Acer was one of the first computer manufacturers to see the value in Chrome OS, and they’ve especially been big on the convertible concept. The Acer Spin 514 Chromebook is the latest generation of Acer’s iconic touchscreen convertible laptops, and it’s a very impressive upgrade.
Laptops and tablets get all the attention, but for long-haul working and gaming, you want a monitor. 10-15″ screens are great for when you’re on the go, but when you’re home, you can settle into the true luxury you get from 27″+ screens, insanely high definitions, and a screen refresh rate that makes you the absolute envy of Spider Solitaire players everywhere. If that sounds good to you, then read on for Acer‘s updated gaming monitors, the Predator XB273U NX, Predator XB323QK NV, and the Nitro XV282K!
Unfortunately, things have not gone back to normal simply because it’s 2021. Case in point, CES is virtual, but that doesn’t mean there’s not a significant amount of big news coming. Lenovo has a big slate of computer updates and future products for us to anticipate, as well as a peek at the new LAVIE MINI prototype — so let’s dive right in!
There are a few things you can count on every January: everyone will suddenly get the urge to exercise, you can never go wrong complaining that it’s either too cold or not cold enough, and an army of laptop and computer upgrades will be announced at CES. Dell is leading the charge with new Latitudes, Precision Workplaces, Optiflex towers, and monitors galore!
We all know Qualcomm makes zippy processors. No one’s doubting that Qualcomm is a big part of why we all have more power in our pockets than Neil Armstrong had when he landed on the moon. But it’s hard if you’re not a computer expert to know exactly what that means. Thankfully, Qualcomm put together a helpful video on their Snapdragon 888 to show us!
We are big fans of Roku here at Gear Diary. They make some truly excellent hardware and strive to offer a hardware and software experience that makes streaming easy, no matter what your choice of content. It’s been frustrating, then, that they didn’t have a deal with Time Warner’s HBO Max. It was basically the only streaming service you COULDN’T get natively on your Roku…until now!
I’m a big fan of the CBD as a way to reduce anxiety and treat pain. By far, my go-to place for CBD products is Extract Labs, so when they offered me the chance to review their CBD Gummies and CBN PM softgels, I was very excited about the opportunity!
We’re hopefully going to see an end to the COVID-19 pandemic soon, but there will be some lasting changes to how we work. Even when people go back to work, it’s unlikely we’re all going to be mingling like the before days. Lenovo is all set to make this transition easier, whether it’s working from home or holding virtual meetings across the world, with a line of adorably tiny computers, webcams, a soundbar for better audio (no more “I hear feedback, is it you or me? Hello?”), and ThinkSmart Manager to make the whole thing run smoothly.
Ready Player One has been the butt of internet jokes for years. I didn’t hate it, though I agree it wasn’t exactly fine literature. Still, I enjoyed it enough that I impulsively bought Ready Player Two over the weekend despite poor reviews. Should you read it? Well, read on for my review.
NuHeara IQ2 Buds aim to be more than just wireless earbuds; they also want to enhance your hearing, allowing you to hear what’s going on around you more clearly. They’ll provide you with a way to rock out to music, but also be able to hear more easily in a crowded restaurant. In theory, great. In practice…well, read on.
When we reviewed the Roku Ultra and Roku Streambar, we highlighted how Roku is the best choice if you’re not tied to one particular streaming service. That value proposition has only increased now that Roku has added Airplay and HomeKit support to many of their 4K devices!
When smartphones hit critical mass, every manufacturer of “dumb” phones started leveraging all their designs to add smarts to every phone in their lineup. We’re seeing a similar push with smartwatches. Traditional watchmakers are finding ways to raise the intelligence level of their iconic designs. The latest watchmaker to do so is Citizen, with their C Z Smart line.
OnePlus and T-Mobile know a few things. they know how to make excellent smartphones, they know how to blanket the country in 5G, and they know everyone is crawling the walls because there’s nowhere to go in the middle of a pandemic. They can’t totally fix that third issue, but they’re trying with their new OnePlus Go Farther scavenger hunt!
Home security is no longer only the realm of expensive monthly subscriptions but something you can install and monitor yourself if you wish. Comcast Xfinity has your back with a new program called Self Protection that lets you monitor your front door/back door/dog in the kitchen, all with continuous recording for only $10/month.
The ’90s are coming back in the form of flannel, Saved by the Bell, Foo Fighters on SNL, and now new Nokia phones. But unlike a candy-bar style phone that plays Snake, Nokia has adopted the typical slab design of a 2020 Android smartphone, but with some of that Nokia magic sprinkled on top. Enter the Nokia 8 V 5G UW, the company’s second 5G phone.
Roku prides themselves on their laser focus — it’s all about making streaming the best possible experience for their users. Their interface is simple, their devices are plug and play, and their entire ecosystem is built around offering multiple options at every price point. We took a look at the Roku StreamBar and new Roku Ultra and came away very impressed!
5G is slowly rolling out, and Verizon and TCL are ready to get it into your hot little hands at an affordable price. They’re introducing the TCL 10 5G UW for only $399.99, which is a pretty great value for a 6.5″ Android phone with NXTVISION!
The arms race on laptops these days is all about screens. Big ones, high definition ones, small bezels, touchscreens, and even bonus screens. Asus took a look at a 15in touchscreen with an 88% screen to body ratio and thought, “Needs more screen,” so they swapped out the touchpad for…another screen on the Asus ZenBook Pro 15 UX535LI.
Do you need a new computer? Chances are, with all of us working and learning from home, if you don’t, then someone in your household might. Whether you need a Chromebook, a Windows PC, or some accessories, chances are Acer just announced a product that fits!
There’s a reason I try to wait until I really know a product to do a review — sometimes it takes a little while to grasp what makes something truly succeed or fail. If you asked me three weeks ago what my son and I thought of the K’Nex Architecture Eiffel Tower, you’d want to duck immediately. Now? We can’t wait for more!
Chromebooks have gone from being a novelty to being incredible productivity tools (just ask any student how they’re surviving remote learning!) Lenovo knows that efficient, reliably, and speedy computers are something everyone needs. Enter the new ThinkPad C13 Yoga Chromebook Enterprise!