Printer Support Blog

This GeForce-powered Asus gaming laptop

We loved Acer’s new GeForce GTX 1650-equipped 15-inch Nitro 5 gaming laptop, especially at its juicy $780 price point. That’s pretty cheap, but today’s deal goes even lower. Best Buy is selling a 17-inch Asus Tuf FX70DT gaming laptop for $650 loaded with very similar specs and some minor trade-offs. This Asus laptop itself usually sells for $1,000, but you need to be logged into a My Best Buy Member account to see the discount.

So what do you get for that price? A four core, eight thread Ryzen 7 3750H processor with a base clock of 2.3GHz and a boost of 4GHz. It’s also got an Nvidia GTX GeForce 1650 graphics card, 8GB of RAM, and a 512GB solid state drive.

The Acer Nitro 5, by comparison, has a Core i5-9300H, a 1TB hard drive, and a 128GB SSD boot drive. The GPU and amount of RAM is the same. The CPUs are also pretty comparable, with identical core/thread counts a very small difference in clock speeds.

As long as you don’t mind the AMD processor and less storage, the Asus is a fantastic deal. You also get a larger 1080p display with today’s deal.

This laptop should excel in productivity tasks, and you can expect to play most AAA games on medium graphics settings to get a consistent experience. The entry-level GeForce GTX 1650 is the weakest part of this set up, but for just $650 this is a killer deal for anyone on a budget. You don’t find gaming laptops going so cheap very often.

Abigail Smith is an inventive person who has been doing intensive research in particular topics and writing blogs and articles on Epson Printer Support and many other related topics. He is a very knowledgeable person with lots of experience.

Soliom G1 380° review

I didn’t quite know what to make of Soliom’s G1 380° ($100 on Amazon) the first time I saw the horizontally split-frame front/rear, surround video that it captures by default. It’s unique among dash cams in my experience, and while the quality is weak, this camera is arguably the best I’ve seen for pure legal daytime protection to the front and sides. For everything else, not so much.

Split-frame video

The Soliom uses two extremely wide field-of-view, 190-degree cameras. By default the view captured by the front camera occupies the top half of the video, and the view captured by the interior/rear captures the bottom. This obviously saves space and makes it easier to view an entire scene, but as I also mentioned, the quality isn’t up to snuff except at very short distance. More on that in the performance section.

Design, features, interface

The G1 380° has the appearance of a half-cylinder about five inches wide, a little over an inch thick in the body, and a little over two inches thick at the cameras. The two 1080p cameras are on the left side of the unit, with the 2-inch color display and the center button/rocker ring controls to the right. I wasn’t particularly enamored of the control ring, as it is nearly impossible to read the raised lettering. Read the user’s guide thoroughly first.

Performance

When it comes to capturing the action in front of you and to the sides you during the day, the G1 380° works quite well, covering areas in the periphery that most dual-camera systems won’t. But interior night captures are extremely dark due to the lack of infrared lighting, and exterior day and night captures rapidly decline in quality with distance. As little as 20 to 30 feet away, details such as license plates become less distinct.

All told, the G1 380° is a fascinating concept that would work far better with three cameras, front/interior/rear or rear telephoto, rather than the two provided. As it stands there’s too much blockage from the car itself (unless you’re in a convertible with the top down) to capture events at angles to your rear quarter-panels. Night video is weak, and even during the day, the video quality fades so badly at distance that there’s no guarantee that what the camera captures to the rear will reveal enough detail to be legally useful.

Conclusion

I’ll give Soliom an A-plus for thinking outside the box, but the follow-through is a C-minus at best. The video to the rear might not be up to the job; GPS is teased but not delivered; and interior night captures are just about useless. The unit should also let you lock in front-only or interior-only video if that’s what you need.

That said, the G1 380° is the only dash cam I’m aware of that captures day action to the sides of your vehicle adequately. If that’s paramount to you, then you can probably live with the rest. But I’m hoping the company completes the clever concept with a new product soon.

Abigail Smith is an inventive person who has been doing intensive research in particular topics and writing blogs and articles on Printer Customer Support and many other related topics. He is a very knowledgeable person with lots of experience. If you’re not running A/V protection right now and you want more than what Windows Defender offers, this is a great buy.

