22 Jul
Blog

Dell Latitude 7320 Detachable Review: The Business Tablet

Dell Latitude 7320 detachable 2

Dell Latitude 7320 detachable

RRP $ 2,189.00

"The Dell Latitude 7320 Detachable is the best Windows tablet for business users."

advantages

  • Solid build quality

  • Very good presentation

  • Competent productivity performance

  • Thin and light

  • Good range of business features

disadvantage

  • Expensive

  • The keyboard and pen are expensive add-ons

  • Below average battery life

Windows tablets are making a comeback in the business world. Microsoft released its Surface Pro 7+ for business users, and Lenovo released the ThinkPad X12 Detachable. The Lenovo is an especially strong competitor that makes it onto our list of the best 2-in-1s. Now Dell has jumped into the race with the Latitude 7320 Detachable, another business-centric laptop that aims to meet the needs of corporate users.

Dell sent me a $ 2,189 (retail price) $ 3,127 configuration with an 11th Generation Intel Core i7-1180G7 CPU with vPro support, 16 GB of RAM, a 256 GB PCIe Solid State Drive (SSD) , a 13-inch IPS FHD + (1920.). x 1280) 3: 2 display and the optional keyboard and pen. The detachable tablet has a very special shape developed by the Surface Pro, and the Latitude 7320 Detachable follows that format exactly. Is it enough to stand out in an increasingly dense field?

design

Dell Latitude 7320 detachableMark Coppock / Digital Trends

The Latitude 7320 Detachable and Surface Pro 7+ don't look exactly the same. They are similar, but Dell's aluminum case is more rounded at the edges than Microsoft's magnesium case. It's a darker gray color compared to Microsoft's lighter silver, and the bezels are smaller on the sides – a big plus. There is more resemblance to the Surface Pro X, which is also more rounded and has smaller margins. The Latitude 7320 Detachable is an attractive device, albeit a rather conservative design, with few decorations other than the Dell and Latitude logos on the back of the case.

The tablets from Dell and Microsoft have the same type of stand that opens along the back and expands to similar angles, and their detachable keyboards are almost identical (more on that later). I would like to note here that the stand of the Latitude 7320 Detachable opens further down and is not as stable as the Surface Pro 7+ the more upright you position the tablet. Lenovo's ThinkPad X12 Detachable also has a similar design, although it uses the iconic ThinkPad look and feel, with a soft-touch finish compared to the cold metal of the other two and an all-black aesthetic. Interestingly, the Lenovo is more similar to the Surface Pro 7+ on the sides, and its stand is also better positioned for a more solid feel.

Each of the tablets are remarkably similar in size, with the Latitude 7320 Detachable being 0.33 inches thick and 1.7 pounds (tablet only) compared to the Surface Pro 7+ at 0.33 inches and 1.7 pounds and the ThinkPad X12 Detachable at 0.34 inches and 1.67 pounds. Thanks to the slightly larger 13-inch 3: 2 display (compared to the 12.3-inch 3: 2 displays on Microsoft and Lenovo tablets), the Latitude 7320 Detachable is slightly taller. However, these are all very light and good-sized tablets, so none of them have an advantage here.

In terms of durability, the Latitude 7320 Detachable feels almost as sturdy as its competition, which says a lot. Both the Surface Pro 7+ and the ThinkPad X12 Detachable are rock-solid devices, and the Dell is following suit – for the most part. The only difference is in the stand. Again, the Dell version is inferior to the other two. It just doesn't feel as good as the others, and as we mentioned earlier, the tablet doesn't feel as stable at a certain vertical point.

A profile picture of the Dell Latitude 7320 Detachable with a charging port and power switches. Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

Connectivity is limited to a USB-C port with Thunderbolt 4 support on each side of the tablet and a 3.5mm audio jack on the top left. If you opt for the optional WWAN LTE 4 support, you will also find a micro-SIM slot on the right-hand side. Wireless connectivity is Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1.

performance

Dell equipped the Latitude 7320 Detachable with low-power versions of Intel's 11th generation Core processors, and my test device was configured with the Core i7-1180G7 with vPro. This is the first laptop we tested with this specific CPU, despite testing slower versions. I expected the same performance from the Latitude 7320 Detachable; H. solid productivity performance, but not enough performance for CPU-intensive creative apps.

Unsurprisingly, that's exactly what I experienced. In Geekbench 5, for example, Dell performed a little slower than the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano with a Core i7-1160G7, but faster than the ThinkPad X12 Detachable with a Core i5-1130G7. The HP Specter x360 14 was slower, but I am reporting its performance in "Optimal" mode rather than "Performance" mode as set in the HP Command Center utility. This laptop is much faster in performance mode. Speaking of thermal and power management utilities, the Latitude 7320 Detachable uses the Dell Power Manager utility, but it made little difference in our benchmarks.

Dell Latitude 7320 Detachable Screen 2Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

In our Handbrake test, which encodes a 420 MB video as H.265, the Latitude 7320 Detachable came last in our comparison group. Four minutes is pretty long for modern CPUs in this test, and while the Specter x360 14 was also slow, it was significantly faster in performance mode. Next up is Cinebench R23, where Dell again came last. It's clear the tablet has to throttle the CPU to keep things cool in such a thin case. Note that I only added the Asus ZenBook 13 OLED to show how these slower Intel Core machines compare to AMD's contemporary Ryzen chips.

Finally, I ran the PCMark 10 Complete test which, as you can imagine, lagged the Latitude 7320 Detachable. These results were transferred to the Essentials, Productivity and Content Creation areas of the benchmark, with the latter being particularly slow. Interestingly, the Dell Power Manager utility made a bigger difference in this review than any other utility I've used. The difference wasn't significant, but the Latitude 7320 Detachable was faster than the ThinkPad X12 Detachable and ThinkPad X1 Nano in performance mode.

Overall, as I suspected, the Latitude 7320 Detachable is really quick for productivity tasks, which we can say for every modern laptop we've tested. You won't notice any slowdowns or delays while running your web browser, Office apps, and the like, but try to do anything that is CPU intensive and you will be disappointed. The tablet stayed cool even to the touch, with quiet and inconspicuous fans that revved up during hard work. We tested the Surface Pro 7 long before we switched our benchmark tests, so I can't make a direct comparison. The Surface Pro 7+ uses 11th Gen Intel Core CPUs at full speed and is therefore likely faster than the Dell.

Geekbench (single / multiple) Handbrake (seconds) Cinebench R23 (single / multiple) PCMark 10 3DMark time spy
Dell Latitude 7320 detachable
(Core i7-1180G7)		 1532/5031 247 1246/3339 4410 1443
Lenovo ThinkPad X12 detachable (Core i5-1130G7) 1352/4796 185 1125/3663 4443 926
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano
(Core i7-1160G7)		 1466/5139 180 1377/4550 4600 1549
HP Specter x360 14
(Core i7-1165G7)		 1214/4117 236 1389/3941 4728 1457
Asus ZenBook 13 OLED
(AMD-Ryzen7 5800U)		 1423/6758 124 1171/7824 6034 1342

I ran Fortnite on the Latitude 7320 Detachable to see how well the tablet can play, and in short, it can't. It only managed 14 frames per second (fps) with 1080p and high graphics and 8 fps with epic graphics. This is similar to the ThinkPad X12 Detachable and is to be expected for a tablet that is thermally limited and runs a GPU with low power consumption.

Display and audio

Dell Latitude 7320 Detachable ScreenMark Coppock / Digital Trends

Like the Surface Pro X, the Latitude 7320 Detachable has a 13-inch 3: 2 display that's slightly larger than the 12.3-inch displays on the Surface Pro 7+ and the ThinkPad X12 ThinkPad. It runs at 1920 x 1280 (like the ThinkPad), which is a lower resolution than the Surface Pro X'2 at 2880 x 1920 and the Surface Pro 7+ at 2736 x 1824. If you're a pixel peeper you might notice the difference, but I imagine most people will be happy with the resolution.

Fortunately, according to my colorimeter, Dell chose a nice panel for the Latitude 7320 Detachable. First, it's very bright at 397 nits, well above our threshold of 300 nits, which is compared to the ThinkPad with 364 nits and the Surface Pro 7 with 377 nits – we haven't tested the Surface Pro 7+ yet, but we can assume that it is that the ads are the same. The Dell beat our preferred contrast ratio of 1000: 1 by 1040: 1, while the ThinkPad missed by 940: 1 and the Surface Pro 7 came in at 1140: 1.

In terms of color, the Latitude 7320 Detachable has a slightly above average 77% AdobeRGB and 99% sRGB (most premium laptops are 75% and 95% respectively) compared to the ThinkPad X12 Detachable with 72% and 97% and the Surface Pro 7 at 70% and 93%. In terms of color accuracy, Dell also led the way with a Delta E of 1.17 (1.0 or less than excellent), the ThinkPad with 1.59 and the Surface Pro 7 with a disappointing 3.51.

Dell Latitude 7320 Detachable is used as a stylus tablet.Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

I enjoyed the display during my testing and found that it showed vivid colors that weren't oversaturated and offered crisp black text and a comfortable media streaming experience. Creative types who want bold color might not like it, but everyone else is happy to use it.

