Dragos has reported an alarming 87% rise in ransomware attacks on industrial organisations, highlighting critical vulnerabilities in operational technology and infrastructure. Read...

Today, repairable laptop maker Framework previewed the new Framework Laptop 12 — a smaller budget option — alongside a new version of its flagship Framework Laptop 13 with AMD’s recent Ryzen AI 300 series processors inside. The two laptops represent what Framework is referring to as its “Gen 2” offerings, which include a major expansion into a desktop PC as well. Throughout five years of business, Framework has focused on the Framework Laptop 13, which has seen seven iterations. Two years ago, Framework launched a version with a Ryzen 7040 CPU and motherboard inside it. The 2023 Framework Laptop 13 also shipped with a 13th-gen Intel Core option, providing users with the choice between a Ryzen and a Core processor. Today, Framework preserves that option with the 2025 Framework Laptop 12, which houses the 13th-gen Core. The Laptop 13, however, has moved on to offering a motherboard option that includes AMD’s powerful Ryzen AI 300 chip. Framework Framework was founded upon the fundamental principle that certain electronics components like batteries may wear out over time while others like CPUs may simply become obsolete as newer, more powerful parts replace them. While laptops from other manufacturers may be serviceable, Framework developed its laptops to be repairable or replaceable, so that consumers who know how to turn a screwdriver could repair and upgrade a laptop like a desktop. Most of the internal components, including the CPU/motherboard, wireless, and external I/O are modular and can be replaced entirely. “Consumer electronics can and should instead be made as durable goods like bicycles and automobiles are, with the expectation of long usage lifetimes and designed-in serviceability,” chief executive Nirav Patel originally wrote in the company’s manifesto, republished in January. Framework Laptop 12: The budget laptop, redefined Framework In a launch event in San Francisco, Framework previewed what it called a “defining product” for the company: The Framework Laptop 12. The idea? To take an entry-level PC and make it something you’ll be proud of. “We build products to fix what we see as a broken industry, and few categories are as emblematic of the problems with consumer electronics as entry-level laptops,” Patel wrote in a blog post. “They tend to be janky, locked-down, disposable, underpowered, and frankly, boring machines.” You might think that the Framework Laptop 12 would be a reworking of the Framework Laptop Chromebook, a $999 upgradable laptop that debuted in 2022. Perhaps. While Patel indicated that Framework’s goal was to take all of the “upgradability and longevity” of the Laptop 13 and bring it to the Laptop 12, the goal was to make it much more colorful. Instead of the Chromebook’s brushed, monochromatic silver, the goal is to give it five distinct colorways plus an optional color-matched stylus. The chassis will be made out of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) over ABS plastic. “In the event you ever do manage to break it, it’s also our easiest product ever to repair,” Framework says. Inside the Laptop 12 is a 13th-gen Core (either a Core i3 or Core i5 variant), up to 48GB of DDR5-5200 RAM, and up to 2TB of NVMe storage, which is far more than what you’d find in a typical entry-level laptop. There’s also Wi-Fi 6e, all of which are modular. The touch-enabled display has a resolution of 1920×1200 and is capable of putting out more than 400 nits. Framework isn’t sharing the price of the new Framework Laptop 12 yet. Instead, it will reveal this key detail closer to launch, which will begin in mid-2025. Instead, Framework will begin placing orders for the Framework Laptop 12 in April. Presumably, you’ll be able to buy the pre-built configuration or the DIY Edition, which lowers the price by a small amount if you perform the assembly. You will still be able to choose between Windows and Linux, as well. Framework’s Laptop 13 adds support for the Ryzen AI 300 Framework Framework is also adding the Ryzen AI 300 series of processors to its Framework Laptop 13. Over the past few years, upgrading to