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Pico 4 Ultra review: powerful, but second fiddle to the Meta Quest 3 VR headset

10:00 pm | September 3, 2024

Pico 4 Ultra: Two minute review

The Pico 4 Ultra is giving me serious deja vu, and it’s not entirely the good kind.

That’s because its launch is extremely reminiscent of its predecessor; the base Pico 4. A Meta Quest VR headset is the dominant force in the budget/mid range market (then the Meta Quest 2, now the Meta Quest 3), and Pico is launching a device with better specs at an only marginally higher price.

In this instance, the Pico 4 Ultra will net you the Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chipset, 256GB of storage, and 12GB of RAM for £529 (around $695 / AU$1025). Meanwhile, the Meta Quest 3 ($499.99 / £479.99 / AU$799.99) only boasts 128GB of storage and 8GB of RAM with the same chipset.

But despite that additional oomph, the Pico 4 Ultra (like the Pico 4 before it) is let down by a lack of software with which to demonstrate its hardware superiority.

With Meta picking up more and more hard-hitting exclusives that you can’t play on Pico systems – including entries in major gaming franchises like Assassin’s Creed and the Batman Arkham series – the severe lack of return fire from Pico is disappointing. Couple that with Meta’s superb OS support and optimizations which the Pico operating system isn’t matching (at least right now) and it’s clear the Pico 4 Ultra isn’t winning in every area – and software-wise the fight isn’t even close.

The Pico 4 Ultra does, however, have a few unique features that could entice you and software developers to pay it some respect.

The first is its spatial footage capture. While it is inconvenient and something of a useless novelty in practice, if a few OS updates can bring some quality improvements this tool could be a fun one for recording memories or creating an experimental stereoscopic film (if you’re willing to put in the effort) without needing to buy an iPhone 15 Pro or Apple Vision Pro.

More importantly it has Meta Connect, a free Virtual Desktop alternative that allows you to connect to your PC wirelessly or use a compatible USB-C cable for productivity and PCVR gaming. In my testing it worked very well and seems a little more feature rich and reliable than Meta’s free Air Link.

Last but by no means least are the Pico 4 Ultra’s standout Motion Trackers. Annoyingly, you have to pay extra for them, but these foot trackers bring a great level of immersion to compatible apps for only £79 (around $100 / AU$150) for a pair – or a lot less if you pick up the preorder bundle or a different deal that I’m sure we’ll see during future sales events like Black Friday. These alone could be the best reason to pick up the Pico 4 Ultra.

Pico 4 Ultra: Specs

Pico 4 Ultra review: Price and Availability

The Pico 4 Ultra has only one model (the specs are listed above, but the notable stats are 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage) and it goes on sale in the UK on September 20 for £529 (around $695 / AU$1025). No Australia or US launch has yet been announced.

Pico 4 Ultra with its controllers, two motion trackers and four games - the contents of the preorder bundle — The Pico 4 Ultra preorder bundle (Image credit: Future)

Preorders go live on September 6 and if you preorder the Ultra you’ll get a few free goodies; namely two free motion trackers (more on those in the Features section) as well as four games:

Blade & Sorcery: Nomad
Infinite Inside
Let’s Get Fit VR
FootPool

The lack of a truly global launch schedule isn’t unheard of for Pico – the original Pico 4 still isn’t available in the US – but it’s always a surprise to see Pico’s headsets dodge a major market, especially this time when the Ultra boasts such impressive internals. Yes, it’s a little pricier than a Meta Quest 3 ($499.99 / £479.99 / AU$799.99) but offers an additional 4GB of RAM and 128GB of storage which is an upgrade that could entice a lot of VR users; that is, if they weren’t locked out because the Pico 4 Ultra is unavailable in their part of the world.

Value score: 4/5

Pico 4 Ultra review: Performance

Every VR game and app runs smoothly
Nothing feels like it needs 12GB of RAM

The Pico 4 Ultra boasts some fantastic hardware upgrades over its predecessor, which help it deliver a stronger performance in VR and MR. The principal upgrades are to its chipset with the Ultra relying on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chipset (instead of the Gen 1 like the regular Pico 4) and 12GB of RAM (up from 8GB).

When testing the headset with a good mixture of games – Infinite Inside, Arizona Sunshine 2, All-In-One Sports VR, and Angry Birds VR – everything ran smoothly and looked good on the new device.

Pico 4 Ultra's battery is prominent as it sits on a table — The battery is housed at the back of the strap (Image credit: Future)

There were no hiccups in mixed reality either. Infinite Inside jumps between MR and VR while Angry Birds VR offers a dedicated MR mode for all of its levels. Both titles ran really well in this blended real-and-virtual setting – even when large chain reactions in Angry Birds sent pigs and many blocks that formerly made up their structures flying in different directions.

Now it’s officially announced, with any luck we should see some next-gen upgrades make their way to Pico 4 Ultra games and apps too – just like we saw with Quest 3 titles when Meta’s Quest line made the jump to the XR 2 Gen 2.

My only concern so far is I feel I’ve yet to experience anything that pushes the Pico 4 Ultra in a way which warrants that extra 4GB of RAM over other mid-range VR headsets with an XR2 Gen 2 chipset which only have 8GB (i.e. the Quest 3). Games and apps on those rival systems also run really well, and if Pico is asking us to pay more than its rivals charge because of the Ultra’s improvements, I’d like to see some really concrete reasons why that higher RAM and price is worthwhile.

Hopefully, some made for Pico 4 Ultra software will highlight how necessary the upgrades are, though we’ll have to wait and see what’s announced. For now we can at least enjoy the very solid mid-range headset Pico has delivered.

Performance score: 5/5

Pico 4 Ultra review: Design

Counterbalanced design is appreciated for comfort
No silicon facial interface in the box

The Pico 4 Ultra (unsurprisingly) takes plenty of design cues from the base Pico 4; so much so you might assume they’re the same device at a glance. The Ultra is almost the same weight (580g instead of 586g), features more prominent mixed-reality sensors, and its controllers have lost their icon spiral tracking ring – in favor of the Quest 3 handsets’ tracking ring-less design.

However, you still get a VR gadget clad in a light gray plastic casing, with an adjustable plastic head strap that creates a counterbalanced design – as the device’s battery is housed at the back of the strap (so the battery sits at the back of your head) to offset the weight of the display and other components that are sitting on your face.

Pico 4 Ultra controlelrs lying on a table, you can see the complete button layout for them — Pico 4 Ultra controllers (Image credit: Future)

While this certainly aided the Pico 4 Ultra’s overall comfort, the headset was let down by its facial interface and rigid head strap cushion that left me wanting more in terms of support and fit. As a result, the headset didn’t feel leaps and bounds ahead of its non-counterbalanced headset counterparts. I’d go as far to say it was merely on par which was a shame.

I’m also disappointed that Pico – much like other headset makers – refuses to give you a silicon face cushion in the box. Fabric cushions get sweaty even if you don’t plan to play fitness apps meaning they’re generally gross to share with others, and cleaning fabric interfaces is a real pain. Silicon facial interfaces should be standard, not an additional purchase. At least it comes with a spacer attachment so you can make room for your prescription specs without needing to buy bespoke lenses (*cough* Apple Vision Pro *cough*).

The last negative aspect – though one I’m more torn on – is a fan that blows inside the headset while you’re wearing it to prevent the lenses fogging. While this can be handy I often found the breeze annoying as it kept blowing in my eyes causing them to feel extra dry. After a while you get a bit used to it, but the same feature was present in the Pico 4 and online forums suggest it’s one of those things people either love or hate. I’m more in the hate camp, but it comes down to personal preference.

Otherwise, the Pico 4 Ultra is fairly standard. It boasts USB-C charging and a familiar control layout on its handsets – save for two additional menu buttons meaning that the left controller has a dedicated button for the main Pico menu and another for the in-game pause menu, while the right controller has the same main Pico menu button and a dedicated screenshot button (which comes in handy for capturing impromptu clips).

Last but not least, the Pico 4 Ultra boasts continuous interpupillary distance (IPD) adjustment from 58-72mm. IPD adjustments are essential for ensuring the VR headset’s lenses are spaced the correct distance apart for your eyes to avoid blurriness, and a continuous adjustment setup allows for a higher degree of personalization compared to the three or four pre-set distances offered by some models (i.e. the Meta Quest 2).

Design score: 4/5

Pico 4 Ultra review: Software

Many great VR and MR games and apps
Pico lacks meaningful exclusives

Coming into this review my main concern for the Pico 4 Ultra was its software. It might have the best specs we’ve ever seen on a mid-range standalone VR headset but without software to take advantage of this performance there’d be no point buying one.

I’m therefore pleased to report that the Pico 4 Ultra’s software library is good, bordering on great.

Navigating the virtual store is more of a pain then it should be – a cleaner layout and better app curation would go a long way here – but using the search bar to look up my favorite titles (Walkabout Mini Golf, The Last Clockwinder, Painting VR, and Pistol Whip to name a few) I found almost everything I was looking for. Best of all, the titles were all as content-packed and feature-complete as their counterparts on other platforms (something that hasn’t always been true for the Pico 4 system).

My only concern is that the Pico 4 Ultra is lacking in notable exclusives beyond its TikTok VR app. I know, I know, exclusive software is a contentious subject and I agree that overall they’re a bad deal for consumers. But under its belt the Meta Quest 3 (the Pico 4 Ultra’s main rival) has some massive hitters which Pico can’t currently compete with – we’re talking Beat Saber, Resident Evil 4 VR, Assassin's Creed Nexus, Asgard’s Wrath 2, Batman: Arkham Shadow, Xbox Cloud Gaming, and soon (ironically because it was originally announced as a Pico 4 exclusive) Just Dance VR, among others.

Batman: Arkham Shadow still showing a batarang in a rat mask — Where is Pico's *Arkham Shadow* competitor? (Image credit: Meta / Camouflaj)

Some major upcoming titles like Just Dance VR and Alien: Rogue Incursion (which is also due out on the PSVR 2) could get Pico 4 Ultra release dates after the headset’s launch now that the device isn’t a secret, but Pico really needs to start swinging with some major games and apps you can’t find anywhere else. Until then there’s a clear winner in terms of the headset that’ll give you the most complete VR software experience, and it isn’t Pico.

What’s more, cross-platform titles will have to play to the lowest common denominator. That means they won’t be optimized for the Pico 4 Ultra’s 12GB of RAM; they'll also be designed with headsets in mind that only have 6GB or 8GB of RAM. This means you won’t get the most out of the extra specs you’re paying for unless the app creators devote extra time to Ultra-exclusive upgrades (which there’s no guarantee they will).

At least you can connect the Pico 4 Ultra to a PC to play SteamVR games, helping to expand its library further. You do so using the Pico Connect app which facilitates both wired and wireless experiences in much the same way as the third-party Virtual Desktop app. I tried the wireless version for some SteamVR games and found it ran pretty well, though your experience will depend on your home Wi-Fi speed – so you may find a wired connection is more stable.

My only critique is that when using Pico Connect for productivity apps like Google Docs I didn’t have a virtual keyboard. Using a real one in mixed reality is fine, but the option of a floating keyboard would have been appreciated.

