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| PC World - 5 Sep (PC World)At a glanceExpert`s Rating
ProsRemarkable battery lifeA great array of portsSturdy, lightweight designHigh-visibility displayConsVariable performance trails competitiorsA bit pricier than competitionOur VerdictYou can get faster and flashier systems, but the Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 efficiency on levels we haven’t seen elsewhere. It’s an all-around strong machine for general productivity on the go, and may prove a tough one to beat on that front.
Lenovo has joined the bandwagon, introducing a new version of its ThinkPad T14s built around Qualcomm’s Snapdragon chips for PC. The Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 features the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite X1E-78-100, which is a lower-spec variant, but the laptop itself is one of the more expensive options at $1,745 as tested (and that price is with Lenovo’s ever-shifting discounts that obscure the real price of products), and the price comes above competitive Intel- and AMD-powered laptops like the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus 7440 (2024) and Asus Zenbook 14 OLED.
While the performance and reliability of the Snapdragon chip inside the Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 still has to prove itself in the long run, what we’re seeing from the system so far is respectable in everyday operation and downright brilliant in efficiency when combined with the rest of the Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6’s hardware. This is a very well rounded machine for productivity and well worth digging further into.
Further reading: Best laptops 2024: Premium, budget, gaming, 2-in-1s, and more
Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6: Specs and features
At the time of testing, Lenovo was not offering multiple configurations of the Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6. Since then, it has introduced a custom configuration option that is still built around the same Snapdragon chip and display but features Windows 11 Home and configurable storage that starts at 256GB alongside a starting price of $1,279. As it still comes with 32GB of memory, we’d expect performance in most situations to remain largely unchanged.
Lenovo offers some upgrades with the custom configuration, including 64GB of memory for $193 extra. The bump to 1TB of storage costs $490 extra, though there’s also a $180 option for 512GB, both of which seem too expensive.
You can get a touch display for $125, but it will feature a different panel with lower color gamut and may not have the same energy savings that this model gets. A 2880×1800 OLED display is also available with a wider color gamut, 120Hz refresh rate, and anti-glare finish, but it costs $315 more and is also likely to impact battery life.
CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite X1E-78-100
Memory: 32GB LPDDR5X
Graphics/GPU: Qualcomm Adreno integrated graphics
Display: 14-inch FHD+ IPS
Storage: 1TB PCIe Gen4 SSD
Webcam: 1080p
Connectivity: 2x USB4, 2x USB-A 5Gbps, 1x HDMI 2.1 (4K60Hz), 1x 3.5mm combo audio
Networking: WiFi 7, Bluetooth 5.3
Biometrics: Windows Hello fingerprint, facial recognition
Battery capacity: 58 watt-hours
Dimensions: 12.37 x 8.64 x 0.67 inches
Weight: 2.66 pounds
MSRP: $1,754 as-tested ($1,279 base)
Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6: Design and build quality
IDG / Mark Knapp
IDG / Mark Knapp
IDG / Mark Knapp
The Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 comes out looking much like just about any other ThinkPad. It’s rocking the signature black and red design that makes it a little sleeper with subtle style. Lenovo has kept embellishments to a minimum, with only a small Lenovo badge on one corner of the lid and ThinkPad engraved into the opposite corner with a small illuminated dot in the “i” of the name.
The chassis doesn’t make a statement. It’s not obscenely thin or made out of obviously luxury materials, as Lenovo has hidden the recycled aluminum, magnesium, and CFRP (carbon fiber reinforced polymer) in a soft-touch-like black coating. But the whole system still ends up fairly svelte at just 0.67 inches. The frame feels just a little cheap because of how lightweight it is at just 2.66 pounds, but that’s further offset by the smoothness and sturdiness of it. The Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 just feels built well. There’s some keyboard deck flex, but I have to really press hard to see much. If ever there was a delightfully utilitarian laptop, this feels like it, and it’s done well.
The frame sits on three rubber feet, with two small feet out front and one long foot spanning the width of the laptop at the back. These aren’t the grippiest, but they hold the laptop steady enough while typing and navigating.
The lid moves smoothly, but it has enough friction that it requires holding the base down while opening — no one-handed opening despite the lid having a small lip that ought to have facilitated easier one-handed operation. It also wiggles a bit after it’s been moved, but thankfully it doesn’t shake around while I’m typing.
There’s a small gap between the base of the laptop and the display hinge, and the exhaust vents live in that gap. This lets vented air go both up toward the display and get directed down by the edge of the display. Air intake is handled by a single fan visible right behind a grate on the underside of the laptop.
All put together, the Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 is a nice little laptop that doesn’t get caught up in efforts to exude style but still has elegance and impressive robustness for such a lightweight system.
Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6: Keyboard, trackpad
IDG / Mark Knapp
IDG / Mark Knapp
IDG / Mark Knapp
The keyboard on the Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 is good, but not quite as rock-solid as I’d have hoped. The keys have a good bit of travel to them, but they don’t offer much resistance and are therefore not incredibly well stabilized or poppy to type on. This leads to more errors drifting off the edge of one key and hitting its neighbor because of their tendency to tilt, and it results in plenty of missed presses if I don’t slow down.
Rushing, I end up with low accuracy. At the best, I was able to hit 117 words per minute with 96 percent accuracy in Monkeytype, which is decent but still a ways away from my best performance. Still, the Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6’s keyboard has its pluses.
