Latest news with #Thunderbolt4
Tom's Guide
16-05-2025
- Business
- Tom's Guide
Acer's going all-in on OLED laptops at Computex 2025
All the major PC manufacturers are going to be showing off new hardware at Computex 2025 in Taiwan next week, and it looks like Acer is going to have some slick new laptops with Nvidia RTX 50-series GPUs and OLED displays. I'm excited about that because I'm a sucker for a great OLED panel, and Acer has some new Swift laptops that look like they could be serious contenders for the best Windows laptops of 2025. But unfortunately, as of now Acer is not talking about when these laptops will be available in the United States—only Europe and other countries around the world. Presumably this has something to do with the ongoing uncertainty around tariffs here in the U.S., so hopefully I'll be able to update this article with U.S. pricing in the near future. For now, here's all the key details you need to know about Acer's laptop lineup at Computex 2025! The flagship of Acer's Computex laptop lineup is the new Swift X 14, a 4-pound notebook aimed at creators that comes with AI-ready AMD or Intel chips, Nvidia GeForce RTX 50-series laptop GPUs and a 14-inch OLED display. Acer Swift X 14 Acer Swift X 14 AI Starting price €1,799 €1,799 Display 14.5-inch 3K (2880x1800) OLED touchscreen 14.5-inch 3K (2880x1800) OLED touchscreen CPU Up to Intel Core Ultra 9 285 Up to AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 GPU Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Memory Up to 32GB Up to 32GB Storage Up to 1 TB SSD Up to 1 TB SSD Webcam 1080p w/ IR 1080p w/ IR Ports 2x Thunderbolt 4, 2x USB-A, HDMI, MicroSD 2x USB-C, 2x USB-A, HDMI, MicroSD, headphone jack Size 12.69 x 8.95 x 0.71 in 12.69 x 8.95 x 0.71 in Weight 3.48 lbs 3.46 lbs These laptops look slick as heck and could be awfully useful for audio/video professionals on the go, since they offer powerful hardware and a 14.5-inch 3K (2880x1800) OLED touchscreen that Acer claims covers 100% of the demanding DCI-P3 color gamut. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. The models with Intel chipsets are simply branded the Acer Swift X 14, and they come with a pair of Thunderbolt 4 ports but no headphone jacks. The AMD models are sold as the Acer Swift X 14 AI and do offer headphone ports, but they sport plain USB-C ports instead of Thunderbolt 4 since that's an Intel technology. These laptops are slated to go on sale in Europe in July starting at €1,799, with no word yet on pricing or launch plans for other regions. Acer also has some new notebooks to show off in its more affordable Swift Edge and Swift Go lineups, though these also sport premium OLED screens. Acer Swift Go 14/16 AI Acer Swift Edge 14 AI Starting price €1,199 €1,599 Display 14-inch 3K (2880x1800) OLED touchscreen 14.5-inch 3K (2880x1800) OLED touchscreen CPU Up to Intel Core Ultra 9 288 Up to Intel Core Ultra 7 258 GPU Intel Arc Intel Arc Memory Up to 32GB Up to 32GB Storage Up to 2 TB SSD Up to 1 TB SSD Webcam 1080p w/ IR 1080p w/ IR Ports 2x Thunderbolt 4, 2x USB-A, HDMI, MicroSD 2x Thunderbolt 4, 2x USB-A, HDMI, MicroSD, headphone jack Size 12.3 x 8.8 x 0.6 | 14 x 9.8 x 0.6 in 12.35 x 9.02 x 0.65 Weight 3.06 | 3.53 lbs 2.18 lbs The new Acer Swift Go laptops come in 14-inch or 16-inch varieties, but they all pack Intel Lunar Lake chips and 3K OLED touchscreens. With sizable RAM and storage capabilities these look likely to be solid workhorses for students and remote workers alike. Again, there's no word yet on pricing or launch plans for North America. However, Acer did say it plans to launch the Swift Go 14 in Europe in July for a starting price of €1,199, with the 16-inch model launching in the same region a month later for €1,299. There's also a lighter, more expensive Swift Edge 14 AI that's coming out in Europe this June starting at €1,599. This slick ultraportable also comes with a 14-inch 3K OLED touchscreen, but it's slightly thinner and over a pound lighter than the Swift Go 14 AI. Plus, Acer claims the Edge 14 AI is " the world's first laptop to incorporate Corning® Gorilla Matte Pro surface treatment," which is intended to seriously cut down on glare and reflections when using the laptop in bright light. We're at Computex all week reporting live from the show floor, so we'll keep an eye out for these new laptops—stay tuned!
