Rocket Lake is here! Some might say, “about time”. We say, let the games begin.
Intel’s 11th Generation Intel Core processor for Desktop systems, while inevitable, seems to be something that should have come a while ago. Then again, taking their time to introduce a new product after the big game changer that was AMD’s new Ryzen 5000 series processor could be a smart thing to do. So here is the new Rocket Lake processors that has been teased and highly expected since the end of 2020.
500 Series Chipsets
The introduction of the new Rocket Lake processors also means that there is a new on-board chipset to pair to, as usual with Intel. Intel’s new 500 series chipset adds support for PCIe 4.0, which also means you can now take full advantage of new PCIe Gen 4.0 devices like the newer NVIDIA GeForce RTX 30 series and AMD Radeon 6000 sieres GPUs. It also means you can get the newer, faster PCIe 4.0 SSDs to work with too. Of course, there is some new improvements in Intel Optane Memory.
Source: Intel
Source: Intel
The new chipset is also supposed to open up more USB bandwidth on the new boards too, which also means more USB lanes and faster ports. You also get to put in faster memory modules at DDR4-3200. The new 500 series chipset also allows memory overclocking on the H570 and B560 chipsets, so you are less restricted when you have a budget to work with.
Back to the new processing chips. Of course, the are not just launching a single Intel Core i9-11900K. The range topper is coming with a whole slew of Intel Core processors from the low-end, low-power Core i3-10105T with four cores and eight threads all the way to the superpower that is the flagship Core i9-11900K. The new Rocket Lake launch also include the launch of the new Pentium series with the Pentium Gold G6605 two core processor leading the way.
More Power
As per usual, Intel’s big focus on the new processors that were introduced is gaming. The headline figures for the class leading Intel Core i9-11900K unlocked processor is eight cores, 16 threads, and 16MB of Intel Smart Cache. The flagship chip clocks at up to 5.3GHz on Thermal Velocity Boost. Most games these days have not been able to capitalise on high multicore clocks too, so the Intel Rocket Lake platform processors are still expected to perform very well.
Of course, the new Rocket Lake Core processor will come with Intel’s UHD graphics with enhanced Intel Xe graphics architecture. Intel’s Xe GPU architecture pretty much has proven itself in the mobile computing space. It also means you technically can game on the on-board graphics. Intel claims 50% more graphics performance over the older generation Intel UHD Graphics. They also claim up to 19% generational improvement on the overall IPC performance. That is one of the larger leaps in terms of generational performance in Intel’s line-up. Oddly enough, the 11th Generation Core processors are still built on top of 12nm technology instead of AMD’s cutting-edge 7nm technology. AMD has also touted 5nm technology in their next Ryzen series.
Price and Availability
Source: Intel
Source: Intel
Source: intel
The biggest surprise from Intel’s new generation of processors though is their price tag. This time, their offering their CPUs at lower prices than their competitors. The range topping Core i9-11900K for example will be sold at US$ 539 (MYR 2,220*), US$ 10 (MYR 41*) cheaper than its competition the AMD Ryzen 9 5900X at US$ 549 (MYR 2,261*). The Core i5-11600K, which would most likely be the processor of choice for most users will sell at US$ 262 (MYR 1,079*), a whopping US$ 30 (MYR 124*) less than AMD’s Ryzen 5 5600X at US$ 299 (MYR 1,231*).
Intel’s 11th Generation Rocket Lake Core processors for desktop is announced to be available later in March 2021. There are no solid leads regarding its local (Malaysia) availability just yet. That also means there are no official pricing locally just yet. Of course, we will keep you posted. For more information, you can head to Intel’s website.
*Approximate value based on conversion rate US$ 1.00 = MYR 4.12 on xe.com as of 17/03/2021
Dell’s XPS sereis has always represented the top of the line when it comes to their offerings. This stays the same with their XPS desktop. The XPS desktop offerings bring Dell’s signature XPS design queues to their desktop offerings and keeps the focus on content creation and performance.
The new XPS Desktop is coming in a more compact form factor – 19L case compared to the previous 23.7L. However, it keeps most of the XPS desktop’s compelling features including easy expandability. If you need more storage or want to swap out your graphics card, you have easy, toolless access via the backplate. The desktop supports up to four hard disk drives (HDDs), graphics cards up to 10.5-inches long and up to 500W power supplies.
Dell brings its voltage regulated cooling to the new generation of XPS desktops which helps better maintain processor performance even under high loads including VR. This paired with the design to maximise airflow allows better cooling of the components. The chassis of the XPS Desktop is designed to direct cool air from the front to the back allowing it to flow into the nooks and crevices of the components for better cooling. Dell claims that the high RPM fans in the desktop allow them to stay silent while maintaining high workloads.
Dell is taking a keen interest in content creation with the new XPS desktops. They’ve equipped the desktops with top of the line graphics offerings. Users can select from a range which includes the RTX3070 with 8GB GDDR6 RAM or the AMD Radeon RX5700XT. This paired with capable processors from Intel’s 11th generation Core i line up ensures that you’ll have ample performance to meet your needs. Users are able to select configurations with up to an Intel Core i9 to cater to their creative needs. The XPS desktop is also available in Dell’s Creator Editions which certify that the machines are built for creation. This paired with their recognition under NVIDIA’s RTX Studio programme should give you ample peace of mind when it comes to content creation.
Pricing & Availability
The Dell XPS Desktop will be available starting end of March 2021 with prices starting at USD$649.99 (MYR2,673.91). It will also be available in a special edition which comes in white with prices starting at USD$1129.99 (MYR4,648.41).
In Malaysia, the XPS Desktop will be available in a single configuration starting at the end of March 2021 with prices starting from MYR3,699. Specifications start with the 11th Generation Intel Core i5 with 8GB of RAM and 512GB of onboard memory and the NVIDIA GeForce GTX1650 Super.
The ASUS ZenBook name is one of icon. We say that because the ASUS ZenBook name goes back to 2011. You can trace the ZenBook at the birth of Windows UltraBooks as well. In fact, the ASUS ZenBook of 2011 was the first Windows PC UltraBook that is introduced to the world.
