Navigating the World of Computer Components: Tips From Tom's Expertise
Transform Your Digital Experience with the Highly Functional Acemagic X1: The Must-Have Two-Screen Computer
The dream of a true, dual-screen productivity laptop may finally have been achieved by one of the least likely players. Acemagic, a relatively small Chinese company known for making mini PCs, is rolling out the X1 (originally listed as the Z1A), an Intel-powered Windows laptop with dual 14-inch, 1080p displays. I got a chance to visit Acemagic’sComputex 2024 booth to go hands-on with the X1, and it seems like the real deal.
Update (June 11th): Acemagic informed us that the final name of the laptop will be the Acemagic X1, not Z1A which a representative described as the “production name.” We have updated this article and its headline to change the name.
Unlike any other dual-screen laptop I’ve seen in my career, its second screen is equal to the first, flipping to the left to be the same height as the primary display. Also, unlike other dual-screen laptops, it has a built-in physical keyboard. You will not have to resort, as on theYoga Book 9i , to either using the second screen as a virtual keyboard or plopping a Bluetooth keyboard on top of it.
The X1 has a sturdy metal hinge—rated for 300,000 uses—that holds “screen B” in place. When you open the laptop, screen B is folded on top of screen A, but with its backside facing you. So, you need to fold the secondary screen out in order to see the primary one.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
While you’re using the laptop, you can either keep screen B on the left side of the lid, or you can rotate it back 180 degrees so it locks against the back of screen A. Bending the hinge felt natural and, when bent 180 degrees, screen B seemed completely locked into place (by a magnet, we think). With screen B behind screen A, you can either show the person sitting across from you a presentation or turn off screen B and use the X1 as a single-screen laptop.
Turning the screens on and off is a breeze, thanks to physical buttons that live above the function row. One button toggles screen B on or off, another toggles screen A on or off, a third button makes screen B an extended desktop, and the fourth button makes both monitors show the same thing.
The Acemagic X1’s dual-monitor experience is genuinely superior to what’s come before. Asus has used small second screens on its touchpad or above its keyboard on the deck, but these are best used for palettes or control panels. Lenovo has done a lot of second-screen experimentation, doing everything from having a 7-inch display pop out of a slot in the lid on the 17-inch ThinkPad W series to putting an 8-inch screen where the numpad might be on a ThinkBook to releasing the Yoga 9i, which is two screens without a built-in keyboard. Acer also produced an Iconia laptop with two touch screens many years ago.
Stay On the Cutting Edge: Get the Tom’s Hardware Newsletter
Get Tom’s Hardware’s best news and in-depth reviews, straight to your inbox.
Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors
By submitting your information you agree to theTerms & Conditions andPrivacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
When compared to other laptops, Acemagic’s offering is truly innovative. But it’s not without compromise. An Acemagic rep said that, with both screens on, you should expect just four hours of battery life.
Also, this isn’t the most performant or best-looking 14-inch laptop around. Acemagic said that when the product ships this summer, it will have one of Intel’s 13th-generation Core CPUs inside. However, the prototype on display at Acemagic’s booth had just a 12th-generation Core CPU inside; that’s two generations behind Intel’s “Meteor Lake” CPUs and three generations behind the “Lunar Lake” CPUs that are coming to laptops in just a few months.
The screens are decent, but they aren’t particularly bright or colorful. The keyboard feels pretty snappy but it’s not likely to make anyone forget about their ThinkPad’s typing experience. The touchpad seemed ok but wasn’t particularly large. Also, the entire laptop looks really unexciting in its drab, gray colorway.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
At 3.96 pounds (1.8 kg), the Acemagic X1 is pretty heavy compared to most 14-inch productivity laptops, but the weight from that second display has to hold it back. It is also not particularly slim or compact at 12.6 x 8.7 x 0.82 inches (322 x 222 x 21 mm).
Also, the X1 comes from Acemagic, a small brand that is not known for laptops. Whether you’ll get great support or your laptop will still be in great shape a year after you buy it is more of a question than if you purchase from a major brand such asHP ,Dell or Lenovo.
Acemagic also made headlines back in February when itsAcemagic AD08 mini PC was found to come with malware preloaded. The company said it was an error and worked to fix the problem on future units.
So, there are definitely some major trade-offs here, but also great innovation in design. The X1 will go on sale sometime this summer for an undisclosed price, first appearing onAcemagic’s website . If the trade-offs don’t appeal to you, you can always get one of thebest portable monitors , but it won’t be built-in.
