You are reading the article Spelunky 2 Multiplayer: Everything You Need To Know updated in December 2023 on the website Minhminhbmm.com. We hope that the information we have shared is helpful to you. If you find the content interesting and meaningful, please share it with your friends and continue to follow and support us for the latest updates. Suggested January 2024 Spelunky 2 Multiplayer: Everything You Need To Know
It’s been just a few weeks since the release of Spelunky 2 and we have already seen how well the game has been developed to build upon the original title’s popularity. This time developed by the folks at Mossmouth and BlitWorks, Spelunky 2 features a denser world where you can interact with more elements, and perform a set of new unique and randomized challenges.
If you’re wondering whether you can play Spelunky 2 online with other players in its online userbase and how you can play it, this post should resolve all of your doubts. So, read on.
Related: Can you play Spelunky 2 Online?
Can you play Spelunky 2 on multiplayer online?
If you wish to play Spelunky 2 with your friends and family, rest assured that the sequel to the beloved roguelite game offers you various ways of multiplayer gameplay.
Local multiplayer: up to 4 players with Splitscreen option
Online multiplayer: up to 4 players
In both local and online multiplayer modes, players will be able to enjoy competitive modes like Arena and co-op modes like Adventure.
As for where you can play Spelunky 2 online, we’ve listed the following platforms where it’s available:
Playstation 4: Can be played currently, Supports up to 4 online players with PS Plus
PC (via Steam): Not Available at the moment
At the time of writing, you can only play online multiplayer on Spelunky 2 when playing it on a Playstation 4 as support for PC is yet to arrive. Another thing to note is that, in order to play online multiplayer on PS4, you will need to subscribe to PS Plus which is available for $9.99 for one month, $24.99 for 3 months, and $59.99 for 12 months.
Does Spelunky 2 support cross-play?
Although it was believed that before the launch of Spelunky 2, the game will support cross-platform play between Steam and PS4, it was later revealed that the feature won’t be ready at the time of the release. At the time, Mossmouth also confirmed that online multiplayer with cross-play will “take a few weeks at most”.
After its launch in Playstation Store on September 15, 2023, Spelunky 2 can be downloaded on the PS4 and played online but the game’s developers believe online gameplay has had a rocky start. Mossmouth says the reason for not releasing online multiplayer support for PC users has to do with bugs and issues on the online gameplay on PS4.
That said, the developers are testing and making improvements to the Playstation version. Once that’s done alongside the rollout of online support for PC players of Spelunky 2, they will soon be able to implement cross-platform play between Steam and PS4.
As it has already been close to a month since the game released on PC, we can expect the online with cross-play ready for those who download the game on Steam. Mossmouth has also revealed that from that point onwards, developers will work toward adding highly-requested modes like Deathmatch and Hold the Idol.
Where do I get Spelunky 2 from?
Spelunky 2 has only been released on two platforms – PlayStation 4 and PC. Users will be able to buy and download the game from Steam and Playstation Store from the links below.
Are you eagerly awaiting online multiplayer support for Spelunky 2?
RELATED
You're reading Spelunky 2 Multiplayer: Everything You Need To Know
Everything You Need To Know About Uranium
Since the German chemist Martin Heinrich Klaproth identified uranium in 1789, atomic number 92 has become one of the most troubling substances on the planet. It’s naturally radioactive, but its isotope uranium-235 also happens to be fissile, as Nazi nuclear chemists learned in 1938, when they did the impossible and split a uranium nucleus in two. American physicists at U.C. Berkeley were soon to discover they could force uranium-238 to decay into plutonium-239; the substance has since been used in weapons and power plants around the world. Today, the element continues to stoke international tensions as Iran stockpiles uranium in defiance of an earlier treaty, and North Korea’s “Rocket Man” leader Kim Jong-un continues to resist denuclearization.
But what is uranium, exactly? And what do you need to know about it beyond the red-hot headlines? Here we answer your most pressing nuclear questions:
Where does uranium come from?Uranium is a common metal. “It can be found in minute quantities in most rocks, soils, and waters,” geologist Dana Ulmer-Scholle writes in an explainer from the New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources. But finding richer deposits—the ones with concentrated uranium actually worth mining—is more difficult.
When engineers find a promising seam, they mine the uranium ore. “It’s not people with pickaxes anymore,” says Jerry Peterson, a physicist at the University of Colorado, Boulder. These days, it comes from leaching, which Peterson describes as pouring “basically PepsiCola—slightly acidic” down into the ground and pumping the liquid up from adjacent holes. As the fluid percolates through the deposit, it separates out the uranium for harvesting.
