Apple

New MacBook Pro 2018: release date, news & rumours

Rumours are rapidly spreading about Apple’s launch of the new MacBook Pro 2018. As usual, Apple is expected to refresh the hardware of its MacBook Pro line this year, but a new report suggests there won’t be any significant updates in the portfolio. Read on to find out more about the new MacBook Pro 2018 release date, news & rumours!

The report reveals that Apple has reallocated MacBook Pro orders from Quanta to Foxconn so as to reduce costs and minimise risks. For the past couple of years, Foxconn has taken up around 20% of MacBook Pro orders with Quanta occupying the remaining 80%. This year, Quanta will remain as a manufacturer but it may lose about 30% of its orders to Foxconn, resulting in an even split of orders between the two MacBook Pro makers. Apple is comfortable to make such changes as it has no plans to bring any major upgrades to the new MacBook Pro.

This implies that the key feature of the top end MacBook Pro, the Touch Bar, will not be introduced to 2018’s MacBook Pro model. It would be difficult for Apple to market the Touch Bar as a significant part of the MacBook family if the feature isn’t available throughout the MacBook Pro collection. Apple’s determination to push the limits on laptop and desktop design is questionable.

Despite the disappointment, the 2018 model of MacBook Pro will be released with refreshed components.

Design & Display

It’d be quite surprising if the appearance of 2018’s MacBook Pro was distinctively different from the 2016 model. After all, keeping the same chassis design for a few generations has been Apple’s common practice up until now. So the new MacBook Pro is likely to retain the business-like silver and Space Grey colour options.

Apple may possibly increase the pixel count on the 15-inch MacBook Pro, giving the new machine a 4K display so that it can compete with Dell, HP and ASUS.

Performance

The next generation of MacBook Pro is likely to be powered by Intel’s Coffee Lake processor, meaning that the 13-inch version could finally shift from dual-core to quad-core. The Coffee Lake processor will bring about a 30% performance boost over the current Kaby Lake processors while lowering power consumption! With the new processor, 32GB of RAM will also be a possible feature of the MacBook Pro 2018.

Release Date & Price

Apple may release its latest MacBook Pro in June 2018 in order to coincide with WWDC, a conference held in California where Apple showcases its new software and technologies to software developers.

The potentially lower price may be the most exciting thing about the new Macbook Pro 2018! Since Foxconn is a slightly more affordable manufacturer than Quanta, Apple is able to make this device more affordable for consumers.

There you have it – everything about the new MacBook Pro 2018: release date, news and rumours! Although we are not expecting any majorly ground-breaking new features on the MacBook Pro 2018, the functionality of the new model will certainly not disappoint. Just the anticipation of MacBook or MacBook Air 2018 is enough to keep us excited!

For more of the latest information on the MacBook Pro 2018, helpful reviews and other tech related news, keep track of our blog.

January 26, 2018 0 comment

Apple

The iPhone X: The 10th Anniversary Of The iPhone

Apple was very secretive about the 10^th anniversary of the iPhone, while rumours spread like wild fire; suspense only heightened as the launch day finally came. To clear up any confusion, it was a surprise to the masses that Apple actually released three phones; the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus and the iPhone X. The iPhone X has stolen the limelight to say the least. So what exactly is it? Well, there were whispers that the iPhone X was the same as the iPhone 8, but was just given a little more attention and a different name to highlight the milestone age of the iPhone turning 10; this evidently isn’t the case. This little stunner of a phone has tongues wagging and jaws dropping, so read on to see what all the excitement is about!

Appearance & No Home Button

(Source: Apple)

The assumption that the home button would be removed had been bouncing around and it was put into motion with the iPhone X, but not the 8 or 8 Plus. Whilst this feature is being heavily praised for improving the aesthetics of the phone, it has indeed been seen before (LG G6) and the Samsung Galaxy range seem to be heading in that direction as pioneers of the curved edges and somewhat infinity screens. Although, we can’t deny this is a rather stunning phone. The removal of the home button enhances the slick and chic look that Apple is ever so loved and famous for. Available in silver and space grey, they’re very easy on the eye to say the least, but we couldn’t help but feel that there’s something missing- the iPhone X in black.

Face ID

Abandoning the infamous home button means ditching the finger print scanner that unlocked previous iPhone models. So Apple is kicking up the fancy tech features a notch and have now introduced face scanner ID. The security feature utilises the front camera (obviously), mapping out facial features and recognising them in order to unlock the phone. However, at Apple’s latest convention in LA when demonstrating the face ID scanner for the first time ever, live and on camera, it unfortunately didn’t work on the first attempt. Perhaps it was nerves, perhaps it was the phone, we’re not sure. Apple don’t really make mistakes, so chances are it was a one off or a little bad luck- but we’ll know for sure when the phone is available to the public. A rather cool feature (quite well presented on their website if you’re interested) is how the facial recognition technology adapts and learns of changing facial features over time, like growing a beard, wearing hats/scarves that may potentially cover your face or recognising different expressions.

Camera

(Source: Apple)

The camera is the same as its predecessor- the iPhone 7. It has a 12MP wide-angle dual camera, plus some extra features. Portrait mode for selfies is a great feature if you’re brave enough to snap your face in high def. The artistically blurred background gives the impression of DSLR quality without the hassle of carrying a clunky camera around. Portrait lighting lets you manipulate photos with ease, no apps, or transfers to your computer to use Photoshop.

