Microsoft has discontinued production of the HoloLens 2, apparently ending its love affair with its augmented-reality headset and perhaps the metaverse in general. UploadVR cited a Microsoft representative who told the outlet that Microsoft has stopped producing the HoloLens 2. While the company will support the headset until the end of 2027 with security updates, it will stop support in 2028. Microsoft is making that decision as it ends support for Windows Mixed Reality devices in Windows 11’s 2024 Update, which has begun rolling out today. Microsoft’s list of deprecated Windows features notes that users who own a Windows Mixed Reality headset — the virtual reality counterpart to the HoloLens augmented-reality headset — should not update to the 2024 feature release if they wish to keep on using their headsets with Valve’s Steam service. Microsoft’s HoloLens was surprisingly great, buoyed by a stable of games virtually no one saw. But when Microsoft debuted the HoloLens 2, it quietly vanished into the enterprise market that Microsoft was courting at the time. Unfortunately, enterprises apparently didn’t really bite either, and even a shift into the metaverse — and then away from it yet again — didn’t help matters. Microsoft’s VR chief Alex Kipman left, and the HoloLens business suffered layoffs, UploadVR noted. Meanwhile, the U.S. Army continues to test what’s known as the HoloLens IVAS as an assistive tool for soldiers, though it reportedly failed some early tests. I still remember the amazing demonstrations Microsoft had of the HoloLens at its headquarters in Redmond, Wash. One still stands out in my mind: a living room where Minecraft used the space to create a level, viewed from the top down, as if you were a god overlooking the world. But today HoloLens is a pale shadow of Microsoft’s early vision, and a product that we’ll have to add to the Microsoft graveyard before long. Read...

Google invited me to New York to look at the newest Gemini AI tools going into Chromebooks. But I don’t want to talk about that, because it’s boring. Instead I want to talk about the new Chromebook models they showed me after: an updated version of Lenovo’s mega-popular Chromebook Duet, and a crazy-sleek design from Samsung on the Chromebook Plus platform. The (New) Lenovo Chromebook Duet The original Chromebook Duet was launched back in 2020, and it turned some heads. With a 10-inch tablet form factor plus a detachable keyboard and kickstand in the box, it was basically a perfect mix between Microsoft’s Surface form factor and an iPad’s ease of access. The fact that it started at under $300 didn’t hurt — Google told us this might be the best-selling Chromebook model ever. My colleague at the time called the Duet “The Basically Perfect Chrome OS Device.” You can still find that tablet everywhere, especially after a mild refresh in 2022 (the Duet 3, sold alongside the bigger Duet 5) with a new processor and a second USB-C port. But this 2024 model, simply called the Duet again, is a rebuild from the ground up. It’s the same general form factor, but the whole thing is considerably more solid, reaching much closer to a Surface Go in terms of fit and finish than the older model. This variant model for the education market comes with an impact-resistant case fully surrounding the tablet.  This variant model for the education market comes with an impact-resistant case fully surrounding the tablet.  Michael Crider/Foundry This variant model for the education market comes with an impact-resistant case fully surrounding the tablet.  Michael Crider/Foundry Michael Crider/Foundry I’d say it feels better than the Duet 5, though it’s lacking that 13-inch tablet’s OLED screen. The 1920×1200 display here feels a lot brighter than the original Duet, and the rounded corners make it feel a lot newer, especially when holding it like a standard tablet. That 16:10 aspect ratio makes it a lot more natural for use with Android apps, too. The standard “desktop-style” experience is improved thanks to a better keyboard. It’s thicker and heavier, making it feel much more solid and natural for a mechanical keyboard nut like me, more akin to Lenovo’s ThinkPads than the original. The plastic touchpad is about the same, which is to say pretty bad, but you make sacrifices for a budget machine. Considering that this is a budget machine (it starts at $340 with the pen included), I’m happy to see a couple of very deliberate upgrades over the original design. The secondary USB-C port is a bit awkward, sticking out of the top of the machine instead of the side — I’m guessing this was done to make more contiguous space inside for the battery. But you can plug in a USB-C flash drive without unplugging from a monitor or charging cable, so it’s a definite usability upgrade. On the same