Forbes
11-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
CableTime Unveils New 20-Port Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station
The new CableTime DisplayLink Thunderbolt 4 docking station can support up to three displays on a ... More Mac and five on a Windows computer. With the increasing availability of Thunderbolt ports on both Macs and PCs, the market for docking stations that can leverage this high-speed computer connection is heating up right now. Thanks to Thunderbolt ports, you can unlock a laptop's full potential by adding lots of extra ports, video displays and other peripherals all through a single cable. CableTime is a relatively new computer accessory brand I have written about before and the company's new 20-in-1 DisplayLink Thunderbolt 4 Dock is its most sophisticated and feature-packed yet. This new dock has been made with power users in mind and provides the muscle for getting the most out of a laptop or desktop with Thunderbolt ports. Engineered from aircraft-grade aluminum, the CableTime Thunderbolt 4 triple monitor dock is relatively compact but still offers optimal heat dissipation. The CNC-milled chassis has a sleek look, while the built-in power switch, LED indicator and anti-slip rubber pad make it easy to control and plug in items, even on a polished or glass surface. A the front of the CableTime DisplayLink Thunderbolt 4 docking station there are six USB-A ports ... More with 10Gbps speeds, a single USB-C port plus a Thunderbolt 4 port. There is also a combi audio jack and a slots for SD and TF memory cards. The 20-in-1 Thunderbolt 4 Dock offers an impressive 20 ports and delivers ultra-fast data transfers thanks to Thunderbolt's 40Gbps bandwidth. The dock also has 90W charging. Thanks to DisplayLink technology, users can transform a compatible Mac into a triple 4K workstation. Up to three external displays can be connected using a Thunderbolt 4 port and any mix of HDMI or DisplayPort. The docking station works with Intel, M1, and M2 Macs—including models that typically only support a single external display. The docking station will work with Apple silicon MacBooks and Mac minis. With compatible Windows computers, it's possible to attach up to four external displays using Thunderbolt 4. The docking station can support up to five 4K displays running with a 60Hz refresh rate using a single Thunderbolt port, one HDMI port, one DisplayPort, and flexible additional HDMI/DP combinations. Users can configure their setups as single, dual, triple or quadruple displays making them suitable for creative professionals, traders and control centers. The docking station is equipped with 1 x HDMI 4K @ 60Hz, 1 x DP 4K @ 60Hz, 2 x HDMI and 2 x DisplayLink, 2 x Thunderbolt 4 40Gbps ports, 1x USB-C 3.2 10Gbps, 6 x USB-A 3.2 10Gbps, SD/TF card readers, a 2.5Gbps Ethernet LAN port, plus a combi audio/mic port with a 3.5mm stereo jack. Users can keep their devices powered with CableTime's DisplayLink Thunderbolt 4 which comes with a 150W power adapter. The front port delivers up to 90W for powering a laptop and the rear port has 15W for smartphones or accessories. Looking at all the ports in a little more detail, there are two Thunderbolt 4 ports providing speeds of 40Gbps speed, plus there is a high-speed USB-C port and six USB-A ports at 10Gbps. Users can connect a mouse, keyboard, flash drives, external hard drives and more. Built-in SD/TF 4.0 slots for reading memory cards deliver fast transfers up to 312MB/s, making it fast to move photos, videos and files. There is no shortage of ports on the front and rear of the CableTime DisplayLink Thunderbolt 4 ... More docking station. For computers without an Ethernet port, the CableTime DisplayLink Thunderbolt 4 docking station has a LAN port with a speed of 2.5Gbps. Users can get faster streaming, downloads and stable wired connections for video conferencing. Some laptops don't offer a headphone or microphone jack so this docking station has a single 3.5mm audio and mic connection. Users can plug in their headphones, microphone or headset for clear sound, making it suitable for online meetings, gaming, or content creation. Because docking stations are expensive and highly desirable pieces of equipment there is a risk of them disappearing when used for hot desking. For this reason, the CableTime DisplayLink Thunderbolt 4 docking station has an integrated Kensington lock slot that can be used to attach a cable lock, ensuring the dock stays exactly where it should be. A Kensington lock slot stops the CableTime DisplayLink Thunderbolt 4 docking station from ... More disappearing, an important feature in shared offices or where there is hot-desking. The new Thunderbolt 4 docking station from CableTime is compatible with Thunderbolt 4, Thunderbolt 3, USB4, or USB-C devices, including MacBook Pros (macOS 11.4+), Windows laptops (Windows 10+), iPads, and other USB-C tablets if the USB-C port supports DisplayPort Alt Mode. The CableTime DisplayLink Thunderbolt 4 docking station is shipping now from and other online outlets priced at $339.
