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  • The Best VR Headset for Your Budget

    The Best VR Headset for Your Budget

    Last week, Apple announced its plans to launch a wireless headset that includes both VR and AR technology. Unfortunately, you’ll have to wait until at least 2020 to get your hands on one. In the meantime, here are our top 5 VR headsets for a range of budgets and platforms.

    Tethered Versus Mobile Headsets

    VR headsets come in two flavors—tethered and mobile. As you can see below, tethered headsets cost significantly more than mobile headsets, but they also offer a much more advanced VR experience. Both types of headset require additional handheld controllers to interact with the virtual environment.

    Mobile headsets are designed to literally place your phone inside a box that you strap over your eyes. The lenses create separate images, one for each eye, giving you a sense of 3D space. Tethered headsets need to be connected to a separate computer. What you lose in flexibility, you gain in video quality, processing speed, and range of games with tethered tech.

    HTC Vive Pro ($799)

    There’s a reason the Vive series of tethered headsets is the most expensive on the market. The original Vive and the new Pro model have better specs than any of their competitors, but that may not be a big selling point to entry-level consumers, especially since you’ll also need a top-of-the-line PC to pair with the Vive Pro.

    One thing the Vive series does better than anyone else is room tracking. Their Lighthouse technology lets you move around with the headset on—a plus for a more immersive gaming experience—although you will still be connected by a cable to your computer. There are a decent number of titles that will work with the Vive Pro. In addition, HTC offers a subscription service called Viveport that includes giveaways, exclusive bonuses, and the ability to try out different games.

    Oculus Rift ($399)

    If you’re at all interested in VR, then chances are good you’ve already heard of the Oculus Rift. The biggest name in virtual reality also comes with the best, easiest to use controllers and the largest catalogue of games. The recent price drop also makes it more affordable, but like the Vive Pro, you’ll still need a powerful PC.

    The technology, originally funded by a Kickstarter campaign and then acquired by Facebook for around $2 billion, has improved since the earliest model of the Oculus Rift, but some users report issues with the built-in headphones and cite the precise positioning required for the headset to be frustrating. Still, it’s our choice for a mid-range PC headset.

    Sony PlayStation VR ($299)

    What if you don’t have a high-powered gaming PC but still want to dive into virtual reality? The Sony PlayStation VR headset is here for you. A hundred dollars cheaper than the Oculus Rift, the PSVR only requires—you guessed it—a PS4 to work. That’s a much smaller total investment if you’re just getting started.

    Plenty of people found the PSVR’s balance of quality and affordability to be right on the mark. Sony has sold more than 2 million of the headsets, outstripping the competition. It might not be the best possible VR experience, but this headset is a fun and novel way to interact with your PlayStation.

    Samsung Gear VR ($130)

    Let’s leave the realm of tethered headsets behind and check out the Samsung Gear VR. At less than half the price of the Sony PlayStation VR, Samsung’s mobile headset works with a range of Galaxy smartphones. If you’re looking to upgrade soon, Samsung frequently bundles the Gear VR with their newest phones.

    The mobile headset supports 360-degree video as well as a variety of apps and games. It is packaged with a Bluetooth controller to allow you to navigate the virtual world. Given that Oculus helped build the software, it’s no surprise that the Gear VR offers the best mobile virtual reality headset on the market today.

    Google Daydream View ($99)

    When Google announced the “Cardboard” VR headset in 2014, people couldn’t tell if it was a real product or a joke. The newest model of their Daydream View headset is streamlined, surprisingly comfortable, and a bargain at $100.

    The biggest advantage of this headset is that it will work with most smartphones, not just Google’s own Pixel. Keep in mind, however, that your experience will be limited by how well your phone can keep up. The new Daydream View has a full 100-degree field of view (an improvement over the previous model’s 90 degrees) and a simple 2-button controller.

  • An Easier Way to Sell on eBay

    An Easier Way to Sell on eBay

    The updated mobile app from the veteran online marketplace will make it much easier to upload your stuff. The new eBay app, which has already rolled out on both iOS and Android, allows users to upload an item in a just a few seconds.

