If you were struggling to decide between the newly released M2-powered MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models then some information has come to light that could push fence-sitters over the edge, after the new MacBook Air is revealed to throttle its own performance by up to 25% under prolonged workloads.
These results come from The Verge’s review(opens in new tab) of the new MacBook Air, in which a 30-minute loop in the multi-core test was run to more accurately portray how the device would cope with prolonged and demanding tasks, rather than using a benchmarking application such as Cinebench R23. These benchmarks are useful, but given their short duration, they can’t accurately reflect real-world performance.
The fanless design is the likely culprit, with the machine forced to throttle its own performance in order to reduce the risk of overheating, and it’s worth noting that the M2-powered MacBook Pro 13-inch didn’t encounter the same performance issues during the same tests as it sports a single cooling fan to help reduce temperatures under load.
Another thing to consider if you’re on the fence is that the M2 MacBook Air has slower SSD speeds, likely to try and keep manufacturing costs low but combined with the performance loss this should drive home that while they contain the same chip, the Air and Pro are different for a reason. If you need to run applications for a longer duration, such as editing and rendering video footage, you’d be better buying the MacBook Pro 13-inch (M2, 2022) or even the larger 14-inch or 16-inch M1 Pro and M1 Max models.
Analysis: Don’t overlook the M1 MacBook Pro
This news will probably upset a few Apple fans as the MacBook Air was definitely the most hyped model of the two M2 launches, but don’t let a very specific area of its performance dissuade you from buying one – providing it’s actually the right fit for your needs.
If you’re looking for an affordable entry-level Macbook then you’d actually be better off sourcing the older MacBook Air (M1, 2020) version, especially if you can wait until the Black Friday sales.
It’s previously dipped as low as $799 from its original MSRP of $999 / £999 / AU$1,599, and given the new M2 MacBook Air starts at $1,199 / £1,249 / AU$1,899, it’s still a solid buy for the price.
If you do need more power, go for the older MacBook Pro models as previously mentioned, or hang on until they get their own inevitable M2 Pro and M2 Max refresh.
In a sense, the new MacBook Air should only hold appeal for those who want a redesigned look, need a little bit more power than the original M1 Air, or if you’re the type of person who likes the have the very latest model of a gadget.
It feels as though Apple has already fallen victim to its own generational releases in this situation. When the M1 launch was so good, it’s hard to follow up that success in such a short period of time, especially for a company that’s fairly new to processor development.
The M2 simply won’t offer enough of a boost to performance for most people to justify its larger MSRP, and given the proposed longevity of the laptop, it’s unlikely that current M1-device users actually need to upgrade for some time.
Don’t forget that there are other devices on the market that could suit you as well, and many of the best laptops on the market are not Macbooks, though there’s very little that offers the same performance and features as the older M1-powered MacBook Air for the same price.
00CreativarianCreativarian2022-11-27 20:57:572022-11-27 20:57:57Apple Did It Again: The New MacBook Air Is Throttling Performance
Asus is expanding its Expert line of business laptops by adding the mid-tier ExpertBook B3 Detachable.
The company says(opens in new tab) the B3 can be used in remote work settings, “in the classroom, on the manufacturing line,” and even in healthcare environments.
To facilitate this jack-of-all-trades style, the laptop includes features that give it a great deal of flexibility. Plus, the B3 only weighs 1.3 pounds (around half a kilogram) and has a battery life of up to 21 hours, so you can lug it around at work comfortably without worrying that it’ll die on you quickly.
Asus ExpertBook B3 Detachable
The B3 is a 2-in-1 device with a detachable keyboard so it can turn into a tablet, complete with horizontal and vertical configurations for its screen. The display is a 10.5-inch touch screen that outputs at a resolution of 1920×1200, also known as WUXGA Resolution (widescreen ultra extended graphics array). While not as nice as a 4K or even a 2K resolution screen, the B3 still has a decent-looking wide display.
On the back, you will find an MPP (Microsoft Pen Protocol) stylus that ASUS states can be used to write down notes on the touch screen if you don’t want to smudge the screen with your hands. The stylus also charges pretty quickly – with a 15-second charge lasting you 45 minutes.
Eclectic features
When it comes to the B3’s features, the suite is rather eclectic. You have some that are expected for a business laptop like a high-resolution dual camera system consisting of a front-facing 5MP lens and an outward-facing 13MP lens. The cameras sport active noise reduction to keep video calls clear. AI-powered noise-canceling is included to get rid of outside sounds. Asus SmartConnect on the machines promises better-performing Wi-Fi connections and extends the reach of Bluetooth connectivity. There’s even a mute key for microphones right on the keyboard.
