diff options
Diffstat (limited to 'wired')
| -rw-r--r-- | wired/VPN-review.txt | 9 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | wired/ces-scratch.txt | 9 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | wired/chargers.txt | 5 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | wired/chromebook.txt | 9 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | wired/dji-news.txt | 25 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | wired/fujimag.txt | 5 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | wired/luma.txt | 2 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | wired/magazine/photo-printers-mag.txt (renamed from wired/photo-printers-mag.txt) | 0 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | wired/portable-coffee.txt | 13 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | wired/published/best-amazon-tablets.txt (renamed from wired/best-amazon-tablets.txt) | 0 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | wired/published/best-last-miute-deals.txt (renamed from wired/best-last-miute-deals.txt) | 0 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | wired/published/best-latte-machines.txt (renamed from wired/best-latte-machines.txt) | 0 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | wired/published/best-more-last-minute.txt (renamed from wired/best-more-last-minute.txt) | 0 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | wired/published/cheap-laptops.txt (renamed from wired/cheap-laptops.txt) | 0 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | wired/published/coffee-grinders.txt (renamed from wired/coffee-grinders.txt) | 0 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | wired/published/drone-roundup.txt (renamed from wired/drone-roundup.txt) | 0 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | wired/published/fujix100v.txt (renamed from wired/fujix100v.txt) | 0 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | wired/published/how-to-coffee.txt (renamed from wired/how-to-coffee.txt) | 0 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | wired/published/insta360.txt (renamed from wired/insta360.txt) | 0 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | wired/published/kids-entertain.txt (renamed from wired/kids-entertain.txt) | 0 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | wired/published/kids-games.txt (renamed from wired/kids-games.txt) | 0 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | wired/published/mavic-mini.txt (renamed from wired/mavic-mini.txt) | 0 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | wired/published/nikond780.txt | 48 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | wired/published/no-mess-kids.txt (renamed from wired/no-mess-kids.txt) | 0 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | wired/published/pass.txt (renamed from wired/pass.txt) | 0 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | wired/published/polaroid.txt (renamed from wired/polaroid.txt) | 0 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | wired/published/telescope.txt (renamed from wired/telescope.txt) | 0 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | wired/published/used.txt (renamed from wired/used.txt) | 0 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | wired/published/venu.txt (renamed from wired/venu.txt) | 0 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | wired/published/vpn.txt (renamed from wired/vpn.txt) | 0 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | wired/published/weekend-deals-20-03-14.txt (renamed from wired/weekend-deals-20-03-14.txt) | 0 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | wired/published/weekend-deals-20-04-18.txt (renamed from wired/weekend-deals-20-04-18.txt) | 0 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | wired/published/xpro3-review.txt (renamed from wired/xpro3-review.txt) | 0 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | wired/samsung.txt | 31 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | wired/xps13-review.txt | 33 |
35 files changed, 53 insertions, 136 deletions
