If you’re an old-timer in the personal computer world, you probably remember form factors like the Commodore 64, which shoved an entire PC (sans monitor) under the keyboard. This form factor has been attempted a few times, most recently by Raspberry Pi. But HP thinks it’s time for a more full-power revitalization. Enter the “EliteBoard.”  HP This unassuming keyboard with a number pad is hiding full laptop guts inside. And no slouch of a laptop, either: Up to an AMD Ryzen AI 350, complete with RAM, storage, wireless, external ports, and—on the more interesting model—a battery. (A wired-power version of the EliteBoard G1A replaces one USB-C port with a permanently affixed cable.) That means that not only is this thing using laptop ports, it can effectively work as one, if you can add a USB-powered monitor and perhaps a mouse.  Why carry all that gear instead of, well, a laptop? HP says it’s designed for hybrid workers who constantly travel between their home office and a corporate office, the idea being that you can go from dock to dock without any issue. A laptop would certainly be more capable if you’re constantly working from the road, but this keyboard-only design is lighter and more bag-friendly, at only 1.7 pounds (768 grams). Michael Crider / Foundry Handling the device, you can’t immediately tell it’s more than just a keyboard, even if it’s a chunky one given the low-profile keys. The only clues are two USB-C ports (just one on the model with the permanent power cable and no battery) and both intake and exhaust for the fans. HP representatives told me that because this device is intended for corporate employees, both the RAM (DDR5, up to 64GB) and storage (gen4, 2TB maximum) are user-replaceable.  I asked to see inside. They said no.  If there’s one thing that’s disappointing about the design, it’s that the keyboard itself is rather uninspiring. It looks like something right off a laptop, not bad, but its scissor mechanism over a membrane is pretty tame compared to even a basic mechanical board, like the Raspberry Pi 500. You can at least swap out the keyboard part of the design if it needs a repair, something IT managers will probably be happy to hear.  HP It’s an intriguing design, certainly. I’d be interested to see how many orders HP gets from customers like hotels or schools, that can make use of a device like this with no display. I would guess that HP is hesitant here, testing the waters before jumping into a relatively niche form factor. But even so, I’d love to see it offered as a consumer model, perhaps even bundled with a USB screen for those times you just have to get some untethered work done. Read...

The Arctic blast is set to continue into Tuesday, and temperatures over lying snow could dip to -12C. Read...

How many new gadgets did you get this past holiday season? I bet most of them didn’t even come with charger blocks (also known as power bricks or power adapters), right? Well, no worries. They did you a favor. Now you can get a proper charger block that’s actually fast, compact, and power-efficient! Like this 65W Anker Nano charger that’s only $26 right now on Amazon. That’s a lovely 35% off! View this Amazon deal This is a super-small wall plug that’s built with GaN II technology, which means it’s able to be a lot smaller and produces less heat and charges faster and packs easier for travel, all compared to older power adapters. With three USB ports, you can fast-charge up to three devices at once—your phone, tablet, and earbuds, for example. How great is that? Delivering up to 65W of charging power, this Anker Nano charger block is even suitable for use with laptops, including some MacBook devices. Of course, if you’re using multiple USB ports at once, that total power will be distributed across the ports in use, with the top USB-C port taking priority and delivering the most charging power. You can now leave your massive power adapters at home and take this one with you on trips, and the cherry on top is that the prongs are foldable, meaning they won’t scratch the other stuff in your bag nor will the prongs risk getting damaged themselves. Hurry up and grab this powerful Anker Nano USB charger for $26 while you can! Save 35% on this fast-charging 3-port USB wall plug chargerBuy now at Amazon Read...

The Met Office warns of disruption to travel as many people return to work and school after Christmas. Read...

A police spokesperson said several roads had been closed and there are multiple reports of surface flooding. Read...

