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When it comes to the foldable industry, Xiaomi has paved its way to the top by constantly evolving the technology and bringing about major iterations every time that makes its foldable truly stand out. It has not been long since the company was the talk of the town for its Mix Fold 4, which holds the record for the thinnest foldable profile. Now, the smartphone manufacturer has launched Mix Flip globally to give the industry even more fierce competition.
Xiaomi has fully launched the Mix Flip in global markets today, and it is its first clamshell folding phone
Xiaomi has been making its mark by vigorously bringing in foldable phones of different form factors and giving a tough time to others, leaving even Samsung behind when it comes to the thinnest profile of a foldable. The Mix Flip is the company’s first clamshell foldable, which was unveiled in China earlier this year. Users have long been waiting for the phone to hit global markets and would be relieved to know that it has been officially launched globally.
Although the Mix Fold was limited to Europe last month, it has now been fully released globally. The Mix Flip features a 6.86-inch OLED fold display and a 4.01-inch cover screen. Its peak brightness is 3,000 nits and 1,600 nits when in high-brightness mode, which marks a huge upgrade in visibility, especially in outdoor settings.
Xiaomi is also focusing on functionality along with the new form factor it is bringing forward as the cover display extends support for keyboard typing and also for using apps like YouTube or even Google Maps, providing a major convenience for users. The clamshell foldable features a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor and comes with a bigger-than-average battery for foldable phones, standing at 4,780mAh. It also comes with extended charging cycles going up to 1,600 before the battery hits its 80 percent capacity.
Xiaomi’s Mix Flip is also packed with 67W wired charging that marks a faster speed, but we see the wireless charging and IP rating being absent from the model, which might come as a disappointment to many given how Galaxy Z Flip 6 and even Motorola Razr Plus 2024 is offering complete water resistance.
The Mix Flip followed the company’s pattern of its other flagship phones by opting for a Leica-branded camera setup and featuring a 50MP primary camera and a 50MP 2x telephoto lens. The zoom-in capabilities, in comparison to the Z Flip 6, offer greater clarity and more detailed photo-capturing abilities.
Taking close-up shots, especially for those interested in macro photography, would be of high quality as the telephoto lens offers a minimum focusing distance of nine centimeters. The video calls offer more clarity, which is attributed to the 32MP front camera. Although Xiaomi’s Mix Flip offers a bigger battery and an upgraded camera zoom feature to take on the Z Flip 6, it lacks wireless charging and the IP rating offered by Samsung in its Flip model. The Xiaomi Mix Flip’s base model costs €1,299 (around $1,447) and has 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage capacity. It is available in a black and purple color scheme.Official prices in New Zealand are not yet available.
Here’s everything you need to know about Samsung’s budget-friendly midrange phone
(Image credit: Samsung)
The FE version of Samsung’s Galaxy S phones sit in a nebulous middle area of the phone giant’s lineup — not quite fully featured enough to compare to the standard Galaxy S models, but a bit more powerful than the more budget-friendly Galaxy A midrange handsets. And the pricing of Galaxy S FE phones typically reflects that middle ground.
That certainly seems true of the latest model, the Galaxy S24 FE, which Samsung has just unveiled nearly nine months after the rest of the Galaxy S24 phones went on sale, but a few months ahead of the likely 2025 launch of the Galaxy S25.
Galaxy S24 FE rumors had predicted a fall launch for this phone, so here are we, wondering if the new model will appeal to people who don’t want to upgrade to the S24 or wait around for the S25 but want something more than what the current Galaxy A35 has to offer.
You’ll have to wait for our Galaxy S24 FE hands-on for that kind of assessment, but here’s a rundown of what the new phone has to offer in terms of pricing, availability and other changes from the Galaxy S24 lineup.
(Image credit: Samsung) The Samsung Galaxy S24 FE comes with a 6.7-inch AMOLED 2X display. It offers FHD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. Because of that larger display, the S24 FE is about the same size as the Galaxy S24 Plus with similar dimensions and the same size display, though the FE weighs a bit more — 7.51 ounces compared 6.95 ounces.
At 6.4 x 3 x 0.31 inches, the new Galaxy S24 FE is slightly bigger than last year’s Galaxy S23 FE. Otherwise, the exterior design is basically the same as the main S24 line, so if you like Samsung’s aesthetic, this won’t disappoint.
The Galaxy S24 FE will be available in blue, graphite, gray, mint, yellow. As of this writing, the yellow version isn’t available in the Samsung store for order, so it’s not clear when that colorway will actually be available.
(Image credit: Future) The Galaxy S24 FE’s rear camera array features three vertically stacked lenses — a 50MP main camera, 12MP ultrawide and an 8MP telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom. The only real difference between the S24 and the S24 FE is the telephoto lens, which has a higher resolution on the main flagship.
The camera setup on the Galaxy S24 FE should give you enough versatility to capture great photos and video. It will also be boosted by AI-assisted features like Photo Assist that uses generative AI to edit photos and Instant Slo-Mo to transform any video into slow motion.
Samsung Galaxy S24 FE: Performance and battery life
(Image credit: Samsung) Prior to the Galaxy S24 FE’s release, there had been rumors Samsung might turn to a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset — the same one in the Galaxy S24 for this phone. That didn’t pan out though, which isn’t surprising, since Samsung had to find some way to keep costs down on the FE.
Instead, Samsung is going with its own Exynos 2400 silicon. That should mean performance will lag the main Galaxy S24.
The Samsung Galaxy S24 FE should have more battery life than last year’s S23 FE as well as the standard S24. Samsung equipped the S24 FE with a 4,700 mAh battery, topping the 4,000 mAh power pack in the standard S24 and A55.
The S23 FE wasn’t great on battery life, running an inefficient Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset. The Exynos 2400e inside the Galaxy S24 FE should be more efficient and combined with the 4,700 mAh battery should last longer on a charge
Samsung Galaxy S24 FE: AI features
(Image credit: Samsung) Samsung has made a point of extending AI features to older phones and midrange models, with the Galaxy A35 supporting the Circle to Search feature introduced earlier this year with the S24.
Samsung is bringing a number of Galaxy AI features to the Galaxy S24 FE that you won’t see on A35, though. The new phone will include the Live Translate feature that works with third party apps, Interpreter Mode for two-way conversation with AI-assisted translation, Note Assist, Sketch to Edit, and already mentioned features like Circle to Search, Instant Slow-Mo and Photo Assist.
Samsung Galaxy S24 FE: Sustainability
(Image credit: Samsung) As with the rest of the S24 lineup, the Galaxy S24 FE will come with 7 years of software support, including Android OS upgrades and security updates. That means you can keep hold of your phone for longer. Hopefully it’ll also mean 7 years of spare parts availability, just in case something breaks before 2031.
Samsung says that the S24 FE is made of wide variety of recycled materials including plastics, aluminum, glass and rare earth elements and the packaging is made from 100% recycled paper.
Samsung Galaxy S24 FE: Outlook
While the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE does have a slight price increase, it still offers many of the same features as the Galaxy S4.AI continues to be a major focus of Samsung, which means that the S24 FE is also getting a number of Galaxy AI features, though not all are unique to Samsung devices.
With a larger battery and a potentially more efficient Exynos 2400 chipset, the Galaxy S24 FE could see some big improvements over its predecessor. We’ll find out more once we complete testing on this model.
Looking for an iPhone 14 vs. iPhone 13 comparison? We’ve got you covered
iPhone 14 Apple’s basic 2022 iPhone adds new camera abilities and tunes up the existing chipset, but is overall a small leap forward from the iPhone 13. It’s certainly worth looking at if you’re using an older iPhone model, but the iPhone 14 will leave you disappointed as an upgrade from its predecessor.
iPhone 13 Apple introduced a smaller Face ID notch, Cinematic video mode, and improved the iPhone’s power and display quality. But it still lacks a lot of premium features that similarly priced Android phones have like a fast display refresh rate or a telephoto camera.
