#it's long enough on desktop so on mobile it will probably be abysmal

[phooll123]

Always-connected Windows

 laptops show promise but still 

need work

Laptops with built-in cellular connections are poised to be an actual thing for consumers this year, after years of being only available to business customers. One of the biggest pushes for these connected PCs is from Qualcomm, which has been touting its Snapdragon platform as the future of mobile laptop computing. Windows on Snapdragon computers, which run on Qualcomm’s smartphone processors and modems, are finally making their way to store shelves this spring.

The Windows on Snapdragon platform does more than just provide an integrated cellular modem that frees you from having to rely on Wi-Fi. It’s a complete change to the core structure of Windows that allows it to run on processors originally designed for smartphones. Alongside that major architectural change come a number of benefits aside from integrated connectivity, including instant resume from sleep, significantly longer battery life, and quiet, cool machines. Basically, the new platform makes laptops work like how we’re used to smartphones working: instantly, quietly, and efficiently.

Microsoft tried and failed at this idea before

Of course, this idea has been tried before, and Microsoft has some significant failures (*cough* Windows RT *cough*) in its history that promised many of the same things. Qualcomm and Microsoft argue that this time around, things will be different, as processors are much more powerful and Windows on Snapdragon is not limited to just a handful of apps.

To get an idea of how this new platform works and how it’s different from the standard Windows 10 that’s available on hundreds of millions of devices already, I’ve been using one of the first Windows on Snapdragon PCs to arrive: Asus’ NovaGo convertible. Asus plans to sell the NovaGo in the US starting on May 1st for $599, which includes 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage.

The model I’ve been using won’t be sold in the US and has more RAM and storage than what we’ll be able to buy, so this isn’t a review of the device itself, but more of a look at how the platform that will run on various devices from HP, Lenovo, and others. (TL;DR on the machine: it’s a clunker of a convertible, with a dated design, no USB-C ports, and mediocre everything else — basically, what you’d expect from a $600 laptop.) I’ve been using the NovaGo as my primary computer to see how it can hold up to my daily workflow, what apps I can install and use on it, and how well those battery life claims hold up. While the experience wasn’t as bad as Windows RT or other earlier efforts, it still hasn’t sold me on the platform.

The first thing that struck me about using the Always Connected PC was just how little was different from the Windows 10 on every other laptop or computer I’ve used. The interface is the same; performance when switching virtual desktops, swiping through apps, using gestures on the trackpad, and interacting with the touchscreen are all the same, too. 

Fluid animations are certainly not a given, especially since this computer is running a tiny smartphone chip, but I’m happy to report they work as well here as on any other Windows laptop I’ve used.

Most modern apps, especially those downloaded from the Microsoft Store or preinstalled on the machine, opened swiftly, with little discernible difference between how they work on Intel-based computers. However, other apps were much more sluggish on the Snapdragon computer, leading to a frustrating experience (more on app stuff in a bit).

Since the processor in this computer is the same Snapdragon 835 chip found in countless Android smartphones last year, there are no fans necessary. The NovaGo is a dead silent machine, yet it remains cool under load.

Just as I recently found with Microsoft’s Surface Pro LTE, having an always-available LTE connection in my computer is fantastic. I don’t need to rely on sketchy public Wi-Fi, nor do I need to hassle with tethering my smartphone to get online. I tested the NovaGo with T-Mobile service, and it performed similarly to T-Mobile smartphones in my area. In addition, when the lid is closed and the laptop is in standby, it still maintains its connection to receive emails and other updates, just like a smartphone. I want this in every computer I use, even if I have to pony up for an unlimited data plan to use it.

Resuming the Windows on Snapdragon PC from sleep is similar to waking up a smartphone: you just hit the power button, and it’s ready to go. A cold boot takes a similar amount of time as an Intel computer, but I never felt the need to shut down the computer entirely, so I rarely encountered that.

Qualcomm boasts tremendous battery life from these Windows on Snapdragon PCs, and this particular model lasts quite a long time between charges. It doesn’t come close to the 20 or 24 hours that Qualcomm claims, but in my real-world usage, I’m averaging about 11 or 12 hours per charge. That’s a lot better than I typically see from a light and portable ultrabook, and significantly longer than the six or seven hours I get on the Surface Pro LTE.

It’s possible to download and install the Chrome browser on Snapdragon PCs (presuming you flip the switch from the out-of-box Windows 10 S mode to Windows 10 Pro, as was done on this computer), but you probably won’t want to. Performance in Chrome is rather bad, with sluggish load times, stuttery scrolling, and slow transfers between tabs. You’ll have a much better time sticking with Microsoft’s Edge browser, but that brings its own issues, namely poor compatibility with certain websites and a tendency to get overwhelmed after a few hours of use, requiring a restart of the browser.

The Chrome issues extend to web-wrapper or Electron-based apps, such as Slack, which have abysmal and frustrating performance. I ended up using Slack in a tab within the Edge browser, which performed much better than the Slack app downloaded from the Microsoft Store.

