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Master the challenges of coastal locations at low tide with a careful approach to composition
What you’ll need
– Wide-angle zoom lens
– Low-level camera support
– Polariser (optional)
Harbors and marinas are great places to explore with a camera and offer a tremendous range of detail on which we can focus. It’s possible to find subjects for both close-up shots and wide vistas, allowing us to capture the many facets of this fascinating environment.
However, as with all coastal locations, harbors are subject to extreme tidal changes in water level and, unfortunately, it isn’t always possible to be on location at the ideal time of the tidal cycle – when water is rushing in or out of the harbor, drawing attractive lines around the boats and rocks.
During low tide, you’ll often find that the boats are resting on sand and the retreating water has revealed a jumble of rocks, seaweed, barnacles and other debris on the seabed, which doesn’t often make for the most photogenic of foregrounds.
Also, when dry, sand absorbs a lot of light rather than reflecting it, which can make colours appear dull and muted within the frame. This can all add up to produce a boring middle ground in our landscape shots, so we must work to control the relative proportions of all areas of the frame. Let’s explore the best ways to reduce unsightly parts of the scene through careful composition and creative use of exposure.
The key aspect to the success of this technique is to hide areas of the scene that you don’t want the viewer to see. Get the camera as low as possible to hide the dry middle ground. We used our camera bag, rather than a tripod, for the lowest position.
As the camera is close to foreground elements, the depth of field is greatly reduced, so choose an aperture setting of at least f/11. For this scene, f/16 was needed to get both the foreground rocks and the distant castle sharp. Magnify the preview to check this.
3. Crop the foreground
At 24mm on our full-frame camera, there is a little too much foreground. Zoom in to balance the weight of each area of the scene and reduce the middle ground further, keeping an eye on the depth of field as you change the focal length.
4. Focus the scene
Double-distance and hyperfocal focusing aren’t always reliable when objects are located at greatly different distances. We used a hyperfocal distance app for the focus values at our focal length and f/stop, then performed visual micro-adjustments.
5. Wait for the light
With the camera set, wait for a break in the clouds. The harsher summer evening light has some drawbacks, but one advantage is dramatic spotlighting. We took a frame as a cloud moved across the sun, breaking up the lighting structure a little.
6. Underexpose
We used negative 1EV exposure compensation to darken the shadows a little. While harsh shadows are generally avoided in landscape photography, underexposing dull, non-reflective areas can draw attention away from boring middlegrounds.
Pro tip
Try shooting vertically
If the composition isn’t working, try making the foreground a major feature of your landscape scene
Your options to minimise dull middle grounds and foregrounds include pitching the camera up and exaggerating the sky or going all-in on the foreground. Where there is a good amount of detail to focus on close to the camera, try shooting in portrait orientation to capture texture in the rockpools that are often left once the tide has gone out. Use a polariser to cut through reflections and see the detail at the bottom of pools.
Editing steps
1. Balance the range
After setting the Black and White points, manage the distribution of shadows and highlights. In an image with darker rocks in the foreground, these will block up quickly. By waiting for the sunlight to hit them, only a small Shadows increase is needed.
2. Control colour luminance
After making a Curves adjustment to darken the mid tones, we also increased the Luminance of the Greens and Yellows in HSL to prevent the green seaweed from being dulled, too. We then darkened the Blues to deepen the sky contrast.
3. Dodge and Burn
To enhance the pools of light we waited for on the shoot, we used the Adjustment Brush inLightroom(K) with -0.50 Exposure to burn the soft shadows cast by the clouds. We then applied a Dodge to highlight areas with positive +0.40 Exposure.
4. Tone the highlights
The late afternoon sunlight is a little cool, so we applied some Color Grading by adding a Yellow tone to the Highlights and light Magenta to the Midtones for a natural colour depth. Adjust the Balance to ensure that fresh greens don’t turn yellow.
5. Adjust colour calibration
We used the Calibration Tab to adjust the Hue and Saturation of the Green Primary and also adjusted the other colour options to create a saturated but natural colour balance. The final colour step was to reduce the global Saturation by -2.
6. Selective Sharpening
Setting the aperture to f/16 produced sufficient DOF, but diffraction has lowered critical sharpness, especially in the foreground detail. Use the Adjustment Brush or the Sharpen Brush to extract extra texture in the rocks and vegetation.
Before/After
Lack of contrast This scene has a range of detail in the shadows thanks to the lighting from behind the camera but the colours lack depth
Final shot This image has a better structure, with less dead middle ground. The edit enhanced the colours and texture in the foreground
Okay… exactly what is ISO in photography? This is what it stands for, what the numbers mean and when you should change them
It may be a simple question: what is ISO in photography? However, the answer isn’t quite so straightforward – mainly because it’s a term that originated before digital imaging.
So, let’s rewind: what is ISO in photography in terms of analog shooting?Camera filmcomes in different speeds, with a higher ISO rating equating to a ‘faster’ film – which means it is more sensitive to light, enabling you to use faster shutter speeds than you can with ‘slower’ film.
Using a higher-sensitivity ISO is useful for moving subjects (where faster shutter speeds are required) and particularly for shooting in low light. Thus, ISO forms one corner of theexposure triangle– along withapertureandshutter speed.
Okay, but how is this speed measured? A number of different scales were introduced when film was invented, and two of the best known – the American ASA and German DIN scales – were ultimately brought together to create the standardized ISO system.
Thebest digital cameras, of course, do not use film – but the same ISO scale is still used today to measure the camera’s sensitivity to light. Although the camera’s image sensor cannot be changed the way film can, its sensitivity can be boosted by the camera’s circuitry. This is done with theISO control.
What is ISO in photography? It’s like turning up the volume dial on an old radio when the signal is weak – and the higher you go, the more distortion or noise you get
What does ISO stand for?
So, we’ve answered “what is ISO in photography”. Butwhat does ISO stand for? ISO is the name of the International Organization of Standardization: a body that creates thousands of agreed standards for a huge range of products, procedures, and practices. ISO isn’t an acronym and doesn’t stand for anything – it simply refers to the Organization.
For the photographer, ISO is simply a set of numbers. The base sensitivity – the lowest native setting – of many digital cameras is ISO100. But is typically increased by pressing the appropriate button, rotating a dial, swiping the touchscreen or changing a menu setting. On some cameras, you may even get a separate ISO control dial.
The scale is such that doubling the ISO number doubles the sensitivity of the sensor. So increasing the ISO setting from 100 to 200 means that, to get the same overall exposure, you can use a shutter speed that is half as long (or twice as fast).
Each doubling of the ISO also increases the sensitivity by a full exposure ‘stop’ – with the typical full-stop ISO scale progressing to 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600 and so on. The top ISO setting varies depending on the age and cost of your camera. Typical maximum settings range from ISO3200 to ISO819,200. Some of thebest low-light camerasare particularly good at handling high ISOs
What is ISO in photography is one question – what ISO actually means is another!
Confusingly, the top ISO settings on some models are hidden and must be enabled using a custom option called ‘ISO Expansion’ or similar. The reason for this is that each time you increase the ISO setting, you also get a small and cumulative decrease in image quality. So, while cameras boast extremely high or low ‘expanded’ ISO sensitivities, you may not want to use them!
Boosting the picture signal also amplifies impurities in the signal known as ‘noise’. This noise shows up as grain and color mottling in the image – and this gets progressively more noticeable the higher the ISO is set.
