Brian Fagioli

M.2 solid state drives are very common, but U.2 NVMe SSDs? Not so much. And so, the announcement of such a drive can be an exciting affair. With that said, today, Transcend has done exactly that. Yes, the company has unveiled a new U.2 NVMe SSD. Called “UTE210T,” the 2.5-inch drive is specifically crafted for use in generative AI, high-performance computing (HPC), and big data analytics.

At the heart of the UTE210T lies the 112-layer 3D NAND flash, an 8-channel controller, and a PCIe Gen 4x4 interface. The combination of these elements make up an SSD that offers blazing-fast sequential R/W speeds of up to 7,200/6,500 MB/s. This, in turn, grants your systems low latency, minimal power consumption, and reliable performance.

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Today, TUXEDO launches the 5th generation of the Stellaris 17 -- a hardcore gaming and workstation notebook. The laptop is everything a cutting-edge, upper-tier gaming desktop PC should be, but in a compact, portable, and robust package.

The Linux laptop is a high-end desktop replacement encased in a premium chassis. The machine's remarkable power is made possible by NVIDIA RTX 40 graphics cards (with the option of up to the GeForce RTX 4090) and the top-tier Intel Core i9-13900HX CPU.

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Today, the folks behind the lightweight Fatdog64 Linux distribution announce the release of the final version in the 800 series, Fatdog64-814. The developers confirmed that no further releases are planned for this series. However, that's far from the end of the road for Fatdog64 -- the project will continue to innovate and evolve with a brand-new base, the 900 series.

Taking a closer look at the updates from the previous version, Fatdog64-814 incorporates Linux-5.19.17, known for its low-latency, 1000Hz, dynamic preemption. A testament to its commitment to keeping current, the team has included microcode updates as recent as those of October 2022.

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In the ever-evolving landscape of Linux distributions, Peppermint OS, well-loved for its unique combination of speed, elegance, and simplicity, has unveiled a freshly minted update, introducing a refined look and a bunch of enhanced features. With a build date of July 1, 2023, this Debian-based operating system will surely cool down your summer with its delightful refinements.

The first striking change is the updated branding. Peppermint OS has received a facelift in terms of aesthetics with a new Plymouth design, demonstrating the development team's commitment to continual improvement and modernization. This uplift is a welcomed change, presenting users with a fresh and visually appealing boot-up experience.

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Today, Ubuntu-maker Canonical announces a comprehensive redesign of its Snapcraft.io platform. The online store, known for its collection of “snaps” -- software packages designed for Linux distributions -- has taken a major leap forward, moving away from its long-standing user interface and style.

The redesign project, which Snapcraft.io embarked upon after numerous years of maintaining a consistent aesthetic, has been executed with the aim of modernizing the overall look and feel of the platform. The initiative has involved a meticulous analysis of potential improvements, resulting in a two-stage rollout.

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Ah, it's that time again folks. Nitrux, the up-and-coming Linux distro, is back with its newest update, Nitrux 2.9.0 "nu." While Microsoft might still be stumbling around trying to recover from their latest Windows mishaps, Nitrux is already picking up the pace and setting new standards in the world of operating systems.

Unlike the cluttered and often confusing Windows Update system, the "nu" in Nitrux 2.9.0's codename refers to the new "Nitrux Update System Tool." And it's here to make your life easier. This isn't some random, untested, and buggy update tool Microsoft likes to force on its users. Nitrux's new utility is a focused, minimalist approach to system updates that does what it's supposed to do -- update your system and provide a backup option for rollbacks. No bloatware, no unnecessary complications, just a simple, efficient way to keep your system up to date.

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Today, Satechi launches its all-new Thunderbolt 4 Multimedia Pro Dock. This new product is a powerhouse device that combines convenience and connectivity to supercharge productivity in the comfort of your home office. Yes, it is a great tool for those that work from home.

Designed with versatility in mind, the Thunderbolt 4 Multimedia Pro Dock boasts an impressive 16 ports. With multiple USB, HDMI, and DisplayPorts, alongside SD and micro SD card readers, an audio jack, and a 2.5G Ethernet port, this dock ensures all your connectivity needs are met. Whether you're a Mac or Windows PC user, this sleek and reliable dock provides the best-in-class Thunderbolt 40 Gbps bandwidth, enabling you to connect up to four external screens and high-speed peripherals, all while delivering a substantial 96W of charging power to your host device.

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Today, Linksys unveils its latest network offering. Called “Velop Pro 6E,” it's the inaugural product of the company’s new Designer Series. It features a "nature inspired" droplet design and is equipped with a host of advanced features aimed at providing an unbeatable Wi-Fi 6E experience at a cost-effective price.

The Velop Pro 6E, available in colors such as Carbon Black, Pebble Gray, and Pure White, is a clear response to market demand for home network devices that not only provide superior connectivity but also blend seamlessly with home decor. "Today a Connected Home with ubiquitous Wi-Fi is the new normal, but people want the network devices to blend into their decor,” said Vice President of Experience, Jeevan Patil.

