Your GPU's thermal paste might not be what's wrong

It's no secret that 28 Years Later used iPhones to shoot parts of the film. Now its director, Danny Boyle, has discussed the use of iPhones for the film in more detail with IGN. The first film in the franchise, 28 Days Later, was shot on digital video, giving it a homemade feel. Boyle explained that he and writer Alex Garland got the idea from the fact that home video cameras were common at the time, and people would've shot videos with them if an apocalypse had indeed happened. Those cameras, of course, have since been replaced by smartphones. The movies used three special rigs for the iPhone sequences: One for eight cameras that one person can carry, another with 10 and another with 20. "I never say this, but there is an incredible shot in the second half [of the film] where we use the 20-rig camera, and you'll know it when you see it," Boyle told IGN. He described the 20-iPhone rig as "basically a poor man’s bullet time," which is a visual effect that uses multiple cameras to freeze or slow down time. Think the scene in The Matrix, wherein Neo dodged bullets in super slow motion.  Doyle said that the 20-camera rig can be attached to cranes or dollies and give you 180 degrees of vision of an action. In editing, you can choose from any of the footage each iPhone takes to, say, move between perspectives or jump forward and backward. For 28 Years Later, the team used the rig for violent scenes to emphasize their effect. "For a moment the audience is inside the scene, the action, rather than classically observing a picture," Doyle explained. In addition to the iPhones, the filmmakers also used drones, cameras attached to actors and even farm animals to achieve an immersive feel for its 2.76:1 widescreen aspect ratio. They decided on the aspect ratio to create a sense of unease, since you'd have to keep scanning the screen to see potential threats coming from the sides.  Sony This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/28-years-later-used-20-iphones-in-tandem-for-some-wild-shots-130043338.html?src=rss

While Europe races to phase out fossil fuels and electrify everything from cars to heating systems, it’s turning a blind eye to a reliable and proven source of clean energy lying right beneath our feet.  Geothermal energy offers exactly what the continent needs most: clean, local, always-on power. Yet, it only accounted for 0.2% of power generation on the continent in 2024. Something needs to change. The recent blackout in Spain, triggered by a failure in the high-voltage grid, serves as a warning shot. While solar and wind are vital pillars of decarbonisation, they’re variable by nature. Without steady, around-the-clock sources of electricity, Europe risks swapping one form of energy insecurity for another. A much bigger wake-up call came in 2022 when Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. For years, European governments had built an energy system dependent on imports of natural gas. When that stack of cards shattered, it triggered an energy crisis that exposed the vulnerable underbelly of Europe’s power system.  The answer to these problems lies, in part, a few kilometres underground. According to the International Energy Agency, geothermal energy has the potential to power the planet 150 times over. But it’s not just about electricity — geothermal can also deliver clean, reliable heat. That makes it especially valuable in Europe, where millions of homes already rely on radiators and district heating systems, many of them still powered by natural gas. Geothermal plants also come with a smaller footprint. They require far less land than an equivalent solar farm or wind park. What’s more, the materials and infrastructure needed to build them — like drilling rigs and turbines — can be largely sourced locally. That’s a sharp contrast to solar panels and batteries, most of which are imported from China.   Geothermal energy is not theoretical. It doesn’t require scientific breakthroughs. We’ve been drilling wells and extracting energy from the Earth for centuries. The know-how exists, and so does the workforce. Decades of oil and gas exploration have built a deep bench of geologists, drillers, reservoir engineers, and project managers. Instead of letting this expertise fade, we can redeploy it to build geothermal plants. The infrastructure, such as drilling rigs, can also be repurposed for a cleaner cause. Geothermal could be the ultimate redemption arc for oil and gas. Sure, drilling deep isn’t cheap — yet. But a new crop of startups is rewriting the playbook. Armed with everything from plasma pulse drills to giant radiators, these companies could finally crack the cost barrier — and make geothermal available pretty much anywhere. Just as SpaceX disrupted a sclerotic rocket industry with its cheap launches, these startups are poised to succeed where the geothermal industry has failed.  