Tech review: Acer Nitro 5 2022: Affordable option for gamers with limited funds
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2022
The Acer Nitro 5 2022 edition is a budget gaming notebook that allows you to enjoy most of the latest games without having to spend extra.
The Nitro 5 2022 edition comes with everything necessary to handle the complexities of today’s graphics-intensive gaming, except for one thing – RAM. The entry-level model just has 8 gigabytes of RAM (random access memory), so it is necessary to spend an extra 1,000 baht or so to add another 8GB. According to an Acer PR officer, an additional RAM module can be bought and installed at any Acer service centre so the notebook’s 3-year warranty is not affected.
Apart from this shortcoming, the Nitro 5 2022 is more powerful than its 2021 brother thanks to its 12th Generation Intel Core i7 processor, which performs better than the 11th Generation Core i7 used in the previous edition.
Specifically, the Nitro 5 (Intel Gen 12) is powered by the Intel Core i7-12700H, which comes with 14 cores and 24 threads compared to the 8 cores and 16 threads of the Intel Gen 11 Core i7. A thread is a virtual version of a CPU’s core, which means the more threads a processor has the better it will perform.
Six of the Intel Gen 12’s 14 cores are devoted to performance, which maximises the single-thread performance and responsiveness, while the remaining eight cores focus on efficiency, delivering scalable, multithreaded performance and efficient offloading of background tasks to allow multitasking.
On the graphics side, the Nitro 5 uses an NVIDIA GeForce RTX3050 processing unit that comes with 4GB GDDR6 memory.
Though the RTX3050 is entry level of the RTX30 series, it should be able to handle most games, though you may have to lower the resolution for some.
Expandable storage
As for storage, the Nitro 5 comes with a fast M.2 NVMe SSD storage with 512GB capacity, which is enough for general users.
Meanwhile, its 15.6-inch IPS display comes with Full HD resolution and a high refresh rate of 165Hz, which makes the visuals crisp and clear.
The Nitro 5 also provides plenty of room for expansion. Apart from an empty RAM slot, it also has a slot for adding another M.2 SSD storage and a 2.5-inch SATA III slot for adding another SSD or hard-drive storage. Both M.2 slots offer up to 1 terabyte of storage and use fast data-transferring PCIe 4.0 x4 technology.
Compared to the earlier edition, the Nitro 5 (Intel Gen 12) is prettier, has a better design and its body feels sturdier. However, the ventilation system necessary to dissipate the heat created from rendering graphics and gaming makes it quite heavy at 2.5 kilograms. Plus, you will need to carry its half-kilo power adapter because the 58Wh battery only lasts about four hours.
Effective, quiet ventilation
During the test, I found that the ventilation system was effective and the notebook did not get overheated at the peak of the gaming. It uses two fans and four heat pipes, which do not generate much noise. The system takes in air from two directions above and below the keyboard and the heat is expelled via four exhaust outlets.
I used the CPUID HWMonitor software to monitor the CPU’s temperature and found that the internal heat was between 75 and 87 degrees Celsius on average. But it did not heat up thanks to the efficient ventilating system.
While gaming, I found the graphics were rendered smoothly with good frame rates. But if you want to play large, graphic-intensive games like Elden Ring, you will need to lower the resolution to achieve a higher frame rate. After all, the computer comes with 8GB RAM.
Gamers usually enjoy colourful keyboards and the Nitro 5 comes with a 4-zone RGB keyboard, with a light setting that can be adjusted with NitroSense software.
Meanwhile, the arcade racing game – Asphalt 9: Legends – ran smoothly and the graphics were rendered beautifully.
The 3Dmark Time Spy gave the Nitro 5 a score of 5,071 points, meaning the notebook can play full HD games smoothly.
The PCMark 10 gives it 6,151 points for handling business applications, graphics and video editing well.
Benchmarking by Cinebench R15 confirms good graphics performance. Its OpenGL score came in at 141.41 frames per second and the CPU score was 2453 points. The Cinebench R20 gave the Intel Core i7-12700H a score of 6,112 points for its ability to render graphics.
