Dynabook Portégé Z40L-N Windows 11 laptop blends AI smarts with stunning blue magnesium design
Today, Dynabook introduces the Portégé Z40L-N, an ultra-light Windows 11 business laptop that combines AI-powered features, enterprise-grade security, and an absolutely gorgeous Dark Tech Blue magnesium alloy chassis. It even has a user-replaceable battery -- what a concept!
Despite its sleek body and sub-1kg weight, this Microsoft Copilot+ PC packs some impressive specifications -- Intel Core Ultra Series 2 processors, Intel Arc Graphics, Wi-Fi 7, and a vibrant 14-inch 16:10 display. In other words, it is definitely not form over function.
Manufacturing firms worry their data isn't suitable for AI
A new study finds that 92 percent of those surveyed in the manufacturing industry say AI is a top C-Suite priority and the same percentage agree it provides a competitive advantage.
But the report from Riverbed also shows that 69 percent are concerned about the suitability of their organization's data for AI usage, and only 42 percent rated their data as excellent for completeness and accuracy. It's notable too that 42 percent say their data quality is a barrier to further AI investment.
Beyond DeepSeek: 3 critical questions for the future of AI
This year started with a shockwave for the tech world, and the AI community in particular. Launched by a relatively obscure Chinese startup, DeepSeek not only challenged the rules of the AI game by sending Nvidia's stock plummeting 17 percent in one day and becoming the most-downloaded app on the App Store and Play Store, but also showed the persisting security problems by accidentally exposing its database and leaking sensitive data including chat histories, API keys and backend operational details.
Success and failures aside, DeepSeek made the world realize how quickly and deeply a single AI model release can impact global events, and this raises three questions. First, how legitimate (and sustainable) are the massive AI investments in the West? Second, what risks and opportunities does open-source development pose? Finally, is it possible to balance growth and innovation with data privacy and security amidst a global AI race?
Best Windows apps this week
Six-hundred-thirty-seven in a series. Welcome to this week's overview of the best apps, games and extensions released for Windows 10 and Windows 11 on the Microsoft Store and elsewhere in the past seven days.
Microsoft released a new version of its Copilot app on Windows to the Microsoft Store for Insiders. This one, finally, is a native application and no longer a progressive web app. May take some time before it lands on stable though.
Microsoft is ready to create more annoyance by rolling out OneDrive ads to Office users
Looking for another reason to shake a fist at Microsoft? How do you feel about a new batch of unwanted prompts in Microsoft 365?
Search no more! This very reason is about to materialize in Word, PowerPoint and Excel as Microsoft starts to pester users to back up their files to OneDrive. By May, but perhaps as early as this month, you could find that you’re hit with ads badgering you to add files to Microsoft’s cloud storage service.
How businesses are adapting to the challenges of AI [Q&A]
A recent survey found that only 37 percent of businesses are prepared for AI. This means they risk being left behind as competitors embrace the technology.
We spoke to Richard Tworek, CTO at Riverbed about how organizations can embrace AI and how they can succeed in today's rapidly evolving landscape.
You will soon be able to run Linux Terminal on your Android phone
While it is widely known that Android is based on Linux, it is not a typical Linux distro in many ways. There are a lot of standard features and components of Linux that are simply not available in Google’s mobile operating system.
This is starting to change. Developers -- or, indeed, anyone looking to tinker around a little -- will soon be able to use the Linux Terminal, opening up new and interesting worlds of possibility.
Complex regulations and sophisticated cyber risks worry compliance professionals
New research from governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) specialist MetricStream, in collaboration with GRC Report, looks at risk practitioners' priorities for 2025.
Navigating the complex regulatory landscape is among their top challenges this year, named by 51 percent, with new guidelines, evolving requirements, and unexpected policy shifts occurring almost weekly.
Cybercriminals try to cash in with sophisticated tax scams
It's that time again, as we approach the end of the tax year scammers are seeking to cash in with a raft of phishing emails, deepfake phone calls, and fake tax prep websites.
New research from McAfee shows 23 percent of Americans say they or someone they know has lost money to a tax scam and 61 percent of victims have lost more than $1,000.
BenQ unveils new EW Series 4K and QHD monitors with enhanced visuals and eye-care technology
Today, BenQ launches a trio of new monitors in its EW Series. The company promises better visuals, built-in speakers, and eye-care tech compared to predecessors.
BenQ says these displays bring an elevated audio-visual experience with HDRi Gen2 Dynamic Contrast Adjustment to boost dark scenes and a wider color gamut. That’s great and all, but let’s be real, folks -- many people are just streaming things like YouTube or Netflix, where compression already messes with image quality. Are these features actually game-changers, or just nice-to-haves?
Leaders confident about AI training while employees struggle
A new report reveals a growing disconnect between leaders and employees in their perceptions of their AI preparedness.
Corndel's 2025 Workplace Training Report finds HR leaders are confident about their organization's AI readiness, with 88 percent confident in leadership's ability to guide AI adoption and 60 percent very confident that training programs are equipping employees with the necessary skills for digital transformation.
YouTube Premium Lite launches in the USA
YouTube is finally rolling out Premium Lite in the USA (coming soon to Thailand, Germany, and Australia). For the princely sum of $7.99 per month, Google is promising subscribers a mostly ad-free experience.
Although Premium Lite offers an official way to remove ads, it won't hide those baked directly into videos by creators. That’s right, even if you shell out for this plan, you’ll still have to sit through sponsored segments for VPNs, meal kits, and mobile games, because YouTube can’t really do anything about those. Quite frankly, that just doesn’t seem fair.
Apple MacBook Air M4 and Mac Studio might be the perfect upgrade for Windows 11 users
Just yesterday, Apple unveiled a new iPad Air. Today, the iPhone-maker announces two new exciting computers -- the MacBook Air laptop with M4 chip and a refreshed Mac Studio desktop powered by M4 Max and M3 Ultra. With more performance, better AI integration, and longer battery life (for the laptop), these Mac machines might be the perfect option for those fed up with Windows 11 and looking for a smooth, hassle-free computing experience.
The MacBook Air keeps its fanless design but now supports two external displays when closed. It gets a 12MP Center Stage camera, starts with 16GB of memory, and introduces a new sky blue color. Apple claims it’s twice as fast as the M1 version, with up to 18 hours of battery life. The price drops to $999 -- $100 less than before!
Ransomware attacks up 30 percent driven by AI and RaaS
The latest threat report from Deep Instinct shows ransomware attacks increasing by 30 percent, driven by AI-powered phishing and Ransomware-as-a-Service offerings.
The findings reveal that AI-generated phishing campaigns have grown in efficacy with advancements in reconnaissance and video and voice generation tools.
IT faces a demographic timebomb as older employees approach retirement
A new report shows that more senior employees are bearing a heavy burden, with IT professionals who have more than 10 years of experience and the Baby Boomer generation experiencing the longest work weeks.
The study from Auvik also shows a generational disparity in the workload is rapidly exacerbating issues around burnout, since as many as 10,000 Baby Boomers will turn 65 and retire every single day between now and 2030, leaving even more work for remaining IT employees.
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