Microsoft rolls out Your Phone’s Calls

Microsoft has been showing off Your Phone’s ability to place and make calls, and now it’s finally arrived on a significant portion of Android phones and Windows 10 Insider PCs. Yes, you can leave your phone in your pocket.

Calls promises to do what its name implies: permit you to answer incoming calls from your PC, as well as initiate calls from your PC using either the dialer app or your existing contacts. Calls will be placed from your nearby Android phone, but you’ll be able to control your phone via Windows, as well as hear and talk to your caller via your PC’s mic and speakers.

Telephony is already part of the Windows platform, of course, via Skype’s ability to place calls to landlines and cellular phones. There was the failed attempt at Windows phones, too. Once Windows Mobile went under, though, Microsoft slowly migrated its services onto Android, and to some extent iOS, while trying to bridge the two platforms. Calls is essentially the culmination of that effort.

Widespread appeal

What’s most welcome about the new Calls feature is the wide number of phones it now accepts. Previously, Your Phone was available to just a handful of devices: several Galaxy models, including the Fold; OnePlus and Pixel devices, and that’s about it. The Calls feature within Your Phone is available to all Android phones with Android 7.0 (Nougat) or higher, and on PCs that are equipped with Bluetooth. Right now, Microsoft is saying that PCs with Windows 10 build 18362.356 and above qualify for the new feature—the latest updates push Windows to version 18362.388. (Remember, though, that Microsoft is restricting the feature to Insiders for the time being.)

Still, with texts, notifications, calls, and more rolling out to Your Phone, the Your Phone app is nearing the end of its journey. We still don’t know how Calls will work in practice—for example, if you have more than one Windows PC in your workspace, will it ring on all of them? This is probably one of the issues that Insiders will have to work out before Your Phone’s Calls feature goes live to everyone.

Abigail Smith is an inventive person who has been doing intensive research in particular topics and writing blogs and articles on Printer Customer Support and many other related topics. He is a very knowledgeable person with lots of experience. If you’re not running A/V protection right now and you want more than what Windows Defender offers, this is a great buy.

Surface Neo’s keyboard

My Microsoft a-ha! moment came not with the surprise Surface Duo Android phone, nor with the two-screened Surface Neo, but when Microsoft unfolded the wraparound keyboard accessory that shipped with its dual-screen Neo prototype.

Why? Because tapping on glass loses its appeal beyond banging out a quick text message. Actual work requires a keyboard with travel, in much the same way that we wear comfortable, cushioned shoes for walking or running. The Neo’s keyboard is emblematic of what Microsoft is trying to achieve: flexibility.

We’ve previously told you what microprocessor diversity means for Microsoft, as well as its chip partners Qualcomm, AMD, and Intel. What we thought then was that Qualcomm would enable all-day battery life (which emerged as the Surface Pro X), AMD would pump up the Surface’s graphics firepower (the 15-inch Surface Laptop 3), and Intel would power, well everything else. What we missed was Intel’s Lakefield, the compact, stacked-chip architecture which we already knew would be the foundation of dual-screen displays. That, of course, became the Surface Neo, Microsoft’s dual-screen device.

You don’t use chips, though. You use devices. What those four different chip platforms enable—and not just for Microsoft, but for every other PC maker too—is the ability to design in different computing modalities for different people, something we’ve seen Microsoft strive for in the past.

Modalities—the different ways in which users interact with Windows and other Microsoft services—is Microsoft’s stock in trade. Some people prefer a desktop. Others, a traditional clamshell laptop. Tablets appeal to others. Microsoft tried and failed to make Windows Phones a thing, but ultimately decided to use apps and services as a proxy to push users back within the Microsoft fold.

About the only criticism I can come up with is that Microsoft probably should have reversed the Surface Duo and Neo brands. The dual-screen laptop feels much more like a “Duo,” and the slick, Android powered dual-display phone (that apparently works, unlike the Galaxy Fold) feels like much more of a “Neo”-like innovation. We won’t know more until we’re able to see the products–in about a year, we hope.

