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| PC World - 17 May (PC World)Google has solved a fundamental problem with Chromebook gaming in a rather awesome way: How do you play Android touch games on Chromebooks without a touchscreen? For a long time, the answer was simply: you don’t. But Google has come up with a way to remap keyboard inputs to touch controls, for every game in the Google Play Store, along with several other helpful Chromebook tweaks.
For whatever reason, Google left out ChromeOS and Chromebooks entirely from its keynote at Google I/O, which included AI-powered search enhancements and some rather interesting AI tweaks to Gmail. But in the ongoing debate over whether to buy a laptop or a Chromebook, factoring in the most recent advances to Chromebooks matter. This week, Google executives offered up a sneak peek of the cooler new Google technologies coming in the future.
Google calls this Game Controls. The technology was first shown off in 2022 on a limited set of titles, according to Emilie Roberts, developer relations engineer for Google. But it’s been revamped with a better editor, and broader coverage across all of the apps in the Play Store. Game Controls is being tested in ChromeOS m125, currently in beta, and will be released to the stable channel “soon,” she said.
The screenshot is a bit blurry, but essentially ChromeOS Game Controls allows you to specify a point on the screen and then make a keyboard key equate to a “click” on that region.
The screenshot is a bit blurry, but essentially ChromeOS Game Controls allows you to specify a point on the screen and then make a keyboard key equate to a “click” on that region.Google / YouTube
The screenshot is a bit blurry, but essentially ChromeOS Game Controls allows you to specify a point on the screen and then make a keyboard key equate to a “click” on that region.Google / YouTube
Google / YouTube
Likewise, Google is taking a page from other gaming platforms, and allowing gamers to capture clips from their favorite games. “Gamers can grab video and screenshots, share them on social media, all without interrupting their gameflow,” Roberts said. She did not say when the feature would be released.
Google is also offering a pair of new features designed to make it easier for you to add apps to Chromebooks, as well as for developers to make them more discoverable. The first, and most prominent, will be an “Add to Chromebook” button that you may see on the websites of apps, letting you quickly add the app in launchable standalone form. It works with both PWAs (Progressive Web Applications) as well as Android apps, according to Sam Richard, a senior developer advocate for Google. Clicking on the button opens up the corresponding entry in the Play Store. It’s expected to launch in Chrome OS 125, which is rolling out over the course of the next few days and weeks.
The “Add to Chromebook” button is live, though developers will have to implement themselves. Eighteen developer partners have already signed up or committed to use the new “Add to Chromebook buttons, he said.
“While a lot of people look for apps on the Play Store, Google Search is also incredibly popular for app discovery,” Richard said. “Many folks who start the discovery in search end up on your website.”
The tabbed PWA mode within ChromeOS.
The tabbed PWA mode within ChromeOS.Google / YouTube
The tabbed PWA mode within ChromeOS.Google / YouTube
Google / YouTube
Finally, Google is showcasing a tabbed PWA mode. If you download a PWA, Google says, you’ll be able to essentially organize it as a tab, rather than each in a separate app window. Figma showcased an early example of this, with the home page in one tab, and additional files being opened and worked on in other, separate tabs. It’s reminiscent of the tabbed “Sets” interface Microsoft tried out and then abandoned, but resurfaced inside the tabbed interface of File Explorer.
Chromebooks Read...Newslink ©2024 to PC World | |
| | | PC World - 17 May (PC World)VPNs aren’t just useful for keeping your online activities private and safe, they’re also a great way to bypass restrictions on streaming content in different countries. The top VPN providers are winning out in the cat-and-mouse game with streaming services to make sure you always have access to your favorite content no matter where you are.
Given the restrictions that services such as Netflix put in place against VPNs, you need to choose a service that has active compatibility with that streaming site. It’s also a good idea to choose a VPN with generous overall server spread so that if one server is down in the country you are trying to access, there are other options available. The PCWorld staff have thoroughly tested the top VPNs on the market to see how they fare at unblocking the top streaming sites and we’ve curated our favorites in the list below.
Why you should trust us: Here at PCWorld we’ve been testing computer hardware, software, and services since the 1980s. We’re continually testing all of the major VPNs on the market and many lesser-known services in order to curate a list of the very best VPNs across a variety of categories. For a more in-depth guide, you can check out our article on how we test VPN services at PCWorld. Below you’ll find our favorite VPNs, and below those, helpful advice about what to look for when choosing a VPN on your own.
We highly recommend that you use a VPN not only to access location-restricted content, but also to provide one of the best possible upgrades to your online security. So, if you’re looking to use your VPN for more than streaming, be sure to check out our comprehensive roundup of the best VPNs in all categories.
Updated May 10, 2024: Check out our latest review of ProtonVPN. From the makers of ProtonMail, ProtonVPN is a great choice due to its privacy, speeds, and streaming specific servers, which still keeps it as our top pick for Mac users.
NordVPN – Best overall for Netflix
Pros
Great feature set
Excellent speeds
No-logs policy
Attractive and intuitive interface
Cons
Expensive
Why we like NordVPN
For our money, the best option for streaming Netflix is NordVPN. From the start, it has been challenging the Netflix VPN ban. It’s also had a goal of making all of its servers work with the streaming service. As of our latest review, Netflix works without a hitch on all servers tested. No matter which Netflix catalog you want, NordVPN promises to deliver it.
NordVPN has more than 5,000 servers and offers locations in 60 countries around the world. It also allows you to choose your specific server so that you can switch around if you need to if Netflix’s ban hammer ever comes down.
In addition to top-notch speeds, and Netflix compatibility, NordVPN offers double-hop connections and Meshnet. NordVPN also uses the WireGuard protocol by default, though it has made some modifications to make WireGuard friendlier and more private for commercial VPN services and thus calls its protocol NordLynx.
For both download and upload speeds, NordVPN is inside our top 5 for best speeds overall, and with the company’s success rate of averting bans, it should have no trouble streaming Netflix anywhere in the world.
Who should buy NordVPN
Simply put, everyone looking to use a VPN with streaming services such as Netflix can, and probably should, use NordVPN — it’s really that good for streaming. Between its consistently good speeds and history of successfully unblocking, we think NordVPN can’t be beat.
Read our full
NordVPN review
ExpressVPN – Best runner-up for Netflix
Pros
Excellent speeds
Easy-to-use interface
Unblocks all streaming services
Great security and privacy practices
Cons
More expensive than many competitors
Light on some features for a top VPN
Why we like ExpressVPN
If NordVPN isn’t your style, our top VPN overall, ExpressVPN, is also an excellent choice. ExpressVPN offers more than 3,000 servers in 105 countries. It also promises that Netflix will work with every server it has, and ExpressVPN offers good speeds. Express is on the pricier side at nearly $100 per year, compared to $60 for Nord. But the app is easy to use, the speeds are excellent, and it offers some nice extras such as a private DNS service that lets you set up an Apple TV or console for watching U.S. streaming services overseas.
Who should buy ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is right up there with NordVPN as our recommendation for most people. Its great server spread means you’ll likely find a country to connect to no matter where you want to spoof your location. Also, as our top VPN overall, ExpressVPN will serve you just as well with non-streaming activities as it will unblocking Netflix.
Read our full
ExpressVPN review
CyberGhost VPN – Best for server locations
Pros
Consistently good speeds
Easy-to-use desktop program
Broad device support
Cons
Logs data transfer amounts
More expensive than many competitors
Why we like CyberGhost VPN
When using a VPN to stream Netflix or another service, having a large pool of servers to choose from is a huge benefit. This is because streaming services and VPN providers are in a constant cat-and-mouse game to try and restrict or maintain access. And if you want variety and options in the server locations from your VPN, then CyberGhost VPN has them in droves.