For one thing, it has offset arrow keys that are easy to feel out. They also include small Page Up and Page Down keys. For writing or editing, the top-right of the keyboard also squeezes in Home, End, Insert, and Delete to provide some easier navigation, selection, and editing.
The keyboard features white backlighting, and Lenovo claims it is spill-resistant. Like other ThinkPads, the keyboard features the classic TrackPoint nib, which provides an extra way to mouse around the computer. It’s effective and plays well with the physical left-, right-, and middle-mouse buttons above the trackpad, letting me keep my hands on the keyboard at all times.
There is also a small trackpad below the keyboard, which is wonderfully smooth with its mylar surface. Navigating with it is responsive and accurate, though it can get a little cramped for multi-finger gestures.
Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6: Display, audio
IDG / Mark Knapp
IDG / Mark Knapp
IDG / Mark Knapp
Utility is at the forefront of the Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6’s display. It’s a simple 1920×1200 option with no high refresh rate or snazzy OLED panel, but it’s great for work all the same. The resolution is reasonably sharp on a 14-inch panel, and even if it’s not dazzlingly colorful, it still covers 100 percent of the sRGB color space.
Perhaps best of all of productivity is that the matte finish is incredibly effective, knocking out glare left and right. That combines with the panel that hit 473 nits in testing, making indoor and outdoor use possible. Even contrast is strong, reaching 1670:1 to put most other IPS panels out there to shame. It’s not exceptional, but it’s a good looking display that will stay out of your way when you’re trying to get work done.
The Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 has a pair of two-watt speakers that sit at either side of the keyboard. Despite low power, they actually pump out some impressive volume. In a quiet room, they readily get too loud for comfortable listening at arm’s length. For boisterous music, they can be a bit grating at high volume levels, but they play nice with more mellow tracks, like Mariya Takeuchi’s “Plastic Love” and offer a surprising amount of bass depth. For video calls, the speakers are plenty to be able to hear fellow attendees.
Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6: Webcam, microphone, biometrics
IDG / Mark Knapp
IDG / Mark Knapp
IDG / Mark Knapp
The webcam on the Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 is a small 1080p unit that offers mixed performance. Without great lighting, it winds up turning visuals into an incredibly blurry mess. But turn on a nice light to fall directly on your face, and it produces a nice, sharp picture. Go too bright, as with sunshine coming through a window, and the contrast can’t keep up and will dim too much of the rest of the picture, casting many details into shadow.
The camera offers a wide enough field of view to crop into or fit a couple people if you enjoy group calls. The Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 includes a convenient privacy cover for the camera that slides over the lens and shows an easy-to-see red dot so you can plainly tell when it’s covered.
In addition to serving for calls, the webcam supports Windows Hello facial recognition. This makes for quick sign-ins, and since the webcam has a wide field of view, it doesn’t take much fussing around to get centered for recognition. There’s also a small fingerprint scanner at the top-right corner of the keyboard for yet another quick and easy way to securely sign into the laptop.
The microphones paired with the camera can also do a good job. Even with a small bit of background noise, they pick up my voice loud and clear. My voice is fairly full and doesn’t sound far away.
Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6: Connectivity
IDG / Mark Knapp
IDG / Mark Knapp
IDG / Mark Knapp
The Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 shows that being a thin-and-light laptop doesn’t have to entail a sacrifice of ports. The right edge of the laptop includes two USB-A 5Gbps ports and a Kensington Nano lock slot. The left side offers a full-size HDMI 2.1 port, a headphone/mic combo jack and two USB4 ports. I’d love to see SD or microSD card support, but I’m not mad at the combo of Type-A and Type-C ports with the display output to boot.
Wireless connectivity is also ready for the future with Wi-Fi 7 that proved fast and stable when tested on my Wi-Fi 6 network. Bluetooth 5.3 is also onboard, though Bluetooth 5.4 would have been a welcome upgrade.
Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6: Performance
Like quite a few of the thin-and-light laptops we’ve tested here at PCWorld in the last two months, the Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 runs on a Qualcomm chip instead of something from AMD or Intel. In this case, it’s the lower-end Snapdragon X Elite X1E-78-100 that was also in the HP Omnibook X 14.
This is a couple steps down from the Snapdragon X Elite X1E-84-100 we saw in the Asus Vivobook S 15 (S5507), and that model comes in at $1,299, which is quite a bit more affordable than the $1,754 of the Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6. There are even more affordable threats with more tried-and-true Intel and AMD chips, like the $999 Dell Inspiron 14 Plus with an Intel Core Ultra 7 155H or the $849 Asus Zenbook 14 OLED with an AMD Ryzen 7 8840HS.
As I’ve seen on the other systems tested with Snapdragon chips, the Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 struggles to prove competitive when it needs to run x86 programs through emulation and doesn’t get to use ARM-native programs. The Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite X1E-78-100 puts up only a modest 6,824 multi-core score in Cinebench R23, which is an x86 program, and 1,119 points for single-core performance.
This lags behind both the Omnibook X and Vivobook S 15 by a considerable margin. It’s worth noting that single-core performance on the ThinkPad actually beats the other Snapdragon systems, helping to explain why the ThinkPad still felt incredibly responsive in practice even while falling short of its competitors in overall might.
If you’re after a dependable machine that will keep up with light workloads wherever you go, this might just be the one.
