Pixel Slate could be the real name of Google’s next 2-in-1 Chromebook

A fresh leak claims that Google has named its 2-in-1 Chromebook device – previously referred to as ‘Nocturne’ – and it will apparently be christened the Pixel Slate.

This is according to David Ruddock, managing editor of Android Police, who tweeted that he heard the news from a trustworthy source (and it’s a potential name which has been kicking around for a little while now).

So, the Google Pixel Slate? The immediate reaction to the name in the TechRadar office was dubious, it has to be said, and it’s perhaps too closely adhering to the philosophy of ‘does what it says on the tin’, and lacking somewhat in imagination.

Pixels aplenty

The name has a ring of truth to it, though, as far as we’re concerned, and obviously fits in with Google’s other Pixel-named products.

This hybrid Chromebook is expected to be revealed at Google’s big Pixel 3 phone launch on October 9, alongside another Chrome OS device (possibly the Pixelbook 2, which is rumored to be available before the year is out).

As we’ve reported previously, the Pixel Slate/Nocturne will be a 2-in-1 tablet with a detachable keyboard, allegedly with third-party keyboards on offer – we’ve seen a leaked product image of the device with a keyboard made by Brydge.

Another spilled image also points to the fact that the tablet has a depression at the top-left, which is likely to be a fingerprint sensor. All this, as ever, remains in the domain of speculation.

At least the Google Pixel 3 event is coming soon on October 9th and we expect to see official announcements for all of the search company's new products including the Google Pixel Slate.

• These are the best Chromebooks we’ve seen in 2018

Via 9 to 5 Google

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The best web browsing laptops

Back to university technology for students

 A lot of us live our lives through our phones - but the laptop is still the top tool for any university student. 

It doubles as a TV, lets you play games on your downtime and is just about essential for note-taking in lectures and writing-up your coursework. You know, the less fun stuff.

As much as hanging around in a library, using its computers, can help with distractions, we don't want to do that all year round.

Dell is one of the first companies you should look for when shopping for a laptop to take to university. 

It offers something for every need, from budget computers to ones that cost thousands of pounds.

Portable royalty

We'll look into which type is best for you in a minute, but first don't forget that Dell offers a student discount through its Dell Advantage programme. 

This gets you up to 10 per cent off high-end laptops and five per cent off its more price-conscious models. 

All you need to get this deal are your student ID and university email. Also keep an eye out for special limited time deals that bag you even bigger discounts.

The first laptop we'd recommend to any student is the Dell XPS 13. Not only is it one of the best laptops in the world, full stop, it has lots of features perfect for the sort of use you'll need jumping between lectures around campus all day.

First, it's slim and light. Just 1.21kg and 11.6mm thick, the XPS 13 won't give you shoulder ache even if you end up having to carry it around for 12 hours. 

Battery life is killer too. You'll get up to 19 hours 46 minutes of use with apps like Word and Excel - and these are of course the staples of most degrees.

Even after a full day's work there will be enough juice left over for some Netflix or Spotify back at home.

Hybrid power

For an extra lifestyle edge, make sure to check out the Dell XPS 13 2-in-1. This is similar to the standard model but has a 360-degree hinge that lets you use it more like a tablet. 

You can also get an Active stylus for Dell's touchscreen models, which are perfect for note-taking, or just doodling to unwind.

Given their size and longevity, you may be surprised by the power of these 13-inch laptops. The Dell XPS 13 models have the same eighth-generation Intel Quad Core processors seen in some laptops twice the size or more. 

If you want to try out the life of a YouTuber or will need to create videos for your coursework, there's enough power here for serious video editing.

A bigger option

If you need even more power and care slightly less about portability, you need to consider an upgrade to the 15-inch Dell XPS. It has even more powerful processors, designed to get you desktop-like performance.

Its 15-inch screen also makes a better TV-replacer, worth bearing in mind if your bedroom isn't big enough to fit in a TV, or if your housemates seem to binge-watch every show you hate  in the living room.

