Tag: standalone release

  • New Dell XPS 13 Challenges MacBook Air, 8GB RAM Fears Overblown

    New Dell XPS 13 Challenges MacBook Air, 8GB RAM Fears Overblown

    Key Takeaway

    – Apple’s MacBook Neo forced Windows OEMs like Dell to improve affordable laptop quality.
    – The Dell XPS 13 2026 features a premium CNC aluminum build, 120 Hz QHD+ display, and good inputs.
    – 8GB RAM in the XPS 13 handles normal daily use without issues, despite online concerns.
    – The XPS 13 offers slightly better battery life than the MacBook Neo (14hr 48min local video playback).
    – The $599 Dell XPS 13 could spark a competitive, consumer-benefiting affordable Windows laptop market.

    The Unexpected Rival

    Many would argue that by releasing the MacBook Neo at a good price, Apple has done a major service to the Windows laptop ecosystem. The MacBook Neo offers superb value at $599 with its excellent metallic construction, a 500-nit IPS display, and good performance. Windows laptop OEMs were left with no choice but to respond with comparable laptops. The Dell XPS 13 2026 is one of the first true MacBook Neo rivals, and it looks to be an incredible one.

    A Totally New Build

    We got our hands on the Dell XPS 13 2026 for a brief first impressions video and came away quite impressed. Gone are the rickety plastic chassis that you expect from an affordable Windows laptop, the weak, washed-out display, and the underwhelming input devices. The Dell XPS 13 2026 features almost none of these traditional trappings of affordable Windows laptops.

    Key Specs and Features

    The new Dell XPS 13 is a slim and light CNC aluminum notebook with a 120 Hz QHD+ display, a backlit keyboard, a large glass touchpad, two Thunderbolt 4 ports, and a 52 Wh battery. Be sure to check out our full initial impressions of the laptop linked below.

    Performance Concerns Addressed

    While we haven’t yet reviewed the Dell XPS 13, the biggest drawback of the XPS 13 vs the MacBook Neo would be the performance. We did notice in our hands-on that, despite packing just 8 GB of RAM, the XPS 13 handles day-to-day tasks without a hitch. So, the concerns around Windows 11 and 8 GB of RAM that have dominated conversations online since the XPS 13 launched seem a bit overblown.

    Dave2D’s Take on RAM

    This was also confirmed by Dave2D in his initial testing of the Dell XPS 13. Dave2D reports that, although the XPS 13 is slower than the MacBook Neo on a purely horsepower basis and macOS also handles 8 GB RAM better than Windows, the XPS 13 is no slouch. The 8GB of RAM only starts to affect Windows 11 in extreme cases, like running video editing software while playing a bunch of videos, etc. For normal, routine use, the new Dell XPS 13 reportedly has no issues due to 8 GB of RAM, even with many browser tabs open.

    Battery Life Comparison

    Finally, Dell advertises 17 hours of Netflix streaming on a single charge for the XPS 13. Dave2D measured 14 hours and 48 minutes of local video playback. This result is a little over an hour longer than the MacBook Neo.

    The Final Verdict for Now

    While we have to reserve final judgments for our review, it appears that Dell has crafted a superb value-oriented Windows laptop in the XPS 13 2026. We expect the XPS 13 to sell quite well, especially at the $599 student price. This has the potential to kickstart an affordable Windows laptop race, which would immensely benefit consumers.


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  • HP & Ferrari Limited Laptop: Stunning, High Price

    HP & Ferrari Limited Laptop: Stunning, High Price

    Key Takeaway

    – Limited edition of 4,999 units with a unique Ferrari Rosso Magma finish and numbered heat pipe
    – Developed over two years in collaboration with Ferrari Design Studio
    – Premium specs: 14″ 3K OLED+ display, Intel Core Ultra X7, 64GB RAM, 1TB SSD
    – Priced at $5,599, launching June 12 exclusively via HP online store in select countries
    – Includes custom Poltrona Frau leather sleeve and Ferrari-branded power adapter

    Scuderia Ferrari, the Formula One racing division of Ferrari has partnered with HP on what is arguably one of the most beautiful limited edition computers released this year. Officially called the HP Limited Edition Scuderia Ferrari Notebook, the laptop isn’t just gorgeous but boasts impressive features.