Lenovo’s performance starts to seem like a conscious choice as well. While this test was performed with the system set to its default Balanced mode and plugged into AC power, the Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 actually was able to reach a 7,700 multi-core score in Performance mode. Making matters even weirder, performance on battery power was better still. Balanced mode reached a 7,623 multi-core score and Performance mode went as high as 9,099, really closing the gap.
Running Cinebench R20 on battery power, with the Balancer power plan and Chrome and Slack both running, occupying system resources, the Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 managed to hit a 3,676 multi-core score, which is more than a 30 percent improvement over its results on AC power with no other applications running.
For Cinebench R24, the jump was similarly dramatic, going from a 567-point average to 792 points when switching from Balanced settings on AC power to Performance settings on battery power. I saw some similar funkiness on the HP Omnibook X and have heard other reviews make similar observations. Still, none of this is enough to let the Snapdragon chip catch up with the stalwart Intel or AMD chips, which beat the best results by a wide margin. The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus hits 13,363 in Cinebench R23’s multi-core test and the Asus Zenbook 14 OLED reaches 13,777 and both also manage substantially higher single-core performance.
We’ve seen some staggering differences in performance when the Snapdragon chips get to run native apps instead of emulating x86, as shown in our Surface Laptop 7 review. Sure enough, running the ARM version of Cinebench R24, the Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 is able to put forward a 106-point single core score and 567-point multi-core score.
This is close to the results of the Framework Laptop 13 with an Intel core Ultra 7 155H with a 595 multi-core score or the Lenovo ThinkBook 14 2-in-1 Gen 4 with an Intel Core Ultra 5 125U and 456 multi-core score. But the Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 still seems to be holding back, as it falls well short next to Snapdragon-powered competitors like the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x, which hit 1,043 points on the same chip.
The combined CPU and GPU performance for the system isn’t proving any better as we see the Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 again come up short in 3DMark’s Time Spy benchmark. With a score of just 1,702 it lags ever so slightly behind its Snapdragon compatriots, which in turn fall very short of the performance available in AMD’s Radeon 780M found in the Zenbook 14 OLED or the Intel Arc Graphics inside the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus.
The Night Raid benchmark tells a somewhat different story, as the benchmark has native ARM support. Here, all of the Snapdragon-powered systems regain some ground, though the overall hierarchy still remains with the Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 narrowly trailing the pack and the AMD and Intel systems out front and practically tied.
While the Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6’s performance is clearly best in ARM-native applications, in general use, where the system isn’t trying to put the pedal to the metal, the performance hit that comes from emulation isn’t as likely to feel like a big problem. It’s still a responsive laptop, and since thin-and-light laptops aren’t really intended to serve as workstations, it may be fitting its role well. For what it’s worth, I also noticed far fewer graphical hang-ups in everyday use compared to the HP Omnibook X and Dell XPS 13, which both run Snapdragon chips but have only 16GB of memory and may be seeing the GPU stumble when that memory fills up.
Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6: Battery life
Every blow the Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 took in our performance benchmarks seems to have been with one goal in mind: longevity. It’s clear the Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 can run faster, as some benchmarks showed when using different settings, but by default it’s not geared to.
Instead, it’s set up to leave all the competition in the dust when it comes to runtime. In our 4K video playback test, it put even the great-performing slate of recent laptops to shame. With an average runtime of 1,412 minutes (about half an hour shy of 24 hours), it led the next closest system in this pack by almost six hours. It also obliterates the Asus Vivobook S 15, which sat at what now seems an anemic 15 hours.
While the tempered performance is surely playing a part in the Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6’s longevity, the choice of display likely has a role as well. Lenovo has opted for a low-power display with a not-so-demanding 1920×1200 resolution and 60Hz refresh rate. The 2880×1620 OLED of the Vivobook is probably hurting it. It’s all the more impressive when considering that the Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 has the smallest battery as well. Its 58Wh battery sits 1Wh below the Omnibook, 6Wh below the Inspiron, 12Wh below the Vivobook, and 17Wh below the Zenbook.
It’s not just in video playback that the Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 impressed. In regular office-related use, it generally put itself on track for around a 10-hour runtime.
Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6: Conclusion
The Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 could be a brilliant laptop in the right hands. It’s not a high-performance workhorse and the variable performance it sees in different conditions makes it a little hard to rely on for speed. Some of that volatility may get ironed out as Snapdragon laptop chips spend a little more time in the real world. In spite of this, the Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 still remains a consistent machine in lighter tasks, likely thanks to the extra memory Lenovo is essentially insisting on.
Beyond that, this is a high-utility laptop. The keyboard is OK. The display isn’t the sharpest or most gorgeous, but ensures visibility in most conditions. The battery can chug along for ages, putting pretty much anything we’ve tested to shame. And all this is coming from a little laptop that weighs under three pounds and feels quite well built.
While our test configuration is a little pricey to have somewhat underwhelming performance, those who can do without the extra storage can save a ton with the $1,279 base configuration. If you’re after a dependable machine that will keep up with light workloads wherever you go, this might just be the one. Read...Newslink ©2024 to PC World | |
| | | PC World - 5 Sep (PC World)Security is easiest when you are the password: You don’t have to memorize complicated keywords, but simply hold your face up to the camera or your finger on a sensor — and you can access your computer and online services.
This biometric login is already standard on smartphones — either via a camera or a finger sensor built into the screen. This allows you not only to log in to your device, but also to make purchases in online shops or carry out banking transactions.
However, many notebooks and PCs do not have a finger sensor or a camera with facial recognition. If your computer lacks the hardware for biometric login, you should definitely retrofit it for better security.
