Miscellaneous

Windows 10 anti-cheat feature is finally out

The Windows 10 fall creators update rolled out to PCs last week! If you’re a gamer, you need to know the updates made to the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update. Microsoft has finally switched on the TruePlay feature that works to filter out common cheats in all games powered by Windows software. The TruePlay feature was first introduced as a test feature in July, but it’s finally out. Read on to find out how it works.

The TruePlay feature works by running in ‘protected mode’ or operating in the background to notice any cheating performance. Not sure about using the TruePlay feature since all your data is being transmitted? You can easily switch it off if you’re not so sure! However disabling it means that online game options will be limited to you.

The protected mode is designed by Windows to protect gamers against a common method used for cheating through access to game code such as aimbots or wallhacks, so we can’t expect every method of cheating to be blocked out. Aimbots are a type of computer gamer bot that are often used in multiplayer games for automated targeting, and ‘wallhacks’ are specific programming pieces designed to give unfair advantage to the user. So how will it change gaming? While gathering data throughout the game, you’ll get alerts when the system notices any cheating behaviour, and when it’s confirmed by TruePlay the data will be shared with the developers.

Microsoft says: “To ensure and protect customer privacy while preventing false positives, these data are only shared with developers after processing has determined cheating is likely to have occurred.

The TruePlay APIs for the Universal Windows Platform (UWP) allow limited interaction between games and the game monitoring system on Windows 10 PCs. These APIs are located in the <gamemonitor.h> header”.

We’re expecting TruePlay to become really popular with gamers, and make integration with existing games so much easier! Stay up to date with our thoughts on the TruePlay feature and more of the latest tech news at www.laptopoutletblog.co.uk

October 23, 2017 0 comment

Windows 10

Windows 10 Fall Creators Update Coming Soon

As you may know, Windows 10 is Microsoft’s latest and presumably final OS version. Microsoft has revealed that the upcoming Fall Creators Update will give Windows 10 a number of added privacy enhancements. The update will be available from 17^th October and it will feature two important privacy changes to the setup system, as well as allowing users to view more information about data used by the OS.

The most significant features of the update were announced by the company’s executive vice president, Terry Myerson, who stated:

“As part of the update we will deliver an evolution to the photos experience that will let you tell your story like never before using photos, videos, and 3D effects; enhancements in gaming, security, accessibility, and immersive new experiences made possible by Windows Mixed Reality.

All of this innovation will be brought to life by a range of beautifully designed, and feature rich modern devices available from our hardware partners.”

The first privacy change gives users access to the Privacy Statement from the setup system, this change has been put in place to increase user awareness of the data collected by Microsoft. Setting up a new device? The Fall Creators Update will make it a lot easier for you.

Microsoft has improved privacy settings on the ‘Learn More’ option when new devices are being set up. This allows users to avoid going through the whole privacy statement, and adjust individual settings instead such as the location, speech recognition and diagnostics. With the approaching Fall update, it’s easier to control which apps can access private information on your device, making it safer than ever.

The Windows Devices & Group Privacy Officer, Marisa Rogers, said; “As part of our ongoing dialogue and transparency with you, our customers, I am excited to announce these privacy changes coming next month in the Fall Creators Update. Windows Insiders will get an early look of some of these changes in the coming weeks. I look forward to continued dialogue and hearing your feedback.”

The Windows 10 Fall Creators Update will have prompts appearing for users to enable private location-based information and accessibility to the camera, microphone and contacts. At first the prompts will only appear for the new apps installed after the update, however this particular update means that you will be seeing the dialogue boxes popping up a lot more than before.

Microsoft will begin to test the updates with Windows insiders shortly, before the release of the Fall Update on October 17^th. This means that other changes could be made to the OS before its release. Keep up with the latest Windows 10 news at www.laptopoutletblog.co.uk.

September 18, 2017 0 comment

LSE Group

Laptop Outlet in LSE Group’s ‘1000 Companies to Inspire Britain’ report 2017

Laptop Outlet LTD has been identified as one of London Stock Exchange Group’s 1000 Companies to Inspire Britain. The report is a celebration of the UK’s fastest-growing and most dynamic small and medium sized businesses across the UK.

