Are you ready to finally upgrade your gaming laptop to one that’ll blow you away? Now’s your chance to jump on a screaming good deal with the Asus ROG Strix G16 on sale for $1,599.99 at Best Buy. That’s a massive $400 discount, bringing it down from its original $1,999.99 to a much more affordable price and a much better bang for your buck. So, what makes the Asus ROG Strix G16 such a good pick? Well, it features a super-fast AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX processor paired with 16GB of DDR5 RAM and a speedy 1TB SSD for rapid load times. Even without a dedicated graphics card, this configuration would be a solid setup to handle your everyday workload, hobbies, leisure, and more. And that’s all great on its 16-inch 1900×1200 screen with 165Hz of refresh. But the kicker here is the amazing Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti dedicated graphics card, which is easily one of our top picks for a gaming laptop right now. It’s way better than the 5050, 5060, and even 5070 you normally see in gaming laptops, with significantly more cores, better memory, faster performance, and higher benchmarks. At this price, you’re getting a stellar gaming machine for years to come. When we reviewed the Asus ROG Strix G16, we gave it a 4-star rating for its fast display, 100 watts of USB-C charging, and excellent overall cooling and performance. Our main complaints involved the bulky and plasticky chassis and the so-so battery life (even for a gaming laptop). If you’re okay with that, the internals make up for it. Don’t miss this chance to get the Asus ROG Strix G16 for $1,599.99 at Best Buy, a fantastic price for some lovely gaming hardware. Save $400 on the Asus ROG Strix G16 with RTX 5070 Ti GPUBuy now via Best Buy Read...

At a glanceExpert`s Rating Pros Excellent performance thanks to Ryzen 5 7640HS and Radeon 760M graphics Decent SSD transfer rates thanks to CT1000P3 from Crucial/Micron Magnetic cover enables lightning-fast hardware upgrades Quiet cooling system even under sustained load Wide range of connectivity options including USB-C and Wi-Fi 6E Cons The case surface is scratch-resistant, but attracts dust Our Verdict The PELADN WO4 is recommended for users who are looking for a powerful yet maintenance-friendly system. The mini PC stands out from the competition thanks to its magnetic cover and the use of brand-name components. Whether as a compact workstation, AI accelerator, or for casual gaming, the combination of Ryzen 5 7640HS and 32GB DDR5 RAM offers reserves for the next few years. A well-designed piece of technology without the usual compromises in terms of upgradeability. Price when reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Best Prices Today: PELADN WO4 Retailer Price $419.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket PELADN is another mini PC manufacturer from the Far East. At the time of testing, 26 models with Intel and AMD processors were listed in its own EU shop, although not all of them are available. Some of PELADN’s minis are also available on Amazon, including the WO4 tested here with AMD Ryzen 7640HS and Radeon 760M graphics. We put this attractively priced model through its paces. Design and workmanship My first impression of the PELADN WO4 was that it’s cool and high-quality. The metal alloy casing not only looks sturdy, but also supports heat dissipation. The scratch-resistant surface feels silky and resists fingerprints surprisingly well. Compared to high-gloss models such as the Acemagic M1, this is a clear advantage in everyday use. Christoph Hoffmann There has been an exciting trend in the world of ultra-compact computers for several months now: Devices are not only becoming faster, but also easier to maintain. While competitors such as the Geekom A7 Max or the Acemagic M1 rely on a closed unibody design, which requires laboriously removing the rubber feet and loosening screws for upgrades, the PELADN WO4 takes a much more user-friendly approach. Similar to the Sapphire Edge AI 370, the cover on the top of the case can be lifted without tools, giving easy access to the slots for two RAM modules and two NVMe SSDs. Despite this flexibility, the cover sits rock-solid when closed, with nothing rattling or feeling unstable. Christoph Hoffmann With dimensions of approximately 5 × 5 × 2 inches (width × depth × height) and a weight of around 1.21 pounds, the WO4 is significantly more compact than comparable devices such as the Geekom A7 Max or the Miniforums AI X1 Pro. This allows it to be flexibly placed on a desk, in the living room, or at a home office workstation. The included VESA mount also allows for space-saving attachment directly to the back of the monitor. The cooling system of the PELADN WO4, called “FrostCool,” relies on a sophisticated two-fan concept, setting it apart from