The ASUS ZenBook line-up has expanded to not just ultra-portable notebook PCs. It now covers ASUS’ premium line-up of lightweight notebooks that are made at the highest standards possible, it covers their convertible notebooks too. There are even dual-display notebooks within the line-up now.
For 2021, ASUS’ is bringing another innovation to their new ZenBooks – the power of OLED displays. They start with the ASUS ZenBook Flip S OLED (UX371), ZenBook Flip 13 (UX 363), and ZenBook Duo 14.
ASUS ZenBook Flip 13 Flip OLED (UX363)
Source: ASUS
Source: ASUS
Source: ASUS
Source: ASUS
Source: ASUS
Source: ASUS
Source: ASUS
True to its name, the ASUS ZenBook Flip 13 OLED comes with an OLED display measuring 13.3-inch to be precise. It boasts Full HD in resolution. Thanks to OLED technology, colours pop on the glossy display with 100% coverage on DCI-P3 colour gamut. Because it is OLED also, it is bright at 400nits. Of course, because this is a convertible, the 13-inch display is a touch sensitive display.
The Flip 13 packs some punch as well though to keep the OLED display happy. There is an 11th Generation Intel Core i7-1165G7 (up to) to boot within the svelte all-metal body. The processor is supported by Intel’s Iris Xe Graphics integrated GPU as well, to ensure that you still can edit videos on the go. You get up to 8GB of RAM as well to work with and up to 512GB of SSD for speedy data reads and transfers. SSD also means that Windows can boot up near instantly. It also comes with ASUS’ innovative and compelling ASUS NumberPad 2.0 technology which allows for a full-sized edge-to-edge keyboard without squeezing the keys to fit the number keys (not like there are any extra spaces for it anyway).
Small and light does not mean limited though with the ASUS ZenBook Flip 13 OLED. You still get full I/O ports like the USB Type-A power and a standard HDMI port alongside two Thunderbolt 4 enabled USB Type-C ports. You get big audio too with Harman Kardon certified audio system on ASUS’ SonicMaster stereo speakers. Of course, you get the latest networking technology in the WiFi 6 connectivity and dual-band Bluetooth 5.0.
ASUS ZenBook Flip S OLED (UX371)
Source: ASUS
Source: ASUS
Source: ASUS
Source: ASUS
Source: ASUS
Source: ASUS
Source: ASUS
Full HD may not be enough for you. You can get your hands on 4K in that case with the ASUS ZenBook Flip S OLED. You still get OLED on the 13.3-inch display convertible. Only this one is a 4K UHD display with up to 100% DCI-P3 coverage and up to 400nits in brightness too.
The internals are just as impressive as the ASUS ZenBook Flip 13 too. You get the latest Intel Core i7-1165G7 processor as well with Intel’s Iris Xe Graphics to power the 4K UHD display. On top of that though you get 16GB of RAM, twice more than the regular ZenBook Flip. You also get up to 1TB in SSD storage space.
You still get full connectivity with a full-sized USB Type-A and standard HDMI ports as well besides the two Thunderbolt 4 enabled USB Type-C ports with charging capabilities. Of course, you also get Harman-Kardon certified ASUS SonicMaster stereo dual speakers to work with. On top of all of that, ASUS claims a battery life of 15 hours, which is impressive if you can actually get that much battery life.
ASUS ZenBook Duo 14 (UX482)
Source: ASUS
Source: ASUS
Source: ASUS
Source: ASUS
Source: ASUS
Source: ASUS
Source: ASUS
Source: ASUS
For even more flexibility in work, you need two displays. Rather than buying a notebook and a high-resolution external monitor, you could get yourself a notebook with two displays. That is the ASUS ZenBook Duo 14. The main display pushes 1080p Full HD resolution at 14-inch. You get 100% sRGB colour gamut as well as Pantone validation on the IPS display for the highest level of colour accuracy on the display. Of course, it is also a touch sensitive display like the secondary display that tilts to you. The secondary display is also a high-resolution Full HD 12.6-inch display. Obviously, you are not getting full height on the display, it covers the usual spot for the keyboard.
To keep the two displays running happily is an Intel Core i7-1165G7 (up to) 11th Generation processor and a powerful NVIDIA GeForce MX450 discrete GPU. You also get u to 16GB of RAM to keep the two screens happy with multiple windows running at the same time. For all your storage needs, there is a 512GB SSD storage to keep things trundling along smoothly and quickly. Of course, in the interest of speed and stability you also get WiFi 6 connectivity as standard alongside Bluetooh 5.0.
In terms of utility, this workhorse needs to offer maximum flexibility in working ports. There are two Thunderbolt 4 enabled USB Type-C ports accompanied by one USB 3.2 Type-A port, a 3.5mm audio combo jack, a standard HDMI port and a microSD card slot. Its speakers are Harman Kardon certified units too, so you can rely on the notebook’s speakers to edit your videos and audios. This one is a content creator’s dream tool.
Availability and Pricing
The ASUS ZenBook Flip 13 OLED (UX363) will be available today onward from ASUS authorised dealers and all ASUS official online stores retailing at MYR 6,799 onward. The ASUS ZenBook Flip S OLED (UX371) will be available today onward as well from ASUS authorised dealers and all official online stores retailing at MYR 4699 (Core i5) and MYR 5,199 (Core i7) onward. The ASUS ZenBook Duo 14 will also be available today onward from ASUS authorised stores and all online stores for MYR 5,499 (Core i5 + 8GB RAM) and MYR 6,499 (Core i7 + 16GB RAM) onward. For more information on the new 2021 ZenBook line-up you can head over to ASUS’ website.
Microsoft has finally rolled out end-to-end encryption (E2EE) feature to Microsoft Teams after a long wait. This feature is available for commercial or paid subscriber, and it only applies to one-to-one unscheduled meetings. Although, Microsoft mentioned that this feature will be applied in other types of meeting in the future.