Windows on Snapdragon is a 32-bit platform, which means that any 64-bit (x64, in Microsoft parlance) apps will fail to install or run on it. As a result, a lot of more recent tools and utilities just can’t be used on this system, and I quickly ran into issues when my preferred Twitter app and screenshot tool both required x64 support, even though they are listed in the Microsoft Store. Your mileage may vary, but since x64 has been around for a number of years now, there’s a good chance that an app or utility you rely on now won’t work on the Snapdragon PC, and you’ll have to find an alternative or search around for a 32-bit version of the tool. 

(I was able to find an alternate screenshot tool easily enough, but suffering through the official Twitter for Windows app has been awful.)

And 32-bit support doesn’t guarantee that every app will work, either. I was able to install an email client, but it crashed every time I tried to set it up with my email accounts, rendering it unusable. Windows’ own Mail app also behaved oddly: it took three tries of adding and removing my Google accounts before it would support basic archiving. (This is despite Qualcomm and Microsoft assuring me that the app is compiled from the same source as what’s on Intel-powered machines.)

I did download and run Adobe Photoshop for laughs; it works about as you’d expect it to: slowly. The limitation against x64 apps means that virtually any modern game will not install on this computer, not that it’d run very well on this hardware if it did install.

Overall, while there were some definite pluses to using the Windows on Snapdragon computer (long battery life, silent design, and integrated connectivity), I couldn’t wait to go back to using any one of the other Intel PCs I’m used to. 

Between the app compatibility issues and the general feeling that I was always pushing the machine to the edge and it was barely holding on, using the NovaGo as my primary work computer hasn’t been a very pleasant experience. In fact, it reminds me a lot of using a low-end Chromebook.

This platform might work for the most casual of users who can live with the Edge browser and don’t rely on many third-party apps or utilities. But if you’re a heavy user looking for the holy grail of an always-connected computer that can last well beyond a workday away from an outlet, Windows on Snapdragon isn’t likely to be your answer. Chances are, we’ll see more connected PCs and soon, but the better ones are likely to be powered by Intel processors, not the same chip that’s in your phone.

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[kelsusit]

Acer Predator Triton 700

When it comes to raw specs, the Acer Predator Triton 700 sits pretty high atop the gaming laptop market. There is so much power packed into an impossibly thin chassis here – it's an impressive triumph of engineering. That said, it's not unique for a high quality laptop to be both thin and powerful. 

For instance, the Asus ROG Zephyrus is slightly thinner and packs similar hardware inside, while the Alienware 15 R3 is comparatively much thicker while offering slightly less in the way of power.

Both the Zephyrus and the Alienware beat out the Triton's $2,999 (£2,999, AU$4,999) price tag while including arguably better screens. Both of the Triton's competitors have displays with 120Hz refresh rates, but all three laptops have G-Sync enabled displays to cut down screen tearing.

Price and availability

The Triton 700’s jumping-off price is $1,999 (£2,999, AU$4,999). That drops the graphics card down to a GTX 1060 6GB and cuts the RAM in half, but otherwise they're identical machines. The entry level model isn't available in Australia, so, if you really want one, it will set you back AU$4,999. In the UK, the available models aren't yet for sale, but they're identical to the US, with the exception of the higher-end Triton having 1TB of storage.

Value-wise, the Triton runs neck and neck with the Zephyrus and Alienware. They trade some features for others, but none of them really leap ahead in terms of value when up against the other. They're all enormously expensive, even at their lower-end models.

Design

The Predator is unassuming for such a powerful laptop. It lacks the audacious design of similar computers, and is probably the most understated of the three when closed. A Predator logo on the lid is the only thing really giving away its purpose as a powerful, mobile gaming computer.

The inside, however, is quite attractive, but simultaneously takes some getting used to. Form follows function, but in the case of the Triton, it's hard to figure out what elements influenced its unusual design. There isn't a track pad below the keyboard, like you'd expect to find. Instead, the keyboard runs all the way along the bottom edge and a beautiful piece of glass sits directly below the screen. 

That glass is the Triton's touchpad, and it's positioned directly above the graphics card. In fact, you can see elements of the GTX 1080 beneath it, subtly lit from below. Using it feels wonderful. The Gorilla Glass is familiar to the touch, and fingers glide across it effortlessly. 

Getting the hang of it is a bit of a challenge, unfortunately. Using it means holding your hand in a unusual way as to avoid the keyboard, and there is no mouse button. Clicks are done through Windows gestures, which require some learning. More times than can be counted, we went for the expected trackpad location, only to come up short.

For games that can be played with a trackpad, like FTL for instance, it's definitely a pain. Instead of shifting a finger down from the keyboard to trackpad like on an ordinary laptop, you need to move your entire arm. Not such a big deal when web surfing, but it's not fun when playing games.

