External storage options have improved significantly with the advent of portable SSD enclosures, offering fast and reliable data transfer and storage. As an alternative to the painful upload speeds of cloud storage and sulking SSD enclosures available, the new Satechi USB4 Slim NVMe SSD lands as a high-speed and more flexible way to manage your data.

This versatile option is designed with the Mac Mini M4 in mind and targets creators, gamers, and professionals chiefly, who might relish and leverage the USB4 SSD enclosure’s transfer speeds of up to 40 Gbps. Even though it’s primarily focused on looking apt besides the Mac Mini, Satechi has kept its universality intact, ensuring it is compatible with other USB and Thunderbolt devices. So, even if you’re outside of the Apple ecosystem, and if your device(s) support external storage drives, you can relish its fastest-available transfer speeds.

Designer: Satechi

A portable SSD enclosure can let you back up files, move them between setups, and do that at really high speeds, something that Satechi’s new device is built to do with unperturbed efficacy. The USB4 Slim NVMe SSD Enclosure, designed in aluminum with a black and silver finish, is really similar in appearance to the Mac Mini M4, but way thinner, which means you can position it alongside or even atop or use it as a stand for your Mini.

The interestingly positioned device by Satechi ensures a clutter-free setup with a cable compartment built into its structure that allows braided cable to be stored out of sight. The minimalist design – familiar to Satechi’s previously launched Mac Mini M4 Stand & Hub – of the USB4 Slim NVMe SSD Enclosure does not compromise functionality. It supports a range of SSD sizes — 2230, 2242, 2260, and 2280 —and has up to 8TB of storage capacity. It means the enclosure can be used to expand the storage of your Mac Mini M4 between 1TB to 8TB.

And when you want to move the heavy files from the Mac to a different device or vice versa, The USB 4 compatible Satechi SSD Enclosure will let you do so at much faster transfer speeds of up to 40 Gbps, which as the company notes, is “eight times faster than standard USB 3.0 technology.” If put into perspective, this is like transferring almost ten 4K movies in under 40 seconds, or roughly 4,000 high-res images in just 30 seconds. To ensure all the stored data and transfers are smooth, the enclosure comes with a thermal pad and cooling vents to ‘maintain peak performance without thermal throttling.’ If you’re interested, Satechi USB4 Slim NVMe SSD Enclosure is now available on the company website for $119.99 (SSD sold separately). It is also available on Amazon.

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Graphics cards are usually seen as sidekicks for your computer, responsible for making games look stunning and videos run smoothly. Still, if you take a closer look, these beefy components are practically computers all by themselves, with processors and memory dedicated to crunching numbers at lightning speed. Some of today’s most jaw-dropping tech, from AI to 3D design, wouldn’t even be possible without the raw horsepower that graphics cards bring to the table.

Now, imagine flipping that idea on its head. Instead of a graphics card boosting a PC, what if the card was the computer? The GeeFarce 5027POS takes this playful concept and runs with it, squeezing an entire mini PC into the shell of a retired graphics card. You can even slide it into a desktop case just like any other GPU, although at that point, it’s more about the spectacle than actual performance.

Designer: CherryTree Computers

From the outside, this gadget is a dead ringer for a high-end graphics card, the kind that makes your wallet wince and your friends green with envy. But the punchline is what’s inside: an ASUS NUC 13 Pro, a plucky mini computer powered by an Intel Core i7-1360P, 64GB of RAM, and a 2TB SSD. It’s got enough muscle for browsing, office work, and maybe a bit of retro gaming, but when it comes to demanding graphics or AI, it’s all show and no go. Yes, the irony is probably lost on no one.

The fans are still spinning, but don’t let that fool you into thinking this thing is ready for a marathon gaming session. The original heatsink is gone, so the cooling system is more for looks than for keeping the CPU frosty. Instead of drawing power from the PCIe slot like a real graphics card, the GeeFarce 5027POS relies on an external power supply. Yes, you can slot it in for a laugh, but it’s not actually talking to the rest of your computer.

That’s part of the charm, though. The GeeFarce 5027POS isn’t about breaking benchmarks or chasing high scores. It’s a wink and a nudge at how gigantic and over-the-top graphics cards have become, poking fun at the idea by stuffing a working computer into a housing meant for something much more powerful. It’s the kind of thing you show off to friends, a conversation starter that proves sometimes, the joke really is on the inside. For anyone who loves a good tech gag, this is a collector’s dream. The GeeFarce 5027POS is proof that there’s always room for a little fun in the world of computer hardware, especially when the hardware is big enough to hide a whole other computer inside.

The post A Graphics Card That’s Actually a PC Brings a New Twist to Tech Humor first appeared on Yanko Design.

Liquid Glass represents more than an aesthetic update or surface-level polish. It functions as a complex behavioral system, precisely engineered to dictate how interface layers react to user input. In practical terms, this means Apple devices now interact with interface surfaces not as static, interchangeable panes, but as dynamic, adaptive materials that fluidly flex and respond to every interaction. Interface elements now behave like physical materials with depth and transparency, creating subtle visual distortions in content beneath them, like looking through textured glass.

Designer: Apple

This comprehensive redesign permeates every pixel across the entire Apple ecosystem, encompassing iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS, creating consistent experience regardless of platform. Born out of close collaboration between Apple’s design and engineering teams, Liquid Glass uses real-time rendering and dynamically reacts to movement with specular highlights. The system extends from the smallest interface elements (buttons, switches, sliders, text controls, media controls) to larger components including tab bars and sidebars. What began as experimental explorations within visionOS has evolved into a foundational cornerstone across all of Apple’s platforms.

Yanko Design (Vincent Nguyen): What was that initial simple idea that sparked Liquid Glass? And second, how would you describe the concept of “material” in this context to everyday users who don’t understand design?

Alan Dye (VP of Human Interface Design, Apple): “Well, two things. I think what got us mostly excited was the idea of whether we could create a digital material that could morph and adapt and change in place, and still have this beautiful transparency so it could show through to the content. Because I think, initially, our goal is always to celebrate the user’s content, whether that’s media or the app.”

This technical challenge reveals the core problem Apple set out to solve: creating a digital material that maintains form-changing capabilities while preserving transparency. Traditional UI elements either block content or disappear entirely, but Apple developed a material that can exist in multiple states without compromising visibility of underlying content. Dye’s emphasis on “celebrating user content” exposes Apple’s hierarchy philosophy, where the interface serves content instead of competing with it. When you tap to magnify text, the interface doesn’t resize but stretches and flows like liquid responding to pressure, ensuring your photos, videos, and web content remain the focus while navigation elements adapt around them.

“And then in terms of what we would call the data layer, we liked the idea that every application has its content. So Photos has all the imagery of your photos. We want that to be the star of the show. Safari, we want the webpage to be the focal point. So when you scroll, we’re able to get those controls out of the way, shrink the URL field in that case.”

Apple has established a clear priority system where Photos imagery, Safari web pages, and media content take precedence over navigational elements, instead of treating interface chrome and user content as equal elements competing for attention. This represents a shift from interface-centric design to content-centric design. The practical implementation becomes apparent when scrolling through Safari, where the URL field shrinks dynamically, or in Photos, where the imagery dominates the visual hierarchy while controls fade into the background. Controls fade and sharpen based on what you’re doing, creating interfaces that feel more natural and responsive, where every interaction provides clear visual feedback about what’s happening and where you are in the system.

