24 Jul
Blog

Twinkly Line Review: Dazzling Light Show, Short On Length

Twinkly Line Review Smart LED Light Bar 3 of 10

"The special effects from Twinkly are abundant and give every room the perfect ambience."

advantages

  • Lots of preset lighting effects

  • Easy assembly with adhesive strips

  • Custom effects can easily be set up

disadvantage

  • Very short length to work with

After setting up the Twinkly Flex a few weeks ago, I didn't think there would be other smart lights that could achieve nearly the same level of excitement that I had with the Flex's dazzling light show. Well, unless it's something Twinkly. The company's move to year-round smart lights has so far impressed me with the performance of the Flex rather than just relying on its bread and butter Christmas lights.

With the Twinkly Line, however, it is entering a room that is already saturated with other intelligent LED light strips from the competition. Don't be fooled if you think this is your ordinary LED light strip because the magic lies not just in its brightness intensity or different colors it can produce, but rather in the special effects you can create for a custom, unique one Can use light show.

installation

Unlike the Twinkly Flex, which required more labor because it had to be attached to the wall with screws, the Twinkly Line is much easier to install. However, I had to be meticulous with the placement as this is meant to serve as an accent light – so you really don't want it to be outdoors. I ended up placing it under the windowsill in my living room, which is a bit hidden apart from the fact that the power cord snakes around one side.

Twinkly Line individual LED lighting in different colors.John Velasco / Digital Trends

The 5 foot length of the Twinkly Line proved a little tricky as I wanted to install it in one of the cabinets in my entertainment center first. However, it just wasn't long enough to cover what I needed. You can technically lengthen the length by purchasing additional 5-foot extensions that sell for about $ 37, but the cost to meet the need will add up quickly – the initial cost of the Twinkly Line is about $ 67. Dollar.

Attaching the Twinkly Line to a surface is quite easy because the underside is covered with an adhesive. Some pressure is required to ensure it stays in place while the three-prong connector is attached to one end of the conduit to complete the installation. There are clips that are included, but I found the adhesive wasn't strong enough to stay firmly in place overnight – it instead dangled from the wall the next day.

software

Basically, the Twinkly Line works like almost any other smart LED light bar on the market. You can choose different colors through the app, but what makes it unique are the different special effects that Twinkly offers. From different colors in a rainbow pattern to a neat effect that mixes two colors that start at either end of the strip, it's the customization and special effects that make it unique.

While there are several different presets to choose from in the app, you can better customize the effect due to the ability to assign the lights with your smartphone's camera. That way, the effects will be exactly the same as what you see in the app, but this becomes more noticeable when you group different Twinkly lights – resulting in elaborate pattern effects that can go from side to side. The Twinkly app is straightforward to use and the ability to easily adjust the light pattern makes it special.

perfomance

I think it's great that Twinkly has entered the category of smart LED light strips with the Line. The colors are punchy and moderately bright compared to some other comparable light strips. It's certainly not as powerful as the Twinkly Flex, but the Line still emits enough light to complement the most important lights in the house. It's not intrusive what I like about an accent light.

Some of the special effects are pretty mind-blowing.

Some of the special effects are pretty mind-boggling, which I've seen with all of the Twinkly Smart Lights I've come across. The only real limitation here is just the length, which at 5 feet forces you to really think about placement. In particular, it's not quite as flexible as other LED light strips I've used, so it's almost impossible to bend it into a 90-degree angle – although the plastic cover over the strip certainly gives the durability to potentially help it hold up potentially long term.

Rainbow colors emitted by the Twinkly Line.

Regardless, the Twinkly Line's performance is exceptional in every season. The experience is also enhanced as it is compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant for quick and easy voice control. I managed to make it part of my living room lighting so that it can turn all the lights in the room on and off when I ask the Google Assistant.

Our opinion

The only disadvantage here is that the price of the Twinkly Line is higher than other intelligent LED light strips. You'll have to spend roughly $ 67 for the 5 foot base strip, and then an additional $ 37 for each 5 foot extension. This undoubtedly adds up quickly when your budget is tight.

Still, it's a perfect match if you already have Smart Lights from Twinkly as the grouping feature I could add makes for a dazzling presentation when you have multiple lights with the same effect.

Is there a better alternative?

If you want to save money, you get a lot more Govee Smart LED light bar. For $ 34, you get 32.8-foot lighting to work with, which is more than enough to cover larger spaces and corners.

Philips Hue offers its own intelligent LED light strip that is priced a little higher than what the Twinkly Line currently offers. Technically, you have 6 feet of lighting to work with, but it's an easy decision to buy if you've already invested in the Philips Hue ecosystem.