the latest processor has meant a steady increase in performance, as our Ryzen AI 300 tests show. However, AMD’s chip family offers leading performance and dramatically improved battery life, too. Framework will offer the 6-core Ryzen AI 5 340, the 8-core Ryzen AI 7 350, and the high-end 12-core Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 as part of its lineup. It’s Framework’s second Ryzen offering, after the company began offering Ryzen 7040 series motherboards two years ago. (Framework says that it is still keeping those in stock for a newly discounted price of $749.) Now, you can purchase Framework’s new Ryzen AI 300 Mainboard for $449 or the Framework Laptop (DIY Edition) itself for $899 or $1,099 for a prebuilt model. “That means that any Framework Laptop 13 owner, going all the way back to the original 11th Gen Intel Core version in 2021, can pick up the new modules and upgrade the computer they already own to the latest technology,” Framework said in a blog post. While the Framework Laptop 13 remains largely the same, the company has made some improvements. For one, the cooling has been improved, combining a single large 10mm heat pipe and Honeywell’s PTM7958 phase-change material. Though they keyboard still retains its excellent 1.5mm key travel, Framework revamped it to widen some of the larger keys and minimize a buzzing issue when the speakers are at full volume. A Copilot key has been added as well, though you can request a Copilot-less keyboard if you choose either of the officially supported Ubuntu and Fedora Linux options. Finally, Framework’s added a translucent bezel option with purple, green, and black options. The company also made the expansion I/O modules translucent. The I/O modules all support USB4 and DisplayPort, allowing you to run four display cables from each of the modules. Otherwise, Framework preserved much of the Laptop 13’s legacy. The display can be configured up to 2880×1920 at 120Hz, with a 13.5-inch, 3:2 matte display. Inside, there are two slots that can house DDR5-5600 memory up to 96GB plus a PCIe 4 M.2 2280 storage slot, upgradable to 8GB. The laptop even has Wi-Fi 7 thanks to AMD’s RZ717 module. The battery size remains consistent at 61Wh. Read...

Today, repairable laptop maker Framework previewed the new Framework Laptop 12 — a smaller budget option — alongside a new version of its flagship Framework Laptop 13 with AMD’s recent Ryzen AI 300 series processors inside. The two laptops represent what Framework is referring to as its “Gen 2” offerings, which include a major expansion into a desktop PC as well. Throughout five years of business, Framework has focused on the Framework Laptop 13, which has seen seven iterations. Two years ago, Framework launched a version with a Ryzen 7040 CPU and motherboard inside it. The 2023 Framework Laptop 13 also shipped with a 13th-gen Intel Core option, providing users with the choice between a Ryzen and a Core processor. Today, Framework preserves that option with the 2025 Framework Laptop 12, which houses the 13th-gen Core. The Laptop 13, however, has moved on to offering a motherboard option that includes AMD’s powerful Ryzen AI 300 chip. Framework Framework was founded upon the fundamental principle that certain electronics components like batteries may wear out over time while others like CPUs may simply become obsolete as newer, more powerful parts replace them. While laptops from other manufacturers may be serviceable, Framework developed its laptops to be repairable or replaceable, so that consumers who know how to turn a screwdriver could repair and upgrade a laptop like a desktop. Most of the internal components, including the CPU/motherboard, wireless, and external I/O are modular and can be replaced entirely. “Consumer electronics can and should instead be made as durable goods like bicycles and automobiles are, with the expectation of long usage lifetimes and designed-in serviceability,” chief executive Nirav Patel originally wrote in the company’s manifesto, republished in January. Framework Laptop 12: The budget laptop, redefined Framework In a launch event in San Francisco, Framework previewed what it called a “defining product” for the company: The Framework Laptop 12. The idea? To take an entry-level PC and