Fast for responsive tasks, not built for peak multicore throughput

That lead disappears when an app can use every CPU core. The same iPad mini result reached 9,870 points in multicore testing, while the M5 iPad Pro reached 15,126—roughly 53% higher. For everyday tablet work that favors one or a few fast cores, such as launching apps and moving through the interface, the mini’s result is promising. Sustained, heavily threaded work still favors the larger Pro model.

The pattern also applies against the 13-inch iPad Air with M4: the new mini is reported to be about 21% faster in single-core testing, while the Air is about 29% faster in multicore performance. The early figures position the small tablet around quick, responsive portable computing rather than replacing Apple’s bigger iPads for CPU-intensive workflows.

Storage tier may affect the A20 Pro configuration

The benchmarked unit is identified as iPad19,2 and lists 12GB of RAM. Its A20 Pro has five CPU cores: two performance cores reported at 4.93GHz and three efficiency cores. That configuration matters because the chip layout reportedly changes with storage capacity.

• 128GB model: five-core CPU configuration.
• 256GB model: five-core CPU configuration.
• 512GB model: six-core CPU configuration, with one additional efficiency core.

As a result, this benchmark reflects one of the lower-storage configurations rather than the six-core 512GB version. It does not establish the top model’s full performance potential.

Beyond the processor, the iPad mini (2026) is described with an 8.5-inch 60Hz OLED display, IP67 protection, a 5.4mm enclosure, and iPadOS 27. OLED should bring high contrast and fast pixel response, but the lack of ProMotion means it will not match a 120Hz panel for scrolling or stylus motion. U.S. price and availability were not confirmed in the available information. The combination of compact hardware and strong single-core results appears aimed at users who prioritize a highly portable iPad, while creators with demanding multicore workloads may still find more headroom in Apple’s larger models.

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The browser version is built from the original PC game code, recompiled for WebAssembly, while its Direct3D 9 graphics are adapted to WebGPU. The project says it can support widescreen resolutions and frame rates up to 120 fps, though actual performance will depend on the device and browser.

A mobile-friendly way back to Bayview

For portable-device players, the key addition is touch support. Phones can use on-screen controls and tilt steering, while a compatible controller may be a better match for longer sessions. Mobile performance is not guaranteed, however, since it depends on both the hardware and WebGPU support in the browser.

• Free-roam multiplayer lets players explore Bayview together.
• Online races are available through the project’s server.
• Input support includes keyboard controls, Xbox and PlayStation controllers, racing wheels, and touch controls.
• Progress can be stored locally in the browser, exported, or optionally synchronized through cloud saves.
• No account is required to begin playing.

The first load can involve downloading several gigabytes of data, so this is better suited to a solid Wi-Fi connection than a limited mobile-data plan. A browser with working WebGPU support and enabled graphics acceleration is required. On PC, the game uses arrow keys or WASD for driving, Space for the handbrake, and Alt for nitrous.

An unofficial project with an uncertain future

Underground 2 Revived is not a remake built from scratch. Its open-source web project, nfsu2-web, is based on NFSU2Recomp by Talha Müderrisoğlu. The web-port creator says the experiment began as a way to play again with his brother roughly two decades later.

Electronic Arts was not involved with or approved the project, and rights to the game remain with EA. The publicly hosted version provides direct access, but developers who want to compile and host the code themselves need their own compatible copy of the game. That rights situation also means there is no assurance that the free hosted version will remain online permanently.

For players with WebGPU-capable tablets, phones, or computers, the project offers a notably low-friction route to an older racing game, especially for casual free-roam sessions or online races with friends. Its hardware demands, large initial download, and unofficial status are the important trade-offs.

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If accurate, the device could pair a large-screen tablet workspace with a footprint closer to a compact tablet in transit. But the reported display measurements leave a major unanswered question. Folding a 17-inch panel in half would not inherently produce an 8-inch diagonal, so it is not clear whether the product would use an outward-folding display, a separate outer screen, or another layout altogether.

Display tech exists; a retail product is another matter

Samsung Display has already demonstrated foldable panels in this size range. At CES 2025, it showed an 18.1-inch foldable display that could be used in a 13.1-inch laptop-style format when bent. The company had also shown a 17.3-inch foldable display in 2022. Those demonstrations suggest the underlying panel technology is within Samsung’s reach, though a display prototype does not confirm a consumer tablet is headed to market.

Turning a panel of this scale into a usable portable computer would require Samsung to solve several interconnected challenges:

• A hinge durable enough for a large flexible display
• Protection for the foldable panel, particularly if any portion remains exposed while closed
• Weight and chassis thickness suitable for handheld tablet use
• Battery life that can support a 17-inch screen
• Software that makes productive use of the expanded display area

For now, the report is only an unconfirmed rumor, with no details on hardware, software, timing, price, or U.S. availability. If Samsung does commercialize the concept, it would be aimed less at buyers seeking a conventional tablet and more at users who want a large portable workspace without carrying a full-size display.

