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.
Razer, the global lifestyle brand for gamers, has announced its first external dock, the Razer Thunderbolt 4 Dock Chroma, and an updated version of their laptop stand, the Razer Laptop Stand Chroma V2.
The two new desktop accessories aim to provide a connectivity solution to every type of user, no matter their desktop setup, with a wide selection of ports, premium aluminum build, and signature Razer Chroma RGB underglow.
Razer Thunderbolt 4 Dock Chroma
The Razer Thunderbolt 4 Dock Chroma has been designed as a desktop centrepiece, with a minimalistic design and matte black aluminum finish. A strip of Razer Chroma RGB lighting runs along the bottom and can be customised to match any of the 16.8 million colours available in Razer Synapse 3*.
Source: Razer. Razer announced its first external dock, the the Razer Thunderbolt 4 Dock Chroma, and an updated version of their laptop stand, the Razer Laptop Stand Chroma V2.
With the new dock, Razer aims to expand desktop connectivity and empower users to do more – whether on a Windows or Mac** laptop or desktop. It features the latest standards in connectivity, including a UHS-II SD card reader to quickly transfer files from a camera, an Ethernet port for fast and stable Internet connectivity, three USB Type-A ports for connecting legacy devices, and four USB Type-C Thunderbolt 4 ports for connecting everything else.
The dock has a bandwidth of 40 Gbps and can host up to two 4K monitors or one 8K monitor, an ultra-fast external solid state drive (SSD) for increased storage, and deliver power of up to 90 W to keep external devices charged.
Razer Laptop Stand Chroma V2
The Razer Laptop Stand Chroma V2 is the perfect companion for Mac** or Windows users with a simple laptop-based setup who are in need of a few extra ports. The matte black aluminum stand features a single USB Type-C connection that allows users to access a hub of connections lining the rear, including HDMI, USB Type-A, USB Type-C, and a dedicated USB Type-C power delivery port. Users wanting to add a touch of personality to their space can customise the individually-addressable RGB lights along the bottom to any of the 16.8 million colours available in Razer Synapse 3*.
Details:
Both products are available for preorder for at Razer.com and RazerStore retail locations exclusively for two weeks, and at select retailers later. The Razer Thunderbolt 4 Dock Chroma costs US$329.99 (manufacturer's suggested retail price, MSRP) while the Razer Laptop Stand v2 Chroma is available for US$149.99 (MSRP).
*Razer Synapse 3 is not compatible with Mac OS devices.
**Mac users will need to be on the latest version of Mac OS, Big Sur, to use the device.
ComScore releases measurement of mobile audiences in Malaysia. The Y axis tracks various consumer segments by age ranges.
ComScore, the cross-platform measurement company, released insights on Malaysia, India and China recently in conjunction with CTR Market Research that underline how Asia consumes desktop and mobile content. According to the companies, over half of Malaysia’s users consume online content on both the desktop and mobile platforms in a month.
Analysis of recent multiplatform and mobile data from its digital audience measurement and media planning solutions for Malaysia shows that the most multiplatform-savvy demographic are people aged 35–44, with nearly three quarters of this segment using a combination of desktop and mobile devices. Key findings include:
- In Malaysia, multiplatform users form the largest segment, with just over half of the total digital population accessing the Internet via both desktop and mobile devices in a month.
- At the same time, just over one in five users no longer rely on desktop, becoming part of a ’mobile only’ audience that appears to be growing globally.
- Users aged 15–24 are most ‘mobile-only’, while the 25–34s are least reliant on desktops. Younger demographics are more likely to be mobile-only when accessing digital content, with around a third of 15–24s and 25–34s abandoning desktops and laptops altogether. The 25–34s age group are the least reliant on desktop, with only 3% using it as their sole platform.
- Almost three quarters of total online minutes in Malaysia are spent on smartphone or tablet devices, with the bulk of this extensive mobile time spent within apps. As expected, younger demographics spend the largest share of their time on mobile.
- On the other hand, users aged 45 years and above spend almost one third of their time on desktops and laptops, the highest proportion among all age groups.
ComScore tracks India travel consumers. The X axis tracks various consumer segments by age ranges.
When it comes to travel, mobile plays an increasingly important role in how digital content is being consumed. In July 2017, 68% of travel category visitors in India accessed content via mobile devices only, and almost two thirds of total digital time in the category is spent on smartphones or tablets, said comScore. Using insights from comScore MMX Multi-Platform and Mobile Metrix, the company shared that:
- India’s travel category is dominated by mobile audiences, with 68% of travel users choosing to access content only through their smartphone or tablet devices in a month. With only 22% of users accessing travel content exclusively through desktop computers in a month, the importance of smaller screens for publishers and advertisers is clear.
- For 10% of users, brands have multiple potential touchpoints, as they access travel content across both desktop and mobile platforms in a month.
