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diff --git a/wired/backup-guide.txt b/wired/backup-guide.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..b2b91a0 --- /dev/null +++ b/wired/backup-guide.txt @@ -0,0 +1,67 @@ +Making backups is boring, but the alternative—losing your data—is a kind of exciting no one wants. I once lost 80 pages of a novel to a bad hard drive. I had no backups. While most of the world is thankful to have been spared those 80 pages, who knows, if that hard drive had lived I might be sipping a Mai Tai on a Maine beach with Stephen King right now. Socially distanced, of course. + +Nowadays I back up my data at least three times, in three physically separate places. I know what you're thinking, wow, he is really bummed about missing out on that Mai Tai. It may sound excessive, but it costs next to nothing and happens without me lifting a finger, so why not? + +If the perfect backup existed then sure, three would be overkill, but there is no perfect backup. Things go wrong with backups too. You need to hedge your bets. At the very least you should have two backups, one locally and one remote. For most people this strikes the best balance between safety, cost, and effort. + +### Hard Drives + +The first backup is the simplest—buy an external hard drive and regularly copy your data to it. + +The hardest thing about this backup is figuring out which hard drive to buy. Backblaze, a backup company that currently stores over one exabyte of data, and therefore has considerable experience with hard drives, periodically publishes its [drive statistics](https://www.backblaze.com/b2/hard-drive-test-data.html), which has some helpful numbers to consider. + +Unfortunately, what really jumps out of that data is that longevity varies more by model than by manufacturer. That said, I suggest sticking with known names like Seagate, Western Digital, and Hitachi. But some drives are better than others even within those well-known brands. + +Several of us here on the Gear Team have had good luck with Western Digital hard drives. I like this 4-terabyte model ([$99 Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VTW2LPX/){: rel=nofollow}, [$120 Best Buy](https://www.bestbuy.com/site/wd-my-passport-4tb-external-usb-3-0-portable-hard-drive-with-hardware-encryption-latest-model-black/6356879.p?skuId=6356879){: rel=nofollow}), which will back up this very article later tonight (it's backed up to the cloud as I type, more on that in minute). + +If you don't mind a larger form factor, there's a Western Digital 6-terabyte "desktop" version that's only about $20 more ([$122 Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/Elements-Desktop-Hard-Drive-WDBWLG0060HBK-NESN/dp/B076MPMZDV/){: rel=nofollow}, [$125 NewEgg](https://fave.co/3j9waqs){: rel=nofollow}). + +One nice thing about buying a drive for backing up your data is that you don't need to worry about drive speed. Even a slow 5400 rpm drive is fine. These slower drives are cheaper, and since the backup software runs in the background, you probably won't notice the slower speed. + +Get the largest backup drive you can afford. Incremental backups—which is how all good backup software works—save disk space by backing up only the files that have changed since the last backup. But even so, you need a larger drive for backups than whatever is in your PC. A good rule of thumb is to get a backup drive that's two, or even three, times the size of the drive in your computer. + +####Set It and Forget It + +A good backup system runs without you needing to do a thing. If you have to make a backup, you probably won't. These days there is software that can automate all of your backup tasks. + +Mac users should use Time Machine. It's a wonderfully simple piece of software and possibly the best reason to buy a Mac. Apple has [good instructions](https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201250) on how to set up Time Machine so it will make daily backups to your external hard drive. Time Machine is smart too, it will only backup files that have changed so it won't eat up all your disk space. + +Windows 10 ships with what Microsoft calls "Backup," but it lacks the interface polish of Time Machine and it really doesn't seem intended for daily backups. While many of the features of Time Machine are in Backup, figuring them out isn't for the faint of heart. To get a Time Machine-level of simplicity in Windows you'll need to turn to third-party software. I've had good luck with [Macrium Reflect](https://www.macrium.com/reflectfree){: rel=nofollow}, which has a free option that does most of what you need. + +### Offsite Backups: All-in-One + +The second backup I suggest is off site. In "the cloud" as marketing departments call it. The cloud is just a handy phrase for saying, "someone else's computer." In this case I mean a server in a data center far from your home. This is backup that covers that awful scenario of physical destruction. For example, I once lost a laptop to a lightning strike (yes I had a surge protector, it pretty much liquefied), but since my data was backed up to the cloud, I was able to get everything back. + +What you don't want is something like Dropbox, Google Drive, or Sync.com. Those are all great ways to share and sync documents, but they aren't good for backups. When you change a file on your computer, those changes are then synced to Dropbox. Which means if a file becomes corrupted, the corruption is then sent to Dropbox and cascades through all your backups. That's not what you want. A good backup never changes, you copy the file and then it's never touched again. + +Fortunately there are plenty of cloud backup solutions available. Some are all-in-one, you sign up, download the service's app, and you're done. This is what we suggest for newcomers. + +After testing a dozen backup services like this, I found Backblaze to offer the best combination of features, price, and reliability. For $60/year you can get unlimited storage for one machine. If you don't want to pay the $60 up front you can pay $6/month. Backblaze works on both Windows and macOS, and the default settings will do a good job of backing up your data. + +Backblaze retains each version of your file for 30-days, though you can up that if you pay a little more. + +Other options include iDrive, which offers 5-terabytes of storage at $52 for the first year, $70/year after that. The iDrive software isn't quite as simple as Backblaze, but it offers additional features—like keeping deleted files indefinitely—that more advanced users might like. Another option I tested is Acronis True Image, which is not as cheap, and Windows-only, but does a great job of automating your backups on Windows. + +### Offsite Backups: Separate App and Storage Provider + +A second way you can backup to the cloud is using an app that connects to multiple online storage services. + +This requires a little extra effort up front, but this method makes it easy to back up your data at multiple online services from a single app. In fact, our top pick, Duplicati can handle everything from an external hard drive to cloud services like Amazon's AWS. + +This is why for more advanced users I recommend [Duplicati](https://www.duplicati.com/). Duplicati is a free, open source backup tool that connects to just about every cloud-based backup service around. + +Duplicati uses a web-based interface (running locally on your computer) and offers very fine-grained control over your backups. You can set backups to run however you'd like, from yearly to hourly, and you can tell Duplicati to back up or ignore any folder, or even file you want. + +To get started click "add backup" and Duplicati will take you through the process of setting up an account at cloud storage provider, and entering your login credentials. Then you pick which files you want to back up. One word of caution about something that bit me once in my testing: when Duplicati can't find a file—for example, if you're having it back up data that's on an external drive you sometimes don't plug in—it will halt the entire backup until that drive is available. You can change this behavior in the settings, but by default this is how it works. + +If Duplicati isn't quite what you want, another option is [MSP360](https://www.msp360.com/backup/desktop.aspx){: rel=nofollow} (formerly Cloudberry). It costs $30, though there is a free version with limited features. MSP360 worked well in my testing, but I did not find anything about it that convinced me it was better than Duplicati. Another possibility is [Arq](https://cloud.arqbackup.com/purchase){: rel=nofollow}, which will set you back $80. Again, Arq worked well in my testing—in fact, I used Arq to make backups for years and never had any problems with it—but it's hard to justify the price when Duplicati is free. + +### Final Thoughts and Suggestions + +One important caveat is that no backup system can be trusted until you actually restore from it. It sounds silly, but I strongly suggest you practice restoring your data *before* you actually need to. If there are any problems in your system, you want to find them before disaster strikes. + +The final thing to consider when putting together your backup system is what you want to back up. For most of us that's a mix of personal data—photos of the kids, videos, important documents—as well as less personal things like downloaded media, and all the system files that keep our PCs running the way we want them. + +There are other folders worth considering though, depending on your habits. For example, I never used to backup my Downloads folder because I'm probably going to move downloaded files somewhere else. However, I don't always move them very quickly, so I added Downloads to my backup system to make sure nothing slips through the cracks. + +That's really the most important part of making backups -- to make sure you have a system that works the way you do. For that reason I suggest experimenting with several of the options above until you find what works for you. With hard drives and online storage space so cheap these days there's really no excuse not to have at least two backups of your data. diff --git a/wired/best-fire-tablets.txt b/wired/best-fire-tablets.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..62c7082 --- /dev/null +++ b/wired/best-fire-tablets.txt @@ -0,0 +1,91 @@ +Amazon's Fire tablets are some of the only high-profile, affordable tablets around. Their prices seem too good to be true—and in some ways, they are—but Fire tablets are also completely functional, reasonably capable devices. To help you decide if one of these slates is right for you, we reviewed every model. These are our unfiltered recommendations. + +Be sure to check out our many other [buying guides](https://www.wired.com/tag/buying-guides/), including the [best tablets](https://www.wired.com/gallery/the-best-tablets/) and [best Alexa speakers](https://www.wired.com/story/best-amazon-echo/). + +*Updated in July 2020: We've added our impressions of the new 8-inch Fire HD, Fire HD Plus, and Kid's Edition tablets.* + +*If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. This helps support our journalism. [Learn more](https://www.wired.com/2015/11/affiliate-link-policy/). Please also consider [subscribing to WIRED](https://subscribe.wired.com/subscribe/splits/wired/WIR_SELF?source=HCL_WIR_EDIT_HARDCODED_0_COMMERCE_AFFILIATE_ZZ).* + +###The Best Fire Tablet + +**[Fire HD 10 (2019)](https://www.amazon.com/Fire-HD-10/dp/B07K1RZWMC/){: rel=nofollow}** + + +[#image: /photos/5df938b291848b0008e657ba]|||||| + + +The Fire HD 10 is the speediest and most well-rounded Amazon tablet. Amazon refreshed the Fire HD 10 in late 2019 with a slight processor bump and 2-gigabytes of RAM. The bigger news was the addition of a USB-C charging port, which has since spread to the Fire HD 8 models as well. Most Android phones and several laptops use USB-C for charging, so having it on this tablet means one less cable to carry around. + +The Fire HD 10 has a larger screen with more pixels (1080p) than its siblings, making it better for watching videos. And, like the Fire HD 8, you can shout commands at Alexa from across the room. To use Show Mode, as this is known, just swipe down on the notification overlay and check the Show Mode box. After that you can set your HD 10 on a stand (we like the [official magnetic standing case](https://www.amazon.com/Amazon-Fire-HD-10-Tablet-Case/dp/B07RS8J6QP/){: rel=nofollow}) and it essentially becomes an Echo Show. + +You can choose between a 32 GB model and a 64 GB model (with a MicroSD slot if you need more space). Whichever you choose Amazon will serve up advertisements on the lock screen. To get rid of that you'll need to spend $15 more for the version without "special offers." + +__[The Fire HD 10 costs $150 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/Fire-HD-10/dp/B07K1RZWMC/){: rel=nofollow}__ + +###The Best Value Fire + +**[Fire HD 8 (2020)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0794RHPZD/?tag=w050b-20){: rel=nofollow}** + +[#image: /photos/5bc0e70e6278de2d21234897]|||||| + +The newly refreshed 2020 version of the Fire HD 8 ([7/10 WIRED Review]()) is quite possibly one of the best values around. The travel-friendly size, combined with a processor upgrade and a [Plus model $110](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0839NDRB2/?tag=w050b-20) with 3-gigabytes of RAM and wireless charging, make the new Fire HD 8 very nearly as capable as its larger sibling. + +It’s portable enough to take with you anywhere, and its screen won’t torture your eyes when you watch Netflix. That said, the screen is not quite as nice as the larger Fire HD 10, which boasts a higher pixel density. + +Still, the HD 8 has most of the benefits of the larger Fire HD 10, including hands-free Alexa, stereo sound, and near 12-hour battery life. I recommend picking up [Amazon’s magnetic stand-up case](https://www.amazon.com/All-New-Amazon-Fire-HD-8-Cover/dp/B07Y91D1V6/?tag=w050b-20) if you plan on watching movies or TV, or, if you opt for the Plus model, the [Wireless Charging Dock](https://www.amazon.com/Made-Amazon-Wireless-Charging-compatible/dp/B085RVS6FV/?tag=w050b-20){: rel=nofollow} turns your tablet into an Echo Show. + +__[The Fire HD 8 costs $80 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0794RHPZD/?tag=w050b-20){: rel=nofollow}__ + +###The Best Fire Tablet For Kids + +**[Fire HD 8 Kids Edition (2020)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07WDDT3G5/){: rel=nofollow}** + +[#image: /photos/5bd397cdc09dee5cbd062e90]|||||| + +Amazon offers kid-friendly versions of all its Fire tablets. We think the HD 8 is the best device for most kids. It has a larger, sharper HD screen, Dolby stereo sound, and dual speakers compared to the [Fire 7 ($100)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07H8WS1FT/). But the [Fire HD 10 ($200)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KD7K4B1/) (which also has all those features) is *really* big in kid hands, especially with the Kids Edition case around it, so it's better suited for older kids. + +The Kids Edition versions are exactly the same as the regular Fire tablets, except they come with the rugged case and a two-year worry-free guarantee, which means Amazon will replace the tablet for free if your kids break it. It also comes with one year of FreeTime Unlimited, offering access to kid-friendly movies, books, games, and apps. It costs $3 per month after the first year. + +__[The Fire HD 8 Kids Edition costs $140 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07WDDT3G5/){: rel=nofollow}__ + +###Avoid the Fire 7 + +The Fire 7 is Amazon’s cheapest tablet, and it has a tantalizingly low price. But if you're making more demands on your Fire tablet than a 3-year-old who loves *[Carl the Super Truck](https://www.amazon.com/Super-Truck-Carl-the-Transformer/dp/B07QJTGMRS){: rel=nofollow}*, you should probably cough up a little extra and buy an HD 8. Like we said in our [Fire 7 review](https://www.wired.com/2017/10/review-amazon-fire-7-2017/), the 7-inch screen will feel somewhat cramped and its screen resolution is noticeably pixelated. You won’t love the mono speaker, which is easily blocked by a single finger. Its battery also lags behind the other two tablets, and the 8 GB of internal storage is pitifully small, mandating a [MicroSD card](https://www.amazon.com/Sandisk-Ultra-Micro-UHS-I-Adapter/dp/B073JYVKNX/){: rel=nofollow} from the get go. + +###Amazon Sells Older Fire Tablets. Don’t Buy Them + +Only buy one of the "9th Generation" or "10th Generation" Fire tablets. We suggest sticking to the tablets we talk about in this article ([also listed here](https://www.amazon.com/Amazon-Fire-Tablet-Family/b/?node=6669703011)). + +If you're on a tight budget, the 2017 Fire HD 10 is often available refurbished for considerably less than the new one. The downside with it and other, older model Fire tablets is that they may not get software updates for a long as the current generation will. You'll also miss out on the faster processor and more RAM in the newer model (and the USB-C). + +It’s a pain, but if you're buying an old device you should also cross reference the latest update available for the tablet you’re going to buy ([find it on this sheet](https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=200529680){: rel=nofollow}) with the [latest version of Fire OS](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fire_OS) to see how up-to-date your software will be. + +###What’s