If you’re unable to drop thousands of dollars on a souped-up gaming rig, you’re not alone, but that doesn’t mean you have to settle for a below average machine. Right now you can pick up the Lenovo LOQ 15IRH8 for just $749 at B&H. That’s $560 off the usual price! This laptop wields Nvidia’s GeForce RTX 4050 graphics as well as a sizeable, 15.6-inch display with a 144Hz refresh rate. Although you may need to taper your expectations depending on the type of game you’re playing, $749 is a damn good price for a gaming laptop. These often start around $1,000 and only go up from there. The Lenovo LOQ 15IRH8 is packing an Intel Core i7-13700H CPU, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 GPU, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of SSD storage. Depending on the graphic demands of the game, you may need to dial back the graphics on faster-paced titles. However, with older games, you should be able to bump up the graphics preset to High or Ultra. The 1080p display also has a maximum brightness of 350 nits. We’ve seen brighter displays, sure, but it’s perfectly fine for most games. Besides, you can always plug into an external monitor if need be. Other cool features include a 1080p webcam for videoconferencing and dual 85-blade fans for when things get red hot. Bottom line? You almost never see gaming laptops selling for this cheap — at least not new. Grab it before it’s gone. Get the Lenovo LOQ 15IRH8 for $749 at B&H Laptops Read...

We’re finally reaching the point where OLED gaming monitors are, if not exactly affordable, then at least somewhat attainable. Consider Gigabyte’s 49-inch ultrawide OLED: With a retail price of $1100, it’s a steal next to the similar Samsung model, which is $1800 at sticker price. Today you can take a slice off of even that, with multiple stores selling the Gigabyte at just $999.99, matching the lowest price we’ve ever seen. Earlier this year, it would’ve cost you $1,300. The Gigabyte Aorus CO49DQ is built for gaming from the ground up, with a 5120×1440 resolution that’s basically two QHD monitors smooshed together. It’s fast, though not the fastest, at 144Hz maximum refresh and .03ms of response time, with support for USB-C video in addition to DisplayPort 1.4 and double HDMI 2.1 for connecting multiple machines to the built-in KVM switch. While 18 watts of power delivery won’t exactly feed a gaming laptop’s thirst, the monitor features a pair of extra USB ports for accessories, plus a headphone jack and two five-watt speakers that I will be personally offended if you use instead of a pair of budget dedicated speakers. (Seriously, I’m watching you.) The design incorporates a ton of gaming-focused software features like an integrated crosshair and timer, plus “[an] AI-based algorithm to minimize the risks of burn-in issues.” If you don’t trust the algorithm, there’s also a three-year warranty against burn-in. Pretty much every big US electronics retailer has jumped on this deal, so it’s possible that it might be a new standard price (though we’re not seeing that confirmed anywhere). You can get the monitor for $999.99 at Amazon, Best Buy, Newegg, and B&H Photo, whichever floats your boat and gets you the best credit card points. Get a Gigabyte 49-inch OLED gaming monitor for $999.99 Monitors Read...

At a glanceExpert`s Rating ProsAvailable in large 4TB and 8TB capacitiesGood 10Gbps performerAttractive and unusual, if somewhat large, heat-shedding designConsRequires AC adapterOur VerdictMore capacity is always better when it comes to storage, and the Desk Drive USB SSD from SanDisk delivers that in either 4TB or 8TB flavors, along with good 10Gbps performance. SanDisk’s new 10Gbps USB Desk Drive is all about capacity. In fact, it ships only in larger 4TB and 8TB flavors, for $380 and $700 MSRP, respectively — demonstrating a real commitment to a marketing strategy that frames the product as a hard drive replacement. The Desk Drive is also on the large side for an external SSD and requires external power to function, which while not unheard for an external USB drive of this capacity is a bit unusual for a drive that is only 10Gbps. Perhaps SanDisk is trying to make hard drive transitioners more comfortable? Further reading: See our roundup of the best external drives to learn about competing products. What are the Sandisk Desk Drive’s features? I’ve already spilled some of the beans on this subject — however, as to its size, the Desk Drive measures a rather solid 3.9-inches wide and long, and about 1.5-inches between the slightly concave top and anti-skid bottom. It’s colored in SanDisk’s familiar dark gray, with orange piping encircling the unit near the vertical mid-point of the enclosure. The back of the Desk Drive has the Type-C USB port, AC adapter jack, and a Kensington lock port. And yes, the drive requires an external power source which the company provides. We did try to use the drive without it, and no dice. The SanDisk Desk Drive requires external power to function as you can see from the round port in this image. The SanDisk Desk Drive requires external power to function as you can see from the round port in this image. The SanDisk Desk Drive requires external power to function as you can see from the round port in this image. SanDisk apparently learned from its own Extreme Pro whose data-wiping issues may have stemmed from a lack of power, and Seagate’s FireCuda Gaming SSD 20Gbps SSD, which would only perform at 10Gbps on some systems, likely due to the same issue (although thermal throttling could have been the culprit). Note that I have tested many a 10Gbps and 20Gbps SSD that performs just fine using only bus power. How much does the Desk Drive cost? Though I already covered pricing up top, it’s helpful to discuss the Desk Drive’s price in relation to what it’s intended to replace — a hard drive. At the time of this writing you could find a name brand external 8TB hard drive for $150 — around 21 percent of the $700 (MSRP) 8TB Desk Drive. Of course, the hard drive provides only around 10 percent of the performance. So the equation remains roughly the same when it comes to HDDs and SSDs: The former are significantly cheaper per gigabyte, while the latter are far faster, less delicate, and more reliable. That said, HDD reliability is much better than it used to be. Buy according to need. If your backup is firing off in the middle of the night when speed doesn’t matter as much, go HDD and get a couple for redundancy. If you’re constantly banging on your external storage for work when seconds, minutes, or hours count, pony up the extra bucks for an SSD. How fast is the SanDisk Desk Drive? As a 10Gbps USB SSD, the 8TB Desk Drive I tested is of course light years faster than a hard drive and held its own in our testing against its 10Gbps rivals. That said, it’s no match for 20Gbps or 40Gbps SSDs, which generally double the benchmark results and halve the transfer times. CrystalDiskMark 8 rated the Desk Drive as very facile in sequential transfers for a 10Gbps USB SSD as you can see below. It wasn’t the fastest in every test, but overall it performed quite well. The SanDisk Desk Drive was very competitive in CrystalDiskMark 8. The SanDisk Desk Drive was very competitive in CrystalDiskMark 8. Jon L. Jacobi The SanDisk Desk Drive was very competitive in CrystalDiskMark 8. Jon L. Jacobi Jon L. Jacobi The results were more mixed in the random 4K operations. The Desk Drive was fastest in two tests and below average in the other two. As you may notice, this is not unusual for external SSDs — a couple of the other drives are inconsistent as well. The SanDisk Desk Drive wasn’t quite as fast in random operations, but bested the competition in two of the four tests. The SanDisk Desk Drive wasn’t quite as fast in random operations, but bested the