Latest news with #RTX50-series
Tom's Guide
5 days ago
- Tom's Guide
Dell just slashed $400 off this powerful RTX 5080 Alienware gaming laptop
Alienware released its line of Area-51 gaming PCs this year, with the company's new gaming laptops being among my favorites. Now, Dell has slashed the price of one of the best models. If you're looking for a powerful RTX 5080 gaming laptop with an out-of-this-world design, I've just found an incredible deal worth checking out. Right now, you can get the new Alienware 16 Area-51 Gaming Laptop for $400 off. Though $2,949 is still a hefty amount, the price reduction for this configuration is still fantastic. And considering what this machine has to offer in terms of performance and everyday use, it's worth the money. Here's why the Alienware 16 Area-51 is one of the best gaming laptops and why you should consider buying one. The Alienware 16 Area-51 gaming laptop makes a bold statement thanks to its (inter)stellar design, powerful RTX 50-series performance and vibrant 16-inch display. Though it demands a steep price and can be heavy to carry, this laptop delivers an out-of-this-world gaming experience. Like I said in my Alienware 16 Area-51 review, this gaming laptop makes a bold statement. Its anodized aluminum chassis, in a Liquid Teal finish, has a dark iridescent sheen that changes color under different lighting conditions. The RGB lighting on the back mimics the aurora borealis and enhances the laptop's otherworldly aesthetic. The clear Gorilla Glass window on the bottom gives you a view of the internal components. You also get plenty of ports for all the devices you want to connect to this laptop. Under the hood, this configuration packs an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX CPU, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 GPU, 32GB of RAM and 1TB of SSD storage—which are the same specs as the unit I reviewed. Thanks to these components, you'll have little trouble running the best PC games at high frames and high resolutions. This is especially true if you enable the frame-generating DLSS 4. Games not only run like a dream, but they also look great on the Alienware 16 Area-51's 16-inch 2560x1600 display. The 240Hz refresh rate ensures that games also run buttery smooth. Though I wish this were an OLED panel, you still get a vivid image that's perfect for just about any game you're playing. It's great to see Dell offering this relatively new laptop at a discount. Yes, it's still expensive even at this lower price, but there's no denying that the Alienware 16 Area-51 delivers uncompromising RTX 50-series performance. It's also a beautiful machine with elegant curves and nice RGB lighting. Even though it's heavy and expensive, it's still awesome. You should definitely consider picking up the Alienware 16 Area–51! Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button.
Tom's Guide
28-07-2025
- Tom's Guide
Leaked Nvidia N1X CPU benchmark hints at RTX 5070 power — with 20 CPU cores
Rumors are heating up around Nvidia's N1X Arm-based CPU, and thanks to a leaked benchmark, we may have an idea of its integrated GPU capabilities — and it's hinting at RTX 50-series GPU power. A Geekbench benchmark listing for the Nvidia N1X CPU has popped up, showing its OpenCL score, which measures GPU performance. Its results show a 46,361 OpenCL score, which puts it around an RTX 2050 GPU. Of course, this isn't ideal, but this early on, it is an early prototype of the chip, so don't expect this result in the final rumored chip. More impressively, the Geekbench entry shows the specs of the N1X SoC, including a 20-core CPU that's split into two 10-core clusters, and 48 compute units. These are the Streaming Multiprocessors, and Nvidia offers 128 CUDA cores per unit. This translates to 6,144 CUDA cores, which is the same number as an RTX 5070 desktop GPU. We've heard that the N1X may deliver RTX 4070 power in a previous benchmark leak, but seeing this key spec shows what Nvidia may be aiming to deliver in its rumored Arm-based chip. What's more, it shows similar specs to the Nvidia GB10 Superchip, seen in DGX Spark-equipped PCs. As rumored, the N1X may use a pared-down version of the GB10, and as that chip combines a Blackwell GPU with a Grace Arm CPU to make a custom SoC, we can expect this chip to offer RTX 50-series performance. Now, despite the weaker OpenCL result, it still pushes integrated GPU performance in Arm-based chips. Even though it's likely not to be the final results, the N1X chip in this benchmark still pushes past Apple's M3 Max performance, which usually sees a score of 37,500 (as per our sister site, Tom's Hardware). All in all, with these expected specs now known, it's looking like Nvidia will have a strong chip on its hands, putting Apple's own M-series chips on notice. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Of course, we won't know what Nvidia's rumored N1X chip delivers until it's officially announced, and it may be a while until we see it. Recently, the Nvidia N1X CPU was reportedly delayed due to a number of factors, with one of them having to do with the launch of Microsoft's next-gen operating system (a possible hint at Windows 12). Along with apparently being hit with problems that require engineers to make design changes to the silicon, it's now expected to arrive in 2026. Many believe it could be around early 2026, which points to a big announcement at CES 2026, but it could come later, with some reports stating it could arrive in late 2026 instead. Nvidia's N1X and N1 CPUs are expected to power next-gen desktops and laptops, with the latter bringing more ultraportable gaming laptops without the need for a discrete GPU. It's been tipped that Dell's Alienware gaming brand will be the first to receive these chips. Only time will tell what Nvidia's N1X-series CPUs will deliver, but if we're getting performance akin to an RTX 5070, then these chips should be worth waiting for. Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button.