    Scan and Go

    The biggest change to the app is the addition of a barcode scanner, along with a product search feature. The app works best if you have the original box since you can simply scan the barcode. However, if you didn’t hang on to the box, never fear! You can still look up the name of the product in eBay’s extensive database and pull up the necessary information.

    The app fills out the majority of the fields for you although you’ll still need to enter the item’s condition. For many items, eBay is even able to provide images from its library, suggest a price, and calculate shipping costs. You can edit any of the pre-populated fields as needed.

    The Power of Data

    The new app builds on the simplified selling tools debuted by eBay last year. Using structured data and predictive analytics, the platform draws on its vast database of listings to cut down on the time it takes to upload an item. They hope that the streamlined process will make the platform more appealing to current sellers and newbies alike.

    “At eBay, we’re dedicated to delivering a seamless and efficient selling experience for both first-time and seasoned sellers alike,” says Kelly Vincent, eBay’s VP of Consumer Selling Product & Engineering. “This is one of many enhancements we’ll be making this year. We’ll continue to leverage structured data and new technology developments to help our sellers ‘get it sold.’”

    Limited Features

    Unfortunately, sellers who trade in vintage or unique items will find that the new app has limited functionality. The lack of barcodes on vintage items and the variability in condition means that these sellers will still need to enter most of their information by hand and upload their own photos instead of using the provided stock images available for newer mass-market products.

    Increased Competition

    When it arrived on the scene over 20 years ago, eBay was a revolutionary way to sell online. Since then, resale apps like OfferUp, Poshmark, LetGo, and ThredUp have emerged to pose serious competition. Facebook’s Marketplace has also claimed a piece of the online resale pie, focusing on connecting local sellers and buyers.

    Although there are over 13 million listings added to the site each week using the mobile app, eBay is betting that their faster, simpler uploading process will keep the platform competitive.

  • Tablet Talk: Microsoft Surface Pro

    Tablet Talk: Microsoft Surface Pro

    The Surface Pro has always been the The ultimate laptop with versatility of a studio and tablet. Now its better than ever, the new Surface Pro gives you a best-in-class laptop, plus the versatility of a studio and tablet. The stunning PixelSense Display supports Surface Pen1 and touch, while up to 13.5 hours of battery life2 gives you plenty of juice to work all day and play all night.

    The Great

    • Brilliant PixelSense display
    • Simple, elegant design
    • Improved Type Cover keyboard
    • Fantastic performance

     

    The Not

    • No USB-C
    • Surface Pen and Type Cover sold separately
    • Better, but still mediocre battery life

    The Conclusion

    With its fantastic PixelSense display, improved Type Cover, faster performance and even better battery life, the Surface Pro is still the king of detachable 2-in-1s.

    The Design

    Not wanting to tempt fate by messing with an exceptional design, Microsoft made the new Surface Pro look almost identical to the previous two models.Sure, the company has rounded off a few edges to make the Surface Pro a little curvier and more pleasant to hold, but all the familiar elements are here, including the kickstand, power button, volume rocker and front-facing speakers.

    The Performance

    I  can see why Microsoft is moving away from referring to the Surface Pro as a tablet, given that it’s packed with very laptop-like components. Our review model was equipped with a fast dual-core Intel i7-7660U CPU and 16GB of RAM. The Core i7-7660U is no longer at the cutting edge, as Intel’s 8th-gen Core processors are now available, but it managed respectable performance.

    Surface Pen is Vastly Improved

    Why Microsoft opted not to call this the Surface Pro 5 is beyond us, as you can now see the firm changed practically every facet of the product. The Surface Pen got some of the most meticulous and belabored treatment.

    For one, Microsoft upped the pressure sensitivity of its pen to 4,096 levels of detectable pressure, meaning creators have more control over the width and intensity of their lines in illustrations or designs than before. Perhaps more importantly, the Pen now sports a much lower latency, meaning that the tip of your Pen has a far lower chance of “leading” the ink on the PixelSense display.

    Finally, the Pen also supports tilt detection now, though only through the new Surface Pro – the other current Surface devices will get the support for this feature through a firmware update.