Two side-firing speakers provide audio, and I found it extremely quiet even at maximum volume. The quality was fine, with balanced mids and highs (but no bass) and no distortion. The speakers are just too quiet. You'll need headphones or a bluetooth speaker if you want to do more than just listen to system sounds and occasionally watch YouTube videos.

Keyboard, touchpad and webcam

A close up of the Dell Latitude 7320 Detachable's pen and keyboard.Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

In contrast to the ThinkPad X12 Detachable and just like the Surface Pro 7+ and X, the Latitude 7320 Detachable does not come with a keyboard and pen. While the slim active pen (more on that in a moment) costs a reasonable $ 70, the keyboard costs $ 200. Part of this cost is justified by the design, which includes a docking bay for the stylus that is hidden when the keyboard is set up. Otherwise, the detachable keyboard on the Lenovo is very similar to the Microsoft version. Aside from being a bit larger to accommodate the larger display, it's hard to tell them apart just by looking at them.

You'll notice a bigger difference once you start typing. The keyboard of the Latitude 7320 Detachable has a metal plate inside, which provides a certain rigidity. It's not as bouncy as the Surface Pro 7+ keyboard, but it's also not as solid as the ThinkPad X12 Detachable's keyboard. The typing feel is very similar to the Microsoft keyboard too, with plenty of travel and a mechanism that offers a nice click, but I found its bottom-through action weak and the overall experience less precise than the best of the best keyboards. You'll enjoy the HP Specter and Apple Magic Keyboard a lot more than this one, and you won't feel the keyboard wobble as you type. I would rate the typing experience as good, but not great, and a bit behind Lenovo's detachable keyboard.

The active pen is a slim version that fits into the keyboard docking station for magnetic storage and charging. According to Dell, the pen charges 100% in just 30 seconds and then offers 90 minutes of continuous use. This sounds good in theory, but 90 minutes may not be long enough in practice and other pens will last longer. For example, Microsoft estimates that the slim pen on the Surface Pro X will last 15 hours. The pen uses Wacom AES technology and supports Windows Ink (of course), and while I couldn't figure out the pen specifications like resolution, I found that it offers a smooth and responsive ink experience. As usual, the display is of course touch-enabled and responsive.

The case of the Dell Latitude 7320 Detachable.Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

A prominent component of the Latitude 7320 Detachable is the webcam. Dell has taken note of the increasing use of video conferencing thanks to the coronavirus pandemic and has installed a 5 megapixel (MP) webcam that enables full HD videos (1,920 x 1,080) at 30 fps. This is significantly better than the usual 720p laptop webcam and puts the Latitude in a different category as a video conferencing device. There is also an 8 MP outward-facing camera on the back that can capture 1080p video at 30 fps.

Administration, security and data protection

The Latitude 7320 Detachable is available with the optional vPro support that came with my test device. This increases manageability and security when connected to a corporate environment. Dell has also built in some of its optimization features, including ExpressConnect to automatically join the strongest network, Express Response to prioritize the most important apps, and ExpressSign-In. The latter uses an Intel Connect Sensing proximity sensor that can detect when a user is in front of the tablet and automatically wake it up and lock the tablet when the user leaves.

It's a nice feature that works well, although it can disrupt long processes – I had to turn it off to complete our longer benchmarks and run battery tests. There's also ExpressCharge for a 35 percent charge in 20 minutes or an 80 percent charge in an hour, and Intelligent Audio, which improves audio quality and reduces background noise.

Windows 10 Hello support is provided by both an infrared camera and facial recognition and a fingerprint reader located on the back of the case near the power button. If both work reliably and quickly, and you enable facial recognition, the Latitude 7320 Detachable can automatically recognize you when you return to work and log you directly into Windows.

What is missing is a way to turn off or cover up the webcam. This is common with modern laptops and tablets and is missing here.

Battery life

A profile picture of the charging port on the Dell Latitude 7320 Detachable. Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

The battery capacity of the Latitude 7320 Detachable is 40 watt hours, close to the 42 watt hours of the ThinkPad X12 Detachable and further behind the 50 watt hours of the Surface Pro 7+. With the lower resolution display and the power-saving CPU, I expected a similar battery life to that of these two devices.

We didn't test the Surface Pro 7+, so I can't make this comparison. But the Dell outlasted the Lenovo in our tests, starting with the web browser test, in which the Latitude 7320 Detachable lasted a little over seven hours compared to the ThinkPad X12 Detachable, which shut down 12 minutes earlier. That's not a very strong score, with most modern laptops getting closer to 10 hours on this test. In our video test, which repeats a local Full HD Avengers trailer, the Dell lasted a stronger 13.5 hours, while the Lenovo only exceeded 11 hours.

In the PCMark 10 gaming test, which stresses the CPU, the Latitude 7320 Detachable was at the lower end of our database with 2.5 hours, where the ThinkPad X12 Detachable only managed 18 minutes more. In the PCMark 10 Applications test, which provides the best indication of the likely battery life, the Dell achieved an average of 10.75 hours, while the Lenovo lasted about 30 minutes less.

Overall, these aren't the best results. You might make a day of work if you keep your chores light but put a strain on the CPU and you'll be looking for the charger. This is common with Windows 10 tablets, however, and while the Latitude 7320 Detachable can't compete with larger convertible 2-in-1s and clamshell laptops, it's fine for a Windows 10 tablet.

Our opinion

The Latitude 7320 Detachable is a good Windows 10 tablet with features that will appeal to business users. It doesn't exactly stand out in terms of its performance or battery life, but it's just as well built as the competition (except for the stand) and offers a good typing and ink experience. It doesn't beat the Lenovo ThinkPad X12 Detachable, but it is a stronger competitor to the Surface Pro 7+.

Really, any of these tablets are good choices. The Dell should be on your shortlist if you like its feature set and you probably will.

Are there alternatives?

The ThinkPad X12 Detachable is the strongest competitor. It's cheaper than the Dell and doesn't offer quite as many business features. But it's just as fast and has similar battery life, and the detachable keyboard is more solid.

The Surface Pro 7+ is another alternative tablet and a great choice if you're a Surface fanatic. It's likely a bit faster than the Latitude 7320 Detachable and may offer slightly longer battery life. It's also quite expensive and won't save you any money.

If you'd rather look at a convertible 2-in-1 and don't care too much about business features, then the HP Specter x360 14 is a solid contender. It's cheaper and better-looking, with a spectacular OLED 4K display and a larger 13.5-inch 3: 2 panel. It's bigger, heavier, and doesn't work as well as a tablet, but it's a better laptop.

The iPad Pro deserves a mention as it continues to add features that make it a stronger competitor to Windows 10 tablets. If you've shopped into the Apple ecosystem, the iPad Pro should be heavily considered.

How long it will take?

The Latitude 7320 Detachable is a rugged laptop with modern components that should stay with you for years. The one-year warranty is disappointing for a business-class device, but Dell offers several service upgrades.

Should you buy it?

Yes. The Latitude 7320 Detachable has enough features to make it a solid choice for business people.

Editor's recommendations



04 May
Blog

Lenovo ThinkBook 13s Gen 2: A Small Business Laptop

lenovo thinkbook 13s gen 2 review gen2 1

Lenovo ThinkBook 13s Gen 2

"The Lenovo ThinkBook 13s Gen 2 offers solid performance at a solid price."

  • Fast productivity performance

  • Good battery life

  • Solid build quality

  • A few welcome security extras

  • Attractive aesthetics

  • Flat keyboard

  • The touchpad could be bigger

  • Bad graphics performance

Lenovo's first attempt at building a laptop specifically for small businesses – the ThinkBook 13s – stalled a bit. It was a serviceable 13-inch machine, but it didn't have many tangible benefits for the target market. Now it's the second round that the company is releasing the ThinkBook 13s Gen 2, which aims to bring the laptop up to date.

I have a mid-range configuration of the ThinkBook 13s Gen 2 priced at $ 819 with an 11th Gen Intel Core i5-1135G7, 16GB of RAM, a 256GB PCIe solid-state drive (SSD), and a 13.3-inch model tested 16:10 IPS display with WQXGA resolution (2560 x 1600).

Lenovo managed to iron out some of the obvious shortcomings of the original, making the ThinkBook 13s a solid option for buyers buying a laptop under $ 1,000.

design

The original ThinkBook 13s was a very conservatively designed laptop that lacked outstanding aesthetic features – and it looks more like Lenovo's consumer line than the business-minded ThinkPads. The Gen 2 model looks similar, but Lenovo has made some important changes. First, the bezels are much thinner and look more modern when the lid is open. Second, the lid now has an anodized aluminum area that creates a slight two-tone effect on top. It looks great and spices up what is otherwise an ordinary looking silver laptop. It's not as sharp as non-business laptops like the Dell XPS 13 or the HP Specter x360 14, but it has its own laid-back charm.

