If you’re building a new gaming PC, I’ve got a sweet deal for you on a graphics card. The PNY Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 Ti OC (7/10, WIRED Review) is currently marked down to just $379 at Walmart. While prices have been in flux since launch, this is anywhere from $50 to $100 off the usual price, a discount that makes it a much more appealing purchase for gaming at 1080p.
Photograph: Brad Bourque
PNY
GeForce RTX 5060 Ti OC
This is the most modest entry from Nvidia’s 50 Series that I think is worth your time, but that doesn’t mean that you’ll be disappointed. The 16-GB card can chug right along in most modern games at 1080p, beating 60 fps in every game in our test suite with the settings cranked up and the ray tracing turned on. It struggled to keep up at 1440p, at least with everything set to ultra, but a little tinkering, or Nvidia’s latest tech, can help with that. Common games like Minecraft, Helldivers 2, and Marvel Rivals all ran over 90 fps, which is great news for weeknight Squirrel Girl enjoyers like myself.
As an RTX 50 Series card, the 5060 TI supports the latest version of DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) which includes Multi-Frame Generation. For every traditionally rendered frame of gameplay, the GPU can use machine learning to generate up to three extra frames with low overhead. The result is a much smoother experience, with big fps jumps each time you turn up the setting. The tradeoffs are a slight increase in input lag, as well as the occasional tiny artifact, which I feel makes this a great option for slower, cinematic games, but less optimal for twitchy shooters.
This PNY example isn’t the flashiest, with a plastic housing and only two fans, but I think a lot of gamers will be satisfied with it. It does feature the classic 8-pin PCIe power plug, so it could be an upgrade for an older system too, but I don’t think the performance jump would be that noticeable from the higher-end 30 or even 20 Series cards. If you want to check out your other options, I’ve got a full GPU buying guide that covers the latest from both AMD and Nvidia, from this card all the way up to the $2,000 RTX 5090.
Think of a keyboard switch like light switches. They have a fixed point where they activate, and all they can report is whether they’re in one of two states. Hall effect switches are more like light dimmer knobs. They know exactly where they currently are and can report that information back to the computer, which has a number of advantages over traditional keyboard switches.
For starters, you don’t have to settle for a fixed actuation point like you do on most keyboards. You can use the software to set the keys to be super sensitive, or require them to be almost all the way down, or even set keys to send different button presses depending on how hard they’re pressed. If you like to play video games, you can set keys to act like an analog joystick or trigger, letting you easily steer in racing games or walk in RPGs without picking up a controller.
The software has a lot of options, but is well thought out and easy to use, although you do need to plug it in to make changes. It’s QMK-based, but Keychron provides their own web-based launcher to make things even easier, particularly if you’re not well versed in that customization software.
It’s a premium mechanical keyboard throughout. The switches themselves are made by Gateron, and our reviewer noted that they’re exceptionally smooth, thanks to the pre-lubed rails and magnetic sensor. The gasket mount design and full aluminum body work together to provide a soft, deep, typing experience. Unless you’re already using linear switches, you might miss some of the crispness and feedback you get from a tactile or clicky mechanical switch.
While the larger Keychron Q6 HE currently sits at the top of our list of favorite mechanical keyboards, if you don’t need the num pad, you might appreciate the extra desk space you can reclaim with the Q1 HE. They’re otherwise extremely similar boards, and you’ll save $50 in the process.
Acer has introduced the Veriton GN100 AI Mini Workstation, a desktop-sized yet highly capable system built on the Acer and NVIDIA GB10 Grace Blackwell Superchip. Engineered to run large AI models locally, it minimizes reliance on cloud services while delivering up to 1 PFLOPS of FP4 performance. This makes it an appealing choice for developers, data scientists, and researchers seeking server-grade performance in a compact form factor.
Next-Gen AI Performance in a Small Form
The GN100 leverages a 20-core Arm-based CPU combined with next-generation CUDA and Tensor Cores. Backed by 128 GB LPDDR5x unified memory and up to 4 TB of NVMe storage, the workstation is designed to handle demanding AI workloads. Despite its ultra-compact design, it provides performance levels typically associated with large-scale servers, making it ideal for local prototyping, model training, and inference.
Developer-Friendly AI Stack
Pre-installed with NVIDIA’s AI Software Stack, the Acer Veriton GN100 is ready for work right out of the box. It supports widely used tools like PyTorch, Jupyter, and Ollama, ensuring smooth workflows for AI developers and students. This integration helps reduce setup time, letting users focus on building, fine-tuning, and deploying large language models without additional configuration.
Scalable AI Collaboration
Equipped with NVIDIA ConnectX-7 SmartNIC, the GN100 enables two units to be linked, scaling capacity for AI models with up to 405 billion parameters. This modular scalability ensures the workstation can grow alongside project requirements, whether for academic research or enterprise AI development. Advanced networking options, including Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.1, and Ethernet connectivity, further enhance system flexibility.
Compact, Secure, and Ready for Work
Weighing less than 1.5 kg and measuring only 5.9 inches square, the GN100 is designed for efficiency and portability. Security is also a focus, with a Kensington lock and local AI execution for privacy. With pricing starting at USD 3,999, Acer positions the GN100 as a cost-effective solution for professional-grade AI performance without the operational costs of cloud services. Availability will vary by region, but this workstation sets a strong benchmark for compact AI computing.
Specifications
Details
Name
Acer Veriton GN100 AI Mini Workstation
Model
GN100
Operating System
DGX Base OS & NVIDIA AI Software Stack
Processors
20-core Arm-based processor, up to 1 PFLOPS FP4 performance
Graphics
NVIDIA GB10 Grace Blackwell Superchip
Memory
128 GB LPDDR5x Coherent Unified System memory
Storage
Up to 4 TB M.2 NVMe with self-encryption
Audio
HDMI multi-channel audio output
Ports
Four USB 3.2 Type C, HDMI 2.1b, RJ-45, NVIDIA ConnectX-7 Smart NIC
Networking
Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.1+
Network Interface Card
NVIDIA ConnectX-7 Smart NIC
Security
Kensington lock, Local AI Model Execution
Dimensions/Weight
150 × 150 × 50.5 mm (5.91 × 5.91 × 1.99 in), < 1.5 kg
It has been a big year for repairable-laptop maker Framework. After launching the Framework Laptop 12 and the Framework Desktop this summer, the company is now rolling out a big update to the Framework Laptop 16. The machine can be configured with (or upgraded to) an Nvidia RTX 5070 laptop graphics card. You can also upgrade to the new 2025 mainboard, which includes the next-gen AMD Ryzen AI 300 series chips.
Why is this a big deal? Well, Framework is a company we’ve grown to appreciate a lot over the past few years. The company has been pioneering a more sustainable (and fun!) approach to designing computers, making as many parts of the device as modular as possible. That has included things like the RAM and storage, naturally, but also the CPU, battery, Wi-Fi card, and much more.
The idea is to swap out components on the laptops when new modules come out (or if something breaks down), reducing the need to buy a new laptop every few years and sending fewer parts to the landfill. But upgrading discrete graphics on laptops has always been elusive. Companies like Alienware have tried modular discrete GPUs in portable PCs before, and they never lasted. But with the new RTX 5070 graphics module upgrade, Framework proves it can be done.
Courtesy of Framework
The original Framework Laptop 16 arrived at the beginning of 2024, launching as an AMD-exclusive system with the Ryzen 7 7840HS (or Ryzen 9) and the discrete Radeon RX 7700S for graphics. At the time of testing, GPU performance landed somewhere around a mobile RTX 4060. On paper, that makes the jump to an RTX 5070 not only a great demonstration of the Framework ethos—but also a big deal for performance. Framework says it’s a 30 to 40 percent increase in GPU performance over the RX 7700S.
More power doesn’t come free, so Framework is shipping a 240-watt USB-C charger that uses the USB Power Delivery 3.1 spec. That’ll make it one of the only laptops with an RTX 5070 that is powered solely by USB-C. Other 240-watt power adapters often use a proprietary power port (see almost every gaming laptop).
The Framework Laptop 16 was the follow-up to the original Framework Laptop 13 and added more than just the discrete graphics module. It also had a unique approach to customization, letting you arrange the keyboard and trackpad however, using modules and spacers to customize it. The new model also comes with a better webcam and a more rigid top cover (on the lid).
HP OmniStudio X 31.5 for $1,450: This all-in-one computer has considerably better graphics performance thanks to an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 GPU, and it’s the first Core Ultra-based all-in-one to hit the market. It’s almost a toss-up compared to the Lenovo above, but while it’s got plenty of power and scads of ports, the OmniStudio’s comparatively tame design left me dreaming of more eye-catching options.