Quite clearly, the launch of the Surface Pro X, Surface Laptop 3, Surface Pro 7, as well the Neo and Duo represented Microsoft’s best Surface launch ever. And it wasn’t just the products themselves, but what their variety represented: the culmination of everything Microsoft has tried to achieve with Surface. Will the Neo and Duo succeed? Not for everyone. And that’s the point.

Abigail Smith is an inventive person who has been doing intensive research in particular topics and writing blogs and articles on Printer Customer Support and many other related topics. He is a very knowledgeable person with lots of experience. If you’re not running A/V protection right now and you want more than what Windows Defender offers, this is a great buy.

Fitness trackers and wearables

For tech lovers and health enthusiasts, there is a gadget that was made just for you. Fitness trackers have come a long way from a simple pedometer. With today’s advanced devices, you can track calories, log workouts, use GPS location, and much more. Check out these 5 different options to begin your fitness journey with the help of some cool tech.

Get the Apple Watch starting at just $199
One of the hottest and most popular smartwatches to hit the market is none other than the Apple Watch series of devices. These user-friendly wearables are packed with features that any fitness enthusiast would appreciate. The latest version of the Apple Watch, the Series 5, boasts a high-resolution touchscreen, iPhone connectivity, and tons of health centric features like calorie counting, activity tracking, and even water intake monitoring. If you don’t need all the bells and whistles that come with the Series 5, you can opt for the previous Apple Watch Series 3 for only $199. It includes most of the basic features but with smaller bezel and an older processor. Otherwise, it is an excellent buy for someone who wants their first Apple Watch.

Apple also offers the AirPods that pair seamlessly with both your iPhone and Apple Watch, so you can listen to your favorite music or audiobook while going for a run or hitting the gym.

Find the perfect Garmin smartwatch for any activity
Garmin is renowned for its innovative and rugged GPS products, and that is no different when it comes to Garmin smartwatches. They make a wide selection of specially-designed devices to suit your activity. Whether you are a weekend golfer looking to improve your game or a long distance runner training for a marathon, Garmin has just the smartwatch for you.

For the serious runner, Garmin offers the Forerunner 935 Running watch that is capable of tracking running, cycling, and swimming, making it the perfect for triathlon training device. It also includes accurate GPS and heart rate monitoring right on your wrist making it super convenient. Garmin also sells the Approach S40 Golf Smartwatch for avid golfers who want a great looking watch. This smartwatch comes preloaded with over 41,000 golf courses so it’s ready to play when you are.

Get up to 50% off Timex watches with free shipping
If you are more of an old school athlete that needs a durable, no-frills watch then check out what Timex has to offer. The Timex Ironman series of watches is one of the most recognizable sports watches around the globe and for good reason. These watches have been used in countless Ironman competitions and have stood the test of time. There are a number of different models to choose from but the latest release is the Timex Ironman GPS watch that has all the basic features that you come to expect like water-resistance, pace alerts, and extreme durability but also adds tap-screen functionality and GPS tracking.

Fitness tracker offers that are good for your health and your wallet
There’s no shortage of great smartwatches to choose from and there’s definitely a device that will suit your needs and lifestyle. Don’t forget you can take advantage of significant savings on a fitness tracked when you shop with a PCWorld coupon. Start your fitness journey today and order one of these highly-recommended smartwatches at a discount.

Abigail Smith is an inventive person who has been doing intensive research in particular topics and writing blogs and articles on Printer Customer Support and many other related topics. He is a very knowledgeable person with lots of experience. If you’re not running A/V protection right now and you want more than what Windows Defender offers, this is a great buy.

AMD’s 8-core Ryzen 7 2700X drops

AMD’s awesome Ryzen 3000 processors are here and kicking all sorts of butt, so now retailers are looking to unload older but still-solid Ryzen 2000-series CPUs at jaw-dropping prices. Amazon is currently selling the Ryzen 7 2700X for just $195. The price has been circling close to that for a few days now, but as recently as mid-September this processor was selling for $240, and AMD’s 2nd-gen Ryzen flagship launched at $330 just a year ago.