These thinner bezels make for a laptop that, despite its larger display that tends to make a laptop deeper, is smaller in all dimensions than its predecessor. It's not as small as the XPS 13, which has even smaller bezels, but it's a good size for a 13-inch laptop. This time it's also thinner at 0.59 inches compared to 0.63 inches and lighter at 2.78 pounds compared to 2.9 pounds. That's almost identical to the 0.58-inch, 2.8-pound XPS 13. While the ThinkBook 13s Gen 2 feels bigger than the XPS 13, it's still a fairly small and lightweight laptop for the class.

Another improvement over the previous model is the longevity feel of the ThinkBook 13s Gen 2. Both passed the Mil-spec 810G test, but the newer model has fewer bends in the lid and bends in the keyboard deck. This time everything is aluminum, too, while the original uses aluminum in the lid and an aluminum-magnesium alloy in the bottom. I find the ThinkBook 13s Gen 2 to feel just as sturdy as the XPS 13, which is kudos as the latter is a standard for well-built laptops.

Lenovo Thinkbook 13s Gen 2 Review Gen2 3

Lenovo Thinkbook 13s Gen 2 Review Gen2

After all, connectivity is a strength with a caveat. There is only one USB-C port with Thunderbolt 4 support. While this is a good thing, it is also used to power the laptop and therefore cannot be used to connect a peripheral without a dock. You can, however, connect an external display thanks to the full-size HDMI 2.0b port, also on the left. There is also a 3.5 mm audio jack next to it. On the right side there is a Kensington lock port and two USB-A 3.2 ports.

Overall, this is an improvement over the two USB-C ports on the XPS 13 that support Thunderbolt 4. It is noticeable that there is no SD card reader, which is a surprise in view of such an excess of connectivity. Wireless connectivity is cutting edge with Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1.

performance

The ThinkBook 13s Gen 2 equips an Intel Core i5-1135G7 quad-core CPU of the 11th generation with eight threads. It was a solid performer when we tested it a few times, and the ThinkBook 13s Gen 2 continues that tradition.

As of GeekBench 5, the ThinkBook 13s Gen 2 is exactly where you'd expect it to be, slightly below the laptops with the faster Core i7-1165G7 and significantly below the Ryzen 7 5800U and the Apple M1. Note that all of the results here are obtained with performance optimization utilities set to "normal" mode. None of the laptops in the comparison group benefited much from their "performance modes" in which such a utility was available (with the exception of the XPS 13 in a test). This is a common feature that in many cases makes me wonder why such utilities all exist.

In our handbrake test, which encodes a 420 MB video in H.265, the ThinkBook 13s Gen 2 performed very well for a Core i5 and beat the Dell XPS 13 equipped with a Core i7 (the ThinkBook result in performance mode corresponded). The Asus ZenBook 13 UM325UA took the lead in this test thanks to its Ryzen 7 5800U, which is incredibly fast in multi-core processes. In Cinebench R23, a test that drives the CPU for a longer distance, the ThinkBook 13s Gen 2 again outperformed its class, outperforming the XPS 13 and the Porsche Design Acer Base RS, which was another fast Core i5 machine.

Next, I ran the PCMark 10 Complete benchmark, where the ThinkPad 13s Gen got a good overall score. The XPS 13 wouldn't complete this test, and the ThinkBook fell behind the Acer Swift 3X with its Core i7-1156G7. However, the Acer Swift 3X also came with Intel's Iris Xe Max graphics, which it could improve on on machines with the standard Intel Iris Xe graphics (including the ThinkBook 13s Gen 2). As with many Tiger Lake laptops, the ThinkBook did much better in the essentials and productivity areas of the PCMark 10 suite than in the content creation area. The ZenBook 13 UM325UA with its Ryzen chip was the champion here.

Geekbench
(single / multiple)		 Handbrake
(Seconds)		 Cinebench R23
(single / multiple)		 PCMark 10 3DMark Time Spy
Lenovo ThinkBook 13s Gen 2
(Core i5-1135G7)		 1406/5379 178 1357/5502 4668 1511
Dell XPS 13 (Core i7-1165G7) 1540/5432 201 1449/4267 N / A 1589
Lenovo Yoga 7i (Core i5-1135G7) 1357/4246 207 N / A 4565 913
Asus ZenBook 13 UM325UA
(Ryzen 7 5800U)		 1423/6758 124 1171/7824 6034 1342
Porsche Design Acer Base RS
(Core i5-1135G7)		 1415/5364 181 1380/4973 4682 1504
Acer Swift 3X (Core i7-1165G7) 1551/5847 158 1485/5944 5117 1889
Apple MacBook Air M1 (Apple M1) 1727/7585 N / A 1479/6880 N / A N / A

Overall, the ThinkBook 13s Gen 2 is a quick productivity workhorse that should keep up with all but demanding creative workflows. Lenovo meets the performance needs of small business owners and a few others.

In terms of games, the ThinkBook did well in the 3DMark Time Spy benchmark. However, this didn't result in my real test with Fortnite. The ThinkBook 13s Gen 2 ran at 1920 x 1200 (I couldn't get 1920 x 1080 as an option) and only managed 18 frames per second (fps) in high graphics and 14 fps in epic graphics. Most Tiger Lake laptops achieve at least 30 fps or 23 fps. I ran the test a few times to confirm my results and I have no idea why the ThinkBook does so badly in this game.

display

The original ThinkPad 13s used a 13.3-inch 16: 9 Full HD IPS display (1920 x 1080) that was below average in brightness, colors and contrast. For the second generation, Lenovo improved its game with a larger 13.3-inch 16:10 IPS display with a WQXGA (2560 x 1600) resolution that is more productive for productivity and significantly sharper than the original in a few others improves main areas.

The brightness was not particularly high at 274 nits. We prefer 300 nits or more for good indoor visibility. For example, the Dell XPS 13 4K display has 420 nits. The ThinkPad 13s Gen 2 had wider colors than the original at 77% AdobeRGB (about five percentage points above average) and 100% sRGB. The original was 70% of AdobeRGB and 93% of sRGB, while the XPS 13 4K was slightly better with 79% of AdobeRGB and 100% of sRGB. The ThinkBook 13s Gen 2's color accuracy was good with a DeltaE of 1.65 (less than 1.0 is excellent) compared to the original at 1.4 and the XPS 13 4K at 1.21.

The new model also had a higher contrast ratio of 920: 1, close to our preferred 1000: 1. That beats the 710: 1 of the original, which was disappointing and well below average, but the Gen 2 models still couldn't match the 1360: 1 of the XPS 13 4K. Gamma came into play at 2.1, just a bit brighter than the perfect 2.2.

All in all, this was a pleasant representation. It's bigger and better for long web pages and Word documents, and its colors were pleasant without being oversaturated. The contrast was high enough that black text appeared on a white background, and with excellent support for Dolby Vision HDR, Netflix's high dynamic range (HDR) content was vastly improved. This isn't a display for creative professionals who need wide and accurate colors, but it's great for everyone else.

The sound was surprisingly loud, and the two down-facing speakers pumped out a serious volume. Unfortunately, at 100% there was some bias that detracted from the experience. If you turn the settings down a bit, you'll still get enough volume to watch Netflix without distortion, and you'll enjoy solid mids and highs, but no bass. A pair of headphones or bluetooth speakers is recommended.

Keyboard and touchpad

Another area where the ThinkBook 13s Gen 2 cannot be confused with a ThinkPad is the keyboard. You can find a version here that is much closer to Lenovo's consumer-grade machines like the Yoga line, as it offers a lot less travel and a fairly jarring basic action. The key switches are very light. So if you don't want to use as much pressure to press a key you will like it, but it's almost too easy for me. I didn't find it nearly as precise as the much better keyboards found on the Dell XPS 13 and the HP Specter 2-in-1 series. The keyboard has a few special keys, including keys to start and stop video calls and a special key to access support options. You can also press a button to turn off the microphone, a plus for privacy.

Despite the larger display and relatively small bezels, the ThinkBook 13s Gen 2 doesn't have as much keyboard deck space as the XPS 13. This is because Lenovo needs more space above the keyboard for the hinge and power button. That said, the touchpad is a decent size, roughly the same as the XPS 13, and it's a Microsoft Precision touchpad that has reliable and precise support for Windows 10 multi-touch gestures. It's a good touchpad that matches the best you'll find in premium laptops – a plus as the ThinkPad 13s Gen 2 is significantly cheaper. In addition, my test device had an attractive touch display, which was welcome.

Windows 10 Hello support is provided by a fingerprint reader built into the power button and worked well. This is a much better solution than a standalone fingerprint reader. With the ThinkBook 13s Gen 2, you can simply press the power button to wake the device and log in. For extra privacy, you can also find Lenovo's ThinkShutter privacy panel for the webcam.

Battery life

The ThinkBook 13s Gen 2 has a 56-watt-hour battery, which is significantly larger than the 45-watt-hour battery of the previous model, which only has an average battery life. Our benchmarks have changed since we checked the original, but we can make some comparisons.

