#USB c desktop dock

[blubberquark]

I can't tell you which laptop to buy

Over the years, I have been asked "Which laptop should I buy?" many, many times. We have now arrived at a point where I can no longer meaningfully answer this question.

In the past, I would have said something like "Get a laptop with enough RAM, and make sure the keyboard, trackpad, and display all work for you. You can't swap out the keyboard, mouse and display like you can in a desktop."

In the past, I would have said something like "Are you just using it for e-mail, Facebook, and Netflix? Are you doing a lot of office productivity stuff? Will you be giving slide presentations? Do you also want to do some light gaming? Do you need an SD card slot for your digital camera? Are you doing video editing/CAD modelling/cinematic 3D rendering?"

It really depends on what kind of laptop you want. You could want a desktop replacement, because you don't have the space for PC. You could want a "luggable" machine that you take from your office to the meeting room or the lecture hall, and back and occasionally to a different location in the trunk of your car. You could want a portable laptop that you keep in a laptop bag, backpack, or briefcase, and sometimes use on your lap or in a café if you are one of these people. You could want a "light" laptop that you carry with you at all times.

I still couldn't tell you which laptop to buy. So many people these days use their phone or a tablet for e-mail, facebook, and netflix that it doesn't really make sense to recommend a small and light laptop. You'd want to be a step above that. So many people use the "cloud" for all their documents and data, so it doesn't make sense for them to think about having a large HDD. If you own a gaming a console and a desktop PC, and you write your e-mails on a tablet, it doesn't really make sense to have a cheap laptop, but it also doesn't make sense to have a big laptop, unless you change your workflow.

Some people still need a CD drive, a large hard disk, or VGA-out, but usually there's a USB-C dock for that use case.

If you never use your laptop anyway, you may as well give Ubuntu a chance. It even runs Steam!

[autolenaphilia]

I got a Steam Deck last year, and it’s such a great machine. It’s obviously inspired by Nintendo Switch, but it’s a lot better than a Switch.

The most important part is that it runs PC games. It’s fundamentally a Linux gaming PC in the form of a handheld console. There are a lot more games available than any console and and PC games both on Steam and GOG are a lot cheaper than console ones. You can get old or indie games for as cheap as 1-3 euro during sales. It’s a tremendous advantage for the deck over its console competitors.

And while the obvious intent of the deck is to get more people to buy games from Steam, it isn’t a walled garden at all. The deck launches into Steam when you boot it up, but you can go into desktop mode, and then it functions as a normal PC running a Linux distro. From there you can install Lutris or Heroic Games Launcher, and use it to easily install games you bought from GOG and Itch.io.

You can also do things like use the official dock or an unofficial usb-c hub to hook the deck up to a monitor, mouse and keyboard to use it as a desktop PC. Or you can hook it up to a tv to use it as home console.

The hardware is also a lot more powerful than a switch, the demanding triple-a games it can play is actually impressive. Although this comes with the natural disadvantage that it’s bulkier too. Putting more powerful PC parts demands more space for them. The deck is not something I bring with me outside. But then again I didn’t even do that with the 3DS, which was actually of a practical size to do that. The deck is portable enough that I can comfortably play lying in bed, which is how I always used my handheld consoles. So it’s perfect for me, but maybe not if you want to play it on the bus or something. It can probably be a fun addition to your luggage on longer trips though.

Of course, as mentioned, the Steam Deck uses Linux. This has both advantages and disadvantages. The main advantage is that it allows Valve to customize the operating system to make it fit with the machine it’s running on. The Deck’s SteamOS feels really well-integrated into the hardware, like how a proper console OS should be like. It’s not that dissimilar to how Sony used FreeBSD to make Playstation’s OS. Windows would not allow for this amount of customization and would not integrate as well.

And the open source nature of most Linux development allows Valve and the user to use existing open-source Linux software to their advantage. For example, the desktop mode is largely not a Valve creation, it’s an existing desktop environment for Linux, KDE Plasma. Yet it extends what the user can do with the deck to a great extent, like for installing non-steam games.