It's not a bug, it's a feature

While it definitely looks awesome, having the trackpad directly over the graphics card means it gets hot – extremely hot. In fact, the entire Triton gets so hot under load it's uncomfortable to touch. It does an admirable job moving heat from both the CPU and GPU, with the included monitoring software showing temperatures in the upper seventies. But all that heat sticks around the body of the laptop itself.

It's not an exaggeration to say we feel uncomfortable handling it when it is running at full capacity.

All that heat is moved admirably away from the delicate processors with some pretty loud fans. Watching a movie or playing a loud game at full volume drowns out the fans, but for something like PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds, where hearing footsteps is crucial to winning, you're going to want to wear a set of headphones.

The keyboard is phenomenal. Not only does it look great, with dynamic RGB themes rendered bright and colorful, it also feels great. It's one of the best-feeling laptop keyboards we've ever tested. Each key has an incredibly satisfying click to it, and the click itself borders on ASMR.

Playing PUBG with the keyboard is an absolute joy, and any game with a WASD control scheme will benefit from being played on the Triton 700. If there's one complaint, it's the space bar doesn't quite feel deep enough, but that's it.

With a GTX 1080 inside, the Triton is ready to handle whatever you throw at it. The available 32GB of RAM is also a welcome touch and, combined with the Core i7-7700 processor and hefty graphics card, the Triton would make an excellent mobile video processing work station, so long as you don't try to work away from an outlet.

When it comes to raw performance, the Triton delivers. It bested both the Zephyrus and Alienware in every gaming test and only really stumbles on battery life. 

It's definitely a capable gaming machine, having no problem running PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds. PUBG isn't the most graphically intense game, but it's extremely processor intensive, and the i7-7700HQ had no problem keeping up. The mushy textures and pop-in PUBG is famous for never made themselves apparent.

Deus Ex on Ultra was the only time the Triton struggled, slowing things down to a paltry 19 frames per second (fps), but on low it comfortably reached a zippy 127fps.

Running the Deus Ex benchmark on Ultra settings got the Triton up to its most alarming temperature. We actually recoiled when we touched the trackpad. PUBG and Total War: Warhammer got the Triton hot under the collar, but not to the same extremes. 

As great as games look, they don't sound great. The stereo speakers on the Triton don't have a lot of volume to them, and they lack nuance and range. The speakers produce a flat, almost hollow sound unfitting of a laptop of this price and pedigree. There is nothing exciting or remarkable about them. They sound about as ordinary as the speakers on a budget laptop. It's a big disappointment.

Battery life and cooling

The Triton's battery is its Achilles heel. In our TechRadar movie test, watching Guardians of the Galaxy on loop at 50% screen brightness and volume, the Triton only lasted 2 hours 6 minutes. 

The PCMark 8 battery test returned a result of 1 hour 39 minutes, putting it behind the Zephyrus and the Alienware 15 as well. For as mobile as the Triton is, we wish we could take it around without worry of the device losing power within two hours.

The Predator includes a hardware monitoring suite to adjust fan speed, overclock and make adjustments to the RGB patterns on the keyboard. We left the fan on auto, but full-blast made a noticeable difference in cooling the CPU and GPU. The monitoring software showed a high temperature of 79 degrees Celsius for both processors under maximum load, which was honestly lower than we expected based on how hot the laptop was to touch.

We liked

For sheer power in a thin laptop, you'd be hard pressed to find something better. The Triton 700 absolutely dominates when it comes to gaming. While the screen is only 1080p, it wouldn't have any problem with 1440p through an external monitor. The positively sublime keyboard makes gaming an even more enjoyable experience for games with classic mouse and keyboard controls. Just make sure you pack a good gaming mouse in your laptop bag.

We disliked

All that power comes at a hefty price, however, which doesn’t deliver in key areas. This is easily the hottest laptop we've tested. It's so hot that it's alarming, and while the cooling system does an excellent job making sure the tender components inside are kept at safe temperatures, it fails to keep the rest of the laptop from getting unbelievably hot. Battery life is abysmal, so thankfully the power brick isn't too bulky, but it also gets really hot while charging.

Final verdict

Power and portability in a laptop are both here in satisfying amounts. This is an excellent desktop replacement that doesn't feel like a scaled-back desktop in terms of bulk. The screen is a joy to look at – despite its resolution for such a price – and the keyboard is phenomenal. From a strictly performance numbers stand-point, this is an amazing laptop.

The heat is absolutely concerning. We used the laptop in relatively cool environments and it was still on the cusp of being too hot to handle. The monitoring software gives a little peace of mind, but the first time you touch the trackpad under load, you will recoil.

The trade off on heat for all that power is a deal breaker. At $2,999, it doesn't feel good owning a laptop that feels like it's on the cusp of heat failure. As the machine ages and it inevitably collects dust, it doesn't seem like the cooling system will be able to keep up with the massive output. It's the single most surprising and disappointing problem with an otherwise excellent gaming laptop.

Acer Predator Triton 700