Intel enables enthusiast desktop AI PCs

Source: Intel video screen capture at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3evkF909lc . Introducing the Intel Core Ultra 200S series of processors.

Intel has launched the Core Ultra 200S series processor family, designed to scale AI PC capabilities and usher in the first enthusiast desktop AI PCs.

Led by the Intel Core Ultra 9 processor 285K, the latest generation of enthusiast desktop processors includes five unlocked desktop processors equipped with up to eight next-gen Performance-cores (P-cores), the fastest cores available for desktop PCs1. The processors also support up to 16 next-gen Efficient-cores (E-cores). These cores result in up to 14% more in combined performance for multithreaded workloads compared to the previous generation2. 

The new family are the first NPU-enabled desktop processors for enthusiasts3 and come with a built-in Xe GPU with state-of-the-art media support.

“The new Intel Core Ultra 200S series processors deliver on our goals to significantly cut power usage while retaining outstanding gaming performance and delivering leadership compute. The result is a cooler and quieter user experience elevated by new AI gaming and creation capabilities enabled by the NPU, and leadership media performance that leverages our growing graphics portfolio,” said Robert Hallock, VP and GM of AI and Technical Marketing, Client Computing Group at Intel.

The new desktop processors deliver a landmark reduction in power usage. Intel said users can expect up to 58% lower package power in everyday applications4 and up to 165W lower system power5 while gaming. The new processor family further delivers up to 6% faster single-threaded6 and up to 14% faster multithreaded performance2 over the previous generation.

With up to 36 platform TOPS, the new Intel Core Ultra 200S series processor is Intel’s 1st and ​best desktop processor ​for AI PCs​. When it comes to AI, the Intel Core Ultra 200S series processors deliver up to 50% faster performance in AI-enabled creator applications against competing flagship processors7. 

The newly-available NPU enables offloading of AI functions. Examples include freeing up discrete GPUs to increase gaming frame rates, significantly reducing power usage in AI workloads, and enabling accessibility use cases such as face- and gesture-tracking in games while minimising performance impact.

According to Intel, Intel Core Ultra 200S series processors offer excellent performance in AI and content creation, and power an immersive gaming experience, with up to 28% gaming performance uplift compared to competing flagship processors8.

- The Intel Core Ultra 200S series processors’ new Intel 800 Series chipset extends platform compatibility with up to 24 PCIe 4.0 lanes, up to eight SATA 3.0 ports, and up to 10 USB 3.2 ports.

- Intel Core Ultra 200S series processors bring new overclocking functionality with fine-grain controls, with top turbo frequency in 16.6 MHz steps for P-cores and E-cores. 

- A new memory controller supports fast, new XMP and CUDIMM DDR5 memory up to 48 GB per DIMM for up to 192 GB in total, and the Intel Extreme Tuning Utility now includes one-click overclocking enhancements.

- Connectivity: Intel Core Ultra 200S processors come equipped with 20 CPU PCIe 5.0 lanes, 4 CPU PCIe 4.0 lanes, support for 2 integrated Thunderbolt 4 ports, Wi-Fi 6E​ and Bluetooth 5.3​. Intel Killer Wi-Fi delivers supercharged wireless performance and enables seamless, immersive online gameplay through application priority auto-detection, bandwidth analysis and management, and smart access point (AP) selection and switching.

- Multi-engine security: Intel Silicon Security Engine helps preserve data confidentiality and code integrity while maintaining high performance for demanding AI workloads.

Details

The Intel Core Ultra 200S series processors will be available at retail online and in stores, and via OEM partner systems starting October 24, 2024.

1 Among x86 desktop processors targeting ~125W TDP, based on single thread/core performance benchmarks as compared against prior generation and competition processors, as of October 2024. See intel.com/PerformanceIndex for details. Results may vary.

2 As measured by SPECrate 2017_int_base (n-copies) performance estimates on an Intel Core Ultra 9 285K vs. Intel Core i9 processor 14900K. SPEC, SPECrate and SPEC CPU are registered trademarks of the Standard Performance Evaluation Corporation. See http://www.spec.org/spec/trademarks.html for more information

3 Among desktop processors targeting ~125W TDP, as of October 2024. AI features may require additional purchase or specific compatibility requirements. See intel.com/performanceindex for details.

4 As measured by processor power during a 1x1 Zoom call with background blur on NPU on an Intel Core Ultra 9 285K vs. Intel Core i9 processor 14900K. Individual system results may vary as power and performance are affected by use, configuration and other factors.

5 As measured by average system power while playing Warhammer: Space Marines 2 on an Intel Core Ultra 9 285K vs Intel Core i9 processor 14900K. Individual system results may vary as power and performance are affected by use, configuration and other factors.

6 As measured by SPECrate 2017_int_base (1-copy) performance estimates on an Intel Core Ultra 9 285K vs. Intel Core i9 processor 14900K.

7 As measured by the Adobe After Effects AI Scene Edit Detection feature on an Intel Core Ultra 9 285K vs. AMD Ryzen 9 9950X.

8 As measured by Total War: Warhammer III - Mirrors of Madness Benchmark on an Intel Core Ultra 9 285K vs. AMD Ryzen 9 9950X.

*AI features may require software purchase, subscription or enablement by a software or platform provider, or may have specific configuration or compatibility requirements. Details at intel.com/AIPC. Results may vary.

Altering clock frequency or voltage may void any product warranties and reduce stability, security, performance, and life of the processor and other components. Check with system and component manufacturers for details.

Performance varies by use, configuration and other factors. Learn more at intel.com/PerformanceIndex.

Performance results are based on testing as of dates shown in configurations and may not reflect all publicly available updates. See backup for configuration details. No product or component can be absolutely secure.

Your costs and results may vary.

Intel technologies may require enabled hardware, software or service activation.

New PCs in Asia found with software that can endanger users

Source: Microsoft infographic. PCs loaded with pirated software can be bought in Asia, and the installation of such software could leave users at risk.

Pirated software will likely cost users more than they bargain for. A Microsoft sweep of PCs purchased in targeted countries in Asia has revealed that more than four in five (83%) brand new PCs are loaded with pirated software.

