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I review mini PCs for a living and this Mac mini M4 deal is an absolute steal at $100 off
I review mini PCs for a living and this Mac mini M4 deal is an absolute steal at $100 off

Tom's Guide

time3 days ago

  • Business
  • Tom's Guide

I review mini PCs for a living and this Mac mini M4 deal is an absolute steal at $100 off

There's never been a better time to ditch your laptop or downsize from a big bulky desktop and pick up one of the best mini PCs instead. While there are plenty of great mini PCs that run Windows, there's only one that runs macOS though and after using it for the past six months, I have to admit the Mac mini M4 is almost perfect. Thanks to Apple's powerful M4 chips and the fact that the base model now comes with 16GB of RAM as standard, the Mac mini M4 is a powerful mini PC that's perfect if you don't want to shell out extra cash for one of the best MacBooks. Right now you can get the Mac mini M4 for just $499 at Amazon, $100 off its normal price. Need even more power? The Mac mini M4 Pro is also $100 off and comes with 24GB of memory and even more storage. The base model Mac mini M4 is a big step up from its predecessor and likely enough for most people without any expensive upgrades. It comes with Apple's powerful M4 chip, 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. You also get plenty of ports in a tiny package with three Thunderbolt 4 ports, two USB-C ports, HDMI and Ethernet. This pro model of the smallest Mac yet takes things up a notch with even more power and extra storage. It comes with Apple's M4 Pro chip, 24GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD. Likewise, instead of Thunderbolt 4, this upgraded model comes with faster Thunderbolt 5 ports. Compared to its predecessor, the Mac mini M4 is a big step up. Not only does it feature Apple's M4 chips but the case has been redesigned from the ground up to be smaller and more compact at just 5 x 5 x 2 inches. Likewise, you now get two USB-C ports and a headphone jack on the front, which means you don't have to reach around back to plug in a pair of wired headphones or to connect accessories to your Mac mini M4. Around back, you now get three Thunderbolt ports, an HDMI port and a gigabit Ethernet port. It's worth noting that while the standard Mac mini M4 has three Thunderbolt 4 ports, the pro version features even faster Thunderbolt 5 ports instead. One of my favorite things about the Mac mini M4 when compared to other mini PCs I reviewed is that it features an internal power supply. This makes cable management just as easy as bringing this PC with you on a trip since you don't have to lug around a bulky power adapter with you. It also uses a standard power cord, so it's easy to replace or get a longer one if you need Mac mini M4 is an excellent all-around mini PC that's great for both work and play. It's also very easy to set up and use which makes it a fantastic choice for older users as well as younger ones. At $100 off its normal price, this is a deal you won't want to miss, especially if you're looking for a new Mac. Check out my article on reasons to buy or skip the Mac mini M4 if you're still on the fence!

HP EliteBook Ultra G1i review: A Premium business laptop that has it all
HP EliteBook Ultra G1i review: A Premium business laptop that has it all

