16 Mar
Blog

2020 Polestar 1 Plug-In Hybrid Luxury Coupe Review

2020 Polestar 1

2020 Polestar 1 review: All aboard the Scandinavian Express

"Polestar's first car, the Plug-in Hybrid 1, fills a gap between efficiency and performance."

  • Beautiful design

  • Seriously powerful

  • Real torque vectoring

  • User-friendly technology

  • Tiny trunk

  • It feels very volvo-like inside

Heritage is a double-edged sword in the automotive industry.

It sells cars and there are whole brands that are boldly built on it, but it's also a burden in the age of electrification. How would enthusiasts respond if Porsche released a 911 powered by a flat twin generator and four electric motors? Not good.

This is where Polestar comes in. It was founded in 2017 and has no legacy as an independent brand. Therefore, it is not bound by rules other than the rules it sets. The 1, its aptly named first car, does not deviate far from the style elements that define GT coupes, but it does without a large-displacement engine for plug-in hybrid drive. Does it move the segment forward or does it fall too short? I flew to Gothenburg, Sweden, to familiarize myself with one of the 1,500 units that Polestar is planning.

Design and interior

If you look at photos of Polestar 1 and wonder what kind of Volvo you're looking at, you're not alone – at least four people asked me about it during my time. You also have plans. This shapely two-door began as the Concept Coupé, which the Swedish company presented at the Frankfurt Motor Show 2013 to get a preview of its next design language. Executives beamed as they celebrated the beautiful design study as the legacy of the P1800, but no one expected it to see the light at the end of a production line. It should have lived in the company's museum.

I thought I was flying under the radar in Polestar 1. I was wrong. It turned heads everywhere.

His fate changed fundamentally when Volvo and the parent company Geely Polestar moved from a tuner and racing car manufacturer to an independent luxury brand in 2017. Creating a business case for a two-door version of the S90 suddenly became much easier, according to Volvo. The design icon turned into an upscale Grand Tourer with supercar-like power and a suitable price. Carbon fiber is used extensively to balance the weight of the hybrid system as much as possible.

What we saw in Frankfurt seven years ago is somewhat unexpectedly almost exactly what Polestar builds. Here's a cheat sheet if you want to spot the differences: Stylists have redesigned the lower part of the front bumper, pulled the Volvo emblem off the grille, and nip-and-tucked the rear end. The elegant proportions and the attractive, reserved lines are retained. It's all done in a very subtle and ultimately very Swedish way. The designers haven't attached a rear wing the size of a bench in the National Mall, nor an air scoop in the form of an oversized Cool Ranch Dorito.

With this in mind, I thought I was flying under the radar at 1. I was wrong. It turned heads everywhere. I sipped a double espresso as I watched a man jog, circled back, and spent at least 3 minutes examining him from every angle. Those who are on the pulse of the auto industry know immediately that they are looking for something special. Polestar will only produce 1,500 examples of the 1 in Chengdu, China, so there is little chance of spotting one in the wild.

2020 Polestar 1Ronan Glon

Inside, parts like the three-spoke steering wheel, the digital instrument cluster, the touchscreen of the infotainment system and the ventilation slots that surround it will look familiar to you if you were in a Volvo of the latest generation. Stylists added, among other things, yellow seat belts and an Orrefors crystal gear selector that looks and feels like a Volvo behind the driver's seat, though, and that could be a fork at this price.

The cargo hold deserves a special mention; The Polestar 1 is the only car I have ever driven with a trunk that is as useless as it is fascinating. And believe me, it registers an extremely strong signal on both radars. The total capacity is 4.4 cubic feet, which is slightly less than that of a Lamborghini Aventador S. with a mid-engine.

2020 Polestar 1Ronan Glon

This is because part of the drivetrain battery is housed in the transmission tunnel, which the drive shaft normally drives into, and the rest is directly behind the rear seats. I couldn't fit a carry-on suitcase, my briefcase, and much else.

The disadvantage is that you can marvel at the orange high-voltage cabling through a transparent, scratch-resistant panel. Each port is labeled so you know what is what – it's a cool way to showcase technology. It almost feels like you're going through a life-size circuit diagram that's heavenly for auto technician nerds.

Technology and infotainment

Thanks to carbon fiber, the doors are lighter than expected. Once inside, the driver sits behind a high-resolution 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster that includes a speedometer, a power indicator, a fuel gauge, and a fourth dial to provide information about what the hybrid system is doing and what is not. For example, it signals exactly when the drive train switches from electric to petrol-powered. Navigation instructions are also displayed in the instrument cluster. You can also find them on the standard head-up display and on the touchscreen on the center stack. There is also Android Auto, so you have no excuse to get lost here.

2020 Polestar 1Ronan Glon

Speaking of the touchscreen: it's a 9.3-inch device that – you guessed it – is shared with members of the Volvo range. I have praised the intuitiveness of this system in previous reviews, and this is no different here. It contains a huge amount of information, but is easy and straightforward to use. The various menus are clearly marked, the graphics are sharp and the response time is quick.

Polestar inherited Volvo's manic, decades-long obsession with passenger safety.

There are better systems on the market like the MBUX software from Mercedes-Benz, but that from Polestar remains excellent every day. Remember that it is also at the end of its life cycle, so it has stood the test of time well. The company has already developed its next infotainment system with contributions from Google. It is Android-based, smartphone-like, is displayed on an 11.0-inch screen and is expected to appear in the not too distant future.

Polestar also inherited Volvo's manic, decades-long obsession with passenger safety. The long list of electronic driving aids includes front and rear collision mitigation (which the car can steer out of an accident with an oncoming vehicle), a 360-degree camera, and enough airbags to build an inflatable replica of the majestic Edinburgh Castle.

Performance and ride

Volvo and China's parent company, Geely, founded Polestar to manufacture electric vehicles like the 2, but the 1 is the notable exception to the rule. It is powered by a petrol-electric plug-in hybrid drive, which consists of a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with turbocharger and compressor, two electric motors and an integrated starter generator (ISG).

The hybrid system's total output is 600 horsepower and 738 pound-feet of torque.

The engine and ISG are hidden under the long bonnet, the electric motors are each assigned to one of the rear wheels, and there is no mechanical connection between the axles, so the system delivers all-wheel drive via the road. The electricity is stored in a large (for a plug-in hybrid) 34-kilowatt hour lithium-ion battery.

The hybrid system's total output is 600 horsepower and 738 pound-feet of torque. How it gets on the sidewalk depends on the selected driving mode. If you choose the Pure profile, the engine is turned off and the 1 is turned into a rear-wheel drive electric car for about 60 miles. In this configuration, it is quiet, agile and fluid to drive. I used this mode when I was traveling through downtown Gothenburg. Selecting AWD, Hybrid or Power modes on the touchscreen silently wakes the engine from sleep to achieve full powertrain performance.

2020 Polestar 1Ronan Glon

After leaving town, I got to know the 600 horses under my right foot and found that they do not all live in the same stable. When you press the accelerator pedal, the first thing you feel is the immediate torque that is delivered by the electric motors in the rear. The four-cylinder compressor winds up quickly and the turbocharger's thrust comes last.

Six hundred is an impressive number when we talk about the performance of an engine or hybrid system, but in this case it doesn't mean brutal, lightning-fast acceleration. It's linear, which goes well with the character of this car. It's a good-natured coupe with a distinct Scandinavian flavor, not a racing rat that spends its nights in the pits.

2020 Polestar 1Ronan Glon

The petrol-electric configuration on the road also has an extremely interesting (and somewhat unexpected) effect on the handling that I discovered on the winding, tree-lined roads that separate the interior of Sweden from the country's scenic, seafood-crazy coastline.

If everything fits, the 1 overcomes its not inconsiderable weight of 5,170 pounds to offer a sharp and precise driving experience.

The four-cylinder transmits around 300 hp to the front wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission, which results in easy torque control when accelerated strongly.

Meanwhile, the two electric motors relentlessly push the car forward. For a few seconds, the 1 feels like a car with front and rear wheel drive at the same time. It's a unique behavior and it's surprisingly fun once you've learned how to do it.

If everything fits, the 1 overcomes its not inconsiderable weight of 5,170 pounds to offer a sharp and precise driving experience. This is where technology comes in again. The electric motors are independent of each other so that they can spin at different speeds. This means that the system can slow down the inner rear wheel in a curve. This is real torque vectorization. This makes the 1 feel agile and responsive on a winding road.

2020 Polestar 1Ronan Glon

Polestar has teamed up with Swedish suspension expert Öhlins to tune the 1. You have chosen a ride that is reasonably firm – the car never feels like a floating Viking ship, but it is not punitive or overly bouncy.

