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Thursday, December 3, 2020
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Take Better Pictures Today With These 9 Helpful IPhone Camera Settings

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Crop hand holding a phone changing the iphone camera settings

Phone cameras have come a long way. In some cases, it's hard to tell DSLR camera photos from mobile phone photos. But, how do you take DSLR-like photos with your iPhone? Here are our suggestions for iPhone camera settings for taking high-quality pictures.

Quick Navigation
Change Your General Camera Settings
Camera App Settings
Conclusion

Change Your General Camera Settings

white phone on the table

Image Source: Pixabay

Before you get started taking pictures, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the settings found under your phone’s Settings icon. First, tap on Settings icon then on Camera to open the Camera Settings window. From here, you can manage all aspects of an iPhone's camera.

The Preserve Settings Window

This is one of those hidden features that not many people know about. It allows you to choose which settings shouldn't change, and which ones that should revert back to default settings.

Camera Mode

By default, this setting is turned off. This section refers to the picture modes on your camera such as Portrait, Square, and Video. By turning on this option, you are telling your camera to remain in the selected mode each time you take a picture.

Filtering & Lighting

Like Camera Mode, the default setting for this mode is "off." When you turn it on, your camera remembers which filters and lighting settings you last used.

Live Photo

This setting is enabled by default, unlike the previous settings. When turned on, this setting remembers the state it was in when you turn off your camera. If it's turned off, your phone will turn on the Live Photo mode when launching the Camera app.

The Grid Option

When enabled, you'll see grid lines on your camera frame the next time you open your Camera app. The Grid option helps you achieve correct alignment in your picture. You won't see the grid lines in the photo.

The Formats Window

Here is where you choose the format for saving your photos. You’ll want to choose Most Compatible.

For most people, this is the preferred setting because it saves your photos in H.264 and JPEG formats. These formats are the most common in the photography world. As a result, you don't need any expensive conversion tools to view the files.

The Smart HDR or Auto HDR Option

taking pictures of the light

Image Source: Pixabay

First, if you don't know what HDR stands for, it's an acronym for High Dynamic Range imaging. Dynamic range refers to the ratio of dark to light in a picture. When you choose the HDR option, your phone will take a light picture and a dark picture. The phone then combines the two for an HDR photo. 

Turned on by default, the Smart HDR (Auto HDR in older iPhones) option lets your phone decide when to take HDR photos. Your phone will gauge the lighting and the environment and turn it on or off as necessary. 

When you turn off this option, you'll need to turn HDR on or off each time you take a picture. HDR photos are more lifelike, so you will probably want to keep this setting turned on.

The Keep Normal Photo Option

Disabled by default, this setting works with the HDR setting. When you turn it on, you'll save both the normal photo and the HDR photo. You can compare them later and decide which one you want to keep.

Camera App Settings

phone taking pictures in portrait iphone camera settings

Image Source: Pixabay

Now that you've taken care of your Camera app's general settings, it's time to start taking pictures! And if you think you need a separate photo app to achieve high-quality photos, think again. The default Camera app has some high-powered tools under its hood.

Portrait Mode

Probably the most powerful setting on the Camera app is the Portrait Mode setting. When you take photos with the Portrait setting, you can give your photos a professional look to them.

Blur Your Background

Have you ever wanted to take a photo with a blurred background? It's super easy with Portrait mode.

Note that this setting is only available on the iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone X, iPhone XR, iPhone XS Max, and the iPhone XS.

The Portrait mode uses depth-effect software to blur the background without expensive lenses. 

When you open your Camera app, swipe across the shooting modes at the bottom of the screen. Choose Portrait.

Make sure your photo subject, whether it's a person, animal, or object, is between 2 and 8 feet away. Otherwise, the Portrait mode won't work, and you won't get a blurred background. Your camera will tell you this, so don't worry if you forget.

Now that you have your subject ready, snap your photo using one of the preset modes. Voila! You have a beautiful photo with a blurred background.

If you change your mind and want a standard photo, it's easy to change.

Open your photo and then tap Edit at the top right. Next, tap the yellow Portrait icon at the top middle of the screen. This removes the blurred background.

If you have an iPhone XS, XS Max, or XR, there are more robust options available in Portrait mode. For instance, you can change how much blur you want in your background.

But, this is only possible after you've taken the shot. When you open your photo and tap on Edit, a Depth slider appears under your photo. Move the slider back and forth until you have the amount of blur you want.

Achieve Portrait-Like Lighting

Iphone taking pictures of city during night time

Image Source: Pexels

Blurring your background is only one component to this setting. There are a few Portrait Lighting settings to choose from to make your photos amazing:

  • Natural Light doesn't change the lighting in your photo at all.
  • Studio Light allows you to brighten the face of your subject.
  • Contour Light makes the shadows darker and the highlights brighter.
  • Stage Light makes the subject of your photo look like they're under a stage spotlight. The background is black, and the result is a stunning portrait.
  • Stage Light Mono gives you a black and white version of your Stage Light photo.

Focus Setting

Did you know that taking sharp pictures is super easy with an iPhone? You won’t have to worry about blurry pictures like you used to get with your older iPhones.

But where is the focus setting? Well, there isn't one. It's one of those things that people easily overlook.

All you need to do is frame your subject and tap on the screen where you want to set your focus. You'll see a yellow box appear around the focus point.

This setting is most important when taking close-up photos. When you take close-ups, the only a small part of the picture is in focus. Anything in front of or behind the point of focus will appear blurry.

Exposure Setting

The term exposure refers to the brightness levels in a photo. Too dark (under-exposed), and you can't see the subject very well. Too bright (overexposed), and it looks washed out. 

Like the Camera app's hidden focus feature, the iPhone’s exposure setting is also a little-known feature. Once you know about it, though, it's easy to adjust.

First, frame your subject and then tap on it to focus on it. Then, swipe up or down on the yellow square that appears.

For the most part, you should aim for a happy medium between light and dark. But sometimes, deliberately under or over-exposing your photos is desirable.

Let's say you want to capture a silhouette photo at sunset. You'll want to under-expose to make your subjects appear black against the background.

HDR for More Detailed Photos

Remember choosing the setting for automatically taking HDR photos? Now we're going to discuss where and when to take HDR photos.

If you're in a high-contrast environment, such as a landscape, it's very difficult to get a good picture. The background is light, and the foreground is dark. But, that's where the HDR setting comes in handy.

To take a picture using HDR, frame your subject, and make sure the HDR icon at the top isn't crossed out. If it is, you'll need to check your general settings (see above). Then snap your photo and see the beautiful results.

Gridlines Feature

grid line of a phone taking pictures

Image Source: Pixabay

If you turned off your gridlines under the general settings, you'll want to turn them back on.

The gridlines are useful for keeping a level horizon. You can also use them to make sure vertical lines are straight. And if you know about the classic rule of thirds composition, it's super easy to achieve with the gridlines turned on.

All you need to do is line up your subject along one the right or left lines to put it off-center. You can also use the lines to make sure the horizon isn't dead-center for a more pleasing photo aesthetic.

Burst Mode

Enjoy taking lots of action photos but hate missing the perfect moment? Use another "hidden" feature called burst mode. When turned on, you can take up to 10 photos per second.

So where do you locate the burst mode? It's not an icon or a slider. All you need to do is hold down your shutter button. Release the button when you're finished, and review your photos to select the best one.

Live Photo Mode

This is one of the best iPhone camera settings for creating memorable photos. Rather than taking a still photo, Live Photo captures a 3-second moving image with sound.

It's perfect for taking photos of children, pets, nature, or anything else that's moving. To use it, tap on the round Live Photos icon at the top middle of the screen. It looks a little bit like a bullseye with dotted lines. When it turns yellow, you'll know it's on.

Keep in mind that the camera takes 1.5 seconds of video before and after you take the shot, so hold as still as possible. In order to watch the Live Photo, open your picture in the Photos app and hold down your finger on the screen.

You can also add different effects to your Live Photo:

  • Loop turns your Live Photo into a continuous video loop.
  • ​Bounce plays your Live Photo forward and backward.
  • ​Long Exposure adds a slow shutter effect to blur any movement.

Want to make your Live Photo a still image? Tap on Edit at the top left of the Live Photo. Then, tap the yellow Live icon to turn off the animation and sound. Change your mind again? Turn Live Photo back on by tapping on the Off option.

Self Timer

One of the more useful iPhone camera settings is the Self Timer. It allows you to set a delay between tapping the shutter button and taking the photo.

This is handy when you want to take a picture of yourself when there's no one to do it for you. It's also great for preventing blurry photos caused by pressing the shutter button.

All you need to do is set down your phone on a solid surface or use a tripod made for cell phones. Tap on the Timer icon that looks like a clock. Set either a 3-second or 10-second delay. Press the shutter button to start the countdown, and get yourself in front of the camera. The camera will take a burst of 10 shots.

Telephoto Lens

smart phone with camera lens

Image Source: Pexels

Want to capture an image, but it's too far away to get a decent shot? That's where the iPhone's telephoto lens feature comes in handy.

Note that this feature is only available on iPhone 7 and 8 Plus, iPhone X, iPhone XS, and iPhone XS Max.

It's very easy to do, and it's not a hidden feature like some of the settings above. To magnify your photo subject, frame it and then tap on the 1x icon at the bottom center of the viewfinder. It will change to 2x. To go back to the wide angle lens, tap on the 2x icon.

Conclusion

As you can see from this guide, you don’t need to buy expensive camera apps to take high-quality pictures with your iPhone. The Camera app that comes with your phone is more powerful than ever before. 

All you need to know about are the 9 iPhone camera settings that we covered above. So take this guide and start shooting photos that no one will believe were shot with an iPhone. 

Featured Image Source: Pexels

The 6 Best Gaming Desks to Give You a Great View

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A great gaming desk is the ultimate gamer’s dream. To have all your gaming equipment and monitors laid out nicely into a beautifully designed space, what could be better? Gaming desks can make or break your gaming experience, which is why we took the time to talk about how to choose a gaming desk and some of our favorites.

Gaming desks can offer you more than just a great place to sit down and game. You can also have the added convenience of cup holders, charging stations, ideal monitor displays, and adjustable heights. Follow along so you can get started finding the best gaming desk for you.

