Showing posts with label Laptops. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Laptops. Show all posts

Monday, January 23, 2017

Chinese laptop ONDA oBOOK 11 Review 2017

Find a cheap compact laptop is difficult. Times have passed and many netbooks manufacturers do not pay attention to this market segment. Small companies from China which has the recently stamped tablet for the tablet. They drew attention to the Windows 10 running cost, small laptop, and ready to help. Today we look at it with such a device which get name Chinese laptop ONDA oBOOK 11.

VIDEO REVIEW OF THE ONDA OBOOK 11:

EQUIPMENT: CHINESE LAPTOP ONDA OBOOK 11

New compact chinese laptop ONDA oBOOK 11 Review and Test 2017

The notebook comes in a small cardboard box. Inside there is oBook 11, charger and paper documentation. Charging is carried out using a proprietary connector rather than USB.

APPEARANCE AND USABILITY: CHINESE LAPTOP ONDA OBOOK 11

Chinese laptop ONDA oBOOK 11 looks quite decent. The top and bottom covers and glossy painted gray. The inner part and the ends are made of matte black plastic which is very practical. Sockets bit, there is only everyday needs such two full USB, microHDMI, card reader, audio output.
The notebook has a design transformer. And so the power key, volume control, and slider keyboard disable brought to the sidewall. The design reminds notebooks Lenovo Yoga, but the hinge does not differ a clear way. During the transformation often appear extraneous sounds that do not inspire confidence. In addition, the mechanism of the keyboard lock sound when disabling Windows 10 hardware.
New compact chinese laptop ONDA oBOOK 11 Review and Test 2017
The keypad is made according to the standard layout. “Ctrl” is located in the lower left corner, then comes Fn. Unfortunately, there is no notification of down Caps Lock and you can not change the brightness of the screen using the Fn and function keys (only Windows interface). According to the definition stroke keyboards ThinkPad notebooks away, but if you get used to it and it is possible to work with relative comfort. Too bad that the substrate keyboard flexes strongly during operation.
New compact chinese laptop ONDA oBOOK 11 Review and Test 2017
The touchpad is a small size. It supports gestures, but for him, there is a claim. The sensitivity is not linear and often incorrectly recognized the gesture.
New compact chinese laptop ONDA oBOOK 11 Review and Test 2017
For example, you want to scroll with two fingers, but the touchpad instead launches a window with all active applications – triggered three finger gesture. To prevent this annoying, it’s easier to get the mouse.
New compact chinese laptop ONDA oBOOK 11 Review and Test 2017
Two multimedia speakers, they are on the bottom. They are loud measure. At maximum volume a bit strange noises. They’re enough to watch YouTube or TV series, but nothing more.

DISPLAY: CHINESE LAPTOP ONDA OBOOK 11

New compact chinese laptop ONDA oBOOK 11 Review and Test 2017






oBOOK 11 is equipped with an 11.6-inch touchscreen with a resolution of Full HD. Use the matrix IPS N116HSE. Wide viewing angles. The screen’s sensor works properly. In tablet mode, the device is very easy to use.
New compact chinese laptop ONDA oBOOK 11 Review and Test 2017
The brightness ranges from 2 to 229 cd / m². The contrast 1 to 545. The color gamut is not the same as the sRGB triangle. Almost the entire range of brightness of the screen color temperature is 5500K. Notebook PC screen is too warm and has a low contrast. It is not suitable for those who handle photos.

