Category: Computers

  • O.MG Cable Explained: Why It’s Hard to Detect with X-Ray

    O.MG Cable Explained: Why It’s Hard to Detect with X-Ray

    Lumafield, a firm that focuses on imaging electronics and components, has recently performed a CT scan on the well-known O.MG cable. The findings illustrate how advanced hackers can trick unsuspecting users. When examined more closely, the O.MG cable, which looks like a typical USB-C cable, is actually a multifunctional device for cyber criminals. They can utilize it to take control of smartphones and computers, steal private information, or introduce malware.

    Hidden Technology Unveiled

    The CT scans from Lumafield expose the concealed technology within the connector. A small microchip and antenna are ingeniously concealed in the standard-sized USB-C plug, which allows hackers to remotely access and manipulate the devices connected. Lumafield has shared these scans online for those who are curious.

    Today’s Thunderbolt and USB-C cables are intricate designs that contain electronics and chips to manage data transfer, power supply, and other features. Even an X-ray image may not clearly indicate if a cable has been altered. The extra electronics found in the O.MG cable are so tiny and well-integrated that they are nearly indistinguishable from the regular components.

    The Rising Threat

    A few months back, we shared (in German only) the hazards linked to the O.MG cable and similar devices. Hackers are increasingly adopting a long-term approach, dedicating time and resources to projects that may yield results years down the line. This emphasizes the necessity of staying alert and recognizing the risks involved.

    Counterfeit products that resemble the genuine article are continuously emerging on Amazon and other online storefronts. For the average person, it is nearly impossible to tell apart manipulated cables from safe ones. We can only cross our fingers and hope that no hacker is currently peddling cables with hidden backdoors on Amazon.

    Source: Link

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  • AMD Ryzen AI 7 350 Scores Well on PassMark for Single-Threaded Performance

    AMD Ryzen AI 7 350 Scores Well on PassMark for Single-Threaded Performance

    Yesterday, the Ryzen AI 7 350 from Krackan Point made quite an impact on Geekbench, showing a solid performance improvement compared to its Hawk Point variant. However, its performance on PassMark (thanks to @Olrak29_ on X for the info) isn’t as impressive, especially in multicore testing. This is somewhat expected since it has a combination of 4 Zen 5 cores and 4 Zen 5c cores.

    Performance Metrics

    The AMD Ryzen AI 7 350 achieved scores of 3,919 and 21,127 points in PassMark’s single-threaded and multithreaded tests, respectively. The single-thread score is similar to that of its Zen 5 sibling, the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370, which scored 3,977. This CPU has a thermal design power (TDP) of 45 Watts and includes a Radeon 860M integrated GPU.

    Comparing with Previous Generation

    In contrast, the previous generation, Ryzen 7 8845HS, had scores of 3,782 and 28,806 in the same benchmarks. This difference is anticipated, given that the Hawk Point version has eight full Zen 4 cores, which results in superior multithread performance. The single-thread performance of the Ryzen AI 7 350 is where it shines, but it loses ground on the multicore front.

    Rivalry with Other Processors

    Intel’s Lunar Lake-based Core Ultra 7 258V slightly outperforms in single-thread tests with a score of 4,109. Its multithread performance is surprisingly close at 20,018, even without hyperthreading. The unexpected competitor here is Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite X1E-80-100, which manages to surpass in multithreaded performance with a score of 23,400. However, in single-thread performance, the Krackan Point CPU takes the lead, as the Qualcomm processor scores 3,318.

    Naturally, these benchmarks don’t fully capture the true performance of the Ryzen AI 7 350. We’ll have a clearer picture when it officially launches at CES 2025, alongside Strix Halo and a potential refresh of Hawk Point.

    Source: Link

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  • Asus ROG Flow Z13 Leaks: AMD Strix Halo APUs & Radeon 8060S

    Asus ROG Flow Z13 Leaks: AMD Strix Halo APUs & Radeon 8060S

    Asus has made the decision not to refresh the ROG Flow Z13 this year. Thus, the latest model is equipped with the Intel Raptor Lake-H powered Core i9-13900H, which Asus combines with Nvidia GeForce RTX 40 series GPUs, such as the GeForce RTX 4050 (currently $1,649 on Amazon). This means that the CPU and GPU that support the current ROG Flow Z13 are nearing two years old.