Mammoth brakes brought the coupé to a standstill without drama, but I didn't use it often. Seriously, who needs brakes when you have 600 horsepower? I'm just having fun. The brake energy recovery system slows the car down as soon as you take your foot off the accelerator to generate electricity that it sends to the battery. This way you can almost come to a standstill.

True to the great touring spirit, which is partly defined by the ability to effortlessly chase through countries, the 1 is content to cross and cross and cross … and cross.

Volvo's Pilot Assist technology combines adaptive cruise control with Lane Keeping Assist. Over the past few years, I've driven enough cars with this system to see how much it has improved. At the beginning of his life, the lane keeping assistant pinged the car nervously between the lane markings. In the 1 and in newer Volvo models such as the V60 Cross Country, the car remains centered on the lane.

Reach and efficiency

In its most efficient hybrid mode, the Polestar 1 has a fuel consumption of 64 MPG, a number that roughly equates it to the BMW i8, which will soon be retiring, and a range of up to 540 miles, which exceeds every 100% electric car considerably larger than Hawaii. Volvo's XC90 plug-in hybrid is rated at 55 MPG, while the petrol-electric version of the Audi Q5 is rated at 65 MPG. Both are less powerful than the 1. According to Polestar, it takes 80% less than an hour to charge a completely empty battery when using a 50-kilowatt DC fast charger.

Although it is a relatively new car, the 1 was built with proven mechanical components that can be found in several Volvo models. Therefore, it should be able to drive reliably and carefree for many years. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has not yet been forced into a wall, so its crash test result is not available.

How DT would configure this car

It's simple: I don't really need to configure it. With a starting price of $ 156,500 including destination, Polestar considered it appropriate to include all the features of its arsenal in the list of standard equipment. Heated seats? Check. Soft leather upholstery? It is there and it is beautiful. An amazingly clear Bowers & Wilkins sound system? Yup. The only option is matte paint, which costs $ 5,000. I would skip it. I would order mine in a gray called magnesium and keep my tester's wheels.

Our opinion

2020 Polestar 1Ronan Glon

It is far too easy to just write off the Polestar 1 as a large Volvo coupe. It's true, it looks and feels that way in many ways, but the plug-in hybrid system makes it more than just a two-door S90. It gets the GT label by ticking the boxes for comfort and performance and offers useful standard technical functions (such as the head-up display and pilot assistant) that do not impair the driving experience. However, it's a shame about the trunk.

On a secondary level, the 1 really feels special. It is confident but unpretentious. It's rare, but it doesn't scream. It's quick, but it doesn't flaunt it. I drove faster and spent time in more expensive (and accordingly more wasteful) coupes, but the 1 is one that I still chatter about when I'm an old man.

Should you get one?

Depends on. In the price range of the Polestar 1 you will find much more powerful super sports cars. However, if you are looking for an efficient, comfortable Grand Tourer with all the frills, this is the place for you.

Editor's recommendations




15 Mar
Blog

Acer ConceptD 9 review: A Portable Workstation for Artists Only

acer conceptd 9 review 04

"The Acer ConceptD 9 is fast and innovative with its easel hinge, but it can't compete with other portable workstations in terms of performance or mobility."

  • Beautiful 4K screen

  • Wacom pen support

  • Innovative design of the easel hinge

  • Fantastic performance

  • Solid, heavy chassis

  • Not as powerful as a real workstation

  • Cumbersome keyboard and touchpad

If someone appreciates slim, thin laptops, it's artists and designers. You know a slim product when you see one. The problem? These options often don't have the strength that some creative people really need.

Enter the ConceptD 9, a beast of an Acer workstation. With its thick housing and the Core i9 processor with eight cores, it is not only powerful, but also has an innovative easel hinge that can be converted into a digital drawing table. It doesn't even pretend to be portable and weighs almost ten pounds. At $ 5,000, it doesn't pretend to be cheap either.

It's undoubtedly a niche product, but is the ConceptD 9 more than an interesting concept?

For artists by engineers

My first reaction when I packed the box in the FedEx store was: "Man, this thing is heavy!" I checked so many Ultrabooks that weigh less than three pounds with just a few 15-inch laptops that weigh more than four pounds that the ConceptD 9 felt like a ton of rocks. It just can't be a laptop, I thought.

But it was. I opened the packaging, unpacked the machine and yes: it was almost 10 pounds of metal, glass and plastic (exactly 9.48 pounds). Much of that weight is on the 17.3-inch display (with solid bezels), and I'm sure a lot of it is also the hinge assembly that allows the screen to fold out in a very flexible easel mode that allows any angle from 90 degrees down to about 20 degrees – perfect for artists to draw.

You will not use this beast on your lap, nor will you put it in a backpack and take it to a cafe.

The ConceptD 9 is very similar to the Microsoft Surface Studio in this respect, only smaller. And it is probably a better machine because it is far more powerful than what Microsoft offers. In short, the ConceptD 9 doesn't pretend to be anything other than what it is. It is a portable creative workstation for people who edit high-resolution photos and videos, do 3D work in applications like AutoCAD and especially paint with the active Wacom pen on the screen.

The easel movement is certainly neat. It's not quite as intuitive as Surface Studio, but it is fluid. Simply fold up the bottom of the display and pull it to the desired angle. It can be pulled down almost flat (with just the right end angle for easy drawing). However, this applies to the keyboard and the touchpad.

Artists who want to draw directly on the canvas should love this. You will also love the included Wacom pen. It has 4,096 pressure sensitivity levels. As with the Surface Studio, the pen is magnetic and is attached to the display – in this case at the top. The display also stays fixed at every angle you place it, so you can draw safely on whether it is at a 90 degree angle or fully extended.

Will artists prefer this to a PC and a Wacom tablet? Maybe. As with Surface Studio, you draw directly on the canvas. Having all of this in one place is also an attraction. However, the flexibility of a pure drawing area and a screen for toolbars and menus requires some adjustments.

Connectivity is a strength as Acer has the space available for a USB-C port with Thunderbolt 3, a USB-C 3.1 port, two USB-A 3.1 Gen 1 ports, a USB-A 2.0 port and an HDMI Connection uses 2.0 port that supports HDCP, a DisplayPort 1.4 and a Gigabit Ethernet port. A Killer 1650 802.11ax Wi-Fi radio offers Wi-Fi 6 support, and Bluetooth 5.0 is on board.

A powerhouse, but not a real workstation

The promise of the ConceptD 9 was of course never just an interesting form factor. It was also a raw performance. The ConceptD 9 delivers on that promise, including a Core i9-9880HK processor, up to 32 GB of RAM, and an RTX 2080 graphics card. That's an incredible amount of performance regardless of the size of the laptop.

That is, unless you compare it to an actual 17-inch workstation like the HP ZBook 17, the Dell Precision 7740 Mobile Workstation, and the Lenovo ThinkPad P73 Mobile Workstation. These laptops do not have the unique easel design of the ConceptD 9, but they do offer the slightly more powerful Intel Xeon CPUs as an option. Some of these workstations, such as B. the ZBook, offer up to 128 GB RAM. The ConceptD 9 has 32 GB, which is a significant disadvantage.

Not that the ConceptD 9 is definitely slow. Compared to fast 15-inch laptops like the Dell XPS 15 and the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 2, the ConceptD 9 is quite competitive.

It has passed our handbrake test, which encodes a 420 megabyte video (MB) in just 1 minute and 52 seconds. The XPS 15 with the same CPU took 1 minute and 42 seconds, while the ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 2 took 1 minute and 58 seconds. The Apple MacBook 16, also with the Core i9-9980HK, sits exactly in between.

Only the ZenBook Pro Duo was significantly faster with 1 minute and 19 seconds. Outside of the ZenBook, which was a remarkable 32% faster, there was only a 12% difference between the fastest laptop (the XPS 15) and the ConceptD 9. We haven't tested the most powerful laptops equipped with Xeon, but we expect them at least would be a little faster than everyone except the ZenBook.

It's fast, but you buy the ConceptD 9 because of its unusual design and not just because of its performance.

To measure actual performance, I also ran a video editing test with Adobe Premiere that rendered a two-minute 4K video for ProRes 422. The ConceptD 9 did a little more than two and a half minutes compared to the almost five minutes that the XPS 15 took.

The ZenBook Pro Duo was the previous king of speed at three minutes and four seconds, but most likely fell behind the Acer due to the slower RTX 2060 graphics cards. Unlike the handbrake test, there was a very significant difference between the ConceptD 9 (which was the fastest in this case) and the XPS 15 (the slowest): the ConceptD 9 was a full 47% faster.