Going for an iPhone 14 or iPhone 13 may still make sense in 2024, even now they’re both a few years out of date. Even if they’re not the shiniest and latest models, they’re both still competent phones that could serve you well.
The iPhone 14 is a lot like the iPhone 13, but with a few interesting extras. The addition of a larger main camera, Emergency SOS via satellite and Crash Detection are appealing, but the iPhone 13, as the older and therefore cheaper model, may be a better value proposition for most users.
You may want to check out the newer iPhone 16 and iPhone 15 models before making a buying decision, as these models add more features and power if you’re willing to pay the extra. But if you’re certain the iPhone 14 and iPhone 13 are your two finalists, let us take you through their key differences and similarities.
iPhone 14 vs. iPhone 13: Cheat sheet
Design:The design of the iPhone 14 and iPhone 13 is nearly the same, though the iPhone 14 has no SIM card tray.
Price: Apple no longer stocks the iPhone 13 though, while still selling new iPhone 14s as a budget option.
Performance:Both the iPhone 14 and iPhone 13 use the A15 Bionic chipset, but the newer model has a 5-core GPU. The iPhone 13 has a quad-core GPU.
Cameras:The iPhone 14 has 12MP main and ultrawide cameras, just like the iPhone 13, but Apple introduced the new Photonic Engine in the 14 series. This elevates lighting in photos to brighten images, especially in low light.
Video:The iPhone 14 sports Action mode, which is video stabilization on steroids. It’s ideal for situations where the subject or videographer are in constant motion.
Battery life:Battery life on the iPhone 14 got worse, however, down to 9 hours, 28 minutes in our testing from the iPhone 13’s 10 hours, 33 minutes. The iPhone 14 Plus fared much better at 11 hours, 57 minutes.
The iPhone 14 looks very similar to the iPhone 13. Both are made of glass and aluminum with glossy backs. Both come with notched displays too, with only the iPhone 14 Pro models getting a Dynamic Island to replace the cutout. At least the iPhone 14 has kept the iPhone 13’s shrunken notch design for a slightly less obtrusive experience.
The iPhone 14 has a Ceramic Shield on the front glass for added durability, just like the previous model. Based on drop tests involving the iPhone 14 Plus, though, it sounds like the new models are still prone to damage from drops, so you’ll want to get one of the best iPhone 14 cases or the best iPhone 14 Plus cases, just as the best iPhone 13 cases helped prevent damage to Apple’s older phones. The iPhone 13 changed the rear camera module layout from vertically stacked lenses to diagonally arranged ones on the back. iPhone 14 sticks with that approach.
The iPhone 14 comes in six colors: Midnight, Starlight, Blue, Purple, and Red, plus more recently a new Yellow version. The iPhone 13 colors include Pink, Blue, Midnight, Starlight, Green and Red.
Apple has done away with the physical SIM tray on U.S. iPhone 14 models, which means that the iPhone 14 is an eSIM-only phone. So if you want a SIM card tray, the iPhone 13 might be a better choice for you.
iPhone 14 vs. iPhone 13: Display
The iPhone 14 and iPhone 13 have practically identical 6.1-inch OLED displays, but our testing showed that the iPhone 14 does better on color gamut coverage, and slightly better with color accuracy. Oddly the iPhone 13 is the brighter of the two phones, at least when going by the highest results we found in the lab.
iPhone 14
iPhone 13
Peak brightness (nits)
756
797
DCI-P3 color gamut coverage (%)
83.1
78.1
Color accuracy (delta-e, lower is better)
0.25
0.26
The iPhone 14 lineup also gives you the option of going bigger if you want with the iPhone 14 Plus, which gives you more real estate with 6.7 inches, the same size as the iPhone 14 Pro Max. This panel fits more content on screen at once and is more immersive for watching videos.
However, if you prefer smaller phones, the iPhone 13 mini is still a good option with its tiny 5.4-inch display, although Apple no longer sells that model itself. Something that compact may not be ideal for gaming or for long bouts of reading, but most people can easily use the mini with one hand.
We keep wishing Apple would go higher with the refresh rate for its basic iPhones, but both the iPhone 14 and iPhone 13 use 60Hz. That doesn’t compare well to equivalent Android phones, but if you only care about iPhones, then there’s no difference here.
iPhone 14 vs iPhone 13: Cameras
Some of the biggest upgrades included with the iPhone 14 involve its cameras. Like its predecessor, the new iPhone 14 models feature a pair of rear 12MP cameras — one a main lens, the other an ultrawide shooter. But this time, the iPhone 14’s main sensor is much larger with bigger pixels (1.9 microns), and with a faster f/1.5 aperture and sensor-shift image stabilization.
All of this adds up to better photos and video, delivering better detail and less noise. Night mode is also improved with the exposure now twice as fast. The Photonic Engine feature helps improve low-light performance across all of the cameras. Indeed, all those changes helped the iPhone 14 land on our list of the best camera phones.
The front camera on the iPhone 14 has also changed. This new TrueDepth camera has an ƒ/1.9 aperture that is supposed to help in low light. In contrast, the iPhone 13 makes do with an f/2.2 aperture. And you get autofocus for the first time on a front iPhone camera with the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus.
In terms of video, Apple has introduced a new Action mode that is designed to add better stabilization to videos taken on the go on the iPhone 14. The feature is extremely impressive.
To see how different the cameras are, we conducted an iPhone 14 vs iPhone 13 camera face-off. Whatever differences exist in the quality of photos is pretty slight, with a few exceptions.
iPhone 14 vs iPhone 13: Performance
A new iPhone normally means new chipsets, but for the first time in the iPhone’s history, this is not the case for the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus. Apple has stuck with the high-end A15 bionic that powered last year’s iPhone lineup, though it’s not the exact same silicon that the iPhone 13 used.
Instead, the A15 Bionic powering the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus is the same chip found in the iPhone 13 Pro. That means a 5-core GPU for boosted gaming performance compared to the iPhone 13 and its 4-core GPU.
Our iPhone 14 vs iPhone 13 benchmarks show what that means for the new phones. The bottom line? You’ll see a slight performance boost if you opt for the iPhone 14 over the iPhone 13, even if the older phone somehow completed our video transcoding test faster than the newer one.
iPhone 14
iPhone 13
Geekbench 5 (single-core / multi-core)
1727 / 4553
1668 / 4436
3DMark Wild Life Extreme Unlimited (score / fps)
2583 / 15.47
2189 / 13.10
Adobe Premiere Rush time to transcode (mins:secs)
0:28
0:25
iPhone 14 vs. iPhone 13: Battery life and charging
The iPhone 14 is rated for up to 20 hours of video playback, 16 hours of streamed video and 80 hours of audio. The iPhone 13 is rated for 19 hours, 15 hours and 75 hours, which means a boost to battery life — at least on paper.
Sadly, in our battery testing, where we have a phone surf the web continuously over cellular until it runs out of power, the iPhone 14 fared worse than its predecessor. While the iPhone 13 approached 10.5 hours when we tested that phone, the iPhone 14 could only manage 9 hours and 28 minutes — about half-an-hour behind the average for smartphones.
If you want a long-lasting phone, opt for the iPhone 14 Plus and its bigger battery. That 6.7-inch device held out for 11 hours and 57 minutes.
All of the iPhone 14 and iPhone 13 models charge at a rather measly 20W. That’s much slower than most of the Android competition. For example, the iPhone 14 took about half an hour to get back just half of its battery (54%). The iPhone 14 Plus? 46% in 30 minutes. The iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini aren’t much different at 51% and 58% in 30 minutes, respectively.
iPhone 14 vs iPhone 13: Bottom line
The iPhone 14 brings some big upgrades like SOS Emergency satellite connectivity, Crash Detection and improvements in low light photography. Even with those improvements, though, you’ll still find many similarities to the iPhone 13. This includes the A15 Bionic chip, the display (with the exception of the larger iPhone 14 Plus model) and the overall design.
We like the iPhone 14 a lot, even though the iPhone 15 is now here. Upgrading to the iPhone 14 from an older phone, you’ll notice some big improvements, but anyone reading this guide who already owns an iPhone 13 is advised to stay put. The changes aren’t that large.