It offers a staggering 9,000+ servers for users to connect to — more than twice as many as ExpressVPN. These servers aren’t all concentrated in the U.S. or Europe either. They boast a server spread with 110 countries across all parts of the world. It even recommends optimized servers to users for various needs such as gaming, streaming, and torrenting. We did find that some of the servers were faster than others, with servers located in Europe having excellent speeds while servers in Asia not so much. But all-in-all, in our testing we found that the speeds were good enough to stream on any and all of their servers.
Additionally, CyberGhost is an intuitive and easy-to-use Windows app with good functionality. It lacks some of the power user features that other VPNs on this list provide, but that shouldn’t be a deal breaker if you’re just looking to use the service to stream. Ultimately, CyberGhost is a straightforward and easy-to-use VPN service with an impressive number of server locations.
Who should buy CyberGhost VPN
If you’re looking for the greatest server spread with the most server locations to choose from then CyberGhost VPN is the ticket. For those who travel a lot or just need access to a wide-ranging server spread, CyberGhost is worth consideration.
Read our full
CyberGhost review
Surfshark – Best for access with multiple devices
Pros
Unlimited simultaneous device connections
Works well with Netflix
Built-in extras such as ad tracker and malware blocking
Low price on long-term plans
Cons
Indicators for ping or server load are not readily available
Based in the Netherlands and subject to government data sharing requests
Why we like Surfshark VPN
Surfshark is another VPN that hits our top 10 for speeds, reaching 61 percent of the base speed in our latest tests. This makes Surfshark plenty fast enough for Netflix streaming. Our testing also showed that Surfshark was able to not only unblock Netflix, but also any other major streaming service we tried—including Amazon Prime, Max, Hulu, and more.
It also comes with ad- and malware-blocking features, double-hop connections, and, surprisingly, it offers unlimited simultaneous device connections as opposed to the usual five-device limit with most VPNs. The Surfshark app for Windows is also easy to use and if you opt for a two-year subscription, the price is incredibly affordable as well.
Who should buy Surfshark VPN
Since Surfshark offers unlimited simultaneous device connections, it is ideal for users who want to securely access streaming platforms from multiple devices at the same time. This makes it a great option for families who frequently have all of their members watching shows on their own devices, or individuals who don’t mind sharing their VPN with friends or colleagues.
Read our full
Surfshark review
ProtonVPN – Best for watching Netflix on a Mac
Pros
Excellent free plan
Great privacy tools
Reliable and transparent no-logs policy
Cons
Expensive
Best Prices Today:
$9.99 at ProtonVPN
Why we like ProtonVPN
Another good recommendation is ProtonVPN, which is available at a similar price to ExpressVPN. Unlike NordVPN, however, Netflix doesn’t work on every single Netflix server. It works on a lot of the more than 4,800 servers, but not every single one. The one issue with Proton is that it can have trouble from time to time, where a stream will suddenly stop, especially if you’re watching while you work on the same PC. While these issues popped up on our Windows machine, we did not have the same issue on a Mac, where it ran smoothly the entire time.
Who should buy ProtonVPN
While we at PCWorld typically use Windows PCs, we understand that Mac users need VPN love as well. So if you’re rocking a macOS machine we think that Proton VPN is a great option. The VPN has one of the better macOS apps we’ve encountered and combined with its strong unblocking ability, this makes ProtonVPN a solid pick for Apple users looking to access streaming services.
Read our full
ProtonVPN review
Why does Netflix block VPNs?
Netflix’s big expansion into pretty much every country on earth back in 2016 meant it had to get tough on VPNs. While Netflix produces a lot of its own content that it can make available worldwide, the company also licenses a ton of content from traditional entertainment studios.
These third parties are still working on a system of global territory licensing. Under this system, Netflix gets a package of movies and TV shows from these companies that it can show in the U.S., but that aren’t licensed to be shown by Netflix in, say, Europe. To keep those companies and their other international licensees happy, Netflix must enforce a block on VPNs to prevent people from getting content made available to Netflix subscribers in the UK, but not the U.S.
“We are making progress in licensing content across the world,” Netflix said in a 2016 blog post. “But we have a ways to go before we can offer people the same films and TV series everywhere.”
Netflix isn’t the only company that has to enforce these restrictions. Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and others do it too. However, Netflix along with Hulu are easily the most active and effective at it.
What to look for in a VPN to access Netflix streaming
First, most people should not make speed the top consideration. The minimum recommended bandwidth for a 1080p Netflix stream is 5 megabits per second (Mbps). If you’re streaming in 4K it’s 15Mbps. Depending on your home internet speed, that should be doable with nearly all the top VPNs.
Instead, the first consideration should be the basic promise of Netflix compatibility from a reputable company. That’s the rub. Any old VPN can promise Netflix compatibility, but if there aren’t a lot of reviews about the service it may not be the real deal. Stick to well-known VPN services if you can.
Next, you need to consider how many servers are available for the service — especially the number in your target country. If you want Netflix Australia and the VPN only has two Australian servers, that could be a problem. Most of the popular VPN services list their server networks online so you can see how many servers are in each country.
Finally, make sure the VPN’s desktop app (and don’t forget about mobile) allows you to choose specific servers. Since this is a cat-and-mouse game with the streamers, you need a VPN with a number of servers in your desired Netflix country. That way if one server has been discovered by Netflix, it’s possible the others are still working. The fix for this then is easy — just switch servers.
How we tested
We judge VPNs on a variety of criteria including server network, connection speeds, privacy protections, ease-of-use, additional features, and cost. For a more detailed guide on how we test, check out our comprehensive guide on how we test VPN services.
Speed tests are kept as simple as possible. We average the connections between different global locations for any given VPN and then compare them to our baseline internet speed to get a good picture of the overall connection speeds. We thoroughly research and analyze the privacy policies and histories of each VPN and note any outstanding discrepancies or data collection issues.
In regards to unblocking capabilities, we connect to multiple servers around the world with each VPN and try to access content on all major streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, HBO Max, Hulu, Disney Plus, and more.
FAQ
1.
What is a VPN?
A VPN (Virtual private network) encrypts your internet traffic and disguises your identity while browsing the internet. When used for streaming Netflix, a VPN will reroute your traffic from your location outside the U.S. to their own server within the country masking your true location and allowing you to bypass Netflix’s region locks.
Additionally, VPNs anonymize your internet traffic and keep your ISP from potentially snooping on your browsing.
2.
Are VPNs legal?
Yes! In most countries, including the United States, using a VPN is legal. Some websites such as Netflix might try to block VPN connections due to their own personal restrictions, but they are still perfectly fine to use. Please note, while using a VPN is legal, some of the activities done while using a VPN might be illegal. Activities such as downloading pirated copyrighted content or accessing dark web markets are both illegal with and without a VPN.
3.
Will a VPN affect my internet speeds?
In short, yes, a VPN can have an effect on your internet speeds. But nowadays it’s the exception rather than the norm.
While connected to a VPN, your traffic is rerouted through the VPN provider’s own servers. Depending on where these servers are located, it can add extra distance for your traffic to travel to and from, slowing your speeds down a bit. Also, VPNs encrypt your data which can lead to slower download and upload speeds due to the time it takes to encrypt and decrypt your data. This can have a more significant impact on speeds and it can affect everything from page load times to video buffering speeds. Thankfully, modern VPN providers have taken advantage of advances in encryption technology and server optimization to drastically reduce these impacts.
Check out our article on how to test your VPN speed for more info on how you can personally determine any potential slowdown on your home internet.
4.
Do VPNs track my browsing or store my data?
This is entirely up to the VPN provider you choose to use. There have been instances in the past of VPN providers collecting data on their users. However, these were mainly free VPN services with no explicit “no-logging” policies.
When searching for a VPN, be careful to check the company’s website for a “no-logging” policy, third-party trust verification, and trustworthy user reviews. Thankfully, most of the major paid VPNs have clearly stated “no-logging” policies, so it’s typically best to stick with one of them if you have concerns.