Passkey, for example, is particularly easy to use — and because more and more services support this passwordless login, you should also make your PC fit for it.
We provide tips on how to determine whether your computer is equipped with biometric hardware and how to set it up. If you don’t have the peripherals to log in with your face or finger, we can help you find the right camera or finger sensor to easily upgrade your PC and notebook.
Further reading: Best Windows Hello webcams
Why biometrics is particularly important
It has long been known that logging on to a computer or web service using biometric features such as a face or fingerprint is more secure than using a PIN or password. An individual’s physical characteristics cannot be copied, guessed, or phished, you always have them with you, cannot forget them, and do not have to write them down anywhere.
More and more online services support Passkey. Passwordless login is particularly convenient if you use facial or finger recognition — for example via Windows Hello.
More and more online services support Passkey. Passwordless login is particularly convenient if you use facial or finger recognition — for example via Windows Hello. IDG
More and more online services support Passkey. Passwordless login is particularly convenient if you use facial or finger recognition — for example via Windows Hello. IDG
IDG
Recognition technology has evolved: The sensors analyze so many features that they can no longer be tricked by photos or rubber fingers. When logging in, the camera or finger sensors compare the currently captured features with the stored features that they saved when setting up face or finger recognition.
These files are usually secured with 256-bit encryption so that no one who steals a notebook or external biometric hardware such as a USB camera or USB finger sensor can read them and use them for authentication.
Deal alert!
Windows 11 Pro
Logging in with your face or finger instead of a password now makes particular sense: More and more manufacturers and online services are supporting passwordless authentication via Passkey, such as Amazon, Apple, Ebay, Google, Microsoft, and Paypal. You can find a list at https://passkeys.directory/.
With Passkey, you no longer have to enter a password in an app or website to log in. Instead, an individual key is created for each service, which is securely stored locally on your computer or smartphone — in the TPM (Trusted Platform Module) on a Windows computer, for example.
For example, if you have protected your Amazon account on your laptop with a passkey and then access this website on your laptop, it will request this key. You must then authorize the TPM to release it: You can do this easily using biometric authentication with your face or finger.
Is the PC ready for biometric logon?
You don’t need to buy additional biometric hardware if your computer already has it on board. There’s a good chance that your laptop has either a suitable camera or a finger sensor, as around half of all reasonably modern laptops are equipped with one.
You can check the Device Manager to see whether biometric hardware is installed in the computer: A camera for facial recognition appears here as a biometric device and as an IR camera.
You can check the Device Manager to see whether biometric hardware is installed in the computer: A camera for facial recognition appears here as a biometric device and as an IR camera. Foundry
You can check the Device Manager to see whether biometric hardware is installed in the computer: A camera for facial recognition appears here as a biometric device and as an IR camera. Foundry
Foundry
To check whether this is the case with your computer, first take a look at the technical data or the manual. It should be listed there if there is a camera for facial recognition — in most cases, the manufacturers describe it as an “IR camera.” They capture the face with invisible infrared rays and recognize the shape of the face through the reflected rays.
They also have a depth sensor. This ensures that face recognition works well in different lighting conditions and cannot be cancelled out by a photo due to the depth information.
You can usually recognize the IR camera by the fact that there are additional lenses next to the front camera, usually in the display lid above the screen on a notebook.
The position of the finger sensor should also be described in the manual if the computer has one. On older laptops, the sensor is often located as a small rectangular field to the right of the touchpad; current laptops often integrate it into the power button or elsewhere on the keyboard.
To be able to use Windows Hello, you must be logged in with a Microsoft account and have set up a PIN for Windows login.
To be able to use Windows Hello, you must be logged in with a Microsoft account and have set up a PIN for Windows login.
Foundry
To be able to use Windows Hello, you must be logged in with a Microsoft account and have set up a PIN for Windows login.
Foundry
Foundry
Windows has been using the “Windows Hello” function for biometric logon since Win 10. You can therefore simply check whether biometric hardware is available on a Windows computer in the system settings: Open Accounts > Sign-in options. Then tap on “Face recognition” and “Fingerprint recognition”: If the computer has the hardware for this, the “Set up” button will appear, otherwise Windows will inform you that it has not found a suitable device.
You can also check in the Device Manager whether biometric hardware is already present on your PC: You will find the entry for an IR camera in the “Cameras” section, a finger sensor usually appears under “Biometric devices.”
If your computer has the appropriate hardware, you should definitely carry out Windows updates to update the corresponding drivers before using biometric logon on the computer.
If you use a camera not only for Windows Hello but also for frequent video meetings, a high resolution, such as that provided by the Logitech Brio Stream with 4K, can be advantageous.
If you use a camera not only for Windows Hello but also for frequent video meetings, a high resolution, such as that provided by the Logitech Brio Stream with 4K, can be advantageous.
IDG
If you use a camera not only for Windows Hello but also for frequent video meetings, a high resolution, such as that provided by the Logitech Brio Stream with 4K, can be advantageous.
IDG
IDG
Windows shows in the settings whether it has detected hardware for face or finger recognition. It can then be set up for Windows Hello.
Security gaps with biometrics
Complete security cannot be achieved even with biometric hardware. Although recognition now works very reliably, the camera or sensor must communicate with the operating system so that Windows can authorize services protected by biometrics, for example.