WIRED About All Fire Tablets + +**A Faucet for Amazon Content:** If you subscribe to Amazon’s Prime service, you can listen to all the included music, movies, TV, and books while also shopping for all the items you can get with its free two-day shipping or browsing your free Amazon photo storage. You can do most of the same things from an Android tablet or iPad, but the Fire OS interface is crafted specifically to deliver Amazon goods, with swipeable pages for each type of media Amazon sells. + +**Built ‘Good Enough’:** Physically, Amazon’s Fire tablets are made of cheap-ish plastic, but they’re designed with enough care that the build quality won’t bother you too much. The Kids Editions are also some of the best-quality tablets for kids, encased in a rugged bumper, and all have MicroSD slots so you can add extra storage. (We recommend this [128 GB MicroSD card](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073JYC4XM/){: rel=nofollow}.) + +**Cheap:** Did we mention the price? They all cost $150 or less, which is a price that would have legitimately shocked you a few years ago. They offer high value for the price. You can also get them with Amazon lock-screen ads, which will lower your price by $15. + +###What’s TIRED About All Fire Tablets + +**Non-Amazon Content is Lacking:** The greatest strength of these tablets is also their greatest weakness. If you aren’t an Amazon Prime subscriber and don't plan to get your video, audio, or books from Amazon, the Fire tablet line is far less compelling. They do have Alexa, so that could be a plus, but again, that’s tied deeply into Amazon’s content library. + +You can download third-party apps like Netflix on Amazon’s Appstore, but the selection is *far* more limited than the apps available on [Apple's iPad](https://www.wired.com/2017/05/review-apple-ipad-2017/) or the Google Play Store on standard Android tablets. Tech-savvy users have found ways to add the Google Play Store or sideload apps, but these devices are built to serve up Amazon's library first and foremost. + +**Old Tech:** The tech inside these tablets is old. They all run on processors that would have impressed 4+ years ago but show their age today with small fits of lag and a general lack of power. Since many of the apps are built with weak processing power in mind, you don’t notice it too much. The operating system is also dated (depending on which Fire tablet you're buying), which could hide some of the weaknesses. Amazon’s latest Fire OS is a modified version of Android 9 Pie, which came out in 2018. Amazon keeps updating its tablets to some degree, but not nearly as often as it should. + +**Short Warranties:** Only the Fire HD 10 comes with a full one-year warranty. Oddly, the smaller devices come with 90-day warranties. + +**Special Offers:** In the last year, Amazon's Special Offers lockscreen ads have gotten more overt. We recommend you pay the extra $15 to buy a Fire tablet without them. + +*** +### More Great WIRED Stories +* How masks went from [don’t-wear to must-have](https://www.wired.com/story/how-masks-went-from-dont-wear-to-must-have/?itm_campaign=BottomRelatedStories_Sections_1&itm_content=footer-recirc) +* Poker and the [psychology of uncertainty](https://www.wired.com/story/poker-psychology-uncertainty/?itm_campaign=BottomRelatedStories_Sections_1&itm_content=footer-recirc) +* An infrastructure arms race is [fueling the future of gaming](https://www.wired.com/story/cloud-gaming-infrastructure-arms-race/?itm_campaign=BottomRelatedStories_Sections_1&itm_content=footer-recirc) +* How to get Safari's privacy features [in Chrome and Firefox](https://www.wired.com/story/get-safari-new-privacy-features-chrome-firefox/?itm_campaign=BottomRelatedStories_Sections_1&itm_content=footer-recirc) +* Everything you need to [work from home like a pro](https://www.wired.com/story/work-from-home-home-office-gear-guide/?itm_campaign=BottomRelatedStories_Sections_1&itm_content=footer-recirc) +* 👁 The therapist is in—[and it's a chatbot app](https://www.wired.com/story/therapist-in-chatbot-app/?itm_campaign=BottomRelatedStories_Sections_1&itm_content=footer-recirc). Plus: [Get the latest AI news](https://www.wired.com/category/business/artificial-intelligence/?itm_campaign=BottomRelatedStories_Sections_1&itm_content=footer-recirc) +* 🏃🏽♀️ Want the best tools to get healthy? Check out our Gear team’s picks for the [best fitness trackers](https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-fitness-tracker/?itm_campaign=BottomRelatedStories&itm_content=footer-recirc), [running gear](https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-running-gear/?itm_campaign=BottomRelatedStories&itm_content=footer-recirc) (including [shoes](https://wired.com/gallery/best-trail-running-shoes-round-up/?itm_campaign=BottomRelatedStories&itm_content=footer-recirc) and [socks](https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-running-socks/?itm_campaign=BottomRelatedStories&itm_content=footer-recirc)), and [best headphones](https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-headphones-under-100/?itm_campaign=BottomRelatedStories&itm_content=footer-recirc) diff --git a/wired/chromebooks.txt b/wired/chromebooks.txt index e6da4e1..66d9e02 100644 --- a/wired/chromebooks.txt +++ b/wired/chromebooks.txt @@ -1,6 +1,57 @@ -If you work primarily in a web browser, use Google apps, and don't need all the rest of the *stuff* that comes with macOS or Windows, Google's ChromeOS offers a sleek, all-you-need, nothing-you-don't computing experience. Throw in the ability to run both Android and Linux apps and you have a perhaps slight eccentric, but potentially very powerful, not very expensive laptop. +If you spend all day in a web browser, use Google apps, and don't need all the rest of the *stuff* that comes with macOS or Windows, Google's ChromeOS offers a sleek, all-you-need, nothing-you-don't computing experience. Throw in the ability to run both Android and Linux apps and you just might be able to replace your old laptop with a Chromebook. -Chromebooks have a reputation as cheap, low-end devices. While they can be that, and offer an exceptional bargain in many cases, that's not the end of the story. Just because you strip away the software fluff doesn't mean you have to strip away the hardware power as well. There are high-end Chromebooks that are very powerful, capable machines. +Chromebooks have a reputation as cheap, low-end devices. And, while they can be that—offering an exceptional bargain in many cases—that's not the end of the story. Just because you strip away the software fluff doesn't mean you have to strip away the hardware power as well. There are high-end Chromebooks that are very powerful, capable machines. -No matter which Chromebook you choose, in many ways you get the best of all world, lightweight software, but with all the essentials to cover a web-based workflow. +No matter which Chromebook you choose, in many ways you get the best of all worlds, good hardware, lightweight software, and everything you need for a web-based work flow. +Be sure to also read through our guides to the [best cheap laptops](https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-cheap-laptops/), [best laptops](https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-laptops/), and [best Mac laptops](https://www.wired.com/story/which-macbook-should-you-buy/). + +### Best Overall + +Asus Chromebook Flip C434 + +Out of all the Chromebooks I've tested, the Asus Chromebook Flip C434 strikes the best balance between price, power, and features. The C434's 2-in-1 design easily moves between laptop mode for work, stand mode, which is great for watching YouTube, and tablet mode for browsing the web on the couch. The 14-inch 1080p display is plenty bright and sharp, giving you somewhat of a rarity in Chromebooks—a nice screen and impressive all-day battery life (nearly 11 hours in my testing). The m3 chip in the base model isn't the most powerful, but I didn't notice any stuttering or slow downs until I deliberately started pushing it with 25 or more tabs open. That said, upgrading to the i3 chip ($800) will buy you some power, as well as double the RAM and hard drive space, both of which are nice to have. + + + +### Best High End Chromebook + +Samsung's Galaxy Chromebook ([8/10 WIRED Recommends](https://www.wired.com/review/samsung-galaxy-chromebook/){: rel=nofollow}) is one of the nicest laptops on the market. The solid, lightweight aluminum body has a build quality that surpasses most of the Windows laptops I've tested. The screen is the nicest of any Chromebook on the market and the fanless chip design is totally silent and won't burn your lap. The Galaxy also offers a well-designed, elegant user experience with attention to detail that you won't find in other Chromebooks. My favorite example of this is when you pull out the included stylus; Google Keep automatically opens, ready for you to take notes. The only real drawback to this machine is the price: if you want the best, you'll have to pay for it. + +### Best Tablet Hybrid + +The Lenovo Duet is my favorite Chromebook. It's lightweight, affordable, and fun. It may not be the best choice as your only device though—the keyboard is nice, but it is small. Overall the Duet is slightly smaller than the entry-level iPad, with a 10-inch screen and a detachable keyboard and back cover. It's comfortable to hold, and it's a good size for reading in bed, but Chrome OS is still rough around the edges on a tablet. For instance there's no easy way to turn off automatic screen rotation. The other main issue is the lack of headphone jack. You can get a USB-C to headphone adapter (not included), but then you can't use headphones and charge it at the same time. Still, as a second device, or for school-age children the Duet is a lot of fun for not a lot of money. +. + +### Best Google Chromebook + +Google Pixelbook Go + +### Best Budget 2-in-1 Chromebook + +If you want a 2-in-1 style Chromebook, but don't want to spring for our top pick, this HP option offers most of the same features at half the price. You won't get as nice of a screen, and battery life is more like 8 hours—enough for a day's work—but overall you still get a great Chromebook experience. Laptops, stand, and tablet modes all work together to give you more versatility than a traditional design. Make sure you pay careful attention to which model X360 you buy though. There is a less powerful version with a n4000 chip and lower quality screen. Stick with the n5000-based model we've linked to, which gets you the nicer 1080p screen. + +'s important to note-- as I've just found out-- that there are more than 1 model of the x360 14b. This one is the one with the n4000, whereas Costco is currently carrying the n5000 one with the higher resolution of 1080x1920, and that's the model I'm waiting on. + +### Best for High School/College + +Samsung's Chromebook Plus V2 isn't the cheapest, but if you want a premium Chromebook build, without the premium price, this one offers some nice extras like a built-in stylus and a front-facing camera. + +It's plenty portable at 2.9 pounds and it has a microSD slot which is handy for storing documents when WiFi is spotty. The aluminum frame gives Samsung's Plus a sturdy feel, though it is missing a few things we would like to see at this price point, namely a backlit keyboard and better battery life, I was only able to coax about six hours out of this one. + + +### Best Budget Option + +Dell seems to be phasing out this 11-inch bare-bones Chromebook, but it's a great buy if you're on a budget, and ChromeOS will continue to get updates until . The build quality isn't the best, it's plastic, but the keyboard is surprisingly nice and battery life is good (just shy of 11 hours in my testing). + +This one is also good for school-age kids as its splash-proof and impact-resistant. + + +### Best Big Chromebook + +The Acer Chromebook 15 is perhaps most notable for its battery life. I've run our video drain test several times and every time I've exceeded Acer's claim of 12 hours (I got 12.5 hours), which is nothing short of amazing. With a Pentium N4200 chip it's powerful enough for most ChromeOS tasks, though it would be nice to have more RAM. As with many laptops in the budget range, the main drawback is the screen, which is not the sharpest. The trackpad is also mushy and inconsistent. + + +### Best Budget School Chromebook + +Dell Inspiron 11 Chromebook diff --git a/wired/dell-xps-15-review.txt b/wired/dell-xps-15-review.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..5d46bfb --- /dev/null +++ b/wired/dell-xps-15-review.txt @@ -0,0 +1,37 @@ +In these uncertain times it's tougher than usual to justify spending as much as a fully-loaded Dell XPS 15 costs, but boy, the screen is gorgeous and the power under it will crunch through whatever you throw at it—video encoding, software compiling, or gaming. + +It is, in short, a powerhouse machine. It's the Window's world equivalent of the 15-inch MacBook Pro, and as such, if you prefer to skip the future drama surrounding Apple's chip migration, and just want a big, powerful laptop today, the Dell XPS 15 delivers. + +### + +Like its smaller sibling, the 2020 Dell XPS 13 ([9/10 WIRED Recommends](https://www.wired.com/review/dell-xps-13-2020/)), the 2020 refresh for the 15-inch XPS shrinks the screen bezels to give you even more real estate (the screen becomes 16:10 instead of 16:9 in previous models). The result, as least for the tk x tk 4K screen in my test machine is, as noted above, gorgeous. Colors are excellent, and brightness is, if anything, too much, I rarely pushed it beyond 80 percent, and never had any trouble seeing the screen even in bright sunlight. + +As I mentioned in the review of the 13-inch XPS, on paper the larger screen sounds negligible, but in everyday use it's really nice to have, especially when editing photos, videos, or playing games. + +Under the hood Dell has a variety of configurations available. There's the base model, which gets you a 10th Gen Core i5, 8-gigabytes of RAM, and integrated graphics. This model is $1300, but it lacks the 4K display and has a relatively paltry 256-gigabyte hard drive. + +If you bump the processor to an i7, add a discrete video card (Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 Ti), the 3840 x 2400 4K touch display, and 16-gigabytes of RAM, you'll be looking at $2200. That's on par, both on specs and price, with Apple's 16-inch Macbook. + +The model I tested had 16-gigabytes of RAM and 512-gigabytes hard drive and goes for $2350. + +Like the MacBook Pro, there's also an option to go with an Intel i9 processor, which puts the price up to $2800, but includes a larger 1-terabyte hard drive and the 32-gigabytes of RAM. + +If you're a developer compiling software, or looking for a mobile video editing station, you'll want to stick with the mid to higher end configurations. + +This latest model features a new trackpad, which is, frankly, giant. But it comes in handy for moving quickly around the huge screen. + +Battery life on the XPS 15 is a very mixed bag. Overall it's not as good as the XPS 13. In everyday use I usually managed to get around 9 hours out of it, but when I looped an HD video it barely managed to hit the 8 hour mark, 8:03 to be exact. That's certainly enough to edit video at the coffee shop for a few hours, but if you're doing anything processor intensive with this thing you're going to want the power cord handy. It's also probably worth noting that the power cord is larger and heavier than what you get with the XPS 13. + +Like the smaller model there are three USB-C ports, any of which can deliver power. The two USB ports on the left side have Thunderbolt 3 support. There's also an SD card reader and (thankfully) a headphone jack. Dell helpfully includes small dongle for your older, USB-A devices, and a USB-C to HDMI cable as well. + +Dell packs all of this into a slim aluminum chassis with carbon-fiber palm rests, and a Gorilla Glass screen. The result is surprisingly small for a 15-inch laptop (it's just 13.5 inches by 9 inches) thanks to those incredibly thin bezels. It's small, but it is on the heavy side. + +### What's Not to Like + +As much as I like the 15-inch screen and optional discrete graphics, there are some trade offs witht he XPS 15 compared to the XPS 13. The biggest issue in my view is the added weight: the XPS 15 feels heavy (it weighs 4-4.5 pounds, depending on the configuration). Where the 13-inch model feels trim and light in a bag, the XPS 15 feels like a lead brick on my shoulders. It's not unbearable by any means, but if you prize portability, go with the XPS 13. + +My other problem with the XPS 15 is that it can be loud, or at least what passes for loud in laptops these days. All that power has thermal discharge after all, and you have to get that heat out somehow, which means the XPS 15 spins up its fan fairly regularly and when it does it's not especially quiet. The good news is that this was mainly an issue when I exported large 4K video clips. + +### Developer-Friendly + +If you're a developer, you want your $3000 laptop to do everything. So even if Apple has moved to ARM, your software probably still need to run on X86 chips as well. Apple's plan to emulating the full X86 stack on ARM... well, I wish them luck with that, but I wouldn't want to be the guinea pig spending $3000 to see if it actually works. Especially when the XPS 15 is already here and won't be jump chip ships any time soon. diff --git a/wired/fire-8-2020.txt b/wired/fire-8-2020.