Blog Posts

Blog Posts

Review of the CHUWI CoreBook Air Plus 16 – Part 3: Ubuntu 25.10 on an AMD Ryzen 5 6600H Mid-Range Laptop

CHUWI CoreBook Air Plus 16 Ubuntu 25.10 Linux review

We’ve already checked CHUWI CoreBook Air Plus 16 hardware in the first part of the review, before testing the AMD Ryzen 5 6600H laptop with Windows 11 Pro, and today I’ll report my experience using the CoreBook Air Plus 16 laptop with Linux using Ubuntu 25.10 distribution. The Ubuntu review will include system information, benchmarks, YouTube 4K and 8K video playback, feature testing, storage and WiFi 6 performance, and measurement of fan noise and power consumption/battery life. Ubuntu 26.04 vs Ubuntu 25.10 installation The initial plan was to install Ubuntu 26.04 (daily image) on the laptop in dual boot configuration with Windows 11 Pro. So I resized the Windows partition in Disk Management to leave a 125GB partition for Ubuntu. I downloaded a daily Ubuntu 26.04 ISO (February 28, 2026), and created a startup disk on my Ubuntu 24.04 laptop using an 8GB USB flash drive. I plugged the USB […]

The post CHUWI CoreBook Air Plus 16 review – Part 3: Ubuntu 25.10 on a mid-range AMD Ryzen 5 6600H laptop appeared first on CNX Software – Embedded Systems News.

The Initial Android Tablet That Competes with the iPad Pro

The M5 iPad Pro is arguably the leading tablet available, with few Android competitors able to rival it. The Galaxy Tab S11 might have been its nearest opponent thus far, yet the M5 iPad Pro is equipped with a superior chip. Fast-forward to March 1, and a new competitor in the Android sphere has emerged, directly challenging Apple’s iPad Pro. The Honor MagicPad 4, recently teased online, made its debut at the Mobile World Congress (MWC 2026) in Barcelona, Spain, on Sunday. The Chinese brand has made it evident that the Honor MagicPad 4 aims at the M5 iPad Pro, by directly comparing its latest tablet to Apple’s premier iPad.

To remind you, the iPad Pro not only boasts the most powerful M-series chip Apple has developed to date, the same chip that powers the most affordable M5 MacBook Pro, but it also features a tandem OLED display that allows Apple to minimize the tablet’s thickness to 5.1 mm, without sacrificing performance or battery life. Additionally, the iPad Pro showcases slender bezels, with the display occupying nearly the entirety of the front. Honor is putting the iPad Pro’s key characteristics to the test with the MagicPad 4.

Slimmer tablet, narrower bezels

Honor released the MagicPad 3 Pro in October in China, which measured 5.79 mm in thickness. That tablet was marginally thicker than the iPad Pro. The Honor MagicPad 4 is just 4.8 mm thick, making it 3 mm slimmer than the iPad Pro (5.1 mm) and 0.8 mm thinner than the iPad Air 3 (5.6 mm). Although the difference is slight, Honor is recognized for pushing the boundaries of device thickness. The brand’s Honor Magic V foldables have previously held the title of the world’s thinnest foldables, with Samsung unveiling an ultra-slim foldable only in 2025.

Honor didn’t merely slim down the MagicPad 4. It also reduced the bezels. The Honor MagicPad 4 features a 3.9 mm “Ultra-Narrow” bezel, as stated by Honor, in contrast to the 7.6 mm of the 13-inch M5 iPad Pro. This allows the Honor tablet to achieve a screen-to-body ratio of 93%, compared to 89% for the M5 iPad Pro. The Android tablet weighs 450 grams, considerably lighter than the 13-inch M5 iPad Pro (579 grams).

The premium specifications

Creating a design akin to the iPad Pro would not suffice. The Honor MagicPad 4 also needs to provide performance and experiences comparable to the M5 iPad Pro, and the specifications of the Android tablet suggest that this could be the case. The Honor MagicPad 4 sports a 12.3-inch OLED panel, which Honor labels as “industry-leading,” presenting a direct challenge to the iPad Pro’s OLED display. The MagicPad 4 screen offers 3K resolution, a 165 Hz refresh rate, and a peak brightness of 2,400 nits for HDR. All these metrics surpass those of the iPad Pro, which has a display with 2.7K resolution, a 120 Hz refresh rate (ProMotion), and a peak brightness of 1,600 nits.

