This Newegg deal on a Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i 16 (Gen 8) keeps getting better the longer I look at it. A high-end model is currently cheaper than the entry option on Lenovo's website, and it's perfect for anyone who prefers to travel light.

Microsoft's Surface Pro 9 is a lovely convertible PC, but is it worth getting when then Surface Pro 10 is around the corner? This deal makes the decision easier.

Our smartphones have become so powerful that, in theory, they have hardware equivalent to entry-level laptops from a few years back. But despite all that silicon muscle, they can’t really replace our everyday PCs mostly because of the operating system that’s used on most of these computers: Windows. Small, portable, and inconspicuous computers have always been a dream for both users and business owners, whether it’s for working on the go or setting up kiosks, security systems, or space-efficient workstations. This small brick tries to deliver exactly that, giving you the flexibility you need for any kind of computing in almost any context in a size that’s no larger than high-capacity power banks.

Designer: Minisforum

With the popularity of the Apple Mac Mini and, now, the Mac Studio, mini PCs have become more visible in the market. These desktop alternatives, however, are still meant to sit on a table or even on a shelf despite their small sizes. But while these small computers do offer plenty of power to support even some content creation or light gaming, that hardware also closes the door on many possible use cases that would have required them to be less tied down to a table.

The Minisforum S100 is a small, sleek box that you might easily mistake for a power bank. Ironically, it doesn’t actually have its own battery but is a mini PC that you can bring along with you or install in the narrowest of spaces. Despite its small size, it actually boasts a complete set of standard connectivity options, including Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 6.2, 2.5 Gbps Ethernet, USB-A ports, HDMI, and 65W USB-C.

The latter two are what make this design so portable and flexible. On a typical desktop, you can connect it to a USB-C monitor that supports USB-C PowerDelivery so that you don’t even have to plug the S100 into an outlet. You can connect another monitor via HDMI to have a dual-screen setup for increased productivity. And when you’re done for the day, you can pick up the palm-sized mini PC and go, maybe even work or chill in a cafe by connecting an external display and a power bank. The Ethernet port also supports Power-over-Ethernet or PoE, so you can use the S100 as the brains behind a camera security system and not have it plugged in at all.

Despite the flexibility that the Minisforum S100 offers, its performance is hampered a bit by the quad-core Intel N100 processor that runs the show, definitely not the best among the chip maker’s “mobile” processors. Its lower-power operation, however, does allow the mini PC to sip rather than chug electricity and keep thermals equally low. You definitely won’t be running heavy applications, but for $189, a Windows 11 computer you can easily slip into your bag or even your pocket might actually be worth the price.

The post Phone-sized mini PC lets you take your computer and your work anywhere first appeared on Yanko Design.

Get your school work done with HP's 15.6" 15-fd0057nr Laptop, now on sale for a limited-time 38% discount at B&H.

The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 received a major refresh for 2024, making it one of the best gaming laptops you can buy today. Can the Razer Blade 14 keep up, or will its high price drive gamers to the more affordable ASUS laptop?

Right now, you can get a Lenovo Slim 7i for almost half price. As an added bonus, you can also save up to 20% on select accessories when you bundle them with the discounted laptop.

Qualcomm has unveiled the Snapdragon X Plus SoC, a more affordable alternative to the X Elite. Both chips are made for Windows on Arm laptops, and they're expected to revolutionize the space when they start showing up in new PCs later this year.

Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite is a powerful collection of processors designed to deliver outstanding performance and efficiency for all purposes, including AI. It's expected to revolutionize Windows on Arm.

In addition to the forthcoming Snapdragon X Elite laptop CPU, Qualcomm has revealed another more budget-friendly Snapdragon X Plus chip. Despite not being as powerful as the X Elite, the new Snapdragon X Plus processor is still 10% faster than Apple's M3, found in the MacBook Pro.

Gaming laptops have been around for years almost decades, and most of them share a similar design pattern that takes its cues from gaming desktops. There is almost a stereotype that gamers prefer bulky chassis with predominantly black finishes and bold, sometimes blinding RGB lighting, but as the number of gamers grows each year, so do the tastes in aesthetics. Some PC gamers today would prefer that their laptop look sleek and elegant like a MacBook, maybe even as thin as one, too. Others, however, would like a design language that bridges these two worlds harmoniously, and that is the concept that this Dell-inspired laptop series tries to show, creating an aesthetic that is still uniquely gamer-centric without being overbearing or gaudy.

Designer: Wei-Yi Li

Part of the reason why gaming laptops look like they’re miniature tanks is because of the technical considerations in cramming as much powerful hardware in such a small space. That said, the mainstream design language for these portable gaming computers has also stuck closer to desktops in their love for black or dark bodies with RGB highlights, but even that has been changing lately. Dell’s own Alienware gaming brand, for example, introduced a new “Legend” design language that introduced curves and lighter finishes in both desktops and laptops alike.

