Skip to content

The Surface as a Desktop Replacement: How a Tablet Becomes a Stationary Computer

Surface Flexible, mobile, and always with you: a tablet like Microsoft’s Surface (Pro) could replace a desktop computer. We can tell you how.

It has been a possibility for a while, but sometimes we do not use ideas like this until a few years later. Microsoft offers the Surface Dock for its own Surface devices, which is a docking station designed for the Surface Book, the Surface laptop and the newer Surface Pro. For me, the Anschaffung would have been useful…

The outgoing situation

I love siting at my large desktop PC. I use two monitors – one in high-format positioned for Office, Mail or Spotify. The main display is used for “surfing the net” and research for work. This is the best system for me.

The only dumb thing is that the computer makes time fly by. After eight proud years, the once high-end gaming monster that I bought a few years ago with a fast SSD could no longer handle it. Right next to it, I use a Surface Pro 3 – which also is not among the newest technology anymore.

My motivations for using the Surface as a desktop replacement

What now? Buy a new one? I analysed…

The problem: I didn’t really want to fit a new tower into my home office, seeing as I do not really game much (on PC) nowadays and leave less hardware lying about the apartment. Ah, and I would like to save energy too.

The potential solution: I use my popular Surface Pro 3 as a replacement for the desktop computer. The tablet which was released some years ago still runs wonderfully and solidly equipped with Intel Core i7-4650U, 8GB RMA and 256GB SSD.

Read more

Echo Dot Review: how good is Amazon’s 3rd generation of Smart speaker with Alexa?

<strong>Verdict</strong>
When we tested the second generation of Amazon’s Echo Dot, we were forced to conclude that it was not particularly well-suited to playing music. However, in contrast, the third generation of Amazon’s connected speaker is quite good; the newest Echo Dot has vastly improved audio quality. What’s more, given its affordable price, it is unquestionably the most inexpensive way of bringing Alexa into your home. Our only criticism is that it no longer features a customizable plastic shell as previous versions did. Apart from this shortcoming, for its price, the Echo Dot is a near-perfect connected speaker..
<strong>What we liked</strong>
  • No HDD, only 256GB storage space
  • Poor battery life
  • Only one USB 3.0 port
  • Not the latest Bluetooth version (v4.0)
Con
  • it’s no longer customizable

By launching its Echo Dot, Amazon took a giant leap forward in the field of connected home technology. The Echo Dot is the most affordable way to bring Alexa into your living room and it also makes a great gift.

Read more

AOC AG322QCX Review: large gaming monitor with 144Hz

AOC AG322QCX144Hz, 31.5” curved display with QHD resolution, and all sorts of ergonomic functions – the AOC AG322QCX awaits with features to please gamers. I have tested it to see whether the concept has taken off.

Pro
  • Good workmanship
  • Adaptive sync
  • Good image quality
Con
  • The buttons on the QuickSwitch controller

Before we begin with the complete test, here is an overview of the technical specifications once again. For those of you who are really keen to know, you can jump to the conclusion here.

First impression, delivery and assembly

The first impression is very good, even the packaging gives a positive impression. The assembly instructions are in one of the higher flaps on the packaging, you can’t miss it. I also really like the spacers for the monitor – with that you can put it on the table when assembling it knowing that it will not bend the curved display.

AOC AG322QCXThe delivery has everything that you need. Along with the monitor, there is also the power cable, a DisplayPort cable, an HDMI cable, a 3.5mm cable, a USB-B 3.0 cable and the QuickSwitch controller. The usual papers have been condensed onto one small product information sheet. In addition, there is also a CD with the operating instructions.

Read more

The best 12 iPhone XS and XS Max tricks

iPhone XS The new iPhone XS and XS Max that Apple launched a month ago at the Apple Event are a commercial hit. Their powerful processors, their big bezel-less displays, the design inherited from the iPhone X and the new camera features have prompted many users to replace their phones with the most powerful iPhone right now.

For those with older iPhone models, these two new iPhones are full of novelties, new options, gestures and features that we will break down in order to make the most out of these smartphones.

iPhone XS and XS Max tricks

Setting up Face ID

The new iPhone XS and XS Max have a new security and unlocking system called Face ID. Apple has replaced Touch ID with a new technology that uses thousands of dots to scan our face and identify us flawlessly.

Read more

What We Can Do with Action Cameras Where Smartphones are Not Good Enough?

cameras Action or sports cameras were highly popular a few years ago and that will hardly happen again. The sales of these cameras have been stabilized slowly but surely, making them a specialized device that does not intend to compete against other cameras or phones. Actually, they are the best option for what they were created.

Dozens of manufacturers came out when the action camera market grew, but the growth was due to the team behind GoPro and the evolution set by their HERO cameras. Virtually every year we see a new lineup besting the previous one at everything while manufacturers try to keep offering support for the same accessories.

Read more

Google Home Max Review: a powerful yet disappointing connected speaker

Apple’s only connected speaker is the HomePod (which makes up for Siri’s shortcomings with its excellent acoustic quality). Google, on the other hand, offers several such products geared to “Home” use, with names like Mini and Max. The largest of these products, the Google Home Max, is the one we will be discussing here.

Retailing for around 399$, this connected speaker was engineered to satisfy even the most demanding listeners. In other words… to make you forget about the mediocre acoustic performance of the Google Home (which retails for much less: 129 dollars). A world leader in wireless technology, Google is now seeking to validate its wireless connected speaker. And, after having spent a few weeks testing the Home Max, we have to say that it still has a lot of room left for improvement.

