Every year we demand more and more from our gadgets. We expect new models to come with a boost in power, improved efficiency, and a list of fancy new features that look good on a spec sheet.
Those upgrades typically come with a price hike, but several of this year’s honorees manage to offer exciting tech upgrades for considerably less money than their predecessors or competitors. But don’t worry—we’ve got a few special splurges in here, too.
We’re used to computer hardware getting incrementally better—and more expensive—every year. In September, NVIDIA knocked the cycle for a loop with its RTX 3080 graphics cards.
At $699, the 3080 is 30 percent cheaper than its $999 predecessor, yet it churns out more than double the power.
That translates into 4K gaming at high frame rates that would choke the most powerful card from just a year ago.
The new card is burly enough to enable 120 frames per second performance in VR headsets like the Valve Index for super-smooth motion during any task.
It also cuts down rendering times on 3D modeling or video projects by 20 percent or more.
Nvidia crammed in all that speed by totally redesigning the GPU’s architecture and shrinking the computing cores to fit more than double the number.
The company even had to overhaul the built-in cooling system with a two-fan design and enormous radiator fins to pull heat as you put it through its paces. In short: The GPU bar jumped more in 2020 than it has in generations.
Trying to balance most iPad keyboard cases on your lap is an uncomfortable experience—precariously propping up your pricey tablet in the airport waiting area is less than ideal.
Apple engineered a cantilevered arm on its Magic Keyboard that can firmly hold an iPad Pro or iPad Air at any angle, from upright to reclined, depending on your task or seating arrangement.
The new scissor mechanism under each backlit key also provides a plush 1mm of travel for satisfying key presses—without suffering the durability issues of Apple’s ill-fated butterfly keys.
Plus, the Magic Keyboard has a built-in USB-C port that through a charger to your iPad as soon as you connect it via magnetic mount.
Asus teamed up with AMD to create the first laptop with this year’s super-fast 4900HS chip inside.
Paired with Nvidia’s RTX 2060 graphics card, the 3.5-pound Zephyrus cranks out computing power levels on par with a gaming desktop.
The 14-inch screen has a 120 Hz display, and the NVMe solid-state drive moves data with no lag.
And despite all of its muscle, the Zephyrus still manages to provide more than nine hours of battery life for everyday tasks, which puts it in a class of its own when it comes to balancing power with overall usability.
Wireless charging works best when you place the device directly over the induction coil. Apple ensures that the new iPhone 12 and its MagSafe connector will hit the sweet spot every time by using a ring of powerful magnets to perfectly line up the charger and cellular device.
The attraction is so strong that you don’t have to remove accessories like cases and compatible card wallets. The optimized alignment also leads to less heat build-up, and up to 50 percent faster charge times compared to a typical wireless mat.