diff --git a/wired/VPN-review.txt b/wired/VPN-review.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 57e93e0..0000000 --- a/wired/VPN-review.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,9 +0,0 @@ -VPN picks: - -Verified don't log: -ExpressVPN: https://proprivacy.com/privacy-news/expressvpn-cannot-hand-over-logs -PIA -https://www.privateinternetaccess.com/ - - - diff --git a/wired/ces-scratch.txt b/wired/ces-scratch.txt deleted file mode 100644 index d119dac..0000000 --- a/wired/ces-scratch.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,9 +0,0 @@ -Microduino's Itty Bitty Buggy is bot-building system based around an Arduino-powered wheeled buggy. Kids can start out building bots via instructions, and then design tracks the bots will follow (including the rope-climbing Sloth bot pictured above). All the bot can be controlled with an app as well, and for older kids there are a variety of programming possibilities starting with the popular Scratch language and working all the way up to complex code written in Python. Microduino’s toys are LEGO compatible as well so they can fit in - -, too, so the possibilities for creating something extremely unique with Itty Bitty Buggy is a within reach of every child with an imagination. - -line-following - -Easy to build and fun to play! -Building block compatible. The possibilities are endless. -Supports & teaches Scratch and Arduino (C++) programming. diff --git a/wired/chargers.txt b/wired/chargers.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..c1cd57a --- /dev/null +++ b/wired/chargers.txt @@ -0,0 +1,5 @@ +chargers + +Anker Wireless Stand, the OnePlus stand, the Pixel Stand, and the Razer wireless charger - Julian + +popsocket charger - Louryn diff --git a/wired/chromebook.txt b/wired/chromebook.txt deleted file mode 100644 index ac360a5..0000000 --- a/wired/chromebook.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,9 +0,0 @@ -world's thinnest chromebook 9.9mm -aluminium body -core i5 -colors: mercury gray and fiesta red -first 4K, amoled screen, better color accuracy, sharper clear. -google assistant -pen -first fanless use of kaby lake - diff --git a/wired/dji-news.txt b/wired/dji-news.txt deleted file mode 100644 index c09409f..0000000 --- a/wired/dji-news.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,25 +0,0 @@ -Drone-maker DJI announced an update to its popular Mavic Air quadcopter today. The Mavic Air 2 costs $799 and will ship to U.S. buyers in late May. That's the same price as the previous model, and keeps the Mavic Air as the mid-range option between the more capable Mavic 2 and the smaller, cheaper Mavic Mini. - -The Mavic Air is still plenty small, but new version has put on some weight. DJI tells WIRED that testing and consumer surveys suggested that most people don't mind the new extra grams in exchange for the considerably upgraded flight time and, presumably, better handling in windy conditions. Even better, thanks to new rotors, electronic speed controllers, and some aerodynamic improvement, DJI is claiming the Mavic Air 2 can remain aloft for 34 minutes. - -###tk - -The big news in this update is the new larger camera sensor. The Mavic Air 2 ships with a half inch sensor, up from the 1-2/3 sensor found in the previous model. That should mean better resolution and sharper images, especially because the output specs haven't changed much. That means new camera is still outputting 12-megapixel stills, but now with bigger sensor to fill in more detail. There's also a new 48-megapixel composite image option that we're looking forward to testing. - -On the video side there's some exciting news, the Mavic Air 2 is DJI's first drone to offer 4K video at 60 fps and 120Mbps. There's also four-times slow motion in 1080p at 120 fps, or eight-times slow motion in 1080 at 240 fps. Combine those modes with HDR video and you have considerably improved video capabilities in a sub-$1000 package. - -More interesting in some ways is DJI's increasing forays into [computational photography](https://www.wired.com/story/google-pixel-3-camera-features/), known as Smart Photo mode. Flip on Smart Photo and the Mavic Air 2 will do scene analysis, tap its deep learning algorithm and automatically choose between a variety of photo modes. There's a scene recognition mode where the Mavic Air 2 recognizes some common shooting scenarios your likely to encounter with a drone, including blue skies, sunsets, snow, grass, and trees. In each case exposure is adjusted to optimize tone and detail. - -The second mode the Air 2's Smart Photo uses is dubbed Hyperlight, which handles low-light situations. To judge by DJI's promo materials, this is essentially HDR specifically optimized for low-light scenes. It purportedly cuts noise and produces more detailed images. The final smart mode is HDR, which makes a high dynamic range composite image from seven images. - -###Automatic Flight for the People - -If you dig through older YouTube videos there's a ton of movies that go like this: unbox new drone, head outside, take off, tree gets closer, closer, closer, black screen. Most of us just aren't that good at flying and the learning curve can be expensive and steep. Thankfully drones began automating away most of what's