“For everyday users, we think there’s this layer that’s the top level. Menu systems, back buttons, and controls. And then there’s the app content beneath. That’s how we determine what’s the glass layer versus the application layer.”

Dye’s explanation of the “glass layer versus application layer” architecture provides insight into how Apple technically implements this philosophy. The company has created a distinct separation between functional controls (the glass layer) and user content (the application layer), allowing each to behave according to different rules while maintaining visual cohesion. This architectural decision enables the morphing behavior Dye described, where controls can adapt and change while content remains stable and prominent.

The Physical Reality Behind Digital Glass

During one of Apple’s demo setups, my attention was drawn to a physical glass layer arranged over printed graphics. This display served as tangible simulation of the refractive effect that Liquid Glass achieves in the digital realm. As I stood above the installation, I could discern how the curves and layering of the glass distorted light, reshaping the visual hierarchy of the underlying graphics. This physical representation was more than decorative flourish; it served as a bridge, translating the complex theoretical underpinnings of Apple’s design approach into something tactile and comprehensible.

That moment of parallax and distortion functioned as a compelling real-world metaphor, illustrating how interface controls now transition between foreground and background elements. What I observed in that physical demonstration directly translated to my hands-on experience with the software: the same principles of light refraction, depth perception, and material behavior that govern real glass now influence how digital interfaces respond to interaction.

Hands-On: How Liquid Glass Changes Daily Interactions

My hands-on experience with the newly refreshed iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS Tahoe, and watchOS 26 immediately illuminated the essence of Liquid Glass. What Apple describes as “glass” now transcends static texture and behaves as a dynamic, responsive environment. Consider the tab bars in Music or the sidebar in Notes app: as I scrolled through content, subtle distortions became apparent beneath these interface elements, accompanied by live refraction effects that gently bent the underlying content. The instant I ceased scrolling, this distortion smoothly resolved, allowing the content to settle into clarity.

My focus this year remained on the flat-screen experience, as I did not demo Vision Pro or CarPlay. iOS, iPadOS, and macOS serve as demonstrations of how Liquid Glass adapts to various input models, with a mouse hover eliciting distinct behaviors compared to direct tap or swipe. The material possesses understanding of when to amplify content for prominence and when to recede into the background. Even during media playback, dynamic layers expand and contract, responding directly to how and when you engage with the screen.

The lock screen clock exemplifies Liquid Glass principles perfectly. The time display dynamically scales and adapts to the available space behind it, creating a sense that the interface is responding to the content instead of imposing rigid structure upon it. This adaptive behavior extends beyond scaling to include weight adjustments and spacing modifications that ensure optimal legibility regardless of wallpaper complexity.

On macOS, hovering with a mouse cursor creates subtle preview states in interface elements. Buttons and controls show depth and transparency changes that indicate their interactive nature without overwhelming the content beneath. Touch interactions on iOS and iPadOS create more pronounced responses, with elements providing haptic-like visual feedback that corresponds to the pressure and duration of contact. The larger screen real estate of iPadOS allows for more complex layering effects, where sidebars and toolbars create deeper visual hierarchies with multiple levels of transparency and refraction.

The difference from current iOS becomes apparent in specific scenarios. In the current Music app, scrolling through your library feels like moving through flat, static layers. With Liquid Glass, scrolling creates a sense of depth. You can see your album artwork subtly shifting beneath the translucent controls, creating spatial awareness of where interface elements sit in relation to your content. The tab bar doesn’t just scroll with you; it creates gentle optical distortions that make the underlying content feel physically present beneath the glass surface.

However, the clear aesthetic comes with notable trade-offs. While the transparency creates visual depth, readability can suffer in certain lighting conditions or with complex wallpapers. Apple has engineered an adaptive system that provides light backgrounds for dark content and dark backgrounds for light content, but the system faces challenges when backgrounds contain mixed lighting conditions. While testing the clear home screen option, where widgets and icons adopt full transparency, the aesthetic impact is striking but raises practical concerns. The interface achieves a modern, visionOS-inspired look that feels fresh and contemporary, yet this approach can compromise text legibility, with busy wallpapers or varying lighting conditions creating readability issues that become apparent during extended use.

The challenge becomes most apparent with notification text and menu items, where contrast can diminish to the point where information becomes difficult to parse quickly. Apple provides the clear transparency as an optional setting, acknowledging that maximum transparency isn’t suitable for all users or use cases. This represents one of the few areas where the visual appeal of Liquid Glass conflicts with practical usability, requiring users to make conscious choices about form versus function.

Even keyboard magnification, when activated by tapping to edit text, behaved not as resizing but as fluid digital glass reacting organically to touch pressure. This response felt natural, almost organic in its execution. The system rewards motion with clarity and precision, creating transitions that establish clear cause and effect while guiding your understanding of your current location within the interface and your intended destination. Across all platforms, this interaction dynamically ranges between 1.2x and 1.5x magnification, with the value determined by specific gesture, contextual environment, and interface density at that moment instead of being rigidly fixed.

This logic extends to watchOS, where pressing an icon or notification amplifies the element, creating magnification that feels less like conventional zoom and more like digital glass stretching forward. On the small watch screen, this creates a sense of interface elements having physical presence and weight. Touch targets feel more substantial with reflective surfaces and enhanced depth cues, making interactions feel more tactile despite the flat display surface.

While this interaction feels natural, the underlying mechanics are precisely controlled and deeply integrated. Apple has engineered a system that responds intelligently to context, gesture, and content type. Apple’s intention with Liquid Glass extends beyond replicating physical glass and instead represents recognition of the inherent qualities of physical materials: how light interacts with them, how they create distortion, and how they facilitate layering. These characteristics are then applied to digital environments, liberating them from the restrictive constraints of real-world physics.

Why This Matters for Daily Use

The result is a system that is elastic, contextually aware, and designed to recede when its presence is not required. Most individuals will not pause to dissect the underlying reasons why a particular interaction feels improved. Instead, they will perceive enhanced grounding when navigating iPadOS or watchOS, with sidebar elements conveying heightened solidity and magnification effects appearing intentional. Apple does not overtly publicize these changes; it engineers them to resonate with the user’s sense of interaction.

This translates to practical benefits: reduced cognitive load when navigating between apps, clearer visual hierarchy that helps you focus on content, and interface feedback that feels more natural and predictable. When you’re editing photos, the tools recede to let your images dominate. When you’re reading articles in Safari, the browser chrome adapts to keep text prominent. When you’re scrolling through messages, the conversation content remains clear while navigation elements provide subtle depth cues.

Liquid Glass represents a fundamental recalibration of how digital interfaces convey motion, spatial relationships, and control. The outcome is an experience that defies easy verbal articulation, yet one that you will find yourself unwilling to relinquish.

The post Apple’s Liquid Glass Hands-On: Why Every Interface Element Now Behaves Like Physical Material first appeared on Yanko Design.