Maybe more interesting for people concerned about health and cleanliness is the B3’s Antibacterial Guard, which protects the laptop from germs. It’s a feature you hardly see on any tech device.
Asus explains laptop surfaces can potentially harbor “harmful bacteria”. To fight this, the keyboard has been given an “antibacterial treatment” said to reduce microbial growth by more than 99 percent over the course of 24 hours. It can even withstand “alcohol-based cleaning products” in case you want to wipe it down before using it, and is also spill-resistant and built to withstand 10 million keystrokes.
The display is TÜV Rheinland certified for low blue-light emissions, which is good to have as it will reduce the odds of experiencing eye strain due to prolonged usage.
On sale now
The laptop is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 chipset, consisting of an eight-core processor, an Adreno GPU, and a 4G LPDDR4X RAM. It has a CPU clock speed of 2.55 Ghz. Not the fastest in the world, but for a general-purpose device like the B3, it’s a decent speed. Storage capacity is rather disappointing. The device houses a 128 GB eMMC(opens in new tab) (MultiMedia Card), something that’s typically found in phones. In other words, it’s not very big.
Again, this is a mid-tier laptop, so it isn’t the most robust, but may be a decent machine nonetheless. The ExpertBook B3 Detachable is currently available for sale with a $599 price tag through Best Buy(opens in new tab), or if you want it a little bit cheaper, it’s $539 on Amazon(opens in new tab). It’s only available in Star Black, however.
Check out the best business laptops around today.
00CreativarianCreativarian2022-11-27 20:51:522022-11-27 20:51:52Asus Wants You to Use Its New Expertbook Business Laptop Everywhere
Google collaborated with third-party company Framework to create a customizable and upgradable Chromebook(opens in new tab) laptop.
As a company, Framework specializes in developing Do-It-Yourself (DIY) laptops that people can upgrade themselves with nothing more than a screwdriver, the parts the company provides, and a bit of patience. Now with the Framework Laptop Chromebook Edition(opens in new tab), customizable laptops have entered a new frontier as repairability in the tech industry takes a firmer stance.
Customized experience
Be aware that not everything on the Framework Chromebook is customizable.
Starting with the more static aspects, the laptop comes with a 13.5-inch high-resolution display (2256×1504 pixels) and a 1.5mm keyboard all housed in a chassis partially made out of recyclable material. Under the hood, it’s powered by a 12th Gen Intel Core i5-1240p CPU made out of 12 individual cores and a 55Wh battery that can last up to 10 hours on one charge.
As you would expect, the Framework Chromebook runs on ChromeOS, something that previous company offerings could technically do. But as a company representative told us, those older models used ChromeOS Flex(opens in new tab) whereas this new device has the full ChromeOS experience. This gives the laptop the ability to download Android apps from the Google Play Store, something the Flex models couldn’t do. Users can also run Linux apps if they’re developing software and play games thanks to Steam on Chrome OS Alpha
What is customizable are the ports, RAM, and storage. According to the company, you can pick and choose the ports you want and which side you want them on thanks to the Expansion Card system. Supported inputs include USB-A, USB-C, MicroSD, HDMI, and Ethernet, just to name a few. For the RAM and storage, the Chromebook comes with 8GB of DDR4 and 256GB of space. They can be upgraded to a maximum of 64GB of DDR4 and 1TB of storage. Plus, you can beef up the storage with another terabyte via expansion cards that go underneath the laptop.
Privacy and availability
For privacy, the Framework Chromebook has a series of switches around the body that cut off power to the camera and microphone when not in use. Google’s own Titan C(opens in new tab) security chip is present to protect you from phishing attempts and hacking. Because of this chip, the Chromebook will receive continuous updates from Google up until June 2030.
The same representative told us the Titan C cannot be removed because it’s “an integral part of the electrical system.” However, you can put the laptop into “Developer Mode” allowing you to download customized firmware and software outside of Google.
The Framework Laptop Chromebook Edition is currently available (opens in new tab) for pre-order with a $999 price tag, but in the United States and Canada only. You won’t have to pay the full price tag initially as “only a fully-refundable $100 deposit” is required at the time of pre-order. You’ll pay the rest when the laptops begin shipping at the beginning of December.
As for a global rollout, it doesn’t appear there are plans to do so yet, but the same representative hinted at a potential announcement.
Overall, it’s good to see more and more companies embracing either customizable or repairable devices. This new attitude will go a long way toward reducing e-waste and saving money. Arguably one of the more robust repair programs comes from Samsung who collaborated with iFixit for the parts. We highly recommend checking out TechRadar’s coverage of that story to see where the industry is potentially going.