difficult and the Mavic Air 2 is no exception. - -DJI has quite a few new automated flight tricks to the Air's arsenal, including one borrowed from the company's high-end professional model, the Inspire. DJI's Active Track has been updated to version 3.0, which bring better subject recognition algorithms and some new 3D mapping tricks to make it easier to track people through a scene. DJI claims the Point of Interest mode—which allows you to select and object and fly around it while the camera tracks it—is better at some of the places previous versions struggled, like tracking vehicles or even people. - -The most exciting new flight mode though is Spotlight, which comes from DJI's DLSR-toting Inspire drones. Similar to the Active Track mode, Spotlight keeps the camera on a subject, but allows you to retain control of the flight path. Think Active Track but you retain full flight control. - -The range of the new Mavic Air is an impressive six miles. The caveat being you should always maintain eye contact with your drone, and you aren't going to see the Mavic Mini 2 at two miles, let alone six. - -Despite a dearth of competitors, DJI continues to improve its lineup. The Mavic Air 2 looks like an impressive update to what was already one of [our favorite drones](https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-drones/), especially considering several features—the 60 fps 4K video and 34 minute flight time—are better than the more expensive Mavic 2 Pro. diff --git a/wired/fujimag.txt b/wired/fujimag.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 2bfa102..0000000 --- a/wired/fujimag.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,5 +0,0 @@ -Fujifilm’s iconic X100 series is my favorite always-there camera. It’s light, portable, and produces great images -- throw it in your bag and it won’t let you down. The latest iteration, the X100V, brings a new lens (35mm equivalent f/2), tilting rear screen, and an improved viewfinder. The body is now aluminium, but retains the iconic look of past X100 models. - -The new tilting screen allows shooting from the hip or overhead. Together with the speedier autofocus, bright hybrid viewfinder, and well-designed manual controls, capturing the scene is a breeze. - -The X100V's 24-megapixel APS-C sensor produces print-worthy images, especially using Fujifilm's film simulations. I can never decide between monochrome and color so I shoot in film simulation bracket mode, which captures three different film simulations every time I press the shutter. diff --git a/wired/luma.txt b/wired/luma.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 5f79912..0000000 --- a/wired/luma.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,2 +0,0 @@ -The Kodak Luma 150 is a portable theater that very nearly fits in your pocket. It's not the highest quality projector in this list, but it weighs less than half a pound, manages the equivalent of an 80-inch screen at 12 feet, and at $200 you'll still have some money left over for that Netflix subscription. You can stream files via Airplay or Miracast, or plug in a microSD card, USB cable, or HDMI cable. The HDMI port means you can hook it up to your FireStick or a Roku device. The display is bright enough in a dark room, but it struggles in the daylight. Still, if portability is your priority, the Luma 150 is hard to beat. - diff --git a/wired/photo-printers-mag.txt b/wired/magazine/photo-printers-mag.txt index 922e428..922e428 100644 --- a/wired/photo-printers-mag.txt +++ b/wired/magazine/photo-printers-mag.txt diff --git a/wired/portable-coffee.txt b/wired/portable-coffee.txt deleted file mode 100644 index a8ba6b0..0000000 --- a/wired/portable-coffee.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,13 +0,0 @@ -The Palmpress - -The Palmpress is a press-to-brew solution that packs up small and is pretty lightweight as well. One of the nice things about it is there's nothing extra needed, no filters, no cleaning brushes. It's simple to brew and once I got the ground dialed-in (I found a finer ground worked best, but it's worth experimenting) the results were a clean, bright flavor with almost no bitterness. This was especially true with medium roasts, which I found to be the best choice for the Palmpress. - -Dripkit - -Dripkit's disposable pour-over coffee packets are the simplest, best-tasting pour-over coffee you're going to get on the road. The company's own coffee wasn't strong enough for my tastes, but Dripkit partners with Portland's Stumptown Coffee Roaster to make a pour over kit that brewed some of the best drip coffee I've ever made. They are disposable which isn't terribly sustainable, and