Comparison Table

Preview Product
Atlantic Gaming Desk, Origional, Black Atlantic Gaming Desk, Origional, Black Check Price
Need Computer Desk 63 inches Gaming Desk Writing Desk with BIFMA... Need Computer Desk 63 inches Gaming Desk Writing Desk with BIFMA... Check Price
AmazonBasics Three Piece Corner Gaming Computer Desk - Black with... AmazonBasics Three Piece Corner Gaming Computer Desk - Black with... Check Price
Standing Desk - Evodesk XE - Adjustable Desk - Push Button Height... Standing Desk - Evodesk XE - Adjustable Desk - Push Button Height... Check Price
Arozzi Arena Gaming Desk - Green Arozzi Arena Gaming Desk - Green Check Price
DXRacer GD/1000/NE Gaming Desktop Office Desk DXRacer GD/1000/NE Gaming Desktop Office Desk Check Price

Frequently Asked Questions

There are some important things to know before you can start looking into the best gaming desks for you. People’s main concerns and questions go into how they’re going to know they’ve found the right desk. To make your gaming desk hunt a little easier, we’ve helped answer your questions below:

How To Choose a Gaming Desk?

There’s a lot that goes into choosing the right gaming desk, and only serious gamers will see the importance. To help you break down the most important aspects of choosing your gaming desk, we’ve written out something things to look out for.

  • Price: Of course, price will weigh on your decision in choosing a gaming desk. Before you look at desks, be sure you are aware of what you’re comfortable spending.
  • Desk Size: Once you’ve nailed down a price point, you’ll want to figure out the size desk that works best for your space. Don’t make the mistake of just buying any desk you think will fit,  then returning it later. Measure the dimensions of your space so you can find a desk that fits perfectly. 
  • Desk Shape: Gaming desks come in all shapes and sizes. From circle to oval and square to rectangle, you can find just about any shape desk you please. It’s important to know before going on your search for the best gaming desks that you know which shape fits your space best.
  • Storage Space: Will the desk be used only as a gaming desk, or will it serve as a functional piece of furniture in your room? Ask yourself what kind of storage you want in a gaming desk, or if that’s unnecessary for you.
  • Height Adjustment: Another thing to consider is if you want the desk to adjust to different heights. If you take turns between standing at the desk and sitting, you’ll need a desk that can move up and down.
  • Build Material: The material of your gaming desk will depend on how you would like to use it. For a desk that you can pack up and take with you, opt for a lightweight material like lighter metals and plastic. For a desk that you want to stay in the same place, opt for a heavier material like wood or glass.
  • Ease of Assembly: No one wants a desk that they’re going to set aside hours just to set up. Depending on your experience, the assembly may be an easy or gruesome process for you. If you’re going to be assembling on your own, be sure you look closely into how the gaming desk is put together before you purchase.

How We Reviewed

two monitors in gaming desk

Image Source: Pixabay

By looking at all the features we’ve listed above in our ‘How to Choose a Gaming Desk?’ section, we’ve found some of the best gaming desks that take into account the needs of most gamers and offer the best gaming experience possible. 

We’ve reviewed dozens of the top gaming desks on the market and have been able to narrow it down to our favorite ones. By testing the desks with a variety of different gamers, and giving them a test run ourselves, we’re sure you’ll find the best gaming desk for you in our list.

Overall Price Range

Gaming desks vary in price from around $$$ to over $$$. Generally, the price you pay will depend on the materials used. For desks that will last you decades and are built with high quality materials, expect to pay $$$ or more. For desks that will give you what you need to game comfortably and don’t offer too many frills, you can expect to pay right around $$$-$$$. 

Our Top Picks

We know finding the best gaming desk is important to you. For that reason, we’ve taken a lot of time to develop a list of the best gaming desks on the market right now. Before you begin your search for the best gaming desk, give our top picks a chance to wow you.

Atlantic Gaming Computer Desk

For a budget-friendly desk that offers everything the ultimate gamer could want, the Atlantic Gaming Computer Desk is a complete win. This 40-pound lightweight desk comes with a 32-inch TV stand, a station for charging, a speaker port, ample storage space, and a drink holder. What more can you ask for? This desk is small enough to fit well in any space, and the legs are sturdy enough to handle any floor surface.

Key Features: The top of the desk can hold up to 40-pounds and typically fits one large monitor and one smaller computer, like a laptop. The charging station comes with a power strip holder so your cords won’t be tangled all over the place. We also loved the convenience of the drink and headphone holders on this desk. 

Pros and Cons: For a desk with so many extra features, we liked how affordable this desk is. For a lightweight desk, it’s also pretty stable. However, we found some of the wire storage was inconvenient and not easy to use. The desk also isn’t great for accommodating large monitors. 

Price: This desk is available on Amazon for $$$. 

Need Computer Gaming Desk

For the gamer who wants a basic desk that can meet all of their needs without too many frills, the Need Computer Gaming Desk is an ideal choice. We enjoyed that the Need Computer Gaming Desk is sturdy, simple, and looks great in any space. The top of the desk is painted with a glossy finish and features a waterproof top coat. You won’t have to worry about ruining the wood with a spilled drink on this desk. When though it doesn’t come with many of the frills that other gaming desks do, it offers the stability that won’t give out on you. 

Key Features: The thick legs on this desk are what makes it so sturdy. Although it weighs only 45-pounds, you’ll be surprised how much you can fit on here. We found we could fit two regular sized monitors or three laptops on here without any issues.

Pros and Cons: If you’re looking for a gaming desk with the least amount of construction time, the Need Computer Gaming Desk has you covered. It’s possible to assemble the entire desk in ten minutes or less. We also found that this desk is free of wobbling and keeps your equipment secure. We did like the metal frame. However, it can be dangerous if you have children around. 

Price: The Need Computer Gaming Desk is available on Amazon for $$$.

AmazonBasics Three Piece Glass Gaming Desk

For a more affordable option that still delivers high quality and plenty of space for gaming, check out the AmazonBasics Three Piece Glass Gaming Desk. This corner desk offers enough space to fit three monitors on top. With its glass top, it’s also sturdy enough to hold all your gaming equipment without collapsing. The cross beams underneath help to offer great support for this desk, and we liked that we could also rest our feet on top of them while gaming. This desk is also very versatile; it can be broken up into two desks, giving you a super low cost per desk.

Key Features: The corner desk design is great for hiding any cables you don’t want to be displayed on top. The ability to break into two separate desks also leaves the flexibility for you to change the desk up after a few years. The steel and glass combination also makes for a sturdy surface, perfect for holding three monitors. 

Pros and Cons: We liked how inexpensive this desk was. On top of being inexpensive, because it's an Amazon product, it’s also backed by a promising Amazon warranty if anything were to happen to it. Although the glass top was sturdy, it did bug us how often you have to clean it.

Price: This desk is available on Amazon for $$$.

EvoDesk - The Standing Desk

A standing desk? For gaming? Yes, you heard right! A standing desk will increase your energy while gaming and make you more alert. In terms of brain function and reaction time, you are able to move quicker while standing than you are in a slouched chair position. This desk is so much more than just a standing gaming desk, however. Its superior quality will allow you to use this desk for years, whether it be in a gaming or work setting. With decent care, this desk can last for decades. 

Key Features: The height on the EvoDesk is completely adjustable, so you can get it to match your standing height perfectly. It also can fit up to three large screens, tons of gaming equipment, and keyboards. The space on this desk is massive. 

Pros and Cons: We loved that this desk can be customized for your specific wants and needs. The standing aspect makes you more alert, and you’ll avoid potentially unnecessary trips to the chiropractor. We didn’t like how long this desk took to ship, which was longer than most.

Price: The EvoDesk Standing Desk is available on Amazon for $$$. Although this desk comes at a high price, it will stay with you for decades with the right care. 

Arozzi Arena Gaming Desk

Arozzi is an underdog in the gaming desk world, and they’ve pulled through with the Arozzi Arena. This desk is completely ergonomic, making you ultra comfortable during your gaming experience. 

Although the sticker price is a bit high, we found this desk to be perfect for people who found other desks to hinder their gaming experience when using only their left or right hand. The Arozzi Arena is perfectly centered so you’ll always have a comfortable hand and wrist position. It also comes in six different colors, so you can find the option that fits your room best. 

Key Features: The best feature of this desk is the ergonomic design. It’s also super sturdy, weighing about 85-pounds. Because of how strong this desk is, it can hold a ton of gaming equipment. Pack this desk with all the equipment you have; it won’t give out on you. 

Pros and Cons: This desk has great storage capabilities and offers excellent comfort while gaming. However, it does come at a bit of a high price point, and we found that when adjusting the desk height, it was a bit difficult. 

Price: You can buy this desk on Amazon right now for $$$ with free shipping. 

DX Racer Newedge Edition Gaming Desk

The brand that makes awesome gaming chairs is now making even better gaming desks. This desk is super comfortable for both your standing self and on your arms and wrists while gaming; which we all know is very important. The desk is made with wood on the top and steel legs. While it does take some time to assemble, you will be beaming at the finished result that’s sure not to disappoint.

Key Features: This desk has great crossbeam construction, so it’s ultra sturdy. While it’s not one to be picked up and carried around, it’s an awesome stationary desk. There’s also the option to rotate the desk a full 360-degrees and a wire-management option to reduce clutter.

Pros and Cons: While we loved that this desk was super comfortable and sturdy, the high cost and long assembly time was a bit of a downside. 

Price: This desk goes for $$$ on Amazon with free shipping included. 

The Verdict

apple in gaming desk

Image Source: Pixabay

Finding the best gaming desks for you doesn’t have to be such an intimidating task. We found that overall, our favorite desk for the everyday gamer who wants to buy a great desk on a budget is the Atlantic Gaming Computer Desk. For those who want something that fits with their everyday furniture and can carry them well into the future, we recommend the EvoDesk Standing Desk or the Need Computer Gaming Desk.

We are confident that you’ll be able to find the best gaming desk for you in the list of our six favorites.

Why is my Laptop Fan so Loud? Six Possible Reasons for the Noisy Nuisance

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why is my laptop fan so loud

You’re sitting there, all cozied up and streaming Netflix from your laptop when suddenly your laptop fan kicks on. You patiently wait for it to complete its cycle and stop.

But then it doesn't stop. And the laptop fan gets even louder. Then, it won’t shut off. 