    Design and Development

    Developed over a period of almost two years by HP’s industrial designers and engineers and Ferrari’s Design Studio, the HP Limited Edition Scuderia Ferrari Notebook arrives ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix. The Copilot+ PC sports a stunning Ferrari Rosso Magma finish which gives it a 3D-depth appearance. The underside has a glass cover that lets you see the cooling fans and red heat pipe. Only 4,999 units will be made and each one will have its number written on the heat pipe.

    Display and Keyboard

    Spec wise, the HP Limited Edition Scuderia Ferrari Notebook has a 14-inch Tandem OLED+ touch display with a 3K resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, and up to 700 nits of brightness. It features a glass haptic keypad and the keyboard has a customizable red backlight. Under the hood is an Intel Core Ultra X7 processor paired with 64GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD.

    For ports, the HP Limited Edition Scuderia Ferrari Notebook has 1x HDMI 2.1 port, 2x Thunderbolt 4 ports (40Gbps, DisplayPort 2.1, USB PD), 1x USB Type-C port (10Gbps, DisplayPort 1.4, USB Power Delivery), and 1x USB-A port (5Gbps), an audio/microphone combo jack, and a K-lock security slot. HP says it ships with Windows 11 Pro and HP Wolf Security for Business.

    Pricing and Availibility

    The HP Limited Edition Scuderia Ferrari Notebook costs $5,599, and when it launches on June 12, it will be sold in the US, UK, Switzerland, France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Japan, and Australia exclusively through the HP online store.

    Included Accessories

    It will ship with a custom Poltrona Frau leather sleeve and a premium Ferrari branded power adapter. HP adds that buyers in the EU who want the charger will have to choose the option with the charger at the point of purchase since the EU version doesn’t ship with a charger by default.

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  • Asus Unveils New 14-Inch Laptop Ahead of Global Launch

    Asus Unveils New 14-Inch Laptop Ahead of Global Launch

    Key Takeaways

    1. Asus will offer the Zenbook S14 in the UK with the Core Ultra 9 386H, aligning with Canadian models instead of the more powerful Core Ultra X versions.
    2. The new 14-inch laptop is priced at £1,599 (approximately $1,799) and features 32 GB of RAM and 1 TB of storage.
    3. The Zenbook S14 has a 2.8K OLED display with a 120 Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 1,100 nits in HDR mode.
    4. Battery capacity has increased from 72 Wh to 77 Wh, suggesting improved battery life for the new model.
    5. The switch to the Core Ultra 9 386H may result in lower graphics performance compared to previous models equipped with Arc 140V.

    Initially, Asus suggested that the Core Ultra X Series would have 3 versions available in Europe to align with US models. However, it appears that the UK will instead align with Canadian models, offering the less powerful non-X versions. Specifically, both Asus and Currys have listed the new Zenbook S14 equipped with the Core Ultra 9 386H, instead of the more robust Core Ultra X7 368H or Core Ultra X9 388H.

    Pricing Details

    At the moment, both retailers have set the price for the new 14-inch laptop at £1,599, which is approximately $1,799 when excluding the 20% VAT applied in the UK. This configuration comes with 32 GB of RAM and 1 TB of storage, but it is only offered in a grey color. The laptop boasts a 2.8K OLED display with a refresh rate of 120 Hz, reaching a peak brightness of 500 nits in SDR mode and 1,100 nits in specific areas when HDR is enabled.

    Battery Improvements

    The battery capacity has increased by 6.9%, moving from 72 Wh to 77 Wh across generations. Consequently, the battery life should continue to be one of the Zenbook S14’s strong points. However, the choice of the Core Ultra 9 386H in place of the X variants might lead to lower graphics performance compared to its Arc 140V-based predecessors.

    Currys UK has been involved in the promotion of this new model, showing their commitment to providing the latest tech to consumers.

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  • Walmart Offers New M1 MacBook Airs for Just $599

    Walmart Offers New M1 MacBook Airs for Just $599

    Key Takeaways

    1. Price Drop: The M1 MacBook Air is now available at Walmart for $599, a $50 discount from its previous price of $649.

    2. Strong Performance: Despite its age, the M1 chip still delivers good performance for everyday tasks and offers over 15 hours of battery life.

