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ASUS ProArt PZ13 2-in-1 Laptop Review: Portable Partner with Plenty of Potential

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PROS:


  • Handsome, sleek, and minimalist design

  • Lightweight and portable body for creatives on the go

  • Large and long-lasting 70Wh battery

  • Beautiful Pantone-validated 13-inch 3K OLED screen

CONS:


  • Inserted SD card prevents flap cover from closing

  • ASUS Pen 2.0 is a separate $100 purchase

  • Software and peripherals compatibility is still a hit-or-miss


RATINGS:

AESTHETICS
ERGONOMICS
PERFORMANCE
SUSTAINABILITY / REPAIRABILITY
VALUE FOR MONEY

EDITOR'S QUOTE:

The ASUS ProArt PZ13 with Snapdragon X Plus delivers a handsome AI-powered creativity tool that agile creative professionals can take anywhere with confidence and pride.

Life can sometimes take us places we never planned or even dreamed of going to. While some people fear and stress over life’s unpredictable journeys, others have grown to embrace and even love the adventure, both figuratively and literally. Designers, artists, and content creators today have their beloved computers and tools at home or in the office, but they know better than anyone that inspiration can strike when and where we least expect it, not to mention suddenly having to do work just after we stepped outdoors. Laptops were made for this purpose, but their thick and heavy bodies didn’t exactly make for comfortable mobility, while tablets went the opposite extreme and prized portability over the performance that professionals need. The ASUS ProArt PZ13 makes the bold promise of delivering the best of both worlds, so we naturally had to put it to the test to find it out if could really meet the demands and desires of designers and creatives on the go.

Designer: ASUS

Aesthetics

At first glance, you might not think much of the ASUS ProArt PZ13, but closer inspection reveals it has two sides to its design, matching its 2-in-1 detachable laptop functionality. On its own, it’s a rather stylish and striking tablet, black as black, unlike black tablets that look more like “space gray” or other shades. ASUS’s “nano black” coating, also seen on the ASUS ProArt PX13 we reviewed recently, reduces the reflection of light, making it darker than typical metal or plastic surfaces with glossy finishes, no matter the lighting condition or angle. It gives off a professional and elegant character that you’d come to expect from mature designs used in professional settings.

The ProArt PZ13’s CNC-engraved unibody aluminum alloy chassis gives the device structural integrity, durability, and a simple yet sophisticated appearance, highlighted even more by its ultra-slim 9mm profile. There are barely any breaks in the tablet’s visual appearance, aside from a single visible USB-C port, two ventilation grilles at the top, and one air-inflow grille on the back. The classy yet subtle ProArt logo sits at the bottom, opposite the requisite regulatory markings and branding.

All in all, the ASUS ProArt PZ13 exudes an aura of professional beauty befitting a tool for agile creatives, but that image might be challenged by the protective accessories that add value and change the aesthetic a bit. Included in the package is a magnetic keyboard cover and a magnet back plate with a kickstand, both necessary if you’re carrying this portable computer around. They are designed to offer rugged protection and definitely look the part, though it’s a bit strange that ASUS opted for a different hue that sharply contrasts with the pitch-black body of the tablet itself. Gray with a tinge of green, these accessories will be an acquired taste and might not sit well with some people, both in color and in the rugged, ridged design.

Ergonomics

Combining power and portability is always a delicate balancing act. Due to the laws of physics, you can only cram so much into a small space before you start weighing the object down or making thermal management impossible. Conversely, you can only remove so much before performance starts to take a hit. Thanks to its choice of components, especially the processor, the ASUS ProArt PZ13 manages to strike quite a nice balance, weighing only 0.85kg (1.87 lbs) on its own.

That does carry a bit more heft compared to an iPad Pro, for example, or even a Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra, but when you consider that this is a Windows machine with fans inside, that’s still a pretty impressive feat. That makes the ProArt PZ13 very usable as a tablet, whether for reading documents, watching videos, or even making art, though you won’t want to hold it up with your bare hands for a long time either. This also makes the device easy to carry around the house, the office, or even outdoors, especially if you know you won’t need a keyboard to type on.

The story changes a little bit when you do need to add the keyboard and kickstand to the formula, almost doubling the weight of the device. It’s still significantly lighter than a laptop, but it’s no thin tablet either. And you will most likely have to use both the back plate and the keyboard together since there’s no way to prop up the tablet without the kickstand. That also means you can really only use this 2-in-1 device as a laptop when you’re on a flat and long surface like a table, making the “lapability” of the design quite low.

Performance

This is hardly the first 2-in-1 detachable Windows laptop, but the ASUS ProArt PZ13 is one of the first few to use Qualcomm’s new energy-efficient Snapdragon X Plus silicon. This Arm-based processor is closer to the Apple M chips than, say, Intel or AMD, and is in fact directly targeting Apple Silicon devices. Qualcomm earlier launched the beefier Snapdragon X Elite, but that in no way means that this is an underpowered version, especially considering it still boasts the same 45 AI NPU TOPS performance even with only 8 cores.

In other words, Windows itself runs quite smoothly on this machine, as well as any other piece of software that’s actually designed for or adjusted to work on this computing platform. That includes a growing number of Adobe products like Photoshop and Premiere, popular comics drawing software Clip Studio Pro, and more. The ProArt PZ13 and the Snapdragon X Plus shine brighter when those apps need some AI power, thanks to that dedicated NPU chip that doesn’t choke the main processor.

There, however, also lies a bit of the rub. That smooth and responsive experience works best on software that has already been adapted to work on Snapdragon processors, which isn’t the case for the hundreds of popular Windows programs out there. Yes, those apps can still run thanks to a special emulation layer, and yes, performance has improved significantly since the earlier days of Windows on ARM, but that extra layer is still there and can still affect your performance, especially when it comes to games. The same is true with peripherals you want to connect to the device, especially ones that need special drivers that aren’t supported by this platform yet.

In exchange for that uncertainty, the choice of a Snapdragon X Plus processor brings with it the peace of mind that you won’t have to scramble for a power outlet every few hours. The 70Wh battery can last almost a full day, give or take a few hours depending on your use, which is something even the most generous estimates on an Intel or AMD laptop can even boast about. It also chargers quickly over USB-C using the included 65W charger, though that also means you can use almost any standards-compliant USB-C charger as well.