Don't rule it out as a portable laptop either. The Dell XPS 15's Infinity Edge display tech means its footprint is barely larger than the screen itself. 

And at 1.8kg, this is still very light for a full-size laptop. Add one of Dell's Thunderbolt Docks and you end up with the connectivity of a full desktop PC too.

Some versions of the Dell XPS 15 even have Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 Ti graphics, which is like cramming PS4 Pro power into the laptop you use for Word docs during the day time.

More gaming power

For the ultimate gamer’s getaway from essays and lectures at the end of the day, one of Dell's Alienware laptops is the best choice. 

They have just the right balance of gamer style and class, and won't look out of place in a lecture hall or an esports event. You might want to turn off some of the casing LEDs during a lecture, mind.

Graphics cards from the powerful Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 right up to the GTX 1080 offer enough performance to handle any game available today. 

Yes, if you need to justify hardware that lets you blow off some steam, a blistering GPU like this will also speed-up things like photo and video editing, and 3D modelling.

More affordable options

The Dell XPS and Alienware laptops all fit into our "dream student laptop" category. But if you have a little less to spend but still want the same results, look at the Dell Inspiron 15 7000 series. 

These 13 and 15-inch laptops use eighth-generation Intel processors just like the XPS range, but you pay hundreds of pounds less for them.

You still get a lovely aluminium casing too, along with great battery life, sharp looks, and the option of a touchscreen hybrid design. 

These Inspiron models are just slightly heavier and a few little parts just aren't quite as premium.

As much as we'd like to take a Dell XPS into halls, we have to admit that a Dell Inspiron 15 7000 may be more suitable for those on a more student-size budget.

Still not sure which you should pick? You can live chat to some of Dell's advisors on its website, or give the brand a call. 

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Quad-core vs dual-core: what's the best for your laptop?

Surface Pro 6 leak reveals Microsoft's next Windows tablet

Microsoft's most recent Windows 10-powered Surface Pro did a curious thing, dropping the numbering system used by all its predecessors from its official name, and instead opting for a more Apple-like approach with the rather vanilla name of '2017 Surface Pro'. For all intents, however, that 2017 Surface Pro is essentially the Surface Pro 5 – it's the successor to the 2015-model Surface Pro 4, after all.

However, a new leak today suggests that Microsoft is backtracking on that decision to drop the generational model numbering, with Vietnamese website revealing what appears to be the next Surface Pro tablet – and just days before Microsoft's next big hardware reveal event, which is scheduled for October 2. 

The new video and images purport to be a hands-on review of the latest Windows tablet, and includes a full unboxing, with packaging and the device itself clearly showing that it'll be called the 'Surface Pro 6' .

It’s also clear from the video that the Surface Pro 6 will retain the familiar design of its predecessors, with the minor tweak of more rounded corners, making it similar to the recently launched Surface Go.

Microsoft has so far avoided using USB-C ports in its Surface Pro devices, and the Surface Pro 6 seems to be no exception, sticking with the USB-A ports found on previous models. (Microsoft did recently launch a USB-C dongle for Surface Pro and Surface Laptop users, however.)

From the spec sheet shown off in the images, the device seems to be an entry-level model, with the key upgrade coming in the form of new 8th-generation Intel CPUs – a Core i5 in this instance – which offer better performance and higher energy efficiency. The unit on show also seems to include 128GB of storage alongside 8GB of memory under the hood.

Despite Microsoft patenting new tech for the Surface Pen, we’re yet to hear any news about the possibility of a new and improved accessory for the Surface Pro range – and there's no sign of it in this new leak, either.

• Read more: Microsoft Surface Studio review

[Images and video courtesy of tinhte.vn]

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Best tablet 2018: the top slates tested and ranked

The best rugged tablets of 2018: the best drop-proof tablets you can buy

If you work outside, or in a busy environment where accidents can occur, then having the best rugged tablet for your needs is essential. Rugged tablets are often more expensive than their non-rugged brethren, but the money you save on not having to repair or replace damaged devices will more than make up for the initial outlay.

