This isn't a laptop, but a high-end gaming desktop PC that happens to fold in two.
Acer Predator 21 X
"Thin and light" isn't compatible with a laptop that features a curved 21-inch display, dual GeForce GTX 1080 GPUs, and room for five storage drives.
Yeah, try cramming that into a MacBook chassis.
Acer used CES 2017 to unveil a crazy new gaming laptop aimed at people with deep pockets and strong backs to carry the laptop.
The Predator 21 X takes what is essentially a gaming desktop and crams it into a folding laptop-type shape. It starts with a 21-inch 2560 x 1080 resolution curved IPS display with a 120Hz refresh rate.
But this is just the beginning.
Powering this monstrous display is Intel's 3.9GHz seventh-generation Intel Core i7-7820HK silicon powerhouse, dual GeForce GTX 1080 X graphics cards, four DDR4 slots that can hold a maximum of 64GB of RAM, up to four 512GB solid-state drives (two of which can be NVMe PCIe SSDs which are five times faster than SATA SSDs), and a single hard drive bay which is home to a 1TB unit.
But that's not all. There's a full-sized mechanical keyboard featuring Cherry MX Brown key switches with customizable backlight options, a numeric keypad that flips over to reveal a precision touchpad, four speakers and two subwoofers, two power supplies, five AeroBlade cooling fans, and nine heat pipes.
All this is packed into a black shell that looks like it's been hacked out of granite or marble, which brings the total weight of the package to 19.4 pounds.
All you need is a spare $8,999 and this beast can be yours. The system is built to order and available in February.
Huawei starts off the new year with the 5X successor, the Honor 6X, that brings a dual camera experience with a long battery life and sleek all-aluminum form factor to the US market.
Huawei is bringing the Honor 6X to the US with some important upgrades while keeping the price low at just $249.99.
Huawei announced the Honor 6X in China on 18 October 2016 and today made the US release announcement at CES in Las Vegas. The Honor 6X packs in a lot of smartphone at an affordable price and I've spent the last 10 days testing one out.
HARDWARE
In 2016, my favorite smartphone hardware maker was Huawei. There's something about 2.5D glass, beveled metal edges, an extremely fast rear fingerprint scanner, and solid performing camera. The Honor 8 is an incredible device that can be found for just around $300 with near-flagship specifications. The Honor 6X is a bigger phone and competes in the large display market with specs that are near flagship level.
Rather than having a rear beveled edge on the back of the Honor 6X, we see that Huawei took the sides and curved it into the back panel so the phone fits well in your hand. The dual cameras are positioned on top of each other, like the Mate 9, and also have a bump that sticks out the back. The fingerprint sensor is centered below the cameras.
The SIM/microSD card slot tray is on the left with the volume and power buttons on the right. The mono speaker and microUSB port are found on the bottom. An IR port and the 3.5mm headset jack are on top.
Specifications of the Honor 6X include:
Processor:HiSilicon Kirin 655 octa-core
Display: 5.5 inch 1920 x 1080 pixels resolution IPS LCD, 403 ppi
Operating system: Emotion UI 4.1 built on Android 6.0 Marshmallow
RAM:3 GB
Storage:32 GB internal storage with microSD storage card
Cameras:12 megapixel and 2 megapixel dual rear cameras. 8 megapixel front facing camera
Wireless technology:FM radio, NFC, 802.11 b/g/n WiFi, Bluetooth 4.1
Battery:3,340 mAh battery with fast charging technology
Dimensions:150.9 x 76.2 x 8.2 mm and 162 grams
The Honor 8 has an USB Type-C port, but the Honor 6X still has a microUSB port on the bottom for charging up the device. You will still find a 3.5mm headset jack, as well as a FM radio.
The camera performs well and may be one of the best I've ever used at this price point. I included inside, exterior, outside sunset, and wide aperture photos from the Huawei Mate 9 and Honor 6X in my image gallery below. The Honor 6X will likely satisfy most folks, especially if photos are just shared on social networks.
SOFTWARE
The Honor 6X runs Emotion UI 4.1 and Honor stated it will be upgraded to version 5.0 in the future. While some people have issues with EMUI, I find it to be a functional UI that adds to Android without being overly complicated or obtrusive.
There is no app drawer in EMUI 4.1, but you can always install something like the Google Now Launcher and be satisfied with the home screen experience. The software performs the same as the Honor 8 so check out that review if you are interested in EMUI 4.1.
One aspect of the dual camera Huawei devices like the P9, Mate 9, and Honor 8 is the advanced camera software. While the iPhone and Google Pixel devices have a very basic camera user interface, Honor brings an advanced experience similar to what we see on Samsung and LG phones. You will find wide aperture mode, professional mode, food mode, perfect selfie, beauty mode, makeup mode for the front camera, panorama, HDR, watermark, audio note, ultra snapshot, best photo, smile snapshot, audio control, timer function, touch to capture, and time-lapse mode.
Honor is a brand that targets millennials and believes that providing slick camera functions is better than a simple automatic interface. I personally enjoy using some of these modes and get more comments from people when I take unique shots using these modes.
