Archive - 2016

Lenovo Announces New Commercial X1 and Think Devices

LAS VEGAS, NV – January 3, 2016Lenovo (HKSE:992) today unveiled its newly expanded and highly innovative X1 portfolio. Designed for forward thinkers, the series includes new additions such as the brilliantly adaptable ThinkPad X1 Tablet with its unique modular design; the immersive ThinkPad X1 Yoga with world’s first OLED display; and the award-winning ThinkPad X1 Carbon is even thinner and lighter, strengthening its superiority in the ultrabook market.  Furthermore, desktop users will be wowed by the stunning new ThinkCentre X1 all-in-one, the must-have design centerpiece for any office with outstanding performance to match.

Designed and Engineered for Forward Thinkers

The modular design of the ThinkPad X1 Tablet offers something no other tablet can – adding functionality through simple clip-on optional modules:

  • Need more battery? The Productivity Module increases use up to 15 hours total
  • Ready to present? The Presenter Module includes a pico projector and HDMI port
  • Creating in 3D? Add the 3D Imaging Module with its rear-facing Intel RealSense camera

The full size ThinkPad keyboard with the iconic TrackPoint has three adjustable typing angles and recreates the classic ThinkPad keystroke feel. Keyboard and tablet together weigh just 2.4 pounds for an ultra-light laptop experience. What’s more, it is the first Windows tablet with LTE Advanced support for superfast connectivity from virtually anywhere. The ThinkPad X1 Tablet also features a removable rear panel for serviceability and upgrades.

ThinkPad X1 Yoga is incredibly thin at just 0.66 inches and light at only 2.8 pounds. It is also the world’s first convertible featuring an optional Samsung OLED display that reproduces beautifully rich colors and deeper blacks. With a patented Lift and Lock keyboard that retracts keys in tablet mode, X1 Yoga also features an active pen that is perfect for highlighting and writing notes directly on webpages using the Microsoft Edge browser. The pen is also housed & charged inside the system so it won’t get lost.

ThinkPad X1 Carbon continues to stand out as the world’s lightest 14-inch business ultrabook. One of the most refined and elegant notebooks available today, the X1 Carbon is thinner, lighter and more powerful than ever.   Focused on customer-centric design improvements, we listened to customer feedback and made a number of improvements, including more display options, increased memory and storage capacity, improved connectivity and made the X1 Carbon lighter at just 2.6 pounds.

Customers expect Lenovo to keep pushing the boundaries and the ThinkPad X1 series doesn’t disappoint. With a unique combination of performance, connectivity and security focused features available in all three products, the new ThinkPad X1 family is designed and engineered for forward thinkers:

  • Up to 1TB high-density, low-power Samsung M.2 NVMe SSD storage offers speeds up to five times that of standard SATA SSD
  • Ultra-fast enterprise class connectivity with the Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ X7 LTE modem with 4G LTE Advanced Carrier Aggregation support for up to 300 Mbps download speeds
  • Fast and secure WiGig wireless docking for a cable-free desk environment
  • Touch Fingerprint reader and Trusted Platform Module (TPM) security chip for peace of mind
  • Built tough to withstand the rigors of mobile working by passing more than two hundred Lenovo stress tests

The ThinkPad X1 family also includes a number of accessories specifically designed to match and enhance the overall user experience:

  • ThinkPad X1 Wireless Touch Mouse is a thin and light dual mode mouse optimized for travel. Flip it over to use the integrated touchpad presenter for easy navigation through slides.
  • The ThinkPad X1 In-Ear Headphones have been optimized by Dolby for the X1 series and engineered with dual drivers to improve phone calls, music and movies.
  • The X1 Sleeve, with its soft-touch interior and easy-to-open magnetic flap, is the perfect transport companion for your X1 Carbon or X1 Yoga.
  • The ThinkPad 65W Micro Adapter is 58 percent smaller and 50 percent lighter than a standard power adapter and is the ideal lightweight travel mate for the ThinkPad X1 Carbon and X1 Yoga.

The Desk Space of Tomorrow

The ThinkCentre X1 AIO offers a superlative design within an ultra-thin 11mm frame giving one of the world’s thinnest desktops. The premium anti-glare display offers a bright picture from any angle on its 23.8-inch screen and despite the incredibly thin chassis, the ThinkCentre X1 is built tough. Designed to withstand dust build up, a common cause of hardware failure with desktop PCs, the all-in-one has been tested for eight hours in a dust chamber, replicating ten years in an office environment.

