As much as seeing the Super Bowl in person would be a fantastic experience, have you seen those ticket prices? Terrible, right? Well, getting a new TV is much cheaper, especially when you can catch a deal as hot as this one: TCL’s massive 65-inch QM8K TV is only $999.99 at Best Buy with a MONSTROUS $1,500 discount. Holy moly! The QM8K features a 4K QD-Mini LED display at 65 inches, which translates to fantastic clarity and great contrast so you can see all those passes, tackles, and every minute of the half-time show in full visual glory. Its native 144Hz refresh rate also ensures smooth, blur-free motion, which is ideal for watching fast-paced sports (as well as for console gaming once the Super Bowl has passed). Your viewing experience is further enhanced with advanced HDR support, including Dolby Vision and HDR10+. For immersive sound, the TV is equipped with Dolby Atmos audio, something you’ll love every time you stream TV shows and movies. This TCL runs on the Google TV platform, providing access to all major streaming services. If you want a bigger TV, the other sizes are also on sale: 75-inch TCL QM8K TV: $1,499.99 ($1,700 off) 85-inch TCL QM8K TV: $1,999.99 ($1,800 off) 98-inch TCL QM8K TV: $2,999.99 ($2,000 off) No matter what size you get, this is an insane deal with enormous savings—so don’t miss this opportunity! Get the 65-inch TCL QM85K for $999.99 while you can and level up your home media pronto. Save $1,500 on TCL`s 65-inch 4K TV and live like a king at homeBuy now via Best Buy Read...

Roughly two months ago, Ring rolled out an AI-powered tool that lets Ring owners band together to find a missing pooch. Now, Ring says anyone with a wayward pet can ask for help using the feature, not just Ring users.  Accessible via the Neighbors sections of the Ring App, the Search Party for Dogs feature lets you report a missing dog (Ring has previously said that support for cats and other pets is coming later). Such a report will launch a Search Party, which triggers nearby Ring cameras to be on the lookout for the lost pet.  Previously, only Ring users could launch Search Parties, but now Ring says that even non-Ring owners can use the Ring app to report a missing pooch.  “Before Search Party, the best you could do was drive up and down the neighborhood, shouting your dog’s name in hopes of finding them,” said Ring inventor Jamie Siminoff in a press release. “Now, pet owners can mobilize the whole community—and communities are empowered to help—to find lost pets more effectively than ever before. That’s why we believe it’s so important to make this feature available to anyone who shares a lost dog post in Neighbors.”  Ring’s Search Party tool leverages AI to scan footage from nearby Ring cameras for evidence of a missing dog.  If your Ring camera spots a potential match (the feature works only with outdoor Ring cameras, not indoor Ring cams), you’ll get an alert with a picture of the dog and the relevant video clips. If you think it’s a match, you can—if you wish—choose to share the videos with the pet owners, or even reach out to them directly.    Ring’s Search Party feature has raised eyebrows for the fact that it’s on by default, similar to Ring’s far more controversial Community Requests functionality, which lets law enforcement officials request video clips from Ring users.  You can opt out of either Search Party of Community Requests, and Ring notes that even if you keep the features on, you can always decide which, if any, videos you’d like to share. You can also ignore Search Party and Community Requests alerts entirely.  To nix the Search Party feature, just open the Ring app, tap the Menu button, scroll down to the Community Control section, and tap Search Party > Search for Lost Pets. You can then either opt out of the feature completely or block individual Ring cameras from participating in a Search Party.  This article is part of TechHive’s in-depth coverage of the best security cameras. Read...