Wireless Charging

(Source: Telegraph)

So this feature is pretty cool, there’s no fiddling with wires, you simply place it on the dock. Also the infamous Apple charging cable that always breaks will hopefully be left behind. You can charge your phone, watch and earphones; all at the same time too! We have only one little query, so the charging cable is gone, why keep the Apple port, why not bring the normal earphone jack back? It’s just a little unnecessary now seeing as the port has no purpose other than earphones, that you either buy from Apple, or have to buy an adapter for if you use your own.

AR & Animoji

(Source: The Verge)

The ASUS ZenFone AR was the first phone with built in augmented reality and virtual reality, and it seems Apple have jumped on the bandwagon too. Apple introduced Animoji this year, which is a dynamic cartoon emoji that moves and speaks based on your actual face motions.

Animoji utilises augmented reality to enable you to transfer your facial expressions to your choice of emoji- pretty cool right? TrueDepth camera can decipher and analyse over 50 muscular movements to make an emoji of your choice mimic your expression (choice of 12 emojis)

Price

Now, this is where most people’s draw drop in shock and start to think the iPhone 8 is probably a better purchase. The 64GB model is priced at just £1 short of a grand- £999. The 256GB model is £1149. Smartphones just as good and capable are half the price, but this phone is definitely not for everyone. The premium feel features and of course, price makes this phone more of an accessory and luxury item.

So there you have it, the key features of the 10^th anniversary iPhone X! We hope we’ve given you further insight to some of the phone’s cool features and helped you come to a decision if you were in the midst of contemplating; to buy or not to buy? For more latest tech news and releases, helpful top picks and reviews- visit our blog.

The iPhone X not for you? Check out our range of mobile phones here.

September 14, 2017 0 comment

Apple

The New Apple Watch 3 – Rumours and News

Apple have revealed next to nothing about the upcoming and much anticipated Apple Watch 3. Despite the silent treatment given to press and customers from the brand, rumours and leaks have yet again managed to spread like wild fire. From leaked patents to deals with manufacturers hitting the press, we can draw a fair conclusion on some design aspects and features we expect to see. So if you’re considering some new wrist candy with some functional tech features, this might be a watch worth looking into.

(Source: TechRadar)

Battery Life & Charging

In comparison to the first generation watch, the 2^nd was a step up but not by far; the need to charge so frequently was and still is an inconvenience. One of the focal points of the watch is that it provides the necessary contact to the body (in a non-invasive or inconvenient manner) to monitor sleep, but the Apple Watch 2 can’t last through the night. Thus, Apple have pin pointed their efforts into prolonging battery life, especially since competitors offer watches of a similar capability that lasts longer hours.

The upcoming release is expected to handle two days of use before needing to be recharged, so those of you who want or need to track sleep; this might be a suitable smartwatch for you.

Alongside this, we’re expecting to see quicker, easier and more efficient wireless charging.

Health & Fitness

So if you’re unaware of the growing trend of smartwatches, one of their prominent purposes is fitness. Heart rate and respiration monitoring, sleep tracking, step and calorie counter, activity log and tracker; you get the gist- it’s a great investment for fitness lovers. The focus on these aspects continues so expect new fitness features. A slightly new feature, respiration monitoring is very likely since Apple have patents for such a feature. We’ve heard rumours of a biometric sensor, alongside the likes of speakers and mini solar panels; but take our word for it- very unlikely to happen.

Screen & Camera

The current model has a resolution of 390 x 312 pixels and competitors offer higher screen quality at a lower price thus fuelling rumours that an inevitable resolution increase is due to come. However, if components move into the straps we’ll have extra space within the watch itself; so we’re even more excited to see what will come.

The introduction of a OLED instead of sticking to the micro-LED screen will see brighter imagery, better power use/ distribution and efficiency. Sources from TPK Holding suggest there’s a high chance Apple will abandon the current glass panel technology and start manufacturing with glass film touch solution.

We might see the introduction of a front-facing camera but realistically- what’s the point? It’s not exactly the greatest angle for taking pictures; a rather disingenuous move from Apple. There’s a chance if this feature is incorporated that FaceTime will be added to the Apple Watch. We’re not very keen on this; the rumoured feature has received a fair amount of criticism. With a screen so small and awkwardly positioned on your wrist, you’re better off using FaceTime on your Mac Book or iPhone. Screen size may arguably stick to 1.65 inches, or perhaps increase in the slightest; but nothing colossal.

(Source: TrustedReviews)

Cellular Connectivity

So the 2^nd series had a GPS, so cellular connectivity is pretty likely with the upcoming release. The Wall Street Journal is pretty confident that the Apple Watch 3 will have 4G connectivity, if so, the brand will have to figure out how to bill customers if they’re using two devices. The incorporation of this would mean less dependency on our smart phones. Remember how tablets kicked off, took the world by storm, everyone wanted one and manufacturers wanted to make one. Well, various tech giants, economic forecasters and numerous journals predict this product to have a similar effect; and it’s believed that cellular connectivity becoming a feature on smart watches is what’s going to propel the smartwatch to this high level of demand and success.

