News - Notebookcheck News

Quick Charge 4 finally coming to devices later this year

After being delayed for several months, Quick Charge 4 will finally make its way to smartphones. Qualcomm has declined to mention any specific devices that will support the technology but has stated that they should arrive later this year.

John Garcia, 08 May 2017 19:09

Supposed leak reveals AMD Vega GPU specs

A recent Linux Direct Rendering Manager, supposedly from AMD, contains the specifications of an unnamed Vega GPU. The card in question has 8 GB of HBM2 and posted 12.5 TFLOPS of performance.

Sam Medley, 08 May 2017 18:42

Chuwi slashes price of Hi10 Pro tablet to $172 USD

The 10.1-inch Windows/Android hybrid tablet with Intel Atom Cherry Trail SoC gets a small temporary price cut to make room for the upcoming Hi13 and SurBook series.

Allen Ngo, 08 May 2017 18:33

The new report says that Foxconn, Winstron, and Pegatron are accelerating the recruitment and training of new workers in China in preparation of the new iPhone. (Source: BGR)

New iPhones on track to go on sale in October

A Economic Daily News report claims that production of iPhone 8 and iPhone 7s are on track for the new iPhones to be announced by Apple in September and go on sale in October.

Isaac Brown, 08 May 2017 16:13

OnePlus has a reputation for delivering excellent phones at affordable prices since its launch in 2013 with the OnePlus One, which started at $299. (Source: ZDNet)

OnePlus officially announces OnePlus 5 launch date

The OnePlus 3 and recently launched OnePlus 3T will get a worthy successor in the OnePlus 5 which is coming this summer. OnePlus is known for offering fans smartphones with high-end specs well below the cost of flagships from Apple, Samsung, and Google.

Isaac Brown, 08 May 2017 16:11

LG G6 Android flagship, LG hits a new market share record in the US

LG smartphones hit a market share of 20 percent in the US

This figure is a new record for LG Electronics, its market share translating to more than 7 million smartphones shipped in the US during the first quarter of the year, reveals data from Strategic Analytics.

Codrut Nistor, 08 May 2017 16:10

Lenovo IdeaPad 720S notebook with Intel Core i5-7200U processor

Unannounced Lenovo IdeaPad 720S surfaces online

This upcoming notebook surfaced on well-known websites such as TigerDirect, although it does not appear to be in stock yet. Its specs include a 14-inch full HD IPS display, the Intel Core i5-7200U processor, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD storage, and more.

Codrut Nistor, 08 May 2017 14:05

Acer Chromebook 11 N7 C731, Chromebook sales to increase by 16 percent in 2017

Chromebook shipments expected to grow by over 16 percent this year

After an excellent year, Chromebook sales are expected to continue growing in 2017 as well. Gartner anticipates a 16.3 percent growth this year, which means shipments of almost 11 million units.

Codrut Nistor, 08 May 2017 06:45

Xiaomi's MIUI 8 custom UI successor coming soon with split-screen and Android Nougat

MIUI 9 leaks online

The new MIUI version is expected to show up in the middle of 2017. This new firmware would be based on Nougat, and its list of features is said to include screen recording, split-screen, picture-in-picture, and more.

Codrut Nistor, 08 May 2017 06:00

ECS PB01CF mini PC with Apollo Lake is just 0.15 L

The system is so small that it doesn't even include a standard 3.5 mm audio jack. The current configuration is equipped with a Celeron N3350 CPU with support for up to 4K video out via HDMI.

Allen Ngo, 08 May 2017 03:29

Oppo unveils F3 Selfie Expert smartphone with dual front-facing cameras

The 5.5-inch smartphone is a smaller version of the existing F3 Plus with a MediaTek SoC instead of a Qualcomm Snapdragon set to launch later this week.

Allen Ngo, 08 May 2017 02:46

Tablet market shrinks for tenth quarter in a row

The slowing pace of tablet sales can be attributed to the growing consumer interest in multi-mode notebooks with 360-degree hinges and detachable keyboard bases.

