POWER DRAW the 13900K is the better chip for conserving
Just a couple of years ago, power electricity, like when power limits are
consumption was not a hot topic when
evaluating processors. But today’s chips are Cinebench R23.02 nT
pursuing record-breaking performance
numbers with less regard to energy use. More Ryzen 9 5950X 25,600
fuel for more firepower—right as energy costs Ryzen 9 7950X 37,973
are rising or outright spiking. Ryzen 9 7950X 34,300
Intel started down this path with the Eco 105 28,655
27,283
12th-gen Alder Lake, and the power rating for Ryzen 9 7950X
13th-gen Raptor Lake has only ramped up. Eco 65 39,783
The 12900K has a maximum turbo power (or 39,062
TDP) of 241W, while the Core i9-13900K sits Core i9-12900K 36,935
at 253W. 32,737
Core i9-13900K 29,334
The good news is that Intel squeezes a PL1/PL2 UNL 26,723
heck of a lot of each watt. Even when you 22,842
dramatically limit the power of the 13900K— Core i9-13900K
as you might do in an effort to curb its energy 253 Watt PL1/PL2
use—it can still perform about the same as the
Core i9-13900K
250 Watt PL1/PL2
Core i9-13900K
140 Watt PL1/PL2
Core i9-13900K
105 Watt PL1/PL2
Core i9-13900K
85 Watt PL1/PL2
Core i9-13900K
64 Watt PL1/PL2
LONGER BARS INDICATE BETTER PERFORMANCE
12900K at its full
241W. Pretty exciting Total power consumption
stuff. while running Cinebench R23
As for power Core i9-12900K Ryzen 9 7950X Core i9-13900K 65 Watt PL1/2
draw, it gets a bit Core i9-13900K 105 Watt PL1/2 Core i9-13900K 253 Watt PL1/PL2 Ryzen 9 7950X Eco 65
more complicated. Core i9-13900K UNL PL1/2 Ryzen 9 7950X Eco 105
We’ll cover more of
the details in a later
article for all the
energy nerds out
there (hi), but just
know that the winner
on this point
depends on the
scenario. Sometimes
DECEMBER 2022 PCWorld 101
FEATURE REVIEW: INTEL CORE i9-13900K
Total system power launches—and these chips
running Metro Exodus are more complicated than
before. With the hard
Core i9-12900K Core i9-13900K Ryzen 9 7950X turn into architectures that
really put the pedal to the
metal (and to heck with
the energy costs), you
generally have to
consider more than just
performance numbers
when buying a processor.
That said, a high-end
chip like the Core
dropped. But under stock scenarios when i9-13900K is actually an easy chip to decide
both chips are at full throttle, the settings upon. It evokes the muscle cars of old more
most people rely on, AMD’s Ryzen 9 7950X than any of the other rip-roaring recent PC
will net you savings in monthly bills. releases (Nvidia’s GeForce RTX 4090 [fave.
Overall, just know that the Core co/3O1pryL] possibly excepted). If you spend
i9-13900K can best the 7950X in most of your time in popular programs like
performance benchmarks,
but you’ll spend a bit Total system power running
more in electricity for that Blender 3.3 classroom render
privilege.
Core i9-12900K Core i9-13900K UNL PL1/2
Core i9-13900K 253 Watt PL1/PL2 Ryzen 9 7950X
VERDICT
The pace of new
technology slowed to a
crawl when a pandemic
enveloped the earth. Now
every company is leaping
ahead to a new generation
all at once. Since fall
started, it’s been a rolling
wave of CPU and GPU
102 PCWorld DECEMBER 2022
Lake CPU so
appealing. (And if
you want future
CPU upgrade
options, Intel’s
current
motherboard
lineup is probably
at a dead end,
while AMD’s AM5
is just getting
Shopping at the high end is pretty straightforward right now. As for the mid- started.) Great
range…we’ll be looking at that shortly. hardware is
Adobe Premiere or games and want the popping up in spades right now—which
absolutely, positively fastest speeds means consumers win regardless.