the often undersized competition. The main fan efficiently transports the waste heat from the Ryzen 5 7640HS to the outside via large copper heat pipes. An additional system fan ensures a constant air flow over the DDR5 RAM and the Crucial SSD installed in the test device. This active cooling of the memory components is a decisive advantage, as it effectively prevents the thermal throttling that is feared with NVMe SSDs during long write operations. Thanks to the solid construction of the heatsink and an intelligent fan curve, the mini PC remains virtually inaudible in office use. Under full load, it emits only a sonorous, unobtrusive hum instead of high-frequency whistling. Another plus point is its ease of maintenance: The magnetic case cover allows tool-free access to the cooling system. This makes regular cleaning of the fan blades from dust a breeze and ensures long-term system stability. Features The AMD Ryzen 5 7640HS forms the heart of a new generation of mini PCs like the PELADN WO4 that focus on efficiency and AI acceleration. The six-core processor is based on modern 4nm manufacturing and Zen 4 architecture (“Phoenix”). In terms of performance, it is on par with former high-end chips such as the Ryzen 9 5900HX or the Intel Core i5-12500H. However, it significantly outperforms them in terms of energy efficiency and single-core performance. Christoph Hoffmann Compared to the Zen 3 models (such as the Ryzen 5 5600H or 5800H) found in many cheaper mini PCs, the 7640HS benefits from double-digit IPC growth and support for AVX-512. This makes it powerful enough for modern software workloads and future-proof. Although its bigger brother, the Ryzen 7 7840HS, offers two more cores, the 7640HS is almost on par in terms of single-thread performance, which is crucial for everyday use, and often outperforms competing models in the Intel Core i5-13500H series in graphics benchmarks. A unique selling point in this price range is the integrated Ryzen AI Engine (NPU), which offers dedicated hardware acceleration for AI tasks. This feature is completely absent in older mini PC generations or the pure office CPUs of the Intel T series. A look under the cover shows that PELADN makes no compromises when it comes to components. While many manufacturers are moving towards soldering the RAM in place for space reasons — a criticism often levelled at ultra-slim models — the WO4 offers two classic SODIMM slots. It comes with 32GB of DDR5-5600 RAM installed at the factory, spread across two 16GB modules. Christoph Hoffmann No corners were cut when it came to the SSD: Thanks to its PCIe 4.0 connection, the built-in 1TB Crucial P3 delivers transfer rates that allow the system to boot in seconds — more details on this below. The variety of connections on the case makes some full-grown desktop workstations look outdated. Particularly noteworthy are Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2, which ensure an extremely stable wireless connection. Christoph Hoffmann The front of the PELADN WO4 has a modern and user-friendly design. In addition to the illuminated power button, there are two USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports that enable data rates of up to 10Gbit/s. This makes them ideal for quickly connecting external SSDs or high-performance USB sticks. This setup is complemented by a combined 3.5mm jack connection for headsets. This is particularly beneficial for users who have their PC on their desk and do not want to reach behind the device to connect audio accessories. Christoph Hoffmann The highlight on the front is the full-featured USB-C port. This not only supports fast data transfer, but also DisplayPort Alt Mode. Depending on the configuration, this allows a third monitor to be controlled. The result is a high degree of flexibility in everyday work, as frequently changed peripheral devices are immediately accessible. The rear of the mini PC is designed for continuous stationary operation and offers numerous connection options. An HDMI and a DisplayPort connection dominate here. Together with the USB-C port on the front, they enable a triple-monitor setup with up to 4K resolution at high refresh rates. A 2.5G Ethernet port is available for integration into the home network, offering significantly higher transfer speeds than the conventional Gigabit standard, which is also available. The two LAN ports are an advantage for users who work with a NAS or want to move large amounts of data over the network. Christoph Hoffmann There are also two additional USB-A ports on the back, which are suitable for connecting peripheral devices such as mice, keyboards, or printers. Directly below the ports are the generous air vents of the cooling system. They are positioned so that the warm air is directed away from the user. The rear panel is rounded off