The question instead is: If you’ve got an eye on your budget, would the iPhone 13 be a better choice? Certainly, you’ll give up some performance and camera gains that the iPhone 14 would deliver, and those Emergency SOS via satellite and Crash Detection features aren’t coming to Apple’s older phones.
So, yes, the new iPhone 14 is an excellent flagship, but the discounted iPhone 13 is still a great value buy.
Whether you’re looking buy an affordable phone or you want a one that folds in half, here are our recommendations for the best Samsung Galaxy smartphones of 2024. The Galaxy Z Flip 6 and Galaxy Z Fold 6 bring a number of welcomed upgrades like a better main camera on the Flip and some unwanted ones like a higher starting price. The new foldable phones follow on the heels of Samsung’s Galaxy S24 series, which arrived earlier this year. The Galaxy S24, S24 Plus and S24 Ultra got new AI features in addition to the regular slew of performance, camera and battery upgrades. With so many different phone models at a variety of prices, you might have a difficult time making a decision on which phone to buy. But don’t worry, we’ve tested and reviewed every phone on this list and are here to help you find the best Samsung phone. >>>>EB-BS928ABY Battery for Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Best premium Android phone Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra With a sharper 5x optical zoom, a faster new processor and that familiar giant display and 100x digital zoom, the Samsung’s “Ultra” phone remains a top choice for mobile photographers that want plenty of screen space. The Galaxy S24 Ultra is also one of the first phones with Samsung’s new Galaxy AI features, which include tools for translating text messages and phone calls instantly and Circle to Search, a new gesture that lets you launch a Google search for almost anything simply by drawing a circle around it. Like the previous two generations, the Galaxy S24 Ultra comes with an embedded S Pen for those who like jotting down notes or doodling. But perhaps best of all, Samsung has committed to updating these devices with new versions of Android for seven years, meaning it shouldn’t feel out of date anytime soon. Still, there are still some important downsides to consider. This phone is expensive, so be sure to look for trade-in discounts if you plan to upgrade. And for that high price, I had hoped Samsung would’ve added extra Galaxy AI features that are specific to the Ultra — perhaps some that take advantage of the S Pen. But Galaxy AI is the same on all Galaxy S24 devices, and it’ll be coming to the Galaxy S23 lineup soon too, so you don’t have to splurge on Samsung’s top-of-the-line phone if you just care about those features. >>>>EB-BF742ABE Battery for Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 Best flip phone Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 For better or worse, Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 6 foldable is packed with AI. It can take a rough sketch and turn it into artwork or help me have a conversation in French or Korean despite my only knowing a few words of either language. The new autofocus/auto zoom feature lets you prop the phone in a half-open position, the Z Flip 6 will automatically zoom in or out (switching between the main and ultrawide cameras) to get a photo that best suits the moment. Samsung’s latest clamshell style foldable has a new 50-megapixel main camera, a smaller hinge and crease, a larger battery and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. The best ultra-cheap phone for long term use Samsung Galaxy A15 5G For those looking to buy a phone that will last for years, Samsung’s Galaxy A15 5G is an easy choice. Samsung gave it four years of software updates and five years of security support, which is unmatched in this price range. In addition, the phone supports 25W wired charging, and in my tests, it was able to half charge its large 5,000mah battery in 30 minutes. I also like bold light blue. The Galaxy A15 5G feels sluggish compared to competing phones such as Motorola’s Moto G 5G, and as an entertainment device, the Galaxy A15’s single-audio speaker falls short of accidentally jamming when you hold the phone sideways to play games and watch videos. Photography is a typical shortcoming of a phone in this price range, which can take good pictures in outdoor environments, but it is difficult to take pictures in low-light Spaces. This makes the Galaxy A15 5G an easy choice when you just need a phone that can handle the basics, but if you’re looking for the best pocket YouTube player in this price range, you may want to consider other options. Perfect for Samsung fans Samsung Galaxy S23 FE This year, Samsung reinvigorated its FE lineup with the launch of the Galaxy S23 FE. The new phone largely takes the best of Samsung’s Galaxy S22, including a fast (albeit two-year-old) Qualcomm Snapdragon 8gen 1 processor and a 50-megapixel main camera, and puts it inside a colorful aluminum body that highlights a 6.4-inch 1080p display. The phone is priced at the entry-level but boasts Samsung’s high-end features, including desktop-optimized DeX mode and reverse wireless charging. In researching my review of the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE, I found it to be a big improvement over Samsung’s A-Series phones in terms of features and photography. Like the Galaxy S22, though, I did find that the battery life of the Galaxy S23 FE was shorter than I’d hoped during testing, but its 25W wired charge can help you charge quickly in the middle of the day if needed. Best S24 Ultra alternative Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus After testing the 6.7-inch Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus by playing games, texting and calling in multiple languages, taking photos, recording videos and trying out all that Galaxy AI has to offer, I’m happy to say it’s outstanding. Samsung didn’t reinvent the phone, but it did take a great phone and make it better. The challenge for the S24 Plus is that Google’s Pixel 8 Pro has the same price and slightly better cameras. I do think the S24 Plus is an overall better phone in nearly every other respect, even software, which has been rock solid in my testing. Best for productivity and entertainment Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 With the Galaxy Z Fold 6, Samsung is getting closer to its goal of making a device that doubles as a phone and a tablet without compromising too much in either direction. The Galaxy Z Fold 6 has an improved design with a sleeker look that’s easier to grip, a less noticeable crease, a new processor and an upgraded ultrawide camera. But it’s really the Galaxy Z Fold 6’s big, bright and crisp internal screen that makes it the best choice for those who want a foldable phone for entertainment. Samsung phone FAQs Why buy a Samsung phone instead of other Android phones? The right phone for you depends on a variety of factors, such as your budget, your current phone and whether you own other mobile accessories from the same company, such as earbuds or smartwatches. Many people prefer to stick with phones from the same company because the experience is more consistent and there’s less of a learning curve when switching to a new device. The same holds true for Samsung; the company’s One UI software (its customized version of Android) can be found across its phone lineup. Samsung’s One UI 6 introduced a more customizable lock screen and the ability to answer a phone call through a text message instead of speaking. Consistency aside, there are some benefits to choosing a Samsung phone over devices from other Android phone makers. Samsung usually excels when it comes to display quality and brightness, and it typically offers a lot of choices in terms of size and pricing. Samsung phones usually offer decent battery life — especially midsize and large phones — and the cameras are usually among the best, especially on the Galaxy S24 lineup. Samsung also offers seven years of Android version updates for most of its new smartphones, which is longer support than even Google provides for its Pixel phones. Google’s Pixel devices also have stellar cameras along with specific software features you can’t get elsewhere. The OnePlus 12 is also cheaper than the Galaxy S24 Plus and Galaxy S24 Ultra at regular prices without a trade-in and offers faster charging speeds. It could be a better choice for those who want to pay a little less but still want a giant 6.82-inch screen and triple rear camera. Which Samsung phone series is best, Galaxy A or Galaxy S? Samsung’s Galaxy A and S series have different uses, so which one is right for you depends on your needs and budget. The Galaxy A series is Samsung’s mid-range and budget phone, which is the best option if you’re looking for a cheap phone and don’t need to trade it in. These phones often offer core features such as large screens, large batteries and multiple cameras at a cheaper price. You get what you pay for; Compared to expensive models, Samsung’s cheapest phones have very limited storage, poor cameras and sometimes struggle to multitask. More expensive phones like the Galaxy A35 5G offer almost all the features that most people want from a basic phone, although you still have to make some compromises on camera quality and overall performance. The Galaxy S series, on the other hand, is Samsung’s flagship smartphone series. Galaxy S phones typically include the best technology Samsung has to offer, along with features you’d expect from any high-end phone, such as high-end design, 5G support, a high refresh rate screen, and multiple high-end cameras. For example, the biggest updates introduced in the Galaxy S24 series include an increase in the Ultra’s main camera to 200 megapixels and a larger battery for the smaller models.