Personal Software, Streaming Media, VPN Read...Newslink ©2024 to PC World | |
| | | PC World - 17 May (PC World)At a glanceExpert`s Rating
ProsFastest external storage we’ve tested (at 40Gbps)Affordable for the ilkStylish enclosureAvailable up to 4TBAlso fast on the MacConsPricier than USB 3.2×2 (20Gbps)Our VerdictAdata’s handsome and unique USB 4 SSD is the fastest we’ve tested at 40Gbps, and is also relatively affordable. Recommended.
Best Prices Today: Adata SE920 EX USB4 SSD
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Adata
$139.99
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The Adata SE920 is our second look at a 40Gbps USB 4 SSD and to be blunt, we like what we see. It’s handsome, stunningly fast, and has a clever enclosure featuring a micro-fan you can turn on and off according to need. Cool stuff.
What are the Adata SE920’s features?
I’ll get to the specs in a second, but the SE920 has one of the more unique features I’ve run across — half of the latched, spring-loaded outer shell slides out about half an inch to activate an internal fan. Said fan was very quiet, so I opted to leave the drive in the open position the majority of the time. You can see it in the open position in the photo up top and closed in the image below.
Beyond that, the SE920 is a USB 4 (40Gbps) external SSD that weighs about 7 ounces and measures 4.13-inches long by 2.52-inches wide by 0.62-inches thick — closed. Sliding the case/switch open ups the length to 4.82-inches. Either way, it’s quite a bit thinner than the finned OWC 1M2 — another very fast USB 4 SSD.
Further reading: See our roundup of the best external drives to learn about competing products.
The Adata SE920 with its spring-loaded fan-switching outer shell closed. See the lead photo for it in the open state.
The Adata SE920 with its spring-loaded fan-switching outer shell closed. See the lead photo for it in the open state.
The Adata SE920 with its spring-loaded fan-switching outer shell closed. See the lead photo for it in the open state.
Judging from the huge fins on the 1M2, and the micro-fan inside the SE920 — USB 4 generates almost as much heat as Thunderbolt. At least at the full 40Gbps. As you know, heat is unavoidable with electronics, but getting rid of it is essential to stability and longevity.
Adata provides a five-year warranty for the SE920. It’s a limited warranty, which means it’s mitigated by the amount of data written to the drive as well as physical abuse. The amount of data written can’t exceed a reasonable amount, which is likely 600TBW per 1TB of NAND if Adata follows the industry standard.
How much is the Adata SE920?
According to Adata, the 1TB SE920 will cost $140, the 2TB model will run $200, and the high-capacity 4TB is $380. More than 20Gbps USB SSDs, but not significantly, and miles cheaper than the OWC 1M2 — the only other external USB 4 SSD we’re aware of.
One thing I should point out is that being USB 4, rather than USB 3.2×2, you’ll get excellent performance on a Mac as well. Apple, for some unknown reason supports only 10Gbps with USB 3.2, meaning 3.2×2 20Gbps SSDS are constrained to half their potential. Nice one, Apple.
Not to let the USB Forum off the hook — there’s actually a 20Gbps mode for USB 4 in addition to the one for USB 3.2×2, and apparently the twain shall never meet in Apple land. Sigh.
How fast is the Adata SE920?
It wasn’t a blow out, but the Adata SE920 took the title of “Fastest external drive we’ve tested” from the OWC 1M2. At least at 40Gbps in synthetic benchmarks. At 20Gbps (using USB 3.2×2), under the synthetics, the opposite proved true — by about an equal margin.
As you buy USB 4 for the 40Gbps (or should), we weighted our judgement accordingly. Note that you can see the charts in larger format by right-clicking over them and selecting “View in new tab.”
The Adata SE920 offers the most speed for your money in an external drive, plus a nifty built-in fan.
The Adata SE920 was the fastest 40Gbps SSD we’ve tested, by a decent margin. At 20Gbps, not as much. Longer bars are better.
The Adata SE920 was the fastest 40Gbps SSD we’ve tested, by a decent margin. At 20Gbps, not as much. Longer bars are better.
The Adata SE920 was the fastest 40Gbps SSD we’ve tested, by a decent margin. At 20Gbps, not as much. Longer bars are better.
In the end, however, the performance differences between the two USB 4 drives aren’t really worth worrying about. Subjectively, you’d never notice in a million years. This is demonstrated again below.
The Adata SE920 was fast at 4K, but not as fast as the OWC 1M2. Longer bars are better.
The Adata SE920 was fast at 4K, but not as fast as the OWC 1M2. Longer bars are better.
The Adata SE920 was fast at 4K, but not as fast as the OWC 1M2. Longer bars are better.
The SE920 again fell behind the 1M2 in the 48GB transfers at 40Gbps, but only just, and well within the margin of error for this particular test. The 1M2 again pulled away significantly at 20Gbps.
The Adata SE920. finished a close second to the OWC 1M2 in the 48GB transfers. Shorter bars are better.
The Adata SE920. finished a close second to the OWC 1M2 in the 48GB transfers. Shorter bars are better.
The Adata SE920. finished a close second to the OWC 1M2 in the 48GB transfers. Shorter bars are better.
Where the SE920 really came into its own was in the long 450GB write. Speed after secondary cache ran out was quite good as well — around 850MBps. It took writing another 900GB of data immediately following the 450GB to reveal this.
Note that the 1M2 was a 1TB drive with less secondary cache, though it didn’t exhaust what it had in this test.
The Adata SE920 set a new record for external drives in our 450GB write. Shorter bars are better.
The Adata SE920 set a new record for external drives in our 450GB write. Shorter bars are better.
The Adata SE920 set a new record for external drives in our 450GB write. Shorter bars are better.
All in all, it’s a toss up between the 1M2 and the SE920 in terms of 40Gbps performance. And, if you’re wondering about the effectiveness of the fan… It helps — the SE920 didn’t run as hot during testing with the outer shell in the open position and said fan engaged.
The Adata SE920 displaying its excellent performance on a Mac Studio.
The Adata SE920 displaying its excellent performance on a Mac Studio.
The Adata SE920 displaying its excellent performance on a Mac Studio.
Note that I had to turn on Better performance (caching) under Drive Management for the SE920 or writes were about ten times slower. Yup, 300MBps.
Should you buy the SE920?
If you want an uber-fast external SSD, then the SE920 is likely what you want. The OWC 1M2 was faster in some tests and significantly so on the 20Gbps bus, but the SE920 is a whole lot cheaper and easier to carry around. Good job, Adata.
How we test
Drive tests currently utilize Windows 11, 64-bit running on an X790 (PCIe 4.0/5.0) motherboard/i5-12400 CPU combo with two Kingston Fury 32GB DDR5 4800MHz modules (64GB of memory total). Both 20Gbps USB/Thunderbolt 4 are integrated to the back panel and Intel CPU/GPU graphics are used. The 48GB transfer tests utilize an ImDisk RAM disk taking up 58GB of the 64GB of total memory. The 450GB file is transferred from a 2TB Samsung 990 Pro which also runs the OS.
Each test is performed on a newly NTFS-formatted and TRIM’d drive so the results are optimal. Note that in normal use, as a drive fills up, performance may decrease due to less NAND for secondary caching, as well as other factors. This is less of a factor with the current crop of SSDs with their far faster NAND.
Caveat: The performance numbers shown apply only to the drive we were shipped and to the capacity tested. SSD performance can and will vary by capacity due to more or fewer chips to shotgun reads/writes across and the amount of NAND available for secondary caching. Vendors also occasionally swap components. If you ever notice a large discrepancy between the performance you experience and that which we report, by all means, let us know.