INSTALLING WINDOWS: CHINESE LAPTOP ONDA OBOOK 11

The Chinese laptop ONDA oBOOK 11 came to me after his accident, has not because you need a factory reset. Thereafter oBook not included. Further manufacturer’s logo was not loading. Googling on the famous forum, I found a solution to the problem. The official website of the ONDA needs to be downloaded two archives with Windows and manual record system for mounting a flash drive. Download speed from the official site is so small that even with a fast internet connection should not count on a couple of hours.
Download and unzip the file found in the instructions where the process of creating a bootable USB drive has been described in detail in Chinese. The main problem had not the fact that everything is written in Chinese. But in the fact that together with Windows on the same USB flash drive you want to record even for notebook hardware drivers. Instructions cleverly missed the point that the flash drive must have two logical partitions as if alluding to the fact that it is very easy to do.
New compact chinese laptop ONDA oBOOK 11 Review and Test 2017
This is my job ended with this statement. Without separation of drive and install the drivers, the data is downloaded archive does not “Plant” and I decided to install a clean Windows 10, and then later install the missing driver. To enter the BIOS has not need to press the key F2, Esc or the F10, and on and hold the Volume Up button (+), both on the smartphone to enter the recovery. After the fall in a very stripped-down BIOS with the most basic features.
After the first turn in the Device Manager found a dark unidentified equipment. To make it work it was necessary to look for a driver on the forum because they find them on the official website did not work. It is important to take into account the hardware version of a particular Notebook PC. Test Onda Obook 11 had version v4. Download Drivers are a set of folders to libraries, usually without the installation .exe and without digital signature. Therefore, you need to activate the corresponding Windows boot mode.
After installing the drivers on an integrated video accelerator surfaced extremely annoying bug. When the brightness has not 100% and 0% inside the laptop is something very high-frequency beeps. To get rid of it, you can either remove the driver or try to update them. I helped update. Actually, judging by the reviews of other users, I am not alone – the problem after resetting to factory settings appear frequently.

HARDWARE PLATFORM AND HEATING: CHINESE LAPTOP ONDA OBOOK 11

Overcoming the problem can come back to the unit. The notebook is equipped with an Intel Atom-X5 Z8300. Also, the laptop has 2 GB of RAM DDR3-1600 standard. And there is 32 GB of internal memory (eMMC), of which only 9.7 GB is available, and a slot for memory cards microSD. Integrated graphics controller. The operating system performs the role of Windows 10. Dry characteristics are quite ordinary for a budget notebook from China.
New compact chinese laptop ONDA oBOOK 11 Review and Test 2017
Built-in memory is so small that it is better to get a bigger memory stick or use cloud services. This drive is not showing off the speed – CrystalDiskMark gave low results.



















We spent only the most basic because the device will fit only for basic tasks such as browsing the web, watching videos and typing. With them, it copies. If you do not open many tabs in the browser, then RAM will be no problems, but still, would like to see at least 4 GB of RAM. The performance is enough to watch without jerks 4K and Full HD 60 fps video from YouTube.
ONDA oBOOK 11 is equipped with a passive cooling system. That’s good because at the time of the noise emits only the keyboard, while even during the start of the test PCMark 8 heating was only 71 degrees.
New compact chinese laptop ONDA oBOOK 11 Review and Test 2017












The hottest place on the body is located in the upper right block of keys. And the heat does not interfere with work comfortably holding a laptop on his lap.

AUTONOMY TIME: CHINESE LAPTOP ONDA OBOOK 11

Power embedded non-removable battery is 30 Wh. In the test, PCMark 8 Work with a brightness of 100 cd / m² (50%) oBOOK 11 lasted almost 6 hours. The manufacturer claims that it is able to work up to 7 hours on a single charge.
New compact chinese laptop ONDA oBOOK 11 Review and Test 2017
The laptop is charging slowly. Complete charger with 3A AC power and 12 V charger 4 hours.
New compact chinese laptop ONDA oBOOK 11 Review and Test 2017
Pros of Chinese laptop ONDA oBOOK 11: the price; the possibility of transformation; two full USB; Full HD touch screen; passive cooling system
Cons of Chinese laptop ONDA oBOOK 11: small amount of RAM and built-in storage; not always the correct operation of the touchpad; with the installation of drivers problems

CONCLUSION: CHINESE LAPTOP ONDA OBOOK 11

Chinese laptop ONDA oBOOK 11 – not bad “typewriter” for little money with a long battery life. A small amount of RAM will constantly remind you that this laptop for the most simple tasks. A small amount of internal memory will not allow keeping a laptop on a variety of video files. We should not forget that if there is a need to reinstall Windows, the process may take a lot of time and nerves. As a whole, due to the low prices of the device such a plan can come undemanding users.