First, the ThinkBook 13s Gen 2 lasted just over nine hours compared to the original's eight hours in our web benchmark, which runs through a number of popular websites. The newer model's score is above average, beating the 6.3 hours on the Dell XPS 13 4K. The Asus ZenBook 13 with the Ryzen 7 5800U lasted almost 16 hours with an OLED display. In our video test of repeating a Full HD Avengers trailer until the battery runs out, the ThinkBook 13s Gen 2 achieved almost 13.5 hours, which is slightly above average and 2.5 hours longer than the original. The XPS 13 4K lasted 10.5 hours, while the Asus ZenBook 13 lasted 15.5 hours.

I would rate the battery life of the ThinkBook 13s Gen 2 as very good.

I also tested using the PCMark 10 battery test which puts a strain on the CPU and GPU (we didn't use PCMark 10 with the original model). The ThinkBook 13s Gen 2 barely got it over two hours, which is below several other Tiger Lake laptops, including the XPS 13 4K, which got it almost three hours. We did not test the Asus ZenBook 13 in this test. Finally, I ran the PCMark 10 application test, which is the best indicator of productivity longevity, and the ThinkBook 13s Gen 2 held up for 11.5 hours, the fourth highest score we've ever seen. The XPS 13 4K lasted around 8.5 hours, and we again didn't test the Asus ZenBook 13.

I would rate the battery life of the ThinkBook 13s Gen 2 as very good. It takes a full day of productivity work when you are not using the CPU and GPU, and you may still have some time to do some evening work. This is a significant improvement over the original ThinkBook 13s, and makes the newer model much better suited for small business owners who may need to work remotely.

Our opinion

The ThinkBook 13s offers largely the same security and support as the original model, which is a definite plus for the target small business market. On top of that, however, it's also faster, has better battery life, and feels better built, which makes it a more compelling business option.

It's not thin or light enough to beat rivals like the Dell XPS 13, but it's also significantly cheaper – another boon for small business owners with cash shortages. In fact, at this price point, it's a compelling option for any laptop buyer, including consumers, who could benefit from a machine that is made to last, be fast, and have a long life.

Are there alternatives?

The Dell XPS 13 is the obvious alternative, offering the same 16:10 display in a smaller package. Performance is similar for both, and the ThinkBook offers better battery life thanks to the lower resolution display. However, Dell does offer a Full HD option which is more competitive here. The XPS 13 is hundreds of dollars more expensive, too.

If you're looking to consider a 2-in-1, the HP Specter x360 14 is a great choice. It's faster, looks better, is just as well built, and features a spectacular OLED display with incredibly deep blacks, high contrast, and wide and precise colors. It's also significantly more expensive than the ThinkBook 13s Gen 2.

How long it will take?

The ThinkBook 13s Gen 2 is tough enough to provide years of productive service. It helps that the components are all up to date. You immediately receive a 1 year guarantee. However, Lenovo offers enhanced services for small business owners who need longer coverage and more durability.

Should you buy it?

Yes. The ThinBook 13s Gen 2 doesn't necessarily have more business-centric features than the original model, but it does offer improvements in key areas that small business owners will appreciate.

Editor's recommendations




07 Apr
Blog

HP Elite C1030 Chromebook Review: Business Laptops

HP Elite C1030 Chromebook

HP Elite c1030 13.5 "Chromebook

"The HP Elite C1030 Chromebook isn't cheap, but it has a lot of business acumen."

  • Great job

  • Excellent 3: 2 display

  • Excellent keyboard and touchpad

  • Solid build quality and conservative appearance

  • Chrome OS Enterprise perpetual license included

  • Average battery life

  • Active pen is optional

  • Very expensive

Most people don't spend more than $ 1,000 on a Chromebook. There are way too many options for much less money that will make Chrome OS run like a dream. However, the growing Chromebook business has shown there is an interest in premium Chromebooks that have all of the manageability and security tools an IT department needs.

The new HP Elite C1030 Chromebook Enterprise fits right in with this new trend.

I had the chance to test a near-top-notch version of the Elite C1030 Chromebook that costs $ 1,529 for an 11th Gen Intel Core i7-10610U vPro CPU, 16GB of RAM, and a 256GB PCIe solid version. State Drive (SSD) and a 13.5-inch IPS display with an aspect ratio of 3: 2 and a WUXGA + resolution of 13.5 inches (1,920 x 1,280).

The price also includes a perpetual Chrome OS Enterprise license, which is typically $ 50 per year. That's a lot of money for a Chromebook – does the Elite C1030 deserve its high price?

design

First of all, this is a nice looking laptop. It follows HP's elite aesthetic that is modern yet conservative. Yes, the chassis is all silver, and that sometimes seems generic. But the way HP uses contrast, with matte silver on top and bottom and shiny silver on the sides, makes it special.

The lid is rounded at the edges and the case back has just enough angles – it just works. The Lenovo ThinkPad C13 Yoga Chromebook is another enterprise machine that has the iconic ThinkPad look and feel – all black with a soft coating – while the consumer-facing Acer Chromebook Spin 713 has a more angled look and darker gray that is also appealing. All of them are attractive options, but the HP Elite C1030 is one of my favorites.

HP Elite C1030 ChromebookMark Coppock / Digital Trends

The HP Elite C1030 Chromebook has smaller bezels than these two laptops and offers a 90% screen-to-body ratio that looks far more contemporary. The lower chin is actually relatively small for a 2-in-1 device that requires a complex hinge. Both HP and Acer use displays with an aspect ratio of 3: 2 and are therefore larger than the old-school Lenovo with an aspect ratio of 16: 9.

Even so, the Elite C1030 Chromebook is smaller in width and height than the ThinkPad C13 Yoga Chromebook and Chromebook Spin 713 thanks to its smaller bezels, while still offering the larger palm rest and touchpad that laptops have in common with larger displays. The HP is 0.7 "thick and 2.87 pounds, compared to the 0.7" and 3.3 pounds of the Lenovo and the 0.66 "and 3.02 pounds of the Acer.

The Elite C1030 Chromebook is rock hard.

In terms of build quality, the Elite C1030 Chromebook is rock hard, at least as much as the ThinkPad C13 Yoga Chromebook, and it's tougher than the Chromebook Spin 713. The company's systems have been military-tested for durability, it shows – they're in a different class, virtually every premium laptop on the market today. The Elite C1030 Chromebook's hinge requires two hands to open, but holds the display in place in all four modes – clamshell, tent, presentation, and media.

HP also builds in some security features that are uncommon on Chromebooks these days. The first is the fingerprint scanner, which offers passwordless login and works just as well as any Windows 10 Hello fingerprint scanner. Second, this is the switch to turn the webcam on and off electronically, something HP borrowed from previous Specter computers (which have since switched to a physical webcam blocker).

Finally, HP offers the world's first (optional) privacy screen that blocks viewing from any angle but in a straight line. My test device didn't equip this display, but I've seen it on Windows 10 computers and it's impressive.

HP Elite C1030 ChromebookMark Coppock / Digital Trends

HP Elite C1030 ChromebookMark Coppock / Digital Trends

Connectivity is solid, but not spectacular. On the left you will find a 3.5 mm audio jack, a USB-C 3.2 port and a Kensington lock port. On the right side there is another USB-C 3.2 port, a USB-A 3.2 port and a microSD reader. The wireless connection is provided via Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0.

performance

My test device was built around a 10th generation Intel Core i7-10610U vPro CPU, which makes it a powerful Chrome OS laptop. This operating system is much lighter than Windows 10 or Mac, and a Core i7 of any stripe will work fine. When you add 16GB of RAM and a fast 256GB PCIe SSD, you have a recipe for a Chromebook that won't slow you down.

We don't have a lot of objective benchmarks to run on Chromebooks. So much of my analysis is subjective. The Elite C1030 Chromebook achieved 1,102 points in the Geekbench single-core test and 3,216 points in the multi-core test, which is far behind Windows 10 laptops, but ahead of the Acer Chromebook Spin 713 with its Core i5-10210U CPU (966 resp. 3,040). and the Lenovo ThinkPad C13 Yoga Chromebook with AMD's Chrome OS-optimized Ryzen 5 3500C (907 and 2,739).

In the Tachometer 2.0 benchmark, which measures the responsiveness of web applications, the HP achieved 114 compared to the Lenovo with 86 and the Acer with 101.

HP Elite C1030 ChromebookMark Coppock / Digital Trends

Subjectively, I just want to say that you have to work really hard to slow down the Elite C1030 Chromebook. I opened Scads from Chrome tabs and ran several Android apps in the background. I couldn't shake the thing. I doubt you'll have performance issues no matter what you throw at the machine.

I could even play a little. The 10th generation CPU is limited to Intel's older UHD graphics, but it can still handle games like Asphalt 9: Legacy without delay or hesitation. You should be able to play a few light games on the Elite C1030 Chromebook to get all of your work done.

display

The Elite C1030 Chromebook has a 13.5-inch WUXGA + display (1,920 x 1,280) with a productivity-friendly 3: 2 aspect ratio. I can't test it with my colorimeter. This is simply not supported in Chrome OS. However, I found the display to be sufficiently bright in all lighting conditions I tested (HP promises 400 nits of brightness), except outside in bright sunlight – which is to be expected. Colors popped without looking oversaturated, but I can't confirm accuracy without my colorimeter.

