Intel Unveils its 7th-gen CPUs for Desktops and Performance Laptops
Intel hasn’t forgotten about desktop aficionados. Only a few months after debuting its seventh-generation CPUs for ultraportables, the chip giant is rounding things out with new processors for more powerful machines. There’s the ‘H-series,’ targeted at ‘performance laptops and mobile workstations,’ and the ‘S-series,’ which are meant for more traditional desktops. They’ll complement the two other lines of seventh-generation CPUs, which cover ultra-thin designs (the ‘Y-series’) and faster ultraportables (the ‘U-series’).
Naturally, you can expect the new desktop chips to perform better than their predecessors. Intel claims the S-series i7-7700K CPU is 25 percent faster than the i7-4770K (which, it’s worth noting, is three generations older). There’s likely a much smaller performance gap when comparing it to Intel’s fifth and sixth-generation CPUs. The company also claims that the i7-7700K can ‘create, share and stitch’ 4K 360-degree videos 35 percent faster than the 4770K. That’s a particularly niche use case to call out right now, but it might become more important as 360-degree video takes off.
When it comes to the H-series chips, Intel says they’ll perform about 20 percent faster than a comparable fourth-gen chip (the i7-4700HQ) and handle 4K 360-degree videos 65 percent faster. You’ll see the H-series in bulkier gaming and desktop-replacement laptops, and it sounds like they’ll pair pretty well with modern mobile GPUs like NVIDIA’s 10-series and AMD’s Polaris lineup.
The highest-end S-series CPU, the $339 i7-7700K, will feature a base clock speed of 4.2GHz with boost speeds up to 4.5GHz. In comparison, the 6700K was clocked between 4GHz and 4.2GHz. The new chip still packs in four cores and eight threads (thanks to Hyperthreading) and it includes Intel HD 630 graphics.
For the first time, Intel is also offering an unlocked Core i3 model, the $168 7350K, a dual-core CPU with four threads running at 4.2GHz. It’s something overclockers will appreciate, since they can tweak its speed settings to their heart’s content. And beyond that model, Intel claims all of its new seventh-gen chips will overclock better than previous models w

Dell’s XPS 13 2-in-1 Finally Lets You Turn the Best Laptop Into a Tablet
Dell enjoyed a solid 2016, with the XPS 13 maintaining its place at the top of the Windows 10 Ultrabook market and enjoying a nice refresh at the tail end of 2016, and the company generally putting out well-built machines that more than refurbished its reputation as a quality PC vendor. Now, it’s becoming obvious that Dell is serious about continuing to leverage the revitalization of the Windows ecosystem.
For example, Dell is jumping into the Windows 10 2-in-1 market with some gusto, with a new XPS 13 2-in-1 model that takes what’s best about its traditional notebook sibling and adds in some flexibility. In addition, the company has introduced the ‘world’s overall thinnest’ monitor, the S2718D, for good measure, taking advantage of the InfinityEdge tiny bezel design to offer a display that’s perfectly matched to the excellent XPS line.
Just looking at Dell’s new machine, you wouldn’t be blamed for mistaking it for the XPS 13. It has the same aluminum chassis and carbon fiber palm rest, and the same conservative good looks. It’s a small device — in fact, Dell calls it the ‘smallest 13-inch 2-in-1 on the planet’ — and you’ll notice the lack of USB 3.0 port and additional USB Type-C port that takes its place. There’s also a new battery gauge button and indicator borrowed from the XPS 15 along the right-hand side. But otherwise, it’s a very familiar design.
The XPS 13 2-in-1 offers the same 13.3-inch screen in an 11-inch chassis with UltraSharp QHD+ (3200 x 1800) and Full HD options. Touch, of course, is standard on both, as is Gorilla Glass NBT to keep the display scratch-free w

Samsung Unveils Quantum Dot Curved Monitors
Samsung is launching a number of new curved monitors "designed with gamers in mind."
First up is the CH711 Quantum Dot curved monitor, which comes in 27-inch or 31.5-inch sizes and features a 1,800R curvature (that's 1,800mm of curvature radius across the width of the monitor). Both models boast a resolution of 2,560 by 1,440 and support 125 percent sRGB color coverage.
Two other Quantum Dot curved monitors are also being introduced by Samsung this month: the CFG70 and CF791. Both are already available to buy.
The CFG70 is aimed at gamers, using a 144Hz refresh rate, 1ms response time, AMD FreeSync support, and a 1080p resolution. Both models also include a 'Gaming UX' user interface and "advanced calibration options" to help optimize SH850 WQHD monitor in 23.8 and 27-inch variants w

Lenovo Reveals ‘Legion’ Gaming PCs, X1 Refresh
Lenovo is going big at CES, with new gaming laptops, updates to its business-focused ThinkPad X1 lineup, and a foray into smart home devices.
The company’s gaming division is also getting a new name for 2017—Legion—and the first two models will be the Legion Y720 and the Legion Y520, which offer different levels of power for mainstream and enthusiast shoppers.
The Y720 is the more powerful version, featuring an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 graphics card and a 4K display. There’s also an Intel Core i7 processor, so the Y720 is a VR-ready laptop. It can be configured with up to 512GB solid-state storage or a larger hard drive up to 2TB, and has a built-in wireless receiver for Xbox One controllers, which normally require the purchase of a standalone adapter.
The Y520 is also equipped with a Core i7 processor, but packs a GTX 1050 instead. As such, it’s not VR ready, and the display maxes out at full HD (1,920-by-1,080 resolution). It is more affordable, though, starting at $899.99 this February, while the Y720 will start at $1,399.99 when it becomes available in April w