HP Anyware will be available somewhere in the coming months. The solution’s based on technology from Teradici, which HP acquired last year. HP Anyware should eventually replace HP’s existing zCentral Remote Boost solution.
Teradici is a cornerstone of the upcoming solution. The company provides virtual desktop environments using Cloud Access Software (CAS), allowing companies to remotely host PCs in their on-premises environment and the cloud.
Teradici uses its own PC-over-IP (PCoIP) protocol. The protocol streams the contents of a display. The data travelling over a network is unlike the data exchanged by traditional remote desktop tech, which promotes security.
HP Anyware is the next release of Teradici’s CAS solution. New functionality includes support for Arm-based M1 processors and Macs. In addition, HP and Teradici optimized the tool for Windows 11.
HP told The Register that HP Anyware will replace zCentral Remote Boost, HP’s existing solution for remote work. HP Anyware will have equivalent functionality by mid-2023, after which zCentral Remote is to be discontinued. Though the solution will receive security fixes for some time, users eventually have to migrate to Anyware.
It’s frustrating when the tech we rely on doesn’t work as it should, and printers are no exception. In our latest annual tech experience survey, we quizzed over 16,000 people* to uncover the most common printer problems.
Many of the issues we heard about were related to poor print quality, which meant users were struggling with colour imbalance and smudged text. Other respondents told us that the paper wasn't feeding into their printer correctly.
On the plus side, our study found that many people were able to fix these problems themselves, so you don't necessarily need to pay a professional.
Keep scrolling for details on how to ensure your printer is working at its best. If you're thinking of replacing your current printer entirely, we've also rounded up some tips on picking the perfect alternative.
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Deterioration in print quality was by far the most common problem experienced by respondents. Users told us they had noticed colour imbalance and white lines on prints. Text was flawed, too, landing in the paper tray looking spiky, misaligned or smudged.
To fix, simply turn your printer off and on again to see if there's an instant solution. If not, check whether your ink cartridges need replacing.
If your cartridges have plenty of ink left, poor print quality might be caused by blocked printer head nozzles – those are the components that spray ink onto the paper. This is more likely to happen if you don’t use your printer very often, as dried ink can cause a blockage.
Cleaning the nozzles could help. You can do this by running your printer’s cleaning function, either via the brand's printing app on your computer or on the printer itself. Consult your printer’s manual if you’re not sure where to find it.
If the self-cleaning function doesn't solve your problem, you can clean the printer head manually. Use a lint-free cloth dampened with warm distilled, filtered or bottled water.
To tackle text that doesn't line up correctly, have your printer perform an alignment – you'll see an option for this in your printer settings. Turning it off and on again after 30 seconds can also fix the problem.
Your printer paper could also be causing smudging or feathering, so confirm that you're using the right printer paper for the job. Damp, curled or wrinkled paper can affect print quality.
Looking for a budget printer with quality performance? Read our guide on the best cheap printers to buy and run.
General hardware problems were also widely reported in our survey. These could be more difficult to fix yourself if components need replacing. If you suspect a hardware issue – maybe the printer won’t print or won’t turn on – check the basics first.
Ask yourself the following:
Once you’ve checked all of the above and, assuming you’re able to print, try to print a self-test report – this could tell you what’s causing the problem.
If you need to pay for a printer repair but don't fancy spending big, there's good news. According to our survey, the average repair cost for an inkjet printer is lower compared to any other type of tech product we asked about: £42 compared to £74 for wireless headphones and £73 for laptops.
This can be caused by dusty or dirty rollers, obstructions in the paper tray, an overfilled paper tray or even the paper itself. If turning the printer off and on again doesn’t fix it, check the paper you're using.
Your printer paper should all be of the same size and type, and loaded properly, with the edges of each sheet aligned. Issues with the paper can cause paper jams, too. Remove the paper and, using a torch if you need to, check for obstructions in the mechanism inside the tray.