they're not the cheapest option, but when you want to travel light without sacrificing taste, this the way to go. - -Pipamoka - -This newcomer from Wacaco has the most unusual brewing method I've tested. It's a vaccuum pressure, brewer that works by twisting. You fill a brewing chamber with coffee, the insulated container with water, and then you drop the coffee chamber into the water and let it settle to the bottom. Once the air bubbles are out, you begin twisting the brewing mechanism up and out of the mug portion (which doubles as a mug, keeping the coffee hot for hours). I highly recommend [watching the video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9QUksFhh8I) to get a better sense of how it works. While it may be odd, the results are great. I found it works especially well with milder roasts. - -The results are a good cup of coffee. diff --git a/wired/best-amazon-tablets.txt b/wired/published/best-amazon-tablets.txt index 7dac53b..7dac53b 100644 --- a/wired/best-amazon-tablets.txt +++ b/wired/published/best-amazon-tablets.txt diff --git a/wired/best-last-miute-deals.txt b/wired/published/best-last-miute-deals.txt index 38f7323..38f7323 100644 --- a/wired/best-last-miute-deals.txt +++ b/wired/published/best-last-miute-deals.txt diff --git a/wired/best-latte-machines.txt b/wired/published/best-latte-machines.txt index 6e2f506..6e2f506 100644 --- a/wired/best-latte-machines.txt +++ b/wired/published/best-latte-machines.txt diff --git a/wired/best-more-last-minute.txt b/wired/published/best-more-last-minute.txt index 5508ee6..5508ee6 100644 --- a/wired/best-more-last-minute.txt +++ b/wired/published/best-more-last-minute.txt diff --git a/wired/cheap-laptops.txt b/wired/published/cheap-laptops.txt index f906eee..f906eee 100644 --- a/wired/cheap-laptops.txt +++ b/wired/published/cheap-laptops.txt diff --git a/wired/coffee-grinders.txt b/wired/published/coffee-grinders.txt index 54d5cc6..54d5cc6 100644 --- a/wired/coffee-grinders.txt +++ b/wired/published/coffee-grinders.txt diff --git a/wired/drone-roundup.txt b/wired/published/drone-roundup.txt index d26c2c4..d26c2c4 100644 --- a/wired/drone-roundup.txt +++ b/wired/published/drone-roundup.txt diff --git a/wired/fujix100v.txt b/wired/published/fujix100v.txt index 6a21450..6a21450 100644 --- a/wired/fujix100v.txt +++ b/wired/published/fujix100v.txt diff --git a/wired/how-to-coffee.txt b/wired/published/how-to-coffee.txt index e736d51..e736d51 100644 --- a/wired/how-to-coffee.txt +++ b/wired/published/how-to-coffee.txt diff --git a/wired/insta360.txt b/wired/published/insta360.txt index ca2e694..ca2e694 100644 --- a/wired/insta360.txt +++ b/wired/published/insta360.txt diff --git a/wired/kids-entertain.txt b/wired/published/kids-entertain.txt index 12d975d..12d975d 100644 --- a/wired/kids-entertain.txt +++ b/wired/published/kids-entertain.txt diff --git a/wired/kids-games.txt b/wired/published/kids-games.txt index 2ac1cff..2ac1cff 100644 --- a/wired/kids-games.txt +++ b/wired/published/kids-games.txt diff --git a/wired/mavic-mini.txt b/wired/published/mavic-mini.txt index c044b34..c044b34 100644 --- a/wired/mavic-mini.txt +++ b/wired/published/mavic-mini.txt diff --git a/wired/published/nikond780.txt b/wired/published/nikond780.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..5da95cb --- /dev/null +++ b/wired/published/nikond780.txt @@ -0,0 +1,48 @@ +Cameras are commodities. Which is to say they're all pretty good at this point, it's just a matter of picking one. But which one? Should you go simple, ultraportable and just shoot with your phone? Or should you go to the opposite extreme and shoot with a hulking behemoth like Nikon's new D780? + +Many people will still be well-served by a camera that's always in their pocket, but after spending some time with the D780 I would argue not only is there a place for the full size DSLR, if you're serious about photography and videography, the D780 might be a camera you've been looking for. + +## Mirrored Pedigree, Mirrorless Smarts + +The Nikon D780 replaces the D750, a long-time favorite of mine in the Nikon lineup. The D750 was a camera that was very good at many things and the D780 takes that legacy and combines it with Nikon's more recent mirrorless efforts like the Z6 to create a camera that's almost a hybrid mirrored, yet with many things we think of as mirrorless capabilities. + +The D780 is an F-mount Nikon, which means you can use nearly any F-mount lens Nikon has ever made (though older, manual focus models won't record some data to exif and of course can't take advantage of the autofocus). + +It has a 24.5 megapixel full-frame sensor with on-sensor phase detection. Pixel-wise