- The top travel entities in India include diverse brands, including rail transport, cab booking sites, online travel agents and travel information sites. Across nine of the top 10 travel properties, mobile is the primary platform in terms of unique users. Cab booking and ride-sourcing users are almost exclusively using mobile, accounting for 97% and 98% of traffic for Ola Cabs and Uber respectively. Expedia users buck this trend, choosing to access primarily through desktop.
- The share of total minutes on mobile peak with younger users, and decline with older age groups.
Millennials rely heavily on mobile to consume travel content, with mobile representing over 70% of their time spent online.
ComScore chart showing the percentage of unique visitors in China to online sites by category and platform.
In China, comScore figures show that:
- Mobile apps account for six in 10 digital minutes in China. The majority of mobile app minutes are in the portals, retail and instant messenger categories.
- Just 18% of China users now rely solely on desktop access, driven largely by the 45–54 age bracket. In contrast, 20% of China Internet users access content only via mobile devices in a month.
- Broadly speaking, mobile-only audiences are larger for close-ended or location-sensitive tasks, whereas browsing of sites in the retail and portals categories still have significant desktop and multiplatform audiences. The exception is the banking category, where the proportion of mobile audiences is double that of desktop audiences.
- Mobile-only consumption varies dramatically through age ranges, meaning that advertisers and publishers must think carefully about the platform mix to reach their target customers.
The digital marketing world has been particularly active. This week, artificial intelligence (AI) company Appier announced a new Chief Strategy Officer, as well as plans to expand its operations in Japan to better support existing customers as well as drive demand for Appier's AI solutions in the country. The newly-appointed Chief Strategy Officer, Sean Chu, will also head Appier's operations in Japan.
In April, advertising technology company AdAsia Holdings closed US$12 million in Series A funding from JAFCO Asia, the largest single investment that JAFCO has made in a company in one investment round. At the time, the company said it would use the funds to expand into new markets such as mainland China, Hong Kong, Japan, the Philippines and Malaysia in 2017, as well as grow headcount to 400 by end-2018. Part of the money was also earmarked for a new product development centre in Vietnam.
The Singapore-headquartered company began operations in April 2016, and currently has seven offices in six countries, with Shanghai soon to follow. The company has a global headcount of over 90 staff and more than 300 clients globally.
Download the comScore Mobile's Hierarchy of Needs report for insights into key behaviours that have propelled mobile to a primary platform in global markets including China.
The latest premium
XPS is the world’s smallest 13" laptop. Designed and built for premium performance, mobility and visual fidelity,
this laptop comes with a virtually
borderless InfinityEdge display.
The latest model is powered by the new 7th Gen Intel Core
i7 processor that offers more power and better battery life.
Source: Dell. The XPS 13 laptop.
SITEX Starting Price:
S$1,799
SITEX Promotion: A Dell USB-C to VGA adapter is bundled with every purchase of the XPS 13 laptop.
1
Powered with the latest 7th Gen Intel Core i7 Processor, the
Inspiron 13 5000 2in1
comes with a solid state drive (SSD, or flash) option, which provides longer battery life and better responsiveness. The sleek laptop offers a wide-angle Full HD (FHD)
resolution display with True-life LED-Backlit Touch Display and with up
to 8GB of dual-channel DDR4 memory.
The lightweight
laptop has a touchscreen option and allows users to switch easily between
four different modes (tent, stand, laptop and tablet
mode.
Source: Dell. The Inspiron 13 5000 2in1.
SITEX Starting Price:
S$1,199
SITEX Promotion: The first 100 customers will receive a laser printer with every purchase of the Inspiron 13 5000 2-in-1.
Primed for virtual reality (VR), the
Alienware Aurora R5
is a dual graphics-ready
compact mid tower engineered
with liquid cooling (optional) and tool-less access, so no tools are needed to
access and upgrade the graphics card, hard drives, and memory. This
desktop is powered with the 10
series NVIDIA graphics card – GeForce GTX 1070 for enhanced resolution and frame rates.
Source: Dell. The Alienware Aurora R5.
SITEX Starting Price: S$2,599
SITEX Promotion: For each purchase of the Alienware Aurora R5, customers will also receive one Dell AC411 Speaker System.
Interested? SITEX runs from 26 to 27 November 2016, 11am to 9pm, at Singapore Expo Halls 5 and 6.
- New Latitude series combines beautiful design with business-class security, manageability and reliability
- Vostro portfolio balances performance with style for small businesses
- Redesigned Precision workstations deliver sleek, new options for creative professionals
- OptiPlex business PCs are smaller, faster and more energy efficient
- New Dell printing solutions offer one-stop access to multiple cloud-based services
Rakesh Mandal, Director and GM, Client Solutions, South Asia & Korea, Dell, talked about Dell's commitment to deliver cutting-edge products designed based on insights gained from users.
Dell has announced a new wave of end-user computing solutions that address the diverse demands of mobile workers and professionals worldwide. The solutions bring the latest computing technologies within new sleek form factors reminiscent of Dell's consumer portfolio. In partnership with Microsoft and Intel, these systems ship with the new Windows 10 platform and 6th Generation Intel Core processors or the latest Intel Xeon processors for mobile workstations, enhancing the customer experience.