Title: Chinese laptop ONDA oBOOK 11 Review 2017
Updated: 2017-01-23
Author: Dan Green

Thursday, January 12, 2017

Review MacBook Pro 13″ with Touch Bar

Significantly updated MacBook Pro lineup last happened in 2012, so it is not surprising that people were waiting for him with great interest. Autumn line of professional upgrade “MacBook” is available in three versions: two 13-inch laptops, and one 15″. At first glance, the changes only external, but the number of possible disputes and disturbances on niche sites suggests otherwise. Let’s understand, then this laptop so interesting and why has attracted so much attention. And as a guinea, we MBP MacBook Pro 13 Touch Bar review and in the top configuration.
Small MacBook Pro 13 Touch Bar review this year received two versions, which differ in the presence of Touch Bar, a pair of additional Thunderbolt connectors 3 and a slight difference in the performance. Naturally, the price also plays a role here, at the price tag difference models without Touch Bar and it is $ 300. At the same time, both models can be complemented by other processors, 16 GB of RAM and 1TB of the SSD, which will increase the cost of the most expensive models to nearly $ 3,000. It is worth noting that the MacBook Pro has never been cheaper.
New laptop MacBook Pro 13 Touch Bar Review: Laptop Test and Specs

PACKAGING AND FIRST IMPRESSIONS: MACBOOK PRO 13 TOUCH BAR REVIEW

In the box with your MacBook Pro 13 Touch Bar review usually, there is nothing superfluous. The biggest bonus that the user could get was cleaning cloth for the display, but now it is not supplied. Anything that will get the buyer to a computer, this charger and detachable cable (2 meters). By the way, the ability to simply replace the power cable, buying a new – a good move. Earlier replacement of the cable to create many unnecessary problems. But now with the MagSafe, I had to say goodbye to the format of 3 cable Thunderbolt / USB Type-C.

New laptop MacBook Pro 13 Touch Bar Review: Laptop Test and Specs
Opening the lid, the eye catches the first thing not Touch Bar, and the size of the trackpad, which is very grown up. As for the rest, for those who are familiar with the MacBook and the MacOS, other notable surprises will not.

DESIGN AND USABILITY: MACBOOK PRO 13 TOUCH BAR REVIEW

MacBook Pro 13 Touch Bar review design has always been very good. Certainly, it is a matter of taste, but the amount borrowed design elements from Apple notebooks other companies speaks for itself. The novelty is no exception and it looks pretty cool. At the same time, the differences are much greater than it was before.
New laptop MacBook Pro 13 Touch Bar Review: Laptop Test and Specs
Let’s start with MacBook Pro 13 Touch Bar review size, which was, you might say, a miniature: 30,41h21,24h1,49 cm This is less than the MacBook Air, which is still competitive compared device. And the new building all the less than the previous MacBook Pro. Globally, if you are familiar with the latter the MacBook, the “Proshka” something similar to it, just a little “swollen” version. It weighs 1.37 kg of the MBP, it’s just wonderful, for this laptop. It is very light, yet takes up little space. For me personally, this is the perfect laptop.
New laptop MacBook Pro 13 Touch Bar Review: Laptop Test and Specs
As before, the body is made from a single piece of aluminum. Predictably, there were color options that were limited to the classic gray and Space Gray. Changes to the “ornaments” caused outrage among fans of light – “bull’s eye” on the cover is no longer illuminated. I would not say that the mirrored logo looks bad, but yes, a glowing icon brand I like. Once again there was a «MacBook Pro» label under the display in the MBP Retina she moved to the bottom cover top keys.
The use of the laptop MacBook Pro 13 Touch Bar review gets a perfect score. With him a pleasure to work at the table, and on his knees. In this case, the rotation angle of the hinge allows comfortable in almost any situation. But it is not always possible to open the lid with one hand without sticking, because due to the ease of the body, sudden movement of the notebook can accidentally move or pivot top keys still drags behind him.
New laptop MacBook Pro 13 Touch Bar Review: Laptop Test and Specs
Input/output still air through holes in the sides of the display bracket. In this case, air flows can not be felt to the user. Therefore, it is absolutely not important, to sit at the table or to collapse on the couch, the computer is perfect for all use cases.
The only thing that can be unpleasant, it is quite rough edges on the cut top keys to open the lid. This is one of the traditions from which it would be good to refuse.