00CreativarianCreativarian2022-11-27 20:49:452022-11-27 20:49:45This Chromebook Lets You Do Your Own Memory and Storage Upgrades
Fortunately, there is a fresh version of the Linux kernel with the GPU-related flaw cured.
Intel-powered laptops are at risk if a Linux update is applied, as the notebook display could be physically damaged.
This is one of those horror scenarios that PC owners dread, of course, and the update in question is the recently released version 5.19.12 of the Linux kernel.
Unfortunately, a bug in the graphics driver – for integrated Intel GPUs, this is – triggers a power sequencing issue which, as Phoronix(opens in new tab) reports, manifests as very fast white flashes happening on the screen. And as mentioned, these can potentially damage the panel, so this is a very serious hardware issue caused by a software flaw.
As you might imagine, action has been quickly taken, and Linux kernel developer Greg Kroah-Hartman promptly released Linux 5.19.13 where the faulty patches for the Intel graphics driver have been reverted.
Kroah-Hartman noted: “This release is to resolve a regression on some Intel graphics systems that had problems with 5.19.12. If you do not have this problem with 5.19.12, there is no need to upgrade.”
Only some distros are reported as having the issue, having upgraded to kernel 5.19.12, namely Arch, Fedora, and openSUSE Tumbleweed. Hopefully those distros will provide the fresh release in a swift manner.
Analysis: A worrying lapse that could be very costly
Going by user reports, some folks with Intel GPUs in their notebook have been unaffected by version 5.19.12, but others certainly have been hit. Perhaps the latter are in the minority, which might be a factor as to how this gremlin survived into the stable release.
It’s a worrying – and rare – lapse for Linux, of course, given the possible gravity of the damage that might be caused. A ruined laptop display is a nasty affliction, and not something that’s going to be easy or cheap to fix.
Even those Intel laptop owners apparently not experiencing the problem after installing 5.19.12 should be looking to upgrade to 5.19.13 anyway, we’d think, just to be safe (who knows if the flaw could still pop up, even if it didn’t initially).
Don’t forget that this could also be an issue for those running an Nvidia GPU and Intel CPU with Optimus tech, as it intelligently uses both discrete and integrated graphics respectively, meaning that with the latter, the awful flashing screen might rear its head.
00CreativarianCreativarian2022-11-27 20:47:532022-11-27 20:47:53Got an Intel Laptop? Be Warned: New Linux Bug Can Literally Break Your Screen
Acer has revealed a gaming-focused Chromebook which uses the power of the cloud to provide on-the-go games playing.
The Acer Chromebook 516 GE packs an Intel Alder Lake processor – up to Core i7 models (P series) – and that’s backed with 16GB of RAM (LPDDR4X) and up to a 256GB PCIe SSD for storage.
Running games will be facilitated by cloud gaming services, and that includes support for Nvidia GeForce Now, Amazon Luna, and the Xbox Cloud Gaming product (still in beta).
One of the crucial elements will be the display, and Acer has equipped this Chromebook with a 2,560 x 1,600 resolution IPS panel (boasting 100% coverage of the sRGB color gamut), plus it offers a 120Hz refresh rate (so can support frame rates of up to 120 fps).
Gamers also get the benefit of a backlit RGB keyboard that has anti-ghosting tech, and DTS audio is on-board too.
Acer claims a battery longevity of nine hours, but obviously take that with some caution, as battery life can vary considerably depending on a number of factors.
The Chromebook 516 GE is coming out in October in the US where pricing will start at $650. It’ll arrive in Europe in December at €999, with the gaming laptop hitting the UK in Q1 of next year (hopefully January) starting at £849.
Analysis: Trading one set of demands for another
Naturally, any Chromebook can be a gaming laptop leveraging the power of the cloud – as the whole point is that makes the hardware irrelevant, to a point – but of course, there are other elements to a good gaming notebook. Such as the quality of the screen, and the inclusion of an impressive backlit keyboard and so forth, as Acer has packed in here.
This could be an interesting option for some, then, in terms of a relatively affordable gaming laptop – though the UK price looks disappointing compared to the US, we have to say. And you are trading out the demands on the hardware (like the requirement for a powerful GPU) to rely on the strength of your internet connection instead, as ever with cloud gaming.
Also, don’t forget to factor in the cost of subscribing to a cloud gaming offering, too. Although the good news on that front is you do get a free 3-month trial of GeForce Now and Luna with the laptop, to give them both a whirl.
