy 34 Curved AIO? Gosh. Are All-in-One PCs the new way to desktop work? Entertainment only? It depends on what you choose. Dell’s Optiplex 9030, dubbed as “the world’s most manageable VPro-enabled AIO”, doesn’t come with a 34-inch display (it’s a 24-incher), but is definitely more of a power worker, enabled with discrete graphics, and handles seamless multitasking. Want more IT? Security? Reliable applications? Go with something like a Dell AIO. If you’re a wanderer for amped up entertainment, HP is your fit.

Although you can’t ignore the rich, 34-inch curved display, we can still consider this powerful, especially with its Intel Core i7 chip. The good amount of storage to configure is a plus, so is the powerful speaker system, touch sensitive volume controls, and pop-up webcam for security. This machine is made for chronic multitasking, gaming, or whatever else makes you happy- as it is perfectly accustomed to do so. Or, you can literally use it as a media monster. This may not be the type of PC that has the hardcore display factors that smaller, higher quality computers or laptops have, but it is geared, relatively well, towards the entertainment feen. In a reasonably-priced package, the Envy 34 Curved AIO starts at $1,730, particularly competitive with Dell’s audio-first AIO- the XPS 27 (known for a more elaborate sound system), with (HPs) configurations maxing out around $2,220.

The Inspiron 15 5575 features an 0.89 x 14.6 x 10.1 inch body, and a weight of 4.89 pounds, with a 15.6-inch FHD Anti-Glare LED-Backlit LCD screen. Although made from plastic, this near five-pound machine won’t give you the crook and flex movement and sound of other laptops. It’s sturdy, and made with that aluminum-matte finish Dell keeps us comfortable with. Having said that, there are two options of color, both Licorice Black or Platinum Silver, which is a little bit out of the ordinary, so perhaps Dell wanted the 5575 to stand out, perhaps as more alluring.

Available in both a touch and non-touch version, were focusing on the non-touch, which starts at $629.99 (per Dell’s website). This model comes with AMD’s Ryzen 5 2500U Mobile CPU processor (base clock at 2.0GHz, and max boost clock of 3.6GHz), and Radeon Vega 8 Graphics. This is the most recent of Ryzen processors, providing surefire performance, and quick response rates with that great GPU. Memory includes from 8GB up to 32GB of RAM, and up to 1TB of storage. Pre-installed with Windows 10 Home, there are added media benefits, such as Dell’s CinemaSound (used with Waves MaxxAudio Pro for studio-quality sound), and CinemaStream’s SmartByte for channeling seamless, maximum bandwidth. Talk about an entertainment value package!

For I/O, ports and slots include a 3-in-1 SD card reader, one USB 2.0, a USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-A port, a USB 3.1 port, an optical drive, security cable slot, power port, HDMI port, Ethernet, and audio jack. Besides enough peripheral connectivity options, this model is rugged for real life circumstances, which are bound to happen here and there. Enjoy your Dell for years, and you can, thanks to Inspiron’s overall resilience to short-term heat exposure, a quality hinge for those thousands of to-and-fro movements, plus an able-bodied, inherent keyboard and touchpad.

Although the nearly five pounds the Inspiron 15 5575 machine weighs might seem hefty, as mentioned previously, there’s always a solution to consumers’ needs. Some won’t mind the weight, despite the thin and light phenomenon of laptop popularity today. This is because when it comes to Dell laptops, the company knew how to skim off just enough weight, whilst sustaining good build and design quality. Hence, this is a compact package, with seismic storage, where buyers can decide their storage options to their needs. Plus, we can’t complain at all that the Dell Inspiron 15 5575 has Ryzen and Radeon internal hardware, as this is going to cater to some indulgences consumers love, such as fast graphics and display quality, not to mention frames per second if watching media. With up to 16GB DDR4 memory, all for sustained high performance (“revolutionary performance”, as Dell mentions), enjoy seamlessly running multiple apps and tabs- a pro multitasker! Finally, consumers can resume all-day work and play with their new Inspiron laptop’s 42Whr 3-cell battery. Prices start $629.99 for the non-touch version, and just 20 dollars more for touch, at $649.99.