Aimed at educating consumers and owners of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the region, Microsoft’s Asia PC Test Purchase Sweep provides insights on the prevalence of new PCs loaded with pirated software and the risks that they can pose to individuals and businesses.

“Cybercriminals are constantly evolving their techniques to evade security measures, and embedding their malware into pirated software is one of their tactics as it allows them to compromise large numbers of PCs and access vast amount of stolen credentials with ease,” said Mary Jo Schrade, Assistant General Counsel & Regional Director, Digital Crimes Unit, Microsoft Asia.

“When vendors sell pirated software containing malware in their PCs, they are not only fuelling the spread of malware in the region but are also putting their customers’ personal information and digital identity at the mercy of cybercriminals.”

The PCs were not bought from the official stores of PC brands nor reputable suppliers, but purchased from retailers that offered PCs at a much lower cost and free software bundles. In many cases, these retailers also sold pirated software at their stores.

“We weren't trying to ascertain the piracy rate of the country; we were trying to look at it a little bit differently,” Schrade said. “We analysed the code in the operating system, to see what was in there, if there anything that shouldn't be, compared to the legitimate version,” she said.

The sweep found that one of the most common practices for vendors installing pirated software on
new PCs is to turn off the security features, such as antivirus software and Windows Defender. This allows them to run the hacking tools needed to activate the pirated software. However, this leaves PCs vulnerable to malware and other cyberthreats, and the buyers of these PCs may not even
realise that their PCs are not protected, nor notice that there are suspicious activities going on while they are using them.

Schrade talks about the sweep at a media Q&A.

The sweep uncovered that 84% of the new PCs loaded with pirated software were indeed also infected with malware, with the most common type of malware being Trojans and viruses. Trojans can allow cybercriminals to spy on users and steal private data. Another type of malware might shut off antivirus settings.

While Trojans typically depend on some form of social engineering to trick users into loading and executing them, Microsoft notes that bundling them with pirated software provides an easy way for cybercriminals to compromise and control PCs.

In a worst case scenario, infected PCs can be susceptible to data theft, including of personal documents and sensitive information such as passwords and banking details. Users can also suffer identity theft where they lose control of their social media and email accounts. Malware, running in the background, can also slow devices down.

All these factors can lead to consumers and businesses chalking up significant monetary, time and productivity losses as they work to resolve the issues.“The goal is of educating people about the risks associated with these systems when they don't have the capacity personally to see what's on there,” Schrade said.

She added that individual users are not targeted specifically. “If I just want somebody's banking information I don't want to spend the time to find out which of you has the most credit cards to access, I just want to spin around to get (as much information as possible) and then I look at it when I've got it,” she said.

“The (misconception) is that they're targeting you in particular, they're just targeting you as a victim just like all the other victims.”

And though there is often reluctance to come up with the money to secure infrastructure, the cost of the consequences of malware could be higher than the cost of securing infrastructure, Schrade added.
“People should evaluate the cost of the risk of the malware as part of the overall cost,” she said.

Associate Professor Biplab Sikdar, Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, National University of Singapore (NUS), Faculty of Engineering, who led a team of researchers to study the dangers of downloading and using pirated software last year, agreed with Schrade. “Users usually turn to pirated software as they are cheaper. The truth is that the financial costs and risks of using pirated software are often steeper than they can imagine.

“Users need to be more vigilant when purchasing new PCs and should never fall for a bargain that appears too good to be true. The short-term cost savings are insignificant compared to the irrevocable loss of their digital identity and personal data.”

“Using genuine software is the first line of defense against cybercriminals,” said Schrade.

The most fundamental step that users can take to safeguard themselves digitally is to always insist on buying PCs from established retailers and not ones that also sell pirated software. They should also ensure that they are getting genuine software by referring to software vendors’ websites to learn how they can distinguish between genuine and pirated software.

Besides using genuine software, people can also:

• Keep software current with the latest security patches, which are always free.

“The way that these criminals operate is that they don't care who you are; they just want something of value from you. If you happen to have your software up to date, they just sprint past you to get to the person who doesn't,” Schrade said.

• Follow safe Internet practices and do not visit potentially dangerous websites, such as those that offer adult content, illegal downloads, and pirated software, as well as file sharing portals.

• Avoid using very old software which has reached its end of life and is no longer supported by the software vendor for updates and security patches.

Explore:

Download the complete infographic (PDF)

*The Asia PC Test Purchase Sweep examined a total of 166 new PCs from India, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.

Older PCs are more expensive to maintain than newer ones

• Techaisle research commissioned by Microsoft and Intel has revealed that the cost of upkeeping a PC older than four years can be used to purchase at least two new modern PCs

• Small and medium sized businesses (SMBs) running Windows 7 devices within the organisation should seek to make the shift before End of Support in January 2020

Source: Microsoft-Intel Make the Shift study. Comparisons for cost of maintaining a PC that is under four years old vs one which is four years or older. The newer PCs cost an estimated US$1,030 for repairs, whereas older PCs could cost as much as US$2,736. 

Microsoft and Intel have released research from Techaisle, a global SMB IT market research and analyst organisation, which highlights the opportunities that Asia Pacific’s SMBs have by upgrading to modern devices at work.

The study*, which surveyed 2,156 SMB organisations across Asia Pacific, found that the cost of keeping a PC more than four years old is US$2,736 per device - enough to replace the ageing hardware with two or more new PCs.

The study also revealed that a PC older than four years old is also 2.7 times more likely to undergo repairs, resulting in loss in productivity. 85% of larger SMBs, with more than 500 employees, have PCs that are older than four years, compared to 60% in smaller SMBs employing less than 100 employees. This underscores the widespread usage of older devices within SMBs in the region.

“PCs are the productive engines for most SMBs in the region, where organisations rely heavily on their devices for their day-to-day tasks. However, seven in 10 SMBs surveyed have PCs that are older than four years, which significantly increases maintenance costs,” said Bradley Hopkinson, VP, Consumer and Devices Sales, Asia, Microsoft. “With budget constraints being the No. 1 IT challenge among SMBs today, business leaders should seek to adopt a device modernisation strategy so that they can maintain costs, while safeguarding their organisation from newer digital risks.”

The new study revealed that in the last year alone, as many as two thirds (67%) of SMBs may have experienced PC security and data theft breaches, with only 15% of them actually reporting these attacks.