Uranium ore. Deposit Photos
What are the different types of uranium?Uranium has several important isotopes—different flavors of the same substance that vary only in their neutron count (also called atomic mass). The most common is uranium-238, which accounts for 99 percent of the element’s presence on Earth. The least common isotope is uranium-234, which forms as uranium-238 decays. Neither of these products are fissile, meaning their atoms don’t easily split, so they can’t sustain a nuclear chain reaction.
That’s what makes the isotope uranium-235 so special—it’s fissile, so with a bit of finessing, it can support a nuclear chain reaction, making it ideal for nuclear power plants and weapons manufacturing. But more on that later.
There’s also uranium-233. It’s another fissile product, but its origins are totally different. It’s a product of thorium, a metallic chemical much more abundant than uranium. If nuclear physicists expose thorium-232 to neutrons, the thorium is liable to absorb a neutron, causing the material to decay into uranium-233.
Just as you can turn thorium into uranium, you can turn uranium into plutonium. Even the process is similar: Expose abundant uranium-238 to neutrons, and it will absorb one, eventually causing it to decay to plutonium-239, another fissile substance that’s been used to create nuclear energy and weapons. Whereas uranium is abundant in nature, plutonium is really only seen in the lab, though it can occur naturally alongside uranium.
How do you go from a rock to a nuclear fuel source?People don’t exactly lay out step-by-step guides to refining nuclear materials. But Peterson got pretty close. After you’ve extracted uranium from the earth, he says chemical engineers separate the uranium-rich liquid from other minerals in the sample. When the resulting uranium oxide dries, it’s the color of semolina flour, hence the nickname “yellowcake” for this intermediate product.
From there, a plant can purchase a pound of yellowcake for $20 or $30. They mix the powder with hydrofluoric acid. The resulting gas is spun in a centrifuge to separate from uranium-238 and uranium-235. This process is called “enrichment.” Instead of the natural concentration of 0.7 percent, nuclear power plants want a product that’s enriched to between 3 and 5 percent uranium-235. For a weapon, you need much more: These days, upwards of 90 percent is the goal.
Once that uranium is enriched, power plant operators pair it with a moderator, like water, that slows down the neutrons in the uranium. This increases the probability of a consistent chain reaction. When your reaction is finally underway, each individual neutron will transform into 2.4 neutrons, and so on, creating energy all the while.
Uranium glass dinnerware. Deposit Photos
Any fun facts I should take with me to my next dinner party?Try this: In PopSci‘s “Danger” issue earlier this year, David Meier, a research scientist at Pacific Northwest National Lab, talked about his work to create a database of plutonium sources. Turns out, every plutonium product has a visible origin story, because “there’s not one way of processing it,” Meier says. The United States had two plutonium production sites. While the intermediate product from Hanford, Washington (the Manhattan Project site from which PNNL grew) was brown and yellow, the Savannah River site in Akon, South Carolina, produced “a nice blue material,” Meier says. Law enforcement officials hope these subtle differences—which may also correspond to changes in the chemical signature, particle size, or shape of the material—will one day help them track down illicit nuclear development.
Or, dazzle your guests with a short history of radioactive dinnerware. The manufacture of uranium glass, also called canary glass or Vaseline glass began in the 1830s. Before William Henry Perkin created the first synthetic color in 1856, dyes were terribly expensive and even then they didn’t last. Uranium became a popular way to give plates, vases, and glasses a deep yellow or minty green tinge. But put these household objects under a UV light and they all fluoresce a shocking neon chartreuse. Fortunately for the avid collectors who actively trade in uranium glass, most of these objects aren’t so radioactive as to pose a risk to human health.
Last one: In 2002, the medical journal The Lancet published an article on the concerning potential for depleted uranium—the waste leftover after uranium-235 extraction—to end up on the battlefield. The concern is that its high density would make it an incredible projectile, capable of piercing even the most well-enforced battle tank. Worse yet, it could then contaminate the surrounding landscape and anyone it.
Lg Wing Buyer’S Guide: Everything You Need To Know
David Imel / Android Authority
We first heard about the LG Wing in the first half of 2023, with murmurings that the firm was working on a whacky form factor. The idea of a phone with a smaller, second screen that pops out from the back sounded really outlandish, but it’s real and it’s been available for a while now.
What should you expect from this offbeat smartphone? And is it a one-trick pony or does it have much more to offer? Here’s what you should know about the LG Wing.
