Samsung is bringing its quantum dot screen technology to gamers. At IFA 2018, the company unveiled the Samsung CJ79, a 34-inch curved monitor with a QLED panel, which should help it display more precise colors in a wider color space than traditional LED screens. Though Samsung is primarily marketing the high-end CJ79 at premium PC users — the company claims compatibility with both Macs and Windows devices — gamers who use AMD’s Radeon graphics card will also benefit from the CJ79’s adoption of FreeSync screen technology.
One of the hallmark features Samsung is trumpeting is that this display is the first to come with Thunderbolt 3 support. Although Thunderbolt 3 provides similar benefits to a standard USB-C connector — a single cable can be used to connect the monitor to a computer for power, data, and video — the Thunderbolt provides more power and faster data throughput than a standard USB-C connection. Older computers lacking a Thunderbolt 3 port can connect to the CJ79 through either HDMI or DisplayPort.
“The CJ79 is our latest endeavor in taking curved monitors to the next level that highlights our commitment to innovation,” said Seog-gi Kim, Samsung Electronics executive vice president of visual display, in a statement. “The addition of Thunderbolt 3 connectivity aligns to that vision and connects customers to infinite possibilities.”
The 34-inch VA (vertical alignment) panel supports an ultrawide QHD resolution of 3,440 x 1,440 pixels and comes with a 21:9 aspect ratio. The ultrawide aspect ratio allows you to multitask — or play immersive games — without having to connect two or more displays together for a multi-monitor setup. Multitaskers will also benefit from the picture-in-picture mode. And because the display is so wide, the 1,500R curvature helps to make sure you can see all your content. Samsung claims that the curvature follows the natural curve of the eyes for a comfortable experience.
The CJ79’s QLED panel supports 125 percent of the sRGB color spectrum and a 3000:1 contrast ratio, and Samsung claims that the screen produces deeper blacks and brighter whites. Gamers will benefit from reduction in screen tearing and stutter thanks to the FreeSync tech.
If the standard 34-inch panel is too small for you, Samsung has an even larger 43-inch super ultrawide curved panel called the CJ89. That one comes with a 3,840 x 1,200 resolution and 32:10 aspect ratio along with an integrated KVM switch to connect multiple computers to the same display. There’s also a built-in USB hub and stereo speakers on the larger CJ89.
The absolutely absurd idea of putting a touchscreen display on a mouse isn't exactly new. Turtle Beach already did it with its Command Series MC7, which features a 2.25-inch control screen. But apparently, even that wasn't ridiculous enough for Arctic Fox Technologies. Its new Super Mouse looks like someone took the chunky old Atari ST mouse, slapped a touchscreen and scroll wheel on it, and called it an upgrade.
The result is a rather unusual-looking mouse that is now on Kickstarter, starting at $199. And as ridiculous as it looks, some of its features are genuinely intriguing.
Apple is less than a day away from launching its highly anticipated OLED MacBook Pro with a touch-sensitive screen. But it appears that the upgrade is going to cost a pretty penny. According to a report by Bloomberg, Apple is reportedly eyeing a starting price of $2,899 for the 14-inch MacBook Pro, while the 16-inch version could start at $3,399 in the US.
"At $2,899, the 14-inch model would mark the highest starting price for a new MacBook Pro model, surpassing the $2,799 Apple charged for a 17-inch version introduced in 2006," says the report. The report claims that Apple is targeting a minimum price hike of $400 for its upcoming redesigned 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models.
I've spent a good amount of time digging into the spec sheet of the new M6 MacBook Pro (14-inch), and for all intents and purposes, this is a classic Apple "chip and connectivity" refresh. It's not a full redesign. The chassis, Liquid Retina XDR panel, speakers, ports, and battery, all of them carry over unchanged.
However, the M6 brings more cores, stronger on-device AI, higher memory bandwidth on the larger configs, and modern wireless. Here’s the practical rundown of what actually improved, and whether those gains are worth your money.