02 Apr
Blog

Focal Celestee Headphone Review: True Audio Bliss

"This Focal Celestee offers deep audio bliss."

  • Sparkling detail

  • Transparent midrange

  • Deep, melodic bass

  • Very dynamic

  • Accurate transients

  • Expensive

  • Unruly headphone cord

The Focal Celestee headphones are certainly great, but for their price, they take a lot more than just good looks. The Celestee are highly sophisticated high-end headphones, but when compared to other high-end headphones, many of which are priced at $ 2,000 or more, the Focal Celestee are more accessible at around $ 1,000. But are they worth it?

Carrying case and accessories

Dan Baker / Digital Trends

The Focal Celestee comes in a fairly plump carrying case, but to be fair, the headphones themselves are quite large. Honestly, we're glad they got in a suitcase at all, as a lot of high-end headphones don't come with one at all. Of course, the case is supposed to protect the headphones, but the Celestee case isn't just functional – it looks great with its tweed-like fabric and heavy zippers.

Inside the case you will find the headphones along with a screw-on 1/4-inch adapter and the headphone cable that attaches independently to each auricle. The headphone cord itself is certainly of high quality, but it is also quite "sturdy". And by that we mean "not very flexible". The cable has a mind of its own which often resulted in it just getting in the way. You have to bypass the cable as it is not intended to work around you. It might break in after a lot of use, but once unpacked, it's pretty stiff and adamant.

Design and processing quality

Focal Celestee HeadphonesDan Baker / Digital Trends

Focal Celestee HeadphonesDan Baker / Digital Trends

Focal Celestee HeadphonesDan Baker / Digital Trends

Focal Celestee HeadphonesDan Baker / Digital Trends

The Focal Celestee have luxurious padding on the ear cups and are covered with a soft and supple synthetic leather material that matches the color scheme of the headphones. The same synthetic leather material is also found on the headband.

The build quality is excellent.

The exterior of the ear cups are made of good quality plastic and metal, and the nub structure is either something you like or dislike – it kind of reminds me of a golf ball, and anything that resembles golf is good for me. The yoke is solid, the headband is solid, and the build quality is excellent.

Comfort

Focal Celestee HeadphonesDan Baker / Digital Trends

The Celestee feels great when you wear it. Sure, they're bigger headphones with a bit of weight, but given their size, they're relatively light and certainly not cumbersome. The balanced clamping force and the pressure on the headband make for a pleasantly ergonomic headphone.

How do they sound

Looking good is fine, but sound is what counts with headphones at this price point. Because they are high quality and expensive, I tested the Focal Celestee headphones on a variety of devices including straight through a phone's headphone jack, a DragonFly Cobalt USB DAC / headphone amplifier with PC, and an Antelope Audio Zodiac outboard DAC / headphone amplifier. I've used music from a variety of sources such as Apple Music and Spotify, as well as high-resolution tracks from Tidal.

Dan Baker / Digital Trends

The bottom line is that with the Focal Celestee headphones, I felt things I haven't felt in a long time, and it took me back to when I was able to work in actual recording studios before the pandemic. The Celestee gives an enormous amount of nuances. I could hear audio gems in my favorite songs that I haven't heard in a while. It's always a real pleasure to hear details that I've either never picked up on before or just forgot. I have experienced this feeling all the time with the Celestee.

With the Focal Celestee headphones, I felt things that I haven't felt in a long time.

While these are closed-back headphones, you'd swear they're open-ended. They have a sonic appeal similar to open-back headphones, but have all the benefits of shutting out the sound around you. The passive noise isolation provides an absolutely silent canvas to paint on musically.

The Celestee's altitude response has a wonderful amount of shine but is very well controlled. It has a lot of detail, tonality and texture but is never aggressive. The meat in the middle section is very well balanced – it doesn't even flirt with being chesty or nasal. It feels like the singers' voices are right there in your head.

Dan Baker / Digital Trends

The bass goes deep, with a little oomph for presence, and while it offers a bit more to the beat and bass than perfectly neutral headphones, we found that they sounded perfect. To test the bass, I went straight to Dua Lipa because I understood the beat of the kick drum and the integration into some killer electric bass lines.

It was a pleasure to hear the singer's vocals perfectly isolated from the bass. Getting that kind of clarity and bass at the same time is a real treat for the ears. And the great thing about Focal Celestee is that they shine with all kinds of music, not just one particular genre.

My attitude

In the end, I am delighted with the Focal Celestee headphones. Sure, they charge a premium price – but they absolutely deserve it. If you're able to get your hands on a pair of these, indulge yourself. You will not regret it.

Is there a better alternative?

There will always be alternatives in this price range, but I don't want to say that one will be significantly better than the other. An alternative I would consider would be the Audeze LCD-2, which isn't quite as sleek but sounds excellent and costs about $ 100 less.

How long do they take?

The Focal Celestee are very well built and, with reasonable care, should hold up well into the future.

guarantee

Focal's warranty varies by country. Contact your local dealer for more information. Find retailers and distributors here.

Should you buy it?

Yes, if you are looking for high-end headphones that will delight you for years to come, the Focal Celestee is the one for you.

Editor's recommendations




01 Apr
Blog

8 Excellent Forearm Exercises to Practice at Home

Forearm exercises are one of the most important workouts that we can incorporate into our daily fitness routine. This helps and properly stretches our muscles to keep our fitness going forever.

While many people know that forearm workouts are important, not everyone knows which forearm workouts are best to do.

Let us help you do the best now for the most incredible experience of a lifetime.

Eight Best Forearm Exercises For You

Cable reels behind the back

Attach a D-handle to the low pulley of a cable machine. Now hold the handle in your left hand and step forward. Do this until the tension on the cord and arm is slightly pulled behind your body. Offset your feet so that your right leg is in front. Rotate the handle. However, don't let your elbow point forward.

Towel cord row

The first thing you need to do is hook a towel on the pulley and stand in front of it. Set up a row and hold one end of the towel in each hand. Squeeze your shoulder blades together and row the towel towards your rib cage.

Towel kettlebell curl

Thread the towel through the handle of a kettlebell and wrap two towels around the dumbbells. Now fold it in half. Hold the ends in both hands and curl them. Keep your upper arm still.

Grip crush

Sit on a bench, box, or chair. You can take anything you can comfortably sit on with a dumbbell on your left. Extend your arm towards the floor and prop the back against the inside of your left thigh. Let your hand open and the barbell roll to your fingertips. Now close your hand and make a wrist curl. Try to compress the weight as much as possible. Make sure you choose a weight that you can easily perform.

Hang bar

Place your hand shoulder width apart and use an overhand grip. Try to squeeze the bar as hard as you can and pull your shoulder blades across your back. Then hang on to the bar. Work for at least 2 minutes, then progress by changing your grip. You can also do the 30- to 60-second single-arm slopes to add extra exhaustion to your forearms.

Wrist roll

Hold a wrist roll with both hands and stretch your arms out in front of you. Attach a 2 to 5 pound weight plate to the bottom of the cable. Now, with your palms facing down, rotate your wrist towards your body. Also, roll the device between your hands to add weight until the cord is wrapped around the wrist roll. Now gradually lower the plate, making sure that your arms remain neutral during the workout.

Single arm bottom up kettlebell press

Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart. Hold a light kettlebell in one hand and make sure you are writing straight. Activate your core while pressing the kettlebell over you. Make sure you straighten your elbow. At this point, hold the handle and prevent the weight from wobbling. Bend your elbow and lower the kettlebell to the starting position. Repeat the workout for maximum convenience.

Crab walk

All you need to do for this workout is sit on the floor and bridge your hips. This needs to make you look like a tabletop in order for you to do the activity properly. Now try to walk forward on your hands and feet as quickly as possible. While this workout sounds fun to you, it works like magic.

frequently asked Questions

1. Can you name some other great forearm exercises?

Place pinch hold and rope climbing are other forearm exercises to try at home.

2. How do forearm exercises help?

Forearm exercises can help you build flawless strength and improve your overall grip strength. It also stimulates abundant physical activity during the day.

3. Is it effective?

Yes, without a doubt!

01 Apr
Blog

Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 Review: Within Radar Range

Doorbell video doorbell guide

Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2

"Ring best rang the doorbell and added a bump to the key specs. Then there was radar! "

  • High resolution

  • High quality video day and night

  • User-friendly installation

  • Radar detection

Ring's latest video doorbell builds on previous successes and adds a new dimension to its bag of tricks: radar, which currently seems to be all the rage in the smart home industry. Ring hopes that with the addition of radar, motion tracking will be even more accurate and gaming more fun. It's a nice demonstration for sure, but how useful is it? I wanted to find out.

When you compare the Ring Video Doorbell Pro to the Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2, there are few physical differences. They basically look the same. While the horizontal field of view is slightly limited on this newer generation (150 degrees out of 160 degrees), you get a much wider vertical field of view (150 degrees out of 90 degrees). You also get what Ring calls "3D motion detection," which I'll get into in a moment. Ring also increased the resolution of his camera to 1536p HD video. In short, Ring has selected an already outstanding performer and improved it with a new technology. So let's look at how "amplified" it is.

Minor upgrades

But first we should look at the doorbell as a whole. At first glance, most of the upgrades you'll get from the previous generation Ring Video Doorbell Pro are minor. You get more resolution and more field of view, but there isn't much beyond that. That's just because the Ring Doorbell Pro already sets a very high bar. It's not surprising that Ring built radar into this generation as anything else would be hard to top.