Microsoft has released the first preview of Windows 11 26H2 to Insiders on the Dev Channel, which will be the next major feature update for the operating system. Unlike 26H1, 26H2 brings real innovations. This is Windows 11 (Build 26300.7674) and the details in the update section of this Windows preview indicate that this major update will once again come in the form of an enablement package. An enablement package is one that unlocks features that already exist in the operating system but were previously unavailable. This allows the official update to be much smaller without requiring a complete reinstallation or in-place upgrade. Microsoft previously delivered Windows 11 25H2 as an enablement package. According to Windows Latest, the “Windows 11 26H2” version designation doesn’t currently appear in the version information under Windows Settings, nor does it appear when you use the winver command in the Command Prompt. So far, “Windows 11 26H2” can only be found in the Windows Update section under installed updates—assuming you’re an Insider and you’ve installed this update. New features in Windows 11 26H2 Microsoft has not yet revealed exactly what new features will be coming with Windows 11 26H2. However, the existing preview versions provide many clues. For example, Microsoft is testing a Copilot chat in File Explorer and Copilot will likely be shown in File Explorer’s right panel. Copilot is also likely to be integrated into Windows Search in the taskbar. Both Copilot integrations are likely to be optional and not enabled by default, as Windows Latest suspects. Copilot is also finding its way into the Windows 11 notification center. The preview versions of Windows 11 so far also show that Microsoft is testing a new Run dialog box. The changes appear to be more than just visual, as Microsoft may also be adding new features. When will Windows 11 26H2 release? Windows 11 26H2 is expected to be released in October 2026, the typical month for every year’s big fall update. (Windows 11 25H2 was previously released in October.) Once Microsoft has officially announced the release of Windows 11 26H2, the update is expected to be gradually rolled out to compatible computers. What about Windows 11 26H1? Windows 11 26H1 will be released in spring 2026. However, unlike the aforementioned 26H2, this is not a feature update. This version only makes Windows 11 compatible with Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon X2 and possibly other Arm processors. Read...

At a glanceExpert`s Rating Pros Quality 4K webcam images with 60Hz option Surprisingly useful remote control Powerful zoom features Solid autofocus Cons Privacy shutter must be added on Onboard mics and noise cancellation are average to poor Camera positioning is annoying Our Verdict eMeet’s affordable 4K autofocus webcam generates great-looking shots, with a handy remote that controls many of its functions at the push of a button. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Best Prices Today: EMEET Smartcam C60E 4K Dual Webcam Retailer Price $59.99 View Deal eMeet $59.99 View Deal $69.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Best Prices Today: Check today’s prices eMeet continues to push the envelope with aggressively priced videoconferencing solutions, and the eMeet SmartCam C60E 4K Dual is another example of a quality, autofocusing webcam that includes a handy remote control that quickly offers focus, zoom, and color options. At press time, the eMeet SmartCam C60E 4K Dual costs just about $70 (or $59.99 at eMeet’s site, at press time), which is terrific for a 4K webcam, even if it doesn’t offer quite the visual quality of some of the premium options in our recommendations for the best webcams. It has a key feature shared by another eMeet camera, the eMeet Piko+ 4K: a pair of lenses that jointly create the image, depending upon what you ask of it. On either side are some programmable RGB accents. About the only thing I mildly dislike about this webcam is the construction; the camera doesn’t tilt up and down on the mount, which means that framing your face with the camera can be a little awkward. While Windows’ Studio Effects technology will crop and zoom to frame your face, the technology doesn’t always work with external webcams, and depends (right now) on whether you’re running a Windows preview or not. The eMeet SmartCam C60E 4K Dual, meanwhile, has a manual zoom — all the way to a tight 11X. Mark Hachman / Foundry In any event, the C60E 4K Dual is a quite affordable 4K autofocus webcam, whose images look remarkably like the images generated by the Razer Kiyo Pro Ultra camera of a couple years ago. On paper, the two show differences; the SmartCam C60E 4K Dual uses a 1/2.8-inch sensor that’s shared between its two wide-angle and telephoto lenses, while the Kiyo Pro Ultra uses a 1/1.2-inch sensor, which lets in far more light. In a well-lit room, however, that doesn’t make that much difference. Although eMeet supplies an AI Studio application for fine-grained controls, much of that can be achieved either through the Windows settings or with the accompanying remote, which is surprisingly handy. eMeet SmartCam C60E 4K Dual: How well does it work? The eMeet SmartCam C60E 4K Dual connects to your PC via a 2-meter (6.5 feet) cable, terminating in a USB-A port. The other end of the cord is connected directly to the webcam, so you can’t simply install a longer cable. That should be more than enough on most desktop setups, however. Mark Hachman / Foundry Again, the weakest part of this webcam is the mount. The eMeet SmartCam C60E 4K Dual uses the traditional “jaws” configuration, where