Allen Ngo, 08 May 2017 01:54

Cool as a cucumber: liquid metal thermal paste and fixing imperfections in the heatsink result in much-improved thermals. (Source: iunlock)

Enthusiast achieves thermal miracle with Gigabyte's Aero 15

Gigabyte's new Aero 15 has been well-received by nearly all reviewers due to its compact form-factor and high performance. One enthusiast was able to optimize his Aero 15 far beyond stock specifications to achieve fantastic thermal results.

Douglas Black, 06 May 2017 16:29

The Asus VivoBook series have traditionally been cheap, solid, and compact laptops. (Source: Asus)

Asus introduces new 11.6-inch Apollo Lake notebooks

Asus has updated their affordable, solid, 11-inch E20x series VivoBooks to Apollo Lake CPUs.

Douglas Black, 06 May 2017 08:38

Quad-core Core i7-8650U CPU spotted on GFXBench

Intel may be bringing quad-core ULV CPUs to notebooks for the first time. The source has since taken down the listing on the unconfirmed processor page to add more fuel to the fire.

Allen Ngo, 06 May 2017 06:57

Ben Heck repairing the Super NES CD-ROM prototype. (Image: YouTube, The Ben Heck Show)

Ben Heck completes repair of Nintendo Playstation prototype

A long-rumored prototype of the Super NED CD-ROM was finally found back in 2015. While it could play SNES cartridges, the CD-ROM would not work. After about a year and a half of work, electronics wizard Ben Heck has completed repairs on the prototype.

Sam Medley, 05 May 2017 21:37

A leaked screenshot that shows the tablet's "productivity mode." (Source: Android Police)

Motorola is working on a new tablet, its first in half a decade

The Lenovo subsidiary reportedly has a new tablet in the works. It features a "productivity mode" option that makes the user interface feel more like that of a traditional PC.

John Garcia, 05 May 2017 21:20

"On May 23 in Shanghai, Microsoft will show the world what’s next." (Source: Twitter)

Microsoft teases another Surface device on May 23

Just days after Microsoft released the Surface Laptop at their #MicrosoftEDU event, the company is teasing yet another Surface-related device at an event in Shanghai on May 23.

Douglas Black, 05 May 2017 15:32

OnePlus teases long-rumored OnePlus 5 smartphone

OnePlus CEO Pete Lau is confirming that his company is indeed working on the next flagship smartphone, but not much has been revealed as is typical of the manufacturer.

Allen Ngo, 05 May 2017 06:33

AMD revenue rising due to brisk Ryzen sales

The chipmaker was able to cut losses significantly but is still $29 million USD in the red even after riding the Ryzen hype train.

Allen Ngo, 05 May 2017 05:37

Slightly suggestive and one-hundred-percent inedible: the Banana Phone. (Source: Indiegogo)

You can now make calls from your smartphone via banana (yes, seriously)

Call your friends or talk to Siri, just don't eat it. The Banana Phone is the $40 accessory you definitely don't need—but that doesn't mean you shouldn't buy it.

John Garcia, 04 May 2017 23:07

GOG and Steam celebrate May the Fourth with Star Wars game sales

Online game distributors Steam and GOG are currently running huge sales on Star Wars games. May the Fourth be with you.

Sam Medley, 04 May 2017 22:55

The core of Intel’s unveiling today revolves around the different processor levels they will be offering, and where the new integrated options will fit in the new stack. (Source: Anandtech)

Intel announces new Xeon processors and naming scheme

Some of the names of the upcoming Intel Xeon processors, based on the Skylake microarchitecture, were accidentally ‘leaked’ through official sources.

Isaac Brown, 04 May 2017 22:41

German testers from test.de put the S8 in their special testing drum, and it broke faster than other devices. (Source: Stiftung Warentest)

Drop tests reveal weak points in the Galaxy S8's display

The impressive Infinity Display on the Galaxy S8 performed poorly in numerous drop tests, suggesting that the thin bezel makes the glass more prone to shattering.

