The Pinkbike Podcast revisits the last decade of Pinkbike Awards, discussing which bikes and components have stood the test of time, featuring guest Mike Levy who shares his insights on linkage forks, gravel biking, and bike trends.
Digital Foundry has compiled a list of early Black Friday 2024 deals on PC gaming components, peripherals, and monitors, with discounts available in both the UK and US. The deals include significant savings on items like ultra-light mice, mechanical keyboards, and high-performance SSDs. Highlights include a 41% discount on the Corsair Virtuoso Pro headset and a 56% discount on the Glorious Model O Wireless mouse in the UK, as well as a 44% discount on the WD EasyStore 20TB HDD in the US. The article provides links to detailed deal tables for easy navigation.
Apple's Vision Pro headset is estimated to cost around $1,500 in components, with the micro-OLED displays being the most expensive at $456 per headset. The M2 and R1 chips together cost $240. Apple is expected to produce fewer than 400,000 Vision Pro headsets in 2024 and is already working on a more affordable version with lower resolution displays and cheaper materials. A next-generation version of the Vision Pro is also in the works and could launch in late 2025.
Research firm Omdia estimates that Apple's cost to build the Vision Pro headset is just over $1,500, with the most expensive component being the micro-OLED displays from Sony, costing $228 each. The M2 and the all-new R1 chips are the second most expensive components. It's important to consider that these cost estimates only cover materials and not other production costs, and Apple is expected to ship around 400,000 units in 2024.
iFixit has conducted a teardown of the M3 iMac, revealing that it is similar to the M1 model in terms of internal design. The majority of the components are concentrated in the iMac's chin, and accessing them requires removing the screen, which is adhered with adhesives. The teardown also shows that the M3 iMac has a single replaceable battery, unlike the M1 iMac which had two. Overall, while the M3 iMac features the new M3 chip, there are no significant changes in its internal hardware compared to its predecessor.
According to a report by Counterpoint Research, the iPhone 15 Pro Max costs Apple 8% more to make compared to its predecessor, the iPhone 14 Pro Max. The increased cost is attributed to the new 3-nanometer A17 Pro chip, the tetraprism lens for 5x optical zoom, and the titanium frame. Despite the higher production costs, the iPhone 15 Pro Max remains the most profitable model in Apple's lineup. The report also highlights Apple's significant control over design, scalability, costs, and profits. However, the report does not include R&D and shipping costs.
In the world of easy online ordering, salvaging parts can still be useful for electronics enthusiasts. It is recommended to desolder expensive components like large capacitors, power semiconductors, and inductors, which can yield valuable parts. While electrolytic capacitors are now cheap and easily available, it may still be worth desoldering them if needed. Additionally, cases can also be salvaged. However, it is advised not to accumulate too many salvaged parts.
Repair site iFixit has conducted a detailed teardown of the standard iPhone 15, examining various components under a microscope. The examination reveals a closer look at the casing, adhesive, display, and individual pixels. While the iPhone 15 is similar to its predecessor, it features a larger 48-megapixel camera that performs slightly worse in low lighting conditions compared to the iPhone 15 Pro Max. iFixit's teardown provides an interesting insight into the inner workings of the device.
While there have been fewer discounts on mountain bike components this year, major upgrades to suspension, wheels, or drivetrain can significantly improve a bike's performance and are often a more cost-effective option than buying a new bike.
A teardown video of the Google Pixel Fold reveals the internal components of the device, excluding the flexible display. The video shows the process of removing the cover screen and back plate, exposing the battery, cameras, speakers, and other components. The teardown does not remove the foldable display, which would require additional steps.
Dell reported better-than-expected earnings for Q1 due to higher revenue and cost reductions for previously scarce components. However, mixed guidance for the future put pressure on the company's stock.
Google has ended support for its first-generation Chromecast dongle, meaning it will no longer receive software or security updates, nor will Google provide technical support. Users may notice a degradation in performance over time. Google has a recycling program for unwanted hardware, and users are encouraged to recycle their old Chromecast instead of throwing it away. Those who still want a Chromecast can purchase the third generation Chromecast or the Chromecast with Google TV.
The components of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra only account for 39% of the phone's $1,200 price tag, with the chipset and cellular components being the most expensive parts. The bill of materials (BoM) cost is estimated to be $469, but this doesn't include other production costs. Samsung-made parts account for 33% of the BoM, while Qualcomm-made parts account for 34%. Despite the high price, the Galaxy S23 Ultra was the fifth best-selling smartphone in Q1 2023.
Samsung's Galaxy S23 Ultra costs around $469 to produce, with Qualcomm and Samsung contributing over 65% of the component cost. Qualcomm's Snapdragon chipset accounts for over 34% of the BoM cost, while Samsung is the exclusive supplier of the 256GB NAND flash and 6.8-inch AMOLED display. The camera subsystem features design wins from Samsung and Sony, while Silicon Mitus and Maxim provide power management ICs. Samsung's sourcing strategy and component choices give it a competitive edge in cost efficiency.
While mini PCs are a great alternative to bulky desktop computers, a laptop is an even better mini PC due to its flexibility. A laptop can be used with a monitor, keyboard, and mouse just like a mini PC, but can also be taken on the go. Additionally, mini PCs often use laptop components, so it makes sense to have the option to use the computer away from the desk. Overall, a laptop offers the same benefits as a mini PC, but with added flexibility.