Computers

Apple debuts macOS 11 Big Sur

Redesigned UI, better Safari, and more features to expect

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At WWDC 2020, Apple introduced new software coming to its users this fall. On the iPhone front, the company announced the iOS 14. Meanwhile, iPad users can expect an improved iPadOS to come to their devices. Then, there’s macOS 11 Big Sur — an entirely new version to mark a big change to Apple’s beloved OS.

Redesigned from the ground up

macOS didn’t simply bump up to version 11 for nothing. This fall, macOS users will welcome a brand-new version with a redesigned interface. Everything from the dock up to the persistent menu bar gets a redesign that reminds users of iOS.

At first boot, users can expect redesigned icons with new consistent shapes. All apps get a refresh too, and Apple says that the new design will help users find content faster and easier.

The Control Center is also coming to the macOS. Users can now tweak the brightness, volume, and other system settings on the fly.

Apple reworked the Notification Center to mimic the Today View present in iOS and macOS. Notification widgets are also customizable now, and users can select from three sizes.

Safari and other apps get a revamp

Safari got its biggest update in years with macOS 11. It now has a revamped design that falls in line with macOS 11’s design language. The new tab page is now customizable, and users can set their own backgrounds. Tabs also show a preview when a user hovers above the tab list.

Under the hood, Apple says that they have improved the performance of Safari. The company touts 50 percent faster performance than Chrome. Battery run times have also been improved, and users can expect three more hours of battery life compared to other browsers.

Extensions also got a revamp with the new Safari. Users can expect a wider range of extensions with support for WebExtensions API. Plus, the browser also gets a language translation feature. And for the privacy-conscious users, there’s a new privacy report which shows all the trackers blocked by Safari.

Other apps that get a significant revamp include Messages and Maps. Apple is bringing inline replies, Memoji stickers, and message effects right into the app. Search is much more powerful, and users can now pin their existing conversations.

As for Maps, Apple is bringing its “Guides” feature which is also present in iOS 14. Look Around — Apple’s alternative to Google Street Maps — is also landing on the Maps app for macOS 11. Plus, users can get the most out of their commute with new cycling and EV route options.

Under the hood, macOS 11 introduces new performance features that shall allow for faster software updates. Users can also expect new privacy labels on the macOS App Store.

Transition to in-house silicon design

Perhaps the biggest change coming to macOS 11 Big Sur is the one that users can’t directly see. The new macOS marks a paradigm shift for Apple as it undertakes a major transition from using Intel-based silicon to in-house silicon designs.

As such, macOS 11 also introduces new utilities under the hood to help users in the transition. For developers, they will now be able to build apps that target the iPhone, iPad, and Macs without much effort. Also, this means that users will be able to run iOS apps on a Mac for the first time.

Apple announced a two-year transition period from Intel to its own silicon design. During that time period, users can still expect the company to ship new Intel-based Macs. For those eager to try Apple’s silicon on a Mac, they can do so with new hardware coming by the end of 2020.

Availability

macOS 11 Big Sur is coming this fall for all Macbook and Mac users. It will support a lengthy list of devices, and users can try it out on their system with a public beta this July.

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Computers

ASUS, ROG announce 2026 desktops, AiO availabilities in PH

For gaming, heavy workloads, modern setups

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February 12, 2026

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ASUS and ROG have announced the availabilities of their latest 2026 desktops and all-in-one (AiO) PCs in the Philippines.

Headlining the lineup is the ASUS V600 All-in-One PC, the latest addition to the AiO series. It has a sleek aesthetic and is powered by up to an AMD Ryzen AI 5 330 processor, capable of handling demanding workloads with ease.

This processor is paired with AMD Radeon 820M graphics, up to 16GB DDR5 memory, and up to 512GB SSD storage.

The V600 has a 23.8-inch FHD IPS 178-degree view display with a wide 93% screen-to-body ratio, anti-glare coating, and is certified for eye comfort.

The 50 TOPs NPU PC is also part of the Copilot+ family, making it efficient for AI computing tasks. Other features include ASUS AI Noise-Cancelling and Adaptive Lock.

Price: PhP 56,995

ASUS V500 Mini Tower

Meanwhile, the ASUS V500 Mini Tower is crafted to blend modern workspaces while delivering dependable performance.