competition in two of the four tests. The SanDisk Desk Drive wasn’t quite as fast in random operations, but bested the competition in two of the four tests. The SanDisk Desk Drive is a hair behind the curve in 48GB transfers, but not enough to significantly impact your buying decision. The SanDisk Desk Drive was a tad off the pace in our 48GB transfers, but only just. The SanDisk Desk Drive was a tad off the pace in our 48GB transfers, but only just. Jon L. Jacobi The SanDisk Desk Drive was a tad off the pace in our 48GB transfers, but only just. Jon L. Jacobi Jon L. Jacobi Being an 8TB drive, I wasn’t expecting the Desk Drive to slow down at all in in our 450GB write — it didn’t. Once I threw another 2TB at the drive, performance wavered a bit — waffling between 250MBps and 900MBps. This was undoubtedly some smart secondary caching going on with varying degrees of success. The SanDisk Desk Drive was also competitive, if not outrageously speedy in the 450 GB write. The SanDisk Desk Drive was also competitive, if not outrageously speedy in the 450 GB write. The SanDisk Desk Drive was also competitive, if not outrageously speedy in the 450 GB write. There’s little distinction performance-wise between the SanDisk Desk Drive and its competitors. This puts the buying decision down to price and form factor. All its rivals in the charts above are smaller and more portable. Should you buy the SanDisk Desk Drive? If you’re looking for high-capacity, high-speed upgrade from external hard drives, then the Sandisk Desk Drive will do the job nicely. It also looks good next to your PC, in my opinion. That said, there’s a lot of competition out there, especially at the 4TB capacity. Shop carefully. How we test Drive tests currently utilize Windows 11, 64-bit running on an X790 (PCIe 4.0/5.0) motherboard/i5-12400 CPU combo with two Kingston Fury 32GB DDR5 4800MHz modules (64GB of memory total). Both 20Gbps USB/Thunderbolt 4 are integrated to the back panel and Intel CPU/GPU graphics are used. The 48GB transfer tests utilize an ImDisk RAM disk taking up 58GB of the 64GB of total memory. The 450GB file is transferred from a 2TB Samsung 990 Pro which also runs the OS. Each test is performed on a newly NTFS-formatted and TRIM’d drive so the results are optimal. Note that in normal use, as a drive fills up, performance may decrease due to less NAND for secondary caching, as well as other factors. This is less of a factor with the current crop of SSDs with their far faster NAND. Caveat: The performance numbers shown apply only to the drive we were shipped and to the capacity tested. SSD performance can and will vary by capacity due to more or fewer chips to shotgun reads/writes across and the amount of NAND available for secondary caching. Vendors also occasionally swap components. If you ever notice a large discrepancy between the performance you experience and that which we report, by all means, let us know. Computer Storage Devices, Storage Read...

The Windows system consists of thousands of files. Many of them have strange names, others have extensions that most users have never seen before. Normally you do not need to worry about these files. Windows is designed to configure, optimize, and in many cases even repair itself. It is neither intended nor desired that the user intervenes in the system, deletes, or modifies files. However, if you would like to know more about how Windows works internally, what tasks the individual components have, and how they work together, this is the right article for you. We will highlight the files that stand out from the mass of files due to their name, size, or function. Further reading: 13 important Windows settings to adjust immediately Huge files in the system folder: Hibernation & Co. Windows is normally installed on the C: drive in the “Windows” folder. However, the system folder, often also called the root directory, already contains various files created by the operating system. Some of these can grow to a considerable size. However, you can only see these files if you have deactivated the setting “Hide protected system files (recommended)” in the “Folder options” of the Explorer in the “View” tab. To see the system files, you need to uncheck a box in the Windows Explorer view options. To see the system files, you need to uncheck a box in the Windows Explorer view options. Foundry To see the system files, you need to uncheck a box in the Windows Explorer view options. Foundry Foundry Most space is taken up by hiberfil.sys, which can be several gigabytes in size. The name is a short form of “hibernate file,” which means hibernation file. If you select hibernate mode when shutting down the PC, Windows saves the current contents of the RAM in this file, including all active applications and open documents. As soon as you switch the computer back on, you can immediately continue working from where you left off. The more RAM you have, the larger hiberfil.sys will be. The file cannot be deleted via Explorer, but it can be deleted via the command prompt: To do this, type cmd in the search field of the taskbar and click on “Run as administrator.” Now enter the command powercfg /h off followed by the Enter key. Windows deletes the file without prompting you and deactivates hibernation. If desired, you can restore hibernation at any time with the command powercfg /h on at any time. The operating system creates two swap files The second conspicuously large file in the system folder is called pagefile.sys. This is the swap file that Windows always uses when there is not enough memory for the loaded programs and files. The operating system dynamically adjusts the size of pagefile.sys to the required memory. You can use the “SwapFileControl” entry in the Windows registry to delete the swap file in the system directory and, if desired, create it again later. You can use the “SwapFileControl” entry in the Windows registry to delete the swap file in the system directory and, if desired, create it again later. IDG You can use the “SwapFileControl” entry in the Windows registry to delete the swap file in the system directory and, if desired, create it again later. IDG IDG If there is sufficient RAM in the PC, you could consider deactivating pagefile.sys (deletion does not work). Although this is possible, it is not recommended. This is because the internal memory management accesses the file from time to time, even if there is space in the RAM. If the file is no longer available, error messages, including possible system crashes, will be displayed. Thirdly, swapfile.sys appears in the main folder. This is also a swap file, but it is used exclusively for Windows apps. So that the RAM is not burdened by dormant or sleeping apps, they are moved to the file on the hard drive/SSD. Further reading: 4 just-added Windows 11 features that make your life easier Windows adjusts the size of swapfile.sys as required: If no apps are active, it is usually 16MB in size. If several apps are running, it can grow up to 256MB. You can remove the file via the registry: To do this, open the path HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Memory Management and create a new DWORD value called “SwapfileControl” after right-clicking in the right half of the window. Double-click on this and make sure that “0” is entered as the value. This will cause swapfile.sys to disappear the next time you restart. Bear in mind that Windows apps may start more slowly as a result. To restore the file, delete the registry entry. Windows with crash log and hard disk test You will also find a file called DumpStack.log.tmp on C:. Windows logs system crashes in this file. In some cases, it slows down the start of the TOR network for anonymous surfing; without this file, the TOR browser sometimes connects much faster. The