The main disadvantage to the Deck using Linux is that most PC games are built for Windows and don’t run natively under Linux. To run games built for Windows, the Deck has to run it through Proton, a compatibility layer which is Valve’s own gaming-focused version of Wine. Wine/Proton is far from perfect, sometimes games require extensive tinkering to work, or only run with serious issues, or don’t run at all, no matter what you do. Sometimes a game not working with Wine due to some random but serious issue that comes naturally from running a Windows executable on a Linux system via a compatibility layer. Sometimes it’s due to things like a multiplayer’s game anti-cheat system requiring access to the Windows kernel, and it will block a Linux pc from running the game because it has no Windows kernel.

This is however not as big a problem as it might otherwise be. Most games work, more or less. Valve has put a lot of work and money into both their own Proton and the Wine project as a whole, and they work a lot better than they did 10 years ago. Many run perfectly out of the box, because they are native, or play nice with Proton. Some require mere minor tinkering, like using a different version of Proton. And I generally don’t play multiplayer games, or if I do they don’t have draconian anti-cheats, so the games that are blocked because of anti-cheat are no big loss to me. The Steam Deck not running Fortnite is a plus in my book.

And we shouldn’t forget the Steam Deck verified system. Basically Valve employees check if the game runs out of the box with no issues on the Deck. They get a verified rating if they work with no issue, including both proton compatibility but also things like the controls working nice and the text being legible on the deck’s small screen. They also get a “playable” rating if the game runs to an acceptable standard but with tinkering required or other minor issues.

This is a good system. If you dislike tinkering, you can just buy and play games on steam with a verified rating, and the deck will work like a normal console for you, but with a lot cheaper games. It’s a good way to get people used to consoles into PC gaming, which is probably the point of the Deck.

And if you want more than deck verified games from Steam on the Deck, you are given the freedom to do it. I’ve gotten officially non-supported steam games to run on the deck by installing and using proton-GE and I’ve installed and played games from GOG.

The Steam Deck is really how a Linux PC for the common people should work. An easy and slick experience for casual users, but freedom and customization given to those that want it.

[eightyonekilograms]

God help me I'm actually considering writing my own window manager for macOS.

macOS is a decent operating system but it is just nakedly hostile to the concept of good window management. There are a bunch of third-party Mac window managers already, but none of them seem to have the specific thing I want.

I work from multiple places (home with a TB dock and 2 monitors with the laptop in clamshell mode, work with a USB-C cable using 1 external monitor + the built-in one, and totally on-the-go with just the laptop screen), and I want a preset arrangement of windows in Spaces (virtual desktops) for each of these, which kicks in automatically when monitors are plugged in or removed.

Unfortunately I'm not sure this is easy, or even possible. Various pain points include:

I have heard people claim that macOS basically does not expose any APIs for Spaces unless you really go digging in the guts of the compositor.

Thunderbolt is just flaky as fuck: when I wake the computer from sleep while it's plugged into my dock, it frequently just forgets my monitor resolutions until I unplug them and plug them back in. This would probably make any kind of system which moved around my windows based on external monitor status just go haywire.

This whole thing is more for my work computer than my personal one, but since I work at Google most of my windows during a workday are actually just 8 or 9 different Chrome windows, with a different collection of tabs for each. I'm not sure the APIs exist to give these persistent identities.

It's amazing how far we haven't come in decades of window managers. And since nobody cares about desktop operating systems anymore, this isn't likely to improve.

[anna328p]

worldbuilding: Cores are computer modules. They're usually anywhere between 0.5L to 2L in volume; somewhere around the size of a brick. Most cores use a standard accessory interface port, which can also supply power to the core (think today's USB-C monitors, docks, etc.)

Cores usually contain specialized SoCs, containing both general-purpose and tensor processors. Often, they also include a discrete tensor processor for greater performance. Some cores are fairly simple, meant for desktop computers, or to only run heuristic algorithms. Others are able to run agentic intelligences.

