We are specialists in quality batteries. We have batteries, chargers and accessories for everything you can think of. Low prices, big inventory, expert advice. Find your battery here!
The Xiaomi 15 Ultra is being re-released in three limited colors and, at the same time, is getting a brand-new camera grip that differs from the older Photography Kit in both design and functionality.
Xiaomi has developed a brand new camera handle for the Xiaomi 15 Ultra. (Image source: Xiaomi)
The Xiaomi 15 Ultra is getting three limited editions in purple, aquamarine and brown. The flagship was previously only available in white, black and silver. Xiaomi retains the two-part design of the back from the silver variant – one strip is made of silver metal, while the area underneath has a colorful leather cover.
This division gives the smartphone a look vaguely reminiscent of rangefinder cameras of yesteryear. Probably not a coincidence, given that the Xiaomi 15 Ultra is primarily aimed at photography enthusiasts. Even more exciting is that Xiaomi has also unveiled a new Photography Kit, which is also available in the three aforementioned colors. This “fashion photography kit” features a much more rounded camera grip, making it appear “softer” and less prominent than the older Photography Kit.
The range of functions has been reduced somewhat – the new camera grip only has a dedicated shutter button that also recognizes when it is half-pressed in order to, for example, lock the autofocus and autoexposure. There is also a button for starting a video recording. Weighing 42 grams, the new grip is also lighter, but likely lacks an integrated battery. Further details on the Xiaomi 15 Ultra can be found in ourdetailed review.
Price and Availability
Xiaomi has not yet confirmed when or at what price the new versions of the Xiaomi 15 Ultra or the new Photography Kit will be launched.
Even if you’re cautious, there’s always a chance that a virus could sneak onto your PC. Sure, Windows does have built-in security to block malware, but all it takes is one wrong click. Maybe it’s a sketchy link, a shady browser extension, or a random file from a site you probably shouldn’t have trusted. If your PC is acting weird and showing signs of malware, you might be wondering if a factory reset can fix it.
A factory reset wipes everything on your PC, including your apps, photos, videos, and files. It also reinstalls Windows and puts all your settings back to how they were when you first got the computer. In most cases, a factory reset should get rid of any viruses or malware hanging around. It’ll also make your PC run like new and fix any performance issues or software glitches you’ve been dealing with.
Windows offers more than one way to reset your PC, so it’s important to pick the right one. If you go with the option that keeps your files, it may not fully remove the malware. If you’re on Windows 11, you can head to Settings > System > Recovery. For Windows 10, go to Settings > Update & security > Recovery. Then, click the Reset PC button, and you’ll see two options. Pick the “Remove Everything” option to wipe everything clean.
While doing a factory reset can help remove malware, it may not always work. Some viruses are sneaky enough to survive even a full reset. This usually happens when the malware has infected something deeper, like the BIOS or your motherboard. Since a factory reset doesn’t affect those areas, certain types of viruses can stick around, even after you’ve wiped everything. These are often known as rootkits, and they’re especially good at hiding. A rootkit can let the attacker take full control of your PC and steal your data without much effort.
If your PC keeps crashing with a Blue Screen of Death, or you notice strange changes to your browser or system that you didn’t make, it might be a sign of a rootkit. This kind of malware isn’t very common, but if you feel your PC might be infected, try running the Microsoft Defender’s Offline Scan. It works outside of Windows after a restart, which helps it catch and remove anything trying to hide. Here’s how to run it.
Click the search icon on the taskbar, type “Windows Security”, and hit Enter. Go to the Virus & threat protection tab. Click Scan options. Select Microsoft Defender Antivirus (offline scan) and click Scan now. Finally, click Scan to confirm. The scan should only take about 15 minutes. Your PC will restart during it, so make sure you save anything you’re working on first.
Doing a factory reset deletes all your personal data, so you’ll probably back everything up to a hard drive or flash drive first. But if one of those files is infected with malware, or if the backup drive itself has something nasty on it, the malware could sneak right back in after the reset. Before you copy anything back over, it’s important to scan the backup drive using a different computer.
