NZCity NewsLinks -

All Links

17 May 2025

Search

What’s the best CPU for Adobe Premiere Pro? It’s complicated
I am not a video editor. But Alex Esteves is — in fact he edits most of the videos on PCWorld’s YouTube channel and TikTok. So he knows a thing or two about what kind of PC works best for Adobe Premiere and other video editing software. And he’s in the studio, in front of the camera this time, to break it down for us. First of all, it’s not a straight matter of Bigger Bar Better. So simply shelling out the most you can possibly afford on a processor, or tracking down the one with the best benchmarks for your budget, might not be the optimal approach. More and faster processor scores are generally better, but that’s a generality. Examining the subscores in PugetBench’s Premiere Pro test breaks them down into Intraframe, LongGOP, and uncompressed RAW scores, different measures of performance based on how codecs are processing video. Once again, I am not video editor — watch Alex’s explanations for the technical details. But the gist of it is that how you edit your video, the hardware you use, the specific methods you choose between the different editing steps, affect which processor will be the ideal choice for you. For example, if you’re using LongGOP heavily, shelling out for a processor with more performance cores probably isn’t going to benefit you that much. The good news is that the delta between more affordable, mid-range desktop processors and the most expensive stuff on the market isn’t absolutely insurmountable, so you can do plenty of quality editing without sinking multiple thousands of dollars into hardware. For more on PC hardware, be sure to subscribe to PCWorld on YouTube, and check out our weekly podcast The Full Nerd.

Nemo: 'Winning Eurovision turned my life upside down'
The Swiss star reflects on their victory in 2024, and expresses concerns for this year's contestants.

Acer’s Aspires have one big question mark: their U.S. price
Acer’s new Aspire notebooks for Computex 2025 offer the choice of all three processor platforms, with either 14- or 16-inch display options. But there’s one big problem that the company can’t do anything about. In a word? Tariffs. Acer’s Aspire notebooks typically are its most affordable, so America’s fluctuating import tariffs add a confusing wrinkle to anything Acer announces. As a result, Acer isn’t announcing either the pricing or the ship date for its six new Copilot+ PCs. It is, however, disclosing what European customers will pay. Acer’s new Aspires are easy to understand: the company is shipping two notebooks, each with Intel’s Core Ultra (Lunar Lake) series, the AMD Ryzen AI 300 series, and the low-end Qualcomm Snapdragon X platform inside. In each processor category, Acer is shipping both a 14-inch and a 16-inch version. All qualify as Copilot+ PCs. Perhaps because of the price, Acer executives told us that the emphasis is on the Snapdragon-based Aspires. The 14-inch version will ship for 899 euros ($1,006) and will be available in June to European customers. Naturally, we just don’t know what tariffs will do to your wallet. Acer While there are slight differences, each of the 14-inch Aspires generally shares the same features as the others, and the same goes for the 16-inch Aspires, too. There are some slight variations, we’re told: for example, the Snapdragon PC platform includes a 1440p webcam, while the AMD and Intel versions include a more basic 1080p webcam. The Intel- and Qualcomm-based Aspires include Wi-Fi 7, while the AMD-based Aspire ships with a Wi-Fi 6e radio instead. The Intel variant also includes Thunderbolt 4 ports, while the others include the virtually identical USB4. Finally, the Intel-based Aspire ships with a 1920 x 1280 display option (and a 60Hz panel), while the others ship with a 1920 x 1200 display instead but nudge up to 120Hz. Qualcomm These are the specifications for the new 14-inch and 16-inch Aspire AI notebooks, with a Qualcomm Snapdragon X chip inside. I had a chance to briefly check out the new Aspires in a press preview before Computex. The displays of the new Aspires are better than you might expect, with both OLED options and conventional IPS panels that can reach 500 nits and top out at 120Hz refresh rates — not what you would normally expect for a budget PC. Memory options climb to 32GB of LPDDR5X, with storage options of up to a 1TB PCIe Gen 4 SSDs. In general, the 14-inch Aspires measure 12.28 x 8.89 x 0.63in. and weigh about 2.73 pounds, while the 16-inch versions measure 13.97 x 9.85 x 0.63in. and weigh about 3.28 pounds. There are some slight variations depending upon the processor. Acer Acer’s 14- and 16-inch Aspire AI notebooks, this time with an Intel Lunar Lake chip inside them. Again, the key is the price. Acer’s two Snapdragon Aspires, the A14-11M and A16-11M, will ship for 899 euros ($1,006) and 999 euros ($1,118) in June and July, respectively. The Acer Aspire A14-53M, a 14-inch Aspire with Intel’s Core Ultra chip, will ship for 999 euros ($1,118) in July and accompany the 16-inch A16-52M for 1,099 euros ($1,230), which will ship in August to the European market. Finally, Acer will ship its 14-inch A14-61M and the 16-inch A16-61M with Ryzen AI 300 processors inside to Europe in July and August for 999 euros ($1,118) and 1,099 euros ($1,230). As for the United States? Acer said that it will announce a ship date and price for the various models closer to when you can buy them.

