CPUs and GPUs are old news. These days, the cutting edge is all about NPUs, and hardware manufacturers are talking up NPU performance. The NPU is a computer component designed to accelerate AI tasks in a power-efficient manner, paving the way for new Windows desktop applications with powerful AI features. That’s the plan, anyway. All PCs will eventually have NPUs, but at the moment only some PCs have them. Here’s everything you need to know about NPUs and why they’re such a hot topic in the computer industry right now. What is an NPU? NPU stands for neural processing unit. It’s a special kind of processor that’s optimized for AI and machine learning tasks. The name comes from the fact that AI models use neural networks. A neural network is, in layman’s terms, a vast mesh of interconnected nodes that pass information between them. (The whole idea was modeled after the way our own human brains work.) Related: How neural networks are finally maturing An NPU isn’t a separate device that you buy and plug in (as you would with a GPU, for example). Instead, an NPU is “packaged” as part of a modern processor platform — like Intel’s Core Ultra, AMD’s Ryzen AI, and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite and Snapdragon X Plus. These platforms have a CPU along with an integrated GPU and NPU. NPU vs. CPU vs. GPU: What’s the difference? Explained For many years now, computers have been running tasks on either the central processing unit (CPU) or graphics processing unit (GPU.) That’s still how it works on AI PCs (i.e., computers with NPUs). The CPU runs most of the tasks on the computer. But the GPU, despite its name, isn’t just for graphics and gaming tasks. The GPU is actually just optimized for a different type of computing task, which is why GPUs have been critical for non-gaming endeavors like mining cryptocurrency and running local AI models with high performance. In fact, GPUs are very good at such AI tasks — but GPUs are awfully power-hungry. That’s where NPUs come into play. An NPU is faster than a CPU at computing AI tasks, but not as fast when compared to a GPU. The trade-off is that an NPU uses far less power than a GPU when computing those same AI tasks. Plus, while the NPU handles AI-related tasks, the CPU and GPU are both freed up to handle their own respective tasks, boosting overall system performance. Why use an NPU instead of a CPU or GPU? If you’re running AI image generation software like Stable Diffusion (or some other AI model) on your PC’s hardware and you need maximum performance, a GPU is going to be your best bet. That’s why Nvidia advertises its GPUs as “premium AI” hardware over NPUs. But there are times when you want to run AI features that might be too taxing for a regular CPU but don’t necessarily need the top-tier power of a GPU. Or maybe you’re on a laptop and you want to take advantage of AI features but don’t want the GPU to drain your battery down. With an NPU, a laptop can perform local (on-device) AI tasks without producing a lot of heat and without expending inordinate battery life — and it can perform those AI tasks without taking up CPU and GPU resources from whatever else your PC might be doing. And even if you aren’t interested in AI per se, you can still take advantage of NPUs for other uses. At CES 2024, HP showed off game-streaming software that uses the NPU for video-streaming tasks, freeing up the GPU to run the game itself. By using the NPU’s extra computing power, the streaming software doesn’t take up any GPU resources… and it’s much faster than using the CPU for the same type of task. But what can Windows PC software do with an NPU, really? With an AI PC, the NPU can be used by both the operating system and the apps that reside on the system. For example, if you have laptop with Intel Meteor Lake hardware, the built-in NPU will let you run Windows Studio Effects, which are AI-powered webcam effects that provide features like background blur and forced eye contact in any application that uses your webcam. Microsoft Microsoft Microsoft Microsoft’s Copilot+ PCs — the first wave of which are powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon X chips — have their own AI-powered features that use the NPUs built into that platform. For example, the Windows Recall feature that Microsoft delayed will require an NPU. Related: What is a Copilot+ PC? Explained In November 2024, AMD and Intel PCs will get access to those same Copilot+ PC features that were previously exclusive to Qualcomm PCs, but only AMD and Intel PCs that have the new AMD Ryzen AI 300 series and Intel Core Ultra Series 2 (Lunar Lake) processors. And those are just the features built into Windows; app developers will also be able to use the NPU in a variety of ways. Don’t be surprised to see plug-ins for Audacity and GIMP that offer AI-powered audio and photo editing that’s powered by a computer’s NPU. The possibilities are endless, but it’s still early days for the hardware so it’ll be a while before its full potential is realized. Why do I need an NPU if my PC can already run AI software? Most current applications that have AI features — including Microsoft’s Copilot chatbot — don’t utilize an NPU yet. Instead, they run their AI models on faraway cloud servers. That’s why you can run things like Microsoft Copilot, ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Adobe Firefly, and other AI solutions on any device, whether an old Windows PC, a Chromebook, a Mac, an Android phone, or something else. Adobe Adobe Adobe But it’s expensive for those services to run their AI models on the cloud. Microsoft spends a lot of money churning through Copilot AI tasks in data centers, for example. Companies would love to offload those AI tasks to your local PC and reduce their own cloud computing expenses. Of course, it’s not just about cost savings. You also benefit from the ability to run computationally heavy AI tasks on your local device. For example, those AI features will still work even when you’re offline, and you can keep your data private instead of uploading it all to cloud servers all the time. (That’s a big deal for companies, too, who want to maintain control over their own business data for privacy and security reasons.) Which NPUs are available and how powerful are they? Intel Intel Intel NPU performance is measured in TOPS, which stands for trillion operations per second. To give you a sense of what that means, a low-end NPU might only be able to handle 10 TOPS whereas PCs that qualify for Microsoft’s Copilot+ PC branding must handle at least 40 TOPS. As of fall 2024, the following NPUs are available: Intel Core Ultra Series 1 (Meteor Lake): Intel’s first-generation Core Ultra NPU can deliver up to 11 TOPS. It’s too slow for Microsoft’s Copilot+ PC features, but it does work with Windows Studio Effects and some third-party applications. Intel Core Ultra Series 2 (Lunar Lake): Intel’s Lunar Lake chips will include an NPU with up to 48 TOPS of performance, exceeding Copilot+ PC requirements. AMD Ryzen Pro 7000 and 8000 Series: AMD first delivered NPUs on PCs before Intel did, but the NPUs in Ryzen 7000 series processors are too slow for Copilot+ PC features, with up to 12 and 16 TOPS of performance. AMD Ryzen AI 300 Series: The NPUs in the latest AMD Ryzen AI 300 series processors can deliver up to 50 TOPS of performance, more than enough for Copilot+ PCs. Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite and Snapdragon X Plus: Qualcomm’s Arm-based hardware includes a Qualcomm Hexagon NPU that’s capable of up to 45 TOPS. It’s worth noting that NPUs aren’t just on PCs. Apple’s Neural Engine hardware was one of the first big splashy NPUs to get marketing attention. Google’s Tensor platform for Pixel devices also includes an NPU, while Samsung Galaxy phones have NPUs, too. Bottom line: Should you get a PC with an NPU right now or wait? Honestly, it’s risky being on the bleeding edge. If you went out of your way to get a Meteor Lake laptop in hopes of future-proofing your PC for AI features, you actually got burned when Microsoft later announced that Meteor Lake NPUs were too slow for Copilot+ PC features. (Intel disagreed, pointing out that you still get all the features those laptops originally shipped with.) The silver lining to that? Copilot+ PC features aren’t that interesting yet. And especially with the delay of Windows Recall, there just isn’t much remarkable about Copilot+ PCs. Most of the biggest AI tools — ChatGPT, Adobe Firefly, etc. — don’t even use NPUs at all. Still, if I were buying a new laptop, I’d want to get an NPU if possible. You don’t actually have to go out of your way to get one; it’s just something that comes included with modern hardware platforms. And those modern processor platforms have other big features, like big battery life gains. Related: The laptops with the longest battery life, tested On the other hand, those fast NPUs are only on the latest laptops right now, and you can often find great deals on older laptops that are nearly as fast as the latest models. If you spot a previous-generation laptop that’s heavily discounted, it may not make sense to shell out tons more cash just for an NPU, especially if you don’t have any AI tools you plan to run. As of this writing, most big AI tools still run in the cloud — or at least offer that as an option — so you’ll be able to run them on any Windows laptop, Chromebook, or even Android tablets and iPads. For desktops, the NPU situation is different. Intel’s desktop CPUs don’t have NPUs yet. You could hunt down an AMD desktop chip with a Ryzen AI NPU, but AMD’s Ryzen 7000 and 8000 series chips don’t support Copilot+ PC features anyway. So, if you’re putting together a desktop PC, set aside the NPU for now. It just isn’t that important yet. Looking for a PC with a high-performance NPU? Consider Arm-based Windows laptops like the Surface Laptop 7 and AMD Ryzen AI 300 series laptops like the Asus ProArt PX13. Plus, stay tuned for our reviews of Lunar Lake-powered Intel laptops when they arrive. Until then, catch up with all the AI PC jargon you need to know. Further reading: Key things to know before buying a Copilot+ laptop Read...

A couple of months ago, we reported on the PKfail vulnerability in Secure Boot — a security issue that stems from hardware manufacturers shipping devices with known compromised software. After digging deeper, the original security researchers have discovered that it’s a much bigger problem than even they had initially guessed. In case you missed the original story, here’s a quick summary: The code that gets you past Secure Boot encryption (so you can load up software in a pre-boot environment) was leaked on an open repository back in 2022. Despite that being a known issue, manufacturers continued to ship devices with compromised security. In fact, many of them shipped with pre-production warnings like “DO NOT TRUST” still in the firmware. As Ars Technica reports, the original publisher Binarly and other security researchers have found many more devices that are susceptible to the PKfail exploit. The list of vulnerable devices has ballooned to almost four times the original research, now including almost a thousand individual models of desktops, laptops, and other x86-based hardware. The original list included computers and motherboards made by some of the industry’s biggest names, including Dell, Acer, and Intel. Now that the issue is more widely known, the list is expanding to include other manufacturers like Fujitsu and Supermicro. Even boutique manufacturers like Beelink and Minisforum are susceptible. The issue seems to reach far beyond the realm of conventional hardware and Windows-based PCs. According to data from Binarly’s online detection tool, enterprise servers, point-of-sale retail machines, gaming consoles, and even ATMs have all been found to contain these publicly-available Secure Boot keys. Even some medical devices and voting machines showed up in the system. To say all this is “alarming” would be an understatement. That said, remotely exploiting Secure Boot would be a huge endeavor for a hacker, so the PKfail vulnerability is mostly relevant to anyone who might be personally targeted for data theft or surveillance. It’s much more likely to be used by, say, someone going after a multi-millionaire, or by a state-sponsored hacker group hoping to acquire government or industry secrets. Regardless, Binarly warns that the PKfail vulnerability is already being actively exploited in the wild. If you own an affected machine, the solution to PKfail is nothing less than a BIOS or UEFI update from your PC’s motherboard manufacturer. You can use Binarly’s online detection tool to see if your PC is affected. Read...

A Juniper Research study indicates commercial revenue from quantum technology will surge from $2.7 billion in 2024 to $9.4 billion by 2030, despite only 300 quantum computers being deployed Read...