Malware can also hide in other external devices like a USB hub, printer, or Wi-Fi adapter. That usually only happens if some sketchy, unsigned firmware gets installed. It’s rare, but it’s still worth being careful and protecting your system.
Windows Security does a solid job of protecting your system, but it’s still wise to have an antivirus program just to be safe. Microsoft also suggests keeping your PC up to date with the latest security patches. And, of course, you should follow the best security practices. Try to avoid clicking on suspicious links, don’t open unknown attachments, and only install apps and software from sources you trust. Doing all of this should help keep your PC safe from viruses and other threats.
Whether you’re building or upgrading your PC, the size of its motherboard plays a big role in choosing computer components. It affects everything from how many parts you can install to how much room your case needs to how many ports are available. Mini ITX and Micro ATX are two common choices for those who want a more portable build or something that doesn’t take up as much real estate as a standard ATX case.
Both Mini-ITX and Micro ATX boards are squares, whereas standard ATX is a rectangle. Between the two smaller sizes, the Mini-ITX board is noticeably smaller at 6.7 inches x 6.7 inches, while the Micro ATX measures 9.6 inches x 9.6 inches. That extra space matters when you’re thinking about expansion, airflow, and compatibility. While both boards are designed to work in smaller cases, they do target different needs.
Mini-ITX is a better fit for ultra-compact systems and can be found among some of the best motherboards for gaming. Micro ATX, on the other hand, offers more room without taking up as much space as standard ATX, allowing for more hardware options. So if you’re deciding between the two, start with size and how much flexibility you need. From there, it’s all about what kind of build you’re planning, whether you want something ultra-compact or a system with more room to grow.
Mini ITX offers a small size, but with big trade-offs
Building a small form factor PC like a Mini-ITX requires a lot of considerations because of its compact design, but there are some great benefits, too. They can be quieter than other builds since the cases they fit into don’t have enough room for an abundance of fans. Moreover, they use less power and often require fewer cables, which can make for a cleaner setup. The Mini-ITX size makes them useful as home theater PCs, portable workstations, and even media servers, proving that a board doesn’t have to be big to be impactful.
There are some trade-offs, though. Mini-ITX motherboards typically have only two memory slots for RAM and offer fewer connectivity ports. There’s also a limited number of PCIe slots, which limits your options when it comes to graphics and other expansion cards. You have to pay close attention to the size of the GPU you want because larger ones might not be supported. Airflow can be a concern, too, due to fewer fan headers and compact cases. These boards are best suited for users who know how to optimize the available space.
Price is a big consideration. Because of their compact and specialized design, Mini-ITX boards can actually cost more than larger ones. For example, the ASUS ROG STRIX B860-I Gaming Mini-ITX currently goes for $219.99. While Mini-ITX can be a great option for compact, quiet builds, it’s not always the most budget-friendly or flexible choice.
Micro ATX is a larger option with more flexibility
Micro ATX boards might be smaller than standard ATX, but they’re larger than Mini-ITX ones, offering more room for components. That extra space means you can install full-size graphics cards, take advantage of better airflow, and add more cooling fans. This makes Micro ATX a strong option for users who want a smaller case but don’t want to compromise on performance.
Micro ATX boards also support more memory and expansion options. Most Micro ATX motherboards come with four RAM slots and multiple PCIe slots, which gives you more flexibility if you need to add more or faster RAM, sound cards, or upgrade your GPU later. They tend to have more connectivity ports than Mini-ITX, as well, which can be useful if you’re using a lot of peripherals or external drives. It’s a balanced option that works well for gaming, general use, or even light productivity.
