MacBook Pro 15in versus Dell XPS 15

Apple has a long run reputation. It is a brand by name. Everyone runs after Apple, whether it is a phone, watch or laptops, Apple prevails everywhere. When it comes to laptops, Macbook is the foremost name that strikes anyone’s mind. But then what led Dell XPS 15 to compete with such a big name. Of course, it’s heart grabbing features at a lower price than that of Macbook. Dell XPS is still cheaper starting at £1,099 while the Mac Pro 15in starts at £1,599

Let us have a clear review at the designs, specifications, performance, software, and battery life of both of them.

Design-

Macbook Pro has an iconic design that would seriously steal anyone’s heart. It is made from a single sheet of aluminium thus, eliminating any visible joints. It is packed with retina display. Sharp edges with round corners give it a marvelous look and of course, the sleek design would let you purchase it then and there as you see it.

Dell, on the other hand, is sleeker and lighter as compared to Macbook. However, the design cues are borrowed from Macbook Pro. Dell is as stout as Macbook; the only hint of weakness is the 4mm screen.

Specifications-

S.no.	Specifications	Macbook Pro 15in	Dell XPS 15
1	Operating System	OS X Mavericks(10.9)	Windows 8.1 (64-bit)
2.	Processor	2GHz quad-core i7	2.2GHz quad-core i7
3.	Storage	256/512 GB	512GB SSD
4.	RAM	8GB DDR3	16GB DDR3
5.	Screen	15.4in, (2880 x 1800) 220ppi	15.6in, (3,200 x 1880) 238ppi
6.	Connectivity	802.11ac Wi‑Fi wireless networking IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n compatible, Bluetooth 4	Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 7260, Bluetooth 4
7.	Ports	2 x USB 3, 2 x Thunderbolt 2.0, SD card reader, HDMI	3 x USB 3, 1 x USB 2, 1 x HDMI, 1 x mini Display Port, SD card reader
8.	Dimensions	359 x 247 x 18mm	372 x 254 x 17mm
9.	Weight	2.02kg	1.88kg

Performance-

Dell XPS has 512 GB SSD, the largest among any other laptop. However, Apple’s storage speed is unique. It’s 256GB PCIe drive provides sequential read speeds upward of 700MB/s which 200MB/s faster than the storage in the XPS. The XPS is quick but tenders more heat and noise which makes it unfit to put on the lap. On the other hand, Mac Pro is quite cool and generates fewer amounts of heat and noise.   

Software-

 Mac Pro comes with OS Mavericks. It includes the iWork and iLife apps for free, so the software is able to handle word processing, presentations and spreadsheets. Of course, you can also load up Windows via the built-in boot camp tool or by using VM software such as Parallels. Also, it brings iBooks and map apps that can be integrated with any iOS device. It stores, encrypt and uses credit card details.

Dell XPS ships with Windows 8.1 OS. It’s possible to boot straight to the desktop mode- a feature which was a bizarre omission from the original windows 8. It is also packed with an inclusion of 30-days free trial of Office 2013.

Battery life-

MAcbook Pro has a superb battery. It runs for longer hours than the Dell XPS 15.

Summary-

Both the machines are dynamic as they’ve got the ample power, stunning screens and exceptional physical designs. However, when it comes to performance, battery life and software, Macbook Pro 15 won over the Dell XPS 15.

Macbook due to its high price is best suited to small businesses, sole traders and firms with BYOD policies. XPS 15 is available in cheaper and more customizable configuration, is suited for large enterprises.

At Crosswords, you will get an ample range of latest computers, laptops and their accessories. Crosswords Ltd makes available superior quality business products to establish your confidence in us. Your satisfaction is all what we want.

How to buy a Digital Camera

Digital Camera, the word itself is sufficient to signify its importance in this digital world. It is one of the present day need. In present scenario where everyone is busy framing their life’s portrait, the digital camera is very much important. However, there are certain considerations which are to be taken into account before purchasing a new camera. In order to get a camera that gives you the highest level of picture quality, it is better to get familiarize with the knowledge of what makes a digital camera different from another.