There’s no such thing as storage that’s too fast — but there is storage that’s so fast you can’t even utilize it to its maximum hardware potential. Such is the case for Lexar’s newest SD card. Lexar’s Professional Gold Pro SDXC Express Card uses the new Secure Digital 8.0 standard and sports a maximum write speed of 1GB/s and a maximum read speed of 1.7GB/s. But good luck actually getting those speeds because no current devices actually go that fast. To be clear, you can still buy and use the Lexar Adjective Adjective Adjective Acronym Adjective Card in anything with a standard SD card slot. (That’s the one that’s about the size of a US postage stamp, popular in high-end cameras.) But there are no cameras, computers, or even external card readers that can match its maximum speed, despite the standard being finalized back in May of 2020. The SD Association is currently working on version 9.1. If you’re wondering who needs that kind of ludicrous speed for a card, the answer is photographers and videographers who work with massive amounts of video footage at up to 8K resolution. Even if they can’t actually max out the card’s speed with current equipment, it might make sense to invest in one knowing that future hardware will likely get there. For everyone else just looking for speed and capacity, a portable SSD makes a lot more sense. Lexar’s new Armor cards aren’t as fast as SD 8.0, but they’re made out of stainless steel. Neat. Lexar’s new Armor cards aren’t as fast as SD 8.0, but they’re made out of stainless steel. Neat.Lexar Lexar’s new Armor cards aren’t as fast as SD 8.0, but they’re made out of stainless steel. Neat.Lexar Lexar Personally, I’m more interested in some of the other cards Lexar announced at IFA in Germany (spotted by Liliputing), including some “ARMOR” SD cards made out of stainless steel. Considering how fragile plastic cards are, and how pricey they can get for huge capacities and incredible speeds, beefing up their durability makes a lot of sense. (Assuming they don’t harm your camera or PC when actually used, of course. I’ll wait for reviews before putting my money down.) Speaking of which, when will you be able to buy the Lexar Professional Gold Pro SDXC? And for how much? No idea. Lexar hasn’t announced dates or prices for any of the new hardware it showed off, and they aren’t showing up in retail listings yet. Expect them to hit shelves later this year or in early 2025, for quite a lot of dough. Read...

Microsoft will discontinue extended support for Windows 10 in October 2025. From then on, the operating system will no longer receive any updates, including security updates. In view of the current security situation, this poses a major threat. get windows 11 pro for cheap Windows 11 Pro Although Microsoft offers a paid option to continue receiving updates via Extended Security Updates (ESU), this will probably be too expensive for many households. Microsoft will publish the exact prices for private individuals shortly before the end of Windows 10 support. The 0Patch solution from Acros Security offers an alternative. At its most basic tier, 0Patch provides security updates via micro-patches to Windows personal accounts for free. But the Pro tier, for an affordable $24.95 a year, extends that security to Windows 10 beyond the October 25 end of service. 0Patch Pro can also provide more security for Windows 11 and Microsoft Office installations as well as Windows servers. This is interesting for the self-employed and small businesses. You can start using 0Patch now and benefit from updates that Microsoft itself has not yet made available. Further reading: 5 reasons you should become a Windows Insider (and 5 you shouldn’t) What is behind 0Patch? 0Patch makes it possible to quickly and efficiently provide micro-patches for security gaps in software, for example in Windows 10. In contrast to traditional patch methods, where full updates or service packs have to be installed, 0Patch relies on tiny, targeted code changes that are injected directly into the memory of the running process. This closes the gap immediately without the need to restart the system. This is particularly advantageous for systems where downtime must be minimized or for software that is no longer supported by the manufacturer. 0Patch thus provides a flexible and responsive way to fix security vulnerabilities in real time, making it a valuable addition to any security concept. To run the solution, you need a free account with 0Patch. Then install the agent on your Windows 10 PC. When updates appear, the agent downloads them and installs them in Windows. If you book a Pro subscription, you will also receive special updates for Windows 10/11 and for older Office versions and even Windows servers. The free version of 0Patch does not install any special updates for Windows, but only 0-day patches. These are security gaps in Windows that are not yet publicly known or for which there are no official patches or updates from Microsoft. As these vulnerabilities can be exploited by cyber criminals before a patch is available, they pose a significant risk. Attackers often use 0-day gaps to penetrate systems undetected, install malware, or steal confidential data. As these vulnerabilities often go unnoticed by the general public and the affected software vendor, they are particularly dangerous and require proactive measures to minimize potential damage. This is where 0Patch can help. Putting 0Patch into operation: First steps in the 0Patch web portal To use 0Patch, log in to the Arcos Security portal with a free account. You can manage your account via the address central.0patch.com and also see the connected PCs. If the installation of 0-day updates is not enough for you, you can use a Pro subscription for 30 days free of charge. Here you will receive all necessary updates for Windows 10/11, not just patches for 0-day gaps. Thomas Joos Thomas Joos Thomas Joos In the window you can see the computers that you have already connected to 0Patch and their last connection to the service. You will also find the patches provided by the service. Via “Account” you can see the email address you are connected to and the key of your account. You do not need to do anything here during operation. If you are responsible for several PCs, you can see the security status of all connected computers here. With “Billing” you can see the current billing of the service. If you stay with the free version, you do not have to pay anything and can connect up to 10 PCs, which are supplied with 0-day patches. However, you can switch to the Pro edition at any time. This makes sense when using Windows 10 from the end of October 2025 at the latest. Install and set up the agent for 0Patch in Windows The 0Patch agent for Windows is available in the “Resources” section of the 0Patch web portal. Download it to the PC that you want to supply with the 0Patch micro-patches. You can carry out the installation on Windows 10/11. The agent is an MSI file with a size of just under 4MB. After starting the installation, confirm the license conditions and the installation location. The installation of the agent is completed quickly. Then log in to the console with your account. The console then scans the PC and displays the updates that are available. With “scan now” you can scan manually at any time and display the current updates. It is important that the value “Enabled” is set for “Agent Status.” You can see your current license, for example “Free,” under “License.” Thomas Joos Thomas Joos Thomas Joos You can navigate between the agent menus using the icons at the top. The dashboard with its summaries is on the far left. Next to it, open “Applications.” Here you can see the applications that 0Patch currently has. Next to the applications is a list of the available updates that 0Patch installs on the PC. You can also deactivate individual updates here. In most cases, however, you do not need to change anything here. Thomas Joos Thomas Joos Thomas Joos If you have connected the PC, you can check in the web portal via the address central.0patch.com whether the PC is properly connected. You will see the computer’s local IP address in the window and the last time it synchronized with 0Patch. The settings can be found next to it and the log of the last actions can be found on the far right. The tool’s comprehensive manual can be called up via the context menu of the 0Patch icon in the tray area of the toolbar. Read...

