Notebookcheck Logo

Latest Tech News

Breaking news, developing stories, insightful articles, and thought-provoking columns about laptops, smartphones, gaming, CPUs, GPUs, and anything related to tech. The latest tech news is also available via Notebookcheck's RSS feed.

    settings restrict
Page Type
Restrict articles to display by Page Type. Each article only falls under one Page Type category.
, , , , , , ,
, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,    
Tags
Restrict articles to display by their associated tags. Articles can have multiple tags and can be further restricted with the "and" or search relation.
, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,    
Search
Search by article title: 
additional restrictions: News, Columns
Sep 19, 2018
The new RTX 2080Ti features a new cooling solution, more CUDA cores than ever, and RTX technology. (Source: Gamers Nexus)

RTX 2000 series has a mixed reception from reviewers

While claiming the title of fastest gaming GPU in the world (again), Nvidia has seen equal parts praise and criticism from reviewers. The price and lack of RTX usability at launch has been a major reason why.
Matthew Connatser, 19 Sep 2018 20:25
A mockup showing the 6 and '6T' side by side. (Source: WinFuture)

OnePlus 6T: latest leak suggests the update is more incremental than previously thought

It is expected that the next device released by the OEM OnePlus will be called the 6T, and will drop about a month from now. The latest image claimed as a leak relating to this event shows a back panel not hugely different from the existing OnePlus 6 model. Like the 6, it displays dual cameras and a simple form factor.
Deirdre O Donnell, 19 Sep 2018 20:01
The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 Ti is the new king of the hill. (Source: NVIDIA)

NVIDIA GeForce RTX benchmarks — RTX 2080 is a tough sell but RTX 2080 Ti absolutely annihilates everything

The first benchmarks of the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 and the RTX 2080 Ti are here and seem to reflect what we've been expecting so far. While the RTX 2080 Ti posts some impressive performance numbers and is easily the most powerful GPU in this generation, the RTX 2080 is on par with the GTX 1080 Ti in performance while still costing US$200 dearer. While these numbers reflect non-RTX performance, it will still be sometime before the worth of these cards can be estimated on actual RTX-enabled games.
Vaidyanathan Subramaniam, 19 Sep 2018 15:35
War Thunder 1.81 "The Walkyries" update now available September 2018, attack helicopters included

Update 1.81 "The Walkyries" brings helicopters to War Thunder

The most comprehensive War Thunder update to launch this month — 1.81 "The Walkyries" — introduces a few new ground vehicles, locations, and a new aircraft. However, the most important change involves the attack helicopters that have been added to the US and Russian branches of vehicles. Sadly, they are not available for everyone yet.
Codrut Nistor, 19 Sep 2018 15:05
The next generation Pixelbook could also support Win 10. (Source: Chrome Unboxed)

Chrome OS 69 brings official support for Linux apps

Google has released the latest version of Chrome OS, and it includes support for Linux applications for the first time. Also baked in is Google’s Material Design 2.0 theme, which brings Chrome OS a little more in line with the look and feel of Android.
Sanjiv Sathiah, 19 Sep 2018 12:46
Image: Apple

Apple's Homepod had a mere 6% share of the smart speaker market in June, according to CIRP

Apple's Homepod has so far been a flop, only managing to capture 6% of the smart speaker market as of June 2018. The picture is even more bleak among Apple's own consumers; of Apple users that own a smart speaker, only 2% have purchased a Homepod.
Sam Medley, 19 Sep 2018 06:37
The teaser features just a flash of Gigabyte's upcoming premium motherboard. (Source: VideoCardz)

Gigabyte AORUS teases new motherboard for October 8; Z390 launch in October?

