With the Galaxy Note 20 launch just a week away, all eyes will be on what upgrades Samsung brings to the table. While the chipset might remain unchanged, there might be a silver lining. While Samsung flagship like the Note series and the S series are powered by Snapdragon chipsets in the US and European markets, they come with Exynos chipset in Asian markets such as India. It often tends to lose out on the performance front against Qualcomm Snapdragon counterparts. However, a new leak suggests some good news in this regard. Samsung Galaxy Note 20 release date, price, news and leaks Upcoming smartphones in India: Specs, launch date, price (Image credit: Samsung/WinFuture) According to a tweet by Anthony, a Youtuber, Samsung Galaxy Note 20 will continue to be powered by the Exynos 990 chipset, but with major improvements in terms of the performance and efficiency. These optimizations should bring it closer to the Snapdragon 865 series. He even suggested that it is almost li...
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Leak reveals a few more specs about the Moto Z3 Play
All eyes might be on the imminent launch of the Moto G6 phone at the moment, but Lenovo has several other handsets planned for 2018, including the Moto Z3 Play. Thanks to a new filing at the Federal Communications Commission, we now know a little bit more about what's in store.
Inside the device you're going to find a Snapdragon 636 CPU, and that'll be coupled with 4GB of RAM and either 32GB or 64GB of storage. Everything will run from a 3,000mAh battery which should give you plenty of time between charges.
The phone will have a 6.1-inch screen and the dimensions will match the chassis size of the current Moto Z range – which of course means you'll still be able to use your existing Moto Mods with it. Even if you upgrade your Lenovo-made smartphone this year, your modular accessories can come with you.
What's in storeAll of which makes it sound like this is another solid mid-ranger to look forward to, something the Moto series has focused on in recent years. Considering the upcoming Moto G6 phones are going to target the same part of the market, it's perhaps no surprise that the Moto X5 is getting cut from the line-up.
We haven't heard much about the Moto Z3 Play or indeed the higher-end Moto Z3 so far, but we're probably looking at an edge-to-edge screen and a Snapdragon 845 for the top-of-the-line model. Face recognition might also feature heavily.
The Moto G6 line is going to be the first to break cover in 2018 but after that we can look forward to finding out what Lenovo has got in store with its Moto Z3 phones. If you're looking to get some decent-quality Android hardware at a reasonable price, they could well be worth waiting for.
Moto G6 is a MWC 2018 no-show, but it's 'coming soon'Via GSMArena
How to watch the Dubai World Cup 2018: Live stream races online from anywhere in the world
If you’re a fan of horse racing or just curious about the sport, the 2018 Dubai World Cup is the event to watch.
Founded in 1996, and held on the last Saturday in March, the Dubai World Cup is not only the premiere horse racing event of the year, but also the richest, with last year’s purse coming in at over $10 million.
This year a total of 118 horses will take to the track on Saturday, March 31st to win part of the dubai World Cup 2018 prize pool. Each horse will participate in one of nine races including eight thoroughbred races and one purebred-Arabian race.
The horses to watch at this year’s race are West Coast, Thunder Snow, Talismanic, Mubtaahij and Forever Unbridled who could be the first mare to win the $10 million Dubai World Cup sponsored by Emirates Airline.
The Dubai World Cup gates will open at noon with the race set to start at 3:45pm GST (that’s at 11:45am GMT, 7:45am Eastern Time and 4:45am Pacific).
Below, you’ll find our quick and easy guide for how to watch the 2018 Dubai World Cup online from anywhere in the world. This is the racing event of the year and with our help you won’t miss it no matter where you happen to be.
You can watch the Dubai World Cup in the UK by tuning in to At The Races, which will be showing live coverage of all the races from Meydan.
You'll need a Sky or Virgin Media subscription to be able to access At The Races, which can be found on Sky channel 415 or Virgin Media channel 535.
The Dubai World Cup 2018 can also be followed on the channel's ATR Player online service, which enables UK and Irish based users to watch all the action on At The Races.
The service, which costs £9.99 for a monthly pass, can be accessed by logging in to attheraces.com on your PC or Tablet or by downloading the At The Races App on your iPhone or Android phone.
Not in the UK? You'll need a VPN to watch this live stream
If you’re in the US or just prefer an American perspective when it comes to horse racing, you can watch the Dubai World Cup on NBC. For those in the US, just head to NBC and from there you can easily watch the races. For those living in the UK or another country, open your VPN app and choose a location in the US before going to NBC’s website.
NBC will begin its coverage of the Dubai World Cup at 12:30pm ET and the network will air the $1 million Florida Derby at 6pm ET. If you’re on the go and want to watch the even from a mobile device, it will be streamed from the NBC Sports app via “TV Everywhere” on Android, iOS, Amazon Fire, Apple TV, Chromecast, Roku and Xbox though this option does require a subscription.
Not in the US? You'll need a VPN to watch this live stream
Mobile is the future for NBA basketball
In an era where sports are competing not just with each other for new and existing fans’ attention, but also with other forms of entertainment, mobile is a key battleground.
For many competitions, television ratings are falling as younger fans move away from linear television to smartphones and on-demand services. There are even fears that sport isn’t as popular as it once was.
The National Basketball Association (NBA) is acutely aware of these trends, but rather than fear them, it is embracing them as it seeks to build its fanbase not only in the US but globally too. The NBA has a diverse following, but it is more youthful than its local rivals and has a reputation for being a more progressive league that reflects this.
For example, in 2014, Donald Sterling, the owner of the LA Clippers, was forced to sell the team to former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer because of alleged racist remarks and the league has expressed a more permissive stance to those who wish to protest the national anthem than the NFL, which has an older, more conservative fanbase.
These days, its possible to watch every NBA game live on your smartphone via the official application, which is also awash with video highlights and content, while the league, its teams and its players are active on social media – including more youthful platforms like Snapchat.
The NBA’s official view is that there is nothing like attending a game in person, but the fact of the matter is many fans will never attend a match. The focus is therefore on making the remote viewing experience as similar to the one in the arena.
A 10Gbps network collected 12 camera feeds from every game to the NBA Replay Center in New Jersey, giving referees additional help that speeds up the game, but also gives the NBA multiple camera angles to sent to the mobile app. A video highlights system sees clips tagged so they can be distributed within 30 seconds and there are plans for automation.
The next step is virtual reality (VR) and 4K transmissions. Both of these will place significant stress on the network.
Cisco has been an NBA partner for a decade and has witnessed this transformation first hand. Over the past ten years, the focus has shifted to mobile and to global expansion.
“It’s a multi-faceted partnership,” Cisco’s Chinan Patel tells TechRadar Pro. “As well as being the core technology provider for the NBA as an organization, supporting its employees and the wor kthey do, we help with events like the All Star Games and how they extend the global game. We also work with the teams, who are heavily investing in stadium tech and elsewhere to grow the fanbase.
“If you think 10 years ago, mobile phones weren’t prevalent. You might see scores, but now the NBA tells us that large percentage of fans watch games on their mobile device and never consume it on anything else. A lot of investment is in how to make that better and how you can ensure people can access it on other networks, secure it and watch it offline.
“The NBA are probably the leaders in terms of technology adoption. If you look at football and [Video Assistant Referees], then some of the sports are quite behind. There’s a lot what other sports can learn from the NBA are doing.”
However he doesn’t necessarily agree with the assumption that the NBA has an advantage because its followers are younger. Instead, he argues its because the fast-paced nature of basketball is what makes it so appealing.
“We were with the NBA at South by South West [SXSW] and the audience that came was very diverse,” he says. “A lot of age groups, a lot of demographics. It has a diverse spectrum of audience. There is a youthful base, but equally but there is a broad appeal to the game and it does span all spectrums.
“The pace at which [basketball] is played and the way the NBA engages the audience … is something they’ve cracked.”
Indeed, the NBA is one of the partners for a new Bleacher Report Live streaming application from Turner and will allow fans to pay for portions of matches. For example, if a game in the fourth quarter is heating up, fans can log on and pay 99 cents for five minutes of live action. This will extend to the official NBA application, which is essential for the league’s international expansion.
The NBA holds a number of games outside North America each season, including one at London’s O2 – which will become a 5G testbed later this year. These are important to reach out to new fans but mobile is still the main way of reaching out to the international fanbase that can be thousands of miles away from any NBA arena. But can this ever be as good as seeing a game live?
Patel concedes this might be one step too far for mobile technology but says Cisco and the NBA are committed to replicating as much as possible.
“A lot of the work we do with them is to take the best elements of what makes going to a game so great and …the app experience, different views give you some kind of insight into what it’s like,” he says.
Mobile can enhance the at-game experience too. Many fans now want instant replays on their mobile devices, while teams want to be able to offer in-game seat upgrades, merchandise and catering. Meanwhile, sensors and in-arena Wi-Fi can help improve security and fan behaviour.
Mobile ticketing is also changing the way fans attend matches, with 60 per cent of all tickets sold by the Boston Celtics sent to a mobile device.
“The phone has become ubiquitous,” Celtics co-owner Stephen Pagliuca tells the Leaders in Sport conference. “The closer you get to the fans, the closer they want to get to the club."
Free Wi-Fi networks have been deployed in many venues to try and facilitate all these applications, and Cisco itself provides connectivity in 350 stadiums around the world. But will these network deployments be able to keep up with demand?
“Things like 5G will be welcomed because they will offer increased bandwidth,” Patel suggests. “New technologies will have to come along to deal with growth. New applications like AR and VR will require new types of capacity.”
Cisco is taking a keen interest in 5G, participating in UK trials of the technology in rural areas, and announcing a slew of ‘5G Now’ services and products at Mobile World Congress (MWC). The company’s traditional strength has been in networking, but it is eyeing up more of the telecoms market.
So what’s in it for Cisco? Is it a marketing agreement or a technology partnership? Patel says it touches on a number of areas, not least attracting young talent to its Network Academy.
“As an advanced technology company, we want to make sure we want to work with organisations that are at the leading edge of their industry and the NBA is that,” he says. “We want to be able to scale something that touches a lot of people. The things we do in the NBA at the stadiums, are applicable around the world- football, cricket stadiums. It helps us engage in different countries around the world.
“As a B2B company, not a B2C company it helps us scale up like that. There’s also a big aspect for the Network academy [which is] about inspiring new generations and sport is a great way of doing that.”
The best VPN services of 2018
How Spotify for Apple Watch is more important than just music on your wrist
Earlier this week we heard that Spotify may be coming to the Apple Watch 3 in the watchOS 5 update, but the introduction of the app may signal something much more exciting for the company's range of smartwatches.
The rumor comes from an unverified tipster speaking to MacRumors, which claims Apple will use WWDC 2018 (coming up in June this year) to show off the app for the first time.
While it's exciting to see a third-party music streaming service debut on the Apple Watch, it marks a far more important introduction of tech working on the Apple Watch.
The rumor suggests Apple will introduce its next StreamKit framework within watchOS 5 that will allow third-party developers to make use the cellular features on the Apple Watch.
Big changes for Apple WatchOnly the one version of the Apple Watch 3 can currently connect to a cellular network, and the features that offers are limited to apps provided by Apple.
This new software change will allow developers to push notifications directly to your wrist. That'll mean you'll be able to get messages and more through to your watch without having to have it go through your phone directly and you'll be able to leave your phone at home more often.
Take Spotify, for example, where you'll be able to select the track you want to listen to from the watch and be able to stream it through your Bluetooth headphones without the need for your phone.
That's been possible for a few months with Apple Music, but this marks the first time third-party developers have been able to make apps that can do that directly for your watch.
Arguably this change may make it even more possible for you to leave the house and not have to take your phone with you at all. You'll be able to receive phone calls and texts like normal, plus also have your favorite apps send you notifications.
It could change the way you use the Apple Watch on a daily basis.
It'll especially be useful when exercising if fitness apps embrace the new StreamKit tech to be able to work while on the move without the phone on you.
Apple may change the name of StreamKit by June ready for the launch, but the leaks so far suggest the features will stay the same and we hope we'll see developers making use of it straight after the conference.
That's the main issue here though. More and more developers are dropping support for Apple Watch apps, we've seen Twitter, Amazon, eBay, Google Maps and Slack all drop support over the last few years.
While those apps may not embrace the StreamKit features right away, we're sure to see a variety of other alternatives apps embrace it and the new features available on the Apple Watch may even encourage some developers who dropped support to return.
It may also be the first time you can download apps specifically for your Apple Watch. Currently you download them packaged with a phone app, but if you can use your watch without your phone, it may be you can now just download certain apps and games just for your watch and not have them on your iPhone.
We're expecting to see an Apple Watch 4 launch toward the end of 2018, so we may see some new and improved cellular functionality in that device too.
It'll likely drop the price of the Watch 3 so more and more people will be able to embrace these true wireless watchOS features too.
How streaming music on the Apple Watch 3 made me listen to opera by a lake
SpaceX’s “Starlink” proposal will launch 12 thousand satellites for total worldwide broadband coverage
SpaceX cleared a major hurdle in its goal to launch a network of broadband satellites in low Earth orbit yesterday, when the FCC approved a revised draft of their 2016 proposal.
Today's news follows the story from last month where Elon Musk’s company, SpaceX, launched its first two satellites into orbit during their PAZ mission from Spain.
Nicknamed Tintin A and B, they temporarily blasted a Wi-Fi-enabled message to the city of Los Angeles.
Now SpaceX can officially plan to launch thousands more satellites from the US, but they’d better book their launchpad schedule well in advance: the FCC requires that they launch half of their 4,425-satellite fleet by 2024—a six-year deadline.
