Laptops

ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 leads Lenovo’s new ThinkPads

It’s a massive new lineup

Published

February 28, 2022

Rodneil Quiteles

Lenovo is constant noisemaker in tech conferences and MWC 2022 is no different. The company unveiled their brand spanking new ThinkPad lineup in Spain, Barcelona spearheaded by the X1 Extreme Gen 5.

Other devices in the lineup are the ThinkPad T series, the ThinkVision M14d, and the ThinkPad P series.

ThinkPad X1 Extreme G5

The ThinkPad X1 Extreme G5 is appropriately named. “Hybrid Work” is a term plenty of laptop makers like to throw around these days, but this is truly the ultimate hybrid work device for any kind of worker. Check out these specs:

16-inch 4K, 16:10 display
165Hz refresh rate, Dolby Vision HDR, Optional touch and pen input
12th Gen Intel Core-H series processor. Up to i9, optional vPro technology
NVIDIA Graphics: Options for NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti with 16GB GDDR6, NVIDIA GeForce
RTX 3050 Ti, RTX 3060, RTX 3070 Ti.
Fast DDR5 4800Mhz memory up to 64GB
Two (2) 4TB M.2 PCIe Gen 4 SSDs
90Wh battery
SD Express 7.0 card reader to support the latest ultra-fast SDXC memory cards
Dolby Voice with its latest noise cancelling technology

Looking at these numbers makes us think of the workers that really need it. These are high-grade PC numbers, one used in the office by architects, 3D engineers, game developers and the like. In the height of the pandemic, pre-vaccine, when everyone was forced to work from home, it’s these workers that may have faced strong challenges. How do you bring home monster PCs like that?

The ThinkPad X1 Extreme G5 is a direct response to this. These are premium-grade numbers meant for big PC builds, but Lenovo was able to put it in a more mobile form factor.

ThinkPad P series

Lenovo calls the ThinkPad P series their most mobile workhorses. It offers a mix of power and performance for professional users-on-the-go.

Here’s what you’re getting:

Latest Intel Core processors and NVIDIA T550 professional graphics.
ISV-certified and ideally suited to power applications such as AutoCAD, Revit, SolidWorks, and
more.
Reliability and durability with the ThinkShield security suite and MIL-SPEC testing.
Improved usability feature: a wider touchpad, all-day battery capacity, an upgraded FHD webcam, blue light reduction and X-Rite factory color calibration

The ThinkPad P16s Gen 1 redefines power and portability with a thin and light 16-inch chassis. This new form factor, like all ThinkPad P series, is designed with engineers, architects, and students in mind. It has a 16:10 aspect ratio display that delivers increased screen space for viewing and creating with extreme clarity. Both workstations will be available in black or an aluminum storm grey cover.

ThinkPad T series

This batch consists of the ThinkPad T16, ThinkPad T14s Gen 3 and T14 Gen 3. The ThinkPad T series is Lenovo’s most successful business line series. Nearly everyone has encountered some for of the ThinkPad T series since they’re ever present in corporate settings.

The 2022 iterations present everything we know about the ThinkPad T but refines them for the modern workforce.

They are available available with either the latest 12th Gen Intel Core processors with optional Intel vPro technology, or the latest AMD RyzenTM PRO 6000 Series processors for mobile with the Microsoft Pluton security processor, all running up to Windows 11 Pro.

ThinkVision M14d

Last but not the least is the ThinkVision M14d. Put simply, it’s a screen extension for the mobile worker. It weights just 600g, and is a 14-inch 2.2K display. It is easily connected via a USB Type-C cable which can also offer power pass-through for a one cable solution.

The ThinkVision M14d’s two USB-C ports support data transfer which lets the M14d can act as a USB hub. It is designed for extended use thanks to an ergonomic height adjustment stand up to 11mm and features natural low blue light technology to reduce eye strain. What’s more, it comes with a protective sleeve so it can conveniently slip into a carry case with a laptop.