Computer Storage Devices, Storage Read...Newslink ©2024 to PC World | |
| | | CNet News - 17 May (CNet News)The Pixel 8 is Google`s current flagship, but the 8A offers a bunch of the same features at a budget-friendly price. Read...Newslink ©2024 to CNet News | |
| | | PC World - 17 May (PC World)Are you ready for the summer and spending time outdoors? Not if you haven’t bought the JBL Clip 4 yet! The tiny but mighty JBL Clip 4 is currently available at a special price of $49.95, down from its usual $79.95.
While not the absolute lowest price we’ve seen—the speaker has dipped to $44.95 previously—this offer still presents a significant saving for those looking to enhance their summer activities with quality sound.
This compact speaker delivers surprisingly big audio and punchy bass for its small size. You can definitely rock out to your favorite tracks, dance away through the garden when tending to the flowers or trimming the grass, or do whatever else you want to do. Heck, it’s going to be perfect for barbecues, too, since it’s not loud enough for the whole neighborhood to dance to your 90s hits Spotify playlist – what, just me? Ok then.
The JBL Clip 4 is also ideal for beach trips or lounging by the pool since it has an IP67 water resistance rating. One of the standout features of the JBL Clip 4 is its integrated carabiner. Simply hook it up to your backpack and you’re good to go wherever you want (although please, please don’t use this on public transport).
The battery life on the Clip 4 is also pretty awesome with up to 10 hours of playtime on a single charge, making it perfect for a whole day spent in the sunshine.
The JBL Clip 4 at $49.95 is definitely a good bargain. You’ll end up with a speaker that provides high-quality sound, plus it’s durable and super portable.
Get the JBL Clip 4 for $50 at Amazon
Speakers Read...Newslink ©2024 to PC World | |
| | | PC World - 17 May (PC World)It never fails. You get a shiny, brand-new laptop with ALL the bells and whistles, and yet the same thing lets you down every time. The built-in webcam. Even laptops that promise superior webcams ultimately fail to deliver. And if you’re wondering “why?” the answer comes down to everything else you love about your laptop.
Unfortunately, in this modern world, the webcam is more important than ever. Chances are you’re all too familiar with the terms, “Zoom” and “Teams” which now mean something totally different than they did 15 years ago. More people are working from home, and even those in the office are still attending remote meetings. And if you’re a professional, you want to look good. So why does your laptop’s webcam make you look terrible, and what can you do about it?
Further reading: The best laptops we’ve tested
The webcam position isn’t glamorous
Josh Hendrickson/IDG
Josh Hendrickson/IDG
Josh Hendrickson/IDG
Chances are that your laptop’s webcam is centered in the top bezel of your laptop’s display. That’s about as high as you can get on a laptop, but that still leads to the first problem. An unflattering view. Laptops aren’t all that tall, and there’s many people place them directly on a desk, front and center for easy reaching.
But you can’t lift the built-in webcam any higher than the actual laptop. If you’ve placed yours on a desk, then it’s probably below your face. If you want to take a good-looking photo of someone, the general advice is to raise the camera higher, not lower. A downward angle is almost always more flattering, and unfortunately you won’t get that with a laptop on a desk. Worse yet, chances are with the display positioned at a perfectly vertical angle, it will cut your head off. The only option is to lean back, which gives you the classic “up the nose” view that no one wants to see.
And all of that is the lucky scenario. For reasons we’ll get into below, some manufacturers have gone with alternative laptop placements, such as early Dell XPS 13s that positioned the webcam in the bottom bezel of the display, or Huawei’s attempt to stick a popup webcam in the keyboard. An even lower position just makes things worse.
Further reading: How to look fresh and professional in videoconferences and web meetings
Size is everything
Josh Hendrickson/IDG
Josh Hendrickson/IDG
Josh Hendrickson/IDG
When you bought your laptop, you probably paid attention to the features that matter most like RAM, display size, and battery life. But one area that influenced your decision probably also made your built-in webcam worse: form factor. Most people want a thin and light laptop with small bezels, because that makes for a more portable device. And that makes sense. But those very benefits are detrimental to webcams.
Think about the average camera for a moment. When you want a better camera, you probably look for the usual specs like megapixels, and then assume more is better. But that’s not the whole story. Sensor size also matters, which is why a DSLR with “fewer megapixels” can take a better photo than a smartphone with “more megapixels.” To understand why, you need to understand camera image sensors. A single camera image sensor is made of small light sensors called pixels. At its most basic, each pixel captures light, and all those light signals are combined into an image.
The problem is smaller sensors leave less room for those pixels. The only way to get more megapixels into a smaller sensor is to shrink each pixel sensor. Smaller pixel sensors are worse at capturing light, and cramming a huge number of megapixels into a small sensor only compounds that problem. That’s why a DSLR that’s “just” 20 megapixels can take an image that’s nicer, crisper, and even less noisy in dark settings than a 48-megapixel smartphone camera.
But alas, the fact that larger sensors lead to higher quality image capabilities runs headfirst into laptop portability requirements. In this day and age, we want smaller bezels, and thinner screens, which leads to less room for webcam hardware. That leaves manufacturers with the choice between making a chunkier laptop or using smaller less capable camera hardware.
The decision manufacturers settled on is obvious too: remember Dell’s decision to put the webcam at the bottom of the display for early Dell XPS 13 models? The company did course correct and managed to move the camera back to the best position at the top of the display. But Dell got there by working with camera sensor manufacturers to make even smaller webcam hardware. That reduced the image quality even more, although at least you don’t get as much up the nose as before.
Webcams are an afterthought anyway
Josh Hendrickson/IDG
Josh Hendrickson/IDG
Josh Hendrickson/IDG
If you’re thinking, “shove camera hardware into a small package” sounds familiar, you’re not wrong. Smartphones contend with some of the same issues, and yet they consistently turn out better results. Why is that? Priorities. When you look at the most important specs for buying a laptop, webcams don’t top the list. But smartphones are now the default camera we take everywhere, so Apple, Samsung, and other smartphone makers have an incentive to spend more on camera hardware.
You will see some of the size dynamics play out in a smartphone. Afterall, the rear facing camera is almost always far superior to the front facing camera. But once again, the front facing camera contends with smaller bezel, forcing phone manufacturers to get creative with smaller sensors or other solutions, like the hole punch or worse under screen hardware. But even front facing cameras are important to phone manufacturers since everyone loves a selfie.
That just isn’t the case for laptops, especially since webcams aren’t focused on taking still images. Just hitting a particular video resolution is all they need to say, “good enough for Zoom.” Ultimately, creating the perfect laptop is a balancing act: for every extra bit of power, you reduce battery life. For every extra port, you create more weight and a thicker chassis. And the larger your webcam sensor, the thicker your bezels. Webcams clearly land in the low priority section, especially when they’re directly competing with display real estate space. You can live with a subpar laptop camera, but not a subpar display.
Tips for a better webcam experience
Josh Hendrickson/IDG
Josh Hendrickson/IDG
Josh Hendrickson/IDG
You purchased a laptop because it’s fast, lightweight, and somehow squeezes hours of battery life into a portable package. But the webcam experience is terrible. You might think you’re completely out of luck, but you’re not. There are a few things you can do to improve your Zoom or Teams presence.
Start by lifting your laptop higher. It doesn’t matter how crisp your image is if all you’re doing is giving everyone an excellent view of your nose hairs. Instead of placing your laptop directly on the desk and leaning the display back, lift it up higher. You could do that by placing it on a stack of books or buying a laptop stand designed to give it height. Aim for getting the camera as close to level with your head as possible, or slightly above if you can manage it.
Then, fix your lighting. The big problem with small laptop camera sensors is they don’t deal well with lighting challenges. If you’re in a dark room, your camera will struggle. And if you have a bright window behind you, that will cause just as many issues.