possible—power be damned,
performance be praised—it’s the TEST MACHINE INFO
clear winner. And if you can wait
a little longer, stay tuned for next INTEL TEST SYSTEM
year, when Intel says it’ll release a
CPUs Core i9-13900K Core i9-12900K
Mainboard MSI Z790 Carbon Wi-Fi Asus ROG Mazimus Z690 Hero
limited amount of Raptor Lake BIOS 1,270
processors capable of crossing BIOS Settings
the 6GHz threshold. CPU Cooler XMP Profile 6000MT/36-36-36-76-130, ReBar On, Fans PWM
(manual fan curve)
Corsair H150i (manual fan curve)
These developments are GPU Nvidia GeForce RTX 3090 FE (driver v. 516.94)
rough for AMD, which should RAM 2x 16GB G. Skill Trident Z5 RGB
have been able to sit pretty with System SSD
the 7950X for longer. But as SK Hynix SHPP41-2000GM (PCIe 4.0 x4)
AMD TEST SYSTEM
Ryzen 9 7950X Ryzen 9 5950X
CPUs
heartless as it is to say, the loss Mainboard Aorus X670E Aorus Master MSI MEG X570
for AMD doesn’t matter much for BIOS
us in the stands. Its Ryzen 813b 1.1
flagship chip is still an excellent BIOS Settings
option, especially if your needs AMP EXO 1 Profile 6000MT/30- AMP AMP2 Profile 3600MT/16-
fall outside the parameters that CPU Cooler 38-38-96, ReBAR On, PBO On, 18-18-36, ReBAR On, Fans PWM
makes Intel’s 13th-gen Raptor GPU Fans PWM (manual fan curve)
RAM (manual fan curve)
System SSD
Corsair H150i (manual fan curve)
Nvidia GeForce RTX 3090 FE (driver v. 516.94)
2x 16GB G. Skill Trident Z5 Neo 2x 16GB Corsair Dominator
SK Hynix SHPP41-2000GM (PCIe 4.0 x4)
DECEMBER 2022 PCWorld 103
FEATURE
WHY THE
iPAD STILL
CAN’T
REPLACE
MY LAPTOP
APPLE’S TABLET JUST ISN’T FLEXIBLE
ENOUGH TO ACCOUNT FOR
ALL THE WAYS PEOPLE USE THEIR
COMPUTERS. BY JARED NEWMAN
104 PCWorld DECEMBER 2022
DECEMBER 2022 PCWorld 105
FEATURE WHY AN iPAD CAN’T REPLACE MY LAPTOP
F or years, I’ve wanted to be one of iPad might be where I go to focus on a
those people who can do all my single task or enjoy a change in computing
work on an iPad. scenery, but traditional PCs are where my
The idea sounds so appealing: serious work happens. (Case in point: I
Instead of using a clunky laptop, just carry drafted this story on an iPad, but loaded it
around Apple’s lightweight tablet with a into WordPress with a Lenovo Yoga C940
snap-on keyboard and trackpad. You’ll get laptop [fave.co/3Ar8Grv].)
snappy performance, excellent battery life,
fun apps, and fewer distractions. The way With the new 10th-generation iPad (fave.
some other tech writers (fave.co/3ApDLeO) co/3EExiiI) and its Surface-like Magic
have pulled this off (fave.co/3hR6Fhs)has Keyboard Folio, Apple continues to push the
always made me a bit envious. laptop replacement concept. At some point,
I’ll almost certainly be tempted to give the
Yet whenever I try to spend serious time idea yet another chance.
computing on an iPad, even with a keyboard
attached, I always come crawling back to my But as it stands, there are several reasons
laptop (fave.co/3qL4oHf) or desktop. The why I can only use my iPad as a temporary
laptop stand-in.
THE SCREEN’S TOO SMALL
If you’re used to working on a laptop, the
10- or 11-inch screens on most iPads will
feel cramped while juggling lots of
browser tabs or running two apps in
split-screen mode. Even Apple’s
12.9-inch iPad Pro is on the small side
for a laptop. (It’s also a big
commitment to anti-laptop
computing at $1,350 and up with
a Magic Keyboard case.) Making
the switch
Apple continues to push the iPad as a laptop replacement.
