Reasons to Upgrade Your Laptop, The “New” T-Mobile and Dish

[TechSpot Weekly Newsletter] Latest in tech July 30 On The Go [Reasons to Upgrade Your Laptop (That Go Beyond a Performance Upgrade)]( It used to be that [buying a new laptop every few years]( was more or less necessary just to keep up with the large leaps in processing power. Now those generational performance jumps are smaller, however there are good reasons to look into new laptops to replace your two- to five-year-old unit that go beyond performance alone. It used to be that [buying a new laptop every few years]( was more or less necessary just to keep up with the large leaps in processing power. Now those generational performance jumps are smaller, however there are good reasons to look into new laptops to replace your two- to five-year-old unit that go beyond performance alone. CPU [Testing Ryzen 9 with SMT On vs. SMT Off]( When we compared AMD's Ryzen 9 3900X gaming head to head against the Core i9-9900K we found that the 12-core AMD processor was about 6% slower. We've been requested by readers to retest the 3900X with SMT disabled, essentially [turning the 12-core, 24-thread CPU into a 12-core, 12-thread CPU](. Many say this can significantly improve gaming performance... but why? When we compared AMD's Ryzen 9 3900X gaming head to head against the Core i9-9900K we found that the 12-core AMD processor was about 6% slower. We've been requested by readers to retest the 3900X with SMT disabled, essentially [turning the 12-core, 24-thread CPU into a 12-core, 12-thread CPU](. Many say this can significantly improve gaming performance... but why? Opinion [T-Mobile, Sprint and Dish: It's all about 5G]( The US telco industry has seen its share of upheavals and evolutions over the last few years, but one of the biggest potential changes got kickstarted late last week when the US Dept. of Justice finally gave the green light… The US telco industry has seen its share of upheavals and evolutions over the last few years, but one of the biggest potential changes got kickstarted late last week when the US Dept. of Justice finally gave the green light… Science [A contact lens has been created that zooms in when you blink]( Scientists at the University of California, San Diego, created the amazing soft contact lens by measuring the electrooculographic signals that are generated when eyes make movements such as up and down, left and right, and blinking. Even when the eye… Scientists at the University of California, San Diego, created the amazing soft contact lens by measuring the electrooculographic signals that are generated when eyes make movements such as up and down, left and right, and blinking. Even when the eye… Android [Google Pixel 4 will have face unlock and radar-based gesture recognition]( While other companies like Samsung and Microsoft are known for their "accidental" leaks, Google doesn't have a record of revealing its products ahead of launch. That changed last month, when the company went ahead to confirm the Pixel 4 and… While other companies like Samsung and Microsoft are known for their "accidental" leaks, Google doesn't have a record of revealing its products ahead of launch. That changed last month, when the company went ahead to confirm the Pixel 4 and… China VS USA [China's Alibaba is making a 16-core, 2.5 GHz RISC-V processor]( The Xuantie, or XT for short, is said to be the most powerful RISC-V processor yet. Based on a 12nm process, it features 16 cores operating at 2.5 GHz, supports 64-bit processing, compact 16-bit instructions, and in-development vector operations. More… The Xuantie, or XT for short, is said to be the most powerful RISC-V processor yet. Based on a 12nm process, it features 16 cores operating at 2.5 GHz, supports 64-bit processing, compact 16-bit instructions, and in-development vector operations. More… Incoming [Intel accidentally confirms four Xe discrete GPUs, hints at more upcoming products]( As happens every so often, Intel accidentally published a developer version of their 26.20.16.9999 graphics driver with the codenames for ten different categories of products. They’ve since taken it down, but Anandtech forum user ‘mikk’ republished them all. As happens every so often, Intel accidentally published a developer version of their 26.20.16.9999 graphics driver with the codenames for ten different categories of products. They’ve since taken it down, but Anandtech forum user ‘mikk’ republished them all. Ming-Chi Kuo [Rumor: Three new iPhones coming in 2020 will support 5G]( Back in June, Ming-Chi Kuo reported that Apple would launch three new iPhones in 2020, all of which will have OLED screens, but only two of which would have 5G connectivity. The lower end model would be the obvious outlier,… Back in June, Ming-Chi Kuo reported that Apple would launch three new iPhones in 2020, all of which will have OLED screens, but only two of which would have 5G connectivity. The lower end model would be the obvious outlier,… Launch Price: $799 [AMD's 12-core Threadripper 1920X is now $260]( We praised the first-generation Threadripper 1920X when it was released back in August 2017. The HEDT part boasts 12 cores/24 threads, a base clock of 3.5GHz, and a boost of 4GHz. You also get 38MB of total cache memory, support… We praised the first-generation Threadripper 1920X when it was released back in August 2017. The HEDT part boasts 12 cores/24 threads, a base clock of 3.5GHz, and a boost of 4GHz. You also get 38MB of total cache memory, support… Graphics [Nvidia Freestyle vs. Radeon Image Sharpening vs. Reshade]( After testing AMD's new Radeon Image Sharpening feature for Navi GPUs, we've gone back for even more testing. We're now [comparing RIS with other sharpening options]( including Nvidia Freestyle and two popular filters available in Reshade. After testing AMD's new Radeon Image Sharpening feature for Navi GPUs, we've gone back for even more testing. We're now [comparing RIS with other sharpening options]( including Nvidia Freestyle and two popular filters available in Reshade. Projector [LG's CineBeam ultra short throw 4K projector is a budget buster]( LG at the Consumer Electronics Show in January demoed an impressive ultra short throw projector in the LG HU85LA. Now more than seven months later, it’s finally available although coercing your wallet to agree to the purchase could prove difficult.