Each year advancements in technology bring new laptops packed with features previously impossible. That’s certainly the case with AMD after its commanding performance last year. With their powerful Ryzen 4000 laptop processors, AMD gives Intel some serious competition. The consumer electronics show 2021 showcased Microsoft, Dell, Lenovo, and several other manufacturer offerings, which blended the laptop into a professional and personal machine.
Here is a list of the best-rated laptops you should consider for your next purchase. Check your local Best Buy for the best laptop deals and pricing
1. Microsoft Surface Pro X
The Surface Pro X is an innovative design from Microsoft that is a 2 in 1 laptop tablet. Use it as a regular laptop or remove the screen for a large tablet on the go. With a starting price of $999, you get 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage space. The Surface Pro X comes with Microsoft SQ1 or SQ2 chipsets (depending upon model) and features Microsoft’s thinnest form factor. The screen is 13” with almost no visible frame and offers up to 15 hours of battery life
2. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon
The ThinkPad X1 Carbon offers several features that help it make the list. First, it has a 14” screen but remains lightweight and thin. Battery life can last up to 19.5 hours and comes with a rapid rechargeability that provides around 80% battery life after one hour of charging. This model also can wake from sleep in less than a second giving you quick responsiveness. Additional connectivity with Wi-Fi 6 provides speedy and secure connections
3. Dell XPS 13
Dell has created the XPS 13 and certainly looks to generate competition for laptop manufacturers in 2021. The XPS offers a case professionally sculpted by a CNC machining process. This case provides an incredibly durable option with aluminum materials instead of magnesium or plastic. Sticking with the rugged theme, the XPS 13 also includes Gorilla Glass 6, which allows the screen to shrug off impacts and scratches. Finally, the unit is thinner than previous models but still retains the headphone jack and microSD
4. Apple MacBook Air M1
Apple has shown up to challenge its rivals with increased performance power. The M1 chip has given the MacBook Air a genuine performance boost over previous models. Not only is the M1 chip impressive, but the 8-core processor allows for extreme multitasking with minimal battery loss. MacBook Air uses a fanless cooling method in another unique design choice, which makes for silent operation
5. Acer Aspire 5
For multi-taskers and gamers, the Acer Aspire has some additional benefits with your choice of options under the hood. You can select either Intel or AMD processors and for graphics, either Nvidia or AMD. With the option for a 1 TB SSD drive, this model offers fast performance from boot-up to running simultaneous applications. The display is a Full HD IPS that incorporates stunning color depth and eye saving technology
It is well known that certain foods can be carcinogenic, yet many individuals still consume them daily, increasing their risk of developing cancer. A cancer diagnosis is a long road to recovery, with debilitating cancer treatments, like immunotherapy and chemotherapy, and cancer medicines that can deplete your energy and leave you feeling incredibly weak. In order to remain as healthy as possible, you must start from the outside in—meaning consuming a balanced diet of healthy superfoods and avoiding known carcinogens. Here are the best and worst foods for cancer:
Best
1. Fruits and vegetables
Fruits and vegetables are an excellent source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals as well as antioxidants that are great for cancer prevention. In particular, it has been found that fruits and veggies protect against mouth, throat, stomach, and bowel cancer.
2. Whole grains
Whole grains, like whole grain bread, quinoa, brown rice, oats, and barley, are packed with fiber. Fiber helps you stay lean, thus preventing your risk of developing cancer, which is increased with obesity.
3. Nuts
Nuts are loaded with nutrients and phytochemicals, which act as chemoprevention—they have the ability to hinder cancer development by preventing DNA damage. So stock up on almonds, pistachios, walnuts, pecans, and more.
4. Beans
Beans are full of excellent compounds that are anticarcinogenic, including fiber, protease inhibitors, phytic acid, and polyphenols. They are also antioxidant, antimutagenic, and they search for and collect free radicals—keeping you healthy as can be!
Worst
1. Processed meat
Hot dogs, salami, sausages, beef jerky, and similar processed meats contain abundant preservatives and undergo curing methods that can generate carcinogenic compounds. It’s advisable to restrict or remove consumption of processed meats preserved through salting, curing, canning, or smoking.