“With a modern PC powered by Windows 10, SMBs can be assured of up-to-date security updates, powered by cloud intelligence that proactively protects their businesses,” added Hopkinson. “By reducing the potential risk of cyberthreats with a modern PC, SMBs can definitely improve their productivity and avoid downtime.”

“SMBs constitute 98% of enterprises in the Asia Pacific region, and employ half of the workforce in the region yet many of them still have PCs older than four years old. We believe that by having them move to a modern PC powered by an Intel Core processor, they can unlock greater productivity for their business while reducing IT management time and costs,” said Santhosh Viswanathan, MD, Sales and Marketing Group, Asia Pacific Japan Territory, Intel.

Respondents in the study identified their top business priorities as increasing profitability, business growth and improving workforce productivity. The study highlighted that SMBs are looking at IT as a response to address their business issues. The top IT priorities included investing in PCs, cloud solutions and security solutions.

“We found that the key barriers in migrating to a newer device were concerns of legacy applications not being able to work on a newer operating system, along with the lack of budgets. However, the benefits of adopting a modern device strategy outweighs the concerns. Too often, SMB owners focus on short term costs and while in most cases this approach is absolutely valid, at times it can lead to situations that cost them more. 

"The choice between maintaining older PCs and replacing them with newer PCs is one such area. However, these SMBs should re-evaluate their decision given the higher cost of maintaining older PCs which has a larger cumulative effect on the budget than purchasing newer PCs with latest technology. SMBs in the region should seriously consider making the shift to a newer PC in the immediate future,” said Anurag Agrawal, CEO & Analyst, Techaisle.

SMBs have an opportunity to improve their overall operations with modern devices. For those who have already made the move to newer PCs, the study found that:

• Nearly seven in 10 (69%) felt that they were better able to secure and protect their business data on newer PCs; 

• About two thirds (65%) agreed that it has helped reduce overall maintenance costs; 

• Six in 10 (63%) saw improved efficiencies due to new experiences powered by cloud and mobility solutions, and 

• Six in 10 (62%) agreed that a newer PC has made their staff more productive.

More than 42% of PCs used in SMBs are still on older versions of Windows today, according to the study. A Windows 10 modern device is likely to offer them experiences that are still familiar, in addition to being safe, secure, and productive.

New in the Windows 10 October 2018 Update include Your Phone, an app which allows users to access photos and texts on Windows 10 devices, the new To-Do app that helps manage, prioritise and complete tasks, as well as enhancements across Outlook.com, Edge as well as Office apps. In addition, users can expect general Windows security improvements, including support for biometrics login via Windows Hello for Business for Azure Active Directory and Active Directory.

*The Microsoft-Intel Make the Shift study was conducted in August 2018, and involved 2,156 respondents from Australia, India, Indonesia, Japan and South Korea.

• Respondents were IT and business decision makers 

• The sample included SMBs across various sizes, which were classified as small (one-99 employees), medium (100-499 employees) and large (500-999 employees)

Parallels rolls out Parallels Desktop 14 for Mac

Parallels, a global cross-platform solutions provider and creator of bestselling software for running Windows applications on a Mac, has launched Parallels Desktop 14 for Mac, which supports macOS Mojave-readiness.

Upgrading to Parallels Desktop 14 offers significant storage savings, faster launch times, improved graphics and the latest versions of Parallels Toolbox for Windows or Mac.

“Millions of Parallels Desktop customers highly value performance and efficiency,” said Jack Zubarev, Parallels President.

“With Parallels Desktop 14, we’ve taken those to the next level by focusing on graphics and storage, allowing customers to save as much as 20 GB of disk space while enjoying the best-ever performance. Personal productivity enhancements include more Windows features available on Mac devices. Touch Bar support for Windows applications — such as OneNote or Quicken — enablesc ustomers to add their favourite applications to the Mac Touch Bar so their shortcuts are at their fingertips.”

Typically, virtual machines are large, taking anywhere from 15–100 GBs of space, or more. To manage two different storage mechanisms at work (Windows and Mac), newly-engineered storage optimisation takes both Windows and Mac mechanisms into account which can result in significant disk space savings.*

The new Free Up Disk Space dialogue that suggests storage-saving actions now handles multiple virtual machines better. Newly-created snapshots occupy up to 15% less disk space.

Parallels Desktop 14 now enables customers to use Microsoft Ink to edit Microsoft Office for Windows documents on a Mac, including pressure-sensitive support in applications such as PowerPoint, Microsoft Edge, CorelDRAW, Fresh Paint, Leonardo, openCanvas and Photoshop for Windows.**

Preconfigured Touch Bar sets have been added to Parallels Desktop 14 for Microsoft Visio and OneNote, SketchUp, AutoCAD, Revit, Quicken, QuickBooks and Visual Studio. They join current Parallels Desktop Touch Bar sets for Windows applications, including: Office 2016 (Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook), Windows Start Menu and desktop (Cortana, Task View and Task Bar pinned elements), File Explorer (File Open and Save As settings), ArcGIS and web browsers (Internet Explorer, Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Opera and Vivaldi).

The Parallels Desktop Touch Bar Wizard makes it easy for users to customise the Touch Bar for Windows applications. Additionally, with the use of Touch Bar XML Authoring, users can further personalise the Touch Bar with their own function key shortcuts.

Parallels Desktop 14 supports Dark Mode, a Mojave feature. Quick Look issued on Windows files now shows quick actions. Support for additional Mojave features, which are currently in development, will be tested, finalised and introduced around the forthcoming public release of Mojave. The Parallels Desktop 14 for Mac installation image, which is notarised by Apple, will be seen by users when it is installed on Mojave.

Parallels Desktop 14 now features improved OpenGL support for enhanced graphics, with improvements in SketchUp 2017/2018, CTVox, DIALux 8 and OriginLab.

All view modes have been improved in terms of speed and memory usage, which is especially important when working on multiple high-resolution external displays, including those of 5K resolutions.

Unused virtual video memory is now effectively returned to Mac system memory. Auto mode for graphics allows Windows to use more than 2 GB of Mac system memory for video purposes, while allowing Windows applications to use that memory when possible.***

Additionally, users now get a better frame rate in videoconferencing and can use shared camera technology with cameras that support up to 4K resolutions.

