Windows Technical Preview  

1031 members have voted

  1. 1. On a scale of 1-5, 1 being worst, 5 being best. What do you think of Windows 10 from the leaks so far?

    • 5.Great, best OS ever
      156
    • 4. Pretty Good, needs a lot of minor tweaks
      409
    • 3. OK, Needs a few major improvements, some minor ones
      168
    • 2. Fine, Needs a lot of major improvements
      79
    • 1.Poor, Needs too many improvements, all hope is lost, never going to use it
      41
  2. 2. Based on the recent leaks by Neowin and Winfuture.de, my next OS upgrade will be?

    • Windows 10
      720
    • Windows 8
      20
    • Windows 7
      48
    • Sticking with XP
      3
    • OSX Yosemite
      35
    • Linux
      24
    • Sticking with OSX Mavericks
      3
  3. 3. Should Microsoft give away Windows 10 for free?

    • Yes for Windows 8.1 Users
      305
    • Yes for Windows 7 and above users
      227
    • Yes for Vista and above users
      31
    • Yes for XP and above users
      27
    • Yes for all Windows users
      192
    • No
      71


Recommended Posts

The Metro thing was for the other quote. :) Must use Hyper-V for Universal app dev, so that automatically blocks all other forms of virtualisation.

Which is going to mean jumping through those nasty connectivity hoops - which is problematical, I admit.  Can you organize your projects by the type of connection needed?   (In my case, that is how I have tackled the problem - mobile projects will use the wireless virtual switch, while everything else will use the wired virtual switch.)

 

I just get a WEE bit horked off over the thinking of some folks that ModernUI is a roadblock to Win32, when that has been proven - day in and day out - not to be the case at all.  Just because the Start menu is the "face" of Win32, it does not mean that it is a requirement for the API to even work.  (Backward-compatibility, in terms of both software AND hardware, is my biggest priority as a tester - if an OS flunks that, it's in trouble from the start.)

 

The Start menu may be critical for users - I actually said as much back during the Developer Preview of Windows 8 itself.  However, it is certainly NOT critical for the API itself - the same Windows 8, in Developer Preview. Consumer Preview, and final form AND through its only Service Pack prior to 8.1, proved that.  That may the hard part for some of the critics to swallow - as critical as the Start menu may be to the user base, it is utterly irrelevant to the API.

I could name a few video editing apps that are as powerful and "complex" as their win32 counterparts.

 

Then you should have no problem naming them, now which metro video editing apps are good enough to match feature for feature, functionality for functionality with win32 counterparts?

First off, do you not have any use for included ISO-mounting (which Windows has lacked as a core feature until merely 8.0)?  An included disk-optimization feature that is good enough to replace third-party software (specifically, Diskeeper)?  A vastly-improved Microsoft Security Essentials (which is what Windows Defender is) that obviates the need for yet more third-party software (the only third-party security software I added was to fix the only hole in MSE/Defender - anti-malware)?  And this is without breaking Win32 compatibility. 

 

All of which are very useful, I agree 100%.

That is what I am asking, Order_66 - why the insistence on Win32-only?

 

I'm not insistent on win32 only, if microsoft came up with a better upgrade then I will be 100% for it but metro is not the answer, not even close.

Then you should have no problem naming them, now which metro video editing apps are good enough to match feature for feature, functionality for functionality with win32 counterparts?

No experience with it myself, video editing isn't my thing, but one of my neighbors has PowerDirector on her Surface Pro 3 that looked decent -- I wouldn't call it a Premiere killer but it looked quite on par with many "home level" video editors for Win32, even the interface is quite similar. Looking over the features.. about the same, hell even the interface is very similar to its desktop counterpart.  Random search image:

 

screennen.jpg

 

I dunno, it looks more than capable enough to handle a group of icons in a control panel setup.  Again, don't assume apps designed for a small device to be indicative of what the platform's capable of.  I can just as easily write a badly designed full screen calculator app in WinForms or WPF, does that mean the classic interfaces suck too?  Of course not... it's just a framework, it's as bad or as good as the programmers make it to be.  

No experience with it myself, video editing isn't my thing, but one of my neighbors has PowerDirector on her Surface Pro 3 that looked decent -- I wouldn't call it a Premiere killer but it looked quite on par with many "home level" video editors for Win32, even the interface is quite similar. Looking over the features.. about the same, hell even the interface is very similar to its desktop counterpart.  Random search image:

 

 

I dunno, it looks more than capable enough to handle a group of icons in a control panel setup.  Again, don't assume apps designed for a small device to be indicative of what the platform's capable of.  I can just as easily write a badly designed full screen calculator app in WinForms or WPF, does that mean the classic interfaces suck too?  Of course not... it's just a framework, it's as bad or as good as the programmers make it to be.  