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..e233587 --- /dev/null +++ b/wired/fire-8-2020.txt @@ -0,0 +1,41 @@ +I will confess, despite having some [serious](https://www.wired.com/story/coronavirus-amazon-warehouse-workers-risks-few-options/) [reservations](https://www.wired.com/story/amazon-gating-private-labels-antitrust/) [about the company](https://www.wired.com/story/protests-renew-scrutiny-tech-ties-law-enforcement/) [behind them](https://www.wired.com/story/meet-the-immigrants-who-took-on-amazon/), I am a fan of Amazon's cheap, no-frills Fire tablets. + +Sure, they're hamstrung by Amazon's limited App Store offerings, the slow Silk web browser, and they push Amazon content like an aggressive street pimp, but these days Amazon's tablets are both affordable and surprisingly powerful for a sub-$100 device. + +The iPad, even the entry-level model, can still run circles around the Fire 8 HD, but you can also buy four Fire 8 HD tablets for the price of one iPad. And after living with the Fire HD for several weeks now, the question I keep asking myself is, do you really need more power in a tablet? For many people—perhaps even most people—I think the answer is no. + +### New Power Generation + +The Fire HD 8 and HD 8+ have a significantly revamped form factor. If you own an earlier model none of the cases or keyboards you might have will work with the new models. That's disappointing if, like me, you've got several accessories, but I can live with it because the new form factor is much better. + +The slightly more square shape of the latest Fire 8 HD makes it easier to hold, and, to my mind, provides a better reading experience, both vertically with the Kindle app, and horizontally when browsing the web. The front camera has moved from the top of the device to the side, making landscape orientation the default for video chatting. The new camera position also makes it much easier to use your Fire 8 HD as if it were an Echo Show. + +Under the hood the 2020 Fire HD 8 has an extra half gig of RAM, bringing the total to two-gigabytes. The Plus model adds another gigabyte on top of that, and can charge wirelessly (wireless charging station bundle ups the price to $140). The base storage option has been bumped to 32-gigabytes with a 64-gigabyte model also available. As with previous models there is an SD-card slot to expand your disk storage capacity up to one terabyte. + +The final bit of hardware good news is that, like last year's Fire 10 HD update, both models of the Fire 8 HD offer USB-C charging ports. + +Amazon claims that battery life is up to 12 hours, that's a full two hours more than the previous model. In real world use, which is to say, browsing the web, reading some books, watching videos, and playing games, I found I could get about nine hours without making any effort. Dimming the screen a little, killing Bluetooth, and cutting back on Mario Kart managed to bring battery life to eleven hours. + +That's the good news. What hasn't changed much is the viewing experience. The screen retains the same 1200 x 800 resolution LCD, which looks, well, okay. Pixelation is visible, but not too bad. Still given the emphasis on consuming Prime Video or the new Game Mode, it would be nice to see a slightly higher resolution display. The display's glossy finish, in addition to attracting fingerprints like nothing else I've ever used, makes the Fire 8 HD nearly unusable outdoors. That's no change from previous versions, but worth noting. + +### + +The Fire tablets' weak point remains the software. FireOS, Amazon's heavily-modified version of the Android operating system is really an OS-based version of Amazon's website. Fire tablets are designed to sell Amazon content, and FireOS is the means of selling that content. And it never stops selling. Never. + +There is no Google Play Store here, so if you aren't heavily invested in the Amazon ecosystem, particularly Prime offerings, Fire tablets of any stripe will feel limiting. There are ways around this, more on this below, but as they ship it's all-Amazon, all-the-time. + +There are good things in the Amazon ecosystem. Freetime, for example, is one of the better tools for regulating what your kids can access on a tablet. And of course the Prime Video, Amazon Music, and Kindle Unlimited services offer just about all the movies, music, and books you could want. + +If they don't, Amazon's App Store has most of the apps you might want, including everything from Netflix and Disney+, to Zoom, Spotify, and other popular Android offerings. + +The overall interface of FireOS has not changed much, though there is a nice new feature called Game Mode, which temporarily turns off all notifications and interruptions so you can play in peace. It's on by default, so if you want to play some games, but still get your important messages you'll need to disable Game Mode in the FireOS settings. + +One thing that gets remarkably little attention is that however heavily customized FireOS may be, at its core it is still the Android operating system. This has led a community of clever developers to figure out how to hack the FireOS and install things like the Google Play Store or even a whole new OS. The latter is not possible yet on these latest models, but it's pretty easy to at least get the Google Play Store installed. There are only four files to download and install. Be forewarned you're on your own if anything breaks, but I had no issues following [these instructions](https://liliputing.com/2020/06/how-to-install-google-play-on-the-amazon-fire-hd-8-2020.html) (worst case scenario you can always reset your Fire HD 8 to its factory defaults). This is how, for example, I was able to install Mario Kart. + +TK kid's stuff here. + +### + +If you're looking for [a tablet to replace your laptop](https://www.wired.com/gallery/the-best-ipad/), this is not it. If your tablet use is considerably lighter, think browsing the web with your morning coffee, watching Netflix on the couch, and yelling at Alexa from across the room, the Fire HD 8 is one of the best buys on the market. It's not perfect, but it's as close as you're going to get for under $100. + +Also keep in mind that, come Prime Day (whenever that happens) these will likely be available for prices in the $50-$60, which is quite frankly, a steal. The real question comes down to, should you spring for the Plus model with it's extra RAM. Most people won't notice it, but you want a more future-proof device, or plan to use it for gaming the extra $20 for a gigabyte more RAM isn't a bad deal. diff --git a/wired/fuji-xt4-review.txt b/wired/fuji-xt4-review.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d3dd964 --- /dev/null +++ b/wired/fuji-xt4-review.txt @@ -0,0 +1,61 @@ +Whether you love them or hate them, Fujifilm's APS-C-based mirrorless cameras enable you to produce images you would not get from any other camera. To my mind this, more than sensor size, auto focus speed, or any other feature, is a mark of a great camera, which is why I'm always excited when Fujifilm turns out a new model. + +Fujifilm's latest effort is the X-T4, an update to its flagship APS-C mirrorless camera. + +The X-T4 is the DSLR to the X-Pro's range finder. While the internals of them are generally in sync—the X-T4 leads with the new features though—the design, styling, and experience of using them could not be more different. + +While shooting with X-Pro3 ([WIRED Recommends](https://www.wired.com/review/fujifilm-x-pro3-digital-camera/)) harkens back to the era of film, the X-T4 feels like something from the future. + +### What's New + +The X-T4 is solidly built, with an all-metal design that retains all the mechanical controls you'd expect from Fujifilm. The film-era body design is wrapped around an impressive new shutter mechanism, in-body image stabilization, and a fully articulated rear touchscreen that can be turned around so it won't get scratched in your bag. + +The first thing Fujifilm fans will notice about the X-T4 is the new shutter mechanism. It's improved damping has produced a satisfyingly slight shutter snap, even in mechanical mode. It's quieter than the "silent" mode on other cameras I've used. The real news though is the improved burst shooting rate—15 frames per second with AF. That's with the mechanical shutter, if you wish to use the electronic shutter you can go up to 20 fps (matching the X-T3). + +What's just as impressive as the actual frames per second is the speed at which the X-T4 can clear its buffer. There are cameras out there with larger buffers, but once the X-T4 buffer is full, it clears in less than two seconds, which means there's almost no lag in shooting. Sport and portrait photographers, this is a camera worth checking out. + +The new in-body image stabilization (IBIS) is another welcome addition, especially because Fujifilm has previously suggested this wouldn't be feasible. Apparently the engineers figured out a way to do it. Combined with a stabilized lens Fujifilm is claiming a 6.5EV correction. In practice, between the IBIS, stabilized lens, and high ISO options, I did not encounter any low-light situations I couldn't hand-hold. + +Speaking of low light, shooting indoors to test the new IBIS also led me to notice my favorite thing about the X-T4: the amazing dynamic range. The range of tones I got, even in JPGs was frankly astounding. Even in harshly lit night scenes the highlight roll off is incredibly smooth. Now, the X-T4 might not top actual dynamic range charts, but in practice I'm impressed. I have shot with nearly every full-frame and APS-C mirrorless on the market this year (except the Sony A7R IV and Canon R6) and none of them matched the dynamic range that I was able to get from the X-T4. + +It's also worth noting that the auto-focus algorithm has been improved to consider shapes and colors as well. The results, at least in still photos, are excellent, especially in low light where the X-T4 is very accurate. Interestingly, the autofocus system is actually the same as the X-T3, which means Fujifilm could theoretically bring the new algorithm to the X-T3 in a firmware update. + +As with all major new cameras from Fujifilm, the XT-4 introduces a new Film Simulation mode, this time around its 'Eterna Bleach Bypass', which is a color effect designed to mimic the Eterna film color profile when processed with a bleach bypass. It's definitely one of the more heavy-handed film simulation modes Fujifilm has released. The effect produces images with very low saturation and contrast. + +The X-T4 also gets all the updated tone controls Fujifilm introduced with the recent X-Pro3, including a new feature that allows half-step adjustments in highlights and shadows. It can be time consuming to set up, but once I dialed in presets the way I wanted them, I never felt the need to do any post-processing on my images. + +Normally the straight-out-of-camera images are JPEGs, and they still are, but the X-T4 introduces an new option to output 8 or 16-bit TIFF files using the in-camera RAW conversion software. It's an interesting way to get an image that's got Fujifilms RAW processing—so it matches the film simulation, which some software struggles to do, but it isn't a compressed JPEG. Be forewarned that the resulting 16-bit TIFFs are huge, about 3X the size of the RAW file. + +The X-T series cameras have always gobbled up batteries, to the point that it's safe to say battery life had no where to go but up. The good news is up it went. I went multiple days shooting still images without needing to switch batteries. Even shooting 4K video I managed to get about two hours out of a single battery. + +### Video + +Most of the improvements to the X-T4 feel aimed at the hybrid still and video shooter. I would not hesitate to say this is the best camera on the market right now for anyone who frequently switches between still and video capture. + +There are several small, but incredibly useful changes that make it much easier to switch shooting modes. The first is the lower collar of the shutter speed dial, which is now a convenient and fast way to switch between photo and video modes. + +This dial also highlights an interesting change in Fujifilm's menu settings. When you are in photo mode and you head into settings, you'll only see still-image related settings. Switch the video mode an you'll only see settings for video. It's a nice separation—very similar to the menus of the [Leica SL2](https://www.wired.com/review/leica-sl2/)—that makes it super simple to switch back and forth with a completely different set of settings for each. + +The big video difference over the X-T3 is the new 240 fps full HD video capture, giving your 10X slow motion footage. This does incur a roughly 1.3X crop, but Fujifilm has helpfully included a setting to apply that crop to all video modes. This means you can shoot slow motion footage, switch the 4K and keep shooting without worrying about having to reframe the scene or change lenses. The camera will automatically crop the footage so you can move seamlessly between video modes. + +Another nice upgrade for video shooters is the ability to record video redundantly to both SD cards at once. I should not that the headphone jack is gone, you'll need a USB-C to headphone adapter (included). + +One thing that bothered me for a camera that's otherwise so great for video is that autofocus sometimes hunts when shooting. It would frequently lose my subject when both I and the subject were moving. When it works the X-T4 shoots wonderfully cinematic footage, but depending on the scene the autofocus could be a problem. + +The other thing that bugged me is the grip: it's still too small. It's actually slightly bigger, thanks in part I assume to the larger battery. Still, it's woefully undersized for a body of this size. It was most annoying when shooting in portrait-orientation where I actually worried I might drop it holding it one-handed. Put it this way, the body is heavier than my Sony A7II, but the grip is a fraction of what you get on the Sony. + +Of course how troublesome this is will depend a little on the size of your hands, I have longer fingers so perhaps it bothered me more than it would some, but frankly the X-T4 grip looks small even in my five-year-old's hands. + +### Is It Worth It? + +The X-T4 body is $1699, which is $200 more than the original list price of the X-T3. You can also get a kit with the 18-55mm F2.8-4.0 OIS lens, which is what Fujifilm sent me, for $2099. + +That's a good bit of money for an APS-C sensor. For comparison the Sony A7RIII, a full frame camera, is regularly on sale for about $2200. + +Still this is a near-perfect camera for the sort of photographer who wants the best of both worlds—still and video. If you've got a Panasonic GH-5 for video and something else for stills, the X-T4 is good enough to replace both. + +For someone who rarely does video work the X-T4 is a less compelling upgrade over the X-T3. If you're primarily a stills shooter the X-T3 might be the better buy thanks to it's lower price. + +That said, X-T4's in-body stabilization definitely opens up some possibilities for low light shooting that you just won't get from the X-T3. + + diff --git a/wired/guitar-take2.txt b/wired/guitar-take2.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..8706791 --- /dev/null +++ b/wired/guitar-take2.txt @@ -0,0 +1,25 @@ +Around Christmas time last year I started work on a guide to things you need for the perfect road trip. It was to be a mix of cool tools and useful apps. I tested Wi-Fi hotspots, navigation and stargazing apps, camp stoves, camp chairs, and, on a whim, I asked Orangewood for a guitar. What sort of road trip is complete without belting out some awful cover songs around the campfire? + +Orangewood is one of those rare companies that manages to make a high quality guitar without the high price, a market the better-known Martins and Taylors of the guitar world have thus far not chased. Orangewood obliged my request, sending me the Oliver Jr, a beautiful mahogany three-quarter size guitar that's perfect for playing in the back seat. And at only $195 it's not so expensive you’re afraid to throw it in the back seat. + +It would have been perfect to play in the backseat.It still will be one day, but in the meantime 2020 had different plans. Road trips were postponed. The world got small, for many of us not much bigger than our living rooms. The Oliver Jr suddenly felt out of place, a reminder of a kind of normal that threatens never to come back. + +The Oliver Jr taunted me for a while. Remember when we could hit the road without another thought? Remember when crowds could gather? Remember + +Remember when we could gather large crowds of sweaty bodies in tiny rooms, pressed so tightly together you could surf your way across them? + +I grew up just south of Los Angeles in the 1980s and 90s. Much of the punk rock movement happened within a few miles of my home. Punk rock had a huge influence on my life. Those sweaty, tightly-packed, rooms were where I grew up. Former Black Flag frontman Henry Rollins, a fixture of the 1980s LA punk scene, once remarked that music is made by those it saves. Perhaps a touch dramatic, but it's not too much of an exaggeration to say music saved me a time or two, and I in turn felt obligated to make a little of it. I played in punk bands + +That was a long time ago by any measure, but as Covid 19 spread through 2020 that wonderful world of 80s and 90s punk never felt further away. + +Yet somehow every time I picked up that Orangewood and strummed a few bars of Johnny Thunders' I'm Alive, or Fugazi's Blueprint, those carefree days of 80s and 90s punk felt a little closer, a little more alive. I started to play regularly again for the first time in nearly a decade. + +I watched friends disappear into cocktails of depression spiked with Netflix binges. I tried but somehow the flickering of images under glass fell flat, failed to hold my attention. I kept returning to the front room, where the Orangewood stood, quietly waiting. + +It became my retreat. It never told me millions were doomed, it never promised a miracle cure. It never told me to inject bleach. It stood there, analog, unbreakable, quietly waiting for me. + +Eventually I got tired of running though songs I used to know. I even got tired of my own old songs. I dug out a battered microphone I'd tossed in a drawer a decade earlier and downloaded a wonderful piece of desktop recording software named Ardour. A couple of hours of tinkering later I had recreated the recording studio my bass player invested thousands of dollars and several years building back in the 90s. I did it for free in a couple hours using software. + +I pulled out the Oliver Jr and started to record. I wrote songs. I woke up the next day and hastily deleted them lest anyone else hear them. + +It wasn't long before my kids wanted in on the fun. I wound up back on the Orangewood street, buying a guitar for one daughter, a ukulele for the other. My son is still waiting on his drum kit. Now I don't have to play alone. It's not the sort of music strangers would probably want to hear, but we have fun. diff --git a/wired/kano-news.txt b/wired/kano-news.