All that’s missing is investment. While billions are being funnelled into high-risk technologies like fusion or nuclear fission reactors, funding for geothermal tech is minuscule in comparison, especially in Europe. Yet, unlike those technologies, geothermal is ready right now.   If Europe wants to achieve climate neutrality and energy sovereignty, it must stop ignoring geothermal. We need bold investment, regulatory reform, and a clear signal to industry: don’t let geothermal become a forgotten renewable. Grid failures, missed climate targets, deeper energy dependence — these are the risks Europe faces. It’s time to start drilling, before it’s too late.  Want to discover the next big thing in tech? Then take a trip to TNW Conference, where thousands of founders, investors, and corporate innovators will share their ideas. The event takes place on June 19–20 in Amsterdam and tickets are on sale now. Use the code TNWXMEDIA2025 at the checkout to get 30% off. Story by Siôn Geschwindt Siôn is a freelance science and technology reporter, specialising in climate and energy. From nuclear fusion breakthroughs to electric vehic (show all) Siôn is a freelance science and technology reporter, specialising in climate and energy. From nuclear fusion breakthroughs to electric vehicles, he's happiest sourcing a scoop, investigating the impact of emerging technologies, and even putting them to the test. He has five years of journalism experience and holds a dual degree in media and environmental science from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. When he's not writing, you can probably find Siôn out hiking, surfing, playing the drums or catering to his moderate caffeine addiction. You can contact him at: sion.geschwindt [at] protonmail [dot] com Get the TNW newsletter Get the most important tech news in your inbox each week. Also tagged with

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While Europe races to phase out fossil fuels and electrify everything from cars to heating systems, it’s turning a blind eye to a reliable and proven source of clean energy lying right beneath our feet.  Geothermal energy offers exactly what the continent needs most: clean, local, always-on power. Yet, it only accounted for 0.2% of power generation on the continent in 2024. Something needs to change. The recent blackout in Spain, triggered by a failure in the high-voltage grid, serves as a warning shot. While solar and wind are vital pillars of decarbonisation, they’re variable by nature. Without steady, around-the-clock sources of electricity, Europe risks swapping one form of energy insecurity for another. A much bigger wake-up call came in 2022 when Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. For years, European governments had built an energy system dependent on imports of natural gas. When that stack of cards shattered, it triggered an energy crisis that exposed the vulnerable underbelly of Europe’s power system.  The answer to these problems lies, in part, a few kilometres underground. According to the International Energy Agency, geothermal energy has the potential to power the planet 150 times over. But it’s not just about electricity — geothermal can also deliver clean, reliable heat. That makes it especially valuable in Europe, where millions of homes already rely on radiators and district heating systems, many of them still powered by natural gas. Geothermal plants also come with a smaller footprint. They require far less land than an equivalent solar farm or wind park. What’s more, the materials and infrastructure needed to build them — like drilling rigs and turbines — can be largely sourced locally. That’s a sharp contrast to solar panels and batteries, most of which are imported from China.   Geothermal energy is not theoretical. It doesn’t require scientific breakthroughs. We’ve been drilling wells and extracting energy from the Earth for centuries. The know-how exists, and so does the workforce. Decades of oil and gas exploration have built a deep bench of geologists, drillers, reservoir engineers, and project managers. Instead of letting this expertise fade, we can redeploy it to build geothermal plants. The infrastructure, such as drilling rigs, can also be repurposed for a cleaner cause. Geothermal could be the ultimate redemption arc for oil and gas. Sure, drilling deep isn’t cheap — yet. But a new crop of startups is rewriting the playbook. Armed with everything from plasma pulse drills to giant radiators, these companies could finally crack the cost barrier — and make geothermal available pretty much anywhere. Just as SpaceX disrupted a sclerotic rocket industry with its cheap launches, these startups are poised to succeed where the geothermal industry has failed.  