Supercomputers used to look like something out of a Bond villain’s lair – room-sized beasts humming under liquid-cooled floors, processing seismic data or simulating nuclear physics. Fast forward a decade, and now we’ve got a soda-can-sized contraption that hums with the potential of 28 CPU cores and over 100GB of RAM. It’s called the NanoCluster by Sipeed, and it might just be the nerdiest flex in consumer-grade computing since someone jammed Doom into a pregnancy test.

Built around the modular muscle of up to seven Raspberry Pi Compute Modules (CM4 or CM5), the NanoCluster takes ARM architecture and folds it into a compact, extensible setup that feels more like LEGO for sysadmins than an actual compute platform. Each compute module plugs into its own M.2-style adapter board – svelte and minimalist – bringing up to 16GB RAM and a quad-core CPU per node. Seven of these together puts you at a theoretical 112 gigaflops, which, for comparison, can outpace the base M2 MacBook Air in some parallel workloads. Not bad for something that fits in your palm.

Designer: Sipeed

The whole system draws power either through USB-C using a 65W GaN charger or via PoE++, offering up to 60W. Here’s where things get spicy: power and cooling are tightly intertwined in this setup. Stressing the CPUs too much – like running `stress-ng –matrix 0` on all six or seven modules – starts to push the boundaries of the system’s power budget, leading to throttling or outright node instability. Temperatures creep past 85°C, and the fan, which hovers around 58 dB at full tilt, kicks into jet-engine mode. It’s functional, but far from whisper-quiet.

What really sets this board apart is the inclusion of a managed RISC-V network switch tucked beneath the main board. It offers VLAN support, port toggling, and console access, though currently the interface is stuck in Chinese with a few browser hiccups. Still, the fact that you can control the entire cluster’s network behavior from any node is impressive, especially when you realize that the whole thing runs on 20 to 70 watts, depending on load.

And while the single 1 Gbps uplink does present a bottleneck for data-heavy workloads (Ceph over this network would be a stretch), individual nodes get full gigabit access. That’s more than enough for most hobbyist-grade Kubernetes deployments, distributed AI workloads like Llama, or even CI/CD pipelines using tools like distcc. In fact, a full kernel compile drops from 45 to 22 minutes with just four nodes humming in harmony.

Design-wise, the board is clearly built for tinkerers. Every inch reveals a decision made with modularity in mind: M.2 adapters, USB-C ports, NVMe SSD support, and even a redundant power configuration that switches between PoE and USB-C based on load demand. It’s not plug-and-play; you’ll need to flash OS images, understand power limits, and maybe even tweak a fan control script that didn’t work out of the box. But that’s part of the charm.

At a price point ranging from $50 to $150, depending on configuration, the NanoCluster invites experimentation without the gut-punch expense of enterprise gear. It’s not ideal for everyone – and definitely not for those allergic to the idea of debugging UART headers or reading through wiki pages – but for devs, educators, and anyone curious about distributed systems, it’s a sandbox worth jumping into.

You probably won’t replace your workstation with this thing. You won’t mine crypto, or render Pixar-quality animations, or host a billion-user database. But you WILL learn. And in a world where we casually carry LLMs in our pockets, having a pocket-sized supercomputer for hands-on experimentation feels like a natural next step. Welcome to the era of distributed soda-can computing.

The post Supercomputer In A Soda Can – The NanoCluster packs 100GB RAM in an Ultra-Compact Design first appeared on Yanko Design.

If you’ve always taken the experience of sitting on your chair for granted, never realizing the possibilities of how different it would be if there was a PC built into it and placed right underneath your rear. It’s time to give it a calculated thought. For what you see above is not a chair, of course, it is a chair, but it’s slightly more: it’s a fully-functional desktop PC that’s built right into the seat of this chair (technically just below).

This is not the first time that we are seeing a PC mod, and perhaps not the last either. Amid the most fascinating ones I have seen in the past decade, this has to be the non-existent one, for a good reason. To be a concealed PC, it had to go through some stinker challenges. Be in there in the seat, yet be functional like a desktop PC, and have no dangling wires. How has all that been pulled off, let’s delve deeper into it below:

Designer: Basically Homeless

The information about building this “World’s First Invisible Chair PC” project has been released in a detailed video on YouTube by the creator, Basically Homeless, who believes ‘building PCs is basically expensive LEGOs for men.’ With that thought, it is a verified channel known for DIYing uncanny computer mods and robots amid other generic creations. Being one of those people who really want to sit on the chair with a remote and do… well let the modder tell you what… he has really pulled this off to a level of brilliance where an entire functional PC setup – with motherboard, GPU and the SMPC – is consolidated inside of your chair and both do their primary job with undisturbed efficiency.

Some would, including me, argue about the fact that some compromises must have been made to conceive a completely hidden-from-sight mod. Not really: this chair PC – if I may – is powered by a Ryzen 7 9800XD desktop processor and an RTX 4060 GPU, both sitting flat next to each other with an SMPC in company. It all fits well within a specially created secret compartment where the seat mechanism meets the underside of the seat cushion supporting material. A special 50mm high cavity is created using aluminum standoffs, where the complete hardware is sandwiched and closed with a 3D-printed housing.

The wonderful thing about this contraption is that it is completely hidden from sight. Of course, if you have seen other gaming/office chairs like this one used for the mod, you will figure out the slight bulge under the seat, but that’s for you. For the unaware, there is no significant difference, and that’s substantiated by the fact that you can lean back all the way in the chair, and it does not impact the parts of the computer you are sitting on. The hot seat can be used with a wireless monitor (if you don’t mind a 10ms latency), else strap on a VR headset instead and connect it to the chair PC and enjoy!

The post YouTuber builds a fully functional invisible Chair PC and you can sit on it first appeared on Yanko Design.

You know something extraordinary is happening when a single company wins 41 Red Dot Design Awards across five completely different categories in one year. ASUS didn’t just collect these awards like trading cards; they earned recognition from 43 international design experts for solving real problems across smartphones, laptops, displays, and even backpacks. The Zenfone 12 Ultra alone would have made headlines with its gimbal-stabilized camera that turns shaky vacation videos into smooth cinematic footage. But that’s just the beginning of this story. We’re talking about gaming phones that survive military testing while looking sophisticated enough for boardrooms, OLED monitors calibrated specifically for photographers who can’t afford color shifts, and mini PCs powerful enough to replace full towers yet small enough to hide behind your monitor. The real question isn’t how ASUS won so many awards, but rather how they managed to excel in categories where specialized companies usually dominate. How does the same company that makes RGB gaming keyboards also create color-accurate displays that professional photographers trust?

Designer: ASUS

Three Smartphones That Each Solve Different Problems

The smartphone wins perfectly demonstrate ASUS’s understanding that different users need fundamentally different devices. Take the Zenfone 12 Ultra, which tackles the universal problem of shaky photos and videos with actual hardware rather than just software tricks. Its 6-Axis Hybrid Gimbal Stabilizer 4.0 sounds like technical overkill until you see the results. Walking videos that normally resemble earthquake footage suddenly become smooth, tracking shots. Low-light photos that would require a tripod become possible handheld. The 50MP Sony Lytia 700 sensor benefits from this stability in ways that go beyond specs, paired with a 32MP telephoto offering 3x optical zoom and a 13MP ultrawide for versatility. ASUS wrapped this technology in a 220g body featuring 100% recycled aluminum and silky matte glass that actually resists fingerprints, addressing another daily annoyance we’ve all accepted as inevitable.