I also found the Pico 4 Ultra’s operating system to be fairly clean. It’s very similar to Meta’s HorizonOS – likely because both are built on Android – so transitioning to it was simple enough, and I expect VR newcomers would be able to navigate fairly easily too. It does noticeably lack some of HorizonOS optimizations and smoothness at times, but Pico could address this in future updates.

Software score: 3.5/5

Pico 4 Ultra review: Features

Motion Trackers are impressive
Spatial image camera seems pointless

As for features, the one you’ll all want to know about is the Pico 4 Ultra’s mixed-reality performance. Again the simple descriptor I’d go for is ‘it’s good’. For mixed reality the Pico 4 Ultra boasts two 32MP cameras, and a depth sensor – a step up on the base model’s single 16MP lens and no depth sensor setup. The end result is a vibrant passthrough image with less (but not quite zero) distortion than what we’ve seen from Pico before – at the fringes I did notice the passthrough feed shifting unrealistically at times.

Though it’s far from lifelike, there’s the same graininess you’ll find from other mid-range devices like the Meta Quest 3 – graininess which you’ll also see in the footage recorded by the Pico 4 Ultra’s new spatial camera.

Pico 4 Ultra Motion Tracker on a person's leg, they're over the top of black jeans — Here's one of the Motion Trackers... (Image credit: Future)

That’s right, just like the Apple Vision Pro you can use the headset to record spatial video that you can watch later. It’s interesting, sure, but far from useful. Someone on Reddit or X will post a video of them carrying their Pico 4 Ultra around to capture moments in spatial video or as spatial photos, but 99.99% of people won’t. Instead they’ll do exactly what I did – take a picture of their office / their living room / another space in their home, say “huh, that’s neat” when they see the stereoscopic image, and promptly never use it again.

I think spatial content capture is better handled by phones or accessories like the Xreal Beam Pro as these are devices you can reasonably carry with you to capture moments you’d like to remember and relive – and the quality would be higher too.

Finally, let's talk about the Motion Trackers, easily the best of the Pico 4 Ultra’s accessories.

When I strapped them to my ankles I expected the trackers would pick up general leg motion but might struggle with specifics – for example, it wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between me raising my foot with my knee bent, and raising my foot keeping my leg straight. I was very wrong.

I tried a bunch of maneuvers trying to trick the ankle bracelets, and the little VR avatar the app showed me mimicked my poses perfectly.

A Pico 4 Ultra avater of Hamish lifting his left leg in a very weird way — ... and here's one of the weird poses I tried to use to trick them (Image credit: Future)

They were also super easy to set up and calibrate, with the only (minor) inconvenience being that I had to remember to roll my jeans up so that the trackers were exposed and not hidden behind my clothing (as I write this I realize I could have instead put them over the top of jeans, but regardless it was the most minor of minor inconveniences anyway).

Obviously, the thing to note is that unless you’ve picked them up as part of the preorder bundle – or another deal that comes later during Black Friday or otherwise – the Motion Trackers cost £79 for a pair. What’s more, they only work with a few titles – Pico says “20+” for standalone Pico 4 Ultra games as well as any motion tracker enabled SteamVR experiences.

If you play these titles regularly I think the trackers can add a fair amount of immersion – actually getting to kick a virtual football or feel like the headset was properly tracking my full body movement was a blast – though I’d recommend trying to get them as part of a discounted bundle if you can (or only picking them up if your digital library is well stocked with compatible experiences).

Features score: 4.5/5

Should you buy the Pico 4 Ultra?

Buy it if…

You want the best specs for a mid-range device
The Pico 4 Ultra has some really solid specs for its price, so if you value the best hardware for your budget then it could be just what you’re after.

You want foot tracking
With its optional Motion Trackers you can bring accurate foot tracking to several VR titles. Yes, they’re an additional add-on, but they’re not an accessory every standalone headset can support, so it could be worth picking an Ultra up for that reason alone.

You hate Facebook
If Meta has rubbed you the wrong way with its privacy practices over the years, or you don’t enjoy the Quest ecosystem’s Facebook integrations, then the Pico 4 Ultra is the best mid-range, non-Meta headset you can buy right now.

Don’t buy it if…

You want the broadest VR software library
The Pico 4 Ultra is lacking many major standalone VR titles because they’re exclusive to its biggest rival (Meta). If you’re desperate to play any of them (like, say, Batman: Arkham Shadow) you shouldn’t buy a Pico 4 Ultra.

You’re after something cheaper
While the Pico 4 Ultra is good value for money, it is pricier than other mid-range standalone headsets like the Meta Quest 3. Not by a lot, but the £50 difference could instead be spent on software or something non-VR related.

You want a spatial image capture device
Yes, the Pico 4 Ultra can be used for spatial image capture – a unique feature for mid-range XR headsets – but the quality isn’t high enough, nor the feature anywhere close to convenient enough, for it to be a deciding factor in your purchase decision.

Also consider

Meta Quest 3
Surprise, surprise after it was name-dropped a few times throughout this review. If you’re looking at mid-range VR headsets, you can’t not consider the king of them. Yes the Pico 4 Ultra has some advantages, but so does the Meta Quest 3, so you seriously don’t want to dismiss this alternative.

Meta Quest 3S
Okay, so this headset isn’t even announced officially yet, but I’m dropping it in here because so many leaks (including several from Meta itself) say it’s coming and that it’ll be announced on September 25 at Meta Connect 2024. It likely won’t boast the same specs as the Pico 4 Ultra but is expected to be a lot cheaper, so it might be worth waiting a little longer to see if the Quest 3S is announced and if this more budget-friendly device tickles your fancy.

Xreal Air 2
These AR smart glasses are a very different prospect to the Pico 4 Ultra VR headset, but with the help of the Xreal Beam Pro they offer many useful features in a similarly priced package – including a wearable private movie theater and high-quality spatial footage capture.

Lenovo Thinkpad X1 2-in-1 Gen 9: Unboxing & first impressions

The ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 Gen 9 arrives in environmentally conscious packaging, made from recycled materials -- well done Lenovo. This laptop is a professional one, made for serious work. The aluminum chassis is sturdy without feeling bulky or overly hefty. It feels relatively lightweight and is also a computer's powerhouse.

Of course, much like a dad needing to "try out" tongs on a grill or to "test" a drill by pulling the trigger twice, I immediately felt the pull to fold this 2-in-1 into every single folding angle possible, marveling at the smooth transitions and these magical hinges that can keep all the cabling without damage.

Lenovo Thinkpad Z1 2-in-1 Gen 9 — (Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)

Lenovo Thinkpad X1 2-in-1 Gen 9: Design and Build Quality

Specs

Processor: Intel Core Ultra 5 125U
RAM: 16GB LPDDR5X-6400MHz (Soldered)
Storage: 512GB PCIe Gen4 SSD
Display: 14” WUXGA (1920 x 1200), IPS, Anti-Glare, Touch, 400 nits, 16:10 aspect ratio
Graphics: Integrated Intel Graphics
Battery: 57Whr, up to 14+ hours battery life, Rapid Charge (80% in 60 minutes)
Ports: 2 x USB-A (USB 3.2 Gen 1), 2 x USB-C (Thunderbolt 4), 1 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x Headphone / Mic combo jack
Connectivity: Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX211, Bluetooth 5.3
Webcam: 1080p FHD with Privacy Shutter
Operating System: Windows 11 Pro
Dimensions: 15.49mm x 312.8mm x 217.65mm (0.61” x 12.31” x 8.57”)
Weight: Starting at 2.94 lbs (1.33 kg)

While the ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 Gen 9 might not wow at first glance with its conservative design, it exudes a timeless, professional aesthetic. It's a Thinkpad, after all. It's not meant to be flashy or covered in RGB like the average gamer's laptop.

Much like the best MacBook Pro laptops, it's designed to be simple, timeless, and professional because it is intended to be used by professionals in a business setting. The build quality is exceptional, with a sturdy frame that’s surprisingly light at under three pounds. The device feels durable, thanks to its MIL-SPEC 810H certification, ensuring it can withstand harsh conditions, or a day at the office, with ease.

Lenovo ThinkBook 14 2-in-1 G4 — (Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)

Lenovo Thinkpad X1 2-in-1 Gen 9: In use

In daily use, the ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 shines. The keyboard is particularly noteworthy, providing a springy and satisfying typing experience. This is something I have come to expect with Thinkpad computers. They have a keyboard experience that has stayed relatively consistent, or at least familiar, over the last several ThinkPad devices I have tested.

The device transitions smoothly between different modes, making it versatile for various tasks, whether typing reports, sketching ideas, or presenting to clients. This is massive for those who otherwise may use a tablet, laptop, notepad, or computer. Now, you can have them combined into one. The display’s anti-glare finish is also a notable feature, reducing eye strain during long work hours.

It took me a few days to understand the full benefit of having a 2-in-1 form factor. Yes, this computer can work as a traditional laptop -- albeit with a fantastic range of motion. However, if you are red-lining a document for a significant business review, you can pull up the document in portrait orientation, fold away the keyboard, grab your Lenovo smart stylus, and mark away, seeing the entire page on your screen. I also found a surprising amount of joy in taking this to one of my desk setups, folding the keyboard under the screen and plugging it into my monitor, granting myself a touchscreen, stacked monitor setup without any extra monitors needed. Now I have a fantastic docked, stacked monitor setup without spending even more money on another expensive monitor.

Additionally, if I wanted to quickly showcase a presentation via PowerPoint or Canva or what you have, I can pop this to tent mode to give that extra pizzazz and wow a client. Or, if you're less in the presenting space, this can also be a great way to unwind, giving the illusion of a mini TV, hiding the keyboard away so you don't accidentally think of typing something while trying to get a brief break to recharge while watching a show or catching up on your favorite sporting event.

The power under the hood, or the keyboard rather, is lovely as well. I have had zero issues completing all of my business tasks, and I have been running this as my dedicated machine for a few weeks now. My day-to-day is filled with a smattering of writing, some admin work, operational work for some companies I work with, a lot of internetwork, video calls, and lots (and lots) of typing. So far, the Thinkpad X1 Gen 9 has been able to do it all without breaking a sweat, and I don't see it slowing down anytime soon.

Lenovo Thinkpad X1 2-in-1 Gen 9: Final verdict

The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 Gen 9 is an excellent choice for business users who need a versatile and reliable device. Its strengths in battery life, display quality, and build make it a strong contender in the premium 2-in-1 market. However, its high price and some design choices may give pause to budget-conscious buyers. Nonetheless, for those who can afford it, this ThinkPad delivers where it matters most. It's a machine I can trust to get my work done without compromising.

For double the fun, we've reviewed the best 2-in-1 laptops.

System76 Darter Pro Linux laptop review

5:11 pm | August 31, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro | Tags: RAM | Comments: Off

In a world where people primarily think of Mac and Windows as the two main operating systems for computers, there are other options available for those with specific needs or who want to break free from the constraints of these operating systems. Linux has remained a popular choice for developers, tech enthusiasts, and privacy-conscious users, and the demand for high-quality hardware in this realm has never been greater.

Like all the best Linux laptops we've tested, the Darter Pro is designed with these users and Linux in mind, making it a strong option in a market filled with alternatives. System76, a company known for its dedication to open-source software and user empowerment, offers a machine that not only meets the technical requirements of its users but also reflects the principles of the Linux community. Whether you need a robust development environment, a secure computing experience, or a reliable laptop that works seamlessly, the Darter Pro offers a top-notch solution that distinguishes it from other Linux-compatible laptops.