The official Gigabyte AORUS Twitter published a 10 second long teaser video advertising a new motherboard. The implication seems to be that the Z390 chipset (and perhaps 9th generation Intel CPUs) are coming in early October.
Matthew Connatser, 19 Sep 2018 01:17
Asus updates VivoBook Flip 14 convertible with Kaby Lake-R and a refreshed chassis design (Source: Asus)

Asus launches refreshed VivoBook Flip 14 convertible with Kaby Lake-R and a new chassis

The new aluminum design trims off almost 2 mm from the bezels compared to the last generation model without impacting battery life or connectivity features. The affordable convertible is now shipping on Amazon and other online retailers for $750 USD.
Allen Ngo, 19 Sep 2018 00:40
The two phones shown in the new "press images" look familiar, somehow. (Source: Nieuwe Mobiel)

Yet more content claimed as Pixel 3/3 XL leaks; purported as press images this time

A Dutch website claims to have laid its hands on official Google Pixel 3 and 3 XL images. They contain no surprises compared to the leaks on the same subjects that have gone before it. However, these images do show the phones in traditionally Google-like fabric cases.
Deirdre O Donnell, 19 Sep 2018 00:04
Sep 18, 2018
Image source: Nintendo (YouTube)

Nintendo releases trailer for SEGA Mega Drive & Genesis Classics for the Switch

The Sega Mega Drive & Genesis Collection, which bundles over 50 16-bit Sega games, is coming to the Nintendo Switch this winter. Nintendo just posted a trailer for the collection on YouTube. The Collection is further evidence of Sega's good response to retro gaming and stands in stark contrast to Nintendo's less-than-stellar retro track record.
Sam Medley, 18 Sep 2018 23:27
Sony has released a limited edition of aibo in the United States. (Source: hothardware)

Limited "First Litter" edition of Sony's robotic dog, aibo, released in US

aibo, Sony's robot in the shape of a puppy, is available from today (September 18, 2018) for purchase in the US. This event is being dubbed the "First Litter" release of the mechanical pets. Sony claims that aibo can learn to recognize up to 100 faces and develops a unique personality based on how it is treated.
Deirdre O Donnell, 18 Sep 2018 23:12
Image: ASRock

ASRock announces new "Jupiter" SFF desktops with 65 W Coffee Lake CPUs

ASRock recently announced two new small form factor (SFF) desktop PCs. The Jupiter H310 and Jupiter Q370 both measure just over a litre in volume but can support up to a 65 Watt CPU on the LGA1151 socket. Upgrade options are also quite robust.
Sam Medley, 18 Sep 2018 22:24
Image source: Getty Images

Tesla may be under criminal investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice

The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) may have opened up a criminal investigation into Telsa incorporated after statements made by CEO Elon Musk last month. Two sources familiar with the company and this matter have stated that DOJ is investigating potential fraud. This investigation, if true, would coincide with a similar investigation started by the SEC last month.
Sam Medley, 18 Sep 2018 21:38
Amazon Alexa Echo Show, more Alexa-branded devices coming in 2018

Amazon Alexa microwave, receiver, subwoofer, amplifier, and in-car solution coming by the end of 2018

Amazon Alexa fans should get ready to celebrate before the end of the month because the tech giant will soon unveil a few new devices. By the end of the year, the list of new Alexa-driven devices by Amazon should include an in-car solution, a microwave, an amplifier, a subwoofer, and a receiver.
Codrut Nistor, 18 Sep 2018 20:17
The Punkt MP02 is a USD $349 dumbphone

The Punkt MP02 is a USD $349 dumbphone

Punkt, a designer electronics company, is now taking preorders for the MP02, a basic phone running a heavily stripped down version of Android 8.1. The MP02 is meant to be used for phone calls, SMS texting, and a few basic apps like a calendar and clock. Pricing is set at USD $350, which is a steep cost to ask for such a simple phone.
Sam Medley, 18 Sep 2018 19:19
Meizu 16X Geekbench listing (Source: Geekbench Browser)

Qualcomm Snapdragon 710-powered Meizu 16X hits Geekbench

The 6-inch Meizu 16X is apparently ready for its September 19 launch, since it surfaced on Geekbench for no less than three times starting yesterday. However, there is only one hardware setup in these listings. The device tested sports a Snapdragon 710 processor, 6 GB of memory, and runs Android 8.1 Oreo.
Codrut Nistor, 18 Sep 2018 17:43
The Qualcomm Snapdragon 1000 (8180) is set to feature 8.5B transistors. (Source: Qualcomm)