The ROG Phone 9 and ROG Phone 9 Pro approach mobile design from a completely different angle, prioritizing gaming performance without sacrificing daily usability. Both models feature IP68 water resistance, which you rarely see in gaming phones because manufacturers assume gamers baby their devices. The 185Hz E6 AMOLED display with 720Hz touch sampling delivers response times that competitive mobile gamers need, while 2500 nits peak brightness means you can see the screen outdoors. The Pro model goes further with up to 24GB of RAM and 1TB of storage, as mobile games are becoming increasingly large. What’s clever here is the integration of Dirac Virtuo spatial sound and Qualcomm aptX Lossless, recognizing that hearing enemy footsteps matters as much as seeing them. The 5800mAh battery with 65W charging keeps sessions going, while the customizable AniMe Vision display on the back adds personality without going full RGB circus.

Gaming Laptops That Don’t Scream “I Live in My Mom’s Basement”

The laptop category reveals that ASUS is solving a problem many professionals face: wanting gaming performance without looking like they’ve brought a spaceship to the office. The TUF Gaming A14 represents their first 14-inch gaming laptop, and at 1.46 kg, it fits in a standard laptop bag. Running AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processors with RTX 4060 graphics, this machine delivers legitimate gaming performance through a 165Hz QHD+ (2560×1600) display that’s sharp enough for spreadsheets and fast enough for shooters. The military-grade durability means it survives daily commutes, addressing the reality that gaming laptops need to handle more than just desk duty.

The ROG FLOW Z13 takes versatility to extremes as a 2-in-1 gaming tablet that sounds impossible until you use it. The 13.4-inch 2560×1600 touchscreen runs at 180Hz, powered by AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 processors with up to 128GB RAM. At $2,099, it’s not cheap, but it replaces multiple devices. Use it as a tablet for digital art, prop it up for gaming sessions, or connect an external GPU for desktop performance when needed. The form factor solves real problems for creators who game and gamers who create, eliminating the need to choose between specialized devices.

Meanwhile, the ROG Strix Scar 16 and 18 embrace traditional gaming laptop design but elevate it with ROG Nebula HDR Display technology. These machines pack Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX processors and up to RTX 5090 Laptop GPUs, delivering 2.5K resolution at 240Hz through Mini LED backlighting. The tool-less upgrade design acknowledges that gamers want to upgrade components over time, while up to 64GB DDR5 RAM ensures these laptops won’t become obsolete next year.

Consumer Laptops That Understand Consumer Needs

ASUS’s consumer laptop wins show they’re paying attention to how people use computers. The Vivobook 14 and 16 Flip models embrace the 2-in-1 concept with 360-degree hinges and OLED touchscreens, powered by Intel Core Ultra 7 processors. At 1.69cm thick and 1.5kg, these machines prove that convertibles don’t need to be chunky. The Vivobook Classic Series strips away gimmicks to focus on reliability and value, while the ASUS V16 provides 16-inch productivity without the bulk typically associated with larger screens.

ASUS Vivobook Pro 15

The Zenbook S 14 and S 16 represent ASUS’s premium ultrabook vision, featuring Intel Core Ultra processors with Copilot+ PC capabilities. These machines balance performance with portability, using premium materials and finishes that justify their positioning. But the real standout is the Zenbook A14, which earned recognition as the world’s lightest 14-inch Copilot+ PC at just 2.18 pounds. Powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon X processors, it delivers up to 32 hours of battery life thanks to ARM efficiency. The 14-inch OLED display (1920×1200) with 100% DCI-P3 coverage provides color accuracy typically reserved for much more expensive machines, while the Ceraluminum construction creates a premium feel in the $899-$1,099 range.

Business Laptops Built for Real Business Use

The commercial wins reveal ASUS’s understanding of what IT departments and business users need. The ExpertBook P5 represents their flagship business machine, powered by Intel Core Ultra processors (Series 2) with up to 120 total platform TOPS of AI performance. Weighing just 1.29 kg, it packs a 2.5K 144Hz anti-glare display and offers up to 28 hours of battery life. The inclusion of ASUS AI ExpertMeet provides intelligent noise cancellation and real-time transcription with on-device processing, addressing privacy concerns while adding genuine utility for remote workers.

The ExpertBook B3 takes a different approach with its 16-inch display and connectivity focus. At 1.78kg, it includes features business users request: optional 5G LTE, Wi-Fi 6E, dual Thunderbolt 4 ports, and smart card readers. The 85% screen-to-body ratio maximizes working space, while MIL-STD-810H durability testing ensures it survives the reality of business travel and daily office use.

All-in-Ones and Desktops for Different Tribes

The desktop category spans from space-saving all-in-ones to gaming powerhouses. The AiO VM6 Series and ExpertCenter AiO P4 series represent ASUS’s approach to integrated computing, ideal for reception areas, home offices, or anywhere cable management is a concern. These systems prove that all-in-ones don’t need to compromise on performance or upgradeability.

Gaming desktops are split between the TUF Gaming T5 series, which emphasizes durability and value, and the ROG G7 series, designed for enthusiasts who seek maximum performance with premium aesthetics. These systems recognize that not everyone wants to build their own PC, offering pre-configured options that cater to their target audiences.

The Mini PC Renaissance Nobody Expected

Perhaps the most interesting wins come from ASUS’s commitment to mini PCs, a category that most companies abandoned. The ExpertCenter PN54 packs an AMD Ryzen AI 7 350 processor with 45+ NPU TOPS in a 0.5L chassis, complete with six USB ports, dual 2.5G LAN, and Wi-Fi 7. This isn’t a streaming box; it’s a legitimate workstation that happens to fit in the palm of your hand.

The NUC 15 Pro and NUC 15 Pro+ take it a step further with Intel Core Ultra 7/9 processors (Series 2), up to 96GB of DDR5 RAM, and support for four 4K displays simultaneously. The tool-less upgradability means these systems can evolve with your needs, while thoughtful port selection eliminates the dongle mess that plagues other compact systems. What earned recognition was the thermal management that keeps these systems quiet under load, solving the jet engine problem that traditionally plagued small form factor PCs.

Displays That Serve Their Actual Users

ASUS’s monitor wins reveal a deep understanding of different user needs. The ProArt Display PA27UCGE and PA32UCE are designed exclusively for color accuracy, featuring built-in motorized colorimeters and hardware calibration. These displays deliver 98% DCI-P3 coverage with Delta E<1 accuracy at 160Hz refresh rates and 600 nits brightness, specifications that matter to photographers and video editors who can’t afford color shifts between devices.

The ProArt Display OLED series brings OLED technology to professional workflows where perfect blacks and infinite contrast translate to better creative decisions. ASUS prioritized burn-in protection and color accuracy over gaming features, showing they understand professional priorities.