At a glanceExpert`s Rating ProsExcellent motion clarity at 360HzGreat sharpness at 4K resolutionAttractive designConsLow contrast ratioModest color performanceNo USB-C video inputOur VerdictThe Alienware AW2725QF’s dual-resolution mode can offer 4K resolution at up to 180Hz, or 1080p at up to 360Hz. That makes the monitor more versatile, but mediocre image quality makes the monitor hard to recommend. There’s a new trend in gaming monitors: “dual-resolution” displays. These monitors advertise support for two resolutions with differing maximum refresh rates. The Alienware AW2725QF has a maximum resolution of 4K with a refresh rate up to 180Hz, but can also handle 1080p at up to 360Hz. That means the AW2725QF is a monitor that can deliver both excellent sharpness or top-tier motion clarity as required. However, the AW2725QF relies on an IPS panel without a Mini-LED backlight, which is bad news for its contrast and color performance. Alienware AW2725QF specs and features The AW2725QF’s specifications highlight its dual-resolution functionality. 4K resolution on a 27-inch monitor is the highest common resolution for Windows computers, as only a small handful of 5K monitors exists. However, when in 1080p resolution mode, the AW2725QF can achieve a refresh rate of 360Hz. Display size: 27-inch ultrawide 16:9 aspect ratio Native resolution: 1920×1080 / 3840×2160 dual-mode Panel type: IPS Refresh rate: Up to 360Hz at 1080p, up to 180Hz at 4K Adaptive sync: VESA Adaptive Sync, Nvidia G-Sync Compatible HDR: VESA DisplayHDR 600 certified Ports: 2x HDMI 2.1, 1x DisplayPort 1.4, 1x USB-B 3.2 Gen 1 (upstream), 3x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 (downstream), 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 (downstream) VESA mount: 100x100mm Speakers: No Price: $599.99 MSRP Display panel aside, the monitor’s specifications are typical for the category. It supports HDR and Adaptive Sync and has three video inputs. It can also function as a USB hub with multiple downstream USB-A ports, though its range of USB functionality is not impressive, and it lacks a USB-C input with DisplayPort Alternate Mode. Further reading: See our roundup of the best gaming monitors to learn about competing products. Alienware AW2725QF design The Alienware AW2725QF is immediately identifiable as an Alienware monitor, and that’s a positive. Alienware embraced its current retro sci-fi “Legend” design language in 2019, and it hasn’t looked back since. Though no longer novel, the AW2725QF’s swooping panels and attractive RGB-LED lighting deliver an eye-catching look. It’s a well-built monitor, as well, with good material quality across the panel. With that said, though, new OLED monitors (including those from Alienware) are a step ahead of the AW2725QF. OLED monitors don’t require a backlight behind the display panel, so they’re much thinner at the edges. The AW2725QF does require a backlight, so it looks a bit bulky when compared to 27-inch OLED alternatives. Matthew Smith / Foundry Matthew Smith / Foundry Matthew Smith / Foundry The monitor ships with a sturdy stand that adjusts for height, tilt, pivot, and swivel. It has a small, hexagon-like base that doesn’t take up much room on a desk. It’s not entirely flat, but close to it, so some items can still be placed on the stand. That’s an advantage over competitors that use a wide, tripod-like stand, as the AW2725QF will fit comfortably on small desks. The monitor also has a 100x100mm VESA mount for use with third-party monitor arms and stands. Alienware AW2725QF connectivity and menus Alienware provides three video inputs for the AW2725QF: two HDMI 2.1 ports and one DisplayPort 1.4. All three video inputs can handle the monitor’s full refresh rate and resolution at both 1080p and 4K. There’s no USB-C with video input, however, so the monitor isn’t a great choice for connecting a laptop or tablet with USB-C. That’s a bit of a disadvantage in 2024, as some gaming monitors, like recent Gigabyte Aorus and MSI MPG models, have USB-C ports with DisplayPort Alternate Mode and USB Power Delivery. The AW2725QF does offer some USB connectivity, which is driven by a USB-B upstream port. This includes three downstream USB-A ports and one USB-C port. The USB-C port does include power charging, but only up to 15 watts. A joystick centered on the monitor’s low bezel provides access to Alienware’s on-screen menus. The joystick is responsive and the menus feel logically arranged — though, like many monitors, the font size is a bit smaller than would be ideal. I also noticed that the text of the menu did not contrast well with the dark background, as the text was a dark hue of gray instead of near white. This would be easy to fix in a firmware update, I think, and I’d encourage Alienware to do so, because I think many people will find the current menu system difficult to read. Matthew Smith / Foundry Matthew Smith / Foundry Matthew Smith / Foundry The menus provide an acceptable but not outstanding range of adjustment. There’s a custom color mode, which includes adjustment for color hue, gain, saturation. However, the monitor does not have a standalone color temperature mode to target specific color temperature values. Also, both the sRGB color gamut mode and gamma adjustment controls are only accessible in the monitor’s “Creator” mode. A variety of gaming-centric features are available, too, such as a dark stabilizer to increase the brightness of dark areas of screen and on-screen timer and framerate counters. The AW2725QF doesn’t include speakers, which is typical for a gaming monitor. Most don’t, and few that do provide passable audio quality. Strangely, though, the AW272QF also lacks a 3.5mm audio output. That means you can’t connect speakers or headphones to the monitor and must instead connect directly to the audio source, which might be inconvenient if you have multiple video inputs connected and frequently switch between them. Alienware AW2725QF SDR image quality I’ll be honest: The Alienware AW2725QF immediately struck me as a strange, and perhaps disappointing, monitor. 