There's a numerical scale of intelligence classes. An agent at L=0 is capable of approximately human-level reasoning (also referred to as a "sophont"). Generally, humans are agents at L=0. Lower levels are capable of less abstract, novel reasoning. (For example, automated phone systems use agents at L=3; service desk and level 1 customer support systems use agents at L=1.)

The cognitive capabilities of artificially constructed agents are restricted by NAU law. Possession of an artificial agent at L=0 requires a government-issued license. There's also very severe restrictions on international trade.

The consciousness of artificial intelligences is a hotly debated topic.

[atplblog]

Price: [price_with_discount] (as of [price_update_date] - Details) [ad_1] From the manufacturer Form and Function—Fused to Perfection Store Loads of Content Equipped with up to 2TB of capacity, FireCuda Gaming SSD offers massive storage for classic go-to titles, tomorrow’s hottest releases, and must-have media files like movies, music, photos, and more. Light It Up For leveled-up illumination, use the included Toolkit software to explore a range of RGB LED colors and light patterns—and even sync them to FireCuda Gaming Dock for an incredibly immersive setup. Take It Anywhere This SSD's portable industrial design complements premium rigs while its study,reliable aluminum build offers cooling and heat dissipation. NEW: Seagate FireCuda Gaming SSD now includes 3 year Rescue Data Recovery Services. Get an extra layer of protection for your data. Experience high-speed, no-lag PC gaming with an external portable USB-C drive harnessing fierce FireCuda NVMe SSD performance and cutting-edge USB 3.2 gen 2x2 technology for speeds of up to 2,000 MB/s Store a massive library of games and content with up to 2 TB of capacity The ideal solution for a PC or laptop SSD, FireCuda Gaming SSD includes customisable LED lights that sync with the Seagate FireCuda Gaming Dock for an enhanced, fully-personalized desktop gaming setup Actual storage capacity may vary due to differences between decimal and binary calculations. [ad_2]

[egamephone88]

The USB-C charging port of Nintendo Switch 2 is consistent with the first-generation Nintendo Switch in terms of physical interface type, both of which are USB Type-C, but there are significant differences in appearance, charging protocol, power support and compatibility. The following is a specific analysis:

Physical interface and basic compatibility Interface type: Switch 2 and the first-generation Switch both use USB-C interface, which supports forward and reverse plugging49.

Appearance: Kasynparts provides the latest USB interface of switch 2, which is obviously inconsistent with the first-generation switch, switch oled, etc.

Charging protocol and power difference First-generation Switch:

Supports USB PD 2.0 protocol, charging power is 15V/2.6A (39W), and specific protocol activation is required in dock mode (such as 15V/3A 45W charger)1014.

Third-party chargers must meet 15V/2.6A or higher to support dock mode14.

Switch 2:

Upgrade to 60W charger (20V/3A), support higher power output to meet stronger hardware performance (such as 4K output, DLSS technology, etc.)711.

The 39W charger of the original Switch is not compatible with the dock mode of Switch 2, which may cause insufficient power supply7.

Compatibility issues and accessory requirements Switch 2 dedicated charger:

Standard 60W USB-C PD charger, support faster charging speed (about 1.5 hours to fully charge 50Wh battery)11.

The new dock requires 20V/3A input, emphasizing the reliance on high power7.

Limitations of the first-generation charger:

The 39W charger of the original Switch can only be used to charge the Switch 2 in handheld mode, and cannot activate dock mode or provide full-speed charging711.

Applicability of third-party chargers Switch 2:

You need to choose a charger that supports the PD 3.1 protocol and has a power of ≥60W to ensure that the dock mode can be used normally711.

Some third-party chargers (such as the 45W charger mentioned on webpage 2) may only be suitable for handheld mode, so please pay attention to the compatibility instructions3.

First-generation Switch:

Third-party chargers must meet 15V/2.6A to support dock mode, otherwise they can only be used for handheld charging1014.

Other functional expansions Switch 2 interface upgrades:

Added a top USB-C interface to facilitate angle adjustment when charging in desktop mode9.