More details about WoA Snapdragon 1000 surface

Windows on ARM has yet to take off, but the rumored Qualcomm Snapdragon 1000 could change the performance equation considerably. New details have surfaced about the chip, and it could be just what WoA devices need to put them on a more even footing with native x86 ultrabooks.
Sanjiv Sathiah, 18 Sep 2018 12:04
AMD Ryzen 7 2700X stock cooler, TechSpot's Best Value CPU for Productivity September 2018

AMD processors win 4 of the 5 "Best CPU" awards by TechSpot

Although Intel only grabbed the leading place in one category, this category is probably the most important. TechSpot's best CPU for gaming is the Intel Core i7-8700K, while various AMD Ryzen chips own the crown in the following categories: best extreme desktop CPU, best value CPU for productivity, best all-round value CPU, and best budget CPU.
Codrut Nistor, 18 Sep 2018 10:51
Asus ZenBook S gets new Burgundy Red color option (Source: Asus)

Asus ZenBook S gets new Burgundy Red color option

The ultrathin ZenBook S UX391 is already available in its new coat of paint for $1200 USD. Otherwise, there are no other internal changes or any additional colors planned at the moment.
Allen Ngo, 18 Sep 2018 05:16
A render of the what the black Surface Laptop 2 is expected to look like. (Source: Domi)

Surface Laptop 2 coming soon, new black color among the changes

Microsoft is holding a special Surface event on October 2 and the first leaks have started emerged. The most notable is that the Surface Laptop will get a sequel, but will also come in a slick new black color
Sanjiv Sathiah, 18 Sep 2018 03:11
Sep 17, 2018
All images via Apple

iOS 12 is here, bringing performance improvements, AR features, Siri Shortcuts, and more

Apple release iOS 12 today as a free update. The new version of Apple's mobile OS includes better AR support, automation via Siri, and performance optimizations. The update largely feels like Apple playing catch up with Android, which has offered some of the new features for years.
Sam Medley, 17 Sep 2018 23:27
The source code of this image suggests four color schemes for the Pixel 3 line. (Source: Twitter)

New leak may throw Pixel 3 and 3 XL-based speculations into color-based confusion

There have been so many leaks about Google's next generation of own-brand phones that we may think we know everything there is to know about them. However, a new leak, based on the code of a Japanese website, suggests that there may be more color options for the Pixel 3 (or 3 XL) than previously thought.
Deirdre O Donnell, 17 Sep 2018 22:50
Trump's trade reforms might cause some undesirable short-term effects. (Source: Business Insider)

Nvidia RTX 2000-series cards to get 10% increased MSRP thanks to Trump

Even if the RTX 2000-series cards turn out to be worth the advertised MSRP, the market prices might end up higher due to Trumps tariffs imposed on Chinese exports and inventory problems caused by crypto miners. This would also apply to individual PC components, but pre-built systems, laptops and components already in stock are not to be affected.
Bogdan Solca, 17 Sep 2018 22:44
Image: AMD

AMD lists the new Ryzen 7 2800H and Ryzen 5 2600H mobile CPUs

AMD has listed a couple new CPUs, the Ryzen 5 2600H and Ryzen 7 2800H. Both chips are definite upgrades over the Ryzen 5 2500U and Ryzen 7 2700U, respectively, but their 45 W nominal TDP suggests that they will be used in gaming laptops upon release. This is curious, as the onboard Vega GPUs are far outpaced by even entry-level gaming laptops.
Sam Medley, 17 Sep 2018 22:17
Nvidia may have underestimated the demand for RTX 2080 Ti cards, and the stocks will only be ready on September 27. (Source: Neowin)

Nvidia RTX 2080 Ti availability pushed back to September 27

The RTX 2080 Ti was supposed to be launched on September 20 together with the RTX 2080, but, it seems that Nvidia had some inventory problems and had postpone the RTX 2080 Ti availability by a whole week. For those who managed to pre-order this model before it went out of stock, shipping will still occur between September 20 and 27.
Bogdan Solca, 17 Sep 2018 21:53
Xiaomi Mi Max 3 Android phablet coming soon to India