This security feature has provided users a better platform to discuss sensitive and confidential matters or topics. Microsoft’s implementation not only encrypts the conversation during the meeting but also enhances cryptographic keys held on users’ devices. In other words, no third party gets access to the meeting or trace the conversations, including Microsoft. The latest security upgrade is supposed to reduce privacy concerns.
On the other hand, PowerPoint Live is one of the new features in Microsoft Teams, it allows users to remotely control the slides, while the viewers or other presenters can privately skip ahead to the content they want without disrupting the presentation. Presenters can review comments, content, notes, and meeting participants on a single screen, which is convenient.
Moreover, Microsoft Teams is offering 3 presenter modes for customized presentations. The 3 modes are ‘Standout’, ‘Reporter’, and ‘Side-by-side’.Only Standout mode will be released within this month (March 2021), Reporter and Side-by-Side mode will be released soon as per Microsoft. Standout mode places the presenter’s video feed front and center. Side-by-side places the video feed right beside the presenter’s slides. Reporter mode is pretty self-explanatory.
Of course, users can leave it in Dynamic Mode to keep things simple. Dynamic View personalizes and automatically manages the frame to the speaker window as people speak up or turn on their cameras. Users can decide to place the participant gallery at the top of their window, closer to your webcam’s placement. This layout arrangement helps maintain a sort of natural eye gaze. Dynamic View will also be coming later this month.
When we say no more in this case, it is not exactly true yet. There are still Apple iMac Pro devices still going around the market. But as per Apple, the only ones they are selling at this point is their base model with Intel’s 10-core Xeon CPU.
Apple’s iMac Pro is Apple’s iteration of what an all-in-one workstation should be. The iMac Pro is designed for heavy workloads and churn an impressive amount of compute power to do anything its users could think off. It was designed as well, to be as portable as possible so users can take it from one corner of the world to the other to get their work done on a reliable machine.
The latest iMac Pro comes with a 27-inch display that boasts 5K resolution with True Tone and option for nano-texture glass. While the base model is an Intel Xeon variant, you could opt for a 10-generation Intel Core i9 with up to 256GB* of RAM and up to 8TB of storage. If you really want to kit it out, you can even get a powerful AMD Radeon Pro 5700 XT GPU for all your heavy rendering, 10-Gigabit ethernet for fast networking in the office, an excellent 1080p webcam for better web conferencing experience (important today), even better speakers and microphones, and a lot more.
The base model of the iMac Pro will set you back US$ 4,999 (MYR 20,855**) and comes with said 10-core Intel Xeon W processor. You get 32GB of RAM and 1TB of storage for that money. On top of that you get a Radeon Pro Vega 56 GPU.
Apple has announced that the current remaining batch of iMac Pro devices in the market are the last ones on sale. They have not confirmed if there are any replacement models for the iMac Pro or not. Sources say that you may not want to count on Apple replacing the iMac Pro at this time though. In that case, if you are looking for an Apple machine that could handle all your 3D modelling projects or CAD modelling, you might want to start looking at the Mac Pro.
Just not too long after NVIDIA pushes their latest GeForce RTX 3060, AMD answered with their latest AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT. Before we go on though, we are not going to be doing many comparisons between the two. This is a good one though.
AMD touts the AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT graphics card to be your 1440p gaming buddy. 1440p as in the display resolution, if you did not get it. In that case also, the RX 6700 XT might be the best value for money card AMD can offer with RDNA 2 and Smart Access Memory features out of the box. Considering that Smart Access Memory function is now available for AMD’s Ryzen 3000 series processors, this could be time for you to upgrade your GPU to an RX 6000 series.
Source: AMD
The headline numbers are 7nm process technology, 12GB of RAM, 40 compute units, clock speeds up to 2581 MHz (Boost), 196 bit of memory interface, and 96 MB of infinity cache. All this at a maximum power draw of 230W. You can undervolt the card as well to optimise heat management and reducing power draw.
All this results in supposed gains in 1440p resolution gaming. In that sense, the RX 6700 XT is really made for the most popular gaming segment in the PC gaming industry. The best-selling gaming monitors are 1440p gaming monitors at this point and that has not come with a lot of surprise given the value that 1440p monitors offer for their prices.
Source: AMD
Source: AMD
Source: AMD
AMD claims to boast more than 165fps consistently in selected esports titles. You do need every inch of advantage when it comes to eSports and you can really appreciate the extra fps whenever you get into an intense battle with another player. A few fps could be the difference to winning that battle, or losing your cool. But of course, there is also AMD’s Radeon Anti-Lag feature to really boost your advantage in eSports.
Source: AMD
The AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT will be available 18th March 2021 onward from board partners like ASRock, ASUS, Gigabyte, MSI, PowerColor, SAPPHIRE, and XFX. The card should start at US$ 479 (MYR 1,942*). Of course, prices and stock availability varies from each board manufacturer. There are no official word yet on local availability from the board partners but we assume that they will make some form of announcement closer to the release date later this month. More information on the AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT is available through their website.
*Approximate conversion based on US$ 1 = MYR 4.05 as of 04/03/2020 on xe.com
Today, thanks in large part to the cloud, actions such as communicating over text or transferring funds digitally are so commonplace, we hardly even think about how incredible these processes are; as we enter the golden age of machine learning, we can expect a similar boom of benefits that previously seemed impossible.
Machine learning is already helping companies make better and faster decisions. In healthcare, the use of predictive models created with machine learning is accelerating research and discovery of new drugs and treatment regiments. In other industries, it’s helping remote villages of Southeast Africa gain access to financial services, and matching individuals experiencing homelessness with housing.
While the short term applications are encouraging, machine learning could potentially have an even greater impact on our society. In the future, machine learning will be intertwined and under the hood of almost every application, business process, and end-user experience. However, before this technology becomes so ubiquitous that it’s almost boring, there are four key barriers to adoption we need to clear first.
Democratizing machine learning
The only way that machine learning will truly scale is if we as an industry make it easier for everyone – regardless of their skill level or resources – to be able to incorporate this sophisticated technology into applications and business processes.