Current broadband satellites sit tens of thousands of kilometers above the surface; Starlink would place their 4,425 satellites at only 700 miles (1,150 kilometers), then launch another 7500 satellites at only 200 miles (320 kilometers), according to SpaceX’s FCC filing.
Broadband for the massesSo close to Earth’s surface, Starlink satellites would have minimal latency delays, supposedly comparable to current cable and fiber response times. SpaceX VP Patricia Cooper told the US Senate Chamber of Commerce that the network would provide 25ms latency and 1 Gbps speeds.
FCC chairman Ajit Pai led the unanimous vote approving SpaceX’s proposal. In a statement, Pai said, “Satellite technology can help reach Americans who live in rural or hard-to-serve places where fiber optic cables and cell towers do not reach. And it can offer more competition where terrestrial Internet access is already available.”
The FCC has reserved the right to revoke their license, if SpaceX can’t also obtain permission from the International Telecommunication Union, which controls the radio bandwidths Starlink will use to send signals to the surface. But beyond that, they can proceed full steam ahead.
SpaceX isn’t the only company hoping to fill up our skies with satellites. OneWeb received FCC permission last year to launch 720 satellites using Amazon’s Blue Origin rockets, and an Apple-Boeing partnership could yield up to 3,000 satellites.
Satellites vs 5GSatellite broadband will let people around the world have access to fast internet speeds, which in the past would have required labor-heavy installation of fiber-optic networks stretching to every home—something especially difficult in rural areas.
In the decade or more it will take to fully roll out their network, SpaceX may be hoping that an Earth-based alternative to cables doesn’t take too much of their future business.
5G, the next-gen upgrade to our current model, provides 1 Gbps speeds without needing to connect each home to a fiber optic network. Instead, carriers can install fiber optic hubs every few blocks that communicate at incredible speeds with wireless modems. And these hubs apparently have the capacity for all the streaming and downloads that you might need.
Samsung and Verizon have already begun testing 5G in several cities across the US, and industry experts predict 5G will be the dominant mobile net source by 2025—right around the time Starlink could go online.
Of course, Starlink will also go to regions where no cable companies would ever install any fiber optics, 5G or otherwise. But to pay for all of these rocket launches, SpaceX will need to make a lot of money on its network; so no doubt he’ll also want plenty of first-world consumers to buy into his product as well.
Space just got crowdedTo launch 2,200 satellites within six years, SpaceX will have to boost slightly more than one satellite per day. That will take monumental resources and planning to achieve on time without the satellites crashing into one another. And competitors like OneWeb will be trying to hit their own targets at the same time.
After SpaceX proposed its plan, OneWeb petitioned that the FCC reject it, claiming that the volume would inevitably lead to Starlink satellites or delivery rockets crashing into one another, or into OneWeb objects.
While OneWeb obviously had plenty of motivation for their rival’s proposal to fail, even NASA warned that current safety standards for satellites would no longer apply safely to Starlink, due to the sheer number of satellites it would require.
SpaceX successfully launched a Tesla into elliptical orbit, but launching thousands of satellites could be a bumpy ride. (Courtesy of SpaceX)
FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel, who voted for the proposal, warned of the dangers this could pose, should this rapid schedule risk satellites crashing into one another.
“As more satellites of smaller size that are harder to track are launched, the frequency of these accidents is bound to increase,” she said in a statement. “Unchecked, growing debris in orbit could make some regions of space unusable for decades to come.”
In response, SpaceX promised to coordinate with NASA, OneWeb, and any other satellite company planning on sharing low-orbit space with Starlink.
We've got the latest on the FCC's dismantling of net neutrality and SpaceX's latest Falcon Heavy launch.
iMac 2018: what we want to see
Given the reports suggesting that a new MacBook Air and a 13-inch MacBook are in the works, both more affordable than their predecessors, it wouldn’t surprise us to see an iMac 2018 come to fruition around the same time.
It’s ready for an upgrade as well. After being refreshed with Intel 7th generation Kaby Lake CPUs in mid 2017, Intel released 8th-generation Kaby Lake and Coffee Lake CPUs. Now the iMac is one generation behind when it comes to processing power, not to mention its dated style
It’s easy to speculate on what the iMac 2018 is going to look like. There’s sufficient evidence, for one, that three of the Macs that release this year will off load some functionality to Cupertino-manufactured custom co-processors rather than trusting every feature to a third party like Intel. This year will also mark the 20th anniversary of the iMac, so we expect Apple to celebrate this benchmark in a commercially available way.
As usual, Apple is keeping its cards pretty close to its chest, so we don’t have a huge amount of information to go on at the moment, but we’ve collected all the rumors we’ve heard so far to help us speculate on what an iMac 2018 may entail.
We’ll also set out what we want to see from the iMac 2018, based on our expert knowledge and current trends.
Cut to the chase What is it? A new version of Apple’s all-in-one iMacWhen is it out? Possibly June or August 2018What will it cost? Likely starts at $1,099 (£1,049, AU$1,599) iMac 2018 release dateWe haven’t heard any concrete rumors about the release date of the iMac 2018, so until we do, we’re going to have to do a bit of guesswork.
The iMac 2017 update was revealed on June 5, 2017 at Apple’s WWDC (Worldwide Developers Conference) keynote, so there's a chance that Apple may use WWDC 2018 to announce an update.
If Apple is planning to do something special to mark the 20th anniversary of the iMac, then a release date in August could be possible – as it will be exactly 20 years since the launch of the original.
Again, there’s not much to go on right now concerning what the price of a 2018 iMac might be. Hopefully, the price won’t stray too much from last year’s models, unless there is going to be some seriously large upgrades when it comes to components.
The base price of last year’s iMac is $1,099 (£1,049, AU$1,599), so we’d like to see a similar price with the iMac 2018. Of course, the iMac comes in various configurations (and prices) to suit your needs.
With the high-end iMac Pro starting at $4,999 (£4,899, AU$7,299), we can envision an iMac 2018 costing between $1,000 (£1,000, AU$1,500) and $2,500 (£2,000, AU$3,000).
iMac 2018: what we want to seeWhile we don’t know too much about what the iMac 2018 will be like, we’ve got plenty of ideas about what we’d like to see in a new version of the all-in-one. Read on for our suggestions that would make the iMac 2018 the best iMac ever.
For any gadget, 20 years in the business is a big deal, so we’d love to see Apple do something special to mark the anniversary for this year’s iMac.
Apple have released special versions of its hardware to mark milestones before, such as the Twentieth Anniversary Macintosh, which was released in 1997 to mark Apple’s 20th birthday.
With the iMac being so beloved, and its design so iconic, a special version of the iMac 2018 that paid tribute to its past could be a big hit with Apple fans and collectors.
A revamped designWhile we love the look of the iMac, it’s sort of had the same design for the past 10 years, so 2018 could be a great year to tweak the look. That could mean a minor revision, such as slimming the body even further, or something more drastic.
Rumors of an iMac redesign have been swirling since a post on Reddit, apparently by a ‘Foxconn Insider’ who worked for the company that builds the devices for Apple, claimed there would be an update to the iMac and its peripherals.
Color-wise, the aluminum design of the iMac has been a staple since 2007, so we wouldn’t mind seeing another color option with the iMac 2018 – perhaps a Space Gray version, like the iMac Pro?
The iMac Pro is a fantastic device, and while it is definitely a product aimed at a completely different audience than the iMac 2018 will be, there are a few things the standard iMac could incorporate from its more expensive sibling.
For example, removing the hard drive, and sticking to just solid state drives, would allow Apple to make the iMac 2018 even slimmer – while also giving the machine a decent speed boost. Even better for photographers and filmmakers is if Apple were to allow for UHS-II SD card support, thereby streamlining the post-production process.
The iMac Pro also features some clever cooling technology to help reduce the heat of the components, again allowing for a thinner design without noisy fans, and we’d love to see that in the iMac 2018 as well.
Oh, and did we mention we’d really like to see a Space Gray iMac?
Whilst we’re getting ideas from other Apple devices, there’s a few things we’d like to see from the iPhone and MacBook appear in the iMac 2018.
For example, how cool would it be if the Touch Bar from certain MacBooks turned up on a redesigned iMac keyboard? Those touch-sensitive buttons would be a fantastic addition.
Also, we’ve been very impressed by the Face ID technology of the iPhone X, so if Apple is thinking of upgrading the FaceTime camera on the iMac 2018, we’d love to see this included, so we could unlock our new iMac with just a glance.
Boosted specsWe’d love to see the iMac 2018 toting some of the very latest, and best, components when it’s revealed to the world.
While we’d love to see the iMac 2018, at least the entry-level version, running one of Intel’s latest quad core processors, if the iMac uses Intel’s Coffee Lake CPUs, we may even see an iMac 2018 with a six-core processor, which would give the all-in-one a real boost when it comes to multitasking.
Graphics-wise, the iMac could stick with AMD’s Vega graphics cards, and if Apple goes for one of the latest AMD card, or even one that has yet to be released, then the iMac 2018 could have some serious graphical chops.
Fingers crossed we see some – or all – of these predictions come to fruition later this year.
These are the best Macs that 2018 has to offer so farGabe Carey has also contributed to this report
Windows 10 Redstone 4 news, features and release date
In a lot of ways, Windows 10 is the best operating system Microsoft has ever released. One of the main reasons it is so beloved is the way Microsoft continues to support it with major overhauls, such as the upcoming Windows 10 Redstone 4, or as it may be called soon, the Spring Creators Update.
As with any major update for Windows 10, Redstone 4 looks set to bring a host of exciting new features to the operating system, and here we’ll gather up everything we know so far about the upcoming update.
We’ll also speculate on the release date, but we’ve got our fingers on the likely release date of April 10 for Windows 10 Redstone 4.
Cut to the chase What is it? The next major update for Windows 10When is it out? Possibly around March 2018What will it cost? As with previous major Windows 10 updates, it will be free Windows 10 Redstone 4 release dateSo, when can we expect Windows 10 Redstone 4 to release? This update is the product of over a year’s work, with features that were first tested by Windows Insiders, a group of testers who try out early versions of Windows 10, back in early 2017.
Then, on August 31 2017, Windows 10 Build 16353 was released to Windows Insiders, which is part of the Redstone 4 development branch. This indicated that Microsoft was gearing up for release.
There has been a bevy of rumors about the release date of Windows 10 Redstone 4, or the Spring Creators Update. On March 13, a Microsoft blog post mentioned Redstone 4 and included an expected launch date of ‘April 2018.’ Then, Windows Central, citing anonymous sources, hinted that the Spring Creators Update will be releasing on April 10. This information is backed up by a blog post suggesting that Windows 10 build 17133 will be the final release.
Redstone 4 is just the codename for the next major update to Windows 10, so expect it to have a catchier name closer to release. Previous major Redstone updates were called ‘Anniversary Update’, ‘Creators Update’ and ‘Fall Creators Update’.
It looks like Microsoft may have let slip what it will finally call Windows 10 Redstone 4, with a reference found in its Feedback Hub to ‘Spring Creators Update’.
Microsoft quickly removed the reference, but not before people were able to take screenshots, like the one shown in the tweet below:
At the moment, we’re pretty convinced that Windows 10 Redstone 4 will be called Spring Creators Update. For a start, Microsoft’s haste in removing the reference makes us pretty suspicious! It also follows the naming convention of previous Redstone updates.
Another recent leak again showed that Microsoft will likely call Windows 10 Redstone 4 the Spring Creators Update, this time from infamous Microsoft leaker WalkingCat. The reference to Spring Creators Update was found in the code for the update, pretty much confirming the name.
Because of the extensive testing process of Windows 10 Redstone 4, we have a good idea of some – but not all – of the features coming in the Spring Creators Update. These are the features we know about so far.
Timeline
The Timeline feature was supposed to arrive with last year’s Fall Creators Update, but Microsoft didn't feel it was ready, so it was cut from the release. Now, after months of testing, it looks like it will debut in Redstone 4.
It shows a visual timeline of the desktop, allowing the user to jump right back into what they were doing on another device – and that includes Android and iOS handsets.
As well as allowing for this seamless transition when switching between different devices, it will also let the user revisit a desktop state from an earlier time. A bit like a Windows version of macOS Time Machine.
It could prove to be a really useful feature, so fingers crossed it’s ready in time.
User interface improvements
The way Windows 10 looks will get a big overhaul with Redstone 4, with the ‘Fluent Design’ look giving making the operating system look better than ever when the Spring Creators Update arrives.
Many windows and menus you’re used to seeing will get a fresh lick of paint, and not only will Windows 10 look nicer, the operating system will be easier to use as well.
Near Share
Microsoft is looking to make wirelessly sharing files between devices easier than ever in Redstone 4 thanks to its new Near Share feature.
With Bluetooth and Near Share turned on (from the Action Center), you can quickly share documents and more by pressing the ‘Share’ button in apps (or in Windows Explorer) – which will then display nearby devices you can send the file to.
Quick Bluetooth pairing
Connecting your Windows 10-powered device to Bluetooth peripherals is also set to be much quicker and easier in Redstone 4 thanks to the new quick pair feature. When a device in pairing mode is within range of your Windows 10 device running the Spring Creators Update, a notification will appear prompting you to pair it. Click on it, and it will be accessible to your Windows 10 device, without having to go into Settings.
At the moment this only works with Microsoft peripherals, but hopefully we’ll see devices from other manufacturers make use of it when Redstone 4 officially releases.
Progressive web apps
The Microsoft Store and Microsoft’s Edge browser will also be getting some new features in Redstone 4. Most noticeably, you’ll be able to run Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) from within Edge, and these can be installed though the Microsoft Store.
PWAs work like regular Windows apps, but being web-based means they're lightweight and many don't need to be installed. By making them searchable in the Microsoft Store, Microsoft is giving them equal billing as full Windows 10 apps, as well as giving users more apps to choose from.