    New AMD Options on the Horizon

    Earlier in the year, there were rumors that Asus was planning a refresh of the AMD Strix Halo, with a recent Geekbench leak backing this up. Now, initial retailer listings indicate that the ROG Flow Z13 might return with not just one but two Strix Halo APU options. Specifically, the Ryzen AI Max 390 and Ryzen AI Max Plus 395 APUs have been noted, each featuring a Radeon 8060S integrated GPU (iGPU) that boasts 40 Compute Units (CUs) based on AMD’s RDNA 3.5 architecture.

    Performance Expectations

    In theory, this iGPU should provide both APUs with better graphics performance than what the Radeon RX 7600M XT can offer. However, the Radeon 8060S falls short by 20 CUs when compared to the Radeon RX 7800M. To provide some context, it looks like the Ryzen AI Max 390 and Ryzen AI Max Plus 395 come with 12 and 16 CPU cores, respectively.

    Features and Future Plans

    So far, all ROG Flow Z13 variants that have been revealed come with 1 TB of storage and a 13.4-inch IPS display that supports a 180 Hz refresh rate, peaks at 500 nits brightness, and has a native resolution of 2.5K (2,560 x 1,600). Additionally, there may be RAM options of 24 GB and 32 GB available. It seems that Asus intends to unveil the new ROG Flow Z13 at CES 2025, as they have confirmed plans for a dedicated ROG event during the Las Vegas-based trade fair.

    Source: Link

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  • Acer Chromebook Spin 312: New Convertible with Intel CPU and ChromeOS

    Acer Chromebook Spin 312: New Convertible with Intel CPU and ChromeOS

    Acer has launched the Acer Chromebook Spin 312, a new convertible laptop that features hinges allowing for a wide opening angle, making it possible to use the Spin 312 in tent mode. Naturally, a device like this includes a touchscreen. The 12.2-inch screen supports a 60Hz refresh rate and offers a resolution of 1,920 x 1,200 (WUXGA), which gives more vertical pixels than the standard Full HD in landscape orientation.

    Performance Specifications

    This convertible notebook is powered by an Intel Core i3-N305 processor, which has eight cores and a maximum turbo clock speed of 3.8 GHz. Alongside the processor, it comes with 8 GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 128 GB of flash storage. While these specifications may appear rather basic when compared with regular notebooks, the Spin 312 is designed primarily for web-based tasks and lighter activities such as text editing and educational use. ChromeOS enhances ease of use in this regard and is known for its security features.

    Battery Life and Connectivity

    Acer states that the Chromebook Spin 312 can achieve a maximum battery life of 13 hours and supports charging at up to 65 watts. Interestingly, there is no dedicated charging port; instead, it utilizes USB-C for charging. Additionally, the device is equipped with two USB-A ports, an HDMI 1.4 output, and an audio combo jack. Weighing around 1.3 kg (2.84 lbs), this 2-in-1 Chromebook is priced at US$450 in the United States.

    Source: Link

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  • Meta to Compensate Australians $50 Million Over Cambridge Analytica

    Meta to Compensate Australians $50 Million Over Cambridge Analytica

    Meta has struck a deal to settle for $50 million with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) regarding the Cambridge Analytica incident from 2018. This settlement is aimed at compensating Australians whose Facebook data was collected and used for targeted political advertising.

    Breach of Privacy Act

    The OAIC issued a statement, highlighting, "The personal information of some Australian Facebook users was disclosed to the This is Your Digital Life app in violation of the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth)." As part of the agreement, the OAIC will drop the civil penalty proceedings that have been in effect since February 2024.

    Payment Scheme Details

    Meta will implement a payment scheme that will be managed by an independent third-party administrator. The company plans to announce this mediator at the beginning of next year. The compensation will be available for individuals who meet these criteria:

    1) They had a Facebook account from November 2, 2013, to December 17, 2015.

    2) They were in Australia for more than 30 days during that timeframe.

    3) They either installed the This is Your Digital Life app or were friends on Facebook with someone who did.

    Two-Tier Payment System

    There will be two levels within this payment system. The first tier allows individuals to apply for a base payment "if they feel they experienced generalized concern or embarrassment because of the matter." The second tier is for those who can provide evidence of loss or damage due to the incident, making them eligible for a higher compensation amount.

    "Today’s settlement marks the largest payment ever made to address privacy concerns for individuals in Australia," stated Commissioner Elizabeth Tydd in a press release.

    "It signifies a major resolution to the privacy issues raised by the Cambridge Analytica situation, offers affected Australians a chance to seek compensation through Meta’s payment program, and puts an end to a prolonged court process," Tydd further explained.