To achieve this, companies should take advantage of tools that have intelligence directly built into applications that their entire organization can benefit from. For instance, 123RF, a homegrown stock photography portal, aims to make design smarter, faster, and easier for users. To do so, it relies on Amazon Athena, Amazon Kinesis, and AWS Lambda for data pipeline processing. Its newer product Designs.ai Videomaker uses Amazon Polly to create voice-overs in more than 10 different languages. With AWS, 123RF has maintained flexibility in scaling its infrastructure and shortened product development cycles and is looking to incorporate other services to support its machine learning & AI research.
As processes go from being manual to automatic, workers are free to innovate and invent, and companies are empowered to be proactive instead of reactive. And as this technology becomes more intuitive and accessible, it can be applied to nearly every problem imaginable–from the toughest challenges in the IT department, to the biggest environmental issues in the world.
Upskilling workers
According to the World Economic Forum, the growth of AI could create 58 million net new jobs in the next few years. However, research suggests that there are currently only 300,000 AI engineers worldwide, and AI-related job postings are three times that of job searches with a widening divergence. Given this significant gap, organizations need to recognize that they simply aren’t going to be able to hire all the data scientists they need as they continue to implement machine learning into their work. Moreover, this pace of innovation will open doors and ultimately create jobs we can’t even begin to imagine today.
That’s why companies in the region like Asia Pacific University, DBS, Halodoc and others are finding innovative ways to encourage and nurture more young talents to gain new machine learning skills in fun, interactive hands-on ways, such as the AWS DeepRacer League. It’s critical that organizations should not only direct their efforts towards training the workforce they have with machine learning skills, but also invest in training programs that develop these important skills in the workforce of tomorrow.
Instilling trust in products
With anything new, often people are of two minds – either an emerging technology is a panacea and global savior, or it is a destructive force with cataclysmic tendencies. The reality is more often than not, a nuance somewhere in the middle. These disparate perspectives can be reconciled with information, transparency, and trust.
As a first step, leaders in the industry need to help companies and communities learn about machine learning, how it works, where it can be applied, ways to use it responsibly, and understand what it is not.
Second, in order to gain faith in machine learning products, they need to be built by diverse groups of people across gender, race, age, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, culture, and education. We will all benefit from individuals who bring varying backgrounds, ideas, and points of view to inventing new machine learning products.
Third, machine learning services should be rigorously tested, measuring accuracy against third party benchmarks. Benchmarks should be established by academia, as well as governments, and be applied to any machine learning-based service, creating a rubric for reliable results, as well as contextualizing results for use cases.
Regulation of machine learning
Finally, as a society, we need to agree on what parameters should be put in place governing how and when machine learning can be used. With any new technology, there has to be a balance in protecting civil rights while also allowing for continued innovation and practical application of the technology.
Any organization working with machine learning technology should be engaging customers, researchers, academics, and others to best determine the benefits of its machine learning technology with the potential risks. And they should be in active conversation with policymakers, supporting legislation, and creating their own guidelines for the responsible use of machine learning technology. Transparency, open dialogue, and constant evaluation must always be prioritized to ensure that machine learning is applied appropriately and is continuously enhanced.
What’s next
Through machine learning we’ve already accomplished so much, and yet, it’s still day one (and we haven’t even had a cup coffee yet!). If we’re using machine learning to help endangered orangutans, just imagine how it could be used to help save and preserve our oceans and marine life. If we’re using this technology to create digital snapshots of the planet’s forests in real-time, imagine how it could be used to predict and prevent forest fires. If machine learning can be used to help connect small-holder farmers to the people and resources they need to achieve their economic potential, imagine how it could help end world hunger.
To achieve this reality, we as an industry, have a lot of work ahead of us. I’m incredibly optimistic that machine learning will help us solve some of the world’s toughest challenges and create amazing end-user experiences we’ve never even dreamt. Before we know it, machine learning will be as familiar as reaching for our phones.
Acer’s TravelMate P4 is making its way to Malaysian consumers! The new offering from Acer brings the best of durability and specifications to meet the rigours of the current work from anywhere culture. Equipped with military standard toughness, the TravelMate P4 is made to accompany users where ever they may decide to work. It even comes with features to ensure that critical information is secured.
The TravelMate P4 is equipped with Intel’s 11th generation Core i3, i5 and Core i7 processors. These processors come with performance enhancements that not only make them perform better but also make them even more power-efficient. This allows users to enjoy a whopping 15-hours of battery life. If you require more power in the graphics department, there are options which include the NVIDIA GeForce MX350; otherwise, the laptop comes built-in with the Intel IRIS Xe which should be just as powerful as the MX350.
On the connectivity side of things, the TravelMate P4 comes with support for WiFi 6 (802.11ax) which allows stable, high speed connectivity for your work needs. It also supports Bluetooth 5.1. The webcam on the P4 is a standard 720p HD webcam which is complemented with Acer Purified Voice technology for all your video calling needs.
The display on the TravelMate P4 is a Full HD IPS display which should give you enough visual real estate to complete any task. It has up to 16GB of RAM and up to 1TB of storage.
Pricing & Availability
The Acer TravelMate P4 is available in stores now. It will set you back MYR4,999 for the version with the Intel Core i7 and MYR4,099 for the one with the Core i5.
Purchases made between 1st January to 31 March 2021 will be entitled to redeem MYR80 Touch ‘n Go eWallet or Boost eWallet credit.
HP’s new line up of Spectre laptops has officially made its debut in Malaysia with the announcement of their flagship Spectre x360 series. Yep. That’s right, it’s not just one laptop anymore. HP is introducing a new model – the HP Spectre x360 14 – which spearheads the line up. The new Spectre x360 series will now consist of the Spectre x360 14 and the Spectre x360 13.