 

 

From the outside that looks to be the first useful metro app that i have ever seen, I'm going to download it from the windows store while I'm at work tomorrow and give it a shot.

From the outside that looks to be the first useful metro app that i have ever seen, I'm going to download it from the windows store while I'm at work tomorrow and give it a shot.

I'd be interested in hearing about it if it's unbiased -- like I said it's not my thing but I know a few who would be interested.  I have no expectations (especially for a freebie) but *shrug* it looks comparable, and like I said it's not a case of "we're using the modern stuff for the start menu so you *HAVE* to use it too", I chalk it up to "right tool for the job."  If I was writing something that would be suitable for a tablet, it's a no brainer and extra bonus it runs on desktops too.  (Ask anyone running Android apps on their desktops.)  Also makes it that much easier to use.. I have an old junker here still running XP Tablet Edition, and it's just balls to use as a tablet, no question.  As a developer if I could do both at once, yes please, not a fan of doing the same work two or three times.

 

If I were doing something very "control oriented" that needs a ton of stuff on screen at once, I'd probably choose something else.. it's just a presentation method, nothing more.  I have visual components for store apps that are just as flexible as their WPF and WinForms counterparts.  But a menu or a control panel applet?  It really doesn't matter, both are rather simplistic, pretty basic stuff.  I mean if you've never seen Windows 8 and saw the 10 start menu, you wouldn't even know that it was something else.

Nope..

 

Linux=Hobbiest.(tech\server minded)

Windows=Power user.(tons of workstation apps)

Osx=Dumb down basic use.(lack of apps)

 

That's pretty factious statement to make given that it depends on what you want to actually do with your computer; Windows has access to a large array of server applications that exist on Linux and so with OS X, when it comes to workstation - it is dependent upon what you're referring to - Adobe entire product range is available on OS X and Windows, Maple and Mathlab is available on all three platforms, AutoCAD is available on OS X and Windows. Then there is the large array of open source engineering tools that are pretty much available on any operating system that can provide a POSIX/UNIX-like environment.

 

Order_66, you are basically insisting that Windows roll all the way back to the Windows 7 feature set - that not a single feature introduced with Windows 8 or later has ANY merit whatever.

 

First off, do you not have any use for included ISO-mounting (which Windows has lacked as a core feature until merely 8.0)?  An included disk-optimization feature that is good enough to replace third-party software (specifically, Diskeeper)?  A vastly-improved Microsoft Security Essentials (which is what Windows Defender is) that obviates the need for yet more third-party software (the only third-party security software I added was to fix the only hole in MSE/Defender - anti-malware)?  And this is without breaking Win32 compatibility.  (Nobody - not Microsoft or anyone else - including DConnell, Dot Matrix, or me, for that matter - is saying that ModernUI obviates the need for Win32 - it certainly hasn't in my own case; other than the three specific examples I have given, no Win32 software got replaced.)  There is more competition for Win32 as an API - however, that is up to the developers - both of Win32 and ModernUI APIs - to fight over; we, as users, merely reap the rewards in terms of better software regardless of API - in other words, improved software and greater choice.

 

Win32 and the Start menu are NOT synonymous - if they actually were, then a lot of my Win32 daily-use software would have failed to install altogether, let alone worked.  The three games that fail to work in the Technical Preview all DO work in Windows 8 - therefore, the lack of Start menu certainly is not it.  Dependence on the Start menu also does NOT mean dependence on Win32, because one can work without the other.  What's your real peeve with the Technical Preview - the lack of a proper (7-style) Start menu, or the continued presence of ModernUI (which is not an obstacle to Win32, as many users of non-touch-supporting hardware prove on a daily basis)?

 

Win32 does not need the Start menu to survive as an API - Windows 8 itself proved that much.  For users, that may be different - however, that is not an API problem.

ModernUI and Win32 - it can either complement OR compete with it - that depends on the developer.  (However, hasn't that been the case with all other APIs?)

 

That is what I am asking, Order_66 - why the insistence on Win32-only?