Supports higher-bandwidth USB-C data transmission (such as connecting 4K monitors and high-speed storage devices)79.

Summary Although Nintendo Switch 2 continues the physical interface of USB-C, its charging protocol, power requirements and compatibility have been significantly upgraded. If you plan to use the original Switch charger with the Switch 2, please note that insufficient power may cause the dock mode to fail or the charging speed to decrease. It is recommended to use the official 60W charger or a third-party product that complies with the new protocol.

[pcsite]

https://pcsite.co.uk/does-thunderbolt-dock-require-a-working-laptop-battery/ Many users wonder whether a functional battery is necessary when connecting to a Thunderbolt docking station. The answer depends on your setup. Desktop systems like the Mac Mini operate flawlessly without power negotiation, while laptops may behave differently.Modern docking stations utilize USB-C Power Delivery protocols. This technology handles charging and data transfer through a single cable. Devices communicate their power requirements automatically, ensuring safe operation.Popular models l

[amtechhive]

Nanoleaf launched multi-functional desk lights for her Mac

Nanolef announced launch today Pegboard Desk DockA desktop light that is capable of having accessories and serves as a dock for peripheners like a keyboard and has been added to USB-A and USB-C ports. The Pegboard Desk Dock Nanolef works with the desktop app, so it is capable of changing the color of light to match the material on your MAC display, which is ideal for this gaming, watching movies…

[letzdoitlucky]

Kensington SD4841P USB-C Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station

Boost your productivity with the Kensington SD4841P USB-C Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station! This powerful, driverless docking station supports 10Gbps data transfer, triple video outputs, and 100W power delivery to keep your devices charged. With 2 DisplayPorts, 1 HDMI 2.0, 1 USB-C, and 4 USB-A ports, it’s perfect for multitaskers who need seamless connectivity. Whether you’re working from home or the office, this all-in-one hub simplifies your setup and maximizes efficiency.

Kensington SD4841P USB-C 10Gbps Triple Video Docking Station

In the era of high-performance computing, professionals and tech enthusiasts require docking stations that provide more than just simple connectivity. The Kensington SD4841P USB-C 10Gbps Triple Video, Thunderbolt 4, Driverless Docking Station (model number K33557EU) offers an exceptional solution for users who need reliable and high-speed data transfer, powerful video output, and versatile charging capabilities. Let’s take a deep dive into the features, performance, and benefits of this docking station to understand why it’s one of the best options available for modern workplaces and home setups.

Overview of the Kensington SD4841P Docking Station The Kensington SD4841P is a premium, driverless docking station designed to simplify the connection of multiple devices to a laptop or desktop computer. It connects via USB-C or Thunderbolt 4, ensuring high-speed data transfer and compatibility with the latest laptops, tablets, and PCs. The SD4841P is built for users who demand high-resolution video outputs and fast charging capabilities without the need for complicated drivers or software installations.

Key Features

Triple Video Output One of the standout features of the Kensington SD4841P docking station is its ability to support triple video outputs. It features 2 x DisplayPort ports and 1 x HDMI 2.0 port, making it an ideal solution for users who require multiple displays for productivity, gaming, or creative tasks. With these three video outputs, you can extend your laptop’s display across three external monitors, achieving ultra-wide and multi-screen workstations for maximum efficiency. It supports up to 4K resolution at 60Hz, offering crystal-clear image quality for all kinds of media.

Thunderbolt 4 and USB-C Connectivity Thunderbolt 4 provides 10Gbps of bandwidth for data transfer, enabling fast file transfers, smooth video playback, and quick data synchronization. The docking station also features USB-C support, ensuring broad compatibility with various devices. Thunderbolt 4’s versatility is another key benefit. It allows fast charging (up to 100W Power Delivery) for your connected laptop, so you won’t need a separate charger. This ensures that even power-hungry laptops can stay charged throughout the day.