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..7b8fcab --- /dev/null +++ b/wired/kano-news.txt @@ -0,0 +1,112 @@ +Silicon Valley dreamers have long envisioned a world where every child is holding a laptop. It sounds good on paper, but it's proved stubbornly difficult to manifest in the world. Not only do you need a computer cheap enough to sell to cash-strapped schools, you also need software to engage a notoriously distracted audience: kids. + +The education market is littered with smart toys, robots, apps, and other ploys to get children engaged in STEAM-related activities. Few though have had quite the success of Kano, makers of Raspberry Pi-based, DIY-friendly computers children can build. + +Now, thanks in part to new partnership with Microsoft, Kano is releasing KanoPC, a cheap, powerful, repairable laptop aimed at the education market. The KanoPC retains the colorful, kid-friendly, some-assembly-required charm of its predecessors, but offers more power and access to Windows-only tools. + +Kano co-founder and CEO Alex Klein tells WIRED that the move away from Raspberry Pi was a practical one. "Schools are already heavily invested in Windows," he say. "Kids want to play Fortnight. Teachers need Microsoft Office." Then there's the speed issue. The Raspberry Pi is cheap and adaptable, but it's rarely the most powerful chip in the room. + +Often the websites and online tools kids and their teachers need in their everyday work require huge amounts of JavaScript that make them load very slowly on less powerful chips like what's in the Raspberry Pi. The difference between the load times on previous Kano machines and the new KanoPC is "like night and day," says Klein + +It also doesn't hurt business to have Microsoft as an equity partner, which is part of the new deal with Kano. Microsoft, which has struggled of late against iPads and Chromebooks in the education market, gets a new way to get Windows into schools. + +Rather than turning its back on the Maker movement from which it sprang, Klein sees the KanoPC as "a fusion of the ethics of the Maker movement, with the reach and power of Microsoft." + +When Kano launched back in 2013, we [called it](https://www.wired.com/2013/12/for-99-you-can-make-your-own-computer/) a “drool-worthy kit that lets kids build their own computers." It offered a keyboard, wiring, and Raspberry Pi board which kids could put together. The first release lacked even a screen. + +The next effort [added a screen](https://www.wired.com/2015/11/kano-the-coolest-diy-computer-kit-now-lets-you-build-it-a-screen/) and beefed up the learn-to-code software tools. Later three standalone kits, [a DIY camera, speaker, and pixel light board](https://www.wired.com/2016/09/kano-beautiful-diy-computer-just-got-three-new-kits/) were released, all built around Kano's core premise: that tactile, hands-on experiences should be the cornerstone of STEAM education. + +The new KanoPC also retains that approach. The laptops arrives in pieces kids put together. An included magnifying glass encourages children to inspect the circuit boards and wiring lurking under the clear plastic back. The kids get to plug in the speakers, battery, and keyboard as well. + +Those parts aren't randomly chosen. They're educational sure, they help kids see how a computer works, but they also go a long way to making the KanoPC less likely to end up in a landfill. + +Kano claims a third of schools throw out rather than repair their devices. Typically the broken parts are the battery, keyboard and speaker, all of which are easy to replace in the KanoPC. What's a learning experience for the kids becomes a sustainability experience for the schools. + + + +demystifying + +and a laptop for kids + +Studio of apps: coding, design, 3D modeling, and more. + +“The new Kano PC is coming out at a crucial time,“ said Alex Klein, Cofounder & CEO of Kano. “We believe in a better future. The team at Microsoft shares this optimism. Together we make technology that opens minds and sparks creation, not just consumption.” + + + + + +# Old Articles + + + + + + + + +Microsoft needs to compete with chromebook in classrooms, support stem, coding, without requiring the purchase a kit. + + +software optimized for low powered devices like the Pi laid the groundwork for the speed on this device. + +1/3 of schools just replace, don't repair. make it repairable. + +performance, load times + +running modern websites + +schools haven't caught up in the US so a lot of parents are taking this on themselves. + +the transition betweent he original kano 10.1 inch screem very thick, then windows 10 S mode small release, then the more serious effort. + + +Kano also runs what WIRED has called the Github for kids. + +https://www.wired.com/2015/05/kano-world/ + +# Old Articles + +The problem is schools are already heavily invested in Windows. "Kids want to play Fortnight, teachers need Microsoft Office. Another sad data point: the websites and online tools kids and their teachers use often require huge amounts of JavaScript that's simply too slow on smaller chips like + + +Klein has built an entire company around the idea that kids might actually like to build their own filter (or computer). When Kano launched in 2013, it was lauded for demystifying computing through its physical design. The company’s first kit consisted of a keyboard, wires, and a Raspberry Pi that connected to an external monitor. Then last year, Kano launched a screen, turning the original kit into something more akin to a full-fledged computer. Now, Kano is launching three new standalone kits—a DIY camera, speaker, and pixel board ($130 each)—that double down on the idea that physical computing is the future of computer science education. + + + + + + +Learning to code isn’t as easy as snapping a photo, but Alex Klein is betting that the two are more closely connected than you might think. Klein is the co-founder of Kano (the British company that developed the cleverly designed DIY computer kit that teaches kids to code), and on a recent fall day he’s sitting in front of me with a transparent camera in his hand, showing me how to build my own photo filter. + +"When Kano launched in 2013, we called it a “drool-worthy kit that lets kids build their own computers.” Of course, it was a computer in the most basic sense of the word, an impeccably designed kit with a keyboard, wiring and a Raspberry Pi to power a variety of learn-to-code activities. But it was missing one thing: a screen." + +Kano co-founder Alex Klein. So the company's decided to give people a 10.1-inch LCD screen that hooks up to the Kano's Raspberry Pi. + + + +# NOTES + + +kano, the company the kickstarted approachable rasp pi + +build your own camera, code your own filters. + +kano world, kid's github + +Microsoft needs to compete with chromebook in classrooms, support stem, coding, without requiring the purchase a kit. + +Fusion of the ethics of the maker movement, with the reach and power of microsoft. Kano Pc + +software optimized for low powered devices like the Pi laid the groundwork for the speed on this device. + +1/3 of schools just replace, don't repair. make it repairable. + +performance, load times + +running modern websites + +schools haven't caught up in the US so a lot of parents are taking this on themselves. + +the transition betweent he original kano 10.1 inch screem very thick, then windows 10 S mode small release, then the more serious effort. + diff --git a/wired/lego-notes.txt b/wired/lego-notes.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..c871665 --- /dev/null +++ b/wired/lego-notes.txt @@ -0,0 +1,9 @@ +Is what I was sent a base per-child setup? So a class would have 20? Or homeschooling you'd want one for each kid? + +One kit for 2-4 kids. + +The hub is base which everything is built from, 33 lesson plans, is everything you need for all those lessons in there, or are there add-ons to buy. + +everything you need is in the box. + + diff --git a/wired/magazine/celestron.txt b/wired/magazine/celestron.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..60c62cc --- /dev/null +++ b/wired/magazine/celestron.txt @@ -0,0 +1,5 @@ +Under the Milky Way + +Whether your kids are back in class or still Zooming from home, the learning doesn't end when the sun goes down. With this smart telescope your family can navigate the stars like Picard. + +The Celestron StarSense Telescope is aimed at the new astronomer, young and old. Thanks to the companion smartphone app, even my five-year-old can find stars and nebulae like a pro. There's no need to worry about the complexities of declination, inclination, and azimuth, the Celestron app handles all that for you. Once assembled and calibrated, you simply mount your phone in the cradle, which points your phone's camera down at a mirror. That allows Celestron's app to scan the sky while your phone shows you a map of the stars. Pick a celestial object in the app and you'll get arrows telling you which way to point the telescope. Once you're in the right general area, you can use the slow-motion adjusters to fine tune the position until you have the star you want in view. diff --git a/wired/magazine/chromebooks.txt b/wired/magazine/chromebooks.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a7e72ca --- /dev/null +++ b/wired/magazine/chromebooks.txt @@ -0,0 +1,19 @@ + + +Middle School + +The Lenovo Duet Chromebook hits the sweet spot between tablet and laptop. At just over two pounds with the keyboard, it's lightweight and highly portable. The keyboard is surprisingly usable for its size, and when you don't need it the Duet switches to ChromeOS's tablet mode, which works well for browsing the web, watching videos, and listening to music. The screen is sharp and plenty bright, and the Duet has the battery life (11 hours in our testing) to get you through a day's work. The one downside is there's no headphone jack and only one USB-C port. + +($279) + +High School + +HP's Chromebook x360 12b has a 2-in-1 design that makes it more of a laptop, but it's still possible to fold it in half and use a stylus (not included). The 12-inch touchscreen could be brighter, but it does have a 3:2 aspect ratio, making it a little taller than the usual 16:9 screens. That extra height is great when you're browsing the web or working in Google Docs. Battery life is mediocre for a Chromebook (just over 8 hours), but the speakers are surprisingly powerful for such a small machine. + +($359) (Stylus is $60 more) + +College + +Samsung's Galaxy Chromebook is everything you'd expect from the maker of some of the nicest Android phones on the market: premium hardware, custom adapted to the needs of this device. The gorgeous aluminum body and high-resolution 4K AMOLED display, paired with a 10th-generation Intel Core i5 processor, gives the Galaxy Chromebook plenty of power in an attractive package. With a one-of-a-kind fanless design, and great software integration -- pull out the included stylus and Google Keep will automatically open -- the Galaxy Chromebook offers a first-class Chromebook experience you won't find elsewhere. + +($1000) diff --git a/wired/mavic-air-2-review.txt b/wired/mavic-air-2-review.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..50d5a96 --- /dev/null +++ b/wired/mavic-air-2-review.txt @@ -0,0 +1,56 @@ +DJI's new Mavic Air 2 folding-style drone is a huge improvement over the previous model, so much so that for most people, this is the perfect drone. + +The Mavic Air 2 is the middle child in DJI's consumer drone lineup, sitting between the smaller, lighter, but less capable Mavic Mini, and the more powerful, more capable, but also more expensive, Mavic 2. + +If you're just getting started with drones, the less expensive Mavic Mini ([8/10 WIRED Recommends](https://www.wired.com/review/dji-mavic-mini/))—my previous top pick for most people—might be a better buy. That said, the Air 2 offers better collision avoidance systems, higher quality photos and video, and automated flight features that newcomers and seasoned vets alike can appreciate. + + +###Big Star + + +[#image: /photos/5ea341f0a22a050008c72771]|||||| + + +The Mavic Air 2 is slightly bigger than its predecessor, at least on paper. In practice I didn't notice the difference. The folding design remains compact, and at 1.3 pounds, plenty portable. Fully folded it's about the size of mid-size telephoto lens. It fits nicely in several camera bags I happened to be testing as well. + +The camera sensor is bigger this time around too. The lens is still 24mm-equivalent, with an f/2.8 aperture, but DJI has moved to a larger, half-inch sensor, which makes for much sharper images. There's also an option to shoot 48-megapixel (stitched) images. Provided conditions are right for a composite image—meaning the wind is not throwing the drone around—the 48-megapixel images are impressive. + +While the photo improvements are welcome for still photographers, most people though will be more excited about the expanded video capabilities, which now include the ability to shoot 4K video at 60 frames per second and 120 Mbps. The rest of the Mavic line—including the more expensive Mavic 2 Pro—tops out at 30 fps when shooting in full 4K resolution. + +The 60 frames per second 4K video is especially useful when shooting anything fast-moving. More frames mean a better record of the scene and open up more possibilities when editing, such as slowing down the footage to allow views to see more of what happened. + +Better 4K frame rates aren't the Air's only tricks for slow-motion footage though. There are also some new slow-motion modes that slow down footage to four times slower than real life (1080p at 120 fps), or eight-times slower (1080 at 240 fps). The other big news in video on the Air is support for HDR video. Put it all together and you have an impressive set of video capabilities in drone that fits easily in a camera bag and costs less than $1000. + +I'll be honest, the more I shoot with drones, the less I want to do anything but fly. That's the fun part. Worrying about the shot? I'm happy to let a computer handle that. + + +[#image: /photos/5ef51f62d916dc1ac6a5a685]|||||| + + +It would seem I'm not alone. DJI has increasingly been adding in bits of computational photography to make shooting easier and require less work on your end. The latest effort is something the company calls Smart Photo mode. Once you turn it on, Smart Photo will do scene analysis, tap its machine intelligence algorithm, and automatically choose between a variety of photo modes. The modes cover just about every type of scene you're likely to encounter with a drone, including trees, grass, blue skies, sunsets, and snow. In each case, exposure is adjusted to optimize tone and detail. + +Perhaps the biggest physical change in this update is actually the design of the controller, which is much larger than what you'll find in any of the other Mavics. It also has the phone mounted up top, rather than the bottom. Since I started off flying Phantoms I'm more comfortable with the screen-on-top anyway, but for some this might take some re-learning muscle memory (I should also note that, unlike the Phantom controllers, the clamp does not extend far enough to hold a small tablet). + +###Superfly + +While the camera and automation improvements are all welcome, my favorite feature of the Mavic Air 2 is the much-improved flight time. DJI claims 34 minutes in ideal conditions. I never hit that, but on eight different flights I got over 32 minutes, which is impressive, especially considering the original Mavic Air struggled to get much over 20. + +The longer flight time means less need for batteries, which no only lightens the load you need to carry, but also makes the Fly More kit, which includes extra batteries, propellers, and a multi-battery charger, feel less necessary. That said, the battery to power bank adapter is very useful for recharging