by the power input for the external power supply. The arrangement of the sockets has been chosen so that the plugs do not block each other, even when all ports are fully occupied. Windows 11 Pro is pre-installed The PELADN WO4 comes with Windows 11 Pro pre-installed. With an active internet connection, the operating system is quickly activated and set up. Windows 11 is factory-set to 24H2 Build 26100 with a release date of 1 October 2024. After setup, we updated the system to the latest version using the update function. We then installed the AMD drivers for the chipset and the Radeon graphics card. Christoph Hoffmann Christoph Hoffmann Although we do not evaluate Windows 11 Pro separately, the interaction between the operating system and hardware is an important aspect of the WO4. The AMD Ryzen 5 7640HS harmonizes well with the current Windows 11 build thanks to its modern platform. The integrated AI unit creates a future-proof basis for functions that are already used selectively by Windows 11 and are likely to become even more important in the future. Computing power With the AMD Ryzen 5 7640HS, the PELADN WO4 positions itself as a powerful representative of the current mini PC upper class. In benchmarks, it achieves a balanced ratio of CPU performance, graphics performance and memory throughput. The processor is based on the Zen 4 architecture of the Phoenix generation and integrates the Radeon 760M graphics unit. This puts the WO4 in the same performance range as compact high-performance systems. Compared to the newer Zen 5 platforms, such as those used in the Sapphire Edge AI 370, the WO4 is based on a mature and established architecture. The integrated Ryzen AI unit provides fundamental support for AI applications. Combined with 32GB of DDR5 RAM and a fast PCIe 4.0 SSD, the result is a system that can reliably handle not only classic office and productivity tasks, but also demanding multitasking and computationally intensive workloads. In the PCMark benchmark test, we determined a desktop computing power of 7,158 points. The software processes everyday tasks one after the other, thus delivering realistic values. Christoph Hoffmann The benchmark results in the Essentials (10,063 points) and Productivity (11,906 points) sub-areas show that everyday tasks, office applications, and multitasking run smoothly on the WO4. However, the score in the Content Creation area is weaker at 8,309 points. This puts the mini PC significantly behind systems based on the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 and about 2,200 points behind the Geekom IT15 with Intel Core Ultra 9. This reflects the clearly higher performance of this platform in computationally and media-intensive scenarios. In the 3DMark CPU test, the WO4 demonstrates balanced performance. With 5,949 points in the multithread run and 974 points in the single-thread test, the result is on par with a mobile Ryzen 9 8945HS. In a direct market comparison, however, the WO4 lags around 20 percent behind systems with AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370. At the same time, scaling across multiple threads shows that computationally intensive tasks and parallel AI workloads are performed quickly. Christoph Hoffmann With 2,778 points in the Time Spy test, this mini PC achieves impressive performance for its size and marks the current performance peak of classic integrated graphics solutions in the mini PC segment. The Radeon 760M’s 2,488 graphics points show that it outperforms conventional Intel solutions (Iris Xe) by almost 50 percent and enables smooth Full HD gaming. The 8,202 CPU points are the real highlight: They prove that the Ryzen 5 7640HS, thanks to its Zen 4 architecture, does not throttle even under continuous load and comes close to compact desktop systems. The result in the Steel Nomad Light test is revealing, as this benchmark was developed for cross-platform systems without a dedicated graphics card. With 2,249 points and an estimated gaming performance of over 30 FPS, the PELADN WO4 proves that it far exceeds the level of simple office computers. Even if 16.67fps may seem low at first glance in a pure graphics test, this value is good for an integrated solution with very high quality settings. It indicates that current game titles remain playable in Full HD with moderate adjustments to the details. This makes the WO4 an option for casual gamers. The Geekbench AI Pro values (3,822 single precision / 7,362 quantized) indicate good AI acceleration. This is useful for on-device AI applications, edge computing, and local LLM inference. In this discipline, the PELADN WO4 is around 10 percent below the Geekom IT15, which is equipped with an Intel Core Ultra 9 285H and an AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370, as used in the Sapphire Edge AI 370, for