Gaming gets serious attention with the ROG Swift OLED series. The PG32UCDM features a 32-inch 4K QD-OLED display with a 240Hz refresh rate and 0.03ms response time, while the PG27AQDP achieves refresh rates of up to 480Hz at 1440p. Custom heatsinks and OLED Care+ features address burn-in concerns, proving ASUS understands the hesitation around OLED for desktop use.

The ZenScreen Duo OLED MQ149CD offers dual portable screens in one device, ideal for presentations where you need to display content while keeping notes private. The ZenScreen Smart MS27UC and MS32UC build smart TV functionality directly into monitors, eliminating streaming device clutter in small spaces.

Graphics Cards and Components That Know Their Lane

The GPU wins demonstrate clear market segmentation. The ROG Astral RTX 50 series targets enthusiasts wanting maximum performance with premium cooling solutions. The liquid-cooled ROG Astral LC RTX 50 series pushes further for users prioritizing silence over everything else. Meanwhile, the TUF Gaming RTX 50 series offers military-grade reliability at more accessible price points, demonstrating that durability doesn’t require premium pricing.

The ProArt Z890-CREATOR WIFI motherboard shows ASUS understanding that creators need different features than gamers. Instead of overclocking potential and RGB zones, this board focuses on stability, Thunderbolt connectivity, high-speed storage options, and professional-grade audio interfaces that actually matter for content creation workflows.

Accessories That Solve Actual Problems

The peripheral wins aren’t just about RGB and aggressive styling. The ROG Azoth Extreme earned recognition as a 75% gaming keyboard with a full aluminum alloy chassis, a carbon fiber positioning plate, and an OLED touchscreen that actually serves a purpose for customization. The ROG Harpe Ace Extreme mouse weighs just 47 grams thanks to carbon fiber construction, while packing a 42,000-dpi ROG AimPoint Pro optical sensor for users who need that level of precision.

The ASUS Master Thunderbolt 5 Dock DC510 addresses the cable chaos plaguing modern desks with enough bandwidth to run multiple 4K displays, storage arrays, and peripherals through a single cable. The thoughtful port placement and clean design demonstrate an understanding of how these devices are actually used in real workspaces.

Even the ROG SLASH Backpack series has earned recognition for solving specific problems that gamers face when transporting expensive hardware. These aren’t just bags with gaming logos; they feature dedicated compartments, actual protection systems, and thoughtful organization for cables and peripherals. The RT-BE58 Go router, ProArt PA401 PC case, and ASUS Cobble Enclosure storage solution round out the accessories, each addressing specific user needs rather than just filling product categories.

What This Design Sweep Actually Tells Us About Technology’s Future

Looking at these 41 wins collectively reveals something important about where technology design is heading. ASUS succeeded by recognizing that one-size-fits-all products satisfy nobody in 2025. A professional photographer needs fundamentally different display features than a competitive gamer. A business user values different laptop attributes than a content creator. A student needs different price points than an enterprise customer.

The sustainability angle running through many products also matters more than the press releases suggest. When premium products lead with 100% recycled aluminum frames and FSC-certified packaging, it normalizes these choices across entire product lines. Environmental consideration is becoming integral to good design rather than a marketing checkbox.

AI integration across categories shows ASUS betting on intelligence over raw specifications. The Zenfone 12 Ultra’s AI Transcript 2.0 converts meeting recordings to searchable documents without cloud processing. The ExpertBook P5’s AI ExpertMeet handles noise cancellation and camera framing locally. These features address real productivity needs while respecting privacy concerns.

Perhaps most importantly, these awards suggest the industry is moving past the era of spec sheet battles. ASUS won by solving specific user frustrations: shaky videos, gaming laptops that look unprofessional, mini PCs that throttle, displays with inconsistent colors, cable management nightmares. Each product addresses real problems people face daily rather than inventing new features nobody requested.

The breadth of this achievement, spanning from pocket-sized smartphones to professional workstations, demonstrates that good design principles scale across categories while respecting each segment’s unique demands. As the technology industry continues chasing bigger numbers and flashier features, ASUS’s focus on thoughtful problem-solving through design points toward a more user-centric future. Whether this translates to market success remains to be seen, but these 41 awards suggest they’re asking the right questions about what technology should actually do for the people who use it every day.

The post ASUS Dominates 2025 Red Dot Awards with 41 Wins Across Every Category That Matters first appeared on Yanko Design.

Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference has always served as a measuring stick for where the industry is headed. WWDC 2025, confirmed for June 9 through 13, will once again be hosted entirely online and free for developers. It arrives with an in-person event at Apple Park on June 9. While Apple has not formally confirmed a theme, the event artwork suggests a forward-looking emphasis on new platforms and interface possibilities. This year’s agenda positions design as central to the evolution of Apple’s platforms.

Designer: Apple

The keynote will begin on June 9 at 10 AM PDT, followed by the Platforms State of the Union at 1 PM. Sessions and activities will run throughout the week via the Apple Developer app, website, and YouTube channel. Apple confirmed over 100 video sessions, along with online labs, group discussions, and direct access to Apple engineers and designers. The tone suggests a deeper engagement with user interface thinking and system integration.

iOS 19 Expected to Lead Major Software Announcements

At the center of WWDC 2025 is the upcoming iteration of Apple’s mobile operating system. While Apple has not officially detailed iOS 19 features, developer expectations suggest refinements to control surfaces, interaction layers, and visual consistency. Any confirmed design changes will be shared during the keynote. Until then, all speculation about Control Center, iconography, or UI behavior remains unverified.

Apple’s approach to interaction design often follows patterns introduced at WWDC. Prior releases have prioritized clarity, accessibility, and cross-platform alignment. This trend is likely to continue with announcements spanning iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and visionOS.

Consistent Language Across All Platforms

WWDC 2025 is expected to continue Apple’s push toward a more unified design system. While not confirmed, it’s likely that macOS 16, visionOS 3, and watchOS 12 will reflect many of the interface principles that appear in iOS 19. The intention doesn’t seem to be to make everything look the same. Instead, it’s about achieving continuity across devices as users shift from one screen to another.

Apple Intelligence: iOS, iPadOS + macOS Sequoia

macOS 16 may show tighter alignment with iPadOS in how visual structure and behaviors are handled. This wouldn’t mean reducing the desktop to a tablet model. Instead, we could see refinements in how macOS surfaces content, handles animations, or layers interactions, particularly in ways that reduce friction when moving between Mac, iPhone, and iPad. These developments are expected to support more fluid transitions in daily workflows while preserving the depth macOS users rely on. WWDC 2025 will reinforce this approach. Apple has stated that WWDC25 will offer insight into new tools, frameworks, and features. While not explicitly positioned as part of a unified design system, these resources are expected to support developers working across Apple platforms.

Developer Labs, Direct Engagement, and Student Recognition

The conference will feature one-on-one and group labs that allow developers to connect directly with Apple engineers and designers. These sessions, available online throughout the week, offer practical guidance across platform capabilities, interface behavior, and system-level challenges. For those attending the in-person Apple Park event on June 9, Apple has confirmed access to keynote and Platforms State of the Union viewings, plus opportunities to meet with experts and participate in curated experiences.

Apple is also continuing its focus on emerging talent through the Swift Student Challenge. On March 27, applicants will be notified of their status. Fifty Distinguished Winners will be invited to Cupertino for a three-day experience as part of Apple’s broader educational programming. This initiative remains a central part of WWDC’s mission to foster future developers, designers, and creators.

