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Acer Chromebook Spin 713 Review : Great For Students!

Parents are looking for great but affordable laptops for their kids, and the Acer Chromebook Spin 713 may just hit the sweet spot!

Take a look at my review of this MIL-STD-rated convertible laptop, and find out why it’s great for students!

 

Acer Chromebook Spin 713 : Fast + Tough

The 2021 Acer Chromebook Spin 713 (CP713-3W) is the world’s first Intel Evo platform-verified Chromebook, guaranteeing snappy performance out-of-the-box.

As an Intel Evo-verified laptop, it comes with an 11th Gen Intel Core processor with Intel Iris Xe Graphics, built-in Wi-Fi 6 and Thunderbolt 4 connectivity, and is designed to wake up in less than a second!

Even though it is a convertible laptop, it is MIL-STD-810H rated for drops of up to 122 cm, and MIL-STD-810F rated against ingress of sand and dust!

So you now have a basic idea of why we think it’s great for students!

 

Acer Chromebook Spin 713 : Price + Availability

The Acer Chromebook Spin 713 is available in Malaysia with a retail price of RM3,799.

Here are some online purchase options in Malaysia :

 

Acer Chromebook Spin 713 : Specifications

Let’s start with the specifications of this review unit :

Specifications Acer Chromebook Spin 713
Model CP713-3W-503Z
Display 13.5-inch VertiView IPS touchscreen display
2256 x 1504 pixels, 220 ppi
Durability Corning Gorilla Glass
MIL-STD 810H
Operating System Google Chrome OS 94.0
Processor Intel Core i5-1135G7
Graphics Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Memory 8 GB LPDDR4X
Storage 256 GB PCIe NVMe SSD
Camera 720p HD webcam
Connectivity Intel® Wireless Wi-Fi 6 AX201
Bluetooth® 5.1
microSD Reader Yes
Ports 2 x USB Type C ports
1 x USB Type A port
1 x HDMI port
1 x 3.5 mm audio port
Sensors Accelerometer (G-sensor), Gyroscope
Audio Smart Amplifier with DTS
Stereo speakers
Battery 56 Whr Li-Ion battery
Up to 10 hours of battery life
Supports quick-charging
Dimensions 300.6 mm wide
235 mm deep
16.9 mm thick
Weight 1.37 kg

 

Acer Chromebook Spin 713 : Unboxing

The Acer Chromebook Spin 713 comes in a brown cardboard box, with two labels on the side to confirm the model and specifications of the unit inside.

Please make sure the security seal is unbroken when you receive the box. Once you remove everything, this is what you will find inside :

  • one Acer Chromebook Spin 713 laptop
  • one 45 watt power adaptor with USB Type C cable
  • one localised power cord
  • one set of Setup Guide + Warranty booklet

Next Page > Chromebook Spin 713 Key Features

 

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Acer Chromebook Spin 713 : Hands-On Experience!

The Acer Chromebook Spin 713 is a convertible laptop, with a 13.5-inch display with a resolution of 2256 x 1504 pixels.

The display can flip completely around, letting you use it in the laptop mode, tent mode or the tablet mode – very useful for presentations and collaboration in school.

As this is a Chromebook, it runs on Google Chrome OS, but otherwise, appears and works like any other laptop.

It is quite thin at just under 17 mm at its thickest point, and weighs only 1.37 kg. It will have no problem fitting into schoolbags.

13.5-inch Touchscreen Display

The Acer Chromebook Spin 713 comes with a 13.5-inch IPS display with a resolution of 2256 x 1504 pixels – much higher than most Chromebook laptops.

This is a touchscreen display, which is the main input method in tent and tablet modes. Even so, you will find it very useful in the laptop mode as well.

You will be glad to know that the display is protected by a layer of Corning Gorilla Glass, so it is resistant to scratches.

720p Webcam

The Acer Chromebook Spin 713 comes with a 720p webcam at the top of its display, with two microphones to pick up your voice.

It would be be nice if Acer included a 1080p webcam, but hey, even the Dell XPS 13 (9300) came with a 720p webcam!

Available Ports

The Acer Chromebook Spin 713 comes with a range of useful ports. On the left side, you will find :

  • two of the latest USB Type C / Thunderbolt 4 ports!
  • a full-size HDMI port
  • a 3.5 mm audio port

On the right side, you will find a physical Volume control button, with a microSD card reader, a USB 3.0 Type A port and the Power button.