Edge improvements
The Edge web browser is also getting a hefty amount of updates with Redstone 4, as Microsoft continues to improve its software to compete with Chrome and Firefox.
A new-look menu grants you quick access to your bookmarks, history and other essential parts of the browser, and you can now quickly pin eBooks to the Start Menu when reading them in Edge.
Edge will also be better at automatically filling in forms with your information as well, making it easier to sign up for websites and the like. It will remember your payment card details as well (but not the security code on the back), making it easier to pay online. It’s good to see these new features, which Edge’s competitors have had for a while. Better late than never.
If you’re sick of websites blaring out sounds and music when you’re browsing, then the new ability to right-click on a tab and mute it will be a blessing, and InPrivate mode can now run certain extensions if you want it to.
Printing has also been improved thanks to the ‘Clutter Free’ option that removes the unnecessary text, images and more from pages when you print out websites, making them look nicer and saving on ink.
Edge will also get an updated look to match the Fluent Design theme of Windows 10.
Mixed Reality updates
We’ve also recently heard that Microsoft is adding a range of new features to its Mixed Reality platform with what’s expected to be the Spring Creators Update.
Heading up the list of improvements is a brand-new virtual environment for users to wander around. As well as the existing Cliff House, folks can now enjoy the Skyloft with its impressive city view (as opposed to the former’s ocean outlook). Think modern super-posh penthouse apartment, basically.
Other important changes have been implemented on the SteamVR front, including the introduction of haptic feedback for the motion controllers in SteamVR games. Also, general performance levels have been improved in these games, with Microsoft managing to tune things to use a ‘significantly lower’ amount of video RAM.
You’ll also be able to take screenshots in Mixed Reality apps easily with the controllers, and video performance in apps is improved as well.
These are all welcome additions that should make Mixed Reality even more competitive compared to the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive.
Windows 10 S Mode
For the longest time, Windows 10 S and Windows 10 existed independently of one another. If you wanted to move on from the closed nature of the S-branded OS, you’d have to cough up a fee to upgrade to a full-fat version of windows.
Now, with Redstone 4, that’s a thing of the past, and you’ll be able to simply hit a button that’ll take you out of (or into) Windows 10 S mode and let you use the full-fat Windows 10 free of charge.
Windows 10 Redstone 4: what we want to seeSo, while we’re getting an ever-clearer idea of what new features Windows 10 Redstone 4, otherwise known as the Spring Creators Update, will bring, we’ve still got a list of things we’d like to see come to Windows 10.
Fewer annoying updates
While Microsoft has been making Windows 10 less annoying when it needs to restart to install an update, it’s still not perfect, and we know a few people who have lost work due to Windows 10 restarting itself without warning.
Fewer windows for changing settings
There are a few instances in Windows 10 that still make it feel like two separate operating systems mashed together – something many people hated about Windows 8. One of the most egregious examples of this is that to change certain settings you need to use the Settings app, while others require you to use the traditional Control Panel.
Not only does this feel a bit clunky, it’s also confusing for users. Putting all the settings into one place would be a fantastic addition.
Stop apps and windows auto opening on restart
Microsoft brought a new feature to the Fall Creators Update which reopened any apps, windows and websites you had open when you last shut down your PC.
While this feature does have its uses (and mirrors a feature that’s been in Apple’s macOS operating system for years), rather frustratingly, Microsoft didn't include an option to disable the feature. This means that anyone who likes a fresh, empty desktop each time they start up Windows 10 needs to make sure everything is closed manually each time they want to turn off the PC.
What we’d like to see is an easy-to-use toggle that lets us choose if we want this option to be on or off. That’s not too much to ask, is it?
Everything you need to know about how to use Windows 10
macOS 10.14: what we want to see
It’s still early in the year, but, like clockwork the Apple speculation is already everywhere you look. Still, we’ve heard very little about macOS 10.14, which we assume will be the next version of Apple’s Mac operating system.
Other than the rumor that MacOS 10.14 will somehow incorporate iOS apps, there simply isn’t much to go off of that’s solid, or even mercurial regarding the OS. Still, this is to be expected as Apple rumors typically revolve around hardware rather than software.
So that leaves us with some room to think about what we’ll see when MacOS 10.14 is announced, but more importantly – what we want to see. So, sit back, relax and enjoy the deep dive you’ll find below. And, remember to bookmark this page, as we’ll keep it updated with every morsel of information that we get our hands on.
Cut to the chase What is it? The 2018 edition of Apple’s Mac operating system, macOSWhen is it out? Likely September or October 2018What will it cost? macOS 10.14 will likely be free
At the moment, when Apple will release macOS 10.14 is entirely unknown. However, we can attempt to triangulate a release date through looking back to releases of the past.
Since 2013 and the release of OS X 10.9 Mavericks, Apple has teased its latest version of the Mac OS during its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) keynote in early June, followed by a full release September or October of the same year. Apple has also done this completely free of charge since then.
There’s currently nothing to indicate that the macOS release cadence or pricing scheme will deviate from this trend.
So, that leaves us with the strong expectation that Apple will tease what macOS 10.14 has to offer in June at WWDC, release a public beta test around a month later and drop the final product in September or October for all to enjoy.
Knowing next to nothing about macOS 10.14, it’s tough to say exactly which Mac hardware will support the next version of Apple’s Mac interface. But, again, we can look to the previous year’s requirements for an idea of what to expect this year.
First off, prepare for macOS 10.14 to require at least 14.3GB of hard drive space for the installation, as that’s what was required last year. To keep it on the safe side, make it 20GB.
Next, Macs that received the 10.13 upgrade were required to be equipped with at least 2GB of memory (or RAM) and running OS X 10.8 or later. Last year, this is what that managed to cover product-wise:
MacBook (Late 2009 or newer)MacBook Pro (Mid 2010 or newer)MacBook Air (Late 2010 or newer)Mac mini (Mid 2010 or newer)iMac (Late 2009 or newer)Mac Pro (Mid 2010 or newer)So, while these required model years rarely change year-over-year with new releases of macOS, if your Mac model is older than the minimum release year, you might have to buy a new Mac to enjoy this next version of the OS. However, wait until these hardware requirements are published before leaping onto a new Mac!
Every time Apple releases a new version of macOS is an opportunity for the company to improve on past shortcomings as well as fulfill the wildest computing dreams of its fans. But, mostly, we see Apple simply smooth out proverbial edges and increase quality-of-life in using the OS. With that in mind, here’s what we want to see in macOS 10.14.
iOS apps on Mac
Now that it’s been rumored about and reported on so long, the idea of iPhone and iPad apps on macOS has grown on us. We’re hyped by the idea of continuing work from our iPhones straight away on our MacBooks – or polishing off that top score upon sitting down at the desk.
However, Apple needs to nail how this is going to happen if the odds of a Mac computer with a touchscreen remain slim to none. Will the mouse or touchpad simply stand in for our digits, or does Apple have something clever in its core?
More active Siri
Honestly, Siri on Mac (much less, iPhone) is only about as useful as how often you remember to ask for its assistance – and even then your mileage may vary. So, we’d like to see Siri on Mac begin to act more like, say, Cortana does on Windows 10.
We’ve already given over our permissions to Siri so that it can access our data – whether in Apple’s general end-user license agreement for macOS or when we configured the tool. So, why not leverage that more?
A Siri that makes that meeting reminder for you or directs you to a better deal online without your asking is far more helpful than having to remember it’s there first.
Deeper ecosystem control
Frankly, Apple fans should feel more rewarded for the thousands of dollars or pounds it takes to be such a diehard fan. One fine way of doing that is opening macOS up to control and manage other Apple devices under a particular user’s Apple ID.
Imagine being able to see your iPhone’s storage and manage it from your Mac, for instance. Or, on a related note, triggering an App Store download on your iPhone from your Mac – before or after making the space for it from macOS. It’s a small thing, but such a chance would help keep fans feeling rewarded for going all-Apple, as it were.
These are the best Macs we’ve tested within the past year
Mac mini 2018: what we want to see
It’s been nearly four years since we’ve seen a major update to the Mac mini, and while some people assumed that Apple’s silence means we’ll never see a follow up, we can still cling to the hope that a new Mac mini will arrive in 2018.
A new Mac mini wasn’t released in 2018, and while that fact disappointed many people, Apple CEO Tim Cook himself has reiterated Apple’s support of the Mac mini, so there’s hope yet we’ll get it this year.
While we haven’t seen any official word of when – or even if – a Mac mini 2018 will be real, there has been an apparently never-ending wave of speculation surrounding it. These include everything from the addition of a separate processor for ‘Hey Siri’ commands to the integration of iOS apps through some unknown witchcraft.
Cut to the chase What is it? A new version of Apple’s compact MacWhen is it out? As early as March 2018?What will it cost? Hopefully around the price of previous models
As with other upcoming Apple products, we haven’t got a solid release date for the Mac mini 2018. Rumors have been thin on the ground as well, so we’re going to have to use a bit of speculation when it comes to the possible release date.
The previous Mac mini was released way back on October 16, 2014, so could we witness an October launch for the new Mac mini?
Apple’s WWDC 2018 event could be another chance for Apple to announce the new Mac mini. WWDC events are usually held in early June, and last year’s conference saw the reveal of the HomePod and a new iPad Pro 12.9 and iPad Pro 10.5.
If June 2018 feels too far away, then Apple may have something planned for around March, as it has revealed new products around that time in the past. We’ll keep an eye on any rumors and update this article as soon as we get a clearer idea of when the Mac mini 2018 will be released.
Again, we haven’t heard much about the potential price of the Mac mini 2018 just yet, but that’s to be expected, as pricing rumors usually begin to circulate closer to the release date.
But, could the price of previous Mac minis give us a clue to what the price of any new Mac minis would be?
The lowest spec Mac mini cost $499 (£399, around AU$650) when it launched in 2014, with the middle Mac mini costing cost $699 (£569, around AU$900) and the top-of-the range Mac mini came with a $999 (£569, around AU$1,300) price tag.
While we don’t know a lot about the Mac mini 2018 at the moment, we certainly know what we want to see from a refreshed Mac mini.
1. An attractive new designThere’s not much wrong with the current look of the Mac mini, but if we’re going to be seeing the first update in almost four years, it would be great if it got a nice new look as well. Thinner, smaller, and quieter. We’re not asking for much, are we?
An old rumor from early 2017 suggested that the top-end Mac mini ‘won’t be so mini anymore’ which led people to assume that more powerful components will be added, necessitating a larger design for better cooling.
However, this rumor is quite vague, so we’d urge caution when taking this completely at face value.
Of course, powerful components will mean more heat produced, so a redesigned Mac mini isn’t out of the question, but as Apple has shown with the iMac and iMac Pro, it’s a dab hand at putting powerful components into svelte devices and keep them cool.
2. A power boostOne of the things we'd most like to see from a Mac mini 2018 is an upgrade to its components, which would make it a formidable mini machine to compete with other small form factor PCs like the Asus VivoMini and Intel NUC, which have been upgraded to 7th- and 8th-generation Intel Core processors, respectively.
So, for starters, we would like to see a CPU newer than that of the current Mac mini’s 4th-generation chip. Renovating the silicon would make it possible to include Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C), DisplayPort 1.2 and 4K video, and would give the Mac mini 2018 a considerable power boost over previous models.
RAM-wise, the previous Mac mini came with 4GB, and while that could remain, we’d like to see a base 8GB of RAM, as with the MacBook Air.
2. Mouse and keyboard includedWhile the Mac mini has a reputation for being the most compact and economical Apple computer around, it’s also known for its lack of included (yet essential) accessories. The Magic Mouse 2 and Magic Keyboard can only be purchased separately from the Mac mini itself. That means you’ll have to shell out an additional cost for parts that are required to use it.
A recent patent filed by Apple suggests that the company is interested in bringing spill-free and crumb-resistant keyboards to its MacBooks. We would argue that this guard structure technology, designed to “keep contaminants from reaching the innards of the machine” would be a useful addition to the Mac mini as well.
3. 4K supportWouldn’t it be great if the Mac mini 2018 could also act as an alternative to the Apple TV? For that to happen, the Mac mini 2018 would need to be a capable 4K machine – something previous models were decidedly not.
Thankfully, as we mentioned earlier, if the new Mac mini is going to feature recent Intel processors, then the integrated graphics should give it enough graphical power to handle 4K.
Previous models of the Mac mini couldn't quite handle 4K content, and this was due to hardware limitations of the time, coupled with Apple's desire to keep the Mac mini as an entry-level device, price-wise.
However, in 2018 even budget processors come with integrated graphics that are powerful enough to render 4K interfaces and play ultra high definition content from Netflix and iTunes, so we want to see Apple make use of this technology in any new Mac mini that it produces.
4. For it to actually existWe can speculate all day about what the Mac Mini 2018 might look like, and what it’s capable of, but none of that matters if it doesn’t exist in the first place. It’s been a long time since we’ve seen an update to the Mac Mini, and Apple has a lot to gain from a market where they’re starting to see more competition than ever before.
If Apple can put out a Mac Mini that improves and innovates on its design, they might end up with one of the best multimedia PCs on the market. So, let’s just hope that Tim Cook’s stated support of the Mac mini means that the Cupertino behemoth has something up its sleeves.
These are the best Macs that 2018 has to offer so farGabe Carey has also contributed to this report
Google Fuchsia release date, news and rumors
In early October 2017 we expected to see Google announce a new operating system that has been floating around the internet rumor mill for almost two years: ‘Google Andromeda,’ a fusion of its Android and Chrome operating systems in a way that’s never been done before.