One of the biggest advantages of Micro ATX is the price. They’re generally cheaper than Mini-ITX boards and offer more features for the money. At the time of this writing, the AORUS Elite AX AMDB 650 Micro-ATX, for example, goes for about $175.99. So unless you specifically need a super small build, a Micro ATX board might be the way to go for those small builds, giving your rig more room to grow over time.
The router breakthrough we were (maybe) waiting for?
(Image credit: Guru3d)
TP-Link’s EAP772-Outdoor survives immersion, but the signal won’t follow it into the water
Built to endure harsh elements, but not the hype surrounding underwater wireless capabilities
Enterprise users might love it, but it feels like overkill for your average Wi-Fi needs
TP-Link has announced a new Wi-Fi 7 access point that not only supports the latest wireless standard, but also boasts an IP68 rating which allows it to withstand full water immersion.
On paper, this rugged Wi-Fi 7 access point looks great, with tri-band wireless speeds up to 9.3Gbps, support for over 380 connected devices, and 2.5Gbps Power over Ethernet (PoE) for streamlined setup.
However, the decision to highlight full immersion capabilities invites a more skeptical look, especially considering the known limitations of wireless communication in water.
The device is equipped with two 4 dBi antennas for the 2.4GHz band and two 6dBi antennas each for the 5GHz and 6GHz bands.
It operates across the 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz bands, offering maximum theoretical speeds of up to 688Mbps, 2.88Gbps, and 5.76Gbps, respectively, and supports a coverage area of around 300 square meters and a five-year warranty by the company.
So, while the router might physically survive immersion, the idea of underwater Wi-Fi remains questionable.
Standard Wi-Fi is inherently ineffective underwater. Radio frequencies, especially at 2.4GHz and above, are quickly absorbed by water, leaving little room for practical transmission beyond a few feet.
Water blocks the very signals the device is designed to emit, raising doubts about how the LAN port would even be protected from moisture once submerged.
If we momentarily entertain the concept of underwater wireless use, the practical applications are narrow and not well served by conventional Wi-Fi.
Divers, for instance, would benefit from the ability to send data or communicate without relying on hand signals or physical boards.
Real-time image sharing or sensor readings from underwater drones to surface computers could be useful in scientific or military operations.
However, these needs are already being addressed by emerging technologies like Aqua-Fi, which uses LED, laser, or acoustic waves for underwater data transmission, none of which involve standard Wi-Fi frequencies.
TP-Link has not suggested any integration with such systems, nor has it indicated that the EAP772-Outdoor is intended for submerged deployment beyond mere survivability.
That raises the question of why the waterproof feature is being emphasized at all. For outdoor venues, where rain, dust, and heat are threats, weatherproofing makes sense.
But full immersion? Unless the router is accidentally dropped in a pond or installed in a highly flood-prone area, it’s difficult to see the value.
For users seeking thebest Wi-Fi router, the EAP772-Outdoor may excel in terms of outdoor reliability.
Enterprise clients needing tough gear for open-air deployment might also make sense out of this device, but for anyone shopping for amobile hotspotorswitchfor home or office use, this might seem more like overengineering.
The TP-Link EAP772 is expected to retail around $565 when it launches in June 2025.
When setting up your workstation — whether at home or in the office — one of the things you’re probably most particular about is your keyboard, and for good reason. It can be a bit of a space hog, so its size will largely dictate how much you can fit into your desk. That’s why before even deciding on what other extra peripherals like speakers, lighting, and desk organizers to get, it’s best to pick out a keyboard first.
There are multiple keyboard sizes out there for every need. If you typically work with numerical data and calculations, the full-size long keyboard with 104 keys is ideal for you. If you need something more compact but doesn’t sacrifice functionality, then you’re better off with the 87% keyboard. But if all you’re after is minimalism and portability, the smallest 60% keyboard sounds more like your style.
Besides these three major keyboard sizes, though, you’ll also frequently encounter two other options: 65% and 75%. These keyboards are very close in percentage, so it’s easy to mistake one for the other. But upon closer inspection, they actually have distinct features. Let’s go over how the 65% keyboard differs from the 75% layout.