example. Christoph Hoffmann The SSD performance in Crystal Disk Mark is good, but not above average: With 5,200MB/s read and 4,733MB/s write speeds, the SSD performs at a decent but not above-average pace. Some higher-priced competitor models achieve read speeds of 6,000 to 7,000MB/s. The SSD speed of the WO4 is significantly higher than that of the Alliwava models (GH8 and H90), which are equipped with a slow PCIe 3.0 NVMe. Christoph Hoffmann Conclusion Our impression of the PELADN WO4 is positive. In terms of performance, the Ryzen 5 7640HS makes a clear statement. Thanks to the Zen 4 architecture and powerful Radeon 760M graphics, the WO4 closes the gap between office PCs and gaming systems. It masters demanding multitasking scenarios, AI-supported workflows, and even modern gaming in 1080p with flying colors, without reaching its thermal limits. The FrostCool system works so smoothly that the computer is unlikely to be perceived as disruptive, even in quiet working environments. Its (almost) unique selling point is the clever housing concept with a magnetic cover. Easy, tool-free access to RAM and SSD is user-friendly. This not only makes the system low-maintenance, but also future-proof for later upgrades. For users looking for a powerful, quiet, and flexible companion for their desk that won’t become electronic waste after just two years, the PELADN WO4 is a smart investment. Technical specifications Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 7640HS (6 cores / 12 threads, up to 5.0 GHz) Graphics: AMD Radeon 760M (RDNA 3 architecture) Memory: 32 GB DDR5-5600 (2 × 16 GB removable) Internal storage: 1 TB NVMe SSD (Crucial P3, PCIe 4.0 x4) Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2, 1 × 2.5G Ethernet, 1 × Gigabit Ethernet Connections: 1 × HDMI 2.1, 1 × DisplayPort 1 × USB-C (full feature), 4 × USB 3.2 Gen 2, 3.5 mm jack Cooling: FrostCool dual fan system Special feature: Magnetic case cover for tool-free access Operating system: Windows 11 Pro pre-installed Dimensions: 128 × 128 × 52 mm (width × depth × height) Weight: approx. 550 grams Read...

The Olympic flag features the five rings representing the union of the five continents and the meeting of athletes from throughout the world. Read...

Microsoft’s PowerToys dev team is experimenting with a new menu and dock interface in Windows 11, spotted by The Verge. The solution consists of an optional top bar called the Command Palette Dock, which is intended to provide quick access to various Command Palette extensions. It’s designed to complement the Command Palette launcher, which allows users to quickly launch apps and commands. The Command Palette Dock is fully configurable and can be placed along any edge of the screen (top, bottom, left, or right). The content within can also be organized into three separate zones for a better overview and organization. Users will be able to customize the appearance as well as freely move and attach extensions. In short, your favorite PowerToys features and tools will only be “one click away.” Microsoft has published concept images and is now seeking feedback from users. If you want to test an early version, you can do so through the PowerToys GitHub project in Visual Studio. However, it’s pretty advanced to set up and you’ll need developer experience. Read...

As much as seeing the Super Bowl in person would be a fantastic experience, have you seen those ticket prices? Terrible, right? Well, getting a new TV is much cheaper, especially when you can catch a deal as hot as this one: TCL’s massive 65-inch QM8K TV is only $999.99 at Best Buy with a MONSTROUS $1,500 discount. Holy moly! The QM8K features a 4K QD-Mini LED display at 65 inches, which translates to fantastic clarity and great contrast so you can see all those passes, tackles, and every minute of the half-time show in full visual glory. Its native 144Hz refresh rate also ensures smooth, blur-free motion, which is ideal for watching fast-paced sports (as well as for console gaming once the Super Bowl has passed). Your viewing experience is further enhanced with advanced HDR support, including Dolby Vision and HDR10+. For immersive sound, the TV is equipped with Dolby Atmos audio, something you’ll love every time you stream TV shows and movies. This TCL runs on the Google TV platform, providing access to all major streaming services. If you want a bigger TV, the other sizes are also on sale: 75-inch TCL QM8K TV: $1,499.99 ($1,700 off) 85-inch TCL QM8K TV: $1,999.99 ($1,800 off) 98-inch TCL QM8K TV: $2,999.99 ($2,000 off) No matter what size you get, this is an insane deal with enormous savings—so don’t miss this opportunity! Get the 65-inch TCL QM85K for $999.99 while you can and level up your home media pronto. Save $1,500 on TCL`s 65-inch 4K TV and live like a king at homeBuy now via Best Buy Read...