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  • Pico W5: Wireless Raspberry Pi Pico Alternative for Projects

    Pico W5: Wireless Raspberry Pi Pico Alternative for Projects

    At the end of November, we shared updates about the Raspberry Pi RP2350 and the Raspberry Pi Pico 2 W. As expected, the first alternatives have started to emerge. The new Pico W5 is an alternative built on the Raspberry Pi RP2350. While this computing chip features two Cortex-M33 cores, boards utilizing the RP2350 chip are relatively weak overall and aren’t fit for everyday desktop tasks like the Raspberry Pi 5. In contrast, the Pico W5 is created for connecting sensors and actuators, making it more appropriate for projects that require close interaction with hardware and where, for example, sensor data usage or network data sharing is crucial.

    Specifications and Design

    The Pico W5 is compact, measuring 51 x 21 millimeters and weighing only 3 grams. It comes with a USB-C port, which serves for power supply. The device includes 520 KB of SRAM and has 8 MB of QSPI flash storage. For wireless communication, it supports WiFi in the 5 GHz frequency range, and it can also connect to other devices through Bluetooth 5.0 LE. Additionally, the 26-pin GPIO header supports various protocols, including UART, SPI, and I2C.

    Pricing and Availability

    You can purchase the Pico W5 from Elecrow for just under $7. Meanwhile, the Raspberry Pi Pico 2 is available on Amazon for $10.89.

    Source: Link

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  • Iris²: European Starlink Alternative Secures €10.6 Billion Funding

    Iris²: European Starlink Alternative Secures €10.6 Billion Funding

    Iris² is a significant satellite initiative by the European Union, following in the footsteps of Galileo, which is a GPS alternative, and the Copernicus program for earth observation. This project aims to create a competitor to Starlink by 2030, ensuring that EU member states have their own reliable and secure internet access, free from the influence of wealthy individuals or the political agendas of other countries.

    Investment Details

    As reported by the Financial Times, the total funding for this initiative will reach 10.6 billion euros. Of this amount, 61% will originate from public resources, while the remaining 39% will come from SpaceRise, an industrial group that includes companies like Eutelsat, Hispasat, SES, Airbus, and Deutsche Telekom. SpaceRise has entered into a twelve-year agreement to develop and manage the network. The planned Iris² system will feature 290 satellites, with a mix of some in medium and others in low earth orbit.

    Service Offerings

    Similar to Starlink, most of the bandwidth from Iris² will be allocated for delivering broadband internet to individuals and businesses, particularly in regions with limited internet access. Nevertheless, a portion of this capacity will also be set aside for government use, which is crucial for maintaining essential infrastructure during crises and for conducting surveillance activities. Currently, there are no additional specifics available regarding the expected bandwidth or the satellite technology that will be utilized.

    Source: Link

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  • Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13: Intel’s Breakthrough Battery Life

    Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13: Intel’s Breakthrough Battery Life

    Customers who purchased Intel laptops over the last few years had to deal with poor battery life. The problem stemmed from Intel struggling to make its CPUs efficient without compromising on performance.

    The Alder Lake Generation’s Flaws

    The Alder Lake series was perhaps the worst in this regard. The 12th gen Core i CPUs brought a new hybrid design that Intel took from ARM, featuring large P cores and smaller E cores. The “E” stands for “Efficiency,” raising hopes that these laptops would enjoy improved battery life. Unfortunately, “Efficiency” turned out to mean “maximizing multicore performance.” As a result, Alder Lake actually provided less battery life than the previous 11th gen Tiger Lake CPUs.

    Progress with Raptor Lake and Meteor Lake

    Intel addressed these issues with the subsequent Raptor Lake and Meteor Lake CPUs, but the battery performance still lagged behind competitors. Then came Intel’s Lunar Lake. This first CPU mostly produced by TSMC finally enhances processor efficiency, leading to better battery life.

    Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon: A Case Study

    A great example illustrating Intel’s progress—or lack thereof over recent years—is the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon. We recently tested the latest Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 featuring Lunar Lake. Since 2021, Lenovo has kept the battery capacity unchanged at 57 Wh. We also evaluated each generation with the available 2.8K OLED display, making it perfect for comparing battery life and Intel’s efficiency.