the webcam sits flat on the top of the laptop or display, and a “jaw” juts out at an angle to support it. Some rival webcams add a hinged “tongue” at the end of the jaw to provide a more expansive surface to rest the frame upon. Virtually all of them, however, have a gimbal or swivel upon which you can adjust the webcam. The eMeet SmartCam C60E 4K Dual only allows you to rotate the camera, not adjust it up or down. It’s not a huge loss, but it’s especially annoying when mounted on the display of a laptop, which can of course be raised or lowered. Each time you open a laptop, you’ll need to readjust the webcam, and it simply takes a bit longer than most. Once the webcam has found your face, which happens quite quickly, the autofocus locks on and remains there. I’m also not a fan of the fact that eMeet has left the privacy shutter as a stick-on option, rather than just building it in. The RGB highlights do light up when the camera is in use, however. The webcam allows you to record video of up to 4K (2160p) at 30 frames per second. Alternatively, you can record at 1440p (30fps), 1080p (30fps or 60fps), and various lower resolutions. Remember, Windows Studio Effects basically uses the full resolution of your webcam to crop and zoom in on your face. The eMeet SmartCam does the same: At a 4K setting, you can only choose from one of two zoom settings as it only has so many pixels to work with. But at 1080p/30fps, you can zoom in all the way to 11X; at some point, you might notice a brief hesitation while it switches cameras. At the lower resolutions you can also use the zoom slider within Windows to either smoothly zoom up to 11X or step through the various gradations (2X, 3X, 4X, etc.) to ratchet the zoom level up and down. eMeet’s AI Studio software offers this AI scene planner, which feels extraneous to most users.Mark Hachman / Foundry Those gradations are found on the webcam’s remote, which is especially useful. Powered by two AAA batteries, the well-designed remote can be used for everything from toggling between fixed- to auto-focus, to adjusting the zoom controls, to dialing up and down lighting and tint controls. The remote also includes four presets, with everything from a “cool” and “vivid” setting to black and white. Supposedly the remote also controls the ability to scale up and down the resolution, but that didn’t seem to work. Thankfully, it all works out of the box, no drivers necessary. If you do lose the remote, that’s okay too. Most of its functions (the zoom, lighting, and contrast) can be controlled directly via Windows, as well as the Camera settings within Windows. Still, the remote puts it all at your fingertips, and that’s handy. eMeet also includes an optional AI Studio app that controls some of the camera’s functions in a nice on-screen UI. Emphasis on optional: Some of the installation software uses Mandarin without English translations, which can be disconcerting. One of the few things AI Studio software exclusively offers is an odd AI app that allows you to create shooting templates for various projects, using everything from ChatGPT to Grok. There’s really very little point to it. (It also provides the ability to swap the RGB lighting between red, green, and blue, too, however.) eMeet SmartCam C60E 4K Dual: Performance Otherwise, the image captures the eMeet SmartCam C60E 4K Dual generated were pretty solid. I felt colors were accurately represented, and that the images were crisp. Mark Hachman / Foundry I shoot images down in my office, which normally is a bit dimmer; I removed the curtains for cleaning, which allows more light inside. The webcam uses what’s called phase-detection autofocus, or PDAF. All this means is that the autofocus capabilities of this webcam are quick and not “twitchy”: Once the webcam has found your face, which happens quite quickly, the autofocus locks on and remains there. Upstairs, I happened to capture the images on a grayer day, which dims everything a bit. But I also felt that the images were lifelike, with decent color and contrast. I also threw in one using the black and white preset, just for fun. Though this webcam does offer some presets, none of them include anything like the “beauty modes” I’ve seen in native webcam apps from Samsung, for example. The eMeet webcam does have a pair of onboard mics, but this is the other shortcoming that budget webcams tend to offer: average to poor audio, with noise cancellation that barely works. I’m afraid that the eMeet SmartCam C60E 4K Dual falls into this category. I record my voice using the webcam mics as per our normal webcam testing procedure, playing back some rock music and then some white noise via my phone, behind my head and off to the side. In this case, the background audio was clearly audible. You’ll want a quiet room for working with this webcam. Should you buy the eMeet SmartCam C60E 4K Dual? eMeet has produced another inexpensive, quality webcam that fits into a midrange niche. Normally, I’d expect this to be filled by a “2K” (1440p) or other midrange webcam. The fact that eMeet offers 4K capabilities as well as a 1080p, 60Hz option is a lovely bonus. I wouldn’t download the utility software; it’s not necessary, and additional apps clog your PC. I’d also recommend buying this if you own a desktop display to which you can attach this webcam and not have to move it again. Laptop owners may find it slightly annoying. Still, I think this webcam deserves four stars, simply because the lack of a mount swivel and lack of a privacy shutter can be dealt with. I’d just encourage eMeet to think hard about not ignoring these basics in the future. Read...