This is where many hackers come in and try to manipulate this connection by forcing their way between the biometric hardware and Windows, similar to a man-in-the-middle attack in a network, in order to trick the operating system into recognizing them even though the camera or finger sensor has not done so.
In this way, even current and otherwise secure sensors can be tricked with match-on-chip technology: They store the biometric data themselves so that it is more difficult to intercept. However, the biometric hardware should also support SDCP — a security protocol that Microsoft has developed specifically for data exchange between biometric hardware and Windows. This was not the case with the attacked sensors.
For many users, these attacks pose no risk, as the attacker must have access to the computer with the biometric hardware. However, these security gaps are an additional reason to regularly check for driver and firmware updates.
Set up biometrics hardware correctly
When setting up a new computer with biometric hardware, Windows prompts you to activate it. If you skip this step initially, you can activate face or finger recognition at any time afterwards.
To do this, go back to Accounts > Sign-in options in the Windows settings. Click on the “Face recognition” or “Fingerprint recognition” option — depending on which method your computer supports. If you have not yet activated any other logins on your computer, you must now set a password and PIN. Only then can you start the biometric login via “Set up,” which you must then confirm with a PIN.
You can then use the PIN and password as a workaround if biometric recognition does not work — for example, if you injure your login finger.
For facial recognition, you need to look into your computer’s camera for around 10 seconds and hold your face within the rectangle displayed. The infrared sensors will usually flash. Once the camera has saved enough features to recognize you, the setup is complete.
You can use the “Improve recognition” option to carry out the process again — for example, with or without glasses. This will ensure that the system recognizes you in any case. You can also do this later at any time using the corresponding option under “Face recognition.”
Proceed in a similar way with a finger sensor: When you place your finger on it, the areas that have been recognized turn blue. Windows gives you additional tips during setup to ensure that the finger is recognized optimally — for example, by repeatedly placing it on the sensor or positioning it at different angles.
With “Set up additional finger,” you can store additional fingerprints for login.
If you no longer want to use biometric logon later, click on “Remove” in the corresponding logon method — Windows will then delete the identification data stored in the device.
Simply retrofit
If your computer does not have a camera or finger sensor, you can simply retrofit the biometric function with an external device. You connect the camera or finger sensor to the computer via USB and then work with it just as if the hardware was built into the computer.
You should therefore select a peripheral device for which your computer has a suitable connection: Most current cameras and finger sensors have a USB Type-C connection, older ones Type-A. If the appropriate ports on your PC or notebook are not available or are already occupied, the devices will also work with an adapter — some type C devices, for example, come with an adapter for type A.
An external USB finger sensor with a cable connection such as the Kensington Verimark Desktop is recommended for desktop computers: You can position it flexibly to reach the sensor surface quickly.
An external USB finger sensor with a cable connection such as the Kensington Verimark Desktop is recommended for desktop computers: You can position it flexibly to reach the sensor surface quickly.
IDG
An external USB finger sensor with a cable connection such as the Kensington Verimark Desktop is recommended for desktop computers: You can position it flexibly to reach the sensor surface quickly.
IDG
IDG
The biometric hardware must also support Windows Hello so that you can use it on the Windows computer for Passkey, for example. You should be able to find a corresponding note in the technical data.
Please note: Even if a camera supports facial recognition — for example via its own software — this does not necessarily mean that it also works with Windows Hello.
Recommended cameras cost between $50 and $180, depending on resolution, features and workmanship. In the lower price range up to around 120 euros, you will find models with full HD resolution, while prices for cameras with 4K resolution start above this.
The resolution is irrelevant for biometric recognition. However, as you will probably also be using this camera for video conferences and video telephony, a higher resolution will make you look better on these occasions.
A monitor with a built-in biometric camera is recommended for the office: with a 24-inch diagonal, these models, such as the AOC 24P3QW, cost around $200.
A monitor with a built-in biometric camera is recommended for the office: with a 24-inch diagonal, these models, such as the AOC 24P3QW, cost around $200. IDG
A monitor with a built-in biometric camera is recommended for the office: with a 24-inch diagonal, these models, such as the AOC 24P3QW, cost around $200. IDG
IDG
More expensive cameras offer more display options: They support autofocus, for example, so that you don’t have to worry about moving in the frame. Extensive zoom support or a wide field of view beyond 90 degrees are also plus points.
Other cameras, on the other hand, allow you to restrict the field of view so that the person you are talking to can only see you and not your surroundings.
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Another distinguishing feature is the microphone: Not all biometric cameras have one built in — these models are recommended for users who already have a high-quality microphone in or on their computer. Cameras with a visor or cover provide a better sense of security because you can close the lens when you are not using it.
However, if you are mainly using the camera for biometric recognition and, at most, for private video meetings, the cheapest models will suffice.
If you prefer a stationary camera that you want to use with different computers, a monitor with a built-in Windows Hello camera is recommended: 24-inch displays with this equipment cost between $200 and $300.
External finger sensors cost between $40 and $70. There are models for desktop PCs and laptops: You connect the desktop models to the computer with a longer cable. You can then position the sensor in the optimum place on the desk.
The notebook variants look like short USB sticks with an external surface for your finger to rest on. They can remain permanently attached to the laptop and are therefore particularly suitable for mobile use. Depending on the equipment, there are additional features in the sensor classes, for example a status LED that indicates directly on the sensor whether the biometric enrolment has worked.