Processor Chip & Storage

According to sources, there’ll be an inevitable improvement in the processor chip, overall increasing productivity and performance speed. This seems to be a consistent trend with Apple products, new generations tends to have superior processing power in comparison to their predecessor. Alongside this upgrade, we’re pretty certain on a much needed increase in storage space. The latest version saw a storage space of 8GB, most of which was consumed with the operating system. Subtract this and most were left with a mere 2GB for photos and an insufficient 75MB for music. The expansion in storage space is yet to be confirmed, but it’s a pretty much guaranteed feature.

Interchangeable Straps

A very innovative and questionable idea- interchangeable straps. The idea itself is brilliant, you choose a strap best suited for you, you only pay for you need so if this feature does accompany the new release, we should hopefully see some form of a price drop. Alternatively, various economic journals predict this feature to only increase the product’s sale price. The watch face will have the same standard features and like a game, you might have to pay to unlock certain levels, you might have to pay extra to get various other features only available with the watch strap.

(Source: MacWorld)

A specific strap that has sparked immense rumours and in-depth scientific research- the health strap. There have been whispers (a lot of them) of a health strap that more focused on maintenance of health rather than exercise/ activity tracking; so for people that are sick. If this strap makes the cut (unlikely) it would have to be FDA approved, so is more likely to be released as an independent product; rather than an additional feature/accessory to the Apple Watch. This would be Apple’s biggest success, it would be untouchable- taking your meds before suffering an asthma attack, no panicking when your blood sugar levels get dangerously low; the implications of a product of such sort would be revolutionary in the medical field. Apple have specifically focused their efforts on monitoring glucose levels within the blood stream thus meaning the current research and the strap itself is tailored to diabetics. At present, the only way to monitor glucose levels is blood sampling, Apple are in the process of developing a non-invasive form of measurement. This in itself is a big deal- it could make getting a blood test for those who fear needles a lot easier. Reports have already confirmed research is underway as CNBC states Apple have been stealing top employees from various medical fields and assembling them in Apple research campuses; leaks have confirmed that specific research into non-intrusive methods of blood testing are in full swing.

It’s confirmed that Apple have filed and been approved for a patent on a magnetic strap. So you can wrap, bend and fold your wristband to make a stand for the watch face (ideal for night stand mode) or wrap it around the watch face for protection when travelling or fit it into your pocket.

Round Watch Face

The already seen rectangular watch face may be abandoned for a circular shape, which we absolutely despise. It’s just an awkward shape for a tech product, have you ever seen an oval shaped tablet or triangular phone? Some things just don’t work. A round face may arguably cut things off the edges of the screen because of the curve, as depicted below.

(Source: MacWorld)

Exterior Casing, Durability & Water Resistance

With the focus on sports and exercise, it seems only natural that Apple makes their new watch waterproof, expanding its use to the pool; not just sticking to the confinements of the gym. We’ve seen leaks, heard whispers and read rumours about the exterior. The exterior casing of the watch is most definitely some form of durable metal, either titanium or platinum; catering to athletes who might get rough and rugged whilst training heavily or those who indulge in outdoors sports and activities. We’re expecting a strong exterior capable of withstanding some hard tumbles and falls, alongside elegance; due to the practical and luxurious nature of the watch- it’s handy in the office and catered to those with some cash to spare. A key point of focus however, will be extreme sports such as skiing or mountain climbing; manufacturing a watch able to withstand such climates and activities will be a key player in setting the Apple Watch apart from its soon-to-be mediocre competitors.

Release Date & Price

So Apple are really teasing everyone, we’ve heard nothing from them directly; only increasing excitement as this is meant to be the golden girl of smartwatches. With the iPhone 8 due to be released in September, there’s a chance the Apple Watch 3 will be launched alongside it. However, the 1^st generation and 2^nd generation Apple Watch were released over a year apart (1^st gen- April 2015, 2^nd gen- September 2016), so there’s a possibility we might have to wait till 2018. Shipment of screen panels and other components began in the early latter half of 2017 from their Taiwanese manufacturer, so we’re definitely expecting release in the upcoming 9 – 12 months. Although, there has been chatter of a possible 2S being released first. It has also been rumoured that the new Watch OS4 will be released alongside the Apple Watch 3.

As for the price, this little guy won’t be accompanied by a small price tag. The Apple Watch 2 currently starts at £269.99 and that’s almost a year after its release. The series 3 is expected to start from £369 for the 38mm and £399 for the 42mm.

So there you have, all you need to know about the upcoming Apple Watch 3. Those who love fitness that are on the search for a handy companion are sure to be pleased with this piece of arm candy.

For more updates on the release, helpful reviews, top picks and other tech related news- check our blog.

August 7, 2017 0 comment

Apple

What to expect at Apple WWDC 2017

The biggest Apple event of the year, WWDC (Worldwide Developers Conference) 2017 kicked off yesterday and will continue throughout the week until June 9^th. The buzz has been exceptional this year with many predictions on what exactly will be revealed by Apple this week.

You can watch the event live everyday but if you just can’t wait to get an idea on what sort of things are likely to be showcased at the keynote this week then keep reading to get a lowdown on day 1 of the event, as well as what to expect at Apple WWDC 2017!

iOS 11

Image Source: Apple

Software is of course the focus of the event, as it is for developers after all, day 1 started off with the unveiling of the software update; iOS 11. Along with a different look to the control centre and the notification centre, we also get an update to iMessages, Apple Pay, the music app and of course, Siri.