in the field. + +Staying in the air longer may be the Air 2's best trick, but it's certainly not the only one. The range has expanded to over 6 miles, which I tested to make sure it worked, but don't suggest doing yourself. At that distance, your situational awareness is near zero. The DJI Fly app will also warn you about flying too high. Safe flight levels vary somewhat according to where you are so be sure to check regulations in your area. Also remember that since the Mavic Air 2 weighs well over 250 grams, you need to [register it with the FAA](https://faadronezone.faa.gov/#/). + +Just as photo and video features are ever-increasingly the province of AI, so too is flying. + +DJI has revamped its Active Track feature to version 3.0 for the Air, which brings better subject recognition algorithms and new 3D mapping capabilities. This makes the Air better at automatically tracking people through a scene. The camera stays on the subject and the Air does what it need to do to keep your subject in frame. + + +[#image: /photos/5ef51f85437ef26a54241ad1]|||||| + + +DJI is also claiming that the Point of Interest mode—where you select an object on the screen and then the Air automatically flies around it in a big circle while the camera stays pointed at the subject—is better at tracking some subjects. Previous versions often struggled to do this with moving vehicles or people walking. Due to the number of trees where I live, and lack of open public spaces due to the pandemic, I was not able to test this with a car, but it did well tracking me as I walked through my yard. + +To my mind the most exciting new flight mode in the Air 2 is Spotlight, which was pulled from from DJI's professional-grade Inspire drone. Like Active Track mode, Spotlight keeps the camera pointed a moving subject, tracking it through the scene. The difference is that Spotlight mode allows the human pilot to retain control of the flight path. You do what you want, the drone will keep the camera where it needs to be to track your subject (within reason of course, if you fly behind a building, for example, you'll lose your subject). Spotlight mode opens up a huge range of shots that were previously very difficult, if not impossible, in consumer-grade drones. + +This feature alone makes the Mavic Air the drone to get, though I would expect Spotlight to eventually come to the Mavic 2 line as well. + +At the moment though the Mavic Air 2 feels very much like a flagship drone. If you need the higher quality image sensor of the Mavic 2 models—which offer a 1-inch sensor—then clearly the Air 2 is not going to cut it. But if you want something that flies well, offers 90 percent of what more expensive models offer and costs less than $1000, the Mavic Air 2 is an impressive machine. diff --git a/wired/modems.txt b/wired/modems.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..93dd11f --- /dev/null +++ b/wired/modems.txt @@ -0,0 +1 @@ +The Verizon MiFi mobile hotspot is the single most annoying electronic device I have ever used. The only thing that has stopped me from hitting with a sledgehammer is that it's literally the only hotspot I've used that works at all on the Verizon network. Which is to say, it works a treat, but it never stops beeping. Never. The longest it's capable of going without beeping is about ten minutes. It has more messages, none of which you need to know, than any device I've ever reviewed. But, if you need Verizon coverage -- and out west, you probably do -- this is best I've tested. diff --git a/wired/orangewood-quarentine.txt b/wired/orangewood-quarentine.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..e69de29 --- /dev/null +++ b/wired/orangewood-quarentine.txt diff --git a/wired/published/which-surface.txt b/wired/published/which-surface.txt index 21699dc..cf25a7e 100644 --- a/wired/published/which-surface.txt +++ b/wired/published/which-surface.txt @@ -1,89 +1,89 @@ -Microsoft's Surface brand offers some of the best Windows hardware on the market. Best know for the innovative, tablet-like hardware designs, the software started off a bit rough. In the beginning most of the Surface line ran a stripped down version of Windows that proved unpopular. +Microsoft's Surface brand offers some of the best Windows hardware on the market. Best known for the innovative, tablet-like hardware designs, Microsoft has expanded over the years and now offers a full family of computers, from a standard laptop to a giant desktop. -Eight years later, things have changed. Not only is do most Surface devices run Windows Home edition, but it's also become clear that Microsoft was an early innovator in mobile-friendly hybrid PC hardware. It's hard to find a PC-maker today that doesn't ape Surface's kickstand-packing, detachable-keyboard-rocking design. +Microsoft was an early innovator in mobile-friendly hybrid PC hardware. It's hard to find a PC-maker today that doesn't ape Surface's kickstand-packing, detachable-keyboard-rocking design. It's hard to find a nicer Windows experience than what Surface offers. The problem is one of choice: With such a diverse family of premium computers, which is best for your needs? Not to worry—we've sorted through the options and found the best Surface for everyone. -Since launching the first Surface ultraportables, Microsoft has expanded the Surface line to include a full family of computers, from a standard laptop to a giant desktop. If you need a portable Windows PC, it's hard to find a nicer physical experience than what Surface offers. The problem is one of choice: with such a diverse family of premium computers, which is best for your needs? Not to worry—we're on this like a Type Cover on a Surface Pro. +*Updated June 2020: We've updated our guide to include the new, much-improved Surface Go 2.* -*Updated in Oct. 2019: We've updated our guide with the Surface 3 series hardware.* +*If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. [Learn more](https://www.wired.com/2015/11/affiliate-link-policy/). You can also support our reporting by purchasing a [1-year WIRED subscription for (Discounted)](https://subscribe.wired.com/subscribe/splits/wired/WIR_AFFILIATE?source=HCL_WIR_EDIT_HARDCODED_0_COMMERCE_AFFILIATE_ZZ).* ##The Best All-Arounder -[#image: /photos/5aa84ed1f156f371db608ecf]|||||| +**[Surface Laptop 3](https://fave.co/2pPXIdg){: rel=nofollow}** -**[Surface Laptop 3 (i5, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD), $999](https://fave.co/2pPXIdg){: rel=nofollow}** +[#image: /photos/5db1fd4e3226bb000a1e5cf7]|||||| -This device isn't as swish as the transforming, flexible computers that made the Surface brand famous, but if you need a laptop, you *need* a laptop. Kickstands and clicky magnetic keyboard covers don't work well in every situation, so we're going with the Surface Laptop 3 as the best pick for most shoppers. No, it's not a tablet, but the Surface Laptop is a *killer* notebook computer. +It isn't as smart or stylish as the transforming, flexible models that made the Surface brand famous, but sometimes (maybe most of the time) what you really need is a laptop. Kickstands and clicky magnetic keyboard covers don't work well in every situation, so we're going with the Surface Laptop 3 as the best pick for most people. No, it's not a tablet, but the Surface Laptop is a great laptop. -Featuring a gorgeous, 13.5-inch high-resolution display, a lovely-feeling keyboard, a stellar glass trackpad, and a slim case, the Surface Laptop is well-built and easy to handle. Ports are one place the Surfaces skimps, but in 2019 you now get a USB-C port along with your good, old-fashioned USB-A port. The old DisplayPort has been removed to make room for that USB-C. It also has a magnetic charging port. If you're a klutz who trips over your power cord all the time, this can be a lifesaver. It severs the connection between the wall plug and the computer before the laptop goes flying across the room like a Frisbee. +The Surface Laptop has a gorgeous, 13.5-inch high-resolution display, a lovely keyboard, a stellar glass trackpad, and a slim case. Ports are one place where the Surfaces skimp, but in 2019 you now get a USB-C port along with your good old-fashioned USB-A port. It also has a magnetic charging port. If you're a klutz who trips over your power cord all the time, this can be a lifesaver. It severs the connection between the wall plug and the computer before the laptop goes flying across the room like a Frisbee. -In 2019 Microsoft added a 15-inch model to its Surface Laptop line (see [our full review]()). The 15-inch model uses an AMD Ryzen chip rather than the usual Intel variety. Microsoft says it worked closely with AMD to tune the chip for the best possible performance. It's not going to edit your next 4K feature film, but it's plenty powerful enough for most of us. +In 2019 Microsoft added a 15-inch model to its Surface Laptop line (see [our full review](https://www.wired.com/review/microsoft-surface-laptop-3-15-inch/)). The 15-inch model uses an AMD Ryzen chip rather than the usual Intel variety. Microsoft says it worked closely with AMD to tune the chip for the best possible performance. It's not going to edit your next 4K feature film, but it's plenty powerful enough for most of us working on documents, browsing the web, and checking email. -Microsoft also gives users some great tech standards, like a Windows Hello IR camera that lets you log in to Windows with your face lickety-split. Once you get used that, it's hard to go back to typing in your password like some sort of paleolithic protohuman. When we [tried the original Surface Laptop in 2017](https://www.wired.com/2017/06/review-microsoft-surface-laptop/), we gave it our WIRED Recommends seal of approval and a score of 8/10 and we anticipate liking the sequel as well. +Microsoft also gives users some great tech standards, like a Windows Hello IR camera that lets you log into Windows with your face lickety-split. Once you get used to that it's hard to ever go back to typing in your password. Even fingerprint sensors feel like a chore after this. -**Buy the 13-inch Surface Laptop 3 (i5, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD) from [Microsoft](https://fave.co/2pPXIdg){: rel=nofollow} or [Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07YNKGWMT/){: rel=nofollow}. The 15-inch model (AMD, 8GB RAM, 128 GB SSD) is also available from [Microsoft](https://fave.co/2pPXIdg){: rel=nofollow} in the base config and [Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/New-Microsoft-Surface-Laptop-Touch-Screen/dp/B07YNLKTW9/){: rel=nofollow} stocks the slightly more expensive model (AMD, 16GB RAM, 256 GB SSD).** +**[Surface Laptop 3—13-Inch, i5, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD—costs $999 at Microsoft's Store](https://fave.co/2pPXIdg){: rel=nofollow} or [Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07YNKGWMT/){: rel=nofollow}** + +*The 15-inch model (AMD, 8GB RAM, 128 GB SSD) is also available from [Microsoft](https://fave.co/2pPXIdg){: rel=nofollow} in the base configuration and [Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/New-Microsoft-Surface-Laptop-Touch-Screen/dp/B07YNLKTW9/){: rel=nofollow} stocks the slightly more expensive model (AMD, 16GB RAM, 256 GB SSD).* ##The Best 2-in-1 -[#image: /photos/5aa850bcf156f371db608ed1]|||||| +**[Surface Pro 7](https://fave.co/2qCTG8x){: rel=nofollow}** -**[Surface Pro 7 (i5, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD), $1,199](https://fave.co/2qCTG8x){: rel=nofollow}** +[#image: /photos/5daf5e5be2318c0008fe1ce7]|||||| -The original Surface design, with its kickstand and keyboard cover, is still a joy all these years later. The upcoming Surface Pro 6 is a mobile device that bridges the gap between laptop and tablet pretty well. +The original Surface design, with its kickstand and keyboard cover, is still a joy all these years later. The upcoming Surface Pro 7 bridges the gap between laptop and tablet pretty well. -No matter which configuration you land on, each Pro has more performant 10th-generation Intel chips, and an improved 12.3-inch high-res touchscreen with a document-friendly 3:2 aspect ratio. You also get a USB-A port, a magnetic charging port, a Windows Hello-compatible webcam, and a MicroSD slot for expanding the onboard storage. The Pro 7 update adds a long-overdue USB-C port, but it does not support Thunderbolt 3. +No matter which configuration you land on, each Pro has 10th-generation Intel chips and an improved 12.3-inch high-res touchscreen with a document-friendly 3:2 aspect ratio. You also get a USB-A port, a magnetic charging port, a Windows Hello-compatible webcam, and a MicroSD slot for expanding the onboard storage. The Pro 7 update adds a long-overdue USB-C port, but it does not support Thunderbolt 3. If you want your Pro purchase to last as long as possible, spring for the $1,199 configuration which will get you a faster i5 chip and a larger hard drive. -**Buy the Surface Pro 6 (i5, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD) from [Microsoft](https://fave.co/2qCTG8x){: rel=nofollow} or [Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/NEW-Microsoft-Surface-Pro-Touch-Screen/dp/B07YNJ6BQL/){: rel=nofollow}.** +**[Surface Pro 7—i5, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD—costs $1,199 at Microsoft's Store](https://fave.co/2qCTG8x){: rel=nofollow} or [Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/NEW-Microsoft-Surface-Pro-Touch-Screen/dp/B07YNJ6BQL/){: rel=nofollow}** -*There's a slight catch. If you want the full Surface tablet experience, you'll need to buy one of Microsoft's Type Cover keyboards. This accessory is essential, but not included. Tack on an additional [$129 for a simple black cover](https://fave.co/2PfAicb){: rel=nofollow}, or [$159 for a fancier, Alcantara-covered](https://fave.co/2MJTuwR){: rel=nofollow} version.* +*You Need the Keyboard: If you want the full Surface tablet experience, you'll need to buy one of Microsoft's Type Cover keyboards. This accessory is essential, but not included. Tack on an additional [$129 for a simple black cover](https://fave.co/2PfAicb){: rel=nofollow}, or [$159 for a fancier, Alcantara-covered](https://fave.co/2MJTuwR){: rel=nofollow} version.* ##The Best for Students -[#image: /photos/5bc4dfd32ba3661093860d44]|||||| - -**[Surface Go (Pentium 4415Y, 8 GB RAM, 128 GB SSD), $549](https://fave.co/2NA4quc){: rel=nofollow}** +**[Surface Go 2](https://fave.co/2AuSDgw){: rel=nofollow}** -The most affordable, smallest member of the Surface lineup is the 10-inch Surface Go. Not only is it a smaller Surface tablet, it’s significantly cheaper than the Pro. If your needs are minimal, or you prefer tiny computers, this is what you should buy—despite its slower Intel chips, we enjoyed using it, and gave it a [7/10 when we reviewed it](https://www.wired.com/review/review-microsoft-surface-go/) in 2018. -Because of its excellent Surface Pen compatibility, Go is awesome for notetaking, and with a Type Cover attached, it's a surprisingly good, if tiny, laptop. It might not be able to take on the [iPad Pro](https://www.wired.com/gallery/the-best-ipad/) in terms of sheer computing power or battery life, but Surface Go is nicely priced and good enough for college students, or anyone for a second machine to take with them. +[#image: /photos/5ec3268c906d2cc75b5928a7]|||||| -The tantalizingly-priced $399 version might not be a great pick if you need Surface Go to serve as your main computer. Its smaller, slower storage drive and limited RAM might make multitasking and demanding apps feel slower. If you can, spring for the $549 config instead. Like Surface Pro, Go does not include a [$100 Type Cover keyboard](https://fave.co/2NAeOCb){: rel=nofollow} or [Surface Pen](https://fave.co/2OfeXAe){: rel=nofollow}, so remember to pick those up with your tablet purchase. -**Buy the Surface Go (Pentium 4415Y, 8 GB RAM, 128 GB SSD) from [Microsoft](https://fave.co/2NA4quc){: rel=nofollow} or [Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Surface-Go-Intel-Pentium/dp/B07FDKZQTY/){: rel=nofollow}.