To be included in the list, companies needed to show consistent revenue growth over a minimum of three years, significantly outperforming their industry peers.

Laptop Outlet are one of the UK’s leading online retailers of technology, selling everything from laptops, tablets, to gaming gear and more from leading manufacturers such as ASUS, Lenovo and LG. The continued growth of the business is due to the combination of their wide range of product offering, competitive prices, long standing business relationships with manufacturers and excellent after-sales service offered to their customers. Following a strategised approach in retailing via the various online revenue streams, Laptop Outlet are able to achieve yearly business growth and overall trade.

Xavier Rolet, Chief Executive, London Stock Exchange Group says:

“Four years on, LSEG’s ‘1000 Companies to Inspire Britain’ report continues to highlight the dynamic, entrepreneurial and ambitious businesses across the country that are boosting UK productivity, driving economic growth and creating jobs. The strength and diversity of these companies is readily apparent with a broad mix of UK regions and sectors represented. These companies are the very heart of an ‘anti-fragile’ economy: more robust; more flexible and less prone to boom and bust. We must ensure we continue doing all we can to support high growth potential businesses like these.”

The Rt Hon Greg Clark, Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

“I want to congratulate the 1000 companies from across the UK featured in London Stock Exchange Group’s pioneering 1000 Companies to Inspire Britain report. Championing high growth innovative SMEs is crucial for the continued success of the UK economy and a country that works for everyone. We are committed to ensuring that companies of all sizes can access finance to grow, scale-up and create high quality well-paid jobs across the country.”

May 26, 2017 0 comment

Mothers Day

Top 5 Tech Gifts For Mother’s Day

Mother’s day is just a few days away and if your mum is a bit of a techie at heart and has a love for gadgets and all things technology then why not treat her to the perfect tech gift. Sometimes a bouquet of flowers just doesn’t seem like enough, and if you want to buy your mum something special that will last much longer, then continue reading for our list of the top 5 tech gifts for Mother’s Day.

Marware Zoey Leather Wallet Case

Price: £14.99
Detachable shoulder and wrist straps
Includes free matching MicroShell case
Front pouch fits iPhone
Rear full zipper pocket and small zipper slot on the back
Compatible with iPhone 5 and 5s

The Marware leather wallet case is perfect for your fashionista mum to keep her iPhone 5 or 5s safe, whilst also looking stylish which is why we have included it in our list of the top 5 tech gifts for Mother’s Day! The accessory is convenient to use and comes included with a free matching phone case to go with the wallet styled bag. It is genuine leather and is durable enough to withstand everyday use.

It also has detachable shoulder and wrist straps so it can be used for carrying out general mum duties and also as a clutch for special occasions. The two sections of the wallet include a slot for an iPhone as well as a full zipper section making this little wallet mum friendly and multi-functional.

Samsung Galaxy Tab 2

Price: £49.99
Processor: 1.0 GHz
RAM: 1GB
Storage: 8GB eMMC
Screen: 7-inch Multi-Touch Display (1024 x 600 Resolution)
Cameras: 3MP Rear + VGA Front Camera
Operating System: Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean)

We previously mentioned the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 in our blog post on the best tablets under £100 (read here) and this tablet is the ultimate no fuss, device. It’s straight forward to use with its Android 4.2 jelly bean operating system making it fun and extremely simple for every mum to use. The user interface is fully customisable and un-complicated to use.

It has a built in, front facing camera and integrated speakers for seamless video calls. It also has a built in mp3 player for all of your mums favourite songs and provides easy navigation across the device to allow easy access to all songs, games and even eBooks. It is also thin and light for stress free, reading on the go.

Pebble Smartwatches

A Smartwatch is the latest craze sweeping the world and the Pebble range is one of the most successful amongst them all. The Pebble Time Steel Smartwatch (left) as well as the Pebble 2 HR (right) are both compatible with Android phones as well as iPhones allowing for easy connectivity across all your devices.

The HR 2 is waterproof and has an e-paper display for easy viewing and a built in pedometer so your mum can keep track of her steps with ease. The Time Steel Smartwatch comes in a stunning gold and red colour with a classic look that every mum is sure to love, it is water resistant and has a 10 day battery life so mum doesn’t have to worry about charging every day. It also has an activity and sleep tracker.