Speakers

The Acer Chromebook Spin 713 has two downward-firing speakers on the underside (in laptop mode).

They are pretty loud and bright, and seem optimised for voice – which may appear to be what they are targeting.

But they will sound hollow and lack dynamism and bass, so music and movies are less enjoyable.

Keyboard + Touchpad

The Acer Chromebook Spin 713 comes with a full-size keyboard, with a large touchpad.

The keys are backlit, which is fantastic in low-light conditions, and have decent key travel.

[twenty20 img1=”51383″ img2=”51384″ offset=”0.5″]

Next Page > Performance, Verdict + Award!

 

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Acer Chromebook Spin 713 : Performance

Our Acer Chromebook Spin 713 laptop was powered by the Intel Core i5-1135G7, which is a 4-core, 8-thread processor that runs at up to 4.2 GHz.

It comes with integrated Intel Iris Xe Graphics, and is paired with 8 GB of RAM and 256 of PCIe NVMe SSD storage.

Battery Life

The Chromebook Spin 713 comes with a 3-cell 56 Whr lithium-ion battery, that Acer says all last up to 10 hours.

To test its battery life, we set its display to 50% and ran the PCMark Work 3.0 battery life test, until its battery capacity dropped to 20%, repeating several times.

Unfortunately, we could not get 10 hours – the best we could do was just under 7.5 hours. But please note that this is a stress test that involves non-stop running work applications.

In real life, you will likely see longer usage times. And it is certainly more than long enough for a full day at school!

Battery Recharging Speed

The Chromebook Spin 713 comes with a 45 watt fast charger, that Acer says will give you 4 hours of battery life in just under 30 minutes.

Look at that! It only took 1 hour 31.5 minutes to fully recharge the Chromebook Spin 713 from 20% to 100%!

That gives it a battery life : recharging ratio of almost 5:1. A general rule of thumb – for one hour of battery life, you will need to charge it for 12 minutes.

Work Performance : PCMark Work 3.0

As this laptop runs on Chrome OS, we can only compare it to mobile SoCs.

Its PCMark Work 3.0 score puts it firmly in between the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+ and the Samsung Exynos 990.

In other words – this laptop is as fast as flagship mobile devices like the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+ and Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra.

Gaming Performance : 3DMark

As the Chromebook Spin 713 runs on Chrome OS, you can Android apps on it. Yes, that includes games that your kids are already playing on your Android phone. 😉

Its graphics performance is really good, coming in more than TWICE AS FAST as Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+ and the Samsung Exynos 990.

In other words, you won’t have to worry about running any mobile games on this laptop. It will have no problem handling them.

 

Acer Chromebook Spin 713 : Verdict + Award

People often think of Chromebook laptops as cheap throwaway devices that you only resort to when you have “no other choice”.

The Acer Chromebook Spin 713 puts paid to that perception, offering a sleek convertible design with high-end features like :

  • Intel Evo and MIL-STD-810 certifications
  • 2K touch display with Gorilla Glass protection
  • Powerful Intel Core i5 processor with Intel Xe Graphics
  • Two USB Type C / Thunderbolt 4 ports

What you get is a truly versatile laptop with snappy work and gaming performance, with an excellent high-resolution display.

If you are a parent looking for a good and sturdy laptop that your child will have a hard time breaking, you really can’t go wrong with the Acer Chromebook Spin 713.

That’s why we have no qualms giving it our Reviewer’s Choice Award! Great job, Acer!

 

Acer Chromebook Spin 713 : Where To Buy?

The Acer Chromebook Spin 713 is available in Malaysia with a retail price of RM3,799.

Here are some online purchase options in Malaysia :

 

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Support my work through a bank transfer /  PayPal / credit card!

Name : Adrian Wong
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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

 

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Maxis Fibre Warning : WiFi 6 Router NOT Exactly Free!

The free WiFi 6 router that Maxis is touting isn’t exactly FREE as claimed.

Here’s what I just found out, and what you should know about their “free” WiFi 6 router.

 

Maxis Fibre Broadband : What Free WiFi 6 Router?

On 18 February 2021, Maxis announced that they would make a new WiFi 6 router available for FREE to all new and existing Maxis Fibre Broadband customers!