Try cleaning the rollers inside the paper tray using your printer’s roller-cleaning function, if it has one. Alternatively, use a long cotton swab dampened with distilled, bottled or filtered water, but make sure you unplug the printer first.
Rotate the rollers as you clean them, and leave them to dry for 15 minutes before turning your printer on again.
If you're dealing with expensive running costs, explore our guide on the best cheap printer ink cartridges and where to buy them.
Our printer survey also uncovered problems linked to ink jets or nozzles on the print head not working, which can happen if your printer hasn’t been used in a while.
Try cleaning the print head. As we mentioned earlier, you'll need to use a damp lint-free cloth. If the print head is built into the ink cartridges, replacing it could fix the problem – consult the user manual or the brand's website for more details. The HP website, for example, has a walkthrough on replacing a print head.
Some printers feature print heads that can't be removed, so you'd need to get the part replaced professionally.
In some cases, it's more economical to buy a new printer than to pay for a new printer head. If you're leaning towards buying a new printer, consult our printer reviews to secure a Which? Eco Buy model combining quality printing, energy efficiency and low running costs.
A printer that connects to your home wi-fi network lets you queue jobs from a phone or computer without a cable. However, some respondents told us they were struggling with this.
If you’re unable to print over wi-fi, check that your printer’s software is up to date by visiting the manufacturer’s website. Most brand sites will make this an easy task, especially if you have your model number to hand.
We’ve included the most common manufacturer site links here:
Investing in a wi-fi extender can help Strengthen your internet coverage – these plug into the wall and boost the signal coming from your router. Some models will create an extra network that appears in the list of available networks on your devices. Often, the extender will mirror the name of your normal network with 'EXT' at the end.
Other wi-fi extenders work within a mesh system, boosting your existing router network without creating an extra one. These allow you to stay on the same network right through your home, but they tend to cost more.
Struggling to stay connected at home? Check in with our wi-fi extender reviews.
If your current printer leaves you feeling frustrated, it might be time to look for an alternative model. At Which?, we rigorously test the latest printers to help you pick the perfect one for you.
When buying a new printer, you'll need to decide whether you want to purchase an inkjet or laser model. Inkjets are typically cheaper up front and cost more to run, while laser printers are pricier to buy but can produce quality prints faster and more cheaply. Tank printers (often inkjet models) are extremely cheap to run, but can be expensive to buy.
See also: Why your next new printer should be a Which? Eco Buy
If you're thinking of buying a new printer, explore our guide to the best printers – our expert reviews are backed by rigorous lab tests.
If you're looking to replace your printer, you can't just throw it in your rubbish bin.
The good news is that recycling your printer is fairly simple – a number of high street stores are willing to take your unwanted printer if you buy a replacement from them. Note that Robert Dyas, Argos and Currys accept second-hand printers.
Some local councils are unable to collect small electricals directly from your home. If council collection isn't an option, you can visit a recycling centre – there are thousands across the UK. For an overview of nearby donation points, enter your postcode on the Recycle your Electricals website.
For more details on getting rid of unwanted electricals, batteries and chargers, read our advice on how to recycle electrical items.
Which? Tech Support can help you keep you on top of your home tech. Our experts explain things clearly so that you can resolve issues and feel more confident using your devices.
Get expert support:
Join Which? Tech Support for £4.99 a month. You can cancel at any time.
* Survey of 16,097 Which? members and general public carried out in March 2022.
Additional reporting by Ian Molyneaux.
Tech tips you can trust – get our free Tech newsletter for advice, news, deals and stuff the manuals don’t tell you
The UK's top vendor channel bosses have laid out their priorities and future bets in CRN's inaugural Vendor Power list.
The feature encompasses Q&As with 34 UK leaders from the channel's most widely carried vendors, including Microsoft, Cisco and HPE.
Collectively, they head up partner organisations that orchestrate the lion's share of UK B2B IT hardware, software and cloud sales.
Big guns get a grilling
Each channel leader took on up to 18 questions on their partner strategy and themselves, including on their priorities for the year ahead.