INITIAL EXPERIENCES
I've had the Honor 6X in hand for about 10 days and if I wasn't such a flagship-loving smartphone user I could easily get by with a device like the Honor 6X. People who are looking for great value and solid specifications may want to consider the 6X. It's nice to have a smartphone that lasts a couple of days and helps you be creative with photography.
The Honor 6X has dual cameras for faster focus and wide aperture tricks. The main rear camera is a 12 megapixel shooter, but the second one is only 2 megapixels. It is not a monochrome lens like the Huawei P9 and Mate 9, but is a color one that is used to improve focus times and provide wide aperture effects.
Huawei has some fantastic hardware design language and the Honor 6X continues that trend. It definitely does not feel like a low price Android smartphone and thankfully it also performs better than you would expect for a mid-level device.
People looking for a big screen phone at a very affordable price will appreciate the Honor 6X. It will be available on Amazon, Newegg, ebay, and other online retailers with in-store available in Best Buy, Costco, and others. You will be able to purchase the Honor 6X for $249.99 in gray, gold, and silver.
Security systems can be expensive, so this relatively low-cost modular offering from Blinkcould fit the bill for some businesses. When I met up with the company, representatives noted that while the system is primarily marketed for home use, it could equally suit a small office.
The price is certainly compelling: a one camera setup costs £109.99 (inc. VAT, or $99 in the US). There are also two-camera (£189.99/$169) and three-camera bundles (£259.99/$229). Additional cameras can be added as required for £89.99, or $75 in the US.
The AA-powered Blink security camera (top) and mains-powered Sync Module (bottom).
Image: Sandra Vogel/ZDNet
A setup involves one or more cameras, each powered by a pair of AA batteries that should last at least two years, and a mains-powered Sync Module that provides the internet connection. Both cameras and Sync Module are configured through, and provide information to, an Android or iPhone app.
The app can act as the control centre for more than one setup, each with its own Sync Module. So someone could cover their home, another home (say an elderly relative), a holiday home (don't we all have one of those?) and work premises, all from one app. You can buy additional Sync Modules for $50 in the US, but these are not currently available separately on the UK website.
Blink gave me a two-camera system for review, which I tested at home.
Setup is straightforward, with the app (Android in my case) walking you through the configuration process step by step. This involves entering the Sync Module's unique serial number into the app or scanning its QR code and then connecting to the module via wi-fi. This disconnects normal wi-fi, but reconnection is built into the configuration process, and if the wi-fi password is to hand the process takes literally just a couple of minutes. The Sync Module can be connected to wi-fi by Ethernet if you prefer, but as it needs access to mains power this may not be convenient.
Cameras are added individually via their unique serial numbers, and again the process is fast and straightforward. My two-camera system was ready for action in about 15 minutes.
More time consuming is locating the cameras to get the best possible view of an area, and configuring them through the app. Getting the right location can involve a bit of fiddling with positioning, although the camera's wide field of view is helpful. Each camera comes with a hinged mount to help you get the perfect positioning -- if you don't mind making a permanent fixing.
Video capture starts as soon as motion is detected. Clips are saved on a server and Blink says there's no limit on storage. It's up to the user to manage old clips, deleting those that are no longer wanted, saving any that are needed away from the server. Blink makes no ongoing charge for server storage.
Blink's functionality is fairly basic, with recorded video clips currently limited to just 10 seconds.
Image: Sandra Vogel/ZDNet
An alert is sent to the app every time a clip is saved, so it's possible to view a clip within a few minutes of it being taken. Sound is recorded as well, although I found that volume could be quite low. Video quality is captured at 720p and provides enough definition to see what's going on.
To avoid getting masses of clips of yourself as you wander through the camera's field of view, you can arm and disarm individual cameras. This is easily done either by using an on/off slider or by setting up timers for each camera. If you know nobody is in between certain hours of the day, then that's the time frame within which to arm the camera. There's no Netatmo Welcome-style face recognition here.
Be aware of pets. I got multiple cat-movement alerts, and there are only so many times I want to watch one of my feline friends wandering around the front room.
You can also use the app to take a still shot from any camera and to see a live feed. Unfortunately you can't shoot video while watching a feed, so if there's an intruder while you're doing a virtual tour you'll have to turn the feed off and hope they move into shot again.
There are some other issues too. Clips are limited to 10 seconds at present, although I was told the limit will soon be raised to a minute. There's a lag between one clip finishing and another starting, and it's long enough for someone to leave the monitored space and/or do something the camera can't record.
Perhaps the biggest issue is camera lights. A small blue LED comes on when a clip is being shot, and in low light the light the camera turns on an LED that, at the user-set lowest intensity, is bright enough to draw attention. Both lights are a massive 'hello' to anyone lurking about who doesn't want to be caught snooping.
In the end Blink might not offer what you need for a home security system at the present time. It's easy to set up and easy to control from afar, but there are some issues and these do compromise its effectiveness.
Still, it's early days, and Blink seems keen to add new features and clearly has a roadmap for development. If the company takes comments on-board, this could be one to watch.