You only need to use a high ISO in low light if the camera is handheld, or the subject is moving. With static subjects, and a tripod, you can use the slowest setting – here a setting of ISO100 (Image credit: Chris George)
For low light images where the subject is moving, a higher ISO (here ISO1600) become essential
Some photographers try to resist increasing the ISO at all costs in search of getting the best, grain-free images. However, pumping up the ISO often actually increases image quality overall, as this simple change lets you use a faster shutter speed – thereby eliminating camera shake. A grainy picture is always better than a blurry one!
A higher ISO can also enable you to use a narrower aperture – increasing depth of field, and thus increasing the resolution of a lens – to give you sharper-looking pictures.
Although higher ISO settings are invaluable in low light, they are not essential for all low-light situations, in fact, if you can keep the camera steady, they are often best avoided. If you are using a solid tripod, the slowest ISO setting (ISO100) is usually the best option – as you can then use a longer shutter speed to make up for the lack of light.
Similarly, if you are using flash, high-ISO settings are not needed (although increasing the ISO will increase the effective range of your flash).
Luminance noise: Traditional monochromatic grain in darker areas (as seen in the wall behind the statue in the detail above right) is typical of luma noise
Chromatic noise:Low light interior shows chromatic noise in shadows, as seen in the rainbow speckles in the detail
There are two different types of noise found in digital images. Luminance noise shows up as a speckled pattern, like specks of black sand, and is similar to the grain that was found when using high-ISO black-and-white films. Chromatic noise is colored and looks like the rainbow-like sheen when looking at a patch of oil (and is similar in appearance to the blotchy dye patterns that you saw when enlarging high-ISO color films).
It’s important to look at these two types of noise separately – as each can be reduced using different tools during the editing stage. These are often provided as separate noise-reduction sliders by a RAW converter (such as inAdobe Photoshop’s Camera Raw utility). Specialist software, such asDxO Dfine, is particularly useful for reducing noise without sacrificing detail.
So, what is ISO in photography? It’s a whole lot of things – and all of them are important!
APS-C cameras from the Fujifilm X100VI to the Canon EOS R100 still have a lot to offer
Most camera shoppers look at specifications like megapixels, but there’s a feature that can often be even more important: the type of camera sensor. A popular option is APS-C, a sensor size that balances image quality with price. But, to the novice photographer, that camera spec looks like a confusing alphabet soup that inevitably begs the question, what is an APS-C camera?
An APS-C camera is a digital camera that uses a sensor that’s smaller thana full-frame sensorbut larger thanMicro Four Thirds. This mid-size sensor is the Goldilocks of camera sensors – not too small, but not too expensive either.
The term, which stands for Advanced Photo System Type C, originates from photography’s film era but today is more often used to describe a class of digital cameras. The exact size of the APS-C sensor varies slightly by manufacturer but measures roughly 23mm by 15mm.
This comparison shows how an APS-C sensor compares to full frame, as well as how it crops the image
That’s about 1.5 times smaller than a full-frame sensor. Full frame sensors are considered the standard for professional cameras.
Because APS-C cameras have sensors that are slightly smaller than full frame, the lenses appear to be cropped. Compared to the larger full frame, an APS-C sensor crops off the edges, which is why APS-C cameras are also referred to as crop sensor cameras.
The Sony A6700 on the left has an APS-C sensor while the Sony A7c on the right has a larger full-frame sensor
Most photographers will tell you that the larger the sensor is, the better – and that’s mostly true. A larger sensor will produce less grain and gather more light than a smaller one, among other benefits. But, an APS-C can have some advantages over full frame.
The first is the crop factor. Because APS-C cameras crop the edges off a full frame, the lenses appear to me more “zoomed in” than on a full frame camera. An APS-C camera has a 1.5x crop factor. Many full frame camera lenses will still work on an APS-C camera (provided you purchase the correct mount), but that lens will have a 1.5x cropped view on it when compared to putting that same lens on a full frame camera.
What does that mean? It means that a 50mm lens becomes a 75mm lens on an APS-C camera, which means the photo appears to be taken at a closer distance because those image edges are cropped off. If you are taking pictures of a far away subject, as is often the case with wildlife or sports, that crop factor can actually be an advantage because your lens appears to reach a bit farther.
However, don’t buy a crop sensor camera just for that added reach. Why? Because if you really want that reach, you canuse a full frame camera in crop mode, or crop the images later inLightroomorPhotoshop. You lose some resolution, but by turning the crop mode on a full frame camera on and off you can effectively have the benefits of both full frame and crop sensor from one camera.
The other big advantage of an APS-C camera is the cost. Crop sensor cameras tend to cost less thanfull frame cameras. That’s not always the case, as with entry-level options like thePanasonic Lumix S9compared to the advancedFujifilm X-H2, but for the most part crop sensor cameras cost less.
Another perk? Often APS-C cameras can be more compact than full-frame cameras. Some APS-C cameras with large grips can feel more like full-frame cameras, however.
The Canon EOS R100 is a budget-friendly APS-C camera
While APS-C are more affordable and give lenses more reach, the full frame sensor is considered the professional standard. A larger sensor lets in more light, so full frame cameras have an advantage in dark scenarios.
Full frame cameras will also produce more background blur orbokeh. And if you want to take an ultra-wide shot of a landscape, the crop factor on APS-C cameras becomes a disadvantage, cropping off the widest edges, rather than an advantage like with telephoto lenses.
Are APS-C cameras worth it?
TheNikon Z50is a compact APS-C camera
While full-frame cameras have more light-gathering abilities, the APS-C camera is the sweet spot for many photographers to get a camera at a reasonable price that still takes excellent images. If you want the best possible image quality and have a large budget, you’ll probably lean towards full frame. But if you want the best balance between features and price, you’ll want to consider an APS-C camera.
Many of the best mirrorless cameras are APS-C – and even some popular compact cameras like theFujifilm X100VI. APS-C cameras have more light gathering power than Micro Four Thirds, but tend to cost less than full frame cameras.
While the full frame camera category has more professional cameras, don’t believe the myth that professional photographers have to use full frame cameras. I’m a professional wedding and portrait photographer and I shoot withFujifilmAPS-C cameras. I chose Fujifilm for the colors, and the APS-C sensor is still plenty big enough, especially since I traded my full-frame f/2.8 lens for an f/1.0 and f/1.2 primes so I could compensate for the smaller sensor.
Let’s be real — nobody buys a Chromebook for gaming. Their true strengths lie in the simplicity and efficiency for workers and students, alongside being good for binge-watching to your heart’s content.
But for playing games? That’s a “no” from me. Even when Google promoted its laptops as being the “ultimate cloud gaming machine” a few years back (thead with Michelle Rodriguezstill runs through my mind), they couldn’t stand up to thebest gaming laptopssporting the latest in gaming-focused specs.
Not even theAcer Chromebook 516 GE($649), which isspecificallymade for gaming, could compete with the raw might of, say, anAsus ROG Zephyrus G14($1,999). Considering their price differences, though, that’s to be expected. But here’s the thing: wouldn’t it be great to play the latest games on a more generally affordable lineup of laptops? Of course, and Chromebooks present that chance.
Since 2011, I’ve seen Google’s laptops evolve — delivering better performance, greater connectivity and now a new category of beefier notebooks: Chromebook Plus. Surely, the best Chromebooks of today could manage to pull off decent gaming performance, right?