DISPLAY: MACBOOK PRO 13 TOUCH BAR REVIEW

Apple Laptops are always equipped with one of the best screens. In 2012, it was presented MacBook Pro 13 Touch Bar review with Retina display, the resolution of which is significantly higher than the average value among laptops. IPS-matrix of the new 13.3-inch MBP also has resolution 2560×1600 pixels (227 ppi). Personally, I prefer the picture scaled not to 1440×900 pixels, but there are still a few steps from the 1024h640 to 1680×1050 pixels. Of course, use the display with the resolution of a pleasure.
New laptop MacBook Pro 13 Touch Bar Review: Laptop Test and Specs
Color reproduction matrix deserves the highest praise. As for the ordinary office worker, and for professionals, such displays will be an excellent working tool. Talking about the viewing angles and stuff makes no sense, this screen is almost perfect. But there is one very significant difference from the previous models – color space DCI-P3. After working with such a display, the colors on older devices screens (eg, iPhone 6) seem bleak and cold.
Significantly increased illumination brightness – 500 cd / m², and protects the glass matrix has a good anti-reflective coating. It will do the job, for example, on the terrace, more comfortable. Like other Mac, the new laptop is quite good adjusts the backlight level. Sadly, a matte display option there ever since emerged Retina MBP, but certain accessory manufacturers will release a label for the new generation. In any case, before these were.

SOUND: MACBOOK PRO 13 TOUCH BAR REVIEW

Speakers – definitely one of the strengths of the new items. From such a thin device do not expect such a surround sound (approximately, as with the iPad the Pro, the dynamics of which I liked). The capacity of the speakers is enough for the average room. This sound will be enough for both movies and music for.
New laptop MacBook Pro 13 Touch Bar Review: Laptop Test and Specs
What is important, the sound output does not overlap with his hands and distortion input operation, the user receives. Excess vibration is not. More precisely, if the “unscrew” the volume to maximum, then the body will still slight tremor, but it can not be called excessive.
The specifications of MacBook Pro 13 Touch Bar review can be found mention of three microphones at once. The main is located near the left edge of the Touch bar’a. The system is well “hear” the user, and this time the caller will not feel much of a difference when in a quiet environment, you answer the call with the laptop and not from your smartphone.

KEYBOARD AND TOUCHPAD: MACBOOK PRO 13 TOUCH BAR REVIEW

Since the MacBook 12, the company began to use the new switches with a short stroke. The MBP put the revised version, which should be less sticky and produces very nice for my taste, “click”. Nevertheless, the support site has a page with instructions for cleaning the keys, which by itself is not a very good sign. Dinner is clearly not worth it on a laptop, so as not to clutter up the crumbs keys and something else.
The keyboard itself does not require much time to get used to it and it’s great for the blind and set long-term work. I did not like the only block arrows, which although can be used to, but they are still too small. In the past, they were also not the very convenient option. But otherwise, the keyboard is completely satisfied.
New laptop MacBook Pro 13 Touch Bar Review: Laptop Test and Specs
The touchpad in the new “Proshko” just huge. He also simulates the click and supports Force Touch. Due to the size of the surface of the excitement occurred, whether it is on the phantom TOUCH impact. But MacOS remarkably distinguishes pointer movement and accidental contact during printing. So work with all as the nice trackpad (although it is difficult to say that the last sample is somehow limited the work).