The WiFi 6 router will be available for free from today, 18 February onwards for new customers who sign up for Maxis Fibre plans of 100Mbps and above. Existing Maxis Fibre customers will be contacted in phases for the router upgrade exercise. Maxis’ specialised Internet experts, Maxperts, will also provide free installation of the router to ensure that the WiFi is optimized for the best connectivity experience for the home.

When I wrote about it, I thought that was pretty generous of them, and a brilliant way to reduce churn and eat into Unifi’s business.

I quickly called up Maxis, eager to give it a try myself. But almost 7 months later, no one from the Maxis Fibre Broadband team called me up about this free WiFi 6 router upgrade.

Today, I found out that what Maxis announced in February was not exactly the truth. Here are the facts…

 

Maxis Fibre Warning : WiFi 6 Router NOT Exactly Free!

When Maxis first announced the availability of their free WiFi 6 router, they specifically stated that :

  • it would be made available for FREE for new customers who sign up for 100 Mbps or faster plans, and
  • existing customers would receive the upgrade in phases.

Neither are true… which is good news and bad news.

Based on my conversation with Amir from their Customer Service team, and Intan from their Fibre Broadband team on 17 September 2021, here are the facts :

  1. The WiFi 6 router is only available to new customers, and existing customers who are already (or almost) out-of-contract.

    This WiFi 6 router will not be made available to customers who are still under contract.

  2. Existing customers will not be upgraded in phases as claimed. Rather, you have to call up Maxis customer service to request for the upgrade.
  3. Existing customers MUST upgrade their existing plans to qualify for the WiFi 6 router upgrade.

    If you are on 30 Mbps, you must upgrade to 100 Mbps or higher
    If you are on 300 Mbps, you must upgrade to 500 Mbps or higher

    Existing customers MUST sign up for a 2-year contract, which introduces this penalty should you terminate the contract at any point in time :

    Early Termination Charge of RM500 or the remaining monthly subscription charges in the contract period, whichever is higher.

  4. For existing customers, the WiFi 6 router replaces your existing router, which will be taken back by Maxis.

    Since this occurs at the end of a contract, this implies that the routers are “leased” and do not belong to you even after you complete the contract.

None of the information I gleaned above were posted in the official Maxis WiFi 6 router page.

Their FAQ mentioned that the WiFi 6 router is only given free to “new installations for all plans of Maxis Fibre“, including their cheaper 30 Mbps plan.

There is NO MENTION in the Maxis website of any requirement to upgrade your plan, or sign up for a new 2-year contract, to receive this “free” WiFi 6 router upgrade.

The only reference to the Early Termination Charge is found in the Maxis Fibre Service Specific Terms & Conditions (SSTC) page, but that appears to refer to new installations.

 

Maxis Fibre WiFi 6 Router : Caveat Emptor!

As a long-time Maxis Mobile and Maxis Fibre customer, I’m very disappointed to see them quietly change the terms for what would have been a great upgrade for their loyal customers.

Forcing people to upgrade their plans when they don’t need the extra speed means you are essentially paying for the router.

That’s RM20 to RM80 extra per month, or between RM480 and RM1,920 for a 2-year contract!

Don’t be the fool who ends up paying RM80 extra per month for a “free” WiFi 6 router, unless it’s gold-plated!

I can understand if they wish to tack on a 2-year contract, but at least make it clear to customers in the website, including the early termination penalty!

There is one piece of good news though – even their cheapest 30 Mbps plan comes with the WiFi 6 router!

Pro Tip #1 : Call Maxis customer service and switch to the 30 Mbps plan, before asking for the WiFi 6 upgrade. This way, you don’t have to upgrade to a faster plan unnecessarily.

Pro Tip #2 : If you are currently on the 30 Mbps plan and don’t want to upgrade for the free router, call to CANCEL the service and migrate to Unifi or TIME (which always gives free upgrades!). Their Save team will call you up to try and salvage your business.

 

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Name : Adrian Wong
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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

 

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Acer Aspire Vero : The First Earthion Laptop!

Acer just unveiled the Aspire Vero – their first sustainability-focused laptop based on their Earthion platform!

Find out what the Acer Aspire Vero offers, and what the Earthion platform is all about!

 

Acer Aspire Vero : The First Earthion Laptop!