2. Alcohol
The liver breaks down alcohol into acetaldehyde, a carcinogenic substance. This compound causes DNA harm, raises oxidative stress, and disrupts immune function. This immune suppression hinders your body’s ability to detect and combat precancerous and cancerous cells effectively.
3. Deep-fried foods
Cooking starchy foods like french fries, potato chips, and onion rings at high temperatures can lead to the formation of the carcinogenic substance known as acrylamide. This compound has the potential to harm DNA, leading to cell death. Moreover, it contributes to elevated oxidative stress and inflammation, thereby raising the likelihood of developing cancer.
4. Sugary foods and refined carbohydrates
Sugary drinks, pastries, white pasta, rice, sugary cereals, and white bread are sugary foods and refined carbs, which heighten cancer risk indirectly. These items can contribute to conditions like type 2 diabetes and obesity, fostering inflammation and oxidative stress—consequently heightening cancer risk due to these factors.
There’s just something about a classic pick up truck. As far as stature and power, the following trucks led the way as far as impressive styling, engine power, hauling and off road capabilities that, no doubt, inspired the design of many pickups on the road today.
Here’s our list of the six most tried and true pickup trucks in history:
When I was a kid, all the cool teens had a Ford Bronco, but those with a limited edition Baja Bronco were king of the road. Why? As far as off-roading capabilities, the Baja offered a powerful 302-cid V8 paired with a C4 automatic, plus drivers got a impressive boost due to the high cut rear wheel wells and flares, which left ample room for huge tires. The Baja screamed daring adventure roll cage and special enhancements made to offer heavy-duty suspension.
Ford longed to take their classic F150 off-road, but it took until 2009 for them to create the Raptor, a pick up that offered smooth driving and handling and four-wheeling on even the most extreme desert terrain. Not to mention, this truck could haul an 8000-pound trailer. No problem! Offered in a SuperCrew cab and SuperCab configuration, the Raptor also featured a 4WD system based on the standard F-150, plus urethane bump stops and internal-bypass Fox Racing shocks, which allowed for smooth-riding suspension over the roughest roads and highest jumps.
More of a conversion kit than a model truck, Napco (otherwise known as the Northwest Auto Parts Company) made up for the fact that 1950s pickups didn’t come in 4WD (opposed from Dodge). So Napco designed a 4WD offered a conversion kit that let Chevy, Fords, and GMC owners get the 4WD power they longed for. By the year 1957, pick up manufacturers finally caught on and began installing Napco Power-Pak 4WD conversions on their assembly line pick ups.
While GM and Ford enthusiasts may have issue with this truck, one can hardly match the ruggedness of the Dodge Ram of the early 90’s with it’s Cummins diesel engine. In fact, you can still witness the impact of this redesigned Ram on many GM and Ford trucks to this day, with it’s “big rig” styling.
Prior to the Ford F-150, the Highboy was king of the Ford pick up empire. A tough-as-nails truck renowned for it’s ultra-rugged driving capabilities on any terrain, the Highboy was named for its sky-high frame and 35-inch tall tires that was inches taller than any Jeep, Dodge, or GM on the market. After 1977, the Highboy was considered a “Lowboy” as it was constructed at least 2-inches lower, which is why the original pre-1977 model is now considered a collector’s item.
When a celebrity race car driver pairs up with an auto manufacturer, sometimes the results can be disappointing, which was sort of the case when Rod Hall collaborated with Chrysler to birth the Rod Hall Signature Edition Dodge pick up truck. Only 33 of these beauties were made, and despite the Dodge Ram 150 base design, bed-mount light bar and driving lights, and slick pre-runner front and rear bumpers, for some reason Dodge plopped in a whimpy 318-cid V8 with only 170 hp. Despite the fact, this truck continues to be a collector’s item among pick up truck buffs.