The new laptops from HP come with a 3:2 aspect ratio and comes with a Full HD resolution of 1920×1080 pixels. The displays, like in previous iterations, is a touch enabled IPS display with Corning Gorilla Glass protection which covers 90.33% of the viewing surface. This year’s line up comes with some colour accuracy with 100% coverage of the sRGB gamut. The display comes in both 13.5-inch and 13.2-inch sizes for the 14 and 13 respectively.
The Spectre x360 line up comes powered by the 11th Generation Intel Core i5 and i7 processors. Complementing the processors is up t0 16GB of RAM and up to 2TB of SSD storage. Aside from this, the laptops come equipped with Intel’s new IRIS Xe graphics which packs quite the punch when it comes to graphical prowess. On the networking side, the HP Spectre x360 line up with Intel’s built-in AX201 networking which supports the new WiFi 6 standard in addition to Bluetooth 5.0. With these upgrades, the HP Spectre still boasts up to 17 hours of battery life.
HP continues imbue the Spectre line up with its premium, all metal build. This year’s iteration comes with gem cut and dual chamfer design made possible by precision CNC machining. This and the full aluminum gives enhanced durability and sturdiness to the new Spectre x360 without adding unneeded weight to the laptop.
With all these hardware features, the HP Spectre x360 line up comes with a slew of software features that bring added functionality that users will definitely benefit from. One that stands out is HP’s QuickDrop feature which allows users to seamlessly transfer files between their phone and PC. Users can also use the function to access things like addresses between the two platforms. HP’s Smart Sense helps users get more out of their PC by optimising settings in the background while users are using the laptop. This comes in addition to the Microsoft’s Windows Hello which works with the IR camera and fingerprint sensor on the Spectre x360.
Pricing & Availability
The HP Spectre x360 14 and 13 are available in HP’s signature Poseidon Blue with Pale Brass accents. Prices start at MYR6,099 (USD$1,504.17*) for the Spectre x360 14 and MYR5,699 (USD$1,405.52) for the 13.
If there is one thing I want to complain about, when it comes to modern notebook PCs, is that we still have to rely on WiFi. We are in 2021 now, and we still have to rely on WiFi to get our work going on-the-go. We live in 2021, where the world is turning itself upside down, and where work is not just in the office anymore. We live in a world where work is mobile.
So why do we still rely on WiFi to get our work on? Sure, the easy cure is to use your smartphone as a hotspot device. That is, while a small hassle, still an extra thing to work with. Turning on hotspot on your smartphone for extended periods also means that you are draining your smartphone battery even faster. In slightly older devices, your data network cuts off the moment you pick up a call or make a call. It feels like you are going back to the Dial-Up days, but outside and wirelessly now.
Thing is, the mobile PC platform is the perfect platform to be always connected wherever you are. Your notebooks now are more essential than ever. Your work is no longer stationary. Although, with the pandemic, you are mostly stuck within the confines of your home. Still, within your home, you might move around for a change of environment, in certain parts of your home, WiFi may not be great. There is also chance that you might not even have a dedicated internet plan for home.
Welcome to what seems to be the first modern Windows device that comes with Cellular connectivity. Welcome to the JOI Book SK3000. Welcome to the future-ish.
Design
If you have not heard of JOI, do not worry. Thy are not some Chinese based OEM that sells some subpar product. However, they are also not from Taiwan, or United States, or some European country. They are, in fact, home grown. They stem from SNS Network. This is a topic for another day though. We go back to the JOI Book SK3000.
When you buy any notebook, the first thing that you see is not really the laptop. You actually see the box first, its packaging. In fact, this is true for almost any device you buy today.
The SK3000 comes in a relatively small cardboard box. To be fair, most notebooks come packaged in a cardboard box and the notebook is suspended inside with two foam inserts. The difference is that the box that this JOI Book SK3000 comes in a coloured box rather than a plain brown box that we are so used to with big brand manufacturers.
Pull the device out of the box though, and our first impression of the notebook was surprisingly a good one. They were not lying when they said that this 12.5-incher comes in an all-metal body. That partly means that the device is quite sturdy. It is also quite cold to the touch.
We were also impressed by its thickness, or lack of thereof. They say that this is less than 15mm thick, we believe them. Of course, this is mostly thanks to the fan-less design that the Qualcomm Mobile Compute platform allows.
The lack of thickness also means that you are sacrificing a few things on the Notebook though. The JOI Book SK3000 only comes with a USB Type-C port on the left and a 3.5mm AUX jack on the right side. No, the USB Type-C is not a Thunderbolt port either, that is an Intel exclusive. Still, the USB Type-C can be used with a multipurpose hub for HDMI extensions and such. The only issue now is to buy a USB Type-C hub.
There are no speaker grilles placed outside the shell of the notebook. Instead, underneath the notebook is a screwed in cap that allows you to install a SIM card and MicroSD card for cellular connectivity and memory expansion. As far as we are currently concerned, the MicroSD slot is the only way to expand the device’s internal memory. This thing is just like a smartphone in a notebook shell.
Open it up and the IPS Full HD display greets you alongside its keyboard. Top of the bottom clam is still aluminium with some cut outs for the dual top firing speakers on the unit. The display does not have super-thin bezels, but they are thin enough for its body size. Then there is the fact that the whole display panel is under a flush glass panel to complete the premium look. Hard to fathom the MYR 2,199 asking price when you look at the JOI Book SK3000. It looks and feels properly premium.
The combination of glass material and aluminium on the shell makes the notebook is a little top heavy. When you put your device on the table, while the display will not open flat parallel to the keyboard surface, it feels like the notebook is tipping to its display a little bit. You still can use the notebook at full tilt on the table though, the notebook will not actually tip over unless you push the display a little bit.
All these materials are good too. It makes for a very solid notebook with none of the display flex that we are used to from big brand notebooks. This is also true for the keyboard surface. The only thing that might give away its competitive pricing is the key caps on the keyboard itself. It feels a little hollow and cheap. We will talk about the keyboard more later.