00CreativarianCreativarian2022-11-27 20:44:122022-11-27 20:44:12Acer Unleashes World’s First Gaming Chromebook
Apple has some new Macs on the horizon, but we won’t see these devices this year sadly – the fresh hardware supposedly won’t turn up until early 2023.
This is the latest from well-known leaker Mark Gurman, who made the prediction in his newsletter as published by Bloomberg(opens in new tab).
The theory is – stay sceptical as ever, and note that Gurman only believes this is the probable outcome of near future Apple launches – that revamped Macs will come in the first quarter of 2023, and that will include MacBook Pro 14-inch and 16-inch laptops packing M2 Pro and M2 Max chips.
That hardware will arrive alongside macOS Ventura 13.3 (and iOS 16.3), Gurman asserts, software that’ll likely debut in February or March 2023. With the hardware, however, a February launch seems unlikely – Apple generally waits until the spring, so the date for the new MacBook Pros (and whatever else is coming) to pencil in to your diary is March 2023.
Speaking of what else might be in Apple’s PC product pipeline, as has long been rumored, Apple is testing a Mac mini with the M2 chip, and also an M2 Pro version.
Gurman reckons the M2 Max will push to 12-cores (from 10 with the M1 Max) and complement that with 38-cores for the integrated GPU (up from 32-cores).
Analysis: Clear signs that MacBook launch has been pushed back
Things are changing fast in the Mac rumor landscape, because as you may recall, just two weeks back, Gurman believed that the MacBook Pros with the M2 Pro and M2 Max would most likely arrive in November. But to be fair to the leaker, from the get-go when he first aired speculation around these refreshed MacBook Pros, he gave a timeframe of the end of 2022 to early 2023 for launch – and March (just) qualifies for the latter.
Apparently Apple’s plan was to debut the MacBook Pro models before 2022 was out, but recently, we’ve seen some pretty clear signs that this is not happening, as Gurman outlines in his newsletter.
Namely CEO Tim Cook telling us that Apple’s product line is ‘set’ for the holiday season, meaning there’ll be no new additions. Furthermore, CFO Luca Maestri has also made it known that Apple is expecting less revenue growth for the holiday quarter – with Mac revenue dropping due to not having a new MacBook (whereas we did get a new MacBook Pro last year at this point).
So there you have it. This time around, no mention was made of what to expect with these new M2-toting MacBook Pro 14-inch and 16-inch portables, so we can assume nothing has changed on that front. Previous predictions have pointed to there being not a lot of difference with the next-gen machines, the main upgrade being that change of SoC from M1 to M2 variants.
With the Mac mini, the working theory is that there’ll be a base model with M2 chip, and one with the M2 Pro which will sit above that entry-level PC, but below the Mac Studio. That three-pronged approach makes sense in effectively giving buyers a trio of options at the low, mid-range and higher-end of the spectrum.
00CreativarianCreativarian2022-11-27 20:38:002022-11-27 20:38:00MacBook Pro 2022 Dreams Dead as Apple Rumored to Delay Launch
If you’re wondering what the best Dell XPS deals are or where to find the cheapest prices you’ve come to the right place. No matter what size or configuration you’re after, you’ll find options here from all the big retailers as well as our top tips for scoring a good deal right here.
This page includes not only the latest 2022 models but also most of the older models that are still on sale too. Don’t discount these machines just because they’re a little older – they might not pack the latest components but they’re still fantastic laptops all around. Because of their age, finding decent laptop deals on these models tends to be easier overall – especially around big retail events like Black Friday and Cyber Monday. This year’s Black Friday deals are just around the corner now, so stay tuned for some potentially tasty discounts over the next month or so.
If you’re undecided on which Dell XPS deal is for you, don’t worry, we’ve got a direct comparison just down below. Scroll down to see a full list of available specs, as well as a price comparison.
Dell XPS 13 (2022) deals
The latest flagship and the best XPS for most.
Dell has split out its XPS 13 range this year into two models. First up on our list is the ‘standard’ Dell XPS 13 for 2022, which is essentially a continuation of last year’s model with updated components. We have ‘standard’ in quotation marks here because as you’d imagine – this is still one of the best laptops money can buy with an incredible design and beautiful borderless display.
Inside this year’s model are the latest 12th generation Intel Core chips, with the choice of either the entry-level Core i5-1230U or high-end Core i7-12750U. Both these speedy processors support Intel Iris XE graphics and a bump in overall performance and battery life. It’s essentially an iterative upgrade to help keep the XPS 13 at the head of the Windows ultrabook crowd.
Otherwise, it’s essentially business as usual with this new iteration. You’re still getting a gorgeous aluminum milled chassis, a bright and vibrant display with next to no borders, and two Thunderbolt 4 ports for easy connectivity. Starting at around $999 / £999 for the baseline Core i5 model, the 2022 Dell XPS 13 also comes in at around the same price at launch as previous models.