 

Modern UI and WinRT are also not synonymous (assuming one defines a Modern UI as something that is full screen) given that you can use WinRT and still present a traditional application as well. What saddens me is how Order_66 keeps ignoring what WinRT brings to the take and how it improves Windows over all; from security to memory management, hardware acceleration, Hi-DPI aware and so on. Heck, I'm not even a Windows user (I'm a full on Apple guy) and if someone like me can see the merit of what Microsoft is doing I really have to ask what planet Order_66 is on when he writes his opinions. Assuming one defines Modern UI is as the combination of both full screen and windowed WinRT applications then quite frankly I cannot see what merit his arguments have - vendors that wish to keep their existing UI design can do so, win32 applications will keep running, in fact I'd argue that most win32 applications aren't win32 given that many, such as Adobe, have their own custom overlays to make their code more portable or prefer the flexibility of using a third party toolkit such as Videolan basing their GUI on Qt which makes targeting multi-platforms easier.

Still missing a lot of software like 3dstudio max, visual studio , solid works,etc. In my case , I needed packer tracer to take a class final and my mbp didn't have a vm installed. I had to use a loaner laptop with windows.

 

That's pretty factious statement to make given that it depends on what you want to actually do with your computer; Windows has access to a large array of server applications that exist on Linux and so with OS X, when it comes to workstation - it is dependent upon what you're referring to - Adobe entire product range is available on OS X and Windows, Maple and Mathlab is available on all three platforms, AutoCAD is available on OS X and Windows. Then there is the large array of open source engineering tools that are pretty much available on any operating system that can provide a POSIX/UNIX-like environment.

 

 

Modern UI and WinRT are also not synonymous (assuming one defines a Modern UI as something that is full screen) given that you can use WinRT and still present a traditional application as well. What saddens me is how Order_66 keeps ignoring what WinRT brings to the take and how it improves Windows over all; from security to memory management, hardware acceleration, Hi-DPI aware and so on. Heck, I'm not even a Windows user (I'm a full on Apple guy) and if someone like me can see the merit of what Microsoft is doing I really have to ask what planet Order_66 is on when he writes his opinions. Assuming one defines Modern UI is as the combination of both full screen and windowed WinRT applications then quite frankly I cannot see what merit his arguments have - vendors that wish to keep their existing UI design can do so, win32 applications will keep running, in fact I'd argue that most win32 applications aren't win32 given that many, such as Adobe, have their own custom overlays to make their code more portable or prefer the flexibility of using a third party toolkit such as Videolan basing their GUI on Qt which makes targeting multi-platforms easier.

Still missing a lot of software like 3dstudio max, visual studio , solid works,etc. In my case , I needed packer tracer to take a class final and my mbp didn't have a vm installed. I had to use a loaner laptop with windows.

 

True but it doesn't make OS X 'Dumb down basic use.(lack of apps)' given that it depends upon the context of what you're trying to achieve. Personally I don't ever seeing Solidworks multiplatform simply because in my experience it is so heavily integrated with the operating system I couldn't see the company spending what it would take to first of all unhook itself from win32 then moving the code to something that is platform neutral. End of the day, you were probably better off getting a Lenovo Thinkpad T or W series rather than purchasing a Mac given the dependency you have on Windows applications.

This is going to be my last mac laptop after owning 4 different mac laptops(g5 mac book,mac book c2d,mac book air, mb pro). It simply does not fit my needs and turned me off after experience hardware problems(Mac book air overheating and g5 on board videocard problem) after the warranty period.

True but it doesn't make OS X 'Dumb down basic use.(lack of apps)' given that it depends upon the context of what you're trying to achieve. Personally I don't ever seeing Solidworks multiplatform simply because in my experience it is so heavily integrated with the operating system I couldn't see the company spending what it would take to first of all unhook itself from win32 then moving the code to something that is platform neutral. End of the day, you were probably better off getting a Lenovo Thinkpad T or W series rather than purchasing a Mac given the dependency you have on Windows applications.

Actually windows 8, and now 10, is demonstrably "dumbed down" with metro garbage.

 

Metro is backwards thinking, regressive in every way and with demonstrably reduced features and functionality it really has no place on a truly modern desktop whatsoever.

 

Here are just a few examples:

 

Metro Skype: No audio or video adjustments, modern desktop skype has all of this and much more.

Metro video: Extremely limited video adjustments, modern desktop windows media player has these settings and many more.

Metro mail: Lacking horribly in all areas, even modern desktop windows live mail completely demolishes it, and that is truly a sad fact.

 

This list could go on and on but you get the idea.

I don't get the idea because this is not a thread meant for discussion of metro.

I don't want to go on because this same garbage got the other thread closed.

  • Like 3

Windows Technical Preview.

 

This is a discussion thread for that topic, I am voicing a legitimate concern, if you don't like it then I suggest you use the ignore feature, name calling, trolling, flame baiting, this seems to be the typical response and I am not guilty of any of it, I'm here to discuss windows 10 and its eventual failure/success.