Tom's Guide
10-05-2025
- Tom's Guide
I tried this productivity-focused mini PC and it's a fantastic desktop replacement — especially if you want to mount it behind your monitor
The MSI Cubi NUC 1M is as quiet as it is sleek with its all-black matte finish and rounded corners. Despite its small size, MSI has packed this mini PC with powerful components, including an Intel Raptor Lake chip and DDR5 RAM, though there are a multitude of different configurations to choose from. You can opt for a fully equipped device with all the bells and whistles or put together your ideal build piece by piece if you go with a barebones configuration, where you'll need to provide your own memory, storage and operating system. Whichever route you decide to take, the Cubi NUC 1M is very easy to upgrade. There's a spare M.2 SSD slot for adding extra storage, and this mini PC can even accommodate a 2.5-inch hard drive or SSD. My favorite thing about the Cubi NUC 1M, though, is that MSI provides everything you need to mount it behind your monitor to free up even more space on your desk. It can even turn on simultaneously when paired with certain MSI monitors, but you also get an external wired power button you can use with any monitor, so you don't have to reach behind your display to turn it on. The Cubi NUC 1M is capable of driving up to four displays at the same time, thanks to its dual HDMI and Thunderbolt 4 ports. One of these Thunderbolt 4 ports can provide power to an external display like a portable monitor, while the other can actually be used to power the computer itself. While the Cubi NUC 1M's 120W power supply is on the smaller side, you don't have to use it at all if your monitor has a USB-C port with power delivery. All of these features are available on every configuration of this mini PC, but if you opt for a faster processor along with more memory and storage, things can get quite expensive. My MSI Cubi NUC 1M review will help you decide if this is the best mini PC for your needs and workflow, or if you'd be better off with something less customizable but more affordable. MSI Cubi NUC 1M MSI Cubi NUC 1M (as tested) Price $419 to $699 (barebones), $499 - $1,079 (fully configured) $1,029 CPU Intel Core Ultra 3 100 UIntel Core Ultra 5 120 UIntel Core Ultra 7 150U Intel Core Ultra 7 150U GPU Intel Arc Graphics Intel Arc Graphics RAM 8-64GB DDR5 16GB DDR5 Storage 500GB-1TB SSD, 1 x M.2 2242 (free), 1 x 2.5 HDD/SSD (optional) 1 x 1TB M.2 SSD, 1 x M.2 2242 (free), 1 x 2.5 HDD/SSD (optional) Ports 2 x USB-A, 1 x 3.5mm combo audio jack, 1 x microSD card reader (front), 2 x Thunderbolt 4, 2 x USB-A, 2 x 2.5 GbE, 2 x HDMI 2.1 (back) 2 x USB-A, 1 x 3.5mm combo audio jack, 1 x microSD card reader (front), 2 x Thunderbolt 4, 2 x USB-A, 2 x 2.5 GbE, 2 x HDMI 2.1 (back) Connectivity Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3 Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3 Size 5.34 x 5.22 x 1.97 inches 5.34 x 5.22 x 1.97 inches Weight 1.38 pounds 1.38 pounds The MSI Cubi NUC 1M is an impressive little desktop replacement through and through. It's nearly quiet in operation, has a generous selection of front and rear ports and MSI includes some useful extras for space-conscious users and businesses that want to mount this mini PC behind a display. Just like with the Asus NUC 14 Pro, the Cubi NUC 1M comes with a smaller external power supply, a VESA mounting bracket and some extra cables that can be plugged into its motherboard to extend its capabilities further. There's a SATA cable if you want to add a 2.5-inch hard drive or SSD inside this mini PC, along with an external power button, but more on that later. At 5.34 x 5.22 x 1.97 inches, the Cubi NUC 1M takes up very little desk space. While you can easily mount it behind your