Sales tend to be quite rare on the latest models due to their desirability but it’s well worth keeping an eye out during retail events like Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day. It’s early in this model’s life cycle but we’ve seen price cuts of around $100 / £100 with previous iterations, which are fairly significant discounts.
Dell XPS 13 Plus (2022) deals
As if the standard Dell XPS 13 wasn’t premium enough, the brand has released a new high-end laptop for 2022 in the form of the Dell XPS 13 Plus. It’s not a massive step up from the standard XPS 13 model for 2022, but it’s got some really nice little improvements across the board for those looking for the best of the best.
To start, its ever so slightly lighter than the XPS 13 overall, features a haptic touchpad and keyboard layout improvements, and slightly better entry-level specs. For context, the 13 Plus starts with an Intel Core i5-1240P versus the standard 13’s i5-1230P, so you’ll get a slight edge in performance with the baseline model. The Intel Core i7-1280P that’s available on the top-of-the-line 13 Plus spec is also faster than the best chip available on the standard model. It’s worth noting that all 13 Plus specs also come with touchscreen displays, although the resolution options are generally the same as the standard models.
Is it worth it? Generally speaking, these machines start at around $1,300 at launch so you’re definitely paying a premium for some quality of life features here. Personally, we’re hoping sales events like Black Friday shave some serious bucks off the hefty price tag this year.
Dell XPS 15 (2022) deals
The 2022 Dell XPS 15 model brings a couple of excellent upgrades – mostly internal – to the existing mid-tier of premium ultrabooks from the firm. With this latest edition, Dell is giving users the latest 12th gen Intel Core i5 and i7 processors, as well as the choice to include an RTX 3000 series graphics card if they go for one of the higher end configurations.
While it’s a stretch to call it a gaming laptop with an RTX 3050 or RTX 3050 Ti, having a dedicated graphics card is going to be a useful addition if you’re planning on engaging in any content creation tasks with the new Dell XPS 15. Having the option to upgrade to a beefy Core i7 processor and 16GB of RAM makes this one an absolute dream too if you need a powerful machine for work.
As of launch, this particular machine costs $1,420 on its core baseline spec, which isn’t cheap and pricier than the previous iteration. It’ll also be a while until we see some truly big price cuts on this one, with Black Friday and Cyber Monday in November likely to be the best time to snag one.
Dell XPS 13 (2021) deals
The flagship XPS model for 2021.
The previous flagship XPS 13 model in the range is the ‘Dell XPS 13 9310’ – a refreshed version of the excellent early 2020 Dell XPS 13 model. In a sensible move, Dell has kept the absolutely stunning near bezel-less ‘Infinity Edge’ display and overall design while focusing on packing these gorgeous machines with the latest components from Intel.
All 2021 models feature 11th generation Intel Core chips with Thunderbolt 4 compatibility, 8 to 16GB of RAM, and between 256GB to 2TB of SSD capacity. These are right in line with what you’d expect from an up-to-date Windows ultrabook and will have no problem with any task you throw at them – save intensive gaming applications.
As with most brand new XPS 13 models upon release, the latest 2021 XPS 13 debuts at around $1,000 to £1,000 on the baseline Core i3 / 8GB RAM model. It is, however, well worth waiting for big sales events like Dell’s July sale, Black Friday, or Cyber Monday as we’ve seen prices drop dramatically – especially in the US where the record is around $799.
Dell XPS 13 (2020) deals
Same design, slightly older spec.
Debuting in early 2020 was the refreshed new-look Dell XPS 13 for that year – the first model to feature the new (at the time) brand new bezel-less ‘Infinity Edge’ display, which remains pretty much untouched on subsequent models.
As you’d expect, this one looks still looks stunning in 2021, with the only main differences being internal specifications. So, if you don’t mind getting your hands on a machine with a slightly older 10th generation Intel processor, or perhaps smaller SSD capacities, then this slightly older model is still a fantastic choice.
You may find these particular machines a little hard to get a hold of now Dell has mostly discontinued them or repurposed the chassis for 2021 models with updated components. If you do spot one, however, then you can expect them to be a good £100 to $100 cheaper than the 2021 entries, with savings even reaching the £200 to $300 mark on big sales events like Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
Dell XPS 13 (2019) deals
Older design, but refreshed internals.