The pickup truck is synonymous with America. It’s tough. It works hard. And it has no problem getting dirty to get the job done. This is likely why the pickup truck continues to be among the best selling vehicle in North America. Regardless of if you’re part of team Dodge, Ford, or Chevy, you know that owning a truck offers a truly unique driving experience compared to any sedan, small compact, or even an SUV.
Here are our top reasons to super-size your driving experience to a pickup truck:
If it’s room you desire, ignore any desires to buy a sleek, compact car and turn to a pickup instead. Seriously, a recent Chevy Silverado offers ample legroom and cargo space for a comfortable daily commute or road trip because who wants a leg cramp to start the work day. Passengers can literally stretch their legs out in a roomy four full pickup truck with ample room for tools and everything you need.
Perhaps power and hauling capabilities are your biggest concern when thinking about pickup truck ownership. However, believe it or not safety is a huge benefit of pickup truck ownership. positive! Think about the safety features built in to most full-size trucks—you get a caged cab, vehicle stability, safety seatbelt systems, side impact protection, and even trailer sway control already built into your vehicle.
Sure, if you own a pickup truck you kind of open yourself up to helping every single person you know move house. However, when it comes to hauling your own stuff, you can’t go wrong with a pickup truck. Take a truck like the Chevy Silverado for example, you can suddenly haul up to 12,000 pounds no problem thanks to the impressive torque and horsepower. Suddenly your vehicle can easily transition from work truck to off road camping vehicle of your dreams.
If it’s a boost you want, a pickup is your best bet when it comes to the best visibility on the road. The height of a standard pickup truck cabin permits a view over most other vehicles on the highway. Is that a traffic jam 6 blocks ahead? Luckily, you’ll be able to see it and take a quick detour if you drive a pickup. Not to mention, the cab of a pick up offers the driver and all passengers all-round visibility, front, back and side thanks to huge rear and side-view mirrors.
Leading us into the next reason why trucks are such great vehicles.
Putting aside all jokes about overcompensating, there is little doubt that many individuals choose to drive a pickup for the sheer power it offers. While Ford, Chevy, and GM differ as far as horses under the hood, most current trucks offer between 350- to 440-horsepower (hp) if you consider a Ford F-250 or a Dodge Ram.
Pickup trucks represent the American dream. And while car buyers have vered from SUV to sports coupe over the past few years, pickup truck buffs tend to harken to the past when it comes to sticking with their love of the classic pickup truck. Many of the following classic trucks in good condition sell for a pretty steep price among collectors.
Here are four of the most coveted collectible pickup trucks:
Considered neither a car nor a truck, the Bronco was unique as far a broaching the needs of both a car and a truck driver, which explains it’s motto “the best of both worlds”. This cube shaped truck debuted for 1966 in rudimentary form for a mere $2400 (base model). However, it was the impressively wide (at 92-inches) wheelbase that offered serious off roading, smooth highway driving, and extreme towing capabilities in a single vehicle. Touted literally as a sports car with 4-wheel drive, the Bronco was mounted on coil springs and outfitted with a V8 engine that could literally take drivers from camping to off roading while offering the style and comfort of a family wagon. Today, this year range of Ford Bronco retails for $25k plus.
Behold the inaugural Ford F-series pickup. Think of it as the crown of America’s trucking obsession. Considering this Ford series has ranked in the best-selling for decades, many pickup truck owners are still firmly planted in the Ford camp thanks to this very vehicle. If you’re lucky enough to find a 1948 Ford F1 for sale, you can expect to pay upwards of $30K depending on condition and customizations.
Looking at this truck, there’s little wonder that it was originally designed in the early 1940’s for military purposes. However, the Dodge Power Wagon caught on in the mainstream market due to its ability to travel virtually anywhere. The impressive 4×4 capabilities of this truck was so good that it there were no revisions until it was discontinued in 1968. If you spot one, expect to pay $45k or more!
It was called the “Super” for good reason. This high-option, everyday use pickup truck boosted unique interior design with a/c, tach dash, power brakes and steering, headliners, and tilt columns. Plus, the exterior could be costoumize with special paint and trim. Find one and expect to pay up to $30k for a model in good condition with lots of options.
