Month: January 2020

Recently, the camera module parts of Samsung Galaxy M31 hit the internet. From the unverified images, we can see that this smartphone rear camera module will use a five-hole design. This means that this device will probably come with a quad-rear camera setup plus a flash. According to reports, an anonymous but reliable industry insider revealed the Samsung Galaxy M31 mobile phone camera module. The image also suggests that the Samsung Galaxy M31 mobile phone will use an “L” shape four-camera design.

Regarding other information about the mobile phone, there are reports that this device will use Exynos 9611 or Snapdragon 665 AIE chip. It will have up to 6GB of RAM and a new red color scheme. In terms of imaging, the main camera is 48MP, and it also has an ultra-wide-angle lens and depth sensor. There is no information on the forth camera for now. In addition, Samsung is currently developing Samsung Galaxy M11, Samsung Galaxy M21, and Samsung Galaxy M41. It is expected that these phones will be officially released in the first quarter of 2020.

SAMSUNG GALAXY M31 RECENTLY APPEARED ON GEEKBENCH DATABASE

According to new information on Geekbench, Samsung SM-M315F will run on the Exynos 9611 proprietary chipset, which has a base frequency of 1.74 GHz. There are also indications that it will 6GB of RAM. Furthermore, the firmware will be One UI 2.0 based on Android 10. In the single-core test, the device scored 348 points and 1214 in the multi-core test. It has also recently become known that Samsung’s Indian division has already begun work on the Galaxy M31 and Galaxy M11 smartphones (SM-M115F). Galaxy M31 will arrive with a built-in data storage capacity of 64 GB. While the M11 is expected to show a more budgetary storage capacity of 32 GB.

The predecessor of the Galaxy M31 (Galaxy M30) has proven to be a very tenacious device with a large 6000 mAh battery and an economical processor. What do you think about Samsung’s upcoming smartphones? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

One of the biggest surprises from CORSAIR’s CES 2020 presentation wasn’t in its hardware or content creation technologies but rather in some of the software that will be powering the newest line of CORSAIR keyboards. The newest line of CORSAIR keyboards will be receiving the functionality to use a select row of macro keys as command buttons for the Elgato Stream Deck software suite.

The recently unveiled CORSAIR K95 PLATINUM series of keyboards will be the first (and currently) only lineup of mechanical keyboards to receive Elgato Stream Deck software as well as CORSAIR iCUE functionality out of the box.

Fully equipped with all the features that made the original K95 RGB PLATINUM one of the most awarded mechanical keyboards on the market, such as dynamic per-key RGB backlighting with an iconic 19-zone LightEdge, a durable brushed aluminum frame, and 100% CHERRY MX mechanical key switches, the K95 PLATINUM XT ups the ante with several key upgrades.

With Elgato Stream Deck software, users can program custom streaming commands onto the K95 RGB PLATINUM XT’s dedicated macro keys, just as they would for the Stream Deck broadcast controller. The keyboards comes with an alternate set of blue S-key keycaps for the macro keys to visually denote streaming commands, and the remaining keys feature ultra-durable PBT double-shot keycaps. The K95 RGB PLATINUM XT provides plush comfort with a cushioned leatherette detachable palm rest, and is available with three different types of key switches: CHERRY MX Brown and SPEED Silver – both now guaranteed for 100 million keystrokes – or standard CHERRY MX Blue keyswitches.

The CORSAIR K95 RGB PLATINUM XT is now available in North America with all three key switch variants for $199.99

One of our biggest complaints about the older GS65 was its flexible chassis. As lightweight and thin as it may be, MSI went a bit too far in that direction for the GS65 and chassis rigidity suffered. Competing ultrathin laptops like the Razer Blade 15, Dell Alienware m15, or Asus Zephyrus S would feel comparatively sturdier and more well-made in the hand.

MSI will be addressing these issues directly with the upcoming GS66. The redesigned chassis will be marginally thicker (0.78-inch vs. 0.69-inch) and heavier (4.6 lbs vs. 4.19 lbs) than the outgoing GS65. In return, the GS66 will be incorporating thinner fan blades (0.1 mm vs. 0.2 mm) for 10 percent more airflow and a thicker skeleton that’s less susceptible to warping. We can actually feel the increased weight and size over the GS65 during our short time with the GS66 demo unit. Still, the GS66 definitely has the stronger first impression than its predecessor. Note that the Razer Blade 15 will now be the thinner machine at just 0.70-inches.