Interestingly, Dell didn’t simply retire its older pre-2020 design, it actually turned it into a slightly more budget-orientated model alongside the flagships you see above. We’ve designated this the ‘2019’ model, but it’s technically an older design with upgraded internals. It’s not uncommon to see this older chassis with 11th gen Intel Core i5 chips and other up-to-date components in fact.
While it’s still sporting the thicker bottom bevels, the 2019 Dell XPS 13’s screen is essentially the same quality as the new entry, making it more of an aesthetic upgrade rather than a purely functional one. You’re still getting 10th to 11th generation Intel Core i5 / i7 processors here as well and often for around $100 / £100 cheaper than a similarly equipped 2020 model.
Altogether you can pick up a 2019 XPS 13 deal for as little as $700 / £800 if you’re lucky and we definitely recommend checking out this great ultrabook – especially around Black Friday and Cyber Monday, where you can often pick up a steal.
Dell XPS 15 (2020) deals
Bigger, and still bezel-less.
The new 2020 Dell XPS 15 debuted as TechRadar’s best laptop of 2020 when it launched and it’s easy to see why. Not only is it now sporting the same beautiful bezel-less design as its smaller 13-inch sibling, but it stands tall amongst the competition in regards to outright performance and premium design appointments.
Unfortunately being the best comes with a hefty asking price – $1,200 / £1,200 on the base models in this case, which very much puts them above the XPS 13 in the price leagues.
That said, we’re sure that these beautiful 15-inch ultrabooks will be receiving some tasty price cuts in the near future, possibly over Black Friday and Cyber Monday in November. Make sure you bookmark this page for the latest, as we’ll be updating it with the best Dell XPS prices daily.
Dell XPS 15 (2019) deals
A great value ultrabook.
The 2019 XPS 15 is essentially just an upscaled XPS 13 variant, so subsequently you can expect the same design appointments – and in this case that chunkier bottom bezel.
As such the 2019 XPS 15 very much looks like ‘last years model’ but don’t let that put you off this awesome ultrabook – it’s still packing some seriously powerful up-to-date processors from Intel.
What’s more, these 2019 models start at an asking price of $1,050 / £1,050 – much cheaper than the brand new entries. Being the older model as well means that Dell is much more likely to throw in the odd discount, which means you can sometimes pick these up for well under a grand – especially around Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 (2019) deals
Versatile, and surprisingly cheap.
Another fantastic option for those looking for the versatility of a 2-in-1 notebook, the newest Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 manages to not only boast a gorgeous display, but also still packs in some of the latest components from Intel.
Interestingly enough, right now it’s also one of the cheapest Dell XPS laptops you can buy, coming in at around $900 / £900 – albeit for a stripped-down Core i3 / 4GB RAM variant.
For plenty of users, those specs will still do the business so it’s a great buy for those who want a premium ultrabook but can’t afford the heady heights of the XPS 15. What’s more, it’s one of the older XPS’s in the range so Dell is also willing to serve up some great XPS deals – especially around Black Friday and Cyber Monday, which we expect could be up to $150 / £150 off the standard asking price.
00CreativarianCreativarian2022-11-27 20:24:192022-11-27 20:24:19The Best Dell XPS 13 and 15 Deals Ahead of Black Friday
AMD has hooked up with Google to offer the ability to play Steam games on Chromebooks with Ryzen CPUs.
You may be aware that it’s been several years since Google first started talking about supporting Steam games on Chromebooks, and the functionality entered alpha testing earlier this year, but required an Intel CPU.
Now, the project has moved into beta testing, and incorporates AMD processors – but only certain Ryzen 5000 chips. Namely the AMD Ryzen 7 5825C or Ryzen 5 5625C processors, and the Chromebook in question also needs a minimum of 8GB of system RAM too.
AMD notes that some 50 games are part of the initial line-up of Steam titles that can be enjoyed on a qualifying Chromebook.
What kind of games are we talking about? Compatible efforts include Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition, Civilization V, Half-Life 2, Left 4 Dead 2, Portal 2 and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, among others.
Analysis: Coolness, but With Caveats
How does this magic work? Well, Steam games are played on a Chromebook using the Proton compatibility layer, which is the same way that the Steam Deck, a gaming handheld running a flavor of Linux as an operating system (SteamOS), is able to run Windows games. (Remember, Chrome OS is Linux-based too).
Clearly, being able to run the Steam client and play PC games on a Chromebook is pretty cool, but there are some caveats to be observed here. Obviously the first is that while this feature has progressed from alpha to beta, it’ll still be rough around the edges, so you can expect to encounter a variety of glitches, hitches and gremlins.
And because compatibility is facilitated by Proton, as you may realize, games using anti-cheat software are going to be problematic (even if the developer has enabled support for Proton, it may not work on Chromebooks – yet).
