Computers

Windows 11 is official with major UI and performance changes

There’s a lot of new changes here!

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This is it: Windows 11 is now official. Weeks after an early build leaked to the public, Microsoft took to the stage to announce the next Windows six years after the last major version. Windows 11 is a major departure from its predecessor, featuring big UI and performance changes.

The new Start menu, taskbar, and Teams integration

Booting up Windows 11, users will notice a new and refreshed experience. By default, the taskbar is now centrally aligned. The system tray (systray) icon also sees some major change while invoking a sense of familiarity.

The Start menu is still there, yet gone are the live tiles that defined Windows 10. Simplicity is the norm here, as the Start menu surfaces app icons and recommendations by default. By the way, the recommendations are now tightly integrated with Microsoft 365 and cloud experiences.

The new Start menu. Image Source: Microsoft

However, live tiles aren’t completely gone. Windows 11 introduces Windows Widgets, which is a separate place for AI-powered widgets. It looks like familiar to the one on iOS right now, and frankly, this is where Windows 10’s News & Interests widgets now reside. Still, it is a welcome addition to Windows, considering that Windows 7 also has an almost-similar functionality in the form of  Sidebars.

Windows Widgets. Image Source: Microsoft

Microsoft Teams are also getting a much tighter integration on Windows 11. Users can now access the Chat from Microsoft Teams right from the taskbar. In a way, it replaces the People section on the taskbar which is gone from Windows 11.

Tighter Microsoft Teams integration. Image Source: Microsoft

Improved window snapping experience and desktops

Microsoft states that Windows 11 “cuts through complexity and brings simplicity.” One way they did that with the new Windows is by bringing an improved window snapping experience.

With the improved snapping experience, users can take advantage of bigger screens and snap up to three windows. A new fly-out appears when snapping with different layouts for the windows. Snapped windows show as groups in the taskbar too, so users can easily switch on a whim.

Improved snapping experience. Image Source: Microsoft

Desktops — a feature introduced by Windows 10 — is also getting some nifty improvements. Windows 11 will now remember the desktops for each screen. For example, users can use a desktop for work and project it to their second monitor. Upon reconnecting to that second monitor, Windows 11 will automatically surface that desktop for work.

Focus on gaming, Microsoft Store gets an overhaul

Windows 11 will also bring improvements to gaming. Microsoft name three big additions to improve the gaming experience: Direct X 12 Ultimate, DirectStorage, and Auto HDR. It is worth noting though, that Auto HDR is not totally new since Windows 10 users are also getting that feature.

Meanwhile, Microsoft Store is getting a major overhaul for Windows 11. This is welcome news for many Windows users, as Microsoft Store has been traditionally ridden with problems. Big changes include major UI overhaul, as well as changes to the commerce model.  Microsoft will now allow app developers to publish their own apps and keep all the revenues to themselves.

The new Microsoft Store. Image Source: Microsoft

Android apps are coming along with new app designs

Microsoft also teased major UI redesigns for some of its in-built apps during a separate session for developers. That includes redesigned Settings, File Explorer, refreshed Microsoft Paint and Notepad, and more. The session also teased a new Microsoft Office design. All in all, these designs feature the Fluent Design that Microsoft has been pushing across all its apps and services for the past few years.

A redesigned Settings app. Image Source: Microsoft

Finally, one of the biggest highlights of the Windows 11 is the capability to run Android apps. Microsoft partnered with Amazon to bring a selection of Android apps to the Microsoft Store. Sure, there are limitations on what Android apps can run in Windows 11. However, this is still a big addition to Windows, since users may now run supported Android apps natively without resorting to any third-party solutions.

By the way, the capability to run Android apps is all thanks to Intel Bridge, a new technology resulting from collaboration between Microsoft and Intel.

Android apps on the Microsoft Store. Image Source: Microsoft

Availability

Microsoft didn’t announce any concrete dates for the launch of Windows 11. Rather, the company announced a general availability during the later part of 2021. The new Windows will be offered as a free update for eligible Windows 10 PCs. Users may check if their PCs are eligible through this website.

Computers

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

Empowering consumers to create tangible objects

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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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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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Computers

Acer introduces Ryzen AI Max-powered Veriton mini workstation

Built to support the heaviest workloads

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Acer has officially expanded its lineup of Veriton desktop computers with the release of the Acer Veriton RA100 AI mini workstation.

This Copilot+ PC is powered by AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 processors to support even the heaviest of workloads for gamers, creators, and other professionals.

Armed with AMD Radeon 8060S graphics, 50 TOPS NPU, and 60 TFLOPS, the Veriton RA100 delivers up to 120 billion parameters for demanding workloads.

These include running AI models, developing and deploying generative AI applications, 3D design, and content creation at high resolutions.

The RA100 accelerates such tasks, and optimizes design, coding, and even gaming with the help of AI.

In addition, the RA100 also supports ultra-fast and high storage capacity. It has a four channel memory of up to 128GB DDR5 and up to 4TB SSD storage.

The workstation comes with adaptive performance modes to allow users to adjust the power. There’s Silent Mode for general tasks, balanced Mode for lightweight multitasking, and Performance Mode for the extra juice for AI computing and AAA gaming.

For connectivity, the RA100 comes with Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4, plus an RJ45 port and Kensington lock slot.

Acer Veriton desktops also launched

Acer has also launched new Acer Veriton AIO desktops — the Vero 4000 and Vero 6000 — alongside the RA100.

These all-in-one desktops blend strong AI performance with robust security in a sleek design for modern workplaces.

They are powered by Intel Core Ultra 9 Series 2 processors, with up to 64GB memory and up to 2TB storage.

The Veriton Vero 4000 sports Intel Graphics, while the Vero 6000 comes with Intel vPro for enhanced capabilities.

Both AIOs feature a 23.8-inch 144Hz FHD touch display. The ergo stand and VESA mount support flexible workspace setups as well.

Additional features include Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, RJ45, and a 5MP infrared webcam.

Acer Veriton 2000 large tower, AIO

Lastly, Acer has also introduced the Veriton 2000 Large Tower and Veriton 2000 All-In-One for further options.

The large tower likewise comes with Intel Core Ultra 9 Series processors and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 graphics, making it a high-performance desktop PC.

It is designed to streamline AI-assisted content creation and other everyday productivity tasks. With NVIDIA Blackwell, the GeForce RTX 50 series GPUs bring game-changing capabilities to gamers and creators.

Meanwhile, the Veriton 2000 AIO has Intel Core Ultra 7 Series 2 processors, Intel Graphics, and ample memory and storage.

It has a 23.8-inch FHD display as well, with a 16:9 aspect ratio and 250 nits brightness.

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