CEO takes ride in passenger drone to demonstrate that it’s safe

The idea of an autonomous flying taxi may sound terrifying to some, but for Chinese outfit EHang, the dream of creating a small aerial vehicle for transporting people at speed across cities is fast becoming a reality.

The simply named “184” first appeared at CES in Vegas just over two years ago, and in recent days the company released a video showing one of its latest manned test flights. And no, it didn’t crash.

Looking something like a giant quadcopter, the 184 lets you climb inside, press a destination on the control panel, and … well, that’s it. You don’t need any pilot training to take a trip in the 184, instead you just let its autonomous technology take care of everything.

To show just how much faith he has in his passenger drone, EHang CEO Huazhi Hu recently climbed inside for a test flight, shown in the video above.

He certainly seems happy enough as the 184 zips along, even if his team back on the ground look a tiny bit anxious. And just like the best consumer drones, the personal transporter looks steady and stable in the air.

The video actually shows two different designs of the 184. The first appears to be the original version, with one seat and eight sets of rotors on four arms (yes, that’s how it got its name). The second is the most recent design is a slightly larger with two seats and 16 sets of rotors on eight arms, though EHang appears to be shying away from calling it the 2168 — a wise move considering how long it takes to say.

The Guangzhou-based company says it has now conducted more than 1,000 test flights, with some consisting of a 984-foot (300-meter) vertical climb while carrying a load of up to 507 pounds (230 kg). Flights have traveled as far as 9.3 miles (15 km), with the aircraft reaching speeds of up to 80.7 mph (130 kph). Its maker boasts that it can even handle force-7 typhoon conditions, though in conditions like that we’ll probably hop in a taxi to get across town.

“Performing manned test flights enables us to demonstrate the safety and stability of our vehicles,” Hu said in a release. “Now that we’ve successfully tested the EHang 184, I’m really excited to see what the future holds for us in terms of air mobility.”

The 184 has plenty of competition, though. Only a few days ago we saw the first test flight of the Airbus-backed Vahana self-piloting air taxi, and Uber is developing its own machine. Joby Aviation and Volocopter also have their own vehicles in the works, and we recently learned about the aptly named “Passenger Drone.”

Personal flying machines certainly seem to capture our imagination, as these wackier designs — a flying car that is basically a car with wings attached, a flying bathtub that is exactly what it says it is, and a hobbyist’s extraordinary 72-rotor machine — appear to prove.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Airbus Vahana pilotless air taxi prototype completes its first test flight
• You can take a bath while flying inside this crazy ‘drone’
• Bell flying taxi shows what commuting above the traffic might one day look like
• Electric ‘flying taxi’ with ‘numerous propellers’ given boost by Toyota
• Flying cars and aerial robotics? Udacity’s new offering isn’t your usual course

Dell XPS 13 vs. Dell XPS 15 2-in-1

It’s no secret that our favorite laptop of the past few years has been the Dell XPS 13. It has everything we want in a laptop, from a great quality screen, to powerful hardware, to long battery life. The newest version is even better than its predecessors, but that doesn’t mean it’s perfect for everyone. Indeed Dell offers a wide range of XPS laptops for that very reason and one of the best alternatives is the XPS 15 2-in-1.

But what if we pit the Dell XPS 13 vs. Dell XPS 15 2-in-1? Dell’s larger laptop has a lot to live up to, but if anything can threaten the status of our long-time favorite notebook it’s a larger version of our favorite notebook.

Specifications

Dell XPS 13

Dell  XPS 15 2-in-1

Dimensions
11.9 x 7.8 x 0.46 inches (0.3 at thinnest)
13.9 x 9.3 x 0.63 inches (0.35 at thinnest)

Weight
 2.67 pounds
4.3 pounds

Processor
8th Generation Intel Core i5, i7
8th Generation Intel Core i5, i7 Kaby Lake G

RAM
4GB, 8GB or 16GB
8GB or 16GB (32GB planned)

Graphics
Intel HD 620
Radeon RX Vega M GL

Display
13.3-inch InfinityEdge
15.6-inch LED-backlit IPS display

Resolution
1080P or 4K
1080P or 4K

Storage
256GB, 512GB, 1TB SSD (PCIe optional)
128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB PCIe SSD

Networking
802.11ac, Bluetooth 4.2
802.11ac, Bluetooth 4.1

Ports
USB-C, 2 x Thunderbolt 3, Headset, microSD
3 x USB-C, 2 x Thunderbolt 3, 2 x USB-C 3.1, microSD, headset, Noble lock