The 6.9-inch Xiaomi Mi Max 3 is headed for India

The (almost) tablet-sized Xiaomi Mi Max 3 is heading for India, as confirmed by the Chinese brand on Twitter. Unfortunately, there is no official launch date to talk about yet, but since this 6.9-inch behemoth has been available in China for a while, it should be able to hit other markets rather quick.
Codrut Nistor, 17 Sep 2018 20:48
Called the "greatest leap since 2006" by Nvidia, Turing is promised to deliver real time ray tracing to graphics. (Source: TechSpot)

Nvidia RTX benchmarks come out on Final Fantasy XV benchmark; 2080Ti ~30% faster than 1080Ti

In the days leading up to the RTX series's review day, yet another leak has emerged on performance. The RTX 2080 and 2080Ti have been tested on Final Fantasy XV's built in benchmark.
Matthew Connatser, 17 Sep 2018 20:06
Apple iPhone X flagship, iPhones plagued by a CSS bug (Source: Apple)

Defective CSS code crashes, causes iPhones to restart

Using the rather new backdrop-filter CSS property can lead to a crash of the entire iOS on an iPhone. An exploit that does this and the code behind it have recently been unveiled by a software engineer and security researcher at Wire. The even worse part is that this issue might affect macOS-driven systems as well.
Codrut Nistor, 17 Sep 2018 19:45
SIM cards through the years. (Source: GSMArena)

eSIM phone shipments could number at least 400 million by 2022

Traditional nano-, micro- or mini-SIMs have dominated mobile connection delivery for smartphones during the devices' rise in the 21st century. Now, however, ABI Research think eSIMs are going to start getting much more popular, mainly as a result of Apple's inclusion of them in their newest iPhones.
Deirdre O Donnell, 17 Sep 2018 19:31
Samsung Galaxy A series (2018) render, model with Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 allegedly in the works

Qualcomm Snapdragon 845-powered Samsung Galaxy A handset allegedly in the works

If the rumors turn out to be true, Samsung will soon release the first Galaxy A-series handset that uses the same processor as the latest Galaxy S and Galaxy Note flagships to hit the market. In this case, we are talking about a Qualcomm Snapdragon 845-driven Galaxy A phone. Unfortunately, there are no other details available yet.
Codrut Nistor, 17 Sep 2018 17:17
OnePlus 6 Android flagship, OnePlus TV coming in 2019

OnePlus TV coming next year, AI assistant in tow

As the first step in its new quest of "building a connected human experience," OnePlus is planning to launch its first TV set next year. The OnePlus TV will come with a premium design, focusing on providing the best audio/video experience in its segment. The only detail public at this stage is that fact that the TV will feature an AI assistant.
Codrut Nistor, 17 Sep 2018 10:52
The weekly roundup - top news from September 9 through September 15 (Image source: ZDNet)

The weekly roundup - top news from September 9 through September 15

To the surprise of no one, Apple's new smartphones sparked loud online discussions and arguments ranging from the absurd prices of the new models to the seemingly minimal upgrades from the original iPhone X. Outside of Apple, Razer is preparing its own smartphone refresh whil GeForce RTX rumors continue to churn.
Allen Ngo, 17 Sep 2018 07:20
Sep 16, 2018
The new Ryzen 5 and Ryzen 3 CPUs will only be found in complete PCs like this one. (Source: Acer)

Ryzen 5 2500X and Ryzen 3 2300X are not available for custom builds

The 2300X and 2500X are AMD's newest Ryzen 3 and Ryzen 5 CPUs, respectively. They boost to 4.0GHz support all-core overclocking. Therefore, they may be seen as promising for starter or modest builds. However, both processors have been announced as exclusive to OEMs and SIs.
Deirdre O Donnell, 16 Sep 2018 23:06
The ZhongShan Subor Z+ sports a very capable Ryzen+Vega SoC. (Source: AMD)

Zhongshan Subor Z+'s custom Ryzen+Vega SoC has more GPU compute power than the Intel 'Kaby Lake-G' Core i7-8809G