System76 Darter Pro: Unboxing & first impressions

The Darter Pro comes in standard, minimalistic packaging that includes the laptop, charger (with a barrel connector, though this can also be charged via USB-C), and standard documentation. It's well-packaged, secure, and straightforward. The laptop is constructed from alloy and plastic, giving it a sturdy yet lightweight feel. The lid and bottom panels are made of magnesium, while the bezel and palm rest are plastic.

Setting up the Darter Pro is straightforward, with options to configure the system upon the first boot. Users can opt to set up full-disk encryption and select their preferred language and keyboard layout. Even for users less familiar with the System76 proprietary OS, Pop!_OS, or Linux, setup is easy to start.

For more options, check out our review of the best Linux distro.

System76 Darter Pro: Design and Build Quality

Specs

Processor: Up to Intel Core Ultra 7 with 16 cores
RAM: Up to 96GB DDR5
Storage: Dual M.2 slots supporting up to 8TB SSD
Display: Available in 14” and 16” FHD+ (1920x1200) with a 16:10 aspect ratio and matte finish
Graphics: Integrated Intel Arc graphics, sufficient for most tasks but not suitable for demanding gaming
Battery: 73 Wh Li-Ion battery, providing up to 9 hours of usage
Operating System: Pre-installed with Pop!_OS or Ubuntu

The Darter Pro is not an ultralight laptop like some computers. It's made of a magnesium alloy and plastic combination, which balances weight and durability well. However, users should be cautious with the hinges. It's a bit heavy but easy to toss in a backpack and take wherever you go. The 14-inch variant weighs around 3.5 lbs and the 16-inch variant around 4.25 lbs. The sleek, minimalistic design with a matte finish looks clean, though a giant System76 logo is in the center of the laptop's lid. Regardless, it appeals to professional users with the sleek look many laptop manufacturers seek. This laptop will fit right in with the other available options.

System76 Darter Pro: In use

At this point, I've had this laptop in rotation for a couple of days, and I've used it as my dedicated computer for my entire day without any problems. The overall UI is responsive and fast, programs load quickly, and multitasking is a breeze.

My Darter Pro has 32GB of RAM, an Intel Core Ultra 7 155H, and 500GB of Storage. I am still looking for the limits of what this workhorse can do. I've run my daily tasks here, and I am barely even breathing under the load. I've run tests through Basemark, and it scored 1017.69. This laptop should handle even demanding tasks, virtual machines, and coding and easily crush general multitasking and business tasks.

The matte display reduces glare and offers vibrant colors, making it suitable for both work and media consumption, even though it has a lower resolution screen than other laptops. I experienced around 8.5-9 hours of battery life under light to moderate usage. However, high-performance tasks might reduce this significantly, especially if you push the RAM more than I am.

The keyboard is responsive, though some might find the minor right shift key inconvenient. Typing all day on this keyboard is comfortable. It might not be the best laptops for programming in the world - admittedly, it's not my favorite keyboard I've ever used - but it's plenty comfortable for all-day usage. This keyboard showed me that I rarely use the right shift key, which is surprising since I've been typing for 10+ years, and though I don't have faster typing, I can type most of my peers out -- but perhaps a tale for another time.

The trackpad is functional but may require some getting used to. I am pressing through the trackpad to click, but the tapping functionality works seamlessly. The overall size is pretty comparable to a MacBook, with a right-angle corner adjustment compared to the Mac's rounded corners.

Port-wise, System76 did a good job of port placement, though, in a perfect world, I'd prefer Thunderbolt on both sides, especially in 2024. The Darter Pro has a USB-A, headphone jack, and microSD slot on the left side. On the right, there is the power barrel connector, a USB-A, a Thunderbolt port, and a USB-C port. On the back, System76 included an HDMI and a network port.

System76 Darter Pro: Final verdict

The System76 Darter Pro is a well-rounded Linux laptop that excels in performance, portability, and user freedom. Its open-source firmware and customizable hardware make it a top choice for developers and tech enthusiasts who prioritize control over their computing environment. While it might not be the best option for gamers or those needing ultra-high-resolution displays, it stands out as a reliable, efficient machine for most professional tasks. If you wanted one of the best business laptops running Linux, this is worth consideration.

For more Linux hardware, we tested out the best Linux PC

Only the iPhone 17 Pro Max will have 12GB of RAM, new rumor claims

6:31 pm | August 29, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Mobile phones news | Tags: RAM | Comments: Off

Yesterday a rumor claimed all iPhone 17 models would come with 12GB of RAM, as opposed to 8GB on the iPhone 16 family. Today, TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has chimed in with some clarificaations. According to him, only the iPhone 17 Pro Max will have 12GB of RAM, whereas the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Slim will get 8GB, just like the next iPhone SE). With this in mind, Apple is likely to turn enhanced on-device AI capabilities into a major selling point specifically for the iPhone 17 Pro Max, and not the entire range. The Pro Max will also get an...

iPhone 17 to have 12GB of RAM, compared to only 8GB in the iPhone 16

12:17 am |

Author: admin | Category: Mobile phones news | Tags: RAM | Comments: Off

Apple is announcing the iPhone 16 series on September 9, and a new rumor claims all four models will get 8GB of RAM. In contrast, the iPhone 17 family coming next year will jump to 12GB of RAM. That is a pretty significant jump and it's apparently all to do with AI - this time around the Apple Intelligence features will be mostly cloud-based, but once the iPhone 17 models launch, a lot more AI will be on-device, hence the need for more RAM. Google has already upped the RAM of its devices with the Pixel 9 family that launched earlier this month, and it's even using a chunk of RAM...

HP EliteBook 845 G11 14in business laptop review

9:51 am | August 25, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro | Tags: Battery Life, RAM | Comments: Off

The HP EliteBook 845 G11 is a sleek, silver 14in enterprise laptop that means business. This premium WIndows 11 unit features an AMD Ryzen 7 8840HS processor and Radeon 780M Graphics, 32GB RAM, and 512GB storage - which is more than enough to power productivity throughout the day.

As one of the best business laptop lines out there, the EliteBook is smart and professional, with MacBook pretensions once you crack open the lid to expose a well-spaced, backlit keyboard of black against the silver frame. In use, it’s comfortable and intuitive (any typos are strictly my own), although as with so many thin laptops, key travel can feel stubby and shallow.

I’ve always had a hit-and-miss experience with HP laptops - they often feel cheap and plasticky, lids soft and hollow, keys shallow. So there was relief taking hold of the all-metal EliteBook 845 G11. In hand, it doesn’t feel quite as nice or durable as the Lenovo ThinkPad T14s I recently reviewed, but there’s a comforting robustness and weightiness to the device.

Performance-wise, this laptop offers exactly what you’d expect, and everything you hoped. It blazes through the likes of web browsing, Microsoft Office and G Suite apps. I experienced no performance-related issues, whether writing and editing in the notoriously resource-hungry Chrome or taking conference video calls. Having said that, during prolonged use, both the underside and palm rests get fairly warm, which is especially noticeable when the device is charging.

Overall, an excellent business laptop, with plenty of scope for coding, use on campus, and regular home use, too. The lack of decent GPU renders this laptop less useful for high-resolution video editing and 3D rendering. But CPU and RAM are more than sufficient to deliver a smooth experience for everyday office tasks.

HP EliteBook 845 G11 during our review process — (Image credit: HP)

HP EliteBook 845 G11: Price & availability

You should have no difficulty picking up the HP EliteBook 845 G11, which is widely available from online retailers and direct from HP. Even older EliteBooks are readily available. Prices for the laptop start at $1790 / £1200.

HP EliteBook 845 G11: Design & features

Specs

Processor: Up to AMD Ryzen 7 Pro
RAM: Up to 64GB
Storage: Up to 2TB PCIe Gen4x4 NVMe M.2 SSD
Display: 14" WUXGA IPS (1920 x 1200)
Graphics: AMD Radeon Graphics
Ports: 2x Thunderbolt 4, 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1, 1x HDMI, 1x 3.5mm audio jack, 1x smart card reader, 1x nano-sim slot, 1x security lock slot
Operating System: Windows 11 Pro
Weight: From 1.42 kg (3.14 lb)
Battery Life: Up to 10 hours

Weighing in at 1.42kg, measuring 12.4 x 8.83 x 0.64in, the HP EliteBook 845 G11 has a good weight and feel. Constructed with an all-metal chassis “based on high quality aluminum and magnesium” according to the manufacturer, I felt this was a laptop that can take a few knocks on the commute, or being shunted from hot-desk to hot-desk.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, 14in is the ideal size for a business laptop. Not too small, not too bulky, perfect for extended use without weighing you down too much. This EliteBook fits nicely into this category. Here, the display on the base model is a 14in anti-glare rocking a 1920x1200 resolution and a disappointingly average 300nits brightness. That’s fine in the home and office, but you’ll struggle more to see the screen outdoors in bright light. On the other hand, HP offers a range of alternative panels, with low blue light and touch features, and 400, 500, and 800nits options.

Above the panel is a 5MP webcam that does the job but not much more. Again, you can upgrade to the 5MP IR webcam, or strip out the camera if you never again want to endure another Zoom presentation. What I especially like here is the physical camera cover - fast becoming a necessity for business laptops. Neatly sliding the ridged switch to the left ‘grays out’ camera, disabling it in the settings rather than simply masking the lens.

Using the keyboard is a comfortable experience. It features a backlight of soft white, which automatically turns off to preserve the battery after a few minutes of inactivity, for low-light and night-time use. Keys are not too spongy like for instance the Microsoft Surface, but gentle and firm enough to take a battering when bashing out a report, spreadsheet, or writing a laptop review. While it can’t quite compare to the excellent keyboards you typically find on the best Lenovo ThinkPad laptops - by far the best I’ve used on any business laptop - the spacious design really lets the fingers flow, creating a good rhythm when typing. The welcome addition of a keyboard backlight of soft white, which automatically turns off to preserve the battery after a few minutes of inactivity. I did experience a few near-misses with the arrow and Pg Up/Pg Dn keys so clustered together, but these were few and far between.

The trackpad is broad, allowing for sweeping gestures without being hindered by physical buttons here. Just be careful not to brush the palm of your hand against it while typing, as I did on occasion, sending the cursor to all kinds of unwanted places.

For everyday usage, connectivity is good. It’s a thin laptop, and thin laptops typically mean as few ports as possible, but you’ll still find a HDMI, two USB Type-A 5Gbps ports, two Thunderbolt 4 ports, nano-SIM card slot, and a 3.5mm audio jack. You may still need to invest in any of the best laptop docking stations, although there’s plenty of space here to connect key peripherals or hook up a second monitor.

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HP EliteBook 845 G11: Performance

I tested this laptop for normal business use - the type the HP EliteBook 845 G11 is built for, straight out of the box. Running plenty of Google Docs and Sheets, jumping into the odd meeting, light photo editing, opening more tabs than necessary open in the web browser. And, of course, in time honored tradition, writing this review on the laptop. Equipped with all that RAM, the EliteBook breezed through all these tasks in almost total silence.