 

Which metro apps are just as powerful and have matched, feature for feature, functionality for functionality, with modern desktop software?

Of the build-in apps in Windows 8.1? Well, search, mail, calendar, contacts, news, weather, money, health, sports, etc. And the reason is obvious: none of these apps have a Win32 counterpart, or ever had in the first place. Only Calculator, Sound Recorder, Settings and Internet Explorer replace Win32 versions, and from those, only Settings and Internet Explorer contain less features then their Win32 counterpart. However, that has nothing to do with Metro beeing "proven to contain less features". That's just bs. You can perfectly develop an app as complex as Adobe Photoshop CC 2014.1 in the Modern UI. The Windows Technical Preview has started to replace old Win32 apps with their WinRT counterparts already. For now, that's only the calculator, which is in Modern UI much more advanced, and some dialogues from the Control Panel, whichs Modern UI counterparts are also much more advanced. Windows Update in the Modern UI environment has a much better interface then the old control panel one. Now that the Metro interface no longer is supposed to be tablet-exclusive, the apps will contain much more features too. Heck, there is a fbl_outlook branch in the development of Windows 10, what do you think that one is used for?

 

You can say whatever you want, but calling Metro disfunctional isn't an opinion, that's what we call a "lie". You obviously have no experience with developing for the Modern UI environment. Neither do you appear to have any experience with Windows 10:

 

Wrong, the control panel has been replaced with a metro version, the user is now forced into using metro garbage with windows 10.

Because that is not true either. Not in the most recent Windows Technical Preview, nor the most recent leak, which was buil 9901. You're free to use the control panel if you want. Unless that is for Windows Update (in build 9901). But why wouldn't you? Like I said, the Modern UI version of Windows Update has a much better interface, you can change what it needs to look for (Windows Update or Microsoft Update) without the need of going to a website, you see while installing what the updates that are beeing installed do, etc. These are all things you can't do in the Control Panel's counterpart of Windows Update.

 

I'm not insistent on win32 only, if microsoft came up with a better upgrade then I will be 100% for it but metro is not the answer, not even close.

Well, then, enlight us. WHY do you think WinRT isn't the answer? Metro is a design language, thus that can't be the problem, ecause you can perfectly have Metro-styled desktop apps. Examples? Well, Internet Explorer 10 and 11 are, Windows Essentials 2012 are Metro-styled too. Office 2013 is too. Prety much every recent Microsoft software is Metro styled. Server Manager is an awesome, true Metro-styled, advanced app.

However, that means that you're issue is in the runtime, WinRT. So what's the problem with that? Do you have any experience developing for it?

In terms of video editing apps, I can't believe I'm going to say this... but I have to agree that there are not any great ones that come close to even Windows Movie Maker except for Movie Creator Beta, which does not implement a proper timeline. It also doesn't have picture in picture, green screen capability, etc. However, if Devs spent more time on it, which I hope they will, maybe one day it can become just as powerful. Especially now that they can scale to the desktop (mouse and keyboard), up to Surface like devices, down to phones.

 

 

I downloaded one that was more powerful than the "old" Movie maker in the free version, but you needed to upgrade to the paid version for full functionality.

 

Movie maker is unfortunately unusable today due to it's limited support of input formats. so I can't use it for the movies from my SJ4000 action cam for example. 

No experience with it myself, video editing isn't my thing, but one of my neighbors has PowerDirector on her Surface Pro 3 that looked decent -- I wouldn't call it a Premiere killer but it looked quite on par with many "home level" video editors for Win32, even the interface is quite similar. Looking over the features.. about the same, hell even the interface is very similar to its desktop counterpart.  Random search image:

 

screennen.jpg

 

I dunno, it looks more than capable enough to handle a group of icons in a control panel setup.  Again, don't assume apps designed for a small device to be indicative of what the platform's capable of.  I can just as easily write a badly designed full screen calculator app in WinForms or WPF, does that mean the classic interfaces suck too?  Of course not... it's just a framework, it's as bad or as good as the programmers make it to be.  

 

That's the one I used. it was in many ways better than pinnacle Studio and definitely more stable, since Studio crashed on me several times on one video last time I used it which made me want to go back and buy the full version of this. 

 

As for Premiere, premiere is more of a low end pro software, it requires a lot of learning just to do basic stuff. which is weird since it used to be a lot easier to use in the earlier days. 

Guys, again it seems like it's time to start blocking Order_66. His posts aren't going to change, and at this point they're just flaming threads for a response.

Mods, I do apologize if speaking out like this goes against a rule, but I felt like it needed saying.