Sporting a custom Ryzen SoC with integrated Vega graphics up to 24 CUs clocked at 1300 MHz, the Zhongshan Subor Z+ is a small form factor PC that tries to offer a console-like experience along with the flexibility of using a traditional Windows PC. The most intriguing aspect of the Subor Z+ is, no doubt, its custom SoC that offers up to 3.99 TF of GPU Compute compared to the 3.65 TF power of the Intel 'Kaby Lake-G' Core i7-8809G. The Subor Z+ also manages a much more consistent performance at 60 fps in 1080p Ultra settings in Battlefield 1 and Destiny 2.
Vaidyanathan Subramaniam, 16 Sep 2018 17:47
The Samsung Galaxy Note 9. (Source: Trusted Reviews)

Samsung Galaxy Note 9 explodes inside woman's purse in New York

The Note 7 was recalled two years ago for a default that made the devices go up in flames. The new Note 9 may be set to follow the path its predecessor made, though, as a woman in New York has filed a case against Samsung, claiming her new Note 9 exploded in her purse.
Ricci Rox, 16 Sep 2018 15:51
The Samsung Galaxy Note 9. (Source: BGR)

DxOMark: The Samsung Galaxy Note 9's cameras are better than the Pixel 2's but not quite as good as the Huawei P20 Pro's

Samsung's new Galaxy Note 9 is a US$1000 device but, according to DxOMark, it still fails to catch up to the significantly cheaper Huawei P20 Pro in the still photography department.
Ricci Rox, 16 Sep 2018 15:48
The Nokia 7 Plus. (Source: Mysmartprice)

The Nokia 9 and Nokia X7 are on their way, and they will ditch the notch

Display panels supposedly belonging to the Nokia 9 flagship and Nokia X7 sub-premium device have surfaced, with a major take being the absence of notches on both devices.
Ricci Rox, 16 Sep 2018 15:46
The Redmi Note 5. (Source: XDA-Developers)

Purported Redmi Note 6 display panel surfaces, huge notch in tow

A display panel allegedly belonging to the upcoming Redmi Note 6 has surfaced, giving us what could be our first look at the next iteration in Xiaomi's best-selling mid-range series.
Ricci Rox, 16 Sep 2018 15:45
Dell XPS 15 9570 with Core i7-8750H is in-house and under review

Yes, we're reviewing the Dell XPS 15 9570 with Core i7-8750H and 4K UHD right now

Readers have been demanding a review of the Core i7 SKU of the latest XPS 15 9570. Expect our full take on the system and how it compares to the Core i5 SKU next week! Meanwhile, our page on the Core i9 SKU should be coming in the month ahead.
Allen Ngo, 16 Sep 2018 07:26
The alleged CPU's score of 12587 in Cinebench R15 is the highest score ever recorded, assuming this leak is accurate. (Source: Chiphell)

Chiphell publishes alleged AMD "Rome" Cinebench score

Chiphell, a Chinese website well known for its tech rumors and speculation, has taken a screenshot of what is apparently the Cinebench score of AMD's upcoming "Rome" 64 core server CPU, which is based on the yet unreleased Zen 2 architecture. Take this with a grain of salt.
Matthew Connatser, 16 Sep 2018 03:31
WhatsApp are now rumored to be bringing Dark Mode to its popular interface. (Source: WhatsApp)

WhatsApp may implement a dark mode soon

WhatsApp is working on a dark mode for its app, according to a Twitter-based leaker. The relevant posts project that this option will be OLED-screen friendly. Dark mode may also help save battery life while messaging on the app.
Deirdre O Donnell, 16 Sep 2018 00:00
Sep 15, 2018
Intel may run short of processors later this year. (Source: Wccftech)

JP Morgan: Intel is running short of CPUs for sale

Intel will not have enough chips to satisfy demand during the upcoming holiday season. This is part of a recent prediction by a JP Morgan analyst. The analysis may take factors such as the long-awaited switch to 10nm chipsets by the premier processing manufacturer into account.
Deirdre O Donnell, 15 Sep 2018 23:33
Could this be an invite for the rumored quad-camera Galaxy phone? (Source: Samsung)