DumpStack.log.tmp cannot simply be deleted as access is blocked. However, you can remove the block via the registry: To do this, go to the folder HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\CrashControl and set the value of the “Enable- LogFile” key to “0”. After a restart, you can delete the DumpStack.log.tmp with the Explorer. There are no negative side effects to be feared; however, some crash logs can be helpful for support staff. Sometimes you will also find the small file bootTel.dat in the system directory. Windows creates these files when you check the hard disk/SSD for errors. If you want to start an error search, type with administrator rights chkdsk in the command prompt. Huge folders and what’s behind them According to Explorer or tools such as Treesize Free, WinSxS under C:\Windows is one of the largest Windows folders of all: It often takes up several gigabytes of storage space. But this information is misleading. WinSxS collects thousands of hard links that refer to programs and system components on the hard drive. The total size of all linked files and programs appears as the folder size. The WinSxS folder is the largest Windows folder on this computer. However, the impression is deceptive, because storage space is actually counted twice here. The WinSxS folder is the largest Windows folder on this computer. However, the impression is deceptive, because storage space is actually counted twice here. IDG The WinSxS folder is the largest Windows folder on this computer. However, the impression is deceptive, because storage space is actually counted twice here. IDG IDG Under no circumstances should you reduce the size of WinSxS by deleting subfolders and files. The folder contains, among other things, downloaded Windows updates and system files that Windows restores from here in the event of system errors. If you remove these files, you can render your system unusable. You should therefore use Windows Disk Cleanup, which you can start by entering cleanmgr in the search field of the taskbar. Click on “Clean up system files,” place a tick in front of each option and confirm with “OK.” The SysWOW64 folder is also often quite large. It contains the WOW64 subsystem (Windows on Windows 64-bit), which is required to run 32-bit programs in a 64-bit Windows. You must not change this folder. Mysterious processes in the Windows task manager You can use the “SwapFileControl” entry in the Windows registry to delete the swap file in the system directory and create it again later if you wish. You can use the “SwapFileControl” entry in the Windows registry to delete the swap file in the system directory and create it again later if you wish. IDG You can use the “SwapFileControl” entry in the Windows registry to delete the swap file in the system directory and create it again later if you wish. IDG IDG If you open the Task Manager, you will find the entry with the name AggregatorHost.exe or Microsoft (R) Aggregator Host in the processes. The process belongs to a file that was still located in the C:\Windows\System32 folder in Windows 10. Windows 11 stores it in a subfolder of C:\Windows\WinSxS. What this process does is unclear. Microsoft does not provide any information. Since “Aggregator” stands for “collect,” it seems plausible that the process connects various system components with elements such as notifications and preview images in the taskbar. In any case, this is not malware. As the file hardly takes up any memory, ignore it. The case is clearer with taskhostw.exe: It is also a process; it is responsible for starting Windows services that are based on DLLs. It normally works unnoticed in the background. Users repeatedly report error messages in connection with this file, and the process also causes a CPU load that is stretched to the limit. The Windows tools sfc.exe and DISM can help against this. Open the command prompt with administrator rights, type sfc /scannow and run the test. Then enter the three commands DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /Check-HealthDISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealthDISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /Restore-Health one after the other. This often solves the problems. Explained: What are the hosts file and the MUI and PF files for? The hosts file in the C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc folder is characterized by the fact that it has no extension. This has to do with the fact that this file originally comes from the Unix world. Today, hosts exists not only on Windows computers, but also on Macintosh computers, Linux computers, and smartphones and tablets with the Android and iOS mobile operating systems. The file dates back to the early days of the internet. Back then, it was needed to translate entries such as www.microsoft.com into addresses such as 20.231.239.246. Back then, the hosts files contained long tables with address assignments. Today, this file is probably empty on your system; URLs are now resolved via the DNS system. Nevertheless, hosts still has a practical use: You can use it to prevent access to certain websites such as advertising servers. If you enter “0.0.0.0 www.werbeserver.com” in the hosts file, the entry of www.werbeserver.com will be redirected to the non-existent address 0.0.0.0. The process ends with an error message. To edit the file, simply use the Editor app or the Hosts file editor from the Microsoft Powertoys (Microsoft Store). Files with the extension MUI (Multilingual User Interface) are frequently encountered on Windows PCs. These are files for switching the operating system from, say, German to another language. Instead of deleting such files, however, it is advisable to uninstall entire language packs. To do this, click on the Time and language > Language and region button in the Settings app. Then click on the three dots to the right of the language you no longer need and press the “Remove” button. PF files, i.e. files with the extension PF, only exist in the folder C:\Windows\Prefetch. When an application is opened for the first time, Windows automatically creates a suitable PF file. It is used to speed up the startup process of the program. If you delete the files, the operating system automatically creates the files again the next time you start the associated application. Useful: The small freeware tool Winprefetchview lists the PF files on the computer and displays a range of file information. Three copies of the msedge.dll file? The Everything search tool reports three identical msedge.dll files. However, it is actually one and the same file that is referenced via hard links. The Everything search tool reports three identical msedge.dll files. However, it is actually one and the same file that is referenced via hard links. IDG The Everything search tool reports three identical msedge.dll files. However, it is actually one and the same file that is referenced via hard links. IDG IDG If you search for the msedge.dll file with a tool like Everything, three copies of it appear: one under C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\Edge\Application[version number], one under C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\EdgeCore[version number], and a third one under C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\EdgeWebView\Application[version number]. However, the file actually only exists once, namely in the path C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\Edge\Application\[version number]. The other two locations are hard links to the original. These also have the property of displaying the size of the original file, although it is only saved once in a different location. This article was translated from German to English and originally appeared on pcwelt.de. Windows Read...