The fan is so loud that you cannot hear Netflix even on full volume: an evening ruined. And to boot, you’re now worried that something is wrong with your laptop. 

So, why is your laptop fan so loud? Several factors could be the culprit of a noisy fan, including the most common factor: dust. Read on to determine six possible reasons that could be the cause of this noisy nuisance, as well as some standard troubleshooting and resolutions. 

#1: Dust

close up photo of keyboard with dust

Image source: Pixabay

Dust is the number one common culprit of a loud, running fan. Because laptops are so compact and designed to be as slim as possible, there’s not much room for airflow resulting in an easily clogged cooling system.

If the dust accrued in your laptop is not cleaned regularly (and especially when your laptop fan becomes extra noisy), it can cause damage to the fan blades as well as the entire cooling system. 

Laptops typically have one or two fans to cool the central processing system. You can imagine that if the fans are unable to function correctly to cool down the processing system, compromised by dirt and dust, the significant damage it could cause to your laptop as a whole. Only by keeping a clean laptop (inside and out) can you avoid dust-related damage.

Cleaning Your Laptop

You’ll need to dust the laptop cooling system at least once a year to ensure that it remains somewhat clean to prevent any damage or degradation. 

It’s important to note that although the user can clean and maintain a laptop by merely removing the panel (on the bottom of the computer) with a screwdriver, some laptop models are not designed to be opened by users. 

Cleaning your laptop (without being able to open the panel) includes using compressed air (either an air-compressor, a can of compressed air, or camera lens air duster) and following these steps:

  • Power laptop down.
  • Remove the laptop battery (if possible).
  • Insert compressed air nozzle into the laptop vent.
  • Press a long, thin plastic object against the laptop blades so they won’t spin (spinning blades won’t clean thoroughly).
  • Begin blowing out the dust.

Alternatively, there are several tutorials on how to take apart particular laptops models. If you do own a laptop model that can be opened by the user, it’s preferable to use a small brush to clean out the dust and dirt instead of compressed air. Furthermore, if you can open the laptop panel, it might be best to remove the fan to clean any dust or dirt left behind the blades. 

Although it seems like it could plausibly work, using a vacuum cleaner to remove dust and dirt from a laptop is not ideal due to the static electricity build-up that can also cause damage to your device. Stick with compressed air and brushes. 

Replace the parts you’ve removed after you’ve completed cleaning the fan and surrounding areas. 

#2: Ineffective Hard Drive (and its Impending Doom)

laptop hard drive opened

Image source: Pixabay

An overworked fan and hard drive can sound similar to one another. In other words, you may think your laptop fan is making all the ruckus when it’s your hard drive making the noise. 

Both fan and hard drive make a whirring sound. However, a hard drive issue will have accompanying noises: clicking and grinding. 

Unfortunately, when the hard drive begins to make these noises, it is most likely due to failing mechanics within the hard drive itself. Consequently, the hard drive will need replacement. 

#3: Plastic Fan Bearings Need Replacement

close up photo of laptop fan

Image source: Pixabay

A standard indicator that the plastic fan bearings are no longer effectively working is a loud whine coming from the laptop fan. If this is the case, the entire fan will need replacement. 

Rest assured that the plastic fan bearing is not meant to last forever, nor are they a typically expensive part. Bearings are a small part and cost anywhere from $10.00 to $20.00, depending on your laptop model. However, the real cost is the labor-intensive work of determining the proper part, then installing it. 

Before ordering a new part, it’s crucial first to access your laptop fan to determine the dimensions you’ll need. Alternatively, you can check with the seller to obtain accurate information regarding the proper part to purchase. 

Furthermore, an alternative to replacing the fan is to purchase a cooling pad (which costs anywhere from $20.00 to $70.00). A cooling pad can stop the inner fan from running but will achieve the desired result: cooling the internal systems avoiding damage. 

The plus side of solving this issue with a cooling pad is that you don’t need any specific parts, just the cooling pad itself. If purchasing a cooling pad is the route you choose to go, check out the highest-rated (4.6 out of 5 stars) Pccooler Laptop Cooling Pad. It’s top-quality and only priced at $25.99.

#4: Apps & Software Straining CPU Resources

front view of hardware of macbook laptop

Image source: Pixabay

If your laptop fan is running at top speed, or the fan won’t stop running, you’ll need to check to see if any of your apps are using a high percentage of CPU time. Luckily, this issue is easy to fix and doesn’t require any funds. 

The CPU time is the amount of time that the central system used for processing information from a new operating system, app, or software. In other words, it is how hard the laptop system is working.

The more CPU time utilized, the harder your laptop is working. The harder your laptop processing system works, the risk of overworking it increases, resulting in a noisy fan trying to cool the overworked system. 

If you don’t believe that your CPU time has reached its highest capacity, it’s possible that malware could be to blame. Cryptomining malware hijacks your laptops CPU time to mine cryptocurrencies (digital or virtual currency). 

To reduce the amount of CPU time utilized (and thus decreasing how hard your systems are working, and hopefully how hard the fan works), you’ll need to locate your task manager in your laptop. 

Then, find the “processes” tab, then the “CPU” tab. You’ll then be able to monitor the apps, software, and systems (including any Malware) that are using the most CPU time to remove or replace. 

#5: Missing or Damaged Rubber Feet

macbook air beside mouse and glasses on top

Image source: Pixabay

Those little rubber feet under your laptop do more than keep the computer from sliding around on your desk. Although the rubber feet are a small and simple addition to your laptop, they are just as critical for the functioning of your computer as the hard drive and fan. 

How? Rubber feet for your laptop extends the life of your laptop. Your laptop fan could be functioning correctly, but without any airflow to the fan, it will not work properly anymore. Rubber feet prop up your laptop just enough to allow airflow to the laptop fan. 

So, if you find your laptop fan making loud noises and see that the rubber feet have peeled off the bottom of the laptop, this may be the culprit. 

The rubber feet assembled by laptop manufacturers can be of lesser quality than rubber feet you can purchase separately. Laptop Lifts offer high-quality, low-cost ($19.95) rubber feet that guarantee not to slip or peel off. 

#6: Fan Setting

top view of laptop hardware

Image source: Pixabay

Some third-party software programs will allow most laptops control over the fan settings. If you can control the fan setting, then you can control the fan noise.

However, if there is a valid reason your fan is working overtime to cool your laptop systems (as some possible reasons above detail), reducing the fan speed (to minimize fan noise) will increase the heat within your laptop. Reduced fan speed = increased heat generated. 

Consequently, although you are resolving the issue of decreasing the fan noise, you are simultaneously increasing damage to the device itself by overheating it. Thus, although it’s an option to resolve your noisy fan predicament, it’s not the most desirable resolution when weighing the risks. 

Conclusion 

motherboard with laptop fan on top

Image source: Pixabay

Attempting to troubleshoot the systemic issue of a loud laptop fan yourself is ideal. Immediately running off to a local repair shop or manufacturer, before trying to resolve the situation yourself, can accrue unnecessary expenses. 

You could end up paying $50.00 to $100.00 per hour for just the diagnosis alone. And if the determination results in bad news for you and your laptop, you’ve just added a brand new laptop to your bill on top of it. 

However, if these solutions do not decrease your laptop’s fan noise, it may be worth it for your laptop to see a professional. It could be indicative of a more severe problem that needs addressing before further damage accrues. Alternatively, depending on your laptop model, it may be more cost efficient to buy a new laptop as opposed to mending your current device. 

Hopefully, these six possible reasons for your noisy laptop fan and resolutions assist you in resolving this inconvenient nuisance.

DigiLand Tablet Review: An Incredible Device That Doesn’t Disappoint

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Man holding and using a tablet

Image source: pexels.com

Tablets are nearly as popular as computers. With so many tablets available for sale today, choosing the right one for you comes down to your needs. Tablets are portable, easy-to-use, and offer great functionality. 

If all you need is an affordable Android option, this DigiLand tablet review will show you how everything you need to know about the device before you buy. From basic product specifications to pricing options available online, we’ll provide the information you need to make an informed decision.

Quick Navigation
What Is The DigiLand T​​ablet?
Product Specifications
Pricing
How DigiLand Compares
Pros And Cons
Our Verdict

What Is The DigiLand Tablet?

A little-known company, DigiLand is a tablet manufacturer you probably haven’t heard of yet. It’s not a top brand name in tablets, but the company produces tablets that receive a stellar DigiLand tablet review for their overall value and quality in such an affordable package. They're based in Asia, and they started in 2011. 

With this tablet, you can easily surf the internet, watch movies, or play games on a screen slightly bigger than your phone. For this reason, many people are using tablets to replace the laptop they hardly ever use completely. 

It’s especially helpful if the tablet offers 2-in-1 functionality or a keyboard that snaps right into place. They’re more portable as well, making them great for on-the-go people or constant travelers. However, if you need laptop functionality, there’s a high possibility you’ll pay much more.

Product Specifications

Person holding white ipa

Image source: pixabay.com

Like all tablets, DigiLand’s options fall between a computer and a smartphone in both functionality and size. They commonly offer 7 or 10-inch screens, and they can perform much of the same things as a computer while running on apps like a smartphone. 

Most tablets will operate using a WiFi connection, although the higher-end models may allow you to hook the tablet up to your cell service. Once you have connected, you can access apps and the internet. Because DigiLand is compatible with Androids, you can access apps from the Google Play Store. There, you may also find a wide range of free apps for you to use. 

Common DigiLand tablets and their product specification include the following top options.

DL1168AK

DL1001

DL8006

DL7006KB

DL701Q

DL721-RB

Pricing

DigiLand is neither a high-end product nor a top name in tablet providers today, but they are highly affordable. Expect these tablets to run on the low end out of all tablets on the market today. Most options range from $50 to $130, which is amazing when it comes to tablet prices. 

DigiLand tablets are sold at Best Buy, Walmart, and other consumer electronics stores for under $40. You may also find specific models at Staples, Target, Sears, or other online tech stores like New Egg as well. However, you will find the cheapest options and deals on Amazon or eBay. If you shop Black Friday deals, you could save even more too. 

Although the popular DigiLand Android DL1010Q tablet is currently unavailable on Amazon, they do have a smaller 7-inch, 8GB HD tablet with a keyboard for $75 or a refurbished 9-inch, 16GB tablet and DVD player combo with earphones for $70. 