The notebook’s good performance was also attributed to its SSD drive. The benchmarking standard found that the drive achieved a sequential reading speed of 6,600 MB/s and a sequential writing speed of 3,600 MB/s.
Another positive factor is that Nitro 5 comes with fast LAN and wireless connectivity thanks to its Intel Killer Land E2600 and Intel Killer Wi-Fi AX1650i adapters. This fast connectivity ensures that your online games run smoothly.
The Nitro 5 (Intel Gen 12) has all the necessary ports –
power adapter, Thunderbolt 4×1 and HDMI port – and they are placed at the back, so your hands don’t get tangled up with cords.
It has a LAN port, one USB-A 3.2 port and a combo audio connector for headphones and microphone on the left side and two USB-A 3.2 ports on the right side.
The Thunderbolt port comes with all the functions which allow you to connect it to an external display or expand the notebook’s performance with an added device. The port can also be used to recharge the battery.
Its sound system is also good, with speakers placed under the keyboard and a DTS: X system that offers surround sound, which is particularly enjoyable when playing games. The speakers also generated a good bass.
With a suggested retail price of 39,900 baht, the Nitro 5 (Intel Gen 12) is perfect for gamers with a limited budget, students or people who do not have much space. But prepared to pay extra to expand the RAM.
Key specs:
CPU: Intel Core i7-12700H with 14 cores( 6P+8E) at 3.5-4.7GHz
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 with 4GB GDDR6
SSD: M.2 NVMe 512GB
RAM: 8GB DDR4 3200MHz
Display: 15.6-inch full HD IPS panel with 165Hz refresh rate
Ports: Thunderbolt 4 x 1, USB-A 3.2 x 3, HDMI x 1, LAN x 1, Audio combo x 1
GSB launches generous savings accounts to ease Thais’ retirement fears
MONDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2022
Nongluck Ajanapanya
The Government Savings Bank (GSB) marked World Savings Day by opening two high-interest saving schemes to help Thais through the cost-of-living crisis on Monday.
Vitai Ratanakorn, president and CEO of GSB, oversaw a ceremony to launch the two new proactive saving schemes.
The first scheme, for medium-term savings, offers annual interest of 4.50 per cent tax-free on money deposited for at least 13 months.
The second scheme, for long-term savings, offers 3.21 per cent annual interest tax-free on money deposited for seven years.
Vitai said that while the government is urging people to spend to boost the economy through domestic consumption, it is also important to set aside money for the long term.
“It is our responsibility to educate people how to balance their spending and savings,” GSB’s chief said.
He also vowed to raise interest on savings if the Bank of Thailand decides to hike the policy rate at its next meeting in response to similar moves by the US Federal Reserve. However, GSB loan rates would be kept low for as long as possible.
Thai household savings fell during the Covid-19 pandemic, but with the economy now showing signs of recovery it’s time to encourage people to start saving again, he said.
The new GSB strategy will respond to Thailand’s ageing society by focusing on medium- and long-term saving for retirement.
“These two new savings schemes currently offer the highest interest rate on bank savings accounts. We developed these savings plans not for the benefit of banks but for the benefit of all Thais,” Vitai said.
He added that the new schemes may reduce GSB’s margins but its finances and liquidity would remain strong.
GSB has also launched a new app called Coach Aom, which aims to help people on low income understand basic money management. Users will get saving plans tailored to their circumstances to ensure they have sufficient retirement savings.
The simple functions and features of the user-friendly app were developed in collaboration with Chulalongkorn University’s finance and accountancy faculty.
Coach Aom is available on Android devices, with an iOS version to be released soon.
Cambodia welcomes 1.26 million visitors, most from Thailand
MONDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2022
Cambodia welcomed nearly 1.27 million international visitors in the first nine months of this year – up 861.21% year-on-year but down 73.58% over the same period in 2019. The Tourism Ministry said 59.08% of the visitors were from Thailand and Vietnam.
Of the January-September arrivals, 946,125 or 74.75% declared “holiday” as their purpose of visit, 64,359 or 21.40% marked “business”, while 48,737 or 3.85 indicated other reasons.
