Category: Computers

January 23, 2025
NuPhy Kick75 Mechanical Keyboard: $1 Pre-Order, Customization & More
When NuPhy’s Kick75 was introduced last week, details about this new mechanical keyboard were limited. It was known for its eye-catching retro style and the ability to use both low-profile and standard-height mechanical switches. Now, NuPhy has opened the pre-order page for the Kick75, providing us with further insights into what we can expect from this wireless mechanical keyboard.
Pre-Order Details
The pre-order page and the Kick75 microsite don’t provide a lot of specifics, but there’s still useful information available. Firstly, the pre-order cost is just $1, while the final price is still unknown and set to be announced on February 18, 2025.
Design Features
NuPhy appears to be applying lessons from their previous models, the NuPhy Air60 HE (currently priced at $139.99 on Amazon) and Air75 HE keyboards, to the new Kick75. According to the Kick75 microsite, the low-profile version will feature switches with a travel distance of 3.4 mm, which is comparable to some full-height switches, along with a full-POM construction. In theory, this full-POM build should allow the switches to feel smoother over time, though POM isn’t universally praised as a switch material.
Community Involvement
NuPhy has also announced that 3D models for the Kick75 will be available, enabling users to 3D print their own accessories. While this isn’t entirely new in the realm of custom mechanical keyboards, it’s somewhat rare for larger manufacturers. This approach could lead to plenty of community-driven enhancements and additions.
In addition, the Kick75 seems to take inspiration from the Nos75. Rather than employing distinct switch sockets to support both low-profile and standard keycaps, the Kick75 switches will have a unified pin layout. This is beneficial for customization regarding full-height options, but it does limit the selection of low-profile switches that can be used with the Kick75.
Future Plans
For now, it remains uncertain how NuPhy intends to market the Kick75. They are asking customers to indicate their preferred variant in a survey after paying the $1 pre-order fee. This suggests that NuPhy is primarily aiming to sell the Kick75 as a pre-configured kit, with optional switches, top cases, and plates available for separate purchase.
NuPhy is on a mission to make keyboards accessible to everyone, similar to how Odyssey has made gaming more inclusive.
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Tags: Kick75, mechanical keyboard, NuPhy
January 23, 2025
Asus Launches 4G Chromebooks with 360-Degree Hinge and Durability
There is no doubt that a significant number of laptop users, particularly students, have very basic performance needs from their devices. For these individuals, Chromebooks, despite their limitations, can be a practical option. Asus seems to recognize this market and has introduced the CR series of budget-friendly Chromebooks, which emphasize strong build quality.
Display Options and Features
The laptops come in two sizes: 11.6 inches and 12.2 inches, both featuring a 16:10 aspect ratio and touch support. There will also be convertible variants, and others will include 180-degree hinges that enable lay-flat use. As expected from a Chromebook, high performance is not a key focus, and these models will be powered by a maximum of a 6-watt Intel N250 processor, which has a four-core, four-thread setup and can reach a boost frequency of 3.8 GHz.
Performance and Connectivity
That being said, for everyday light tasks, the Intel N250 should perform adequately. LTE connectivity is available, along with WiFi 6E and Bluetooth capabilities. Users can opt for up to 16 GB of RAM and 128 GB of eMMC storage. While the RAM is sufficient for most needs, the storage options leave much to be desired. The range of ports is fairly good, featuring dual USB-C, dual USB-A, HDMI 1.4b, an audio jack, and a Kensington lock. Asus also mentions that the keyboard is spill-resistant, which is a nice touch.
Pricing and Availability
As of now, there is no information regarding the pricing or release date, but further details should surface soon. Given the specifications, it is reasonable to anticipate that the Asus CR series of Chromebooks will be quite budget-friendly.
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Tags: ASUS, Chromebook, CR series
January 22, 2025
Nvidia Responds to RTX 5090 Power Connector Melting Issues
With the Nvidia RTX 5090 priced at $1999, there’s a growing concern about a potential melted power connector. This issue previously affected the RTX 4090, leading both Nvidia and third-party manufacturers to update their cabling solutions. The revamped 12V-2×6 16-pin cable has helped reduce incidents, but the new flagship GPU demands even more power. A Korean tech site, Quasar Zone, reported that Nvidia attempted to ease worries about this problem at a recent press event.
Initial Concerns and Blame
Soon after the RTX 4090 launched in October 2022, users began to voice complaints about overheating connectors. Nvidia initially pointed the finger at users, suggesting that improper seating of the connector could result in melting. However, this explanation didn’t sit well with many seasoned system builders. Ultimately, Nvidia encouraged the shift to the newer 12V-2×6 cables included with the more recent RTX 4090 cards. This change nearly eradicated instances of damaged GPUs, although older models with the previous connector were still available for sale.