If you’re going to buy a gaming laptop right now, then it might as well be one that’s future-proof, right? This powerful HP Omen Slim 16 model is not only $661 off at B&H right now—bringing its price down to $1,449 (was $2,110)—but it also has one heck of a configuration. Seriously, if you want a banger laptop, you shouldn’t skip this one. View this gaming laptop deal This top-tier laptop isn’t one you’ll have to upgrade anytime soon because the hardware within is more than enough to have you playing all the latest triple-A 3D games for years to come. Powered by an Intel Core Ultra 9 285H processor, 32GB of DDR5 RAM, and a massive 2TB SSD, this laptop is everything you could possibly want for Windows 11, apps, browser tabs, and super-quick system startups and app launches. But the kicker here is the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 GPU with 8GB of VRAM, which is significantly better than the 5050 and 5060 that are more common in gaming laptops. This is a graphics card that can handle all the games you love, providing excellent frame rates and access to Nvidia’s latest DLSS 4 features like multi-frame generation. Throw in the 16-inch IPS display with a crisp resolution of 2560×1600 and 240Hz refresh rate and you have a fantastic gaming rig. B&H has this marked as a sale with “limited supply at this price,” and what an excellent price it is. With the RAM shortage causing prices to skyrocket all over the place, you may not find a deal this good again in a long, long time—so get it for $1,449 while you still can. Or check out our picks for the best overall gaming laptops right now. Save $661 on this HP RTX 5070 laptop with 32GB RAM (31% off)Buy this gaming laptop via B&H Read...

Using an encrypted email service is one of the most effective ways to reclaim your digital privacy. While standard providers like Gmail or Outlook protect your email in transit using TLS (Transport Layer Security) they still hold the master keys to your data. Here is why switching to a dedicated encrypted service (like Proton, Tuta, or Skiff) is a game-changer for your security. 1. Enhanced data protection and privacy Email remains the primary communication channel in today’s digital landscape. However, traditional email systems are inherently vulnerable to interception and unauthorized access. This is where encrypted email comes in, offering a first line of defense against malicious actors. Encrypted email provides security by transforming readable text into an uninterpretable code. This ensures that your private messages remain confidential even if they are intercepted. Only the intended recipient possessing the correct decryption key can unlock and read the message. Standard email providers can technically read your emails. They may scan them to serve ads, build smart features, or comply with government data requests. But encrypted email services use zero-access encryption. Your emails are encrypted with your password before they even reach the provider’s servers. The result is even if the company is subpoenaed or hacked, your data remains unreadable gibberish to them. 2. Protection against cyber threats One of the most compelling benefits of encrypted email is the defense it offers against a range of cyber threats. Encrypted email acts to provide a layer of security protecting against man-in-the-middle attacks, email interception, phishing attempts, and malware distribution. By encrypting your email you make it virtually impossible for cybercriminals to read and manipulate your messages during transmission or while the emails are stored on servers. This significantly reduces the risk of data breaches, protects your privacy, and maintains the integrity of your communications. Encrypted emails often include Digital Signatures. This ensures that the message you received hasn’t been altered by a third party during its journey. It verifies that the sender is exactly who they say they are, which is a strong defense against sophisticated phishing attacks. 3. Protection against data breaches Large email providers are big targets for hackers wanting to cause data breaches. If a central server is compromised, millions of emails could be exposed. Encrypted services ensure that even if a hacker gains physical access to the server they cannot read the messages because they lack your private decryption key. This means your privacy is locked down and your emails are not likely to be subject to data breaches. Pexels : Luis Gomes 4. Legal compliance for professionals If you handle sensitive data like (medical, legal, or financial records) using standard email might actually be a liability. Many encrypted services are built to meet strict privacy regulations, helping professionals protect their clients and avoid heavy fines for data leaks. By encrypting sensitive information sent by email, you can demonstrate due diligence and a commitment to data protection best practices as mandated by industry standards and government regulations. This proactive approach not only reduces the risk of costly fines and legal repercussions it also helps foster trust among clients and partners. Related content The FBI says you should use encrypted messaging. But do you need to? What is masked email? This new spin on an old practice supercharges security I switched from Gmail to Proton mail: 5 deeply refreshing takeaways Read...