Ring video doorbell guide image

The Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 still gives you an immersive installation experience with voice prompts as opposed to cryptic beeps or messages displayed on your phone. You get the great experience with the Ring software including the Neighbors app, the cameras provide great clarity during the day and night, and the reduced horizontal field of view is not that much reduced so you can still see everything outside your door.

The video quality is still pretty clear. This generation increased the resolution to 1536p, which is the highest ever. During the day, the videos are crisp and hardly have a fish-eye effect at the edges. Color rendering is good if a touch on the cool side. The picture is very balanced even in bright sunshine. At night, the camera is able to generate colors in poor lighting conditions that switch to IR if necessary. In short, the camera is very good.

Alexa as a concierge

One feature that isn't new to the Ring Video Doorbell Pro range (but was new to me) was using Alexa to open the door. When someone rings your doorbell, Alexa can enter after a set time and greet your visitor for you. Alexa is quite limited in this capacity; You can choose from a number of pre-selected messages. For example, Alexa can instruct a parcel handler where to leave the delivery, or she can ask your neighbor to leave a message.

I would have liked a little more artificial intelligence (A.I.) to be involved here. Stir in facial recognition and parcel recognition and you can get yourself a nice virtual butler on your doorstep. As much as Amazon wants to bring Alexa to any device under the sun, I would expect Alexa to be a little smarter here.

You don't even need Alexa to say, "Please leave the package at the door." It's just a recorded message. In fact, I'd argue that recording a message that says, "I can't get to the door, but can you leave the package in the garage" is more secure than a generic Alexa message. I think after all this time I just want Alexa to be a lot smarter.

Your front door in 3D

One of the highlights of the latest generation of doorbells from Amazon is the so-called "3D motion detection". It uses radar built into the doorbell to let you know where the action you see on your video feed is actually taking place. If you watch the live feed or a replay of a previous event, you will see a bird's eye view of your home (read: satellite view) with dots on the map showing where the action took place. Amazon claims it can detect movement up to 30 feet. I clocked it closer to 20, but that's still pretty impressive. In some cases, the radar detected my dog ​​before she jumped onto the quarterdeck and could be seen clearly. Rings radar knew something was back there.

It works like this: While your subject is moving in the frame, a trace of dots is displayed on the small map in the corner of the image. The map can be moved, but its size cannot be changed. This does not necessarily have to be the case, since the card only serves to provide the context for the image moving on the screen. The dots disappear as your subject moves, giving you a sense of movement and direction. It is really very chic.

The key value here is frankly lost to me as I have a pretty good sense of direction and depth. If I watch a video of someone walking around my front yard, I can tell exactly where they are. This is not the case with all. Not everyone is wired to look at a 2D image and find out exactly where something is going on. The bird's eye view and a series of points showing where movement is taking place give the viewer much more context as to where the action is taking place.

This is one of the top three doorbells you can buy right now.

How useful this is ultimately depends on the user. It sure is a nice addition. But is it worth an extra $ 100? I'm not sure. I know exactly what Ring is doing here, and it can be interesting. However, I don't consider it a flagship nor a reason to upgrade from an earlier generation doorbell.

Our opinion

Overall, this is the best video doorbell Ring has made. It's a bit pricey at $ 250, and as I said in my review on the Arlo Essential Wireless Video Doorbell, video doorbell prices have been going down lately. That doorbell flies in the face of that. The main reason for purchasing this doorbell over the original Ring Video Doorbell Pro is its radar capability. While this does add some feature and context to your video, it's hard to say that it definitely adds value to the doorbell, let alone worth more than $ 100.

Fortunately, that's not all the new doorbell adds. You also get degradation in video resolution and field of view. When you put all of this together, it will be easier to see where your money is going. Ring already had one of the best video doorbells out there, and adding it makes everything even better. It's not enough to upgrade from the original Pro to the new one. However, if you are looking for a new video doorbell in the market, this is one you should consider.

Is there a better alternative?

There is no better doorbell that uses radar technology because there is no other doorbell. The Vivint Doorbell Camera Pro gives you a better field of view and the last generation Ring Video Doorbell Pro gives you better value for money when the radar isn't exciting for you. The Arlo Essential doorbell gives you a similar software experience, but it lacks the Neighbors app. Put it all together and this is one of the top three doorbells you can buy right now in terms of the total package.

How long it will take?

The construction of the Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 is very robust. It is similar to previous generations and has the same operating temperature range and limited warranty. I wouldn't worry how that doorbell is going to hold. It will surely take you a while.

Should I buy it?

Yes. This is one of the best video doorbells you can buy today. They are expensive but cheaper alternatives that you may or may not be okay with. If you already have a bell, you probably don't need to upgrade to this one. If you want to save a few dollars, use the original Ring Video Doorbell Pro. Otherwise, this should be at the top of your list.

Editor's recommendations




01 Apr
Blog

Amazfit T-Rex Pro Review: Waiting for Evolution

amazfit t rex pro evaluation bag

Amazfit T-Rex Pro Review: Far from extinct, but having difficulty evolving

"A shorter than promised battery life and the same design as the old version dampen the craze for the Amazfit T-Rex Pro, but a reasonable price, reliable software and strong activity tracking keep it from extinction."

  • Comprehensive activity tracking

  • Reliable, easy to use software

  • Acceptable price

  • Robust and waterproof

  • The battery life is not as advertised

  • No design changes compared to the previous model

Amazfit has made a name for itself with a range of affordable, attractive and easy-to-use smartwatches like the GTR 2 and is now back with the Amazfit T-Rex Pro. It's sort of a successor to the T-Rex as of early 2020, but it's not the big evolutionary leap that we'd like to see after a year of waiting.

Repeating the same designs over and over again (the Amazfit GT series basically all look the same too) is not what we expect these days and while this may help keep the price down, it doesn't really generate much interest or concern Excitement. Let's take a closer look at the T-Rex Pro to see if we should ignore the lack of imagination or if Amazfit needs inspiration.

design

Have you seen the Amazfit T-Rex? Good, because the T-Rex Pro looks almost identical. One minor change has changed the impression the watch makes and that is the different bezel treatment. The bezel on the T-Rex on my test unit was made of black plastic and looked cheap and nasty. The bezel of the T-Rex Pro has a contrasting gray color and has been given a “metal spray” effect. It has a slightly more elegant style than the old version.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Otherwise the shape, size and design are the same. The metal buttons have the same texture, the watches basically weigh the same at 59 grams, the Pro's 22mm silicone rubber strap has more texture but the same design, and the 1.3-inch AMOLED screen is the same size and the same 360 ​​x 360 pixel resolution. They are equal.

The T-Rex Pro is built to be tough and can withstand high and low temperatures, moisture, salt and shock. It passed 15 different tests compared to the T-Rex's 12 tests, and is 10 ATM water resistant compared to 5 ATM on the old T-Rex. This all means that the Amazfit T-Rex Pro is a bit of a Casio G-Shock watch, complete with button protection and the oversized 13.5mm thick polycarbonate case, plus some G-Shock-like dials. It is also similar to the Honor Watch GS Pro, but it doesn't look or feel that expensive either.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

I hate it no The strap is comfortable and can be adjusted for all wrist sizes (although the 48mm case isn't suitable for small wrists at all). As someone who really likes G-Shock watches, I don't completely oppose the choice of style, but many will see it as big, ugly, and unsightly. The class that goes with everything is definitely missing, the GTR 2.

What I really disagree with is that the T-Rex Pro is the T-Rex, just with a different color bezel, and even the most optimistic will struggle to label it "brand new". I appreciate that repeating the same design keeps development costs down and therefore the final price is low. Repeating this ad nauseam doesn't create any fuss, however, and that's a serious problem in the competitive world of wearables.

Fitness and activity characteristics

Now I moaned about the design. Surely we get to what makes the T-Rex Pro an upgrade over the T-Rex and maybe see what makes it a Pro. Although the hardware contains the most important upgrades compared to the old smartwatch, these are hardly any massive changes. The heart rate sensor was converted to the optical PPG sensor BioTracker 2 from Amazfit. The watch now has a 3-axis gyroscope that matches the 3-axis accelerometer and a barometer.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The updated BioTracker 2 sensor also measures Sp02 blood oxygen and Amazfit has a clock that supports 100 different training modes. However, this seems to be a software update function that can also be found on the GTR 2e and is not only specific to the T-Rex Pro. Thanks to the sensor upgrades, Amazfit was able to integrate some excellent new functions of the fitness tracking software, which are described in surprising detail on the watch and in the associated Zepp app.

When you track a 30-minute training session, it returns the expected elapsed time, calories burned, and average heart rate. However, you also get more specific data like cadence, average stride, speed, changes in altitude, and heart rate zones. Once done, a recommended recovery time will be provided along with VO2 Max data and data obtained using FirstBeat algorithms. It's comprehensive and for the most part easy to understand, and I love that everything can be viewed on the watch without visiting the app on your phone.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The FirstBeat training effects data highlights a common problem with the fitness tracker. It contains graphs showing your aerobic training effect and anaerobic training effect, as well as your training load. This is all very interesting, but there is very little information about what to do with the data or how to correctly interpret it. When I was forced to look for more information, I was directed to FirstBeat's own website, but found that after reading the information, I really wasn't the wiser.

