When Apple first announced that it was working on an all-new Mac Pro in 2017, it promised a high level of modularity that would allow you to customize the ultra-powerful machine to your needs. Then at WWDC 2019, it revealed that one of these modular elements was the Afterburner card, an add-on designed specifically for speeding up certain video-rendering tasks. But what exactly is the Afterburner card, and how does it work? And if you’re getting a Mac Pro, is it worth your money? What does the Afterburner card do? Apple describes the Afterburner as something that can “enhance Apple ProRes and ProRes RAW workflows for film and video professionals.” But what exactly does that mean? Simply put, if you’re working with ProRes and ProRes RAW codecs, much of the work can be offloaded to the Afterburner card. That means you can free up your other components — particularly the processor — for other work. In essence, its purpose is to eliminate “proxy … [Read more...] about What is Mac Pro’s Afterburner card, and what does it do?
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Polestar 1 first drive review: Grand touring with a compromise
With electrification sweeping across the industry, the battle to establish a foothold in sustainable mobility is fiercer than ever. The arena is already littered with the remains of ambitious, well-funded young companies that promised to “disrupt” the automotive landscape, and later learned the hard way that it’s an extraordinarily complex and costly endeavor to undertake. As we sat in a converted shipping container behind Volta Charging in San Francisco waiting for Polestar’s technical briefing to begin, that distinctive brand of hip upstart pageantry was hard to ignore, the trappings of which inherently invite some level of skepticism. But while this two-year-old company is here to debut their first model, their story actually goes back much further. “There are a lot of startups out there trying to establish new electric car companies,” Polestar CEO Thomas Ingenlath noted. “But we see ourselves in a very special position to innovate … [Read more...] about Polestar 1 first drive review: Grand touring with a compromise
How Sony’s camera guru is transforming Sony Mobile, starting with the Xperia 5
When Sony first introduced the DSC-RX100 in 2012, it delivered DSLR-quality pictures in a pocket-friendly, point-and-shoot camera. It was a trailblazing product that used a brand new 1-inch sensor when everything else comparable around it used smaller, less capable sensors. This is the camera that helped the company’s imaging division become the powerhouse it is today. It was also primarily the project of Kimio Maki, who headed up Sony Imaging at the time. In June 2019, he became Executive Deputy President Sony Mobile and there are plans afoot to perform the same turnaround at the struggling mobile division. In the same way as the RX100 appealed to creative people who wanted pro-level products in their hand, Sony’s strategy to make its current and next generation smartphones more appealing follows a very similar path. Understanding the plan “We don’t say it anymore, but the best of Sony in your hand [a marketing phrase Sony used several years ago] is still … [Read more...] about How Sony’s camera guru is transforming Sony Mobile, starting with the Xperia 5
Best Buy offers the best deals on these premium HP 2-in-1 laptops
Thinking of upgrading into an HP laptop for 2020? You’re definitely making a wise investment, as HP makes some of the best laptops on the market. With a wide range that includes business laptops and runs all the way to the premium Spectre line, there’s bound to be one that will perfectly suit your needs. We’ve rounded up three excellent HP 2-in-1 laptop deals from Best Buy. Save as much as $500 when you get the HP Spectre Folio, the HP Envy 13, or the HP Spectre x360 13 today. HP SPECTRE FOLIO – $900 The gorgeous HP Spectre Folio is a combination of vintage mixed with modern functionality. It mimics a fine leather portfolio (hence the name) and is even wrapped in the kind of crepe paper that’s usually reserved for designer dress shirts. We normally don’t care about packaging, but the way the Folio is presented is simply exquisite. Since it’s made of genuine leather with magnesium alloy components, it needs to be treated the way you would care … [Read more...] about Best Buy offers the best deals on these premium HP 2-in-1 laptops
Samsung Shape M7 review
Samsung Shape M7 Score Details “Samsung’s first effort at a wireless audio ecosystem is a respectable one, but it is not a Sonos killer.” Clear, clean highs Good bass response Adds some intuitive features to Sonos-style ecosystem Multiple ways to play Sound lacks refined definition Weak midrange Wireless system can be choppy A few weeks ago we evaluated the Sonos Play:1 speaker system, the latest and most cost-effective member of the Sonos family. True to Sonos’ form, The Play:1 provided a worthy audio performance on top of what we called “a unique and immersive wireless experience.” Of course, nothing stays unique in the tech world for long. It seems the folks at Samsung felt like giving Sonos a run for its money, because it has developed a wireless audio ecosystem that is eerily similar to Sonos’ design. … includes virtually every feature of Sonos’ clever ecosystem, while … [Read more...] about Samsung Shape M7 review