Webcam
720P webcam
720p widescreen HD

Operating System
Windows 10
Windows 10

Battery
52 watt-hours
75 watt-hours

Price
$1,000+
$1,300+

Availability
Now
March 2018

Review
Hands-on
Hands-on

Design

Although both laptops in this comparison come from the same manufacturer and the same range, there are some noticeable differences in their designs that are worth considering. The overall size is most immediately obvious, with the XPS 15 2-in-1 being made in a larger form-factor and sporting a noticeable weight difference to its smaller cousin. Both are lighter than their predecessors though, partly thanks to the use of Gore fabric to maintain low weight but still dissipate heat from the new internal hardware.

The XPS 15 2-in-1 also has a slightly more traditional aesthetic to it with a black interior to its silver outer casing. In comparison, the XPS 13 has two color options: silver and “white.” Where the former offers the same silver exterior and black carbon fiber interior of the XPS 15 2-in-1, the latter utilizes fiberglass to craft a white interior that we’re told is durable and just as lightweight as the carbon fiber used in previous designs. Its outside is a more fanciful rose gold.

Looks aside though, there is one big functional difference between the two laptops and that’s their hinges. Where the Dell XPS 13 is designed to be a functional laptop with a typical laptop hinge design, the XPS 15 has a 360-degree hinge that lets it fold completely flat into tablet mode. It’s not as functional as the dynamic fulcrum seen on Microsoft’s Surface Book 2, but the XPS 15 is still the more versatile.

Both laptops have done away with USB-A ports entirely, instead opting for USB-C ports for charging, data transfer and everything else. The XPS 15 2-in-1, with its larger chassis, is able to pack in a few more ports, including a Noble lock for added security. Despite its increased size though, we weren’t hugely impressed with its maglev keyboard, preferring the more traditional design found on the XPS 13.

Considering both laptops are designed for a different purpose, your favorite design will largely rest on whether you’re looking for a convertible laptop or a lightweight notebook. While the XPS 15’s 360-hinge is a nice addition, in this case, we still feel like the expanded aesthetic options and better keyboard make the XPS 13 a better choice.

Winner: XPS 13

Hardware

Matt Smith/Digital Trends

When it comes to internal hardware for computers of all shapes and sizes, bigger is usually better, by virtue of having more space to pack more powerful kit inside. That’s certainly the case with the XPS 13 and XPS 15 2-in-1, even if both systems are sporting the latest offerings from their respective manufacturers.

The XPS 13 improves upon previous generations by utilizing Intel’s 8th-gen processors, with a choice of Core i5-8250U or Core i7-8550U. Those can be paired up with as much as 16GB of memory and up to a 1TB of high-speed, PCIe solid state storage (SSD). With the on board Intel HD 620 graphics, that should make it capable of all manner of mainstream computing tasks, as well as entry-level gaming and even some basic video editing if needed.

The XPS 15 2-in-1 though, is on a different level entirely — at least on paper. Although we’ll need to wait until its release in March 2018 to get a real feel for how capable it is, it comes packing one of Intel and AMD’s new combi-chip designs, codenamed Kaby Lake G. It packs up to an eighth-generation Intel Core i7 8705G processor with a graphics core from AMD’s Vega generation. It has a slightly higher turbo frequency of 4.1GHz (vs 4.0GHz) than the XPS 13 and can be paired up with up to 16GB of RAM at launch — 32GB in a post-release configuration, we’re told.

The AMD graphics chip is what could make all the difference though. The Vega M GL core is expected to be faster than an Nvidia GTX 1050 add-in graphics card. That will give the XPS 15 much more powerful 3D capabilities for gaming and video rendering. We still don’t know how impactful the on board HBM2 memory will be either.

As great as the new hardware options in the 2018 XPS 13 are, there’s no way around the fact that the XPS 15 packs a bigger punch.

Winner: XPS 15 2-in-1

Displays

Both the XPS 13 and XPS 15 have some stunning display options to choose from, as well as some more reasonable options for those looking to save a few dollars. Alongside a more traditional 1080P, Dell offers a full 4K display with its XPS 13. Both measure 13.3-inches diagonally and have full touch-functionality. Dell has dropped the non-touch option with this generation, so there are no cost savings to be made there for those who don’t need that additional input option.

The options for the Dell XPS 15 2-in-1 are much the same, with 1080P and 4K panels to choose from. The full HD resolution would be better for those looking to save on battery life or who don’t need the added detail afforded by a 4K display, but the clarity and additional screen real estate are hard to turn down.