Parallels Desktop for Mac Business Edition

The new Business Edition features enhanced management, plus security and licensing portals. Additional improvements include:

• Smart card readers which are now automatically available in both Mac and Windows for faster access (if enabled).

• The ability for administrators to invite users via email and assign separate administrators for sub-licences for improved efficiency.****

• The ability to replace existing virtual machines in Deployment Mode to streamline productivity.

• Applications deployed in Single Application mode which start faster, along with a new splash screen.

• The Parallels “My Account” portal has been redesigned to be optimised for popular use cases.****

New and popular Parallels Toolbox tools include:

• Screenshot Page – Capture and print lengthy webpages that do not fit onto your screen. Take and print screenshots of webpages in one click—even for pages longer than the browser screen.

• Free Memory – Reclaim RAM memory and optimise its consumption on your Mac. Add the Free Memory tool to the macOS menu bar to check how much RAM is available with just a click to reclaim available memory.

• Resize Images – Batch convert images to a desired file size and format. Drag the source images to the tool’s window, specify the desired dimensions/size and output location, and click.

Parallels Desktop 14 performance has improved significantly:

• Up to 200% performance improvement on the iMac Pro (audio and video encoding, AI, 3D modelling, cryptography and other complex math calculations workloads) thanks to AVX512 Intel Cannon Lake processor instructions set support

• Up to 80% faster application launch

• Up to 10% faster boot time

• Up to 30% faster suspend operation on the Apple File System (APFS) partition

• Up to 130% more frames per second in Shared Camera mode

• Up to 17% more frames per second in Coherence view mode

A CPU usage indicator has been added to the title bar to give a better understanding of high CPU usage in Windows. Resource Monitor is completely redesigned to show Mac resources along with the impact that multiple virtual machines have on them.

Parallels is a global cross-platform solutions provider that makes it possible for customers to use applications and files they need on any device or operating system.

Details:

Parallels Desktop 14 for Mac, Parallels Desktop 14 for Mac Pro Edition and Parallels Desktop for Mac Business Edition are available for subscribers and upgraders from Parallels Desktop 12 and 13 (parallels.com/upgradepd14), as well as new customers, online at parallels.com/desktop and at local
retail and online stores worldwide.

Free 14-day full-featured trials are also available for download.

The recommended retail price (RRP) of Parallels Desktop 14 for Mac is US$79.99 for an annual subscription or US$99.99 for a perpetual license.

Parallels Desktop for Mac Pro Edition and Business Edition are each available to new customers for US$99.99 per year. Parallels Desktop 12 and 13 perpetual license customers can upgrade to Parallels Desktop 14 for US$49.99, or upgrade to a Parallels Desktop for Mac Pro Edition subscription for US$49.99 per year. Parallels Desktop subscriptions include a complimentary concurrent subscription to Parallels Toolbox for Mac or Windows, as well as Parallels Access.

*Results in virtual disk optimisation will not be immediate after upgrade, as these optimisations happen in the background. Only Windows 8 and 10 are supported.

**Perpetual license.

***Auto mode is available only after the  Parallels Tools update in Windows 8 or Windows 10.

****New Parallels My Account features became available to users before the Parallels Desktop 14 release.

Dell refreshes Inspiron laptop family, introduces new commercial devices

Watch the Inspiron 7000 series unveiling Instavideo.

- Dell unveils new suite of commercial devices; Inspiron 7000 series and Alienware’s latest gaming peripherals at the revamped Dell Exclusive Store in Singapore

- The new Inspiron 13 7000 2-in-1 brings stunning visuals and powerful performance in a small footprint 

- The Inspiron 15 Gaming Laptop allows for greater game immersion integrated with NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 discrete graphics 

- Award-winning XPS 13 now up to 44% more powerful with new 8th Generation Intel Core i7 processors

Source: Dell. The Inspiron 7000 2-in-1 laptop.

Dell today revealed a new suite of devices to provide the most immersive and comprehensive computing experience available at the Dell First Look Showcase & Gaming Event at the Dell Exclusive Store @ Plaza Singapura in Singapore. The event also saw some of Singapore’s top e-sports players and Ray Wah, SVP and GM, Consumer and Small Business Product Group, Dell battling it out in a gaming showdown on the newest Microsoft racing game.

A view of the new Dell Exclusive Store layout.

It was the first time Dell’s commercial products such as the Latitude and OptiPlex range have been made available at the Dell Exclusive Store, for its consumers in Singapore. Commercial products, for business use, are traditionally available from channel partners rather than at retail outlets. The product range is now available for purchase and customisation in-store.

The new offerings include the Inspiron 13 7000 2-in-1 and 15-inch laptop with new 8th Generation Intel Core processors, and Inspiron 15 7000 Gaming Laptop. Designed for the mobile multitasker or multiuser household, the new Inspiron 13 7000 2-in-1 brings stunning visuals and powerful performance in a small footprint. 

Chi Tran, CEO and Co-founder of Loop, offers "priority passes" for co-working that are ideal for the on-the-go professionals that Dell's laptops are designed for. "We believe that you can work anywhere. We believe that collaboration is the new currency," he said. "In co-working spaces you have a great mix of people. You don't want to be stuck somewhere at one desk. In the new gig economy everyone wants to travel and be somewhere." Tran uses an XPS laptop. "Being mobile is very important," he said. "Form factor is most key for me."

Source: Dell. Eugene Soh, Artist and Game Programmer on the left, with Wah on the right. Soh spoke about being hospitalised and still being able to code with an XPS 15. He also commented that the Inspiron 15 7000 gaming laptop has the power to provide a smooth, comfortable virtual reality experience with Oculus goggles.

Enjoy an immersive, visual experience with a narrow border and FHD in-plane switching (IPS) touch display supporting an active pen for digital drawing, writing and note-taking. With the new Inspiron 13 7000 2-in-1, consumers can watch movies or video chat uninterrupted thanks to SmartByte streaming technology co-engineered by Dell, which prioritises streaming and conferencing above other network activities. It also offers longer battery life and quieter performance with standard solid state drives (SSDs) or optional PCIe non-volatile memory express (NVMe) SSDs.