Unfortunately, that didn’t happen. Sure, there are Chromebooks like the Pixelbook that can run Android apps via the Google Play store, but Andromeda, referred internally as Fuchsia at Google, runs deeper than that.
We’re expecting Fuchsia to become Google’s singular, united platform for laptops, phones and tablets running its software.
Whether it’s running the full-fat version of Google Docs, fully leveraging Google Drive or finding your favorite app from the Google Play Store, you’ll be able to do it all from any Google Fuchsia-powered device. And, what’s really cool, you’ll be able to pick up from where you left off on every app easily from any other Fuchsia device.
For as excited as we are about Fuchsia, even with running early versions and the like, we’re still in the early days of Fuchsia – likely far out from seeing Google laptops and phones alike run on this OS. In the meantime, you can try it out for yourself if you have a spare bootable USB stick lying around.
Cut to the chase What is it? An Android-meets-Chrome, multi-device operating systemWhen is it out? An early form is available on the Google Pixelbook nowWhat will it cost? Likely nothing, as is with Android and Chrome
A Google Pixelbook running an early version of Fuchsia OS (Image Credit: Ars Technica)
What is Google Fuchsia?Again, Google Fuchsia is a hybrid OS that is still very much in development. The entirety of Fuchsia OS is comprised of two distinct but connected user interfaces (UI): a phone-centric one codenamed ‘Armadillo’ and a traditional desktop UI known as ‘Capybara’ internally, according to 9to5Google.
So far, more is known about the mobile version of Fuchsia than the laptop one, but ArsTechnica was recently able to get Fuchsia running on a Google Pixelbook in an awfully early state. Furthermore, 13-year-old indie developer Noah Cain has since created a working version of Fuchsia’s Capybara design, 9to5Google has more recently reported.
'Fuchsia is going to accomplish much of what Microsoft and Apple already have in Windows 10 and iOS-to-macOS Sierra Continuity, respectively, but in a very Google way.'
Dividing the OS up into two separate UI based on the hardware it’s being used with is a classically Microsoft-inspired move. Windows 10 already scales depending on whether it’s being used with a desktop computer, phone, tablet or game console. In fact, Windows 10’s only unifier is its kernel, the root code that controls the bulk of the operating system.
In the case of Fuchsia, that kernel is known as ‘Zircon’, and it’s designed to be consistently upgradeable in addition to being safe from applications accessing it constantly, adding an extra layer of security and eliminating situations in which apps are rendered incompatible with OS updates.
Whether it’s in the mobile or desktop orientation, Fuchsia is laden with Google’s Material design found all over its Android and Chrome OS products. Shadows are a big focus on the design aesthetic, using a new Vulkan-based graphics renderer known as ‘Escher’ to do the job. The result is an interface with more depth to its look than traditionally flat OS products.
Google Fuchsia as it appears on a smartphone device.
Fuchsia is also heavily focused on a cards-based interface, in which every app you open appears inside one of these cards – plus, you can place multiple apps into a single card. This orients the user around tasks at hand rather than apps. Those apps are expected to look the same across different devices because of a new cross-platform mobile app development framework, developed by Google, known as Flutter.
From there, the OS revolves quite a bit around Google Assistant more deeply accessing your apps and information to provide even more thorough actions and insights. Google has referred to these apps and pieces of information as ‘entities’, according to a GitHub developer page, and on Fuchsia they’re all accessible by Google Assistant.
Finally, Fuchsia wants to be the best cross-device OS to date. To achieve this, Fuchsia uses a new tool known as ‘Ledger’ by the GitHub community. Ledger, once you’re signed into a Google Account on a Fuchsia device, will automatically save your place in all installed apps across all Fuchsia devices.
All in all, Fuchsia is Google’s attempt to get the best of Chrome and Android into a single operating system that’s more efficient both while you’re using it and when you’re away – not to mention in between those states or between devices.
This is likely where Fuchsia will make its debut.
Google Fuchsia release dateSince August 2016, the Google Fuchsia release date has been rumored several times – only to turn out untrue. These rumors have generally cropped up before Google’s big Google IO developer event in California or, in the case of last October, when we know a big hardware release is imminent.
In February 2018, it was revealed that Google’s former head of Android platform security, Nick Kralevich, had left the Android team to “define security” over in the Fuchsia department. Describing it as a “new, experimental operating system,” Kralevich doesn’t hint at any specific launch window, however it does show where Google is choosing to put its most crucial resources.
This should help frame our expectations for when we should expect to see Fuchsia on shelf-ready devices: most likely not before 2019. However, that doesn’t mean that Google Fuchsia will be absent in 2018, as Google may decide to preview it this year in preparation for a mainstream release in 2019.
At any rate, keep it locked to this page as we draw closer to a possible release date and therefore might have some new information for you.
Is Fuchsia the end of Android as we know it?
What could Fuchsia mean for Android and Chrome – and Windows and macOS?From what we're hearing, Fuchsia seems to be Google's response to Microsoft and Apple's united platforms with one of its own. In turning Android into one of the two biggest smartphone platforms and later popularizing Chrome OS – and its extensible web-based productivity programs – in the classroom and workplace, Google itself has become a major player on all platforms.
Again, from the sound of it, Fuchsia is going to accomplish much of what Microsoft and Apple already have in Windows 10 and iOS-to-macOS Sierra Continuity, respectively, but in a very Google way. It's easy to expect access to Google's inimitable search and data-tracking at your fingertips – Google Assistant and ‘entities’, anyone? – which it would tout as better than Microsoft and Apple's, and an interface that changes based on the device from which it's accessed.
Will this eventually mean the end of Android and Chrome? In name, most likely, but their principles will almost certainly live on – there's too much solid foundation not to build on top of them. Just look at the Material design language found throughout these early builds of either version of Fuchsia.
The end result, likely to be seen in a preview form later this year and in purchasable devices in 2019, will be just one platform for Google to worry about. With Fuchsia, Google will be able to push new updates and features to all versions at once, simplifying support as well as user understanding.
With that, Google will become that much more formidable a foe to Microsoft and Apple, and that much appealing an option to Android and Chromebook users all over. Who knows, perhaps it will be enough to bring people over from the other side of Microsoft and Apple’s fences.
These are the best Chromebooks we’ve tested to dateGabe Carey has also contributed to this report
Surface Book 3: what we want to see
Microsoft surprised the world with its first-ever, honest-to-goodness 2-in-1 laptop in late 2015 with the Surface Book, but, now less than a year since its follow-up Surface Book 2, we’re just about salivating over the prospect of yet another sequel.
Just imagine, a Surface Book 3 with an even sharper display, more powerful hardware guts and the latest in connectivity – the perfect opponent for Apple’s evolving MacBook Pro lineup.
While we haven’t heard much of substance referencing a follow-up to the Surface Book 2, we can at least come up with a wish list. So, with that in mind, let’s take a closer look at what the Surface Book 3 might look like.
Cut to the chase What is it? The would-be third Surface Book 2-in-1 laptopWhen is it out? Likely between September and November 2019What will it cost? Likely as much as – if not more than – the current model
Microsoft released the current Surface Book 2 back in late 2017. So, if we follow the basic logic behind the firm’s release cadence of Surface products that aren’t Surface Pro, we shouldn’t expect to see a Surface Book 3 until late 2019.
Of course, we have no idea when we can expect the Surface Book sequel. All we have to go off of is a dodgy report from Christian Today, citing sources speaking to Gizmolead, reporting that the Surface Book 3 will release some time in October. So, basically nothing worthwhile.
We’d be surprised if the Surface Book 3 launched in 2018, but we’ve been wrong before. Until more concrete rumors and leaks show up, we’re expecting to see the follow-up in 2019, or even 2020.
However, we know less about the price of the upcoming Surface Book 3, because we have no solid information about the device right now. That said, we can look at the current pricing of Surface Book 2 models and hope the next one falls within the same general range.
Right now, thanks to a new lower-storage model, the 13.5 inch Surface Book 2 starts at $1,199 or £1,149, while the 15 inch version still sits at a $2,499 or £2,349 (AU$3,649) price of admission. If you ask us, that’s already enough scratch.
Still, let’s hope and pray that the would-be Surface Book 3 stays well within that price range, as we likely wouldn’t be able to afford much more.
Since the aforementioned Christian Today article claims that the Surface Book 3 will have an ‘Intel Skylake-E processor (i9),’ an old line of desktop CPUs, we can’t rely on it for concrete hardware information. So, all we can do is create a wish list for what we want to see improved within the Surface Book product.
Use the extra space accordingly
Whether it’s through an expanded keyboard with the number pad or top-firing speakers with deep bass chambers, Microsoft has to make better use of the space afforded it with the 15-inch Surface Book design. As of now, it’s simply wasted space waiting to be utilized.
Thunderbolt 3, please
For as flexible as the Surface connector is on today’s Surface Book 2, it's time for Microsoft to collectively move onto Thunderbolt 3 via USB-C. Not only does it offer the fastest throughput for file transfers, Thunderbolt 3 could also serve as a one plug hub for all displays and other peripherals you want to connect. If the Surface Book 3 is to truly compete, it needs to respect this growing standard for its target audience’s sake.
Better power management
One of the fatal flaws of the Surface Book 2 15-inch was it couldn't play games without draining its battery on top of pulling charge through its Surface Connector. While Microsoft might have told us it was designed creatives and not gaming, the same company was the one who gave it a built-in Xbox controller receiver. Whatever or whoever, the next iteration is made for, it should have improved power management as to not dip into its battery reserves for extra juice.
A 4K display would be nice
The current Surface Book 2 display comes in at 3,240 x 2,160 (260 ppi) at a 3:2 aspect ratio within the 15-inch model. It’s an absolutely fantastic screen, but with 4K media assets increasingly becoming the norm, surely digital creators would appreciate a screen that mirrors the sharpness at which they produce content.
All accessories included
For what it’s charging for current – and will charge for future – Surface Book products, Microsoft should include all of the essential accessories in the box. Yes, that includes the awesome Surface Dial alongside the Surface Pen in this case. It’s only fair for what is essentially a luxury item.
Best PC case 2018: top cases for your desktop computer
If you’re thinking about either buying or building one of the best gaming PCs, you might want to start thinking about picking up one of the best PC cases. Sure, a case isn’t as exciting as the best graphics cards, but all of those shiny and expensive components that you’re about to buy are of pristine quality, so why not match that with one of the best PC cases you can buy today?
We know that next to graphics cards or CPUs, the best PC cases can seem trivial or superfluous. However, they can be one of the largest contributing factors for future expansion. And when you add the thermal benefits the best PC cases can offer on top of that, you can optimize your computer’s performance in a major way.
We don’t have to tell you that heat is bad for PC hardware, but that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t keep it at the front of your mind when you’re building your PC. The best PC cases will reduce the amount of heat your PC components are exposed to – which will make them last longer. At the end of the day, a top PC case is of utmost importance.
One of the first things you’ll notice is that the market for the best PC cases is absolutely saturated with brand names and knockoffs. It’s truly stressful for anyone unfamiliar with PC hardware to navigate. Fortunately, you can trust TechRadar to have your back, as we’ve made a list of the best PC cases we’ve had the chance to use over the last year, each striking a golden balance between price, performance and utility. We tested them ourselves, so you can be confident that the best PC case for your needs is here on this list.
The Cooler Master Cosmos C700P looks at portability and simply scoffs. This 22kg (or 48.5 lbs) behemoth isn’t exactly the most lightweight case on the block. Don’t take the lack of portability to mean that the Cosmos C700P isn’t a great case, it is, but it just means that, if you want to carry it around, you’ll have to take advantage of the upper rails. Still, despite its thickness, the C700P is flexible and beautiful, thanks to Cooler Master’s decision to implement full RGB lighting and support for six different system orientations.
There are very few PC cases that look anything like Fractal Design’s Meshify-C. It’s even rare to see a chassis that even vaguely resembles it.. Given that the entire front of the case is made of mesh material sectioned off into many polygonal shapes, the Meshify-C has a unique aesthetic, and it does so without compromising on function. With two fans pre-installed, interior cooling is (forgive us) a breeze, even if the Meshify-C is held back by a number of obstacles.
Nanoxia Deep Silence 4, as it’s name suggests, was crafted with the sole purpose of being quiet as a mouse. This silence-focused case is a well-balanced Micro ATX case that’s affordably priced and even accommodates some of the biggest, most powerful graphics cards with its spacious interior. The fact that you’ll rarely hear it go above 30 decibels is just icing on the very taciturn cake.
This product is only available in the US and UK at the time of this writing. Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the Phanteks Evolv Shift X.
Mini-ITX is ever so slowly getting closer and closer to finally toppling the now seemingly ancient Micro-ATX form factor, so, it only makes sense that this hot form factor has made its way into NZXT’s new H series case lineup. And unbelievably enough, NZXT has managed to incorporate a lot of the same features as its Micro ATX and mid-tower equivalents, with mesmerising, built-in and Smart Device-controlled RGB lighting and an adaptive noise sensor that sees improvement only by way of the Grid+ V3 fan controller.
When you first look at it, the Phanteks Evolv Shift X appears more like a sound bar than a PC case, but this helps it vanish into any living area or studio setup. It’s flexible to the point that it looks natural placed under a TV just as it does atop a desk, next to an equally high-end monitor. It may only be compatible with Mini-ITX mobos, which seems crazy given its size but the Phanteks Evolv Shift X offers tons of space for components and liquid-cooled loops. If this case is a little too large for your preference, there’s also the more manageable and smaller Phanteks Evolv Shift.