LG Wing: At a glance
David Imel / Android Authority
The LG Wing was the first phone in the manufacturer’s Explorer Project, promising innovative designs in the smartphone space. Unfortunately, LG’s decision to exit the smartphone business means it’ll be the only phone in the Explorer Project. Of course, the dominant LG Wing feature is the second screen that pops out from the back to sit at a perpendicular angle to the main screen. But another noteworthy design decision is a 32MP pop-up selfie camera, hidden at the top of the rear half.
Meanwhile, the LG Wing’s core specs are a Snapdragon 765G chipset with 5G connectivity (both mmWave and Sub-6), 8GB of RAM, 256GB of storage, and a 4,000mAh battery. The chipset, in particular, isn’t quite flagship-level, but LG is hoping that the camera experience is.
The Wing packs a rather interesting rear camera setup, featuring a 64MP main camera, 13MP ultra-wide shooter, and a 12MP “Ultra Wide Big Pixel” camera. LG says you also have a “Gimbal Motion Camera” feature which allows you to use the second screen as a grip and delivers a suite of capabilities to the 12MP camera.
Some of the touted photo/video capabilities in this regard include a “joystick” for controlling the camera angle, a lock mode to reduce blur and judder, follow functionality for smoother video when on the go, a pan follow mode for horizontal movement, and a “first-person view mode” for “rhythmic and dynamic” movements.
Related: LG Wing review — An incredible first try but a first try nonetheless
As for general remarks, he praised the battery life, dual-screen software, and video recording features. On the other end of the spectrum, he lamented the mid-range processor and “mediocre” camera.
What other reviewers from around the web thinkTo give you a better idea of the critical reception to the Wing, here’s what a few other reviewers thought of the device:
Julian Chokkuttu of Wired said he was “shocked” by how well the phone worked, from the actual swivel design to the software experience. He also praised the battery life, “decent” chipset, and stable video. It wasn’t all roses though, as he bemoaned the size and weight, the cameras, the built-in keyboard app, and lack of a 3.5mm port.
Ben Schoon over at 9to5Google said the LG Wing brought something new to the market, but stressed that people who consume content via their phone would likely appreciate the device more. He liked the gimbal camera mode, the actual swivel mechanism, and the ability to watch videos on the main screen while multitasking on the other. In saying so, Ben criticized the lack of a 3.5mm port, the unpolished Android skin, the pre-installed LG keyboard (which is the only keyboard app to recognize both screens), and the primary camera.
What about battery life?
David Imel / Android Authority
The LG Wing has a 4,000mAh battery which is a solid size, if not on the small side, for a 5G-enabled flagship smartphone. Scott felt that battery life was average, saying he got 5.5 hours of screen-on time with light-to-moderate usage. He adds that swivel mode uses a little more juice than expected.
LG’s swivel phone comes with a 25W charger in the box, going from empty to full in 75 minutes. It also packs 12W wireless charging, but no reverse wireless top-ups.
The smartphone comes equipped with a Snapdragon 765G SoC, which is a mid-range 5G processor. It’s also equipped with 8GB of RAM, along with 128GB or 256GB of expandable storage. So how does it actually fare in real-world usage?
Scott felt that the phone should’ve been equipped with beefier silicon, saying system animations were choppy and there was a bit of a wait to launch apps compared to even older flagship phones. Our reviewer added that he didn’t encounter any app crashes or massive slowdown during his time with the Wing.
LG Wing competition and alternatives
The LG Wing is unlike any other phone we’ve seen yet, so finding alternatives to it might be a tough endeavor.
In saying so, the Microsoft Surface Duo is similarly unique, while also offering two separate screens. The big difference here is that the Surface Duo offers two equally sized screens in a book-like arrangement, as opposed to the Wing’s big screen/little screen setup. Still, you’re also getting the ability to run an app on each screen or one app across both screens. You’re also getting the aforementioned app pair functionality to launch two specific apps at once. The Surface Duo’s $1,400 price tag, unpolished software, and anemic spec sheet (no 5G, NFC, wireless charging, or multiple cameras) might be major deal-breakers though.
Microsoft Surface Duo
See price at Amazon
Save
$800.00
Another potential LG Wing alternative is the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3. The new Samsung foldable delivers similar multitasking capabilities and two 120Hz screens, featuring a smartphone display on the outside and a tablet-sized folding screen on the inside. You’re also getting S Pen functionality, capable cameras, and IPX8 water resistance. This makes it a great device if you like the idea of a foldable rather than a swiveling phone, but it will set you back $1,799.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3
See price at Samsung
Last year’s LG V60 (seen above) could also be up your alley if you’re looking for a full-featured smartphone with an interesting trick up its sleeve. Like other recent LG flagships, the V60 has a Second Screen accessory that gives you a dual-screen foldable experience. This isn’t quite as polished and pocket-friendly as the Galaxy Z Fold 3, but you still have the ability to run an app on each screen or one across both displays. Best of all, it’s available for under $500 in the US now that a year has gone by and LG’s mobile unit is shutting down. That’s much cheaper than rival phones, while still offering features like a 3.5mm port and an IP68 rating.
vivo X60 Pro Plus
See price at Amazon India
vivo X60 Pro
See price at Amazon
Pricing and availability
David Imel / Android Authority
The LG Wing launched in a locked state from the three major wireless carriers in the United States. Unfortunately, there is still no way to buy the Wing outright in an unlocked format.
