Latest news with #MattElliott
CNET
2 days ago
- Business
- CNET
HP EliteBook X G1a Review: X Does Not Mark the Spot for This Biz Laptop
7.3 / 10 SCORE HP EliteBook X G1a $1,849 at HP Pros Strong overall performance Solidly built Comfortable keyboard Cons Basic display at elevated price Very pricey to have basic touchpad, too Heavy for a 14-inch laptop HP EliteBook X G1a 7.3/10 CNET Score $1,849 at HP HP's EliteBook X series is the step-down version of the flagship EliteBook Ultra line of the company's commercial laptops, and the EliteBook X G1a is an AMD-based model that cuts corners in a few important areas without a corresponding drop in price. I don't have a problem with the performance of the AMD Ryzen AI processor, which was on the same level as that of the Intel Core Ultra chip of the EliteBook Ultra G1i, but the EliteBook Ultra model I reviewed offers a high-resolution OLED display and trimmer design for nearly the same price. Between the two, the only slightly more expensive EliteBook Ultra G1i is the obvious choice for a 14-inch workhorse business laptop that's also easy to take on the road. HP EliteBook X G1a 14 Price as reviewed $1,849 Display size/resolution 14-inch 1,920x1,200 IPS LCD CPU AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX Pro 375 Memory 32GB LPDDR5-8533 Graphics AMD Radeon 890M Storage 1TB Ports 2 x Thunderbolt 4, USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, USB-A 3.2 Gen 2, HDMI 2.1, combo audio Networking Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 Operating system Windows 11 Pro 24H2 Weight 3.3 lbs (1.5 kg) There are four quadrants in HP's new EliteBook X series. There are AMD models labeled as G1a and Intel models labeled as G1i. For each half of the processor divide, there are regular laptop models and also two-in-one convertibles with Flip in their name. The EliteBook X G1a here is an AMD-based laptop with a Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 CPU, 32GB of RAM, integrated AMD Radeon 890M graphics and a 1TB SSD. The display is a basic, if bright (I'll get to that shortly), 14-inch IPS LCD with a 1,920x1,200-pixel resolution and standard 60Hz refresh rate. The full price of our test system is $2,629, but it's nearly always on sale for $1,849 or thereabouts. (And sometimes it's just listed at $1,849 with no mention of the higher full price. At any rate, you shouldn't pay more than $1,849 for it.) Higher-end models in the EliteBook X G1a series feature a 2.8K OLED display and 64GB of RAM. An OLED model with otherwise the same configuration as our test system is on sale for $1,999, and I think the display upgrade is well worth the $150 charge. The problem is the EliteBook Ultra G1i that I just looked at features the same 2.8K display (with admittedly a smaller 512GB SSD) and has a consistent sale price between $1,899 and $1,999. Even with the smaller SSD, it's a much better deal because of its superior design. The EliteBook X G1a starts at £1,296 in the UK and AU$3,445 in Australia. Matt Elliott/CNET HP EliteBook X G1a performance The Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 processor is a member of AMD's Strix Point family of chips and features 12 cores and 24 virtual processing threads. The EliteBook X G1a turned in excellent multicore performance on our application benchmarks, especially when compared with laptops such as the EliteBook Ultra G1i using processors from Intel's Lunar Lake series, which lack multithreading (or Hyper-Threading, in Intel's parlance). Single-core performance was more even between the two, as was AI performance, but Intel has the advantage in integrated graphics performance. The EliteBook X G1a lasted for nearly 15 hours on our YouTube streaming battery drain test, which is long enough for most people not to need to recharge the laptop during the day but still hours shorter than the 20-plus-hour battery life of Intel- and Qualcomm-based laptops. It lasted a little more than an hour longer than the EliteBook Ultra G1i but has a lower-resolution IPS panel, which doesn't consume battery resources at the same clip as the Ultra's higher-res OLED display, making its slightly longer battery life less impressive. Solidly constructed The EliteBook X G1a is well built, but to the point of feeling a bit tank-like. The all-aluminum enclosure boasts straightforward looks with brushed silver surfaces surrounding a dark gray keyboard. The understated design, gently rounded corners and offset color of the keyboard area recall the styling of a MacBook Pro -- and so does the thickness and weight of the laptop. HP gives the dimensions of the EliteBook X G1a as being 0.4 inches at its