Samsung promises '4x fun' in its October 11 Galaxy event

Samsung is holding a Galaxy Event on October 11. There are no details provided but the invite reads '4x fun' implying that this could be related to the announcement of the rumored quad-camera Galaxy phone.
Vaidyanathan Subramaniam, 15 Sep 2018 09:25
Asus ROG, Nvidia, and Corsair will be giving away tickets for BlizzCon 2018 (Source: Blizzard)

Asus ROG, Nvidia, and Corsair will be giving away tickets for BlizzCon 2018

Follow these gaming companies on Twitter and Instagram to see how to win multiple tickets to BlizzCon 2018. Asus wants the most hardcore of Blizzard fans while Corsair and Nvidia will give more contest details in the weeks to come.
Allen Ngo, 15 Sep 2018 04:55
The Razer Phone on the left and the Razer Phone 2 on the right. (Source: Phone Arena)

Razer Phone 2 officially coming October 10 with Snapdragon 845

Razer is set to unveil its next-generation gaming smartphone, the Razer 2 on October 10. The device looks quite similar to the original Razer Phone, but is expected to feature upgraded internals including a Snapdragon 845 processor.
Sanjiv Sathiah, 15 Sep 2018 03:35
AMD's current Naples based Epyc server chips have a core count of 32, half of what Rome is rumored to be. (Source: AMD)

AMD's Rome is rumored to be designed with 8 Zen 2 dies; Intel to respond with triple die Cooper Lake

YouTuber tech analyst AdoredTV has yet another rumor on upcoming tech, this time on AMD's CPU sever architecture Rome. The analyst claims Rome will have 8 CPU dies for a total of 64 cores and 1 additional die for additional functions and features, and that Intel will follow a similar strategy with Cooper Lake, which is rumored to have two 28 core dies and one additional die.
Matthew Connatser, 15 Sep 2018 03:12
Samsung Galaxy J4 to get a Plus edition soon (Source: Samsung)

Samsung Galaxy J4+ hits FCC, will probably become the cheapest handset with an Infinity display

Around four months after the release of the Galaxy J4, Samsung is almost ready to launch the Galaxy J4+. This upcoming handset has just received its FCC certification and is expected to hit the market as the cheapest handset to feature an Infinity display, as well as software navigation keys.
Codrut Nistor, 15 Sep 2018 00:15
Sep 14, 2018
Lobe logo, Microsoft buys Lobe (Source: The Official Microsoft Blog)

Microsoft acquires Lobe to accelerate AI development

Microsoft's latest corporate acquisition is not the first one in the AI field and it surely will not remain the last, either. Lobe is a company based in San Francisco that provides a simple visual interface that allows anyone to develop and apply deep learning and AI models without having to write code.
Codrut Nistor, 14 Sep 2018 22:19
The Tesla T4 may come in a smaller 75 W TDP PCie factor, but it is almost as fast as RTX 2080 gaming GPU. (Source: Nvidia)

Nvidia unveils Tesla T4 inferencing GPU based on Turing

The new Tesla T4 is part of the latest enterprise offering based on the Turing architecture. While it features a TDP of only 75 W, it comes with a modified version of the TU104 chip almost as fast as the RTX 2080 gaming GPU. As such, the T4 can decode up to 38 concurrent 1080p video streams, offering maximum efficiency for smart video services based on deep learning frameworks.
Bogdan Solca, 14 Sep 2018 22:07
The cloud gaming console would only integrate a mid-range CPU, while the heavy graphics processing will be performed by the cloud-based GPUs. (Source: GamingBolt)

AMD and Microsoft working on next gen cloud gaming console

The two companies are envisioning a future where gaming consoles integrate the bear minimum computing power for CPU-based tasks, but rely on cloud-based GPUs to process complex graphics. Games would have an instance running on the local machine and another running in the cloud, and the cloud framework stitches the two concurrent instances into a seamless experience.
Bogdan Solca, 14 Sep 2018 21:23

All news articles from Sept. 2010 on are located in our News Archive.

Google LogoAdd as a preferred source on Google
Mail Logo
Notebookcheck, 2021-10-10 (Update: 2026-09- 9)