Next up is the GPU, and here the ConceptD 9 also deviates from the typical workstation design. It uses an Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Studio Edition with 8 GB of GDDR6 RAM, a high-speed GPU at the top of the typical laptop pile. The Studio Edition moniker refers to the ISV-certified drivers, which means that they are guaranteed to be stable with applications such as Adobe Suite, AutoCAD and other professional applications.

This is a good thing and like all drivers they should be kept up to date. I got a nice speed bump when I updated the drivers on the ConceptD 9.

However, the RTX 2080 isn't as fast in these applications as the top-of-the-range Nvidia Quadro GPUs that you can get in a typical workstation like the relatively new Quadro RTX 5000 with 16 GB of GDDR6 RAM. This means that the ConceptD 9 is fast and stable in its target applications, but not necessarily as fast as you would expect from a more traditional workstation option. You buy the ConceptD 9 because of its unusual design, therefore not necessarily just because of its performance.

You should also not buy that the ConceptD 9 has a dedicated gaming laptop. However, if you look at the specifications, you may be tempted to do so. It has worked admirably in everything we've tested, from Fortnite to Assassins Creed: Odyssey. The problem is that the screen is locked at 60 Hz, which means that these high frame rates are of little use to you here. A few games on the side? Absolutely.

The display does justice to its accounting

The ConceptD 9 needs a fabulous display to be a good choice for its target market. It needs a wide range of colors and accurate colors to satisfy photo and video editors, and it should also have a high resolution. Fortunately, this is exactly the 4K IPS display (3,840 x 2,160) that Acer has obtained and calibrated for the machine.

According to my colorimeter, the display is quite bright with 353 nits and has an excellent contrast ratio with 1000: 1. This is behind the XPS 15 and MacBook Pro 16, and is likely to have problems competing with other portable workstations that can offer 400 nits or brightness and higher contrast. But there are still good results that give a pleasant screen for all-round use.

However, colors are more of a strength. Acer's IPS display reaches 94% of AdobeRGB and 98% of sRGB. It also offers a fantastic color accuracy of 0.61. Anything less than 1.0 is considered excellent. This is one of the best results we have ever seen. The XPS 15 with its OLED display offers a slightly wider color gamut, but cannot keep up with the color accuracy of the Acer, while the MacBook Pro 16 only surpasses the ConceptD 9 by achieving 100 percent of the sRGB.

Acer chose a great display that met the needs of its creative target market. That is a real strength.

It's not much of a laptop

At the same time, the design is not very suitable for the typical laptop user. Take the keyboard, for example. It's an excellent mechanical keyboard that offers unusually fast keystrokes and some of the best feedback you'll find in a laptop.

But there is also no palm rest because the thermal design of the system takes up so much space above the keyboard. Acer went out of its way to make this machine a quiet machine even under full load, and they mostly succeeded. However, this means that there is no space for a palm rest – and that makes typing on the keyboard uncomfortable.

ConceptD 9 users are likely to use external keyboards and mice. It is really so uncomfortable.

The touchpad is also unusually to the right of the keyboard. There is no space underneath here either. The touchpad is also strangely shaped and oriented more vertically than horizontally. But it works well enough once you get used to it, and it offers a very Asus ZenBook-like LCD numeric keypad that you can access by tapping an icon on the top left of the touchpad. It's a design that will be acceptable in gaming laptops, but it's hardly ideal here.

ConceptD 9 users are likely to use external keyboards and mice. It's really so uncomfortable to tap on it. I would not find the experience satisfactory in the long run.

Whatever you do, you will not use this beast on your lap, nor will you put it in a backpack and take it to the local cafe. Anything beyond repositioning in another part of your home, or from office to office, is probably too much for this ten-pound chunker.

But you won't let it run away from a plug either. Acer equipped the ConceptD 9 with only 72 watt hours of battery capacity. For comparison: the HP ZBook 17 offers 95 watt hours. Given the massive 4K display and the powerful components, we didn't expect much from the battery life. And it's not surprising that we haven't seen it.

In our demanding Basemark test, which abused the CPU, we saw an hour and 48 minutes, which is actually competitive compared to other powerful laptops. However, the two hours and 43 minutes that we saw in our web browser test and five hours in our video loop test are pretty weak. They're competitive when it comes to developing gaming laptops, and maybe that makes sense – like these machines, the ConceptD 9 is just not designed to run on battery.

Our opinion

The ConceptD 9 is designed for a very specific person. Creative professionals who need a relatively powerful portable workstation and would benefit from a display that can switch to easel mode and use an excellent Wacom active pen.

In addition, the size and design of this machine make it pretty useless as a laptop. It is a very small niche. And even if you are, most creatives will likely prefer the versatility of using a separate Wacom tablet in conjunction with a traditional workstation or high-end 15-inch laptop.

Are there any better alternatives?

There is really no other laptop or portable workstation like the ConceptD 9. As already mentioned, real workstations like the HP ZBook 17, Dell Precision 7740 and Lenovo ThinkPad P73 are the closest competitors. Each of these components can be equipped with faster Xeon CPUs and Nvidia Quadro GPUs as well as four times as much RAM. They are also smaller and offer better battery life.

Configured similarly (but with Xeon and Quadro), they typically cost around $ 1,000 more than the ConceptD 9, but that's not a lot of money if you invest this type of cash.

At the same time, creatives with less demanding workflows can cope well with a Dell XPS 15, a Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 2 or an Apple MacBook 16. You won't get the RTX 2080 with any of them, but for anyone. All three laptops with less demanding performance requirements offer more than enough performance. And Dell and Lenovo will likely cost about half of your ConceptD 9 spending.

How long it will take?

The ConceptD 9 is built like a tank and feels like it. Thanks to the latest components, it lasts for years, even though the industry-standard one-year guarantee has expired long before.

Should you buy it

No. The unique combination of performance and drawing features is neat, but there are better solutions for creative people.

Editor's recommendations




15 Mar
Blog

Top 5 Hair Removal Products

Hello cupcakes, 🙂

I have to confess that I haven't blogged since I landed in this new country in June. November was so busy that I didn't feel like trying something new and exploring a whole new world of beauty out there. However, I did find the perfect post topic – top hair removal products. The products that I have shortlisted here are very easy to use, suitable for all skin types and especially popular with many. I really enjoy how some of them made me skip my monthly waxing sessions, and others made me think I would absolutely recommend it, even to those of you who don't do hair removal at home .

I'm a confession, I stole the man's electric shaver in my life for a quick, nod-free shave until I picked up some of these products below. Let's have a look …

1) Tria 4X hair removal laser

Price: $ 449

What is it? The only FDA approved hair removal laser available for home use. This Tria Laser 4X has the same diode laser technology used by some top dermatologists. Basically, the hair follicle is permanently deactivated to stop hair growth on your face and also on the rest of your body. Of course, the results can vary from person to person.

2) Nair Moroccan Argan Oil SprayAway No Touch Spray

Price: $ 8.00

What is it? This is an uncomplicated hair removal spray with argan oil. The results last longer than shaving.

3) GiGi Brazilian Body hard hair removal wax – without stripes

Price: $ 14.99

What is it? The Brazilian bikini hard wax GiGi offers a high-quality hair removal treatment. Simply heat the wax in a wax warmer, prepare your skin, cleanse it and apply it. This non-strip formula is very suitable for sensitive and sensitive areas.

4) Braun Silk-épil 9 9-579 female epilator

Price: $ 96.99

What is it? This epilator is the new standard in epilation. The revolutionary MicroGrip Tweezer technology from Braun removes hair that is four times shorter than wax (0.5 mm), thus ensuring hairless hair. The company claims that the results can take up to 4 weeks.

5) FINISHING TOUCH Spotless – Instant and painless facial hair remover

Price: $ 20

What is it? A very new beauty device that immediately attracted customers and claims to instantly and painlessly erase hair without irritation. It is better than plucking, growing, or depilating. Designed to look like lipstick and incorporates technology that microscopically removes hair. With an 18 carat gold-plated head, Flawless is hypoallergenic.

What are your favorite hair removal products at home?

.

Beautyndbest.com ©

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14 Mar
Blog

Subaru STI S209 Review: The Best STI Finally Hits The U.S.

Subaru STI S209

Subaru STI S209 review: The fastest STI comes to America

"The S209 justifies its price for Subaru super fans."

  • Incredible grip

  • Sharp, responsive chassis

  • Well behaved in the city

  • Aggressive style

  • Expensive

  • Additional performance is hardly noticeable

Subaru has a well-documented history of playing alphabet soup with hot rod cars. From the Impreza 22B to the BRZ tS, these special machines ranged from legitimate legends for road traffic to glorified equipment packages. This has led to confusion over the years. For connoisseurs, STI, which stands for Subaru Tecnica International, the company's performance-oriented sub-brand, is an acronym that stands for size.

