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Computing

All articles tagged with #computing

AtomMan G1 Pro: Big performance in a compact desktop that leans into trade-offs
computing6 days ago

AtomMan G1 Pro: Big performance in a compact desktop that leans into trade-offs

Minisforum's AtomMan G1 Pro squeezes a laptop-class Ryzen 9 8945HX and a desktop RTX 5060 into a 3.85-liter chassis with an integrated PSU, delivering solid 1080p gaming and strong multi-core performance for its size; however upgradeability is limited, IO is modest (no USB4/20Gbps ports), cooling is quiet, and at $1,799 as tested it competes with larger towers that offer more headroom, making it a niche rather than a clear winner.

From Hi‑Fi to AR: This Week's Standout Gadget Drops
technology19 days ago

From Hi‑Fi to AR: This Week's Standout Gadget Drops

Gear Patrol’s Best New Gear roundup this week surveys premium audio gear, AR wearables, and new-gen computing devices: ultra‑premium Focal Diva Alta Utopia speakers, a limited Bang & Olufsen Beosystem 3000c setup, Sennheiser Accentum Clip open‑ear buds, Snap Specs AR glasses, Monitor Audio Radius 4G compact speakers, Audio‑Technica ATH‑WP900SE headphones, Microsoft Surface Pro (2026) and Surface Laptop (2026) with Snapdragon X2, Fluance RT87 turntable with dual‑plinths and cartridge options, and the Clearaudio N2 cartridge—reflecting a strong focus on high‑end audio, wearable tech, AR, and refreshed computing gear.

RTX Spark Laptop Showdown: eight premium notebooks ranked
computing1 month ago

RTX Spark Laptop Showdown: eight premium notebooks ranked

Tom’s Guide tested Nvidia’s RTX Spark laptops launching this fall and ranked eight premium notebooks, placing the Surface Laptop Ultra and Asus ProArt P14 in S-Tier for standout build quality and features (including a groundbreaking haptic touchpad and OLED display, respectively). The MSI Prestige Flip N16 AI+, Asus ProArt P16 and HP Omnibook X14 land in A-Tier, while HP Omnibook 16 Ultra, Lenovo Yoga Pro 9N and Dell XPS 16 Creator Edition sit in B-Tier. Nvidia notes Spark is the top-tier chip in a broader family and prices could be steep, with these laptops largely being rebadged designs with adjusted cooling; final choices come down to priorities like keyboard feel, display quality, and portability.

Computex 2026: 17 standout gadgets redefining next-gen PC tech
computing1 month ago

Computex 2026: 17 standout gadgets redefining next-gen PC tech

Tom’s Guide’s Computex 2026 coverage highlights 17 standout gadgets—from Nvidia’s RTX Spark AI GPU and Windows-on-Arm ambitions to premium laptops, AI-powered desktops, handhelds, and next‑gen monitors—showcasing high-value devices such as the Microsoft Surface Laptop Ultra, Asus ROG Strix Scar 18, Dell XPS 13, MSI Claw 8 EX AI+, Klevv PC builds, MSI MEG Vision X2 AI+, Asus Ascent QN10, Intel Arc G3 handhelds, Qualcomm Snapdragon C, Alienware 39 5K OLED monitor, MSI LuckyClaw, and more, signaling a shift toward agentic AI and AI-accelerated compute across PCs, laptops, mini PCs, and peripherals.

RTX Spark Laptops Hit Computex 2026, Dell XPS 13 Dials Up MacBook Neo Rivalry
computing1 month ago

RTX Spark Laptops Hit Computex 2026, Dell XPS 13 Dials Up MacBook Neo Rivalry

Live from Computex 2026, Tom's Guide tests Nvidia's RTX Spark laptops, previews eight Spark-powered machines arriving this fall (including a Surface Laptop Ultra) and notes the Dell XPS 13 as a MacBook Neo competitor; hands-on with Asus Zenbook 14, Intel Arc G3 handhelds (Acer Predator Atlas 8, MSI Claw 8 EX AI+), and other show-floor highlights like MSI's Triple Mode monitor, while pricing remains unannounced and Nvidia touts Spark as enabling desktop-class AI and video workloads on slim laptops.

Fidelity breach settlement could pay up to $5,000 to affected customers
computing1 month ago

Fidelity breach settlement could pay up to $5,000 to affected customers

Fidelity Investments has agreed to a $2.5 million class-action settlement over a 2024 data breach that affected more than 155,000 customers. Eligible claimants include those Fidelity notified and U.S. customers whose account numbers and routing numbers were exposed; payouts can reach up to $5,000 for documented out-of-pocket losses, with the bulk of payments expected to be pro-rated around $100. A July 9 court hearing will decide final approval, and claims must be filed by July 27 via the settlement website; California residents may receive additional payments under the California Consumer Privacy Act.