Price and availability

ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 — US$ 2049 | June 2022
ThinkPad P16s Gen 1 i — US$ 1419 | April 2022
ThinkPad P14s Gen 3 — US$ 1419 | April 2022
ThinkVision M14d Mobile Monitor — US$ 299 | July 2022
ThinkPad T16 i — US$ 1419 | April 2022
ThinkPad T14 i — US$ 1399 | April 2022
ThinkPad T14s i — US$ 1529 | June 2022
ThinkPad T16 AMD — US$ 1299 | June 2022
ThinkPad T14 AMD — US$ 1299 | June 2022
ThinkPad T14s AMD — US$ 1399 | May 2022

Laptops

ASUS unveils newest Chromebook series for students

The Chromebook CR1 and Flip CR1

Published

May 31, 2023

GadgetMatch

ASUS has announced the availability of two new portable laptops that will surely benefit the modern-day student: the Chromebook CR1 and Chromebook Flip CR1.

Designed to withstand the daily grind of students, the education-focused 11-inch laptops come with military-grade (MIL-STD-810H) durability. The devices also come with a spill-resistant keyboard, a rubber bumper, and a sturdy 180-degree lay-flat hinge.

Their battery lasts up to 12 hours on a single charge, and has fast-charging support.

On the outside of both are an 8MP camera and an 11.6-inch HD LCD display. Of course, the only difference is the touchscreen panel on the Flip CR1.

The new Chromebook series comes with an assortment of ports too, including two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C and USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type A slots, a microSD card reader, an audio combo jack, and a Kenshington lock slot. The laptops also support Wi-Fi 6 and 4G LTE connection.

When it comes to its interior, the Chromebooks are powered by up to an Intel Pentium Silver N6000 processor and Intel UHD graphics. The devices run on the ChromeOS for Education.

They both have 8GB of DDR4 memory and 64GB eMMC storage, with up to a 1TB PCIE M.2 expansion slot.

Computers

Acer expands SpatialLabs developer tools

Enabling the stereo 3D experience

Published

May 31, 2023

GadgetMatch

Acer has expanded the developer tools for its SpatialLabs technology, providing professionals even more avenues to develop glasses-free, stereoscopic 3D experiences when using SpatialLabs Pro devices.

The updates include a SpatialLabs Unity plug-in, a SpatialLabs Pro-certified Acer OpenXR runtime to allow developers to use OpenXR protocols when creating stereo 3D content, and the Acer SteamVR Bridge.

Unity Plug-in

Acer’s Unity plug-in helps to extend its reach to more creators in various fields, including architecture, construction, education, medicine, and more.

Developers can take advantage of the Unity plug-in’s existing tools and verticals to enhance their experiences and help present their models in their true 3D form on Acer SpatialLabs Pro devices, without the need for glasses.

OpenXR Runtime

Meanwhile, OpenXR Runtime is now SpatialLabs Pro devices conformant.

This means XR developers now have the option to choose from Acer’s devices for glasses-free stereoscopic 3D.

They may also take advantage of OpenXR’s cross-platform and high-performance API for faster innovation while utilizing Open XR-compatible apps such as Autodesk VRED 2023 and Blender.

SteamVR Bridge

Lastly, Acer’s proprietary SteamVR Bridge driver is now available for developers of VR applications so they can convert creations on SpatialLab Pro devices for clear and captivating imagery without the need for VR headsets.

The SpatialLab Pro devices may also be used to leverage SteamVR Bridge and NVIDIA Omniverse for more viewing options for enhanced stereo 3D projection of complex graphics, visual effects, and simulations.

Laptops

Acer announces new AMD Ryzen-powered Swift Edge 16

Combining performance, portability

Published

May 31, 2023

GadgetMatch

Acer has announced the latest version of the Swift Edge 16. It’s a laptop designed for professionals banking on their devices for efficient computing and productivity.

The 12.95-mm and 1.23-kilogram lightweight laptop is powered by AMD Ryzen 7040 series processors and up to AMD Radeon 780M graphics, while select models have AMD Ryzen AI to keep up with today’s AI demands.

Its 16-inch 3.2K OLED 120Hz display has 100% DCI-P3 color gamut support, up to 0.2ms response time, 500 nits of peak brightness, and VESA DisplayHDR True Black 500 certification.

The device comes with up to 32GB of DDR5 memory and up to 2TB of PCIe Gen 4 SSD storage, along with TwinAir cooling technology to complement its enhanced fan and air inlet keyboard design.

The Windows 11 laptop also boasts Wi-Fi 7 and Microsoft Pluton compatibility, as well as other advanced smart features for fast wireless connections.

These include support for Window Studio Effects, Acer Temporal Noise Reduction (TNR), and Acer PurifiedVoice.