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Computers, Reviews

Dell Latitude 7350 Laptop In-Depth Review: Thoughtful AI Meets Power Efficiency & Productivity

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Dell’s Latitude lineup has been one of the foremost laptop lineups when it comes to business and productivity. It has steadily grown from a chunky, business-oriented laptop into a more sleek, refined laptop with productivity features that broaden its appeal beyond just the business market. The Dell Latitude 7350 Laptop builds on this legacy and brings meaningful updates and features to the Latitude lineup. Of course, being a Latitude 7000 series, it’s also pushing the boundaries a little bit with some of the more premium features from Dell’s flagship XPS laptops.

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That said, does slim, sleek and light make a difference? Or does the Dell Latitude 7350 laptop rest on Dell’s laurels? We’re giving you the full breakdown with our in-depth review.

Design

The Dell Latitude 7350 gets a lot of its design cues from the Dell XPS. Its slim form factor and overall design hearken back to the design language of the XPS – albeit a little bit more on the thicker side of things. That said, the adapted design language makes the Latitude look and feel more premium. Dell has also opted to make the Latitude 7350 more petite than its competition with some of the slimmest bezels I’ve seen on a laptop. The build of the laptop isn’t flat either, it’s got a slight taper towards the top lip of the laptop lid. The same lip has a discreet, physical shutter for the camera to prevent digital prying eyes.

The design of the laptop allows it to hold all the relevant ports you’d need while keeping the profile slim and relatively seamless. The slight taper also makes the laptop feel more ergonomic when using it on the go. However, the hallmark of the way the laptop is designed is definitely the placement of the keyboard and trackpad – especially the latter since it’s also larger than the competition. It allows you to avoid weird angles when using the touchpad.

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Dell’s decision to use magnesium for the body of the Latitude 7350 makes the device feel premium and adds a layer of durability that is very welcomed for a device you’ll be carrying with you on the go. Not to forget, the laptop is super lightweight or as Dell puts it “Ultralight”. It weighs just a hair under 1kg – coming in at a mere 0.99kg. The lightweight is very welcomed when running around as it also means it’s easy to carry around. I also found myself double and triple checking my bag for the laptop cause I’m too used to a heavier weight.

Hardware

The Dell Latitude 7350 is a laptop built for productivity. Its specifications live up to this to the “T”. In fact, the hardware it comes with seems run-of-the-mill, but Dell’s thoughtful AI integration is what sets it apart.

Specifications

DELL LATITUDE 7350 LAPTOPAs tested
Processor (clock)Intel Core Ultra 5 135U processor vPRO 4.4 GHz Max Turbo
12 Cores ,14 Threads 12 MB cache
GPUIntegrated Intel Graphics,
Display13.3” IPS FHD+ (1920 x 1200) resolution 16:10 aspect ratio anti-glare screen 250nits brightness
Memory16GB LPDDR5x 256GB PCIe NVMe Gen 4.0 SSD
Networking and ConnectionsIntel WiFi 7 2×2 Bluetooth 5.4   2 Thunderbolt 4 & DisplayPort (USB-C) 1 USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A 1 HDMI 2.1 1 MicroSD card reader 1 Audio Combo Jack
Battery57Wh lithium-polymer battery Up to 8.3 hours of battery life   65W Type-C power adapter
Operating SystemWindows 10 Home 64-bit
MiscellaneousFHD IR camera Backlit Keyboard Stereo Speakers Microphone DisplayPort over USB-C Thunderbolt 4

Features

When it comes to features, the Dell Latitude 7350 hallmark is definitely its weight, but it also comes with another bevvy of features that make it stand out from the crowd. Aside from its magnesium build, Dell has incorporated a multitude of AI-imbued features that leverage the NPU in the Intel Core Ultra processor and also fortify your Dell Latitude 7350 making it more secure and having better performance all with the click of a button.

Thoughtful AI Features Create Secure Work

Like many other Dell laptops, the Latitude 7350 Ultralight is imbued with features that Dell has built in-house. These features leverage Dell’s know-how and the AI capabilities of the processor to bring features that help elevate the user experience and ensure that sensitive data isn’t compromised. Most of these features come with Dell Optimizer which is a piece of software that is available in most of the Dell laptops.

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The Dell Optimizer software allows you to optimize the laptop so that it runs at its best. The Dell optimizer helps optimize the system based on your usage behaviour and also optimizes the laptop’s audio so you can get the best out of the laptop. It even monitors the health of your battery ensuring you get the most out of it and optimises battery usage according to your usage.

Aside from that, the best feature in Dell Optimizer has to be the Onlooker detection and Walk Away lock. As the name suggests, Onlooker Detection uses the camera of the Latitude to detect onlookers. When it does, it blurs out the screen preventing prying eyes from reading what’s on screen. This feature is a real boon especially when you’re working in places like cafes or even in public spaces like hospital waiting rooms. It’s so sensitive that even when it comes to showing someone the screen you need to make sure it’s not over your shoulder cause it will blur the screen. I loved it when I was doing work in a public forum in a hotel. However, the same feature can be a little bit unnerving when it says you have an onlooker when you’re alone in a hotel room. Walk Away Lock does exactly that, it locks your computer when you walk away from it preventing anyone from accessing your work and data. It’s also almost instantaneous taking less than 10 seconds to lock Windows as I walked away from the PC.