They are both priced at £84.99 making them affordable but powerful Smartwatches. Every Pebble also gets you access to the Pebble Appstore where you can find 8000 apps so the Smartwatch never gets boring.

HP Pavilion X2

Price: £199.99
Processor: Intel Atom Z8300/ 1.44 GHz (Turbo 1.84 GHz) Quad Core
RAM: 2GB
Storage: 32GB eMMC
Screen: 10.1″ Touchscreen Display (1280 x 800) Resolution
Graphics: Integrated Intel HD
Operating System: Windows 10

The HP Pavilion is a necessary feature in our top 5 tech gifts for Mother’s Day list; a convertible laptop is the ideal device for any mum who doesn’t like the bulky feel of a normal laptop. The HP Pavilion X2 has a removable keyboard which has a magnetic hinge so you can attach and detach it easily, eliminating the time wasted with fiddly keyboards.

It has a Windows 10 operating system as well as a micro HDMI port and SD card reader, making file sharing with your mum simple and fast. It has a HP TrueVision HD webcam with an integrated microphone, so keeping in touch will never be an issue. It also has a long lasting battery and easy Wi-Fi connectivity, so you can video chat on the go, without the added stress of the battery draining.

LG G5 SE H840 (With B&O Hi-Fi Speaker & H3 Headphones)

Price: £369.99
Octa-Core Processor
3GB RAM, 32GB eMMC
3-inch Multi-Touch Display (2560 x 1440 Resolution)
16MP Rear+ 8MP Front Camera
Android 6.0.1 (Marshmallow)
Condition: Brand New (See Description)
Special bundle offer includes B&O Hi-Fi Speaker and B&O H3 Headphones

The LG G5 SE is a revolutionary and innovative smartphone that features a modular design, allowing you to completely remove the interchangeable battery and replace it with other accessories and components. It is available in stunning gold and grey colours.

The G5 SE has a 16MP wide angle lens camera so you can take high quality, unique photographs and it also has extensive zoom options too! The ‘always on’ display keeps the time, date as well as your notifications on the screen, so you don’t need to struggle to unlock the phone in order to simply see the time.

We currently have a bundle deal that includes a Bang & Olufsen Hi-Fi speaker, which you can slot into the G5 SE for superior sound quality, as well as B&O headphones. The speaker also works separately and is compatible with other devices, so you can always borrow and swap it around, all you like.

We hope you enjoyed reading our top 5 tech gifts for Mother’s Day and that we made the difficult task of choosing a Mother’s day gift, easier for you! Leave a comment below and let us know what your Mother’s day plans are!

*Please note: all prices are subject to change without notice and all offers are subject to availability*

March 22, 2017 0 comment

Student Discount

Where to Get Student Discount on Laptops in UK

There are many perks of student life, and one of the biggest ones is student discount. You can make great savings by using your student discount on anything from clothes, food, tech and more! Using your student discount card, whether in-store or online, allows you to make great savings on student essentials which are required during your time at school, college or uni.

Where to start? It can be overwhelming making the transition from school to college, or college to university, especially after the summer holidays, so you may not know where to start to make the most savings. The main student discount sources in the UK are Student Beans, UniDAYS and NUS Extra. You can make huge savings from these providers, whether that’s saving money on a late-night takeaway or a top-of-the-range laptop.

Student discount on laptops is hugely popular as it’s a great way to save huge amounts of money, and make student life more enjoyable. Laptops need to be good quality and reliable, as well as being affordable so they can last through your time at school/college/university. Here are a few great deals we have found which can help you save money with student discount on laptops in the UK:

With UniDAYS you can get 10% off Apple products! Student discount on Apple laptops is great news as they are known to have top of the range devices. MacBook Pro and MacBook Air are both hugely popular devices with university students, as Apple are known to create high-quality powerful devices which will last you a long time. It is also a plus point that you can easily take the device to an Apple store in case any issues do pop up, and know that it will be resolved without hassle. Also, avoiding internet viruses is crucial as you will have important work saved on your device and Apple laptops are great for this as viruses are extremely rare on OS X. Purchasing an Apple laptop, along with the 10% student discount, means you will save on security software in the long run.