Power Draw and System Stress
The earlier versions of the RTX 4090 came equipped with the 12VHPWR connector, capable of handling a 600-watt power draw. In contrast, the updated 12V-2×6 cables are designed to be more robust, featuring shorter and more efficient pins. The RTX 5090 requires 575 watts, an increase from the 450 watts of the previous generation Nvidia GPU, putting additional strain on power systems. Nevertheless, during the GeForce Update Editor’s Day in 2025, Nvidia expressed confidence that the 12V-2×6 connector would avert future issues.
Manufacturer Innovations
Not every manufacturer of the RTX 5090 is convinced that the standard 12V-2×6 design is sufficient. MSI has opted for yellow-tipped power adapters, which provide a clearer indication of a secure connection. With the new Nvidia GPU set to launch on January 30th, testers are currently pushing its performance limits. Should any issues arise due to the high power demands, it is hoped that potential buyers will be informed before making a purchase.
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Tags: NVIDIA, power connector issues, RTX 5090
January 22, 2025
China Plans Moon-Orbiting Lasers to Power Spacecraft
On January 23, 2004, China launched its program to explore the moon, which would later include orbiters, landers, and spacecraft that return samples, all utilizing the Long March rocket series. They plan to have human crews participating by 2030, as announced in July 2023. A major hurdle in moon exploration is ensuring all equipment can withstand temperature drops to -200 degrees Celsius (-328 degrees Fahrenheit) for 14-day durations, along with navigating deep craters that could hold water-ice and are always in shadow.
Exploring Power Solutions
NASA and the European Space Agency have looked into using lasers to supply energy to spacecraft on planetary surfaces since the 1990s, but they have not progressed beyond theoretical concepts. Now, China aims to thoroughly evaluate the practicality of laser wireless power transmission (LWPT). They plan to create the necessary technology if their research supports it and then begin practical tests.
Key Technologies in Focus
As reported by SpaceNews, “LWPT uses laser beams to transmit power wirelessly from orbiting satellites to surface receivers, converting light into electricity. The researchers recommend the development of key technologies, followed by on-orbit testing.” At this point, it remains uncertain which “key technologies” will be included in this initiative, aside from the evident high-power lasers for space and precision laser emission systems. Meanwhile, China is already working on transmitting power from space and testing a similar setup using the Tiangong space station.
Future Plans for Lunar Exploration
More information is available in a scientific paper authored by teams from various Chinese institutions, including the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST) and Shandong Aerospace Electronics Technology Research Institute. By the end of this decade, China plans to build a lunar base called the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS). However, before the ILRS is operational, one or both of the two upcoming missions to the lunar south pole may also conduct LWPT tests. These missions are slated for 2026 and 2028. The last mission in the series occurred last year and successfully returned with soil samples from the moon’s far side.
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Tags: International Lunar Research Station, Long March, Lunar Exploration
January 22, 2025
AMD Surpasses Intel in Desktop CPU Market Share, Faces Laptop APU Challenges
The well-known PassMark CPU benchmark database has refreshed its market share charts for the first quarter of 2025. The initial graph on the site, which encompasses all CPUs, shows Intel holding a significant lead with 59.5%. In contrast, AMD is performing quite well with a market share of 38.8%. Apple and Qualcomm also appear, but their shares are quite small, at 1.2% and 0.2% respectively. Nonetheless, the upcoming Snapdragon X series chips may boost Qualcomm’s market presence soon.
Desktop CPU Insights
The second graph provides a more captivating insight into the desktop CPU market. One might expect Intel to be the clear leader, as AMD has only achieved greater market share a couple of times—once in 2021 and earlier in 2006 when the Athlon 64 and Athlon 64 X2 were popular. Surprisingly, AMD now holds 50.1% compared to Intel’s 48.5%. This shift began in the latter half of 2024, largely due to the positive reception of the Granite Ridge Zen 5-based Ryzen 9000 processors. An impressive 880 samples of the Ryzen 9 9950X, which is currently priced at $589.99 on Amazon, have been tested, while Intel’s Core Ultra 9 285K has only seen 319 samples benchmarked.