Both the 65% and 75% keyboards are considered compact and space-saving. But there’s one thing that clearly differentiates the two: their set of available keys. On the 65% keyboard, you usually only get 68. It still has all four arrow keys unlike the smaller 60% layout, but the navigation buttons are reduced to about three or four depending on the brand. Some mechanical keyboard brands like Keychron and HyperX include Delete, Home, PgUp, and PgDn. Others like the Royal Kludge and Corsair don’t have the Home button. To make the 65% keyboard even more compact, the function row and number pad have been removed completely too. They’re now integrated into the number row at the very top.
Meanwhile, on the 75% layout, you’ll typically find 84 keys. It’s still considerably smaller than the full-size keyboard since it no longer features a number pad. However, it retains the entire function row, arrow keys, and a couple of the navigation buttons, such as Delete, PgUp, PgDown, Home, and End. Most 75% keyboards also come complete with a volume knob in the upper right corner.
With how they’re designed, the 65% and 75% keyboards serve different purposes too. The smaller keyboard is best for casual typists who want a minimalist desk setup, on-the-go users who don’t like lugging around long and bulky gear, and even gamers who need the desk space to use their mouse comfortably. The 75% layout, on the other hand, is suited for writers and people who mainly work with text and beginner programmers who need access to more shortcut keys.
Photographing with a pro camera has never been this easy
I’ve loved animals for as long as I can remember, and I always want to capture them in all their glory. But to do that, I need a fast camera that I can use as an extension of myself.
Enter the Canon EOS R5 Mark II: perhaps the easiest pro-level camera to use money can buy right now. Canon has made professional photography more accessible with its flagship.As I noted in my Canon EOS R5 Mark II review, it took me less than a minute to start shooting. Straight out of the box, the EOS R5 Mark II is a beast.
But it’s the camera’s 45MP Stacked CMOS sensor, 1,054 autofocus points and 30fps burst shooting that make it outstanding. Not only is the camera easy to use but it also takes gorgeous photos that appear true to life with faithful color reproduction.
Having tested the EOS R5 Mark II for two weeks, it came very close to dethroning theSony A1 IIas my favorite wildlife camera — and there’s a very big feature behind that reasoning. Let me show you.
Let’s talk about the Canon EOS R5 Mark II’s 45MP Stacked CMOS sensor: what does that mean? The first-gen EOS R5 did not have a stacked sensor, so the EOS R5 Mark II’s stacked nature enables speedier readouts to minimize rolling shutter distortions by improving light collection efficiency.
And boy is it good. The EOS R5 Mark II takes incredible sharp photos, and it retains lots and lots of detail, enabling you to create extreme crops for large format printing or putting the focus on a specific part. Combine that with the EOS R5 Mark II’s 30fps burst capabilities and you’ve got yourself a winner.
Utilizing two imaging processors (DIGIC Accelerator and DIGIC X), the camera captures up to 191 raw images (and 15 frames in pre-capture) at shutter speeds of 1/32,000s — that’sveryfast. This means that you can rely on its autofocus system and follow a subject while keeping the shutter button pressed, and you’ll get plenty of impressive shots, as you can see in the gallery above.
But the reason you’re reading this article is because of my headline where I talk about one feature that has changed how I take photos. And it’s one I haven’t seen on any other camera (yet). It’s called 180MP in-camera upscaling.
Here’s the technical bit: it enhances resolution by 4x by extrapolating the image’s EXIF data, creating stills up to 180MP from the original 45MP image. The 45MP image already gives you lots of resolution for extreme cropping but having a whoppingone hundred and eighty megapixelsat your disposal changes the game.To demonstrate this, I took a photo of a swan and then upscaled it (which ate into my CFExpress card’s memory), which you can see in the gallery above.
While the original files have retained a lot of detail, the upscaled version shows more in the tiny water droplets on the swan’s head.
