LG LDCS24223S Bottom Freezer Refrigerator review – CNET
The Good The LDCS24223S offers plenty of room for groceries and a well-constructed interior. It also features a better warranty than large bottom freezers from other manufacturers.
The Bad Cooling performance wasn’t as sharp as we’ve seen in other models — including LG’s previous generation of the same fridge. The stainless steel is also especially prone to fingerprints.
The Bottom Line This is a decent bottom freezer that deserves consideration, but it’s not a complete slam dunk.
“Near-perfect performance.” That’s how the headline starts in my review of the LG LDC24370ST, our top-scoring bottom freezer refrigerator from last year. It was a truly impressive fridge, but this year, LG’s replacing it with a less expensive one: the LDCS24223S.
By and large, this is the same refrigerator as before. It’s the same design with the same capacity, the same energy consumption and most of the same features. The only notable difference aside from the lower price ($1,600, down from $1,800) is that the performance isn’t nearly as sharp as before. That makes the LDCS24223S less of a slam dunk than last year’s model, but it’s still a decent bottom-freezer fridge and worth a look if you’re in the market for a simple upgrade.
This king-size LG bottom freezer puts the…
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You’re looking at a combined 24.1 cubic feet of storage space.
Chris Monroe/CNET
Design and features
If you asked me to draw a sketch of the prototypical bottom freezer refrigerator, it would look a lot like the LDCS24223S. It’s a straightforward build that doesn’t try to set itself apart with any extra design flourishes. The result is a basic-looking bottom freezer aimed more at blending in than standing out.
Bottom freezers like the LDCS24223S flip the script on the traditional top freezer build by putting the freezer down below and the fridge compartment up top. The result is easier access to fresh ingredients, though you might have to stoop over a bit to dig through the drawer-style freezer. A drawer is the right way to go, though — bottom freezers with hinged-doors pretty much force you to kneel down on the floor every time you want to grab a Popsicle.
One other note: The stainless steel on this fridge is just as fingerprint-prone as last year’s model was. To that end, opting for a model in black or white (which, by the way, will save you $100) might be a bit more tempting than usual.
King-sized bottom freezer fridges
| 16.4 cubic feet | 17.6 cubic feet | 15.6 cubic feet | 16.4 cubic feet |
| 7.7 cubic feet | 7.3 cubic feet | 6.5 cubic feet | 7.7 cubic feet |
| 24.1 cubic feet | 24.9 cubic feet | 22.1 cubic feet | 24.1 cubic feet |
| Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 608 kWh | 610 kWh | 584 kWh | 608 kWh |
| $73 | $73 | $70 | $73 |
| $3.03 | $2.93 | $3.17 | $3.03 |
| 1-year parts and labor, 7-year sealed system, 10-year linear compressor | 1-year parts and labor | 1-year parts and labor, 5-year cavity liner and sealed system | 1-year parts and labor, 5-year sealed system, 10-year linear compressor |
| $1,600 | $1,750 | $1,500 | $1,300 |
The fridge interior looks good and feels sturdy to the touch.
Chris Monroe/CNET
Inside, you’ll find a combined 24.1 cubic feet of storage space, 16.4 of which is allocated to the fridge. That’s about as big as bottom freezers get, but it’s not the biggest — the GE GDE25ESKSS edges it out thanks to an extra cubic foot or so of space in the fridge. Still, expect to find plenty of room for your groceries.
Speaking of the interior, it’s well-built and sturdy to the touch, with smooth-gliding drawers and spill-proof shelves that aren’t too tricky to rearrange. Feature-wise, the main point of interest is the Glide N’ Serve drawer that runs the width of the fridge beneath the crisper bins, though there’s also a shelf in the upper right corner of the door that folds flat to make room for tall items in the shelf below.
I’ll also note that the sliding dividers in the door shelves of last year’s model are gone in this new one. That’s a tiny shame — I kind of liked being able to section things off as I saw fit.
Motorola Moto G4 Plus review
The original Moto G – released back in 2013 – was one of the first smartphones that kicked of the trend of affordable but high quality smartphones, and went on to become one of the best-selling Motorola smartphones ever. Motorola has continued to release a successor every year since then, but with a lot more OEMs offering options in this ever-growing category, Motorola did have to do something different with the forth generation of their affordable mid-range smartphone.