note, there’s a headphone jack, something that was inexplicably missing from the original Duet, and shouldn’t be from anything that’s aiming for a budget market. Michael Crider/Foundry Michael Crider/Foundry Michael Crider/Foundry Like almost everything Lenovo makes as of late, there’s a physical shutter to cover the front-facing webcam. I bet that’ll make some parents happy, as Google tells us that these models are sold in bulk to a lot of education customers. Lenovo is making an education version, as a matter of fact, with a much more durable and impact-resistant case that completely surrounds the tablet (above, and not available at standard retailers, from what I was told). The tablet is compatible with any USI 2.0 stylus, and it comes with new “99.7 percent effective” palm rejection tech in the screen. The new Duet has a slanted kickstand that works in portrait mode, but offers fewer positions in landscape.  The new Duet has a slanted kickstand that works in portrait mode, but offers fewer positions in landscape.  Michael Crider/Foundry The new Duet has a slanted kickstand that works in portrait mode, but offers fewer positions in landscape.  Michael Crider/Foundry Michael Crider/Foundry After using the Duet for a few hours, I’m not thrilled with the updated rear kickstand cover. The jaunty angle of the hinge lets it work in either landscape or portrait mode, which is nice…but it also means that it only works with one, count ’em, one angle. That could make the Duet far less flexible for anyone who wants to use it as a laptop in tight spaces. I’m just fine with a low-price machine coming with low specs (a MediaTek Komanio 838 Arm processor, 8MP rear camera, et cetera), but the base model comes with just 64GB of storage and 4GB of RAM. Low storage, fine, that’s expected on a Chromebook, even though this one might benefit from a lot more space for Android apps. But I suspect this thing might start to chug on so little memory, especially considering how much of a hog Chrome (and to be fair, most modern websites) is. And sadly the review unit they lent me has that 8GB/128GB setup, which will run $390 at retail, so I won’t be able to check how it performs on the model most budget-conscious buyers will be drawn to. I’ll be giving this one a full review on PCWorld, but it should go up for pre-order sometime later this month. Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus If you want a more conventional laptop and/or your budget will stretch a little higher, you’ve got to check out Samsung’s first entry in the Chromebook Plus arena. This thing is shockingly thin and light, reminding me a lot of LG’s Gram series. Google told us it’s the thinnest and lightest Chromebook available that meets those Chromebook Plus (and extra AI) requirements. Michael Crider/Foundry Michael Crider/Foundry Michael Crider/Foundry But even though it’s just 2.58 pounds and 0.46-inches thick, it’s packing some impressive hardware. The most obvious thing is that 15.6-inch OLED screen, the kind of panel you don’t often see on a Chromebook of any size (at least since Google stopped making its own Pixel laptops). The all-aluminum chassis is smooth and feels great, though I have to admit I miss the fire-engine red of Samsung’s earlier premium Chromebook designs. This thing is so thin the HDMI port sticks out of the bottom of the case.  This thing is so thin the HDMI port sticks out of the bottom of the case.  Michael Crider/Foundry This thing is so thin the HDMI port sticks out of the bottom of the case.  Michael Crider/Foundry Michael Crider/Foundry I’m impressed that even with something so thin and light, Samsung squeezed in two USB-C ports, full-sized USB-A, and a full HDMI port — taking up so much of the Z-height that it’s actually sticking out of the case at the bottom. (Don’t drop it at the wrong angle.) With a Core i3 processor, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage, the specs are pretty mid…but that $699.99 price tag is shockingly low for a Samsung laptop with an OLED screen. You’ll find cheaper Chromebooks out there, and maybe even cheaper ones that qualify for the Chromebook Plus designation. But they won’t be anywhere near this nice. Michael Crider/Foundry Michael Crider/Foundry Michael Crider/Foundry The one thing I’m wondering about is the battery life, something Samsung struggled to deliver on earlier high-end Chromebook models. But we’ll let the review sort that out — Ashley Biancuzzo should have that one for you. New interface tweaks As you might have spotted on the Galaxy Chromebook Plus above (but not the Duet, tellingly), the Chromebook keyboard is looking a little…different. Since the launch of the platform Google has replaced Caps Lock with a dedicated Search button and omitted an omni key (the Windows button on most keyboards). Now Caps Lock is back, sort of, and there’s a dedicated Google “G” where you might expect a Windows button on most laptops. New Chromebooks will get some keyboard layout tweaks.  