How long it will take?

The robust outer housing of the Twinkly Line feels super robust. While bending it at an angle is out of the question, the LED lights are encased to prevent moisture from messing up or possibly ruining the light. In the event of a defect, there is a one-year limited warranty that comes with the product.

Should you buy it?

If the cost isn't too high for you, the Twinkly Line has a unique light show that will make your neighbors jealous when they see the show from the outside.

Editor's recommendations



24 Jul
Blog

Just How Amazing is Simone Biles’ Yurchenko Double Pike

The first woman to land the impossible move just repeated it in training at the Tokyo Olympics.

Olympic gymnast Simone Biles landed the Yurchenko Double Pike in the jumping exercise at the US Classic 2021. The first woman to ever perform the "impossible" move in competition mastered the exact same move on the training podium at the Tokyo Olympics.

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24 Jul
Blog

A Successful Career in Fitness With Tony Gentilcore

A conversation with Tony Gentilcore about the many different ways of starting a fitness career.

In this episode, I'm excited to discuss with Tony Gentilcore how he made his way in the fitness industry and built a thriving business through coaching, writing, and education.

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23 Jul
Blog

Fitfluencers Should Be Celebrating National Junk Food Day

July 21st is National Junk Food Day in the United States. There's a message in there for everyone somewhere.

Today is a great day for Fitfluencers as it is National Junk Food Day. Right, a full day is devoted to celebrating burgers and fries, fried Snickers bars, Cheetos, Mountain Dew, the oeuvre of Steven Seagal and the numerous memes on social media that are considered "health advice" these days.

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23 Jul
Blog

Tapping Into the Power of Identity Is the Secret to Sustainable Fitness

How to redesign your identity to fit who you are and who you want to be.

My father started waking my older brother and I a few days a week to practice karate and lift weights in the basement of the elementary school. While I wouldn't recommend starting weights at eight-year-olds, these experiences had a lasting impact on me.

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23 Jul
Blog

Billionaires in Space: World Deadlift Record at Stake

Will Elon Musk be the first billionaire in space to weigh 1,300 pounds? We really hope so.

Billionaires in space are one thing. But let's face it, they didn't do anything other than just look out the window and take selfies. What looks like a missed opportunity.

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23 Jul
Blog

Sennheiser CX True Wireless Review: Budget Audiophile Buds

Sennheiser CX True Wireless Earphones.

Sennheiser CX True Wireless

RRP $ 130.00

"They offer the best sound you can find in an affordable set of earbuds."

advantages

  • Excellent sound quality

  • Customizable EQ

  • Precise and customizable controls

  • Sidetone for telephone calls

  • Good battery life

disadvantage

  • No in-ear sensors

  • No transparency mode

  • Could be difficult to get a secure fit

True wireless earbuds have always been a dilemma. Unlike their wired cousins, wireless earbuds require a variety of components such as batteries, charging cases, bluetooth radios, amplifiers, etc. All of these drive up costs and make it difficult to deliver high quality sound at affordable prices. Sennheiser – a brand with an enviable reputation for great sound – is experimenting with the line between quality and affordability.

Its first recording was the $ 200 CX 400BT it launched in 2020, a set of true wireless earbuds that did deliver sound but missed a lot of the features we'd expect at this price point. Sennheiser's second act is the $ 130 CX True Wireless. Are these buds achieving that magical balance between price and performance? We put them to the test to find out.

What's in the box?

Scope of delivery of the Sennheiser CX True Wireless earphones.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

Sennheiser is one of a growing list of companies that have made their packaging highly recyclable. The box of the CX True Wireless consists of plain printed cardboard and even the small packaging that protects the included earplugs is paper-based. You won't find a hint of plastic or foam anywhere. Inside you will find the earphones, their charging case, earbuds in four sizes, a short USB-A to USB-C charging cable and some paper documentation.

design

Sennheiser CX True Wireless earphones next to the Sennheiser CX 400BT True Wireless earphones.Sennheiser CX 400BT (left) and CX True Wireless Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

Visually, the CX True Wireless can hardly be distinguished from the CX 400BT. Both the charging case and the earphones have identical proportions. On closer inspection, there are small differences: the CX True Wireless have a more subtle branding that some will no doubt prefer, and their charging case has removed the dedicated pairing button from the case of the CX 400BT. The touch controls now use a matte plastic surface instead of a glossy surface.

If you pull one off this review, here it is: The CX True Wireless are a sound bargain.

The earbuds stay a bit bulky and won't win any awards for style. But the rounded box shape makes it easier than many other earbuds to insert into your ears without accidentally triggering a control path – it also makes it easy to remove and reinsert in their charging case.