It is likely that this data would be more helpful, or perhaps just more familiar, to athletes or those engaging in specific sports, but it goes too deep for occasional use without adequate explanation. Otherwise, the T-Rex Pro's activity-related upgrades would have been better than the old model, but would have to come with other improvements to make for a highly desirable upgrade.

Using the T-Rex Pro

The T-Rex Pro uses Amazfit's RTOS software rather than Google's Wear operating system. It is quick to respond, scrolls smoothly for the most part, and the menu system is logically structured. It works by tapping and swiping the screen as well as the very sensible physical buttons. There are four labeled Up, Down, Back, and Select. They do exactly what you'd expect and are big enough to handle gloved fingers.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Notifications are more reliable than Wear OS, although the text is simple and there is no way to reply to or interact with messages on the watch. For each watch face there is an effective screen that is constantly displayed. I like the comprehensive weather reports, and I'm sure climbers will appreciate the barometric pressure data too. It also controls the music on my phone. Best of all, I haven't had any instability or software issues.

The heart rate measurement appears to be accurate. The results from the T-Rex Pro are in line with the numbers from the Apple Watch Series 6. However, it's not as fast as the Apple Watch to measure your heart rate. It also takes longer to get an Sp02 blood oxygen reading, but it mostly gave the same result as the Apple Watch Series 6, but this information is not very helpful for someone who is not halfway up a mountain and worried about altitude sickness.

amazfit t rex pro rating workoutsAndy Boxall / Digital Trends

Notifications from amazfit t rex pro reviewAndy Boxall / Digital Trends

Settings for checking amazfit t rex proAndy Boxall / Digital Trends

amazfit t rex pro rating appsAndy Boxall / Digital Trends

I compared the T-Rex Pro to the Apple Watch on a 30-minute walk, where it matched the average heart rate, but there was a discrepancy of about 200 steps, with the T-Rex counting fewer steps than the Apple Watch. A higher calorie consumption was also estimated. While both are probably not exactly right, the Apple Watch is considered to be one of the most accurate for heart rate and step count data, but the T-Rex Pro's difference isn't drastic.

The Zepp app is the same as the Amazfit GTR 2 and GTR 2e and works with both Android and iOS. It collects your activity data, allows you to customize the functions of the watch, choose apps to send notifications, and perform software updates. It's stayed tightly linked throughout my reporting period. Overall, the software of the Amazfit T-Rex Pro and therefore the owner experience is very good.

battery

If the software is good, what about the battery? It's not that good, and it definitely doesn't keep Amazfit's promises, at least if you intend to take advantage of the features it contains. The company says the 390 mAh battery – unsurprisingly the same as the one in the T-Rex – will last 18 days with typical use and nine days with heavy use. With the screen always on, heart rate and stress monitoring, two 30-minute workouts, and general notifications via notifications, the T-Rex Pro's battery lasted six days. I don't think this is heavy use as I haven't started GPS or exercised for hours.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

I could turn off the constantly on screen and heart rate monitoring which would save battery life (although I would be very surprised if it could suddenly hit 18 days), but what is it about? You buy the watch to use the features, not pretend they don't exist. The claims made by Amazfit about such a long battery life are extremely optimistic in my experience with the T-Rex Pro and other wearables from Amazfit.

Price and availability

The Amazfit T-Rex Pro costs $ 180 or £ 139 and can be purchased through Amazfit's own website. It is covered by a one-year warranty and a 30-day trial period is also granted.

Our opinion

The total lack of imagination in the design of the T-Rex Pro is frustrating. It doesn't have to look exactly like the previous model released over a year ago, especially if the original was hardly a design classic and the hardware upgrades here are just modest. It's a rather lazy update from a company that isn't interested in attracting new buyers. If you didn't like the look of the T-Rex – and anecdotally, a lot of the people I've spoken to didn't – you won't like the T-Rex Pro either.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

There's nothing at all to say "Oh it's the new T-Rex Pro" from the outside and it's a shame as the software, performance and activity tracking is very good. In many ways, the T-Rex Pro gives a Wear OS smartwatch a superior overall experience, and the low price makes it very tempting. Style aside, the main negative point here is battery life. Six days that I think will be widely used isn't bad, but it doesn't live up to what Amazfit claims or it doesn't go well with smartwatches like the Huawei Watch GT2 Pro or most fitness trackers.

Perhaps you're not as into the design aspect as I am and are looking for an inexpensive, outdoor-oriented smartwatch. In this case, the T-Rex Pro does whatever you want with just more visits to the charger than Amazfit tells you to.

Is there a better alternative?

The price of the T-Rex Pro is very cheap. For example, the Honor Watch GS Pro weighs £ 250 and has very similar functionality, although the materials used give it a sense of higher class. Our recommended smartwatches cost a lot more without the toughness. The Apple Watch SE is $ 279, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 is $ 330, and the Mobvoi Ticwatch Pro 3 is $ 300.

If you're not concerned about the rugged exterior, Amazfit's GTR 2e packs most of the same features in a more fashionable, sleeker body and costs just $ 140. If the smartwatch features are less important, a fitness tracker might be better for you. If you like the G-Shock look, just get yourself a G-Shock watch. The G-Shock Move GBD-H1000 is priced at $ 400 and has extensive activity tracking features. It is also very robust.

After all, the T-Rex can still be put up for sale online. It costs around $ 140 but is available for less money. Yes, the hardware additions are welcome, but if you just want a rugged smartwatch and aren't spending too much on it, it's very similar otherwise.

How long it will take?

The T-Rex Pro's toughness means it can withstand significant punishment. So if you wear it in harsh environments, it shouldn't break at the first sign of water or dust. Assuming Amazfit continues to support the Zepp app and software on the watch, this will take a few years.

However, I think the design is quickly dated and the polycarbonate case is likely to pick up scratches and scrapes over time if used as intended, meaning you may feel the need to replace it sooner.

Should you buy it?

Yes, the T-Rex Pro is very similar to the old model, but still an inexpensive, feature-rich smartwatch.

Editor's recommendations




01 Apr
Blog

Most Effective Exercises to Lose Belly Fat

Most people long to find the best ways to burn fat instantly. Regardless of which tips and tricks they try, they always have the same fat weight. Obviously, losing belly fat is quite a challenge, but you can turn it into a cake with the right techniques.

Today we are going to help you find the most practical and easiest exercises to lose belly fat instantly. Let's get into that now!

Turkish getting up

Hold a kettlebell in both hands and lie on your feet. Roll onto your back and push the kettlebell up with both hands. Continue until the weight is stable on the loaded side. Now let go of your free arm and leg at a 45-degree angle. Slide the heel of the loaded side closer to your butt.

Now hit the kettlebell up with the loaded arm and roll it onto your free forearm. Do not shrug your shoulder towards your ear. Make sure your chest stays wide open. Now flatten your elbow on the floor and raise yourself to a sitting position. Weave your front leg backwards. Now try to protect your knees and chin on your hind leg. Also try to straighten your arms. Try pivoting your back knee and holding your back toes on the floor, then take deep breaths. Now get up.

Overhead medicine ball pops

Stand up with your feet hip-width apart. Also, try holding a medicine ball with both hands. Reach over your head with both arms and stretch your body out. Hit the ball forward and down on the floor. Extend your arms toward the floor as you slam, and don't be afraid to bend your knees as you turn around. Squat to pick up the ball, then stand up again.

Running on a slope.

Walk or jog on an incline for five to 10 minutes. Try flying another 10 minutes, then pick up your pace and start running. Spend five minutes running, then drop your rate back down to one run. Continue training with five to ten minutes of jogging and five to ten minutes of running. Try this for at least 30 to 45 minutes for best results. It always works.

Medicine ball burpees

Stand with your feet shoulder-apart and hold a medicine ball in both hands. Pull the ball over your head and hit it on the floor as hard as you can. Hold on and sit back on your bum while you strike. Now, when you turn around, try to bend your knees. Put your hands on the floor outside of your feet and jump back into a plank position. Align your body. Then hop back on your feet and make it look like you're crouching. Now hold the ball again and push it over your head. Stretch your body and stand tall. Repeat the workout for the best exercises.

Russian twins

Sit straight on the floor and bend your knees. Also, keep your feet off the ground. Hold the medicine ball with your hands at chest level. Lean back with a long and high back. Also, keep your torso at a 45-degree angle and keep your arms just inches from your chest. Now turn your upper body to the right and take a break. Also, try to squeeze your right oblique muscles. Then turn your torso to the left and take a break.

frequently asked Questions

1. Can I lose weight by jogging or yoga?

Yes. Both yoga and jogging are effective methods of burning body fat. You can also try adding a daily diet to your eating routine for the best results right away. It works like never before.

2. How can you burn calories faster by spreading out?

Try adding jumps to your sprawl exercise to burn plenty of calories. It works like magic for everyone.

3. Are these workouts helpful?

Yes. All of these exercises for losing belly fat are exciting and helpful. You can run them to learn more.

31 Mar
Blog

iiRcade Review: A Top-Notch Home Arcade With a Caveat

iiRcade

iiRcade Bartop arcade game

"The iiRcade is a high quality home arcade with a bright future, but it will take a few more games to justify the price."