  • Like 3

Guys, again it seems like it's time to start blocking Order_66. His posts aren't going to change, and at this point they're just flaming threads for a response.

Mods, I do apologize if speaking out like this goes against a rule, but I felt like it needed saying.

 

Why don't you just block him?  /shrugs

Of the build-in apps in Windows 8.1? Well, search, mail, calendar, contacts, news, weather, money, health, sports, etc. And the reason is obvious: none of these apps have a Win32 counterpart, or ever had in the first place. Only Calculator, Sound Recorder, Settings and Internet Explorer replace Win32 versions, and from those, only Settings and Internet Explorer contain less features then their Win32 counterpart. However, that has nothing to do with Metro beeing "proven to contain less features". That's just bs. You can perfectly develop an app as complex as Adobe Photoshop CC 2014.1 in the Modern UI. The Windows Technical Preview has started to replace old Win32 apps with their WinRT counterparts already. For now, that's only the calculator, which is in Modern UI much more advanced, and some dialogues from the Control Panel, whichs Modern UI counterparts are also much more advanced. Windows Update in the Modern UI environment has a much better interface then the old control panel one. Now that the Metro interface no longer is supposed to be tablet-exclusive, the apps will contain much more features too. Heck, there is a fbl_outlook branch in the development of Windows 10, what do you think that one is used for?

 

You can say whatever you want, but calling Metro disfunctional isn't an opinion, that's what we call a "lie". You obviously have no experience with developing for the Modern UI environment. Neither do you appear to have any experience with Windows 10:

 

Because that is not true either. Not in the most recent Windows Technical Preview, nor the most recent leak, which was buil 9901. You're free to use the control panel if you want. Unless that is for Windows Update (in build 9901). But why wouldn't you? Like I said, the Modern UI version of Windows Update has a much better interface, you can change what it needs to look for (Windows Update or Microsoft Update) without the need of going to a website, you see while installing what the updates that are beeing installed do, etc. These are all things you can't do in the Control Panel's counterpart of Windows Update.

 

Well, then, enlight us. WHY do you think WinRT isn't the answer? Metro is a design language, thus that can't be the problem, ecause you can perfectly have Metro-styled desktop apps. Examples? Well, Internet Explorer 10 and 11 are, Windows Essentials 2012 are Metro-styled too. Office 2013 is too. Prety much every recent Microsoft software is Metro styled. Server Manager is an awesome, true Metro-styled, advanced app.

However, that means that you're issue is in the runtime, WinRT. So what's the problem with that? Do you have any experience developing for it?

 

I have used 9901 (the most recent leak) -  both in a bare install AND in a virtual machine.  It is no more broken (in my experience) than 9879 is - in fact, as a forward-pointer, there is a ton to look forward to in future builds.

 

1.  Cortana for Windows - 9901 has it active, and, despite some gimpage still, it was certainly plenty usable - it is no LESS usable than Google Now or Siri is today.  (Google Now and Siri are basically on-call personal assistants that only eat electrons, only sleep when the hardware that you are using is, and are waiting, with ears wide open, to go out and find what you are seeking.  Google Now is limited to Google software, while Siri is limited to iOS - there is no OS X version of Siri, much to Apple's shame.  This isn't war; this - is - BUSINESS.  Satya Nadella has outright declared business on Apple and Google.)

 

2.  Settings (9901) - 9901 goes a great deal further than 9879 does; Category View returned as the default because of that.  One thing that Windows 8 was justifiably faulted for was lack of adjustability - with 9901 it has adjustability far in excess of any version of Windows - or any other OS, for that matter. I referred to it as "adjustability up the wazoo" - and I haven't discovered everything.

 

3.  fbl_outlook - That is a rather large hint; is there also an fbl_word or fbl_excel?  As to why I don't use Office Online, who says I don't?  The only reason I don't use Office Online on my personal desktop (or notebook) is because I have Office installed locally - period.  It certainly is NOT feature lack - because there isn't any feature lack.  In fact, Outlook.com supports Yahoo Mail - which desktop Outlook does NOT do.  (While Outlook.com imports my Yahoo Mail on a daily basis, I can't export the imported mail to desktop Outlook.  It's not an Outlook issue, but a Yahoo Mail feature issue, and it's unique to the United States - POP3 access is a fee-generating issue for US users of Yahoo Mail; it's not the case anywhere else.)

 

4.  There may yet be more upcoming, and quite a lot could well be of interest to users that want no part of touch normally.  Note that none of what I have pointed to so far requires touch support - in fact, all of it can be used by keyboard and mouse users today.  (Cortana uses either keyboard or voice input - just as Google Now or Siri does today.)