All that’s missing is investment. While billions are being funnelled into high-risk technologies like fusion or nuclear fission reactors, funding for geothermal tech is minuscule in comparison, especially in Europe. Yet, unlike those technologies, geothermal is ready right now.   If Europe wants to achieve climate neutrality and energy sovereignty, it must stop ignoring geothermal. We need bold investment, regulatory reform, and a clear signal to industry: don’t let geothermal become a forgotten renewable. Grid failures, missed climate targets, deeper energy dependence — these are the risks Europe faces. It’s time to start drilling, before it’s too late.  Want to discover the next big thing in tech? Then take a trip to TNW Conference, where thousands of founders, investors, and corporate innovators will share their ideas. The event takes place on June 19–20 in Amsterdam and tickets are on sale now. Use the code TNWXMEDIA2025 at the checkout to get 30% off. Story by Siôn Geschwindt Siôn is a freelance science and technology reporter, specialising in climate and energy. From nuclear fusion breakthroughs to electric vehic (show all) Siôn is a freelance science and technology reporter, specialising in climate and energy. From nuclear fusion breakthroughs to electric vehicles, he's happiest sourcing a scoop, investigating the impact of emerging technologies, and even putting them to the test. He has five years of journalism experience and holds a dual degree in media and environmental science from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. When he's not writing, you can probably find Siôn out hiking, surfing, playing the drums or catering to his moderate caffeine addiction. You can contact him at: sion.geschwindt [at] protonmail [dot] com Get the TNW newsletter Get the most important tech news in your inbox each week. Also tagged with

WTF?! Some people prefer to hide their PCs to save desk space or maintain a minimalist aesthetic, but a few modders have taken extreme measures to conceal their rigs inside furniture. The latest example successfully crams a mid-range gaming PC into an unassuming office chair. A recent video from YouTuber and modder "Basically Homeless" showcases one of the most unusual methods for conserving space in a PC gaming battle station: turning the chair into a case mod. Instructions for 3D printing an enclosure to fit inside a FlexiSpot office chair are available to subscribers of the YouTuber's free-tier Patreon. Related reading: FlexiSpot C7 Ergonomic Office Chair Review Luckily, the chair FlexiSpot donated for the video has an opening between the seat cushion and the chair mechanism just wide enough to accommodate a mini-ITX motherboard equipped with a Ryzen 7 9800X3D and 64GB of RAM. Inserting 50mm aluminum standoffs provides enough space for a low-profile cooler, a flex power supply unit (normally used in server racks), and a mini-ITX Nvidia RTX 4060. After some trial and error, Basically Homeless designed and 3D printed a custom enclosure to conceal the PC components between the seat and cylinder with sufficient ventilation and several I/O ports. The I/O port openings support keystone modules, allowing the modder to hot-swap various ports such as HDMI outputs, USB ports, and headphone jacks. However, when using the chair PC normally, the only cable that is partially visible at the bottom is the power cord, which Basically Homeless ran through several holes he cut into the base of the chair. This leaves the display as the last component that normally requires wires, which prompted the most unorthodox step of the entire project. A wireless monitor that receives a video signal over Wi-Fi is one option, but it adds about 10 milliseconds of input lag, which Basically Homeless couldn't accept. So he ran another cable through the lumbar and headrest, which connects to a Bigscreen Beyond VR headset. Even when playing non-VR games, it (or, alternatively, a Meta Quest) can project a virtual 1080p screen in front of the viewer. Impressively, the PC components remain undamaged when reclining, and Basically Homeless doesn't feel them through the seat. However, he might have inadvertently turned it into a heated seat. // Related Stories In principle, the project resembles the Endgame Invisible PC, which modder and YouTuber Matthew Perks installed inside a desk last year. It includes a fold-out monitor, two PSUs, an RTX 4090, and liquid cooling.