One thing that has changed from the CX 400BT is the addition of an IPX4 rating for water resistance. This means that the CX True Wireless is on par with other earphones such as the AirPods Pro. They won't survive a swim in the pool, but now you can at least take them to the gym, on the track, or wherever you sweat without worrying about your earplugs.

Comfort, controls and connections

Unfortunately, since the CX True Wireless inherited its size and shape from the CX 400BT, they also inherited the fit of these earbuds, meaning they may not be comfortable. In order to get a really comfortable and secure fit, I have set myself a set Comply foam earplugs – the same ones I ended up using on the CX 400BT to deal with the same situation.

Sennheiser is still one of the few companies that really understands what is important when it comes to touch control.

To be fair, the silicone earbuds that Sennheiser included with the CX True Wireless are likely to work for a lot of people and I would never say they are uncomfortable. But they definitely don't fit as securely as foam, nor do they seal your ear canals as effectively. If you run into the same thing, just buy some comply tips from Amazon for a few dollars – you'll thank me for that.

The touch controls on the CX are excellent. Sennheiser is still one of the few companies that really understands what is important when it comes to touch control. The control surfaces are large and clear – it's effortless to get consistently accurate taps. As a bonus, a subtle tone confirms that you typed correctly.

You can adjust these controls with the Sennheiser Smart Control app. Single, double and triple taps can all be assigned to the function you want, and you can choose a different function for each earbud – handy when you want to use the earbuds independently (which you can do for both music and calls). You get everything you need: play / pause, skip tracks forwards / backwards, trigger your voice assistant and increase / decrease the volume. The only feature that can't be changed is the volume, which the long tap gesture requires when you want to use it.

Pairing with iPhones or Android devices is easy, even if the CX doesn't come with Google's Fast Pair – a few taps and you're done. If you're on an iPhone, you're limited to the good but lossy AAC codec, while Android users can enjoy the slightly higher quality aptX codec. But regardless of your source device, you can't hike very far. The CX has one of the shortest wireless signals I've ever tested – they started to dissipate when I placed just 6 meters between me and my phone. If you have your phone with you, this shouldn't be a problem. But if you want to leave your phone in a pocket or locker, be ready to stay around.

Sound quality

Sennheiser CX True Wireless earphones next to the charging case.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

With the included silicone earbuds, I found the CX True Wireless a bit anemic for the bass, but that was a purely fit function. After I swapped them for the foam tips, the sound improved dramatically. If you pull one off this review, here it is: The CX True Wireless are a sound bargain. They deliver impressively detailed and precise performance that comes incredibly close to earbuds from Sony, Bose, JBL, and Master & Dynamic, which can cost anywhere from $ 250 to $ 350.

The soundstage is wide and deep, and purists will like that Sennheiser's factory EQ settings give you a flat / neutral signature. But I usually find neutral EQ sounds boring at my preferred volume levels, so I love that the Smart Control app gives you two ways to visualize and change the emphasis of lows, mids, and highs, and create presets when You can find a setting that you like. You can clearly energize the lows and highs without losing details in the mids.

I've spent quite a bit of time switching from one genre to another, and whether it was jazz, pop, metal or hip-hop, the CX True Wireless did them wonderfully. If you've never really listened to decent earbuds, the CX will also bring you one of my favorite experiences: hearing a detail on one of your favorite tracks that you've never heard before, or rendering it to make a smile on your face.

When conditions are relatively calm, your voice will be nice and clear, with very little compression or wobble.

One track that certainly did this for me is Melanie Martinez ’High School Sweethearts. After a minute, Martinez goes from her breathy and F-bomb-laden intro to the main part of the track, and at this point you can hear someone writing on a blackboard. The CX places this unmistakable scratchy sound behind Martinez's voice so precisely, as if you could look over her shoulder and see the person writing. It gave me goosebumps.

Battery life

Sennheiser CX True Wireless earphones next to the charging case.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

The CX 400BT promised seven hours of battery life per charge, with a total of 20 hours including the charging case – acceptable, but hardly worth mentioning, especially for earphones without Active Noise Canceling (ANC). But the CX True Wireless are a step up, with nine hours on a full charge and a total of 27 hours on the case.

With a quick charge of 15 minutes you get an extra hour of playtime. This puts the CX True Wireless on par with some of the best earbuds in terms of endurance – a welcome improvement.

Call quality

Making calls with the CX True Wireless is about average for True Wireless earbuds. When the outside conditions are relatively calm and there is no wind, your voice will be nice and clear, with very little compression or wobble. This must be the “voice-optimized sound” that Sennheiser refers to in its description of the earphones.