Time of India

time10-06-2025

  • Business
  • Time of India

HP EliteBook Ultra G1i review: A Premium business laptop that has it all

4/5 Laptops are getting smarter with AI integration and advanced chipsets. HP recently unveiled the new EliteBook Ultra G1i in India for a starting price of Rs 1,67,075. Built for working professionals, the 14-inch notebook is designed to handle modern tasks more efficiently with the help of AI – be it improving video calls, boosting performance or saving battery. The laptop comes with Intel 's latest Core Ultra processors, a high-quality display, and new features focused on speed, security, and smarter multitasking. But does all that make it worth the price? We tested the EliteBook Ultra G1i to see how well it performs in real-world use—and whether AI really makes a difference. Here's our review Design and display: Sleek and subtle by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất IC Markets Đăng ký Undo The moment we picked up the HP EliteBook Ultra G1i , it felt like a device made for people who are always on the go. At just around 1.19 kg, it feels incredibly light weight, but without feeling flimsy. The matte finish on the aluminum chassis gives it a clean, professional look—no flashy logos, no fingerprints—just an elegant, classy-looking laptop that seamlessly fits anywhere, from a boardroom to a cafe. The hinge is solid, with just the right amount of resistance. We could flip it open with one hand. The corners of the laptop are softly rounded. The design, as mentioned before, is so subtle and sleek that it can easily slip into a backpack without adding bulk. When it comes to ports, the HP EliteBook Ultra G1i offers just the essentials. You get three Thunderbolt 4 USB Type-C ports, all capable of 40Gbps speeds, charging, and DisplayPort 2.1. These are great from plugging in external monitors to fast data transfers to charging. There's also a USB Type-A port on the side and it supports 10Gbps speeds. We mostly used it for my wireless mouse dongle, but it's handy enough to be used for plugging in a pen drive or an external keyboard. Lastly, there is also a headphone/mic combo jack which is useful during calls if you prefer wired earphones. One thing to note: no HDMI, no SD card slot, and no cables included in the box. So if you're planning to connect to projectors or older peripherals, you'll need to invest in a USB-C hub or adapters. Coming to the display, this is where things start to feel a bit luxurious. We tested the 3K OLED panel, and it's honestly one of the best screens we have seen on a business laptop. Whether we were editing images, watching presentations, or just catching up on Netflix, the colors were sharp and vivid, and the blacks were truly deep—thanks to OLED. The 100% sRGB colour coverage means it's also good enough for light creative work. The display is touch-enabled which is a plus. HP has also included its Eye Ease technology, which reduces blue light without making the screen look yellow. Brightness goes up to 400 nits, and during our testing, the laptop held up well even in bright daylight near a window. Performance: Built for focus From day one, the HP EliteBook Ultra G1i impresses with its smooth, stutter-free performance.. The performance is smooth, stutter-free, even with multiple-tabs opened. The model we used came with an Intel Core Ultra 7 processor (vPRO Evo edition), paired with 32GB LPDDR5x RAM. The device handled our day-to-day tasks like a champ. Apps opened instantly, multitasking was effortless, and thanks to the built-in Neural Processing Unit (NPU), even AI-powered features like background blur or voice isolation during meetings didn't slow the system down. Throughout our testing, the device remained cool with no noticeable heating issues. Talking about the keyboard, the layout is clean with a proper row of function keys