Regardless of what you use it for, you will be experiencing a bright, colorful, and vibrant 13.3-inch 3K screen, thanks to ASUS’s Lumina OLED technology. Professionals who require color accuracy will be delighted to know that it’s Pantone-validated and has support for 100% of the DCI-P3 color gamut. Even better, ASUS offers all the sliders and switches you need to customize the display to your requirements and tastes. Its refresh rate does cap out at only 60Hz so it won’t be the best option for gaming, which isn’t what you’ll be using this laptop for most of the time anyway.

The ASUS ProArt PZ13 only has one USB 4.0 Gen 3 Type-C port visible for quick access to a charging port, but don’t fret, it isn’t the only one. There’s another USB-C port of the same type hidden behind a silicone flap, which also hides a full-sized SD card reader. Digital photographers will probably delight in the inclusion of this port which is absent on almost all tablets these days, while those who regularly work with microSD cards will be happy to know that ASUS actually ships an adapter in the box. The one catch to this design is that you can’t have an SD card permanently inserted there because a part of it juts out of the frame, making it impossible to close the silicone flap over it. It’s clearly not designed for storage expansion but removable storage to support the workflows of camera users.

Sustainability

Unlike with its other products, ASUS is a bit silent on the amount of recycled materials it uses for the ProArt PZ13. Rather than focus on the use of sustainable materials, it instead highlights the ways this device can last a long, long time before it needs to be turned in for proper disposal and recycling. With an IP52 rating and conforming to the US MIL-STD-810H spec, you can carry and use this portable tablet with confidence anywhere, knowing that it can keep up with you wherever life or work takes you. Of course, the kickstand back cover and keyboard cover offer additional protection as well, which is all the more reason you won’t want to keep these three pieces apart for long.

One detail about that detachable magnet keyboard, however, might be a source of worry for some. While more convenient than a USB connection but also more reliable than Bluetooth, this design has a tendency to break easily due to wear and tear. ASUS will undoubtedly sell these separately for some time, but there will always come a point when they will go out of production, perhaps outliving the ProArt PZ13 itself. Reliability has improved over the years, of course, but it’s still something to keep in mind with this type of detachable keyboard.

Value

The ASUS ProArt PZ13 is both familiar and completely new. Its 2-in-1 detachable laptop design is something we’ve seen since the very first days of the Microsoft Surface, but its combination with a Snapdragon X Plus is just as new as the processor itself. To some extent, it’s wading into uncharted waters, but it isn’t alone either, and its biggest rival is none other than Microsoft itself and the latest Surface Pro. Fortunately, ASUS has its work cut out for it thanks to its competitive pricing.

At first glance, the ProArt PZ13’s $1,100 price tag seems to be on the losing end compared to the Surface Pro’s $1,000, but then you have to consider what you’re actually getting in the package. ASUS bundles the keyboard cover with the tablet, while that’s a separate $180 purchase for the Surface Pro, at least for the keyboard that can also charge the Microsoft pen. Neither comes with a compatible pen, and those cost an additional $100 for the ASUS Pen 2.0 and $130 for the Surface Slim Pen. That brings the total to $1,200 for the ASUS ProArt PZ13 and $1,310 for the Surface Pro, and even then you’re only getting 256GB of storage versus the generous 1TB on ASUS’s 2-in-1 laptop. In this context, there really is no contest between the two.

Verdict

The ASUS ProArt PZ13 promises the Holy Grail of mobile computing, offering reliable performance and long battery life in a thin and light design, and for the most part, it does deliver on those. Granted, software support on Windows on ARM processors like the Snapdragon X Plus is still a bit of a gamble, but things are getting better quickly, especially for the more popular programs used by professionals and hobbyists alike. Things are far from perfect, but for creatives looking for a reliable and stylish computer they can easily take anywhere, the ProArt PZ13 is definitely worth considering.

The post ASUS ProArt PZ13 2-in-1 Laptop Review: Portable Partner with Plenty of Potential first appeared on Yanko Design.

DIY tiny Windows XP PC is an extreme nostalgia trip

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Although the craze for old “retro” designs has gripped many industries, it has taken a rather odd direction in the computing and gaming worlds. More than just recreating the designs and experiences of the past, many retro computers or consoles also strangely decided to shrink those products down to sometimes unusable sizes. Though manufacturers like Nintendo have jumped on that bandwagon, the biggest push comes from makers and modders who now have a wide arsenal of tools available at their disposal, giving them the freedom to create or recreate almost any design imaginable. This painstaking DIY project, for example, tries to bring back the iconic beige computer boxes of the 90s in a way that’s almost usable, at least if you can manage squinting at a 4-inch screen.

Designer: Salim Benbouziyane

The PCs of the 90s and early 2000s aren’t really the epitome of inspired industrial design, which is why their rival Macs became the choice of designers, creators, and design-conscious users. Nonetheless, these geometric boxes were also the pinnacle of computing technology of that period, earning them their place not only in offices and homes but also in iconography. There are also quite a number of fond memories attached to these machines, which some more skilled craftsmen are now using to turn some of that nostalgia into a working PC, albeit a miniature one.

Patterned after one of the more common designs of Dell PCs, this tiny retro computer revives the spirit if not the function of those 90s computers. It’s pretty much a box-like CRT monitor sitting on top of another horizontal box which was the convention for desktop computers at that time. The attention to detail is pretty impressive, from the carved DELL branding to tiny “Intel Inside” and Windows decals.

It’s a completely functional computer, though not all represented features actually work. The floppy disk drives, for example, are naturally too small for any disk, but they happen to be the right side to let a micro SD card through. There are LED lights to indicate power and mimic the flickering “hard drive spinning” activity. On the software side, it convincingly mimics the Windows XP look and feel, but it’s actually a flavor of Linux designed for the Raspberry Pi that’s running inside. And, of course, it can run DOOM, just like any self-respecting computer.

As impressive as this intricate recreation might be, it is also one that is a true labor of love. It requires a lot of 3D printing, custom soldering, and fiddling with electronics, so it’s not something that just about anyone can do on their own. Fortunately, the instructions and materials for this project are all listed and available for anyone to see, reliving the spirit of openness and exploration that was also alive during that period.

The post DIY tiny Windows XP PC is an extreme nostalgia trip first appeared on Yanko Design.

DIY tiny Windows XP PC is an extreme nostalgia trip

Posted on by

Although the craze for old “retro” designs has gripped many industries, it has taken a rather odd direction in the computing and gaming worlds. More than just recreating the designs and experiences of the past, many retro computers or consoles also strangely decided to shrink those products down to sometimes unusable sizes. Though manufacturers like Nintendo have jumped on that bandwagon, the biggest push comes from makers and modders who now have a wide arsenal of tools available at their disposal, giving them the freedom to create or recreate almost any design imaginable. This painstaking DIY project, for example, tries to bring back the iconic beige computer boxes of the 90s in a way that’s almost usable, at least if you can manage squinting at a 4-inch screen.