- Hands on with the Moto G4 and Moto G4 Plus
- Moto G4 Play announced
That something different arrived in the four of three variations of the latest Moto G, with the Moto G4 Play, the Moto G4, and the Moto G4 Plus, that come with varying display sizes, processing packages, camera setups, and other hardware features, with the latter being the highest-end of the lot. While more expensive when compared to its siblings, the Moto G4 Plus remains extremely affordable, and tacks on a few extras that ultimately make it far more compelling to users.
Buy the Moto G4 Plus now!
What does this device bring to the table? We find out, in this comprehensive Moto G4 Plus review!
Design
Unlike the flagship Moto Z, which features a dramatic departure from the norm, the new Moto G4 Plus retains a lot of the design language of its predecessors. There are a few minor aesthetic changes, but for the most part, the line of Moto G4 devices features a design that is largely reminiscent of previous Motorola smartphones.
The Moto G4 Plus comes with an all plastic build, and despite appearances, the frame is plastic, albeit with a metallic finish. Understandably, you don’t get the premium look and feel of a smartphone that features a metal or glass build, but for a phone made of plastic, the Moto G4 Plus is definitely one of the sturdiest ones out there. It doesn’t feel hollow, rattle, or creak in any way, and feels like a very solid phone overall. This is something that Motorola has always done a good job with, and its great to see this continue to be offered with the Moto G4 Plus.
On the back is the signature Motorola dimple, and the back cover has a nice texture to it, that helps a lot with the grip. However, the smooth finish of the sides does result in the phone being a touch slippery, but not enough to be a cause for concern. The back is also removable, and gives you access to the SIM card slot and the dedicated microSD card slot, with some versions of the device, depending on the market, also coming with dual SIM card slots. While the back cover is removable, the battery is not.
The power button and volume rocker are found on the right side. The power button comes with a textured pattern that makes it easy to differentiate from the volume rocker, but the button layout is unfortunately a little too high up on the chassis to be within comfortable reach. The power button should have also ideally been placed below the volume rocker, but that isn’t case, and requires a lot more effort to get to. The buttons don’t provide a lot of tactile feedback either, and you’re often left wondering whether you have actually pressed them, because of how they feel. The headphone jack and the microUSB port are at the top and bottom respectively.
Display
Unlike previous generations of the Moto G, the IPS LCD displays of the Moto G4 and Moto G4 Plus have been bumped up to 5.5-inches, with resolution getting a boost to Full HD as well, resulting in a pixel density of 401 ppi. That said, those who prefer a smaller size have the option of the Moto G4 Play, which comes with a 5-inch 720p display.
The larger display and higher resolution allows for a more enjoyable experience when reading text, watching videos, and playing games. It’s not the best Full HD display on a smartphone out there, but it certainly more than gets the job done. It looks sharp, with good viewing angles, and the display is vibrant enough for the colors to not appear washed out.
Performance
Under the hood, the Moto G4 Plus comes with an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 617 processor, clocked at 1.5 GHz, and backed by the Adreno 405 GPU and 2 GB, 3 GB, or 4 GB of RAM, depending on which storage option you opt for. This particular review unit comes with 3 GB of RAM, and the performance has been pretty good.
You won’t see very impressive results when running benchmark tests, but as far as real world performance is concerned, everything has been fast and responsive. Apps launch quickly, multi-tasking is smooth, and the device can handle gaming without much of a hitch.
Hardware
The Moto G4 Plus is available with 16 GB, 32 GB, or 64 GB in built-in storage options, and as mentioned, this also dictates how much RAM you will be getting. There is also expandable storage via microSD card, up to an additional 256 GB. While there are versions of the device, depending on the market, that feature dual SIM capabilities, you will still get a dedicated microSD card slot, so the great news is that users won’t have to make the choice between dual SIM support and expandable storage, which is often the case with other affordable smartphones out there.
The Moto G4 Plus comes with a single front-facing speaker above the display, and is a part of the earpiece. There is no stereo sound to be had, but the single speaker does sound pretty good, and is capable of getting decently sound without sounding tinny or distorted.
Also up front is a fingerprint scanner placed below the display, and this is one of the extra hardware features that is available only with the Moto G4 Plus. The fingerprint sensor is as fast and accurate as expected, and is comparable in quality to the scanners found with more high-end smartphones as well.
It may sound a little nitpick-y, but it has to be mentioned that this scanner isn’t particularly attractive looking. The square shape clashes with the rounded and curved design of the Moto G4 Plus, and looks out of place. Another very minor issue is the fact that the sensor doesn’t double as a home button, and anyone who has used a device with a front-facing fingerprint scanner will find this something that takes some getting used to.