** +The most affordable, smallest member of the Surface lineup is the 10.5-inch Surface Go 2 (7/10 WIRED Review). It's a smaller and significantly cheaper Surface tablet. If your needs are minimal, or you prefer tiny computers, this is what you should buy. Despite its slower Intel chips, it gets the job done and second version fixes our main complaint, providing the all-day battery life you need. -##The Best for Power Users +Because of its excellent Surface Pen compatibility, the Go is awesome for note taking, and with a Type Cover attached, it's a surprisingly good, if tiny, laptop. It might not be able to [take on the iPad Pro](https://www.wired.com/gallery/the-best-ipad/) in terms of sheer computing power, but Surface Go is nicely priced and good enough for college students, or anyone who has the budget for a second computer. +The tantalizingly priced $399 version might not be a great pick if you need Surface Go to serve as your main computer. Its smaller, slower storage drive and limited RAM might make multitasking and demanding apps feel slower. If you can, spring for the $549 config instead. Like the Surface Pro, the Go does not include a [$100 Type Cover keyboard](https://fave.co/2NAeOCb){: rel=nofollow} or [Surface Pen](https://fave.co/2OfeXAe){: rel=nofollow}, so remember to pick those up with your tablet purchase. -[#image: /photos/5aa84df82ba43111d1213e28]|||||| +**[Surface Go—Pentium 4415Y, 8 GB RAM, 128 GB SSD—costs $549 at Microsoft's Store](https://fave.co/2AuSDgw){: rel=nofollow} or [Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B086QQNRT4/?tag=w050b-20){: rel=nofollow}** +##The Best for Power Users -**[Surface Book 2 15-inch (i7, Nvidia dGPU, 16 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD), $2,499](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/store/config/surface-book-2/8MCPZJJCC98C/BHHZ?cid=surfacebook2interstitial){: rel=nofollow}** +**[Surface Book 3](https://fave.co/30O2gkU){: rel=nofollow}** -This transforming powerhouse is the only Surface device with an optional graphics chip that'll boost core performance, speeding up everything from Adobe Premiere to SolidWorks. The screen undocks from the keyboard, so you can use the display as a tablet for brief stints when watching movies or annotating documents with the Surface Pen. When our team [reviewed this laptop](https://www.wired.com/review/review-microsoft-surface-book-2/), we gave it our WIRED Recommends seal of approval and a score of 8/10. +[#image: /photos/5aa84df82ba43111d1213e28]|||||| -Available in versions with 13.5 and 15.6-inch screens, Surface Book 2 is the closest analog to Apple's MacBook Pro series. Thanks to standard quad-core Intel processors and an optional discrete Nvidia 10-series graphics chip inside the keyboard dock, you'll get amazing performance for a portable. Plus you get the expected suite of Surface goodies—Windows Hello, a gorgeous high-res screen, a luxurious backlit keyboard, and a big, silky-smooth glass trackpad. +This transforming powerhouse is the only Surface device with an optional graphics chip that'll boost core performance, speeding up everything from Adobe Premiere to SolidWorks. The full-size, laptop-style keyboard (with better key travel than the Go's clip-on-type cover) makes typing easier, and the screen detaches at the press of a button to become a tablet when watching movies or annotating documents with the Surface Pen. -Because the Surface Book 2 hasn't been refreshed as of October 2019, keep an eye out for deals. We've see the 15-inch model (i7, Nvidia dGPU, 16 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD) going for as low as $1800 ($700 off) on Amazon. +The Surface Book 3 comes in a 13-inch or 15-inch package. We haven't finished our testing, but Microsoft is claiming battery life up to 15.5 hours and 17.5 hours, respectively. -**Buy the Surface Book 2 15-inch (i7, Nvidia dGPU, 16 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD) from [Microsoft](https://fave.co/32KLeCz){: rel=nofollow} or [Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Surface-Book-Intel-256GB/dp/B076HZCQY9/){: rel=nofollow}.** +Microsoft claims the Book 3 is the most powerful laptop the company has made and indeed the Surface Book 3 is the closest analog to Apple's MacBook Pro series. Thanks to standard 10th-gen Intel processors and an optional, a discrete Nvidia GPU inside the keyboard dock, you'll get amazing performance for a portable. Plus you get the expected suite of Surface goodies—Windows Hello, a gorgeous high-res screen, a luxurious backlit keyboard, and a big, silky-smooth glass trackpad. -*If you have cash to burn on a *really* nice Windows laptop, the 15-inch version has the fastest Nvidia 1060 graphics chip and the biggest, highest-res screen available on a portable Surface. The 13-inch is great, too, but the cheapest version is poorly equipped, going without Nvidia graphics, and has a measly 128 GB SSD—not enough space for your Lightroom library, much less all your go-to pro apps.* +**[Surface Book 3—13-inch, i5, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD—costs $1,600 at Microsoft's Store](https://fave.co/30O2gkU){: rel=nofollow} or [$1569 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/NEW-Microsoft-Surface-Book-Touch-Screen/dp/B086QRJX6X/){: rel=nofollow}.]** ###Caveats Even though the Surface lineup has never been as diverse as it is now, there are still some imperfections that may impact your enjoyment of a shiny new Microsoft computer. The first annoyances begin when you add a device to your cart. If you're grabbing a Surface hoping to use the famous, [fabulous Surface Pen](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/store/d/surface/8ZL5C82QMG6B/){: rel=nofollow} with it, you'll need to buy it separately. In years past, Surface Pro and Surface Book included the pen, but no longer. -Ports are another mixed bag for Surface. The October 2019 refresh finally added USB-C ports to the Surface Pro, X and Laptop models, though there's still no support for Thunderbolt 3. You get the connector support, but not the full speed. +Ports are another mixed bag for Surface. You'll find USB-C ports throughout the Surface line but there's still no support for Thunderbolt 3. You get the connector support, but not the full speed. -Despite the USB-C ports, Microsoft stuck with its magnetic Surface Connect charger (confusingly, you *can* charge with USB-C as well). If you miss Apple's MagSafe era this isn't a bad thing, but if you're looking forward to a one-connector future, Microsoft hasn't delivered on that yet. +Despite the USB-C ports, Microsoft stuck with its magnetic Surface Connect charger (confusingly, you *can* charge with USB-C, too). If you miss Apple's MagSafe era this isn't a bad thing, but if you're looking forward to a one-connector future, Microsoft hasn't delivered on that yet. If you're a little short on cash but still want to pick up a Surface, check out the [Surface All Access program](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/store/b/surface-all-access){: rel=nofollow}. Microsoft lets you buy a new Surface on an installment plan, for as little as $25 per month, and packs in Office 365 for the entire two years you’re paying off your device. Surface Pro and Go also get a Type Cover out of the deal. Unfortunately, Surface All Access is only available in Microsoft’s physical retail locations, and not online. ##Reasons to Wait -The lineup has been refreshed for the fall of 2019, so it’s a great time to buy. We don’t expect updates to the Surface family until 2020. +There aren't any right now. Microsoft released the Surface Go 2 and Surface Book 3 in June 2020, and the rest of the lineup was refreshed in late 2019. We don't expect updates to the Surface family again until late 2020. ##Get Microsoft Complete @@ -91,20 +91,13 @@ If you're rough on your gadgets, plan on buying the [Microsoft Complete extended **Shop for [Microsoft Complete](https://fave.co/33TnHPQ){: rel=nofollow}** -*** -[#iframe: https://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/4736898/WIRED-Holiday-Gifts-Survey](533x430) - -*** -###More WIRED Buying Guides - - - Which [MacBook Pro Should You Buy?](https://www.wired.com/story/which-macbook-should-you-buy/?mbid=BottomRelatedStories) - - - The Best [Amazon Fire Tablet](https://www.wired.com/story/best-amazon-fire-tablet/?mbid=BottomRelatedStories) - - - Our Favorite [Affordable Smartphones Under $500](https://www.wired.com/story/best-cheap-phones/?mbid=BottomRelatedStories) - *** -*When you buy something using the retail links in our product reviews, we may earn a small affiliate commission. [Read more](https://www.wired.com/2015/11/affiliate-link-policy/) about how this works.* - -Want more news and reviews you can use? [Sign up for the Gadget Lab newsletter.](https://www.wired.com/newsletter/?name=gadget-lab&source=ArticleLink) +### More Great WIRED Stories +* Who discovered [the first vaccine](https://www.wired.com/story/who-discovered-first-vaccine/?itm_campaign=BottomRelatedStories_Sections_1&itm_content=footer-recirc)? +* How to protest safely: What to do [and what to avoid](https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-protest-safely-gear-tips/?itm_campaign=BottomRelatedStories_Sections_1&itm_content=footer-recirc) +* As health care moves online, patients [are getting left behind](https://www.wired.com/story/health-care-online-patients-left-behind/?itm_campaign=BottomRelatedStories_Sections_1&itm_content=footer-recirc) +* Walmart employees are out to show [its anti-theft AI doesn't work](https://www.wired.com/story/walmart-shoplifting-artificial-intelligence-everseen/?itm_campaign=BottomRelatedStories_Sections_1&itm_content=footer-recirc) +* The confessions of Marcus Hutchins, the hacker [who saved the internet](https://www.wired.com/story/confessions-marcus-hutchins-hacker-who-saved-the-internet/?itm_campaign=BottomRelatedStories_Sections_1&itm_content=footer-recirc) +* 👁 Is the brain a [useful model for AI](https://www.wired.com/story/brain-model-artificial-intelligence/?itm_campaign=BottomRelatedStories_Sections_1&itm_content=footer-recirc)? Plus: [Get the latest AI news](https://www.wired.com/category/business/artificial-intelligence/?itm_campaign=BottomRelatedStories_Sections_1&itm_content=footer-recirc) +* 🏃🏽♀️ Want the best tools to get healthy? Check out our Gear team’s picks for the [best fitness trackers](https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-fitness-tracker/?itm_campaign=BottomRelatedStories&itm_content=footer-recirc), [running gear](https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-running-gear/?itm_campaign=BottomRelatedStories&itm_content=footer-recirc) (including [shoes](https://wired.com/gallery/best-trail-running-shoes-round-up/?itm_campaign=BottomRelatedStories&itm_content=footer-recirc) and [socks](https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-running-socks/?itm_campaign=BottomRelatedStories&itm_content=footer-recirc)), and [best headphones](https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-headphones-under-100/?itm_campaign=BottomRelatedStories&itm_content=footer-recirc) diff --git a/wired/scratch.txt b/wired/scratch.txt index d478ba1..5c09764 100644 --- a/wired/scratch.txt +++ b/wired/scratch.txt @@ -1 +1,40 @@ -This is just my unsolicited 2 cents, and you should probably delete me from this thread since I will not be joining the union, but before I go I'd like to say that I think this is a bad idea. Somewhere between 36 and 52 million people have lost their jobs in the last two months. In this climate trying to force recognition of a union via public channels and expecting anyone to have any sympathy seems like... wishful thinking? Tone deaf? I can already see the Times headlines about Conde Nast magazine writers complaining they don't get caviar lunches anymore. Because I think that's how this will come off to the public. There's a lot of people out there who desperately wish they had a job, any job, right now. This is going to publicly rub the fact that you have a job in their faces. I don't see that ending well for you, or for me, or for Conde Nast. And do not underestimate what Conde Nast will do. Webmonkey was profitable (well over my salary) and had over a 100K visitors a month when it was shut down. Anyway, what I am saying is, make sure you understand the stakes you are playing at before you jump in. I hope my not participating doesn't affect our relationship. And if anyone ever wants to talk I'm always happy to listen. +The Galaxy’s gorgeous aluminum body and hi-res, 4K display are paired with a speedy 10th-generation Intel processor that offers more power and agility than your undergrad will likely need, though they’ll be thankful for the extra juice in after-hours gaming sessions. + + + + +Making backups is boring, but the alternative—losing your data—is a kind of exciting no one wants. I once lost 80 pages of a novel to a bad hard drive. I had no backups. While most of the world is thankful to have been spared my sophomoric tripe, who knows, if that hard drive had lived I might be sipping a Mai Tai on a Maine beach with Stephen King right now. Socially distanced, of course. + +Nowadays I back up my data at least three times, in three physically separate places. I know what you're thinking, wow, he is really bummed about missing out on that Mai Tai. I know it sounds excessive, but it costs next to nothing and happens without me lifting a finger, so why not? + +There's no such thing as the perfect backup. Things go wrong with backups too. It becomes an infinite loop, backups of backups. Backups all the way down. Three is actually a conservative number, but it's the one I recommend for most people because it strikes the best balance between safety, cost, and effort. + +###Hard Drives + +The first backup is simplest—buy an external hard drive and regularly copy your data to it. + +The hardest thing here is figuring out which drive to buy. The sheer number of choices can be overwhelming. Backblaze, a data backup company I'll be using below, has some [hard drive guides](https://www.backblaze.com/blog/a-beginners-guide-to-external-hard-drives/) that are [worth reading](https://www.backblaze.com/b2/hard-drive-test-data.html) to get an idea of how long various drives will last, as well as what you can do to keep them healthy. + +One of the problems you'll notice in the [Backblaze drive stats](https://www.backblaze.com/b2/hard-drive-test-data.html) is that longevity really varies by model more than manufacturer. That said, I suggest sticking with known names like Seagate, Hitachi, Western Digital and like. But some drives are better than others even within those well-known brands. + +I've had good luck with Western digital portable drives, like this 4-terabyte model ([$99 Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VTW2LPX/){: rel=nofollow}, [$120 Best Buy](https://www.bestbuy.com/site/wd-my-passport-4tb-external-usb-3-0-portable-hard-drive-with-hardware-encryption-latest-model-black/6356879.p?skuId=6356879){: rel=nofollow}), which is backing up this very article. If you don't mind a larger form factor, there's a 6-terabyte desktop version ([$122 Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/Elements-Desktop-Hard-Drive-WDBWLG0060HBK-NESN/dp/B076MPMZDV/){: rel=nofollow}, [$125 NewEgg](https://fave.co/3j9waqs){: rel=nofollow}) that's only $20 more. + +For backup drives you don't need to worry too much about speed. Even otherwise slow 5400 rpm drives are fine. They're cheaper, and since the backup software runs overnight anyway, you won't notice the slower speeds. Get the largest drive you can afford. Incremental backups—which all good backup software uses—save disk space by backing up only the files that have changed since the last backup. But even so, you need a larger drive for backups than whatever is in your PC. A good rule of thumb is to get a backup drive that's about two, or even three times the size of the drive in your computer. + +####Set It and Forget It + +A good backup system runs without you needing to do a thing. If you have to make a backup, your system needs work. These days there is software that can automate all of you backup tasks. + +Mac users should use Time Machine. Apple has [good instructions](https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201250) on how to set up time machine backups. Plug in your new USB drive and set up your Mac to make daily backups. Time Machine is smart, it will only backup files that have changed so it won't eat up all your disk space. + +Windows 10 ships with what Microsoft calls "Backup," but it lacks the interface polish of Time Machine and it really doesn't seem intended for daily backups. While many of the features of Time Machine are in Backup, it lacks the UI polish and ease of use Time Machine offers. To get that level of polish on Windows you'll need to turn to third-party software. I've had good luck with Macrium Reflect 7, which has a free option that does most of what you need. + +###Offsite Backups + +You're probably heard the term "the cloud." The cloud is just a handy phrase for saying, "someone else's computer," in this case we mean a server in a data center far from your home. This is backup that covers what data loss experts call "the fire". God forbid your house burns down, but if it does, your cloud backup will be what saves your data. + +It's important to note here that we don't mean syncing services like Dropbox, GDrive, or tk. + +###Caveats, Suggestions and Special Cases + +The first caveat is that no backup system can be trusted until you actually restore from it. This is particularly true of online systems, where downloading all your files can take days, if not weeks and, depending on the service, end up costing a fortune. This is one reason I prefer backblaze to Amazon S3. I can, and have, had Blackblaze mail me a drive with my data. It sounds old-fashioned, but for me it's way easier than trying to download everything over the slow internet I am stuck with at home (rural living has its drawbacks). diff --git a/wired/subid-links.txt b/wired/subid-links.txt index c7e1d5b..e69de29 100644 --- a/wired/subid-links.txt +++ b/wired/subid-links.txt @@ -1,8 +0,0 @@ -https://www.wired.com/story/best-black-friday-photography-deals-2019/,,blackfridayphotodeals2019,Impact,https://goto.walmart.com/c/1305164/565706/9383?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.walmart.com%2Fip%2FGoPro-HERO7-Black%2F783437456&subid1=blackfridayphotodeals2019 -https://www.wired.com/story/best-black-friday-photography-deals-2019/,,blackfridayphotodeals2019,Impact,https://bestbuy.7tiv.net/c/1305164/614286/10014?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bestbuy.com%2Fsite%2Fgopro-hero7-black-4k-waterproof-action-camera-black%2F6283807.p%3FskuId%3D6283807&subid1=blackfridayphotodeals2019 -https://www.wired.com/story/best-black-friday-photography-deals-2019/,,blackfridayphotodeals2019,Impact,https://bestbuy.7tiv.net/c/1305164/614286/10014?