New Chromebooks will get some keyboard layout tweaks. Michael Crider/Foundry New Chromebooks will get some keyboard layout tweaks. Michael Crider/Foundry Michael Crider/Foundry Here’s what’s changing. The “G” button is what Google is calling the Launcher key, which will bring up the Windows-style menu that has all the most recent apps and automatically begins the search with any letter or number. That’s pretty standard. The Caps Lock key is not Caps Lock by default (though you can change that just like you could before), now it will be “Quick Insert.” It’s a hard-coded shortcut to Gemini tools. Google Google Google The F11 key is also an accessibility shortcut — it’ll default to a voice dictation tool. For all existing Chromebooks, or new ones that don’t have the updated layout, you can launch the Quick Insert tool by using Search/Launcher + F. And at this point I guess I can’t put off talking about AI stuff any longer. New Gemini tools Google’s presentation focused on the way its Gemini AI tool is improving users’ access to both information on the web and their own info, synced through using Chromebooks, Chrome on desktops, and Android-powered phones. Presumably you’ll get more access to this if you have a phone that integrates with Gemini like a Pixel, but using Google services on your iPhone should be able to hook into it, too. Google Google Google The big draw according to Google’s video is that you can “do less so you can do more.” This is typified with large language text expansion and contraction tools; we’ve seen “Help Me Write” before, now there’s a companion service called “Help Me Read.” This can summarize any web page or document on your Chromebook (even those open in, say, the Office 365 Word app) and give you the tl;dr on its contents. Perhaps more helpful is that it can answer natural language questions. Say you’re studying Moby Dick, you could ask for all the times that Queequeg talks to Ishmael about his homeland. That’s just an example, by the way — I didn’t get a chance to try out something that would tax Gemini quite so hard. Star Wars-style translation tools But it’s more than LLM tricks with text. Something that really impressed me was the way Chromebook Plus demos could do live language translations. One speaker in front of us was talking to a coworker in another room. The man in the room with us spoke English, the woman in the other room spoke Spanish. Her speech showed up immediately on the live video in English subtitles. It wasn’t perfect, even with my high school level of Spanish language comprehension I spotted a couple of errors. But it was fast and natural enough that you could carry out a real conversation in real time, no need to wait for the tools to catch up with you. Google Google Google It reminded me of how Han spoke to Greedo in Star Wars, both speaking their own language, both understanding each other instantly. Is that too dated a reference? Anyway, this capability will also work across services, so it’s ready to go for Zoom, Teams, and whatever Google is calling its video chat platform this year. Google also says it’s using on-device AI to improve video and audio. Google Google Google Another very cool trick: The recording app could not only give you a text transcript of a recording session, but identify different speakers. The live recording showed these differentiated people as “Speaker 1,” “Speaker 2,” et cetera, but you can go back and assign names to the speakers manually and it’ll fill in the rest of the document. I could see that being extremely handy for students and anyone who needs to transcribe an interview. Welcome Recap remembers everything you’re doing The other impressive tool on offer was the Welcome Recap. This is kind of a more refined version of your browser remembering your last-used tabs and bringing them back when you reboot your computer. But Chromebook Plus extends this idea to, well, pretty much everything you’re doing, on every device. (With the obvious limit that Google has to “see” what you’re doing, of course.) Upon starting up or logging into your Chromebook, it’ll give you an option to initiate Welcome Recap, which will not only open your relevant Chrome tabs, but any apps that you were using too. Yes, most Chromebook apps are essentially just web apps, but this should work with Android apps as well, according to the demo we were given. What’s more, it’ll work across the spaces where you engage with Google services: Chromebook to Chromebook, Chrome on Windows or Mac, Android apps on your phone, presumably even Chrome on iPhones and iPads. If you’re doing it in Chrome, your Chromebook will