The best rugged tablet feature reinforced screens to stop them cracking, and durable bodies that won't break if you drop them. However, they should also maintain their slim and light designs. These rugged tablets also boast many of the features regular tablets offer, such as bright and vibrant touchscreens, huge collections of apps, and easy-to-carry designs, while also adding a layer of ruggedness that keeps them protected.

While you won't get a rugged tablet that's as slim and light as the iPad Air 2, it doesn't mean you should have to lug around a chunky and unwieldy tablet either.

So, to help you find the best rugged tablet, we've put together this list, which gather the top shock and drop-proof tablets on the market today. 

• Read: Best cheap tablets | Best Android tablets

If you're working outside, then the Panasonic Toughpad FZ-M1 is easily one of the best rugged tablets on the market today. This is thanks not only to its tough design that is shock resistant to to drops of up ton 180cm, but also because the display has been designed to be used outdoors in bright sunlight - so you'll still be able to use the Panasonic Toughpad FZ-M1 no matter how bright your surroundings are. The screen supports 10-finger multi-touch, it runs on Windows 10 Pro, it's water and dust resistant and comes with a configuration port for a variety of expansions (serial, LAN, 2D Barcode Reader, NFC).

If you're looking for a rugged Windows tablet that can withstand an impressive amount of punishment, then the Getac F110 is an excellent choice. Its durable body can withstand moisture, extreme temperatures and drops, without it being bulky or heavy. It is certified to MIL-STD 810G, 1P65 and MIL-STD-461F standards. The most recent version of this tablet comes with 6th generation Intel Core processors, so there's plenty of power here, and a dual battery system means you can easily swap them out without having to pause.

Dell is another well-known brand that produces rugged tablets. The Dell Latitude 7212 Rugged Extreme Tablet is one such device, and Dell has recently updated the model with more up-to-date components,including 7th generation Intel Core processors (though we'd like to see 8th generation chips included soon). For your money you get an excellently-built tablet that has IP65, MIL-STD-810G and IP-810G certifications (rather than merely meeting the standards in laboratory tests). Dell's customary high build quality is evident here, and while it isn't the most glamorous looking tablet, it does the job of withstanding harsh conditions, and accidental drops. It's quite an expensive tablet, but with improved components, and a range of specifications that you configure to better suit your needs, the Dell Latitude 7212 Rugged Extreme Tablet is well worth the price.

The HP ElitePad 1000 is a fantastic business laptop, and it can be configured to come in a rugged design that is IP65 and MIL-STD 810G tested. It can withstand a 6ft drop onto linoleum-covered concrete. It features an Intel Atom processor, which isn't the most powerful CPU, but it's still capable of handling most business applications.  Biometric security keeps your important data safe, and HP also offers a range of accessories, such as docking stations and additional batteries.

The Panasonic Toughbook CF-33 is a 2-in-1 rugged device, which means it has an attachable keyboard that allow it to work as either a laptop or as a tablet. When in tablet mode, the Toughbook CF-33 is an excellent durable machine , with MIL-STD-461F, MIL-STD-810G and IP65 certification, which means it can survive shocks, drops liquids and dust. The battery life is a bit on the short side compared to other rugged tablets on this list, but you can quickly swap out the battery when you need extra time. You can also buy extended batteries that double the run time from 10 hours to 20. This is an additional cost, however.

Unlike other rugged tablets on this list, the Samsung Galaxy Tab Active 2 isn't designed for industrial-grade protection. However, what it does provide is IP67 certification for dust and water ingress, and a battery that lasts between eight to 10 hours. Plus, it supports replaceable batteries, so you can keep on working even if you're away from a power supply, and it's drop-tested to 1.2 metres. A decent camera and NFC technology are included, and it's rounded off with Samsung's customary excellent build quality. The newer Galaxy Tab Active 2 improves on a lot of the features of the first Tab Active, with more RAM, better CPU and much more.