The Acer Aspire Vero is the first sustainability-focused laptop based on their new Earthion platform.

That Acer Earthion platform is part of their pledge to achieve 100% renewable energy use by the year 2035, which they undertook when they joined the RE100 initiative.

The RE100 initiative is a global corporate renewable energy intuitive that is committed to achieve 100% renewable energy use. The Acer Group has already achieve 44% renewable energy use by 2020.

As the first product from the Acer Earthion platform, the Acer Aspire Vero reimagines what the computer manufacturing process of the future will look like.

Sustainability-Focused Design

Post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic is used throughout its chassis and keyboard caps. And the Aspire Vero ships in a box made from 80-85% recycled paper pulp, and plastic bagging is replaced by paper sleeves. Even the laptop bag is made with 100% industrial recycled plastic!

The emphasis on sustainability is carried over in the design language too. All graphics on the shipping box are printed with soy ink, and the notebook itself has no paint on its chassis, reducing its impact on the environment. The laptop is also held together by easily-accessible, standardised screws for easier disassembly.

11th Gen Intel Core Performance

The Acer Aspire Vero is powered by the latest 11th Gen Intel Core processor with Iris Xe graphics, with up to 1 TB of M.2 SSD storage.

It boasts Intel Wi-Fi 6 wireless connectivity, a USB Type C port, two USB 3.2 ports and a HDMI 2.0 port for video out.

 

Acer Aspire Vero (Earthion) : Specifications

Here are the specifications of the Aspire Vero – Acer’s first Earthion laptop :

Specifications Acer Aspire Vero
Model AV15-51
Operating System Windows 10 Home 64-bit
Display 15.6-inch IPS display
– 1920 x 1080 pixesl
– 250 nits max. brightness
Processor 11th Gen Intel Core processor
Graphics Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Memory Onboard Memory
+ 1 x DDR4 SODIMM
Storage Up to 1 TB M.2 SSD
Wireless Intel Wireless Wi-Fi 6
Bluetooth 5.1
Audio Two microphones
Two speakers

 

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Support my work through a bank transfer /  PayPal / credit card!

Name : Adrian Wong
Bank Transfer : CIMB 7064555917 (Swift Code : CIBBMYKL)
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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

 

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Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 For Entry-Level Laptops!

Qualcomm just introduced the Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 – a new compute platform for entry-level laptops!

Here is what you need to know about the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen 2!

 

Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 For Entry-Level Laptops!

On 24 May 2021, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. launched their Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 – their second-generation entry-level compute platform!

This new computer platform will allow brands to introduce always-on, always-connected Windows PCs and Chromebooks with enhanced camera and audio capabilities, integrated LTE connectivity, AI acceleration and more!

Always On, Always Connected!

Devices powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 are Always On, Always Connected, just like your smartphone.

Its power-efficiency allows the device to stay in connected standby mode for weeks, keeping you connected whether for work, school or entertainment.

Improved Performance

The Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 delivers up to 10% faster system performance over “most competing platforms”, with up to twice the battery life of those platforms – up to 19 or more hours of continuous use!

Built-In Artificial Intelligence

The Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 comes with the fifth-generation Qualcomm AI Engine built-in, to accelerate security applications and more accurate voice recognition, amongst other uses.

Enhanced Camera + Audio

This new Qualcomm compute platform is also designed to enhance camera and audio quality, with virtual surround sound, echo cancellation and noise suppression.

Enterprise-Grade Security

Windows devices powered by this new compute platform are Microsoft Secured-Core PCs, with support for Windows 10 Hypervisor.

Its always connected LTE capability also allows faster manageability for IT administrators managing enterprise and education laptops.

 

Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 : Key Specifications

The Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen features eight Kryo 468 CPU cores, running at up to 2.55 GHz; with support for two LPDDR4x memory channels (up to 2133 MHz).

It comes with the Qualcomm Spectra 255 image signal processor, the Qualcomm Hexagon 692 DSP, and the Qualcomm Snapdragon X15 LTE modem built-in.

It supports 4G LTE, as well as 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.0 wireless connectivity.

 

Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 : Availability

Devices based on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 are expected to be commercially available this summer 2021.

 

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2021 Dell Latitude 5520 : Our In-Depth Review!

Made with bioplastics from trees, the Dell Latitude 5520 is not only more powerful, it promises a longer battery life and other improvements.