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bestbuy.com%2Fsite%2Fdji-osmo-action-camera-gray%2F6348647.p%3FskuId%3D6348647&subid1=blackfridayphotodeals2019 -https://www.wired.com/story/best-black-friday-photography-deals-2019/,,blackfridayphotodeals2019,Impact,https://bestbuy.7tiv.net/c/1305164/614286/10014?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bestbuy.com%2Fsite%2Fdji-osmo-pocket-4k-action-camera-matte-black%2F6335592.p%3FskuId%3D6335592&subid1=blackfridayphotodeals2019 -https://www.wired.com/story/best-black-friday-photography-deals-2019/,,blackfridayphotodeals2019,Impact,https://bestbuy.7tiv.net/c/1305164/614286/10014?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bestbuy.com%2Fsite%2Fdji-mavic-2-pro-quadcopter-with-remote-controller-gray%2F6262620.p%3FskuId%3D6262620&subid1=blackfridayphotodeals2019 -https://www.wired.com/story/best-black-friday-photography-deals-2019/,,blackfridayphotodeals2019,Impact,https://bestbuy.7tiv.net/c/1305164/614286/10014?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bestbuy.com%2Fsite%2Fsandisk-extreme-plus-64gb-microsdxc-uhs-i-memory-card%2F6282920.p%3FskuId%3D6282920&subid1=blackfridayphotodeals2019 -https://www.wired.com/story/best-black-friday-photography-deals-2019/,,blackfridayphotodeals2019,Impact,https://bestbuy.7tiv.net/c/1305164/614286/10014?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bestbuy.com%2Fsite%2Fsandisk-extreme-plus-128gb-microsdxc-uhs-i-memory-card%2F6282919.p%3FskuId%3D6282919&subid1=blackfridayphotodeals2019 -https://www.wired.com/story/best-black-friday-photography-deals-2019/,,blackfridayphotodeals2019,Impact,https://goto.walmart.com/c/1305164/565706/9383?u=https://www.walmart.com/cp/walmart-black-friday-2019/1076614&subid1=blackfridayphotodeals2019 diff --git a/wired/surface-go2.txt b/wired/surface-go2.txt index a64978a..17b1126 100644 --- a/wired/surface-go2.txt +++ b/wired/surface-go2.txt @@ -1,27 +1,52 @@ -Microsoft's first stab at a Windows-based tablet, the Surface Go revealed some shortcomings. While we like that initial effort, the battery life was mediocre, performance lagged, and software limitations had us searching for workaround. +Microsoft's first stab at a small, portable Windows-based tablet, the original Surface Go revealed some of the limitations of the small form factor. While [we like that initial effort](https://www.wired.com/review/review-microsoft-surface-go/), the battery life was mediocre, performance lagged, and software limitations had us searching for workaround. -The new Surface Go2 addresses most, though not all, of these issues and comes away with a device that is more expensive, but in many ways more capable that any other tablet I've used.There are still things I dislike -- most of them related to Windows 10 rather than the device -- but so long as you don't need massive processing power for editing photos or video, the Surface Go 2 is a compelling alternative to the traditional laptop. +The new Surface Go2 addresses most, though not all, of these issues and comes away with a device that is more expensive, but in many ways more capable that any other tablet I've used.There are still things I dislike—most of them related to Windows 10 rather than the device—but so long as you don't need massive processing power for editing photos or video, the Surface Go 2 is a compelling alternative to the traditional laptop. It's the first device I've used that I would consider laptop-replacement worthy. ### Take Two -The second iteration of The Surface Go looks, to be frank, like the entry level iPad. It's roughly the same size, slightly heavier at 1.2 pounds, and sports a very similar 10.5-inch touch screen. Microsoft has managed to pack a slightly larger display into that 10.5-inch frame, which means the bezels are a bit smaller, which also contributes to the iPad-ness of the Surface Go 2's outward appearance. +The second iteration of The Surface Go looks more like the 11-inch iPad Pro than its predecessor, mostly due to the smaller screen bezel. The screen size is unchanged, but Microsoft has managed to pack a slightly larger display into that 10.5-inch frame, which means the bezels are smaller. -The thinner bezels make the Surface Go look a bit sleeker, but the real improvements are tucked away under the glass, namely the much improved battery life. Battery life in the first version rarely went beyond six hours. +This looks the Go 2 a more modern look than the original, but it contributes to the iPad-ness of the Surface Go 2's outward appearance. +The model I tested featured the slight faster Intel Core M3 chip, with 8-gigabytes of RAM and a 128-gigabyte hard drive. That brings the base price to $629. Throw in the Type Cover and your total will be $760. That's a bit more than a good cheap laptop, but less than the 11-inch iPad Pro with keyboard, which goes for $1,049. +The thinner bezels make the Surface Go look a bit sleeker, but the real improvements are tucked away under the glass, namely the much improved battery life. Battery life in the first version rarely went beyond six hours. The Surface Go 2 has managed to go all day under my normal workload, writing in a text editor, browsing the web, communicating over apps like Slack and Zoom, and playing some music in the background. That's all with the Type Cover too. -Microsoft has been making Windows tablets for many years under the Surface brand. The Surface Go 2 follows the same basic design principles of many of the preceding Surface models, including the latest, the Surface Pro 7. It’s a rectangular tablet that measures 0.33 by 9.7 by 6.9 inches (HWD) and weighs 1.2 pounds. The entire front of the device is a 10.5-inch touch screen, and the ports, the power button, and a volume rocker are scattered around the edges. While you can hold the Surface Go 2 in two hands with ease, a nifty integrated kickstand at the back pops out for propping up the tablet on a flat surface. +I ran our standard battery drain test, dimming to 80 percent and looping a video which kept it running for just under nine hours. That's an impressive step up from the older model which loved a wall socket in a way few devices do these days. Suffice to say that for the use case where the Surface Go excels—watching video, browsing the web, and working with documents—you can now count on a full workday out of the battery. I was also able to charge it via USB-C using some battery packs I've been testing, albeit quite slowly. This mirrors our experience with the first model. +The sides of the Surface Go 2 are where you'll find a USB-C port, power button, volume rocker, headphone jack (yay!), and sim card slot. There's also a nice scallop at the base of the kickstand, which makes it easy to pry open. Behind the kickstand you'll find the MicroSD card slot. +It's also worth noting in these video conferencing times that the 5-megapixel front facing camera on the Surface Go 2 is much better than most laptops. That said, the color cast often shifted dramatically as I moved, oscillating between a fairly normal white balance to an overly-green, washed-out look reminiscent of an Instagram filter. -The most disappointing thing about the Surface Go 2 is Windows 10. Recent changes mean you can no longer use Windows without an account, which opens yet another attack vector in your life and isn't something anyone needs. But it's there and you may as well accept it because the curse of S-mode is still part of life with Surface Go. Windows in S-mode will only install software from the Microsoft Store, which might cut it if you only use Microsoft apps and handful of other, popular apps. +### Accessories -For most of us though, the first thing you'll want to do is head to the Microsoft Store, turn off S-mode and install Firefox, Chrome, or Vivaldi. Sorry Edge team, I can tell you've worked really hard to build a good browser, but for most of us, it's too little, too late. I have years worth of browsing history, bookmarks, tabs, addresses and all the rest my data already stored in other browsers and synced between my devices. Edge doesn't run anywhere but Windows (actually technically, it also runs on Linux. Didn't see that coming did you?). +The hybrid tablet-laptops of the world exist on a spectrum that runs from pure tablets like the iPad, to pure laptops. The Surface Go 2, which it is capable of some tablet-like behavior, is firmly entrenched toward the laptop end of the spectrum. This makes the Type Cover keyboard a virtual necessity. +Alas, it and the pen are still sold separately. The Type Cover will set you back $129, and if you plan to do anything more than browse the web and watch movies is a must-have. The backlit keyboard is a little on the small side, but I adapted pretty quickly and after a couple of days I was able to type just as fast as I can on the Lenovo I use most of the time. +My only complaint about the Type Cover is that in the raised mode, where it's attached at a slight angle, I tended to accidentally hit the screen quite frequently. This is one place having larger hands can be a disadvantage. Luckily, ergonomically this mode isn't significantly different than keeping the Type Cover flat. There's also a Pen and a Surface Mouse available, though Microsoft did not provide either with my sample unit. +### Windows S-mode Lives On -There's a class of devices out there that exist on a spectrum that runs from tablet to laptop. The iPad falls squarely at the tablet end of the spectrum. The Surface Go 2 falls just off the center, leaning slightly toward the laptop end of the spectrum. One is not necessarily better than the other, they are different tools for different jobs. The iPad is a better tablet thanks to its touch-optimized UI and app ecosystem, it is however a much worse laptop. The Surface Go on the other hand is much more useful as a laptop, capable of everyday tasks. It's also a decent tablet for watching Netflix or reading books. I would not say it's the best of both because I don't think that's possible, but it's +Unlike iPads and Android tablets the Surface Go ships with a "real" operating system—Windows 10. This remains both the best, and most disappointing thing about the Surface Go 2. + +It nice because in theory all the power of Windows—and the ability to run any desktop application—are baked in. Unfortunately, as with the previous Surface Go, Windows ships in what Microsoft calls S-mode. Windows in S-mode attempts to impose some of the restrictions of app stores to Windows. For example, out of the box you can only install software from the Microsoft Store, which might cut it if you mainly use popular application like MS Office and the like. + +For most of us though, the first thing you'll want to do is head to the Microsoft Store, turn off S-mode, and enable Windows Home. Two things to consider before you do this though. First, you cannot go back. Once S-Mode is off, it's off forever. Why? No clue, but that's how it works. + +Second, recent changes in Windows 10 mean you can no longer use Windows without an online account. There are ways around this in Windows Pro, but not Home. This is one odd place that Windows itself acts more like a tablet OS than a "real" operating system. Frankly an online account for Windows opens yet another attack vector in your life and isn't something anyone needs. But it's there and you may as well accept it. + +Once I upgrade to Home mode, I was able to install Firefox, Vivaldi, and all the other desktop software I use on a daily basis. Sorry Edge team, I can tell you've worked really hard to build a good browser, but for most of us, it's too little, too late. I have years worth of browsing history, bookmarks, tabs, addresses and all the rest my data already stored in other browsers and synced between my devices. Edge can import some of that data, but since it doesn't run anywhere but Windows (technically, it also runs on Linux. Didn't see that coming did you?) I can't sync my data. + +The other place Windows shows its desktop-ness is in the time it takes to come out of sleep mode. You will not find that iPad, instant-on, quick start up here. + +### The Best of Both Worlds + +The Surface Go 2 will be the perfect laptop-tablet hybrid for some users. If the iPad falls squarely at the tablet end of the spectrum, the Surface Go 2 falls just off the center, leaning slightly toward the laptop end of the spectrum. + +One is not necessarily better than the other, they are different tools for different jobs. The iPad is a better tablet thanks to its touch-optimized UI and app ecosystem, it is however a much worse laptop. + +The Surface Go on the other hand is much more useful as a laptop, capable of everyday tasks. It's also a decent tablet for watching Netflix or reading books. If you want a tiny, lightweight laptop that can double as a tablet, the Surface Go to is one of the best options available right now. diff --git a/wired/weekend-deals-061320.txt b/wired/weekend-deals-061320.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..ef23000 --- /dev/null +++ b/wired/weekend-deals-061320.txt @@ -0,0 +1,67 @@ +Father's Day is nearly here, and graduations, awkward though they may be this year, are still happening. Our [Father's Day gift guide](https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-fathers-day-gift-ideas-2020/) has you covered if you still need to get something for Dad. For good deals for graduates (and dads), read on. We've combed though the weekend's deals to bring you our top picks for laptops, cameras, home goods, video games and more. + +> *If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. This helps support our journalism. [Learn more](https://www.wired.com/2015/11/affiliate-link-policy/). Please also consider [subscribing to WIRED](https://subscribe.wired.com/subscribe/splits/wired/WIR_SELF?source=HCL_WIR_EDIT_HARDCODED_0_COMMERCE_AFFILIATE_ZZ).* + +###Laptop, Phone, and Accessories Deals + + +[#image: /photos/5daf5e5be2318c0008fe1ce7]|||||| + + +- **[Microsoft Surface Pro 7 with Black Type Cover for $799 ($200 off)](https://bestbuy.7tiv.net/oYmPo){: rel=nofollow}:** This is a good deal on Microsoft's best hybrid tablet/laptop. It offers the i5 chip, 8-gigabytes of RAM, a 128-gigabyte SSD, and includes the Type Cover. + +- **[Lenovo IdeaPad 5 15-inch Laptop for $500 ($90 off)](https://fave.co/2Atwoaz){: rel=nofollow}:** This is solid laptop, just be aware that the 8-gigabytes of RAM is soldered and not expandable, despite what the product page says. Still, in this range, 8-gigabytes of RAM is pretty standard. You also get a 6-core AMD chip and a 256-gigabyte SSD, which is very good for this price. + +- **[Google Pixel 3A for $340 ($59 off)](https://www.amazon.com/Google-Pixel-Memory-Phone-Unlocked/dp/B07R7DY911/?tag=w050b-20){: rel=nofollow}:** This isn't the best deal we've seen on Google's affordable phone—last month it was as [low as $280](https://www.wired.com/story/google-pixel-3a-deals-may-2020/). But at $59 off, it's still a great value. As you can read in our review (9/10, [WIRED Recommends](https://www.wired.com/review/google-pixel-3a-and-pixel-3a-xl/)), the 3A has one of the best cameras on a phone of its price, it's plenty powerful, and its battery lasts a whole day. + +- **[Western Digital Easystore 5TB Portable Hard Drive for $100 ($80 off)](https://bestbuy.7tiv.net/Q7Zza){: rel=nofollow}:** When was the last time you backed up your data? Grab this 5-terabyte portable drive and start making backups as soon as it arrives. + +- **[Western Digital Blue 1TB Internal SATA SSD for $100 ($90 off)](https://bestbuy.7tiv.net/rYkej){: rel=nofollow}:** If your laptop hard drive is running out of space, this 1-terabyte drive might give you a little more room. + +###Fitness , Home, and Scooters + + + +- **[Apple Watch Series 5 GPS for $300 ($100 off)](https://www.target.com/p/apple-watch-series-5-gps--40mm-silver-aluminum-case-with-white-sport-band/-/A-77640128){: rel=nofollow}:** The best smartwatch on the market ([8/10 WIRED Recommends](https://www.wired.com/review/apple-watch-series-5/)), the Apple Watch Series 5 has only one major drawback: it only works with iPhones. But, if you're all in on the Apple ecosystem, this is agood deal. Amazon also [has it for $300](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07XR5TRSZ/?tag=w050b-20){: rel=nofollow}. + +- **[Fitbit Charge 3 for $98 ($52 off)](https://www.amazon.com/Fitbit-Fitness-Activity-Graphite-Included/dp/B07FTN21JL){: rel=nofollow}:** We liked the [Charge 3](https://www.wired.com/review/fitbit-charge-3/), and at this price it's even more appealing. + +- **[Roborock S5 Robot Vacuum and Mop for $400 ($200 off)](https://www.amazon.com/Roborock-Robotic-Connectivity-Navigating-Capacity/dp/B0792BWMV4/?tag=w050b-20){: rel=nofollow}:** We have yet to try this particular model from Roborock, but we [like the S6](https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-robot-vacuums/) for being super quiet. + +- **[Apple HomePod - Space Gray for $200 ($100 off)](https://bestbuy.7tiv.net/kYDb0){: rel=nofollow}:** If you have an Apple Music subscription, the HomePod ([6/10 WIRED Review](https://www.wired.com/review/review-apple-homepod/)) sounds amazing and it looks great too. It is very much tied to Apple's ecosystem though, which can be limiting. + +- **[Google Home Mini for $29 ($20 off)](https://fave.co/2YtWhPt){: rel=nofollow}:** If the coral color works with your home, this deal is a good way to test out the smart home waters without spending too much. + +- **[Segway Ninebot Foldable Scooter](https://www.wellbots.com/products/ninebot-by-segway-es2-foldable-segway-scooter){: rel=nofollow}:** We