Dell Inspiron 24 All-in-One ($950): While it’s a little more expensive, a little less sexy, and a little less powerful, this Dell AIO is nonetheless a reasonable alternative to HP’s Envy Move. The all-white but otherwise no-nonsense design feels particularly appropriate for corporate environments.
Avoid These AIOs
Photograph: Asus
I’ve tested several more all-in-one computers but can’t recommend the following. Stick with one of the models above.
Asus M3402 and A5702: Asus’ all-in-one lineup (available in both 24- and 27-inch versions) features dated, chunky, uninspired hardware and surprisingly lackluster performance. While the smaller M3402 is the cheapest all-in-one I’ve tested to date, the slow CPU and grainy LCD are both recipes for frustration.
Lenovo IdeaCentre AIO 27ARR9: This 27-inch all-in-one is a reasonable pick if you’re trying to outfit the sleepiest corporate office on the block, its black monolithic design offering only a modicum of style over the aforementioned Asus machines. Though performance here isn’t outright bad, it simply has none of the panache of Lenovo’s Yoga AIO 9i, making for a bit of a letdown. My other low-cost all-in-one picks are just better options.
Microsoft Surface Studio 2+: I’m not entirely sure who this 28-inch, touch-centric all-in-one is supposed to be for. Microsoft perhaps doesn’t either, as the hardware is still running on a (discontinued) processor released at the beginning of 2021. While even a luxe all-in-one like the Yoga AIO 9i will cost you $1,800, the Studio 2+ runs a shocking $4,500. It’s an “avoid” based on price alone.
Then there’s the display notch, where the webcam sits at the top of the screen. It’s still an eyesore—and during my testing, it covered up dialog boxes more than once. Also, the MacBook Pro fan has always been extremely loud under load, and it’s just as noisy today, and the power brick is still white, even if your laptop is Space Black.
These aren’t fresh concerns, and they’re all minor complaints next to a fresh, weightier concern: At 4.7 pounds, the MacBook Pro M4 feels very heavy—and sure enough, it’s a full half-pound heavier than the M3 Max version I reviewed exactly a year ago. However, inexplicably, it is still 19 millimeters thick. Where has that extra half a pound gone? Must be the tantalizing internal upgrades that are going to blow our minds, right?
Power Boost
The obvious upgrade is Apple’s new M4 Pro CPU, which is the mid-level offering between the standard M4 and M4 Max, not including a rumored M4 Ultra in 2025. The new features on the M4 silicon are too numerous and too nerdy to list here, but the short of it is that you’re getting more cores on both CPU (14 on this configuration) and GPU (20), and (also as configured here) 48 GB of unified memory, which is designed to speed up everything from video processing to DNA sequencing, if that happens to be your hobby.
Naturally, there’s the amply hyped, upgraded Neural Engine, now at 16 cores, designed to power on-device AI workloads (and the new Apple Intelligence) at three times the speed of the M1. My tested configuration also added a 2-terabyte solid-state drive, so this rig is about as loaded as it gets.
Aside from the motherboard, there are new features that may be more immediately visible—three to be exact. First, the USB ports support Thunderbolt 5 (120 Gbps/sec) for faster data transfer speeds. A new 12-MP webcam features “Desk View,” which lets you share a livestream of your desk while you’re screen-sharing. Lastly, there’s a “nano-texture” screen upgrade option, which is Applespeak for its glare reduction technology that debuted on the Studio Display. I have the feature on my test machine, and if nothing else in the MacBook Pro M4 gets you excited, this should. It makes the screen feel like you’re looking at a photograph. (The upgrade will cost you $150.)
in 2020, Apple’s MacBooks entered a new era. The company announced it was moving away from the Intel chips it had been using since 2006; in their place, it rolled out the first Macs with the Apple-designed M1. Cut to 2024 and the company now offers the choice between 14 custom processors, the latest of which is the M4 lineup powering the latest MacBook Pro.
Like with Apple’s iPhones, the chips run on the ARM architecture and afford the company greater control over its hardware and software. These processors make Apple laptops more powerful and power-efficient, meaning greatly improved performance and battery life. You get other perks, like the ability to run mobile apps originally made for iOS. Despite all these advances, choosing a MacBook is still a task. Here’s what you should spend your hard-earned money on.
Updated November 2024: We’ve added information on the new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro and the new M4 Pro and M4 Max chips.
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A Breakdown of Each M-Series Chip
All of Apple’s processors are scattered throughout different MacBook models. At this point, it might be tough to find a MacBook powered by a chip from before the M2. But if you do stumble upon its older chips (which came out four years ago), you might be wondering how they compare to other options. We break down the difference between each one.
M1 Series
M1: This is the first custom silicon Apple debuted for its MacBook Air in 2020. It has an 8-core CPU and up to an 8-core GPU. Originally, there was support for up to 16 GB of unified memory (RAM) at an extra cost, but nowadays you can only purchase the 8 GB model. It’s much faster than any previous Intel-powered MacBook Pro, and it is the practical choice for most people, as it’s in the most affordable MacBook Air you can buy right now (from third-party retailers). It packs more than enough processing power to get you through common day-to-day tasks—even light gaming—and it can handle more intense jobs like photo editing.
M1 Pro: Next step up is the M1 Pro. It has up to 10 cores in the CPU and up to a 16-core GPU, with up to 32 GB of unified memory. Apple says performance and graphics are both twice as fast as on the M1. We found it to be considerably more capable than the base chip, ideal for anyone who works heavily on MacBooks for music production or photo and video editing. Only the MacBook Pro (14 inch and 16 inch) from 2021 use this chip.
M1 Max: Like the M1 Pro, the M1 Max has a 10-core CPU but a heftier 32-core GPU (with support for up to 64 GB of unified memory). Apple says it’s four times faster than the M1 in terms of graphics. As proven in testing, this chip is extremely powerful and handles every heavy-duty task with ease. It’s the clear choice if you need a computer that can handle multiple streams of 8K or 4K video footage, 3D rendering, or developing apps and running demos. You probably already know whether you need this much power. It’s available in the MacBook Pro (14-inch and 16-inch) from 2021.
M1 Ultra: The M1 Ultra is the second most powerful of them all. It’s two M1 Max chips connected with a technology called UltraFusion. It packs a 20-core CPU, 64-core GPU (which can be configured with up to 128 GB of unified memory), and 32-core neural engine—complete with seven times more transistors than the base M1. Even with the M2 Ultra now available, the M1 is plenty powerful and a great option for anyone who needs a heavy-duty processor for working with intense visuals and graphics. It’s available only on the first-generation Mac Studio.
M2 Series
M2: You might think the M2 is better than the M1 Pro or M1 Max, but you’d be wrong. It’s an entry-level chip like the M1, with slightly more processing power. It packs an 8-core CPU and up to a 10-core GPU (two more GPU cores than its predecessor), along with support for up to 24 GB of unified memory. Apple says the second-generation chip has an 18 percent faster CPU and a GPU that’s 35 percent more powerful. The M2 is great for daily tasks like word processing and web browsing, but tasks like editing multiple streams of 4K footage and 3D rendering should be reserved for the M1 Pro or M1 Max (or the next two chips). It’s available in the MacBook Air (13 inch, 2022), MacBook Air (15 inch, 2022), MacBook Pro (13 inch, 2022).
M2 Pro: The M2 Pro is the next step up from the M2. It has up to 12 cores in the CPU and up to a 19-core GPU, with up to 32 GB of unified memory. Apple claims performance is up to 20 percent faster than the 10-core M1 Pro and graphics are 30 percent faster. We recommend this chip for intermediate video and photo editors. It’s a marginal upgrade compared to the M1 Pro, but it’s the best option for those who want a more future-proof processor. You’ll find it in the MacBook Pro (14-inch and 16-inch) from early 2023 and Mac Mini (2023).
M2 Max: The M2 Max packs up to a 12-core CPU and up to a 38-core GPU (with support for up to 96 GB of unified memory). According to Apple, graphics are 30 percent faster than the M1 Max. The M2 Max is an excellent choice for those who work with graphics-intensive content, including graphic design, 3D modeling, and heavy-duty video footage. But as with the M2 Pro, it’s an incremental upgrade if you’re coming from an M1 Max. It’s available in the MacBook Pro (14 inch and 16 inch) that came out early in 2023 and Mac Studio (2023).
M2 Ultra: This is the successor to the M1 Ultra, making it the most powerful of them all—even the latest M4 Max. It’s available on the second-generation Mac Studio and the Mac Pro (2023). Composed of two M2 Max chips, using Apple’s UltraFusion technology, the M2 Ultra has a 24-core CPU and a GPU configurable with 60 or 76 cores. Apple claims the CPU delivers up to 20 percent faster performance and a 30 percent faster GPU than the M1 Ultra. This is the chip to get if you’re working with extremely heavy-duty content that you believe the M1 Ultra, M2 Pro, or M2 Max simply won’t be able to handle. You’ll know if you need a chip this robust.