Isaac Brown, 04 May 2017 18:53

The Samsung Galaxy S6, in gold. (Source: Samsung)

Android Nougat upgrade is rolling out to AT&T's Galaxy S6 devices

The 2-year-old Samsung Galaxy S6 line is finally receiving Android Nougat, at least on AT&T. The devices are being upgraded to version 7.0 and should enjoy all of Nougat's software improvements and new features.

John Garcia, 04 May 2017 18:33

According to a promotional video, Microsoft's Surface Book originally sported two USB Type-C ports. (Source: Microsoft)

Promotional video shows Surface Laptop prototype with USB Type-C

Microsoft's own promotional video for their new Surface Laptop reveals that the education-focused device originally sported two USB Type-C ports in addition to the single USB Type-A.

Douglas Black, 04 May 2017 14:05

Acer teases Holo 360 smartphone with integrated 360-degree cameras

The work-in-progress Android smartphone was just a small asterisk in the Next@Acer press event, but it serves as a tiny glimpse into what Acer may have in store in the next few years.

Allen Ngo, 04 May 2017 09:09

Sharp Aquos R may be coming soon to Europe

The Aquos smartphone series has a long history in Japan and only dabbled in regions overseas. This may soon change according to a rumor claiming that Sharp will reintroduce the Aquos series to Europe with the upcoming Aquos R.

Allen Ngo, 04 May 2017 08:10

Edge and Bing are the only defaults available in Windows 10 S

Windows 10 S does not allow users to change their default web browser or search engine, leaving Edge and Bing as the only default options for surfing and searching.

Sam Medley, 03 May 2017 22:55

Jelly smartphone brings Android 7.0 and 4G in a 2.45-inch package

The device claims to be the world's smallest 4G capable smartphone. Measuring in at 1.7" by 3.6" by 0.5", it can accurately lay claim to that title.

Sam Medley, 03 May 2017 22:49

The AnTuTu benchmark indicates the Snapdragon 660 chip will produce scores north of 105000. (Source: krispitech)

Qualcomm to unveil Snapdragon 660 next week in China

Qualcomm has sent out press invites for an event in Beijing on May 9, where they are preparing to launch the mid-range Snapdragon 660 chipset.

Isaac Brown, 03 May 2017 20:32

Huawei MediaPad M3 Lite 10 Android tablet back sketch as shown on FCC

Huawei MediaPad M3 Lite 10 hits FCC

Less than a month after surfacing online, this upcoming 10-inch Android tablet gets certified by the Federal Communications Commission. The prices in the US should start below $400 USD, but its launch still has to be confirmed.

Codrut Nistor, 03 May 2017 17:55

Apple sold 50 million iPhones in the past quarter, 1 million less than in the same period last year. (Source: The Washington Post)

Apple's Q2 iPhone sales weaker than expected

Apple needs its next-generation iPhone to be a smash hit in order to reassure investors. The company reported Tuesday that it sold fewer iPhones than analysts had expected in the company's second quarter.

Isaac Brown, 03 May 2017 15:31

Samsung may soon displace Intel as the world's largest chip manufacturer

Intel has been the leading company in semiconductor sales since 1993. This could finally change in just a few short months when Samsung is expected to earn 3.4 percent more in revenue than its US competitor this coming second quarter.

Allen Ngo, 03 May 2017 07:39

Leaked HTC U 11 specifications sheet shows Snapdragon 835 SoC and more

Leaked HTC U 11 specifications show Edge Sense and more

A supposed box shot shows some key features of the upcoming smartphone including Edge Sense, Gorilla Glass 5, and IP57 certification. Interestingly, the smartphone may only support Quick Charge 3.0 instead of 4.0 if the source proves to be true.

Allen Ngo, 03 May 2017 06:58

Amazon will end its free mobile app program this summer

The Amazon Underground app store will no longer accept submission after May 31st. Amazon will also no longer list free apps for Android after this summer.