Thailand accounted for 462,705 or 36.56% of visitors (444,943 holidays; 16,814 business; 948 other) – up 617.83% year-on-year and 60.61% above the corresponding period in 2019. Vietnam, meanwhile, had 285,163 or 22.53% (208,333 holidays; 76,461 business; 369 other), up 3,628.11% on-year but down 55.25% versus the 2019 period.
Visitors from China accounted for 4.93% of the total or 62,425, followed by Indonesia (49,903; 3.94%), the US (49,802; 3.93%), Laos (38,783; 3.06%), South Korea (36,404; 2.88%), Malaysia (34,438; 2.72%), France (31,157; 2.46%) and the UK (22,471; 1.78%).
September alone accounted for 21.13% of the nine-month total for international visitors, at 267,500, up 4.98% over August (254,813), which was up 7.65% from July (236,697).
If the number of international visitors for each remaining month this year is equal to or greater than the September figure, then the entire year will have seen more than 2.07 million visitors or 3.41% more than the estimates provided by the ministry last month.
Angkor Tourist Guides Association president Khieu Thy told The Post on October 30 that the number of foreign tourists visiting Angkor Wat has risen significantly in recent months, noting that most were from bordering countries, especially Thailand.
Thy claimed that since Covid-19 restrictions were rolled back “almost a year ago”, the uptick in visitors from Thailand and other nearby countries has been “overwhelming”.
Even without as many travellers from more distant destinations as before, the Cambodian tourism sector has remained sustainable thanks to tourists from neighbouring countries, he said.
“We expect there will soon be many more holidaymakers from countries farther away,” he said.
According to the ministry, most of the January-September international visitors arrived by land at 788,580 or 62.30%, followed by air (468,889; 37.04%) and waterways (8,303; 0.66%).
Cambodia Association of Travel Agents (CATA) president Chhay Sivlin argued that more travel facilitation measures for residents of nearby countries need to be adopted.
She explained that, for the time being, each jurisdiction’s tourism sector will be mainly dependent on internal and regional travel, amid the current global uncertainty tied to geopolitical and economic shocks as well as lingering Covid-19 disruptions.
“Visitors from neighbouring countries are a good starting point for the post-Covid-19 tourism recovery. Although they don’t spend as much as guests from European and American countries, their presence is very important at this time,” she said.
One such travel facilitation measure considered by government officials is a pilot scheme that would allow Thai tourists with official residence in any of the seven provinces that border Cambodia to travel overland to Siem Reap, especially Angkor Archaeological Park, with only a border pass and not a passport.
The idea was raised at a September 19 plenary meeting of the inter-ministerial commission tasked with facilitating travel into Cambodia at all ports of entry, which was presided over by its chairman Tourism Minister Thong Khon.
Siem Reap does not border Thailand, which would require participants of the scheme to enter Cambodia through one of the seven provinces along the frontier.
Following the meeting, Tourism Ministry’s secretary of state Hor Sarun, who is also deputy chairman of the commission, said that Khon was looking to make a formal request to the government for the scheme. No updates on the request were immediately available.
Sarun claimed that Cambodia would greatly benefit if Thai holidaymakers can enter the country more freely. “Some Thais want to see Angkor Wat, but they lack a passport. Now, those living in border provinces can apply for a border pass and visit,” he said.
He explained that residents of Thailand’s Sa Kaew or Surin provinces could make their way into Siem Reap via Cambodia’s Banteay Meanchey or Oddar Meanchey provinces, respectively.
The seven Thai provinces that border Cambodia are Trat, Chanthaburi, Sa Kaew, Buri Ram, Surin, Si Sa Ket and Ubon Ratchatani. The seven Cambodian provinces that border Thailand are Koh Kong, Pursat, Battambang, Pailin, Banteay Meanchey, Oddar Meanchey and Preah Vihear.
Halloween horror dims hope of recovery in Seoul’s entertainment hub
MONDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2022
Restaurants, cafes and clubs in Seoul’s popular nightlife district of Itaewon seemed to be on a smooth road to recovery at last after years of pandemic disruptions – before Saturday. But its hopes of a quick revival were wrecked in minutes as a surge among tens of thousands celebrating Halloween in its narrow streets crushed more than 150 people to death.