When I look at pictures next to the Dell XPS 13, which has good colors but not great, I couldn't see any difference. Finally, the contrast appeared to be sufficient, with black text showing off nicely on a white background and images looking like they had sufficient depth.

HP Elite C1030 Chromebook ScreenMark Coppock / Digital Trends

The Acer Chromebook Spin 713 benefited from a higher sharpness of 2,256 x 1,504 on its 13.5-inch 3: 2 display. I would have appreciated this on the HP, but I can't say I noticed any noticeable graininess on the Elite C1030 Chromebook. I liked the display more than the 16: 9 panel on the Lenovo Thinkpad C13 Yoga Chromebook, which felt tight to me.

Most users will love this display especially when they see more vertical information thanks to the higher aspect ratio. Media consumption was fine, as was the productivity work, and I have no real complaints.

Keyboard and touchpad

HP makes great keyboards that you can find on the Specter and Elite models. The Elite C1030 Chromebook is no different. It has an island keyboard with silver caps with legible gray font, lots of spacing, and a very sharp mechanism that doesn't require a lot of pressure to snap into place, yet still has a satisfactory ground effect to work with, knowing you pressed a key.

It's as good as a keyboard that you can find on any Windows 10 laptop. It's better than the Chromebook average – including the two I highlighted in this review – and it can rival the Magic keyboard on Apple's latest MacBooks. There are the usual five levels of backlit Chrome OS brightness that let you fine-tune how much light your keyboard emits.

HP Elite C1030 Chromebook KeyboardMark Coppock / Digital Trends

HP Elite C1030 Chromebook KeyboardMark Coppock / Digital Trends

HP Elite C1030 Chromebook TrackpadMark Coppock / Digital Trends

The touchpad is larger than usual thanks to the additional space on the larger display and works very well. It's fluid and precise, and does a great job with the suite of Chrome OS multitouch gestures. The touch display is also responsive and supports an optional HP Active Pen for those who want to write ink on their Chromebook.

Battery life

The Elite C1030 Chromebook has a 50 watt hour battery with a reasonable resolution and a fast CPU. I wasn't entirely sure what battery life to expect.

As it turned out, the HP fell in between the other two Chromebooks I mentioned in this review. Our web browser test, which ran through a number of popular websites, got 8.5 hours compared to the Acer Chromebook Spin 713 (11 hours) and the ThinkPad C13 Yoga Chromebook (7.25 hours). In our video tests with a Full HD Avengers trailer, the Elite C1030 Chromebook achieved 10.5 hours, compared to 10 hours for the Acer and only about 7.5 hours for the Lenovo. These would be mediocre results compared to the universe of Windows 10 laptops, but they are average for the recently reviewed Chromebooks.

You probably get a full day of work with the Elite C1030 Chromebook, but not much more.

Chrome OS Enterprise

As mentioned in the introduction, with this configuration of the Elite C1030 Chromebook, HP has included a perpetual license for Google Chrome OS Enterprise, which typically costs $ 50 per year. That means you get the business-centric controls and plug-ins that will improve security and remote management forever.

Your organization can manage the Google Play Store to regulate which apps are installed, and support for the Google Chrome browser extension is also controlled by the company. Other features include single sign-on, Microsoft Active Directory support, and 24/7 business support beyond what you normally get from Google.

HP Elite C1030 ChromebookMark Coppock / Digital Trends

HP also talks a little about Parallels Desktop for HP Chrome Enterprise, a virtual machine solution that enables a company to add Windows 10 emulation to its fleet of Elite C1030 Chromebooks with minimal effort. The solution is easy to manage and offers advanced features for HP enterprise customers. It's not included with the laptop, but it's an interesting option nonetheless.

Our opinion

The HP Elite C1030 Chromebook is aimed at corporate customers. It's fast, and has the best security features you'll find on a Chromebook, plus the option of a Chrome OS Enterprise perpetual license. All of these add up to a good corporate laptop. The purchase price is also aimed at companies that have a strong need for security and manageability.

You can just as easily get a Chromebook for half the money in terms of hardware and performance. However, you don't get a laptop that fits seamlessly into a company's fleet of machines.

Are there alternatives?

The Lenovo C13 Yoga Chromebook offers the same support for Chrome OS Enterprise as the HP, without the same level of security. It's also roughly the same price as a similarly configured AMD Ryzen 7 3700C CPU with 16 GB of RAM and a 256 GB SSD.

I didn't mention it in this review, but the Dell Latitude 7410 Chromebook is a comparable corporate computer that's a few hundred dollars cheaper and costs $ 1,279 for a computer with the same specs as our Elite C1030 Chromebook review unit. with the exception of the 14-inch display from Dell). You get similar build quality and performance, but none of the advanced security features.

If you don't need the Chrome OS Enterprise features, the Acer Chromebook Spin 713 is a great choice. It's also pretty quick and well built, and costs about half the money for a similar configuration.

How long it will take?

The Elite C1030 Chromebook is very well built and equipped to keep Chrome OS running for years. You will also appreciate the three-year warranty that comes with our test device.

Should you buy it?

If you're a corporate customer looking for a secure and manageable Chromebook, the Elite C1030 Chromebook should be on your shortlist. Otherwise, you'll want to save your money and use a consumer Chromebook instead.

Editor's recommendations




29 Mar
Blog

6 Ways We’re An Eco-Friendly Business 

At the Eminence Organic Skin CareWe firmly believe that every day is Earth Day. As we celebrate the greenest month of the year, we're also celebrating 17 million trees planted so far as part of our Forests For The Future initiative. Not only do we plant a tree for every product sold, but we also honor our commitment to finding environmentally friendly solutions in all areas of our business. From our green offices in Vancouver, Canada to our sustainable farming practices in Hungary, environmental awareness is at the heart of everything we do.

If you've ever wondered how our company stays environmentally conscious and uses environmentally friendly practices, here is an overview of what we do to make Earth Day every day.

Eminence Organics' eco-friendly initiatives

1. We plant a tree for every product sold!

Eminence Organics, in partnership with Trees for the futureFor every retail skin care product sold, plant a tree so we can support communities in developing countries. The Forests For The Future initiative helps farmers build productive and sustainable crops and farms. This helps local communities grow their own food and build sustainable incomes for their families. Our program has resulted in tree planting in more than 22 countries around the world and in supporting countless communities and families.

Amazingly, a single tree can produce around 260 pounds of oxygen per year. Trees help lower air temperatures to combat climate change and stabilize the soil by preventing erosion from their roots. They also contribute to soil fertility through nitrogen fixation and increasing water penetration.

2. The Green Spa program

Our Green Spa program rewards companies who actively support the green movement and inspires others to do more in their spas and salons. Spa companies must meet 60% of our environmental requirements to be recognized as an Eminence Organics Green Spa. Some of the requirements include choosing reusable or biodegradable options whenever possible, using power strips in treatment rooms and office areas, and turning them off when equipment is not in use. Spas must also set up an in-spa recycling awareness program and use natural, non-toxic, biodegradable detergents instead of chemical-based products.

To learn more about what we ask of our Green Spas, see our Green Spa Requirements. You can also find a certified Eminence Green Spa near you by using our Spa Locator and filtering only our Green Spas.

3. Proud to be a Certified B Corporation®

As the first Canadian professional skin care company to be certified as a B Corporation®, we have met the highest standards for overall social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability. Certified B companies are companies that work towards corporate responsibility that balances profit and purpose. This certification measures the overall social and environmental performance of a company using the B-Impact Assessment, which assesses how a company's business activities and business model affect its employees, society, the environment and customers.

4. Environmentally friendly packaging: retail packaging

Our retail packaging is printed with vegetable inks and made from recyclable materials, while the majority of our marketing materials are made from FSC certified materials. FSC identifies products that are made from 100% virgin material from FSC-certified forests. These labels reassure you that the product you have purchased comes from responsible sources and has been checked to ensure that it meets the strict environmental and social standards of FSC.

5. Green Company, green building

As a growing company, we recently set up a larger central office to improve our award-winning service to our spa partners. When we expanded our eco-friendly office, we never lost sight of our commitment to being an eco-friendly company. Instead of building a new building, we expanded the existing building next door, thereby reducing our carbon footprint. Looking at our current office, the room uses natural light with large windows and multiple skylights for more energy efficiency. Our floors are covered with carpet tiles made from 60% recycled materials and our office walls are redecorated with non-toxic paint using low-VOC chemicals. We use energy efficient appliances like refrigerators, dishwashers, microwaves and eight LED TVs. Other solutions include LED lamps that run on environmentally friendly timers and motion sensors, as well as sortable waste disposal, including a section for compostable materials.

6. Sustainable shipping materials and sugar-leaf paper

When it comes to our shipping materials and even the paper we use in our office, we turn to natural plant sources first. When shipping our products, we use a combination of biodegradable popcorn and unbleached kraft paper. Our packaging popcorn is made from biodegradable potato or corn starch, which dissolves in water as a non-toxic and harmless waste. In the office we use sheets of paper in the printers. These edible leaves are made from 100% natural sugarcane fiber residues that help preserve forests and reduce greenhouse gases.