We had a fair share of the seat time in the fifth generation WRX STI, based in Impreza, a car that is a bit unrefined compared to some of its competitors, but offers a lot of charm. But there is another STI offering that a US driver may not know about. Over the past 20 years, Subaru Tecnica International has launched a range of limited-production S-Line models that take STI performance to a new level. All were exclusive to Japan.

Subaru STI S209Bradley Iger / Digital Trends

With the S209, the latest S-Line creation from STI, Subaru decided to change the program. Only 209 copies of the automaker's latest WRX STI are produced, all of which travel to the United States.

Each model includes a laundry list with upgrades for the STI garden variety and a high MSRP of $ 63,995. This type of coin takes the STI out of its original competition set, which is occupied by cars like the Ford Focus RS and the Honda Civic Type R, and places it next to the Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 and the BMW M2 Competition.

Does the S209 have the hardware to secure its price?

Inside and outside

Although Subaru's performance is often linked to a rally competition on stage, S-Line vehicles focus more on the road course capabilities. For this purpose, the route intentions of this car are obvious at first glance, from the fenders on display to the canards and the unique rear wing. It is clear that the S209 has fast runtimes in mind. However, its extroverted aero is just the tip of the iceberg.

The strongest iteration of the Subaru 2.5-liter boxer engine EJ25, which we have seen in a production car, is hidden under the hood. It features a new intake and air filter design for improved engine breathing, larger injectors and a larger turbocharger that can deliver a maximum boost pressure of 18.9 psi.

Subaru STI S209 engineBradley Iger / Digital Trends

There is also a trick intercooler water spray system. It works like an overboost function. With paddles mounted on the steering wheel, you can call up the system at will to inject water mist into the charge air cooler. This briefly lowers the temperatures for brief additional power surges.

The combination, which exhales through a unique low throttle exhaust system, is good for 341 hp and 330 pound-feet of torque, up to 31 hp and 40 pounds per foot. from the standard STI. Coupled with a six-speed manual gearbox with a tight gear ratio, the all-wheel-drive Sube is said to be able to perform sprints from 5 seconds up to 60 miles an hour on its way to a top speed of 162 mph from 5 seconds.

Subaru STI S209Bradley Iger / Digital Trends

Sharper looks and more grunts are always welcome, but it's the suspension and suspension improvements that really set the S209 apart from its STI-branded brothers. Specially tuned Bilstein dampers are equipped with 10 mm lowering springs, a 20 mm stabilizer bar at the rear and pillow-like bushings for the front / rear side arms to improve body control. A two-piece strut tower bar and flexible front / rear stiffeners stiffen the body of the vehicle to maximize tire grip, improve cornering stability and improve steering behavior.

Speaking of tire grip, there are some of them. This is not only due to the improvements in handling, but also to the 265 mm wide Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT600A summer tires on which the S209 rolls and wrap the unique 19 × 9 inch BBS wheels. The braking force is provided by the same Brembo hardware that you find on a standard STI. However, a new material with a high friction pad replaces the standard pads to improve light resistance.

Subaru STI S209 interiorBradley Iger / Digital Trends

Inside, it usually runs as usual, although the steering wheel wrapped in Alcantara, the S209 emblem, silver contrast stitching and a serial badge in front of the gear lever help distinguish this S-Line car from other models. Subaru's 7.0-inch Multimedia Plus infotainment is standard and the only system offered in the S209. This means that navigation and the Harman Kardon sound system are not available. Fortunately, the touchscreen system supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, so Google Maps, Waze and other supported apps are available to help close the gap.

Steering

The standard STI has earned a reputation for being a fairly stiff driver, and given the route focus of the STI S209, we expected this machine to have even less compliance in the city.

Imagine our surprise when the S209 not only proved good-natured in LA's urban sprawl, but also more comfortable than a typical STI. The lightweight, communicative clutch and the Recaro sports seats made the car's sporting intentions clear, but had only a minimal impact on daily driving behavior. We wouldn't mind strengthening the thighs a little more to keep the front occupants seated if it was fun.

Subaru STI S209 interiorBradley Iger / Digital Trends

Speaking of which, it should come as no surprise that the technical switchbacks of the San Gabriel Mountains highlighted the greatest strengths of the S209. The extra power under the hood – even if we pulled the intercooler paddles in the hope of a video game-like performance boost – isn't transformative, but the improvements to the suspension and suspension are.

The Dunlops offer breathtaking grip and are connected to a chassis that both wants to change direction and quickly forgive imperfect inputs. This makes the S209 a car that promotes trust if you familiarize yourself with its limits.

Subaru STI S209Bradley Iger / Digital Trends

As with all WRX-based models, the overall sophistication of the Subaru pales in comparison to cars like the Volkswagen Golf R, but the quick fading of the VW in the rearview mirror on a good road will be a source of comfort for S209 owners.

Our opinion

Given its price, the fact that only 209 vehicles are built, and the lack of options available, the S209 is ultimately a model aimed more at collectors than enthusiasts. This is a bit of a shame, because the improvements in the entire car serve to noticeably increase performance without affecting driving behavior.

This is the most powerful WRX STI that has ever come out of a Subaru factory, but its price tag puts it in a league of cars that are likely to outperform it on a number of fronts. However, if Subaru applied these suspension and suspension modifications to a garden-style STI at a cheaper price, it would have a potential game changer in this segment.

How DT would configure this car

The only option available for the STI S209 is color – 128 units will be produced in World Rally Blue with matte silver wheels, while the remaining 81 cars will wear the Crystal White Pearl paint with gold wheels. Ideally, we would choose the World Rally Blue with the gold wheels of our test car, but we would be ready to settle for the combination of blue and matte silver.

Should you get one?

Most people, including enthusiasts, will want to see more powerful cars in this price range. However, if you have the resources and are a Subaru fan, this car is a real treat.
Home restart

Editor's recommendations




13 Mar
Blog

Best Moisturizers for Dry, Sensitive And Oily Skin Types

Skin is not available in all shapes and sizes, but certainly in different designs. For the lucky few there are normal and for the rest of us oily, dry, sensitive and even combinations. And to make things even more complicated, the type of skin can change depending on the weather: summer temperatures can make naturally dry skin a little more oily than usual, and the wind, cold and internal heating in winter suck out moisture and smoothness even the oily complexion.

The mechanics of humidification

First things first: regardless of the weather and skin type, everyone needs a moisturizer Skin care routine. People with oily skin often think they don't, but they do, and we'll see why a little later. In general, everyone needs the water-oil combination, which is fundamental to all moisturizers. Ingredients in moisturizers that contain and absorb water, so-called humectants, work together with oil – also known as occlusive substances – to trap water in your skin.

If you don't mind getting a little technical, that's it dead cells in the stratum corneum, the top layer of your skin, that contain an amazing amount of water. These cells can absorb up to six times their own weight in water and swell up to three times their size. This hydration not only fills your skin beautifully, the water helps the stratum corneum to get rid of the flaky, dead skin cells.

In moisturizers, moisturizers such as botanical hyaluronic acid, lactic acid and honey draw water from the air and from the depths of your skin and release it to your thirsty stratum corneum. Occlusives in moisturizers prevent or slow the simple evaporation of water into the air. Occlusives such as jojoba oil, sunflower oil and shea butter bind the water into your skin.

Eminence Organics Mangosteen Gel Moisturizer

Best moisturizers for oily skin

It doesn't seem to make sense that people with oily skin should moisturize, and yet it is true. If you don’t moisturize at all, your sebum glands compensate for the lack of moisture by producing more of what you don’t like: extra sebum, the oily, waxy substance that lubricates the skin. It becomes a vicious cycle. That said, you need to be careful what type of moisturizer you are using. "People with dry skin can use thicker cream-based products, while those with oily skin should avoid them and use lighter products – a gel or lotion formulation would be ideal for them," says Dr. Hooman Khorasani, MD, chief physician for dermatology and cosmetic surgery at Mount Sinai health system.

Light gels formulated for oily skin types are often made with occlusive agents such as Silicones, which are used to seal water by forming a thin film on your skin, but can also trap contaminants in your pores. You can look out for silicones in skin care products by looking for ingredients that end with "-kegel", "-conol" or "siloxan".

Eminence Organics Mangosteen Gel Moisturizer

If you're looking for better alternatives – but with the same silicone-like slippage – go for innovative natural ingredients like phospholipids and polysaccharides that do the same trick. You can find these natural occlusive elements in our new one Mangosteen gel moisturizer that gives this formula its light gel texture. This moist gel is suitable for all skin types, especially for oily ones. It melts into the skin, minimizes the appearance of pores and leaves a smooth, matt finish.