Collaboration TouchPad & Keyboard

Dell introduced the Collaboration Touchpad with the Latitude 9330 back in 2022. The touchpad has become something of a standard on Dell laptops now; the Dell Latitude 7350 is following suit. The Collaboration TouchPad brings the most used functionalities in commonly used collaborative applications like Zoom, Microsoft Teams and Slack particularly when it comes to video calls. The Collaboration TouchPad gives you buttons for turning on your webcam, sharing your screen, viewing the chat and muting your microphone which comes in handy when using apps like Zoom. The Collaborative Touchpad gives you a visual indication of whether you’re muted as well – a very welcomed feature that helps prevent awkward situations.

Aside from that, the touchpad itself is larger than normal laptops. This comes in really handy when you’re working on the go. You’ll be able to use the touchpad without straining your wrist too much. This came in especially useful when using the laptop in an aeroplane and even on the train during a commute. The added touchpad real estate meant easier manoeuvring even in tight spaces.

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The keyboard on the Dell Latitude 7350 is also one of its best features. It has a really nice feel when using it. There’s just enough travel so that using it doesn’t feel mushy and it’s got less feedback making it significantly more comfortable to use over prolonged periods. The keys are also wide enough that my fat, pudgy fingers don’t end up pressing more than one key at a time. It’s also worth noting that the speaker grills on either side also made it more comfortable as my fingers weren’t hanging off the sides and resting on the grills.

Performance

When it comes to performance, the Dell Latitude isn’t a slouch. It performs relatively well all things considered. It could handle day-to-day tasks without batting an eye. Simple word processing and small Excel sheets were a breeze. Even larger Excel sheets and heavier PowerPoint presentations were handled really well. That said, the performance of the laptop did take a little bit of a dip when it came to handling Google Chrome with about 8 tabs open. This was exacerbated by using programs like Rambox.

The performance of the laptop was really strained when it came to doing creative work. Light photo editing and simple visual design were still manageable but when it came to doing heavier tasks like video editing, the laptop would struggle especially with apps like Adobe Premiere Pro and DaVinci Resolve. Lighter apps like CapCut didn’t have as hard a time as Adobe and DaVinci but still, it’s a little bit of a task for the laptop.

Of course, being a gamer, I had to use a laptop for the task. It could handle simple older games like Final Fantasy VIII (not remastered), Torchlight and Bastion. I’ll give this a slight caveat just to say that when I say it can handle the game, this doesn’t mean the settings are maxed out. Most of them are in middling or lower settings. It should be abundantly clear that newer games like Diablo III, Baldur’s Gate 3 and the like were an uphill climb for the laptop. Newer games struggle even on the lowest settings. This is clearly a limitation of the Intel Integrated graphics that come with the Core Ultra processor.

Display

It’s a pity though that the Integrated Graphics of the processor is a bottleneck for gaming because the display on the Dell Latitude 7350 is one of the best when it comes to colour reproduction and clarity. The FHD+ resolution seemed to be just high enough for the laptop’s 13.3-inch display. However, it wouldn’t have hurt to have a little bit more resolution – although there would be a point of diminishing returns with the small display.

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That said, the display allowed me to do colour grading, video editing, and other graphically intensive work smoothly and accurately. It also shines when it comes to consuming content. The colour depth and colour reproduction allow you to see details in the blacks and darker regions of the content in your videos making it more immersive. This is also complemented by the laptop’s surprisingly good speakers that are able to provide immersive sound with a wide sound stage.

A Laptop for Productivity On-The-Go With Meaningful AI Additions Held Back By a subpar Graphics Processor

All in all, the Dell Latitude 7350 is nearly the perfect productivity package held back by Intel’s Integrated Graphics. We’re not saying this to nitpick. The mere fact that the laptop struggles with games that are over a decade old should indicate that there is a lot of work to be done when it comes to integrated graphics cores. That aside, the Dell Latitude 7350 is built for the rigours of productivity on the go with the integration of thoughtful AI features that allow you to ensure your data is secure even when you’re out and about. The ergonomics of the keyboard and also the build quality of the laptop are small touches that make all the difference when it comes to design and functionality. The display and speakers also make the laptop perfect if you need to unwind. It’s truly a near-perfect package with one big caveat especially if you’re working with graphics and extremely large data sets.

Business, Contributed

Cloud, Connectivity, AI, Security: What SMBs Need From Technology

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Small and medium businesses are different from their larger competitors because the chief strategist in many SMBs is often still the owner or the founder.

The challenge for SMB owners is therefore often to understand the technological trends that might apply to their business. This can be complicated, in part because the rate of change in technology is high.