Beyond size and cooling, the GS66 will ship with Intel 10th gen Comet Lake-H CPUs, 300 Hz 1080p options, and an updated SteelSeries keyboard with deeper 2.5 mm key travel compared to ~2.2 mm on the outgoing GS65. The newer keyboard feels softer than the keys on the GS65 based on the demo unit, but we’ll reserve judgment on a final retail unit.

Much like HP and its Spectre x360 15, MSI will be shipping the GS66 with “up to the latest Nvidia GeForce series graphics” in the next few months. The OEM wouldn’t specify the exact GeForce SKUs involved meaning that the next generation of GeForce GPUs will likely come sooner rather than later.

CES 2020 saw the debut of four new Chromebooks that are all exciting for their own, unique reasons but these weren’t the only devices announced this week. While not there as an official exhibitor, Oregon-based CTL revealed an entirely new lineup of rugged EDU devices that feature an industry-first for any Chromebook on the market.

The all-new NL71 line of Chromebooks from CTL may look like common fare at first glance but what’s on the inside make them some of the best machines on the market for not only educational institutions but the savvy consumer looking for a rugged laptop that won’t break the bank. CTL is already known for making some of the most durable Chromebooks available and now, they’ve enhanced their laptops with the refreshed Gemini Lake-R line of processors from Intel.

The Gemini Lake-R is very similar to the chipsets found in the current generation of entry-level Chromebooks but they should enjoy a slight performance boost thanks to a higher burst frequency. This should result in an increase of as much as 40% in performance when compared to the older Apollo Lake processors that we are all trying to forget exists. The update may not be earthshattering but it’s exciting to see a company like CTL advancing the platform and leading the charge with hardware that’s comparable to non-Chrome OS laptops. The new chips include the dual-core N4020 and quad-core N4120 from Intel.

CTL NL71 LINEUP

CTL’s new line includes an impressive five models that range from $269 to $399 in price and offer a traditional clamshell with an optional touch screen as well as 2-in-1 convertibles with optional EMR stylus. All five models are available for pre-order at CTL and will begin shipping sometime in mid-February. If you order now, you can even enjoy a significant discount. For example, the convertible NL71TW with 8GB of RAM, 64GB of storage and an included EMR pen is priced at a very competitive $369 at the moment.

Each of these devices features 11.6″ displays with Corning Gorilla Glass for extra durability. CTL diligently tests these devices for ruggedness and the new line is no exception. You’ll get reinforced ports and hinges, spill-resistant keyboards, shock-absorbent frames and peel-resistant keys. These models also come bearing Bluetooth 5.0 and up-to gigabit wireless speeds thanks to an Intel 9560 wireless card.

The convertible variants offer up two webcams. The traditional shooter on the display is a standard 1MP 720P with the second, world-facing lens offering a FullHD 5MP camera. The clamshell models are equipped with a single USB-C, 1 x HDMI and two USB 3.0 ports while the convertibles feature 2 x USB-C, 2 x USB 3.0 and all five devices come with a standard MicroSD card slot and 3.5mm audio jack.

We’ll be getting our hands on a couple of these in the near future and look forward to putting them through the wringer. If they’re anything like CTL’s normal quality, they should be great devices for the classroom as well as around the house. You can find the full specs for all five of these by heading over to CTL and you can check back soon for a breakdown of this entire lineup.

A regular fixture at CES, revered chassis manufacturer Lian Li is once again at this year’s event, showcasing its latest addition to the LANCOOL range of cases, the Lian Li LANCOOL II Mesh. The Mesh builds on the LANCOOL series with an integrated mesh front panel for improved airflow.

An alternative to the original LANCOOL II chassis, the LANCOOL II Mesh encompasses a mesh front panel and flip shroud panels which are designed to provide better airflow throughout. This allows builders with high-end CPUs and video cards to still receive plenty of cooling, as mesh panels allow more airflow to circulate in comparison to solid panels, as such with the original LANCOOL II model

The Lian Li LANCOOL II Mesh is a mid-tower chassis constructed from steel and features tempered glass side panels, much like its more solid sibling, the LANCOOL II. It supports PSUs up to 210 mm in length, as well as support for graphics cards up to a maximum length of 384 mm. As for fans, there is space for eight fans overall, with up to three 120 mm or two 140 mm in the front, two 120 mm above the PSU chamber, up to two 140 mm fans in the top, and a single 120 mm fan at the rear.

While Lian Li informed us that the LANCOOL II Mesh won’t be available until April, it is expected to launch with an MSRP of $89.99.