Roughly two months ago, Ring rolled out an AI-powered tool that lets Ring owners band together to find a missing pooch. Now, Ring says anyone with a wayward pet can ask for help using the feature, not just Ring users.  Accessible via the Neighbors sections of the Ring App, the Search Party for Dogs feature lets you report a missing dog (Ring has previously said that support for cats and other pets is coming later). Such a report will launch a Search Party, which triggers nearby Ring cameras to be on the lookout for the lost pet.  Previously, only Ring users could launch Search Parties, but now Ring says that even non-Ring owners can use the Ring app to report a missing pooch.  “Before Search Party, the best you could do was drive up and down the neighborhood, shouting your dog’s name in hopes of finding them,” said Ring inventor Jamie Siminoff in a press release. “Now, pet owners can mobilize the whole community—and communities are empowered to help—to find lost pets more effectively than ever before. That’s why we believe it’s so important to make this feature available to anyone who shares a lost dog post in Neighbors.”  Ring’s Search Party tool leverages AI to scan footage from nearby Ring cameras for evidence of a missing dog.  If your Ring camera spots a potential match (the feature works only with outdoor Ring cameras, not indoor Ring cams), you’ll get an alert with a picture of the dog and the relevant video clips. If you think it’s a match, you can—if you wish—choose to share the videos with the pet owners, or even reach out to them directly.    Ring’s Search Party feature has raised eyebrows for the fact that it’s on by default, similar to Ring’s far more controversial Community Requests functionality, which lets law enforcement officials request video clips from Ring users.  You can opt out of either Search Party of Community Requests, and Ring notes that even if you keep the features on, you can always decide which, if any, videos you’d like to share. You can also ignore Search Party and Community Requests alerts entirely.  To nix the Search Party feature, just open the Ring app, tap the Menu button, scroll down to the Community Control section, and tap Search Party > Search for Lost Pets. You can then either opt out of the feature completely or block individual Ring cameras from participating in a Search Party.  This article is part of TechHive’s in-depth coverage of the best security cameras. Read...

Microsoft has released the first preview of Windows 11 26H2 to Insiders on the Dev Channel, which will be the next major feature update for the operating system. Unlike 26H1, 26H2 brings real innovations. This is Windows 11 (Build 26300.7674) and the details in the update section of this Windows preview indicate that this major update will once again come in the form of an enablement package. An enablement package is one that unlocks features that already exist in the operating system but were previously unavailable. This allows the official update to be much smaller without requiring a complete reinstallation or in-place upgrade. Microsoft previously delivered Windows 11 25H2 as an enablement package. According to Windows Latest, the “Windows 11 26H2” version designation doesn’t currently appear in the version information under Windows Settings, nor does it appear when you use the winver command in the Command Prompt. So far, “Windows 11 26H2” can only be found in the Windows Update section under installed updates—assuming you’re an Insider and you’ve installed this update. New features in Windows 11 26H2 Microsoft has not yet revealed exactly what new features will be coming with Windows 11 26H2. However, the existing preview versions provide many clues. For example, Microsoft is testing a Copilot chat in File Explorer and Copilot will likely be shown in File Explorer’s right panel. Copilot is also likely to be integrated into Windows Search in the taskbar. Both Copilot integrations are likely to be optional and not enabled by default, as Windows Latest suspects. Copilot is also finding its way into the Windows 11 notification center. The preview versions of Windows 11 so far also show that Microsoft is testing a new Run dialog box. The changes appear to be more than just visual, as Microsoft may also be adding new features. When will Windows 11 26H2 release? Windows 11 26H2 is expected to be released in October 2026, the typical month for every year’s big fall update. (Windows 11 25H2 was previously released in October.) Once Microsoft has officially announced the release of Windows 11 26H2, the update is expected to be gradually rolled out to compatible computers. What about Windows 11 26H1? Windows 11 26H1 will be released in spring 2026. However, unlike the aforementioned 26H2, this is not a feature update. This version only makes Windows 11 compatible with Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon X2 and possibly other Arm processors. Read...