make it something you’ll be proud of. “We build products to fix what we see as a broken industry, and few categories are as emblematic of the problems with consumer electronics as entry-level laptops,” Patel wrote in a blog post. “They tend to be janky, locked-down, disposable, underpowered, and frankly, boring machines.” You might think that the Framework Laptop 12 would be a reworking of the Framework Laptop Chromebook, a $999 upgradable laptop that debuted in 2022. Perhaps. While Patel indicated that Framework’s goal was to take all of the “upgradability and longevity” of the Laptop 13 and bring it to the Laptop 12, the goal was to make it much more colorful. Instead of the Chromebook’s brushed, monochromatic silver, the goal is to give it five distinct colorways plus an optional color-matched stylus. The chassis will be made out of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) over ABS plastic. “In the event you ever do manage to break it, it’s also our easiest product ever to repair,” Framework says. Inside the Laptop 12 is a 13th-gen Core (either a Core i3 or Core i5 variant), up to 48GB of DDR5-5200 RAM, and up to 2TB of NVMe storage, which is far more than what you’d find in a typical entry-level laptop. There’s also Wi-Fi 6e, all of which are modular. The touch-enabled display has a resolution of 1920×1200 and is capable of putting out more than 400 nits. Framework isn’t sharing the price of the new Framework Laptop 12 yet. Instead, it will reveal this key detail closer to launch, which will begin in mid-2025. Instead, Framework will begin placing orders for the Framework Laptop 12 in April. Presumably, you’ll be able to buy the pre-built configuration or the DIY Edition, which lowers the price by a small amount if you perform the assembly. You will still be able to choose between Windows and Linux, as well. Framework’s Laptop 13 adds support for the Ryzen AI 300 Framework Framework is also adding the Ryzen AI 300 series of processors to its Framework Laptop 13. Over the past few years, upgrading to the latest processor has meant a steady increase in performance, as our Ryzen AI 300 tests show. However, AMD’s chip family offers leading performance and dramatically improved battery life, too. Framework will offer the 6-core Ryzen AI 5 340, the 8-core Ryzen AI 7 350, and the high-end 12-core Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 as part of its lineup. It’s Framework’s second Ryzen offering, after the company began offering Ryzen 7040 series motherboards two years ago. (Framework says that it is still keeping those in stock for a newly discounted price of $749.) Now, you can purchase Framework’s new Ryzen AI 300 Mainboard for $449 or the Framework Laptop (DIY Edition) itself for $899 or $1,099 for a prebuilt model. “That means that any Framework Laptop 13 owner, going all the way back to the original 11th Gen Intel Core version in 2021, can pick up the new modules and upgrade the computer they already own to the latest technology,” Framework said in a blog post. While the Framework Laptop 13 remains largely the same, the company has made some improvements. For one, the cooling has been improved, combining a single large 10mm heat pipe and Honeywell’s PTM7958 phase-change material. Though they keyboard still retains its excellent 1.5mm key travel, Framework revamped it to widen some of the larger keys and minimize a buzzing issue when the speakers are at full volume. A Copilot key has been added as well, though you can request a Copilot-less keyboard if you choose either of the officially supported Ubuntu and Fedora Linux options. Finally, Framework’s added a translucent bezel option with purple, green, and black options. The company also made the expansion I/O modules translucent. The I/O modules all support USB4 and DisplayPort, allowing you to run four display cables from each of the modules. Otherwise, Framework preserved much of the Laptop 13’s legacy. The display can be configured up to 2880×1920 at 120Hz, with a 13.5-inch, 3:2 matte display. Inside, there are two slots that can house DDR5-5600 memory up to 96GB plus a PCIe 4 M.2 2280 storage slot, upgradable to 8GB. The laptop even has Wi-Fi 7 thanks to AMD’s RZ717 module. The battery size remains consistent at 61Wh. Read...