You can also find the larger 10.1-inch touchscreen portable DigiLand DVD and tablet combo with a car adapter and charger for $190. None of these options are available with Prime free shipping, but they do offer free shipping as long as your order is over $25. 

On the other hand, eBay offers some of the lowest prices and free shipping. There, you can find a 7-inch DigiLand Quad-Core Tablet for as little as $9. The brand-new tablet also comes with a 30-day return if you think this deal sounds too good to be true, but you must pay the return shipping cost. eBay also has the DL1016 32GB tablet for $40, a DL8006 8-inch tablet for $25, and a DL721 16GB for $40. 

The more expensive DigiLand models often offer upgraded features, such as connectivity to your cell service or plug-in adapters that allow you to charge the tablet in the car, for example. 

Some options offer more memory space in the form of gigabits (GBs), and you may also pay more for features like a touchscreen or additives like earphones and SD cards. The higher the quality and usability factors, the more the tablet will cost. 

How DigiLand Compares

Person holding a gadget

Image source: pixabay.com

​While top-name competitors such as Google, Samsung, Apple, Amazon, and Microsoft offer much more bells and whistles and a very high-resolution screen with their tablets, DigiLand was created as an affordable option without all these extra features.

If screen resolution or memory space is essential to you, you may want to stick with the top brand names. However, if you simply need a cheap Android tablet you can use as a back-up, this basic tablet is easily paired with an external SD card for memory. 

Lesser priced top brand names such as Acer or Asus may have more affordable options with not quite as many top features are Apple or Google, but also create great tablets for the money. They will feel more durable than DigiLand and may last much longer. 

However, not everyone seeks a long-lasting tech device anymore, especially when buying budget-friendly options. Price wise, these brands compete well. They may also offer faster load times, high-resolution screens, and more memory space.

Where DigiLand has a leg up on these competitors comes down to the screens. While glass screens on a nice tablet that costs hundreds of dollars aren’t something most parents would hand to their kids to play with, DigiLand’s screens are less likely to crack. 

They're much more kid-friendly, mainly because the price is so affordable if it does break. Plus, these small tablets fit perfectly in any bag and won’t take up much space while you travel, whether you do so for business or pleasure. 

Macbook and ipad on desk

Image source: pexe​​ls.com

Customers have different experiences using DigiLand tablets that seem to depend on the option they bought and their needs. People who are used to high-end tablets may not like this budget-friendly model, whereas those who can’t afford a top brand name enjoy the functionality and price of their models. 

Unlike top brands, some customers have some trouble setting up their DigiLand tablet. Most users quickly found answers to their setup woes on YouTube, where videos will walk you through the entire setup process depending on the model you have. 

Compared to other operating systems, DigiLand runs with Android only. This system is smooth and quick, and downloading anything you need from the Google Play Store is fast and easy as well. Everyone seems to have a preference between Android and Apple’s iOS systems, but the connections are overall reliable – especially in newer models. 

When looking for a tablet for kids, many people will also opt to save some bucks. Kids are hard on tablets, but the size and limited functionality compared to a laptop are perfect. You can allow your children to watch movies in the car or play games on the tablet. 

If you’re looking for a tablet for your child, the DL8806 is the best DigiLand option. It has an 8-inch screen that fits well in tiny hands, loudspeakers, and offers better viewing angles than some other models.  

Pros And Cons

Person holding pen and while using ipad

Image source: pexels.com

To know you’ve found the right DigiLand tablet, all you have to do is find the most up-to-date operating system. Doing so will significantly help you avoid major issues and stay updated on the most recent changes in technology. The best models they make always offer updated operating systems, and with these, users notice considerably faster load times and fewer connection issues. 

Overall, people love DigiLand because they're great for travel or kids. They fit well in your bag, and kids are less likely to crack the screen. If you do buy this tablet for a child, it’s still highly recommended that you also purchase a case to protect the unit and not every model is entirely kid-friendly. 

The company makes various types of different customers. According to reviews, kids are way more likely to crack the flimsy back piece of the tablet than the screen.

These tablets don’t come with all the bells and whistles many other tablets add on, and most of the customers who select this option aren’t looking for a ton of added features. These are simple, more basic tablets that perform well. 

With 4 hours of continuous battery life minimum, they all offer long charges for on-the-go capabilities and some models even come with adapters to plug the power cord into your car if you ever run low on a long car trip. 

Mackbook and tablet on black surface

Image source: pexels.com

The storage available is also never less than 8 GB, which isn’t much when it comes to laptop/tablet 2-in-1 options. However, many of the tablets offer a mini-SD slot for cards up to 32 GBs to help you add more storage if you need.

Although, many people only need a small amount of storage to house their apps and download a couple of videos. Other options work as DVD players as well, perfect for watching movies on-the-go.  

DigiLand is an off-brand tablet, however, which means it may have issues in quality and consistency. They’re budget priced, and you may run into some trouble when it comes to operating issues or random crashes. Many people also claim tablets run much slower than laptops or smartphones, which is often intensified in other off-brand tablets as well. Although, even top brand names will crash sometimes. 

The biggest issue with DigiLand tablets is that their customer service and support is highly lacking. If you run into a problem with your tablet, you may have a hard time getting in touch with the support team. 

When you do finally reach customer service, you're likely to encounter a staff member who has English as a second language. This is because DigiLand, like most other off-brand tablets, is made overseas. The company is located in Asia, and the hours you can reach customer service reflects that. 

Our Verdict

Turned on ipad displaying collections of book

Image source: pexels.com

In this DigiLand tablet review, we point out everything you need to know to make an informed decision. Sure, it’s an off-brand tablet made overseas. However, this option is highly affordable and works very well for the amount of money you’ll pay. 

DigiLand tablets don’t disappoint, especially because you can easily find a newer operating system at a great price. We highly recommend the DigiLand 8-inch tablet with 8 GB of memory space or the DL7006KB model if you’re buying for your child. 

The Best Gaming Glasses To Protect and Enhance Your Vision

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Have you tried adjusting your monitor settings to reduce eye strain during long streaming sessions? Or do you prefer playing and cursing on your opponents when the lights are switched off? Maybe it helps the hate sink in better or makes it hard for your enemies to see you in the dark. Mmmh? This should be posted on Reddit!

People may label you as a geek if you get gaming prescription glasses over normal prescription glasses.  But, it all depends on how deep your eye problem goes or how best you wish to take care of your eyes. Who wants to have a hard time locating their bowl of cereal added to their mid-life crisis anyway?

Preventing eye strain is better than undergoing a keratoconus transplant or have your eyes laser treated when they have developed cataracts. Normal people, that is, people not aware of the existence of CS:GO also get prescription for special lenses designed to block harmful blue waves from their computer.

The amount of time they spend before blue screens may or may not be relatively the same to that spent by gamers, but this goes to ascertain the urgency for gaming glasses. People and other real objects have a sharper contrast to the eye compared to virtual objects. This low contrast means that your eyes are in constant motion to try and focus on objects on-screen hence the need for some assistance.

Comparison Table

Preview Product
Gaming Glasses | Blue Light Blocking Glasses | Intercept/Onyx by... Gaming Glasses | Blue Light Blocking Glasses | Intercept/Onyx by... Check Price
Gaming Glasses | Blue Light Blocking Glasses | Vertex/Smoke by Gunnar... Gaming Glasses | Blue Light Blocking Glasses | Vertex/Smoke by Gunnar... Check Price
HyperX Gaming Eyewear HyperX Gaming Eyewear Check Price
Gaming Glasses | Blue Light Blocking Glasses | SheaDog/Onyx by Gunnar... Gaming Glasses | Blue Light Blocking Glasses | SheaDog/Onyx by Gunnar... Check Price
J+S Vision Blue Light Shield Computer Reading/Gaming Glasses - 0.0... J+S Vision Blue Light Shield Computer Reading/Gaming Glasses - 0.0... Check Price
DUCO Anti Blue Light Glasses Video Gaming Computer Glasses with Amber... DUCO Anti Blue Light Glasses Video Gaming Computer Glasses with Amber... Check Price
Blue Light Blocking Reading Glasses 2.00 Blue Light Blocking Reading Glasses 2.00 Check Price
ALTEC VISION Blue Light Blocking Gaming Glasses - Computer Glasses -... ALTEC VISION Blue Light Blocking Gaming Glasses - Computer Glasses -... Check Price
TRUST OPTICS Blue Light Blocking Glasses for Women - Anti Glare Eye... TRUST OPTICS Blue Light Blocking Glasses for Women - Anti Glare Eye... Check Price
Cyxus Anti Blue Light Computer Glasses for Blocking UV Eye Strain... Cyxus Anti Blue Light Computer Glasses for Blocking UV Eye Strain... Check Price

Gaming Glasses FAQS

a man wearing one of the best gaming glasses while playing computer games

Image Source: Unsplash.com

Let’s now take a look at what gaming glasses are, what they do, how they work, some of the specifics to look out for when buying and where you can get them.

What Are Gaming Glasses?

After complex online research on whether gaming glasses work, you may have arrived at this solution. They do! When you get the right ones. If you are a hardcore gamer, putting down your controllers in the middle of a competitive game to rub your eyes may be challenging. This could be far worse if you get sleep deprivation due to the blue ray effect on your brain.

Gaming glasses are therefore invented to assist online gamers in reducing eye strain and remaining focused for long hours.

Types of Gamer Glasses

With the ease in customization of gamer glasses, their use extends to both prescription and non-prescription users. Non-prescription gamer glasses are for people who spend long hours before blue screens or work in spaces that use LED lighting. They are meant to reduce the risk of vision impairment and other blue light associated risks. Prescription glasses are for people diagnosed by an optometrist to have eyestrains or other eye defects due to prolonged gaming.

There are also a couple of lens tints used with different blue light filtration percentages. These include:

  • Crystalline; Filters 10% of blue light
  • Liquet; Filters 35% or blue light
  • Amber; Filters 65% of blue light

How Do They Work?

All digital devices have been proven to produce blue light which may be potentially destructive during prolonged exposure to the naked human eye. These emissions cause strains, sleep inadequacy due to melatonin reduction, worsens eye allergies, increase fatigue, headaches and may accelerate your risk of macular degeneration.

Gaming glasses come enhanced with special lenses that block these harmful rays. The lenses assist in light filtrations and in bending some light wavelengths. Their yellow tint acts as a catalyst to the blue light. The result is an enhanced color vision hence improving your gaming experience.