106 PCWorld DECEMBER 2022
might be more tempting if Apple offered a versions and works well with either a mouse
cheaper big-screen variant—like it does for or a trackpad.
the smaller iPad Pro with the 10.9-inch iPad
Air (fave.co/3UITRZm)—or expanded the iPad But whenever I’m on my iPad, I miss
Pro to even larger sizes. having extensions like Simplify Gmail to
improve Gmail’s (fave.co/3EFQwVm) web
FILE MANAGEMENT version (which I’d rather use than the mobile
CAN STILL BE HASSLE app), the Camelizer (fave.co/3TJigwv) to
check Amazon price histories, and Tabliss
Here’s an example of a roadblock I’ve run (fave.co/3hUtwbW) to make my new tab
into: After receiving a batch of images from page more productive. Although Apple
Dropbox, I needed to upload them in added extension support to Safari in iOS 15,
Airtable. Sounds simple enough, but on the the ecosystem still doesn’t compare to that of
iPad, the Dropbox app wouldn’t let me a real desktop browser.
download the files. My only option was to
delete the app, view the files through Other web-related frustrations abound on
Dropbox’s website, save the folder, open the iPad: You can’t save websites to your
Airtable, choose the Files app as my upload home screen in any browser except Safari,
source, and finally select the file. and those that you do save sometimes open
in new tabs instead of separate windows.
An even bigger problem is that you can’t (This is a problem for the web version of
reliably sync cloud storage sources such as Gmail, which I’d prefer to treat like a
OneDrive. Yes, you can connect OneDrive or dedicated app.) On a laptop, the browser is
other sources to Apple’s Files app, but you my most important power tool, but it’s
can’t automatically download folders for relegated to just another app on the iPad.
offline viewing, and sync operations have
been extremely finicky in my experience. MULTITASKING REMAINS A
Maybe file management works better on the CHALLENGE
iPad with iCloud, but I’m not going blow up
my entire workflow just to find out. After all these years, Apple is still figuring out
how to reinvent the multitasking wheel on
THE OPEN WEB IS AN the iPad. Launching apps in split-screen
AFTERTHOUGHT mode is easier than it used to be, but Stage
Manager (fave.co/3tBjE9E), Apple’s new
Apple likes to say that the iPad version of system for window management, has been
Safari is “desktop class,” meaning that it widely regarded as a disaster (fave.
loads desktop sites instead of mobile co/3TZLXK1). Even the lack of a persistent,
DECEMBER 2022 PCWorld 107
FEATURE WHY AN iPAD CAN’T REPLACE MY LAPTOP
ability to use an iPad at your desk
with a full-size display remains a
work in progress.
Stage Manager on iPad OS 16. WHERE iPADS STILL
MAKE SENSE
non-disappearing app dock makes the
simple act of switching apps feel slow. The None of this means that you can’t
iPad can be great for work if you’re focusing replace your laptop with an iPad
on a single app, but all that efficiency (fave.co/3Ajqu7t), but doing so
disappears the moment you need to bring in requires throwing out lots of
another app or data source. expectations about how to get
things done. To me, that means the
IT’S NOT EXACTLY iPad still works best primarily as a
DOCKABLE (YET) tablet with occasional laptop
benefits, rather than a device that
Later this year, Apple plans to add proper serves both needs equally.
external display support for the iPad, giving you Of course, I could write the exact inverse
an interface that fills the entire monitor. But this of this article about replacing your iPad with a
feature only works on iPads with M1 or higher convertible touchscreen laptop (fave.
processors, ruling out the 10th-generation iPad co/3V5T2cQ). While my Lenovo Yoga C940
that Apple just launched last week. laptop folds into tablet mode, I almost never
use it that way, and I previously learned
While you can still plug in other iPads to first-hand that Microsoft’s Surface isn’t great
external monitors, those without USB-C as a tablet, either (fave.co/3ghcbtC) . For
output will be unbearably laggy, and you’ll reading books, watching videos, or playing
end up with a cramped 4:3 aspect ratio. The touchscreen games, the iPad’s instant-on,
lightweight nature is still unparalleled.