At a glanceExpert`s Rating Pros Functional, professional design Thunderbolt 4, USB-C, Ethernet, and 140 watts of Power Delivery New generation of IPS Black boosts contrast ratio Excellent sharpness from 31.5-inch 4K panel 120Hz refresh rate with VRR Cons Contrast ratio is good for an IPS panel, but still behind VA and OLED panels HDR brightness is decent, but contrast remains limited Doesn’t have speakers Our Verdict The Dell Ultrasharp U3225QE sets the new high bar other flagship office and productivity monitors must leap. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Dell is on a bit of a tear with its Ultrasharp monitor line. In 2022 it released the U3223QE, the first monitor with a new IPS Black panel that improves contrast over prior IPS displays. That was followed by the U2724DE, an IPS Black office monitor with a 1440p 120Hz panel and extensive connectivity including Thunderbolt 4 and Ethernet. Now, the Dell U3225QE is first to market with a new 4K 120Hz IPS Black panel—and, as icing on the cake, it provides up to 140 watts of USB Power Delivery.   Read on to learn more, then see our roundup of the best home office monitors for comparison. Dell Ultrasharp U3225QE specs and features The Dell Ultrasharp U3225QE’s headline feature is the IPS Black panel. Dell says it’s the latest generation of IPS Black and quotes a contrast ratio of 3000:1, an improvement over the prior panel’s quoted contrast of 2000:1. It’s also a 31.5-inch 4K panel with a refresh rate of 120Hz. Prior IPS Black panels were available at 4K 60Hz or 1440p 120Hz. Display size: 31.5-inch 16:9 widescreen Native resolution: 3840×2160 Panel type: IPS Black Refresh rate: 120Hz Adaptive sync: HDMI VRR HDR: Yes, VESA DisplayHDR 600 Certified Ports: 1x DisplayPort 1.4, 1x DisplayPort 1.4-out, 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x Thunderbolt 4 / USB-C upstream with 140 watts of Power Delivery, 1x Thunderbolt 4 downstream with 15 watts Power Delivery, 1x USB-C 10Gbps upstream, 1x USB-C 10Gbps downstream, 1x 3.5mm audio line-out, 6x USB-A 10Gbps downstream, 1x RJ45 with 2.5Gbps Ethernet. VESA mount: 100x100mm Audio: None Additional features: Ambient light sensor Price: $999.99 MSRP However, the IPS Black panel is only half the story. The other half is connectivity, as the U3225QE has Thunderbolt, USB-C, and Ethernet, as well as USB Power Delivery up to 140 watts. It supports daisy-chain display connections and packs a total of six USB-A connections. That’s a lot of ports! The monitor debuts with a retail price of $999.99. Although expensive, it’s in line with other flagship 32-inch 4K office and productivity monitors with Thunderbolt connectivity. At the time of this review, HP’s Series 7 Pro is $879.99, BenQ’s PD3225U is $999.99, and Dell’s older U3223QE (the U3225QE’s direct predecessor) is $669.99. There’s also a 27-inch version of this monitor called the U2725QE. It has the same display panel technology, resolution, refresh rate, connectivity, and is roughly similar in design. It will retail at $699.99. While I tested the 32-inch model, I expect this review to be representative of the 27-inch model, too. Dell Ultrasharp U3225QE design The Dell Ultrasharp U3225QE doesn’t take the company’s design in a new direction, but that’s to its advantage. Ultrasharp monitors have settled on a professional look that pairs slim black bezels up front with a simple silver plastic around back. It’s not fancy, but it does the job and provides a premium feel (though it’s not as alluring as Samsung’s recent Odyssey OLED line). Matthew Smith / Foundry It’s a similar story with the ergonomic stand, which adjusts for height, tilt, swivel, and can pivot 90 degrees into portrait orientation. The stand is stable, yet the base is small, which minimizes its footprint on your desk. A 100x100mm VESA mount is available for use with a third-party monitor stand or arm. A small hole in the stand provides cable management. It’s good enough for a few connections, but if you plan to fill every port on the monitor, you’ll likely find that not