LG's newest stick vac looks to bring an extra dose of power to mobile cleaning. With a motor that supposedly turns 16 times faster than an airplane engine, the LG CordZero Stick Vacuum also packs in two removable batteries and a telescoping handle to help you reach corners.
On display at CES in Las Vegas this week, the CordZero stick has lots of other impressive-sounding features:
Five-step HEPA filtration system
140 AW of suction
Axial Turbo Cyclone to capture fine dust
Anti-tangle brush roll
All of that certainly sounds fancy, and supposedly the battery lasts a full 80 minutes. If LG's new stick can genuinely clean like an upright and run for that long, it'll be a nice buy indeed. The feature list doesn't convince me, though. I'll want to test these stick vacs myself when they come out this year to see if they measure up to another powerful brand that uses cyclone filtration -- Dyson.
LG also announced the upcoming US availability of its CordZero Canister Vacuum that follows you around. We got a first look at that vac last year, and I'm glad a release date is becoming more concrete: It'll supposedly go on sale this summer.
LG hasn't announced pricing for either the stick vac or the canister. Check back for more information throughout the week.
It's the time of year when we hit the slopes, wade into the rivers, and hike through the white stuff. Thanks to LifeProof's newest Fre cases, you can rest assured your iPhone 7 Plus and Google Pixel XL will remain safe and sound.
One of reasons I hesitated in purchasing a Google Pixel XL was the lack of water and dust resistance while being priced the same as the iPhone 7 Plus. I enjoy capturing photos while I am in the rivers fly fishing, cycling the trails in the rain, running through the woods, and making snowmen at the base of Mt Rainier.
For the last couple of months I've been using my iPhone 7 Plus in those environments since it has an IP67 dust and water resistant rating. However, did you know that water damage is actually not covered by the default warranty so while the device is water resistant, you really should avoid ever subjecting it to water unless you paid for the Apple Care+ Protection plan. I didn't, so I had to look elsewhere for serious protection.
The latest LifeProof Fre cases solve my problem with the Google Pixel XL and also make sure my iPhone 7 Plus is safe from water damage. Let's take a closer look at these two cases.
LIFEPROOF FRE FOR THE GOOGLE PIXEL XL
The new LifeProof Fre for the Google Pixel XL was recently released and as a previous owner of LifeProof cases it was the one I have been waiting to test out before risking my Pixel XL in outside environments. It is available now in one color, asphalt black, for $89.99.
The LifeProof Fre for the Google Pixel XL is waterproof, dirt proof, snow proof, and drop proof. It is designed to survive submersion in up to two meters of water for one hour (IP68 rated) and drop from up to two meters in height. It has an integrated screen protector on the front, as well as clear covers for the camera, flash, fingerprint scanner, and other openings.
The case comes in two pieces that snap together with applied pressure. While I always looked for coins in the past to pry open these types of cases, LifeProof now includes a case key to help you remove your device from the case.
You are directed to first test out the seals of the case prior to actually using it with your expensive phone. While the directions show you how to carry out this test, I also like to throw in a Kleenex tissue to help me see if any water leaked through during the test.
I snapped on the case last weekend when I went fly fishing, which also happened to be in an area of snow, so I was able to test out the case in a couple actual environments. It performed well with the rear fingerprint scanner functioning as if it wasn't in the case. The buttons were easy to press and the display looked and functioned well too. There is a bit of texture/graininess to the display when certain color backgrounds are present, but for the protection I am willing to give up a bit of clarity in the outdoors.
At first, the camera kept experiencing focus issues so I was having trouble capturing good quality photos. I removed the phone, wiped off the entire back again and made sure the case was pressed tightly against the camera lens so then after that the camera worked well. You may need to check the rear panel over the camera lens if you experience focusing issues since it seems the clear plastic cover could impact the ability for autofocus.
One aspect I particularly like about the LifeProof Fre case is that it is not that bulky so my phone still fits into my coat pockets and gear bag. It weighs in at only 49.9 grams with dimensions of 170 x 90 x 15 mm.
The Google Pixel XL still has a headphone jack up top so there is a screw-in port cover. You also get one of these 3.5mm headset jack adapters, but I just skip that and use Bluetooth headphones with the case as that offers more protection as well. There is a large door on the bottom for the USB Type-C port so you can still charge up with virtually any of your cables.
LIFEPROOF FRE FOR THE IPHONE 7 PLUS
The Apple iPhone 7 Plus has the new dual camera setup on the rear so LifeProof had to release a new case to support this design. The LifeProof Fre for the iPhone 7 Plus is also priced at $89.99, but comes in five color options as well.
It's design is similar to the Google Pixel XL with full 360 protection provided by clear plastic protectors, port covers, and raised buttons. The front fingerprint scanner worked every time for me so far. The only adjustment I've had to make with this new iPhone case is that I need to speak a bit louder for Siri to "hear" my commands.
There is a vanity clear window on the back for the Apple logo, which is a nice touch. There is no headset jack on the iPhone 7 Plus so there is no adapter in the box either. The Lightning port opening is large enough for virtually all Lightning cables too.