Google Home Max

The Home Max isn’t very elegant but it does have some great features

A connected speaker designed to fit in with a person’s interior decor should, above all, be aesthetically appealing. However, it would be fair to say that the Google Home Max is somewhat lacking in this respect. Very massive, the Google Home’s big brother is not very elegant: it resembles a large gray or black brick (your two color options) that sticks out when it is placed on top of a piece of furniture. At least the Home Max has very good finish quality (there’s nothing protruding from the speaker’s case); also noteworthy is its ability to be placed vertically in the manner of a bookshelf speaker. Google also supplies a small, magnetic silicone support to prevent the speaker from being in direct contact with the surface it is sitting on.

Google Home MaxWe did like this speaker’s front panel: it is covered with thin fabric that is translucent enough to allow the speaker’s four luminous indicators to show through when using the Google Assistant. Of course, the direction of these indicators will depend on the speaker’s orientation. At the top of the speaker (or on its side if it is being used vertically), can be found a tactile surface (distinguishable by its darker color) which will allow you to increase/decrease the speaker’s volume or pause audio playback. These controls work very well and can be used if you prefer not to make use of the speaker’s voice commands.

Read more

Acer Predator X34P Review: luxury beast with minor weaknesses

Acer Predator X34P

The Acer Predator X34P is unbelievable. 120 Hertz, 1440p resolution, 34-inch, 21:9 curved display and NVIDIA G-Sync. It has almost everything today’s gamer wants, but of course at a price which would shock many. With our test you can find out whether it is really worth 900 dollars.

Pro

  • Sleek 120 Hz panel
  • NVIDIA G-Sync
  • 21:9 format
Con
  • “mellow” frame
  • No HDR
  • 5ms response time

The Acer Predator X34P really does want to be a predator. At such a high price, it should at least be able to make coffee. To cut a long story short, the Acer Predator X34P is a stylish monitor which does everything right. Unfortunately, though, there are more problems in the B note, which costs it the title of the perfect gaming monitor. Let’s begin as we always do by looking at the specs.

Delivery and assembly

A 34-inch 21:9 monitor does not come in a small box. At least you can still carry it by yourself. In the box you can find, next to the Acer Predator X34P, the HDMI cable, display port and the power cable with a German and British plug layout. You also get a remote control and metal plate, which you need to hang it on the wall. Not necessarily a lot, but it is enough.

Read more

Cheap Gaming Monitor 2018 Recommendation (144 Hz, Low input Lag, 4K)

Arguably the most important peripheral, a good monitor is supposed to provide a good immersive experience for gaming and productivity. There are myriads of factor to be considered here, first and foremost being the resolution and the color reproduction. Next and equally important factor, especially for gamers, is the refresh rate of the monitor and the availability of FreeSync or G-sync for smoother gaming experience. The unknown factors are of course backlight bleed and dead pixels, especially, if you are going for esoteric Korean panels which have flooded the market these days.

Our review however is concerned with the most well-established manufacturers with relatively uniform production quality and better customer support. If you want to take the risk, go ahead and experiment with a Korean panel.

Your personal workload is also an important factor in deciding the kind of panel you may want to use. Want higher response time and really low latency for your fast-paced Counter-Strike then you may want a TN panel. Most people prefer using an IPS panel, because of better viewing angle and higher color saturation. This is good for content creators and people who watch movies with their friends and family using their monitor.

Read more

Best Laptop under 600 Dollars 2018

Are you looking for the best possible laptop but do not want to spend too much? It’s difficult trying to find good gaming or office laptop within a budget when you have to do all the research by yourself. Luckily, you have come to the right place if you want guidance and reviews of the best gaming laptops under 600 dollars.

In this article, we will guide you about things you should be looking for in a budget laptop before buying it. We will also share with you our list of Best laptops under $600 that we feel are the best in this budget.

Buying a laptop within $600 means that you will have to make some compromises. When you are trying to find a budget laptop, you won’t be getting the latest tech and the highest possible storage at once.

For example, there would be one laptop with an excellent display, but on closer inspection, you will find that the computer has a processor that is two generations behind the latest generation of processors. Alternatively, Probably, you will find a laptop that has specs that are far beyond what you were expecting but lacks a graphics card.

Read more

Nvidia GT 1030 vs AMD RX 550: What’s the difference? Which is better?

Competitive PC video gaming no longer requires a very expensive hardware configuration. Both Nvidia and AMD are now offering graphics cards retailing for under 100€ which are powerful enough for gaming in 1080p.

Beginning with its GT 1030, Nvidia has been more focused on improving the efficiency of its graphics cards than their raw performance characteristics. AMD has also adopted a similar strategy for the design of its two newest graphics cards – the RX 550 and the RX 560 (which belongs to a slightly higher product line). But what can these graphics cards be used for? In addition to being well-suited to building small media-center computers (that can be placed under a TV), these graphics cards are also ideal for entering the world of competitive PC gaming without having to spend hundreds of euros on hardware.

In fact, the majority of competitive PC games are very highly optimized and do not require a powerful hardware setup in order to be played. The main consideration with this type of game is ensuring a constant, and sufficiently high frame rate (in order to allow players to follow all of a game’s action without their computer lagging).

Among the most highly competitive PC games are, of course, Overwatch, Starcraft 2, and Heroes of The Storm as well as League of Legends, Dota 2, and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. Not to mention Hearthstone which can even be played on an iPad.

Read more