All-aluminium metal body also means that the notebook comes in at a little bit of heft. They claim 1.05kg on this notebook. Weirdly though it feels quite a little bit heavier compared to the Acer Swift 5 that weighs just under 1kg. That notebook has a fan and touch sensitive 14-inch display mind you. The Acer is also more than double the price of the JOI Book SK3000 though.
Overall, we quite like the build quality and look of the notebook. At first glance, it does not look like something that would fit your budget of MYR 2,500 on a notebook. That is a good thing.
Hardware
Under the svelte Aluminium body you will find none of the regular notebook components that you are used to. For one, you will not find a dan underneath the hood You will not even find a dedicated GPU. Instead, you will what seems to be smartphone board components. Then again, not much difference between a smartphone and notebook in terms of components.
You will find a Qualcomm Snapdragon 850 Mobile Compute platform sitting under the hood to run the PC though. There is no Intel or NVIDIA trickery in the notebook. Thanks to Qualcomm’s Snapdragon platform though, fan-less design is possible. Which also means that this notebook is as quiet as your smartphone.
If there is one thing I want to complain about, when it comes to modern notebook PCs, is that we still have to rely on WiFi. We are in 2021 now, and we still have to rely on WiFi to get our work going on-the-go. We live in 2021, where the world is turning itself upside down, and where work is not just in the office anymore. We live in a world where work is mobile.
So why do we still rely on WiFi to get our work on? Sure, the easy cure is to use your smartphone as a hotspot device. That is, while a small hassle, still an extra thing to work with. Turning on hotspot on your smartphone for extended periods also means that you are draining your smartphone battery even faster. In slightly older devices, your data network cuts off the moment you pick up a call or make a call. It feels like you are going back to the Dial-Up days, but outside and wirelessly now.
Thing is, the mobile PC platform is the perfect platform to be always connected wherever you are. Your notebooks now are more essential than ever. Your work is no longer stationary. Although, with the pandemic, you are mostly stuck within the confines of your home. Still, within your home, you might move around for a change of environment, in certain parts of your home, WiFi may not be great. There is also chance that you might not even have a dedicated internet plan for home.
Welcome to what seems to be the first modern Windows device that comes with Cellular connectivity. Welcome to the JOI Book SK3000. Welcome to the future-ish.
Design
If you have not heard of JOI, do not worry. Thy are not some Chinese based OEM that sells some subpar product. However, they are also not from Taiwan, or United States, or some European country. They are, in fact, home grown. They stem from SNS Network. This is a topic for another day though. We go back to the JOI Book SK3000.
When you buy any notebook, the first thing that you see is not really the laptop. You actually see the box first, its packaging. In fact, this is true for almost any device you buy today.
The SK3000 comes in a relatively small cardboard box. To be fair, most notebooks come packaged in a cardboard box and the notebook is suspended inside with two foam inserts. The difference is that the box that this JOI Book SK3000 comes in a coloured box rather than a plain brown box that we are so used to with big brand manufacturers.
Pull the device out of the box though, and our first impression of the notebook was surprisingly a good one. They were not lying when they said that this 12.5-incher comes in an all-metal body. That partly means that the device is quite sturdy. It is also quite cold to the touch.
We were also impressed by its thickness, or lack of thereof. They say that this is less than 15mm thick, we believe them. Of course, this is mostly thanks to the fan-less design that the Qualcomm Mobile Compute platform allows.
Features
At MYR 2,199, the JOI Book SK3000 seems like a basic notebook PC. It does not look like it has anything more to offer compared to its competitors. Just take a look at the ASUS VivoBook variants for example. For a little bit more money, you get a larger display, and a little more in terms of I/O ports.
The JOI Book SK3000 though is not just a basic, Plain Jane notebook PC though. There is more underneath the skin that should make it more attractive to anyone looking for an ultra-portable workhorse. Just do not expect it to perform miracles for you, and you should be fine.
Ma Look, No Fans
Like we said earlier, the JOI Book SK3000 features no fans inside the all-metal chassis. While this might seem odd when you put it beside a regular PC, it is not for the platform that the device works with. It does not have any fans mostly thanks to the Processor, or rather the System on a Chip (SoC) that this device is based on.
The Qualcomm Snapdragon 850 SoC is not technically a new flagship class SoC for the smartphone market. It is no slouch either though. While it is a few generations out of the current smartphone market, it is still a very powerful platform. Powerful enough to power Windows 10 Pro on a 12.5-inch display in the case of the JOI Book SK3000.
The Qualcomm Mobile Compute platform is largely based on their smartphone counterparts anyway, which also means that a fan is hardly necessary. The platform has been tested time and time again and is optimised for a smartphone platform that is usually void of any sort of active cooling solutions. All you need is a couple of copper heat pipes that spreads the heat around and you have yourself a running SoC.
While the Qualcomm Snapdragon 850 does heat up a little bit in certain workloads on your smartphone, it hardly ever does on the JOI Book SK3000. Then again, you have to remember that you cannot expect the JOI Book SK3000 to be your main gaming PC. Then again, the PC runs on S mode by default, so you technically cannot install apps from sources other than the Windows Marketplace. More on that later.
The major benefit when you have a device with no fans though is its quietness. You do not need to be wary of the device’s fan suddenly spooling when you sit in a library or in a quiet café somewhere. You do not need to worry about being the one that spoils the peace in a quiet environment. If you leave your Windows Pro on S mode, you never really have to worry about getting the heat up too much on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 850.
Always Connected with 4G LTE
Another benefit of using Qualcomm’s Mobile Compute platform like the Snapdragon 850 SoC is its integrated modem that is ready to take on cellular network bands. That benefit translates to a state of readiness of the JOI Book SK3000. Wherever you are, as long as you have a SIM card pushed into the SIM slot with an active data plan, you are going to have internet no matter where you go.
According to SNS network, the SIM tray can take on SIM cards from any of the major carriers in Malaysia. We have only tested the JOI Book SK3000 with YES 4G LTE network and we are happy to report that it works. That also means that where signal is available, the notebook becomes our core work PC and even a hotspot device if needed.