Anyone having issues with the "No such interface supported" message whenever trying to open files associated to certain apps. I've attached a screenshot of me trying to open a music file. This happens randomly.

 

Something triggers it for a while and then everything goes back to normal. I'm saying this because minutes ago I was able to open any media files no problem.

 

Perhaps Windows 10 has no taste and doesn't like Morning Musume ;)

 

Have you checked the file association? Open the File Association dialog in Control Panel, look for mp3 and see if the correct program for opening mp3 files is listed.

Perhaps Windows 10 has no taste and doesn't like Morning Musume ;)

 

Have you checked the file association? Open the File Association dialog in Control Panel, look for mp3 and see if the correct program for opening mp3 files is listed.

 

Well, the thing is that it happens and fixes itself at random. So, yeah. There's a commandline trick I found that fixes it but takes a long while and the problem will happen soon after that. I guess it's a flaw. I really want the official Consumer Preview to leak.

 

I think Windows likes Momusu. Otherwise I wouldn't like it that much. ;)

That's the one I used. it was in many ways better than pinnacle Studio and definitely more stable, since Studio crashed on me several times on one video last time I used it which made me want to go back and buy the full version of this. 

 

As for Premiere, premiere is more of a low end pro software, it requires a lot of learning just to do basic stuff. which is weird since it used to be a lot easier to use in the earlier days. 

 

 

I installed powerdirector and gave it a try, while it is certainly head and shoulders above 99% of other metro apps it simply fails to impress when compared to modern desktop programs.

Give metro time. Office is being ported over now, and there are more apps to follow. Win32 will die eventually.

 

And that is the sad state of things with arrogant microsoft, forcing modern win32 to the curb in favor of regressive 1980's metro garbage that is horribly lacking in features and functionality.

 

Change just for the sake of change.

And that is the sad state of things with arrogant microsoft, forcing modern win32 to the curb in favor of regressive 1980's metro garbage that is horribly lacking in features and functionality.

 

Change just for the sake of change.

 

What do you think of the PowerPoint demo at Build 2014? I'm not the biggest fan of Metro, but I think what they showed at Build 2014 with PowerPoint seemed very promising.