TOUCH BAR: MACBOOK PRO 13 TOUCH BAR REVIEW

The most interesting thing in the new MacBook Pro 13 Touch Bar review is a touchscreen OLED-display above the keyboard instead of the F-keys. Frankly, I am skeptical of the rumors, and after the presentation was not sure whether it can’t the convenient solution.
New laptop MacBook Pro 13 Touch Bar Review: Laptop Test and Specs
It turned out that this is the case when you need to try to use the thing, and then it becomes clear how to live with it. During familiarization with the laptop, I went on YouTube, to include something for the sound check. In Touch Bar (TB) appeared slider scrolling and video playback controls. Immediately it becomes clear that this addition is very convenient.
And such examples are many. For example, you close the application and turn off the confirmation window appears. Instead of having to drag the mouse button is enough to touch the buttons on the Touch Bar. Almost every program can be applied to this display, but not all developers to unleash the potential of TB in full. I am sure that in a year when the software will acquire useful use cases and users will get used to it over (it will take some time), it will work with at times more convenient.
New laptop MacBook Pro 13 Touch Bar Review: Laptop Test and Specs
Most of all I was worried about switching to music and volume control, it’s what I use most often among the F-keys. The fears were not confirmed, because the touch and do not leave your finger on TB can pull the volume in the right direction, it nicer than a few times to hit the button. A lack of physical ESC key in the daily work did not bother me.
However, the downside to this is. The specialized software, where the F-keys were needed, their lack is felt. In games such as blind on the ESC can not immediately get into. We’ll have to either change the button or looks. And the most awkward moment in the use of TB – it requires attention. On the need to look at it to make sure everything is as it should be. That’s why using the predictive text is simply impossible (to print out banal faster), and the constant changes in the TB when printing a little distracting, because the eye sees some changes in the images and they should be always ignored. Still need a little getting used to not put his hands on him unnecessarily, because you can accidentally get on some virtual button (several times I accidentally turned off the sound or to start/stop the music).
But in most cases to use them all the same pleasant. Customizable shortcuts, fast song/podcast, convenient adjustment lighting, and sound – this is just the beginning. After that, everything will be just more convenient and faster. In addition, almost all say that such a display on the keyboard looks very impressive.

TOUCH ID: MACBOOK PRO 13 TOUCH BAR REVIEW

Right Touch Bar end button with an integrated fingerprint reader. She can turn on / off the computer. But more importantly the appearance of Touch ID in Mac. Not only is it a convenient way to unlock the device, it is also a good way to accelerate the introduction of passwords.
New laptop MacBook Pro 13 Touch Bar Review: Laptop Test and Specs
Most of all to me it was useful to work with 1Password password manager, not unlocking after sleep (though it is also convenient). Now, like on a smartphone, instead of entering a long password, make enough finger on the scanner and access to the right information. Of course, now with a Mac, you can make purchases, confirming them using Touch ID. It works perfectly and the scanner during use never fails.

CONNECTING PERIPHERALS: MACBOOK PRO 13 TOUCH BAR REVIEW

Another very serious issue that has arisen in all, it belonged to the possibilities to connect different devices to the new MBP. The fact that the laptop has only 3 4 Thunderbolt port (compatible with USB Type-C) and a combined 3.5 jack for a headset. This means that for memory cards, external hard drives, flash drives, TVs, keyboards, mice, and other peripherals will need adapters (unless, of course, they are not connected by USB Type-C). Even the iPhone has set 7 do not need cables to connect to the new MacBook Pro.
New laptop MacBook Pro 13 Touch Bar Review: Laptop Test and Specs
However, now the problem is solved quite simply. There are both proprietary adapters and third-party docks with sets of all necessary ports. The cost of these kits or docks can easily pass for $ 100 if you want to be prepared for any situation. Of the decisions that I have seen, it is quite universal dock will cost about $ 70. However, buying without this expensive laptop does not really want to spend the extra money for basic needs. To all, dock/adapter to forget, lose or break that, as usual, will happen at the most inopportune moment.
New laptop MacBook Pro 13 Touch Bar Review: Laptop Test and Specs
On the other hand, is one of the first steps towards unification. Thus, for example, with just a single cable to your laptop, you can connect a monitor, keyboard, mouse, external drive, and something else. In addition, the laptop itself will be powered and can be connected to any convenient port.
Now it looks strange to have so many adapters or docks, but the problem is not in the future, soon USB Type-C connector will become more popular.