This model isn’t completely reworked, looks so similar to the previous model that you’ll have to stare for a minute, yet, it has a slightly smaller form-factor. HP put some beautiful design features into its new EliteBook x360 1030 G2, which is anything but a surprise trend when in consideration of these premium work laptops. The 2.8-pound device’s design includes a nice, slim, 2-in-1 convertible body (measuring 12.5 x 8.6 x 0.6 inches), with a 13.3-inch FHD LCD screen with touch (a 4K offering should offered by late 2018); plus the optional Sure View privacy screen HP created for constricting viewing angles to 20 degrees at the center of the screen. As you can see from the striking images, the x360 1030 G2 is stunning, with a silver aluminum unibody, hinges that allow 360 degrees of freedom, a backlit keyboard, and fingerprint reader.

In contempt of its thin profile, the sides of the laptop have enough space for just enough peripherals- including a USB 3.0, headphone/microphone jack, and smart card reader on the right; plus another USB 3.0, microSD card slot Thunderbolt 3, Kensington lock, HDMI port, and power jack on the left. The x360 1030 G2’s keyboard is worthy of more attention, as it has 1.2mm of travel, 65 grams of force, yet feels anything but weak or shallow. The clicks are responsive, and speedy typing tests showed little room for error. Because this is a business laptop, shortcut keys, such as answer and hang up tabs for Skype calls, are found quite helpful.

For an HP mainstream device, functional as both a laptop or tablet, the qualifications that make the x360 1030 G2 high-end enough to be workplace ready include some sturdy and significant hardware. Inside, users will find three Intel processor options- the 2.5GHz to 3.10GHz Core i5-7200U, the 2.60GHz to 3.50 GHz Core i5-7300U, or the 2.8GHz to 3.90GHz i7-7600U. Also included, is 8GB of onboard RAM- up to 16GB, which will be most useful for clerical and managerial workers. The GPU includes Intel HD Graphics 620, and as far as storage, count on 128GB to 256GB of SSD on the hard drive.

More important features have to do with security, privacy, and durability. Beyond a fingerprint reader, there is an infrared camera with Windows Hello for that handy dandy facial recognition for authorized login credentials. HP’s system also includes the Intel-introduced vPro, a remote management tool, found in many devices these days, as a platform for both hardware and software- where it remotely diagnoses, manages, and updates PCs. Some pre-loaded, protective apps include HP Client Security, HP JumpStart, and HP TouchPoint. Finally, it’s durable enough to survive climate changes, such as high and low temps, humidity, and even shocks- such as drops, vibrations, and some liquid on the keyboard, making it MIL-STD certified.

The HP Elite series are primarily devices that are geared towards business folk, but the interests of regular consumers, as well as the younger workforce, are also included in this particular line. The case of the EliteBook x360 1030 G2 is definitely a win-win for all. Despite its quite gorgeous design, which is slightly lighter than the Dell XPS 13 9365 2-in-1, users can expect more storage than ever, a keyboard that deserves some extra points, a lengthy 14-hour battery life (thanks to its 57Wh 3-cell Lithium-ion power), and corporate-level, exemplary security features for all. As it may be considerably pricey, this can be configured to your liking, starting at $1,349.

These kinds of features, of course include- longer battery life, a flexible form-factor, quiet yet powerful performance, and many other crucially efficient areas of interest. The Inspiron 13 7000 portable machine has quite the pedestal, including Windows 10 Home/Home Pro (and introducing Dell Cinema, with CinemaSound and CinemaStream). Yes, it’s upscale, and basically up-to-date on everything (including the recently launched AMD Ryzen Mobile CPU processors, Radeon Vega Graphics, and FHD).