What Are the Benefits?

a collection of glasses on store display

Image Source: Pixabay.com

When your eyes are fixated on a device emitting blue rays for so long, you may develop strain, mild to severe headaches and damaged vision. It is also true that clinical depression could be made severe due to sleep deprivation. These are however not the only Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) that gamer glasses may avert. Here are other benefits of using them:

  • Reduces glare
  • Enhances clarity
  • Improves sleep
  • Increases gamer performance
  • Acts as a dry eyes remedy
  • Yellow tint enhances color variations
  • Enhanced game definition

If you are still second-guessing on whether to get those pair of cool Gunners, think again!

Are They a Viable Investment?

Professional and intense players may be well acquainted with the above benefits. This means is that even if you are still on level one, the gamer gurus prohibit you from taking off those glasses. And unless you are genetically programmed to withstand all blue rays, which is not often the case, gamer glasses should be your shield. Making such an investment should offset some of the age-related eye illnesses.

Features to Look Out For

It can be disheartening if we go to the doctor and we get diagnosed with vision impairment. If you are a  Pokemon Go gamer and want to proceed to the next level, this may be sad news. To prevent such a crisis, it is advisable to invest in a pair of well-designed gamer glasses.

The best gaming glasses are UV protected to help reduce the effect of blue light emissions from digital devices. Also, look out for glasses that reduce glare and improve clarity when it comes to high-speed games. Glare may also be brought about by games that change screens at a high pace. Additionally, your glasses should provide you with improved color recognition. While you are aiming for comfort, it is also necessary to invest in a durable pair of glasses.

Where to Buy

A significant tip on online buying is to purchase items with a money back guarantee. You can get this from product manufacturer sites such as Gunners or Glassy EyeWear. If you are looking for a variety, the best places to shop is on Amazon and eBay.

How We Reviewed

glasses on top of a laptop

Image Source: Pexels.com

Our eyes are an essential organ in our bodies and to get this top-notch review, our search began with a simple google search prompt. We have screened through numerous gamer glasses manufacturer websites to highly ranked blog posts on these glasses.

And you know what else we have lifted from your search bucket list? Going through most of the bizarre questions and witty responses on gaming subreddits. Amazon and eBay also offered some pretty insights into how much you can slash off your credit card for these babies.

Overall Price Range

Prices vary as per the manufacturer, design, and durability. The most expensive ones, designed by Razer technology could go as high as $100. Other designs will typically range from $30 to $80.

Top 10 Best Gaming Glasses

We have tried our best to give you a detailed review of the top 10 best gaming glasses by categorizing them into budget, mid-range and premium glasses. Pit them against each other by analyzing the highlighted features, pricing, pros and cons, where to buy, warranty, coupon, and deals.

Premium Glasses

Gunnar Gaming and Computer Eyewear/Intercept

Sale
Gaming Glasses | Blue Light Blocking Glasses | Intercept/Onyx by...
Gaming Glasses | Blue Light Blocking Glasses | Intercept/Onyx by...
  • Recommended by doctors, our blue light blocking computer & gaming glasses (Patented Lens #9417460) protects your vision,...
  • Unlike other blue light blocking glasses, GUNNAR developed the Blue Light Protection Factor, telling you exactly how...
  • The preferred gaming glasses for men and women, GUNNAR protects against symptoms stemming from prolonged screen-staring...
Check Price

  • Rating: ⋆⋆⋆⋆ (4.0/5 stars)
  • Color: Black Onyx
  • Price: $ 42.53
  • Where to buy: Amazon, Gunner
  • One year manufacturer warranty
Pros:
  • Rubbery texture good for keeping it in place,
  • optimum glare reduction,
  • collapsible
Cons
  • Less durable,
  • smudging,
  • not suitable for big sized heads

The Gunnar Gaming and Computer Eyewear offers a perfect combination of style and functionality. Their lightweight material is FDA approved and provides an ergonomic precision. Fitted with the anti-reflective lens, it acts as a significant depressant to Computer Vision Syndrome. On top of 100% blocking of destructive UV rays, the amber lenses increase blue light filtration hence reduced eye defects. If you are suffering from dry wears, these lightweight frame help to safeguard against humidity loss.

Gunnar Optiks PHA 00101

Sale
Gaming Glasses | Blue Light Blocking Glasses | Intercept/Onyx by...
Gaming Glasses | Blue Light Blocking Glasses | Intercept/Onyx by...
  • Recommended by doctors, our blue light blocking computer & gaming glasses (Patented Lens #9417460) protects your vision,...
  • Unlike other blue light blocking glasses, GUNNAR developed the Blue Light Protection Factor, telling you exactly how...
  • The preferred gaming glasses for men and women, GUNNAR protects against symptoms stemming from prolonged screen-staring...
Check Price

  • Rating: ⋆⋆⋆⋆ (3.9/5 stars)
  • Color: Gloss onyx, onyx/mercury, snow/onyx
  • Price: From $41.81
  • Where to buy: Gunnar, Amazon
Pros:
  • Durable,
  • light-weight,
  • comfortable
Cons
  • Smudging

Endorsed by the Major League Gaming, the Gunnar Optiks/ PPK come in a metallic frame which creates room for flexibility with clear lens. Their amber lenses help improve virtual object contrast hence increasing visibility during fast-paced gaming.

Their lenses also have a hard coating that protects them from scratching. Additionally, it offers 100% UV protection and shields against 65% of harmful blue light emissions. Its anti-reflective coating reduces eye strain thus minimizing headaches.

Hyper X Gaming Eyewear

HyperX Gaming Eyewear
HyperX Gaming Eyewear
  • Designed for superior blue light protection
  • Play smart and work smart with these versatile glasses
  • Lens' MR-8 material cause minimal color distortion
Check Price

  • Rating: ⋆⋆⋆⋆ (4.2/5 stars)
  • Price: $99.99
  • Where to buy: Amazon, HyperX
Pros:
  • Lightweight,
  • comfortable,
  • stylish,
  • durable,
  • hard case for extra protection
Cons
  • Hard to clean

The online reviews on the Hyper X gaming eyewear are still quite a few, but its features make it a significant option among the best gaming glasses to buy.

They have clear MR-8 lenses with a dynamic fit making it an excellent choice for hardcore gamers looking for a competitive advantage. The MR-8 lens is built to filter blue light and provide UV protection. Their acetate frames are lightweight making it possible to have them on for long hours. The lenses have an anti-reflective material coating that protects against dust, water, and oil. Its temples offer multi-functionality by making it to pair comfortably with Hyper X headphones.

Gunnar Gaming and Computer Eyewear/Sheadog

Gaming Glasses | Blue Light Blocking Glasses | SheaDog/Onyx by Gunnar...
Gaming Glasses | Blue Light Blocking Glasses | SheaDog/Onyx by Gunnar...
  • GUNNAR Gaming and Computer Glasses: GUNNAR glasses protect your eyes and enhance performance. Reduce digital eye strain...
  • Patented Lens Technology: GUNNAR is the only patented gaming and computer eyewear recommended by doctors to protect and...
  • Reduce Digital Eye Strain: GUNNAR glasses address all short and long-term side effects associated with digital eye...
Check Price

  • Rating: ⋆⋆⋆⋆ (3.8/5 stars)
  • Price: $57.79 (used)
  • Where to buy: Gunnar Optiks, Amazon
Pros:
  • Durable,
  • lightweight,
  • FDA approved
Cons
  • Breaking of rubber arms,
  • no case

Suitable for video editors and gamers, the Sheadog comes in a full RIM color. Comfort and durability are among the best features for this gamer glasses.

The rubber temples also allow for compatibility with headsets. Its versatility also allows for maximum use reducing the need to purchase glasses for different purposes. Its percentage for UV protection and harmful blue light are 100% and 15% respectively. This lens feature helps to prevent digital eye problems. Its ability to block blue light also enhances melatonin production hence better sleep.

Mid-Range

J+S Vision Blue Light Shield Computer Reading/ Gaming Glasses

J+S Vision Blue Light Shield Computer Reading/Gaming Glasses - 0.0...
J+S Vision Blue Light Shield Computer Reading/Gaming Glasses - 0.0...
  • PROTECT YOUR EYES - High Energy Blue Light emitted by electronic devices (such as computers, TV, smartphones) have shown...
  • IMPROVE PERFORMANCE AND PRODUCTIVITY - Extended exposure to blue light rays may cause fatigue and stress. Filtering out...
  • BLOCKS 90% OF THE MOST HARMFUL BLUE LIGHT* - J+S Vision Blue Light Shield protects your eyes by filtering out 90% of the...
Check Price

  • Rating: ⋆⋆⋆⋆ (4.3/5 stars)
  • Colors: Glossy tortoise frame, glossy clear, black and glossy black
  • Price: 24.99
  • Where to buy: Amazon, J+S
Pros:
  • 100% anti-UV, better sleep,
  • no headaches
Cons
  • Hard to clean,
  • gets foggy,
  • smudging

The J+S Vision Blue Light Shield Gaming Glasses receive a high ranking on aesthetics. The blue light coating filters 90% of toxic blue rays.

Their overall percentage of blue protection ranges from 52% of their low color distortion lens to 62% of their HD lens. They also score a win on coming up with the best fusion between eye protection and visuals in their low color distortion lenses. Its classical frame is unisex, a perfect pick for his and hers and can fit on any size of the head.

DUCO Optiks Computer Gaming Glasses

DUCO Anti Blue Light Glasses Video Gaming Computer Glasses with Amber...
DUCO Anti Blue Light Glasses Video Gaming Computer Glasses with Amber...
  • Now we have applied non-reflective and anti-oil lens materials, meanwhile improved frame design; so if any broken issue...
  • LENSES--Amber lens tint, anti-glare coatings and ultra-pure lens material provide sharper, clearer vision so you can...
  • FUNCTION--Block the glare with the DUCO computer eyewear recommended by doctors to protect and enhance your vision...
Check Price

  • Rating: ⋆⋆⋆⋆ (4.2/5 stars)
  • Price: $29.99
  • Where to buy: Amazon, Duco Glasses
Pros:
  • Lightweight,
  • dust and oil repellent
Cons
  • Hard to clean,
  • creates an eye reflection

The DUCO Optics are a classical wear offering a professional look. A great protector of dry eyes and eye strain due to its amber tinted lenses. Their newly improved lenses are coated with anti-reflective and anti-oil material.