Verizon was selling the Wing for $999 but it seems to be out of stock as of writing. AT&T still listed the Wing as of August 2023, but it’s apparently out of stock too. It isn’t available via T-Mobile either, despite previously offering the device.
The phone also launched in India and was sold for Rs 34,990 (~$485) on Amazon at one point. That was over 50% off the original Rs 80,000 (~$1,100) price tag. Unfortunately, it seems like we’ve only got renewed options on the website right now.
LG Wing
A novel phone with a swiveling display
The LG Wing is one of the most innovative smartphones of 2023. It looks like a normal smartphone in Basic Mode, but then the main display slides out to expose the mini-display underneath in Swivel Mode. It’s like we’re living in the future!
See price at Verizon
See price at AT&T
See price at T-Mobile
Top LG Wing questions and answersA: The phone is available in Aurora Gray and Illusion Sky.
What Is A Chromebook? Everything You Need To Know
In the US, Chromebook has a 60% market share among students from kindergarten to the 12th grade. That’s quite a significant number, to begin with. Further, Google is bringing huge improvements to Chrome OS to make it a viable alternative against Windows and macOS. So if you are wondering what is a Chromebook exactly, well you have landed at the right place. In this article, we are taking a look at every aspect of Chromebooks beginning with its very definition. We have also discussed its operating system, headline features, the target users, whether you should switch from a Windows PC or not, and more. So having said all of that, let’s begin the article and learn more about Chromebooks thoroughly.
Everything You Need to Know About Chromebook and Chrome OS 1. A Brief HistoryBefore learning about Chromebooks, we need to know what powers this machine and its history of development. Chrome OS is the operating system of Chromebooks which is developed by Google just like Windows is developed by Microsoft and macOS is developed by Apple. Chrome OS may seem like a new operating system in the realm of desktop computers, however, it is now almost a decade old. It was first announced in 2009 and the first commercial Chromebook was made available in 2011. It’s a Linux kernel-based operating system and primarily supports web applications rather than native apps. This is one of the reasons why Chromebooks are so fast and lightweight in comparison to other desktop computers.
During its conception in 2009, Chrome OS was touted to bring a new era of consumer computing where applications and user data will remain in the cloud. However lately, we are seeing that Chrome OS is slightly moving away from that. We will discuss all these aspects of Chromebooks and Chrome OS in detail below, but in simple words, we can say that Chromebook is a lightweight computer that holds a lot of promise for the general consumers.
2. What are the Best Chromebook Features?
Performance and Battery
Since the operating system is so lightweight, it does not require much horsepower. You can easily do a bunch of tasks like watching videos, writing documents, sending an email on an inexpensive Intel Core M3 processor (for comparison, M3 is ranked much below the Intel Core i3). At the same time, the battery life remains stellar and you can comfortably get two days of medium usage in a single charge. Generally, you don’t need a powerful processor on Chrome OS unless you are compiling thousands of lines of code or creating CAD renders in the browser. Simply put, if you are moving from a Windows PC to a Chromebook, be ready to be surprised on these two fronts at least.
Offline Support
Android Apps
In simple words, an Android subsystem is installed on your Chrome OS which allows you to access Android apps without much friction. Also, there is support for Google Assistant which is part of the core OS and not a mere add-on. So, it becomes much easier to search using voice commands throughout your Chromebook and the web.
Linux Support
Similar to Microsoft, Google is also bringing support for Linux on Chromebooks. The project is still in beta, but the results are quite promising. You can virtually run any Linux apps on Chrome OS and that is a huge development. In my testing, the Linux Terminal worked flawlessly and it took only 0.25 seconds to download the Google homepage through the curl command. If you compare it with a Windows laptop running the Linux Shell (almost the same config), it took 1.04 seconds which is 4x more than Chromebook’s download time. Other than that, I also installed GIMP through Linux on Chrome OS and it went through flawlessly. However, the performance was not up to the mark as it was running in a container. Nevertheless, Linux support on Chromebooks is a great step for bringing students and developers into the Chrome OS fold and I hope it improves over time.