4K resolution at up to 180Hz looks sharp, and the dual-resolution versatility is appreciated, but in exchange the AW2725QF sticks with a conventional IPS display panel. This type of panel tends to offer a lower contrast ratio and (without Quantum Dots) a more limited color gamut than OLED competitors. Unfortunately, testing the AW2725QF revealed the limitations I expected, though the monitor does have some strengths. Matthew Smith / Foundry Matthew Smith / Foundry Matthew Smith / Foundry Brightness is among those strengths. I measured a maximum SDR brightness of 518 nits, which is excellent for any monitor and way more than a typical gaming display. This level of brightness is excessive if you’re planning to game in a dim or dark room (and I usually used the monitor at 35 to 40 percent of its maximum brightness), but it’s good news if you want to use the monitor in a very bright room. The monitor is brighter than its competitors, as well, and roughly twice as bright as the Gigabyte Aorus FO27QS, which has a QD-OLED panel. Matthew Smith / Foundry Matthew Smith / Foundry Matthew Smith / Foundry Contrast completely changes the narrative, however, as the AW2725QF had a contrast ratio of just 1150:1. That’s the worst contrast ratio of the competitors I chose for comparison, falling behind even the Asus ROG Strix XG27ACS, which also had an IPS display panel. The lack of contrast is an issue when viewing darker, more atmospheric games, movies, and photos in a dim or dark room. The dreaded “IPS glow” — a hazy silver-gray cast to dark scenes — is apparent. It also noticeably lacks uniformity, which only adds to the distraction. Whether this matters depends on what you use the monitor: It’s often not a major issue on the Windows desktop and in productivity apps, but a major downside in games and other entertainment. Matthew Smith / Foundry Matthew Smith / Foundry Matthew Smith / Foundry It feels a bit odd to say the Alienware’s color gamut is limited, as a gamut like this would’ve been excellent five years ago. But times have changed, and many modern monitors offer a comparable, or better, color gamut. Gamers don’t need to worry about this too much, as the AW2725QF’s color gamut is still more than adequate to deliver a vivid and saturated image. Colorful games tend to look bright, attractive, and punchy. However, the color gamut might turn off content creators who want to create or edit digital art, photo, video, and other media, as the AW2725QF can’t display as many colors overall as some competitors can. Matthew Smith / Foundry Matthew Smith / Foundry Matthew Smith / Foundry Color accuracy is also a modest result. This level of color accuracy is still good, and I don’t think most people will see anything wrong, even when looking critically. Still, it’s clear that competitors have an edge in out-of-box color accuracy. All else being equal, that could lean some shoppers away from the AW2725QF. However, while the AW2725QF didn’t have the best out-of-box color accuracy, it did well in color temperature and gamma tests. It had a default color temperature of 6500K and a gamma curve of 2.2. Both figures match our preference. In the real world, these numbers mean the AW2725QF’s image doesn’t look too warm or cool, and content is displayed with accurate luminance. Most monitors in this price range tend to be slightly off in at least one of these two metrics. OLED monitors, for example, often have a gamma result of 2.3, and look a bit darker and dimmer than I would prefer (though this can usually be corrected with the monitor’s on-screen menu options, which typically provide alternative gamma modes). The Alienware AW2725QF is a rare miss for Dell’s gaming brand. Sharpness is another highlight. The AW2725QF is a dual display monitor meant for use at 4K resolution up to 180Hz or 1080p resolution up to 360Hz. At 4K, the monitor provides excellent sharpness with a pixel density 163 pixels per inch. 27-inch OLED monitors are still stuck at 1440p resolution, so they won’t look as sharp as the AW2725QF. One final point: While the AW2725QF has an anti-glare coating, it’s more of a semi-gloss finish than matte. Glare is diffused somewhat but can still appear rather concentrated at times. In general, I’m not a big fan of how this particular anti-glare finish looks; it seems like a poor compromise between matte and glossy. Overall, the AW2725QF’s image quality is solid, but it seems like a bad match for its intended purpose. The monitor’s high brightness and excellent sharpness (at 4K resolution) make it a great monitor for productivity, but its low contrast ratio and modest color gamut make it less appealing for games and entertainment. That’s a problem, because the AW2725QF is meant to be a gaming monitor. Alienware AW2725QF HDR image quality The Alienware AW2725QF is VESA DisplayHDR 600 certified. That’s a notch above the entry-level VESA DisplayHDR 400 certification, but the AW2725QF isn’t a good HDR monitor. Matthew Smith / Foundry Matthew Smith / Foundry Matthew Smith / Foundry I measured a maximum sustained full-screen HDR brightness of 614 nits. The monitor also reached a near-identical brightness of 616 nits in a 10 percent window, meaning just 10 percent of the display was active, while the rest was entirely dark. As the graph above shows, the AW2725QF has a higher full-screen HDR brightness than an OLED monitor, but falls behind the best OLED monitors in a 10 percent window. Mini-LED monitors, meanwhile, beat the AW2725QF in both areas. Brightness aside, the AW2725QF’s contrast ratio remains a problem. As mentioned earlier, the monitor had a maximum contrast ratio of 1150:1 when at 50 percent of SDR brightness. That figure slightly worsens to a ratio of 1130:1 at maximum HDR brightness. The low contrast ratio means that dark areas of the screen suffer from elevated brightness, which compress luminance detail. Put more simply: The HDR image looks flat and dull. This is not a surprise, given the AW2725QF’s IPS display panel, but it’s an issue. Both OLED and Mini-LED monitors can be purchased at a similar price, and both deliver much better HDR performance. The AW2725QF is a no-go for anyone who wants to watch HDR movies or play HDR games. Alienware AW2725QF motion performance Motion performance is arguably the reason to buy the AW2725QF. But, unlike some recent OLED monitors with refresh rates up to 360Hz, I’m not sure the argument holds up. That’s not to say the AW2725QF’s motion clarity is bad. On the contrary, it’s excellent, and most owners are likely to be blown away by what they see. Games look clear and crisp even at 4K and up to 180Hz. At 1080p and 360Hz they look exceptionally detailed in motion. Only the smallest fonts and low-contrast