Now, if someone could come up with a
Pro-level Chromebook tablet that runs
Android and Linux apps—like a much fancier
version of Lenovo’s Chromebook Duet (fave.
co/3hUpn8g)—maybe we’d have a device
that feels more like the best of both worlds.
But that’s a whole other story.
108 PCWorld DECEMBER 2022
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Here’s How HOW TO BUILD, MAINTAIN,
AND FIX YOUR TECH GEAR
How (and why) to use your
browser’s beta versions
Live on the cutting edge of technology with little effort. BY JARED NEWMAN
I f you do a lot of work in a desktop branding, these releases tend to be
browser such as Chrome, Firefox, or remarkably stable, so you can get a taste of
Microsoft Edge, do yourself a favor and cutting-edge innovation without much risk.
upgrade to the beta version.
Switching to your browser’s beta channel THE CASE FOR BETA
is a great way to enjoy new features before BROWSING
they reach the general public, and it’s also a
simple way to get slightly out of your tech Diving into pre-release software isn’t always a
comfort zone. And despite the “beta” safe bet. The public betas of iOS and
Android, for instance, can be quite rocky, with
IMAGE: RAFAPRESS/SHUTTERSTOCK DECEMBER 2022 PCWorld 111
HERE’S HOW USE YOUR BROWSER’S BETA VERSIONS
bugs and battery life issues (fave.co/ better browsing experience through early
3hHZkRs) that get in the way of everyday use, access to new features, like the ability to sync
and you can’t switch back to stable versions Edge’s Collections across devices, Web
without factory-resetting your phone. Using Capture for taking full-page screenshots
pre-release versions of Windows (fave.co/ (invoked with Ctrl-Shift-S), and of course
3EBGtRa) is also a bit risky, as you can’t switch vertical tabs (fave.co/3tJIdC2).
off those Insider builds until a new stable And if you do decide to switch back, the
release becomes available. process is usually hassle-free. Most browsers
Beta versions of web browsers are much will carry your bookmarks and extensions
more inviting by comparison. Even before between versions, and you never have to
reaching the beta stage, major browser wait for a new stable release before you’re
makers put out experimental “Nightly” or able to downgrade.
“Canary” versions, followed by somewhat- TO THE BETAS (AND
rough “Developer” versions, so they’ve BEYOND)
already gone through rigorous testing by the
time they hit beta. If you’re on board with this philosophy, here’s
This is purely anecdotal, but I once ran the how to switch to your browser’s beta version:
beta version of Microsoft Edge for nearly a Google Chrome: Install the beta from
year and I can’t recall running into any major Google’s website (fave.co/3GpPrSV). This
problems. What I can remember is having a replaces your computer’s stable version,
though you can also install the
beta separately (fave.co/
3OdUA2k).
Microsoft Edge: Install the
beta from Microsoft’s website
(fave.co/3X7tvS7). This will run
separately from the stable
version, so consider setting the
beta as your default (fave.
co/3rFUKp8).
Mozilla Firefox: Install the
beta from Mozilla’s website (fave.
I ran the beta version of Microsoft Edge for a year and didn’t co/3EbURxZ). This replaces your
encounter any major problems. computer’s stable version, but
112 PCWorld DECEMBER 2022
you can choose the
Developer Edition to install
it separately. (Unlike other
browsers’ Dev channels,
this version is functionally
the same as the beta, but
with some additional tools
for coders.)
Brave: Install the beta
from Brave’s website (fave. Brave’s beta website page.
co/3hQh6lK). This runs
separately from the stable version. that lets you display articles in a clutter-free
Opera: Install the beta from Opera’s view.)
website (fave.co/3AmCXrk). This runs You can find similar features in most other
separately from the stable version. browsers by replacing chrome with the name
BEYOND THE BETAS of the browser in question—type HGJH
ÁDJV or EUDYH ÁDJV in Edge or Brave,
Once you’ve gotten comfortable with beta respectively. (In Firefox, you’ll find these
browsers, it’s tempting to take things a step experimental features under DERXW FRQÀJ.)