At a glanceExpert`s Rating ProsFast like an external SSDDecently affordableSmall form factorCaptive Type-A USB connectorCons Costs more than the common thumb driveOur VerdictSK Hynix’s Tube T31 looks like a standard Type-A USB thumb drive, but performs more like the external SSD it actually is. Fast, portable, universally connectable. Nice. Best Prices Today: SK Hynix Tube T31 USB SSD stick Retailer Price $79.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket SK Hynix is nothing if not creative with naming. Witness the previously reviewed scarab-shaped Beetle, and now the Tube T31. The Tube T31 is, in fact, a Type-A USB stick, aka thumb/flash drive or “tube” if you will — at least in shape and design. Internally, however the T31 features NVMe and 10Gbps USB and performs more like the cable-attached external 10Gbps USB SSDs we review — i.e., it’s fast. Note that while we distinguish between what’s commonly referred to as a thumb drive and external SSDs, the former is in fact a type of the latter. The major difference being that a commodity thumb drive generally uses older, slower technology such as SATA and USB 5Gbps. Further reading: See our roundup of the best external drives to learn about competing products. What are the SK Hynix Tube T31’s features? The Tube T31 is a Type-A USB 3.2, 10Gb/s SSD that weighs around 1.2 ounces and measures approximately 3.6-inches long, by 1.17-inches wide, by 0.54 inches thick. While SK Hynix wasn’t specific about the internals, the performance tells me the internal transport is NVMe and the NAND is likely QLC. The SK Hynix Tube T31 with its end cap on, looking vaguely tube-like. The SK Hynix Tube T31 with its end cap on, looking vaguely tube-like. The SK Hynix Tube T31 with its end cap on, looking vaguely tube-like. As you can see from the images, the Tube T31 is black, with the only styling flourishes being the silver of the logo and, when the cap is removed, the Type-A connector. SK Hynix warranties the T31 for three years. The warranty is limited, as all warranties are, so overuse (writing too much data) and physical abuse will give the company the option to ignore a claim. No mention is made of the T31’s TBW rating (terabytes that may be written), but it’s likely around the industry average of 600TBW per 1TB of NAND. That’s a lot of data and more than you’re likely to write in a decade, let alone three years. How much is the SK Hynix Tube T31? The 1TB Tube T31 is currently available on Amazon for $100, while the 512MB capacity is $80. That’s pricey if you think of it as a thumb drive, but quite reasonable if you compare it with other high-powered external SSDs, such as SK Hynix’ aforementioned Beetle. How fast is the Tube T31? As discussed, the Tube T31 is very fast for a thumb drive. Easily the fastest we’ve tested — neither the Teamgroup C212 nor the PNY Pro Elite V2 thumb drives could keep up. Note that the Kingston XS1000, which did keep up in some tests, is a Type-C cable attached SSD, not a thumb drive, but is actually a tad smaller overall than the Tube T31. It’s priced similarly so we threw it in the ring. Neither of the other two thumb drive hold a candle to the Tube T31 in sequential transfer. Longer bars are better. Neither of the other two thumb drive hold a candle to the Tube T31 in sequential transfer. Longer bars are better. Neither of the other two thumb drive hold a candle to the Tube T31 in sequential transfer. Longer bars are better. As you can see above, CrystalDiskMark 8 rated the Tube T31 as very fast at transferring large files. It also ruled the roost among the three drives in random 4K performance, as shown below. The Tube T31 offers very good random 4K performance. Longer bars are better. The Tube T31 offers very good random 4K performance. Longer bars are better. The Tube T31 offers very good random 4K performance. Longer bars are better. You wouldn’t think the T31 was a thumb drive looking at the 48GB transfer results below. It is, though obviously not garden variety. These are times more commensurate with external SSDs. Shorter bars are better. These are times more commensurate with external SSDs. Shorter bars are better. These are times more commensurate with external SSDs. Shorter bars are better. While middling for an external 10Gbps SSD, the T31’s 450GB write time is fantastic, again, for a thumb drive. The PNY Pro Elite V2 from the previous charts is not included here as its 256MB capacity didn’t allow for a 450GB write. This is an excellent 450GB write time by the Tube T31. The other thumb drives came nowhere close. Shorter bars are better. This is an excellent 450GB write time by the Tube T31. The other thumb drives came nowhere close. Shorter bars are better. This is an excellent 450GB write time by the Tube T31. The other thumb drives came nowhere close. Shorter bars are better. I mentioned up top that QLC is the likely type of NAND involved. This is largely based on the write rate dropping to around 255MBps when secondary cache was exhausted. And it was exhausted at around the 95 percent mark of the 450GB write, which added quite a few seconds to the Tube T31’s time. This type of write is not something most users will ever perform, so don’t weigh this result heavily in your buying decision. Once the secondary cache is exhausted, the Tube T31’s write rate drops to around 235MBps. Once the secondary cache is exhausted, the Tube T31’s write rate drops to around 235MBps. Once the secondary cache is exhausted, the Tube T31’s write rate drops to around 235MBps. Should you buy the SK Hynix Tube T31? If you want the speed of an external SSD, but the convenience of a captive Type-A connector and a svelte form factor, the Tube T31 is what you seek. It’s the one I’ll be keeping in my pocket, which is indeed — a recommendation. How we test Drive tests currently utilize Windows 11, 64-bit running on an X790 (PCIe 4.0/5.0) motherboard/i5-12400 CPU combo