Well, that’s what I hoped, and after using a Chromebook as my main way to play games, I can say that the results are mixed. Ultimately, though, I was surprised by what was on offer, even if it still has a long way to go.
While these laptops aren’t made for gaming, you might be surprised to know that there are several ways to boot up a game on a Chromebook. There are plenty of compatible gaming apps on the Google Play Store, cloud gaming via Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and GeForce Now and yes, you can alsoinstall Steam on a Chromebook.
Each delivers a variety of titles new and old, fromIndiana Jones and the Great Circleto Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. Great, the games are here, but the real question is: can a Chromebook handle them?
I booted up aSamsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus, a fine laptop with an excellent 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) AMOLED display and the following specs: Intel Core i3 100U CPU, Intel Graphics, 8GB DDR5X RAM and 256GB for storage. Not exactly beefy, but it meets the minimum requirements to play Steam on a Chromebook — and that’s enough for me.
I tried playing games in each category, with the Play Store being the easiest — and my most viable — option.
AsApple continues to make gaming good on Macs, Google has quietly been populating its Play Store on Chromebooks with a strong catalog of Android games. NotResident Evil 4-type good, but more in the classic and addictive, popular titles type of way.
There’s everything from Roblox and Among Us to Dead Cells, Stardew Valley and Loop Hero. There are even all-time classics like GTA: San Andreas, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night and Final Fantasy III 3D Remake. Then there are addictive card-based titles such as Balatro, Slay the Spire and Marvel Snap.
These games may not be high-quality blockbuster hits that we see on Steam, but they’re popular games that I would spend dozens of hours sinking my thumbs into regardless of the gaming device I play them on.
I booted up Balatro first, and it worked like a charm. It’s not exactly a demanding title, and it’s easily playable on many smartphones. Still, seeing as this break-out hit is even on a PS5, you bet this is the kind of game many gamers are checking out, and having this easily playable on a Chromebook is a major bonus.
I continued with the low-demanding title streak by playing the all-time classic RPG Chrono Trigger, made way back in 1995. And yes, now a full 30 years later, it can be played on a Chromebook. Hardly a surprise, but it’s an engaging title to play on a Chromebook nevertheless.
Now, I decided to up the stakes a tad. I installed Call of Duty Mobile to see how well the Galaxy Chromebook Plus could handle 3D rendering, but I never got past the launch screen. Every time I opened the app, it would automatically force quit shortly after showing logos for a split second. Even after looking at the minimal troubleshooters online, like reinstalling the app, none of it worked. Apparently, it only works on certain Chromebooks, and one of them isn’t mine.
So Genshin Impact it is. Not my general cup of tea, but a popular title fit for any gaming device. Unfortunately, though, to no avail. After what took over an hour to download the game and compile shaders, I was treated to the opening cinematic, where I could also choose my character. Afterward, though, it crashed. After booting it up multiple times, it kept crashing. Of course, this leads me to believe this isn’t made for 3D graphics.
All in all, a Chromebook does have a nice selection of games to play from the Play Store, unless they demand the third dimension. One point of annoyance: Netflix has a great catalog of gaming apps to download that are included in subscriptions. Unfortunately, none of these apps are compatible with Chromebooks, which is a shame seeing as there are games like Dead Cells, Oxenfree, Katana Zero, Into the Breach and more.
If it’s the latest AAA titles you want, a Chromebook can provide — but only through cloud gaming. Chromebooks don’t have the specs to pull off premium gaming features like Nvidia’s ray tracing or DLSS 4 to boost frame rates, but they can stream games from a gaming PC that does.
More than anything, this all depends on your internet speeds and Wi-Fi connections. The gamer-ready Acer Chromebook 516 GE even comes with an Ethernet port for uninterrupted streaming. However, with the Galaxy Chromebook Plus’Wi-Fi 6Econnectivity (althoughWi-Fi 7is preferred), along with my home network’s internet speeds (up to 500Mbps), it should be enough to stream games on.
Lo and behold, it is! After using Xbox Game Pass Ultimate in a Chrome browser, I could scroll through a library of top-sellers, and that includes the updated Ninja Gaiden 2 Black. The thing is, these games need a controller to get going. A shame, seeing as there is a perfectly good keyboard here for certain titles, but a PS5 DualSense controller does the trick.
Without any installs, I tried out the latest, upscaled edition of Ryu Hayabusa’s action-packed adventure. At first, visuals and gameplay were super smooth, and I was slicing, dicing and Izuna Dropping enemies without any lag. Then, as the on-screen action got more chaotic with waves of foes, the game dropped quality and stuttered far too frequently. As any fan of the fast-paced action franchise would know, this is not the way to play Ninja Gaiden.
I then tried Indiana Jones and the Great Circle and had a far better time. Perhaps it’s the slower pace of action-adventure’s stealth sections, exploration and combat, but I was able to get through an entire level without any hiccups. A tiny stutter here and there, but nothing game-breaking. That’s genuinely impressive, especially for a laptop that would never be able to handle such a game on its own.
Cloud gaming is a great option for Chromebooks, as Microsoft appears to have put the legwork in to make its cloud gaming a more viable service for gamers over the years. While titles that require minimal input lag aren’t a great match, more slow-paced games, even like Persona 3 Reloaded or Citizen Sleeper. Of course, though, this all depends on your internet speeds.
As a quick note: I tried to use Nvidia’s cloud-gaming service GeForce Now as a free user, trying out Ghostrunner. However, not being a paying subscriber myself, I didn’t get the best experience. In fact, it barely ran a few minutes before the directional inputs spun out of control (as evidenced below).
Steam on Chromebooks is a step forward
Steam for Chromebooks has been around for a while now, and even though it’s still in beta, Valve’s gaming client looks good on a Chromebook. It’s easy to install for Chromebooks that meet theminimum requirements, and it’s the full Steam package you’d expect on Windows. There are still a few issues, but overall, you can install and play games from your library as usual.
Well, therightgames. There’s no chance my Chromebook could run the likes of Cyberpunk 2077. I even tried playing one of my favorite titles of 2024, Anger Foot, which doesn’t require demanding specs, and it didn’t stand a chance of getting to the title screen before shutting down.
Instead, I stuck to more 2D indie games, such as Hotline Miami. This worked without a hitch, and gameplay was even snappy and smooth — two things required in this fast-paced top-down shooter.
Using Steam to game on a Chromebook is more trial and error, and depends entirely on the specs of a Chromebook, like any gaming PC. I can’t imagine all games will work, especially ones that push the limits of having 8GB of RAM, but for those classic titles and more pixelated games, Chromebooks can pull it off.
So, this leads back to the all important question…
Is gaming on a Chromebook any good now?
Truthfully, I don’t think gaming on a Chromebook is a terrible option anymore. At one point, I had no faith in what a Chromebook could offer, and couldn’t fathom trying to game on one. Seeing as the main focus of these laptops is for education and workers using web-based applications, gaming hasn’t been a high priority.
However, that doesn’t mean games can’t be played on one. Set your expectations, and you’ll be happily playing popular titles that don’t require an RTX 50-series GPU or equivalent. There are plenty of classic RPGs on the Play Store and Steam worth investing time into, and the latest Chromebooksshouldbe able to handle it all.
Moreover, cloud gaming is better than ever, and if you have a decent internet connection (and a controller), you can game to your heart’s content with the latest titles that come to Game Pass — and there are quite a few.