Tom's Guide
21-07-2025
- Tom's Guide
4K at 240Hz is 'no longer a future concept' — Lenovo exec says the future of gaming monitors is already shifting
With new GPUs, gaming monitors always take an evolutionary step forward — that much was obvious with the launch of Nvidia's RTX 50-series cards and the adoption of 4K 240Hz panels. But what if I told you that gaming panels are evolving even further beyond this? I spoke to George Toh, Vice President and GM of the Visuals Business at Lenovo, and while some of these future trends are clear to see (OLED gaming monitors, for example), some surprised me. A simple one being that gamers are done tweaking settings, and that displays should adapt to them with AI. Now, as a D1 settings tweaker myself, I felt a little personally attacked (sarcasm), but in all seriousness, this makes a world of sense — having a monitor that learns to adapt to you, and not just be the screen you have to work around to get just right. And then there's the question of catering to more ways that people play. Gaming handhelds like the Lenovo Legion Go S have exploded in popularity, and as gaming laptops go from strength to strength, the need for versatile portable gaming panels is going to grow stronger looking ahead. So, what does the future of gaming monitors look like? Well, this is what Lenovo thinks. Gamers today demand more than just speed or colors or brightness—they want immersion, precision and a visual experience that keeps pace with the speed of today's titles. As we look at the next generation of gaming monitors, both OLED and Mini LED will play critical roles in the evolution of gaming monitors. OLED continues to impress with its incredible contrast ratios, depth of color and fast response times, making it ideal for immersive single-player experiences and content consumption. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Mini LED, on the other hand, offers high peak brightness and excellent HDR performance while mitigating some of the burn-in concerns associated with OLED, which is valuable for long hours of competitive play. One could make a case for either OLED or Mini LED, but based on industry shipments, we are currently seeing a preference for OLED gaming monitors. I believe we'll also see hybrid innovations — displays that integrate the strengths of multiple technologies — along with advances in panel control and pixel-level tuning. Whatever the technology is, the end goal is very simple: giving gamers more choice and more control over how they experience their games. Absolutely. As devices like the Legion Go 2 redefine what's possible in portable gaming, there's a growing demand for monitors that can match that flexibility without compromising performance. We're already seeing increased interest in lightweight, USB-C-powered displays that deliver high refresh rates and vibrant visuals — and this is just the beginning. I see hybrid and portable gaming monitors becoming a much more mainstream category, especially for gamers who want a secondary screen for on-the-go setups, LAN parties, or even creative work. We are constantly exploring ways to bring new experiences to life, and portable or hybrid gaming monitors will perfectly complement our broader Legion ecosystem. Balancing refresh rate and resolution is one of the biggest technical challenges and opportunities in the gaming display space right now. Gamers want the best of both worlds: incredibly sharp visuals and smooth gameplay, but factors such as economics often play a role. We're investing heavily in panels that can deliver both, as well as in technologies like VRR (variable refresh rate) and advanced overdrive tuning to ensure the experience lives up to the spec. We've also taken a holistic approach — pairing high-performance displays with GPU and thermal innovations across our Legion devices to make sure the full system can support high frame rates at high resolutions. 4K at 240Hz was novel before, but is no longer a future concept; it's something we're actively testing and optimizing for real-world gaming use cases. AI and software optimization are rapidly becoming foundational to the future of gaming displays. From dynamic backlight control to real-time upscaling and latency reduction, we're seeing smarter systems that adapt to the user, the content and even ambient lighting conditions. I'm particularly excited about how AI can personalize the visual experience — whether it's through auto-calibration, scene-based color tuning or adaptive refresh management. These aren't just enhancements — they're tools that let gamers focus more on their performance and immersion, and less on manual settings. We're already integrating AI capabilities into our Legion products, and you can expect to see even more intelligent display features in our upcoming lineup. Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button.