“From our Inspiron range to the renowned XPS 13 powered by 8th Generation Intel Core processors, the launch of these cutting-edge devices at our revamped Dell Exclusive Store reinforces our commitment to customers,” said Jarebb Chua, Country Manager, Consumer Business, Malaysia & Singapore, Dell.

Watch Wah in an Instavideo commenting on PCs. "It is 
really the customer who inspires us," he said.

For those who prefer a traditional laptop, the new Inspiron 7000 laptopshave a slim, light and thin-bezel design in Platinum Silver or Pink Champagne. Available in 15", the Inspiron 7000 offers a brilliant FHD IPS display for a crisp, detailed picture, viewable from a wide range of angles without sacrificing image quality. The laptops take advantage of the outstanding performance, responsiveness and hardware enabled security built into the 8th Generation Intel Core processor.

With the new Inspiron range, consumers can now experience exceptional performance and immersive experiences with new 8th Generation Intel Core processors, DDR4 memory; and flexible connectivity options with USB Type-C with support for DisplayPort and Power Delivery.

“Dell’s global leadership in innovation and gaming across personal computing is driving the very best gaming experiences for every level of gamer. We are supporting the growth of e-sports and making gaming a global cultural phenomenon,” said Wah. “With the new Inspiron 7000 series, we deliver an incredible video and audio experience and exceptional gaming performance - all at an affordable price.”

The new Inspiron 15 7000 Gaming Laptop offers NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 discrete graphics and NVIDIA Max Q Design technology, 7th Gen Intel quad core CPU options and dual fans to keep the system cool and quiet while powering through challenging games. Anti-glare IPS wide viewing angle FHD display provides excellent visual clarity while Waves MaxxAudio Pro software delivers precise audio. 

The laptop’s new 2x2 Wi-Fi antenna design provides great wireless performance, while the SmartByte software prioritises gaming and video content to keep games and videos smooth even during large file downloads. A new quick-charge battery gets up to 80% capacity within an hour and the Thunderbolt 3 multi-use port connects multiple devices (including support for up to two 4K displays) to the laptop with transfers up to 40Gbps.

Latitude laptops on display at the Dell Exclusive Store.

The XPS 13 now offers up to 44% more performance with the latest 8th Generation Intel Core i7 processors and Dynamic Power Mode*. With the new 8th Gen processors, with four cores versus two, experiencing exceptional performance while multi-tasking and running multiple applications is possible. The XPS 13, the smallest 13.3" laptop* on the planet, also boasts an outstanding viewing experience with the optional Quad HD+ InfinityEdge (optional touch) display, with sharp visuals and vivid and accurate colour.

John Gillooly, Technical Product Marketing Manager, Asia Pacific South at NVIDIA (left), said that NVIDIA G-SYNC, found in Alienware's new premium displays, is ideal for e-sports. G-SYNC is adaptive refresh rate technology that delivers smoother, tear-free gameplay at refresh rates up to 240 Hz. To prevent blurring and deliver crisper moving images, G-SYNC pulses the backlight at 144 times a second, he said. G-SYNC also prevents tearing, which displays information from different frames at the same time because of synchronisation issues between the display and the video feed, by changing the monitor resolution constantly.

The event also unveiled the latest Alienware Gaming Monitors, Keyboards and Mice.

Details:

All products are available immediately, unless otherwise stated, through Dell and its authorised partners:

Product	Starting price in S$/Availability
Inspiron 13 7000 2-in-1 (7373)	From $1,599. Available now.
Inspiron 15 7000 (7570)	From $1,599. Available now.
Inspiron 15 7000 Gaming (7567)	From $1,599. Available now.
XPS 13 with 8th Gen Intel Core processor	Available by end October.

Catch #DellGameOn event activities on Facebook and Instagram as well as the Facebook Live replay of the Gaming Showdown

Hashtag: #DellGameOn

*Based on July 2017 internal testing using BAPCo’s SYSmark 2014 SE performance benchmark, comparing an XPS 13 9360 with 8th Generation Intel Core processor with Dell Dynamic Power Mode versus similarly-configured systems with 7th Generation Intel Core processors without Dynamic Power Mode, which offers a blended view of performance in productivity, media creation, data/financial analysis and responsiveness scenarios.  Actual results will vary. For more information, please refer to https://bapco.com/products/sysmark-2014-se/

**Based on Principled Technologies' Report of April 2017, the smallest refers total surface area of the notebooks. (PDF)

Watch the Instavideo of a gamer participating in the Microsoft Forza Motorsport Challenge.

Fujitsu unveils 30 new enterprise PC models

Fujitsu and Fujitsu Client Computing have announced the release of 30 new enterprise PC models across 15 product series, all equipped with the Windows 10 Creators Update, the latest version of the Windows 10 operating system.

Source: Fujitsu. The ESPRIMO K557/R desktop.

In its Fujitsu Desktop ESPRIMO family of desktop PCs, Fujitsu is offering five models, including the ESPRIMO K557/R, which has a new chassis design with a built-in liquid crystal display. It uses a high-quality liquid crystal IPS display that comes in different sizes ranging from 19.5 to 23.8" wide. Because the display is built into the body of the PC, its footprint takes up about 30% less space* compared to models with a separate liquid crystal display. 

The LCD screen swivels 340 degrees, making it ideal for in-store use and other usage scenarios in which the screen is shared with customers. Cables that are always used, such as the power and adapter cables, as well as the USB interface, are stored in the connector cover, and the back cover can be locked by attaching a wire lock (sold separately). With the customised option of an antibacterial keyboard and mouse, hygiene can be preserved for a long time. As the optical drive and the USB ports are in front, users will find it easy to switch CDs and DVDs as well as connect USB devices.

There are six models within its Fujitsu Workstation CELSIUS family of workstations, including the CELSIUS W570, a compact minitower entry-level model. In its CELSIUS family of enterprise PC workstations, Fujitsu is newly offering the CELSIUS W570 compact minitower model, which is equipped with the Intel Xeon processor E3-1200 v6/E3-1200 v5 Family, the latest high-performance CPU. With the optional NVIDIA Quadro P4000 installed, it can run such applications as the latest computer-aided design or engineering (CAD or CAE)** software and analytic simulations quickly and easily. Compared to the case of the previous CELSIUS W550 model, its cubic volume is 30% smaller.