At a glanceExpert`s Rating Pros Excellent workmanship and high-quality materials Individually adjustable OmniPoint 3.0 switches Rapid Trigger and Dual Action for fast response times Quiet typing noise thanks to integrated damping and double-shot PBT keycaps High-quality palm rest and stable Construction Cons Very high price No hot-swap for switches No dedicated macro or media keys “Only” 1,000 Hertz polling rate Our Verdict The SteelSeries Apex Pro Gen 3 is one of the most technically advanced gaming keyboards on the market, offering first-class build quality, typing feel, and customization. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Best Prices Today: Steelseries Apex Pro Gen 3 Retailer Price $214.99 View Deal $239.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Best Prices Today: Check today’s prices SteelSeries has sent its flagship keyboard into its third generation. The company claims the Apex Pro Gen 3 is the fastest gaming keyboard in the world, featuring new magnetic switches, improved comfort, and quieter typing. We took a closer look to see what’s behind the hype and whether the premium price is justified. Friedrich Stiemer SteelSeries Apex Pro Gen 3: Design and ergonomics The SteelSeries Apex Pro Gen 3 makes an impression as soon as you unpack it. The housing consists of a robust aluminum top and a solid plastic base. Weighing around 2.42 pounds, it sits firmly on the desk. Nothing wobbles, nothing slips. A practical highlight is the magnetic palm rest, which adheres firmly to the lower edge and offers a pleasantly soft surface. It provides noticeable relief for the wrists, especially during long gaming sessions. The keyboard is full-size, including a number pad, making it ideal for anyone who writes or does office work. However, with dimensions of around 436 × 139 × 40 millimeters, it does take up a fair amount of desk space. Friedrich Stiemer The RGB lighting is remarkably even. Thanks to the new double-shot PBT keycaps, the light not only shines through the labeling, but also from the sides. These keycaps are known for their durability and abrasion resistance, offer a secure grip, and hardly discolor over time. One small disadvantage is that PBT keycaps are more expensive to manufacture and can feel slightly rougher than ABS caps. In dark rooms, this looks spectacular without being distracting. The matte finish looks high quality and hardly attracts fingerprints. Friedrich Stiemer SteelSeries Apex Pro Gen 3: Accessories In addition to the keyboard itself, the box contains a detachable, braided USB-C cable, the magnetic palm rest, and a keycap remover. Replacement caps or other extras are not included. While they aren’t essential for a premium keyboard in this class, their presence would’ve been a welcome bonus. Friedrich Stiemer SteelSeries Apex Pro Gen 3: Technology and features At the heart of the SteelSeries Apex Pro Gen 3 are the new OmniPoint 3.0 switches, manufactured by Gateron. These magnetic switches register keystrokes not mechanically, but via a Hall-effect sensor. This is a technology that works with magnetic fields to measure key travel (without contact) and with extreme precision. The switches have a linear feel with an actuating force of around 45 grams, which enables fast and consistent input. The standout feature is the per-key adjustability, allowing actuation depth to be set anywhere from an ultra-fast 0.1 mm to a full 4.0 mm. Friedrich Stiemer In practice, this means that if you need fast response times in shooters, you can set the buttons to extremely fine triggering. If you prefer precise typing, increase the depth for more typing control. The customization takes place in the SteelSeries GG software and is saved directly to the keyboard. This allows users to play with their saved profiles even without the software installed. Not all keys are equipped with the more expensive OmniPoint switches. While the main block uses them, the function row and number keys rely on classic linear SteelSeries Red switches. This is hardly noticeable in everyday use, but it’s still worth noting. There is no hot-swap function for replacing the switches. SteelSeries Apex Pro Gen 3: Performance The polling rate is 1,000 Hz. That’s solid, but not record-breaking. Some high-end keyboards now offer up to 8,000 Hz. This means that the SteelSeries Apex Pro Gen 3 registers inputs up to 1,000 times per second, which helps keep input latency very low. The keyboard also supports N-key rollover and anti-ghosting, so that multiple simultaneous keystrokes are reliably recognized. This is especially important for fast-paced games. Friedrich Stiemer One highlight is the “Rapid Trigger” function, which allows a key to reset and actuate again as soon as it is lifted slightly. In fast-paced games such as Valorant or Counter-Strike 2, this enables lightning-fast direction changes. In combination with “Dual Action Keybinds” (i.e. double assignment depending on the depth of pressure), the SteelSeries Apex Pro Gen 3 becomes a serious tool in esports. One button can perform two actions: a light press activates walking, for example, while a stronger press in the same keystroke activates sprinting. This is ideal for dynamic movements in games such as Apex Legends or Call of Duty. SteelSeries has also improved the keyboard’s acoustics. A layer of damping material now sits between the circuit board and the base. As a result, it’s much quieter than other mechanical keyboards. It produces more of a gentle “thock” instead of the typical click-clack. Friedrich Stiemer SteelSeries Apex Pro Gen 3: Software and operation Setup via the SteelSeries GG software is straightforward. Here you can set the trigger point for each button, adjust the lighting, program macros, or manage profiles. Particularly convenient are the predefined presets for well-known games such as Apex Legends, CS2, and Fortnite. Friedrich Stiemer An integrated OLED display in the top right-hand corner shows system information, volume, profiles, and incoming Discord messages. It can also be customized with personal text or a small logo. Together with the aluminum rotary wheel, the display also doubles as a hub for media control. Here you can adjust the volume, hit play or pause, and modify the lighting. However, there are no dedicated media buttons, which is a bit of a shame at this price point. SteelSeries Apex Pro Gen 3: Everyday life and gaming In everyday use, the SteelSeries Apex Pro Gen 3 proves to be a genuine all-rounder. It feels pleasantly direct and precise when typing and reacts lightning-fast in gaming situations. Shooters, in particular, benefit from the low latency. When playing Valorant and Call of Duty, keys responded practically without delay. The keyboard also impresses with long texts. The stroke remains soft, the typing noise discreet, and the palm rest ensures comfort. Anyone who has ever experienced the difference between 0.1 and four millimeters of actuation will understand how finely the typing behavior can be tuned. Friedrich Stiemer The only downside is that, with its weight and wired connection, the Apex Pro Gen 3 is clearly designed as a desktop keyboard. If you’re usually on the move, it’s better to opt for the TKL or wireless version. That version, however, comes with second-generation OmniPoint switches. Read...

A Dunedin woman is urging people to check they are not booking flights through a third-party agency, after her elderly mother paid far more on flights from Wellington. Read...

A Dunedin woman is urging people to check they are not booking flights through a third-party agency, after her elderly mother paid far more on flights from Wellington. Read...

The two states say they are taking reciprocal measures after the US announced full-entry restrictions on their citizens. Read...

The high-speed rail firm urged passengers to check before they travel as last-minute delays and cancellations are still possible. Read...