remember, and let you resume. Welcome Recap will work on all Chromebooks, not just Chromebook Plus models, though sadly it doesn’t seem to be live on my Duet review unit. Google Google Google This recovery system works even if you happen to have multiple monitors connected — Welcome Recap will put them right back where they were. It’ll offer up quick links to your most recent web searches. It was impressive as hell to watch, especially when the demo laptop (one of the Galaxy Chromebook Plus units at the event) crashed right in the middle of the demo. That isn’t really unusual for a pre-release demonstration like this, but what happened next was. The unflappable presenter just pressed the power button and kept on with her impromptu script, and the laptop (and its attached display) were back in action after about 25 seconds. Welcome Recap worked exactly as it was intended. Assuming those of us watching hadn’t been easy marks — and I seriously doubt it — it was a serendipitous example of how useful Welcome Recap might be for regular users. That seems to encapsulate Google’s approach to Gemini AI as a whole. Google knows Chromebooks are swinging for a budget- and education-focused space that Windows and Mac laptops sometimes overlook, so the company is trying to make a case for Gemini as the AI that’s useful for everyone, in every situation. Gemini and Google One freebies To wit, they’ve included an impressive one year of Google One Premium at the 2TB tier with any Chromebook Plus purchase. That also includes a year of Gemini advanced AI tools. If you buy a regular, non-Plus Chromebook, you get three months instead. Those perks also include YouTube Premium and YouTube Music, three months of access to Photoshop, and the Minecraft Realms game, and a few other goodies. Keep in mind that once your freebies run out, the 2TB + Gemini Advanced tier will run you $20 a month. Read...

Last week, Microsoft released an optional Windows 11 update that brought some new features to the Start menu, taskbar, and lock screen. Unfortunately, that update is wreaking havoc for some users. As reported by Windows Latest, after installing Windows update KB5043145, you may not be able to restart your PC as you’ll be hit with the infamous Blue Screen of Death or the less common Green Screen of Death. In some cases, BitLocker recovery may also be triggered. Microsoft has confirmed this as a known issue, stating that all users on Windows 11 versions 23H2 and 22H2 can be affected. As of right now, Microsoft has taken down the update. What’s wrong with the update? Long story short, affected computers get stuck in a permanent boot loop with Windows automatically launching the recovery screen in an attempt to repair or reset the update. One desperate user writes: “After installing KB5043145 and restarting, my laptop is sitting at the laptop manufacturer logo screen with a spinning circle forever (forever = 20 minutes). I had to press ‘Power’ (5 seconds) and Windows 11 begins its recovery. It succeeds, but the update is not installed. My Windows 11 is up to date with all the latest updates (23H2, 22631.4169) and drivers.” Get Windows 11 Pro for cheap Windows 11 Pro Microsoft support staff told Windows Latest that they were aware of the reports. The affected machines automatically boot to the “Automatic Repair” screen after users hit BSODs/GSODs a few times. You may also need your BitLocker recovery password afterwards. Apart from the Blue/Green Screens of Death, users also complain that they can no longer use their mice and/or keyboards after installing patch KB5043145 (because the corresponding USB connections no longer work). For other users, the WLAN connection disappears. The Windows Subsystem for Linux also appears to stop working on some computers after installing KB5043145. Microsoft is currently investigating all of these problem reports. If you’re affected, you should report your experience in the Feedback Hub app. What you can do about the update First of all, there’s no need to install update KB5043145 if you haven’t already. It’s an optional update for Windows Insiders on the Release Preview Channel, so simply refrain from grabbing it until it’s been fixed, tested, and released to the general public. If you’ve already installed update KB5043145 and you’re running into problems, you can uninstall the update in Windows Recovery under the Troubleshoot > Advanced Options menu. After uninstalling it, Windows should be able to restart correctly. If you’ve already installed update KB5043145 but aren’t experiencing any problems, you might want to consider uninstalling it anyway. Navigate to Settings > Windows Update > Update history > Uninstall updates, locate patch KB5043145, and click Uninstall. Further reading: How to roll back a problematic Windows update Read...