In his Q&A, Dell vice president UK channel Rob Tomlin cited accelerating collaboration between channel partners and Dell's sales team among his targets for the next 12 months. The hardware giant has doubled its channel business over the last three years, he claimed.
HPE's UK channel & MM/SMB director, Lewis Simmonds, is targeting the recruitment of more XaaS partners, while HP's UK & Ireland channel director Neil MacDonald unveiled plans to invest in data and insights. Lenovo recently moved to supply partners easier access to its full portfolio, its UK boss Neil Sawyer (pictured below) said, meanwhile.
The vendor chiefs were each asked to outline their channel philosophy and the size of their partner base.
While ConnectWise (2,500), Cisco (2,000), Fujitsu (1,500), Adobe (1,400) and SonicWall (1,200) all work with over 1,000 UK partners, others have narrower UK channels, with Check Point, F5 Networks and Mitel all working with 400 or fewer partners.
Rare metals losing their lustre?
Amid talk that traditional metal-based channel programmes are losing their shine in an increasingly cloud-based world (with Microsoft's Gold badge about to be axed), our top channel bosses were also quizzed on how they see channel programmes and engagement models evolving over the next few years.
SAP's new PartnerEdge Cloud Choice model rewards partners for delivering good outcomes for clients, SAP UK & Ireland chief partner officer Celine Cazali stressed.
Simon Aldous, director, partners & channels, Google Cloud UK&I, was among those to stress the need to reward non-transactional partners.
"The detachment of the influence chain from the transaction chain is an important consequence of the move to cloud. As such, we need to ensure that we view each separately and provide the necessary levels of enablement, incentives, rewards and support for partners across these two critical areas of customer engagement and experience," Aldous said.
"In the cloud consumption world, you need to have a partner base that can drive continuous engagement with the customer. It's so much easier to switch out technologies in a cloud ecosystem, so channel programmes should evolve to incentivise partners to sustain those continuous touchpoints," added Andy Corcoran, UK and Ireland channel sales director at VMware.
Indirect dealings
How important is the channel to these vendors?
While many of the smaller vendors included stressed that they operate a channel-only model, even those market giants with a strong enterprise and government pedigree often count partners as their primary route to market.
Lenovo's Sawyer said 97 per cent of the PC vendor's business goes via its channel partners, with Cisco and HP's channel leaders pegging their channel businesses at above 90 per cent of their sales.
"[That is] reflective of the UK & Ireland market," confirmed Cisco's Dominic Pierce (pictured below).
The execs opened up on how they manage direct-vs-channel conflict when it occurs, with Broadcom's Roy Borden revealing the vendor has a "100 per cent neutral" compensation scheme for sales reps no matter whose paper the deal is deliver on.
"Within the SMB space, we have moved the full product lifecycle under our Aggregation 2.0 partners. From quote through to level 1 support, this is 100 per cent channel owned and delivered," he added.
Partner peeves
We also asked the vendor leaders to open up on what traits they most value and scorn in partners.
Loyalty, integrity and innovation were three recurring positive characteristics, while laziness and duplicity were cited as common bugbears.
"It can be frustrating when a partner backs several competing vendors in the same opportunity," said Tom Corrigan, director, EMEA distribution and systems integrators at Mimecast.
"Unfortunately, we still see some partners wanting to do account mapping. That's outdated. From experience I can say it's much more effective to sit down and use and share data and insights and work out who we should target together with that shared knowledge," added HPE's Simmonds.
The 34 leaders in our Vendor Power list were selected on the basis of the inclusion of their company in the latest CRN Vendor Report, which rated the channel's most prevalent vendors across four core categories.* CRN Essential subscribers can read an Executive Summary of the report here.
Find out who made our inaugural Vendor Power List here.
The Hybrid Power Systems Market is analyzed with industry experts in mind to maximize return on investment by providing clear information needed for informed business decisions. The market is projected to grow at a promising CAGR during the forecast period. This research will help both established and new entrants to identify and analyze market needs, market size, and competition. It explains the supply and demand situation, the competitive scenario, the challenges for market growth, market opportunities, and the complication faced by prominent players.