Sit in a bright room, and make sure the source of that light is either coming from behind the laptop and aimed at your face, or at worst shining down from above. A ring light can help if you can’t add permanent lights to your video calling space. And consider turning down your monitor’s brightness, which may be causing an unflattering shine on your face and be confusing your webcam as it naturally gets brighter and darker when content on your screen changes.
Check your software settings too!
Check your software settings too!Mattias Inghe
Check your software settings too!Mattias Inghe
Mattias Inghe
Check your software settings as well. Both Mac and Windows offer some camera settings you may want to check, but it’s possible your video conferencing platform also may also be causing problems. Every platform, from Zoom to Meet offers some camera controls, and it’s worth looking to ensure you’re sending it the best possible image your webcam can produce. At the very least, it’s worth checking that your video call platform’s resolution setting matches what your webcam offers.
If all else fails, buy an external webcam. While more laptops are offering 1080p embedded webcams, they still suffer from the same issues of small sensor sizes buried in a display bezel. You’ll instantly get better results by skipping your built-in webcam and switching to an external option. You don’t have to spend a lot, though the more do spend the better results you’re likely to get.
the best overall webcam we`ve tested
Anker PowerConf C200
Best Prices Today:
$59.99 at Amazon
At the top of the line is the $300 Razer Kiyo Pro Ultra, and it gets there by going after one of the most important specs in a camera: sensor size. Its huge sensor will give you DSLR-like quality, and of course you can place it as you need without lifting your entire laptop. You’ll spend a ton of money though, and it’s overkill for most people. On the more reasonable end is the Anker PowerConf C200, which will land you a 2K image for just $60. Both cameras even feature built-in privacy shutters, so you can be sure they’re only recording when you want. If that doesn’t satisfy your needs, we have a few other suggestions too.
Unfortunately, while they have improved some in recent years, bult-in laptop webcams are unlikely to ever provide a superior experience. But it’s worth trying to make the most of what you have. Some laptops, particularly those that offer a 1080p webcam, provide a “good enough” image for your average video call. Just go in with low expectations, and you won’t be (as) disappointed.
Laptops, Webcams Read...Newslink ©2024 to PC World | |
| | | PC World - 16 May (PC World)At a glanceExpert`s Rating
ProsExcellent OLED displayGood range of physical connectivitySolid CPU and GPU performance for the priceConsGeneric design Mediocre battery lifeGPU performance is held back by 60-watt TGPOur VerdictAcer’s Swift X 14 is a solid choice if you want great performance in a modestly priced 14-inch laptop, but it struggles to stand out from the competition.
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Once a niche option, 14-inch laptops are now the flagships of many laptop brands, packing powerful hardware and slim design in the same machine. The Acer Swift X 14 OLED seems to fit this bill at a glance, and it even carries an attractive price tag of $1,699.99 with an RTX 4070 and expanded memory inside. But while Acer delivers on performance-per-dollar, the Swift X 14’s generic design makes it hard to recommend over bolder competitors.
Acer Swift X 14: Specs and features
The new Acer Swift X 14 (SFX14-72G-7422) has a few upgrades over the 2023 model we reviewed less than a year ago. It switches from Intel’s 13th-gen Core processor line to the new Intel Core Ultra, upgrades from the RTX 4050 to the RTX 4070 GPU, and doubles the memory from 16GB to 32GB. This bumps the price up $200, which seems fair given the improvements. (A baseline version of this 2024 model with an RTX 4050 and half the RAM is also available for $1,499.)
CPU: Intel Core Ultra 7 155H
Memory: 32GB LPDDR5x
Graphics/GPU: Nvidia RTX 4070 with 60-watt TGP
Display: 2,880 x 1,800 120Hz OLED
Storage: 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe solid state drive
Webcam: 1080p camera with triple-mic array
Connectivity: 2x Thunderbolt 4 / USB-C 4, 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 1, HDMI 2.1, microSD card reader, 1x 3.5mm combo headphone/mic jack
Networking: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3
Biometrics: Fingerprint reader
Battery capacity: 76 watt-hours
Dimensions: 12.71 x 8.98 x 0.7 inches
Weight: 3.4 pounds
MSRP: $1,699.99
Other aspects of the laptop remain the same, however. Its battery, wired and wireless connectivity, and storage haven’t changed. The chassis also appears to be identical to the prior model.
Looking for more options? Check out PCWorld’s roundup of the best gaming laptops available right now.
Acer Swift X 14: Design and build quality
Acer sticks to its script with the Swift X 14, which, like prior laptops in this lineup, features a dark gray aluminum chassis with a rugged, hard-edged look that can fit in anywhere — from a corporate meeting room to a home office. There’s not much to say about its appearance aside from this. It looks fine, but it’s unremarkable.
Build quality is good, although not better than most of its similarly priced competitors. Opening the display reveals very little flex or warping on the display surface, and the lower chassis is rock solid. This isn’t a unibody metal design, but it feels rigid and seems likely to last as long as you choose to keep it, provided the laptop doesn’t have an accidental high-speed encounter with concrete.
The Acer Swift X 14 is a well-built but fairly nondescript laptop.
The Acer Swift X 14 is a well-built but fairly nondescript laptop.Matthew Smith / Foundry
The Acer Swift X 14 is a well-built but fairly nondescript laptop.Matthew Smith / Foundry
Matthew Smith / Foundry
However, this particular Swift X 14 is a bit more expensive than some of the past models we’ve reviewed, coming in at nearly $1,700. That puts the Acer up against the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 and Lenovo Slim Pro 9i. To be frank, the design doesn’t hold up against those competitors. There’s nothing wrong with the Swift X 14, but it doesn’t stand out.
The Swift X 14 measures 0.8 inches thick and weighs in at just 3.4 pounds, which is comparable to most similar laptops. Slimmer and lighter laptops are available, to be sure, but the Swift X 14 is easy to pack and light enough that its heft is hardly noticeable once secured in a backpack or messenger bag.
Acer Swift X 14: Keyboard, trackpad
The Acer Swift X 14 has a spacious keyboard layout that felt familiar and comfortable. The keyboard includes both Microsoft’s Co-Pilot key and an Alt key on the right side of the keyboard. Acer has reduced the size of the spacebar to accommodate these additions, but I didn’t find it a noticeable change and, like it or not, most Windows laptops are making the same choice.
Typing on the keyboard feels okay. There’s enough key travel to be comfortable, but the keys activate with a soft bottoming action that isn’t as definitive as it could be. While I like the keyboard, some recent laptops, such as the MacBook Air 15 M2 and Lenovo’s IdeaPad and Yoga 7 series, have an advantage over Acer. This has changed our opinion compared to the prior model — the keyboard is likely the same as before, but it doesn’t feel as impressive as it once did.
The keyboard’s spacebar is shortened to make room for the Microsoft Co-Pilot key and an Alt key on the right.
The keyboard’s spacebar is shortened to make room for the Microsoft Co-Pilot key and an Alt key on the right. Matthew Smith / Foundry
The keyboard’s spacebar is shortened to make room for the Microsoft Co-Pilot key and an Alt key on the right. Matthew Smith / Foundry
Matthew Smith / Foundry
The keyboard is backlit but, as is typically true of Windows thin-and-light laptops, there isn’t much else to say about the backlight. The backlight is white and doesn’t offer customization beyond a couple brightness settings.
A similarly modest touchpad lurks just below the keyboard. It measures about 5 inches wide by 3 inches deep, which is about average in size for a modern 14-inch laptop. However, shoppers will find larger touchpads on laptops like the Dell XPS 14, Apple MacBook Pro 14, and even the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 (though, in the latter case, the difference is small).
Acer Swift X 14: Display, audio
A gorgeous 14.5-inch OLED display is included with every current Swift X 14 laptop. It has a display resolution of 2880×1800 with a 16:10 aspect ratio and a maximum refresh rate of 120Hz.