Addressing the United Nations General Assembly, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov took aim at backers of Ukraine who support Kyiv`s peace proposal. Read...

Ransomware is nasty stuff. This type of malware encrypts files on your PC so that you can’t access them—unless you pay the attacker to unlock the data. In other words, your files are held hostage until you cough up the demanded ransom, unless you’re able to survive the ransomware attack using other means. CBS News recently ran a cautionary segment on the Scattered Spider ransomware group, underscoring just how much damage ransomware can do—so it pays to be prepared. The hackers shut down Las Vegas casinos, causing millions in damage. Your personal computer is less of a target, but why tempt fate? get windows 11 pro for cheap Windows 11 Pro The best defense against ransomware is avoiding sites and downloads riddled with it, but you can take other protective measures, too. Modern antivirus software often restrict which apps can change files in folders commonly targeted by ransomware. Microsoft Defender, which is built into Windows, can do this too. (Microsoft changed the name from Windows Defender several years ago, but it’s the same program.) Some antivirus suites also run automatic backups, in case you need to restore your files. The catch? Unlike third-party antivirus software, these extra safeguards are not turned on by default in Microsoft Defender. You have to enable them yourself. Further reading: PCWorld’s top picks for best antivirus software 2024. How to turn on ransomware protection in Windows Step One: Open Windows Security Open the Windows Security app on your PC. You can access it in one of several ways: Press Alt + Spacebar on your keyboard, type in windows security, then hit Enter Open your Start Menu and type in windows security, then press Enter Open your Settings app, then choose Windows Security in the left pane Step Two: Find your ransomware settings In the Windows Security app, click on Virus & threat protection. Then click Manage ransomware protection at the bottom of the screen. Next, turn on Controlled folder access. This setting restricts app access to your PC’s default OneDrive, Documents, Pictures, Videos, Music, and Favorites folders. You can also manually add other folders to the list. Not all apps will be barred from these areas in Windows—Microsoft Office programs are automatically allowed to open and alter files. But if it’s not on Microsoft’s internal list of trusted apps, a program can’t see anything in those folders until explicit permission is granted in Windows Security. Further reading: Is Windows 11’s built-in antivirus enough for normal people? Step three: Make sure you’re logged into OneDrive Limiting access to files and folders won’t completely protect them. Another important method of defense is to have good backups—which Windows automatically does if you’re logged into OneDrive. (You can either connect a Microsoft account to your whole Windows PC, or just the OneDrive app specifically.) To confirm that this protection is on, you can look at Ransomware protection > Ransomware data recovery. Of course, for the purpose of warding off ransomware’s worst effects, the safest backup of your files is the one you keep offline. You should make one in addition to anything stored in the cloud—if you only have one copy of your data, you’re not properly backed up after all. Should you turn on ransomware protection in Windows? Security and convenience live on opposite ends of a spectrum, and that’s the case here, too. Controlling folder access in Windows can keep attackers out of your important folders, but it can also be slightly inconvenient. Gamers, for example, may find that access to save files might be blocked by default, as they’re often saved in your Documents folder. You can solve this problem with minimal work—add the app to the access list. Or save game files to a different folder on your PC that does not have controlled access to it. (You’ll just have to use third-party software to set up a schedule for regular backups.) OUr CURRENT PICK FOR BEST ANTIVIRUS SOFTWARE Norton 360 Deluxe Read our review Protect your Windows PC from other online threats, too For more information about Windows Security (and its different components), you can check out our video overview on YouTube. If you prefer more sophisticated software, plus additional protections, you can also look into upgrading your antivirus software. For example, Norton 360 Deluxe, our current top pick for antivirus, bundles strong malware protection with a VPN, password manager, dark web monitoring for your personal data, and more. It can help simplify staying safer online. Finally, if you’re interested in learning more about ransomware protection, check out our separate guide on how to prevent (or survive) a ransomware attack. Editor’s note: This article was updated to include links to additional helpful resources related to ransomware and general security. Read...