I can’t say it’s the best laptop for photo editing. If you’re a pro, a dedicated content creation station like the MacBook Pro will serve you better - not least because the screen’s brightness and 100% sRGB color space coverage leaves something to be desired in a professional design setting. But for undemanding Photoshop work, social media imagery, lower resolution video editing for your website, HP’s machine capably serves its purpose.

Battery life was ok - I got around 6-7 hours of use, getting through most of the day before I needed to charge up. And that was under standard operation - mostly Google Docs and content management systems. That’s pretty standard for a laptop like this, which has to balance heavy batteries with portability, but I would’ve liked to see it last a bit longer.

As mentioned, the laptop did run warm after a lot of use, even more so than the Lenovo T14s. This was the only real issue I found, and an expected one at that for a powerful business laptop like this. Otherwise, for productivity and performance, the EliteBook 845 G11 shines.

HP EliteBook 845 G11: Final verdict

There’s a lot to like about the HP EliteBook 845 G11, and not much to dislike here. It’s well-built, well-designed machine that easily handled all the tasks I threw at it. I also found the keyboard very comfortable to use even over long periods - and while it’s not quite up to ThinkPad standards in this department, in almost every other way, the EliteBook gives Lenovo’s business line-up a serious run for its money.

The screen may be a deal-breaker for some - with its average 300nits brightness and low color space coverage, it’s not going to suit those who need to do more than basic image editing and creating online assets. But with plenty of RAM and a powerful CPU, my whole experience using this as a day-to-day business laptop was seamless and silent. At times, it did get hot around the underside and palm rests, but not to the point where the laptop became unusable or too uncomfortable. Elsewhere, though, this is a very well-built machine that, though not a rugged device with an assortment of IP and MIL-STD ratings, feels reliable and robust.

Should I buy the HP EliteBook 845 G11?

Buy it if…

You want a reliable device for business

The HP EliteBook 845 G11 is built for business, with the specs to prove it. For processor-intensive work that requires plenty of RAM for a seamless experience, this laptop delivers.

You want a robust laptop

It may not be a true rugged laptop, but with an all-metal chassis, this EliteBook feels good in the hand and ready to tackle the fiercest of commutes.

Don’t buy it if…

You’re on a budget

The EliteBook 845 G11 has a large price-tag with specs to suit - if you’re on a budget or simply don’t need this sort of power, HP’s offering may not be the best choice.

You want the best keyboard on a laptop

It’s subjective, of course, and there’s nothing wrong with the EliteBook’s layout and design - but as a professional writer, I still gravitate towards ThinkPads when it comes to the best typing experience on a business laptop.

Looking for more power in a portable machine? We tested the best mobile workstations.

Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 4 business laptop review

9:51 am | August 24, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro | Tags: Battery Life, RAM | Comments: Off

When I was sent the Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 4, I thought it would be the easiest review in the world.

A few months prior, I’d bought the exact same model, with more or less the same specs, for personal use. At the time, I was looking for one of the best business laptops I could find. Fast, reliable, capable of running all the usual Office apps and browsers and nothing too strenuous. A key requirement was a comfortable keyboard for typing. It was probably the best money I ever spent on a device. So, being very familiar with the performance of the T14s, I thought I could draw on my months-long experience and spend the rest of the time playing Mario Kart. Then I cracked open the lid of the new laptop - and fell in love all over again. I can’t stay away from this ThinkPad. I admire its purity.

The model reviewed here is powered by an AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 7840U with Radeon 780M Graphics, 32GB RAM, and 512GB storage. However, unlike older ThinkPads, it’s worth noting that while you can expand SSD storage, the RAM is soldered to the board and can’t be upgraded, so choose wisely. Ports and connectivity is fair, with a smart card reader, two USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, two Thunderbolt 4 ports (one of which is used for charging the device), HDMI, 3.5mm audio jack, and a nano-sim slot around the back.

On paper, the T14s may not be the best Lenovo ThinkPad out there. The P14 is superior for graphically intensive use, the X1 Carbon beloved for its ultra-lightweight design, the T480 is widely considered the pick of the bunch. And the Intel version of this model reportedly suffers cooling issues, so opt for the AMD version if you can get it. But this is a beautiful machine in its own right - thin, light, sleek, its all-black chassis accented with Lenovo red across the trackpad and trackpoint. For standard business use - think emails, internet, Microsoft Office, Google Docs - there’s little to beat this light, compact, commuter-friendly machine.

Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 4 during our review — (Image credit: Lenovo)

Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 4: Price & availability

The Lenovo T14s is widely available, retailing at around $1000 / £1000 for the base model. Intel T14s tend to be priced higher than AMD models, and again, we stress that if you can, go for AMD, which will help keep the laptop cooler.

With the recent release of the Gen 5 and Snapdragon-powered Gen 6 versions, it should mean you’ll be able to get some good deals here as stores begin to get rid of the older stock.

Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 4: Design & features

Specs

Processor: 13th generation Intel Core i5 - i7 / AMD Ryzen 5 - 7 Pro
RAM: Up to 32GB RAM
Storage: Up to 2TB SSD
Display: 14" WUXGA IPS (1920 x 1200)
Graphics: Intel Iris Xe Graphics / AMD Radeon Graphics
Ports: 1x smart card reader, 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1, 2x Thunderbolt 4 1x HDMI, 1x 3.5mm audio jack, 1x nano-sim slot
Operating System: Windows 11 Pro
Weight: From 1.25 kg (2.76 lbs)
Battery Life: Up to 12 hours

Lenovo’s flagship business machine feels good in the hand. This is a sturdy laptop, built from premium-grade materials - magnesium for the keyboard frame, carbon fiber for the top cover - that you’d expect from the S variants in the company’s line-up. If you’re wondering, the S stands for slim, and at 12.50 x 8.93 x 0.65in the T14s is certainly that. The suffix also means these laptops are lighter (this one clocks in at 1.26kg) and more durable than plastic-based counterparts like the T14 and P14. The only real downside in construction is that the T14s is undeniably a finger-print magnet.

In my experience, 14in is the perfect size for a business laptop. A 13in feels too cramped, while 15.6in models tend to be heavier and less easy to transport. Here, the base screen is a 14in 1080p anti-glare IPS panel with 300 nits brightness, in the 16:10 aspect ratio. You can also upgrade to touchscreen versions, a 400 nits lower power display, and a 2.8K OLED version that boasts 400 nits, HDR 500, and 100% DCI-P3 color space coverage. That might be of interest to anyone looking for the best video editing laptop, but it drains the battery a lot faster and you can find better bang for your buck elsewhere if editing is your main concern. Helpfully, the T14s display can also be laid flat, letting you literally share your screen and collaborate with colleagues. Above this, one of my favorite features: a physical camera cover (Lenovo calls it the ThinkShutter) that slides into place.

The keyboard is the real reason I chose a ThinkPad over rivals like the Dell XPS 15 or Microsoft Surface. I’ve never understood the love these laptops get for their keyboards, which feel light and spongy, with very little key travel. Fine, perhaps, for writing emails or messages on Slack and Teams, though not for any extended writing and editing. The T14s features the same backlit keyboard you’ll find on other modern ThinkPads, well-spaced and slightly curved for greater ergonomics. Yes, at 1.5mm the key travel is shallower than older 1.8mm models, and it is a noticeable downgrade, but it doesn’t detract from the relaxed typing experience compared to similar laptops.

The device was more or less ready to go out of the box, although I had to add the UK keyboard layout in the Windows settings and solve that famous Lenovo quirk: swapping over Fn and Ctrl buttons. Using the Lenovo Vantage app, I headed into Settings > Device > Inputs & accessories. Here, a toggle switch lets you change the function of the Fn and Ctrl keys to mirror most other keyboards.

The ThinkPad’s most famous feature is alive and well in the T14s. The trackpoint, that nippled red circle nestled between the G-H-B keys, acts as an off-hand cursor, so you can keep your fingers on the keys. Once you adjust to the required sensitivity - firm and gentle does the trick, lightly moving with purpose - it becomes a breeze to use. And if you don’t use it, you’ll never notice it’s there. In day-to-day use over months, I’ve never once accidently jostled it when typing.

Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 4: Performance

When it comes to business, my laptop use is the sort replicated in offices across the globe. Chrome, Slack, occasional photo editing, the whole Google G Suite, and a handful of video meetings via Google Meet, Teams, and Zoom. The ThinkPad T14s is tailored to these sorts of tasks, powering through them in near-silence thanks to its CPU and the bountiful RAM. In use, the trackpad is smooth, responsive, with three physical buttons above for additional cursor control. Running basic photo editor tools proved no problem for the laptop, and while best photo editing laptops offer a bit more for the money, this is more than capable of tackling those sorts of tasks as it caters to a broad range of business needs.

Without a decent GPU, the laptop will struggle with triple-A games. But then, you shouldn’t be playing games at work, my friend, where this laptop was chiefly designed for use. And while you shouldn’t have too many issues editing HD videos, that GPU limitation also rules out high-resolution video editing and 3D rendering, where a graphics-led ThinkPad like the P14s will shine.

Battery life was fair but not jaw-dropping. With the screen set to average brightness (I also prefer leaving Night Light on to off-set the harshness of the whites), it lasted around 6 hours. You can extend it by turning off the backlit keyboard or upgrading to the low power display, which in my experience will add an hour or so before you need to recharge. At least the batteries are replaceable. After extended use, I did find the laptop can run warm. With exhaust ports to the right and underneath, you’ll certainly feel the warmth when using a mouse or on the lap.

Overall, the performance is excellent for its use-case. Fast with no frustrating lags and slow-downs - even when opening multiple tabs in the memory-hogging Chrome (admittedly, your mileage may vary on this one).

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Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 4: Final verdict

I enjoyed my time with the Lenovo ThinkPad T14s - just as much this time around as the first time I cracked open the lid of one. When it came to taking one laptop with me while working away from home, confronted with the choice of the T14s, HP EliteBook 845 G11, and the 13in Microsoft Surface Laptop, it was Lenovo’s machine I reached for every time. It felt like a natural fit for working on the go, but then again, it was my literal Editor’s Choice just a few months before.

Throughout this review, I’ve been calling the T14s a business machine - and it’s certainly built for the job. But I’ve found this is just as suitable for regular home use (as in my case), as a future-proofed student laptop to last throughout school or college, and as a laptop for programming thanks to those hardy specs and glorious keyboard that will make coding on the go a breeze. Robustly constructed, the device feels like it should last a long time, too.

The lack of upgradeability - a defining factor in the popularity of ThinkPads past - may limit the appeal of the T14s, but for most, the soldered RAM and performance-driven processor will be more than enough to power users through the working day.

Should I buy the Lenovo ThinkPad T14s?

Buy it if…

You want a fast, reliable business laptop

Powered by the AMD Ryzen 7 CPU and equipped with a base 32GB RAM, the T14s breezes through office tasks and light photo editing and video editing.

You want one of the best keyboard experiences on a modern laptop

Keyboards can be hit and miss, but a comfortable, ergonomic typing experience is essential on a business or student laptop - on that score, the ThinkPad still reigns supreme.

Don’t buy it if…

You use CAD software

While the T14s specs are respectable, the laptop lacks a GPU sufficient for 3D computer-aided design or high-resolution video editing.

You want limitless upgrade options

Like many modern ThinkPads, the T14s shies away from total upgradeability. You can boost the SSD, for example, but not the RAM. For more upgrade options, try older models like the T480s.