with two Kingston Fury 32GB DDR5 4800MHz modules (64GB of memory total). Both 20Gbps USB/Thunderbolt 4 are integrated to the back panel and Intel CPU/GPU graphics are used. The 48GB transfer tests utilize an ImDisk RAM disk taking up 58GB of the 64GB of total memory. The 450GB file is transferred from a 2TB Samsung 990 Pro which also runs the OS. Each test is performed on a newly NTFS-formatted and TRIM’d drive so the results are optimal. Note that in normal use, as a drive fills up, performance may decrease due to less NAND for secondary caching, as well as other factors. This is less of a factor with the current crop of SSDs with their far faster NAND. Caveat: The performance numbers shown apply only to the drive we were shipped and to the capacity tested. SSD performance can and will vary by capacity due to more or fewer chips to shotgun reads/writes across and the amount of NAND available for secondary caching. Vendors also occasionally swap components. If you ever notice a large discrepancy between the performance you experience and that which we report, by all means, let us know. Storage Read...

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Commuting can be expensive and boring. When you’re doing it on an eBike, however, it’s neither. For a limited time, you can get into the eBike game for an unbeatable price, since we’re offering a BirdBike eBike for more than $1,500 off, plus free shipping, while supplies last. This durable bike is made by Bird, the same company that popularized electric scooters. This more practical electronic bike is made for all roads and features a 500W high-performance motor to help you hit high speeds without putting in a ton of effort. The 36V/12.8Ah removable battery offers plenty of power to get you to your destination and, when you’re there, you can give it a quick charge to get you back home after. Commuting just got a ton better. While supplies last, you can get the BirdBike eBike for one of the best prices you’ll see: just $699.97 (reg. $2,299) with free shipping.   BirdBike eBike – $699.97 See Deal StackSocial prices subject to change. Entertainment Read...

Whether you’re looking for a productivity desktop, a gaming PC powerhouse, or a stylish all-in-one Windows machine, we’ve got you covered. The team at PCWorld sort through all of the daily computer sales and put together a curated list of the best deals available. But not all deals are really deals, so we only choose those offered by reputable companies and that include great hardware to ensure you get the best value for your money. We’ve also included some helpful answers to common questions about buying a computer at the bottom of this article. If you’re considering a laptop instead, be sure to check out our best laptop deals, updated daily. Note: Tech deals come and go quickly, so it’s possible some of these computer discounts will have expired before this article’s next update. Best gaming desktop computer deals Alienware Aurora R15, Ryzen 9/RTX 4070/16GB RAM/512GB SSD/1TB HDD, $1,449.99 (37% off on Dell) Alienware Aurora R16, Core i9/RTX 4070/32GB RAM/1TB SSD, $1,699.99 (17% off on Dell) Legion Tower 7i, Core i9/RTX 4080 Super/32GB RAM/1TB SSD, $2,318.39 (26% off on Lenovo) CLX SET Gaming Desktop, Ryzen 7/RTX 4080 Super/32GB RAM/2TB SSD/6TB HDD, $3,099.99 (21% off on BestBuy) iBuyPower Trace 7 Mesh, Ryzen 7/RTX 4060/16GB RAM/1TB SSD, $999.00 (23% off on BestBuy) Yeyian Yumi, Core i5/RTX 4060/16GB RAM/1TB SSD, $799.99 (33% off on Newegg) ABS Cyclone Aqua, Core i5/RTX 4060 Ti/32GB RAM/1TB SSD, $929.99 (14% off on Newegg) My top picks: Dell is offering two great deals on Alienware gaming desktops this week. The first is an Aurora R15 for $850 off and the second is the updated Aurora R16 model for $350 off both on Dell’s website. Each has their advantages, but if I had to choose I’d go with the Aurora R16. Not only does it provide double the RAM, but you’ll get better performance with the Core i9-13900F than you will with the Ryzen 9 7900—it’s a bit pricier as a result, but worth the extra cost if you can swing it. If you’re in the market for a top of the line gaming rig then the CLX SET Gaming Desktop on sale for $800 off on BestBuy is the deal to get. It comes loaded with a powerhouse Ryzen 7 7800X3D CPU, an RTX 4080 Super GPU, and a massive 8TB of onboard storage. With so much storage and firepower, it could easily double as a great content creation machine as well. Best mainstream desktop computer deals IdeaCentre Mini, Core i5/8GB RAM/512GB SSD, $499.99 (23% off on Lenovo) HP Envy Desktop, Core i7/16GB RAM/1TB SSD, $799.99 (20% off on BestBuy) HP Envy i5 Desktop, Core i5/32GB RAM/1TB SSD, $669.99 (11% off on Amazon) Apple Mac Mini, M2/8GB RAM/256GB SSD, $549.00 (8% off on Amazon) My top picks: Those looking for a mini-PC are in luck as the excellent IdeaCentre Mini is on sale for $150 off on Lenovo. It is one of the best small form-factor PCs on the market and this version not only gives you a respectable Core i5-13500H CPU, but also plenty of onboard storage—double what you usually get with a mini-PC. If a mini-PC isn’t your cup of tea, then the HP Envy desktop for $200 off on BestBuy is another great option. Strong performance backed by the latest Core i7 CPU and plenty of onboard storage make this a solid home office or family computer that packs a bit more of a punch. Best all-in-one computer deals All-in-one desktop computers combine a PC’s hardware with a modern display to make a desktop computer that has both form and function. Since everything is built together, you can save precious desktop space with an all-in-one. They make capable work computers and they can also be excellent home computers with the wide range of features appealing to the whole family. Lenovo IdeaCentre AiO 5i, Core i7/16GB RAM/512GB SSD/24-inch 1080p touch display, $899.99 (20% off on Lenovo) HP Envy AiO 34, Core i7/RTX 3060/16GB RAM/1TB