all cables can fit through it simultaneously. Dell Ultrasharp U3225QE connectivity Connectivity is important for any monitor, but for the Dell Ultrasharp U3225QE, it’s make-or-break. Fortunately, the monitor doesn’t cut any corners. Video inputs include one HDMI, one DisplayPort, and two Thunderbolt 4 / USB-C ports, all of which support video input. That’s a total of five video inputs. All video inputs support the monitor’s maximum refresh rate and resolution, too. The Thunderbolt 4 / USB-C ports can handle data, and one of these ports provides up to 140 watts of USB Power Delivery. That’s more than most competitors, which typically offer 90 to 100 watts of Power Delivery: The HP Omen Transcend 32 is the only alternative we’ve yet reviewed to offer 140 watts of Power Delivery. Upping the maximum to 140 watts means the U3225QE can deliver enough power to handle Windows laptops with entry-level discrete graphics. There’s a second DisplayPort, as well, which supports daisy-chain connections. That means you can input video to the U3225QE and then output from it to a second monitor. It’s helpful if you’re connecting a laptop with limited video-out connectivity, since you only need one video port to connect two monitors. There’s a Thunderbolt 4 downstream port too, and it also supports daisy-chain connections. The Thunderbolt 4 / USB-C ports pass data to four downstream USB-A ports, each of which provides data rates up to 10Gbps. That’s another connectivity advantage, as data rates of 5Gbps are more common (although it should be noted that you won’t see 10Gbps if transferring data over all the USB-A ports simultaneously). KVM switch functionality is included, too, to help users quickly switch between two connected PCs. A pop-out hub on the monitor’s lower-left bezel provides quick access to two USB-C ports with up to 15 watts of Power Delivery, as well as a USB-A port. This is handy if you want to transfer data with a thumb drive or charge your smartphone. The USB-C hub feels a bit cheap, however, because of its plastic construction. Dell should consider adding some metal to this portion of the display since users will frequently touch it. The U3225QE’s long list of connectivity ends with 2.5Gbps Ethernet, another uncommon feature. Most modern Windows laptops with USB-C lack an Ethernet port, so having one built into the monitor is useful. A 3.5mm audio-out jack rounds out the connectivity. A few competitors offer some similar options. The HP Omen Transcend 32 has 140 watts of USB Power Delivery, while the BenQ PD3226G provides Thunderbolt 4 with multiple USB-C and USB-A downstream ports. But the U3225QE’s combination of Thunderbolt 4, USB-C with 140 watts of Power Delivery, and 2.5Gbps Ethernet puts it ahead of the pack. The U3225QE has a total of five video inputs — all of which support the monitor’s maximum refresh rate and resolution. Dell Ultrasharp U3225QE features The Dell Ultrasharp U3225QE’s extensive connectivity is flanked by several features that could prove useful in a home office. It’s a flicker-free panel (meaning it doesn’t use PWM to manage brightness) which, though not uncommon, is appreciated. More unusual is the monitor’s ambient light sensor, which can automatically adjust brightness based on the ambient brightness of your room. It can help reduce eyestrain by ensuring the monitor isn’t overly bright. Users can control the monitor’s settings with a joystick tucked around the right side of the monitor. Dell’s on-screen menus are much larger than most competitors, which makes them easier to read. The image quality options include adjustments like color temperature, hue, and saturation, as well as preset modes for sRGB, DCI-P3, and AdobeRGB. Matthew Smith / Foundry Options can also be changed with Dell’s Display and Peripheral Manager (DDPM), which has received an update. DDPM 2.0 has a more streamlined interface and a ribbon-like quick menu that keeps common options close at hand. One feature you won’t find, though, is built-in speakers. Their absence is a bit unusual, as office