Today, Dell announced updates to the range of gaming laptops, monitors and peripherals which are slated for release this year. Here’s the highlights:
Dell G7 Laptop
Dell is introducing the new G7 15/17, a powerful gaming laptop that stands out with its own sophisticated style that can easily go from classroom to gaming.
Completely redesigned – with a slim design, powerful performance and value-added features like customizable chassis light – the new G7 touts significant all-around improvements over the previous gen for on-the-go gaming. As we struggle to squeeze into our swimsuits this summer, the G7 15 is a step ahead, dropping by 4mm to a svetle 20.5mm at the hinge, thanks to the innovative hinge design and the black anodized, all-metal chassis construction. The same for its elegant narrow bezel display, going from 9.9mm to 6.5mm on G7 15 and 8.16mm on the 17-inch.
The G7 is powered by the latest 10th Gen Intel Core CPUs (up to i9) and NVIDIA’s GeForce graphic cards (up to NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 2070 with Max-Q Design on the 15”, or NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 2070 Super on the 17”). Its gameplay experience is enhanced with a precision glass trackpad, customizable chassis lighting and 4-zone RGB keyboard. And a discrete “Game Shift” macro key instantly kicks the fan’s speed into dynamic performance mode for heavy action scenes. Nahimic 3D Audio rounds out the experience with a 360⁰ soundscape with VoiceBoost and Sound Tracker radar. The new G7 17 will be available on June 23 starting at $1,429.99 USD, with the G7 15 available on June 29 starting at $1,429.99 USD.
Dell G5 Desktop
In the spirit of gaming desktops, Dell brings roller coaster-worthy momentum to the G5 desktop.
Cranking up the torque is Intel’s new 10th Gen Core CPU, delivering performance upgrades for high frames-per-second and smoother gameplay. Paired with VR-capable NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX/RTX or AMD Radeon™ RX 5600 graphics cards for stunning 1080p gaming, you can experience strong performance and lighting quick responsiveness for uninterrupted gameplay.
During intense gaming sessions, you’ll love the G5’s four thermal mode options in the Alienware Command Center that’s adjustable whether you’re gaming, working, studying or watching videos. Easy to expand or upgrade with tool-less entry, G5 is designed as a compact desktop that makes it easier to game in a smaller space like a dorm room, bedroom or office. Its distinctive front panel design is accented by full RGB LED lighting and an optional clear window side panel, making it a stunning conversation starter. The new G5 is initially on sale July 9 starting around $699.99 USD.
Dell Gaming Monitors
Take your pick with the new Dell 27 Gaming Monitor (S2721DGF) and Dell 27 Curved Gaming Monitor (S2721HGF).
In the flat screen category, our Dell 27 Gaming Monitor offers a reimagined design for gamers who want captivating visuals with VESA DisplayHDRTM 400 for graphic-intensive games. With fast IPS technology, QHD resolution, support for NVIDIA® G-SYNC® Compatible and AMD FreeSyncTM Premium Pro technology, you can expect great color quality and consistency, a blazing 165Hz refresh rate and true 1ms (gray to gray) response time in Extreme mode as well as tear-free, stutter-free graphics.
Spotted with its new gaming-inspired design that offers both functional and aesthetic benefits, the ultra-thin three-sided bezel enlarges the screen area. The intuitive OSD navigation with joystick and short-cut buttons at the back of the monitor is easy to reach and use, while the adjustable stand and tapered base makes for comfortable viewing and the smaller footprint provides greater versatility. Dell 27 Gaming Monitor is available worldwide on July 28 for $569.99 USD.
Designed to draw you deeper into the game, the Dell 27 Curved Gaming Monitor delivers truly immersive gameplay on its expansive curved FHD VA panel display. With support for NVIDIA® G-SYNC® Compatible technology and fast 144Hz refresh rate, you will enjoy swift and responsive gameplay coupled with buttery-smooth visuals without motion blur. Like its flat screen cousin, this gaming monitor also features the newly revamped gaming-inspired design providing a refreshed identity. Optimized ventilation is achieved with the extra vents on the back for enhanced heat dispersal. Dell 27 Curved Gaming Monitor is available in China on July 17, expanding worldwide on August 21 for $279.99 USD.