Yet many of these technology areas, such as access to mobile devices and the growth of cloud services, have special relevance to SMBs. Integrating technology should therefore be a central part of any SMB strategy, rather than an option, even for very small companies. The technology is needed to meet customer demands for better experiences, to ensure that businesses and customers can transact quickly, and because being online makes it easier and faster for SMBs to open up new global markets.

Employees of SMBs have similar expectations and the same driven goals of the business owners. They believe that having the right technology improves their productivity, helps drive business growth and increases flexibility in a hybrid working world.

At the center of how SMBs can leverage technology are four trends around mobility, AI-enabled services, and cloud automation, all under a security umbrella.

Taking teams to the next level of productivity, flexibility and customer satisfaction will require businesses to find a balance between implementing emerging technology and training employees to use this technology to provide personalized experiences for customers.

How do each of these technologies support and influence SMBs?

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Connectivity

Slow and unstable connectivity is a major obstacle for a distributed workforce that relies on device technology to collaborate and to provide value to customers. Even as 5G continues to be rolled out around the world, WiFi 6E is already offering advanced connectivity in many countries. SMBs can make their investments in WiFi 6E and 5G today, to take advantage of higher-bandwidth, ultra-low-latency connectivity, and high-speed connectivity to the cloud. It’s worth noting that 5G deployments are accelerating around the world, and WiFi 7 is already on the horizon. SMBs should at least understand where these might fit into their existing and future strategies.

Device speed and functionality will continue to match this high-speed connectivity, and users will continue to seek out ever more productive designs that match lifestyle, work style, and mobility. An example of a device that is made for such high-speed connectivity is the Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 4 operating on Windows 11 Pro. Simplify your workday and improve productivity with Windows 11 Pro With AI-powered experiences, intelligent workflows, and unmatched personalization, you can do it all on your Windows 11 Pro device. From features to get organized in a snap to fast performance and smart videoconferencing, Windows 11 Pro devices help you improve productivity anywhere. It has a built-in secondary screen offering alternative and distinct functions. Such an innovative device requires high-speed connectivity so that employees will be “always available” and “often on”, working flexibly to accommodate their personal lives.

Cloud automation

Cloud automation, and cloud applications, are an easy entry point for many SMBs that are looking to speed up or otherwise improve their business processes. As data, apps and workloads continue to expand into the cloud, SMBs will be able to automate simpler tasks, programs and customer services.  Efficient automation of data analytics, customer feedback and trends or smarter scheduling can free up more time for teams to focus on creative growth engines.

The cloud also allows more SMBs to consider Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) and Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) options. While often being more cost-effective, hybrid cloud solutions will be more future-proof and allow for greater scalability through flexibility. IDC has predicted that the growth of cloud services among APAC SMBs, for example, will continue through to 2025.

AI services and products

AI services are increasingly playing a role in helping businesses address common challenges such as staffing, security monitoring, financial management, and tailoring services to customer needs.

Some SMBs are now incorporating AI chatbots to provide round-the-clock resources for employees, adding convenience for those seeking answers to common questions about employee benefits, scheduling, insurance, vacation availability and sick time.

Companies that adapt smartly to incorporate AI-enabled services and products have a competitive advantage. AI and machine learning can provide real-time targeted data analysis, allowing employees to do creative and social media tasks that AI simply cannot credibly do. This, in turn, frees up time for innovation, and product and service development – investments that can be made without sacrificing current revenue and cash flow.

Securing the IT ecosystem

Across all these technologies sits security, from the devices all the way through to cloud access. Remote and hybrid work styles have already changed the nature of security risks, with many organizations, including SMBs, now allowing employees to have flexibility in where they work and use their own devices. As more services move to the cloud, access security risks also increase, and while cloud service providers can provide secure access inside their data centres, access between a business’s devices and the cloud can still attract cyber security risks. Threats are very real and lack of adequate protection can have devastating effects, but best practices and solutions exist to mitigate those threats.

SMBs must strategically implement the appropriate infrastructure, cloud automation and AI tools that will help their business scale. Businesses of all sizes demand client and data centre infrastructure that enables growth rather than restricts it. As technology rapidly evolves, businesses need the ability to integrate new technologies and workloads efficiently and seamlessly, often within resource, budget and capital boundaries.

For SMBs, this sometimes represents new challenges, but they can leverage the experience and investment made by larger companies, peers, partners and competitors, and with the right business and technology strategies in place, they will have the advantage of being more dynamic and responsive to growth opportunities.

Computers, Gaming

Meet the MSI Claw 8 AI+ with Updates Specs & Intel’s Lunar Lake Core Ultra Processors

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The Handheld gaming PC battle is really heating up! In addition to the updated ROG Ally X, MSI is updating the Claw with a new name and updated specs. The company is showcasing Claw 8 AI+ at COMPUTEX 2024. This is the world’s first Windows 11 gaming handheld powered by the latest Intel Lunar Lake Core Ultra processors.

MSI Claw 8 AI Rodneil GadgetMatch 1
Source: Rodneil/GadgetMatch

The Claw 8 AI+ builds on MSI’s previous gaming handheld, the Claw. This new iteration incorporates the powerful and energy-efficient Intel Core Ultra processors for smooth gameplay and extended battery life for on-the-go gaming sessions.