Fractal Design has scored a second entry on this list, and they deserve it. The Define R5 is yet another mid-tower case exhibiting a beautiful style. The metallic and blue LED-lit face of the case is simple, yet elegant, and is accompanied by noise dampening materials throughout its interior. In spite of the detachable ModuVent panels and drive trays not being tool-lessly accessible, the Fractal Design Define R5 is otherwise painless to build a computer inside of. Not only that, but it’s not as expensive as you would expect from a PC case with such a pretentious name either.
Cooler Master has made a name for itself for, well, cooling – and the Cooler Master H500P Mesh is further evidence of just how cool they are. The H500P has plenty of space for airflow, even accommodating up to 360mm radiators on the top and front for when you really want to take your cooling to the next level. Add on top of that the RGB lighting and tempered glass side panel and you have the potential to build something beautiful with this case. You should do it.
Even if you’re trying to avoid spending a fortune on your build, it’s probably not a great idea to not settle for the absolute cheapest PC case you can find. For the most part, cheap cases don’t really incorporate proper ventilation and airflow, not to mention you’ll end up buying your own fans and cable management supplies. The Corsair Carbide Spec-04, on the other hand, shows up even some of the more expensive cases. It does so with rubberized feet, an included LED fan and tons of room to spare for additional fans and components.
This case is for everyone who loves Razer. While Razer’s PC manufacturing has been limited to the Razer Blade (which we love), it doesn’t manufacture its own desktop PCs. However, Razer has partnered with Antec to add its signature green-infused flare to the Antec Cube, a small form-factor chassis that supports Mini-ITX motherboards and is, well, a cube. Complete with a deceptively high amount of space for future expansion, the Antec Cube is also compact enough to travel with.
While you’re at it, we've found the best gaming mouse you can buyNot into gaming? The best mouse of 2017 is multi-purpose
AMD vs Intel: which chipmaker does processors better?
Now that both Coffee Lake and AMD Ryzen have been out for the while, the hype has finally died down a bit – it’s time to dive into that perennial deathmatch: AMD vs Intel.
AMD released its Ryzen processors about a year ago now, and as the AMD Ryzen 2nd Generation CPUs get ready for their likely release on April 19, Intel and AMD are battling it out for CPU supremacy. But, in the perennial battle of AMD vs Intel is there a clear winner? Well, let’s find out.
Essentially the brain of your PC, the best processors are behind everything your computer does, from complex and intense tasks like rendering video or playing games, to more elementary, simple tasks like simply powering on or launching your web browser. It’s due to the critical importance of your CPU that it’s essential to make sure that the manufacturer you’re buying from actually serves your own needs. You don’t want to pay for features you’re not going to use just as much as you don’t want a CPU that’s not going to have the features you need.
If you’ve been following this continuing war between AMD and Intel as faithfully as we have over the last few years, you probably already know that Intel and AMD focus their efforts on different segments of the CPU market. Intel focuses almost entirely on high clock speeds and hyper-threading while keeping core counts low. AMD, however, flips that around and focuses on having as many CPU cores as possible while maintaining more modest clock speeds.
It shouldn’t surprise you then, that AMD had a great year in 2017 with its Ryzen processors, particularly with the high-end Threadripper CPUs that have been especially popular with gamers. And it doesn’t look like AMD is going to be slowing down any time soon as we’re starting to see leaks show up for their anticipated Ryzen 2nd Generation CPUs – they even plan to support Threadripper until at least 2020.
Even in the shadow of the devastating Meltdown and Spectre exploits in Intel’s CPUs, Intel is still enjoying huge growth in every category outside of desktop processors – which just goes to show how much of an impact AMD Ryzen CPUs have had on the market.
Luckily, Intel has released fixes for its CPUs affected by the infamous Spectre and Meltdown exploits, from Broadwell to Coffee Lake, with only Sandy Bridge and Ivy Bridge still awaiting fixes.
Unfortunately, AMD now has its own exploits to deal with, as Israeli security firm CTS labs has released a white paper to the press detailing vulnerabilities in AMD’s current CPUs. However, AMD has followed this up by promising that it will fix these issues as soon as possible.
However, it isn’t out of the realm of possibilities to say that AMD and Intel can coexist while catering to wholly different audiences, with some room for direct competition in the middle. But, if you’re not quite sure where your loyalties lie just yet, continue to the next slide for a constantly updated look at the AMD vs Intel battle.
Gary Marshall originally contributed to this article
For bargain shoppers on the prowl for the next hottest deal, it used to be assumed that AMD’s processors were cheaper, but that was only because the Red Team did its best work at the entry level.
Now that Ryzen processors have proven AMD’s worth on the high-end, the tide has ostensibly turned. Now Intel reigns supreme in the budget CPU space, with its $64 (about £46, AU$82) MSRP Pentium G4560 offering far better performance than AMD’s $110 (about £80, AU$140) MSRP A12-9800.
Much of this is due to the Advanced Micro Device company’s reluctance to move beyond simply iterating on its antiquated Bulldozer architecture and onto adopting the current-generation ‘Zen’ standard it’s already introduced with pricier CPUs.
Still, on the low end, Intel and AMD processors typically retail at about the same price. It’s once you hit that exorbitant $200 (around £142, AU$252) mark where things get trickier. High-end Intel chips now range from 4 up to 18 cores, while AMD chips can now be found with up to 16 cores.
While it was long-rumored that AMD’s Ryzen chips would offer cutting-edge performance at a lower price, benchmarks have demonstrated that Intel is remaining strongly competitive.
If you can get your hands on one, the Core i7-8700K is $359 (about £260, AU$420) MSRP, while the still less-capable Ryzen 7 1800X is priced at $299 (about £215, AU$380) MSRP.
With that in mind, CPU pricing fluctuates constantly. Wait a few months, and you'll soon discover that the Ryzen 5 1600X you were eyeing has dropped well below market value. However, we wouldn’t blame you if you can’t wait and bought one right now.
If you want the best-of-the-best performance with little regard for price, then turn your head towards Intel.
Not only does the Santa Clara chipmaker rank consistently (albeit only slightly) better in CPU benchmarks, but Intel's processors draw less heat as well, blessing them with lower TDP (thermal design point) ratings – and thus power consumption – across the board.
Much of this is owed to Intel's implementation of hyper-threading, which has been incorporated in its CPUs since 2002. Hyper-threading keeps existing cores active rather than letting any of them remain unproductive.
Although AMD’s simultaneous multithreading (SMT) featured in Ryzen is generally similar to hyper-threading, Intel remains on top when it comes to sheer clock speeds. AMD, on the other hand, has been keen on adding more cores to its chips as opposed to boosting frequencies.
Unfortunately, software has to be written with this multi-core advantage in mind, which explains why Intel maintains a steady lead in real-world applications.
Luckily, despite AMD’s reputation for overheating processors, the newer Ryzen chips have lower TDP (thermal design point) ratings than the AMD FX CPUs and APUs of the past. As long as you have a decent cooler, you shouldn’t have to fret about your Ryzen-laden PC ever catching fire.
This looks to remain the case on the mobile (laptops) front as well, wherein AMD has only recently brought forth its contributions. The flagship Ryzen 7 2700U (quad-core, 2.2GHz – 3.8GHz) will be most compared to the Intel Core i7-8550U (quad-core, 1.8GHz – 4.0GHz) and seems promising based on those numbers alone.
And, now that we’ve seen some leaked reviews of the Ryzen 7 2700X, AMD might become more compelling when it comes to raw performance. But probably not enough to dethrone Intel’s real-world dominance.
With AMD’s RX Vega GL and GH graphics helping power Intel’s ‘H-series’ laptop and NUC chips, the AMD vs Intel rivalry is coming to a standstill. At this point in time, we’re seeing the two companies collaborate as we’ve never seen them do before. What’s more, they’re both benefiting from the partnership.
It’s unclear how long the friendliness will last, however. Because AMD recently launched its Ryzen 3 2200G and Ryzen 5 2400G APUs, you can now get ‘discrete-class’ graphics from an AMD chip alone, an effort that will inevitably translate to an increased volume of Ryzen-based laptops as well.
If you're building a gaming PC, truthfully you should be using a discrete graphics card, or GPU (graphics processing unit), rather than relying on a CPU’s integrated graphics to run games as demanding as Middle Earth: Shadow of War.
Still, it’s possible to run less graphically intense games on an integrated GPU if your processor has one. In this area, AMD is the clear winner, thanks to the release of the Ryzen 5 2400G that packs powerful discrete Vega graphics that outperforms Intel’s onboard graphic technology by leaps and bounds.
Yet, as we mentioned before, Intel has officially started shipping its high-end H-series mobile CPU chips with AMD graphics on board. In turn, this means that hardier laptops powered by Intel can now be thinner and their accompanying silicon footprints will be over 50% smaller, according to Intel client computing group vice president Christopher Walker.
All of this is accomplished using Embedded Multi-Die Interconnect Bridge (EMIB) technology, along with a newly contrived framework that enables power sharing between Intel’s first-party processors and third-party graphics chips with dedicated graphics memory. Even so, it’s too early to tell whether this is a better solution than the purebred AMD notebooks slated for the end of this year.
Still, if all you're looking to do is play League of Legends at modest settings or relive your childhood with a hard drive full of emulators (it's okay, we won't tell), the latest Intel Kaby Lake, Coffee Lake or AMD A-Series APU processors for desktops will likely fare just as well as any forthcoming portable graphics solution.
On the high end, such as in cases where you'll be pairing your CPU with a powerful AMD or Nvidia GPU, Intel’s processors are typically better for gaming due to their higher base and boost clock speeds. At the same time, though, AMD provides better CPUs for multi-tasking as a result of their higher core and thread counts.
While there is no clear winner in the graphics department, survey says AMD is the better option for integrated graphics, while hardcore gamers who don’t mind shelling out the extra cash for a GPU will find that Intel is better for gaming alone. Meanwhile, AMD is superior for carrying out numerous tasks at once.
When you buy a new computer or even just a CPU by itself, it's typically locked at a specific clock speed as indicated on the box. Some processors ship unlocked, allowing for higher clock speeds than recommended by the manufacturer, giving users more control over how they use their components (though, it does require you know how to overclock).
AMD is normally more generous than Intel in this regard. With an AMD system, you can expect overclocking capabilities from even the $129 (about £110, AU$172) Ryzen 3 1300X. Meanwhile, you can only overclock an Intel processor if it's graced with the “K” series stamp of approval. Then again, the cheapest of these is the $149 (£133, AU$195) Intel Core i3-7350K.
Both companies will void your warranty if you brick your processor as the result of overclocking, though, so it’s important to watch out for that. Excessive amounts of heat can be generated if you’re not careful, thereby neutralizing the CPU as a result. With that in mind, you’ll be missing out on a few hundred stock megahertz if you skip out on one of the K models.
Intel’s more extravagant K-stamped chips are pretty impressive, too. The i7-8700K, for instance, is capable of maintaining a 4.7GHz turbo frequency in comparison to the 4.2GHz boost frequency of the Ryzen 7 1800X. If you’ve access to liquid nitrogen cooling, you may even be able to reach upwards of 6.1GHz using Intel’s monstrous, 18-core i9-7980XE.
In the end, the biggest problem with AMD’s desktop processors is the lack of compatibility with other components. Specifically, motherboard (mobo) and cooler options are limited as a result of the differing sockets between AMD and Intel chips.
While a lot of CPU coolers demand that you special order an AM4 bracket to be used with Ryzen, only a handful of the best motherboards are compatible with the AM4 chipset. In that regard, Intel parts are slightly more commonplace and are often accompanied by lower starting costs, too, as a result of the wide variety of kit to choose from.
That said, AMD's chips make a little more sense from a hardware design perspective. With an AMD motherboard, rather than having metal connector pins on the CPU socket, you'll notice those pins are instead on the underside of the CPU itself. In turn, the mobo is less likely to malfunction due to its own faulty pins.
As for availability, four months after the release date of Intel’s 8th-generation processors, both Intel Coffee Lake and AMD Ryzen processors are widely purchasable from major retailers. Whereas there’s a shortage on graphics cards due to the cryptocurrency surge, most CPUs can be found at or below their sticker price.
That includes everything from the Intel Core i7-8700K to the freshly released AMD Ryzen 3 2200G and Ryzen 5 2400G. Sadly, as the result of the Meltdown and Spectre vulnerabilities affecting just about every processor on the market right now, it would be a safe bet to hold off for Intel’s Cannonlake and AMD’s Zen 2 processors slated for late 2018.
The best motherboard 2018: the top Intel and AMD motherboards we've seen
Sure, the best motherboards aren’t as exciting to talk about as the best graphics cards or the best processors, but if there’s one component that’s genuinely more important than any other – it’s the motherboard. The best motherboards will not only serve as the backbone of your entire system, but they also feature the latest tech and features behind all of the best PCs. These features will help you realize what your computer is capable of by fully utilizing your hardware, and even giving you more headroom for overclocking your CPU.
However, because of the vital importance the best motherboards carry, it's absolutely necessary to ensure you get one that will last. If you try to cut corners and pick up an unreliable motherboard it may eventually fail, and when that happens you’ll have to deal with the literal nightmare of having to replace it. To replace a malfunctioning motherboard, you’ll have to pull your entire PC apart and rebuild it from scratch – it’s not like upgrading to the best graphics card. At the end of the day, you should do yourself a favor and get one of the best motherboards today, so you won’t have to replace it tomorrow.
That’s why we created this list to help you find the best motherboard for your needs in 2018. Every single motherboard here has been tested by the TechRadar editorial staff and has earned our seal of approval. Not only will the motherboards on this list do everything you need them to do and more, they are built to last. And, considering how many different kinds of motherboards are out there, it’s important to know exactly what to look for.