There is still no NFC available, which is unfortunate, and means that you won’t be able to use this device to quickly connect to Bluetooth speakers, transfer content, or use apps like Android Pay. Another point of note is that the Moto G4 Plus, and other devices in the line, aren’t water resistant anymore. While you will get some form of splash protection, that should keep it safe from a simple splash of water or a sprinkle of rain, these phones aren’t IP-certified, and will not survive being submerged in the water.
The Moto G4 Plus comes with a 3,000 mAh non-removable battery, which has become the standard size for a lot of current generation smartphones. The battery has been pretty good, and the device can provide a full day of use with average usage that involves sending and receiving messages, browsing the web, checking social media, watching a few videos and playing games for a little while.
With more intense usage, such as when playing a lot of games or taking a lot of pictures, the battery does run out pretty quickly though. However, the Moto G4 Plus does come with fast charging capabilities, so you will be able to get back to a full charge in a short amount of time.
Camera
The camera is another hardware feature that is better on the Moto G4 Plus when compared to the other devices in the Moto G4 series. The Moto G4 Plus comes with a 16 MP rear camera with a f/2.0 aperture, phase detection auto focus, and a laser auto focus system, along with a 5 MP front-facing shooter. However, there is no optical image stabilization available, which is unfortunate.
The Motorola camera app has also been improved significantly, with there being a shutter button now that makes taking pictures with one hand easier, and the app in general is simpler and easier to use. A swipe from the left side opens up a menu for basic camera settings, and a button on the upper right corner lets you quickly switch between photo and video, along with a few other modes like panorama and slow motion video. The most notable change with the camera app is the addition of a manual mode, which is something that was definitely long overdue.
As far as picture quality is concerned, it is actually surprisingly really good. Granted, it’s not going to stack up favorably against the high-end Samsung and LG flagships out there, but for a device that is so inexpensive, the camera is certainly capable of taking some nice looking shots. In good lighting conditions, you get shots with plenty of detail and vibrant colors, and the images are sharp, without looking over sharpened.
Dynamic range isn’t the best, with the camera tending to crush shadows a little too much, but that is all taken care of with HDR. Using HDR mode tones down the shadows and highlights, and adds some more vibrancy to the image, without making it appear unnatural or fake.
In low-light conditions however, is where the camera falls apart extremely quickly. We expect some noise to be present in images taken in poorly-lit situations, but the grain is quite significant with the Moto G4 Plus. Highlights are also typically overexposed, there isn’t a lot of detail to be had, and the camera also has trouble finding a point of focus in low light.
If you’re looking for a really good low-light smartphone camera, the Moto G4 Plus is unfortunately not going to cut it, but in most other situations, this camera more than gets the job done. The 5 MP front-facing camera comes with a wide angle lens, and proves to be more than adequate to cover all your selfie taking needs.
Software
On the software side of things, the Moto G4 Plus is running Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow, and this is as close to stock Android as you can get without it being a Nexus smartphone. There is virtually no bloatware to be found, and the software package isn’t as packed with features as what may be found with the high-end Motorola offerings.
There are some features available though, such as Moto Actions, which lets you do things like turning the flashlight on with a chopping motion, flipping the phone over to silence it when it rings, or launching the camera with a twist of your wrist. A simpler version of Motorola’s ambient display feature is also available, but with there being no sensors on the front, it is entirely contingent on motion.
You can’t wave your hand over the display to wake up the phone, and it also doesn’t continuously pulsate to indicate notifications. The only time it lights up is when you take the phone out of your pocket or pick it up from a table, or when you initially receive a notification. Other than these Motorola features, the software package is entirely stock Android, and sometimes, a clean and simple experience is all you need to keep things smooth and snappy.
Specifications
| Display | 5.5-inch IPS LCD display with 1920 x 1080 resolution 401ppi |
| Processor | 1.5 GHz octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 617 |
| GPU | Adreno 405 |
| RAM | 2/3/4 GB |
| Storage | 16/32/64GB |
| MicroSD | Yes, up to 256 GB |
| Cameras | 16MP rear camera with f/2.0 aperture 5MP front camera with f/2.2 aperture |
| Fingerprint sensor | Yes |
| Battery | Non-removable 3000mAh battery |
| Software | Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow |
| Dimensions | 153 x 76.6 x 7.9-9.8mm 155g |
Gallery
Pricing and final thoughts
If the standard black or white options aren’t enough, the Moto G4 Plus can be customized using Moto Maker, that lets you choose between different back cover and accent colors, and allows you to add an engraving as well. That said, the availability of Moto Maker is dependent on the market.
