Tag: Desktop

Categories
Ξ TREND

2023 Mac Studio review: Apple’s desktop that can do a lot

Announced in 2023 during a summer presentation, the M2 Ultra chip became the company’s most powerful computing solution. Of course, it would be strange to present such a solution and not use it. It was the M2 Ultra chip that received the updated Mac Studio computer. This is already his second generation. The predecessor pleasantly surprised us with its high performance, compactness and wide possibilities for interaction with different interfaces. What the 2023 Mac Studio is, and what the transition to a new chip gave it, we will look at in this material.

Mac Studio Design 2023

Apple has managed to create a truly fantastic device. The Mac Studio is similar in size to a pair of Mac Minis stacked on top of each other, but offers disproportionate power. The top side of the device is a square with rounded corners and the signature black apple logo on it. The width of each side of the computer is 19.7 cm, in other words, this is both the length and width of the device. And its height is only 9.5 cm. The computer cannot be called heavy – it weighs only 2.7 kg in the version with the M2 Max processor and 3.6 kg in the version with the M2 Ultra processor.

The side edges of the computer also received curves. The lower base is a mesh trapezoid, its smaller side is the support of the device. Inside the compact design is a revolutionary ventilation system specifically designed to allow the M2 Max or M2 Ultra to handle heavy loads at extremely high speeds and remain silent.

Mac Studio has a silver color, traditional for Apple technology, and the body is made from 100% recycled aluminum.

At the bottom of the front side there are three connectors and a power indicator. The back part is more than half given over to the ventilation mesh; below it are the remaining ports and connectors, as well as the power button. The case is non-separable – it is not possible to make any upgrades or repairs yourself.

The design of the device can no longer be called new – last year’s model looked exactly the same. Then Apple engineers were able to create a desktop solution, compact and as silent as possible, equipped with all the necessary ports. And it is logical to maintain continuity in this matter.

Mac Studio 2023 performance

It is already becoming a tradition to release Mac Studio in two configurations. The first is based on the M2 Max chip, and the second uses the top-end and just presented M2 Ultra. It is actually a pair of M2 Max processors connected by UltraFusion architecture. Both processors are manufactured on the 5nm process by Taiwanese manufacturer TSMC. The architecture used in the first generation of the Ultra chip makes it possible to provide enormous data speed on the internal bus with minimal latency and minimal power consumption. The second generation chip received 134 billion transistors, which is 20 billion more than the previous top solution, M1 Ultra.

The version with M2 Max is in itself a productive solution that can cope with any tasks offered to the computer. Mac Studio can easily work in parallel with several applications, process media content, record and mix music, and calculate complex processes. A 12-core central processor, 30 or 38 graphics cores and a 16-core neural processor are responsible for performance. The computer received 32 GB of unified memory (there are options with 64 and 96 GB) and an SSD drive with a capacity of 512 GB to 8 TB. Memory bandwidth reaches 400 Gbit/s.

The chip has 69 billion transistors and can reproduce up to 10 ProRes streams in 8K resolution, performs up to 15.8 trillion operations per second, supports up to 5 displays, hardware encoding/decoding of HEVC, ProRes and H.264.

The M2 Ultra-based computer version is a much more productive solution. Here the processor already has 24 cores, 60 or 76 graphics cores and 32 neural processor cores. The volume of unified memory ranges from 64 to 192 GB. The minimum capacity of an SSD drive is 1 TB, and the maximum is the same 8 TB. Memory bandwidth reaches 800 Gbit/s. According to Apple, the M2 Ultra is generally 20% faster than the M1 Ultra, and in graphics the superiority can reach 30%.

This chip is capable of playing up to 22 ProRes streams in 8K resolution, performs up to 31.6 trillion operations per second, supports up to 8 displays, hardware encoding/decoding of HEVC, ProRes and H.264.

And there are already real tests of the new Mac Studio. It is logical that this computer is compared with last year’s brother based on the M1 Ultra and top-end PCs. In the Cinebench R23 test using the Maxon Cinema 4D engine to test multi-core and multi-threaded processing, the new M2 Ultra was 18% ahead of the M1 Ultra, but almost half as bad as the 64-core Ryzen 5995WX. The specificity of the test is demanding on the number of cores.

The Geekbench 5.4.1 Pro test simulates the performance of popular applications, from PDF rendering and speech recognition to machine learning. The new Mac Studio showed an advantage of 17% and 27%, respectively, in the multi-core and single-core tests over last year’s model. The HandBrake 1.4 test involved converting a 12-minute 4K video to 1080p resolution.