monitor, you might not want to since it has quite a few handy ports on the front. Besides two USB-A ports rated at 10Gbps, you also get a microSD card reader and a combo headphone/microphone jack for use with wired headsets. Around back, you get even more ports. These include two additional USB-A ones, two HDMI 2.1 ports, two Thunderbolt 4 ports (one with power delivery support and one with power output support), two 2.5 gigabit Ethernet ports and an AC port for plugging in its external power supply. With dual HDMI and dual Thunderbolt 4 ports, the Cubi NUC 1M can drive up to four of the best monitors simultaneously. The dual 2.5 GbE ports let you connect this mini PC to your router with one, and you can hook up a NAS (network attached storage) device to the other to back up your files quickly. However, the Cubi NUC 1M also comes equipped with Wi-Fi 6E, which means you can take advantage of the faster 6GHz band on one of the best Wi-Fi 6E routers. I wish this mini PC offered Wi-Fi 7 support, but the upcoming Cubi NUC 2M likely will. Though the Cubi NUC 1M isn't overly flashy like the Acemagic F2A and some other mini PCs I've reviewed in the past, its all-black design makes it look sleek on your desk but not out of place in an office environment. MSI certainly gives you a lot of choices when it comes to how you want to configure the Cubi NUC 1M. For starters, you can pick between three different Intel Raptor Lake mobile processors in the form of a Core 3 100U, Core 5 120U and a Core 7 150U. You can also outfit the Cubi NUC 1M with 8GB of DDR5 RAM all the way up to 64GB. While this mini PC isn't designed with gaming in mind, it can play some older and less demanding titles fairly well. For instance, at our testing lab, we were able to play Civilization VII at 27 fps on medium settings at 1080p even though it came out earlier this year. Still, it's more aimed at business and professional users and in the three weeks I spent using it as my daily driver, it handled my workload. This consists of a dizzying amount of Chrome tabs open along with some light photo editing in GIMP. MSI Cubi NUC 1M Asus NUC 14 Pro Acemagic F2A Geekbench 6.3 single-core 2712 2512 2271 Geekbench 6.3 multi-core 8740 12368 11170 25GB file copy test (MBps) 133.70 1502.38 1176.49 Handbrake (Mins:Secs) 9:34 4:28 4:41 What surprised me the most about the Cubi NUC 1M is just how quiet it was during use. Sure, I heard its internal fan spin up from time to time during heavier workloads, but it wasn't distracting at all. Instead, it sounded like a nice quiet hum from a device on the other side of my office, not one on my desk. When I tested it with my sound level meter, it stayed at around 30db for the most part and went as high as just under 45db when its fan did kick in. In testing, it was slightly quieter than the Asus NUC 14 Pro at 50db and significantly less noisy than the Acemagic F2A, which got as loud as 55db. At the same time, the Cubi NUC 1M's case remained cool to the touch even after having it powered on all day and using it extensively. If you decide to pair the Cubi NUC 1M with one of the company's business monitors with MSI Power Link support, you can connect the two using the HDMI port near this mini PC's AC power input port. That way, when you turn on your monitor, your computer will automatically power on with it. This is very useful for those who decide to mount this mini PC on the back of their monitor to free up even more desk space. However, MSI gives you another option to easily power on the Cubi NUC 1M when it's mounted to a monitor without Power Link support. In the box, you get an external wired power button that can help you achieve the same thing. While I initially thought you had to open the Cubi NUC 1M's case and plug this two-pin connector in the old-fashioned way, like when building a PC from scratch, getting it set up is actually a lot easier. On the right side of the case, there's a rubber cover you can remove to access an external power switch slot where you can plug in this external power button without having to remove the four screws on its underside to access its motherboard. This plug-and-play solution is a nice touch, and I'm glad that you aren't required to buy a compatible MSI monitor to more easily reach the device's power button when it's mounted on the back of a monitor. Speaking of power, you aren't limited to using the 120W external power supply either. If you have a