The redesign of the App Store is a big deal as it has been unchanged in 9 years; it will now include a tab view, to allow you to discover a range of genres and options easily, simplifying the user experience whilst also making it much more exciting and engaging.

Siri’s overhaul probably seems long overdue for a lot of Apple users; with updating their AI assistant, it seemed like Apple was getting left behind in the ‘AI assistant race’, however Siri will now be ‘more intelligent’ and base suggestions on what it thinks you want to see by learning what you like.

The control centre will now be displayed on one page rather than two making life much easier. An upgrade to Apple Pay also means we will now be able to transfer money to each other and we will be able to do so via iMessages as well!

MacOS 10.13

Image Source: Tech Radar

A new update for Mac was also announced and we now know it will be called ‘macOS High Sierra’. The update which will be released around August, will include major improvements to Safari, where it will now feature ad-tracking, to prevent those tedious adverts popping up everywhere as you browse, refining the user experience greatly.

Photos is also getting updated with better facial recognition, enhanced editing options as well as a different layout to help you better organise and sort your images. After 30 years, Apple is also switching from its older file system to APFS (Apple File System) for a faster more secure Mac.

Hardware

Aside from software, we also saw some huge hardware news which, let’s face it, is what most of us are most excited about. Rumours of an Apple speaker have been floating around since last year; but yesterday saw the debut of the HomePod, the intelligent speaker which even senses where it is placed in the room for maximum sound effect.

We spoke about the new Google Home and how it may be slightly better than Amazon’s Echo after Google’s similar developer event earlier this year (you can read more here) however, it will be interesting to see where Apple’s offering stands when pitted against these two already well established speakers.

In addition to this we also saw the iMac get an upgrade in graphics and displays and the new update will finally introduce VR compatibility too. We got a glimpse into the new iMac Pro as well as a new MacBook Range, but more significantly the world was introduced to the new iMac Pro.

Image Source: The Guardian

The desktop will feature 128GB of ECC RAM, a stunning 5k or 4k screen, and a Radeon Pro graphics card. It will be available in December, and you’ll be able to get your hands on one for a staggering starting price of $4,999!

With just the first day of WWDC 2017 being packed with exciting news and launches by the tech giant, we are intrigued to see what the rest of the week will entail, and what more there could be for what to expect at Apple WWDC 2017.

Today we’ll see Michelle Obama joining the event for an open session so be sure to stay tuned! We hope you enjoyed reading our highlights of what to expect at Apple WWDC 2017! Let us know what you’re most looking forward to seeing this week in the comments below!

June 6, 2017 0 comment

Apple

Apple makes same amount of money even with low iPad sales

Today is Apple’s much anticipated event for the MacBook Pro launch, and it’s the day after the Microsoft Surface PC event. Apple has recently reported its fourth quarter profit from this year, displaying a drop in iPhone sales for the third successive quarter. iPad sales have also dropped throughout the last few years, although tablet sales in general have declined regardless of manufacturer, and Android tablets have been winning in terms of sales.

Even though the iPhone revenues have dropped and Apple are now selling less iPads, the actual revenue that Apple is generating from iPads have shown no change –and this is significantly due to Apple’s strategic tactics of placing their trademark tablets at the premium end of the huge tablet market. This greatly contrasts with the decline in iPhone sales which was 13% as well as the 17% decline in Mac sales.

The launch of the premium 12.9” iPad Pro in November 2015 has shown Apple’s strategy to target the high-end consumer and the price (£899 for 128GB) reflects that tactic. The iPad Pro does have various features which the average iPad user will not require, however this has allowed Apple to specifically promote the device to graphic designers, heavy-duty users or innovative app developers –and it’s an approach which has been hugely successful for the company. Furthermore, the 9.7” iPad Pro which was released a few months after the 12.9” version has allowed Apple to combine the target user and premium market factors with a lower price point (£639 for 128GB), widening the consumer market for it.

Although Apple has been successful so far in their choice of market and subsequent revenue, it is not certain whether the company will continue to invest in the tablet market as robustly as it has done previously. The overall decline of interest in tablets and Apple’s plans to develop thinner and more powerful MacBook’s means the two lines could possibly merge. One thing’s for sure, we may not be surprised to see a significantly altered approach from the company in the future.

We are looking forward to getting more information on the event, and consequently Apple’s winning strategies; however pictures of the MacBook Pro have leaked showing a Magic Toolbar, Touch ID and other exciting features!

Check back for the latest tech news at www.laptopoutletblog.co.uk

October 27, 2016 0 comment

Apple

New and Updated MacBook Pro: News & Rumors

Rumours of an upcoming MacBook Pro update have caused quite a stir on the tech scene. With the 13” and 15” MacBook models receiving their last upgrade in spring 2015, the launch of the iPhone 7 due this autumn and Apple’s market share for computing space falling by 4.9% in the second quarter of 2016, the release of a new and updated MacBook Pro is imminent. Apple’s refusal to mention or even hint at the update at their annual developer event in June has brand enthusiasts waiting in anticipation, intensified the excitement and has rumours circulating and spreading like wildfire! We’ll put your apprehension and curiosity at rest and tell you what you need to know.

What new features will the 2016 model have?

The exterior

Especially well known for their elegant design, we expect no less with the soon to be released MacBook Pro. Appearance will see little to no change, the much loved design is a key part to the MacBook’s success, as well as ensuring its portability. With the current 13” model weighing 1.58kg and the 15” weighing 2.04kg, we’re expected to see a decrease in weight with the update; a plus considering the MacBook is reputable for its portability, now it’ll be lighter than ever. It’s debatable that we might also see a thinner upcoming model.