The report’s authors have segmented the global market for Hybrid Power Systems by product, application, and region. Global market segments for Hybrid Power Systems will be analyzed based on market share, production, consumption, revenue, CAGR, market size, and more factors. The analysts have profiled leading players in the global market for Hybrid Power Systems, taking into account their latest developments, market share, revenue, covered areas, product portfolios, and other aspects.
Click here to get sample of the premium report: https://www.quincemarketinsights.com/request-sample-63023?utm_source= dj/hp
It has a wide-ranging analysis of the impact of these advancements on the market’s future growth, a wide-ranging analysis of these extensions on the market’s future growth. The research report studies the market in a detailed manner by explaining the key facets of the market that are foreseeable to have a countable stimulus on its developing extrapolations over the forecast period.
Hybrid Power Systems Market Overview |
|
Market Segments | By Power Systems Type (Wind-Solar-Diesel-Hybrid, PV-Diesel-Hybrid), By End-Use (Residential, Rural Facility Electrification) |
Key Players | Siemens AG, SMA Solar Technology AG, Danvest Energy A/S, Alpha Power Solutions, ZTE Corporation, Heliocentris Energy Solutions AG, Poweroasis Ltd., Flexenclosure AB, Ltd., Pfisterer Holding AG, and Vergnet SA. |
Regions | North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, South America |
Regional Overview |
|
North America | US, Canada, Mexico, Rest of North America |
Europe | Germany, Russia, UK, France, Italy, Spain, The Netherlands, Rest of Europe |
Asia Pacific | China, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Indonesia, Rest of Asia Pacific |
Middle East & Africa | UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, South Africa, Rest of Middle East & Africa |
South America | Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Rest of South America |
Competitive Analysis
The report covers a detailed competitive outlook including the market share and company profiles of the key participants operating in the global market. Key players profiled in the report Siemens AG, SMA Solar Technology AG, Danvest Energy A/S, Alpha Power Solutions, ZTE Corporation, Heliocentris Energy Solutions AG, Poweroasis Ltd., Flexenclosure AB, Ltd., Pfisterer Holding AG, and Vergnet SA.
Market Segmentation:
The business review gives a basic overview of the trade lifecycle, including concepts, classifications, implementations, and trade chain structure. Both of these factors would make it easier for leading players to determine the Hybrid Power Systems Market reach, as well as the specific characteristics it provides, and to meet the needs of customers. The research examines the market share generated in – region. The Hybrid Power Systems Market report includes information on the rate of growth over the forecast period. It contains details about market dynamics, such as the difficulties faced during this vertical phase, growth opportunities, and market driving factors. The Hybrid Power Systems Market is segmented on the lines of its offering, technology, end-user, and regional. Provision of market value (USD Billion) data for each segment and sub-segment. By Power Systems Type (Wind-Solar-Diesel-Hybrid, PV-Diesel-Hybrid), By End-Use (Residential, Rural Facility Electrification)
Table of Contents:
A detailed outline of the Global Hybrid Power Systems Market includes a comprehensive analysis of different verticals of businesses. North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and South America have been considered for the studies on the basis of several terminologies.
This is anticipated to drive the Global Hybrid Power Systems Market over the forecast period. This research report covers the market landscape and its progress prospects in the near future. After studying key companies, the report focuses on the new entrants contributing to the growth of the market. Most companies in the Global Hybrid Power Systems Market are currently adopting new technological trends in the market.
Finally, the researchers throw light on different ways to discover the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats affecting the growth of the Global Hybrid Power Systems Market. The feasibility of the new report is also measured in this research report.
Impact of COVID-19 on the Market
This is the most current research study on the Hybrid Power Systems Market impact of COVID-19. The pandemic (COVID-19) has had an effect on every aspect of life. Due to fears of potential shortages, demand has risen dramatically since the start of the COVID-19 outbreak. Demand patterns can shift as a result of the impact on overall consumption. This has resulted in many shifts in the industry. The study discusses the ever-changing business climate, as well as an initial and future evaluation of the (COVID-19) consequences.