  • Versatile setup

  • High quality

  • Excellent controls

  • Ingenious digital shop

  • Expensive

  • Game library needs more

You've probably never heard of iiRcade, but the home arcade machine company came up with a really interesting concept. Instead of offering nostalgia-focused reproductions of classic cabinets, a modern approach is chosen. The machine is integrated into a digital storefront where players can buy games à la carte and download them to their machine immediately. It's an arcade machine with an app store.

It's a smart business model, and fans of home arcade machines seemed to agree. The company launched a successful Kickstarter campaign that raised more than $ 600,000. Now that it's been on the market for a few months, we have a clearer picture of how the service works and whether or not it is realizing its full potential.

We found iiRcade to deliver a premium home arcade experience with great build quality. The high price and currently limited selection of games may understandably make gamers skeptical, but it is a strong foundation that creates a bright future.

High price, high quality

Let's get the biggest roadblock out of the way first: the iiRcade isn't cheap. A tabletop version of the machine costs $ 600, and adding a suitable cabinet stand gives buyers an additional $ 150. That will probably sound gross when compared to a machine from Arcade1Up, which is half the cost.

iiRcade

That is certainly a hurdle, but it should be noted that here you get what you pay for. The processing quality is first class. Some cheaper home cabinets feel more like novel toys, but iiRcade is designed for the long haul, which is important given its unique business model.

Both the stand and table components are easy to assemble. After slitting together sturdy pieces of wood for about three hours, I was ready to go without further tinkering. All in all, it's a pretty slim closet too. It has a sleek design that makes it less bulky than retro cabinets that try to fully replicate original machines.

The iiRcade is designed for the long term, which is important given its unique business model.

For those who don't have room for a full 61-inch setup, the standalone tabletop version is a perfect alternative. The nice thing is that the stand and table top can be easily combined or separated. You're not tied to one thing or the other, so there is some flexibility in the way you play. The tabletop mode is still big enough that you can't take it to someone's home to show it off. However, it makes it easier to find a place in your house.

A well built machine

The components themselves are where this machine really does its thing. On the visual side, the entire machine is powered by a 1.8 GHz hexa-core CPU. That's enough juice to run modern indie games with relative ease. There are some notable frame drops when you jump into top-tier games like Dead Cells, but the fact that the machine can do them in the first place is impressive.

If the idea is to create the only arcade cabinet you'll ever need, iiRcade puts its money where it has its mouth when it comes to tech.

It has a 19-inch (1280 x 1024) screen that feels like the right size for the job. While split-screen multiplayer games can feel a bit cramped, it's especially good for two-player games like Double Dragon of Windjammers, where players share a view. It provides a clear, sharp image with no retro blur.

On the audio front of the case are two 100 watt stereo speakers that get surprisingly loud. Even turning it halfway felt like overkill.

iiRcade

The main question with any cabinet is of course the control panel. This shows the superior quality of iiRcade. The eight-way joystick rotates smoothly for precise actions. In addition to the standard buttons like pause and player select, there are six main buttons, all of which are pressed with a satisfactory click. There is also a full set of two player controls, which makes it particularly suitable for 2D fighting games.

There are so many little details beyond these big points. It's bluetooth enabled, has Wi-Fi support, and has a headphone jack, and much more. If the idea is to create the only arcade cabinet you'll ever need, iiRcade puts its money where it has its mouth when it comes to tech.

A growing game library

The high quality is nice, but games will make or break an arcade cabinet. Here the machine is currently something of a mixed bag. The business model promises that more games will be added to the system over time. Hence, players have to take iiRcade at its word, and hope that it will earn some worthwhile titles.

The iiRcade is still growing a lot and a little patience is required.

The future looks bright, but it's still difficult to get the full picture. There are 11 games preinstalled on the system, none of which are particularly exciting. I ended up spending most of my time with Maniac Square, a simple match-3 puzzler, but the rest of the freebies are a bit tame. If you want to get the most out of the machine, you have to buy some additional titles in the shop.

Hit Indie Roguelite Dead Cells is the obvious cream of the crop right now. Playing a modern retro game of this quality on an arcade machine is almost surreal. There are a few other highlights in the shop too, like Oddmar and Riptide GP: Renegade, although they are certainly more in the hidden gem store.

The prices for individual games can also be a little daunting. While the prices for more modern games seem reasonable, older games feel a bit expensive. Is someone really going to pay $ 10 for Hoops 96?

The truth is iiRcade is still growing a lot and a little patience is required. This type of service is new to a home arcade system, and it feels like the company is still figuring it out. However, there are good reasons to be optimistic. Dead Cells is a huge addition that shows that iiRcade is targeting the right games. If it can add to that momentum and incorporate modern retro games from publishers like Devolver Digital, this machine could really fill a niche.

We don't know exactly how profitable an investment in the machine will ultimately be. But for those just looking for a closet that isn't limited to a few games, iiRcade already offers more options than anything other than hacking a machine with a Raspberry Pi. There is simply not much competition for this business model, so iiRcade can rule undisputedly for the time being.

Our opinion

The iiRcade is a sophisticated home arcade system that feels future-proof alongside other machines. The high build quality takes it well above the point of novelty and makes it a sturdy investment for hardcore enthusiasts. The game library is still growing, so it's hard to tell if it's still fully worth the high price tag. Even with this major caveat, there is nothing like it on the market, so you really get what you pay for here.

Is there a better alternative?

If you want to play a specific game, Arcade1Up has cheaper boxes with a more targeted selection of games. However, iiRcade's choice is much larger than that of an average machine.

How long it will take?

In theory, quite a while. It is a robust machine with excellent controls. With long term plans to add more games, this is a machine that could last for years.

Should you buy it?

Yes, but with some restrictions. It's an expensive machine that is just beginning to build its game selection. It's a no-brainer for the enthusiast, but the casual gamer may want to keep an eye on what games are being added in the next few months before fully committing.

Editor's recommendations




31 Mar
Blog

3 Things To Do On Mother’s Day

It's the time of year when we celebrate the most important woman in our lives: mom. If you're looking for ways to pamper her this year, don't panic (yet). Eminence Organics got you covered with 3 ideas for things to do on Mother's Day.

Mother's Day

Your mom thinks spending time with you is probably the greatest gift of all. Spend a good time with her and organize a Mother's Day. Take advantage of the warmer weather with a leisurely stroll or a sun-kissed picnic. If a bike ride or hike is faster, lace up those walking shoes and spend a day exploring the great outdoors with her. No matter where you take your Mother's Day activities, remember to protect your skin and your complexion with your favorite sunscreen products from Eminence Organics.

Pampering at home

Skip the endless brunch constellations for Mother's Day and let yourself be pampered at home. We're talking about a healthy (and delicious) breakfast in bed, followed by some well-deserved rest and relaxation. Give your mother her preferred natural, organic and Biodynamic® skin care and experience a pampering day with her with double masking, detoxification and stress relief. Visit our YouTube channel to try our Mother's Day Mixologies!

EMINENCE ORGANICS SPA DAY

Give your mother a day she will never forget with the ultimate Mother's Day gift: a trip to her favorite Eminence spa. Whether she's a beginner or a regular spa-goer, these spa etiquette tips will help her prepare and just rest. A blissful massage and a luxurious facial are perfect ways to pamper you for Mother's Day. Visit our Spa Locator to find an Eminence Spa near you!

Watch as these children gave their mothers an unforgettable Mother's Day for more inspiration to feel good:

What do you have planned for your mother? Let us know your Mother's Day ideas in the comments below and join the conversations on social media.

31 Mar
Blog

Lenovo ThinkPad X12 Detachable Review: Better Than Surface?

Lenovo ThinkPad X12 detachable

Lenovo ThinkPad X12 detachable

"The detachable ThinkPad X12 is a worthy business-oriented alternative to the Surface Pro 7."

  • Excellent detachable tablet design

  • Solid build quality

  • Excellent (and included) detachable keyboard

  • Good battery life

  • Better than the average ad

  • Mediocre productivity performance

  • Fully featured inking is of paramount importance

Microsoft Surface Pro has dominated the detachable tablet category since the Surface Pro 3. There was competition, but none, that could dethrone the Surface Pro as the best 2-in-1 there is. Even fewer direct competitors have been introduced in recent years.

However, Lenovo hasn't been deterred from introducing its first detachable tablet in nearly three years, the ThinkPad X12 Detachable. The company sent me a well-configured test device with an 11th generation Intel Core i5-1130G7 CPU, 16 GB RAM, a 512 GB solid-state drive and a 12.3-inch Full HD + display (1,920 x 1,280) for a retail price of 2,229 US dollars but available with an "eCoupon" for 1,337 US dollars. Other options are available, including CPUs with Intel's enterprise vPro functionality.

The price includes both the detachable keyboard and an active pen. Both are optional (and cost extra) on the slightly more expensive Surface Pro 7 when it's not on sale. Does the detachable ThinkPad X12 take advantage of its relatively low price point and ThinkPad design to pose a legitimate challenge to the clear market leader?

design

Lenovo applied the usual ThinkPad design formula to the detachable ThinkPad X12. First, it retains the line's most common all-black aesthetic with subtle red accents. On the front logo is the usual LED dot above the "i", and on the detachable keyboard there is the red TrackPoint knob and the red striped keys. You'll recognize this from afar as a ThinkPad, and you can't confuse it for the Surface Pro 7, which is similar in shape but has a bright silver color that looks a bit more modern.