With Student Beans you can get 20% off your Lenovo order! There is also the bonus of free shipping on all orders over £50, which means you can make great savings on one of Lenovo’s high quality devices. Student discount on Lenovo laptops means top laptops such as the Lenovo IdeaPad and Lenovo YOGA 3 can be purchased at a much cheaper price. If you’re looking for a laptop to get work done, the IdeaPad 500 is the best choice. The Intel Core i7 (6^th Gen) processor is the most powerful out of the Intel family, so you can multitask away, run apps simultaneously and also run power-consuming software with ease, all without worrying about draining battery life. Lenovo cater to a range of different laptop users, and have brilliant student laptops, whether you need a laptop that can double-up as a powerful gaming device, multimedia-friendly device or even a tablet to carry around in your bag.

We hope this guide about student discount on laptops in the UK was helpful to you, and that you manage to make huge savings whilst studying. Using the discount sources we listed will ensure you make savings on almost everything you need whilst at school, college or university.

September 30, 2016 0 comment

Windows 10

Windows 10 upgrade ends tomorrow!

The windows 10 anniversary upgrade (completely free for Windows 7 and 8.1 users) ends July 29^th, so be sure not to miss it. Already installed on an estimated 350 million devices worldwide, this operating system success is a deal not to be missed out on. Windows 10 home is fixed at the price of £99.99, and the Pro version costs £189.99; so take advantage of Windows’ generosity before tomorrow!

What’s so great about it? Why get it?

Well, with Windows 10 all your updates are automatic. No need to worry about manual updating, lengthy waits and buying updates as it’s all done automatically and free of charge. So maybe instead of saying “Windows 10”, we’ll simply call it “Windows” eventually; seeing that its successor will come with free automated update. Windows 10 also came with a bunch of neat little features that its predecessor didn’t have, such as:

Pre-installed Skype Video apps & Messaging
Improved menus
Apps now have a coloured title bar
The start menu has extra column of tiles (you can fit more on your homepage)
Cortana lets you send texts (Only for Windows 10 mobile phone users)
Improvements to Microsoft Edge

Ready to grab your free upgrade while the offer lasts? If you’re eligible for the free upgrade, click here to get it now!

July 28, 2016 0 comment

Windows 10

5 reasons you should upgrade to Windows 10

Windows 10 is the newest version of the Windows operating system; it features improved compatibility, enhanced security and faster performance. It has only been a year since the launch, yet more than 350 million devices are running Windows 10! Here are the top 5 reasons you should upgrade to Windows 10 now:

1) Get it while it’s free!

The Windows 10 update is free until July 29^th, so upgrade now to save up to £189.99! The professional version is more expensive, however the Home version will cost £99.99 when it is no longer free.

2) Automatic updates:

Windows 10 does already have a number of impressive features, and Microsoft has also pledged to regularly and automatically update the operating system, in order to acquire the best operating system possible.

3) Cortana:

Upgrading to Windows 10 will allow Cortana to have extended abilities, such as offering reminders and answering any queries users have, without even having to unlock the screen on portable devices.

Interestingly, the Windows 10 upgrade will also allow users to write or draw their own notes, which will be displayed on the device screen, rather than the need to type.

4) Quicker than ever:

Windows 10 has a faster speed than any previous OS; it is the most optimised version yet and instantly opens apps. Windows 10 also boots up instantly and allows smooth web browsing.

“This combines the strengths of Windows 8 with Windows 7”.

Windows Insider

5) Sleek design to compliment your device:

Windows 10 uses MDL2 design language, and the newest Anniversary Update allows users to use the built-in dark theme which has been loved by Windows Phone users since 2010. Microsoft Design Language 2 features an elegant and sleek design which is perfect for businesses or consumers who prefer a modern style device.

With so many advantages, it is clear why such a large number of people have already opted to upgrade to Windows 10, and time is running out before it’s no longer free!

To purchase a Windows 10 device, or other cheap tech devices visit www.laptopoutlet.co.uk.