haven't had a chance to fully review the Ninebot yet, but Senior Writer Adrienne So took one for a spin at CES earlier this year and enjoyed it. + +###Gaming Deals + + + +E3, the annual video game conference, happened virtually this year (catch the presentations [here](https://e3expo.com/)), but were still tons of new games and deals happening. So many in fact that we did a whole post on [the best E3 game deals](https://www.wired.com/story/best-e3-game-deals-2020/). Here's a few highlights, plus some extra game deals we found this weekend. + +- **[Xbox Game Pass Ultimate First Month for $1 ($14 off)](https://fave.co/37uqget){: rel=nofollow}:** Ultimate includes an Xbox Live Gold account, around 100 rotating Xbox One games to play anytime, and access to play on PC. You can also save on a [3-Month Membership](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07TGNFVWV?tag=w050b-20){: rel=nofollow}. + +- **[*Halo 5: Guardians* (XBox) for $10 ($5 off)](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DB9JV5W?tag=w050b-20){: rel=nofollow}** Should you still be playing Halo? Yes, [yes you should](https://www.wired.com/story/why-you-should-still-be-playing-halo-in-2019/). + +- **[*Super Mario Party* (Switch) for $42 ($18 off)](https://www.amazon.com/Super-Mario-Party-Nintendo-Digital/dp/B07DM7HZ9M?tag=w050b-20){: rel=nofollow}:** Possibly the most enduring video game character ever, you can never have too many Mario games. + +- **[*Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle* (Switch) for $15 ($45 off)](https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/mario-rabbids-kingdom-battle-switch/){: rel=nofollow}:** See what I mean? There's always another Mario game. + +- **[*Rage 2* (Playstation 4) for $10 ($50 off)](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07D3MFTHL/?tag=w050b-20){: rel=nofollow}:** Our game reviewer, Julie Muncy, [has some issues with *Rage 2*](https://www.wired.com/story/rage-2-review/)—it starts slowly and predictably—but in the end says it "will find a passionate audience who are able to find their own joy in its spaces." If that's you heres a chance to pick it up on the cheap. + +- **[*Thronebreaker: The Witcher Tales Standard* (Switch) for $10 ($10 off)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0859LHZCH/?tag=w050b-20){: rel=nofollow}:** We haven't had a chance to play this one yet, but we hear good things. + + + +*** +### More Great WIRED Stories +* *The Last of Us Part II* and its [crisis-strewn path to release](https://www.wired.com/story/last-of-us-part-ii-sequel-release-pandemic/?itm_campaign=BottomRelatedStories_Sections_2&itm_content=footer-recirc) +* AI, AR, and the (somewhat) speculative future [of a tech-fueled FBI](https://www.wired.com/story/ai-ar-somewhat-speculative-future-tech-fueled-fbi/?itm_campaign=BottomRelatedStories_Sections_2&itm_content=footer-recirc) +* How to make your virtual jam session [sound—and look—good](https://www.wired.com/story/zoom-music-video-coronavirus-tips/?itm_campaign=BottomRelatedStories_Sections_2&itm_content=footer-recirc) +* “Nonlethal” anti-protest weapons [can cause serious harm](https://www.wired.com/story/tear-gas-rubber-bullets-nonlethal-harm-protests/?itm_campaign=BottomRelatedStories_Sections_2&itm_content=footer-recirc) +* Women have [always worked from home](https://www.wired.com/story/domestic-work-metoo-moment/?itm_campaign=BottomRelatedStories_Sections_2&itm_content=footer-recirc) +* 👁 [What *is* intelligence, anyway](https://www.wired.com/story/its-called-artificial-intelligence-but-what-is-intelligence/?itm_campaign=BottomRelatedStories_Sections_2&itm_content=footer-recirc)? Plus: [Get the latest AI news](https://www.wired.com/category/business/artificial-intelligence/?itm_campaign=BottomRelatedStories_Sections_2&itm_content=footer-recirc) +* ✨ Optimize your home life with our Gear team’s best picks, from [robot vacuums](https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-robot-vacuums/?itm_campaign=BottomRelatedStories&itm_content=footer-recirc) to [affordable mattresses](https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-mattresses/?itm_campaign=BottomRelatedStories&itm_content=footer-recirc) to [smart speakers](https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-google-speakers-buying-guide/?itm_campaign=BottomRelatedStories&itm_content=footer-recirc) + + diff --git a/wired/weekend-deals-080120.txt b/wired/weekend-deals-080120.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..22beabf --- /dev/null +++ b/wired/weekend-deals-080120.txt @@ -0,0 +1,42 @@ +I've never been exactly sure when the dog days of summer are, but where I live it's scorching. It feels like dog days. My dogs refuse to come out of the shade, does that count? Still, Fall will come. Eventually. And right now we have some good deals on outdoor gear so you can stock up for those dreamy cool fall weekends. End of summer has always been the best time to stock up on hiking and climbing year, and this year is no different, Covid-19 or not. + +More of an indoor enthusiast? That's okay, we have some good deals on laptops, robot vacuums, even a counter top garden setup. Everything you need to stay comfortably entertained in an air conditioned bubble. + +> *If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. This helps support our journalism. [Learn more](https://www.wired.com/2015/11/affiliate-link-policy/). Please also consider [subscribing to WIRED](https://subscribe.wired.com/subscribe/splits/wired/WIR_SELF?source=HCL_WIR_EDIT_HARDCODED_0_COMMERCE_AFFILIATE_ZZ).* + +### Hiking, Camping, Outdoor Gear + +Outdoor enthusiasts it's that time of year. Backcountry.com kicks off its annual end of summer sale this weekend with some good deals for those looking to stock up on gear for next year, or, for those us who've been indoors waiting on Fall, more adventures later this year. Here's a few of the best deals on our favorite outdoor gear. + +- **[ALPS Mountaineering Highlands 2 2-Person 4-Season Tent for $245 ($105 off)](https://fave.co/2Xc2G1M){: rel=nofollow}:** This spacious two-person tent is good for any season. At 7 pounds it's not the lightest, but split between two hikers it's doable and looks to provide plenty of room for two, plus gear. + +- **[Gregory Stout 30L Backpack for $110 ($20 off)](https://fave.co/2P79utp){: rel=nofollow}:** It's not a huge discount, but this pack is incredibly comfortable at any price. I own and love a slightly larger version that's my go-to pack for hiking, climbing, and traveling. + +- **[TNF Borealis 28L Backpack $53 ($36 off)](https://fave.co/30g4s4e){: rel=nofollow}:** This North Face backpack is aimed more at city commutes and college students, but if you're looking for something that's versatile enough for a day hike and commute this one fits the bill. + +- **[Deuter Speed Lite 12L pack](https://fave.co/2XbC3dC){: rel=nofollow}:** I have a slightly larger Deuter day pack and the suspension system is so comfortable I regularly load it down with way more than the recommend weight and have yet to have a problem. + +- **[Women's Chaco Z/Cloud Sandal](https://fave.co/312jxW7){: rel=nofollow}:** Chaco's Z Cloud sandals are great for everyday where, they're considerably softer to walk in than traditional Chacos. The price varies by size and color. The men's Z Cloud classic—which has a toe strap—are [also on sale](https://fave.co/2D1Kq4o){: rel=nofollow}. + +- **[Timbuk2 Classic 9 Messenger Bag](https://fave.co/3fdXuB0){: rel=nofollow}:** It's called the classic for a reason. There was time when this seemed like the only shoulder bag you saw, and for good reason, it's well-made, comfortable, and dare we say, handsome? + +- **[Black Diamond Climbing Gear](https://fave.co/2XgXbix){: rel=nofollow}:** There's too much here to call out individually, but if you need some new Black Diamond cams, helmets, harnesses, carabiners, or any other climbing gear it's all on sale. Discounts range from 15-50 percent. + +### Laptops, TVs, and Countertop Gardens + +Fear not indoor enthusiasts there's plenty of stuff for you too. From phones to hard drives to cameras, there's plenty of toys for the indoor-bound. + + +- **[Samsung Galaxy 13.3" 4K Chromebook for $800 ($200 off)](https://bestbuy.7tiv.net/zENE6){: rel=nofollow}:** Our favorite high-end Samsung Galaxy Chromebook ([8/10 WIRED Recommends](https://www.wired.com/review/samsung-galaxy-chromebook/)) is on sale. The 4K screen is incredibly sharp, and 8-gigabytes of RAM paired with an Intel i5 processor mean you're unlikely to experience any slow downs. + +- **[OnePlus 7 Pro 256GB for $500 ($200 off)](https://fave.co/33f08UO){: rel=nofollow}:** This is a good deal on a premium phone ([8/10 WIRED Recommends](https://www.wired.com/review/oneplus-7-pro/)). One odd detail: it's a Sprint-branded OnePlus, but it is unlocked so you should be able use it on Sprint, T-Mobile, and AT&T, but not Verizon. Also note that it's back ordered, but should ship in 7-10 days. + +- **[AeroGarden Goodful Harvest Slim Countertop Garden Kit for $80 ($110 off)](https://fave.co/3hMIlrY){: rel=nofollow}:** If you don't have outdoor space, but still want to start a garden the AeroGarden is a great way to do it. Gear team writer Louryn Strampe has the slightly larger version of this and recommends it with one caveat, be prepared to deal with a LOT of herbs. + +- **[WD EasyStory 5TB Portable Hard Drive for $90 ($90 off)](https://bestbuy.7tiv.net/gj1Z9){: rel=nofollow}:** If you aren't regularly backing up your data, grab this drive and check out our new [guide to backing up your digital life](https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-back-up-your-digital-life/). + +- **[Neato Robotics D4 Robot Vacuum for $329 ($100 off)](https://www.amazon.com/Neato-Robotics-Connected-Guided-Featuring/dp/B07GCGVNLM/?tag=w050b-20){: rel=nofollow}:** Our favorite mid-range robot vacuum, the Neato Robotics D4 (8/10 WIRED Recommends) is one sale this weekend. It gives Roomba a run for its money at a fraction of the price. Our only complaint is that battery life could be better. This deal is also [available at Best Buy](https://bestbuy.7tiv.net/RB5zN){: rel=nofollow}. + +- **[LG 55" OLED CX Series 4K UHD TV with HDR for $1,700 ($300 off)](https://bestbuy.7tiv.net/565bD){: rel=nofollow}:** LG OLED TVs are fantastic, if pricey. You get rich blacks and excellent color contrast, perfect for film noir or darker scenes in The Mandolorian. If you've got TV buying questions, be sure to [check out our buying guide](https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-tvs/). + +- **[Polaroid Originals OneStep 2 for $60 ($30 off)](https://bestbuy.7tiv.net/WnyqO){: rel=nofollow}:** Polaroid's OneStep 2 ([6/10 WIRED Review](https://www.wired.com/2017/09/review-polaroid-originals-onestep-2/)) has been replaced by the Polaroid Now ([7/10 WIRED Review](https://www.wired.com/review/polaroid-now/)), but it's still a good buy, especially at this price. Film isn't the cheapest, and we've had a few bad batches, but it's still good, old-school photo fun. diff --git a/wired/weekend-deals-nl-061320.txt b/wired/weekend-deals-nl-061320.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..149d548 --- /dev/null +++ b/wired/weekend-deals-nl-061320.txt @@ -0,0 +1,21 @@ +My Instagram is full of people enjoying the outdoors, but it's too darn hot where I live. Whether you're actually getting outdoors, or just dreaming of it, Backcountry.com is having it's annual summer sale this weekend with some great deals you can use to stock up on fresh gear. + +If you prefer to stick inside in air conditioned coolness, there are some good deal on indoor gear as well. + +💵 **[Our favorite WIRED Recommended deals this weekend](https://www.wired.com/story/weekend-deals-aug-1-2020)** are all right here. There's packs a plenty, some climbing gear, a great Chromebook, and more. + +🍎 **Pick up a [North Face Borealis 28L Backpack](https://fave.co/30g4s4e){: rel=nofollow} on sale for $53.** That's $36 off. This pack is versatile enough for a day hike or keeping your electronics tidy and organized on your commute. + +🍎 Ski season will return one day, and if you need new ski gear, now is a good time to buy. This **[Arc'teryx Beta AR Jacket is only $389 ($220 off)](https://fave.co/3i0n9ip){: rel=nofollow}**. It's a heavy duty Gore-Tex shell that's still pretty lightweight and packable. + +🍎 **Stock up on climbing Black Diamond climbing gear](https://fave.co/2XgXbix){: rel=nofollow}** Need some new cams, helmets, harnesses, or carabiners? It's all on sale, with discounts ranging from 15-50 percent off. + +💵 These **[Women's Chaco Z/Cloud Sandals](https://fave.co/312jxW7){: rel=nofollow}:** are great for everyday wear. They're much softer to than traditional Chacos. The price varies by size and color. + +📷 If you are heading out into the heat this weekend, be sure to check the **[One Sweatband to Rule Them All](https://www.wired.com/story/treadbands-sweatband-rave/)** before you go. WIRED's Parker Hall goes deep into the world of headbands and come up with a winner. + +🍎 **Need Headphones? [Our favorite Bose headphones and Bluetooth speakers are on sale](https://www.wired.com/story/bose-deals-july-2020/)** There's a good variety of options here, from noise-canceling cans to workout earbuds to a tiny speaker that's perfect for strapping to you bike. + +🥤 **Speaking of deals, did you know Amazon Prime is more than just fast shipping?** Gear writer Louryn Strampe digs into everything you get with Prime, including benefits like Video, as well as less well-known features like Twitch Prime, which you can get in-game loot in a variety of popular games, free games and expansions for popular titles. + + diff --git a/wired/wwdc-notes.txt b/wired/wwdc-notes.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..243a935 --- /dev/null +++ b/wired/wwdc-notes.txt @@ -0,0 +1,42 @@ +At its annual developers' conference today Apple unveiled a new tk-inch iMac, which will be available later this year. The new iMac is the first major design refresh for Apple's consumer desktop computer since the unibody model launched in 2012. + +In addition to the other changes, Apple is ditching the Fusion Drive that debuted with the last big iMac refresh. A Fusion Drive combined a hard disk drive with a flash storage, and presented the result to the user as a single drive. It made for better performs and kept costs down, but with the price SSD's down considerably from 2012, Apple has opted to get rid of the spinning disk altogether. The 2020 iMac boasts pure solid state drives, which should make them considerably faster, especially for disk-intensive tasks like video editing. + + +--- +pure speculation sections... + +The new iMac matches the previous models in outer size, but thanks to much thinner bezels, manages to pack in a larger display. The result is an iMac that looks remarkably like an oversize iPad. + +--- + +The iMac uses Intel's 10th-generation chips, a faster GPU, and tk. + +--- + +The 2020 iMac uses Apple's own chips, based on the ARM platform, which means none of the software you like will work with it for years. + + +*** +###More Great WIRED Stories +* Passionflix and [the Musk of Romance](https://www.wired.com/story/tosca-musk-romance-passionflix/?itm_campaign=BottomRelatedStories_Sections_3&itm_content=footer-recirc) +* As health care moves online, patients [are getting left behind](https://www.wired.com/story/health-care-online-patients-left-behind/?itm_campaign=BottomRelatedStories_Sections_31&itm_content=footer-recirc) +* Schools turn to surveillance tech to [prevent Covid-19 spread](https://www.wired.com/story/schools-surveillance-tech-prevent-covid-19-spread/?itm_campaign=BottomRelatedStories_Sections_3&itm_content=footer-recirc) +* Everything you need to know [before buying a gaming PC](https://www.wired.com/story/gaming-pc-buying-tips/?itm_campaign=BottomRelatedStories_Sections_3&itm_content=footer-recirc) +* Mark Zuckerberg believes [only in Mark Zuckerberg](https://www.wired.com/story/mark-zuckerberg-believes-only-in-mark-zuckerberg/?itm_campaign=BottomRelatedStories_Sections_3&itm_content=footer-recirc) +* 👁 Is the brain a [useful model for AI](https://www.wired.com/story/brain-model-artificial-intelligence/?itm_campaign=BottomRelatedStories_Sections_3&itm_content=footer-recirc)? Plus: [Get the latest AI news](https://www.wired.com/category/business/artificial-intelligence/?itm_campaign=BottomRelatedStories_Sections_3&itm_content=footer-recirc) +* 💻 Upgrade your work game with our Gear team’s [favorite laptops](https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-laptops/?itm_campaign=BottomRelatedStories&itm_content=footer-recirc), [keyboards](https://www.wired.com/story/top-3-mechanical-keyboards/?itm_campaign=BottomRelatedStories&itm_content=footer-recirc), [typing alternatives](https://www.wired.com/story/best-keyboard-alternatives/?itm_campaign=BottomRelatedStories&itm_content=footer-recirc), and [noise-canceling headphones](https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-noise-canceling-headphones/?itm_campaign=BottomRelatedStories&itm_content=footer-recirc) + + +--- +pure speculation sections... + +The new iMac matches the previous models in outer size, but thanks to much thinner bezels, manages to pack in a larger display. The result is an iMac that looks remarkably like an oversize iPad. + +--- + +The iMac uses Intel's 10th-generation chips, a faster GPU, and tk. + +--- + +The 2020 iMac uses Apple's own chips, based on the ARM platform, which means none of the software you like will work with it for years. |