Security and Updates
3. Chromebook vs Windows PCIf you are considering to move from a Windows PC to a Chromebook, this section will help you make the decision. First of all, the difference between both the operating system is mainly in its objective. While Chrome OS is for a specific set of users with limited use-case, Windows is a matured desktop OS with support for innumerable native applications for all kinds of users. Further, Windows is compatible with both native and web apps and enjoys massive developer support from all over the world. Not to mention, Windows OS has almost become the de-facto platform for gaming. Simply put, Windows is for everyone irrespective of whether you are an average or a professional user.
However, Chrome OS’s silver lining is that it’s great at delivering performance (even on a significantly slower processor) while maintaining stellar battery life. On both these counts, Windows does not match up with Chrome OS and that’s why Chromebooks have carved out a space for itself in the desktop market. Apart from that, you are not missing on the gaming front if you subscribe to Google’s game-streaming service Stadia. You can play desktop-class games on your Chromebook irrespective of the hardware and that is awesome. Not to mention, we are slowly seeing that Microsoft is following Google’s footsteps and decoupling Windows (e.g. Windows 10S, Windows 10X) to make it flexible and modular like Chrome OS.
All this indicates that both the operating systems have their shortcomings and the companies are trying to improve their platform. However, at this point, Chrome OS is still nowhere near Windows as a full-fledged, desktop-class OS.
The EOL Conundrum
Each Chromebook has a specific end-of-life (EOL) date which generally lasts for 5-6 years. It means that you will get updates and security patches directly from Google only within the EOL period. Also, keep in mind, the EOL period does not start when you buy the Chromebook, but it gets activated when the product is certified by Google, much before the actual release date by OEM.
In contrast, Windows update is not tied to specific computer models. As long as Microsoft continues to support an operating system, you will get the update no matter what. This is where Google’s policy on Chromebook updates gets murkier and it’s really disappointing. Basically, after the EOL, you will not get any security patches on your Chromebook making your computer vulnerable to security threats. And you can’t even install Windows on your Chromebook because the process is extremely complex and out of the way for any average user. So, if you are going to buy a Chromebook, make sure to check the EOL date.
4. Is Chromebook For You?Having said that, if you have a dedicated use-case like graphic designing, CAD rendering or video editing, etc. which requires a powerful native application then Chromebook is not for you. It has a limited scope and Chromebook is broadly targeted at general users, students, and developers. If you are one of them, you can definitely pick a Chromebook without any hesitation.
Are You Getting a Chromebook?Microsoft Surface Pro (2023): Everything You Need To Know
The Surface Pro seems nearly identical to the Surface Pro 4, but the differences in CPU, graphics, and features do matter—for better and for worse. Watch our review video to see more.
In PCWorld’s review of the Surface Pro we gave the flagship 2-in-1 3.5 out of 5 stars, chiefly for three reasons: the excessive price of our review unit, the incremental improvements over the Surface Pro 4, and the quality of the competition. The performance improvements offered by the new Kaby Lake CPU and Iris Plus graphics are marvelous, but it’s hard to swallow high prices that do not include a Type Cover or a Surface Pen (both pricey in their own right).
While it’s not available now, Microsoft says it will ship a version of the Surface Pro with integrated LTE later this year. A version with the new Windows 10 S operating system, rather than the usual Windows 10 Pro, is also planned.
Surface Dock: The Surface Dock , a port expander which adds four additional USB ports and two miniDP connections, is $200.
Mouse: Though both Type Covers include a trackpad, an optional Surface Arc Mouse will be available at launch for $80.
Both the Pen and Signature Type Covers ship in three colors: platinum, burgundy, and cobalt blue. The generic Surface Pro Type Cover is available only in black.
Keyboard: We’ll start with the one everyone will want—a Type Cover keyboard. Microsoft offers two: the Surface Pro Signature Type Cover ($159), clad in fancy Alcantara fabric, and the primarily plastic Microsoft Surface Pro Type Cover ($129).
Though you can use a Surface Pro as a simple tablet, you’ll almost certainly want to buy some of the accessories, all of which cost extra.
Graphics were not specified in the specs, though we’re assuming it’ll be Intel HD Graphics 620, as with the existing Core i5 models.
Microsoft has also said that they plan to ship an LTE variant, which is reported to debut at Microsoft’s Future Decoded event in the U.K. on Halloween. Those prices are official:
Microsoft’s Surface products have never been cheap, and the Surface Pro’s base model is $100 more expensive than the base model for the Surface Pro 4. Keep in mind that the prices below include the Surface Pro tablet only. Microsoft doesn’t bundle it with any accessories at all, not even a keyboard, unless there’s a special promotion.