At a glanceExpert`s Rating Pros Good features Two 2.5 Gbit Ethernet ports, lots of USB ports Support for up to four displays (up to 8K) Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 Upgradable DDR5 RAM instead of soldered LPDDR Cons Fan spins up abruptly under load and becomes clearly audible No USB-C port on the front Second SSD only possible in M.2-2230 format No Thunderbolt (USB4 available, but without TB certification) Our Verdict The Geekom A7 Max builds on the proven concept of the A9 Max, but with a different technical focus. Instead of maximum AI acceleration, the focus is on high classic CPU performance, fast integrated graphics and an overall balanced platform. For users who do not require special AI functions, the A7 Max is a powerful mini PC for productivity, multimedia and demanding all-round tasks. Price when reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Best Prices Today: Geekom A7 Max Retailer Price $698.99 View Deal Geekom $699 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Best Prices Today: Check today’s prices Technical specs Dimensions: 135 × 132 × 46.9 mm (W × D × H) Processor: AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS GPU: AMD Radeon 780M Ram: 1× 16 GB Micron DDR5 5600MHz Internal storage: 1 TB from Wooposit Technology WPBSN4M8, M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 ×4 NVMe SSD SSD upgradeability: 1 × M.2 2230 PCIe 4.0 ×4 NVMe, up to 4 TB Rear ports: 1 × USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, 1 × USB 2.0 Type-A, 1 × USB 4.0 Type-C DP-Alt-Mode / PD-In, 1 × USB 4.0 Type-C DP-Alt-Mode, 2 × Ethernet RJ45 2.5 Gbit/s, 2 × HDMI 2.1 FRL, 1 × DC-In Front ports: 3 × USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, 1 × USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A Always On, 1 × 3.5 mm headphone jack, 1 × SD card reader 4.0 Wireless connectivity: Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4 Operating system: Microsoft Windows 11 24H2 (64-bit) Accessories: VESA mount (121.8 × 116.5 × 1.0 mm) Geekom has been pursuing a clearly recognizable product strategy for some time: instead of a single top-of-the-range model, the manufacturer is launching several mini PCs that are almost identical in appearance but have different processor platforms. The differences are not so much in the case, connections or cooling, but primarily in the CPU—and thus in the intended use. We have already tested the Geekom A9 Max, and now its technically different sibling, the A7 Max, is put to the test. With the A7 Max, Geekom is adding a model to its Max series that deliberately foregoes maximum AI performance and instead focuses on classic strengths. Geekom A7 Max: Design For the Max series, Geekom has opted for a consistent design concept with a solid metal housing and clean, functional lines. The chassis looks high-quality and also impresses with its stability. Christoph Hoffmann Although we have not carried out any explicit endurance tests, the mini PC still gives a very robust impression in everyday use. Neither pressure nor slight attempts at twisting lead to creaking noises or noticeable yielding—an indication of a torsion-resistant and durable construction. Christoph Hoffmann With its compact dimensions of 135 × 132 × 46.9 millimeters (W × D × H), the A7 Max remains pleasantly space-saving despite its powerful hardware. It takes up hardly any space on the desk and blends inconspicuously into different working environments. Alternatively, the mini PC can be mounted directly on the back of a monitor using the included VESA mount. This allows the system to disappear almost completely from view without compromising on accessibility to the ports or adequate cooling. Geekom A7 Max: Features At the heart of the Geekom A7 Max is the AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS. The powerful eight-core processor belongs to the Ryzen 7040 HS series and was originally designed for high-performance notebooks, but is now increasingly being used in compact desktop systems. It offers 8 cores and 16 threads based on the Zen 4 architecture and achieves boost clock speeds of up to 5.2 GHz. Christoph Hoffmann The integrated graphics unit is the Radeon 780M based on RDNA 3, which delivers very high graphics performance for an iGPU. In addition, the processor has an integrated NPU based on AMD’s XDNA architecture. However, at around 10 TOPS, this is significantly weaker than current Ryzen AI processors and is primarily suitable for simple AI acceleration. In our test model, the processor is supported by 16GB of DDR5 RAM with 5,600 MT/s. Geekom doesn’t provide detailed information about the memory