MSI isn’t making updates willy-nilly. Instead, it has actively listened to user feedback and implemented several improvements in the Claw 8 AI+. These enhancements include:

  • Additional Thunderbolt 4 USB-C Port: This expands connectivity options for external devices.
  • Enhanced LB/RB Button Tactile Feel: Improved button responsiveness for a more satisfying gaming experience.
  • Increased Battery Capacity: Enjoy longer gaming sessions without needing to recharge as frequently.
  • Lighter Wall-Mounted Charger: A more convenient charging solution for users.
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Source: Rodneil/GadgetMatch

The Claw 8 AI+ has a slightly tweaked design featuring an 8-inch display with better ergonomics. With its 8-inch display and Windows 11 operating system, the Claw 8 AI+ allows for playing a wide range of PC games. Additionally, MSI is boasting that the updated Claw has:

  • Excellent Grip: Ensures comfortable and secure handling during gameplay.
  • Industry-Leading Battery Life: Provides extended gaming sessions on a single charge.
  • Superior Cooling: This keeps the device cool even during intense gaming sessions.
  • Joysticks and Triggers with Hall Effect Sensors: Delivers precise and responsive controls.

When it launches, MSI will offer a one-month free trial of Xbox Game Pass with the Claw 8 AI+. This will give users access to Microsoft’s extensive list of games including AAA titles both old and new. Xbox Game Pass will renew at RM15 in Malaysia after the first month’s trial.

A Post-Apocalyptic Dream for Fallout Fans

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In addition to the high-performance laptops, MSI also unveiled a special edition – the MSI Claw x Fallout Limited Edition – a collaboration with the renowned game studio Bethesda. This limited-edition gaming handheld caters specifically to Fallout fans. The exterior design is inspired by the game’s iconic Vaults, Pip-Boys, and robots, making it a true collector’s item. Beyond aesthetics, the Claw x Fallout boasts features like an excellent grip for comfortable handheld gaming, the largest battery in the industry for extended playtime, superior cooling to maintain performance, and joysticks and triggers equipped with Hall effect sensors for precise control. With Windows 11 allowing access to a vast library of PC games, Fallout fans can revisit the post-nuclear apocalypse world anytime, anywhere.

Pricing & Availability

Specific pricing and availability information for the Claw 8 AI+ gaming handheld and the MSI Claw x Fallout Limited Edition will be revealed at a later date.

Computers, Gaming, News

ROG Ally X Announced: Upgraded Power and Performance for Handheld Windows Gaming

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ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) has unveiled the ROG Ally X, the successor to its popular ROG Ally handheld console. Designed for Windows 11 gaming on the go, the ROG Ally X retains the powerful AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor but boasts significant upgrades in storage, memory, battery life, and ergonomics.

ROG Ally X

The ROG Ally X takes user feedback to heart with several key internal upgrades. First, storage capacity doubles to a whopping 1 TB M.2 2280 SSD, providing ample space for your gaming library. The redesigned motherboard now features an M.2 2280 slot, allowing for future storage upgrades beyond the original capacity.

Next, the ROG Ally X moves to a generous 24 GB of LPDDR5X-7500 RAM. This is particularly beneficial for modern games that utilize higher resolutions and complex textures. With more system memory, users can allocate more resources for both the system and the integrated GPU, potentially enhancing performance in demanding titles.

01 front view of ROG Ally X
Source: ASUS
03 front right view of ROG Ally X
Source: ASUS
02 back view of ROG Ally X
Source: ASUS

Battery life gets a significant boost as well. The ROG Ally X features an 80 Wh battery, doubling the capacity of the previous model. This translates to longer gaming sessions away from an outlet. Impressively, despite the larger battery, the weight increase is minimal, and the weight distribution is optimized for comfortable handheld gaming.

The ROG Ally X sports a redesigned chassis in a sleek black colourway. The handles are slightly deeper, and the overall shape is more rounded for improved comfort without adding significant bulk. The button and joystick layout has been tweaked for better ergonomics, with a slight slant to the triggers for easier activation. Macro buttons on the back are now smaller to reduce accidental presses while remaining accessible.

Gamers will appreciate the upgraded joysticks. These new modules boast a 5-million-cycle lifespan and stiffer springs, offering a more familiar and responsive feel for seasoned controller users. The D-Pad has also been improved, delivering precise eight-direction inputs for fighting and retro games.

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Source: ASUS
Ally X comparison
Source: ASUS

In response to user feedback, the original XG Mobile port has been replaced with two USB-C® ports on the ROG Ally X. One of these ports is Thunderbolt™ compatible, offering broader interoperability with third-party docks and external GPUs.

To accommodate the larger battery, the ROG Ally X utilizes new fans that are 23% smaller but employ 50% thinner blades for improved airflow. Two redesigned tunnels within the fan housing direct air upwards and out through a new third exhaust vent on the top of the device. This 24% increase in airflow volume cools not only internal components but also the touchscreen, keeping it up to 6°C cooler for more comfortable extended gaming sessions.