It touts up to an Intel Core 7 240H processor and comes in a Dark Wood color. It operates at as low as 24dB in whisper mode.

An addition, it features up to 80 PLUS Platinum-certified PSU, reducing heat generation and eliminating power-consumption concerns. The PC has support for up to 64GB DDR5 RAM and up to 512GB of SSD storage.

Price: Starts at PhP 41,995

ASUS TUF Gaming TM500

Moreover, the ASUS TUF Gaming TM500 is a compact gaming desktop that delivers power and efficiency in a streamlined form factor.

It is fueled by an AMD Ryzen 7 260 processor, reaching a maximum boost speed of 5.1GHz. Along with up to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 GPU, users can experience seamless gameplay.

The PC comes with 16GB DDR5 memory, and two more SO-DIMM slots to support up to 64GB of memory. This allows the machine to breeze through memory-heavy workloads, outside of the most demanding AAA titles.

Complementing these hardware is a custom heatsink with 1,218cm2 of total dissipation area, copper heat piping, and 90 mm cooling fan.

Price: Starts at PhP 76,995

ROG GM700

Lastly, the ROG GM700 features the undisputed power and beastly performance of the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D processor and AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT GPU.

With up to 32GB of memory, the PC can process jaw-dropping visuals at ultra-fast speeds. With up to 2TB of storage, it guarantees swift load times, high frame rates, and freedom from stutters in high-stakes gaming.

The ROG GM700 is also amenable for customization, maintenance, and future-proofing. Users can enjoy an upgrade potential of up to four DDR5 U-DIMM slots and multiple M.2 slots.

Price: starts at PhP 139,995

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Computers

3D printing made accessible: Bambu Lab moves closer to everyday consumers

Empowering consumers to create tangible objects

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January 29, 2026

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Photos from Rodneil Quiteles

China-based brand Bambu Lab makes an effort to move closer to everyday consumers in the Philippines with a new retail partner by holding a media and creators roundtable in the Philippines. This was a bid to reshape how consumers perceive and use 3D printing technology.

Established in Shenzhen, China in 2020, Bambu Lab aims to make 3D printing more accessible, practical, and relevant to daily life through printers and other supplies.

The goal is to support practical home use, creative hobbies, product design, and even specialized tools, while putting emphasis on ease of use.

With such optics, Bambu Lab is trying to make consumers feel that there is less deep technical knowledge required and that they can actually create physical objects with 3D printing.

One of their products is the entry-level Bambu Lab A1 mini, which is compact enough to fit on a small desk.

The brand also has more advanced models which are capable of printing multiple colors and materials on a single run.

To complement the hardware ecosystem, Bambu Lab’s open platform MakerWorld lets users browse, select, and print from an extensive library of shared 3D designs directly from their own desktops.

The platform features a wide variety of objects across multiple categories. There’s household items, DIY tools, children’s toys, props, and educational materials.

In the Philippines, Bambu Lab will open its first concept store at One Ayala, Makati City. The concept corner will give mallgoers the opportunity to see the range of 3D printers and consumables firsthand.

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Computers

Next-gen AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D desktop processor out soon

Built for the most demanding titles

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January 28, 2026

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The next-generation AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D desktop processor will be available for sale starting January 29. It has a standard pricing of US$ 499.

Built for enthusiasts, the latest AMD Ryzen 9000 series processor features a +400MHz improvement to the boost clock, building on the legacy of the 9800X3D.

This makes the “world’s fastest gaming processor” even faster. AMD says their offering boasts of an average 27% gaming performance improvement over the Intel Core Ultra 9 285k.

On paper, the Ryzen 7 9850X3D has a maximum boost clock speed of up to 5.6GHz, and a base clock speed of 4.7GHz.

The new 8-core, 16-thread processor is aided by 2nd Gen 3D V-Cache technology, so a high-frequency memory is not required.

Across an average of more than 30 games played, the FPS difference between a DDR5-4800 and a  DDR5-6000 was below 1%.

The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D is ideal for running demanding titles, i.e. AAA games, at maximum FPS. Initial checks also suggest the processor stays efficient in spite of higher speeds.

For connectivity, the processor has two memory channels for a maximum 192GB of DDR5 memory. It can also support four USB 3.2 Gen 2s and a USB 2.0.

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