front edge and 0.5 inches in back, but it feels fatter than that because it rests on thick rubber feet that make it sit up higher than a MacBook Pro, which has a height of 0.6 inches. The EliteBook X G1a is lighter than the 14-inch MacBook Pro but only slightly. It weighs 3.3 pounds, and the MacBook Pro is 3.4 pounds. The EliteBook Ultra G1i is thinner and much lighter at just 2.6 pounds. Matt Elliott/CNET You can get a 2.8K OLED panel on the EliteBook X G1a, but our test system came with the base display, a 1,920x1,200-pixel IPS panel with a 60Hz refresh rate and no touch support. If your job requires you to read text on the screen for large portions of your day, then you'll get sharper text with the 2.8K panel; text looked a little fuzzy on my test system. And if your job requires color-accurate work, then an OLED panel is a better choice. The EliteBook X G1a's IPS display didn't perform well on my tests with a Spyder X colorimeter. It covered 98% of the sRGB space and only 73% of the P3 and AdobeRGB gamuts. The display's level of brightness saves it from being merely average. In testing, it hit a peak of 465 nits, which, combined with its matte finish, makes it viewable in a variety of lighting conditions, including outdoors. Matt Elliott/CNET The keyboard is my favorite part of the EliteBook X G1a. Perhaps because of the thicker chassis, the keys have a more plush feel than the EliteBook Ultra. Typing on the EliteBook X feels similar to typing on a ThinkPad -- the keys are firm and solid with deep travel. However, the touchpad is another area where the EliteBook X takes a step down from the EliteBook Ultra. It's smaller than the Ultra's and lacks haptics. For a mechanical touchpad, it's fine -- the click response is soft and quiet but not mushy. But at the EliteBook X's price, the inclusion of a haptic touchpad isn't an unreasonable expectation. Matt Elliott/CNET You do get quad speakers like with the EliteBook Ultra, and they sound great. The webcam has a 5-megapixel sensor compared with the EliteBook Ultra's 9-megapixel camera, but the resolution suffices for all but professional streamers, who are almost assuredly using an external camera to produce content. The EliteBook X G1a's webcam produces a crisp, well-balanced image that will have you looking clear and natural to your video-conference mates. The webcam also has an IR cam, which, combined with the fingerprint sensor on the power button, provides two secure biometric login options on the EliteBook X G1a. The port selection is excellent. You get a pair of Thunderbolt 4 ports, split with one on each side of the laptop. There are also two 10Gbps USB ports, one Type-A and one Type-C, along with an HDMI port. You will not go wanting for ports with the EliteBook G1a, and you shouldn't need to bother with any adapters either. Matt Elliott/CNET Is the HP EliteBook X G1a a good laptop? It's a fine business laptop that offers solid performance with solid build quality, but there's not enough of a price gap between it and the EliteBook Ultra to choose it over the flagship model. For only $50 to $150 more (depending on the Ultra's sale price), you get an appreciably lighter design, high-res OLED display and haptic touchpad, all of which aren't included on my $1,849 EliteBook X test system. Sure, you can outfit the EliteBook X with an OLED display, but then the price difference between it and the Ultra all but disappears, making it an even less compelling option. Hide our expert take Photo Gallery 1/1 How we test computers Photo Gallery 1/1 The review process for laptops, desktops, tablets and other computerlike devices consists of two parts: performance testing under controlled conditions in the CNET Labs and extensive hands-on use by our expert reviewers. This includes evaluating a device's aesthetics, ergonomics and features. A final review verdict is a combination of both objective and subjective judgments. The list of benchmarking software we use changes over time as the devices we test evolve. The most important core tests we're currently running on every compatible computer include Primate Labs Geekbench 6, Cinebench R23, PCMark 10 and 3DMark Fire Strike Ultra. A more detailed description of each benchmark and how we use it can be found on our How We Test Computers page. Hide our expert take Geekbench 6 CPU (multi-core) HP EliteBook X G1a 14224 Dell Inspiron 14 Plus 7441 13471 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 11919 HP EliteBook Ultra G1i 11032 Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i 14 Gen 10 11029 Asus Zenbook S 14 10948 Acer Swift 14 AI SF14-51T-75AF 10918 Note: Longer bars indicate