In this edition of SLICED, the 3D Printing Industry news digest, we compile the latest developments across the additive manufacturing (AM) sector, including equipment-sharing partnerships, market expansions in Europe and Mexico, and new standards working groups. Today’s edition features reseller appointments, research consortium launches, large-format platform integrations, dental appliance automation, and calls for conference speakers. Read on for updates from AM 4 AM, Meltio, One Click Metal, Axtra3D, Nikon SLM Solutions, Formnext 2025, and more. Emerging partnerships from AM 4 AM, and Meltio Kicking off with partnerships, Luxembourg’s materials R&D firm AM 4 AM has partnered with Stockholm aluminum powder supplier Gränges Powder Metallurgy (GPM), relocating the Swedish supplier’s materials characterization park to AM 4 AM’s facility. Under the agreement, AM 4 AM will operate GPM’s particle size analyzers, thermal testers, and mechanical-testing rigs to accelerate development cycles and strengthen quality control across both companies’ product lines. AM 4 AM Co-founder Maxime Delmée noted that access to GPM’s instrumentation will enable faster iteration and more data-driven decision-making. Highlighting benefits, GPM Managing Director Peter Vikner explained that relocating the equipment to AM 4 AM addressed both firms’ R&D requirements while leveraging AM 4 AM’s operational capabilities. Moving on, Spanish wire-laser metal 3D printer manufacturer Meltio has announced partnerships with Monterrey-based service provider Alar, and academic institution  Tecnológico de Monterrey.With this move, Alar will integrate the award-winning M600 industrial wire-laser 3D printer into its production lines, while the institution has acquired a Meltio M450 for academic training and industry collaboration.  Additionally, the Spanish manufacturer has also announced additive manufacturing integrator Sitres Latam as its official distributor. Meltio’s wire-feed deposition process, which supports stainless steel, titanium, Inconel, and copper, offers mechanical properties on par with conventionally manufactured parts while reducing waste and emissions. “This alliance with Sitres, Alar, and Tecnológico de Monterrey is fundamental to promoting real and functional metal 3D printing solutions in Mexico,” said Alar CEO Andrea Alarcón. Meltio partners with Alar, SITRES, and Tecnológico de Monterrey to expand metal 3D printing capabilities in Mexico. Photo via Meltio. One Click Metal and Axtra3D Appoint New Resellers in Iberia Turning to resellers and distribution, German metal 3D printing systems developer One Click Metal has expanded into Portugal through a collaboration with Lisbon’s industrial additive manufacturing services provider 3D Ever. The agreement gives local businesses direct access to One Click Metal’s cartridge-based powder handling systems and Lab Module for rapid material changes, alongside region-specific training and post-installation support. Founded in 2017, 3D Ever operates a multi-technology showroom—covering covering stereolithography (SLA), selective laser sintering (SLS), fused filament fabrication (FFF), and direct metal laser sintering (DMLS)—and hosts open-house events and technical workshops to integrate 3D printing into customer workflows. “Portugal is a dynamic market for additive manufacturing,” said One Click Metal’s Global Sales Director Martin Heller, “and 3D Ever’s deep industry knowledge makes them the ideal partner.” Meanwhile, Milan-based photopolymer 3D printer innovator Axtra3D has named Spain and Portugal’s Maquinser S.A. as its professional reseller for Hi-Speed SLA systems. Maquinser will showcase the Lumia X1 platform combining Hybrid PhotoSynthesis and TruLayer technologies at three major industry events through June: the International Machine-Tool Fair (EMAF) in Porto, Portugal; the Subcontratación Industrial & Addit3D expo in Bilbao, Spain; and the MindTECH manufacturing technology fair in Porto. “Axtra3D’s Hi-Speed SLA strikes the balance between surface quality, precision, and material flexibility,” said Maquinser CEO Christian Postigo. Andreas Tulaj, SVP Europe Sales at Axtra3D, added that Maquinser’s regional presence ensures localized support, rapid deployment, and customer-specific solutions across automotive, aerospace, energy, and mold-making sectors. Axtra3D appoints Maquinser S.A. as official reseller for Spain and Portugal. Image via Maquinser. 