Are you looking for more options? Our deeply penetrating Stone Crop Hydrating Gel is another effective light moisturizer for oily skin. This moisturizer consists of juicy herbal ingredients and smoothes the skin, reduces the visible signs of aging and balances the skin tone.

Best moisturizers for dry skin

"For a Moisturizer for dry skin, pay attention to a rich oil content and ingredients that improve the skin's barrier function, ”he says Eminence Organics Senior skin care trainer Natalie Pergar. Rich, thick creams are a good choice if you have dehydrated skin, especially those with moisturizing ingredients like Echinacea and Primrose Oil, which are at the heart of our Echinacea Recovery Cream. Avoid everything with alcohol as this will dry out your skin further. Humectants such as natural hyaluronic acid and glycerin together with vegetable oils such as avocado, coconut and shea butter are effective moisturizers.

Eminence Organics Monoi Age corrective night cream for face and neck

Our best advice for dry skin: Only go to bed after you have applied a night cream. Our The Monoi Age Corrective Night Cream for face and neck helps to replenish your skin's reserves outside of business hours. Enriched with the tropical Monoi flower, this deeply moisturizing cream improves the appearance of skin elasticity and reduces the appearance of wrinkles.

Best moisturizers for sensitive skin

When your skin becomes slightly red and cracked and often tingles, tightens and tingles when you are exposed to the wrong products or just the elements you have sensitive skin. You were born with it, but pollution, alcohol, and stress do not help and can often make it worse.

"Choosing a moisturizer for your skin is a very personal undertaking," says Dr. Khorasani. “Every skin reacts differently to different ingredients and scents. If you have sensitive skin, you should try using gentle, fragrance-free products. “Sensitive skin means that your skin barrier is fairly permeable and can take in irritants. So make sure your moisturizer is as non-irritating as possible. Pay attention to everything that contains parabens, sodium lauryl sulfates, synthetic colors and fragrances, propylene glycol and phthalates – Eminence Organics is proud to reject all of these artificial additives. Choose instead Products like glycerin, which contain soothing moisturizers that don't irritate your skin. Natural ingredients like Chamomile and aloe vera also soothe sensitive skin reactions.

Eminence Organics Calm Skin Chamomile Moisturizer

If you want to revitalize sensitive skin, we recommend it Calm Skin Chamomile Moisturizer contains both chamomile and arnica to balance the skin's appearance. It is also rich in shea butter and calendula oil with a high fatty acid content, which acts as a seal and prevents water loss without making the skin worse. Another moisturizer is our Apricot Calendula Nourishing Cream, which contains aloe, apricots, echinacea and flaxseed to heal and moisturize dry, sensitive skin.

Best moisturizers for combination skin

If your skin is the type that can't decide, your complexion is probably a combination skin type. Characterized by combination skin that is oily in the T-zone (forehead, nose, chin and sometimes on the cheek tops) and normal or dry elsewhere, combination skin can be difficult when choosing the right product. Natalie selects moisturizers that can meet the needs of all areas of your skin: "I love looking for balancing moisturizers for a combined skin type with several things." beautiful, even and firm complexion with minimized pores. "Natalie & # 39; s first choice for moisturizing combination skin? Our Eight green whip moisturizer. Enriched with herbal ingredients like yucca extract and stone harvest, this moisturizer keeps the skin hydrated everywhere, even when you're dealing with different levels of moisture.

One last tip: imagine humidification as a two-step process – grab water and then lock it in. It is therefore wise to moisturize after showering or bathing. After thinking about what's best for your skin type, learn more about our range of moisturizing moisturizers. Make an appointment with your Contact a trained beautician and explore our solutions for every skin type. What is your favorite moisturizer? Let us know in the comments below or tell us on social media.

12 Mar
Blog

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX Review: A Dull Quest

Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Dungeon DX

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX Review: A Monotonous Adventure

"Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: The DX rescue team is wasting its charming premise with repetitive gameplay."

  • Colorful pictures

  • Lovable story

  • In-depth team building

  • Boring design

  • Repeated fight

  • Bulky party size

  • Overly simplified new features

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: The Rescue Team DX is a colorful remake of a Game Boy Advance dungeon crawler from 2005, which is dedicated to the entertainment of the franchise's youngest fans. But it is also a concrete example of the tension that the entire Pokémon franchise faces. Developers strive to find a balance between young players who learn the ropes and veterans who grew up in the original games.

Similar to Pokémon Sword and Shield, this means making sacrifices that could annoy fans looking for an experience that grows with them. While some fans complained about the easy difficulty of Sword and Shield, others defended Game Freak's decision with a simple rally cry: These games are for kids. The same goes for the new Nintendo Switch game, but the case is less convincing this time.

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX is a monotonous, but undeniably charming game that focuses so much on simplification that it forgets to have fun.

Just tap A.

Instead of following a beaming Pokémon trainer, Rescue Team DX throws the player himself as a Pokémon – or at least as a human being trapped in a Pokémon's body. Players assemble a team of friends and set off to rescue other animals from randomly generated dungeons.

This is more exciting on paper than in practice. Most of the game is spent crawling floor by floor with a team of up to eight Pokémon through indistinguishable card layouts. In each level, players collect resources, save Pokémon by speaking to them or delivering an item, attacking enemies and looking for an exit. It's a rinse and repeat flow that quickly feels like a Pokémon version of Groundhog Day.

With this change, Rescue Team DX feels less like Pokémon, with its talent for finely tuned battles, but more like a mobile game.

The lifeless dungeons and repetitive gameplay loop don't do the game a favor, but combat is its main weakness. The game clumsily drops turn-based battles into exploring free roaming and creates a start-stop pace that feels like a constant stutter. It doesn't help that the game still uses jerky movements in four directions in dungeons, even though players outside of these rooms have the full direction.

It's easy to attribute this to the rusty design of the 15-year-old game, but the Rescue Team DX only aggravates the problem when trying to modernize the original. In the Game Boy Advance games, players fight by choosing their attacks from a menu and carefully planning each action, as would be the case in a normal Pokémon fight. While this style of play is still available here, with a new primary control option, players can simply press A to launch their Pokémon's strongest attack. This means that many battles can be won by pressing a button until the enemy is defeated.

Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX

With this change, Rescue Team DX feels less like Pokémon, with its talent for fine-tuned battles, and more like a mobile game where thoughtless knocking will ultimately lead to victory.

It's a shame because the rest of the franchise's ingredients are there. There is a satisfactory "catch & # 39; em all" mechanic, classic type advantages and a team building aspect, all of which should form the basis for a well-known spin-off that playfully experiments with the genre. Instead, it sucks the childish miracle out of a funny premise by making Pokémon's secret life seem deeply boring.

New but not improved

The one-button combat system is not the only change to the remake. The Rescue Team DX is equipped with new features and quality of life improvements that are designed to improve the experience. Adding shiny Pokémon and Mega developments makes collecting exciting. There are more moves available, a passive bonus system and new ways to amplify Pokémon and their attacks. All of this adds a little more depth to team building.

Not every new function improves the experience. The remake increases team size from six to eight and allows players to randomly recruit defeated enemies in dungeons. As the group size increases, the gameplay changes from a tactical grid-based fight to a chaotic mosh pit that is difficult to master. As soon as Pokémon are in the mix again, the game plays almost automatically. Most encounters end before the player even has the opportunity to start their own attack.

Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX

It's a bit like an older brother giving his sibling a disconnected controller and making them think they are playing. I often felt like this unsuspecting child when my teammates attacked enemies and moved in a way that felt completely out of my control. If I tried to escape a situation so I could team up with my rescue team, my character would stop so the camera could go back to other Pokémon that were having a blast.

Rescue Team DX feels less improved than a misguided pivot that confuses the ease of accessibility.

It's a change that feels like it should make the experience easier for children, but it goes so far that it's almost condescending. There's even a new auto mode that allows the team to move around the dungeon independently by pressing L.

The design choices are a bit strange considering that kids had no trouble clinging to Pokémon Red and Blue when the series came out. Despite Game Boy's limitations, Game Freak provided a complex but accessible role-playing game that everyone could enjoy. The Pokémon Company has always struggled to restore the same magic in spin-offs.

Rescue Team DX feels less improved than a misguided pivot that confuses the ease of accessibility. The result is something that feels so cautious when it's child-friendly that it threatens to alienate everyone else in the process.

Full of charm

Despite its dreary gameplay, Rescue Team DX is a vibrant adventure full of Pokémon charm. The Game Boy Advance sprites are replaced with a pleasant hand-drawn style reminiscent of Kirby's Dreamland 3. It's a relaxing look that makes the world of Pokémon appear colorful and inviting.