As a company, we take daily inspiration from the creative ways others are proactive in making our planet a happier, healthier place. We are also very proud that our business partners, loyal spa partners and Eminence Organics fans are doing their part in the green movement.

How do you keep our planet green, healthy and happy? Let us know in the comments below.

06 Mar
Blog

Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Review: Business As Usual for Samsung

Samsung Galaxy S21 plus review back

"The Galaxy S21 + 5G is a sleeker, larger version of the S21. While it's great quality, it doesn't improve the S20 + drastically, nor does it match the height of the S21 Ultra."

  • Noble metal-glass body

  • Breathtaking screen performance

  • Capable camera

  • A 2021 flagship camera is missing

  • S21 Ultra is way better in many ways

If the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is the best Android phone you can buy right now, and the Galaxy S21 5G has the right ingredients but can't quite pull them together, then where is the Galaxy S21 + 5G? The price is exactly in between and mixes up the lackluster technical data of the S21 a bit, but still doesn't quite match the S21 Ultra for downright high-tech appeal. Is the Galaxy S21 + the confused middle kid or a little star waiting for its moment to shine?

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Since the Galaxy S21 + is almost identical to the Galaxy S21 in terms of software, performance, and camera capability, I won't go into a lot of details here, as DT's mobile editor, Andrew Martonik, already did so in their Galaxy S21 review . Instead, I'll talk about the design and battery that make the S21 + different, as well as some general opinions about the camera and software.

Design and screen

The Galaxy S21 + basically looks the same as the S21, only a bit bigger and a good deal heavier. It weighs 200 grams and is 7.8 mm thick, with a rather flat 6.7-inch screen that leads into the metal case and, most importantly, a Gorilla Glass Victus back panel. Fortunately, the rear cover made of polycarbonate can only be found on the S21. The matte finish hides fingerprints and smudges, and the attractive Phantom Silver color in our photos subtly changes color in different lighting conditions. It is very nice.

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Samsung Galaxy S21 plus test side camera module "class =" m-carousel - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn4.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/galaxy-s21-plus-side-camera -module- 640x640.jpg "srcset =" https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAAABAAndy Boxall / Digital Trends

In keeping with the textured metal of the camera module, which is part of the metal housing like the S21 and S21 Ultra, the S21 + feels expensive, looks classy and, overall, is just the right weight to hold. The S21 series design is Samsung's best yet, and the massive camera module on the back of the S21 Ultra takes off the delicate, stylish look. Not so with the Galaxy S21 +. It's just the right mix in that regard, but the size of the phone can still bother some. It's nowhere near as big as the S21 Ultra or the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, but it's still a sizable device. My medium-sized hands are struggling to reach over the body of the phone.

The screen is the same Dynamic AMOLED panel as the S21, only bigger. The 6.7-inch screen has a pixel resolution of 2400 x 1080 (FHD +) and a maximum dynamic refresh rate of 120 Hz. The software adjusts the refresh rate depending on what you are doing to keep power consumption under control. It's also a mostly flat panel with less curvature than the S21 Ultra. This has advantages when it comes to gaming but disadvantages when it comes to style. A flat screen can cause the phone to age prematurely.

If you're concerned, the FHD + resolution makes the viewing experience less impressive than the S20 + with WQHD + resolution. Do not worry. Comparing the two didn't reveal any noticeable difference when watching videos – whatever you're doing on the phone looks absolutely great. The video looks amazing, with beautiful colors, sharp details, and more brightness than you really need. This version of GFriends Mago demonstrates the screen's excellent ability to handle rapidly changing colors and tones. At 1080p and 60fps on the S21 +, it looks wonderful.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The beautiful graphics are retained throughout the operating system, supported by the breathtaking brightness of the screen and the refresh rate of 120 Hz for super smooth scrolling, as well as useful adjustment with the Video Enhancer for more vivid colors, a white balance adjustment and various screen color modes. The stunning screen combined with the reasonable size of the Galaxy S21 + in the hand is great for video, gaming, and general everyday use.

camera

The S21 + has the same camera system as the S21 and is almost identical to the cameras of the S20. This means a 64-megapixel main camera, a 12-megapixel ultrawide camera and a 12-megapixel telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. There is also a 10 megapixel selfie camera in a central hole in the screen. However, you will still find many of the same features found on the S21 Ultra, including 8K video recording, the interesting single take mode, image stabilization, portrait mode, and Director's View (where you record video with all cameras and switch between them can) real time) and much more.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

When I compared the S21 + directly with the camera of the S20 +, the software improvements from Samsung were clearly visible. The S21 + can handle shadows and difficult lighting outdoors far better than before, isn't over-saturated in the same way, and has a wider dynamic range. The result is very attractive photos with a tone that is still pop but not as fake as some photos from the S20's camera.

While 3x optical zoom is the preferred option for detail as you get closer to the picture, moving it up to 10x digital won't completely pixelate the photo, but you probably won't want to use the photos very often. To get the best zoom camera, you need to buy the Galaxy S21 Ultra, which has both 3x optical and 10x optical zoom – the difference is significant.

Disadvantage? The wide-angle and main cameras can lack consistency in tone and appearance, with the wide-angle camera increasing the saturation more. The wide-angle camera doesn't take great macro shots on the S21 Ultra either, and focusing on close-ups isn't the S21 + 's forte. The biggest disadvantage, however, is that the S21 + 's camera is only "good" and that is not enough for $ 1,000, especially if it is also the $ 800 Galaxy S21 or the iPhone 12 Pro and Google Pixel 5 far more are capable.

Battery and performance

I'm using an S21 + with an Exynos 2100 chip instead of the US model with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 with 8GB of RAM. On average days with around three hours of screen time, mostly social networking, email, browsing, and messaging, the 4,800 mAh battery drains to around 35% from around 7:30 a.m. to 1:00 a.m., which is means that general usage is a little shorter. You could get two days out of the S21 +.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

However, add in some games or heavy photo or video usage and you only get a single day. About 30 minutes of Asphalt 9: Legends, for example, uses 10% of the battery. If you do this twice a day, you will be nervously watching the percent meter around bedtime. Playing Asphalt 9: Legends over long periods of time showed that the S21 + may not be able to handle intense games as intensely as the S21 Ultra, which has the same chip but more RAM. The game suffered from dropped frame rates and slowdowns, and eventually crashed after a very long session when there was a lot going on on the screen, which wasn't at all on the S21 Ultra. Otherwise, the performance was flawless and no other games had such problems.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The S21 + has Android 11 with the Samsung OneUI 3.1. It is identical to the S21 and the S21 Ultra. For more information on the software's strengths and weaknesses, check out the reviews of these two phones. The 25-watt fast charging is also the same for all Galaxy S21 models, along with the wireless 15-watt charging and reverse charging. Fortunately, Samsung used a new fingerprint sensor on the S21 + than on the S20 +, and its performance is excellent.

Price and availability

The Samsung Galaxy S21 + is priced at $ 1,000 for the 128GB model or $ 1,049 for the 256GB version. In the UK, the 128GB Galaxy S21 + is £ 950 or £ 999 for the 256GB version. It is now available, either activated via Samsung or Amazon or with a contract with all major network operators.

Our opinion

The Samsung Galaxy S21 + 5G appears to be the middle child of the 2021 S series, and while that's true in terms of size, it's not about technology. The S21 + comes no closer to the incredible capabilities of the S21 Ultra than the S21 and is really only there for those who think the S21 is too small. If you want the true S Series flagship this year, you have to Buy the S21 Ultra 5G.

Does that mean you shouldn't be considering the S21 + at all? No, if you are interested in the S21 or the S21 +, it is the model of the two that you need to buy. The Gorilla Glass Victus back panel gives it the class that the S21 plastic lacks, the larger screen really shows the breathtaking quality, and the battery life – although not exactly long – is better.

The extra cash to spend on the S21 is a little on the high side if the camera is not only the same, but also not as good as the $ 1,000 iPhone 12 Pro or the $ 699 Google Pixel 5 -Dollar S21 + owners interested in camera performance for the $ 1,200 S21 Ultra.

When I tested the Galaxy S20 + in early 2020, I called it the "safe choice," and that's exactly how I see the S21 +. It's pretty and capable, but it doesn't cross borders or lead exciting advances. They know that the quality is excellent and that it will last. The fact that I am saying exactly the same thing about the sequel is both comforting because nothing has changed and depressing because nothing has really changed. The Galaxy S21 + runs as usual.

Is there a better alternative?

Yes. Assuming you're not set on an Android phone, the Apple iPhone 12 Pro is the better buy for $ 1,000. The camera is superb, the size is right, the performance is excellent, and since it has 5G this year, it will last just as long as the S21 +. Obviously, things change a little when Samsung offers deep discounts – at the time of writing. The S21 + was brought down to just $ 800, but that's not a permanent sale.