You can preorder the Surface Pro now. As of June 15, you can now order all but the two most powerful Core i7 models of the Surface Pro—the 16GB RAM/512GB SSD and the the 16GB RAM/1 TB SSD. According to Microsoft, those models were previously scheduled to ship on June 30, but Microsoft has removed the estimated shipping dates. Otherwise, the Surface Pro will launch in 26 markets—including the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, India, Taiwan, and more. Our news story from the Surface Pro launch has many more details.
We’ve assembled everything we know about the new Surface Pro: the price and release date, the specs, and our official review. We’ve also answered some of the questions we think you’ll have about Microsoft’s new device.
With the the Surface Pro (2023), Microsoft has rebooted its flagship Surface product, one of the leading 2-in-1s in the category. It’s also shedding the numerical designations of prior products. If you’ve owned a Surface Pro 4, however, you already have a good idea of what Microsoft has in store for you with the new Surface Pro.
Updated Dec. 7: We’ve updated this story with the price of the Surface Pro (2023) with LTE. See “ Price and release date ” below for more details.
When Microsoft announced the Surface Pro on May 23, it was touted as a “laptop” despite its obvious lack of an included keyboard. Wordplay aside, Microsoft’s videos of the product (we’ve compiled selected shots below) show off the sleek design, the inking capabilities, and the ability to use the Surface Dial on the display (though as our review mentions, it takes up a lot of space on the screen).
Microsoft
Performance and battery lifeAll of the Core i5 and Core i7 chips used in the new Surface Pro are from Intel’s most recent, seventh-generation (Kaby Lake) family of CPUs. Microsoft says the processors offer 20 percent more performance than the Surface Pro 4, 2.5 times more computing performance than the Surface Pro 3, and 1.7 times the compute power of Apple’s iPad Pro. Naturally, those results vary by benchmark; see our Surface Pro (2023) review for details. In some cases, the Surface Pro (2023) performance is even better than expected.
Microsoft also says the Surface Pro will last for 13.5 hours of continuous video looping, up from 9 hours with the Surface Pro 4. Microsoft uses different metrics than we do for its video rundown test, but we’ve found the battery life to be closer to 8 hours.
Frequently asked questionsMicrosoft’s reboot of the Surface Pro name follows Hollywood’s trend of “rebooting” movies, from Godzilla to Spider-Man to Ghostbusters. It’s all a bit confusing, so we’ll try to clear up some of the mysteries.
Why isn’t it called the Surface Pro 5?
Our understanding is that Microsoft wanted to refocus itself on the Surface Pro lineup, making a clean break from prior models. It forces us (and you) to use the awkward Surface Pro (2023) terminology, though.
Microsoft
The Surface Pro’s kickstand can drop to 165 degrees, to what Microsoft calls “Studio mode.”
Two years ago, the Surface Pro would have been the tablet for the masses. Now, perhaps in an attempt to distance the Surface Pro from a struggling Windows tablet market, Microsoft’s calling this a “laptop,” even though the keyboard is an optional accessory. We wish Microsoft would let go of this baffling conceit. In any case, if you’re a mobile professional, the new Surface Pro may be for you. The tablet is also powerful enough to play some older games at acceptable frame rates, though this shouldn’t be the primary reason to buy it.
Which Surface Pro should you buy?
Obviously, you’ll need to select a version that meets your needs and your budget. In my mind, though, the $1,299 Core i5/8GB RAM/256GB SSD offers a value proposition that’s more in line with the competition. If you opt for one of the Core i7 variants, though, you’ll also receive the Iris Plus graphics core as part of the package, which boosts its GPU capabilities dramatically.
After I first used it at a briefing, I can say it seems to be a beefed-up Surface Pro 4. Slightly more rounded edges and more recessed cameras are barely noteworthy. I like the kickstand, which reclines a full 165 degrees. Microsoft calls this “Studio Mode” because it mimics the Surface Studio, the Surface Pro’s all-in-one cousin.
Over the course of our review, I really liked the performance Microsoft built into the Surface Pro with the Iris Plus graphics. Otherwise, if you’ve used a Surface Pro 4, this will be familiar territory. If you want a more traditional notebook, consider the Surface Book or Surface Laptop instead.
How does the Surface Pro differ from the Surface Pro 4, the Surface Book, and the Surface Laptop?
Surface Laptop: If you’re looking for something comparable to the Surface Pro in a true notebook form factor, you should check out the Surface Laptop. Note that its operating system is the classroom-focused Windows 10 S, but it’s upgradable to the same Windows 10 Pro that the Surface Pro uses.