While Windows 11 provides a decent enough out of the box experience—atrocious new task bar aside—it handles so much better after tweaking just a handful of settings to make it feel more like the Windows of yesteryear. Get windows 11 pro for cheap Windows 11 Pro No, I’m not talking about making Windows 11 look like Windows 10 through an extensive overhaul (though if you’re a Windows veteran that’s worth doing) or tinkering with the newfangled AI options on Copilot+ PCs. I’m talking about fast, simple changes that improve the feel of the operating system, turn off annoying ads, reduce the data you send to Microsoft, and more. Better yet, you can do them all in under five minutes—something I did mere weeks ago when I needed to pick up a Windows 11 laptop for some travel. Here are five Windows 11 settings worth changing immediately, with an added bonus at the end. 1. Move the Start button to the left corner What can I say, I’m a traditionalist. I understand Microsoft’s desire to revamp Windows 10’s interface to more closely mirror the style of Macs and Chromebooks—legions of kids get schooled on those, after all—but Windows 11’s shifting taskbar icons drive me batty. I want mousing over to the Start menu to be muscle memory in a set location, not yet another task I have to look at and mentally process. Brad Chacos/IDG Brad Chacos/IDG Brad Chacos/IDG Fortunately, Microsoft makes it easy to move the Start menu back to the left-hand corner. Simply open the Start menu and head to Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Taskbar behaviors. You’ll see a field labeled Taskbar alignment with a drop-down menu. Change the drop-dox menu from Center to Left. Boom! Onto the next. 2. Turn off annoying notifications Next, it’s time to turn off those annoying pop-up notifications. Windows 11 itself spawns some, but the worst offenders are third-party apps, especially if your laptop or desktop came preloaded with bloatware. Making the distractions stop is simple. Brad Chacos/IDG Brad Chacos/IDG Brad Chacos/IDG Head to Start > System > Notifications. You can turn notifications off universally if you desire. I prefer to work through the list manually, leaving notifications on for critical tools like Slack, Discord, and my antivirus software. (If my AV scanner wants to shout about something, I want to hear it!) Either way, this menu cures many headaches. 3. Turn off Microsoft ads That segues neatly into the next tip. Keep scrolling down beyond the bottom of the list of apps that can send you notifications. There, you’ll see a couple of additional boxes that relate to Windows 11 itself providing “tips and suggestions” on how to use your PC. If you know your way around well enough, deselect the Offer suggestions on how I can set up my device and Get tips and suggestions when I use Windows boxes. I personally prefer to leave the Show me the Windows welcome experience… option checked so I’m notified of new features when a big update drops. Brad Chacos/IDG Brad Chacos/IDG Brad Chacos/IDG We’re not done yet, though. If you don’t like seeing Microsoft promotions (like Office and Xbox ads) pop up in your Settings app, head to Start > Settings > Privacy & security > General. Disabling “Show me suggested content in the Settings app” does the trick, though you may want to turn off all these options. Brad Chacos/IDG Brad Chacos/IDG Brad Chacos/IDG Finally, head to Settings > Personalization > Device Usage. The options here tell Microsoft how you use your computer so Windows 11 can provide tailored recommendations for apps, websites, Office 365 trials, and more. Turn them all off if you’re not interested in your $100+ copy of Windows 11 upselling you on more Microsoft services. There are other places Microsoft promotions lurk such as the beautiful “Windows Spotlight” lock screens provided by Bing Images, but tweaking this handful of settings eradicates the most irritating ones. 4. Change your default browser Microsoft Edge is pretty darned good, actually, but if you’re a diehard Chrome, Firefox, Opera, or Brave user, switching your default browser is easy. Brad Chacos/IDG Brad Chacos/IDG Brad Chacos/IDG After downloading and installing the browser of your choice, it should ask if you want to make it the default. Do so, duh. But if you missed your chance during setup, navigate