Lens-

The lens is the eye of the camera. The digital camera has a lens which brings light into focus on a bed of light sensitive material. With any lens, you'll want to know its maximum aperture, or how wide the lens can open. A wider aperture means it can let in more light. More light means you can take photos more easily where there isn't a lot of lighting. Apertures are rated in f-stops, so when you're looking at a lens you'll often see something like f/3.5 attached to it. That means it has a maximum aperture, or f-stop, of 3.5. This is a pretty standard number. Wide apertures are generally considered to be in the range of f/1.4 through f/2.8. If you need a camera that can photograph easily in lower light, looking for a wide aperture is a good place to start.  Another factor that should be taken into account is the sharpness of the lens.

Role of Pixels-

In the digital camera, that light-sensitive material is a circuit bed called a “CCD.” The CCD plays the same role as a film in a film camera and the lens allows light to fall onto the CCD which is then converted into a digital image. CCD is a grid of light-sensitive points which capture the image for conversion into a digital image. The number of points on the CCD is measured in terms of “megapixels.”

The number of megapixel count alone is irrelevant when we talk about the picture clarity. A high pixel rating on a small camera is a pretty bad sign. Like pixels, many specifications you will see advertised on the camera box that will not indicate the image clarity, and, ultimately you’ll not be able to find if the camera you are purchasing can take beautiful pictures or not.

Sensor-

A camera’s sensor is basically its film. When you take a photo the sensor is exposed to light and the other components of the camera capture the image of what it sees. There are many types of sensors and it becomes wasteful to explain each one of them. Here we will be talking about few proficient sensors organized by size, from small to large-

• Cellphone and Point-and-Shoot Sensor- These tiny size sensors pack a lot of information in them and thus degrade the image quality. However, they can brighten up the dark areas and try to pull details out of overly-lit sections of an image.
• Micro 4/3rds Sensors- They were created to bridge the gap between big digital SLRs and point-and-shoot cameras. These cameras have a larger sensor size and come with the provision of interchangeable lenses. Thus, they provide higher-quality images.
• APS-C Sensors- These sensors are commonly found in digital SLRs but are sometimes found in compact cameras also such as in Sony Nex Series. Due to the larger size, these cameras do not suffer from the problem of capturing a lot of light. A standard APS-C sensor features a “crop factor” of 1.6x for Canon and 1.5x for Pentax, Sony and Nikon. This means that 18-55 mm kit lens that is bundled with most digital SLRs covers a 35mm field of view equivalent to 27-82.5 mm. Also, we can render an out-of- focus background behind our subject.
• Full-Frame Sensors- These are commonly found on high-end digital SLR cameras like that in Canon 5D series. These are larger sensors than that of APS-C sensors and have greater potential to capture more light and thus can handle low-light situations better than any other sensors.

Image processors-

The image processor of the camera also affects the picture quality. A camera with a good image processor is capable of fixing lighting issues and many such operations. It also enables a camera to capture images in quick successions. With a fast image processor, one can directly figure out the difference between a good shot and a great shot.

These are all the technical factors which play their game but the best judge of how the camera performs in terms image quality is going to be our own eye. If it meets our need, it’s good enough.

At Crosswords, you will find an ample range of highly digitalized cameras of the most prestigious brands like Sony, Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Sigma, etc that will equally complement your budget.  

And That’s What I Need: All-in-One PC

Are you thinking to buy a new computer? What is your choice- a laptop or desktop? Let me introduce you to one more category which is an ‘All-in- One PC’. A PC which would meet all your needs. From a less space consuming laptop to a high processor desktop, it inculcates all the features in it. In this smart generation, we need to get smarter and All-in-One PC would probably be the step towards this smart era.

What is All-in-One PC?