The 7.5mm ultra-slim ThinkVision X1 is the world’s first monitor to receive the TUV Eye-Comfort certification. Featuring a 27-inch UltraHD edge-to-edge anti-glare display, the ThinkVision X1 includes rich connectivity options such as a USB type C port, providing the perfect complement to the ThinkPad X1 Tablet.

Quote:

“Lenovo’s customer-centric engineering focus enables us to design and build products where end-user needs come first. The new X1 family demonstrates our relentless pursuit of innovation that elevates the products above the norm.” said Johnson Jia, senior vice president, Personal Computing Group, Lenovo. “Optimizing our products with unique features and for greater performance, better cloud access and class-leading security and durability will help customers use technology as their secret weapon.”

Pricing and Availability

  • ThinkPad X1 Tablet will be available starting February from $899.
  • The Productivity Module will be available starting February from $149
  • The Projector Module will be available starting May from $279
  • The 3D Imaging Module will be available starting May from $149
  • ThinkPad X1 Yoga will be available starting January from $1449. OLED models will be available starting April. Prices will be quoted nearer the time.
  • ThinkPad X1 Carbon will be available starting February from $1299
  • ThinkPad X1 Wireless Touch Mouse will be available starting end of January for $69.99
  • ThinkPad X1 In-Ear Headphones will be available starting January for $69.99
  • ThinkPad X1 Sleeve will be available starting February for $50
  • ThinkPad 65W Micro Power Adapter will be available later in 2016 from $80.
  • ThinkCentre X1 AIO will be available starting March from $1029
  • ThinkVision X1 will be available starting March from $799.

http://www.lenovo.com/think

Tt eSports Shock 3D 7.1 USB Gaming Headset Review

Tt eSports is Thermaltake’s gaming peripherals brand, with entries into most of the mainstream peripherals categories. In the headphones category, Tt eSports has almost 40 different models – ranging from entry level to professional in quality and price point. The Shock 3D 7.1 is one of their mid-range headsets, featuring 7.1 channel virtual surround sound and USB connectivity.

Setting up the Shock 3D 7.1 gaming headset is very easy. Simply install the headset’s configuration software and plug it into an available USB port. From the software suite, you can select and tweak the sound coming from the headset until your heart’s content. The ear cups of the Shock 3D 7.1 are made from a fake leather material and, unfortunately, did cause my ears to sweat after about a half hour into a gaming session – so take note of that. Aside from the sweat induction, the ear cups are very comfortable, and they exert just the right amount of pressure to keep them on without causing headaches or other adverse effects. Included in the package is a nice carrying sack which is always a welcome addition.

One big, noteworthy feature I love is that Tt eSports has chosen to utilize a braided audio cable with the Shock 3D 7.1 – something that was all the rage for a while but seems to be slowly falling out of favor with peripheral makers. I love braided cables as they have a much lower chance of tangling up while gaming.

tt-esports-shock-3d-2

In terms of audio quality and virtual 3D sound performance, I had no issues with the Shock 3D 7.1. The audio was of good quality for PC gaming and the virtual surround sound was surprisingly realistic. I have never been a big fan of virtual surround sound – but I didn’t mind the Shock 3D 7.1’s take on the technology.

I got the chance to take on a large array of games while wearing the Shock 3D 7.1, including the Metal Gear Solid V, Fallout 4, Firewatch, and more. At a price point of $79.99, the Shock 3D 7.1 gave everything it had to perform well. Now, that being said, it is not a perfect headset. While it performs very well, the headset has an inexpensive quality about it. I don’t know if it is the gimmicky angles of the headset’s design or the quality of the plastic parts, but it’s there. My final caveat would be if you have a discrete sound card installed, you may want to go with a headset connecting directly to that card via 3.5mm jacks or dedicated inputs.

Despite this, the price point of the Tt eSports Shock 3D 7.1 gaming headset coupled with its above average performance make this well worth its $80 dollar price point. The Tt eSports Shock 3D 7.1 is available now.

Product Page

[easyreview title=”Tt eSports Shock 3D 7.1 USB Gaming Headset Review Score” cat1title=”Overall Score (out of 5)” cat1detail=”” cat1rating=”4″ ]

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