Fujitsu's line of LIFEBOOK laptop and ARROWS Tab tablet models has been enhanced, with all the new models equipped with the Windows 10 Creators Update, the latest version of the Windows 10 operating system. For the Fujitsu Notebook LIFEBOOK family of laptops, Fujitsu has 12 new models, and for the Fujitsu Tablet ARROWS Tab family of Windows tablets, Fujitsu is offering seven models. Three models, the LIFEBOOK P727/R, LIFEBOOK U937/R, and ARROWS Tab R727/R, are priced up to 25% lower than similar existing models***.

For all new models**** Fujitsu offers the option of Windows 7 Professional or Windows 8.1 Pro environments*****. The Fujitsu Group is supporting the operations of its customers across a variety of industries by expanding the functionality of its various product lines.

Interested?

The new models are being rolled out in stages from mid-August in Japan.

*Compared to models with a separate liquid crystal display, its desktop footprint is about 30% smaller. Comparing the ESPRIMO K557/R with 19.5" liquid crystal display to the ESPRIMO D586/P equipped with a VL-E20T-7 19.5" liquid crystal display.

**CAE systems support the design and development process for industrial products.

***'Similar existing models' refer to the ARROWS Tab R727/P, LIFEBOOK P727/P, and LIFEBOOK U937/P.

****All new models except the CELSIUS H series.

*****Windows 7 Professional and Windows 8.1 Pro environments. Models downgraded from Windows 10.

New commercial devices on show at Dell Future Workplace event

· Dell Latitude 5285 Series 2-in-1 extends up to 150 degrees

· Dell Canvas is the world’s first horizontal smart workspace of its kind

· World’s smallest 13" 2-in-1 with InfinityEdge screen added to XPS portfolio

· Dell OptiPlex small and micro form factor desktops provide full desktop performance and productivity

· Precision All-in-One provides best sound of any AIO in the market

Mandal talks about the evolution of work styles.

Dell announced at the Dell Future Workplace event a new lineup of commercial devices powered by the latest 7th Gen Intel Core processors.

Designed with the future workforce in mind, Dell’s line of OptiPlex, Latitude and Precision commercial products have been upgraded with the 7th Gen Intel Core processors, USB-C with Thunderbolt 3 connectivity options and professional graphics from NVIDIA and AMD.

“At Dell, we understand that the workforce of today is highly mobile and interconnected. We’re constantly striving to deliver the best user experience and performance for all of our customers – no matter which product line they choose," said Rakesh Mandal, Director & GM, Client Solutions, South Asia and Korea, Dell.

“With our latest line of commercial products, we’re helping people collaborate more seamlessly, be more productive and create new immersive experiences at the workplace.”

The 12" Latitude 5285 2-in-1 weighs under 1kg and features a unique auto-deploy kickstand that extends up to 150 degrees for multiple viewing angles.

The desktop experience has been updated with new OptiPlex small and micro form factor desktops. These products provide full desktop performance and productivity in compact chassis that can be mounted behind corresponding displays with all in one (AIO) stands or under a table to free up desk space.

What began as the Dell smart desk concept in 2014 has evolved into the Dell Canvas—a new category of smart workspace technology that expands creative productivity for content developers and designers. The 27" QHD smart workspace can be used at an angle or flat on a desk so professionals can create, communicate and express their thoughts and ideas as naturally as they do with pen on paper. For example, through the use of touch, digital pen and totems*, the Dell Canvas turns drawings into part of the digital workflow. Developed in partnership with Microsoft and powered by virtually any Windows 10 device, Dell Canvas plugs seamlessly into software solutions from partners including Adobe, Autodesk, AVID, Dassault Systems, SolidWorks and Microsoft.

Launched in Singapore earlier this March, the world’s smallest 13" 2-in-1¹ offers a 360-degree hinge for multiple productivity and viewing options using Continuum, up to 15 hours of battery life² and clarity from a QHD+ (5.7M million pixels) InfinityEdge touch display—another first for a 2-in-1.

The fan-less design keeps it silent and the quick-booting solid state drive has it up and running in seconds. And for working professionals, the XPS 13 2-in-1 functions as a business laptop with security features and can be configured with 7th Gen Intel Core vPro processors, Dell BIOS and manageability software—all backed by Dell’s global ProSupport services.

Some AIO PCs on the market today treat the audio experience as an afterthought. Co-created with Jack Joseph Puig, Grammy award-winning producer and Director of creative innovation at Waves Audio, the new Precision 5720 AIO has full frequency range high-fidelity audio built in, to delivers the best sound available in an AIO with 10 speakers pumping out sound at 50W per channel.

The viewing experience features a 4K Ultra HD (3,840 x 2,160) edge-to-edge touch display supporting 100% Adobe RGB colour gamut. The Precision 5720 AIO delivers more performance options with Intel Xeon processors, AMD Radeon Pro graphics capable of powering virtual reality (VR) and outstanding reliability with independent software vendor (ISV) certifications for top programs like AVID and SolidWorks, as well as leading security and manageability software.

Interested?

All products are available through Dell and its authorised partners.

Read WorkSmart Asia blog posts on:

Dell's consumer product launch

A walkthrough Dell's future workplaces

Hashtag: #dellfutureworkplace

*A totem is a physical dial that is placed on the touchscreen to access handy menus.

1 Based on Principled Technologies' report of November 2016, 'smallest' refers total surface area of the notebooks.

2 MobileMark 2014 battery benchmark: XPS 13 2-in-1 tested with 7th Gen Intel Core i5, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD and FHD display. Based on testing using the MobileMark 2014 battery life benchmark test. For more information about this benchmark test, visit www.bapco.com. Actual battery life may be significantly less than the test results and varies depending on product configuration and use, software, usage, operating conditions, power management settings and other factors. Maximum battery life will decrease with time.

The new technologies that bring future workplaces to life

Dell wants to help customers through digital transformation that is affecting the choice of business productivity devices they want. "Technology is transforming the way we live and work. It is basically affecting our way of life," said Ho Chye Soon, GM, Dell Singapore at the launch of new commercial solutions at the Dell Future Workplace event. "As consumers, we want everything quick, fast, everywhere, every time. We want to help customers through this digital transformation."