M3 Series
M3: The M3 is available on the 14-inch MacBook Pro (late 2023), 13-inch MacBook Air (2024), 15-inch MacBook Air (2024), and 24-inch iMac (2023). It packs an 8-core CPU and up to 10-core GPU with 24 gigabytes of unified memory. When compared to the M1, Apple claims CPU performance is up to 35 percent faster and GPU performance is up to 65 percent faster. The company says the CPU and GPU are both 20 percent faster than the M2. As with the M1 and M2, it’s great for basic tasks like word processing, sending emails, using spreadsheets, and light gaming. With the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air, you also have support for two external displays (one display with up to 6K resolution at 60 Hz and another with up to 5K resolution at 60 Hz).
M3 Pro: With a 12-core CPU and an 18-core GPU, Apple claims the M3 Pro’s GPU is only up to 10 percent faster than the M2 Pro—making this a marginal upgrade from its predecessor. Compared to the M1 Pro, however, the M2 Pro is up to 40 percent faster in GPU performance and 20 percent faster in CPU performance. It’s available on the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro from 2023. It’s the ideal in-between for those who need a chip that’s more powerful than the M3 but won’t utilize the full power of the M3 Max.
M3 Max: This is the next step up from the M2 Max and the most powerful of the three chips (but still not as powerful as the M2 Ultra). It has a 16-core CPU, 40-core GPU, and up to 128 gigabytes of unified memory. According to Apple, the CPU performance is up to 80 percent faster than the M1 Max and up to 50 percent faster than the M2 Max. As for GPU performance, it’s said to be up to 50 percent faster than the M1 Max and 20 percent faster than the M2 Max. The M3 Max is available on the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro (late 2023).
M4 Series
M4: The M4 is the newest entry-level chip that has a 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU. Apple claims it delivers 1.8 times faster CPU performance and 2.2 times faster GPU performance than the M1. Meanwhile, the neural engine is over three times faster than the original and twice as fast as the M3. It also starts with 16 GB of unified memory, which will help power Apple Intelligence (the company’s suite of artificial intelligence features) a lot more smoothly. It’s available on the 14-inch MacBook Pro (2024) and iMac (2024).
M4 Pro: The M4 Pro has a 14-core CPU (which Apple claims it’s up to 1.9 times faster than the M1 Pro) and up to 20-core GPU, with up to 64 GB of unified mmory. Built on a second-generation three-nanometer process, it also supports features like mesh shading and ray tracing—the latter of which is now twice as fast than on M3 chips. You’ll find it on the latest MacBook Pro (14-inch and 16-inch) and Mac Mini (2024).
M4 Max: This chip has a 16-core CPU and up to a 40-core GPU with support up to 128 GB of unfied memory. Apple says the CPU is up to 2.2 times faster than the M1 Max while the GPU is up to 1.9 times faster. As with the M4 Pro is packs support for mesh shading and ray tracing. Although the M2 Ultra is the most powerful chip of them all, it’s only available on the second-gen Mac Studio. The M4 Max is currently the most powerful chip you can get in a MacBook Pro. It’s available on the latest 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro.
Which Macs Support Apple Intelligence?
With Apple’s latest operating system, macOS Sequoia, you’ll have access to Apple Intelligence—the company’s artificial intelligence features that are also available iOS and iPadOS 18. Apple recently launched the first set of features with MacOS Sequoia 15.1 including Writing Tools, an overhauled Siri, Smart Replies and Mail Summaries, and Clean Up in Photos. However, Apple Intelligence is exclusive to Macs with the an M-series chip. This includes the following:
None of Apple’s MacBooks are cheap, and replacement parts are nightmarishly expensive. Since the entire computer is fully integrated into Apple’s tightly designed aluminum chassis, you’re one coffee spill away from a shockingly large repair bill. This is why Apple’s AppleCare+ is worth it—starting at $100, AppleCare extends your factory warranty to three years, gives you matching telephone support, and throws in two accidental damage repairs as well. After paying a minimum $99 service fee, whatever you did to zap your shiny new Mac will be undone, and you’ll be back to hammering away on your keyboard.
Take Advantage of Apple’s Education Discounts
Apple always offers small discounts on hardware for students and teachers. All you need to do is purchase something through Apple’s Education Store, choose the product you want (you should see the discounted pricing), and go through the motions to place the order like normal. You don’t need to show any proof that you’re a student at the time of purchase, but you should be honest, as Apple can email you at a later date and ask for verification.
Is Now a Good Time to Buy?
For the most part, yes. Apple just released a new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro powered by the latest M4 chips, so they’re fully up to date. The 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air will likely receive the M4 treatment in the spring of 2025. But the M3 versions, which launched earlier this year, are still excellent.
The Best for Most People
Apple’s latest MacBook Air (7/10, WIRED Recommends) with M3 isn’t dramatically different from the MacBook Air with M2. It has the same boxy chassis (instead of the old wedge design), a 13.6-inch LCD screen (with a 60-Hz refresh rate and a max brightness of 500 nits), plus a notch that cuts into the display housing a 1080p webcam.
It comes in the same four colors: Starlight, Midnight, Space Gray, and Silver. However, the Midnight color now has an anodization seal to reduce fingerprints, which works pretty well—you can still see smudges (especially in direct sunlight), but I didn’t find myself using a cloth to wipe it down as much as the Starlight version. It is easy to see dust in such a dark shade though.
Apple kept the same port selection. There are two USB 4/Thunderbolt ports, a 3.5-mm headphone jack, and a MagSafe port for charging. Speaking of, there’s support for fast charging if you purchase the 70-watt USB-C power adapter, which Apple claims can juice up the laptop up to 50 percent in 30 minutes (if you opt for one of the higher storage configurations, Apple will include it in your purchase). As for battery life, Apple claims the same 15 hours of wireless web browsing as its predecessor. In reality, I hit 29 percent after eight hours during the workday. It’s better than the M2-powered MacBook Air, which had to be plugged into the charger after the same amount of time, but it’s not a big leap ahead.
Under the hood is Apple’s M3 chip. It offers a nice boost in performance over the original M1 processor—Apple says it’s up to 60 times faster, but it’s only 20 percent faster than the M2 chipset, so don’t upgrade if you have that model. With the M3, you get an 8-core CPU with the option to choose between an 8-core or 10-core GPU. I tested the model with an 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU, and 16 GB of unified memory. Performance was super smooth on standard workdays when I had apps like Slack, iMessage, Spotify, and Telegram running simultaneously, along with about 60 tabs open in Google Chrome.
When I opened up about 10 more tabs, it started to struggle. Still, it wasn’t enough to trigger the infamous rainbow wheel or make me close any tabs or force-quit apps. I attribute this to the higher unified memory configuration. If it’s in your budget, I highly recommend opting for anything above the base 8 GB model for a smoother experience. However, it’s worth noting that as of October 2024, Apple has decided to equip the base MacBook Air with 16 GB of unified memory and brought the price down to the original 8 GB variant (which no longer exists). You’ll find the 8 GB model at third-party retailers, so be careful when shopping and try to avoid it.
This MacBook Air now supports two external displays, with support for one display with up to 6K resolution at 60 Hz and another with up to 5K resolution at 60 Hz. This is a welcome change since the M1 and M2 chipsets natively support only one monitor. There’s a caveat: You have to keep the MacBook Air closed. (Technically it still only supports two displays.) One of the external displays will go completely dark whenever you open the lid.
The M3-powered Air is ideal for anyone who needs a reliable laptop for everyday tasks and a little more. If your workload is graphics-intensive, I suggest snagging one of the 14- or 16-inch MacBook Pro models below.
If You Want a Bigger Screen
The 15-inch MacBook Air is the first large-screen option within the Air lineup. You finally don’t need to splurge on a 14- or 16-inch MacBook Pro just to get a big screen. It packs all the same features as its smaller sibling (see above) and remains thin and lightweight at 3.3 pounds—around a half-pound heavier than the 13-inch MacBook Air and slightly lighter than the 14-inch MacBook Pro. It supports Wi-Fi 6E connectivity for download speeds that are twice as fast as its predecessor, but you’ll need a Wi-Fi 6E router to take advantage.
Unlike the smaller MacBook Air, the base model has a 10-core GPU instead of the 8-core GPU. Apple sent me the 15-inch MacBook Air with 16 GB of memory, and it handled 41 Chrome tabs, three separate windows, and multiple apps without any hiccups. As usual, I recommend upgrading to at least 16 GB of unified memory, which ensures the machine won’t sputter when you push it with dozens of browser tabs and apps running simultaneously. As with the 13-inch model, it’s worth noting the base model M2 and M3-powered MacBook Air now comes with 16 GB of unified memory instead of 8 GB (starting at $999). If you’re buying it through Apple, you won’t have to worry about anything; for third-party retailers, make sure you opt for the 16-GB version.