July 11, 2016 0 comment

Mothers Day

Mother’s Day Gift Ideas

Mother’s Day is quickly approaching (Sunday 6^th March), and we have a wide selection of products, ranging from home décor, beauty and tech, to ensure you can purchase the ideal Mother’s Day gifts. Prices start from only £13.99, in order to suit every budget. Laptop Outlet offers next day delivery so view our top Mother’s Day gifts for last-minute shopping.

1) Premier Housewares Wall Cubes, Set of 3 -Black £13.99 (was £19.99)

This set of 3 premium wall cubes are perfect for modern home décor; they are ideal for hanging pictures or frames of all your wonderful memories, or even on their own as a statement wall feature. A great affordable gift for Mother’s Day!

2) Elle Macpherson The Body 8-in-1 Manicure and Pedicure Set £14.99 (was £29.99)

The Body range by Elle Macpherson has been developed to maximise your beauty potential. The Elle Macpherson 8-in-1 Manicure and Pedicure Set includes 2 different roller sizes (for heels, soles and toes), 2 different micron grades (for exfoliation and smoothing), 4 nail care tools (for filing, polishing and cuticles) and an adjustable transparent guard –all at a very affordable price! This high-quality set is ideal for at-home manicures/pedicures.

3) Elle Macpherson Wet and Dry Brush Battery Operated £15.99

Part of The Body range by Elle Macpherson, the 4 in 1 Face and Body Brush provides an effective all over body treatment whether used wet or dry. It includes a cactus dry brush for improved circulation, a pumice stone for smooth soles, a loofah to exfoliate, and a facial cleansing brush –all designed to reveal cleansed and glowing skin after use.

4) Original Champneys Facial Spa Deep Cleansing Facial Steam Bath £31.99

This luxurious facial steam spa treatment by Champneys is a quick and simple beauty treatment, it provides a relaxing facial sauna to cleanse the T-Zone efficiently as well as proving relief from congestion or flu. It is a timeless Mother’s Day gift which is useful for everyone!

5) Original Champneys Wellbeing Deep Tissue Toning Massager £31.99 (was £49.99)

This Champneys Hand Held Cellulite Body Massager is ideal for getting rid of cellulite and providing muscle relaxation, making it the perfect Mother’s Day gift! It is a lightweight device which effectively removes cellulite and detoxifies, and can be easily operated with the help of the strap-fastening massager.

6) Linx 1010B Touchscreen Quad Core Tablet £149.99 (£199.99)

The Linx 1010B 10.1” Touchscreen Quad Core Tablet is the perfect portable accessory for any mother. It includes a high-performance Quad Core Intel processor, along with the latest Windows 10 features, and a substantial display which is perfect for small-time entertainment.

7) Lenovo Yoga 2 10.1” Full HD Tablet Quad Core £194.99

The Lenovo Yoga 2 10.1” tablet features a striking lightweight design along with great performance, high-quality speakers and a great battery life. All these great features at an incredibly affordable price, making it the ideal Mother’s Day gift.

8) Lenovo Ideapad 100 15.6” Windows 10 Laptop £219.99 (RRP: £249.99)

The Lenovo Ideapad 100 features a powerful Intel Celeron processor, integrated Intel HD Graphics, a decent battery life, detailed screen resolution, and Windows 10 software, making it the ideal device for carrying out everyday tasks. Any mum would love this practical high-performance device for Mother’s Day.

9) Lenovo B50-45 15.6” Dedicated Graphics Laptop £329.99

The Lenovo B40-45 features a detailed 15.6” HD Widescreen display with 1366 x 768 resolution. It has additional features including Stereo Speakers with Dolby Advanced Audio v2, AccuType Keyboard, Enhanced Graphics and swift connectivity. This feature-packed device is the ideal laptop for everyday or work use.

10) Samsung Galaxy S6 128GB White Sim-Free-4G £439.99

The Samsung Galaxy S6 is one of the best smartphones currently available, so it will evidently be the perfect Mother’s Day gift for anyone in need of a premium feature-packed smartphone device. Featuring a new and unique exterior design, along with excellent camera quality, the Samsung Galaxy S6 produces the beautifully vibrant and saturated images which Samsung is already known for.