Dell has charted the changing norms in the workplace and tailored its new solutions accordingly. For example, 59% of employees have less office space compared to 10 years ago, and 50% of employees check email and take work-related calls after office hours. According to Dell, the rapidly evolving workforce requires businesses to invest in technology that enables employees to work faster, make better decisions, and be more productive and collaborative.
“2015 has been an amazing year for us, so we wish to continue meeting our customers’ most pressing computing needs by bringing together industry-leading solutions to deliver powerful and beautifully-balanced products to our customers,” said Rakesh Mandal, General Manager, Client Solutions, South Asia and Korea, Dell.
Foong Chee Ngiam, Chief Marketing and Operations Officer, Microsoft Singapore elaborates, "Our goal at Microsoft is to empower every organisation and individual to do more and achieve more. With Windows 10, we are delivering a more personal computing experience across devices with new features while enabling mobility of experiences across devices. As of January this year, more than 76% of our enterprise customers are on active pilots of Windows 10, and we now have over 22 million devices running Windows 10 across enterprise and education customers globally. We are proud that together with Dell, we’re able to bring the familiarity of Windows together with top-notch computing solutions to businesses in Singapore to address the working demands of an ever evolving workplace.”
Mandal noted that addressing evolving user needs, ensuring future readiness, is a priority for Dell. Customer feedback and several workplace personas developed through research influence research and development efforts, he said. "Dell designs solutions based on user experience," he stated during his presentation.
Mandal's presentation included an introduction to five different workplace personas: desk-centric, corridor warrior, on-the-go pro, remote and purpose-built, and the four categories of computing solutions that address their needs. Desk-centric employees would be most productive with multiple large displays, and an efficient use of space for example, while corridor warriors require convenient, portable solutions that allow seamless transition between stations as they move around the office constantly.
Dell and Windows 10
Starting in 2013, Dell began collaborating with Microsoft to take advantage of key features offered within Windows 10. New devices are optimised for Windows 10 usage with Continuum, Office Mobile Apps and Microsoft Edge, which allows users to annotate web pages and share them. Windows 10’s built-in, enterprise-grade security also helps companies protect against modern cyber threats. In addition businesses can control the frequency of their updates and select the functionality that is right for different groups of employees.
“The concept of a future workforce is one that is taking place now. Every day, we see the transformation of teams that are more mobile and seamless – collaborating in a borderless, high-performing environment. Intel technology is critical to this evolution. Devices built with our partner Dell, which feature 6th Gen Intel Core processors, are purpose-built to deliver an impactful experience for business and pleasure with an optimal blend of mobility and performance,” said Sameer Tupaki, Head of Marketing, Intel Singapore and Malaysia.
Latitude: designed to impress
The Latitude 3000, 5000 and 7000 Series have been completely refreshed with thin and light designs, with excellent efficiency and powerful processing options. Dell took design cues from its XPS consumer line, resulting in the same sleek form factor and unique materials that deliver light weight and rigidity throughout the commercial lineup.
Liow Yee Fong, Client Solutions Director, Malaysia and Singapore, Dell, explained that Latitude and Vostro have different target audiences. Latitude is the Dell branding for commercial notebooks for corporate accounts while the Vostro family is targeted at small businesses, home offices, or companies with 10 to 20 staff who may not need the trusted platform module (TPM) that is found in Latitude devices. The TPM offers hardware-based data protection.
From left: the Dell Latitude E7270; the Latitude E7470; and the Latitude 3000 series (3570).
Vostro: tailormade for professionals, small businesses
The Vostro portfolio is suitable for both home and business use. The new Vostro 14 3000 Series (3459) laptop is powered by energy-efficient Intel processors with up to 6th Generation Core i7 performance to deliver up to nine hours of productivity for the mobile workforce*. It also features a scratch-resistant textured cover.
The new Vostro 14 5000 Series notebook (5459) is crafted in Era Grey anodised aluminum, and delivers up to nine hours of battery life. The Vostro 14 5000 Series notebook also comes with an easy-to-use and reliable security solution featuring a fingerprint reader and Windows 10 biometric recognition for commercial users.
Precision workstations offer more power
Redesigned to meet the needs of creative professionals and all rigorously tested to ensure compatibility with key software applications, the new mobile workstations combine thinner, lighter industrial designs and brilliant displays with the latest graphics technology, new processors and faster memory and storage. Significant updates have also been made to the entry line of Dell Precision tower solutions.
This portfolio offers configuration options such as the new 6th Generation Intel Core processors, first Intel Xeon processors for mobile workstations and future Intel Xeon processors E3-1200 product families. The latest professional graphics from AMD and NVIDIA deliver significant compute capacity and visual performance. New screen options include the first PremierColor 4k Ultra HD displays with 100% minimum Adobe RGB color gamut. Full HD and UHD options on its InfinityEdge display offers a virtually borderless screen to give a 15.6" viewing area in a relatively small form factor. Thunderbolt Type C is also supported for the mobile Precision family.