With no people in sight, the playful dialogue gives creatures the opportunity to show their personality. High-spirited Alakazams, mischievous Gengars and wise Wiscashes populate the world of the game, making Pokémon feel more clearly and less like interchangeable fighting animals.

His story delivers a kind message that teaches children the value of teamwork.

The story itself is a standard adventure rate, but offers moments of genuine empathy that fit well into the franchise. In other Pokémon games, Man and Monster work together to defeat everyone on their way to championship gold. The DX rescue team is less controversial and focuses more on how the power of friendship can be used to help those in need. Sure, it's cheesy, but the narrative delivers a positive message that is easy to get past.

Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX

Here Rescue Team DX is a child's play with greater appeal. His story delivers a kind message that teaches children the value of teamwork. This is a simple concept that adults sometimes need to be reminded of.

The idea of ​​child-friendly gaming shouldn't be about watering things down to automation. It's about giving younger players the right motivation and fun, flexible ways to learn lessons. Rescue Team DX provides only half of this equation.

Our opinion

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX is a monotonous task that spoils its charming premise with weak villain-like design and repetitive battles. The colorful, new graphics and endearing story give the remake a welcome dose of character, but the additional features over-simplify the adventure. It may be enough to keep the franchise's youngest fans busy for a few hours, but there are many other Pokémon games on Switch that offer a more satisfying experience for all ages.

Is there a better alternative?

Pokémon Quest is a free mobile and switch game with similar mechanisms that makes better use of its small requirements.

How long it will take?

The main story takes 15 to 20 hours, but finding a full collection can take at least a dozen more.

Should you buy it

No. There are many Pokémon games for all ages that don't compromise on fun.

Editor's recommendations




11 Mar
Blog

2020 New York Auto Show Coverage

The New York International Auto Show was officially postponed to August due to concerns about the proliferation of the COVID-19 coronavirus novel. The show was scheduled for April 10-19. The new dates are August 28 through September 6, 2020; Press days are August 26th and 27th. Automakers around the world often save their best for the Big Apple, and a barrage of zealous fans shows that muscle cars and motors can drive fans to the Javits Center as quickly as they reach you from the start A to Pont B. Digital Trends presents the best wheels on the exhibition space and every big debut.

11 Mar
Blog

Fujifilm X-T4 Hands-on Review: Near Photographic Perfection

Fujifilm X-T4

Fujifilm X-T4

"There is still room for improvement, but the X-T4 is the closest to the perfect camera."

  • Great 5-axis stabilization

  • Fully movable screen

  • 600-shot battery

  • Mechanical shutter at 15 frames per second

  • Refined video control

  • RIP headphone jack

  • No high-resolution recording mode

When Fujifilm launched the X-T4 in February, I was concerned that we finally had the perfect camera. It was supposed to fix every problem I've ever addressed with previous X-T flagships by adding image stabilization in the body, a fully moving screen and (finally!) A higher capacity battery. Would I have nothing more to list in the "Disadvantages" section?

Fortunately, from a reviewer's perspective, there is still room for criticism. Fujifilm's inexplicable decision to take a step out of Apple's book and remove the headphone jack isn't the end of the world, but it's a disappointment.

When the capabilities and costs of a product like the X-T4 improve, expectations also change. A missing function that I may have previously ignored is suddenly a point of longing. And when the price of this mark approaches $ 2,000, the inevitable comparison with full-frame cameras becomes part of the conversation.

But don't be upset about Fujifilm fans. The X-T4 may not be perfect, but it is a class-defining camera and one of the most sophisticated and feature-rich cameras at all costs.

Note: I was provided with a pre-production camera for this practical device, which still had some errors and inconsistencies in the fit and finish. I have not included these questions in my judgment.

New functions and improvements

The X-T4 looks like an X-T3 that has been in the gym for a few months. Although the difference is small and difficult to discern without direct comparison, it is physically larger and heavier and more robust in the hand.

This Swol frame supports a 5-axis IBIS (In-Body Image Stabilization) system, a variable-angle LCD screen that folds forward a full 180 degrees, and a 2200 mAh battery – about 1,000 mAh more than the previous battery.

This is not the first time that we have seen the sensor displacement stabilize in the Fujifilm X series. This loan goes to the larger and more expensive Fujifilm X-H1; A camera that I praised for its video functions, but which was surpassed by the X-T3 in every way (except stabilization).

Fujifilm had to develop a completely new gimbal to integrate IBIS into the smaller X-T body style. In fact, however, it is better than the stabilization of the X-H1 and offers up to 6.5 levels of blur reduction on some lenses and no less than 5 on the others.

Interestingly, the optically stabilized lenses do not offer the best performance. Even the first generation primes, like my 35mm 1: 1.4R and 23mm 1: 1.4R, are suitable for 6.5 stops. In fact, the lowest rated lenses are among the optically stabilized sets, including the 80mm F2.8 OIS macro, which is the only lens that offers only 5 levels of blur reduction.

The X-T4 is not the first camera in the X series to have a fully moving screen. However, the X-T4 is the first flagship with such a screen and a blessing for vloggers and YouTubers who need an easy way to monitor themselves in front of the camera.

An articulated monitor isn't much of an advantage for Fujifilm's core audience of still photographers, but the X-T4 is ready to break out of the brand's niche. Because of the excellent video capabilities, I expect that many customers will use the new monitor.

Both still photographers and videographers will appreciate the larger battery. It is designed for up to 600 exposures in economy mode, 500 in normal mode and 480 in boost mode. For occasional use, there's nothing wrong with keeping the camera in economy mode, but I haven't found any reason to worry about battery life in boost mode either, which improves autofocus speed and LCD / EVF frame rates. This is the most comfortable way to use the camera.

design

Aside from major new features, a few small design improvements solidify the X-T4's position as a focal point for professionals.

The new shutter mechanism is designed for 300,000 exposures during its lifetime, twice as much as the X-T3. It can also shoot at 15 frames per second in continuous mode, an impressive feat for a mechanical shutter that can only be achieved by much more expensive, bespoke sports cameras.

For the inexperienced eye, the control layout looks identical to the X-T3, but a few buttons have been repositioned and a button change made: A switch for the still image / film mode has replaced the measurement mode selector switch nested under the shutter speed. This is a more intuitive way to activate film mode, which was previously just an option on the drive mode dial.

Still and film modes now have different menus, so you can save different settings for each mode. For hybrid shooters, this saves time and ensures that you don't accidentally forget to change a setting when you switch modes.

The video mode is largely the same as the X-T3 and internally records 10-bit 4K at up to 400 megabits per second. However, Full HD videos can now be recorded at 240 frames per second, even if cropped, for up to 10 times slow motion playback. You get better quality at lower frame rates, but it's fun.

However, a small change is an undeniable negative, and that is removing the headphone jack. The X-T3 and the X-T2 both offered this. Fujifilm includes a USB-C to 3.5mm adapter in the box, but is still an additional accessory that you need to carry with you. This is a strange omission for a camera that is otherwise friendly to videographers.

There is also no external charger included, although the camera can be charged via USB-C. Again, it's not a deal-breaker for the average user, but a bit strange for a camera that appeals to enthusiasts and professionals who often need to charge a battery while taking pictures with another. For those who need it, an optional dual battery charger will be available for $ 70.

I can't blame Fujifilm too much. This was probably a step to keep the cost of the camera as low as possible. At $ 1,700, the X-T4 starts at $ 300 less than the X-H1, but is a better camera in every way except that it doesn't have an upper LCD display.

Photo and video quality

The X-T4 uses the same 26-megapixel X-Trans sensor and the same X-processor-4 image processor as the previous model. So there is nothing new to say about RAW image quality. It's very good, although high ISO shots are certainly louder than the best full-frame cameras.

Without a new film simulation, however, this would not be a new Fujifilm camera, and with the X-T4 we get the Eterna Bleach Bypass. This is based on the Eterna simulation that was introduced with the X-H1 (which I liked very much), but mimics the film development technique known as bleaching bypass.

Skipping the bleaching step would leave a color film with the silver layer intact, which would result in a semi-transparent monochromatic image overlaid on a color photo. The result is an image with low saturation and high contrast.

The Eterna Bleach Bypass does not provide a look that everyone likes, but it is a unique in-camera effect that matches some motifs and moods. For this review I took all my pictures with a film simulation exposure series so that I can try out Eterna Bleach Bypass without taking the risk of sticking to it.

The film simulation exposure series applies up to three simulations to the same exposure and thus enables multiple looks (in my case Eterna Bleach Bypass, regular Eterna and Provia). This is not a big deal if you can shoot RAW and change profiles later, but JPEGs in the camera do not have the same flexibility.