Surface Book: Like the Surface Pro, the Surface Book is a two-in-one with a detachable keyboard. The Surface Book offers a lot more oomph, however, especially with the associated Performance Base. It’s the only Microsoft notebook or 2-in-1 with discrete graphics, too.
How much does the Surface Pro cost?
Our first impressionsThe Surface Pro (2023) is a Surface Pro, plain and simple: tablet, magnetically-attached Type Cover keyboard, kickstand. If you were to put a Surface Pro next to a Surface Pro 4, about the only way to tell the difference would be to look at the attached Surface Pen, which lacks the clip of its predecessor.
Mark Hachman / IDG
The new Surface Pen (below) features 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity, about double that of its predecessor (above).
I was impressed by the greater range of the kickstand. I’m not sure potential buyers will care as much as I do about the fact that you can now use the Surface Dial peripheral onscreen, though it’s a nice touch. For a deeper look, please see our review of the Surface Pro (2023).
Specs and featuresWhile the Surface Book offers a bit more physical space to pack in battery and discrete GPUs, the Surface Pro maintains an emphasis on portability. The key upgrade for the Surface Pro refresh are the Intel Kaby Lake CPUs, which bring several fundamental improvements in speed and battery life. If you want something a bit slower and a lot cheaper, try the Core m model: The performance should be satisfactory for basic office tasks.
1GHz Core m3-7Y30
2.6GHz Core i5-7300U (Kaby Lake)
2.5GHz Core i7-7660U (Kaby Lake)
Memory options will vary, depending on your choice of Surface Pro (2023). Note that there is no 8GB option for the Core i7 at this time.
4GB: Core m3
8 GB: Core m3 or Core i5
Storage
Your SSD size will vary:
128GB (Core m, Core i5)
512 GB (Core i7)
1TB (Core i7)
Our review unit included a Samsung KUS040202M-B000 NVMe drive, providing among the fastest read speeds we’ve tested: 1,702 MBps.
The Surface Pro offers only integrated graphics. Graphics performance will increase along with processor power. But the Surface Pro is one of the only tablets or notebook we’ve seen with the Iris Plus graphics core inside.
Core m: Intel HD Graphics 615
Core i5: Intel HD Graphics 620
Display
Corning Gorilla Glass
12.3-inch (diagonal) PixelSense Display
3:2 aspect ratio
Surface Pen-enabled (sold separately)
10-point multi-touch
The new Surface Pro’s keyboard features 1.3mm of key travel, slightly less than the 1.5mm of travel used by the Surface Laptop. If you buy the Surface Pro Signature Type Cover, you’ll get an Alcantara-clad deck that’s laser-cut to fit snugly around the keyboard keys, in either platinum, burgundy, or cobalt blue. Otherwise, you can buy a standard Type Cover, in black.
Software
Though the Surface Pro uses Windows 10 Pro, Microsoft says a version of the Surface Pro will ship later on with Windows 10 S installed.
Somewhat surprisingly, Microsoft has chosen to stick with its established Surface Connector for charging, rather than use USB-C. Supposedly, that’s for reasons of backward compatibility with existing Surface chargers, as well as in response to people who complained that the micro-USB-powered Surface 3 took forever to charge.
USB 3.0 Type A
mini DisplayPort
Surface Connector for charging
Wi-Fi: 802.11ac, IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n compatible
Bluetooth 4.1
(Optional) LTE, with a Cat 9 modem on board that will support up to 20 cellular bands across the globe
Mark Hachman / IDG
The right side of the tablet houses the three main ports: the Surface connector, USB-A, and the microDP port. Like other Surface devices, a microSD slot hides behind the kickstand.
Audio/visual
(Unchanged since the Surface Pro 4)
8MP (rear)
Stereo microphones
Stereo speakers
Microsoft rates the Surface Pro’s battery life at 13.5 hours, just an hour shorter than the 14.5 hours claimed for the Surface Laptop. Microsoft bases its claims on video rundown tests, the same metric PCWorld uses. We found the battery life of the Surface Pro (2023) clocked in at just over eight hours, however, probably due to the brightness settings we used while testing.
Exterior dimensions
11.50 x 7.9 x 0.33 inches
2.37 pounds to 2.41 pounds, with Type Cover. The exact weight will vary by model. The Core m model is the lightest.