3MF Consortium and Ecosistema GO! Launch AM Research Initiatives On the research corner, the Microsoft-backed standards organization 3MF Consortium has formed a 6-Axis Toolpath Working Group to define open data structures for robotic and multi-axis AM workflows. The effort invites professionals using industrial robots and advanced CNC platforms to develop a 3MF extension that encodes non-planar toolpath data, enabling seamless interoperability across design, toolpath generation, and machine control software. Originally created to surpass STL and OBJ for complex manufacturing data, the 3MF format already supports units, materials, lattices, slice data, and metadata. This new working group will build on modules like the Beam Lattice Extension to integrate multi-axis motion paths, with open-source reference implementations available via the consortium’s GitHub repository. Elsewhere in Europe, Spain’s Centre for the Development of Industrial Technology (CDTI)-backed Ecosistema GO! Project (coordinated by Leitat with partners Aitiip, Idonial, Aimen, Addimat, HP, and Meltio) has launched to map national AM capabilities and drive industrial adoption. The initiative will publish a structured “map of capabilities” covering infrastructure, specialization areas, and R&D projects, while hosting workshops in automotive, energy, and aerospace to share success stories and define adoption strategies. “Ecosistema GO! aligns capabilities, generates synergies, and accelerates AM’s real incorporation into Spanish industry,” said IAM3DHUB General Secretary David Adrover. Open for new members through December 2025, the consortium aims to serve as Spain’s reference network for additive manufacturing. The 3MF Consortium invites participants to join its newly launched 6-Axis Toolpath Working Group. Image via 3MF Consortium. Dental Production Boosted by DMP Flex 200 Integration at DynaFlex In dental applications, U.S. orthodontic manufacturer DynaFlex has upgraded its digital workflow with the DMP Flex 200 metal 3D printer from 3D Systems, supplied and installed by their official supplier Nota3D. Featuring a 500 W laser and enlarged build platform, the system has increased DynaFlex’s production speeds by up to 80% for small custom components such as fixed appliances and bands. Matt Malabey, DynaFlex’s Director of Operations, noted that integrated software for orientation, nesting, and support generation further streamlines workflow: “Automation tools and improved onboarding allow us to scale smarter and faster.” The Flex 200 supports LaserForm CoCr, Stainless Steel 316 L, and Ti Gr23 alloys, aligning material properties with clinical performance standards. Prusa Research Opens EasyPrint to All Mobile Users Shifting to software, Czech desktop 3D printer maker Prusa Research has launched EasyPrint, a cloud-powered slicer embedded in the official PRUSA mobile app and accessible via Printables.com. It lets users prepare and send G-code directly from smartphones and tablets, automatically detecting compatible printers and applying the correct print profiles. An interactive 3D preview allows models to be moved, rotated, scaled and batch-arranged on virtual beds, while basic settings such as copy count and object size are consolidated into a one-click workflow. EasyPrint began as an invite-only beta used to collect performance metrics and optimize scalability before opening to everyone once preliminary tests proved the service smooth, according to Ondřej Drebota, Prusa’s Head of Country Development Managers & Partnerships Manager. All G-code generation runs in the cloud, enabling even low-powered devices to handle complex workflows, and users can download prepared files for offline printing. Prusa plans to extend EasyPrint compatibility to non-Prusa printers in future updates, broadening its reach across the 3D printing community. Nikon SLM Solutions and DynaFlex Upgrade Metal AM Workflow On 3D platform news, German metal 3D printer manufacturer Nikon SLM Solutions has integrated Freiburg’s automated depowdering specialist Solukon’s SFM-AT1500-S system at its Long Beach, California AM Technology Center. Paired to German manufacturer’s NXG 600E large-format 3D printer, the SPR-Pathfinder-driven unit handles parts up to 1,500 mm tall and 2,100 kg total weight, automating powder removal for industrial-scale metal components. Nikon SLM Solutions’ COO Gerhard Bierleutgeb stressed the importance of closely linking printing and automated depowdering for optimal production flow. Solukon’s CTO Andreas Hartmann added that the SFM-AT1500-S was custom-engineered to meet Nikon’s requirements for high-mass, complex geometries while maintaining a compact installation footprint. Andreas Hartmann, CEO/CTO of Solukon, and Joshua Forster, Production Manager at Nikon SLM Solutions. Photo via Solukon. Formnext 2025 Announces Call for Speakers Looking ahead to events, Germany’s trade-fair organizer Mesago Messe Frankfurt GmbH has opened its call for speakers for the upcoming Formnext 2025, to be held November 18-21 in Frankfurt. Submissions for the Industry Stage (covering sustainability, AI, standards, and talent) and the Application Stage (focusing on sectors like automotive, aerospace, and medical) remain open through June. Mesago’s Vice President Christoph Stüker explained that the multistage program is central to Formnext’s mission of disseminating AM knowledge and driving new applications. Additionally, Vice President Sascha F. Wenzler noted that the speaking slots offer an ideal platform for experts to share insights, build their profiles, and forge valuable industry connections. Adding to that, materials supplier participation at Formnext Asia Shenzhen 2025 has jumped 68% year-on-year, with booth bookings already at 70% capacity for the 26–28 August event at Shenzhen World Exhibition & Convention Center. The expanded materials segment, now covering advanced polymers, composites and specialised alloys, will feature over 30 exhibitors in metal powders (including Acc Material, JSJW New Material and Tiangong Technology), ceramics (Wuhan 3DCERAM, Nanoe France) and polymers (eSUN, SUNLU).  