for quick shortcuts. The keys have good depth, a soft but satisfying click, and are well spaced out—no cramping, even during long writing sessions. It's also backlit, so typing in dim lighting was never an issue. The trackpad is generously sized and extremely responsive. Multi-finger gestures worked perfectly—scrolling, switching desktops, pinch to zoom—it was all smooth. It's also centered perfectly under the spacebar, which makes typing and navigation feel natural. HP EliteBook Ultra G1i comes with a 9MP high-resolution IR camera, which is more than just your average webcam. It comes with PolyCamera Pro , a tool that lets you add visual effects to your video feed in real time. You can zoom in, adjust brightness, contrast, and saturation, and fine-tune how you appear during calls—whether you're in a dimly lit room or a bright office. And if you prefer using a different camera setup, the system also supports external webcams without any fuss. Audio on the device is taken care of by a stereo speaker setup consisting of 4-speakers with Audio tuning by PolyStudio. Voice comes through crisp on calls, and there's enough depth in the audio to make music or YouTube videos enjoyable during breaks. But where it really shines is in microphone performance. With Studio Mode, the laptop can capture voice with surprising clarity and depth. During long Zoom and Teams calls, the AI-based noise reduction kicked in, filtering out background sounds like typing, a fan running nearby, etc. HP AI Companion app: Smart and useful HP has also added its own AI Companion app to the EliteBook Ultra G1i. It is a preloaded tool that quietly works in the background to help you get more out of the laptop. At its core, the app enables one to do three major tasks: ask questions, analyze your own files, and tune system settings—all using AI. The first one is to ask tips, answer questions to your general queries. The second one comes handy when you want to break down a complex file/data into simpler, easy to understand terms. The third and the last one – Perform – is helpful if you're someone who likes to customize their device setup but doesn't want to dig through endless menus. You can adjust power modes, battery usage, volume levels and even cooling preferences depending on how you're using the laptop. Battery: Reliable Battery life on the HP EliteBook Ultra G1i meets expectations for a commercial laptop. In our daily use—mostly writing, web browsing, attending video calls, and occasional streaming—the laptop comfortably gave me 8 to 9 hours on a single charge. Switching to 'Balanced' mode stretches the battery life to nearly 10 hours. With the AI-based power management, the system learns your usage patterns over time and adjusts performance and background activity to save power. Charging is fast too. The included USB-C adapter topped the battery up from around 20% to 70% in under 45 minutes. Verdict In the times when AI is quickly becoming a core part of daily workflows, HP EliteBook Ultra G1i—positions itself as a forward-looking business notebook designed for professionals who demand performance, portability, and enhanced AI-driven experiences. Priced at a premium Rs 1,67,075, this 14-inch notebook isn't more than just a productivity machine—it's a glimpse into what the future of work might look like. Built around Intel's new Core Ultra 5 and Ultra 7 processors with integrated Arc graphics and a dedicated NPU (Neural Processing Unit), the EliteBook Ultra G1i promises intelligent performance, seamless multitasking, and acceleration for AI-heavy workloads like real-time transcription, auto-framing during video calls, and smart noise reduction. Whether you're running complex business applications or hopping on back-to-back Teams meetings, this machine is engineered to keep up. AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now