Join us for a close look at the new 2021 Dell Latitude 5520 business laptop!

 

Dell Latitude 5520 : 15.6-inch Business Laptop

The Dell Latitude 5520 is a 15.6-inch business laptop powered by the latest 11th Gen Intel Core processor, with a longer battery life.

The first Dell laptop to be made with bioplastics from trees, it offers environmentally-conscious businesses a way to minimise their ecological footprint.

 

Dell Latitude 5520 : Specifications + Options

The Dell Latitude 5520 can be configured to suit your requirements.

Here are the options available in Malaysia. You may get different options in other countries.

Specifications 2021 Dell Latitude 5520
Display Size 15.6-inch
Display Options Full HD IPS (1920 x 1200, 250 nits)
HD TN (1366 x 768, 220 nits)
Operating System Microsoft Windows 10 Pro (64 bit)
CPU + GPU Options Intel Core i7-1185G7 + Iris Xe Graphics
Intel Core i5-1145G7 + Iris Xe Graphics
Intel Core i5-1135G7 + Iris Xe Graphics
Memory Options DDR4-3200 (8 / 16 GB)
Storage Options PCIe NVMe SSD (256 GB / 512 GB / 1 TB / 2 TB)
Audio Realtek Waves MaxxAudio Pro audio
2 x 2 watt speakers
Dual array microphones
3.5 mm audio jack
Wireless Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX201 (2×2)
Bluetooth 5.1
External Ports 2 x Thunderbolt 4 (USB Type C) ports
– with Power Delivery and DisplayPort
1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 port with PowerShare
1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 port
1 x HDMI 2.0 port
1 x 3.5 mm audio port
1 x RJ-45 Ethernet port
1 x microSD card slot
1 x (optional) micro SIM tray
1 x (optional) smart card reader
Camera 720p webcam only
720p webcam + IR camera
1080p webcam + IR camera
Fingerprint Sensor Optional, integrated into Power button
Keyboard Backlit keyboard
with numeric keypad
Battery 3-cell 42 Whr lithium-ion battery
4-cell 63 Whr lithium-ion battery
Charger 45 watt USB Type C charger
Dimensions 357.8 mm wide
233.3 mm deep
19.87 mm thick
Weight Starting from 1.59 kg

 

Dell Latitude 5520 : Box Contents

The Dell Latitude 5520 comes in a plain brown cardboard box, with minimal materials to waste. Inside, you will find :

  • Dell Latitude 5520 laptop
  • Dell Latitude 5520 quick user guide + safety and regulatory information
  • 65 watt compact charger with USB Type C cable
  • Localised power cord

Next Page > Dell Latitude 5520 : A Closer Look!

 

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Dell Latitude 5520 : A Closer Look!

15.6-inch IPS Display

The Dell Latitude 5520 comes with a large 15.6-inch IPS display, with a Full HD resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. It does not have touch capability, which is not needed by most business users.

It has a maximum brightness of 250 nits, which is good enough for indoor use. However, you may have issues using it outdoors in bright sunlight.

For companies on a budget, Dell also offers a HD display with a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels, and a lower brightness of 220 nits.

Built-In Privacy Shutter

Our review unit came with a high-resolution 1080p webcam, with an IR emitter and camera for Windows Hello facial authentication.

Dell also offers a cheaper 720p webcam, with and without the IR camera.

Both options come with a built-in privacy shutter – a critical feature for security-conscious business users.

Performance

Our Dell Latitude 5520 is powered by the 11th Gen Intel Core i7-1185G7  processor – a 4-core, 8-thread processor with 12 MB of cache and Iris Xe graphics.

You can also opt for the Core i5-1145G7 or the Core i5-1135G7 – both 4-core, 8-thread processors with Iris Xe graphics.

The processor and its integrated graphics are kept cool by the Dual Opposite Outlet fans, with side venting for improved airflow and cooling performance.

Our unit came with 16 GB of dual-channel DDR4 memory running at 3200 MHz, and a 512 GB Western Digital SN730 NVMe PCIe SSD.

Ports

Despite its large 15.6-inch form factor, the Latitude 5520 is slim at just under 20 mm.

Even so, its slightly thicker chassis lets Dell fit in more ports than slimmer designs like the XPS 13.