If money isn’t an issue, the Z370 Aorus Gaming 7 from Gigabyte literally shines. Packed with more RGB lighting than you can shake a stick at, its the best way to celebrate Intel’s 8th-generation Coffee Lake Processors in an ATX tower case. It’s also an overclocking champion – its only limits are the restraints of your other components. You can reasonably expect upwards of 5GHz consistently with this motherboard. We’re not joking.
You don't need to break the bank to get your computer off on the right footing. This board from MSI is a great, inexpensive solution. It's limited in options for future expansions, so it's ideal for a one-and-done build. Since it's a gaming motherboard it has support for things like "Mystic Light Sync," which lets you synchronize all your RGB lighting with a single click.
This Micro ATX motherboard from ASRock packs a lot of features onto a smaller form factor. You lose out on the possibility of extra PCIe slots, but there are 4 memory slots to upgrade to a maximum 64GB DDR4 RAM. It also has support for on-board graphics, so if you're building a computer piecemeal, you can still use it before buying a dedicated graphics card.
The best Intel Mini-ITX motherboard on our list kicks off our hunt for only the best Z370 mobos on the market. That’s the chipset used by the chip maker’s 8th-generation Coffee Lake processors, which includes everything from the Core i7-8700K all the way down to the Core i3-8100. This ROG Strix Z370-I Gaming, while lacking support for Nvidia SLI and AMD Crossfire multi-GPU, does ship Wi-Fi ready with an included Asus 2 x 2 Wi-Fi adaptor.
When it comes to AMD motherboards, the Gaming Pro Carbon from MSI does not mess around in the slightest. Not only is it packed with lots of features to make it extra appealing for AMD gaming PC builds, it has awesome Mystic Light RGB settings that can be adjusted via smartphone app. Besides looking great, it has plenty of room for expansion and support for dual graphics cards.
Budget builds are almost always based around AMD hardware. Not because AMD is "budget," but because it's just cheaper than Intel and Nvidia. Start the build off on the right, low-cost foot with this motherboard from ASUS. It has everything you need to pull off a solid computer build, without having to break the bank. It lacks visual bells and whistles, but hey, it's a budget solution.
If you want to get where you need to go, and you don't care about things like fancy RGB lighting or eye-catching, futuristic-looking heat dissipators, the AB350M Pro4 is the motherboard for you. In spite of its plain-Jane looks and no-frills aesthetic, this is a solid motherboard with plenty of room to expand and grow with your computer needs.
Small and powerful, this ASRock motherboard is a beast, supporting overclocked memory speeds up to 3,466MHz for CPUs that support it. If that wasn't enough to get your motor running, it also supports 4K resolutions and full Blu-ray support through its HDMI ports. Yes, ports: it has two, as well as on-board video support.
The X-series processors are here and they're spectacular, so if you want to take advantage of all they have to offer, you need an X-series motherboard. This ASRock X299 is an excellent choice, with support for overclocked memory speeds up to 4400MHz(!!!) and 8 different slots for memory modules. It also supports up to 128GB of RAM, so with an X-series processor and a good graphics card (or 3…) this thing will absolutely tear apart anything you throw at it.
If you're the type of builder with deep pockets and an "everything and the kitchen sink" build mentality, this Ryzen Threadripper board is definitely for you. It supports 4-way SLI or Crossfire configurations, so you can just empty your bank account in the name of PC glory. All that graphical power is supported by as much as 128GB DDR4 memory, and there's even a flashy RBG lighting scheme to really drive home the point.
Coming to termsIf you’re unfamiliar about what makes the best motherboards, well, the best, we would like to include a bit of a primer for anyone who might not know what to look for. Motherboards are available in a range of different form factors, most commonly ATX and micro ATX. However there are plenty of more esoteric form factors including the recent mini ITX. Don’t worry though, because most of the time PC cases will support one or both of these form factors.
Moreover, in our rundown of the best motherboards, we detailed the socket type that each mobo adheres to. For those not in the know, the socket is the part on the motherboard that the CPU locks into. Typically, newer Intel processors use either LGA 1151 or 2066 while the latest AMD Ryzen architecture is designed for the AM4 chipset.
Next up, these are the best gaming monitors you can buy this year
Surface Laptop 2: what we want to see
The original Surface Laptop might not have even had its first birthday yet, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t get excited for the next one, does it?
In this article, we’d like to set out our expectations for what the Surface Laptop 2 – or the Surface Laptop 2018, whichever Microsoft goes with – will look like. Regardless of how much we adore the current iteration, there’s still plenty of room for improvement.
And now that the Spring Creators Update, or Redstone 4 is likely arriving on April 10, which includes the improved Windows 10 S mode – we could start seeing information about the Surface Laptop 2 very soon.
Obviously we can also speculate a little about the key details, like the possible price, release date and features – but most importantly come up with a wish list. Regardless, bookmark this page and stay tuned for when new, solide information comes in, as we’ll keep this article up to date.
Cut to the chase What is it? The would-be second Surface LaptopWhen is it out? June 2018 at the earliestWhat will it cost? Likely as much as – if not more than – the current model
Unfortunately, we know next to nothing regarding when we’ll see the next Surface Laptop from Microsoft. So, that leaves us with the release of last year to base any speculation upon.
The first Surface Laptop was launched on June 15 2017 in the US. Given how hardware makers like Microsoft tend to annualize their releases, our best guess as to when we’ll see a Surface Laptop 2 in 2018 would be in June, especially if Microsoft continues to push it as a back-to-school laptop.
Granted, Microsoft hasn’t been awfully consistent with the release timings of its Surface Pro or Surface Book products. So, perhaps it’s just safer to expect the Surface Laptop 2 to release in time for the back-to-school sales in the US.
Again, there has been little to no information regarding the Surface Laptop 2 price. So, we only have the current model’s pricing to go off of.
With that, we know that Surface Laptop today starts at $799 (around £560, AU$1,000), a new configuration featuring a lower-power Intel Core m3 processor. The original starting model, meanwhile, starts at $999 (around £705, AU$1,250).
So, if we are to see a Surface Laptop 2 in 2018, it’s tough to expect Microsoft to deviate far – if at all – from this price in either direction.
Unsurprisingly, we know nothing with any amount of concrete certainty about what kind of hardware will be inside the would-be Surface Laptop 2. But, again, we have the current models as a baseline for our best guesses.
It’s safe to assume that, if Microsoft goes the Intel route once again, 8th-generation Kaby Lake processors would be a given. Whether that’s straight Core-series processors or the newest models with AMD Vega graphics embedded is up to Microsoft to decide.
Otherwise, we wouldn’t be surprised to see the existing basic RAM and storage configurations to remain the same, as memory and storage standards haven’t drastically changed since last year.
With such little known about a would-be Surface Laptop 2 for 2018, that leaves us plenty of room to develop a wish list of sorts for the product. So, here are the major upgrades we want to see from a Surface Laptop sequel:
More (or better) ports, please
Frankly, it’s about time for Microsoft to adopt USB-C 3.1 or Thunderbolt 3. The Surface Connect port is fine and allows for much of the same functionality as either, but it’s not quite the same. We deserve a bit more freedom to third-party high-speed accessories for the price of entry – just kill the mini DisplayPort and slap a USB-C port of some sort there?
LTE connectivity
Now that the Surface Pro LTE is on the horizon, we would love to see Microsoft’s other lightweight workhorse get nigh-universal connectivity. Whether that comes through an adaptation of the Surface Pro’s implementation, Intel’s new dedicated 5G modem or, say, a Windows 10 S on ARM implementation with Qualcomm, either would make the device that much more tempting.
Fast charging
It’s about time for this feature to become an expected standard on laptops. Fast charging techniques certainly have become an expected feature of high-end smartphones, so why not laptops? Such a move would only further solidify the Surface Laptop’s portability chops.
More colors
One of the Surface Laptop’s most attractive features is its propensity for color, with platinum, burgundy, graphite gold and cobalt blue options. Microsoft should absolutely blow this out of the water, as it very well could become the company’s iMac G3 moment.
Nvidia Turing release date, news, and rumors
Will the real next-generation Nvidia graphics card architecture please stand up? Like, seriously.
Right now there are three, count ‘em, three architectures competing to be the Geforce GTX 11 series of GPUs between Turing, Volta and Ampere. However, right now we’re betting on Turing being the next line of consumer-ready graphics cards to replace the current Pascal-based GeForce GTX 10 series GPUs. We had a sliver of hope that Nvidia would give us some insight as to when it would release the GeForce 11 series at the GPU Technology Conference, but sadly, it did not.
In keeping with previous generational leaps – such as Maxwell to Pascal – we’re expecting the Nvidia GeForce GTX 11 series graphics cards to push efficiency, and possibly PC gaming as a whole into the realm of true 4K, 60-frames-per-second gaming powered by a single GPU.
Based on the latest reports from Tom’s Hardware, which cited ‘multiple independent sources’ in the industry, we won’t see Nvidia’s next-generation graphics card release until July or later this year. Word on the Internet streets suggests that mass production of new GeForce cards won’t begin until mid-June, so an earlier launch date seems unlikely.
If these rumors are true, the closest and biggest venue for Nvidia to make its big announcement would be Gamescom in August. That said, we haven’t heard any more corroborating reports to suggest Tom’s Hardware’s information is correct.
Earlier reports from Tweaktown and Reuters suggested a Nvidia Turing announcement at the Game Developer’s Conference or GTC 2018. Following that, cards were expected to be available as soon as April or May.
Although that timing would make sense, given the release date of the current line of Pascal cards in May 2016, as the year goes on it's looking more unlikely. And, now that GTC has come and gone with no mention of the next line of GeForce GPUs, it might be a while before Nvidia unveils its next line of GPUs.
Given the current state of GPU prices in a cryptocurrency-crazed world, we can’t but help to predict higher prices for graphics cards in the near future. Especially given that the Pascal graphics cards came at a slightly higher premium over the last-generation Maxwell cards they replaced.
With that all in mind, we wouldn’t be surprised to see the price of Turing GPUs take a slight uptick over these following Founders Cards that are currently available:
Nvidia Titan Xp - $1,199 (£1,099, AU$1,950)Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 Ti - $699 (£679, AU$1099)Nvdia GTX 1080 - $599 (£600, AU$925)Nvidia TX 1070 Ti - $449 (£419, AU$759)Nvidia GTX 1070 - $379 (£379, AU$699)Nvidia GTX 1060 - $199 (£279, AU$429)
Given that the firm has already introduced its new 12-nanometer manufacturing process with Nvidia Volta, we fully expect that it will trickle down to the company’s likely consumer-facing Turing GPU line. Beyond that, though, there aren’t too many confirmed details or conclusions we can make about the specs surrounding Nvidia’s next line of graphics cards.
For one thing, reports are still debating whether the successor to the Nvidia GTX 1080 will be given a GTX 1180 or GTX 2080 model naming convention. Then there’s the question of whether Turing will employ GDDR6 video memory or HBM2, as seen on the Nvidia Titan V.
For now, we’ll have to sit and wait for more concrete leaks and rumors before we can begin to even speculate as to how well-equipped Nvidia Turing graphics cards will be.
Whatever the case, we fully expect Nvidia to deliver with new GPU technology that pushes the envelope for PC gaming as it always has.
Meanwhile, this the latest in AMD Vega
AMD Ryzen 2nd Generation release date, news and features: everything you need to know
For quite a long time, Intel has been on top of the processor game, as AMD worked endlessly to try and keep up – while Intel kept raising prices. However, now that Ryzen has been on the market for almost a year now, that’s all changed. AMD’s 14nm CPUs launched in late 2016 and came out to the public in mid 2017, offering high core counts and greater multi-thread performance – while still maintaining AMD’s famously low prices. AMD delivered.
In 2017, AMD came out with hit after hit, starting with the Ryzen 7 1800X, which was a stunning victory lap, as AMD brought new life into the stagnating processor market, putting Intel on its toes and bringing back competition in a major way. As time went on, were were even more impressed by the Ryzen 5 1600X for its unparalleled price-to-performance ratio, and were also amazed by the cheap Ryzen 3 1300X. Later, AMD released the high-end Ryzen Threadripper 1950X, bring core counts into the high teens at a price that made Intel all but cry.
Now, we’ve seen a leaked review on the Ryzen 7 2700X that’s really getting us pumped to get our hands on these next generation CPUs.
Ryzen saw AMD scoring big pretty much across the board, and has seen record sales as a result. Wo what's next? Well, we’ve already started to see leaks for AMD Ryzen 2nd Generation CPUs. AMD has already shared some of its plans for this new generation, so if you’re in the market for a PC upgrade this year and want something with enough power to play the best PC games, create content and more, here’s a look at what’s coming very soon.
Cut to the chase What is it? AMD's upgraded, budget-friendly processor chipsWhen is it out? The first chips should launch in April 2018What will it cost? TBD
You won’t have to wait much longer to get your hands on the new AMD chips. The first generation Ryzen CPUs started shipping in March 2017 and were rolling out regularly throughout 2017 and early 2018. And now, thanks to some preorder leaks, we might see Ryzen 2nd Generation chips launch on April 19.
The company's official timeline, unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show in January, shows the first Ryzen 2nd Generation CPUs launching in the second quarter of the year, which a press release narrowed down to April 2018. That'll be for the consumer-level chips, which provide impressive performance for sometimes-startling prices compared to their Intel counterparts.
Beyond those chips, the timeline points to releases for both the 2nd Generation Ryzen Pro and Ryzen Threadripper chips during the second half of the year. Ryzen Pro chips are designed for business and IT usage, with up to 8 cores and 16 threads, while the aforementioned Ryzen Threadripper is the big daddy of AMD's offerings with 16 cores for die-hard gamers. Forbes reports that AMD plans to release a similar number of Ryzen 2nd Generation chips as last year.