If Android is essential, the Galaxy S21 + 's main competition has not really arrived in 2021. The OnePlus 8 Pro is still very good, but the OnePlus 9 series is on its way very soon and it may be worthwhile to see what the updated model has to offer if you're not in a hurry. If you're in the UK or don't mind importing, the Xiaomi Mi 11 shares the S21 +’s excellent screen and improves the technology in the camera, but battery life suffers.

How long it will take?

Samsung is committed to providing software and security updates for up to four years. The S21 + has an IP68 rating and a metal case, and it has a ton of power plus 5G to keep it updated. All of this means that a two-year contract with a carrier feels relatively new in the end and lasts for at least another year before you really have to think about an upgrade.

Should you buy it?

Yes, this is definitely the model when you can choose between the S21 and the S21. Don't expect this to be anything more than a slightly updated version of the S20 + from last year, however. If this bothers you, there are better options.

Editor's recommendations




06 May
Blog

HP Elite Dragonfly Review: The Out of Office Business Laptop

HP Elite Dragonfly Rating 6

"The HP Elite Dragonfly is light and sleek, and almost too sleek to be a pure business laptop."

  • Perfect size for on the go

  • Many security functions

  • Incredible battery life

  • Great port selection

  • Older processors

  • The keyboard feels tight

This review was updated on May 6, 2020 by digital trends author Mark Coppock with the new functions Tile and Sure View Reflect.

You get on your six-hour flight with the ambitious goal of getting some work done. You are prepared. You have a laptop A charger. They are even ready to pay for the expensive in-flight WiFi. It's time to get it. Job. Done.

Six hours later, you barely managed to open your laptop.

It's not easy to mess around with the charger under your seat, fight for freedom of movement with your fellow travelers, and try to stuff a laptop on an airplane shelf. And if you pack a chunky "business laptop" it's almost impossible.

HP finds it new Elite Dragonfly is the solution. The company claims it has the security features business people need without the stereotypical design issues. Is this $ 2,079 business laptop worth a first-class trip?

A suitable travel partner

The dragonfly was developed from the ground up for your work on the go. At 2.2 pounds, it's significantly lighter than laptops like the XPS 13, HP Specter x360, and MacBook Air. HP says it relieves every element of the laptop to make it so light without losing structural integrity. Even a super-light business laptop like the ThinkPad X1 Yoga is 0.8 pounds heavier.

This effort was really worth it. Put it in your backpack or briefcase and you will barely notice the extra weight as you run through the airport trying to find your gate. It is a tiny laptop. However, the strong navy color, the golden decorations and the sharp edges go perfectly with your suit and your wristwatch. It is downright decadent.

Holding with one hand as a tablet is still out of the question due to its size.

If you take a seat and whip the dragonfly out to work, it fits well on your tray table. The total space requirement is quite small, so it may even work in economy class. This is another area that the dragonfly has over its rivals. It corresponds to the size of the XPS 13, but is three quarters of an inch smaller in height and width than the X1 Yoga. When you are in a confined space like an airplane, every millimeter counts.

For a better view, you can flip the keyboard over to record or watch movies. The use of tablets is possible, but uncomfortable like other 2-in-1 devices of this size. It's just a little big and a little too heavy.

The dragonfly's screen is next to the XPS 13 2-in-1 and looks a bit dated. The bezels are not massive, but a little bulky in addition to the larger 16:10 screen of the XPS 13 2-in-1. The new Specter x360 also has smaller bezels, and I wish they had found their way to the dragonfly. The 1080p screen isn't as impressive as the high-contrast, insanely bright XPS 13 2-in-1. A 4K version is available for better image quality, but is currently not available.

We also tested HP's latest privacy screen, Sure View Reflect. It is the 4th generation of the company's technology that makes the screen invisible from a certain angle. This means that no one but you can see your display unless they are right behind you. In release mode, ie when Sure View Reflect is deactivated, the display is very bright and offers a lot of contrast as well as an accurate color width and accuracy. It is a good ad for productivity users. When you're in privacy mode and Sure View Reflect is turned on, brightness, contrast, and colors drop, but it works as intended. The display is provided with a copper coating, which makes it illegible from the sides.

A small laptop means a small keyboard

The size of the frames (and the size of the keyboard deck) enables a sufficiently large touchpad for tracking and gestures. The glass is smooth and the click mechanism is quiet.

However, the small footprint has a compromise on the keyboard width. It's a little tight, especially in the function line, which is about small buttons that can be easily accidentally pressed. HP went one step further and tried to place a pair of upward-facing speakers directly on the keyboard deck.

I would normally welcome such a choice, but in this case I would have preferred a larger keyboard like the X1 Yoga. This is especially true since the speakers still don't sound good here.

Fortunately, typing is fun. The key presses have enough travel (especially compared to the XPS 13 2-in-1 or MacBook Pro) and are quiet enough not to wake up the person sleeping next to you on the plane.

The included pen is a lightweight pen that feels good in your hand and can be charged via USB-C. With 4,096 sensitivity levels, it is perfect for notation and illustration. The only problem is that there is no case or way to attach it to the laptop. You have to rely on your own devices to have the pen with you. When you're on the go, this can be problematic.

Portable, all-day work and integrated tile support

When you arrive at your destination, the dragonfly has many tricks to meet your computer needs. Port selection is a good place to start. Despite its thickness of just 0.63 inches, HP has both a full-size USB-A and HDMI connector. Neither is so common with laptops as thin as laptops like the XPS 13 go all-in on USB-C.

The Dragonfly has a USB-C 3.1 and a Thunderbolt 3 port for your modern accessories and ports, but offers you options for the older ports that are still useful. They are the key to those moments when you show up at a meeting, are confused by a day of travel and need to be connected to a TV or monitor via HDMI. It also means that you can leave most of your dongles at home.

However, the HP Elite Dragonfly is slightly behind Lenovo X1 Yoga. This laptop offers two USB-C 3.1 / Thunderbolt 3 and two USB-A 3.1 and HDMI 1.4.

If it's a short trip (or you're feeling brave), dare to leave your charger at home too. The dragonfly's battery life is so good. It took just under 10½ hours to surf the Internet, which means that you do well over an entire working day. Your coast to coast flight is covered whether you are working or catching up with The Mandalorian. The Sure View Reflect display does not affect battery life either.

I was a little annoyed by the power switch, which is right next to the connectors on the left. There are many accidental presses when the laptop is picked up or simply moved. While it makes sense to use the 2-in-1 device as a tablet, as mentioned earlier, the size of the dragonfly means that the use of tablets is not ideal.

In 2020, HP added built-in Tile support so users can now find their laptop using the Tile app. The tile circuit is integrated and is specially slid into the M.2 slot, which is normally used for the optional LTE support. This means that it is Tile or LTE, but not both. Tile works well even when the laptop is turned off. You can at least see where you were last connected to the laptop via Bluetooth. If you're lucky, someone is within range with the Tile app and you can see the location of the laptop in real time. It's a great feature for anyone who is worried about leaving their laptop behind.

When business functions are a problem

HP is proud of the security features built into the level. It features a fingerprint scanner, Windows Hello face recognition, a physical camera cover, suppressed noise cancellation for Skype calls, an extended Wi-Fi range and three microphones (two facing, one "world" face). These are all touches that business users will appreciate.

However, it goes deeper. HP Sure Start is also included for secure boot and BIOS protection. HP even sells a separate model with its darkened Sure View screen for more privacy when traveling.

This is not just software. The HP Endpoint Security Controller is on the board. According to HP, it is isolated and cryptographically secure. There's more to it than just a business-first laptop like the ThinkPad X1.

We all want our computers to be secure, but that's probably more than what the average person needs. In some cases, the security suite feels like bloatware, especially if you want to use third-party software to protect against malware. HP security will make IT managers happy, and that's what the company is counting on.

Performance is … ok. The use of 8th generation Intel processors is unfortunate. It's not HP's fault, of course. Intel does not yet support vPro in its latest processor generations. This is (among other things) an important tool for IT departments and remote management.

It's the same problem you find in other business laptops like the Latitude series from Dell or the ThinkPad T series. Note that the cheaper Intel Core i5 Dragonfly does not have a vPro for $ 1,629, so you will lose the performance boost of newer processors without the benefits.

HP has decided to play it safe with the dragonfly. You probably won't notice a drop in performance compared to the XPS 13 2-in-1 or Specter x360, especially not with Dragonfly's 16 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD and 32 GB Intel Optane Memory H10. However, it damages the longevity of the laptop and lets you question the high price.

Our opinion

The dragonfly is ideal for business people who value security, portability and build quality. The dragonfly will make this person happy, especially if their employer pays the bill.

If you're someone else, you'll wonder why the laptop is so small, won't turn on quickly, or doesn't have the latest generation processors. Despite trying to impress a wider audience, the level of functionality of the dragonfly means that it is still best for a very specific user.

Are there alternatives?

The closest alternative is the ThinkPad X1 Yoga, which is a few hundred dollars cheaper. The Yoga also includes options for a wider range of configurations, including 4K panels and 10th generation processors. However, it is not as portable as the dragonfly.