Lenovo ThinkPad X12 detachableMark Coppock / Digital Trends

Lenovo ThinkPad X12 detachableMark Coppock / Digital Trends

Lenovo ThinkPad X12 detachableMark Coppock / Digital Trends

Second, the detachable ThinkPad X12 is made from a magnesium alloy that is meant to be both lightweight and durable. Military-grade durability testing is a trademark of ThinkPad. Interestingly, the Surface Pro 7 is also made from a magnesium alloy, although it couldn't feel more different. This is thanks to the soft-touch surface of the ThinkPad, which is warmer and more inviting than the colder metal feel of the Surface Pro 7. However, both tablets exude quality and both are equally well made.

The detachable ThinkPad X12 is almost the same size as the Surface Pro 7 and is available in every dimension within a few millimeters. For example, the ThinkPad is 0.34 inches thick and weighs 1.67 pounds while the Surface Pro 7 is 0.33 inches thick and 1.7 pounds. The bezels are also about the same size – larger than modern clamshell and convertible laptops like the Dell XPS 13 and HP Specter x360 14. These dimensions apply to the tablets only – add the ThinkPad's detachable keyboard and the Type Surface Pro 7 cover is still very tight and a bit thicker.

Lenovo ThinkPad X12 detachable side viewMark Coppock / Digital Trends

Lenovo ThinkPad X12 Detachable connectorsMark Coppock / Digital Trends

Lenovo ThinkPad X12 detachable side viewMark Coppock / Digital Trends

Lenovo has also leaned generously on the design of the Surface Pro in its stand, which, just like the Microsoft tablet, extends at various angles from the center of the back of the tablet to almost flat. The mechanisms feel identical and they hold every tablet smoothly and reliably in the desired position. If you want to copy, as the detachable ThinkPad X12 shows, you can copy from the best too.

The detachable ThinkPad X12 benefits from its 11th generation Intel CPU by offering a USB-C port with Thunderbolt 4 support as well as a second USB-C 3.2 port, a 3.5 mm audio jack and a nano WWAN offers SIM slot to support the optional 4G LTE. This is comparable to the USB-C port on the Surface Pro 7 (no Thunderbolt support), the USB-A port, the Surface Connect port, and the microSD card reader. The wireless connectivity of the ThinkPad (like that of the Surface Pro 7) is based on Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0.

performance

The Core i5-1130G7 CPU in the detachable ThinkPad X12 is a lower-performance version of the chip that operates at 4 GHz compared to 4.2 GHz in the more common Core i5-1135G7 and with a lower thermal design output (TDP) of between 7 and 15 watts. Hence, it can be expected to run a little slower and cooler. The fan spun occasionally during my tests, but it was very quiet. Note that with the ThinkPad X12 Detachable, Lenovo implemented a performance mode that uses the Windows 10 slider. I've tested in both standard and performance modes and found only minor differences between the two in most of the tests.

It's difficult to directly compare the ThinkPad X12 Detachable's performance with that of the Surface Pro 7, as we've changed some of our benchmarks since looking at Microsoft's 2-in-1 system. The Surface Pro 7 we tested used a custom version of Intel's 10th generation Ice Lake CPU, the Core i5-1035G4, making it a generation older than the Tiger Lake-based ThinkPad. We can compare Geekbench 4 results, where the Surface Pro 7 scored 4,957 in the single-core test and 17,145 in the multicore test, compared to 5,719 and 18,385 for the ThinkPad X12 Detachable, respectively. We can also look at Handbrake 1.0.7, an older version of the benchmark that we use to test the speed of a laptop encoding a 420MB video into H.265. Here the ThinkPad took a little over three minutes, compared to almost five and a half minutes for the Surface Pro 7. The ThinkPad is clearly the faster tablet, although Microsoft has released a Surface Pro 7+ for business users that is equipped with the 11th generation Intel -CPUs and should be more competitive.

Lenovo ThinkPad X12 Detachable Keyboard and ScreenMark Coppock / Digital Trends

The ThinkPad X12 Detachable performed roughly as expected in our current benchmarks. For most of the tests, it was only slightly slower than other comparable systems. In Geekbench 5, the ThinkPad achieved 1,352 points in the single-core test and 4,796 points in the multi-core test. With this, the Lenovo Yoga 7i with a Core i5-1135G7 could be beaten with 1,357 and 4,246 points. Another system with the faster Core i5, the Porsche Design Acer Book RS, scored 1,415 and 5,364 points. Laptops with Intel Core i7 CPUs were typically significantly faster.

The ThinkPad X12 Detachable did surprisingly well in our latest Handbrake 1.3.1 test. The test again lasted a little over three minutes. The Yoga 7i took another 20 seconds, while the Porsche Design Acer Book RS ended four seconds faster. Most Tiger Lake laptops finished the test in about three minutes, although some – like the HP Specter x360 14 and the Dell XPS 13 – required performance modes to achieve these speeds. In another video coding test, Cinebench R23, the ThinkPad did not do that well and only achieved 1,125 points in single-core mode and 3,663 points in multi-core mode. The Porsche Design Acer Book RS scored 1,380 and 4,973 points, while the HP Specter x360 14 scored 1,404 and 4,847 points in performance mode. Most of the other Tiger Lake laptops passed 1,300 and 4,400 in this test, so the ThinkPad X12 Detachable remains on the back of the package.

If you're a gamer, definitely take a pass on the ThinkPad.

In the PCMark 10 Complete test, the ThinkPad finally achieved 4,443 points in the overall test, 9,763 points in the Essentials test, 5,865 points in the productivity test and 4,157 points in the creation test. This is the slowest score we've seen on Tiger Lake laptops, and the ThinkPad was particularly lagging behind in the Creation test. The conclusion from this series of benchmarks: The detachable ThinkPad X12 is fast enough for general productivity and basic computing, but it shouldn't be asked to put too much effort into editing videos or photos.

Overall, the ThinkPad X12 Detachable is a tablet that is fast enough for productivity users and is likely to be faster than the older Surface Pro 7. It won't compete with today's fastest clamshells and convertible 2-in-1s, however. More than just a good enough productivity performance, you might want to consider a different form factor.

If you're a gamer, definitely take a pass on the ThinkPad. Even with the Intel Iris Xe graphics, Fortnite could only record 13 frames per second (fps) with 1080p and high graphics. Most Tiger Lake laptops with the same GPU achieve 30 fps or faster at the same settings.

display

The detachable ThinkPad X12 has a 12.3-inch IPS display that is the same size as the Surface Pro 7. However, it's a lower resolution, Full HD + (1,920 x 1,280), compared to the much higher 2,736 x 1,824 of the Surface Pro 7. This makes Microsoft's display significantly sharper, although some users won't mind the difference on such a small display.

According to my colorimeter, the ThinkPad X12 Detachable can hold its own against the display of the Surface Pro 7 (except for the resolution). It has a brightness of 364 nits compared to the 377 nits of the Surface Pro 7 and a contrast ratio of 940: 1 compared to 1140: 1 on the Surface Pro 7. (We'd like to see this metric at 1000: 1 or more, but that ThinkPad is close enough.) The ThinkPad X12 Detachable has 97% sRGB and 72% Adobe RGB (roughly average for premium laptops), a wider gamut than the Surface Pro 7 (roughly average for premium laptops) compared to 93% and 70%, respectively. The ThinkPad's display is far more accurate with a DeltaE of 1.59 (less than 1.0 is considered excellent) compared to the dim 3.51 of the Surface Pro 7.

Lenovo ThinkPad X12 Detachable Keyboard ScreenMark Coppock / Digital Trends

When compared to some other laptops, the ThinkPad's display is competitive. The Dell XPS 13 Full HD display is way ahead with 458 nits of brightness, a contrast ratio of 1350: 1, 98% and 75% color gamut and a color accuracy of 1.35 – but this is the exception. The Lenovo Yoga 9i 14, for example, lagged behind with 341 nits, 95% and 71% color gamut and a color accuracy of 3.74 in most measurements. Only the contrast ratio of 1060: 1 was higher. The OLED display of the HP Specter x350 14 blows all of these laptops out of the water in every metric except brightness (374 nits), with 100% and 96% color bars, a contrast ratio of 374,200: 1 and a color accuracy of 0.69.

The ThinkPad X12 Detachable may not have the same resolution as the Surface Pro 7, but it does have wider and more accurate colors and almost the same contrast. It's better than the premium laptop average overall, and on my daily test, I found it to be a comfortable display. And I didn't really miss the additional resolution of the Surface Pro 7.

The front loading dual speakers were overwhelming. They're very small in volume, and while highs and mids were okay, some laptops didn't even have the touch of base. You want headphones or external speakers to binge Netflix or listen to your favorite music.

Keyboard and touchpad

As mentioned earlier, Lenovo included the detachable keyboard. It's smaller than the typical ThinkPad keyboard, of course, but it offers the same sculpted keys, inverted Fn and Ctrl keys (a bummer, but they can be toggled in Settings), and a superior ThinkPad mechanism. There's a lot of wiggle room, though less than the larger ThinkPad keyboards, and I actually prefer the button switches – they're lighter than full-size ThinkPad keyboards, much like the keyboard on the ThinkPad X1 Nano, which I really liked. This makes the keyboard sharper and more precise, and while it doesn't match the HP Specter keyboards or the Magic keyboard on the latest MacBooks, it's available in seconds. And I like it better than the optional $ 130 cover on the Surface Pro 7.