However, this does not apply to times when wind or loud noises are nearby. At these times, the microphones struggle to keep your voice consistently clear. Since so few earbuds do this excellently, I can hardly blame Sennheiser for anything, but remember: These are earbuds for making phone calls at the desk or when waiting for the flight – not for jogging, cycling or walking near heavy traffic.

These were also my observations when testing the CX 400BT, but here the CX True Wireless improves its more expensive predecessor once again: The CX True Wireless has an adjustable sidetone, which means that you can hear your own voice much more clearly when making calls. It works really well, but I found it difficult to adjust the amount of sidetone during a call.

Something missing?

The CX True Wireless really hit a sweet spot in terms of price and sound performance, and even managed to deliver really good battery life, but there are still some features you may be missing. There is no listening mode (transparency), which is surprising given the eavesdropping feature – these two often go hand in hand.

There are no in-ear sensors that can automatically pause your music when you pull out an earbud. Given the lack of transparency mode, this is what you will often do when you want to talk to someone in real life.

The charging case lacks wireless charging – maybe a minor annoyance, but it's becoming standard on many earbuds that cost less than the CX.

ANC does not exist either, but that is a feature that Sennheiser will do without at this price.

Our opinion

For people who love high-end sound quality but don't have the money to indulge in the best of true wireless earbuds, the CX True Wireless are a great buy. As long as you can forego a few features like the transparency mode and are willing to buy third-party earbuds if the sound or fit doesn't work for you, I think you'll be really happy.

Is there a better alternative?

There are tons of great True Wireless earbuds available anywhere between $ 100 and $ 130 that can outperform the CX True Wireless in terms of features. The Second generation Amazon Echo Buds come to mind as well as that Soundcore Life P3, and the Jabra Elite 75t. But none of these can beat the CX in terms of sheer sound quality.

Ironically, Sennheiser now apparently has that CX 400BT to just $ 100 – it just might be the best alternative. Same great sound, but with a shorter battery life, no water protection and no audible tone for calls. If you're willing to give these up for a $ 30 savings, you're cheating!

How long will they last?

While hard to predict, the CX True Wireless looks better than many other True Wireless earbuds. The fit and workmanship are excellent and Sennheiser supports them with a two-year guarantee, which speaks volumes for the company's confidence in its product. The industry standard is only one year. With IPX4 protection and a good starter battery capacity, they should last you for years to come.

Should you buy it?

Yes sir. The CX True Wireless solves the problem of getting great sound on a budget.

Editor's recommendations



23 Jul
Blog

IOC Confirms First Transgender Olympian Will Be Laurel Hubbard

Some people tried to stop them, but the Tokyo Olympics will welcome New Zealand's transgender weightlifting competitor.

43-year-old Laurel Hubbard will be the first transgender competitor at the Tokyo Olympics this summer. The New Zealander will compete in the weightlifting super heavyweight category despite the storm of controversy that preceded her.

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22 Jul
Blog

Framework Laptop Review: Let the Laptop Disruption Begin

Framework laptop test 7

Frame laptop

RRP $ 999.00

"The Framework Laptop is more than just a worthwhile experiment in terms of modularity, it's also a great laptop."

advantages

  • Unbeatable upgradeability

  • Bright, high resolution screen

  • 1080p webcam

  • Lots of key trips

  • Easily interchangeable ports

disadvantage

  • Runs hot

  • Mediocre battery life

Even the very best laptops are only supposed to last four or five years. Warranties expire, components become obsolete, damage occurs, and not much of it is repairable.

Here the framework laptop disrupts the norm. A screwdriver is included, and adjustments, updates, and repairs of all kinds are highly recommended. A piece of technology that won't run out of steam even in a few product cycles? Now there is a new idea.

For a starting price of $ 999, you can get a premium Windows laptop that looks and works like any other. But the framework philosophy is really what you pay for – and that makes the framework laptop unlike any I've ever used.

design

The Framework laptop from behind, showing the logo on the lid.

On the surface, the Framework Laptop is an ordinary laptop. It's a simple silver laptop that resembles a cheaper version of a MacBook – no unlike countless Windows laptops and Chromebooks.

That's not exactly a compliment, but maybe it's part of the point to fit in. The idea that the Framework laptop looks and works like any other laptop feels important – especially when trying to demonstrate how easy it would be for other laptops to take a similar approach to modularity. Of course, that doesn't mean that I didn't want a more original design.

Most laptop manufacturers claim that reduced upgradeability is a necessary compromise for portability, build quality, and system integrity. It doesn't matter whether it's Apple with its MacBooks or Dell with its XPS 13.