On top of the great price, this CPU also comes with three free months of Xbox Game Pass for PC, and a free copy of either The Outer Worlds or Borderlands 3. That’s a whole lot of free games. Both of these added freebies expire in the next few months, so don’t count on getting them if you’re putting your CPU away for a future build. To redeem these giveaways you usually have to verify with AMD that you’re running the hardware you purchased via an in-browser hardware detection tool.

The Ryzen 7 2700X is an eight-core, sixteen-thread processor with a base clock of 3.7GHz and a boost of 4.3GHz. In our review of the Ryzen 7 2700X processor in April 2018, we found it was an absolute beast at productivity workloads, and a solid gaming CPU too. This is a great processor at a killer price, full stop.

Abigail Smith is an inventive person who has been doing intensive research in particular topics and writing blogs and articles on Canon Printer Support and many other related topics. He is a very knowledgeable person with lots of experience.

The custom Ryzen Surface

When Microsoft announced that a custom Ryzen Surface Edition processor with Radeon Vega graphics would be the basis of its new 15-inch Surface Laptop 3, AMD’s low-key presence in laptops got a ginormous boost.

The design win was revealed on Wednesday at Microsoft’s Surface event in New York. Specifically, the new 15-inch Surface Laptop 3 will offer Ryzen for its consumer version. But fear not, Intel shareholders: A corporate version will offer Intel CPUs, and the new 13.5-inch Surface Laptop 3 sticks with Team Blue as well.

Details of the chip are still a little blurry, but we do know the laptop will come with either a Ryzen 7 3780U with Radeon RX Vega 11 graphics, or a Ryzen 5 3580U with Radeon RX Vega 9 graphics. If the nomenclature for Radeon Vega products holds up, that means 11 compute units for the Vega 11 and 9 compute units for the Vega 9 part. The amount of CPU cores wasn’t disclosed, but considering the chip is rated at 15 watts we suspect it to be a quad-core part.

If you were hoping that Microsoft somehow squeezed AMD hard enough to get a mobile version of its 7nm Zen 2 cores for Surface, that didn’t happen. Despite its 3000-series model number, the chip is based on AMD’s previous Zen+ cores. AMD’s Jack Huynh confirmed it in a blog post talking about the collaboration. Huynh also said the chip will boost up to 4GHz.

That’s the same boost as AMD’s leading low-power-consumption Ryzen 7 3700U, which can boost to 4GHz but has a slightly lower graphics count with its Radeon RX Vega 10.

Huynh said in his blog post that one of the key features in the Surface Edition chip is better responsiveness. “We challenged ourselves to improve Smart Performance Shift with enhanced highly tuned predictive algorithms that adapt to the end-user workload on-demand, delivering a perfect balance of battery life and peak performance under virtually any situation,” Huyhn wrote.

Microsoft and AMD also closely worked to optimize the pen support. AMD said the Surface Laptop 15 features a “on-die pen controller,” with the pen taking 200 measurements per second. Many other optimizations are detailed in the blog.

Microsoft cited two important reasons for picking a Ryzen APU for the new Surface Laptop: the single-chip design and the graphics performance. “When looking for the right processor to power the all new Microsoft Surface Laptop 3, we wanted the best graphics performance in a single processor,” Microsoft distinguished engineer Pavan Davuluri said in a news release.

To prove that the new 15-inch Surface Laptop 3 is the “fastest 15-inch laptop you can buy,” AMD and Microsoft put it up against Intel chips in UL’s FutureMark Time Spy test. To see how it stacks up, we took AMD’s numbers and compared them to our own numbers from a press preview of Intel’s 10th-gen chip.

An interesting twist to the battery claim is the presence of an Intel-based version of this very same machine. Microsoft quietly noted that while the consumer 15-inch Surface Laptop 3 will be AMD, a commercial version will use Intel’s 10th-gen, 10nm Ice Lake CPUs. Because Microsoft doesn’t break out different battery life for each version, it’s possible the Intel and AMD versions will have the same battery life.

It’s all speculation until we get actual hands-on time with the Ryzen-based Surface Laptop 3. But no matter what, this is a huge win for AMD mobile processors and could pave the way for other vendors to integrate AMD into their flagship laptops.