This topic is now closed to further replies.
  • Posts

    • Cuktech 10 Ultra charger review: big display, four ports, 110W total power by Taras Buria Cuktech recently announced a couple of Ultra-branded chargers, including a desktop 300W charger, which I reviewed a few weeks ago. For those who do need that much (or who do not want to spend that much on a charger), Cuktech also offers the 10 Ultra, a traditional wall charger with similar features. Four ports, a big display, and up to 110W of power output. After using it for a few weeks, here are my impressions. Disclaimer: Cuktech provided the review unit without any editorial input or pre-approval. Like the 30 Ultra, the 10 Ultra arrived in a box made of nice cardboard with quality print all over it. Inside, besides the charger, you will find a 240W 6A charger, which, this time, is fully braided. While Cuktech always bundles high-power cables with its chargers and power banks, they are usually regular and unassuming. This time, the cable is much nicer, matching the charger's $59.99 price tag. The charger itself measures 67 x 76 x 33 mm or 2.6 x 3.0 x 1.3 inches and weighs about 250 grams. Considering the charger has four ports and a big display, I would say the compact size is quite impressive, albeit a little hefty. The overall design is similar to other chargers from the manufacturer, minus the chrome Cuktech logo next to the four ports. The Cuktech 10 Ultra has retractable prongs for better portability. Its front side is covered with piano black plastic housing two elements: a capacitive button with backlight and a quite large display for various charging stats. Ports are downward-facing, and I have mixed feelings about such a design. It is not the most convenient when you frequently connect and disconnect cables. It makes you bend over to find the right port to connect, and it is a no-go with outlets mounted closer to the floor. On the bright side, design like this eliminates clutter and sagging, especially when using four cables at once. Plus, you get plenty of space for a big display. Ports include two high-speed USB Type-C ports, one Type-C for less demanding devices, and one classic USB Type-A. The first two ports deliver full 100W, while the third is capped at 45W. As for the Type-A port, its maximum output is 18W. In total, the charger delivers 110W of power, but in my testing, I managed to squeeze 117W when charging two power banks and a tablet. Quite impressive. Type-C1 Type-C2 Type-C3 Type-A Single-port 100W 100W 45W 18W Two ports 80W 20W - - Three ports 65W 20W 20W - Four ports 65W 20W 10W 10W The charger can detect handshake protocols and balance power across all four ports according to each device's needs. As such, power is not limited to the values in the table above. You can have two ports charging at 55W, three ports at 45W + 20W, and more. For some reason, Cuktech is not listing the supported protocols, but a quick test showed that it is compatible with PD3.0, PPS, QC5, DCP, and UFCS. When you connect a compatible device, the charger automatically detects its charging standard and displays it on the screen, for example, Apple 6A or Samsung 3A. Speaking of the screen. The main highlight of the 10 Ultra is its 1.57-inch display with a maximum brightness of 700 nits and 160-degree viewing angles. The display takes up most of the front, and it shows various charging-related information, including total output power, current temperature, power distribution across ports with watts, volts, and amps, a screensaver, and more. You can toggle between the different views by tapping the button, and holding it changes the screen orientation (portrait or horizontal, plus flipped) according to your socket position. The screen is very nice. It is sharp, vivid, and the fonts are easy to read. As for settings, you can change the following: Keep the screen on or off Lock the screen orientation (hold the button to change the screen orientation) Keep the USB Type-A port on Toggle power modes The charger has three power modes: AI: standard mode that automatically allocates power to each connected device. Power Priority: prioritizes power for high-demand devices, such as laptops or power banks. Balanced: splits power evenly across connected devices according to their needs I was skeptical at first, but after testing a few devices in different modes, I can see the benefit of these three modes. The most useful is power priority, which gives the first Type-C port more power. When I was charging a 100W power bank (port 1) alongside a 140W power bank (port 2), Power Priority split the total output about 75-30. Balanced mode, as the name suggests, splits the total output between the two ports more or less equally. As for AI mode, the charger uses its brain to detect which device needs more power. In my testing, it figured out that the 140W power needs a bit more juice. As I said, I expected this to be more of a gimmick, but the three built-in modes turned out quite useful. For example, you can prioritize your laptop while giving other ports a little less power, but still enough to charge at acceptable speeds. Unfortunately, unlike the 30 Ultra, this charger cannot display the battery level of the device being charged. This small feature turned out to be very useful when I was testing the 30 Ultra, as it allowed me to see my phone's battery level without picking it up. Like other Cuktech chargers I tested, the 10 Ultra one proved itself reliable and well-made. It uses Gallium nitride semiconductor technology to reduce the charger's size and improve efficiency. It is also better at dissipating heat, but I have to say that when charging two power banks at 117W total, the charger got hotter than what I would call comfortable (hold it for a few seconds, and you start feeling a burning sensation at your fingertips). However, the built-in thermal indicator remained below the temperature threshold, with the screen reassuring that the device operated at "High performance" (I tested it in a 21 °C / 69 °F room). Overall, the Cuktech 10 Ultra is a solid choice. If you need four ports and you like to nerd out on various stats, it is a very easy recommendation. It will take care of your laptop, phone, tablet, and power bank without breaking a sweat, plus the build, material, and cable quality are top-notch. The mode switcher is handy when charging different devices with different power needs, too. I cannot say a display is a must-have in a charger, especially when it makes you more conscious about where to plug it, but it is a neat addition if you have a socket at your table or bed level, so that you can actually use the display and its features. The more important fact is that despite its size and quality, the display does not make the charger that much more expensive than similarly powerful chargers from competitors. Plus, you can save 10% on the 10 Ultra with a promo code on Amazon. Buy Cuktech 10 Ultra charger - $53.99 on Amazon with a promo code As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