Tom's Guide
20-07-2025
- Tom's Guide
I test laptops for a living — and these are my 3 favorite laptops of 2025 (so far)
I can't say that 2025 has been a particularly exceptional year for laptops, at least so far. That's not to say there haven't been new developments. After all, the first RTX 50-series notebooks are now available, offering a decent (if unremarkable) performance bump from previous generations. There are also a good number of Intel Lunar Lake laptops that finally give the best Windows laptops comparable battery life to the best MacBooks. I test and review laptops for a living, and these three have stood above the rest. Below, I'll detail what I like about each of these laptops and hope that this can help you if you're in the market for a new notebook, whether it's for work or fun. The MacBook Air 15-inch M4 is currently the main laptop I use at the office, so it instantly makes it on this list. But why this specific laptop instead of something that's either smaller or perhaps more powerful? This MacBook has everything I need to get work done as efficiently as possible. I have the 15-inch MacBook Air M4 connected to an external monitor, with the latter serving as my primary monitor. The MacBook Air M4 serves as my secondary display, which I specifically use to view and respond to Slack messages. Its large screen ensures I don't have to squint when reading messages from my colleagues. Thanks to the M4 chip inside, the Air M4 can easily handle my everyday workload, which often consists of 20 to 30 open tabs and the occasional YouTube video (or two) running in the background. And when I need to head into a meeting room, this laptop is light enough to easily carry around the office. The big screen also means I don't have to make a big compromise when I have to work with a single screen. When it comes to everyday work at the office, the 15-inch MacBook Air M4 fits all of my needs. Plus, it just looks nice sitting on my desk! The MacBook Air 15-inch M4 is one of the finest laptops out there, thanks to its gorgeous display, fast M4-driven performance, sharp 12MP camera and new Sky Blue color. The fact that it costs $100 less than the previous model makes it irresistible. However, those who own the M3 model don't need to upgrade. While they don't get as much attention, I'm a fan of Samsung's laptops due to their general lightweight design and OLED panel options. The last one I tested was the Samsung Galaxy Book 5 Pro, and it exemplifies everything I love about the company's laptop line. The main reason I like this notebook is its gorgeous 16-inch (2880 x 1800) OLED. This screen makes everything pop, so movies and shows look spectacular. It also gets pretty bright for both SDR and HDR content, meaning you won't miss a single detail in videos or on websites. While relatively large, this laptop's lightweight and thin design make it a great travel companion. I also like the generous port selection, which is something you don't always find on machines this thin. Inside, it packs a Lunar Lake chip that gives it plenty of power for everyday work and nearly 12 and a half hours of battery life, which is better than average for a Windows laptop. Even if Lunar Lake isn't as energy efficient as Snapdragon X Elite, Intel's CPU generally plays nicer with a broader range of apps and programs compared to Qualcomm chips. The Samsung Galaxy Book 5 Pro is a svelte laptop featuring a gorgeous 16-inch OLED display, fast Intel Lunar Lake performance and a spacious keyboard. Though its AI capabilities aren't anything special and it has too many superfluous Samsung apps, the Galaxy Book 5 Pro is still an overall excellent laptop for work and play. I initially had reservations about RTX 50-series gaming laptops since I felt the previous-gen RTX 40-series machines were still good enough for gaming. While that's still true, testing rigs like the HP Omen Max 16 and Alienware 16 Area-51 Gaming Laptop have made me an RTX 50-series believer. This is especially true with Alienware's incredible laptop. The Alienware 16 Area-51 has style and substance. Its Liquid Teal finish gives the laptop a dark