Sam Medley, 02 May 2017 23:32

Acer's new TravelMate Spin B1 hopes to find its way into classrooms. (Image: Acer)

Acer launches TravelMate Spin B1 with Windows 10 S

The new convertible is aimed squarely at the education market and is one of the first devices to run Microsoft's new Windows 10 S. Coming in at about $300, the Spin B1 features a rugged build and entry-level specs.

Sam Medley, 02 May 2017 22:53

The Surface Laptop keeps the Surface aesthetic, but ditches the traditional Windows 10 OS. (Source: Twitter User @h0x0d)

Microsoft's new "Surface Laptop" reveals how seriously the company takes Chromebooks as a threat

Images and information leak about the Microsoft's latest piece of hardware, the Surface Laptop. The Laptop is designed to combat the rising popularity of Chromebooks in education and business by running a lighter, more secure cloud-based OS called Windows 10 S.

Douglas Black, 02 May 2017 08:11

Huawei chief apologizes for "arrogant" handling of Mate 9 UFS debacle

The controversy has sparked Huawei Mobile CEO Richard Yu to initiate a "Customer Listening Taskforce" program and a promise for higher consumer standards in the future.

Allen Ngo, 02 May 2017 05:33

Samsung Mobile chief DJ Koh told CNET not long ago that we'd see a "better, safer and very innovative Note 8" later this year. (Source: CNET)

Samsung Galaxy Note 8 will launch later this year

The Galaxy Note series has had its brand tarnished by abrupt battery combustion last year, but the Note 8 is indeed coming this year in what could be an August release.

Isaac Brown, 01 May 2017 16:48

Instead of using the latest Snapdragon 835, LG opted to use last year's Snapdragon 821. (Source: Tech Radar)

Is the LG G6 overpriced for its specs?

Gone is the modular design of the G5, but the LG G6 suffers from one major disadvantage compared to other 2017 smartphones: it's stuck with year-old tech, but still costs about the same as a more premium product.

Isaac Brown, 01 May 2017 16:38

AMD quietly adds then removes adware from its latest Radeon drivers

AMD owners may have noticed a new desktop icon advertising Bethesda's upcoming title after installing Radeon driver 17.4.4. The chipmaker has since apologized after user complaints of the unnecessary stealth advert.

Allen Ngo, 30 Apr 2017 06:49

Intel profits surge as of Q1 2017

The chipmaker is benefiting from a stable consumer PC market with profits up 45 percent compared to Q1 2016 with 14.8 billion USD in revenue.

Allen Ngo, 30 Apr 2017 06:09

Nvidia GeForce 1030 may be coming soon (Source: Exprereview)

Nvidia GeForce GT 1030 may be coming soon

The GeForce Pascal series currently consists of only GTX options with no low-end to mainstream GT solutions. This may change soon according to rumors of a GT 1030 with 512 shader processors and a 30 W TDP.

Allen Ngo, 30 Apr 2017 05:39

Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+ gets Nougat on T-Mobile

Android Nougat coming to T-Mobile's Galaxy S6 Edge+ next week

This curved-display flagship device that arrived in late 2015 is now finally ready for the first Android Nougat update on T-Mobile and will be updated next week, one week after the Galaxy Note 5 received the new software as well.

Codrut Nistor, 29 Apr 2017 23:25

Vivo V5s Android smartphone with 20 MP front camera for selfies

Vivo V5s now up for pre-order

This new 5.5-inch handset is powered by the octa-core MediaTek MT6750 processor, next to 4 GB RAM, 64 GB internal storage, as well as a generous 20 MP front camera for best selfies in its class. Those interested can pre-order it in India for the equivalent of $296 USD.

Codrut Nistor, 29 Apr 2017 19:05

Samsung Galaxy S8 Android flagship facing random restarts

Samsung Galaxy S8 users now facing random restarts

In addition to the Bixby button problems and the red tint issues, it looks like Galaxy S8 users also have to face random reboots. Strange enough, the handset seems to be restarting for no obvious reason.

Codrut Nistor, 29 Apr 2017 16:15

Logitech Universal Folio keyboard case for 9-10 inch tablets

Logitech launches Universal Folio keyboard case

This new keyboard case uses four-point adjustable grips instead of cheap elastic as most similar products that can accommodate various tablet sizes. It works with Android, iOS, and Windows tablets ranging from 8.9 to 10 inches and has a price tag of $59.99 USD.