Design at the Center of Software Innovation

WWDC 2025 is not a hardware event. No new devices have been confirmed. Apple’s focus remains on software tools, development capabilities, and the visual systems that shape product interaction. Any rumors surrounding hardware announcements, including displays or silicon upgrades, remain speculative and are not supported by Apple’s official press release.

Apple Intelligence

The week of June 9 will offer developers a first look at how Apple is evolving its software platforms. The decisions unveiled during WWDC 2025 are likely to shape digital experiences far beyond Apple’s own ecosystem. For the design community, this remains a critical moment to understand the trajectory of user interface development across modern computing platforms.

The post Apple WWDC 2025 Prepares to Redefine Visual Design Across iOS, macOS, and Beyond first appeared on Yanko Design.

Technology evolves at a relentless pace. What was considered cutting-edge yesterday is now standard, requiring manufacturers to consistently innovate beyond basic specification upgrades. ASUS understands this challenge intimately, as evidenced by their latest product announcements at Computex 2025.

Designer: ASUS

The Taiwanese tech giant has refreshed virtually every segment of their portfolio with thoughtful design improvements, ergonomic considerations, and performance enhancements that address real user needs. Their approach isn’t about chasing benchmarks but creating devices that solve problems for specific user groups.

I have spent considerable time analyzing ASUS’s latest offerings in the creator, gaming, business, and education segments. What is particularly notable are the impressive specifications and how each product’s design and feature set align with its intended purpose.

Let’s explore how ASUS has crafted these machines to serve different user needs while maintaining their distinctive design language and commitment to innovation. ASUS continues to demonstrate its understanding of diverse user requirements, from the ultrathin ProArt P16 for creative professionals to military-grade TUF Gaming laptops for hardcore gamers.
The breadth of this lineup reveals ASUS’s comprehensive strategy to address virtually every computing need. Rather than focusing solely on flagship models, they’ve created a cohesive ecosystem where design philosophy and technological innovation flow across price points and use cases.

This approach ensures that whether you’re a content creator, gamer, business professional, or student, ASUS offers something tailored to your specific requirements without compromising quality or performance.

ProArt P16: Where Creativity Meets Computational Power

ASUS has long understood that creative professionals demand more than raw power. They need machines that blend performance with precision, portability with capability. The new ProArt P16 (H7606) is a great example of this idea.

The first thing you notice about the ProArt P16 is its remarkably thin profile. At just 0.59 inches thick and weighing only 4.08 pounds, ASUS has created a 16-inch powerhouse that defies conventional expectations for creator-focused laptops. This achievement becomes even more impressive when you consider the computational muscle packed inside.

Powered by AMD’s Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor, the ProArt P16 represents the cutting edge of mobile computing. This chip delivers exceptional CPU performance for intensive creative workloads and incorporates advanced AI capabilities with up to 50 TOPS NPU performance. The practical implication? Significantly accelerated workflows for tasks like photo editing, video rendering, and 3D modeling.

ASUS pairs this processor with NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX 5070 GPU, complete with NVIDIA Studio drivers optimized specifically for creative applications rather than gaming. This combination ensures that the ProArt P16 maintains smooth, responsive performance whether you’re editing 4K video, creating complex 3D assets, or working with multiple creative applications simultaneously.

The display technology deserves special attention. ASUS has implemented its Lumina OLED panel, capable of reaching 500 nits of brightness while covering 100% of the DCI-P3 color space. This isn’t just marketing speak. The Pantone Validation and various certifications from VESA and TÜV ensure that what you see on screen accurately represents your creative vision. For professionals whose livelihood depends on color accuracy, this level of precision is invaluable.

Memory and storage configurations push beyond typical limitations. With up to 64GB of LPDDR5X RAM soldered directly to the motherboard and 2TB of PCIe 4.0 SSD storage, the ProArt P16 provides both the memory capacity for complex projects and the storage speed necessary for working with large media files.

The ProArt P16 is distinguished from other high-performance laptops by its creator-focused features. The ASUS DialPad, integrated into the touchpad, provides intuitive control over creative applications, enabling precise adjustments without disrupting your workflow. This digital version of the physical ASUS Dial, found in their desktop creator products, offers similar functionality in a portable format.

Audio quality, often overlooked in professional machines, receives proper attention with a six-speaker system that delivers clear, accurate sound reproduction. This is particularly valuable for content creators working with audio or video who need to make critical listening decisions without always reaching for headphones.

ASUS has also considered the practical aspects of connectivity. The comprehensive I/O selection includes USB 4 Type-C, USB 3.2 Type-C, USB 3.2 Type-A ports, an audio jack, SD Express 7.0 card reader, and HDMI 2.1 FRL. This eliminates the need for dongles or adapters that plague many ultraportable machines.

The ProArt P16 also comes with value-added software benefits, including three-month subscriptions to Adobe Creative apps and six months of CapCut. These inclusions help users immediately leverage the hardware capabilities without additional immediate investment.

Perhaps most interesting is ASUS’s approach to AI integration. Beyond the hardware NPU capabilities, they’ve implemented practical AI tools like Story Cube, a one-stop AI media hub, and Muse Tree for creative AI assistance. These features transform AI from a buzzword into practical tools that enhance rather than replace creative workflows.

For professionals who frequently work in different environments, the ProArt P16’s combination of performance and portability creates new possibilities. The ability to handle demanding creative tasks without being tethered to a desk represents genuine freedom for photographers, videographers, designers, and other creative professionals who need computational power wherever inspiration strikes.

Key takeaways:

• Performance-tuned for creators with AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 CPU, RTX 5070 GPU, and up to 64GB LPDDR5X RAM, making it capable of handling 4K video editing, 3D modeling, and large media workflows.
• Lumina OLED display hits 500 nits brightness with 100% DCI-P3 coverage, Pantone Validation, and TÜV certifications, ensuring true-to-life color accuracy for professional-grade creative work.
• Creator-first tools like ASUS DialPad, a six-speaker audio system, and expansive I/O (USB 4, HDMI 2.1, SD Express) enable a desktop-class creative experience in a portable form.

TUF Gaming Series: Durability Without Compromise

ASUS TUF Gaming laptops have always occupied an interesting position in the market. They deliver gaming performance without unnecessary flash, focusing instead on reliability and practical design choices. The 2025 lineup continues this tradition while incorporating meaningful upgrades across the board.

The TUF Gaming series maintains its military-grade durability testing, ensuring these machines can withstand the rigors of daily use and transport. This isn’t just marketing hyperbole. The reinforced chassis, protected corners, and spill-resistant keyboards provide tangible benefits for gamers who treat their equipment as tools rather than precious artifacts.

For 2025, ASUS offers three distinct TUF Gaming models: the A16 and A18, powered by AMD processors, and the F16 running on Intel silicon. This variety allows gamers to choose based on their platform preference while maintaining consistent design language and build quality.