Industry Highlights
The report answers the following questions-
ABOUT US:
QMI has the most comprehensive collection of market research products and services available on the web. We deliver reports from virtually all major publications and refresh our list regularly to provide you with immediate online access to the world’s most extensive and up-to-date archive of professional insights into global markets, companies, goods, and patterns.
Contact:
Quince Market Insights
Office No- A109
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Email: [email protected]
The High Voltage Measuring Equipment Market is analyzed with industry experts in mind to maximize return on investment by providing clear information needed for informed business decisions. The market is projected to grow at a promising CAGR during the forecast period. This research will help both established and new entrants to identify and analyze market needs, market size, and competition. It explains the supply and demand situation, the competitive scenario, the challenges for market growth, market opportunities, and the complication faced by prominent players.
The report’s authors have segmented the global market for High Voltage Measuring Equipment by product, application, and region. Global market segments for High Voltage Measuring Equipment will be analyzed based on market share, production, consumption, revenue, CAGR, market size, and more factors. The analysts have profiled leading players in the global market for High Voltage Measuring Equipment, taking into account their latest developments, market share, revenue, covered areas, product portfolios, and other aspects.
Click here to get sample of the premium report: https://www.quincemarketinsights.com/request-sample-63019?utm_source= dj/hp
It has a wide-ranging analysis of the impact of these advancements on the market’s future growth, a wide-ranging analysis of these extensions on the market’s future growth. The research report studies the market in a detailed manner by explaining the key facets of the market that are foreseeable to have a countable stimulus on its developing extrapolations over the forecast period.
High Voltage Measuring Equipment Market Overview |
|
Market Segments | By Product (Capacitive Voltage Transformer, Potential Transformer), By Voltage (High Voltage, Extra High Voltage, Ultra High Voltage), By Current (Alternating Current, Direct Current), By Application (Power Generation (substation), Power Transmission, Industrial) |
Key Players | ABB, BHEL, CG Power, Shanghai Electric Group, GE Grid Solutions, Maxwell Technologies, Siemens, Crompton Greaves, Schneider Electric, and SANDIAN. |
Regions | North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, South America |
Regional Overview |
|
North America | US, Canada, Mexico, Rest of North America |
Europe | Germany, Russia, UK, France, Italy, Spain, The Netherlands, Rest of Europe |
Asia Pacific | China, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Indonesia, Rest of Asia Pacific |
Middle East & Africa | UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, South Africa, Rest of Middle East & Africa |
South America | Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Rest of South America |
Competitive Analysis
The report covers a detailed competitive outlook including the market share and company profiles of the key participants operating in the global market. Key players profiled in the report ABB, BHEL, CG Power, Shanghai Electric Group, GE Grid Solutions, Maxwell Technologies, Siemens, Crompton Greaves, Schneider Electric, and SANDIAN.
Market Segmentation:
The business review gives a basic overview of the trade lifecycle, including concepts, classifications, implementations, and trade chain structure. Both of these factors would make it easier for leading players to determine the High Voltage Measuring Equipment Market reach, as well as the specific characteristics it provides, and to meet the needs of customers. The research examines the market share generated in – region. The High Voltage Measuring Equipment Market report includes information on the rate of growth over the forecast period. It contains details about market dynamics, such as the difficulties faced during this vertical phase, growth opportunities, and market driving factors. The High Voltage Measuring Equipment Market is segmented on the lines of its offering, technology, end-user, and regional. Provision of market value (USD Billion) data for each segment and sub-segment. By Product (Capacitive Voltage Transformer, Potential Transformer), By Voltage (High Voltage, Extra High Voltage, Ultra High Voltage), By Current (Alternating Current, Direct Current), By Application (Power Generation (substation), Power Transmission, Industrial)
Table of Contents:
A detailed outline of the Global High Voltage Measuring Equipment Market includes a comprehensive analysis of different verticals of businesses. North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and South America have been considered for the studies on the basis of several terminologies.