But for the most part, the framework laptop turns out to be mere excuses. It's 0.62 inches thick and 2.9 pounds – not a clunky laptop at all. No, it's not as small as the XPS 13 or Surface Laptop 4, but it is very close to the size of the MacBook Pro 13-inch. Laptops like the Razer Blade Stealth 13 or the Asus ROG Flex X13 have pushed the performance limits of 13-inch laptops and crammed separate graphics cards into similar physical dimensions.

The Framework laptop opens and shows the 3: 2 display.

Build quality is the only major area the Framework laptop has to sacrifice. It's not that it's badly built, but it's certainly not made from a single block of machined aluminum either. Since the key cover, bezels, and connectors can all be removed, they each introduce additional bezels that can potentially weaken the overall integrity of the structure. The lid has a bend, as well as the keyboard deck and the hinge. I've also noticed a clicking sound that sometimes occurs when the laptop is quickly opened and closed to a full 180 degrees.

But again, these aren't things that are unknown to a laptop at this price point. It's a flaw in many midrange or premium laptops that don't seem to get perfect. Framework Laptop also fits into this category, except for some legitimate reasons for its slightly inferior build quality.

Do I wish I could do without these plastic bezels? Necessarily. With a glossy screen like this, the option for the glass frames only would have been great.

Connections and expandability

Ports are the easiest way that the modularity of the framework benefits laptops. When you pull the Framework laptop out of the box, it looks a bit strange with its four exposed Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports, two on each side of the laptop.

Framework then allows you to select the ports you want. You'll need at least one USB-C port to charge, but from there it's up to you. You might want HDMI or even full DisplayPort for your monitor connections. You might want three USB-A ports for all of your accessories and peripherals. Or maybe you just want to put all of these expansion cards in a pocket and use them as adapters when needed.

The ports of the framework laptop with two inserted expansion cards.

An expansion card separate from the framework laptop.

It's the kind of thing that gadget heads are going to love. But it's more than just a novelty. It also makes for a pretty versatile setup that no other laptop can replicate without the use of dongles, adapters, or hubs. However, changing expansion cards requires the system to be turned off, where carrying a set of dongles may be more convenient.

I was disappointed to see that it didn't include a full size SD card slot as an expansion card. Framework went with a micro SD slot instead, which is far less useful.

But ports are only the first step. The whole system is based on the idea of ​​easy access to the internal components. Most laptops provide access through a removable bottom cover, but the Framework laptop provides top access directly through the keyboard. Using the screwdriver provided, simply loosen the five fastenings on the underside and pull off the magnetic input cover.

The removable internals of the Framework laptop.

From there you can see the internal layout, all of which are neatly labeled and removable. Framework even went so far as to include scannable QR codes that tell you exactly what parts are included and how to install them. It's a real breath of fresh air. Laptop manufacturers tend to downplay the specific memory, storage, and connectivity they use – and would rather not tinker. That is not to say that it is completely unknown today. Many gaming laptops still allow you to add memory or storage. But it's becoming increasingly rare in thin and light laptops of this size.

Removing components on the Framework laptop couldn't be easier. Adding via the M.2 slot only requires loosening the latch while RAM snaps into place with no problem. The WLAN module is a bit trickier, where you have to connect the antenna cables correctly. I love that all of the screws are just fasteners to make sure you never lose an important screw. Framework has thought through to the last detail and everything contributes to a pleasant upgrade experience for both newbies and PC veterans.

Adding memory or RAM is a great way to extend the life of a laptop, but ultimately the processor and graphics will hold you up. That makes the Framework Laptop even more special.

The mainboard of the Framework laptop, which can be removed and replaced.

It should be noted that while the memory and RAM work well with third party parts that you buy and install yourself, the framework must provide the CPU and motherboard. That is, for the time being. The CPU and the mainboard (or the mainboard, as the framework calls it) are proprietary designs that are not so easy to separate on their own.

Framework also sells a discounted DIY edition that requires you to install these modules yourself. For most people interested in the modularity of the Framework laptop, the DIY edition is a cheaper way to get the exact same laptop experience.

Keyboard and touchpad

The Framework laptop keyboard with 1.5 mm key travel.

When I got into this review, I was concerned about the keyboard touchpad. These are the details that can easily be overlooked in a laptop that is more user upgradeable. I was pleasantly surprised at how good these entrances are.

The keyboard has a travel of 1.5 mm, which felt heavenly under my fingers. When you're fed up with the direction of flatter laptop keyboards, the Framework Laptop gives your tired fingers rest. This is one of the most comfortable laptop keyboards I've ever used. The layout is familiar and there is nothing that requires a learning curve.