Chrome's hidden 4GB AI model stash prompts consent questions
computing2 months ago

Chrome's hidden 4GB AI model stash prompts consent questions

A 4GB file named weights.bin has surfaced in Chrome folders, tied to Gemini Nano on-device AI that runs features like autofill and text summaries; Google says the model is downloaded to keep on-device features ready and has added an opt-out, but concerns remain about transparency and consent as users may not be clearly informed of the storage impact. Deleting it may not be permanent if related AI features stay enabled.

Stevens Family Bets $200M to Make USC a Leader in AI
technology2 months ago

Stevens Family Bets $200M to Make USC a Leader in AI

USC trustee Mark Stevens and his wife Mary pledged $200 million to accelerate AI research across USC, prompting the renaming of the USC School of Advanced Computing to the USC Mark and Mary Stevens School of Computing and Artificial Intelligence. The gift funds interdisciplinary AI initiatives—such as AI for Business, Ethics and Trust in Computing, and the Center for AI in Society—bolstering USC’s goal to become a national and global hub for AI research, education, and innovation.

One Giant Screen, Not Two: How a 40-inch Ultrawide Changed My Workflow
computing2 months ago

One Giant Screen, Not Two: How a 40-inch Ultrawide Changed My Workflow

Tech writer and desk-setup hobbyist Anthony Spadafora explains why he swapped his multi-monitor rig for a single 40-inch Innocn ultrawide, arguing the extra width provides a more seamless workflow than two or more displays. After years of experimenting with stacked/dual/triple monitors and juggling Mac and Windows, he finds the ultrawide’s continuous workspace improves focus and multitasking, making a second screen feel redundant for many tasks, though personal preference still matters.

Apple’s AR glasses aim to outpace Meta with iPhone-tight, AI-driven wearables
computing2 months ago

Apple’s AR glasses aim to outpace Meta with iPhone-tight, AI-driven wearables

Tom's Guide reports Mark Gurman saying Apple will unveil its first AR glasses in the September/October window this year, with a early-2027 rollout. Apple plans a display-free first-gen pair focused on tight iPhone integration, premium acetate frames in multiple styles, and a substantially upgraded Siri (potential Gemini integration). Beyond glasses, Apple is eyeing AI wearables like AirPods with cameras and an AI pendant to broaden its wearable ecosystem, all as part of a strategy to blunt Meta’s momentum ahead of the holidays.

Two AIs Build PCs: ChatGPT Edges Gemini in the Showdown
computing2 months ago

Two AIs Build PCs: ChatGPT Edges Gemini in the Showdown

TechRadar pits ChatGPT and Gemini against its own PC expert to see which AI can assemble the better desktop build. ChatGPT’s Ryzen 5 7600 + RX 9070 XT-based configuration narrowly beats Gemini’s Ryzen 7 9700X + RTX 5070, with similar RAM, SSD, cooling, PSU, and a Fractal North case in both proposals. The article notes the margin is small and invites readers to watch the full episode to see which build ultimately wins.

Disgruntled researcher leaks Defender zero-days, leaving Windows users exposed
computing2 months ago

Disgruntled researcher leaks Defender zero-days, leaving Windows users exposed

A disgruntled security researcher leaked three Microsoft Defender zero-days—BlueHammer, RedSun and UnDefend—exposing over a billion Windows users; BlueHammer has been patched in the April 2026 updates, while RedSun and UnDefend remain unpatched but are already being exploited in the wild. Users should install the April 2026 security updates now and monitor for future patches, with additional antivirus protection to bolster defenses.

Intel Core Series 3 debuts for mainstream laptops with AI boost
computing2 months ago

Intel Core Series 3 debuts for mainstream laptops with AI boost

Intel's Core Series 3 chips, codenamed Wildcat Lake, target mainstream and value laptops with the same 18A process as Core Ultra Series 3. They deliver up to 47% better single-thread and 41% better multi-thread performance, plus up to 2.8x GPU AI performance vs a five-year-old PC, and up to 64% lower power vs last-gen Core 7 150U. The top six-core Core 7 360 can reach 4.8GHz with 17 TOPS NPU; Intel promises all-day battery life (about 12.5 hours office, 18.5 hours streaming), Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and two Thunderbolt 4 ports. Laptops from Acer, ASUS, Dell, Samsung and Lenovo will adopt Core Series 3 in 2026.

108 Chrome extensions quietly exfiltrate data and inject ads across sites — remove them now
computing2 months ago

108 Chrome extensions quietly exfiltrate data and inject ads across sites — remove them now

Security researchers found 108 malicious Chrome extensions—designed as games, utilities, or add-ons—that quietly siphon user data and inject ads across every site. Despite different publishers, all stolen data is sent to a single command-and-control server; 54 extensions harvest Gmail addresses, full names, and Google 'sub' IDs to build a persistent profile. If you have any of these extensions installed, delete them via Chrome or Edge extensions manager. To stay safe, download only trusted extensions, inspect permissions, enable Enhanced Safe Browsing, and consider antivirus and identity protection to guard against similar threats.