The neighbourhood – once the realm of expats and American soldiers on R&R – has transformed into a culturally diverse and trendy hub beloved of locals and visitors alike in recent years. Its “Brooklyn-style” gentrification has brought in global brands, including Gucci and Lululemon flagship stores.
Boosting its unique charm was 2020’s hit TV series “Itaewon Class”, which was set in the neighbourhood, and the relocation of the president’s office nearby in May this year.
But the country’s Covid-19 restrictions saw a mass shuttering of Itaewon businesses from 2020 until the end of last year.
So expectation was running high for the first “maskless” Halloween party in three years, with many local business owners convinced the immensely popular festivities would get them out of the woods.
However, business sentiment was destroyed immediately after Saturday’s deadly crowd surge. At least 154 people were killed and 103 injured in the narrow and hilly alleyways around the area’s landmark Hamilton Hotel.
Out of respect for the dead and/or fear following the crush, the usually bustling streets of Itaewon are likely to remain empty for some time.
Businesses in Itaewon are closing for a two-day mourning period, according to police and local vendors.
“Some stores have already stopped operations. Whether the temporary closure will extend depends on how the situation unfolds,” said one police officer, who wished to remain anonymous.
The Itaewon Special Tourism Zone Association, an organisation of business owners in the area, reportedly sent an emergency message urging members to temporarily operations out of respect to the victims.
As of Sunday morning, several restaurants, cafes and clothing stores were shuttered with signs reading “may they rest in peace” on their windows.
The closures were voluntary and some businesses were open as usual, but onlookers worried that the latest fiasco may lead to another prolonged downturn for an area already feeling the pinch from pandemic disruption and inflation.
Park, 41, who runs a franchise coffee shop across from the stampede site, said “there has been no disaster like this in the neighbourhood over the past few years. My store is closed today.”
In fact, the stampede was the second-worst accident in South Korea’s history, after the 2014 Sewol ferry disaster that killed 306 people.
According to state-run real estate data provider Korea Real Estate Board, the vacancy rate at commercial properties in Itaewon surged to an average of 30 per cent at the pandemic peak of end-2020. But the figure showed signs of recovery, dropping to some 7 per cent last year when social distancing rules were relaxed.
South Korea has declared a week of national mourning until Saturday, asking local businesses and authorities to cancel Halloween festivals, events and parades.
“I don’t think I’ll be able to dine or meet with friends in Itaewon for some time,” Lee Ji-soo, a 32-year old said.
India bridge death toll rises to 132 as rescuers search Machhu River
MONDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2022
Reuters
The death toll from a bridge that collapsed in Gujarat state in India rose to 132 on Monday, Reuters reported.
The footbridge in the town of Morbi was packed with people enjoying holiday sightseeing when it fell into the Machhu River on Sunday, plunging people into the fast-flowing current.
“The death toll in the bridge collapse incident has gone up to 132. The search and rescue operations are continuing,” senior official NK Muchhar told Reuters, warning that the victim count could rise further.
Military personnel have joined rescue teams from nearby districts to search the river for any remaining victims, Muchhar said.
More than 400 people were on and around the colonial-era bridge when it collapsed, said authorities. The bridge was a sightseeing point for people celebrating the Diwali and Chhath Puja holidays.
A five-member team has been tasked with investigating the causes of the disaster.
The 230-metre bridge was built in the 19th century during British rule. It was reopened recently after undergoing six months of repair and renovation.
South Korea begins week of mourning, investigation as Seoul death toll rises to 154
MONDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2022
South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol has declared a week of national mourning after at least 154 people were killed during a Halloween stampede in Seoul.
Partygoers were killed in the crush when a huge crowd celebrating Halloween surged into an alley in a nightlife area of the South Korean capital on Saturday night.
On Sunday, Yoon declared national mourning would be observed until Saturday (November 5) with government buildings will flying the flag at half-mast.
He also expressed condolences to victims and their families, prayed for quick recoveries among the injured, and vowed an investigation to find the cause.