Comparing the two options here is hard to do without having them side by side in our labs to put them through their paces, but with the only obvious difference being size, it’s not fair to pick one over the other just yet.

Winner: Draw

Portability

With both laptops in this comparison sporting lightweight chassis and newly trim physiques, both should be perfectly suited to computing on the go. The Dell XPS 13 has been trimmed down a few millimeters and hundredths of a pound, making it the most slimline XPS 13 to date. It’s also gone through somewhat of a weight distribution change, which makes it easier to hold and manage on the go.

The Dell XPS 15 2-in-1 is a little heavier owing to its larger display, additional ports, and heftier internal hardware, but it’s still relatively svelte for its class, weighing in at just 4.3 pounds. It’s a little thicker than the XPS 13 across all dimensions, but that’s to be expected from the larger form factor.

Beyond weight, one other important consideration for portability is battery life. Dell claims up to 19-hours battery life on the XPS 13’s 52 watt-hour unit, which is actually less than its predecessor. While we have some doubts you’ll get close to that length of time without optimum conditions, it’s still more than you’re likely to get out of the XPS 15. Although its battery is larger at 75 watt-hours, it’s only rated for 15-hours and even then only with the 1080P display.

It’s also a shame that the XPS 15’s keyboard doesn’t detach during tablet mode. As much as we like the ability to fold it flat, a 4.3-pound tablet is not as portable as some of the alternatives out there.

Winner: Dell XPS 13

Pricing and availability

There isn’t a huge difference in starting price with these two laptops. The XPS 13 begins at $1,000, while the XPS 15 2-in-1 will start at $1,300. The smaller laptop will cost you up to $2,050  in the Dell store if you opt for the top-tier version, while we don’t have final pricing for the XPS 15 just yet.

That’s a bit of a sticking point in this category too. The reason you can see all of the XPS 13’s pricing information right now, is because it’s available to buy right now. The XPS 15 on the other hand, won’t be launching until late March. Even if it ends up offering better value for money when it does debut, the fact that it’s not purchasable today means the XPS 13 takes this category. At least for now.

Winner: XPS 13

Size isn’t everything

As much as the added power of the Dell XPS 15 2-in-1 and its 360-degree hinge are nice additions, we still can’t help but give the nod to our long-time favorite, the XPS 13. It’s new 2018 model is everything we loved about its predecessors and more. With uprated hardware, a few aesthetic tweaks and continually improved weight distribution, it’s a perfectly portable computing system that’s hard to beat.

We still love the XPS 15 though. When it debuts in a few months time, it will likely find a place in our hearts too, especially for those who want a little more power under the hood.

Overall Winner: XPS 13

Editors’ Recommendations

• Dell XPS 13 Review
• Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 review
• Dell XPS 13 vs. MacBook Pro 13
• Dell XPS 8930 review
• Dell XPS 13 (2018) hands-on review

Joysticks on a mouse? Sure, put two on there! Lexip will test your dexterity

A new Kickstarter project by the name of Lexip is bringing joysticks back to the PC, but not in the way you might think.

Remember the glory days of PC gaming with a joystick? Flight simulators just haven’t been the same since. These joysticks aren’t quite like the old Thrustmaster, but Lexip has added two small joysticks — one on each side of the mouse. They can be controlled with your thumb and middle finger, adding an additional dimension to your PC gaming. It’s a bit like a combination between a traditional gaming mouse and the mechanical joysticks you might find on an Xbox controller.

The added joysticks look cool, but PC gamers tend to prefer mouse and keyboard to the clumsy nature of dual-analog sticks, especially when it comes to movement and aiming. So what would the Lexip joysticks be used for?

The video shows a user switching through items in Minecraft as an example of what you could assign to one of the joysticks, allowing you to control movement and manage inventory at the same time. Other examples include to use the joystick zoom-in in a first-person shooter or to move through a map in a real-time strategy game. It’s all customizable of course, according to what genre of game you’re playing.

The joysticks aren’t the only thing interesting about the Lexip mouse though. The entire mouse sits on a tilt, which adds an additional element of control over your perspective in 3D games. The slight tilt can gives you yet another way to move in a scene, whether that’s something like a space sim or steering in a racing game. It’s probably a lot to get used to, but any amount of additional control you get without having to reposition your hand is excellent for competitive gaming.

In addition to playing games, the company mentions that the mouse can be used for productivity and creativity processes in an office setting.