Furthermore, some games are obviously more demanding than others, so that minimum system RAM of 8GB may not be enough in some cases. Google notes 16GB might be needed for smoother gameplay with some titles (or to run at all, for that matter).
For example, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (pictured top) is one of those games that needs 16GB, and Google further advises to “set graphics and postprocessing to low” in its release launch notes. (Those notes provide not just a list of compatible games and additional requirements in some cases, but also documented known issues, and a roundup of Chromebooks that are currently supported).
Chromebooks are becoming more suited to gaming as we’ve seen in recent times, not just due to this progress with bringing Steam games to the platform, but also thanks to the development of Chromebooks specifically targeting gamers (with decent components, high-quality displays, RGB gaming keyboards and so forth).
As to how these devices compare to a full gaming laptop, well, there’s still some way to go here – but the hope is that Chromebooks can at least make for a decent shot at an affordable alternative way to enjoy gaming on the go.
00CreativarianCreativarian2022-11-27 20:17:042022-11-27 20:17:04Chromebooks With AMD CPUS Can Now Play Steam Games
Looking for all the best laptop deals available this week? You’ve come to the right place. We’ve got a whole host of fantastic offers on devices from £100 to £1,000 today – including many Black Friday deals. Options include everything from entry-level Chromebooks for light use, to excellent value 2-in-1 devices and powerful ultrabooks that can handle intense multitasking. And with the end-of-year sales here, prices are the lowest they’ve been all year.
Our selection of the best laptop deals isn’t just based on price alone, though. If you simply go for the cheapest device available, it’s likely to struggle with even the most straightforward of tasks – leaving you with a fancy yet expensive paperweight. We’ve hand-picked these laptop deals so you get both the best value for money and a capable machine that fits into your budget.
Many of the laptops we’ve picked are made by some of the highest-rated brands or models that we’ve also tested in our best laptops guide here at TechRadar, so you can be sure you’re getting a quality device. You can also check in regularly over the next few weeks as we add even more Black Friday laptop deals.
So, have a look below for info on all of the best cheap laptop deals and sales available this week. If want to get into some more specific choices, you can check out all the cheap Chromebooks available right now, while Apple fans might be interested in our MacBook deals page. And then there are all the cheap gaming laptop deals available today if you’re after something with a bit more power.
Asus VivoBook 15:
Save £150 – We’re seriously impressed with how good this Asus VivoBook 15 is in terms of value for money. It offers impressive performance for all general everyday tasks and light use thanks to its Intel i3 processor and 8GB RAM – a combination of solid components we rarely see for so cheap. There isn’t a better deal out there today if you’re after a capable laptop on a budget of under £250.
Asus C204MA Chromebook:
Save £30 – It’s not always easy to find a laptop deal for around £100 so don’t miss this Asus C204 Chromebook if you only need the most basic device possible. It’s not particularly powerful, sure, but it’s cheap and all you really need for light use, basic admin tasks and web browsing. The battery lasts a full day, too.
Asus Chromebook CX1500:
We like to call this the Chromebook for people who are more used to Windows laptops. With a 15.6-inch screen, large trackpad, and comfortable keyboard, the CX1500 feels like a good-quality conventional laptop. It’s not the most powerful Chromebook out there, but the Intel Celeron CPU is perfectly capable of handling everyday workloads.
Asus VivoBook E410KA:
Save £120 – If you’d prefer a traditional Windows machine instead of a Chromebook then this is a good deal on the Asus VivoBook E410KA at Amazon. It’s a similar spec to the laptop above so offers a similar level of performance but it has double the storage at 64GB and also includes a 1-year subscription to Microsoft Office. Useful if you need to use Word, Excel, Powerpoint and Outlook for your school work, admin tasks or general everyday jobs.
Save £150 – We’re seriously impressed with how good this Asus VivoBook 15 is in terms of value for money. It offers impressive performance for all general everyday tasks and light use thanks to its Intel i3 processor and 8GB RAM – a combination of solid components we rarely see for so cheap. There isn’t a better deal out there today if you’re after a capable laptop on a budget of under £250.
A great little deal on a great little laptop, the Flip C214 is an 11-inch 2-in-1 Chromebook from Asus that runs on an Intel Celeron CPU. If you can’t decide between a laptop and a tablet, check this one out.
Save £50 – It’s usual to see 2-in-1 laptops at a slight premium compared to traditional devices. Because of that, you tend to end up with a worse spec but at a higher cost. This is somewhat mitigated by this HP Chromebook 14 deal at Amazon. It’s not a high-performance laptop, but it’s powerful enough to get through basic use, light work, video streaming and more – all with the flexibility and versatility of a tablet mode.