Those are all desktop chips, mind you – AMD's official 2nd Generation rollout timeline doesn't include laptop versions on the 2018 calendar. It does show first-generation Ryzen 3 mobile chips out during the first quarter of the year, with Ryzen Pro following in Q2.
While AMD announced its Ryzen 2nd Generation plans, we unfortunately don't have any details on pricing at this time. However, this is where AMD made such a big splash with the first Ryzen models. Granted, delivering more affordable CPUs has always been AMD's edge, but for the first time in years, the cheaper Ryzen chips could honestly hang with, if not surpass, Intel's offerings.
Given that, we would be surprised to see AMD continue its course with the 2nd Generation models. It's imperative that they deliver affordable, high-performance CPUs, so ideally we would see prices that aren't too far off from what AMD asked for the last time around.
Last year, the quad-core Ryzen 3 1300X debuted at $129 (£112, AU$169), while Intel's Core i3 7350K went for $149 (£169, AU$299). Bump up to the hexa-core Ryzen 5 1600X, and we saw it offered for $249 (£249, AU$359) – compare that to the quad-core Intel Core i5-7600K at $239 (£219, AU$339), although you lose a couple of cores in the process.
We saw the biggest price difference with the Ryzen 7 1800X, which at $499 (£500, around AU$650) was nearly half the price of Intel's Core i7-5960X/6900K. Of course, this lead to Intel introducing a more affordable Intel Core i7-8700K and Intel Core i7-7820X. Meanwhile, the AMD Threadripper 1950X came in at $999 (£999, AU$1,439) and delivered even stronger performance than Intel's like-priced Core i9-7900X.
Of course, AMD recently dropped its Ryzen prices across the board alongside the 2nd Generation announcement, keeping things competitive with Intel as the two companies wage war for your CPU-buying dollars.
AMD Ryzen 2nd Generation specsAt this point, we only have a few official details when it comes to exactly what kind of performance boost we'll see from the Ryzen 2nd Generation chips. They're built using a new 12-nanometer process, which will cram in even more transistors and thus provide more raw speed along the way.
According to ExtremeTech, AMD chief technology officer Mark Papermaster claims that the 12nm process results in an approximately 10% performance increase over the original Ryzen's 14nm process, "with additional opportunities to optimize performance per watt."
We could also see Ryzen 2nd Generation CPUs that will do away with the need for GPUs for anyone playing older games or eSports titles that focus on speed rather than sheer graphical output. If the first set of Ryzen APUs – including the Ryzen 5 2400G and Ryzen 3 2200G – are any indication, the company's 'discrete class' Vega graphics pack an incredible punch.
AMD says that the Ryzen 2nd Generation chips will be the smallest and fastest desktop processors to date – lofty promises, but ones that are sure to excite PC enthusiasts and users of all stripes. Ryzen 2nd Generation chips will deliver higher clock speeds and introduce the enhanced Precision Boost 2 technology to boost performance during high-drain scenarios.
Recent leaks about the AMD Ryzen 7 2700X suggest we'll see a 300MHz boost over its Ryzen 1700X predecessor. The alleged spec sheet reveals a CPU that clocks up to 3.7GHz and boosts up to 4.1GHz – plus XFR 2.0 taking overclocks farther to 4.2GHz.
And, if a recently leaked review is to be believed, the Ryzen 7 2700X performs up to 14% better in synthetic benchmarks, and, less impressively, up to 4% faster in gaming performance.
All the while, the AMD Ryzen 7 2700X is said to retain its current 8-core and 16-thread count. If the rumors are true, this could mean the end of Intel's higher clock-speed advantage.
AMD has a very technical primer on Precision Boost 2 from its Ryzen Mobile Processor with Radeon Vega Graphics, in case you want to dig into the specs.
We've seen some SenseMi improvements in AMD's recent Ryzen-based desktop APUs, so it stands to reason that we'll see similar performance and efficiency increases in the Ryzen 2nd Generation line. That could include optimized power usage through Pure Power smart sensors and improved overclocking potential from Extended Frequency Range 2.
And there's some good news for prospective upgraders: unlike Intel, AMD will keep the same AM4 socket as the last Ryzen chips, so you won't need to buy a new motherboard to slot one of these CPUs into your machine. There will also be an enhanced X470 chipset that's optimized for Ryzen 2nd Generation and claims lowered power consumption, as well.
Note that AMD is calling the heart of the Ryzen 2nd Generation a Zen+ core, rather than the Zen 2. What's the difference? Well, Zen 2 will be an entirely new architecture built on a 7nm process, which – as you can imagine – could provide a world of difference when it comes to performance boost.
AMD's roadmap shows the Zen 2 and Zen 3 (listed at "7nm+") cores coming somewhere between the release of the Zen+ and the year 2020, so that's more likely to appear in 2019.
Zen 2 design is reportedly complete at this point, and it "improves on Zen in multiple dimensions" according to AMD. And the Zen 3 is "on track," as well. AMD could be primed to shake up the CPU industry all over again with the Zen 2, but that's not what we'll see this year: Zen+ is what's powering the Ryzen 2nd Gen chips.
Even so, there's plenty of reason to get excited for the Ryzen 2nd Generation CPUs, especially if you are (or will be) in the market for a new or upgraded PC in 2018. Now that Intel is on the defensive, though, we'll see whether AMD is able to repeat its surprising feat from last year.
Nvidia Volta release date, news, and features
When it comes to PC graphics cards, Nvidia's varied selection of powerful GPUs is unmatched. From the wickedly powerful, 4K graphics-pumping GeForce GTX 1080 Ti to the entry-level GTX 1050 – and everything in between – Nvidia remains the gold standard.
However, gamers are constantly demanding new levels of graphical fidelity and tech companies and researchers both require greater GPU computation and AI abilities, so that standard continues to grow and grow. And that’s why Nvidia is slaving away developing its new generation of GPU architecture: Nvidia Volta.
Nvidia did release two Volta cards in 2017, but they were aimed at scientists and professional artists. However, these cards are insanely expensive, as they’re not really meant for gaming - don’t expect to see them in even the best gaming PCs. Still, we’re chomping at the bit to see what the next GeForce GTX cards will look like, considering the massive performance leap we’re expecting to get.
We thought we’d get some information at Nvidia’s GPU Technology Conference, but that proved to focus almost entirely on AI and autonomous car tech. We’ll have to wait a little while longer for a GeForce announcement.
Either way, you shouldn’t expect to see Volta-powered GTX cards any time soon, as Nvidia might be biding its time due to pricing and VRAM shortages. That is, if Turing isn’t the architecture behind the GeForce GTX 11 series.
Eager for an upgrade? Here's everything that we've heard so far.
Cut to the chase What is it? Nvidia's next-gen, 12nm GPU lineWhen is it out? The Tesla V100 and Titan V are out now, but GeForce cards are TBDWhat will it cost? TBDAs mentioned, Nvidia's Volta architecture is already on the market, albeit not in any form that you're likely to slide into your gaming PC. The Tesla V100 was first out the gate in May 2017, as a professional-level GPU built to empower artificial intelligence applications and help run data centers. It's not a consumer-level device by any stretch of the imagination.
On the other hand, the Nvidia Titan V – released in December 2017 – is considered a consumer device, but you might scoff at the $2,999 (about £2149, AU$3800) price point. The Titan V is targeted towards researchers and other high-performance computing needs rather than making PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds look pretty.
But if you are looking for a new graphics card, will you be able to buy a fresh, top-of-the-line GeForce GTX 1180 soon? Honestly, we're not sure. The GTX 10-series line was announced back in May 2016 and began rolling out that month, so we're nearing the two-year mark since Nvidia's Pascal-powered cards first released. But they're still selling like crazy, especially with the current cryptocurrency craze leading to gouged prices and scarce availability.
Furthermore, Nvidia head Jensen Huang suggested last August that it's still too costly to produce consumer-level gaming graphics cards at reasonable prices. Given that we didn't see any GeForce announcements at CES 2018 in January, and since the Titan V just recently rolled out at that eye-popping price, it seems entirely possible that Nvidia isn't going to rush out Volta-powered gaming GPUs anytime soon.
We expect to see them in 2018, but our original expectation of a spring debut doesn't seem terribly firm, and there aren't enough solid rumors or leaks to point to at this time.
Without a roadmap for releases, we can't say for sure what to expect from pricing for Volta-powered GeForce GTX graphics cards. The Titan V's pumped-up pricing shouldn't scare you, as the card was never intended for gamers. On the other hand, if Volta-powered GPUs were still too pricey to produce for graphics cards a few months ago, how long will it take until they hit a point where Nvidia deems them worth selling?
Until then, we can look back at the base price points for the current 10-series line, although you might find much higher prices due to the cryptocurrency boom.
Nvidia Titan Xp - $1,200 (£1,099, AU$1,950) Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 Ti - $699 (£679, AU$1099) Nvidia TX 1070 Ti - $449 (£419, AU$759) Nvdia GTX 1080 - $599 (£600, AU$925) Nvidia GTX 1070 - $379 (£379, AU$699) Nvidia GTX 1060 - $199 (£279, AU$429)We'll have to wait and see whether Nvidia releases a similar range of Volta-based cards, as well as whether they'll see any significant price increase from the 10-series starting points.
Given that the prices of Nvidia Pascal graphics cards came at a slightly higher premium – coinciding with the increased performance – over the Maxwell cards they replaced, we can imagine that these 11-series parts could be more expensive.
Nvidia Volta specsVolta introduces a new 12-nanometer manufacturing process, which marks a significant step up from the 16nm process seen with the Pascal GPUs.
What exactly does that mean?
Well, it means that Nvidia's manufacturing partner TSMC can jam a whole lot more transistors into a comparable amount of space, thus yielding a massive surge in computing ability. You'll get better performance, not to mention significant power savings.
The Titan V packs in 21.1 billion transistors, which collectively provide a stunning 110 teraflops of computing power. New tensor cores are designed to speed up deep learning ability, with nine times more peak computing teraflops over the previous Titan Xp card. And it's twice as energy-efficient too.
Additionally, the Titan V has six graphics processing clusters with 5,120 CUDA cores (up from 3,840 in the Titan Xp) and 320 texture units, and a base clock of 1200MHz that can boost up to 1455MHz. With 12GB HBM2 memory onboard, the Titan V boasts a memory bandwidth of 652.8GB/sec.
The last bit on the specs side is surprising from Nvidia, whom just the last year championed the enhanced speed of GDDR5X memory on its high-end GPUs.
The Nvidia Titan V is the first mainline card to feature high-bandwidth memory outside of the company’s Quadro and Tesla parts. Whether this means HBM2 will be a mainstay of Volta remains to be seen.
All told, it's a potentially enormous upgrade over the last generation of Nvidia cards.
But let's step back for a moment, because all we can do right now is compare a $2,999 graphics card to the $1,200 card that came before it—and neither of those figures gives us a whole lot of insight into what we'll actually see from the cheaper GeForce cards that ultimately come our way. We'll likely get scaled-down versions of the Nvidia Titan V at lower prices, so they may not hit the same kinds of peaks as their progenitor is capable of.
Even so, however, the promise of dramatically increased performance on the top end suggests that we'll see similar kinds of improvements at the more approachable price points. And if so, then the GTX 11-series really should provide dramatic boosts in graphical output. On the high end, we should get 4K gaming nearer to the sweet spot of 60 frames per second, while cheaper versions should be more capable of smooth VR performance and strongly support resolutions in excess of 1080p.
Until Nvidia releases a roadmap for its GeForce GTX offerings and hints at what form those cards will take, we're still spit-balling for now.
But based on these initial pro-level renditions, Volta seems capable of so much more than the previous Pascal-powered GPUs – and even if those are plenty powerful today, Volta appears poised to elevate PC gaming to previously unseen levels. We'll keep you updated as further details or leaks emerge.
AMD Vega release date, news and features: everything you need to know
AMD gave us a sneak peek at its new Vega graphics card architecture way back at CES 2017. However, what we didn’t initially know is that it wouldn’t end up in consumers’ hands until August 2017.
And then, Vega had unparalleled success as a mining GPU, which we didn’t anticipate, and the effect the cryptocurrency market would have on the pricing and availability of AMD Vega cards was nothing short of dramatic. It’s still difficult to find a Vega GPU even 8 months after its launch.
AMD then surprised us yet again when it teamed up with Intel, its longstanding rival, to manufacture Kaby Lake R processors with integrated Vega graphics for laptops.
HP has also leaked some details about some upcoming laptops packed with Vega graphics.
Then, in February AMD released the Ryzen 3 2200G and the Ryzen 5 2400G that pack discrete-class Vega graphics that will be a huge benefit to anyone looking for a budget or home theater PC.
Cut to the chase What is it? The follow-up to AMD’s Polaris GPU architectureWhen's it out? August 14, 2017What will it cost? $499 or £549 (about AU$630)
AMD's affordable, consumer-oriented Radeon RX Vega 64 launched back in August 2017, with three versions including a standard edition model, an aluminum-clad limited edition version and a liquid-cooled design with higher clock speeds.
AMD’s lower-specced Radeon RX Vega 56, which is a direct competitor with the Nvidia GTX 1070, launched a little bit later in August.
And, if you can’t justify ponying up the cash for a Vega card, AMD put out the Ryzen 3 2200G and the Ryzen 5 2400G APUs, with Vega graphics, on February 12, 2018.
Back in August 2017, the AMD Radeon RX Vega 64 launched as a standalone card for $499 or £549 (about AU$630).
That's a big step up from the Radeon RX 500 lineup, which starts at as low as $169 (about £136, AU$219), but this is meant to be AMD's enthusiast-class grade graphics card. It's been a long-awaited sequel to the company's mostly defunct Radeon R9 Fury X, which was still going for a cool $389 (about £315, AU$505) up until the very end
What's more, at this price point it's competitive against the $549 (£539, AU$1,299) Nvidia GTX 1080 Founders Edition.