Manufacturers provide detailed data on recognition performance, especially for biometric hardware for business use: In the technical information you will then find values for FAR, FRR, and TAR. FAR stands for the false acceptance rate if the sensor enrolls a person even though their biometric data does not match the stored data.
FRR is the false rejection rate for the reverse case, when the correct person is not registered. TAR represents the value for correct logins.
Microsoft specifies certain values for hardware so that it can be used for Windows Hello — for example, FAR below 0.001 percent and TAR above 95 percent. If you want to be particularly sure, you can choose a model whose manufacturer specifies better values for its product.
How to solve problems easily
If the biometric login is causing difficulties, you should first check for software updates, as with all security-relevant hardware: Therefore, install all available Windows updates as well as the latest drivers and firmware for the biometric hardware.
Windows Hello also only works if you are logged in with a Microsoft account: Recognition via this system function does not work with a local user account.
Another cause of problems when logging into Windows fails, even though the camera or sensor appears to recognize you, may be the TPM: This security chip in the computer stores the biometric data and keys for Passkey, so logging in will fail if it does not work.
Therefore, go to “Update & Security” (Windows 10) or “Privacy and Security” (Windows 11) in the Windows settings and then to Windows Security > Device Security. There, click on “Security chip details.” If the status in this menu is “Ready,” everything is fine.
Otherwise, click on “Troubleshoot security chip” to delete its contents. You will then need to set up the biometric login again.
A finger sensor that can remain in the USB port is recommended for notebooks: This means it is always with you when you are on the move and can be used for mobile biometric logon.
A finger sensor that can remain in the USB port is recommended for notebooks: This means it is always with you when you are on the move and can be used for mobile biometric logon.
IDG
A finger sensor that can remain in the USB port is recommended for notebooks: This means it is always with you when you are on the move and can be used for mobile biometric logon.
IDG
IDG
There are often hardware problems with facial recognition if you use several cameras on a computer — for example, an external biometric USB camera together with the one built into the notebook lid.
Windows then often gets tangled up and activates the integrated camera, even though you need the external one to log in to Windows Hello, for example — this happens especially after the computer has woken up from sleep or hibernation mode.
The easiest way to solve this problem is to switch off the built-in camera. This can be done in the Windows settings under Bluetooth and devices > Cameras > Integrated Camera > Deactivate.
Alternatively, you can also use the Windows Device Manager: Right-click on the entry for the camera there and select “Disable device” from the context menu that appears.
Incidentally, it is not a mistake if a biometric camera appears twice in the Device Manager: You will then see one entry as a camera and another as an IR camera. This is because one piece of hardware is responsible for capturing images and the other for biometric recognition. Read...Newslink ©2024 to PC World | |
| | | ITBrief - 5 Sep (ITBrief)Hyland has unveiled major updates to Alfresco and key accounts payable tools, boosting automation, productivity, and security to streamline operations and reduce costs. Read...Newslink ©2024 to ITBrief | |
| | | ITBrief - 5 Sep (ITBrief)GoPro unveils the HERO13 Black and HERO, priced at NZD $749 and NZD $379 respectively, promising advanced features to cater to all user levels. Read...Newslink ©2024 to ITBrief | |
| | | ITBrief - 5 Sep (ITBrief)Tenable unveils new features in Tenable Nessus, enhancing risk prioritisation with EPSS and CVSS v4 for improved vulnerability management and compliance. Read...Newslink ©2024 to ITBrief | |
| | | ITBrief - 5 Sep (ITBrief)Catalogic Software upgrades CloudCasa with advanced backup, Azure integration, and enhanced Amazon EKS features to support complex Kubernetes environments. Read...Newslink ©2024 to ITBrief | |
| | | ITBrief - 5 Sep (ITBrief)Milestone Systems launches XProtect 2024 R1, focusing on enhanced cybersecurity, streamlined VMS operations, and new customisation features to meet evolving customer needs. Read...Newslink ©2024 to ITBrief | |
| | | PC World - 5 Sep (PC World)Discord started off as just a chatroom with voice chat features, but it has since grown into the de facto communication and community building tool for gamers, games, and organizations. The company has made plenty of missteps since Discord first debuted almost a decade ago, with some more egregious than others.
Here’s one recent change that some gamers may find unpleasant: your list of Discord contacts will no longer just show what games your friends are playing but also how long they’ve been playing each game and how often they’ve played in the last 30 days.
Related: The beginner’s guide to using Discord
The new overview might show, for example, that one of your contacts has been playing Call of Duty for 13 days in a row while another contact has been playing World of Warcraft for over 100 hours, which is then advertised with a marathon badge.
You can also react directly to individual in-game time displays or activities using emojis on the tiles displayed for your Discord friends.
what does replying to activites do? new discord feature ig pic.twitter.com/oII52oQ4Gk— Amplazzo (@Amplazzo) August 25, 2024
More noteworthy is that you can poke and prod and review any contact’s activities over the last 30 days, even when they’re offline.
And that’s precisely the problem. Not everyone wants their Discord contacts to be able to see, for example, that they played Counter-Strike three days ago. It might sound benign and not something worth hiding, but that’s beside the point.
Suppose you cancelled a meetup with friends because you just want to play solo for a while. This would make it extremely easy for someone to see that you’re playing alone, thus opening the floodgates for confrontations, interrogations, or hurt feelings.
Or maybe you don’t want your friends to know that you have beta access to an unreleased game. Or maybe you’re playing a lewd game that you don’t want others to know you’re playing. All reasons are valid here.