HP has a groundbreaking announcement. No, it’s not making it easier to use cheaper, third-party ink, nor does it have a solution for frequent paper jams and irritating software issues. It’s bringing AI to printers.
The new HP Print AI experience is rolling out today in an “exclusive” beta and comes with a Perfect Output feature that’s supposed to clean up printouts of webpages. HP says it will automatically detect unwanted content like ads or weird formatting, allowing it to print just the “desired text and images.”
It’s also supposed to optimize printouts of spreadsheets by keeping charts and tables on a single page, instead of splitting them up. But that’s not all — HP says you can use “conversational prompts” with Print AI to turn photos into greeting cards by adding custom styles and fonts. According to HP, it can automatically upscale images and remove unwanted objects as well.
HP says it plans to launch new Print AI features throughout 2025. There’s still no word on which printers it’s available for or if you’ll need to install software separate from the HP Smart printing software to get it.
Either way, if there’s some kind of chat interface in this thing, at least I’ll be able to route my anger toward something that might be able to give me an answer.
More than half of print jobs come from web browsers, including online articles, travel documents, recipes, and how-to guides. However, printing from the web has traditionally yielded unnecessary white space, issues with image size, and inclusion of unwanted web ads. Consumers printing from web browsers have understandably felt frustrated, rating the experience with “strong dissatisfaction”. Perfect Output bridges the gaps between what people see on the screen and what they intend to print, reformatting and reorganizing content to fit perfectly on the page the first time. Perfect Output can detect unwanted content like ads and web text, printing only the desired text and images, saving time, paper, and ink.
Spreadsheets are another common print job, and more than half of spreadsheet users report experiencing challenges to make documents print out correctly . Perfect Output proactively creates a printable spreadsheet without splitting tables and charts across pages.
Image: HP
Customizing Support HP Print AI will also simplify and tailor support for individual customers. From the moment a customer turns their printer on, intelligent technology anticipates their needs – walking through each step of setup. HP Print AI leverages natural language and contextual awareness, remembering users’ preferences and past questions, so customers receive immediate and customized support whenever they need it.
Personalizing Experiences With HP Print AI, customers can easily transform photos into creative projects. Using simple conversational prompts, HP Print AI can seamlessly integrate unique layouts, custom styles, and fonts to personalize greeting cards for every occasion. HP Print AI also corrects common print errors by automatically upscaling images and removing unwanted objects. Once the design is ready, customers can choose to print or explore a curated list of partners that offer unique photo printing capabilities, gift certificates to be printed on the card.
Collaborating Seamlessly For the commercial market, HP announced the expanded availability of HP Scan AI Enhanced. This cloud- based, AI-driven solution automatically recognizes the type of documents being scanned and extracts key information based on the customer’s specific business needs. By reducing manual steps and data entry, this solution saves time and money for SMB and enterprise customers. For instance, a major retail group with 300 locations in Italy saw an 80% reduction in labor costs after implementing HP Scan AI Enhanced in its delivery and inventory workflow5. HP is also extending AI capabilities to vertical industries, starting with design and construction, an industry lagging behind in using technology to deliver productivity improvements6. HP’s new Build Workspace enables design and construction professionals to easily create and organize site observations, facilitate collaboration, and automate tasks such as field reports. By automating time-consuming tasks, HP Build Workspace drives efficiency and collaboration among professionals in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) field. Key features such as site capture, AI vectorization, and continuous feedback empower AEC professionals to streamline their workflows and optimize designs. The collaboration hub, HP Build Workspace, allows AEC professionals to access projects on desktop or mobile devices.
Availability
HP Print AI is available today, starting with an exclusive beta delivering the Perfect Output feature to select print customers. HP intends to continue launching HP Print AI capabilities throughout 2025.
HP Build Workspace is available today, with AI capabilities also in beta in the US and Europe, scaling to the UK and NZ soon, with expected worldwide rollout in Spring 2025.
HP Scan AI Enhanced is a software service available today in North America, most of Europe and Latin America, and in parts of Asia.
It feels crazy that the Dell XPS 13 Plus was released only two years ago, because things have moved really fast since then. That design has taken over the XPS family. This one is special though, because it has Intel’s new Core Ultra Series 2 processors, codenamed Lunar Lake. Intel hasn’t been shy about how this line of chips was built in response to Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite, promising to bust the myth that Arm has to be more efficient than x86. And it seems to have delivered.
Delivered in the same chassis we’ve been using since that original XPS 13 Plus, the Dell XPS 13 (2024) with Lunar Lake has some of the best battery life I’ve seen in a laptop; more importantly, with some of the fewest compromises. On top of that, it’s some of the most powerful integrated graphics I’ve seen in an ultrabook.
Integrated graphics power makes it a MacBook killer
Dell XPS design is still the best
Cons
Tiny webcam sensor
Multithreaded performance isn’t on par with competition
No headphone jack
Dell XPS 13 (2024, Lunar Lake) availability Right now, it seems like Intel is only selling the Core Ultra 7 256V and 258V, which means that the SKUs of the XPS 13 available now are pretty limited. On Dell.com, you can pick one up with a Core Ultra 7 256V (16GB RAM), a 512GB SSD, and an FHD+ display .
More configurations are coming, and while Dell wasn’t able to provide a timetable, I’ve been hearing around November for more Intel SKUs to hit the market. The XPS 13 will eventually start at a Core Ultra 5 (16GB RAM) and top out at a Core Ultra 9 (32GB RAM).
With Lunar Lake, RAM is on the chip now, meaning it won’t be upgradeable, and it’s tied to the CPU selection that you mean. SSD sizes start at 512GB, going all the way up to 4TB.
Dell actually sent me two models. One of them has a Core Ultra 7 258V with the FHD+ screen, while the other has a Core Ultra 7 256V and the 2.8K Tandem OLED display. As you’d expect, the FHD+ is to show how good the battery life is, while the OLED is to show off that sweet, sweet display.
Design and keyboard Nothing has changed, and that’s great
The Dell XPS 13 is still the laptop of the future, and I love it. Made of all aluminum, it weighs 2.6 pounds, which is less than a MacBook Air (2.7 pounds). In fact, there’s a direct comparison to be drawn to the MacBook Air now, and the XPS 13 is probably the most qualified Windows PC to do it. The tandem OLED display is the best in its class, and we’ll talk more about how Lunar Lake is ready to take on Apple Silicon.
But I digress. It comes in Platinum and Graphite colorways, and they’re both beautiful. I always say that a flagship laptop shouldn’t even be offered in gray or silver. If you want basic but high-end, go look at a Dell Inspiron, an HP Envy, or a Lenovo 7 series. Personally, Graphite has won me over after generations of XPS reviews, although I think Platinum was the fan-favorite in the beginning. It doesn’t matter. They’re both stunners.
Once again, there are only two ports, both of which are Thunderbolt 4. Dell gets bonus points for including one non each side, because the ability to charge from either side does matter. But while I don’t care about USB Type-A anymore (seriously, we’ve been moving to USB Type-C for over a decade now), the lack of a headphone jack does matter.
(image source: Dell)
If you’re going to use this machine for any serious audio work, you’re going to need wired headphones. Of course, you can use an adapter, but I still think a proper headphone jack matters on a PC.
Dell is still using its edge-to-edge keyboard with square keys, and it’s a keyboard that I’ve quite fallen in love with over the past year. Because yes, I have reviewed many, many XPS systems in 2024.
I still think it takes a little getting used to, since it’s an unconventional design, but it’s all very futuristic. You have a borderless haptic touchpad underneath, which yes, should have some kind of border. And you also get the capacitive function keys at the top, which I love.
Performance and battery life Intel delivered on its big promises And now, it’s the moment you’ve been waiting for. Intel promised to bust the myth that Arm has to be more efficient than x86, and it promised that Lunar Lake would beat Snapdragon X Elite in both performance and efficiency. So, did it live up to those promises?
You bet it did…mostly.