The display’s strengths are many. It has an excellent contrast ratio, vivid color, and a tack-sharp look, especially when playing games or watching high-bitrate 4K video. Motion clarity is also excellent thanks to the 120Hz refresh rate. It adds clarity to fast-moving objects, whether it’s simply words flying by as you scroll through a webpage, or a foe in your favorite first-person shooter.
The 2880×1800, 120Hz OLED screen is a highlight of the Acer Swift X 14.
The 2880×1800, 120Hz OLED screen is a highlight of the Acer Swift X 14.Matthew Smith / Foundry
The 2880×1800, 120Hz OLED screen is a highlight of the Acer Swift X 14.Matthew Smith / Foundry
Matthew Smith / Foundry
The only downside is one familiar to most OLED laptop displays, and that’s brightness. It can achieve a maximum brightness of just over 400 nits but, because the display is glossy, glare can become a problem when the laptop is used outdoors or in a brightly lit room. Also, while HDR is supported and looks good, the display isn’t bright enough to fully do it justice. Alternatives with a mini-LED display, like the Apple MacBook Pro 14 and Lenovo Slim Pro 9i, have an edge in HDR.
The speakers, on the other hand, aren’t great. They provide enough volume to be useful and sound OK when handling simple audio content, like a podcast or most YouTube videos. When listening to music, though, they have a harsh, metallic quality to the high end that’s grating and unpleasant. Headphones or external speakers are a must if you want to listen to your favorite tunes or immerse yourself in a game.
Acer Swift X 14: Webcam, microphone, biometrics
The Swift X 14 has a 1080p webcam and a triple-array microphone. That sounds good on paper, but in practice it’s mediocre. The webcam’s image was usable but grainy and lacked color saturation. I wasn’t impressed by the microphone, either, which delivered only modest volume. It’s still fine for Zoom, but if you want a laptop that makes you look and sound good on camera, this isn’t it.
The AI-powered noise reduction worked, at least, competently removing the sound of a space heater and several annoying crows perched too close to my window.
A fingerprint reader is built into the power button for biometric login. It worked well in my testing but, like all fingerprint readers I’ve tried, even the slightest grime or dampness can throw it off. Facial recognition through Windows Hello isn’t supported, which is a shame, as many competitive Windows laptops provide it.
Acer Swift X 14: Connectivity
The Acer Swift X 14 is not a large laptop, but it still has plenty of room for connectivity. It features two Thunderbolt 4 ports, both of which support USB 4, as well as two USB-A ports, HDMI 2.1, a microSD card reader, and a 3.5 mm audio jack.
The USB 4/Thunderbolt ports both support USB Power Delivery, and either can be used to charge the laptop with the included power adapter, which connects via USB-C. The ports can also be used with a wide variety of third-party USB-C chargers. They can handle DisplayPort output, too, so they can be used to connect to a USB-C or Thunderbolt monitor.
Of course, many price-competitive laptops also have USB 4/Thunderbolt ports, and it’s the Swift X 14’s more conventional connectivity that stands out. It’s great to see two USB-A ports for connecting older wired mice and keyboards. HDMI, meanwhile, is ideal not only for connecting to monitors, but also to TVs and projectors. This combination of ports means you can take the laptop anywhere without worrying about adapters, which isn’t true of most modern 14-inch laptops.
The Acer Swift X 14’s combination of ports means you can take the laptop anywhere without worrying about adapters…
The Acer Swift X 14 has a nice array of ports for flexibility.
The Acer Swift X 14 has a nice array of ports for flexibility.Matthew Smith / Foundry
The Acer Swift X 14 has a nice array of ports for flexibility.Matthew Smith / Foundry
Matthew Smith / Foundry
There’s just one important port that’s missing, and that’s Ethernet. However, most 14-inch laptops have decided to ditch that port, so it’s not unexpected. Ethernet is still usable, but only through a USB-C to Ethernet adapter.
Wireless connectivity includes Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3. That’s similar to most modern Windows laptops, and Wi-Fi speeds were excellent in my testing, even when the laptop was used in an exterior office more than 50 feet away from the router. I would have liked to see Wi-Fi 7, which is the most recent wireless standard, but most laptops are sticking to Wi-Fi 6E for now.
Acer Swift X 14: Performance
The Acer Swift X 14 I reviewed is a well-configured model with an Intel Core Ultra 7 155H processor, Nvidia RTX 4070 graphics, 32GB of memory, and 1TB solid state drive. That’s excellent hardware for a 14-inch laptop, but the Swift X 14’s performance fell short of my expectations.
Matthew Smith / Foundry
Matthew Smith / Foundry
Matthew Smith / Foundry
PCMark 10 puts the Swift X 14 off to a decent start with a score of 7,004. That’s not bad but it’s also not the best. Though it does top the 2023 Swift X 14.
Matthew Smith / Foundry
Matthew Smith / Foundry
Matthew Smith / Foundry
Cinebench R20, a heavily multi-thread, short-duration processor benchmark, puts the Swift X 14 in a more favorable position. Here it delivers a noticeable gain over last year’s model, and while it doesn’t beat heavy hitters like the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 and Razer Blade 14, it does outrun the more expensive Dell XPS 14.
Matthew Smith / Foundry
Matthew Smith / Foundry
Matthew Smith / Foundry
Handbrake, a heavily multi-threaded, long-duration processor benchmark, shows the Swift X 14 reaching the limits of its thermal performance. It’s slightly quicker than last year’s model, but the gap is so small that it’s effectively a tie. The ROG Zephyrus G14 and Razer Blade 14, both of which had AMD Ryzen processors, see a significant lead over the Intel-powered Swift X 14 and HP Omen Transcend 14.
Matthew Smith / Foundry
Matthew Smith / Foundry
Matthew Smith / Foundry
3DMark’s Time Spy provides our first glimpse at the RTX 4070’s performance, and it delivers a decent score of 8,119. That’s a step behind the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 and Razer Blade 14, but it defeats the HP Omen Transcend 14. The new Swift X 14 also greatly outperforms the older model with RTX 4050 graphics.
Matthew Smith / Foundry
Matthew Smith / Foundry
Matthew Smith / Foundry
It’s a similar story in Shadow of the Tomb Raider, an attractive but aging game that represents typical games from the Playstation 4/Xbox One era. It hit a frame rate of 106, which once again falls short of the ROG Zephyrus G14 and Blade 14, but defeats the HP. This is a highly playable result, and one that lets gamers make proper use of the OLED display’s 120Hz refresh rate.
Matthew Smith / Foundry
Matthew Smith / Foundry
Matthew Smith / Foundry
Metro Exodus is an extraordinarily taxing game, at least when enjoyed at 1080p resolution and the Extreme resolution we use for testing. Even without ray-tracing, this title gives laptops like the Acer Swift X 14 and HP Omen Transcend a swift kick in the pants. The Razer Blade 14 manages to hold up better, which is notable because, just like the Swift X 14, it has an RTX 4070. The difference is in thermals and power draw. While the Acer starts out strong, it ultimately hits the limits of its 60-watt TGP. The Razer Blade 14, on the other hand, has an RTX 4070 with an up to 140-watt TGP, and that provides a clear advantage in demanding titles.
I also fired up Cyberpunk 2077 to give the Swift X 14 a workout in this notoriously difficult title. The Acer put in a good effort, as it achieved an average of 57 FPS at 1080p resolution with detail set to Ultra and DLSS turned off. That’s far behind some larger RTX 4070 laptops (the Razer Blade 16 hit 83 FPS, for example), but the game is entirely playable on the Swift X 14.
There’s one final aspect of the Swift X 14’s performance that’s troublesome: fan noise. The laptop’s overtaxed cooling system frequently whirs to life at the slightest provocation. Download a file? Whoosh. Unzip a file? Whoosh. Batch edit a few photos? Whoosh. It’s even more noticeable in games, of course, where the fans are so loud that they’re hard to tolerate. I suggest investing in a good pair of noise-canceling headphones.