Lexip also offers a version designed specifically for left-handed gamers. While the usual cautions should always apply when dealing with a crowdfunded product, the Kickstarter project has currently raised well over $168,000 with over a thousand backers, and it has an estimated delivery of June 2018.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Dell Ultrasharp U3818DW review
• Monoprice Monolith K-BĀS review
• Zhiyun Crane 2 review
• Assistive tech is progressing faster than ever, and these 7 devices prove it
• Poptheatr is your own personal theater that you wear on your head

LinkedIn and Microsoft make it easier than ever to build a standout résumé

Finding a job may never be a walk in the park, but with an impressive résumé, it doesn’t have to be an odyssey either. Here to help you make the most of your job prospects is Résumé Assistant from LinkedIn, which is now available to Office 365 subscribers on Windows to make creating and maintaining a killer CV easier than ever.

Easily the most important aspect of any job application, your résumé deserves as much love and attention as you can muster. Thanks to LinkedIn and Microsoft, you’ll be able to muster quite a bot. The integration of the professional tool with the word processor first came into play last year, but now, it’s becoming much more widely available.

To take advantage of Résumé Assistant, you need only to select your desired role and industry. From there, the Assistant will aggregate LinkedIn insights from matching member profiles so that you have a better sense of how these professionals describe their work.

“Positioning your professional experience in the strongest way possible is everything when it comes to your resume and LinkedIn profile,” the company notes in a blog post. As such, having examples gathered directly from other successful individuals in your dream job can help you find interesting ways to convey your own experiences.

Résumé Assistant also provides users with insights into the skills other professionals in your preferred industry and position have, as well as job requirements from live job postings. That way, you can add these skills to your CV as they apply.

Finally, Résumé Assistant will display potential job opportunities for you directly within Microsoft Word. If you see something you like, you can apply immediately through LinkedIn, or make yourself more discoverable by turning on Open Candidates, indicating to recruiters that you’re actively looking for new challenges.

“We hope Résumé Assistant makes it easier than ever for you to be your most successful self, however you define it,” LinkedIn noted in a blog post. “Be on the lookout for availability across other operating systems, including Mac, as well as additional regions and languages in the coming months.” You can find out more about availability in your specific region by checking out the Microsoft support site.

Editors’ Recommendations

• If TiVo wasn’t already simple enough, you can now control it with your voice
• Abode Starter Kit Review
• These holiday gadgets will make cooking your meal a breeze
• PicoBrew Pico C Review
• Windows 10 Timeline hands-on

L.L. Bean teams up with PrimaLoft, unveils first Aerogel-insulated sleeping bag

Aerogel was invented by NASA, earning a reputation as the world’s lightest solid. It first came onto the outdoor scene because of its incredible insulation abilities but it has major limitations including friability, sensitivity to water, and lack of breathability. PrimaLoft brought the substance into the spotlight with its creation of PrimaLoft Gold Aerogel — a fabric that encapsulates the substance and allows for widespread use across the outdoor industry. Now, L.L. Bean has teamed with PrimaLoft to introduce the first Aerogel-insulated sleeping bag.

PrimaLoft first introduced NASA’s trademark Aerogel insulation to the market of outdoor apparel with Helly Hansen’s Lifepocket. The company utilizes PrimaLoft Gold Aerogel in the cell phone pockets integrated into many of their ski and snowboard jackets in order to maintain battery life. But PrimaLoft didn’t stop with PrimaLoft Gold Aerogel — the company developed a product that would integrate Aerogel into fabric.

PrimaLoft Gold Aerogel with Cross Core is the first product to combine Aerogel with fiber technology necessary for use in batted insulation. This invention allows for use of Aerogel in products that demand a degree of breathability. While PrimaLoft encapsulated the membrane as with the PrimaLoft Gold Aerogel, this new product boasts greater breathability thanks to the lofted element of the fibers.

L.L. Bean’s Ultralight Sleeping Bag features PrimaLoft Gold Aerogel with Cross Core and is available in a few different models. The line includes 20- and 35-degree mummy bags and a 20-degree rectangular bag. These products boasts a weight similar to comparable down bags, although they don’t compress quite as well. The Regular 20-degree mummy weighs in at 1 pound, 15 ounces. Additional features include a 20-denier ripstop nylon shell, small inside shoulder pocket, and trapezoidal foot box for added comfort.