All-in-One PC is the collaboration of the computing workstation. All the components involved in a computing workstation are present in a single hub called All-in-One PC. Here, by components, we mean everything- mouse, memory, hard disks, keyboard, CPU, monitor etc. The internal workings of All-in-One PC are built into the back of its monitor. Some All-in-One’s are shipped along mouse and keyboards while some come with touch screen monitors thus, eliminating the need for even them. All-in-One is the next wave of desktops.

Why All-in-One?

Now here comes another question that why should we purchase All-in-One? The reason is as simple as a child. It's better cable management, sleek and space saving design and a better look makes it ideal for any office desk. It gives us a feel for a neat and professional environment. Also in this smart era, we all are used to touch screen phones, tablets and laptops. So, it would be more convenient for us to even use a touch screen PC.

Advantages

AIOs come with many better features than conventional PCs and laptops.

• Quality- AIOs are better engineered, they have better performance and they don’t even break or fail.
• Security- AIOs come with a variety of security features embedded in the machine’s chipset, which makes them less vulnerable to threats that affect the OS and hard drives.
• Manageability- AIOs can be easily repaired or upgraded. Some models of AIO’s even features tool-less access.
• Better Visuals- The visuals of AIOs are stunning. They eliminate the need for any add-on graphic card which takes up space.
• High Performance- AIOs are given with the support from the newest generation of the Intel Core processor families.
• Ease to Use- All-in-One PC is well known for its ease to use. You just need a power connection, turn it on and the system starts. There is no requirement of complex cabling.

AIO or Desktop

Since AIO comes with a large screen, it is favoured by people who intend to use the system for photo editing or graphic designing. Designers are often seen to draw their interest towards Apple’s version of All-in-One, the iMac.

AIO also is an entertainment core. So, it is also attracted by the consumers who spend a lot of their time in content viewing. Also if you want a PC with a great screen for streaming, playing DVDs and using an inbuilt TV tuner then AIO is a genuine option. Also previously mentioned, it is a far better option for a professional look of your office’s desk.

Besides all the above options, if you need greater power in the internal components, all you have to go for is a traditional tower-up Desktop. All the more, if you want a cost effective, a reliable computer then opt for desktop as the advance features of All-in-One accounts for superior amounts of money.

One more considerable fact is that in conventional desktops if we need some repair then we can open it up and can swap in some new parts without replacing the whole system. But the case is not the same with All-in-Ones, once needed you need to repair/replace the whole system.

Crosswords Ltd provides you with an ample range of superior desktops and All-in-Ones. We also have a large variety of computer accessories available in brands like- Dell, Lenovo, HP, Sony, Toshiba etc and with any specification which you demand.

The Future of Computing- Innovations in Laptop

Our future is innovative with respect to everything. Think back to the laptop you had in 2008. It probably doesn't look too different from what you're using today. Sure, your current notebook is lighter than the brick you lugged around five years ago, and it's running Mountain Lion or Windows 8 rather than Vista or Leopard, but it's still a clamshell laptop with the same basic functionality. The Future of computing would be radically different.

The Future-

Manufacturers are shaping the future PCs around emerging trends. For instance, mobiles are moving to become thinner. Notebooks will also benefit from perceptual computing breakthroughs that will push eye control to the mainstream. Imagine looking at an app to open it. Yes, that would be implemented in the future computing.

1. Gesture Control- When Windows 8 made its debut in 2012, touch-screen displays quickly became standard for premium notebooks. According to IHS, nearly a quarter of all laptops will have touch screens by 2016, thanks to falling prices. But touch enabled display were just the starting. Gesture control has a far long journey to cover. In the future, using your eyes to play games in the laptop would prominently be the mainstream ways to interact.
2. Prolong Battery Life- Just about every day, we use our smartphones to surf the Web, send text messages and play games — only to plug them in again before we go to bed. Unfortunately, the reality is quite different for laptops, with many models in our tests lasting less than 5 hours on a charge. But all-day battery life could become a reality in the future. In the near future, you will be dealing with the laptops having a very strong battery backup that could survive the whole day long.
3. The Mouse Disappears- Between touchscreens, touchpads and the occasional stylus, today's devices come with enough modalities to diminish the need for a mouse. As these technologies and perceptual computing continue to evolve, the mouse will become less relevant.