Hey, it’s also good looking, with a sleek 13.3-inch FHD LCD screen, brushed aluminum casing, and of course four modes for various viewing angles (tent, laptop, tablet, and stand modes). Dell is currently selling two versions of the device, and specs for the 3.2-pounder, Inspiron 13 7373 model features 8th Gen Intel Core CPUs, either the i5-8250U (up to 3.40 Turbo), or the i7-8550U processor (up to 4.0GHz Turbo), Intel’s UHD Graphics 620, a 38WHr 3-cell battery, and include 16GB of RAM, and a 256GB to 512GB SSD. The step under, the 3.86-pound Inspiron 13 7375, offers AMD-powered configurations- utilizing the AMD Ryzen 5 2500U (up to 3.6GHz Turbo), Radeon Vega8 graphics, a 42WHr battery, with 8GB of RAM, and also up to a 256GB SSD. That’s not a bad “step under”. Features shared among the two, include an infrared camera, Bluetooth 4.1, Dual Band 2.4/2.5, up to a 42WHr 3-cell battery, as well as the same ports and connectivity. The thin physique of these laptops are just enough under “too thin”, meaning enough room to fit the all useful help- a USB Type-C (3.1 Gen 1), USB 3.1 Gen 1 (standard), HDMI 2.0, SD card reader, and of course, a headphone/mic jack.

Besides the powerful performance hidden in this small form-factor, the Inspiron 13 7000 mimics the XPS 13’s design. It’s a similar multi-functional laptop, allowing the lovely feature of having 360 degrees of freedom, and performing incredibly efficiently. The Inspiron may face a couple unfortunate circumstances, like running into trouble when the keys may feel more like a mushy glide, than satisfying and fleeting clicks. Despite, this is an obvious winner, where benchmark tests are beyond good, but show efficiency- by holding up multiple tabs with full performance, and do even more so on the higher spec’d models. Expect to get well-acquainted with this ‘‘standing clap’ level of PC in front of you. So it goes. Dell has completed yet another enlightened product, built with familiar and sharp professional standards: a battery that lasts close to 7 hours on full blast, guaranteed survival during short-term high heat conditions (ahem, hello Texas!), and thanks to high benchmarks, even a comfortable-to-quite strong fps opportunity during gaming. The Inspiron 13 7373 model starts at $849 and up, while the 7375 starts at $729 and up.

The refreshed Dell Precision workstation portfolio includes four different models, and there is more to it than updates to hardware. Dell build these refreshed laptops with a lighter fit, a more squared-off physique, smaller hinges, and a slightly altered keyboard layout. Because Dell had the intention of an elevated workload potential in mind, let’s take a look at Dell’s four models. First are the Precision 7530 and the Precision 7730, which are among the two most qualified workstations we’ve seen in a long time. They are the core of the new lineup-both incredibly powerful and packed with tons of I/O. In fact, Dell proclaims the 7530 as the first 15-inch mobile workstation “ready for VR”; that’s because inside, lives the highly regarded Intel Core i9-8950HK CPU (2.90 GHz, 4.80 Turbo), alongside Nvidia’s GP104 Quadro P3200 graphics.

Both the Precision 7530 and Precision 7730 share the help of having 4 M.2 slots for SSDs, allowing up to 6TB of storage capacity. Additionally, the models have the option of up to 64GB of DDR4 memory; even up to 128GB of 3200 MHz ‘SuperSpeed’ memory. This is an incentive, because loads of RAM is helpful for any mobile workstation, especially in the business or creative sectors. With the exact same delicacies inside of its hard drive, the difference in the 7730 is it’s larger, 17-inch display. Both 7000-series models offer multiple display options, including up to an Ultra HD IPS LCD screen, made of 3,840 x 2,160 pixels. Reviewers say these displays are better than ever, allowing the IGZO-panels to cover 100 percent of the AdobeRGB color gamut. This means a delivery of pretty darn seamless viewing, in any configuration you may choose (mentioned above is the highest), which is perfect for presentations, and an overall professional experience.