L.L. Bean is the exclusive partner with PrimaLoft’s developer for the insulation for 2018, according to GearJunkie. You won’t just see the insulation in the sleeping bags but across a whole line of products including coats and jackets. For 2019, the insulation will be made available industrywide. This year’s Outdoor Retailer and Snow Show showed a widespread interest in the adoption of Aerogel technology. The substance is being utilized in boot insoles, toe caps, and glove fingertips — places where breathability isn’t necessary. You’ll see a release of more and more Aerogel products as the year progresses.

The Ultralight Regular 20-degree mummy bag retails for $220 while the Long version retails for $230.

Editors’ Recommendations

• The best sleeping bags you can buy
• Osprey goes ultralight with its new Exos and Eja backpacks
• Conquer whatever the cold months throw at you with one of the best winter jackets
• Take on the coldest, wettest wintry trails in Danner’s new weatherized boots
• Crazy Russian YouTuber opens sleeping bag in a can dating back to 1952

Check your ThinkPad X1 Carbon now to see if it’s a fire risk

Lenovo’s ThinkPad X1 Carbon has been one of our favorite business-class notebooks for a few years now. It’s solidly built, offers good performance and outstanding battery life, and it maintains that iconic ThinkPad aesthetic. Unfortunately, the latest model also has a loose part that could turn it into a rather significant fire risk — and it’s now subject to a rather important recall.

According to a Lenovo recall notice, certain models within the ThinkPad X1 Carbon 5th Gen line have a very particular problem:

“Lenovo has determined that a limited number of such laptops may have an unfastened screw that could damage the laptop’s battery causing overheating, potentially posing a fire hazard.”

The specific models that are affected include the following machine types:

• 20HQ
• 20HR
• 20K3
• 20K4

Only ThinkPad X1 Carbon 5th Gen machines manufactured between December 2016 and October 2017 are affected. You can check your machine to see if it qualifies by looking at the labels on the back of the machine as per Lenovo’s instructions. Also, you’ll want to submit your machine’s serial number on the Lenovo recall notice page to confirm that it is affected (some within the date range are not), and if it is, then Lenovo wants you to stop using it immediately.

Once you’ve done all of that, you’ll want to contact Lenovo technical support to arrange for your notebook to be inspected free of charge at an authorized service center. If it needs to be repaired, then that will be free as well. Lenovo promises to arrange for the inspection and repair with “minimal delay,” and so the sooner you get things going to sooner you’ll get your ThinkPad X1 Carbon back in action.

So far, there have been three customer reports of overheating and damage that was caused by the loose screw, but no reports of damage to persons or other property. Lenovo has been aware of the issue for “several weeks,” but “needed time to investigate the root cause, identify exposed systems, and voluntarily raise the issue with the [U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission].” The good thing is, once the unfastened screw is removed, the issue is entirely eliminated.

Editors’ Recommendations

• The ThinkPad T480s isn’t the best laptop of CES, but it has a place in my heart
• Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga 3rd-gen hands-on review
• Lenovo’s fingerprint scanner software is broken, update it today
• Lenovo revs up the ThinkPad X1 line with Intel 8th-gen, HDR displays, and Alexa
• Lenovo’s VP of Design on how the retro ThinkPad lured in millennials

DJI Mavic Air vs Mavic Pro: Which drone is better?

Back in January, DJI pulled the curtain off its new Mavic Air drone: a smaller, lighter, and smarter version of the company’s iconic Mavic Pro. On paper, the two drones look outrageously similar — but which one is better? You can find full specs for both the Mavic Pro and the new Mavic Air on DJI’s website (or check out our in-depth reviews), but unfortunately you can’t look at those pages simultaneously. So, to make your life easier, we’ve compiled the main specs and features and placed them side-by-side. Enjoy!

Mavic Pro vs Mavic Air

DJI Mavic Pro

DJI Mavic Air

Dimensions
Folded: 7.7×3.2×3.2 inches (L×W×H)
Unfolded Diagonal: 13.18 inches
Folded: 6.6×3.2×1.9 inches (L×W×H)
Unfolded Diagonal: 8.38 inches

Weight
25.92 ounces
15.16 ounces

Battery Life
up to 27 minutes
up to 21 minutes

Max Horizontal Speed
40 mph
42 mph

Max Climbing Speed
16.4 ft/s
13.1 ft/s

Included remote controller?
Yes
Yes

Camera
1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor

Video resolution options:
C4K: 4096×2160 24p
4K: 3840×2160 24/25/30p
2.7K: 2720×1530 24/25/30p
FHD: 1920×1080 24/25/30/48/50/60/96p
HD: 1280×720 24/25/30/48/50/60/120p

12.7-megapixel still photos

1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor

Video resolution options:
4K Ultra HD: 3840×2160 24/25/30p
2.7K: 2720×1530 24/25/30/48/50/60p
FHD: 1920×1080 24/25/30/48/50/60/120p
HD: 1280×720 24/25/30/48/50/60/120p

12-megapixel still photos

FOV
78.8°
85°

Shutter speed
8 – 1/8000 s
8 – 1/8000 s

Gimbal
3 Axis
3 Axis

Max Range
4.3 miles
 4.3 miles

Price
$999
$799

Availability
DJI
DJI

DT review
4.5 out of 5
4.5 out of 5

Which one is right for you?