I tested Alienware's new Area-51 RTX 5080 gaming laptop — and it's out of this world
I tested Alienware's new Area-51 RTX 5080 gaming laptop — and it's out of this world

Tom's Guide

time05-06-2025

  • Tom's Guide

I tested Alienware's new Area-51 RTX 5080 gaming laptop — and it's out of this world

The Alienware 16 Area-51 ($2,999 to start) isn't here to mess around. Featuring a futuristic design and powerful components, this machine delivers an incredible gaming experience that justifies its steep asking price. The Liquid Teal finish on the anodized aluminum chassis gives this laptop a dark iridescent sheen that shifts colors when viewed under different lighting conditions. I also like how the RGB lighting on the back mimics the motions of the aurora borealis, which serves to heighten this laptop's otherworldly feel. And if that wasn't enough, there's a clear Gorilla Glass window on the bottom that lets you see the internal components. Speaking of internals, all configurations pack an Intel Core Ultra 9 CPU and up to an RTX 5090 GPU. Combine that with up to 64GB of RAM, and you have a machine that can play the best PC games at high frame rates, especially with Nvidia DLSS 4 enabled. Games also look beautiful on the laptop's 16-inch 240Hz display. Like the HP Omen Max 16, the Alienware 16 Area-51 is a heavy laptop with an equally massive price tag. But if you're looking for a gorgeous notebook offering peak gaming performance, then this machine is worth every penny. Find out why in my full review. Alienware 16 Area-51 gaming laptop (starting) Alienware 16 Area-51 gaming laptop (as reviewed) Price $2,999 $3,249 Display 16.0-inch, QHD+ 240Hz, 3ms (500 nit) display 16.0-inch, QHD+ 240Hz, 3ms (500 nit) display CPU Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX GPU Nvidia RTX 5070 mobile GPU Nvidia RTX 5080 mobile GPU RAM 32GB 32GB Storage 1TB 1TB Ports 2x USB-A, 3x USB-C (2x Thunderbolt 4), 1x HDMI, 1x SD-card slot, 1x headphone jack 2x USB-A, 3x USB-C (2x Thunderbolt 4), 1x HDMI, 1x SD-card slot, 1x headphone jack Dimensions 14.37 x 11.41 x 1.12 inches 14.37 x 11.41 x 1.12 inches Weight 7.49 pounds 7.49 pounds The Alienware 16 Area-51 impresses thanks to its powerful components, vivid 16-inch display and stellar design. Alienware's latest doesn't look like a typical gaming laptop. Though it doesn't skimp on RGB lighting, its Liquid Teal finish and curved edges give it a distinct appearance. The term 'otherworldly' is cliche, but it's an apt description. If aliens made laptops, I imagine those machines would look something like this. The sturdy chassis is not only eye-catching, but it feels good to touch thanks to the smooth aluminum surface. I enjoy the way the lid's colors shift under different lighting conditions since it's not something I usually see on electronics. Despite its unique appearance, the laptop isn't visually aggressive and can fit well in most environments. Our review unit is configured with a Cherry MX ultra-low-profile mechanical keyboard that's a dream to type on. The keys are clicky without being overly loud, and I'm satisfied with their short travel distance. The smooth and responsive touchpad is somewhat small, but it works just fine. Except for a 3.5mm headphone jack and an SD card slot on the left-hand side, all of the Alienware 16 Area-51's ports are located on the back. The ports in question include a pair of USB-A, three USB-C and one HDMI. I'm pleased with the overall port selection, but having them all on the back can make it difficult to connect and disconnect peripherals when the lid is open. However, this won't be much of an issue if you plan to keep this laptop on your desk and use it as your primary gaming or work machine. After reviewing the RTX 5090-driven HP Omen Max 16, I had high expectations for the Alienware 16 Area-51. Thanks to our review unit's Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX CPU, RTX 5080 laptop GPU and 32GB of RAM, I was not disappointed. This laptop is a gaming powerhouse. On Ultra Nightmare graphical settings and 1600p resolution, I got Doom: The Dark Ages to run at a buttery smooth 108-120 frames per second with DLSS 4 disabled during my testing. With DLSS 4 enabled, id Software's game can run at a little over 240 fps, which effectively matches the display's refresh rate. The more demanding Cyberpunk 2077 can run at around 70 fps at high settings and DLSS 4 turned off. With Nvidia's frame-generating tech enabled, the frame rate can hit around 240. Alienware 16 Area-51 (RTX 5080) Lenovo Legion Pro 7i (RTX 5080) HP Omen Max 16 (RTX 5090) Assassin's Creed: Shadows (Ultra High) 52 45 49 Black Myth: Wukong (Cinematic) 58 45 51 Cyberpunk 2077 62 50 58 In our lab tests, we run several titles through their respective built-in benchmark tool. As you can see in the table above, the Alienware 16 Area-51 can run games like Assassin's Creed: Shadows and Black Myth: Wukong close to 60 frames per second at 1080p resolution and max graphical settings without DLSS. This RTX 5080-powered laptop has comparable performance to the RTX 5090-powered Omen Max 16, which is pretty remarkable. DLSS 4 is a vital feature if you want to play games at blisteringly high frame rates. But even without DLSS, both my personal testing and our