Designer: Salim Benbouziyane

The PCs of the 90s and early 2000s aren’t really the epitome of inspired industrial design, which is why their rival Macs became the choice of designers, creators, and design-conscious users. Nonetheless, these geometric boxes were also the pinnacle of computing technology of that period, earning them their place not only in offices and homes but also in iconography. There are also quite a number of fond memories attached to these machines, which some more skilled craftsmen are now using to turn some of that nostalgia into a working PC, albeit a miniature one.

Patterned after one of the more common designs of Dell PCs, this tiny retro computer revives the spirit if not the function of those 90s computers. It’s pretty much a box-like CRT monitor sitting on top of another horizontal box which was the convention for desktop computers at that time. The attention to detail is pretty impressive, from the carved DELL branding to tiny “Intel Inside” and Windows decals.

It’s a completely functional computer, though not all represented features actually work. The floppy disk drives, for example, are naturally too small for any disk, but they happen to be the right side to let a micro SD card through. There are LED lights to indicate power and mimic the flickering “hard drive spinning” activity. On the software side, it convincingly mimics the Windows XP look and feel, but it’s actually a flavor of Linux designed for the Raspberry Pi that’s running inside. And, of course, it can run DOOM, just like any self-respecting computer.

As impressive as this intricate recreation might be, it is also one that is a true labor of love. It requires a lot of 3D printing, custom soldering, and fiddling with electronics, so it’s not something that just about anyone can do on their own. Fortunately, the instructions and materials for this project are all listed and available for anyone to see, reliving the spirit of openness and exploration that was also alive during that period.

The post DIY tiny Windows XP PC is an extreme nostalgia trip first appeared on Yanko Design.

Windows on ARM success can drive PC design innovation

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Despite the power that smartphones and tablets have these days, PCs and their Mac equivalents remain the workhorses of the modern world. Not only do they have more power, they also offer more flexibility thanks to decades of research, development, and innovation. Market analysts, however, have long been pointing to the demise of the PC market, especially desktops, and there has indeed been a great deal of stagnation not only in hardware but even in product designs. It’s not that there haven’t been any improvements, just that designs have become predictable and even sometimes forgettable. You can’t, after all, change the design formula too much unless you also drastically change the internals as well. That’s the kind of burst in innovation that awaits the PC market, both laptops and even desktops, if running Windows on the same hardware as smartphones and tablets finally becomes reliable and productive.

Designer: Qualcomm

Rough Start: Microsoft Surface

It’s not like the combination of Windows and ARM-based processors, the same silicon that powers mobile devices, hasn’t been done before, but almost all past attempts have come up short of expectations. Disregarding the antiquated Windows CE and Windows Phone variants, Microsoft has time and again tried to bring the benefits of phones and tablets to PCs without much success. One of the first ones in recent memory is the smaller Microsoft Surface. Although the Surface Pro has become something of an icon today, its base model didn’t enjoy the same level of fame, attention, and sales.

Microsoft Surface RT

Designer: Microsoft

The Surface RT and Surface 2 both ran on ARM-based NVIDIA Tegra processors that were normally quite capable on Android tablets. Even those, however, couldn’t bear the weight of Windows, even the watered-down Windows RT version. To add insult to injury, the apps available for that platform were a dismal number which didn’t include the software that people needed to use on Windows. Thus, these first attempts at Windows on ARM were considered to be abject failures, but surprisingly, Microsoft didn’t give up completely.

Microsoft Surface Pro 9

Fast-forward to today, there have been numerous attempts to improve the situation, both from the hardware and the software side. The Microsoft Surface Pro 9 now has a version that runs an even more powerful ARM Qualcomm processor, and the Microsoft Store has quite a selection of popular apps. There are also some emulation solutions for running “normal” Windows software on ARM laptops and tablets, but that’s not exactly a panacea. All these sound like too much effort for what seems like a niche design, but it’s an effort that could yield a bountiful harvest if it succeeds.

Faster, Slimmer, Cooler

Qualcomm announced last month its new Snapdragon X Plus and Elite processors, and while the “Snapdragon” name is popular for smartphones and tablets, the “X” chips are earmarked for use in Windows computers instead, particularly laptops. Qualcomm boasts numbers that would make the likes of Intel and AMD worry, though it’s also aiming squarely for Apple’s M series processors. That’s definitely a tall order, especially with the launch of the new Apple M4 chip, but if theory proves to be even remotely near the mark, it will be a huge win for the Windows market and PCs in general.

Designer: Qualcomm

The new Snapdragon X Plus and Elite unsurprisingly boast about being able to do heavy-duty generative AI work, something that would require a lot of processing power that is traditionally only available on “regular” laptops and desktops. What would set it apart, however, is how it delivers that performance with lower battery consumption, heat, and space compared to equivalent Intel and AMD processors. It’s too early to say if Qualcomm will be able to deliver those promises, but it’s definitely a big leap compared to previous generations.

ARM-based processors like those from Qualcomm and MediaTek have been used in mobile devices precisely because of these traits. They can keep the product compact without impacting performance, something that laptop makers aim for every year. More importantly, however, these small form factors open the doors to less conventional designs, paving the way for dual-screen, foldable, or rollable PCs that don’t sacrifice their power for the sake of their novel appearance and features.

Thinking Outside the Box

The very first benefit of Windows successfully and smoothly running on ARM devices would be thinner laptops with longer battery lives. It can’t be understated how significant that will be for creatives, especially those who will rely a lot on that generative AI that everyone’s talking about these days. But even if you do much of your designs manually, the idea that you can bring your work anywhere without breaking your back and stay unplugged for more than half a day is going to appeal to a lot of people

Lenovo Yoga Book 9i

Designer: Lenovo

Once that has become the norm, however, it will be time to explore the possibilities that thinner, more compact, or smaller devices can bring. Imagine those handheld gaming PCs becoming thinner and smaller, almost down to tablet or even phone sizes. Admittedly, being able to play just about any PC game is going to be tricky today, but that’s not going to be the case in the future.