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A tablet workflow pitch, not a spec-sheet reveal

The first Pad Air 6 teasers focus on a new OPPO Notes app and faster file transfers rather than hardware specifications. They show images being inserted into notes and video clips being imported into a CapCut library, potentially reducing the steps between moving media to the tablet and beginning an edit. OPPO has not yet detailed the Pad Air 6 display, processor, battery, storage configurations, or accessory support.

That emphasis positions the tablet as a portable workspace for note-taking and quick media handling, although the practical value will depend on how broadly those transfer features work across devices and apps. Those implementation details remain unknown.

Reno17 phones are expected to carry the headline hardware

The wider launch is also expected to include at least two Reno17 phones with 7,000mAh batteries, according to early leaks. The rumored configurations distinguish the models by performance hardware and cameras.

• Reno17 Pro: a rumored 6.32-inch, 1.5K OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a MediaTek Dimensity 8500 Super processor, and a 200MP main camera said to use gimbal-style stabilization. Its reported camera system also includes 50MP ultrawide and 50MP periscope telephoto cameras, plus a 50MP selfie camera.
• Reno17: reportedly powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 7 Gen 4, with a 7,000mAh battery and a triple-camera system led by a 50MP main camera.
• Reno 17F: a separate, reportedly global-oriented model said to have a 6.57-inch OLED display, 12GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage. It could use a different name in China, so it should not automatically be treated as part of the domestic November lineup.

OPPO’s Watch 5 has also appeared in early material with a square watch face. Cellular 5G connectivity has been rumored, but OPPO has not confirmed how that feature would be implemented. For tablet buyers, the Pad Air 6 is the more relevant product to watch—especially if OPPO follows its software demonstrations with details on multitasking, cross-device compatibility, and hardware suited to sustained editing or schoolwork.

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The forecast is notable for a device that reportedly reached buyers on October 23, but it measures shipments rather than confirmed sell-through to end users. It also does not establish whether the display complaints will have a lasting effect on demand. TrendForce said some early orders showed delivery estimates extending as far as January 2027.

A Foldable That Could Reshape a Flat Market

Global foldable shipments are expected to reach about 20.2 million units in 2026, just 0.5% above 2025, according to TrendForce. In that context, Apple’s projected 5 million units would represent much of the category’s growth: without the iPhone Duo, combined Android foldable shipments would decline by more than 20% year over year.

TrendForce expects the competitive picture to tighten in 2027, when total foldable shipments could rise 16.3% to 23.5 million units.

A separate forecast from Counterpoint Research is more bullish on Apple, projecting a 40% share in 2027 and 37% growth for the overall foldable market. The gap between the two outlooks underscores the uncertainty around Apple’s first full year in the segment.

Inner-Screen Reliability Is Still an Open Question

Images shared after launch have shown cracking around the display crease, in some cases accompanied by bright lines on the panel. Apple told TechRadar it is aware of an inner-display issue affecting a small number of units and advised affected owners to contact AppleCare for a replacement. The company did not say how many devices are involved or identify the cause.

iFixit has suggested one possible hardware explanation after examining the hinge: a central support bar may not retract far enough when the phone closes, potentially placing pressure on the display. That remains a hypothesis rather than a confirmed cause.

For buyers considering the iPhone Duo as a pocketable device that opens into a larger workspace, the 7.6-inch inner screen and relatively subtle crease are central to its appeal. But reports of software that leaves black borders around some apps point to another early compromise: not every app is yet using the full flexible display. Apple’s shipment outlook may be intact for now, while real-world durability and app optimization remain the more consequential tests for prospective owners.

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After several weeks of use, the key advantage is less about a single print job than the reduced friction around ongoing ownership. Rather than relying on conventional cartridges, the printer uses integrated reservoirs that are filled with bottles. The process involves seating a bottle in its matching tank and waiting less than a minute for each fill; the bottles have an anti-spill valve intended to keep ink off hands and desks.

Designed for frequent printing, not industrial duty

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The Smart Tank 725 is positioned for a home, family business, or midsize office with recurring document needs rather than a large enterprise environment. HP rates the included ink supply at up to 18,000 black-and-white pages or 8,000 color pages, with an estimated lifespan of as much as three years. Actual results will vary with the kind of pages printed and usage patterns.

The supplied ink set includes three 135 mL GT53XL black bottles plus one 50 mL GT52 bottle in each of cyan, magenta, and yellow. That large initial supply is the central value proposition, particularly for households that print schoolwork, work documents, photos, and forms often enough to make replacement cartridges a recurring concern.