UI elements are too blurred to make out. The monitor’s dual-resolution feature has its uses, too. Gamers who want excellent motion clarity and low input lag in competitive games can obtain that from the 1080p/360Hz mode, but also have the option to switch to 4K/180Hz for better sharpness in single-player games. Also, it’s worth remembering that a high refresh rate is only useful when a game achieves a matching frame rate. Some games are incapable of a frame rate up to 360 frames per second, so opting for the 4K/180Hz mode makes more sense in those titles. However, the AW2725QF faces stiff competition from OLED alternatives. Alienware’s own 360Hz QD-OLED monitors, the AW2725DF, is much more expensive at $899.99, but it’s often possible to find an alternative priced close to the AW2725QF. The MSI MPG 271QPX is currently $649.99 on Amazon, for example. Going OLED means you’ll have to trade a maximum resolution of 4K for 1440p, but I think most gamers will be happy to exchange that for OLED’s superior contrast and color performance. Should you buy the Alienware AW2725QF? The Alienware AW2725QF is a rare miss for Dell’s gaming brand. I can sort of see what Alienware was going for, as the AW2725QF’s dual-display capability and high refresh rate could appeal to competitive gamers. However, the rapid fall in OLED monitor pricing means that many models are just $50 to $100 more expensive, and some Mini-LED monitors also achieve similar pricing. That makes the AW2725QF a tough sell, as it lacks the contrast, color gamut, and HDR performance of its competition. The AW2725QF is good for motion clarity, yes — but if you’re a gamer who spent over $1,000 to snag a video card capable of 4K at 180Hz or 1080p at 360Hz, I don’t think you’ll be happy with the SDR or HDR image quality this monitor can deliver. Read...

Key Takeaways: No built-in tools on computers and mobile phones can replace video backgrounds if you don’t record them using a green screen. To record videos with AI virtual backgrounds without a green screen, use third-party webcam screen recorders, such as EaseUS RecExperts for Windows computers, Vmaker for online, and ManyCam Lite for Mac. Recording screens with virtual backgrounds on iOS and Android devices is more complicated. Because of the technology limits, you still need a plain chroma color to remove the background first and change the backdrop later. Recording yourself with a virtual background for presentations, job applications, blog creation, live streaming, or online meetings can help to engage your audience and add professionalism to the video. Sometimes, however, you may find it difficult to get a suitable backdrop to sit in front of, and changing the background using AR green screen technology can be rather complicated. Fret not; if you want easy and free webcam recording software to record video with virtual background, read this article to learn how to change the video background even without a green screen. Let’s delve into methods for Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android, and online separately. Tips for video recording yourself with a customized virtual background Before we learn how to record a webcam with AI virtual backgrounds, here are some tips for best practice. Choose the best webcam and microphone as the output device. Stand or sit before a solid-color background to make it easier to remove the background later. Consider the lighting in your location. Prepare background pictures in advance if you want to personalize the backdrop. Open the presentation, tab, window, or application you want to record beforehand. Practice your narration skills. Using an app to capture webcam and screen with virtual background on Windows PCs EaseUS RecExperts is a robust webcam screen recorder that allows users to screen record Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 8, and 7 with blurred backgrounds or customized wallpapers, without needing to use a green screen backdrop. Advanced features include: AI-empowered background removal: Use an advanced algorithm to seamlessly remove video backdrops and record a video with a virtual background. Different virtual backgrounds: Select supplied or customized pictures to change the video background freely. High-quality videos: Capture webcam footage and screen activity on your computers in HD, 4K resolution. Built-in editing tools: Trim and edit video with noise reduction, audio-to-text transcription, audio extraction, and more utilities. Here is how to record video with a virtual background on Windows 10 or 11 without a green screen: Step 1. Download, install, and launch EaseUS RecExperts on your PC. Step 2. Go to Webcam (the camera icon) in the left panel, toggle on Remove Background, select AI Recognition, and download the AI module. (This may take a few minutes, please be patient.) EaseUS EaseUS EaseUS Step 3. Set up the camera output device, sound recording options, and resolution, select a background picture (Blur, Scenery, Studio, Classroom, or any customized ones from your computer), and click the REC button. EaseUS EaseUS EaseUS Step 4. Confirm the webcam, system sound, and microphone settings in the pop-up, then click Continue. A three-second countdown timer will appear onscreen, and the recording will start once the timer has ended. You can pause, take screenshots, change the sound volume, and set up auto-stop options during the session. Step 5. Click the Stop button or press F9 to end the session. You can play and edit this recording now. Video record yourself with an AI background online for free Vmaker has a free online camera recorder that lets you record videos from websites with various fake backgrounds. It also offers free frames and filters to help design your camera overlay. Here are the steps for video recording with virtual background online using Vmaker. Step 1. Visit the Vmaker webcam recorder with Chrome. Click ‘Start Recording Now’ in the banner. Step 2. Follow the onscreen instructions to create an account. Step 3. Click Record Video on the screen. This will ask you to add the Vmaker extension to your Chrome browser. Step 4. Click Record Video again to bring up the recording plugin. Step 5. Three recording options are available: Screen, Webcam, and Screen + Webcam. Choose Screen + Webcam. Select the Webcam, microphone, and audio output devices. Step 6. In the button corner, you will see a camera feed. Click