     

    Quick Spec Look

    • CPU: 2.5GHz Intel Core i7-7660U (dual-core, 4MB cache, up to 4GHz with Turbo Boost)
    • Graphics: Intel Iris Plus Graphics 640
    • RAM: 16GB LPDDR3
    • Screen: 12.3-inch, 2,736 x 1,824 PixelSense display (Contrast ratio: 1,300:1, 100% sRGB color, 10-point multi-touch, 3:2 aspect ratio)
    • Storage: 512GB SSD (PCIe 3.0)
    • Ports: 1x USB 3.0, mini DisplayPort, microSDXC card reader (UHS-I), headphone/mic jack
    • Connectivity: 802.11ac Wi-Fi (2 x 2 MIMO), Bluetooth 4.1 (Low Energy)
    • Cameras: 8MP rear-facing, auto-focus camera (1080p HD); 5MP front-facing, 1080p HD camera
    • Weight: 1.73 pounds
    • Size: 11.5 x 7.93 x 0.33 inches (W x D x H)

    The Final Thought

    Nearly five years after Microsoft introduced the device that created the 2-in-1 category, the company’s Surface Pro systems are still the detachables other companies are trying to beat. So how does Microsoft improve upon its class-leading hybrid? By refining its simple tried-and-true design, improving performance, shoring up some concerns about battery life, and creating a new line of enhanced and more colorful Surface accessories.

    I think Microsoft is still playing it a bit too safe in a few areas. While improved, the Surface Pro’s battery life still lags behind those of other ultraportable laptops, and the lack of a USB-C or Thunderbolt 3 port are strange omissions for a premium flagship device. And after three years in which the Surface Pro has had essentially the same aesthetics, I find myself wanting a bit more excitement out of this machine’s design. But if you want the best detachable out there, the Surface Pro is still the one to get.

  • Acer Spin 1 the 2 in 1 with Incredable Value

    Acer Spin 1 the 2 in 1 with Incredable Value

    Quickly turn thoughts into action on Acer’s Spin 1 Convertible laptop. Portable and light, this boundless device is fast and fun with an included stylus and Windows Ink so you can jot down a note or capture ideas as easily and quickly as they occur. It features a vibrant 11.6” Full HD IPS display and battery life that has enough juice to last you though your entire journey while the 360° hinge laptop smoothly converts between four modes —laptop, display, tent or tablet—by simply ‘spinning’ it into position.

    The Great

    • Sharp
    • Colorful display
    • Attractive metal chassis
    • Comfortable keyboard

    The Not

    • Below-average battery life
    • Small storage drive

     

    The Conclusion

    For under $350, the Spin 1 provides some features you usually see in laptops that cost closer to $1,000. Clad in a snazzy all-aluminum chassis, this 11.6-inch convertible has one of the most colorful and brightest 1080p screens on the market, giving it a better viewing experience than many systems three times its price. It also comes standard with an active stylus that supports 1,024 levels of pressure. With a Celeron processor and 32GB of storage, the Spin 1 probably won’t replace your primary PC, but it makes a great secondary device and is a fantastic choice for kids.

     

    The Design

    The Acer Spin 1 doesn’t look anything like a $329 laptop. Its gunmetal-gray aluminum chassis stands out in a price band where cheap, glossy plastic is the norm. I particularly like the subtle, cross-hatch pattern on the dark gray lid and how it contrasts with the shiny, silver hinge area. Thick screen bezels, however, keep the inside of the system from looking quite as stunning as the outside of the package

     

    The Display

    The 11.6-inch screen on the Spin 1 is so bright and colorful that it has caused me to question my assumptions about the laptop industry. If Acer can put a 1920 x 1080 IPS touch display this vibrant on a $329 laptop, why can’t manufacturers offer this kind of display quality in their $800 and $1,000 laptops?

    Keyboard and Touchpad

    When it comes time to type on most budget laptops, particularly 11-inchers like the Spin 1, I gird myself for an unpleasant experience. However, Acer’s 2-in-1 blew away my expectations with a snappy, responsive keyboard that didn’t have any of the flex or key stiffness I often see on much more expensive system

    The Performance

    We’ve spent more time than usual really paying attention to what the Acer Spin 1 feels like in use, because a lot of older Atom and Celeron laptops were just too slow to be enjoyable. For the most part this Celeron actually performs fine for the basics.Browsing the web, writing documents and other basic productivity jobs are painless. Using the Acer Spin 1 to write a few of our reviews felt much as it would on a laptop with a Core i5 CPU

    Quick Spec Look

    •  11.6-inch,
    • 1080p IPS screen
    • 4GB of RAM,
    • 32GB eMMC Storage
    • Intel Celeron N3350 CPU
    • 2.65 pounds

    The Final Thought

    If you want a cheap hybrid and have realistic expectations about performance, you should jump at the Acer Spin 1. It’s well-made, is comfortable to type on and has a superb screen for the price.