This Dell G-Series laptop concept takes that in a slightly different direction, one that tries to bring the best of both worlds together. On the one hand, the design language isn’t limited to just black or dark hues and, in fact, sometimes combines contrasting colors to great effect. On the other hand, the shapes still remain muscular and angular like traditional gaming laptop designs, adopting more geometric patterns that add visual interest to the laptop’s profile.

The Bisect design, for example, has a lid split between black and silver panels with an LED strip bridging the two halves. The edges, while flat and straight, have a noticeable incline that adds a bit of edginess to the design. Armor, on the other hand, is a bit more traditional, but the tapered rear shelf is visually separated from the rest of the body by a different color and material. Swift, as the name implies, tries to embody the spirit of agility with a light-colored body and a red hinge that acts as a built-in riser for the laptop. Its clean lines and minimalist design also make it well-suited for casual uses in addition to gaming. Finally, Artemis emphasizes thermal performance and its iconic design element is a triangular rear that houses the laptop’s hinge.

These concepts build on the shift in design language that Dell introduced in its gaming laptops in 2023, refining the aesthetics to make every design variation represent a particular segment of the gaming market. Of course, such sleek and elegant designs will only be possible if the technologies inside have reached a point where it’s possible to minimize the space they occupy. Thankfully, we are getting there, so designs like these could be just around the corner.

The post Gaming laptop concept shatters conventions with clean, geometric aesthetics first appeared on Yanko Design.

Microsoft highlights how its Surface and Azure team used Azure's high-performance computing technology to revolutionize the product design process for manufacturing Surface products while simultaneously saving time and money.

5G connectivity isn't new to laptops, but it's expected to become more prevalent thanks to the next generation of Windows on Arm devices headed our way. Do you need 5G, or is Wi-Fi good enough? We can help you decide.

Thanks to a new Geekbench listing, we know at least one upcoming Arm Surface Pro 10 SKU will feature the Snapdragon X Plus, paired with 16GB RAM.

HP has announced a new OMEN 17 gaming laptop for 2024, complete with Ryzen 8040 HS CPUs with NPU, NVIDIA RTX discrete laptop graphics, and a Copilot key on the keyboard.

As we continue to be more mobile in terms of where we work and study, gadgets and devices are adjusting to users’ needs and wants. More often than not, laptops and tablets are the devices of choice as it allows us to work wherever we want, oftentimes at cafes and shared or co-working spaces or sometimes even while commuting. There are already a lot of options out there but we continue to look at concepts that can bring even more improvements to our nomad working lifestyle.

Designer: Lee Seung-Hee

This concept laptop called LT-1 aims to solve the pain point of having a disorganized work environment when you’re working outside or having several gadgets with you even as you have limited space and are continuously mobile. What we need is to have a device that is efficient, practical, can adjust to our needs, and can multi-task just like what we’re probably doing. What they came up with is a minimalist looking laptop that has several functionalities built into it.

What’s unique about this concept is that you have a sub-display in the keyboard area which can show things that don’t need much of your attention but may be important to know. This includes your music playlist, preview of messages, and even a scheduler if you need to take a quick look at those things. Taking up 1/3 of your keyboard is the multi tablet section which basically serves as your trackpad and a multi-touch surface where you can use your pencil or stylus. It also has something called Mode Change LED although it’s not fully explained what it does. The keyboard itself has shortcut keys and there’s a function bar at the top where you have power key, switch to tablet mode, sound control, and something called “behavioral recording”.

They assume that you’ll use the LT-1 a lot so there’s a chance of overheating. There’s a back vent and a side vent to help with that as one of the ideas for this laptop and tablet in one is that it will remain cool. As a concept, this is pretty interesting but the actual execution may be challenging, and maybe even expensive. Let’s see how far the LT-1 Concept Laptop can get and if we’ll eventually see it in the market.

The post Concept laptop and tablet adapts to your mobile working needs first appeared on Yanko Design.

Dell's futuristic XPS 14 and XPS 16 launched earlier this year, but you can already save up to $510 on a flagship Ultrabook as part of Dell TechFest.

Qualcomm says Windows games should work on its anticipated Arm laptops, x86 emulation and gaming should run perfectly on these devices without porting.

Microsoft has today unveiled its first wave of spring Surface PC hardware in the form of a new Surface Pro and Surface Laptop for business customers.

Microsoft's next Surface event is right around the corner, but you don't have to wait to pick up a highly-rated laptop. You can save $200 on 2021's Surface Laptop 4 at Best Buy today.