This is one of the most comfortable laptop keyboards I've ever used.

The backlight is bright and even, with three levels of brightness. This has become the standard for brightness control, but laptops like the Razer Blade or MacBook Pro offer more granular controls.

The touchpad isn't quite as good as the keyboard, but it comes close. It's big and responsive, the tracking feels precise, and the click isn't too loud. Palm suppression is decent too, though the cursor skipped or moved a few times as you typed.

The framework laptop's fingerprint reader, which is integrated into the power button.

Framework also includes a fingerprint reader on top of the keyboard deck that is built into the power button. It looks a little out of place and unbranded, but the fingerprint reader worked fine for Windows Hello authentication.

Unfortunately, the Framework laptop doesn't include an IR camera for facial recognition, so you'll have to rely on the fingerprint reader for passwordless logins.

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The Framework laptop display has a thick underside.

It would have been easy to use an older, less trend-setting display option on the Framework laptop. Instead, it's another aspect of the device that doesn't just meet the basics to get through. It has a resolution of 2560 x 1403 with an aspect ratio of 3: 2, an increasingly popular alternative to 16: 9. This means more vertical screen real estate and more space to get work done and view web pages.

It's very similar in shape and size to the Surface Laptop 4, which also has a 3: 2 13.5-inch screen. There is no touchscreen in either configuration, but I love this size of the laptop. It strikes the balance between portability and screen size, giving you a comfortable place to work without having to lug around a larger 15-inch laptop. The increased resolution and size are to die for if you come from a 16: 9 1080p laptop.

It's a very bright screen with a maximum of 463 nits.

The image quality of the display isn't the best I've seen, but it excels in a few key areas. First, it's a very bright screen. It reaches a maximum brightness of 463 nits, an abundance of brightness that makes it a versatile laptop for working outdoors, near windows, or under bright fluorescent lights. It's also a high contrast screen with a maximum of 1090: 1 at 100% screen brightness. The result is crisp text when reading or typing and dynamic lighting in videos and movies.

The colors are the weakest aspect of the screen. 76% of the AdobeRGB color space is by no means bad, but it lags a bit behind some of the leaders in the field like the MacBook Pro, Samsung Galaxy Book Pro, and Razer Blade 14.

The color accuracy is also a bit off. My Spyder5 colorimeter gave some inconsistent results when it reported an average color error, despite doing a lot of testing. Framework says it uses the standard calibration made by the panel maker, and when used anecdotally, colors felt pretty lifelike and natural. However, it may not be the best option for a professional color grader unless you plan on calibrating it yourself.

Webcam and speakers

The Framework laptop's 1080p webcam built into the top bezel of the screen.

The webcam is located in the top frame above the screen and is impressive in itself. It's a 1080p camera with 60 frames per second (fps) video, which is a huge upgrade over most laptops that are still sold with 720p webcams. The increased resolution makes a huge difference in video calls by sharpening your face and smoothing movements. It's another example of how the Framework Laptop is a disruptive force in the laptop market today.

The speakers are located on the lower edge of the laptop and face down. The 3: 2 aspect ratio of the screen doesn't allow for as much width next to the keyboard for upwardly radiating speakers as I would prefer. These aren't bad speakers considering the placement. Compared to the MacBook Pro 13 inch they are of course pathetic, but the stereo separation sounds full and the speakers do not crackle at high volume.

perfomance

The Framework Laptop is broken down into three simple configurations that scale processor performance, memory, and storage. It's an easy way to sell a laptop, but it's a bit of a misnomer, and the lack of configurations makes buying the Framework laptop a bit limited just off the page. On the other hand, unlike most other laptops of this type, it wouldn't be difficult to buy the basic configuration and add storage or RAM as needed. That's the beauty of user-upgradeability.

My test device was the middle option, which comes with an Intel Core i7-1165G7, 16 GB of RAM and a 512 GB SSD. While the base configuration is pretty affordable at $ 999, the Framework charges a lot for additional memory and storage space. Dell is charging just $ 100 to upgrade the XPS 13 from 8GB to 16GB, while Apple is charging $ 200 for the same upgrade on the MacBook Pro. Microsoft is a notorious culprit in this regard, charging $ 1,700 for an identical configuration to my $ 1,399 trial configuration of the Framework laptop. So you will surely save some money by upgrading yourself, although $ 1,399 isn't a terrible price to pay for what the Framework laptop offers.

In addition, the Framework Laptop scores admirably. I tested it on our benchmark suite including Geekbench 5, Cinebench R23, PCMark 10, and 3DMark Time Spy.