monitors often provide a pair of 2-watt speakers, but Dell Ultrasharp monitors typically skip them. The lack of speakers isn’t a dealbreaker, as monitor speakers are usually quite bad, but something to keep in mind. Dell Ultrasharp U3225QE SDR image quality SDR image quality is critical for any monitor but especially important for an office and productivity monitor like the Dell Ultrasharp U3225QE. Most productivity apps don’t even support HDR. To achieve solid SDR, the U3225QE calls on a new IPS Black panel that promises even better contrast than before. Matthew Smith / Foundry First up, however, is brightness. Here the U3225QE reached a maximum sustained SDR brightness of 469 nits. While not the highest number, that’s an excellent result and translates to an ultra-bright image at the monitor’s maximum brightness setting. A brightness of 469 nits is far too high in most settings. But if you need a monitor that will look bright in a sunlit room, or in a starkly lit corporate bullpen, the U3225QE can do the job. It also has an anti-glare coat. It’s effective, but I’d call it more of a semi-gloss rather than matte finish. Matthew Smith / Foundry Dell says the U3225QE has the latest IPS Black panel technology with a quoted contrast ratio of up to 3000:1. I measured a contrast ratio of 2900:1 with the monitor at 50 percent of its maximum brightness. As the graph shows, that’s an excellent result. The LG MyView, the only monitor on the graph with a conventional IPS panel, reaches a mere fraction of the U3225QE’s contrast. The other monitors on the graph, all of which have an older IPS Black panel, are closer to the U3225QE but still notably behind. The enhanced contrast ratio provides a pleasant, immersive quality to the image. Dark images can still suffer “IPS glow,” a hazy look caused by the monitor backlight, but it’s certainly minimized compared to other IPS monitors. Matthew Smith / Foundry The U3225QE also did well in color gamut. It produced 100 percent of sRGB, 98 percent of DCI-P3, and 92 percent of AdobeRGB. These are excellent results that should please most creative professionals. The monitor is well-suited to editing videos, photos, and digital art. However, the U3225QE does find itself against strong competitors. The Asus ProArt 5K and BenQ PD2730S 5K provide better coverage of DCI-P3, though they’re a tad weaker in AdobeRGB. And while I didn’t include any QD-OLED monitors on the graph, as they’re not direct competitors, they tend to provide better AdobeRGB coverage. The U3225QE’s color gamut is great but typical for a high-end monitor. Matthew Smith / Foundry The U3225QE does well in color accuracy, where it delivers the lowest average color error among close competitors. That’s quite a compliment, as most monitors in this category already focus on tight color accuracy. Results like this indicate an exceptionally lifelike image that even the most critical viewers will appreciate. The U3225QE’s strong color accuracy was thrown slightly askew by its color temperature and gamma performance which, although good, didn’t match its top-tier color accuracy. I measured a default gamma of 2.1, which means content is a bit brighter than ideal. Color temperature, meanwhile, came in at 6300K, which is warmer than the target of 6500K. These are small differences, though, and can be altered with the monitor’s settings. Sharpness is good. The U3225QE’s 31.5-inch 4K panel provides a pixel density of about 140 pixels per inch and looks detailed in a wide range of content. However, monitors with a higher pixel density are more common than they used to be. Asus’ and BenQ’s 27-inch 5K monitor both pack 217 pixels per inch, which is over 50 percent better than the U3225QE. Those monitors are smaller, of course…but with a pixel density that high, merely shoving a 27-inch 5K monitor a few inches closer to your face (such that it looks as large as a 32-inch monitor) is valid and will still result in better perceived sharpness than a 32-inch 4K monitor. In summary, the U3225QE’s SDR image quality is excellent but not exceptional. It scores well by most metrics but often finds itself matched or beaten by price-competitive monitors. The new wave of 27-inch 5K monitors are an especially alluring alternative if sharpness and color performance are important to you, though they’re stuck at a 60Hz refresh rate. Dell’s new IPS Black panel scores its biggest win in contrast. That will make the U3225QE’s more immersive image preferable if you want to use the monitor in a wider range of content, from productivity apps to movies and games.  