Will I continue to game on a Chromebook? Unlikely, especially when I have a proper gaming laptop and PS5 at hand. But for those interested in an affordable Chromebook and wondering if it’s possible to game on it, yes, you can. You’ll get a far better experience on a value gaming laptop like theAsus TUF Gaming A14, but if you’re looking to keep things cheap and cheery, Chromebooks aren’t the worst shout.
They may look similar, but actually aren’t. We explain the key differences between Thunderbolt vs USB-C.
If you’ve bought a computer recently—whether that’s one thebest laptops for graphic designor aMac for video editing—it’ll probably come with either Thunderbolt ports, USB-C ports, or a mix of both. These little slots in the side allow you to connect a range of peripherals, from printers to thebest monitor for MacBook Pro.
But which is which? It’s not obvious. Thunderbolt and USB-C ports look identical, and they work in pretty much the same way.
The broad-brush answer is thattypically, Thunderbolt works faster and more efficiently than USB-C. But that’s not always the case, and there are some other important differences between them too. We’ll explain all below.
What are Thunderbolt and USB-C?
USB stands for Universal Serial Bus. It’s basically a standard way for devices to connect and communicate with each other. This allows many different devices to connect to each other, including phones, printers, mice and external hard drives.
USB sends data back and forth between devices. This data could be anything from photos and videos to documents and music. USB can also deliver power to devices, which is why you can charge your phone by plugging it into the USB-C port on your computer. These days, most laptops, computers, smartphones and tablets come with USB-C ports. These are faster and more efficient than the older USB-A ports, which are larger and require a different (again larger) connector. The most common standard is USB 3.2 Gen 2, although the latest standard, USB4, is now increasingly being rolled out. (More on that in a moment.)
Thunderbolt is a special type of USB-C connector. Born from a 2011 collaboration between Intel andApple, it allows for high-speed data transfer, video signal transmission, and device charging.
Initially exclusive to Apple products, Thunderbolt later evolved to become more universal with the introduction of Thunderbolt 3 and 4, both of which are compatible with USB-C.
Thunderbolt 4 is a significant upgrade from Thunderbolt 3. Most notably, it allows you to connect two 4K monitors or one 8K monitor, doubles the minimum data transfer speed to 3,000 MB/s, and offers enhanced security.
What devices are Thunderbolt and USB-C compatible with?
USB-C is virtually ubiquitous in modern tech. Most new smartphones, tablets, and laptops, regardless of brand, come equipped with USB-C ports.
Thunderbolt ports, however, are typically found on high-performance devices, especially those designed for creative professionals. Apple’sMacBook ProandMacBook Airlaptops, along with some Intel-powered Windows laptops, often feature Thunderbolt ports. Peripherals like external hard drives, monitors and docking stations also increasingly support Thunderbolt connectivity.
How do you know if your device is compatible with Thunderbolt? The quickest way to find out is by checking the product specifications on the box or manual that came with your device, or by taking a look at the manufacturer’s website.
Most of the time, you can’t tell by looking. Sometimes, though, there might be a lightning symbol to identify a port as Thunderbolt-compatible.
How fast do Thunderbolt and USB-C transfer data?
Thunderbolt offers significantly faster data transfer speeds than the standard (USB 3.2 Gen 2) version of USB-C. For example, Thunderbolt 4 boasts speeds of up to 40 Gbps, while USB 3.2 Gen 2 typically maxes out at 20 Gbps.
Often, then, you’ll read online that Thunderbolt is “better than USB-C” for tasks involving large files, such as video editing or 3D rendering. The very latest version of USB-C, however, has muddied the waters there. While USB4 is still relatively new, it’s gaining traction, and you’ll find it in a growing number of devices.
USB4 is actually based on the Thunderbolt protocol, which was developed by Intel. This means it can achieve similar speeds and capabilities as Thunderbolt. However, there are some subtle differences.
Most notably, USB4 has some flexibility in its specifications. So while itcansupport speeds up to 40Gbps, it can also be implemented with a minimum speed of 20Gbps. In other words, unlike Thunderbolt devices, not all USB4 devices will offer the same level of performance.
The final thing to add is that Thunderbolt 5 is currently being rolled out, which boosts speeds up to 80Gbps. It’s new technology, so the number of devices that fully support it is still somewhat limited. It is, however, already implemented on some, including theMacBook Pro 2024.
Thunderbolt vs USB-C: Which one is best?
We’ve talked about how Thunderbolt cables are generally faster and more powerful than typical USB-C cables. However, if your device is not compatible with Thunderbolt then you’re probably not missing out on much. If you only need to connect to a singular monitor and don’t do an awful lot of file transfers, then Thunderbolt ports aren’t a necessity for you.
Conversely, for creative pros who already own Thunderbolt-equipped tech, we think it’s a no-brainer to invest in a Thunderbolt cable or a device with Thunderbolt ports to use with your workstation for maximum productivity. That said, expect to pay a higher price for this.
Thirdly, as we mentioned earlier, the introduction of USB4 offers a decent alternative to Thunderbolt that’s usually more affordable. Be aware, though, that as well as potential differences in speed, USB4 only supports a single 4K display, while Thunderbolt can support two 4K displays or a single 8K display, making it more suitable for multi-monitor setups.
USB-C
Thunderbolt
Pros
• Flippability (no right side up or down) • Can transmit data at speeds up to 20Gbps (up to 40Gbps with USB4) • Can deliver up to 100 watts of power to charge devices • It can transmit DisplayPort audio and video signals
• Much faster than standard USB-C ports • Can transfer data at up to 40Gbps • Thunderbolt 4 supports sending video signals to two 4K displays or one 8K display • Backwards-compatibility with USB-C devices
Cons
• Slower for data and file transfers • USB-C can only connect one device at a time.
• Not as common as USB-C ports • An adapter is required to use with smaller devices
FAQs
Are Thunderbolt ports only on Apple products?
Thunderbolt technology is the brainchild of Apple and Intel, so of course you’re likely to find Thunderbolt ports on most if not all Apple laptops. However, Thunderbolt is not exclusive to Apple, and several Windows laptops are also compatible with Thunderbolt cables and ports.
You’ll also find that most external hard drives, docking stations, monitors, and other peripherals now also support Thunderbolt, so there are plenty of options for you to choose from to benefit from Thunderbolt’s high transfer speeds.
Here’s everything you need to know about JPEGs, one of the most widely used file formats for photographs
While much of the technology behind digital cameras has changed since the first prototypes, one feature that’s nearly as old hasn’t: the JPEG. A JPEG is one of the most widely used file formats for a digital photograph. The file format’s widespread popularity means the file can be opened by nearly any device and thousands, if not millions, of different programs.
If you want to share a digital photograph, the odds are the file type that you want is a JPEG. But just because the JPEG is one of the most widely used formats doesn’t mean it’salwaysthe best option. Photographers – and anyone who has ever snapped a photo with a camera or a smartphone – should know what a JPEG is, when to use one, and when not to use one. Consider this your Photography 101 course to the ins and outs of a JPEG.
What is a JPEG file type? Explaining the most common image format
A JPEG is a compressed, processed image file that is easily shared. Because the JPEG is one of the world’s most widely used file formats for a digital image, it’s typically the best file format for an image that’s meant to be shared. If you want to share a photograph, whether through email, social media or uploading it to a photo printer, a JPEG is the file type you want because anyone can open one.