On the left side, you will find two Thunderbolt 4 (USB 3.2 Gen 2) Type C ports, both of which support PowerDelivery and DisplayPort output.

The Latitude 5520 is charged using a USB Type C cable, so it must be plugged into one of these two USB Type C ports.

There is a large row of cooling vents, and a slot for the optional Smart Card reader.

On the right side, you will find a microSD card reader, a 3.5 mm microphone and headphone combo port, with two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type A ports.

And next to them are a full-sized HDMI 2.0 port, an RJ-45 LAN port, and a wedge security lock.

Keyboard + Touchpad

The Dell Latitude 5520 has a full-sized backlit keyboard, with a numeric keypad.

Business users will love the numeric keypad, but it may need some getting used to for those who are migrating from “regular laptops”.

The touchpad is reasonably sized, but offset to the left – something you may need to get used to.

Connectivity

Our Dell Latitude 5520 comes with the Intel AX201 module, which offers Wi-Fi 6 connectivity with 2×2 antennas and Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity.

On top of that, it comes with an RJ-45 LAN port built-in, giving you access to the best and fastest possible network connectivity.

Audio

The Dell Latitude 5520 features two front-firing speakers with 2 watts power output, powered by Realtek Waves MaxxAudio Pro.

It also comes with a 3.5 mm microphone / headphone combo jack, and dual microphone array.

Next Page > Dell Latitude 5520 : Performance + Verdict!

 

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Dell Latitude 5520 : Performance

Our Dell Latitude 5520 is powered by the 28 watt Intel Core i7-1185G7 processor, with 4 cores and 8 threads, and Iris Xe Graphics with 96 Execution Units.

This processor has 12 MB of L3 cache, a 3.0 GHz base frequency that ramps up to 4.8 GHz during intensive tasks.

Our review sample came with 16 GB of DDR4-3200 memory – in dual memory channels, of course, and a 512 GB Western Digital SN730 SSD.

Work Performance : PCMark 10

The Intel Core i7-1185G7 is a 28 watt processor that can be configured to run at a lower TDP of 12 watt – to improve battery life and reduce thermal output.

Dell left it at the full 28 watt TDP for maximum performance, so it delivered PCMark 10 scores in excess of 4800.

This makes the Dell Latitude 5520 about 15% faster than the HUAWEI MateBook X Pro, which uses the Intel Core i7-10510U 25W processor, and 25% faster than the XPS 13, which uses a down-clocked Intel Core i7-1065G7 processor at 15 W.

Gaming Performance : 3DMark Time Spy

The Dell Latitude 5520 is not meant to be a gaming system, but it has surprisingly decent gaming chops.

The Intel Core i7-1185G7 comes with integrated Iris Xe Graphics, with 96 execution units and maximum clock speed of 1.35 GHz.

That gave it a 3DMark Time Spy score just shy of 1190. That makes it about as fast as the NVIDIA GeForce MX350, and a little faster than the Radeon RX Vega 5 integrated graphics used in Ryzen 4000 Mobile processors.

Battery Life : YouTube + Modern Office

Our Dell Latitude 5520 came with a 4-cell lithium-ion battery, that has a rated capacity of 63 Whr.

To test its battery life, we locked the brightness at 50% – higher than the average of 40% – to see how it performs in these worst-case scenarios :

YouTube Streaming

The Dell Latitude 5520 lasted 8 hours 18 minutes streaming YouTube videos in the theatre mode using Wi-Fi, before its battery dropped to 10%.

PCMark 10 : Modern Office

The Dell Latitude 5520 lasted a phenomenal 11 hours before it powered off while running the Modern Office benchmark!

Battery Recharging Speed

Its 45 watt compact fast charger supports ExpressCharge Boost, which lets it deliver up to 35% charge in about 20 minutes, or up to 80% charge in an hour.

In our test, its fast charger took 29 minutes to charge from 10% to 35%, and took about 82 minutes to hit 80%. For a full charge to 100%, it took 142 minutes.