    • Last week I was investigating an issue with contacts and tried using the new Outlook. In the real (Classic) Outlook, you can easily go to any Outlook folder and present it in a Table View, then customize the columns to show/sort any field, which was exactly what I needed. But of course, the new Outlook doesn't have this feature at all. I gave up. Oh, and can we possibly stop claiming the new Outlook has PST support? What it really has is the ability to use the real Outlook in the background to pretend to have PST support. There is no PST support without the real Outlook installed.
    • Honestly just before Panos left it started to feel like MS just wasnt interested in them so they were being less innovative with them, and then when he DID leave for Amazon its kind of clear the direction is gone. It felt like Panos had both goals and drive, and a vision, but it felt like no matter what his title/department was the Surface devices never had the full interest of the rest of management and he was just pushing a bolder up a hill that MS was adding dirt to as he went.
    • A roguelike and a 4X strategy game are free to claim on the Epic Games Store by Pulasthi Ariyasinghe The final leg of the Epic Games Store's mystery giveaways promotion just landed, and it brought along two more games to keep. Last week's Lonestar and Calico giveaways have now been replaced with copies of Rogue Waters and Songs of Conquest to claim for PC gamers. As always, the game is yours to add permanently to your Epic Games Store library within the next seven days. Diving into the games, Songs of Conquest is developed by Lavapotion. This is a turn-based 4X strategy experience that has players making tough decisions and participating in tactical combat while also managing their kingdom. "Songs of Conquest is a turn-based strategy game inspired by 90s classics. Lead powerful magicians called Wielders and venture to lands unknown," explains the developer. "Wage battles against armies that dare oppose you, hunt for powerful artifacts and expand your territory. The world is ripe for the taking – seize it." Meanwhile, Rogue Waters comes from developer Ice Code Games. This rogue-lite experience has you taking the role of Captain Cutter as he commands his ship and crew through procedurally generated encounters. You'll be recruiting and training crew, use sea creatures, and battle with other ships and pirates. "Set sail as Captain Cutter, a pirate caught in a deadly struggle for power and vengeance," adds the developer. "Navigate dangerous waters, unleash mythical sea creatures, and outwit enemies as you chase legendary treasure and confront dark secrets." The newly available Rogue Waters and Songs of Conquest giveaways on the Epic Games Store are set to run until June 11, giving PC gamers seven days to claim the latest offer. Once this closes out, a new freebie will take its place on the same day, which is slated to be Warhammer 40K Speed Freeks. Don't forget that mobile gamers can check out the Epic Game Store's weekly giveaways on Android and iOS to grab a freebie there as well.
    • Still using Classic Outlook? Microsoft highlights 15 reasons to switch to New Outlook by Usama Jawad As many of you may know, Microsoft has been trying to get customers to ditch Classic Outlook in favor of New Outlook for quite some time now. To that end, it has added numerous capabilities to the latter, including PST features, and it is working on several more, such as a unified inbox. However, customer response has been a bit lukewarm so far, with many considering the New Outlook to be "hot garbage". Now, Microsoft has highlighted 15 features that users can leverage in New Outlook in yet another attempt to get customers to migrate. Although not all of the 15 capabilities are exclusive to New Outlook, in fact, most of them are available in Classic Outlook as well. But Microsoft hopes that this combination of familiar and fresh features will be able to attract existing users as well as new ones. For ease of readability, we have summarized the 15 features below: Pin an email: This makes it easier to track important emails Snooze an email: You can temporarily snooze an email thread for a specific time frame until it becomes relevant again. This can be very useful in scenarios where you don't feel like actively following a thread or simply want to follow up on a later date Add multiple categories at the same time: You can assign multiple categories to an email through a single, simplified interface Sweep: As the name implies, you can define automated move processes on your inbox to declutter it, rather than cleaning it up manually Schedule send: Does exactly what it says on the tin, and can be useful when accommodating recipients in different timezones Simplified folder sharing: The sharing process has been simplified so permissions are automatically applied on parent folders Follow a meeting: This is an RSVP option that lets people know that you won't be able to join the meeting but would still like to access a recap Save calendar views: You can save different views for the calendar based on different workflows Improved meeting tracking: Organizers have more controls in viewing meeting responses, such as the ability to sort and download them. Typically useful when there is a large audience Meeting recap: The Outlook Calendar surfaces a meeting recap with recordings, transcripts, and shared files Filtered views: Allows you to declutter your Calendar so that it's easier to scan and schedule Change a recurring event: Users can modify future events of a series of meetings while preserving the configuration of previous ones Rename your email account: This labeling makes it easier to identify multiple accounts in Outlook Modern themes: Exactly what the name says, plus Dark Mode Keyboard shortcuts: This facilitates flexible user behavior as customers can choose between Outlook for Windows shortcuts, Outlook for the web, or turn them off completely There you have it. It's a decent list, but it remains to be seen if it will move the needle in a meaningful way for users who are attached to Classic Outlook. Again, a lot of the aforementioned features are already available in Outlook Classic, but for some, native functionality is not present, and people typically resort to workarounds. Microsoft will be hoping that it's primarily those capabilities that get people to finally switch.
  • Recent Achievements

    • Conversation Starter
      mobandz earned a badge
      Conversation Starter
    • Apprentice
      fernan99 went up a rank
      Apprentice
    • One Month Later
      nothanks earned a badge
      One Month Later
    • One Month Later
      B2Proxy earned a badge
      One Month Later
    • One Year In
      MadMung0 earned a badge
      One Year In
  • Popular Contributors

    1. 1
      +primortal
      478
    2. 2
      PsYcHoKiLLa
      247
    3. 3
      Skyfrog
      79
    4. 4
      FloatingFatMan
      76
    5. 5
      Michael Scrip
      60
  • Tell a friend

    Love Neowin? Tell a friend!