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The first M1 Macs have been out in the wild for nearly three full months, and the fear is setting in at Intel. The company this week shared a detailed slideshow of benchmark results with Toms Hardware (via Six Colors), aiming to show that there are multiple ways in which it still has a leg up on Apple Silicondepending on how you look at things.

One of Intels focuses is on what it refers to as productivity. The company compares its 11th generation Tiger Lake processors against Apples M1 for things like web browsing and using Microsoft Office. Intel says:

Comparing Microsoft Office 365, running native on both Intel and Apple processors: The 11th Gen system performs some functions like PDF export up to 2.3x faster (vs Apple M1)

Comparing the most popular web browser (Chrome), running native versions on both Intel and Apple processors: The 11th Generation system is more than 30% faster overall and nearly 3x faster in the online photo enhancement subtest (vs Apple M1)

Other benchmarks from Intel also focus on things like content creation, using software from Adobe and Topaz Labs, as well as gaming.

Intel also compared the M1 against Intel Evo, which is its second-generation upgrade to Project Athena to make the best portable devices.

There are some bizarre results from testing between the M1 and Evo, with Intel claiming that the M1 in the MacBook Pro failed at things such as using Zoom and PowerPoint. Toms Hardware explains:

Intel claims that the M1 in the MacBook Pro it tested failed eight out of 25 tests it uses, including Switch to Calendar in Outlook, start video conference in Zoom, and Select picture Menu in PowerPoint. Intels workloads dont explain how these are run, but theyre also simple tasks that work quite well on just about any modern processor, so theyre odd choices. (I had plenty of Zoom conferences while testing the MacBook Pro with no issue.)

There are multiple things to keep in mind with this testing. First and foremost, these tests were performed by Intel, and therefore should be treated with skepticism; of course the company is going to pick and choose the specific tasks where Intel chips might still perform better than Apples M1.

For instance, Toms Hardware points out some suspicious choices Intel made when testing battery life:

In battery life, Intel switched to an Intel Core i7-1165G7 notebook, the Acer Swift 5, rather than sticking with the Core i7-1185G7 in the whitebook it used for performance testing. It also tested a MacBook Air. They ran Netflix streams and tabs and found the MacBook Air came ahead with a six-minute difference.

Intel didnt list battery life for the MacBook Pro. In our tests, that beat Intel PCs by hours.

Intels timing with releasing this counterargument to Apple Silicon is also intriguing. Jason Snell at Six Colors points out at the M1 is a low-end chip for low-end system, and Intel only has a small window left for being able to find favorable comparisons:

Inconsistent test platforms, shifting arguments, omitted data, and the not-so-faint whiff of desperation. Todays M1 processor is a low-end chip for low-end systems, so Intel only has a small window to compare itself favorably to these systems before higher-end Apple silicon Macs ship and make its job that much harder.

If youre interested, you can find the full slideshow presentation from Intel over at Toms Hardware.

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Intel picks and chooses benchmarks as the threat from Apple Silicon grows - 9to5Mac

Only the best deals on Verge-approved gadgets get the Verge Deals stamp of approval, so if you're looking for a deal on your next gadget or gift from major retailers like Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, Target, and more, this is the place to be.

Not long ago, Logitechs Brio webcam (along with almost any other kind of webcam made by reputable companies) was impossible to find. Were now at the point where you can get $40 off this 4K model through Lenovo, knocking it down to $160 instead of $200. Its still a big investment, but if you stream or just want to look your best in a meeting, this is one of the best choices out there to suit those needs.

Lenovo is currently the only site hosting this deal, so it may not last for long.

Prices taken at time of publishing.

Logitechs 4K HDR webcam, called Brio, is a high-end option made for people who want to look their best on a video call or stream. It supports Windows Hello, as well as 5x zoom, and 60 frames per second recording in 1080p.

Xbox Series X / S owners can get $10 off one of Seagates 1TB NVMe expansion cards at Newegg. Normally $220, its $210 if you use the offer code EMCESEU56 at checkout. This device is useful for storing games that are made expressly for the new Xbox consoles, as its just as fast as the SSD thats inside of each system. Note that using the code will require you to subscribe to Neweggs deals newsletter, if you dont already.

Prices taken at time of publishing.

Seagates expansion NVMe SSD is the device you need if your collection of Xbox Series X / S games is getting bigger. Unlike standard external USB drives, this ones fast enough to run all of the latest games.

If you cant get enough TV deals, Best Buy is offering its great discount on Hisenses massive 85-inch 4K HDR TV again. Instead of its original $1,700 asking price, its down to $1,000. This model ships with Android TV software built in, enabling you to watch most streaming services from the TV itself without the need for extra hardware, like a streaming device.

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Logitechs Brio, the holy grail of webcams, is $40 off right now - The Verge

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1 February 2021 - Canapii, a provider of event management software, has launched a free virtual event management solution, available immediately to the global market. The release offers organizations the ability to host virtual events for up to 75 users, entirely free of charge, from Canapiis specialist events platform which is trusted by some of the worlds leading brands.

Canapii (www.canapii.com) was launched in 2020 as a subsidiary of Canalys, the global leader in tech analysis. Born out of the devastation that Covid-19 caused to the events, Canapiis unique event management platform uses digital tools and solutions to transform physical events into immersive online experiences.

With the events market expected to hit a recession that is estimated to take 6-12 months to recover from, the knock-on effect for businesses relying on this revenue source is significant. The University of Westminsters recent survey highlighted that 40% of event providers are uncertain as to whether they will even survive the next 6 months.