Chassis
Aluminum
The Surface Pro ships in just one color. Accessories, including the Type Cover and Surface Pen, can be purchased in these colors to personalize the tablet:
Burgundy
Platinum
Black
Warranty
One-year limited hardware warranty
Surface Pro
Power supply
Quick Start Guide
Google Meet Without Google Account: Everything You Need To Know
Google Meet has become the go-to video conferencing solution for millions of people across the globe. Thanks to neat integration with the entire Google software suite, any Google user can create a Google Meet session any time they feel like it. All you need is a personal Google account — Gmail, to be specific — and you are good to go.
Although billions of users have already registered with Google, there are still a chosen few who do not feel comfortable putting down their personal details. And that is where things can get a little complicated. So, today, we’ll try to simplify this conundrum and tell you if you can use Google Meet without actually signing up with Google. Let’s get to it.
Related: 8 Best Google Meet Firefox Add-ons in 2023
Do you need a google account to use Google Meet?
Like all other video conferencing applications, Google Meet is split into two parts: joining and hosting. If you are looking to host a Google Meet session without a Google account, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment. At present, there is no way for a non-Google account holder to host a meeting. However, if you are only concerned with joining a Google Meet meeting, there is a rather inconspicuous workaround.
Non-paid Google Meet users or personal users do not get the privilege of hosting non-Google account holders. So, if you are trying to join a Google Meet session initiated by a personal account holder, you’re out of luck. Gsuite users, on the other hand, are a more privileged lot. Not only do they enjoy all the highlighted perks of a paid Google Meet account, but they also make it easier for non-Google users to join their meetings.
Related: 20 Google Meet Chrome extensions you can try in 2023
Can you join google meet without a Google account?
As discussed in the section above, you cannot host a meeting without joining the Google ecosystem. However, if you only intend to join the occasional Google Meet sessions, you are in luck. Of course, you cannot join a meeting initiated by a free Google Meet user. But if you get an invite from a paid Google account holder, you would be able to join the meeting without breaking a sweat.
Related: How To Grant Permission to Share Screen in Google Meet
What happens if try to join a free Google Meet session without an account?
Google Meet is now available for free for all Google account holders. However, that doesn’t mean Google has forgotten to pay its premium users the utmost respect. If someone with a free Google account invites you to a Google Meet meeting, you will be asked to sign in to your Google account.
If you do not have a Google account and fail to log in, you will not be able to join.
How to join google meet without a Google account
Once you’re admitted, there would be no distinction between you — a non-Google account holder — and a premium GSuite user. Additionally, if you have a Google account but want to start a new session as an anonymous user, you could open an Incognito tab from your browser and get to work.
If, for some reason, you do not manage to get to the “What’s your name?” section, please make sure your invitation is from a premium account holder only. An invitation from a free account holder will not do you any good.
Can you join a meeting from the Google Meet app without a Google account?
As you may have noticed in the section above, we left out the conversation about mobile devices. And there’s a reason why we did that deliberately. Despite being almost as powerful as the web client, the Google Meet application on Android and iOS does not allow you to join a meeting without signing in to your Google account. If you go through the app, you will not find a dedicated space to join meetings without signing in to your Google account.
Alternatively, when you run the invite link on your browser, you will be asked to select any of the Google accounts that you are currently running on your mobile. At the time of writing, Google Meet is yet to offer a solution for non-Google account users.
How to join a meeting from your mobile without a Google account?
Yes, the Google Meet app on Android and iOS doesn’t allow you to join a meeting without signing in to Google. However, that doesn’t mean you cannot join a meeting from your mobile. You can get the desired outcome through the most popular browser on the planet — Google Chrome.
If you paste the invite link straight to the address bar at the top of your browser, you will be asked to select your preferred Google account. However, if you ask the browser to load up the desktop version, you will get the option to enter the meeting without actually signing in to your Google account. Of course, the invite still needs to come from a paid GSuite user and not a free, personal account.
Additionally, if you are already signed into a Google account on your Chrome browser, you will not be able to sign in without associating a Google account with the call. To remedy that, you have to load up an Incognito tab. To do so, first, tap on the vertical ellipsis button at the top-right corner of the screen.
Now, tap on ‘New incognito tab.’
Now, enter the meeting link at the top of the screen in the address bar text field and load it.
It is to be noted that loading the desktop version of the Google Meet website is quite demanding, which could lead to overheating on some smartphones. Additionally, since smartphone displays are considerably smaller than computers, there could be some visibility issues. Thankfully, you can always zoom in if needed.
RELATED
Update the detailed information about Spelunky 2 Multiplayer: Everything You Need To Know on the Minhminhbmm.com website. We hope the article's content will meet your needs, and we will regularly update the information to provide you with the fastest and most accurate information. Have a great day!