Alienware Keyboard
Does a keyboard make a difference? You know it does. That’s why Dell has pulled out all the stops to bring you the Alienware RGB Mechanical Gaming Keyboard (AW410K).
Designed with full Cherry® MX Brown Switches, its full-height keys are known for their tactility, silent travel and light actuation force, giving gamers incredibly responsive and tactile feedback (not to mention a 100 million-keystrokes lifespan). This thing is beautiful and useful at the same time. It features fully programmable keys for macros and key assignments as well as AlienFX per-key RGB backlighting that is customizable with up to 16.8 million brilliant colors. The keyboard is safe from freezing up during intense gaming sessions with 100% anti-ghosting with NKRO. With three different angles and easy height adjustability you can game comfortably, while a pass-through USB port conveniently connects to other devices. Alienware RGB Mechanical Gaming Keyboard is available for sale on August 4 for $129.99 USD.
Early Preview of the Redesigned XPS Desktop
As a bonus – and while Dell is on the subject of desktops – Dell is excited to give you a first look at the new XPS Desktop with a modern minimalistic design. Joining the XPS 17 laptop as the latest addition to NVIDIA’s RTX Studio program, this desktop provides massive performance for powering creation, gaming and VR. Stay tuned for more details coming July 2020.
And finally, as you’re potentially getting ready to spend more time outdoors, Dell also wanted to mention another rig that can that travels – the new Alienware Area-51m. It’s a powerhouse on the patio and a beast at the beach available now starting at $2,299.99 USD
It Seems That Netgear Is Rolling Out Firmware Fixes For Their Epic Security #Fail
Posted in Commentary with tags Netgear on June 23, 2020 by itnerdThings seem to be evolving when it comes to the over 70 Netgear routers that are affected by a remote takeover flaw. An issue that Netgear has known about since the start of the year. But didn’t seem to do anything about until the issue became public. Which is one of the reasons why I recommended that you pull the router from service and get something else.
Now, if you want to keep your Netgear router in place rather than replace it with a more secure option from another vendor, I would direct you towards this page on the Netgear support site which seems to be updated on a semi-frequent basis with new router firmware. At last count, I saw new firmware for 8 of their routers. That’s up from two from yesterday. Keep in mind that over 70 routers are affected by this issue. Thus this while showing that they are trying to do something about this epic security #fail, it’s a drop in the bucket relative to the scale of the overall problem. But having said that, if you’re router has updated firmware available, you should install that firmware now. As in right the hell now. Because I guarantee that with exploit code and scanning tools being available, the bad guys are looking for your router to do something evil to it.
I’ll also note something else. On the “Workarounds” section of this page, it says this:
Turning off Remote Management on your router or gateway web user interface significantly reduces your risk of exposure to these vulnerabilities. Remote Management on your router or gateway’s web user interface is turned off by default. If you never enabled Remote Management, you do not need to take any action to turn off Remote Management.
You’ll note the words “significantly reduces your risk of exposure to these vulnerabilities.” It doesn’t say that it eliminates the risk. Which means that even if you do what Netgear suggests, it will only make your network safer, but not safe. Which is why by the weekend, my Netgear router will be off my network and replaced by something else.
There’s another question here that needs to be answered. This story has been out there for a day or two, and you’re seeing updated firmware appear very quickly. So that implies that they could have done this in January when they became aware of this issue. Thus the question is, why didn’t they take action then? Sure they could have been working on a fix between January and now. But if that were true, it should have been released to the public between January and now. Right? The cynic in me says that Netgear wasn’t interested in fixing this until it went public. But I am free to be proven wrong by Netgear. Seeing as they read my stuff, I challenge them to provide not only an answer for this, but please tell me and my readers why you should be trusted going forward.
So how about it Netgear?
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