The PC’s ground is changing rapidly. The future laptop will be thin and narrower in all dimensions. It would come with far better processors, better wireless connectivity and much lighter weight. Five years later, your traditional notebook will come along with better touch screen with more precision than today’s notebooks. You'll be able to play games and interact with certain applications by simply looking at them. Your PC will rely on sensors to perceive your gestures and determine your location, and all-day battery life will be the new standard. And the advent of wearable technology and perceptual computing will influence the way we interact with computers as a whole.

Upcoming Trends In Office Furniture

Office furniture is an integral part of modern day offices. Selecting the right office furniture plays an important role in the success and growth of an organization. It projects a professional business image to its clients and associates and increases the productivity of its employees.

When you conduct an office fitout, there is so much to consider. From the floor plan to where partitions will go, all the way through to what colour to make your cupboard handles or which sheets to be used to make your employee’s desk – the decisions to make seems endless. Keeping up with the current trends is the best way to make sure that you are on top of what an employee wants.

PWC research indicates that the revenue generated by the manufacturing industry for office furniture is increasing with a surprising figure- so what are the pieces coming out that could benefit your workplace? Moving office furniture in meeting rooms towards comfortable couches, larger chairs and even cushions could be what your meeting rooms need to gain that extra spark that the competition lacks.

According to the CSIL World report, total African furniture production amounts to US $7 billion of which over 60% of the total furniture production is satisfied by the local manufacturers. In Africa there are 53 metropolitan areas with population of more than 1 million inhabitants in 2015. If we consider only urban population, per capita furniture consumption grows up to US$ 31 and 34, respectively. These figures are highly considerable and give the clear idea about the furniture industry which is growing day by day.

As modern offices continue to evolve and adapt their workplaces to changing technology, modern office furniture reflects the newest priorities—alternate work styles, company culture, and progress.

Crosswords Ltd provide you with the various latest trends in office furniture which would make you stand top in this modern era, of which some are illustrated below -

•  Collaborative Designs- Bringing people together in open, comfortable spaces is the forefront of modern office furniture design today. Modular office furniture allows easy customization of your space to suit various project needs and collaborative work styles. To further maximize open spaces in the office, gone are the days of high paneled cubicles. In their wake, lower workstation designs have stepped in to better facilitate collaboration, teamwork, better airflow, and natural light.
•  Nap Pod- We recently took a look at design ideas for nap areas inside the office, and one part of this that crosses over nicely with upcoming furniture trends is the sleeping pod. Going beyond a simple couch to a designated sleeping pod might seem like something out of a science fiction film but given the extensive research out there that shows the productivity benefits of a short nap, it could be worth looking into.
•  Modern Metal & Glass Design Furniture- The use of metal and glass furniture elements—from modern conference furniture to reception desks—is another hot trend sweeping offices. Modern conference tables with their glass-topped elegance lend your office interiors the stylish, progressive air that will come to define your company.
• Convertible Workstation- A multi-capable, collapsible work station is perfect for a company that has a need for flexibility, like a startup company who is defined by change and growth. Many companies turn to modern workstations to inspire collaboration and encourage teamwork. In open office environments, modular office furniture incorporates white work surfaces with flashes of color—privacy screens boasting lime green, tangerine, or yellow. With these design elements, touches of wood tones give storage door facings visual interest, and the warm organic tones create a balanced modern office furniture design. At Crosswords Ltd, you will be amazed to see a wide range of office furniture which would set a benchmark for the modular and designer office furnishing. Crosswords Ltd makes available superior quality business products to establish your confidence in us. Your satisfaction is all what we want.