further. Nightly and Canary builds can be a If there is a risk to using beta browsers and
fun way to live on the bleeding edge, but unfinished features, it’s mainly that things can
you can also dig deeper into hidden change without the kind of clear explanation
settings menus to discover even more you’d expect from a final product. Microsoft
unreleased features. Edge, for instance, once quietly changed
In Chrome, you can find this menu under how the copy-and-paste function worked
FKURPH ÁDJV. If you’re running the (fave.co/3O9Wjp3) for links, and I had to go
Chrome beta, Google has just started searching for a way to change it back.
surfacing some of these experiments (fave. But on some level, that risk is its own
co/3EKFbDz) in a beaker icon on the toolbar, reward. Being able to stay on your toes and
so you can quickly check out the most roll with unexpected changes is an
promising new ideas. (A personal favorite as underrated tech skill, and beta browsers are a
of this writing: Type HQDEOH UHDGHU PRGH relatively safe and easy way to build up that
into the search bar, then enable this setting. technological muscle for when change
You’ll now see a little icon in the address bar inevitably comes.
DECEMBER 2022 PCWorld 113
HERE’S HOW
How to enable dark mode in
Microsoft Office
Work smarter, not harder. BY MARSHALL GUNNELL
I f you suffer from eye strain or tension Note: Dark mode is available for Office
headaches, you may want to consider 365 subscribers and in certain Office 2019
enabling dark mode in Microsoft Office. editions (fave.co/3EAf69P).
Not only is it easier on the eyes, but it
also helps reduce any issues with glare. Not ENABLE DARK MODE IN
sure how to go about it? Don’t sweat it. OFFICE FOR WINDOWS
We’ve got you covered. Whether you tango
with Windows or Mac, we’ll guide you every 1. Open any Office app and click the File tab.
step of the way. 2. Next, click Account at the bottom of
the left pane.
114 PCWorld DECEMBER 2022 IMAGE: FIZKES/SHUTTERSTOCK
search box and
click the result.
2. Click General
in the top-left
corner of the
System Preferences
window.
3. Next, select
Dark next to
Appearance at the
top of the
Click Dark Gray or Black in Office Theme and your apps will be in dark mode. window. Your
system theme is
3. Click the box under Office Theme to now set to dark mode, so the next time you
display a menu with several theme options. open an Office application, it will adopt
Black is the true dark mode. If that’s too dark, this theme.
though, you can use Dark Gray. Or
if you want to have Office update
itself to the current system setting,
select Use System Setting.
All of your Office apps will now
appear in dark mode (or in the
selected theme).
ENABLE DARK MODE Enabling dark mode in macOS.
IN OFFICE FOR MAC
Office for Mac doesn’t have a
built-in theme feature. However,
you can still get dark mode in Office
by simply switching your system’s
theme settings.
1. First, launch Spotlight
Search by pressing Cmd + Space.
Type System Preferences into the
DECEMBER 2022 PCWorld 115
HERE’S HOW
How to delete your Twitter account
Leaving Twitter is fast, but your account won’t die immediately. BY ALAINA YEE
S o you’re done with Twitter. If you do is request the deactivation and never look
want to leave the service back. It takes just a few minutes, so you can
completely, you can delete your be gone very quickly.
account—though it will hang
around for a bit before finally disappearing Note: If you instead want to change your
into the great digital beyond. username, you don’t need to delete your
account. Instead, head to Your account >
Account deletions happen in two stages: Account information > Username within
First the account is deactivated, which pulls it Twitter’s settings.
immediately from the site. If you don’t touch it
again, 30 days later the account gets an actual OPTIONAL: BACK
wipe. This gives people who accidentally UP YOUR DATA FIRST
deactivate (or have second thoughts) an out,
as during that grace period, they can revive If you’re not in a huge rush to delete, you can
an account with all data intact. first make a copy of your Twitter data (fave.
co/3GCasdd). Maybe you’re a data nerd, or
That might sound complicated, but it’s you know you’ll want to stroll down memory
truly not. To nuke everything, all you have to lane in the future. In either case, you’ll get a
116 PCWorld DECEMBER 2022 IMAGE: FIZKES/SHUTTERSTOCK
1. Your account
should now be
zip file with an archive of your tweets, deactivated. Again,
follower info, and more. you have 30 days for
indulging any
HOW TO DEACTIVATE YOUR remorse. Simply log
TWITTER ACCOUNT back in with your
same credentials,
1. Log into your account. In the left navigation then confirm that you
want to reactivate
bar, click on the More icon (a circle icon with your account. If you
do restore the
three horizontal dots). If you only see the account, it can take a little bit of time for all
your data to be fully restored (tweets, likes,
icon, you’ll see its name pop up when you and so on).