Huang Zhiwei, Business Development Manager, Client Solutions, Singapore Commercial, Dell, introduces the customised mounts for OptiPlex desktops.
New OptiPlex desktops optimise the workplace
The fully revamped OptiPlex portfolio, said to be the world’s most secure and manageable commercial desktops, changes perceptions about the commercial desktop with smaller, faster and more energy-efficient micro form factor, small form factor, and mini tower designs. The refresh leverages Skylake* processors, having skipped Haswell and Broadwell models, said Huang Zhiwei, Business Development Manager, Client Solutions, Singapore Commercial, Dell.
Space savings are significant compared to previous models. The mini tower is 43% smaller than the previous generation while micro desktops can save more than 7,700 sq ft of workspace when replacing 10,000 legacy desktops. According to Huang, customers are mounting the micro form factor systems behind monitors to create 'pseudo all in ones'.
The updated portfolio leverages a new 3000/5000/7000 model numbering structure to simplify product comparison and selection for customers, and includes:
OptiPlex 7040: a compact enterprise-class desktop with premium management and security and extensive expandability, including discrete graphics, dual hard drives and triple display support
OptiPlex 5040: A commercial desktop with advanced performance over the 3040, with security and manageability;
OptiPlex 3040: A business desktop offering security, manageability and high performance at the lowest entry price point for a commercial desktop; and
OptiPlex 24 7000 Series All-In-One (7440): A secure all-in-one with a sleek design, a 23.8" Full HD display and an optional 4K Ultra HD display;
OptiPlex 22 3000 Series All-In-One (3240): An all-in-one with business-class performance and a new 21.5" Full HD display.
Dell peripherals deliver productivity
As the No. 1 monitor brand worldwide**, Dell unveiled a new collection of CES Innovation Award-winning monitors. This includes an Ultra HD 4K OLED monitor, and two new InfinityEdge monitors that offer a virtually bezel-less display and wireless monitor support.
The Dell UltraSharp 30 Ultra HD 4K OLED monitor is Dell's first OLED display.
The Dell UltraSharp 30 Ultra HD 4K OLED monitor is Dell’s first OLED monitor, bringing the advantages of OLED display technology to PC professionals working in colour-critical environments such as graphic arts and photography. The monitor delivers a cutting-edge typical contrast ratio of 400,000:1 that delivers “true black”, coverage of industry colour spaces such as AdobeRGB and DCI-P3, detailed Ultra HD 4K resolution and an ultra-fast response time of 0.1 ms.
Viktor Petrasek, Product Marketing Manager, Dell Displays, Asia, Pacific and Japan, said the UltraSharp 30 will be available in May 2016 in Singapore for S$6,999. "(We want to) take a very premium technology and try to drive it into a market where it hasn't been before in terms of the price band and the quality," he said.
The Dell UltraSharp InfinityEdge monitors feature the world’s first InfinityEdge displays with ultra-thin borders on all sides. Designed with a complementary arm that offers greater adjustment flexibility and integrated cable management, this recipient of 2016 CES Awards in Innovation and Eco-Design helps maximise available workspace. Both the 27" Quad HD and 23.8" Full HD monitors offer premium screen performance, colour precision and connectivity. "We're supporting the productivity story and giving you a more engaging experience with the screen," Petrasek said.
The Dell UltraSharp 24 Wireless monitor allows users to wirelessly display and manage content from a Windows-powered laptop and Android smartphone concurrently via Miracast. Once connected, the phone can be controlled with an attached keyboard or mouse. Petrasek disclosed that the monitor will be available in the APJ region this April.
Dell offers an ecosystem of accessories to complete the working experience. The recently announced Dell Dock and the Dell Thunderbolt Dock offer commercial users the opportunity to effectively integrate displays, mice and external keyboards. Both new docks are equipped with the next generation USB Type-C ports which support USB, DP, Thunderbolt and power through a single cable in a slim form factor.
Dell Document Hub boosts cloud content management
The Dell Document Hub manages content from multiple cloud sources.
As part of Dell’s end-to-end solutions for business customers, the new H-Series and S-Series multifunction printers are designed to meet the online collaboration needs of businesses of all sizes.
With 64% of workers performing at least some of their work tasks at home and half of desktop users incorporating other devices as well, it has become necessary for offices to offer complete printer connectivity.
The new H-Series printers (models H625cdw, H825cdw, and H815dw), also termed cloud printers, support the Dell Document Hub app, which gives customers access to multiple cloud storage services at the same time, such as Dropbox, Box, Google Drive, Salesforce and Evernote, for easy sharing and printing. The printers provide direct access to the Document Hub from the printer or PC for office-based employees, while remote employees can access it as an app on their mobile device or PC. Ideal for smaller organisations and executive offices, the printers provide easy Wi-Fi setup by SMBs and micro-businesses with limited or no IT teams.