better performance Geekbench 6 CPU (single-core) HP EliteBook Ultra G1i 2777 HP EliteBook X G1a 2729 Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i 14 Gen 10 2728 Acer Swift 14 AI SF14-51T-75AF 2701 Asus Zenbook S 14 2681 Dell Inspiron 14 Plus 7441 2448 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 2321 Note: Longer bars indicate better performance Cinebench 2024 CPU (multi-core) HP EliteBook X G1a 991 Dell Inspiron 14 Plus 7441 739 Acer Swift 14 AI SF14-51T-75AF 610 Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i 14 Gen 10 583 HP EliteBook Ultra G1i 518 Asus Zenbook S 14 484 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 488 Note: Longer bars indicate better performance Cinebench 2024 CPU (single-core) HP EliteBook Ultra G1i 123 Asus Zenbook S 14 122 Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i 14 Gen 10 121 Acer Swift 14 AI SF14-51T-75AF 121 HP EliteBook X G1a 112 Dell Inspiron 14 Plus 7441 109 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 102 Note: Longer bars indicate better performance 3DMark Steel Nomad Asus Zenbook S 14 882 Acer Swift 14 AI SF14-51T-75AF 871 HP EliteBook Ultra G1i 820 Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i 14 Gen 10 728 HP EliteBook X G1a 603 Note: Longer bars indicate better performance PCMark 10 Pro Edition HP EliteBook X G1a 7068 HP EliteBook Ultra G1i 6815 Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i 14 Gen 10 6812 Acer Swift 14 AI SF14-51T-75AF 6811 Asus Zenbook S 14 6684 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 6178 Note: Longer bars indicate better performance Procyon AI Computer Vision (integer) Dell Inspiron 14 Plus 7441 1792 Asus Zenbook S 14 1790 Acer Swift 14 AI SF14-51T-75AF 1759 HP EliteBook X G1a 1753 HP EliteBook Ultra G1i 1705 Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i 14 Gen 10 1585 Note: Longer bars indicate better performance Online streaming battery drain test Dell Inspiron 14 Plus 7441 23:11 Acer Swift 14 AI SF14-51T-75AF 22:13 Asus Zenbook S 14 15:20 HP EliteBook X G1a 14:50 HP EliteBook Ultra G1i 13:39 Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i 14 Gen 10 13:27 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 8:34 Note: Longer bars indicate better performance
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Matt Elliott named next UH Mānoa athletics director, pending regents' approval
HONOLULU (KHON2) — Matt Elliott has been tapped to serve as the next athletics director at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, pending approval by the UH Board of Regents at a special meeting on June 16. Ex-UH athletics director Craig Angelos reapplies for position UH President Wendy Hensel selected Elliott following a national search. 'I'm excited to welcome Matt, with his Division I experience and strong Hawaiʻi ties, to the UH ʻohana,' Hensel said in a statement. 'He's a passionate leader who's ready to elevate UH athletics.' Elliott spent 13 years in athletics administration at UCLA, most recently as Chief Strategy Officer. There, he helped guide the Bruins' move from the Pac-12 to the Big Ten and led development of a five-year strategic plan. He also played key roles in NIL policy, legal affairs, and a record-setting $280 million apparel 2024, Elliott has served as Senior Director of Policy and Public Affairs at the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation, working closely with state leaders on advocacy efforts. He and his family returned to Hawaiʻi in 2022. 'This is home for us,' Elliott said. 'It's an honor to lead a program that reflects the pride of our local community. I look forward to building something great with our student-athletes, coaches, and fans.' Originally from Massachusetts, Elliott holds a law degree from Northwestern and a BA from Amherst College, where he was on the varsity crew team. He moved to Hawaiʻi in 2005 to clerk for U.S. District Judge Alan C. Kay and met his wife, a Punahou graduate, soon after. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news If confirmed, Elliott will begin no later than July 1, with a base salary of $425,004, plus performance-based incentives. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CNET
22-05-2025
- CNET
My Tips on the 5 Settings You Should Change on Your Router Right Away