The first photo is the original 45MP file, the second is a crop of the 45MP file, the third is an upscaled crop, and the fourth is an extreme upscaled crop. While the original files have retained a lot of detail, the upscaled version shows more in the tiny water droplets on the swan’s head.
This is an invaluable features for all types of photography: landscape, portraits, weddings, what-have-you. For wildlife too — if you’re shooting in burst, you can select a range of images to upscale at once. This also means that if you take a photo you don’t think is sharp or high-res enough, in-camera upscaling will save you some grief.
The EOS R5 Mark II is unique, and it has made me wish every camera had this feature — but that would make Canon’s offering ‘just another camera’ and I wouldn’t want that either.
Be my eyes
Here are a couple more photos for you to feast your eyes on. Remember the 1,054 focus points I mentioned earlier? The EOS R5 Mark II uses that many to accurately track birds, animals, humans and vehicles. I was highly impressed by how quickly the camera locked onto both subjects in the gallery above.
I especially love the first shot of the pigeon. While I’m proud of the artistic composition, it wouldn’t have been possible without the EOS R5 Mark II tracking the pigeon in flight. I’m almost tempted to print it out and put it up on my wall.
And that second photo of the squirrel? Funny story: I couldn’t actuallyseethe squirrel with my eyes (yes, even with my prescription glasses on). I could hear it squeaking so I pointed the camera in the direction of the sound and voila: within milliseconds, the EOS R5 Mark II had found the little rodent. It worked better than my own eyes did — nowthatblows my mind.
The EOS R5 Mark II is a ridiculously good camera. Its 180MP in-camera upscaling feature could come in clutch for a lot of pro shooters. It’s one of the best full frame cams worth the premium, and it thoroughly impressed me regardless of what or who I photographed.
A big perk of having a laptop is being able to take it anywhere, whether that’s your favorite cafe, a quiet spot in the park, or wherever you feel most comfortable. But if you want to keep working for hours without interruptions, you’ll need to keep it charged. That can be tricky when there aren’t any power outlets around. Luckily, there’s a simple fix: use a compatible power bank. The only problem? Not all power banks are capable of charging a laptop.
Unlike smartphones, earphones, and other small devices, laptops need much more power to charge. Most laptops require between 16 to 20 volts, while many power banks designed for phones only provide 5 volts. That’s why the first thing to do is check your laptop’s voltage requirement, which is usually listed on the adapter. Then, choose a power bank that meets that requirement.
Laptops consume varying amounts of power depending on the model and how they’re being used. On average, most laptops draw between 30 and 70 watts per hour. Gaming laptops, though, typically require more. So, to charge a laptop, you need a power bank that can deliver an output of at least 50W. If you want to charge it quickly, you should look for a power bank with even higher output.
Most modern-day laptops can charge via USB-C, and if yours does too, you can likely use a high-output power bank to keep it charged. But if you have an older model or one that uses a different charging connector, you’ll need a power bank that’s compatible with your laptop. You could also get a power bank with an AC outlet, which lets you use your laptop’s original charger.
Another key thing to consider is your power bank’s capacity. It should be at least double your laptop’s battery size. So, if your laptop has a 5,000 mAh battery, for instance, you’ll need a 10,000 mAh power bank to charge it more than once. And if you plan to charge your other devices, like your phone, it’s best to go with a higher-capacity power bank.
Once you have a power bank that works with your laptop, using it is simple. Just plug it into your laptop and press its power button to start charging. To get the most out of it, it’s best to charge the power bank fully before you head out.
While using your laptop on battery or a power bank, adjusting a few settings can help it last longer. Lower the brightness, turn off the features you don’t need, and fine-tune the power settings. These tweaks can extend battery life and keep you working longer without needing to plug in.
The European Economic Area gets an end to all that nagging
Ability to uninstall the Microsoft Store in the EEA.