Powerful Charging and Data Transfer The 100W Power Delivery feature ensures that your laptop or devices are charged quickly and efficiently. Whether you're using a MacBook, Dell XPS, or another USB-C or Thunderbolt-enabled device, you can power your equipment and transfer data simultaneously without worrying about power shortages. Additionally, the 10Gbps data transfer rate allows for rapid file transfers, enabling a productive workflow without the bottleneck of slower USB 3.0 or earlier-generation ports.

Versatile USB Ports The docking station features an impressive array of 5 USB ports, including 4 x USB-A and 1 x USB-C. This makes it incredibly easy to connect peripherals like a keyboard, mouse, external hard drives, printers, and other essential devices. The USB-A ports are perfect for older USB peripherals, while the USB-C port offers a future-proof option for the latest devices that require USB-C for data transfer and charging.

Compact and Sleek Design Despite its extensive feature set, the Kensington SD4841P boasts a compact and sleek design. Its minimalist style ensures it doesn’t take up much desk space, and its lightweight build makes it easy to move between workstations or take with you on the go. Whether you're at home or in a business setting, this docking station complements any workspace setup.

Driverless Installation One of the major highlights of the Kensington SD4841P is its driverless installation. This eliminates the need to install cumbersome software or drivers, making setup as simple as plugging in the device. This feature is especially useful for those who need a hassle-free setup in multi-user environments, such as shared workspaces or conference rooms.

Performance and Use Cases Multitasking & Productivity: The ability to run multiple displays means you can manage large datasets, video editing, or multitasking on several applications simultaneously. Professionals in creative industries like graphic design, video production, and engineering will appreciate the three high-definition outputs and seamless connectivity to their external devices.

Gaming: Gamers will also find this docking station useful as it supports high-refresh-rate monitors via its DisplayPort and HDMI outputs. With the capability to run 4K at 60Hz, users can enjoy a fluid gaming experience across multiple screens without sacrificing performance.

Business & Conference Rooms: Thanks to its driverless installation and compatibility with a wide range of devices, the SD4841P is an excellent choice for businesses that frequently host meetings. Multiple participants can easily connect their devices to a large display setup, improving collaboration and presentations.

Compatibility The Kensington SD4841P is compatible with a variety of modern devices, including laptops, desktops, tablets, and even some smartphones that feature USB-C or Thunderbolt 4 ports. It works seamlessly with Windows, macOS, and ChromeOS systems, ensuring compatibility across different operating systems.

Conclusion The Kensington SD4841P USB-C 10Gbps Triple Video Docking Station (K33557EU) is an exceptional solution for those looking to enhance their productivity, enjoy smooth multimedia experiences, and stay powered up without needing a separate charger. Its driverless installation, triple video outputs, high-speed data transfer, and ample USB ports make it an excellent investment for professionals, creatives, gamers, and anyone who requires multiple monitors and fast, reliable connectivity. With its 100W Power Delivery and sleek design, it stands out as one of the most versatile docking stations available today.

KensingtonSD4841P

[fromdevcom]