Dry eyes and irritation should no longer be your concern with these glasses as they come embedded with UV protection and harmful blue ray filtration. They also act perfectly as anti-glares thus increasing gaming visibility.

Gamma Ray 801 Classic Gaming Glasses

Blue Light Blocking Reading Glasses 2.00
Blue Light Blocking Reading Glasses 2.00
  • Package Includes: 1 Pair – Computer Glasses with amber tinted lenses to minimize Digital Eye Strain caused by harmful...
  • Alleviates visual fatigue and discomfort from long periods of web surfing, gaming and working under fluorescent lights....
  • Ultra-lightweight polycarbonate material for durability and comfortable long-term wear. Casual frame design keeps you...
Check Price

  • Rating: ⋆⋆⋆⋆ (4.2/5 stars)
  • Price: $14.99
  • Where to buy: Gamma Ray Optics, Amazon
  • 90-day money back guarantee
Pros:
  • Comfy,
  • better sleep,
  • cost-effective
Cons
  • hard to clean,
  • slight magnification,
  • smudgy

This series of the Gamma Ray is the most outstanding with a conspicuous stylish outline and great at reducing glare. It is a perfect fit for sizes owing to their lightweight material. It’s also FDA approved and its blue light filter is a top game. The lenses are amber-tinted and these help in reducing eye strain. Its powerful UV400 feature provides harmful UV ray protection.

Budget

ALTEC VISION Gaming Glasses

ALTEC VISION Blue Light Blocking Gaming Glasses - Computer Glasses -...
ALTEC VISION Blue Light Blocking Gaming Glasses - Computer Glasses -...
  • Low profile full-rim frames to keep your lenses secure and intact during gaming sessions and general computer use
  • Elegant and sleek stainless steel frame with handmade tortoise shell acetate temple arms with spring hinges to ensure a...
  • Equipped with xBlue resin lens technology that reduces blue light and blocks UV light, these light sensitivity glasses...
Check Price

  • Rating: ⋆⋆⋆⋆ (4.4/5 stars)
  • Color: Stainless steel
  • Price: $14.99
  • Where to buy: Amazon,
  • 90-day money back guarantee
Pros:
  • Cost-effective,
  • comes in a durable case
Cons
  • Very delicate hence less durable,
  • heavily tinted,
  • hard to clean

The ALTEC VISION gaming glasses are made from lightweight material; you won’t feel the urge to relieve the burden of having them on for long hours. Their full rim flames secure your lenses and keep them intact. If you are looking for a pair that will provide better focus while protecting your vision at an affordable rate, look no further.

TRUST OPTICS FeatherView Computer Video Gaming Glasses

TRUST OPTICS Blue Light Blocking Glasses for Women - Anti Glare Eye...
TRUST OPTICS Blue Light Blocking Glasses for Women - Anti Glare Eye...
  • Relieves Visual Discomfort - Amber tinted lens technology alleviates visual stress by reducing the amount of harmful,...
  • Advanced Material - Flexible and lightweight TR90 frame material allows for extended use as reading glasses in front of...
  • Carrying Case - Free case and cloth included with your purchase
Check Price

  • Rating: ⋆⋆⋆⋆ (4.0/5 stars)
  • Color: Black, black navy, matte black, classic black
  • Price: $10.00
  • Where to buy: Amazon
  • Two-year warranty with 90 days money back guarantees
Pros:
  • Affordable,
  • natural look,
  • stylish
Cons
  • Slight magnification

Even with their significantly low price, TRUST OPTICS gamer glasses come fitted with amber lens technology that helps to reduce the effects of harmful UV rays. Their flexibility allows for durability and prolonged use. Initial purchases with arrive with free gifts in the form of a free case and lens cleaning cloth.

Cyxus Anti Eye Strain

Cyxus Anti Blue Light Computer Glasses for Blocking UV Eye Strain...
Cyxus Anti Blue Light Computer Glasses for Blocking UV Eye Strain...
  • Cyxus blue light blocking glasses -- Anti harmful blue ray, provide all-day protection, against the detrimental effect...
  • Dustproof PC lens -- blue light filter glasses for women/men are made of PC material, which is stronger and clearer,...
  • Reduce eyestrain & Sleep better -- Enjoy your digital time, not worry about eye fatigue, blurred vision, and headache at...
Check Price

  • Rating: ⋆⋆⋆⋆ (3.9/5 stars)
  • Color: Black, gradient coffee brown, classic black, crystal, tea brown, blue-black
  • Price: $19.90
  • Where to buy: Amazon
  • Lifetime warranty
Pros:
  • Unisex,
  • an wear them anywhere,
  • comfortable,
  • stylish
Cons
  • Tight,
  • not fit for all head and nose sizes

The Cyrus Anti Eye Strain gaming glasses have a stylish frame and a subtle yellow tint, making it a right fit for all occasions. Their lenses are also enhanced to block blue light and reduce strain. Other features include shock resistance, dust free and waterproof lenses.

Adding some of these best gaming glasses to your cart shouldn’t be a problem now. Avoid focusing on the pricing alone but compare their strengths and weaknesses and evaluate which one works best for you. Be sure to enjoy your League of Legends tonight.

Featured Image Source: Unsplash.com

Windows 10 VS Windows 8: Key Distinctions Between These Iterations Of The Operating System

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Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last three or four decades, you know what Microsoft Windows is. That said, every few years Microsoft comes out with a new version of their Operation System (OS), and we all have to decide if we’re going to upgrade or not. 

Sometimes the “upgrade” isn’t much of an actual upgrade; you know, with real advantages and stuff. So how do you determine whether you should switch your OS? Over the years, upgrading hasn’t been that big of a deal because the changes have usually been pretty minor when it comes to the user interface; not so much with Windows 8.

Some people (lots of people) hate the Windows 8 version of the OS. It is so wholly different than what Microsoft users had come to expect. Add to that scenario the fact that the new interface wasn’t very user-friendly, and you can bet that Microsoft was going to rethink their product.

The Windows 8 Debacle

In 2012, Microsoft decided it was going to jump on the app bandwagon. Users of smartphones and tablets love apps. Apps are convenient and user-friendly; you can easily organize them and find them when you want to. 

But Microsoft made a big mistake in thinking that this interface was right for every device. The first version of Windows 8 was great for tablets but was a massive flop for a regular desktop computer. 

The reason for this: It wasn’t user-friendly at all, especially if you didn’t have a touchscreen device. Also, users had come to expect that the basic operation of their Windows OS wasn’t going to change. Each iteration of the software was so like its predecessors that we never worried about learning to use a new version. And frankly, we weren’t complaining.

Eventually, Microsoft realized that they’d made a mistake. So, they came out with Windows 8.1, in which you can decide to use the tile interface or go back to the tried-and-true desktop screen. This version is the one we will concentrate on in the Windows 10 vs Windows 8 debate.

Moving On From Windows 8

Image by flickr

In 2015, Microsoft moved on from Windows 8. Even though they tried to fix it and get people on board with the 8.1 version a year after it’s original release, users never fell in love with it. So Microsoft decided to go with a hybrid version of their platforms.

Windows 10 is a combination of the tile interface merged with the iconic desktop we all know and love. The desktop looks mostly how it always did in legacy versions before Windows 8, but the tiles are still featured when you click the Start button.

If you haven’t upgraded to Windows 10 yet, you’re going to want to do so quickly. Support is limited for the Windows 8 version OS. Mainstream support ended back in January 2018, and extended support is only slated to last until January 2023. In the meantime, more and more applications will fail to be compatible with Windows 8, and security updates are scarce.

Windows 10 VS Windows 8

We’ve compiled a list of the key distinctions between these iterations of the operating system so you can prepare for the switch. Below, you will find the information you should know when considering Windows 10 vs Windows 8.

Main Screen

If you’ve been using the original version of Windows 8, then you know that your PC main screen is the Metro version –  the one with all the tiles. 

You can shift these tiles around to different pages, place them in different layouts, and even change their sizes. Some tiles are “live,” which means they feature photo slideshows, excerpts, headlines, etc. depending on what application it is. 

With version 8.1, you can choose to use the original style desktop rather than the Metro mode. Metro mode is pretty convenient for tablets, touchscreen laptops, and hybrid model devices like the Microsoft Surface. 

Are the tiles user-friendly for the regular desktop PCs? Not so much.

In Windows 10 your main screen is simply the regular desktop interface we’re used to seeing. Tiles are a part of it, but you don’t have access them right away. To get to your tiles, you click on the Start button or press the Windows key on your keyboard.

When the menu pops up, you’ll see tiles in a section off to the right of the main list of applications. This section is essentially the same as the Metro interface on Windows 8. You can move the tiles, and some are live, etc. 

You can see that Microsoft decided to go with a mashup of their old interface and the new app-based interfaces dominating Androids and other smart devices. 

I don’t ever use the tiles to be perfectly honest, and I think many longtime Windows users are probably with me –  it doesn’t even occur to me to look at them. But if you liked the tiles in Windows 8 then you might consider using tablet mode since this is the biggest difference in Windows 10 vs Windows 8. 

Logging In

image by pixabay

Windows 10 has a new login feature that allows you to unlock your computer by merely looking at it. While Windows 8 needed a password, pin, or swipe pattern, Windows 10 will enable you to set up facial recognition.

You’ll need a specialized camera compatible with Windows Hello, Microsoft’s Biometric Facial Recognition software, but other than that it’s simple to use. Once you’ve set it up, you only need to look into the camera to quickly unlock your device for use.

File Explorer

Image by flickr

In Windows 10 the File Explorer GUI (Graphical User Interface), changed a little. The Favorites section from Windows 8.1 was replaced with a Quick Access section.

The Favorites section of File Explorer allowed you to pin your favorite folders and locations to it. In Windows 10, the Quick Access section enables you to do this too but it also automatically features the most often and most recent locations and folders.

This feature makes it easier to pick up where you left off the last time you used the PC. For example, if you were working on a document in your Winter Expenses folder, this folder will show up in the Quick Access list.

You’ll find the Quick Access List at the top of the column to the left side of the File Explorer. It is shown above the list of other locations like OneDrive, Homepage, and This PC.