In browser tests, performance also increased from 15 to 30% relative to the previous Mac Studio model.

In graphics and gaming tests, the advantage of Apple products becomes even more obvious, here’s what GFXBench 5.0 showed when processing a 1440p scene:

Can I play Mac Studio with M2 Ultra? The computer rendered Rise of the Tomb Raider at 1080p at 170 frames per second on high settings. A modern Mac Studio is the best Mac for gaming, so Game Mode in macOS Sonoma can come in handy.

Mac Studio 2023 ports

Mac Studio lets you create the studio of your dreams with a true array of 12 high-speed ports. They are capable of performing various tasks: transferring photos and videos using SDXC, connecting to TVs or high-definition displays, and working with data storage devices. The computer works with wireless accessories using Bluetooth 5.3 and makes the most of the high throughput of Wi-Fi 6E.

On the front panel at the bottom left there are three ports: a pair of USB-C with speeds up to 10 Gbps for the M2 Max or a pair of Thunderbolt 4 for the M2 Ultra, speeds up to 40 Gbps. To the right of them is an SDXC slot with a UHS-II bus.

The back part is already much more functional, but it is hidden from the user’s eyes so as not to spoil the illusion of Apple minimalism. Below the ventilation mesh from left to right there are 4 Thunderbolt 4 ports. They support both Thunderbolt 4 itself with speeds of up to 40 Gbps, as well as DisplayPort, USB 4 (up to 40 Gbps), USB 3.1 Gen 2 (up to 10 Gbps). This is followed by a 10-gigabit Ethernet connector, a power connector, two USB-A ports (up to 5 Gbps), an HDMI port with support for multi-channel audio, and a 3.5 mm headphone jack. Closing this row on the right is a small round power button.

These ports allow you to connect up to four Pro Display XDR monitors and one 4K TV.

The audio jack supports high-impedance headphones and can also act as a line-out for amplified speakers. The gradually aging Ethernet and USB-A ports have not gone away. And although they have already been abandoned in the MacBook Pro, the studio computer also offers such communication capabilities.

Mac Studio 2023 pricing

You probably shouldn’t expect this powerful computer to appear in official Russian retail stores in the near future. In the American App Store the prices are as follows:

  • Mac Studio with M2 Max chip, 12 CPU cores, 30 graphics cores, 16 Neural Engine cores – $1,999
  • Mac Studio with M2 Max chip, 12 CPU cores, 38 graphics cores, 16 Neural Engine cores – $2,199
  • Mac Studio with M2 Ultra chip, 24 CPU cores, 60 graphics cores, 32 Neural Engine cores – $3,999
  • Mac Studio with M2 Ultra chip, 24 CPU cores, 76 graphics cores, 32 Neural Engine cores – $4,999

Unified Memory Expansion:

  • From 32 GB to 64 GB (for model with M2 Max) – $400
  • From 64 GB to 128 GB (for model with M2 Ultra) – $800

Increasing SSD storage capacity:

  • Up to 1 TB – $200
  • Up to 2 TB – $600
  • Up to 4 TB – $1,200
  • Up to 8 TB – $2,400

Thus, in the minimum configuration the computer will cost $1,999, while in the maximum configuration it will cost $8,799. The price range is wide, but the performance of the options varies greatly.

Conclusion

Apple has decided to please its fans with an annual update of high-performance solutions – the Mac Studio series is proof of this. The 2023 model is noticeably superior to last year’s counterpart in all respects, and it is also so powerful that even the Mac Pro cannot beat it. But on its side are dimensions, therefore better heat dissipation. At its top-end configuration, the $9,000 Mac Studio outperforms the $17,000 top-end PC in almost every scenario. A Mac Studio computer in your home is not just stylish, but also a cost-effective, ultra-productive solution.

🔥 See also:

  • 50 macOS Finder shortcuts every Mac user should know.
  • How to select or move items on Mac without pressing the trackpad. Try it, it’s very convenient.
  • Launchpad in macOS: what it is and how to configure it correctly so that you want to use it.

Categories
Ξ TREND

How to speed up KDE Plasma 5 desktop


KDE Plasma 5 is a beautiful desktop environment. It has a large number of graphical effects that make it stand out, and for this reason, many users agree that it is one of the most attractive desktops in all of Linux. However, that beauty comes at a considerable cost in system resources, and as a result, many users are unable to enjoy the desktop to its full potential.

If you’re frustrated with the way KDE runs on your Linux PC, we can help! Follow along as we show you how to speed up your KDE Plasma 5 desktop!