This 10.1-inch Android tablet can withstand drops up to five feet, as well as being water and dust resistant. While it's bulkier and heavier than non-rugged tablets, it's still portable enough to be easily carried around worksites. Its screen isn't the highest resolution, but with a 500 Nit backlight, it is excellent for use in direct sunlight. It's not the most powerful tablet on this list, but it's a more affordable alternative for people who want to use an Android device outside and on the road.

The Getac Z710 is a handy rugged tablet that does pretty much everything you'd want from an Android tablet, while coming in a rugged body. Design-wise the Getac Z710 is one of the better looking rugged tablets we've seen, and it comes with a number of business-orientated features that make it an excellent choice for enterprise use. The 7-inch screen is crisp and responsive to touch, but it does have a habit of showing off glare in direct lights. It has been tested for drops up to six foot, and is  MIL-STD-810G certified, while Corning Gorilla glass protects the screen from shattering.

• Looking for a laptop that can withstand the elements? Check out our list of the best rugged laptops

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Best laptops for graphic design 2018: top picks for graphic designers

If you're looking for the best laptops for graphic design, then you've come to the right place, as we've listed the top notebooks that will help you with your design work.

Unlike laptops for regular use, if you're looking for a laptop specifically for graphic design, then you'll want a device that ticks a number of boxes.

For a start, you'll want something that packs enough power to be able to run intensive graphic design applications. This requires plenty of processing power, and preferably a discrete graphics card.

You'll also want something that comes with an impressive screen for helping you to work, while the best laptops for graphic design will also be thin and light to enable you to take them with you while you travel.

So, whether you want a macOS device or a Windows machine, read on for our pick of the best laptops for graphic design.

Apple is renowned for making excellent products for creative professionals, and the 13-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar 2018 is the best laptop for graphic design. It's also the best MacBook Pro that Apple has ever made. It comes with the Touch Bar, which is a thin OLED display at the top of the keyboard which can be used to scan your fingerprint to log in, or offering up app-specific shortcuts. It's got a stunning screen and powerful innards that will run pretty much any graphic design application with ease.

Read the full review: Apple Macbook with Touch Bar 13-inch (2018)

With the Surface Book 2 (13.5-inch), Microsoft has crafted one of the most powerful 2-in-1 laptops in the world, and a device that rivals Apple's best when it comes to laptops for graphic design. The Surface Book 2 has some powerful enough components to handle most day-to-day tasks, and if you go for a model with a dedicated graphics card, then you'll easily be able to run your graphic design apps on it. The keyboard detaches from the screen, so you can use it as a tablet, and it runs a full version of Windows 10, which makes it an excellent alternative to the MacBook Pro above if you want to stick with Microsoft's operating system.

The Dell XPS 13 (2018) is one of the best laptops ever made, and it's an ideal laptop for graphics design. It comes with a stunning 4K display and 8th-generation Intel Core i5 or i7 processors. Meanwhile, the bezel-less ‘Infinity Edge’ display means your digital designs remain the focus of attention.There’s also a wide range of customization options, so you can really make the Dell XPS 13 the best laptop for your needs. 

Read the full review: Dell XPS 13

If you're looking the best laptop for heavy duty graphic design, than HP's mobile workstation, the HP ZBook Studio G4 DreamColor, is definitely worth considering. It is expensive, but if you're a professional graphic designer, than the extra expense may be well worth it. The highest-end model features a stunning 15.6-inch 4K DreamColor screen that can be easily calibrated to ensure that colors are as accurate as possible. Meanwhile, an Intel Xeon CPU, 32GB RAM, 512GB SSD and NVIDIA Quadro M1200 dedicated graphics with 4GB VRAM means this is an incredibly fast laptop as well.

Last year’s Dell XPS 15 was already one of the best laptops you could buy for graphic design, but with 2018's convertible Dell XPS 15 2-in-1, it has just got even better. Not only can it switch between tablet and laptop modes, it also packs a new Intel Kaby Lake G-series CPU featuring ‘discrete-class’ Radeon graphics. This means that this laptop packs serious power when it comes to graphic design.