Abigail Smith is an inventive person who has been doing intensive research in particular topics and writing blogs and articles on Canon Printer Support and many other related topics. He is a very knowledgeable person with lots of experience.

Microsoft’s 128GB Surface Go plunges to $350

The 7th-generation iPad rolls out at the end of September and it looks pretty nice. But you know what also looks nice? Amazon’s killer deal on the 128GB Microsoft Surface Go. Right now the retailer is selling Microsoft’s hybrid tablet-PC for $350. That’s the all-time low for the Surface Go, down from about $395 earlier in the month and way down from its summertime price around $480. With Microsoft expected to talk Surface at an event in October, we might see more Surface price cuts in the coming months.

The Surface Go features the aforementioned 128GB onboard storage, 4GB of RAM, and a dual-core, 1.6GHz Intel Pentium Gold processor. It’s also rocking Windows 10 Home in S Mode, though you can upgrade it to Windows Home if you like to load Chrome and other essential desktop apps.

In general, if you’re looking for a pure tablet experience, we found that the iPad or the Galaxy Tab S2 is still a better option. But if you want a single device to go mobile that can function as a tablet and a PC, then the Surface Go is the better option. Plus, at this price it’s well worth it. The iPad starts at $329 for a device with 32GB of storage. For just $21 more you can end up with a whole lot more storage and the full PC experience when you need it.

For a full list of specs, and to see how it stacks up against Apple’s new competition, check out our look at the Surface Go versus the 10.2-inch iPad.

Abigail Smith is an inventive person who has been doing intensive research in particular topics and writing blogs and articles on Brother Printer Support and many other related topics. He is a very knowledgeable person with lots of experience.

Apple 10.2-inch iPad (2019) vs. Microsoft Surface Go

In about a month’s time, Microsoft may unveil the next generation of its year-old, entry-level Windows tablet, the Surface Go. For now, however, Apple has fired the first shot: a $329 10.2-inch iPad that offers a lot of what the Surface Go does, and for slightly less.

While many Microsoft Surface tablets feel bulky when detached from their Type Cover keyboards, the $399 Surface Go does not. However, it’s also powered by a somewhat poky Intel Pentium Gold processor, while Apple’s latest iPad has its optimized A10 Fusion chip under the hood. It’s not that much different than the Apple 9.7-inch iPad (2018), though. The iPad also makes the camera a focus, though you’ll look slightly ridiculous taking photos using any tablet, Apple or Windows.

Of course, there’s a vast gulf between Windows 10’s tablet mode and Apple’s iPadOS, which now powers the iPad. (For more iPad coverage, see Macworld’s story.) Your preference of app and operating system will probably be the determining factor in making your choice, but let’s compare some of the key specs.

Performance

We can make a strong claim that, right now, the Apple iPad outperforms the Surface Go. According to Macworld’s 9.7-inch iPad (2018) review, the A10 chip within that iPad, as well as the latest model, scored 3463 on Geekbench’s single-core CPU test and 5845 on the multi-core test. The Surface Go, on the other hand, barely breaks 2200 on the single-core test, and scores about 4000 or so, max, on the multi-core test. Though it’s very possible that a new Surface Go will make up ground and then some, the edge right now goes to the iPad.

Usability

You can break this down in a couple of different ways. As a naked tablet, the Surface Go and iPad are both comfortable to hold and to use. (At press time, we haven’t had a chance to handle the new 10.2 inch version.) From strictly a hardware perspective, though, they’re about equal.

From an OS standpoint, we still believe in Microsoft. iPadOS now has better support for multitasking, for example, with Split View. But Microsoft offers virtual desktops, a more useful way in adding more apps to a tablet’s tiny screen. In fairness, however, Apple offers picture-in-picture mode, which Windows 10 does not.

Multimedia

We still say that it’s ridiculous to take pictures with a tablet—any tablet. But the advantage in terms of multimedia consumption falls squarely in the Apple iPad’s corner. Not only is the camera far, far better, but the numerous apps and games that are optimized for the iPad elevate it far above the Surface Go.