And then there are the current novelties like laptops with two screens or foldable displays, designs that have to sacrifice performance for the sake of super thin bodies. It hasn’t arrived yet, but a rollable screen might even become a thing for computers. In other words, Windows on ARM would enable all these forms beyond desktop towers and laptops to become possible without sacrificing too much performance. We seem to be heading in that direction already, but hardware is only half the battle.

Uphill Battle

No matter how powerful ARM chips are, enough to smoothly run Windows, all of that will fall on deaf ears if Windows on ARM isn’t able to support as much as 80% of regular Windows software, including games and especially content creation tools. That was what killed the Surface RT and Surface 2, after all, and things have improved considerably but not yet to most PC users’ satisfaction. One of the available solutions right now is emulation, like making the software or game think it’s running on an Intel/AMD computer, but that incurs penalties in performance.

AYANEO Flip DS

AYANEO Slide

Designer: AYANEO

There are also obstacles to be overcome on the hardware side. As strange as it might sound, PCs are a somewhat open ecosystem when it comes to the variety of things you can plug into a computer and have them working automatically. You lose some of that with Windows on ARM because of compatibility issues, and that might prevent less popular but heavily used peripherals from working, at least not at first. Unfortunately, that might be a huge deal breaker, especially for those who have already invested in devices for their workflow.

Designer: Qualcomm

Final Thoughts

Qualcomm’s announcement of the Snapdragon X Plus and Elite tried to preempt Apple’s new M4 chip and iPad Pros. Apple’s venture into the ARM world is both a boon and a bane for the likes of Qualcomm as it demonstrates what’s possible. But even Apple has remained within the boundaries of traditional devices like a tablet and a laptop. Not surprising for a company that is very meticulous and careful about the design of its products.

Designer: Apple

The Windows world, however, is a bit more daring thanks to the diversity of people involved. Unconventional and sometimes impractical designs pop up once in a while, but they’re all hampered by the limitations of hardware that’s commonly available for PCs. Windows on ARM isn’t new and it still has a long way to go to confidently match what Intel, AMD, and now Apple are selling, but stakeholders in the PC industry should probably consider rallying behind this if they want to breathe new life into the stagnating PC market.

Designer: Samsung

The post Windows on ARM success can drive PC design innovation first appeared on Yanko Design.

Lenovo ThinkBook Plus leak shows a laptop with an Android tablet as the screen

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Laptops are no longer what they used to be. Sure, the majority still come in the standard clamshell design, but even those sometimes have touchscreens or even second displays. And then there are laptops that are actually tablets in disguise, folding backward or splitting in half. These convertibles and detachables, respectively, have shifted the landscape of portable computers, opening the doors to more use cases and features. For the most part, however, they’re all still typical Windows laptops, but Lenovo might be putting an odd twist to the design with a 2-in-1 laptop whose screen transforms into an Android tablet when detached from its main body.

Designer Name: Lenovo (via “Apocalypse“)

The idea behind a 2-in-1 laptop, popularized by the likes of the Microsoft Surface Pro, is actually the reverse of a laptop. Technically, it’s more of a tablet that you can attach to a keyboard, whether that keyboard simply serves as a cover or a weighted base like a regular laptop. All the electronics are actually behind the screen, from the processors to the storage to even the battery, making the screen completely standalone.

What Lenovo might have in mind, however, is to have two different operating systems installed on the device, working independently depending on the situation. When the screen is docked on the keyboard, it will display Windows that’s running in the base. Once pulled out, however, that screen becomes a standalone tablet running Android and not Windows.

ASUS Transformer Book Duet

As odd as that might sound, it’s not exactly completely new. Back in 2014, ASUS announced what would have been the crowning glory of its Transformer Book line of 2-in-1 detachable laptops. The Transformer Book Duet could run both Android and Windows, though you have to boot into each one separately. Here, all the computing hardware is still on the display, and the keyboard is just an accessory to keep the screen anchored down. ASUS’s ambitions, however, were allegedly crushed by both Microsoft and Google who didn’t want their operating systems to be living under the same roof. That was nearly a decade ago, however, and Lenovo might be thinking it’s time to stir things up again.

What isn’t clear is whether it will be a case of a dual-boot tablet again or if Lenovo will be doing things a little differently. It’s possible to have a complete set of hardware inside the keyboard, running Windows, while the tablet has its own hardware dedicated to running Android. That makes the division of labor a little simpler and you don’t have to reboot over and over again to switch between operating systems. Unfortunately, that would also mean you can’t use Windows in tablet mode and take advantage of the stylus for creating digital art. Then again, Windows hasn’t really been great on tablets, which is why there would be interest in putting Android there in the first place.

The post Lenovo ThinkBook Plus leak shows a laptop with an Android tablet as the screen first appeared on Yanko Design.

Microsoft Windows Ugly Sweater arrives in time to bring holiday jeer

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The Christmas season is often associated with staying warm (if you’re living in the northern hemisphere) and having fun, and there’s a rather recent tradition that combines those with tongue-in-cheek humor. Ugly sweaters are exactly what their names imply, intentionally designed to be ridiculously laughable so that there’s really no room for misinterpretation. Making a pun on being a “soft wear” company, Microsoft has been releasing such unfashionable wearables for half a decade now, poking good-natured fun at its own products. This year’s design is an ode to the early 2000s, bringing back fond and not-so-fond memories of one of the longest-lived Windows versions of all: Windows XP.

Designer: Microsoft

Parts of the Windows XP design have perhaps forever been engraved in people’s memories, at least for those old enough to be using computers by 2001 onward. The candy-like “Luna” theme, the familiar login sound, and, of course, the iconic wallpaper that’s actually a photo of a landscape in Sonoma County, California. It’s this wallpaper, named “Bliss,” that Microsoft is bringing in somewhat low-res quality to this year’s Ugly Sweater, taking wearers and onlookers for a trip down memory lane, whether they like to or not.

Bliss is simple yet captivating, basically a picture of a green hill against the backdrop of a blue sky and white clouds. As its name suggests, it evokes a sense of serenity and calm, which is hardly the emotions you’d associate with using Windows XP, especially when the dreaded BSOD or Blue Screen of Death rears its ugly head. Nonetheless, it’s a powerful and admittedly warm image, just the perfect match for a warm piece of clothing.

That is, of course, if you’d be fine wearing what is practically the Windows XP wallpaper, letting everyone see your loyalty to the operating system or to the company. It’s not a perfect recreation of the wallpaper, though, and is more pixelated than what you’d see on a screen. It’s almost as if someone booted the sweater in Safe Mode, and there’s probably some underlying message there that we missed. And yes, there’s a very large mouse cursor there, fortunately pointing nowhere embarrassing.