Lenovo ThinkPad X12 Detachable KeyboardMark Coppock / Digital Trends

Perhaps just as impressive, although the Lenovo keyboard connects to the tablet area via pogo pins like the Type Cover and is at a similar angle, it is much more solid than what Microsoft is offering. There is far less sag when typing on the keyboard of the ThinkPad X12 Detachable, which gives it a more solid feel than the Type Cover. It's not much different from typing on a “normal” laptop keyboard, except of course with the same difficulty as on the Surface Pro 7 when the combination is used on a lap.

The keyboard also includes the TrackPoint nubbin in the center, a ThinkPad staple that works well for those who still use it. The TrackPoint buttons take up space from the touchpad as usual, making the latter smaller than it could be. Thanks to the support for Microsoft Precision touchpads and a comfortable wiping surface, the touchpad works well with the multi-touch gestures of Windows 10 and corresponds to the Microsoft Type Cover touchpad. In fact, it's as good as clamshell and convertible laptops like the Dell XPS 13 and HP Specter x360 13, albeit smaller.

Lenovo also includes an Active Pen with the detachable ThinkPad X12, a $ 100 add-on to the Surface Pro 7. The pen offers 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity, the same as the Surface Pen. You'll need to upgrade to Lenovo Precision for $ 59, however, pen for tilt detection and magnetic attachment to the tablet (also compatible with the Surface Pen). I found the inking smooth and effective, although my (bad) drawings weren't as sharp on the lower resolution of the display as they were on the higher resolution display on the Surface Pro 7.

Lenovo ThinkPad X12 Removable "class =" m-carousel - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://img.dtcn.com/image/digitaltrends/olympus-digital-camera-1067-640x640.jpg "srcset = "https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP//yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

Lenovo ThinkPad X12 Detachable Camera "class =" m-carousel - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://img.dtcn.com/image/digitaltrends/olympus-digital-camera-1063-640x640.jpg "srcset = "https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

Lenovo ThinkPad X12 Detachable Camera "class =" m-carousel - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://img.dtcn.com/image/digitaltrends/olympus-digital-camera-1068-640x640.jpg "srcset = "https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

Finally, Windows 10 Hello support is provided by both an infrared camera for facial recognition and a fingerprint scanner on the keyboard deck. I found both methods to be quick and reliable for logging into Windows 10 without a password. Lenovo has integrated the physical ThinkShutter switch to block the webcam for privacy reasons.

Battery life

Lenovo has a battery capacity of 42 watt hours in the small frame of the ThinkPad X12 Detachable. That's a reasonable amount of battery for the tablet – the Surface Pro 7 has a 45-watt-hour battery, but it also has a higher-resolution display. I was expecting decent battery life given the lower performance CPU.

Lenovo ThinkPad X12 detachableMark Coppock / Digital Trends

For the most part, the ThinkPad X12 Detachable was shipped. For example, in our web browser test, the ThinkPad lasted about eight hours, which is about 30 minutes less than the Surface Pro 7. The Dell XPS 13 with a Full HD display (1920×1080) also lasted about 30 minutes longer than the HP Specter x360 14 with its OLED display lasted exactly one hour less. That's not a great result, but it's not terrible either. In our video test, which ran through a Full HD Avengers trailer, the ThinkPad X12 Detachable lasted almost 11 hours, compared to the Surface Pro 7, which was shut down about three hours earlier. The XPS 13 ran about an hour longer and the Specter x360 14 about an hour less.

The detachable ThinkPad X12 should last most of the day depending on the workload.

I also ran the PCMark 10 gaming battery test to see how fair the tablet is when it comes to CPU and GPU stress, and it did about 2.75 hours. We didn't test the Surface Pro 7 in PCMark 10, but the XPS 13 lasted about 70 minutes longer and the Specter x360 14 lasted just as long as the ThinkPad. To test the longevity of productivity, I used the battery test for PCMark 10 applications, where the detachable ThinkPad X12 lasted just over 10 hours, which is a respectable result. The XPS 13 lasted about 10.75 hours and the Specter x360 14 failed after just over nine hours.

The detachable ThinkPad X12 should last most of the day depending on your workload – which we could say for many of the laptops we have recently tested outside of slot machines. Overall, I would rate the tablet's battery life as good, but not great.

Our opinion

The ThinkPad X12 Detachable is a viable competitor to the Surface Pro 7 and outperforms it in several key areas. It offers better performance, a more detachable keyboard, and a higher quality display, even at a lower resolution. It could be said that the detachable ThinkPad X12 is better than the Surface Pro 7, and it might require the Surface Pro 7+ to keep the line at the top.

When looking for a 2-in-1 detachable tablet, you have a tough decision ahead of you. However, don't let the Surface Pro 7's dominance in the past fool you into looking beyond the detachable ThinkPad X12.

Are there alternatives?

The Surface Pro 7 is obviously the clear alternative. As mentioned throughout the review, the ThinkPad X12 Detachable offers several advantages over the Microsoft tablet, including price. The Surface Pro 7 costs $ 1,400 (not on sale) for a Core i5, 16GB of RAM, and just a 256GB SSD. t include the $ 100 Surface Pen or $ 130 Cover. That makes the ThinkPad a few hundred dollars cheaper.

If you haven't opted for the detachable tablet format but still want a 2-in-1 format, the HP Specter x360 14 is a good choice. It's priced around the same and has a spectacular 4K, 13.5-inch OLED display option. It's a bigger and heavier device and doesn't do nearly as well for coloring. However, if that's not your primary application, the HP is a good choice.

If you aren't into 2-in-1 features, the Dell XPS 13 is an obvious choice. It's the best laptop out there, and it has a chassis that is almost as small but offers better performance and a much better display.

Of course, I should mention that the iPad Pro is an increasingly serious competitor to Windows 10 tablets. If you haven't decided on Windows 10 or its legacy apps, the iPad Pro is a viable option.

How long it will take?

The detachable ThinkPad X12 is durable and equipped with the latest components. It should give you years of service, but unfortunately only the first year is covered by a warranty. However, Lenovo has several expanded service offerings to consider.

Should you buy it?

Yes. The detachable ThinkPad X12 is a fine 2-in-1 device with which the Surface Pro 7 gets its money's worth.

Editor's recommendations




30 Mar
Blog

Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen) Review: Don’t Hit Snooze

Google Nest Hub (2nd generation)

"The Google Nest Hub (2nd generation) offers accurate sleep tracking without the discomfort of a wearable thanks to its sleep detection function."

  • Accurate sleep tracking

  • Tons of data about your sleep

  • $ 100 starting price

  • Only a few new functions compared to the previous model

The roots of the smart home go back a long way before the Google Assistant ever became a virtual assistant in the home. It wasn't until the arrival of the Nest Hub in 2018 that we got a real hub to control the smart home. Countless smart displays have been released since then, including a big brother in the Nest Hub Max, which had a front-facing camera whose functionality didn't just act as a smart display.

The new Google Nest Hub (2nd generation) differs from all other smart displays through its sleep monitoring function. It's an addition you wouldn't necessarily expect, especially on a smart display. But is it enough to make it a real successor?

Wearable-free sleep tracking

There was a time when I tracked my sleep at night using a fitness tracker or smartwatch. I found the information they gathered useful, but the reason I stopped was limited to two things – they needed to be charged (daily on most smartwatches) and having something on my wrist when I fell asleep was not comfortable . The thought of tracking sleep without physically wearing anything undoubtedly has an immense appeal for me.

Google Nest Hub 2nd generation on the tableJohn Velasco / Digital Trends

This is precisely the main selling point of Sleep Sensing with the Google Nest Hub (2nd generation). Thanks to the Soli technology, which records my movement and breathing, the radar detection system allows me to fall asleep without a wearable device, so I no longer have to worry about other conventional trackers. Best of all, the discreet way it achieves its sleep tracking abilities gets better knowing it works without any interaction on my part.

Surprisingly accurate

At first I was skeptical about how well the Google Nest Hub (2nd generation) could track and monitor my sleep. I found out how surprisingly accurate it is after the first night. After I've activated sleep sensing and entered my typical sleep and wake times, I don't need anything else to make it work – except for sleeping, of course.

Google Nest Hub 2nd generation sleep trackingJohn Velasco / Digital Trends

When I wake up the next morning and ask the Google Assistant how I slept, a dashboard appears on the smart display listing all the important details. I'm even more amazed at some of the stats it got from my sleep, how long I went from falling asleep (it took me 1 hour and 25 minutes on a weekend) and the time it took to fall asleep for me to follow when I wake up from bed (46 minutes). It can even measure my breathing rate, which is considered average at 17 breaths per minute (rpm).

Sleep Sensing also monitors my sleep for snoring, coughing, and restlessness – all to determine my sleep efficiency. Based on the data, I am nowhere near able to get the 85% to 95% efficiency rating that I should be aiming for with my sleep. This makes sense when you consider that the Google Nest Hub (2nd generation) knows that I get out of bed and "wake up" around 5:00 am most days of the week. This is correct because the cats then start trampling me all over the place. This is how I know that the Nest Hub's sleep detection is accurate, even when my fiancé is sleeping in bed next to me.

