LG Electronics USA has launched the latest addition to its new 2023 LG gram laptop lineup – the LG gram SuperSlim. Designed with ultra-portability in mind, LG’s gram SuperSlim laptops measure at just .43-inches thick, making it the thinnest LG gram ever.
The SuperSlim laptop is available in two configurations: 15.6-inch, 32GB, 2 TB SSD for $1,999 and 15.6-inch, 16GB, 512GB SSD for $1,699. You can purchase it at LG.com or Amazon.com.
The LG gram SuperSlim is equipped with Intel’s Evo 13th Gen Processor 2 and Intel Iris Xe graphics. As well as a 15.6-inch anti-glare OLED display with a 100 percent DCI-P3 3 color gamut and VESA DisplayHDR True Black. That is expected to deliver exceptional image resolution with true-to-life detail and stunning, deep black levels.
It weighs just over 2 pounds and has passed seven tests for military-grade durability. The gram SuperSlim is made for those who are always on the move. This LG gram also features a redesigned compact power adapter and multiple ports, including three USB Type-C ports, two of which support Thunderbolt™ 4 compatibility, and a 4 pole headphone jack to boost efficiency and productivity.
If you are looking for a new laptop that runs on Windows 11, you might be overwhelmed by the number of options available in 2023. There are laptops for every budget, need, and preference, from ultraportable to gaming to productivity to creativity. How do you choose the best laptops for Windows users or the best laptop for you?
In this blog post, we help to narrow down your choices. We have compiled a list of the best 2023 laptops for Windows users, based on their features, performance, design, and price. We will also give you some tips on how to find the best laptop for your specific needs and preferences.
Here are some of the best 2023 laptops for Windows users
Best overall: Dell XPS 15 OLED
The Dell XPS 15 OLED is our top pick for the best Windows laptop in 2023. It combines a stunning 15.6-inch OLED display with a sleek and sturdy design, a comfortable keyboard and touchpad, and powerful performance. The XPS 15 can handle any task you throw at it, from video editing to gaming, thanks to its 11th-gen Intel Core processors and Nvidia GeForce RTX graphics. It also has a long battery life of over 10 hours, a fast and reliable Wi-Fi 6 connection, and a range of ports including Thunderbolt 4 and HDMI 2.1. The XPS 15 OLED starts at $1,299, but you can customize it with up to 64GB of RAM, 4TB of SSD storage, and a 4K OLED touchscreen. The Dell XPS 15 OLED is ideal for professionals who need a high-performance laptop that can handle heavy workloads and multitasking.
Best value: Asus Zenbook 13 OLED
The Asus Zenbook 13 OLED is the best value in Windows laptops in 2023. For less than $1,000, you get a gorgeous 13.3-inch OLED display that delivers vibrant colors and deep blacks, a thin and light aluminum chassis that weighs only 2.5 pounds, and a snappy performance with an AMD Ryzen 7 processor and integrated Radeon graphics. The Zenbook 13 also has an impressive battery life of over 13 hours, a backlit keyboard with a number pad, and a Harman Kardon audio system. The only drawbacks are the lack of a headphone jack, a mediocre webcam, and mediocre speakers.
Best 2-in-1: Microsoft Surface Laptop 4
This laptop is a versatile and elegant device that can adapt to your needs. The Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 is the best 2-in-1 laptop for Windows users in 2023. It features a versatile design that lets you use it as a laptop or a tablet, with a smooth hinge and a responsive touchscreen. The Surface Laptop 4 also has a beautiful 13.5-inch or 15-inch PixelSense display with a 3:2 aspect ratio that offers more vertical space for web browsing and document editing. The Surface Laptop 4 delivers a fast and smooth performance with either an Intel Core or an AMD Ryzen processor, along with up to 32GB of RAM and 1TB of SSD storage. It also has a long battery life of up to 19 hours, a comfortable keyboard and touchpad, and a Windows Hello facial recognition camera.
The Surface Laptop 4 starts at $999, but you can also opt for the Surface Pen or the Surface Dial for more creative input options. It is ideal for users who want a laptop that can switch between laptop and tablet modes, and who value style and portability.