This year’s Windows Ugly Sweater does have some hidden beauty, at least in how it is trying hard to save the environment. Specifically, Microsoft has partnered with The Nature Conservancy for this project, though exact details haven’t been laid out. At least you’ll be feeling a little good about yourself every time you intentionally put a large target on your back by wearing such an incredibly comical sweater this holiday season.

The post Microsoft Windows Ugly Sweater arrives in time to bring holiday jeer first appeared on Yanko Design.

Robo & Kala 2-in-1 Laptop Review: A Windows on ARM computer that finally makes sense

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PROS:


  • Beautiful and bright OLED display

  • Handsome design and impressive build quality

  • Great battery life and fast 65W charger

  • Easily accessible and removable SSD storage

  • Unbeatable price point

CONS:


  • No 4G or 5G connectivity

  • Audio output is a bit muffled

  • Keyboard can't lie at a more ergonomic angle

EDITOR'S QUOTE:

The Robo & Kala 2-in-1 Laptop brings an affordable Windows on ARM experience in a stunning package and with very few compromises.

Windows laptops are a dime a dozen, and those that turn into tablets have also become quite numerous. That includes the laptops that fold over backward, a.k.a. “convertibles,” as well as those that split into two parts or the 2-in-1 laptops. The latter category tries to smash together the productivity of a laptop with the portability of a keyboard-less tablet, but being Windows devices, a lot of them are hampered by hardware considerations, from weight to battery life. Microsoft’s solution was to put Windows on a hardware platform known exactly for its compactness and longevity, but Windows on ARM seemed almost dead on arrival, or at least on life support. Most of the devices that came out from well-known OEMs, including Microsoft, turned out more like duds, so imagine our surprise when a fresh new name blazed into the scene, bearing a new Windows on ARM 2-in-1 laptop that promised to change your perception of this kind of portable productivity machine. Naturally, we couldn’t resist giving the Robo & Kala a test drive to see if it can deliver “New Ways to Inspire.”

Designer: Robo & Kala

Aesthetics

Right off the bat, the Robo & Kala Computer grabs your attention with its handsome design that you might not have come to expect from a lesser-known brand, especially after you hear about its price tag. The anodized aluminum feels solid yet light, giving you confidence whenever you hold it in your hands. Moving away from the common and rather drab silvers and blacks of most tablets, the laptop’s greenish tinge adds a distinct visual character to the device, making sure you’ll remember it as being a one-of-a-kind product.

In many ways, the Robo & Kala is taking aim at the Microsoft Surface Pro 9, which also comes in a Windows on ARM variant. That’s immediately evident when you see the built-in kickstand that has become the hallmark of the Surface Pro line. There are also a few similarities here and there, both in design and hardware, but those are minimal and incidental at best. It’s almost too easy to write it off as a Surface Pro 9 clone, but you’ll definitely be missing out on the key selling points of the device.

The sometimes subtle differences, however, do have significant implications. At only 690g light and 7.3mm thin, the Robo & Kala is quite possibly the thinnest and lightest Windows on ARM 2-in-1 laptop in the market, squarely beating not only the Surface Pro 9 but even the Surface Go 3. The edges of the tablet are slightly curved, unlike the current flat design trend, giving it a more pleasant appearance and softer hold. The bezels around the display are also quite narrow, noticeably more than Microsoft’s flagship. All in all, Robo & Kala’s design and build quality punches above its price point, an unexpected yet very pleasant surprise right off the bat.

Ergonomics

Being light and thin isn’t just a bragging point for Robo & Kala. It means that the device is more comfortable to carry and hold, especially as a tablet. Even with the optional keyboard that brings the total weight to around 1.04kg, the device doesn’t get exceptionally heavy, at least compared to a regular laptop or even the Surface Pro 9 5G with a keyboard (1.19kg). That said, it’s definitely no iPad Air, and the large size will still bear down on your arms if held for long periods of time.

The Robo & Kala Computer has an optional keyboard cover, not unlike the Surface Type Cover, that magnetically attaches to the tablet and connects using those golden pogo contact points, also not unlike the Surface Type Cover. Where the two clearly differ is that Microsoft’s design allows the keyboard to rise just a little bit near the hinge, creating a more ergonomic inclined angle for typing. There’s none of that here, but R&K makes up for it with a rather ingenious feature. When you detach the keyboard, it switches to a Bluetooth connection so you can continue typing using the same keyboard but perhaps in a more comfortable position.

This versatility of design makes 2-in-1 laptops like Robo & Kala truly unique and appealing. It’s a laptop when you need to be productive but a tablet when you want to detach, figuratively and literally. That said, the disadvantage of this kickstand-based design is that you need a lot more space to place the device on when it’s in laptop mode, whether it’s on a table or on your lap. In fact, the Surface Pro and similar 2-in-1 devices have been criticized for being “un-lappable” in this manner, though you can still make do when push comes to shove. Fortunately, the kickstand is steady and rigid, ensuring that the device stays in place no matter how hard you rock that keyboard.

Performance

What sets Robo & Kala apart from the vast majority of Windows 2-in-1 laptops is the hardware that runs inside, particularly the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 silicon, an ARM-based processor that is closer to the ones running on your phone or tablet than the Intel or AMD chips powering most Windows computers. This is pretty much the same “Microsoft SQ3” used on the Surface Pro 9 5G, just without whatever exclusive magic Microsoft and Qualcomm cooked up behind closed doors. This is a powerful processor, closer to benchmark performance to last-gen Intel Core i3 chipsets, and with 16GB of RAM, it would theoretically cover all your computing needs, including some light gaming.

There is a slight catch, however, when it comes to the world of Windows. Windows on ARM has grown up a lot compared to its earliest years, but software compatibility is still a thing. While it’s definitely possible to run “regular” Windows software on this device, it will be running on top of a software layer that affects performance, depending on what type of application it is. Some light games from Steam and image editing apps will do fine, but video editing software will be a hit or miss. That said, Windows 11 has support for running Android and Linux apps, and you might ironically get better performance from some of those apps. In short, while Robo & Kala can handle many tasks without breaking a sweat, some creative applications might not work well or at all on a case-to-case basis.

