Eliana Willis

Kyle Kucharski/ZDNETFor as long as I can remember, Microsoft and Intel have been inseparable partners. Intel made the x86 chips that were the heart of a PC motherboard, and Microsoft made the Windows operating system that ran on those PCs. The two brands were such a perfect fit, in fact, that industry analysts mashed them into a single word: Wintel.Over the past three decades, rivals have mounted brief challenges to Intel’s place at the top of the CPU heap. Most have a market share that’s almost too small to measure — can you name a PC built using a Via processor? The most successful challenger, AMD, has managed to reach a PC market share of roughly 20% by appealing to gamers and other performance-focused buyers.Also: I saw the future of AI at Qualcomm’s headquarters, and Copilot+ PCs were only just the beginningNow, Qualcomm’s introduction of the Snapdragon X series has the potential to flip the game board completely.In my review of the cheapest Surface Pro 11 configuration, I summarized my thoughts in four words: “This machine absolutely rocks.” I’m writing this article on the same Surface Pro 11 I described in that article, and I have no intention of going back to my old Intel-based machine. More

Can you really enjoy the benefits of that new Apple Watch Ultra 2 More

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Apple took a shot across the bow of serious GPS sports watch brands with the Apple Watch Ultra series, and now Samsung joins the party with the large Galaxy Watch Ultra. Samsung branded it the same way as Apple, along with a familiar orange button and waterproof silicone band. A few other advanced features found in Apple’s model are present in the Samsung model, which is a great thing for Android phone owners, especially Samsung Galaxy phone owners.The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra has a unique square design with a round watch face, an interesting magnetic lug system, three buttons on one side, gesture support, advanced running dynamics, and more. Samsung’s Galaxy AI is present in the form of wellness insights that combine into a daily score to help guide you to optimal performance, including healthy sleep levels.First look: The Galaxy Watch Ultra convinced me to replace my Apple Watch in less than a week. Here’s whyThe Watch Ultra runs the Samsung-powered Google Wear OS 5.0 with One UI Watch 6.0, meaning it still looks like a Samsung smartwatch but also supports Google Assistant, Google Maps, Google Wallet, Google Play Store, and more Google apps.It has an operating system optimized for the round watch design with a virtual rotating bezel. Fall detection, messaging, phone calls, and more are available on the watch, with advanced fitness data such as VO2 Max and advanced running dynamics data also supported.At $649, it is the most expensive Samsung Galaxy watch, but it is still $150 less than Apple’s competing Apple Watch Ultra 2.Galaxy Watch Ultra tech specs: Display: 1.5 inch, 480 x 480 pixels Super AMOLED | Battery life: Two to three days | Dimensions: 47.4 x 47.1 x 12.1mm | Weight: 60.5 grams | Water resistance: 10 ATM+IP68 | LTE cellular option: Yes More

Apple made an interesting move in 2020 and released a lower-priced Apple Watch designed to expand the use of an Apple Watch to other family members. The newest version of the Apple Watch SE starts at just $249, and if you are an iPhone user, it’s an easy wearable to recommend.Emery Wright, a former ZDNET associate editor who contributed to this article, wears her Apple Watch to track her steps, check notifications, and stay mindful of how she spends her time. She said it helps her accurately track running distance and pace while she trains for her next half-marathon.With an Apple Watch, iPhone users can answer phone calls, receive notifications, and send messages from the convenience of their wrist. That’s why Dr. Richard Newman, MD, Head & Neck Surgical Oncologist, prefers wearing an Apple Watch over a Garmin one during his everyday routine.Also: Apple Watch SE (2022) vs. Apple Watch SE (2020): Should you upgrade?Now retired, Newman is training for his 75th marathon. He said he appreciates the convenience of smartphone connectivity: “For daily running, I use the Apple Watch. As a physician, sometimes I get a call, and so I like being able to answer on my watch. It also monitors my heart rate, which is nice” he said.The next generation of the Apple Watch SE contains many features from the Apple Watch Series 8. You gain Crash Detection technology, meaning the watch can detect if you’ve been in an accident and contact first responders. It also features the enhanced Workout app, giving you access to custom workouts and advanced metrics like heart rate zones, stride, length, and vertical oscillation. Ultimately, the newest version of the Apple Watch SE proves great things can come in small packages. Apple Watch SE tech specs: Display: 368 x 448 pixels OLED | Battery life: 18 hours | Dimensions: 44 x 38 x 10.7mm | Weight: 36.5 g (Al) | Water resistance: 50m | LTE cellular option: Yes More

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In the early days, Garmin watches were popular primarily with runners. Today, there are dozens of Garmin watches to choose from, many priced at $400 or more. But the new Garmin Forerunner 165 gets back to the basics with an affordable, $250 watch focused on providing what most recreational runners need to track their performance.Even at this affordable price, Garmin’s Forerunner 165 includes a brilliant AMOLED touchscreen display for that elegant smartwatch visual experience found in Apple and Samsung smartwatches. It’s also a perfect watch for those with smaller wrists, especially in a market full of big, bulky watches.Of all the sports and fitness plans, the Forerunner 165 is most focused on supporting runners, with features like adaptive training plans, wrist-based running power and dynamics tracking, training effect, course support, and more. You’ll also find 25 activity profiles for activities like swimming, pickleball, yoga, and pilates.A feature I particularly enjoyed using was “Morning report,” which summarizes my previous day and evening’s tracking, along with the training plan for the day of. Sleep monitoring with sleep scores and nap detection were also welcome features. Review: Garmin Forerunner 165 MusicGarmin Forerunner 165 features: Battery life (GPS): 19 hours | Display technology: AMOLED | Unique feature: Affordable with advanced running metrics | Size: 43 mm  More