What is Snapdragon X Plus? A look at Qualcomm's more affordable Arm laptop processor.
Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus
Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus
Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite
Qualcomm's new Snapdragon X Plus processor
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.
Surface Logo
Laptop with 5G
Microsoft Surface Pro 9 rear
HP OMEN 17 (2024)
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 XPS 14 (9440) for 2024
Snapdragon X Elite benchmarks
New Surface PCs for business
Surface Laptop 4 sitting in dramatic lighting, partially opened on a table.
Microsoft Surface Pro 9 rear
Image of the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (2024) gaming laptop.
Alienware m16 R2 on table.
MacBook Pro 16
The accessory market for phones and computers is a wide and varied one, with designs that are all over the place and cover almost the entire range of the spectrum. Some try to offer everything, almost including the kitchen sink, resulting in a cornucopia of features and attachments, while others aim for the bare basics to keep things simple yet elegant. Minimalism continues to dominate the design world, and it has also started to grip the tech industry, particularly when it comes to gadgets and accessories. Minimalist design, though sometimes plain-looking, doesn’t exactly mean “boring,” especially when they take inspiration from some of mankind’s creative achievements to give these products an interesting visual and functional spin.
Some say good things come in threes, and iPhone owners tend to own an Apple Watch and AirPods to complete a functional set. Keeping all three charged has become somewhat of a logistics problem, though thankfully it’s less of a mess now that none of them require charging cables all the time. Apple’s MagSafe technology has opened up a new world of designs, free from the tangles of wires, and it has given birth to a variety of charging docks and stations, including some pretty minimalist ones.
Designer: Belkin
The Belkin BoostCharge Pro really takes minimalism almost to an extreme, being nothing more than a metal post that branches in two, standing on a plain round disc. While there are quite a number of 3-in-1 MagSafe chargers that support a similar combination, Belkin’s design emphasizes keeping a tidy appearance, whether there are devices charging on it or not. The base holds the AirPods case, keeping your desk or shelf clean, while both the iPhone and Apple Watch are held up high for easier visibility.
The charger’s clean and minimalist appearance takes its cue from modern architecture, with well-defined lines and shapes and a simple yet functional design. It distills the whole structure down to its essentials, providing support and a place for your gadgets to call home, without overpowering Apple’s already elegant and stylish aesthetic.
The ancient Japanese art of paper folding has inspired many designs across history, from simple children’s toys to mind-blowing structures even to complex robots. The main pull of origami has always been its ability to change shape from a flat sheet of material like paper to something three-dimensional any moving parts or without removing or adding any part at all. Because of that, something that takes up space can be made to collapse down to almost nothing, like this grip and stand that adds almost no thickness to your iPhone.
Designer: Marcy Arimoto
Click Here to Buy Now: MagSafe Origami Grip Stand ($45)
Thanks to its creative origami-inspired design, the MagSafe attachment transforms from a flat pad into a triangular shape that can do more than just prop up your phone on a table. It gives your fingers something stable to latch onto, making it perfect for taking selfies with confidence. It can even stick to metal posts, walls, and surfaces thanks to that strong magnetic power.
The best thing about its design is that it doesn’t get in the way when you don’t need it. It simply collapses back down to a flat shape that’s no thicker than the iPhone’s own camera bump. Nothing to snag when you slip it into your pocket and nothing to make it wiggle when placed on a table. It’s beautiful, functional, and as simple as it needs to be, nothing more.
A laptop stand is, more often than not, a horizontal plane meant to hold your laptop while it lies down. Of course, that’s the most common way to use a laptop, but it’s definitely not the only way, especially when you’re using it as a makeshift desktop computer. With the lid always closed and the laptop simply connected to a monitor and other peripherals, having a laptop lying flat or even on a horizontal stand is already a poor use of precious desk space. That’s where a vertical laptop stand comes in hand, and Twelve South just launched what is probably the most minimalist design in that category.
Designer: Twelve South
It might look like two simple metal arcs, but that ultra-minimalist design is what makes the BookArc Flex a work of genius. Designed to hold your closed MacBook vertically, it can save you precious desk space when all you really want to do is connect the MacBook to an external screen and some peripherals while it’s running. It keeps all the mess away without sacrificing any functionality, and you can still easily plug in other USB devices because the MacBook is still within reach.
The design is both simple yet elegant, perfectly complementing Apple’s design language with its bent all-metal rods in matte black, matte white, or premium chrome finishes. It is inspired by modern architecture, particularly the Noisette Creek Pedestrian Bridge in Charleston, South Carolina, in more ways than one. While it does owe its form to that bridge, it also takes a few lessons from a bridge’s structure and use of physics, particularly in how the stand uses the MacBook’s own weight to pull in the arcs and secure the laptop. That means that this simple design is also future-proof, supporting any MacBook or even any laptop that’s only an inch thick, making it a beautiful example of how good, simple design can be universal and timeless as well.
The post Beautiful minimalist Apple accessories inspired by architecture and art first appeared on Yanko Design.
Image of the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i (Gen 8).