After the launch of the Vega 64 in the US, AMD offered two other editions of the card that could be bought exclusively as part of ‘Radeon Packs’, which bundled two free games, and discounts on a Samsung CF791 curved ultra-wide FreeSync monitor and a nice $100 discount on a Ryzen 7 processor and motherboard. The packs are unfortunately unavailable to purchase at time of writing, however.
Unfortunately, those hardware discounts only kicked in if users are buying the said monitor and CPU/motherboard combo at the same time as their Vega GPU. Of course, users could choose to not buy the extra components and peripherals while still getting the two free games, confirmed – in the US at least – to be Wolfenstein II and Prey.
The limited-edition AMD Radeon RX Vega 64 came as part of a Radeon Black Pack for $599 (£460, AU$750). Meanwhile, the liquid-cooled Vega 64 ran for $699 (£530, AU$875), and can only be purchased as part of AMD's Radeon Aqua Pack.
Lastly, you'll be able to purchase the AMD Radeon RX Vega 56 by itself for $400 (about £284, AU$500) MSRP.
At the end of the day, Vega was – at least at launch – as competitive to Nvidia as Ryzen is to Intel. However, due to the rising popularity of cryptocurrency, the price for both the Vega 56 and the Vega 64 spiraled out of control and both cards are experiencing shortages and extremely high prices. As the cryptocurrency market cools down, we could see the prices for these cards fall again. Only time will tell.
Following its 2017 Capsaicin 2 livestream event, AMD revealed the exact specifications for its two new Vega GPUs, as well as its underlying Vega 10 architecture.
From the chart above, it's clear the most powerful of the bunch will be the liquid-cooled version of the Radeon RX Vega 64. The more expensive water-cooled version will operate at higher base/boost clocks, despite sharing identical specs to its air-cooled twin.
The RX Vega 56, on the other hand, is positioned against Nvidia’s GeForce GTX 1070 at $400 (about £305, AU$505). However, early benchmarks have cited performance that greatly outweighed that of its closest competition while running triple-A games at 2560 x 1440.
Like the Polaris 10 architecture that preceded it, AMD's Polaris 10 architecture is built on an 14nm FinFET process that should ultimately make it more power-efficient and robust in performance.
Vega 10 is also noticeably skewed towards delivering on more compute power than raw graphical strength like Nvidia's Pascal GPUs. This will likely mean Vega will be able to better handle the complex calculations of procedural surfaces, volumetric lighting and the overall quality of the in-game graphics.
This era of Vega GPUs also ditches GDDR5 memory altogether for a new format known as HBM2, or high-bandwidth memory. AMD believes its efficient memory offers a 75% smaller footprint than GDDR5 while also being 3.5 times more power-efficient.
AMD also claims that Vega’s high-bandwidth cache controller will improve maximum frame rates by 50% and minimum frame rates by 100% over GDDR5 memory.
Interestingly, Vega 10 is also designed to support up to 16GB of HBM2 memory – which we've already seen from Radeon Vega Frontier Edition – so Nvidia's Titan X may finally get some competition from AMD.
Stay tuned for more details regarding everything AMD Vega, as we'll be updating this page with the latest as it happens. In the meantime, be sure to update to the latest version of AMD Radeon Software Crimson ReLive for a generous helping of GPU control features.
Gabe Carey also contributed to this article
Will Vega be featured in the next best gaming laptops?
Kaby Lake Intel Core processor: 7th- and 8th-gen CPU news, features and release date
Leading up to the release of Coffee Lake back in October 2017, Kaby Lake was the wildly successful follow-up to Intel’s Skylake CPUs. Kaby Lake was especially noteworthy because it was behind many of the best laptops and desktop PCs of 2017, like the 2017 Dell XPS 13 and the MacBook Pro. Kaby Lake, for all intents and purposes, took the world by storm.
Unfortunately, Kaby Lake has been an extremely confusing generation, even to people like us that spend all day reading and writing about the best processors. This is mainly because Intel abandoned its longstanding ‘tick-tock generational model where it would alternate between optimizing the architecture and shrinking their manufacturing process each year. Conversely, Intel has released the 7th and 8th generation Kaby Lake CPUs as the third and fourth generations using Intel’s 14nm process, respectively.
Intel followed its 7th-generation Kaby Lake processors by releasing its 8th-generation Kaby Lake Refresh processors for use in laptops. Intel has also recently brought hyperthreading power to its Core i3 processors for laptops.
We’ve seen leaks for an upcoming 8th generation H-series CPU as well, but it isn’t clear whether it’s another Kaby Lake R processor, or the first Coffee Lake CPU for laptops.
Kaby Lake was also subject to the devastating Spectre and Meltdown exploits, but Intel says a fix is on the way.
If all of this sounds confusing, don’t worry, we’ve taken the time to write up everything you need to know about Intel Kaby Lake – from price to availability to the range of processors available.
Cut to the chase What is it? Intel's 7th- and 8th-generation Core processorsWhen is it out? Now for both desktops and laptopsWhat will it cost? Ranges from $42 (£39, AU$66) to $350 (£415, AU$469) Intel Kaby Lake release dateAfter Kaby Lake released back in 2016, we saw PC makers as reputable as HP, Dell and Lenovo launch their own Kaby Lake-packed laptops and PCs. Even though it used to be considered the standard for Intel processors in early 2017, Kaby Lake has since been succeeded by Kaby Lake Refresh and Coffee Lake.
If you’re thinking, “Wait, isn’t Coffee Lake the name of Intel’s 8th-generation architecture?”, you would be right, although the Santa Clara chipmaker has come out and said that it plans on releasing three different CPU architectures under the 8th-gen umbrella, namely Kaby Lake Refresh, Coffee Lake and Cannon Lake.
If you’re confused, you’re not alone. Intel apparently had to “reimagine what ‘generation’ means”, according to Tom’s Hardware. Regardless, what you need to know here is that Kaby Lake Refresh is coming to laptops and Ultrabooks near you, while Coffee Lake is focused on desktops.
Cannon Lake, on the other hand, will be here later, most likely in the latter half of 2018.
Outside of mobile, there are well over 20 Kaby Lake chips now on the market. From the Celeron G3930 to the Core i7-7700K, practically all the choices you had last generation are still present, albeit with better power efficiency and even a slight spec boost.
The Core i7-7700K is the flagship processor this time around, unlocked for overclocking as indicated by the discrete "K" moniker. Like the generations before it, the Kaby Lake architecture opts for a numerical naming convention: it consists of the “7” series CPUs to Skylake’s generation 6, Broadwell’s gen 5 and so on.
However, Intel is trying something with Kaby Lake that’s practically unprecedented. By refreshing its 7th-generation processors with more cores, better clock speeds and improved graphics, the company has been able to create an entirely new generation out of its Kaby Lake processors as well, hence the Core i7-8550U being used in the new HP ProBooks.
As far as Intel’s 7th-gen mobile processors are concerned, the most powerful lie in the “H” series, consisting mainly of the Intel Core i7-7700HQ and the Intel Core i7-7820HK. The former can be found in the 15-inch MacBook Pro while the latter is featured predominately in high-end gaming notebooks like the Alienware 17 R4.
At Intel’s low- to medium-power range, there’s the Core i7-7500U, which initially leaked alongside the i7-7700K, but has since been found in the HP Spectre x360 as well as the Razer Blade Stealth. Intended for Ultrabooks on the top-end, this is a relatively high performance chipset, but still belongs to the "U" ultra-low voltage family.
Meanwhile, Intel’s 8th-generation Kaby Lake processors marked the debut of quad-core processors for Ultrabooks. These include the top-end Intel Core i7-8550U, which operates at a base clock speed of 1.8GHz and a boost speed of 3.7GHz. As for the graphics, you can expect integrated UHD Graphics 620 from Intel.
Further on the mobile front, the higher-end Core m5 and m7 mobile chips of the past are now being interspersed into the Y-series Intel Core family. These include the Core m3-7Y30, the Core i5-7Y54 and the Core i7-7Y75, which are being used in top-end laptops with fanless and convertible designs to complement the more power-hungry U-series processors.
Many of Intel’s 7th- and 8th-generation selections also support Optane, a memory technology that brings hard drive speeds up to par with that of SSDs.
Where have these chipsets ended up? Well, they’re currently featured in a long list of notebooks, several of which we’ve already reviewed. The aforementioned Razer Blade Stealth and HP Spectre x360 are joined by the likes of the Lenovo Yoga 720 among many other Ultrabooks, 2-in-1s and full-on laptops.
The MacBook Pro, too, has been given the Kaby Lake treatment, though our review of that model is pending. Because the “H” series Kaby Lake processors typically used in the 15-inch MacBook Pros weren’t available at the time of its release, Apple’s late 2016 laptops were still clinging to Skylake up until being hastily refreshed at WWDC 2017.
Other laptops equipped with Kaby Lake processors include the new 2-in-1 Dell Latitude 7285 featuring WiTricity magnetic wireless charging and the acclaimed Samsung Notebook 9 Pro convertible laptop. Plus, there are even more Kaby Lake-based laptops expected just around the corner, like the Surface Book 2.
Cannonlake is likely to prove a much more exciting update than Kaby Lake and even Coffee Lake thereafter. You see, Kaby Lake is very similar to the Skylake family we're already using. This is not what we originally expected of the Skylake successor, but Intel has changed how its processor development works.
Since 2007, Intel has worked in a 'tick, tock' rhythm of upgrades, where one generation shrinks the die, followed by a generation that alters the architecture. That changed this year. As of 2016, Intel now uses a "Process, Architecture, Optimization" approach, and Kaby Lake represents that last, frankly least interesting stage.
It's still a 14nm processor that’s fairly similar to Skylake throughout, and the desktop variants will use the same LGA 1151 socket. Unless something goes terribly wrong, Cannonlake will shrink Intel CPUs down to the long-promised 10nm die in 2018.
While there are some performance improvements in store, it seems unnecessary for those with a Skylake CPU to upgrade to a Kaby Lake processor of the same level. That said, there are more options this time around, with higher end Kaby Lake-X CPUs making an impression.
Despite not being the most thrilling generation of processors, there are some distinct improvements that inhabit Intel’s Kaby Lake CPUs. The first is fully integrated support for USB-C Gen 2. Skylake machines can offer this already, but need an extra third-party piece of hardware. Now, its “native”. Again, not exciting, but it is necessary.
Gen 2 USB 3.1 enables bandwidth of 10Gbps, rather than 5Gbps. Thunderbolt 3 support is in, too. In a similar vein, HDCP 2.2 support is native in Kaby Lake. This digital copy protection is a newer version designed for certain 4K video standards. Ultra HD Blu-ray is the key one, though 4K Netflix on Windows 10 also requires a Kaby Lake processor.
That’s right, Kaby Lake also offers integrated GPUs better-suited to 4K video. Thanks to a new media engine built on a Gen9 graphics architecture, users can edit real-time 4K video using nothing more than integrated graphics. For video consumption, the new VP9 and HVEC 10-bit decode will enable all-day 4K video streaming on a single charge.
And then to build on top of that dedication to better integrated GPUs, Intel has announced Kaby Lake G series CPUs that will feature integrated AMD Vega graphics to further push into a high-definition future.
Better yet, Intel’s 8th-gen processors bring integrated UHD Graphics, designed to enhance the playback of 4K video. As a result, an Ultrabook using 8th-gen chips can display across three 4K monitors at once or even power a Windows Mixed Reality headset. It should also be noted that 8th-generation Kaby Lake processors are said to be 40% faster than their 7th-gen counterparts.
Kaby Lake only officially supports Windows 10 among Microsoft’s operating systems. This is yet another attempt by Microsoft to push those lingering on Windows 7, or anything a little older, into the present.
Apollo Lake: Kaby Lake's poor cousinIt's also worth considering the low-end Atom chipsets you'll see used in very cheap laptops, Windows 10 tablets and low-power mini PCs Intel calls NUCs (Next Unit of Computing). Although they’re not part of Kaby Lake, the latest “Apollo Lake” chips started to appear in late November, with Asus and HP being among the first to implement them.
These, too, are capable of 4K video playback acceleration by way of the HEVC and VP9 codecs. This is due in part to the move from Gen 8 to the Gen 9 graphics found in Skylake processors.
If you're only interested in mainstream Kaby Lake models, the future isn't looking too complicated. They're trickling out, before being replaced by Cannonlake CPUs in late 2018. However, the outlook for seriously high-end hardware is more convoluted.
As of a couple of months ago, the newest high-end CPUs were part of the Broadwell-E series, even though among mainstream processors Broadwell is already old news. But in June, Intel released its more powerful Skylake and Kaby Lake “X” series processors, the latter of which comes in two flavors:
4.0GHz quad-core Intel Core i5-7640X (up to 4.2GHz with Turbo Boost)4.3GHz quad-core Intel Core i7-7740X (up to 4.5GHz with Turbo Boost)Both of these bear TDP ratings of 112 Watts in addition to supporting quad-channel DDR4-2666 memory. They’re still built on the same 14nm manufacturing node as less “X-treme” Kaby Lake chips, but they’re very obviously geared towards gamers seeking a “great VR experience,” as all of Intel’s marketing materials would suggest.
What mere mortal laptop and desktop buyers need to take from Kaby Lake, though, is that a.) we'll see even more machines using the new chipsets very soon and b.) unless you don’t want to upgrade to a new motherboard, you might want to see if 2017’s Intel Coffee Lake will serve your needs better.
Joe Osborne and Gabe Carey have also contributed to this article
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