JPEG stands for Joint Photographics Experts Group, the name of the committee that maintains the list of standards for the JPEG file type. But don’t worry, you don’t have to memorize the long name to understand and use a JPEG properly. The JPEG was first developed in the late 1980s, with the standards first published in 1992, to create a smaller yet standarized digital image file type. Before the JPEG, graphics were often saved as Bitmaps, which took up quite a bit of hard drive space.
JPEG files end in .JPG. A JPEG and JPG are the same thing, but file formats typically only have three letters so the E is dropped in the file extension. If a file ends in .JPG, it’s a JPEG. You can also check the file type by viewing the files in File Explorer (on PC) or Finder (on Mac) and look under the file type column in the list view. On a smartphone, you can check the file type by clicking on the photo in the Camera Roll (iPhone) or Google Photos and tapping the i icon.
Because a JPEG can be opened by nearly any device, the file format is often the best choice formost peoplewhen saving a photo that is meant to be shared. But, understanding a few other key image file formats will help you determine if the JPEG is the best choice for your particular project.
JPEG isn’t always the best file format for photography, this is why
The RAW file type is often favored by advanced photographers for its editing flexibility
Psst! Here’s a hint
Don’t know whether to use RAW or JPEG? Most cameras will allow you to select RAW + JPEG to save both file types.
While JPEGS are one of the most widely image formats used, it’s not the best for every situation. If you don’t want to edit the image and aren’t short on hard drive space, then the JPEG is a great format to use. But file types like HEIF save space on your device while RAW files are more versatile for photo editing.
HEIF, or High Effeciency Image Format, is a file type that takes up less space than a JPEG, without a noticeable impact on image quality. However, HEIF isn’t as widely compatible as the standard JPEG. An HEIF file can be opened by mostAppledevices, while many Windows users need to download extra software to be able to open them, and if you send an HEIF by text to an Android phone, it looks tiny. Apple also has a similar format called HEIC that’s newer though less widely compatible than HEIF.
PNG or Portable Network Graphicis a file type that’s designed more for graphic design than for photographs. But while photographs are easiest to save as a JPEG, you may need to use the PNG format for things like logos and, in particular, graphics designed to have a transparent background.
A RAW fileis uncompressed and often preferred by professional and advanced photographers. A JPEG is a compressed image file with the camera’s automatic edits already applied. A RAW file doesn’t have any edits applied from the camera and it retains more of the original data, which makes the file type better for photo editing.It’s worth noting, when comparingRAW and JPEG, that once photographers edit their RAW photos, they typically export the finished file as a JPEG so it can be easily shared.
FAQs on JPEGs and other popular file types
Is JPEG and JPG the same?
A JPEG and a JPG are one and the same. JPEG is the official name of the file type, but since file name extensions typically use three letters, you’ll see a .JPG at the end of the file name. Sometimes the E is dropped beyond just the file extension as well.
What is the difference between a PNG and a JPEG?
A PNG file is meant for graphic design while a JPEG is meant for a photograph. PNG files support transparent backgrounds, a feature that you don’t need for sharing a photograph. For example, if you great a circle-shaped logo in Photoshop, but save it as a JPEG, you’ll probably see a white background around the logo when you try to upload it to your website. Instead, save it as a PNG and you won’t see any of that annoying white background.
What is the difference between a JPEG and a PDF?
A JPEG is designed for a photograph while aPDF is designed for documents– it actually stands for Portable Document Format. Both JPGs and PDFs can be opened by most devices and many different apps.
A JPEG file is typically smaller in size. A PDF allows you to do things like copy text and also tends to render text better when enlarged.
We fully test our laptops before inclusion to ensure they’re perfect for animation.
The best laptops for animation need to boast some pretty powerful specs and solid design decisions to keep pace with the needs of modern animators, but they don’t come cheap, so making the right choice is essential. Whether you’re a professional, amateur or entry-level animator, it’s worth investing in the right machine for your craft.
We’ve assembled this list of top-class devices to help you choose, looking out for powerful processors, solid graphics cards and ample RAM capable of running demandinganimation softwaresuch as Blender, Maya andAfter Effects. We’ve tested every model against industry standard benchmarking tests as well as our own experience to make sure they all fit the bill, while also looking out for other important aspects like a vibrant display with accurate colour reproduction, plenty of storage space for large files and reliable battery life.
Need to know:With its 16-inch OLED touchscreen and highly capable components, the the ASUS ProArt P16 is our top choice today for animators seeking a powerful and versatile laptop. Featuring handy AI-powered like StoryCube and MuseTree in its ProArt Creator Hub, workflows and file organisation is a breeze.
Design:Despite its powerful components, the ProArt P16 maintains a relatively slim profile and weighs around 5.3 pounds, making it reasonably portable for on-the-go animators. It also boasts a stunning 16-inch 4K OLED touchscreen display with 100% DCI-P3 color gamut coverage, ensuring vibrant and accurate colors crucial for animation work – though it is prone to smudging. Our reviewer also enjoyed using its innovative ASUS Dial: a physical control that allows for precise adjustments in creative applications, which is very handy when scrubbing through animation timelines or fine-tuning brush sizes.
Performance:This Windows laptop is a fast worker, thanks to an Intel Core i9 processor andNVIDIARTX 3070 graphics, providing ample power for rendering complex animations and running demanding software smoothly. The laptop’s 32GB of RAM and spacious 2TB SSD storage further enhance its performance and multitasking capabilities. Our reviewer was especially impressed with the results of our standard Handbrake test, where we encode a 10-minute 4K animation.
Battery:Considering its power-hungry components, we were fairly impressed that the ASUS ProArt P16 still offers up to 10 hours of usage on a single charge.
Buy it if
✅ You want top-tier performance:Its powerful components deliver fantastic speed for animation. ✅You value colour accuracy:Its 4K OLED screen with 100% P3 coverage ensures your animations look flawless. ✅You want innovative controls:The ASUS Dial offers intuitive control in a variety of creative software.
Don’t buy it if:
❌You’re on a budget:Unsurprisingly, a laptop this powerful comes at a premium price. ❌You need a high refresh rate:With just a 60Hz display, ultra-smooth motion isn’t on offer here.
The bottom line
🔎The ASUS ProArt P16packs a powerful CPU, paired with a stunning 4K OLED touchscreen that makes it a fantastic choice for animators who like using a touchscreen. ★★★★½
-No stylus dock -Disappointing storage space -Can feel clunky when in tablet mode
Need to know:If you’re looking to keep your spend under a grand, the HP Envy x360 stands out as a premium 2-in-1 laptop that’s very capable and versatile, making it a solid choice for animation on a relatively limited budget. Its rather lovely 13.3-inch OLED touchscreen is complemented by a powerful 12th Gen Intel Core i7 processor and 16GB of RAM for smooth multitasking.
Design:With its 360-degree hinge, this laptop smoothly transforms its 13.3-inch OLED screen from laptop to tablet mode in no time, offering excellent versatility. The lack of dedicated pen storage and the attached keyboard add up to a slightly clunky tablet experience, however.
Performance:While the 512GB SSD storage capacity is limited, you get a generous array of ports, including Thunderbolt 4, USB-A, and a headphone jack. The included tilt pen facilitates pen input (excellent for animators), and the Bang & Olufsen speakers enhance the multimedia experience.