the rightmost icon to launch the virtual background options. You can select a virtual background offered herein. EaseUS EaseUS EaseUS Step 7. Click Start Recording to initiate the session. Click Stop Sharing to end the session. Screen Record video with virtual background on Mac ManyCam Lite is a compact version of ManyCam, and it packs multiple tools, such as recording, live streaming, and a virtual camera. This feature-packed tool allows users to replace backgrounds without AR green screen technology. Note: You must be running macOS High Sierra (10.13.4) or later to use the virtual background feature. Here’s how to record video with a virtual background on Mac: Step 1. Download, install, and launch ManyCam Lite on your Mac. Step 2. Turn on your webcam and audio output devices. Step 3. Click Virtual Background (to the right of the Text icon) and toggle on Replace Background. You can blur your backdrop or choose another background image/video from the list or your device. EaseUS EaseUS EaseUS Step 4. Click the Start recording button (next to the Stream icon) to record everything you need. Click the Stop recording button to end the session. Step 5. Click the arrow and click ‘Open video save directory’. All your recordings are located here. How to record video with virtual background on iPhone/Android Chromavid is a green screen chroma key app that lets you use chroma key effects in real time to change the background. It supports both Android (version 13.0 or later) and iOS (version 12.0 or later) devices. Note: Prepare a chroma color using a background wall or curtain. You should use plain colors, such as green, blue, red, or yellow. Then, follow the steps to make a virtual background video on iPhone, iPad, Android phones, and tablets. Step 1. Download Chromavid from Google Play or the App Store. Install and launch it. Step 2. Click the solid-color circle from the upper left corner to select the plain color you are using as your backdrop. Step 3. Return to the main interface, click the gallery icon from the bottom left corner, and select a background image you want to use. EaseUS EaseUS EaseUS Step 4. Click the red recording button to start recording or stop recording the session. Step 5. View recordings on your phone or tablet. Share them if you need to. Bonus: What is a good virtual background? The standard for a good virtual background may vary depending on the context of the video scenes. Here are some tips for choosing your video recording background: Professional settings: Light gray or soft blue; Bookshelf; Office space. Casual or creative meetings: Nature scenes, Artistic backgrounds. Personal and relaxed settings: Cozy room; Café settings. If you want to stand out: Colorful patterns; Travel photos. Avoid using a cluttered background, choose suitable lighting, and test it before recording. Use a virtual background that reflects your style appropriately. Conclusion In this article, we have discussed how to record video with virtual background. To sum up, you need to use reliable third-party webcam recorders to capture cameras and screens with different backgrounds. These tools can change your video background without using the chroma key. However, a chroma key background is necessary if you want to screen record clips with fake or personalized backdrops. The most straightforward way to record a video with a virtual background is to use a laptop or PC to replace the background. You can use EaseUS RecExperts to do this on your Windows PC. FAQ 1. What format is best for a virtual background? The best formats for a virtual background largely depend on the platform you are using, but common formats that are widely supported include: JPEG/JPG: A standard image format that can balance between image quality and file size. PNG: Excellent for images that require transparency and have better quality than JPEG, especially for graphics and images with sharp edges. GIF: This is for animated backgrounds on some platforms. However, the file size can be larger, and color limitations exist. MP4: MP4 is the most common and compatible video format that works well on many video-conferencing platforms. 2. How can I put a background on a video without using a green screen? Using various video-editing techniques and software you can put a background on a video without using a green screen: Use video-editing software like Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, and DaVinci Resolve. Use online tools or mobile apps like Canva, Kapwing, and Camtasia. 3. How do you get a virtual background on Zoom without camera? To use a virtual background on Zoom without a camera, you generally need dedicated software that simulates a camera feed. Here are steps to set it up: Step 1. Download and install virtual camera software like OBS Studio. Step 2. Add a new source to the software and select Image or Media Source to import your virtual background. Step 3. Choose Virtual Camera from the settings to enable it. Step 4. Open Zoom and go to Settings > Video > Camera. Select the OBS Virtual Camera you created. Step 5. Now, you can join or start a meeting, and your chosen background will appear in your video feed. Read...

There’s a major Windows 11 update coming this season and it seems to be causing various screen-related issues for beta testers. MSPoweruser reports that several users — both on Microsoft’s support forums as well as on Reddit — have complained about numerous monitor and display problems ever since they started testing the latest version of the Windows 11 operating system. Get Windows 11 Pro for cheap Windows 11 Pro The complaints include issues like: screen settings being reset every time their computers are restarted, black screens when using the Alt + Tab keyboard shortcut to switch between apps, and black screens and lag while playing games in fullscreen. Different solutions have been proposed, ranging from checking the hardware cables to updating display drivers to reinstalling the entire Windows operating system altogether. If you’re experiencing screen-related issues with the latest Windows 11 version (24H2) and you’ve tried everything to no avail, your best option is likely to revert back to a previous version (23H2) until Microsoft resolves this issue. (In this case, reverting back to a previous version may or may not entail reinstalling Windows.) Keep reading: How to roll back a problematic Windows update Read...