The price and availability of the Moto G4 Plus in the US is still unknown, but in India, the 32 GB version (with 3 GB of RAM) is priced at Rs 14,999 (~$230), while the 16 GB iteration (with 2 GB of RAM) is priced at Rs 13,499 (~$207), and we can expect the pricing to be similar in the US as well.
So, there you have it for in-depth look at the Motorola Moto G4 Plus! The Moto G series has always been among the best bang for your buck smartphones around, and things remain the same, even with the technically more expensive Moto G4 Plus.
- Hands on with the Moto G4 and Moto G4 Plus
- Moto G4 Play announced
The Moto G was in desperate need for an upgrade though, and the changes Motorola has made to the display and camera make the Moto G4 Plus a very compelling option for those who are looking for a smartphone that falls in the sub-$250 category.
Buy the Moto G4 Plus now!
What do you think of the Moto G4 Plus and the improvements made vs previous Moto G smartphones, and do you plan to buy one? Let us know your views in the comments below!
Dell AE2 Performance USB Headset Release Date, Price and Specs – CNET
Dave Cheng/CNET
I was determined to like the AE2 the second I put it on. I’d like to tell you it was because of the superior sound quality or a robust feature set, but really it was because I finally found a pair of over-ear headphones that fit comfortably on my enormous head.
Thankfully, the big cups were ringed with leather pads that offered decent noise reduction, the speakers pumped out great sound and better yet, the AE2s will only run you $70, AU$95 or £49. That’s a great price, but with it comes a few caveats.
It runs off a single USB connection (no 3.5mm audio jack to be seen), so it’s strictly computer-only fare — but the SteelSeries branding should have tipped you off to that already. The Danish company is known for computer gaming accessories, and definitely shows its hand in the headset’s impressive emulated 7.1 surround sound.
You can also tinker around with the AES2’s settings via the SteelSeries engine software, which is good news if you want to play with the equalizer or simply must have the RGB LEDs programmed to flash in exactly the right pattern.
Dave Cheng/CNET
The AES2 only really stumbled when I tried to use it as a gaming headset. The low-profile mic nestled against the left cup had me curious. It staved off the usual flight controller aesthetic, but the omni-directional mic was a magnet for ambient noise. While my own voice was clear, if a little tinny, the person on the other end was easily picking up sounds from across the room. The left cup doubles as an easily accessible mute button for the mic, just in case you don’t want to share the TV preferences of anyone else in the room with your squad.
Honestly, it was a bit of a bugbear, but at a sub-$100 price it’s the kind that you’ll find very easy to ignore. The AE2 isn’t really a headset for the hardcore, but when you package over-ear leather pads, remarkable sound quality and SteelSeries engine functionality with such a low pricetag, it’s hobbyist money well spent.
Specs
- USB connector
- Emulated 7.1 Surround
- SteelSeries engine functionality
- Programmable RGB LEDs
- 40mm neodymium drivers
- Headset frequency response 20Hz to 20kHz
- Leather ear pads
- Omni-directional microphone
- $70, AU$95, £49
Dell AE415 2.1 Speaker System Release Date, Price and Specs – CNET
Dave Cheng/CNET
I confess that I’d almost forgotten that desktop speakers existed. The majority of my PC audio needs are gaming related, so I’ve become used to wearing a headset. But Dell’s newest 2.1 desktop speaker set, the AE415, offers a compelling case for why headphones aren’t the only answer.
Mostly spherical in design, the two speakers and the subwoofer look far more stylish and robust than the price tag would suggest. At $69 (converting roughly to £55 and AU$100), the AE415 isn’t breaking the bank.
Before unpacking the 2.1 system, I’d expected it to use USB connectivity, but the system works through a standard 3.5mm jack. The audio quality is absolutely fine — it just seems oddly archaic.
The AE415’s design is fairly standard: Left and right satellite speakers, a decent size subwoofer and a bunch of cables. Setup takes all of around two minutes, as Dell have made it impossible to get the cables wrong.
Controls sit on the left speaker. There’s volume and power, along with additional jacks to plug in a phone or tablet and even to pop in a set of headphones and get that bass sound in your cans. It’s an impressive offering from a budget speaker. The sub itself has a dial letting you pick your preferred level of “unf-unf”, which I initially thought was the volume knob, leading to just a few minutes of confusion.