Best for gaming: Lenovo Legion Pro 7i
The Lenovo Legion Pro 7i is the best gaming laptop for Windows users in 2023. It boasts a powerful performance with an Intel Core i9 processor and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 graphics card that can handle any game at high settings and smooth frame rates. The Legion Pro 7i also has a stunning 16-inch QHD display with a 165Hz refresh rate, G-Sync support, and Dolby Vision HDR that enhances your gaming experience. It also has a sleek and durable design with RGB lighting, a spacious keyboard with mechanical switches, and an advanced cooling system that keeps the laptop from overheating or throttling. The Legion Pro 7i starts at $1,999, but you can upgrade it with up to 64GB of RAM and up to two SSDs in RAID configuration.
Best for business: Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon
This laptop is a business-class device that offers reliability and security. It has a 14-inch display with IPS or Dolby Vision technology, an 11th-generation Intel Core i7 processor, up to 32 GB of RAM, and up to 1 TB of SSD storage. It also has a durable and lightweight design with carbon fiber material, a spill-resistant keyboard and trackpoint, and a long battery life. The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon is ideal for users who want a laptop that can withstand harsh conditions and who value performance and productivity.
Bonus: The HP Spectre x360
The HP Spectre x360 laptop is a convertible that can transform into four different modes: laptop, tablet, tent, and stand. It has a 13.3-inch or 15.6-inch touchscreen display with OLED or IPS technology, an 11th-generation Intel Core i7 processor, up to 16 GB of RAM, and up to 2 TB of SSD storage. It also has a stunning design with gem-cut edges and an angular hinge, a backlit keyboard and touchpad, and a long battery life. The HP Spectre x360 is ideal for users who want a laptop that can adapt to different scenarios and who appreciate aesthetics and innovation.
These are some of the best laptops for Windows users in 2023 that we recommend. Of course, there are many other options available in the market, so you should do your own research and compare different models before making your final decision.
Here are some tips on how to find the best laptop for you
Know your budget
How much are you willing to spend on a new laptop? You should set a realistic budget range that suits your financial situation and stick to it. You can find laptops for every price range, from low-end to high-end, but you should also consider the value for money and the quality of the product.
Consider your needs
What do you plan to use your laptop for? You should think about the main tasks and activities that you will perform on your laptop, such as browsing the web, watching videos, gaming, editing photos or videos, etc. You should also consider how often and where you will use your laptop, such as at home, at work, at school, or on the go.
Know your preferences
What features and specifications do you prefer in a laptop? Laptops come in various sizes, shapes, colors, and designs. You may prefer a laptop that is sleek and stylish or one that is durable and rugged. Or a laptop that has a keyboard with backlighting, or one that has a touchpad with gestures. You may also prefer a laptop that has a 360-degree hinge or one that has a detachable keyboard. Or a laptop that runs on Windows, Mac OS, Chrome OS, or Linux. There is no right or wrong answer here; it all depends on your personal taste and comfort.
We hope you find this post on the best laptops for Windows users in 2023 helpful and informative. What’s your best laptop and why?
Microsoft Excel is a powerful tool that can help you perform various types of data analysis, such as descriptive statistics, data visualization, data cleaning, data transformation, and data modeling. In this short blog post, we will show you some basic steps and tips on how to use Excel for data analysis.
Step 1: Import your data into Excel
The first step is to import your data into Excel. You can do this by opening Excel and clicking on the File tab, then selecting Open. Browse to the location of your data file and click on it. Excel will try to detect the format of your data and display a preview of it. You can adjust some settings, such as the delimiter, the header row, and the data type of each column, before clicking on Load.
Alternatively, you can also import your data from other sources, such as a web page, a text file, a database, or another workbook. To do this, click on the Data tab, then select Get Data. Choose the source of your data and follow the instructions on the screen.