Canapii hopes to empower organisations to embrace virtual events, offering an alternative method for event managers to create communities through which to promote the sharing of knowledge.

Canapii believes that beyond the pandemic, the future of events will be a hybrid mix of both physical and virtual attendance. This presents a multitude of benefits to both organisers and attendees, but also introduces a new conundrum to event managers, who run the risk of getting left behind if they dont embrace online conferences, meetings and events.

Canapiis event management platform claims to offer the best feature set in the event management industry, combined with intuitive usability, and has already experienced great success, with Tech brands like HP at the forefront of its adoption.

Elliot Jakobsen, Global Marketing Manager at Canapii, is a firm believer that there are many benefits to virtual events. The virtual arena opens us up to the worlds best speakers, giving the audience access to the very best thought leaders in their industry. With information gathering being the top priority, and without barriers to attendance, we expect attendee numbers to rise, making events even more successful. And with excellent recording and play-back capabilities, content can be repurposed and used a multitude of times by contributors, he comments.

Canapiis decision to offer a free basic version emulates well-known software companies like Slack, Dropbox and Zoom. The free version allows customers to try the software for as long as they like, whilst giving them the confidence to upgrade to the more functionally rich paid-for version if this suits their needs. Canapii benefits from reduced sales cost, redistributing resources towards product development and customer support.

Canapii Co-Founder, Rita Chaher, supports the decision for a free version, commenting, We appreciate that for smaller events there is frequently no budget allocated, so trying to negotiate contracts doesnt help anyone, and puts the events market further at risk. We want to provide companies with the opportunity to try virtual events, but then to give them the best chances of success if they do.

You can read more about the features of the free events management software or try it now from the Canapii website.

-ENDS-

About CanapiiCanapii provides unique solutions to manage in-person, hybrid and virtual events. As the only supplier with genuine 24/7 customer service, their global team lives and breathes events, no matter their location or size.

Canapii has over 45,000 users and is used by 5000+ companies. By being ahead of the innovation curve, they enable their customers to impress their audiences every step of the way.

For more information please visit http://www.canapii.com

Press Contact: Elliot Jakobsen Tel: +33 7 67 37 07 44 email: elliotj@canapii.com

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Canapii launches a free event management software to the global market - RealWire

Gone are the days when training employees was limited to classroom sessions. With a learning management system (LMS), you can move the entire corporate training process online, from creating courses to tracking progress. The software also lets you add multimedia content and interactive elements to your courses, so the learning experience is fun and engaging for employees.

There are hundreds of LMS tools available on the market, but if youre looking for free software, there are relatively fewer options. Free LMS software will not only help you save big on IT costs but also let you play around and tailor software functionality to your needs.

To make your search easier, weve created a list of the top five free and open source LMS platforms (arranged alphabetically). All tools offer a stand-alone free module that you can choose to upgrade if you need more features. Read our complete product selection methodology here.

4 out of 5 stars 1 review

ATutor is an open source LMS platform that lets you create online learning courses in 30+ languages. You can even share and archive the learning material. You also get access to AContent, a stand-alone tool that has the content authoring, test authoring, and content interoperability features of ATutor.

A view of the homepage in ATutor (Source)

Upgrade cost: ATutor is free of cost.

4.7 out of 5 stars 8 reviews

Forma LMS is a learning management platform that specifically caters to the online learning needs of corporates. It helps train employees via online webinars, live classes, self-paced courses, and instructor-led training sessions.

Course catalog in Forma LMS (Source)

Here are some key capabilities of Forma LMS:

Upgrade cost: Forma LMS is free of cost. But if you want to access its latest version (and newest features), you can become a member of the forma.association by paying a standard fee.

4.2 out of 5 stars 378 reviews

Odoo is a customizable open source suite of business applications. It offers an e-learning platform, Odoo eLearning, that lets you create online courses and learning material. It also allows you to track the progress of employees, measure their performance, and share certificates on course completion.

List of lessons in Odoo (Source)

Here are some key capabilities of Odoo eLearning:

Upgrade cost: Odoo eLearning is forever free.

4.7 out of 5 stars 72 reviews

Open edX is an LMS system that allows you to create various types of online courses, such as instructor-led, blended learning, and self-paced courses. It lets your employees access training content, take notes, bookmark specific lessons, have discussions with their peers, and track their learning progress.

View of an ongoing lesson in Open edX (Source)

Here are some key capabilities of Open edX:

Upgrade cost: Open edX is free of cost.

4.2 out of 5 stars 1,588 reviews

Moodle is an open source LMS solution that can be used by corporates as well as educational institutions. It lets you create online courses and learning material for various types of programs, such as compliance training, skill development training, and employee onboarding.

The My courses dashboard in Moodle (Source)

Here are some key capabilities of Moodle:

Upgrade cost: Moodle is free of cost.

In this article, weve featured five top-rated free and open source LMS software options. To choose the one that best fits your needs, follow these steps:

Through one-on-one conversation and personalized recommendations, Software Advice guides you through your software search. In as little as 15 minutes, our software advisors can help you pick the right software for your business needs, so you can feel confident in your choice. Click here to chat with an advisor or schedule a call.

Methodology

We identified popular products for free and open source LMS via incognito Google search on Jan. 5, 2021. Each product that appeared on Googles result pages (going from the top of the page to the bottom) was evaluated on the criteria given below until we had five qualifying products:

We checked if each product offered at least five out of the nine common key LMS features: grade book, learning paths, course authoring, learner portal, test assessment, compliance tracker, certification, gamification, and mobile learning.

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Top 5 Free and Open Source LMS Tools - Software Advice