Battery:During our testing, we were very impressed to see the marketing claims of up to 17 hours and 30 minutes of battery life proved true. Of course, peak performance settings will drain it faster, but the HP Envy x360 can comfortably last a full working day and beyond on one charge. Plus, its fast charging means you can recover roughly 50% battery in just 45 minutes.
Price:There are a few configurations with this machine, starting at $1219.23, which is excellent value for a device that can operate both as a laptop and a tablet in oneanddeliver decent power.
Buy it if
✅ You’re on a budget:While it’s not the most powerful, its approachable price point makes it a solid choice. ✅ You value versatility:The HP Envy x360 can be used as both a tablet and a laptop. ✅You want a beefy battery:Offering up to 17 hours and 30 minutes of battery life, the HP Envy x360 is great for long shifts.
Don’t buy it if:
❌You need maximum power: As a budget option, the HP Envy x360 can’t deliver like a more premium workhorse. ❌You value neat ergonomics:With no dedicated pen storage and the fixed keyboard, it can be a little clunky in tablet mode.
The bottom line
🔎The HP Envy x360is a sleek 2-in-1 laptop and tablet combination with a 360-degree hinge and touchscreen capabilities. Packing a 12th generation Intel Core i7 processor and with a generous 16GB of RAM it’s a solid budget choice for animation ★★★★½
What you need to know:The brand-new-for-2024 HP Omen Transcend 14 is a sleek, relatively lightweight bundle of portable, powerful joy. When we tested it, we appreciated that it’s another in a new generation of gaming laptops that don’tlooklike gaming laptops; aka the holy grail for creatives.
Design:The 14-inch OLED screen is a joy, with 500 nits peak brightness (sounds average but the OLED tech makes it seem brighter) even in HDR mode. And it’s got the trendy 16:10 aspect ratio, too, all without falling into the classic “gamer aesthetic” which can be offputting in professional environments. Plus, at just 1.63kg and 1.79cm thickness, it’s highly portable – especially considering the level of performance it offers.
Performance:The top-spec model is magnificently powerful for the size, price and build, achieving some excellent benchmarks during our testing across creative tasks from 3D to photo editing – all of which you might need in your animation workflow. The AI tech is to thank for that, as it gives a boost to the already capable combination of the Intel Core Ultra 9 processor and NVIDIA RTX 4070 graphics. Multitasking is smooth, owing to its 32GB of RAM, too.
Battery:Despite all that power, the battery life was ample. We got around seven and a half hours with a moderately heavy workflow.
Buy it if
✅You need a portable powerhouse:Offering both performance and portability, it’s a great option for nomadic animators. ✅ You want a great screen:The 2.8K OLED display offers sharpness and excellent color accuracy. ✅ You value battery life:For a high-performance gaming laptop, over eight hours battery life is impressive.
Don’t buy it if:
❌ You prefer a larger screen:Its 14-inch display might be too small for detailed animation work. ❌ You’re on a budget:High-end performance comes at a high-end price, making the HP Omen Transcend 14 pretty pricey. ❌You need upgradability:While it’s robust enough to last a few years, you won’t be able to upgrade this laptop for longevity.
The bottom line
🔎HP Omen Transcend 14is an excellent workstation for the nomadic animator who values both power and portability. Its OLED display and long battery life (well, for a performance laptop) are great, but the smaller screen size may not suit all. ★★★★½
The best MacBook for animation
04. MacBook Pro 16 (M4 Pro, 2024)
The best MacBook for animation
Specifications
CPU:Apple M4 Pro chip, 14-core CPU with 10 performance cores and four efficiency cores
Graphics:M4 Pro, 20-core GPU
RAM:24GB configurable to 36GB or 48GB
Screen:16.2-inch (diagonal) Liquid Retina XDR display2; 3456-by-2234 native resolution at 254 pixels per inch
Storage:512GB-4TB
Ports:SDXC card slot, HDMI port 3.5-mm headphone jack MagSafe 3 port, Three Thunderbolt 5 (USB-C) ports
Reasons to buy
+Outstanding performance +Excellent battery life +Thunderbolt 5 connectivity
Reasons to avoid
-Very expensive -Maybe overkill if you don’t do 3D work -Limited upgrade options
What you need to know:The MacBook Pro 16-inch (M4 Pro, 2024) is a dream machine for animators, excelling in both 2D and 3D workflows. Whether you’re crafting complex motion graphics or rendering high-resolution frames, this laptop delivers industry-leading performance with style.
Design:Apple’s classic unibody design remains a hallmark of quality. The 16.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display is a standout, offering vibrant colours, deep contrasts, and up to 1600 nits brightness for HDR content. The slim yet durable chassis makes it a perfect companion for on-the-go animators. Ports include MagSafe charging, Thunderbolt 5, and an SD card slot.
Performance:The M4 Pro/M4 Max chips are tailored for heavy animation workloads. Tests with industry-standard software like Blender, After Effects andCinema 4Dshow remarkable fluidity, even during complex simulations and rendering. Unified memory options up to 128GB ensure seamless multitasking.
Battery:A major highlight of our testing was the 22-hour battery life for media playback and 10-12 hours of intensive animation work.
Buy it if
✅You prize mobility:The lightweight, portable design makes it a great choice for travel.
✅You need exceptional performance:The M4 Pro and M4 Max chips can handle demanding animation software.
✅You’d like a stellar display:The colour-accurate Liquid Retina XDR is perfect for detailed work.
Don’t buy it if:
❌ Your software ecosystem is Windows-exclusive:Some animation tools remain tied to Microsoft’s OS.
❌ You’re light on cash:The base model is pricey, and higher configurations get very expensive.
The bottom line
🔎MacBook Pro 16-inch (M4 Pro, 2024)is a powerhouse for animators, boasting the best of Apple Silicon, a top-notch display, and great portability. ★★★★½
The best OLED laptop for animation
05. Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i gen 9
The best OLED laptop for animators
Specifications
CPU:Intel (R) Core Ultra 2.30GHz
Graphics:NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Series graphics
RAM:64GB RAM
Screen:16″
Storage:1TB SSD
Ports:HDMI 2.1, USB-C Full Function, USB-C Intel Thunderbolt 4.0, 3.5mm headphone jack, a full-sized SD card reader, two USB-A 3.2 ports.
Reasons to buy
+Extremely powerful +Highly portable +Exceptional battery life +Robust, sleek design
Reasons to avoid
-Limited ports
What you need to know:It’s a close call between the Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i gen 9 and our overall top pick, the ASUS ProArt P16. In our review, we called it a ‘must-have’ for creatives, especially thanks to its beautiful display combined with the AI-boosted CPU – and the fact that it’s a little more affordable than some of its similarly-specced competition. Plus, it features some useful AI tools, too.
Design:Lightweight and sleek by design, its aluminium chassis and solid hinge ensure that it’s durable while still being portable. The keyboard ergonomics are fantastic, but the real hero is its 2.3K HDR 16-inch display, which has 1600 Mini-LED dimming zones that make it fantastic for animation. Unlike many modern laptops, the Lenovo Yogo Pro 9i gen 9 also offers a wide array of connectivity ports including a full SD slot.
Performance:Depending on which configuration you opt for, the Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i gen 9 can get pretty powerful, making it plenty capable for animators. The model we tested proved plenty capable at handling heavy creative loads, and the AI-boosted CPU certainly helps in this department. Also of use is Lenovo’s Creator Zone, which features AI tools specifically included with creatives in mind, from optimising your creative tools to offering generative image creation that can actually learn your personal visual style.