The short answer is that the Dell XPS 13 with Core Ultra Series 2 crushes on battery life and graphics power. Unfortunately, the Core Ultra 7 250V series falls short of Snapdragon X Elite and AMD Ryzen AI 300 in CPU power. However, Core Ultra 9 288V isn’t shipping yet, so I can’t say for certain if Lunar Lake will beat those products.
Should you buy the Dell XPS 13 (2024, Lunar Lake)?
You should buy the Dell XPS 13 (2024, Lunar Lake) if:
You’re creative tasks like photo and video editing, but want something compact
You’re on-the-go a lot, and you travel light
You want to look cool
You should NOT buy the Dell XPS 13 (2024, Lunar Lake) if:
You want a big screen
You don’t want a product that stands out from the crowd
You spend a lot of time on meetings
Obviously, the XPS 13 has the smallest screen of the XPS lineup, but it was also the only one that was refreshed. I have to assume that the XPS 14 and XPS 16 are going to be refreshed with Arrow Lake processors when the time comes for that, if the XPS 14 gets refreshed at all. Assuming you’re good with the screen size, the Dell XPS 13 is great for pretty much everyone. It hits those key experiences like keyboard and battery life, and it has a unique design. It’s such an easy product to recommend.
Build out the smart home that fits your everyday needs rather than focus on specs
(Image credit: Future) The best smart speakers are powered by one of three smart assistants: Amazon Alexa, Apple’s Siri, or the Google Home Assistant. Alexa remains the most popular as it works with the widest variety of smart home devices and its excellent speakers don’t break the bank. Amazon’s value focus only gets better when you account for its ease-of-use and versatility to play nice with both Android and Apple households.
The Google Home Assistant is a tidbit-lover’s dream. Thanks to the search giant’s wealth of data, it’s more knowledgeable when providing information. Its more human-like speaking cadence and ability to understand multi-part commands stands out from the competition. If you happen to use Google’s services it also offers much tighter news briefings, pulls up more personalized music content, and can even read your emails.
HomePod speakers provide the best sound quality and secure, local processing of all the systems. They’re best for those in the Apple ecosystem. However, Siri isn’t as smart when conversing or giving information. It’s meant primarily for controlling home devices and syncing things like calendar events and messages with your iPhone.
Alexa and Google have traditionally been the more popular platforms due to their wider range of compatible devices. Although each platform supports Matter, its arrival has been most beneficial for Apple’s HomeKit. Matter provides HomeKit with more parity since it now has more smart home devices to choose from and you can transfer Matter devices between platforms.
(Image credit: Future) Amazon’s Echo was the first smart speaker to hit the market. These speakers offer the best value by balancing affordability with impressive sound. From the easy-to-use Alexa app, even a smart home newbie can build out complex routines to automate tasks. Thanks to understandable “If” and “when” building blocks, you can tell your devices like smart lights to turn on, but only if it’s at certain times on certain days.
Echos are also the most smart-home-oriented devices since they come loaded with sensors and work with the largest number of devices. Even the budget Echo Dot smart speaker can detect motion and temperature changes to trigger automations. Plus, with Alexa, you can even change the wake word, whereas you’re stuck with “Hey Google” or “Hey Siri” with the other two options.
The Alexa assistant experience sits between Google’s brainiac helper and Siri’s more bare-bones nature. It can consult the web for information and have basic conversations about the status of your smart home. Google Assistant fleshes out its answers and provides more context to your questions. For example, ask about an actor’s birthday and you’ll get a whole biography. However, Alexa’s skills (essentially audio apps) allow it to evolve its abilities over time.
Alexa is the most universal platform and is best for most people. But suppose you’re in Apple or Google’s ecosystems. In that case, the other assistants have stronger ties to your accounts in their services, as well as better integration handing off content between either your iOS (Siri) or Android (Google) phone. With Android Auto and Apple CarPlay that means you have those assistants at home, while you drive, and on your phone for the tightest integration possible.
Google
(Image credit: Future) Google’s Assistant is seriously smart and I consider it more of a “lifestyle” helper than the smart home-centric Alexa. Voice Match customizes your device to offer personalized calendars, flights, payments, photos and more; you can even set your own default media services. On top of that, it handles everyday tasks like booking a reservation or making recommendations better.
The Nest smart speaker lineup isn’t as forward-thinking as Amazon or Apple’s since it lacks built-in smart home sensors to trigger routines. In our faceoff between Alexa and Google Assistant, Amazon’s smart assistant controls devices faster, too. That said, Google Home can still make advanced routines. Plus it’s not as obnoxious with recommendations or attempting to upsell you on a service like Alexa does.
Google knows things. Alexa does them. If you want to get information fast, like directions for how to use a gadget or find a nearby take-out spot, Google Assistant is the way to go.
Apple HomeKit
(Image credit: Future) Apple’s HomeKit prioritizes seamless connectivity between iOS devices and your smart home. It’s a polished experience with enhanced privacy and security since it encrypts and processes commands locally. Plus, it banks on you always having an iPhone or Apple Watch on hand for a physical universal smart home controller.
Like the rest of Apple’s hardware, you pay a premium for a powerful device that “just works.” HomePods offer unrivaled sound with better woofers and tweeters than Alexa or Google’s speakers, and they tune themselves to the acoustics of the room they’re placed in automatically. If you’re in the Apple ecosystem, this is great for handing off content like calls and music with a press (or you can simply tap your iPhone against it).
Siri still isn’t as smart as Alexa or Google when you ask it questions, deferring to say “Here’s what I found on the web” while taking you to links. We’re hoping to see the assistant evolve with the arrival of Apple Intelligence. Of course it’s quick to remind you about upcoming appointments or set alarms. But at the moment it excels at commands like controlling smart home devices or playing content. You’ll still need to use a third-party app to manage devices like robot vacuums until they arrive in the next HomeKit Matter update. Over time this platform has the potential to be the best, but priciest option.
These are our best laptop for kids picks on the market right now
（Image credit: Future / Acer)
The best laptop for kids needs to fulfill a few important criteria. It should be easy to use, with a solid battery life, good portability, and tough enough to stand up to a few hard knocks here and there. In addition, the best laptops need to offer decent performance when it comes to web browsing, homework, and media streaming.
For a great overall performance, we recommend theAcer Chromebook Spin 311. As with many other best Chromebooks, this is a 2-in-1 model that can be used in laptop or tablet modes, making it versatile and adaptable to your child’s way of working. It’s compact, portable, and sturdy enough to withstand the rigors of the daily school or college commute.
Elsewhere, theLenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebookis an ideal laptop for kids, if you happen to be shopping with a smaller budget. It may not win any prizes in the style stakes, but it has a solid performance, a decent battery life, and a robust build quality. Plus, it also offers 2-in-1 functionality.
Of course, the practical applications aren’t the only factors to consider with the best laptops for kids. As with the best student laptops, they represent more than just a work tool. For younger kids, they can be a means to stay in contact with friends and family (under supervision, of course), a gaming device, or a way to enjoy their favorite TV shows and movies.
1.Acer Chromebook Spin 311 The best laptop for kids Specifications CPU: AMD A4-9120CGraphics: AMD Radeon R4 RAM: 4GB DDR4 Screen: 11.6″ HD (1366 x 768) 16:9 IPS touchscreenStorage: 64GB Flash Memory Reasons to buy +Very affordable for a 2-in-1 laptop +Sturdy chassis and hinge +Pleasingly compact Reasons to avoid -Dim screen -Chunky bezels
TheAcer Chromebook Spin 311opts for an AMD APU, which utilizes the well-known Radeon graphics technology for better 3D capabilities – if you have time out of your studies to play some games from the Google Play Store! The dual-core AMD processor does offer Intel-Celeron-beating abilities, by a little at least, and so Chrome OS is going to remain more responsive.
More importantly, the Acer Spin 311 feels durable and well-made, meaning it can handle being dropped in a school backpack or thrown onto the back seat of your car. It’s highly portable and, although the screen disappoints a little by being a touch dull, perfectly usable. At just over eight hours the battery is good though not spectacular for a Chromebook, but balancing that against the great price makes this a strong choice.
2. Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook The best cheap laptop for kids Specifications CPU: Intel Celeron N4020 Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 600 RAM: 4GB DDR4 Screen: 11.6″ HD (1366 x 768) 16:9 IPS touchscreen Storage: 64GB eMMC Reasons to buy +Incredible value +Sturdy build quality +Good battery life Reasons to avoid -Weaker performance -Old-fashioned design
If you’re on the hunt for something super-affordable, the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Flex Chromebook is an excellent choice. we still gave it four stars.
No, it’s not going to measure up to more expensive laptops when it comes to performance, but the sturdy chassis, long battery life, and touchscreen with a 360-degree hinge for swapping into tablet mode make this the perfect first laptop for a younger child. It should survive whatever your kid throws at it – and thanks to Chrome OS’s parent mode, you can rest assured that your child’s digital safety is secure.
3. Google Pixelbook Go Still one of the best Chromebooks for kids Specifications CPU: Intel Core m3 – i7 Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 615
RAM: 8GB – 16GB Screen: 13.3-inch Full HD – 13.3-inch 4K Ultra HD Molecular Display
Storage: 64GB – 256GB Reasons to buy +Incredible battery life +Amazing ‘Hush’ keyboard +Rare 1080p webcam Reasons to avoid -No biometric login -Higher-spec models are pricey Google might’ve sadly shuttered its own laptop division so we won’t be getting a new model, but you can still pick up a Pixelbook Go for a reasonable price – and it’s basically the best Chromebook ever made.
When we tested it, we marveled at the super-long battery life and excellent ‘Hush’ keyboard, with the entire construction of the laptop feeling sturdy yet sleek. It’s got a sharp 1080p webcam – perfect for virtual classes or video calls with friends – and naturally runs Chrome OS smooth as butter; the perfect union of Google’s hardware and software.
Bear in mind that it’s at the premium end when it comes to Chromebook pricing, so if you’re on a budget, you might be better served elsewhere. That’s just about our only real criticism, though: you get a lot for your money here, and Google is committed to ensuring Chrome OS remains a stable, secure, and child-friendly virtual environment for years to come.
4. Acer Aspire 5 (2022) An affordable Windows laptop for kids Specifications CPU: 11th-gen Intel Core i5 Graphics: Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Storage: 512GB SSD Reasons to buy +Competitive price +Durable but not too heavy +Decent battery Reasons to avoid -Average performance -Limited port selection Chromebooks can be super-cheap, but the downside of Chrome OS is that it lacks the versatility and widespread support of Windows. If you’re looking for a more conventional laptop without a high price tag, the Acer Aspire 5 is the way to go.
The Intel Core i5 processor will smoke the majority of Chromebooks around the same price point, even if it’s nothing particularly impressive for a Windows laptop. With the Aspire 5’s aggressive pricing though, it’s great value – and you’re getting plenty more, too.
The battery life is solid, and the full HD display is good for both homework and watching videos after school. There’s a 720p webcam for video calls and distance learning too, and the whole design is pleasingly robust without being incredibly heavy. There aren’t quite as many ports as we’d like (only one USB-C is a shame) but at this price point, it’s honestly hard to argue.
5. Acer Chromebook 516 GE A great Chromebook for work and play Specifications CPU: Intel Core i5-1240P Graphics: Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Storage: 512GB SSD Reasons to buy +Great all-rounder performance +Fantastic display +Lightweight and portable Reasons to avoid -Fairly expensive for a Chromebook -Sub-par speakers -Can’t use Steam directly If your kid wants a machine for both schoolwork and gaming, you may want to consider a gaming Chromebook. The Acer Chromebook 516 GE is our current favorite of this rare breed of laptops, providing great performance in a sleek and sturdy chassis with a truly excellent screen. You’ll pay a bit more than some of the cheapest laptops on this list, but the build quality justifies the price tag – this is a machine for a slightly older kid.
Bear in mind that these ‘gaming Chromebooks’ still use Chrome OS, so they can’t directly run games from platforms such as Steam or the Epic Games Store. Instead, you can download and play games from the Google Play Store, and use cloud gaming services such as Xbox Game Pass and Nvidia GeForce Now. These require a subscription and a good internet connection, but grant you access to a wide library of games to stream on-demand – great for indecisive kids who are always looking to play something new!
6. MacBook Air (M1, 2020) The best Apple laptop Specifications CPU: Apple M1 chip with 8‑core CPU Graphics: Integrated 7-core – 8-core GPU RAM: 8GB – 16GB unified memory Screen: 13.3-inch 2560 x 1600 Retina display Storage: 256GB – 2TB SSD Reasons to buy +macOS Big Sur is fast and responsive +Battery life is great +Silent in use Reasons to avoid -Fanless design could impact performance Although it might’ve been replaced by the faster, sleeker M2 MacBook Air (2022), the 2020 model – equipped with Apple’s first-generation M1 chip – is still no slouch. A powerhouse productivity machine, the M1 MacBook Air is perfect for students no matter what level of education they’re at.
Not only is it still capable of going toe-to-toe with many newer laptops in terms of performance, but the M1 model offers phenomenal battery life and the passive cooling design means that you’ll never have to listen to noisy laptop fans. Back when we reviewed it, we praised the speedy performance, bright display, and comfortable keyboard – all things that hold true to this day. Oh, and it’s quite a bit cheaper than the newer M2 model, too!
7. HP Pavilion 15 The quintessential learning laptop lives on Specifications CPU: up to 11th-generation Intel Core i7 Graphics: up to Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 RAM: 8GB – 16GB Screen: 15.6″ diagonal, HD (1366 x 768), micro-edge BrightView 250 nits – 15.6″ diagonal, FHD (1920 x 1080) touch IPS micro-edge BrightView 250 nits Storage: up to 1 TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD Reasons to buy +A few affordable configurations +Capable performance +Touchscreen model is great Reasons to avoid -Design is nothing special -Battery life could be better It’s hardly the most exciting laptop around, but the HP Pavilion 15 is a reliable workhorse – and that’s what makes it one of the best laptops for kids. It touts impressive specs (the kind you might expect from a pricier laptop) and an optional touchscreen display model, potentially a boon for kids who prefer a more tactile laptop experience.
HP Fast Charge is also a nifty inclusion, and a valuable one since in our review we did note that the battery life was a bit unimpressive. There wasn’t much else to complain about though, and there’s a variety of configurations available to suit your budget, though, so you won’t have to spend the world to pick one of these up.
What is a good first laptop for kids? There’s a wealth of choices when it comes to laptops for kids, with some great options from manufacturers like Dell, Lenovo, and Acer. And although there’s no definitive answer here, we were impressed by the Acer Chromebook Spin 311.
This 2-in-1 Chromebook is versatile, lightweight, portable, and has a reasonable battery life. It’s not too expensive and is powerful enough to comfortably cover any kind of junior homework assignment.
Plus, if the worst comes to the worst and it gets unceremoniously dropped, it’s durable enough that it shouldn’t cause any lasting damage.
What is a good laptop for an 8-year-old? As with the above, a suitable laptop for an eight-year-old should cover the same bases, while offering reliable security measures to protect your child while they’re web browsing.
Before buying, it’s worth checking whether your child needs access to certain software for their school work, as this will determine what type of laptop might be suitable (e.g. some software that runs on Windows won’t be supported by a laptop that runs on Chrome OS).
Beyond this, it’s a good idea to stick to more household brands that you know can be trusted, and pick a laptop capable of providing what your child needs it to do.
A whole 26 hours of battery? The magic 8-ball we consulted says “reply hazy, try again”
(Image credit: Dell) Dell announced a new XPS 13 at IFA Berlin , powered by the new Intel Core Ultra 200V “Lunar Lake” processors. That shiny new XPS uses the same chassis as previous models, but the thing that makes it so interesting to us is the 26 hours of battery life Dell is claiming.