     

  • Top 5 Laptop Brands

    Top 5 Laptop Brands

    So its time to purchase a new laptop. There are so many options to consider, size,weight, screen size, power and batteryand dont forget which brand to buy. All Laptops Brands will give you the plethora of build and model options to customize so starting with the brand of laptop is probably the best place to start. Whether you’re purchasing a $1,500 gaming laptop or a $200 Chromebook, the brand matters. That’s why we rate the top 5 laptop brands each year, based on their support, design, innovation, value/selection and, most of all, product quality.
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    1. Lenovo  (8.6/10)

    For 2018, Lenovo retained its place for a second year as the best laptop vendor, but it just barely edged out second-place Dell and third-place HP. Apple, which used to dominate this contest, fell all the way to fourth place, down from second last year.

    Lenovo takes first place again this year, on the strength of the company’s fantastic product lineup. From the beautiful ThinkPad X1 Carbon, which was the only product to get a perfect, 5-star review in the past year, to the versatile Yoga 920, Lenovo’s laptops earned the most Editors’ Choice awards of any brand. And a full 53 percent of the company’s laptops scored 4 or higher. However, Lenovo’s tech support scores declined from last year, and stiff competition from HP and Dell made this a nail-bitingly close race.

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  • Laptop Lookout: Razer Blade Pro

    Laptop Lookout: Razer Blade Pro

    The new 14” Razer Blade gaming laptop in Full HD or 4K UHD strikes the perfect balance between power and portability. Experience streamlined performance with the latest 7th Gen Intel® Core™ i7 Quad Core processor and smoother, detailed gameplay graphics or connect a VR headset for an even more immersive gaming experience.
     
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    The Great

    • Slim, attractive chassis
    • Choice between a 4K Nvidia G-Sync display and 1080p panel with 120Hz refresh rate
    • Great overall and graphics performance
    • Excellent sound
    • 1080p version has a super-comfortable, customizable keyboard

    The Not

    • Expensive
    • SSD not very fast
    • Gets hot when gaming

    The Conclusion

    Razer manages to fit a high-end graphics card into an amazingly thin laptop. Gamers and graphics pros alike will love the performance, but not the loud fans and misplaced touchpad.

    The Design


    There’s just something about a Razer laptop that makes the pulse quicken ever so slightly when you see it. Constructed from black CNC aluminum, the Blade Pro follows the Razer design dictates to a T, just on a bigger scale. The center of the laptop’s lid is slightly recessed, creating a pair of subtle ridges that help accentuate the glimmering emerald three-headed snake emblem.

    The system’s interior offers more ebony aluminum, with the center of the deck housing the full-size keyboard and rather large touchpad in a slightly recessed compartment. A power button sits at top center on the device, daring you to press it. At 7.7 pounds, the 16.7 x 11 x 0.89-inch Blade Pro is still the slimmest and lightest 17-inch gaming laptop in the land.

    The Variables


    This system doesn’t seem to struggle at all, even when playing demanding games set to high at its full 4K resolution. Drop your resolution to full HD and you still get playable frame rates with settings at ultra.The Blade Pro can easily replace a desktop, and if that’s your goal, there is an HDMI 2.0 output that handles video and audio. It’s joined by a Thunderbolt 3 port that can also handle display output in addition to three USB 3.0 ports, an SD card slot and Killer E2400 Gigabit Ethernet.
     
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    Rather than positioning the trackpad beneath the keyboard, the Blade Pro’s pointing device is beside it on the right-hand side. More than once, we found ourselves tickling the surface below the keyboard, but it doesn’t take too long to get over this phantom pain. The taller, squarer shape makes scrolling a breeze. It’s an arrangement that feels familiar if you’re used to having your mouse next to a keyboard and it’s also far more convenient to use than a trackpad positioned between the wrist rests.