monitor that has USB-C with power delivery or even a GAN charger with enough wattage, you can use either to power the MSI Cubi NUC 1M, granted you have to use the Thunderbolt 4 port on the back right side of the computer to do so. I tried this out with the LG DualUp monitor on the other side of my office, and it worked like a charm. Mini PCs that you can power over their USB-C or Thunderbolt ports are few and far between, and up until now, the only one I've reviewed with this feature is the Khadas Mind. The MSI Cubi NUC 1M ticks all the right boxes when it comes to a mini PC aimed at productivity that can serve as a desktop replacement. However, I did run into one slight issue during testing (that I ended up finding a solution for), and compared to other mini PCs from less-established brands, you are paying a premium for higher-end configurations. During my time testing out the Cubi NUC 1M, I used it at my main desk setup where I have an ultrawide monitor up top with a smaller portable monitor underneath it. I typically connect the larger monitor via HDMI and use a USB-C cable for the portable monitor. I've reviewed quite a few mini PCs at this exact same desk setup, including the Kamrui E3B and the AtomMan G7 getting the Cubi NUC 1M all plugged in at the side of my desk, I noticed that every time I shut the computer down and turned it back on, I would get video out on my ultrawide monitor but not on the portable monitor underneath it. I experienced something similar with the Asus NUC 14 Pro, which also has Thunderbolt 4 instead of USB 4 ports, so I thought the issue had something to do with the connector type. I got used to this minor annoyance and figured unplugging and then plugging back in the USB-C cable for my portable monitor was just something I'd have to live with. However, after I tested powering the Cubi NUC 1M via a USB-C cable at my other desk, I realized I had been using the wrong Thunderbolt 4 port with my portable how one Thunderbolt 4 can deliver power to a connected device and the other can be used to power this mini PC? Well, I had my portable monitor plugged into the one that delivers power to the Cubi NUC 1M. Once I switched Thunderbolt 4 ports, both my main monitor and my portable monitor turned on at startup without any issues whatsoever. I know this is a very subjective problem I dealt with, but as using an ultrawide monitor with a portable monitor has become more popular in recent years, I figured I'd explain the problem I ran into during testing to help you avoid it if you do decide to pick up a Cubi NUC 1M yourself. While you can get a barebones version of the Cubi NUC 1M with an Intel Core Ultra 3 processor for just $419, there are plenty of fully equipped mini PCs you can get for this same price. Once you add a Windows license, memory and storage, the cost of this mini PC jumps up significantly, though it is basically in line with how the Asus NUC 14 Pro is priced. There's a reason behind the higher prices of both of these mini PCs, though, and it really makes sense when you take into consideration that they're both aimed at business users. Many of the Cubi NUC 1M configurations you find at online retailers include either a 1-year or a 3-year warranty. If something goes wrong, you can reach out to MSI and they can help you troubleshoot an issue or replace any faulty parts, or maybe even your whole mini PC if something is really off. With other companies in the mini PC business, you don't even get a warranty with your purchase, and getting in touch with technical support is much more difficult. The Cubi NUC 1M's higher price could be seen as a con for some or as a pro for others. It just really depends on the level of after-sales service you need or are expecting when you buy a new computer. For more tech-savvy users, you might rather have a cheaper initial price, while those who aren't as experienced with mini PCs (or computers in general) won't mind paying extra to know they can easily reach out to customer support or get a faulty device replaced. Which camp you fall into is something you'll need to decide for yourself. The MSI Cubi NUC 1M is an excellent mini PC that can easily serve as a more modern (and more powerful) replacement for an aging desktop. It comes equipped with loads of useful ports and despite its smaller size, this mini PC is very quiet and cool while in use.I really like how MSI throws in some useful accessories to make