One other difference is the speaker system. The quad-speakers on the 13-inch MacBook Air are upgraded here to a six-speaker system, which includes two tweeters and two sets of force-canceling woofers. The difference is noticeable. It delivers better sound clarity, and I don’t have to crank it to max volume whenever I watch a movie. Battery life is also better. Apple claims the 13-inch and 15-inch have up to 15 hours of wireless web browsing, but I saw better results with the larger MacBook. I’d have to plug in the 13-inch MacBook after seven or eight hours of use, but the 15 incher hit 54 percent after the same amount of time with similar workloads.
I generally never felt the need to connect this 15-inch laptop to an external monitor, which was more of a necessity with the 13-inch MacBook Air. If you find these smaller screens to be a little too cramped, then go for the 15-inch MacBook Air.
For Power-Hungry Port Lovers
This is the latest version of the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro, powered by Apple’s entire lineup of M4 chips. In addition to the M4 Pro and M4 Max, you can once again configure the 14-inch model with the entry-level M4 chip (as you could with the M3 version). The 16-inch can be paired with the M4 Pro or M4 Max.
It retains many of the same features as its predecessor, including a Mini-LED screen, 120-Hz refresh rate, 1080p webcam, and a six-speaker sound system. But now, for an additional $150, you can add nano-texture glass on all configurations. It’s helpful if you work outdoors or by a window and want to reduce glare. The 12-megapixel camera also comes with Center Stage. Previously only available on iPads and Apple’s Apple’s Studio Display, this feature keeps you in frame during video calls.
It has more ports than before. The base MacBook Pro now comes with three USB-C ports with Thunderbolt 4 (that’s one extra port than on the M3 version), while the M4 Pro or M4 Max models come with three USB-C Thunderbolt 5 ports—which means you’ll get faster data transfer speeds. All still come with an HDMI out, an SD card slot, a high-impedance headphone jack, and a MagSafe charging port. You also get support for Wi-Fi 6E along with Bluetooth 5.3.
Apple finally upgraded the memory on the base models to 16 gigabytes. In the past, we always recommended it over 8 GB to ensure the smoothest experience while multitasking, so it’s nice to see the company nix it completely. This increase in RAM will also help to create a better experience with Apple Intelligence, available with MacOS Sequoia 15.1. The artificial intelligence features are available on all M-series Macs, giving you access to various features like Writing Tools, an overhauled Siri, and Smart Reply in Messages.
These models are more or less spec bumps, with few hardware upgrades. We still have to put both models through their paces to see just how powerful the new M4 chips are, but as always, they’re only a worthy upgrade if you’re looking to invest in your first MacBook Pro or are coming from a much older model. Stay tuned for our review.
The Cheapest MacBook
The MacBook Air (9/10, WIRED Recommends) from 2020 with the original M1 chip is still a pretty powerful laptop for the money (especially since the price has come down since its launch). My unit is still going strong despite daily, rigorous use. It’s not the snazziest Apple laptop, but it lasts more than a full workday, with the battery hitting 22 percent after I ran it almost nonstop from 9 am to 7 pm using Safari and work apps like Slack. (I had to plug in the old Intel model by 4 pm.)
Unlike older MacBooks you might still find available with Intel chips, this one can instantly wake up from sleep whenever you tap the keyboard or trackpad or lift the screen, just like when you tap your iPhone or iPad to wake it up. There’s no fan here, so it remains whisper-quiet even under the heaviest loads. There is a thermal heat spreader to dissipate heat and it never gets too warm.
You can only buy the base model with 8 GB of unified memory and 256 GB of storage, which should be sufficient for general-purpose tasks. Just keep in mind that while this M1 chip supports Apple Intelligence, it may struggle with some tasks due to the limited memory. Also, if you push it with too many browser tabs and apps running simultaneously, you may run into some slowdowns. Other downsides? The 720p webcam isn’t great. and the M1 only supports one external monitor.
Other Good MacBooks
Apple releases new MacBooks at a quick pace so you might feel inclined to buy the latest and greatest. These slightly older models are still good options, as long as you find them on sale for the right price. Apple no longer sells them directly (aside from the M2-powered 13-inch MacBook Air), but we recommend checking third-party retailers (like Amazon, Best Buy, or B&H). Just cross-check the price with the latest models and make sure you’re spending less.
Photograph: Brenda Stolyar
MacBook Pro (14-inch and 16-inch, Late 2023): The 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro (9/10, WIRED Recommends) are powered by the M3 series chips. You can configure the 14-inch MacBook Pro with all three while the 16-inch version can be paired with M3 Pro and M3 Max. The M3 is ideal if you want a few of the “Pro” features but don’t want to spend nearly $2,000 to get it, while the M3 Pro or M3 Max are great for tasks like editing 4K videos, rendering 3D models in CAD, and producing music.
MacBook Air (15-inch, 2023): The 15-inch MacBook Air with M2 (8/10, WIRED Recommends) packs all the same features as the 13-inch version, plus a larger screen. The M2 also offers great performance and good battery life (we squeezed about 10 hours out of it). Try to find it for around $999 or less.
MacBook Air (13-inch, 2022): The 13-inch MacBook Air with M2 (7/10, WIRED Recommends) is still a nice laptop. The M2 chip delivers smooth performance for everyday tasks (like writing emails, creating spreadsheets, web browsing, and streaming content) and solid battery life (we reached about eight hours before having to plug it in). You’ll also get a bigger and brighter display (13.6 inches), a 1080p webcam, and MagSafe charging. Apple still sells the M2-powered 13-inch MacBook Air for a reduced price of $999 (down from $1,099), and it even comes with 16 GB of unified memory.
MacBook Pro (13 Inch, 2022): This is the best option if you want the Touch Bar at the top of the keyboard since it’s the last model to come equipped with one. Under the hood is an M2 chip, which performed fairly well in our tests but did feel sluggish at times—the laptop stuttered a bit while editing video footage and photos. But unlike the MacBook Air, it has a fan, which allows it to eke out more power over a longer period. It’s helpful if you’re working on pro-level tasks but can’t spend the premium that Apple charges for its bigger Pro models. We only recommend it if you can find it for $1,000 or less.
MacBook Pro (14 Inch and 16 Inch, Early 2023): If you don’t want to spend a ton of money on the latest 14-inch or 16-inch MacBook Pro (9/10, WIRED Recommends), the M2 Pro and M2 Max (which launched early in 2023) are more than capable for handling intensive, graphically demanding production work. In our testing, both the 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M2 Pro and the 16-inch MacBook Pro with the M2 Max delivered smooth performance and playback after being put through stress tests (like editing 4K and RED Raw footage, as well as adding 3D effects). We recommend only snagging this one for around $1,800 or less.
MacBook Pro (14 Inch and 16 Inch, 2021): These MacBooks (8/10, WIRED Recommends), powered by the M1 Pro and M1 Max, were the start of a new era for Apple’s high-end machines. The company introduced a redesigned chassis with more ports, a 120-Hz refresh rate, and a MagSafe port. Even though these launched in late 2021, you don’t have to steer clear of them—both processors are still plenty powerful. In our testing, we found the M1 Max felt one-to-one with the $6,000+ older Mac Pro. It didn’t struggle at all while editing heavy-duty footage. However, it’s growing increasingly tough to find in stock at third-party retailers. If you do manage to find one, we suggest only purchasing it if it’s on sale for around $1,500 or less.
What About Older MacBooks?
We recommend only buying an M-series MacBook. Older MacBooks with Intel chips and butterfly keyboards are simply not worth the price and will not be supported for much longer.
Apple has just launched its latestiMac, introducing not only the powerful M4 chip but also a vibrant range of new colors, bringing fresh energy and customization to the desktop lineup. Apple’s latest desktop iteration combines advanced performance with a sleek, customizable design, appealing to professionals and casual users alike. Here’s a look at what this new iMac brings to the table in terms of both power and personalization.
Enhanced Performance with the M4 Chip
The new iMac’s highlight is undoubtedly the M4 chip, which builds on the impressive speed and efficiency of previous Apple Silicon chips. Equipped with advanced processing power, the M4 offers a significant boost to CPU and GPU performance, making everyday tasks smoother and allowing creative applications, like video editing and 3D rendering, to run more efficiently. For users who multitask between intensive applications, the M4 chip optimizes power usage, maintaining a balance between speed and temperature management. This chip also brings enhancements in machine learning capabilities, which help accelerate applications in areas like image recognition and real-time rendering, making the iMac a versatile powerhouse for various use cases.