    What Are The Options


    I had a grand ol’ time reviewing the $3,999 base configuration of the Razer Blade Pro, which has an overclocked 2.9-GHz Intel Core i7-7820HK processor with 32GB of RAM, a pair of 256GB PCIe SSD in RAID 0 configuration and a Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 GPU with 8GB of VRAM.

    Want more storage? It’s definitely going to cost you. A pair of 512GB PCIe SSD in RAID costs $4,399, while the RAID 0 1TB option brings the price up to $4,899.

    But if you’re looking for a less expensive option, there’s the $2,299 model, which has a 2.8-GHz Intel Core i7-7700HQ CPU, 16GB of RAM, a 256GB PCIe M.2 SSD with a 2TB 7,200-rpm hard drive, an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 GPU with 6GB of VRAM and a 1920 x 1080p display.

    The Display


    Staring at the Blade Pro’s 4K panel is like looking into a fever dream of color. The Nvidia G-Sync technology made sure that Geralt’s ashen-white hair cascaded realistically over his broad shoulders as he ran toward a cadre of flesh-eating Ghouls in Witcher 3: Wild Hunt.For gamers who value buttery-smooth graphics over higher resolution, the Blade Pro is also available in full HD (1920 x 1080), a first for this iteration of the desktop replacement. Instead of a super-high resolution, the 1080p panel has a 120Hz refresh rate. It’s not Nvidia’s G-Sync technology, but you should still get some lovely graphics.

    Quick Speck Look

    • CPU: 2.6GHz Intel Core i7-6700HQ (quad-core, 6MB cache, up to 3.5GHz)
    • Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 (8GB GDDR5X VRAM), Intel HD graphics 530
    • RAM: 32GB DDR4 (2,133MHz)
    • Screen: 17.3-inch IGZO UHD (3,840 x 2,160) LED with multi-touch G-Sync
    • Storage: 1TB PCIe SSD
    • Ports: 3 x USB 3.0 port (SuperSpeed), 1 x Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C), HDMI 2.0, SDXC card reader, Killer E2400 Gigabit Ethernet, headset jack
    • Connectivity: Killer DoubleShot Pro Wireless-AC 1535; Bluetooth 4.1
    • Camera: 2MP built-in webcam
    • Weight: 6.76 pounds (3.07kg)
    • Size: 16.8 x 10.9 x 0.88 inches (42.7 x 27.7 x 2.24cm; W x D x H)

    The Final Thought


    Thanks to these features, the Razer Blade Pro lends itself to be just as good at rendering beautiful game worlds as it is for accurately color correcting videos.There’s always been a distinction between gaming laptops and desktop replacement laptops, not any more this is Razor town now, Charlie.
     
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  • Intel’s Hades Canyon NUC Packs a Powerful Punch

    Intel’s Hades Canyon NUC Packs a Powerful Punch

    Intel promised to deliver the “next unit of computing” with their NUC small form-factor desktop personal computers. Eight generations out, the Hades Canyon NUC is a big step forward in mini-desktop computing.

    Meet the Next Generation

    Although it’s small, the Hades Canyon NUC is mighty. With the iconic skull logo displayed on the top of the box, the machine is a sleek, matte black powerhouse. Similar in price to other mini-desktops, the $999 price tag may be a turnoff to more casual consumers. Tech-heads and tinkerers, however, will love the flexibility, portability, and power of this little machine.

    Under the Hood

    Like other small form-factor, the Hades Canyon NUC is a bare-bones machine, so consumers will need to provide their own RAM, storage, and OS. Because of the easy-access design of the box, it’s relatively simple to access the internal ports. With the Core i7 processor and AMD’s RX Vega M GPU, it has more than enough graphics power to run the latest games or a VR headset with no evident lag. The closed-loop liquid cooling system keeps things running smoothly and reduces fan noise—an improvement over previous generations.

    Ports and Portability

    Considering its size, the Hades Canyon NUC offers a huge number of ports, including an SD card slot, six USB 3.0 ports, two HDMI ports, and two headphone jacks. The machine is VR-friendly, with the Oculus Rift’s headset and sensors easily connecting with plenty of room to spare.