HARDWARE PLATFORM AND SOFTWARE: MACBOOK PRO 13 TOUCH BAR REVIEW

On the test, I got a top grade MacBook Pro 13 Touch Bar review with a dual-core processor Intel Core i7-6567U (2/4, 3.3-3.6 GHz), integrated graphics Intel Iris 550 (1.5 GB), 16 GB LPDDR3 RAM (2133 MHz) and 1 TB SSD. We can not say that performance will be enough for all that can be engaged in a demanding user, but some figures are still impressive. For example, the read / write speed of the drive 2000MB / s.
New laptop MacBook Pro 13 Touch Bar Review: Laptop Test and Specs
The capacity of the notebook with his head enough to simply “office” use. At the same time, programs are loaded instantly, the computer user to quickly respond and never thinks. CPU temperature did not rise above 40 degrees, and coolers are not included in this mode of use.
New laptop MacBook Pro 13 Touch Bar Review: Laptop Test and Specs
Installation of video in Final Cut Pro X when working with 4K video is carried out without any problems, but the rendering takes too much time. I also tried to play GRID: Autosport, which worked fine on maximum settings in the graphics resolution of 1440×900 pixels. Naturally, such a system load problem and activate CO. Even so, the computer not warmed above 65 degrees, but the rotation speed of the fans with nearly 7,000 rpm were clearly audible. On the CPU graph, you can see that it is under maximum load at regular intervals a little “relaxed” just half a minute, but it does not affect the work.
New laptop MacBook Pro 13 Touch Bar Review: Laptop Test and Specs
The slight disappointment was the assembly of all the iron. iFixit appreciated novelty in one point of maintainability. This is because absolutely all components soldered on the motherboard and in the event of a problem with anything, it is necessary to contact the service center and, most likely, the repair will be expensive, as well as the high cost of components themselves.
MacOS Work on the new MBP is different only in that in the settings there are new items to the Touch Control Bar. It is possible to change the buttons and their location. Otherwise, all (including the popular error) works just as well as, for example, in my old MBP 15, 2012.

AUTONOMY: MACBOOK PRO 13 TOUCH BAR REVIEW

Alas, while praise laptop MacBook Pro 13 Touch Bar review for a long work without outlet, I can not. Of course, the unit held me quite a little time (less than a week), but during this period had to be recharged at least twice a day. That is, in the middle of the day and night. But it was enough to start something heavy (a game, for example) and melted battery in his eyes. Actually, due to problems with autonomy, Consumer Reports first advised not to buy a MacBook Pro.
New laptop MacBook Pro 13 Touch Bar Review: Laptop Test and Specs
If the problem is fixed, the laptop will have to work up to 10 hours on a single charge. Judging by the experience of past models, this figure may be higher, because Apple used a slightly underestimated the actual rate. But while it is necessary to settle for 5-7 hours, depending on the circumstances. A full charge from the included PSU takes 1:35.

PROS MACBOOK PRO 13 TOUCH BAR REVIEW: THE DESIGN AND EASE OF USE, MOBILITY; SCREEN; SOUND; KEYBOARD AND TOUCHPAD; TOUCH BAR AND TOUCH ID; PERFORMANCE, COOLING PERFORMANCE
CONS MACBOOK PRO 13 TOUCH BAR REVIEW: PROBLEMS WITH AUTONOMY (PROBABLY TEMPORARY); POOR MAINTAINABILITY; NEED BUY MORE ADAPTER/DOCK OR CHANGE PERIPHERALS; PRICE

CONCLUSION: MACBOOK PRO 13 TOUCH BAR REVIEW

New MacBook Pro 13 Touch Bar review has demonstrated progress in the design and innovations in the form of Touch Bar And no matter how much you read about it, see how it is convenient, it is possible only after some time working with it Another controversial point – ports – not such a problem, if you just find the appropriate dock to all, display, sound, keyboard, touchpad -. all this leaves the best impression of the work of True, to pay for all these amenities will have a very considerable sum, which will not guarantee trouble-free future, and so.. However, the prefix “Pro” refers more to the 15-inch model, which is better suited for the installation, programming, processing photos, and even games as its performance with demanding tasks much higher. But if so heavy tasks not in the list of your requirements, MacBook Pro 13 Touch Bar review is an excellent choice.
Source: Apple


Title: Review MacBook Pro 13″ with Touch Bar
Updated: 2017-01-05
Author: Dan Green