No More Earphone Jack

You’ve no doubt heard through the grapevine that the iPhone 7 is due to be released (if not check, out our article on the iPhone 7 to find out what to expect) and it’s been stated that we might see the death of the renowned earphone jack. Either to your happiness or despair, this too is an expected feature on the new MacBook Pro. You’ll either be provided with an adapter or have to purchase one separately which will allow you to plug your earphones in. This feature has understandably not been warmly accepted. If the adapter isn’t included in your purchase, it’ll be an extra cost and an extra hassle to carry and use.

Touch ID security

Kick-starting the trend of finger-scanner security features in smartphones with the ever-so-loved iPhone, there is a strong likelihood that this feature will be added to the 2016 release. We’re expecting to see a dual-functional power button that’ll be used to start your MacBook and unlock it. You’ll be required to use your fingerprint as a password; enhancing security and much easier than having to manually enter a password. This advanced security feature surprisingly hasn’t been seen on laptops so far; again putting Apple on the forefront of innovative designs.

Touchscreen laptop or hybrid?

With the launch of the iPad in 2012 propelling the tablet phenomenon into the tech market, Apple have remained surprisingly aback from the current hybrid and touchscreen laptop craze. These innovative hybrid designs have become immensely popular and pretty much every other leading brand have released a device of some sort that fits into the category.

In the event of a hybrid device (more likely than a touchscreen laptop) we’ll reportedly see Apple maintain the appearance of the MacBook Pro but making unnoticeable and handy alterations. The MacBook Pro hybrid will bring the introduction of a newly designed hinge which allows you to detach the keyboard, and will use a mechanism that goes by the name of ‘metal injection moulding’, as well as the re-introduction of the butterfly-mechanism keyboards used on the 12” MacBook.

This new and innovative hinge is apparently being manufactured by Amphenol and sources have confirmed that the company is definitely supplying Apple with some form of equipment; so a hybrid is likely. It’s all very secretive; however Apple never disappoints so we are expecting good things if a hybrid were to be part of the new release.

With the upcoming release we expect a touchscreen laptop or a hybrid, but of course, Apple has a lot more in store than just that.

The ‘Apple Pencil’

This is where Apple takes everyone by surprise and yet again blows us away with an innovative new tech device. Whilst we’ve seen devices such as the Nintendo DS and some smartphones use a stylus, they seem to have disappeared and become a little outdated with the ability to use a touchscreen device with our fingers. A patent primarily focusing on touchscreen display was filed in 2014 (now seen on the iPad Pro) and now there have been rumours and leaks of it being incorporated into the MacBook Pro. The likely release of this is going to be an absolute game changer and re-establish the stylus in a new and advanced form.

(Source: Macworld.com)

MacBook Pros and iMacs are prevalent in media industry due to their proficient features. A stylus release will see a more advanced version of what’s currently available. It’ll reportedly be able to detect 3D lateral movement, as well as tracking rotational orientation and movement. Greater detail and a finer finish when doing meticulous work, sketch, alter and refine with greater precision.

As seen in the diagram, we’re likely to have improved control and navigation with the addition of buttons on the Apple pencil, although we haven’t been informed or heard anything about their functionality.

A Keyboard with no buttons

It sounds absurd, but when explained, it’s most definitely achievable. Circulating rumours of no physical keys, simply a touch sensitive slate have been floating around online. Leaked pictures of the MacBook Pros upcoming components surfaced in late May, from which we can decipher a thinner body and the absence of keys altogether. Sounds a little familiar right? That’s because Apple patented the idea in 2011, so after years of waiting, we’re likely to finally see it.

We will possibly see the introduction of a keyboard that perhaps has more of a screen-like quality. Whilst some may think it’s absurd and far-fetched, it’s completely do-able, considering it’s somewhat seen on phones. You’ll have a slick-looking, flat surface showing all your normal letters, numbers etc. with the use of lights. We may also see the introduction of automatic contextual alteration, so buttons on the keyboard may change depending on the app in use.

(Source: Macworld.co.uk)

Graphic

We’re going to see an undeniable improvement in graphics. Apple is famous for delivering in terms of visuals and with close ties to AMD and NVIDIA it’s looking like film fanatics are bound to be pleased. AMD and NVIDIA are planning on releasing new GPU products suggesting that there may be some new quality features too. There are widespread reports, as well as some sources confirming that AMD have a new design that’s exclusive to the new MacBook Pro.

Cellular 4G Connectivity

Now, this feature is a tricky one. Whilst it’s been supposedly stated to be on the new MacBook Pro by various blogs and tech experts, it’s most likely not going to happen. Leaked patents and design blueprints suggest that in order to make such a feature possible, Apple would have to incorporate an external antenna into the laptop. With an external antenna we’re looking at a higher risk of damage. As a thin piece of metal sticking out of your laptop, the antenna itself is an outdated connectivity device, and prone to breakage. Apple’s esteemed and elegant design would be abandoned with the use of this. Although Apple is recognised and celebrated for their great product features, appearance irrefutably plays a part in the MacBook’s success.