Get Reddit’s favorite desk chair for 50% off while you can today
If your office chair leaves your back begging for mercy after long hours at your desk, you’re not alone! And now here’s an opportunity to change that. The Staples Hyken is one of Reddit’s most recommended budget desk chairs and right now it’s on sale for just $150. That’s 50% off! With a price drop this impressive, you really shouldn’t sit around (literally) on your old chair when you have a chance to upgrade to an alternative that’s comfortable, supportive, and affordable. The Staples Hyken checks all the boxes for ergonomic comfort, complete with an adjustable headrest and armrests, customizable seat height, swivel and tilt settings, as well as the one key feature that you always need in a good task chair: dynamic lumbar support that you can adjust to fit your back just right. The breathable mesh seat and back are the cherry on top, keeping you cool during those hot summer days. For remote workers and PC gamers on a tight budget, the Staples Hyken has become a go-to option, with its versatility and affordability praised across various communities on Reddit. What are you waiting for? Snag the Hyken chair for just $150 while you can! This deal expires tomorrow or when supplies run out, which could be sooner than later. The Staples Hyken with dynamic lumbar support is 50% offBuy now from Staples

This budget-friendly Ryzen 7 mini PC with 32GB RAM is only $272
For most people, the best computing option for a home office these days is not a laptop, not a desktop, but a mini PC. It takes up a lot less space and offers a lot more bang for your buck in terms of performance. For instance, the Kamrui E3B mini PC is only $272 at Amazon right now with Prime and special discount code 6IFOASQQ (down from its original $430). Snag a free Prime trial to score this extra-low price! This thing is absolutely tiny, fitting comfortably under your monitor or even on your monitor’s back if you use the VESA mount. Despite its size, it’s still rather powerful, running on a Ryzen 7 5700U CPU and a hefty 32GB of RAM. That’s more than enough to smoothly run Windows 11, apps, and browser tabs without choking. The Kamrui E3B only comes with a 512GB SSD (boo), but it’s pre-loaded with Windows 11 Pro (nice). If you outgrow it and need more space, you can manually upgrade the storage up to 2TB and the memory up to 64GB, turning it into a real powerhouse. You can also get away with some light gaming thanks to the integrated RX Vega 8 graphics. Lastly, the Kamrui E3B has solid connectivity with built-in Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2, plus numerous ports including HDMI, DisplayPort, and USB-C video for triple 4K@60Hz support along with six high-speed USB-A, a Gigabit LAN port, and a 3.5mm audio jack. Overall, this is a fantastic mini PC for any budget, especially with this crazy discount. Get the Kamrui E3B for just $272 at Amazon, but don’t forget you need both a Prime subscription—start a 30-day free trial now—and code 6IFOASQQ at checkout! Get this Ryzen 7 mini PC with 32GB RAM for just $272Buy now at Amazon