that's not much of a change from the D750, but the chip itself has a number of features that go beyond pixel density to provide considerably improved images. Without diving too deep into the technical details, the new chip provides better dynamic range and improved noise performance at high ISO (the D780 tops out at 51200 ISO). + +The other welcome feature in this chip is the on-sensor phase detection, which comes from Nikon's Z series mirrorless cameras. This enables the D780 to have 273 auto-focus points spread across 90 percent of the frame. That means better auto-focus accuracy and fewer missed shots. I had to work in my testing to miss shots. Nothing is perfect in the auto focus world, but the D780 is as close as any camera I've used. + +Another feature pulled from Nikon's higher end DSLRs is the focus stacking mode. The D780 will shoot a series of images (up to 300) with very slight focus adjustments in each shot. These images are then combined to create a depth of field far beyond what a simple lens can do. This is especially helpful in macro photography, though it can work in landscape and other situations as well, so long as your subject doesn't move. + +## Living Large + +The body of the D780 is heavy, but comfortable in the hand and not overly taxing when slung over your shoulder for a day of shooting. The grip fits nicely in my hand and left the grip on my Sony A7 II suddenly feeling undersized. + +The D780 is festooned with buttons and controls. I felt no need to customize any buttons as everything you'd ever want to tweak in a hurry is already accessible somewhere on the body. That said, there is no touchpad control or joystick to move the auto-focus point while the camera is up at your eye. Given that nearly every other camera maker offers something like this it feels like a serious oversight on a camera as otherwise feature-complete as the D780. + +The tilting rear screen is now a touchscreen, and its tilt mechanism appears to have been beefed up quite a bit. You can use the touchscreen to set the auto-focus point when shooting in live view mode (what I think of as mirrorless mode), and of course you can navigate through the various menus and controls using the touchscreen. + +The user interface on the D780 is very similar to what you get in the Z-series cameras and while there's a lot in there, it's reasonably well-organized and easy to navigate. + +I may be showing my recent Sony background here, but one of my favorite things about shooting with the D780 is the battery life: it's phenomenal. Much of that is of course due to the mirrored design, versus the battery draining live video view of mirrorless. Nikon claims 2260 shots per charge using the optical viewfinder and my experience bears that out (I actually got better than that). When you do finally need to charge up the D780 it doesn't take long thanks to the USB-C charging port (there's a wall wart battery charger available separately). + +Video is one place the D780 shines next to many DSLRs. There's 4K video with no crop, a 1080/120p slow-mo mode, and fast auto-focusing with face detection. The only thing that felt lacking relative to the Sony A7 series is in-camera image stabilization. If you want to shoot video with Nikon lenses and really need that extra stabilization -- and I'll admit, I missed it in shooting video with the D780 -- the Nikon Z6 might be the better choice. The D780 does have electronic stabilization, but there will be a slight crop. Still, the D780 is perhaps the best video performance you'll find in a DSLR. + +Here comes the hard part, should you get the D780? + +If you're already invested in the Nikon system, have a bunch of Nikon F-mount lenses, and want a good, jack-of-all-trades camera I think the answer is yes. + +The higher-end Nikon D850 does have a larger sensor and more auto-focus points, but it also sells for nearly $1000 more. If you're a landscape or portrait photographer who needs the 45.7-megapixel sensor of the D850, then, well you need it. But if you're looking for a generalist camera with excellent specs, very nice straight-out-of-the-camera JPGs, and mirrorless quality 4K video features, the D780 is hard to beat. + +The Nikon D780 is available for [$2,297 at B&H Photo](https://fave.co/2VQ6ntV){: rel=nofollow}, or with the AF-S 24-120mm F4G ED VR [kit lens for $2,797](https://fave.co/2SjaA7e){: rel=nofollow}. + + +*** +### More Great WIRED Stories +* To run my best marathon at age 44, [I had to outrun my past](https://www.wired.com/story/marathon-speed-tech-training-outrunning-my-past/?itm_campaign=BottomRelatedStories_Sections_1&itm_content=footer-recirc) +* Amazon workers describe [daily risks in a pandemic](https://www.wired.com/story/amazon-workers-pandemic-risks-own-words/?itm_campaign=BottomRelatedStories_Sections_1&itm_content=footer-recirc) +* Stephen Wolfram invites you [to solve physics](https://www.wired.com/story/stephen-wolfram-invites-you-to-solve-physics/?itm_campaign=BottomRelatedStories_Sections_1&itm_content=footer-recirc) +* Clever cryptography could protect privacy [in contact-tracing apps](https://www.wired.com/story/covid-19-contact-tracing-apps-cryptography/?