With Wi-Fi available at home, in the office, pretty much every coffee shop and even at tube stations, is there really a need for 4G connection? Plus, the current MacBook Pro already enables connection to devices such as your mobile phone, if you wish to access the web via hotspot. It’s questionable whether Apple will risk ruining a much loved and elegant design for an unnecessary feature.

Processor

We’re in for a treat with a sixth generation chip by Intel and Skylake processor. This should further improve MacBook Pro’s browsing and multitasking ability. Currently the 13” model with a battery life of 10 hours and the 15” at 8 hours. We should see a general prolonging of battery life with the new and more efficient processor, and the new launch should bring about a new model with up to 12 and 9 hours battery life.

Price

Apple tends to keep pricing between its different generations in a similar range, so we’re expecting no hugely inflating prices, sad faces or empty pockets. Although, with all the improved and added features, it is unquestionable that there will be a slight increase.

So there you have it! All you need to know about the MacBook Pro release, with all the not so possible features filtered out so you have a better idea of what to expect. If you’re looking to invest in the new MacBook Pro, we hope we’ve been of help to you and if you can’t wait and prefer an existing model, grab yours on our site now.

For more MacBook Pro updates, tech related news and helpful reviews, be sure to visit our blog.

August 12, 2016 0 comment

Apple

Top 5 Free iPad Games

Tablets in recent years have become an ever so loved and popular device; great for home use and travelling. Whether you’re a gaming fanatic or in need of some simple entertainment whilst on the move, you have access to so many apps and games with a tablet! I suppose after the end of Angry Birds, it can be a little hard finding a game that you like, and it’s tricky figuring out whether or not you should pay for a game, in the off chance you don’t like it. Difficult, isn’t it? Well, put your wallet away and stop worrying! Here at Laptop Outlet, we’ve made finding a game for your tablet easy, with our top free gaming picks.

Temple Run 2

Booby traps, secret doors, passage ways and mazes. Temple Run 2 is definitely one of the best free apps available! Every kid idolised the hero that made the great escape, and yearns for a treasure hunting adventure. Well, you owe it to your inner child to accept this quest! The first Temple was such a success, that a second was released introducing new challenges and quests, different locations, new characters and pitfalls, plus plenty more. This game is quick and easy to grasp with simple controls like swipe and tilt motions, so you don’t need loads of practise to be good at it, and you’ll never be stuck on the same quest for too long. Complete the adventure of retrieving the cursed idol whilst running through a number of exotic locations like perilous cliffs, abandoned mines and rich forest land. If you were impressed by the first one, you’ll be stunned by the new and improved graphics on Temple Run 2, as the phenomenon lead to further visual progression. You’ll never face a moment of boredom with the choice of 7 characters to play from, and now you can even play as Ruler of the Sand, Cleopatra and The Great Healer, King Imhotep. Indiana Jones fans, download it now!

Candy Crush Saga

This game is an absolute gold mine of fun and colour, as well as stimulating visuals and gaming. Travel through the enchanted land of Candy Kingdom with Mr Toffee and Tiffi to meet a bunch of eccentric and wonderfully absurd characters, and play some sweet games. Switching and matching up sweets sounds like it could get boring after a while, right? Not with this game. With hundreds of different levels this game will never turn boring and sour. You’ll be given a choice of modes such as target scores, timer, order and drop down; so there’s never a dull moment. A little lonely? You have the option to play with friends too. This off-the-wall and vibrant game is great for kids and adults with its easy to play swiping motions, plus the makers definitely poured a ton of creativity into this app. Win a tasty prize by spinning the Daily Booster Wheel or travel to Dreamworld with Odus the Owl. For all the obsessive and skilled gamers out there, you needn’t worry about finishing the game quickly as new levels are added every 2 weeks!

PAC-MAN 256 – Endless Arcade Maze

“Cherries are red, Ghosts are blue, Munch a power pellet, Get lasers too!”

The old school and beloved classic is taken in a new and modern direction with PAC-MAN 256. Adults, it’s time to relive your childhood with this arcade hit, and kids will love it too. Reinvented for your tablet, you can effortlessly master this game, by simply navigating through the endless maze. Munch as many dots as you can, and be sure to gobble some cherries on route too; as well as plenty of other power ups! More than 15 different power ups are up for grabs so you can outsmart wicked ghosts; and escape the infamous Glitch that’s been lurking around since the beginning of PAC-MAN. With loads of added and updated features like the revived gang of bandit ghosts, new power ups and combo moves, old time PAC-MAN gamers are in for a treat, and first time PAC-MAN players will be in for a fruity sweet treat.

The Simpsons: Tapped Out

Since its debut in 1989, The Simpsons have taken the world by storm and Homer’s sense of trouble and mischief has led to the accidental wipe out of Springfield and the town’s fate lies in your hands (literally). Rebuild Springfield, and make a home out of Homer’s mess. Reunite the Simpsons family, find and help your friends; (yes, you have to help Flanders too)! Complete challenges to earn donuts, harvest and grow the infamous tobacco/tomato hybrid, ‘tomacco’ from season 11, make sure Apu never leaves the towns beloved Kwik-E-Mart unattended, and enjoy a Duff with Duffman at the Brewery. Don’t forget to keep Homer in check with the conform-o-meter, measuring his consumerism, gluttony and indolence. If this wasn’t exciting enough, Simpsons fan will be blown away with exclusive, never-seen-before, animated scenes! And guess what? You can connect with friends too and earn extra points! Visit your friends’ Springfield to grab friendship points, pull some pranks, and collect cash. With amazing HD graphics the grass has never looked so green, the donuts have never looked so tasty, the sprinkles have never looked so delicious and the Krusty burgers have never looked so mouth-wateringly good!