The new Honor tablet is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 processor, instead of the Elite version of the chip used in the Honor Magic V6 foldable, which was also revealed at MWC on Sunday. The tablet will be available in 12GB/256GB or 16GB/512GB configurations, as per Honor’s preorder information. Despite its slim profile, the tablet includes a 10,100 mAh battery. Although smaller than the Honor MagicPad 3 Pro’s 12,450 mAh battery, it remains impressive. The M5 iPad Pro carries a slightly larger battery at 10,290 mAh.

Regarding software experiences, the Honor MagicPad 4 can function as a Windows PC when connected to a keyboard dock, offering users a desktop-style multi-window Android experience, similar to what is available on the iPad Pro with iPadOS 26. The Android tablet also seamlessly works with iPhones and Macs, as compatibility with Apple’s ecosystem has been a focal point of Honor’s MWC presentation. The Honor MagicPad 4 facilitates content transfer to and from the iPhone and supports Mac Screen Sharing.

The Honor Magic V6: An Elite Foldable Android Smartphone Not Up for Sale

After previewing the Honor Magic V6, Honor introduced the foldable device at MWC 2026 in Barcelona, Spain, on Sunday, marking a milestone for the Chinese brand. The Honor Magic V6 is the initial Magic V foldable to be revealed on a global stage during an event held outside of China. Previously, Honor Magic V models were launched in China several months prior to their international release. However, this might be due to the Honor Magic V6 being of even greater significance for Honor than its earlier versions. The foldable smartphone is designed to offer enhanced durability compared to previous Magic V models while maintaining its slim design. After all, Honor had been the creator of the slimmest foldables globally for years until Samsung caught up with that trend in 2025 with the Galaxy Z Fold 7. Moreover, 2026 is the year Apple is set to enter the foldable market, adding to the competition within the industry. The Magic V6 indeed appears to be a flagship foldable ready to compete against Apple’s anticipated iPhone Fold.

Regrettably for U.S. consumers looking for flagship Android foldable smartphones, the Honor Magic V6 will not be available in North America, at least not officially. You will need to import the device from Europe or another market where Honor plans to start selling it later this year. On this subject, Honor has yet to announce the release date or pricing for the Magic V6. The company mentioned that the phone will be accessible in various markets in the latter half of the year.

Ultra-slim foldable, massive battery

When folded, the Honor Magic V6 will present an 8.75 mm profile, making the device thinner than Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro Max, according to Honor. However, this slim design will not affect the phone’s robustness or battery performance. Honor stated during a media briefing attended by BGR that the Honor Magic V6 boasts the largest battery in the industry, with a capacity of 6,660 mAh for the international variant, which supports 80 W wired charging as well as 66 W wireless charging. The silicon-carbon Blade Battery pack contains 25% silicon and offers an energy density of 921 Wh/L, surpassing that of a Tesla 4680 battery (643-750 Wh/L). The Chinese variant of the Blade Battery will contain an even higher silicon proportion, at 32%. In other words, the battery is ample enough to power the Honor Magic V6’s foldable display for 24 hours, based on the vendor’s predictions.

The comparisons with Tesla continued, even though the automaker does not produce smartphones. According to Honor, the Magic V6 incorporates the industry’s strongest hinge. The Honor Super Steel hinge boasts a strength of 2,800 MPa, which is 87% stronger than a Tesla’s A-pillar (approximately 1,500 MPa). This hinge is designed to endure 500,000 folding cycles.

Honor also equipped the Honor Magic V6 with the highest level of dust and water resistance in the industry, featuring IP68 and IP69 ratings. The 6.52-inch cover display is also more resilient, with Honor claiming it is 10 times more drop-resistant and 15 times more scratch-resistant than its predecessors. A noteworthy assertion in a year when Apple is reportedly expected to launch a creaseless foldable smartphone is that the Magic V6 features an SGS-certified imperceptible crease. The foldable display is reinforced with an Ultra Thin Glass (UTG) layer, which helped Honor minimize the crease depth by 44%.

Flagship specs and abundant AI

The foldable display supports a peak brightness of 5,000 nits and stylus functionality. The external display can achieve even greater brightness, reaching 6,000 nits at peak usage. Beneath the display, you’ll find the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 chip, making the Honor Magic V6 the world’s first foldable to utilize Qualcomm’s latest flagship chip. The 3nm chip is clocked at 4.6 GHz, promising a 20% performance boost. Additionally, the GPU is 23% faster than its predecessor, while the NPU sees a 37% performance upgrade. Concerning the camera, Honor claims that the Magic V6 features the best zoom camera in a foldable device, equipped with a 64-megapixel 1/2-inch sensor, and the highest image stabilization rating (CIPA 6.5). The handset also includes two more 50-megapixel sensors (wide and ultra-wide).