For more power and performance, we tested the best mobile workstations.

Lenovo ThinkBook 13x Gen 4 IMH business laptop review

9:35 am |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro | Tags: Additional Features, CPU, RAM | Comments: Off

There's something very pleasing about Lenovo's ThinkBook line-up - a series aimed at prosumers - and the ThinkBook 13x Gen 4 IMH fits well within that space.

From the ThinkBooks we've reviewed, they're not quite up there with the best Lenovo ThinkPad laptops, but they're leaps and bounds ahead of the company's consumer devices. ThinkBooks are famed for offering good power and cost, filling the gap between a machine for casual web browsing and the best business laptops.

The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x Gen 4 IMH is a beautiful example of just how good the range can be. First, it's ultra-portable, only made more notable by its 13-inch, 3:2 screen. Second, it's crazy powerful, partly due to the Intel Core Ultra 9 185H 2.3 GHz processor and partially because of the 32GB of RAM. Regardless of the reasoning, this laptop is impressive all around.

If I had to pick a downside, it would be the lack of ports. However, it is becoming increasingly common to have only a couple of Thunderbolt ports on a laptop and call it good, especially in something as thin as the ThinkBook 13x Gen 4. Gratefully, unlike even the best MacBook Pro laptops, the ThinkBook 13x Gen 4 IMH puts one Thunderbolt port on either side of the laptop rather than both on the left side as Apple does.

Lenovo ThinkBook 13x Gen 4 IMH: Unboxing & first impressions

The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x Gen 4 IMH is very well packaged in minimalist packaging, emphasizing its premium computer status from the beginning. The laptop's dual-tone Luna Gray aluminum body immediately caught my eye, and then, as fast as it caught my eye, my eyes jumped to the Magic Bay area -- more on that later.

I kept unboxing, and when I lifted the computer from the box, I was shocked and thrilled with just how lightweight the ThinkBook was. And it's easy to carry as it's smooth and doesn't feel bulky or rough. It's a beautiful machine with premium materials and an excellent design.

Lenovo ThinkBook 13x Gen 4 IMH: Design and Build Quality

Specs

as tested

CPU: Intel Core Ultra 9 185H
Graphics: Integrated Intel Arc Graphics
RAM: 32GB
Screen: 13.5-inch IPS, 2880 x 1920 pixels, 500 nits, 100% sRGB
Storage: 1TB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD
Ports: 3 x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C), 1 x Headphone / Microphone combo jack (3.5mm), Connector for accessories, E-shutter switch
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3
Camera: 1080p IR camera with Windows Hello, AI features (auto-framing, background blur)
Audio: Four Harman Kardon speakers, Dolby Atmos support
Battery: All-day battery life, up to 24 hours
Dimensions: 0.5 x 11.6 x 8.1 inches (H x W x D)
Weight: 2.7 pounds (1.22 kg)
Operating System: Windows 11 Pro
Additional Features: Power button with fingerprint reader, Magic Bay Light accessory for video calls

The fourh-generation ThinkBook 13x is a masterclass in modern laptop design. It's clean, simple, elegant, professional, and yet exciting and exciting. It has a 13.5-inch display with a 3:2 aspect ratio framed by ultra-thin bezels. Thanks to the aspect ratio, the taller screen gives more room for productivity tasks than the more common 16:9 aspect ratio. Despite its compact size and lightweight overall package, this laptop still feels premium, solid, and ultra-powerful.

The display boasts a 2880x1920 resolution, producing sharp and vibrant colors and text. So far, color accuracy has been great when using this laptop. I've enjoyed the beautiful display on this computer for a couple of weeks now, and in that time, the refresh rate has been smooth, the colors have been stunning, the text has been crisp, and the brightness has been pretty good.

The speakers were also surprising, especially for how thin the laptop is. Four Harman Kardon speakers within the ThinkBook 13x Gen 4 are decently loud and relatively clean audio until you get to max volumes. For virtual meetings, I was able to hear the other people clearly, and music for quick videos or voicemails or anything like that is just fine on these speakers, However, as an amateur audiophile with a background in music performance, I'll stick to my high-end headphones for listening to music. For others who may care less about the specific quality of the music, these speakers will be plenty.

Lenovo ThinkBook 13x Gen 4 IMH: In use

The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x Gen 4 IMH is powered by an Intel Core Ultra 9 185H processor with an Intel Arc integrated graphics card. So far, even with heavy business use, I have yet to reach the limit. With high-end video editing, you could make this beast of a business machine begin to breathe a bit harder, but with my day-to-day work on it, I have not noticed any slowdowns, nor have I noticed long loading times or processing times. This laptop will be more than sufficient for most users for office work, business work, online work, and so on.

The laptop’s standout feature, the Magic Bay Light, magnetically attaches to the screen, utilizing the Magic Bay previously mentioned, and significantly improves visibility during video calls in low-light environments. It is a perfectly placed soft light to help light you as the subject for a virtual meeting. The 1080p IR webcam supports Windows Hello, and its AI features, like background blur and auto-framing, enhance video calls further, making this a fantastic computer for remote workers with many virtual meetings.

The keyboard, however, was not my favorite, though it was excellent. I expected the typing experience to be better. The trackpad/touchpad had a slightly odd click if you choose to click in rather than tap, but I am also used to the gold standard of trackpads with a MacBook, so it is my preference.

Lenovo claims the ThinkBook 13x Gen 4 has the largest battery of any 13-inch laptop and delivers impressive all-day battery life. In testing, the laptop lasted well over 10 hours on a single charge, making it an excellent choice for users who need a reliable device for extended work sessions.

Given how light it is, I have genuinely forgotten that this laptop is in my bag day to day. I'll pick up my backpack for the day and double-check that I have my laptop of choice loaded up. I love not worrying about sitting near an outlet or having my portable batteries charged up for an all-day workday outside my home office. The overall usage and power have been fantastic, and the form factor has been excellent for my daily laptop.

Lenovo ThinkBook 13x Gen 4 IMH: Final verdict

The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x Gen 4 IMH is a stylish and capable ultraportable that will appeal to business users who prioritize design and portability. However, its high price and lack of some ports might make it less attractive compared to other ultraportables that offer better port offerings. If you are okay with only having Thunderbolt ports, this laptop is an absolutely fantastic option for most people, especially business professionals looking for a great all-around laptop.

Need more power for productivity? We reviewed the best mobile workstations.

Asus ProArt P16 laptop review

9:55 am | August 23, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro | Tags: CPU, RAM | Comments: Off

Asus ProArt P16: 30-second review

Specs

CPU: AMD Ryzen™ AI 9 HX 370 Processor; AMD XDNA™ NPU up to 50TOPS
Graphics: NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 4070 Laptop GPU, 8GB GDDR6; AMD Radeon™ 890M Graphics
RAM: 64GB LPDDR5X on board
Storage: 2TB M.2 NVMe™ PCIe® 4.0 SSD
Left Ports: DC-in, HDMI 2.1 FRL, USB 4.0 Gen 3 Type-C, USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack
Right Ports: SD Express 7.0 card reader, USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) (Triple band) 2x2, Bluetooth® 5.4
Audio: Built-in array microphone, Harman/Kardon (Premium)
Camera: FHD camera with IR function to support Windows Hello
Size: 35.49 x 24.69 x 1.49 ~ 1.73 cm (13.97" x 9.72" x 0.59" ~ 0.68")
Weight: 1.85 kg (4.08 lbs)
OS Installed: Windows 11 Home
Accessories: Stylus (Asus Pen SA203H-MPP2.0 support)

The Asus ProArt P16 is one of the fastest 16-inch laptops available with AI processing used to boost performance for demanding applications like Premiere Pro, After Effects, and DaVinci Resolve. ASUS has essentially designed this laptop to rival the Apple MacBook Pro, with features tailored specifically for creatives.

The ProArt P16 design supports easy connectivity to various accessories, monitors, projectors, and devices, making it ideal for travelling professionals. The intuitive keyboard and trackpad layout, along with the Asus DialPad, enhance usability in apps like Photoshop, with for example, the quick adjustments of brush sizes.

The touchscreen's 4096 pressure sensitivity and included stylus offer precise control for drawing and creative work. The Asus suite of creative software also provides AI-driven organisation of digital images and videos.

At its core, the ProArt P16 boasts superior power, outpacing many competitors, including the MacBook Pro. This is evident when handling 4K and 6K video footage from cameras like the Canon EOS R5C and Blackmagic Cinema Camera 6K. While an external SSD is necessary for large files, the processor and graphics card handle advanced editing seamlessly.

Like all the best video editing laptops and best laptops for graphic design we've reviewed, the ProArt P16 is targeted at videographers, photographers, designers, and content creators. It meets the high demands of the creative sector. It stands out as a great alternative to the best MacBook Pro laptops, not just for budget reasons but for its performance and features.

Asus ProArt P16: Introduction

The Asus ProArt P16 is marketed as a laptop designed for and aimed at the creative sector—ideal for anyone needing a portable, powerful machine capable of content creation. This is no small feat, as the processing and graphics power required to edit, manipulate, and enhance the latest 4K and 8K video footage, high-resolution photography, AI content, and traditional sketching and drawing is immense for one machine to handle.

With the ProArt P16, you have a machine capable of handling the latest video files from cameras such as the Canon EOS R5 and the Sony Alpha 7 Mark IV. This laptop's ability to easily manage files from these high-end mirrorless hybrid cameras highlights just how powerful the ProArt P16 is.

What truly sets this machine apart is not just its processing power, which enables it to handle large and complex file formats, but its design, which is fine-tuned for creatives. The large monitor, which is 100% P3 compliant, ensures that the colours you see on the screen will be accurately reproduced elsewhere. Small details, such as the Asus DialPad and an extensive array of ports around the sides, will all provide easy connectivity. Additionally, the full touchscreen and supplied stylus all add to the desirability of this laptop for creatives.

Compared with a traditional laptop, the Asus ProArt P16 seems to be in a league of its own, but can a laptop designed for a niche sector really live up to the demands of creatives?

Asus ProArt P16: Price & availability

The Asus ProArt P16 isn't cheap, with the standard model starting at $2700 / £2600. When it comes to availability, you can purchase it directly through the Asus website, and it is also widely available at most major retailers and online stores.

Price: 5/5

Asus ProArt P16: Design & build

The Asus ProArt P16 boasts an incredibly sleek design, considering the size of the monitor and the powerful hardware it contains. The laptop measures 35.49 x 24.69 x 1.49 cm and weighs 1.85 kg, making it relatively easy to slip into a standard laptop or camera backpack or laptop bag. While the weight is on the heavier side compared to typical laptops, it is quite reasonable given its capabilities and on par with the MacBook Pro.

One important consideration is that this laptop requires a proprietary power adapter, which is especially crucial for intensive tasks like video editing that can drain the battery quickly. This adapter is needed as the laptop cannot be charged via a standard USB Type-C charger.

The laptop is extremely well-built and feels tough and durable. It meets the US MIL-STD 810H military-grade standard for durability, so it should withstand more than a knock or two out in the field.