Also read:
- [New] Ignite Social Success Discover the 10 Most Powerful IGTV Video Ideas for Brands
- [New] In 2024, Smooth Strategies for Uncluttered Google Meet Sessions
- [Updated] In 2024, The Ultimate Amazon Prime Series Most Liked & Watched on Twitter
- [Updated] In 2024, The Ultimate PPT Recording Process Explained
- [Updated] Leading Audio Designers for iPhone Ringtones
- [Updated] Youtube Policies Versus Creative Commons A Comparative Study
- $80 Discount: Experience Big Prints and Bigger Savings with the Upgraded Elegoo Neptune 3+
- 2024 Approved Anchor Audios to Corresponding Slides in PPT
- 2024 Approved Integrating Social Features for Playlist Dissemination
- 2024 Approved Social Media Strategy Broadcasting Twitch to Facebook
- 2024'S High-Performance Portable Storage Solutions Reviewed
- Advanced Tech Analysis and Reviews - The Expertise of Tom's Hardware
- Comprehensive Overview: The Extended Build Volume & Simultaneous Use of Five Tools on the Original Prusa XL
- Future-Proof Your Gameplay: The Top Rated Wireless Gaming Headsets for Enhanced Audio & Convenience
- Get Ready for the K1C: Creality Shares Exciting Launch Date, Price Tag & Full Technical Specifications!
- Graphical Hardware Blocked by Operating System Win11
- How to Change Your Motorola Moto G23 Location on life360 Without Anyone Knowing? | Dr.fone
- How to Transfer Apps from Itel P55+ to Another | Dr.fone
- How to Use Google Assistant on Your Lock Screen Of Honor Magic 6 Pro Phone
- In 2024, Shooting Spectacle Top 9 Strategies for Panoramic Videos
- In 2024, The Journey From Content Creator to Money-Maker on YouTube
- In 2024, Top 5 Zero Price Screen Capture Software for Windows 10 Users
- Inside Tom's Electronics Emporium: Your Source for Gear Reviews and News
- Keep Your Temperature Right with Arctic's Superior Liquid Freezer II AIO Cooler for a Steal at Just $74!
- Lamptron ST060: The Next-Gen CPU Cooler That Comes With a Six-Inch LCD Display as Big and Clear as an iPhone 15'S Retina Screen
- Legal Battles Heat Up: Competing Brands Accused of Copying Cooler Master's Patented Radiator Technology
- Master Your PC Builds: Top Tips From Tom's Hardware Experts
- Mastering Tech Knowledge - Your Guide to Top Hardware Picks by Tom
- Mastering Your PC Needs with Insights From Tom's Hardware Experts
- Modded Marvels: Astonishingly Swift Completion of ‘Speed Benchy’ by an Enhanced 3D Printer in Merely 2 Minutes
- Navigating the World of Computers with Tom's Hardware Insights
- New A Closer Look at Videopad Video Editor Review, Pricing, and Alternatives
- Noctua's Premium Next-Gen Flagship Cooler Launches - Experience the Power of the NH-D15 G2 for $150!
- QIDI Tech's Q1 Pro Headset Uncovered: A Detailed Performance Assessment for Gamers
- Recommended Best Applications for Mirroring Your Honor X7b Screen | Dr.fone
- Reliable User Guide to Fix Tecno Camon 20 Running Slow and Freezing | Dr.fone
- Stay Ahead of the Curve with Tom's Digital Hardware Guide
- Stay Chill on a Budget: Get the DeepCool AS5nplus CPU Air Cooler for Less Than $45 on Amazon
- The Definitive Guide to Tech Specifications - Wisdom From Tom's Computer Corner
- The Might of Innovation: How Noctua Reinvented Heat Dissipation for Nvidia's GH200 Superchip
- The Truth About the Rattling Sounds From Noctua's New NH-D15 G2 Air Cooler - A Comprehensive Look
- The Ultimate Guide to Partitioning Items for Successful 3D Print Jobs
- The Ultimate Selection of MicroSD Cards for Your Raspberry Pi Needs - 2024 Edition
- Title
- Tom's Computer Part Reviews and Advice
- Tom's Tech Insights: Expert Reviews on Latest Gadgets
- Tom's Tech Review: In-Depth Guide and Insights
- Tom's Tech Reviews: Insights Into the Latest Computer Hardware
- Top Rated Thermal Compounds for CPU Cooling : Comprehensive Ranking of 90 Products
- Ultimate Ringtone Bazaar Navigating Online Sound Archives for 2024
- Unlocking Performance Secrets with Tom's Gadget Wisdom
- Unveil Advanced Gadgets Through Tom's Compreh#Hardware Overview
- Unveiling the Best in Computer Equipment with Tom's Reviews
- Unveiling the Latest in Technology: A Dive Into Tom's Hardware Analysis
- Unveiling the Premiere Player: Detailed Review of Bambu Lab X1-Carbon Printer
- Title: Navigating the World of Computer Components: Tips From Tom's Expertise
- Author: George
- Created at : 2024-08-19 02:47:47
- Updated at : 2024-08-20 02:47:47
- Link: https://hardware-tips.techidaily.com/navigating-the-world-of-computer-components-tips-from-toms-expertise/
- License: This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.