Regarding software, Honor asserts that the Magic V6 will provide superior multitasking capabilities compared to its competitors, allowing users to run two applications side by side, one taking up almost the entire display. Users will be able to switch seamlessly between apps by bringing either into focus. The phone will also offer AI features, such as the ability to interact with Google’s Gemini across various applications and new agent.

Five Overlooked Deals That Americans Are Missing Out On

save some money on your upcoming purchase.

It’s not that these deals aren’t available throughout the year. Many individuals are unaware of them because they tend to be concealed behind menus and tabs that they overlook. However, the silver lining is that discovering these concealed deals doesn’t demand much effort or expert knowledge. You simply need to know where to search, and you can genuinely save money on items in your wish list.

Less expensive items on Amazon Outlet and Amazon Resale

MWC 2026: Honor’s Magic V6 Merges Sleek Form Factor with Ample Battery Power

The Magic V6, revealed by Honor at MWC 2026, makes a significant impression in the foldable smartphone arena with its exceptionally slim profile and remarkable battery capacity. With a thickness of merely 8.75mm in its White version and 9.0mm in other shades, it outperforms rivals like Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7 in terms of slimness. This device is driven by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor and comes equipped with a formidable 6,600mAh battery, the largest in its category, facilitating 80W wired and 66W wireless charging.

A pivotal feature is its durability, as the Magic V6 is the first foldable phone to secure both IP68 and IP69 certifications, providing protection against dust, water, and high-temperature water jets. The display technology consists of a 6.52-inch cover display and a 7.95-inch inner display, each supporting a 120Hz refresh rate and enhanced anti-reflective traits.

The Magic V6 is also equipped with a triple-camera array featuring a 50MP main sensor, a 50MP ultra-wide lens, and a 64MP telephoto sensor. Honor has not yet revealed details regarding its pricing or availability.

Alongside the Magic V6, Honor unveiled the groundbreaking Robot Phone, which boasts AI-powered motion tracking and a 4DoF gimbal system, as well as the MagicPad 4, an impressively thin tablet at 4.8mm, featuring a 3K 162Hz display, driven by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 processor.

Honor’s Daring Step with the Magic V6 Underscores Samsung’s Missed Chances

I’ve been utilizing the smartphone for several weeks, and now I’m convening with the team at Honor to talk about its latest foldable advancements.

The previous year’s Honor Magic V5 was an exceptional improvement over the V3 in every respect, but it was ultimately eclipsed by Samsung’s impressive Galaxy Z Fold 7. Consequently, this year, Honor is taking the initiative and unveiling the Magic V6 at MWC 2026, and although the phone won’t officially debut until sometime in Q2, I have had the opportunity to test an early version of the hardware for the last few weeks.

Along with my personal impressions of Honor’s newest foldable wonder, I also had the chance to interview Hope Cao, the Senior Product Expert for the Magic V6 at Honor. A small group comprising just myself and two other journalists engaged Cao for an entire hour, posing every question we could think of regarding what sets the Magic V6 apart and how the company intends to surpass Samsung in its own arena this year.

The list is rather extensive. Honor provides superior displays compared to Samsung’s devices, a bigger capacity battery that is also slimmer and charges more quickly, enhanced camera hardware within a more compact camera island, the first foldable to offer an IP69 water and dust resistance rating, improved haptic motors, intriguing integrations with Apple products, and numerous other software enhancements.

More robust hardware

Once again, Honor is challenging the boundaries of what can be included in an ultra-slim foldable phone. The company claims the Magic V6’s white color variant is the world’s thinnest foldable ever, measuring merely 4mm when unfolded and 8.75mm when folded. For context, the iPhone 17 Pro Max is 8.75mm thick, while the recently announced Galaxy S26 Ultra is 7.9mm, making this feel just like a regular smartphone in your pocket.

The other color variants (including the gold model I possess) are slightly thicker, but I find it difficult to discern the difference with my calipers. For me, the real achievement here is that the camera island on the rear is about half the thickness of that on the Magic V5. This was accomplished while simultaneously reinforcing the structure, achieving an IP69 water and dust resistance rating, and an even sturdier hinge than before. To date, only a handful of flagship phones from OnePlus and Honor have reached this rating.

“Addressing the issue of hinges being susceptible to failure,” Cao stated, “the V6 employs 2800MPa Honor Super Steel to strengthen the mechanical core, which is nearly twice the durability of Samsung’s material.” It boasts the same 500,000 lifetime folds rating as the Galaxy Z Fold 7, yet the tougher hinge, improved water resistance, and other factors indicate this one should endure even longer over time.