lab tests show you'll still get relatively smooth performance across various games. Not only do games run phenomenally, but they also look great on the Alienware 16 Area-51's 16-inch display. Though I wish there were an OLED option, the sharp 1600p resolution, smooth 240Hz refresh rate and overall vivid picture quality will keep your eyes happy. Neon signs and holograms in Cyberpunk 2077 have a nice glow to them, which enhances the futuristic feel. Games with more naturalistic hues, like Doom: The Dark Ages and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, also appear convincing. And while the display doesn't support HDR, it gets plenty bright, allowing you to see everything in clear detail. Alienware 16 Area-51 (RTX 5080) Lenovo Legion Pro 7i (RTX 5080) HP Omen Max 16 (RTX 5090) Nits (brightness) 515 464.4 362.8 sRGB 115.2% 196% 199.7% DCI-P3 81.6% 138.9% 141.4% Delta-E 0.21 0.29 0.31 Our lab testing backs up my anecdotal experience. As you can see above, the Alienware 16 Area-51 doesn't have oversaturated color reproduction (sRGB and DCI-P3). Color accuracy (Delta-E) is slightly better than on competing laptops like the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i and HP Omen Max 16. If you like bolder colors, you might prefer the displays on the latter two laptops. However, if you want colors that are comparatively more naturalistic, you might lean toward Alienware's display. The 240Hz refresh rate is perfect when playing games at equally high refresh rates. During my testing, I never saw a hint of stuttering or flickering. The 3ms response time isn't as low as on other laptops, but unless you're a professional gamer, you might not notice any input lag—I certainly didn't. I'm generally ambivalent about RGB lighting, but my feelings aren't mixed here. The Alienware 16 Area-51 features some spectacular RGB lighting. That Gorilla Glass bottom I mentioned doesn't just let you see what's on the inside; it also allows the RGB lighting on the fans to cast an underglow that's equally mesmerizing and spooky. This same lighting also goes up and through the top of the keyboard deck. The out-of-the-box colors and lighting effects are nice, but if you want, you can customize them via the built-in and user-friendly Alienware Commander Center app. The Alienware 16 Area-51 is unquestionably an excellent gaming laptop. However, it's not perfect. At 14.37 x 11.41 x 1.12 inches and 7.92 pounds, the Alienware 16 Area-51 is one big and heavy gaming laptop. The latter is especially true if you factor in the 2.2-pound power adapter. Due to the laptop's weight, I kept it on my desk and never took it into a meeting room at our office. I also didn't bring the laptop home with me like I always do with other devices I'm reviewing. The Alienware 16 Area-51's weight is admittedly a non-factor if you don't plan to take it anywhere. But if you want to travel with this enormous notebook, you might not have a good time. Laptops don't typically have great battery life, and the Alienware 16 Area-51 is no exception. In our testing, Alienware's notebook lasted just shy of two hours when running the PCMark 10 gaming benchmark test and a little over four hours while surfing the internet. Web surfing battery life (hh:mm) Gaming battery life (hh:mm) Alienware 16 Area-51 (RTX 5080) 4:10 1:50 Lenovo Legion Pro 7i (RTX 5080) 4:37 1:36 HP Omen Max 16 (RTX 5090) 3:20 1:25 As you can see, the Alienware 16 Area-51 lasted a little longer than its competitors for gaming battery life. It endured almost an hour longer than the Omen Max 16 when web surfing, which is commendable, but the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i ran almost 20 minutes longer. Like the laptop's weight, battery life won't be an issue if you keep the machine plugged in, which you'll want to do anyway to get the best gaming performance. But if you want to get work done while you're out and about, you'd better not leave the power brick behind. Not only does the Alienware 16 Area-51 sport a space-age design, but it also commands an astronomical price. Right now, this laptop starts at $2,999, which is on par (or more expensive) than even some of the best gaming PCs. A model packing an RTX 5090 GPU, 64GB of RAM and a 2TB SSD would set you back $3,949, which is firmly in gaming desktop PC territory. If you're looking to make this laptop your main work and gaming PC, then you might be able to justify the price, especially if you want a portable gaming rig. However, if you're not going to travel with this machine, you might be better off with a proper desktop PC like the $1,249 HP Omen 35L. There's no denying that the Alienware 16 Area-51 is a fantastic gaming laptop that delivers uncompromising RTX 50-series performance. On top of that, it's also a beautiful-looking machine with elegant curves and tasty RGB lighting. Yes, it's heavy and expensive, but it's also freakin' awesome! If you want a gaming laptop offering comparable performance but with an OLED panel, the Legion Go 7i Pro or HP Omen Max 16 are great, if expensive, alternatives. But if you like what I have to say about Alienware's gaming notebook and can stomach its price, then you won't go wrong with this purchase. The Alienware 16 Area-51 comes with my highest recommendation.