The Dell Latitude 7400 2-in-1 is also a great alternative with its ultra-thin bezels and numerous security features. For a similar configuration, the Latitude is $ 100 more expensive and not quite as small as the Dragonfly.

Non-business options like HP Specter x360 or XPS 13 2-in-1 are fantastic, although you lack many of the security features you may need.

How long it will take?

The dragonfly comes with an excellent three-year warranty that will be attractive to businesses. Aside from accidents, the laptop should last as long due to its hardware and excellent build quality. You can even add an additional HP CarePack for advanced repair and replacement services.

Should you buy it

Yes. Those outside the business world shouldn't cross, but for the right person, the dragonfly is the perfect travel companion.

Editor's recommendations




03 Mar
Blog

Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 Review | Built for business

Headphones with Bose Noise Canceling 700

"The new Noise Canceling Headphones 700 from Bose offer an unbelievable demand for business class pleasure."

  • Excellent noise cancellation

  • Very convenient

  • Remarkable speech intelligibility for calls and voice assistants

  • Connect to multiple devices at the same time.

  • USB-C offers convenient quick charging

  • Boost to Lower Treble is tough

  • Requires the Bose Music app to control many functions

This review was last updated on February 19th, 2019 by Nick Woodard, employee of Digital Trends.

Since Sony defeated Bose in its own game with its WH-1000XM3, I've been looking forward to an update of the Bose QC 35 II. Now it has arrived.

With the Noise Canceling Headphones 700 (hereinafter referred to as "Bose 700”) Announced, Bose played better speech intelligibility for phone calls and interactions with voice assistants like Alexa from Amazon and Google Assistant. The company made no mention of changes in sound quality, but it turned out to be updated as well, and even a quick look reveals a new physical design. However, it's not immediately apparent that Bose's new Bose Music app offers additional touch controls and features.

As it turns out, there is something new about the Bose 700. But are they a smart buy for $ 400, especially when the award-winning QC 35 II is still available for at least $ 50 less? We dug deep to find out who wanted the Bose 700 and who could stick to the tried and tested QC 35 II or other items like the popular Sony 1000XM3.

Out of the box

You can immediately see that Bose has made some design changes. The Bose 700 case is much flatter than most of the competition, which makes it easier to slide the case into airline seat bags for in-flight storage.

The slim form factor is thanks to a somewhat wider housing, in which the headphones can be simply flipped in and out by simply turning the ear cups – no complex folding technique required. There is a hidden compartment in the protective cover, which is closed with a magnetic flap. Lift the flap and you will find a headphone cable and a short USB-C charging cable. Bose has digthe increasingly unnecessary airline adapter for this iteration.

The Bose 700 takes a different design approach, which is characterized in particular by the way the ear cups are attached to the headband. Instead of continuing the yoke-like bracket that allowed earlier models to swivel and tilt generously, the 700 are attached directly to the inner band of the headband on the outside of the ear cup. There is less adjustment potential, but I've found that this doesn't pose a problem for my head size or shape – the Bose 700 feels great to me.

The comfort factor seems to be a kind of debate among the reviewers. I've seen others claim that the Bose 700 isn't as light or comfortable as the Bose QC 35 II, but by numbers they're actually 2 ounces lighter (8.9 to 10.9 ounces). You put onYou also don't need a scale to feel lighter. Take a pair with each hand and you can feel the difference.

You don't need a scale to feel lighter.

The weight difference is less pronounced when worn, but comfort has always been heavily dependent on the weight distribution. If the right balance of clamping force meets a sufficiently wide and well-padded headband, a slightly heavier headphone can actually feel more comfortable than a slightly lighter option. As I mentioned before, the 700 are indeed lighter and in my opinion offer the perfect weight distribution. The headband is a bit muddy – if not covered with luxurious fabric – and the ear cups have a slightly larger circumference, which means that the clamping force is well placed around the ears and not on them.

Of course this is only a description of my Experience. Different head sizes and shapes as well as different ear sizes play a role in the feeling of the headphones. So my suggestion is that you try the headphones yourself and see if they feel like an improvement in comfort or a step backwards.

Features and other extras

Along with changes to the physical design, Bose integrated new controls for the 700. The controls for play / pause, title advance / rewind and volume are managed via a touchpad on the right ear cup. Only three physical buttons are found. With a button on the left you can adjust the intensity of the noise suppression at levels 0, 5 and 10. You can also turn off noise cancellation while pausing the music. Two buttons on the right offer controls for pairing power / Bluetooth and calling the voice assistant of your choice, including Alexa, Google Assistant and even Cortana on Windows computers.

Bose Noise Canceling Headphones 700 reviewJulian Chokkattu / Digital Trends

Then there's the new Bose Music app. I usually don't care about companion apps because they rarely add value to the experience. In this case, however, I recommend anyone who buys the Bose 700 to download the app that is available for iOS and Android, The Bose Music app allows users to pair the headphones with their phone (which is possible without the app), rename their headphones as they wish (the names suggested by Bose are hilarious. Thunder Flash, anyone?) And detailed control over them Exercise effectiveness of 0-10 noise reduction and paired device management.

The app also lets you manage all of your music services from one place, and save preferred playlists as convenient presets for one-touch access. If you own other connected Bose products, you can use this app to manage music playback through sound bars and wireless speakers individually or in groups.

There is no better headset for answering calls.

Like the Bose QC 35 II and Bose Frames Alto, The Bose 700 work with Bose AR, an interesting audio-based version of augmented reality. If you're using certain AR-enabled apps and an iOS device with location data enabled, users can enjoy experiences like advanced instructions in the Walc app. Instead of asking you to turn right in 0.2 miles, you may be asked to turn right on the walgreens. Or if you're looking for an amusing adventure on your way to work or home, try Komrad AR, a game that turns you into a secret agent standing in the way of an evil computer striving for global dominance. It sounds a bit tricky, but I would be lying if I said I wasn't looking forward to trying Bose AR.

Finally, a word about battery performance. With fast charge, the Bose 700 can play for 2 to 2.5 hours on a 15-minute charge. The total playing time with noise cancellation activated is approximately 20 hours. Without activated noise cancellation, this number increases to 40.

Noise Reduction Performance

As you'd expect, the Bose 700 are excellent noise cancelers. However, what you may not expect is that the noise canceling effectiveness may differ slightly from that of the QC 35 II. What I noticed is that the 700 seems to suppress more static high-frequency noise than previous models. I can see this works well for air travel as it picks up more hiss you hear from an aircraft's ventilation system.

However, I also noticed that more center frequencies went through than I am used to with Bose noise canceling headphones. I haven't had a chance to test the 700 on a flight yet – I had to use a noise machine and real sounds for this review – but I'm getting on a plane soon and will update this review accordingly. Right now I'm ready to say that the 700 will improve the already impressive noise cancellation technology for air travel, but for everyday use in the office or when commuting on a bus or train, I would prefer the QC 35 II.

S.quality

I honestly didn't expect the changes Bose had made here. The 700 have a very significant boost in the upper middle and lower treble range, which makes them sound very detailed with more relaxed tracks, but if you get a few cymbals or brass players going, they become a little aggressive – some even say hard. I want to point out that the 700 feels more spacious and sophisticated when it comes to audio placement – watching movies with these headphones is a blast – but the audiophile in me can't ignore that the 700 isn't nearly as good for everyday use sounds good as Sony WH-1000XM3 or Bose QC 35 II.

After all, I suspect that the Bose 700 will sound great on a flight. The forward-looking presentation in the high-end area helps to avoid noises that the cans cannot suppress and gives clarity to the dialogue in films, instruments and vocals in music. The more I listen to these headphones, the more I am convinced that they have been optimized for air traffic.

Voice / call quality

Simply put, there is no better headphone to take calls or interact with digital voice assistants. Bose microphone technology makes a remarkable contribution to suppressing background noise to provide clean, clear, and very good-sounding voice quality to those on the other end of the call. In fact, there's a good chance the Bose 700 will sound better than your phone's built-in microphone.

For anyone who answers a lot of calls on their phone, this single feature should be convincing enough to require a purchase.

warranty information

Bose offers a standard 1-year warranty on the Noise Canceling Headphones 700. However, this can vary depending on the product and region. Visit this page to learn more about Bose's warranty on a product and regional basis.

Our opinion

Is there a better alternative?

For audiophiles who need the best possible sound in noisy environments, I prefer the Sony WH-1000XM3. Overall, they offer superior audio quality. The 700 is the way to go for the most effective noise cancellation while flying and for anyone who appreciates headphones for phone calls and works with voice assistants beyond all other considerations.

The Bose QC 35 II are still a good choice and are now sometimes available for less than $ 300. That's a lot, although the Bose 700 upgrades are worth paying extra if you make it.

How long it will take?

Time will tell, but the Bose 700 seems to be built just as well as all of the company's earlier headphones. So far, they have held up well under my stress tests, which leads me to believe that these headphones last as long as the battery.

Should you buy it

Yes. If you're an entrepreneur who takes a lot of calls with headphones turned on and / or travels a lot by plane, be sure to buy the Bose Noise Canceling Headphones 700 – they're worth the $ 50 upgrade.

Editor's recommendations