This hugely varied range of products ensure that you will definitely find the ideal Mother’s Day gift for anyone. Check out our full range of products at www.laptopoutlet.co.uk for more gift ideas!

March 4, 2016 0 comment

Windows 10

Should you upgrade to Windows 10?

Windows has consistently evolved since its initial release in 1985, and has become one of the world’s most popular operating systems – retaining a market share of over 90%. The success of Windows with each generation of software upgrades has led to the release of Windows 10 being highly awaited by many. Here is an overview of Windows 10, to answer whether you should upgrade from previous operating systems.

Here is a list of a few pros and cons of Windows 10:

Pros:

It’s FREE! (Automatic Windows 10 update)
New and Improved Start Menu
Combines strength of Windows 7 & Windows 8
Great performance in desktop version
Easy to use
Many features are similar to the popular Windows 7, including Start menu

Cons:

Microsoft account is required for mail and calendar applications

Windows 10 does already have a number of impressive features, and advantageously Microsoft has also pledged to regularly update the operating system, in order to acquire the best operating system possible. Since the launch of Windows 10, many updates and adjustments have already been put into place by Microsoft, and more are likely to follow.

Fortunately, Windows 10 is perceived as a welcome improvement from the previous Windows 8, which many users had found very unclear and problematic to use. It also made Windows touchscreen devices problematic to use. Windows 10 works best in desktop version, and the new operating system has shifted its focus from touchscreen-use to solving issues from the previous version.

Windows 10 maintains the great performance of Windows 8, which was one of the improvements from the previous Windows 7. Both Windows 10 and Windows 8 are generally quicker than Windows 7, they booted at a quicker pace than Windows 7, and they also shifted in and out of standby faster.

Microsoft has ultimately ventured into the world of Business with the introduction of two free new features in Windows 10:

Windows Update for Business
Windows Store for Business

Mobile Device Management is also a new feature introduced with the Windows 10 operating system, which allows Information Technology to direct the full set of PC, laptop, tablet, mobile and IoT (Internet of Things) in an organisation, offering a stronger method of controlling the different devices, and a better way to control ‘Bring Your Own Device’ (BYOD) situations.

Are you slowly coming round to becoming a fan of Windows 10? If so, check out the Top 6 Laptops, Ready for Windows 10. Be quick to download Windows 10 while it’s free, as Microsoft is planning to charge for the update from July 29^th 2016.

February 16, 2016 0 comment

Competitions

Share The Love Valentines Competition

It’s not long till Valentine’s Day. Have you started dropping hints yet? Everyone deserves some love and we want to thank everyone for their continuous support by joining forces with KAZAM to give you beautiful people the chance to WIN a Tornado 348 super-slim Smartphone worth £149!

For your chance to WIN all you need to do is FOLLOW our Twitter page and share the Valentines love by RETWEETING the tweet to your lovely followers. Alternatively, if you are a Facebook user, you can also enter by LIKING our Facebook page and following the steps to enter.

Good luck!

See Ts & Cs before entering.

Terms and Conditions:

This prize draw is open to UK residents aged 18 or over excluding employees of Laptop Outlet, or any of its subsidiary companies, their families, agents or anyone else connected with this promotion.
Competitions are run by Laptop Outlet and are in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by or associated with Facebook or Twitter.
To enter: Follow our Facebook page and answer the question, OR follow our Twitter Page and Retweet the tweet.
Only one entry per person per Competition is allowed.
Multiple entries will be disqualified.
The competition will start from 03 February 2016 until 11th February 2016 at 23:59.
The winner will be chosen at random from all entries.
The winner will be announced on 12th February 2016 before 3pm.
The winner will be notified by a private message on Facebook or Twitter, depending on which social media platform was used to enter successfully.
Laptop Outlet reserves the right to cancel or alter or amend the competition at any stage, if deemed necessary in its opinion, or if circumstances arise outside of its control.

#KAPTUREKAZAM #WinItWednesday #Competition #Giveaway #Win #ValentinesDay

February 3, 2016 0 comment

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