Pricing & Availability

The ROG Ally X is expected to be available soon. No specific pricing details have been announced at the time of writing.

Business, Contributed

Increase Productivity for Production and Manufacturing Processes

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This article is contributed by Varinderjit Singh, General Manager at Lenovo Malaysia

Production and manufacturing processes are becoming more complex and demanding as customers expect higher quality, lower cost, and faster delivery of products. To meet these challenges, manufacturers need to leverage the power of advanced technologies, such as high-performance computing (HPC), artificial intelligence (AI), and spatial computing. In this article, we will explore how a workstation can increase productivity for production and manufacturing processes by using spatial computing solutions, data science and client AI solutions, NVIDIA Omniverse, and remote workstation solutions. Examples of noteworthy workstation options include the Lenovo ThinkPad P16 G2, Lenovo ThinkStation P3 Tower and the Lenovo ThinkStation P620 Tower operating on Windows 11 Pro. Use Windows 11 Pro for Workstations to blaze through workloads with lag-free multitasking across your most demanding applications.

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Spatial Computing Solutions

Spatial computing is a technology that can digitize the spatial relationships between machines, people, objects, and environments, and enable and optimize their operations and interactions. Spatial computing can help manufacturers with product design, quality control, safety, and efficiency. For example, spatial computing can enable digital twins, which are virtual replicas of physical assets or processes that can be used for simulation, testing, and optimization. Spatial computing can also facilitate augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) applications, which can enhance the visualization and collaboration of design and engineering teams, as well as provide immersive training and guidance for workers. A workstation that can handle spatial computing tasks should have a powerful GPU, a large memory, and a high-resolution display. A possible choice is the Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Mobile Workstation, which has an NVIDIA® RTX 5000 Ada graphics card, an Intel® Core™ i9-13950HX processor, and up to 192GB of memory.

Data Science and Client AI Solutions

Data science and client AI solutions can help manufacturers analyze and utilize the vast amounts of data generated by production and manufacturing processes, such as sensor data, quality data, customer data, and market data. Data science and client AI solutions can help manufacturers with demand forecasting, inventory management, process optimization, anomaly detection, predictive maintenance, and customer satisfaction. For example, data science and client AI solutions can help manufacturers create and fine-tune foundation models, which are large and versatile AI models that can perform multiple tasks, such as natural language processing, computer vision, speech recognition, and more. Data science and client AI solutions can also help manufacturers interact with and explore data through conversational interfaces, visualizations, and summarizations. A workstation that can handle data science and client AI tasks should have a fast and reliable processor, a large and expandable memory, and a flexible and scalable storage system. A possible choice is the Lenovo ThinkStation P3 Tower Workstation, which has a 13th Gen Intel® Core™ processor, up to 128GB of memory, and up to 32TB of storage.

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NVIDIA Omniverse

NVIDIA Omniverse is a platform that enables the creation and operation of complex, AI-enabled virtual environments, or digital twins, for factory and warehouse design. These virtual replicas facilitate real-time collaboration among teams and are the key to unleashing operational efficiencies with predictive analysis and process automation. NVIDIA Omniverse allows manufacturers to import and export data from various sources, such as CAD tools, simulation software, and IoT devices, and create realistic and interactive simulations of production and manufacturing scenarios. NVIDIA Omniverse also supports ray tracing, physics, and sound rendering, which can enhance the quality and realism of the virtual environments. A workstation that can handle NVIDIA Omniverse tasks should have a powerful graphics card, a high-performance CPU, and a large memory. A possible choice is the Lenovo ThinkStation P620 Tower Workstation, which has up to 64 cores CPU, a 10Gb Ethernet port, and plenty of storage capabilities.

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Remote Workstation Solutions

Remote workstation solutions can help manufacturers access their physical workstations from virtually anywhere with rich graphics acceleration via leading remote visualization tools. Remote workstation solutions can help manufacturers with remote design, engineering, and collaboration, as well as reduce the cost and maintenance of physical workstations. Remote workstation solutions can also provide security and compliance features, such as encryption, authentication, and auditing. A workstation that can handle remote workstation tasks should have a low-latency frame encode, accelerated desktop capture, headless graphics support, and leading pro-ISV certifications, like the majority of the Workstations from Lenovo. The Lenovo remote TGX solution is the best way to connect to your Workstation cluster from anywhere in the world.

Wrap up

A workstation can increase productivity for production and manufacturing processes by using various technologies, such as spatial computing, data science and client AI, NVIDIA Omniverse, and remote workstation solutions. These technologies can help manufacturers improve their design, engineering, simulation, production, and collaboration workflows, as well as reduce their costs, risks, and environmental impact. A workstation that can support these technologies should have a combination of hardware and software features, such as a powerful GPU, a fast CPU, large memory, flexible storage, and a reliable network. Lenovo offers a range of workstation solutions that can meet the needs of different production and manufacturing scenarios, such as the Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Intel (16″) Mobile Workstation, the Lenovo ThinkStation P3 Tower Workstation, the Lenovo ThinkStation P620 Tower Workstation, and the TGX Remote Workstation.