New Colors to Brighten Your Space
Apple has gone bold with a fresh range of color options, allowing users to pick an iMac that reflects their personal style or complements their workspace. The new iMac is available in several eye-catching hues: a bright yellow for those who love a pop of energy, a calming mint green, a deep blue, a soft pink, and a classic silver for a more understated look. These colors enhance the iMac’s already sleek design, providing a more personalized feel and giving users the chance to add a splash of color to their desktop setup. Apple’s vibrant color choices make the iMac feel both modern and approachable, appealing to users who see their devices as an extension of their aesthetic.
The 4.5K Retina Display: Designed for Comfort and Clarity
Alongside the color updates, the new iMac’s 4.5K Retina display promises an immersive viewing experience. With over a billion colors, True Tone technology, and an anti-reflective coating, the display is tailored for comfort and clarity, making it ideal for users who spend hours working or watching content. The addition of high brightness and wide color support ensures that images, videos, and other visual content look rich and detailed, with true-to-life colors and minimal glare. Paired with the new colors, this screen adds a touch of personality to workspaces and can seamlessly blend into both professional and personal environments.
Advanced Connectivity for Work and Play
This iMac also sees improvements in connectivity, now featuring Thunderbolt 4 ports that facilitate faster data transfer and enhanced compatibility with external monitors and accessories. Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3 offer stronger, more reliable wireless connectivity, giving users greater flexibility for remote work or media streaming. The iMac’s compatibility with the latest macOS updates ensures access to productivity tools and creative software, making it a solid option for those who need a flexible workstation with seamless device integration. And with Apple’s Universal Control feature, users can connect and interact with other Apple devices, from iPads to MacBooks, making the iMac a versatile hub for multi-device setups.
Final Thoughts
Apple’s latest iMac, powered by the M4 chip and now available in a range of colors, brings together performance, style, and functionality in a compelling package. With its advanced processing capabilities and vibrant color choices, this iMac is a stylish and capable addition to any workspace, catering to professionals, creatives, and casual users alike. While Apple has not yet announced specific pricing, they suggest that the new iMac will be competitively positioned and widely available soon. The new iMac reflects Apple’s dedication to creating products that are both visually appealing and powerful, designed to inspire creativity and productivity while adding a personalized touch to any setting.
Apple has once again made waves in the tech world with the launch of the all-new Mac Mini, now powered by the M4 and M4 Pro chips. This compact desktop computer is designed to deliver impressive performance, making it an attractive option for both casual users and professionals alike. Let’s dive into what makes this latest iteration of the Mac Mini stand out.
Performance Boost with M4 and M4 Pro Chips
At the heart of the new Mac Mini are the M4 and M4 Pro chips, which promise a significant leap in performance compared to their predecessors. These chips are built on Apple’s custom silicon architecture, providing enhanced processing power and energy efficiency. The M4 chip is designed for everyday users, making tasks like web browsing, document editing, and streaming smoother than ever. For those who require more muscle, the M4 Pro chip offers a boost for demanding applications, such as video editing and graphic design.
Apple’s focus on optimizing performance also extends to graphics capabilities. With advanced GPU architecture, the new Mac Mini can handle graphic-intensive tasks with ease, making it suitable for creative professionals who need a reliable machine for their work.
Compact Design with Enhanced Connectivity
One of the hallmark features of the Mac Mini is its compact design, allowing it to fit seamlessly into any workspace. The latest model continues this tradition with a sleek, minimalist aesthetic that remains true to Apple’s design philosophy. It’s lightweight and portable, making it an excellent choice for those who may want to relocate their setup.
Additionally, the Mac Mini boasts an array of connectivity options. It includes multiple Thunderbolt 4 ports, USB-A ports, HDMI 2.1, and an Ethernet port, offering users a range of possibilities for connecting peripherals. The inclusion of Wi-Fi 6E ensures fast wireless connectivity, enhancing the overall user experience, whether you’re working from home or on the go.
Memory and Storage Options
The new Mac Mini offers a variety of memory and storage configurations to cater to different needs. Users can choose from a starting point of 8GB of unified memory, which can be upgraded to 24GB for those who need more power. This flexibility allows users to tailor their machine to suit their specific use cases, whether for light computing tasks or more demanding workloads.
Storage options also come in multiple capacities, starting from 256GB SSD and going up to 2TB. The fast SSD ensures quick boot times and rapid data access, enabling users to work efficiently without any hiccups.
Conclusion
In summary, the all-new Mac Mini powered by M4 and M4 Pro chips brings substantial upgrades in performance, design, and connectivity. With options that cater to a wide range of users—from casual users to creative professionals—this compact desktop continues to showcase Apple’s commitment to innovation. While the pricing and availability of the Mac Mini have yet to be fully revealed, it’s clear that this model is set to make a significant impact in the desktop computing landscape. Whether you’re looking for a powerful workhorse or a sleek addition to your setup, the new Mac Mini is certainly worth considering.
There’s Shark Week, and then there’s Mac Week. It’s a little less exciting, but Apple first announced a new iMac yesterday, and today we’re being treated to a new Mac Mini. Tomorrow, there’s a good chance you can expect a new MacBook Pro, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
The Mac Mini is Apple’s tiniest desktop computer and it’s getting its first redesign in decades. Apple refreshed this machine early in 2023 with the M2 chipset, but the latest entry is powered by the all-new M4 Pro, a processor making its debut today. The M4 lineup improves on power efficiency and speed, and like its predecessor, it can take advantage of the new Apple Intelligence that rolled out this week in macOS Sequoia 15.1.
Apple’s smallest desktop starts at $599 and is available for preorder now. It starts shipping on November 8.
Photograph: Courtesy of Apple
Small but Mightier Than Ever
OK, remember when Apple said the Apple Watch Series 10 had an all-new design and it still looked pretty identical to every other Apple Watch? Yes, the small changes made the Series 10 more comfortable and nicer to wear, but new design is a bit of a stretch. That’s kind of like the Mac Mini. It hasn’t received a major redesign since 2010, but things are changing now.
The already small desktop computer is now even smaller—coming in at 5 x 5 inches. Despite the smaller footprint, it’s a little taller, and the base slopes down with vents for airflow. It’s still, for all intents and purposes, a metallic cube.
Apple has finally added ports to the front, making them easier to access. Two USB-C ports support the USB 3.0, and there’s a 3.5-mm headphone jack. On the back, the M4-powered Mac Mini includes three Thunderbolt 4 ports while the M4 Pro version has three Thunderbolt 5 USB-C ports (another first—Thunderbolt 5 is the latest standard that supports up to 80 Gbps data transfer speeds and it’s only available in very few devices at the moment). Both models also have an HDMI (for connecting an external display), an Ethernet connection (configurable up to 10 GB), and a port for the power cable. Apple has completely nixed the USB-A ports in this model.
Unlike the iPhone, which arrives exactly on time every September, Apple’s desktop hardware can be a little more sporadic, and naturally, that means the processors powering these machines aren’t chronological. The last Mac Mini had the M2 chip, and no, this one doesn’t have the M3, but the M4 instead. There are two types to choose from: M4 or M4 Pro.
The ASUS ProArt PA602 Wood Edition Chassis combines sustainability with innovative cooling solutions, aiming to cater to creative professionals who need efficient, high-performance workstations. Built with environmentally friendly materials, the PA602 Wood Edition offers durability and an aesthetically pleasing design. Here’s a closer look at how ASUS integrates functionality and style with this unique PC case.
Sustainable Wood Construction with FSC Certification
ASUS has taken a distinct approach by incorporating Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified wood into the ProArt PA602 chassis, ensuring that the materials are responsibly sourced. This ash wood, chosen for its hardness and durability, undergoes a thermowood treatment process, followed by precise shaping and a two-step finish that highlights its natural grain while giving it a refined, matte appearance. The wood accents are strategically placed at the handles, front panel, and vented front grille, allowing for easy transport while maintaining a clean, professional look. These wood details make the PA602 an elegant addition to any workspace without compromising on durability.
Optimized Airflow and Quiet Operation
Cooling remains a priority with the PA602, designed to handle high-performance setups often required by creators. The chassis features an open-grille front panel with two 200mm fans that draw in cool air. This configuration provides enhanced airflow over smaller, more standard 120mm or 140mm fans, without generating significant noise. With a wide 300-1000 RPM range, these fans can efficiently cool large components while remaining quiet. An additional 140mm fan at the rear aids in heat exhaustion, and for light loads, it can run silently. The option to control fan speeds via the embedded PWM hub means users can adjust settings according to workload intensity.
Inside the case, air deflectors direct airflow precisely where it’s needed, reducing turbulence and ensuring key areas like the CPU and graphics card receive optimal cooling. For further customization, ASUS offers two side panel choices: a solid metal side panel that maximizes cooling efficiency, or a tempered glass panel with a perforated insert to enhance GPU airflow.