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) +* 👁 AI uncovers a [potential Covid-19 treatment](https://www.wired.com/story/ai-uncovers-potential-treatment-covid-19-patients/?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/no-mess-kids.txt b/wired/published/no-mess-kids.txt index c6269f9..c6269f9 100644 --- a/wired/no-mess-kids.txt +++ b/wired/published/no-mess-kids.txt diff --git a/wired/pass.txt b/wired/published/pass.txt index 4d449a7..4d449a7 100644 --- a/wired/pass.txt +++ b/wired/published/pass.txt diff --git a/wired/polaroid.txt b/wired/published/polaroid.txt index fe8d934..fe8d934 100644 --- a/wired/polaroid.txt +++ b/wired/published/polaroid.txt diff --git a/wired/telescope.txt b/wired/published/telescope.txt index ee30085..ee30085 100644 --- a/wired/telescope.txt +++ b/wired/published/telescope.txt diff --git a/wired/used.txt b/wired/published/used.txt index c543979..c543979 100644 --- a/wired/used.txt +++ b/wired/published/used.txt diff --git a/wired/venu.txt b/wired/published/venu.txt index 4cca78c..4cca78c 100644 --- a/wired/venu.txt +++ b/wired/published/venu.txt diff --git a/wired/vpn.txt b/wired/published/vpn.txt index b5a6bb0..b5a6bb0 100644 --- a/wired/vpn.txt +++ b/wired/published/vpn.txt diff --git a/wired/weekend-deals-20-03-14.txt b/wired/published/weekend-deals-20-03-14.txt index 0a49a3e..0a49a3e 100644 --- a/wired/weekend-deals-20-03-14.txt +++ b/wired/published/weekend-deals-20-03-14.txt diff --git a/wired/weekend-deals-20-04-18.txt b/wired/published/weekend-deals-20-04-18.txt index 1be5b2e..1be5b2e 100644 --- a/wired/weekend-deals-20-04-18.txt +++ b/wired/published/weekend-deals-20-04-18.txt diff --git a/wired/xpro3-review.txt b/wired/published/xpro3-review.txt index b80041e..b80041e 100644 --- a/wired/xpro3-review.txt +++ b/wired/published/xpro3-review.txt diff --git a/wired/samsung.txt b/wired/samsung.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 8c07370..0000000 --- a/wired/samsung.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,31 +0,0 @@ -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 fanless design is one-of-kind with this chipset, and the close integration with ChromeOS features makes for a smoother user experience than most Chromebooks. - -This is everything Google's Chromebook Pixel once was, and more. With Google apparently happy to let the Pixel fade away, Samsung has stepped up to provide a first-class Chromebook experience. Unfortunately, this great piece of hardware suffers from most of the same limitations all Chromebook's suffer from: ChromeOS. - -### - -The attention to detail in Samsung's Galaxy Chromebook is apparent from the minute you pull it out of the box. It feels like a premium machine, and it is, especially in the Chromebook world. The sleek aluminum body, high-resolution 4K AMOLED screen, and tenth-generation i5 processor have far more in common in high-end Windows machines than other Chromebooks. It come in either a sedate gray or an aptly name "fiesta red." - -A built-in pen, fingerprint reader, support for WiFi 6, up to 16 GB of RAM, and up to one-terabyte of storage space (plus an SD card slot) round out the high-end specs. There's also a digital dual array microphone that makes working with Google Assistant voice commands easier than many other devices I've tried. You can control your Galaxy by yelling at it from across the room just was well as you can control Google's various home smart devices. - -This is the thinnest Chromebook you'll find, at only 9.9mm tall. And it definitely has the sharpest, brightest screen I've ever used with ChromeOS (it's the first Chromebook with an AMOLED screen). That AMOLED sharpness comes at cost in battery life though, the Galaxy Chromebook managed tk hours in our standard battery drain test (playing a looped 1080p video at 75 percent brightness). - -If you turn down the brightness even more -- and you can afford to here since the screen is so sharp -- you can coax a full day of use out of the battery. Normally this is the part where I would say something like, assuming ordinary tasks like browsing the web, checking email, messaging on Slack, but this is a Chromebook