… LG at the Consumer Electronics Show in January demoed an impressive ultra short throw projector in the LG HU85LA. Now more than seven months later, it’s finally available although coercing your wallet to agree to the purchase could prove difficult.… [Malwarebytes' AdwCleaner 7.4 update can detect and remove bloatware]( AdwCleaner 7.4, which you can download here, can get rid of adware, toolbars, Potentially Unwanted Programs (PUP), and browser hijackers from a machine. With the latest update, it now detects preinstalled software, which the company defines as “software that typically… [Justice Department approves Sprint and T-Mobile merger]( The Department of Justice on Friday approved the proposed merger between Sprint and T-Mobile more than a year after it was first announced, albeit with a number of stipulations. [Steve Ballmer shows he hasn't lost his wild-eyed enthusiasm]( Ballmer's energetic antics are the stuff of legend. Who could forget his turn at a Microsoft corporate event in 2000, when he arrived on stage looking like he’d injected a can of Red Bull directly into his heart. Such was… [This modder is remaking Unreal with UE 4 and ray tracing effects]( Modder DKG-Prog last summer shared some early screenshots of a fan remake of the original Unreal game built using Epic’s excellent Unreal Engine 4. The screens were somewhat promising but as DSOGaming highlighted at the time, the remake had “major… [Apple officially purchases Intel's 5G modem business]( It's official. Following previous rumors, Apple and Intel have signed an agreement that has Apple taking control over Intel's 5G modem business for $1 billion. Under the terms of the deal, Apple will acquire about 2,200 Intel employees as well… [UserBenchmark offers explanation for changes to CPU score weights]( This past week a portion of the enthusiast community was lit aflame with controversy over UserBenchmark's decision to adjust its CPU scoring system. While not a popular destination among hardcore users or reviewers, UserBenchmark remains a widely used tool for… [AMD's CPU sales move ahead of Intel in Japan]( The news comes from PC Watch Japan (via Hexus), which cites aggregated data from 24 resellers including Amazon Japan, BIC Camera, Edion and several physical stores. The publication writes that the recent surge in popularity of AMD’s chips has seen… [Samsung is offering up to $600 off the Note 10 if you trade-in another phone]( First reported by Android Police, you can now sign-up to reserve the Galaxy Note 10 via Samsung’s website. The standard version is expected to cost $1,000, while the Galaxy Note 10+ will reportedly start at $1,200. [Qualcomm and Tencent join forces on mobile gaming hardware and software]( Qualcomm says it's joining forces with Tencent's gaming arm - Tencent Games - to spearhead development on various projects that cover smartphones, 5G, AR, VR, and even cloud gaming - a market where giants like Microsoft and Google are already… [Apple, Google and others want the FCC to approve unlicensed use of 6GHz Wi-Fi band]( The Federal Communications Commission has a new headache: several tech companies are petitioning for an extra Wi-Fi band that can be used without going through a complex mix of licensing and regulatory restrictions that typically comes with it. Their main… [France wants to mount guns and lasers on its satellites for self-defense purposes]( French news site Le Point recently reported that the country intends to "reallocate" a whopping €700 million from its full military budget to its "Space Force" in the near future. This money will be used to fund satellite-mounted defense systems,… [You can now file a claim for $125 in cash following Equifax breach settlement]( As part of this settlement, Equifax has created a $300 million fund that will be used to compensate any Americans who were impacted by the event (which is a good portion of them). Software Downloads - [Malwarebytes 3.8.3.2965]( - [Hotspot Shield Free 8.4.5]( - [MEGAsync 4.2.2.0]( Drivers - [AMD Radeon Adrenalin 2019 Edition Graphics Driver 19.7.3 Hotfix]( 2019-07-26 06:11:18 - [Display Driver Uninstaller 18.0.1.6]( 2019-07-27 06:28:59 Tech Pic of the Day [Ya done made a fool of yaself, boy.]( Credit: [Reddit]( Hot discussion [News and Comments]( [Three in four adults have experienced harassment while gaming online]( [News and Comments]( [Ryzen 9 3900X shortages see chips appear on eBay with inflated prices]( Follow TechSpot TechSpot: [Facebook ]( [Twitter ]( [RSS ]( [Instagram ]( [Steam ]( [Flipboard ]( [YouTube ]( Feeds: [News](, [Reviews & Features](, [Downloads](, [Drivers]( [View this email in your browser]( This email was sent to [{EMAIL}](mailto:{EMAIL} ) [We only send these emails with your permission after you've registered on TechSpot.com]( [Click here to unsubscribe]( © 2019 TechSpot, Inc.