HP OmniBook X Flip Review: A convertible that delivers style, smarts and substance
HP OmniBook X Flip Review: A convertible that delivers style, smarts and substance

Mint

time03-06-2025

  • Mint

HP OmniBook X Flip Review: A convertible that delivers style, smarts and substance

The HP OmniBook X Flip is clearly aimed at professionals and creators, or anyone seeking a convertible laptop. At a price point of ₹ 1,25,999, HP is offering a premium build, a beautiful display and a sprinkle of AI powered by the latest Intel Core Ultra processors. Product Rating Price HP 15, AMD Ryzen 3 7320U Laptop (8GB LPDDR5, 512GB SSD) Anti-Glare, Micro-Edge, 15.6"/39.6cm,FHD, Win 11, Silver, 1.59kg, AMD Radeon Graphics, 1080p HD Camera, fc0154AU View Details HP Laptop 250R G9 (2024), Intel Core i3 13th Gen 1315U - (8GB/512GB SSD/Intel UHD Graphics) Thin and Light Business Laptop/15.6" (39.62cm)/Ash Grey/1.57 kg View Details HP 255 G10 7000 Series AMD Ryzen 5 Quad Core 7520U 2.8Ghz Upto 4.3Ghz - (8 GB/512 GB SSD/Windows 11 / AMD Radeon Graphics) 255 G10 Thin and Light Laptop (15.6 inch, Matt Silver, 1.45 kg) View Details HP 15s, 12th Gen Intel Core i5 16GB RAM/512GB SSD 15.6-inch(39.6 cm) Micro-Edge Anti-Glare FHD Laptop/Win 11/Intel Iris Xe Graphics/Dual Speakers/Alexa/Backlit KB/MSO/Fast Charge, 15s- fq5112TU View Details HP Professional 15, 13th Gen Intel Core i5-1334U Turbo Boost, 32GB DDR4, 512 GB SSD, (Win 11 Pro, MSO 21Pro, Silver Gray,1.59kg), 15.6 inch FHD, UHD Graphics, Laptop, Finger Print, Backlit KB, 250 G10 View Details View More After reviewing the OmniBook Ultra Flip last year, I have very high hopes for this convertible laptop. So, let's dive in and take a look at what makes this device a standout in this category. Specification Details Display 14-inch (35.6 cm) 3K OLED Touch (Edge-to-edge) Processor Intel Core Ultra 7 258V (up to 4.8 GHz, 8 cores, 8 threads) Graphics Intel Arc Graphics Memory (RAM) 32 GB LPDDR5x Storage 1 TB SSD Operating System Windows 11 Home Ports 2x USB-A, 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x Headphone/Mic, 1x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C), 1x USB-C Battery 59 Wh, all-day battery with fast charging Price ₹ 1,25,999 HP has always had a knack for crafting laptops that look sleek and premium, regardless of the price. It's not easy to make a 2-in-1 device appear this polished, but HP managed it last year with the OmniBook Ultra Flip and has repeated the feat this year with the OmniBook X Flip. The device is constructed around a robust aluminium frame. Boasting a slim profile and a weight of about 1.38 kilograms, light enough to carry around without fatigue. The Atmospheric Blue colour, paired with a sandblasted anodised finish, gives the laptop a refined appearance, though it does tend to attract fingerprints. This minimal aesthetic is sure to appeal to both creators and professionals. The 360-degree hinge is a highlight, allowing users to effortlessly convert the laptop into tablet mode. It can also be transformed into tent mode, making it easy for artists to sketch using the included Tilt Pen without the keyboard getting in the way. Despite its slim 14.6 mm-thick chassis, the port selection is impressive. You'll find two USB ports, an HDMI port, a headphone jack, a Thunderbolt 4 port, and an additional Type-C port for versatile connectivity. HP has also incorporated recycled materials and achieved EPEAT Gold certification for this device, adding an eco-friendly edge that's a welcome touch in today's market. Check out more laptops from HP You open the laptop and are immediately presented with a gorgeous 14-inch OLED display that commands attention. The touch screen panel is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3, which helps guard against scratches and adds a reassuring sense of durability. Thanks to its glossy finish, the stylus glides smoothly across the surface, while the coating also helps to reduce smudges and fingerprints, though it doesn't eliminate them entirely. One notable drawback of this glossy display is the increased reflections you encounter when using it outdoors. However, this is hardly unique to the OmniBook X Flip, as most laptops on the market today feature glossy touch screen displays. Until technology evolves to offer matte options without compromising touch sensitivity or image quality, this is a compromise we simply have to live with. Thankfully, HP has included a feature that helps mitigate outdoor visibility issues: the display boasts a brightness of 400 nits, which can surge up to 500 nits for HDR content, making it easier to see your screen even in bright conditions. The 3.2K resolution on this OLED display delivers