Next is the Precision 5530 2-in-1, a model that Dell claims as the “world’s smallest 15-inch 2-in-1 workstation”, allows for 360 degrees of freedom, meaning all of your favorite laptop positions. The 2-in-1 model features a 15.6-inch 1920 x 1080 to 3840 x 2160 multi-touch display (which, just as the 7000-series big brothers work with, means 100 percent coverage of AdobeRGB), uses Intel’s nicest- either the Core i5-8305G (2.80GHz, 3.80GHz Turbo), to Core i7-8706G CPU processors (3.10 GHz, 4.10 Turbo), and contains graphics from AMD’s Radeon Pro WX Vega M GL GPU. Storage and memory include up to 2TB of SSD, and up to 32GB of DDR4 RAM, respectively. Additionally, there are 2 Thunderbolt 3 ports, 2 USB-C 3.1 ports, and a charging port. of RAM. The 5530 will get its share of attention. This 2-in-1 Dell will work wonderfully for the business individual, and with the unified element of both Intel and AMD chips, this the machine for the gamer, or the professional endeavor.

So, to conclude, the 7000 series offers up the goods as being more of an industry powerhouse, in terms of having insane storage and memory inside of a mobile workstation, while the 5530 2-in-1 works in the direction of graphics creatives. Pricing for the 7000 series range from $1,119 to $1,159, while the 5530 2-in-1 begins at $1,450. As the most equipped machines for the most demanding of tasks, laptop workstations are always evolving. Declaring its position that of these Precision models, include “the world’s most secure commercial PC”, Dell is in a huge advancement stage, where the niche of the true ultrabook workstation meets the goals of better productivity, design, and security. This is a perfect fit for the diverse universe that is the workplace.

There are so many Dell laptops, 2-in-1s, and ultraportables to talk about, you would think it to be often that we complain about some serious flaws and letdowns. But Dell usually has it in the bag when it comes to a really decent business laptop. This isn’t to say the Latitude 3490 is completely worth shortlisting, but it does have a bit of a design flaw that’s worth pondering, “Why, Dell? Why?”. To start, the 14-inch device comes standard with an anti-glare LCD screen, featuring either a touch and non-touch version- the non-touch sporting a limited 1,366 x 768 pixels. That right there isn’t a too much of a risky move, but it leaves a lot to be desired, as stodgy screen resolutions are no longer the norm. In fact, nearly every laptop has adopted the full HD, or higher, resolution by default. Additionally, another unfortunate truth is, this old-school pixel count does not even improve once the dollar signs go up nearly double the base ($499) configuration. To get full HD, touch support, and IPS core display technology, the 3490 would cost you about $1,100.

This Latitude model from Dell has a pretty basic plastic exterior, not making it the best for traveling from desk to desk, not to mention an accidental drop. Speaking of traveling, manhandling this 3.79-pound laptop might get irritating. This is because, just like display configurations, adding things like a fingerprint reader, and other helpful features will only add extra bulk. We can’t completely knock the Latitude 3490 because of its weight, as there are other quite popular laptops, competitors actually, such as Lenovo’s ThinkPad T470, that weigh nearly the same. What makes the difference here, is a multitude of things, actually. While the rivaling ThinkPad has a soft grayish exterior, Dell stuck with a plasticky black. Also, the 3490 has chunkier proportions- measuring 0.82 x 13.34 x 9.52 inches. The 0.79 x 13.25 x 9.15 inch ThinkPad competitor has a narrower, thinner, and overall more appealing physique.

As far as ports and connectivity go, the first lovely thing I can say is the Latitude 3490 features a VGA port, which, as far as a staple in mainstream laptops, has been on the decline. For things that usually would require an adapter, this kind of port is handy for a conference room presentation, or any business itself that hasn’t upgraded their own monitors yet. The rest of the ports are as follows- a USB 2.0, USB 3.1, USB-C, SD card slot, Ethernet jack, HDMI, audio in/out, and power port. Additionally, there’s built-in 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1, and the option of an accessorized LTE modem.