Geekbench 5 (single / multiple) Handbrake (seconds) Cinebench R23 (single / multiple) PCMark 10 3DMark time spy
Frame laptop
(Core i7-1165G7)		 1432/4725 176 1444/5373 5054 1641
Dell XPS 13 (Core i7-1165G7) 1540/5432 201 1399/4585 3859 1589
HP Specter x360 14 (Core i7-1165G7) 1214/4117 236 1389/3941 4728 1457
Samsung Galaxy Pro 360
(Core i7-1165G7)		 1554/5603 N / A 1308/4062 5159 1800
Razer Book 13 (Core i7-1165G7) 1548/5374 210 1508/4519 4878 1776

The Framework laptop trades punches with some of the more powerful 13-inch Windows laptops you can buy, including the Razer Book 13 and the Dell XPS 13. The strong multi-core performance in Cinebench R23 was remarkable and beat all of them other competitors listed above. This great multi-core performance also translates well into fast video encoding times in Handbrake.

However, the Iris Xe graphics didn't blow my socks off in the Time Spy benchmark, nor in any of the games I tested. It's not a laptop that will be of great use for AAA PC gaming.

The thermals also worried me a few. The CPU reached peaks of 100 degrees Celsius several times in PCMark 10 runs and maintained the temperatures throughout the entire PCMark Spreadsheets test in the very high 90s. For example, the Ryzen CPU in the Asus ROG Flow X13 stayed around 10 degrees cooler during the same benchmark, which is still running pretty hot. Thats not cool. When you're doing something particularly demanding, both the surface and interior temperatures can get uncomfortably hot.

It handles video conferencing well, but the fans never turn loud enough to disturb the built-in microphones and speakers. The other good news is that the CPU was still humming at around 4.4 GHz even at high temperatures.

Both the surface and the interior temperature can get uncomfortably hot under heavy loads.

So what's the explanation for these types of temperatures? Open and accessible components can certainly be one of the culprits. Multiple fans, more heat pipes, large heat sinks, extra case vents, and other types of heat spreader are additional techniques that laptops use to cool these components. The Framework laptop is limited to just a single large fan, a couple of heat pipes, and a few small openings along the bottom of the laptop for airflow. This is certainly the weakest aspect of the Framework laptop and one that could wear out its internal components over time.

Upon inquiry, Framework confirmed that the system was designed to operate at the maximum boost frequency while remaining within safe temperature limits. 100 degrees Celsius is technically the maximum temperature the processor can reach, but you typically don't want your system to run at temperatures that high. It's not uncommon on competing laptops like the XPS 13, but it's never a good thing to see.

Battery life

The framework laptop opened on a white table.

The Framework Laptop contains a 55 watt hour battery, which is a decent building block for a laptop of this size. However, higher resolution screens like this one drain batteries faster, and the result is mediocre battery life.

The Framework laptop lasted 7 hours and 11 minutes in a light web browsing test that cycles through some heavier websites until the battery runs out. Most laptops in this price range and category last longer in this test. The Dell XPS 13 lasted almost 8.5 hours, while battery life champions like the Surface Laptop 4 lasted up to 13.5 hours. Even the Razer Book 13, which I praised for its mediocre battery life, lasted a full hour longer than the Framework laptop.

I also tested the laptop's battery on local video playback, which repeated a 1080p video clip until the battery ran out. The Framework laptop died after 7 hours and 20 minutes. This is also a long way behind the competition.

The Framework laptop won't get you through a full day of work on a single charge, especially if your typical workload includes some tasking applications, a lot of streaming, or heavier multitasking.

Our opinion

The Framework Laptop has a gimmick. Its modularity and upgradeability are certainly its main selling points, and if that's not important to you, look elsewhere. But unlike a lot of other experimental tech products, the Framework Laptop is a great laptop too. It's not perfect, but the Framework laptop doesn't let you sacrifice much to enjoy its unique design.

Are there alternatives?

In terms of upgradeability, Framework Laptop doesn't have a lot of competitors. There are some larger laptops out there that you can still upgrade the memory yourself, but not many in this size.

In terms of price, the Framework laptop ends up among premium laptops such as the Dell XPS 13, MacBook Pro 13 and HP Specter x360 14. However, the option of the DIY edition really helps to make the Framework laptop more affordable. Any number of other flagship laptops have strengths over the Framework laptop, but none offer this level of upgradeability.

How long it will take?

As long as you want in theory. Since almost all internal components are replaceable, a dead battery or an outdated CPU does not mean that the entire laptop has to be disposed of. I say in theory just because framework has to hold its end of the deal for it to really work.