SSD/34-inch 5K display, $1,799.99 (23% off on HP) Acer Aspire C27, Core i5/16GB RAM/512GB SSD/27-inch 1080p display, $699.99 (22% off on Amazon) Apple iMac, M1/8GB RAM/256GB SSD/27-inch 5K display, $849.99 (45% off on BestBuy) My top picks: Lenovo’s AiO 5i model on sale for $230 off Lenovo is a great all-in-one model with solid specs. Not only do you get good performance components and a crisp 1080p touch display, but you’ll get the reliability that comes with all Lenovo products. In a rare deal for an Apple computer, the M1 iMac is on sale for $400 off on BestBuy’s website. Sure, you could about double to get the latest model with an M3 chip, but the M1 model will still give you good performance and unless you’re doing heavy rendering work it probably won’t matter anyways. Save yourself some money and go with this M1 iMac while it’s on sale. Computer deals FAQ 1. What are good websites to find computer deals? There are a ton of sites that sell computers, and scouring through all of them would take you a lot of time—that’s why we do it for you here and highlight the best deals we find. However, to save you some time and frustration, you need to be smart about where you look at any given time of the year. If you’re looking for a new computer during the holidays or around popular sale periods such as Black Friday or back-to-school, then you are likely to find great deals directly through first party vendor websites. These include the retail storefronts of popular computer manufacturers such as HP, Dell, and Lenovo. However, if you are looking in between sales periods, it’s generally a good idea to search through large third-party retailers such as Amazon, Adorama, Walmart, BestBuy, and Newegg. Oftentimes these websites will offer limited Deals of the Day type sales in hopes of getting rid of excess stock. On the upside, you can score still-decent PCs at a steep discount. 2. When’s the best time to shop for a PC computer? Typically you’ll want to time your PC computer shopping around a prominent sales period. The biggest sales periods are Black Friday/Cyber Monday in late November and Amazon Prime Day in early-to-mid July. The best sales often occur leading up to and during these two events and they are great times to snag a new PC computer for cheap. Other holiday shopping periods such as the New Year sales in January, President’s Day sales in April, and the back-to-school sales event in August are also good times to find discounts on computers. 3. What type of desktop should I get? You’ll see a ton of options when searching for a desktop computer, but they all mainly fit into four main categories: productivity tower PCs, gaming PCs, mini PCS, and all-in-ones (AiO). Which you should end up buying is entirely dependent upon what your needs are and what you want to do with your computer. If you are looking for something that will work in a home office or family room, then a productivity PC or AiO with a solid CPU and lots of RAM and storage is probably the way to go. If gaming is your main concern, a gaming PC can offer a lot more bang for your buck than a laptop and you should focus on getting the best GPU possible. Or if you just want something that can fit anywhere and provide basic computing then a mini PC is a good bet. 4. What CPU and GPU should I get? When looking at your new computer’s CPU, get at least an Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5, both of which will provide plenty of processing power for everyday computing tasks. If you don’t intend to do any PC gaming, then feel free to save some money by going with integrated graphics. However, if you are looking to get your game on, we recommend at least an Nvidia GeForce 3060 or AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT, as these are the least expensive discrete graphics cards that can handle ray tracing well. If you aren’t interested in those cutting-edge lighting effects, however, the RTX 3050 and Radeon RX 6600 also provide good 1080p gaming performance at even lower prices. 5. How much memory and storage does my PC need? As for RAM, we think its best to shoot for 16GB at the minimum for productivity and gaming, but for family computers and internet browsing, 8GB should suffice. Storage size is dependent upon your personal needs, but it is generally a good idea to opt for an SSD over an standard HDD as they are much faster and don’t significantly affect the price of a desktop. Before deciding, it’s best to consider what your intended use of the computer will be. Are you just doing work or web browsing? Then something like 512GB will be plenty. If you want to load up a lot of large files such as games or content creation projects, then you’ll need at least 1 or 2TB or storage. However, just remember that even if your computer doesn’t have enough storage built-in you can always upgrade your SSD or go with an external drive to increase your available storage options. 6. Is it a good idea to buy a refurbished computer? Refurbished computers are used machines that have been repaired, upgraded, and cleaned for the purpose of reselling. They’re usually open-box returns, overstock, or models with minor cosmetic damage (scratches, scuffs, etc). Refurbished computers can be a bargain hunter’s dream as they’re likely still in good (or great) condition and you can save a lot of money. That being said, refurbished computers can have their downsides as well. In addition to cosmetic blemishes, some of the internal components might be a little older or outdated and they might not be in peak condition due to previous usage. If you do consider buying a refurbished computer I recommend looking at eBay as they offer a one-year warranty. You can also check out manufacturer’s retail storefronts like Dell’s Outlet Store and Apple’s Refurbished Store—just be sure to look at the terms of warranty offered before purchasing. Desktop PCs, Gaming Desktop PCs Read...

