Thunderbolt

Panasonic has launched a new version of its rugged Toughbook 55 laptop with updated specs and I/O. They include 11th-gen Intel CPUs - which also of course makes one of its ports Thunderbolt 4. However, the PC is still fully compatible with the user-swappable xPAK modules that can customize a unit to a customer's specific professional or public service needs.

With the Aero 15 OLED XD, Gigabyte introduces a solid laptop with an excellent display that is intended for both creators and gamers.

The latest iteration of the Xenia 15 gaming laptop is powered by the i7-11800H processor coupled with 32 GB of DDR4-3200 RAM, a new 1 TB XPG Gen 4 SSD and either an RTX 3070 or 3060 dGPU from Nvidia. It comes with advanced features like Thunderbolt 4 connectors and a 15.6-inch 165 Hz QHD screen. On the other hand, the new XPG DDR5 modules that can be overclocked to 12600 MT/s now feature as much as 64 GB per single module.

The new Prestige 14 Evo looks just like the old Prestige 14 Evo. However, an Intel Core i7-1195G7 inside shows what we can expect from Intel's Tiger Lake improvements.

An Intel executive has reportedly uploaded a photo of a slide pointing to very interesting developments in data transfers over USB type-C by accident. The material allegedly points to speeds of up to 80 gigabits per second (Gb/s), which will, furthermore, be supported by physical-layer technology.

Though they may look very similar, the Summit E14 is actually the newer model with much faster performance and a brighter 600-nit 4K display. Users can distinguish the Summit from the Prestige by the gold-trimmed clickpad and MSI logo on Summit models.

The Modern 14 scores with a Core i7-1165G7 processor, GeForce MX450 graphics core, and 16 GB of working memory. However, the latter can only operate in single-channel mode. In addition, the laptop heats up a lot under load and produces a lot of noise.

Tired of having manufacturers decide for you what ports you want or don't want? The Framework Laptop lets you choose exactly what you want and how many you want at up to four individual ports.

The second generation of the compact ThinkPad X13 G2 gets new processors, 16:10 displays, and 5G as an optional extra. The business laptop convinces with good connectivity, but long-term ThinkPad users will have to make compromises when it comes to the keyboard.

16:10 screens offer more screenspace without significantly increasing the footprints of laptops.

This year, the Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 2 stands almost alone among the ThinkPads of the higher price segment. However, its distinguishing characteristic, the 16:9 format, is by no means positive. It is time for Lenovo to change the format.

The TUF Gaming F17 that we reviewed inherits the 17.3-inch chassis of the TUF A17, but it houses an RTX 3060 instead of a GTX 1660 Ti. In addition, it's equipped with a Core i9 from the Tiger Lake series. The display deserves some criticism. Despite cool features like Adaptive Sync and 144 Hz, it otherwise scores average rates at best. Price is still a big question.

Gigabyte updates the Aorus 17G with the latest technology: A Tiger Lake processor, an Ampere GPU, PCI Express 4.0, and Thunderbolt 4. The laptop's highlight is still the compelling mechanical keyboard.

The MSI Modern 15 remains a high-performance office laptop with its updated hardware as well. However, there are still minor points of criticism.

The new Executive model from Slimbook weighs 2.2 lbs (1 kg) and packs premium features like a 16:10 screen with 3K resolution and 90 Hz refresh rate plus an Intel Tiger Lake-U i7-1165G7 processor. It also includes a Thunderbolt 4 connector and users can add up to 64 GB of DDR4-3200 and up to 4 TB of NVMe SSD storage.

Lenovo has constructed its ThinkPad X1 Extreme new. The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 4 is supposed to take on the Dell XPS series. It changes to the 16:10 aspect ratio, but with a different screen size compared to the Dell competitors. Lenovo also upgrades the GPUs to up to the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 Max-Q.

Thin and less features - many modern laptops have to make compromises in the hunt for every millimeter. The Schenker Vision 14 now shows that there is another way. In addition to plenty of ports, you also get replaceable RAM modules and two M.2 slots in a 1 kg magnesium chassis.

Gigabyte improves system performance in particular with the hardware configuration of the Aorus 15P YD. Compared with last year's model, there are new advantages as well as disadvantages.

Schenker has announced the release of the XMG Core 15 and 17 (M21) laptops. They may be refreshed versions of their early-2021 (or E21) counterparts; however, this involves an upgrade to 11th-gen Intel silicon, and, thus, Thunderbolt 4/USB4. The rest of their specs remain unchanged, their RTX 3060 graphics included.

The laptops come equipped with the newest Intel 11th Core-H CPUs with optional integrated Cherry mechanical keys for the larger 17.3-inch model. Dell says these are some of the thinnest GeForce RTX laptops in the market, if not *the* thinnest.

For the first time since its original release in 2018, Lenovo is not merely updating the ThinkPad P1. The new version of the premium mobile workstation, the Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 4, is a complete redesign. A large 16 inch 16:10 screen, vapor chamber cooling, top-firing speakers, 5G, a 1080p webcam and Tiger Lake H as well as up to the Nvidia RTX A5000 - Lenovo has packed the ThinkPad P1 G4 with new features.

The Lenovo ThinkPad Thunderbolt 4 Workstation Dock is now official. It comes with a wide selection of ports, including HDMI 2.1, DP 1.4, USB Type-C and more. Users can buy the dock for US$419 in Q4 2021.

The trend for laptop displays is currently moving towards a longer 16:10 aspect ratio. The result is smaller bezels below and above the screen, more space for documents - and much better usability in tablet mode. This is shown by the Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Yoga Gen 2, for example.

The current silicon crisis is often perceived as bad news for CPU and GPU supplies worldwide. However, a new report highlights the point that its ramifications might be more widespread than that. It indicates that disrupted sales of a controller chip necessary for working USB 4/Thunderbolt 4 might lead to a lack of PCs with 11th-gen Intel processors next, or to OEMs resorting to releasing the same machines without this spec.

The revamped W-series now includes the WS76/66 and WE76 high-end models with up to an i9-11980HK CPU, up to 64 GB of DDR4-3200 RAM and a choice between the RTX A5000 or A3000 professional GPUs plus screens up to 4K. These models also include PCIe 4.0 support and a Thunderbolt 4 connector, while the WF76/66 models do not, and also support only up to an i7-11800H CPU with RTX A2000 or T1200 and 1080p screens.

The featherweight LG Gram 16 scores points with a Tiger Lake processor, Thunderbolt 4/USB 4, room for two NVMe SSDs, and a 16-inch display in the 16:10 format. This is complemented by excellent battery life.

The second generation of the ThinkPad P14s is equipped with Tiger Lake CPUs and an Nvidia Quadro T500. In this case, the latter is also what will persuade users to opt for the new model.

The HP Spectre x360 14 is a 2-in-1 device which features a Tiger Lake CPU, two Thunderbolt 4 ports and a 13.5-inch OLED touchscreen with a 3:2 aspect ratio. The touchscreen can recognise inputs from the included HP Tilt Pen and fingers.

This new NUC goes into beast mode with an 8-liter enclosure that can fit full-size GPUs plus a PSU. It also supports 45 W Intel Tiger Lake-H CPUs including the HK overclockable models, but apparently only supports air coolers, so it might get some TGP restrictions. Nevertheless, it also comes with a NUC 11 Extreme Compute Unit that includes features such as PCIe 4.0, Optane Memory, 2x Thunderbolt 4.0 connectors and even a 10 Gb NIC.