Of course, the device still features WiFi connectivity. But it also switches out of WiFi into cellular very seamlessly. The moment WiFi signals are too weak or cuts, cellular network cuts in immediately, very much like your smartphone. This is kudos not only to the manufacturer though, but this is also thanks to the current iteration of Windows 10 Pro that is ready for mobile usage.
This also means that you do not necessarily have to turn on your smartphone’s hotspot and drain its battery in the process. You save time, and battery. It adds a layer of convenience at work with less battery anxiety and more productivity. Of course, you might still want to think about the JOI Book SK3000’s battery.
The only thing you cannot do with the JOI Book SK3000 is make a phone call directly from your notebook. But why would you make a phone call from your notebook? You have a smartphone for that.
Another downside is that you have no excuse to not work even if there are no WiFi available now. If your boss tells you to check your email while you are out and about, you cannot tell your boss that you do not have an active internet connection for your laptop. You can tell your boss that your battery has ran out. But if your boss provides the data plan for your JOI Book SK3000, you cannot tell him that you have no internet connection, especially at home.
MicroSD Expansion
Like a smartphone too, the JOI Book SK3000 uses a MicroSD slot for its memory expansion. That also means that upgrading the storage on the device is cheaper and easier than you expect. Rather than taking out the whole notebook bottom case to lift its hood to install an SSD, you only need to unscrew a very small door on the underside of the notebook to reveal a SIM slot and a MicroSD slot.
You might want to consider getting a MicroSD card to expand your JOI Book SK3000’s small 128GB memory though. Technically 128GB is not small when you put it in a smartphone context. It is small for a Windows notebook PC though. You might want to think about getting another 128GB of MicroSD card or go up all the way to 512GB in that case.
Given that the notebook only comes in one configuration, having that extra expansion slot is always great. While the slot is a hot swap slot, unless you leave the protective door open, you are not going to access the MicroSD card in anyway. We do think that there is another space for MicroSD cards too for the PC though. Still, you can add that capability via a USB Type-C hub anyway.
Windows 10 Pro
This is a notebook PC, so it runs on Windows 10. It is no regular Windows 10 that we have here though. This is Windows 10 Pro that we are getting here. That also means that you get a few extra features that is missing from the Windows 10 Home you get on your regular notebooks.
You can set password protected partition on your hard disk if you want to. It is also technically more secure than regular Windows 10 Home. But as far as usage is concerned, they technically make nearly zero difference. They are all Windows 10 after all.
This also means that you get a regular Windows 10 experience from the JOI Book SK3000. What surprises us though is how smooth Windows is running on top of a smartphone processor. It feels like a regular PC and probably better than some entry-level stuff in the market.
Performance
We do not really expect big things from the Qualcomm powered JOI Book. Thing is, the Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 850 is a powerful piece of kit. We are just not sure if it is optimised for Microsoft Windows or vice versa.
All You Need in an Aluminium Chassis
We are not saying that the Qualcomm based notebook is not good. Windows 10 Pro technically runs fine on the platform. Because Windows knows that it is running atop of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 850 Mobile Compute though, there are certain limitations to it.
Microsoft Office, Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, Mozilla Thunderbird, and Google Chrome is not one of those limitations though. You still can enjoy Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Spotify, and Tidal on this notebook too. It is not all that bad.
On those programs though, the JOI Book SK3000 works well. Then again, the apps listed are quite basic for any PC. The only app you might want to avoid using in the list is Google Chrome. Google Chrome is a huge RAM hog, which also means it will slow down other things too.
We have always said that you need at least 8GB in RAM to get Windows 10 to run properly. The JOI Book SK3000 is a prove that we are quite wrong. At least on the listed apps, you can have multiple windows open and still work on it with no issues at all. Sure, there might be some lags and stutters from time to time, but they are not so bad that they are irksome.
If you are going to install third party apps like Steam and Adobe Creative Cloud Suite though, be sure to opt out of ‘S Mode’. ‘S Mode’ will not allow you to install any third-party apps to keep Windows streamlined, secure and smooth. if you are content with running apps from the Microsoft app marketplace though, you should be fine in ‘S Mode’.
Gaming – Sort Of
We installed Left 4 Dead 2 and Dota2 to the JOI Book SK3000. We are happy to report that they run though. Obviously, we had to try gaming on the JOI Book SK3000. We are not going to let Full HD 1080p IPS goodness go to waste despite the Adreno based GPU on the Snapdragon 850 SoC.
Left 4 Dead 2 is not exactly a current title. It was not even a AAA title at launch. That also means that its graphical requirements should not be too taxing for modern PCs or even modern processing chips, including a smartphone optimised chip. We managed to get about 24 fps out of the JOI Book SK3000 on the game too, just to prove a point. But there are quite a few shocks and bumps that sends the frame rates crashing down.
We are quite confident that the game could low-key run titles like The Sims 4, and even Two Point Hospital. Cities: Skylines? Forget it. Windows will not allow you to install Minecraft: Dungeons via Microsoft app store though. That also means that Windows think that the JOI Book SK3000 does not even meet the minimum required specifications of the game. We are quite confident still that the JOI Book SK3000 might be able to run Minecraft Dungeons with little issues at about 24fps though. Again, we do not know because we could not even install the game.
If you are planning to play Dota2 competitively on this JOI Book SK3000, you might want to forget it. Yes, Dota2 runs. But it does not run as smooth as you want it to run. You do not want your team mates to rely on you while you are gaming with the JOI Book SK3000.
The good thing is that the Qualcomm Snapdragon 850 works the same on battery and while you plug it in. That also means that if you are planning to game on battery, you can. You just have to keep in mind that the battery might run out before you finish a session.
Only Adobe Lightroom
Adobe Creative Cloud can be installed on the JOI Book SK3000. There is only one app that is available for this platform though. As per the subheading suggests, you can only work with Adobe Lightroom in full.
If you go on Microsoft’s app marketplace though, you can get Photoshop Express to work with the JOI Book SK3000 too. It is no Photoshop for desktop, but it works. None of the regular video editing apps would install correctly on the JOI Book SK3000 too. Even Adobe’s Premiere Pro refuses to download. Nope, no Adobe Acrobat Reader to download too, sadly.