Step 2: Explore your data in Excel
The next step is to explore your data in Excel. You can do this by using various features and tools that Excel provides, such as:
The Quick Analysis tool: This tool allows you to quickly apply some common analysis tasks to your selected data range, such as formatting, charts, tables, sparklines, and formulas. To use this tool, select your data range and click on the Quick Analysis icon that appears at the bottom right corner of your selection. Then choose the category and option that you want to apply.
The Filter and Sort options: These options allow you to filter and sort your data based on certain criteria or values. To use these options, select your data range and click on the Filter icon or the Sort icon on the Home tab. Then choose the column and condition that you want to filter or sort by.
The PivotTable and PivotChart tools: These tools allow you to summarize and visualize your data in a dynamic and interactive way. To use these tools, select your data range and click on the PivotTable or PivotChart icon on the Insert tab. Then drag and drop the fields that you want to analyze into the appropriate areas of the PivotTable or PivotChart.
Step 3: Analyze your data in Excel
The final step is to analyze your data in Excel. You can do this by using various functions and formulas that Excel provides, such as:
The Statistical functions: These functions allow you to perform various statistical calculations on your data, such as mean, median, mode, standard deviation, correlation, regression, and hypothesis testing. To use these functions, enter them in a cell with the appropriate arguments and press Enter.
The Data Analysis ToolPak: This is an add-in that allows you to perform more advanced data analysis techniques on your data, such as ANOVA, t-test, chi-square test, Fourier analysis, histogram, and random number generation. To use this add-in, you need to enable it first by clicking on the File tab, then selecting Options. Click on Add-Ins on the left pane, then select Excel Add-Ins from the Manage drop-down list at the bottom. Click on Go and check the box next to Analysis ToolPak. Click on OK and restart Excel.
Once you have enabled the add-in, you can access it by clicking on the Data tab, then selecting Data Analysis. Choose the analysis technique that you want to perform and fill in the required parameters.
In this blog post, we have shown you some basic steps and tips on how to use Microsoft Excel for data analysis. We hope that this post has helped you learn more about Excel’s capabilities and features for data analysis. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to leave a comment below.
Fintech is one of the most dynamic and innovative sectors in Africa, with hundreds of startups offering solutions for payments, lending, banking, insurance and more. In 2022, African fintech startups raised over $1.4 billion in funding, according to Disrupt Africa, and attracted global attention with acquisitions and partnerships.
Africa is a continent with immense potential for innovation and growth in the financial sector. According to the World Bank, more than 60% of the population in sub-Saharan Africa is unbanked, meaning they lack access to formal financial services such as savings, credit, insurance and payments. However, thanks to the rapid adoption of mobile phones and internet connectivity, many African entrepreneurs are developing innovative solutions to address this gap and provide affordable and convenient financial services to millions of people.
In this blog post, we will highlight five African fintech startups that are making waves in the industry and have the potential to scale up and impact millions of lives in 2023 and beyond.
Okra
Okra is a Nigerian startup that provides an API platform for connecting bank accounts to third-party applications. Founded in 2019, Okra has secured partnerships with major players like Access Bank, Interswitch and uLesson, and raised $10 million in a seed round led by TLcom Capital and Accenture Ventures. Okra enables businesses to access real-time financial data, initiate payments, verify identity and perform direct debits from customers’ bank accounts.
Moove
Moove is a Nigerian mobility fintech that provides revenue-based vehicle financing to drivers and transport entrepreneurs across Africa. Launched in 2019, Moove has facilitated over $200 million in loans for more than 10,000 drivers on platforms like Uber and Bolt. Moove leverages data and technology to assess credit risk and offer flexible repayment terms based on drivers’ earnings. Moove raised $68.5 million in a Series A round led by Speedinvest and Left Lane Capital.
Tabby
Tabby is an Egyptian startup that offers a buy now, pay later (BNPL) service for online and offline shoppers in the Middle East and North Africa. Founded in 2019, Tabby allows customers to split their purchases into four interest-free installments or pay after 14 days with no fees. Tabby partners with over 2,000 merchants across various sectors, including fashion, electronics, beauty and travel. Tabby raised $50 million in a Series B round led by Global Founders Capital and STV.