However, the biggest contribution to image quality is the IBIS system. This allows you to shoot at slower shutter speeds without worrying about camera shake, which can result in sharper images. In some situations, shooting with a slower shutter will allow a lower ISO, resulting in less noise.

In practice, I am not sure that I have reached the full 6.5 stops with my lenses, but it is important to note that this rating comes from standard CIPA tests that only take pitch and yaw movement into account and vertical and horizontal shifts are ignored.

Nevertheless, I only shot 1/8 of a second with the 35 mm and achieved sharp, usable results. This is good enough for most situations. With the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III, you cannot take handheld night sky shots, but otherwise the stabilization of the X-T4 is excellent.

As with the X-H1, I recommend setting the stabilization to "continuous operation". This keeps IBIS constantly active, which stabilizes the image preview and gives you a perfect frame. Otherwise, IBIS is only activated when you take a picture. This can extend battery life, but it will show a blurry thumbnail.

A function that I would have liked to have seen with the X-T4 is a high-resolution mode, as can be found in many Panasonic and Olympus cameras with sensor shift stabilization. By multiple exposures and shifting the sensor by one pixel each additional resolution and color accuracy can be recorded. I am not an engineer, but I suspect that the complex pixel arrangement of X-Trans sensors would make it difficult to apply the same pixel shifting technique used by cameras with standard Bayer sensors.

The Fujifilm X-T4 is a great camera

With $ 1,700, the X-T4 is pushing into full-screen territory. The excellent Nikon Z 6, which was less than $ 1,850 at the time of writing, offers better image quality in low light and comparable 5-axis stabilization.

Even this camera lacks the speed and video functions of the X-T4 (at least without adding an external recorder). It's also bigger overall, especially if you consider the full-frame lenses.

The Sony A6600 is the closest direct competitor and is currently significantly cheaper thanks to manufacturer discounts that cost just under $ 1,200. That's a lot of camera for the money, even if the X-T4 outperforms it in some ways, from continuous shooting to video quality to shutter speed and EVF resolution.

As a dedicated APS-C system, Fujifilm has the most comprehensive portfolio of format-specific lenses. You don't have the full-screen upgrade path you get with Sony, but for most of us, it just means you don't need it.

It's also worth noting that the X-T3 remains in Fujifilm's product range at a reduced price of $ 1,300. It is still a fantastic camera.

I have no problem calling the Fujifilm X-T4 the best APS-C camera I've ever used. It is a first-class act, elegantly designed for the photography enthusiast, with a love of detail that only Leica competes with. They shoot not only for the results, but also for the joy of the experience.

I can't say that about the competition.

Editor's recommendations




10 Mar
Blog

Laptop Buying Guide: What to Look For in 2020 and What to Avoid

With so many worthy options on the market, buying a laptop in 2020 is no easy task. For this reason, we got our hands on this year's leaders with MacOS, Windows and Chrome OS. We tested the best laptops on the market and sorted our top picks according to your budget (entry-level, mainstream and premium) to help you find the laptop that best fits your (and your wallet's) needs.

Mac, Windows or something else?

The first big consideration when choosing your new laptop is which operating system to run. While this debate has traditionally been dominated by Apple's MacOS and Microsoft Windows, it is also worth considering Google's Chrome OS today, which is offered on much cheaper laptops.

Comparable hardware and functions are certainly offered with these platforms, but there are some serious differences between them that have to be taken into account.

Windows

PCs are an incredibly diverse category. There are dozens of manufacturers who make PCs, and the quality and prices can vary widely depending on the model and brand you choose. The fastest PCs outperform Macs in performance, and many companies customize their PCs for a specific purpose, such as: B. games or companies.

Windows typically runs Windows as an operating system, which is much more open than MacOS and is updated more frequently. There is also more software for Windows. Windows in particular is the standard for game development and many business-related programs.

Windows devices come in different shapes and sizes. A standard laptop with a clamshell design and keyboard-mouse surface is easy to find. Touchscreen Windows laptops can also be found in the lower price ranges. The more elaborate designs include folding screens or even removable tablet-keyboard combinations such as Microsoft's own Surface Book series. Windows laptops are usually also supplied with touch screens, which is not the case with any Apple MacBook offer – unless you count the touch bar.

In contrast to Apple's more limited hardware offer, there is a large selection in the Windows laptop area. Regardless of whether you choose a large manufacturer like Lenovo or Dell or one of Microsoft's own devices, you have a variety of options with Windows laptops.

Mac OS

Macbook Air (2018) review

Apple has always protected its brand and released products in very deliberate iterations. Every Apple product follows its standards, while every manufacturer can make a PC with unique specifications. Therefore, Macs are very user-friendly. Apple tells you exactly what you get, regardless of which MacBook you buy. With all Macs coming from the same ecosystem, the company's resourceful support network can easily help with any problems that arise.

Quality design is one of the hallmarks of a Mac. They are built to look and feel elegant. This also applies to the Apple MacOS operating system, which is straightforward and intuitive. Macs also come with a suite of proprietary software preinstalled, and each application works well for tasks like editing videos or music.

Macs also use fast hardware, so those who want a solid computer but don't know much about hardware can rest assured that their Mac will perform well in everyday use. However, they are not equipped with the most powerful graphics chips and have a much higher price than their Windows and Chrome OS colleagues, especially if they are configured with a lot of memory. Apple computers are not known to be cheap.

In many ways, Apple's strict design standards mean that the products are easy to learn and use by anyone, regardless of a person's skills or familiarity with computers. On the other hand, the rigid design of the Mac means less freedom to customize the device. The hardware available is the hardware you get. In addition, Apple only sells a few different MacBook models at a given time. Irregular hardware updates do not always keep them up to date.

Apple recently simplified its MacBook line of products and removed both the 12-inch MacBook and the MacBook Pro without a touch bar. You only have two options: the MacBook Air and the MacBook Pro, both of which received minor upgrades in 2019. For more information on the best MacBooks, see our more detailed guide.

Chrome OS

Acer Chromebook 514 reviewMark Coppock / Digital Trends

Google's Chrome OS is a little different from the other two main offerings. It powers "Chromebook" laptops and is based on Google’s Chrome browser. This means that desktop applications cannot run like the other two platforms. This is great if you're a PC user who just needs a laptop to read email, watch Netflix, and occasionally play a game or two. It's not that great if you want to use the full functionality of a desktop platform.

Even so, Chrome OS is now faster and more versatile than ever and supports thousands of Chrome extensions and a variety of Android apps – although they may not always scale well with larger laptop displays. The selection of hardware is much more diverse today than in the past. Powerful offers like Google's own Pixelbook are similar to premium Windows and MacOS laptops. There are even 2-in-1 options like Pixel Slate or HP Chromebook x2.

Chrome OS is certainly a less powerful platform than Windows and MacOS. However, if it meets the requirements for what you want to do on your laptop, you can save a lot of money by using the Google platform versus the other two.

The types of laptops

There are different categories of laptops that are made for a specific use or target group. When buying a laptop, decide what you want to use the laptop for primarily and find a category that fits those interests. Here are some broad categories and some of our favorites for everyone.

Entry ($ 600 or less)

Acer Chromebook 15 Spin ReviewMark Coppock / Digital Trends

Laptops can be expensive, but with a few cuts, many manufacturers produce great laptops that cost $ 600 or less. Buyers who need a laptop for the most basic purposes (word processing, surfing the internet, etc.) and want to save money may think that an affordable laptop is all they need. Budget laptops are generally easily equipped with hardware such as graphics or RAM. Don't expect to be able to run AAA games or switch between a hundred browser tabs with ease. However, this does not mean that they are unable.

This is a category in which Chromebooks shine by missing out on some of the fancier features of Windows and MacOS laptops. However, there are options from these two camps. The best affordable laptops will continue to be built for a long life, with competent construction and ergonomically sensible keyboards and touchpads. Entry-level laptops are generally great for people who may not know much about computers and are simply looking for a device that can do standard tasks.

Some great entry-level laptops worth considering are the fantastic Acer Chromebook 15 Spin or the Lenovo IdeaPad 330S. If portability is more important to you, we also love the Microsoft Surface Go 2-in-1 because of its great design and its extremely affordable price.

Mainstream ($ 600- $ 1000)

asus zenbook 13 ux333fa

This price range is arguably the best in terms of Bang for Buck. You get much better internal hardware than the entry-level deals, but don't pay a premium for some of the fancy materials used to make the most expensive laptops. You will have to do without one or the other function and you won't see a powerful graphics chip for your money, but the systems in this price range are really excellent laptops.