Built for Creator Convenience
The PA602 Wood Edition is packed with creator-friendly features that simplify the building process and allow for high customization. With room for larger EATX motherboards, a 190mm CPU cooler height, and extensive graphics card compatibility, this case can accommodate high-performance setups. ASUS includes an innovative, tool-free graphics card mounting system, enabling users to install or switch out GPUs without a screwdriver. The case also offers a built-in GPU holder for stability, whether users prefer horizontal or vertical orientation.
Additionally, the chassis has space for extensive storage. Creative workstations often demand significant storage capacity for media and project files, and the PA602 offers room for up to eight 2.5-inch SSDs and four 3.5-inch HDDs, allowing users to create a storage array with ease.
Streamlined Connectivity and Maintenance
For easy daily use, the PA602 Wood Edition includes a versatile I/O panel with a USB 20 Gbps Type-C® port, two USB 5 Gbps Type-A ports, and two additional USB 2.0 ports, ideal for quickly connecting various devices and peripherals. Maintenance is also straightforward, with an integrated dust detection system that signals when the front filter needs cleaning. With this LED indicator, users can avoid unnecessary dust buildup that could impact performance.
The ProArt PA602 Wood Edition is set to release soon, promising an elegant, sustainable option for professional setups. Its blend of aesthetic appeal, efficient cooling, and practical features makes it a versatile choice for creators seeking a reliable, customizable PC case for their workspace.
If the MSI Vision Elite RS could walk, it would walk into every room like it owned the place. It’s got attitude, it’s got flair, and it’s got the horsepower to back it up. It’s also got a price to match. If you’re looking for a desktop gaming PC to last for years, but still leave room for upgrades, this one is a strong contender.
The Vision Elite boasts powerful hardware, but a spec sheet doesn’t tell the full story. This desktop’s gorgeous curved glass panel houses a spacious interior, lit up with a cornucopia of RGB LEDs. While there are other curved glass cases on the market, most either use multiple glass panels to achieve the effect or add distracting button panels. MSI’s approach is minimalist, drawing focus directly to the internals. It’s not just a desktop. It’s a statement piece.
Photograph: Eric Ravenscraft
Under the hood, the unit I tested comes with an Intel Core i9 14900KF CPU, 64 GB of DDR5 RAM, and the beastly Nvidia RTX 4090 graphics card. In terms of storage, there’s a 2-terabyte M.2 NVMe solid-state drive, with an extra slot for another M.2 SSD, plus four SATA 6G ports, giving you plenty of options to expand storage in the future.
As someone who’s been upgrading the same PC for 20 years, this thing ticks all my boxes for a prebuilt gaming PC. It’s powerful out of the box, has style that’s hard to replicate with off-the-shelf parts, and plenty of room to grow over the years.
Flourish and Flair
As soon as I turn on the Vision Elite RS, it commands attention from anyone in the room. The curved glass panel encompasses two sides of the PC, giving it almost an aquarium look. I half-expected to see exotic fish swimming around inside this thing. The striking RGB LEDs are crammed into every corner of the rig, with two rows of three RGB-laced fans along the side and top of the device, with a seventh light-up fan on the rear. The CPU uses a 360-millimeter liquid cooling system, but these fans still help ensure the system stays cool.
All the RGB lighting is a bit much. I wouldn’t recommend putting this thing in any room where people are likely to sleep or want to relax and watch TV unless you switch the lighting off. However, with a little tweaking to turn down the impact, it’s easily one of the most eye-catching PCs I’ve ever used.
It’s slick, eschewing the angular, edgy Gamer Aesthetic, and its open design makes it feel like it takes up less space than it does. This is particularly helpful since the Vision Elite RS is huge. At nearly 50 pounds, it’s a monster to lug around, so wherever you put it in your home, you’re probably going to want it to stay there.
ASUS recently introduced a new line of servers built around the Intel Xeon 6 processors, focusing on addressing the rising demand for high-performance computing (HPC). These servers provide solutions for industries requiring heavy data processing, efficient AI training, and versatile performance in cloud computing environments. Let’s break down the key models and features of this new range.
The ESC I8-E11: Optimized for AI Training
The ESC I8-E11 is designed for AI-focused tasks, especially in training and inference applications. This server supports Intel’s Gaudi 3 AI accelerator, allowing users to deploy up to eight Intel Gaudi® 3 AI OCP Accelerator Modules. With 24 RDMA NICs integrated into each accelerator, the ESC I8-E11 is built to handle complex AI workloads with efficiency.
Aside from its AI capabilities, this model also boasts a modular design that reduces cable usage and improves assembly time. Its focus on thermal optimization ensures that high-performance tasks can run without overheating. This makes the ESC I8-E11 a solid option for deep-learning applications where power efficiency and consistent performance are key considerations.
RS920Q-E12 and RS720Q-E12: High Performance for HPC
When it comes to more traditional HPC workloads, ASUS offers the RS920Q-E12 and RS720Q-E12 servers. The RS920Q-E12, powered by Intel Xeon 6900 series processors, supports up to 96 DDR5 RDIMM or MRDIMM modules for high memory bandwidth. This server’s advanced liquid-cooling technology ensures stable operations during heavy workloads, making it ideal for industries handling large data sets, like scientific research or financial services.
On the other hand, the RS720Q-E12 features Intel Xeon 6700 series processors with E-cores, balancing resource utilization while maintaining reliability. This model is designed for environments where both performance and space efficiency are priorities. It’s particularly effective for industries working on complex tasks like semiconductor design and electronic design automation (EDA), as it ensures that I/O bottlenecks are minimized.
RS720-E12 and RS700-E12: Versatile and Scalable
For more general-purpose applications, the RS720-E12 and RS700-E12 offer flexibility and scalability. Both servers utilize Intel Xeon 6700 and 6500 series processors, allowing for seamless integration into diverse IT environments. With a focus on modularity, these servers use DC-SCM architecture, which enhances security and server management by moving control functions from the motherboard to a more adaptable component.
The RS720-E12 is optimized for GPU support, meaning it can handle a mix of graphical and computational tasks with ease. It’s designed to improve I/O throughput, reducing bottlenecks and ensuring efficient data transfer across the system. Meanwhile, the RS700-E12 is a high-speed data processing server, built to handle extensive data storage demands while keeping access times low. Its all-NVMe storage setup ensures smooth operation, even when handling multiple complex processes simultaneously.
Conclusion
ASUS has designed its new Intel Xeon 6 Processor Servers with a clear focus on meeting the growing needs of industries that rely on HPC, AI, and versatile computing environments. From the AI-focused ESC I8-E11 to the high-performance RS920Q-E12, and the scalable RS720-E12, this new range offers a variety of options for different computational needs. The servers will support the latest Intel Xeon 6700/6500 processors, expected to launch in Q1 2025, with pricing and availability details to follow soon.
The ASUS TUF Gaming GT502 Horizon has received an exciting update, with a key change in its design that makes it stand out among other mid-tower PC cases. Removing the front pillar between the front and side tempered glass panels, ASUS has created a seamless panoramic view into the case’s interior, offering an even better look at your PC’s components. Designed with advanced reinforcement techniques, the chassis maintains structural integrity despite this alteration, supporting up to 30kg from above. The case also comes with sturdy fabric handles for ease of transport.
Dual-Chamber Cooling and Management
The GT502 Horizon features a dual-chamber design, giving users an efficient setup for cooling and cable management. The rear chamber houses up to three storage drives, the power supply, and even a 360mm radiator, while the front chamber is dedicated to heat-producing components. With room for up to 13 fans, users have a wide range of cooling options, making it easy to maintain optimal temperatures, even in high-performance builds. Ventilation is top-notch, with air drawn in from the bottom and exhaust systems positioned for maximum efficiency.
Modular Design for Customization
For those who enjoy customizing their PC cases, the GT502 Horizon comes with over 19 detachable parts. This modular design allows for extensive personalization, whether you want to alter the case’s aesthetic or add your own unique mods. Users can easily adjust cable management, storage, or cooling setups thanks to the case’s tool-free side panels and spacious interior. Supporting up to ATX motherboards and 400mm-long graphics cards, the case also includes a vertical mounting bracket, letting users display their GPUs in a more visually striking way.
Lighting and Fan Control Options
ASUS has also introduced new lighting options specifically for the GT502 Horizon. The TUF Gaming ARGB Lighting Kit allows users to add ambient lighting to the wide tempered glass panels, with magnetic attachment points for easy installation. Additionally, the TUF Gaming ARGB PWM Fan Hub supports up to six case fans, offering both PWM and ARGB control. This ensures that not only are your components well-cooled, but also that your RGB lighting is perfectly synchronized. Built for durability, the fan hub comes with overcurrent and short-circuit protection.
Conclusion
The ASUS TUF Gaming GT502 Horizon offers a panoramic design, enhanced customization, and effective cooling, making it a solid choice for high-powered builds. Available in both black and white with matching cables, the case will be released in Q4 2024 along with accessory kits like the ARGB Lighting Kit and ARGB PWM Fan Hub.