Both of these drones are awesome. In fact, they’re arguably two of the best drones on the market right now. If you’re looking to buy, either would be a great choice — but certain models are better suited for different pilots. All things considered, the Mavic Air would likely be better for a more novice drone pilot, as it features improved obstacle avoidance that allows the user to fly with more confidence. That’s not to say the Mavic Pro is an unruly drone to control, but its larger frame and less-advanced avoidance systems may be more suited to pilots who have logged more time in the air.

The Air is also smaller (and lighter) than the Pro, especially when folded — allowing it to slide easily into a pocket. With its included folding controller, it’s ready to pop inside your backpack and go on an adventure at a moment’s notice. The Pro isn’t that much larger, but it definitely isn’t pocket friendly. On the other hand, it does boast a longer battery life than the Air.

The biggest differentiating factor, however, is the price. The Mavic Air is a full $200 cheaper than the Pro, despite offering nearly identical features. That said, it’s definitely worth noting that DJI also offers refurbished Mavic Pros at the same 799$ price point that the newly released Air goes for. While that may not be as appealing as having a brand new drone, DJI’s refurbished models fly just as well as new ones do.

Editors’ Recommendations

• DJI Mavic Air review
• Color correct and protect the DJI Mavic Air with new accessories from PolarPro
• Is DJI about to unveil a new Mavic? Or is it a fixed-wing drone?
• DJI’s limited-edition Mavic Pro will be hard to spot in winter weather
• DJI – Mavic Air – Introducing the Mavic Air

HP’s new 4K desktop display lineup includes a 42.3-inch model for $799

HP announced several new products on Wednesday, February 7, including four displays packing a 4K resolution. One of these is the company’s first 4K-capable EliteDisplay-branded model that can recharge a laptop battery using a USB-C connection. The other three fall under HP’s “Z Display” umbrella sporting USB-C connectivity, 10-bit color depth, and 65 watts of output power to charge your connected PC. 

Here are the specifications of all four: 

 

EliteDisplay
S270n 

Z27 

Z32 

Z43 

Size: 

27 inches 

27 inches 

31.5 inches 

42.5 inches 

Type: 

IPS 

IPS 

IPS 

IPS 

Resolution: 

3,840 x 2,160 (60Hz) 

3,840 x 2,160 (60Hz) 

3,840 x 2,160 (60Hz) 

3,840 x 2,160 (60Hz) 

Brightness (max): 

350 nits 

350 nits 

350 nits 

350 nits 

Contrast ratio: 

1,300:1 

1,300:1 

1,300:1 

1,000:1 

Aspect ratio: 

16:9 

16:9 

16:9 

16:9 

Response time: 

14ms gray to gray 

8ms gray to gray 

14ms gray to gray 

8ms gray to gray 

Viewing angles: 

178 degrees (H, V) 

178 degrees (H, V) 

178 degrees (H, V) 

178 degrees (H, V) 

Ports: 

1x DisplayPort 1.2
1x HDMI 1.4
1x HDMI 2.0
1x USB 3.1 G1 

1x DisplayPort 1.2
1x Mini DisplayPort 1.2
1x HDMI 2.0
1x USB-C 3.1 G1
1x Audio out
3x USB-A 3.1 G1 

1x DisplayPort 1.2
1x Mini DisplayPort 1.2
1x HDMI 2.0
1x USB-C 3.1 G1
3x USB-A 3.1 G1 

1x DisplayPort 1.2
1x Mini DisplayPort 1.2
1x HDMI 2.0
1x USB-C 3.1 G1
4x USB-A 3.1 G1 

Power delivery: 

60 watts 

65 watts 

65 watts 

65 watts 

Availability: 

Now 

Now 

Now 

Now 

Price: 

$549 

$559 

$899 

$799 

 The specifications speak for themselves: All four include multiple outputs, one of which is a USB-C connection that can recharge a connected device, including a laptop. Overall, the EliteDisplay model provides the smallest list of connections, but the smallest starting price in the batch as well. 