When it comes to some of the standard laptop features, the sides of the laptop offer a good variety of ports. On the left side, there is the DC-in, HDMI 2.1, a USB 4 Type-C, a USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, and an audio combo jack. Flipping over to the right-hand side, there's an SD Express 7.0 card reader, a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, and a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C. The only thing missing here is a standard Ethernet port, so if you need to connect to a wired network, you will need a USB Type-C to Ethernet adapter.

The design of the keyboard is nice and large, with a full layout and all the usual keys that you would want for general admin and office work, as well as shortcuts when using creative applications. A nice feature is the large touchpad, which is really sensitive. You can pop into the settings and adjust its sensitivity as needed. Integrated into this touchpad is the Asus DialPad, which is essentially a circular indent that acts as a touch-sensitive control wheel. A nice function of this is that you can adjust its options and functions through the ProArt Creator Hub and settings.

Another notable design feature is the two speaker panels located on either side of the keyboard. These panels house powerful, high-quality Harman Kardon speakers.

When it comes to the screen, it has an almost edge-to-edge design, which is really nice to see, giving you a big and clear, distraction-free workspace. The monitor itself meets the P3 display standard to 100%, and if you want to delve into the settings, there's plenty of adjustment available if you need to calibrate the monitor using tools like the DataColor SpyderX2. Another nice feature of the monitor is that it is fully touchscreen enabled and a stylus is included in the package. While this makes the screen relatively glossy, it is not overly so, and reflections are kept to a minimum.

Overall, the slim and relatively lightweight build, combined with its powerful capabilities, makes the Asus ProArt P16 an ideal option for creatives on the move who need a powerhouse of a machine to run the best video editing software or best graphic design software. When sitting down and working at the machine, the full keyboard, trackpad, control dial, and touchscreen with stylus support all contribute to a very appealing laptop for anyone working in the creative sector.

Design: 5/5

Asus ProArt P16: Features

Many laptops are tuned for raw power, especially with the evolution of AI chips. The Asus ProArt P16 exemplifies this, featuring an AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor coupled with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 GPU. The processor offers 50 TOPS, up to 70W CPU TDP, and 5.1 GHz with 12 cores, while the GPU delivers 321 TOPS and 8GB GDDR6 VRAM for real-time ray tracing and AI-augmented computing. Supporting these components is 64GB of LPDDR5X RAM and a 2TB NVMe M.2 SSD for fast storage.

A notable addition is a dedicated AI NPU chip that powers AI features like Copilot in Windows and the Asus AI applications. Support from Adobe and others for this chip is growing, enhancing capabilities in Photoshop and Premiere Pro. The AI-powered apps MuseTree and StoryCube add further value.

The ProArt P16 boasts a large 16-inch OLED touchscreen with 4096 levels of sensitivity and meets the P3 colour standard at 100%. It offers a 4K (3840 x 2400) resolution and supports MPP 2.0. The screen is protected with Corning Gorilla Glass 11, providing durability. Audio is impressive, too, with Harman Kardon speakers featuring Dolby Atmos and three array microphones.

Designed to be equally effective in the studio and field, the laptop meets US military-grade durability tests. Weighing 1.85 kg and measuring up to 14.9 mm thick, it is portable and robust, withstanding up to 95% humidity and temperatures from -32°C to 70°C.

The DialPad integrated into the touchpad and the ProArt Creator Hub software offer precise control for various tools, which is beneficial for photo retouching and other creative tasks. MuseTree allows AI-powered sketch realization, and StoryCube aids in managing digital assets. The ProArt Creator Hub provides access to all features, including a Pantone-developed colour management tool.

Despite its power, the laptop's advanced cooling system remains quiet, even under high-demand tasks like Adobe Premiere Pro. The ProArt P16 runs on Windows 11 Home, with an option to upgrade to Pro. It includes dedicated Asus applications like ProArt Creator Hub, MuseTree, and StoryCube, along with Asus DialPad control panel access.

Features: 5/5

Asus ProArt P16: Performance

Benchmarks

Crystal Disk Read: 5001.01MB/s
Crystal Disk Write: 3955.26MB/s
GeekBench CPU Single: 15197
GeekBench CPU Multi: 2882
GeekBench Compute: 1000704
PC Mark: 8149
CineBench CPU Multi: 21915
CineBench CPU Single: 1948
Fire Strike Overall: 238909
Fire Strike Graphics: 26226
Fire Strike Physics: 31027
Fire Strike Combined: 11672
Time Spy Overall: 9953
Time Spy Graphics: 9791
Time Spy CPU: 10988
Wild Life: 45337
Windows Experience: 8.3

Testing out the laptop involved some creative work in the field. We took it along on a video shoot and used it with Premiere Pro to edit footage shot on the Canon EOS R5 C in Canon Log 3 format. The footage was copied over to a Samsung T5 Evo 1TB SSD for storage from an OWC Atlas CFExpress Type-B Card. The initial handling of the footage was impressive, allowing us to copy the S-Log files directly into the timeline and start editing and grading. For a 15-minute production, the laptop handled the processing with ease and quickly rendered out the file after three hours of editing, ready for uploading to YouTube.

Editing using just the keyboard and the Asus DialPad was intuitive, making it a nice alternative compared to using an accessory like the Monogram Creator Kit that we usually use. While not quite as intuitive, the small pad works incredibly well, allowing customization so it does exactly what you need, which is great for adjusting settings with a finger touch. The full-size keyboard is also a nice addition, and anyone used to a MacBook Pro will find that the layout isn't too dissimilar. The transition, especially for a shortcut wizard, isn't too much of a leap.

Another noticeable feature of the ProArt P16 is its battery life. Even when editing footage in a high-demand application, we were able to get

an hour and eighteen minutes of power before needing to plug into a Bluetti AC200 for portable power for the rest of the edit. For Photoshop and general administration work, the battery life was between three and a half to four and a half hours.

Switching over to using Adobe Photoshop, the laptop handled applications, including Lightroom, with ease. Even with the 45-megapixel images from the Canon EOS R5 C, there was absolutely no slowdown, even as the layering of images increased during focus stacking for an upcoming book. Used on a two-day shoot, the laptop worked well for tethered shooting, taking the images directly into Photoshop, stacking, and then exporting them out, and wirelessly transferring them to the designer, who was able to layout pages on the fly. It was a nice workflow, and the transition from usually using a MacBook Pro to this ASUS ProArt P16 wasn't as large a leap as we had initially anticipated.

When it came to creative apps, the ProArt P16 was finely tuned. The power of those AI chips made easy work of extremely heavy processing tasks. What was impressive was that even when editing large 4K video files and the machine was drawing maximum power, the noise from the fans remained minimal.

Another point to note is that while monitoring audio for video is best done through headphones, the small internal speakers had clarity, quality, and decent volume, allowing us to hear the audio even when working outdoors in a busy environment.

To double-check performance, this review was written using Microsoft Office on the machine, and some work on Excel spreadsheets was done to check the computer's ability to handle general admin tasks. As expected, since this computer can easily handle 4K video editing with ease, there were no issues with administration tasks. Browsing the internet and streaming video content were equally well handled.

Finally, for downtime, we checked out the gaming performance with titles like Hogwarts Legacy and Tekken 8. Once both games were loaded, the machine handled the processing and graphics exceptionally well, far beyond what you'd usually expect from a non-gaming laptop.

After testing and being impressed by the laptop's performance, especially with creative applications, it was time to switch our attention to benchmarking tests to see if the performance of this laptop really was as good as it seemed.

Performance: 5/5

Should you buy the Asus ProArt P16?

The ProArt P16 is specifically designed for the creative industry, offering a range of features finely tuned for this sector. Creatives—from illustrators and textile designers to photographers and videographers—will appreciate the ability to use a stylus accurately with various creative applications. This is a huge benefit, providing precision and enhancing workflow.

From the outset, this laptop impresses. It is slim, with a large screen and relatively light weight, making it highly portable. Its processing power and GPU capabilities enable the use of the best photo editors, design apps, and editing tools. If you're running high-end creative applications like Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Premiere Pro, and DaVinci Resolve, it's an appealing option for professionals.

The laptop includes a variety of ports, allowing easy connectivity to accessories, cameras, monitors, and more. This feature enhances its appeal to creatives who require a versatile and flexible workspace.

Durability is another strong point. With military-grade certification, the ProArt P16 can withstand knocks and bumps, ensuring it survives fieldwork. The full keyboard is excellent for shortcuts and navigation, though an application-specific keyboard for programs like Photoshop or video editing would be a welcome addition.

The Asus DialPad is a standout feature. While it takes some getting used to, it becomes a massive asset for adjusting settings and brush sizes in creative applications. The touchscreen display, with its high sensitivity, allows for direct interaction with artwork, providing precision and a more traditional feel compared to a keyboard and mouse.

Ultimately, the power of this laptop makes the user experience seamless. There is no waiting around, and the workflow is fluid and intuitive. While the Apple MacBook Pro has been a long-standing choice for creatives, the ProArt P16 challenges this dominance. With its powerful features, touchscreen, dial, and creative software suite—including MyAsus, MuseTree, and StoryCube—the ProArt P16 offers a compelling alternative that meets and exceeds the quality and functionality of its Apple counterpart.

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

We've tested the best laptops for photo editing - and these are our top picks

Google Pixel 9 Pro XL review: Google’s AI gateway device

7:00 am | August 21, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Google Pixel Phones Phones | Tags: AI, Google Pixel, RAM | Comments: Off

Google Pixel 9 Pro XL: Three-minute review

If you feel like new Pixel phones arrived sooner this year, you're right. Google's August Pixel hardware event gave us not a duo, but a quartet of new phones; starting at one end with the new baseline Pixel 9, and freshly topped with the Pixel 9 Pro Fold.

Into larger phones? Then the 'XL' nomenclature should tip you off as to where you might want to spend your money. This is the direct successor to last year's 6.7-inch Pixel 8 Pro.

It's the biggest (flat) Pixel yet and it sports a new design that marks a relatively significant shift in the series' aesthetic; the camera bar introduced with the Pixel 6 series is gone and instead we have the camera 'pill.'

The fit and finish have unquestionably been elevated, with the phone's polished frame adopting a much flatter form that's decidedly iPhone-like in its execution, and Google says new construction methods and material choices make it twice as durable as its predecessor.

In reality, the Pixel 9 Pro XL feels great, with the best build quality I've seen from Google to date; not to mention it looks superb, thanks to an updated Super Actua Display that boasts higher peak brightness than anything Apple or Samsung has to offer. The move to an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor is welcome too, delivering on Google's promised speed improvement.

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The same seven-year commitment to OS and security updates helps the Pixel 9 series stand apart from rivals from Apple and Motorola. The phones' earlier-than-usual arrival in the calendar year means that this is the first generation of Pixel in a long time that doesn't debut with a new build of Android. It will benefit from the same future releases of Android as the Pixel 8 line, and likely no more.

Beyond the usual fare of a clean Pixel experience, AI is all Google is talking about. With an updated Gemini Nano model that is multi-modal and three times more capable running on-device, you'll find AI-generated features throughout the user experience.

Most notably, there are three new apps to play with: a new Weather app that's richer and more customizable, with AI-generated weather reports; a new Screenshots app that – as well as helping organize your captures – allows for semantic search; and Pixel Studio, which allows for on-device text-to-image generative AI that Google pitches as a new creative tool. Feel free to reconcile your feelings about using AI-generated imagery in your own time.