How to disable the new feature
Fortunately, the developers of Discord haven’t made this feature mandatory, allowing you to deactivate the feature if you don’t want your activities to be tracked and recorded.
Go to Settings and navigate to the Privacy and security section. Here, you can deactivate the feature under Activity status.
Further reading: Is a Discord Nitro subscription worth it? Read...Newslink ©2024 to PC World | |
| | | PC World - 5 Sep (PC World)Today at IFA in Berlin, Asus showed off the most recent iterations of their Vivobook and Zenbook line of laptops, now powered by the latest Lunar Lake architecture CPUs. These new CPUs supposedly deliver up to 47 NPU TOPS (tera operations per second), which help boost the speed of AI-based features. Asus’ new Zenbook also has a Ceraluminum lid, a fusion of aluminum and ceramic. Not only is this material gorgeous looking but in terms of durability, it’s a step up from the usual plastic or metal fare. While the redesigns are certainly attractive, the real star of the show is Intel’s Lunar Lake CPU. Let’s get into it.
Further reading: Best laptops 2024: Premium, budget, gaming, 2-in-1s, and more
Asus
Asus
Asus
Asus Zenbook S 14
When I first peeped the product images from Asus, I let out a low whistle in response to the new Asus Zenbook S 14, specifically the one with the Scandinavian White colorway. I just can’t resist a stark white colorway and Asus somehow knows that. However, it’s more than just a pretty face.
The Asus Zenbook S 14 comes with either the Intel Core Ultra 7 256V processor or the more powerful 258V processor (aka Lunar Lake). Both are capable of up to 47 TOPS. The E-Core CPUs are more power efficient and are capable of running at up to 3.7GHz, while the P-Core CPUs, which are designed to run heavier workloads, run at up to 4.8GHz. It sounds interesting and I’m curious to know how they’ll perform in PCWorld’s laptop benchmarks. All in due time…
This laptop also comes with up to 32GB of RAM and 1TB of SSD storage. The 14-inch 2880×1800 OLED display features a taller, 16:10 aspect ratio, a 120Hz refresh rate, 100 percent of the DCI-P3 color gamut, and 500 nits of HDR peak brightness. Given those numbers, this screen should be a real banger. OLED displays are known for producing inky blacks and vibrant colors, so I have high expectations of the Zenbook’s display.
Finally, this machine appears to be both slim and durable. It measures 0.48 inches (profile) and weighs just 2.7 pounds. The aforementioned Ceraluminum material is a fusion of ceramic and aluminum, which likely lends to its lightweight yet long-lasting design. Other cool features include a four-speaker sound system, AI noise cancelation (useful during Zoom calls), and a geometric grille that keeps the hardware nice and cool.
The Zenbook S 14 has a starting price of $1,399.99 and will be available to purchase this September.
Asus
Asus
Asus
Asus Vivobook S 14
The Asus Vivobook S 14 follows in the same footsteps as the Zenbook S 14. It’s thin and portable, measuring 0.54 inches and weighing 2.86 pounds. However, the biggest difference between the two is the price tag. The Vivobook S 14 is the more pragmatic and affordable option with a starting price of $999.99. Don’t let the lower price fool you, though–the hardware is still impressive. Although we haven’t gotten our hands on this machine just yet, I expect zippy day-to-day performance.
This laptop is equipped with an Intel Core Ultra 7 (aka Lunar Lake) processor, Intel Arc Graphics, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of SSD storage. The 14-inch 1920×1200 OLED display has a 60Hz refresh rate, a 16:10 aspect ratio, and 100 percent sRGB. The Vivobook may have a lower resolution and refresh rate than the Zenbook, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. It’s a perfectly fine screen for spreadsheet work, watching YouTube, and so on.
The above configuration of the Asus Vivobook S 14 (16GB of RAM/512GB of SSD storage) has a starting price of $999.99 and is expected to launch this September. The model with more RAM (32GB) and storage (1TB) also has a starting price of $999.99, but won’t be available to purchase until October. Read...Newslink ©2024 to PC World | |
| | | PC World - 5 Sep (PC World)A lot of time is spent looking at the best paid antivirus suites, but free antivirus solutions are worth discussion, too. After all, free versions are based on their paid counterparts.
Good news is, when you see a free alternative to a paid version you like, you can safely assume the antivirus protection level is similar—save for any specific malware types the free version doesn’t cover.
To create this list of the top free antivirus programs, we looked at the top mainstream antivirus suites for Windows and selected the ones that offer a free version, as not all of them do. Then we looked at how well these suites performed in third-party detection tests. We also made sure they weren’t resource hogs, because software that slows down your PC is a pain in the rear, even when it’s free.
In the end, our selection came down to these top free antivirus suites.
1. Avast One Essential
Pros
Convenient Smart Scan
Great basic protection
Flexible features
Cons
Frequent pop-ups & notifications
Best Prices Today:
Free at Avast
Avast One is a very highly rated antivirus program. With the free version of this suite you can run all the various virus scans. Most of the key Avast protections are also available, such as scanning new files added to your system, watching for malicious behavior from installed programs, a web browsing shield, and an email shield.
Avast Free even allows you to inspect your network and see the devices currently connected to your home router.