*Based on Mobile Mark 14 battery life testing performed by Dell Labs in January 2015. Tested system equipped with 5th Generation Intel Core i5-5200U Processor, NVIDIA GeForce 820M 2 GB DDR3 discrete graphics, 4 GB DDR3L system memory, 500 GB HDD, HD Anti-Glare LED-Backlit display and four-cell 40 WHr battery. For more information on this testing, visit www.bapco.com **Source: NPD DisplaySearch Quarterly Desktop Monitor Shipment and Forecast Report (2013 and 2014) ***Skylake is the 6th generation Intel Core processor microarchitecture launched in August 2015 as the successor to the Broadwell microarchitecture. Broadwell is Intel's codename for the 14 nanometer die shrink of its Haswell microarchitecture. Haswell is the codename for a processor microarchitecture developed by Intel
that was announced in June 2013.
HP has announced a new Pro Series of desktops, notebooks and an all-in-one (AiO) PC. Designed for businesses of all sizes, these offerings are ideal for small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs).
“Customers have shared with us their challenges around making important technology decisions with limited budgets and IT resources that impact the security and productivity of their business,” said Serena Yong, Managing Director, HP Singapore. “HP BusinessNow offers customers support and faster access to commercial-grade solutions like the new HP Pro Series of PCs, providing them with the business-ready capabilities they need at a price point they can afford.”
HP’s Pro Series of desktops, notebooks and an AiO provide SMBs with affordable, enterprise-level technology packaged in new consumer-inspired designs. These devices have undergone HP’s Total Test processing, including more than 120,000 hours of testing1 to help ensure the design can hold up to the rigors of work and home use. HP BIOSphere2 offers BIOS-level protection of device firmware during system start up and BIOS updates, and HP Client Security3 provides multi-factor authentication and hard drive encryption to keep sensitive data secure. HP Touchpoint Manager4, an IT cloud-based management tool adds manageability, and all devices are available with Windows 105 for an additional layer of security.
The HP ProBook 400 G3 series of notebooks cater to a more mobile workstyle, with a new thin, light and durable design in 13”, 14” and 15” diagonal sizes and built-in security features like the HP BIOSphere, Trusted Platform Module (TPM)6 and an optional fingerprint reader. The HP ProBook 440 G3 is now up to 17% thinner and 12% lighter than the previous generation. The ProBook 400 series features 6th Generation Intel Core processors or the latest AMD 6th Generation A-series APU7, a soft touch Gravity Black cover, aluminum reinforced keyboard deck, and the spill-resistant HP Premium Keyboard. The notebooks offer a wide choice of configurable options to enrich the experience, including an optional FHD display8, touch and long life batteries9.
Source: HP Inc.
Both the HP ProOne 400 G2 AiO and the HP ProDesk 400 series use 6th Generation Intel Core processors for power and performance. The new HP ProOne 400 G2 AiO offers a space-saving, stylish design featuring HP’s first coloured back covers for commercial AiOs10, built-in cable management, and new deployment options such as an articulating reclining stand which can go completely flat, so users can choose the best angle. Collaboration is optimised with HP Noise Reduction Software, an integrated 1MP HD Webcam11 and an optional edge-to-edge 10-point capacitive touch panel.
Source: HP Inc. A HP ProDesk unit.
The ProDesk 400 series comes in a wide range of sizes, including a desktop mini, small form factor or micro tower options. The HP ProDesk 400 G2 Desktop Mini offers a complete ecosystem to mount, physically secure and deploy the device. The desktop can fit under a desk or behind a monitor where space is a major constraint and includes a new standard serial port, VGA and DisplayPort as well as DDR4 RAM for added productivity and functionality.
The HP ProDesk 400 G3 Small Form Factor is now 40% smaller in size compared to the previous generation. It fits in smaller workspaces but has the same processing power as a ProDesk 400 G2 Microtower. The HP ProDesk 400 G3 Microtower platform offers HP’s highest performing, expandable and best value desktop solution for SMBs.
HP has also introduced a programme called HP BusinessNow designed to help SMBs grow their businesses with access to customer support and expert advice from HP and its partner network. This programme provides web, phone, and face-to-face consultation to help SMBs select the solutions best suited for their business needs.
Through an online portal, SMBs can use the multi-language Product Selector Tool to get suggestions on the most suitable technologies based on budget and specific needs. Later this year, they can also connect with virtual agents12 to get advice on recommended solutions. Selected channel partners are also listed on the portal to provide personal assistance.
Interested?13
The HP ProBook 400 series is expected to be available in Singapore late November, starting at S$1,299.
The HP ProDesk 400 series is expected to be available in Singapore starting at S$899.
The HP ProDesk 400 Microtower is expected to be available from November.
The HP ProDesk 400 Small Form Factor is expected to be available from January 2016.
Availability for the HP ProDesk 400 Desktop Mini will be announced at a later date.
The HP ProOne 400 AiO is expected to be available in Singapore from November, starting at S$1,199.