In order for this laptop to last 10 or 15 years, Framework has to release new "motherboards" with updated processors, which is planned. The company has great ambitions to even open a third-party marketplace that aftermarket manufacturers can participate in. However, none of this has started yet. The interest in a shop for everything to do with the Framework Laptop will likely depend heavily on the success and acceptance of the first rounds of product releases.

Should you buy it?

Yes sir. If the idea of ​​a long-lasting, user-upgradeable laptop sounds remotely appealing, the Framework Laptop is a dream come true.

Editor's recommendations



22 Jul
Blog

3 Worst Offenders For 50s & 60s Skin

Raise your hand when you've reached (or passed) your 50s or 60s, and hold up your hand when you are proudly enjoying your decades! This is an essential time to embrace the changes in your skin and realign your skincare routine to maintain a complexion that continues to exude health and beauty. However, like all stages of life, the 50s and 60s bring new challenges that may prevent you from experiencing your best skin. Here is a quick guide to the three natural processes of the worst skin sinners and how to beat them.

Reduced skin elasticity

As women get older, estrogen levels decrease, which affects collagen and elastin production. As this scientific journal notes, collagen is a critical factor in maintaining skin firmness and elasticity. Type I collagen is the main collagen in the skin and makes up 80 to 90% of skin collagen. It's made by cells called fibroblasts, which are mainly located in the dermis, and these fibroblasts also produce elastin protein, which gives the skin the ability to stretch and snap back. Without these proteins, which give the skin its firmness and elasticity, the skin begins to sag and hang more loosely.

So what exactly is to blame? Skin aging is the result of a combination of extrinsic and intrinsic factors ranging from genetics, lifestyle, environmental factors, hormones, and aging. Some factors that worsen and accelerate the loss of collagen and elastin production are:

  • Sun exposure
  • solarium
  • Air pollution
  • Poor diet
  • smoking

To increase collagen, many people use topical treatments with collagen-boosting peptides. When they reach the dermis, peptides supply the skin's fibroblasts with the building blocks they need to make more collagen. You can also use vitamin C and retinol products to help boost collagen production.

Dry skin

The National Institute of Aging points out that many people experience dry, scaly patches of skin later in life, often on the lower legs, elbows, and forearms. According to a Today.com article, "Dry skin occurs with age because the skin barrier weakens and is not so easy to repair. This leads to further damage and eventually wrinkles."

In addition, the naturally occurring hyaluronic acid (HA) is not produced as much as in our earlier phases of life, which makes it difficult for the skin to regulate moisture. HA is known as the holy grail of moisturizing skin care actives because it is a powerful humectant (a substance used to reduce moisture loss) that holds up to 1000 times its own weight in water. As we age, we produce less of it, making it harder for the skin to retain moisture. Less moisture can contribute to the development of fine lines and wrinkles on the skin.

Sun damage

As the effects of sunlight increase over the years, dark spots, texture changes, and wrinkles tend to appear on the cheeks, neck, hands, shoulders, and arms.

Signs of sun damage

Prolonged exposure to the sun's UV rays prematurely ages your skin and leads to a loss of collagen and skin elasticity. Incredibly, sun exposure and sun damage can be traced back to 90% of visible aging. Are you wondering what we mean by visible aging? If you see deep wrinkles and sagging skin, a reddish complexion, hyperpigmentation like an uneven skin tone or dark spots, and dry skin or spider veins, these are all visual signs of aging.

Mayo Clinic points out that sun exposure is a major cause of wrinkles, although genetics primarily determine skin texture and texture. Every sunburn you've experienced has contributed to premature aging in the form of fine lines, wrinkles, sagging skin, and sun spots. However, if you didn't protect your skin early in life, it is not too late to start. When it comes to sun damage, the Skin Cancer Foundation recommends limiting your time in direct sunlight, wearing light, protective clothing like a hat and sunglasses, and applying sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher. You should also visit your doctor to have your skin checked every year. The most important part is to take care of your skin before any further damage occurs.

Check out this In The Mix video that explains the benefits of SPF and how to use it correctly:

(embed) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7MgVZ1sUpc (/ embed)

Because of these changes over the years, the skin becomes thinner, more fragile, less elastic and dry. The answer? Moisturize and improve some lifestyle habits to keep your skin hydrated and smooth. at Eminence Organics, our moisturizers deliver botanical ingredients for deep hydration, so you may find one that piques your interest. If you haven't been using timeless beauty skincare products in your 50s and 60s, now is the time. Read our skin care routine for your 50s or the skin care routine for your 60s and beyond here.

Which is the worst culprit for your skin? Let us know in the comments below or on social media!

This article was originally written March 2016.

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