Polymer cables could replace Thunderbolt & USB, deliver more than twice the speed from r/gadgets
https://appleinsider.com/articles/21/03/08/polymer-cables-could-replace-thunderbolt-with-105-gbps-data-transfers
Researchers are working on a cabling system that could provide data transfer speeds multiple times faster than existing USB connections using an extremely thin polymer cable, in a system that echoes the design path of Thunderbolt.
While the “increasingly bulky and costly” copper could be replaced by fiber optic cables, that introduces its own issues. As silicon chips have difficulty dealing with photons, this makes the interconnection between the cable and the computers more challenging to optimize.
The polymer can also use sub-terahertz electromagnetic signals, which is more energy-efficient than copper at high data loads. It is believed this efficiency brings it close to that of fiber optic systems, but crucially with better compatibility with silicon chips.
It seems plausible that such a system could be employed for a future Thunderbolt-style connection, allowing it to go far beyond the current 40Gbps upper limit.
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more on USB in this IMS blog
https://blog.stcloudstate.edu/ims?s=usb
2 in 1 (tablet and laptop) (touch screen and physical keyboard)
Lenovo Launches Modular ThinkPad Tablet
Modules that can be purchased separately will turn the new ThinkPad X1 into a laptop, projector or 3D camera. By Michael Hart 01/04/16
The tablet, available in February, will cost $899. The Productivity Module, also available in February, will be $149. Available in May will be the Projector Module ($279) and the 3D Imaging Module ($149). The other components all will be available by the end of 2016, ranging from $50 for the sleeve to $80 for the adaptor.
While the ThinkPad X1 Tablet and its modules are the primary focus for Lenovo officials, they have also introduced four additional ThinkPad models: the Yoga, Carbon, ThinkCentre X1 AIO and ThinkVision X1.
Lenovo Yoga
http://shop.lenovo.com/us/en/laptops/lenovo/yoga-laptop-series/
Acer Sky Blue 11.6″ R11 R3-131T-C1YF Convertible Laptop PC with Intel Celeron N3050 Processor, 2GB Memory, Touchscreen, 32GB eMMC and Windows 10
http://www.walmart.com/ip/46444950
Nextbook Flexx 11 tablet – touch screen with Pogo keyboard
http://www.nextbookusa.com/productdetail.php?product_id=23
Nextbook Flexx 11 tablet is the enhanced tablet you’ve been looking for. With an 11.6-inch screen, 16:9 aspect ratio and 1366×768 resolution (IPS), the Nextbook Flexx 11 delivers great image quality to read, work, watch, stream or play.
The Google contestor’s information in this IMS blog: https://blog.stcloudstate.edu/ims/2015/12/13/pixel-c-tablet/
The 11 best laptops to buy in 2016
http://www.businessinsider.com/best-laptops-every-budget-windows-mac-2016-1
The 10 Best Laptops of 2016
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2369981,00.asp