Middle Manager of Justice

Conquer Evil, establish order in the midst of chaos and fight crime with the tips of your fingers! If you’re a superhero fan, this game is your calling. Underdog or high flying superhero, you have the responsibility of getting your team of crime fighters into shape and keep your citizens safe. Get your team to defeat rare monsters and save lives and you’ll be rewarded; increase efficiency to unlock new crime-fighting equipment and facilities. With a bunch of impressive costumes, suit up to kick some super villain butt; and defeat the powerful and unlawful BeastFly! With a range of skilfully designed locations, funny characters, quality graphics and witty humour, you’ll never have a dull moment. In 2012, the game was awarded ‘Best Game that 2012 has to offer’ so you’re guaranteed a great gaming experience, don’t waste time and download it now; hurry because you have crime to fight and people to save!

So whether you’re a superhero at heart, with a passion for crime fighting and bringing justice to the people, a Simpsons fan (which most people are deep down), an old school arcade game lover, love a sweet treat or need to satisfy your thirst for adventure, there’s definitely a game that you’ll love on here. For more helpful top picks, reviews, and other technology related news, check out our blog.

August 8, 2016 0 comment

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12 Things A Perfect Laptop Has To Have – Look Closely

Often you find the need to ask yourself, what are the factors that make a good laptop great? Maybe you are in search of a new laptop, that’s why find the need to find an answer to this question. The question is quite simple, but the answer quite complicated and perhaps require attention to even the smallest details. Also, every person has his/her own needs, requirements and preferences. Therefore, this question is deceptively tricky as well. If you want a note that you can leave around on your room table, then a desktop is your best option. But if you want to make the best of your machine, take it to classes to take down the notes, be more productive while you ride the subway, play high-end games or watch perhaps a movie or TV series all tucked up in bed, then you need a laptop that can offer you a variety of incredible features.

Let’s take a look at these features:

Not A 2 in 1 Machine

You are looking for a laptop and not a tablet, and if you need a tablet then there is no point in buying a laptop as well. Add to it, there is absolutely no point in getting both as well. Having said that, you don’t want those 2 in 1 devices as well that can serve both as a laptop and a tablet. While the idea of getting both a tablet and a laptop at the price of one and being able to perform both duties may sound great and appealing, but it cannot be what a good laptop should be. Bottom line, if you want an ultimate laptop, then buy a laptop only! It will have all those factors like fitting perfectly on your lap, longer battery life and many more a good laptop and only a laptop should have.

A Great Snappy Keyboard:

Among many other things, the one thing that makes a laptop great is its keyboard. You cannot do away on your laptop without touching the keyboard. While performing every task, it requires you to touch the keyboard. In fact, being one of the most productive and comforting parts, the keyboard has to be great.

A Good Quality, RealSense Webcam

You won’t find any laptop in the market in the present world that doesn’t have a camera. But, a webcam like that of RealSense by Intel has taken the entire concept of video chatting up a notch. This camera will allow you to do a number of things like removing your actual background and changing it into a wallpaper so that the next time you Skype with your boss, he won’t be able to see all the piles of dirty clothes stacked up behind you.

Needs To Be Core i5 Or More

For the most part, a Core i5 processor for many users will be more than enough. Unless you are really into some high end animation, play games or edit complete movies, you can go a bit higher but a standard Core i5 is more than enough. Don’t go below that and you will be fine. But remember, every Core i number you go up, you need to throw in extra bucks. So if you have $200 bucks extra to spend, you can go for a Core i7.

Lightweight Gadget

Often you have to go places and take your laptop with you. Or if you are a school going student, you will need to carry your laptop from one class to the other. If your laptop is a bit heavy-weight, it will be very difficult for you to take your laptop around easily. In fact, you simply cannot grab your laptop and run classes when it weighs a lot. That’s the reason why a good laptop should not weigh too much, should be easy to carry about. Having said that, the laptop shouldn’t be too thin.

Good Number Of Ports

What’s a good laptop without a good number of ports? If you don’t have plenty of ports in a laptop, don’t simply go for it. Many companies these days leave this feature out because they either want to cut down on the cost or they simply want to save in on some space. But what’s the point when you have to carry around heaps of dongles in your bag wherever you go? A laptop that can give you plenty of ports for different purposes is always a good deal.

Real Button Touchpad

The laptop should have a touchpad that features real buttons so whenever you are sliding through some images or a presentation, you don’t have to use the keyboard. Give the keyboard a break for a while and make use of the touchpad. Many notebooks launched in the past didn’t have buttons on their touchpad. The buttons were built in. This is a very annoying factor when it comes to portable devices.

Battery Life

A good laptop should have a battery that lasts longer than usual. What if you have a train ride for a couple hours and there won’t be any place for you to charge your machine, or you are running late for a class and are left with no time to put your laptop on the plug. For times like these, you wished that your laptop had a good battery life.Well, you should buy one that has a longer battery life in the first place.