Business, Contributed

Tech Solutions Executives Must Consider Levelling Up Their Team

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This article is contributed by Varinderjit Singh, General Manager, Lenovo Malaysia

Today, integrating forward-thinking technology is not an option, but a key business strategy that touches nearly every part of a growing business. Not only do customers expect customized on-demand services, but employees do too.

According to recent research, nearly half (48.6%) of workers think using the right tech increases their productivity, and 35.8% say being equipped with appropriate technology helps make their job more flexible. Businesses small and large that want to take team creativity and productivity to the next level must leverage technology that can drive faster results and adapt to new trends in the market. It is imperative that enterprises harness modern technology such as mobile apps, AI-enabled services, and cloud automation as tools for their teams to help simplify or automate time-consuming day-to-day activities so they can focus on more challenging work.

Taking your team to the next level in our increasingly digitally driven world will require businesses to find a balance between implementing emerging tech for tasks that can be automated, and training their employees on how to provide personalized experiences for their clientele.

Here are the top three emerging technologies all business owners should have on their radar to scale their business efficiently.

Hi-speed Network Infrastructure

Slow and unstable connectivity is a major obstacle for a distributed workforce that is reliant on their PCs’ efficient technology to lead collaborative brainstorms, listen and engage during monthly planning meetings, and/or connect with team members during 1:1 meetings. Wifi 6E offers an advanced band connection needed for optimized work-from-home, online learning, live streaming, and faster speed for all your connected devices.  Emerging technologies like Wifi 6E will be instrumental in delivering high bandwidth, ultra-low latency connectivity and power to devices all over the world and will expand the landscape of solutions for businesses that want to grow.

ThinkPad X1

While devices must be faster and more functional, it is imperative that design and engineering teams also offer new possibilities of thinner and more flexible designs for employees on the go. For example, global PC manufacturers are designing unique laptops with extended battery life that allows you to work through the day uninterrupted—even with versatile usage modes on the go. The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon operating on Windows 11 Pro is a great laptop for employees, especially in the hybrid working world. Windows 11 is the most secure Windows ever. Businesses report a 58% drop in security incidents with Windows 11 Pro devices.1 Forward-thinking technology equipped with always-on always-connected capability will be key for business continuity.

Cloud Automation

Cloud automation is an easy entry point for many businesses that are looking to expedite their processes through tech-enabled automation. As data, apps and workloads shift to the cloud, it can improve day-to-day operations and workflow, helping small-to-medium business (SMB) owners in particular automate tasks such as scheduling appointments, content marketing management and tracking business expenses in one place. By freeing up some time with the help of automation solutions, leaders can help their team build skills to become more productive through various training programs or employee enrichment opportunities.  These are a few examples of how digital transformation can be harnessed to enable businesses of all sizes to achieve efficiency, productivity and smart collaboration.

By automating certain tasks, business owners will provide employees with more time to deliver thoughtful and creative work. However, the prospect of automation can create uncertainty, both regarding job security and changes to day-to-day tasks. To reduce these fears, it is essential to communicate with employees throughout the entire process. The main message to reinforce is, “Automation technology is being used to support staff, not replace their roles.” Through open communication and continuous learning, employees will be given plenty of enrichment opportunities and stay loyal and engaged in their work and their companies long-term success.

AI-Enabled Services and Products

AI-enabled services are now in our homes, cars and personal computing technology, and they can also play a role in helping businesses address common challenges such as staffing, security monitoring, finance management, personalization of services, and more.

Some workplaces have incorporated AI chatbots to provide employees with resources around the clock, adding convenience for those seeking answers to common questions about employee benefits, scheduling, insurance, vacation availability and sick time. In turn, by allowing some HR processes to be accomplished without human intervention, chatbots offer a better allocation of HR staff members’ time toward addressing more complex employee concerns.

In fact, companies that smartly adapt to incorporating AI-enabled services and products have a competitive advantage. AI and machine learning can enable targeted data analysis, so employees can do creative and social tasks that AI simply cannot. Not only can companies save money by using AI to do repetitive work, but teams are able to focus their skills on more innovative assignments and, therefore, be more productive.

Uplevel your business by being adaptable and strategic

To take your team and company to the next level, businesses must strategically implement the proper infrastructure, cloud automation and AI tools that will help their business scale. Today, businesses of all sizes require client and data center infrastructure that enables growth rather than restricts it. As technology rapidly evolves, businesses need the ability to integrate new technologies and workloads efficiently and seamlessly, often within resource, budget and capital restrictions. The best way to ensure your plan is suited for growth is to routinely check in with your team, evaluate your structure and ensure it is adaptable for the unforeseeable obstacles that come with running a successful business.