This is anticipated to drive the Global High Voltage Measuring Equipment Market over the forecast period. This research report covers the market landscape and its progress prospects in the near future. After studying key companies, the report focuses on the new entrants contributing to the growth of the market. Most companies in the Global High Voltage Measuring Equipment Market are currently adopting new technological trends in the market.
Finally, the researchers throw light on different ways to discover the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats affecting the growth of the Global High Voltage Measuring Equipment Market. The feasibility of the new report is also measured in this research report.
Impact of COVID-19 on the Market
This is the most current research study on the High Voltage Measuring Equipment Market impact of COVID-19. The pandemic (COVID-19) has had an effect on every aspect of life. Due to fears of potential shortages, demand has risen dramatically since the start of the COVID-19 outbreak. Demand patterns can shift as a result of the impact on overall consumption. This has resulted in many shifts in the industry. The study discusses the ever-changing business climate, as well as an initial and future evaluation of the (COVID-19) consequences.
Industry Highlights
The report answers the following questions-
ABOUT US:
QMI has the most comprehensive collection of market research products and services available on the web. We deliver reports from virtually all major publications and refresh our list regularly to provide you with immediate online access to the world’s most extensive and up-to-date archive of professional insights into global markets, companies, goods, and patterns.
Contact:
Quince Market Insights
Office No- A109
Pune, Maharashtra 411028
Phone: APAC +91 706 672 4848 / US +1 208 405 2835 / UK +44 1444 39 0986
Email: [email protected]
Picking out the best Chromebook isn't easy with so many great models on the market at the moment, but we'd say the HP Pro C640 Chromebook and the Asus C523 Chromebook definitely qualify. They're both fantastic laptops, but for different reasons.
Here we're going to outline exactly what you can expect from the HP Pro C640 Chromebook and the Asus C523 Chromebook if you decide that either of these Chromebooks is the one for you, which should make your buying decision a little easier.
As you would expect from two of the best laptops on the market, they both score highly in a lot of the key categories that matter – but we'll explain how they stack up in a head-to-head comparison so you can figure out which one is the right one for you.
The HP Pro C640 Chromebook.
(Image credit: HP)
The premium HP Pro C640 Chromebook is marketed very much as a business laptop, and it has a definite business-like air to it as well: this is a Chromebook that definitely... means business, as it were. You can see it in its clear and distinct lines, and in its unfussy aesthetic, and in the use of plain and neutral colours throughout the design. It's not an ugly laptop at all, but nor is it a particular innovative one as far as looks are concerned.
The HP Pro C640 Chromebook comes carrying a 14-inch display that you can configure with a variety of different resolutions: either 1366 x 768 pixels or 1920 x 1080 pixels, and either touch enabled or non-touch enabled. The bezels on the left and right are pleasingly thin, with a bit more chunkiness at the top and bottom to make room for the webcam and the obligatory HP logo respectively.
With a solid build quality and a smooth aluminium, it's a laptop that's going to last you, though the display can't flip over into a tent or tablet mode like the screens on some Chromebooks can. The port selection is good as well: you get a micro SD card reader, two USB-C ports, two USB-A ports and an HDMI 1.4 out socket for powering an external screen, as well as a 3.5 mm combination mic/headphone jack.
The Asus C523 Chromebook.
(Image credit: Asus)
Turning to the Asus C523 Chromebook and this is much more of a value-for-money proposition, which is reflected in the design of the laptop. It's hardly a bad-looking or flimsy Chromebook, but it does come across as a bit cheaper, as you would expect given the price it's selling for. That said, the display bezels are nice and thin at the sides of the screen, and it's only above and below the display where the bezels get seriously chunky – thicker than they would be on a top-tier laptop.
The Asus C523 Chromebook actually has a bigger display than the HP Pro C640 Chromebook, measuring 15.6 inches corner to corner and running at a resolution of either 1366 x 768 pixels or 1920 x 1080 pixels, depending on your needs and your budget. As with the HP Chromebook that we're comparing the Asus model to, you can buy it with or without touch support for the display.