Dave Cheng/CNET
The sound is bright and clear and the speakers can really pump out some big decibels. I tried the AE415 on the Razer Blade Stealth across a few different games, some music and a few videos. Clarity was excellent across the board. For some games I needed to change the angle of the speakers a little, but honestly that’s more to do with my headphone-based expectations of gaming audio than any issue with the speakers.
If I had any initial complaints, it’s the sheer amount of cabling you end up with. The sub ends up with four different cables out the back, making for a bit of a spaghetti bowl. But there’s plenty to like here — a big sound for a low price, a solidly stylish look and a set up so simple the quick start guide is nothing but pictures.
GE GTD45EASJWS dryer review – CNET
The Good For a modest price, the GE GTD45EASJWS dryer provides relatively short cycle times and removes water from wet clothes with impressive speed. The dryer also comes equipped with moisture sensors that automatically shut the machine off to avoid overdrying.
The Bad The GE GTD45EASJWS dryer lacks steam modes and other specialty cycles. The bare-bones appliance doesn’t have a display or status lights and uses all-mechanical controls, many of which feel frail and cheaply made. Also, the dryer’s control panel is mounted in back, which rules out stacked configurations or placing the machine on a pedestal.
The Bottom Line The budget-friendly yet high-performance GE GTD45EASJWS dryer makes a lot of sense for penny pinchers, but those who expect higher quality design, controls and features should look elsewhere.
Visit manufacturer site for details.
The $650 GE GTD45EASJWS dryer is a throwback to an age before laundry appliances resembled sleek home-theater gear or digital computer systems. Judging from its all-mechanical knobs and dials (not to mention the lack of a screen or even lights), this machine could easily be a relic from the 20th century. Don’t be fooled by the GE GTD45EASJWS’s antiquated looks, though, because inside its hospital-white facade are powerful components capable of pulling moisture away from wet laundry loads in short order.
This isn’t a showcase product suitable for your dream home laundry room. For that, you’ll have to spend at least twice as much on artfully designed dryers like the $1,100 Electrolux 600 series and $1,500 LG DLEX 5000. Still, while the GTD45EASJWS dryer is devoid of trendy steam cycles or the myriad of fabric-specific modes that you’ll get with other modern competitors, the appliance’s basic abilities also mean it’s dead simple to operate. If you’re in the market for a new dryer but must stick to a strict budget, this GE model is worth a serious look.
Design and features
If I didn’t remove some of its packaging myself, I could have easily confused the freshly minted GE GTD45EASJWS dryer with a laundry appliance from decades past. This contraption cuts a classic profile meant to match traditional top-loading washing machines and has controls placed on a back-mounted panel. It contrasts the modern trend of appliance makers who now favor front-loading washers and dryers with forward-facing controls. As a result of the old-school control layout, this dryer doesn’t support pedestal upgrades or stackable arrangements to save space or create more storage in your laundry room.
The control panel harkens back to classic 20th century design.
Tyler Lizenby/CNET
The GE GTD45EASJWS dryer’s panel lacks LED indicators, a display, or lights of any kind. It’s downright spartan compared with the confused mess on GE’s own GFDS260EFWW model, and appears a half-century behind the cutting-edge consoles you’ll find on the Electrolux EFME617S Perfect Steam and LG DLEX 5000. The GE GTD86ESPJMC, another dryer with a rear control panel, benefits from an updated design that sports eye-catching blue LEDs, and a smoothly spinning cycle dial.
This GE GTD45EASJWS dryer’s cycle knob is anything but smooth. It takes a surprising amount of force to rotate and makes disconcerting grinding sounds while you do so. Whether the cause of the dial’s jarring motion is due to gears, sprockets or chains, turning this control feels unpleasant, to say the least.
The main cycle dial handles the dryer basics.
Tyler Lizenby/CNET
Garmin Vivoactive HR review – CNET
The Good A wealth of features including all-day activity tracking, smartphone notifications, built-in optical heart-rate sensor, GPS, multiple sport profiles and always-on display; can be worn in the shower and while swimming.
The Bad Bulky design. Occasional connection and syncing problems. Confusing mobile app.
The Bottom Line The Vivoactive HR’s versatile, multipurpose function and design make it one of the better smart GPS fitness watches on the market.
I’ve had a busy month. I’ve been running, cycling, swimming, rowing and hiking. And I’ve done all of this while wearing a single watch, Garmin’s Vivoactive HR. Unlike many of Garmin’s other products, the watch won’t appeal to just athletes. It’s an everyday fitness band, but with smartwatch elements. It gives Fitbit a run for its everyday-fitness money, and is a compelling solution for anyone with an active lifestyle.