to Settings > Apps > Default apps, find the name of your browser in the list, and click on it. A “Make your default browser” banner with a Set default button at the top of the page does the trick. Further reading: Browser speed showdown: Chrome vs. Edge vs. Firefox and more 5. Declutter the taskbar Sure, Windows 11’s nerfed taskbar is getting better over time, but it still sucks and Microsoft stuffs it to the brim with icons and features you probably have no interest in. Make it easier on the eyes and reclaim some space by heading to Settings > Personalization > Taskbar and deselecting any of the taskbar items you’ll never use. Adios, Widgets and Teams Chat. Brad Chacos/IDG Brad Chacos/IDG Brad Chacos/IDG While we’re on the topic, spending $5 on Stardock’s Start11 or StartIsBack is well worth it. The programs offer granular options that expand the look and functionality of the taskbar and Start menu alike, making it a lot easier to make Windows 11 look like Windows 10. They’re beyond the scope of this article but deserve a shout-out. Bonus: Dark mode, baby! Finally, an optional personal preference. Some folks like staring at black text on white screens all day. Others, like me, prefer not to sear their retinas. So, the very first thing I always do with a new Windows install is activate dark mode, a preference that carries over into several apps once you’ve set it. Brad Chacos/IDG Brad Chacos/IDG Brad Chacos/IDG Simply head to Settings > Personalization > Colors and look for a field called Choose your mode. Change the drop-down menu from Light to Dark. Your eyes will thank you. That’s about it for this rundown of quick Windows 11 settings to change immediately. This rabbit hole goes as deep as you want it, though. Check out our guides to 5 helpful tips and tricks that make Windows easier to use, 10 obscure Windows features that will blow your mind, and 7 frustrating Windows 11 annoyances (and how to fix them) to make your PC your own! Get windows 11 pro for dirt cheap Windows 11 Pro Read...

The prime minister urged Israel and Hezbollah to `stop the violence` in his first speech to the UN General Assembly. Read...

He also used his speech to announce New Zealand would campaign for a seat on the UN Security Council for the 2039-2040 term. Read...

The Foreign Minister was due to speak in ‘leaders week’, after the UK and Nepal prime ministers. Read...

At a glanceExpert`s Rating Pros Well-built and elegant Good performance Extra custom AI program Cons Some fan noise Can get hot A bit expensive for what you get Our Verdict The HP Omnibook X makes no obvious mistakes and is a comfortable, reliable little laptop with good performance and battery life. But there are plenty of others that offer something extra and cost a little less. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today HP’s first laptop with Windows AI features Copilot Plus is called the Omnibook. It’s a new brand name — around the turn of the millennium it was used for business laptops — but after a 22-year hiatus, Omni is now being reintroduced as a name for consumer computers. It replaces the Pavilion series in particular. The 14-inch Omnibook X we tested today starts off strong. Equipped with Qualcomm’s 12-core Snapdragon X Elite, the Omnibook X is fast enough for office work and day-to-day tasks. The battery life is good as well, which isn’t all that surprising, as Snapdragon processors are known for being more power-efficient. That said, it does get hot on the underside, making it difficult to hold in your lap. Despite a few nitpicks, this laptop generally leaves a favorable impression. Read on to learn more. Further reading: Best laptops 2024: Premium, budget, gaming, 2-in-1s, and more Mattias Inghe Mattias Inghe Mattias Inghe HP Omnibook X: Fast enough It’s still going fast, though. These new Snapdragon-based laptops are on par or better than Intel Core Ultra and AMD’s latest low-power Ryzen processors for laptops, or the Apple M3 in a Macbook Air. The graphics circuitry isn’t as sharp as what’s in those three, but this isn’t a gaming PC, so it does what’s expected of it with no problem. And above all, it’s the powerful NPU part you want, 45 tops neural performance for AI operations. It provides both faster processing in many creative applications and enables new features