Battery life
Acer packs a 76 watt-hour battery in the Swift X 14. That’s not a small battery, but it’s not remarkably large for a laptop in 2024, and a bit small for one with discrete graphics.
The Swift X 14’s battery life holds up fairly well but doesn’t impress. It achieved 7 hours and 18 minutes of endurance in our standard battery test, which loops a 4K clip of the short film Tears of Steel. That’s much better than the 2023 Swift X 14, and it also defeats the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14. However, it falls behind other potential competitors like the HP Omen Transcend 14.
Acer ships the laptop with a compact 100-watt USB-C power adapter. It’s relatively easy to pack and, since the laptop only expects 100 watts of power, it’s simple to replace this with an even smaller third-party power adapter. That’s handy for traveling, as there’s no need to take the laptop power brick. Owners can instead grab a single USB-C brick for all their devices.
Should you buy the Acer Swift X 14?
The new Acer Swift X 14 is a lot like the older Swift X 14. It’s a solid mid-range laptop that delivers good performance in a small footprint, but it otherwise struggles to stand out. That’s not because of flaws but, rather, a lack of advantages. Nearly every aspect of the laptop, from design to performance and even the display, is merely good for a mid-range laptop in 2024.
consider this alternative
Asus ROG Zephyrus G14
Read our review
Best Prices Today:
$1599.99 at Best Buy |
$2499 at Asus
The Swift X 14’s most obvious allure is its price, which, at $1,699.99, matches or undercuts competitors like the HP Omen 14 Transcend, Asus Zenbook Pro 14 OLED, and Dell XPS 14. But the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 spoils Acer’s party, as it manages to deliver even better performance at a lower MSRP of $1,599.99. To be fair, the G14 we tested had only 16GB of RAM, but that’s the sole significant disadvantage against the Swift X 14.
The Acer is a sensible choice if you want great performance-per-dollar, don’t want a “gaming” laptop (like the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14), and need to stick with a 14-inch display. But that, I think, is a narrow audience.
Laptops Read...Newslink ©2024 to PC World | |
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| | | PC World - 16 May (PC World)Chromebooks have undergone the most dramatic transformation over the years. No longer are they used to just running Google apps or accessing the internet. Nowadays, in addition to running everyday tasks like browsing the web and checking e-mail, you can also play the latest triple-A titles with cloud gaming. Because there’s such a wide variety now, we’ve curated a list of our top picks to help narrow things down. Whatever your needs may be, PCWorld has you covered with the best options on the market today.
If you still prefer Windows laptops, you’ll definitely want to check out PCWorld’s roundup of the best laptops available today.
Why you should trust us: PCWorld has been going strong since 1983, back in the days when print magazines were more common. Now that we’ve made the leap to digital, we’ve been reviewing more than 70 laptops every year. Every laptop that passes through our doors goes through an arduous testing process, in which we evaluate everything from processor performance to display quality. We’re committed to reviewing laptops in every price range too.
Update May 15, 2024: We updated our list of recently reviewed laptops below our best picks. Also note that Google Photos’ best AI editing tools are coming to Chromebooks, but not Windows PCs.
Lenovo Flex 5i – Best overall Chromebook
Pros
Good build quality
Fantastic typing experience
Vibrant touchscreen display
Cons
Average battery life for a Chromebook
Stylus not included
Why we like the Lenovo Flex 5i
The Lenovo Flex 5i is the best overall choice because of its 2-in-1 design, the peppy performance, exquisite typing experience, and so much more. The understated aluminum finished exterior helps make it feel like something three or four times as expensive. As for the convertible design, the 360-degree hinge feels incredibly sturdy, which is essential in a 2-in-1 laptop. Plus, the keyboard is a real joy to type on and the 1200p touch display produces crisp and vibrant visuals. The best part is that you’re getting all of these wonderful features for well under $500.
Who should buy the Lenovo Flex 5i
We feel as though the Lenovo Flex 5i is a good Chromebook for most people. The touchscreen and 2-in-1 design really gives it the edge, as you usually see these features in machines that cost much more. While the nine hour battery life is considered just average for a Chromebook, it’s still a great all-day result. It’s just not the whopping 19 hours we got out of the Asus Chromebook CM34 Flip. That said, the Lenovo Flex 5i’s list of compromises is quite small.
Read our full
Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus review
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook – Best budget Chromebook
Pros
Lightweight design
Great battery life
Attractive color scheme
1080p display
Cons
Only 4GB of RAM
720p webcam is disappointing
Why we like the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook
For under $300, the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook offers decent performance, fantastic battery life, and a lightweight form factor. Inside, you’ll find an MediaTek Kompanio 520 CPU, an ARM Mali-G52 2EE MC2 GPU, 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of eMMC storage. On paper, those specs may not look all that impressive. However, when it comes to real-world use, day-to-day performance is perfectly reliable. The 47 watt-hour battery also lasted 16 hours on a single charge and it weighs just under three pounds, making it a solid travel companion. Not bad for under $300, huh?
Who should buy the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook
Anyone looking for a cheap, serviceable Chromebook. It’s not the most innovative Chromebook we’ve ever seen, but it doesn’t have to be. It has plenty of power for light use and the battery will keep you going long after your workday or school day ends. The inclusion of a 1080p touch display is a nice touch as well, especially given the low price of the machine. The 720p webcam is disappointing and you’re only getting 4GB of RAM, but if you’re willing to taper your expectations a bit, then this is a machine that’s well worth considering.
Alternative option: If you’re willing to spend a little extra on a Chromebook with better performance, we’d recommend checking out the $399 Acer Chromebook Plus 515. Bootup times are lightning fast and browser-based tasks feel appropriately snappy. The typing experience is also lovely and the battery can last up to 13 hours on a single charge. The only trade-offs are the boring aesthetics and the thick bezels on the display.
Acer Chromebook 516 GE – Best Chromebook for gaming
Pros
Attractive design
Excellent CPU performance
Loads of wired and wireless connectivity
High resolution 1600p display
Cons
Mediocre keyboard and touchpad
Disappointing speakers and microphone
Display falls behind in contrast, color vibrancy
Why we like the Acer Chromebook 516 GE
The Acer Chromebook 516 GE is a good machine for gaming and day-to-day tasks. The Intel Core i5-1240P CPU is powerful enough for office work and everyday activities, and the display’s 120Hz refresh rate will produce smooth visuals. You can’t run games locally on this laptop, but you can use a cloud gaming service like Nvidia GeForce Now or Amazon Luna. According to our review, “gameplay felt perfectly smooth” and “Nvidia’s GeForce Now diagnostics panel flagged no problems.” Just make sure you’ve got a stable Internet connection! Fortunately, the Acer Chromebook 516 GE has an Ethernet port, which is about as stable as you can get.
Who should buy the Acer Chromebook 516 GE
Anyone that wants to game on a dependable Chromebook! The Acer Chromebook 516 GE is a joy to game on and it’s zippy enough for productivity and day-to-day. Additional features include a 1080p webcam, a 65 watt-hour battery, and an attractive design. With an MSRP of $650, it’s a little expensive for a Chromebook, but it punches above the usual Chrome OS machine and is tailor made to deliver a high-quality cloud gaming experience.
Alternative option: If you’re looking for a Windows alternative that can run local games, you should check out the Asus TUF Gaming A16 Advantage Edition laptop. It’s currently our best budget gaming pick and for good reason! Our reviewer blitzed through the Rise of the Tomb Raider benchmark at 123 frames-per-second thanks to the Nvidia GeForce RTX RTX 4050 GPU. This laptop also managed an impressive 11 hours of battery life on a single charge, which is unheard of in gaming laptops.