You just get the standard laptop form factor with the Asus C523 Chromebook, so no folding over into a tablet or tent-like shape with this laptop, and as far as ports goes you've got a micro SD card slot, two USB-C ports, two USB-A ports, and a 3.5 mm jack that can take either a microphone or a pair of headphones (or both, if you've got a headset). It doesn't have the HDMI out of the HP laptop, but you can use one of the USB-C ports to run an external display, if you need to.
The HP Pro C640 Chromebook.
(Image credit: HP)
It's really in the specs that the differences between the HP Pro C640 Chromebook and the Asus C523 Chromebook start to appear, and where the relative prices start to make sense. You don't need much in the way of performance to run Chrome OS and Android apps of course, but more power helps when you're dealing with multiple browser tabs and multiple different apps at the same time.
You can configure the HP Pro C640 Chromebook with a wide range of internal components – this flexibility is actually one of the best features of the laptop. At the top end of the scale when it comes to price and performance, you can get it configured with a 10th-gen Intel Core i7-10610U processor, together with up to 16GB of RAM and up to 128GB of storage. If your needs and budget are more modest then you can scale that back considerably.
You're still going to be running the same Chrome OS software at the end of the day, but when you think about opening up some of the more advanced websites out there, and running some of the more demanding Android apps and games – not to mention having enough oomph to keep an external display running smoothly – it makes sense to go for as much internal power as you're able to afford.
The Asus C523 Chromebook.
(Image credit: Asus)
The Asus C523 Chromebook doesn't offer the same level of power and performance, and has fewer configuration options overall. The best you can do here is an Intel Celeron N3350 processor, up to 8GB of RAM, and up to 128GB of internal storage (you can knock that storage all the way down to 16GB if you really don't need much of it and want to save yourself some cash).
The laptop will of course still run Chrome OS perfectly well, but you might be waiting a little longer for pages to load and for specific objects to be rendered compared with the HP laptop. It's worth figuring out exactly what you think you're doing to be doing with your Chromebook before making a purchase, and in particular how much multitasking you want to be doing in terms of opening a lot of sites and apps at the same time.
Chromebooks are built to offer lightweight computing experiences with a lot of the heavy lifting done on the web, but if you think that you might need some extra performance then it's worth considering the more advanced configuration options available on the HP laptop – though you should also bear in mind that the HP Pro C640 Chromebook is also available with some more modest internal components as well, if that suits you better.
The HP Pro C640 Chromebook.
(Image credit: HP)
There's no doubt that both the HP Pro C640 Chromebook and the Asus C523 Chromebook are two of the best Chromebooks around at the moment, but they're approaching the market from different directions: the HP model is all about that high performance and business appeal, while the Asus model is more concerned with helping you get as much Chromebook as you possibly can for your money.
If you think you're going to need some high-end specs inside your laptop – an i7 processor from Intel, say – then the HP Pro C640 Chromebook may well be the one to go for. It supports the latest Wi-Fi 6 speeds, and has an HDMI out port for easy connection to a TV or a monitor, and it features nice touches such as an integrated privacy slider for physically covering up the webcam, as well as an optional fingerprint sensor for logging in.
On the other hand there's the Asus C523 Chromebook, with that epic 15.6-inch screen. The available resolutions aren't any higher than they are with the HP laptop, so you won't be able to fit any more on screen, but everything that is on screen will be just that little bit bigger. For sitting back and relaxing in front of some Netflix or Prime Video shows, the Asus laptop might be the better option.
The Asus C523 Chromebook.
(Image credit: Asus)
We haven't mentioned battery life yet, but both these Chromebooks are going to supply you respectable all-day battery life. If you take either the HP or the Asus out for an entire day then you're going to need to supply them a recharge when you get back in the evening, but that's par for the course these days. The HP might last just a touch longer on a single charge, but there's not much in it at all.