At a glanceExpert`s Rating Pros Quality 4K webcam images with 60Hz option Surprisingly useful remote control Powerful zoom features Solid autofocus Cons Privacy shutter must be added on Onboard mics and noise cancellation are average to poor Camera positioning is annoying Our Verdict eMeet’s affordable 4K autofocus webcam generates great-looking shots, with a handy remote that controls many of its functions at the push of a button. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Best Prices Today: EMEET Smartcam C60E 4K Dual Webcam Retailer Price $59.99 View Deal eMeet $59.99 View Deal $69.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Best Prices Today: Check today’s prices eMeet continues to push the envelope with aggressively priced videoconferencing solutions, and the eMeet SmartCam C60E 4K Dual is another example of a quality, autofocusing webcam that includes a handy remote control that quickly offers focus, zoom, and color options. At press time, the eMeet SmartCam C60E 4K Dual costs just about $70 (or $59.99 at eMeet’s site, at press time), which is terrific for a 4K webcam, even if it doesn’t offer quite the visual quality of some of the premium options in our recommendations for the best webcams. It has a key feature shared by another eMeet camera, the eMeet Piko+ 4K: a pair of lenses that jointly create the image, depending upon what you ask of it. On either side are some programmable RGB accents. About the only thing I mildly dislike about this webcam is the construction; the camera doesn’t tilt up and down on the mount, which means that framing your face with the camera can be a little awkward. While Windows’ Studio Effects technology will crop and zoom to frame your face, the technology doesn’t always work with external webcams, and depends (right now) on whether you’re running a Windows preview or not. The eMeet SmartCam C60E 4K Dual, meanwhile, has a manual zoom — all the way to a tight 11X. Mark Hachman / Foundry In any event, the C60E 4K Dual is a quite affordable 4K autofocus webcam, whose images look remarkably like the images generated by the Razer Kiyo Pro Ultra camera of a couple years ago. On paper, the two show differences; the SmartCam C60E 4K Dual uses a 1/2.8-inch sensor that’s shared between its two wide-angle and telephoto lenses, while the Kiyo Pro Ultra uses a 1/1.2-inch sensor, which lets in far more light. In a well-lit room, however, that doesn’t make that much difference. Although eMeet supplies an AI Studio application for fine-grained controls, much of that can be achieved either through the Windows settings or with the accompanying remote, which is surprisingly handy. eMeet SmartCam C60E 4K Dual: How well does it work? The eMeet SmartCam C60E 4K Dual connects to your PC via a 2-meter (6.5 feet) cable, terminating in a USB-A port. The other end of the cord is connected directly to the webcam, so you can’t simply install a longer cable. That should be more than enough on most desktop setups, however. Mark Hachman / Foundry Again, the weakest part of this webcam is the mount. The eMeet SmartCam C60E 4K Dual uses the traditional “jaws” configuration, where the webcam sits flat on the top of the laptop or display, and a “jaw” juts out at an angle to support it. Some rival webcams add a hinged “tongue” at the end of the jaw to provide a more expansive surface to rest the frame upon. Virtually all of them, however, have a gimbal or swivel upon which you can adjust the webcam. The eMeet SmartCam C60E 4K Dual only allows you to rotate the camera, not adjust it up or down. It’s not a huge loss, but it’s especially annoying when mounted on the display of a laptop, which can of course be raised or lowered. Each time you open a laptop, you’ll need to readjust the webcam, and it simply takes a bit longer than most. Once the webcam has found your face, which happens quite quickly, the autofocus locks on and remains there. I’m also not a fan of the fact that eMeet has left the privacy shutter as a stick-on option, rather than just building it in. The RGB highlights do light up when the camera is in use, however. The webcam allows you to record video of up to 4K (2160p) at 30 frames per second. Alternatively, you can record at 1440p (30fps), 1080p (30fps or 60fps), and various lower resolutions. Remember, Windows Studio Effects basically uses the full resolution of your webcam to crop and zoom in