Acer’s latest addition to its gaming lineup, the Predator Orion 7000 Desktop, promises to deliver cutting-edge performance for gamers and enthusiasts. With a focus on powerful hardware and advanced cooling, this desktop is designed to handle the most demanding gaming and productivity tasks.
Advanced Hardware for Top Performance
The Predator Orion 7000 is equipped with Intel’s next-gen processors and can be paired with up to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 GPU. This combination ensures that users have the processing power needed for high-end gaming, video editing, and other intensive tasks. The RTX 4090 GPU offers impressive performance, making it suitable for playing the latest games at ultra settings and supporting high-resolution displays.
For storage, the Orion 7000 provides flexible options with up to 4 TB of HDD or 6 TB of PCIe M.2 NVMe SSD. This ample storage space is beneficial for gamers who need to install large game libraries or for professionals managing substantial files.
Superior Cooling with Innovative Design
One of the standout features of the Predator Orion 7000 is its advanced cooling system. The desktop integrates the Predator CycloneX 360 system fan along with a CPU liquid cooler. This cooling setup is designed to maintain optimal temperatures during intense gaming sessions or heavy workloads. The CycloneX 360 system fan uses a unique 3-in-1 fan configuration and an engineered flow channel to enhance airflow and heat dissipation.
In addition, the 360 mm CPU liquid cooler works in tandem with the fan to further enhance cooling efficiency. According to Acer, this cooling solution improves the desktop’s cooling efficiency by 15% and reduces motherboard temperatures by 9 degrees Celsius compared to previous models. This ensures that the system remains stable and performs well even under stress.
Connectivity and Expansion Options
The Orion 7000 is equipped with Thunderbolt 4 and Wi-Fi 7, providing fast connectivity options. Thunderbolt 4 supports high-speed data transfer and external device connectivity, while Wi-Fi 7 delivers improved network speeds ranging from 40 to 46 Gbps. These features are particularly useful for gaming and content creation, where high data transfer rates can significantly enhance the overall experience.
In terms of expandability, the Orion 7000 offers a range of storage options and expansion slots. With the option to swap out SSDs and additional storage capacity, users can easily upgrade their system as needed. The desktop also features the PredatorSense 4.0 utility app, which allows users to overclock components and customize RGB lighting according to their preferences.
Practical Considerations and Availability
The Acer Predator Orion 7000 Desktop is positioned as a high-performance option for gamers and professionals who demand top-tier specs and advanced features. It provides robust hardware, innovative cooling solutions, and extensive connectivity and expansion options.
The Predator Orion 7000 will be available in North America starting in October 2024. Pricing details will be released closer to the launch date, so it’s a good idea to check with local retailers or Acer’s official website for the latest information on availability and pricing.
Intel Core i7-1455U is how a laptop manufacturer’s website might list the type of processor. Now that we know Core i7 means it’s one of the more powerful chips in the lineup, let’s break the rest of the numbers down. The first numbers (“14”) refer to the generation; in this case, it’s a 14th-generation chip (as of now, that’s the latest generation available for laptops). The i7-1355U would be a 13th-generation chip or one that’s probably a year or so older.
The next two or three numbers (“55”) are related to performance. The higher these numbers are, the more powerful the chip is. This is true within only that chip line, though. The Intel Core i7-1465U is slightly more powerful than the Intel Core i7-1455U, but much less powerful than the Intel Core i9-1435H. The i9 chip is always more powerful than the i7, the i7 more powerful than the i5, and the difference is greater than the difference between any two chips in the same chip line.
The letter at the end of the chip name (“U” in our example) is Intel’s designation for the chip’s purpose. For laptops, the letters you’ll see at the end are Y, U, H, and HX. The Y series chips are optimized for battery life, which is good if you’re frequently away from a plug for long periods of time, but that added battery life comes at the expense of some performance. H chips are optimized for performance, and U chips are “power efficient” but not “extremely” efficient like the Y line. The newest of the bunch is the HX designation, which are chips that Intel calls “desktop replacement class.” They’re the most powerful of the bunch, but you will get less battery life from laptops with HX chips.
AMD Processors
AMD’s chip naming is just as difficult to decipher as Intel’s. In the name AMD Ryzen 5 8600X, the “8” is the generation (how old it is—higher is better), and the “6” is how powerful it is. A “6” would make this example a medium-powered chip, whereas a 3 or 4 would be weaker (slower). The next two numbers don’t have much impact on anything. The “X” at the end indicates high performance. Other letter designations include U for ultra-low power (for better battery life).
Is there a huge difference between Intel and AMD chips? My experience, testing dozens of both every year, is that it depends. Generally speaking, an Intel i5 is indistinguishable from a Ryzen 5 outside of very specific benchmarks. They’re similar when you’re doing things like browsing the web or editing documents. The same goes for the Intel i7 and Ryzen 7, and the Intel i3 and the Ryzen 3.
Graphics performance is where you’ll notice a difference. In my testing, in both benchmarks and real work use, AMD’s integrated graphics tend to perform better than Intel on graphics-intensive tasks—think editing videos or playing games. Intel’s most recent series of chips has closed that gap significantly, but AMD still has an edge. You may benefit from buying an AMD machine if you’re a video editor or gamer, but what you most likely want is a dedicated graphics card. (More on that in the GPU section below.)
ARM Processors
There are quite a few chips based on the ARM architecture, but the latest and greatest is Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X CPU, which made a splash in 2024 when it debuted as the sole chip supporting Microsoft’s new Copilot+ AI capabilities. (Microsoft says Copilot+ will be coming to Intel and AMD machines eventually.) We’ve tested two Copilot+ laptop with Snapdragon X chips and have been very impressed. Speed is good (though not all benchmark tests run on them yet, so head-to-head comparisons are difficult), battery life is fantastic, and software compatibility is pretty good thanks to Microsoft’s Prism translation layer, which allows popular apps to run on the ARM platform (albeit slowly). It’s early days for the Snapdragon X chips, but so far we like what we’ve seen and think it has, if nothing else, shaken up the Intel/AMD duopoly that’s long reigned over the PC market.
Apple Processors
Apple makes a number a chips these days, used in both MacBooks, iPads, and iPhones. Fortunately the designations are pretty simple. There are three chips in the lineup: the M1, M2, and M3. The M1 is the oldest and slowest; the M3 is the newest and fastest. Within each of those chip lines there are different models, ranging from the base model, Pro, Max, and Ultra. The base model is the least powerful, while the Ultra is the most powerful. Again, we have a separate guide to Macs with a full breakdown of each chip, all the model designations, and which one you want for different tasks.
How Much Processing Power Do You Need?
If you’re a typical user who runs a web browser, Microsoft’s Office Suite, and perhaps even some photo editing software, we recommend a laptop with an Intel Core i5 10th-generation or later processor. That would be displayed as something like “Intel Core i5-10350U.”
If you can afford it, an Intel i7 chip makes a nice upgrade and will make your laptop feel snappier. The extra power often means shorter battery life though, so you’ll need to balance that with your needs. A gaming laptop, for instance, would use an i7 (or i9) chip, but an i5 is usually fine for less demanding tasks. Likewise, for the average user, the AMD Ryzen 5000 series will suffice, but the Ryzen 7000 makes a nice upgrade—again at the cost of battery life.
When you first learn how to build a PC, everything can seem super complicated, but one of the most confusing things you’ll come across is motherboard sizing. Depending on the type of case you’ve bought for your build (and what kind of hardware you want to put in your computer in general) you can have a ton of different size options. Below I’ll go through all of the main modern motherboard iterations and what they mean.
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What Is ATX?
Ever wonder why most modern computer motherboards look the same? That’s because they almost all use ATX, a standard for motherboards, power supplies, and desktop cases that defines size, position, and power delivery. This set of rules helps every component work together, regardless of manufacturer.
For our purposes, we’re interested in the physical dimensions. Some elements, like the size and location of the ports on the back, are consistent across all of the ATX variations. Other aspects of the standard, like the width and length of the board, are indicated by their own acronyms, helping you quickly identify the size and compatibility.
Just ATX
Photograph: Amazon
ATX is both the name of the standard and also how we refer to the most common size. If you’ve ever cracked open the side of a computer case, this form factor will likely look familiar. Measuring in at 305 x 244 mm (12 x 9.6 inches), this size of motherboard has plenty of room for four or more RAM slots, multiple PCIe cards at several lengths, and two to four M.2 slots.
For example:The ASUS TUF Gaming B650-Plus WiFi ($200) is a full-size ATX motherboard for the AMD AM5 platform. It boasts four RAM slots, two M.2 slots, and a PCIe 5.0 slot.