Another key difference within File Explorer is the start page. In Windows 8.1, when you opened File Explorer, the main start page was This PC. In Windows 10, the application opens to the Quick Access folder.

If you prefer the File Explorer default page to be This PC, you can switch it. Go to View>Options>Folder Options>General>Open File Explorer to, then select from the dropdown menu.

Lastly, there were some menu changes within File Explorer in both the dropdowns and the ribbon. There is also a new share button which allows you to share information with other people via a compatible app. The application icons themselves were tweaked but essentially look the same.

Cortana

Cortana is the name of the Microsoft personalized digital assistant, and she can be used for a variety of different functions. 

Cortana is in the taskbar. If your taskbar is hidden, hover your mouse over the bottom of your screen to make it appear. In the bottom left corner, next to the Windows icon, there is a search bar featuring a circle to the left and a microphone symbol to the right. 

Click in the box to start typing or click on the Windows key and do the same. If you click the microphone icon (and have a compatible microphone installed), you’ll be able to speak directly to Cortana.

Cortana uses plain English (or whatever language you speak). You don’t have to use keywords or phrases to get what you want. Simply say it as you would to another person.

You can search with Cortana for applications, folders, files, and more, but you can also use her for other things. Tell her to set a reminder or use her to manage your calendar. You can ask a question like, “What day does Christmas fall on?” or “What’s the weather like today?” 

You can also tell her to do things like play music, track your flight, perform calculations, or send emails. To get a list of everything Cortana can do type or say, “Help me.” This feature is really impressive and is the feature most like a smart device. I find it more useful than the tiles ever were.

Windows 10 Tablet Mode

Windows 10 Tablet Mode

In Windows 10, you have the option of setting it to tablet mode. Tablet mode makes the device go back into the full-screen Windows 8 interface. You’ll have a full screen of tiles (apps), and each one will open to be a full screen when you use it.

This feature is super convenient and useful if you’re actually using a tablet or a hybrid device. A hybrid device is one where you can detach or flip the keyboard out of the way to use it as a tablet and vice versa. Likewise, you can switch the device out of tablet mode if you want to use it like a regular desktop or laptop computer.

Windows Store Apps

windows 10

All the Windows Store apps (although there aren’t as many as we’d like) are still available. Unlike the apps in Windows 8, however, the apps available are now more supportive of the regular desktop interface. Many of the full-screen apps can open more like a traditional window app when the device is not in tablet mode.

Virtual Desktops

Windows 10 finally brings virtual desktops to their system. Previously, only machines that ran operation systems such as Linux had this. Now, Windows users can enjoy the same features and benefits of having multiple virtual desktops.

A virtual desktop is actually being able to access more than one desktop from a single PC. Much the way you might have different users login to their own account and see different desktops, now you can seamlessly jump between your desktops on one screen.

One instance this might be useful is if you want to keep your personal stuff separate from your business information. With virtual desktops, you don’t have to make separate logins, and you can easily share data across them because they are physically located in the same space on the computer.

To make a new desktop hover over the taskbar, click the task view icon (or hit Alt+Tab) and then click + New Desktop.

The Action Center

In Windows 8, notifications would pop up on your screen. If you missed them though or didn’t click on them, they were gone. There was no place that these notifications were stored so that you could refer back to them. It defeated the purpose. 

In Windows 10, you have what’s called an Action Center. This area is where all your notifications are stored and managed. You’ll still get notifications that pop up on your screen, but now if you miss one, it will be accessible from the Action Center.

To open the Action Center hover over your taskbar and click on the message icon on the far right. If the notification icon is blank, you have no new messages. If it has horizontal lines that indicate writing, it means you have new notifications. There will also be a number on the icon showing you how many notices you have. 

Clicking on the icon will bring up your messages in a semi-transparent menu on the right side of the screen. There are also other menu items within this area, such as turning on/off tablet mode, airplane mode, and getting to network settings.

You can customize the Action Center in the Systems app under Notifications and Actions.

Gaming

One feature of Windows 10 that you’ll particularly enjoy if you’re a gamer is the ability to play your Xbox (Microsoft’s game console) on your PC. You can stream video games from the Xbox console to your PC. 

There is also cross-platform gaming support, meaning you can play an Xbox game from your PC against someone who is playing on a regular console and TV. This is an entirely new concept for Microsoft and gamers in general who have long had to choose between PC and Video Console games.

Microsoft also incorporated an Xbox app. The app allows you to chat with friends, look at and track your gaming stats, and view your activity. Again, this is an integration of PCs with gaming consoles that many gamers are going to enjoy. Rather than having to switch from one platform to another, you can simply do everything from one device.

Lastly, Windows 10 offers one more perk for gamers. PCs with Windows 10 have built-in game recording. Best of all, you can record yourself playing any game at all on the PC, whether it is a PC game or an Xbox game. Pretty cool for when you want to show off your mad skills to your gamer buddies in the Xbox app.

Conclusion

There you have it. These are the key distinctions in the faceoff with Windows 10 vs Windows 8. Windows 10 seems to be much more user-friendly than Windows 8 was, especially for traditional desktop users. That said, if you own a tablet or convertible laptop, Windows 10 still has everything you need to use your device comfortably. 

Check out some of our other articles to learn more about laptops, tablets, PCs, software, and more. 

The HP Pavilion 15t Laptop Review – The Best Budget Laptop for All Your Needs

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We all eventually get there. Well, if you are a parent, that is. Yes, I mean the time when junior outgrows your old laptop and starts pestering you for a new gaming laptop.

And we all know how expensive gaming laptops can be, don’t we?

But what if I told you it’s possible to get one for as little as $450. And a very good one at that.

Yes, you can. It’s the HP Pavilion 15t. And it’s so good you might even consider getting it for yourself. Then again, I know what you are thinking, you need a good HP Pavilion 15t laptop review.

I’m more than happy to oblige. Let me be quick to point out that the HP Pavilion 15t is a very versatile laptop that can handle, not just your gaming, but also all your daily and more heavy tasks like video editing without breaking a sweat.

In fact, it’s fitting to call this machine an all-rounder as you can happily do what you need on it without much of a struggle.

Quick Navigation

The HP Pavilion 15t – Best Budget All-Round Laptop
Overview of the HP Pavilion 15t’s Specs
HP Pavilion 15t Laptop Review – The Best Budget Laptop for All Your Needs
Battery Life

The HP Pavilion 15t – Best Budget All-Round Laptop

HP Pavilion 15t

Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let me be quick to say that the HP Pavilion 15t comes in many configurations depending on your needs and, of course, your budget. The more you power it up, the more efficient it becomes, and of course, the more demand it will place on your pocket. But if you are looking for a budget-beater, then this is it.

First, a brief overview of what you can expect from the HP Pavilion 15t.

Overview of the HP Pavilion 15t’s Specs

Because some of the specs are optional, let me start with those ones first, then we will look at the ones that are universal.

Configurable Specifications

Screen Resolution

1366 x 768 Pixels (HD)

1920 x 1080 Pixels (Full HD)

Other Display Specs

IPS Display (wide viewing angles)

TN Display Tech (narrower viewing angles than IPS)

Processor (CPU)

Intel Core i5-7200U 7th Gen “Kaby Lake” Dual-Core 2.5-3.1GHz 3MB cache

Intel Core i7-7500U 7th Gen "Kaby Lake" Dual-Core 2.7-3.5GHz 4MB cache

Graphics (GPU)

Intel HD 620 Integrated Graphics

Nvidia GeForce GT 940MX 2GB Dedicated Video Card

Nvidia GeForce GT 940MX 4GB Dedicated Video Card

System Memory (RAM)

6GB

8GB

12GB

16GB

Storage

256GB SSD

512GB SSD

1000GB (1TB) HDD

1000GB (1TB) HDD + 128GB SSD

1000GB (1TB) HDD + 256GB SSD

2000GB (2TB) HDD

2000GB (2TB) HDD + 128GB SSD

Input

Non-backlit keyboard with numeric pad

Backlit keyboard with numeric pad

Multi-touch trackpad with integrated buttons

Universal Specifications

Screen Size

15.6-inch

Touchscreen

Optional

DVD Optical Drive

None

Speakers and Audio

Stereo Speakers

Cameras

Front

Wi-Fi

802.11AC

Ethernet LAN

Yes

Bluetooth

Yes

USB

1 x USB-C and 3 x USB 3.1

Video Ports

1 x HDMI

Media Card Reader

Yes (SD card reader)

Battery

4-Cell 41WHr Li-Ion (Up to 9 hours with HD display; Up to 7 hours and 15 minutes with FHD)

Weight

2 pounds

Height x Width x Depth

9 in x 9 in x 9 in

Windows Version

Windows 10 Home

As you can well see from the specs, the HP Pavilion 15t is really what you want it to be. And what you want it to be, it does very well. Let’s continue with our HP Pavilion 15t laptop review so that you can see for yourself. 

HP Pavilion 15t Laptop Review – The Best Budget Laptop for All Your Needs

If I am to describe the HP Pavilion 15t in one word, it would be “multi-tasker”, if ever there is such a word. But that’s exactly what the HP Pavilion 15t is good at – multi-tasking. But lest I get ahead of myself, let’s take the HP Pavilion 15t laptop review step by step.

Design

and

Build Quality

Dsign and Quality

Looking at the HP Pavilion 15t, you wouldn’t pass it off as a budget laptop. It has the curves and lines in all the right places. And just passing your fingers over the black brushed aluminum chassis, lifting the cover open, you will appreciate its elegant look and feel, making you wonder at the power that is just waiting to be released as you press the power button that is strategically located on the top left, between the speaker and the keyboard.

And speaking of the keyboard, you get an option of choosing between a backlit one or a plain boring one without the lights. I guess you can tell which one I’m advocating for. No matter which keyboard you end up going for, the HP Pavilion features Chiclet-style keys that have a very good travel distance that makes typing a joy, as do the keys on the touchpad that is located below the keyboard but justified more to the left. The extra-long 4.5 x 2.3-inch touchpad offers plenty of room for your fingers to maneuver and its response is instantaneous and accurate, making it easier for you to manipulate the laptop.

A peek on the sides will reveal a very satisfying selection of ports that include a USB 3.1 port, a USB Type-C port, an HDMI, a 3-in-1 card reader, a Gigabyte Ethernet connection, and a power port on the right side. And on the left side, you will find an additional 2 USB 3.1 ports, a headset jack, and a secure lock slot. More than enough ports to keep you connected to all accessories, if I may say so.