mounting the Cubi NUC 1M behind your monitor easier, too. Other mini PC makers will often include a VESA mounting plate, but MSI is the first company I've seen that gives its users a more convenient way to power on this computer when it is tucked away behind a monitor. It's also nice that you aren't limited to using one of the company's monitors with Power Link support either, thanks to the included external power MSI Cubi NUC 1M may be more expensive than some of the other mini PCs I've tested. However, the useful add-ons like the microSD card reader up front, the fact that it can drive four external displays and how you can power the device using one of its Thunderbolt 4 ports help justify its higher cost. As does MSI's after-service and longer 3-year warranty. If you're looking for a small but fast mini PC for getting work done, this Cubi NUC 1M should definitely be on your short list.
Geeky Gadgets
08-05-2025
- Geeky Gadgets
Xyber Medusa Three Screen Laptop Review : Can it Handle Your Workflow?
What if your laptop could do more than just sit there, a single screen demanding your constant tab-switching attention? Enter the Xyber Medusa, a bold reimagining of portable computing that dares to ask: why settle for one screen when you can have three? With its innovative triple-screen design, this laptop promises to transform multitasking into an art form, catering to professionals who juggle complex workflows. But innovation often comes with trade-offs—can this ambitious device truly deliver on its promise, or does it stumble under the weight of its own aspirations? In this hands-on review, we'll explore whether the Xyber Medusa is a new tool or a niche experiment. From its 16-inch main display flanked by two foldout vertical screens to its aluminum chassis and Intel Core i7-12700P processor, the Xyber Medusa is packed with features designed to boost productivity. But it's not just about specs—this laptop challenges the very idea of what a portable workstation can be. We'll unpack its strengths, like the multitasking potential of its triple-screen setup, and its limitations, such as the absence of Thunderbolt 4 and its heavier-than-average build. Whether you're a developer looking to streamline your workflow or a financial analyst tracking multiple data streams, the Xyber Medusa offers plenty to consider. ETA Prime takes a closer look to see if this daring device can live up to its promise of redefining multitasking—or if it's a case of innovation outpacing practicality. Triple-Screen Laptop Overview Display Configuration The standout feature of the Xyber Medusa is its triple-screen setup, which redefines multitasking possibilities. The primary 16-inch IPS display features a 1200p resolution, delivering sharp visuals and wide viewing angles. Flanking the main screen are two 10.5-inch foldout displays with a 1280×1920 resolution, optimized for vertical use. All three screens operate at a 60 Hz refresh rate, making sure smooth performance for everyday productivity tasks. This configuration is particularly advantageous for multitasking-intensive workflows. For example, developers can code on the main screen, reference documentation on one side screen, and monitor communication tools on the other. Similarly, financial analysts can track multiple data streams simultaneously. However, the inability to merge the three screens into a single extended display limits its flexibility for creative professionals who require seamless, panoramic workspaces. While the setup excels in productivity-focused tasks, it may not fully meet the needs of users seeking more adaptable display configurations. Build and Design The Xyber Medusa's aluminum chassis combines durability with a premium aesthetic. Its robust hinge mechanism securely supports the foldout screens, making sure stability during use. The backlit chiclet keyboard, featuring single-zone white LED lighting, offers a comfortable typing experience, even in low-light environments. Additionally, the large trackpad integrates a fingerprint reader, providing secure and convenient access to the system. Weighing 2.6 kg, the laptop is noticeably heavier than conventional models, a trade-off for its innovative triple-screen design. While this added weight reduces portability, the sturdy build and functional design cater to users who prioritize productivity over mobility. The laptop's design emphasizes practicality, making it ideal for