truly stunning picture quality, with outstanding contrast and vibrant colours that truly pop. Beyond HDR support, the display also offers a high refresh rate with variable refresh rate (VRR) support ranging from 48Hz to 120Hz. Whether you're watching your favourite films or working as a creative professional, this display is absolutely breathtaking and a genuine pleasure to use. The OmniBook X Flip's keyboard features a somewhat gapless key design, reminiscent of what you'll find on the Dell XPS 13, which I recently reviewed. To be honest, I'm not a huge fan of this particular keyboard, mainly due to the key layout. Coming from a MacBook, this design introduces a bit of a learning curve. It won't take too long to get used to, but it will certainly require some adjustment for those familiar with the MacBook keyboard's distinctive feel. I have no complaints about the touchpad. It's large, responsive, and features satisfyingly clicky buttons. Although I expected to find a haptic touchpad—as I've reviewed several Windows laptops that offer this feature—I'm actually quite pleased with a well-executed, tactile click touchpad rather than a subpar haptic one. The tactile feedback is precise and reassuring, making navigation smooth and enjoyable. As for audio, the OmniBook X Flip is equipped with dual bottom-firing speakers. These deliver sound that is both loud and clear, providing a solid listening experience for everything from video calls to casual music playback. While audiophiles might still prefer external speakers or headphones, most users will find the built-in audio more than adequate for everyday use. Check out gaming laptops from HP Under the hood, the OmniBook X Flip is powered by an Intel Core Ultra 7 256V and 16GB of LPDDR5x RAM. This combination ensures smooth everyday performance for tasks such as web browsing, multitasking and video editing. The 512GB NVMe storage is quite fast, with quick app loads and boot times, and it's also user-replaceable, a feature that's becoming rare in ultraportable laptops. I ran a few benchmarks and achieved decent results, scoring around 7,000 points in PCMark 10 and exceeding 9,000 points in Cinebench R23. The laptop isn't made for gaming, but it can still handle AAA titles from 2013 (like GTA 5) easily. Video editing on DaVinci Resolve with 1080p clips is also a simple task for this device. Regarding heating or fan noise, the laptop ran quietly during most of my usage. The only times I heard the fan were during benchmarks or when playing games, and even then, it was a gentle whoosh rather than an intrusive noise. The Poly Camera Pro webcam delivers high-quality video with AI enhancements such as background blur and auto-framing, features that have become essential for remote work and virtual meetings. A physical privacy shutter adds an extra layer of security, giving you peace of mind. The AI features extend beyond the camera. The laptop comes with HP AI Companion, which uses the integrated NPU on the Core Ultra 7 to process your queries directly on the device. There's no need to rely on the cloud or the internet to incorporate AI into your creative work. These AI capabilities also make things easier and more secure, helping to keep the laptop running smoothly. The 59Wh battery is large enough to handle every task for a full day without needing a charge in between. The Core Ultra 7 processor ensures consistent performance, whether the laptop is plugged in or running on battery. The battery backup is solid and reliable. For charging, it comes with a 65W USB Type-C charger that tops up the battery quickly. Check out HP AI laptops on Amazon Premium build with lightweight aluminium chassis Stunning high refresh rate touchscreen display 360-degree hinge for tablet mode Excellent port selection All-day battery life with fast charging Glossy display affects outdoor visibility Slightly stiff hinges (duplicate point removed and combined) Some users may find the hinges a bit firm The HP OmniBook X Flip offers all the goodness of a 2-in-1 laptop while remaining portable and lightweight. It is an all-rounder with a perfect price tag for its specifications. If you are looking for a 2-in-1 laptop that adapts to your work style, I recommend this model without hesitation. Disclaimer: Mint has an affiliate marketing partnership, which means we may get some commission on purchases you make through the retailer sites links provided. These partnerships do not influence our editorial content, which is free from any bias or marketing pitch. We strive to provide accurate and unbiased information to help you make informed decisions. We recommend verifying details with the retailer before making a purchase.