manufacturer but a 16GB module from Micron is installed. Important: The memory is not soldered and can therefore be upgraded—a clear advantage over many competing models. The A7 Max has an NVMe SSD with 1TB capacity as its mass storage device. Depending on the batch, different manufacturers may be used here. We cannot immediately assign the model name “WPBSN4M8” displayed in Crystal Disk Info to any manufacturer. A quick search reveals that it is an OEM model from Wooposit Technology that is not sold as a retail product. As is customary in this device class, Geekom reserves the right to use equivalent SSDs from other manufacturers. Christoph Hoffmann An additional M.2-2230 slot (PCIe 4.0 × 4) is available for expansions. Due to the form factor, the selection is limited though. Typical for a mini PC, Geekom distributes the ports across the front and back, allowing for flexible orientation on the desk. The power button, which clearly marks the front, provides orientation. The manufacturer is generous when it comes to connectivity: the mini PC supports up to four high-resolution displays and provides two USB4 interfaces with DisplayPort 1.4 support and two HDMI 2.1 outputs for this purpose. Christoph Hoffmann One feature that is not a given in this device class is the two 2.5 Gbit Ethernet ports. In conjunction with a suitable router or switch and an NAS, fast network and storage solutions can be implemented. The range of connections is complemented by additional USB ports. A total of eight USB interfaces are available in various designs – from USB 2.0 to USB 3.2 Gen 2 to USB4 Type-C. This allows fast external SSDs and other peripheral devices to be connected without restrictions. Christoph Hoffmann One minor criticism is that Geekom has omitted a USB-C port on the front, meaning that corresponding devices can only be connected via the rear ports. Geekom A7 Max: Operating system The A7 Max comes with a hardware-bound licence for Windows 11. The Windows installation begins after the mini PC is booted for the first time. Updates are downloaded during setup, but Windows will offer further updates later on. Important note: After the initial installation of Windows 11, numerous drivers are required, most notably the AMD drivers for the Radeon graphics card and the chipset. This ensures that the mini PC runs under optimal conditions and that all components can deliver their full performance. Geekom A7 Max: Performance The Geekom A7 Max features an AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS with eight cores and 16 threads based on the Zen 4 architecture. The processor achieves clock speeds of up to 5.2 GHz and is supported by the integrated Radeon 780M graphics unit. We determined the actual performance using the PCMark 10 benchmark test. This software gives us realistic values by working through everyday tasks one after the other. In the default setting, the system achieves a total of 6,853 points (A9 Max: 8,953 points), with 10,505 in “Essentials”, 9,620 in “Productivity” and 8,641 in “Digital Content Creation”. By comparison, the A9 Max achieves 11,559 points in “Essentials”, 10,853 points in “Productivity” and 15,527 points in “Digital Content Creation”. Christoph Hoffmann The CPU profile from 3DMark shows decent scaling across all thread levels and delivers strong multicore performance – Max. threads: 7,718, 16 threads: 7,765, 8 threads: 6,640, 4 threads: 3,883, 2 threads: 2,002 and 1 thread: 1,024. The A7 Max benefits from the eight physical cores, especially in parallelized applications. Christoph Hoffmann With 9,528 points at full capacity, the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 is more than 23 percent above the determined values. The gaming graphics performance of the Geekom A7 Max is determined by 3DMark Steel Nomad Light with a result of 1,607 points. This is below average and less than half the performance of the A9 Max with 3,279 points. The Time Spy benchmark delivers 1,866 to 3,701 points. This makes the A7 Max suitable for simple games, older titles and eSports games, but not for current AAA titles with high settings. Compared to the A9 Max, the AI performance is lower. The AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS has an integrated NPU based on AMD’s XDNA architecture. However, at around 10 TOPS, this is significantly weaker than current Ryzen AI processors. In the Geekbench AI Pro benchmark, the Geekom A7 Max achieved the following results: 3,053 for “Single Precision”, 1,674 for “Half Precision” and 7,365 for “Quantized”. The performance is sufficient for simple AI applications, but specialised AI workloads benefit more from the A9 Max