Battery life:Alas, the battery life is the concession made by this otherwise excellent all-rounder. In our gaming test (which emulates creative loads), we got only two hours of battery life. When streaming with a slightly dimmed screen, that upped to eight hours.
Buy it if
✅ You want a crisp, expansive display:The 16-inch screen is beautiful, with plenty of real-estate for animation. ✅ You like AI:If you’re ready to jump on board the AI train, this machine’s AI tools and optimisations are a big draw. ✅ You need a powerful workhorse:For heavier workflows, this powerhouse is near unmatched.
Don’t buy it if
❌ You need long battery life:Especially if you often animate on the road, the batrtery life will disappoint. ❌ You’re on a budget:While it’s comparable to its competition, this laptop is still pretty pricey.
The bottom line
🔎Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i gen 9is a rival to the devices that top our best for animation list, let down mostly by its disappointingly short battery life. Otherwise, it will impress with its gorgeous display, ample power and excellent AI features that boost power and optimise your workflow. ★★★★½
The best larger laptop for animation
06. Dell Precision 7780
A powerful, big-screen laptop for animation
Specifications
CPU:13th Gen Intel Core i7-13850HX
Graphics:NVIDIA RTX 3500 Ada 12GB GDDR6
RAM:32GB, 1x32GB 5600MT/s CAMM, non-ECC
Screen:17.3-inch
Storage:1TB, M.2 2280, Gen 4 PCIe NVMe, SSD
Reasons to buy
+Super powerful Intel CPU +Large 17.3-inch display +Plenty of connectivity options
Reasons to avoid
-Poor trackpad placement -Heavy and not portable -Display lacks 4K resolution
Need to know:If you’re looking for pure power and have money to spend, thisDellis a great option, marketed as Dell’s most powerful mobile workstation. Designed with creative professionals in mind, this 17-inch beast has a seriously powerful GPU and upgrade options that give extremely good benchmark scores across heavy creative tasks. It will be too much power for 2D animators, but those working in 3D and with video will find it very capable.
Design:While the build quality is solid, with thoughtful inclusions like the 180-degree hinge for flexible viewing angles, this model is heavy at 3.05 kg and quite bulky, so it isn’t our recommendation for mobile working. Its off-centre trackpad may prove contentious, and another drawback is there’s no 4K display here, and the aspect ratio is 16:9 rather than the 16:10 often favoured by creators. But our reviewer was pleased as it means a slightly slimmer chassis – and we also thought the Full HD display looked great.
Performance:Packing an Intel Core i7-13850HX and NVIDIA RTX 3500 Ada GPU, you can expect fantastic performance from the Dell Precision 7780. During our benchmark testing, it even managed to outperform some Intel i9-equipped competitors in certain tasks.
Battery:The 93 Wh battery offers a pretty dire lifespan – we only managed three hours of creative work – so it’s best to keep it near a power supply.
Buy it if
✅You need display real estate:The roomy 17.3-inch display offers plenty of space for animation. ✅You need ample power:The Intel i7 and NVIDIA RTX 3500 are plenty capable of handling demanding animation tasks. ✅You use multiple peripherals:This machine offers a solid array of ports to support a wide range of peripherals and multi-monitor setups.
Don’t buy it if:
❌You need a portable device:It’s weighty at 3.05 kg, making it ill-suited for those who work on-the-go. ❌You’re value ergonomics:The off-centre trackpad isn’t for everyone, and might take some getting used to.
The bottom line
🔎The Dell Precision 7780packs a real punch in terms of performance, offering ample screen space for animators who essentially want a desktop PC dressed as a laptop. However, the trade-off is that it’s less portable than other laptops. ★★★★½
The best dual screen laptop for animation
07. Zenbook Duo OLED
A powerful dual-screen laptop for graphic design
Specifications
CPU:Intel Core Ultra 9 185H
Graphics:Intel Arc Graphics
RAM:32GB
Screen:2x 14in 2880×1800 120Hz OLED
Storage:1TB SSD
Ports:Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, 2x Thunderbolt 4, 1x HDMI 2.1, 3.5mm combo jack
Reasons to buy
+Futuristic form factor +Powerful components +Fun to use
Reasons to avoid
-Kind of expensive -Two screens can drain the battery -Picky about chargers
What you need to know:The latest Asus Zenbook Pro 14 Duo OLED packs powerful components with an Intel Core Ultra 9 185H and could easily handle animation projects in our tests – but most notable of all itstrengths is its dual-screen set-up.
Design:The most eye-catching feature of the Asus Zenbook Pro 14 Duo OLED is its dual-screen setup – the upgraded 2024 model houses two 14in 2880×1800 120Hz OLED screens, as opposed to a smaller one over the keyboard as with the last model. That second screen gives you space to put apps and tools, so your main screen isn’t interrupted – and you can draw on the second screen with a stylus.
Performance:Housing a powerful Intel Core Ultra processor and 32GB of RAM, this laptop is an absolute beast for multitasking, which can seriously speed up your animation workflow. Paired with its decent integrated graphics (which scored between an M1 and M1 Ultra in our benchmark testing), it’s a pretty powerful machine.
Battery life:The battery life is much improved with this iteration – we saw over 12 hours of use with one screen on. The second screen sucks up the battery faster but it’s not unreasonable so as long as you’re near a plug point at some point in the day
Buy it if
✅ You love the idea of two screens:The two displays are the obvious pull here. If you often need a monitor alongside your laptop for smoother process in your graphic design work, then this is an excellent option. Those screens are gorgeous, touchscreen and compatible, too. ✅ You like medium-high power:This can be quite powerful, but isn’t quite up there with some other new laptops such as the M4 MacBook Pros.
Don’t buy it if:
❌ You need an uber-long battery life:When using the two screens the battery doesn’t last as long as the 12 hours we got when testing a single screen. So if you’re on the go a lot and want to make the most of the displays, you’ll be a bit disappointed. ❌ You want a budget option:This is not cheap.
The bottom line
🔎ASUS Zenbook Duo OLED 2024is one of our favourite laptops ever. It’s not for everyone, as it is a quirky build, but it’s been built with professional creatives in mind. Anyone who uses a additional monitor when at a desk should consider this beauty, which is a brilliant upgrade from the previous iteration. ★★★★★
FAQs
What specs do I need in a laptop for animation?
The specs you will need in a laptop for animation will depend on what software you use, and it’s always worth checking the minimum specs quoted by the developer. In many cases, thee minimum system requirements are not particularly high. For example,CelAction2Dstates a minimum of 8GB of RAM and an Intel i5 CPU, which is fairly standard.
There is a difference, however, between minimum and recommended. To refer to CelAction2D once more, they recommended 16GB RAM and an Intel i7 processor.
Furtherrmore, 3D animation software such as Autodesk Maya, Adobe Animate and Blender, do require significant processing power for complex calculations and renderings. So if you’re using tools like this ,we’d recommend a 10th or 11th generation Intel Core i7 or i9 or AMD Ryzen 7 or 9 series H. We’d also recommend going for a laptop with a dedicated graphics card.
For 2D animation, meanwhile, we recommend at least a GPU with 4GB of VRAM. For 3D animation, 8 GB of VRAM would be preferable. As for RAM, we’d recommend at least 16GB to be able to handle multiple layers and complex character rigs and provide smooth playback. Going to 32GB is likely to provide a smoother experience for extensive rendering and simulation in 3D animation.