    The statistics are revealing: while the Alder Lake variant of the X1 Carbon barely lasted five hours in our Wi-Fi test (at 150 cd/m² brightness), the newest Gen 13 model achieves nearly eleven hours—more than double. Our findings also indicate that Alder Lake (12th Gen Core i) and Raptor Lake (13th Gen Core i) represented a regression compared to Tiger Lake (11th Gen Core i). Only the Meteor Lake version (Core Ultra Series 1) of the X1 Carbon Gen 12 (available on Amazon) finally matched the efficiency levels of Tiger Lake. With Lunar Lake (Core Ultra Series 2), the performance sees a significant boost, which is why we consider the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 the best X1 Carbon to date.

    Source: Link

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  • Framework Laptop 16 Supports Four M.2 SSDs for 16 TB Storage

    Framework Laptop 16 Supports Four M.2 SSDs for 16 TB Storage

    The Framework Laptop 16 features an expansion bay, which was originally designed mainly for the optional AMD Radeon RX 7700S. This graphics card can be added for an extra $400 when purchasing the laptop. Now, users who don’t require the GPU can utilize the expansion bay for a different module.

    Dual M.2 Adapter Overview

    This new module is referred to as the “Dual M.2 Adapter.” The name clearly indicates its purpose: it utilizes the PCIe interface of the expansion slot to connect two M.2 SSDs. When combined with the two M.2 slots on the mainboard of the Framework Laptop 16, users can install up to four 4 TB SSDs, allowing for a maximum storage capacity of 16 TB. Remember, compatible SSDs must be bought separately if needed.

    Pricing for SSDs

    For instance, the Crucial P3 Plus PCIe 4.0 SSD with 4 TB storage is currently priced at $244.95 on Amazon. The adapter supports all M.2 formats from 2230 to 2280. Furthermore, the dual M.2 adapter does not hinder the cooling system of the Framework Laptop 16, as the two fans are placed in the expansion slot along with the extra SSDs. You can check our in-depth review for more information about the Framework Laptop 16.

    Cost and Purchase Information

    The dual M.2 adapter for the Framework Laptop 16 can now be found in the manufacturer’s online store for just $39. As is customary, Framework provides a manual to guide users through the installation process, which should take about 15 to 30 minutes. A screwdriver is all that’s needed to complete the installation.

    Source: Link

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  • AMD Ryzen AI Max Plus 395 and New Asus ROG Flow Z13 Leaked

    AMD Ryzen AI Max Plus 395 and New Asus ROG Flow Z13 Leaked

    Some time back, the ‘Pro’ version of AMD’s high-end Strix Halo CPU appeared on Geekbench. Now, we have the chance to look at its standard model, which has a long name that is a bit confusing, but not as much. The Ryzen AI Max Plus 395 has been tested, giving us a glimpse into its CPU and GPU capabilities. It is found in an Asus ROG Flow Z13, a unique laptop-tablet combination, which was hinted at by a leak earlier this year.

    Performance Insights

    The AMD Ryzen AI Max Plus 395 managed to score 2,894 points in Geekbench’s single-core evaluation. This result is quite similar to the Ryzen 9 7945HX from two generations back, which scored 2,880, and the more recent Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 at 2,857, not to mention the low-power Core Ultra 9 288V, which came in at 2,864. Interestingly, the Strix Halo flagship falls behind the previous-gen Core i9-14900HX, which averaged around 3,016 in our findings.

    Optimization Needed

    Clearly, the CPU requires some fine-tuning, as demonstrated by Geekbench’s frequency data. The CPU peaks at 5.2 GHz, but the primary listing states its boost clock at 3.939 GHz. Additionally, the memory, which is 24 GB, is shown to operate at a lowly 1,944 MT/s, even though it is supposed to run at 8,000 MT/s. Regardless, the Strix Halo is not expected to launch until next year, giving AMD and Asus time to resolve its issues.

    Multicore Performance

    Looking at multicore performance, the AMD Ryzen AI Max Plus 395 shows off its sixteen Zen 5 cores with impressive results. It achieves a score of 20,708 points, surpassing all previously mentioned CPUs. Since Strix Point incorporates both Zen 5 and Zen 5c cores, the best we can compare it to is the Ryzen 9 7945HX, which had an average score of 16,765. This indicates that Strix Halo provides a 25% performance boost over its Zen 4 predecessor.

    In conclusion, while the Ryzen AI Max Plus 395 may outperform its x86 rivals, it is significantly outclassed by Apple’s M4 Pro, which is an Arm-based rival with two fewer CPU cores. Our benchmarking records indicate it scored 3,382 and 22,527 points in Geekbench 6.3. While this doesn’t fully represent a processor’s overall performance, Strix Halo is unlikely to bridge that considerable gap, even with adequate software enhancements.

    Source: Link

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