You can also use the Google Fit app on a smartphone to check all the details. Though I find it a little annoying to have to download another app to view the information. In my opinion, it would be more useful to integrate it with the Google Home app as it is the app that I use to control my smart home devices.

Sleep tracking is not for everyone

If you're like me and have a specific sleep routine, e.g. For example, one where cats wake you up and force you to sleep on the couch, the Nest Hub's sleep tracking feature isn't particularly useful – mainly because the data didn't paint an accurate representation of your sleep. Unless I take the Nest Hub to the couch or something, but who does it? For me, sleep tracking is not a main selling point that I would look for with a smart display.

I'm even more amazed at some of the statistics it contains from my sleep.

Still, I can understand how knowledge is power. There is actually a sleep report that looks at sleep data and offers some tips on how to improve that data. In my case, I am told to stop checking my phone before bed and do it when I wake up instead. After all, sleep monitoring definitely paints an accurate picture of my sleep – something I can't get enough of on weekdays thanks to the cats. Another obvious pattern confirmed by the Nest Hub (2nd Generation) is sleeping on the weekend.

Same age, same age

There's an obvious reason I've spent a lot of time talking about sleep sensors. To be honest, this latest model hardly differs from its predecessor. Everything else about this smart display is no different. From its 7-inch LCD touchscreen, which I will once again admit, is a feast for the eyes because it makes photos realistically lifelike thanks to its Ambient EQ mode, to its compact design with a similar fabric cover for its base nothing terrible about it.

Google Nest Hub 2nd Gen.John Velasco / Digital Trends

Because it's a smart home hub, you can still access and control many of your connected devices at home – both through voice actions using the Google Assistant and by interacting with the various on-screen dashboards. What's missing here is a camera, which I honestly would rather have given the added value it would provide.

Companion at the bed

This brings me to my final point that, due to the lack of a camera, I'm more of a bedside companion. Without one, people will likely still put them in their bedroom, which makes perfect sense since the marquee feature here is sleep tracking. There is a little point in putting it anywhere other than your bed.

Although technically it can live on your desk, kitchen counter or coffee table in the living room like any other smart display with similarly sized displays, you are effectively negating the most notable function.

Our opinion

It's a tough job for the Google Nest Hub (2nd gen), largely because it's practically the same smart display we've seen before when you take sleep detection out of the equation. Thankfully, the start-up cost for this model is $ 100, which is still better than the $ 149 initial cost of the original Google Nest Hub. Unless you sleep adamantly, it's hard to justify choosing this over other current smart displays.

How long it will take?

Google's sustainability efforts are presented here again with the Nest Hub (2nd generation). It's made from 54% recycled plastic, which adds to its lightweight feel. Even so, it feels solid and I'm confident that it can withstand most falls from short heights. There is a one year limited warranty that covers defects.

Is there a better alternative?

Similarly in size and size, the Lenovo Smart Display 7 is the most logical alternative as it covers the basic functions while also including a camera that can be used for video calls. The Google Nest Hub Max remains the undisputed king of smart displays despite its more expensive $ 229 cost, as it can replace three products – a powerful smart speaker, a smart display, and a surveillance camera.

If the Google ecosystem isn't your thing, the Amazon Echo Show 8 and Echo Show 10 (3rd Generation) are perfect solutions if you prefer Alexa.

Should you buy it?

Yes, if sleep is important to you and you don't want to be bothered by annoying wearables, you will fall in love with it. If not, it would be better if you try to find the older model at a discount.

Editor's recommendations




30 Mar
Blog

Dell XPS 8940 SE Desktop Review: The Do-It-All Home PC

dell xps 8940 se desktop review 2

"Dell's midrange GPU still delivers over 80% of the performance of the flagship GeForce RTX 3080 graphics card, saving customers a ton of money."

  • Chic aesthetics

  • Good balance between performance and price

  • 4K games in a compact design

  • Easy way to get an RTX 3070 despite a GPU shortage

  • No Ryzen configurations

  • Limited expandability

If you need a work-from-home desktop, you've probably considered the Dell XPS desktop at some point. It's neither for hardcore gamers nor as boring as a normal office tower. Don't forget, however, that this is XPS, a premium brand that is highly regarded in the laptop space. So the question is whether the XPS desktop strikes the same balance between excellent design and impressive performance.

To find out, I looked at the latest iteration, the XPS 8940 SE desktop, which is the white version of the standard black model. Prices start at $ 649, but my updated configuration rose to $ 2,136 because of the Intel Core i7-10700K, Nvidia RTX 3070, and 32GB of RAM.

Aside from problems with GPU supply, Dell offers numerous upgrade options to get a system that does as much as you need it to be. This makes the XPS Desktop a versatile champion for homes, dorms, and even games and moderated creative endeavors when it has top notch chores. the-line specifications.

design

The XPS 8940 is available either in a subtle night sky black or in the chic mineral white color of our Special Edition configuration. It's a new look for the line and definitely an improvement overall. It's a simplified and modernized design as long as you know what you're getting into. Compared to the Alienware Aurora gaming desktop from Dell, the XPS foregoes the pronounced curves and strong contours of its premium sibling in favor of a traditional and decidedly box-shaped design.

Although the sharp lines and angular design of the XPS desktop create boring images of a corporate desktop, it looks less conservative than it appears in the mineral white color. The top half of the front is surrounded by a slightly curved, smooth plastic plate that houses the optional optical drive – a rarity even for desktops these days – as well as a power switch and vertically oriented ports, one of which is a USB-C port for a little future security.

Immediately below the curved plate is a flat and slightly recessed perforated grill in the lower half of the front panel of the XPS Desktop. This lower panel adds not only a bit of texture to an otherwise muted design, but also a bit of visual interest. The special edition white shade enhances the overall aesthetics of the desktop. The perforated plate can resemble a car panel and give the desktop a modern and contemporary look in a minimalist structure. However, you can also feel equally comfortable in a summer house, as the lattice can also be seen as a modern reinterpretation of sugar cane or rattan furniture in this setting. I wish the plastic plate on the front was a bit higher quality as it feels hollow and light to the touch.

The sides of the XPS Desktop consist of color-coordinated metal plates, which are connected at the top with an off-center seam. The left cover can be easily removed with a couple of thumbscrews on the back, making upgrades and repairs relatively easy. The solid metal sides – instead of a clear tempered glass side window – help ensure that the XPS Desktop's design is conservative enough to be used in a more professional office setting, as there is no attention-grabbing RGB lighting coming from inside the tower.

And without the distraction of clear panels, Dell was able to focus its engineering efforts on function rather than form. Cable management is still tidy despite the lack of a window design, but the layout of the interior is rather sparse without many details or RGB lighting. The nice thing about it is that Dell did an excellent job with cooling and airflow. While the XPS isn't as whisper-quiet as a fanless laptop – like Apple's MacBook Air – the fan noise is very quiet and not distracting. The Dell desktop has a single fan in the case and two fans to cool the GPU. The CPU, meanwhile, uses a twin-tower style air cooler. It's not the prettiest thing in the world, but it does the job.

Ports and Connectivity

I really appreciated that the ports are split between the front and back, which is both easy to access and easy to manage cables.

On the front, you'll find a full-size memory card reader, headset jack, and four USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, including three Type-A ports and a single Type-C port. It's nice that Dell has a Type-C port on the front that can be used to quickly connect or charge modern smartphones. The optical drive can also write to Blu-ray discs.

On the back you will find four more USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, all of type A, as well as two additional USB 2.0 ports. There is a Gigabit Ethernet socket as well as sockets for headphones, microphone and audio output.

The motherboard has its own HDMI and DisplayPort. However, since the desktop comes with its own GeForce RTX 3070 GPU, you should use either the line HDMI or three DisplayPort video outputs to connect an external display.

Expandability

Dell's use of proprietary components can make this rig less attractive to enthusiasts. The tower's compact size of 19 liters also means that Dell used a dedicated motherboard, so upgrades (aside from RAM and storage) could become more difficult as the system ages.

However, if you're a data hunter, the good news is there are two empty 2.5-inch drive bays to add more storage space. Installing more space should be fairly easy, even for a novice PC.

Dell Special Edition XPS Desktop RTXChuong Nguyen / Digital Trends

Despite its small size, Dell was able to put a full-length GPU under pressure in our test unit. The graphics card occupies both the PCIe x16 slot and the expansion slot for graphics cards with double width. However, upgrading to an RTX 3070 can be pointless. The desktop can also accommodate additional PCIe x1 and PCIe x4 cards.

There are some limitations with this desktop. The first is that while the 500 watt power supply is sufficient for this class of graphics, upgrading the power supply for more powerful graphics is a challenge. Do-it-yourselfers are limited by the space available for the power supply at the bottom of the case. The bigger problem, however, is using a proprietary Dell 6-pin connector to power the motherboard. This means that if you want more powerful graphics, you'll have to resort to an external power supply and plug cables into the inside of the case as a clumsy workaround.

