Brad Bourque/Digital TrendsOne major takeaway from CES this year is that VR is a big deal and will, for the time being, constitute a luxury not only because it’s new and unique, but also in terms of price. The Oculus Rift, for instance, is going to cost $600, and that’s not completely without warrant. While the main culprits for this pricing are the two high-fidelity OLED displays built into the headset, another obvious factor is the pair of audio headphones integrated into the Rift.
In a Reddit AMA posted last week, Oculus founder Palmer Luckey addressed the headphones, citing why he believes they should be included:
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“The overhead of managing a SKU without headphones would cost more than the savings of removing headphones. The integrated audio hardware is better than most cans out there, even expensive ones – the Rift has a built in low-noise DAC and amp, and our audio SDK is tuned around that hardware. Good audio does not cost much to build, especially when it is piggybacking on existing materials and distribution (ala the Rift). Give it a chance!”
Essentially, Luckey wanted to include an audio headset on at least one Oculus Rift model and adding a more affordable headphone-less option would cost too much money for Oculus. Fortunately, Luckey says, the onboard headphones compare “favorably” to entry-level professional studio headphones like the ATH-M50x from Audio-Technica. He goes on to compare the Oculus Rift’s audio setup to the ATH-AD700x in that it consists of “open-back drivers with pretty accurate response and a great soundstage.”
Furthermore, some of you may be disappointed to find out that the Oculus Rift may not even be compatible with the headphones you already have. That’s because, although there’s a DAC+amp built into the device, Luckey claims that “without a little hardware hackery,” the integrated DAC+amp won’t be usable with third-party headphones you might already have in your possession. In fact, you’re probably “better pairing off with an external DAC,” he continues.
Despite the inconvenience this poses, it’s at least reassuring that the company founder is so confident that consumers won’t be disappointed with the Oculus Rift’s built-in headphones, and based on my own experiences with them, it’s not hard to see why.
Despite being among the best processors you can buy, some high-end Intel CPUs have faced a wave of instability over the past few months. Intel is investigating the problem, but the company and its motherboard partners have already worked toward some temporary fixes to improve stability on high-end Intel CPUs -- even if it comes at a performance cost.
Before getting into the fixes, keep in mind that they are temporary. Intel will release a statement on the instability soon, likely with more direct guidance on what affected users should do. In addition, the scope of the problem isn't clear -- if you're not experiencing issues, you shouldn't have anything to worry about.
Who's affected
HP Envy deals: HP’s most popular laptop starts at $630
HP is one of the best laptop brands in the laptop space, with a huge selection of laptops to pick from, including some of the best laptops on the market. More specifically, though, the HP lineup is probably at the top when it comes to versatile and relatively well-valued laptops. While there are quite a few variations and configurations of the HP Envy, we've gone ahead and put together the ones that we think will give you the most bang for your buck. That said, if you haven't found something you're specifically looking for, be sure to check out some of these other great laptop deals as well.
HP Envy x360 2-in-1 laptop 15Z-FH000 — $650, was $900
The HP Envy x360 convertible laptop is a great option for just about anyone, particularly anyone who enjoys the touchscreen functionality of a tablet. It’s well designed and super slim, making it a truly go-anywhere device. Despite its portability, it still has an immersive 15.6-inch touchscreen that’s great for creators, note-takers, and binge watchers. Top notch build quality and durability, fast charging technology, a fingerprint reader, and great battery life round out the top features of the HP Envy x360 convertible touchscreen laptop. It competes well with the best 2-in-1 laptops. Its versatility and all-around capability make it a worthy companion on any desk, and on any lap.
I use these simple printer tips to save money on ink and toner
The cost of a printer can range from under $100 for some good, low-cost inkjet printers to several hundred for the best color laser printers. However, the price you pay upfront doesn’t include paper, and the included ink and toner only lasts so long.
A bargain printer can end up costing you more overall if the cartridges are small and replacements are expensive. Follow these tips to minimize ink, toner, and paper waste, reducing the ongoing expense of using your printer in the long run.
Print in monochrome
Adobe Acrobat's print settings includes a grayscale option. Digital Trends