model. Christoph Hoffmann The M.2 NVMe SSD delivers a read performance of 6,895 MB/s and a write rate of 6,098 MB/s in Crystal Disk Mark. This is an above-average value for a PCIe 4.0 SSD. By comparison, the Lexar from the A9 Max is significantly lower at 6,242 MB/s for reading and 5,423 MB/s for writing. Christoph Hoffmann Is the Geekom A7 Max worth it? With the A7 Max, Geekom is adding a model to its Max series that deliberately foregoes maximum AI performance and instead focuses on classic strengths. The focus is clearly on high CPU performance, a very powerful integrated GPU and an overall balanced platform that proves to be extremely practical in everyday use. The A7 Max offers more than enough performance for productivity tasks, multitasking, multimedia applications and creative workloads. The Radeon 780M graphics also enable easy gaming and smooth 8K playback. Added to this are a fast PCIe 4.0 SSD, upgradeable DDR5 RAM and an unusually extensive range of connections for this class, including USB4, four display outputs and two 2.5 Gbit Ethernet ports. Mentioned in this article Geekom A9 Max Read our review Criticisms such as the fan, which is audible under load, the lack of a USB-C port on the front and the second SSD slot limited to M.2-2230 only slightly detract from the overall appeal. Also, the integrated NPU is only suitable for simple AI tasks. All in all, the Geekom A7 Max is a very powerful and versatile mini PC. Those who want to accelerate specific local AI workloads are still better off with the A9 Max, while the A7 Max plays to its strengths in classic computing power and versatile everyday and productive use. Read...

Volkanovski v Lopes 2 also features Kiwi fighters Dan `the Hangman` Hooker and Lawrence Lui. Follow our live updates. Read...

TL;DR: A lifetime Microsoft Office Professional 2021 license plus Windows 11 Pro is available for $39.97 (reg. $418.99), but only through Feb. 1. Paying ongoing fees just to keep basic software running has become the norm, but it doesn’t have to be. Right now, you can get lifetime licenses for both Microsoft Office and Windows 11 Pro for $39.97 (reg. $418.99), replacing years of subscription costs with a single upfront purchase. This pricing is only available through Feb. 1. The Office portion of this bundle includes the full desktop versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and more. These are the core apps most people rely on for writing, budgeting, presentations, and everyday work. Once activated, the license is yours for good on one Windows computer, with no renewals or monthly charges to track. Windows 11 Pro completes the upgrade with Microsoft’s most advanced operating system. It features a cleaner interface, improved multitasking tools like Snap Layouts and multiple desktops, and enhanced security features, including BitLocker encryption and advanced system protections. It’s built to handle modern workflows, whether you’re working remotely, managing projects, or refreshing an older PC. Together, this bundle covers both your productivity software and operating system in one move, making it a practical upgrade without locking you into subscriptions. Get lifetime access to Microsoft Office and Windows 11 Pro for $39.97 before this deal ends on Feb. 1. The Ultimate Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License + Windows 11 Pro BundleSee Deal StackSocial prices subject to change. Read...

Microsoft has now begun rolling out update KB5074105, the latest optional patch for Windows 11. It’s optional because this is technically a preview of next month’s mandatory Patch Tuesday update. You can tap into this update now if you don’t want to wait. According to Windows Latest, the latest optional Windows 11 update treats us to a new version of Smart App Control (SAC), the security feature that blocks potentially harmful apps. The main difference here is that you’ll now be able to enable or disable SAC on demand from within Windows Settings much easier. Prior to this update, you were able to disable SAC if you wanted to, but if you later decided to re-enable it, you had to reinstall Windows. This update bundles a bunch of other features, fixes, and improvements as well, including the new Cross-Device Resume for resuming Android apps on your Windows PC, fixes to the Start Menu’s behavior, a fix for the password icon not showing up at login, and fixes to various system-crashing bugs that have accumulated. If you want to install this update, you’ll have to do so manually by navigating to Settings > Update & security > Windows Update, then finding KB5074105 in the “Optional updates available” area. Read...