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Hardware

Hands-on with the new iPad Pros and Airs: A surprisingly refreshing refresh

posted onMay 9, 2024
by l33tdawg
Credit: Arstechnica

Apple has a new lineup of iPad Pro and Air models for the first time in well over a year. Most people would probably be hard-pressed to tell the new ones from the old ones just by looking at them, but after hands-on sessions with both sizes of both tablets, the small details (especially for the Pros) all add up to a noticeably refined iPad experience.

Apple announces M4 with more CPU cores and AI focus

posted onMay 8, 2024
by l33tdawg
Credit: Arstechnica

In a major shake-up of its chip roadmap, Apple has announced a new M4 processor for today’s iPad Pro refresh, barely six months after releasing the first MacBook Pros with the M3 and not even two months after updating the MacBook Air with the M3.

Want to Buy a Decommissioned Supercomputer? Here’s Your Chance

posted onMay 3, 2024
by l33tdawg
Credit: Wired

On Tuesday, the US General Services Administration began an auction for the decommissioned Cheyenne supercomputer, located in Cheyenne, Wyoming. The 5.34-petaflop supercomputer ranked as the 20th most powerful in the world at the time of its installation in 2016. Bidding started at $2,500, but its price is currently $270,085.

Meta debuts Horizon OS, with Asus, Lenovo, and Microsoft on board

posted onApril 23, 2024
by l33tdawg
Credit: Arstechnica

Meta will open up the operating system that runs on its Quest mixed reality headsets to other technology companies, it announced today.

What was previously simply called Quest software will be called Horizon OS, and the goal will be to move beyond the general-use Quest devices to more purpose-specific devices, according to an Instagram video from Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg.

Redesigned M3 iPad Pros, large-screened iPad Air now expected in May

posted onApril 1, 2024
by l33tdawg
Credit: Arstechnica

If you've been waiting for new iPads to come out, prepare to wait just a little longer: Bloomberg's Mark Gurman says that redesigned iPad Pros with Apple's M3 chip, plus refreshed iPad Air models with the M2 and a larger-screened option, should now arrive sometime in "early May." Gurman had previously reported that new iPads could arrive in March or April, not long after the updated M3 MacBook Airs.

Nvidia unveils Blackwell B200, the “world’s most powerful chip” designed for AI

posted onMarch 20, 2024
by l33tdawg
Credit: Arstechnica

On Monday, Nvidia unveiled the Blackwell B200 tensor core chip—the company's most powerful single-chip GPU, with 208 billion transistors—which Nvidia claims can reduce AI inference operating costs (such as running ChatGPT) and energy consumption by up to 25 times compared to the H100. The company also unveiled the GB200, a "superchip" that combines two B200 chips and a Grace CPU for even more performance.

Hardware Hacker Runs GTA Vice City On TP-Link Router And Radeon GPU

posted onMarch 8, 2024
by l33tdawg
Credit: Lowyat.net

Have you ever woken up and asked if running Grand Theft Auto (GTA) Vice City on a TP-Link router is possible? No? Well, one hardware hacker in Germany apparently did and made it a reality.

The individual, who goes by the handle Manawyrm on YouTube, posted a video of his achievement on the site. Using a TP-Link WDR4900 and an AMD Radeon HD 7470 as an eGPU, he shows off his success getting GTA Vice City up and running with a wink and a kiss.

Apple’s efficient M3 MacBook Airs are just about as good as laptops get

posted onMarch 8, 2024
by l33tdawg
Credit: Arstechnica

Right off the bat, the M3 MacBook Airs aren't as interesting as the M2 models.

July 2022's M2 MacBook Air updated the design of the 13-inch laptop for the Apple Silicon era after the M1 Air's external design played it safe. And the first-ever 15-inch MacBook Air, released over a year later, was an appealing option for people who wanted a larger screen but didn't need the extra power or cost of a MacBook Pro. Together, they were a comprehensive rethink of Apple's approach to its mainstream laptops, modeled after the similarly dramatic Apple Silicon MacBook Pro redesigns.

Apple Drops New MacBook Air With Powerful M3 Chip

posted onMarch 5, 2024
by l33tdawg
Credit: Wired

In October, Apple unveiled the next-gen 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro with new M3 chipsets. While it was inevitable the MacBook Air would receive the same treatment, it was mainly a question of when. The wait is finally over. Today, the company announced updated versions of its 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air with the latest M3 chip. Both models are available for purchase starting today and will begin to arrive on March 8.