Sorry to hate on you, Dell, it’s very rare, and I don’t mean anything by it. There are just things about this Latitude laptop that don’t make the most sense, and a few tweaks could have really fixed it. Having a business laptop in the mainstream market weigh that much is pretty much out of the ordinary these days. Sure, many competing models cost a lot more than what Dell priced its device, but they generally bring more to the table. From Lenovo, with its ThinkPad X1 Carbon ( basically an even better version of the ThinkPad T470), or Acer, with its feather-light Swift 1, why bring out something old school? At least you’ll have that Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on call whenever you need it, as well as many storage and memory options to configure to your liking. This can range to 256GB of SSD, and 8GB to 16GB of memory. Because I want to end on a good note, think about this. Because the Latitude 3490 has a pretty dim screen resolution, it actually performs a lot better than many serious competitors on the market. Yep, the Intel Core i5-8250U does a great job, with 1.6GHz running for up to over 12 hours on one battery charge. Okay, that’s kind of a fib, considering the machine only runs faster because other specs are lower-ranged. I’m just trying to make light of the situation. However, and overall, if you are intrigued by the idea of a VGA output to connect to an older monitor, or to use this via a conference room display, the Latitude 3490 could find its niche somewhere out there (over the rainbow).

As the first Honor brand laptop, the Honor MagicBook is aimed directly for consumers who desire portability, more than anything else. This does mean, however, that the specs aren’t going to intrigue the enterprise or professional users, nor will it give gamers the power they are looking for. The new devices, do however, have many attributes akin to the simple MacBook from Apple, making it a brand new contender in the market. Huawei’s MagicBook features a 15-inch LCD screen, with pretty regularly-sized bezels (Huawei’s former MateBook X Pro’s bezels were so thin, there wasn’t room for a webcam. Yet on the MagicBook, there is).

Weighing in at 2.4 pounds, and measuring 15.8mm thick, these MagicBooks feature Intel’s 8th gen processors, either the i5-8250U, or the i7-8550U. These are just like what Dell uses in its latest Inspiron laptops, including the similar 15-incher, Inspiron 15 5568, where the i5-8350U has a 1.60Ghz base frequency, and a 3.40 Turbo max frequency, while the i7-8850U has a 1.80Ghz base, and a 4.0 Turbo.

Both Honor MagicBook models feature 8GB of RAM, 256GB of SATA SSD, and a 2GB GDDR5 Nvidia GPU. Additionally, the machine, with all the power it can run, runs quite smooth and quietly, with a single fan cooling system. A good comparison worth mentioning, especially while comparing the MagicBook to the MacBook, is the additional ports. One dispute consumers have with the new MacBooks can be Apple’s trend of “addition by subtraction”, sometimes taking away too many things- such as, all ports, except a single USB-C and headphone jack. Rather than requiring dongles to use other ports, Huawei did not follow in Apple’s footsteps with I/O. The laptops include USB 3.0, USB 2.0, HDMI, USB-C for charging, as well as a 3.5mm headphone/mic jack.

So, yes, the 15-inch bodied laptop is being compared to a MacBook Pro-like experience (even more so, comparable to an entry-level MacBook Pro, but with better CPUs). There is even a decent, and comparable battery, as Huawei promises 12 hours of use on one charge, as well as a fingerprint reader, a popular additive on consumer products due to its security purposes. With just enough power to be above-par, and at a fraction of the cost, it’s another example of how companies, like Huawei, are capitalizing on the fading ubiquitousness of Apple devices. Prices are expected to be around $800 for the Core i5 model, and $900 for the Core i7 model. If you are already stricken with the MateBook X Pro, you might have another episode of drool coming from your mouth for a while, as Huawei hasn’t even announced if the MagicBook line will make it out of China at all. Obviously the smart thing would be to do so, if Huawei’s aim is to make a better presence in America.