A little while back, I made a big change to my desktop PC workflow — I swapped my pair of 24-inch desktop monitors for a single 35-inch ultrawide display, which stretches much further side-to-side than a traditional widescreen monitor does. Ultrawides used to be a luxury in the monitor world, but prices have come down in recent years, and even basic computers like my $300 mini-PC have become powerful enough to push an ultrawide’s extra pixels without dedicated graphics cards. My particular monitor, the (oh-so straightforwardly-named) LG 35WN65C-B, has a resolution of 3440×1440, which gives it about 34 percent more horizontal screen real estate than a more standard 2560×1440 widescreen monitor. Further reading: Best ultrawide monitors 2024: Let’s get large The ultrawide monitor I ended up getting. Learn more about how I score like-new tech devices for cheap. The ultrawide monitor I ended up getting. Learn more about how I score like-new tech devices for cheap.LG The ultrawide monitor I ended up getting. Learn more about how I score like-new tech devices for cheap.LG LG I picked one up partly out of curiosity, but also to address some specific annoyances that arose from my old dual-monitor setup. While I’m happier with the new monitor overall, it’s been a bigger change than I expected, and not fully for the better. If you’re curious about living the ultrawide life, here’s how it went for me and what you should know before you commit. This column first appeared in Advisorator, Jared’s weekly tech advice newsletter. Sign up to get tech advice like this every Tuesday. There’s definitely a learning curve On an ultrawide monitor, apps can get uncomfortable to look at when they’re stretched out to cover the whole screen. You need to get used to running apps in smaller windows instead of maximizing them. In fact, you’ll likely benefit from leaning on the Snap feature in Windows or the Split View feature in macOS, allowing you to instantly “snap” windows to various regions of the screen or run apps side-by-side. This takes some adjustment coming from a dual-monitor setup. Jared Newman / Foundry Jared Newman / Foundry Jared Newman / Foundry Additional software can help, too. In Windows, I’ve become dependent on the FancyZones feature of Microsoft PowerToys to quickly place windows in a 16:9 aspect ratio in the middle of the screen. On macOS, I use Rectangle for window management. But getting used to these programs takes some extra effort as well. There may be an actual curve, too Many ultrawide monitors have curved screens, not just to make gaming more immersive but to make the side edges of the screen feel less distant from your eyes. The smaller the curve radius, the tighter the curve. I’m quite pleased with my LG monitor’s 1800R curve radius, which is subtle enough to not get in the way of work. But curved screens may not be to your tastes no matter how subtle the curves are. As one member in a photo editing forum put it: “I’ll buy a curved monitor when everyone starts hanging curved paintings and photos on their walls.” Less multitasking, more focus Jared Newman / Foundry Jared Newman / Foundry Jared Newman / Foundry Having just one screen has had an interesting effect on my productivity, nudging me away from having multiple apps on display across multiple screens. Instead, I have a single screen with two, maybe three, apps. I still invoke Snap when situations demand it—and the ultrawide format prevents that from feeling cramped—but multitasking has become more of an intentional decision now than the default way of things. I think that’s a positive, as far as focus is concerned. My neck really appreciates it With two monitors, I would often put my web browser and other reference materials on my right-hand screen while writing on the monitor that’s directly in front of my keyboard. This put a lot of strain on my neck and back as I’d inevitably spend large chunks of time looking off-center instead of moving the browser over to my main monitor. Ultrawide monitors solve this issue, and that was actually a big impetus for my decision to switch. I’m more inclined to keep things in the middle of the screen now, and I’m feeling less neck strain as a result. It freed up some space on my desk The difference in total screen width between my older two monitors and my newer single ultrawide wasn’t huge, so I wasn’t expecting it to help clean up my desk all that much. But with only one monitor stand and one set of bezels around the display, I’ve reclaimed a surprising amount of room on my workspace. (The monitor’s slight curvature likely helps this as well.) Also, the stand for my ultrawide monitor runs much taller than my previous monitors, so I’ve pushed my old wooden risers to the back of my desk where they’re helping to hide cables and accessories, further contributing to the cleanup. Gaming on an ultrawide is amazing Jared Newman / Foundry Jared Newman / Foundry Jared Newman / Foundry Although I’ve moved my old desktop PC down to the basement for gaming purposes, it’s hard to resist playing games on this ultrawide screen. My little desktop PC isn’t powerful enough, so I’ve been using Nvidia GeForce Now, whose Premium tier can stream the latest games at full 3440×1440 resolution with every graphics setting maxed out. After experiencing games this way — with the action extending almost to the edges of my peripheral vision — it’s hard going back to anything else. While the ultrawide has changed the way I work, it turns out that it has also had a noticeable impact on play, too. Check out PCWorld’s roundup of the best ultrawide monitors if you want to dip your toes in the water — it’s mighty fine, after you adjust to it. This column first appeared in Advisorator, Jared’s weekly tech advice newsletter. Sign up to get tech advice like this every Tuesday. Read...

Copilot+ PCs first launched back in June, and ever since then we’ve been seeing more and more computers with Copilot+ badges. But Microsoft isn’t just pushing Copilot+ PCs — there’s also the Copilot AI chatbot. The Verge reports that Microsoft will hold a digital presentation via LinkedIn on September 16, where company CEO Satya Nadella and AI director Jared Spataro will present the “next phase of Copilot.” Microsoft Microsoft Microsoft It’s unclear exactly what Microsoft’s upcoming AI news will entail, but judging by the presentation’s name (“Microsoft 365 Copilot: Wave 2”), it’ll likely have something to do with the company’s collection of office software and services. We’ll know more come Monday, September 16 at 17:00 CET (or 11am ET). And if Microsoft will be talking about office suites, it might also be when they reveal just how much the one-off Office 2024 will be. Read...