At a glanceExpert`s Rating ProsOutstanding OLED screenVery lightGreat keyboardFHD cameraConsSlightly slower processorOnly 512GB of SSD storageNo Wi-Fi 7Our VerdictThe Samsung Galaxy Book4 Pro 14 is a lightweight, elegant all-rounder for business professionals. When it comes to the Galaxy Book line of laptops, Samsung has established itself in high-end notebooks for professional use. The laptops look excellent, are light and slim, and offer great displays. The new Galaxy Book4 Pro with a 14-inch screen is no exception. It has an OLED touchscreen with 3K resolution, its very sturdy aluminum casing weighs just 2.64 pounds and it’s around 12 millimeters thin. It’s finished in the classic grey of a stylish business notebook (Moonstone Grey color variant), which elegantly changes to a bluish hue depending on the incidence of light. Bottom line? The Samsung Galaxy Book4 Pro 14 is a lightweight, elegant all-rounder for business professionals. Let’s dig into why. Looking for more laptop options? Be sure to check out PCWorld’s roundup of the best laptops available today. Samsung Galaxy Book4 Pro 14: First impressions In the fourth generation of Galaxy Books, Samsung relies on processors from the new Intel Meteor Lake platform, in the case of the test device on a Core Ultra 7 155H. This CPU generation is characterized by a significantly different architecture in which Intel assembles the processor modularly from individual chips (aka tiles). However, most notebook manufacturers, including Samsung, advertise Meteor Lake primarily as an AI processor due to the new NPU (Neural Processing Unit). the Book4 pro`s even more polished sibling Samsung Galaxy Book4 Ultra Read our review Best Prices Today: $2499.99 at Best Buy There’s little evidence of AI on the Galaxy Book4 Pro, but this also applies to other Meteor Lake laptops. For example, the test device lacks the Copilot button and, apart from the Windows Studio effects, which are supposed to improve video meetings via AI through auto-framing, automatic eye contact, and background blurring, there are no apps that can use the NPU. This is disappointing, as Samsung’s current Galaxy smartphones show how AI can be put to good use. Even apps such as Samsung Gallery, which can utilize AI functions on the smartphone, do not offer them in the Windows version. At the beginning of the benchmarks, it wasn’t the lack of AI on the Galaxy Book4 Pro that frightened us, but the miserable performance. The laptop’s mouse clicks were very delayed, programs were slow to open, and the first set of benchmarks delivered disappointing results. The problems cannot be solved with Windows updates and the Samsung Device Care analysis tool, as they cannot find more up-to-date drivers. Only the manual installation of a new GPU driver directly from Intel solves the performance dilemma. Apparently, the driver for the Arc GPU installed by Samsung in December is responsible for the sluggish performance. After the driver update, the notebook runs as expected. On the left is an HDMI output and two Thunderbolt 4 ports that can be used to charge the notebook. On the left is an HDMI output and two Thunderbolt 4 ports that can be used to charge the notebook.Thomas Rau On the left is an HDMI output and two Thunderbolt 4 ports that can be used to charge the notebook.Thomas Rau Thomas Rau Samsung Galaxy Book4 Pro 14: Performance The new internal GPU is the performance highlight of Meteor Lake. In system tests such as PCMark 10 and Crossmark, the new CPU generation stands out from its predecessors from Raptor Lake’s U, P, and H series, primarily due to its significantly improved graphics performance. The Galaxy Book4 Pro performs above average in all applications that make heavy use of the GPU such as rendering and photo and video editing. This means that compact Meteor Lake laptops such as the Samsung laptop are now much better suited for multimedia and graphics tasks. The Arc graphics in Meteor Lake can also set itself apart from the Iris Xe Graphics of the predecessor CPUs in gaming tests. In the 3DMark, it is 70 percent faster in Night Raid and almost twice as fast in Time Spy. This does not make the Samsung notebook really suitable for gaming, especially not in its high native resolution of 2880×1800 pixels. You have to reduce the resolution to Full HD and can only use the medium quality level for graphic details. Even then, the Galaxy Boo 4 Pro remains well below 60 fps in the Shadow of the Tomb Raider benchmark. Samsung Galaxy Book 4 Pro: Benchmark results Speed in office programmes91 points (out of 100)Speed in multimedia programmes75 points (out of 100)3D Mark performance63 points (out of 100)Cinebench R238736Display: Brightness / brightness distribution / contrast415 / 92% / infinityAnti-glare displayNoDisplay: Colour space coverage (in percent)sRGB: 100 / Adobe-RGB: 98 / DCI-P3: 99Display: Colour fidelity (Delta-E deviation)0,61Battery life (hours:minutes): WLAN test12:42Battery capacity after 1 hour of charging81 percentOperating noise under load38 dB(A)Temperature top / bottom39 / 45° Celsius Despite the increased performance of the internal processor GPU, users who do more than just occasional gaming or professional multimedia editing should still rely on an additional GPU. This also applies to AI applications, as the test with the AI benchmark Procyon proves. The NPU from Meteor Lake scores around 500 points in the Integer test with AI applications based on Intel’s Open-Vino programming environment–incidentally, the same as the GPU from Meteor Lake. An RTX 4070 GPU performs the same tasks four times as fast based on Nvidia Tensor with significantly higher power consumption. In addition, Samsung limits the CPU performance due to the 14-inch form factor and only allows the Core Ultra a maximum power consumption of 60 watts and a standard consumption of 28 watts, while this processor in 16-inch notebooks is usually allowed to work with up