iridescent sheen that shifts colors when you view it under different lighting. Combine that with the RGB lighting that mimics the motions of the aurora borealis, and you have a machine that looks like it was created by aliens! Though this Alienware laptop is big and bulky, there's no denying that it's one beautiful piece of kit. Then there's the incredible gaming performance. I got Doom: The Dark Ages to run at 120 fps with DLSS 4 off and 240 fps with DLSS 4 enabled. The latter's fps effectively matches the display's refresh rate. This laptop can even run the graphically demanding Cyberpunk 2077 at 70 fps with DLSS off and 240 fps with the frame-generating tech turned on. You can read my full Alienware 16 Area-51 review for more details (and gushing), but suffice it to say this is my favorite gaming laptop of 2025 right now. The Alienware 16 Area-51 gaming laptop makes a bold statement thanks to its (inter)stellar design, powerful RTX 50-series performance and vibrant 16-inch display. Though it demands a steep price and can be heavy to carry, this laptop delivers an out-of-this-world gaming experience.
Tom's Guide
14-07-2025
- Business
- Tom's Guide
M4 MacBook Air still at Prime Day low price, nearly $1,000 off an RTX 50-series gaming PC and more — Power Picks
Welcome to Power Picks — your daily digest of click-worthy tech deals I'd actually spend my own money on. If it's not worth your hard-earned cash, it's not making the cut. Before becoming Managing Editor of Computing, I was deep in the deal trenches — digging up discounts retailers would rather you didn't find. With prices rising everywhere, I'm bringing that energy back to help you make smarter, savvier choices when it comes to your next gadget. Today's savings include rollovers from Prime Day, as the M4 MacBook Air is still $150 off, a frankly ludicrous $920 saving on an RTX 5060 gaming PC, and some of my favorite AR glasses getting a deep $140 price cut. Let's get into them. We all know how stingy Apple can be with discounts. Normally we get the M4 MacBook Air discounted for big sales events, then it is promptly pumped back to full price the moment the clock turns to midnight. But to see the base model M4 Air with 16GB RAM and a 256GB SSD still be $150 off is crazy to me — easily one of the best laptops you can buy for all-round use and your studies. It's rare that a deal makes me do a double turn so fast it makes my neck hurt. Maybe that's because I'm entering the back end of my 30s, but truer than that, it's because this is a decent RTX 50-series gaming rig for less than $900! Alongside that RTX 5060 (good for strong 1080p gaming), you're getting an Intel Core i5 14400F CPU, 32GB DDR4 RAM and a 1TB SSD — all horses in this gorgeous case where you can see the components whirring away from every angle. Yes, the newer-generation Viture Luma Pros are available to buy, but so long as you can get $140 off the pre-existing Viture Pros, I'm always going to point you in this direction because its incredible value for money for what you get in AR glasses. The 1080p picture is absolutely stunning and color-graded to mesmerizing effect — all in a sleek pair of specs that are ultra portable to bring a great big-screen experience wherever you are. Welcome to the first instalment of 'can I find an RTX 50-series GPU at MSRP?' Today's answer is 'yes,' and it's quite the doozy. I'm a big fan of the RTX 5060 Ti (16GB of course) for its strong 1440p gaming performance, decent overhead of video memory and all the DLSS 4 goodness to make even the most intensive games run smoothly. And at $429, this is one of those rare times that Nvidia's claimed pricing is true. Working/gaming on the go? A portable monitor is a great addition to give you more screen real estate for multitasking, or a bigger panel for your AAA titles. Uperfect's 16-inch panel is one of the best with a 2K resolution, a 144Hz refresh rate and HDR — all in something that's super slim at 0.4 inches and lightweight at 1.7 pounds. With all the connectivity you need for everything from your PS5 to your Steam Deck, this is a fantastic dirt cheap addition to your arsenal at $110 off.