The Vivoactive HR seems to be able to do it all. There’s all-day activity tracking (for things like steps, floors climbed, calories burned and sleep), smartphone notifications from your iPhone or Android device, a built-in optical heart-rate sensor and GPS for tracking a variety of activities. In addition to the ones I mentioned above, the watch can track golf, downhill and cross-country skiing, indoor cycling, indoor rowing, walking, strength training and even paddle boarding.
Hands-on with the Garmin Vivoactive HR (pictures)
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Even more impressive is that it can do all of this without having to be charged each night. The watch will last up to eight days, or around 13 hours with an active GPS signal. I typically got about a week, but that included five days of GPS workouts of between 40 and 50 minutes.
It’s pretty clear that I’m a fan of the Vivoactive HR. It’s a watch that active consumers will really enjoy and the $250 (£210, AU$400) pricetag is pretty reasonable (given all it does), but there a few things you need to know before you go out and buy one.
The design won’t appeal to everyone
I really liked the slim design of the original Vivoactive, but the HR model is nothing like the original. It’s similar to the Fitbit Surge, but that’s not necessarily a good thing. The watch is big and bulky, and it’s not something you would want to wear to the office, let alone a wedding.
It’s not all bad, though. The Vivoactive HR is waterproof up to 50 meters. It also has an always-on display, which is easy to read outdoors, but can look a little dull when inside.
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Sarah Tew/CNET
Wrist-based heart rate is getting better, but it’s not perfect
The heart-rate sensor on the back of Vivoactive HR will be good enough for most people. It’s relatively accurate on easy runs and when measuring resting heart rate (it does so continuously throughout the day). It’s also a lot more convenient than wearing a chest strap.
But, like all wrist-based heart-rate solutions, it’s not perfect. I did notice a slight delay of between five to seven seconds when compared to heart rate data recorded on a Polar H7 chest strap, but that’s pretty standard for wrist-based sensors. I also found that it fluctuated when doing a hard interval workout, although it didn’t perform as badly as some other devices (like the Gear Fit 2, for example).
Acer Chromebook 14 review – CNET
The Good The inexpensive Acer Chromebook 14’s aluminum body is much nicer than the plastic competition. The matte-finish, 14-inch full HD IPS display is a great size for work and play, but still keeps this laptop’s footprint small enough for commuting.
The Bad It has no SD or microSD card slot for expanding its 32GB of storage. The keyboard isn’t backlit and shallow. Power users will want to step up to the Work version of this Chromebook or look elsewhere.
The Bottom Line The Acer Chromebook 14 stands out for its stylish design and big screen at an affordable price. If you’re looking for a classier Chromebook, this is it.
Chromebooks — laptops running on Google’s Chrome operating system — are more known for being small and cheap than for stylish design. The majority of them have 11.6- or 13.3-inch screens and are plastic, which keeps the prices low. That’s what makes the Acer Chromebook 14 all the more remarkable: Not only does it have a 14-inch screen, but it’s thin and clad in aluminum and sells for less than $300.
The Acer Chromebook 14 has a starting price of $280 (£250, AU$450) with different configurations featuring:
- 14-inch screen with either HD (1,366×768) or full HD (1,920×1,080) resolution
- Intel Celeron processor, either quad-core N3160 or dual-core N3060
- Either 2GB or 4GB of onboard memory
- Either 16GB or 32GB of storage (eMMC)
Standard for all configurations are:
- Intel integrated HD Graphics 400
- 720p forward-facing camera
- 3.4 pounds (1.6kg) and 0.67 inch (17mm) thick
- 802.11ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.2
- HDMI-out, headphone/mic jack and two USB 3.1 ports
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Acer’s all-aluminum Chromebook 14 sports a thin profile.
Sarah Tew/CNET
Reviewed here is the CB3-431-C5FM, a $300 configuration with a full HD IPS display, Intel Celeron N3160 quad-core processor, 4GB of memory and 32GB of storage. (Note: Pricing and configuration availability varies by region and this particular configuration was not available in the UK or Australia.) These aren’t powerful components, but it’s enough for the Chrome OS and web apps. It should also be enough to run Android apps when support is added later this year, but I won’t know for sure until then.
Under what I would consider a normal load — six to 10 open tabs while streaming music or video — the Chromebook 14 was reasonably quick and responsive. Pushing it beyond this by working in more than a dozen tabs and leaving a couple web apps running in the background while streaming music from Spotify caused the music to frequently stutter or there’d be some lag when switching and loading tabs.