Wave
Wave is a Senegalese startup that provides a mobile money service that allows users to send and receive money instantly and securely via their phones. Founded in 2018, Wave aims to make mobile money more accessible and affordable by charging no fees for transactions and offering competitive exchange rates. Wave operates in Senegal, Uganda, Gambia, Mali, Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast, where it claims to have over 5 million active users and process over $2.5 billion in annualized payment volume. Wave raised $200 million in a Series A round led by Sequoia Heritage and Stripe.
JUMO
JUMO is a South African startup that operates a technology platform for building and running financial services for emerging markets. Founded in 2014, JUMO partners with banks, mobile network operators and fintech companies to offer credit, savings and insurance products to underserved customers. JUMO has served over 20 million customers and disbursed over $3 billion in loans across 15 markets in Africa and Asia. JUMO raised $55 million in a funding round led by Goldman Sachs.
University students from across Kenya and some parts of Africa can now apply to participate in season 4 of the Microsoft Africa Development Centre’s (ADC) Game of Learners (GOL) student hackathon competition. The GOL initiative provides an opportunity for African university students, aspiring software engineers, and solution builders to improve their technical and coding abilities while creating solutions to current challenges facing the continent and the world.
GoL student hackathon Season 4
In this year’s student hackathon competition, participants will be working to develop possible technology solutions that can address different health challenges, including how to improve healthcare service provision in their localities or other parts of the world. The program runs as a 5-week hackathon with teams captained by Microsoft Learn Student Ambassadors crafting the innovations while receiving technical training from Microsoft’s professionals.
“Since we launched Game of Learners four years ago, we have seen incredible development in the learner’ skills through each season as they create incredibly clever solutions to some of Africa’s pressing problems using Microsoft technology,” said Ruth Ferland, Senior Program Manager at ADC, and the founder of the Game of Learners Program. “This year’s theme will allow the participants to plug into an area that has enormous potential to impact lives across the continent and indeed around the world.”
The students will benefit from the instruction of 32 coaches and more than 20 advisors who will guide them through the process of learning new technologies and building their solutions. The coaches, mentors, judges, speakers, and trainers will consist of volunteers from Microsoft and partners, who for season 4 will include PSI and AMREF Health Africa.
Winning teams
At the end of the season, the winning team will be eligible for awards, including collaboration with GOL Season 4 partners to advance their solution and entry into the Microsoft Imagine Cup, where they will present their innovation on a global stage.
“This partnership with Microsoft is part of a larger initiative to increase the talent pool of individuals working in Digital Health across Africa”, said Martin Dale, Population Services International’s (PSI) Global Director of Digital Health. “There is so much talent graduating from our universities and Game of Learners is a great opportunity for students to dig in and create solutions that make health care more accessible to all.”, he continued.
Speaking about the initiative, Samuel Weru, AMREF Health Africa Group ICT Director, challenged students to apply for the program and be part of the drive towards creating home-grown solutions for Africa’s challenges.
“As a continent that has historically had serious healthcare challenges, we need the kind of ideas that can only come from the youth to revitalize healthcare service provision. There are myriad opportunities ranging from health informatics and telemedicine to big data analysis and system security for the learners to explore. We are eager to work with the teams to create solutions that have the potential to change Africa and the world,” said Weru.
GoL Season 4
In total, Season 4 will have 16 teams, each made up of 4 learners, 2 men and 2 women, drawn from all over the continent. The virtual student hackathon competition is open to students of accredited universities and colleges in sub-Saharan Africa, who will be vetted as per the requirements after submitting an online application.
“The program is designed to provide a fun, hands-on learning experience while creating a virtual environment that transcends borders to allow young minds to collaborate and drive the advancement of Africa into a global innovation hub. Having gender-balanced teams further ties into our mission of promoting diversity and inclusion within the tech industry,” explains Ferland.
Like a sports league, each 5-week season of Game of Learners follows up with a month-long season of GOL Clinic and GOL exhibitions to accord individuals seeking deeper hands-on technical experience and specialized training from Microsoft and GOL partners.