US President Joe Biden also sent a message of solidarity: “Jill [Biden] and I send our deepest condolences to the families who lost loved ones in Seoul. We grieve with the people of the Republic of Korea and send our best wishes for a quick recovery to all those who were injured.”
Chinese President Xi Jinping said he was shocked to learn of the heavy casualties in the stampede, according to China’s Foreign Ministry website. On behalf of the Chinese government and people, Xi extended deep condolences over the deaths of the victims and sincere sympathies to the bereaved families and the injured.
The death toll from the crush among partygoers who had crowded into Seoul’s popular Itaewon district rose to 154 on Sunday. The accident is the second-worst in South Korea’s history, after the Sewol ferry disaster that killed 304 people in 2014.
At least one Thai was killed in the stampede, according to the Royal Thai Embassy in South Korea.
Tech and game firms Kakao and NCSoft pulled their Halloween promotions after the incident while South Korea’s Everland amusement park has cancelled its Halloween-themed events.
Regional governments and organisations across the country have also scrapped events to mark the festival tonight.
Blocking cannabis law for political reasons will do ‘more harm than good’
MONDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2022
A farmers’ representative and a businessman called on the House to speed up the legislation of a cannabis control law so businesses know what they can and cannot do.
The statement came on Monday from Prapat Panyachatraksa, president of the National Farmers’ Council, and Ong-art Panyachatraksa, owner of the Organic Phet Lanna Farma and a partner of the RG420 Cannabis Store on Khao San Road in Bangkok.
The two were referring to the September 14 House resolution to indefinitely defer the second reading of the cannabis bill and return it to the special House committee that had vetted the draft.
“I understand the delay was caused by politicking,” said Prapat, who is a member and adviser to the ad hoc panel.
The bill was engineered by coalition partner Bhumjaithai Party, which had promised to legalise marijuana while campaigning for the 2019 general election.
The House voted 198:136 to return the bill to the ad hoc panel for review after Democrat Party, also a coalition partner, said the bill would promote the recreational use of marijuana. Democrat MPs also cited concerns that children and youth would abuse cannabis as a drug. The Rural Doctors Society was among groups that voiced such concersn.
He said he would submit an open letter to Parliament President Chuan Leekpai and leaders of all political parties on Wednesday, calling on them to add the bill to the House agenda and speed up deliberations in the second and third readings.
Prapat urged the public to join him at the Parliament complex on Wednesday when he is submitting the letter.
In the letter, Prapat reasons that the cannabis bill has been passed in principle by the House and vetted by the ad hoc panel, which includes representatives from political parties, government agencies as well as the private and civil sectors.
The letter also points out that the bill’s legislation should be speeded up for the sake of clarity and the creation of new business opportunities, adding that it had been vetted carefully to ensure its enactment does not affect vulnerable groups as feared.
Prapat said many farmers and businesses have invested a lot in growing and processing marijuana into products. If the bill is not enacted soon, it could spark losses of as much as 50 billion baht, he said.
Ong-art, meanwhile, said businesses cannot move forward without a direct cannabis control law, which he added would boost confidence in the business.
He also pointed out that banks are not granting loans for marijuana-related businesses, because their future is uncertain without the law.
“As a businessman, I want the direction to be clear, so we know what we can and cannot do,” he said.
He pointed out that if marijuana is put on the list of banned narcotics again, then many businesses would go bankrupt. He also asked why politicians did not speak up when the panel vetting bill announced its decisions.
“This is not right and it’s disgusting to play politics on the future of the people and the country,” he said.
He added that the price of dried ganja had fallen from 30,000 baht per kilo to about 1,000 baht due to uncertainties over the bill.
Pheu Thai’s PM candidate vows to tap the potential of new generation
MONDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2022
Thailand should tackle problems of people’s standard of living and geopolitics as soon as possible, Pheu Thai Party’s prime minister candidate, Srettha Thavisin, said on Monday.
In an interview with Thai newspaper Krungthep Turakij, he said Thailand has almost lost its position on the international stage, as the country had not showed its identity and potential over the past eight years.
“Thailand has resources that many people want, but we need to be proud and humble in trading because we cannot rely only on ourselves,” he said.