Upgrade KDE Plasma 5

With each release, KDE Plasma 5 gets performance improvements. Therefore, if you are having problems with the KDE desktop environment malfunctioning, the first thing you should do is check for updates. Your Linux operating system most likely has a new version of KDE ready for you with fixes, performance improvements, and more.

Not sure how to update your operating system on KDE Plasma? That is how!

Step 1: Press the Windows key on your keyboard and type “Discover” in the search box. Then launch the app with the blue shopping bag icon.

Step 2: In the Discover app, look for “Updates” at the bottom left of the window and click on it to access the system update area for KDE.

Step 3: Update your KDE Plasma 5 desktop (and Linux OS as a whole) by locating the “Update All” button.

Are you using a Linux distribution that doesn’t receive regular updates? Get rid of the KDE-based Linux distribution you are currently using for KDE Neon. It is an Ubuntu-based Linux system that offers new updates to the KDE Plasma desktop on a stable LTS foundation. You always get the latest news, so you’ll always see performance updates from the KDE team. For more information on Neon, .

Adjust desktop effects

One of the most common reasons why KDE Plasma 5 slows down on low-resource computers is graphical effects. They take a significant toll on system resources (mainly your GPU). Therefore, a quick way to speed up the KDE Plasma 5 desktop is to drastically reduce or disable fancy graphical effects on the desktop.

To disable graphical effects in KDE Plasma, press the Windows key on the keyboard and type “Effects”. Launch the application that is labeled “Desktop Effects”.

Once in the effects area of ​​the desktop, you will be able to see many of the graphical effects that the KDE Plasma 5 system uses. Scroll down and uncheck the boxes next to all enabled effects and you should see a slight increase in speed and performance.

disable composition

Composite effects are awesome in KDE. They add shadow and depth to your applications. These effects also add a beautiful translucent effect to open windows (when you drag them) and other attractive effects.

It goes without saying, but these compounding effects play a big role in making KDE Plasma slow, especially on low-end computers. Fortunately, the KDE developers make it easy to disable compositing.

To disable composite effects, press the Windows key and search for “Composite.” An app icon labeled “Composer” should appear. Click on it and you will be taken to the Plasma Desktop Composite Settings.

Inside the Composer window, uncheck the box next to “Enable composer at startup”. Then click on the “Apply” button, close the window and restart your PC. When you log back in, the compositing effects will be turned off, which will speed things up.

Uninstall Akonadi

KDE has a central database system known as Akonadi. It’s a solid service and helps many applications access information on the Plasma desktop. While you won’t notice Akonadi running in the background in KDE if you have decent computer specs, those with lower-end machines may notice that it’s slowing down your KDE session at times.

Uninstalling Akonadi and disabling the database system is very easy, but it differs depending on which Linux distribution you are using. To disable the service, open a terminal window and follow the command prompts that correspond to the operating system you are using.

Note: uninstalling Akonadi will also uninstall any KDE programs that depend on it.

ubuntu

sudo apt remove akonadi –purge

Debian

sudo apt-get remove akonadi –purge

ArchLinux

sudo pacman -Rsc akonadi

fedora

sudo dnf remove akonadi

OpenSUSE

sudo zypper remove akonadi

Switch window managers (optional)

The Window Manager plays a huge role in how heavy a desktop environment is. In KDE, the window manager is not inflated by itself. However, replacing it will make a big difference to memory, GPU, and CPU usage, so it’s a good idea to swap it out for something slimmer if necessary.

Openbox is an ideal replacement window manager to combine with KDE Plasma. Best of all, the Openbox developers provide a KDE/Openbox session, so no configuration is required. To get your tuned KDE/Openbox session, open a terminal window and follow the instructions next to the Linux operating system you’re running Plasma on.

Note: You should only switch from the KDE window manager to Openbox if you have gone through this list and are still running into a slow KDE session.

ubuntu

sudo apt install openbox openbox-kde-session

Debian

sudo apt-get install openbox openbox-kde-session

ArchLinux

sudo pacman -S openbox

fedora

sudo dnf install openbox-kde

OpenSUSE

sudo zypper install openbox-kde

Log in to KDE/Openbox

To log into your new KDE / Openbox session, click on the KDE application menu and then click on the logout button. Once you have signed out, you will see the login screen. On the login screen, find “session” and click the dropdown next to it to reveal the desktop sessions that are available, then select “KDE/Openbox”.

After selecting the “KDE / Openbox” option, click on your username and enter your password to log in. When you’re done logging in, you’ll see the KDE Plasma 5 desktop, but with Openbox, a much lighter window manager.