When you get a new router, it's tempting to just plug it in, get online as quickly as possible and move on. However, given your router is responsible for directing nearly 100% of all internet traffic in your home network, it's definitely worth taking a few minutes to update some security settings before you move on with your day. As CNET's router expert, I know a few easy tricks for creating a secure Wi-Fi network and when I bought my own router, these were the first settings I updated -- and you should, too. Whether you just invested in your own router or you're renting one from an ISP, here is what to update on your new Wi-Fi router to enjoy browsing and streaming safely. For context, I'm an Xfinity (Comcast) subscriber, but the tips here should translate no matter what internet provider you use. 1. Change the network name and password To change the username and password, you'll need to log into your provider's website or mobile app. Log in to your account and look for a section for Network or W-Fi settings. On Xfinity's website, I clicked WiFi Details to change the name of my Wi-Fi network and set a new password. Choose a password -- or better yet, a passphrase -- that you'll remember but isn't too easy to guess. Matt Elliott/CNET 2. Choose a security mode If you set a strong password for your router, then you've taken the first step of securing your network rather than leaving it open for anyone to access. With a password set on a modern router, you are most likely using WPA2 or WPA3 encryption. Locating local internet providers WPA, or Wi-Fi Protected Access, is a 256-bit encryption protocol that is more secure than the older, weaker WEP standard that uses 64- or 128-bit encryption. WPA2 improves upon WPA by using a stronger encryption algorithm. It uses the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) algorithm that is more secure than WPA and its TKIP (Temporal Key Integrity Protocol) algorithm. WPA3 stepped up the security measures even further, strengthening password security, data encryption and smart home connections. Many routers offer a mixed mode of WPA2 and WPA3 so that older devices that pre-date WPA3 can connect to your network. WPA2 has been around for more than 10 years so it's unlikely that your router is still using WPA encryption. When choosing the security mode for your router, I would go with WPA3 and only switch to mixed mode if you have an ancient device that won't connect to your WPA2-protected network. 3. Check network mode and bands If you're using a newer Wi-Fi 7 router, it broadcasts in three frequencies: 2.4, 5, and 6 GHz. These are the frequencies with which your wireless network broadcasts radio waves to transmit information. All three frequency bands should be on by default, but check the advanced settings of your provider's website or app to check the status of both to make sure they are active. The 2.4GHz band is more crowded because it's the frequency many common electronics in your household use, from cordless phones and baby monitors to garage door openers and microwaves. You might run into network interference with 2.4GHz, but it allows older devices to connect to your network. The 5GHz band is less congested and faster but has shorter range than the 2.4GHz band. The 6GHz band is significantly faster than the other two, but it works best when your devic around 15 feet or closer to your router. With all three modes operating, your router will choose the best mode for each of your network devices. 4. Enable parental controls Look for a Parental Controls or Access Restrictions section to establish some boundaries for your kids' devices. With Xfinity, click the People tab to set up profiles for your kids. You can assign devices for each profile and then hit Pause for any or all devices of a profile to give them a break from Instagram, Snapchat, texting and everything else on the Internet. You can also enable parental controls for a profile to "reduce the risk of accessing objectionable websites and apps and enable protective search settings for Google, Bing and YouTube." You'll also find the option to set active hours for your kids' devices. Xfinity calls it Bedtime mode, which lets you set the hours the internet is and isn't available. There are different options for weeknights and weekends. Matt Elliott/CNET 5. Set up guest network Creating a guest Wi-Fi network saves you from potentially giving visitors access to shared computers and files on your network as well as the hassle of needing to tell them your complicated or embarrassing Wi-Fi password. In your account settings, look for Guest Network or Home Hotspot. Matt Elliott/CNET With Xfinity, I couldn't find this setting with the other Wi-Fi settings but instead had to move a level up to my general account settings. From the main account page, it was listed under Settings. With it enabled, Xfinity started broadcasting a separate network called "xfinitywifi" that guests can use without needing to track me down for a password.