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Today, TUXEDO launches the new 8th generation InfinityBook Pro 16. This Linux laptop brings impressive CPU performance, NVIDIA GeForce graphics, and a svelte design to the table. Housed within an incredibly thin, 17mm, 1.6 kg magnesium-enhanced chassis, this machine is not just about style; it's about serious performance as well.

This new notebook from TUXEDO is designed for content creators, software developers, and business users who value not only an aesthetically pleasing slim design but also impressive performance under the hood, thanks to the Intel Core i7-13700H and optional NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 or RTX 4070 graphics.

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Today, Seagate launches its newest solid-state drive. Called "FireCuda 540," this PCIe Gen5 SSD is designed for both professional gamers and content creators. The new M.2 2280 SSD offers sequential read speeds of up to a staggering 10,000 MB/s and sequential write speeds of up to the same blazing-fast 10,000 MB/s. As you can imagine, the the FireCuda 540 is Seagate's fastest and highest-performing SSD to date.

The FireCuda 540 is equipped with the latest 3D TLC NAND technology and features a Seagate-validated E26 controller. This combination ensures unrivaled speed and durability, allowing users to push their limits when it comes to gaming and content creation. Whether you're engaged in intense gaming sessions or working on resource-intensive projects, the FireCuda 540 should not disappoint.

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Tapo, a TP-Link brand, launches three new Matter-certified devices today. The Tapo Mini Smart Wi-Fi Plug, Tapo Smart Wi-Fi Light Switch, and Tapo Smart Wi-Fi Dimmer Light Switch offer compatibility with all-certified smart home platforms, convenient LAN control, and multi-admin capability.

Matter brings a new level of convenience with smooth LAN control, enabling seamless communication between Matter-certified devices within a local area network, even if the home internet is offline. This direct device-to-device communication eliminates the reliance on specific forwarding devices or cloud services, ensuring a robust and reliable smart home ecosystem.

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In today's work-from-home world, we can constantly find ourselves juggling multiple devices, trying to maximize our efficiency. Thankfully, Sabrent understands our WFH needs and has come up with an incredible solution -- the Thunderbolt 4 KVM Switch (SB-TB4K). This sleek and powerful switchable hub is designed to seamlessly switch between two computers with the push of a button, making it an essential tool for both professionals and tech enthusiasts alike.

The Sabrent Thunderbolt 4 KVM Switch is able to output at a resolution of up to 8K/60Hz.. With DisplayPort Alternate Mode (DP Alt Mode) compatibility, this switch enables you to connect and share a wide range of devices, including keyboards, mice, printers, external storage, memory card readers, smartphones, and much more. The switch boasts three Thunderbolt 4 ports and four USB Type-A ports, ensuring that you have more than enough connectivity options at your disposal.

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Today, AVerMedia launches the AM350 -- a new USB condenser microphone custom-tuned by DIRAC. With its exceptional tuning technology and an array of impressive features, the AM350 should appeal to podcasters, vocal performers, singers, and more.

Featuring high-sensitivity capsules and a robust metal housing, the AM350 enables detailed audio capture while ensuring durability. Additionally, its ultra-low noise performance and built-in pop filter guarantee clear and pristine audio capture. Thanks to its plug-and-play USB interface, the AM350 is accessible to users of all levels, providing a professional recording experience without the need for additional equipment.

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Today, Lexar launches an all-new storage combo that is exclusively available at one of my favorite stores -- Costco. This USB SSD/flash drive bundle combines two essential storage solutions into one convenient set, catering to the diverse needs of users whether they are in the office or on the road.

At the heart of this bundle lies the 1TB NVMe Portable solid state drive, a storage device that boasts lightning-fast speeds of up to 2,000MB/s read and 2,000MB/s write. Encased in a sleek and durable premium aluminum enclosure with a sandblasted finish, this SSD is not only stylish but also designed to withstand the rigors of everyday use. This SSD provides both professionals and everyday users with generous capacity and speedy performance.

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In an era where online privacy is becoming increasingly more important, finding a web browser that focuses on user data protection is absolutely crucial. DuckDuckGo, known for its privacy-focused search engine, has extended its commitment to user privacy with the release of DuckDuckGo web browser for Windows in public beta. This follows the release of the macOS beta version from last year.

DuckDuckGo for Windows comes with important privacy protections that are enabled by default. For instance, by blocking trackers before they load, the browser ensures that your online activities remain private. In fact, DuckDuckGo claims its desktop browser can consume about 60 percent less data than Chrome, making it a resource-friendly choice too. Additionally, this browser eliminates intrusive ads that rely on tracking, resulting in a cleaner and less cluttered browsing experience. Say goodbye to cookie consent pop-ups with the Cookie Pop-up Management feature, which saves you time and frustration.

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