Laptop Market Trends
However, the laptop market share graph tells a different story for fans of AMD. Although this data is drawn from SKUs assessed on the site, PassMark asserts that over one million CPUs have been evaluated, providing a realistic view of the CPU landscape. Intel remains overwhelmingly dominant in the laptop segment, holding a substantial 73.6% market share, having peaked at 92.2% in Q2 2017. Although AMD made headway in gaining market share with its Zen microarchitecture iterations, its growth has stagnated since late 2020.
In 2020, Apple introduced its silicon with the M1 chip to disrupt the market, achieving an 8.5% share by the end of 2021, mostly at Intel’s expense. In Q1 2024, Apple struggled again, facing off against Intel while AMD remained steady at around 20-22%. Noteworthy Ryzen 4000 laptops with non-PRO Zen 2 Renoir APUs, like the Acer Swift 3 SF314-42 and the Schenker XMG Core 15, have encouraged consumers and OEMs to explore AMD’s mobile chips due to their exceptional performance and efficiency. However, factors such as supply shortages, heightened competition, OEM deals, and Intel’s long-held dominance have left AMD Ryzen laptops somewhat sidelined, despite the strong processors they contain.
PassMark’s updated graphs reveal the shifting landscape of the CPU market, with Intel still leading but AMD making notable inroads, especially in desktop CPUs. The laptop segment, however, still largely favors Intel, highlighting the challenges AMD faces in that arena.
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Tags: AMD Ryzen 9000, Apple M1, Intel
January 22, 2025
Lenovo Launches External SSD Not Suitable for Air Travel
Lenovo has introduced a new external SSD that is shaped like a hand grenade. This unique design is a nod to the recent Chinese military film, Operation Dragon, which is also known as Operation Leviathan or Operation Hadal. Although the SSD has a distinctive appearance, it may not be ideal for those who travel often, as it could attract unwanted attention during airport security screenings.
Product Features
The caption from the image below translates to: “Lenovo Crowdfunding — Lifesaver Tactical Mobile Solid State Drive. Official hardcore aluminum alloy grenade shape. USB 3.2 high-speed protocol. Works with many SSD specifications.” The logos of Lenovo Legion and Operation Hadal can also be seen in the design.
According to Lenovo’s official crowdfunding page, this grenade-shaped SSD has the potential to be a successful project. Currently, the campaign is 69% funded with over three weeks left, and there is much buzz in Chinese tech media about this eye-catching product.
Pricing and Expectations
While complete specifications for the crowdfunding product priced at 599 yuan (about $82) are not yet published, it is believed that the grenade-shaped SSD will have a 1TB capacity and data transfer speeds reaching up to 1,050 MB/s, along with a USB Type-C interface. These expectations are based on the specifications of Lenovo’s current Legion portable SSD lineup.
Lenovo has not provided any information about when the product will be available globally. If you’re seeking a product that’s already on the market, the Samsung T9 is a solid option (2TB currently priced at $169.99 on Amazon).
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Tags: external SSD, Lenovo, Operation Dragon
January 22, 2025
Fujitsu FMV Note U AI Laptop: 36-Hour Battery, Intel Lunar Lake, 1.85 lbs
Fujitsu says that their latest FMV Note U is the lightest Copilot+ laptop in the world. Weighing in at just 1.85 lbs, it surely ranks among the lightest laptops available. Even with its slim design, the company has successfully incorporated a fairly sizable 64Wh battery, promising up to 36 hours of battery life when in idle mode.
Battery Performance
When it comes to watching videos, the battery life dips down to 15.5 hours, and it’s probably even less when using office applications or browsing the internet. Given its incredibly light weight, this super thin Windows laptop still offers a significant battery alongside an efficient Intel Core Ultra 7 258V processor. This chip includes four performance cores that can reach boost speeds of up to 4.8 GHz, four efficiency cores, and the fast Intel Arc Graphics 140V. The chassis meets the MIL-STD-810H certification, indicating that it is quite robust and durable.
Connectivity Options
The ultrabook comes with a good variety of ports, which includes two USB-C ports with Thunderbolt 4 support, two USB-A ports, HDMI 2.1, a microSD card reader, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and even Gigabit Ethernet, which is uncommon in this weight category. Additionally, the FMV Note U supports Wi-Fi 7. The device features a 14-inch 16:10 IPS display with a resolution of 1920 x 1200 pixels, along with a fingerprint sensor and a 1080p webcam.
Availability and Pricing
Currently, the Fujitsu FMV Note U UA-K1 ultrabook is only sold in Japan. The base model, which comes with a Core Ultra 5 226V, 16 GB of RAM, and 256 GB SSD storage, is priced at ¥214,000 ($1,375). The top-of-the-line configuration features a Core Ultra 7 258V, 32 GB of RAM, and a 2 TB SSD, costing ¥332,800 ($2,139). Officially, Fujitsu’s notebooks are available only in Japan and the US, meaning that potential buyers from Europe will need to import the new FMV Note U.