App environment

Microsoft’s always aimed the Surface Go at road warriors who need a browser, Office, and not much else. Apple, unquestionably offers a richer app environment, in addition to the Office apps that straddle both platforms. We’d argue that there’s a richer ecosystem of browsers and utilities within the Windows platform, though it’s highly unlikely you’ll be running Photoshop on either an iPad or a Surface Go.

But iOS itself offers a far richer ecosystem of both native Apple apps as well as third-party software. On either platform, however, you’ll be not doing much besides light editing and content creation. Content consumption is still largely the focus of the iPad.

It’s also worth noting that the Surface Go ships with Windows 10 in S Mode activated, which restricts you to running the limited apps available in the Microsoft Store, though you can opt to switch to the full version of Windows 10.

Conclusion: On paper, the iPad wins

This is an unfair fight: Apple’s just-introduced iPad is taking on a year-old product in the Surface Go. In early October, Microsoft will have it chance to answer back. Will it be enough to usurp the iPad? We’ll have to wait and see.

Abigail Smith is an inventive person who has been doing intensive research in particular topics and writing blogs and articles on Brother Printer Support and many other related topics. He is a very knowledgeable person with lots of experience.

Galaxy Note 10 tips

Samsung’s phones always have a lot of features hidden in their labyrinthine menus, but the Note series is particularly jam-packed. Along with the usual Samsung One UI features, the 10 and 10+ also have S Pen capabilities and all the features those entail. The new Notes aren’t cheap phones, so you’ll want to actually use all those features. Here are the 10 things you ought to do first.

Choose your navigation buttons

Samsung still defaults to the standard button navigation system, but you can make some changes. There’s even a gesture option that’s easier to adjust to than the systems used by some other device makers. Just head to Settings > Display > Navigation bar.

Customize Air Actions

Samsung adds at least one new S Pen trick every year, and this time it’s “Air Actions.” The pen’s new accelerometer detects gestures like swiping and drawing circles. You can change what these gestures do in various apps under Settings > Advanced features > S Pen > Air Actions.

Currently, Air Actions work in only a handful of apps like Chrome, the camera, and Samsung notes. Still, you can tap on any of them and change all of the pen functionality. For example, maybe you want a swipe up or down to scroll in Chrome. The button press options are bundled in here, too. Just pick your actions, and start swinging your S Pen around.

Floating lock screen shortcuts

The Galaxy Note 10 has an ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensor like the Galaxy S10. It’s more secure—and slower—than the optical sensors in some other phones, but you can use the sensor to access your lock screen shortcuts very quickly. Just head to Settings > Lock screen > App shortcuts. Change the setting to Floating button and decide which apps you want accessible while unlocking. You can unlock the phone with your fingerprint, and the app icons float above your finger without even letting go.

Jot down a Screen-off Memo

You don’t need to unlock your phone and open an app to jot down a quick note on this phone. Simply remove the S Pen while the phone is asleep, and you can create a note with Screen-off Memo. The interface is sparse by design. All you have is a few color options, line thickness, and an eraser. Notes created with Screen-off Memo automatically save to Samsung Notes. You can also tap the “pin” button to keep the note on your lock screen for 30 minutes.

Configure Link to Windows

The Galaxy Note 10 is the first phone to ship with a fully integrated “Link to Windows” app. As the name implies, this feature plugs into Windows 10 PCs, allowing you to manage text messages, see notifications, access photos, and more.

To set it up, you’ll need to sign in with the same Microsoft account used on your computer. Then, install the Your Phone app from the Microsoft Store. After allowing app permissions, your content should show up on your computer instantly.

Install DeX Desktop

This phone still has the now-familiar DeX functionality when you plug it into an external monitor, but you can also run DeX on a Windows or Mac computer. You’ll need the DeX desktop app, but this is an easy way to access apps and content stored on your phone with a full computer setup.

After installing the desktop app, simply plug in the Note 10 and tap the DeX notification. The DeX desktop appears in a window you can manage like any other, except it’s a fully self-contained operating system running on your phone.

Abigail Smith is an inventive person who has been doing intensive research in particular topics and writing blogs and articles on Printer Customer Support and many other related topics. He is a very knowledgeable person with lots of experience. If you’re not running A/V protection right now and you want more than what Windows Defender offers, this is a great buy.