to 80 watts and 45 watts in standard mode. Accordingly, the Samsung Galaxy Book4 Pro is around ten to 15 percent slower in the system benchmarks than large Meteor Lake notebooks. In the Cinebench R23 CPU test, the Samsung laptop only achieves just under 9,000 points while the Core Ultra 7 155H in a 16-inch notebook achieves around 14,000 points. Connections on the right-hand side: Micro SD slot, USB Type-A, audio. Connections on the right-hand side: Micro SD slot, USB Type-A, audio.Thomas Rau Connections on the right-hand side: Micro SD slot, USB Type-A, audio.Thomas Rau Thomas Rau Samsung Galaxy Book4 Pro 14: Battery life The Galaxy Book 4 Pro benefits from the economical CPU setting in battery mode. At less than 5 watts, the power consumption is around one watt lower than a comparably equipped 16-inch notebook with Meteor Lake and is also significantly lower than a notebook with a Raptor Lake H CPU and an OLED screen. However, the laptop’s 13 hour battery life is still not particularly long because Samsung only installs a battery with 62 watt hours due to the low weight and slim form factor. The biggest mobility advantage of the Samsung notebook is its low weight, which also applies to the 65 watt power supply. It weighs only 166 grams and fills the laptop battery to 81 percent after one hour of charging. Samsung Galaxy Book4 Pro 14: Fan noise, temperature The Galaxy Book4 Pro hardly heats up even during longer load phases. The operating noise is 38 dB(A) in the load test. It reached 42 dB(A) when I switched on Windows’ High Performance setting. Many Meteor Lake notebook already deliver in the standard Balanced setting. The palm rest doesn’t warm up much in the load test. The underside of the notebook heats up to a maximum of 45 degrees, so you can easily place it on your thighs. Samsung Galaxy Book4 Pro 14: Display The display is always a highlight of the Galaxy Book laptops. Our review unit has an OLED touchscreen with 3K resolution (2880×1800) and 10-bit color depth, which offers a refresh rate of up to 120Hz. The in-house panel is protected by Gorilla Glass DX. The screen is not completely reflection-free, as claimed by the manufacturer Corning, but is slightly less reflective than other touchscreens in direct light. The Galaxy Book4 Pro also demonstrates the advantages of OLED technology” the contrast is extremely high, the luminance is very evenly distributed, and the color reproduction is outstanding. With Samsung covering almost all important color spaces and minimal color deviation, it’s slightly better than other OLED notebooks. The brightness is also pleasantly high at over 400 cd/sqm, only a few notebook screens are brighter, but they usually use more expensive panels with mini-LED backlight. The Galaxy Book4 Pro is ideal for photos and films and even those who only come into contact with color in PowerPoint presentations and Excel diagrams at work will be pleased with the outstanding picture quality. Samsung Galaxy Book4 Pro 14: Ports The Galaxy Book 4 Pro 14 only comes with 512GB of SSD storage, which isn’t much space given the price. On the other hand, the notebook offers many ports for a 14-inch laptop. There are two Type-C ports with Thunderbolt 4 on board, one Type-A port with USB 3.2 Gen 1, and an HDMI output. The slot for micro SD cards and audio connection via mini-jack are also welcome, as they are no longer commonplace on lightweight business laptops. The front camera with Full HD resolution makes you look good in video calls and you can also log in securely via the camera or the finger sensor in the power button. Unlike many Meteor Lake laptops, the Wi-Fi module in the Galaxy Book only supports Wi-Fi 6E and not Wi-Fi 7, but Wi-Fi 7 remains in its early days for now anyway. Samsung Galaxy Book4 Pro 14: Keyboard and touchpad Despite the focus on elegant design and low weight, business notebooks should never neglect operating elements such as the keyboard and touchpad. Samsung makes no compromises here with the Galaxy Book4 Pro. The keyboard is sturdy, all keys provide clear pressure feedback even when typing quickly and they remain relatively quiet. The number keys are smaller than the other keys, but they’re easy to reach because Samsung has placed them slightly away from the keyboard. Sensitive users may be bothered by the clearly audible clicking noise of the touchpad. However, it provides clear and consistent feedback over the entire touchpad surface because of the stable build. Multi-finger gestures also worked just fine. Samsung Galaxy Book4 Pro 14 specs and features Samsung Galaxy Book4 Pro: Features ProcessorIntel Core Ultra 7 155HClock speedStandard clock: 3.0 GHz (P-Cores); 1.7 GHz (E-Cores); 700 MHz (Low-Power-E-Cores); Turbo clock up to 4.8 GHz (P-Cores); 3.8 GHz (E-Cores); 2.1 (Low-Power-E-Cores)Cores / Threads16 / 22 (6 P-Cores + 8 E-Cores + 2 Low-Power E-Cores)RAM16GB LPDDR5X (soldered)Graphics cardIntel Arc Graphics (integrated in CPU)DriveNVMe SSD Samsung PM9B1 (PCIe 4.0 x 4)Usable capacity456.26 GBFormatM.2 2280Network: LAN / Wi-Fi / Bluetooth– / WiFi-6E (Intel AX211) / 5.3Operating systemWindows 11 HomeDisplay: Diagonal / resolution / format14 inch / 2880 x 1800 / 16:10Pixel density / refresh rate243 ppi / 120 HzWeight: Notebook (with battery) / power supply unit1226 / 166 gramsBattery: Capacity62 WhConnections on the right1x Type-A USB 3.2 Gen 1, 1x audio, 1x memory card slot (micro SD)Connections on the left2x Type-C (Thunderbolt 4), 1x HDMI 2.1Further featuresFront camera (1080p), face recognition, finger sensor (in power button) Should you buy the Samsung Galaxy Book4 Pro? Absolutely, if you’re in the target audience. As we said up top: The Samsung Galaxy Book4 Pro 14 is a lightweight, elegant all-rounder for business professionals who need reliable performance and ample features on the go. This article originally appeared on PC Welt and has been translated from German to English. Laptops Read...