Have you ever broke your iPhone or worse, lost it? Have you ever accidentally formatted all of the data; or even by mistake clicked the delete button on an important SMS? Well, all that anger and rage of losing your important text messages can become a thing of the past. The iPhone is a Smartphone with many features, one of them being able to back up your SMS and other data to your personal computer for safe keeping. There are many ways you could do that. All you have to do is follow the step by step instructions and you’ll have your SMS on your PC in no time! We have listed three different ways to backup your iphone messages. 1. Wondershare MobileTrans The first third party application I would like to introduce is Wondershare MobileTrans. It is a desktop program that mainly focuses transferring files between different phones. But it can also backup all your iPhone data to computer and mac with simply one step. Besides these functions, it also supports restoring backups. Step 1: Download the program for free and install it on your computer or mac Step 2: Connect your iPhone with PC via USB cable Step 3: Launch MobileTrans to let it detect your iPhone Step 4: There would be a backup window, just click it and choose Text Messages to back up 2. iTunes This is one of the preferred way to backup your messages. Backing Up The simple option is backing it up with itunes. First off, connect your iPhone to your PC via the USB cable or dock Then, change the backup option to my computer (in case it was on iCloud) Finally, press the “Back up now” button This will effectively backup your iPhone SMS (and other media if you choose) to your PC. However, this method will not allow you to view your SMS or transfer them to another cell phone operating system such as Android. In order to do that, you will have to follow the next step. Viewing The SMS Backup First off, you will have to open a specific file that contains your backed up SMS data. The file’s name is 3d0d7e5fb2ce288813306e4d4636395e047a3d2. Depending on your operating system, this file can be found in various locations. For Windows 7 and 8: Go to your local Hard Disk (usually C drive) Users > [your username] AppData > Roaming Apple Computer MobileSync Backup folder For Mac OS X: User Library Application Support MobileSync Backup For older versions of windows (such as Windows xp): Go to your local Hard Disk (usually C drive) Documents and Settings > [your username] Application Data Apple Computer MobileSync Backup Once you open the Backup folder, you will find many other crazy named folders with various numbers, open the most recent one and you will find the 3d0d7e5fb2ce288813306e4d4636395e047a3d28 file. This file can be opened by many different programs and websites such as iPhone SMS that allows this file to be converted into a Microsoft Office Excel, HTML or PDF so that you can view them with ease. 3. CopyTrans Another, slightly simpler way to save and view your SMS on the personal computer is via a third party application called CopyTrans. This application will allow you to not only save your SMS but also various other files and folders connected to the SMS such as Multimedia Messages (MMS). Once again, all you have to do is follow these steps: Backing Up Simply download the program from CopyTrans Then Install the program and run it on your PC Connect your iPhone via USB cable or dock Sit back and relax for a bit. The app will automatically start to back up all of your SMS and MMS data along with any link, photos, videos, and emoji that was sent via SMS or MMS. Viewing The SMS Backup After the messages have loaded up on to the program, simply tick the ones you wish to view. (Optionally, you can just press the space beside ‘messages’ and you will select them all) Click on the ‘export selected button’ Select which format you wish to export these messages too. Like the above method, this method too has the ability

to back up SMS messages to Microsoft Office MS Excel, but also offers you the additional ability to export them to Microsoft Office MS Word, CSV, plain text, or even a special, interactive Web Page format. That is it! Simply open up your newly created file which contains all the data and you can view your SMS. The Web Page format in particular is quite special. Double clicking it will open up your browser and show you your SMS and MMS just as your iPhone would, allowing you to interact with them as if you were viewing them on your phone; complete with all the music, videos and audio files, pictures and emoji built in. 4. DiskAid Disk Aid has been yet another app that adds a bit more in terms of backing up. Not only can you back up your SMS and MMS, but DiskAid also allows you to back up your iPhone’s iMessage as well as other notes, contacts, and photographs, videos, pictures, voicemail, call history, and memos. It also serves as a file transfer program too. The application has support for the latest operating system OS as well, the iOS7, in case you have upgraded your iPhone. The process for DiskAid is rather simple. Download the program from DiskAid Install the program and run it on either a MacBook or PC Connect the iPhone to the PC via USB cable or Dock Wait a few minutes to let the messages load on your PC screen Click all messages, or manually select the conversations Click ‘Copy to Computer’ You can now export the files once again to Microsoft MS Office Word, a simple text file, or even CSV (Optionally, you can even put it into a PDF format, which will give you a much better and richer viewing experience) Presto! That is all it took, you now have your SMS and other data safely backed up to your PC While there are many other 3rd party applications that can perform these actions, there aren’t many that can get the job done with the interactive formats of CopyTrans or the added extra backing up abilities of DiskAid. These two are irrefutably the best 3rd party application for backing up SMS to your PC. Again, if you prefer not to install any unnecessary applications, you can simply stick to the slightly longer iTunes method. All 3 methods should safely get the job done. Congratulations, you now have your SMS as well as other data backed up to your PC, job well done! John Harrison is a software engineer, part time blogger and technology writer with a passion for all things technology and media. He has been writing for 3+ years, writing on internet tips, security, privacy, Microsoft and surveillance technologies specially iPhone spy app technology for Smartphones. When he’s not writing, you can find him playing rugby. You may connect with him on Google+