The beauty of USB-C is that it reduces the number of cables connected to your PC. Not only can it charge a laptop, it supports the DisplayPort 1.2 video protocol, thus your connected laptop not only gets a charge, but outputs video to the screen at the same time. This is ideal if you want to add a second screen to your laptop in the office for an extended desktop view. 

“To address the high standards of engineers and designers who need a consistent color calibration, the new HP Z27 and HP Z32 are factory color calibrated to meet the requirements of these users’ unique workloads,” the company said. 

Based on the specs, the “Z” models target professionals seeking a high color depth. According to HP, all three support 1 billion colors along with the sRGB and Rec. 709 color spaces. They include an integrated VESA mount too if you need the screen mounted on a wall versus keeping it on the included stand and placing it on your desktop surface. 

These panels are available now and will join additional new products arriving sometime in February including the EliteBook B30 G5, the EliteBook 840 G5, and three other EliteBook and ZBook models. 

Editors’ Recommendations

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Personalize your phone to suit your style with the best iPhone wallpapers

As an iPhone owner, are you sometimes envious of all the customization options on Android smartphones? Well, there might not be a whole lot that you can do to change iOS, but one of the things that you can do to make your iPhone stand out from the crowd and match your style is to use custom wallpapers instead of the ones Apple gives you.

Take a look at these five awesome websites where you can find some of the best iPhone wallpapers around and get your iPhone looking just the way you want it.

If you’re looking for more places to find great wallpapers, check out our picks for the best wallpaper apps for iOS and Android.

Papers.co

Papers.co is a very intuitive website to use, whether you’re on your computer or visiting on your iPhone. You will find a wide variety of categories to choose from, and when you select the wallpaper you want, there is an option to select your device for the exact right size. Each wallpaper can also be downloaded to your desktop so that you can match your iPhone with your computer if you wish. There is also a companion app for the iPhone that you can download and use right on your device.

Papers.co

Zedge

Zedge has a great selection of wallpapers that you can choose from, and a versatile search feature that also allows you to select your device. Once you choose, the website will remember which iPhone you have, by saving a cookie on your computer. When you do this, the website shows you wallpapers specifically for your device every time you go back. It also has a family filter on in case you’re looking for wallpapers for a minor.

Zedge

iDeviceWalls

The iDeviceWalls website is ideal for those looking for interesting theme-based wallpapers. With categories such as Jailbreak and Flash, you will find some very interesting wallpapers that may not be available elsewhere. The website is extremely easy to use. All you have to do is choose the wallpaper you want and save it to your camera roll. The downside is that every time you choose a wallpaper, an ad will take over the screen and you have to close it before you can save the wallpaper.

iDevice Walls

WallpapersHome

Wallpapers Home is one of the smartest websites for wallpapers you’ll find. There are many categories to choose from, the wallpapers are modern and beautiful, and it has a very simple and intuitive design. The website is easy to navigate on your iPhone or desktop. It detects your screen resolution automatically when you choose a wallpaper. So if you’re visiting the website from your iPhone, all you have to do is tap the photo, and it will pull up the correct wallpaper size.

Wallpapers Home

Wallpapers Wide

Wallpapers Wide has a beautiful collection of wallpapers for your iPhone. There are a huge number of resolutions to choose from, or you can just filter the results by your device resolution. It also has many categories like animals, architecture, funny, vintage, and a lot more. The downside to this website is that, even though the wallpapers are of high quality, there is a watermark on the lower right of each wallpaper with the name of the website. It is low enough that is quite unintrusive, and you can certainly crop it out, but it is worth noting.

Wallpapers Wide

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Matrix PowerWatch review

Tech companies are constantly working on better ways to charge and power your devices. Apple, for example, has finally adopted Qi wireless charging in its phones, and the technology for true wireless charging technology is well on its way. A California-based company called Matrix, however, is trying a different approach with the PowerWatch, its Indiegogo-funded smartwatch. The Matrix PowerWatch uses body heat to charge, meaning as long as you’re wearing the device, it’s juicing up. This technology is a big deal, because who wants to hook up a watch to a charger every night? We took the PowerWatch for a spin to see how its highlight feature performs.

Chunky watch, monochrome screen

The Matrix PowerWatch is undeniably chunky. It may be an issue for some with smaller wrists, but on medium- or larger-sized wrists, it doesn’t look too out of the ordinary. There are three different models you can choose from: Black, silver, and a sportier black variant called the PowerWatch X.