Also be aware that usernames on Twitter
hover your cursor over it. can be reused once they’re freed—so
someone else can freely take over that online
2. Click on Settings and Support, then handle and use it as they see fit. Your email
address will also become available for use
with a different account after 30 days, in case
you ever want to return to the service in the
distant future.
“Settings and privacy.”
3. Select Your
account.
4. Choose
“Deactivate your
account.”
5. Click on the red
Deactivate link. If you
wish to continue,
you’ll also have to 5.
enter your password.
DECEMBER 2022 PCWorld 117
HERE’S HOW
How to block (and unblock)
someone in Gmail
Talk to the hand. BY MARSHALL GUNNELL
I f you’re receiving unwanted GMAIL ON DESKTOP
communications via e-mail from
another Gmail user, it’s pretty easy to 1. You can block and unblock Gmail
block them. Messages from blocked contacts using Gmail on a desktop browser.
users will then automatically be sent to the The first step is to login to your Gmail
Spam folder. However, if you change your account and open an e-mail from the
mind later on, you can always unblock them. sender you wish to block.
Here’s how to do it.
2. Click the More icon (three dots) in
the top-right corner of the e-mail. Next,
118 PCWorld DECEMBER 2022 IMAGE: ALEXEY BOLDIN/SHUTTERSTOCK
select Block contact
name from the
drop-down menu.
3. You’ll then get
a pop-up message
asking you to
confirm that you
want to block the
contact. Click the
blue Block button.
4. The contact is
now blocked and all Select an e-mail from the sender you want to block.
future messages will
be sent to the Spam folder. If
you wish to unblock them,
open an e-mail from the
blocked contact and click
Unblock Sender at the top.
5. If you no longer have an
e-mail from the blocked user,
you can unblock them from
Gmail’s settings. Click the
Settings icon (the gear) in the Block the Gmail contact.
top-right corner of the screen
and then select See All
Settings at the top of the
drop-down menu.
6. Next, select the Filters
and Blocked Addresses tab in
the settings’ header menu.
Scroll down to the list of
blocked contacts and then
click Unblock next to the
contact you wish to unblock. Click Block.
DECEMBER 2022 PCWorld 119
HERE’S HOW BLOCK SOMEONE IN GMAIL
If you change
your mind,
click Unblock
Sender.
7. A pop-up message will appear asking locate an e-mail from the user and tap
you to confirm that you wish to unblock the Unblock Sender at the top of the e-mail.
contact. Click the blue Unblock button.
The contact is now unblocked and all
The user is now unblocked and future messages from the user will appear in your
messages will appear in your inbox (fave. inbox.
co/3TOQKhi).
GMAIL ON MOBILE 1. 2.
You can also block unwanted Gmail
contacts using the mobile app for iOS
and Android. Launch the app and open
an e-mail from the user you wish to
block (1).
Next, tap the three dots in the
top-right corner of the e-mail and select
Block user name in the pop-up menu
that appears (2).
The user is now blocked and all
communications from that user will be
sent to the Spam folder. To unblock the
user on a mobile device, you must
120 PCWorld DECEMBER 2022
SO CAN
YOU.
Tech Spotlight Avideoshowcase
of the latest trends
Watch the
video at
youtu.be/
rPRsaZdPagY
HP Spectre x360 14 vs.
Dell XPS 13 Plus 9320—
FIGHT! ≥ There can be only one! Gordon
pits the HP Spectre x360 14 against
the Dell XPS 13 Plus 9320 to see
which ultra-thin, ultra-premium
laptop comes out on top.
122 PCWorld DECEMBER 2022