The cables inside are neatly arranged – wires generally snake across the top, down the front, and flow down to where the power supply is located. Cables are bundled with a few zip ties, but you won't find the sleek cable management systems found in premium boutique buildings. It's not a complete mess which is good.

performance

Our Special Edition XPS Desktop, priced at $ 2,136 configured, came with a 10th Gen Intel Core i7-10700K processor, though Dell didn't overclock the CPU straight away, paired it with a mid-range Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 GPU and 32 GB memory. Given that the XPS lineup is rounded off with an RTX 3070, customers looking for something higher – like an RTX 3080 or RTX 3090 – will have to switch to the higher end Alienware Aurora Desktop in the Dell lineup.

Although Dell recently introduced a minor performance update to its XPS desktop by offering 11th Gen Intel Core configurations, AMD gamers will have to look elsewhere as well. In particular, Dell doesn't include builds with Ryzen processors, although some limited configurations come with Radeon graphics. Wish there were more different builds, but the performance I got with the 10th Gen K-Series processor on our Special Edition test unit is more than for most gaming, creativity, and productivity tasks suitable, and even gamers will be satisfied with the agility of this desktop with a few upgrades.

The XPS scored a little more than 7,300 points in our PCMark 10 test, which is what you can expect from the Intel Core i7-10700K. The performance of the XPS desktop is expected to be lower than that of a system with a Core i9-10900K configuration, but better than a rig equipped with AMD's Ryzen 9 3950X, such as the Ryien-powered Aurora R10 AMD Edition from Alienware.

The Core i7 is more than capable of handling most of the tasks I asked it to do, and Dell's K-series variant offers strong performance at a cheaper price. Similar to PCMark 10, the Core i7-10700K achieved a single-core score of 1,355 points and a multi-core score of 9,034 points. These values ​​mean that the i7 lags behind the Core i9-10900K and i9-10900KF processors, but only to a negligible extent.

In the synthetic Geekbench 5 benchmark, the XPS desktop score shows that the 10th generation Intel processor can maintain its multi-core performance compared to the new M1 processor from Apple on the Mac mini desktop. The single-core value of the Mac Mini of 1,707 points is above the XPS desktop, but the Apple desktop was almost 1,700 points behind Dell's offer in the multi-core test.

The XPS Desktop achieved competitive single and multi-core results in the Cinebench R23 test compared to other Intel processors, scoring 1,311 and 13,586 points, respectively. As with the Geekbench 5 scores, this means that the M1-powered Mac Mini performed better on the single-core Cinebench R23 score, but Intel is maintaining its multi-core performance for now with a margin of 42% over that M1 processor.

For everyday tasks, the system can handle multiple browsers with multiple tabs open, Microsoft Office applications, and creative software such as Adobe Creative Suite without noticeable delays or delays. Some more demanding games started a little faster on the better Core i9 processors. However, this is only noticeable if you can compare both systems side by side.

The XPS Desktop comes with two drives. This strategy allows Dell to provide the largest amount of storage at a lower cost and free up space for additional drives. Inside, in addition to a 3.5-inch 2TB hard drive, is a primary 512GB NVMe solid-state drive that plugs into the only M.2 slot on the motherboard. With the solid-state drive, the speeds were very fast. You want to keep your apps and games that you need most on the 512GB drive and reserve the more spacious 2TB for less frequently used digital files.

The performance of the Core i7-10700K in our Blender test shows that it lags behind the more powerful Intel Core i9-10900K and the AMD Ryzen 9 3900X and Ryzen 9 5900X CPUs in the BMW benchmark. In fact, the rendering performance of the Core i7-10700K is similar to that of the AMD Ryzen 7 3800X and Ryzen 7 3800XT.

In the classroom benchmark, the performance of the Core i7-10700K is very similar to that of the Core i9-9900K, although the rendering time was a bit longer than the AMD Ryzen 7 2800 X and XT series. Upgrading to a 10th generation Intel Core i9 would help reduce rendering time even further.

Graphics performance

Despite a build that only comes with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 GPU, the XPS desktop isn't a problem. The RTX 3070 can handle most of the 4K games you throw at it. Most players will choose this card well as it can handle modern titles with ease. Dell equipped our test device with a 500 watt power supply that is powerful enough for this GPU configuration. Hobbyists who want to upgrade to more powerful graphics, however, are limited by the power of the power supply.

In our 3D Mark benchmark, the Fire Strike score of the XPS Desktop of 61,213 points and the Time Spy score of 12,489 points are ahead of the previous generation RTX 2080 and within striking distance of the premium GeForce RTX 2080 Ti. This is in view of the The middle position of the RTX 3070 in Nvidia's RTX 3000 series is quite an achievement. For comparison: The RTX 2080 scored just over 11,500 points in the Time Spy test, while the RTX 2080 Ti scored in the mid-13,000s.

The RTX 3070's performance in creative tasks is similar to its graphics performance. In our PugetBench Premiere Pro benchmark, the XPS Desktop value of 689 is again behind the performance of the RTX 2080 Ti and ahead of the RTX 2080. Compared to the almost 800 mark of the 3070, the performance is around 85% more expensive siblings. This card should be able to easily complete photo and video editing tasks for most home users.

This card should be able to handle photo and video editing tasks with ease.

Given the lower price in the Nvidia product range compared to the premium RTX 3080, it's hard to complain about Dell's decision to buy the RTX 3070, as this card can still achieve frame rates of more than 100 frames per second (fps) 4K. The RTX 3070's strong performance is reason enough for avid gamers to upgrade to the latest GeForce generation if they come from an older GPU.

In fast-paced games such as Epics Fortnite, the RTX 3070 ran at 120 fps in ultra game settings, although a reduction to high game settings increases the frame rate to a whopping 187 fps, which is a jump of 55%. In 4K, the frame rate drops to just 63 fps in Ultra and 110 fps in High settings.

This compares to the RTX 3080's 78 fps performance in Ultra at 4K and the RTX 2080 Ti's performance of around 55 fps. Here, the RTX 3070's performance is roughly 81% of the RTX 3080's, and this year's midrange card outperformed the previous generation's 2080 Ti by 8 fps.

In more graphics-intensive titles like Assassin's Creed Valhalla, the RTX 3070 had a little more problems due to the limited hardware capabilities of the GPU and the fact that this card only contains 8GB of GDDR6 RAM compared to 10GB of GDDR6X memory on the flagship RTX 3080. This one Game was played at 74 fps in 1440p and only 48 fps in 4K with the RTX 3070, with the quality of the game set to Ultra. On a system with RTX 3080, the game never dropped below 60 fps in the Ultra settings at 4K. Players who play titles with more sophisticated graphics rendering should keep the resolution of 2K 1440p or UWQHD.

The RTX 3070 manages to handle Battlefield V, a demanding title, relatively easily and to achieve over 80 fps in Ultra settings at 4K. The performance jumps to 140 fps when you zoom out to a resolution of 1440p. With Battlefield V, Nvidia's latest midrange range outperforms the flagship of the previous generation, as the RTX 2080 Ti was only able to express 76 fps in 4K, while this year's RTX 3080 ran at 97 fps.

In Civilization VI in the Ultra settings, the game clocked consistently more than 100 fps in 4K. If you're a gamer who plays less demanding titles, even the graphics capabilities of the RTX 3070 may be over the top.

Our opinion

The Dell XPS 8940 Desktop offers a good balance of performance, performance and price in a stylish and compact tower. In a sea of ​​boring, office-oriented PC towers, the XPS has just enough design finesse to make it stand out. It's an excellent work PC and, with the right configuration, a powerful slot machine. If you want a desktop that you don't have much to do with, the XPS 8940 is the best option you can buy.

Are there alternatives?

While the XPS Desktop isn't billed as a gaming rig, it's versatile enough to compete with other creative workstations as well as gaming-forward PCs. Competitors include the powerful Lenovo IdeaCentre 5i, which, like the Dell, is available for an affordable $ 499. Unlike the XPS, however, the IdeaCentre isn't as good for gaming as it doesn't offer an option for a discrete GPU. As a result, the Lenovo desktop is better suited for office work, web browsing, and light gaming. Creatives in need of more graphics power should probably turn to the company's Legion desktop line of products.

The HP Omen 25L is another big competitor to the XPS desktop. The Omen 25L offers a more compact footprint than the larger Omen 30L, a gaming-forward window design, RGB backlighting, and more configuration options. The smaller omen only comes with an RTX 2000 GPU. So if you need more modern 3000 series graphics, you'll need to upgrade to the Omen 30L. At $ 1,999, the similarly configured HP system with a slightly better Core i9 processor in a larger size is slightly cheaper than our test device.

How long it will take?

Given the power and performance of the XPS desktop, this rig will provide years of work productivity and gaming fun. The ability to update key components such as the motherboard and GPU is more limited due to Dell's use of proprietary components. So be sure to select the build you want at the time of purchase. WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) applies to the ability to upgrade this system.

Dell offers a standard one-year warranty with its Premium Support and Premium Support Plus packages with the option to upgrade to packages with longer coverage, add accidental damage, and perform at-home repairs. Extended coverage starts at $ 179 for two years of service, although a four-year plan with accidental damage coverage and automated virus removal costs $ 679.

While premium coverage may seem like a decadent addition to a desktop that's less prone to damage than a laptop, those working from home amid the global health pandemic may want to turn to Dell's technicians for some IT support.

Should you buy it?

Yes. It's not for the die-hard PC enthusiast, but it's a fantastic desktop tower for the average buyer.

Editor's recommendations




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