Jordan News
04-03-2025
- Jordan News
Best Lightweight Laptops of 2025 - Jordan News
Some laptops are designed to stay at home and function like desktop computers that you can move from room to room. Some laptops are designed to stay at home and function like desktop computers that you can move from room to room. اضافة اعلان Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 (2.96 pounds) is the best lightweight Copilot Plus PC. (Matt Elliott/CNET/TNS) On the other hand, the design of other laptops prioritizes portability, making them light enough to fit into your bag for daily commutes and frequent travel, allowing you to return home at the end of the day without shoulder pain. The options you see here fall into this latter category, but these are not just the smallest laptops we've reviewed. These are the lightweight laptops that CNET editors have tested over the past year. Many new models were recently announced at the 2025 Consumer Electronics Show, based on next-gen laptop chips from Intel, AMD, and NVIDIA. However, there is a slight delay — from two weeks to several months — between the unveiling of a laptop and its availability for purchase. The three lightweight laptops featured here were all released last year but remain current with modern components. While we will offer additional recommendations when reviewing new laptops for 2025, this is the ideal time to find a lightweight laptop from 2024, as many of them are available at good discounts. 1. M3 MacBook Air (2.7 lbs / 1.224 kg) - Best Lightweight Laptop For the latest MacBook Air from Apple, not much has changed from the previous version, except for the transition from M2 chips to M3 chips. The performance differences between the two devices are modest, but graphics performance has received a notable boost. The biggest features include support for Wi-Fi 6E, faster connectivity, and the ability to run dual external displays, albeit at the cost of closing the MacBook Air's lid. The 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display is gorgeous, and the build quality of the MacBook Air is slim yet sturdy. Not only is the M3 Air one of our favorite lightweight laptops, but it's also the best overall laptop. Thanks to its blend of portability, build quality, performance, and battery life, it's considered the best laptop for most people. M3 MacBook Air (2.7 pounds) is the best lightweight laptop. (Josh Goldman/CNET/TNS) 2. Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 (2.96 lbs / 1.342 kg) - Best Lightweight Laptop with "Copilot Plus" Feature The Surface Laptop 7 reflects previous ARM-on-Windows efforts, which struggled with performance and limited compatibility, as many x86 apps couldn't run on an ARM-based system. This time, both performance and compatibility have improved. Additionally, its battery life is remarkable. The Surface Laptop 7 is the longest-lasting 13- or 14-inch laptop. Its luxurious runtime, combined with a weight under 3 pounds, makes the 13.8-inch Surface Laptop 7 an ideal travel companion. We wish there were an OLED screen option, and you will need to do a compatibility check for your important applications before adopting an ARM-based Surface Laptop 7, but if you can get past those hurdles, you'll get a lightweight, long-lasting Windows laptop. 3. Lenovo Yoga 9i 14 Gen 9 (2.9 lbs / 1.315 kg) - Best Lightweight 2-in-1 Laptop The premium Lenovo Yoga 9i convertible laptop is ultra-slim, lightweight, and compact. It doesn't differ much from the Lenovo Yoga 7 mid-range convertible, but it's noticeably lighter at under 3 pounds. The reduced weight is a clear advantage in easing the burden when traveling with the device, but it also makes the 2-in-1 more manageable in tablet mode. The Lenovo Yoga 9i also upgrades to a high-resolution OLED display, and the amazing sound you get from its unique rotating soundbar hinge is exceptional. Its audio/video outputs are outstanding, giving this versatile device a strong boost as an entertainment machine. CNET Magazine, Tribune Media Services.