As for construction, the HP Pavilion 15t is a sturdy and well-built laptop that is robust enough to take on the toughest situations you will put it through. Built from a combination of aluminum and hard plastic, this laptop is definitely durable enough to keep you going for years, and yes, it can probably survive your teen’s battering as he plays his favorite game with his friends.

When it comes to design, HP really did a great job with the Pavilion 15t. Every aspect and element of this laptop was well-thought-out. For that, I will give the HP Pavilion 15t a well-deserved 5/5 for design and build quality.

Display

and

Graphics

Display and Graphics

The HP Pavilion features a large 15.6-inch screen that comes either as a very responsive capacitive touch screen or a non-touch screen.

The basic screen is a non-touch panel with an impressive 1366 x 768 pixel HD resolution and can be configured to a touch-enabled screen. Your other option would be to go for the Full HD 1920 x 1080 screen which, unfortunately, lacks touch option but has the added advantage of IPS technology which allows for wide viewing angles.

The only gripe I have with the HP Pavilion 15t’s screens are the brightness, or rather, the inadequacy of the brightness. When measured for brightness, the HP Pavilion 15t fell short with a below-par score of 173 nits, which is well below the 247-nit average. That, compared to Dell’s Inspiron 15 which measured an impressive 233 nits, is quite a sad performance. That being said though, the screen won’t let you down that much as it is bright enough to show every facial feature on the characters of your favorite game, and clear enough for you to be able to see individual blades of grass as they march on to fulfill their quest.

If you get the HP Pavilion 15t for gaming purposes, make sure to get it fitted with a dedicated Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 GPU with 4GB of VRAM. Though not the best graphics card available (you are buying a budget laptop, after all), it is more than adequate for all your gaming needs as it delivers a more than sufficient average frame speed of 41 frames per second (though it does better on other games like Hitman where it notches 50 frames per second), putting it on the same level as the Asus ROG Strix GL503.

Though the HP Pavilion 15t’s screen is more than adequate for all your needs, gaming or otherwise, I feel HP could have done better on the display, and for that, the Pavilion 15t gets a 4/5 from me.

Performance

and

Productivity

Performance

When it comes to performance, the HP Pavilion 15t definitely won’t let you down – this is a very able multi-tasker that will not suffer from lag no matter the load you place on it. This is probably one of the Pavilion 15t’s strongest points. I’ll give you a taste of the power behind it. Fitted with a 2.5-GHz Intel Core i5-7300HQ processor and 12GB of RAM and tested with 18 tabs open (some of them streaming from Twitch), running a full Windows Defender system scan, and watching a movie, the HP Pavilion 15t performed smoothly without any noticeable lag.

In the productivity test, the HP Pavilion 15t matched 20,000 names and addresses in 3 minutes and 35 seconds which is way better than the category average time of 4 minutes and 15 seconds. It also outperformed the Dell Inspiron 15 which came in at 3 minutes and 38 seconds. Pretty impressive figures for a budget laptop if you ask me.

Whether you’re playing your favorite game, editing photos, or simply binge-watching the latest series from the Netflix stable, the HP Pavilion will certainly not let you down. This is a worthy workhorse that will certainly earn its place in your office or games room.

For its superb performance, the HP Pavilion 15t deserves a well-rounded 5/5 and that’s exactly what it gets from me.

Battery Life

HP Pavilion Power 15-inch Laptop, Intel Core i5-7300HQ, NVIDIA GeForce...

For most people, battery life is a big deal when it comes to portable devices – especially laptops since they are mobile offices for most of us.

How does the HP Pavilion 15t fare in this department? Remarkably well. And surprisingly so too, seeing as it is not a high-end laptop. Typically, gaming laptops have a weakness when it comes to battery life – they perform dismally. But not so with the HP Pavilion 15t. It lasted 6 hours and 27 minutes on the Laptop Mag Battery Test which put it through some grueling paces of continuous web surfing over Wi-Fi.

To put that in perspective, it fell short (only slightly) of the category average of 6 hours and 32 minutes but still outperformed the Asus ROG Strix GL503 which came in at a paltry 3 hours and 32 minutes of battery life. If that battery performance is not impressive, then I don’t know what is. For the super impressive battery life, the HP Pavilion earns another 5/5.

HP Pavilion 15t Laptop – Your Best Bet Budget Laptop

HP Pavilion Power 15-inch Laptop, Intel Core i5-7300HQ, NVIDIA GeForce...
HP Pavilion Power 15-inch Laptop, Intel Core i5-7300HQ, NVIDIA GeForce...
  • Processor: 7th Generation Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-7300HQ Processor, Quad-Core, 2.5GHz up to 3.5GHz; Powerful performance...
  • Video graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 (4 GB GDDR5 dedicated); Turn your laptop into a creative powerhouse for visually...
  • Display: 15.6-inch diagonal Full HD (1920x1080) IPS WLED-backlit multitouch-enabled edge-to-edge glass; Control your...
Check Price

If you are looking for a budget laptop that won’t disappoint, then you are definitely looking for the HP Pavilion 15t. In all honesty, it’s your best bet for a budget laptop, whether you’re looking for a gaming laptop, video editing laptop, or just a hardy laptop to carry out your daily tasks on.

Go for it.

Microsoft Fixes Its Facial Recognition Tool to Better Spot Darker-Skinned People

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Drawing of a woman with a diagram on her face

Microsoft’s new facial recognition algorithm is better at recognizing people with dark skin

Some time ago, Microsoft released a facial recognition tool that was supposed to detect you in photos. However, the algorithm wasn’t flawless, as it had difficulties in recognizing people with darker skin tones. Now, the company has revealed it has improved this tool, reducing most of its inaccuracies.

The facial recognition tool had trouble with darker skin

Microsoft’s facial recognition program, called Face API, was a bit racially biased. This means it was perfect at identifying people with whiter skin, but it faced several difficulties when it came to darker-skinned people. Now, the company has finally decided to address these problems and fix them.

This new version has a much smaller error rate when it comes to identifying people of all skin colors. The facial recognition algorithms for dark skin are now better, but the system has greatly improved its capabilities when it comes to women.

Microsoft fed the algorithm with a bigger amount of data

To achieve these improvements, Microsoft fed the algorithm a much larger amount of data. It selected special samples belonging to all skin tones, ages, and gender. Also, it focused on achieving good results regardless of all these differences, so the engineers made sure the data was as diverse as possible.

There is one specific factor that defines the quality of an AI algorithm. It’s not the code behind it, but the type of data it uses. Before, Microsoft didn’t provide it with enough data to cover the entire population. Therefore, its results when it came to darker-skinned people were poorer. The company identified the weak points of the mechanism and fed it with suitable data.

However, the new version of the facial recognition tool doesn’t only account for different skin color. Microsoft knows many other elements might be present in a photo, so the new data trained the system to recognize different hairstyles, jewelry, or other accessories. Therefore, from now on, the tool should be a lot better at spotting faces in photographs.

Image source: Pixabay

Google Makes Smart Assistant Requests More Natural with Continued Conversation

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Google Home device placed on a table

Continued Conversation will now let you utter the wake word only once

Google has just announced a series of exclusive updates for its smart Assistant, each being more exciting than the other. However, it’s quite easy to pick the best one on the list, as users might have been waiting for Continued Conversation for a long time. The feature is great since it allows you to have more natural conversations with your assistant.

Continued Conversation makes your chat with smart Assistants more natural

If you own a Google Home, Home Max, or Home Mini Smart Assistant, you will be able to use Continued Conversation even today. With its help, you will be able to lead a nice and natural conversation with the Assistant. The worst part about it was the fact that you had to utter “Hey Google” every time you made a request.

Now, things have gotten a lot easier. For a start, you’ll need to say “Hey Google” to wake the assistant up. Afterwards, you can continue asking more requests without having to start each sentence with the greeting. Google offered a clear example on its blog. For instance, you can start with the greeting phrase and then ask how the weather is today. Afterwards, you can switch to the weather for tomorrow without uttering the same opening words.

You will no longer need to utter the wake word every time

However, Continued Conversation won’t be activated automatically. You’ll have to do it manually by entering the Settings menu of your device. Afterwards, you should still kind in mind a few things. You can’t start a conversation right away, you still need to start with the “Hey Google” phrase. From there, you have eight seconds after each request to continue. When it detects no speech, it will stop listening.

You might think this is a short time, but Google didn’t want to risk it. Given the current climate of internet security, this move was more than necessary. Smart speakers pose a lot of privacy concerns, so Google had to make sure they stop listening at some point after they hear the wake word.

Image source: Flickr

Nintendo World Receives Bomb Threat from a Fan Upset about Super Smash Bros

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Super Smash Bros wallpaper featuring several Nintendo characters

The unknown fan was upset that Super Smash Bros was no longer available in the NYC store

The Nintendo World headquarters in New York fell victim to a really strange incident involving an angry fan. It turns out these headquarters received a bomb threat after this unidentified fan got angry with the company for removing Super Smash Bros from the store. The administrators of the store discovered the threat on Saturday, but it dated back to April.

Super Smash Bros was the reason behind the bomb threat

This weekend, the Nintendo World stores in New York issued a complaint that brought both FBI and NYPD to investigate. The shop administrators stumbled upon a strange bomb threat likely coming from an angry fan. This person was really angry about the removal of Super Smash Bros from the store, so he went on to make dangerous threats.

However, NYPD is still secretive about the details. So far, it hasn’t officially confirmed the involvement of FBI, as well as the real reason behind the bomb threat. According to them, the motive behind the threat is still under investigation. Fortunately for other fans, this didn’t affect the well-functioning of the New York store.

Super Smash Bros, the game of a generation

The Super Smash Bros game was quite a hit for everyone when it came out in 1999. It was the first fighting game with platform elements incorporated, while it also brought together a huge number of lovable Nintendo characters. To their fans’ delight, Nintendo later released this game for more modern consoles.

A few months ago, Nintendo Switch turned one, so the company felt the need to celebrate it. The best way to do it was to announce a new Super Smash Bros game specially designed for this console. During the E3 conference, fans found out more information on this game. It’s called Super Smash Bros Ultimate and will feature 64 of the most popular Nintendo characters.

Image source: Flickr