Here are our recorded recharging time from 10% :

  • 16% – 6 minutes 36 seconds
  • 22% – 13 minutes 38 seconds
  • 25% – 17 minutes 25 seconds
  • 31% – 23 minutes 53 seconds
  • 35% – 29 minutes 15 seconds
  • 40% – 35 minutes 12 seconds
  • 45% – 41 minutes 19 seconds
  • 51% – 48 minutes 18 seconds
  • 60% – 59 minutes 34 seconds
  • 66% – 65 minutes 22 seconds
  • 71% – 71 minutes 19 seconds
  • 76% – 77 minutes 19 seconds
  • 81% – 83 minutes 14 seconds
  • 90% – 95 minutes 16 seconds
  • 95% – 107 minutes 18 seconds
  • 100% – 142 minutes 10 seconds

This gives it a battery life : recharging time ratio of 3.5 : 1 for video streaming, and 4.7 : 1 for office work.

As a general rule of thumb, you will need to recharge its battery about 17 minutes for every hour of battery life.

 

Dell Latitude 5520 : Verdict

The Dell Latitude 5520 is not a sleek ultralight laptop like the XPS 13, it is a large, powerful business laptop.

Its large 15.6-inch display makes it a great desktop replacement, and yet is surprisingly thin and light – it is less than 2 cm thick, and weighs only 1.6 kg.

We strongly recommend the Full HD IPS panel, over the low-resolution HD TN panel option, which would look blurry / blocky on such a large display.

Built around the latest 11th Gen Intel Core processor, with integrated Iris Xe Graphics, it offers more than enough processing power for business users for many years to come.

 

Business users will appreciate the availability of at least two USB-C and two USB-A ports, as well as an actual RJ-45 LAN port and a HDMI 2.0 port too!

If you input a lot of numbers, you will also appreciate the keyboard which comes with a numeric keypad, which is not available in most consumer laptops.

On top of that, the Latitude 5520 comes with a built-in physical shutter for the webcam – a must-have for security conscious users!

If you are a road warrior, we definitely recommend getting the 4-cell battery for extended battery life, which should last you about 11 hours!

All-in-all, this is a solid, no-nonsense business laptop that lets you get work done as quickly and efficiently as possible, no matter whether you are working from home, or on the road.

Finally, we should mention Dell’s truly excellent onsite warranty. With the Latitude 5520, you get 3 years of ProSupport and Next Business Day Onsite Service!

For people who count on their laptops to make a living, NBD onsite service is a MUST!

 

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Maxis Fibre Broadband : Get WiFi 6 Router For FREE!

Maxis just announced a new WiFi 6 router that will be made available FREE to all new and existing Maxis Fibre Broadband customers! Here are the details…

 

Maxis Fibre Broadband : Get WiFi 6 Router For FREE!

Maxis just announced the availability of a new WiFi 6 router which promises to deliver faster wireless connectivity with greater range, better signal and the capacity to support more devices.

WiFi 6, also known as Wi-Fi 6 or IEEE 802.11ax or WiFi-AX, is the next-generation Wi-Fi standard, which can deliver up to 1.2 Gb/s of wireless bandwidth.

In addition to higher bandwidth, Wi-Fi 6 boasts reduced interference, increased network efficiency, reduced latency, as well as expanded capacity to support more Wi-Fi devices concurrently.

The new Maxis WiFi 6 router also comes with built-in EasyMesh technology, allowing you to easily expand the WiFi coverage by adding more EasyMesh units.

 

Maxis WiFi 6 Router : FREE For All New + Existing Customers!

Starting 18 February 2021, Maxis will make this new WiFi 6 router available for FREE to all new customers who sign up for Maxis Fibre plans of 100 Mbps or faster.

Existing Maxis Fibre customers will be contacted in phases for the free router upgrade exercise, with free installation by their Maxperts team.

 

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2020 Dell Latitude : Models, Price + Availability!

Dell just released a new range of 2020 Latitude laptops – featuring the ultra-premium 9000 series, and a redesigned 7000 series.

Here are the 2020 Dell Latitude models, price list and availability!

2020 Dell Latitude : What’s New?

Needless to say, the new 2020 Dell Latitude laptops offer improved performance, courtesy of the latest 10th Gen Intel vPro processors, and Intel Wi-Fi 6 wireless connectivity.

Beyond performance, Dell promises that the 2020 Latitudes are the industry’s most sustainably-built computers with recycled materials, sustainable packaging, energy-efficient designs and EPEAT Gold registrations.

They also feature Dell Optimizer – the automated AI-based optimisation software that learns how each person works, and adapts to their behaviour, so they can focus on tasks that matter most.