so of course that's all you're going to be doing. - -This is unquestionably a nice laptop. You are paying for what you get though. At $999 the Galaxy Chromebook is an expensive piece of kit, and one that's never going to run, for instance, Photoshop, Overwatch, or any other popular desktop applications or games. - -So long as that's not a requirement for you, there's much here to love. An example of the refinement and integration in this laptop, when you press in on the spring-release pen to pull it out, the Galaxy will automatically open Google Keep, and be ready for your handwritten notes or sketches. It's a small thing, but here are a lot of these small things that add up to the smoothest, nicest ChromeOS experience I've had. - -###ChromeOS - -My major problem with the Galaxy Chromebook is not the hardware, it's the software. There are parts of ChromeOS that are fantastic. The instant-on experience of opening the lid of your laptop and having it ready to type is addictive. Everything else seems terribly slow to me now. Likewise the simple, fluid means of installing software (which are really just browser-based apps) is really wonderful compared even to the software stores on Windows and macOS. - -Google likes to tout support for Android apps as well when talking about ChromeOS, but there I've had less luck. If by apps you mean the top 50 apps in the Play Store then yes, support is pretty good. Alas, once you stray outside the big name apps, your odds of finding something that works drop considerably. - -While Google doesn't tout it's Linux support much, I found that to be nearly flawless. If you're a developer building apps for Google Platforms, The Galaxy Chromebook is one of the few that's up to the task. The Linux-based software tools you want are easy to install, and the i5 chip has the power to actually compile software. It's nowhere near desktop power, but if you want a development machine for Google-centric software projects, the Galaxy Chromebook is up to the task. - -This laptop makes sense for hardcore Google product users. If you live in Chrome, sync everything through Google Drive, post your photos to Google Photos, and email from Gmail, then the Samsung will serve you well. - -Samsung's latest high end Chromebook is a brilliant piece of hardware hamstrung by an OS that still feels half-baked, and worse, [mandates an expiration date](https://support.google.com/chromebook/answer/9367166?hl=en). The GEAR team already has a 2015 Chromebook Pixel that can't get updates (and therefore can't load Netflix among other things), do we need another? - -To be fair, this Samsung will receive updates until 2028, which right now feels like centuries away. And maybe that's good enough for you. In which case there is much here to love. From a hardware standpoint I have never used a nicer Chromebook. I just wish it ran Windows. diff --git a/wired/xps13-review.txt b/wired/xps13-review.txt deleted file mode 100644 index eb3b171..0000000 --- a/wired/xps13-review.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,33 +0,0 @@ -Last year I said the previous XPS 13 was about as close to perfect as a compact laptop was going to get. Now Dell is back with another XPS 13 that is, wait for it, even better. - -It's a collection of small things that make this release better than the last, and as such I don't suggest tossing the one you just bought in favor of this one. If you're in the market for a powerful, portable, stylish laptop though, you'd be hard pressed to find a better buy. - -It's like a MacBook Air, but with more impressive computing power. There's even a [Developer Edition](https://www.anrdoezrs.net/links/8984107/type/dlg/sid/dellxps13review2020/https://www.dell.com/en-us/work/shop/dell-laptops-and-notebooks/new-xps-13-9300-developer-edition/spd/xps-13-9300-laptop/ctox13w10p1c2700u){: rel=nofollow} with Linux pre-installed if that's your jam. - -###Meet The New Boss - -I own a 2018 Dell XPS 13 Developer Edition, and setting this latest model -- which Dell has numbered the XPS 13 9300 -- next to it with the lids closed, it's nearly impossible to tell them apart. The outer form factor has remained the same for several years. - -Once you open them up though, next to nothing looks the same. The most obvious improvement in the XPS 13 2020 edition is the new, larger screen. Dell's InfinityEdge display has always had some of the thinnest bezels on the market, on three sides anyway. But the bottom of previous models retained a larger bezel. No more. The newest XPS 13 features a tiny bezel all the way around. This changes the screen aspect ration to 16:10 and adds a very noticeable bit of extra