Louis Leung, Deputy General Manager of Guangzhou Guangya Messe Frankfurt, highlighted China’s rapid ascent as an AM leader, noting that national policy support and investment have fuelled double-digit growth in the domestic materials sector. Fringe activities include the 3D Print Farm Conference on filament supply chains and an expanded Laser & AM Forum, while related events, Formnext Asia Forum Tokyo (25-6 September) and Formnext Frankfurt round out the global network. Exhibitor registrations remain open online. A panel discussion recorded live at the Industry Stage during Formnext 2024. Photo via Formnext/Mesago Messe Frankfurt GmbH. Take the 3DPI Reader Survey — shape the future of AM reporting in under 5 minutes. Ready to discover who won the 20243D Printing Industry Awards? Subscribe to the 3D Printing Industry newsletter to stay updated with the latest news and insights. Featured image shows a panel discussion recorded live at the Industry Stage during Formnext 2024. Photo via Formnext/Mesago Messe Frankfurt GmbH. Anyer Tenorio Lara Anyer Tenorio Lara is an emerging tech journalist passionate about uncovering the latest advances in technology and innovation. With a sharp eye for detail and a talent for storytelling, Anyer has quickly made a name for himself in the tech community. Anyer's articles aim to make complex subjects accessible and engaging for a broad audience. In addition to his writing, Anyer enjoys participating in industry events and discussions, eager to learn and share knowledge in the dynamic world of technology.

Miniaturization is not new to computers and rigs. We have seen our share of devices with unfathomably small form factors, skimmed down all the way from room-sized mainframes of the yesteryears. Now, someone’s taken things a step further by creating a fully functional miniature classic Macintosh complete with a display that’s only two inches diagonally. While it’s a nostalgic little Mac, it is not what we are waiting for in the AI-driven world. We’ve got our eyes fixed on what Apple’s former design chief Jonathan Ive’s cooking up with the creators of ChatGPT. It is not evidently clear what, but whatever they are working on is definitely going to take things to a new level of minimalism. Reportedly, the project is an AI-powered personal device rumored to be screenless. It will be designed to deliver assistance in a truly pocket-friendly form, focusing on voice rather than visual interaction. Back to the Mac, it’s a definitive min version Apple’s never going to attempt, but you can secure files to 3D print this tiny tot for yourself. Designer: 1-bit Rainbow Before you get to that: the tiny classic Mac is created by 1-bit Rainbow, an online seller of spares and parts of vintage Apple products. Instead of offering out parts, the retailer has taken matters into its own hands and created a miniaturized replica of the original Macintosh that measures 2.4 inches (62mm) tall and houses a miniature 480×640 pixel LCD display. 3D printed chassis looks like the real Macintosh and behaves like one from the ‘80s, but of course, it’s in a very petite form factor. Before you start to wonder, yes, the little Mac is powered by a Raspberry Pi Pico, which lends this guy its name: the Pico-Mac-Nano. The Raspberry Pi has enough power to emulate a Macintosh’s authentic OS flavor, but things are not going to be as stable for obvious reasons. Yet, if you choose to own one of these tiny desktops, you can plug in your USB mouse and keyboard and play – whatever it would – on this little guy in the real world. It should be able to pull off the Dark Castle courtesy of its 512MB storage, microSD card slot, and a three-volt CR2 battery that can keep the system going for a while. Since it is functional, the Pico-Mac-Nano is also available for purchase. You can buy it for $59, fully assembled for plug-and-play. And if you want to try it your way, 1-bit Rainbow is also providing 3D printing files to print your own chassis. To gauge the scale of what you are committing to, a photo of the miniature Mac is released alongside a Coke can, need I say more about how small it is? The post This miniature of the original Macintosh has 2-inch display and it’s fully functional first appeared on Yanko Design.