Basically, power users will need more power, which Acer does offer with its Chromebook 14 for Work that has Core i-series processors, better graphics and more memory as well as a sturdier case and spill-resistant keyboard.
Acer claims a battery life up to 12 hours for this configuration (14 hours for versions with an HD screen). We hit 9.5 hours with our streaming video test, which is in line with what Acer told us to expect using wireless to rundown the battery. Playing video on the laptop, you should be able get to that 12-hour mark, but it’s safe to say you’ll get about 10 hours with mixed use.
Samsung Notebook 7 spin (15-inch) Release Date, Price and Specs – CNET
Samsung
Despite pulling out of both Europe and Australia, Samsung is still selling laptops in the US and it’s doing a pretty good job of it. The Notebook 7 Spin is actually a range of the three different two-in-one laptops hitting Best Buy and Samsung’s online store on June 26.
The “Spin” part of the name refers to the 360-degree hinge that lets you fold the screen all the way over for tablet mode or somewhere in between for tent mode. There are three models: two 15.6-inch screen versions with similar configurations and a 13.3-inch lower-end model. That one starts at just $799 while the larger sizes come in at $999 and $1,199.
Samsung is hyping up the Notebook 7 as being “designed for multimedia enthusiasts” and the company has a Video HDR mode built in that will sharpen and enhance colours and textures when turned on. All three models have a Full HD (1,920×1,080-pixel) screen, and the differences break down as such:
| Price | $799 | $999 | $1,999 |
| Screen | 13.3-inch Full HD | 15.6-inch Full HD | 15.6-inch Full HD |
| Processor | 2.3GHz Intel Core i5-6200U | 2.5GHz Intel Core i7-6500U | 2.5GHz Intel Core i7-6500U |
| Graphics | Intel HD Graphics 520 | Nvidia GeForce 940MX with 2GB | Nvidia GeForce 940MX with 2GB |
| Memory | 8GB | 12GB | 16GB |
| Storage | 1TB | 1TB | 1TB plus 128GB SSD |
| Dimension/Weight | 12.75×8.98×0.78 inches (323.4×227.7×19.8mm) and 3.9 pounds (1.75kg) | 14.74×10.11×0.78 inches (374.5×256.9x 19.8mm) and 5 pounds (2.25kg) | 14.74×10.11×0.78 inches (374.5×256.9×19.8mm) and 5 pounds (2.25kg) |
| Operating System | Windows 10 | Windows 10 | Windows 10 |
The Notebook 7 Spin also has fast-charging technology. Twenty minutes of charge equals 2 hours of battery life, while the device will be fully charged in 90 minutes for the 15.6-inch versions and 100 minutes for the 13.3.
Samsung
A base 1TB of storage even on the low-end model is a welcome touch, as is the LAN port for both the 15.6-inch models. There’s a USB-C port across the board, along with two USB 2.0 and one USB 3.0 ports. If you’re wondering if there’s a drawback to all this, it’s probably in the weight. At 5 pounds for the big screen and 3.9 pounds for the smaller model, the Notebook 7 spin is pretty hefty, especially compared to the Samsung Notebook 9 which tips the scales at just 2.9 pounds.
JBL Charge 3 review – CNET
The Good The JBL Charge 3 is a well-designed, fully waterproof portable Bluetooth speaker that features good battery life and doubles as an external charger for your portable devices. It also has built-in speakerphone capabilities, and plays loudly with strong bass for its size and price class.
The Bad While it plays louder than the JBL Charge 2+ it doesn’t sound as good.
The Bottom Line The JBL Charge 3 is larger than its predecessor, fully waterproof, and plays louder — but it should sound a little better.
There are a zillion wireless Bluetooth speakers you can buy these days, but three brands rise to the top of the heap: Bose, Ultimate Ears and JBL. And of those three, only JBL makes models that also double as backup batteries for phones and other USB-powered devices: the Charge line.
The JBL Charge 3 looks similar to the highly rated JBL Charge 2+ and has the same list price of $150 and £150. (It’s not available in Australia, but that US price converts to about AU$200.) While the Charge 2+ is water resistant, its successor model is fully waterproof, with IPX7 certification, which means it can be completely submersed in water for a short period. Like its predecessors, you can lay it flat or stand it up vertically. And, for better or worse, the new model is about 20 percent larger and heavier.
It delivers an impressive 20 hours of battery life and also has speakerphone capabilities. Using the JBL Connect app you can wirelessly link think this to other JBL Connect enabled speakers to amplify the sound and widen the soundstage.