These are a great choice for basically any PC build, from your humble living room email checker to a powerful gaming rig. They’re typically the first to release when a new generation launches, and have all the new features and options without paying a premium price. You don’t need a fancy computer to appreciate the benefits, since ATX motherboards also come in the widest variety of budgets and feature sets.
Micro ATX
Photograph: Amazon
A slightly smaller option, micro ATX (or mATX for short) is increasingly common, thanks to constantly improving energy and thermal efficiency. These boards are the same width as the full-size boards, but shortened on one end to be a 244 x 244 mm square. You’ll also find many of the same options and features that you can on ATX boards, without too much of a price increase, making these a popular choice for midrange gaming PCs.
For example: The reasonably priced MSI Pro B760M-P ($99) has the CPU slot for the latest generation of Intel chips, a PCIe 4.0 slot, and only one M.2 slot.
The evolution of AI computing has brought a growing demand for powerful, compact devices that can handle diverse tasks, from professional workloads to gaming. ASUS has introduced a range of AI-enabled NUCs that aim to meet this demand. The latest lineup includes the ROG NUC, NUC 14 Performance, NUC 14 Pro, and NUC 14 Pro+, each designed with unique features tailored for specific users. Let’s break down what each variant offers and who they might be best suited for.
High-End AI Performance for Pros and Gamers
For those seeking serious AI capabilities in a small form factor, the ROG NUC and NUC 14 Performance models stand out. Both devices feature Intel® Core™ Ultra 9 processors and NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 4070 graphics, offering substantial power for demanding applications like content creation and gaming.
The ROG NUC is particularly noteworthy for its 2.5-liter size, making it ideal for users who need a blend of portability and performance. With the ability to handle complex AI workloads and AAA games, it’s suited for professionals who also dabble in gaming or multimedia production. On the other hand, the NUC 14 Performance model is geared toward commercial and edge computing applications. Supporting up to five 4K displays, it’s a versatile option for businesses needing high-vision computing in a compact package.
Everyday AI for General Users and Businesses
Not all AI applications require extreme performance, which is where the NUC 14 Pro and NUC 14 Pro+ come into play. These models are optimized for everyday AI tasks, making them suitable for a broad range of users, including business professionals and those working with essential AI-enhanced PC apps.
The NUC 14 Pro, powered by up to an Intel Core Ultra 7 CPU, integrates AI capabilities with an NPU that offers 10+ TOPS (trillions of operations per second) for improved daily workflows. It also delivers a 45% performance boost over its predecessor, the NUC 13 Pro. For businesses, the added Intel vPro® Enterprise platform ensures strong security, remote manageability, and system stability, all packed in a sub-0.5-liter chassis. Meanwhile, the NUC 14 Pro+ takes compact design even further with an anodized aluminum chassis, offering slightly more processing power for those needing energy-efficient performance for generative AI workloads.
Pushing the Boundaries with Next-Level AI
Looking ahead, ASUS is set to release the “Lunar Canyon” model, which promises to take compact AI computing to a new level. Featuring Intel’s upcoming Lunar Lake platform, it’s designed to push beyond existing limits with 45+ TOPS NPU performance. The Lunar Canyon’s <0.6-liter form factor means users can expect next-gen AI performance in one of the smallest PC designs available. This development aligns with the broader trend of integrating powerful AI tools into smaller, more efficient devices.
Conclusion: A Versatile Range of Compact AI Solutions
The ASUS AI NUC series offers varied options that cater to different needs, from high-performance gaming and content creation to everyday business tasks. Each model brings its own set of features and capabilities, allowing users to find the right balance between performance and size. The upcoming Lunar Canyon model further underscores ASUS’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of what compact AI computing can achieve. Pricing and availability details are expected to be revealed soon, but for those seeking adaptable AI-powered devices, this lineup provides some intriguing choices. For more information, visit ASUS.
Cooler Master and AMD are teaming up to bring powerful computing solutions to gamers and professionals alike. This collaboration sees Cooler Master incorporating AMD Ryzen™ 9000 Series processors into several new and updated products, focusing on performance, thermal efficiency, and design. The Sneaker X, Ncore 1 Pro, and MasterBox 6 Pro are at the heart of this partnership, each offering distinct features tailored to different computing needs. Let’s dive into the key aspects of these new product releases.
A Stylish Boost with the Sneaker X
The Cooler Master Sneaker X, known for its eye-catching design, now comes with the AMD Ryzen™ 7 9700X processor. The combination of bold aesthetics and top-tier performance makes this a standout choice for users who want their setup to look as good as it performs. The Sneaker X is designed to handle demanding gaming and creative applications, offering a smooth experience even in resource-intensive scenarios. While the design is a major talking point, Cooler Master ensures the performance under the hood is equally impressive, making it more than just a visual statement.
Compact Power in the Ncore 1 Pro
For those seeking a compact yet powerful solution, the Ncore 1 Pro delivers with the same AMD Ryzen™ 7 9700X processor in a much smaller form factor. This model focuses on users who need serious performance without sacrificing desk space. Despite its size, the Ncore 1 Pro is built to handle gaming and professional workloads efficiently. Cooler Master has integrated a custom all-in-one cooler to manage heat effectively, ensuring stable operation even under heavy processing tasks. The compact design, combined with AMD’s processing power, makes the Ncore 1 Pro a versatile option for various computing environments.
Professional Workhorse: The MasterBox 6 Pro
The MasterBox 6 Pro is targeted at users needing reliable performance for high-demand professional tasks. Powered by the AMD Ryzen™ 5 9600X, this system is built for those who require consistent, heavy-duty computing. Whether you’re dealing with multitasking, rendering, or data-intensive applications, the MasterBox 6 Pro provides the necessary power without the bulk. Cooler Master has also prioritized cooling in this model, incorporating advanced airflow designs and additional cooling options to keep the system stable over extended workloads.
Cooler Master’s Enhanced Cooling Solutions
One of the key areas where Cooler Master’s expertise shines in this collaboration is in thermal management. The new cooling solutions, like the MasterLiquid 360 Atmos and MasterAir MA824, are designed specifically to complement the AMD Ryzen™ 9000 Series. With the processing power of these CPUs, effective cooling is crucial, and these new systems are optimized to handle the heat. The integration ensures that users can push their systems to the limit without worrying about thermal throttling or performance drops.
Conclusion: A Balanced Collaboration
The integration of AMD Ryzen™ 9000 Series processors into Cooler Master’s product lineup results in versatile systems that cater to gamers, creative professionals, and power users. Whether you prioritize style with the Sneaker X, need a compact solution with the Ncore 1 Pro, or require professional-grade performance with the MasterBox 6 Pro, this collaboration has something for everyone. Pricing and availability details are expected to follow, but these releases offer a glimpse into the future of high-performance computing where design meets efficiency. For more details, visit Cooler Master.
For our full take on what to look for in a laptop, see our guide Choosing the Right Laptop. The condensed version (even if your budget is limited) is to try to get at least an Intel i5 processor and at least 8 GB of RAM. 16 GB is even better. Recent versions of Windows (both 10 and 11) use an astronomical amount of RAM (sometimes as much as 6 GB in my testing). If you only have 8 GB total, that doesn’t leave much RAM for applications, and results in a slower laptop.
Aim for these specs: Try to get a laptop with at least a 10th-generation Intel Core i5 processor, 16 GB of RAM, and 128 GB of storage in the form of a solid state drive. We suggest getting a 13- or 14-inch display that’s close to FHD (1080p resolution). If you’re going to use it for watching movies, consider a 2-in-1 model (although these do tend to cost more). If your budget is tight and you want the most bang for your buck, or you just want to keep something out of the landfill, consider the used or refurbished laptop market. I’ve had great luck buying used laptops on eBay from all sorts of sellers (both pros and regular people).
To score the best deal, make sure you know the market. Do some research to figure out what kind of machine will suit your needs. The easiest to come by, and therefore (usually) the best deals, tend to be the more boring, business-oriented models. I happen to like ThinkPads, which are used by—and then dumped all at once by—large corporations, which means there are lots to choose from, and they’re cheap.
Finding used laptops on eBay: Once you know what you want, search for it on eBay. Scroll down and check the option to show only “Sold Listings.” Now take the 10 most recent sales, add up the prices, and divide by 10. That’s the average price; don’t pay more than that. Keep the lowest price in mind—that’s the great deal price. Now, uncheck the Sold Listing option. See what’s between the lowest price and the average price. Those are the deals you can consider. I suggest watching a few. Don’t bid or participate at all. Just watch them until the end and see how high the auctions end up going.
Once you have a feel for the market and what you should be paying, you’ll know when you’ve found a deal. When you find it, wait. Don’t bid until the last few minutes of the auction. You don’t want other bidders to have a chance to react. Remember that if you miss out on something, it’s not the end of the world. There’s always something new being listed on eBay.
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