Robo & Kala comes with a 12.6-inch OLED touchscreen with a resolution of 2560×1600, a more normal widescreen 16:10 aspect ratio compared to the Surface Pro 9’s square-ish and bigger 3:2 LCD screen. Size isn’t the only difference, though, and the Robo & Kala computer surprisingly outdoes its Microsoft counterpart in vividness and brightness. OLEDs, after all, are known for their deep blacks and sharp colors, and although this 2-in-1 laptop doesn’t break through 2K resolution, it still delivers quite a punch. It does cap the refresh rate at 60Hz, which sounds almost outdated in today’s 120Hz world, but it is still decent and smooth, even with some games.

One of the advertised perks of switching from an Intel or AMD to an ARM-based processor like the Snapdragon 8cx or Apple Silicon is battery efficiency and long battery life. As always, manufacturers tend to be a tad too generous about their estimates, but our experience with Robo & Kala almost comes close to the promised 20 hours of uptime. On a single charge, we were able to get through two work days totaling about 17 hours. That’s actually impressive considering it only has a 41.4Wh battery, compared to the Surface Pro 9 5G with its 47.7Wh battery and advertised 19 hours of life, which is actually a lot lower in practice especially when you turn on 5G.

That last bit is actually one of the Robo & Kala Computer’s few big missed opportunities. Its only wireless connection is Wi-Fi 6, at least if you don’t consider Bluetooth 5.2. That means it has no cellular connection, whether 5G or even 4G, so you’ll need to be within an access point’s range to do anything that requires the Internet. That does dampen the device’s portability prospects, though that is also not that different from Wi-Fi-only iPads or most Windows laptops that don’t have built-in cellular modems either.

The overall package that Robo & Kala offers is quite decent and, in some aspects, even downright impressive. The keyboard accessory, although lacking some travel, is usable and, more importantly, backlit. Windows Hello authentication works like a charm. The dual stereo speakers are serviceable but you’d be better off putting on your favorite wireless headphones. The included Smart Pen, which magnetically docks to the right side for charging, is a pleasure to hold and use for scribbling notes or quick doodles. And the easily accessible SSD takes the pain away from one of the most common upgrades you’d want to make on this kind of device. Robo & Kala delivers a well-rounded set of features with very few compromises, which makes its price and value all the more mouth-watering.

Sustainability

Before we get to that point, however, we’ll have to discuss the design elephant in the room. Consumer electronics, given their sheer numbers, have a massive impact on the environment, from the moment they are manufactured to the day they are thrown out. Every little bit that turns the scales toward sustainability helps in the long run. Unfortunately, there’s not much we can say about the Robo & Kala Computer that would be in its favor in this aspect.

Using aluminum instead of plastic for the chassis is good but quite a small factor. Compared to regular laptops, 2-in-1 tablets like these are also more closed off, making repairs harder and more expensive. Given the small size of the company, it might not be surprising that Robo & Kala doesn’t yet have a strong sustainability effort in place. Hopefully, the success of their first product will let them steer the ship in the right direction sooner rather than later.

Value

Although they are far and few in between, Robo & Kala is not the only Windows on ARM game in town. There is, of course, the juggernaut that is the Microsoft Surface Pro 9 5G, but there are other contenders from major OEMs as well. On the surface, this 2-in-1 computer might not have much going for it, but the narrative quickly changes when you take the current price tag into account. At the current discounted price of $599.99, which includes the device and the detachable keyboard, Robo & Kala easily outmatches the competition, no matter the brand. Even if it goes up to Kickstarter prices, it’s still nearly or more than half of the Surface Pro 9 5G with similar specs.

Of course, it’s not a complete steal at that price, even if you’re getting a quality piece of tech. It is, after all, Windows on ARM, and for all the battery-saving and lightweight benefits, it might come up short when it comes to meeting the needs of some users, especially designers, video content creators, and gamers. At the same time, however, Windows 11 has opened up a lot more possibilities compared to older generations of Windows on ARM, providing access to more software from different platforms that could fill in the gap. The Robo & Kala Computer is definitely a tempting Windows device to have, especially if you find yourself spending more time away from your desk.

Verdict

Although it’s still not popular as Microsoft would like it to be, Windows on ARM has come a long way, especially with Windows 11’s more expansive software compatibility. But more than software considerations, what turns Windows users off more are the options available in the market, particularly their prices. Given how much they might be sacrificing in terms of raw power and app compatibility, it’s almost laughable that they would be expected to pay the same price, sometimes even more, as an Intel or AMD equivalent. Sure, you’ll have a longer battery life, but that might not mean much if you don’t get much use out of the device anyway.

The Robo & Kala 2-in-1 Laptop is a surprising newcomer that came at the right time with the right price. Even though it’s considerably more affordable than its peers, it makes very few compromises that would ruin the overall experience. Its design and build quality are almost unbelievable at its price, and its performance, though not top-notch, is still quite adequate. It’s far from perfect and still has the same software problems that haunt all Windows on ARM devices. But considering what you’re getting for so little, you’d almost be willing to forgive those minor flaws.

The post Robo & Kala 2-in-1 Laptop Review: A Windows on ARM computer that finally makes sense first appeared on Yanko Design.

Squid-inspired smart windows make buildings more energy-efficient

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The University of Toronto researchers have been busy at work – busy drawing inspiration from the fluctuating and color-changing skin of squids and using it to create a multilayered fluidic system that can significantly bring down the energy costs associated with heating, lighting, and cooling buildings. More than a quarter of a building’s energy is lost via its glass-pane windows, and hence the university has developed liquid-filled panels, with the aim of retrofitting windows with them, and in turn, using these windows to supplement modern buildings.

Designer: University of Toronto

Squids move a certain type of pigment in their skin, which quite literally transforms the color and appearance of their skin. The University of Toronto utilizes a device that mimics this very movement and transports various liquids like dye solutions, glycerol, and carbon powder suspensions with the help of channels into thin plastic sheets. “It’s an advantage that this approach can use simple, relatively inexpensive, non-toxic, aqueous fluids,” said Benjamin Hatton, a professor of materials science and engineering at the University of Toronto.

By producing these liquid windows, the university hopes to make buildings more energy efficient, since currently, buildings consume about a third of the world’s energy. Smart building technologies such as automatic blinds and electro-chromatic blinds have been incorporated into modern buildings, but these systems have their limitations as well. They cant truly differentiate between the different wavelengths of light, nor can they control the distribution of light. The Univerisity of Toronto has instead created a rather dynamic and innovative system using simple and economical elements. Three thin sheets of Plexiglass have been joined together, each sheet holding 2-3mm of patterned channels in them. The researchers insert the different fluids through these sheets – water-based dye solutions or glycerol that absorb light of various colors, carbon pigment suspensions that control light transmission; and titania nanoparticle suspensions that are able direct the light that passes through.