Displays hold immense significance for me, but not for the same reasons as some others. While the Magic V6’s display enhancements elevate all the expected metrics (peak brightness, refresh rate, etc.), it also revolutionizes by achieving a higher PWM rate than ever and adding a new anti-reflective layer. These are also genuinely true 10-bit displays, so there’s no unpleasant temporal dithering in play, either.

“Honor continues to excel in eye comfort technology, consistently pushing the limits of technical capability,” Cao shared with me, and this is indeed true, particularly with these two new technologies enhancing everything that already makes Honor displays exceptional. If I were to choose any phone that is good for my eyesight, it would undoubtedly be this one, rather than Samsung’s. It also features full stylus support on both screens (a first for foldables), although I lack a compatible stylus to test with.

Having an anti-reflective layer means the device is easier to see in bright conditions, something I’ve praised Samsung for on the Galaxy S24 and S25, and that technology can finally be found on a folding phone. The new anti-reflective layer is also reported to be 33% more durable against drops and features a 44% reduced curvature depth for the crease on the inner screen. Furthermore, it presents properly uniform bezels on the outer screen this time, which should assist those of us with OCD.

Honor claims it employed a blend of engineering expertise and AI simulation to help reach these new standards, including extensive testing and development of even better battery technology. Honor began utilizing electric car battery technology in its smartphones a few years ago, and now the company has increased the silicon content in its batteries to 25%, up from 15% in the Magic V5, providing the global model with a 6,660mAh battery.

Cao informed me that Honor aimed “to further push the boundaries of battery capacity,” thus they “collaborated with ATL to introduce a new generation of silicon-carbon battery technology.” This not only resulted in a higher-capacity battery but also one that is even slimmer.

While that’s

Apple’s Affordable MacBook Anticipated to Provide Outstanding Value and Draw in New Users, As Per Report

As soon as tomorrow, Apple is set to reveal its much-expected affordable MacBook. It will feature an A18 Pro chip, come with a slightly reduced display size, but will still encompass all the essential Mac functionalities that users are familiar with and adore.

The primary topic of discussion has revolved around the price. Per Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple considers it to be an ‘amazing deal,’ potentially persuading a significant number of Windows and Chromebook users to migrate.

### MacBook Rumor Recap

We’ve been hearing speculation about Apple’s first budget MacBook for almost a year now, so here’s a summary of what the economical MacBook will provide:

– Smaller 12.9-inch display, likely with diminished brightness and lacking True Tone support
– Aluminum body, offering several ‘fun’ color choices
– A18 Pro chip from the iPhone 16 Pro series, possibly with 8GB of RAM
– Limited storage options, likely only available in 256GB and 512GB
– Much lower starting price, potentially as low as $599

Everything has sounded quite promising – and we should expect to see it tomorrow, as Apple is prepared to commence a week of announcements from Monday, March 2 through Wednesday, March 4.

### Apple Believes It’ll Be an ‘Incredible Value’

Gurman indicates that Apple internally perceives it as an “incredible value” – likely attracting many PC and Chromebook users to transition ecosystems:

> Internally, the entry-level MacBook is being characterized as an “incredible value,” with Apple anticipating that the launch will attract a significant number of switchers from Windows PCs and Chromebooks. It could even motivate iPhone users without computers to invest in their first Mac.

Gurman also notes that there may be considerable demand on launch day, with retail staff being cautioned that they might need to extend their working hours – similar to what occurs on an iPhone launch day. There will also be ‘a full table reserved for one of the new products,’ probably the new low-cost MacBook.

Only time will reveal whether this new MacBook will genuinely succeed. Personally, while I believe the new MacBook will be very attractive, I don’t see anything in the rumors that strongly indicates it will generate substantial first-day excitement among consumers – it may take time to catch on. However, Apple seems to have a different perspective, so perhaps there’s a crucial detail we haven’t yet discerned.

### Wrap Up

As a reminder, Apple is set to unveil this new affordable MacBook and additional new Apple products as early as tomorrow. The company will begin on Monday with an online announcement, followed by further announcements on Tuesday, and a concluding announcement paired with an in-person media event on Wednesday, March 4.

The exact sequence of the announcements remains unclear, but the significant rumored unveilings include the iPhone 17e, the low-cost MacBook, a new MacBook Air featuring M5, a new MacBook Pro with M5 Pro and M5 Max (in the current design), along with updates for the iPad and iPad Air.