Acer's going all-in on OLED laptops at Computex 2025
Acer's going all-in on OLED laptops at Computex 2025

Tom's Guide

time16-05-2025

  • Business
  • Tom's Guide

Acer's going all-in on OLED laptops at Computex 2025

All the major PC manufacturers are going to be showing off new hardware at Computex 2025 in Taiwan next week, and it looks like Acer is going to have some slick new laptops with Nvidia RTX 50-series GPUs and OLED displays. I'm excited about that because I'm a sucker for a great OLED panel, and Acer has some new Swift laptops that look like they could be serious contenders for the best Windows laptops of 2025. But unfortunately, as of now Acer is not talking about when these laptops will be available in the United States—only Europe and other countries around the world. Presumably this has something to do with the ongoing uncertainty around tariffs here in the U.S., so hopefully I'll be able to update this article with U.S. pricing in the near future. For now, here's all the key details you need to know about Acer's laptop lineup at Computex 2025! The flagship of Acer's Computex laptop lineup is the new Swift X 14, a 4-pound notebook aimed at creators that comes with AI-ready AMD or Intel chips, Nvidia GeForce RTX 50-series laptop GPUs and a 14-inch OLED display. Acer Swift X 14 Acer Swift X 14 AI Starting price €1,799 €1,799 Display 14.5-inch 3K (2880x1800) OLED touchscreen 14.5-inch 3K (2880x1800) OLED touchscreen CPU Up to Intel Core Ultra 9 285 Up to AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 GPU Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Memory Up to 32GB Up to 32GB Storage Up to 1 TB SSD Up to 1 TB SSD Webcam 1080p w/ IR 1080p w/ IR Ports 2x Thunderbolt 4, 2x USB-A, HDMI, MicroSD 2x USB-C, 2x USB-A, HDMI, MicroSD, headphone jack Size 12.69 x 8.95 x 0.71 in 12.69 x 8.95 x 0.71 in Weight 3.48 lbs 3.46 lbs These laptops look slick as heck and could be awfully useful for audio/video professionals on the go, since they offer powerful hardware and a 14.5-inch 3K (2880x1800) OLED touchscreen that Acer claims covers 100% of the demanding DCI-P3 color gamut. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. The models with Intel chipsets are simply branded the Acer Swift X 14, and they come with a pair of Thunderbolt 4 ports but no headphone jacks. The AMD models are sold as the Acer Swift X 14 AI and do offer headphone ports, but they sport plain USB-C ports instead of Thunderbolt 4 since that's an Intel technology. These laptops are slated to go on sale in Europe in July starting at €1,799, with no word yet on pricing or launch plans for other regions. Acer also has some new notebooks to show off in its more affordable Swift Edge and Swift Go lineups, though these also sport premium OLED screens. Acer Swift Go 14/16 AI Acer Swift Edge 14 AI Starting price €1,199 €1,599 Display 14-inch 3K (2880x1800) OLED touchscreen 14.5-inch 3K (2880x1800) OLED touchscreen CPU Up to Intel Core Ultra 9 288 Up to Intel Core Ultra 7 258 GPU Intel Arc Intel Arc Memory Up to 32GB Up to 32GB Storage Up to 2 TB SSD Up to 1 TB SSD Webcam 1080p w/ IR 1080p w/ IR Ports 2x Thunderbolt 4, 2x USB-A, HDMI, MicroSD 2x Thunderbolt 4, 2x USB-A, HDMI, MicroSD, headphone jack Size 12.3 x 8.8 x 0.6 | 14 x 9.8 x 0.6 in 12.35 x 9.02 x 0.65 Weight 3.06 | 3.53 lbs 2.18 lbs The new Acer Swift Go laptops come in 14-inch or 16-inch varieties, but they all pack Intel Lunar Lake chips and 3K OLED touchscreens. With sizable RAM and storage capabilities these look likely to be solid workhorses for students and remote workers alike. Again, there's no word yet on pricing or launch plans for North America. However, Acer did say it plans to launch the Swift Go 14 in Europe in July for a starting price of €1,199, with the 16-inch model launching in the same region a month later for €1,299. There's also a lighter, more expensive Swift Edge 14 AI that's coming out in Europe this June starting at €1,599. This slick ultraportable also comes with a 14-inch 3K OLED touchscreen, but it's slightly thinner and over a pound lighter than the Swift Go 14 AI. Plus, Acer claims the Edge 14 AI is " the world's first laptop to incorporate Corning® Gorilla Matte Pro surface treatment," which is intended to seriously cut down on glare and reflections when using the laptop in bright light. We're at Computex all week reporting live from the show floor, so we'll keep an eye out for these new laptops—stay tuned!

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