Save £220 – Consider upgrading to this version of the Asus VivoBook 15 if you need a slightly more powerful mid-range laptop at a fantastic price. It still has 8GB of RAM, but the jump to an Intel i5 processor does justify the cost. Go for this if you want the extra performance to ensure programs load quickly and reasonable multitasking doesn’t slow the laptop down.
An Intel Core i3-powered Chromebook at a very respectable sale price, the 515 from Acer is a familiar, comfortable laptop ideal for office work or schoolwork. The 128GB SSD means you can download more programs locally than many other cheap Chromebooks. It comes with a bundled wireless mouse for out-of-the-box productivity, too!
Save £250 – This Honor MagicBook X14 offers an incredible spec for the price. It has the same Intel i5 processor and 8GB RAM as the Asus VivoBook 15 above, but it doubles the storage to 512GB. It may be a couple of generations old, but it’s still good for all your general everyday tasks such as web browsing, office work, media streaming and more. Plus, you’ve now got so much more space for files, applications, videos, photos and more.
Save £220 – Another last-generation Asus VivoBook 15 here that’s had a massive price cut at Amazon ahead of Black Friday. The two big upgrades over the cheaper models include the high-end Intel i7 processor for even better performance and a jump to a huge 512GB of storage. It’s a bargain for a laptop that will handle everything, but those looking to get the most from their money should consider the latest model below instead.
Asus VivoBook 15:
Save £100 – This brand new version of the Asus VivoBook 15 is already reduced at Amazon, making it one of the week’s best laptop deals. It comes with some very powerful components, including an Intel i5 processor, 16GB of RAM and a huge 512GB SSD. These specs will ensure great performance for general browsing, video calls, office work, media streaming or multitasking between apps.
MacBook Air (M1, 2020):
Save £120 – Stock for the MacBook Air M1 is now more stable and we’re seeing some better discounts as we head towards Black Friday. This configuration offers 8GB RAM and a 256GB SSD, which is a solid spec for all your computing needs. Today’s price in Very’s early Black Friday sale is the best we’ve seen in months.
Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M2, 2022): Save £130 – Another discount on a recently-released M2 MacBook, this time the Air version with 8GB of RAM and a 256GB drive. At 10% off, this sale is fairly modest, but saving over a hundred quid on a brand-new MacBook Air equipped with Apple’s latest processor is still a sound deal in our books.
Amazon(opens in new tab): retail giant is often the cheapest in the UK
AO(opens in new tab): lots of cheap laptops at this growing electronics specialist
Apple(opens in new tab): MacBooks aren’t exactly cheap, but they’re excellent workstations
Argos(opens in new tab): home delivery or pick up a cheap laptop locally today
Box(opens in new tab): another specialist store with some of the best discounts we’ve seen
Currys:(opens in new tab) the retailer that’s seemingly always having a laptop sale
Dell(opens in new tab): get a great laptop deal direct from Dell
eBuyer(opens in new tab): the UK computing specialists have some great promotions
John Lewis(opens in new tab): get an extra 20% off select laptops and MacBooks
Laptops Direct(opens in new tab): specialist UK store has a huge selection of laptop deals
Very(opens in new tab): currently running a Big Sale with significant dicounts on laptops
Some laptop deals can often lure you in with a sub-£200 price tag, but unless you’re picking up a Chromebook you’re unlikely to get your money’s worth with these particular models. Chromebooks run on Chrome OS, which means they rely less on more expensive components and more on cloud-based services provided by Google Chrome. That means you’ll regularly find cheap laptops under £200 that are well worth your cash – provided they were built with this functioning in mind.
These kinds of budget laptops are regularly found on sale, but every now and then we do spot savings that offer mid-range specs for entry level prices.
It’s worth looking out for laptop deals that offer a Windows 11 operating system, but only 16 or 32GB of storage space. You’ll likely speed through those gigabites faster than you’d think, and storing those hefty Windows 11 updates often presents a new challenge in its own right. That means the smallest we would recommend on this page is a 64GB hard drive if you’re running a Windows 11 operating system.
Cheap laptops can also come with the caveat that they don’t offer an operating system at all. These FreeDOS laptops can sometimes be appealing (and if you’re up for installing your own copy of Windows or Linux, they often deserve to be), but it’s important to check that spec and low price before you buy. We do feature the odd freeDOS budget laptop on this roundup, as they can prove cost effective, but we’ll make sure you know when we do.
00CreativarianCreativarian2022-11-27 20:09:452022-11-27 20:09:45The Best Laptop Deals in November 2022
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