Christian de Looper/Digital Trends

Christian de Looper/Digital Trends

Christian de Looper/Digital Trends

The watch we’re reviewing is the standard black, and it comes with a black mesh strap. The watch has a masculine design, with exposed screws on the front, and a very angular look — despite the round display. We like the strap, because it’s easy to adjust it to your liking, and it looks stylish. As with many metal straps, there were a few times where it caught our wrist hair, and that’s never pleasant.

On the right edge of the watch, there are two buttons and a rotating crown, which can adjust the watch’s software. The top button changes the watch’s mode, such as daily activity, running mode, stopwatch, and watch settings. The bottom button lets you start and stop the stopwatch, and you can use it to cycle through settings in the menu.

The PowerWatch is undeniably chunky, which is fine on medium and large wrists, but may be an issue for those with small wrists.

The buttons can be frustrating to use. They require a good deal of pressure to work, and it gets tiring holding down them down to turn the watch on or off. You can activate the watch’s backlight by pressing down both buttons, but we ended up just checking the time on our phone instead. The crown, on the other hand, is easy to use. It rotates flawlessly, and lets you cycle through options on the main screen and in some of the settings.

The PowerWatch packs a monochrome LCD display, which helps conserve power. It’s sharp, and relatively easy to read in most environments, but it doesn’t get as bright as we’d like in direct sunlight.

The all-black model of the watch looks minimal, but its size may put people off.

Thermal power

What sets the PowerWatch apart is its ability to charge up with heat emanating from your wrist, thanks to thermoelectric technology. It means you never have to worry about replacing the battery, or plugging in the watch every day. The use of your body heat goes beyond charging too – the PowerWatch can also see how many calories you’re burning more accurately. To round out its health-tracking capabilities, the watch can also count steps.

Christian de Looper/Digital Trends

But first, does the thermoelectric technology work? Yes, and it’s impressive. We wore the watch for more than a week, and it never ran out of juice. We also didn’t wear the watch for a week, and it still didn’t die. If you leave the PowerWatch unattended for a long period of time, it will simply turn off before completely running out of power. You can turn it back on again and wear it to charge it back up.

Not having to charge a smartwatch is great. We’re not yet at a point where this technology could charge a more feature-packed device like the Apple Watch, but it’s exciting to see it genuinely work.

Simple software

Matrix is a hardware company, not a software company. That’s evident in what exactly you can do with the PowerWatch. The main screen shows the time, and the ring around the watch face shows the amount of power being generated. Use the buttons to switch modes to quickly glance at data like steps taken, calories burned, and access the stopwatch.

Matrix is foremost a hardware company, and that’s evident in what you can actually do with the PowerWatch.

There are a few annoyances we’d like to see addressed. For starters, you have to manually tap the sync button in the watch’s settings to see fitness information on your phone, which is a little annoying. It’s easier to see your step count straight from the watch itself, of course, but the advantage of syncing with your phone is that the data can sync with Apple’s HealthKit and Google Fit.

We also encountered a bug with the watch. It’s unclear if it’s software or hardware-related, but the watch would constantly state my skin’s temperature and the watch case’s temperature as 492 degrees Fahrenheit. We’re not scientists, but 492 degrees Fahrenheit sounds just a little too warm for skin temperature. Resetting the watch fixes the issue for a few seconds – but it goes right back to displaying the incorrect reading. We’ve reached out to Matrix about the bug, and we’ll update this review if it’s fixed.

The iOS- and Android-compatible app is barebones, but it gets the job done. After downloading it and pairing your watch, it shows you data like steps taken, calories burned, and accurate sleep metrics (like how long you’ve slept for). You can add “friends” in the app, and then you can compare fitness data. That’s about all there is to it.

Price and availability

The PowerWatch does very little. If you’re in the market for a watch that can measure your basic fitness data, track your sleep, and has a stopwatch built-in, we recommend buying a hybrid watch like the Fossil Q Commuter.

The Q Commuter is a beautiful timepiece that hides its smarts well, and it can last for 6 months to a year depending on your use — just replace the cheap coin cell battery to extend its life. That doesn’t mean the PowerWatch is bad — there’s just no real reason to recommend such a bulky watch that does so little, but costs $200.

The watch is largely a showcase of thermoelectric technology, and it truly is incredible. We can’t wait to see it miniaturized in a more attractive, future version of the PowerWatch that packs a few more features.

DT Editors’ Rating: 3/5

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