ZDNET's key takeaways Prices for the Dell 14 Plus currently start at $1,130During a time of economic turmoil, this laptop is a lifeline, providing next-gen performance at an affordable priceHowever, don't expect too much from its display, as it's no OLED or 4K panel. more buying choices Back in early 2025, Dell made a bold move. The company announced that it was going to rebrand its entire portfolio. Classic names like "XPS" and "Inspiron" were thrown out to be replaced with more generic-sounding titles. These include "Dell," "Dell Pro," and "Dell Premium." I've been anxious to try out this generation to see if it introduces a new era for Dell or if it's more of the same. I recently had that opportunity with the Dell 14 Plus.Also: Best Dell laptops of 2025This is the company's latest midrange laptop and one of the successors to the Inspiron series. It even looks like an Inspiron, sporting the familiar combination of gray, rubber keys on an all-silver body. Although the design isn't revolutionary, I still had a wonderful time with the Dell 14 Plus. It's this mixture of tried-and-true tech with next-gen advancements. To repeat what I said in my old Inspiron 14 Plus review, "the device has many of the hallmark features I enjoy in a laptop." details View at Dell If it ain't broke, don't fix itThe comfortable keyboard from the Inspiron 14 has returned. Its chiclet-shaped keys remain gentle yet responsive to the touch. They sit inside a chassis primarily made out of aluminum, giving Dell's machine a nice, sturdy feel. Like before, the edges on the bottom half are rounded for comfort.Also: This Lenovo laptop bombarded me with AI features - here's why that's a good thingI also like to think that Dell read my past review because I recommended that the brand continue using the same anti-fingerprint manufacturing technique for future products. Sure enough, the Dell 14 Plus did not have a single fingerprint smudge on it in all my time handling it.Solid performanceInside my review was an Intel Core Ultra 256V processor, an integrated Intel Arc graphics card, and 16GB of memory. Below is a table highlighting the Dell 14 Plus' performance results across multiple benchmark tests. I also included other laptops with similar hardware for comparison.PC Mark 10Cinebench 2024Geekbench 6Dell 14 Plus7,27155410,812Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 Aura Edition6,5623947,743HP EliteBook Ultra G1i7,32849610,993Looking at the numbers, you'll notice that Dell's computer did quite well in the three tests. It outperformed the Lenovo Yoga 9i Aura Edition in every metric and is very close to outdoing the HP EliteBook. Also: The best 15-inch laptops of 2025: Expert tested and reviewedThis tells me the 14 Plus renders high-resolution images quickly and tackles demanding workloads with relative ease. It's not a high-end model, but the configuration can deliver a similar experience. Cesar Cadenas/ZDNETThis experience was reflected by my other performance test, in which I ran 50 different tabs on Google Chrome. My selection included several YouTube live streams (some in 4K resolution), ten ZDNET articles, five Amazon product listings, and a series of randomly chosen GIFs.Unsurprisingly, the Dell 14 Plus did great. It handled all of the open windows with just a touch of slowdown; nothing too debilitating. The one major downside of the heavy workload was overheating -- the keyboard became a little warm after several minutes.Let's talk about that displaySo, the laptop delivers a top-notch performance in addition to having a solid design. You may be wondering, "Are there any issues with the Dell 14 Plus?" Yes, I wasn't a big fan of the display. It isn't bad per se; the screen just didn't blow me away. Perhaps I've been spoiled by other laptops that excel in these areas.Also: This 16-inch Dell Inspiron is one of the most versatile laptops I've testedMy review unit had a 14-inch 2.5K (2,540 x 1,600) display that delivered impressive image detail. The display's anti-glare coating helps maintain clarity under bright conditions. However, compared to the Lenovo Yoga 9i mentioned earlier, the Dell 14 Plus has a noticeably dull screen. And it's not without support. Dolby Vision is present, allowing the display to support a wide range of colors, but it's still not great. Cesar Cadenas/ZDNETAlso inside the chassis are a pair of 2.5W speakers supported by Waves MaxxAudio Pro and Dolby Atmos Cores. Together, they enable immersive sound output. However, the drivers are located at the bottom of the laptop, pointing down. I've never been a fan of this placement as it muffles the sound.Also: 'End of 10' offers hope and help to Windows 10 users who can't upgradeFortunately, the aforementioned audio software pairing allows the Dell 14 Plus to circumvent this limitation somewhat. Music and dialogue sound fine coming out of the speakers. That said, I can't help but wonder how better the sound output would be if the drivers were on top. Cesar Cadenas/ZDNETIn terms of battery life, the Dell 14 Plus ran for about 11 hours and 40 minutes under Best Power Efficiency before draining completely. For the sake of comparison, the Lenovo Yoga 9i Aura Edition can hit a solid 12 hours with the right optimization. I end up liking Dell's machine more because it offers a comparable experience at a lower price.ZDNET's buying advicePrices for the Dell 14 Plus start at $1,129. My review unit's configuration is slightly more expensive at $1,180. The most powerful option comes with an Intel Core Ultra 9 288V chipset and 32GB of RAM. It is currently on sale at a discounted $1,280. All three come with a 1 TB SSD.Dell's latest machine stands tall as a great affordable option that performs very well amongst a sea of expensive computers. It was such a good experience that I am overlooking the few issues I had with it. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a next-gen laptop that won't make your wallet cringe at the price tag. For me, it is definitely a highlight of 2025.That said, if you are looking for something else, I recommend the Lenovo Yoga 9i Aura Edition. It has a significantly better display and robust AI features, although it is more expensive.  What are the tariffs in the US? The recent US tariffs on imports from countries like China, Vietnam, and India aim to boost domestic manufacturing but are likely to drive up prices on consumer electronics. Products like smartphones, laptops, and TVs may become more expensive as companies rethink global supply chains and weigh the cost of shifting production.Laptops and PCs are also hit hard by the new US tariffs, with import duties potentially increasing prices by up to 35%. Many major brands still rely on Chinese and Vietnamese factories for assembly, meaning consumers could soon pay significantly more for everything from budget Chromebooks to high-end gaming rigs. These tariffs may accelerate efforts to move production to regions like Mexico or India, but shoppers can expect higher costs and fewer discounts in the short term. Show more Featured reviews

Get the Popular Science daily newsletter💡 Breakthroughs, discoveries, and DIY tips sent every weekday. Drones can be a divisive subject, but they do have their uses (beyond causing mass panic). Professional unpiloted aerial vehicles (UAVs) are already instrumental in conservation efforts and engineering projects, but even personal use drones do more than recording cool aerial shots of your vacation. In the case of a recent emergency in Florida, one man’s drone helped save a teenager’s life. Earlier this month, amateur shark fisherman Andrew Smith was convinced by a friend to come with them to Pensacola Beach after getting off from work. But within 10 minutes of arriving, the scene went from a casual afternoon by the water to a full-fledged emergency. “I was sitting there and this girl came running asking if anybody could swim,” Smith told the local news outlet WSVN. “I said ‘no I absolutely could not swim’, and she was running and screaming and nobody could swim.” Bystanders soon learned that the teen’s friend had been swept out to sea by a rip current. Rip currents are powerful, localized offshore currents created when wind and breaking waves push surface water towards land. The resultant slight water level rise near the shore causes excess water to flow back into the sea via the path of least resistance. Slightly deeper areas in a sand bar or reef can exacerbate the force, dragging objects or people out through the gap.Rip currents are often confused with rip tides or undertows, none of which actually pull you downward. Instead, they are strongest near the water’s surface and carry you beyond the line of breaking waves. NOAA estimates an average of 76 people drowned from rip currents per year off US shores between 2015 and 2024. With the situation growing more serious by the moment, Smith quickly came up with an idea. He attached a life preserver to the drone he had brought with him, and began piloting it out towards the drowning girl. Strong winds made his first rescue attempt difficult. “It was a terrible miss,” he recounted. “I released it too early, it was really windy. It wasn’t close at all.” The girl had been struggling against the currents for around five minutes by that point. Unfortunately, Smith only had a single flotation device left nearby to try again. “That was it, that was the last opportunity we were gonna have.” After adjusting for the wind, he gave it another shot. This time, the drop was much more accurate—the teenager was able to grab the life preserver and hang on for another few minutes until emergency responders arrived. “If it wasn’t for that second drop, she wouldn’t have made it. The EMS said she wouldn’t have made it,” said Smith. After receiving a check-up, EMS confirmed the girl sustained no serious injuries and was able to go home—but not before her dad spoke with Smith. “He talked to me for like five minutes, called me his guardian angel and thanked me and stuff. It was pretty crazy,” he said. For anyone who finds themselves stuck in a rip current without the prospect of a drone-assisted rescue, the best bet is to resist panicking or fighting against the waters. Instead, experts recommend attempting to swim across the current—generally parallel to the shore. Rip currents usually aren’t very wide, so it’s often possible to paddle out of its pull this way. Another option may be to allow the current to pull you past the breaking waves. Rip currents dissipate from there, and you can then either begin swimming to shore or tread while waiting for a lifeguard or EMS responder to arrive.