    Although Intel claims this is the smallest VR-capable machine on the market, the box is double the size of the previous generation. The size of the power supply is also an issue; nearly the same size and weight as the box itself, the bulky power supply limits the portability of the device.

    Ideal for use as a gaming computer or home entertainment system, Intel’s latest machine proves that good things come in small packages.

  • Best Ways to Check Credit Score

    Best Ways to Check Credit Score

    If you’re looking to make a big purchase, like a car or a house, odds are you’re going to need a loan. The way lenders check to see if you’re eligible for that loan, of course, is your credit score. If you often pay bills on time and are financially secure, your score should be high but you should regularly check your score.

    Grab hold of your financial potential with free information about your credit score. Knowing your credit score is important because it helps you decide what your buying power is and what areas to focus on to improve this important score.

    There are many factors that go into determining a credit score, including employment status, credit history, and financial consistency. There are also several different types of credit scores rather than a standard way to measure creditworthiness. Although banks and lenders may have their own method to determine a credit score, there are ways that general consumers can monitor their credit activity and keep on top of the score as it changes over the years.

    If you’re looking to check your credit score you’ll want to do it for free. That’s where these free credit check sites come in!

    Best Free Credit Reports

    Credit.com

    Credit.com allows you to see your Experian and VantageScore results for free. VantageScore is a newer model of credit scoring that is usually more up-to-date than the traditional FICO score. You have to sign up for an account with Credit.com, but it’s a free process. The site is known for its credit report card, a quick glance at which things go into your credit. This way, you can see what factors you may need to address to get your score higher!

    Credit Karma

    Credit Karma has become the most popular of the free credit monitoring sites for many reasons. You’ve likely heard of this one. Credit Karma offers scores from TransUnion and Equifax, and both are shown as VantageScore. Credit Karma is a free site as well, and they don’t share customer information. If you’re looking for a no-frills credit check, you’re looking for Credit Karma. They offer a great mobile app, too.

    Quizzle

    Since 2008, Quizzle has been helping its customers understand their credit history and providing free access to their full credit report and credit score. Quizzle offers free Equifax and VantageScore reports. Once every three months you can see a free report of your score. Quizzle technically has a premium account too, though you’re better off just using the free functions. The free functionality doesn’t require a credit card, too.

    WalletHub

    WalletHub offers personal financial tools to users online. Their main product is offering a free daily credit score and report associated with it. WalletHub requires you to take a pre-screening questionnaire before you get your free score. Once you answer a few basic questions, such as your income and the last four digits of your Social, you get a TransUnion credit score. The report is similar to Credit.com’s credit report card, showing you what factors influence your score the most.


  • Intel Aims to Improve Performance by Moving Virus Scanning to GPU

    Intel Aims to Improve Performance by Moving Virus Scanning to GPU

    Intel is going to open the doors for virus scanners to use integrated graphics chipsets for scanning instead of relying solely on the CPU. This could mean better performance and battery life.

    Accelerated Memory Scanning

    “With Accelerated Memory Scanning, the scanning is handled by Intel’s integrated graphics processor, enabling more scanning, while reducing the impact on performance and power consumption,” said Intel’s platform security division vice president Rick Echevarria. “Early benchmarking on Intel test systems show CPU utilization dropped from 20 percent to as little as 2 percent.”

    Since typical machines do not fully utilize their onboard graphics chips, Intel is making a smart move to offload threat protection.

    Supported Processors

    The supported processors go back to the 6thgeneration of Intel, meaning that three generations of processors will allow the offloading of virus scanning. This should cover a very wide variety of computers that are already in the field.

    Skylake, the earliest supported Intel processor, was launched in 2015. If you purchased your computer before then (or if your computer uses AMD instead of Intel), then you will not be able to use the new offloaded virus scanning feature.

    Supported Virus Scanners

    Microsoft’s Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection (ATP) will be the first to offer this new feature… as soon as later this month. Intel has also been working with other antivirus developers to help facilitate the change. Keep an eye open for news from your preferred vendor.

    Spectre Protection

    Last month, Intel said that they are redesigning their processors to prevent another Spectre-like attack. Changes that Intel had to make to protect applications after Spectre cause a performance hit but updating the silicon itself will restore performance and provide better protection.