“If we had just one layer that focuses on modulating the transmission of near-infrared light – so not even touching the visible part of the spectrum – we find that we could save about 25 percent annually on heating, cooling, and lighting energy over a static baseline. If we have two layers – infrared and visible – it’s more like 50 percent. These are very significant savings,” said Raphael Kay, who graduated with a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering. Currently, the panels they have developed are only 30×30 cm, but the team is hoping to build larger designs that can be used for larger constructions. They said that compared to the darkening windows available on the market today, these liquid windows can save 75% on heat energy, 20% on electricity for lighting, and 43% on total energy use annually.

The post Squid-inspired smart windows make buildings more energy-efficient first appeared on Yanko Design.

The best cheap Windows laptops for 2024

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Even though we at Engadget test and review a number of new Windows laptops every year, the cheapest notebooks don’t often make headlines. You won’t find pricey panels on these machines, nor will they include the latest high-powered graphics cards or ultra thin-and-light designs. But they have their place and can do a lot of things well. And it’s worth noting that not everyone needs a pro-level laptop — they just need the best machine that will fit their budget.

Companies like Acer, Dell and Lenovo make plenty of cheap Windows laptops that can be great for those who primarily use a computer to check email, shop online and occasionally video chat with friends and family. They can also be great for kids who have no business touching their parents’ pricey daily driver. We’ve tested a number of budget-friendly Windows notebooks — these are our favorites below, and we outline some buying advice for anyone looking for a cheap Windows laptop that balances capability with affordability.

What about Chromebooks and tablets?

You may be inclined to recommend a Chromebook or a tablet to anyone considering a budget Windows laptop. Those instincts aren’t wrong, but Chromebooks and tablets aren’t the best buy for everyone. Tablets have the most portability, but they will only work for the most mobile-competent users like kids who have been grabbing smartphones out of their parents’ hands since they’ve been dexterous enough to do so. Tablets can also be just as expensive as some of the cheapest Windows laptops, and that’s without a mouse or keyboard.

Chromebooks are a good alternative for those that basically live in a browser, the trade-off being you must give up the “traditional desktop.” And Chrome OS is a more limited operating system than Windows when it comes to the programs you can install and run.

What Windows laptops do well

Bangkok, Thailand - August 20, 2020 : Computer user touching on Microsoft Edge, a web browser developed by Microsoft, icon on Windows 10 to open the program.
Wachiwit via Getty Images

What can you realistically accomplish on a cheap Windows laptop? Quite a bit, especially if you’re doing one thing (or a limited number of things) at a time. They’re great for web browsing, checking email, video streaming and more. All of those things can be done on Chromebooks as well, but Windows laptops have a big advantage in Microsoft Office. While yes, there is a browser based version, the native, desktop apps are considered a must have for many and will run smoothly on even the most bare-bones budget laptop. The only caveat is that you may run into some slowdown on low-powered devices if you’re multitasking or working with large data sets in Excel or a lot of photos and graphics in Powerpoint.

When it comes to specs, a bright spot for Windows laptops is storage. Even the most affordable devices tend to have at least 128GB SSDs. That will come in handy if you prefer to keep your most important files saved locally on your laptop. In contrast, cheaper Chromebooks often have less storage because they’re built on the assumption that you’ll save all of your documents in the cloud. Not only is that less convenient when you need to work offline, but it also limits the size of programs and files that you can download. So, Chromebooks aren't the best for hoarding Netflix shows before a long trip or for use as a gaming laptop.

Windows also has thousands of apps that you can download from its app store. Chromebooks have some Chrome apps, numerous browser extensions and the ability to download Android apps, but quality control is… inconsistent. Android apps, in particular, often haven’t been optimized for Chrome OS, which makes for a wonky user experience. Windows may not have as many apps as Android, but at least the experience is fairly standard across the board.

Windows also gives you the ability to download and use programs from other sources, like direct from the developer. You can run things like Adobe Creative Suite, certain VPNs and programs like GIMP, Audacity and ClipMate on a Windows device, which just isn’t possible on Chrome OS. Chromebooks limit you to the apps and programs in The Play Store and the Chrome Extensions store, reducing any others to unusable, space-sucking icons in your Downloads folder.

What to look for in a budget-friendly Windows laptop

While you can do a lot even when spending little on a Windows laptop, you must set your expectations accordingly. The biggest downside when purchasing a budget laptop (of any kind, really) is limited power. Many Windows laptops under $500 run on Intel Celeron or Pentium processors, but you can find some with Core i3/i5 and AMD Ryzen 3/5 CPUs at the higher end of the price spectrum.

Specs to look for in a sub-$500 Windows laptop

  • Intel Core i or AMD Ryzen 3 processors

  • At least 8GB of RAM

  • An SSD with at least 128GB of space

  • 1080p display

  • Mostly metal designs

We recommend getting the most powerful CPU you can afford because it will dictate how fast the computer will feel overall. RAM is also important because, the more you have, the easier it will be for the laptop to manage things like a dozen browser tabs while you edit a Word document and stream music in the background. However, with sub-$500 laptops, you’re better off getting the best CPU you can afford rather than a laptop with a ton of RAM because the CPU will have enough power to handle most tasks that cheap Windows laptops are designed for (If you’re editing RAW images or 4K video, you’ll want to invest in more RAM… and a laptop well above $500).

When it comes to storage, consider how much you want to save locally. If you primarily work in Google Docs or save most things in the cloud, you may not need a machine with a ton of onboard storage. Just remember that your digital space will also be taken up by apps, so it may be worth getting a little extra storage than you think you need if you know you’ll be downloading big programs. A final side note: SSDs are ubiquitous at this point, not to mention faster and more efficient than HDDs, so we recommend getting a laptop with that type of storage.

You also don’t have to settle for an entirely plastic notebook either. There are options in the sub-$500 price range that are made, at least in part, with metals like aluminum. Those will not only be more attractive but also more durable. As for screens, there’s a healthy mix of HD and FHD options in this price range and we recommend springing for a notebook with a 1080p display if you can. Touchscreens aren’t as common in the under-$500 space as standard panels, but you’ll only really miss one if you get a 2-in-1 laptop.