HP Spectre review – CNET
The Good The HP Spectre is remarkably thin while still managing to fit in Core i5 and Core i7 processors. The keyboard is excellent for such a slim body, and the bold design stands out in a sea of thin ultraportables.
The Bad The lack of a touchscreen is a big omission for a premium Windows laptop, and the limited ports may force you to carry extra dongles and accessories.
The Bottom Line If you can work with USB-C ports and a nontouch display, the HP Spectre offers a great design and excellent performance in the world’s thinnest full-power laptop body.
To touch or not to touch. That is the question asked of many Windows laptops, from bulky budget boxes to the slimmest premium systems. HP has two new high-end, very thin laptops, and it answers that question differently in each model.
While the 12-inch EliteBook Folio G1 is available with a 1080 or 4K touch screen (there’s also an entry-level nontouch version), the much-buzzed-about 13-inch Spectre has only one display option, a 1,920×1,080 nontouch screen.
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Sarah Tew/CNET
It’s a trade-off, the company says, required to hit the Spectre’s most noteworthy feature — that it’s the world’s thinnest full-power laptop, at just 10.4mm thick. That’s despite offering current-gen Intel Core i5 and Core i7 processors, rather than the lower-power Core M CPUs in the also-impressive HP EliteBook Folio G1 (and 12-inch Apple MacBook).
With a Core i7-6500U processor, 8GB of RAM and a decent 256GB SSD, the Spectre costs $1,249 in the US. A Core i5 version knocks the price down to $1,169. In the UK, configurations start at £1,149, and AU$2,299 in Australia. Whichever model you choose, just be ready to jump fully into the world of USB-C, the new multipurpose data, power and accessory connector. The Spectre has three USB-C ports along the back. All three can carry data or power, and the two center ones also act as Thunderbolt ports for high-speed data transfer.
HP Spectre
| $1,249 |
| 13.3-inch 1,920 x 1,080 screen |
| 2.5GHz Intel Core i7-6500U |
| 8GB DDR3 SDRAM 1,866MHz |
| 128MB Intel HD Graphics 520 |
| 256GB SSD |
| 802.11ac wireless, Bluetooth 4.0 |
| Windows 10 Home (64-bit) |
Just how thin is the 10.4mm Spectre? Apple’s aforementioned 12-inch MacBook and the recent Razer Blade Stealth are both around 13mm thick at their thickest parts, while a 13-inch Dell XPS 13 is about 15mm thick. Since the MacBook is tapered, it’s slimmer in the front, thicker in the rear. Down at the 13mm-and-under level, the differences are more about bragging rights than anything else.
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From the top: 12-inch MacBook, HP EliteBook Folio, HP Spectre.
Sarah Tew/CNET
At 2.4 pounds (without its power cable), it’s also very light, but not the lightest 13-inch laptop we’ve tested (that distinction may belong to the Lenovo LaVie). At the very bleeding edge of laptop design, you generally have to choose between thickness and weight, especially when trying to support full Core i-series processors. In this case, HP went for shaving millimeters from the chassis, at the expense of weight and features (such as touch and ports other than slim USB-C ones).
A bold color scheme also helps the Spectre stand out, ditching the usual silver and gray for a dark, smokey gray with gold accents. The entire hinge is a bright, jeweled gold, which just draws more attention to its unusual design (and which picks up fingerprints pretty easily). To avoid unnecessary bulk, the hinge has moved in from the very rear edge, and is instead inset by a tiny bit.
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Sarah Tew/CNET
That hinge mechanism is aluminum, as is the laptop’s lid, while the bottom panel is carbon fiber. HP says the mix of materials serves to give the Spectre the right balance between weight and stiffness, especially in the lid. After all, you don’t want your very thin tech to feel flimsy and flex under the slightest touch.
Part of making the Spectre this thin was accomplished by flattening the battery into four separate cells that fit across much of the bottom footprint, rather than having to find space for one large battery. The heatsink has been moved off the CPU as well, and instead the Spectre uses small fans to pull air in through bottom vents and funnel it out through the rear. It’s a version of a cooling scheme from Intel called hyperbaric cooling.
A surprisingly good keyboard
Compared with other very thin, very light laptops, such as the 12-inch MacBook, the keyboard on the HP Spectre really stands out as excellent. The keys are a little shallower than on a more full-size 13-inch laptop, such as HP’s own Spectre x360, but this is still a standard island-style keyboard that doesn’t have the learning curve of something like the very flat keys on the MacBook.
AIVAnet 