  • Laptop Lookout: Huawei Matebook X Pro

    Laptop Lookout: Huawei Matebook X Pro

    HUAWEI MateBook X Pro is a ultra-slim notebook with FullView display of 91% screen-to-body ratio. The 3K touchscreen, powerful Intel processor and discrete graphics ensure this is a perfect companion for entertainment and work. With a 3K LTPS display comes with a remarkable 3000 x 2000 resolution, 260 PPI, 100% sRGB color gamut, 450 nits maximum brightness and 1500:1 contrast ratio. Immerse yourself in vivid details when viewing high definition pictures or watching 4K videos.

    The Great

    • Fast performance
    • Exquisite screen
    • Comfortable keyboard
    • Long battery life
    • Both USB Type-C and Type-A ports

    The Not

    • Very limited availability
    • High price
    • No SD card slot
    • Clever webcam is still flawed
    • Mystic Silver is Core i7 only

     

    The Conclusion

    The Huawei MateBook X Pro is a speedy, long-lasting premium notebook that’s hard to get.

     

    Chinese tech giant Huawei is not known for making laptops, but its 14-inch MateBook X Pro (tested at $2,350; starting at around $1,855) could change all that. Not only does it pack a gorgeous, high-res display and speedy performance, its battery lasts all day. And while its name and design beg for comparisons to Apple’s MacBook Pro, the MateBook X Pro’s keyboard is far more comfortable. The only things standing between you and its glory are its high price and severely limited availability.

     

    The Design

    The aluminum Huawei MateBook X Pro reminds me a lot of Apple’s MacBooks, and that’s a good thing. Not only is it a slim, silver wedge (also made in Space Gray), it’s easy to open its lid with a single hand, a hallmark of Apple’s notebooks. It also sports a shiny beveled edge around its keyboard deck, which the MacBooks do not.

    I still prefer the Apple’s designs in two slight ways: the Huawei logo — which looks like you chopped an Apple into a bunch of wedges — isn’t as elegant. Also, the MateBook X Pro’s lid and edges are flatter, lacking the tapered curves of the MacBook Air.

    The 14-inch MateBook X Pro weighs 2.9 pounds and measures 0.6 inches thick, making it similar in size and heft to the 3-pound, 0.6-inch thick Apple MacBook Pro (13-inch, Touch Bar). The Dell XPS 13 (2.65 pounds, 0.5 inches) is lighter, while the HP Spectre 13 (2.4 pounds, 0.4 inches) is both thinner and lighter.

     

    The Display

    The MateBook X Pro’s screen produces 124 percent of the sRGB spectrum, which exceeds the 113 percent premium laptop average. The MacBook Pro earned a similar 123 percent and the Spectre 13 measured a lower 111 percent, while the XPS 13’s 1080p screen (117 percent) and its 4K screen (130 percent) straddled the MateBook X Pro’s rates.

     

    Quick Spec Look

    • CPU: 1.8GHz Intel Core i7-8550U (quad-core, 8MB cache, up to 4.0GHz)
    • Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 620, Nvidia GeForce MX150 graphics (2GB GDDR5)
    • RAM: 16GB LPDDR3 (2,133 MHz)
    • Screen: 13.9-inch 3K (3,000 x 2,000) LED with touch panel (3:2 aspect; 450 nits; 1,500:1 contrast; 100% sRGB)
    • Storage: 512GB SSD (NVMe PCIe)
    • Ports: 1 x Thunderbolt 3 USB-C, 1 x USB-C 3.1, 1 x USB 3.0, 3.5mm audio jack
    • Connectivity: 802.11ac (2 x 2 MIMO) Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1
    • Camera: 720p webcam with far field microphones
    • Weight: 2.93 pounds (1.33kg)
    • Size: 11.97 x 8.54 x 0.57 inches (304 x 217 x 14.6mm; W x H x D)

     

    The Final Thought

    This may just be the Tech device that adds Huawei to the major players of Apple, Dell and Samsung to the minds of the american consumer. Welcome to the big leauges boys, we wear caps and sleeves at this level. Frankly, we’re stunned by Huawei’s sophomore effort in the laptop category. In one fell swoop, the MateBook X Pro presents an overwhelming alternative to my favorite laptop, the Dell XPS 13, and the MacBook Pro.