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Tags: FMV Note U, Fujitsu, Ultrabook
January 21, 2025
Morefine M6S Plus: Compact Intel N150 PC with Dual 4K Outputs
Morefine has introduced the MS6 Plus mini-PC, which is impressively small, even for mini-PCs, and can easily fit in your hand. It has dimensions of just 72 x 72 x 42 mm (2.8 x 2.8 x 1.7 in) and weighs only 190 g (6.7 oz). This little device comes with an Intel N150 processor. While it’s a current-gen chip, it doesn’t offer high performance. It has four cores that can reach speeds of up to 3.6 GHz, but it doesn’t support Hyper-Threading, so it can only handle four threads at a time. That said, it should work well for basic tasks like office applications and digital signage.
RAM and Storage Options
As is common in ultra-compact systems, the RAM is soldered in place and cannot be upgraded. The M6S Plus comes with a decent 12 GB of LPDDR5 memory that operates at 4,800 MHz. Instead of eMMC storage, this mini-PC allows for one M.2 2242 SSD with a maximum capacity of two terabytes, which can connect via NVMe (and thus PCIe) or SATA.
Connectivity Features
You can expand the storage using a microSD card if you need more space. The M6S Plus is equipped with an HDMI 2.0 port and a USB-C DisplayPort, allowing for 4K video output. It also has three USB 3.2 Type-A ports for connecting peripherals and a Gigabyte Ethernet port. Powering the system is done through a USB-C port, which requires a USB PD charger that is rated at 36 watts or higher.
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Tags: Mini-PC, Morefine, MS6 Plus
January 20, 2025
GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop Debuts on Geekbench with Razer Blade 16
The Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 for laptops has made its first appearance on Geekbench. It comes with the new Razer Blade 16, which features an AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor and 32 GB of DDR5 RAM. However, this version isn’t showcasing its full potential, as indicated by its benchmark score.
Performance Numbers
The laptop variant of the GeForce RTX 5090 achieved a score of 91,063 in Geekbench’s OpenCL test. This score is significantly lower than the median score of 190,680 for the GeForce RTX 4090. The reason for this dip in performance is likely due to it operating at a reduced speed of just 1,500 MHz, which is considerably below its peak frequency. Although Nvidia hasn’t officially stated this, we can anticipate it to be slightly above the RTX 4090 laptop’s boost clock of 2,040 MHz.
Testing Limitations
However, it’s important to note that Geekbench isn’t the best benchmark for assessing GPU performance, especially when the GPU is evidently underperforming. It’s quite possible that the Razer Blade 16 is set to a power-saving mode. The listing also provides some important specifications of the GeForce RTX 5090, including 24 GB of VRAM and 82 Streaming Multiprocessors (SMs), which equals a total of 10,496 CUDA cores.
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Tags: Geekbench, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090, Razer Blade 16
January 20, 2025
Apple MacBook Air OLED Delay for Improved LCD Model
According to a report from Omdia Research dated February 2024, the MacBook Air was originally set to get an OLED panel upgrade in 2027, following the MacBook Pro’s upgrade by a year. However, recent information from The Elec’s sources indicates that these plans have been delayed: the OLED version of the MacBook Air is now expected to launch in 2029.
Reasons for the Delay
The main reason for this shift is the slow sales of the iPad Pro featuring the OLED display. Apple projected to sell 10 million units, but in reality, only 6 million units were sold last year. This shortfall is likely attributed to the high cost of the tandem OLED panel, which led to a higher retail price. To fill the gap until the MacBook Air’s release, Apple is said to be planning an upgrade to a more advanced LCD in 2027. The new model is expected to feature an oxide LTPS panel, replacing the current MacBook Air’s a-Si TFT.
Expected Improvements
While these panels may be more costly, they usually offer benefits like better response times, improved color accuracy, and reduced power usage. In our thorough assessment, the current MacBook Air provides a commendable 98.4% coverage of the DCI-P3 color spectrum and a contrast ratio of 1250:1. However, its response time of 34.5 ms is only average. Even when the MacBook Air is anticipated to have an OLED panel in 2029, analysts predict that Apple will likely go with a traditional 60 Hz panel without a tandem design to keep costs down.
Overall, it seems like the path ahead for the MacBook Air will involve some changes, but not the upgrades that were initially hoped for.
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Tags: iPad Pro, MacBook Air, OLED