As we’ve previously discussed, the Dell XPS 13 9345 with the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite chip managed 19 hours and 1 minute on the Laptop Mag battery test, which wasn’t too far off the initial claims made by Dell and Qualcomm. Dell claimed 27 hours of video playback for the XPS 13 9345, which is just above the 26 hours the company is claiming for the XPS 13 9350 with an Intel Core Ultra 200V processor.
Dell claims the XPS 13’s battery life was based on streaming video at 1080p resolution using the Netflix Windows 11 app, with the display set to 150 nits and with wireless enabled. Obviously, there will be differences based on specific configurations and the type of battery test used, and the battery test is a web surfing test as opposed to video playback, so it is unlikely our test labs will get a 26-hour battery life on the XPS 13 9350 with Intel Core Ultra 200V.
That said, the XPS 13 9350 with Intel Lunar Lake model could very well rival the XPS 13 9345 with Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite for being our laptop with the best battery life.
While we don’t have benchmarks for the new Intel Core Ultra 200V “Lunar Lake” chips yet, we can make a few predictions based on what we know about the processors’ expected power draw.
At the Intel Lunar Lake demo showcase ahead of IFA Berlin, I was able to take a look at two different power draw and performance demonstrations set up by Intel.
The first demo measured CPU power draw between the Intel Core Ultra 200V series, AMD Ryzen AI 300, and Qualcomm Snapdragon X processors. All four demo laptops were running the same scripted game in DOTA 2 with hardware monitoring software tracking the power draw of the CPU and the entire system while the game was playing on a constant loop. Intel claims that the sweet spot for Intel Core Ultra 7 200V performance is around 17 Watts of CPU power while the Intel Core Ultra 9 288V has the best power-to-performance ratio at about 30 Watts.
The Intel Core Ultra 7 258V demo model showed a CPU power draw of 17.787W to keep the gaming running at 58 fps. The Intel Core Ultra 9 288V model showed a CPU power draw of 26.453W to achieve 61 fps on the scripted game encounter. The Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 model was showing a CPU power draw of 28.037 Watts to keep the game running at 52 fps.
Unfortunately, Qualcomm Snapdragon chips don’t support internal CPU power monitoring, so all four systems were also using external power draw monitors to determine overall system power. The Intel Core Ultra 7 258V model was running with a total of 33.3 W, the Intel Core Ultra 9 288V model was running a total of 44.8 W, the Ryzen AI HX 370 was using 46.3 W, and the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite XIE-80-100 was using 33.8 W of power to maintain a framerate of 48 fps.
So the Intel Core Ultra 7 258V was using just 0.5 W less power for a much higher frame rate. That said, there isn’t a massive difference in the overall system power between the two processors, which could mean good things for the XPS 13’s projected battery life.
CPU Power and Battery life: Is there a correlation?
(Image credit: Future) The second power demo I watched for the Lunar Lake launch in Berlin last week was specifically geared to streaming battery life. Intel set up two identical XPS models running comparable Intel Core Ultra 100 “Meteor Lake” and Intel Core Ultra 200V “Lunar Lake” processors, streaming the same 4K videos from YouTube. The older “Meteor Lake” XPS was using 18.3 W of total system power to stream the 4K video while the “Lunar Lake” model was using just 6.22 W of total system power. So the Lunar Lake system was almost three times more power efficient while streaming.
Of course, CPU power draw is part of a system’s total power usage, and there is a correlation between the wattage it takes to keep a laptop running during a specific task and its estimated battery life while doing similar tasks. However, it isn’t the kind of thing that is easy to calculate. You can estimate battery life using total system power and the Watt-hour rating of the laptop’s battery, but that’s not always a guarantee as batteries don’t discharge in equal measures over time and power draw has a tendency to vary, even when performing the same exact task over time.
That said, based on what we’ve seen so far, it seems likely the Dell XPS 13 9350 with Intel Core Ultra 200V “Lunar Lake” processors will make it to about 19 hours on our battery test, though obviously we’ll have to test that claim in our lab.
The best 14-inch laptops are small but have a lot of potential. A 14-inch laptop hits the sweet spot between the portability of a 13-inch laptop and the performance of a 15-inch laptop. Perhaps because of this, it has become one of the most popular laptop forms – and with good reason.
Over the past few months, we’ve seen the next generation of processors, which will start dominating most newly launched laptops next year. Whether it’s Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite, Intel’s Lunar Lake, Apple’s M4, or AMD’s Ryzen AI 300 series, these chips are the future of mobile computing.
We run a series of tests on each laptop :Geekbench(synthetic CPU test), Handbrake(video encoded CPU test), 3DMark(graphics test), display test (brightness, color gamut), battery test (custom battery drain), and more. Our reviewers then put the laptops in a real-world environment. Our two-pronged review strategy gives the full picture of each laptop and allows us to thoroughly compare them.
1. Asus Zenbook 14 OLED (Q425M) Affordable perfection Specifications CPU: Intel Core Ultra 7 155H GPU: Intel Iris XeRAM: 16GB Storage: 1TBDisplay: 14-inch, 1800p Size: 12.3 x 8.67 x 0.59 inches Weight: 3 lbs Reasons to buy +Almost 16 hours of battery life! +Snappy performance +Quality audio +Smooth, comfortable keyboard +Secure webcam privacy shutter Reasons to avoid -Display could be brighter
Buying at a low price does not mean sacrificing good looks or stable performance. In fact, it’s a stylish laptop with Intel Meteor Lake performance, 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage.
Not every laptop has to achieve a high level of performance or graphics capabilities that can compete with the latest game consoles. Instead, the Zenbook 14 OLED offers a nice platform where you can handle a lot of work.
Its battery life is especially amazing. In the Laptop Mag battery test, the battery lasted 15 hours and 52 minutes while continuously browsing the web over Wi-Fi at 150 nits. We usually recommend a productive laptop with 9 to 10 hours of use, and its performance certainly makes it one of the longest lasting laptops you can buy right now. Even the more expensive MacBook Air 13-inch M3 doesn’t last that long, at 15 hours and 13 minutes.
In Geekbench 6’s overall performance test, the Zenbook 14 OLED’s multi-core score reached 12,707 points, which is very impressive. Again, which is impressive considering its higher price. When you think about this laptop’s amazing OLED display, you won’t believe your eyes. In addition to the seductive deep black ink, you can enjoy a DCI-P3 coverage of 79.8%. Its brightness is good, but 339 nits could be better.
2. Razer Blade 14 The best gaming laptop out there Specifications CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070RAM: 16GB Storage: 1TB M.2 PCIe SSD Display: 14-inch QHD+ 240Hz, 2560 x 1600 Size: 12.23 x 8.97 x 0.7 inches Weight: 4.1 pounds Reasons to buy +RTX 4070 performance +Gorgeous display +Sturdy aluminum build +Impactful speakers +Excellent battery life Reasons to avoid -Runs a bit hot -Loud while gaming
Plain and simple, the Razer Blade 14 is the best gaming laptop I’ve reviewed. There’s no beating around the bush in that this isn’t a cheap product, but there’s no world in which it could disappoint with its stunning display, long-lasting battery life, and powerful RTX 4070 gaming performance.
The model we reviewed is built with an AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS processor, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 graphics card, 16GB of RAM, and 1TB of SSD storage. Its 14-inch, 2560 x 1440-pixel display at 240Hz refresh rate is excellent on paper and fantastic in practice. Its 114.3 percent reproduction of the DCI-P3 color gamut is phenomenal, soaring far beyond the premium gaming laptop average of 93 percent.
We recommend anything between 80 and 100 percent, but going over 100 percent is even better. Its brightness is also nothing to scoff at, hitting 465 nits on average. This demolishes the category average of 408 nits, meaning you’ll easily carry it outdoors, even in intense sunlight, without worrying about glare.
But its display isn’t the only thing that gives it top marks and makes it our best gaming laptop. Its productivity performance is thanks to its AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS processor. The Geekbench 5.5 overall performance test managed a multi-core score of 11,121. You can expect solid transfer rates alongside its SSD speed of 1,230 megabytes per second.