Last year's MacBook is yet another tempting offering from Apple for graphic designers, with another gorgeous design that the company is know for. Apple has updated the processors with Intel's 7th-generation Kaby Lake range, which means you get improved performance and longer battery life without sacrificing the thin and light design of previous MacBooks. While the MacBook 2017 is not designed as a pure productivity machine, like the more powerful and versatile MacBook Pro it's still one of the best laptops for graphic design in the world right now thanks to being a super slim and light MacBook that you can take anywhere without even noticing the weight, and being a powerful showcase for macOS High Sierra.

• The best laptop 2018: our pick of the 15 best laptops you can buy this year

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Best laptop bag 2018: top bags and backpacks to carry your kit

If you've splashed out on an expensive laptop, then your next important decision is to buy the best laptop bag or backpack to carry it around with you. This is because you don't want your expensive new purchase to get broken while out and about.

No matter what sort of laptop you've got - even if it's a bulky budget affair that you don't mind getting a bit scuffed - choosing the best laptop bag should be your priority.

There are also a number of things you should consider when buying a laptop bag aside from mere protection.

For example, you have to bear in mind issues like comfort, and things like adjustable straps for certain types of bag, particularly if you'll be carrying your hardware a long way. You also need to consider the appearance of your laptop bag – not just how smart it looks, but also how tempting it might seem to would-be thieves.

So, here's our pick of the best laptop bags and backpacks for business users, students or just day-to-day use.

The tried and true JanSport is tough to go wrong with. A full-canvas bag with nylon mesh inside including a 15-inch laptop sleeve, this version of the JanSport comes in several colors for a variety of prices. Included in the price are also a media pocket lined in fleece as well as a removable storage pouch, making it an excellent business laptop backpack.

With a simple, yet stylish, design, the Out Of Office laptop backpack is ideal for business users that makes carrying around your laptop comfortable, while also protecting your device from the rigours of daily life. One of the best features about this backpack is its 30 year warranty, which means you shouldn't have to worry about getting another laptop backpack for a long, long time.

Samsonite is a name to be reckoned with when it comes to briefcases, and its Desklite business laptop briefcase is no different - this is a feature-rich laptop carry case that is ideal for business users, with separate laptop and tablet compartments, along with card holder and a smartphone pocket. It's expensive compared to other brands, but you're definitely paying for quality here.

The distinctive design of the Mammut Xeron Courier 25, along with the name, suggests that this is a laptop bag that is designed for people who work or commute by bike. Even if that's not your usual mode of transport, this is a business laptop bag that's still worth considering thanks to its comfortable design that protects both you and the laptop when worn.

A laptop backpack that's named after Fort Knox - you know this is going to be a secure laptop bag that will keep your business laptop safe, with Tumi, the brand behind it, known for its quality and durability. This rugged backpack has a professional look that is ideal for business users who want to take their laptop out to meetings.

If you're not looking to pay huge amounts of cash for a laptop backpack, then this is a great budget choice. Made and sold by Amazon through its Basics program, this all-black backpack has a laptop sleeve for machines up to 15 inches, and several types of pockets, for but a pittance compared to most.

If you like the sound of a budget - yet dependable - laptop bag, but you don't want a backpack, then Amazon also does a laptop bag. This can be carried over your shoulder and can fit larger laptops as well. It's not as fancy as some of the other bags on this page, but it does the job well, and for a low price.

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Best video editing laptops 2018: top notebooks for home movies

If you're looking for the best video editing laptop for your needs, then you've come to the right place. On this page we've listed the top laptops that can easily handle editing video, both in high definition and ultra high definition (4K) resolutions.

Searching for the best video editing laptop can be tricky, however. This is because video editing is one of the most taxing tasks you can perform on any computer, let alone a laptop.

That's where our list of the best laptops for video editing in 2018 comes in, as our expert advice means you can shop in confidence. 

We also have a price comparison tool that will make sure you are getting the best deals for the best laptops for video editing.