You’ll also need enough storage space to store your animation files. Solid-state drives (SSDs) are the way to go for the best read/write speeds, and you’ll probably want at least 512GB.
Finally, you’ll want a display with high-resolution (at least Full HD, 1920×1080) and good colour coverage and accuracy. Some animators like a touchscreen so that they can use a stylus for drawing and sketching, although there’s also the option to use a graphics tablet for this.
Are gaming laptops good for animation?
Gaming laptops are some of the most powerful machines on the market, and increasingly creatives are finding themselves investing in an RGB-clad laptop to handle their processing and rendering needs – we’ve even included a laptop from Razer, famed for its gaming hardware, in our selection of the best laptops for animation above. Most of thebest gaming laptopswill be perfectly capable of meeting an animator’s needs.
Rest in peace, Trackpoint. We barely needed ye. Although a pointing stick — which is apparently the brand-agnostic name for the Trackpoint — was popular on laptops in the late 1990s and early 2000s, the only company to carry the tradition forward has been Lenovo. You’ll find the iconic red Trackpoint on just about every ThinkPad laptop available, but Lenovo is doing away with the design atCES 2025with its new ThinkPad X9.
The Trackpoint is, in 2025, not very useful. Lenovo tells me that the change is to signal a modern approach to the ThinkPad range, the roots of which go way back, to when ThinkPads were branded with an IBM logo. Just a few months back, we looked at theLenovo ThinkPad X1 2-in-1, which still had the Trackpoint. Now, it’s gone, and seemingly gone for good.
At least the ThinkPad X9 looks like one heck of a laptop otherwise. Out of the gate, Lenovo is offering the new X9 with either a 14-inch or 15-inch display, and both are branded as being among Lenovo’s Aura Edition laptops. Both models are also meet Microsoft’s Copilot+ standards, leveraging an Intel Lunar Lake CPU for both battery life and access to AI features.
Externally, Lenovo is using an OLED display across both the 14-inch and 15-inch model, and both use a haptic touchpad along with the well-known (and loved) ThinkPad keyboard. Under the hood, Lenovo says the laptop is serviceable by removing the bottom covering, allowing you to replace the SSD and battery if you need.
And, of course, you can’t have a laptop released in 2025 without a little dose of AI. It’s called Lenovo AI Now, and the company describes the feature as an “advanced on-device AI assistant that brings powerful, real-time intelligence to users.” It’s similar to something like Nvidia’s Chat RTX, as it uses a large language model (LLM) to provide a chatbot that only knows about your local files. Lenovo built the assistant with Llama 3.0, so hopefully it will work well.
It has some interesting features outside of searching for documents. Lenovo says the AI assistant can work across devices, allowing you to search for things regardless of the device you’re on. Lenovo AI Now isn’t exclusive to the ThinkPad X9, either — it’s available to download on several supported Lenovo machines.
Although it’s disappointing to see the Trackpoint bite the dust, the ThinkPad X9 looks fantastic. Both the 14-inch and 15-inch models will be available beginning in February, starting at $1,399 and $1,549, respectively.
This small update is the first Android patch for Pixels of the new year.
What you need to know
The January 2025 security patch for Pixels is rolling out to Pixel 6 and newer devices now.
A support page from Verizon preemptively revealed that the patch would be available today.
There are bug fixes for the Pixel 8 and Pixel 9 series, but the Pixel 6 and Pixel 7 series only get security improvements.
The first Google Pixel security update of 2025 is rolling out to Pixel 6 and newer phones and tablets now with bug fixes and security improvements. Earlier today, asupport pagefrom Verizon preemptively revealed that the January 2025 security patch was rolling out for Pixels, Jan. 7. Now, that update is hitting Pixel phones in all regions, with separate builds for Global, Telstra, and EMEA.
The over-the-air update is available for the following Pixel phone models, listed beside their corresponding globalAndroid 15build numbers:
SincePixel phones and tablets received a feature drop last month, this suggests the current security patch is a minor update.
For the Pixel 8 and Pixel 9 series, the January 2025 update includes a few bug fixes. The patch “addressed audio delay and stability issues when using certain apps” and “addressed a camera stability issue when switching to a connected camera under certain conditions.”
The update for the Google Pixel 9 series specifically fixed a few display and UX issues, like screens flashing lines in certain conditions and problems with Pixel Launcher theming.
For all other Pixel devices, including the Pixel 6 series, Pixel 7 series, Fold, and Tablet, the update simply includes the latest security patches. You can download and install the January 2025 update over-the-air by opening theSettings app, tappingSystem, and thenSoftware Update.
It only took the LineageOS team three months to add Android 15 support.
(Image credit: LineageOS)
What you need to know
LineageOS 22.1 is here for over 100 devices, based on Android 15 QPR1, with two new system apps.
Twelve is a new default music player that replaces Eleven, one of LineageOS’ oldest apps.
LineageOS 22.1 supports devices as old as the Pixel 2 series and as new as the Pixel 9 series.
LineageOS, an Android custom ROM project that aims to support both new and old smartphones, is already adding support for Android 15. The teamannounced, that LineageOS 22.1 is rolling out based on the latest Android 15 QPR1. It was able to bringAndroid 15to LineageOS quicker than expected due to the breakthroughs made adapting Android 12 through Android 14, according to the blog post.
“This is far-and-away the easiest bringup cycle from a device perspective we have seen in years,” wrote Nolen Johnson, the developer relations manager for LineageOS, in the blog post. “This means that many more devices are ready on day one that we’d typically expect to have up this early in the cycle.”
Aside from the system improvements brought by Android 15, LineageOS 22.1 includes a few new features and additions. For starters, security patches as recent as November 2024 have been merged to LineageOS 19.1 through 22.1. There are also two new apps: Twelve and Camelot.
Twelve is a brand-new music player that replaces the prior music player, Eleven. As one of the oldest LineageOS apps, the team explained that it was time for a replacement. Eleven was becoming noncompliant with new Android guidelines due to its older codebase, and Twelve is an improved replacement.
Some of the new app’s highlights include Material You design language and support for tablets and landscape mode. It’ll integrate with major music server protocols, like Subsonic, OpenSubsonic, and Jellyfin. On top of that, there’s better search, improved Android Auto support, and new support for streaming protocols — such as HLS, DASH, and SmoothStreaming.
Camelot is a basic PDF viewer that aims to fill the gap left by LineageOS’ Jelly and WebViews, which can’t open PDF files. It’s described as a simple app based on Google Chrome and Files by Google releases.
LineageOS will use a decimal integer system moving forward to match Android’s quarterly platform releases (QPRs). LineageOS 22.1 is based on Android 15 QPR1, and a future Android 15 QPR2 update would eventually lead to LineageOS 22.2.
Of course, LineageOS is best known for supporting older devices, and support is excellent out of the gate. You can find more information on the LineageOS Wiki, but over 100 devices are eligible for the latest upgrade on day one. That includes older devices like the Google Pixel 2, and newer ones like the Google Pixel 9 series.
You only need to use a high ISO in low light if the camera is handheld, or the subject is moving. With static subjects, and a tripod, you can use the slowest setting – here a setting of ISO100 (Image credit: Chris George)
Luminance noise: Traditional monochromatic grain in darker areas (as seen in the wall behind the statue in the detail above right) is typical of luma noise 