Best of all, its battery life is seriously staggering for a gaming laptop. We recommend traditional laptops, which last anywhere between 9 and 10 hours, but expectations are far lower when a dedicated graphics card is involved. The Razer Blade 14 lasts 8 hours and 35 minutes, and in a world where many gaming laptops are trapped between 2 and 5 hours of longevity, this is fantastic.
Best overall
MacBook is at its best with the Pro M3 Specifications CPU: M3 (8-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 16-core Neural engine) RAM: 8GB to 24GBStorage: 512GB to 1TB Display: 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display (3024 x 1964 pixels, 254ppi) Size: 12.3 x 8.7 x 0.6 inches Weight: 3.4 pounds Reasons to buy +Excellent overall performance +Solid gaming performance +Stunning design +Comfortable keyboard +Incredible endurance Reasons to avoid -No Face ID -Distracting notch
The Apple MacBook Pro M3 sets the standard for other 14-inch laptops. It’s the total package and an obvious top pick for anybody looking to pick up a laptop in this category. Beyond the MacBook’s iconic style, its M3 chip is a consistent powerhouse for accomplishing computing tasks and a real pioneer in efficiency and battery life.
Beyond the MacBook Pro 14’s performance, you’ll find Apple’s iconic keyboard, plus-sized trackpad, powerful speakers, a fantastic high-resolution webcam, and a stunning 14-inch Liquid Retina XDR display.
This MacBook Pro 14 is a multipurpose laptop that can do just about anything, from productivity to creation—and even a little gaming, too. Work or play, the MacBook Pro 14 is a best-in-class option well worth a place on any buyer’s prospective shortlist.
On the Geekbench 6 overall performance test, the MacBook Pro 14-inch M3 managed a multi-core score of 11,870. This is undoubtedly exceptional, which is no surprise considering the M3’s unbelievable processing power. It also took 5 minutes and 38 seconds to transcode a 4K video into 1080p, which blasts past the 7-minute and 51-second category average.
Best of all, the battery life on this thing is unreal. On the Laptop Mag battery test, which involves continuous web surfing at 150 nits, it lasted 17 hours and 16 minutes before dying. This is phenomenal, making it one of the longest-lasting laptops we’ve reviewed in years. Look no further if you want a powerhouse that can last more than two full workdays.
If you want OLED, its display will leave much to be desired, but its ability to reproduce 81.3 percent of the DCI-P3 color gamut makes it colorful enough for most users. And, of course, Apple never disappoints when it comes to brightness, managing an average of 558 nits. This makes it easy to work on even the brightest days.
Best Ultrabook
4. Acer Swift Go 14 The most colorful display I’ve ever seen Specifications CPU: Intel Core i7-13700H GPU: Intel Iris XeRAM: 16GB Storage: 512GB SSD Display: 14-inch 2,880 x 1,800-pixel OLED Size: 12.3 x 8.6 x 0.6 inches Weight: 2.9 pounds Reasons to buy +Incredible performance +Most vivid screen I’ve ever seen +Phenomenal display +Affordable +Satisfying keyboard Reasons to avoid -Runs a bit hot -Subpar battery life
There always has to be one machine out there touting the “MacBook killer” moniker, and our current best pick for that title in the 14-inch laptop category is the Acer Swift Go 14. It’s packed to the gills with high-performance components and ticks off all Ultrabook requirements. Better still, it’s affordable and houses one of the most vivid OLED displays we’ve encountered.
The Swift Go 14’s incredible performance results from a 13th-generation Evo-certified Intel Core i7 processor, Intel Iris Xe graphics, and 16GB of RAM with 512GB of SSD storage to back it up. However, regardless of the top-notch tech housed inside, the Swift Go 14’s dazzling 2.8K, 14-inch OLED display will steal the show for many.
Perhaps the only way it fails to fulfill the “MacBook killer” moniker is its underwhelming longevity. MacBooks last 15 to 18 hours on our Laptop Mag battery test, which involves continuous web surfing at 150 nits over Wi-Fi. Unfortunately, the Acer Swift Go 14 only survived 8 hours and 5 minutes. Yikes!
But what stands out as being above and beyond reason is that the Acer Swift Go 14’s display has an absurd level of vividity. Its 175.7 percent coverage of the DCI-P3 color gamut is practically unreal. Considering the category average is 107.5 percent, it’s wild that this laptop rises above and beyond the rest. Its brightness of 395 nits is also pretty solid, and while a MacBook is often superior in this regard, it’s still great.
And if you are worried about losing that beautiful MacBook keyboard, this manages to emulate it rather well. It is a 60 percent Wiisland-style keyboard featuring black matte keys with an LED backlight. It felt smooth and tactile, allowing you to write your review effortlessly without being held back by mushy keys.
Best 2-in-1
5. HP Spectre x360 14 (2024) A culmination of greatness Specifications CPU: Intel Core Ultra 7 155H GPU: Intel Arc Graphics RAM: 32GBStorage: 2TB SSD Display: 14-inch, 2.8K, OLED, touch Size: 12.4 x 8.7 x 0.7 inches Weight: 3.2 pounds Reasons to buy +Sleek design +Beautiful OLED display +Bouncy keyboard +Bumpin’ speakers +Excellent performance +Great battery life +4K webcam Reasons to avoid -Short on ports -Display benchmarks could be better
Once in a while, we’re blessed by the emergence of a 2-in-1 that crushes expectations in every conceivable manner. In this case, the HP Spectre x360 14 is not only the ultimate 14-inch 2-in-1 laptop, but it’s the best of the year, period.
This is thanks to the culmination of phenomenal battery life, a stunning OLED display, powerful speakers, a sleek design, and solid performance, thanks to the Intel Ultra 7 155H and a satisfying keyboard.
On the Laptop Mag battery test, which involves continuous web surfing over wifi at 150 nits, we saw the Spectre x360 last 11 hours before running out of juice. For context, our previous best 2-in-1, the Lenovo Yoga 9i (Gen 8), lasted 10 hours and 10 minutes before dying.
Thanks to the power of OLED, you don’t have much to worry about if you’re a fan of a solid-looking display. It features a 2,880 x 1,800-pixel resolution touchscreen with OLED technology, meaning blacks are far deeper and inkier.
On the colorimeter, the HP Spectre x360 covered 86% of the DCI-P3 color gamut, which is solid but not the best compared to competing laptops like the Lenovo Yoga 9i (136%). However, anything with an 80% or higher DCI-P3 coverage is usually more than enough to enjoy a nice and vivid panel. Its brightness of 366 nits isn’t super high, but that’s unsurprising, considering OLED panels are typically a tad dimmer.
Of course, its Intel Ultra 7 155H performance is more than enough to deliver the best of the best available now (until Lunar Lake comes out). On the Geekbench 6.1 overall performance test, the Spectre x360 managed a multi-core score of 12,358. That’s excellent and absolutely crushes previous-generation chips, even pulling ahead of the MacBook M3 (11,968).
How to choose the best 14-inch laptop
14-inch laptops can be used for any number of reasons, including gaming, productivity, business, and more. So here’s what you should look out for when picking a great laptop.
Design: 2-in-1 or Clamshell?
More and more of today’s laptops are 2-in-1s with screens that either bend back 360 degrees or detach so you can use them as tablets. If you like the idea of using your laptop in slate mode for drawing, media consumption, or just standing up, a 2-in-1 could be for you. We even have a foldable laptop on the list for those wanting to get fancy. However, you can often get better features or a lower price with a traditional clamshell-style laptop.
Battery Life: 9+ Hours for Portability
Unless you plan to use your laptop only on your desk, battery life matters. Even within the home or office, having plenty of juice enables you to work on the couch or at the conference table without being chained to the nearest outlet. We recommend getting a laptop that lasted over 9 hours on the Laptop Mag Battery Test for the best portability. The longest-lasting laptops endure anywhere between 10 and 15 hours. If you’re gaming, you’ll be hard-pressed to find anything that lasts this long.
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