• Print, scan, and copy functions in one unit.
• Automatic duplex printing for two-sided documents.
• Up to 15 ppm black-and-white and 9 ppm color at ISO speeds; draft-mode figures are up to 23 ppm black-and-white and 22 ppm color.
• A 250-sheet input tray and 100-sheet output capacity.
• A monthly duty cycle of up to 5,000 Letter/A4 pages.

A better fit for phone and tablet printing

For mobile-computing households, the wireless connection and HP app are more consequential than the printer’s boxy desktop footprint. The 725 supports dual-band Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, and 802.11a/b/g/n/ac networking, so it can be placed away from the computer desk as long as power is available. A 70 x 12 mm LCD and illuminated guidance buttons provide on-device feedback when a phone is not the primary control surface.

An HP account is not required to print. Creating a free account in the HP app adds faster setup, direct mobile printing and scanning, estimated ink-level monitoring, and remote-management features. The app also offers document scanning with a phone camera, photo printing, mobile fax, and a library of more than 2,500 printable items such as worksheets, cards, and coloring pages.

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Supported mobile-printing options include:

• HP app
• Apple AirPrint
• Mopria
• HP Print Service
• Wi-Fi Direct printing

The printer can also scan standard A4 pages using a Contact Image Sensor. HP lists scan times of up to 19 seconds for a color page at 200 ppi and up to 10 seconds for monochrome at the same resolution. Black text was reported to be sharp in testing, and the pigment-based black ink is described as water-resistant.

Practical trade-offs

Setup still requires more than joining a Wi-Fi network. Owners must remove transport protections, fill the black and color tanks, install the black and color printheads, load paper, and run the alignment sheet through the scanner. Once configured, however, the printer can serve both a desktop computer and an iOS device without manually transferring documents between them.

The Smart Tank 725’s automatic printhead maintenance is another practical consideration for a printer meant to remain ready for periodic jobs: it should be left plugged in for that maintenance to operate. Its combination of large bundled ink reserves, duplex capability, and phone-first controls makes the most sense for people who print regularly from several devices. U.S. pricing and availability were not confirmed in the available information.

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Built for a broad workday, not just a desk

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The tested configuration combines an AMD Ryzen 5 40 APU with integrated Radeon 610M graphics, 16GB of LPDDR5 memory, and a 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD. It handled a typical productivity load of browser tabs and extensions, photo-editing utilities, cloud downloads, file archives, music playback, and multiple open windows without noticeable lag during testing. The fan was seldom audible in routine tasks, and the palm-rest area remained comfortable over extended use.

That makes this a machine aimed at writing, research, administration, and everyday content work rather than a laptop positioned around demanding gaming or workstation-class graphics. Windows 11 Home is installed, with Copilot available from the Windows interface. The reviewer also found the full-size keyboard quiet and comfortable for extended typing, while the large touchpad was useful when a mouse was not available.

• AMD Ryzen 5 40 APU quad-core processor with AMD Radeon 610M graphics
• 16GB LPDDR5 SDRAM rated at 5,500 MT/s
• 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD
• Windows 11 Home
• Three-cell, 41Wh battery

Screen space and connectivity matter here

The IPS display uses a 16:10 1,920 x 1,200 resolution, a 300-nit brightness rating, 62.5% sRGB coverage, and an anti-glare finish. Its matte treatment was particularly helpful around direct window light and other reflective environments. The panel will not suit buyers who need wide-gamut color work, but its larger canvas and reduced glare are more directly useful for spreadsheets, browser research, documents, and two- or three-window multitasking.

Wireless connectivity comes from a MediaTek Wi-Fi 6 MT7920 2×2 card alongside Bluetooth 5.4. In testing on a gigabit internet connection, downloads approached 800 Mbps and uploads reached about 550 Mbps. That speed helped with large cloud-hosted photo and video archives, while Bluetooth supported wireless headphones and peripherals.

• USB-A ports for data transfers and legacy accessories
• USB-C ports with up to 10Gbps data transfers and DisplayPort support for an external monitor
• Wi-Fi 6 via the MediaTek MT7920 2×2 adapter
• Bluetooth 5.4 for wireless accessories
• A webcam privacy shutter

A few practical caveats

HP ships the laptop with documentation but no power adapter or charging cable in the reviewed package. The company recommends a 45W AC adapter, and charging is handled through USB-C. That can be convenient for users who already own a compatible USB-C charger for a phone, tablet, or other device, but it is an important extra expense to account for if they do not.

The 41Wh battery delivered enough runtime for a workday in the reviewer’s usage with the screen brightness kept relatively low, though battery life will vary substantially with brightness, applications, wireless activity, and connected accessories. The review unit had a metallic blue finish that appeared resistant to visible fingerprints; other listed color options include gold, silver/gray, and dark gray.