Keyboard Love Hate
To be fair, the typing experience is not half as bad as plenty of the entry level notebook PCs you can find in the market. There is enough key travel on the keyboard that you feel like you are actually hitting buttons rather than punching a wall with your fingers. There is enough feedback from the keyboard too to make your typing experience a smooth and comfortable one.
What we are not sure of is the plastic finish and material quality that comes with the JOI Book SK3000. The plastic buttons do feel a little hollow to the touch. The textured caps, while does provide a little extra grip, feels a little old school.
While the typing experience borders excellence, the JOI Book SK3000’s keyboard feels a little cheap and hollow. It is not loud. No, it is quite far from that. The keyboard is quite silent to work with. It is technically the loudest thing on the notebook apart from its speakers though.
It is not the fitment of the keyboard as well, because that is actually quite excellent. There is no play on each of the island key caps. They feel secure and nicely fitting. From a glance too, they look like they belong.
Then again, we are sort of nit picking on the keyboard when we say that it feels less premium. It is a perfectly fine keyboard for a notebook. Keys are big and defined too, so any hands can get comfortable with the keyboard. We are just a little irked by the material choice.
Battery Life
One of the biggest benefits, other than quietness, from the Qualcomm Mobile compute platform is its battery life. You only get 4,500mAh in the sleek body of the JOI Book SK3000. While that means about 8 hours of battery life from a regular Intel or AMD mobile processor, it can mean days of battery life for the Qualcomm processor.
True enough, even if you leave the notebook on standby, the JOI Book SK3000 can last you a whole week without charging. Of course, it will not go on forever while remaining always on. But that is definitely more than plenty of notebooks in the same price range.
The beauty of a smartphone optimised computing platform is the application of the Big Small architecture in their processing chips. That also means that the SoC can call for more power when it needs it, and sips energy when it does not. That translates to up to 10 hours of continuous usage of the JOI Book SK3000, and even longer run time while on standby.
Of course, if you do game and run other heavy application on the JOI Book SK3000, you can expect a shorter battery life. If you plan to run Adobe Lightroom for extended periods or even game for extended periods, you might want to consider finding a charging point.
This notebook charges its 4,500mAh battery quite quickly too though. Thanks to Qualcomm’s Fast Charging know how, the notebook can charge at up to 30W. That means you are up and running again within 2 hours of charging your JOI Book SK3000. Because the included charger is also a USB Type-C charger with fast charging capabilities, you can use it to charge your smartphones as well. That, or any other USB Type-C device you might find in your gear bag. In other words, you may not need to carry any other chargers with you.
The only issue with have with the charging though is that not all USB Type-C chargers can work with the JOI Book SK3000. We tried plugging it to the 65W charging brick from Lenovo and it refuses to charge.
Display and Speakers
We have grouped these two categories into one because there is nothing really to shout about with the speakers. The speakers may not be the JOI Book’s greatest strength. We want to say that it could be the JOI Book SK3000’s worst trait too.
The dual speakers on the JOI Book SK3000 sounds super tinny with no clear definition at all. Bass is virtually non-existent on the JOI Book SK3000 too. Thank goodness you can either plug in your earphones into the 3.5mm jack or connect other earphones and headphones via Bluetooth. You are better off using earphones or headphones even for video calls with your team, or friends.
The display is quite gorgeous though. It is an IPS panel displaying at Full HD 1080p. You also get somewhat narrow bezels. Though we do think that they could make a 13-inch fit in this body if they cut down the bezels even more. They did not mention its colour accuracy specifications though.
Still, colours pop on IPS displays and this 12.5-incher is no exception. It is an excellent display to use for entertainment avenues like Netflix and Amazon Video Prime, even YouTube. Again, plug in your earphones for better audio experience. As we have said, you can sort of game on it too.
It may not be the most accurate IPS panel you can get on a notebook, but if you are not too fussy, you technically can use it to colour correct on Adobe Lightroom. You cannot install Adobe Premiere pro or Photoshop, so you can only work with Adobe Lightroom at this point. IPS panels are not typically found in notebooks that costs just above MYR 2,000 too. That also makes this a little bit of a steal.
The JOI Book SK3000 – The Best Compromise
SNS Network says that this particular notebook should appeal to students more than others. At MYR 2,199, the JOI Book SK3000 would definitely be placed in any student’s consideration. But the JOI Book SK3000 has more potential than that.
We think that anyone can benefit from the JOI Book SK3000. It is not exactly expensive to own or to run. For example, if all you need from your PC is to get through your emails, type out a few emails, access your company server remotely from time to time, create excel sheets and powerpoint slides, or even just simple internet browsing for research, this does all of those just as well as any other PC would.
It is not the lightest PC in the market, so you might say. But it is not exactly heavy either. Its charging package is just a little larger as your regular smartphone charger that it makes no difference. The JOI Book SK3000 itself is so compact that you can just get a small sling bag to work with. If you have a larger bag, good, you have more space for other stuff. The notebook will also last more than a full working day, that means your charger can be stuffed deep down in your bag and you will still be okay through the day.
The best part is that you are constantly connected to the internet no matter where you go. Well, technically wherever there is 4G network signal. While constant connectivity could be a bane for work, it could be bliss too.
For students, it will be a bliss for them when they need to get their work going anyway. Especially if you live in a house with no WiFi connection, you will rely on your smartphone for internet. You could, however go on YES 4G Kasi Up plan and work with up to 100GB of internet a month at not very much money. It is a possibility. This works the same even if you are not a student. You may not need to pay more than MYR 100 to get internet working for you.
In short, if you are looking for a PC that sits between the MYR 2,000 to MYR 2,500 price range, this should at least be in your consideration. For that money, you are getting a well-built product that is truly mobile. You do not even need to think about using your smartphone as a hotspot device anymore. It still does all your basic stuff too, what more do you need? Oh wait, product support.