The TUF Gaming A16 represents the sweet spot in the lineup. Powered by AMD’s Ryzen 9 270 processor with 24MB cache and boost speeds up to 4.0GHz, it delivers exceptional multi-threaded performance for both gaming and content creation tasks. NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX 5070 laptop GPU provides the graphical muscle for high-framerate gaming, even in demanding titles.

The A16’s display options are particularly noteworthy. The 16-inch panel comes in either FHD+ (1920 x 1200) with a 165Hz refresh rate or a higher-resolution option, depending on configuration. Both maintain 100% sRGB coverage, ensuring accurate colors for gaming and content consumption. The 16:10 aspect ratio provides additional vertical space compared to traditional 16:9 displays, benefiting productivity tasks without compromising the gaming experience.

Connectivity is comprehensive with USB 4 Type-C, multiple USB-A ports, HDMI, and a dedicated RJ45 Ethernet port for those who prioritize wired connections for competitive gaming. The inclusion of Wi-Fi 6E ensures fast wireless connectivity when mobility takes precedence.

The TUF Gaming A18 scales up everything that works about the A16. The larger 18-inch display (2560 x 1600, 240Hz) provides an expansive canvas for immersive gaming. Despite the larger screen, ASUS has maintained reasonable portability, making the A18 viable for gamers who occasionally need to transport their system.

What’s particularly impressive about the A18 is how ASUS has leveraged the larger chassis for improved thermal performance. The additional space allows for a more robust cooling solution, maintaining lower temperatures and higher sustained performance during extended gaming sessions. This practical approach to thermal design demonstrates ASUS’s understanding that gaming laptops must perform consistently, not just in short benchmark runs.

The TUF Gaming F16 rounds out the lineup with Intel’s Core Ultra 9 275HX processor, offering a different performance profile compared to its AMD siblings. The Intel variant excels in single-threaded performance, benefiting games and applications that don’t fully leverage multiple cores. The inclusion of Thunderbolt connectivity on the F16 provides additional expansion options not available on the AMD models.

Across all TUF Gaming models, ASUS has implemented its improved cooling system with multiple fans and heat pipes or vapor chambers, depending on the model. This focus on thermal management ensures that the impressive specifications translate to real-world performance without throttling or excessive noise.

The FHD IR cameras with Windows Hello support across the lineup show attention to detail. They provide convenient biometric authentication while improving video call quality. This dual-purpose approach to components reflects ASUS’s practical design philosophy.

The TUF Gaming series strikes an effective balance for gamers who also create content. The high-performance processors and GPUs handle rendering and encoding tasks admirably, while the color-accurate displays ensure your creative work looks as intended. This versatility makes these machines particularly valuable for streamers and content creators who game.

Key takeaways:

• Rugged and reliable with military-grade durability, reinforced chassis, and spill-resistant keyboards built for long-term daily use and travel.
• Powerful internals vary across models, with AMD or Intel CPUs, RTX 5070 GPUs, and display options up to 240Hz, 2560×1600 resolution, ideal for high-FPS gaming and content creation.
• Thermal performance and connectivity are prioritized through larger cooling systems, USB 4, RJ45 Ethernet, Wi-Fi 6E, and optional Thunderbolt on Intel models.

ExpertBook and ExpertCenter: Business Solutions with Purpose

ASUS approaches its business lineup with four clear pillars: AI integration, security, reliability, and customization. The ExpertBook series embodies these principles while addressing different segments of the business market.

The ExpertBook B1 is the entry point to ASUS’s business offerings. Don’t let the “entry-level” designation fool you. This machine delivers robust performance and practical features that matter in business environments. Military-grade durability testing ensures these devices withstand the rigors of daily business use, from commuting to conference rooms.

What immediately stands out about the B1 is its serviceability. With just four screws securing the bottom panel, IT departments can easily access internal components for maintenance or upgrades. This design choice acknowledges the reality that business devices often need to remain in service longer than consumer products, with potential component upgrades extending their useful life.

The spill-resistant keyboard provides practical protection against the inevitable coffee accidents that occur in office environments. The 180-degree hinge allows for flexible use cases, including flat positioning for collaborative viewing. These thoughtful design elements demonstrate ASUS’s understanding of how business users interact with their devices.

Performance specifications are appropriately business-focused. The Intel Core i7-1355U processor balances performance and efficiency, while support for up to 16GB of memory and 512GB of PCIe 4.0 storage ensures smooth multitasking and quick access to business documents. The comprehensive port selection, including USB-A ports on both sides and multiple USB-C connections, accommodates various peripherals without requiring adapters.

The ExpertBook B5 elevates the business experience with a more premium design and enhanced capabilities. Targeting mobile professionals and middle managers, the B5 prioritizes portability and premium materials while maintaining the durability standards expected from business devices.

The B5’s lighter chassis and high-resolution display options make it ideal for professionals who frequently work away from their desks. The enhanced display quality benefits both productivity tasks and client presentations, ensuring your work looks its best regardless of the environment.

Both ExpertBook models incorporate ASUS’s AI ExpertMeet technology, an on-device AI-powered meeting assistant. This practical application of artificial intelligence helps streamline video calls with real-time features like noise cancellation, automatic framing, and meeting transcription. Rather than implementing AI for marketing purposes, ASUS has focused on solving actual pain points experienced during remote collaboration.

Security receives appropriate emphasis across the ExpertBook lineup. The discrete Trusted Platform Module (TPM), BIOS rollback protection, and quick recovery features provide defense-in-depth against various threats. The five-year guarantee of BIOS and driver updates ensures these security measures remain effective throughout the device’s lifecycle, a crucial consideration for business deployment.

The reliability engineering behind these devices deserves special mention. In addition to the standard 24 military-grade test procedures, ASUS conducts an additional 157 tests to ensure these machines perform consistently in real-world conditions. The reinforced stainless steel hinges, tested to endure 50% more open-close cycles than standard laptops, address one of the most common failure points in portable computers.

For organizations with specific requirements, ASUS offers hardware and software customization options. This flexibility allows businesses to tailor these devices to their particular needs, whether that involves custom BIOS settings, preloaded software, or specific hardware configurations.

The ExpertBook series demonstrates ASUS’s understanding that business users have different priorities than consumers or gamers. Performance matters, but reliability, security, and manageability often take precedence. By addressing these needs directly, ASUS has created machines that serve as productive tools rather than potential liabilities for business users.

Key takeaways:

• Business-ready durability with 24 military-grade tests and reinforced hinges rated for 50% more open-close cycles than average laptops.
• Practical AI tools like ExpertMeet enhance productivity through noise cancellation, auto-framing, and meeting transcriptions without offloading to cloud services.
• Serviceability and security are front and center, with easily upgradeable internals, TPM modules, BIOS rollback, and long-term driver support for corporate IT environments.

Chromebook CX14/CX15: Simplified Computing for Modern Needs

ASUS’s Chromebook lineup demonstrates its understanding that different users have vastly different computing requirements. The Chromebook CX14 and CX15 models address specific segments with thoughtfully designed hardware that complements Chrome OS’s streamlined approach.

The product segmentation is particularly clear with these devices. ASUS has created distinct configurations targeting business professionals, college students, K-12 students, cloud workers, and general daily users. This targeted approach ensures each variant provides the features most relevant to its intended audience without unnecessary complexity or cost.