The OmniBook 3 is best suited to students, remote and hybrid workers, freelancers, and small-business users who prioritize a roomy screen and smooth day-to-day multitasking in a laptop that can still travel. U.S. pricing and availability for the tested configuration were not confirmed in the available information, so prospective buyers should also verify the bundled charger, storage capacity, operating system, and screen specification before ordering.

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That is especially relevant for laptop and portable-computing users who rely on their devices for daily collaboration, multitasking, and deadline-sensitive work. HP says that, alongside AI tools, workers want faster and more reliable devices to help them perform effectively rather than another layer of motivational messaging.

Work is improving, but pressure remains

HP’s global Work Relationship Index 2026 points to a modest improvement in how office workers view their jobs, while also highlighting persistent stress and reluctance to make career changes amid economic uncertainty.

• 29% of office workers reported a healthy relationship with work, up from 21% in the previous year.
• 35% remained in a critical zone for stress and burnout.
• 67% said economic conditions made them too concerned to change jobs at this time.
• 47% of employees already use AI agents at work, while 39% incorporate AI into their daily routine.

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The figures illustrate why a workplace AI strategy cannot be judged solely by whether a new tool is available. For organizations deploying AI-enabled PCs and software, the practical test will be whether those systems make routine work more reliable while IT teams can manage and secure them effectively.

Hardware, management, and security in one workplace pitch

HP’s wider workplace portfolio spans business PCs, Poly headsets, HyperX gaming equipment, and printers. Its current strategy groups hardware with IT management and Wolf Security, reflecting the reality that a portable work device is only one part of an employee’s setup.

For workers, the emphasis on performance and reliability may be the most tangible element of that approach. For employers, HP is making the case that AI adoption should be supported by secure devices and systems that reduce technical interruptions. The survey does not identify specific new products, prices, or U.S. availability details, so those remain unconfirmed.

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Supplier points to a complex failure chain

FineMTEC, also known as Fine M-Tec, makes metal support plates for foldable OLED displays as well as hinge-related parts. The company did not name Apple or the iPhone Duo directly in its statement, but industry information has linked it to the phone’s production.

The supplier says its delivered products meet customer specifications and quality standards. It also argues that assigning responsibility for a foldable-device failure requires a detailed technical investigation, since the display assembly, hinge, and other components work together. FineMTEC said it is considering civil and criminal action against people who deliberately spread false information that could damage its reputation.

Apple acknowledges a limited number of affected units

The supplier’s response follows a YouTuber’s discovery of a broken piece inside an iPhone Duo hinge, which fueled speculation that the part could be tied to the display damage. That observation alone does not establish the cause of the reported failures.

Apple has acknowledged that a limited number of iPhone Duo devices are affected and has directed customers experiencing these issues to AppleCare for free replacements. For now, there is no official technical conclusion identifying whether the failures stem from the hinge, the OLED panel assembly, another component, or their interaction. The unanswered cause matters most to buyers weighing whether a first-generation foldable can deliver the durability expected from an everyday mobile device.

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According to a report from Notebookcheck, the successor is expected in the first half of 2027 and could pair that memory bump with Apple’s A19 Pro processor. Neither specification nor the launch window has been confirmed by Apple.

Why 12GB could matter more than a chip upgrade

The original MacBook Neo arrived in March 2026 as Apple’s most affordable MacBook, combining an A18 Pro chip, 8GB of unified memory, and a 256GB SSD. That configuration was positioned for web browsing, documents, coursework, and media consumption, but 8GB can become restrictive when a user keeps a tab-heavy browser, messaging apps, documents, photos, and background tasks open together.

An A19 Pro should improve performance over the A18 Pro, but the move to 12GB may have a more immediate effect on how long the entry-level laptop remains comfortable to use. It would not make the Neo a MacBook Pro replacement, nor would it reach the 16GB level found in many current Apple configurations. Still, it could make the budget model a better fit for students and users whose lightweight workloads increasingly overlap throughout the day.

Touchscreen Still Seems Unlikely

The leak also suggests Apple may continue the more colorful direction of the current Neo with new finishes, while a touchscreen appears increasingly unlikely for this model. Rumors have separately pointed to premium Apple laptops with touch-enabled OLED displays, leaving the Neo to preserve its role as the value-focused option.

The current MacBook Neo is offered in these colors:

• Silver
• Blush
• Citrus
• Indigo

Other practical upgrades, including a backlit keyboard and a larger trackpad, remain unconfirmed. The first Neo used a mechanical trackpad as part of its simplified design, so Apple will need to weigh any hardware improvements against the model’s low-cost positioning.

The first Neo started at €699 in Europe, but no price for the rumored successor has surfaced and U.S. pricing or availability has not been confirmed. If Apple can add memory without pushing the Neo too close to the MacBook Air, the second generation could become a more durable entry point for students and everyday portable-computing users. Its eventual value will depend as much on pricing and the remaining compromises as on the A19 Pro and 12GB memory upgrade.

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