The fact that this area is a sweet spot for the industry means that you have a wide range to choose from. There are laptops with great displays, laptops with powerful processors, nice looking laptops, and those that are light, portable, and have great battery life. You may not find a system that meets all of these criteria, but the best laptops under $ 1,000 are some of our favorites.

If you're looking for a great gaming laptop in this price range, the Dell Gaming G3 is a powerful option, while the ZenBook 13 UX333 remains one of the best laptops under $ 1,000.

Premium (over $ 1,000)

Dell XPS 13 2019 Review (9380)Riley Young / Digital Trends

If your pockets are a little deeper, there are few better laptops than those in the premium mount. For a little more money, you get longer battery life, improved performance through more powerful internal hardware, larger and higher-resolution displays, and overall better build quality. This mount contains some of the best laptops you can buy today. So if you're a bit more power user and can afford it, this is the class of laptops you should consider the most.

Despite the inflated cost of the premium laptop category, there is still a wide range to choose from. You can purchase outstanding 13-inch laptops with numerous general computing powers and connectivity options. If you want to play games or create content on the side, consider switching to a 15-inch laptop with a six-core processor and a dedicated graphics card.

This category even includes our favorite laptop of recent years, the Dell XPS 13. If you want something stronger and more powerful for content creation, the Dell XPS 15 is also worth considering. For gamers, the Razer Blade is the best laptop we've ever seen, while the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme offers real performance in an extremely sturdy case.

If you're an Apple fan, we recommend the MacBook Air. The MacBook Pro is also an option, but that's more for power users and offers less money.

2 in 1

Surface per 6Dan Baker / Digital Trends

The 2-in-1 laptop or convertible laptop combines the convenience and lightness of a tablet with the usefulness of a keyboard. There are two ways to do this: either the two are attached, but the keyboard can fold behind the touchscreen, or the tablet side can be completely detached from the keyboard.

Cabriolets offer great versatility, but are not necessarily the best devices available. The uniqueness of their design can come with some notable drawbacks, such as: B. the weight (especially the metal hinges on the keyboard) and the price. Convertible laptops are often more expensive than clamshell laptops with comparable hardware.

When it comes to buying a 2-in-1 device, some are better laptops than tablets, and some are better tablets than laptops. Before you buy, think carefully about which mode you are likely to use more and do it accordingly.

Our preferred 2-in-1 laptops for 2020 are the Microsoft Surface Pro 6 and the HP Specter x360 13.

Business laptops

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (2018) reviewBill Roberson / Digital Trends

Just because business laptops are designed for business users does not mean that they do not offer interesting functions for the average buyer. While they may not always look like mainstream systems, they tend to pack exceptional battery life under the hood and have more robust and sturdy shells to hit on the go. They also tend to have slightly larger displays, often with great color accuracy, if they are more aimed at video editors and photographers.

Due to the increased emphasis on security and data protection, these laptops are more likely to offer better protection systems such as biometric validation and professional software packages.

The main disadvantage of a business laptop is that it is usually expensive. If you're less worried and you're not a gambler, there are few better laptops than those aimed at business users and commuters.

One of the best-known laptop lines in the business category is the Lenovo Thinkpad, and the current X1 Carbon is a fantastic entry into this product line. We also love the flagship X1 Extreme – it's our favorite business laptop for 2020.

Gaming laptops

Razer Blade base model comparedDan Baker / Digital Trends

Graphics are getting better, levels are getting bigger and denser, and many games require the ability to press a certain number of keys at just the right time. With all of this in mind, gaming laptops have to be built to keep up with the constant progress. The best gaming laptops offer high-end processors and graphics chips, as well as enough RAM for modern games.

Gaming laptops tend to be bulkier to accommodate better hardware and bigger screens. Thanks to its powerful hardware, the battery life is also not too long – especially in systems with 4K displays. However, this is not always the case. Our preferred gaming laptops usually offer a good middle ground or more stealth gaming skills.

Alienware's Area-51m is more of a traditional gaming laptop with super-strong hardware and a bulky frame, but the Razer Blade is a much more modern version of a gaming laptop design.

What you need to know about hardware

As with any computer, the hardware of a laptop determines what it can do. Better hardware is of course more expensive. Therefore, it is important to consider what you are using the laptop for and to choose the appropriate hardware for this purpose. A laptop that is only used for general purposes such as surfing the Internet or writing documents is unlikely to need a high-end processor or graphics card.

CPU / processor

As with any computer, the CPU does most of the processes for the laptop. Every time the computer needs to access or change data, the CPU performs this task. Better CPUs can process more data faster. Note that the pure clock speed of a CPU does not necessarily result in the whole picture. If you are not sure about your options, copy the processor model number (eg "Core i5-9400H") to a web search to compare your selection.

The latest offerings from Intel are the Core i3, i5 and i7 series in 8th generation models. However, we are beginning to introduce 9th generation chips in gaming laptops and content creation machines. Below we also see the first 10th generation Ice Lake CPUs in new laptop designs. The latest chips from AMD are third-generation Ryzen mobile CPUs, which are somewhat more difficult to find in laptop offerings.

When it comes to choosing a laptop based on its CPU, the new one is almost always better. Avoid buying a laptop with a CPU that is several generations old. Don't worry if you buy a chip out of the middle range unless you're doing something intense like video editing. For example, the four cores available in the Core i5-8565U are a good starting point for most people.

graphic

A graphics chip generates the images that a program must display on the screen. With most laptops, the graphics chip is integrated into the motherboard. Unlike a desktop, updating a laptop's graphics is very rare and difficult. It is therefore important to start by buying what you need.

NVIDIA and AMD are the main providers of discrete mobile graphics. The latest series from NVIDIA is the RTX 20 series, including the RTX 2060, 2070 and 2080 – with some Max-Q versions that are cooler and quieter. These will be included in the most expensive, high-performance gaming and business-class laptops, though some newer models may use the slightly older 10 series or the GTX 1080, 1070, and 1060.

AMD's offers differ somewhat in that the Vega chips are usually supplied with a CPU in a CPU that AMD calls the Accelerated Processing Unit (APU). There are also a growing number of options with an Intel CPU combined with an AMD Vega graphics core on a single chip. They can be impressively powerful and worth considering if you can find a laptop with this hardware at the right price.

There are also rumors of an upcoming mobile RX 5500M GPU that could be far more powerful. One to see before Christmas.

Audio

Although there are some laptops that offer a reasonable sound immediately, such as For example, the MacBook Pro, most laptops have no room for decent speakers in the case. Most laptops offer connections for connecting headphones or external speakers if you want an even more intense listening experience.

memory

RAM, often referred to as memory, refers to the ability of the computer to store and access information for immediate use. Every task currently running on a computer uses RAM. The more RAM a computer has, the more information it can retrieve at a given time and the more things it can do at any time.

How much RAM do you need? 8 GB is the sweet spot for most. However, you want to jump to 16 GB or more when running intensive applications or creating content.

camp

The storage space on the internal drives of a laptop indicates how much data can be stored in total. Programs, videos, music: All of these programs are stored on an internal drive or in cheaper laptops, the "flash memory" – the same type of long-term storage that your smartphone has. In contrast to RAM, stored data does not necessarily have to be used. A program that is installed on the computer but is not currently running takes up space but no memory. Nowadays, many laptops use solid-state drives – also known as SSDs – that are faster and more robust than conventional hard drives at the cost of storage space.

An SSD offers a dramatic increase in performance over a conventional hard drive and can bring about the most dramatic improvement in laptop use when purchasing a new system. Make sure your next purchase has one. If you need more space, use a large external drive.

Touchscreen support

A few years ago, a touchscreen was a novelty that was only found in high-end laptops, mainly because the hardware and software just weren't sophisticated enough to make it useful for most people. With the explosion of smartphone and tablet users, Microsoft, Google and laptop manufacturers have gone to great lengths to create a high quality touchscreen experience. Touchscreens are now optional on some budget designs.

Bill Roberson / Digital Trends

Windows 10 has done a lot to make these touchscreen and combination designs more profitable. The user interface and software are designed with touch in mind, including traditional programs like Office and the Edge browser. Third-party software such as Google's popular Chrome browser also offers excellent touch support.

With some laptops, you have to pay for the privilege of touch. So before you buy, think again about whether it is something you really need.

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The Steel Mace: The First 3 Moves to Learn

The steel mace (mace bell or gada) has been used by Hindu warriors for over 2,000 years. It has recently found a new popularity in the fitness world as it strengthens and stabilizes the shoulders, back, core, hips and grip.

Although the mace can be intimidating due to its aggressive looking nature, getting into the mace is fairly easy.

With these three movements you can walk the path to master the mace.

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