screen real estate. - -I know what you're thinking, does half an inch really make that much difference? I want to say no because I don't feel like it should, but it totally does. It's really nice and I miss it every time I go back to the older model. That little bit of extra headroom makes web pages more readable, reading Slack less of a chore, and means I can see my images a little better when I edit them in [Darktable](https://darktable.org/). - -I am less thrilled about the new hinge, which Dell says is more "refined" and doesn't draw as much attention. It also doesn't work as well at keeping the lid closed, which is more what I want in a hinge. - -The new hinge has a tendency to flop open when the XPS is held sideways. Dell tells WIRED that the new version is a variable torque hinge and it's set to be easy enough to open with one finger in the beginning, but then "tighten up as it gets up where you'd have it for using every day." In theory the problem of the laptop springing open when you don't want it to should go away. This was not a deal breaker defect to me anyway, but I do plan to hang onto this test model for a bit and see how it plays out given more use. - -My only other gripe is that one of the USB-C ports is gone. We're now at a paltry two, but fortunately they're on opposite sides of the machine, unlike the MacBook Air. - -The keyboard has seen a considerable revamp in the 2020 model. The old layout used split keys for the arrow keys, with (half) buttons for page up and page down on top of the left and right arrow keys. In this latest version the dedicated page buttons are gone. Instead the left and right arrow keys have become full size buttons, and to hit page up and page down you need to hold down the Fn key and hit the up/down arrow keys. - -As someone who never uses page keys, I much prefer the new layout. But if you *do* frequently use page up or page down the need to hold down the Fn key could be a considerable annoyance. - -I still find the backlight contrast ratio with the white keyboard too low in all but the darkest of rooms. Otherwise though the slightly larger keys are welcome, especially Shift, Enter, and Caps Lock (which I map to Control so it's not a waste of space). - -The touchpad is slightly larger and does not seem to suffer from the stray right-click problem that I had with the previous model. - -The review model XPS 13 I tested was white with a tenth generation Intel Core i7 CPU, 16 GB of RAM, 512-gigabytes SSD, and the 3840x2400 4K display ([$1900 at Dell](https://www.anrdoezrs.net/links/8984107/type/dlg/sid/dellxps13review2020/https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/dell-laptops/new-xps-13-laptop/spd/xps-13-9300-laptop/xn9300cto220s?configurationid=3627caef-4952-464a-bd5e-68b6d2fd5f8d){: rel=nofollow}), which is the best configuration available. It was more than enough power to handle my average day's work running a web browser, terminal, Zoom, Slack, and streaming music to a Bluetooth speaker. I put it though a benchmarking suite as well and found good performance for most use cases. I also pushed it by doing some video encoding and found that while it does heat up, it never got too hot to sit on the couch with the XPS in my lap. - -As with any machine, battery life on the XPS depends greatly on what you’re doing with it. On our standard video playback test at 75 percent brightness I got nearly 12 hours. That blows away the recent MacBook Air update, and is on par with the best in this class. At the same time, re-encoding some Battlestar Galactic DVDs with Handbrake reduced the battery life to barely over four hours. Somewhere in the middle is the everyday reality, which is that I was able to routinely work eight hours on this laptop without needing to worry about charging it. If you option for the model with the 1080 screen, expect your battery life to be even better. - -Dell has several models of XPS 13 9300 available. At the budget end there's a model with an Intel Core i3 with 4-gigabytes of RAM ($999, though not currently available). This model isn't going to have near the performance of the i7 chip tested here. It will be fine for web browsing, watching movies, and light office tasks, but if you plan to do more I suggest upgrading to the i5 or i7 models. The middle option of a Core i5, 8-gigabytes of RAM, a 512 SSD, and 1080 screen makes a [good deal at $1350](https://www.anrdoezrs.net/links/8984107/type/dlg/sid/dellxps13review2020/https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/dell-laptops/new-xps-13-laptop/spd/xps-13-9300-laptop/xn9300cto220s?configurationid=5d90cb1e-1872-49d4-8951-3262e27296dc){: rel=nofollow}. |