    3. Compatibility Concerns: The M1 MacBook Air works with MacOS Tahoe but may not support future operating systems from Apple.

    4. Availability of Lower Prices: While Walmart offers the new M1 MacBook Air, it can often be found at even lower prices through promotions and refurbishers.

    5. Rumored Future Release: There are speculations about a budget MacBook Air with an A18 chip, potentially priced between $599 and $699, but it may lack some features of the M1 model.

    The M1 MacBook Air is celebrated for its impressive battery life, but it’s possibly even more recognized for its lengthy time on the market.

    Price Drop at Walmart

    The well-liked laptop from Apple, released in 2020, is still available as new at Walmart, now with a reduced price tag. Walmart has lowered the cost of the new M1 MacBook Airs to $599, which is a $50 discount from its previous price. Initially, Walmart sold the new M1 MacBook Airs for $699 back in March last year, dropping it to $649 in July. This pricing was for the entry-level model, which comes with 8 GB of RAM and a 256 GB SSD.

    Performance and Battery Life

    Even though the M1 chip is a bit older, it continues to perform well for the typical tasks that everyday users require, including web surfing, streaming videos, and office tasks. Additionally, it boasts excellent battery life, which many users consider to be the most crucial aspect of a laptop.

    In our assessment of the M1 MacBook Air, the device earned a score of 91%. Its key features include over 15 hours of battery life during our tests, effective and quiet performance, and a design without fans. However, the webcam is not great, and the overall design is starting to feel outdated.

    Compatibility and Pricing

    Prospective buyers should know that while the M1 MacBook Air works with MacOS Tahoe (also called MacOS 26), it might not receive support from Apple’s newer operating systems in the coming years.

    At $599, this is a solid price given the laptop’s specifications, but the M1 MacBook Air can frequently be found at lower prices through promotions on websites like Woot or from various refurbishers. Walmart’s M1 MacBook Airs are brand new, which means they come with fully functional batteries and a one-year warranty. Moreover, retailers often offer discounts on the latest M4 MacBook Air (currently available at Amazon for $799), which is only $200-250 more than the M1 Air.

    Future Releases

    Lastly, there are rumors that Apple will release a more affordable version of the MacBook Air featuring its A18 mobile chip and an updated design. Although this so-called “budget” MacBook Air is still just speculation, it is thought to be priced between $599 and $699. However, it may lack some features found in the M1 MacBook Air; if the rumors are true, Thunderbolt support might be missing from the A18 MacBook Air.

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  • Microsoft changes direction, intends to launch Office 2024 as a standalone version

    Microsoft changes direction, intends to launch Office 2024 as a standalone version

    Microsoft to Release Standalone Version of Office in 2024

    Microsoft is changing its strategy by planning to launch a standalone version of its Office suite in 2024. This move comes as a surprise, considering the company's recent focus on subscription-based software. The new version, called Office 2024, is currently in development and is expected to be available in the third or fourth quarter of that year.

    Shifting Focus from Microsoft 365

    Microsoft has been placing a greater emphasis on its cloud-based service, Microsoft 365. This subscription-based service provides users with access to the latest versions of popular Office applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for a monthly or annual fee. However, the demand for standalone Office versions has not waned, especially among users who prefer a one-time purchase instead of ongoing subscription fees.

    Office 2024: A Surprising Announcement

    There was speculation that Office 2021 would be the last perpetual license version of the product. However, Microsoft's plans for Office 2024 clearly indicate otherwise. The existence of this upcoming standalone version was discovered within an internal preview build of Microsoft Office through the Click-to-Run (C2R) release API.

    Features and Enhancements Awaited

    While specific details about the features and enhancements in Office 2024 remain undisclosed, it is likely that this new version will incorporate some of the features currently available to Microsoft 365 subscribers. Microsoft is known for continually improving and updating its Office suite, so users can expect new and enhanced functionalities in the standalone version as well.

    Stay tuned for more updates on Office 2024 as Microsoft continues to develop and refine its latest offering.

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