- If you're thinking about getting
a blazing fast Windows 5G PC, the time is now.
As more and more Windows 5G PCs come to market,
you might wonder what they're all about
and if it's time for you to take this step into the future.
I'm Blake.
- And I'm Elaina.
- And come along with us today as we dive
into the new world of 5G PCs.
(upbeat music)
5G is the fifth generation technology standard
for broadband cellular networks.
5G offers a future where gigabit speeds can be experienced
by any kind of 5G connected device
anywhere coverage is available.
It is expected that by 2030, up to 50 billion devices
on the intelligent edge will be connected to 5G.
Since 5G is capable of connecting to the cloud
with speeds much faster than previous generations,
many consumers and businesses will benefit
from not only using 5G cellular networks for cellphones,
but also for providing data or internet
to devices like tablets, computers,
and network connected devices found
in the smart homes and businesses.
In this way, 5G is much bigger
than just the next cellphone network
but a game changer when it comes
to ubiquitous cloud to edge computing.
At Microsoft, 5G is now a part
of the fabric connecting Edge devices
to Microsoft cloud services like Xbox Game Pass,
Office 365, Teams, and Azure, just to name a few.
- Currently, not all 5G networks are created equal.
5G comes in three types,
low-band, millimeter wave, and mid-band.
Low-band can provide speeds a bit faster
than current 4G speeds but enables broad coverage.
Millimeter wave offers extreme capacity
and blazing fast multi-gigabit speeds
for dense environments, such as downtown areas,
stadiums, concert venues, and airports,
but only works well within line of sight
to a millimeter wave antenna.
Mid-band, as you might expect, sticks in the middle,
offering a balance of speed and coverage.
Eventually, most major operators will deploy all
of these bands, so it's important
to check your device's network capability,
and make sure you pick a carrier
that supports the bands and speeds you want.
- Let's take a look at some
of the Windows 5G-ready laptops available now.
First off, we have the Dell Latitude, 9510 2-in-1,
the world's smallest and lightest 15-inch business PC
at only 3.2 pounds.
It features Dell's built in AI software
to help boost productivity, deliver intelligent audio
for conferencing, and has a battery life of up to 34 hours.
Up next is the HP Elite Dragonfly G2.
Coming in at just over 13 inches,
this 2-in-1 Intel-based laptop comes
with an improved Sure View privacy display
to help protect data from prying eyes,
and built in Tile support for smart location tracking
of the device using the Tile app.
If you're looking for a capable all-day laptop,
Acer Spin 7 is up for the job.
Enabled to the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 2
5G compute platform,
this fail-less 1.4 kilogram convertible
features a 660 durable hinge and an Acer Active Stylus
so you can read, write, sketch or work
with lots of flexibility.
Finally, there's the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Fold,
the world's first foldable PC and the flagship
of the 5G ThinkPad X1 portfolio.
The ThinkPad X1 Fold features
a unique 13-inch folding OLED display
for amazing contrast and comes powered
by Intel Core processors.
Weighing less than one kilogram,
it adapts to hybrid lifestyles and comes
with full Windows Hello support.
- Before buying a Windows 5G PC,
make sure the network you plan to use is compatible
with the PC you're getting.
Your best bet will be to refer to your manufacturer
or carrier for compatibility information.
Another item to consider is the type of CPU the laptop uses,
as software compatibility will differ significantly
depending on your processor.
Consider the software you use,
and verify how it runs on the processor you select.
One way to do this is to find the particular app
on the Microsoft Store and look at Architecture
under the listed System Requirements.
If it lists supporting an x86 32-bit,
it will work on both an Intel or AMD-based CPU
and Qualcomm Snapdragon CPU.
If it lists ARM, it will work on a Qualcomm Snapdragon CPU.
If it lists 64-bit only, it is currently only supported
on Intel or AMD CPUs with support coming soon
for Qualcomm Snapdragon CPUs.
- There's no question that 5G is the next evolution
and is spreading into more areas just like 4G did.
Thankfully, there are many great devices to choose from
that can keep you connected to the cloud services
at high speeds.
That's it for this episode.
We'll see you the next time on Tech Trends.