So, read on to find out what we think are the best video editing laptops in 2018...

• Check out our list of best video editing software

The 15-inch 2018 MacBook Pro is hands-down the best Mac laptop ever designed for video editors. Apple has packed loads of upgrades into this version, offering you the latest generation of Intel Core i7 and i9 processors with six cores, and it now supports up to 32GB of RAM, making this a very adept laptop for video editing. Discrete graphics are provided by a choice of AMD Radeon Pro GPUs, making this the best laptop for video editing.

The innovative Touch Bar makes it easier for videographers to intuitively access commands, while the Retina display on the 15-inch model offers more than enough pixels should you want to edit at native resolution in Full HD on the move. However, if you are editing 4K, then you'll be disappointed by the limited resolution.

While Huawei might not be the first company you think of when it comes to laptops, especially laptops you can use for video editing, that should change with the company's phenomenal MateBook X Pro. It is a gorgeously-designed laptop with a stunning screen (albeit with a rather odd aspect ratio), and it comes packed with cutting edge components, and a battery life that runs rings around many of its rivals. It has plenty of horse power for editing videos, and it's price is very competitive, making it a great alternative to the MacBook Pro if your budget doesn't stretch that far.

Read the full review: Huawei MateBook X Pro

The Dell XPS 15 is a brilliant laptop it its own right, and it really excels when it comes to video editing. It comes with a gorgeous 15-inch InfinityEdge screen, and the very top end version has a 4K color-accurate display which makes it perfect for video editing. It's also got plenty of processing power as well, making it a dab hand at rendering video files, which is important when looking for a laptop for video editing.

Read the full review: Dell XPS 15

The HP ZBook Studio G3 laptop easily fits in the Ultrabook category with a weight of a tad under 2kg and a thickness of only 18mm, slightly heavier and a smidge thicker than the Precision 15 5000 but more portable and svelte than Lenovo's laptop. Where HP manages to score highly is when it comes to sheer value for money when it comes to powerful components, with a high performance processor and gorgeous 4K screen, which makes it one of the best laptops for video editing.

The Surface Book 2 (13.5-inch) is one of the most powerful 2-in-1 laptops in the world. While 2-in-1 laptops may not be the first choice for video editors, the Surface Book 2 has some powerful enough components to handle video editing if you go for a model with a dedicated graphics card. Brilliant build quality and excellent battery life makes this a wonderful device for using as either a laptop, or as a powerful Windows 10 tablet. The tablet mode is convenient if you want to shoot footage and edit it while out and about.

Apple's laptops are great choices for video editing, and if you want to save a bit of cash, then last year's MacBook remains a brilliant option, that's a fair bit cheaper than this year's MacBook Pro. You get an Intel 7th-generation Kaby Lake CPU, which brings improved performance and longer battery life while keeping the body thin and light. The Mac App Store has a large number of video editing programs that play to the MacBook's strengths, and you should be able to get a decent deal now that it's been out for a while.

Read the full review: Apple MacBook

Lenovo’s ThinkPad P70 was one of the first notebooks featuring Intel's Skylake processor, which should give it a boost in performance compared to Broadwell or Haswell chips.  Equipped with ample storage and plenty of RAM, an excellent keyboard and a wide selection of ports for connectivity, Lenovo is positioning the ThinkPad P70 as the ultimate workstation that you can take on the go without missing your desktop. Also worth mentioning is the X-Rite Pantone calibration tool, available as an option, which is great to keep your screen accurate for production work, as well as the Quadro GPU that comes with all the P70 SKUs. 

OK, so the MSI GS65 Stealth is primarily a high-end gaming laptop - with a price tag to match - but it also doubles as an absolutely brilliant laptop for video editing. This is because it comes with an excellent array of cutting edge components, which includes an 8th-generation Intel Core i7-8750H CPU and an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070 GPU. This means multi tasking and video editing is handled with aplomb - and if you also want to do a bit of gaming on the side, then it's a no-brainer.

Watch the video below for the top 7 things to consider when buying a laptop. 

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