Rakesh Mandal, Director & GM, Client Solutions, Dell, added that Dell is the only technology organisation to offer everything that the customer is looking for from a solution standpoint. "The PC continues to be the primary productivity device. That is the space where we continue to zoom in and focus on," he said.

Mandal noted that there has been a large shift in the types of conversations that Dell now has with customers because of the changes in work and play that have occurred over time. Work does not occur over a 9-to-5 day, for example. Mandal said 60% of employees work after business hours, sharing that he does a 'second shift' after dinner and family time himself.

"A lot of us have similar patterns, or work before getting to work," he said.

Security is often a concern as 95% of security breaches originate at the end point, largely because people are not working from secure environments. "You have to make sure you have the right software, the right partnerships that give you the security for your end-devices," said Mandal.

He also shared that there is dissatisfaction about current productivity technology in the Asia Pacific and Japan region (APJ). Forty-five percent of employees said that their workspace is not advanced enough while 42% of Millennials said they are likely to leave a job with substandard technology. Fifteen percent of APJ employees also said they wasted time fixing broken technology, and 37% said slow and glitchy devices had inconvenienced them at work.

Employees are also expecting advanced technology to make things better. One in five employees in APJ say they are looking forward to using augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) in the course of work. Nearly half (45%) of employees in APJ expect to work in a smart office within the next five years.

Milet Bolanos, Regional Dell Account Manager, Asia Pacific and Japan, Intel, explained how Intel processors complement the trend towards workforce transformation. The 7th Gen Core vPro processors are 67% faster in multitasking compared to older technology, and are able to handle highly demanding applications more easily with the Speed Shift feature, she said. New processors can deliver up to 10 hours of battery life as well, and are more secure through Intel Authenticate Technology, a hardware-enhanced multifactor authentication security solution to help strengthen identity protection.

"We need to make sure everyone is productive," she said. "We need to make sure that as our workforce becomes more remote, that we support all the devices that our workforce has. Manageability and stability are key components for workforce transformation."

Collaboration has also received a boost with Intel Unite, which allows content to be shared more wirelessly with displays and other networked devices, versus looking for the right cable to plug into the projector, Bolanos added. "With Intel Unite you're free from cables. At any time and at any point someone else can project, you can even have two to four people projecting simultaneously," Bolanos said.

At the Dell Future Workplace launch event, commercial applications were brought to life in four experiential zones representing different working styles and technology requirements. Featured industries include e-commerce, healthcare and media.

The Desk-Centric Workers zone showcased solutions ideal for people who spend most of their time at their designated workspaces.

In pride of place is the Dell Vostro 14 laptop (bluish screen to the left of the budget-conscious small business owner at the Desk-Centric Worker zone. She spoke of how an ergonomic setup helped her, and noted that the monitor minimises blue light emissions. The compact OptiPlex desktop is easy to use and allows her a larger space for doing crafts that she works on as part of her business, she added.

On-the-Go Professionals are at the workplace in the morning, but are out meeting customers in the day. The On-the-Go Professionals zone features the right devices to keep them mobile and which reconnect easily to do more work.



Dell Latitude 5285 13 2-in-1 was highlighted at the On-The-Go Professionals zone. The device in tablet mode can be used during client discussions, then docked in the office to power the workspace. A portable charger accessory can charge the 2-in-1 for five to six hours, so it can last the entire day.

There were two Specialized Workers zones, one designed for creative professionals, and the other showcasing virtual reality-based training.

Eugene Soh of Dude.sg talked about how artists can make use of the Dell Canvas, which provides a digital work surface on the desktop. "It transforms the work environment into a digitised area," he said.

The Dell Canvas works with the totem accessory, a physical cylinder that can be placed on the work surface and rotated to call up different menus, as well as with a stylus that has different tips for a realistic feel.

Eugene Soh, the dude himself from Dude.sg, showcases the Dell Canvas.

Virtual reality training can be very powerful as it is experiential learning, said representatives from SideFX. Being computerised it also becomes clear exactly who has taken the training, and to what extent.

In a scenario that can be used to train customs inspectors at border checkpoints to catch smugglers, trainees can search a virtual car to systematically go through parts of the car where contraband may be stashed. Another beta application that was shown involved healthcare, allowing trainee medical personnel to go through patient examination thoroughly.

The Dell Precision Tower T5810 used at the Specialized Workers Zone (Experiential Training) is powerful enough to deliver the VR graphics at 90 frames per second, fast enough that users do not feel giddy when changing perspectives.

Last but not least, the company also had a 'play zone' set up for visitors to try a 'splash test' - soaking a ruggedised Dell laptop with a water gun to show that water does not affect it.

A closer look at the ruggedised Latitude 12 Rugged Extreme 7214.

Interested?

Watch the videos on Instagram for:

The Desk-Centric Workers zone

Khor explaining more at the On-the-Go Professionals zone

Soh speaking at the Specialized Workers (Creative Professionals) zone

SideFX elaborating on the Specialized Workers (Experiential Learning) zone

Read WorkSmart Asia blog posts on:

Dell's consumer product launch

The Dell commercial product launch, featuring devices launched at the Consumer Electronics Show 2017

Hashtag: #dellfutureworkplace

HP's Office of the Future is jam-packed with innovation

HP has announced new innovations to help businesses start building their Office of the Future - a secure work environment that empowers an organisation’s employees for success by giving them the technology capabilities to be productive and creative effortlessly. The Office of the Future also gives employees the flexibility, mobility and security to choose how and where they want to work.

Today, over 70% of Asian employees work from more than one location¹. This is expected to increase with Millennials and Generation Z making up the majority of the workforce by 2020. Millennials and Gen Z employees expect more from the technology devices they use and place more value on unique work experiences such as flexible work arrangements. In CBRE Research’s survey of Asia-Pacific Millennials², over 60% indicated workplace flexibility and mobility as a big influencer in job selection.