Codrut Nistor, 29 Apr 2017 10:30

NewEgg leaks Aero 15 gaming notebook with GTX 1060 graphics

Display bezels have been cut down to just over 5 mm on three sides to reduce both weight and size. Other features include individually backlit RGB keyboard keys and X-Rite Pantone pre-calibrated FHD/4K UHD displays.

Allen Ngo, 29 Apr 2017 06:26

Samsung Galaxy J3 Prime Android smartphone now available on T-Mobile

Samsung Galaxy J3 Prime now available via T-Mobile

This 5-inch handset comes for a full price of $150 USD, its specs also including the Exynos 7570 processor, 1.5 GB RAM, 16 GB internal storage, a 2,600 mAh battery, all with Android 7.0 Nougat on top.

Codrut Nistor, 28 Apr 2017 23:54

Latest Tech News

Quick Charge 4 finally coming to devices later this year

Supposed leak reveals AMD Vega GPU specs

Chuwi slashes price of Hi10 Pro tablet to $172 USD

New iPhones on track to go on sale in October

OnePlus officially announces OnePlus 5 launch date

LG smartphones hit a market share of 20 percent in the US

Unannounced Lenovo IdeaPad 720S surfaces online

Chromebook shipments expected to grow by over 16 percent this year

MIUI 9 leaks online

ECS PB01CF mini PC with Apollo Lake is just 0.15 L

Oppo unveils F3 Selfie Expert smartphone with dual front-facing cameras

Tablet market shrinks for tenth quarter in a row

Enthusiast achieves thermal miracle with Gigabyte's Aero 15

Asus introduces new 11.6-inch Apollo Lake notebooks

Quad-core Core i7-8650U CPU spotted on GFXBench

Ben Heck completes repair of Nintendo Playstation prototype

Motorola is working on a new tablet, its first in half a decade

Microsoft teases another Surface device on May 23

OnePlus teases long-rumored OnePlus 5 smartphone

AMD revenue rising due to brisk Ryzen sales

You can now make calls from your smartphone via banana (yes, seriously)

GOG and Steam celebrate May the Fourth with Star Wars game sales

Intel announces new Xeon processors and naming scheme

Drop tests reveal weak points in the Galaxy S8's display

Android Nougat upgrade is rolling out to AT&T's Galaxy S6 devices

Promotional video shows Surface Laptop prototype with USB Type-C

Acer teases Holo 360 smartphone with integrated 360-degree cameras

Sharp Aquos R may be coming soon to Europe

Edge and Bing are the only defaults available in Windows 10 S

Jelly smartphone brings Android 7.0 and 4G in a 2.45-inch package

Qualcomm to unveil Snapdragon 660 next week in China

Huawei MediaPad M3 Lite 10 hits FCC

Apple's Q2 iPhone sales weaker than expected

Samsung may soon displace Intel as the world's largest chip manufacturer

Leaked HTC U 11 specifications show Edge Sense and more

Amazon will end its free mobile app program this summer

Acer launches TravelMate Spin B1 with Windows 10 S

Microsoft's new "Surface Laptop" reveals how seriously the company takes Chromebooks as a threat

Huawei chief apologizes for "arrogant" handling of Mate 9 UFS debacle

Samsung Galaxy Note 8 will launch later this year

Is the LG G6 overpriced for its specs?

AMD quietly adds then removes adware from its latest Radeon drivers

Intel profits surge as of Q1 2017

Nvidia GeForce GT 1030 may be coming soon

Android Nougat coming to T-Mobile's Galaxy S6 Edge+ next week

Vivo V5s now up for pre-order

Samsung Galaxy S8 users now facing random restarts

Logitech launches Universal Folio keyboard case

NewEgg leaks Aero 15 gaming notebook with GTX 1060 graphics

Samsung Galaxy J3 Prime now available via T-Mobile

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