 

2020 Dell Latitude 9000 Series : Models, Price + Availability!

2020 Dell Latitude 9510

The 2020 Dell Latitude 9510 is the smallest, lightest and most intelligent 15-inch business PC, with these key features :

  • 10th Gen Intel vPro processor + Intel Wi-Fi 6
  • Built-in 5G-ready design
  • Up to 34 hours of battery life
  • Project Athena-verified commercial PC

Availability : May 19, 2020 (Global), 7 July 2020 (Malaysia)

Starting Price : US$1,899 | RM 7,926

2020 Dell Latitude 9410 2-in-1

The 2020 Dell Latitude 9410 is a 14-inch premium 2-in-1 business laptop, with these key features :

  • 10th Gen Intel vPro processor + Intel Wi-Fi 6
  • Machined and brushed aluminium design
  • Four-sided narrow bezels

Availability : May 19, 2020 (Global), 7 July 2020 (Malaysia)

Starting Price : US$1,799 | RM 8,171

 

2020 Dell Latitude 7000 Series : Models, Price + Availability!

2020 Dell Latitude 7410 | Latitude 7410 2-in-1

The new Latitude 9410 is the smallest 14-inch premium business laptop, with these key features :

  • 10th Gen Intel vPro processor + Intel Wi-Fi 6
  • Industry’s first 4K low blue light display
  • Configurable as 2-in-1

Availability : May 19, 2020 (Global), 7 July 2020 (Malaysia)

Starting Price : US$1,499 | RM 6,151

2020 Dell Latitude 7310

The new Dell Latitude 7310 is the smallest 13-inch premium business laptop, with these key features :

  • 10th Gen Intel vPro processor + Intel Wi-Fi 6
  • Machined and brushed aluminium design
  • Four-sided narrow bezels

Availability : May 19, 2020 (Global), 7 July 2020 (Malaysia)

Starting Price : US$1,499 | RM 5,381

2020 Dell Latitude 7210 2-in-1

The new Dell Latitude 7210 2-in-1 boasts these key features :

  • 10th Gen Intel vPro processor + Intel Wi-Fi 6
  • Machined and brushed aluminium design
  • Four-sided narrow bezels

Availability : May 19, 2020 (Global), 7 July 2020 (Malaysia)

Starting Price : US$999 (Slim) | US$1,049 (Secure) | RM 7,516

 

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HUAWEI 5G CPE Pro Modem For Home + SME Revealed!

The HUAWEI 5G CPE Pro was first revealed in January. Now, HUAWEI has officially launched their first 5G modem that also supports Wi-Fi 6 technology! Check out what it offers!

 

The HUAWEI 5G CPE Pro

The HUAWEI 5G CPE Pro is powered by the recently-announced Balong 5000 multi-mode 5G chipset. It therefore supports both 4G and 5G connections, as well as older 2G and 3G modes.

In addition to homes, the Huawei 5G CPE Pro can also be used by small and medium-sized enterprises for super-fast broadband access.

Performance

On a 5G network, HUAWEI showed that a 1 GB HD video clip can be downloaded within three seconds, and 8K video can be streamed smoothly without lag.

Its ability to achieve a peak transfer rate of 3.2 Gbps sets a new benchmark for home CPEs (Consumer Premises Equipment).

While those are the current transfer rates, its Balong 5000 chipset is rated for 5G download speeds of up to 4.6 Gbps at the sub-6 GHz spectrum, and up to 6.5 Gbps in the millimetre-wave spectrum. It also has a peak 4G download speed of up to 1.6 Gbps.

For more information, read our coverage of the HUAWEI Balong 5000 multi-mode 5G chipset!

Wi-Fi 6

In addition to 5G, the HUAWEI 5G CPE Pro also supports the new Wi-Fi 6 technology. This allows it to delivers wireless speeds of up to 4.8 Gbps – 15X faster than WiFi 4 (802.11n).

It also has the world’s first “small, cross-polarised” antenna which has a unique two antenna crossing layout. This eliminates the standard 10 mm anti-interference distance between the antennas, reducing its overall size by 20%, while increasing WiFi coverage by 30% in both vertical and horizontal directions.

HUAWEI HiLink

HUAWEI naturally threw in their HiLink smart home platform, which allows easier management of smart devices. You can even use it to build a mesh network, albeit only with other HiLink-compatible HUAWEI access points.

 

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