Android, Computers, Mobile, News

Samsung’s Quick Share App Goes to Other Windows Devices

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Integrating your smartphone and PC experience has always been a problem for many years. Apple has successfully done so with their range of devices thanks to the nature of their strictly closed development. You can work on your iPhone and then transfer your FaceTime call to your iPad tablet when you get access to it, and then even to your MacBook or Mac desktop when you get to them, without too much fuss. The closest thing we have on Android and Windows is the Microsoft Phone Link platform, which can be a pain to work with at times.

Alternatively, you have Google’s Nearby Share that works as a file transfer protocol between Android devices and Windows devices. It is far from seamless though. While it is simple enough on your Android devices to work with, your PC have to have the app installed and open for it to receive files from your various Android devices.

Samsung’s Quick Share is sort of the in-between the Phone Link and Nearby Share platforms. It is more like the Nearby Share platform, except that it is made for Samsung devices specifically. Nearby Share is made for the general Android devices that come with multiple connectivity standards and hardware. Samsung’s Quick Share is made for Galaxy devices with specific hardware that comes with all Galaxy devices; meaning communications between two devices can be standardized, made seamless, and be made at greater speeds. That is why you can only find the Samsung Quick Share button on Samsung’s Galaxy devices including the Galaxy Book laptops. Then again, that is not the case anymore.

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    Source: Microsoft Store
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    Source: Microsoft Store
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    Source: Microsoft Store
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    Source: Microsoft Store

Samsung has made the Quick Share app available on the Microsoft Store for other Windows devices.  While Quick Share for mobile devices is still only available on Samsung’s Galaxy devices, you do not have to have Samsung’s Galaxy Book devices to take advantage of it. You can now download it for free from the Microsoft Store.

There are a few more caveats though, other than that you must have a Samsung smartphone to take advantage of it. You must be on a Window 10 operating system at least with 2004 release (build number 19041), which is not entirely difficult since Windows 11 is the standard operating system today (unless you are on a corporate device, and they have not moved on from Windows XP just yet). You also need to have Intel’s Bluetooth driver version 22.50.02 and Wi-Fi driver version 22.50.07 to get the Quick Share app to work on your Windows device. All of these should not be too big of an issue if you have a modern laptop and ensure that you regularly update your Windows device. It only becomes a problem when you have a device that does not support Intel’s Bluetooth and Wi-Fi drivers, then you cannot enjoy the Quick Share function on your Windows device. Still, you can never know until you disassemble your PC, so you can try it for yourself by downloading the app from Microsoft Store.

Computers, Gaming, Lifestyle, Mobile, News

ROG’s Gaming Handheld Officially Announced, the ROG Ally is Live!

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Handheld gaming is a thing, an inevitable thing. Nintendo has always championed the concept and is a huge pioneer in the handheld gaming industry. The Nintendo Gameboy, for example, is one of the first and one of the most popular gaming handheld devices ever produced. It was iconic too, the namesake stayed on for a couple of generations and made way for a couple of new ideas in the handheld gaming space. It gave birth to the Nintendo Switch, partly.

The Nintendo Switch gave way and inspired many other new gaming devices that flooded the market. All that accumulates to Valve’s very own Steam Deck handheld gaming device. While not the first of its kind to play games on the Steam library while on battery, it is sort of the best solution and culmination of that concept. Then there is this new device, the new ROG Ally.

If you have scoped around the internet; YouTube especially, the ROG Ally should not be foreign to you by now. It is an ASUS manufactured handheld gaming device that mimics the concept of the Steam Deck. Unlike the Steam Deck though, it does not run its own version of Linux. It runs Windows, like a lot of the Chinese made gaming handheld that fancies itself the “Switch” of the PC gaming industry. More Specifically it runs Windows 11, making not just Steam library games available to users. You can theoretically play games from Ubisoft, Amazon Games, Epic Games, or even Origin Games.

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    Source: ASUS
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The internal that keeps you happy gaming as long as the battery allows you is an integrated AMD APU. It is an AMD Ryzen Z1 series processor, not the same one you find on the latest gaming consoles for your couch. The Ryzen Z1 processor you find in the ROG Ally comes with AMD’s latest RDNA 3 architecture making it the most efficient and powerful APU of its kind found in a gaming handheld. You do need to keep it rather cool to get the best out of it though. In the restricted space that is the ROG Ally’s body is their new Zero Gravity thermal solution that keeps the internals happy with two fans pulling temperature away from ultrathin heatsink fines and high-friction heat pipes out the top of the device.

The powerful APU and cooling system projects Windows 11 and all your games on a high-resolution 7-inch display. It offers Full HD 1080p resolution, twice as much as the Steam Deck, and it is possible thanks to the powerful APU. It also offers 120Hz in refresh rate with FreeSync Premium, meaning your AAA games play smoothly and tear-free. If you wish to play in the great outdoors; because your mother has been telling you to play outside, it offers 500 nits in maximum brightness. It is also a touch sensitive display for easy Windows 11 and the Special Edition Armoury Crate navigation.

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All of this is packed in a hardware that weighs only 608g. Unlike a Switch, the control panels are not detachable. But that means that the lightweight device is a solid build that you can just chuck in your bag without taking up too much space and adding too much weight in your backpack. The device is also shaped ergonomically for maximum comfort for its users with unique textures to improve grip on the device.