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Yahoo
Dirty Wireless Earbuds and AirPods Can Harbor Bacteria. Here's How to Clean Them
My new Beats Studio Pro headphones are never more than 10 feet away from me. I'm not exaggerating. I literally take them everywhere with me -- and that means they go through a lot each day. I listen to music at the gym and during my morning walk. I stream podcasts when I walk my dog four times a day. I dive into an audiobook when I'm shopping at the grocery store, walking in the airport or doing chores. Because I get so much mileage out of my Beats, I have to clean them regularly. AirPods or other wireless earbuds -- from Beats to Bose to JBL and more -- collect dirt, debris, earwax and bacteria every time you pop them in your ears. Over time, this buildup can impair the audio quality of your headphones, but on a more serious note, it can also transfer bacteria into your ear canal and cause a nasty infection. Simply cleaning your AirPods and other wireless headphones can prevent this. You'll want to make sure you're doing it the right way, though, so as not to damage your several-hundred-dollar headphones. Here's how. Read more: You can find the best AirPods deals here. Best Apple AirPods for 2025 See at Cnet Apple has suggested a few methods for cleaning your AirPods. This easiest is simply using a disinfecting or alcohol wipe to clean the exterior surface. Just make sure to not use the wipe on the mesh speaker part and to dry the buds completely with a clean cloth before popping them back into your ears. Since alcohol dries quickly, you shouldn't need to wait more than 60 seconds or so. For the microphone and speaker meshes, we recommend you use a dry cotton swab and a soft-bristled brush to gently wipe away dirt. Don't press too hard, though, since you could push the wax through the mesh and it would be nearly impossible to remove it then. CNET Insider bonus: CNET senior editor Matt Elliott also suggests using to remove any stubborn earwax that's leftover after your initial wipe down. He instructs that you rub the Fun-Tak together to warm it up and then press it against the speaker. Then, you can use a wooden toothpick to scrape off anything stuck to the sides of the speaker hollow. Cleaning wireless earbuds with detachable silicone tips, like the AirPods Pro or JBL Reflect Flow Pro, is simpler due to the protective nature of the tips. The silicone shields the speaker from dirt, earwax and debris, so it never gets too grimy. The tips can be removed for easy cleaning. Just detach the silicone tips from the earphones and soak them in warm, soapy water for about 30 minutes. For stubborn stains, you can agitate the container to loosen up the gunk. Once clean, use a soft cloth or cotton swab to wipe away any remaining earwax or dirt and set aside the silicone tips to air dry completely. If your earbuds don't come with silicone tips, you can purchase them separately from sources like Amazon. We recommend these affordable $13 that can be attached to standard AirPods. I can't go one day without seeing those trendy over-the-ear wireless headphones, like the Apple AirPods Max or Beats Studio Pro. And I'm not mad about it -- they're super stylish -- and I even sport my own pair day-in and day-out. But they take a bit more time to clean. Like other headphones, you should never run them under water, use abrasive tools or get liquids in any openings. The best method is to wipe down the headband portion with a disinfectant wipe and to pop the removed cushions into a container with a mixture of one teaspoon liquid laundry detergent and one cup of tepid water. After soaking, wipe the ear cushions and headband thoroughly with a clean cloth to dry. Then, lay the headphones flat to dry for at least a day before you reattach the cushions and use them again. Yes, your charging case gets grimy too. And it doesn't make much sense to go through the effort of cleaning your earbuds only to return them to a dirty charging case. To clean the case, use a dry, lint-free cloth to wipe away any visible dirt. You can slightly dampen the cloth with water or rubbing alcohol, but be careful to avoid getting any liquid inside the charging ports. Here's a rundown of a few more earbud-cleaning tips to remember: Never fully submerge your earbuds or headphones in water -- even if they're advertised as "waterproof" or "water-resistant" Cotton swabs are your best bet Refrain from using sharp objects, like safety pins, pens and kitchen utensils, to clean the speaker or microphone mesh Make sure not to get any liquid in the openings Avoid exposing your headphones and earbuds to products that can cause stains or other damage, including soaps, shampoos and conditioners, lotions, perfumes, solvents, detergents, sunscreen, oils or hair dyes and other hair products For more cleaning tips, explore how to clean your Apple Watch.