such as localized AI for both language models and image generation. It’s also more energy efficient than before. I’d like to see more applications that can utilize it and that’ll come eventually. At the moment, Copilot Plus itself isn’t revolutionary, but with image generation, live captioning of both streamed film and video meetings, webcam effects, and the upcoming Recall feature, it’s well on its way. HP Omnibook X: AI assistant HP has its own AI Companion pre-installed. It’s a digital assistant that can summarize texts, search for information and create text-based content, as well as catalogue documents and make them smartly indexed for searches. It works well and is useful, but I don’t know if the chat function itself does much more than what I can already do with Copilot. Mattias Inghe Mattias Inghe Mattias Inghe Windows 11 for ARM works fine, as far as the occasional USB accessory whose drivers and support software are not compatible, so be prepared for that if you want to buy a webcam or USB microphone, for example. The built-in 1440p webcam looks good enough that the need for it is minimal, and the voice recording with microphone also gets a pass. Of previous HP laptops, the Omnibook X is most like a Pavilion, with good build quality but not so much luxury detail. Its dark grey aluminum surfaces give a sober impression, and with a tapered design to the sides and rounded edges, it’s comfortable to grip. The narrow edges leave the computer’s single USB-A port with a door that needs to be opened. It feels a bit unnecessary just to make it look nice. More ports in general would have been nice. Now you get two USB-C and one USB-A and one for headphones. The USB-C ports are fast, with USB 4 speed, and both support screen output. Wireless connectivity is best with Wi-Fi 6e. Good enough, but Wi-Fi 7 would have been preferable. HP Omnibook X: Colorful but dim The screen, a glassy IPS panel with 1400p resolution, has a touch function that allows you to use the active stylus pen on it. However, none is included. The screen has good colors, well above SRGB in color gamut and high accuracy. Unfortunately, the brightness is lower than other competitors in its class, so there may be problems with sunlight when used outdoors. It also means HDR mode isn’t an option, and there’s no support for it. But for indoor office work, it’s very comfortable to rest your eyes on. Mattias Inghe Mattias Inghe Mattias Inghe The built-in speakers get a pass, but there’s a lack of warmth in the tone so it’s not fully enjoyable to play music on them, but I’m also really picky. As with all Snapgdragon X laptops, battery life is impressive, but with a 59 Wh battery, it’s a little behind the best I’ve tested. With moderate mixed use over the course of a working day, the Omnibook was able to cope fine, so it’s definitely not under-performing. The new Snapdragon computers are impressive in many ways, and Windows is finally ready to run on ARM for most users. The question is whether the HP Omnibook X is a good choice in a wide range of good competitors. It’s hard to really see why, although it’s mostly high quality on offer. With a price a couple of thousand higher than several equivalent competitors, it’s not possible to put top marks. HP Omnibook X: Specifications Product Name: HP Omnibook X 14-fe0845noTested: September 2024Manufacturer: HPProcessor: Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite X1E-78-100, 12pcs Oryon 3.42 GHzGraphics: Adreno X1-85 1250 MHzNPU: Hexagon, 45 topsMemory: 16 GB lpddr5xStorage: 1 TB SSDDisplay: 14 inch glossy IPS, 2240×1400 pixels, 60 Hz, multi-touchWebcam: 1440p with irConnections: USB C-4, USB C-3 Gen 2 with DisplayPort, USB-A 3 Gen 1, headsetWireless: Wi-Fi 6e, Bluetooth 5.3Operating system: Windows 11 HomeOther: Backlit keyboard, face recognitionNoise level: 0-36 dBaBattery: 59 Wh, 3h 20 min (high load, full brightness) to about 21 h (low load, low brightness)Size: 31.3 x 22.4 x 1.44 cmWeight: 2.95 pounds Rating: 4 out of 5 Performance Cinebench 2024, CPU all cores: 788 pointsCinebench 2024, CPU single core: 108 pointsGeekbench 6, CPU all cores: 14,489 pointsGeekbench 6, CPU single core: 2,462 pointsGeekbench 6, GPU: 23,900 pointsGeekbench AI 1, NPU (Quantized): 21,890 pointsDisk, read: 4,070, 14 MB/sDisk, write: 2,942, 43 MB/s Read...