The ROG Ally will be launching globally on the 11th of May 2023. You can be part of that launch too on their event website. For now, that is the only information we have on ASUS’ ROG Ally. More information on the ROG Ally can be found on their website.

News

Mozilla Thunderbird Gets A K-9 on Its Mobile Journey

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If you haven’t heard of Thunderbird, we wouldn’t blame you. The once popular open source email client has all but faded to obscurity since its last major update. The desktop version is still stuck in the early 2000s. When it comes to mobile, the email client is non-existent. Since its glory days from 2003 to 2005, the email client hasn’t had much of a visual overhaul nor has it made any strides to have a mobile presence of any kind.

Mozilla Thunderbird

That’s changed with a recent tweet from Ryan Lee Sipes, the product manager for Mozilla Thunderbird. In which he noted that his number 1 priority will be to fix Thunderbird’s UI and UX. The change will be a very very welcomed update – this coming from someone who still uses the email client. However, there isn’t a firm date when the big update will be coming. That said, the desktop app is due for its anniversary update on June 28. Could it be one and the same?

Aside from that, it looks like Mozilla is significant progress towards creating a mobile app for Thunderbird. Mozilla has acquired the trademark rights and source code of K-9 Mail on Android. This includes its GitHub repository. Together with all the code and repositories, Mozilla has also hired Christian Ketterer (cketti), the project’s maintainer. What this essentially means is that Thunderbird’s Android app will be built using the pre-existing code from K-9 Mail. Thankfully, this also means that the development timeframe for a Thunderbird mobile app can be significantly shortened.

It seems like together with the new UX and UI for the desktop application, Thunderbird will also be getting Firefox Sync as feature Mozilla Firefox users will be familiar with. This feature will allow you to sync emails, drafts and more between your different Thunderbird installs on mobile and on desktops. I’m pretty sure that this will be a welcomed development for anybody who finds themselves working on multiple devices.

K-9 Mail is already available on the Google Play Store. So, if you’re interested in contributing to the future of Mozilla Thunderbird, you can install the app as it is updated with features that will be central to the new Thunderbird mobile experience. Of course, if you do use the K-9 Mail app, you will need to potentially brace yourself for multiple UI and UX changes as the Thunderbird team builds on K-9 Mail. Once they’ve achieved their development milestones, the K-9 Mail app will conceivably be changed to Mozilla Thunderbird.

Computers, Lifestyle, News

Xiaomi Introduces the RedmiBook 15 at MYR 2,399 onward – Everyone is Into PCs Now

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When HUAWEI and its sister brand started in the world of Windows PCs, we were quite curious. The dawn of smartphones and tablet devices were regarded by many experts as the beginning to the decline of bulky PCs. If you think about it as well, today we rely more on our smartphones than modern PCs.

The reality today is a large contrast to what the experts thought would happen many years ago. Smartphones thrived, which is largely in line with what was being said at the time. Oddly enough, Windows PC and Macs thrived too, there is even the Chromebooks now. All of which also points to the fact that PCs still have their place in the world today. In most cases, you tend to use both devices for differing functions. That is why Xiaomi also came up with the RedmiBook 15.

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The RedmiBook 15, to be fair, looks like any other thin and light notebook that came out from any China manufacturers like HONOR and HUAWEI. They all have that same svelte and clean design with minimal branding. You can probably only see the branding on the cover of the laptop and the bottom of the display. Even the cover shell branding is rather subtle on the RedmiBook 15.

As its name suggests, it is a 15-incher notebook. Specifically, you get a 15.6-inch display that boasts up to 1,920 by 1,080 pixels in resolution. It is an anti-glare display with flicker-free technology to protect your eyes. Of course, sitting atop the display is a 720p webcam, nothing too special or surprising there.

The Microsoft Windows 11 machine is powered by Intel’s 11th Generation Core processors. There is no Core i7 model here though, you only get up to a Core i5. We presume that it is because they might want to keep costs low. Storage wise, you get up to 512GB in SSD storage paired with up to 8GB of DDR4 RAM. Graphics is handled by Intel’s UHD Graphics. All of these are kept running for up to 10 hours at a time with a 46Whr internal battery.

Yes, to be fair, there is nothing much to shout about here. Intel’s 12th Generation Core processors are gracing the field now. The UHD Graphics are also a little outdated at this point with Intel’s Iris Xe graphics going on every thin and light you can find in 2022. There is a reason why you might want to get your hands on one of these though, its cost.

Price and Availability

The Intel Core i3 variant of the Xiaomi RedmiBook 15 starts at MYR 2,399 which is not a lot of money to begin with for a Windows 11 machine. If you want to go for the more powerful Core i5 variant, it will set you back MYR 2,799. The Xiaomi RedmiBook 15 will be available 6th June, 2022 onward in all authorised Xiaomi stores nationwide (Malaysia) and on Xiaomi’s official online stores on Shopee and Lazada.