stationary use in professional settings. Xyber Medusa Three Screen Laptop Review Watch this video on YouTube. Enhance your knowledge on dual and triple-screen laptops by exploring a selection of articles and guides on the subject. Ports and Connectivity The Xyber Medusa offers a versatile range of connectivity options to accommodate diverse workflows. Key ports include multiple USB 3.2 ports, an HDMI output for external displays, a Gigabit Ethernet port for reliable wired networking, and an Oculink 8i connector capable of transferring data at speeds of up to 100 Gbps. These options provide flexibility for connecting peripherals and external devices. However, the absence of USB 4 or Thunderbolt 4 limits compatibility with high-speed peripherals, such as external GPUs and advanced storage solutions. On the wireless front, the laptop supports Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2, making sure modern and reliable connectivity for most networking needs. While the available ports are sufficient for standard workflows, the lack of innovative connectivity options may deter users with more demanding requirements. Internal Specifications At the core of the Xyber Medusa is the Intel Core i7-12700P processor, featuring 12 cores and 16 threads with a maximum clock speed of 4.7 GHz. This CPU delivers robust performance for multitasking and general productivity tasks. The integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics, equipped with 96 execution units, efficiently handles light graphical workloads but struggles with more demanding applications. The laptop supports up to 64 GB of DDR4 RAM, but the factory-installed 32 GB operates at a slower 2666 MHz, which impacts overall performance, particularly for graphics-intensive tasks. For storage, the device includes two M.2 slots, allowing for up to 4 TB of SSD storage. A 77 Wh battery powers the system, providing moderate runtime given the demands of the triple-screen setup. While the internal specifications are sufficient for productivity-focused tasks, the slower RAM speed and integrated graphics limit its potential for high-performance applications. Performance The Xyber Medusa excels in multitasking and productivity-oriented tasks. Activities such as document editing, web browsing, and media consumption are handled with ease. The triple-screen setup enhances workflow efficiency, allowing users to manage multiple applications simultaneously. However, its gaming performance is limited due to the integrated graphics and slower RAM. Older or less demanding games, such as Cyberpunk 2077, achieve around 36 FPS at low settings and 800p resolution, but more graphically intensive titles are beyond its capabilities. The slower RAM speed also creates a bottleneck for the integrated GPU, further limiting its suitability for users requiring high graphical performance. While the laptop shines in productivity, its limitations in gaming and creative workloads are evident, making it less appealing for users with diverse performance needs. Thermal Management The Xyber Medusa employs a single-fan cooling system that performs adequately under most conditions. During standard use, temperatures average around 55°C, while gaming pushes them to 64°C. Under maximum load, temperatures peak at 78°C, but the system avoids thermal throttling, maintaining consistent performance. While the cooling system is effective, users engaging in prolonged intensive tasks may notice increased fan noise. The thermal management system strikes a balance between performance and noise levels, making sure a stable user experience for most workflows. Limitations Despite its innovative design, the Xyber Medusa has several limitations. The absence of Thunderbolt 4 or USB 4 restricts compatibility with advanced peripherals, such as external GPUs and high-speed storage devices. Additionally, the factory-installed slower RAM reduces the performance potential of the integrated graphics, limiting its appeal for users with demanding graphical needs. The laptop's 2.6 kg weight and niche triple-screen design further reduce its practicality for general consumers. While it excels in specific use cases, its bulk and hardware trade-offs may deter users seeking a more versatile or portable device. These limitations highlight the laptop's focus on specialized workflows rather than broad consumer appeal. Potential Use Cases The Xyber Medusa is best suited for professionals