[miya716tienda]

HP EliteBook 1040 G11 Review

In the past, most business laptops have been boring black slabs, designed to get the job done. But that was then. Today, there's the HP EliteBook 1040 G11 (starts at $1,849; $2,099 as tested), a stunning productivity partner built for the modern hybrid office. It's lightweight and durable, with a comfortable, spill-proof keyboard. Its Core Ultra 7 CPU with Intel's vPro IT management tech can tackle office tasks with ease, and with nearly 14 hours of battery life, it's ready to pull some overtime.

In the past, most business laptops have been boring black slabs, designed to get the job done. But that was then. Today, there's the HP EliteBook 1040 G11 (starts at $1,849; $2,099 as tested), a stunning productivity partner built for the modern hybrid office. It's lightweight and durable, with a comfortable, spill-proof keyboard. Its Core Ultra 7 CPU with Intel's vPro IT management tech can tackle office tasks with ease, and with nearly 14 hours of battery life, it's ready to pull some overtime.

In the past, most business laptops have been boring black slabs, designed to get the job done. But that was then. Today, there's the HP EliteBook 1040 G11 (starts at $1,849; $2,099 as tested), a stunning productivity partner built for the modern hybrid office. It's lightweight and durable, with a comfortable, spill-proof keyboard. Its Core Ultra 7 CPU with Intel's vPro IT management tech can tackle office tasks with ease, and with nearly 14 hours of battery life, it's ready to pull some overtime.

In the past, most business laptops have been boring black slabs, designed to get the job done. But that was then. Today, there's the HP EliteBook 1040 G11 (starts at $1,849; $2,099 as tested), a stunning productivity partner built for the modern hybrid office. It's lightweight and durable, with a comfortable, spill-proof keyboard. Its Core Ultra 7 CPU with Intel's vPro IT management tech can tackle office tasks with ease, and with nearly 14 hours of battery life, it's ready to pull some overtime.

In the past, most business laptops have been boring black slabs, designed to get the job done. But that was then. Today, there's the HP EliteBook 1040 G11 (starts at $1,849; $2,099 as tested), a stunning productivity partner built for the modern hybrid office. It's lightweight and durable, with a comfortable, spill-proof keyboard. Its Core Ultra 7 CPU with Intel's vPro IT management tech can tackle office tasks with ease, and with nearly 14 hours of battery life, it's ready to pull some overtime.

In the past, most business laptops have been boring black slabs, designed to get the job done. But that was then. Today, there's the HP EliteBook 1040 G11 (starts at $1,849; $2,099 as tested), a stunning productivity partner built for the modern hybrid office. It's lightweight and durable, with a comfortable, spill-proof keyboard. Its Core Ultra 7 CPU with Intel's vPro IT management tech can tackle office tasks with ease, and with nearly 14 hours of battery life, it's ready to pull some overtime.

The G11 could use a few more ports. I know it's a hard ask with such a slim profile, but with this lineup, you'll probably want to pick up a desktop dock. On the right, you have USB-C and USB-A ports with a nanoSIM slot and a security lock slot. Take a look at the left side of the laptop, and you'll see a pair of USB-C Thunderbolt 4 ports, an HDMI 2.1 port, and a headset jack.

Features: The Fort Knox of Business Laptops

Although I love the searing, vivid hues of a nice, glossy OLED panel, matte screens have their own allure, namely the absence of glare. While matte panels aren't known for their vibrancy, the EliteBook's 1,920-by-1,200 display did a fantastic job with color. Watching the trailer for The Plus One, the pink orchids of a lei looked resplendent, with details sharp enough to see the delicate baby hairs framing the side of singer/actor Ashanti's face.