Microsoft is changing Edge for the better in the European Economic Area
This is happening due to the Digital Markets Act in that region
It means Edge will stop nagging to be the default browser
Microsoftis relenting with its constant prompting of folks to use theEdge browserunder Windows 11, but not everyone is getting this welcome relief.
Sadly, the pushing of Edge in some notable ways is only being curtailed in the European Economic Area (EEA) due to rules imposed by the Digital Markets Act. With no such regulatory pressure in the US or elsewhere, these restrictions on Edge aren’t happening.
TechSpot noticedMicrosoft’sblog postintroducing these various changes, the key one being that Edge will stop annoying you to set it as the default browser inWindows 10andWindows 11. It’ll only prompt a request to be your go-to app for web browsing if you open Edge directly, and this feature has already been implemented as of the end of May, with version 137.0.3296.52 of the browser.
Another change is that when Edge is uninstalled, you won’t get other Microsoft apps telling you to reinstall it.
Furthermore, when you set anyweb browseras your default choice, it’ll have a whole lot more file formats (and link types) tied to it, rather than having Edge still open some file types. This stood as another sneaky way to get Edge back on your radar after you’ve chosen to give it a wide berth.
Additionally, when using the Windows search box and clicking on a web search result, it will be opened in your chosen default browser, rather than Edge, inBing.
All these changes should be in place soon, and will be rolling out in June in the EEA, save for the main one, which is already in place as noted.
Away from Edge, another potentially sizeable plus point for Windows users in this region is that they’ll be able to uninstall theMicrosoft Store, should they wish. That move won’t be coming until later in 2025, though.
Microsoft clarifies that if you remove the Microsoft Store, but have already used it to install some apps, that software will continue to receive updates in order to ensure it gets the latest security patches, which is good news.
These are welcome moves for Windows 11 and 10 users in this region, but it’d be nice if Microsoft could implement them elsewhere as well. However, without the relevant authorities breathing down the neck of the software giant, it won’t do anything of the sort. All these behaviors will persist outside the EEA because Microsoft clearly believes they may help drive more users to Edge.
When in fact they are more likely to drive people up the wall.Repeatedly insistingthat folks should use Edge inscenarios of varying degrees of overreachis a tiresome policy, as is popping up Edge whenever possible, rather than using the default browser choice. That should always be the default; no matter what’s happening, the clue is in the name, Microsoft.
Don’t expect Microsoft’s overall attitude to change anytime soon. Still, at least some people will get to enjoy a slightly less nag-laden experience in Windows 11, and fewer instances of Edge clambering onto their monitor screen in a bid to remind them that it exists. However, the majority of us can doubtless expect more pop-ups and general weirdness in terms of some of the moreleft-field efforts Microsoft has madeto promote its browser.
On average, a laptop can easily last four to five years, sometimes even longer if you take good care of it. Over time, though, you might start to notice it slowing down. In such cases, a common tip for improving performance is to upgrade the RAM (Random Access Memory), since it plays a big role in how fast your system runs. That, however, may not be an option if your laptop uses soldered RAM. So, what exactly is soldered RAM?
Soldered RAM, as you can probably guess from the name, is memory that’s permanently attached to the motherboard, meaning it’s not possible to remove or upgrade it. In contrast, laptops without soldered RAM usually use removable memory sticks, which makes it easy for users to swap or upgrade RAM when needed.
Soldered RAM offers several advantages. For one, since it is attached directly to the motherboard, there’s no need for separate RAM slots and connectors. This saves space and allows laptops to be slimmer and lighter. A prime example of this is Apple’s MacBooks, which have used soldered RAM for years. Soldered RAM can also deliver faster data transfer speeds and improved bandwidth, which is necessary for laptops built to handle AI processors. Finally, soldered RAM tends to be more durable than traditional memory sticks, since there are fewer physical components that can loosen or fail over time.