Categories
Ξ TREND

How to Backup KDE Plasma 5 Desktop Settings on Linux

Love Plasma 5 and want to back up your configuration files just in case? If so, you’ll need to do some digging in your home directory, as the configuration files for the KDE Plasma 5 desktop belong in the ~/.config/ folder. That being said, KDE does not save all of its settings in one folder. Instead, they are scattered all over the place in the ~/.config folder. It is possible to back up KDE Plasma 5 by saving the entire configuration folder, but this is not something we recommend. The hidden configuration area in most Linux distributions is large. Compressing it would take too long.

KDE Connect Backup

Instead, it’s better to classify and copy all KDE items. Let’s start by backing up one of the key features of the KDE Plasma desktop: KDE Connect. Keeping a backup of KDE Connect really helps, as it’s a hassle to set everything up again.

Start by using CD to move to ~/.config

cd ~/.config

Copy the KDE connection folder to a new Plasma backup folder.

mkdir ~/plasma-backups cp -R kdeconnect

Alternatively, feel free to create a separate file of the same:

tar -jcvf kdeconnect-backup.tar.bz2 kdeconnect

Next, review and create a backup of all files related to “k”. This will include things like “kwin” and “kscreenlocker” etc.

mkdir plasmak-backups cp k* plasmak-backups mv plasmak-backups ~/plasma-backups

Most of the files have been backed up. Note that you can have more items, so use the ls command and browse to any other widget folder you want to save. Move them with the mv command to ~/plasma-backups.

KDE Plasma Backup

Now that many of plasma’s non-KDE related files have been safely backed up to the ~/plasma-backups folder, we can move the main Plasma backup items to the backup folder created earlier.

mv plasma* ~/plasma-backups

Everything related to the KDE Plasma desktop environment should be inside ~/plasma-backups. At last, we can create the tar file backup of everything. Start by moving the terminal from ~/.config to the home folder.

cd ~/

Then use the tar command to create a new backup of the file.

tar -jcvf plasma-backups plasma-backups.tar.bz2

Each file inside the ~/plasma-backups folder is now compressed into one archive. Feel free to take this folder and upload it to Dropbox, Google Drive, home servers, etc.

Restoring the backup

Do you need to restore the backup to a new installation? Begin by downloading your plasma-backups.tar.bz2 archive file. Move it out of the folder where you downloaded it and place it in ~/.config/ For example:

cd ~/Downloads mv plasma-backups.tar.bz2 ~/.config/

From here, you will be able to extract the contents of the file backup.

tar -xvf plasma-backups.tar.bz2 cd plasma-backups mv * .. rmdir plasma-backups rm plasma-backups.tar.bz2

Everything should go exactly where it is needed.

When the restore is complete, log out of KDE and then log back in. Everything should be like when you created the backups!

KDE Plasma 5 Automated Backups – Deja-Dup

There are many ways to create file backups on Linux, but Deja Dup is one of the best. If you are an avid KDE Plasma 5 user and want to keep track of your KDE Plasma configuration files at all times, you might want to consider using Deja Dup for backups.

The advantage of going this route is that Deja Dup can back up via multiple interfaces such as local network shares (Samba, FTP), directly to various online storage sites, or even locally. Another advantage of using Deja Dup is that it is possible to tell the backup tool what to exclude.

Here’s how to set up an automated backup of your KDE Plasma settings. First, follow the installation process in our guide here. Then, open Deja Dup and select “folders to ignore”. Click the + sign and navigate to the ~/.config folder.

Add any folders that do not belong to KDE Plasma 5. Excluding these files should drastically reduce the size of your backup file.

Note: Deja Dup currently does not support file-by-file filtering, so some other non-KDE files may be backed up, depending on what is installed.

Then go back to the main page and select “Save Folders”. Click + and add ~/.config as the main backup folder.

Now that the correct folders are ready to go, click on “Schedule” and click the slider next to “automatic backup”.

Go to “Overview” in the Deja Dup backup tool and click “Backup” to create your first backup. From now on, all KDE Plasma desktop configurations will be done automatically.

Restoring the backup

Restoring backups for KDE Plasma in Deja Dup is quite easy and starts with opening Deja Dup and clicking “storage location”. In the location box, fill in the network details correctly so Deja Dup can find everything.

With the correct location set, click on “Summary” and then select the “Restore” button. If Deja Dup successfully finds the storage location, the restore can begin. When Deja Dup finishes, restart your PC. Upon login, everything should be back to normal.