It is necessary to consider problems case by case, as some problems should be solved immediately, he said, adding that taking care of problems in a proper way may result in benefit for many generations of people.
“We have to take care of people, not just amending some rules,” he said. “We should tackle problems step by step as some problems are easy to deal with.”
Srettha, who is also president of real estate developer Sansiri, said the government should meet all groups of people’s needs, especially the new generation who will be the country’s power in the future.
He said that the current government had failed to gain the confidence of the new generation due to communication errors.
“I believe that our country’s leaders have good intentions, but they have to improve their communication,” he said. “We should be a good role model for the new generation, otherwise it would be like pouring oil on the fire.”
He added that he was not calling for a reform, but a change in mindset.
“I believe that proper communication will help attract people without forcing them,” he added.
He said the general election next year will be turning point for Thailand, adding that many businessmen want to see clarity in the country’s administration.
He also pointed out that political conflict so far had affected economic growth, even though Thailand has the potential to boost its economy.
“The government should have looked at the roots of the conflict,” he said. “If there is any correction, the government should not do it with one group of people because it would affect others.”
If he were to be elected as prime minister in the upcoming general election, Srettha vowed to tackle four big issues: people’s standard of living; the constitution; geopolitics; and people rights, liberty and equality.
State agency-backed digital platform helps keep SMEs competitive in tourism sector
MONDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2022
Nongluck Ajanapanya
Thailand’s Digital Economy Promotion Agency (Depa) has vowed to continue supporting the private sector develop digital platforms that are helpful to tourists.
Nuttapon Nimmanphatcharin, president/CEO of Depa, told a press conference held online on Monday that the country’s small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in the tourism sector are currently required to create some creative and distinctive content to display online in order to attract tourists.
He revealed that it was one of the strategies for keeping SMEs competitive with big business.
Depa has partnered with Safe T Travel, a Thailand travel platform that uses artificial intelligence (AI) and big data to analyse tourists’ preferences and travel demands, to effectively support SMEs.
The platform will provide comprehensive tourism information in digital content that meets the needs of both groups. As a result, Thailand’s SMEs now can access a quality affordable platform while other startups can plug in to offer their services.
Safe T, he explained, is an abbreviation for Safe Thailand. It means that local SMEs must contribute to the preservation of the country’s tourism industry by developing their own distinct identity and promoting it to the rest of the world.
“This is accomplished by gathering accurate information, which is then processed and presented using digital technology. Digital technology assists tourists in making more informed decisions. Similarly, digital technology helps to stimulate qualitative tourism while also boosting Thailand’s tourism sector,” said Nuttapon.
Safe T Travel’s chief marketing officer, Phanumet Setthasirisoonthron, said that the company’s 100 per cent Thai digital platform service provider offers tourism-related information such as accommodation, transportation, restaurants, local guides, activities, souvenir shops, and self-care locations.
Tourists can make advance reservations and payments through the QueQ application, which is another collaborator in this project. Aside from restaurants, the online service can be used at tourist attractions and park areas.
Furthermore, the QueQ application provides notification service, alerting tourists when the booking time approaches.
Senior marketing officer of Queue Q (Thailand), Suwimon Boontan, added that the application reduces density in high-demand areas, handles unlimited users, and benefits restaurants and Thailand tourism.
Nuttapon stated that Depa will provide and support knowledge development for entrepreneurs who lack the skills and understanding required to create digital content about their businesses using digital technology. This is done to help Thai businesses gain exposure and broaden tourists’ perceptions.
“The platform will increase tourists’ trust in using safe and standard-compliant services,” he concluded. “It opens up new opportunities for attracting new groups of tourists and provides dispersed visits to secondary city areas. This is regarded as a source of income for various Thai communities.”
Depa anticipates that more than 10,000 entrepreneurs will join the platform, increasing their business competitiveness, adding value to the tourism industry, reducing reliance on foreign platforms, and assisting in the transformation of the country’s economy into the next phase of the digital economy and society.
Prapat urged the public to join him at the Parliament complex on Wednesday when he is submitting the letter.
Ong-art, meanwhile, said businesses cannot move forward without a direct cannabis control law, which he added would boost confidence in the business.
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