1 Total Test process testing is not a guarantee of future performance under these test conditions. 2 HP BIOSphere features may vary depending on the PC platform and configuration. 3 HP Client Security requires Windows. 4 HP Touchpoint Manager requires purchase of a subscription and supports Android, iOS and Windows 7 or higher operating systems and PCs, notebooks, tablets and smartphones from various manufacturers. Not available in all countries; see www.hp.com/touchpoint for availability information. 5 Not all features are available in all editions or versions of Windows. Systems may require upgraded and/or separately purchased hardware, drivers, software or BIOS update to take full advantage of Windows functionality. Windows 10 is automatically updated, which is always enabled. ISP fees may apply and additional requirements may apply over time for updates. See http://www.microsoft.com. 6 Firmware TPM is version 2.0. Hardware TPM is v1.2, which is a subset of the TPM 2.0 specification version v0.89 as implemented by Intel Platform Trust Technology. 7 The AMD 6th generation A-series APU is available in the 15.6” HP ProBook 455 G3 only. 8 Full High definition (HD) content is required to view quad high-definition images. 9 Optional features sold separately or as add on features. 10 HP ProOne 400 G2 AiO with cardinal red and dragonfly blue back covers are expected to be available in select geographies in December. 11 Internet access required. 12 Specific availability varies by country. 13 Estimated prices. Actual prices may vary.
Source: Parallels. Parallels Desktop for Mac Pro Edition showing Cortana operating in El Capitan.
Parallels, a cross-platform solutions provider and creator of software for running Windows applications on a Mac, has announced that Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac fully supports OS X El Capitan.
Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac (build 11.0.2) supports El Capitan as both a host and guest, as well as Windows 10 and dozens of other operating systems as a guest, and enables users to leverage the latest features and functionality from the newest operating system of their choice.
In Coherence mode, Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac enables users to run the new OS X El Capitan Split View feature – the ability to display two different apps on one screen for optimal multitasking. In addition, Microsoft’s intelligent personal assistant Cortana can be used on a Mac with both OS X and Windows 10 apps. This is the first time that Parallels Desktop has made both Windows and Mac features available across both OS platforms.
“With Windows 10 and OS X El Capitan launching within months of each other, we are seeing more innovation in software than ever before,” said Jack Zubarev, Parallels President. “We are pleased to enable a choice of OS X or Windows on a single device, as well as enjoy a seamless experience of integrating Windows and OS X key features.”
With full support for OS X El Capitan, Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac offers additional advantages for saving time and enhancing performance improvements over Parallels Desktop 10 for Mac for an even faster work experience, including*:
· Windows 8 and Windows 10 launches and shutdowns are up to 50% faster
· File operations inside of Windows are improved by up to 20%
· Virtual machine suspend is up to 20% faster
· Travel Mode can increase battery life up to 25%
· Improved network performance
Interested?
Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac is available now to both current and new Parallels Desktop for Mac users at www.parallels.com/desktop worldwide, and at local retailers including Challenger, EpiCentre, Harvey Norman, iStudio, NuBox and other Apple resellers in Singapore.
Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac Pro Edition is available online at www.parallels.com/desktop and at the Apple online store.
Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac Business Edition is available through commercial resellers.
The recommended retail price (RRP) of Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac is S$108. Upgrades for existing Parallels Desktop 9 or 10 for Mac customers are S$68, with an introductory offer to upgrade to a Parallels Desktop for Mac Pro Edition subscription for S$68 per year available from www.parallels.com/desktop.
Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac Pro Edition and Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac Business Edition are available to new customers for S$134 per year. Parallels Desktop for Mac Pro Edition includes a complimentary Parallels Access subscription to remotely access their Mac from any device.
Parallels, a global provider of cross-platform solutions, today launched Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac. The release includes a new version of the software for developers, designers and power users, Parallels Desktop for Mac Pro Edition. It also includes Parallels Desktop for Mac Business Edition, previously known as the Enterprise Edition.
The new editions of Parallels Desktop for Mac benefit from speed improvements of up to 50%, Travel Mode which extends battery life by up to 25% while on the go, support for Windows 10 along with OS X El Capitan readiness.
Jack Zubarev, Parallels President, noted that the company has made it easier than ever to run Windows on a Mac. “Developers, designers and power users are one of the biggest audiences among our millions of Parallels Desktop for Mac customers,” said Zubarev.
"We’ve created Parallels Desktop for Mac Pro Edition specifically for them and will continue to quickly innovate to help them stay more productive in their day-to-day work. Seamless experience has been the hallmark of Parallels Desktop since its inception. Today we further our commitment to innovation with Parallels Desktop 11—from Windows 10 and El Capitan integration to making Microsoft’s Cortana available on Mac."
Parallels Desktop 11 empowers Mac users to run Windows 10 and leverage the advantages of Microsoft’s intelligent personal assistant, Cortana, when using both Windows and OS X. This is the first time that Parallels Desktop has ever made a Windows feature available for OS X applications. Parallels Desktop 11 also provides experimental support for OS X El Capitan prior to its launch, and will fully support the platform shortly after its release to give users a seamless experience with the latest operating systems.