For business professionals and college students, the Chromebook Plus variants deliver elevated performance and reliability. These machines enable seamless work with specifications that handle multitasking, video conferencing, and productivity applications with ease. The enhanced processing power and memory configurations ensure these devices remain responsive even with multiple browser tabs and applications running simultaneously.

The standard Chromebook models focus on enhanced productivity and portability with a cost-effective approach. These variants strike an effective balance between performance and affordability, making them ideal for K-12 education environments and cloud workers who primarily use web-based applications.

The design philosophy across the lineup emphasizes simplicity and ease of use. The clean aesthetics and durable construction ensure these devices withstand daily handling while maintaining a professional appearance. The 14-inch and 15-inch display options provide flexibility based on user preference for portability versus screen real estate.

What makes these Chromebooks particularly valuable is how they embrace the strengths of Chrome OS. The lightweight operating system boots quickly, updates automatically, and provides built-in security features that reduce maintenance overhead. For educational institutions and businesses managing multiple devices, these characteristics translate to tangible time and cost savings.
The versatility of these machines extends beyond traditional laptop use. The 180-degree hinge allows for flexible viewing angles and collaborative work, while the responsive touchpad and keyboard provide a comfortable user experience for extended productivity sessions.

Battery life is appropriately emphasised across the lineup, ensuring these devices remain usable throughout a full day of classes or meetings without requiring access to power outlets. This practical consideration demonstrates ASUS’s understanding of how these devices are actually used in educational and business contexts.

For users whose computing needs center around web browsing, document creation, video conferencing, and media consumption, these Chromebooks provide everything necessary without the complexity and cost of more powerful systems. This focused approach to computing represents genuine value for specific user segments rather than a compromise.

Key takeaways:

• Targeted segmentation aligns configurations with users: Chromebook Plus for professionals and students; standard Chromebooks for K–12 and cloud-focused roles.
• Chrome OS optimization means fast boot times, automated updates, and integrated security, making them low-maintenance and ideal for institutional deployment.
• Everyday usability is enhanced by responsive keyboards, 180-degree hinges, and battery life designed to last through full work or school days without charging.

Final Thoughts: Cohesive Design Philosophy

ASUS’s 2025 lineup demonstrates a clear understanding of diverse user needs through purpose-built machines. Their consistent design philosophy spans all categories, with thermal management excellence in both premium ProArt and gaming TUF series, and durability emphasis from business ExpertBooks to education Chromebooks.

AI implementation focuses on practical applications that solve real problems, from creative tools to meeting assistance. Comprehensive port selection across models acknowledges that dongles remain significant pain points for users.

Display technology matches each intended use case: color-accurate OLED for creators, high-refresh panels for gamers, and practical displays for business and education.

ASUS includes features based on purpose rather than artificial differentiation, aligning with contemporary design sensibilities that prioritize function over ornamentation. This user-centric approach delivers genuine value across all segments, creating effective tools rather than specification showcases.

The post ASUS Unveils Comprehensive 2025 Lineup: From Creator Powerhouses to Gaming Beasts first appeared on Yanko Design.

Raspberry Pi fans love the thrill of squeezing serious computing power into a tiny, affordable board, but the barebones look isn’t always the most inviting. Most RPi cases cling to the original’s ultra-compact vibe, but sometimes you want your single-board computer to look and act more like a real desktop. That’s where the Pironman 5-MAX steps in, giving the Raspberry Pi 5 a stylish and functional upgrade worthy of a true mini powerhouse.

It’s easy to underestimate the Raspberry Pi when you see it naked, all circuitry and GPIO pins exposed. But with the right hardware, this little board is ready to punch well above its weight. The Pironman 5-MAX transforms the Raspberry Pi 5 into something new: a proper desktop rig in miniature, bursting with clever features and expansion possibilities that go way beyond the basics.

Designer: Sunfounder

One of the most impressive features is storage: dual NVMe SSD slots bring lightning-fast speeds and loads of capacity for projects, media, or even AI workloads. Yes, you read that right. Thanks to support for AI accelerators like the Hailo-8L, your once-humble Pi 5 can now experiment with artificial intelligence tasks, all tucked inside this compact desktop case.

The Pironman 5-MAX doesn’t just focus on performance; it goes all out with looks, too. Two RGB fans keep things cool while adding a splash of gamer style, making your desk setup pop. It’s not rocking liquid cooling just yet, but the thermal management is already impressive for something this size, especially when you’re pushing the Pi to its limits.

Connectivity is a breeze, with breakout boards rerouting all the ports to the back and front of the case for easy access. Want to keep experimenting? The 40-pin GPIO header is still right there on the side, so you can keep tinkering with sensors, displays, and other RPi add-ons. Up front, a handy OLED display lets you check system stats at a glance and even features tap-to-wake functionality for that premium touch.

For Raspberry Pi lovers looking to step up their game, the Pironman 5-MAX is more than just a protective shell: it’s an invitation to get creative. Whether you’re building a pint-sized media center, a home automation hub, or a personal AI lab, this tiny desktop case helps you turn small beginnings into big projects, all with a dash of flair.

The post Tiny Desktop Case Turns Raspberry Pi 5 Into a Mighty Mini Machine first appeared on Yanko Design.

Apple fans and Mac Mini enthusiasts know all too well the appeal of a desktop that packs so much power into such a tiny footprint. The latest M4 Mac Mini, while a bit chunkier than its early predecessors, is a true computing powerhouse. But as compact as it is, it was never really intended to be lugged around to coffee shops or coworking spaces. That’s never stopped the most devoted users, though, from trying to take their Mac Mini on the go.

The challenge with portable Mac Mini setups is obvious. You end up hauling a mini keyboard, a mouse, and a monitor, maybe even a tangle of cables, just to get your desktop up and running somewhere new. It’s not just the carrying that’s a pain, either. Setting up four separate parts on a tiny table can be a real juggling act. What if you could combine all the key pieces into a single, easy-to-carry device?

Designer: Scott Yu-Jan

That’s exactly the question behind a creative new DIY project making waves on YouTube. Rather than trying to cram the Mac Mini’s boxy form into a traditional laptop shell, this design takes a fresh approach: mounting the Mac Mini right alongside an Apple Magic Keyboard. The final touch is a 12.3-inch ultra-wide display, which folds down perfectly over the keyboard, creating a portable unit that’s genuinely different from anything else out there.

What makes this project extra appealing for DIY fans is how approachable it is. Aside from the custom 3D-printed case, all the main components are off-the-shelf Apple gear or standard accessories. You won’t need to solder a thing. The most time-consuming step is repainting the black frame of the monitor, and even that’s just for those who want a perfect look. Totally optional, depending on your style.

While it’s not a true “portable” computer just yet, the Mac Mini still needs to be plugged into an outlet, it’s much closer than juggling a pile of separate parts. And with the rise of high-capacity portable batteries that can power even demanding hardware, it’s easy to imagine future versions that are completely untethered. For Mac lovers and makers who crave a new project, this portable Mac Mini concept offers a fun new way to enjoy desktop power anywhere inspiration strikes.

The post DIY Portable Mac Mini Uses Off-the-Shelf Parts, No Soldering Required first appeared on Yanko Design.