Standard Features Can Be More Tha Enough

When you are not using your laptop for any high-end purpose, a laptop with standard features will be more than enough. In fact, most of the laptops you will find these days have specs you can get in any highly expensive laptop. Why would you want to buy a £2000 worth laptop? For all those amazing options and features you get in an inexpensive one? If you don’t have to compromise on a few main features in your laptop like screen resolution, functionality and keyboard comforts, then it’s a deal worth taking.

Durability

A laptop that is able to take a lot of wear and tear is worth a shot. You have to take your laptop places, sometimes in your backpack. You might sometimes use it a bit too roughly. For all these purposes and more, your laptop should be able to take a lot of endurance. If not, you will have a faulty gadget in no time.

Removable Battery

The laptop should have a removable battery option. There are many that do not have this option. When you are at an airport for say, and the battery is running low, you will have to find a place near to a socket so you can plug in your device. This can be a bit annoying and frustrating. But when you have a removable battery option, you can simply take off the one with low juice and replace it with the fully charged one.

Warranty Time

Laptops should have a fair warranty time, a year or two will be perfect. Don’t buy a laptop that doesn’t have any warranty at all. And if you get one with 6 months warranty, try to find some better options first and if you are not able to find one, then you can purchase that one.

October 16, 2015 0 comment

Apple Student Laptop PCs Windows 10

Top Favorite Useful Windows 10 Apps For You

VSCO Cam for Windows 10

Most of the people now-a-days have developed an immense love for photography. In order to make your photography experience more enjoyable, VSCO Cam works wonders for all those photography freaks who love to edit photos and like to create something extra-ordinary out of good shots. This user friendly app enables the user to capture, edit and share their photos with friends and family. Add various effects, modify color temperature, saturation, cropping, contrast and exposure level of your clicks. Download this incredible app to your Windows 10 and enjoy the added edit magic.

Kindle for Windows 10

All those who love to read and always have thirst to read more books , kindle is the app for you and is surely what all bookworms can opt for. Read as many eBooks as many as you want anywhere by having this app. For your convenience, you can read every book’s first chapter for free and if you find the book interesting, you can even purchase it online and the book will be provided to you on your device. Not only that, it also offers its users to read all the Wikipedia articles offline. Adjust the text size as per your wish and enjoy reading your favorite articles and books comfortably.

Mercury Browser for Windows 10 PC

Is there any day of yours that goes without browsing? Certainly the answer would be ‘No’. browsing has become a part of our daily routine. The speed of browser depends on the internet speed and the browser you are using. If your browser is not serving you well then things tend to get really irritating. Facing some similar issues? Get your hands on the Mercury Browser to solve all your browsing needs. You can use this browser for both iOS and Android. It is intelligent enough to recognize the gestures which you can customize according to your ease. It enables the user to download files easily and lets you read stuff online smoothly.

Bluestacks

Say hello to ‘Bluestacks’ the incredible emulator for running Android apps on Windows 10 smoothly. You must be well aware of many of the emulators around but the most recommended is Bluestacks by far. It acts as a perfect android platform for Windows 10 and is a boon for people who don’t use smartphones frequently. With this smart app installed in your computer, you can gain access to almost all of the Android apps available on the app store.

Citrix Receiver for Windows 10

Now here is an app for all you professionals out there, the Cirtix Receiver. It enables the user to easily access and manage enterprise files, desktops and applications from your computer system no matter wherever you are. It supports almost all the devices you are likely to use such as Linux and Mac desktops, iOS, tablets, Android and smartphones. Download it today and let windows 10 make your life easier and more organized.

August 18, 2015 0 comment

Apple Smartphones Technology

5 Best iPhone Apps Of 2015

You cannot take most out of your smartphones unless you have the most appropriate apps. No matter which OS you are using you need apps to work efficiently and effectively. But with thousands of apps available in the app stores and markets, it becomes difficult to identify which ones are the best. If you are an iOS user then we have something for you. Below is a list of best apps of 2015 which will give you an amazing experience.

Air Video HD

Every iPhone user faces a problem of limited on board storage especially when you have large video collection. No matter which iPhone you are using, you’ll have to face it and the issue of limited on board storage is not to be resolved in the upcoming iPhone as well. But Air Video HD can solve this issue to some extent. It streams and even re-encodes the content from MAC or PC which you can enjoy on your phone using AirPlay support.

Day One

Although regular journals can also do the work but Day One is an app that adds more life to it and crosses the limits of a typical journal. It is an app you’ll like to keep always with you as it allows you to save images, messages, locations and much more and can later retrieve them when needed. It is a lively colorful app which attracts everyone plus easy to use.

iMovie

iPhone camera allows you to edit videos but the editing options are not up to the mark, they often make video look worse than before. But iMovie is an outstanding app that brings complete video editing software to your phone. It lets you add soundtrack, effects, filters and much more to your videos and make you feel as if you are editing on desktop.

Launch Center Pro

We all love speed dials as they are convenient and save our time. Just imagine how great it would be if you can get it for other tasks as well. Launch Center Pro is more or less like that. It allows you to create shortcuts of various things like sharing picture on twitter, posting on tumbler and many other things. You can also arrange these shortcuts in groups for your ease.

Weather Pro

There are plenty of weather apps we can find in app store some are pleasant to look at while some have more features. Among all these the most preferred one is Weather Pro, the biggest reason why this app is better than other is its accuracy. It is also information-rich, with radars and detailed forecasts for your targeted locations.

May 25, 2015 0 comment

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