on your face. The eMeet SmartCam does the same: At a 4K setting, you can only choose from one of two zoom settings as it only has so many pixels to work with. But at 1080p/30fps, you can zoom in all the way to 11X; at some point, you might notice a brief hesitation while it switches cameras. At the lower resolutions you can also use the zoom slider within Windows to either smoothly zoom up to 11X or step through the various gradations (2X, 3X, 4X, etc.) to ratchet the zoom level up and down. eMeet’s AI Studio software offers this AI scene planner, which feels extraneous to most users.Mark Hachman / Foundry Those gradations are found on the webcam’s remote, which is especially useful. Powered by two AAA batteries, the well-designed remote can be used for everything from toggling between fixed- to auto-focus, to adjusting the zoom controls, to dialing up and down lighting and tint controls. The remote also includes four presets, with everything from a “cool” and “vivid” setting to black and white. Supposedly the remote also controls the ability to scale up and down the resolution, but that didn’t seem to work. Thankfully, it all works out of the box, no drivers necessary. If you do lose the remote, that’s okay too. Most of its functions (the zoom, lighting, and contrast) can be controlled directly via Windows, as well as the Camera settings within Windows. Still, the remote puts it all at your fingertips, and that’s handy. eMeet also includes an optional AI Studio app that controls some of the camera’s functions in a nice on-screen UI. Emphasis on optional: Some of the installation software uses Mandarin without English translations, which can be disconcerting. One of the few things AI Studio software exclusively offers is an odd AI app that allows you to create shooting templates for various projects, using everything from ChatGPT to Grok. There’s really very little point to it. (It also provides the ability to swap the RGB lighting between red, green, and blue, too, however.) eMeet SmartCam C60E 4K Dual: Performance Otherwise, the image captures the eMeet SmartCam C60E 4K Dual generated were pretty solid. I felt colors were accurately represented, and that the images were crisp. Mark Hachman / Foundry I shoot images down in my office, which normally is a bit dimmer; I removed the curtains for cleaning, which allows more light inside. The webcam uses what’s called phase-detection autofocus, or PDAF. All this means is that the autofocus capabilities of this webcam are quick and not “twitchy”: Once the webcam has found your face, which happens quite quickly, the autofocus locks on and remains there. Upstairs, I happened to capture the images on a grayer day, which dims everything a bit. But I also felt that the images were lifelike, with decent color and contrast. I also threw in one using the black and white preset, just for fun. Though this webcam does offer some presets, none of them include anything like the “beauty modes” I’ve seen in native webcam apps from Samsung, for example. The eMeet webcam does have a pair of onboard mics, but this is the other shortcoming that budget webcams tend to offer: average to poor audio, with noise cancellation that barely works. I’m afraid that the eMeet SmartCam C60E 4K Dual falls into this category. I record my voice using the webcam mics as per our normal webcam testing procedure, playing back some rock music and then some white noise via my phone, behind my head and off to the side. In this case, the background audio was clearly audible. You’ll want a quiet room for working with this webcam. Should you buy the eMeet SmartCam C60E 4K Dual? eMeet has produced another inexpensive, quality webcam that fits into a midrange niche. Normally, I’d expect this to be filled by a “2K” (1440p) or other midrange webcam. The fact that eMeet offers 4K capabilities as well as a 1080p, 60Hz option is a lovely bonus. I wouldn’t download the utility software; it’s not necessary, and additional apps clog your PC. I’d also recommend buying this if you own a desktop display to which you can attach this webcam and not have to move it again. Laptop owners may find it slightly annoying. Still, I think this webcam deserves four stars, simply because the lack of a mount swivel and lack of a privacy shutter can be dealt with. I’d just encourage eMeet to think hard about not ignoring these basics in the future. Read...