“As Windows 10 and OS X El Capitan enter the market, it is essential for businesses, developers and consumers that need to be productive to use virtualisation software to easily run both operating systems, so they can work effectively, regardless of their platform,” said Laura DiDio, Strategy Analytics Director of research and consulting. “All three Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac editions provide the best tools to address respective customer audiences and deployment scenarios that seamlessly enable people to use the applications they need, regardless of platform.”
New Parallels Desktop 11 ease-of-use benefits include improved performance and battery life with the use of Travel Mode, which can easily be activated to optimise performance. When users are on the go and not connected to power, Parallels Desktop Travel Mode will automatically extend battery life by up to 25% by temporarily shutting off resources that drain power.
Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac offers significant speed performance improvements over the previous version for an even faster work experience, including*:
· Windows launch and shutdown is up to 50% faster
· File operations inside of Windows are improved by up to 20%
· Virtual machine suspend is up to 20% faster
· Travel Mode can increase battery life up to 25%
· Improved network performance
Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac Pro Edition
This is a new version of the software specifically designed for developers, designers and power users, giving them the powerful tools they need for maximum productivity. The Pro Edition supports integration with popular developer tools including Docker, Visual Studio (plug-in), Chef and Jenkins, Vagrant, Guest OS debugging and network simulation. Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac Pro Edition empowers users to run preview Windows machines and use nested virtualisation for both Windows and Linux guests, making it the perfect tool for developers, power users and testers who need a variety of virtual machine environments, including simulation of more complex deployments.
Parallels Desktop for Mac Business EditionPreviously known as Parallels Desktop for Mac Enterprise Edition, Parallels Desktop for Mac Business Edition includes all Pro Edition features, offering IT admins the most efficient means to enable their employees with Macs to run Windows applications.
The Business Edition builds upon Parallels Desktop by adding administrative features that enable IT departments to control and manage end user virtual machines as well as manage and administer licenses via the new Parallels License Management Portal. This feature provides IT administrators with vital information, such as license expirations, usage statistics, and real-time visibility into licensing activities, to easily manage all of their deployed licenses. Parallels Desktop for Mac Business Edition also supports business cloud services including Box, Dropbox for Business and OneDrive Business.
Highlights of Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac include:
· Always on Cortana enables customers to use Microsoft’s virtual assistant with Mac applications, even when Windows 10 is not the forefront application
· Travel Mode extends the battery life by up to 25%
· Quick Look for Windows extends this cool Mac convenience to Windows documents and files
· New Force Touch gesture support enables a quick preview of files with Quick Look or the ability to look up the definition of an unknown word
· Improved Mac Window Controls include a new Coherence mode button
· Most recently used files list now can be viewed on the Mac regardless of where those files are stored: on the Mac, in a virtual machine, in the cloud or on a file server
· New easy printing with all Mac printer options support saves time with an intuitive solution for OS X users
· “New Item” support for creation of new files in Windows apps including Microsoft Outlook, Excel and Word
· Now users can easily cancel time-consuming virtual machine actions
· Mac location services are now available to Windows applications
· Automatic synchronisation of the volume setting of a virtual machine with that of the Mac
· Enhanced file associations with smart notification messaging helps change file association in OS X
· Improvements in the setup and use of a virtual machine to directly access a Boot Camp Windows partition—without rebooting
· One-time opportunity to upgrade to Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac Pro Edition from Parallels Desktop 9 or 10 for S$49.99 per year
· Improved Japanese keyboard—specific to the Japanese language edition only
Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac Pro Edition includes all of the features of Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac, as well as the following new and key features:
· Integration with key developer tools, such as Docker, Visual Studio (plug-in), Chef and Jenkins
· Support for Vagrant and other developer tools
· Additional user profiles for developers, power users and testers for optimal configuration for their particular scenarios
· Advanced networking tools and configuration for virtual networks to test complex networking scenarios, including the ability to simulate some network instabilities
· Cloud storage access through Box.net, Dropbox for Business and OneDrive Business, for sharing from Windows to Mac
· Headless mode for running virtual machines in the background without user interface
· Ability to create linked clones to conserve disk space and optimise installations
· Enhanced memory (64 GB RAM) and processing power (16 vCPU) for improved performance
· Nested virtualisation for Linux guests
· Modern.IE test environments in the Parallels New Virtual Machine Wizard provide access to free trials of browsers for testing
· 24/7 phone and email support
The Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac Business Edition has all of the features of the Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac Pro Edition, as well as the following additions:
· Centralised administration and management capabilities to keep IT in control of virtual machines
· Web-based Parallels License Management Portal with a single activation key to eliminate manual management of individual license keys
· Business-level support, including prioritised 24x7 phone and email support options
· USB devices policy enforcement for additional security
Interested?
Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac is available now to both current and new Parallels Desktop for Mac users at www.parallels.com/desktop worldwide, and at local retailers in Singapore including Challenger, EpiCentre, Harvey Norman, iStudio, NuBox and other Apple resellers.
Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac Pro Edition is available online and at the Apple online store. Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac Business Edition is available through commercial resellers.
The recommended retail price (RRP) of Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac is S$108.00. Upgrades for existing Parallels Desktop 9 or 10 for Mac customers are S$68.00, with an introductory offer to upgrade to a Parallels Desktop for Mac Pro Edition subscription for S$68.00 per year available from www.parallels.com/desktop.
Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac Pro Edition and Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac Business Edition are available to new customers for S$134 per year. Parallels Desktop for Mac Pro Edition includes a complimentary Parallels Access subscription to remotely access their Mac from any device.
Apple has announced that OS X Yosemite, the latest major release of the desktop operating system used by Macs, is available as a free upgrade for from the Mac App Store. Yosemite delivers a new look and introduces Continuity features that make it easy to hand off activities between Mac and iOS devices and even make and receive iPhone calls from your Mac.
Yosemite also includes a new Today view, a redesigned Spotlight system-wide search feature, and updated versions of the Safari browser, Mail, Messages and iTunes.
“OS X Yosemite is the most advanced version of OS X we’ve ever built, with a brand new design, amazing Continuity features and powerful versions of the apps you use every day,” said Craig Federighi, Apple’s Senior VP of Software Engineering. “OS X Yosemite ushers in the future of computing, where your Apple devices all work together seamlessly and magically. It’s something only Apple can do, and it’s available today.”
App icons have a consistent design, and a new system font improves readability on every Mac. and looks stunning on a Retina display.
Yosemite includes Continuity features that allow the Mac and iOS devices work more closely together.* Handoff automatically passes what you’re doing from one device to another, like writing an email or surfing the web. Instant Hotspot makes using your iPhone’s hotspot as easy as connecting to a Wi-Fi network.** AirDrop now works between Mac and iOS, so you can quickly and easily share content across devices. All the SMS messages that previously only appeared on your iPhone now can automatically appear in Messages on your Mac and all your iOS devices. You can even make and receive iPhone calls on your Mac.***
Yosemite introduces innovative new features, including:
§ The Today view in Notification Center, giving you quick access to informative widgets for Calendar, Weather, Stocks, Reminders, World Clock and social networks. You can also add widgets like Yahoo! Sports from the Mac App Store to customize the Today view;
§ a new Spotlight, delivering rich information right to your desktop from Wikipedia, Maps, Bing, App Store℠, iTunes Store, iBooks Store, top websites, news and movie showtimes;
§ iCloud Drive, so you can store files of any type in iCloud, organize them any way you like, and access them from your Mac, iPhone, iPad or even a Windows PC;
§ a streamlined new Safari that delivers the fastest performance, as well as the longest battery life for web browsing and Netflix HD video streaming on the Mac;
§ an updated version of Mail, which includes Markup for quickly filling out and signing forms and PDFs right within Mail, plus Mail Drop, which makes it easy to send large attachments up to 5GB for free;
§ enhanced Messages, so now you can add participants to your ongoing group conversations, see their locations on a map, quickly access attachments and even mute notifications;
§ iTunes 12, which has a new look, and makes it easier to switch between browsing your music library and discovering new music on the iTunes Store. A new Recents view makes it easy to access the media you just purchased or recently played.
Yosemite also delivers platform technologies that make it easier for developers to create new Mac apps. Swift is a powerful, next-generation programming language for iOS and OS X that’s fast, modern, interactive and helps developers write safer and more reliable code. SpriteKit makes it easier for developers to incorporate realistic motion, lighting and physics in games and when integrated with SceneKit, makes it simple to create games with animated 3D scenes and effects.
Yosemite supports all Macs introduced in 2009 or later, and some models introduced in 2007 and 2008. For a complete list of system requirements and compatible systems, please visit apple.com/osx/how-to-upgrade. Continuity features require iOS 8.1, which is available as a free upgrade starting October 20. OS X Server 4.0 requires Yosemite and is available from the Mac App Store for US$19.99****. *Some Continuity features require advanced Bluetooth LE and Wi-Fi features available only in more recent Macs. **Check with your carrier for hotspot availability. ***Cellular data charges may apply. ****Pricing refers to the US, and may vary in other countries.
Evernote has announced new items in the Pfeiffer Collection, a family of modern desktop accessories created in partnership with product designer Eric Pfeiffer.
The new bent plywood platforms are designed to securely elevate laptops, tablets, and monitors on desktops, with additional space for storage.
Source: Evernote blog.
The new products are:
Laptop platform - formed of walnut bent ply, this stand holds 13” or 15” laptops steady. Small items can fit in the curved front trough and slot cables through the back.
Tablet platform - this walnut bent ply platform offers a stable resting place for viewing and working with your tablet.
Monitor platform - a bigger platform to hold a computer monitor steady. A handy curved front tray fits mobile devices and a rear cable channel is meant for cords.
International distribution of the new products is planned soon.