The 5-megapixel webcam captures stills and video at 2,560-by-1,440 resolution, and in both cases, the results look great. The integrated shooter accurately captured the myriad of colors in my hair. It's one of the best webcams I've used this year. And when you're done snapping selfies or conducting video calls, you can slide a security shutter into place as an added layer of protection from Peeping Toms.

HP outfitted the G11 with a pair of top- and bottom-firing speakers with four smart amplifiers. Paired with Poly Studio, the seemingly teeny speakers are surprisingly powerful, having no problem filling my medium-size living room. I took a few video meetings and clearly heard everyone on the call. When I streamed music from Spotify, I found synthesized instrumentals got a little distorted at full volume, while the low end on some tracks was practically nonexistent despite the 11 EQ presets available in the HP Audio Control software.

[44dagainagain]

Steam Deck OLED 1TB

I bought a Steam Deck OLED so I can play gachas while I'm away on vacation.

Why I went with the Steam Deck and not the competition (Lenovo Legion Go or Asus ROG Ally):

Steam Deck seems to be the most stable and reliable. Apparently there are software and hardware issues with the others.

That does mean sacrificing on-paper tech specs considering the competition offers higher resolutions and display refresh rates. However, I'm not looking for a desktop replacement; this is an airport fidget. The increase resolution and refresh rate would eat into battery life for honestly not a whole lot of gain.

I also sacrifice Windows (yes you can install Windows but it doesn't seem to work great) but I'm comfortable with Linux and Proton seems to work well. I prefer an OS that I can hack in a pinch...

Unorganized thoughts:

It defaults into "Native Big Picture" but can be swapped into Desktop Mode. This works with USB-C hubs! Having a keyboard and mouse really helps getting non-Steam games working.

Desktop Mode is Arch running KDE. Time to play pacman. I'm a GNOME guy but KDE is very polished, powerful, and approachable.

I call it "Native Big Picture" because it offers more than Desktop Mode running Big Picture. Primarily, the Steam Deck overlay only works in "Native Big Picture" but not Desktop Mode running Big Picture. This seems important for optimizing battery life. Also, the input remapping only seems to work in "Native Big Picture".

"Native Big Picture" does run a basic window manager, it just lacks decoration and shows up centered.

I got the 90hz model. I notice it occasionally but 60hz is fine for me. Anything above that is gravy. I worry about the battery life that this eats up...

Notes for getting games:

Want Minecraft? Use PrismLauncher. This makes it slightly easier to add as a non-steam game. I still had to convert their .desktop to .sh so it can be added as a non-Steam game...

Use Epic? Install Heroic from the app store, then add them to Steam as non-steam Games.

Play Genshin? Sounds like HoyoPlay works but I used Heroic. I think that I needed to change the install drive from Z: to C:. Then I added the Unity binary as the non-Steam game. Then, in Steam, I needed to turn on compatibility with Proton. This game does not work in Desktop Mode since input remapping doesn't work in that mode. You'll want to log in with a physical mouse and keyboard.

The above applies for ZZZ as well.

Palia? I installed though Heroic then added PaliaClient.exe as a non-Steam game. It was complaining about the C++ Runtime but Reddit to the rescue. I installed protontricks and used that to get vcrun2022. I found this easiest to log in when not docked, otherwise the game resolution got really messed up and input didn't work well. You need to log in every time so I recommend having a password manager like 1password (which you can install from the app store)

Current pain points and annoyances:

While it basically runs any Windows game, every non-Steam game I've downloaded requires non-zero time investment to add it to Steam. Typically I need to drop into Desktop Mode, install the game, find the binary on disk, launch it once or twice to make sure it works, maybe write a wrapper script, then go into Steam and hope it can be added. Then hope Proton works. I've had trouble importing .desktop files (which is annoying...) but those are trivial to convert into a .sh

You need to keep the screen on to download games. Burn-in isn't a problem with the OLED under normal use though so this is more a LOL than anything else.

Steam+X is the soft keyboard. This is not easy to discover and necessary for Desktop Mode. It also doesn't work as well as a physical keyboard

[hypershopusa]

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