“To motivate employees and attract new talent, businesses need to adapt to the new ways employees prefer to work as well as provide them the autonomy to take control of their work experiences,” said Vinay Awasthi, VP of Commercial Computing, HP Asia-Pacific & Japan. “Technology is a key enabler in building a smart and safe work environment. HP provides technology that is innovative, manageable, and secure for employees to engage more closely and fluidly but puts IT at ease.”

HP pairs stylish design with the latest security and collaboration features in its commercial devices to help businesses make gradual improvements to their workspaces and technology infrastructure. The new HP devices make collaboration, content creation, consumption and exchange of ideas, whether virtually or face-to-face, more efficient but still secure. These include:

Lionel Ch'ng, MD, HP Inc. Singapore.

• HP EliteBook x360 - the world’s thinnest business convertible³ takes the user seamlessly from work to personal life, from office to customer site. It combines powerful thin and light stylish design, collaboration capabilities, HP Elite-class enterprise security and durability, as well as the longest battery life in a convertible⁴ of up to 16 hours and 30 minutes⁵. It also includes the latest security innovations such as HP Sure Start Gen3⁶, the world’s only self-healing BIOS now with run-time memory protection.

• HP Pro x2 612 G2 – this versatile 2-in-1 detachable allows for agile work anywhere in verticals such as field services, government, healthcare, and retail with up to 11 hours battery life⁷. The device was built from the ground up for secure work environments and includes a built-in smart card reader, a removable SSD, and the HP Client Security Suite Gen3⁸. It features a removable back cover for easy serviceability.

• HP Z2 Mini Workstation – the world’s first mini workstation⁹ delivers server grade power but in a compact package 2.3” high and 90% smaller than a traditional business-class tower¹⁰. Twice as powerful as any commercial mini PC on the market today¹¹, it is able to handle CAD users’ demand for fast creation and increasingly complex projects to bring creative visions to life.

• HP mt43 Mobile Thin Client – Mobile cloud computing is easier and more convenient than ever with HP’s thinnest and lightest mobile thin client. The multiple security features, easy-to-use setup and deployment software, and quick access to shared data that employees require make management of this device a breeze for IT managers.

• EliteOne 800 G3 All-in-One (AiO) – the newly redesigned AiO is the first commercial AiO with dual-facing cameras¹², and non-glare touch screen¹³. With the designer looks for open floor plans and reception areas, it also allows desks to be clutter-free for conducive discussions.

• HP Elite x3 Mobile Scanning Solution - This extends the benefits of the HP Elite x3 3-in-1 mobile device beyond the mobile professional to mobilise vertical workflows for healthcare, field and retail workers. The integrated barcode scanner can be used to check prices, access inventory and customer relationship management (CRM) information on the go and then seamlessly transition to the back-office with the ability to dock and connect to a display, mouse, and keyboard for a full PC experience¹⁴.

• HP Elite Slice – An alternative to traditional desktop PC designs, this makes interactive meeting spaces a reality. The clean modular design has no messy cables, and a small footprint for ultimate configurability. The addition of the Collaboration Cover, Audio Module and Intel Unite software transforms the HP Elite Slice into a complete conferencing solution for meeting rooms.

To free IT from the burden of managing IT lifecycles to focus on innovation for the Office of the Future, HP offers the Device-as-a-Service programme which makes it simple for businesses to acquire, deploy, manage, and refresh their PC technologies. Customers pay one price per seat on a monthly basis over a three or four year period without any upfront costs. They also get customised services and support from HP, such as PC configuration and installation, onsite break-fix, data migration, proactive support, while having the ability to refresh to the latest HP technology for subsequent contract periods.

HP has enhanced its support services with Proactive Intelligence, part of HP’s suite of tools to optimise device manageability, maintain security and minimise downtime. Proactive Intelligence comprises proactive and predictive technical support including a consolidated dashboard. This dashboard provides analytical insight into the customer’s device inventory, location and condition to detect problems even before they occur.

1 Steelcase Global Report - Engagement & the Global Workplace 

2 CBRE Research, Asia Pacific Millennials: Shaping the Future of Real Estate Report 

3 Based on competitors as of December 1 2016 with >1 million units annually of convertible, non-detachables having a Windows Pro OS and 6th or 7th generation Intel vPro-enabled processors

4 Based on competitors as of December 1 2016 with >1 million units annually of convertible, non-detachables

5 Windows 10/MobileMark 2014 battery life will vary depending on various factors including product model, configuration, loaded applications, features, use, wireless functionality, and power management settings. The maximum capacity of the battery will naturally decrease with time and usage. See www.bapco.com for additional details

6 HP Sure Start Gen3 is available on HP Elite products equipped with Intel 7th generation (gen) processors

7 Windows 10/MobileMark 2014 battery life will vary depending on various factors including product model, configuration, loaded applications, features, use, wireless functionality, and power management settings. The maximum capacity of the battery will naturally decrease with time and usage. See www.bapco.com for additional details

8 HP Client Security Suite Gen3 helps keep your data out of reach and defends against theft, attacks and unauthorised users, with features like HP Multi-Factor Authenticate, HP Device Access Manager, HP SpareKey, and HP Password Manager. HP Client Security Suite requires Windows and Intel or AMD 7th Gen processors

9 Based on publicly available information of workstation competitors as of October 3, 2016 with volume of at least 1 million units annually and having < 3 litres volume, professional graphics, Intel Xeon quad core processor, independent software vendor (ISV) certified applications, error correcting code (ECC) memory.

10 Based on business-class towers with >1 million units annually as of October 3, 2016 with performance measured by processor clock speed and ViewPerf12 rating, having 4th or 6th Gen Intel processors or AMD Pro processors, integrated VESA mount, VGA, six USB Ports, Windows Pro OS and Trusted Platform Module (TPM)

11 Based on Ultra Small Desktop category of vendors shipping >1 million units annually as of October 3, 2016 based on watts, with 4th or 6th Gen Intel processors or AMD Pro processors, integrated VESA mount, VGA, six USB Ports, Windows Pro OS and TPM

12 Based on All in One PCs of vendors with >1 million unit annual PC sales with Windows Pro OS and dual facing cameras as of January 11, 2017

13 Based on All in One PCs of vendors with >1 million unit annual PC sales with Windows Pro OS and non-glare touchscreen as of January 11, 2017 

14 All peripherals sold separately