While there are valid reasons for manufacturers to use soldered RAM in laptops, it does come with some clear downsides. The most obvious is the lack of upgradability. If your laptop has soldered memory and you ever want to upgrade or replace it, you’re out of options. This is something that might not matter to the average user, but for tech-savvy users, it’s a real pain point.
To make up for the lack of upgradability, you’ll need to choose a model with more RAM right from the start. Another good option is a laptop that has both soldered RAM and an extra RAM slot. This will give you the flexibility to add more RAM later if needed. Essentially, soldered RAM in laptops makes it important to think ahead and future-proof your purchase.
Another downside of soldered RAM in laptops is that it makes repairing difficult and more costly. Since the RAM is permanently attached to the motherboard, a failure means replacing the entire motherboard instead of just swapping out the faulty memory. This, of course, can drive up the cost significantly. The best way to find out if a laptop uses soldered RAM is to check the manufacturer’s official documentation.
The short answer to this is no, at least not for most people. There are other important laptop components, like the CPU and GPU, that are already non-upgradeable, and soldered RAM is just another one on that list. Also, soldered RAM isn’t necessarily bad as it offers benefits such as better speeds, increased reliability, and efficient use of internal space.
If you’re concerned about your laptop becoming slow over time, upgrading the RAM isn’t the only solution. There are ways to make Windows 11 run faster and even speed up your slow Mac by minimizing startup apps, cutting down on background processes, clearing up disk space, or switching to a high-performance power plan.
Finally, while upgrading the RAM can help, it can’t magically solve everything and make your laptop last longer. If your laptop is already showing signs of wear, it might actually be smarter to replace it instead of throwing money at upgrades. Plus, you can still repurpose your old laptop for something useful like a home security hub or a game server.
Set to debut on the first AMD chipset MPOWER motherboard from MSI, the B850MPOWER.
Seasoned PC DIYers have always had to wear dexterity-stifling gloves or put up with pricked fingers when upgrading a motherboard or putting together a new PC build – until now. MSI showcased a series of motherboard design tweaks at Computex 2025, including a feature dubbed ‘PinSafe Design’ which enables users to “avoid injury caused by sharp pins during the assembly process.”
The concept here isn’t difficult to grasp, unlike a traditional prickly motherboard. MSI’s mobo manufacturing arm appears to be adopting a far tidier component soldering technique, which results in elegantly flat pads on the reverse of the PCB, rather than forests of spikes.
Admittedly, this isn’t the greatest of technological achievements, Nevertheless, there might have been some component strength, reliability, or stability concerns preventing such a manufacturing change. So we have a baby step here, which should be welcomed as long as the finished product doesn’t suffer in any way compared to a traditional design.
Saving your fingers from pricks and lacerations isn’t the only benefit of PinSafe Design, according to MSI. Likely the result of fevered brainstorming, threaded with some thin strands of truth, MSI says that the PinSafe Design boosts system stability and ESD protection. We think the lack of protruding pins might also give foreign objects less chance of getting caught or jammed between contacts, reducing the potential to create shorts.
MSI’s first MPOWER motherboard for AMD processors
The above PinSafe Design looks set to debut on MSI MPOWER series motherboards, designed for enthusiasts and overclockers. MSI is preparing new MPOWER boards, and the B850MPOWER sample we saw was actually the firstAMD-based motherboardfrom MSI to use this set of features.
Standard MPOWER features include; leveraging the Dragon Alliance collaboration with memory brands, using only 2x DIMM slots for reliable DDR5 overclocking, and the equipping of the EZ Dashboard which integrates power, reset, clear CMOS, and a debug LED on the board for simpler troubleshooting.
To demonstrate this, I took a photo of a swan and then upscaled it (which ate into my CFExpress card’s memory), which you can see in the gallery above.
Here are a couple more photos for you to feast your eyes on. Remember the 1,054 focus points I mentioned earlier? The EOS R5 Mark II uses that many to accurately track birds, animals, humans and vehicles. I was highly impressed by how quickly the camera locked onto both subjects in the gallery above.