The cost of the Pixel 9 Pro and Pro XL also includes a year's access to Google One AI Premium with Gemini Advanced and its new Gemini Live feature. Gemini Live is a decidedly ChatGPT 4o-like conversational experience with Google's off-device AI. It works well for things like how-to guidance and recipe help, but still comes with limitations surrounding how it can actually action on-device tasks for you.

All the on-device AI experiences are powered by Google's new Tensor G4 SoC, paired with a new higher RAM ceiling of 16GB. Previous Pixels already felt fast in day-to-day use, but existing users will notice speed improvements for things like image processing and app load times; even if these gains are seemingly slight. Benchmarks only put the Tensor G4 about 10% ahead of the G3, in terms of CPU performance, with more noticeable graphical gains and, of course, NPU gains for AI tasks.

The other big aspect of any modern, AI-enhanced Pixel phone is the camera experience. The hardware looks, for the most part, similar to the Pixel 8 Pro, albeit with a much higher resolution selfie snapper and a tweaked ultrawide on the back. However, Google claims to have reworked its HDR+ pipeline end-to-end, meaning more true-to-life imagery.

In daylight, I had few complaints, and the Pixel 9 Pro delivers great detail and accurate colors and with dynamic range. Night Sight ensures low-light shooting is almost always rescued from unusable to usable, even if it can still be a little heavy-handed in its post-processing.

The expansion of that HDR+ pipeline to panoramas (paired with a new capture UI), means much better results, especially as Night Sight is now supported here too, although I do wonder whether this upgrade will simply manifest as a Feature Drop update for previous Pixel models in the near future.

Another Pixel 9 Pro exclusive is Video Boost, which can now scale 4K footage up to 8K and proves particularly useful when zooming up to the phone's 20x limit.

Google Pixel 9 Pro XL and Pixel 9 Pro side by side with screens on — Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)

There's another side to the imaging experience on recent Pixels: Magic Editor. Beyond moving elements around in a shot or turning a blue sky to golden hour, the new Reimagine button lets you enter text to generate completely new elements in a shot. It's unquestionably fun and creative, but it also throws out any semblance of authenticity to shots you've captured yourself. Unlike Samsung, there's no AI watermarking going on with edited images, either.

Although that Tensor G4 chipset doesn't mark a huge leap forward in raw horsepower, it certainly has helped with power efficiency, with the Pixel 9 Pro XL serving up almost 70% more screen-on time compared to the Pixel 8 Pro.

The jump from 30W to 37W wired fast charging speeds is a small but welcome bump too, although it looks like you'll have to grab Google's 45W charger for the absolute quickest recharge times, based on my testing with similar chargers.

Perhaps the biggest benefit the Pixel 9 Pro line offers is that – beyond the XL's larger screen and physically bigger battery – there's no compromise across both sizes. If you're happy with the premium, the Pixel 9 Pro XL is the most unapologetic, bombastic Pixel experience you can have right now, outside of foldable land.

Even if the jump from the Pixel 8 Pro isn't as significant as I would have liked, and it feels like this is more a means for Google to cultivate new Gemini Advanced subscribers, I can't help but appreciate the Pixel 9 Pro XL for being greater than the sum of its parts. It may only be just enough of an upgrade, but it is enough.

Google Pixel 9 Pro XL review: Price and availability

Google Pixel 9 Pro XL review back handheld — (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

Priced from $1,099 / £1,099 / AU$1,849
On sale from August 22, 2024
Pro Pixels now start above $/£1,000

While Google announced four phones at its August 2024 event, the standard Pixel 9 and the Pixel 9 Pro XL are the two that hit the market first, on August 22. Meanwhile, the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro Fold arrive on the scene September 4.

In the UK, you can pick up the Pixel 9 Pro XL directly from Google, with double the storage at no extra charge on purchases made before September 5. US buyers can nab $200 in-store credit if ordering before August 28, and Australian buyers can pick up a limited edition poster with purchases made before August 25 (tough break, Australia).

The addition of the new smaller Pro model this year (which starts at a similar launch price to the larger Pixel 8 Pro), helps Google justify its decision to render the Pixel 9 Pro XL the most expensive candy bar Pixel to date: it starts at $1,099 / £1,099 / AU$1,849. It's practically like for like, when compared to equivalent storage options of the iPhone 15 Pro Max, truly putting an end to the notion that the Pixels are the 'affordable' flagship option.

For the asking price, you also get a year's access to a Google One AI Premium (2TB) plan which, as well as granting access to Gemini Advanced (which leverages the Gemini Pro 1.5 model) and Gemini Live, includes more general Google benefits like Fitbit Premium access, Nest Aware, 10% back on Google Store purchases, and unlimited Magic Editor saves in Google Photos.

Value score: 4 / 5

Google Pixel 9 Pro XL review: Specs

Google Pixel 9 Pro XL review: Design

Google Pixel 9 Pro XL review buttons angled — (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

New Pixel aesthetic: the camera bar is dead
100% recycled aluminum frame
Improved build quality

A Pixel in iPhone font – that's the shorthand I keep coming back to with the new Pixel 9 series' design language. The size and feel of the XL's new squared aluminum frame immediately reminds me of Apple's current iPhone 15 Plus and iPhone 15 Pro Max in the hand. Does that polished metal attract fingerprints? Absolutely, but not anywhere near as badly as expected.

This new squared form, paired with the heaviest build of any candy bar Pixel yet (221 grams, the same as an iPhone 15 Pro Max), leads to a more premium look and feel overall. This is helped further by the Pixel 9 Pro XL's slimmer profile compared to the Pixel 8 Pro, and side by side with my wife's old Pixel 6 Pro, the jump in build quality is truly impressive.

One update I'm not sure I love quite so much is the loss of the camera bar, which is replaced in this generation with a camera 'pill' that protrudes out of the phone's rear panel at 90 degrees. It makes for a more bold and confident aesthetic, but it's not as quickly identifiable as the bar.

As well as the cosmetic changes, Google also claims that the Pixel 9 Pro XL's new mid-frame design, not to mention its 100%-recycled aluminum outer frame, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 front and rear panels, and IP68-certified protection against dust and water ingress, make the new phone twice as durable as its predecessor. In my time with the Pixel 9 Pro XL, by trying to keep it out of harm's way as much as possible, the finish has remained unscathed, but whether it'll age as gracefully as its titanium-clad competition from Apple and Samsung remains to be seen.

Both sizes of Pixel 9 Pro come in four colorways, with Obsidian pictured most prominently in this review. The Hazel finish most closely apes the iPhone 15 Pro's Natural Titanium look and the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Titanium Gray, while Porcelain and Rose Quartz offer decidedly more vivacious options.

Design score: 4.5 / 5

Google Pixel 9 Pro XL review: Display

Google Pixel 9 Pro XL review front handheld — (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

6.8-inch Super Actua LTPO OLED
Improved HBM and peak brightness
New ultrasonic fingerprint sensor

The Pixel 8 Pro's Super Actua Display felt like a noteworthy upgrade from the panel on its predecessor and while not as earth-shattering an improvement this generation, the Pixel 9 Pro XL's screen is a great refinement, yet again.

Although it sports the same resolution as the Pixel 8 Pro's panel (technically not as sharp as the Pixel 9 Pro), both high brightness and peak brightness levels have been cranked up to 2,000 and 3,000nits, respectively, meeting or beating key rivals in a spec-for-spec comparison.

Add to that the panel's flat design, its thin, equally-proportioned bezels on all sides, and its excellent viewing angles, and the Pixel 9 Pro XL's Super Actua display is a thing to behold.

As before, the use of an LTPO OLED panel facilitates a dynamic refresh rate from 1 to 120Hz, making it ideal for always-on display functionality, thanks to the implied power saving benefits, while also still serving up a snappy user experience when swiping around the UI.

One of the more prominent changes you might not immediately notice is the fingerprint sensor. Instead of the optical module used since the Pixel 6 series, Google has gone the way of Samsung and instead kitted the Pixel 9 Pro XL's display with an ultrasonic sensor. I didn't notice a huge difference when making the switch from my Pixel 7 Pro, but in side by side comparison is lives up to the promise of a 2x speed improvement. Perhaps more useful is the greater reliability, especially with damp fingers or when used in the rain.

Display score: 4.5 / 5

Google Pixel 9 Pro XL review: Software

Google Pixel 9 Pro XL review Pixel Studio — (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

Seven years of OS & security updates
Launches with Android 14
Gemini AI is woven throughout the user experience

One side effect of this latest-generation Pixel launch happening earlier than usual is that the whole series runs Android 14. Typically, Google times the arrival of its latest smartphones to coincide with the release of the next Android, but the Pixel 9 debuts on the same Android 14 foundation as the Pixel 8.

At least the company's ever-impressive commitment to seven years of updates persists, meaning the phone's price tag includes excellent long-term support for both future releases of Android and subsequent security patches, an area where many rivals still fall short.

As a long-time Pixel user, the look and feel of Android on the Pixel 9 Pro XL is characteristically clean, easily navigable, pleasantly customizable (without being overwhelming), and dressed with helpful everyday features that aren't guaranteed on other phones.

That said, the Pixel 9 Pro XL does get some Pixel-exclusive additions that up the ante, all of which lean on Gemini AI.

There's a new dedicated Weather app that generates dynamic weather reports to make insights into each day's weather more digestible than ever. The ability to drag and drop the various in-app widgets for things like UV index, ten-day forecast, and air quality is a nice perk too.

Next up is the new Pixel Screenshots app, which seems like an odd addition at first, but for list-makers, students, and journalists (like yours truly), it offers surprising depth. You can add notes to individual screenshots and group them into Collections, too. The app can index screenshot content across text and images, making it searchable. This allows for semantic search and object recognition, as well as recognizing WiFi passwords and QR-code information.

Pixel Studio uses an on-device variant of Imagen 3's diffusion-based text-to-image generative AI, allowing you to create imagery seemingly from scratch. You can remix results using pre-defined style prompts, or sculpt a completely original prompt if you prefer.

At launch, Pixel Studio won't render people, but it's fine with objects and animals. It also managed to render legible text without much artifacting, a challenging test that I've seen other image generators fail. Right now, the application proves novel enough but there's scope for everything from messaging to graphic design work, depending on your feeling towards the use of AI-generated imagery.

Google Gemini

The price of the Pixel 9 Pro XL also includes a year's access to Gemini Advanced, meaning you can interact with its latest off-device model in Gemini 1.5 Pro and gain access to Gemini Live: Google's conversational AI experience.

My family tested it's abilities on a bean salad recipe – including suggestions on preparation and accompaniments – all without any obvious breaks in conversation or AI hallucinations. I also had it explain how to change various Gemini and Android settings, although its inability to take actions on many features feels like a missed opportunity, or at least an area that Google should focus on as its expands the assistant's functionality.

A couple of other sprinkles of AI magic on the Pixel 9 Pro XL include text-based summaries of YouTube videos that I didn't have time to watch and Zoom Enhance image upscaling (although results were mixed). I'm also intrigued by the Call Notes feature shown off at launch, that'll summarize phone calls, however, this wasn't ready during review.

The most obvious criticism of Gemini on the Pixel 9 Pro is that it feels consistently slower when asked to carry out the same tasks I would have previously asked of Google Assistant. The trade-off is much richer results and more insight, provided you trust the source data Gemini's pulling from.