Dell Ultrasharp U3225QE HDR image quality While likely to be used in SDR, the Dell Ultrasharp U3225QE supports HDR and is VESA DisplayHDR 600 certified. That’s a higher level of certification than most productivity and office monitors, which typically have DisplayHDR 400 certification. However, the U3225QE’s added brightness doesn’t make for a great HDR experience. This is mostly due to the monitor’s contrast and the way the backlight system works. Matthew Smith / Foundry The U3225QE has a conventional LED backlight which, unlike Mini-LED backlights, is not split up into dozens or hundreds of zones. Because of that, the U3225QE can’t display a very bright object in one corner of the display without elevating the brightness of the entire display surface. That’s a problem for high-contrast HDR scenes, and it results in a flat, dull look. That’s not to say the U3225QE is hopeless, however. HDR support is useful if you need to work on HDR content, such as HDR video, and want to preview it on your display. Also, while the HDR experience isn’t good, it does have an edge against competitors with lower HDR brightness, such as the Philips Creator Series 27. Dell Ultrasharp U3225QE motion performance Dell upgraded some of its Ultrasharp displays, such as the Dell U2724DE, to a refresh rate of 120Hz about one year ago—but those displays had 1440p resolution. The U3225QE brings 4K with 120Hz, so there’s no need to choose between refresh rate and motion performance. With that said, the monitor world is moving quicker on refresh rate, and your opinion of the U3225QE’s refresh rate will depend on your perspective. If you’re a professional used to a 60Hz monitor—which, to this day, remains an extremely common refresh rate for the category—the U3225QE will knock your socks off. Text is more readable in motion and Windows feels more responsive. But if you’ve viewed a lot of 240Hz or 360Hz OLED monitors lately, the U3225QE might still disappoint. Motion clarity is nowhere near what you’ll experience from a 4K OLED gaming monitor like the Acer Predator X32 X3 or HP Omen Transcend 32. Fast-paced games look reasonably clear on the U3225QE, but fine details (like a name or spell effect above a fast-moving enemy) can be hard to make out. Still, I applaud Dell’s continued pursuit of higher refresh rates in Ultrasharp monitors. It’s an edge over competitors still stuck on 60Hz. It also makes Dell’s monitors more appealing if you want a single monitor to handle Microsoft Word while you’re clocked in and Marvel Rivals after you clock out. Should you buy the Dell Ultrasharp U3225QE? The Dell Ultrasharp U3225QE continues the company’s leadership in professional productivity and office monitors. Compared to its peers, the U3225QE has a slight edge in image quality and a significant advantage in connectivity thanks in no small part to the inclusion of Thunderbolt 4 with 140 watts of Power Delivery. The U3225QE also provides 4K resolution with a 120Hz refresh rate, something virtually unheard of for a productivity and office monitor. Pricing is also in the U3225QE’s favor. The monitor’s retail MSRP of $999.99 is expensive, but this is a flagship monitor with a combination of features you’re not going to find elsewhere. Competitive monitors, like the BenQ PD3225U and the Asus ProArt PA329CV, typically lack several of the U3225QE’s features, like the 120Hz refresh rate, Thunderbolt 4, and Ethernet. That makes the U3225QE an easy recommendation if you want a flagship office and productivity monitor. Read...