Avast Free uses a so-called smart scan to look for a variety of problems including browser threats, outdated apps, viruses and malware, and “Advanced issues” such as whether your webcam is protected from hijacking and the status of your firewall. However, the trick with those advanced issues is that to supposedly fix them, you need to start paying for the Avast One suite (about $50 per year for new subscribers).
What you don’t get for free is phishing protection, the sandbox to separate suspicious files from your system, webcam shield, password protection, a sensitive data shield, identity protections, VPN, and PC utilities. It does, however, provide basic ransomware protection.
As an alternative to Windows Security, Avast is surprisingly useful in its free version and is one of the most flexible options around.
2. Bitdefender Antivirus Free
Pros
Solid antivirus and malware scanning
Cons
No extra features
Best Prices Today:
Free at Bitdefender
Bitdefender’s free antivirus may have gotten a makeover, but its premise remains the same—a laser focus on guarding your PC from viruses and other malware, including web threats. You can run a quick scan or full scan, as well as create your own custom scans. VPN access is included as well, but free users are limited to just 200MB of bandwidth.
And…that’s it for features. Everything else is kept under lock and key until you upgrade to a paid subscription. No password managers, PC tools, or additional ransomware defenses. It’s malware scanning and that’s it. Well, almost it. Bitdefender’s free edition includes anti-phishing safeguards—if you create a Bitdefender account to enable the app’s full protection.
What distinguishes Bitdefender is its high rating from independent security organizations, with some of the highest detection rates for malware whether you’re online or off. So even though it’s light on features, it’s heavy on the most important quality you need in free antivirus.
3. Avira Free Security
Pros
Easy to use and install
Unobtrusive
Cons
Many features missing from free version
Best Prices Today:
Free at Avira
Avira Free includes antivirus protection, a basic password manager, file shredder, and a free VPN with an allowance of 500MB per month. It’s not as full featured as Avira Prime, but it’ll do for a free suite.
The free version scans your PC, and offers real-time protection for your desktop. But it lacks protection from web threats and email threats, as well as additional ransomware protection for your device. It also lacks the improved PC cleanup feature for clearing out old files in the Pro version.
Installation with Avira is easy, though it does prompt you to install its secure browser (completely optional), and automatically adds its Safe Shopping browser extension to already-installed browsers on your PC, like Microsoft Edge. Avira still uses more than one application for its features, with the most notable being Avira System Speed up for PC utilities and Avira Phantom VPN. If you want a free suite that splits its attention across a wider set of features, rather than concentrating on malware protection, this is the software to look at first.
4. Windows Security
Pros
Excellent protection for a free security suite
Works out of the box
Cons
Good protection, but there are higher-performing options
No extra features to speak of
Finally, we come to Microsoft’s built-in security solution. Once upon a time, we wouldn’t even consider Windows Security (previously known as Windows Defender) for an article like this. Times have changed, however, and Windows Security is equaling the competition in terms of results from third-party testing houses.
Windows Security is very good. There are third-party options that have better detection capabilities based on independent tests, but so long as you’re not visiting sketchier places on the internet, you’ll stay protected. Windows Security is active by default in Windows 10 and 11, and it works in the background ensuring you’re protected from threats.
Read our full
Windows Security review
What you sacrifice with a free antivirus program
As you can see, there are several capable free antivirus programs for you to choose from. Still, we feel it’s important to point out what you don’t get when you opt for a free solution. Email protection, for example, is typically a paid feature—and something that people who are extremely active in a desktop email program might care about.
Also missing from the free suites are enhanced security features such as file protection (to ward off ransomware attacks), a sandboxed area for opening suspicious files, a sandboxed browser for shopping protection, an enhanced firewall, monitoring for malicious behavior from installed programs, webcam monitoring, and a password manager. Identity monitoring and other privacy services like a VPN usually require a paid subscription, too.
If, however, you’re only looking for basic antivirus protection that scans your PC and alerts you when there’s a problem, then one of these suites will do the job without costing you a cent.
FAQ
1.
Will antivirus software slow down my computer?
Maybe, but probably not. To ensure that there is no malware or other threats present, antivirus software scans files and programs on your computer. The longer the time frame between each scan, the more files they will need to check. These more intensive scans may have some noticeable effects on your computer speed. Therefore it’s recommended that you do more frequent scans or even run them at night so it doesn’t affect your computer usage.
While antivirus software can have some impact on the speed of your computer, it’s most likely not the only thing—or even the most prominent. Other factors such as unnecessary startup and background programs, insufficient RAM, or even undiagnosed malware can have more drastic effects on your computer speed than a simple antivirus scan.
2.
What should I do if my antivirus detects a threat?
Ideally, your antivirus software will quarantine and clean the infected files for you. However, this largely depends on which antivirus program you’re using.
In general, the antivirus will send a warning to you and try to quarantine the infected file in order to keep it from spreading. Once it has isolated the threat, the software will give you the option to remove the infection or delete the file altogether.
3.
What is the difference between a full scan and a quick scan?
A full scan performs a comprehensive and thorough check of your whole system. It usually checks your system memory, startup programs, system backup, email databases, hard drives, and any removable storage drives.
A quick scan only checks a few key areas including startup programs, system memory, and boot sectors. It may not detect all malware, but it can usually give you an idea if your computer has a virus.
We recommend doing a full scan once per week ideally when you’re not using your computer (such as late at night). A quick scan can be done anytime but it’s usually only necessary if you notice suspicious activity on your PC. Read...Newslink ©2024 to PC World | |
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