If you’re going to buy a gaming laptop right now, then it might as well be one that’s future-proof, right? This powerful HP Omen Slim 16 model is not only $661 off at B&H right now—bringing its price down to $1,449 (was $2,110)—but it also has one heck of a configuration. Seriously, if you want a banger laptop, you shouldn’t skip this one. View this gaming laptop deal This top-tier laptop isn’t one you’ll have to upgrade anytime soon because the hardware within is more than enough to have you playing all the latest triple-A 3D games for years to come. Powered by an Intel Core Ultra 9 285H processor, 32GB of DDR5 RAM, and a massive 2TB SSD, this laptop is everything you could possibly want for Windows 11, apps, browser tabs, and super-quick system startups and app launches. But the kicker here is the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 GPU with 8GB of VRAM, which is significantly better than the 5050 and 5060 that are more common in gaming laptops. This is a graphics card that can handle all the games you love, providing excellent frame rates and access to Nvidia’s latest DLSS 4 features like multi-frame generation. Throw in the 16-inch IPS display with a crisp resolution of 2560×1600 and 240Hz refresh rate and you have a fantastic gaming rig. B&H has this marked as a sale with “limited supply at this price,” and what an excellent price it is. With the RAM shortage causing prices to skyrocket all over the place, you may not find a deal this good again in a long, long time—so get it for $1,449 while you still can. Or check out our picks for the best overall gaming laptops right now. Save $661 on this HP RTX 5070 laptop with 32GB RAM (31% off)Buy this gaming laptop via B&H Read...

Using an encrypted email service is one of the most effective ways to reclaim your digital privacy. While standard providers like Gmail or Outlook protect your email in transit using TLS (Transport Layer Security) they still hold the master keys to your data. Here is why switching to a dedicated encrypted service (like Proton, Tuta, or Skiff) is a game-changer for your security. 1. Enhanced data protection and privacy Email remains the primary communication channel in today’s digital landscape. However, traditional email systems are inherently vulnerable to interception and unauthorized access. This is where encrypted email comes in, offering a first line of defense against malicious actors. Encrypted email provides security by transforming readable text into an uninterpretable code. This ensures that your private messages remain confidential even if they are intercepted. Only the intended recipient possessing the correct decryption key can unlock and read the message. Standard email providers can technically read your emails. They may scan them to serve ads, build smart features, or comply with government data requests. But encrypted email services use zero-access encryption. Your emails are encrypted with your password before they even reach the provider’s servers. The result is even if the company is subpoenaed or hacked, your data remains unreadable gibberish to them. 2. Protection against cyber threats One of the most compelling benefits of encrypted email is the defense it offers against a range of cyber threats. Encrypted email acts to provide a layer of security protecting against man-in-the-middle attacks, email interception, phishing attempts, and malware distribution. By encrypting your email you make it virtually impossible for cybercriminals to read and manipulate your messages during transmission or while the emails are stored on servers. This significantly reduces the risk of data breaches, protects your privacy, and maintains the integrity of your communications. Encrypted emails often include Digital Signatures. This ensures that the message you received hasn’t been altered by a third party during its journey. It verifies that the sender is exactly who they say they are, which is a strong defense against sophisticated phishing attacks. 3. Protection against data breaches Large email providers are big targets for hackers wanting to cause data breaches. If a central server is compromised, millions of emails could be exposed. Encrypted services ensure that even if a hacker gains physical access to the server they cannot read the messages because they lack your private decryption key. This means your privacy is locked down and your emails are not likely to be subject to data breaches. Pexels : Luis Gomes 4. Legal compliance for professionals If you handle sensitive data like (medical, legal, or financial records) using standard email might actually be a liability. Many encrypted services are built to meet strict privacy regulations, helping professionals protect their clients and avoid heavy fines for data leaks. By encrypting sensitive information sent by email, you can demonstrate due diligence and a commitment to data protection best practices as mandated by industry standards and government regulations. This proactive approach not only reduces the risk of costly fines and legal repercussions it also helps foster trust among clients and partners. Related content The FBI says you should use encrypted messaging. But do you need to? What is masked email? This new spin on an old practice supercharges security I switched from Gmail to Proton mail: 5 deeply refreshing takeaways Read...