who require extensive multitasking capabilities. Developers, financial analysts, and productivity-focused users can use its triple-screen setup to streamline workflows. For instance, developers can code, debug, and reference documentation simultaneously, while financial analysts can monitor multiple data streams and reports in parallel. The inclusion of the Oculink 8i connector also opens the possibility of connecting an external GPU, enhancing its graphical performance for specific creative applications. However, its limitations in portability and advanced connectivity options mean it is not a one-size-fits-all solution. The Xyber Medusa is a niche device designed for users who value innovation and multitasking efficiency over conventional portability and versatility. Media Credit: ETA PRIME Filed Under: Laptops, Top News Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Yahoo
Arrow Lake die shot shows off the details of Intel's chiplet-based design
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Credit: Intel Die shots of Intel's Arrow Lake architecture have been published, revealing Intel's chiplet (tile) infused design in all of its glory. Andreas Schiling on X shared several images of Arrow Lake up close, revealing the layout of Arrow Lake's individual tiles and the layout of the cores inside the compute tile. The first photo exposes the full die of Intel's desktop Core Ultra 200S series CPUs, with the compute tile on the upper left, the IO tile on the bottom, and the SoC tile and GPU tile on the right. To the bottom left and top right are two filler dies designed to provide structural rigidity. The compute die is fabbed on TSMC's bleeding-edge N3B node, with a total area of 117.241 mm². The IO tile and SoC tile are fabbed on TSMC's older N6 node, with the IO tile measuring 24.475mm squared and the SoC tile 86.648mm squared. All of the tiles rest on an underlying base tile fabbed on Intel's 22nm FinFET node. Arrow Lake is the first Intel architecture that is fabricated entirely using nodes from a competitor, except for the base tile. The next image shows all of the sub-components for the secondary tiles in Arrow Lake. The I/O die houses the Thunderbolt 4 controller/display PHY, PCIe Express buffers/PHYs, and TBT4 PHYs. The SoC tile houses the display engines, media engine, more PCIe PHYs, buffers, and the DDR5 memory controllers. The GPU tile houses four Xe GPU cores and an Xe LPG (Arc Alchemist) render slice. The final image shows off Intel's latest core configuration for Arrow Lake, which differs from previous hybrid Intel architectures. For Arrow Lake, Intel opted to sandwich the E-cores between the P-cores rather than putting them all in their own cluster, allegedly to reduce thermal hotspots. Four of the eight P-cores reside on the borders of the die with the other four residing in the middle of the die. The four E-core clusters (which house four cores each) are sandwiched between the outer and inner P-cores. Schilling's die shot also exposes the cache layout for Arrow Lake, comprised of 3MB of L3 cache per P-core (36MB in total) and 3MB of L2 cache per E-core cluster, with 1.5MB shared between two cores directly. An interconnect bridges the two L2 cache clusters (and their associated cores) together, which is also responsible for connecting each core cluster to the ring agent. One major upgrade Intel made with Arrow Lake is connecting the E-core clusters to L3 cache shared by the P-cores, effectively giving the E-cores an L3 cache. Arrow Lake is one of Intel's most complex architectures to date and the first from the company to bring a chiplet-style design to the desktop market. That said, Intel's first attempt at a desktop chiplet-based competitor has not been well received, due to latency issues from the interconnect, which is responsible for connecting all the tiles together. Intel is attempting to rectify the issue through firmware updates. Still, its current implementation can't touch AMD's competing Ryzen 9000 CPUs (such as the 9800X3D), nor is it enough to even beat its own previous-generation 14th-generation processors in gaming (such as the 14900K). All that said, moving to a chiplet approach will afford Intel more ways to optimize its architectures down the road, in a more efficient manner. Each tile can be developed independently of others and built with different nodes to improve yields, optimize development, and reduce production costs.