Read our full
Acer Chromebook 516 GE review
Framework Laptop Chromebook – Best Chromebook for tinkerers
Pros
Upgradeable
Hot-swappable ports
1080p webcam
Reliable performance
Cons
Expensive
No touchscreen display
Why we like the Framework Laptop Chromebook
The Framework Laptop Chromebook is one of the more unusual entries on this roundup because it’s a modular laptop, which means you can replace or upgrade any part of it. Our reviewer, who wasn’t confident in her disassembling abilities, was able to crack open the laptop in a few simple steps. The hardware inside is marked with QR codes, which you can scan with your phone and be directed to the right spot on Framework’s website. The 1080p display is also a big draw and the hot-swappable ports allows you to mix and match where the ports slot in the laptop.
Who should buy the Framework Laptop Chromebook
Anyone who likes to get in there and tinker or extend the life of their laptop. The Framework Laptop Chromebook is designed with the ultimate customization and upgradability in mind. I will say, it’s definitely targeted to a specific niche of people, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Performance is strong due to the Intel Core i5 processor. In fact, our benchmarks show that it handles everyday tasks like surfing the web and watching streams like a real pro. The only caveat is that it’s expensive for a Chromebook. The Acer Chromebook Vero 514, for example, is just as fast as the Framework Laptop Chromebook and is hundreds of dollars cheaper.
Read our full
Framework Laptop Chromebook review
Recent laptop reviews
Acer Aspire Go 15: It runs Windows, not Chrome, but this $299 laptop gets work done without much fuss, only bogging down when you throw an excessive amount of programs or browser tabs at it. It’s an outstanding value and a killer Chromebook competitor.
Acer Swift Go 14: The $799 Acer Swift Go 14 is a reliable travel workhorse through and through, with a truly outstanding 15 hour battery life. It keeps going, and going, and…
Acer Chromebook 516 GE: Fast, handsome, and affordably priced, the Chromebook 516 GE is a great do-it-all laptop that’s also ideal for cloud gaming.
HP Laptop 14: The HP Laptop 14 certainly impresses with its stylish design, low price point, comfortable keyboard, and so on. That said, the weak multitasking performance and annoying fan noise knock it down a few pegs.
How we test Chromebooks
The PCWorld team puts each and every laptop through a series of benchmarks that test GPU and CPU performance, battery life, and so on. The idea is to push the laptop to its limits and then compare it against others we’ve tested. Due to the cloud-based nature of Chromebooks, they go through a series of web-based tests. It wouldn’t be fair or possible to run the same kinds of tests on a Chromebook as we use on laptops because they exclusively run a completely different operating system.
Below, you’ll find a breakdown of each test and the reasons why we run them.
Chromebooks
CrXPRT 2: The CrXPRT 2 benchmark tests a Chromebook’s battery life.
Speedometer 2.0: This test determines a Chromebook’s web browser performance. It simulates this by adding, completing, and removing a to-do list.
Basemark Web 3.0: This benchmark gauges how well a Chromebook can handle web-based applications.
Kraken 1.1: Kraken 1.1 is a JavaScript performance benchmark that measures browser speed.
Jetstream 2: Jetstream 2 is a combination of WebAssembly and JavaScript benchmarks. This is a way to gauge how well a Chromebook runs advanced workloads.
For a more thorough explanation of our testing procedures, check out how PCWorld tests laptops.
What should I look for in a Chromebook?
If you’re looking for a Windows or MacBook alternative, you may want to consider a Chromebook. Equipped with low-power processors, they typically have good battery life and are usually silent in operation. They make great productivity machines, as they’re specifically designed for lightweight tasks like browsing the web, watching Netflix, and so on. Plus, they’re largely virus free. That said, most Chromebooks have minimal RAM and storage. If you’re a hardcore gamer or a video editor, you’re going to want something with a lot more power than a Chromebook is capable of providing.
Our guide to Chromebooks vs. Windows laptops can help you determine which operating system is best for your needs. For more options, you’ll want to check out our best laptops roundup.
Operating system: Although every operating system has its pros and cons, I’d argue that Chrome OS is one of the most user-friendly ones out there. That said, with Chromebooks, you don’t have the option of picking another operating system, as they exclusively run Chrome OS. You’re stuck with it, bud.
Processor: Shoot for a mid-range Chromebook if you can. They cost anywhere in the $400 to $600 range and many of them come equipped with Intel Pentium processors. These Chromebooks have better browser performance and are capable of running more intense gaming apps. It’s the best bang for your buck. Upper-end Chromebooks sometimes use Intel Core or AMD Ryzen processors, which pack more of a punch.
RAM: Many Chromebooks have 4GB of RAM, which isn’t a lot. Chromebooks are web-based machines, so you need a fair amount of RAM to keep those tabs open and running smoothly. If you can spend a couple of hundred extra, you’ll be able to find a mid-range Chromebook with 8GB of RAM.
Storage: I recommend at least 64GB of storage. Since you’ll mostly be storing things in the cloud, you don’t a ton of local storage.
Durability: Chromebooks are popular in the education market because they’re pretty darn robust. I’m not saying you should smack one around with a baseball bat or anything, but they’re durable enough to handle the daily abuses of life.
FAQ
1.
What is the difference between a regular laptop and a Chromebook?
When people talk about regular laptops they usually mean a PC or Mac. A Chromebook is still a laptop, but it differentiates itself from either of those two by using a unique operating system called Chrome OS, which was created by Google. Think of it like this: All Chromebooks are laptops, but not all laptops are Chromebooks.
Unlike other operating systems such as Windows or macOS, Chrome OS is optimized to run Google apps such as Google Drive, Google Docs, YouTube, and other Google services. Because most Google apps are online, Chromebooks generally require an internet connection to use most of their important features.
Finally, Chromebooks have historically been designed with portability, ease of use, and affordability in mind rather than top performance. They typically forego the faster, high-end hardware that PCs or Macs can use for a more minimalist, lightweight approach to computing.
2.
Can I use integrated graphics for gaming?
No, you can’t game a Chromebook because they can’t run local EXEs aside from Android apps. That said, you can play modern games on a Chromebook that supports cloud gaming, like the Lenovo IdeaPad 5 Gaming. You have to have an Ultimate membership with Nvidia’s GeForce Now to the play the games, though. The Ultimate tier costs $19.99 a month or $99.99 for six months. It’s a pretty seamless experience, and Nvidia also offers an unlimited free tier so you can stream games with restrictions on session times.
3.
What is the difference between a budget laptop and a tablet?
More and more, the line between what is a laptop and what is a tablet blurs as companies integrate the features of both into their latest devices. But there are still a few key distinctions between the two. Laptops generally are larger, come with more storage, and have better performance and productivity features. Tablets on the other hand are smaller and more portable, have longer battery life, and are usually a bit more affordable.
When choosing between a budget laptop and a tablet you should first ask yourself what the primary use of the device will be. Do you need something for productivity with lots of storage? Then a laptop—even a budget model—will probably be the way to go. Or do you need something that is small, travels well, and has a long battery life? Then you might consider a tablet.
4.
What are the disadvantages of a Chromebook?
Chromebooks are designed for day-to-day tasks, which is fine if all you’re doing is browsing the web and checking e-mail. They can’t handle resource-heavy design work, video editing, and so on. You’ll also need a strong Internet connection because if you’re not online, there are only so many things you can do with a Chromebook. Chromebooks cannot install local programs like Windows PCs can. You also can’t install Microsoft Office and that might be a huge deal-breaker for some folks, especially those who rely on those programs for work.
5.
What is a Chromebook good for?
Chromebooks are good laptops for those who require the basics. If all you need is a reliable Internet connection to get your work done and nothing else (like no resource-hungry programs), then you’re golden. Personally, I use my own Chromebook for writing and editing as well as checking out social media and watching YouTube. You can even game on them with a cloud gaming service like GeForce Now, if that’s how you like to spend your evenings (no judgements here).
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