See Also:

A final note before we get to our picks: The best cheap laptop models change all the time. Unlike more expensive, flagship machines, these notebooks can be updated a couple times each year. That can make it hard to track down a specific model at Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart or any other retailer. Also, we’ve seen prices vary widely depending on the configuration and retailer you’re looking at. We’ve listed some of our current favorite models below, but if you can’t find any of them available near you, just keep in mind our list of specs to look for in a cheap laptop – they’ll guide you to the best machines available at the moment.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/best-affordable-windows-laptops-123000512.html?src=rss

The best cheap Windows laptops for 2024

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We review a number of the best laptops with Windows 11 Home and other versions of the OS every year at Engadget, but the cheapest among them often fall to the bottom of the list. Unlike our top picks for best Windows laptop, or even more niche devices like the best gaming laptops, these machines don’t have pricey OLED panels, high-powered graphics cards or super thin-and-light designs. But that doesn’t mean you should write them off. Besides, not everyone needs a pro-level laptop — they just need the best machine that will fit their budget.

Sub-$500 laptops made by Acer, Dell, Lenovo and other companies can be great fits for those who primarily use a computer to check email, shop online and occasionally video chat with friends and family. They’re also probably the best option for kids who have no business touching their parents’ expensive daily driver. We’ve tested a number of budget-friendly Windows notebooks — these are our favorites below, and we outline some buying advice for anyone looking for a cheap Windows laptop that balances capability with affordability.

You may be inclined to recommend a Chromebook or a tablet to anyone considering a budget Windows laptop. Those instincts aren’t wrong, but Chromebooks and tablets aren’t the best buy for everyone. Tablets have the most portability, but they will only work for the most mobile-competent users like kids who have been grabbing smartphones out of their parents’ hands since they’ve been dexterous enough to do so. Tablets can also be just as expensive as some of the cheapest Windows laptops, and that’s without a mouse or keyboard.

Chromebooks are a good alternative for those that basically live in a browser, the trade-off being you must give up the “traditional desktop.” And Chrome OS is a more limited operating system than Windows when it comes to the programs you can install and run.

What can you realistically accomplish on a cheap Windows laptop? Quite a bit, especially if you’re doing one thing (or a limited number of things) at a time. They’re great for everyday tasks like web browsing, checking email, video streaming and more. All of those things can be done on Chromebooks as well, but Windows laptops have a big advantage in Microsoft Office. While yes, there is a browser based version, the native, desktop apps are considered a must have for many and will run smoothly on even the most bare-bones budget laptop. The only caveat is that you may run into some slowdown on low-powered devices if you’re multitasking or working with large data sets in Excel or a lot of photos and graphics in Powerpoint.

When it comes to specs, a bright spot for Windows laptops is storage. Even the most affordable devices tend to have at least 128GB SSDs. That will come in handy if you prefer to keep your most important files saved locally on your laptop's hard drive. In contrast, cheaper Chromebooks often have less storage because they’re built on the assumption that you’ll save all of your documents in the cloud. Not only is that less convenient when you need to work offline, but it also limits the size of programs and files that you can download. So, Chromebooks aren't the best for hoarding Netflix shows before a long trip or for use as a gaming laptop.

Windows also has thousands of apps that you can download from its app store. Chromebooks have some Chrome apps, numerous browser extensions and the ability to download Android apps, but quality control is… inconsistent. Android apps, in particular, often haven’t been optimized for Chrome OS, which makes for a wonky user experience. Windows may not have as many apps as Android, but at least the experience is fairly standard across the board.

Windows also gives you the ability to download and use programs from other sources, like direct from the developer. You can run things like Adobe Creative Suite, certain VPNs and programs like GIMP, Audacity and ClipMate on a Windows device, which just isn’t possible on Chrome OS. Chromebooks limit you to the apps and programs in The Play Store and the Chrome Extensions store, reducing any others to unusable, space-sucking icons in your Downloads folder.

While you can do a lot even when spending little on a Windows laptop, you must set your expectations accordingly. The biggest downside when purchasing a budget laptop (of any kind, really) is limited power. Many Windows laptops under $500 run on Intel Celeron or Pentium processors, but you can find some with Core i3/i5 and AMD Ryzen 3/5 CPUs at the higher end of the price spectrum.

  • Intel Core i or AMD Ryzen 3 processors

  • At least 8GB of RAM

  • An SSD with at least 128GB of space

  • 1080p display

  • Mostly metal designs

We recommend getting the most powerful CPU you can afford because it will dictate how fast the computer will feel overall. RAM is also important because, the more you have, the easier it will be for the laptop to manage things like a dozen browser tabs while you edit a Word document and stream music in the background. However, with sub-$500 laptops, you’re better off getting the best CPU you can afford rather than a laptop with a ton of RAM because the CPU will have enough power to handle most everyday tasks that cheap Windows laptops are designed for (If you’re editing RAW images or 4K video, you’ll want to invest in more RAM… and a laptop well above $500).

When it comes to storage, consider how much you want to save locally. If you primarily work in Google Docs or save most things in the cloud, you may not need a machine with a ton of onboard storage. Just remember that your digital space will also be taken up by apps, so it may be worth getting a little extra storage than you think you need if you know you’ll be downloading big programs. A final side note: SSDs are ubiquitous at this point, not to mention faster and more efficient than HDDs, so we recommend getting a laptop with that type of storage.

You also don’t have to settle for an entirely plastic notebook either. There are options in the sub-$500 price range that are made, at least in part, with metals like aluminum. Those will not only be more attractive but also more durable. As for screens, there’s a healthy mix of HD and FHD options in this price range and we recommend springing for a notebook with a 1080p display if you can. Touchscreens aren’t as common in the under-$500 space as standard panels, but you’ll only really miss one if you get a 2-in-1 laptop.

See Also:

It’s essential to prioritize what’s important to you. But at the lower end of the budget, a good laptop may not offer everything you need, whereas a great one might. Although most machines come with features like Bluetooth, built-in Wi-Fi and additional ports, you might find not all of them come with the specifics you require, like an SD card slot, webcam, charger, and so on. Be sure to check the spec list of any laptop you’re considering before you buy, especially if you need specific connectors and capabilities.

A final note before we get to our picks: The best cheap laptop models change all the time. Unlike more expensive, flagship machines, these notebooks can be updated a couple times each year. That can make it hard to track down a specific model at Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart or any other retailer. Also, we’ve seen prices vary widely depending on the configuration and retailer you’re looking at. We’ve listed some of our current favorite models below, but if you can’t find any of them available near you, just keep in mind our list of specs to look for in a cheap laptop – they’ll guide you to the best laptops available at the moment.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/laptops/best-affordable-windows-laptops-123000512.html?src=rss