AI is the hot buzzword in tech. We’re hearing it repeatedly from major tech companies, as they integrate AI models into their products. The latest company to trumpet the inclusion: Google, in its Chrome browser. It’s a pair of announcements in recent weeks, with the most current an update to Google’s Enhanced Browsing protection, which screens your browsing data in real time for threats like malware, fraudulent websites, and sketchy extensions. The opt-in program received an official boost from AI, which Google says aids the detection of internet dangers. Details have yet to be shared of how exactly the AI screening works, which mirrors another piece of news that involves Chrome and its password manager. As shared by Windows Report, the AI settings in an early Chrome build signal that Google’s password manager may soon offer to automatically update passwords known to be compromised, instead of merely prompt you to change them. And again, how AI exactly will contribute to that effort is unclear. This murkiness is a common side effect of the AI hype and it serves as a good lesson (especially when security is on the line). Ultimately, we should all be focused on what services, apps, and products provide, above all else. The most-recent stable release of Google Chrome now includes AI enhancements to its Enhanced protection security option.PCWorld For digital security, chaos is breaking loose faster and harder. AI is actually behind this change—it allows bad actors to hack sites, create malware, craft phishing campaigns, and cause other mayhem quicker and with far more sophistication. Using AI to then deploy effective countermeasures is necessary rather than novel. For example, antivirus scanning engines are now leaning on AI to help identify zero-day attacks right as they emerge, as well as catch deepfake content (audio and video) used to spread scams or false information. But if a company could protect ordinary users like you and me with different methods, that’s more important than AI integration. And should automatic password updates release to the wider Chrome userbase, it’ll only put Google on the same footing as independent password managers that already offer the feature. Don’t get me wrong, tech companies pushing to protect ordinary users like you and me is a good thing, and the application of AI can be pretty cool from a nerdy standpoint. But we should also expect technology to make our lives easier, without having to know how the sausage is made. Still, knowing the elements making up your tech (the ingredients in the sausage, if you will) is a good thing. Spotting a company hiding behind trendy language takes less effort. In Google’s case, how Chrome performs will determine the effectiveness of these upgrades. But even if they’re mild, they’re a positive sign. These days, users need all the security help they can get. If Google and other major tech corporations continue to step deeper into the fray, rather than leaving individuals to fend for themselves, all the better. Read...

The 2025 VivaTech Confidence Barometer shows high optimism among American and UK business leaders regarding technology, with 87% confident in its potential. Read...

Microsoft has unveiled Majorana 1, a groundbreaking quantum computing chip utilising the first topoconductor, paving the way for advanced quantum technology. Read...

A survey by eflow Global reveals 64% of finance executives see technology-driven risks, especially AI, as key compliance challenges for 2024. Read...

Experience 2K resolution, advanced Low-Light Sight technology, and flexible installation for smarter home security. Read...

After 17 years of research, Microsoft has finally developed the Majorana 1 chip, its first quantum computing processor based on a brand-new material and architecture, reports The Verge. At the heart of a quantum computer are quantum bits (qubits), which handle data in a way similar to today’s binary bits but with significantly higher computational potential. Companies such as IBM, Microsoft, and Google have long tried to make qubits more stable, as they’re sensitive to disturbances that can cause errors or data loss. With Majorana 1, up to a million qubits can fit on a single circuit, about the size of a desktop computer’s processor. Instead of using electrons for calculations, the chip utilizes the Majorana particle, first described by Italian physicist Ettore Majorana in 1937. By developing what Microsoft calls the world’s first topoconductor, a new material that can both observe and control these particles, they’ve taken a big step towards creating more reliable qubits. Microsoft researchers have described their findings in a scientific paper in Nature, detailing how they’ve developed topological qubits. Microsoft has created a new material combination of indium arsenide and aluminium and placed eight topological qubits on a chip. The goal is to scale up the technology to one million qubits. If it comes to fruition, such a chip would enable more accurate simulations and contribute to scientific progress in fields including medicine and materials science. Quantum computing has long been seen as a potential revolution for these fields, and Microsoft sees its topoconductor as a crucial step forward towards that future. “A million-qubit quantum computer is more than just a milestone — it’s a key to solving some of the world’s most difficult problems,” said Chetan Nayak, a technical expert at Microsoft. “Our path to usable quantum computing is clear. The technology is proven, and we believe our architecture is scalable. Through our new collaboration with DARPA, we are demonstrating our commitment to building a machine that can drive scientific discovery and solve real-world problems.” “A million-qubit quantum computer isn’t just a milestone — it’s a gateway to solving some of the world’s most difficult problems,” said Chetan Nayak, a technical expert at Microsoft. “Our path to useful quantum computing is clear. The foundational technology is proven, and we believe our architecture is scalable. Our new agreement with DARPA shows a commitment to relentless progress toward our goal: building a machine that can drive scientific discovery and solve problems that matter.” Read...