When it comes to pricing, you can consult the widgets embedded on this page for the most up-to-date deals online, but typically speaking – and remembering that both laptops are available in a choice of configurations – you're going to be paying significantly more for the HP Pro C640 Chromebook. With top-tier components inside, the HP model can hit four figures in terms of price, while the Asus C523 Chromebook is closer to the £300 mark.
That's a big jump in pricing, especially when you consider that both these laptops are running the same Chrome OS software. While the extra performance, premium materials and extra features of the HP Pro C640 Chromebook are going to be enough to tempt some buyers who want the best that Chromebooks can offer right now, we think a lot of people will also be tempted by the affordability and quality of the Asus C523 Chromebook.
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Thu., July 14, 2022timer3 min. read
In a world rocked by COVID-19, the role of Information Technology Decision Makers (ITDM) quickly became central to hybrid work environments, according to a latest poll of 100 Canadian enterprise ITDMs and 500 office workers.
During the pandemic, many members of the Canadian workforce suddenly found their homes doubling as offices. In this new environment, 34 per cent of office workers reported that their IT department had saved the day for them countless times. Sixty-seven per cent equated their IT team with the qualities of superheroes for facilitating a seamless transition to hybrid working, while 43 per cent said remote work would not have been possible without them.
“The shift to hybrid work is just one of the many ways that demonstrates the true importance of ITDMs and CIOs,” said Mary Ann Yule, President and CEO of HP Canada. “Their flexibility and creative problem-solving have never been more important to an organization’s long-term success.”
Despite the essential role ITDMs are playing, they don’t feel well supported. A latest survey of Canadian ITDMs sheds light on this. The key findings from the Morning Consult report commissioned by HP are below.
UNDER PRESSURE
Most ITDMs reported that their roles have continually changed to meet the needs of employees working from home. More than half the IT professionals HP surveyed felt they were being asked to do things beyond the scope of their original roles. Approximately 75 per cent said they had to learn new skills to keep employees cyber-secure and connected. Among the skills reported, the most common were developing new cybersecurity solutions (67 per cent), honing cross-team collaboration skills (58 per cent) and developing new, customizable solutions to meet novel employee needs (43 per cent).
WHAT KEEPS THEM UP AT NIGHT
According to a latest report, more than 85 per cent of Canadian organizations experienced at least one cyberattack in 2021. Privacy and security continue to be a primary concern for ITDMs yet only 41 per cent of the survey respondents said they are aware of what their printers are doing to protect their company’s data. When prompted, ITDMs most often cited their printers’ internet connection as a source of vulnerability, as well as the lack of oversight of the activities of remote employees.
Interestingly, remote workers are missing access to their office printer. When asked to rank what they miss most about working in the office, ITDMs deemed access to a printer to be even more important than perks such as happy hour with colleagues (57 per cent) and free lunch (59 per cent).
“As many employees face going back to the office on a flexible basis, IT teams are now being entrusted with the next major task: retrofitting office technology systems to manage a distributed workforce,” said Yule. “With increased concern around privacy and security, it is essential to find products that are secure by design including hardware-enforced endpoint security software, and security services to protect employees, partners and customers from growing cyber threats.”
NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF A ‘THANK YOU’
The majority of Canadian ITDMs surveyed said they felt rewarded for their efforts during the pandemic and beyond. Fifty-two per cent reported having a greater say in the future of their organization, as well as feeling valued by the company. On the flip side, 37 per cent of the survey respondents feel their increased workload went unrecognized.
“Celebrating the contributions and recognizing the accomplishments of others boosts team morale and well-being,” said Yule. “It is crucial to support the efforts ITDMs have made during the last few years by not only providing support but acknowledging that it hasn’t been easy for them.”
The findings in the survey will be a key consideration for organizations as they continue to navigate this new world of work. With hybrid work policies evolving daily, Canadian ITDMs will continue to take on more responsibilities in designing a solution for building secure, flexible, work environments.
To learn more about the key findings in HP’s survey, visit their website.
Disclaimer This content was funded and approved by the advertiser.