Software score: 5 / 5

Google Pixel 9 Pro XL review: Camera

50MP-led triple rear camera setup
New 42MP front-facing camera
New AI-supported features like Add Me and Reimagine

Nowhere is AI more prevalent across the Pixel 9 Pro XL's user experience than the camera. While it might have gone by 'machine learning' in the early days of the Pixel camera experience, AI-powered post-processing has been the secret sauce that has helped elevate the reputation of the Pixel cameras over the past four years, to the point where they regularly sit among the best camera phones.

As Google has focused its efforts on AI more directly, the proposition of a Pixel camera has changed somewhat, with capture and editing becoming two distinct facets of the experience.

If you're looking for a great all-round camera phone, the Pixel 9 Pro XL is right up there. A revised HDR+ pipeline puts into practice the company's learnings from previous entries, paired with new training data to create images with a more true-to-life appearance, better exposure, dynamic range, detail, contrast and color.

Google Pixel 9 Pro XL camera samples

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Google Pixel 9 Pro XL camera sample flowers 0.5x — (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

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Google Pixel 9 Pro XL camera sample flowers 1x — (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

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Google Pixel 9 Pro XL camera sample flowers 2x — (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

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Google Pixel 9 Pro XL camera sample flowers 5x — (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

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Google Pixel 9 Pro XL camera sample flowers 30x — (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

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Google Pixel 9 Pro XL camera sample garden 0.5x — (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

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Google Pixel 9 Pro XL camera sample garden 1x — (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

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Google Pixel 9 Pro XL camera sample garden 2x — (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

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Google Pixel 9 Pro XL camera sample garden 5x — (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

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Google Pixel 9 Pro XL camera sample garden 30x — (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

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Google Pixel 9 Pro XL camera sample succulent macro main — (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

Main sensor w/o macro

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Google Pixel 9 Pro XL camera sample seagull 5x — (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

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Google Pixel 9 Pro XL camera sample moon manual — (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

Low light manual control

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Google Pixel 9 Pro XL camera sample beach far — (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

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Google Pixel 9 Pro XL camera sample beach macro — (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

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Selfie

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Google Pixel 9 Pro XL camera sample Add Me success — (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

Add Me final result

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Google Pixel 9 Pro XL camera sample flower macro ultrawide — (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

Ultra-wide macro mode

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Google Pixel 9 Pro XL camera sample flower macro main — (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

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Google Pixel 9 Pro XL camera sample selfie low light — (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

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Google Pixel 9 Pro XL camera sample selfie Night Sight — (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

Night Sight selfie

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Google Pixel 9 Pro XL camera sample sky high contrast — (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

High contrast comparison shot on Pixel 9 Pro XL

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Google Pixel 9 Pro XL camera sample Pixel 7 Pro comparison sky high contrast — (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

High contrast comparison shot on Pixel 7 Pro

There's a little inconsistency when shooting between the updated ultra-wide's macro mode and macro shots taken on the main 50MP wide sensor, for example, but results remain consistent in how appealing and usable they are. I'd have also liked a lighter hand with the default simulated bokeh when shooting portrait mode shots (something the likes of the Xiaomi 14 Ultra nails), but these are minor grievances and fixable on-device.

Night Sight continues to impress in low light, while support has now been expanded to include the oft-overlooked panorama mode. Led by a new UI that ensures you hold the phone still enough for each shot it stitches together, the results generated are far more impressive than anything capable by previous entries; delivering much better detail and color capture than ever before.

Video Boost is another Pro Pixel-exclusive feature worth shouting about, thanks to the addition of 8K upscaling on 4K footage, the results of which can be quite staggering; especially when zooming in on the phone's 20x magnification. Even if you don't see the need for 4K or 8K footage natively, the extra wiggle room those added pixels afford you makes the experience of creating and editing content far more flexible.

Add Me is a great new addition this generation that solves the problem of getting a group shot, when there's no wall to rest your camera on or passer-by to accost and entrust with taking a photo with you and your friends in. If, like me, you're serially the photographer of your friendship group, this could prove to be a game-changer.

There was certainly trial and error involved, but once we and the phone both understood the goal, results improved until we had a usable shot seemingly taken by a fourth unseen photographer who was never there.

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A successful Add Me shot

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Google Pixel 9 Pro XL camera sample Add Me failure — (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

A failed Add Me attempt

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Google Pixel 9 Pro XL camera sample Add Me success part 1 — (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

Part 1 of the successful Add Me shot

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Google Pixel 9 Pro XL camera sample Add Me success part 2 — (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

Part 2 of the successful Add Me shot

Even more so than the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra's/ Galaxy Z Fold 6's Sketch to Image feature, the generative image tools on the Pixel 9 series unashamedly barge passed the line of authentic photography. At least personally, I'm fine with automated HDR bracketing and tone mapping, in order to produce a photo that's better than I could muster, even if I had full manual control. However, I start to feel uncomfortable with the idea of sharing images shot on the Pixel that have used the full might of the newly-enhanced Magic Editor.

The ability to change a blue sky to that of golden hour and remove unwanted people from the background were novelties that challenged my comfort level, but the new Reimagine feature within Magic Editor doesn't hold back in letting you endlessly rework a shot until it's something entirely different.

In one shot (above), I surrounded my friends and I with sunflowers and then added a scarecrow for good measure. The results don't hold up to close scrutiny, but like most AI-manipulated images, if you don't have prior context, you're less likely to question its authenticity.

A more subtle edit that really impressed/unnerved me was Reimagine's ability to change the ground on a pebbled beach into more ocean (below); creating a rippled mirror surface with an accurate reflection of the clouds in the sky above.

Your mileage with Magic Editor will vary, depending on how scrupulous you feel about using its image-doctoring abilities and whether or not you feel the need to contextualize the results when you share them.

Camera score: 4.5 / 5

Google Pixel 9 Pro XL review: Performance

Debut of Google Tensor G4 SoC
New 16GB RAM ceiling
128GB to 1TB storage (non-expandable)

While the Pixel 9 Pro XL feels more than equipped for everything you throw at in right now, including high-fidelity mobile games, there's no getting around the fact that Tensor chips continue to lag behind Apple's iPhone chips and Qualcomm's top-tier Snapdragons in terms of raw processing and graphical grunt.

Whether it's a matter of the shorter turnaround between generations of Pixel, or the fact that it's not Google's focus, the new Tensor G4 chipset powering all of the Pixel 9 series doesn't pack that much more horsepower, even compared to the Tensor G3.

It's built on a similar 4nm process as the Tensor G3, but with new core architecture and one fewer high efficiency cores than its predecessor. The switch from an Immortalis to a Mali GPU means no more ray tracing, a small but notable loss for mobile gamers.

In testing, the Tensor G4 processor produced a 10% bump to CPU performance, a 15% graphical performance improvement and a 16% uptick in NPU performance over the last generation, however, the biggest gains look to be in power efficiency (more on that later).

As with its predecessor, the Pixel 9 Pro XL can be had in four storage variants, however, the 1TB ceiling appears to be a US exclusive, while other markets, including the UK and Australia, top out at 512GB. Its 16GB of RAM is a range-wide upgrade, likely driven by the phone's newfound AI capabilities, but spec-heads will note that Google isn't using the latest available standards of either LPDDR memory or UFS storage, compared to Samsung's Galaxy S24.

Performance score: 3.5 / 5

Google Pixel 9 Pro XL review: Battery

Google Pixel 9 Pro XL review USB — (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

5,060mAh battery
Improved 37W wired charging
Impressive 9.5 hours of screen-on time per charge

Google has propelled the Pixel 9 Pro XL from a one to a two-day phone. While Pixel batteries have gotten larger over the years, battery life has never really been a positive talking point for the line. Through presumed optimization led by the new Tensor G4, however, the Pixel 9 Pro XL serves up superb longevity by comparison; significantly longer than any previous Pixel we've tested.

The Pixel 9 Pro XL got 9.5 hours of screen-on time, which clocks in at around 65% longer than the 5.75 hours the Pixel 8 Pro was able to muster, despite packing a battery that's around 10mAh smaller (5,050mAh).

Google hasn't stopped there, with faster 37W charging, promising up to 70% charge in just 30 minutes. The company has introduced a new 45W Pixel charger to facilitate the 9 Pro XL's new top charging speed (which is faster than the smaller 9 Pro's 27W charging), however, this was unavailable during review. Instead, I tried Google's previous 30W wired charger – which pushed the Pixel 9 Pro XL to 55% charge in 30 minutes, while a 65W PD PPS charger got closer to Google's quoted speeds, with 65% charge in 30 minutes, and a full charge in 1 hour 20 minutes.

Battery score: 4 / 5

Should you buy the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL?

Buy it if...

You want the richest mobile AI experience
Samsung's Galaxy AI is great, but Google's execution with Gemini Advanced is easier, richer, and more fun to use.

You want an excellent camera phone
The Pixel 9 Pro XL's camera system is a small but appreciated upgrade on its predecessors, highlighted by a new bag of AI-supported tricks you can't get outside of the Pixel family.

You plan on using this phone for a long time
Still among the best there is, Google's commitment to seven years OS and security updates is, once again, hard to argue with.

Don't buy it if...

You want fast charging
Battery life is greatly improved but despite a bump in speed, the Pixel 9 Pro XL's 37W wired charging is still well behind what rivals like OnePlus and Xiaomi offer.

You want the best RAM and memory
While Samsung forges ahead, Google seems reluctant to move to the latest, fastest and most power efficient RAM and storage in its phones, which stings when they cost about the same.

You want to play a lot of games
Google's mobile silicon isn't built for gaming, and while the Tensor G4 handles intense games well, you'll get a much better experience with a recent iPhone or any flagship rival running the latest Snapdragon chipset.

Google Pixel 9 Pro XL review: Also consider

The Pixel 9 Pro XL is a superb large-screened Android phone with a great camera and decent battery life (finally), but its AI-heavy blend won't suit everyone.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
A sharper screen, faster charger, faster storage and memory, more horsepower and stylus input for good measure; not to mention the same impressive software commitment as the Pixel 9 Pro XL.

Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
If you want much of what the Pixel 9 Pro XL has to offer but prefer a phone with more performance and gaming prowess, and less of a focus on AI, the latest and greatest iPhone is your best choice.

How I tested the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL

Google Pixel 9 Pro XL review back angled — (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

Review test period: one week
Testing included: everyday use including web browsing, social media, photography, video calling, gaming, streaming video, music playback
Tools used: Geekbench 6, Geekbench ML, Geekbench AI, GFXBench, 3D Mark, native Android stats, Google Pixel 30W USB-C charger, Samsung 65W trio charger

I received the Pixel 9 Pro XL sample directly from Google, the day after the August Pixel hardware event concluded and was testing it as my daily driver everyday since.

I kept track of battery usage each day and run several benchmarking apps for comparison to other devices, but otherwise used the phone as I would my own, in addition to taking time to test all of the key new features of the device.

As a reviewer with 13 years experience, and having reviewed numerous Pixels, not to mention mainlining a Pixel 7 Pro since its launch in late 2022, I felt confident assessing and scoring the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL, both relative to other Pixels, and in the context of the wider smartphone market in which it competes.

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